love? But I hope better things of you: that you still walk with God, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

Many sheep compose the flock with which you feed. Are they all in health? and do their souls prosper? Do they feed contentedly and live healthfully? In a large flock, how often are some sick; how many wander and go astray! What dissatisfaction with themselves and all around them, arising from unfaithfulness on their part to God, to their own souls, and the souls of their brethren ?

"Were I with you at one of your little meetings, methinks I would ask my brethren, and say to each, Is it well with thee? Is it well with thee? As my soul rejoices in the prosperity of Zion, how would my praise awake at an answer in the affirmative! How would I send forth my voice in words of exhortation to the brothers or sisters in a luke-warm state! And I would ask, what profit is there in robbing God? What advantage in loving the world? What peace in dishonoring the Prince of peace, by indulging in sin? For it is sin, soul-blinding sin-sin, soul-harassing sin, beloved sin, soul-damning sin, that has veiled the Sun of righteousness; that has sent fearful forebodings of wrath into the soul, and stamped condemnation where once was light-where once was peace, reconciliation, and heaven. Were my soul in such a condition, would you not say to me, 'Return, thou backslider, rove no longer; seek the Lord with thy whole heart?' And I would say further, Look, precious soul, if thou hast ever had grace in thy heart, how art thou fallen! Do you not fear a final removal of the candlestick from its place? O dishonor God,

your heavenly Father, no longer; wound your Savior no more; grieve not the Holy Spirit; come and confess; bow with penitence; mourn with bitterness; plead with faith; procure pardon, peace, and holiness; be determined to have no more to do with sinful conformity to the world, cost what it may; make no compromise with self; have no league with Satan; in a word, deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Christ; then you will show to the world that Christ Jesus, as you profess, is all; sinners will take warning at your example and precept; saints will commune with you; God will bless, and heaven finally receive your happy soul. Are convictions multiplied among you? Do sinners in Zion tremble?

"I have much reason to praise our heavenly Father that he hath kept me hitherto. He hath indeed made my little room a Bethesda to my soul. Grace, mercy, and peace have been multiplied unto me; and I now bless the Lord and take courage for time to come. Having been blessed of God, it is our privilege—it is our duty-to look for greater blessings. From day to day may we be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The Lord send down his holy unction, and make us, more than ever, fit temples for himself to dwell in. Then we shall rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks.

CHAPTER V.

Second Year in College.

Mr. Taylor's fond affection for his parents and friends cannot for a moment be called in question; and yet, though he had not enjoyed their society for five or six months, and was on his way to spend the college vacation at home, when he arrived in NewYork, "and found," to use his own words, " things interesting under the labors of brother L—, in the Rev. Mr. Patton's church, the pastor being absent and laborers needed, I, upon solicitation, joined brother L for a season. At the resurrection of the just it will be known how many have been gathered in. On one evening thirteen expressed hope. The Lord bless the lambs of the flock."

At the commencement of the college session we find the following entry in his journal:

"Last night the Lord gave me-I cannot express it-such an exercise as I never had before: a view of the demerit of sin that sunk me lower than the lowest. And yet my soul exulted in God.

"Thus have I begun. May I find my winter location better than ever before-my health and my all are at God's disposal.

"Nov. 14.-Upon a review of the past week, I find it fraught with loving kindness from the Lord. Last evening had a delightful season in remembering the lambs of the flock in Mr. P.'s church, with whom I

used to meet on Saturday evenings. I love them for the love they bear to Jesus, the Lamb of God.

"At evening devotion had a singular exercise. While singing, my soul thirsted for a blessing. The thought suddenly entered my mind: If you neglect your tea you may obtain the blessing which you seek.' I inquired whence is this? Is it from God, or from the devil? But I concluded that the Lord's blessing came not by a purchase of mine, and therefore that he could as well bless me then as afterwards; and I determined to throw myself at his feet and seek his favor, and thus defeat the adversary who was ready to cheat me out of the blessing. My Father smiled upon me-the work of grace was deepened—and my soul fed on manna from above."

To pious students Mr. Taylor has left an illustrious example which should for ever banish the idea that the sad decline in the life and fervor of piety so often manifested in their college course, is necessary, or that it is impossible in such circumstances to live a devoted life, and make progress in religion. To a pious family, to whom he frequently poured out all his heart, after giving a delightful narrative of what the Lord was doing for his soul from day to day, he wrote:

"Do not you rejoice that God has kept me hither to? With your rejoicing connect a doubling of your prayers that I may so live as to testify that the world is mistaken in the opinion, that God cannot be enjoyed in a course of study. If I do not grow in grace now, when shall I ?"

It is both delightful and instructive to observe that, while he was striving continually to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, and so to let his light shine, that others, seeing his good works, might glorify his heavenly Father, he seemed almost as much engaged that others should walk worthy of God unto all pleasing. To a beloved friend he wrote, Nov. 30, 1824,

"Has your soul been in health and prospered? I could wish to be near you and hear the reply.

"Did you ever question whether I have been truly converted? Perhaps you may have seen many things in me which might lead to such a conclusion; but if not to this, to another, viz. that I could not love God much, or that I showed to the world an ungodly walk and conversation. Well, I am ready to acknowledge my errors; will you point them out to me? I will take it as the highest mark of your affection for me and love to the cause of Christ, if you will tell me plainly all that you may have seen amiss in me. And would you not wish your friends to do the same to you? But rather than offend you, I would get down at your feet and say what I purpose to write.

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My dear friend, for whom I have prayed, and groaned, and wept; as before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, I must warn you. Do you say of what? Pause and think. Do you find nothing out of the way ? What meaneth that lightness in your walk and conversation? Does it fit you for prayer in secret? Does it adorn the Christian? Does it tell the world that you love religion-that your thoughts are much on God and heaven? Does it show that the soul is walking with God-that you maintain close and intimate