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the happiness of our souls ought to result, the happiness of a holy soul will result, from doing and being just what God pleases. The mind which feels that it has no sympathies to be exercised, no object upon which to repose its affections, no business to employ its faculties, must sink into a state of hopeless and dreadful despondency. But the Christian should never feel thus. Though our precious husbands have left us, have we nothing to feel or do for their children; nothing to do for Christ, and for the Church which he hath purchased. with his own blood? And may we not yet be happy in doing diligently the work which he has given us to do? My dear friend, we shall never be happy just as we have been. Oh, no, never. The smile of tenderness will wait for us no more when returning to our sorrowful habitations. The voice of unmingled love will greet us no more in our afflictions. The counsellors, advisers, supporters, and prophets, upon whom we leaned, who sanctioned by their influence the expressions of maternal authority, who bore us constantly and earnestly before God, are gone! Nature shudders, as she casts her eye forward, and thinks of this long, long, long separation.

But why have I suffered myself to fall into this sorrowful strain? I did it unintentionally, unconsciously. Forgive me. I have pained you, and I have pained myself. I was going to say, we must find our happiness in a different way-in girding up the loins of our minds to a more diligent performance of duty, in putting on, as good soldiers of the cross, the whole armour # of God, in setting our faces as a flint against every thing which can discourage, intimidate, or wound us, in remembering the example of our devoted, our suffering Saviour, in leaning on his arm, confiding in his wisdom, and trusting in his grace and strength, and in sending 'forward our hearts to that happy, happy home, which

we hope one day to reach, and whither our beloved friends have gone before us. Let our expectations of earthly rest be moderate, except of that sweet rest which results from simple trust in God.

I have written thus far, and have not yet mentioned what I had most in view when I began. I think we may derive benefit from remembering each other's children in our prayers. Can we not devote ten minutes every Saturday evening, at nine o'clock, to special pray-" er for each other, that we may have grace, wisdom, courage and patience to do our duty; and for our children, that their affections may be sanctified, our instructions blessed, they brought into the covenant early, &c. Will you write, and let me know what you think of it? My little boy wakes, and I must bid you adieu.

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VERY dear brother and sister.* Remember that the government of God extends to the minutest concerns of his creatures. Remember that he loveth his children so well, that he wills every thing that is best for them, and that he possesses infinite power to execute all the purposes of his will. What then is the result? That if he removes your children, he does it because it is necessary for you, because his glory and your good can be more effectually promoted by such a dispensation, than they possibly could in any other way. Do you not believe it? Verily, if you cannot see it now, you shall see it hereafter. Take," therefore, my brother and sister, "the prophets who have spoken in the

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* Two of Mr. and Mrs. H.'s children were, at this time, dangerously sick

name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." Of his Church it is said, "In Measure, when it shooteth forth, he will debate with it: he stayeth the rough wind in the day of his east wind. By this, therefore, shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit, to take away sin.” If you are rebuked, it is in the measure only, which a righteous God, and merciful Father sees adequate to answer the end which he proposes in thus chastising you, viz. to take away sin. Are you not willing, if God pleases, to be made like your Saviour? Is it not sufficient for the disciple to be as his Master? Are you not willing to fill up the measure of his sufferings? Look to the "Man of sorrows." Derive, from his example, patience under your lighter trials, and from his experience of human calamity in his own person, a firm belief, that, in all your afflictions, he is afflicted, and will extend to you the support which he sees you need. Carry all your burdens to him. Wait upon him continually; and though weeping may endure for a night, joy shall come in the morning.

For myself, I do not feel as if God intends removing both of these children. I have constantly believed, that one of them at least will be spared. I feel much for you. If I had not been almost sick, I should have gone out with Mr. P. Since he was here, I have scarcely left the room. I have been afflicted with a violent cold. If the children continue sick, and I can be of any use, you may depend on my coming, extraordinaries excepted. May God be with, and bless, and sustain you.

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Boston, February 15, 1820. **

DEAR M., Why is the hand of the Lord thus upon you? Why are you and dear brother called to pass thus under the rod of the Amighty? I trust neither of you is impatient under a chastisement administered by ONE, whose wisdom and whose goodness you cannot call in question. Though the stripes of the great Father of the whole Fa mily of believers are often laid most frequently and most heavily on those who, we should think, need them least; yet we do not know what important purposes are to be effected by such a course of divine proceeding. Let us look about us. Do we not find that those Christians who appear to be left almost to themselves, who pass along the path of life with few changes and trials, usually make but small advances toward a state of spiritual manhood? And, if our blessed God sees that the disciple, like his Master, must be made perfect through sufferings, ought we not to welcome every means which will conduce to this blessed end? Can we desire to be" babes in Christ all our days? If it is a proof of sonship to be chastised, may it not prove a special favour to be greatly chastised? Putting myself entirely out of the question, (and I feel that I ought to go with my face in the dust all the days of my life, that I have profited no more by my trials,) I do believe, judging from the observation I have been able to make, that those persons, who have become what we call eminent for piety, have generally been made so, under God, by sufferings. This seems reasonable; for how will, how can, depraved, idolatrous human nature, ever rise heavenward, when it can be satisfied with earthly objects? "Every branch that beareth not fruit, the Father taketh

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away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

If we were asked, what is the greatest good, should we not answer, conformity to God? If we were asked, what are the best circumstances for the Christian to be placed in, should we not answer, Those which will, most constantly, and most effectually, promote his conformity to God?-Shall we then pray for afflictions? By no means. We are weak, and are crushed before the moth. We should not pray for what we do not know that we could bear. We should habitually pray for conformity to God; and quietly leave it with him, to determine by what means he will effect this blessed end.. 1

TO THE SAME.

Boston, February 19, 1820, My dear sister. I am truly grieved for your afflic tion. How little did I think, when, with an aching heart, full of distressing apprehensions, alas! soon and certainly realized, I left Bridgewater in September, that I had taken a last farewell of one of the dear little ones. But it probably was; a and so little we know of what a righteous God is preparing for us.

As to the child, I trust it is, and shall be, well with her; that she will be safely lodged in the bosom of the great Shepherd, who loveth the sheep, and gave his life a ransom for them, and who hath said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

As to yourselves, dear brother and sister, it is in vain. to talk about the duty and reasonableness of submission. But you must do as the Psalmist did under different troubles; you must give yourselves unto prayer. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will hear." This

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