“I am often, even in this valley of darkness and ignorance, allowed this retrospective view; and am led to say not one word of all that he promised has failed.  ’Hitherto the Lord hath helped, he hath been the guide of my youth, and even unto hoar hairs will he lead me;’ and when he calls me to pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall even then fear no evil, for his rod and staff shall support me; and I shall enter into the presence of my Redeemer, white and clean, dressed in his most perfect righteousness; angels and saints shall know me in this glorious robe; my Redeemer will acknowledge me as his ransomed, and I shall be for ever with the Lord.”

To Mr. A.D., Edinburgh.

“NEW YORK, 1793.

“I have just been reading over my dear friend’s precious letters, and am refreshed anew by the same truths and uniform experience of every Christian; which all amounts to this, that the Lord is the portion of his people, and that whom he loves, he loves to the end.  My soul melts with tenderness when I recollect my fellow-travellers in the wilderness; those dear associates with whom I have so often taken sweet counsel; who so often comforted me with the same comforts with which they themselves were comforted.  I am also led to recollect some who have finished their warfare; some whose trials were sharp and long, but who, through the same grace in which we trust, were steadfast to the end; and now inherit a crown of life—­the reward of grace, not of debt.

“I rejoice to hear that your children are promising; I think it is the greatest comfort a parent can enjoy in this world.  I have a large share of it in my three daughters; but my prodigal is not come to himself; he still feeds on husks, nor thinks of the plenty in his Father’s house.  I had great hopes last winter; I heard he had been very ill in consequence of very severe treatment from his captain.  The Lord has been emptying him from vessel to vessel, and I have been waiting the issue; but mine eyes almost fail.  I have great hopes that God’s time of mercy will come.  I am also satisfied that it will be the best time; but still I cry, O how long?  My dear friends, I think I would recommend it to you to keep your children about you.  No other had ever the influence over him that I had; and I regret that I did not bring him with me.

“Our young Timothy, J.M., is a perfect champion for the gospel of Jesus; the Lord has well girded him and largely endowed him; he walks closely with God, and speaks and preaches like a Christian of long experience:  he was ordained about two months ago in his father’s church, and a few weeks after married a lady of eminent piety, and preached all the day, both the Sabbath before and after:  no levity, no novelty appeared in word or gesture, which is not always the case with the best at such times.  There is probably no church in New York whose discipline is as strict, nor one which has so many communicants.  He is reckoned a man of great talents and an orator; and many of even the idle and careless go to hear him.