Page:Groves - Memoir of Anthony Norris Groves, 3rd edition.djvu/466

CHAPTER XIX.

a.d. 1848.

mr. groves visits england—his feelings on this occasion—account of overland route—arrival in bristol—visits in devonshire, london and scotland—return to bristol—events which took place there—sails for india—reaches chittoor—account of his work there—changes in society—failure of his own health.

Having happily concluded the business which had detained him in India, Mr. Groves was able to make arrangements for his departure to England early in 1848. He writes:—

“Jan. 26th.—How wonderful it seems that I should have to put this myself into the post-office at Malta, to go by Marseilles, to tell you I am coming in about a week. May the Lord so grant it! I am on my way back from Mysore, where I had a very happy visit, and was delighted to be able to leave them all without a care; they seem so very happy; and everything, as far as we can see, is so promising, that not a cloud appears to hang over their prospects.”

Other extracts from his journals, showing the state of his mind on leaving India, will be read with interest:—

“When I look back on all the Lord’s goodness to me since I came here, and all my unfaithfulness to Him, the small measure in which I had practically realized those holy principles which my heart so fully owns, how amazing does His love appear, which has, notwithstanding this, borne with me, and delivered me from the multitude of my troubles!

“I sometimes think I may find some place for service at home; but this will depend much more on the measure of communion I may be able to maintain with God in my own soul, than on anything else. When the Spirit witnesses powerfully of the