call to "preach the unsearchable riches of Christ." Endeavour so to hear, as to know the heart of a bearer, in the various operations of the preached word upon it. "Hear, that your soul may live!" Mark what topics and mode of address reach your spirit, and produce the most interesting effects on it. Pray for your minister in secret, and observe in what manner God meets and speaks to you by his minister in public. The present and future advantages of such conduct will prove incalculable. In a word, let your progress as a christian, take the lead of your progress as a student, “seeking first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. I have lamented the loss which many young men have sustained in experimental religion, by their mode of prosecuting their academical studies. Endeavouring to shine before men, as scholars; and making this their principal aim, they have chilled the best affections of the soul, "quenched the spirit" in its sanctifying effects, and obscured the lustre of Christian character. Whilst they mortified others by their cold criticisms, they destroyed their usefulness by exciting disgus and pity, in minds from which they expected admiring applause. Such "vain men" render their spirits visible to "the spiritual man, who discerneth all things," while he covets not the conversation or ministry, of one whose "salt has lost its savour." I know you too well to imagine that you will suspect that I would impede your ex ertions to become a scholar, or diminish your literary ardour. May your intellectual garners be filled with all manner of literary store. The attainment of this will be facilitated by your being filled with revealed truth-" filled with the spirit," in his useful gifts, and saving graces. So obtain both. "Arise, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee." If you will excuse my almost inexcusable delay in writing, you shall (D. V.) receive an early answer to your particular inquiries relative to M. F. L., with affectionate wishes for your prosperity, n which my family join me, I am truly, your's, LETTER XLV.-To MR. BRYANT. (After the Death of Mrs. Cooke.) Maidenhead, December 31, 1813. ACCEPT, my dear Sir, the warmest thanks from me and my two daughters, for your very kind present of the two beautiful birds; and also for your affectionate and sympathizing letter. Three times previous to the present affliction, has my heavenly Father "made a breach" in my family, by the loss of two daughters and a son. In each instance "the affliction was grievous," and I found that wounds are sooner made than healed: but I was encouraged to hope "by turning to Him that smote me that his word would not fail of its accomplishment. "I wound and I heal," "I kill and make alive." I have found him to be "Jehovah, God, abundant in truth." But when he said "Son of man, I will, or I do, take away the desire of thine eyes with a stroke,"-then, indeed, a sword pierced through my soul;" as a husband and a father. It was a sudden and unexpected stroke; sudden and unexpected as that which the first saint that went to Heaven after the fall, received from his brother; and in both cases a death without pain, without conflict, without suspense or fear. "The survivors died :" she was dismissed in peace. What I felt, and still feel, is known only to him "who sees in secret"-yet, "It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth good in His sight." We know not the strength of our affections until we lose, or are in danger of losing their objects; then we find our present anguish equals or exceeds our past enjoyment. For in this condition of being, whatever affords us pleasure, will, sooner or later, give us pain. Even the enjoyment of God, when suspended, leaves "an aching void," known only to such as intermeddle with that joy." Whilst "my heart knows its own bitterness," I perceive wisdom and love in the dispensation. "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments. are good; and that thou, in very faithfulness, hast afflicted me"! Painfully trying, indeed, I feel them; but I believe, I know, I FEEL, them to be good! This knowledge is "a favour which the Lord gives to his chosen." I must forbear, or out of the abundance of my heart, I could fill a volume on my own weakness and the power of Christ which has rested upon me. As to a visit to Farnham," If the Lord will," (an expression enforced by my recent loss!) I will very readily comply with your request. With Christian affection to you and your's, and your good minister, I am truly and gratefully your's, LETTER XLVI.-To A DAUGHTER. J. COOKL London, Jan. 15, 1815. My dear Sarah, My correspondence with you on things temporal, whilst I have written on more interesting subjects to others, leaves my own mind unsatisfied in tokens of highest regard to your immortal welfare. He, in whose hands "our times are," has long exercised you with bodily indisposition; and this, from a principle of affectionate sy pathy, has been a trial to me, your sister, and the family. For, f one member suffers, all the members of the family suffer w4" Of the precise nature of your disorder we may be ignorant; but I am fully persuaded, that more depends on diet, clothing, exers, and a mind in unison with the will of God, than on medicat The care of the soul is "the one thing needful" to young and old, rich and poor, in every condition of life. This is our duty, because it is the will of God; it is our interest, because it accomparis salvation; it is rational, because the soul and eternity outweigh health and temporal life; it is our privilege, because it advances our present peace and usefulness, the glory of divine grace in our future happiness; and a contrary conduct would prove our sin and folly, our disgrace and ruin. This care will express itself in serious and frequent thoughts on the value of the soul, in studying its necessities, its sins, its temptations, and discouragements; in attention to the means of salvation, by reading the best books, especially the word of God, which contains all that is interesting to the soul; by secret prayer for counsel, pardon, purity, peace and strength; by rising to God with the prayers of others, who often express our wants; by the improvement of the affliction of others, and especially our own; by observing attentively the Lord's dealings towards those who neglect the "great salvation;" and those who are most favoured in circumstances of peculiar trial. Frequent application to the Saviour, in dependence on his wisdom and power, grace and faithfulness, under the encouragement of his invitations and promises, whilst it evinces that care, will strengthen and encourage it, by an increase of grace and consolation; for, "the way of the Lord is strength to the upright;" and, "the joy of the Lord is his strength." The care of the soul, and the blessings which accompanied and followed it, was "that good part," which our Lord assured Martha, for Mary's encouragement, should "never be taken from her." Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his instructive discourse, with a fixed, improving, and delightful attention. Our Lord received this, as expressive of affection to him, and a regard to her own soul. Martha also loved him, and was "much cumbered," in preparing for his entertainment. But she lost her temper, her peace, and the improving opportunity; directly censured her sister, and indirectly her lord, for not reproving Mary, for a conduct which drew on it his strong commendation. You will find in Dr. Doddridge's volumes of Sermons, one on this text, which I hope you will read with advantage. Care for the soul is wisely directed, when it leads us to commit the soul to the Redeemer's care, which is wise, affectionate, comprehensive, constant, and efficacious; and without which our own care would prove unavailing When our supreme concern is directed to the salvation of the soul, we are prepared for every event. "Seeking in the first place, the kingdom of God; all needful blessings for the body and life will be added."Matt. vi., 32. We then possess an evident interest in the divine favour, and may interpret every event as expressive of it. It will strengthen our confidence in God, spiritualize the mind in duties, fortify it under trials, shield it in temptation, render it decided in circumstances where it would otherwise be doubtful, preserve consistency in conduct, sweeten our temporal blessings, and render our prospects clear, encouraging, and animating. You will receive this as a demonstration of my care for your best interests, which will be followed by the fervent and incessant prayers of your very affectionate friend and father, My love to Mary and Betsy. J. COOKE. LETTER XLVII.-TO A DAUGHTER IN AFFLICTION. My dear Girl, UNDER your affliction, the word and Spirit of God are all-sufficient for the support of your mind. In proportion to your faith in the word of God, will be your relief and comfort. That faith is our duty; for he that believeth not God, calumniates him as a liar. Yet faith is the gift of divine grace, and the effect of divine power. Of this God convinces his people, in all their efforts to believe under convictions of sin, strong temptations to distrust him, difficult duties to perform, and manifold trials to endure. Now they endeavour to believe, and cannot. They thought it easy without trials, which obliged them to attempt it. They are surprised and discouraged at their sensible inability to exercise faith in the mercy, power, and truth of God to them. Here begins self-knowledge, humility, seifdespair, and self-renunciation. What they were before taught by the word of God, they now learn by experience,-" without me ye can do nothing" We are not sufficient, of ourselves, to think good thought. To will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. What is the design of this experts' To produce self-distrust, and self-denial. The heart untried bad promised much; we trusted its promise, we now perceive the y of it," he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." The heat promises most in affliction,-if I am restored! When restored, my heart has always deceived me. What can we do? Confess and lament our weakness to God; implore strength, try to believe, use the encouragements God has given in his word. Where will this end?" Our sufficiency is of God. I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me. When I am weak, then âm I strong. The Lord is my righteousness and strength." My strength is made perfect; that is, my perfect strength is made manifest in weakness! Most gladly will I glory in my infirmities-that is, weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. These are two very important lessons,-to learn our weakness, and God's sufficiency. This is gradual, by repeated trials and encouragements. Ever after this, we shall ascribe all our strength to God." The Lord will give strength to his people." This he does |