kingdom of the Messiah. When shall this kingdom prevail over every opposing power, and be established in every corner of the habitable world? When shall the set time to favor Zion come, and the knowledge of the Lord fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea? O when shall wars and dissensions cease, and the contending nations coalesce in harmonious anthems of praise to the Prince of peace? This happy, glorious era will ere long be ushered in. O that Christians may arise from their slumbers to ardent prayers and exertions for its introduction. May they be all engagedness in the service of God.

I might enlarge upon the importance of Christian zeal; but conscious guilt prevents; for you might justly retort, "Physician, heal thyself." I feel a heavy load of coldness and stupidity, so that I often breathe, "O Lord I am oppressed, undertake for me." O my frozen, indurated heart; when shall it be warmed with the love of Jesus and the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit? And yet I do not feel that sorrow and contrition for sin which I ought, and long for. I want to see my own nothing. ness and vileness, and the worthiness and all sufficiency of our great High Priest. Much, very much, do I need, a humble and contrite spirit, broken for sin, and "hungry for the bread of life." There is a promise, my dear sister, that those who wait on the Lord, shall "renew their strength, they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint." O that we may thus wait on him, stay ourselves on him, and be hidden in his pavilion, till these calamities be overpast. Wearied with trials, and burdened with sin, to whom shall we go,

but to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world? May our souls sweetly repose under his shadow, and experience that rest, wherewith he causeth the weary to restthat peace of mind which passes understanding, which is far more eligible than the fame of Alexander and Cesar, the riches of Cresus, or the erudition of a Newton and a Locke.

I anticipate the return of Miss S. with a great deal of pleasure; hope she will put life into my dead soul. My best love to all my dear friends. May you all be of one heart and one soul, and be favored with renewed unctions of divine grace.

Do come and see us soon, and write me a long letter immediately. Do not forget to remember at the throne of grace your very stu pid and unworthy friend, F. WOODBURY.

JOURNAL, 1812.

Dec. A sad and mournful catastrophe has of late pierced many a heart, and extorted tears from almost every eye. Daniel S. and Joseph S. repaired to Wenham-pond for the diversion of skating. While gliding along the ice in security and hilarity, it instantly broke beneath their feet, and they were threatened with immediate death. Daniel, after be. ing immersed a number of times, had the presence of mind to cleave to some ice, till succor was afforded. But the unfortunate Joseph was plunged in a watery grave, and his soul precipitated into the ocean of eternity. After about an hour, his body was found, and every exertion made to resuscitate it; but alas, life had gone beyond recal. O may this Awakening event deeply impress the hearts

f thoughtless youth, and induce them to inquire, what they shall do to be saved. O that the surviving comrade of the deceased may be penetrated with gratitude to Heaven for his almost miraculous deliverance. O that He may be enabled to devote his spared life to the service of God, and the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom. May he now renounce sin and Satan, flee from eternal death, and drink of the pure river of the water of life. But Oh, should he go on in the broad road, adding sin to sin, better had it been for him to have met with an untimely end; nay, better had it been for him, had he never been born. Lord, soften his heart, subdue his will, captivate his affections, and make him a trophy of thy almighty grace. O snatch him as a brand from that fire, which never can be quenched, and put a new song into his mouth, even praise to the living God.

O that this monitory call may stimulate every one to be up and doing, and ready for the coming of the Bridegroom. May those, who now are slaves to sin and Satan, be made to enjoy the liberty of the sons of God, and open their eyes on substantial joys and immortal bliss. O Lord, breathe life into these dry bones, that they may glorify thee, and promote thy cause here on earth; awaken careless sinners, arouse Christians, and pour out thy Spirit in copious effusions to make glad the city of our God.

JOURNAL, 1813.

Jan. 1. The earth has completed another revolution round the sun; and the great clock

1

of time announces the commencement of a
new year. What strange occurrences, what
dire calamities, what heart-rending events,-or
what bright and auspicious scenes, I may wit.
ness and experience this year, are "written in
the book of fate, and no human eye can read
it."
O that I may be prepared to say in all
circumstances and conditions, "The will of the
Lord be done." O that I may be enabled to be
more active in the cause of God, and more en-
tirely devoted to his service. May I have the
unspeakable pleasure to wipe the tears of the
widow and the orphan, to smooth the bed of
sickness, to ease the heart loaded with pain
and anguish, to mitigate the distress of cheer
less poverty, and happify all within my reach,
as I have opportunity. And may the Lord
make me ready to every good word and work,
conquer my imperious lusts, subdue my evil
propensities, renovate my whole heart, clothe
me with the beauties of holiness, and fruits of
the Spirit, and make me meet for the inheri-
tance of the saints in light. O Lord, suffer
me not to be useless-a cumberer of the
ground. deprecate uselessness, as worse
than death. If I cannot do good, if I cannot be
a blessing to any one, nor live to thy glory, O
fit me for thy kingdom, and take me to it.

I desire not to relax in laboring to gain an ascendancy over my passions, however unsuc cessful I may be. I purpose this year, besides miscellaneous reading, to read the Scriptures through in course with Scott's Commentary, prayerfully and attentively; and may Jesus be my teacher. I intend likewise to study Per ry's Dictionary, endeavoring to retain in my

memory the most useful and important words, with their signification. And may the Lord succeed my studies, improve my heart, enlighten my mind, and rectify my will. May

he guide me through this waste howling wil derness, sweeten the bitter waters of Marah with his smiles and promises, console me in the "swellings of Jordan," and at length give me a seat in the New Jerusalem, where sin, and storms and troubles can never come,

Letter to Mrs. H. P. of Bradford.

Beverly, Jan. 12, 1813.

YES my dear Mrs. P. death has again entered our neighborhood and his steps have been attended with peculiar solemnity and grief. One moment the deceased youth was all activity and hilarity; the next he was immersed in a watery grave, and his soul hurried into the world of spirits. The moment I had information of this distressing event, I repaired to the house of Mrs. S. a house of deep and exquisite mourning it truly was. Surprise and gloom were depicted in almost every countenance, and tears flowed copiously from almost every eye. Mrs. S. exhibited marks of the most acute agony; and for a while utterly refused all consolation. When I mentioned the necessity of trials, the duty and comfort of resignation, and the justice and goodness of God, she would grasp my hand, and say with em- · phasis, "I know it, I know it; but you dont know what I feel by experience." She would frequently exclaim with reiterated sighs, “O his precious, precious soul." She is however now much more composed. She has been long in