press in characters legible to every eye, “SALVATION and PRAISE." The era is not far distant, and from heaven proceeds the immutable word, "I the Lord will hasten it in its time." Our hearts must gratefully respond, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus come quickly."

Sabbath eve. Respecting visits, my dear Mrs. P. I take it for granted you know my opinion and practice; but as you request, I wite a word on the subject, hoping you will be guided in this, and every other concern. ins a manner well pleasing in the sight of God, and conducive to his glory, and your own best interest. T'ho common place acquaintances merit our civility, and every proper expression of respectful attention, yet an intimate and frequent intercourse with them, I consider unnecessary, injurious and criminal. The Scripture is a sure directory; and, I be lieve, that does not allow of Christians' mingling much with the people of the world. Even where large parties have been chiefly formed of professors, I have seldom found much edification. We are commanded to redeem the time. And can we not, when solicited to make a visit, which we have every rea, son to conclude will be unprofitable, can we not improve the time better by conversing with our Bibles, our hearts, and our God--in writing to some dear separated friend-in visiting the poor, the sick and afflicted-or in holding familiar intercourse with some hum ble, decided follower of the Lamb? Were the time thus spent, should we not, on the review, feel more peace of conscience, than if was ed in tiresome scenes of vanity and folly? We

must not, however, affect singularity and preciseness. Much wisdom from above is need. ful to direct us in the right way; and with this, I wish you might be favored in an eminent de gree. Your affectionate FANNY.

Extract from a Letter to Miss N. K. of Newburyport. Beverly, Aug. 27, 1814.

My dear Cousin,

BLEST with another opportunity of address. ing you, may the divine Spirit direct my pen, and make its feeble efforts conducive to your spiritual good.

Pausing on the immense value of the soul, the ruined state of man by nature, the beauty, freeness and fulness of the gospel-plan of salvation, and the eternity of future rewards and punishments, my mind expands with sensations not to be fully expressed. Have we immortal souls? and can we be indifferent to their concerns? Are we involved in the ruins of the apostasy? and shall we not be solicitous for our recovery? Are we formed to live through endless ages? and shall we not wish to pass those ages in the sublimities and glories of the world of light? If these concerns are everlastingly momentous, as represented by Him who cannot lie, O let us attend to them, my cousin, with all the assiduity, diligence and ardor we can command, now while the time of our probation is protracted, and heaven allures us with its unnumbered charms.

Let us beware of the blandishments of, this insidious world, the temptations of the prince of darkness, and the corrupt propensities of our own depraved hearts; for they all urge us

in the most plausible manner, to forget eternity, our Maker and our souls. They, with united voice, bid us put far away the evil day, and linger thoughtlessly on the plains of Sodom, till the fierce storm, bursting from above, shall inguif us in remediless destruction. O that we may find a refuge in the bosom of Immanuel If renovated by his grace, and interested in his redemption, we need not fear, tho the archangel were commissioned this moment to sound the last trump, and issue the dread mandate, "Time shall be no longer." With the smiles of Jesus, we may enjoy serenity amidst all the ruffling scenes of life, and in that awful day, when worlds shall be wrapt in flames, and the rewards of eternity distributed by an unerring hand. But if we are yet in our sins, alienated from God, and enveloped in the awful blindness, ignorance and darkness of nature, we stand on the awful verge of interminable perdition, on the frontiers of that lake, which burns unceasingly with fire and brimstone. May we, my dear, dear Nancy, be favored with a view of the true state of our souls, and be enabled to secure the approba tion of Him, who is able to save and to destroy. May he whisper, in accents of love, to our bosoms, "I am thy salvation." May he illumine our minds with the light of his countenance, and guide our erring feet to Zion's hill. I feel that with his friendship should

be sublimely happy in the solitary wilds of Zaara. But without it, I must languish in pining wretchedness, tho possessed of all the earth calls good or great. One smile of him can sooth to rest my aching heart, can disperse the

gloom of affliction, and change my sighs of grief to songs of joy. Happy indeed are they, who gain intimate access to him, and enjoy the endearing manifestations of his love in this far distant land; but more divinely blest are those unfettered spirits, who encircle his shining throne, and chant in rapturous strains his deserved praise. Yours, FANNY.

Letter to Miss S. D. of Wenham.

Ay dear young Friend,

Beverly, Sept. 1, 1814.

I DOUBT not but you will be surprised at the receipt of a letter, from one who is almost a stranger to you. But our short interview yesterday afternoon gave rise to that ardent concern for your immortal salvation, which induces me to write. You have been almost constantly in my thoughts this morning; and, while I have bound you tenderly to my bosom, I have commended you to Him, whose mercy and compassion to sinners is more extensive than man can conceive. He can guide my pen to express those truths, which are of eternal im. portance; and he alone, by his new-creating Spirit, can imprint these truths effectually on your conscience, and make them available to your everlasting good. Without his blessing, Paul may plant and Apollos water in vain; but with it, a feebie effort of the most unworthy, undertaken from right motives, may save souis from endless death. This is the Being, even the ever glorious Jehovah, whose favor and smiles I wish you to possess. In him you will find all that you can desire for time and eternity. If you secure his friendship, you

will pass your few short years on earth in usem fulness; you will have ineffable peace within, amidst all the numerous troubles incent to this mortal state; and when you are closing your eyes in the long slumbers of death, you may rejoice in hope of immortal glory, in the. prospect of rising to the New Jerusalem, and uniting with the glorious spirits around the throne in singing the praises of the dear Redeemer.

But let me reverse the picture. You are by nature an enemy to God; continuing, and dying so, you must perish forever. Should this be your wretched case (O may almighty grace prevent) every day and every hour you live here, you will be treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, increasing fuel to feed that fire, which will torture you with unspeakable and eternal wo. I direct my eyes to the regions of despair, and look for one of its most miserable inhabitants. Ah, a lost child of believing parents rises to my view. Enwrapt in the blackness of darkness, she addresses me from the prison of hell, "My parents, blest with eminent piety, consecrated me early to God. They sought the sanctifying grace of Heaven for my soul, with many a prayer and many a tear. They nurtured my infantile days with tender, unremitting assiduity. They cherished and cultivated my opening powers, with the most solicitous and affectionate attention. They instructed me in the great doctrines and duties of Christianity. They strove, by precept and example, to draw me from the path of destruction to the path of peace. Their house ever afforded an altar,