A long and intimate acquaintance with the deceased enables the writer of these memoirs to speak thus of a once invaluable friend, the loss of whose counsel and example he must deeply feel through life. In his intercourses, he observed the philosopher and the sculptor lost in the believer and the philanthropist he heard the Artist discourse, but he saw the Christian glow: and he now views, with heartfelt satisfaction, the blessings of this eminent character descending upon his children. THE two following letters, written to Miss Bacon, I gladly insert; as they will not only serve to confirm the account already given of the subject of these Memoirs with respect to his feelings as a parent, but will also more fully exhibit his sentiments as a real Christian. I make no apology here for wisest and best of characters, you are ready to admit a fool or embrace a harlot." MORAL. The same objects and events which the superficial suffer to pass without a trace left behind, become a fund of knowledge to the diligent; who, being enriched with principle and fixed by habit, stand among mankind a repository of all that is wise, and an example of all that is good. EPITAPHS. ON ONE WHO HAD BEEN A PROFLIGATE. Satan's captive, long enchain'd, All the viler passions reign'd; From this tyranny releas'd, Say not, "Miracles are ceas'd." ON A PIOUS YOUTH. Precious plant of heavenly grace, Then beneath propitious skies, ON Why write we Genius, Truth, or Sense, any want of accuracy that may be observed in them; since, to examine a private correspondence, like this, with criticism, would betray an inconsideration which it seems vain to attempt correcting. LETTER I MY VERY DEAR CHILD: I have been seeking for a moment of leisure to acknowledge your very acceptable letter, and now I am resolved to seize it. Much I cannot say: much I need not say. The Redeemer is soon mentioned, but that Redeemer comprehends all things. I bless his name for what he has done for you, and all my future expectations are from Him. Though Mr. &c. are withdrawn, HE, who made them what they were, can fill their place with others, or can do without them. I desire to rejoice in your behalf for the comforts you are favoured with; and, perhaps, I ought to rejoice at your conflicts too. Sure I am, you would have less evidence of the reality of a divine work, if you are entirely without them. God obtains honour in supporting you under them; and you acquire patience, experience, &c. by the exercise, My dear child, all mankind have their conflicts. He, that is entirely of the world, finds it a world of conflicts, and cannot escape many a wound from it: but the worst of his case is, that he has no physician to apply to, though the sorrow of the world worketh death. What a blessed thing it is to fight for the truth-for the honour of God--for everlasting life,— to strive for the noblest prize--to wear celestial armour-to have free access to that tree, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, and which heal every wound upon the immediate applicationto fight with the Captain at our side, and to be sure of the victory at last! Certainly we have a foe, subtle and powerful; but, in both these respects, he is a conquered enemy. It is impossible for me to describe a thousandth part of his stratagems. One general hint I will suggest to you: take the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. There is scarce a temptation, but has an opposite one as dangerous. Who can tell which is to be most dreaded, presumption or despair?-either for us to think that God will never punish sin, or that he will never pardon the penitent? If we in any degree gain the victory over sensuality, Satan will then tempt us to pharisaism or spiritual pride. There is no end of these opposite temptations. If he connot keep us from the conscientious performance of duties, he will urge us to a performance beyond our strength, that he may tempt us to despair. From the fatal effects of all which contrary snares, may the blessed Saviour of sinners, my dear girl, deliver you! This is precarious weather for riding-There is no place, my dear, but heaven, where it always shines. Well, it is not far off: let us congratulate one another. I do indeed most heartily concur with you in the sentiment, that "there is no subject so proper for a letter" from one sinner to another, "as that of Immanuel, God with us." Every other subject depends on the fabrick of our imagination for its importance. Still the votaries of pleasure say, "at least it has a reality, for we feel an interest in it every hour." We grant it: pleasure is pleasure, from whatever source it arises: and let them make the most of the concession. Truth must allow that the colours in the rising bubble are brilliant, and its motion pleasing; but it has a quality which mocks the joy of its possessor. I should have said had mocked, for it is gone before I finish the sentence. Yet, short as its existence is, it had a lesson of immense import: while he has been gazing at it, opportunity, which is ever on the wing, has seized the critical moment and passed by. I remember to have heard a sensible person say, that he "could never covet the honour of the city's chief magistrate, because that honour continued only one year." Alas! why had he not risen to grandeur of character sufficient to have made him say the same of seventy years? With what a low ambition is man satisfied! It is enough if he is not the greatest fool in the company. But why did I say seventy? When does his felicity last seven? While the animal spirits move briskly, the vision may subsist. The spirit of a man may sustain his infirmity, but a small wound in that spirit annihilates all. This is the moment, and many such moments there are, when nothing can apply to our case but the Gospel. We see the firmest friendship and the fondest affection often exerting their utmost efforts in vain: but who can communicate to the spirit of man but he who made it? He, that searches the heart, alone knows the depth of the malady; and he, that probes the wound, alone knows what will cure it. The balm may be found in Gilead, where the Physician also is, the spirit, the water, and the blood, all bear their record in heaven. O how happy am I, my dear child, that you have tried this cordial specific, and that I am not writing to inform you! I write, not because you know not these things, but because you do. This is the wine, the value of which increases with its age: none, having drank it, desire new, for they say the old is better. This, therefore, is only fit for immortal beings, whose state admits of no other means of satiety. A fortnight ago, I felt an alarm in my breast, arising from the state of public affairs; and my mind was ruminating upon various means to stem the increasing tide of popular discontent: but, suddenly, I recollected David's most powerful resource. In the calculation of politicians, all hope was over with David: that army was most numerous which was with Absalom; and he had, besides, stolen the hearts of the people he had also a deep and subtle revolutionist in his camp. David had but one seemingly poor manœuvre left, (one that I believe is never mentioned in all the books of tactics) Lord, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Was ever so simple a step! It seemed less efficient to meet a powerful enemy with, than even the sling and the stone; yet it was the very thing, and the only thing too, that effected David's deliverance. Such a prayer as this was my best confidence; and I have not yet been confounded. You say not a word about returning; and I know it is not easy for such friends to part. Let even your friendship afford a motive for securing a joint inheritance, from which you shall never be separated, nor from each other, nor from Your affectionate father, J. BACON. CONSIDERING the prevailing scepticism of the age; and the various and violent attacks that have been made upon vital godliness, as if uncertain in its nature, and debasing in its tendency; I hope it will not be thought impertinent, if, with a view to expose these misrepresentations, I embrace the opportunity which here presents itself, of adding a few general reflections which have occurred to my own mind in contemplating the character of my friend. Both before and since his departure, he has been the occasion of |