the cause I am now about professing. In Christ alone will I put my trust, and rely entirely on his righteousness for the pardon of my aggravated transgressions.

July 17. Have spent the day at home. I think I have enjoyed something of God's presence. Felt a disposition, frequently to call upon him by prayer and supplication.

July 18. At this late hour, when no one beholdeth me but God, how solemnly-how sincerely ought I to feel engaged for him?

The family are retired to rest. The darkness and silence of the night, and the reflection that the night of death will soon overtake me, conspire to affect my mind. What have I done this day for God? Have I lived as a stranger and pilgrim on the earth; as one that must soon leave this world and go to "that bourn from whence no traveller returns ?"

Oh that I were more engaged for God-more engaged to promote his cause, in the midst of a perverse generation.

July 20. This evening, I had a most solemn meeting with one of my dear and most intimate companions. I warned her in the most expressive language of my heart, to repent. She appeared affected. I left her, and after returning home, I trust, I was enabled to commend her to the God of

infinite mercy, and to pray earnestly for her conviction and conversion.

July 22. Was informed that

appeared se

rious and unusually affected. Oh that God might work a work of grace in his heart, and enable him to resign all earthly vanities, for an interest in the great Redeemer. He has talents, which, if abused, will only add to his everlasting condemnation. O thou God of infinite mercy, thou who hast had pity on me, show him mercy, and awaken him to a sense of his situation, before the things that concern his peace, are hid for ever from his eyes.

July 26. Sabbath day. Arose this morning but little impressed with a sense of the duties before me, upon this holy day. My health obliged me to decline going to the house of God in the morning. But I think I could say, it was good for me to be afflicted. God was graciously pleased to assist me in calling upon his name, and permitted me to wrestle with him in prayer for the prosperity of Zion, and for the conversion of sinners. I felt a desire that every one of my friends might be brought to a knowledge of the truth. This afternoon I have attended meeting, and heard a most excellent sermon preached by Mr. W. from Matt. xxvi. 6—13. He passed the Sabbath with us, and gave us excellent instructions. But of what use are advice and religious conversation to me, if I do

not improve them as I ought? These instructions will rise up in judgment against me, and condemn me, if I am not indeed a child of God. Oh for a heart to love God more, and live more to his glory. How can I hope to enter that heavenly rest, prepared for the people of Jesus, when I so often transgress his laws?

July 29. Past eleven o'clock-the family have retired to rest, and I still remain writing. But what shall I say of myself? Shall I say, I have spent this day as I ought? I have been blessed with privileges greater than I deserve, greater than I improve. Two dear Christian friends spent the day with us. If I know my own heart, I do love the society of the children of God. If I do not,

know not what I love. I recounted the exertises of my mind, and found a pleasing satisfaction in telling what God had done for me. Blessed be his name, that I have the least reason to hope, that I am indeed brought out of darkness into his marvellous light.

August 5. How solemn, how important a transaction it is, publicly to profess religion. And now, what are my feelings in respect to this great duty? I am about to take the vows of a holy God upon me. I am about to bind myself to him by an everlasting covenant. O that I may do it with a serious hum ble, and sincere heart!

Aug. 6. Lord's Day Morning. Upon this sacred morning, oh that the Holy Spirit of God would en liven and animate my cold and stupid affections Oh that I might this day enter his earthly courts, worship him in an acceptable manner, profess his name before a scoffing world, sit down at his table,\ and partake in faith, of the body and blood of Jesus.

Sabbath eve. And now I have entered into the most solemn engagement to be the Lord's. I have confessed Christ before the world-I have renounced my wicked companions-I have solemnly promised, that denying ungodliness and every worldly lust, 1 will live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. If I should, after taking these solemn vows and covenant engagements upon me, dishonour the cause of my Redeemer-if 1 should give the enemies of religion reason to say, there is nothing in religion—If I should again return to my former courses, and live as one that had never professed faith in Jesus-oh how dread. fully aggravated will be my condemnation! What excuse could I render at the tribunal of a just Judge? My mouth would be stopped, and I should plead guilty before him. How then does it become me to watch and pray, lest the devices of Satan, the world, or my own remaining corruptions, should lead me into temptation.

In thee, oh God, do I put my trust; from thee do I hope to obtain mercy in the day of retribution. Aug. 10. How stupid, how cold I grow! Where is that fervour-that zeal—that animation I ought to have, after professing to know and receive Jesus as my Redeemer? How alluring are the vanities of time! How prone my heart to wander from God! How ready to engage in the trifles of this wicked world! Descend, thou Holy Spirit-Breathe into my soul a flame of ardent love; let not my affections wander from the one, and only thing that is needful.

To Miss F. W. of Beverly.

Haverhill, Aug. 1809-Sabbath morn. "A FEW moments of this sacred morning shall be devoted to my beloved Miss. W. After discontinuing, for so long a time, our correspondence, 1 again address you. By the endearing title of a friend, I again attempt to lay open my heart before you. But what shall I say? Shall I tell you, that since I last saw you, I have made great progress in divine grace? To you, my ever dear friend, will I unbosoin my heart; to you will I describe my feelings. Yes; I will tell you what God has done for my soul. About six weeks since he was pleased, in infinite mercy, again to call up my attention to the concerns of my soul; again to show me the evil