more common, than for old sinners to flatter themselves that they have become better men, when age and obtuseness check their ardour for sinful gratification. Worn out in the service of Satan, their natural power of fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, is diminished: hence, they conclude that they are less inclined to sin, and so flatter themselves, that they are prepared for death. Thus, their impious rejection of God, ends in fatal delusion. What less can old sinners expect at the hands of God, than the execution of the awful denunciation in the 1st of Proverbs, from the 24th to the 31st verses, inclusive? which I pray you to read with attention. Think not, as most do, that a holy God is all mercy, to the exclusion of justice; but remember, that the attribute of justice is as dear to him, as that ́ of mercy; and he will as assuredly glorify it upon the impenitent, as that of mercy on the penitent.

I cannot dismiss this epistle, without giving you my paternal injunction, to attend, without the least delay, to the things that concern your everlasting peace. The Holy Ghost saith, "To-day, if ye will hear my voice, harden not your hearts." Return now unto God, and make your peace with him; repent of sin in deep contrition, and apply to the blood of a crucified Saviour, for the purification and sanctification of your souls. You must attend to these things from other considerations than mere personal safety. You

must be convinced that you are guilty sinners; and that the guilt of sin is enormous; and that you justly deserve banishment for ever, from the presence of that glorious King, against whom it is committed. You must feel the wretchedness of alienation from God, and be more distressed for your guilt, and for the loss of his Saviour, than for your safety. You must turn to this good and glorious Being, with full purpose of heart, to serve and know him.

When you have these exercises, my dear children, you will be enabled to declare, what is true happiness. Then you will be able to form some estimate of the unsatisfying, low, insignificant pleasures of time and sense; and the noble, elevating, substantial enjoyments of the religion of Jesus.

And what shall I say more? for my time and paper fails me. I must therefore leave

you in the hands of that holy and righteous God, before whose awful bar, both you and I shall soon stand; either on the right hand, or on the left, to receive the decisive sentence of absolution or condemnation, which will consign us to our unchangeable residence in heaven or hell; in happiness or misery for ever and ever. That you all may be prepared to meet your Judge in peace, is the daily (and I trust the sincere) prayer of your affectionate grand-parent.

S. COLEMAN.

TO HIS SON W, MIDDLEFIELD.

DEAR CHILD,

Amherst, February 20, 1808.

IT is long since I have had any direct information from you, or learnt any thing of your family situation; whether you are in prosperity or adversity, health or sickness.

It is rather singular, that your location should be such, that although the distance is short, I should hear from all my other children, even the one who is three hundred miles from me, many times, where I hear from you once. We have, however, this advantage; if either of our families are in distress, we can more readily see each other, and lend our friendly aid.

I have not a doubt in my mind, but that God has some infinitely wise end to answer, in ordering the circumstances of my children, so that none of them, consistently with their interest, can live with me, and be the supporters of my tottering years. He sits at the helm of the universe, and regulates every thing in the kingdoms of nate, providence, and grace. Nothing is too minute to escape his notice, or too trifling to share his particular direction. Not even a hair of our head falls to the ground, without him. In the wisdom and rectitude of his government, I have a firm and unshaken confidence, and rejoice that he will so order all things, as ultimately to promote his own glory, and the

greatest individual good of all those, who sincerely put their trust in him. Under these impressions, I trust, it is my constant endeavour to submit cheerfully to all the dispensations of Providence, however crossing they may be to my fleshly inclinations: and to follow where my Lord and Master leads, when I can trace his leadings, however rugged and thorny the way; hoping, that, through his unmerited goodness and mercy, it will eventually conduct to the delightful mansions of the blessed.

You will seldom hear from your native place, without hearing of the death of some of your old acquaintance: so constantly is the work of death progressing, that souls are continually departing from among us.

Though it is generally very healthy in this town, yet numbers have paid the debt to divine justice, since I last saw you; and some have died very suddenly. *

*

*

But

The dispensations of Providence, in the multiplicity of sudden deaths, in this town, are very singular. It is devoutly to be wished, that an attention to spiritual and divine things, may be excited by their means. alas! the human heart is proof against every thing, short of the immediate influences of the Spirit of God. These, in the day of his power, they cannot resist for though Moses and the Prophets, and all the New-Testament writers, speak in vain; yet, when the energetic influences of the Holy Spirit set home their truths

to the heart, they are made willing, and lay down the weapons of their rebellion.

I am sensible, that you will be anxious to know the state of your old Father's health this winter. The most I can say, is, that I am not yet reduced so low as I was last winter. I am able, for the most of the time, to be about; but find, annually, that the infirmities of old age are increasing upon me, and loudly admonishing me to be in habitual and actual readiness for the solemn summons of death. How soon you will hear, that this summons has called away him, who, under God, was the supporter of your tender years, he only knows. But the time when, or the means by which it shall be effected, is of small consequence indeed, in comparison with the important question, whether I am prepared for the solemn event. This question, alas! occupies the attention of but few, comparatively speaking; or at least, so as to have it influence their conduct. Most are putting off the thoughts of death for a more convenient time, because they feel a reluctance at present to attend to the solemn subject. They vainly flatter themselves, that at some future period, the subject will be more welcome and familiar, and an attention to it easier, than at present; but a moment's reflection would teach them, that directly the reverse will be the case. God's complaint of his chosen people, is certainly as applicable to the present generation, as to them. “Israel doth not know;