of such, every Christian must feel a lively concern; and to contribute towards such encouragement the following pages appear peculiarly suitable. For this volume récords an experience similar to their own, illustrates the conflicts which they often have to sustain, expresses the fears which frequently agitate their hearts, and exemplifies the devout means of succour to which they must often recur.

While

contemplating the gradual opening of celestial day on the mind of another, they may, it is hoped, discover, as in a glass, that the same divine influence has also beamed upon their own.

Nor is the compiler averse to acknow ledge that, though in selecting and arranging the materials laid before him, he had no expectation that they would ever be circulated beyond the connections of those friends for whom they were originally intended; yet he found in these raaterials so clear a tendency toward the desirable object just mentioned, as in

duced him to keep it in view during the progress of compilation.

In conformity to a statement above given, he must be allowed to remark, that if any person look into this little volume with expectations of amusement -of excitement from a detail of striking incident, or of intellectual gratification from novel or ingenious observation, he will most probably find himself disappointed. Such a person shall at once be told, that he has before him the history, not of a life, but of a heart—a heart under the discipline of the Holy Spirit training up for glory, and telling, without suspicion of being heard by others, its feelings and desires to God, whose favour it sought as better than life, or to bosom friends, to whom it could impart its emotions without reserve.

In one word more, it is recommended to youthful readers especially, that they adopt a practice which, though in these days it is too generally neglected, was

pursued by the writer of the following papers with considerable advantage. Let them devote stated seasons for the examination of their own hearts with respect to personal religion; and if opportunity serve, for committing to paper the artless and undisguised expression of their present views and feelings. The practice itself will, under the divine blessing, greatly subserve their spiritual improvement; and the review will, on many occasions, amply repay them for the hours thus employed.

The religious exercises of the closet are explicitly and repeatedly enjoined in the Holy Scriptures, are recommended by the experience of devout and holy persons in all ages, furnish some of the

surest indications of the real state of the heart towards divine things, and appear indispensable to the full influence of other important means of edification. We never can be too thankful for social and public religious engagements, but

on the use which we make of these in retirement principally depend their efficacy, and consequently our advantage. By meditation, self-examination, and secret prayer-by the cultivation of filial and reverential regards towards "our heavenly Father which seeth in secret," will our souls prosper, our spiritual strength be increased, our treasures of divine consolation be augmented, our fitness for active duties of life be promoted, and our profiting appear unto all.

With earnest desires and prayers, that the perusal of the following pages may be the means of ministering to such important results, they are now submitted to the public in general, and are in particular recommended with much affection to the attention of young persons.

W. H.

Hoxton Academy, 1822.