Real

We

in Gilead and the great Physician there? happiness cannot exist in an unrenewed heart. have lost our felicity, by renouncing the God who is the glorious fountain of everlasting consolation. Yet he has said, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you." Self-deceived mortals! how can we slight the words of love which flow from the Judge of all the earth towards his offending, guilty creatures! Christianity alone can make us happy. The cold apathy and insensibility, or suppression of feeling, which was inculcated by some of the ancient philosophers, might dignify a heathen. But their erroneous system of theology was not capable of affording to its disciples that holy peace and heavenly pleasure, which are the blessed effect of real conversion to the religion of Jesus. His voice alone, at whose command the tempest ceased, can speak peace to the troubled spirit. "Thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thy help.” "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price!" Blessed be our God that he has

not left us without hope!

My dear E. it is my belief that it is our duty, if we are disciples of Christ, to confess him before men. And surely it is a small, a very small thing to live to Him who died for us.

least, discharge the debt of

How can we, in the gratitude we owe him?

We can never discharge it. But we must stand upon the Lord's side, if we are willing to be his, and thus that we are not ashamed of Christ.

prove

Ashamed of Christ! preposterous idea. No; a Christian may blush at himself, but he can never be ashamed of the name of his Lord. Surely, duty, interest, all, call upon us to take refuge under the wing of the Almighty. My dear friend, this is a subject of great importance. "Choose you this day whom ye will serve," is the momentous proposition continually addressed to us all by our Maker and Redeemer. And think, Oh think, of the infinite,

the blessed consequences of the happy resolve—“ As me, I will serve the Lord!"

for

TO ANOTHER FRIEND AT N. H.

Killingworth, March 4, 1808. I HAVE read the sweet little poem, * whose admirable author you so much admire, and am happy that we are alike pleased with it. Some of his descriptions are inimitably charming and picturesque, and some of his observations concerning the ways of Providence very just, especially when he says,

"One part, one little part, we dimly scan," &c.

in which he is condemning us for doubting the wisdom and goodness of Providence. My ideas correspond with his on this interesting subject, for I firmly believe that

"Oft from apparent ill our blessings rise."

"All things," we are assured, "work together for good to them that love God." And, as we are

* Beattie's Minstrel.

ignorant of the manner in which our heavenly Father is pleased to overrule events for our happiness, it is extremely reprehensible in us to be dissatisfied with any of his appointments. The prayer of the true Christian is, "Make me happy with prosperity: but, above all, give me conformity to, and contentment with, thy will."

I have been reading Cowper also, and love his sentiments, his expressions, and his works, entire, dearly. Perhaps you will think I speak with the rapture of an enthusiast, rather than with the reasonable animation of a reasonable creature. But how can one fail to be delighted with the mild, delicate, and pious sentiments, which continually flow from the amiable author of "The Task?" In all his expressions he is "simple, grave, sincere;" his style, alike removed from the turgid and the weak, and peculiarly free from that affectation which was his " perfect scorn."

I cannot sufficiently express the value I place upon this excellent work. Some of his "Winter even+ ing" descriptions fill me with pleasure. I, in fancy, visit the lonely spot he describes, and wander with him over each heath and plain. I love the man for his meek and benevolent spirit. His writings are entirely free from that acrimony (which distinguishes some of the English poets) of satire against any whom he disliked.

class

The intelligence that the Lord is visiting you with the showers of his grace, and causing the Sun of Righteousness to shine on N. H. and the neighbouring towns, affords me unspeakable pleasure. If I know my own heart, I ardently long for the uni

versal promulgation and reception of that religion which alone can make men happy. And, blessed be the God of mercies! he will not leave his work unfinished. I rejoice that so many are hopefully turned from darkness to light. May this happy state of things long continue, and your light shine more and more unto the perfect day.

TO A FRIEND AT N. Y.

Killingworth, June 3, 1808.

YOUR observations respecting our inability to attain resignation of ourselves, so as to say unreservedly to our heavenly Father, "Thy will be done," are undoubtedly just. But let us not forget the nature of this inability. It is not such as furnishes any excuse or extenuation of our sins, when we are not resigned; but is the very thing that constitutes our guilt, proceeding from the opposition of our hearts to the character and government of God. It should, therefore, produce in us deep humiliation and contrition, and drive us to the foot of the cross. The want of this resignation, this perfect acquiescence in the will of God, is one of the principal sources of the unhappiness of which we constantly complain. Could we acquiesce with cheerfulness in the dispensations of unerring Providence, we should at once feel a spark of celestial happiness enkindled in our hearts. But this is a state of which frail humanity comes far short at the best. We wish to have this or that desire complied with; and think that, could we but obtain the accomplishment of our wishes, we should be blessed indeed. But it is best they should not be

granted: the wisdom and goodness of God assure us it is so. And yet, because they are denied, we sink into despondency and grief. My dear friend, I believe that if we could view things as they really are, we should find reason to say, The Lord hath done all things well; mercy and peace go before him continually. Afflictions are sent for our profit; and if we do not profit by them, the fault is entirely our own. They are designed to convince us of the unsatisfying and fleeting nature of all things beneath the sun. We should not-therefore, when they are upon us, indulge the sorrow of the world, which worketh death; but pray that they may be made to work in us the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and, in the future world, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we are While we are "pilgrims and strangers" in this valley of tears, we must constantly meet with sorrows and troubles, which nothing but religion can enable us to sustain. This then, religion, is the hidden treasure, the "pearl of great price," to obtain which we should sell all that we have. This it is that affords happiness in life; this it is that smooths and softens the pillow of death; this it is that leads its disciples to a heaven of unclouded day. My dear N. do we possess this treasure? Important question! involving joys and sorrows inconceivable and eternal ! If we do not, let us, without delay, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy. There is a glorious Mediator between God and man. And He whom we have offended says to us, "Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find."