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LETTER VIII.

MY DEAR

IT is so-when we come to the work of watching over our hearts, and amending our lives, in deep earnest, as to a great and all-important work, which requires, not merely the whole concentrated energies of the human mind, but the powerful assistance of the Holy Spirit added thereto, and working therewith, we feel for the first time, the weakness, the vacillation, the worldliness, the propensity to error, the indisposition to duty, the sin in our nature! Herein consists the benefit of sickness, and next to sickness, of retirement. We there learn ourselves, that book of many pages, that text

of many meanings! I can deeply feel for any one thrown, and thrown under disadvantageous circumstances, into close and constant intercourse with the world, because such an individual has this book closed against him; at least, it requires a courageous and a mighty effort to break open its seals, and get at its secrets. In the noise and glare of a worldly life, how many false motives, how many erroneous opinions, may steal in and out of the heart unnoticed; and shape themselves into action, and express themselves in words, contrary to the spirit of a self-devoted, self-denying religion, with an influence so silent and unobtrusive, that the individual is not aware of the deadening process going on within him. Business, just, lawful, necessary business, comes first, with its imperative claims upon the mass of his time, and the main strength of his mind : recreation follows after, with the same plea of necessity, and tithes the remaining portion : then nature, wearied, wanting, over-tasked nature brings up the rear, and demands all` that remains, with an urgency not to be par

ried or set aside. Such is the tread-mill round; such the incessant surrender of time, thought, and strength, to business, pleasure, and physical requirements !—and there remains nothing for God; nothing even for self, in the best sense, till sickness or death suddenly stalks in, breaks like a giant the bands that have fettered the soul to earth, brings the struggling captive into the presence of its Maker, teaches in a moment and with an energy not to be gainsaid, that one forgotten necessary, was-to learn to die;—that if many things were expedient, one, was emphatically "needful;" if many good, one, was the chief good; without which, every thing else exerted an ensnaring and destroying influence-with which, every pursuit would have been ennobled, every right pleasure enhanced, every affection purified, every power strengthened, every dispensation rendered a blessing, every affliction salutary. Alas, for the trials and temptations of this busy, changing, proud, perishing world! and alas for those, obliged to pass through its furnace!-called to use, yet com

manded not to abuse it; to be "not slothful in business," yet, toward God to be "fervent in spirit;" to be a citizen in its high places, yet maintain the feelings of a pilgrim and a stranger; to mingle in the pageant, without being conformed to its fashions, or governed by its motives, or anxious for its honours. Alas! for such an one, were there no Divine Spirit to strengthen him with might in his inner man; no compassionate Father to relieve his doubts, and fears, and sinkings of heart; to hear his confessions of weakness, and supplications for wisdom, teaching, support, and consolation;—were there no allatoning Redeemer to blot out the records of sin, condemnation, deficiency, and error; to present his prayers, advocate his cause on high, and throw over the suppliant the garment of salvation! If I knew a friend so circumstanced, so peculiarly exposed to the snares and strifes of this world's influence; and if I felt for that friend the truest regard, joined to the most anxious interest; and if I knew too, that circumstances shielded me from much to which he was

exposed-how sacred a duty would it seem, to bring before him now and then, glimpses of those truths which counteracting causes so tended to shut out; to venture to press home the absolute duty, the paramount importance of seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and his rewards, and his pleasures, and his service! Oh! how sacred a duty would it appear, to think of that individual in the retired hours of meditation; to garrison him with desires for his heavenly interests, prayers for his spiritual welfare. Forgive the freedom of this address:- I have such a friend-and weak as she may be, have such a well-wisher.

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