edness. May yours be the ineffable consola. tion of wiping the tears of the widow and the orphan, comforting the too much neglected abodes of penury and wretchedness, and improving the condition of all around you in body and soul. Alas, a benevolent heart can hardly fail to bleed at a view of the sins and miseries that abound. The world seems like a great hospital, in which almost every one is groaning under the pressure of weakness, sickness and affliction; and some are oppressed with a heavy complication of distresses. Sin has changed this once blooming Eden, flowing with perennial sweets into a thorny desert, "a waste howling wilderness," where sorrows and woes spontaneous grow. But blessed be God for the precious balm of the gospel, and Gilead's almighty Physician. He only is adequate to the recovery of our diseased souls, and the healing of our wounded spirits. He gives his prescriptions and assistance, "without money, and without price," and no case, however desperate and inveterate, he ever undertook, but he effected a radical cure. His patients indeed are but partially restored in this unfavorable clime; but he has prepared a place to which he receives them after proper discipline and preparation. There they find the air salubrious, the employments delightsome, the music melodious and enchanting, the inhabitants excellent and gloriousall in unison, shouting loud acclamations of praise to their glorious Recoverer. There all are cemented in one vast bond of perfect love, having left their divisions, envies, and imperfections in this sinful world. Paul and Barna bas are now amicably reconciled in the sweet endearments of mutual amity. There all tears shall be wiped away; and "the inhabitants shall no more say, I am sick;" for holiness, felicity and glory are his, as exalted and immeasura ble as the cravings of his never dying soul, and lasting as the ages of eternity. He has a more than Eden, gained an eternal weight of glory, which no sin shall forfeit, and no length of time corrode or impair. How rich the blood that purchased it, how stupendous the grace that bestows it. Jesus! precious, delightful name, a restorative for every pain, a cordial for every trouble, a sweet emollient balm for every woe. Let it tranquillize and invigorate our hearts, and be the theme of our admiring gratitude and adoring love. We hope the time is not far distant, when the eastern world, now enveloped in darkness, superstition, ignorance and error, shall be irradiated with the clear light of the gospel, the resplendent rays of the Sun of righteousness. The present time is indeed gloomy. Wars, desolations, earthquakes and dire calamities are abroad in the earth, perhaps the precursors of still more tremendous judgments. But "the scriptures must be fulfilled," and not one jot or tittle shall fail. How consoling to think,. that these portentous commotions shall be ultimately introductory to the millennial era of light and love. How delightful to look through these nocturnal shades to the dawn of that auspicious glorious morn. As it respects the Deity of Christ, my dear friend, I think no one who reads the scripture impartially need to doubt. That he is possessed of all the attributes and perfections of Deity, and that he should be honored even as the Father is honored, we have indubitable evidence from the Bible. I have often wondered how any, who profess to be his disciples, can degrade him almost to the level of a Does it not imply mean thoughts of him; not to say hatred and enmity? mere man. for Will you send me a few thoughts on this question, "What is the immediate duty of impenitent sinners?" Does not the scripture say, "Repent!" But some allege, that we cannot repent of ourselves, and that God must give us repentance. Others say, we must pray repentance, and if we pray aright, God will answer our prayers, and seem to think they can somehow merit it. I should like to write much more; for I have not yet satisfied the demands of your letter, I have amplified so much on other subjects. I should be much gratified with a visit from you; but if that is impracticable at present, substitute frequent epistles to your obliged FANNY. Note to Miss E. S. of Beverly. My much loved Friend, Beverly, Feb. 4, 1813. I IMAGINE you have had information of Mr. E. K.'s sudden and untimely death by suicide. Does not your heart ache, and your tears flow, when you think of the forlorn wid. ow, and the fatherless children? O may their souls, tortured with poignant anguish, rest in God. May they find him a refuge in time of trouble, a shelter from all the storms and tempests of this desert world. I think of writing a word of consolation to my dear Betsy and Rebecca, and should be happy to hear of an opportunity to send. Afflictions are more or less the common lot of the children of men. But thanks be to God, the bitter waters of Marah may be sweetened with many a pleasant ingredient. The precious promises of the gospel, and the smiles of approving Heaven are adequate to the most acute and complicated trials and sorrows. O my sister, bless the Lord for a religion that can tranquillize the distressed soul, calm the heart-rending sigh, repress the rising tear, and diffuse a placid serenity over the bleeding bosom. O my beloved, value this religion more than all the things of time and sense, more than millions of worlds like this, and let it be your heavenly guest, the harbinger of immortal glory. Never, never, let us be ashamed of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. No, we will rather glory in it. Tho nominal Christians and daring infidels censure us as enthusiastic, superstitious, and hypochondriac. yet will we advocate religion; we will delight to converse upon it at all proper times, and conduct as pilgrims and strangers here, looking for an inheritance beyond "the swellings of Jordan," in that land, where the "wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest;' to which may we be received through infinite grace, when our wanderings in the wilderness are terminated. Yours with growing affec tion, F. Letter to Misses B. K. and R. K. of Bradford. Mourning Friends, In the late distressing catastrophe, which has involved your once cheerful family in the deepest gloom, the tear of condoling friendship has wet my cheek, and the tenderest feelings of my heart have sympathized with you. Tho I cannot know the poignancy of your grief by bitter experience, yet the affectionate love I bear you constrains me to send you a line of consolation, depending on your candor to excuse the inaccuracies and deficiencies of my well meant endeavor. You mourn the death of a beloved father, attended with circumstances peculiarly trying; which must agitate your souls with the most agonizing reflections. But God has done it. This trial, with all its complicated aggravations, was sent by his holy hand, and directed by his infinite wisdom. I trust you recognize his justice and goodness, and acquiesce in his will. He is an almighty Friend, an ever present Helper, a Refuge in times of trouble. May his presence and smiles sweetly tranquillize each heaving sigh, wipe your falling tears, and diffuse an inexpressible serenity in your bleeding hearts. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you," and communicate strength adequate to your day, causing you to sing of mercy as well as of judgment. No drooping soul, but he can invigorate-no night of adversity, but he can iliumine. He has promised that he will never forsake his humble followers, and that all things shall work together for their good. Be assured, he knows |