about as well as others did, and that I have no particular reason for flying from them. You know, too, that I love you, and would promote your interest to the extent of my powers. You may then consider me, if you are so disposed, an impartial witness that the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace. I hope and believe that your own feelings may attest the truth of my testimony. That you may know more and more of it, is the sincere prayer of your friend."

"July 7.

"I dare pledge any thing most dear to me, that, if you persist in the diligent use of the means suggested, you shall not long use them in vain. But, what is infinitely more to the purpose, you have the oath of Him who cannot lie, on which to ground your hopes. You have nothing to do but, in the exercise of faith, to come, as the leper did to our Savior while on earth, and throw yourself at his feet, with-Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean;' and rest assured that he will put forth his hand and say 'I will; be thou clean.' He is still as able and as willing to grant every request of this nature as he was on earth. If you really feel yourself a sinner, and that you have no power to save yourself, and are willing to accept of him as a Savior, he is ready to receive you. Do not wait, before you accept his offers, to render yourself worthy of his favor by going about to establish a righteousness of your own. He will not be a half Savior. He will do all or nothing. If you mean to come to him, you must come as a helpless sinner; not as the Pharisee, with a list of virtuous deeds performed. but as the

publican, with-'Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.'" On account of the station he occupied, as well as the inexhaustible fund of entertainment which he could carry into company, he was frequently solicited to make one of a visiting party, and to mingle in society on various occasions. The nature of the trials hence arising, as well as their issue, will be seen from a few

extracts.

"After long doubting the propriety, and even the lawfulness, of mixing at all in society, where duty does not call, and after smarting a number of times for indulging myself in it-more, however, through fear of offending, than for any pleasure I find in it-I am at length brought to renounce it entirely; and it is not a needless scrupulosity. It does appear a duty to shun all communication with the world, when there is no well-grounded reason to hope to do good. There are, to be sure, many very plausible reasons, but I doubt whether they will bear the test of Scripture."

To one who urged him to go into society and frequent public amusements, he wrote:

"Can a man walk on pitch, and his feet not be defiled? Can a man take coals of fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If he can, he may then mix freely with the world, and not be contaminated. But I am not the one who can do it. I cannot think it proper or expedient for a Christian to go into any company, unless necessity calls, where he may, perhaps, hear the name he loves and reverences blasphemed, or at least profaned—where that book, which he esteems the word of God, will, if mentioned, be alluded to only to waken laughter or adorn a tale,'-where the laws of good breeding are almost the only laws which may

not be broken with impunity-and where every thing he hears or sees has a strong tendency to extinguish the glow of devotion, and entirely banish seriousness. I speak only for myself. Others may experience no bad effects; but, for myself, when I go into company, if it is pleasant and agreeable, it has a tendency only to fix my thoughts on earth, from which it is my duty and my desire to turn them-to give me a distaste for serious duties, especially prayer and meditation; and to render me desirous of the applause and approbation of those with whom I associate. I cannot avoid feeling some desire for its friendship; and this friendship, the apostle assures us, and my own experience feelingly convinces me, is enmity with God."

"I have at length obtained satisfaction respecting my doubts about society; not, however, till I was brought to give it up. After I had done so, it appeared so plain and proper, that I wondered how a doubt could ever have arisen on this subject. Now, I shall hardly see a person in a week except our own family; and I have no doubt of being much happier for it. Two or three plain rules I find of wonderful service in deciding all difficult cases. One is, to do nothing of which I doubt in any degree the lawfulness; the second, to consider every thing as unlawful which indisposes me for prayer, and interrupts communion with God; and the third is, never to go into any company, business, or situation, in which I cannot conscientiously ask and expect the divine presence. By the help of these three rules I settle all my doubts in a trice, and find that many things I have hitherto indulged in, are, if not utterly unlawful, at least inexpedient, and I can renounce them without many sighs."

His determination to exclude himself from company was very conscientiously formed; and, so far was he from making his own practice a law for others in this matter, he expressly assigns his "weakness and inexperience" as the reason why he "could not indulge in society without detriment." Besides, situated as he was, he saw no medium between the life of a recluse and that of a votary of pleasure." If such were the alternative, his decision is to be approved. It resulted from a right application of his "three plain rules," which are certainly Scriptural, and worthy of universal adoption. This course was not the fruit of misanthropic feelings; for no man was more susceptible of the delights of friendship, or more highly appreciated its benefits; but how " can two walk together except they be agreed?" His heart now sighed for friendships founded on a religious basis. He speaks of 86 a friend, with whom he could converse on religious subjects, as having long been a desideratum ;" and when he thought he had found such a one among his former beloved associates, he expresses the most ardent gratitude to the Giver of every good gift. "I feel a satisfaction," he writes, "on this discovery, similar to what I should feel at meeting a townsman in a desert island. You, who live in the midst of Christian friends, can hardly conceive of it. Associates are pleasant in any pursuit, but especially so in this. Two are better than one. We shall together be better able to stand our ground against the assaults of ridicule and reproach; and may animate and encourage each other in our course."

Having, in a letter to his mother, expressed himselt as ready to give almost any thing he possessed for an

' experienced friend," he anticipates her reply,-"You will say, perhaps, the Bible is a friend, which, if duly consulted, would supersede the necessity of any other adviser. It may be so; but we are apt to be bad commentators where we are concerned ourselves. A friend can judge of our concerns, and give us better counsel than, perhaps, he would give himself. We are but poor casuists in our own affairs."

Some miscellaneous extracts will now be given.

"December 8, 1805.

66 Though I have experienced many and great comforts, yet I am at times almost discouraged. My heart seems to be a soil so bad, that all labor is thrown away upon it; for, instead of growing better, it grows worse. What a wearisome task, or rather conflict, it is, to be always fighting with an enemy, whom no defeats can weaken or tire. I am afraid that many of my desires to be delivered from his power proceed rather from a sinful impatience than a better source. But it is most distressing, when favored with manifestations of a Savior's love, to think we shall again sin against and grieve him; especially in the sacrament of the supper, the idea that I shall certainly go away and offend him who is there set forth crucified before me, embitters all my happiness."

"MY DEAR SISTER,

"December 25.

"I am not very prone to indulge the idea that my happiness can depend on change of place; but when such fancies do gain admittance, home is always the scene of my imaginary bliss. It is, however, a remedy