past, though some hopeful appearances. A little boy of twelve years old joined the church a few days ago; being asked what was the means of his being awakened, he said, that "he thought one night that he had been given up to God in baptism, and he thought it to be his duty to give himself up to God." He is a remarkable instance of piety. I wished that our Baptist brethren had heard the relation.

The alteration that God has made in this state within the last two or three years is surprising. Thousands have been converted. The call almost everywhere now is-preach! preach! The harvest is great. I have been on a mission last fall, and was pleased to see the attention among the people. I am fully convinced that missionary exertions should be encouraged. We have formed a society in this state. I think we shall be able to maintain one missionary constantly; but labourers are few. You have heard of the death of the Rev. Dr. Swift. He died suddenly, while out on a mission, at the same time that I was out. I had an interview with him a few days before his death. Why so useful a man was taken away, and such a vile wretch spared, is to be resolved into the sovereign wisdom of God. Our loss is almost insupportable. Zion trembled when he fell. I wonder that I have not visited Granville before now. Never was I so taken up with ministerial work, but yet do nothing. I still hope to see you. I am to set out to-morrow for Woodstock, over the mountains, to an ordination.

Remember me at the throne of grace.

Yours sincerely in gospel bonds, &c. This was written in the greatest haste, which must excuse inelegance-'tis time to attend conference.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME.

REV. AND Dear Sir,

Rutland, February 9th, 1806.

Did you know the satisfaction it affords me to hear from you and from Granville, the place of my former residence, I am persuaded you would feel yourself amply rewarded in writing to me. You speak of stupidity among you, and I wish I was able to tell you that it is different with us. We have had great and peculiar trials, such as I have never experienced since I have been in the work of the ministry; but, through the blessing of God, they have in a good measure subsided. I think, on the whole, matters are growing more favourable as to religion in Vermont. Ministers are settling very fast. Middletown, Middlebury, Essex, and Shorham, afford recent instances. Many other towns are following their example. I think, as Dr. Burton observed the other day, that infidelity is on the decline, which makes the enemy to rage violently.

I was apprized of Mr. S- -'s sentiment more than a year ago, by a man from his parish. I think that Arianism is what will now call for the resistance of the advocates for truth.

I was exceedingly pleased with your proposal to contribute something for the use of children. I think we are too apt to neglect them. The future being of the church depends, under God, upon them. Should I be able to afford any materials for the work, I shall most willingly contribute.

In answer to your question* I would readily say, No; for the reasons following:-God nowhere requires it. Those exercises necessary for damnation are what the holy soul would deprecate. The damned will for ever hate God and seek his destruction. A Christian can never see that it is for the glory of God to damn him.

*Does true submission ever imply a willingness to be damned for the glory of God?

We are to seek the good, and not the misery of our own souls. So, to be willing to be damned for the glory of God, would involve a contradiction. God never will and never can reveal to his people that 'tis his or for his glory to damn them. Much might be said on the subject, but as you wish for an answer just as you state the question, I give it hastily; perhaps my reasoning is not conclusive. The text often quoted as supposed by some to carry a different idea, is Rom. ix., 3. Much has been said on this difficult text. I will submit the following remark to your consideration. I find the Greek word ano, which is translated from, often rendered with, as you will see by turning to your Greek Lexicon, and I could give instances in the Scriptures had I time, but the bearer waits. Perhaps the reading is, "I could wish myself accursed with Christ, or die an accursed death as he did, for my brethren and kindred according to the flesh." But this is submitted to your examination. I intended to have enlarged and furnished you with some of my plans of sermons, if they would be worth notice, and by that means have excited you to have made me better returns. I preached to-day from Psal. xlviii., 14, and from Judges x., 14. On the first I had this method:-To show, I. In what sense God is the believer's God. 2. That he will always be their God. 3. The great advantage in having him for our God. The other text afforded this point :That those who have any thing short of the true God for their God, may expect to have none other to go to in the time of their distress. 1. Who are they that have any other God? 2. A day of tribulation will soon overtake such. 3. Prove the point.

Sir, please to write to me as soon as possible. Believe me yours, in the fellowship of the gospel.

LETTER III.

FROM MR. HAYNES TO DEACON ELIHU

VERY DEAR SIR,

ATKINS.

Rutland, July 7, 1816.

Your kind letter has been received, and would have been answered long ago had not sickness prevented. Soon after the receipt of your communication I was seized with a most distressing disorder, which brought me to the borders of the grave. Five or six Sabbaths I was unable to attend divine service. But God, who is rich in mercy, has so far recovered me that, through great infirmity of body, I have been able this day to preach and administer the holy supper. I am fast recovering my health. You will see by my writing that I am in a weak and trembling state; you will scarcely be able to read my writing. You inform me of the death of many among you, but at the same time of

some who have been raised from the dead. This in a degree turns our mourning into joy. * Mr. A. J. Bogue called on me last week; complains bitterly against the clergy; he tells me he has joined another presbytery, viz., under James Madison, which he likes better.t * You inform me of your new connexion, in which I wish you God's blessing. The season among us appears gloomy; it is cold and dry. God has evidently a controversy with us. member me to Mrs. B. and her mother. I remember the last interview I had with their dear deceased friend may the Lord support them.

Yours sincerely.

Re

+ Mr. B. had been deposed by the Presbytery, and was now chaplain in the army.

LETTER IV.

FROM MR. HAYNES TO THE PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN GRANVILLE.

Rutland, October 28, 1816.

DEAR SIR,

My health is better than when I wrote to you last, though it is far from being confirmed-probably never will be. I am however able, in my poor way, to perform ministerial services. My late sickness has greatly impaired my constitution. It is time for us to realize that the time of our departure is at hand. There is nothing very favourable with respect to religion in this town, though there seems to be a greater attention to meeting than formerly. In the east parish there are some drops of Divine influence. In many places in this state God is doing wonders, particularly at Westminster, Putney, Bridgewater, and Salisbury; at Middlebury the work is great; at Cornwall, New-Haven, Charlotte, St. Albans, Sheldon, Benson, and many other places. We hear good news from the westward; also from Massachusetts. Some begin to predict that the millennium draws nigh. I thank you for the pains you took in your former letter to inform me of a number who had obtained hope among you, and of the deaths. I wish you would give further like information. I can never be weaned from G., the place of my long residence. We are threatened here with a scarcity as to worldly things. The latter harvest is chiefly cut off; how is it among you? God's judgments are abroad in the earth.

Faithfully yours.

P. S. I have just been reading a sermon of Dr Lathrop's, of West Springfield, on the sixtieth anniversary of his ministry. He is eighty-four or eighty-five years of age. He is truly a wonderful man.

Remember me at the throne of grace.