than ordinary offence; deeming it, and justly, the most likely method, to impress her mind with a sense of the evil of sin, as hateful to God; and to deter

among us. The writer would take this opportunity, to recommend Dr. Cotton Mather's advice to parents, in his "Essays to do good," as eminently calculated to quicken their diligence, in the performance of their baptismal engagements.

As an encouragement to parents to pursue the course recommended by Dr. Mather, it should be added, that of his numerous family, fifteen in number, he lived to see nearly, if not quite, the whole, "walking in the truth."

The following testimony to the value of the "Essays" from the pen of Dr. Franklin will doubtless be considered of ne ordinary weight. It is contained in a letter from him to a son of the author, dated Passy, (in France) Nov. 10, 1779. When I was a boy, I met with a book, entitled "Essays to do good," which I think was written by your father. It had been so little regarded by its former possessor, that several leaves of it were torn out: but the remainder gave me such a turn of thinking, as to have an influence on my conduct through life; for I have always set a greater value on the character of a doer of good, than any other kind of reputation; and if I have been, as you seem to think, a useful citizen, the public owes the advantage of it to that book.”—Dr. Franklin's Works, Vol. iii. page 478.

her from disobedience in future. Being however, a child of wrath even as others; the service was generally irksome; and sometimes, altogether neglected: the moments appropriated, and professedly devoted to it, being otherwise employed. Her disposition, at this period, was like that of most of her age, inconsiderate and volatile, needing continual vigilance, and restraint. When about seven years old, her attention was much awakened, by a sermon of Dr. Cotton Mather. He preached by exchange, in the Old South church, from Jeremiah xxiii. 29, "Is not my word like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces ?" In the course of the sermon, the doctor, after a solemn pause, which produced a breathless silence through the whole assembly; enquired in a voice louder than his usual tone-"Is there any one present who has a heart like a rock?" Then, after pausing again, as if waiting an answer, he added, "if there is, God has a mighty hammer to break it in pieces:" Her mind, which had before been "wandering with the eyes of the fool to the ends of the earth;" was now fixed upon the

venerable preacher; and remained so, through the rest of the service. She left the sanctuary, and retired to her chamber, with emotions, till then unknown. Their continuance however,

The child was frightened," perhaps a reader may say, "but fear is not religion," True, as the event in this instance proved. Fear, however, may, through the blessing of God, be made subservient to religion'; and it has been, in innumerable instances. There are those who can be moved by nothing else, but a sense of danger an apprehension of impending wrath. Such, Paul, and his fellow apostles, did not hesitate to persuade by the terrors of the Lord: that is, to set before, and press upon them, those alarming considerations, which were calculated to disturb their carnal security; and excite them" to flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them."

The remark which we sometimes hear that mankind cannot be driven to heaven; is in one sense true, and in another, the sense usually intended, false. It is true that none will ever be admitted to heaven, who are not primarily influenced, in their obedience to the laws of Christ, by a principle of love. But it is false, that a dread and apprehension of " the wrath to come," is never the originating cause of that anxiety and distress, which generally precede, and issue in, the exercise of genuine love. Speculation, however, on this subject, it idle, "To the law and the testimony."

was short. Her heart though smitten, was not broken in pieces. It was "a heart of stone"-a rock, still. The fears

Read the Prophets -Hear the commission of Christ to his apostles-a commission from its very nature, and from the promise with which it was accompanied ;-" Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world," extending to their successors, even the ordinary ministers of the Gospel, in every age.-Examine the discourses of Christ himself. Listen to his Parables; that for instance, of the Net-of the Virgins of the Tares-of the Supperof the rich man and Lazarus, to particularize no more. Then cast your eye upon the page which contains his account of the final judgment—and nothing more will be necessary to convince you, that what is often denominated by way of reproach, preaching terror, is sanctioned by the highest of all authority.

Let me not, however, be thought to justify an injudicious, or disproportionate use of the threatnings of the Scriptures. Much less to intimate, that those threatnings have any efficacy in themselves, upon the hearts of men. The Spirit of God, must attend them, or they will be powerless. And that Spirit is equally necessary, to induce a compliance with the invitations of the Gospel. Mankind can no more be drawn, than driven, to heaven; as our Lord has himself declared, without the Father the efficient influences of his Holy Spirit.

which had been excited within her, gradually died away; and in a few weeks, her accustomed gaiety was resumed. Not however, without occasional interruptions, for several months after, especially in violent storms: when the question which first aroused, would recur to her mind; and conspire with. the war of the elements, to bring her on her knees before God. From this period, to her sixteenth year, she was the subject of frequent convictions of sin; which finally issued, in what was then supposed, by herself, and her Christian friends, a saving conversion to God. Shortly after, she made a public profession of her faith and united herself with the South church,* Feb. 8th, 1736.. But, "all are not Israel, who are of Israel." The world was still her idol; the love of self her ruling passion; and she soon relapsed into a state of great stupidity and sloth; doing no more in fulfilment of her solemn covenant engagements, than was absolutely necessary to silence the reproaches of conscience, and preserve "a fair show in the flesh."

* So called at that time.