bloom and bear fruit for ever. And shall we complain that he removes a plant from a poorer to a richer soil --from the shade to the sunshine?

"Think it not strange, my brother, when all that are combined against you level their force against your honest intentions to do the work of an evangelist; for remember the case of our Elder Brother, who went about doing good. Even Peter assumed the office of dictator, and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Be it far from thee, Lord.' Is it not sufficient that the servant (douxos) be as his master ?-Remember too the great Apostle Paul, when with one accord they besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, what mean ye to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Je sus.' Paul would not be persuaded: neither let my brother be persuaded, until convinced by Him who hath put him into the ministry. And let him count it all joy to suffer for Christ's sake. Only get on 'the whole armor,' and then, though a host encamp against you, in the Lord you will do valiantly.

"If you do not enjoy the light of God's countenance, then must you be in double agony. I would that you were filled all the day long with faith and with the Holy Ghost. I need not suggest it—but so I find it— to come to a solemn pause, and get near to the Lord, serves as a thousand arguments against the world, the flesh, and the devil. May you experience more and yet more of the love of God. In carrying you and your interests to God, I have at times enjoyed liberty and nearness of access.

"I am reading, with interest, Edwards on the Affec

tions, speak regularly once a week in the African church, and meet on Monday evening the young converts. I think I take an increased interest in reading the Bible. The world and its honors dwindle into the shade more and more. May I ever cherish the disposition, God being my keeper, to spend my all in turning sinners to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. A Christian salutation to Mrs.- —. As always, yours, "JAMES B. TAYLOR "

"Dearly beloved Brother,

To the same.

"Nassau Hall, Sept. 1, 1825.

"I am sorry on your account, that so much darkness pervades your soul. You need to walk in the light, for many reasons-for your own comfort, for the comfort of others, for the glory of God, and for the edification of the body of Christ, which is the church.

"I have testified to you verbally, and by letter, concerning some of the blessings God has vouchsafed to

me.

Of all the blessings in the house of my pilgrimage, one experienced last evening was perhaps the greatest. I will not attempt, with pen and ink, to describe it. Help me, my loving brother, help me to praise the Lord."

"James to his dearly beloved and afflicted brother. Little did I expect to receive the intelligence I did this morning of your illness. Think it not strange, my dear brother, that you are sick; 'for whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth.' Try to receive this visitation, as among your 'all things;' and give thanks,. 'for this

is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you.' Perhaps my brother is not so much alarmed about his body, as he is solicitous that his affliction may be sanctified. Truly this should concern us most; for let what will befall the outer man, if the inner man be renewed day by day, we shall grow strong for eternity whither we constantly tend. Are you tossed and not comforted? Do you spend wearisome days and tedious nights? I have been weeping and wrestling in prayer for you. While looking upward for myself, I remembered you; for how could I forget one to whom, under God, I am so much indebted, and to whom I bear a weight of love? I thought of asking for your health, your life; for I saw beside you, your E., and around you, your children; I saw you an elder in an infant church, and exerting, as I hoped, a happy influence along the path of life; yet for all this I could only say, 'The will of the Lord be done.' My weeping and wrestling for you, my dear brother, was according to the will of God, that you might be holy and without blame before him in love; that if your soul was beclouded, the Sun of righteousness might arise upon you; that our Captain would drive back the enemy, and give you the victory; for this was all I could ask for myself. I saw, moreover, that though your life appeared in many respects to be needful, yet for you, as well as myself, another life was in reserve, to enter upon which we must die. Is there a mansion for us in the skies, and shall we not enter in? Is it the Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom, and shall we not possess it? To me earth is no way desirable but to live for God. And let me tell you, that of late I have thought myself near my resting-place.

I have been brought into so close a fellowship with God, that I knew not but I was breathing out my soul, to fly away. Yes, and it is the earnest, the foretaste of glory which the Lord has given me, that lifts me f on high.

"The Lord is, I think, preparing me either to be more useful, or to take me to heaven. His will, not mine, be done.

It may be that my dear brother rests under the smiles of our heavenly Father. Let us then cling close to the hope that is within us, stand firm at our station, endure with patience, fight valiantly. For this we must prepare in the inner chamber; with God in secret the harness is generally put on, and for the most part with weeping and contrition. May our hearts be bruised and healed, so that we shall be 'without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.'

"Should you be apprehensive that you shall leave us soon, let my brother do the work he would do. Be faithful to me-be faithful to E.-be faithful to your family, to your minister, to all.

"Let your house be set in complete order. Seek for a clear, undoubting evidence of your acceptance. Stop not short of meetness for glory and glorified society. 'Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' The very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God your whole soul, and body, and spirit may be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus. Faithful is he who has called you; who also will do it. Only seek him with your whole heart.

"Holiness captivates my soul. It is this that gives the character of God its glory, in my view. It is this that makes the character of angels and disembodied

spirits lovely in contemplation. It is this that makes heaven desirable. And it is this that illumes my soul, and allies it to the most holy on earth. My cry is, Lord, give me wisdom and holiness. And let this be the burden of your prayer for me—that I may be wise to win souls, and holy to enter heaven.

"Let me comfort myself, saith Edwards, that it is the very nature of afflictions to make the heart better; and if I am made better by them, what need I be concerned how grievous they may seem for the present ?"

CHAPTER VI.

Last Year in College.

To a Lady in feeble health.

"Oct. 26, 1825.

"Acknowledging the receipt of your epistle, which came to hand a few days since, I am constrained to comply with your request, 'write to me.' With the other, which was, 'pray for me,' I have just complied, with tears and strong cries.

"Blessed be the Beloved that he has proved himself your elder brother-a friend always near. How relieving-O, how unburdening to the soul, is a gush of tears-sweet tears of love and gratitude! they have just flowed from my weeping eyes.

"I am glad that your spirit was refreshed by the coming of Christian friends; and for their concern for both you and me. Let us not think it strange, if, when