life, and soon it will be our turn; how zealous therefore should we be to improve the present moments! Oh, what a glorious change is that which the Christian experiences, to part with the trials and inconstant pleasures of life, to enjoy uninterrupted felicity springing from the throne of God, and the Lamb. This should stimulate us to press forward, that we may obtain the prize of our high calling of God in Christ. I often reflect upon the time when I shall put off this body, to be present, I trust, with the Lord.

"Prepare me, Lord, for thy right-hand,

Then come the joyful day,

Come death, and some celestial band,
To bear my soul away.”

"What can exceed, or what can equal, the joys of the Christian, when blessed with a sweet sense of interest in Christ. I trust, at times, I have experienced this, and could say, "earth has no charms for me:" but it is not always my felicity to enjoy this delightful frame of mind. Often my soul is beclouded, and goes mourning, because of darkness and sin,-lest

H

I should have entertained the hope of the hypocrite, which must perish. Last Lord's day, the ordinance of the Lord's supper refreshed and delighted my soul. I found it, according to the language of the Prophet, a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees; of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. Was very glad to find that you also enjoyed the same ordinance. May our love never grow cold to that precious Saviour, who has given himself for us! but rather may it daily increase with our zeal for his cause and interest, in the world. Having Christ, we possess all: for He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?"¬

"I finished my journey a little after twelve o'clock. The country was delightfully pleasant, the birds sung most melodiously, the trees were clad in vernal beauties, and all nature seemed to speak forth the praise of the Great Creator;and what cause have we for gratitude, who not

6 Isa. xxv. 6.

7 Rom. viii. 32.

only partake of his common bounty, but, I trust, are the subjects of his rich and saving grace? May we be enabled to glorify him in our body and spirit, which are his !

"Let us always remember, that the pleasures of this mortal existence are very short-lived: this will keep us from expecting more from the world than it is capable of affording; and teach us daily to seek our truest joy from him, who alone is the fountain of all good.".

"You kindly inquired, in your last, after the prosperity of my soul.-If a greater sense of my own sinfulness and unworthiness, a more feeling view of the depravity of my heart, added to an increasing love to Christ, and an earnest desire for greater conformity to his image, be any proof of a work of grace in my soul, I trust I have this evidence. How kind was the Saviour to pity us in our low estate,-not for any goodness he saw in us, but to magnify the exceeding riches of his grace! If we be created anew in Christ

81 Cor. vi. 20.

Jesus, let us press forward with renewed zeal. It is only a few years, at most, and we shall land on those blissful shores, where sorrow and sighing are never known, and where we shall never cease singing the song of Moses and the Lamb."

How much better would it become

a poor dependent creature to say, the will of the Lord be done, than to rebel against the mysterious ways of his Providence! Oh that my corrupt heart should be thus depraved! Let me unite with you in cheerfully submitting in all things to the divine disposal, remembering that our infinitely wise Father in heaven knows, and appoints all our trials. The bitter, as well as the sweet, is sent in love for our good, because there is a necessity that we should be tried for

a season.

"Let us bow in humble submission to his holy will, let us adore and bless the hand that corrects us. They are the chastisements of a friend, whose wisdom cannot err, whose love cannot change, and whose faithfulness is to all

generations. In all changes and trials, in adversity and prosperity, let us rejoice that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."

After the Christmas vacation of 1810, Maria and Eliza Gilbert entered upon their work, with much trembling and diffidence: they felt the care of children a most important charge, involving a degree of responsibility that should not be lightly assumed, and requiring moral qualities and attainments not always to be found; their most judicious friends were frequently consulted upon the subject; and counsel and wisdom sought from Him, who has promised to direct our steps.

It has frequently excited surprise, to see many Christians, whom we suppose enter conscientiously into every engagement of life, take upon them the instruction of youth, with nothing but piety to qualify them for their work. Piety, every Christian parent should

9 Heb. xiii. 8.