pasture? How shall I know thy voice? This is the frequent language of my soul, when thirsting after God. O Shepherd of Israel, let me not be deceived. Thou hast said, "My sheep hear my voice," and "they know not the voice of strangers."+ O Lord, take me under thy protection, and guard me from all the subtile devices of the enemy. There are seasons, when the soul seems deeply humbled before God, and earnestly desirous to gain an incorruptible inheritance; when all the glory of this world becomes faded in its view, and it seems only desirous of inquiring, who shall show us any good? "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." This will chase away the gloom from our minds; we shall see ourselves clearly through the ray of thy divine light, and knowing that to be the only sure guide, shall press forward, through a hope that maketh not ashamed. Lord, let thy light shine more and more clearly in my heart. Let it plainly make manifest what I ought to do, and what to leave undone ; and so strengthen me to come up in obedience, that it may shine brighter and brighter, unto the perfect day. And thus, walking in hum * John, x. 27. + John, x. 5. + Psalm iv. 6. ble fear and dependance on thee, grant, if it be thy holy will, such an evidence that it is thy voice, as may stay my soul with confidence on thee, and that it may no more be in danger of being blown about with every wind of doctrine. O Lord, sensible that I am nothing, and that I can be nothing without thee, I am earnestly engaged to solicit thy favour. Cast not off, I beseech thee, the workmanship of thy hands; but so lead me, and strengthen me in the performance of that which is acceptable in thy sight, that I may grow up as a plant of thy right hand planting; and when this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal immortality, be received into a mansion in thine house. 9th, 2d Mo.-It is much easier to run well for a time, than steadily to persevere in the path of holiness and virtue; yet transient goodness avails but little, since it is only they that hold on to the end, that shall be saved. I am often led to take a secret review of myself, and, from my own feelings, am brought to acknowledge the truth of the above proposition. After having kept a pretty vigilant watch, and endeavoured to walk with care and circumspection, the mind sometimes begins to grow weary; it expected to find an early day of rest, and is disappointed, and is almost ready to cry out, I have “toiled all the night, and taken nothing.”* The enemy of our soul's happiness is ever ready to present temptations, and our own corrupt nature is too apt to fall in with them. We grow tired of a patient waiting; we want to be released from our station of watching, and to reap some profit of our labours. Here the soul too frequently falls from its holy vigilance; revolts from that government to which it had in part submitted, and wants to become the servant of an easier master. But the terms can never be altered. They "that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."+ We must submit to continue under the discipline of the cross, if ever we expect to receive the crown. It signifies not enlisting ourselves under the banners of Christ, unless we determine to fight till the warfare is accomplished; deserters will not find an entrance with him into the promised land."Let us not," then, "grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Let this consolatory thought prevail over every secret murmur; let us return to our station of a holy vigi * Luke, v. 5. + Mat. xxiv. 13. Mark, xiii. 13. lance of soul. Having once stepped aside, we are in danger of being drawn swiftly backwards, step by step, till at last we shall not be able to find the way to return. 4th, 3d Mo. [Extract from a letter.]—I am now sitting with my dear little cares, watching them in their evening's repose. They (as thou justly observest) attach us strongly to life; and without a guard over ourselves, we are in danger of centering too much of our happiness in them. They may, indeed, in various ways, be deemed uncertain blessings; their lives are very precarious, and their future conduct proving as one could wish, not less doubtful. I already often look forward with anxiety, and the most ardent wishes for their welfare, in a state of permanent felicity. They are now pretty playthings, and pleasing calls of attention, and should be received with grateful hearts, as additions to our present comfort; but we should consider, that they may be blessings only lent for a time. We are so incapable of judging, with regard to our own happiness, or that of others, that it should lead us to a patient acquiescence in the Divine will; a resignation which would not only enable us to say, "Thy will be done," but to feel that submission of mind which would preserve us in calm com posure. With regard to there seems room for the most consolatory thoughts. Though it may be exceedingly afflicting to be deprived of two amiable daughters, in the prime of life, whose company, she had probably flattered herself, would soothe her declining years, or support her in the hour of sickness or distress; yet, let us view them in scenes of futurity, centered in everlasting bliss; consider the many evils they have escaped, and the resignation and composure with which they quitted every thing here: this should calm every tumultuous thought, and prevent every wish but that we may join them as soon as our work is accomplished, and we are fitted for the same happiness and glory. It requires a very close and diligent search, to find out the true motives of action, and the different snares and subtilties which the enemy makes use of to entangle our minds, and, by degrees, draw us from the simplicity of truth. I have so often been led away by his deceptions, in unguarded moments, that it has brought me to great distrust of |