To J. A.

66

Penketh, 6th Oct. 1813.

"The time that has passed since I had the pleasure of thy conversation, has been chequered with both joys and sorrows, with moments of despondency, and with seasons of triumphant hope. What a state of alternation is this life! who would wish to sojourn here for ever? Often, when elated with confidence to-day, we are sunk in despair to-morrow; and one victory obtained over our enemies, only leads to new and more arduous combats. Yet there are resting places by the way. He who was evilly entreated for our sakes, having trod the vale of mortality, has not been unmindful of the wants and weaknesses of his tried followers. With the cup of bitterness he has mingled many sweets: the gloom of midnight darkness is often irradiated by the brightness of the morning star; and the bleak winter of adversity rendered less rigorous by the anticipation of future glory.

"I am now actively engaged in prosecuting the duties of the station to which the partiality of my friends has promoted me, and I find it productive of solid satisfaction; indeed, my inost sanguine hopes are more than realized. There is every probability of my acquiring a comfortable state of independence, whilst conferring an essential benefit on my fellow-creatures, in assisting to mould the genius and habits of the rising generation. Ah! my friend, what should I have done in such an undertaking, if my habits and dispositions had not previously received a tincture of religion? Without this regulating principle for my guide, how should I attempt to form the minds of others, to check

the risings of vice, and to call forth and encourage the buddings of virtue? In this way, my employment, though sweet, is at least so far arduous, that I find it my interest to keep my ear open to instruction, and whilst pointing my tender charge to the silent monitor in their own breasts, to endeavour from its sacred dictates to form the rule of my conduct. I think I have been sensible of the benefit of thy prayers for my preservation of late. The composure and steadiness with which I am enabled to govern my pupils, the inexpressible peace I am at times enabled to enjoy, and the marks of distinction which I continue to receive from my numerous friends, are each matter of abundant thankfulness; they are favours which I neither deserve nor expected to enjoy. I hope the union formed between our spirits, will only be con

summated when the stream of time shall have ceased to flow.

To J. A. B.

"W. T."

"Penketh, 7th Nov. 1813.

"I suppose thou hast heard of the change which has taken place in my affairs, with regard to my commencing the arduous and important office of schoolmaster. For the last three months, my attention has been chiefly devoted to the duties of my new station, a station to which my most sanguine hopes never dared to aspire; which nothing but the partiality of my friends would have supposed me capable of filling. My attempt has been hitherto crowned with tolerable success, and is in the highest degree congenial to my particular pursuits; by teaching others, I myself may learn; and by having

H

to enforce maxims of prudence and right reason, I may be led to adopt them as the basis and regulating principles of my own conduct. Few situations, I conceive, require a greater concentration of talent, of good sense, and of every christian virtue, than the one I am now placed in. It is a situation, which almost compels to scientific improvement, and from the various dispositions to be studied in the rising generation, many useful hints may be gathered relating to the best of all knowledge, that of our own hearts. I now perceive more than ever, the need of possessing a well-regulated imagination, and affections subject to the control of reason. Children are, I conceive, at an early age, acute observers of the minds of their tutors and guardians; they consider them as oracles of wisdom, and by them may the ductile mind of youth be led to admire and practise virtue, or to become familiar with the horrid form of vice.

"W. T."

In his correspondence, it was a frequent practice with him, to mingle something good with what he had to narrate, or to enforce some christian maxim, or rule of conduct, by the circumstances under which he wrote. The following extract from a letter to a young man, just about to depart for America, exemplifies his constant care to impart good advice, and his solicitude for the best interests of his friends.

"Penketh, 29th Nov. 1813.

"I have only time to commend thee to God, and to say, that if we are not favoured to meet

again in time, I trust we shall at least see each other in a happy eternity. This I say, in the supposition that thou wilt endeavour to become more and more solicitous after the one thing needful. Let me entreat thee to remember, that nothing but having our passions subject to the control of religion, car confer true happiness. Thou wilt have many temptations to encounter, and many disadvantages to cope with, the chief of which, will be an absence from serious and religious people, and having to associate with men, who have not the fear of God before their eyes: but to balance this, it may be said, that God is in all places, and that His power is every where the same to preserve us from evil. Let thy thoughts then, my dear friend, be occasionally turned from a concern after the things that perish, to a consideration of those which will endure when time shall be no more.

To J. R.

"W. T."

"Lowton, 25th December, 1813.

"I am thankful that, although my body is afflicted, my mind was never more at ease; I am enabled in some measure, to trust in Him, who is mighty to save, and to believe that all which He appoints, will end well; would that I could always resign myself up to His dispensations! But it is hard work to do so at all times.

Let us

both endeavour to lean on the staff which cannot be broken, The resources which literature afford to the mind, may do in the day of prosperity, but when real troubles come, they are broken reeds; they rather depress than support the mind. Nothing but an humble confidence in that

strength which never faileth, can carry us through the complicated scenes of this world. "W. T."

To J. A.

"Lowton, December 26th, 1813.

"In the few months that have elapsed since I was last at Lowton, time has left the most visible marks of his ravaging hand: some have entered that land from whence no traveller returns, and others are lying on the verge of the same unchangeable state of being. How awful, O God, are thy visitations! and how should our souls lie prostrate at thy feet! Whether we look at the changes which individuals sustain, or at the wrecks of empires, and concussions of kingdoms, our admiration is equally excited; every thing proclaims aloud, that the fashion of this world passeth away. I am thankful in saying, that I have, of late, felt a renewed concern to be found amongst those who are doing their master's will; of that happy number who, notwithstanding the confusion of this terrestrial scene, will be finally gathered into one fold, and there made to repose in safety under one shepherd for ever. I often remember the injunction of the Son of David: 'In all thy gettings, get wisdom; for the value of her is more than of gold or silver. Oh, that they who are given up to lying vanities, could see the intrinsic value of this supreme of treasures!

To J. J. H,

"W. T."

"Lowton, January 8th, 1814.

In Burns we have another melan

choly proof, that virtue is not necessarily con