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is not always to wander in this dark and inhospitable wilderness, exposed to enemies, snares, and dangers, and far from the God he loves. No; his time of trial and probation is short, and, as he lives a stranger and a pil grim here, so, when the shadows of the evening draw over him, and his sun sinks to rest, his happy spirit shall find that better land, where God, and saints, and angels dwell. There he rests from his labours, from all his con flicts, trials, and sorrows, and, leaning on the bosom of Jesus, finds eternal repose and everlasting peace. No. subtle temper, no ensnaring world, no wicked heart to trouble and oppress him. These he left with his expir ing breath, and bade them a delightful and endless adieu. Holiness and happiness possess his enlarged soul, and faith, changed into vision, beholds the glories of Deity, while songs of immortal praise dwell on his tongue. He stands complete in Christ his Saviour; and love, joy, gratitude, and hallelujahs shall form his blest employ, lasting as eternity.

It is good, my dear friend, to look beyond this vale of tears into that glorious rest that remains for the people of God. The prospect of this cheers us in this distant land, and sweetens our wearisome pilgrimage below. It is this that enlightens the night of adversity, and pours consolation into the sufferer's cup, while it strengthens the fainting traveller by pointing to his eternal home. This has oft raised my spirits sinking with grief, and eased my heart oppressed with fear. But I frequently question whether this hope is not the hope of the hypocrite, which shall perish when God takes away the soul;-a hope, which takes the comfort of the promises, while it overlooks the conditions. I know it is a great thing to be a humble follower of the Lamb, to have Christ formed in the soul, the evil dispositions and lusts subdued by grace, holiness enstamped on the heart, and heaven begun below: And

doubtless, thousands ruin their immortal souls by thinking they are something, when they are nothing; contented with a name to live, while they are dead; deceiving themselves by some refuge of lies, and yet vainly imagining they are going to heaven. But O how great will be their astonishment, consternation, and misery, when death undeceives them, and opens their eyes, not in the bright regions of glory, but in the yawning gulf of black despair! O if I should be deceived, and go blindfolded to hell, while my hopes of heaven are firm and bright, how dreadful will be my condemnation, how aggravated my doom! But while I see myself a vile and guilty sinner, I see likewise that Christ is just such a Saviour as my perishing soul stands in need of, every way fit, excellent, and glorious. On" the cross, all stained with hallowed blood," hangs my hope, my refuge, my only sure support against despair. Jesus! precious, soul-refreshing, life-giving name! Let it be sweeter than the sound of music to our ears, and invaluably dear to our sin-sick hearts. Christ, Emanuel, is the only Physician of the wounded conscience, the only passport to the favour of God, and the only way to eternal life. O may we be allured and captivated by his transporting beauties and heavenly charms, and be favoured abundantly with the soft whispers of his love and grace! May you, my dear and amiable friend, experience more and more the riches of his mercy and goodness, and sitting daily at his feet with Mary of old, find his fruit sweet to your taste, and his presence and smiles your song and your solace in the house of your pilgrimMay your declining days glide sweetly and serenely away, filled with usefulness, duty, and happiness. May death advance, stript of his terrors, as a welcome messenger to convey you home; and while his cold hand. presses on your furrowed cheek, may your moments be gilded with the bright rays of the Sun of righteousness,

age.

and reflect the joys and glories of heaven. And when your parting spirit wings its upward flight, may it be introduced into the glorious regions of immortality and bliss, to unite with the company of the redeemed in one harmonious and endless song of praise to the Lamb. Το these ardent breathings of my heart, I think you will add, Amen. Even so be it, thou lovely Emanuel!

Please to let me have respectful and affectionate rememberance to your daughter and grand-daughters, with wishes for a visit from them. If you can gain another hand to write, why cannot you send me some advice and instruction? Ever in your best moments pray for your unworthy Fanny; and accept this as a small testimony of her friendship, and wish to oblige.

NOTE TO MRS H. P. OF BRADFORD, THEN AT BEVERLY. Sabbath Eve, 1814.

You seem, my dear Mrs P. exceedingly distressed with a view of your sinfulness; and though I am far, very far from that knowledge of my heart, and that acquaintance with the evil of sin you appear to possess, yet I think for this painful discovery you ought to be thankful. Will not your heart always be wicked in this world? And do you not daily pray for greater sight of its vileness? And could you have any evidence you had repentep of sin, unless you had seen its turpitude and malice? Rejoice then evermore. The religion of Jesus, though it involves trials, crosses, and conflicts, unpleasant and far from small, is yet a happy religion, and brings with it present enjoyment. Do let us seek for a little of heaven by the way. Let our souls anchor on the only sure foundation; and then let Satan rage and threaten, let the globe shake to its very centre, and "the wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds" cover the wicked with confusion and

despair, our peace and joy shall remain firm, and smiling serenity shall calm our bosoms. Well, Satan has not

long to reign; and though he devours whom he may, yet not whom he would. May you lift up your standard against him, and find your Captain helping you to fight, and may shouts of victory,-victory through him, soon fall from our lips.

In your best moments supplicate for your obliged, &c.

NOTE TO MRS H. P. OF BRADFORD, THEN AT

BEVERLY.

AFTER the hurry and toil of the day, I hail a retired moment in my dear chamber, to unfold my feelings to my beloved sister, and affectionate fellow traveller. If you wish to know how my mind has been employed today, I can tell you, much as usual; on the state of religion here, and the awful coldness of those who have professed to have union to our dear Lord Jesus. I could. weep when I think of the divine injunction, " Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds," and almost question whether the eye of the formal professor ever met it. I am decidedly. of opinion, that the check of this revival is to be ascribed in a great degree to those who proclaim themselves Zion's friends; and if I be the accursed Achan, alas! my heart trembles! I would not for worlds be a mean of retarding this blessed work; but alas! I have reason to fear! O my friend, what shall we do at this critical moment? I long to see Christians take a decided, bold, and consistent stand on the Lord's side, and let others see the wide difference between them and the frozen hearted formalist. When the Lord shall come to search Jerusalem with candles, how many will be discovered to be settling on their lees, and at ease in Zion? For millions of worlds

I would not be in their case, and incur their terrific woe, Let me then search and examine, and rest in nothing short of that heart renewing change which alone secures acceptance with my judge. Great is the deceitfulness of the heart, and numerous are its refuges of lies. Who that knows it, dares to trust it? I long, as it were, to fly beyond mine to the adorable Redeemer, and solace myself in his ever blessed smiles; but this stubborn and relentless thing ties me down to dust, and mocks my fond desires. Well, there are no wicked hearts in heaven, no cold affections, no earth-born passions, no evil thoughts; but all immortal ardour, love, and delight.

JOURNAL, 1814.

April 2. I am a wonder to myself; and I am such a mystery of mysteries, that I am in doubt what to think of my real state and character. I have little, very little, solid evidence of my interest in the promises, and of true and supreme love to the most glorious and all perfect Jehovah. My heart is so basely deceitful, that I find it exceedingly difficult to determine what motives influence my conduct; and I am sometimes almost led to think, that I never had one exercise incompatible with supreme attachment to self-that all the religion I have, or ever had, is a regard to my own personal interest. Yet I humbly hope I have seen moments, when self was out of view, when I could rejoice in the character of God, and view it as altogether excellent and glorious, worthy of the love and admiration of intelligent creatures, and feel perfect complacency in his universal and sovereign government-when all his ways and works appeared righteous and holy, and therein I could take satisfaction. When sorrow and trouble have thrown a gloom over my aspect, and sunk my feeble heart, I could sweetly take comfort