every good word and work. Let us live as strangers and pilgrims here, crucified to the world, and the world to us. Let us deposit our hopes, our hearts, and our treasures in heaven, and live the lives of heaven-born souls. What though we incur the charge of enthusiasm or superstition ; if we suffer for righteousness sake, happy are we; and if we cannot endure the obloquy and ridicule of a wicked world, surely we are not worthy the name of Christians. O let us be ambitious of that honour which cometh from God, and dare to be singularly good in this lukewarm time, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and living the life of heaven upon earth, that others may take knowledge of us, that we have been with Jesus, and learnt of him.

That you may be an honour to your Christian profession, a blessing to your friends, society, and the world, and at length be introduced to a state of rich and transporting glories, where Jesus is all in all, is the wish of your friend,

FANNY.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO MISS B. P. OF DANVERS.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Beverly, May 5, 1818.

CHRISTIAN friendship, endeared by coincidence of sentiment and long habits of intimate familiarity, is one of the most delightful and inestimable privileges indulged us in these adverse climes. Though it subjects us to many painful and delicate sensibilities, yet its concomitant sweets and delights vastly preponderate. It sheds benignant lustre on our pilgrim-state, and strews the thorny path of life with delectable flowers. The mines of Potosi,

the wealth of Indies, " a world, in purchase for a friend is gain." Of how much greater importance then, is the friendship of Him who is infinite in love and goodness, and who gives eternal life to all his friends. If it be desirable to form an attachment with the wise and good of our fellow mortals, O how immensely desirable is an indissoluble union with the wonderful Counsellor, the Father of light, and God of all comfort, wisdom, power, and perfection. What an indubitable proof has he given of his love to us, in that he died for us, while we were enemies. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. But he, who claims an equality with the Father, possessed of all divine attributes. and excellencies, condescended to veil his deity in humanity, inhabit our wretched earth, and die on Calvary's. rugged summit, for those who had rebelled against his righteous government, trampled on his laws, and abused. his grace. He left the bosom of his heavenly Father, that we might sweetly recline on it; he for a while relinquished the adoration of the heavenly hosts, that we might be elevated to their beatific society; he resigned the joys and glories of heaven, that we might be raised to their fruition; he became poor, that we might be made rich; he bled, and groaned, and died, that he might extract the sting of death, and open the portals of paradise.

O shall not our souls glow with love and ardour in his dear cause, and strive to magnify and extol the riches of his grace? His cause is dear, unspeakably dear to his heart, and shall prevail. Though now it seems almost expiring, yet, like the fabled Phoenix, it shall emerge from its obscurity, and shine with renovated lustre and increasing beauty. Blessed are all they who love and promote this blessed cause, and whose interests are blended with:

the interests of Zion. Blessed are those who are emanci pated from spiritual Egypt, and steering their course to Canaan, with songs of rejoicing and shouts of praise. Erelong shall their tiresome wanderings terminate, and, in "the swellings of Jordan," the land of promise shall open. to their view, with all its exuberant beauties and unwithering joys.

Respecting the general conversation of convivial parties, I perfectly agree with you, that it is desultory, unprofitable, and unsatisfactory O when shall we all learn to converse on things pertaining to the kingdom of God, wherewith one may edify another?

I conclude you are in a school; and much do I wish you grace to enable you to discharge its complicated and. arduous duties to the acceptance of your God.

Your very affectionate and obliged friend,

FANNY WOODBURY.

NOTE TO MISS E. S. OF BEVERLY.

June 6, 1813.

How do you do, my dear friend, after your tedious walk? I feel quite miserably in body; but not more so than I foreboded. However, I do love the place where prayer is wont to be made; and, considering only myself, I could cheerfully make many sacrifices, and bear many crosses, to enjoy the precious privilege. O how sweet to encircle the throne of grace, and unitedly supplicate the. favour of the great supreme. How incomparably preferable to the ceremonious, promiscuous visits, so much in vogue; whose only object seems to be to throw time away in vain insipid conversation. Does it not grieve your heart to meet with those who profess religion, whose

tongues run freely on worldly themes, but are still when things pertaining to the kingdom of God are advanced? Perhaps too they may suggest that they have not the gift that some have, and cannot talk upon their feelings, &c. We know there is a variety of different talents; but is it probable, or even possible, that one who has felt the power of religion, and can talk volubly upon commonplace subjects, should seldom or never expatiate on the beauties of the divine Saviour, the character of God, the worth of the soul, the cause of Zion, and the exercises of his own heart.

Do write very soon upon this subject; for it has exeeedingly interested, and grieved my heart.

FANNY.

LETTER TO MISS B. P. OF DANVERS.

Beverly, June 9, 1813.

THE Christian life, my dear Betsy, is a warfare, a con◄ tinual conflict. If we have renounced allegiance to sin and Satan, and enlisted under the banners of the Prince of peace, we have engaged in a war against three potent enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have to fight, not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places-foes, malicious, numerous, invisible, and indefatigable. If Satan could spare a legion of his subtle emissaries to infest one poor man, he must have a vast number under his controul, all ready to execute his orders. From Scripture we learn, that he possesses very great power, virulence, and turpitude; and surely he knows how to avail himself of them to the greatest advantage. He will not fail to suit his temptations to all our various circumstances; and being

acquainted with our most vulnerable part, he will continually exert himself to effectuate our ruin. If we have been emancipated from his iron bondage, though he cannot indeed pluck us out of our Redeemer's hands, yet will he endeavour to ensnare, worry, and harass our souls, and impede our progress. If he cannot prevent our entering heaven at last, yet he will strew the road that leads thither with prickly briars and goading thorns. If he cannot make us leave the narrow path, yet he will do his utmost to make us travel slowly, heavily, and despondingly, and make us continual work for sorrow and repentance. If one stratagem fails, he will try a second; and if that, a third; and so unwearied are his attempts and machinations, that he is called "a roaring lion, going about seeking whom he may devour;" and if his power were not circumscribed by One stronger than he, we had long since been in utter despair and destruction. But blessed be God, he is a vanquished enemy, and cannot go a hair's breadth beyond the permission of the sinner's Friend. Ah! ye tempted followers of the Lamb, why do you go on so mournfully the road to Zion? Though now and then your adversary gains a temporary conquest, and insultingly menaces your total ruin, yet listen not to his wiles, regard not his threats, nor tamely give up all for lost. But rather collect and renew your forces, array yourselves in the panoply of the gospel, and set your faces as a flint against every opposing power. Fear not. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will infallibly prevail. He will clothe you with armour; he will lead you forth to battle; he will protect you in every conflict, and enable you to perform exploits; and eventually bring you off more than conquerors. His name is JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. Precious name!

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