witnessed since you left M-; and I find it hard, nay, impracticable, to maintain an uninterrupted joy in the LORD. I would be thankful for any measure of consolation afforded me, whereby I am enabled to stay my mind upon him; believing that, although changes are appointed for me, I have an abiding interest in an unchangeable Friend, one" that sticketh closer than a brother:" and I am more fully persuaded than ever, that it is only having a right to, and a confidence in, such an immutable God, which will make our difficulties and trials any way supportable to us; for human nature recoils at the idea of suffering. May it be our lot to rejoice in tribulation, knowing the blessed effects thereof, and that "our light afflictions, "which comparatively are but for a moment, "work out for us a far more exceeding and "eternal weight of glory."

I am greatly obliged by your transmitting me Mr. N-'s lines; I think there is in

them, as well as in all his other works that I have seen, a true spirit of christianity.

I know not when I shall be in London, but you will assuredly hear from me before you see me.

Pray remember me most affectionately to your brother and sister, and believe me truly Yours in much sincerity,

LETTER V.

M.B.

St. Peter's, March 25, 1793.

Delays are dangerous: I will therefore embrace the present opportunity, being a good one, to acknowledge the receipt of my dear friend's welcome letter. It was with pleasure I heard of the LORD's favourable appearance in behalf of your sister. For this merciful deliverance vouchsafed her, I trust she will have a thankful and a grateful heart. The best congratulation I can offer

on this occasion is, that I sincerely wish both root and branch may be spared to be monuments of God's distinguishing grace here, and partakers of his glory hereafter. These are truly the choicest blessings the LORD has in reserve to bestow, and in comparison with which there is nothing deserves our attention; and yet how much are we living upon the things of time and sense, beneath our privileges and also the profession we make, of being strangers and pilgrims here below! Is there not, my dear friend,. naturally too great an attachment, too great a cleaving in us, to worldly objects? and shall we not, on this account, have reason to go mourning all our days? I firmly believe your experience so well tallies with my own in this respect, that we may each of us answer in the affirmative; and yet is it not a shame that it should be so with us? for verily the LORD our God has the first claim to our hearts.

We should not hesitate then a moment in making him that surrender, which he is so justly entitled to. You will be anxious to know how it is with me: report tells you how things go outwardly, but that should be the least of our concern, though it too often gains the ascendancy. The LORD is truly kind to me; I have, my friend, very much to be thankful for: surely the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. But alas! how much have I to be humbled under! What base returns do I make him for all his abun

"GOD be

dant goodness to my soul! I have daily reason to renew that petition, " merciful to me a sinner," and to be thankful that it is written in his word, "He re"ceiveth such." Oh that he would make me humble, and keep me very near to himself; though I hope never to be satisfied, till I awake up with his likeness in glory. How surprisingly my pen has run on! I assure you I have had a pleasant time in writing to

you; but I must forbear enlarging, as I

pur

pose by this opportunity dropping my aunt a few lines. Follow my example, and I will not complain of you.

My father and mother unite with me in the kindest remembrance to all your dear family; and I intreat of you to believe me Your affectionate friend,

TO MRS.

M. B.

LETTER I.

St. Peter's, Dec. 9, 1789.

My dear and much esteemed Friend,

You can scarcely conceive the pleasure your welcome letter afforded me. After so long a silence, I began to despair of hearing from you again. I can, however, freely forgive all that is past, if you will but