I tarried that night, I found a young lady, in cireunistances similar to those of the person first mentioned, bowed down under a sense of sin, and earnestly desiring the one thing needful. This greatly encouraged me; for I do believe that she is seeking the way of

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truth, the good old way.' Here also I met with one who appeared to be a Christian indeed. O how pleasant! It is like a well of water in a thirsty land.

"On Tuesday I called at ten houses. At most of them I presented one or more Tracts, such as I thought most likely to be useful. This was the fourth of July. In the evening I had many reflections on the manner in which I had spent the day, so totally different from that in which I had heretofore spent that anniversary. O how much greater cause of triumph, to be instrumental in delivering one soul from the power of sin and Satan, than to be the conqueror of nations! The contrast will be fully seen only above.

"On the following day I attended the installment of the Rev. G. S. W. at Princeton, and a solemn time it was. O C, the awful responsibilities of the office to which we are looking forward! It is connected directly with the solemnities of the judgment-day. Should the Lord see fit to put us into that station, the souls of those to whom we preach will be profited or injured by us. But the duties of the pulpit are not all—that of visiting, we know, is expected. When I anticipate the time of my being a preacher, my mind dwells on this as a delightful task.

"By visiting, the pastor knows all the wants of his flock, and performs indeed the kindest part of the shepherd's office. Since I wrote to you last, the young ladies of Lawrenceville bave formed a. Bible class,

and solicited me to hear their recitations. I was glad to comply with their request. To render this measure beneficial, I have determined to make it a kind of prayer-meeting. The recitation is always opened with prayer, and closed with singing. Thus, you see, my duties increase; and I hope that it will be so as long as I live. May I have that wisdom from above which is profitable to direct; may the word of truth dwell in me richly in all wisdom! This increase of duties convinces me that the grace afforded for yesterday will not supply my wants to-day. I trust that I have not been called to this place for nothing. That I may be useful, is my desire. If my heart does not deceive me, I long to spend and be spent for Christ."

These extracts will serve to show how this devoted young Christian endeavored, while pursuing his studies, to strengthen the desire of being useful. In the sequel we shall see more of his labors, and of their results both in regard to himself and to others.

While thus engaged in Lawrenceville, he felt the deepest solicitude respecting the spiritual interests of his near relations. He had natural affection in unusual strength, and it mingled in all its power with his religious feelings. Every letter to his parents, brothers and sisters, breathes the most earnest desires that those who were Christians might advance in holiness, and that the others might feel all the power of divine truth, and be brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

To his Parents.

pas

"The other evening, as I was reflecting on the sage of Scripture contained in 2 Cor. 5: 10, 'For we

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J. B. Taylor.

must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad;' I thought on the situation of my fellow-men who reject the offers of mercy! Alas! where will the sinner appear in the great day of the Lord, when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth shall be burned up? In thinking of our relatives, I could call to mind but few who had devoted themselves to Christ. And, when my thoughts turned to our own family, they dwelt on some who had arrived at years of discretion, but who had not given themselves to the Lord. Oh! shall they can they perish? May God interpose for them, that not one, at the last, may be found a cast-away!" "

Under a sense of duty to his nearest kindred, James B. Taylor had a very delicate task to perform. At that time, the only regular worship in his father's family was reading prayers on the Sabbath. The necessity of a change of heart, it appears, was not duly regarded by his father; and young Taylor was deeply distressed under the apprehension that some, whom he most loved in the world, were stopping short of that religion which the Gospel required. He often resolved that he would speak to his venerated father on this subject; but filial fear and youthful diffidence prevented. At length he resolved that he would write. But a direct address might appear as though the son were taking the place of the parent. Accordingly he determined to select as a subject, "The idea of a well regulated family." On this he wrote, in the form of letters to his parents, three essays; in which he con

sidered all the usual topics of order, industry, economy, &c.; but with these he gave a very correct view of the religious obligations of heads of families. After going over the whole subject, he put the question to his parents, whether their views coincided with his on those important points, and on the obligations of parents. He then, in turn, addressed his sisters on the subject of vital, experimental religion, with great earnestness; rejoicing on account of those members of the family who gave evidence of piety, and expressing the deepest solicitude in regard to the rest. These letters exhibit the writer in a most interesting point of view. Few Christians feel as they ought their obligations to the souls of their near kindred; and many who do in some degree appreciate them, are so injudicious in respect to time, manner, and spirit, as to do harm in many cases where they meant to do good. It was not so in this instance. James B. Taylor's labors of love were blessed in an eminent degree to his kindred, as will more fully appear in the sequel.

It appears from his correspondence, that he was very careful in keeping a diary, in which he noted down his religious exercises, his joys and sorrows, his performances of duty, and his sins. But there only remain parts of his journal from the years 1823 to 1827; the rest have been destroyed. His confidential letters which have been preserved, show great vigi. lance of self-inspection, much humility under a sense of defective holiness, and strong desires to make greater advances in the knowledge of Christ; as will appear from the following extracts of letters to an eminent Christian, with whom he corresponded in terms of the greatest intimacy.

"May 9, 1820.

"Alas! how distressing to the

soul is a sense of

Lord that the dark

the departure of the Comforter! Let me call on you to unite with me in praising the ness has, in some degree, gone by. The billows have rolled over me; but thanks to our blessed Lord that his mercy was not clean gone for ever. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name,' for the Sun of righteousness has risen upon me."

I am

"July 11, 1820. "Do you ask, 'how is it with you?" Oh the same inconstant, unsteady one you have always seen me to be; the same unfruitful vine, on which barrenness seems to be written. O sin, thou art the enemy of my soul! It is for this my heart is pained. It is the cause of all our trouble in this world; and while it digs graves for our bodies, it kindles the fires of hell for the souls of those who love it. But I think that I really hate sin and love holiness. Yet I must say that I am not satisfied with any of my performances, because so much sin is mixed with them. Nothing short of perfect holiness can ever satisfy the soul."

"November 18, 1820.

'I feel myself, as heretofore, unworthy of the regard of my Christian friends; and at times I am astonished that any should love such a one as I am. Surely if they could see me as I sometimes see myself, they would wonder too. Alas! in all things I come short, and in many I offend. Yet I bless the