selves, the imprudence of friends frequently renders them so. Indeed, there is nothing I more dread than the interfering advice of ill-judging and partial friends, whenever the young are seriously impressed. Under every circumstance of age or condition, I have preferred holding back the convert, for the space of not less than two months; and in respect of youth I would carry this practice still further, and that in proportion to the fewness of the party's years." "Strange things await us in futurity. A wonderful developement is to be made at the bar of God. Our associations in life, our social dependences, our domestic relations;-what numerous, what diversified, and what deep-tending issues, are to arise from them all! It is when we view the judgment-seat through the medium of such thoughts as these, that it assumes its most characteristic usefulness. It is when we extend our eye through the far-stretched line of consequences. It is not the individual commission of sin, it is not the perpetration of personal iniquity, painful as this is, which makes up the most appalling anticipation of the awaiting decision. It is the influence we have had, and the part we have taken, and the example we have set in the affairs of immortal souls; it is the far-reaching result through them in their turn again. We shall never understand how consequences multiply, until we behold them examined before the throne of the heavens." "You have said, Farewell, till we meet at the bar of God! Our next meeting will indeed most probably be there. This consideration is painful; but it ought to be salutary. Farewell then, dear friend; and may he that dwelt in the bush be your cloud by day, and your pillar in the darkness of night!" "I am pleased to discern, in the whole tenor of your letter, the breathings of a desire to be a coworker with Christ, and to be instrumental in promoting his glory. This is the only desire we can entertain on earth, which does not subject us to the probability of disappointment. The immortal soul demands some stable point around which its energies may safely play, without exhaustion from its efforts, or precariousness in its hopes. The good of Zion, and nothing else, will form such a stable centre: and it is surprising how numerous are the opportunities of advancing the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, which present themselves to him whose habitual inquiry is, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'” "Next to the possession of grace, the highest virtue in the Christian calendar, is that of hungering and thirsting after righteousness:' and yet this is only a mode of speaking, as logicians say. The Christian's experience comprises nothing but paradoxes. The desire for any thing in other concerns, betokens the want of it: not so in Christianity. The earnest and panting desire for grace, evinces its existence in the heart already; and it ought to lay hold of that faith which imparts resolution to appropriate the promises. It proves no title to property in a worldly court, that the claimant earnestly wishes it: but, in the chancery of Heaven, a sincere longing goes far to establish the claim." "There are two errors into which we are likely to fall. One is the spirit of legalism, and the other a desire of the praise of men. The latter is easily detected. But, however acceptable, in the sight of the world, retiring piety and a good example may be, zealous activity in all the details of religion, and earnest efforts to save the souls of others, is a course not sufficiently popular to furnish an enticement to zeal. The personal reward to be obtained, is not sufficiently alluring to arouse us from our natural indolence. Legalism is more dangerous. It takes so many shapes, that we are always more or less in danger from its insidiousness." “Leave all contingencies of times to Him who has your destiny in his hands, and who will prepare what is best for you in due season. O it is a sweet feeling, when we can realize it, that all which belongs to us is in the hands of our heavenly Father! He can make use of our very fears and hopes, our disappointments and our joys, for our present as well as our future good. True happiness belongs only to him who lies passive in the hands of his Maker." "I hope we shall be spared to meet in London three or four years hence. But, O what changes await us before that much of the wheel shall have rolled over!" "For my own health, after which you inquire, it is now excellent. I have nothing to complain of in all my circumstances of life, but an ungrateful heart. An affectionate people under my charge-a family all I could wish them, (do not smile at my partiality,) enough to provide the comforts of life-good health.—What more, but a feeling of practical gratitude ought I to ask for?" and - Dec. 26, 1826. "It is a matter of surprise to me that from the many ministers to whom I wrote with the promise of a full reply, I have received no answer, save from and yourself. From especially, I was very desirous of hearing. It mortifies our pride to be forgotten: but it is something more painful where we have ourselves been favourably prepossessed. I must go over to England again, and try to behave better; to make a better impression. "How like the memory of a dream, the scenes of the past summer are flitting before me! The review is a happy one, in most of its details: and it is completely so in all those parts in which you and your dear family appear. In truth, I ought to thank you, and those under your roof, for the unremitting hospitality and kindness which I received at your hands. If you would in any way draw upon me for a return, how it would gratify me to shew you my promptness in honouring your drafts! And too, whom I regard not the less because he dubs my native country a refractory child; say all that is kind to him from me. I was prepared to admire Great Britain for the talent to which she has given birth : but I honour her for the specimens of heart of which I have seen so many. I could not repress the names of some of you, from the little groups of my flock who have been constantly meeting at my house since my return, and who really seem to share in my sense of your goodness and hospitality. And then Mrs. Henry-in whom there is more than a ' woman's curiosity' to see you-begs the acceptance of her own regard by one whom she fancies she knows already. The Lord has indeed crowned my life with lovingkindness. On my return, I found that but two of my congregation had made an exchange of worlds during my absence. It is true they were spiritual children, and the loss was therefore painful; but there is every thing to solace us in their departure. The rest of my people had been waiting, with some degree of patience, and with undiminished affection, for my return to their fold. And they do indeed seem grateful that I have resumed my charge with renewed and vigorous health. You will deem my situation in life a singular one, my dear friend, when I tell you that I have not an earthly want, that the only petitions I can frame to our heavenly Father are those of a spiritual chaAnd I am the more impressed with some consciousness of the danger of this prosperity, since this morning looking over your papers relative to the 'Associate Fund' Society. You do indeed exhibit an affecting spectacle among the prophets of the spiritual Israel. What vast good could such a man as our friend do? I cannot but hope that he will one day take hold of this business. How much could one such muscular arm achieve! racter. "It is certainly, as you say, a matter of gratitude that the great Head of the church has rendered me useful to any immortal soul during my absence. And yet, my dear sir, I have never desired the comfort which others gather from such a source. When I |