Common christians can hardly understand the peculiar advantages that arise from exalted spirituality of mind, and the most intimate degrees of devotedness to, and communion with God.

He had an holy and unshaken confidence as to his spiritual and eternal concerns. He knew whom he had believed, and was persuaded that he was able to keep that which he had committed to him against that day. This, under every event that naturally tends to alarm and distress, released him from anxiety, and kept his mind in perfect peace. He was not afraid of evil tidings, his heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord. A gentleman, Mr. Dodd, has just written to me to say, that he came over in the same vessel with him from America. He gives the same account of the dreadful storm as Mr. Winter has done in his Narrative: but he adds

"When all hope of being saved was taken away during this extremity—our impious captain fell on his knees, and intreated our negJected and injured friend to pray for him and the ship's company. No one can imagine with what dignity, composure, and kindness, this great and good man behaved himself, and what attention was paid to every word that dropped from his lips, as we were kneeling round him.”

He was always indeed raised above the fear of death, from which some are subject to bondage all through life. To him death was no more than a sleep, not only in reality but apprehension. The last time I was walking with him, he was speaking of his own dissolution. As I wished to know the state of his mind, and he had never been accustomed to talk of his assurance, I asked him how death appeared. He answered" Very inviting," Aware of his having been generally enervated to a great degree, and supposing it possible that like some good men he might have felt a constitu tional dread of death, I added, “Has it been always so?" He said "Always. Blessed be God, ever since I knew him, I have been enabled to live in a waiting posture; and though I am not improperly weary of the world, having found much friendship and mercy in it, yet death is inviting.".

One of his last students writes me, "That he often spoke with obvious pleasure of the approach of death. If a little pain of body seized him, he would frequently say with a smile, . Who can tell but this may serve to introduce me to my father's house."

His early letters, of which I have looked over a great number, abound with joy and rapture;

in those of later years there is less extacy, but much of that peace which passeth all understanding. Let a few extracts suffice to shew the blessedness he enjoyed from the strength of his faith-it would be delightful to transcribe more of them.

What wonderful events have occurred since we exchanged a letter? But the Lord reigns and he can preserve us. The overflowing scourge cannot pass through the land, but by his permission. What a mercy to be the subjects of a state that war cannot affect, and to be able to look forward to a land where our eyes shall not see evil any more. This my dear sir is our discriminating mercy, and it does us good to be thinking of it. Happy would it be for all whom we love if they would set their hearts upon that state, and in their minds, connect the present and the last day together, and when gloomy thoughts are excited by poli tical events, would banish the gloom by the consideration that the world to come, and into which we shall soon be transferred, knows nothing of the calamities to which this is ever subject. He who made all things has the reins of government in his hands, and all men at his controul. And we are sure that he will over-rule all the convulsions which distract

the present times and threaten the disturbance of the future. The storms will spend themselves, and the calm will ensue which will no more be interrupted, when all nations will be blessed. May we exercise faith upon whatever God has promised, and more immediately upon these promises which respect ourselves, our present concerns, and our eternal glory. We shall then rejoice while others mourn, and our joy no man taketh from us."

I catch the retirement of the morning to drop a few lines, I wish they may find you well in God. Then you will be prepared for sickness, should it please him to inflict it upon you. He knows how to deal with us. Nothing shall occur that is really evil in its consequences if we love him and put our trust in him. If he designs our good we may submissively let him do his pleasure with us; it will terminate in everlasting happiness, and this is sufficient... In all the revolutions of your constitution, think of the state that undergoes no change, and where your youth will be renewed like the eagles. In sickness and in health it becomes us to meditate upon this," and it will be natural for us so to do, if we live under the influence of the holy spirit, and are taught so to number our days as that we apply our hearts unto wisdom.

We live in a dying world, and must expect to die. He lives most properly who thinks more of death than of life, and thus dies daily, and lives with an ungrasping hand. I think it is not vanity nor pride in me to say so I do. I may not, I shall not have done all I should wish when I come to die, but I do not therefore neglect to look forward, rather to a dying day than to a long life.

What is it that can make death friendly to us, but an interest in the death of the blessed Jesus? He destroyed death and him that had the power of death, in favor of all who make him their friend."

"I am much better than I was, but am yet under, I was going to say complaint-but why should a living man complain, especially the man whose ten thousand mercies stand opposed to a few, very few inconveniences. Through merey, I know what it is to be fed with the hidden manna, and at this time I enjoy access with confidence into the holiest of all."

—“It is well we live as yet secure from invasion. I am inclined to think before war ceaseth I shall be in the realms of eternal peace: yet, as far as my reflections extend I feel for posterity. But when I reflect that the Lord reigneth, I may dismiss my fears. He who governed the world long before I had my