WRITINGS OF ISS FANNY WOODBURY, Letter to Miss E. A. of Beverly. Beverly, Sept. 21, 1806. It was with peculiar pleasure, I received your edifying epistle, my dear Miss A. and with similar sensations, I resume my pen to answer it. Tho I am sensible, I shall not write with accuracy, nor coherence, yet I will not consume a page in apology. How vain, how transitory, are all the enjoy ments of time and sense. They can never satisfy the desires of our immortal minds. Real felicity they cannot impart. Let us then look upon them with a noble indifference, and as they must one day appear, unworthy the atten tion of immortal beings. What folly, what madness, to seek for permanent and solid happiness here. We have immortal souls, that must exist forever in consummate felicity, or endless misery. We are hastening to eternity, and must soon appear before the tribunal of Christ, to render a strict and impartial account of the deeds done in the body; and can we then devote our time and attention in the pursuit of terrestrial pleasures? Young gives us a very excellent caution, "Beware what earth calls happiness; beware We are probationers for eternity. We are forming characters and performing actions for a never-ending state of existence. Time is short. Months and years fly away with velocity, never, never, to return. O let it be our concern to improve every moment for our present and eternal good. May we devote our remaining days to God, and sit under the shadow of the Redeemer with great delight. He is the Rose of Sharon, and the lily of the vallies; the chiefest among ten thousands and altogether lovely. O that I could say without a doubt, "My Beloved is mine, and I am his." God grant we may not deceive ourselves; but be advocates for his holy religion, till our latest breath. May Heaven bless you temporally, and spiritually. At the throne of Almighty grace, plead for your unworthy friend, JOURNAL, 1807. FANNY. Sept. 6. Sabbath day. Attended meeting and heard the sublime doctrines of the gospel declared by a minister from Gloucester, O what a mercy is it that I can sometimes hear. O may I practise the duties enjoined; and not be like the stony ground hearers, who receive the word with joy; but having no root, they endure but for a time, and, when troubles arise, fall away. But may I follow my Lord joyfully even unto death. May I glorify him here on earth. O Lord, deliver me from the thousands of temptations, that beset me at every step. O leave me not to my own wicked heart; but enable me to put my trust in thee alone. Sept. 10. This day I am sixteen years old. years. O to what little purpose have I lived so many For what was I made, but to serve and glorify God? And yet what have I done, but rebel against him? How justly might he now consign me over to the gloomy regions of sorrow and despair, where the least glimpse of hope can never, never come. Surely he is good, and his mercy endures forever; else I had long ago been in hell, reaping the reward of my doings. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. O let me never forget this kind, this gracious God. The year past has been the most distinguished year of my life. My mind has been very seriously impressed with the truth and importance of religion; and, I trust, has embraced it. O that this year may place me in the Paradise of my God, to go no more out forever; there to sit and sing the song of redeeming love through a never ending eternity. When shall I be with my God, never to leave, or grieve him more? O thou Searcher of hearts, and Trier of reins, wilt thou protect and bless me this year? O prepare me for all the trying scenes of life. However long, or short, my life may be, it makes no difference with me, if every moment be well improved. Sept. 11. Went to Mr. D.'s and conversed with him sometime. He gave me such advice, as I never had before. O may I improve it to my everlasting good. O how sweet were his words; but how few of them can this treacherous memory retain. They ought to be engraven on my heart, never to be forgotten. May he live long, to be a blessing to this wicked generation; and when death shall summe him to bid adieu to earthly things, may ter the regions of endless bliss. he en Sept. 13. Felt very serious and solemn to-day. I view religion of more importance than ever. OI wonder how a person can live unmindful of Christ, and his dying love. O how wretched, how inconceivably wretched, must that person be, who places all his happiness in this sinful world. O what must be his feelings in the near view of death and eternity. Sept. How I long for the conversion of my youthful companions. O could they realize their awful situation without an interest in the great Redeemer, they certainly could not rest easy. But alas, they appear very indifferent with regard to eternal things. Was propounded for admission into the church by Mr. D. of Marblehead. This night I made the solemn dedication of myself to God in writing.* Sept. 15. Felt very unwell. Sickness is as pleasant as health, if I can but enjoy a holy God. O for perfect conformity to him. Sept. 17. Attended the funeral of Mr. W. D.'s daughter. Heard an excellent prayer; but alas, I have reason to lament, that it makes no more impression upon my hard heart. Ο that all who attended may be prepared for their own latter end. Sept. 19. Communion with God! O how sweet and desirable. The high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, condescends to hear our prayers. How ought I to spend my days, since all the grace I need, to do his will, Jesus is ready to bestow. He says, "Ask, and ye *This was in the words of Doddridge. See Rise and Progress, chapter 17. shall receive." I need only to repair to him, tell my wants and ask wisdom, and he will give me that pearl of great price, which is of more value than all the riches of this world. The past week one of my fellow mortals was consigned to her kindred dust. She was called home in the morning of life, before she was capable of knowing good from evil. O may this afflictive event be sanctified to the mourning relatives. While the youthful parents ponder in silent grief over their early bereavement, O may they learn to apply their hearts unto wisdom, and justify God. May it teach me also and my young companions the frailty of life and the certainty of death. O may it cause them seriously to meditate on death and eternity. They have often been reminded of these solemn things; but alas, I fear with no good effect. O that this may prove an effectual warning. Gracious God, imprint it on their memories, that they too must die; and make them willing in the day of thy power. Sept. 21. O the worth of an immortal sul! It will continue to exist when time is swallowed up in eternity. This surely should be the theme of constant reflection. In all our worldly concerns, we should keep eternity in view. Then would the amusements of this world become insipid, and religion appear of all things the most important. Sept. 24. Attended a lecture, but alas, could not hear. O ye dear children of God, who can hear sermon after sermon, may you make a wise improvement of all these advantages, while it is in your power. Come, O my soul, bow in holy submission to the will of God. |