Oct. 18th, 1824. My beloved Miss G.-Permit me to inquire with tender solicitude, how prosper the interests of religion with you? I have a pleasing confidence, that this will not be deemed an impertinent question, but one which involves the most sublime and interesting concerns of life. I was much gratified to learn that your mind continues to be exercised with this subject, though it would still more have gladdened my heart to have heard, that you were rejoicing in hope. Religion with its duties and prospects is not calculated to fill the mind with gloom and despondency. Far otherwise, it expands and ennobles the faculties, it tends to regulate, refine and purify the affections, restrain the passions, and promote a spirit of benevolence to man, and resignation to God. Delightful, heavenly power! Let us choose her for our friend. Then will she prove a sweetener of all our joys in life, a guide in every emergency, a support under every trial, and a convoy to mansions of eternal peace. But alas, how many reject this proffered aid. How many can listen to the recital of their awful condition while living in sin, to their momentary exposure to the wrath of an angry God, can hear too the strains of mercy sweetly inviting them to forsake the ways of transgression and folly, and live; and Jesus pleading with them by all the eloquence of compassion and dying love to close in with the offers of salvation-and still remain unmoved. O the obduracy and rebellion of the natural heart. * * * * "What a solemn idea is it, that we are immortal beings, created for an endless existence either of happiness consummate, or woe inexpressible. Our probationary state is short, and will be soon, perhaps suddenly, closed. Is it not then the part of wisdom to be in readiness to appear before our omniscient Judge, 'to receive according to the deeds done in the body?' You observed in your letter, that you sometimes thought if your engagements afforded you more leisure you should attend to this subject with greater earnestness, at the same time ingenuously requesting me to point out to you your errors. To this task, so numerous are my own failings, I feel quite inadequate. However the confidence you have been pleased to repose in me, involves peculiar obligations to be faithful so far as my capacity will admit. I would then suggest, that every other interest should be sacrificed to that of our souls. Admit that the engagements of which you inform me, were urgent and such as duty requires you to fulfil; yet we should strive to redeem time to devote to the study of the scriptures, of our own hearts, and to perform the duties we owe ourselves and our Creator. We should give ourselves no rest, until we have a good evidence that our hearts are indeed renewed by divine grace, until in the Saviour we behold by faith the Beloved of our souls,' 'the Chief among ten thousands, the one altogether lovely.' May I soon receive the joyful intelligence that this is your happy state. O, cast yourself on the Saviour without reserve, and immediately, even before you close this letter. But perhaps you have already found peace in believing. If so, let me congratulate your happy lot. Angels will tune their harps anew, and shout the victories of their conquering Prince. They will delight to be your attendants, to watch your footsteps, and guard you from every ill. Who would not choose their portion with the followers of the Lord, though their path be rugged, and attended with self-denial, perhaps with persecution and scorn. Miss G. Yours with much affection, Feb. 15th 1825. My dear Friend. * * * * * Yes, I have been in a state of impenitence, and long did I persevere in a course of rebellion. Long did the dear Saviour knock for admittance at the door of my heart, before I would receive the heavenly guest. Long even after being convinced of my wretched state, I remained in a despondent frame of mind, frequently fearing the blessed hope of the gospel never would be mine. But I obtained grace to form the resolution, that the pursuit of it should end only with life. At length, I trust the Saviour by his own almighty power broke the bolt of my heart, and took possession of his rightful dominion, followed by his attendant train, light, love, peace, and joy. Oh that I could say I had never grieved the blessed Comforter to withdraw his cheering presence. Be persuaded from my experience never to despair of obtaining a hope in the Saviour. Only resolve to make it the first object of pursuit, seek with your whole heart, relying on divine aid, and assuredly you will obtain. You feel sinful, but I fear you do not see the extent of your guilt. Could we, my friend, have a full view of all our sinfulness, without a correspondent view of the ability and willingness of Jesus to save, the sight would undoubtedly sink us in the lowest depths of despair. Has not our Crea tor justly required a perfect conformity to his holy law from the first dawn of reason, and yet in what instance have we perfectly obeyed? Have we not resisted the strivings of the Holy Spirit, and as it were, trampled under foot the bleeding love, the dying agonies of the Son of God? While he has waited to be gracious till "his head was wet with dew and his locks with the drops of the night," have we not often pierced afresh those bleeding wounds, and grieved the tenderness which yearned over us, refusing to surrender our affections, and harboring in our breasts the viper, sin? Is not this enough to fill us with shame and heart-felt penitence! Shall we not now repair to him with tears of godly sorrow, and plead that our flinty hearts may be softened, and that from this moment we may place him on the throne of our affections? Miss G. Again adieu, M. W." The following expression of her feelings on hearing of the conversion of her friend, will not appear surprising to those who have had similar occasions of joy. 66 May 17th 1827. "And has my dear Miss G. chosen the Saviour for her portion? Has she resolved |