particular by others, they will be the last to complain of them. Or if the nature of this work seemed to require some little repetition, it will be a small objection to one whose mind is eagerly intent on learning all that relates to his spiritual condition; and who must see that the same perplexity or care, sometimes arises from different causes.

"Part of the subjects which are discussed in this volume, are not thoroughly canvassed. Nor is it necessary that they should be. Designed as the work was for a certain class only, it could hardly be expected that all in which the Christian is interested should be examined. And yet I would humbly hope that even the child of God may find something in the pages before him of interest to his own soul.

"As there are many who once belonged to the former of these classes, and who are now numbered with neither-who have returned to the world after hours of anxiety for their salvation; to such the recalled feelings of former days, and the reviewed excuses of a melancholy apostacy, may not be without some practical benefit.

"It may be that the examples given will be considered too numerous. But I have thought that they might be an advantageous medium through which some ideas would more distinctly appear. There is not one of them fictitious; and, excepting where marked by express quotation to the contrary, they have fallen under my personal observation. And it is of small importance that the language put into the mouths of such examples, was not exactly their own. This could not be recollect

ed. But a faithful adherence to the substance and spirit of utterings by them, has been inviolably preserved.

"I have availed myself of any advantage which I could obtain, as far as I knew, from the works of other authors. And where it has appeared necessary to do so, I have named them. But they have been few. I have attempted to draw for materials_rather on the Word of God, and on life as I have seen it, than on the writings of others.

"One more remark may appear necessary. The following Letters are exactly what they purport to be-written to a friend with a design to assist him in his inquiries for salvation. If it be thought that they may be of service to some under similar circumstances, I shall be gratified in the concurrence of the hopes of others with my own. If not, there is some consolation, under the failure, in the thought that they were written with a sincere desire to aid the cause of religion. They are sent into the world with few pretensions; but accompanied, as they were in the act of writing them, with prayer in their behalf, to the Great Head of the Church."

It may perhaps be expected that we should present some view of the life and character of Dr. HENRY. We have no means of doing this, inasmuch as we had not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with him. Still the public will have less to regret on this subject, as there is a Memoir attached to the first edition of the work, from the hand of an intimate acquaint

ance and friend-a Memoir which can not fail to be read with interest and pleasure. It is here offered verbatim as it originally appeared.

"THOMAS CHARLTON HENRY was born September 22, 1790, in the City of Philadelphia. He was the eldest son of ALEXANDER HENRY, Esq. the benevolent and venerated President of the American Sunday School Union. Originally intended for enlarged mercantile pursuits, the subject of this account went through an unusually extended course of literature, and took his first degree with distinguished reputation at Middlebury College, Vermont, in August, 1814. Immediately upon his graduation, the most tempting and splendid prospects of affluence and distinction invited his entrance upon a secular career; but having felt the power of renewing grace, and having devoted himself to the Saviour, while at the College, he "conferred not with flesh and blood," but unhesitatingly embraced the laborious and self-denying profession of the Christian Ministry. Accordingly, he entered upon a course of Theology in the Seminary at Princeton, N. J. which was finished in 1816, and he received license to preach the Gospel. On his first entrance into the Ministry, his rare endowments and polished eloquence attracted uncommon attention, and opened before him several very important and inviting fields of labour. Having received, and ultimately declined, invitations to the pastoral care of churches in Wilmington, Delaware; Salem, Mass. and Lexington, Ken., he finally accepted

the unanimous call of the Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S. C., where he was ordained and installed, by the Presbytery of Harmony, in November, 1818. Upon the sacred duties of a Pastor, Mr. HENRY entered with a deep and solemn impression of responsibility, and an unwavering determination to pursue a course of untiring labour and unyielding fidelity. Taking a decided ground in defence of vital experimental religion; urging the doctrines of the Cross upon the consciences of his hearers, with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power; carrying his great work of winning souls to Christ, to the frequent prayer-meeting, the domestic circle, and the individual expostulation: -the result was such as might have been anticipated. The church rejoiced in spiritual prosperity, many were convinced of guilt and danger, and yielded to the influence of renewing grace; while many others clustered round the standard of determined opposition. Conflicting necessarily with those whose views and feelings were in complete antagonism to his own, his course afforded another severe test of character. The temptation to temporize was strong. By softening the expressions of God's Word, by yielding a few points of duty, he might have enjoyed universal favour and applause. But he had not so learned Christ. Unappalled by menaces, unseduced by flattery, he nobly maintained his ground, and willingly submitted to the painful sacrifice of the kindness of former friends, in stern fidelity to his Master's

cause.

"At the close of the 5th year of Mr. Henry's ministry in Columbia, he received an unani

mous call from the 2d Presbyterian Church in the City of Charleston, which he accepted under the full belief that it was a station in which he could be more happy and useful than by continuing where he then was. In this important and respectable Congregation, he commenced his labours in January, 1824, and was installed by the Charleston Union Presbytery. Here, untrammelled by opposition, and surrounded by an united and affectionate people, he enjoyed a field of action, worthy of his commanding talents and holy enterprize. Seldom has there been presented a nobler model of pastoral activity and fidelity; and seldom has there been witnessed a more effectual accomplishment of the grand purposes of the Christian Ministry. In the stated services of the Pulpit, and the crowded Lecture Room; in the Bible Class and Sunday School, in every family of his charge, and in the privacy of individual inquiry, his full soul was poured forth in affectionate, earnest instruction, and ardent supplication. Nor was the harvest long delayed. In the first and second years of his brief ministry, considerable additions were made to the church; but in the third, a blessed effusion of the Holy Spirit was enjoyed, and a goodly company of his spiritual children was gathered to the communion of the faithful.

"The indefatigable labours and constant solicitude of Dr. HENRY, during this precious season, so far impaired his health as to render a period of relaxation indispensable. He therefore undertook a voyage to Europe, and embarked for Liverpool in April, 1826.

During the four or five months of his stay in