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Penketh, 3d mo. 2d. 1816.

"The calm state of the political world, and my almost total seclusion from the flowery paths of literature, would scarcely leave me a topic to write on, if there were not certain points of resemblance in the human mind, certain sentiments endeared by their importance, which, independent of rank or profession, employ the contemplative moments of all men. The great ocean of truth laying before us, we can surely never want a subject for discussion: for vast as this ocean is, we may safely embark, taking the compass of right reason, and the telescope of revelation, as our assistants.

"Without this blessed medium of vision, all is wrapped in mist and uncertainty. Vain were the attempt, though gifted with every natural talent, to pierce with the eye of reason, those interminable regions of joy or despair beyond the grave. The Stagyrite Philosopher, was perhaps equal to any mortal in intellectual vigour, yet how obscure were his notions on the nature and attributes of the Divine Being! Socrates was a model of prudence, wisdom, and moral rectitude, but he, too, doubted as the close of his earthly probation drew near. Blessed revelation! which dispels alike, crude conjectures, and melancholy anticipations! which gives patience in suffering here, and points to an unspeakable, endless bliss hereafter! Blessed revelation! which openeth a way for the simple, believing soul, to attain to a present, and everlasting salvation. Great indeed, was the condescension of Infinite Goodness, who manifested His glory to the patriarchs and prophets of old, stooping to their understandings by

many striking emblems in communicating His will to mankind.

"The law, with its symbolical rites and figures formed an admirable introduction to the liberal spirit of the gospel. The ceremonies enjoined, having performed a two-fold office, in convincing many of their inefficacy, as to sprinkling the conscience from dead works, and in having preserved the royal line of David, from mixture with impure, idolatrous nations; all things being ready, in the fulness of time was ushered in the Divine Majesty of the Messiah.

There results to me a delightful exultation, from meditating on the outward advent of our common Saviour. The love, the mercy, the condescension of the Deity, are here displayed in the highest degree; and from the joy evinced by the angelic host, in their annunciation to the shepherds, there is reason to believe, it was a monient of universal triumph throughout the hierarchies of heaven. What feelings must have been those of Simeon, who, praying daily for the appearance of the consolation of Israel, at length embraced the holy child Jesus? His fears dispersed, his trembling hopes realized, he had been spared to see the commencement of the reign of grace, of that kingdom, whose continuance and prosperity his prophetic vision would descry, whilst its extent would appear illimitable, and its duration without end.

"All the watchings of an anxious pilgrimage were repaid: 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servsnt depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' Such was the testimony of one who had witnessed the outward appearance of Christ; how much more lively ought to be our own, who may become the blessed subjects of his inward

and spiritual appearance in the heart! For I do believe, (how short soever we may be in attainment) that this is the day of his promise, and that the influence of his Holy Spirit is even now ready to sanctify and cleanse us from all sin. O dear friend! I have had deep exercises since I saw thee, a searching as of the inmost parts. It was the second evening of my visit to Liverpool that a solemn weight and inquiry came over me, and the cry of my soul was, to learn my real state and situation. There seemed a want of sight as well as humility. To thee, who hast experienced the boundless extent of redeeming love, I need not observe, that the result was solid peace. I had anticipated the many amusing hours I should spend in the Athenæum: the great room in Marble-street, and other public exhibitions had had their share in the account: but such solemn stillness and internal calm did I enjoy during the rest of my visit, that I durst not give any interruption, by partaking of superfluous amusements. I felt however, freedom to search out the rare and the curious in T. T.'s collection of books.

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"No moments are so sweet to me, so full of existence, as those quick and full recollections of the nature, end, and dignity of man; of the rapidity of time, and the immeasurable length of eternity; of the unspeakable glory of the Creator, and his adorable mercy and goodness to his creatures. Such seasons are really like the prospect from Mount Pisgah, when we can suddenly leave earth, with its anxious cares, and fixing our view on the land of our inheritance, realize by a lively faith its present possession.

"Yet I believe that a depending, suffering state contributes to mental health, and a daily

exercise in the cross. Oh! it is a great thing to know our wills subjected to the Lord's will, to possess the two-fold qualification of serpentine wisdom with dove-like innocency. Great indeed is the mystery of Godliness. God made manifest in the flesh, once offered up for the sius of all, and now visiting by his Holy Spirit, the souls of all those who love his appearance.

"W. T."

To J. R.

"Penketh, 21st 3d mo. 1816.

"It is astonishing, how many busy principles of action there are at work in society, all of which are effecting what must be undone again with sorrow. What anxious moments are spent in bedizening the body, whilst the amiable qualities of the mind remain uncultivated and waste! What running to playhouses, to dinners, to levees, to watering places! Here is one out of breath with pursuing popular applause; another brooding with delight over an empty title just conferred on him. In short, the greatest diligence is used by many thousands, to accelerate their descent in the broad way that leadeth to destruction: broad as it is, there is scarcely room for the croud of infatuated votaries, who, unconcernedly fill its passage, and apparently sink to rise no more. But dost thou see on yonder plain covered with brambles, a solitary path, so narrow as to be barely discernible? A few people of both sexes, animated by a belief of its glorious termination, are carefully endeavouring to keep the rectilinear direction of the road: they seem to be mostly weeping, not that they are either discontented, or afraid of the ravenous beasts which incessantly

bowl on either side, but their hearts are penetrated and broken, with a sense of their Redeemer's love, and of the adorable condescension which every moment sustains and preserves them. With these tried, self-denying few, my soul hath unity; with those, who, through great tribulation, have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, I bless God, I feel a near and dear unity. Oh, my dear friend, the heartsearching power which I have felt this winter! it has been as a probe to the very inmost reins.

"I was for some time insensible what was doing in me, though I felt constrained to use daily a very solemn pause, previous to dismissing the scholars, and was often led into deep and profitable meditations on time, heaven, eternity, &c. Christmas I looked forward to with peculiar pleasure, as I intended to accept an invitation to spend a week with T. T. of Liverpool. Thou art not unacquainted with the literary gratifications which that town affords, as the Athenæum, debating society, botanic garden, &c. and of these 1 had formed large anticipations. But it was mercifully ordered, that my enjoyments were of a higher nature, and my peace established on a firmer foundation. I arrived in Liverpool after several curious occurrences, on a seventh day evening, and retained my usual spirits till late on second day night; when, retiring to bed, I was seized with such a solemn sense of the Divine presence and my own unworthiness, as I never before knew. Give me humility and lowliness of heart, was my incessant cry. All other wishes and inclinations were taken away; it was the whole desire of my soul, and great indeed was the self-abasedness which was mercifully given. Ob, the watchfulness, the peace, the solid en