LETTER II.

St. Peter's, 24th Sept. 1789.

My very dear Friend,

I embrace the first opportunity, after hearing of your safe arrival in London, to present my sincere congratulations to you on the marriage of your, and my best wishes for his and your happiness. How much of our comfort consists in seeing those we have an affection for happy! Perhaps too much so. It is often a snare to us: we sometimes feel embarrassed on their account, and this draws and alienates our affections from the Supreme Object of delight. We shall never find one more worthy of our love than He, who commands us to look unto him even in the midst of prosperity, as well as in adversity.

No doubt my dear friend feels that she needs as much the counsel of an almighty

Manager to guide her now, as she did in seasons of trial and distress.

Your present situation calls you to mix with the world much more than formerly; but I trust the inward frame of your mind is still a steady reliance on, and uninterrupted confidence in, the strength of Israel, who hath commanded us to come out from every unclean and polluted thing, and to be as much as possible separated from the garment spotted with the flesh.

I hope, my dear, you will still remember that you are a letter in my debt, and that you have a friend at St. Peter's impatient to hear from you. Till then,

I remain, my dear,

Your truly affectionate friend,

M. B.

The receipt of a letter from my dear friend afforded me much pleasure. Many thanks for her good wishes to me respecting my better part. Surely it should be an abiding consolation to the christian, that in all his various changes and trials here, he may have a refuge in an immutable and merciful GOD. Had it not been for this strong hold, numbers must have sunk under the oppressive weight of adversity; who by this firm and unshaken confidence have been carried superior to the most complicated scenes of trouble. Those who glitter in the path of prosperity are exposed to strong temptation; and many, who with divine support have smiled at the billows of adversity, have been deluded and suffered loss in the calm of prosperity. The greater then should be their thankfulness,

who in the midst of these vicissitudes are still kept humble at the feet of JESUS, earnestly desiring to be taught those things which pertain to their immortal interests. I am persuaded the believer learns more of his own heart, and the insufficiency of all earthly enjoyments, at the Throne of grace, than any where else. Surely, while he is contemplating the excellencies of his precious Immanuel, the world with all its glittering baubles must appear altogether worthless in his sight. Has not this been some time or other our happy experience?:

You may be assured, that one of my first visits in M-- will be to you; but when that will take place I am not warranted to assert. Pray remember me to Miss I sincerely condole with her on the melancholy death of her most valuable aunt; and earnestly wish it may be a sanctified affliction to every branch of the family, and that they may experience the truth of what Beza said,

when he heard of the decease of Calvin, 'I ' have now a fresh motive to leave the earth, ' and fix my affections on things above.' I shall now lay aside my pen, after intreating you to believe me as usual,

Your affectionate and most sincere,

M. B.

LETTER IV.

St. Peter's, March 21, 1792.

My dear friend's much esteemed favour arrived about ten days after date.-Better late than never. I confess I had almost given up the pleasing expectation of hearing from you at all, as such a length of time had elapsed since your leaving M--; but I must not say a word, as indisposition was your hindrance.

You say, you hope I go on my way rejoicing. Oh! my friend, many are the changes in experience and providence that I have