your employment is arduous; since I have observed that constant employment, not only stretches the powers, but that, next to the grace of God, it is the best prevention of vice.

Beg of God to give you his blessing, and depend upon my prayers meeting yours,

Who remain, &c.

LETTER V.

MY DEAR ISRAEL

I WAS glad to hear from you, though no particular business occurred; especially as you could send me an account of your being trusted with the care of others. You may see yourself, what I could not help remarking, that, as people rise in character, every body owns it. A little while ago you were so boyish, that I could not trust you to yourself at but was forced to limit you to the view of my window. Now you can be trusted with the care of others; and from a bad rank-and-file, have become a captain.

May you go forward, my Dear Child, in the best progress, till you become an ISRAEL indeed, that is a Prince prevailing with God.

I must just mention here, that it must give me always great pleasure to afford you any gratification that is not inconsistent with my plan and views; and, though I am obliged to object to your proposal of going to yet my reasons are strong; and I know that the credit you will give me for their being solid will satisfy you.

Both your Mama and myself were much gratified with your dutiful and just remarks on your past life. Indeed, most of us must reflect in the same way, when we reflect justly. But you are young, and I hope and pray that you may begin early to turn away from sin and vanity to the living God---then, of course, you will be closely united to us in this and a better world.

The moment this divine principle, which we call GRACE, begins to work like leaven in the mass, it will refine and exalt, till

the subject rises, not only above his fellows, but above himself. He climbs an eminence, and sees a prospect which sublimes his character; or as the Scriptures express it, it grows night and day, though a man knoweth not how, nor to what he is advancing.

There are some surprising instances of it already in this dark and long neglected place. More, I trust, will be added; and, whenever one appears, it is evidently the Lord's doing, and marvellous in the discerning eye.

Your Mama and Sisters unite in love-God bless you, my Dear. Forget not to pray to Him for his grace, in which I will join you,

Who remain
Your very

affectionate Father.

LETTER VI.

MY DEAR CHILD

--

WHETHER you hear from us soon or late, you may always depend upon it you are not forgotten or neglected by us. You have given us additional reasons for wishing to communicate with you; and I assure you that both your Mama and myself think and speak of you with great satisfaction at all times. You see, my Dear, the happiness that always attends right conduct; and, as you live, you will see this more and more. Now, my Dear, let us find that you are making a progress in well doingthat you are daily cultivating Mr.'s good opinion. You have this encouragement to attempt it, not only that you will be sure to succeed, if you really try; but, also, that the good opinion of so worthy and pious a man will always be an honour to you.

Above all, my Dear, let it never be off your mind, that the blessing of the Lord, only maketh truly rich. His good will is happiness in this world, and in that which is to come. Seek, and you shall find---knock, and it shall be opened. If all the world were your friends and HE NOT, you must be a miserable wretch,

now and eternally. Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. Your Mama will write soon. In the mean time, she prays that God may bless and preserve you, in which I heartily join, who

Remain, &c. &c.

LETTER VII.

MY DEAR CHILD--

I RECEIVED your two epistles, which prove you are very important or very importunate. Know, also, that if I wrote the LATTER END of this week instead of the BEGINNING, it would be in full time to settle whether you should come home a day sooner or later than usual. I humbly conceive, therefore, there has been no delay; though much business has pressed on my part.

I should also remind you, that you should never depart from school, in that idle and slabbering manner, in which some scholars, (I mean blockheads) are permitted to do, who think of running from the post of honour and improvement to a Christmas fire and plumb-pudding; but that, instead of this, you should stand the last at your post-or, like an intelligent traveller on a mountain, catch the last glimpse of the prospect, and slightest beam of the parting day.

Then, on the sun of science setting, you retire to your friends at home: who, in SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, must hail your approach. May you thus finish this stage of your life with reputation, and continue to bring comfort to your Parents and respect and happiness to yourself!

LETTER VIII.

MY DEAR CHILD

I HAVE been thinking about the occasion of your letter; but I cannot advise you to be confirmed, before you have a more serious sense of religion than I have yet perceived in you.

The mere form of a spiritual benefit received or declaration made, cannot profit before a serious intention takes place in the mind. I hope and pray that this may take place before the next Confirmation; but I have not seen sufficient evidence of it in you yet. Still if Mr. has observed anything of the kind, and therefore advises you to go with the rest, I shall be satisfied: and I shall leave it to stand thus.

But what concerns you more than the being confirmed at this time, is, that your heart should be impressed with the vow you have to take upon yourself therein. Do you, indeed, mean to 66 renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world--the sinful lusts of the flesh"---and the tyranny of Satan? And yet, whether you are outwardly confirmed or not, if you do not in your heart renounce these, you may die young, and must lie under the punishment of the wicked for ever. Pray, therefore, my Dear Child, to God, that he would, for Christ's sake, keep you, and deliver you. Oh, that his grace may reach your heart--that you may be ready to meet death whenever it comes! This, my Dear, is the great secret and discovery. Then it is that a man can properly say, "I HAVE FOUND IT! I HAVE FOUND IT!"--when we can look forward and consider death as our gain. But, till we attain this by faith in Christ, all we can look at, whether in this world or the next, is LOSS, GUILT, and FEAR.

God bless you, my Dear; and breathe by his Spirit into your heart, till you come out another witness in my family that God is with us

LETTER IX.

MY DEAR ISRAEL--

SINCE I saw you, I did as I promised---i. e. made what inquiries I could for your future establishment. And a gentleman in Gray's Inn, whom you know not, who has been one of my hearers many years, has promised me to take you in the Term following your return from school.

In the mean time, it will be necessary for you to work with all

your might; for I should not chuse you to leave school till you were a better Latinist. I would have you leave Greek intirely, and attend to Cicero. I wish you to be able to read a Latin Author readily.

Your brother Jesaiah and yourself are graciously provided for, as to a favourable and respectable entrance on the present world; but, even that needs care and industry to prove successful. But, after all is done, and however you may succeed, it is but for a moment; and an ETERNITY of joy unspeakable, or of sorrow unutterable must follow: may God impress this consideration deeply on both your hearts!

Your Mama heartily joins in wishing you every blessing, with, my Dear Child,

Nov. 1803.

Your affectionate Father,

R. C.

LETTER X.

MY DEAR ISRAEL-

You have sent to me and to your Mama letters which we cannot but approve; and which must give us pleasure, as specimens of a right mind. I am glad you feel your situation at during our absence from home, so pleasant; and I am only anxious lest you should forget, at certain moments, your own views of propriety, and the necessity of preserving a character. For human nature is prone to err: it not only needs our own incessant attention to keep it erect; but we need the help of a friend's eye, even to know when we err.

I have no doubt of your resolution to be right: but you must watch; and that particularly against the following mistakes--loquacity--sanguine admirations and censures--incorrect hours ---assuming sentiments--and a loud and boisterous manner of talking. All these are so remote from the modest behaviour of a young man of real merit, that he might ruin himself by them, though as upright and well meaning as possible. Now I am