We are probationers for eternity. We are forming characters, and performing actions, for a never-ending state of existence. Time is short. Months and years fly away with velocity, never, never to return.

O let it be our concern to improve every moment for our present and eternal good! May we devote our remaining days to God, and sit under the shadow of the Redeemer with great delight. He is the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the vallies; the chiefest among ten thousands and altogether lovely. O that I could say without a doubt, My Beloved is mine, and I am his!" God grant we may not deceive ourselves; but be advocates for his holy religion, till our latest breath.

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May Heaven bless you temporally, and spiritually. At the throne of Almighty grace, plead for your unworthy friend, FANNY.

JOURNAL, 1807.

Sept. 6. Sabbath day. Attended church, and heard the sublime doctrines of the gospel declared by a minister from Gloucester. O what a mercy is it that I can some➡ times hear! O may I practise the duties enjoined; and not be like the stony ground hearers, who receive the word with joy, but having no root, they endure but for a time, and when troubles arise fall away. But may I follow my Lord joyfully even unto death. May I glorify him here on earth. O Lord, deliver me from the thousands of temptations that beset me at every step! O leave me not to my own wicked heart; but enable me to put my trust in thee alone!

Sept. 10. This day I am sixteen years old. O to what little purpose have I lived so many years! For what was I made, but to serve and glorify God? And

yet what have I done, but rebel against him? How, justly might he now consign me over to the gloomy regions of sorrow and despair, where the least glimpse of hope can never, never come! Surely he is good, and his mercy endures for ever; else I had long ago been in hell, reaping the reward of my doings... Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! O let me never forget this kind, this gracious God! The year past has been the most distinguished year of my life. My mind has been very seriously impressed with the truth and importance of religion, and I trust has embraced it. O that this year may place me in the Paradise of my God, to go no more out for ever; there to sit and sing the song of redeeming love. through a never ending eternity! When shall I be with my God, never to leave or grieve him more? Ö thou Searcher of hearts, and Trier of reins, wilt thouprotect and bless me this year? O prepare me for all. the trying scenes of life! However long or short my life may be, it makes no difference with me, if every moment be well improved.

Sept. 11. Went to Mr D.'s and conversed with him some time. He gave me such advice as I never had before. O may I improve it to my everlasting good O how sweet were his words; but how few of them can this treacherous memory retain! They ought to be engraven on my heart, never to be forgotten. May he live long to be a blessing to this wicked generation ; and when death shall summon him to bid adieu to earthly things, may he enter the regions of endless bliss.

Sept. 13. Felt very serious and solemn to-day. I view religion of more importance than ever. O, I wonder

how a person can live unmindful of Christ, and his dying

love! O how wretched, how inconceivably wretched must that person be, who places all his happiness in this sinful world! O what must be his feelings in the near view of death and eternity.

Sept. How I long for the conversion of my youthful companions! O could they realize their awful situation without an interest in the great Redeemer, they certainly could not rest easy! But alas! they appear very indifferent with regard to eternal things.

Was propounded for admission into the church by Mr D. of Marblehead. This night I made the solemn dedication of myself to God in writing *.

Sept. 15. Felt very unwell. Sickness is as pleasant as health, if I can but enjoy a holy God. O for perfect conformity to him!

Sept. 17. Attended the funeral of Mr. W. D.'s daughter. Heard an excellent prayer; but alas! I have reason to lament that it makes no more impression upon my hard heart. O that all who attended may be prepared for their own latter end!

The two following letters from the amiable and pious Miss Atwood, (afterwards: Mrs Newell, who died in the Isle of France, while with her husband publishing the gospel to the heathen,) was received by Miss Woodbury about this time, and seems to be in answer to one or two wrote by her under the impression of the circumstances mentioned above, viz, her own sickness, and Miss D.'s death. These

This was in the words of Doddridge.. See Rise and Progress chapter 17.

letters, however, have unfortunately not been preserved. The following are Miss Atwood's answers to them.]

FROM MISS H. ATWOOD, TO MISS WOODBURY.

Bradford Academy, Sept. 1807.

How solemn, my dear Miss W. is the idea, that we must soon part! Solemn as it is, yet what is it, when compared with parting at the bar of God, and being separated through all eternity! Religion is worth our at tention; and every moment of our lives ought to be devoted to its concerns. Time is short, but eternity is long; and when we have once plunged into that fathomless abyss, our situation will never be altered. If we have served God here, and prepared for death, glorious will be our reward hereafter. But if we have not, and have hardened our hearts against the Lord, our day of grace will be past, and our souls irrecoverably lost. Oh then, let us press forward, and seek and serve the Lord here, that we may enjoy him hereafter. Favour me with frequent visits while we are together, and when we part, let epistolary visits be constant, Adieu, Yours, &c.

HARRIET.

FROM MISS H. ATWOOD.

Bradford Academy, Sept. 1807.

Per

As we are candidates for eternity, how careful ought we to be that religion be our principal concern. haps this night our souls may be required of us—we may end our existence here, and enter the eternal world. Are we prepared to meet our judge? Do we depend upon

Christ's righteousness for acceptance? Are we convinced of our own sinfulness, and inability to help ourselves? Is Christ's love esteemed more by us than the friendship of this world? Do we feel willing to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus? These questions, my dear Miss W. are important; and if we can answer them in the affirmative, we are prepared for God to require our souls of us when he pleases.

May the Spirit guide you, and an interest in the Saviour be given you! Adieu. HARRIET.

• Wednesday Afternoon, 3 o'clock.

m

Sept. 19. Communion with God! O how sweet and desirable! The high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, condescends to hear our prayers. How ought I to spend my days, since all the grace I need to do his will, Jesus is ready to bestow. He says, "Ask, and ye shall receive." I need only to repair to him, tell my wants, and ask wisdom, and he will give me that pearl of great price, which is of more value than all the riches of this world.

The past week one of my fellow mortals was consigned to her kindred dust. She was called home in the morning of life, before she was capable of knowing good from evil. O may this afflictive event be sanctified to the mourning relatives! While the youthful parents ponder in silent grief over their early bereavement, O may they learn to apply their hearts unto wisdom, and justify God! May it teach me also, and my young companions, the frailty of life and the certainty of death. O may it cause them seriously to meditate on death and eternity. They have often been reminded of these solemn things; but alas! I fear with no good effect. O that this may