with that joy, and peace in believing, which this world can neither give, nor take away. The following she addressed to different person's who were present in the course of the day. To her husband she said, "O my dear, my heart has been bleeding for you, and the dear babe. It is the survivor that` dies. In your daily walk, be sober and circumspect; and remember that your words are noticed, and your actions watched. Should the child be spared, give him, if possible, a good education. I wish, if it is God's will, he may become a minister of the gospel. We have lived happily together; our prospects have been flattering; but we must soon part. I hope to meet you in a better world. It has In the afternoon previous to her death, she desired that her child might be brought home, that she might unite in its bap-been my endeavor to alleviate tismal dedication to God. The child was brought accordingly, and laid upon her arm; when she observed to a number who had collected upon the occasion, "I often dedicated this babe to God, even before it was born; and desire now, in the presence of my Christian friends, to unite in its baptismal dedication, before my departure." After this the solemn ordinance was administered. She then said to her husband, "You must take away the sweet babe; it is not mine, I have given it back to its Creator; and I am too feeble to see it any longer." After kissing it for the last time, she concluded her maternal benediction in this affecting and impressive language, "May the Father own it, the Son redeem it, and the Holy Ghost sanctify it!" During the whole of this most affecting scene, she was perfectly calm, and apparently filled VOL. VI. No. 5. your sorrows, to brighten your enjoyments, and to assist you by prayer and counsel in the great work, assigned you by Providence. I cheerfully leave you in the hands of God. Trust in him through the Redeemer, and he will never forsake you.After a little time, you will fol low me. Be faithful, Oh, be faithful unto death. Tell the people of your charge that I have often fervently prayed for the success of a preached gospel amongst them; that their spiritual welfare has lain near my heart; and that they can never find substantial joy, but in religion. I pray that my death may have a sanctified effect upon this people; that it may be a mean of quickening Christians, and of alarming the secure, impenitent and unbelieving." After this, she gave him, directions respecting the distribution of her clothes, and the regulation A a of domestic concerns; and spake | in the Christian race, striving for particularly of the foretastes she an incorruptible and immortal then experienced of the joys of crown. Her sister then asked heaven; of the employments of her if she had not something to the just made perfect, and con- say, which might be communicluded in words to this import:cated to her brothers and sisters "In a very little time, I shall be who were absent; she replied, in the eternal world; it is an un- "O yes, tell them from me to tried state; our views of it here begin a life of religion now in are doubtless very imperfect. I youth; tell them that I have enshall soon see as I am seen, and joyed more in one hour on this know as I am known. I shall sick bed, than in all the vain probably be acquainted with your amusements of the world. Tell circumstances after my depart- those (meaning two) who have ure." This took place while heretofore been under serious none but herself and husband impressions, and whose impreswere in the room. She then ob- sions have worn off, that they served that she wished to unite are in an awful condition; and with him once more in prayer that it is infinitely important for before any company was admit- them to choose the one thing ted. needful in early life." To a number of people who were present, she affectionately and tenderly addressed the following: "O my friends, religion is worth seeking; and you cannot expect to enjoy the comforts of it, unless you seek it in humble sincerity." She repeatedly spoke of the danger of procrastination, and of the importance of preparing for death while in health. She observed that it was probable death-bed repentances were often insincere; and that persons who were racked with pain and anguish, expecting hourly to be called before the bar of God, were in a miserable condition to prepare for eternity. She observed that she never could be grateful enough that God had inclined her to seek religion in youth. She dwelt with rapture upon the distinguishing doctrines of grace. Being asked if she had any dependence upon the apparently holy life she had led, she replied, "O no; it is all sovereign grace, from first to last. Not unto me, O Lord, not Before and after this she was visited by several to whom she communicated her feelings with freedom. Observing her mother weeping by her bed-side, she begged of her to desist, adding, "Mama, weep not for me; but for your other children. There is reason to believd you have those that are in an unrenewed state." With proper expressions of respect, she then requested her and her husband's mother, who was present, to renew their covenant obligations; to examine the foundation of their hope; to adorn their Christion profession; to be faithful in discharging the important duties of their stations, and to be in constant readiness for the solemn crisis of exchanging worlds. A sister who was present, with whom she had often taken sweet counsel, who was the only branch of the family that professed religion, excepting herself, and whose soul was united to hers as Jonathan's was to David's, she exhorted to persevere unto me, but unto thy name give | ing about her sickness, child, glory. The infinite love and &c. she observed, "I wish to boundless mercy of God, thro' hear no conversation but upon the Redeemer, are my only hope. religion." To some persons preOh, my deceitful heart, my wick-sent, expressing a wish that they ed heart! Not by works of right- might die with the same comeousness which I have done, but posure, joy, and triumph as she according to his mercy he saved manifested; she observed, "you me by the washing of regenera- must pray." She strongly intion, and renewing of the Holy culcated this interesting duty upGhost." On being asked, if she on all who desired the consolawas not afraid to die, consider- tions of vital piety on the bed of ing the solemn and endless con- death; exhorting them at the sequences which succeed that same time to place no confievent, she replied, "No; why dence in creature efforts as the should I fear my departure? I ground of pardon and justificahave often dedicated myself and tion. my all to God; and he is faithful to fulfil his promises to all who trust in the merits of the Redeemer. Why should I fear to die? Death is the portal into bliss.' Jesus is mine, and I am his. I know in whom I have believed; and that I shall yet praise him for I shall see him as he is. He is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day, and I can cheer-depicted on her countenance the fully and cordially resign my all to his sovreign disposal." She repeated the following: "Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are ; Whilst on his breast I lean my head, And breathe mylife out sweetly there." To the wife of a neighboring clergyman, who with her husband visited her the afternoon before her death, she observed, "I had calculated to enjoy much happiness in your society, and in that of others, for whom I have peculiar attachment. We may appoint, but God often sees fit to disappoint." After this, looking up with a smile which angelic rapture of her soul, she said, "I do love Jesus." She repeatedly observed that Christians would generally die as they had lived; and strongly recommended it to all to be watchful, prayerful, and heavenly-minded, and to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. Being asked if she realized this, she replied, "I do, my dying bed feels soft," and then ad- She observed to this effect ded with emphasis, "and sweet." respecting impenitent sinners, Soon after this, none but females" Since I have lain upon this being present, she desired that sick bed, my mind has been one of them might pray with deeply impressed with sense her. As they declined through of the awful state of the impenwant of confidence, she observ-itent. How dreadful to fall seed, "I think I have sufficient cure and stupid in the hands of strength to perform the duty." that God who is a consuming She then attempted it, but was fire!" soon interrupted by the return of men into the room. While some of her friends were speak She was a subject of partial derangement, a part of the night before her death. But in all her lucid intervals, she appeared to be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. After she was struck with death, she was able to speak but once, answering in the affirmative to the question, whether her faith, confidence and joy continued?-The above is but a specimen of what she uttered on the approach of the pale messenger. No essential alteration has been made in the language attributed to her. In one or two instances, slight additions have been made to illustrate sentiments, which, by reason of extreme bodily weakness, she expressed too laconically to be readily comprehended, by persons who were not present at the interesting scene. [To be continued.] Letters from a Father to a D July 27th, 1804. DEAR DAUGHTER, the commanding passion of your heart, and his glory the governing end of all you do? Are the things you do for God and your neighbor influenced by a scriptural and well tempered zeal which is according to knowledge? Does Christian affection increase as its objects multiply? But I forbear-it would be difficult to get to an end were I disposed to go on. I wish to hear whether the attention and solemnity among your people continue, what number have joined the church, and how many candidates there are for the communion, and whether the young converts hold out. God bless the parents and children of your family, and of his great mercy, make them all the children of his grace! IN March 28, 1805. DEAR DAUGHTER, Na late letter you have expressed a desire that I would give you in writing my view of the eternal world." The O you possess a calm and words in which this request is composed mind, and a couched are so general that I healthy and flourishing soul? feel myself at a loss for your Have you much of God's gra- precise meaning. If it be your cious presence? Do you feel wish that I should give you my liberty, accompanied with very thoughts respecting the destiny deep humility, in prayer? Do of the finally impenitent, the bithe views you have of God's ble will furnish you with a clear perfections render the contem- and full answer to the enquiry; plation and worship of him the and the very nature of sin, undelight of your heart? Do those repented and unforgiven, implies views excite in your heart a con-wretchedness. The heart opstant, growing care and endeavor posed to God cannot be happy, ⚫ to please him and approve your-so remaining. If you enquire self to him in all your conduct, moral and religious? Is obedience to God in all you do or purpose, (without it we have no true and genuine love to him) your high and principal and pleasing aim? Is the love of God where impure separate spirits exist, the answer is, in hell. In what portion of the universe this is, we are not informed. This we may be assured of, however, that such a creature must necessarily carry hell with him wheth collect a text which expressly and decidedly declares that the souls of saints go straight to heaven when they leave the body, unless it be the instance of the thief on the cross; there are however, many passages of scripture which seem clearly to suppose and imply it. I do not mention the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the xvi. of Luke as one, for though the passage which contains it may seem to suppose the existence of the saints in heaven after they leave the body, it may be doubt er he he or be not confined to separation from the body. The any particular region or place of very nature of it seems to imabode. Does your desire res-ply the contrary. I do not repect the final and future state of the saints, the friends and lovers of God? Here again the divine scriptures will give you all the light and information you need. The figures by which their state and place of abode are represented are strong and lively, such however, as are suited to impress the mind with superlative, though at present, in some degree, indescribable ideas of pleasurable enjoyment. They will see God-be ever near him beholding his glory-contemplating with the highest delight the personal glories of Jesus Christ--ed whether this truth is the pringratefully recognizing their immense obligation to Him for the work of redemption (which they will now more clearly understand,) not in the low strains of praise and admiration which earth teaches, but which heaven inspires, and blest with the friendly society of creatures possessing the image of God, in all the perfection of which their natures are capable, who, while they continually endeavor to increase the stock of happiness most ful-fitted for and received to heaven. ly share in it themselves; and who, while they enjoy the pleasure of conscious likeness to God, have the super-added satisfac-ed me to tion of divine assurance that it shall never be again lost, nor their felicity abate. cipal scope of the parable. In the Revelation of St. John are several passages which seem intended to communicate the pleasing thought. The apostle's desire to depart and be with Christ as preferable to a continuance in the body, will, I think, pretty fully establish the supposition, that the spirits of the saints immediately on their quiting a corrupt and defiling body, are so perfectly purified that they are Possibly I have not in any thing I have said, touched on the subject to which you wishattend. If your enquiry or wish was principally directed to this object, viz. what my views of the eternal world Should it be your wish to get are, as I am individually or perthe thoughts and views I have sonally concerned? in other of the intermediate state, that is, words, what is the ground of my the state and abode of the souls hope of future happiness, and of saints departed, I answer, that what the evidence to support however the soul, many times, such a hope? In general, I anmay be wholly unconscious of swer in the words of the apostle activity and thought during sleep, Peter, 1st epistle 1st chapter. it will not prove that it is dor-"Blessed be the God and Father mant, and torpid, in a state of! of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, |