shepherd every perfection requisite for the office he sustains, and every qualification necessary to enable him to take care of such needy, oppressed, frail creatures as we are. He is perfectly acquainted with every. individual of his flock-he is intimately near them his eye is upon them, and his ear is open to the prayers of all, equally as to the prayer of any particular one; his arm supports, leads, guides, and protects them at all times, in all ages, and in alt places their thoughts, their wants, their weaknesses, and complaints are all known to him; he is all-wise and all-mighty, and therefore he is able to penetrate the most secret devices and hidden machinations of their enemies, controul the infernal powers, and take the wise in their own: craftiness the government is upon his shoulders, and the administration of universal providence, over all nations, families, and persons, throughout the universe, is in his hand, and he can so effectually restrain, controul, and manage in every case and circumstance, as to cause all things to work together for the good of those, who have put themselves under his pastoral care, and trust him with their

all.

ཝཱ

"He feeds his flock, as their shep

herd, he carries the lambs in his arms, and gently leads those, that are with young."

Such, my friend, is our shepherd-and could I be induced to suppose, for a moment, that he is not possessed of every attribute of divinity, supreme, and incommunicable, my hopes would sink, my heart faint, and my soul despair. But the very nature of his office requires that he should be possessed of these divine perfections, and the holy scriptures assure us that he is possessed of them. And are we indeed under the care, management, and protection of such a shepherd? Can we, through grace, say, we are his people and the sheep of his pasture? Then, surely, we have as good a right as David, to say, we shall lack nothing-nothing essential to our supreme, and final God.-Like sheep, we are weak and prone to wander; but he restores the soul, reclaims from crooked ways, and leads in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. And what is his name, here referred to, but, the Lord, the shepherd? This is a name of office, which he will not forget; but in every punctilio, act in character, as the tenderest, the kindest, the best, and the most vigilant and careful shepherd. O how safe, and happy are his

people! I am a poor, weak, wandering, and stupid creature; I know it-I feel it I am oppressed, defenceless in myself, and surrounded with enemies and ravenous beasts of prey. You, I doubt not, are in the same predicament. Yet, why should we fear, seeing all is made up in the fullness, power, wisdom, faithfulness, care, and compassion of our divine shepherd. My trust is, that he will provide for us, heal, restore, protect, and guide us by his counsel, and, in spite of the combined powers of earth and hell, lead us safe to glory. Then shall we see him as he is, be transformed into his likeness, be seated' near him, and dwell in his presence for

ever.

Ah! My dear sir, what a glorious, heart-reviving subject is this? I trust, you' find it so, and are ambitious to serve and please your shepherd while you live, and thus testify your gratitude for the innumerable and unspeakable obligations you are under for his goodness and mercy. I also, wish to love him more and serve him better but, alas! What unsuitable, what languid returns do I make? I cannot do the things that I would. I feel what I say

I complain of it, I am ashamed of it, and mourn on the account of it, But I

look forward to a period, not far remote, when I shall love him in some measure as I ought, and now wish-sing his praise in louder strains, and serve him with all the vigor and ardor, "Of the rapt seraph that adores and burns." This is the hope and trust of

Your sincere friend,

D. JARRATT.

LETTER VI.

March 1, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

SINCE writing my last, I have seen a letter from Mrs. Hall of Philadelphia, addressed to Mr. G-g, in which your name is mentioned, and by which I learn you were in that city, last autumn, and, as I suppose, in the capacity of a deligate to the general assembly or convention, of our church, I am anxious to know what was done upon the occasion, and what sentiments appeared among you, and therefore I wish you to procure a very large sheet of crown paper, and write it out closely and fully on the subjects of debate and the conclusion. You may send this, per post, to Petersburg and I will gladly take it up. I have no great expectation of getting any information, on this head, from any quarter, in Virginia, as I never had much correspondence with any of the clergy-in