'How great a

was concluded by his saying: mercy is it that God gave me to see the danger I was in, before it was too late. I might have gone on, fancying that in time I should recover; and thinking nothing of God, my poor sinful soul, or of my death! And oh, how infinitely more wretched would have been my state then; the thought even makes me shudder. I plainly see, that my great snare hitherto has been my comparative steadiness. I know that often,

and often, when ideas have arisen in my mind, and I have not been quite comfortable, I have quickly silenced these convictions by comparing myself with others of my age in the army, and because I found that in many instances, my steadiness and prudence kept me from many vices and failings of which I saw them guilty, I vainly and madly deceived myself, and foolishly imagined that all was well, and was not only satisfied, but even congratulated myself that I did not go astray as they too often did; but by how false a rule was I examining my real state and conduct. I was like the selfrighteous Pharisee in the gospel, and only think how near perishing! Eight months had I been sick in England, before my heavenly Father discovered to me the delusion I was

under.' Here he was very much overcome, and there was not any more converse on his state this day.

'Saturday 11.-Not much conversation; but, though silent, his thoughts were deeply engaged, and two or three times he said, his mind had not been in so comfortable a frame for a long time,' but complained of much wandering in prayer, and of doubts and fears which occasionally perplexed him; but reading my Bible,' he said, 'always gives me comfort; I have been learning some particular parts by heart, in order that I may always have some subject by me to meditate and reflect on. I wish I could talk more to you, but my courage, at times, fails me, and I find it is no use to make any effort; so, when I am in one of these silent moods, I wish you would not regard it, but talk to me instead. Speak to me of God and of my soul; and tell me some of the truths which my Bible contains. You may not think it, but indeed these are the things which, alone, interest me now, or give me any pleasure.'

'Tuesday 14.-On Sunday evening I listened with great delight to the tolling bell of dear St. John's. I longed to go up to God's house

of prayer; and then I was led to reflect, and think of that time when I, alas! only offered God the formal service of my lips; and how dreadful is it, for me to consider that that which I now so much desire, and would give any thing to enjoy, God once gave me, and allowed me, like others, to go to his house of worship; but that time, alas! how ill did I improve it, and now, the privilege is taken from me! How weak, how sinful I was! I was enabled during some parts of Sunday, to keep my thoughts more steadfastly fixed on God, and at times felt more happy and composed.

Wednesday 15.-I cannot tell you how delighted I was last night with Doddridge's beautiful meditation on death. I have read it over several times, and prayed that God would pardon all my sin, and enable me to think of my death with cheerfulness and composure. As D. says, I know not but that to-morrow my body may be a lifeless corpse, and I feel that my soul is not prepared. Oh! it is a very awakening thought, and yet I am more happy. Oh! if Jesus Christ would only look upon me, and take away my sins! Do pray of him, my friend, to have mercy on my soul, and to "blot out my transgressions."'

Doddridge's Meditation on Death had been given to him, accompanied by a letter, to which he this day brought the following reply :

No. 1.

I have just finished reading your letter, meditation, and the chapters in my Bible, which you pointed out; and I have now only one thing more to do, before I take my rest, and that is, to offer up my prayers to Almighty God, meekly kneeling on my knees, and to praise him for his infinite mercy. He is now, I trust, in answer to my prayers, putting me in a right way of working out my salvation, and now will my wounds be healed, and my pains relieved. Your letter has poured comfort into my troubled soul, and you are this night sending me to rest, a happier, and I hope and trust a better man. O continue, my friend, what you have begun, continue to write to me -continue to talk to me-but, above all, continue to pray for me! My tears are running fast down my cheeks with gratitude. Oh! I never felt what I do this night! The chapters in the Bible which you have made choice of, let us read together at night; and, afterwards,

let us unite in prayer. Oh! pray for your poor friend!

6

Friday 17.-Did not enjoy much conversation. He looked very placid, and remained silent and thoughtful; once, when there was an opportunity, he said, 'God has been very merciful to me since I saw you, and has enabled me to pray, and to receive more comfort from his word; I have passed two very comfortable days.'

No. 2.

Oh! in that beautiful Psalm which you have selected for my meditation this night, how much is to be learned, and how full of comfort is the sixth verse for me; "O remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but accor-. ding to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness." And has God pardoned my offences, and will he forgive my sins? O how kind and how merciful is our heavenly Father to forgive me, upon my turning unto him, all my past sins. I, who have so exceedingly sinned against him! I, who have lived for these many years of my life, almost as it were, without God in the world, now when my