But mortal eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, what God shall do for them that love him. They shall enjoy an exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

The following letter appears to have been received about this time from Miss ATWOOD.]

Haverhill, April 29, 1811.

It has not been for want of inclination, or from forgetfulness, that I have thus long neglected writing to my dear friend, Miss W. but every day has brought with it various and new occupations; and though my friends have not been forgotten, yet I confess I have not been so punctual as I ought. I need not assure you, that your letter produced many pleasing sensations. I hope this will find you enjoying the presence of our covenant Saviour, and engaged in the promotion of his glorious cause. Christians are greatly criminal for not living in the constant enjoyment of God. He is ever ready and willing to manifest the glories of his character to their souls; and nothing but their native opposition to holiness, and their love of evil, ever prevents. Are not believers inconsistent creatures? They can speak of a Saviour's love-the happiness resulting from an acquaintance with God, and point out the road to impenitent sinners, which alone will lead to substantial bliss; and yet often wander in forbidden paths, lose all relish for spiritual enjoyments, and rest contented with the low pleasures of sense.

If I am a child of Jesus, this inconsistency has often been mine. And yet I long for a greater sense of my dependance, and more entire conformity to Him who died for

me.

If any thing here deserves the name of happiness, it does not spring from earth. No; it is of heavenly birth, and comes from the regions of purity. The vast and boundless desires implanted in the human heart, cannot be satisfied with any thing short of God. Nothing in heav◄ en or earth is capable of affording real bliss without him.

I have spent three months this last winter with my sister at C. My religious privileges have been more ex◄ tensive than usual. I have been favoured with frequent opportunities of hearing Dr G. preach, and have likewise attended many serious meetings. But I still wanted a heart to improve under the cultivation of Jehovah's hand. Neither afflictions nor enjoyments will do us good, unless sanctified by divine grace.

Since my return to H. I have sometimes enjoyed much consolation in committing myself and all my concerns into the hands of God. Some circumstances, which at some future time I may communicate to you, I hope will have a tendency to wean me from this world, and fasten my heart to Heaven. I do, my dear friend, find this “ desert world, replete with sin and sorrow." I often long to leave it, and find a sweet release from every woe.

a

I hope to have the pleasure of a visit from you this summer; I wish much to see you and your sister. Hope you are both enjoying the light of the Sun of righteousness. Persevere, my friend, in the Christian life, and pray for your friend Harriet. Our pilgrimage will shortly be ended, and all the trials of life will be over. O may we meet in heaven; and join with the angelic host around the throne, in adoring the matchless perfection of Immanuel, through the ages of eternity! I am, my dear Miss Woodbury affectionately yours,

HARRIET.

I

June 24. How pleasant the return of the Sabbath, How delightful to worship God in his earthly courts. often feel an inexpressible joy in being permitted to appear in the assembly of his saints, even when I do not hear a sentence. This has frequently been a great inducement for me to go, when I have been denied the privilege which others enjoy. O may I find to-day, that it is good to be there. May the Holy Spirit animate iny devotion, elevate my affections, and enkindle a flame of love in my frozen heart. May the Saviour manifest himself to my soul, and pray for me, that my faith fail not. O may I rise superior to the vanities of this world. May my hopes, my desires, and my joys concentre in the unchangeable God.

Sabbath Eve. Alas! I seem to live in vain. I fear I am a poor useless creature, a cumberer of the ground. O that I could do a little good, while I am indulged with life and health. O that I could improve every oppor tunity to be useful, knowing that the time is short! This day I have partaken of the holy eucharist, and solemnly devoted myself to God. O that the vows I have made may never be forgotten, never be violated! May they stimulate me to shake off sloth, and to maintain good works. How can we live at this poor dying rate, when we know not but this night our souls may be required of us? How happy they must feel, who are doing great and lasting good in the world, from pure and refined mo◄ tives. O that I could emulate their zeal and activity!

LETTER TO MISS HARRIET ATWOOD OF HAVERHILL.

Beverly, July 7, 1811. Sabbath morn.

MY DEAR MISS ATWOOD,

I HAVE just laid down Mr Dana's Memoirs of Pious Women which I am re-perusing, for the sake of answering your truly kind and valuable letter, for which I return you many thanks. Reading the life of the illustrious Countess of Warwick, in the book above mentioned, I recognized with heart felt delight the blessed effects of genuine religion. How does it purify the heart, refine and elevate the affections, and influence and adorn the deportment? Let the enemies of our religion substitute a better in its room, and we will acknowledge they have done something. But this they never have. done, nor ever will do. How amiable the portraiture: "First pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Has this religion, my beloved. friend, a seat in our hearts? and do we at all times act under its sacred influence? Have we imbibed the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus? And do we emulate his bright example? Do our affections, our hopes, and our desires concentre in the unchangeable God? Have we risen superior to the puerile and insipid delights of this lower world; and learnt with humble Mary, to sit at Jesus's feet, and with avidity treasure up his words in our hearts? Do we possess a faith in Christ, which is prolific of good works, and an ardent love to him as the chief among ten thausands, and altogether lovely? If this is not the case, an inspired apostle would say of us, "Let them be Anathema Maranatha." Let us examine ourselves, and see whether we be in the faith. Let us

bring our views, our feelings, and our actions to that infallible criterion, the word of God, and endeavour to as◄ certain whether they comport with what it requires. I am more than ever impressed with the importance of a frequent, impartial, and critical, investigation of our hopes, characters, dispositions, and lives. I think it would be well every evening to take a retrospect of the day, and enquire how we have performed the business of it; what duties neglected, what mercies received, and what sins committed. We have a great and arduous work to do; and our time is short. We have evil tempers and propensities to subdue, and stubborn wills to conquer. We have an invisible and malicious adversary ever ready to annoy us. We have a battle to fight, a race to run, a crown to win. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence; and the violent take it by force." It is obvious our souls cannot be saved, and heaven obtained by a few indolent formal wishes and heartless duties. No, sedulous care and unremitting vigilance and cireumspection are necessary. We must place our whole dependance on Jesus. He is all-sufficient; and, if we repair to him for grace and strength to do his will, he will not deny us. It is desirable to feel our own helplessness and nothingness, that we may value him the more, and place a more perfect reliance on his merits.

Sabbath eve I have just returned from the house of God, where I have been indulged with hearing Mr E. O that I could but appreciate my privileges as I ought, and make a wise inprovement. How many of our dear. fellow creatures are groping in horrid darkness, destitute of the heavenly light of the gospel, and enveloped in a gloomy labyrinth of Jewish, Mahometan, or Pagan superstition. O that the Sun of righteousness would arise