love you well enough; they all join in an affectionate remembrance, with Your affectionate mother, Rev. Wm. Patten. RUTH PATTEN. NEWPORT, November 23d, 1806. My very Dear Children, How great is the goodness of God to us, that He has preserved us hitherto amidst many dangers, and made our journey agreeable;-and that we may hope to see each other in the land of the dying once more, and for the good news we hear from home-"'tis like cold water to a thirsty soul.". We hope to reach home on Saturday; but for fear we should not, I am writing a few lines; we hope to cross the ferries, and get to New London, a convenient time to meet the stage. Your brother's family are very well, and appear to be happy. They have a lovely family of children. O, that the Lord would grant me the unspeakable satisfaction to see them all walking in the truth-not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of their mindsproving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Vain is the help of man. My soul, wait thou only upon God; my expectation is from Him. Give my love to my dear good* children, and accept a large share to yourselves, from Your affectionate mother, S. and R. P. RUTH PATTEN. NEWPORT, November 28th, 1806. We have, my dear children, just received your thrice welcome and elegant package. What reason have we to call on our souls to bless the Most High, who is so bountiful. May we live as well as speak His praise. Is it not strange that we who have experienced so largely the kind interposition of Providence, should ever indulge anxiety? I have suffered much from that quarter since I left you-however, I trust I was made in some measure sensible of it, and that it is pardoned. I have been threatened with another turn of the pleurisy, but through divine mercy, am much better. Your brother is in a very poor state of health, and I do not perceive that he gains any relief from medicine. May God mercifully spare and restore him. May we be enabled so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom; and whenever called hence, be found at last, among those faithful servants who wait for the coming of their Lord. *The scholars at Hartford. "And when that solemn hour shall come, We thank you for your three epistles which gladdened our hearts, and for the presents that accompanied the last. W. was highly gratified. He enjoys himself, and has health. We were all disappointed in seeing none of your family this spring; but think your reason sufficient. I am sorry for Mrs. K.; give our compliments to her; I believe she would have been much better out of the reach of her acquaintance. Mr. C. and his mother were here, on Tuesday; he observed he thought it a pity you should involve yourself in so much care, as she occasioned, and asked if I did not think with him; I told him, if you had his income and family. They appear very happy. We rejoice to hear there is a moving among the dry bones in your neighborhood. O! may it spread over to Newport! O, my son what a charge ministers have! Blessed be God for the wonderful promises made to them, if they be faithful. How much happiness we lose, by not living above the world; happy for us when afflictions drive, and mercies draw us to the fountain of all good. Have we ever mentioned your aunt Woodward's death, which was in March? She appeared for sometime before her death, to enjoy a Christian temper of mind, which continued to the last. Dr. Betts, at Norwalk, about the same time. He took leave of the world without opportunity to bid his family farewell, after serving God and his generation upwards of eighty years. Our Fathers, where are they? and the Prophets, do they live forever? We have had many wor thy fathers, but they are gone to reap the fruit of their labors, and we shall soon follow them. It has been a dying time among us, though not very sickly. Our family have been highly favored with health-or business is still good. God has blessed and prospered us beyond our expectations. May all be devoted to Him. Your brother and sisters desire their love with mine to my daughter, yourself and dear little ones. W. sends duty and love. That the God of peace may be yours forever, is the daily prayer of your ever affectionate mother, Mr. William Patten. R. PATTEN. My Very Dear Son, HARTFORD, August 3d, 1807. Though I frequently converse with you in thought, yet too seldom can find resolution to write, which is a great privilege, and would be much greater if I could communicate what is in my mind in a satisfactory manner. What is life but an important state of probation? What a mercy to be faithful to God, our own souls, and the souls we are concerned with and for. Were it man we are to account with, we should have little reason to hope; but adored be infinite goodness, that in and through our glorious Fore-runner we may hope for pardon and protection-a theme sufficient for an eternity. In all our cares and trials, temporal and spiritual, may we have our eyes to Him. Give love in abundance to your dear little ones and to each a kiss from me,-proper salutations to inquiring friends. Remember us when you can best remember yourselves. That you may have that wisdom that is from above, is the sincere desire of your affectionate mother, Rev. Wm. Patten. RUTH PATTEN, My very Dear Son,— HARTFORD, March 7th, 1808. We received your very affectionate and consoling letter of February, which gave fresh cause for gratitude. There is no mother so |