“APRIL 25.

“The wind roars and howls in my windows, though not facing the storm, and the white waves in the river picture in my mind the foaming billows of the ocean.  The name of our God is my consolation:  ’though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof, there is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.  God shall help her, and that right early.’  When I walk about Zion, and go round about her, when I tell the towers thereof, mark her bulwarks, and consider her palaces, my heart rejoices that ’this God is our God; he will be our guide even unto death; and O the joy that my children are the citizens of this Zion, and the heirs of all the promises by virtue of the new testament in Christ’s blood.  A covenant of works it was to our Surety, and his heart’s blood finished the requisites of it.  It is now a testament to you, sealed by the same blood.  Wherever in his word I meet the character, the providence, the work of God, I read my own and my children’s interest.  I hope your experience shall be in Psalm 107:28.  If not wholly, it shall terminate in Psalm 23:4.  Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you shall fear no evil, for this God, who is your guide even unto death, shall be with you, his rod and staff shall comfort you; and our darling Jessy he shall carry as a lamb in his arms, and hide her from the horrors, in his bosom.  I dwell much on these subjects, and I feel comforted, whatever be the event.

“If the Lord has carried you safe through, and you live to read this in the body, know that our God continues to bless us abundantly in health, peace, and plenty, as to temporals; we also experience the peace of his covenant, and have tastes of the bread and of the water of life.  Thanks, all thanks to our new covenant Head for the stability of the covenant; we change, but he changeth not.  He himself is the covenant given to the people, and because he lives, his people shall live also, in spite of Satan and his colleague sin in our hearts:  sin may, and does bring his people into captivity, but it shall not keep them in bondage for ever.  The time of deliverance shall come, when they shall revive as the corn.  Oh, is it not a well-ordered covenant, and sure?”

Her next letter gives an illustration of fidelity in a difficult, and, it is to be feared, much-neglected duty.

“MAY 10, 1801.

“MY DEAR CHILDREN—­Last evening was preparation sermon.  Mr. Y——­ preached a very excellent sermon from the Song of Solomon, ’Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?’ First the wilderness of this world, next the church coming up, then the attitude leaning, and on whom; I thought the simile well supported, and practical, as he went on.  His application was rich on the Christian’s support, where he brought into view many of the names of Christ.