before you.  The Scriptures furnish abundant matter for self-examination.  Bring the exercises of your heart, and the conduct of your life, to this unerring standard.  You will also find much assistance in this exercise by the use of the following tracts, published by the American Tract Society:—­No. 21, entitled “A Closet Companion;” No. 146, entitled “Helps to Self-Examination;” and No. 165, entitled “True and False Conversions Distinguished;” and likewise from a little work entitled “Are you a Christian?” by Rev. Hubbard Winslow.  You have also probably noticed several chapters in Doddridge’s Rise and Progress, admirably adapted to this object.  I mention these, because it is advantageous frequently to vary the exercise.  The subject of true and false conversion is continually undergoing discussion; and those who feel truly anxious to know the foundations upon which they rest will not fail to avail themselves of every approved treatise on the subject.  But, above all, study the Bible diligently and prayerfully, for the purpose of ascertaining the genuine marks of saving grace; take time to perform the work of self-examination thoroughly, bringing to your aid all the information you can obtain from these sources—­varying the exercise, at different times, that it may not become superficial and formal.

I have also prepared some questions for this purpose, which you will find below.  In these questions, I have not aimed at covering the whole ground of Christian experience, so much as to bring before the mind, in connection, some of the most prominent passages of Scripture relating to the evidences of Christian character.  Nor have I taken particular pains to prevent the questions from involving each other; as we may detect our deficiencies on the same points the more readily by having them held up in a variety of views.  The chief design of these questions will be lost, if you do not examine the passages of Scripture referred to.  Some of the traits of character here presented may not be certain evidence of piety; while, in other cases, a person may be a Christian while possessing the graces mentioned in a much less degree than they are here represented.  It is not necessary, where time is limited, to go through the whole of these questions at once; and probably in most cases it will be found more edifying to take up a portion of them at a time.

AM I A CHRISTIAN?

1. Let me examine as to my views of Sin. Have I beheld sin with an abhorrence far greater than the delight it ever gave me?  Has that abhorrence arisen from an apprehension of the evil consequences to which it has exposed me, or of its odious nature, and its exceeding sinfulness as committed against God?  Ps. 51:4.  Isa. 1:2-4.  Have I had a full apprehension of my own exceeding sinfulness?  Ps. 51:4.  Isa. 1:5, 6.  Eph. 2:1-3.  Have I felt my sins to be an insupportable burden?  Ps. 38:2-7.  Have I ceased attempting to justify