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of the understanding, are to the sick man but as idle tales; whilst the simplest proinise revealed in that best book for the day of health, that only book for the hour of adversity, is then seen to be most precious, and felt to be most prized. If I ever meet with a sceptic, this shall be my grand argument for the divinity of the bible!

LETTER XXII.

I AM not satisfied with myself, my dear, that I have never brought the subject of religion before you as I ought to have done, as I have wished to do, but felt sinfully ashamed of doing.

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Dear do you ever remember the instruction of your youth? Do you realizingly remember it? Is the bible to you a pleasant book, or is it merely read as a duty? Is prayer the natural and spontaneous language of your heart, a heart "hungering and thirsting after righteousness?" Is God present with you? that is, does the thought of his all-seeing eye, that what you are doing he views, that what you are thinking he knows,

prompt to action, restrain from folly, quicken holy and heavenly affections? Where are your heart's first and strongest feelings given? Where, your mind's most frequent, fervent thoughts? to God, or to the world? to the never-fading treasures of a never-ending eternity, or to the passing cares and pageantries of life? My dear, I only ask these questions; I make no charge; I give no opinion; but I do entreat you to set yourself steadily to the work of self-examination on this subject. Ask God to be by his Spirit and his word, a lamp to your feet and a light to your path: ask him to open the eyes of your understanding, that you may discern the state of your own heart, your hopes of salvation, the vanity of the world, the glory and excellency of Christ. Do not tell me that you are too busy, too much engrossed by worldly occupations, and care, and company; these are necessary in their place, but is there no place for God? The apostle says, "not slothful in business;" but he also says, "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" by which he means that a Christian

may, by motive, principle, and affection,

unite both, and at the same time.

Dear unless God is recognized as a "reconciled Father in Christ," death is indeed a king of terrors, a giant waiting for his prey, a tyrant claiming his captive, only to transfer him to one more terrific still-even to Satan, and the region where "hope never comes !" Oh! why do mortals suffer their cruel enemy to beguile them from him who would be their tender friend? Why do they listen to his flatteries, or fear his threats, or believe his promises, and say, "peace, peace," when there is no peace? or shelter themselves in good resolutions, and glide through life, saying to themselves, "to-morrow," till to-morrow rises not for them?

Pardon my earnestness there is peace, there is joy, there is fulness of satisfaction in seeking and serving God, and there is none in seeking and serving aught else in the universe. Thousands have rejoiced in the discovery of this truth in time; and tens of thousands have mourned over it in eternity! Which will you do?

LETTER XXIII.

MY DEAR LITTLE BOYS,

I HAVE often talked to you about God, but now, I wish to talk to you by letter, that when I am far away you may have my words, though you cannot hear my voice. As well as I can, I wish to explain what it is your duty to believe, desire, and practice, concerning true religion.

The soul, my dear children, that hidden, but precious part of man, whereby he lives, and moves, and thinks, and feels, is not what it was when God pronounced Adam "very good." Then, pure thoughts, right feelings, and holy actions, proceeded from it as flowers grow from a plant, or fruit from a tree. But you know the history of

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