tification of their souls. I have not asked for them health, beauty, riches, honors, nor temporal life; God knows what share of these consists with their better interests; let him give or withhold accordingly. One thing I have asked of the Lord, one thing only, and will persist in asking, and will hang upon him for, trust in him for, and for which I think I have his promise, even the life of their, and my soul. 1 Thes. v. 23. is my petition for me and mine, 24th my anchor of hope, preceded by Jeremiah xlix. 11.

Edinburgh, March, 17, 1789.

THIS day, from the head of his own table, did the Lord by his servant, Mr. R-, proclaim his name the I AM, and called on me to write under what I would, for time and eternity. My soul rejoices that God is, and that he is what he is ; nothing less than himself can content me, nothing more do I desire.

This great I AM is my portion-what can I ask beside? He hath opened my eyes to see his excellency he hath determined my will, to choose him for my portion. He hath arranged, and set in order, a rich testament sealed by the blood of his own Son, containing every blessing for time and for eternity. All my heart's desire is there promised, and faith given to believe there shall be a full performance. What have I to say then, but Amen, do as thou hast said? Father, glorify thy name. Thou hast said, 'then will I sprinkle

clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh; and I will give you an heart of flesh; and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them, and ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.' Amen. Lord do as thou hast said. Behold, I take hold of thy covenant for myself and for my children. It is well ordered in all things, and it is sure. My heart accords to every part of it. Wilt thou guide us by thy counsel while we live, and afterwards receive us to thy glory? Amen, and amen-do as thou hast said.

New York, May 20, 1791. THIS day my only son left me in bitter wringings of heart: he is again launched on the ocean: God's ocean. The Lord saved him from shipwreck, bade the waves spare: he brought him to my home, and allowed me once more to indulge my yearning of bowels over him. Short has been the time he has been with me, and ill have I improved it: he is gone from my sight, and my heart bursts with tumultuous grief. Lord have mercy on the widow's son- the only son of his mother, and she a widow.'

I ask nothing in all this world for him: I repeat my petition; save his soul alive: give him salvation from sin. It is not the danger of the seas that distresses me; it is not the hardships he must undergo; it is not the dread of never seeing him more in this world: it is because I cannot discern the fulfilment of the promise in him. I cannot discern the new birth nor its fruits, but every symptom of captivity to Satan, the world, and self-will. This, O this, is what distresses me : and in connection with this, his being shut out from ordinances at a distance from Christians; shut up with those who forget God, profane his name, and break his Sabbaths, and has chosen his lot among a class of men, who often live and die like beasts; yet are accountable creatures, who must answer for every moment of time, and every word, thought, and action. O Lord, many wonders hast thou shown me; thy ways of dealing with me and mine have not been common ones-add this wonder to the rest. Call, convert, regenerate, and establish a sailor in the faith. Lord, all things are possible with thee: glorify thy Son, and extend his kingdom by sea and land; take the prey from the strong. I roll him over upon thee.

New York, August 18, 1791. THUS far the Lord hath tried me, and kept me This night I have tidings through

to my choice.

a letter to Dr. M. that my son has been seized by

the press-gang. Through God's help he escaped with his skin; but all his assortment of necessaries that his sisters and I made up with so much care, labor, and expense, they have carried off, and he is once more left naked. Satan, and a corrupt heart, unite in tempting me to fret. Dare I utter a word, or harbor a murmuring thought? Would I withdraw the blank I have put in the Redeemer's hand? Has he not hitherto done all things well? Have not my own afflictions been my greatest blessings? Have not I asked for my children their mother's portion? Has not God chiefly made use of afflictions as means of hedging me in, and shutting me up to my choice of this portion, as well as showing me that He is a sufficient portion without any other? When matters have been at the worst with me as to this world, my triumphs in my God have been highest, and prospects for eternity brightest.

Lord, I renew my blank. I afresh roll them all over upon thee. I will try to look on, in the faith that all things shall work together for good to their souls; and that I shall yet see the day, or if I see it not, that it will come, when they shall bow at thy footstool; sink into the open arms of thy mercy in Christ; melted down in holy, humble, acquiescing, cordial submission to thy severest dealings with them; when thou shalt put a new song into their mouths, and they shall sing as I do now, 'It hath been very good for me that I have been afflicted.' 'I wait for thy salvation.' Amen.

New York, October 10, 1791. Glory! Glory Glory! to the hearer of prayer. I have cast my fatherless children on the Lord, and he has begun to make good my confidence. One thing, one only thing, have I asked for them, leaving every thing else to be bestowed or withheld, as consisting with that: I seek for my four children and myself, first of all, the kingdom of God.

My God from day to day adds many other comforts, and strengthens my hopes by promising appearances, that the grain of mustard seed is sown in the hearts of my three daughters. They have joined themselves to the people of God, and I have reason to think the Lord has ratified their surrender of themselves to him; he has made them willing for the time, and he will hedge them in to the choice they have made.

New York, Jan. 20, 1792. THIS day our worthy pastor preached from Revelations, xiv. 4. These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; these are redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb: and in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before God.' The one hundred and forty four thousand on Mount Zion around the Lamb, having their Father's name written on their foreheads. A goodly number. The people of God redeemed from among men, and distinguished from the world