ADVICE, &c.

LETTER I.

DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,

You are very young to profess the high character of a Christian; but your youth, while it serves as a caution, should not operate as a discouragement. Many a person of fewer years, and with less advantages, has not only given satisfactory evidence of conversion, but proved, in subsequent life, to be of that number whose "path shineth more and more, unto the perfect day."

It becomes you, however, to look narrowly into the evidences of such a change. A mistake here will prove fatal. The word of God and prayer, are the great means, which, if faithfully applied, will in due time, develope your true moral character. If you have been deceived, if yet in your sins, these duties will ere long become irksome, and be loosely performed or utterly neglected. If you have been regenerated, you will not only persevere in these duties, but will find that they elicit more and

more of your interest, until you arrive at a well-grounded hope of eternal felicity.

Taking for granted, that you do not make this profession on slight grounds, nor with inadequate or erroneous views; my object, in a few letters which I shall address to you, will be to urge you to the formation of an elevated Christian character. You profess to have taken the first step in the strait and narrow way; but recollect, it is only the first step. The concentrated gaze of many eyes is upon you. Some would exult in your downfall-others rejoice in your advancement. Invisible and wicked spirits will tempt you to ruin. Good and guardian angels will watch around your steps, and rejoice in your victories. To sustain yourself, you have already been convinced is impossible. If you are regenerated, you are not perfectly sanctified; nor will you be, until death shall be swallowed up in victory. But as Paul could do all things, by the strength of his master, so can the weakest believer; and you must ever feel that the same grace, which brought "you out of nature's darkness," must enable you to overcome your enemies, and 'persevere unto the end."

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As I have touched upon this point, I am for

cibly reminded of the beautiful dream of the Rev. John Newton, while lying at anchor in the harbour of Venice, and within sight of a part of the Alps. For the particulars, I refer you to his volumes. The substance is as follows:

The anxiety of mind which he endured in his waking hours, seemed to give a colouring to his night vision. He felt himself in great perplexity and horror. While musing on the wretchedness of his condition, there appeared suddenly, a celestial figure, who presented to him a ring, which she said, if preserved with care, would, on every difficult occasion, resolve his doubts, and extricate him from trouble. He was overjoyed at the reception of it. All his fears seemed to subside, and a heavenly serenity to succeed. While in this tranquil and happy frame of mind, another personage, of less inviting aspect, made his appearance, and, after many flattering words and artful insinuations, prevailed on him to part with the ring. He deliberately dropped it over the side of the vessel, and it sunk to the bottom. The flames, in an awful manner, immediately burst from the mountain, and he seemed threatened with instant destruction. At this moment of horror,

his celestial friend again appeared, and, with a frown of mingled love and reproof, upbraided him for listening to the voice of the tempter. She then descended into the water, and soon returned bearing the ring, and thus addressed him: "As thou art unable to keep this token, I will preserve it for thee, and it shall be secure for ever."

I have only given you from memory an out line of this beautiful vision. The interpretation, which the author put upon it, is full of spiritual instruction. If left for one moment to our own strength, how soon do we abandon the "ring," even at the first suggestion of the tempter! Then the soul is affrighted and dismayed. But Jesus, our guardian, is able to restore the "ring," and lest we should lose it, he, in condescension to our infirmities, deigns to keep it. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," is his language. Thus, my dear young friend, entrust the "ring" to Him, who alone is able to preserve it. When the tempter comes, whether in the artful guise of what the world calls innocent pleasure, or the bold assaults of blasphemy and despair, look upward to Him who is charged with the care of all that is precious to the soul. Wait not until you

are overwhelmed by the consciousness of contracted guilt, but flee-oh flee, as for your life, to Jesus! You cannot trust him too confidently. He will permit you to sit even at his feet. There is honour, there is safety, there is happiness.

I congratulate you, on the favourable circumstances in which you are placed for the formation of Christian character. The work of divine grace in which you profess to be a participant, is, I understand, still in progress. Doubtless you find some congenial spirits with whom you can mingle feelings, unite in mutual prayer, and converse on the sweetest of all topics, the love of your Lord and Master. Let it be a principle with you, to select as your companions, the most heavenly-minded of your sex. If such can be found in the higher walks of life, very well; be they your bosom friends; but, alas! how seldom, in the higher circles, does religion, in its native simplicity and purity, appear! You must seek it, I apprehend, in the low vale of obscurity, and often amid the homely attire of honest poverty. If you have the spirit of Christ, you will love his image, though arrayed in an humble garb. I know it has ever been the design of your pa