adorned the life of this Divine Person, and not feel their hearts melt with sentiments of awe, gratitude, and adoration? But I also conceive the life and conduct of every real disciple, will present, though in a less degree, the same uniform and consistent picture of innocence and truth. The term Christian, conveys to me a very different idea to what is implied in its common acceptation. If the standard of excellence in Christianity is the super-eminent virtues of its Great Founder, then he only is a Christian, whose mind is adorned with the same heavenly temper and dispositions that were found in Christ. I need not remark to thee, how difficult it is to become, in any degree, like so great an original. Yet, hard and impossible as it apparently is, we must come to it, or we can never be saved; there is no unclean thing can enter the gates of pearl; nothing but lamb-like innocence can entitle us to admission there; nothing short of holiness can ensure to us a happy eternity.

'I have been led to the above remarks, from a renewed concern, that we may each of us begin, with all diligence, to do the work that is appointed us in our day; and that for such things as we lack, we may come to the fountain of infinite mercy, and partake largely of that grace which is able to become our wisdom, our sanctification, and our redemption,

"If religion included nothing more than morality, there were less need of solicitude: no man can accuse us of any flagrant breach of good morals; but I thank God, we are each of us sensible, that something more is meant by the term, I hope we consider religion to be what it really is, a state of habitual watchfulness, as in the immediate presence of the great Omniscient ; a

fervent charity to all mankind; a sincere love of virtue and truth, and an abhorrence of sin, wherever, or in whatsoever shape it is found. U my dear friend! I long that we may dwell for ever in this holy, reverent frame of mind; then, indeed would our peace flow as a river, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea. Then

should we be as the woman that was clothed with the sun; having the moon and stars, (with all earthly affections,) under her feet. Every cross would be sweetened, and every affliction rendered grateful to our taste, by that love which is stronger than death; and which is emphatically said to overcome all things. Farewell, dear friend! I feel a strong presentiment that we shall yet live to see good days; to know the renovating power of the spirit of Christ, which passeth from death unto life.

"W. T."

To M. C.

"Penketh, 2d mo. 23d, 1814.

"The course of studies in which I am embarked, has precluded me from much of that light kind of reading which has entertainment only for its object. Indeed I feel less relish for this species, than formerly. The mind, like the body, if wound to a certain pitch of vigour, requires more solid and indigestible food. If I mistake not, I shall become strongly prejudiced against the reigning fashion of the age-novels. There is every thing in nature that can improve the understanding, or entertain the imagination, without requiring the aid of artificial intrigue, or fictitious adventures.

“If we stand in need of those severe exercises which strengthen the intellect, and which may be termed the gymnastics of the mind, what ample scope is afforded us in searching out the physical causes which produce those astonishing effects, visible in every part of the great laboratory of nature! If we possess fine imaginations, the range is not less extensive, the beautiful and true sublime are profusely scattered, and visible at every step. If we survey the creation with right views of the uses, ends, and importance of each part, and with a constant reference to the great Author of the whole, we shall discover realities worthy the employment of all our mental faculties; nor shall we find any leisure to yield to the contemplation of ideal worlds, or to the wanderings of a distempered imagination.

а

In the 6th month, 1814, he commenced housekeeping, and one of his sisters came to reside with him; this.added greatly to his domestic comfort: his school also increased in an encouraging manner. He now thankfully felt the superiority of his present station over that which he had quitted: he had raised himself, by his merit and talents, from a life of hard labour and obscurity, to a situation of respectability and comparative independence; engaged in a reputable and useful employment-enjoying the society of a few valued friends-partaking largely of the pleasures which arise from the cultivation of the understanding and the love of reading, with ample means of indulging in those pleasures, his utmost wishes were more than realized, and the measure of his happiness seemed full.

He kept a record of the titles of the books which he perused, sometimes accompanied by a short analysis of their contents, with extracts of remarkable passages, both in English and French; and not unfrequently he prefixed a short criticism on the merits of the work, or the character of its author. It may suffice here, to insert one or two short specimens of these productions.

"1815, August 10th.

"Curiosities of Literature.

"The plan of this compilation is extremely desultory. It contains, however, a variety of entertaining things. D'Israeli seems to be a person of much reading, particularly in French, Italian, and English. Religion he appears to have none; and his moral principles I fear are very loose: some of his sentiments are directly opposed to Christianity.

1816, 4th month.

"The Life of Arthur Wellesley.

"Notwithstanding the incense of adulation which is plentifully offered in this work, it is evident that Lord Wellington must possess a great military genius. Looking at heroism in that light in which it is commonly surveyed, I should join my voice with the exulting millions. But, feeling a strong conviction of the unlawfulness of warring with carnal weapons,' I dare not follow in the triumphal procession, nor use the language of applause to the desolators of families and kingdoms. The volume contains some very mournful passages from the private journals of officers who were in some of the severest actions."

I

At the beginning of the year 1815, he commenced a sort of Diary, in which the events of his life are recorded with much characteristic simplicity and originality: this Journal contains an account of the books which he read, the visits which he received and paid, and sometimes the substance of the letters which he wrote, and of the conversations in which he bore a part. The following short extracts will serve to show the nature of it.

"Penketh, January 26th, 1815.

"This being the anniversary of my twentyfirst year, and not having it in my power to distinguish it by the usual signs of feasting and convivial entertainment, I shall endeavour to pursue the plan which Lord Bacon recommends, viz., to make out an inventory of ideas, and of all intellectual goods and possessions; I conceive it to be a useful exercise for such as wish to improve by living; and as I do not reckon myself amongst the most drivelling part of my species, I may one day have the pleasure to witness the progress I have made in useful knowledge. Should this meet the eye of any besides the writer, they may perhaps smile at the pedantic air which it carries, but let them recollect, at the same time, that an impartial history of any one day of their own peregrinations, might appear equally ridiculous; the mind receives its sensations in an abrupt and incoherent manner, but as thought is a secret, as well as a silent operation, we can only be apprized of our own aberrations.

"As reading is one of the grand means of acquiring knowledge, I may first notice in what departments of literature mine has lain.