are entries of a different character.

specimen :

One may serve as a

'SEPT. 23.-Was quite dull and lifeless in prayer, and in consequence had no success in study.'

Sometimes even his lively' fervent prayers were not followed by immediate returns; but when the answer was granted, it brought with it a rich compensation for the extreme perplexity and distress, which the delay occasioned him :

' MARCH 4.—was entirely discouraged respecting my studies, and almost determined to give up in despair.But see the goodness of God! He enabled me to write a whole sermon, besides reading a great deal; and in the evening was pleased to lift up the light of his countenance upon me. O, how refreshing, strengthening, and animating are his smiles! How ravishing the contemplation of his holiness, love, wisdom, power, and goodness! He seemed to be a boundless ocean of love; and the sight caused my heart to expand with love to him and all his creatures. O, how trifling do earthly beauties appear, when he is pleased to unveil his face, and give a glimpse of heaven! His holiness is the chief glory of his nature.'

But in nothing was his progress more rapid, than in self-knowledge. Here-whether success or disappointment crowned his other pursuits-he was continually extending his discoveries. To those who are ignorant of "the plague of their own heart," his confessions of sin must appear extravagant, and his description of his heart, a picture having no original, save in an apostate spirit. He calls it a compound of every thing bad.' He likens it to the bottomless pit; out of it-as soon as the door with which the Holy Spirit covers it, is opened by his absence-a thick noisome smoke arises, with a tribe of hellish locusts that devour the tender

plants of grace, and bring on a darkness which may be felt.' Now, he is crushed into the very dust by a recollection of the sins of his youth; '-now' filled with distressing feelings, and loses all hope that he shall ever be fit to preach;' while those very feelings he attributes to a criminal cause, as, 'disappointed pride, and a conscious inferiority to others.' At another time he is brought into temptations, which show his inward corruptions, against which he had been praying,' or which he had not before suspected in himself. Again, if he ' attempts to approach the throne of grace, whole floods of evil imaginations carry him away! so that he is fain to have recourse to unthought-of methods to get rid of them.' And, not to prolong the enumeration, he is oppressed with such a sense of his insignificance and vileness, that it seemed as if he should never open his mouth any more, to boast, complain, or censure.'

Still his religion differed as widely from that of the mere ascetic, as Christian charity differs from selfishness. Its fruits demonstrate the genuineness of the stock. His first care was, indeed, to have his own ' heart right with God;' but he was, at the same time, fertile in good devices, and prompt to execute them. To his mother, under domestic trials, the nature of which, though not indicated, appears to have caused her bitterness of soul, he was eminently "a son of consolation." To other members of the family he strove to be useful. The eye that could penetrate the walls of his chamber, might have seen him conducting a younger brother to the throne of grace, kneeling with him before the mercyseat, and interceding with God for his salvation. He undertook a journey for the express purpose of visiting an early friend, of whose piety he had once some hope, but who, he feared, had now become indifferent to the one thing needful,-that he might know his state and encourage him to seek that good part, which could

not be taken from him. And so much were his benevolent feelings drawn forth towards the inhabitants of his native town, that he spared no suitable exertions for their spiritual good. A revival of religion among them was the subject of fervent prayer; and in the same object he endeavoured to enlist other Christians. He procured, through the agency of his mother, the institution of a weekly meeting of female members of the church, for united prayer that the work of God might be revived. In short, so far was he from being bound up in self, that he constantly exerted himself for the good of others in such ways as were proper for one in a state of pupilage.

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Even in the most distressing parts of his experience, there are discoverable those characteristics which distinguish it from the torturing convictions of the unrenewed soul. If he is in a sullen stupid frame,' it is not without some melting desires after God.' If he is well nigh overcome by temptation,' it is that he may ' rejoice the more at his deliverance, when God gives him the victory.' If he is discouraged because of the difficulties of the way, and the small progress which he makes,' just as all hope seems departing, the fire burns within him.' Uniformly, his war is with himself, and not with his God. And if, to prevent the night watches, that he might meditate in God's word; if, to love the habitation of his house, and the place where his honour dwelleth; if, to account himself and all things else as nothing for Christ's sake; if, to know in whom he has believed, and to draw near to him in full assurance of faith; if, to be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, while remembering God and meditating on him in the nightwatches; if, to prevent the dawning of the morning by the cries of prayer; if, to prefer Jerusalem above one's chief joy-are scriptural marks of piety; then is his placed beyond suspicion. All these, and more, will be recog

nized in the extracts from his journal, with which this chapter concludes.

'SEPT. 29.-Had a most transporting view of God's glory as consisting in pure holiness. I rejoiced greatly, that he reigned, and could exalt his own glory. Henceforth, I will not doubt of my character; for I know, yea, assuredly know, that I love God, my Saviour, and holiness.

'OCT. 19-Sabbath. Rose with thoughts of God on my mind. Was exceedingly assisted in secret, and in family prayer. Never had my desires and affections so much drawn out after God and holiness. Was filled with the gracious influence of the Spirit, so that I rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Never did earth appear so small, heaven so desirable, the Saviour so precious, holiness so lovely, God so glorious, as now. In reading the Scriptures, they seemed to open with a clearness and force, which delighted and astonished me. Such a sweet, calm, soul-satisfying joy I never felt before, in so great a degree. Nothing on earth seemed worth a serious thought, but to glorify God. Had much of the same temper through the day. Was more assisted at meeting than ever before. In the evening had a clear sense of the evil of sin, a greater hatred of it, and more fixed resolution against it, than ever. This has been by far the most profitable and blessed day to my soul, than I ever experienced. God be praised.

'OCT. 25.-Was much depressed with a view of the numerous enemies which oppose my journey heavenward. Had a faint glimpse of Christ, as able to carry me through in spite of all. Never before had such a clear idea of the passage-If the righteous scarcely are saved. Seemed to be plunged in a bottomless ocean of sin and corruption, from which no efforts of my own could free me.

'Nov. 2.-Sacramental Sabbath. Blessed be God, who has caused his loving kindness to appear. Enjoyed much assistance in family and secret prayer. Was enabled to drag my sins to Christ, beseeching him to slay them for me. Afterwards, enjoyed great sweetness in meditation. Was preserved, in some measure, from wandering thoughts at meeting. Had a profitable, though not a very happy time at communion. After meeting, was favoured with considerable liberty in family and secret devotions.

‘Nov. 10.—Had petitioned, last night, that I might awake at a given hour; my petition was granted,1 and I was assisted in prayer. Felt my dependance on God for strength. Was surprisingly favoured all day. Was in a sweet, humble frame. I admired and loved the work which Christ had wrought in my heart by his Spirit, just as I should have admired it in any other. My faith seemed to be unusually strong, able to grapple with any thing. I felt, all day, that I depended entirely on Christ for the continuance of my strength.

'Nov. 18.-After retiring to rest, last night, was favoured with an extraordinary display of divine grace. I rejoiced that the Lord reigned, that Jesus was exalted far above principalities and powers. I was permitted to approach very near him; and to plead with much confidence and earnestness for myself and others. Waked

'Referring to an alternative, which might affect his temporal comfort merely, and not his usefulness, Mr. Payson somewhere says, I would not degrade prayer so much, as to make it the subject of a petition.' Those who think he here forgets his own maxim, should know, that the loss of his morning hours was followed by a day of comparative uselessness and misery. It is, however, our shame, that the standard of personal piety should now render necessary an apology for such childlike simplicity in the devotions of a man of his acknowledged magnanimity. In nothing does he appear more worthy of imitation, than in his constant recognition of a superintending providence, and in literally acknowledging God in all his ways.