to come to this place to consult Mr. H. an eminent practitioner. He considers my case a critical one, and decidedly recommends me to decline all thoughts of doing any duty for the present. As such I have written to Mr. S-, and relinquished my engagement with him. There is reason to suppose my health may be ultimately restored, but it will require great care during the ensuing winter; I have some thoughts of going to the island of Jersey to spend the winter, but this is uncertain. All my desires and thoughts relative to future prospects, or indeed any thing else, now centre in that all-important point-" Thy will be done." I have great reason for thankfulness that God, in his infinite mercy, should think me an object worthy of his chastising hand: “If we are without chastisement, then are we bastards and not sons." That discipline must be good which renders us dutiful children, and visibly stamps upon the mind the Father's love. Most assuredly, the religion of a crucified Jesus is a solid substantial principle; and however hard and severe the discipline may appear which this principle involves, yet "tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope," even that hope which maketh not ashamed. And my own conscience testifies to the truth of that indisputable fact, that the man is happy, notwithstanding all possible tribulation, who trusts in the Lord of hosts, and makes the God of Jacob his refuge. I should have liked to have called upon you as I passed through N-, but my stay was so short that I could not conveniently; when I have determined where I spend my winter, I will inform you. I should have spent some months here, were not the atmosphere of Leeds so very thick and heavy, resulting from the factories. The religious privileges are great in the church, and the society of a superior kind.

There has been a missionary meeting here this week, very numerously and respectably attended. There are some very valuable families in the communion of the Establishment; but the bulk of the people appear to be carried away with dissent, particularly with the Methodists; their Conference has been at this time. I hope you are prospering in things spiritual; indeed there is nothing else worth striving for, but a steady walk in the divine life. All the connexions, possessions, distinctions, and attainments of fallen man are but as grass, and the falling of the autumnal leaf. The longer we live, may our hopes be the stronger fixed on the Rock of Ages! We can have no other hope of glory but Christ, no other object worthy our love. Therefore I would commend both you and yours to him, as "the hiding-place from the wind, and as the covert from the storm." You know, so long as we are on life's tempestuous sea, both winds and storms must be expected. ***** ***** May the Lord bless, protect, and direct by his eternal Spirit!

you

I remain, my dear friend, Yours most affectionately, in the bonds of the Gospel,

W. D.

Hastings, Feb. 21, 1820.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

ASSURED that you feel interested in my welfare, it is with real pleasure I sit down to give you a little intelligence about myself. However separated we may be by intervening distance, I trust the regard and attachment we feel for each other are established upon that principle which nothing of an earthly nature can possibly diminish. Believe me, you are often in my mind, and never absent from my prayer. The cheering hope that we are both travelling in the same rugged path, and supported and kept by the same power, is no small consolation to me in many a solitary

hour. Happily for us, the Comforter is confined within neither space nor limits, and therefore HE must be God. And that such a Comforter should be promised and vouchsafed to sinners who believe in Jesus, is a truth which will bear our meditation as long as we have faculties to exercise.

I arrived at this place in the beginning of November last, and you will be glad to hear my health has been progressively improving ever since. I feel thankful my lot was cast in so warm a climate during the severity of the winter; and, no doubt, at some future period I shall have greater reason to adore the goodness and wisdom of a merciful God in thus leading me by a way I knew not. There is now a reasonable probability that I shall be enabled, ere long, to devote myself to that high calling, for which I only wish to live. And, however protracted my recovery may be, it is my earnest desire to lie passive in His hands who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. The promises of God are the rock on which we are privileged to recline; and we both, no doubt, shall ever have occasion, in this changing scene, to flee to this stronghold. Had we no external trials, O what depths of iniquity within are treasured up for our disquietude and self-abasement! But while we are constrained to acknowledge this painful truth, I trust the bent of our minds and the tenour of our affections convince us that we are not strangers and foreigners to Christ, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Hastings possesses many natural attractions; but, alas! it is a spiritual desert, a moral waste. It is by no means an unpleasant residence for an invalid, and the air is much more mild and serene than with you. The country around is extremely fine, and the neighbouring county has justly been termed the paradise of England. I think

of remaining here till June, at which time I shall be better enabled to form my future plans. I do not feel particularly anxious to be hastily employed; for, as I have been detained so long, I wish to see my way clear. The arduousness, importance, and difficulties of the ministerial office present themselves in full view before me, and I am constrained to exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things?" The thought is truly encouraging, that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. I indulge the hope, you and yours are prospering in things spiritual. ***** I am much edified at this time in reading the life of Henry Martyn. I know not when I have read a work which possesses such merit. It really shows us our own unworthiness; and if you have not read it, pray get it as soon as you can. There is more Christian experience to be found in this volume than in a thousand of the modern publications. There is a Dr. F. a truly spiritual Minister in the Establishment, who resides at a village about a mile and a half from this place. I have been introduced to him, and heard him preach once. He may certainly be ranked in the first class, for zeal, faithfulness, and energy. I heard him preach the funeral sermon of the King, from 2 Sam. xxiii. 3, 4; there was scarcely a dry eye in his crowded congregation, and the discourse contained a large quantity of solid matter. I am truly glad to find, from the papers, that the tumult appears to be calmed in the northern counties. Every year of my life tends the more fully to convince me of the absolute necessity of British Christians rallying round their glorious constitution. I still maintain that the Church, as united to the State, is the ark which contains all our privileges and blessings. And as you know my liberality towards Dissenters, you will not accuse me of bigotry when I say, that the present system of

dissent tends to break down all social order, and establish a host of petty tyrants. I have lately paid some attention to this subject, and am led to conclude that their system of things is not adapted to

the present state of society, nor has any foundation in Scripture. "Church and State, with all your faults I love you still." Present my Christian regards to Mrs. ***** Adieu.

W. D.

HAPPINESS is sought by mankind in various ways and contrivances of their own; but, alas! how few there be that find it! They search not for it aright; they seek it not in the humble and retired paths of piety and devotion, where alone it is to be found. They pursue Pleasure in her sinful and delusive course, mix along with the profligate and profane, the worldlyminded and the negligent; but still they remain entire strangers to real happiness, inward peace they posses not, and are as far from true felicity as the east is from the west; they are without God in the world, they belong not to Christ, they work in their own strength, lean to their own understanding, and trust to a broken reed.

It is Christ Jesus our Lord, that must comfort our hearts, strengthen our hands, and confirm us in the faith O that we may receive him as the only sure foundation, the never-failing source of glory! for in him are hid all the noblest and most desirable treasures of wisdom, power, and knowledge. Where the peace of Christ is, there true happiness reigns, there piety and contentment dwell. Yes, it is the messenger of great joy, and the promoter of endless pleasures. All the riches, all the honours, all the enjoyments of this world are but as dross when compared with the unsearchable riches of Christ; yea, they are lighter than vanity itself: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to

come. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Are we searching for happiness, do we wish for peace of mind, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost, let us lift up our hearts to the great Jehovah, for it is his gift, and in his power alone to bestow. May he enable us to receive Christ Jesus, and to live in obedience to him, in all humility and singleness of heart! O thou great Lord of the universe, strengthen us that we may live godly in Christ Jesus, and

may daily experience the blessed effects of his grace and holy Spirit on our hearts and in our lives! lives! Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ; if our hopes are not built upon him, our trust reposed in him as our Prophet, Priest, and King, instead of being happy we shall be miserable; instead of being steadfast, unmoveable, we shall be in danger every moment. Do we wish to be safe, he must be our all in all; do we wish to be happy, we must give ourselves entirely to him, and accept of him in all his offices, for there is salvation in none other, neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved; for we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from our vain conversation received by tradition from our fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; therefore let us come to Christ, the living stone, for our acceptance with God,

and for deliverance from our besetting sins.

Search not for happiness in the world, nor in the things of the world; but seek it out of the fulness that is in Christ Jesus, for he is all compassion, all goodness! He is always ready and ever willing to bind up the broken-hearted, and speak peace to the troubled soul. O that we may take him as our portion, our teacher, and our guide! And let us rejoice that it is not in the power of any human being to deprive a willing soul of the privilege, the unspeakable happiness, of being with Christ, and Christ with him! Blessed Jesus, thou canst support us in every trial, abide with us in every difficulty, and be a very present help in time of trouble. May we embrace this kind, this unchangeable friend, take hold of his garment by prayer and supplication, follow him without halting, and rest not till we win Christ, and are found

in him!

O Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us, and enlighten our benighted minds, justify our sinful persons, renew our depraved and corrupt nature so that we may be come like unto thee, and rejoice in thee, having no confidence in the flesh; but may this be the language of our hearts:

"Vain, delusive world, adieu,
And all of creature good;
Only Jesus will I know,

That bought me with his blood!
Him to know is life and peace,
And pleasure without end;
This be all my happiness,
On Jesus to depend."

Let us take the advice of an excellent man, "not to make any thing necessary to our happiness, that we may possibly be deprived of;" or, in other words, not to place our hopes or dependence on any thing upon earth; for it is truly said, "that for lasting honours, for lasting happiness, they build too low that build beneath the skies." Set your affection, therefore, on things above, and seek those durable

pleasures that are at God's right hand for evermore. For nothing can make us happy in the absence of Christ; nothing can make us miserable in his presence; for there is fulness of joy-there is happiness which none can take away! For he is the same yesterday, today, and for ever; his hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that he cannot hear. But it is with the humble and contrite heart that he delights to dwell. The poor man's cottage, where the Bible is read and its sacred truth made the rule of life, where family devotion and private prayer is daily practised, there is the residence of the blessed Jesus-there is true happiness to be found. Though as to this world's goods they may be poor, yea, they may have nothing, yet the grace of God has taught them, having food and raiment, therewith to be content; for through Christ they possess all things. For the poor in this world, rich in faith, are God's peculiar care-his chosen people. His eyes are ever on them for good, and his ears ever open to their petitions. The humblest dwelling, where holiness to the Lord is impressed upon the inmate's heart, is more precious in his sight than the most stately palace of the wicked, or the most sumptuous residence of the ungodly; for he loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. May we obtain that faith in Christ Jesus-that submission to his divine will-that love for his sacred commandsthose holy desires which he imparts to his faithful followers, and be enabled with them to overcome the world. Wait upon the Lord, and he will renew thy strength. Come to him, weary and heavy laden, and you shall find rest to your souls, and he will cause you even in tribulation to rejoice in him, and say,

"His presence is wealth,
grace is a treasure;

His