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to renounce the delusive toys of earth, the applause of mortals, for the self-denying duties of a holy life, and the reproaches of the cross of Christ? Oh happy, glorious exchange! If it be indeed thus, angels in heaven have rejoiced and saints have joined the strain. My beloved friend, I have rejoiced with lively emotions of gratitude; yes, and I still rejoice, and may I have abundant occasion to rejoice in the promotion of the Saviour's glory through your

means.

"But you fear deception. I am glad you do. "He that trusteth his own heart is a fool." "The heart is deceitful above all things and, desperately wicked." Every christian, and surely the young convert, has need to watch his heart continually with a jealous eye, to be much in prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be humble, and to esteem others better than himself. If truly enlightened by the Spirit of God, we must have self-abasing views; sin will appear odious and hateful, and we shall view our own sins with as little lenity as those of others. Christ will appear the essence of loveliness; holiness desirable in its very nature. Often shall we be grieved for our aberrations from duty, and as often

repair to the fountain of cleansing. In ourselves we shall feel justly exposed to the wrath of an incensed Sovereign. But in Jesus we shall behold a remedy for our otherwise inveterate disease. Faith embraces his prescriptions, and the wounded conscience finds sweet relief.

"You desire me, should I discover the marks of self-deception, to point them out to you. This would be the kindest office of friendship, however painful; but, my friend, you must be faithful to yourself and to your God, and I firmly believe, he will not leave you to a fatal mistake. O no, go to the Bible with an unprejudiced mind, peruse it impartially and prayerfully, resolving to mould your life by its spirit, and Jesus will discover himself mighty to redeem, to enlighten, to save. Have you indeed cast your soul on him? Then you have found a place of safety. The tempest of divine wrath will never reach one who has reposed beneath the shadows of this rock.

"Can you sincerely say, I do love this Saviour, and am determined to serve him? Then you have evidence, that you love what you once hated, for the natural heart is enmity against God; and that the bent

of your mind is wholly changed, for all seek their own and not the things of Jesus

Christ.

* *

*

*

Your truly affectionate

MYRA."

A similar plainness and fidelity characterizes the following, written to another friend.

"May 31st, 1823.

"My dear M.-Your request at our parting was, that I should write soon, and my own inclination urges a compliance. It is a matter of rejoicing to me, that you feel so great a degree of composure and resignation to the affliction with which you have been visited. The Lord grant that it may be the means of leading you to a more thorough search into your own heart and into the duties you owe your Maker; and may the blessed influences of the Holy Spirit be granted you, that you may not rest till you have experienced that spiritual change without which no one of Adam's apostate race can enter the kingdom of heaven.

"It affords me no small degree of satisfaction to be informed, that your mind has been seriously impressed by the solemn

providences with which our town has been visited, and that, as you inform me, I have been the humble instrument of deepening those impressions in some degree. This is a favor of which I feel utterly unworthyto God be all the praise.

"I have for a considerable time felt particularly anxious for your spiritual welfare, and was encouraged to think you were so yourself; but when informed you had joined the party for the pleasure-ride last winter, (you will excuse me, I write for your eye alone and the subject was first introduced by yourself,) I must frankly confess I felt disappointed and grieved. Such a place and such society are calculated to dissipate serious reflections, and banish the strivings of the Holy Spirit. But supposing no harm were to be anticipated in these respects, countenance and courage would be given to others, and the hands of the thoughtless would be strengthened. I had hoped to see my dear M. discountenancing such pursuits, and decidedly preferring the company of the serious and truly pious.

"But I am pleased to find you are convinced of the vanity of such amusements; and that you express a desire to become experimentally acquainted with the sublime, the substantial, the lasting pleasures of re

ligion. It is a noble desire; may it never be checked, but cherished and increased. Be encouraged to persevere. Every consideration worthy of attention urges to this course. Could I acquaint you with the supports and consolations, religion (if indeed I know any thing of its power) has afforded me under the anxieties, trials and discouragements attendant on a situation like that in which I have been recently placed, I think you would consider it an ample compensation for the reproaches and sneers of proud scoffers, and all the sacrifices you might make in a life of piety.

"The heart is so depraved, that a sight of it, accompanied with a true sense of sin and its infinite demerit, is truly distressing and humiliating. But shall we on this account be willing to continue blindly insensible to our situation? Does not this consideration urge the importance of an acquaintance with it; for while ignorant of the disease we shall not be disposed to apply for the remedy. True, the religion of Jesus exposes its possessor to the taunts and hatred of the ungodly. Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,' says Christ, therefore the world hateth you.' But what are these in comparison with the everlasting joys which

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