and illumine those benighted corners of the earth with his benignant rays! I rejoice to hear there are a few who are determined to quit their native land to preach the everlasting gospel to illiterate perishing Pagans. I have been apprised of your intention of going; and wish you had communicated some of your feelings, as it respects that subject. I am confident, my dear Miss Atwood, you will sit down and seriously count the cost before you make any engagements. You have undoubtedly resolved in your mind the trying sacrifices you must make, the hardships and distresses you must probably, endure. If you go, I hope you will be enabled to do great and lasting good in those distant climes, and give many a poor native reason to bless God through eternity that you came among them. When we consider that they have souls to be saved or lost, we are filled with amazement, that no greater exertions have been made for the promulgation of the gospel among them. Surely Jesus has done much for us; and now cannot we do something for him? We should consider no sacrifices too great to be made, no trials too great to be endured if thereby we can advance his cause and promote his glory. "It is the only cause on earth worth an anxious thought," says the excellent Dr G. And what great matter is it in which quarter of the globe we reside, for an" inch or two of time," whether in Asia or America, if we can be doing good? The idea of parting with you is extremely painful; but if you go, I shall still have the rich consolation of thinking of you, and reading your letters, all of which I have preserved. In imagination I shall often visit Hindostan, and with ineffable delight behold you instructing the poor Hindoos. I shall participate in your joys and sorrows, and wish you the pre

sence and the smiles of the Prince of peace. May you live eminently devoted to Him here on earth, and enjoy an eternity of consummate bliss and unfading glory with him in heaven.

You will perceive I have adverted to the difficulties and trials which you must encounter in your intended migration; but I hope they will be no discouragement. No situation in life is exempt from trouble. I trust you will have wisdom from above, to direct you in this and every important undertaking. I wish you would favour me with a visit. I long to see you. You must write. I shall enquire for a letter from you when I see Bradford friends, and I hope I shall not be disappointed. Present my respects to your mother, and love to all dear friends. While I trust you are all-engagedness in religion, and enjoying times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, O do remember your vile, worthless, stupid friend, FANNY WOODBURY.`

The following letter from Miss ATWOOD, it is believed was the last MISS WOODBURY ever received from her amiable and affectionate friend.]

TO MISS F. WOODBURY OF BEVERLY.

Haverhill, Dec. 13. 1811.

I HAVE long been wishing for a favourable opportunity to return my thanks to my dear Miss Woodbury for her affectionate letter received last July. A multiplicity of avocations, which could not possibly be dispensed with, have deprived me of this pleasure till now. But though my friends have been neglected, they have not been for gotten. Oh no! dear to my heart are the friends of Im

manuel; particularly those with whom I have walked to the house of God in company, and with whom I have taken sweet counsel about the things which immediately concern Zion, the city of our God. These dear Christian friends, will retain a lasting and affectionate remembrance in my heart, even though stormy oceans should separate me from them. There is a world, my sister, beyond this mortal state, where souls, cemented in one common union, will dwell together, and never more be separated. Does not your heart burn within you, when in humble anticipation of future blessedness, you engage in the delightful service of your covenant Redeemer? When your spirit sinks within you, and all terrestrial objects lose their power to please, can you not say.

Shall greet the peaceful inn of lasting rest:

The toils of this short life will soon be over.

Yes, my friend, we soon shall bid an eternal farewell to this passing world; and if interested in the covenant, we shall find the rest which remaineth for the people of God. I thank you sincerely for the affectionate interest you have taken in my future prospect in life. I feel encouraged to hope, that not only your good wishes, but fervent prayers will attend my contemplated undertaking. I know that the earnest supplications of the faithful will avail with God: plead then, my friend, with Jesus on my behalf. The path of duty is the only way to happiness. I love to tread the path which my Father points out for me, though it is replete with privations and hardships. Who, my dear Miss W. that has felt of the love of Jesus, the worth of souls, and the value of the gospel, would

refuse to lend their little aid in propagating the religion of the Cross among the wretched Heathen, when presented with a favourable opportunity? However great the discouragements attending a Missionary life, yet Jesus has promised to be with those who enter upon it with a right disposition, even to the end of the world. When will the day dawn, and the day-star arise in Heathen lands? Oh! when will the standard of the cross be erected, and all nations hear of the glad tidings of salvation? When will the millennial state commence, and the lands which have long lain in darkness, be irradiated by the calm sunshine of the gospel? When will the populous regions of Asia and Africa, unite with this our Christian country in one general song of praise to God? Though darkness and error now prevail, faith looks over these mountains, and beholds with transport the dawning of the Sun of Righteousness,the reign of peace and love.

The clock strikes twelve; I must leave you my friend, for tired nature requires repose. Pray often for me. Write me immediately upon receiving this hasty letter. Affectionately yours,

HARRIET,

LETTER TO MISS B. B. OF WENHAM.

MY DEAR BETSY,

Beverly, July, 1811.

NOT having had an opportunity to converse with you of late, it has just occurred to my thoughts, that I would write. In writing I can communicate my ideas much more unreservedly than in conversation. We, my dear cousin, are probationers for a never-ending eternity, and must sooner or later enter upon a state of inconceivable

felicity or hopeless despair, according as our characters are, when we leave this world.

We are near neighbours to the world of spirits; we are bordering upon heaven or hell. Life is short and uncertain. Death stands ready to execute his office, to lay our bodies in the grave, and to send our souls to the tribunal of a holy God, where a just and irreversible sentence shall be pronounced, according to our conduct in this state of trial. How infinitely important then, that we make sure of an interest in the Saviour, and secure a part in his redemption, which will be an everlasting source of joy and glory when time shall be no more!

You, my cousin, peculiarly need the consolations of religion. You have experienced of late much weakness and pain, and are still feeble. How much do you need patience to support you under your trials. How much do you need a heart crucified to the world, and entirely devoted to God. How much do you need an almighty Friend, to guide and cheer you in your weak and languid condition, and to be the Physician of your diseased soul May these divine blessings be yours; and then you will be contented and happy, though you should be destined to endure months and years of pining and distressing

sickness.

We know we must die.

Thousands have been ingulfed in the boundless ocean of eternity since I began this letter. All the concerns of time, all opportunities of doing and getting good, are over with them. Our earthly career also will soon be terminated. This night our souls may be required of us; and O the awful idea of

⚫ It is computed that probably about 4000 of the human race die every hour.

H