use, which you know is more than I had when I first embarked for that part of the world. But still I should consider myself as acting very partially, if, whilst I am making provision for the son, I should forget his aged parents. The ships for India don't sail till next March, so that your son will have at least three months to remain with you before he embarks. He sets off with the coach to-morrow, and I have entrusted him with something for your immediate use. I intend calling, to spend a few days with you next month, and be assured that nothing in my power shall be wanting to make your life as agreeable as possible. Determined not to place any confidence in riches, I consider myself as the steward of that all-bountiful God from whom I have received them. This is my fixed resolution, and I hope no allurement whatever shall tempt me to deviate from it.-I am, dear Sir,

Your sincere friend.

LETTER LXXXVII.

Happiness in Religion-Insufficiency of the World.
From Cowper (the Poet) to Mrs Cowper.
My dear Cousin,-I have not been behind hand in

reproaching myself with
neglect, but desire to take
shame to myself for my un-
profitableness in this, as well
as in all other respects. I
take the next immediate op-
portunity, however, of thank-
ing you for yours, and of
assuring you that, instead or
being surprised at your silence,

rather wonder that you, or any of my friends, have any room left for so careless and negligent a correspondent, in your memories. I am obliged to

you

for

the intelligence you send me of my kindred, and rejoice to hear of their welfare. He who settles the bounds of our habitations has at length cast our lot at a great distance from each other; but I do not therefore forget their former kindness to me, or cease to be interested in their well-being. You live in the centre of a world I know you do not delight in. Happy are you, my dear friend, in being able to discern the insufficiency of all it can afford to fill and satisfy the desires of an immortal soul. That God who created us for the enjoyment of himself, has determined in mercy that it shall fail us here, in order that the blessed result of all our inquiries after happiness may be a warm pursuit, and a close attachment to our true interests, in fellowship and communion with Him, through the name and mediation of a dear Redeemer. I bless his goodness and grace, that I have any reason to hope I am a partaker with you in the desire after better things, in a world polluted with sin, and therefore devoted to destruction. May He enable us both to consider our present life in its only true light, as an opportunity put into our hands to glorify him amongst men, by a conduct suited to his word and will. I am miserably defective in this holy and blessed art, but I hope there is at the bottom of all my sinful infirmities, a sincere desire to live just so long as I may be enabled, in some poor measure, to answer the end of my existence in this respect, and then to obey the summons, and attend him in a world where they who are his servants here shall pay him an unsinful obedience for ever. Your dear mother is too good to me, and puts a more charitable construction upon my silence than the facts will warraut. I am not better employed than I should be in corresponding with her. I have that within which hinders me wretchedly in every thing that I ought to do, but is prone to trifle, and let time and every good thing

run to waste. I hope, however, to be able to write to her soon.

My love and best wishes attend Mr Cowper, and all that inquire after me. May God be with you, and do you good by all his dispensations; don't forget me when you are speaking to our best Friend before his mercy-seat.-Yours ever.

From a Lady to her Friend, who had lost her Husband.

My dear Friend,-I have not written sooner, because I felt unwilling to break in suddenly upon your first sorrow; and because I could not help joining with you in lamenting the greatness of your loss. In all you have said of the dear departed, I most thoroughly agree; he whom you lament was indeed the best of men, and the worthiest of husbands; he ever shewed the most anxious solicitude for your real comfort and welfare; the great aim which he pursued was to secure your happiness. I rejoice to find that the remembrance of his holy and heavenly life is a great comfort in the remembrance of (what we, blind mortals, might think) his premature death; but we must bow meekly beneath

the chastening hand, and submit to the disposal of Him who doeth all things wisely and well. My dear friend, you have a better than any earthly comforter; seek relief from Him who compassionates when he smites, and smites only in mercy. Look forward to that blessed reunion which shall take place between those separated on earth, in the kingdom of our God and Father; and may Divine grace pour into your wounded and bleeding heart the balm of heavenly joy and consolation. He may be permitted, from his exalted place above, to view the conduct of her to whom he ever looked with fondness and care; and this may be a powerful motive to follow the footsteps of Him who, through faith and patience, is now inheriting the promises. That you may be comforted by Him who is the widow's friend, and the parent of the fatherless, is the earnest prayer of,

Dear Madam, your affectionate friend.

LETTER LXXXIX.*

A Son's account of his Father's Death-bed.

April 5. Thursday.

My very dear Friend,—I have now been here a week, watching over the dying bed of my dear honoured father, and daily expecting his dissolution. It is a deeply affecting and edifying scene; and what passed before I could come, was, I suppose, more interesting still. In every thing but comfort his state may be said to be even sublimely Christian. Such an awful sense of eternal things, of the evil of sin, and of the holiness of God, such profound self-abasement—such cleaving unto Christ alone-such patience, resignation, and unlimited submission to the will of God-such a constant supply of fervent prayer-such pouring forth of blessings on all around him-with such minute and tender attention to all their feelings-it is truly admirable to Rev. T. Scott, to Rev. D. Wilson (now Bishop of Calcutta.)