omnipotent strength, the strength of him who called light out of darkness, and brought water from the flinty rock. Fear, therefore, continually for yourself, but look to God and fear nothing. From the first moment of his pilgrimage to the last, the Christian has but one point of safety, one rock of refuge, one place of shelter, and its name is "Constant Dependence." Your task is, ever to look upwards, and inwards, that so you may be preserved from presumption and despair. Never, surely, was any one more happily placed for becoming "wise unto salvation." Spiritual instruction is, indeed, very nigh; and counteracting influences are are removed very far. God, by his dispensations, seems saying to you, "Only incline your ear, hear, and your soul shall live. I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding. Ask me, and I will show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."

I would advise you to store your memory, as opportunity offers, with various petitionary

passages of Scripture, especially from the Psalms, that in the intervals of occupation, in your walks, and in your retirements, you may be furnished with prayers indited by that Spirit who knew the necessities and temptations of the human heart. You will find this habit of silent, momentary, ejaculatory petition, a great means of preserving that sedateness of feeling and quietness of deportment, which, even in the vivacity of youth, should characterize the Christian.

Dear, I do hope God will strengthen you that you may be able to stand, and at once and for ever turn your steps towards this narrow but pleasant path, which issues in rest eternal and glorious. What better can you do? Is it not, indeed, a reasonable service? Is not the present the best time to engage in it? Only think of the different retrospect you will have on a death-bed. Supposing (fearful supposition!) that your present desires wear off, and that, notwithstanding, you should be saved at a ninth or an eleventh hour, think of the remorse prevented, the active good effected, the privileges enjoyed, the blessings diffused, by those

who walk with God "from youth even to hoar hairs." Think of the temptations they escape, the sorrows they never feel, all suffered, and all felt, by vineyard in later life.

those who enter the Think again of the

fearful uncertainty which involves the future, and resolve, determine, act-now. Ask God to enlarge your heart, and set you in the way of his commandments; tell him you have no might, but plead his promise "to increase strength;" to "strengthen the spoiled against the strong; " to tread down your spiritual enemies under your feet; to arm you with the whole armor of God, and then teach you how to use it. Never fear that his gracious ear will be wearied with the tale of your sins, your wants, and your weaknesses. May he lead you into all truth, enable you to walk humbly, and therefore surely, and now, in these the bright and joyous hours of life, unite you to himself in that bond which can never be broken; which gives power over the vicissitudes of time and the world, and even over death and hell! May he enable you not merely to begin, but to end well; that having overcome through

faith, you may inherit all those royal promises, the fulfilment of which, if completed in heaven, commences here below. One thing is certain; of vacillation you will assuredly repent, of decision, never. You may twine your affections round the reeds of earth, and build towering hopes upon the sand, and seek after worldly vanities as after hid treasure, but the end of these things is sure-disappointment and destruction. And the end of a contrary conduct is sure also-glory, honor, immortality-all comprised in one weighty expression-eternal life! May God, who is, I trust, beginning a good work in you, bless and keep you by the glorious working of his effectual Spirit!

LETTER XIV.

I WRITE you the promised letter, dearest because you request it so earnestly, that I am induced to believe it will give you pleasure. But as I am not aware that you hold any opinions which admit of discussion, or encourage feelings which a friend would advise you to suppress, I can only offer a few general remarks on general subjects.

Thanks to the divine blessing on able instruction, your heart is already decided on the most momentous point that can engross the thoughts of a rational being, and you have acquired a taste for study, which predisposes you to continue the cultivation of your mind. These are two things to be thankful for two, on which to ground hope for the future, both here and hereafter.