signalized themselves only by their consummate skill in the trifling, perishing arts of the poet, the painter, or the statuary.

"From what has been said, however, I could not wish to insinuate, that we ought not to use every lawful effort in our power, that has a tendency to the improvement of the mind, and to expand those noble faculties which we possess. I would only be understood to express, that our pursuits in the refinement and harmonizing of language, ought to be conducted under proper restrictions. But whilst we consider refinement of composition, and a mere monotony of sounds, as secondary objects, where truth and honesty are visible, we must also recollect, that order and method must be attended to, that we may render ourselves intelligible.

"Infinite wisdom has so organized us, that we can reciprocally exchange our ideas; and it is absolutely requisite, that we should make use of a degree of methodical arrangement, in the communication of these ideas. The art of clothing our thoughts in suitable, and uniformly expressive words, is no mean acquisition, and is possessed by few. It may be in a good degree attainable in an early period of life; but it remains to be consummated by age and experience: I believe this can never be engaged in with the same persevering vigour and ultimate success, as in the season of youth. Youth,' says a dignified writer, is the season of warm and generous emotions. The heart should then spontaneously rise into the admiration of what is great, glow with the love of what is fair and excellent, and melt at the discovery of tenderness and goodness."

"Convinced then, of the justness of these

unanswerable assertions, what remains but to employ ourselves with unremitting zeal to the improvement of our talents, for the application of which, let it be remembered, we shall one day have to account? Were we more acquainted with the nature of that intelligent principle which is implanted in the human breast, the soul, and its vast capability of improvement, we should spare neither pains nor industry in the pursuit of wisdom, and in the investigation of useful knowledge.

"Let it, then, be our individual care, to cultivate that share of intellectual knowledge which Providence has dispensed to us; of the value of which we can never be fully sensible, until we have seen how far we are capable of heightening and improving it by our diligence, labour, and assiduity.

(TRANSLATION.)

"Lowton, 14 of 11 mo. 1812.

"I believe that thou esteemest virtue above all, and consequently thou wouldst not contemplate the recompense of the just, without the strongest emotions. Thou hast doubtless reflected upon the joy which is felt by those who are faithful unto death, when they receive the crown of life; when they have escaped from this world of sin and grief to their eternal habitation, where God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Often have I had thoughts like these: with many tears I have read accounts of the death of the just, and have exclaimed with one of old; Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end he like unto his.' But in the midst of these

thoughts we must check ourselves; from this delightful vision, we must turn our thoughts to our present state, and we shall discover that it is in some respects a dangerous state. A little observation will convince us, that we are surrounded on all sides by enemies, who are seeking, by every possible method, to destroy our eternal peace; and that we do not feel strength enough to resist them. What then shall we do? I cannot think that we must submit-no, my friend, let us combat against the trials of the flesh, with all our might, and cry unto him who is strong, to give us power to resist unto blood, in striving against the wicked one: he has promised that he will help us; and his word is true. Oh! that I were able to express what I felt when I read the sentence in thy letter, Take from my heart all that is contrary to thy Divine Will.' Truly, this is a great work; but it must be done, and every day's delay renders it more difficult to accomplish. As to myself, I feel happy that ever I set my feet in the way which leads to life; I find it easier from day to day to walk therein.. I believe with one formerly, that those who fear the Lord shall nover want any good thing; they shall eat of the bread which comes down from heaven, and they shall drink of the waters of eternal life. Whilst the worldly minded shall seek in vain for happiness in the midst of his riches, the humble Christian, however poor, shall be consoled with the possession of true riches, even of that peace which passeth all understanding.

"W. T."

It was a frequent practice with him, when his mind was impressed with thoughts on any particular subject, to commit them to paper, for subsequent perusal of this sort are the two following compositions.

Thoughts written on the 25th of 12 Month, 1812.

"It is a quality peculiar alone to genuine Christianity, that affliction is the soil most congenial, to its growth; persecution the state most favourable to its increase. This distinguishes it from every species of fabricated imposition that has ever appeared in the world. It is this which draws the line of distinction between the religion of Jesus, and the speculative theories of philosophers. Ecclesiastical history affords the most ample proofs of the truth of this proposition.

The spread of truth has mostly been rapid and extensive in proportion to the opposition it has met with, and the difficulties it has had to encounter. The unparalleled massacres which happened during the ten persecutions of the primiitive Church, and which it was hoped would effect an entire extirpation of the unhappy sufferers, we find had a very contrary effect: the diabolical methods devised for their utter extinction were the very means of making thousands of new proselytes, and of stimulating numbers to become instruments in propagating that faith which its enemies vainly strove to exterminate.

"With a mixture of pity and contempt we may contemplate the rage of Popish bigotry so largely evinced throughout the reformation, and who does not see how completely its ends have been defeated? The words of an expiring prelate,* (whose name is sufficient to excite veneration,) we live to see fulfilled. With a magnanimity of soul which at once dignifies the man, and exalts the cause for which he suffered, he thus administers comfort to his brother in affliction, Be

*Latimer.

of good cheer, brother Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle in England, as will, by God's grace, never be extinguished.' It appears therefore evident, by the records of history, from the earliest ages to the present time, that a state of trial and affliction has ever been calculated to promote the increase, and preserve the purity of the possessors of revealed religion, when considered collectively as a body; and will not the remark admit with equal propriety of individual application? But alas! in those moments of impatience which are too often felt when under an afflictive dispensation, how hard it is to believe that whom he loveth he chasteneth!'

"Considered in that spirit of submision which such a belief must infallibly excite, should we not rather esteem those trials as marks of the Divine favour which have so oft been the subject of our murmuring? Every new exercise of faith here, will increase the glory of the beatific vision hereafter; every additional testimony of our fidelity, in time, shall be abundantly rewarded when we shall have put on a happy immortality.

66

We have considered the efficacy of religion to sustain through the difficulties of life; we have contemplated its sufficiency to pour balm into the wounds of the distressed, and to afford solid comfort in the most trying exigencies; we now come to a more awful and momentous period, the hour of dissolution. It is an undeniable proposition, that if ever consolation and support become necessary, they are peculiarly so in this awful moment. Situated as the

soul is, standing upon the brink of an unchangeable state how exquisite must be its sensations! The world swiftly receding from the struggling probationer, eluding his grasp like the phantom