if I may so speak, that has a double quantity of hindrances to conflict with, will not be easily observed, unless these hindrances are likewise known and attended to; and a smaller measure of grace may appear great when its exercise meets with no remarkable obstruction. For these reasons we can never be competent judges of each other, because we cannot be competently acquainted with the whole complex case. But our great and merciful High Priest knows the whole; he considers our frame, "remembers that we are but dust," makes gracious allowances, pities, bears, accepts, and approves, with unerring judgment.

The sun in his daily course, beholds nothing so excellent and honourable upon earth as C, though he may perhaps be confined to a cottage, and is little known or noticed by men. But he is the object and residence of divine love, the charge of angels, and ripening for everlasting glory. Happy C! His toils, sufferings, and exercises, will be soon at an end; soon his desires will be accomplished; and He who has loved him, and redeemed him with his own blood, will receive him to himself, with a "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

If this representation is agreeable to the scriptures, how greatly are they mistaken, and how much to be pitied, who, while they make profession of the Gospel, seem to have no idea of the effects it is designed to produce upon the hearts of believers, but either allow themselves in a worldly spirit and conversation, or indulge their unsanctified tempers by a fierce contention for names, notions, and parties. May the Lord give to you and to me daily to grow in the experience of that wisdom which "is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good works, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." I am, &c.

PUBLISHED BY THE

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

"How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace-that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.'

See page 11.

PUBLISHED BY THE

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,

AND SOLD AT THEIR DEPOSITORY, NO. 144 NASSAU-STREET, NEAR THE CITY-HALL, NEW-YORK; AND BY AGENTS OF THE SOCIETY, ITS BRANCHES, AND AUXILIARIES, IN

THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS

IN THE UNITED STATES.

OF

MRS. ELEANOR EMERSON.

IN childhood I was often anxious concerning my future welfare, and was frequently brought to tremble under a sense of divine wrath. But the foibles and vanities of that early period of life diverted my attention till maturer years, when I had very serious impressions from time to time. Especially, when attending the solemn administration of the Lord's Supper, I often felt painful sensations at the thought of being an uninterested spectator of that sacred institution; and was led to reflect on the more awful separation, which might, ere long, sever me eternally from all the righteous. Yet, by intermixing with the giddy crowd, I foolishly procrastinated the all-important concerns of my immortal soul.

Three years ago, on a visit at Nfinding my young associates much engaged in the exalted pursuit of religion, my fears were revived; and for months after my return, I experienced distressing anxiety on account of my deplorable situation. But there being a general declension of religion in the place where I then resided, I felt a degrading diffidence in conversing on that sublime and noble subject. In company with my gay associates, I appeared with my usual vivacity, and presumptuously covered the inward struggles of a guilty conscience with the deceitful smile of complacency. No wonder, then, that a heart-searching God should, in anger, withdraw the strivings of his Holy Spirit, and leave me to hardness of heart and blindness of mind.

I soon considered my situation less dangerous than I had formerly supposed it to be; and upon reviewing my past life, was ready to believe, that my uniform morality and friendly benevolence, as I then blindly considered it, indicated a heart at peace with God. I therefore concluded, that perseverance in attending public worship, kindness to the poor, and faithfulness in my employment, as a teacher, would induce the infinite Jehovah to exercise mercy toward me.

While residing in this place, I received a letter from the minister of a town where I had before resided, in which he observed, that the degeneracy of the people of Bwas truly lamentable; that their depravity, infidelity, and heaven-daring wickedness had become a subject of lamentation to the friends of Zion. He also observed, that he thanked God I was with them, to lead the dear young people in the ways of piety and virtue. This expression struck me very forcibly, and led me to reflect on my unworthiness and insufficiency to teach them that, with which I had reason to fear I was myself unacquainted.

About thanksgiving time, being invited to attend a ball, I declined, partly from a disrelish for such amusements, which I had found unsatisfying, and partly from a desire to secure my respectability with the more serious and influen tial people, who were much opposed to scenes of juvenile hilarity. The same afternoon a meeting was appointed for the examination of candidates for church membership. Just as I was prepared to attend this meeting, a request was brought me, to step into the house of a near neighbour. His lady was preparing for the ball. She immediately expressed her sorrow, that I was not going to be her company, and observed, that she hoped those christian friends were no hindrance. Feeling somewhat piqued at her thinking me overawed by the fear of others, I at once defied the whole fraternity of christians to prevent my going, had inclination prompted; but remarked, that by reason of bad health, I had long felt indifferent to such scenes of merriment, although I considered them perfectly innocent. At this remark, I felt such a sting of conscience, that I hastily withdrew. As soon as I came into the street, I exclaimed aloud against my folly, which led me to sell my soul for the good opinion of dust and ashes.

I went immediately to the meeting, where I found a solemn collection of people. After prayer, a Miss Hrelated what God had done for her soul. I was much affected. But on her mentioning the load of sin and guilt that weighed down her spirits under conviction, I almost blushed for her, lest she had committed some black crimes, though her good name had escaped untarnished. Yes, Í secretly thanked God, that, though conscious of my impenitence, I was not like that wicked "publican."

On the evening of the same day, the faithful servants of the Lord assembled, for the purpose of imploring mercy for the thoughtless multitude, who were ingeniously contriving to cheer their way to hell by sinful merriment. I did not attend the prayer-meeting; but the next Sabbath evening I heard a gentleman relate the surprising effect it had on him. He observed, that he seldom attended evening meetings; but for the novelty of hearing what could be said on so simple an occasion as a "frolic," he at that time attended; and was exceedingly solemnized in hearing the fervent prayers of the pious supplicants for those who were engaged as he had often been in earlier life. The impression sunk deep in his mind, that if this was a sinful diversion, he was a sinner indeed. He continued thoughtful through the next day. His secret sins, by the divine agency, were unveiled to his view in all their dismal forms. Sleep departed from his eyes, and slumber from his eyelids. A weight of guilt oppressed him to such a degree, that he felt as though it were impossible for him to arise, or even to turn himself in bed. But a glorious view of Immanuel's character was presented, and he was delivered from his bondage, and made to rejoice in the light and liberty of the blessed Gospel. Many, who had attended the ball, were present to hear him relate his experience, and appeared sensibly affected with the thought, that God had made their meeting for mirth the instrument of good, when they "meant not so, neither did their hearts think so." My sister, who had attended the ball, observed, that had she known at the time that prayers were ascending to God to save her from impending vengeance, her feet would have performed their office but poorly, and the enchanting viol would have lost its melody.

From this time I resolved to lay aside all my high notions of thinking myself something, when I was nothing; and to strive unremittingly to obtain an interest in the blood of the Lamb. I meditated on the foolishness of labouring, as I had long done, "for that which satisfieth not." I endeavoured to recall every thought which wandered from the great object in view, and to look into my heart, and discern, if possible, whether any good seed remained there, which I might cherish and bring forward, to recommend me to God. I resolved not to spare myself, but to review