"Schools and the care and instruction of little children are near to my heart. Yet I wish to be understood as desiring, by suitable and comprehensive religious instruction, to incite to religious feeling, and to the cultivation of Christian principles; not to make any attack in public schools on peculiar sects; but rather to point out what the Scriptures teach us, and leave all to form in future their own conclusions as to what particular profession they can most satisfactorily adhere to.

"1st mo. 21st, 1826. May our Society be taught to guard against the errors into which many others have fallen, of resting in head-knowledge of doctrines and correct views, and not suffering the reducing, controlling power of Christianity on the mind and conduct, so as to lead to secret piety and real benevolence, and to which Christian simplicity, springing from true motives, must prepare the way. People may talk and avow Christian profession without suffering its influence to lead to that self-denial to which our Redeemer calls us: -If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me!' Let the truth, and the love of it, govern in all that we do, and think, and say. This is the state in which, not being conformed to this world, we become transformed, by the renewing of the mind, and are thus taught to prove, by the prevalence of the light, what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. It is only as the will is bowed down before the Father of spirits, and made subject to Him, that we can expect to see clearly, and discern between that which serveth God and that which serveth Him not. Oh! that some may be willing to dwell under this humbling, baptizing

power in and near to this great city, in which the light is so evidently at strife with the darkness. Oh! that some may be willing to dwell as in the fortress, and to watch, and, by a sincere and Christian warning, give notice to the combatants of the approach of their enemies! How deep and how dedicated should be the dwelling of these! how closed their ear against what might divert from the sound of the Master's voice! and how watchful and retired to keep the spiritual senses rightly alive and attentive!

“1 Chron. xxix. chap., verse 11 to 15.— Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all!

"Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

"Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.

"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.

"For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding!'

"2nd mo. 9th. I have read with deep interest 'Campbell's Observations on the Antichristian tendency of modern Education,' and trust that Divine Goodness is leading the minds of persons in various places, to feel what Christianity de

mands in this great cause- -the education of the young. I have also been greatly interested in lookinto the two first numbers of a series of books for elementary instruction in natural history, on Scriptural principles, by Henry Althans. The spirit and feeling in which a book is written appears always to me as its most important character; it should, indeed, be correct as to the knowledge it professes to convey; but, whatever the knowledge may be, it should be conveyed with a reference to the great First Cause. No doubt rests on my mind but that there will be formed some association for promoting Christian education by a provision of suitable books; but it is evident that this will demand much application of time and talent, from even the humblest agent who would devote himself to the work of nursery education, even to the Christian philosopher, prepared and qualified by high attainments and religious feeling, and love to the work of instruction, for imparting the higher branches of knowledge to those who are to fill the more in fluential departments of society. How greatly important is it that these should be so imbued with Christian principle and feeling as to be prepared to fill the stations allotted to them in a manner consistent with the awful, but too much neglected injunction, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.'

6

"19th. I felt this morning a painful conviction of neglect in real and continued application of heart to the Father of mercies for help and strength. Without this spirit of true prayer how can we expect that the best life shall flow in our minds. Yet, oh! the abstractedness from outward things which this engagement calls for, and here,

especially, in the vicinity of the cares of this great metropolis, I have been ready to long for a solitude; but let me remember the prayer of the blessed Redeemer, that His disciples might be kept from the evil. I repent of my want of more quiet and thankful subjection in the year that has almost passed, since last spring, when an anxious thought concerning my own future allotment has at times, I fear, prevailed, when I should rather have said, in humility of heart, 'Thine is the earth and the fulness thereof; do with me what Thy wisdom shall see best, and permit me only to walk in the path Thou shalt be pleased to open before me, and leave the rest to Thy providential care,' that care which has ever hitherto befriended me, even in seasons of closest trial! Have I not been favoured with health, with truly kind friends, with willing coadjutors; but I have not even sought to be subdued to Thy will, and to dwell in the feeling of humility and love which the prevalence of Thy power in the mind must ever give. Pity, and forgive! and let my Redeemer's power be known in the entire and full renovation of my whole nature, that I may know, from happy experience, what it is to dwell in Thy house, and to be still praising Thee;' and no influence of a misleading nature be suffered to prevail on my spirit! Great will be our condemnation if, after being permitted to know and feel that Thou art good, we fail in seeking to draw each other into the feeling acknowledgment in heart of Thy Divine power and presence! How great is the responsibility that rests on those whom Thou hast called to be as leaders of the people, and who are looked to for

an example of what should be the Christian feeling and the Christian practice.

"How do we, near this great city, need to watch and pray, and to improve the opportunities for daily retirement before the Father of mercies. Suffer us not, O Thou most merciful! to become as the heath of the desert, insensible when good cometh, but awake in heartfelt supplication toward Thee!

"What I feel that I need is the precious, supporting influences of Heavenly love, to guide me in my way, to teach me every day to preserve, through the Redeemer's power assisting, that heavenward bent of mind in which the light in its clear and indubitable power, may be known, and the spirit of a poor, humbled, dependent creature may be so redeemed from itself as to become an instrument in the ever-blessed Saviour's hand for the instruction of His little ones in the things that concern their everlasting peace. Let it be remembered that true and living faith has the promise of the removal of mountains, and let me remember the precious truth contained in the language of the 90th Psalm, Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations!' and also may I remember the supplication in the concluding verse of the Psalm.

"What I need and long for is a state in which prayer shall ascend from the altar of the heart without ceasing, and every care be committed to Him, whose it is to guide His dependent creatures at His pleasure in a way that they know not, and in paths that they have not seen. Let me ever fear to give way to any imagination of my