reflection. Pleasure dissipates our thoughts, care absorbs them; and every object that engages our affections, be it what it may, in so far as it thus engages them, tends to render us forgetful of our future destination. How apt are we, when happy, to forget that this is not the land of promise! How prone, when under the pressure of sorrow or disappointment, to look still to the world which has deluded us for relief! In this ordinance, a merciful provision is made for our retrieving the consequences of these infirmities. We are by it reminded, that if Christ died, he died that we might live. We are taught to reflect upon the nature of the promises which were sealed by his death, and ascertained by his resurrection. We are thus as it were compelled to raise our minds from the world, and to follow him into those regions regions whither he is gone to prepare a place for us. And is it not evident, that contemplations so full of hope and joy must necessarily elevate and purify our hearts and our affections? Let us then, with becoming gra titude, adore that Divine wisdom, which so admirably adapted the means to the ends, as to render institutions, apparently simple, productive of consequences so extensively beneficial. Let us, in language appropriate to the occasion, "with angels and arch"angels, and with all the glorious company of heaven, laud and mag 66 nify his glorious name." And, while the praises of our hearts ascend, let us remember, that he whom we thus acknowledge hath said, "It “is in vain that ye call me Lord, "Lord! if ye do not the things " which I say." LETTER X. HAVING, AVING, as I hope, succeeded in my design of presenting you with a general view of those important truths which have been conveyed to us by revelation, I must now beg your pa tient attention to a few remarks on the nature and spirit of the precepts of the Gospel. Hitherto I have anxiously avoided all occasion of offence. I would still avoid it. But I should not be acting up to the friendship I profess, and which in my heart I feel, if I were, from apprehensions of incurring any one's displeasure, to disguise, or palliate, or conceal, aught that concerns your real interest. I must then boldly declare to you, that the precepts of the Gospel are, in many respects, adverse to the precepts and manners of the world; and that the pleasures of the world are held forth in it as corrupters of the heart and snares for the soul. Το you, my dearest Lady Elizabeth, who are by your birth placed in a situation, where the temptations alluded to are generally thought to put forth all their strength, the subject becomes peculiarly interesting. Why all are not placed in situations equally advantageous for the practice of virtue, is a fruitless question. As well might we inquire why the Laplander freezes under the inclemency Both are parts mency of a polar winter, while the African pants beneath the fierce heat of a burning sun? of the scheme of Providence, placed beyond our comprehension. We may still carry on the analogy a little farther, and observe, that differently as they are situated in respect to climate, the Laplander and the African have each the means of subsistence within their reach; and that though the shivering savage of the north procures with difficulty his scanty meal, he enjoys in peace his unenvied banquet, and bounds over his hills of snow without the fear of meeting with any lurking serpent. For the inhabitants of softer and more luxuriant climes, many enemies lie in ambush. To say nothing of the beasts of prey which prowl around, or the swarms of venomous insects which cause a perpetual irritation, how often does |