touch, is indeed of vast importance, and ought by every means in our power, and on all suitable occasions, to be inculcated, cherished and promoted. Alas! how deficient are some of us in this, as well as other Christian graces.

My wife and children, though they have never had the pleasure of seeing you, often speak of you and yours in language of affection; and we often express to each other how glad we should be, to see that sister, aunt and cousins; but if this is an indulgence with which we may not be favored in this life, it is my humble prayer, that through infinite mercy, we may all meet you and yours hereafter, in those regions of bliss, where brotherly love shall be consummate and without alloy, and where peace and joy shall forever reign. Our love to you and all your children. Your affectionate brother.

JAMES WHeelock.

Mrs. Ruth Patten.

My Dear Aunt,

NORWICH, June 9th, 1823.

I acknowledge the receipt of your letter by Capt. Partridge, and have ever contemplated answering it. Having an opportunity by Mrs. Hayden and daughter from Windsor, who have been here on a visit to their friends, I embrace it with pleasure, to express to you the attachment which I feel for yourself and family, and my best wishes for your prosperity, especially in those

blessings which will afford a consolation not only in this life, but also in the life to come. I have not forgotten the happy circle in which I was once permitted to be numbered, and I trust I am not unaffected at the mercy in which its members have been allowed to partake. There is cause of gratitude to God, particularly that your life has been spared so long, to the church of Christ, to your affectionate family, and to the world. I am persuaded that the God of your youth will not forsake you in old age. His promises which you have found sufficient to support and comfort you in an hour of trial, will also be found sufficient to cheer while the infirmities of age have overtaken you. My prayer for you is, that the divine presence may attend you, and that when you are called to pass the shadow of death, you may be enabled to say in the triumph of faith. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and staff, they comfort me.

Uncle James and his family are well. Eliza was married last week on Monday, to a a Mr. Craig, of Augusta, Maine. James is dismissed from Newport, and has had an invitation from Granville, in the state of New York. Whether he accepts, I have not heard. My sister Annette is still at Madison, Indiana-have some hope that she will return to N. E. this summer. Henry is in Ceylon-we heard from him in November. My brothers George and Beza, and

sister Mary, were still spared. I am yet in Norwich, supplying a congregation in the vicinity, and assisting Capt. P. in instruction. I have two children, the girl 7 years old, and the boy 2. Mrs. Woodward desires to be affectionately remembered to you and your children. I intend soon to answer cousin George's letter, to whom I wish for the present to be remembered with all my cousins.

I am, my dear aunt, yours with the greatest respect and affection,

Mrs. Ruth Patten.

JAMES W. WOODWARD.

FOREIGN MISSION SCHOOL,

CORNWALL, Conn., March 29th, 1825.

Dear Christian Friend,

I would now take my pen to write a few lines, to inform you and all my good friends I have not forgotten you since I came home; with great pleasure I attempt to express my thanks to the Great God of Heaven and earth, who made all things by the word of his power, that I am placed in this school. I hear the good instruction of our teacher from day to day. He ap pears to take deep interest in our welfare and prosperity. He endeavors to explain to us every morning and evening the great doctrines of the Bible. I have not made very great pro

gress in learning the English language. 1 find it very difficult for me to get the right pronuncia tion. I try to learn as fast as I can, so that I may soon return to my native country. I hope to be prepared for usefulness to my benighted people. I have not yet embraced the religion of Christ, but this does not prove that I never will. I wish to understand the Bible as I can, so that I may read and judge for myself. I wish to get a good education before I leave this place, and I hope you will not forget me, but pray that the grace of God may accompany me. Our teacher is much engaged to have the scholars learn fast, and he often says to us, in all your gettings neglect not to get that wisdom spoken of in the Bible. I wish to see you very much, but must content myself at present with the idea of seeing my friends hereafter. I am very thankful to my friends for sending me to this school. I hope God will reward them for their kindness to me. I hope my friends will not forget to write often, and let me know how they do. I hope my friends will not forget to pray for me, that I may be thankful to Almighty God, and that I may love Him now. My friends, I have not much subject to tell to you. I feel grateful for your goodness to me, and hope I shall learn fast, so as to be able to write intelligibly soon. I have a letter from my parents and brothers, that tells me soon go home. My friends, I hope you will excuse me for writing so short a letter, and give my respects to all good friends. I hope I soon see

you here again. I hope my friends, to writing for me I am very glad to hear from my all good friends.

I am your affectionate friend,

To Mrs. Ruth Patten.

HENRY MARTYN,

a Chinese youth.

Dear Aunt,

HAVERHILL, April 6th, 1830.

I have often called on you and my dear surviving cousins in Hartford, for Christian sympathy and condolence, when the waves of affliction were near overwhelming me; and our Heavenly Father has always inclined your hearts to speak peace to my troubled soul, and do much to bind up my wounds; and now I am called on to pay the great debt I owe you.

A letter from your grandson William, at Providence, gave me the first intelligence of the death of cousin George; and language would fail in describing the sensations that then came over me. I looked back upon him, as it were the pet child of the family and yet the head of the household. I remembered the hearty welcome with which he always greeted me in my "far between" visits at H. I looked back and tried to trace in my mind the fading incidents that transpired at our first acquaintance, and could find but one within memory's reach—that