quires of us, and what he forbids, are equally plain and easy. If we can only once be satisfied, that it is indeed the word of God, set ourselves to study it with an unprejudiced mind, with a sincere desire to know the truth, and be led by it, with earnest prayer, that the same spirit which inspired the writers, would make it plain to our hearts and understandings, that God himself would teach us its true meaning, and save us from error: such a one, I will venture to say, will be taught all necessary knowledge, will be led in the way to eternal life, and not suffered to err: we have God's promise that it shall be so. If any man will do he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.

my

will

Forgive me, my dear friend; the subject appears to me so important, that I know not how to have done. I love you with a true, and sincere friendship; I love your soul, and am deeply interested in its eternal happiness. Once more I commit you to that God, who only can lead you to himself, and to true happiness, and that you may know the truth of this from deep experience, to the eternal joy, peace and safety of your immortal soul, is the last prayer of your affectionate friend, who hopes to meet and rejoice with you in our Redeemer's kingdom.

ISABELLA GRAHAM.

THE desire of writing you a long letter has occasioned a shameful delay on my part. One thing I can assure you of, you have been much on my mind, and the subject of all our prayers.

told

Tears of joy ran down my cheeks, when J me the state of your mind, and I thank our good and gracious God for opening your eyes to see the emptiness, the vanity of this world, the corruption of your own heart, your need of the atoning blood, and a better righteousness than your own. Hail, my sister in Jesus! flesh and blood hath not taught you this, but your Father who is in heaven; the work is his, evidently his; and being begun, he will carry it on, and finish it too. Commit your soul then into his hand; he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; his errand to our world was to seek and to save the lost. Trusting in his mercy, through Christ, your soul is as safe as his word is true, for none perish that trust in him. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and

Ican not to thine own understanding; be not discouraged, because of deadness, darkness, wandering, want of love, want of spirituality, want of any kind; who told you of these evils and wants? the sun of righteousness shining into your soul has shown you many of the evils there, but the half you know not yet. The more you learn of the holiness and purity of the divine nature, and spirituality of his law, the more you will be dissatisfied with every thing yours. Even a holy Apostle said-in me (that is, in my flesh or natural mind) dwelleth no good thing. The flesh or natural mind lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, so that the things that I would I do not, and the things what I would not that I do. Yet it is not I (not my new nature) but sin that dwelleth in me; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not.

If this was the case with the Apostle, who sealed his testimony with his life, is it strange that you and I should have hearts full of all abominable things. These realities are cause of deep humility before God, but none of despair or doubt, all are guilty and vile alike, the whole head is sick, and the whole heart unsound; therefore we need a whole Christ, to atone for our sin, to cover our naked souls with his imputed righteousness, and to be surety for us; to sanctify us by his Spirit, and prepare us for the purchased inheritance. O try to rest in him: believe it, you are complete in him; give over, my dear friend, poring and diving into your own heart and frames, and try to trust in an almighty Saviour, to save you from foes without and foes within. Read Romaine's walk and life of Faith: he himself attained to a high degree of holiness, by getting out of himself, and trusting, resting, believing

from day to day, for grace, for every duty, as it occurred. The promise runs, as thy day so shall thy strength be.

I cannot at this distance, and knowing nothing of characters, offer you any advice with respect to outward means; but if you know any truly pious, spiritual minister, I should think it your duty to lay open your mind to him. You may find in books matter as good as any man living can speak; but it is the Lord's appointed way, and he often honours his servants, his ministers, by making them messengers of peace and comfort to his children. Are any sick, let them call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them. See how the Christians of old associated with one another! I am now doubly yours, &c.

I. G.

March, 1799.

MY EVER DEAR FRIEND,

I have just read your letter; painful to you to write, yet no more so to me, than to see a dear friend in the pangs of child-birth, with every symptom of an approaching deliverance. The day will soon break, and the shadows flee away; and the dear Saviour whom you seek, will again comfort his returning prodigal.

I will do what you desire me, and though I have the highest opinion of our young Timothy I. M. I will pass by him, in this case, and lay it before one of the aged Christians, Dr. R—rs, or Dr. L-n; at the same time, my friend, I am as sure of their answer, as if I were already in possession of it. Who told my friend,

that she was blind, and miserable, and wretched, and naked: flesh and blood never yet taught proud man or woman this lesson.

My dear friend, there is nothing new, nor strange, in all you have told me: there is scarce a heaventaught soul, who has made any advances in the spiritual warfare, but could sympathize with you from experience. What have you experienced more than the Scriptures tell us? that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Only the Lord can search it, only he can cleanse it. gative to himself, and he calls it his Covenant that he · will make with sinners in gospel times. You may

He takes the prero

strive and fight, and resolve and vow-all will not do: you lie at his mercy for holiness, as well as pardon. He is exalted as a prince to give repentance, and he is the author and finisher of faith. He works all our works in us, and without him we are not equal to one good thought. We are his workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus. My dear friend, put the work into his hand, and try to wait in hope, hope in every situation;

do more, trust.

You entirely mistake the situation of others; none of us have our heaven here: no, sin dwelleth in us; the very best have their ups and downs. Do you think your friend is always on the mount? very far from it. I am at times, so cold, so dead, so stupid, that I can neither pray, read, nor hear. I have begun the same chapter over and over, still trying to fix my thoughts, and as often they are off on every trifle; but my peace lies where you will soon learn to place yours, in the merits of my almighty Saviour; my safety depends not on my frames, but his promise; and I am equally safe when tossed and tempted; dead and