ting letter, concerning the sudden death of his wife, which I wish you to see. She was much beloved, and I believe justly, too. President Marsh, of Burlington, lost his belov ed wife recently, in a hectic. I enclose you the paper containing an account of it. She was daughter to my brother James. Two weeks since, we had a visit from himself, his son, and daughter. He sold his property at H., and resided with his daughter Marsh. He has but one daughter unmarried. They thought themselves too happy in their new establishment for a long duration, and so it proved. My brother, his wife and daughter, now make a part of Mr. M.'s afflicted family. He has two sons. We have all reason to rejoice in the happy exit of our dear cousin. Your uncle James' dear son is settled in Canterbury, in this State. He appears to be a devoted, interesting Christian minister, is married and has four children. Your uncle appears to have received great benefit from his affliction. Mrs. Wheeler, his eldest daughter, died not long since. She left several chil dren-was a very amiable, exemplary woman. I rejoice greatly, that your schools flourish, and that the teachers are recovering. May the Lord abundantly bless instructors, and instructed. O, that my dear descendants might all be made wise unto salvation, that they might be clothed with humility, remembering that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the hum ble. Give my love to your wife and children.Your brother and sisters unite with Your affectionate mother, Rev. W. P.‹ R. PATTEN. My very Dear Son, HARTFORD, April 21st, 1829. Your affectionate letter of April, excited joy and grief. Your situation is truly humbling. May the dispensations of our Heavenly Father be abundantly sanctified, and we be directed in the path of duty; but it is of great importance that a minister and his family should be exam. ples of piety. The dealings of providence are very dark, yet we know that Infinite wisdom cannot err-whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth; while he knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust. You thought before you entered the ministry, that you could persuade ALL to believe the Gospel, but experience has taught otherwise; though I doubt not my dear son, that you have neglected no means you thought best calculated to promote the salvation of your family and people, and the great end of your ministry; yet it is thought by some, that the beginning of light, in Newport, commenced with the establishment of your dear school; but the millennial light is fast approaching. May we and all our dear ones, by faith, hail its meridian splendor. There is a considerable awakening in this place-nearly twenty have united with the Baptist Church, but none with ours as yet, though we hope some are in a state of preparation. Should I feel able, at some future period, I will write you further particulars. Mrs. Hs is very ill with a complication of diseases. We rejoice that our dear W. has become the living mother of another living and perfect child. O that laws of gratitude may be written on her heart, and that her household may be sincerely devoted to their God and Saviour. I trust dear M. has recovered before this. May you and yours be rich blessings in the world, We anticipate much pleasure in the visit you encouraged us to hope for in your letter. With best love to your wife and children, believe me, in behalf the family, Your affectionate mother, Rev. W. Patten, Newport. My Dear Son, RUTH PATTEN. MAY 13th, 1829. Would it not be better to visit your people before you come to Hartford, and see what effect it will have. Rev. Mr. Smith, from your region was here lately; he appeared very friendly to you, and thought it highly necessary to the prosperity of the churches, that you should continue in the station wherein the Lord hath placed you. We must all expect tribulation. What was the divine command to Jeremiah, "Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee, shalt speak; be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord; thou, therefore, gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee, be not dismayed before their faces, lest I confound thee before them." My son, you engaged to settle in Newport without my knowledge or approbation. I now have been reconciled, only as I considered it as a dispensation of Providence, from which infinite wisdom could produce beneficial results. Since you are there, let me entreat you, not to quit until Providence shall very decidedly point it out. Your promised visit we are in hopes of realizing very soon. Dear Mary Anna, we trust, will accompany you, as you mentioned her coming. Indeed, I long to see all your dear family once more. Rev. Mr. Nettleton is in town; his religious exercises are very interesting. There appears to be an increasing attention to religion. O, that all our dear ones might be happy sharers. Indisposition forbids my enlarging. My best love to your wife and children; that God would direct and bless you all, is the prayer of Your affectionate mother, Bring the manuscript of your father's life. Rev. Wm. Patten. My very Dear Son,— HARTFORD, July 16th, 1829. I feel revived by the cheering prospect before you, particularly as it relates to the important subject of affording instruction to all the dear destitute children of your island. Their souls are as precious as ours, and yet how sadly have they been neglected! Alas! for their parents! Doubtless many of them are no more, and many in a state of hopeless vice. That their offspring may be rescued from such a degrading condition, no efforts ought to be spared. Mr. Guild forwarded your affectionate letters to your sisters and brother, and called here to-day. We are much pleased with him, an interesting intelligent man-probably will succeed well in the duties incumbent on him by his late appointment as a teacher. I rejoice in the addition to your congregation. May the house and table of the Lord be filled with proper guests. Your church be increased with all the increase of God and the influence of divine grace be granted abundantly to your beloved family and people. I cannot but hope that you will "see good according to the days wherein you have seen evil”—that the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon you, and that he will establish the work of your hands. I have deferred writing from indisposition. The cause is not removed; but I could not let |