latent source of depravity in the heart? Some native and powerful aversion to that which is good? Can it be rationally accounted for upon any other principle? To this corrupt fountain all the impure streams are to be traced. It is this which disqualifies the soul for the service. and enjoyment of God. It is this which deadens all the sensibilities of the soul, and renders it easy in sin. Let me beseech you, my dear young friends, to embrace the Saviour, before the door of mercy is forever shut. Listen, O listen to this exhortation; it may be the last which I may have opportunity to give, or some of you to hear. Should I be spared to address you again, I propose in my next to enter upon the nature and effects of depravity. Affectionately yours, for Christ's sake, T. B. Solemn is the thought, that he was not spared to complete this series of letters; nor to make any addition to this introduction. It is therefore to the youth, a voice from the grave; from the world of spirits; it is the voice of God addressing them, and urging on them, in the most serious manner, the everlasting concerns of their souls. Extracts from Letters to DR. GANO, of Providence, Rhode Island. My dear Brother, APRIL 4, 1805. I rejoice to hear that your health is improving. I hope the Lord has much service for you yet to perform, and that your latter end may be more blessed than your beginning. But this much we know, that as we have stepped forward into old age, we can never retrograde, so as to become young again. It would be highly improper to repine at this circumstance. To act our part well on the stage of life, and approve ourselves to God, must be our highest aim. The Lord make us faithful unto death, and we are assured he will give us a crown of life. The ill turns that we have so often experienced, should remind us, that we are mortal, and that our earthly house must shortly be dissolved. But may we not say, with some degree of comfort, we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The Lord pre pare us to meet there, to part no more. This will be handed you by our valued friend, Mr. Boardman. You will be pleased with him, He appears to possess a large share of the missionary spirit, and I think will do I am sure. honor to the cause of missions. 1 have no doubt but you will show him every facility in your power, to aid in the good work in which he is engaged. You will find him respectable both as a scholar and as a preacher. I remain with unabated affection, Your old friend and brother in Christ. Rev. Dr. GANO. T. B. JUNE 25, 1805. My dear sympathising Brother, Last evening I received your very affectionate letter, and although I did not in the least doubt of your sympathetic condolence, yet the tender manner in which you were led to communicate your feelings, was peculiarly consol ing. In afflictions, as in all other things, we learn but by experience. In approaching the furnace which you mention, we often have our fears alarmed, but in it, we as often find one with us, whose form is like the Son of God. The scene through which I have been called to pass of late, has been uncommonly trying. In a letter which I conclude you had not received when you wrote last, as you did not mention it, I believe I gave you some account of the ill ness of my son. But I have been so confused that I can scarcely tell what I wrote. On Wednesday, the 5th of June, was the first of our knowing him to be unwell. At evening we sent for a physician. His complaint was supposed to be a rupture of the bowels. On Thursday further attempts were made by putting him into a hot bath, and applying ice to the part affected at the same time, but all in vain. These and other attempts were repeated, without success, until Friday night, when it was concluded that nothing more could be done but an operation of the knife. He consented. On Saturday, eight physicians assembled, and at eleven o'clock, commenced their dreadful operation, which was not completed until half past three. For nearly two hours, I expected momently to be informed that he had died in the operation; or, that they had given him up to die, without any prospect of helping him. But with much difficulty they succeeded at last. After the wound was dressed, he appeared as comfortable as could be expected. He continued so until Thursday night. On Friday morning I perceived symptoms of the fatal disorder which terminated his life. My hopes all seemed to wither away. The spasms of the jaw appeared some time before they became universal. But they continued to increase until nature could no longer resist, and on Saturday, at half past six o'clock, P. M. he expired. But there is another inquiry, I know my good brother is anxious to make. "How was the state of his mind?" I had not the least gleamn of hope for him until about an hour and a half before he died. But glory to God, I have reason to hope, that like the repenting thief, he was brought to be a true penitent, and to embrace the mercy of God, as proclaimed in the gospel, He appeared calm and resigned; he begged me not to mourn, for he said he could trust his soul in the hands of that God, who is able to do all things for him. A tender mother and sisters agonizing in another chamber! Good God! what a scene! I stood by him until he expired, and tried to compose my weeping family. Mrs. B. still remains unwell, but I hope she is mending. On Monday, the dear remains were committed to the tomb. My friends have given me abundant proof of their love on this trying occasion. Thus you see I have mercies mingled with my afflictions. During this uncommonly trying scene, if I have not been deceived, though I have felt all the father, yet I hope I have felt something of the Christian temper. Do pray for me, and for my dear family, that it |