be filthy still, and he that is holy, shall be holy still." How can we expect to feel settled peace, while our hearts are lusting after conformity to the world? May the dear saints come up out of the wilderness, and lean on the breast of their beloved. How gladly would he fold them in His arms and carry them in His bosom, for they are dead and their lives are hid with Christ in God. How safely can we venture our all on His promises, for He doth care for us. How barren and lean we go from day to day, when there is such a fullness of joy and peace appointed for us, if we but willingly consent to be transformed into the likeness of God's dear Son. It becomes the Saints of God "to be dilligent and make their calling and election sure, that they may be built up into their living head, and grow to the perfect stature of a man in Christ Jesus; and be fitly framed together, and be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness, and what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? If the fountain is corrupt, the waters that flow therefrom will be corrupt also;" for that reason we are to keep the heart with all diligence. Where the Spirit's influence urges us on to obedience, we should obey and not grieve the tender Spirit, that was sent into the world to reprove it of sin, I do not know what greater sin can be committed than to grieve the Spirit of God. For this reason the church, as well as the individual, first relapses into vice. When the Holy Spirit is not owned and received as the whole power and life of the Gospel, no marvel that Christians have no more the Gospel virtues, which were intended by our union with God. . "Eye hath not seen nor ears heard what joys there is laid up for those that love God." There is a crown laid up that the righteous Judge will give all those that love His appearing. Then turn not away from the holy warnings of that blessed comforter, and be resolved that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ Jesus, our Lord. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, and be clothed in white raiment; because they keep my word, they shall be heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." What honor! What nearness! Oh free grace! Free mercy! Who will not rejoice in contemplation of such a prospect? Let me say to such as think their mountain strong. "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." "Keep thy heart with all dilligence for out of it are the issues of life." "The heart of man is deceitful about all things and desperately wicked, who can know it." Let it be proved by love to God and one another, not merely because we belong to the same sect, but because we behold our Saviour's likeness and drink into the same Spirit, and then will our fellowship be with the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. A thousand delightful thoughts spring up in our hearts, and; which cause us to adore Him for whose salvation we wait, therefore "fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Oh what a gift,-a kingdom! Not merely because you belong to the nominal church, but because your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life-Yes a kingdom too that is not of this world. The unregenerate know not the mysteries of the kingdom of God-neither can the unsanctified work the work of God. "What hast thou to do to declare My statute or My covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction and casteth My words behind thee." How often has my mind been led to meditate on the means by which the Gospel should be made beneficial to us! It was committed to earthen vessels, to go and preach. "My Gospel to all Nations, and lo! I am with you always." The Apostles went as they were commanded, and what did they receive? Stripes and imprisonment hunger and nakedness, and perils by sea and land, and some like their Master, of no certain dwelling place. They strove hard to show that they were no longer under the law; and when many signs and wonders were wrought, many believed on them, and they were gathered together and the Holy Ghost descended upon them and spake to be understood. They soon began to make merchandise of the Gospel. A certain sorcerer, a false Prophet, tried to turn them from the faith; but nothing could turn their steady feet aside." And to their tempter was said, "O full of all subtility and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" It is to be feared now, as well as in the Apostles' days, that many preach for doctrine, the commandments of men, not laying aside their own tradition. What a contrast between the true and false shephards. One will jeopard his life and all ease and comfort, for those under his care, and those are all the Saints, he comes in connection with, or even those of whom he but hears. Like their Master lay down their lives for their sake, or for the flock of God. This is the way with them to manifest their love to God and one another. And when they feel the woe resting upon them, they forget to inquire what shall we eat, or what shall I drink. Godliness is all their gain. "They despise all earthly treasures, How great the contrast! While we behold some craving for nothing but the fleece, who appear to think that gain is Godliness, and like Eli's sons, thrust the hook into the seething pan or cauldron, and draw from thence the sodden flesh, saying:-"We will have it." Seemeth it a small thing unto you. Oh ye shepherds! to have eaten up the good pasture, and trodden down the residue with your feet? As for my flock, they drink the water they have fouled with their feet. A wonderful thing is committed in the land saith the Lord: "The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so." How easy it is for the children of God to be led astray by false teachers! Our Great Head and Shepherd has declared that many had gone out into the world in that day; and is there any less now? He saith,-"My sheep hear my voice and they follow me; but a stranger they will not follow." How careful we should be in proving them to see what manner of Spirit they possess? For if the blind, lead the blind, how true it is-what shall befall them. Can we not easily see, that the church is in a fallen state, and cannot discern between truth and error; in consequence of the thick mist of darkness, which is spread out over them :-for "If the light in us be darkness, how great is the darkness?" Therefore, the true Gospel is not owned, and received in its whole power and life, which were intended by our union with our head. My heart is pained, many times, when I see those so desirous to feed on those they feed. Oh Lord look down with pity upon such as are so unfortuate as to be under the care of such instructors! I have thus given a short account of what God in his mercy has done for me, sincerely hoping, that such of my views and principles as are according to the scriptures of truth, may find a place in the hearts of God's people; though sown in much weakness. May we ever strive to bring every proud and selfish desire into sweet conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father! I conclude by making the following inquiry: "Is the worship of any person or persons acceptable to God, but that of the saints, and are they justifiable, who by their doctrine, or by their conduct, contribute to, or encourage the worship of any, that are not manifestly saints?" NOTE BY THE EDITOR. The Authoress of the foregoing Autobiography, when she intrusted to me her manuscript, expressed a wish, that a concise notice of her life, from the time she ceased to write upon that subject up to the time of her decease, should be added, and signified, that, should I be in a condition, to do so much in remembrance of her, she hoped that I would do it. As she, in her own work now prepared for friends, and all such as take an interest in the cause she advocated, has made so full developments of her native characteristics, her "Ruling Passsion," but little remains to be done, to close up the record of her somewhat extensively useful, and always exemplary life. Beneficent, conciliatory, and forbearing, almost all with whom she formed an acquaintance were her friends. Industrious by habit, and economical from choice, her house was well kept, and her pantry abounded in the necessaries, and moderate luxuries, of a rational subsistence; to the unstinted use of which, all her household were freely, and cordially invited; and her satisfaction was only complete, when the members of her household, all, and her neighbors as well, partook of, and enjoyed them also. Children worshipped at her altar, and luxuriated in her approving smiles; she was ever active in doing good. From the first, to the close of her residence in Lenox, she was an undeviating, and consistent advocate, and supporter, of every social and moral movement, having for its object, the civilizing, and christianizing, or the ameliorating of the condition of the entire human family; at all times and |