cross, alleviate every sorrow, smooth our dying pillows, and be the theme of our adoring praises and extatic hallelujahs through the rounds of eternal ages.

Friday Eve. I had heard of the glorious out-pourings of the Holy Spirit in Bristol, R. I. previous to the receipt of your letter. I have since had information of a very general revival in Francistown, N. H. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is such good news from a far country. Blessed be God that any are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, made trophies of his victorious grace and redeeming love, and induced to commence their journey from spiritual Egypt to the heavenly Canaan. Wonderful are the effects of divine grace. It can sweeten the roughest temper, soften the hardest heart, subdue the most stubborn will, and humble the proudest rebel. It can change the lion into the lamb, and bring the most aspiring and supercilious monarch to sit with the simplicity of a child at the Saviour's feet.

We e go on here as stupidly as usual; perhaps more so. Though there are many dry bones here, yet they can live. Who knows but God is about to breathe life into them, to pour out his spirit here, and appear in his glory? Though there are no appearances of it, yet possibly this may be the case; and, O should I live to witness itbut it is too much to expect. O that the Lord would make bare his omnipotent arm, cause sinners to tremble under the thunders of Sinai, and to flee for refuge to the ark of safety! Do pray that this may be the case, and that your stupid friend may be enlivened and quickened by the Holy Spirit.

Give my love to Mrs B. and all dear friends. Come and see us when convenient; but do write every opportunity. Yours affectionately,

F. W.

LETTER TO MISS C. G. OF BRADFORD.

Beverly, Oct. 20, 1812.

How is my dear, dear, Charlotte? I hope rejoicing in God, and running the way of his commandments, with a heart enlarged with gratitude, and glowing with zeal. May you so run, that you may obtain the prize, even a crown of glory that fadeth not away. When a Christian enjoys the smiles of his heavenly Father, and the presence of the holy Comforter, when he feels the sweetly constraining love of Jesus in his soul, how much does he enjoy, and how active is he in the discharge of duty. How forcibly, and how amiably does he exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in his life and conversation. Difficulties, insuperable to a luke-warm Christian, do not impede his progress. Inflamed with heavenly ardour, he surmounts all obstructions, rises superior to every discouragement, assumes the cross with alacrity, and embraces every opportunity to meliorate the condition of his fellow mortals, and advance the interests of his Redeemer's kingdom. With him the glory of God is a fundamental object, for which he longs, and assiduously labours, regardless of the contumely and invectives of a wicked world. He may be stigmatised with the appellation of devotee or enthusiast; but having learnt to glory in the cross of Christ, he cheerfully bears persecution, nor counts his life dear unto him, that he may glorify God, and finish his course with joy.

Alas! what I have written is what I would be, but at a very great remove from what I am. I trust however it is the happy case with you, and the dear young converts in your vicinity. I think much of you all, but particularly of those who have recently been liberated from the bondage of sin and Satan, and adopted children of God.

Most sincerely do I congratulate them on the happy change; and ardently wish they may ever prove bright ornaments to the religion of Jesus, and zealous advocates for the doctrines of the cross. But my heart almost bleeds when I think of the trials and temptations to which they will inevitably be more or less exposed, from a malicious adversary, an ensnaring world, and a wicked heart. Having but just put on the harness, they are little acquainted with fighting, and will probably meet with considerable detriment, and many sore bruises and wounds. O that they may be careful not to go to battle in their own strength, but in dependence on their captain; and they shall infallibly come off victorious in the end, for he is the good shepherd who has given his life for the sheep, and none shall pluck them out of his hand. Tell them, my dear friend, to walk humbly and watchfully, to pray fervently and constantly, to beware of sin, to press forwaid, to appear decidedly on the Lord's side, and live entirely devoted to God. May they be good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and rich blessings to the church and the world.

I lament that a preacher of universal salvation has been permitted to exhibit his flattering, though deleterious principles in Bradford; but I hope their influence and tendency has been effectually counteracted. Satan no doubt will avail himself of all his power, to introduce errors, opposition, and confusion ; but he and all his emissaries are under the controul of Zion's King, and cannot go beyond his permission. The present is a critical and gloomy time. Cruel animosities, vice, and damnable beresies abound; wars and rumours of wars are desolating nations, and strange convulsions are shaking the earth to its very centre. The judgments of God are

abroad in the world and in our land. The sword is unsheathed, and the din of war resounds in our once peaceful climes, exhibiting garments rolled in blood, and spreading devastation and destruction far and wide. When the conflict will terminate, Omniscience only knows. But it is to be feared, that other direful calamities impend, if speedy national repentance do not prevent. Under these distressing apprehensions, and in these perilous times, what can console us, but the consideration, that "the Lord reigns?" Amidst all these eventful appearances and dire commotions, the Church is safe. Founded on a Rock, and under the peculiar protection of the King of kings, she shall stand every blast, and weather every storm, and ere long become the perfection of beauty, the joy and praise of the whole earth. Though now enveloped in nocturnal darkness, a bright and gloririous morning is about to dawn, when the refulgent rays of the Sun of righteousness shall dispel divisions and errors, and make her appear fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. This is the purchase of Immanuel's blood, and he is a Shield to defend and protect her from all the assaults of earth and hell. Happy the soul whose interests and hopes concentre in the kingdom of the Messiah. When shall this kingdom prevail over every opposing power, and be established in every corner of the habitable world ? When shall the set time to favour Zion come, and the knowledge of the Lord fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea? O when shall wars and dissensions cease, and. the contending nations coalesce in harmonious anthems of praise to the Prince of peace! This happy, glorious era will ere long be ushered in. O that Christians may arise from their slumbers to ardent prayers and exertions

Sun and a

for its introduction. May they be all engagedness in the service of God.

I might enlarge upon the importance of Christan zeal, but conscious guilt prevents; for you might justly retort, "Physician, heal thyself." I feel a heavy load of coldness and stupidity, so that I often breathe, "O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me." O my frozen indurated heart, when shall it be warmed with the love of Jesus, and the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit? And yet I do not feel that sorrow and contrition for sin which I ought, and long for. I want to see my own nothingness and vileness, and the worthiness and all sufficiency of our great High Priest. Much, very much do I need a humble and contrite spirit, broken for sin, and “hungry for the bread of life." There is a promise, my dear sister, that those who wait on the Lord shall "renew. their strength, they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint." O that we may thus wait on him, stay ourselves on him, and be hidden in his pavilion, till these calamities be overpast. Wearied with trials, and burdened with sin, to whom shall we go but to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world? May our souls sweetly repose under his shadow, and experience that rest wherewith he causeth the weary to rest, that peace of mind which passeth understanding, which is far more eligible than the fame of Alexander and Cæsar, the riches of Cræsus, or the erudition of a Newton and a Locke. I anticipate the return of Miss S. with a great deal of pleasure; hope she will put life into my dead soul. My best love to all my dear friends. May you all be of one heart and one soul, and be favoured with renewed unctions of divine grace.

Do come and see us soon, and write me a long letter