Gathering Jewels | Page 7

health.
JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
The following letter is a sample of many to his old pastors, showing his
strong attachment to those who labored with him in word and doctrine:
NEW YORK, March 26, 1883.
MR. PHELPS--Reverend and dear friend and Christian brother: It has
been my purpose for some time to write to you and yours, even if it
should be but a few lines, to assure you that you are not forgotten by us;
for although you are absent from us, yet your faithful and earnest
appeals still live in our remembrance, and I have no doubt will continue
to do so; and while I may not be able to recall much of the many
sermons which I have heard you deliver, yet the impressions made
upon my mind while sitting under them are retained. I might, however,
state here, that I was sorry to part with you and your family, and to feel
that your pastoral relationship with us would soon be broken up; I had
made up my mind to stay by the Church while you remained, if I lived,

as I was attached to you and your family as to personal friends.... My
wife and I unite in love to you and Mrs. Phelps and your son.
JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
COVENANTS WITH GOD.
"Dear Lord, and shall Thy Spirit rest In such a wretched heart as mine?
Unworthy dwelling! Glorious Guest! Favor astonishing, Divine!"
* * * * * *
The following acts of consecration will, no doubt, be of interest to the
reader:
NEW YORK, Thursday, June 21, 1860.
I do solemnly resolve from this day onward to endeavor, relying on thy
Holy Spirit, to serve Thee better. This is my covenant, and I would ask
Thee to own and bless me with peace and joy in believing.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Saturday, October 6, 1860.
I now promise, as I have formerly promised to do, from this day
onward, to serve God better than I have been doing; depending on
God's spirit for assistance; and will now ask to be prospered as God
may see good for me.
JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Friday, October 18, 1861.
I resolved to serve God with renewed efforts, determining to look alone

to God for help.[1]
JAMES KNOWLES.
[1] The Fulton Street Noon Prayer Meetings found him an occasional
visitor during these days of national peril, anxiety, and prayer.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Thursday, April 9, 1863.
Entered into an agreement with my Heavenly Father that, through the
strength of His divine grace, I will live more for the glory of God than I
have ever done.
JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Saturday afternoon, April 22, 1865.
I renewed my covenant with God in the City Hall Park while standing
there, which I some years ago made, and now I again renew it, that I
would serve God better than formerly.
JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Thursday, April 19, 1866.
Renewed my engagement with the Lord to serve Him better than I had
done before, after having prayed to Him to be justified through faith in
the righteousness of Christ; and asked for other blessings which I felt
satisfied I would receive, for I feel my great need of these, as I felt very
helpless in myself, but that there was abundant fulness in Christ.
I write this and the above on this Saturday night, the 22d of April,
1866.

JAMES KNOWLES.
* * * * * *
NEW YORK, Wednesday, December 5, 1866.
My birth-day, and a fine day.
I resolved on this day to endeavor to serve the Lord better, and renewed
my covenant with the Lord, which I formerly made, and have again and
again sought or attempted to renew. May the Lord aid me in the future.
And thus, from these few specimens of his constantly self-convicted
weakness and appeals for more spiritual strength, we get a look at the
inner life of a practical Christian worker which it is rare to find among
us in these days. He could not stand alone; his last self-examination
always found him short, though it consisted of but a few questions put
by the spirit to the flesh at the end of every devotional service
incidental to the life and work of each day, thus:
Did I this morn devoutly pray For God's assistance through the day?
And did I read His sacred Word, To make my life therewith accord?
Did I for any purpose try To hide the truth and tell a lie? Did I my time
and thoughts engage As fits my duty,