diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 45317-0.txt | 4003 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 45317-h/45317-h.htm | 5775 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 45317-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26715 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 45317-h/images/margaret.png | bin | 0 -> 82035 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-8.txt | 4398 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 97842 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 207888 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-h/45317-h.htm | 6196 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26715 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317-h/images/margaret.png | bin | 0 -> 82035 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317.txt | 4398 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/45317.zip | bin | 0 -> 97817 bytes |
15 files changed, 24786 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/45317-0.txt b/45317-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50140f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/45317-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4003 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45317 *** + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by + =equal signs=. + + Small uppercase have been replaced with regular uppercase. + + Characters after a carat are superscripts. + + Blank pages have been eliminated. + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the + original. + + A few typographical errors have been corrected. + + + + [Illustration: + _Painted by Robinson._ _Eng^{d.} by J. Sartain_] + + + + + A + + MEMORIAL + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + IN TWO PARTS. + + + PART I. MEMOIR, AND FUNERAL SERMON. + PART II. LETTERS TO HER SURVIVING CHILDREN. + + + PHILADELPHIA: + WILLIAM S. MARTIEN. + 1839. + + + + +Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by + +WILLIAM S. MARTIEN, + +in the office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PART I. + + _Page._ + + INTRODUCTION, 13 + + + CHAPTER I. + + Life of Mrs. Breckinridge, 17 + + + CHAPTER II. + + Additional Illustrations of the Life and Character of Mrs. + Breckinridge, 35 + + Her Religious Character, 42 + + Her dedication to the work of Foreign Missions, 46 + + Her Sacrifices for the Church of God, 47 + + Her Last Sickness and Death, 54 + + + CHAPTER III. + + Closing Reflections, 61 + + + SUBMISSION: + + A SERMON--by the Rev. A. Alexander, D.D. 69 + + + PART II. + + LETTERS OF A GRANDFATHER. + + + LETTER I. + + Introductory, 5 + + + LETTER II. + + Human Nature, 10 + + + LETTER III. + + The Way of Salvation, 17 + + + LETTER IV. + + The Bible, 29 + + + LETTER V. + + Prayer, 37 + + + LETTER VI. + + Cultivation of the Mind, 45 + + + LETTER VII. + + Cultivation of the Heart and the Moral Habits, 67 + + + LETTER VIII. + + Manners, 87 + + + + + A + + MEMOIR + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + "Jesus wept." + + + PART I. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +MORE than a year has now passed since Mrs. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE, the +beloved subject of the following brief notices, was taken from us into +the saints' everlasting rest. By that event, the little family of which +she was the joy and crown, was dissolved. The surviving parent felt that +God had committed to him the interesting but mournful duty of preserving +the memory of so inestimable a friend. But it is long after such an +event, before the mind is sufficiently tranquil to utter our thoughts +and feelings without excess. The peaceable fruits of so dreadful a +chastisement succeed, alas! but slowly in our intractable hearts, to the +distraction of grief, and the desolation of the grave. + +It was in the midst of the deepest of his sorrow, also, that the writer +was hastened (by a very kind Providence, as he now sees it to have been) +into the active duties of an office which left no rest for body or mind +during almost an entire year. So that if his feelings had allowed the +attempt at preparing a Memoir, his duty to the Church of God forbade it. + +In these trying and peculiar circumstances, he was permitted to call in +the aid of those honoured and venerable Friends, from whose hands, in a +happier day, he had received the lovely wife of his youth. They of all +others knew her best, especially from her birth to her marriage. They +had done most, under God, to fit her for life's duties, and its close; +and to make her "worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance." And none +were judged to be so well qualified to do justice to her memory. To the +one we are indebted for the following interesting Sketch, making the +first chapter. To the other for the valuable Letters to her surviving +children, forming the second part of this memorial. + +While all must admire the delicacy and candour with which this sketch is +drawn, it is evident to those who knew the deceased, that much remains +to be said which ought not to be omitted--especially in regard to that +portion of her life, embracing more than fifteen years, which passed +between the time of leaving the parental roof, and her lamented death. +In attempting to supply this omission, the writer felt the +inconvenience--even awkwardness of returning upon a narrative which +seemed to have been brought to an appropriate close. But this was +thought preferable to leaving the memoir incomplete; or to breaking the +thread of the narrative given in the first chapter. + +And moreover it was felt that the design of the work which called for +the additional chapters, dispensed with form in the manner of +furnishing them. It is intended to preserve the memory of the beloved +dead for her bereaved children, and her numerous kindred and friends, +rather than to unveil her retiring character to the public eye. The work +being designed, not so much for general circulation as for family use, +is rather _printed_, than _published_; and all its imperfections will +readily be overlooked by those who will come to these pages, as Mary +went to the tomb of Lazarus--"to weep there." + + + + +MEMOIR. + + +CHAPTER I. + +A NARRATIVE of the life of our departed friends, bears some resemblance +to the representation, on canvass, of their persons and features; it +serves to restore and collect our scattered thoughts, and revive our +affections; and prevents the hand of time from obliterating entirely, +their peculiar mental and moral lineaments. + +It was in consequence of the necessity of this help to our natural +infirmities, that our Lord gave to his people the bread and wine, as a +symbol of his body and blood, and said, "Do this in remembrance of me." +He knew too well our careless, wandering hearts, to trust the +recollections, even of _his_ great and lovely character, to our +unfaithful keeping, and established, as a help to his word, the +ordinance which was to continue unto the end of the world, "as a +memorial of him." And we trust that his people are permitted to +endeavour to perpetuate the remembrance of each other by means, which, +however they may come greatly short of the significant emblem ordained +by himself, will assist in enabling them "to love one another as he also +loved them." + +In view of this encouragement, given us in the Scriptures of +inspiration, we would endeavour to bring together, and exhibit, in the +history of the short life of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, some of those +graces of a Christian character, which lead us to hope that the finger +of the Lord had engraven his name on her heart, and that his grace was +carrying on the work, notwithstanding much infirmity of flesh and +spirit, until the body of sin and death within her was rolled away, and +a simple, undivided hold taken on the Rock of ages. + +She was born September 29th, 1802, in New York, and educated for several +years under the immediate instruction of the sanctuary, in a +comparatively pure state of the Church, when the name and influence of a +few such venerable and holy men as the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, had thrown +a restraint on the vices of the world around them, as well as on the +constantly recurring disorders of the Church, so that the very vagrants +of the street felt their presence.[1] Every pastor of a flock of Jesus +Christ seemed to feel it his privilege, as well as his duty, to feed the +lambs of his flock himself, and did not commit them to the ever-varying, +heterogeneous instruction of others. The Scriptures, and the Catechism, +it was his own business to inculcate; and the same afternoon in each +week, had been for many years, in several of the churches of the city, +of various denominations, the season for this instruction. + + [1] The appearance of these servants of God, in any part of the + city, seemed to make "iniquity hide its head," and was often the + means of dispersing an idle, youthful group, in which profanity and + disorder were beginning their destructive career. Through their + influence, in a great measure, the Sabbath was, at least + externally, a holy day, on which the public ways exhibited no crowd + or bustle, but what was of necessity occasioned by a church-going + people. + +By these and other means, the Bible had taken a systematic form in +Margaret's mind, very early; and whenever she met, even in childhood, +with a scriptural scene or subject, she generally knew where to place +it, and was particularly animated by it. And this peculiar skill, and +taste, continued and increased until childhood passed away, and the +pride and enjoyment of life opened a new scene before her. + +For a time it seemed as if every vestige of the sensibility arising from +religious instruction would be swept away. She had friends who wished to +see her enjoying the _innocent_ pleasures of youth; especially as in +person and mind there was a promise of peculiar adaptation to them. And +there was a will of her own very clearly developing, which wanted more +restraint than parents are generally willing to exercise. Many +interpositions, however, in providence occurred, which, though sad in +the view of her family, proved a real deliverance to her--frequently +arresting her first decisive step in folly. + +At the age of eleven she was removed with her family to Princeton, in +consequence of a call which her father received, to a Professorship in +the Theological Seminary in that place. Being thus separated from many +snares incident to a city life, she began anew, as it were, to form +habits and connexions, which, although in some respects, more dangerous +and ensnaring than those which she had left, had not "grown with her +growth, and strengthened with her strength;" and were, on that account, +more ready to yield, when the follies of youth passed away, and the +solemnities of this world, in view of another, opened before her. + +The want of a good school in Princeton, induced her parents to send her, +at the age of about fourteen years, to Philadelphia, for the purpose of +obtaining for her some finish to the education which she had received at +home. She remained there nearly a year, residing with an aunt, and +attending a daily and well conducted school. Indeed it was _her_ +privilege, as well as the privilege of many others, to receive +instruction from a teacher, who not only was competent to every branch +of polite learning which adorns the mind of a female, but desirous of +having all which he taught so sanctified as to reach the heart, and be +made the means of communicating spiritual and saving, as well as +intellectual instruction.[2] + + [2] Many will probably have reason for everlasting rejoicing in the + kind arrangement which placed them under Mr. Jaudon's instruction. + He was truly "a man of God," and the effects of his wise and holy + instruction and discipline, we have no doubt are felt in the bosom + of many families, and in the hearts of many individuals in + Philadelphia, to this day, who will, we trust, be prepared to meet + him, where, having turned many to righteousness, "he shall shine as + a star for ever and ever." + +The immediate effect of this experiment was injurious to Margaret's +disposition and deportment. She returned to her parents with more love +for the world, and a better opinion of herself; and of consequence was +less docile. It was evident that the atmosphere of a city was not the +element in which her heart would receive the best influence. + +In a revival which took place in Princeton, when she was about eighteen +years of age, an interest was excited in some of her pious female +friends for her conversion. They concluded to make her the subject of +special prayer. Of this she was entirely ignorant, until the evidence +appeared in herself of the verity of the promise, as to the result of +"fervent, effectual prayer." A sermon of the celebrated President +Edwards, read in a small, social meeting, arrested her attention, and +brought her to continued, deep, serious thinking, which ended, as she +thought, in a new view of everlasting things. With all the sanguine +feelings of youth, she judged herself prepared to be united with the +Church; but owing to the unwillingness of her parents to risk the +possibility of a premature profession of religion, this step was +delayed. + +In connexion with this period of her life, it seems necessary to relate +some circumstances which took place with regard to a much loved sister +of hers; not many years younger than herself. They had been so closely +educated together, as to make them one in many of their views and +feelings. + +Elizabeth, in giving an account of the exercises of her own mind on the +subject of religion, some time after they took place, said, that she +experienced an irresistible feeling of contempt for the concern which +Margaret manifested, and concluded that she was indulging a mere +hypocritical affectation; in consequence of which she was beginning to +make some observations to this effect, when, in a moment, a deep +conviction fastened on her conscience, of the danger of resisting what +might prove to be the influence of the Holy Spirit. This impression +resulted in a real concern for herself, and in views equally solemn with +those expressed by Margaret. + +They both now made progress together in their inquiries and experience, +and were a mutual help, rather than a hinderance to each other. Both +soon thought that they had obtained an interest in "Him, whose blood +cleanseth from all sin." + +It appeared, however, soon after this, as if our fears with regard to +Margaret were but too well founded. "Because of manifold temptations," +she seemed to be taking a new hold on the world; but a state of things +about the same time, began with Elizabeth, which disciplined and humbled +her spirit; and she was soon enabled to realize all the insufficiency +and uncertainty of this world, as a portion. + +Many doubts with regard to the genuineness of the change which Elizabeth +trusted had taken place in her heart, increased by the weakness which +rapidly declining health had induced, perplexed and troubled her, and +made her more and more unwilling to make a profession of religion. She +had witnessed some of the extravagances of revivals, and felt the danger +of being deceived, and of "having a name to live whilst she was dead." + +In January, 1823, Margaret was married to the Rev. John Breckinridge, +and returned with him to Kentucky, his native State, in the spring of +the same year. In consequence of a call which her husband received, to a +church in Kentucky, (which he accepted,) they were soon after this +settled in Lexington. Her departure from her early home was her first +real trial. For although, through the course of several months, she had +taken a prospective view of this arrangement, with much buoyancy of +spirits, as the time approached, every circumstance connected with a +separation from all the associations of her childhood and youth, seemed +to produce a new and deeper impression, and seven or eight hundred miles +appeared at length, as almost an interminable space. The sadness which +irresistibly overspread her countenance, convinced her friends that +when, in view of Mr. Breckinridge's first destination, she had given +herself unreservedly to a foreign mission, she, like many others, little +knew her own heart, and all the sacrifices which such a destination +involved. And when it was seen expedient that this intention should be +relinquished by him, for a plan more eligible in the view of his fathers +in the ministry, a release from this more enduring trial, formed no +small part of the considerations which assisted in making her +submissively bow to one so much more lenient. And indeed, she had reason +to say, that goodness and mercy had followed her at every step. For this +very trial which sobered her countenance, made her heart better, and +prepared the way for deeper self-examination, and probably more fervent +prayer; and the result was, that with a trembling confidence she united +herself with her husband's church in Lexington, a few months after he +took charge of it. From her letters, after this event, we learned that +her connexion with the church took place at the same time--it is thought +on the same day--in which her sister Elizabeth, having been delivered +from the many doubts which had clouded _her_ mind, made a profession of +religion in the church in Princeton. This co-incidence in providence, +having occurred without any mutual intercourse or understanding on the +subject, seemed so consistent with the plans of Him who "sees the end +from the beginning," and who, from their first serious impressions, +appeared to have united the lines of their experience until they ended +in one gracious result, that it did much to confirm their friends in the +hope, that a good "work was begun in them which should be carried on." +They felt constrained to say, "It is the Lord's doings and wonderful in +our eyes." + +The kind and affectionate family in Kentucky, of which she now made one, +assisted much in alleviating the pressure of sorrowful recollections, +and in making the resolution which she had formed of "learning in +whatsoever state she was, therewith to be content," more practical, and +more enduring; and when Mr. Breckinridge was called to Baltimore in +1826, although she was pleased with the prospect of getting nearer to +her early home, she felt that a new tie had been formed which could not +be broken, even partially, without much pain. It was a source of much +grateful recollection to her, that she was not permitted to use any +undue influence to lead her husband away from his congregation in +Lexington, to which she was indebted in so considerable a degree, for +the pleasant circumstances which surrounded her. + +Her health was remarkably firm, especially for one of her delicate +appearance, for several years after her marriage, and during all the +time that her husband had a settled charge. In Baltimore, to which he +removed from Lexington, she seemed to realize with much gratitude, the +particularly pleasant circumstances in which her family was placed. +Situated on the direct way between her husband's relatives, endeared to +her by so many pleasant recollections, and the family of her youth, with +both of which she could have frequent intercourse, and in the midst of a +kind circle of friends, not limited by the bounds of Mr. Breckinridge's +congregation, she was literally at home; and when the summons came to +call him to another sphere of labour in the Church, she was the last to +be persuaded that it was his duty to obey it, and reluctantly yielded to +the opinion of those whose judgment she honoured. + +From this time she may truly be said to have been a sacrifice to the +interests of the Church. The unsettling of her domestic duties and +habits, to which her temperament was particularly adapted, was, +probably, directly and indirectly at the foundation of those causes, +which gradually but too surely undermined her health, and prepared her +for a premature grave. Her last change of residence, which placed her in +Princeton by the side of her paternal family, and amongst many of her +youthful associates, seemed to her to fill up the measure, as it +regarded this world, of that providential goodness "which had followed +her all the days of her life;" and she said, not long after it took +place, with a humility which was in itself an evidence of her gracious +state, "I think, in view of all my mercies, there is a thankfulness +experienced which is not the natural growth of my own heart." To us who +remain it is given to see, that these unusual comforts were mercifully +intended to soothe the infirmities of a rapidly dissolving body, and +soften the approach of the last and most formidable enemy. + +Several attacks of disease in the course of two years, which threatened +to be immediately fatal, were, by the aid of skilful medical treatment, +happily arrested, but not until their baleful effect had fastened on her +feeble body, and each had left her "more a prey for death." And it was a +cause of much thankfulness to her friends, that instead of one of those +unexpected instant departures, which so frequently occur, and which in +her case it was often feared would take place, the approach of death was +gradual and mild, so as to involve no pain, and but little surprise. + +The simplicity of her character appeared through all her last days, +especially after she ascertained that her end was not far off. Her +words were few, because she studied to utter none but "the words of +truth and soberness;" she seemed to feel that there _might be_ a parade +even in dying. + +After a short conversation in her room a day or two before she departed, +on the subject of the unprofitableness of our best works, which we found +had deeply exercised her mind, she remarked with much emotion, a tear +starting to her eye, "I feel the truth of these remarks;" but, after a +pause, she said, "I have _tried_ to do my duty as a wife and as a +mother; I have _endeavoured_ to conduct the affairs of my family with +discretion, and to instruct my children in the best things." She +evidently clung to this as an evidence of grace, (and not at all as a +cause of acceptance with God,) and as affording some hope for her +children, when relied on in view of the promises of Him who says, that +if this precious seed is sowed, grace shall insure the crop. + +Her Sabbath evenings, after the good old way of our puritan fathers, saw +her with all her household, over whom she had any authority, gathered +around her for the purpose of giving them that instruction which, with +the promised blessing, would save them from the paths of sin and folly +in this world, and prepare them for enjoying the blessedness of another. +And through the distractions of an unsettled life, and the hinderances +experienced in a large boarding house, in which several winters were +spent with her family, she persevered as far as possible, in the +instruction of both children and servants in the week and on the +Sabbath, with a determination which both she and her friends thought had +shortened her life. + +In view of this peculiar faithfulness to her domestic duties, we are the +more willing to offer an apology for what appeared to some of her +friends, an indifference to various extra means; which in these last +times have been esteemed needful for the awakening of a slumbering +church. + +When her mind began to open to this subject, the glory of our revivals +was beginning to be tarnished. "The enemy had begun to sow his tares." +The extravagance which so frequently attended them, had produced in her +no little disgust for what she thought the mere machinery of religion. +In such circumstances, it is difficult to "choose the good, and refuse +the evil." The cast of her mind was such, that parade in any thing, and +especially in the vital concerns, in which is involved our everlasting +destiny, irresistibly revolted her mind. And the errors in principle and +in practice, which had been by these means insinuated into, and +corrupted the legitimate and professed doctrines and ordinances of the +Presbyterian Church, greatly impaired her confidence in what many good +people esteemed genuine revivals of religion. Subsequent events have +abundantly confirmed the wisdom of her early and deep distrust. + +After her constitution had been tried with another violent and unusual +attack, in March, 1838, which prostrated nearly all her remaining +strength in a few hours, it was evident to many of her friends, that +recovery was no longer to be expected. Every means, however, were made +use of, that might in any way prove salutary; many of which, as has +often occurred, were rather injurious than beneficial. As a last +resource, a journey was commenced, for the purpose of trying the Springs +of Virginia, so highly recommended to invalids. She was not permitted, +however, to go beyond Philadelphia. Her physicians there, judging so +long a journey very hazardous, gently arrested it, by proposing a delay +of a few days; thus endeavouring to obviate the effects of any +disappointment which she might experience. Her own views seemed, +spontaneously, to meet theirs, and a quiet acquiescence was every day +more manifest. After a consultation of physicians, in which they agreed +that an effort might be safely made for her return to Princeton, the +sweet complacency with which she said to a very kind friend, who was +visiting her, "I am going home to-morrow," encouraged a hope that she +had realized her danger; and that _her_ will was gradually moulding to +the Divine will, and she preparing for a far better home. + +It appeared as if she was permitted to get thus far on her journey, in +order to gratify the feelings, and experience the renewed kindness of +friends, whom her husband had attached to his family, from his +temporary labours amongst them. The attention of these, and indeed many +others, whom their interesting circumstances were a means of winning to +them, is deeply felt in the family circle, of which she was a beloved +member; and which will continue to be felt, as long as her memory shall +be cherished amongst them. + +It was with difficulty that she was removed to her own residence at +Princeton, a few days before she died, fully sensible that her departure +was not far off. One of her anxious friends, wishing to be more +satisfied of this, said: "You know, my dear Margaret, how ill you are?" +A most emphatic "O yes," silenced every remaining doubt. + +The day before she died, the conversation leading to the subject of +death, she said, "I am only afraid of the article of death: I know that +when this is over, I shall be in Jesus' arms." From one, so slow to +speak, these were encouraging words. + +A few hours after this, she awoke from a light sleep, with that sort of +bewildered spirit, which is frequently experienced under circumstances +of so much weakness, especially when accompanied with, perhaps, the +effects of an opiate, and repealed the _name_ of a person, with which +she had been familiar in her childhood. She observed, "what easy words!" +Some one present remarked--there are words equally easy. She said, "tell +me some." Upon being referred to a Psalm which had been spoken of the +day before, she commenced, as having found something exceedingly +pleasant--"The Lord is my shepherd"--and continued to the end of this +short and interesting portion of the Word of God, in a tone of sweetness +and solemnity, which impressed every one present, adding her testimony +to the sweetness of the words. It appeared as if, while the world was +fast receding, her character was rapidly finishing in the mould of this +precious Word. + +Reason was continued to her until the last departing moment, when, after +a violent but short struggle, which seemed to arrest every mental +exercise, except that which led her spirit immediately to "Him who takes +away the sting of death," the freshness of former years was restored to +her complexion, which had been, for some months, suffused with +feverishness, and marked with suffering, and a calm and solemn composure +settled on her countenance, appearing full of meaning, which persuaded +those who were around her, that she had some communication to make. But +her mouth was sealed, and her hand could no longer effect the gentlest +pressure. We were left to conclude, that when in her agony she had +cried--"Come, Lord Jesus--come quickly;"--"Lord Jesus receive my +spirit," "she was heard, in that she asked;" and the freshness of +everlasting youth, casting one parting ray upon her mortal countenance, +had passed upon her, and "she had gone to be forever with the Lord." + +"She being dead yet speaketh," and speaks, especially, to all who yet +live of her youthful associates. Many of them are, as she was, called to +sustain the character of wife and mother, and their history in its +prominent features, most probably resembles hers. Her course was marked +with much failure in duty, over which she mourned, and, in view of which +she seemed deeply humbled. She once said--many months before she +died--"O! if the Lord were to send his bereaving commission into my +family, I could never forgive myself for the manner in which I have +failed to improve the trust committed to me, and fulfilled the duties to +which I have been called." Hear the voice which speaking, says, "My dear +companions in sin and infirmity, I leave you a poor example. But I +exhort you to become believingly and affectionately acquainted with Him, +who has borne _me_ through the dark valley and shadow of death, and +'presented me faultless before his Father, clothed in his righteousness, +and washed in his blood.'" + +"Ye cannot, though _Christian_ wives and mothers, do the things ye +would;" but there is a fountain opened, in which your poorest desires +and efforts, though like filthy rags, "may be washed and made white, and +made instrumental for much good." Point this out to your children, +"talk to them in the house and by the way, in sitting down and rising +up," of this only hope of perishing sinners. And lest, after all, they +should come short, plead, unceasingly, the promises for them, and take +hold by faith of the blessing. O! how will you rejoice if you can say, +"Here am I Lord, and the children thou hast given me." In order to +sustain your character as wives, aim continually, by prayer, to obtain +the gift of a meek and quiet spirit, "which in the sight of God is of +great price, that even the unbelieving husband may be won to the +knowledge of the truth." + +May such exhortations from our departed friends, reach us all, and be +sanctified to us--and may we "exhort _one another_, daily," so that our +social intercourse may be made the means of grace, and assist in +preparing us for our last great change! + + +CHAPTER II. + +ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF MRS. MARGARET +BRECKINRIDGE. + +WHOEVER has been called, in the midst of life, to part with 'the wife of +his youth'--if these pages should chance to meet his eye--will _know_ +what the writer has felt. Such a bereavement must be _felt_, in order to +be understood. There is a shock in its coming for which no foresight or +submission can fully prepare us. There is a chasm created by it which +nothing can fill. It is a new experience, replete with dreadful +desolation. It is a wonderful attribute of grace that can make these +great afflictions so "work _for us_ an exceeding and eternal weight of +glory," that the most weighty and enduring of them all, shall seem, in +comparison, to be "light, and but for a moment." Yet "no chastisement," +(especially such as this) "for the present seemeth to be joyous, but +rather grievous." God intends that we shall be _moved_ by such +visitations. The call which they utter is too costly to be lightly felt. +The stroke is too deep to be hastily healed. "To _faint_ when we are +rebuked of Him," is to reproach the goodness of God, when we ought to +"lay hold on his strength." But insensibility to his afflictive +dispensations is to "despise" the methods of his grace. And who can fail +to feel at such a moment! To find one's self strangely, and after all +the warnings mercifully given, suddenly left alone; in the midst of life +to be broken in twain; to come to a time when you may no longer pray +with her whose presence sweetened devotion itself; no more pray for her +who many a year has been the dear burden of all your intercessions; to +see your orphan babes left desolate, and enhancing your woe, by being +unconscious of their own; yea, "to sorrow most of all" for those dread +words, "that you shall see her face no more!" This is sorrow! If it were +possible, and being so, were right to ask it for others, we might pray +for our readers, that they may be forever ignorant of our experience. +But we know that every house is appointed to such a sorrow, sooner or +later. They who are yet to pass through these deep waters, if they +cannot now fully enter into our trials, may at least be expected to +excuse this humble tribute to the dead, as an amiable weakness. + +But it is not bleeding affection, merely, which has prompted us to add +to the foregoing brief narrative, these imperfect illustrations of the +life and character of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge. The bereaved children +having been early called to lose a mother's care, justly claim of +surviving friends to preserve her image that they may gaze on it, and +her example that they may imitate it, in after life. It is a cruel +addition to an orphan's lot, to consign to the tomb even the memory of +the dead. We refer not to the indecent and revolting haste with which +every memorial of the deceased is swept into oblivion by those who, +studious of new relations, are faithful only to forget. Such a spirit is +abhorrent to every sentiment of humanity and religion. But it often +happens that the disconsolate survivor, for a season careless of all +things but of grief, neglects to treasure and record what God gave in +peculiar trust to him--for the good of others. That godly example, which +it cost the toils and the trials of a life to exhibit, ought not to be +permitted to perish from the world. That "death of the saints," which +"is precious in the sight of the Lord," and which so gloriously shows +forth his praise, is worthy of a monument that time cannot consume. +These should live! We should embalm them in the memory of the heart. We +should hand them down in the tradition of faithful love. We should +record them in a household book, if not publish them to the world--in +honour of Jehovah; in memory of the beloved dead; and for the good of +those who, even while they were spared to them, were too young to know +their value. It is the memory of the wicked alone which God has doomed +to rot; or if it live, to stand as a beacon on the brow of death. + +There is another consideration of great tenderness and force by which we +have been influenced in making these sketches. Woman dwells, to speak +so, in the shade of retirement; and not like man, in the blaze of public +life. In the household she sits enthroned, the weaker vessel, but the +stronger power. Yet the domestic circle, in a great degree, +circumscribes her influence; shuts in her character. Her refinement--her +patience--her humility--her cheerfulness in trial--her fortitude--her +readiness to forgive--her faithful, constant love--her self-devotion to +her children--her personal charms--her domestic virtues--her Christian +graces--which make her + + "The light and music of our happy homes," + +are little known beyond the narrow boundary of her own family, on which +they continually rest, "like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the +mountains of Zion." It is not less so with her domestic trials--with her +perplexing domestic duties, as she meekly toils in "patient continuance" +amidst their innumerable detail, and ever returning round. Now while the +full disclosure and rewards must be reserved to the great day of final +account, it is a special duty, on proper occasions, to bring such +excellence to view. Without our care, this never will be done, since the +graces that most adorn, are the most retiring. By an affectionate +diligence in this service, a thousand pearls might be brought from the +recesses of domestic life, and added to the too scanty stock of +memorable worthies. At least, we ought not to make oblivion the penalty +of domestic virtue. On the other hand, the doing of proper justice to +real female merit, would most effectually rebuke that assurance of +coarse and fanatic women, who, in the insulted name of God, assume the +prerogative, and attempt the offices of the stronger sex--forgetting +that the immodesty which is offensive to all men, can never be an +offering pleasing to a God of purity and order. By presenting to mankind +examples of Christian women revolving in orderly beauty, and shining +with mild lustre in their appointed course, we not only preserve the +memory of those who rest from their labours, but we diffuse their +influence abroad. If we may but do justice to the subject of these +notices, she would be herself the only being likely to complain, for she +shrunk with instinctive sensibility from every such disclosure of her +retiring character. + +Without repeating what has been said in the first chapter, we proceed to +fill up the narrative given therein, by additional notices, which some +one ought to furnish, and which a parent could not. + +It was God's peculiar mercy to Margaret (Miller) Breckinridge, that she +came into life under parental influence so admirable in all respects, +that she may be said to have been born and reared in a family, which, +like that of Aquilla and Priscilla, "_had a church in the house_." She +enjoyed, in its happiest form, a domestic Christian education, having +the BIBLE for the basis of knowledge; the Parents for instructors; the +family fire-side for the school of manners; and the royal law of love +and truth, as the standard and source of all true politeness. Truly it +is a goodly spectacle in these days of pretension, and vulgar parade; of +shallow learning, and degenerate manners, to behold here and there a +mother in Israel, after "the manner of the olden time," training her +little flock without the aids of modern parties, fashions, vain +accomplishments, and earthly tinsel; waiting with them day by day at the +door-posts of that wisdom by which grace is poured into the lips, and +mien, as well as heart--where "woman indeed becomes the glory of man;" +(1 Cor. xi. 7,) and then to see her lead them forth into life, from +these sacred shades, polished after the similitude of a palace.[3] Such +a school was well fitted to form the mind, refine the manners, and +under God to save the soul of our lamented friend. God had been pleased +to endow her with an unusual measure of personal beauty, and great charm +of character and mind. So that as soon as she entered into society, +which she did with great reserve, she attracted much attention, and was +universally admired. These things combined, might have been expected, +especially in early life, to draw her into the world; and lead her away +from the humbling and self-denying religion of her father's house. But +even before she gave her heart to God, there was an inimitable +simplicity in her character, manner, and dress, which evinced either a +total unconsciousness of her attractions, or a noble superiority to +human praise. Her good taste, and the better principles of the Gospel, +enabled her in all her after life, notwithstanding the many temptations +to which she was exposed, to exhibit the same transparent and lovely +example. + + [3] The following passages are so graphic, that it would seem as if + our day had set for the likeness, though they were written two + thousand six hundred years ago:--"Moreover the Lord saith, because + the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth + necks, wincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: + Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of + the daughters of Zion: The Lord will take away in that day the + bravery of their tinkling ornaments Footnote: about their feet, and + their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and + the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of + the legs, and the head-bands, and the ear-rings, the rings, the + changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the whimples, and + the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine linen, and the + hoods, and the veils."--Isaiah iii. chap. Behold the contrast! 1 + Peter iii. 1-6. 1 Timothy ii. chap. 9-10. + + +HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. + +The work of the Spirit was early begun in her heart; but it was for some +time resisted. Our acquaintance with her began just as she was closing +her domestic education, (in her sixteenth year,) and almost before she +had looked this evil world in the face. In 1820 she became decidedly +serious; and after several months of deep religious impression, +expressed a trembling hope of an interest in the Divine Redeemer. At +this time she was strongly disposed to make a public profession of +religion; but the salutary caution of her parents induced her to +postpone it to a future occasion. Subsequently to this, the extreme fear +which she ever after cherished, of self-delusion in religious exercises; +the high standard of Christian character which she had proposed to +herself; and her strong conviction of the frequent and very hurtful +inconsistencies of many professors of religion; influenced her, in the +end to defer that solemn step to a distant day. That day, as stated in +the narrative, did not arrive until after her marriage, her removal to +Kentucky, and her settlement as the wife of a pastor. In the mean time, +however, it cannot be doubted, that the grace of God had taken +possession of her heart. And when finally she did publicly connect +herself with the people of God, her tenderness of heart, her +self-distrust, her deep humility, her child-like simplicity, and +transparency of Christian character, condemned her _only_ for a delayed +profession, and left few fears for her sake in any bosom but her own. + +She was in a remarkable measure devoted to the Word of God. Her +extraordinary memory faithfully stored with its rich treasure in early +youth, vividly retained the chief part of it through life. The Psalmody +of Dr. Watts, her favourite author in that department, she had almost +wholly at her command. And with the Commentary of the inimitable Matthew +Henry, a Latin and a French Bible, and a Harmony of the Gospels at her +side, she daily and most devoutly searched the Scriptures. Clarke on the +Promises, was also a favourite book, especially in her last days; and +the Pilgrim's Progress was her companion to the "water's edge," where +her _real_ visions of the celestial city enabled her to lay the sweet +Dreamer by, as the Parting Pilgrim did his crutches, when on the bank of +the river he saw "chariots of fire" to bear him to the _Pearly Gates_. +Her diligence in studying the Bible, without in the least degree +neglecting her domestic duties, (and even in the days of her feeblest +health,) was truly wonderful. When a subject specially interested her, +she compiled and collated all the leading passages of the Bible upon it; +often writing them out at great length, and preserving them for +reference on future occasions. Indeed, so far did she carry her +interested inquiries into the various parts of the Old and New +Testament, and especially into the life of Christ, that she drew out a +harmony of the Gospels with her own hand; the better to confirm her +knowledge of the true order and relation of the events of his history. + +She was a most faithful hearer of the preaching of the Gospel. Her +luminous face cheered the progress of the herald of the Lord, and marked +the deep measure of her personal interest in the message from the skies. +Since her decease, we have found numerous briefs of sermons which she +had heard at different periods of her life, from those whom she most +admired. Some of these were delivered by Dr. James P. Wilson, and some +by her father, others by Dr. Green, but chiefly by the venerable and +honoured friend whose tribute to her memory is affixed to this Memoir. +He was undoubtedly her most esteemed instructor from the sacred desk. +His inimitable simplicity, vivacity, richness, and force of truth, +always carried her understanding and her affections along with him; and +those appeals which were most searching and simple, were most treasured +and admired. + +To her refined and candid spirit, nothing was more detestable than +religious parade. As it is intimated in the former chapter, it sometimes +served to repel her from things and people that were good, but savoured +of religious cant. She was especially shocked with the numberless and +painful examples of female impropriety in this way, which our age has +disclosed. But in all the appropriate walks of Christian females, and in +every becoming expression of their feelings and influence, though +diffident of herself, she promptly took her part. Perhaps her most +cherished occupation in the service of others, was that of a +Sunday-school teacher. Here she rejoiced in the work of her hands. Here, +without indelicacy or pretension, she could use the word of God, in his +house, and on his day, to teach the little children, whom like her Lord, +she so much loved to take in her arms and bless. She had for this +service uncommon adaptation in the vivacity of her mind, in the charm of +her manner, and especially in the rich store of her Biblical knowledge. +She continued this relation after she became a wife, and a mother; and +the tenderness of a Christian mother's love seemed to be transferred to +the little commonwealth of the Sabbath-school. + +We shall never forget the animation and delight with which she +communicated to us, two years before her decease, the account of a visit +which had been paid her very recently, by a highly respectable young +gentleman, then attached to a learned profession, the son of a +distinguished public man, who had been a member of her Sunday-school +class in Princeton, fifteen years before! + + +HER DEDICATION TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. + +It was not long after the first experience (as was hoped) of the grace +of God in her heart, that the relation was formed between herself and +the writer of these pages, which, by its consummation and close, became +in succession the crowning joy and the absorbing sorrow of his life. + +While this interesting event, combined with other causes, was made the +occasion (from an excess perhaps of delicacy on her part) of retarding +her public profession of religion, it led to an early and very decisive +trial of her Christian principles in another form. At this time the +friend whom she so much honoured by her affection, was devoted to the +work of Foreign Missions; and he had solicited her hand with the +distinct expression, both to herself and her venerable parents, of such +a purpose. This necessarily called her to consider the question of a +personal engagement in this work. She met and decided this question with +a promptitude and nobleness of Christian resolution which surprised even +those who knew her best; and though in the providence of God she was +spared the expected trial of separation for life from her family and +country, yet the unreserved dedication of herself to the Missionary +cause which her Redeemer enabled her to make, gave elevation to her +Christian character, and prepared her for the trials scarcely less +severe to which she was called in the domestic field. It was on the +ground of her having thus dedicated herself, that with so much +self-oblivion, and even cheerfulness, she encountered the many +difficulties of which we are now to speak. + + +HER SACRIFICES FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD. + +By a train of events over which we had no control, and in the +interpretation of which we were permitted to enjoy the direction of the +Church, (it would be needless to recite them here,) we were hindered +from indulging the desire to "go far hence to the Gentiles." But the +_principle_ of dedication for life was settled; and hence it was from +the first, understood and acted on at all times, that other things being +equal, the field at home in which there was opportunity to do most for +the conversion of the heathen, was always to be preferred, if offered by +the Lord of the harvest. Her first and second settlements could scarcely +be considered as giving occasion to many _sacrifices_. Lexington, +Kentucky, was in the bosom of her husband's native state. There, in the +garden of America, surrounded by a great circle of the most affectionate +kindred and friends, and in a city remarkable as the Athens of the west +for its refinement and general intelligence, and connected with a most +kind and worthy congregation, Mrs. B. felt, that even separation from +the home of her youth, was a form of trial so softened by her +circumstances, that it was converted into a mercy. + +In our removal to the interesting and important city of Baltimore, we +felt that goodness and mercy followed us, changing our abode, but +augmenting the number of our friends, and opening to us new and +effectual doors of usefulness. Her attachment was very strong to both +cities; she left each with regret; but still referring the decision to +others in whose wisdom and affection she confided, she cheerfully obeyed +their successive summons to depart. It was in leaving the latter city +that her sacrifices for the Church more especially commenced. At this +eventful period, (the summer of 1831,) it was found that there were more +than one thousand congregations in the Presbyterian Church without a +pastor, not to mention the immeasurable destitution of the heathen +world. To supply this immense demand required, in addition to the very +inadequate means already in use, a greatly enlarged and quickened effort +of the entire Church. This necessity was deeply felt by the General +Assembly of 1831, and led to the re-organization by that body of its +Board of Education. In the solemn providence of God, the writer of these +sketches was called to fill the office of Corresponding Secretary and +General Agent for that Institution. He found it impossible to resist +what appeared to be the voice of God speaking through his Church; +though in yielding to it he was constrained to dissolve forever the +sacred tie which bound him to a beloved people, and to pass from the +endearments of domestic and Pastoral life, to incessant toil and travel +in the wide and homeless world. She foresaw, and with keen anticipation +felt, all the trouble which such a step must bring upon herself and her +little household. But the decision of all her friends, excepting the +kind people we were about to leave, was in favour of removal. She +remembered her Missionary vows. She saw in it the sweetness as well as +the severity of the cross, and without a murmur meekly bowed to the +burden of the Lord. In this service, which continued for nearly five +years, she shared; and like an angel, soothed the trials of the work. +The comforts of domestic life were almost annihilated, either by +incessant separations, or the nameless discomforts of a constant absence +from home. During one entire year her house was occupied by her but _six +weeks_, the rest being spent in hotels, and boarding houses, and +steamboats, and stages, with occasional intervals of repose in the bosom +of related or attached families scattered through the wide field of her +visits from the Mississippi to the Hudson. Yet never did woman shine +with more lovely lustre at home; never was woman more indisposed to step +from this, her undisputed and delightful empire, into the confusion and +folly of this selfish and evil world. Yet did she give up all, and +consent to erect her domestic altar in the wilderness, and gather her +little fold on the highway, for Jesus' sake. When weary of a year of +travel, undertaken to shun a year of separation, she returned to occupy +and order her solitary home. There she was constrained, though both +tender and inexperienced, "to guide her house" alone; and to receive her +husband only as an occasional visitant. Still, she never murmured; nor +would we complain. But faithful history--now that she rests from her +labours, requires this narrative; and God permits the record of "_those +works which follow_" such "_as die in the Lord_." Thus, for five years, +were kept up the alternations of these affecting trials. They were +relieved, it must devoutly be acknowledged, by the unremitting +attentions of those kind and lovely families in Philadelphia, whose +virtues bound them to us by better ties than those of earthly +kindred--as "Zion's friends, and ours;" whose reward we will not attempt +to take out of a Saviour's hands by our poor praises; and whose +displeasure we shall only then be sure of incurring, when we attempt to +unveil to the public eye, the authors of so much disinterested and +untiring goodness. The same reference is due to very many families in +the city of New York, in which, for several successive years, she passed +the winters with her husband. He who thus imperfectly attempts to record +his gratitude, knew her worth so well, that he cannot wonder that such +friends should love her; and he feels it his duty here to say, that any +portion of success in the work herein referred to, is under God, largely +owing, not only to her influence on his labours, but to the charm which +she threw upon every circle with which she mingled, and the interest she +kindled in all the persons and objects which interested her. When, at +the end of two years, he felt overwhelmed with the review of her +domestic trials, and was strongly moved to abandon a work which made +them inevitable, _she_ earnestly resisted the thought of change; and +with generous self-devotion urged her husband forward in a work which, +though painful to her feelings, was in her view useful to the Church, +and pleasing to its glorious Head. As her impressions were those of all +her friends, and apparently of the Church at large, and as the Board +itself kindly relaxed some of the severer features of our trials, we +were confirmed in the conviction that it was our duty to persevere, lest +we should incur the divine displeasure, "_by being weary in +well-doing_." + +When, however, the indications of divine Providence in the spring of +1835 seemed plainly to say, that our work for the Board of Education was +done, and that we ought to enter the door opened for us at Princeton, +she was the last to see the duty of a removal; and though her parental +home was there, and though her heart and her wearied nature cried aloud +for rest, she would not allow any reasons for the change, to be drawn +from her wishes or her sacrifices, and to the last, rather _submitted_ +to, than _heartily approved_ of, the new relation. + +But how deep are the ways of God! Scarcely had she time to establish +herself in her new home at Princeton,[4] when another and loud call to +an agency, directly in behalf of _Foreign Missions_, was pressed upon +us. Though at this period her health had become evidently far more +delicate, she heard and heeded again the voice of her Saviour; and still +recalling the Missionary vow, offered herself again a willing sacrifice +on the altar of God. In deciding this momentous question (in the winter +of 1838, after having spent but eighteen months in Princeton, nearly +half of which was occupied by her husband in active agency in behalf of +the funds, library, &c. of the Theological Seminary,) we found +ourselves incapable of being instrumental in recalling her _still again_ +to the commotion, desertion at home, and incessant cares, of another +agency. Three months therefore were given to the important work, and the +offer of the office finally declined. Even here however, she persisted +in referring the decision to _public relations_ alone, leaving all +personal considerations out of view. And though fast approaching her end +(what at that time none of us knew) she spontaneously put herself at the +disposal of the friends of the Board of Foreign Missions, for her part +of any service which might be required of her husband, whether it was in +extensive journeys with him, or separation from him, or a winter's +sojourn with him and her children in the city of New York. For the +first, hoping it might invigorate her health, she was actually +furnished; and when that was abandoned for the last, she repaired, with +the spirit of her Master in her heart, to meet the trials it induced. It +was in the fresh recollection of the parting scene, on her way thither, +that the following sentences were addressed to the writer by the Rev. +Dr. Alexander. + + [4] It is at once a remarkable indication of the nobleness of those + Philadelphia friends already named, and of the extent to which her + worth and her sacrifices were appreciated, that on being informed + of our final purpose to remove to Princeton, they united in the + purchase of a commodious dwelling, which was presented to Mrs. + Breckinridge and her children. It is true, one object in view was, + the accommodation of the Professor (for the time) of Pastoral + Theology and Missionary instruction in the Seminary. But the terms + of the gift are specific; and when we attempted to alter the + direction of this munificent testimonial, so as to make it the + _property of the Institution_, it was peremptorily declined; and + the deed was drawn in the name of Margaret Breckinridge and her + children. + +"I cannot conclude, without a word to dear Mrs. Breckinridge. I admire +her ready submission to the calls of Providence. For although she cannot +help dropping the silent tear, she makes no complaint, but shuts up her +comfortable house, leaves her home and her friends, and as cheerfully as +she _can_, goes to live in a hotel, and among strangers. Well, she +shall not lose her reward. For these sacrifices she shall have rich +compensation: and our sweetest earthly pleasure is in doing the will of +our Heavenly Father." (Dated Princeton, December 17th, 1837.) + +At the close of the winter we returned to Princeton, hoping that now God +would grant us a little rest in that quiet village and that delightful +home, where not "_unaware we entertained an angel_." But ah! this +blessedness was not long intended for us. Having done her work, (though +still we did not fear it,) she was soon to be taken to her rest and her +reward on high. + + +HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. + +Her last sickness was of a protracted and very interesting character. +When she returned from New York, she was delicate and her state of +health was mysterious, but not yet alarming even to her physicians. Very +soon after this, she had a violent attack, which in a short season +prostrated her frame, and, disclosing a peculiar complication of +diseases, overwhelmed every mind in the family, but her own, (she was +calm,) with the most gloomy apprehensions of her danger. + +At the close of the winter term of the Theological Seminary, (May +first,) it was our anxious desire to take her to the Red Sulphur Springs +in Virginia. But it was too early in the season; and being yet doubtful, +whether this or that place would be useful or hurtful, it was agreed by +her physicians to indulge her strongly expressed wish to try the waters +of Saratoga. Thither therefore we went, pausing only a short time in the +city of New York for medical consultation. + +At this time, she was a most interesting object to all who saw her. Her +debility was so extreme that she was borne from place to place in the +arms of her husband, which, from her delicate frame, it was easy to do. +The gentleness and patience with which she endured her sickness, the +inimitable moral beauty of her countenance, and the general expression +of frailty mingled with grace, excited the deepest interest wherever she +passed.[5] + + [5] There is poetic beauty in the Stanza of Southey's on the + portrait of Bishop Heber, written after his decease; and though + fanciful it is striking. Blessed be God our Redeemer, we have surer + marks of recognition in the heavenly world. + + "They too, will gaze + Upon his effigy + With reverential love, + Till they shall grow familiar with its lines + And know him when they see his face in heaven." + +At Saratoga we spent a very quiet season of three weeks, (before the +great hotels were opened, or the crowds had arrived) at the house of a +most kind and deserving Christian woman, Mrs. Taylor, whose unceasing +attentions greatly conduced to soothe sufferings which God had pleased +should not be arrested. During this visit she used the waters freely, as +a beverage, and in the bath, with no apparent _injury_, except that it +evidently disclosed the fatal symptoms of her malady. She was able +almost every day, to take gentle rides in the open air, and frequently +to mingle with the family. But her chamber was her sanctuary. There she +reclined, feeding on the Word of God. She was especially delighted with +Clarke on the Promises. During that season of seclusion, she seemed to +grow in grace with a progress which surprised (while it delighted) us; +for we knew not then how near she was to the perfection of the heavenly +rest. But it has since been interpreted to us, by the event, as one of +God's peculiar mercies. What made this the more pleasing evidence of +grace was, that she did not know her own danger. It was the power of +religion poured upon her spirit by Him who was "hastening to make her up +among his jewels." At one time, she said--"Oh, yes, pray that the +_distance_ between God and me may be taken away." And after uniting, +with the most affecting solemnity and tenderness in the prayer which was +offered, she at its close expressed _aloud_ her joy in the exercise, (a +thing most unusual with her) and her delight in God her Saviour, who +_draweth nigh_. On another occasion, after hearing some of the promises +of _healing_ to the body, as collected by Clarke, she seemed for a +moment to be musing, she then gently said: "My dear----I am like the +poor woman who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could +be healed of any; but rather grew worse. _My hope is in the Great +Physician!_" + +Since we have been calm enough to review the various stages of her last +sickness in relation to her religious exercises, it has been a subject +of deep regret, and of no little self-reproach, that we had not made the +attempt at recording, as they were uttered, some of the deeply affecting +expressions of her Christian principles and feelings. But the tumultuous +hour of hope and fear, and hurried, anxious watching at the bed of +death, is not the time for cool calculation. Some of the most affecting +parts of such scenes are incapable of being written down, even by one +not interested in the sufferer. Nay, more--like the voices which John +heard from heaven in Patmos, the Spirit seems to say of them, "_write +them not_." These are "joys with which the stranger intermeddleth not." +(Prov. xiv. 10.) It is a sanctuary which no creature can enter. And then +our beloved Friend, who was often afraid to whisper her religious joys +to her Saviour, lest she should be found offering "strange fire" on his +altar, seldom talked of her hopes, (though often of her sins,) to her +nearest friends; and never, by _writing them_ down, put it in the power +of posthumous publications to expose them to the view of others. We can +only, therefore, illustrate her religious character, at the stage which +we now approach, by broken fragments of thoughts and feelings, caught +from her lips amidst the awful mercies of a dying hour. + +She began at length, visibly to sink, when Dr. Freeman, of Balston, +whose skilful and kind attentions she enjoyed, (Dr. Steel, of Saratoga, +having himself been recently removed by death,) strongly advised a +discontinuance of the use of the waters, and an attempt to reach the Red +Sulphur Springs. For now the prevailing type of the disease had become +distinctly pulmonary; and the skill of physicians, and the healing +waters, and all the help of man were vain. Now, for the first time, we +began to discern the dread reality of her approaching dissolution; and +had some foretaste of the _first_ anguish of such a loss.[6] + + [6] The following touching stanzas do more real honour to their + illustrious author, (Lord Palmerston) than all the distinctions of + his high rank and public life. + + Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish brings + His dearest earthly treasure to these springs; + Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain, + Shall court these salutary springs in vain: + Condemn'd, like me, to hear the faint reply, + To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye-- + From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death, + And watch in dumb despair the short'ning breath:-- + If chance should bring him to this humble line, + Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine. + Ordain'd to lose the partner of my breast, + Whose virtues warm'd me, and whose beauty bless'd; + Fram'd ev'ry tie that binds the heart to prove, + Her duty friendship, and her friendship love. + But yet, remembering that the parting sigh + Appoints the just to slumber, not to die, + The starting tear I check'd--I kissed the rod, + And not to earth resigned her, but to God! + +With heavy hearts, but hastened steps, we returned to Princeton; whence +almost in despair, yet anxious to try any and all means for so great an +end, we hastily set out with our meek sufferer for the Virginia Springs: +but as the previous narrative has recited, we were arrested at +Philadelphia. Here all was done by the assiduity and skill of her +physicians,[7] and the most tender and constant attentions of a great +number of friends. But her divine Redeemer claimed her for himself. She +returned to Princeton, to bless her household, and to die. On the +evening of June the 13th, she reached her children, and her earthly +home. On the morning of the 16th, a quarter before ten o'clock, with her +reason unclouded, in a frame of calm and holy triumph which marked the +dawning of heaven on her soul; with a meek prayer for permission to die, +and with but a single pang, she bade the world farewell, and ascended to +God! + + [7] Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson of New York, we + all owe more for their unwearied and sympathizing care than we have + words to express. + +Her remains were attended to the grave by a very large and deeply +affected assembly, after the delivery of the impressive funeral +discourse affixed to this Memoir; where they rest by the side of her +three little children, two daughters and a son, removed by death before. +The like number and of the same sex, two daughters and a son, are left +to the surviving parent, to mourn her loss, to treasure and imitate her +example, and, by the grace of the Saviour, to follow them to the skies, +where the "house now left desolate unto them" shall be restored with +added bliss; and the little family thus divided in the midst of life, +being reunited in pure and perfect love, be received into everlasting +habitations. + +A neat marble monument points to the spot where her dust reposes. + + +CHAPTER III. + +CLOSING REFLECTIONS. + +THUS it has pleased our Heavenly Father to "take away from us the desire +of our eyes, with a stroke." The first impression of such a loss is that +of _amazement_--overwhelming and bewildering the soul, and with strange +horror, destroying for a time, the power to feel. "Deep calleth unto +deep--all thy waves, and billows have gone over me." Such is the abyss +of grief! At such a time, our part is "to be still"--sitting, like the +Marys, "over against the sepulchre." + +When the disciples of John lost their earthly Master, "they came and +took the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." This ought to be +the first act of every mourner, _to tell it unto Jesus_. With him we +shall find both sympathy and support. And more than this: He resolves +the death of our friends into his own gracious sovereignty, when he +calls it, "the coming of the Son of Man." Death loses its terror when it +becomes his act of grace. "The death of his saints is precious in his +sight," and is always ordered with a supreme regard to their +blessedness, and his glory. So that the feeblest of his dying children +may confidently say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." +"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no +evil; for Thou art with me." + +There is a feeling about the death of our friends, which is made up in +part of unbelief, and in part of that tender regard which is produced by +their dependence on us through life. Those endearing relations which +make us their protectors, and supports, send their deep sympathies even +into the grave. Who of us that is a husband, or a parent, that does not +feel the horror of the separation aggravated by the spectacle of our +helpless kindred struggling alone in mortal strife with "the king of +terrors"? We, to whom they have always looked for succour, are then as +helpless as they, in their extremest need. We cannot even share their +agony. It is this which gives a nameless anguish to such a moment.[8] + + [8] One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was the death + of a little child, who, in the last moments, called on her mother + _to die with her_. This was the voice of nature. To this call the + heart would, but cannot respond. "Here our father and mother must + forsake us." + +But it is because we forget that "when father and mother," and all they +most depended on in life, "forsake them, then the Lord doth take them +up." The Christian is never so little alone as on the verge of heaven. +The Lord of life is there. Underneath are the everlasting arms; and +through all the terrors of the grave; and above all the tumult of that +last hour, the Shepherd's voice is heard, saying--"IT IS I--BE NOT +AFRAID." While some pass over Jordan on the wing, and some struggle +through the waves, yet all safely pass. Not one of them shall perish, +but each appear in Zion before God. + +It adds tenderness and force to these consoling hopes, that Jesus once +"tasted death himself." It moves us, that "Jesus wept." But it gives a +new nature to death, that Jesus died! For while the _merit_ of _his_ +death takes the sting from ours, his presence in the tomb dispels all +its terrors. Therefore, since Jesus died, let us consent to death; and +surrender at his call those most dear to us. + + The graves of all his saints he blest, + And softened every bed-- + Where should the dying members rest, + But with their dying head! + +It must be sweet to lie in that grave which he has hallowed by his +presence among the dead. + +One of the considerations which should make us acquiesce in the removal +of our beloved friends who die in the Lord, is this--that we are +suffering for their sakes; and that they could not be blessed without +our sufferings. For their death, (the dread cause of all our grief,) was +necessary to their perfect and eternal blessedness. This thought ought +to soften every pang. If we really love them, and if our sacrifices for +them while they were here below, were the fruit of our love, then we +have only to remember that this is one prolonged, supreme sacrifice for +their sakes.--This reflection if properly pursued, would often turn our +mourning into gladness.[9] And then, if this weight of sorrow that is +laid on us may but be duly improved and meekly borne; if it may not only +mark the bliss of our friends begun on high, but be made by a wise and +good God conducive to our growth in grace--it will have in it the pledge +of our everlasting re-union in heaven; and thus be an affliction doubly +blessed. + + [9] A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in subduing + grief, is given in the narrative of one of our American + missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were alone in a barbarous + land, far away from any creature who cared for their Lord or for + them. Suddenly his friend was taken from him. In that awful moment + of desertion and anguish, after commending the parting soul to God, + and closing the eyes of the dead, _he kissed his cold lips, and + thought, "What glory has already burst upon his view!"_ In this + thought his sorrow was lost. + +But the silencing, yea, elevating thought of all is, that it is _for +Jesus' sake_, we are called to suffer. "_The Master_ is come and called +for her." It is indeed the richest of our earthly treasures. Our own +life were a far lighter offering. But for that reason we honour him the +more. It is our _Isaac_ that God calls for; and it is then indeed we +honour God when we can _offer_ like Abraham. We shall receive the +offering back, if not as soon, as certainly--and at no distant day! +When, therefore, He who laid down his life for us, asks for our richest +gift, let us not call him a hard master, but give without a murmur. + +The death of our friends should have the effect of bringing Heaven +nearer to us. We ought to cultivate, if we may so speak, _domestic_ +views of that blessed world to which we are so much honoured as to have +sent up angels from our households. While all superstitious emotions are +carefully to be quelled, we are permitted to draw very nigh to them. We +may cherish their image in our memories and hearts; we still belong to +the same great communion--and all are members of that body of which +Jesus is the head. "As death does not separate from the Lord, neither +does it divide the saints from one another. Our spirit and theirs daily +meet at the one throne--they to praise, we to pray; therefore, in that +sense, though we are absent in body, we are present in spirit." + +And the distance which lies between them and us is daily growing less. +How swiftly we travel, yea, fly, in all the speed of time! It may not be +an inappropriate close to these meditations, to insert the family hymn, +with which the remnant of a bereaved household often close the day, and +comfort each others' hearts, at the hour when we feel most desolate. + + Come let us join our friends above, + That have obtained the prize; + And on the eagle wings of love, + To joy celestial rise. + + Let saints below his praises sing, + With those to glory gone; + For all the servants of our King, + In heaven and earth are one. + + One family, we dwell in him, + One church above, beneath: + Though now divided by the stream, + The narrow stream of death. + + One army of the living God, + To his commands we bow; + Part of the host have crossed the flood, + And part are crossing now. + + Ten thousand to their endless home, + This solemn moment fly; + And we are to the margin come, + And soon expect to die. + + Dear Saviour, be our constant guide, + Then when the word is given, + Bid the cold waves of death divide, + And land us safe in heaven. + +And now, in bringing to a close these very imperfect notices of a +beloved saint of God, it is proper to say, that much more might truly +have been added in reference to many points of her character, that would +have been proper, and interesting: as for example, her intellectual +endowments; her extensive acquirements; her domestic life; her personal +accomplishments. But we fear to indulge our feelings. Nor is it needful. +For it was her Christian character mainly which we designed to +illustrate. Her love for the Redeemer, and her sacrifices for his sake, +were the jewels which adorned her on earth, and which lose not their +lustre in death. It was the glory of all those qualities which so +eminently fitted her to attract the admiration of this world, that she +meekly laid them at the Saviour's feet. There also, we desire to leave +this humble tribute to one whose "sun went down while it was yet day," +praying that he who thus early fitted her for heaven, may by these poor +means prolong her usefulness, and bless her memory on earth. + + + + + SUBMISSION: + + + A SERMON + + OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. A. ALEXANDER, D.D. + + + + +SERMON. + +PSALM XLVI. 10. + +"Be still, and know that I am God." + + +OMITTING all critical discussion of the true import of the text, I will +consider the words as addressed by Jehovah to his own people, when +suffering affliction under the strokes of his mighty hand. It may be +considered as the language of authority; or of consolation. According to +the first view, it is as if the Almighty had said, "Be still, and +neither repine, nor rebel, for your affliction comes not from the dust, +but from me, your rightful Sovereign; to whom you owe absolute +subjection." If viewed in the sense last mentioned, then it will be as +though God, feeling compassion towards his afflicted saints, puts them +in mind of the sure refuge which they had in him; as if he had said, "Be +calm and unruffled, in the midst of all your overwhelming calamities, +for I am able to sustain you, and to deliver you by my Almighty arm." +"Be still, and know that I am God." In either case, the result, as to +our duty, is the same. Unreserved submission is the thing enjoined, and +the reason to enforce the injunction is, "_I am God_." + +"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He +cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, +and continueth not. His days are determined: the number of his years are +with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass." No +condition in this life is exempt from trouble. No bulwarks can be +erected by kings and princes, strong enough, and high enough, to be a +safeguard against the shafts of adversity. In regard to this matter, the +rich and the poor stand very much upon a level. "Man is born unto +trouble as the sparks fly upward." Hence, this life has justly been +denominated, "the vale of tears." Uninterrupted bliss cannot be found +beneath the skies. The righteous are not exempt, but many are their +afflictions. Besides a participation in the common lot of humanity, they +have troubles peculiar to themselves. The dispensations of God towards +his own people, are, indeed, in covenant love and faithfulness, but they +are not calculated to encourage them to take up their rest in this +world, but to render their path so thorny, and their bed so uneasy, that +they are continually admonished of their duty to set their affections on +things above, and to press forward as pilgrims to the possession of +their heavenly inheritance. + +The reasons which should persuade us to exercise unreserved and +uncomplaining submission to the will of God, as manifested in the +dispensations of his wise and righteous Providence, are at the same +time obvious and weighty. But, here, as in other cases, theory and +practice are very different things. On this subject, we all can teach +and inculcate what is right; but when it becomes necessary to practise +our own lessons, we experience a sad deficiency. This is a school in +which, sooner or later, we must all be learners; and it behoves us to +use diligence in preparing ourselves to endure trials with fortitude, +and cheerfully to acquiesce in those painful events, which we cannot +avoid. Some persons, when overtaken by severe strokes of adversity, are, +like the bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, restive and rebellious; they +resist the hand which presses them, and struggle to throw off the yoke. +Such a course is altogether unwise, and must be unsuccessful. "Wo to him +that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds strive with the +potsherds of the earth," but let not a feeble, sinful worm rise up in +rebellion against the Almighty; for who hath hardened himself against +him and hath prospered? And when there is no open rebellion, there is +often a spirit of discontent and murmuring, which, though smothered in +the breast, partakes of the nature of rebellion, and is the very +opposite of cordial, filial submission. Every degree of this temper, +whether concealed or expressed, is exceedingly offensive to God, as we +learn from his word, and is so far from mitigating the evils which we +suffer, that it doubles their pressure; it makes even a light burthen +intolerable. + +Others again, endeavour to form habits of hardy insensibility; they seek +refuge from the keen arrows of affliction, in a stoical indifference. +They affect to contemn, as weak, and wanting in fortitude, all those who +seem to suffer exquisitely under the strokes of adversity. Much +practical progress never can be made in this unnatural system. Whatever +men may profess or pretend, nature will assert her claims, and if her +feelings may be for a season suspended, she will again resume her sway; +and indeed the equanimity acquired by these principles, has been more in +appearance than reality; and the greatest adepts in eradicating the +susceptibilities of our nature, have only learned the art of +successfully concealing the emotions of their bosoms from the +observation of others. + +But while some endeavour to obtain relief by rendering themselves +insensible to the calamities of life, and aim at braving the storms of +adversity, there are others, who err on the opposite extreme. Under the +chastising hand of God, they are prostrated in the dust; not in +humility, but in despondency; their sorrow not only casts them down, but +overwhelms them. They find themselves sinking in deep waters, where +there is no standing. Such persons not only put away all hope, but cease +from all exertion, and abandon themselves to grief; forgetting the +exhortation which speaketh unto them as to children, "My son, despise +not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of +him." + +There is but one effectual remedy for the evils to which man is heir, +while on his earthly pilgrimage; and that is RELIGION--true religion, +not merely apprehended and approved in its theory, but deeply felt, and +cordially embraced in the inmost soul. This is the only principle of +sufficient potency to tranquillize the perturbations of the soul when +deeply afflicted. This only can sustain the mind, ready to sink into +despair. This furnishes the only medicine which heals the anguish of the +broken heart; the only balm which relieves the wounds made in the spirit +by painful bereavements. Here the superlative value of true religion is +realized; and this principle of heavenly origin is found to possess a +power, not only to sustain the soul under the heaviest pressure of +affliction, but to pour sweet consolations into the desolate and +troubled heart. Here, indeed, is opened a fountain of refreshing +streams, in the midst of this dreary wilderness, of which the poor +heathen had no knowledge, and of which the men of the world are still +ignorant. + +These blessed effects of genuine piety are not produced by any +irrational process, or blind impulse; but by the contemplation of truths +adapted to the end. Consolations which do not rest on this firm +foundation, will ever be found precarious, and commonly evanescent. +Buoyant hope and cheerful resignation must have the solid pillar of +truth on which to repose. It will therefore be consonant to our present +purpose, to bring more distinctly into view, some of those important +doctrines, the practical belief of which leads to the exercise of +Christian submission. + +That which lies at the foundation of the whole, is, that God exists, and +governs all events by his providence. Whatever men profess, or +speculatively believe, as it relates to the actual presence and +operative providence of God, there is undoubtedly much practical atheism +in the hearts of men. Most feel and act as if there was no God, and as +if all things happened by chance. This is remarkably manifest when they +are suddenly cast down into deep affliction. They recognise not the hand +that smites them. They seem to think, that affliction cometh from the +dust, and that trouble springeth out of the ground. In all their bitter +lamentations, their views extend no farther than to the proximate causes +of their distress; and they often experience the bitterest regret, +because they did not pursue a different course, or make use of different +means from what they did; although with the knowledge possessed, they +could not have done better. Under the same short-sighted views, they are +prone to censure others who have had an innocent instrumentality in +bringing about the events by which they are distressed. All this arises +from the want of faith in Divine Providence; and too much of this +unbelief cleaves to the pious themselves, and greatly aggravates their +calamities. But when their faith in the being and providence of God is +strong, they see his hand in every thing good and evil, which occurs; +they behold him operating through all nature, and giving efficacy to all +second causes; and are as fully persuaded that he directs the fall of a +sparrow, as the overthrow of a kingdom. This doctrine of an universal +and particular Providence, is the foundation of our trust in God, for +security and sustenance. How beautifully did Christ teach this lesson to +his disciples, when he said, "Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow +not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly +Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And why take ye +thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; +they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even +Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, +if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow +is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little +faith?" + +When the dark and cloudy day of adversity, or the long and tempestuous +night comes upon us--when our comforts are suddenly blasted, and our +brightest earthly prospects are obscured, then, instead of repining or +desponding, we should betake ourselves to the doctrine of an overruling +Providence. The dispensation may be dark, and afflictive, and even +profoundly mysterious; yet we should think, it is God that hath done it. +These are his footsteps. This is the operation of his hand. He it is, +"who formeth the light and createth the darkness; that maketh peace, and +createth evil." The more, in such circumstances, we look beyond all +creatures, and second causes, and fix our thoughts and our faith, on God +alone, the sooner shall we find composure of mind. If we fully believe +that God is in the storm, and that it is his voice which is heard in the +thunder, and his face which is seen in the flashing of the lightning, +the less shall we be terrified with the apprehension of unknown dangers. + +But we are permitted to know not only that God governs all human affairs +by his Providence, but also that his dispensations, as it relates to his +own people, are all ordered in wisdom, in faithfulness, and in love. The +doctrine of Providence can bring no true consolation to any who are +unreconciled to God. They may know that it is his rod by which they are +smitten, but they cannot tell but his strokes are those of vindicatory +justice, and only a prelude to more intolerable pains. Before we can +repose with confidence and comfort on the faithfulness, wisdom, and +goodness of the Divine dispensations, we must possess some evidence that +our sins are pardoned and our persons accepted; for the more perfect +the Divine government, the more certainly will punishment pursue the +guilty. Our cheerful resignation to the afflictions of life, is +therefore, closely connected with our justification through the merits +of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we contemplate our own sins and +imperfections only, we can entertain no other feeling, than a fearful +looking for of wrath; but when with the spirit of adoption we can look +up to our heavenly Father's reconciled face, we need not be alarmed nor +cast down, under the heaviest afflictions which befall us. We know that +he doth not willingly afflict his beloved children, but out of love +chastises them for their greater good, that they may become in a higher +degree, partakers of his holiness. They are assured, therefore, that all +these painful events shall be so overruled, as to work for their good. +And the Holy Scriptures clearly teach, that although these chastisements +are, for the present, not joyous, but grievous, yet, hereafter, they +will produce in them who are exercised thereby, the peaceable fruits of +righteousness. They eminently conduce to wean the affections from this +vain world, to humble the spirit in the dust under a sense of +unworthiness, and to excite an ardent spirit of prayer. It is, moreover, +by a severe but salutary discipline of this kind, that saints are made +meet for the heavenly inheritance. And not only so, but these temporary +afflictions, somehow or other, will have a direct efficiency in +increasing their future felicity and glory, according to that remarkable +declaration of Paul, "These light afflictions which are but for a +moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory." It is not surprising, therefore, that God who loves his people +with an unchangeable love, should visit them with the rod. It is the +method which he takes to purge out their dross and their tin. Affliction +is therefore compared to a furnace, in which the precious metals are +assayed and purified. Thus Peter comforts suffering Christians in his +time: + +"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to +try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, +inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory +shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Again: "That +the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that +purifieth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto peace, and +honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." + +In the testimony just cited, there is another interesting reason +suggested for the affliction of Christ's disciples. And it is one which +must be touching to the hearts of all who truly love their Lord. It is, +that as he was pre-eminently "the man of sorrows," there is a congruity +in their participating in suffering, that in this respect, as in +others, they may be conformed to his example. Paul also makes express +and repeated mention of the same thing. "If children, then heirs of God, +and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we +may also be glorified together." He speaks of this communion with Christ +in suffering, as a characteristic of discipleship, and as a high +privilege, "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord +Jesus."--"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to +believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Christians, therefore, +in primitive times, gloried in their severest sufferings. And now, no +consideration is more efficacious in fortifying the believer against +fainting than the idea of the sufferings of Christ for us. It would seem +that they who have been privileged to endure nothing for Christ's sake, +would scarcely be admitted to reign with him in glory. + +And as we should endeavour, while in the world, to glorify God to the +utmost of our power, by letting the light of a holy example shine forth, +so there is no situation in which piety appears to greater advantage, +than when exercised in deep affliction. What disposition can be +conceived as possessing more moral beauty, than the grace enjoined in +our text; _cheerful, quiet submission to the will of our heavenly +Father_, under the heaviest pressure of his hand. And as we all are +conscious that there is yet much impurity and dross cleaving to our +nature, we should rejoice in being subjected to a process, though it be +a fiery one, by which we might be more and more purified from sin. +Indeed, we cannot do without this salutary discipline: our salvation, +probably, depends upon our sufferings as a means of conservation in a +state of grace. We ought not, therefore, "to think it strange concerning +the fiery trial, which is to try us, as though some strange thing +happened to us; but should rather rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers +of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, we may be +glad with exceeding joy." + +"Be still, and know that I am God." Be calm and submissive; be not +alarmed nor perturbed; let your resignation to the Divine will be +unreserved and cheerful. Seize the occasion, which severe afflictions +offer, to show your entire willingness that God should govern and +dispose of you and yours according to his own sovereign will. He is +wise, and knows how to order every thing for the best. He is powerful, +and can bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil. He is +faithful, and will certainly fulfil all his gracious promises. He is +good and merciful, and will consult the best interests of his children +in all his dealings towards them; and even those events which seem to be +most adverse, he will so temper and overrule, that ultimately, and +relatively, they will be made to work for their good. + +Under sore and unexpected bereavements, the human heart will bleed; and +the susceptible feelings will be lacerated, and the gush of sorrow will +have its course; but grace comes in and suggests considerations which +ought to moderate our grief; and to teach us to be quietly submissive to +the hand of the Almighty. It is a blessed state, when the feelings of +the man are absorbed in the nobler feelings of the Christian; when our +will is swallowed up in the will of God. What He doeth we know not now, +but we shall know hereafter. It will not be long until we shall be able +to see, "that he hath done all things well." + +In the recent mournful dispensation of Divine Providence, we see how +many hearts may be wounded, and how many joys withered, by a single +stroke. In this interesting group of mourners, we behold the aged +parents weeping over the lifeless body of a much loved, and very lovely +daughter. They have lived to witness the premature departure of one, +whom they might naturally have expected to be a comfort to them in their +declining years, and to wipe from their foreheads the cold drops, in a +dying hour. Parental bereavements admit of less alleviation, than +others, from earthly considerations. The friends and comforts which, +late in life, we lose, we cannot hope to have made up to us. And, +sometimes, the parents of a numerous offspring are preserved so long, +that they survive all, or most of their children; and they stand, like +aged trees, which, by successive storms, have been stripped of their +foliage and branches. But, although bereaved parents cannot draw much +consolation, under their afflictions, from this world; yet the rich +consolations of the Gospel are accessible to them, and peculiarly +appropriate to their condition. The pious do not know how to appreciate +the promises of God rightly, until, in the hour of affliction, they are +made to experience their power and sweetness. We cannot blame these +parents for mourning the loss of a first born and very amiable daughter; +but we trust that they now find support and comfort in that God on whose +Almighty arm they have long trusted. They have not now for the first +time, to learn the riches of that grace which is treasured up in Christ +Jesus; and may they be enabled to come now to that fountain of mercy, by +the streams of which they have been so often refreshed and comforted, +under former trials! + +The grief of affectionate brothers and sisters also, flows this day, in +a strong current. They feel as if a part of themselves had been taken +away; and yet they can scarcely realize the extent of their calamity. It +often requires time for grief to become rooted in the soul. The first +gush of sorrow from the bleeding heart, is indeed a more sensible +emotion, but the full value of our loss is not felt, until after serious +reflection. It is a painful thing to be separated from those around +whom our earliest and tenderest affections were entwined. The thought of +never again, in this world, seeing a face, from which always the most +benignant affections beamed upon us, cannot but leave a melancholy and +heart-sinking impression. Who can adequately describe the anguish +produced by the sudden severance of hearts, long cemented in the bands +of the tenderest affection! But, though nature will be obeyed, and the +floods of sorrow cannot be altogether restrained, yet there is a +Christian duty incumbent on those placed in these circumstances. The +command does not say, that we should not weep, but that we should not +sorrow as those that have no hope. Christians are not divested of the +common sensibilities of humanity; but they possess principles much +higher than mere humanity, by which they moderate their passions, and by +which the stream of natural sorrow may be sanctified, and turned into +that of "godly sorrow, which worketh a repentance not to be repented +of." + +But among the weeping mourners, on this sad occasion, I see some, who +though deeply affected, can scarcely be supposed capable, on account of +their tender age, of estimating the irreparable loss which they have +sustained. I call the loss of a mother _irreparable_; because, however +many affectionate friends may stand ready to do all in their power to +supply a mother's place; yet, the assiduity, forbearance, and +tenderness, so requisite in the treatment of young children, can be +expected in perfection from nothing but that affection, which the +Creator has deeply implanted in the hearts of mothers. To those who have +had long experience in the world, there are few ideas more affecting +than that of _a motherless child_. But orphaned, as these dear little +ones are, by the loss of one parent, they are, I may say, on this +account, more peculiarly the care of a covenant God, whose promise +extends not only to believers, but to their seed, and whose kind care +extends especially to such children of the faithful, as have been +bereaved of one or both parents. These dear children, we confidently +trust will be the objects not merely of God's common goodness, but of +his special grace; and after spending a life of usefulness in acts of +piety and beneficence, will enjoy the blessed privilege of regaining +their beloved mother, in the mansions of glory, where sickness, death, +and tears, will be known no more. + +In addressing the interesting group of mourners now before me, I +perceive one, whose griefs are too big for utterance, and whose swelling +bosom cannot be soothed, at this time, by any of the common topics of +consolation. An officious intrusion into the sacred recess of such +indescribable sorrows, only serves to exacerbate, rather than mitigate +the wounded spirit. All that the kindest friends can do, in such a case, +is to let their warmest, tenderest sympathies fall in with the tide of +overwhelming grief, which rejects all consolation. "Weep with them that +weep." There is another thing which we can do, and that far more +important, we can pray for our afflicted and bereaved brother. In such +circumstances, prayer is almost our only refuge; for all our help must +come from God. While the voice of man is powerless to afford relief, +there is ONE who causes his voice to be heard even in the midst of the +tempest. And his authoritative, his affectionate language to our beloved +brother is, "_Be still, and know that I am God_." "God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble." It is somewhere related of +that eminently pious reformer, Luther, that when he fell into any great +trouble, he was wont to say to his friends, "Come, let us sing the +forty-sixth psalm." + +A striking example of uncomplaining submission we have in the good old +priest Eli, who, when informed that God was about to bring such +judgments on his house, as would cause the ears of every one that heard +them to tingle; meekly replied, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth +him good." + +And the patriarch Job, when deprived of all his property, and of all his +children, humbled himself and worshipped God, saying--"The Lord gave, +and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." "What, +shall we receive good from the hand of the LORD, and shall we not +receive evil?" + +When Jesus visited the mourning family of Bethany, who were among his +dearest friends, he did not say to the afflicted sisters, weep not--but +the compassionate Redeemer united his tears with theirs; for it is +written, "Jesus wept." These were indeed only the tears of sympathy, for +it was in his benevolent purpose to restore the deceased brother to his +disconsolate sisters. Here also, we have a striking illustration of the +truth, that God's children are ignorant often of his kind designs, when +he permits sore afflictions to come upon them; "If thou hadst been +here," said both the weeping sisters, "my brother had not died." Their +regret was keen, and unmitigated by any known circumstance; but in one +short hour, they were, no doubt, glad that their Lord was not +there--they rejoiced that their beloved brother had died; because the +glory of God and the power of the Redeemer had now been manifested. +Indeed, a gracious visit from Jesus will turn our bitterest sorrows into +joy. His name--his word--his grace--has a mighty power to calm the +swelling surges of overwhelming sorrow. He can say, as he did to the +raging storm, "Peace, be still," and there will be a great calm. Were it +not for thoughts of God--of his providence, and promises, and of the +seasonable and effectual aid of his grace, grief would often drown the +soul in perdition; as it often does work death in the heathen, and in +the men of the world, who are without God, and without hope. + +It would be in place here to speak of our dear departed sister, whose +loss we now mourn; but this task will hereafter be better performed by +another hand. And to this audience little need be said; for she was +brought up among you from her childhood, and enjoyed the affectionate +regards of this community in no common degree, as is manifest by the +general and tender sympathy felt on this occasion. By her sweet +simplicity, engaging vivacity, affectionate temper, and affable manners, +our beloved friend endeared herself to her acquaintances and neighbours, +wherever she resided. And in regard to her Christian character, she +adorned her profession by a consistent life and conversation, in all the +relations which she sustained. + +Her latter end was calm and peaceful. She felt some dread of the pangs +of dissolution; but in regard to what comes after death, she had no +fear--her hope continued firm and her prospects bright to the last +moment. + +It is always a cause of lively gratitude, when God is pleased to sustain +his dear children in passing through "the valley of the shadow of +death." It affords to mourning friends the sweetest consolation which +could be received under such sore bereavements. This consolation of our +benignant Father has not been withheld in the present instance. Mourning +friends are permitted to rejoice in the midst of their overflowing +sorrow, in the confident hope, that the departed spirit of our dear +sister, free from all sin and pain, rests sweetly in the love and +beatified vision of her divine Redeemer. + +"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD THAT DIE IN THE LORD, FROM HENCEFORTH; YEA, SAITH +THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS; AND THEIR WORKS DO +FOLLOW THEM." + + + + + LETTERS + + OF + + A GRANDFATHER, + + + TO THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D. + + + PART II. + + + + +LETTERS + +OF + +A GRANDFATHER. + + +LETTER I. + +INTRODUCTORY. + +MY DEAR GRANDCHILDREN:--The decease of your beloved and lamented Mother, +has placed both you and me in circumstances of great solemnity and +responsibility. To be deprived of a mother's care and counsel at the +tender age at which she left you, is indeed a loss which no human +arithmetic can estimate; especially to be deprived of _such_ a mother, +one so well qualified by strength of intellect, by sincere piety, and by +peculiar loveliness of character, to be a blessing to you, for time and +eternity, is a bereavement of which, even now, I know not how to speak +without emotions too strong for utterance. While this precious Parent +lived, she seemed to interpose between your beloved grandmother and +myself, and any immediate responsibility in regard to your education; +but now that she is removed, we seem to be brought, in the mysterious +and mournful Providence of God, to stand in some measure in her place, +and to perform some of the most important duties which she owed to her +children. And, although your surviving Parent is eminently fitted, both +by nature and grace, to be a guide to your youth; yet, as he is engaged, +and is likely for some time to be engaged, in active, arduous, and +extended labours for the Church of God, which will probably separate him +from you often and much for a considerable time;--an additional +responsibility on our part seems to grow out of every circumstance. + +It is under these impressions that I now address you. Your grandparents +are drawing near to the end of their course. They must soon leave you in +a depraved and ensnaring world. What they do for your benefit, they must +do quickly. As one placed in these tender and endearing relations to +you, and in these solemn circumstances, allow me to pour out the fulness +of a heart most earnestly engaged for your welfare, and desiring more +ardently than I am able to express, to see you walking in truth and +happiness, and embalming by your conduct, as well as by your affection, +the memory of that blessed Parent, who, if she is ever permitted from +her high and holy abode, to look down on those whom she has left behind, +will rejoice to see you making choice of that path which leads to the +same blessedness. + +There are two considerations, beloved grandchildren, which, I think, you +will all agree, entitle me to expect from you a respectful and +affectionate attention to what I have to offer in these letters. The +_first_ is, that I have lived a long and somewhat eventful life; and, of +course, my range of _experience_ has not been small. In my three-score +and tenth year, I have had an opportunity of following many young people +from the cradle to the grave. I have seen the training, the subsequent +course, and the end of thousands. Need I say, that the lessons derived +from such experience are not unworthy of your regard? O, if you could +start in your career with that practical knowledge of the vanity, the +snares, and the sufferings of the world, which has come to me through +the medium of many a melancholy sight, and many a painful conflict, how +great would be the advantage! But this cannot be. Happy were it for you, +if you were willing to profit as you might from the experience of +others. But neither can this be expected, in ordinary cases, to be +realized. I cannot, however, admit the thought, that you will be willing +to reject this teaching altogether. + +The _second_ claim which I have on your attention is, my ardent and +affectionate desire to promote your happiness. You cannot suspect me of +any sinister design in what I have to say. This would be to suppose me +capable of "hating my own flesh." No, dear children, I have no desire to +damp the sanguine joy, or cloud the smiling sun of your youth. I would +not take from you a single rational pleasure. On the contrary, I delight +to see you happy; and desire, by all the means in my power to promote +your true enjoyment and honour. But you must allow me now, in my old +age, when I have seen so much of the illusions of the world, and so many +examples of the destruction of those who yielded to them, to counsel +you, not in the style of youthful flattery, but in the language of +"truth and soberness." You will find nothing in these letters intended +to carry a point by overpainting, or by any other artifice. If you have +a real disinterested friend on earth, who unfeignedly wishes to promote +your best interest in both worlds, it is he who now addresses you. I +shall not give a counsel or an injunction, but what I verily believe +your precious Mother, if she were permitted to speak from the bosom of +her Saviour, would ratify with all her heart. + +You will observe that some of my counsels have a respect to objects +beyond the period of childhood, which you now occupy. The truth is, I +expect soon to leave you. Probably long before any of you shall reach +adult age. Of course, I feel that what I have to say at all, had better +be said _now_. I may have no other opportunity. Besides, one of the +great truths which I wish to impress upon your minds is, that you are, +even at your present age, sowing the all important seeds of a future +harvest of good or evil. You will not find a single habit or attainment +recommended in the following pages, which, if you are ever to gain it, +you will not find an advantage in having calculated and prepared for, as +far as possible, at the earliest age. The earlier you begin to imbibe +good principles, and lay good plans, the better will it be for all the +future. + +Let me entreat you, then, to receive with all the affection and docility +of dutiful children, the counsels of one who, while he writes, looks up +to "Him who has the residue of the Spirit," that what is rightly said, +may be impressed upon your hearts, and made to bring forth precious +fruit, to your happiness, and to the glory of his holy name! + + +LETTER II. + +HUMAN NATURE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--On all important subjects there are certain great facts +which must be regarded as fundamental; as lying at the foundation of all +truth, and all duty. I feel that this is peculiarly the case in regard +to the counsels which I am about to give you concerning your course in +life. Among these fundamental facts are the depravity, the misery, and +the numberless temptations of the world in which you live; the depravity +of your own nature, ever ready to be attracted by the allurements and +corruptions of the world; and your consequent need of the grace of God, +at every step, for your guidance, protection, and deliverance. And until +you know and feel, and in some degree lay to heart, that the world in +which you live is a fallen, depraved world; that its habitual maxims and +ways are hostile to your best interests; that you are yourselves, by +nature, miserable sinners, standing in need of pardoning mercy, and +sanctifying grace; and that you are every day exposed to snares and +perils, from the joint influence of a depraved nature and a corrupt +world;--until you have learned, in some good measure, to recognise these +facts; to dwell upon them daily and hourly; and to receive the lessons +which they are adapted to teach; you are not prepared even to _begin_ +life. You are not prepared to meet or encounter the most common scenes, +much less the more formidable dangers which are likely to beset your +path every day that you live. But the moment you are brought to admit +these humbling, momentous truths; to feel their reality; and to consider +and treat them in some degree according to their practical importance; +then, and not till then, may we hope you will be ready to make a proper +estimate of the world; to guard against its allurements; to ponder well +what you need for securing your true happiness; and to implore that +divine aid which is necessary if you desire, in such circumstances, to +perform any duty aright. And, therefore, when I see young people +apparently forgetful of the character of their own hearts, and of the +world in which they live; thinking that all is gold that glitters; and +imagining that they can safely trust to their own wisdom and strength in +every situation, I regard them as objects of the deepest commiseration, +and as wholly unqualified for either the duties or the best enjoyments +of life. + +Know, then, dear children, and remember, that you belong to an apostate +race; that we are all, according to the declaration of God's own word, +"born in sin," and "shapen in iniquity;" that we are "by nature the +children of wrath;" that our native propensities are all of them +corrupt; opposed to God; impelling us to habits and practices forbidden +by his law, and unfriendly to our best interest. Remember, too, that, so +far from being able to trust your own hearts to resist the temptations +around you, and to guide you aright, they are all naturally inclined to +that which is evil, and disposed to take side with the vanities and +corruptions of the world. So that there is constant need of self-denial; +of imposing restraints upon all our appetites and passions; and of +submitting, especially in early life, to the counsels of the wise and +the good, who have gone before us in the journey of life, and have had +more experience than ourselves of its temptations and dangers. + +Hence it is, that so large a part of religion is represented in +Scripture as consisting in opposing our own corrupt inclinations; in +"crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts;" in constant +efforts to bring down pride and vanity; to mortify our evil +propensities; "to keep under the body;" to "rule our own spirits;" and, +in general, to gain the victory over ourselves. All these expressions +imply that the course of true wisdom is a warfare with evil; that our +most formidable enemies are within; and that resisting our own corrupt +nature is at once the most constant, and the most serious part of our +duty as accountable creatures. + +Nor is this all. Not only is our nature corrupt; not only are we from +our very birth, prone to evil "as the sparks fly upward;" but we are +also by nature under condemnation. In the language of that incomparable +Catechism, with which you have been familiar from lisping infancy--and +every doctrine of which, as I believe, is drawn from the Bible--"All +mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and +curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death +itself, and to the pains of hell forever." + +Such is the condition of our race by nature. Not only depraved and +unworthy, but guilty, condemned, and perishing; not only in _danger_ of +being forever lost; but already under a sentence of death, unless +rescued from it by the power and grace of the Saviour. All the posterity +of Adam are by nature, "dead in trespasses and sins," having no +resources within themselves for regaining the favour and image of God. +"The carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not in subjection to the +law of God, neither indeed can be." So that, left to ourselves, we +should infallibly go on in sin to eternal, merited, and hopeless +destruction. + +Here you are, then, dear children, in a revolted, polluted, lost world, +where the vast majority of the population is in open rebellion against +God; where the prevailing habits and maxims are selfish, carnal, and +opposed to all that is truly and spiritually good; where, if you fall +in, and continue to go with the prevailing current, you are inevitably +and eternally lost; where your only safety consists in renouncing the +world, its idols, its master, and its hopes; in "crucifying the flesh +with its affections and lusts; in resisting the fashions and allurements +which reign around you; and taking refuge in that Saviour, who came to +seek and to save that which was lost." Such are the temptations and +perils with which you are constantly and every where surrounded; and +such your only refuge. And, what greatly adds to your danger is, that if +the representation which I have given be correct, your own hearts are +naturally disposed to take the side of the enemy, and to betray you into +his toils and his power. So that you are like persons travelling in an +enemies' country, and liable every moment to be taken in some insidious +and fatal snare, and whose own inclinations to yield to the enemy are +among their greatest dangers. These are the humbling facts which it +behoves you constantly to keep in view, and to regard as the great +practical index of all your plans, resolutions, and efforts, as long as +you live. + +And as you can never be truly wise until you learn the corruption of +your own nature, and how indispensably you need pardoning mercy, +sanctifying grace, and unceasing guidance and help from on high; so you +are not prepared to begin your intercourse with a corrupt world, until +you have learned to appreciate the real character of human nature as it +appears in all the walks of social life. The young, anterior to +experience--and indeed many, long after experience ought to have taught +them otherwise--are too ready to put confidence in the professions and +arts of men. They are apt to believe the flattering tongue; to rely on +plausible promises; to trust heartless professions of attachment; to +repose confidence in civilities never meant to be accepted; and to +expect much from protestations of kindness, and assurances of +friendship--all dictated by the merest selfishness, and never intended +to be fulfilled. Rely on it, dear children, you live in a cold, selfish, +heartless world. Its civilities are hollow; its promises are deceitful; +its flatteries are insidious; its most splendid attractions are +delusive. Expect little from the warmest professions, and be very +backward to avail yourselves of the most fervent proffers of friendship. +I am far, indeed, from recommending a misanthropic suspicion of every +body. Your parents and grandparents ought to be the last persons in the +world to indulge or recommend such a spirit. They have been so happy as +to enjoy friendships sincere, disinterested, active, and unwearied, +never to be forgotten. For these they would be thankful, and enjoin it +upon you never to forget such precious friends. But remember, that +social confidence is a plant of slow growth; that there are few cases in +which it can be safely indulged; that where it exists, great care ought +to be taken not to abuse it by laying too much upon it; and that, while +you ought to receive all expressions of civility and respect with a +suitable acknowledgment, nothing can be more unwise and unsafe in such +a world as this, than to trust indiscriminately to the professions and +promises of men. + +If such be our deplorable circumstances, as a race, and as individuals, +then we need deliverance. We need salvation. To this great subject I +would next entreat your attention. + + +LETTER III. + +THE WAY OF SALVATION. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--Salvation is a word often on your lips, and on the lips +of many around you. The truly pious look forward to it with humble, +joyful hope. And those who have no piety, and even the profane and +profligate often speak of it as something which they desire and +anticipate. But what is SALVATION? The very expression presupposes that +we are all by nature in a state from which we need to be _delivered_ or +_saved_. We never apply this term to any but those who are in danger of +being _lost_. When a man is drowning, or in the utmost peril of death in +any form, and by the interposition of some benevolent and active friend, +is rescued, we say he is _saved_. Now in a similar sense is the term +used in the case before us. The salvation of man implies that he is, by +nature not only in _danger_, but in a _lost_ and _perishing_ condition. +Accordingly I told you, my dear children, in the preceding letter, that +our whole race, and you among the rest, are, by nature in a state of +guilt, depravity, and misery; that we are fallen creatures; under +condemnation; exposed to the wrath and curse of God; liable not only to +natural death, but also exposed to all the terrors of eternal death, +that is, of eternal separation from the presence of the Lord, and the +glory of his power, unless delivered, or, in other words, _saved_ by the +interposition of some mighty and merciful deliverer. Such a great +Deliverer has appeared to save sinners of our race;--to "put away sin by +the sacrifice of himself." And now, the word of God assures us, that +there is "no other name given under heaven among men whereby we can be +saved, but the name of Jesus Christ." + +It is my earnest desire, dear children, to open this way of salvation to +your minds, and to recommend it to your serious and solemn attention. +Believe me, "it is not a vain thing for you, it is even your life." +Unless you are, by the grace of God made partakers of this great +salvation, it "had been better for you that you had not been born." + +By the salvation revealed in the Gospel is meant, delivering us from all +the ruins of the fall--from the condemnation of sin and the power of +sin--restoring us to the favour and image of God--and bringing us to the +everlasting enjoyment of his presence in heaven. This is salvation. Now +I wish to show you how this great and blessed result is accomplished by +the undertaking and work of Jesus Christ, whom we are accustomed, on +that account, to denominate, with emphasis, our SAVIOUR. + +Man was made upright; in full possession of all the powers necessary to +perfect moral agency, and with all the dispositions which prompted to a +perfectly correct use of those powers. But "man being in honour abode +not." He rebelled against God. He violated the covenant under which he +was placed, and became liable to the dreadful penalty which it denounced +against transgression. In this fall of our first parents we are all +sharers. "In Adam," says the apostle, "all die." "By one man's +disobedience," he again declares, "many were made sinners." We have all +totally lost our original righteousness; so that there is now, by +nature, "none righteous, no not one." In short, we have all become +guilty and polluted before God, and incapable of regaining his image or +his favour by any merit or doings of our own. How, then are we to be +delivered from these deplorable circumstances? How shall we escape that +perdition which is the just reward of sin? "How can we escape the +damnation of hell?" How can any be saved? God cannot set aside his own +law, or permit his authority and majesty, as a righteous Governor, to be +trampled under foot. To "clear the guilty;" to take impenitent rebels +into the arms of his love, would be to "deny himself." Where, then, is +our refuge? Must we sit down in despair, and say, "There is no hope?" +No, by no means. A God of infinite wisdom, power, and love, has devised +and proclaimed a wonderful plan by which sin was punished while the +sinner is pardoned; by which justice is completely satisfied, while +mercy is extended to the guilty and vile; by which "grace reigns through +righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." + +This wonderful and glorious plan of mercy consisted in the Father giving +his own Son to obey, suffer, and die in our stead, as our substitute; +and in the Son consenting to bear the penalty of the law for us; to put +away our sin by the sacrifice of himself; and to bring in an everlasting +righteousness for our justification. Yes, dear children, however coldly +an unbelieving world may receive the amazing annunciation, the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, condescended, in his wonderful +love, to assume our nature; to take the place of the guilty and the +perishing; and to become the victim of Divine justice in their stead. +His language, in the eternal counsel of peace, was, "Let me suffer +instead of the guilty. Let me die to save them. Deliver them from going +down to the pit; I will be their ransom." This wonderful, this +unparalleled offer was accepted. The Father was well pleased for the +righteousness sake of his Son. He accepted it as the price of our +pardon; as that on account of which all who repent and believe should be +justified. So that the Scriptures may well say concerning the +Saviour--_He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that +believeth. He is the Lord our righteousness. He was wounded for our +transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of +our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. He bare our +sins in his own body on the tree. He died the just for the unjust, that +he might bring us to God. He delivered us from the curse of the law, +being made a curse for us._ + +Here then, dear children, is the way, and the only way of a sinner's +acceptance with God. In virtue of the covenant of redemption, the +righteousness of Christ, or what he did and suffered on our behalf, is +placed to the account of his people, _as if_ they had performed it in +their own persons. Though sinful and unworthy in themselves, God is +pleased to pardon and accept them as righteous in his sight, only for +the righteousness sake of his beloved Son. I am aware, indeed, that some +who speak much of "the merits of Christ," and profess to rely entirely +on those merits, represent the whole subject in a very different light. +They suppose that in consideration of the sufferings and death of our +blessed Saviour, the old, original law of God, requiring perfect +obedience, is repealed, and a _mitigated law_ now prescribed as the rule +of our obedience. So that now, under the Christian dispensation, a +perfect obedience is not even required, but only an imperfect one, +accommodated to our fallen condition and our many infirmities. But +still, they insist, that this imperfect obedience is the meritorious +ground of our acceptance with God; and, of course, that eternal life is +the purchase of our own obedience. In short, the doctrine of these +errorists is, that the benefit conferred by the sufferings and death of +Christ, consists, not in providing an entire righteousness for us, but +only in abating the demands of the law; in bringing down the divine +requisitions more to a level with our ability; and still enabling us, +low as we have fallen, to be the purchasers of salvation by our own +works. + +Be assured, dear children, this view of the subject is a grievous +departure from the Scriptural doctrine concerning the way of salvation. +The Bible represents our pardon and acceptance with God as not founded, +in any respect, or in any degree, on our own obedience; but as wholly of +grace--as a mere unmerited gift, bestowed solely on account of what the +Redeemer has done as our substitute and surety. It represents the holy +law of God as remaining in all its original strictness without repeal or +mitigation; and as falling with the whole weight of its penalty on all +the impenitently guilty. But it declares that penalty to be removed from +those who repent and believe the Gospel, not on account of any +worthiness in themselves, as the meritorious ground of the benefit; but +only on account of the perfect righteousness of Him who came to seek and +save those who were lost. In short, a gracious God saves his people not +by overlooking their sins; but by lifting the penalty from them, and +laying it upon the divine Redeemer, and for his sake letting them go +free, and accepting them solely on account of his merit. + +This righteousness of Jehovah the Saviour is said to be "to all, and +upon all them that believe;"--that is, it is imputed to none--set to the +account of none but those who receive Christ by faith. Faith is that +great master grace by which we become united to the Saviour, and +interested in his atonement. This righteousness, therefore, is called +_the righteousness of faith, and the righteousness of God by faith_. +Hence we are said to be _justified by faith_, and to be _saved by +faith_. Not that faith, as an act of ours, is, in any measure, the +ground of our justification; but all these expressions imply, that there +is an inseparable connexion, in the economy of grace, between believing +in Christ, and being justified by him, or having his righteousness +imputed to us. Happy, thrice happy they, who can thus call the Saviour +_theirs_, and who have thus "received the atonement!" Though unworthy in +themselves, they are graciously pronounced righteous by their heavenly +Judge, on account of what the Mediator has done. Their sins, though +many, are, for his sake, forgiven them. They are _freely justified from +all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses_. +They are "accepted in the Beloved." Though polluted and undeserving in +their own character, they are "complete in Him." There is no +condemnation to them now; and in the day of judgment they shall find, to +their eternal joy, that there is both safety and happiness in appearing +in the righteousness of Him who loved sinners, and gave himself for +them, clothed in "robes which have been washed and made white in the +blood of the Lamb." + +But we not only need to be justified by the righteousness of Christ; we +also indispensably need to be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. +Accordingly, the purification of our nature, as well as the pardon of +our sins, is one of the benefits purchased by Him, and secured by +covenant to all believers. Hence the teaching and the sanctifying power +of the Holy Spirit must be regarded as an essential part of the great +salvation of which I am speaking. We need as much to be delivered from +the love of sin as from its condemnation. And for both, the plan of +mercy held forth in the Gospel of Christ, makes equal and effectual +provision. "Whom he justifies, them he also sanctifies; and whom he +sanctifies, them he also glorifies." By the power of the Holy Spirit, +the dominion of sin is broken in the hearts of all who are brought under +the power of the Gospel. The reign of corruption in the soul is +destroyed; the love of it is taken away; and though not perfectly +sanctified in the present life, yet every believer has his +sanctification begun. It is carried on, not by his own wisdom or +strength, but by the same divine power by which it was commenced; until +he is, at last, made perfectly holy, as well as perfectly happy in the +presence of his God and Saviour. + +Thus does it appear that salvation is all of grace, sovereign, unmerited +grace. The original devising of the plan, in the eternal counsels of +peace, was prompted, not by any foresight of faith and holiness in the +fallen creature; but in mere grace. The plan itself, in all its +principles and provisions makes our salvation perfectly gratuitous, and +wholly excludes all human merit. After the plan was formed and executed, +and the knowledge of it imparted to us, no one would ever accept of it, +did not the same grace which formed it, incline the sinner to lay aside +his native opposition, and accept of the offered mercy. And even after +cordially accepting it, no individual would ever cleave to his hope, and +continue to embrace it, and live under its power, were he not "kept by +the power of God through faith unto salvation." + +After the foregoing statement, the great question is, what message does +this plan of salvation bring to YOU? The message which it brings, dear +children, is an unspeakably solemn one. It charges _you_ with being +sinners--miserable sinners in the sight of God--without merit--without +help, and without hope in yourselves. It offers you peace, and pardon, +and sanctification, and eternal life, through the atoning sacrifice of +the blessed Redeemer. It entreats you to lay aside your enmity, and to +receive these benefits with humble and adoring gratitude, as a free, +unmerited gift, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Its +language is, "Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the water of +life freely." And again, "Whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast +out." It calls upon you to renounce all confidence in yourselves, and to +receive and rest on Christ alone for salvation as he is freely offered +in the Gospel; to receive him as the Lord your righteousness, and the +Lord your strength, and rejoice in him as your only hope. To this end, +it is indispensable that you be convinced of sin; that you experience a +deep and cordial sense of your own sinfulness and unworthiness; that you +despair of saving yourselves; that you fall at the footstool of +sovereign grace, feeling that you deserve to die, and that you can have +no hope but in the atoning blood, and sanctifying Spirit of the +Redeemer. It is your duty and your privilege to go to the Saviour at +once, and cast yourselves on his mercy, without waiting for any +qualifications to render you worthy of his favour. You are commanded to +go to him as miserable, helpless sinners, not with a price in your +hands; but to receive from him all that you need to make you holy and +happy here and hereafter. And until you are prepared thus to go to him, +as miserable, unworthy sinners, who deserve God's wrath and curse +forever; until you sincerely feel that you have nothing to plead but the +merit of another; until you are ready to cast yourselves at the feet of +the Saviour, and to be indebted for pardon and eternal life as a mere +gift of grace, you have yet to learn the vital element of practical +religion. + +Dear children! will you hesitate a moment--will you wait for a second +invitation to accept of such a Saviour? Will you turn away with +ingratitude from such a salvation? Listen to the entreaty of one who +loves you, and who has no stronger desire concerning you than to see you +walking in the Spirit, and enjoying the consolation of the Gospel: or +rather listen to the voice of that blessed Saviour himself who died for +sinners; and who says to you, and to all who hear the Gospel--"Come unto +me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Him +that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." + +Think not, I beseech you, of putting off this acceptance of the +Saviour's love until you are farther advanced in life. Do you forget +that "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths +peace," and that you cannot too soon begin to be happy? Besides, have +you any assurance that you will live to be much more advanced in age +than you now are? Not long since, a graduate of one of our colleges was +heard to say, "I have finished my college education. I will now devote +two years to the study of a profession; and _then_ I will take one year +to see what there is in _that mighty thing they call_ RELIGION." So +calculated this careless, blooming youth. But before his plan was half +accomplished, he suddenly fell sick; was seized with delirium; and died +without hope. But there are facts, dear children, which ought to come +nearer home. Can you forget your beloved brother and sisters, who, in +the very threshold of their existence, were cut down, and laid in the +grave? And what security have _you_ that you will live to see another +year? But even if you _are_ permitted to live until you reach adult age, +or until you are old and grey-headed, what reason have you to hope, if +you go on hardening yourselves against the Gospel until that time, that +you will then have grace given you to "consider your ways?" O, how many +who were in youth thoughtful and tender, have become more and more +callous to every serious impression, as they advanced in life, and have, +at length, sunk into the grave without hope! Be entreated, then, dear +children, _now_, while your hearts are tender; before the world has +twined around them a thousand entanglements; before you become hardened +by inveterate habits of sin; be entreated to make choice of that "good +hope through grace," which will form the best treasure, and the only +effectual pledge of safety and happiness in the voyage of life: the +treasure which is emphatically "that good part which can never be taken +away from you." + + +LETTER IV. + +THE BIBLE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--If you were walking, in a dark night, along a road full +of sloughs, and pits, and snares, and dangers of every kind, what would +you do for safety? You would naturally, if you could obtain it, take a +_light_ in your hands. You would also, if possible, engage a _guide_, +strong and faithful, well acquainted with the road, and qualified to +conduct and defend you. And, besides all this, you would vigilantly +_look around you_ at every step, and eagerly mark and avoid every spot +that had a suspicious or doubtful appearance. + +Your situation, dear children, in the journey of life, is precisely such +as I have described; or rather, I ought to say, "the half has not been +told you." You are just entering on a world, dark, corrupt, and full of +allurement and danger. On every side enemies lie in wait to deceive and +betray. You are and will be exposed to a thousand temptations and perils +from which you have no wisdom or strength to deliver yourselves. You +need direction and guidance at every step. Now the BIBLE presents the +only complete and perfect map of the road which you are travelling. It +was given us to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path." It +exhibits, with unerring fidelity, every enemy, every snare, every danger +which beset your path. It gives all the information, all the warning, +all the caution, and all the encouragement which you need. It tells you, +more perfectly than any other book, all that you have to fear, and all +that you have to hope for. There is not a form of error, or of +corruption, against which it does not put you on your guard; nor an +excellence or a duty which it does not direct you how to cultivate and +attain. "Wherewith," asks the Psalmist, "shall the young cleanse their +way?"--"By taking heed thereto," he replies, "according to thy word." No +one ever made this holy Book the guide of his life, without walking +wisely, safely, and happily; without finding the truest enjoyment in +this world, and eternal blessedness in the world to come. + +Can you wonder, then, beloved children, that I place a high value on +this blessed Book; that I earnestly recommend it to your serious +attention, to your constant study, and to your devout and affectionate +application and confidence? Can you wonder that I should delight to see +it daily in your hands; much of its sacred contents committed to your +memory; and your hearts deeply imbued with its spirit and its power? +You, no doubt, remember how earnestly your precious Mother, now gone to +the God who gave this Book, recommended it to your attention; how +assiduously she put it into your hands; how often she constrained you to +commit portions of it to memory; and how frequently, on Sabbath +evenings, she gathered you round her to recite those portions in her +hearing, and to receive her instructions and counsels in regard to them. +Can you ever forget these scenes, and the solemn, tender lessons which +you then received? Call to mind her earnest looks, her affectionate +tones, her unceasing labour to impress the contents of this sacred Book +on your minds and hearts. Think of these things; and if you can +recollect them without gratitude to God for such a mother, and without +tears of regret that you have not profited more by her faithful +counsels, you have less moral feeling, and less filial sensibility than +I have been accustomed to give you credit for. + +Why is it, my dear children, that so many young people regard the Bible +with aversion, and consider the study of its pages, and especially +committing them to memory, as a task and a burden? When we reflect that +it is sent to us from heaven; that it contains the glad tidings of +peace, and love, and salvation to a lost world; that it is besides full +of the noblest specimens of literary beauty, and of tender pathetic +eloquence that the world ever saw; that there is something in it adapted +to touch the finest and best cords of human sensibility--why is it that +you so often feel aversion to the study of this volume, and would +gladly be excused from the task of perusing its chapters? Alas! dear +children, this is one of the many proofs that your nature, as I before +stated, is depraved; and that you need the renewing and sanctifying +power of the Holy Spirit, before you can understand and relish a book +given by his inspiration. Every feeling of reluctance to the study of +this Book which you experience, ought to fill you with alarm, and to +constrain you to cry mightily to God that he would open your eyes and +your hearts, and give you that taste for the best of all books, without +which you cannot be prepared for the joys of his presence. Consider, I +beseech you, that, as you have been made acquainted with this Book from +your earliest childhood, so you will have to give an account for this +knowledge. Many children around you have never had the Bible put into +their hands; have never been taught to venerate and love its sacred +pages; but you have been informed of its origin and value. You have +enjoyed a privilege denied to thousands. Will you not be grateful for +this privilege? Will you not manifest that you know how to prize a gift +of more value than all the world beside? Can you deliberately consent to +meet the dreadful condemnation of those who, from childhood, "knew the +Master's will, and did it not." + +I hope I need not remind you that the BOOK OF GOD is to be read with +feelings and in a manner very different from those with which you read +all other books. When you have read books of human composition once or +twice, you have gotten from them all they contain--you have done with +them. But with the perusal of the Bible you can never have done. The +oftener you go over it, if you feel as you ought, the richer and more +delightful will it appear. You can never exhaust its meaning or its +interest. Like its divine Author, it has a length and breadth and depth +and height, concerning which no human reader can ever say that he has +completely fathomed its meaning, or measured its riches. + +Other books are to be read with attention, and, if they abound with +truth and wisdom, with respect; but the Book of God is to be read with +the deepest veneration, as containing the mind and will of our heavenly +Sovereign. In fact, every line of it is to be considered as the voice of +God speaking to us. Woe to those, whether young or aged, who can handle +the Bible with levity, make sport of its contents, or recite its solemn +language as matter of jest! The Lord will not hold them guiltless who +thus, practically, "take his name in vain." The Mohammedans manifest +much more reverence for their _Koran_, than many Christians for the +Bible. They never allow themselves to touch it without washing their +hands. They handle it with the most pointed respect, never holding it +lower than their girdles. Every copy of it commonly contains an +inscription or label on the cover, in these words--"Let none touch but +those who are clean." How very differently do many, young and old, among +us, treat the Holy Scriptures! I have often been distressed when I have +seen children toss about their Bibles, and even throw them in the dirt, +as they would the least valued of their play-things, or rattle over some +of the most solemn language of the Bible with as little apparent thought +or respect as they would repeat the veriest effusions of nonsense. + +The Bible, farther, is to be read _daily_, and with _diligence_, as +containing that daily food from which you are to derive spiritual +aliment, and strength continually. It is to be read with fixed +_attention_, seriously directing your mind to its rich and important +meaning; with _humility_, feeling your need of the instruction and grace +which it contains; with _prayer_, imploring the guidance of the Holy +Spirit, that he may open your hearts to receive the engrafted word which +is able to save your souls; with _application_--asking continually--"How +does this concern _me_? Does it describe _my case_? Does it not contain +a lesson which demands _my_ special regard? Do _I_ know any thing in my +own experience of what is here taught?" + +In this precious Book you will find every thing adapted to enlarge the +mind, to gratify the taste, to elevate the affections, and to purify the +heart. If you only sought the richest _entertainment_, you could not +open a book more fitted to gratify you. It is an inexhaustible mine of +instruction as well as of beauty--the deeper you dig, the richer will +you find its treasures. Its exquisite simplicity, its pathos, its +sublimity, its heavenly wisdom, its purity, are all adapted to turn us +away from the vanities of the world; to enlarge our views beyond these +regions of disorder and darkness; to strengthen every high and holy +motive; and to lead us upward to Him who is the source and the sum of +all good. Happy, thrice happy will those children and young people be, +who early learn to go to the BIBLE for all their sentiments, principles, +and rules of action; who learn daily to go to that precious Book to +direct them in their pursuits, to comfort them in their sorrows, to +guide them in their perplexities, and to animate them in their labours +whatever they may be! Such have the best pledge of temporal enjoyment, +and of eternal blessedness. When, therefore, those who love you, and +would in some measure take the place of your dear departed Mother, daily +put this precious Book of God into your hands, and urge you to read and +commit to memory a portion of its contents, do not allow yourselves to +regard it as a task or a burden. Think from whom it comes--from the God +who made you. Think of the great purpose for which it was given--to make +you wise and eternally happy. Think of the only means of making it truly +profitable to you--studying it with devout attention, laying it up in +your hearts, and practising it in your lives. Think of the solemn +responsibility which the possession of this Book lays upon you--for to +whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required. And may the +great Author of this Book give you grace to "seek for the heavenly +wisdom which it contains as silver, and search for it as for hid +treasures!" + + +LETTER V. + +PRAYER. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--"Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for +things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of +our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." This is the +definition given in a Catechism with which you are familiar, and a more +complete and perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the offering +up of our _sincere desires_; for unless it be _sincere_, it is but +solemn mockery. It is to be addressed to _God alone_; for prayer +addressed to any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful +Sovereign. It is to be "for things _agreeable to the divine will_;" or +else it is unauthorized and presumptuous. It is always to be presented +_in the name of Christ_; for there is no other name under heaven given +among men whereby we can draw near to a holy God with acceptance, but +the name of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with _confession of +sin_; because the approach of a sinner to God, without an humble sense +and acknowledgment of unworthiness, would be contrary to every principle +of reason, as well as to the Christian plan of salvation. And, finally, +it ought to include a thankful acknowledgment of _divine mercies_; for +without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we cannot be in a frame of +mind fitted to receive farther favours. + +I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on either the +_reasonableness_ or the _duty_ of prayer. If we are entirely dependent +on God for every temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely +reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, and apply to him with +humility and earnestness for his aid. If his favour is life, and his +blessing the best riches, it is evident that we ought to supplicate them +with importunity and perseverance. If we are sinners, unworthy of the +divine favour, we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and make +confession of our sins with penitence and obedience. If he has revealed +a plan of mercy and grace to us, of which he invites and commands us to +avail ourselves, then every principle of self interest concurs with +reason, in urging us to seek with earnestness a participation in that +mercy. And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many words, commanded us +"by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests +to God," who can question, for a moment, the _reasonableness_ of a +compliance with that command? + +Nor is the _duty_ of prayer less apparent than its _reasonableness_. The +command of our Father in heaven is--"Pray without ceasing--pray always +with all prayer and supplication, and abound therein with thanksgiving. +I will be inquired of by my people to do that for them which they need. +Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall +be opened unto you. For if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts +unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give his +Holy Spirit to them that ask him? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in +prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The effectual, fervent prayer of a +righteous man availeth much. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, +and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, +and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. If any +one lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and it shall +be given him. Is any afflicted? let him pray. Be careful for nothing; +but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let +your requests be made known to God. The Lord is rich in mercy to all +that call upon him. In the day of my trouble I called upon the Lord, and +he heard me, and delivered me out of all my distresses." + +Such are some of the numerous passages of Scripture which plainly +_require_ and _encourage_ prayer. Can any one who reads and believes the +Bible, doubt for a moment, that it is equally his _duty_ and his +_privilege_ to go daily to the throne of grace to supplicate for all the +temporal or spiritual good which he needs? I hope, my dear children, +you will not be disposed to say, notwithstanding such express and +positive declarations of God's word, in the language of profane +objectors of old--"Wherefore should we seek after God? Does he need to +be informed of our wants? Can we, by importunity, alter his purposes? +Where is, then, the advantage of asking for what we need? What profit +shall we have if we pray unto him?" If you should ever be tempted to ask +such a question, I would answer--"Much every way." God has connected our +asking for blessings with receiving them. He has promised to hear and +answer prayer. He has condescended to say, that he will regard with all +the tenderness of a parent's heart, the cries of his children. He has +said in his word, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." This is enough. But +it is not all that is worthy of our attention. Prayer is not intended to +inform God, but to benefit ourselves. It tends to remind us of our +dependence and unworthiness; to impress our hearts with a deeper sense +of the divine goodness and mercy; and to beget in our minds that humble, +grateful, tender sense of our own weakness, and of our obligation to the +Author of all good, which constitute the best preparation for receiving +the gracious gifts of our heavenly Parent. + +While your precious, lamented Mother was alive, what a privilege did you +consider it to be allowed to go to her in all your troubles, and to +make known to her all your desires! How much greater the privilege to be +allowed every hour free access to your Father in heaven, with all your +anxieties and distresses, to pour out all your wants and wishes, your +hopes and fears into the bosom of an Almighty Friend, who is ever able +and ready to help! + +Since, then, dear children, there are so many reasons prompting you to +prayer; since you are always weak, always dependant, always unworthy, +and always in need, can you doubt that it is your duty and your interest +to abound in prayer? Let me entreat you, therefore, never to suffer a +day to pass without engaging in this delightful and most reasonable +exercise. Set apart fixed times for the purpose, that you may form such +_habits_ as will aid your memory, and prevent your neglecting it. Retire +as soon as you can, after rising in the morning, to return thanks for +the mercies of the night, and to implore the protection, the guidance, +and the blessing of your heavenly Father, through the day. And in the +evening, before drowsiness overtakes you, retire again, to praise him +for the mercies of the day, and to ask for his guardianship during the +night watches. But are these the only subjects of prayer? Far from it. +They are numerous as the moments you live, and various as the objects +which you are called to contemplate. Pray in the morning, that God would +keep you from all evil in body or soul, through the day; that he would +create in you a clean heart, and renew within you a right spirit; that +he would guard your speech and behaviour at all times, and in every +situation; that he would enable you to mortify and subdue every sinful +affection, and to overcome every improper habit; that he would deliver +you from sloth, and pride, and vanity, and malice, and envy, and every +evil temper; that he would enable you to treat all around you in a +dutiful and becoming manner; in a word, that he would enable you to +spend the day in a manner profitable to yourselves, and to the benefit +of all around you. And in the evening pray, that he would pardon all the +deficiencies and infirmities of the preceding day; that he would make +you grateful for all the favours of his merciful Providence; that he +would watch over you during the hours of darkness and repose; and bring +you to the light of another day in health, in the exercise of your +reason, and in the enjoyment of his favour and love. + +And while you thus pray daily for yourselves, it is your privilege and +duty to include in your petitions all with whom you are connected in the +various relations of life. You ought to pray continually for your +beloved _father_, who is engaged in such important labour for the +Church, and who loves you with an affection and solicitude which you can +never repay; for your _grandparents_, who are daily praying for you, and +who are falling more and more under the infirmities of age; for _one +another_, that you may be guided and blessed amidst all the temptations +and dangers of youth; for your _teachers_; for your _school-mates_; for +the _poor children_ around you, who have none of the advantages of +instruction and restraint which you enjoy; for your _friends_, and +_neighbours_, and all with whom you are acquainted. O, my dear children, +if you prayed as you ought every day for all these, how much happier +would you be! What a benign influence it would have on your whole temper +and conduct! It would make you kind, tender hearted, and forgiving +toward all with whom you conversed; and make all of them, in their turn, +love you as a friend and benefactor. + +Let me make, on this subject, one more suggestion. Most people, +especially most young people, have no idea of engaging in prayer unless +at particular times when they retire for the purpose. I wish you all, +dear children, besides your stated seasons of prayer, morning and +evening, to form the habit of lifting up your thoughts and your desires +to God in any and every situation; when walking by the way; when +surrounded with company; when met by any call of duty, or by any +circumstance of a doubtful aspect, or perplexing character--be in the +habit of silently but devoutly looking up to God for wisdom and strength +to perform every duty. This kind of intercourse with God may be carried +on at all times, and in all situations; and, I will add, was never +sincerely adopted by any one without being connected with guidance and +consolations of unspeakable value. In this way the suggestion of the +apostle in writing to Timothy will be realized, that "_every thing_ be +sanctified by the word of God, and prayer." + + +LETTER VI. + +CULTIVATION OF THE MIND. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--That every human being is bound to cultivate, in the +best manner, the intellectual powers which God has given him, I hope you +will take for granted, anterior to all argument; and, although the moral +aspects of education are the most vitally important, yet as no one can +be a moral agent without some degree of intellect; so it may be said, +that the wisest and best culture even of our moral powers, depends more +on the discipline, the enlargement, and the furniture of the intellect, +than is commonly supposed. + +The cultivation of the mind comprises two things, and two only, viz: +giving it proper habits of exercise, and filling it with useful +knowledge. The case is precisely similar with regard to the _body_. The +sum total of all that we are called to do for the benefit of the body, +is to secure its strength by constant and wholesome action or exercise, +and to furnish it with appropriate nourishment. On the one hand, were +its _exercise_ ever so abundant, if left without aliment, it would +speedily sink into weakness and death; and, on the other, if its aliment +be ever so plentiful and rich, yet if it be left wholly without +_exercise_, it will soon become a mass of disease and corruption. +Precisely so is it in the cultivation of the mind. Exercise and aliment +are equally indispensable, and must go together. If the mind be not +taught to think, and to feel an appetite for intellectual provision, all +the knowledge in the world, if introduced into it, would be of little +use. But, if it be taught only to think and feel, and be furnished with +none of the appropriate aliment of knowledge, it cannot grow either in +strength, or in a capacity to act its part in the world with dignity or +usefulness. + +As these principles lie at the foundation of all intellectual culture, +so they are also adapted to instruct us with regard to the wisest and +best means of conducting that culture, with regard to the departments of +knowledge most worthy of being studied, and the relative stress which +ought to be laid on different pursuits. If you would be trained up +merely to be splendid butterflies, to shine and to please the +superficial and the empty, for a day, and, having done this, to die like +senseless insects; why, then, a corresponding plan of culture must be +adopted. But, if you wish to be regarded as rational creatures; to be +prepared for sober thought and action; to "serve your generation by the +will of God;" to die in peace, and to be remembered with love and +veneration when you are gone, then it is perfectly manifest a very +different method of training is indispensable. + +I trust you will not hesitate a moment in deciding which of these +courses you ought to choose. I trust the way of practical wisdom, of +piety, and of usefulness, will be the object of your prompt and decisive +choice. If so, the course of mental culture which you ought to adopt, +cannot possibly be mistaken by a mind of the least reflection. If you +are to feel and act as moral accountable agents, and to consider human +life as a serious, momentous thing; then, doubtless, you will feel that +you are bound, first of all, and above all, to exercise your minds in +such a manner, and to store them with such branches of knowledge, as +will tend most effectually to enlarge them, to strengthen them, to +inspire them with practical wisdom, and to furnish them with the means +of the most solid and extensive usefulness. + +Upon this principle, I would say, let your first and chief attention be +directed to those branches of knowledge which lie at the foundation of +all that is enlarged, liberal, and elevated in human pursuits; such as +Grammar, Rhetoric, Geography, the Latin, Greek, and French languages, +Natural and Moral Philosophy, the elements of Mathematical science, +Chemistry, and as many of the branches of Natural History as may be +within your reach, especially Botany and Mineralogy. These are all +proper for both sexes; and the more you gain of all of them, the better +fitted will you be both for enjoying life, and for fulfilling its +various and momentous duties. I grant, indeed, my dear grandson, that +with regard to what is denominated Classic literature, and Mathematics, +I wish _you_ to go more thoroughly to work, than would be desirable, or +perhaps proper, for your sisters. But I hope that neither of these will +be entirely neglected by _them_. For I have an impression, that the +careful study, to a certain extent, of the best of the dead languages, +and an intelligent acquaintance with the elementary principles of +Mathematics, ought to be omitted by none who can possibly attain them. +In my opinion, they are adapted to produce an effect on the mind, and to +diffuse an influence over all its other acquisitions, more happy and +more important than is commonly recognised, even by many of the educated +themselves. + +Besides the popular sciences just mentioned, with which every human +being who can afford it, ought to seek some good acquaintance, there is +an extensive and important field of knowledge, which is defined by the +general term of _literature_, and, in our case, of _English Literature_. +There is a large class of writers, with whose works every one who claims +to be intelligent and well informed, must be familiar. To this +department belongs the whole subject of _History_, which, I trust, will +receive the serious attention of all of you; and about which I hope you +will take enlightened advice, as a number of the most attractive and +popular writers in this department, are unfit to be perused without +much reserve and caution. To these, of course, ought to be added, those +great writers, both in prose and poetry, which deserve to be ranked as +_English Classics_; and, with which, I feel confident, you will seize +the earliest opportunity of becoming acquainted. I refer to such writers +as Milton, Shakspeare, Dryden, Addison, Steele, Pope, Thompson, Gray, +Young, Goldsmith, Johnson, Cowper, Beattie, and a number of others, whom +I cannot pause to specify, but with whom it would be highly +discreditable not to have some intimate knowledge. Without an +acquaintance with these writers, you cannot appreciate the riches, the +beauties, or the purity of your vernacular tongue, or form for +yourselves a good style of writing. In these writers, too, you will find +a great store-house of fine sentiment, as well as diction, adapted +greatly to enlarge and elevate the mind, to impart to it its highest +polish, and to prepare it for its best efforts. + +There are certain accomplishments commonly called _ornamental_, deemed +by many desirable for females, and by some considered as of much +consequence. Among these are dancing, music, painting, drawing, +embroidery, &c. With regard to _dancing_, your beloved grandmother and +myself never thought proper to permit any of our own children to be +instructed in this art; not because we thought the _act_ of dancing +itself criminal, but because we considered it as inseparably and almost +necessarily connected with the whole system of balls, dancing +assemblies, midnight parties, &c., all of which we deemed criminal, and +in a great variety of ways, hostile to the principles and the claims of +true religion. We do, indeed, find dancing spoken of in the Old +Testament Scriptures, as having been employed, even on occasions of +religious joy; but never on such occasions do we read of the midnight +dance, nor of promiscuous dancing, that is, of the sexes together. And +with respect to the New Testament, we read there of only one actual +dance, and that was performed by a profligate woman, and connected with +crime of the most atrocious and revolting character. + +As to _music_, I am persuaded it is the duty of every one who is able to +do it, to acquire the power of uniting in the social praise of God with +excellence and efficiency. The cultivation of vocal music, and the +attainment of such a degree of skill in it as is essential to imparting +an interest in the exercise, are conducive to health and favourable to +moral and spiritual improvement. So far, I am confident you ought all to +go. And if my granddaughters should have a special taste and love for +instrumental music, I am by no means prepared to advise that they deny +themselves the pleasure. It is an elegant accomplishment, and when +wisely employed, may be connected with innocent pleasure, and sometimes +with benefit. But I should deeply regret to find them aiming at that +_exquisite skill_ in instrumental music, which cannot be attained +without great expense, much loss of time, and that intense and long +continued attention which cannot fail to engross the mind and stand in +the way of more worthy objects of pursuit, if it do not wholly exclude +them. This is so unworthy of a rational accountable creature, that I +would infinitely rather my dear grandchildren should know nothing of +music, than that they should carry their zeal for it, and their devotion +to it, to such an injurious length. And as to my dear grandson, while I +hope always to hear him unite in singing the praises of God in the +sanctuary with taste and skill, it would give me unspeakable pain to +hear that he was regarded as a highly acceptable and admired singer at +convivial meetings, and that his company was courted on that account. I +concur in opinion with the old Grecian sage, who, when a young gentleman +of his acquaintance, of respectable station and employment in society, +had performed on an instrument of music with consummate skill and +effect, said to him, "Are you not ashamed, my young friend, to play so +well?" + +In conducting the intellectual culture of the young, there is one +question which I presume you will not fail to ask, and which I wish to +anticipate and answer in this little system of affectionate advices. The +question is, whether _Novels_ ought to have any place in the course of +reading prescribed for young people? This is a question of exceeding +great importance. When I was a youth it was far less interesting and +momentous, as a practical matter, than it has now become. Three quarters +of a century, and more especially a century ago, the number of this +class of writings was so small, and their popular circulation so +inconsiderable, that their influence was scarcely worthy of notice, +compared with that which they have more recently exerted, and which they +are daily going on to extend. Bear with me then, dear children, while I +dwell a little on this subject, and call your attention to some thoughts +which I pray God may be deeply impressed upon your minds. + +That fictitious history is not in its own nature and necessarily +criminal, will probably be acknowledged by all. It _may_ be so construed +as to awaken curiosity, to excite sympathy, and to impress the +understanding and the heart in a salutary manner. Of course, to condemn +every thing of the kind _as such_, and however constructed or employed, +would be to pronounce an unjust judgment. Hence we find examples of this +mode of instruction in the holy Scriptures; and on the same principle, +some of the wisest and best human teachers in all ages, have used the +vehicle of lively and interesting fiction, known to be such at the time, +for insinuating into the mind moral and religious lessons, which in a +different form, might not so readily have gained admittance. + +But the great error of modern times is two-fold; _First_, in +multiplying publications of this kind, until they bear an inordinate and +injurious proportion in the current literature of the day; and, +_Secondly_, in constructing them upon a plan adapted to degrade virtue +and piety, to recommend vice, and of course to prove seductive and +immoral in their whole influence. + +Even when such works are perfectly unexceptionable in their character; +when they are wholly free from any thing improper, either in language or +sentiment, they may be productive of incalculable mischief, if, as now, +they are issued in excessive _numbers_ and _quantity_. Leaving the +_character_ of modern novels entirely out of the question, the enormous +number which for the last half century has been every day increasing, +has become a grievous intellectual and moral nuisance. As long as they +were _few_ in number, and were regarded not as the _substance_, but only +as the _seasoning_ of the literary feast, they occupied but a small +share of public attention. The chief time and attention of the reading +portion of the community were mainly devoted to works of substantial +value, fitted to strengthen, enlarge, and enrich the mind. But, within +the last twenty or thirty years, the number of novels has increased so +rapidly; they have become so prominent and alluring a part of the +current literature of the day; and by their stimulating and +inexhaustible variety, have so drawn away the minds of the aged as well +as the young from solid reading, that they have formed the principal +reading of a large portion of the community, and, of course, have become +a snare and an injury to an extent not easily calculated. As long as +exhilarating gases, or other stimulating substances, are administered +sparingly, and as medicines, they may be altogether harmless, and even +essentially useful. But, when those who have taken them for some time in +this manner, become so enamoured with them as to be no longer satisfied +with their moderate and salutary use, but make them their daily and +principal aliment, they become inevitably mischievous. They destroy the +tone of the stomach, and, in the end, radically undermine the health. + +So it is with the insidious excitement of novels. Were the reader of +them to take none into his hands but those which might be safely +pronounced perfectly pure and innocent; and were he certain that he +would never be tempted to go beyond the most moderate bounds in seeking +and perusing even such, there would, perhaps, be little danger to be +apprehended. But no one can be thus certain of either. The general +stimulus of fictitious narrative is morbid and disorderly. It excites +the mind, but cannot fill or enrich it. The probability is, that he who +allows himself to enter on this course, will be led on, like the +miserable tippler, from one stage of indulgence to another, until his +appetite is perverted; his power of self-denial and restraint lost; and +his ruin finally sealed; or, at least, his mind so completely indisposed +and unfitted for the sober realities of practical wisdom, for the +pursuits of solid science and literature, as to be consigned to the +class of superficial drivellers as long as he lives. + +The truth is, novels--even the purest and best of them--are adapted, not +to _instruct_, but only to _amuse_; not to _nourish_ and _strengthen_, +but only to _exhilarate_. They even enervate the mind; they generate a +sickliness of fancy; and they render the ordinary affairs and duties of +life altogether uninteresting and insipid. After wading through hundreds +of the most unexceptionable volumes belonging to this class--what has +been gained? What has been laid up for future use? Nothing. Not a trace +of any thing useful has been left behind. The days and nights devoted to +their perusal have been absolutely lost. What infatuation is it for a +rational creature who is sent into the world for serious and important +purposes, and who is hastening to the judgment seat, thus to waste +precious time; and, what is worse, thus to pervert his mind, and +disqualify himself for sober employments! The celebrated Dr. Goldsmith, +in writing to his brother, respecting the education of his son, +expresses himself in the following strong terms, which are the more +remarkable, as he himself had written a novel:--"Above all things, never +let your son touch a romance or novel. These paint beauty in colours +more charming than nature, and describe happiness that man never tastes. +How delusive, how destructive are those pictures of consummate bliss! +They teach the youthful mind to sigh after beauty and happiness which +never existed; to despise the little good which fortune has mixed in our +cup, by expecting more than she ever gave; and, in general, take the +word of a man who has seen the world, and has studied human nature more +by experience than precepts--take my word for it, I say, that such books +teach us very little of the world."[10] He might have gone farther, and +said--They teach us little of _any thing_; and so pervert the taste, as +to take away all relish for applying the mind to any thing sober or +useful. Often have I known young men and women so bewitched by novels, +that they could read nothing else. They sought for new works of this +class in every direction; devoured them with insatiable avidity; and +became less and less disposed for pursuing any study either prescribed +by their preceptors, or adapted to promote their ultimate enjoyment; +until their prospects for both worlds were irrecoverably overcast with +clouds and darkness. + + [10] Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works. + +Imagine not, dear children, that _you_ will exercise more resolution +than others, and thus avoid the snare of which I have spoken. You +cannot answer for yourselves in this matter, any more than the man who +is constantly exposed to the temptation of stimulating drinks can be +sure of escaping the danger. Rely upon it, the more confident you are of +your own wisdom and firmness in avoiding the evil in question, the +greater your peril. In this, as in many other things, the only complete +safety is to be found in wholly avoiding the dangerous territory. + +But there is another source of evil in this department of literature, +still more serious and formidable. A very large proportion of modern +novels, are far from being innocent. They are positively seductive and +corrupting in their tendency. They make virtue to appear contemptible, +and vice attractive, honourable, and triumphant. Folly and crime have +palliative and even commendatory names bestowed upon them. The +omnipotence of _love_ over all obligations and all duties, is +continually maintained; and the extravagance of sinful passion +represented as the effect of amiable sensibility. Surely these +representations can have no other tendency than to pervert the moral +sentiments, and to corrupt the hearts of those who habitually dwell upon +them. And even though they be, at first, contemplated with abhorrence, +no one can tell how soon the mind may be gradually and insidiously +reconciled to them, by familiarity with the infectious influence. + +For example; the novels of _Sir Walter Scott_ have been read with eager +delight by millions of the young and the old; and many pronounce them at +least innocent. But those who read them with intelligence, and with a +proper estimate of the times and the characters which he undertakes to +portray, will perceive that the writer arrays himself against the +patriotism and the piety of some of the best men that ever adorned the +history of his country; that he exhibits orthodoxy and zeal under the +guise of enthusiasm and fanaticism; that he strives to cover with +dishonour, men "of whom the world was not worthy;" and to elevate and +canonize their persecutors. In short, that his general influence is +wholly unfriendly to religion. These characteristics pervade the most +popular of his novels. Of course few of his readers, especially of his +youthful readers, are aware of his misrepresentation, and, therefore, +are not armed against the mischievous influence. + +But there is a poison lurking in this field, still more virulent and +fatal. A large portion of novels may be charged with being seductive and +immoral, upon a more refined and deep laid plan. They are systematic, +and, in some instances, ingenious and plausible apologies for the most +atrocious crimes. In many modern productions of this kind, the +intelligent reader will recognise the following process of +representation: Corrupt opinions are put into the mouth of some +favourite hero, the splendour of whose character, in other respects, is +made to embellish the principles which he holds, and the force of whose +eloquence is employed to recommend the most unreasonable and mischievous +dogmas. When this hero commits a crime, and when, by this crime, +according to the fixed laws of the divine government, he is involved in +serious difficulty, if not lasting and fatal misery, the fashionable +novelist endeavours to throw the blame on the religious and moral +institutions of society, as narrow, illiberal, and unjust. When a +splendid but corrupt woman, has forsaken the paths of virtue, and when +she suffers in her reputation and her comfort, by such conduct, all this +is ascribed to "the wretched state of civilization"--to "the deplorable +condition of society." Every opportunity is taken to attack some +essential principle of morality, under the tide of a "prejudice;" to +ridicule the duties of conjugal and domestic life, as flowing from +"contracted" and "slavish" views; to stigmatize the sober pursuits of +honest industry, as "dull" and "spiritless;" and, in a word, to frame an +apology for robbery, murder, suicide, and the indulgence of every +propensity, for which a corrupt heart can plead an inclination. + +Now, my dear children, when novels of this kind are placed on the +shelves of every circulating library, and strewed over every part of our +land, what security have youthful novel-readers that many of this class +will not fall into their hands, and that they may not imbibe the fatal +poison before they are aware? Is it any wonder that wise parents and +guardians are painfully apprehensive of such danger? Many amiable and +well-intentioned young people, who fancied they were gaining amusement +only, have been unwarily betrayed into opinions, and prepared for +practices which they would once have regarded with abhorrence, and which +ultimately led them into error, crime, and ruin. Since, then, there are +so many novels of this insidious and baneful character; and since it is +by no means easy for the young and inexperienced to distinguish between +the innocent and the vile, you will not wonder that I advise, nay, +entreat you to avoid the reading of novels altogether; never to allow +yourselves to take a volume of this kind into your hands at all. The +most innocent of them, as you have seen, are worthless, and the perusal +even of _them_, a waste of time; and if you allow yourselves to touch +any of them, you will be in danger of being led astray to an extent +which you can hardly be made to anticipate. I beseech you, dear +children, trust one who sincerely loves you; who understands the subject +of which he is speaking; and who would not deprive you of a single safe +or solid pleasure--trust him when he earnestly exhorts you, NEVER TO +READ A NOVEL. + +You will, perhaps, ask, what is my opinion of what are called "religious +novels," that is, of fictitious narrative, designed to illustrate and +recommend religion? I am compelled to say, that my deliberate judgment +is unfavourable to _these_ also. They are neither edifying nor safe as +instructors in the great department of religion. I do not deny that +_some_ of this class may be adapted to do good, and may have been +actually useful. But this is not the question. The question is, whether, +as a system, it is better to instruct in religion through the medium of +fictitious narrative, and by means of thrilling incidents, or by plain, +sober, didactic, and exhortatory address. In general, I cannot help +deciding in favour of the latter. The reason why the large majority of +mankind prefer fictitious narrative is, that they love _excitement_; and +most youthful readers will be more likely to take interest in the +"story," than in the moral lessons which it conveys. Condiments and +stimulants are useful in our food; but to make our daily food consist +wholly or mainly of condiments and stimulants, would not, surely, be +wise or salutary. + +But this is not the worst. Among the novels called _religious_, there +are various classes. Almost all the different religious denominations +have issued novels appropriate to their respective sectarian characters. +We not only have those which have been put forth by the friends of truth +and piety; but, also, many by the advocates of error. Socinianism is now +strenuously inculcated through the medium of fictitious narrative. Cold +Pelagianism on the one hand, and Antinomianism on the other, have been +presented in the same manner. Amidst these alternate pleadings of +orthodoxy and heresy, how shall the youthful learner discriminate? Were +he to take up a didactic treatise in favour of Socinian or Pelagian +opinions, he would see the error in a moment, and be on his guard +against it. But when he is borne away by the excitement of a stirring +narrative, and a spirited, eloquent dialogue, he may imbibe the poison +of error, before he is aware. + +You must not, dear children, consider me as fanciful, if I express an +opinion, that the present prevailing state of mind of the religious +public has some connexion with that class of novels of which I am now +speaking. The most striking characteristic of the present time is _a +love of excitement_. The old and sober mode of proceeding in any thing +has become unpopular and intolerable. Our children can scarcely be +prevailed upon to read any thing unless it comes in the shape of a +striking story. If any one wishes a pious _tract_ to be read, he must +construct it in the form of a thrilling fictitious narrative. Every dish +must be highly seasoned; every draught must be a dram. Is it any wonder +that, in such a condition of the public taste, all old methods of doing +good should be despised, and the Church as well as the world filled with +new opinions, new estimates of things, and "new measures?" + +Be assured, when your mind is brought, by any means, whether by an +insatiable love of fictitious narrative, or by any other form of +exciting composition, to relish nothing conveyed in the old form of +solid, didactic, direct instruction, it is high time to examine whether +you are not acquiring habits unfriendly to sober thought, to the best +mental culture, and to the acquirement of the most valuable knowledge. +How often have I met with young people, of both sexes, who could talk +fluently, and with apparent intelligence, of the volumes of Miss Burney, +Mrs. Radcliffe, Madame De Stael, Miss Edgeworth, and Scott, and Cooper, +and Bulwer, and even of the depraved and infamous Byron;--but, who were +struck dumb if you spoke to them of Shakspeare; of Bacon; of Milton; of +Addison; of Thompson; of Young; of Dryden; of Pope, and Johnson, and +Robertson, and Junius, and Cowper, and other English classics, of whom, +if they had ever heard, they seemed to know nothing! Is this the way to +cultivate the mind? Does this speak for or against the devourer of +novels? + +The sum of my counsel, then, under this head, is, that if you wish +really to cultivate your minds, and to prepare them for healthful and +useful action, let your studies be solid, diligent, and persevering. Let +your reading be such as will fill your minds with the knowledge of +facts, principles, and sentiments of the enriching and elevating kind. +Let your first and most intimate acquaintance be with those authors +whose works will tend to fit you for answering the great purpose for +which you were sent into the world. Carefully avoid every species of +reading which tends to turn away your minds from sober, practical views +of life and duty. And remember that, for every book you read, and for +every mental influence which you invite, you have to render a solemn +account. + +There is one more counsel, dear children, with which I will close this +letter. It is, that whatever subject you study--whatever book you read, +you do it _faithfully_ and _thoroughly_. Leave nothing until you +understand it well;--until you have, as far as possible, gone to the +bottom of it. You may rely upon it that no solid knowledge is to be +gained without patient, unwearied labour. Be not in haste, then, to pass +on to another subject or lesson, until you have completely mastered that +in which you may be engaged. Be not contented with merely enabling +yourselves to recite a lesson with plausible fluency. Be sure that you +thoroughly comprehend, not only its obvious meaning, but also its +elementary principles. Despise the indolence of those, who, in learning +languages, are constantly using the miserable crutches of +_translations_, instead of walking with the use of their own limbs; and +who, whenever a difficulty occurs in mathematics, or any other subject, +instead of delving it out themselves, ignobly ask help from some wiser +and better scholar. This is cheating yourselves. That which is gained +by your own efforts, and with considerable labour, will be better +understood, and more firmly lodged in the mind, than that which is +imparted gratuitously by others, without any vigorous mental exercise on +your part. + +The fact is, the pursuit of knowledge may be compared to the task of one +who is called to cross a high and craggy mountain. If he is willing to +forego his own best interests, both as to bodily and mental health, he +may employ some sturdy, athletic assistant to take him up in his arms, +and bear him over the steep ascent, and deposit him in safety on the +other side, without the use of a muscle of his own. But what would he be +the better for it, at the end of his journey? His limbs would not be +braced. His chest would not be expanded. He would miss a thousand +interesting objects of attention which the use of his own feet would +have brought to his view. After a thousand such boasted expeditions, he +might live and die the same feeble, nervous dyspeptic, that he was when +he set out. Whereas, he who resolves to climb the same mountain by his +own efforts; who addresses himself to the task with patient persevering +labour; who takes step after step, slowly, but wisely and firmly; may +not gain the ascent quite as speedily as his weaker contemporary; but he +will gain it much more to his own profit and comfort, and, in the end, +find every power invigorated by the enterprise. O, if children and +young people could feel how foolish it is to procure themselves to be +borne up the mountain of knowledge by others, instead of climbing it +themselves, they would despise all the "labour-saving machinery" to +which many of them are so fond of resorting; and would remember that +what is gained by their own intellectual efforts, is more solid, wears +better, digests better, and is productive of richer fruit, both to +themselves and others. + +It is a law impressed by our Maker on the intellectual, as well as the +physical man, that "if any will not work, neither shall he eat." It is a +real blessing, if we did but know it, to have labour connected with all +our attainments. Thus do we best answer the great end of our being; thus +do we invigorate every power, and become prepared most effectually to +"serve our generation by the will of God." + + +LETTER VII. + +CULTIVATION OF THE HEART, AND THE MORAL HABITS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--By the _heart_, I mean the moral feelings, dispositions, +and affections. And by _cultivating_ the heart, I mean directing much +attention to restraining, regulating, and purifying all its exercises. +This may be said to lie at the foundation of all duty and all happiness. +Were your intellectual powers cultivated with all possible care and +success, and your moral faculties neglected, you might be polished and +elegant demons; but would be miserable yourselves, and a curse to +society. Whether, therefore, you regard your own present enjoyment, and +everlasting welfare, or the happiness of those around you, you cannot +too early remember the great purpose for which you were sent into the +world, and the relations which you sustain as rational, social, and +immortal creatures. You cannot too early or too diligently learn to +restrain your passions; to deny yourselves; and to cultivate those +benevolent, meek, humble, and amiable habits, which are indispensable to +tranquillity and peace of mind, and which alone can prepare you to adorn +and bless the social circles with which you may be connected. I draw +your attention the more earnestly to this great subject because I see so +many young people who appear never to think of the importance, or even +utility of this part of their education. + +If you have not learned, dear children, that you are by nature prone to +be proud, vain, selfish, envious, irascible, sensual, malignant, and, in +a word, to indulge the various appetites and passions which tend to +destroy your own peace, and to invade the comfort of those around you; +if you have not discovered that this is the tendency of your nature, and +that resisting it will call for much self-denial, and continual, and +sometimes for agonizing effort, you have attended less to your own +feelings, and habits, and less to the character of your friends and +associates than I am willing to suppose. + +Perhaps you will ask--Does not _religion_ cover all this ground? Where +the power of Christian principle reigns in the heart, will not every +thing intended to be included in this letter follow as a matter of +course? If the _plan of salvation_, treated in a former letter, be +received and obeyed, will not all the objects contemplated in the +present letter, be included and secured? Whence, then, the necessity, or +even the propriety, of making it matter of separate consideration? I +answer, the religion of Christ, in its spirit and power, does indeed +embrace all moral excellence. It does, in fact, where it bears +appropriate and entire sway, include every moral feeling, affection, and +habit, which can adorn and elevate human nature. And yet it is to be +lamented that many who cherish the Christian hope, are not as much aware +of this fact as they ought to be; and are not so careful to exhibit all +the _loveliness_, as well as the _purity_ of example which become them, +as is desirable. And, besides, I have always found that there is a great +advantage in pursuing rather more into detail the various branches of +the Christian temper, than is commonly done even in the best treatises +on religious character and duty. The French have a phrase which +expresses more exactly than any English one which I can recollect, my +meaning in the title of this letter. The phrase I refer to, is _Les +petites morales_; by which they appear to understand those _moral +delicacies_ of feeling, temper, and intercourse, which, though not +always found actually shining in every professing, or even every real +Christian, do really belong to the Christian code of ethics, and are +indispensable to a complete and exemplary character. + +The duties which grow out of our relations to God, are generally +acknowledged by all professors of religion. However defective their +obedience, their obligations are seldom disputed. But if it be the law +of God, not only that we should "love Him with all our heart and soul +and strength and mind," but also that we should "love our neighbours as +ourselves," then the duties growing out of this great law are more +multiplied, tender, delicate and important than most of those who are +called religious people recognise in practice, or even in theory. + +It is true, the root of all sound morality is religion. And it is +equally true, that the deeper sense any one has of the constraining love +of Christ, and of the holiness, majesty, omniscience, and omnipresence +of God, the more faithful he will be in the discharge of all moral +duties, both in private and in public. Labour then, day by day, to gain +a deeper impression of the claims of your Creator and Redeemer upon you. +Meditate much on the Divine glory. Cultivate a devout spirit. Study to +walk with God in the exercise of faith, and love, and prayer. And +endeavour to keep constantly before your minds his all seeing eye, his +infinite holiness, his judgment seat, and those righteous retributions +which he has in store for all his creatures, whether they be good, or +whether they be evil? This is cultivating the heart in the most +essential and radical sense. This is going to "the root of the matter." +That morality, and that alone, which is grafted upon this sanctified +stock, will be regarded with approbation by the Searcher of hearts, and +stand the test of the great day. + +But while you labour with your hearts, that they may be habitually laid +open, with all the softness and tenderness of spiritual sensibility, to +the claims of your Creator and Redeemer; study with no less diligence to +cherish a deep sense of all the duties which you owe to your beloved +relatives, to your friends, to your neighbours, and to all with whom you +have intercourse. To perceive the theory of these duties, is the +province of the understanding; to enter into them, as a practical +matter, and under a solemn sense of obligation, is an affair of the +heart; and the more deeply your hearts are schooled both in the +principles and practice of these duties, the more they may be said to +partake of that culture which I am now recommending. + +When I imagine to myself what an influence your precious Mother might +have had in cultivating your moral feelings and habits, if it had +pleased God to spare her to you; when I think of the happy power which +her delicate, forming hand, might, by the divine blessing, have exerted +over the heart of each of you;--the heart--as Mrs. Hannah More expresses +it--that "seat of evil propensities--that little troublesome empire of +the passions;"--I could sit down and weep afresh that you are never to +enjoy that culture. But, happily, there is a source of infinitely better +culture. Try to lay to heart your weakness and your wants, and implore +without ceasing the enlightening, subduing, and sanctifying power of the +Holy Spirit, and you will find "his grace sufficient for you." + +There are special duties which you owe to your beloved surviving Parent, +and to all your domestic relatives, of the most peculiar and tender +kind; duties which it is equally your privilege and your honour to +discharge. These are veneration, love, gratitude, and a dutiful respect +to all their feelings, as well as their interests. Here children are +extremely apt to fail. Affection is generally found to descend from +parents to their offspring, and in general from elder to younger +relatives, in great strength; but from children to parents, or from the +young to the old, it seldom rises with equal vigour. Let not this be +said of you. Constantly cherish toward your beloved Father, and all your +elder relatives, not merely an outward respect, and dutifulness of +deportment, but a cordial and ardent affection; a sincere and lively +gratitude for all those anxious cares and labours on their part for your +benefit, for which you have been indebted ever since you were born, and +for which you can never make an adequate return. Try to please them by +the constant manifestation of love, confidence, and grateful veneration; +and let them see that you treasure up, to your profit, all their +instruction, reproofs, and warnings. When the _heart_, as well as the +outward conduct, is conformed to these sentiments, O, how endearing and +happy is the intercourse between parents and children! What a charm is +diffused over the whole aspect of domestic society! + +Let me entreat you, also, early to learn the duty and the pleasure of +_living in affectionate harmony among yourselves_. I can scarcely +express to you the pain which I have sometimes felt when I have +perceived any thing like a spirit of strife and acrimony rising between +you, and leading to the exchange of angry looks and passionate language. +Surely three motherless children ought to feel more closely bound +together than to indulge in such a temper and conduct. If you do not +love one another, who can you expect will love you? Be careful, then, +continually to cultivate a spirit of brotherly and sisterly affection +toward each other. Let nothing interrupt this. When any contest arises, +let the only strife be, which shall be the first to yield, rather than +contend. On no account allow yourselves to employ harsh, much less +violent language toward each other. And if any contest arises which you +cannot settle between yourselves without violence, let a united appeal +to your Father, if he be present, or in his absence, to your +grandparents, terminate the controversy. Seldom does a conflict of this +kind arise without there being blame on both sides. And who so proper to +make the proper award, and to adjust every difficulty, as those who love +you all equally and dearly, and have age and experience on their side? + +Let me enjoin on you to begin, as early as possible, to cherish a spirit +of _habitual benevolence_--a desire, wherever you go, to promote the +_happiness_ of all around you. Selfishness is the great master-sin of +human nature. "All seek their own." The _young_, especially, are apt to +be swallowed up in the excessive pursuit of their own enjoyment, and +that enjoyment is rarely sought or found in ministering to the wants, +and promoting the comfort of others. But rely upon it, dear children, +this is a narrow and altogether deceptive view of the best means of +happiness. Not only is it the divine command that we "love our neighbour +as ourselves," but it is equally certain that obedience to this great +law tends as directly to make ourselves happy, as it does to promote the +comfort of the objects of our benevolent attention. If you wish to be +happy yourselves, study continually to make all around you so too. The +luxury of doing good is the richest luxury of which we are capable. It +is the very spirit of Christ, who "went about doing good;" and the more +closely we commune with him in the exercise of the same spirit, the more +we secure true and rational enjoyment. Wherever you are, then, cultivate +a spirit of sympathy with the afflicted, and the habit of flying +spontaneously to the relief of suffering. You cannot begin too early to +feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to minister to the wants of the +sick and dying, to relieve distress of every kind, and to "please every +one for his good to edification:"--not by flattery, which is too +commonly the method of pleasing adopted; but by letting it be seen that +you seek, as much as in you lies, to make all around you truly happy. +Never promote mirth at the expense of others. Never allow yourselves to +"set others by the ears" as it is sometimes expressed, for the sake of +derision. Carefully avoid all those "tricks," which so many of the young +delight in, and by which so much suffering, and sometimes even +ultimately the loss of life, have been incurred. In a word, +conscientiously cherish the principle and the habit of never giving a +moment's pain to a human being, or even to a brute beast, unless it be +necessary for their real good; and wherever you see pain, by whomsoever +inflicted, do all in your power, consistent with other obligations, to +relieve it, and to give rational pleasure. There is nothing, be assured, +dear children, in all the splendour of fashionable display, in all the +gratifications of sense, in all the delirious joys of giddy dissipation, +once to be compared with the hallowed pleasure of habitually doing good +to all within your reach. Yes, make doing good your "ruling passion," +and you will be among the happiest of mortals. + +Let me beseech you to watch over your _temper_ with studious care. Few +things are more unhappy in a young person of either sex, than an +irritable, irascible temper. It betrays into a thousand indiscretions. +It poisons social intercourse. It alienates friends. It destroys the +comfort of the individual who indulges it; and it interferes with the +comfort of all with whom he converses. I have known this infirmity to +cast a cloud over the whole course of many persons who were otherwise +fitted to adorn and bless society. Watch and pray against it with the +utmost diligence. "He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that +taketh a city." "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Learn +"by soft answers to turn away wrath," both in yourselves and others. Be +not ready to take offence, or to consider any one as "an offender for a +word." Never regard an honest difference of opinion from yourself as a +personal affront. Surely the indulgence of such a spirit is as +unreasonable as it is unhappy. Guard with the utmost vigilance against a +jealous, suspicious temper. Ill nature, peevishness, and a disposition +to take every thing by an unfavourable handle, and to indulge in satire +and sarcasm, are revolting in every human being, but especially in the +female sex. I have never known such a temper to be indulged without +diminishing both the respectability and happiness of its possessor. Let +a mild, amiable, conciliatory spirit reign in all your intercourse. Be +ever kind, tender hearted, and forgiving, even as you hope to obtain +forgiveness from the God of all grace. Let the spirit of benevolence, +and a desire to please, shine in your countenances, and be manifest in +your deportment in all companies; at home and on journies; in the public +hotel, and in the parlour of a friend; towards servants, as well as +towards your equals or superiors. In a word, in temper as well as in +conduct, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even +so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." + +In forming your moral character and habits, I entreat you to lay great +stress upon cultivating a sacred and delicate regard to _truth_, in all +your social intercourse. Rely upon it, you cannot pay too conscientious +a regard to this point. A fault here is as dishonourable as it is +criminal. I do not allow myself to fear that my beloved grandchildren, +after the training they have received, will ever indulge in deliberate +falsehood. In this there is a meanness as well as a sin, which I hope +they will equally despise and abhor. But it is to be lamented that there +is much in social conversation, in which many people deemed respectable +are apt to indulge themselves, and which I hope you will make conscience +of sacredly avoiding. I mean all exaggeration in your descriptions; all +high-colouring in your statements; all indulgence in fabulous +narratives, even in jest, for the amusement of company. Aside from the +dictates of religion in this matter, which are sacred and conclusive, +there is something in these habits adapted to lower the character, and +to diminish the influence of those who indulge them, with all +sober-minded people. Whatever may be the consequence, let a regard to +the strictest verity, as if you were on oath, reign in all you say and +do. Avoid the meanness, as well as the sin of the slightest departure +from absolute truth. Let all underhand deceptive contrivances, all low +cunning, all habits of carrying your plans by disingenuous arts, be +abhorred and avoided. How gratifying would it be to those who love you, +to know that it had passed into something like a proverb among your +acquaintance--"The statement is from a Breckinridge--and therefore may +be depended on!" + +Let me farther entreat you to guard against all indulgence of the spirit +of _pride_, or _vanity_. By _pride_, I mean such an inordinate and +unreasonable conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as leads us +to look down on others as beneath us, and to treat them with +haughtiness, or contempt. And by _vanity_, I understand that excessive +desire for the applause of others which leads to egotism, and such a +weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain the approbation of those +around us, as are apt to betray into little and unworthy arts for +gaining the object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at once folly +and sin, I hope no formal argument will be necessary to convince you. +But still, they are both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable +obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against them. Be assured, dear +children, pride is as foolish as it is criminal. Who made you to differ +from others? And what have you that you have not received? If you have +minds, or an education, or outward circumstances more favourable than +those of many others, who conferred them upon you? If, therefore, you +have received all, why should you glory as if you had not received them? +I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a "laudable pride," an +"honest pride," "a noble pride," &c. But such language is a grievous +abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished from the vocabulary of +Christians. _Pride_ was "the condemnation and snare of the devil," and +is in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper personal dignity +and self-respect by this odious name, is altogether incorrect and +deceptive. To speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as "a noble +pride," is a perversion of language, as well as of moral principle. "Be +clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to +the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit +before a fall; for when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with the +lowly is wisdom." _Vanity_ is a passion still more childish and +degrading. It exhibits a rational creature hanging on the smiles and the +praise of his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. O, what +infatuation for miserable sinners, who deserve nothing at the hand of +God but wrath, and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant on +his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up with high thoughts of +themselves, and arrogantly to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then, +from pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study to be "meek and +lowly in heart." "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low +estate." "In lowliness of mind esteem others better than yourselves." +"Be not wise or great in your own conceits." Be not greedy of praise. +Despise all the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. Rely upon +it, the lower you lie in the dust of abasement, the happier you will be. +The more you are disposed to love and honour all around you according to +their real character, the more infallibly you will secure their love and +confidence in return. And the less anxious you are to gain the applause +of men, the more likely you will be to attain it, if you are found +humbly and diligently performing your duty. In short, if I wished you to +gain the highest degree of esteem and honour among men, I would say--Do +not seek this object anxiously, or even directly at all. Never inquire +what others say or think of you. Speak of yourselves, in conversation, +as little as possible. Treat your superiors with uniform respect, but +not with fawning or flattery; and your inferiors, down to the lowest +servant or beggar, with undeviating condescension and kindness; trying +to benefit every one, and promote the happiness of every one; and you +will have as much of the love and respect of all as you really deserve, +and probably more. If you sincerely try to promote the happiness of all +around you, and do it with a kind and amiable manner, I believe it is +one of the cases in which our Lord's declaration never fails to be +fulfilled--"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed +down and running over shall men give into your bosom." + +Strive with sacred care against every feeling approaching to the passion +of _envy_. As you are now at an age when you are called daily to compete +with school and play-mates, you may be sometimes strongly tempted to +indulge in this passion. But it is a base passion. Beware of it. How +fiend-like, to sicken and repine at excellence! How base, to be +displeased and mortified when we contemplate the superior prosperity, +happiness, or accomplishments of others! When you witness such superior +attainments or excellence, let the only effort be to excite gratitude to +God for its existence, and a generous emulation of it in yourselves. + +Guard with vigilance against a _talebearing_ and _tattling_ spirit. I +will not suppose you capable of deliberate _slander_, or cruelly +circulating reports to the injury of others without just evidence. This +is so base and mean, that I trust you will ever abhor and despise it. +But it is the infirmity of many, who intend thereby no injury, that they +delight in circulating news concerning their neighbours, and have not a +little of the true gossipping spirit. This is a bad habit. It degrades +the individual who indulges it, in the view of all wise, reflecting +people; often involves in painful explanations and difficulties; and is +frequently followed by consequences of the most perplexing and +disreputable kind. Never indulge the disposition to repeat idle stories +about neighbours. If they are repeated in your presence, listen to them +either in silence, or with a civil remark, which cannot possibly +implicate you, or be construed into an approval of the scandal. It was +an excellent appeal which was once made by a wise and benevolent man +whom I knew in early life--"Why can you not talk more about _things_, +than about _persons_?" + +Let me farther exhort you, as a point of duty, to cultivate habitual +_cheerfulness_. When I say this, you will not understand me as +recommending a spirit of levity and frivolity. This is unworthy of +rational, accountable creatures, and indicates as much of weakness as of +sin. Those who spend their lives in gaiety and mirth, are "dead while +they live." But by cultivating habitual cheerfulness, I mean cherishing +a pleasant state of the animal spirits; as opposed to constitutional +gloom, mental depression, and settled, clouded taciturnity, I mean +habits, not of light, but of lively and affable conversation. Such a +state of mind does good like a medicine. It contributes to our own +enjoyment. It makes us more pleasant and useful to those with whom we +converse. It may even operate to promote health and prolong life; and in +various ways extend our power of doing good. + +Guard with conscientious care against habits of _indolence_. A tendency +to this sin is one of the radical symptoms of the great moral disease of +our nature; and you cannot begin too early to labour and pray for +effecting a cure. Fly from idleness as a habit connected with a legion +of evils. Make a point of always having something useful to +do--something to fill up every moment left vacant between the larger and +more important tasks of life. I am aware that we all stand in need of +_recreation_; but this is often best attained by _a change of +employment_. When you have finished a sedentary task, which required +intense application of mind, think, for a moment, whether there be not +some other object to which you may attend for a short time, which will +require no mental effort, but by attention to which, you may promote +either your own health or comfort, or the advantage of others. Make it +your daily study to "redeem the time." Try to turn every moment to some +valuable account. For this purpose, form, as early as possible, a plan, +a systematic order in your daily tasks. Without such a plan, more or +less formally adopted, you will inevitably lose much time in passing +from one engagement to another. But if you manage always to leave +something useful with which to fill up every little interval; so as +never to be idle, and never to waste time with frivolous, or worse than +frivolous employments, you will be more happy, and live more to your +own true honour, and the benefit of your generation. + +I have only to add on the subject of this letter, a single word on the +great importance of maintaining strict and habitual _temperance_ in all +your enjoyments. If you wish really to enjoy life, and to "live out all +your days," you must exercise moderation and self-denial in eating and +drinking, and in every department of indulgence. Temperance has been +defined--the moderate use of things useful, and total abstinence from +those which are pernicious. This is an excellent definition, which I +trust you will ever keep in mind, and make your daily and hourly rule. +To be thus temperate, is a divine command. It is eminently conducive to +health. It is highly advantageous to the activity and strength of the +powers of the mind. And it is an admirable defence against a thousand +irregularities and mischiefs which cloud the faculties, destroy comfort, +and lead to multiplied forms of disease, and to premature graves. If you +habitually restrain appetite, deny yourselves, and "let your moderation +be known" in all things, and to all men, you will avoid many evils which +continually beset those who act on the system of self-indulgence. Never +drink any thing but pure water, when in health; indulge in animal food +but _once_ in each day, and that in smaller quantities than most people +consider as temperate. Labourers in the open air may, not only with +impunity, but perhaps with profit, eat animal food more than once every +day; but I am persuaded few other persons can do it without disadvantage +to their health. My personal experience and observation in regard to +this point are very decisive. Nay, I would advise you to go one step +farther. Make the experiment of wholly abstaining from animal food at +least one day in each week, for the purpose of "giving nature a +holyday;" of clearing the body and the mind from crudities; and taking a +new start in refined feeling and unclogged activity. + +In fine, let it be the object of your unceasing study and prayer, to +"keep under the body;" to "crucify the flesh with the affections and +lusts;" to subdue and restrain all irregular tempers; "if it be +possible, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably with all men;" to +avoid wounding the feelings of any one with whom you converse, unless +required to do it by a pure sense of duty; to promote the happiness of +all around you; and to be continually seeking and improving +opportunities of doing good. + + +LETTER VIII. + +MANNERS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--I wish it were in my power to give you a perfect and +vivid representation of the manners of your lamented Mother. There was +in them a sweetness, a gracefulness, and an attraction truly rare. +Wherever she went, they at once gained her friends. I am sure if you had +been old enough at her decease to appreciate them; or, if I could now +depict them to the life, you would have a deeper impression of the +importance of happy manners; of their value to their possessor; of their +benign influence on social intercourse, than I can now hope to impart. +As it is, I hope you will be willing to take on trust my statement of +the fact concerning her, and that you will be stimulated to seek a +similar accomplishment. + +If it be true, as has been often said, that a good face is an "open +letter of recommendation," wherever its possessor appears; we may, with +quite as much emphasis, say the same of pleasant engaging manners. Nay, +we may go farther. The most beautiful face and form that ever existed, +if unaccompanied by agreeable manners, will soon be contemplated with +indifference, if not with disgust. While, on the contrary, where there +is an entire absence of personal beauty, there may be, and often are +found, such manners as captivate and win wherever they are seen, and +with a power felt by all, however remote they may be from the possession +of such manners themselves. + +I shall not tax either your patience or my own, by entering largely into +the subject of manners. On this extensive subject I refer you to a +volume on "Clerical Manners and Habits" which I published a few years +ago, and in which considerable minuteness of detail is indulged. For +although that work was intended more particularly for the benefit of +clergymen, and especially of candidates for the sacred office; yet a +large portion of it is equally applicable to all classes and +professions, and to both sexes. I recommend the volume referred to, to +your serious attention, and to your careful study. And whatever may be +your situation in life, I think you will find much in it worthy of your +regard. At any rate, if it be not so, I have failed of gaining my main +object in its publication. + +I will not, however, content myself with merely referring you to the +volume in question. It is my wish, in this little system of affectionate +advices, to call your attention to a few particulars on this subject +which may be considered as more immediately appropriate at your present +tender age, and, perhaps, on that account, more likely to dwell upon +your memory than the contents of a volume. + +You will, perhaps, ask me, what I mean by those "good manners" which I +would recommend? I answer, by such manners I mean that mode of personal +address and deportment toward all with whom we converse which is +dictated by the meekness, benevolence, and purity of the Gospel. In a +word, "true politeness"--the most genuine politeness--that which I would +earnestly desire those whom I love to cherish and cultivate--is _the +religion of Christ acted out in the whole temper, conversation, and +deportment_. The simple, unembarrassed, gentle expression of mingled +respect and kindness toward all with whom we converse, from the hovel to +the palace, is the perfection of manners. These are manners which become +all times, places, companies, and circumstances, and which will carry +their possessor through the world with acceptance and comfort. + +Perhaps, in your inexperience, you may be disposed to ask, what is the +great value of such manners as are here recommended? If you have any +doubt on this subject _now_, I am persuaded a little more knowledge of +the world will satisfy you that their value is unspeakably great. Few +people are adequate judges of those solid intellectual and moral +qualities which form a character of high excellence. But of personal +manners, all are judges; at any rate, all are capable of perceiving, and +in some degree estimating, their value. Only a small portion of those +with whom you converse are able to discern whether you are wise and +well informed; but every child can see whether you have a sweet voice, a +pleasant countenance, an amiable, kind and respectful mode of address, +or the contrary. Can there be, then, a more obvious dictate, both of +policy and duty, than to cultivate that which, to multitudes, is more +attractive than real merit; which secures to merit a hearing, and an +influence which it would not otherwise obtain; and which will be likely, +in many cases, to open a door to usefulness which, without it, would, in +all probability, have continued impenetrably closed? In repeated +instances have I known persons of weak minds, and of small information, +but of remarkably fascinating manners, carry all before them in circles +of society into which persons of far higher qualifications, both +intellectual and moral, but defective in the attractions of manner, were +scarcely able to obtain admittance, and very inadequately esteemed when +admitted. A soft, insinuating address has, a thousand times, rendered +its possessor every where acceptable and popular, when, on the score of +real merit, he ought by no means to have enjoyed so much public favour. + +But this is not all. Pleasant attractive manners not only have a +paramount influence with the superficial and unthinking; but they have +more power even on the minds of the wise and the good than is commonly +imagined. To every human being, that which is intrinsically excellent, +appears doubly attractive when presented in a pleasing manner. Truth, +even to those who know it to be truth, finds a more cordial welcome; and +duty, even among its most sincere and enlightened friends, commands a +more ready obedience, when they are clothed in an attractive garb, and +speak in alluring accents. That the very same words, which, when uttered +by some, are intolerably offensive; when spoken in the mild, respectful +manner of others, are welcome, and even delightful--that the very same +action, which, performed by some, is censured; when performed by others, +of perhaps less talent or virtue, is lauded to excess; are among the +most notorious facts in human life; and that not in the circles of +ignorance and dissipation only, but also in those of the most estimable +portions of mankind. + +To despise or undervalue the cultivation of _manners_, then, argues a +great want of practical wisdom. It is a subject worthy of your constant +regard. To neglect it, is equally to oppose reason and experience, and +to set at naught some of the most precious means of gaining access to +the human heart. And when I speak of cultivating good manners, do not +imagine that I mean the formal, showy, pompous manners which some +commend, and seem to aim at. The truth is, the perfection of +manners--the ultimate point which is the result of the very best +culture, is to attain that ease, simplicity, modesty, and gentleness of +deportment in every thing, which has nothing of the artificial, nothing +of display about it. But to be more particular. + +The first characteristic of manners to which I would direct your +attention, as lying at the foundation of all excellence, is _benignity_. +Without the law of _benevolence_, reigning in the heart, and governing +the temper and the life, there may be much pomp and courtliness of +manner; many a heartless smile, and many a flattering form of address; +but there can be no genuine politeness. The essence of this consists in +the spirit of cordial good will and kindness shining in the countenance; +expressing itself in the language and tones of respect and benevolent +regard; and flowing through all the channels of human intercourse, and +all the minutiæ of human life. This is the vital principle of good +manners. Just in proportion as you really desire to increase the +happiness of all around you; to consult their ease; to anticipate their +wants; and to promote their welfare--you will spontaneously manifest +these feelings in all situations and companies. Your whole deportment +will be pleasing, attractive, and graceful, without your having studied +artificial rules. This is the foundation and the sum of all; but it may +not be improper to trace the radical principle into some of its minute +details. + +In all social intercourse, let _respectful attention_ mark your whole +manner. To turn away your eyes from the person who is addressing you; +or to manifest in any way that you are thinking, or wish to be thinking, +of something else, is a great breach of good manners; cannot fail of +giving pain to those with whom you converse; and must deprive you of a +large part of the benefit of conversation. When you look your companion +gently and respectfully, but firmly in the face, you manifest attention; +you enable yourselves to watch his countenance, and mark the impression +which you make on his mind; to say nothing of the power of the eye in +seconding and enforcing all that is said. + +Cultivate _affability_ of manner. By this I mean that style of manners +which is distinguished by ease, simplicity, and courteousness; a +deportment opposed to haughtiness, reserve, coldness, or taciturnity; in +short, to every thing that is adapted to repel, or to prevent freedom +and comfort of approach. I am aware that constitutional temperament has +much to do with this. But still, it is equally true that affability may +and ought to be carefully cultivated; and that there are few things +better adapted to conciliate good will, to inspire confidence, to invite +freedom of communication, and to place at ease all with whom we +converse. + +Study to exercise _gentleness_ and _mildness_ in all your deportment and +conversation. Guard against every thing harsh, severe, rough, abrupt, or +in any way repulsive in your language, voice, or manner. Let the +meekness and gentleness of wisdom appear in every look, tone, and +expression. By a mild, respectful address, you may at once reprove +impertinence, disarm violence, and put even brutality to shame. Give all +diligence, then, to be "gentle toward all men." Learn the happy art of +conversing with gentleness, of giving your commands with gentleness, of +arguing with gentleness, of contending with gentleness, and of even +reproving with gentleness. Both commands and reproofs, as well as +arguments, when dispensed in this manner, have not only more dignity, +but also more weight than when invested with an opposite character. + +Few things are more opposed to good breeding than a _loud, boisterous_ +manner in social intercourse. Whether this be indulged in laughter, or +in conversation, it is equally exceptionable as an offence against both +delicacy and dignity. With regard to _females_, an offence against this +rule, is peculiarly revolting. It is a sure sign of vulgarity, and ought +to be carefully avoided. But, in either sex, it is a blemish which well +bred people never fail to notice. + +Closely allied to this is the habit of _rude familiarity_ which some +affect, and to which they give the name of social pleasantry. This is +undignified, and, to all delicate people, offensive. Mutual dignity and +respect are indispensable to the continued existence of Christian +intercourse, in its most pure, delicate, and profitable form. If you +wish to maintain such intercourse, be free and unconstrained; but never +indulge in coarse familiarity. Those who are worthy of your love will +certainly be repelled rather than attracted by it. + +Remember, too, that all _interruption_ of any one with whom you are +conversing, or blunt _contradiction_ of his statements, is an offence +against delicate manners. However erroneous he may be, hear him out; and +however certain you may be that his representations are false, rectify +his mistake, not bluntly, but with kindness and respect. + +Guard against _talking too much_ in company. He who is very talkative +incurs disadvantages of a very serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires +his hearers; and must, of course, diminish his usefulness. However rich +and instructive any one's talk may be, yet, if there be too much of it, +both his dignity and his influence cannot fail of being impaired. "A +fool's voice," says Solomon, "is known by the multitude of his words." +"In the multitude of words," says the same inspired teacher, "there +wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise." And again, +"He that hath knowledge, spareth his words." + +But another extreme in social intercourse, is that of excessive +_reserve_ and _taciturnity_. Some from physical temperament; others from +abstraction or absence of mind; and a third class, perhaps, from still +more exceptionable causes, wrap themselves up in a chilling reserve in +company--never speaking but when addressed; and then answering as +briefly as possible, and relapsing into silence again. This is surely +unhappy in a social being, and ought to be carefully avoided. While you +avoid garrulity, then, sink not down into obstinate silence. If you find +yourselves, from any cause, prone to this, it is abundantly worth while +to take pains to counteract it, and to labour to have something ready to +say that shall be at once acceptable and instructive. + +In regard to _uncleanly and vulgar personal habits_, I will not suppose +you capable of them: and, therefore, shall not dwell upon them. All +spitting on floors, lounging in your seats, putting up your feet on +chairs or stools, leaning with your elbows on tables--these, and all +similar habits, I hope, after the training you have had, you will avoid +with instinctive repugnance. But there is one habit which I would +earnestly recommend, as favourable not merely to good manners, but also +to _health_. Learn to _sit erect_, not only in company, but even in your +most private apartment. Reading or writing in a half-sunken or reclining +posture is unfriendly to a graceful carriage; is apt to betray unwarily +into similar postures in company; prepares the way for the sinking, +half-bent postures which disfigure so many of the feeble and aged; and +really tends to bring on premature decrepitude. + +Do not affect _wit_ or _punning_ in conversation. So many of those who +try to make themselves acceptable by such attempts, not only fail, but +often render themselves a laughing stock by it, that there is little +probability of your succeeding as wits or punsters. But even with +respect to those whose talents in this way are ever so great, there is +so much danger of their indulging those talents unseasonably and +imprudently, so as to offend and alienate friends, that such powers +ought to be deprecated rather than desired, and their exercise, if +possessed, subjected to the severest restriction. I never knew more than +one person of wit who was strictly discreet and delicate in its use. But +I have known thousands who, by their miserable attempts to display what +they possessed either not at all, or in a very small degree, succeeded +only in exposing themselves to ridicule. And I have known many real +wits, who almost every day wounded feelings, and alienated friends by +their reckless effusions. + +Do not indulge the habit in conversation of _talking of yourselves_. +Hardly any quality is more apt to appear in social intercourse than +personal vanity. This leads to egotism, so that the idea of _self_ +appears to be ever present to the imagination. Hence we perpetually find +people talking of themselves; what they have done; what they have said; +what others have said and done to their honour; in short, bringing into +view something to their own advantage, or that of their family or +relatives. Rely upon it, if you have real worth, the less _you_ say +about it the better; and if you have it not, every claim of it, direct +or indirect, can only sink you lower in the estimation of those with +whom you converse. + +Carefully form the habit of adverting to all the properties of _time_, +_place_ and _circumstances_ in conversation. When you are about, in +company, to make a remark, or to introduce a new topic of conversation, +look round on the circle, and ask yourself, whether there is any one +present whose feelings would be likely to be hurt by what you are about +to say, or who would be placed by it in embarrassing circumstances. Be +very sure for example, when about to make, in company, an unfavourable +remark on an absent person, that no relative or special friend of that +person is among your hearers. For, although you ought never to make a +remark on any one which the Christian spirit cannot justify; yet in +certain circumstances, a remark perfectly proper in itself, may be +unseasonable, and peculiarly painful to some who hear it. Guard against +the possibility of such an occurrence. This is a dictate of sound +worldly policy. A departure from it is a gross violation of true +politeness. But it may be said, still more emphatically, to be a +departure from the principles of Christian benevolence. + +Avoid the too frequent _use of superlatives_ in conversation. The habit +of many, when they wish to express either approbation or censure, is to +employ the very strongest terms which the English language affords. If +they think favourably of the talents or the performance of any one, they +are apt to speak of them as "noble, admirable," as of "the first order;" +or in some terms expressive of the very highest excellence. And, on the +other hand, if they undertake to express disapprobation, the terms +"mean," "execrable," "detestable," are the softest that they think of +employing. This is a bad habit. It renders both the praise and censure +of those who indulge it of less value in the estimation of all +sober-minded and discriminating judges. If you wish your judgment to +pass for any thing in the view of the wise and reflecting, you must +learn to express opinions in that guarded and moderate manner which +indicates intellectual discrimination rather than undistinguishing +emotion. You know where it is said "Fools admire, where men of sense +approve." + +Carefully avoid giving _unnecessary trouble_ wherever you are. The +difference between different persons in this respect is very +conspicuous. Some, when in the houses of their friends, have so many +little wants, so many errands to perform, and are so absorbed in their +own affairs, that, if permitted, they would keep several servants and +others constantly employed in waiting upon them. You may rely upon it +you can never be, long together, welcome visitants in families which you +subject to so much trouble. Make as few demands as possible on the time +and attention of those whose hospitality you are enjoying. Never call +upon their servants to wait upon you when it is practicable to avoid it. +Never allow the occupations or order of any family to be set aside or +disarranged on your account, where it is possible to prevent it. In +short, act universally on the principle of doing every thing that you +can for yourselves, and making as few demands as possible on the time +and labour of those around you. + +In _calling on friends_ consult their convenience, as well as your own; +and in some cases in preference to your own. Many make their calls at +such hours, and sit so inordinately long, as to throw a whole family +into disorder, and inflict very serious pain. Never sit long in your +social calls at any time; but when you make them at times which may, by +possibility interfere with domestic meals, let them be _very short_; be +on the watch for every symptom of engagement or uneasiness on the part +of those whom you visit, and on the appearance of any thing of the kind, +instantly take your leave. + +Constantly maintain the habit of _early rising_. Few things are more +conducive to health and activity both of body and mind. A disposition +to lie long in bed in the morning, is, at once, a symptom and a cause of +feeble digestion, of nervous debility, and of general languor. Go early +to bed. Avoid much night study. Quit your beds by dawn of day, and, in +winter, before the dawn, and thus secure several hours of unbroken time, +for devotion, for study, and for gentle exercise in the open air, before +breakfast, and before the interruptions of the earliest visitors +commence. + +Cultivate habits of moderation in _dress_. You are never likely to be +able to indulge in very inordinate expense in bodily adorning; and I +will venture to say, this inability, wherever it exists, is a great +blessing. Few things evince more weakness of mind, and absence of +Christian principle, than extravagance and splendor in dress. In young +men it is a sad evidence of "dandyism" and folly; and even in young +females, an excessive indulgence in fashion, in finery, and the extreme +of _devotion_ to bodily adorning, never fails to depress their character +in the estimation of the wise and good. Try to set an example of sober, +dignified _moderation_ in regard to this whole subject. Always guard +against negligence of dress. Conscientiously avoid exposing yourselves +to the charge of careless, slatternly habits. But never make dress an +idol. Reject every thing dazzling, or what is commonly called "dashing," +in outward ornament. Be not seen aping the extreme of fashion; and ever +remember how unworthy it is of Christians to be worshippers of external +adorning; and how peculiarly disreputable for the children of +_clergymen_ to bear such a character. + + * * * * * + +Thus, dear children, I have endeavoured, with brevity, to give you a few +paternal counsels, which, I would fondly hope, may, by the grace of God, +be made to promote your benefit, when the hand which penned them shall +be sleeping in the dust. You will perceive from the _order_ in which I +have placed my counsels, that I consider real heart religion as the most +indispensable and precious of all attainments; that my first and highest +wish concerning you is, that you may love your Father's and Mother's +God, and make it your daily aim to follow her to that world of bliss and +glory to which, as we trust, she has gone before us. Next to seeing you +real Christians, my desire is to see you enlightened, polished, +benevolent, amiable, attractive members of society, respected and +beloved by all who know you. + +Remember, I beseech you, that the friends of your Parents will expect +much from you. The advantages which you have enjoyed, and are daily +enjoying, impose upon you a solemn responsibility in the sight both of +God and man. Many prayers have ascended to heaven on your behalf. Pray +without ceasing for yourselves, that you may be preserved from the +paths of sin and folly, and led in the ways of heavenly wisdom. + +I have no doubt that the counsels I have given you will commend +themselves to your judgment, and that you will promptly form the +resolution to make them your constant guide. But you cannot rely upon +your own wisdom or strength to do this. Such are your own infirmities, +and so multiplied the temptations and allurements which surround you, +that you will need at every step, guidance and help from above. Happy +will it be for you if you habitually bear this in mind, and acknowledge +God in all your ways, that he may direct your steps. + +And now, dear children, I bid you farewell. When I look forward, and +imagine to myself what may be your course in life--when I think of the +corruptions and perils with which you are surrounded, and what _may_ be +the result of them, I hardly know how to express my anxieties and fears: +but when I recollect the love and faithfulness of that God who blessed +your Parents, I feel willing to commit you into his hands, and to trust +his grace for your temporal and eternal welfare. May he guide you by his +counsel! May he guard you amidst all the dangers of youth and of riper +years; and finally, "present you faultless before the presence of his +glory with exceeding great joy!" O how unutterably precious the thought +of meeting you all at last--with those of our beloved family who have +already gone before us, and those who are yet to follow--around the +throne of our covenant God, and rejoicing forever in his presence and +glory! Such will be the prayer until his last breath, of your + + Affectionate Grandfather, + + SAMUEL MILLER. + + PRINCETON, July 10, 1839. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret +Breckinridge, by Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45317 *** diff --git a/45317-h/45317-h.htm b/45317-h/45317-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..766b991 --- /dev/null +++ b/45317-h/45317-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5775 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, by + Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge. + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3, h4, h5 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + line-height: 2; +} + +h1 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +h2 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +h3 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + +h4 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} +h5 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + + .p2 {margin-top: 2em;} + .p4 {margin-top: 4em;} + .p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + .ht {page-break-after: always;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 15%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +.poetry-container +{ + text-align: center; + font-size: 95%; +} + +.poetry + { + display: inline-block; + text-align: left; + } + +.poetry .stanza +{ + margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; +} + +.poetry .line +{ + margin: 0; + text-indent: -3em; + padding-left: 3em; +} + +.poetry .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} + + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + /* not bold */ + font-weight: normal; + /* not italic */ + font-style: normal; + /* not small cap */ + font-variant: normal; +} /* page numbers */ + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 2em; +} + + .tdl {text-align: left;} + .tdc {text-align: center;} + .tdr {text-align: right;} + .tdch {text-align: center; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .tdcc {text-align: center; padding-top: 1em;} + .tdcch {text-align: center; padding-top: 2em;} + + +.center {text-align: center;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.medium {font-size: medium;} +.small {font-size: small;} +.large {font-size: large;} +.i2 {margin-left: 3em;} +.i5 {margin-left: 5em;} +.i9 {margin-left: 9em;} + + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.box {margin: auto; + margin-top: 4em; + border: 1px solid; + padding: 1em; + background-color: #F0FFFF; + width: 25em;} + +/* Footnotes */ + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + +.caption p +{ + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.25em 0; +} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter6m {margin: auto; + text-align: center; + margin-top: 6em;} + + +@media print +{ + + hr.tb + { + width: 5%; + margin-left: 47.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + + hr.chap + { + width: 15%; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } +} + +@media handheld +{ + + body + { + margin: 0; + padding: 0; + width: 90%; + } + + .box + { + width: auto; + } + + hr.chap + { + width: 15%; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45317 ***</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a></span></p> + + +<p class="box">Transcriber's Notes:<br /> +<br /> + + +Blank pages have been eliminated.<br /> +<br /> +Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the +original.<br /> +<br /> +A few typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter6m"> + <img src="images/margaret.png" width="600" height="745" alt=""/> + <div class="caption"> + <p><i>Painted by Robinson.</i> <i>Eng<sup>d.</sup> by J. Sartain</i></p> + </div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h1><span class="medium">A</span><br /> + +MEMORIAL<br /> + +<span class="small">OF</span><br /> + +MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</h1> + +<p class="p6 center">IN TWO PARTS.</p> + +<p class="smcap center p6">Part I. Memoir, and Funeral Sermon.<br /> +Part II. Letters to her surviving Children.</p> + +<p class="center p6 ht">PHILADELPHIA:<br /> +WILLIAM S. MARTIEN.<br /> +1839.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a></span></p> + + + + +<p class="center p6">Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by</p> + +<p class="center">WILLIAM S. MARTIEN,</p> + +<p class="center ht">in the office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania.</p> + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a></span></p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" summary="contents"> + +<tr> + <td class="tdch" colspan="2">PART I.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdr" colspan="2"><i>Page.</i></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introduction,</span></td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter I.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Life of Mrs. Breckinridge,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter II.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Additional Illustrations of the Life and Character of Mrs. Breckinridge,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Religious Character,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her dedication to the work of Foreign Missions,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Sacrifices for the Church of God,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Last Sickness and Death,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter III.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Closing Reflections,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2">SUBMISSION:</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Sermon</span>—by the Rev. A. Alexander, D.D.</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcch" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>PART II.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2">LETTERS OF A GRANDFATHER.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter I.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Introductory,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_5">5</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter II.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Human Nature,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_10">10</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter III.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">The Way of Salvation,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_17">17</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter IV.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">The Bible,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_29">29</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter V.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Prayer,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_37">37</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VI.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Cultivation of the Mind,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_45">45</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VII.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Cultivation of the Heart and the Moral Habits,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_67">67</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VIII.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Manners,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_86">86</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<p class="ht"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a></span></p> + + + +<p class="center p6">A</p> + +<p class="center p2 large">MEMOIR</p> + +<p class="center p2">OF</p> + +<p class="center p2 large">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="center p6">"Jesus wept."</p> + +<h2>PART I.</h2> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a> +<br /><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>INTRODUCTION</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">More</span> than a year has now passed since +Mrs. <span class="smcap">Margaret Breckinridge</span>, the beloved +subject of the following brief notices, +was taken from us into the saints' everlasting +rest. By that event, the little family of +which she was the joy and crown, was dissolved. +The surviving parent felt that God +had committed to him the interesting but +mournful duty of preserving the memory of +so inestimable a friend. But it is long after +such an event, before the mind is sufficiently +tranquil to utter our thoughts and feelings +without excess. The peaceable fruits of so +dreadful a chastisement succeed, alas! but +slowly in our intractable hearts, to the distraction +of grief, and the desolation of the +grave.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was in the midst of the deepest of his +sorrow, also, that the writer was hastened +(by a very kind Providence, as he now sees +it to have been) into the active duties of an +office which left no rest for body or mind +during almost an entire year. So that if +his feelings had allowed the attempt at preparing +a Memoir, his duty to the Church of +God forbade it.</p> + +<p>In these trying and peculiar circumstances, +he was permitted to call in the aid of +those honoured and venerable Friends, from +whose hands, in a happier day, he had received +the lovely wife of his youth. They +of all others knew her best, especially from +her birth to her marriage. They had done +most, under God, to fit her for life's duties, +and its close; and to make her "worthy to +be had in everlasting remembrance." And +none were judged to be so well qualified to +do justice to her memory. To the one we +are indebted for the following interesting +Sketch, making the first chapter. To the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +other for the valuable Letters to her surviving +children, forming the second part of this +memorial.</p> + +<p>While all must admire the delicacy and +candour with which this sketch is drawn, it +is evident to those who knew the deceased, +that much remains to be said which ought +not to be omitted—especially in regard to +that portion of her life, embracing more +than fifteen years, which passed between +the time of leaving the parental roof, and +her lamented death. In attempting to supply +this omission, the writer felt the inconvenience—even +awkwardness of returning +upon a narrative which seemed to have +been brought to an appropriate close. But +this was thought preferable to leaving the +memoir incomplete; or to breaking the +thread of the narrative given in the first +chapter.</p> + +<p>And moreover it was felt that the design +of the work which called for the additional +chapters, dispensed with form in the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>ner +of furnishing them. It is intended to +preserve the memory of the beloved dead +for her bereaved children, and her numerous +kindred and friends, rather than to +unveil her retiring character to the public +eye. The work being designed, not so +much for general circulation as for family +use, is rather <i>printed</i>, than <i>published</i>; and +all its imperfections will readily be overlooked +by those who will come to these +pages, as Mary went to the tomb of Lazarus—"to +weep there."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>MEMOIR.</h3> + + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">A narrative</span> of the life of our departed friends, +bears some resemblance to the representation, on +canvass, of their persons and features; it serves +to restore and collect our scattered thoughts, and +revive our affections; and prevents the hand of +time from obliterating entirely, their peculiar mental +and moral lineaments.</p> + +<p>It was in consequence of the necessity of this +help to our natural infirmities, that our Lord gave +to his people the bread and wine, as a symbol of +his body and blood, and said, "Do this in remembrance +of me." He knew too well our careless, +wandering hearts, to trust the recollections, even of +<i>his</i> great and lovely character, to our unfaithful +keeping, and established, as a help to his word, +the ordinance which was to continue unto the end +of the world, "as a memorial of him." And we +trust that his people are permitted to endeavour to +perpetuate the remembrance of each other by +means, which, however they may come greatly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +short of the significant emblem ordained by himself, +will assist in enabling them "to love one +another as he also loved them."</p> + +<p>In view of this encouragement, given us in the +Scriptures of inspiration, we would endeavour to +bring together, and exhibit, in the history of the +short life of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, some of +those graces of a Christian character, which lead +us to hope that the finger of the Lord had engraven +his name on her heart, and that his grace was carrying +on the work, notwithstanding much infirmity +of flesh and spirit, until the body of sin and death +within her was rolled away, and a simple, undivided +hold taken on the Rock of ages.</p> + +<p>She was born September 29th, 1802, in New +York, and educated for several years under the +immediate instruction of the sanctuary, in a comparatively +pure state of the Church, when the +name and influence of a few such venerable and +holy men as the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, had +thrown a restraint on the vices of the world around +them, as well as on the constantly recurring disorders +of the Church, so that the very vagrants of +the street felt their presence.<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Every pastor of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +flock of Jesus Christ seemed to feel it his privilege, +as well as his duty, to feed the lambs of his +flock himself, and did not commit them to the +ever-varying, heterogeneous instruction of others. +The Scriptures, and the Catechism, it was his own +business to inculcate; and the same afternoon in +each week, had been for many years, in several of +the churches of the city, of various denominations, +the season for this instruction.</p> + +<p>By these and other means, the Bible had taken +a systematic form in Margaret's mind, very early; +and whenever she met, even in childhood, with a +scriptural scene or subject, she generally knew +where to place it, and was particularly animated +by it. And this peculiar skill, and taste, continued +and increased until childhood passed away, and +the pride and enjoyment of life opened a new +scene before her.</p> + +<p>For a time it seemed as if every vestige of the +sensibility arising from religious instruction would +be swept away. She had friends who wished to +see her enjoying the <i>innocent</i> pleasures of youth; +especially as in person and mind there was a promise +of peculiar adaptation to them. And there +was a will of her own very clearly developing, +which wanted more restraint than parents are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +generally willing to exercise. Many interpositions, +however, in providence occurred, which, though +sad in the view of her family, proved a real deliverance +to her—frequently arresting her first decisive +step in folly.</p> + +<p>At the age of eleven she was removed with her +family to Princeton, in consequence of a call +which her father received, to a Professorship in +the Theological Seminary in that place. Being +thus separated from many snares incident to a city +life, she began anew, as it were, to form habits +and connexions, which, although in some respects, +more dangerous and ensnaring than those +which she had left, had not "grown with her +growth, and strengthened with her strength;" and +were, on that account, more ready to yield, when +the follies of youth passed away, and the solemnities +of this world, in view of another, opened +before her.</p> + +<p>The want of a good school in Princeton, induced +her parents to send her, at the age of about +fourteen years, to Philadelphia, for the purpose of +obtaining for her some finish to the education +which she had received at home. She remained +there nearly a year, residing with an aunt, and +attending a daily and well conducted school. Indeed +it was <i>her</i> privilege, as well as the privilege of +many others, to receive instruction from a teacher, +who not only was competent to every branch of +polite learning which adorns the mind of a female,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +but desirous of having all which he taught so sanctified +as to reach the heart, and be made the means +of communicating spiritual and saving, as well as +intellectual instruction.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>The immediate effect of this experiment was +injurious to Margaret's disposition and deportment. +She returned to her parents with more +love for the world, and a better opinion of herself; +and of consequence was less docile. It was evident +that the atmosphere of a city was not the +element in which her heart would receive the best +influence.</p> + +<p>In a revival which took place in Princeton, +when she was about eighteen years of age, an +interest was excited in some of her pious female +friends for her conversion. They concluded +to make her the subject of special prayer. Of +this she was entirely ignorant, until the evidence +appeared in herself of the verity of the promise, as +to the result of "fervent, effectual prayer." A +sermon of the celebrated President Edwards, read<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +in a small, social meeting, arrested her attention, +and brought her to continued, deep, serious thinking, +which ended, as she thought, in a new view +of everlasting things. With all the sanguine feelings +of youth, she judged herself prepared to be +united with the Church; but owing to the unwillingness +of her parents to risk the possibility of a +premature profession of religion, this step was +delayed.</p> + +<p>In connexion with this period of her life, it +seems necessary to relate some circumstances +which took place with regard to a much loved sister +of hers; not many years younger than herself. +They had been so closely educated together, as to +make them one in many of their views and feelings.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth, in giving an account of the exercises +of her own mind on the subject of religion, some +time after they took place, said, that she experienced +an irresistible feeling of contempt for the +concern which Margaret manifested, and concluded +that she was indulging a mere hypocritical affectation; +in consequence of which she was beginning +to make some observations to this effect, when, in +a moment, a deep conviction fastened on her conscience, +of the danger of resisting what might +prove to be the influence of the Holy Spirit. +This impression resulted in a real concern for +herself, and in views equally solemn with those +expressed by Margaret.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>They both now made progress together in their +inquiries and experience, and were a mutual help, +rather than a hinderance to each other. Both soon +thought that they had obtained an interest in +"Him, whose blood cleanseth from all sin."</p> + +<p>It appeared, however, soon after this, as if our +fears with regard to Margaret were but too well +founded. "Because of manifold temptations," she +seemed to be taking a new hold on the world; but +a state of things about the same time, began with +Elizabeth, which disciplined and humbled her +spirit; and she was soon enabled to realize all the +insufficiency and uncertainty of this world, as a +portion.</p> + +<p>Many doubts with regard to the genuineness of +the change which Elizabeth trusted had taken +place in her heart, increased by the weakness +which rapidly declining health had induced, perplexed +and troubled her, and made her more and +more unwilling to make a profession of religion. +She had witnessed some of the extravagances of +revivals, and felt the danger of being deceived, and +of "having a name to live whilst she was dead."</p> + +<p>In January, 1823, Margaret was married to the +Rev. John Breckinridge, and returned with him to +Kentucky, his native State, in the spring of the +same year. In consequence of a call which her +husband received, to a church in Kentucky, (which +he accepted,) they were soon after this settled in +Lexington. Her departure from her early home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +was her first real trial. For although, through the +course of several months, she had taken a prospective +view of this arrangement, with much buoyancy +of spirits, as the time approached, every circumstance +connected with a separation from all the +associations of her childhood and youth, seemed +to produce a new and deeper impression, and +seven or eight hundred miles appeared at length, +as almost an interminable space. The sadness +which irresistibly overspread her countenance, +convinced her friends that when, in view of Mr. +Breckinridge's first destination, she had given herself +unreservedly to a foreign mission, she, like +many others, little knew her own heart, and all +the sacrifices which such a destination involved. +And when it was seen expedient that this intention +should be relinquished by him, for a plan more +eligible in the view of his fathers in the ministry, +a release from this more enduring trial, formed no +small part of the considerations which assisted in +making her submissively bow to one so much +more lenient. And indeed, she had reason to say, +that goodness and mercy had followed her at every +step. For this very trial which sobered her +countenance, made her heart better, and prepared +the way for deeper self-examination, and probably +more fervent prayer; and the result was, that with +a trembling confidence she united herself with her +husband's church in Lexington, a few months after +he took charge of it. From her letters, after this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +event, we learned that her connexion with the +church took place at the same time—it is thought +on the same day—in which her sister Elizabeth, +having been delivered from the many doubts which +had clouded <i>her</i> mind, made a profession of religion +in the church in Princeton. This co-incidence in +providence, having occurred without any mutual +intercourse or understanding on the subject, seemed +so consistent with the plans of Him who "sees the +end from the beginning," and who, from their first +serious impressions, appeared to have united the +lines of their experience until they ended in one +gracious result, that it did much to confirm their +friends in the hope, that a good "work was begun +in them which should be carried on." They felt +constrained to say, "It is the Lord's doings and +wonderful in our eyes."</p> + +<p>The kind and affectionate family in Kentucky, +of which she now made one, assisted much in alleviating +the pressure of sorrowful recollections, and +in making the resolution which she had formed of +"learning in whatsoever state she was, therewith +to be content," more practical, and more enduring; +and when Mr. Breckinridge was called to Baltimore +in 1826, although she was pleased with the +prospect of getting nearer to her early home, she +felt that a new tie had been formed which could +not be broken, even partially, without much pain. +It was a source of much grateful recollection to her, +that she was not permitted to use any undue influ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>ence +to lead her husband away from his congregation +in Lexington, to which she was indebted in +so considerable a degree, for the pleasant circumstances +which surrounded her.</p> + +<p>Her health was remarkably firm, especially for +one of her delicate appearance, for several years +after her marriage, and during all the time that her +husband had a settled charge. In Baltimore, to +which he removed from Lexington, she seemed to +realize with much gratitude, the particularly pleasant +circumstances in which her family was placed. +Situated on the direct way between her husband's +relatives, endeared to her by so many pleasant +recollections, and the family of her youth, with +both of which she could have frequent intercourse, +and in the midst of a kind circle of friends, not +limited by the bounds of Mr. Breckinridge's congregation, +she was literally at home; and when +the summons came to call him to another sphere +of labour in the Church, she was the last to be +persuaded that it was his duty to obey it, and +reluctantly yielded to the opinion of those whose +judgment she honoured.</p> + +<p>From this time she may truly be said to have +been a sacrifice to the interests of the Church. +The unsettling of her domestic duties and habits, to +which her temperament was particularly adapted, +was, probably, directly and indirectly at the foundation +of those causes, which gradually but too +surely undermined her health, and prepared her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +for a premature grave. Her last change of residence, +which placed her in Princeton by the side +of her paternal family, and amongst many of her +youthful associates, seemed to her to fill up the +measure, as it regarded this world, of that providential +goodness "which had followed her all the +days of her life;" and she said, not long after it +took place, with a humility which was in itself an +evidence of her gracious state, "I think, in view +of all my mercies, there is a thankfulness experienced +which is not the natural growth of my own +heart." To us who remain it is given to see, that +these unusual comforts were mercifully intended to +soothe the infirmities of a rapidly dissolving body, +and soften the approach of the last and most formidable +enemy.</p> + +<p>Several attacks of disease in the course of two +years, which threatened to be immediately fatal, +were, by the aid of skilful medical treatment, happily +arrested, but not until their baleful effect had +fastened on her feeble body, and each had left her +"more a prey for death." And it was a cause of +much thankfulness to her friends, that instead of +one of those unexpected instant departures, which +so frequently occur, and which in her case it was +often feared would take place, the approach of +death was gradual and mild, so as to involve no +pain, and but little surprise.</p> + +<p>The simplicity of her character appeared through +all her last days, especially after she ascertained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +that her end was not far off. Her words were +few, because she studied to utter none but "the +words of truth and soberness;" she seemed to feel +that there <i>might be</i> a parade even in dying.</p> + +<p>After a short conversation in her room a day +or two before she departed, on the subject of the +unprofitableness of our best works, which we found +had deeply exercised her mind, she remarked with +much emotion, a tear starting to her eye, "I feel +the truth of these remarks;" but, after a pause, she +said, "I have <i>tried</i> to do my duty as a wife and +as a mother; I have <i>endeavoured</i> to conduct the +affairs of my family with discretion, and to instruct +my children in the best things." She evidently +clung to this as an evidence of grace, (and not at +all as a cause of acceptance with God,) and as +affording some hope for her children, when relied +on in view of the promises of Him who says, that +if this precious seed is sowed, grace shall insure +the crop.</p> + +<p>Her Sabbath evenings, after the good old way of +our puritan fathers, saw her with all her household, +over whom she had any authority, gathered around +her for the purpose of giving them that instruction +which, with the promised blessing, would save +them from the paths of sin and folly in this world, +and prepare them for enjoying the blessedness of +another. And through the distractions of an unsettled +life, and the hinderances experienced in a large +boarding house, in which several winters were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +spent with her family, she persevered as far as +possible, in the instruction of both children and +servants in the week and on the Sabbath, with a +determination which both she and her friends +thought had shortened her life.</p> + +<p>In view of this peculiar faithfulness to her +domestic duties, we are the more willing to offer +an apology for what appeared to some of her +friends, an indifference to various extra means; +which in these last times have been esteemed +needful for the awakening of a slumbering church.</p> + +<p>When her mind began to open to this subject, +the glory of our revivals was beginning to be tarnished. +"The enemy had begun to sow his tares." +The extravagance which so frequently attended +them, had produced in her no little disgust for +what she thought the mere machinery of religion. +In such circumstances, it is difficult to "choose the +good, and refuse the evil." The cast of her mind +was such, that parade in any thing, and especially +in the vital concerns, in which is involved our everlasting +destiny, irresistibly revolted her mind. And +the errors in principle and in practice, which had +been by these means insinuated into, and corrupted +the legitimate and professed doctrines and ordinances +of the Presbyterian Church, greatly impaired +her confidence in what many good people +esteemed genuine revivals of religion. Subsequent +events have abundantly confirmed the wisdom of +her early and deep distrust.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>After her constitution had been tried with another +violent and unusual attack, in March, 1838, which +prostrated nearly all her remaining strength in a +few hours, it was evident to many of her friends, +that recovery was no longer to be expected. Every +means, however, were made use of, that might in +any way prove salutary; many of which, as has +often occurred, were rather injurious than beneficial. +As a last resource, a journey was commenced, +for the purpose of trying the Springs of +Virginia, so highly recommended to invalids. She +was not permitted, however, to go beyond Philadelphia. +Her physicians there, judging so long a +journey very hazardous, gently arrested it, by proposing +a delay of a few days; thus endeavouring +to obviate the effects of any disappointment which +she might experience. Her own views seemed, +spontaneously, to meet theirs, and a quiet acquiescence +was every day more manifest. After a +consultation of physicians, in which they agreed +that an effort might be safely made for her return +to Princeton, the sweet complacency with which +she said to a very kind friend, who was visiting +her, "I am going home to-morrow," encouraged +a hope that she had realized her danger; and that +<i>her</i> will was gradually moulding to the Divine will, +and she preparing for a far better home.</p> + +<p>It appeared as if she was permitted to get thus +far on her journey, in order to gratify the feelings, +and experience the renewed kindness of friends,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +whom her husband had attached to his family, +from his temporary labours amongst them. The +attention of these, and indeed many others, whom +their interesting circumstances were a means of +winning to them, is deeply felt in the family circle, +of which she was a beloved member; and which +will continue to be felt, as long as her memory +shall be cherished amongst them.</p> + +<p>It was with difficulty that she was removed to +her own residence at Princeton, a few days before +she died, fully sensible that her departure was not +far off. One of her anxious friends, wishing to +be more satisfied of this, said: "You know, my +dear Margaret, how ill you are?" A most emphatic +"O yes," silenced every remaining doubt.</p> + +<p>The day before she died, the conversation leading +to the subject of death, she said, "I am only +afraid of the article of death: I know that when +this is over, I shall be in Jesus' arms." From one, +so slow to speak, these were encouraging words.</p> + +<p>A few hours after this, she awoke from a light +sleep, with that sort of bewildered spirit, which is +frequently experienced under circumstances of so +much weakness, especially when accompanied +with, perhaps, the effects of an opiate, and repealed +the <i>name</i> of a person, with which she had been +familiar in her childhood. She observed, "what +easy words!" Some one present remarked—there +are words equally easy. She said, "tell me some."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +Upon being referred to a Psalm which had been +spoken of the day before, she commenced, as +having found something exceedingly pleasant—"The +Lord is my shepherd"—and continued to +the end of this short and interesting portion of the +Word of God, in a tone of sweetness and solemnity, +which impressed every one present, adding +her testimony to the sweetness of the words. It +appeared as if, while the world was fast receding, +her character was rapidly finishing in the mould +of this precious Word.</p> + +<p>Reason was continued to her until the last departing +moment, when, after a violent but short +struggle, which seemed to arrest every mental +exercise, except that which led her spirit immediately +to "Him who takes away the sting of +death," the freshness of former years was restored +to her complexion, which had been, for some +months, suffused with feverishness, and marked +with suffering, and a calm and solemn composure +settled on her countenance, appearing full of meaning, +which persuaded those who were around her, +that she had some communication to make. But +her mouth was sealed, and her hand could no +longer effect the gentlest pressure. We were left to +conclude, that when in her agony she had cried—"Come, +Lord Jesus—come quickly;"—"Lord +Jesus receive my spirit," "she was heard, in that +she asked;" and the freshness of everlasting youth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +casting one parting ray upon her mortal countenance, +had passed upon her, and "she had gone +to be forever with the Lord."</p> + +<p>"She being dead yet speaketh," and speaks, +especially, to all who yet live of her youthful associates. +Many of them are, as she was, called to +sustain the character of wife and mother, and their +history in its prominent features, most probably +resembles hers. Her course was marked with +much failure in duty, over which she mourned, +and, in view of which she seemed deeply humbled. +She once said—many months before she died—"O! +if the Lord were to send his bereaving commission +into my family, I could never forgive +myself for the manner in which I have failed to +improve the trust committed to me, and fulfilled +the duties to which I have been called." Hear the +voice which speaking, says, "My dear companions +in sin and infirmity, I leave you a poor +example. But I exhort you to become believingly +and affectionately acquainted with Him, who +has borne <i>me</i> through the dark valley and shadow +of death, and 'presented me faultless before his +Father, clothed in his righteousness, and washed +in his blood.'"</p> + +<p>"Ye cannot, though <i>Christian</i> wives and mothers, +do the things ye would;" but there is a +fountain opened, in which your poorest desires and +efforts, though like filthy rags, "may be washed +and made white, and made instrumental for much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +good." Point this out to your children, "talk to +them in the house and by the way, in sitting down +and rising up," of this only hope of perishing sinners. +And lest, after all, they should come short, +plead, unceasingly, the promises for them, and +take hold by faith of the blessing. O! how will +you rejoice if you can say, "Here am I Lord, and +the children thou hast given me." In order to sustain +your character as wives, aim continually, by +prayer, to obtain the gift of a meek and quiet +spirit, "which in the sight of God is of great +price, that even the unbelieving husband may be +won to the knowledge of the truth."</p> + +<p class="ht">May such exhortations from our departed +friends, reach us all, and be sanctified to us—and +may we "exhort <i>one another</i>, daily," so that our +social intercourse may be made the means of +grace, and assist in preparing us for our last great +change!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<h5>ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER +OF MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</h5> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whoever</span> has been called, in the midst of life, +to part with 'the wife of his youth'—if these +pages should chance to meet his eye—will <i>know</i> +what the writer has felt. Such a bereavement +must be <i>felt</i>, in order to be understood. There is +a shock in its coming for which no foresight or +submission can fully prepare us. There is a +chasm created by it which nothing can fill. It is +a new experience, replete with dreadful desolation. +It is a wonderful attribute of grace that can make +these great afflictions so "work <i>for us</i> an exceeding +and eternal weight of glory," that the most +weighty and enduring of them all, shall seem, in +comparison, to be "light, and but for a moment." +Yet "no chastisement," (especially such as this) +"for the present seemeth to be joyous, but rather +grievous." God intends that we shall be <i>moved</i> +by such visitations. The call which they utter is +too costly to be lightly felt. The stroke is too +deep to be hastily healed. "To <i>faint</i> when we +are rebuked of Him," is to reproach the goodness +of God, when we ought to "lay hold on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +strength." But insensibility to his afflictive dispensations +is to "despise" the methods of his +grace. And who can fail to feel at such a moment! +To find one's self strangely, and after all the +warnings mercifully given, suddenly left alone; in +the midst of life to be broken in twain; to come +to a time when you may no longer pray with +her whose presence sweetened devotion itself; no +more pray for her who many a year has been the +dear burden of all your intercessions; to see your +orphan babes left desolate, and enhancing your +woe, by being unconscious of their own; yea, +"to sorrow most of all" for those dread words, +"that you shall see her face no more!" This is +sorrow! If it were possible, and being so, were +right to ask it for others, we might pray for our +readers, that they may be forever ignorant of our +experience. But we know that every house is +appointed to such a sorrow, sooner or later. +They who are yet to pass through these deep +waters, if they cannot now fully enter into our +trials, may at least be expected to excuse this +humble tribute to the dead, as an amiable weakness.</p> + +<p>But it is not bleeding affection, merely, which +has prompted us to add to the foregoing brief narrative, +these imperfect illustrations of the life and +character of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge. The +bereaved children having been early called to lose +a mother's care, justly claim of surviving friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +to preserve her image that they may gaze on it, +and her example that they may imitate it, in after +life. It is a cruel addition to an orphan's lot, to +consign to the tomb even the memory of the dead. +We refer not to the indecent and revolting haste +with which every memorial of the deceased is +swept into oblivion by those who, studious of new +relations, are faithful only to forget. Such a spirit +is abhorrent to every sentiment of humanity and +religion. But it often happens that the disconsolate +survivor, for a season careless of all things but +of grief, neglects to treasure and record what God +gave in peculiar trust to him—for the good of +others. That godly example, which it cost the +toils and the trials of a life to exhibit, ought not +to be permitted to perish from the world. That +"death of the saints," which "is precious in the +sight of the Lord," and which so gloriously shows +forth his praise, is worthy of a monument that +time cannot consume. These should live! We +should embalm them in the memory of the heart. +We should hand them down in the tradition of +faithful love. We should record them in a household +book, if not publish them to the world—in +honour of Jehovah; in memory of the beloved +dead; and for the good of those who, even while +they were spared to them, were too young to +know their value. It is the memory of the wicked +alone which God has doomed to rot; or if it live, +to stand as a beacon on the brow of death.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is another consideration of great tenderness +and force by which we have been influenced +in making these sketches. Woman dwells, to +speak so, in the shade of retirement; and not like +man, in the blaze of public life. In the household +she sits enthroned, the weaker vessel, but the +stronger power. Yet the domestic circle, in a great +degree, circumscribes her influence; shuts in her +character. Her refinement—her patience—her humility—her +cheerfulness in trial—her fortitude—her +readiness to forgive—her faithful, constant +love—her self-devotion to her children—her personal +charms—her domestic virtues—her Christian +graces—which make her</p> + +<p class="p2 center">"The light and music of our happy homes,"</p> + +<p class="p2">are little known beyond the narrow boundary of +her own family, on which they continually rest, +"like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the +mountains of Zion." It is not less so with her domestic +trials—with her perplexing domestic duties, +as she meekly toils in "patient continuance" amidst +their innumerable detail, and ever returning round. +Now while the full disclosure and rewards must +be reserved to the great day of final account, it is a +special duty, on proper occasions, to bring such +excellence to view. Without our care, this never +will be done, since the graces that most adorn, are +the most retiring. By an affectionate diligence in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +this service, a thousand pearls might be brought +from the recesses of domestic life, and added to the +too scanty stock of memorable worthies. At least, +we ought not to make oblivion the penalty of +domestic virtue. On the other hand, the doing of +proper justice to real female merit, would most +effectually rebuke that assurance of coarse and +fanatic women, who, in the insulted name of God, +assume the prerogative, and attempt the offices of +the stronger sex—forgetting that the immodesty +which is offensive to all men, can never be an +offering pleasing to a God of purity and order. +By presenting to mankind examples of Christian +women revolving in orderly beauty, and shining +with mild lustre in their appointed course, we not +only preserve the memory of those who rest from +their labours, but we diffuse their influence abroad. +If we may but do justice to the subject of these +notices, she would be herself the only being likely +to complain, for she shrunk with instinctive sensibility +from every such disclosure of her retiring +character.</p> + +<p>Without repeating what has been said in the +first chapter, we proceed to fill up the narrative +given therein, by additional notices, which some +one ought to furnish, and which a parent could +not.</p> + +<p>It was God's peculiar mercy to Margaret (Miller) +Breckinridge, that she came into life under +parental influence so admirable in all respects, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +she may be said to have been born and reared in a +family, which, like that of Aquilla and Priscilla, +"<i>had a church in the house</i>." She enjoyed, in +its happiest form, a domestic Christian education, +having the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> for the basis of knowledge; the +Parents for instructors; the family fire-side for the +school of manners; and the royal law of love and +truth, as the standard and source of all true politeness. +Truly it is a goodly spectacle in these days +of pretension, and vulgar parade; of shallow learning, +and degenerate manners, to behold here and +there a mother in Israel, after "the manner of the +olden time," training her little flock without the +aids of modern parties, fashions, vain accomplishments, +and earthly tinsel; waiting with them day +by day at the door-posts of that wisdom by which +grace is poured into the lips, and mien, as well as +heart—where "woman indeed becomes the glory +of man;" (1 Cor. xi. 7,) and then to see her lead +them forth into life, from these sacred shades, +polished after the similitude of a palace.<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +school was well fitted to form the mind, refine the +manners, and under God to save the soul of our +lamented friend. God had been pleased to endow +her with an unusual measure of personal beauty, +and great charm of character and mind. So that +as soon as she entered into society, which she did +with great reserve, she attracted much attention, +and was universally admired. These things combined, +might have been expected, especially in +early life, to draw her into the world; and lead +her away from the humbling and self-denying religion +of her father's house. But even before she +gave her heart to God, there was an inimitable +simplicity in her character, manner, and dress, +which evinced either a total unconsciousness of her +attractions, or a noble superiority to human praise. +Her good taste, and the better principles of the +Gospel, enabled her in all her after life, notwithstanding +the many temptations to which she was +exposed, to exhibit the same transparent and +lovely example.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + + +<h5>HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.</h5> + +<p>The work of the Spirit was early begun in her +heart; but it was for some time resisted. Our +acquaintance with her began just as she was +closing her domestic education, (in her sixteenth +year,) and almost before she had looked this evil +world in the face. In 1820 she became decidedly +serious; and after several months of deep religious +impression, expressed a trembling hope of an interest +in the Divine Redeemer. At this time she was +strongly disposed to make a public profession of +religion; but the salutary caution of her parents +induced her to postpone it to a future occasion. +Subsequently to this, the extreme fear which she +ever after cherished, of self-delusion in religious +exercises; the high standard of Christian character +which she had proposed to herself; and her strong +conviction of the frequent and very hurtful inconsistencies +of many professors of religion; influenced +her, in the end to defer that solemn step to +a distant day. That day, as stated in the narrative, +did not arrive until after her marriage, her +removal to Kentucky, and her settlement as the +wife of a pastor. In the mean time, however, it +cannot be doubted, that the grace of God had taken +possession of her heart. And when finally she did +publicly connect herself with the people of God, +her tenderness of heart, her self-distrust, her deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +humility, her child-like simplicity, and transparency +of Christian character, condemned her <i>only</i> +for a delayed profession, and left few fears for her +sake in any bosom but her own.</p> + +<p>She was in a remarkable measure devoted to the +Word of God. Her extraordinary memory faithfully +stored with its rich treasure in early youth, +vividly retained the chief part of it through life. +The Psalmody of Dr. Watts, her favourite author +in that department, she had almost wholly at her +command. And with the Commentary of the +inimitable Matthew Henry, a Latin and a French +Bible, and a Harmony of the Gospels at her +side, she daily and most devoutly searched the +Scriptures. Clarke on the Promises, was also a +favourite book, especially in her last days; and the +Pilgrim's Progress was her companion to the +"water's edge," where her <i>real</i> visions of the celestial +city enabled her to lay the sweet Dreamer by, +as the Parting Pilgrim did his crutches, when on +the bank of the river he saw "chariots of fire" to +bear him to the <i>Pearly Gates</i>. Her diligence in +studying the Bible, without in the least degree +neglecting her domestic duties, (and even in the +days of her feeblest health,) was truly wonderful. +When a subject specially interested her, she compiled +and collated all the leading passages of the +Bible upon it; often writing them out at great +length, and preserving them for reference on future +occasions. Indeed, so far did she carry her inte<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>rested +inquiries into the various parts of the Old +and New Testament, and especially into the life of +Christ, that she drew out a harmony of the Gospels +with her own hand; the better to confirm her +knowledge of the true order and relation of the +events of his history.</p> + +<p>She was a most faithful hearer of the preaching +of the Gospel. Her luminous face cheered the +progress of the herald of the Lord, and marked the +deep measure of her personal interest in the message +from the skies. Since her decease, we have +found numerous briefs of sermons which she had +heard at different periods of her life, from those +whom she most admired. Some of these were +delivered by Dr. James P. Wilson, and some by +her father, others by Dr. Green, but chiefly by the +venerable and honoured friend whose tribute to her +memory is affixed to this Memoir. He was undoubtedly +her most esteemed instructor from the +sacred desk. His inimitable simplicity, vivacity, +richness, and force of truth, always carried her understanding +and her affections along with him; and +those appeals which were most searching and simple, +were most treasured and admired.</p> + +<p>To her refined and candid spirit, nothing was +more detestable than religious parade. As it is intimated +in the former chapter, it sometimes served +to repel her from things and people that were good, +but savoured of religious cant. She was especially +shocked with the numberless and painful examples<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +of female impropriety in this way, which our age +has disclosed. But in all the appropriate walks of +Christian females, and in every becoming expression +of their feelings and influence, though diffident +of herself, she promptly took her part. Perhaps +her most cherished occupation in the service +of others, was that of a Sunday-school teacher. +Here she rejoiced in the work of her hands. Here, +without indelicacy or pretension, she could use the +word of God, in his house, and on his day, to teach +the little children, whom like her Lord, she so much +loved to take in her arms and bless. She had for +this service uncommon adaptation in the vivacity +of her mind, in the charm of her manner, and +especially in the rich store of her Biblical knowledge. +She continued this relation after she became +a wife, and a mother; and the tenderness of +a Christian mother's love seemed to be transferred +to the little commonwealth of the Sabbath-school.</p> + +<p>We shall never forget the animation and delight +with which she communicated to us, two years +before her decease, the account of a visit which had +been paid her very recently, by a highly respectable +young gentleman, then attached to a learned +profession, the son of a distinguished public man, +who had been a member of her Sunday-school +class in Princeton, fifteen years before!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + +<h5>HER DEDICATION TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.</h5> + +<p>It was not long after the first experience (as +was hoped) of the grace of God in her heart, that +the relation was formed between herself and the +writer of these pages, which, by its consummation +and close, became in succession the crowning joy +and the absorbing sorrow of his life.</p> + +<p>While this interesting event, combined with +other causes, was made the occasion (from an excess +perhaps of delicacy on her part) of retarding +her public profession of religion, it led to an early +and very decisive trial of her Christian principles +in another form. At this time the friend whom +she so much honoured by her affection, was devoted +to the work of Foreign Missions; and he had +solicited her hand with the distinct expression, +both to herself and her venerable parents, of such +a purpose. This necessarily called her to consider +the question of a personal engagement in +this work. She met and decided this question +with a promptitude and nobleness of Christian resolution +which surprised even those who knew her +best; and though in the providence of God she +was spared the expected trial of separation for life +from her family and country, yet the unreserved +dedication of herself to the Missionary cause which +her Redeemer enabled her to make, gave elevation +to her Christian character, and prepared her for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +the trials scarcely less severe to which she was +called in the domestic field. It was on the ground +of her having thus dedicated herself, that with +so much self-oblivion, and even cheerfulness, she +encountered the many difficulties of which we are +now to speak.</p> + + +<h5>HER SACRIFICES FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD.</h5> + +<p>By a train of events over which we had no control, +and in the interpretation of which we were +permitted to enjoy the direction of the Church, (it +would be needless to recite them here,) we were +hindered from indulging the desire to "go far hence +to the Gentiles." But the <i>principle</i> of dedication +for life was settled; and hence it was from the first, +understood and acted on at all times, that other +things being equal, the field at home in which there +was opportunity to do most for the conversion of the +heathen, was always to be preferred, if offered by +the Lord of the harvest. Her first and second settlements +could scarcely be considered as giving occasion +to many <i>sacrifices</i>. Lexington, Kentucky, +was in the bosom of her husband's native state. +There, in the garden of America, surrounded by a +great circle of the most affectionate kindred and +friends, and in a city remarkable as the Athens of +the west for its refinement and general intelligence, +and connected with a most kind and worthy congregation, +Mrs. B. felt, that even separation from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +the home of her youth, was a form of trial so softened +by her circumstances, that it was converted +into a mercy.</p> + +<p>In our removal to the interesting and important +city of Baltimore, we felt that goodness and +mercy followed us, changing our abode, but augmenting +the number of our friends, and opening to +us new and effectual doors of usefulness. Her +attachment was very strong to both cities; she left +each with regret; but still referring the decision to +others in whose wisdom and affection she confided, +she cheerfully obeyed their successive summons +to depart. It was in leaving the latter city +that her sacrifices for the Church more especially +commenced. At this eventful period, (the summer +of 1831,) it was found that there were more +than one thousand congregations in the Presbyterian +Church without a pastor, not to mention the +immeasurable destitution of the heathen world. To +supply this immense demand required, in addition +to the very inadequate means already in use, a +greatly enlarged and quickened effort of the entire +Church. This necessity was deeply felt by the +General Assembly of 1831, and led to the re-organization +by that body of its Board of Education. +In the solemn providence of God, the writer of +these sketches was called to fill the office of Corresponding +Secretary and General Agent for that +Institution. He found it impossible to resist what +appeared to be the voice of God speaking through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +his Church; though in yielding to it he was constrained +to dissolve forever the sacred tie which +bound him to a beloved people, and to pass from +the endearments of domestic and Pastoral life, to +incessant toil and travel in the wide and homeless +world. She foresaw, and with keen anticipation +felt, all the trouble which such a step must bring +upon herself and her little household. But the +decision of all her friends, excepting the kind +people we were about to leave, was in favour of +removal. She remembered her Missionary vows. +She saw in it the sweetness as well as the severity +of the cross, and without a murmur meekly bowed +to the burden of the Lord. In this service, which +continued for nearly five years, she shared; and +like an angel, soothed the trials of the work. The +comforts of domestic life were almost annihilated, +either by incessant separations, or the nameless +discomforts of a constant absence from home. +During one entire year her house was occupied by +her but <i>six weeks</i>, the rest being spent in hotels, +and boarding houses, and steamboats, and stages, +with occasional intervals of repose in the bosom of +related or attached families scattered through the +wide field of her visits from the Mississippi to the +Hudson. Yet never did woman shine with more +lovely lustre at home; never was woman more +indisposed to step from this, her undisputed and +delightful empire, into the confusion and folly of +this selfish and evil world. Yet did she give up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +all, and consent to erect her domestic altar in the +wilderness, and gather her little fold on the highway, +for Jesus' sake. When weary of a year of +travel, undertaken to shun a year of separation, she +returned to occupy and order her solitary home. +There she was constrained, though both tender and +inexperienced, "to guide her house" alone; and to +receive her husband only as an occasional visitant. +Still, she never murmured; nor would we complain. +But faithful history—now that she rests +from her labours, requires this narrative; and God +permits the record of "<i>those works which follow</i>" +such "<i>as die in the Lord</i>." Thus, for five years, +were kept up the alternations of these affecting +trials. They were relieved, it must devoutly be acknowledged, +by the unremitting attentions of those +kind and lovely families in Philadelphia, whose +virtues bound them to us by better ties than those +of earthly kindred—as "Zion's friends, and ours;" +whose reward we will not attempt to take out of a +Saviour's hands by our poor praises; and whose +displeasure we shall only then be sure of incurring, +when we attempt to unveil to the public eye, +the authors of so much disinterested and untiring +goodness. The same reference is due to very +many families in the city of New York, in which, +for several successive years, she passed the winters +with her husband. He who thus imperfectly +attempts to record his gratitude, knew her worth +so well, that he cannot wonder that such friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +should love her; and he feels it his duty here to +say, that any portion of success in the work herein +referred to, is under God, largely owing, not only +to her influence on his labours, but to the charm +which she threw upon every circle with which she +mingled, and the interest she kindled in all the +persons and objects which interested her. When, +at the end of two years, he felt overwhelmed with +the review of her domestic trials, and was strongly +moved to abandon a work which made them inevitable, +<i>she</i> earnestly resisted the thought of change; +and with generous self-devotion urged her husband +forward in a work which, though painful to her +feelings, was in her view useful to the Church, +and pleasing to its glorious Head. As her impressions +were those of all her friends, and apparently +of the Church at large, and as the Board itself +kindly relaxed some of the severer features of our +trials, we were confirmed in the conviction that it +was our duty to persevere, lest we should incur +the divine displeasure, "<i>by being weary in well-doing</i>."</p> + +<p>When, however, the indications of divine Providence +in the spring of 1835 seemed plainly to say, +that our work for the Board of Education was +done, and that we ought to enter the door opened +for us at Princeton, she was the last to see the +duty of a removal; and though her parental home +was there, and though her heart and her wearied +nature cried aloud for rest, she would not allow +any reasons for the change, to be drawn from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +wishes or her sacrifices, and to the last, rather +<i>submitted</i> to, than <i>heartily approved</i> of, the new +relation.</p> + +<p>But how deep are the ways of God! Scarcely +had she time to establish herself in her new home +at Princeton,<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> when another and loud call to an +agency, directly in behalf of <i>Foreign Missions</i>, +was pressed upon us. Though at this period her +health had become evidently far more delicate, she +heard and heeded again the voice of her Saviour; +and still recalling the Missionary vow, offered herself +again a willing sacrifice on the altar of God. +In deciding this momentous question (in the winter +of 1838, after having spent but eighteen months +in Princeton, nearly half of which was occupied +by her husband in active agency in behalf of the +funds, library, &c. of the Theological Seminary,)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +we found ourselves incapable of being instrumental +in recalling her <i>still again</i> to the commotion, desertion +at home, and incessant cares, of another +agency. Three months therefore were given to +the important work, and the offer of the office +finally declined. Even here however, she persisted +in referring the decision to <i>public relations</i> +alone, leaving all personal considerations out of +view. And though fast approaching her end (what +at that time none of us knew) she spontaneously +put herself at the disposal of the friends of the +Board of Foreign Missions, for her part of any service +which might be required of her husband, +whether it was in extensive journeys with him, or +separation from him, or a winter's sojourn with +him and her children in the city of New York. +For the first, hoping it might invigorate her health, +she was actually furnished; and when that was +abandoned for the last, she repaired, with the spirit +of her Master in her heart, to meet the trials it +induced. It was in the fresh recollection of the +parting scene, on her way thither, that the following +sentences were addressed to the writer by the +Rev. Dr. Alexander.</p> + +<p>"I cannot conclude, without a word to dear +Mrs. Breckinridge. I admire her ready submission +to the calls of Providence. For although she +cannot help dropping the silent tear, she makes +no complaint, but shuts up her comfortable house, +leaves her home and her friends, and as cheerfully +as she <i>can</i>, goes to live in a hotel, and among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +strangers. Well, she shall not lose her reward. +For these sacrifices she shall have rich compensation: +and our sweetest earthly pleasure is in doing +the will of our Heavenly Father." (Dated Princeton, +December 17th, 1837.)</p> + +<p>At the close of the winter we returned to Princeton, +hoping that now God would grant us a little +rest in that quiet village and that delightful home, +where not "<i>unaware we entertained an angel</i>." +But ah! this blessedness was not long intended +for us. Having done her work, (though still we +did not fear it,) she was soon to be taken to her +rest and her reward on high.</p> + + +<h5>HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH.</h5> + +<p>Her last sickness was of a protracted and very +interesting character. When she returned from +New York, she was delicate and her state of health +was mysterious, but not yet alarming even to her +physicians. Very soon after this, she had a violent +attack, which in a short season prostrated her +frame, and, disclosing a peculiar complication of +diseases, overwhelmed every mind in the family, +but her own, (she was calm,) with the most gloomy +apprehensions of her danger.</p> + +<p>At the close of the winter term of the Theological +Seminary, (May first,) it was our anxious +desire to take her to the Red Sulphur Springs +in Virginia. But it was too early in the season; +and being yet doubtful, whether this or that place +would be useful or hurtful, it was agreed by her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +physicians to indulge her strongly expressed wish +to try the waters of Saratoga. Thither therefore +we went, pausing only a short time in the +city of New York for medical consultation.</p> + +<p>At this time, she was a most interesting object +to all who saw her. Her debility was so extreme +that she was borne from place to place in the arms +of her husband, which, from her delicate frame, +it was easy to do. The gentleness and patience +with which she endured her sickness, the inimitable +moral beauty of her countenance, and the +general expression of frailty mingled with grace, +excited the deepest interest wherever she passed.<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>At Saratoga we spent a very quiet season of +three weeks, (before the great hotels were opened, +or the crowds had arrived) at the house of a most +kind and deserving Christian woman, Mrs. Taylor, +whose unceasing attentions greatly conduced +to soothe sufferings which God had pleased should +not be arrested. During this visit she used the +waters freely, as a beverage, and in the bath, with +no apparent <i>injury</i>, except that it evidently dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>closed +the fatal symptoms of her malady. She was +able almost every day, to take gentle rides in the +open air, and frequently to mingle with the family. +But her chamber was her sanctuary. There she +reclined, feeding on the Word of God. She was +especially delighted with Clarke on the Promises. +During that season of seclusion, she seemed to +grow in grace with a progress which surprised +(while it delighted) us; for we knew not then +how near she was to the perfection of the heavenly +rest. But it has since been interpreted to us, +by the event, as one of God's peculiar mercies. +What made this the more pleasing evidence of +grace was, that she did not know her own danger. +It was the power of religion poured upon her +spirit by Him who was "hastening to make her +up among his jewels." At one time, she said—"Oh, +yes, pray that the <i>distance</i> between God +and me may be taken away." And after uniting, +with the most affecting solemnity and tenderness +in the prayer which was offered, she at its close +expressed <i>aloud</i> her joy in the exercise, (a thing +most unusual with her) and her delight in God her +Saviour, who <i>draweth nigh</i>. On another occasion, +after hearing some of the promises of <i>healing</i> +to the body, as collected by Clarke, she seemed for +a moment to be musing, she then gently said: +"My dear——I am like the poor woman who +had spent all her living upon physicians, neither +could be healed of any; but rather grew worse. +<i>My hope is in the Great Physician!</i>"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>Since we have been calm enough to review the +various stages of her last sickness in relation to +her religious exercises, it has been a subject of +deep regret, and of no little self-reproach, that we +had not made the attempt at recording, as they +were uttered, some of the deeply affecting expressions +of her Christian principles and feelings. +But the tumultuous hour of hope and fear, and +hurried, anxious watching at the bed of death, is +not the time for cool calculation. Some of the +most affecting parts of such scenes are incapable of +being written down, even by one not interested in +the sufferer. Nay, more—like the voices which +John heard from heaven in Patmos, the Spirit +seems to say of them, "<i>write them not</i>." These +are "joys with which the stranger intermeddleth +not." (Prov. xiv. 10.) It is a sanctuary which no +creature can enter. And then our beloved Friend, +who was often afraid to whisper her religious joys +to her Saviour, lest she should be found offering +"strange fire" on his altar, seldom talked of her +hopes, (though often of her sins,) to her nearest +friends; and never, by <i>writing them</i> down, put it +in the power of posthumous publications to expose +them to the view of others. We can only, therefore, +illustrate her religious character, at the stage +which we now approach, by broken fragments of +thoughts and feelings, caught from her lips amidst +the awful mercies of a dying hour.</p> + +<p>She began at length, visibly to sink, when Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +Freeman, of Balston, whose skilful and kind attentions +she enjoyed, (Dr. Steel, of Saratoga, having +himself been recently removed by death,) strongly +advised a discontinuance of the use of the waters, +and an attempt to reach the Red Sulphur Springs. +For now the prevailing type of the disease had +become distinctly pulmonary; and the skill of physicians, +and the healing waters, and all the help +of man were vain. Now, for the first time, we +began to discern the dread reality of her approaching +dissolution; and had some foretaste of the <i>first</i> +anguish of such a loss.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>With heavy hearts, but hastened steps, we re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>turned +to Princeton; whence almost in despair, yet +anxious to try any and all means for so great an +end, we hastily set out with our meek sufferer for +the Virginia Springs: but as the previous narrative +has recited, we were arrested at Philadelphia. +Here all was done by the assiduity and skill of her +physicians,<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> and the most tender and constant +attentions of a great number of friends. But her +divine Redeemer claimed her for himself. She +returned to Princeton, to bless her household, and +to die. On the evening of June the 13th, she +reached her children, and her earthly home. On +the morning of the 16th, a quarter before ten +o'clock, with her reason unclouded, in a frame of +calm and holy triumph which marked the dawning +of heaven on her soul; with a meek prayer +for permission to die, and with but a single pang, +she bade the world farewell, and ascended to God!</p> + +<p>Her remains were attended to the grave by a +very large and deeply affected assembly, after the +delivery of the impressive funeral discourse affixed +to this Memoir; where they rest by the side of +her three little children, two daughters and a son, +removed by death before. The like number and +of the same sex, two daughters and a son, are left +to the surviving parent, to mourn her loss, to trea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>sure +and imitate her example, and, by the grace of +the Saviour, to follow them to the skies, where +the "house now left desolate unto them" shall be +restored with added bliss; and the little family +thus divided in the midst of life, being reunited in +pure and perfect love, be received into everlasting +habitations.</p> + +<p class="ht">A neat marble monument points to the spot +where her dust reposes.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<h5>CLOSING REFLECTIONS.</h5> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> it has pleased our Heavenly Father to "take +away from us the desire of our eyes, with a +stroke." The first impression of such a loss is +that of <i>amazement</i>—overwhelming and bewildering +the soul, and with strange horror, destroying +for a time, the power to feel. "Deep calleth unto +deep—all thy waves, and billows have gone over +me." Such is the abyss of grief! At such a time, +our part is "to be still"—sitting, like the Marys, +"over against the sepulchre."</p> + +<p>When the disciples of John lost their earthly +Master, "they came and took the body, and buried +it, and went and told Jesus." This ought to be +the first act of every mourner, <i>to tell it unto Jesus</i>. +With him we shall find both sympathy and support. +And more than this: He resolves the +death of our friends into his own gracious sovereignty, +when he calls it, "the coming of the Son +of Man." Death loses its terror when it becomes +his act of grace. "The death of his saints is precious +in his sight," and is always ordered with a +supreme regard to their blessedness, and his glory. +So that the feeblest of his dying children may con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>fidently +say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust +in Him." "Though I walk through the valley of +the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou +art with me."</p> + +<p>There is a feeling about the death of our friends, +which is made up in part of unbelief, and in part +of that tender regard which is produced by their +dependence on us through life. Those endearing +relations which make us their protectors, and supports, +send their deep sympathies even into the +grave. Who of us that is a husband, or a parent, +that does not feel the horror of the separation +aggravated by the spectacle of our helpless kindred +struggling alone in mortal strife with "the king of +terrors"? We, to whom they have always looked +for succour, are then as helpless as they, in their +extremest need. We cannot even share their agony. +It is this which gives a nameless anguish to +such a moment.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<p>But it is because we forget that "when father +and mother," and all they most depended on in +life, "forsake them, then the Lord doth take them +up." The Christian is never so little alone as on +the verge of heaven. The Lord of life is there. +Underneath are the everlasting arms; and through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +all the terrors of the grave; and above all the +tumult of that last hour, the Shepherd's voice is +heard, saying—"<span class="smcap">It is I—be not afraid</span>." While +some pass over Jordan on the wing, and some +struggle through the waves, yet all safely pass. +Not one of them shall perish, but each appear in +Zion before God.</p> + +<p>It adds tenderness and force to these consoling +hopes, that Jesus once "tasted death himself." It +moves us, that "Jesus wept." But it gives a new +nature to death, that Jesus died! For while the +<i>merit</i> of <i>his</i> death takes the sting from ours, his +presence in the tomb dispels all its terrors. +Therefore, since Jesus died, let us consent to +death; and surrender at his call those most dear +to us.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">The graves of all his saints he blest,</div> +<div class="line i1">And softened every bed—</div> +<div class="line">Where should the dying members rest,</div> +<div class="line i1">But with their dying head!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>It must be sweet to lie in that grave which he has +hallowed by his presence among the dead.</p> + +<p>One of the considerations which should make us +acquiesce in the removal of our beloved friends +who die in the Lord, is this—that we are suffering +for their sakes; and that they could not be blessed +without our sufferings. For their death, (the +dread cause of all our grief,) was necessary to +their perfect and eternal blessedness. This thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +ought to soften every pang. If we really love +them, and if our sacrifices for them while they +were here below, were the fruit of our love, +then we have only to remember that this is one +prolonged, supreme sacrifice for their sakes.—This +reflection if properly pursued, would often turn our +mourning into gladness.<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> And then, if this weight +of sorrow that is laid on us may but be duly improved +and meekly borne; if it may not only mark +the bliss of our friends begun on high, but be made +by a wise and good God conducive to our growth +in grace—it will have in it the pledge of our everlasting +re-union in heaven; and thus be an affliction +doubly blessed.</p> + +<p>But the silencing, yea, elevating thought of all +is, that it is <i>for Jesus' sake</i>, we are called to suffer. +"<i>The Master</i> is come and called for her." It is +indeed the richest of our earthly treasures. Our +own life were a far lighter offering. But for that +reason we honour him the more. It is our <i>Isaac</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +that God calls for; and it is then indeed we +honour God when we can <i>offer</i> like Abraham. +We shall receive the offering back, if not as soon, +as certainly—and at no distant day! When, +therefore, He who laid down his life for us, asks +for our richest gift, let us not call him a hard +master, but give without a murmur.</p> + +<p>The death of our friends should have the effect +of bringing Heaven nearer to us. We ought to +cultivate, if we may so speak, <i>domestic</i> views +of that blessed world to which we are so much +honoured as to have sent up angels from our +households. While all superstitious emotions are +carefully to be quelled, we are permitted to draw +very nigh to them. We may cherish their image +in our memories and hearts; we still belong to the +same great communion—and all are members of +that body of which Jesus is the head. "As death +does not separate from the Lord, neither does it +divide the saints from one another. Our spirit +and theirs daily meet at the one throne—they to +praise, we to pray; therefore, in that sense, though +we are absent in body, we are present in spirit."</p> + +<p>And the distance which lies between them and +us is daily growing less. How swiftly we travel, +yea, fly, in all the speed of time! It may not be +an inappropriate close to these meditations, to insert +the family hymn, with which the remnant of a +bereaved household often close the day, and com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>fort +each others' hearts, at the hour when we feel +most desolate.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Come let us join our friends above,</div> +<div class="line i1">That have obtained the prize;</div> +<div class="line">And on the eagle wings of love,</div> +<div class="line i1">To joy celestial rise.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Let saints below his praises sing,</div> +<div class="line i1">With those to glory gone;</div> +<div class="line">For all the servants of our King,</div> +<div class="line i1">In heaven and earth are one.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">One family, we dwell in him,</div> +<div class="line i1">One church above, beneath:</div> +<div class="line">Though now divided by the stream,</div> +<div class="line i1">The narrow stream of death.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">One army of the living God,</div> +<div class="line i1">To his commands we bow;</div> +<div class="line">Part of the host have crossed the flood,</div> +<div class="line i1">And part are crossing now.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Ten thousand to their endless home,</div> +<div class="line i1">This solemn moment fly;</div> +<div class="line">And we are to the margin come,</div> +<div class="line i1">And soon expect to die.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Dear Saviour, be our constant guide,</div> +<div class="line i1">Then when the word is given,</div> +<div class="line">Bid the cold waves of death divide,</div> +<div class="line i1">And land us safe in heaven.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="ht">And now, in bringing to a close these very +imperfect notices of a beloved saint of God, it is +proper to say, that much more might truly have +been added in reference to many points of her +character, that would have been proper, and interesting: +as for example, her intellectual endowments; +her extensive acquirements; her domestic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +life; her personal accomplishments. But we fear +to indulge our feelings. Nor is it needful. For +it was her Christian character mainly which we +designed to illustrate. Her love for the Redeemer, +and her sacrifices for his sake, were the jewels +which adorned her on earth, and which lose not +their lustre in death. It was the glory of all those +qualities which so eminently fitted her to attract +the admiration of this world, that she meekly laid +them at the Saviour's feet. There also, we desire +to leave this humble tribute to one whose "sun +went down while it was yet day," praying that he +who thus early fitted her for heaven, may by these +poor means prolong her usefulness, and bless her +memory on earth.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a><br /><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>SUBMISSION:</h2> + +<p class="p4 center">A SERMON</p> + +<p class="p2 center">OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF</p> + +<p class="p2 center large">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="p4 center">BY THE</p> + +<p class="p2 center ht">REV. A. ALEXANDER, D.D.</p> + +<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>SERMON.</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Psalm xlvi. 10.</span><br/> + +"Be still, and know that I am God."</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Omitting</span> all critical discussion of the true import +of the text, I will consider the words as +addressed by Jehovah to his own people, when +suffering affliction under the strokes of his mighty +hand. It may be considered as the language of +authority; or of consolation. According to the +first view, it is as if the Almighty had said, "Be +still, and neither repine, nor rebel, for your affliction +comes not from the dust, but from me, your +rightful Sovereign; to whom you owe absolute +subjection." If viewed in the sense last mentioned, +then it will be as though God, feeling compassion +towards his afflicted saints, puts them in mind of +the sure refuge which they had in him; as if he +had said, "Be calm and unruffled, in the midst of +all your overwhelming calamities, for I am able to +sustain you, and to deliver you by my Almighty +arm." "Be still, and know that I am God." In +either case, the result, as to our duty, is the same. +Unreserved submission is the thing enjoined, and +the reason to enforce the injunction is, "<i>I am +God</i>."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, +and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, +and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and +continueth not. His days are determined: the +number of his years are with thee; thou hast +appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass." No +condition in this life is exempt from trouble. No +bulwarks can be erected by kings and princes, +strong enough, and high enough, to be a safeguard +against the shafts of adversity. In regard +to this matter, the rich and the poor stand very +much upon a level. "Man is born unto trouble +as the sparks fly upward." Hence, this life has +justly been denominated, "the vale of tears." +Uninterrupted bliss cannot be found beneath the +skies. The righteous are not exempt, but many +are their afflictions. Besides a participation in the +common lot of humanity, they have troubles peculiar +to themselves. The dispensations of God +towards his own people, are, indeed, in covenant +love and faithfulness, but they are not calculated to +encourage them to take up their rest in this world, +but to render their path so thorny, and their bed so +uneasy, that they are continually admonished of +their duty to set their affections on things above, +and to press forward as pilgrims to the possession +of their heavenly inheritance.</p> + +<p>The reasons which should persuade us to exercise +unreserved and uncomplaining submission to +the will of God, as manifested in the dispensations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +of his wise and righteous Providence, are at the +same time obvious and weighty. But, here, as in +other cases, theory and practice are very different +things. On this subject, we all can teach and +inculcate what is right; but when it becomes necessary +to practise our own lessons, we experience +a sad deficiency. This is a school in which, +sooner or later, we must all be learners; and it +behoves us to use diligence in preparing ourselves +to endure trials with fortitude, and cheerfully to +acquiesce in those painful events, which we cannot +avoid. Some persons, when overtaken by severe +strokes of adversity, are, like the bullock unaccustomed +to the yoke, restive and rebellious; they +resist the hand which presses them, and struggle +to throw off the yoke. Such a course is altogether +unwise, and must be unsuccessful. "Wo to him +that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds +strive with the potsherds of the earth," but let not +a feeble, sinful worm rise up in rebellion against +the Almighty; for who hath hardened himself +against him and hath prospered? And when there +is no open rebellion, there is often a spirit of +discontent and murmuring, which, though smothered +in the breast, partakes of the nature of rebellion, +and is the very opposite of cordial, filial submission. +Every degree of this temper, whether concealed +or expressed, is exceedingly offensive to +God, as we learn from his word, and is so far +from mitigating the evils which we suffer, that it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +doubles their pressure; it makes even a light burthen +intolerable.</p> + +<p>Others again, endeavour to form habits of hardy +insensibility; they seek refuge from the keen +arrows of affliction, in a stoical indifference. They +affect to contemn, as weak, and wanting in fortitude, +all those who seem to suffer exquisitely +under the strokes of adversity. Much practical +progress never can be made in this unnatural system. +Whatever men may profess or pretend, nature +will assert her claims, and if her feelings may +be for a season suspended, she will again resume +her sway; and indeed the equanimity acquired by +these principles, has been more in appearance than +reality; and the greatest adepts in eradicating the +susceptibilities of our nature, have only learned +the art of successfully concealing the emotions of +their bosoms from the observation of others.</p> + +<p>But while some endeavour to obtain relief by +rendering themselves insensible to the calamities of +life, and aim at braving the storms of adversity, +there are others, who err on the opposite extreme. +Under the chastising hand of God, they are prostrated +in the dust; not in humility, but in despondency; +their sorrow not only casts them down, +but overwhelms them. They find themselves sinking +in deep waters, where there is no standing. +Such persons not only put away all hope, but +cease from all exertion, and abandon themselves +to grief; forgetting the exhortation which speaketh +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +unto them as to children, "My son, despise not +thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when +thou art rebuked of him."</p> + +<p>There is but one effectual remedy for the evils +to which man is heir, while on his earthly pilgrimage; +and that is <span class="smcap">RELIGION</span>—true religion, not +merely apprehended and approved in its theory, +but deeply felt, and cordially embraced in the +inmost soul. This is the only principle of sufficient +potency to tranquillize the perturbations of +the soul when deeply afflicted. This only can +sustain the mind, ready to sink into despair. +This furnishes the only medicine which heals the +anguish of the broken heart; the only balm which +relieves the wounds made in the spirit by painful +bereavements. Here the superlative value of true +religion is realized; and this principle of heavenly +origin is found to possess a power, not only to +sustain the soul under the heaviest pressure of +affliction, but to pour sweet consolations into the +desolate and troubled heart. Here, indeed, is +opened a fountain of refreshing streams, in the +midst of this dreary wilderness, of which the poor +heathen had no knowledge, and of which the men +of the world are still ignorant.</p> + +<p>These blessed effects of genuine piety are not +produced by any irrational process, or blind impulse; +but by the contemplation of truths adapted +to the end. Consolations which do not rest on +this firm foundation, will ever be found precarious, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +and commonly evanescent. Buoyant hope and +cheerful resignation must have the solid pillar of +truth on which to repose. It will therefore be +consonant to our present purpose, to bring more +distinctly into view, some of those important doctrines, +the practical belief of which leads to the +exercise of Christian submission.</p> + +<p>That which lies at the foundation of the whole, +is, that God exists, and governs all events by his +providence. Whatever men profess, or speculatively +believe, as it relates to the actual presence +and operative providence of God, there is undoubtedly +much practical atheism in the hearts of +men. Most feel and act as if there was no God, +and as if all things happened by chance. This is +remarkably manifest when they are suddenly cast +down into deep affliction. They recognise not the +hand that smites them. They seem to think, that +affliction cometh from the dust, and that trouble +springeth out of the ground. In all their bitter +lamentations, their views extend no farther than to +the proximate causes of their distress; and they +often experience the bitterest regret, because they +did not pursue a different course, or make use of +different means from what they did; although +with the knowledge possessed, they could not have +done better. Under the same short-sighted views, +they are prone to censure others who have had +an innocent instrumentality in bringing about the +events by which they are distressed. All this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +arises from the want of faith in Divine Providence; +and too much of this unbelief cleaves to the pious +themselves, and greatly aggravates their calamities. +But when their faith in the being and providence +of God is strong, they see his hand in every thing +good and evil, which occurs; they behold him +operating through all nature, and giving efficacy to +all second causes; and are as fully persuaded that +he directs the fall of a sparrow, as the overthrow +of a kingdom. This doctrine of an universal and +particular Providence, is the foundation of our trust +in God, for security and sustenance. How beautifully +did Christ teach this lesson to his disciples, +when he said, "Behold the fowls of the air, for +they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into +barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. +Are ye not much better than they? And why take +ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the +field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do +they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon +in all his glory was not arrayed like one of +these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of +the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast +into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, +O ye of little faith?"</p> + +<p>When the dark and cloudy day of adversity, or +the long and tempestuous night comes upon us—when +our comforts are suddenly blasted, and our +brightest earthly prospects are obscured, then, instead +of repining or desponding, we should betake +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +ourselves to the doctrine of an overruling +Providence. The dispensation may be dark, and +afflictive, and even profoundly mysterious; yet +we should think, it is God that hath done it. These +are his footsteps. This is the operation of his hand. +He it is, "who formeth the light and createth the +darkness; that maketh peace, and createth evil." +The more, in such circumstances, we look beyond +all creatures, and second causes, and fix our thoughts +and our faith, on God alone, the sooner shall we +find composure of mind. If we fully believe that +God is in the storm, and that it is his voice which +is heard in the thunder, and his face which is seen +in the flashing of the lightning, the less shall we +be terrified with the apprehension of unknown +dangers.</p> + +<p>But we are permitted to know not only that +God governs all human affairs by his Providence, +but also that his dispensations, as it relates to his +own people, are all ordered in wisdom, in faithfulness, +and in love. The doctrine of Providence +can bring no true consolation to any who are +unreconciled to God. They may know that it is +his rod by which they are smitten, but they +cannot tell but his strokes are those of vindicatory +justice, and only a prelude to more intolerable +pains. Before we can repose with confidence and +comfort on the faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness +of the Divine dispensations, we must possess some +evidence that our sins are pardoned and our persons +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +accepted; for the more perfect the Divine +government, the more certainly will punishment +pursue the guilty. Our cheerful resignation to the +afflictions of life, is therefore, closely connected +with our justification through the merits of the +Lord Jesus Christ. While we contemplate our +own sins and imperfections only, we can entertain +no other feeling, than a fearful looking for of +wrath; but when with the spirit of adoption we +can look up to our heavenly Father's reconciled +face, we need not be alarmed nor cast down, +under the heaviest afflictions which befall us. We +know that he doth not willingly afflict his beloved +children, but out of love chastises them for their +greater good, that they may become in a higher +degree, partakers of his holiness. They are +assured, therefore, that all these painful events +shall be so overruled, as to work for their good. +And the Holy Scriptures clearly teach, that although +these chastisements are, for the present, +not joyous, but grievous, yet, hereafter, they will +produce in them who are exercised thereby, the +peaceable fruits of righteousness. They eminently +conduce to wean the affections from this vain +world, to humble the spirit in the dust under a +sense of unworthiness, and to excite an ardent +spirit of prayer. It is, moreover, by a severe but +salutary discipline of this kind, that saints are +made meet for the heavenly inheritance. And not +only so, but these temporary afflictions, somehow +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +or other, will have a direct efficiency in increasing +their future felicity and glory, according to that +remarkable declaration of Paul, "These light +afflictions which are but for a moment, work out +for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory." It is not surprising, therefore, that God +who loves his people with an unchangeable love, +should visit them with the rod. It is the method +which he takes to purge out their dross and their +tin. Affliction is therefore compared to a furnace, +in which the precious metals are assayed and +purified. Thus Peter comforts suffering Christians +in his time:</p> + +<p>"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the +fiery trial which is to try you, as though some +strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, +inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, +that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be +glad also with exceeding joy." Again: "That +the trial of your faith being much more precious +than gold that purifieth though it be tried with fire, +might be found unto peace, and honour, and glory, +at the appearing of Jesus Christ."</p> + +<p>In the testimony just cited, there is another +interesting reason suggested for the affliction of +Christ's disciples. And it is one which must be +touching to the hearts of all who truly love their +Lord. It is, that as he was pre-eminently "the +man of sorrows," there is a congruity in their +participating in suffering, that in this respect, as in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +others, they may be conformed to his example. +Paul also makes express and repeated mention of +the same thing. "If children, then heirs of God, +and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer +with him, that we may also be glorified together." +He speaks of this communion with Christ in suffering, +as a characteristic of discipleship, and as +a high privilege, "Always bearing about in the +body the dying of the Lord Jesus."—"For unto +you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to +believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." +Christians, therefore, in primitive times, gloried +in their severest sufferings. And now, no consideration +is more efficacious in fortifying the +believer against fainting than the idea of the +sufferings of Christ for us. It would seem that +they who have been privileged to endure nothing +for Christ's sake, would scarcely be admitted to +reign with him in glory.</p> + +<p>And as we should endeavour, while in the +world, to glorify God to the utmost of our power, +by letting the light of a holy example shine forth, +so there is no situation in which piety appears to +greater advantage, than when exercised in deep +affliction. What disposition can be conceived as +possessing more moral beauty, than the grace +enjoined in our text; <i>cheerful, quiet submission to +the will of our heavenly Father</i>, under the +heaviest pressure of his hand. And as we all are +conscious that there is yet much impurity and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +dross cleaving to our nature, we should rejoice in +being subjected to a process, though it be a fiery +one, by which we might be more and more +purified from sin. Indeed, we cannot do without +this salutary discipline: our salvation, probably, +depends upon our sufferings as a means of conservation +in a state of grace. We ought not, therefore, +"to think it strange concerning the fiery +trial, which is to try us, as though some strange +thing happened to us; but should rather rejoice, +inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's sufferings, +that when his glory shall be revealed, we +may be glad with exceeding joy."</p> + +<p>"Be still, and know that I am God." Be calm +and submissive; be not alarmed nor perturbed; +let your resignation to the Divine will be unreserved +and cheerful. Seize the occasion, which +severe afflictions offer, to show your entire willingness +that God should govern and dispose of +you and yours according to his own sovereign +will. He is wise, and knows how to order every +thing for the best. He is powerful, and can bring +light out of darkness, and good out of evil. He is +faithful, and will certainly fulfil all his gracious +promises. He is good and merciful, and will consult +the best interests of his children in all his +dealings towards them; and even those events +which seem to be most adverse, he will so temper +and overrule, that ultimately, and relatively, they +will be made to work for their good.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +Under sore and unexpected bereavements, the +human heart will bleed; and the susceptible feelings +will be lacerated, and the gush of sorrow will +have its course; but grace comes in and suggests +considerations which ought to moderate our grief; +and to teach us to be quietly submissive to the +hand of the Almighty. It is a blessed state, when +the feelings of the man are absorbed in the nobler +feelings of the Christian; when our will is swallowed +up in the will of God. What He doeth we +know not now, but we shall know hereafter. It +will not be long until we shall be able to see, +"that he hath done all things well."</p> + +<p>In the recent mournful dispensation of Divine +Providence, we see how many hearts may be +wounded, and how many joys withered, by a single +stroke. In this interesting group of mourners, +we behold the aged parents weeping over the lifeless +body of a much loved, and very lovely daughter. +They have lived to witness the premature +departure of one, whom they might naturally have +expected to be a comfort to them in their declining +years, and to wipe from their foreheads the cold +drops, in a dying hour. Parental bereavements +admit of less alleviation, than others, from earthly +considerations. The friends and comforts which, +late in life, we lose, we cannot hope to have made +up to us. And, sometimes, the parents of a numerous +offspring are preserved so long, that they +survive all, or most of their children; and they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +stand, like aged trees, which, by successive storms, +have been stripped of their foliage and branches. +But, although bereaved parents cannot draw much +consolation, under their afflictions, from this world; +yet the rich consolations of the Gospel are accessible +to them, and peculiarly appropriate to their +condition. The pious do not know how to appreciate +the promises of God rightly, until, in the hour +of affliction, they are made to experience their +power and sweetness. We cannot blame these +parents for mourning the loss of a first born and +very amiable daughter; but we trust that they now +find support and comfort in that God on whose +Almighty arm they have long trusted. They have +not now for the first time, to learn the riches of +that grace which is treasured up in Christ Jesus; +and may they be enabled to come now to that +fountain of mercy, by the streams of which they +have been so often refreshed and comforted, under +former trials!</p> + +<p>The grief of affectionate brothers and sisters +also, flows this day, in a strong current. They +feel as if a part of themselves had been taken +away; and yet they can scarcely realize the extent +of their calamity. It often requires time for +grief to become rooted in the soul. The first gush +of sorrow from the bleeding heart, is indeed a +more sensible emotion, but the full value of our +loss is not felt, until after serious reflection. It is a +painful thing to be separated from those around +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +whom our earliest and tenderest affections were +entwined. The thought of never again, in this +world, seeing a face, from which always the most +benignant affections beamed upon us, cannot but +leave a melancholy and heart-sinking impression. +Who can adequately describe the anguish produced +by the sudden severance of hearts, long +cemented in the bands of the tenderest affection! +But, though nature will be obeyed, and the floods +of sorrow cannot be altogether restrained, yet +there is a Christian duty incumbent on those +placed in these circumstances. The command +does not say, that we should not weep, but that +we should not sorrow as those that have no hope. +Christians are not divested of the common sensibilities +of humanity; but they possess principles +much higher than mere humanity, by which they +moderate their passions, and by which the stream +of natural sorrow may be sanctified, and turned +into that of "godly sorrow, which worketh a +repentance not to be repented of."</p> + +<p>But among the weeping mourners, on this sad +occasion, I see some, who though deeply affected, +can scarcely be supposed capable, on account of +their tender age, of estimating the irreparable loss +which they have sustained. I call the loss of +a mother <i>irreparable</i>; because, however many +affectionate friends may stand ready to do all in their +power to supply a mother's place; yet, the assiduity, +forbearance, and tenderness, so requisite in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +the treatment of young children, can be expected +in perfection from nothing but that affection, +which the Creator has deeply implanted in the +hearts of mothers. To those who have had +long experience in the world, there are few ideas +more affecting than that of <i>a motherless child</i>. +But orphaned, as these dear little ones are, by the +loss of one parent, they are, I may say, on this +account, more peculiarly the care of a covenant +God, whose promise extends not only to believers, +but to their seed, and whose kind care extends +especially to such children of the faithful, as have +been bereaved of one or both parents. These dear +children, we confidently trust will be the objects +not merely of God's common goodness, but of his +special grace; and after spending a life of usefulness +in acts of piety and beneficence, will enjoy +the blessed privilege of regaining their beloved +mother, in the mansions of glory, where sickness, +death, and tears, will be known no more.</p> + +<p>In addressing the interesting group of mourners +now before me, I perceive one, whose griefs are +too big for utterance, and whose swelling bosom +cannot be soothed, at this time, by any of the common +topics of consolation. An officious intrusion +into the sacred recess of such indescribable sorrows, +only serves to exacerbate, rather than mitigate the +wounded spirit. All that the kindest friends can +do, in such a case, is to let their warmest, tenderest +sympathies fall in with the tide of overwhelming +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +grief, which rejects all consolation. "Weep with +them that weep." There is another thing which +we can do, and that far more important, we can +pray for our afflicted and bereaved brother. In +such circumstances, prayer is almost our only +refuge; for all our help must come from God. +While the voice of man is powerless to afford +relief, there is <span class="smcap">ONE</span> who causes his voice to be +heard even in the midst of the tempest. And his +authoritative, his affectionate language to our beloved +brother is, "<i>Be still, and know that I am +God</i>." "God is our refuge and strength, a very +present help in trouble." It is somewhere related +of that eminently pious reformer, Luther, that when +he fell into any great trouble, he was wont to say +to his friends, "Come, let us sing the forty-sixth +psalm."</p> + +<p>A striking example of uncomplaining submission +we have in the good old priest Eli, who, +when informed that God was about to bring such +judgments on his house, as would cause the ears of +every one that heard them to tingle; meekly +replied, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth +him good."</p> + +<p>And the patriarch Job, when deprived of all +his property, and of all his children, humbled +himself and worshipped God, saying—"The Lord +gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be +the name of the Lord." "What, shall we receive +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +good from the hand of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, and shall we not +receive evil?"</p> + +<p>When Jesus visited the mourning family of +Bethany, who were among his dearest friends, he +did not say to the afflicted sisters, weep not—but +the compassionate Redeemer united his tears with +theirs; for it is written, "Jesus wept." These +were indeed only the tears of sympathy, for it was +in his benevolent purpose to restore the deceased +brother to his disconsolate sisters. Here also, we +have a striking illustration of the truth, that God's +children are ignorant often of his kind designs, +when he permits sore afflictions to come upon +them; "If thou hadst been here," said both the +weeping sisters, "my brother had not died." Their +regret was keen, and unmitigated by any known +circumstance; but in one short hour, they were, +no doubt, glad that their Lord was not there—they +rejoiced that their beloved brother had died; because +the glory of God and the power of the +Redeemer had now been manifested. Indeed, a +gracious visit from Jesus will turn our bitterest +sorrows into joy. His name—his word—his +grace—has a mighty power to calm the swelling +surges of overwhelming sorrow. He can say, as +he did to the raging storm, "Peace, be still," and +there will be a great calm. Were it not for +thoughts of God—of his providence, and promises, +and of the seasonable and effectual aid of his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +grace, grief would often drown the soul in perdition; +as it often does work death in the heathen, +and in the men of the world, who are without God, +and without hope.</p> + +<p>It would be in place here to speak of our dear +departed sister, whose loss we now mourn; but +this task will hereafter be better performed by +another hand. And to this audience little need be +said; for she was brought up among you from her +childhood, and enjoyed the affectionate regards of +this community in no common degree, as is manifest +by the general and tender sympathy felt on +this occasion. By her sweet simplicity, engaging +vivacity, affectionate temper, and affable manners, +our beloved friend endeared herself to her acquaintances +and neighbours, wherever she resided. And +in regard to her Christian character, she adorned +her profession by a consistent life and conversation, +in all the relations which she sustained.</p> + +<p>Her latter end was calm and peaceful. She felt +some dread of the pangs of dissolution; but in +regard to what comes after death, she had no +fear—her hope continued firm and her prospects +bright to the last moment.</p> + +<p>It is always a cause of lively gratitude, when +God is pleased to sustain his dear children in +passing through "the valley of the shadow of +death." It affords to mourning friends the sweetest +consolation which could be received under +such sore bereavements. This consolation of our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +benignant Father has not been withheld in the +present instance. Mourning friends are permitted +to rejoice in the midst of their overflowing sorrow, +in the confident hope, that the departed spirit of +our dear sister, free from all sin and pain, rests +sweetly in the love and beatified vision of her +divine Redeemer.</p> + +<p class="ht">"<span class="smcap">Blessed are the dead that die in the +Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, +that they may rest from their labours; and +their works do follow them.</span>"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_3" id="Page2_3"></a></span></p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_4" id="Page2_4"></a><br /><a name="Page2_5" id="Page2_5"></a></span></p> + + + +<h2>LETTERS<br /> + +<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> +<br /> +A GRANDFATHER,</h2> + +<p class="p4 center">TO THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF</p> + +<p class="p2 center">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="p4 center">BY THE</p> + +<p class="p2 center">REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D.</p> + +<p class="p4 center ht">PART II.</p> + + + + + +<p class="large center p6">LETTERS<br /> + +<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> + +A GRANDFATHER.</p> + + +<h3>LETTER I.<br /> + +INTRODUCTORY.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Grandchildren</span>:—The decease of +your beloved and lamented Mother, has placed +both you and me in circumstances of great solemnity +and responsibility. To be deprived of a +mother's care and counsel at the tender age at +which she left you, is indeed a loss which no +human arithmetic can estimate; especially to be +deprived of <i>such</i> a mother, one so well qualified +by strength of intellect, by sincere piety, and by +peculiar loveliness of character, to be a blessing to +you, for time and eternity, is a bereavement of +which, even now, I know not how to speak without +emotions too strong for utterance. While this +precious Parent lived, she seemed to interpose +between your beloved grandmother and myself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_6" id="Page2_6">[6]</a></span> +and any immediate responsibility in regard to your +education; but now that she is removed, we seem +to be brought, in the mysterious and mournful +Providence of God, to stand in some measure in +her place, and to perform some of the most important +duties which she owed to her children. And, +although your surviving Parent is eminently fitted, +both by nature and grace, to be a guide to your +youth; yet, as he is engaged, and is likely for +some time to be engaged, in active, arduous, and +extended labours for the Church of God, which +will probably separate him from you often and +much for a considerable time;—an additional responsibility +on our part seems to grow out of +every circumstance.</p> + +<p>It is under these impressions that I now address +you. Your grandparents are drawing near to the +end of their course. They must soon leave you +in a depraved and ensnaring world. What they +do for your benefit, they must do quickly. As +one placed in these tender and endearing relations +to you, and in these solemn circumstances, allow +me to pour out the fulness of a heart most earnestly +engaged for your welfare, and desiring more +ardently than I am able to express, to see you +walking in truth and happiness, and embalming +by your conduct, as well as by your affection, the +memory of that blessed Parent, who, if she is ever +permitted from her high and holy abode, to look +down on those whom she has left behind, will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_7" id="Page2_7">[7]</a></span> +rejoice to see you making choice of that path +which leads to the same blessedness.</p> + +<p>There are two considerations, beloved grandchildren, +which, I think, you will all agree, entitle +me to expect from you a respectful and affectionate +attention to what I have to offer in these letters. +The <i>first</i> is, that I have lived a long and somewhat +eventful life; and, of course, my range of +<i>experience</i> has not been small. In my three-score +and tenth year, I have had an opportunity of following +many young people from the cradle to the +grave. I have seen the training, the subsequent +course, and the end of thousands. Need I say, +that the lessons derived from such experience are +not unworthy of your regard? O, if you could +start in your career with that practical knowledge +of the vanity, the snares, and the sufferings of the +world, which has come to me through the medium +of many a melancholy sight, and many a painful +conflict, how great would be the advantage! But +this cannot be. Happy were it for you, if you +were willing to profit as you might from the +experience of others. But neither can this be +expected, in ordinary cases, to be realized. I +cannot, however, admit the thought, that you will +be willing to reject this teaching altogether.</p> + +<p>The <i>second</i> claim which I have on your attention +is, my ardent and affectionate desire to promote +your happiness. You cannot suspect me of +any sinister design in what I have to say. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_8" id="Page2_8">[8]</a></span> +would be to suppose me capable of "hating my +own flesh." No, dear children, I have no desire +to damp the sanguine joy, or cloud the smiling sun +of your youth. I would not take from you a +single rational pleasure. On the contrary, I delight +to see you happy; and desire, by all the means in +my power to promote your true enjoyment and +honour. But you must allow me now, in my old +age, when I have seen so much of the illusions of +the world, and so many examples of the destruction +of those who yielded to them, to counsel you, +not in the style of youthful flattery, but in the +language of "truth and soberness." You will +find nothing in these letters intended to carry a +point by overpainting, or by any other artifice. +If you have a real disinterested friend on earth, +who unfeignedly wishes to promote your best interest +in both worlds, it is he who now addresses +you. I shall not give a counsel or an injunction, +but what I verily believe your precious Mother, if +she were permitted to speak from the bosom of +her Saviour, would ratify with all her heart.</p> + +<p>You will observe that some of my counsels +have a respect to objects beyond the period of +childhood, which you now occupy. The truth is, +I expect soon to leave you. Probably long before +any of you shall reach adult age. Of course, I +feel that what I have to say at all, had better be +said <i>now</i>. I may have no other opportunity. +Besides, one of the great truths which I wish to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_9" id="Page2_9">[9]</a></span> +impress upon your minds is, that you are, even at +your present age, sowing the all important seeds of +a future harvest of good or evil. You will not +find a single habit or attainment recommended in +the following pages, which, if you are ever to gain +it, you will not find an advantage in having calculated +and prepared for, as far as possible, at the +earliest age. The earlier you begin to imbibe +good principles, and lay good plans, the better will +it be for all the future.</p> + +<p class="ht">Let me entreat you, then, to receive with all the +affection and docility of dutiful children, the counsels +of one who, while he writes, looks up to +"Him who has the residue of the Spirit," that +what is rightly said, may be impressed upon your +hearts, and made to bring forth precious fruit, to +your happiness, and to the glory of his holy +name!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_10" id="Page2_10">[10]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER II.<br /> + +HUMAN NATURE.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—On all important subjects there +are certain great facts which must be regarded +as fundamental; as lying at the foundation of all +truth, and all duty. I feel that this is peculiarly +the case in regard to the counsels which I am about +to give you concerning your course in life. Among +these fundamental facts are the depravity, the +misery, and the numberless temptations of the +world in which you live; the depravity of your +own nature, ever ready to be attracted by the +allurements and corruptions of the world; and +your consequent need of the grace of God, at +every step, for your guidance, protection, and deliverance. +And until you know and feel, and in +some degree lay to heart, that the world in which +you live is a fallen, depraved world; that its +habitual maxims and ways are hostile to your best +interests; that you are yourselves, by nature, +miserable sinners, standing in need of pardoning +mercy, and sanctifying grace; and that you are +every day exposed to snares and perils, from the +joint influence of a depraved nature and a corrupt +world;—until you have learned, in some good measure, +to recognise these facts; to dwell upon them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_11" id="Page2_11">[11]</a></span> +daily and hourly; and to receive the lessons which +they are adapted to teach; you are not prepared +even to <i>begin</i> life. You are not prepared to meet +or encounter the most common scenes, much less +the more formidable dangers which are likely to +beset your path every day that you live. But the +moment you are brought to admit these humbling, +momentous truths; to feel their reality; and to +consider and treat them in some degree according +to their practical importance; then, and not till +then, may we hope you will be ready to make a +proper estimate of the world; to guard against its +allurements; to ponder well what you need for +securing your true happiness; and to implore that +divine aid which is necessary if you desire, in such +circumstances, to perform any duty aright. And, +therefore, when I see young people apparently +forgetful of the character of their own hearts, and +of the world in which they live; thinking that all is +gold that glitters; and imagining that they can safely +trust to their own wisdom and strength in every +situation, I regard them as objects of the deepest +commiseration, and as wholly unqualified for either +the duties or the best enjoyments of life.</p> + +<p>Know, then, dear children, and remember, that +you belong to an apostate race; that we are all, +according to the declaration of God's own word, +"born in sin," and "shapen in iniquity;" that we +are "by nature the children of wrath;" that our +native propensities are all of them corrupt; opposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_12" id="Page2_12">[12]</a></span> +to God; impelling us to habits and practices +forbidden by his law, and unfriendly to our best +interest. Remember, too, that, so far from being +able to trust your own hearts to resist the temptations +around you, and to guide you aright, they are +all naturally inclined to that which is evil, and disposed +to take side with the vanities and corruptions +of the world. So that there is constant need of +self-denial; of imposing restraints upon all our +appetites and passions; and of submitting, especially +in early life, to the counsels of the wise and +the good, who have gone before us in the journey +of life, and have had more experience than ourselves +of its temptations and dangers.</p> + +<p>Hence it is, that so large a part of religion is +represented in Scripture as consisting in opposing +our own corrupt inclinations; in "crucifying the +flesh with the affections and lusts;" in constant +efforts to bring down pride and vanity; to mortify +our evil propensities; "to keep under the body;" +to "rule our own spirits;" and, in general, to gain +the victory over ourselves. All these expressions +imply that the course of true wisdom is a warfare +with evil; that our most formidable enemies are +within; and that resisting our own corrupt nature +is at once the most constant, and the most serious +part of our duty as accountable creatures.</p> + +<p>Nor is this all. Not only is our nature corrupt; +not only are we from our very birth, prone to evil +"as the sparks fly upward;" but we are also by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_13" id="Page2_13">[13]</a></span> +nature under condemnation. In the language of +that incomparable Catechism, with which you have +been familiar from lisping infancy—and every doctrine +of which, as I believe, is drawn from the +Bible—"All mankind by their fall lost communion +with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so +made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death +itself, and to the pains of hell forever."</p> + +<p>Such is the condition of our race by nature. +Not only depraved and unworthy, but guilty, condemned, +and perishing; not only in <i>danger</i> of being +forever lost; but already under a sentence of +death, unless rescued from it by the power and +grace of the Saviour. All the posterity of Adam +are by nature, "dead in trespasses and sins," +having no resources within themselves for regaining +the favour and image of God. "The carnal mind +is enmity against God; it is not in subjection to +the law of God, neither indeed can be." So that, +left to ourselves, we should infallibly go on in sin +to eternal, merited, and hopeless destruction.</p> + +<p>Here you are, then, dear children, in a revolted, +polluted, lost world, where the vast majority of the +population is in open rebellion against God; where +the prevailing habits and maxims are selfish, carnal, +and opposed to all that is truly and spiritually +good; where, if you fall in, and continue to go +with the prevailing current, you are inevitably and +eternally lost; where your only safety consists in +renouncing the world, its idols, its master, and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_14" id="Page2_14">[14]</a></span> +hopes; in "crucifying the flesh with its affections +and lusts; in resisting the fashions and allurements +which reign around you; and taking refuge in that +Saviour, who came to seek and to save that which +was lost." Such are the temptations and perils +with which you are constantly and every where +surrounded; and such your only refuge. And, +what greatly adds to your danger is, that if the +representation which I have given be correct, your +own hearts are naturally disposed to take the side +of the enemy, and to betray you into his toils and +his power. So that you are like persons travelling +in an enemies' country, and liable every moment +to be taken in some insidious and fatal snare, +and whose own inclinations to yield to the enemy +are among their greatest dangers. These are the +humbling facts which it behoves you constantly to +keep in view, and to regard as the great practical +index of all your plans, resolutions, and efforts, as +long as you live.</p> + +<p>And as you can never be truly wise until you +learn the corruption of your own nature, and +how indispensably you need pardoning mercy, +sanctifying grace, and unceasing guidance and help +from on high; so you are not prepared to begin +your intercourse with a corrupt world, until you +have learned to appreciate the real character of +human nature as it appears in all the walks of +social life. The young, anterior to experience—and +indeed many, long after experience ought to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_15" id="Page2_15">[15]</a></span> +taught them otherwise—are too ready to put confidence +in the professions and arts of men. They +are apt to believe the flattering tongue; to rely on +plausible promises; to trust heartless professions +of attachment; to repose confidence in civilities +never meant to be accepted; and to expect much +from protestations of kindness, and assurances of +friendship—all dictated by the merest selfishness, +and never intended to be fulfilled. Rely on it, +dear children, you live in a cold, selfish, heartless +world. Its civilities are hollow; its promises are +deceitful; its flatteries are insidious; its most +splendid attractions are delusive. Expect little from +the warmest professions, and be very backward +to avail yourselves of the most fervent proffers +of friendship. I am far, indeed, from recommending +a misanthropic suspicion of every body. Your +parents and grandparents ought to be the last persons +in the world to indulge or recommend such a +spirit. They have been so happy as to enjoy +friendships sincere, disinterested, active, and unwearied, +never to be forgotten. For these they +would be thankful, and enjoin it upon you never to +forget such precious friends. But remember, that +social confidence is a plant of slow growth; that +there are few cases in which it can be safely indulged; +that where it exists, great care ought to be +taken not to abuse it by laying too much upon it; +and that, while you ought to receive all expressions +of civility and respect with a suitable acknowledg<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_16" id="Page2_16">[16]</a></span>ment, +nothing can be more unwise and unsafe in +such a world as this, than to trust indiscriminately +to the professions and promises of men.</p> + +<p class="ht">If such be our deplorable circumstances, as a +race, and as individuals, then we need deliverance. +We need salvation. To this great subject I would +next entreat your attention.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_17" id="Page2_17">[17]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER III.<br /> + +THE WAY OF SALVATION.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—Salvation is a word often on +your lips, and on the lips of many around you. +The truly pious look forward to it with humble, +joyful hope. And those who have no piety, and +even the profane and profligate often speak of it as +something which they desire and anticipate. But +what is <span class="smcap">SALVATION</span>? The very expression presupposes +that we are all by nature in a state from +which we need to be <i>delivered</i> or <i>saved</i>. We +never apply this term to any but those who are in +danger of being <i>lost</i>. When a man is drowning, +or in the utmost peril of death in any form, and by +the interposition of some benevolent and active +friend, is rescued, we say he is <i>saved</i>. Now in a +similar sense is the term used in the case before +us. The salvation of man implies that he is, by +nature not only in <i>danger</i>, but in a <i>lost</i> and +<i>perishing</i> condition. Accordingly I told you, my +dear children, in the preceding letter, that our +whole race, and you among the rest, are, by +nature in a state of guilt, depravity, and misery; +that we are fallen creatures; under condemnation; +exposed to the wrath and curse of God; liable not +only to natural death, but also exposed to all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_18" id="Page2_18">[18]</a></span> +terrors of eternal death, that is, of eternal separation +from the presence of the Lord, and the glory +of his power, unless delivered, or, in other words, +<i>saved</i> by the interposition of some mighty and +merciful deliverer. Such a great Deliverer has +appeared to save sinners of our race;—to "put +away sin by the sacrifice of himself." And now, +the word of God assures us, that there is "no +other name given under heaven among men +whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus +Christ."</p> + +<p>It is my earnest desire, dear children, to open +this way of salvation to your minds, and to recommend +it to your serious and solemn attention. +Believe me, "it is not a vain thing for you, it is +even your life." Unless you are, by the grace of +God made partakers of this great salvation, it "had +been better for you that you had not been born."</p> + +<p>By the salvation revealed in the Gospel is meant, +delivering us from all the ruins of the fall—from +the condemnation of sin and the power of sin—restoring +us to the favour and image of God—and +bringing us to the everlasting enjoyment of his +presence in heaven. This is salvation. Now I +wish to show you how this great and blessed +result is accomplished by the undertaking and +work of Jesus Christ, whom we are accustomed, +on that account, to denominate, with emphasis, +our <span class="smcap">Saviour</span>.</p> + +<p>Man was made upright; in full possession of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_19" id="Page2_19">[19]</a></span> +the powers necessary to perfect moral agency, and +with all the dispositions which prompted to a +perfectly correct use of those powers. But "man +being in honour abode not." He rebelled against +God. He violated the covenant under which he +was placed, and became liable to the dreadful +penalty which it denounced against transgression. +In this fall of our first parents we are all sharers. +"In Adam," says the apostle, "all die." "By one +man's disobedience," he again declares, "many +were made sinners." We have all totally lost our +original righteousness; so that there is now, by +nature, "none righteous, no not one." In short, +we have all become guilty and polluted before +God, and incapable of regaining his image or his +favour by any merit or doings of our own. How, +then are we to be delivered from these deplorable +circumstances? How shall we escape that perdition +which is the just reward of sin? "How can +we escape the damnation of hell?" How can any +be saved? God cannot set aside his own law, or +permit his authority and majesty, as a righteous +Governor, to be trampled under foot. To "clear +the guilty;" to take impenitent rebels into the +arms of his love, would be to "deny himself." +Where, then, is our refuge? Must we sit down +in despair, and say, "There is no hope?" No, by +no means. A God of infinite wisdom, power, and +love, has devised and proclaimed a wonderful plan +by which sin was punished while the sinner is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_20" id="Page2_20">[20]</a></span> +pardoned; by which justice is completely satisfied, +while mercy is extended to the guilty and vile; by +which "grace reigns through righteousness, unto +eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord."</p> + +<p>This wonderful and glorious plan of mercy +consisted in the Father giving his own Son to +obey, suffer, and die in our stead, as our substitute; +and in the Son consenting to bear the penalty +of the law for us; to put away our sin by the +sacrifice of himself; and to bring in an everlasting +righteousness for our justification. Yes, dear +children, however coldly an unbelieving world +may receive the amazing annunciation, the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, condescended, +in his wonderful love, to assume our +nature; to take the place of the guilty and the +perishing; and to become the victim of Divine +justice in their stead. His language, in the eternal +counsel of peace, was, "Let me suffer instead of +the guilty. Let me die to save them. Deliver +them from going down to the pit; I will be their +ransom." This wonderful, this unparalleled offer +was accepted. The Father was well pleased for +the righteousness sake of his Son. He accepted +it as the price of our pardon; as that on account +of which all who repent and believe should be +justified. So that the Scriptures may well say +concerning the Saviour—<i>He is the end of the law +for righteousness to every one that believeth. +He is the Lord our righteousness. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_21" id="Page2_21">[21]</a></span> +wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised +for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace +was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. +He bare our sins in his own body on the tree. +He died the just for the unjust, that he might +bring us to God. He delivered us from the +curse of the law, being made a curse for us.</i></p> + +<p>Here then, dear children, is the way, and the +only way of a sinner's acceptance with God. In +virtue of the covenant of redemption, the righteousness +of Christ, or what he did and suffered on our +behalf, is placed to the account of his people, <i>as +if</i> they had performed it in their own persons. +Though sinful and unworthy in themselves, God +is pleased to pardon and accept them as righteous +in his sight, only for the righteousness sake of his +beloved Son. I am aware, indeed, that some who +speak much of "the merits of Christ," and profess +to rely entirely on those merits, represent the +whole subject in a very different light. They +suppose that in consideration of the sufferings and +death of our blessed Saviour, the old, original law +of God, requiring perfect obedience, is repealed, +and a <i>mitigated law</i> now prescribed as the rule of +our obedience. So that now, under the Christian +dispensation, a perfect obedience is not even required, +but only an imperfect one, accommodated +to our fallen condition and our many infirmities. +But still, they insist, that this imperfect obedience +is the meritorious ground of our acceptance with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_22" id="Page2_22">[22]</a></span> +God; and, of course, that eternal life is the purchase +of our own obedience. In short, the doctrine +of these errorists is, that the benefit conferred +by the sufferings and death of Christ, consists, not +in providing an entire righteousness for us, but +only in abating the demands of the law; in bringing +down the divine requisitions more to a level +with our ability; and still enabling us, low as we +have fallen, to be the purchasers of salvation by our +own works.</p> + +<p>Be assured, dear children, this view of the subject +is a grievous departure from the Scriptural +doctrine concerning the way of salvation. The +Bible represents our pardon and acceptance with +God as not founded, in any respect, or in any +degree, on our own obedience; but as wholly of +grace—as a mere unmerited gift, bestowed solely +on account of what the Redeemer has done as our +substitute and surety. It represents the holy law +of God as remaining in all its original strictness +without repeal or mitigation; and as falling with +the whole weight of its penalty on all the impenitently +guilty. But it declares that penalty to be +removed from those who repent and believe the +Gospel, not on account of any worthiness in themselves, +as the meritorious ground of the benefit; +but only on account of the perfect righteousness of +Him who came to seek and save those who were +lost. In short, a gracious God saves his people +not by overlooking their sins; but by lifting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_23" id="Page2_23">[23]</a></span> +penalty from them, and laying it upon the divine +Redeemer, and for his sake letting them go free, +and accepting them solely on account of his merit.</p> + +<p>This righteousness of Jehovah the Saviour is +said to be "to all, and upon all them that believe;"—that +is, it is imputed to none—set to the +account of none but those who receive Christ by +faith. Faith is that great master grace by which +we become united to the Saviour, and interested in +his atonement. This righteousness, therefore, is +called <i>the righteousness of faith, and the righteousness +of God by faith</i>. Hence we are said to +be <i>justified by faith</i>, and to be <i>saved by faith</i>. +Not that faith, as an act of ours, is, in any +measure, the ground of our justification; but all +these expressions imply, that there is an inseparable +connexion, in the economy of grace, between +believing in Christ, and being justified by him, or +having his righteousness imputed to us. Happy, +thrice happy they, who can thus call the Saviour +<i>theirs</i>, and who have thus "received the atonement!" +Though unworthy in themselves, they +are graciously pronounced righteous by their +heavenly Judge, on account of what the Mediator +has done. Their sins, though many, are, for his +sake, forgiven them. They are <i>freely justified +from all things from which they could not be justified +by the law of Moses</i>. They are "accepted in +the Beloved." Though polluted and undeserving in +their own character, they are "complete in Him."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_24" id="Page2_24">[24]</a></span> +There is no condemnation to them now; and in +the day of judgment they shall find, to their eternal +joy, that there is both safety and happiness in +appearing in the righteousness of Him who loved +sinners, and gave himself for them, clothed in +"robes which have been washed and made white +in the blood of the Lamb."</p> + +<p>But we not only need to be justified by the +righteousness of Christ; we also indispensably +need to be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. +Accordingly, the purification of our nature, as well +as the pardon of our sins, is one of the benefits +purchased by Him, and secured by covenant to all +believers. Hence the teaching and the sanctifying +power of the Holy Spirit must be regarded as an +essential part of the great salvation of which I am +speaking. We need as much to be delivered from +the love of sin as from its condemnation. And for +both, the plan of mercy held forth in the Gospel +of Christ, makes equal and effectual provision. +"Whom he justifies, them he also sanctifies; and +whom he sanctifies, them he also glorifies." By +the power of the Holy Spirit, the dominion of sin +is broken in the hearts of all who are brought +under the power of the Gospel. The reign of +corruption in the soul is destroyed; the love of it +is taken away; and though not perfectly sanctified +in the present life, yet every believer has his sanctification +begun. It is carried on, not by his own +wisdom or strength, but by the same divine power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_25" id="Page2_25">[25]</a></span> +by which it was commenced; until he is, at last, +made perfectly holy, as well as perfectly happy in +the presence of his God and Saviour.</p> + +<p>Thus does it appear that salvation is all of grace, +sovereign, unmerited grace. The original devising +of the plan, in the eternal counsels of peace, was +prompted, not by any foresight of faith and holiness +in the fallen creature; but in mere grace. +The plan itself, in all its principles and provisions +makes our salvation perfectly gratuitous, and +wholly excludes all human merit. After the plan +was formed and executed, and the knowledge of it +imparted to us, no one would ever accept of it, did +not the same grace which formed it, incline the +sinner to lay aside his native opposition, and accept +of the offered mercy. And even after cordially +accepting it, no individual would ever cleave to his +hope, and continue to embrace it, and live under its +power, were he not "kept by the power of God +through faith unto salvation."</p> + +<p>After the foregoing statement, the great question +is, what message does this plan of salvation bring +to <span class="smcap">YOU</span>? The message which it brings, dear children, +is an unspeakably solemn one. It charges +<i>you</i> with being sinners—miserable sinners in the +sight of God—without merit—without help, and +without hope in yourselves. It offers you peace, +and pardon, and sanctification, and eternal life, +through the atoning sacrifice of the blessed Redeemer. +It entreats you to lay aside your en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_26" id="Page2_26">[26]</a></span>mity, +and to receive these benefits with humble +and adoring gratitude, as a free, unmerited gift, +"through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." +Its language is, "Whosoever will, let him come, +and take of the water of life freely." And again, +"Whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast +out." It calls upon you to renounce all confidence +in yourselves, and to receive and rest on Christ +alone for salvation as he is freely offered in the +Gospel; to receive him as the Lord your righteousness, +and the Lord your strength, and rejoice in +him as your only hope. To this end, it is indispensable +that you be convinced of sin; that you +experience a deep and cordial sense of your own +sinfulness and unworthiness; that you despair of +saving yourselves; that you fall at the footstool of +sovereign grace, feeling that you deserve to die, +and that you can have no hope but in the atoning +blood, and sanctifying Spirit of the Redeemer. It +is your duty and your privilege to go to the Saviour +at once, and cast yourselves on his mercy, without +waiting for any qualifications to render you worthy +of his favour. You are commanded to go to him +as miserable, helpless sinners, not with a price in +your hands; but to receive from him all that you +need to make you holy and happy here and hereafter. +And until you are prepared thus to go to +him, as miserable, unworthy sinners, who deserve +God's wrath and curse forever; until you sincerely +feel that you have nothing to plead but the merit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_27" id="Page2_27">[27]</a></span> +of another; until you are ready to cast yourselves +at the feet of the Saviour, and to be indebted for +pardon and eternal life as a mere gift of grace, you +have yet to learn the vital element of practical religion.</p> + +<p>Dear children! will you hesitate a moment—will +you wait for a second invitation to accept of +such a Saviour? Will you turn away with ingratitude +from such a salvation? Listen to the entreaty +of one who loves you, and who has no stronger +desire concerning you than to see you walking in +the Spirit, and enjoying the consolation of the +Gospel: or rather listen to the voice of that blessed +Saviour himself who died for sinners; and who +says to you, and to all who hear the Gospel—"Come +unto me all ye who labour and are heavy +laden, and I will give you rest. Him that cometh +unto me I will in no wise cast out."</p> + +<p class="ht">Think not, I beseech you, of putting off this +acceptance of the Saviour's love until you are farther +advanced in life. Do you forget that "the +ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all +her paths peace," and that you cannot too soon +begin to be happy? Besides, have you any assurance +that you will live to be much more advanced +in age than you now are? Not long since, a +graduate of one of our colleges was heard to say, +"I have finished my college education. I will +now devote two years to the study of a profession; +and <i>then</i> I will take one year to see what there is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_28" id="Page2_28">[28]</a></span> +in <i>that mighty thing they call</i> <span class="smcap">RELIGION</span>." So +calculated this careless, blooming youth. But before +his plan was half accomplished, he suddenly +fell sick; was seized with delirium; and died +without hope. But there are facts, dear children, +which ought to come nearer home. Can you forget +your beloved brother and sisters, who, in the +very threshold of their existence, were cut down, +and laid in the grave? And what security have +<i>you</i> that you will live to see another year? But +even if you <i>are</i> permitted to live until you reach +adult age, or until you are old and grey-headed, +what reason have you to hope, if you go on hardening +yourselves against the Gospel until that time, +that you will then have grace given you to "consider +your ways?" O, how many who were in +youth thoughtful and tender, have become more +and more callous to every serious impression, as +they advanced in life, and have, at length, sunk +into the grave without hope! Be entreated, then, +dear children, <i>now</i>, while your hearts are tender; +before the world has twined around them a thousand +entanglements; before you become hardened +by inveterate habits of sin; be entreated to make +choice of that "good hope through grace," which +will form the best treasure, and the only effectual +pledge of safety and happiness in the voyage of +life: the treasure which is emphatically "that +good part which can never be taken away from +you."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_29" id="Page2_29">[29]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER IV.<br /> + +THE BIBLE.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—If you were walking, in a +dark night, along a road full of sloughs, and pits, +and snares, and dangers of every kind, what would +you do for safety? You would naturally, if you +could obtain it, take a <i>light</i> in your hands. You +would also, if possible, engage a <i>guide</i>, strong and +faithful, well acquainted with the road, and qualified +to conduct and defend you. And, besides all +this, you would vigilantly <i>look around you</i> at +every step, and eagerly mark and avoid every spot +that had a suspicious or doubtful appearance.</p> + +<p>Your situation, dear children, in the journey of +life, is precisely such as I have described; or +rather, I ought to say, "the half has not been told +you." You are just entering on a world, dark, +corrupt, and full of allurement and danger. On +every side enemies lie in wait to deceive and betray. +You are and will be exposed to a thousand +temptations and perils from which you have no +wisdom or strength to deliver yourselves. You +need direction and guidance at every step. Now +the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> presents the only complete and perfect +map of the road which you are travelling. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_30" id="Page2_30">[30]</a></span> +given us to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to +our path." It exhibits, with unerring fidelity, +every enemy, every snare, every danger which +beset your path. It gives all the information, all +the warning, all the caution, and all the encouragement +which you need. It tells you, more perfectly +than any other book, all that you have to fear, and +all that you have to hope for. There is not a form +of error, or of corruption, against which it does not +put you on your guard; nor an excellence or a +duty which it does not direct you how to cultivate +and attain. "Wherewith," asks the Psalmist, +"shall the young cleanse their way?"—"By +taking heed thereto," he replies, "according to +thy word." No one ever made this holy Book +the guide of his life, without walking wisely, +safely, and happily; without finding the truest +enjoyment in this world, and eternal blessedness +in the world to come.</p> + +<p>Can you wonder, then, beloved children, that I +place a high value on this blessed Book; that I +earnestly recommend it to your serious attention, +to your constant study, and to your devout and +affectionate application and confidence? Can you +wonder that I should delight to see it daily in your +hands; much of its sacred contents committed to +your memory; and your hearts deeply imbued +with its spirit and its power? You, no doubt, +remember how earnestly your precious Mother, +now gone to the God who gave this Book, recom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_31" id="Page2_31">[31]</a></span>mended +it to your attention; how assiduously she +put it into your hands; how often she constrained +you to commit portions of it to memory; and how +frequently, on Sabbath evenings, she gathered you +round her to recite those portions in her hearing, +and to receive her instructions and counsels in +regard to them. Can you ever forget these scenes, +and the solemn, tender lessons which you then +received? Call to mind her earnest looks, her +affectionate tones, her unceasing labour to impress +the contents of this sacred Book on your minds +and hearts. Think of these things; and if you +can recollect them without gratitude to God for +such a mother, and without tears of regret that you +have not profited more by her faithful counsels, +you have less moral feeling, and less filial sensibility +than I have been accustomed to give you +credit for.</p> + +<p>Why is it, my dear children, that so many +young people regard the Bible with aversion, and +consider the study of its pages, and especially committing +them to memory, as a task and a burden? +When we reflect that it is sent to us from heaven; +that it contains the glad tidings of peace, and love, +and salvation to a lost world; that it is besides full +of the noblest specimens of literary beauty, and of +tender pathetic eloquence that the world ever saw; +that there is something in it adapted to touch the +finest and best cords of human sensibility—why is +it that you so often feel aversion to the study of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_32" id="Page2_32">[32]</a></span> +this volume, and would gladly be excused from +the task of perusing its chapters? Alas! dear +children, this is one of the many proofs that your +nature, as I before stated, is depraved; and that +you need the renewing and sanctifying power of +the Holy Spirit, before you can understand and +relish a book given by his inspiration. Every +feeling of reluctance to the study of this Book +which you experience, ought to fill you with +alarm, and to constrain you to cry mightily to God +that he would open your eyes and your hearts, and +give you that taste for the best of all books, without +which you cannot be prepared for the joys of his +presence. Consider, I beseech you, that, as you +have been made acquainted with this Book from +your earliest childhood, so you will have to give +an account for this knowledge. Many children +around you have never had the Bible put into their +hands; have never been taught to venerate and love +its sacred pages; but you have been informed of +its origin and value. You have enjoyed a privilege +denied to thousands. Will you not be grateful +for this privilege? Will you not manifest that +you know how to prize a gift of more value than +all the world beside? Can you deliberately consent +to meet the dreadful condemnation of those +who, from childhood, "knew the Master's will, +and did it not."</p> + +<p>I hope I need not remind you that the <span class="smcap">Book of +God</span> is to be read with feelings and in a manner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_33" id="Page2_33">[33]</a></span> +very different from those with which you read all +other books. When you have read books of +human composition once or twice, you have gotten +from them all they contain—you have done with +them. But with the perusal of the Bible you can +never have done. The oftener you go over it, if +you feel as you ought, the richer and more delightful +will it appear. You can never exhaust its +meaning or its interest. Like its divine Author, it +has a length and breadth and depth and height, +concerning which no human reader can ever say +that he has completely fathomed its meaning, or +measured its riches.</p> + +<p>Other books are to be read with attention, and, +if they abound with truth and wisdom, with respect; +but the Book of God is to be read with the +deepest veneration, as containing the mind and +will of our heavenly Sovereign. In fact, every line +of it is to be considered as the voice of God speaking +to us. Woe to those, whether young or aged, +who can handle the Bible with levity, make sport +of its contents, or recite its solemn language as +matter of jest! The Lord will not hold them +guiltless who thus, practically, "take his name in +vain." The Mohammedans manifest much more +reverence for their <i>Koran</i>, than many Christians +for the Bible. They never allow themselves to +touch it without washing their hands. They handle +it with the most pointed respect, never holding +it lower than their girdles. Every copy of it com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_34" id="Page2_34">[34]</a></span>monly +contains an inscription or label on the cover, +in these words—"Let none touch but those who +are clean." How very differently do many, young +and old, among us, treat the Holy Scriptures! +I have often been distressed when I have seen +children toss about their Bibles, and even throw +them in the dirt, as they would the least valued of +their play-things, or rattle over some of the most +solemn language of the Bible with as little apparent +thought or respect as they would repeat the +veriest effusions of nonsense.</p> + +<p>The Bible, farther, is to be read <i>daily</i>, and with +<i>diligence</i>, as containing that daily food from which +you are to derive spiritual aliment, and strength +continually. It is to be read with fixed <i>attention</i>, +seriously directing your mind to its rich and important +meaning; with <i>humility</i>, feeling your need of +the instruction and grace which it contains; with +<i>prayer</i>, imploring the guidance of the Holy Spirit, +that he may open your hearts to receive the engrafted +word which is able to save your souls; +with <i>application</i>—asking continually—"How does +this concern <i>me</i>? Does it describe <i>my case</i>? +Does it not contain a lesson which demands <i>my</i> +special regard? Do <i>I</i> know any thing in my own +experience of what is here taught?"</p> + +<p class="ht">In this precious Book you will find every thing +adapted to enlarge the mind, to gratify the taste, to +elevate the affections, and to purify the heart. If +you only sought the richest <i>entertainment</i>, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_35" id="Page2_35">[35]</a></span> +could not open a book more fitted to gratify you. +It is an inexhaustible mine of instruction as well as +of beauty—the deeper you dig, the richer will you +find its treasures. Its exquisite simplicity, its +pathos, its sublimity, its heavenly wisdom, its +purity, are all adapted to turn us away from the +vanities of the world; to enlarge our views beyond +these regions of disorder and darkness; to +strengthen every high and holy motive; and to +lead us upward to Him who is the source and the +sum of all good. Happy, thrice happy will those +children and young people be, who early learn to +go to the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> for all their sentiments, principles, +and rules of action; who learn daily to go to that +precious Book to direct them in their pursuits, to +comfort them in their sorrows, to guide them in +their perplexities, and to animate them in their +labours whatever they may be! Such have the +best pledge of temporal enjoyment, and of eternal +blessedness. When, therefore, those who love +you, and would in some measure take the place of +your dear departed Mother, daily put this precious +Book of God into your hands, and urge you to +read and commit to memory a portion of its contents, +do not allow yourselves to regard it as a +task or a burden. Think from whom it comes—from +the God who made you. Think of the great +purpose for which it was given—to make you +wise and eternally happy. Think of the only +means of making it truly profitable to you—study<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_36" id="Page2_36">[36]</a></span>ing +it with devout attention, laying it up in your +hearts, and practising it in your lives. Think of +the solemn responsibility which the possession of +this Book lays upon you—for to whomsoever +much is given, of them shall much be required. +And may the great Author of this Book give you +grace to "seek for the heavenly wisdom which it +contains as silver, and search for it as for hid +treasures!"</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_37" id="Page2_37">[37]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER V.<br /> + +PRAYER.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—"Prayer is the offering up of +our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will, +in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, +and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." +This is the definition given in a Catechism with +which you are familiar, and a more complete and +perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the +offering up of our <i>sincere desires</i>; for unless it be +<i>sincere</i>, it is but solemn mockery. It is to be +addressed to <i>God alone</i>; for prayer addressed to +any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful +Sovereign. It is to be "for things <i>agreeable to +the divine will</i>;" or else it is unauthorized and +presumptuous. It is always to be presented <i>in the +name of Christ</i>; for there is no other name under +heaven given among men whereby we can draw +near to a holy God with acceptance, but the name +of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with +<i>confession of sin</i>; because the approach of a sinner +to God, without an humble sense and acknowledgment +of unworthiness, would be contrary to +every principle of reason, as well as to the Christian +plan of salvation. And, finally, it ought to include<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_38" id="Page2_38">[38]</a></span> +a thankful acknowledgment of <i>divine mercies</i>; for +without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we +cannot be in a frame of mind fitted to receive farther +favours.</p> + +<p>I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on +either the <i>reasonableness</i> or the <i>duty</i> of prayer. +If we are entirely dependent on God for every +temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely +reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, +and apply to him with humility and earnestness +for his aid. If his favour is life, and his blessing +the best riches, it is evident that we ought to +supplicate them with importunity and perseverance. +If we are sinners, unworthy of the divine favour, +we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and +make confession of our sins with penitence and +obedience. If he has revealed a plan of mercy +and grace to us, of which he invites and commands +us to avail ourselves, then every principle of self +interest concurs with reason, in urging us to seek +with earnestness a participation in that mercy. +And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many +words, commanded us "by prayer and supplication +with thanksgiving to make known our requests +to God," who can question, for a moment, +the <i>reasonableness</i> of a compliance with that command?</p> + +<p>Nor is the <i>duty</i> of prayer less apparent than its +<i>reasonableness</i>. The command of our Father in +heaven is—"Pray without ceasing—pray always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_39" id="Page2_39">[39]</a></span> +with all prayer and supplication, and abound therein +with thanksgiving. I will be inquired of by my +people to do that for them which they need. Ask +and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; +knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For if +ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto +your children, how much more shall your Father +in heaven give his Holy Spirit to them that ask +him? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in +prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The effectual, +fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. +When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and +when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father +which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in +secret, shall reward thee openly. If any one lack +wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, +and it shall be given him. Is any afflicted? let +him pray. Be careful for nothing; but in every +thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, +let your requests be made known to God. +The Lord is rich in mercy to all that call upon +him. In the day of my trouble I called upon the +Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all +my distresses."</p> + +<p>Such are some of the numerous passages of +Scripture which plainly <i>require</i> and <i>encourage</i> +prayer. Can any one who reads and believes the +Bible, doubt for a moment, that it is equally his +<i>duty</i> and his <i>privilege</i> to go daily to the throne of +grace to supplicate for all the temporal or spiritual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_40" id="Page2_40">[40]</a></span> +good which he needs? I hope, my dear children, +you will not be disposed to say, notwithstanding +such express and positive declarations of God's +word, in the language of profane objectors of old—"Wherefore +should we seek after God? Does he +need to be informed of our wants? Can we, by +importunity, alter his purposes? Where is, then, +the advantage of asking for what we need? What +profit shall we have if we pray unto him?" If you +should ever be tempted to ask such a question, I +would answer—"Much every way." God has +connected our asking for blessings with receiving +them. He has promised to hear and answer +prayer. He has condescended to say, that he will +regard with all the tenderness of a parent's heart, +the cries of his children. He has said in his word, +"Ye have not, because ye ask not." This is +enough. But it is not all that is worthy of our +attention. Prayer is not intended to inform God, +but to benefit ourselves. It tends to remind us of +our dependence and unworthiness; to impress our +hearts with a deeper sense of the divine goodness +and mercy; and to beget in our minds that humble, +grateful, tender sense of our own weakness, and of +our obligation to the Author of all good, which +constitute the best preparation for receiving the +gracious gifts of our heavenly Parent.</p> + +<p>While your precious, lamented Mother was +alive, what a privilege did you consider it to be +allowed to go to her in all your troubles, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_41" id="Page2_41">[41]</a></span> +make known to her all your desires! How much +greater the privilege to be allowed every hour free +access to your Father in heaven, with all your +anxieties and distresses, to pour out all your wants +and wishes, your hopes and fears into the bosom +of an Almighty Friend, who is ever able and ready +to help!</p> + +<p>Since, then, dear children, there are so many +reasons prompting you to prayer; since you are +always weak, always dependant, always unworthy, +and always in need, can you doubt that it is your +duty and your interest to abound in prayer? Let +me entreat you, therefore, never to suffer a day to +pass without engaging in this delightful and most +reasonable exercise. Set apart fixed times for the +purpose, that you may form such <i>habits</i> as will +aid your memory, and prevent your neglecting it. +Retire as soon as you can, after rising in the morning, +to return thanks for the mercies of the night, +and to implore the protection, the guidance, and +the blessing of your heavenly Father, through the +day. And in the evening, before drowsiness overtakes +you, retire again, to praise him for the mercies +of the day, and to ask for his guardianship +during the night watches. But are these the only +subjects of prayer? Far from it. They are +numerous as the moments you live, and various +as the objects which you are called to contemplate. +Pray in the morning, that God would keep you +from all evil in body or soul, through the day; that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_42" id="Page2_42">[42]</a></span> +he would create in you a clean heart, and renew +within you a right spirit; that he would guard +your speech and behaviour at all times, and in +every situation; that he would enable you to mortify +and subdue every sinful affection, and to overcome +every improper habit; that he would deliver +you from sloth, and pride, and vanity, and malice, +and envy, and every evil temper; that he would +enable you to treat all around you in a dutiful and +becoming manner; in a word, that he would enable +you to spend the day in a manner profitable to +yourselves, and to the benefit of all around you. +And in the evening pray, that he would pardon all +the deficiencies and infirmities of the preceding +day; that he would make you grateful for all the +favours of his merciful Providence; that he would +watch over you during the hours of darkness and +repose; and bring you to the light of another day +in health, in the exercise of your reason, and in +the enjoyment of his favour and love.</p> + +<p>And while you thus pray daily for yourselves, +it is your privilege and duty to include in your +petitions all with whom you are connected in the +various relations of life. You ought to pray continually +for your beloved <i>father</i>, who is engaged +in such important labour for the Church, and who +loves you with an affection and solicitude which +you can never repay; for your <i>grandparents</i>, who +are daily praying for you, and who are falling +more and more under the infirmities of age; for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_43" id="Page2_43">[43]</a></span> +<i>one another</i>, that you may be guided and blessed +amidst all the temptations and dangers of youth; +for your <i>teachers</i>; for your <i>school-mates</i>; for the +<i>poor children</i> around you, who have none of the +advantages of instruction and restraint which you +enjoy; for your <i>friends</i>, and <i>neighbours</i>, and all +with whom you are acquainted. O, my dear +children, if you prayed as you ought every day for +all these, how much happier would you be! What +a benign influence it would have on your whole +temper and conduct! It would make you kind, +tender hearted, and forgiving toward all with whom +you conversed; and make all of them, in their +turn, love you as a friend and benefactor.</p> + +<p class="ht">Let me make, on this subject, one more suggestion. +Most people, especially most young people, +have no idea of engaging in prayer unless at particular +times when they retire for the purpose. I +wish you all, dear children, besides your stated +seasons of prayer, morning and evening, to form +the habit of lifting up your thoughts and your +desires to God in any and every situation; when +walking by the way; when surrounded with company; +when met by any call of duty, or by any +circumstance of a doubtful aspect, or perplexing +character—be in the habit of silently but devoutly +looking up to God for wisdom and strength to perform +every duty. This kind of intercourse with +God may be carried on at all times, and in all +situations; and, I will add, was never sincerely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_44" id="Page2_44">[44]</a></span> +adopted by any one without being connected with +guidance and consolations of unspeakable value. +In this way the suggestion of the apostle in +writing to Timothy will be realized, that "<i>every +thing</i> be sanctified by the word of God, and +prayer."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_45" id="Page2_45">[45]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VI.<br /> + +CULTIVATION OF THE MIND.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—That every human being is +bound to cultivate, in the best manner, the intellectual +powers which God has given him, I hope +you will take for granted, anterior to all argument; +and, although the moral aspects of education are +the most vitally important, yet as no one can be a +moral agent without some degree of intellect; so +it may be said, that the wisest and best culture +even of our moral powers, depends more on the +discipline, the enlargement, and the furniture of the +intellect, than is commonly supposed.</p> + +<p>The cultivation of the mind comprises two +things, and two only, viz: giving it proper habits +of exercise, and filling it with useful knowledge. +The case is precisely similar with regard to the +<i>body</i>. The sum total of all that we are called to +do for the benefit of the body, is to secure its +strength by constant and wholesome action or +exercise, and to furnish it with appropriate nourishment. +On the one hand, were its <i>exercise</i> ever so +abundant, if left without aliment, it would speedily +sink into weakness and death; and, on the other, +if its aliment be ever so plentiful and rich, yet if it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_46" id="Page2_46">[46]</a></span> +be left wholly without <i>exercise</i>, it will soon become +a mass of disease and corruption. Precisely so is +it in the cultivation of the mind. Exercise and +aliment are equally indispensable, and must go +together. If the mind be not taught to think, and +to feel an appetite for intellectual provision, all the +knowledge in the world, if introduced into it, +would be of little use. But, if it be taught only to +think and feel, and be furnished with none of the +appropriate aliment of knowledge, it cannot grow +either in strength, or in a capacity to act its part in +the world with dignity or usefulness.</p> + +<p>As these principles lie at the foundation of all +intellectual culture, so they are also adapted to +instruct us with regard to the wisest and best means +of conducting that culture, with regard to the departments +of knowledge most worthy of being +studied, and the relative stress which ought to be +laid on different pursuits. If you would be trained +up merely to be splendid butterflies, to shine and +to please the superficial and the empty, for a day, +and, having done this, to die like senseless insects; +why, then, a corresponding plan of culture must +be adopted. But, if you wish to be regarded as +rational creatures; to be prepared for sober thought +and action; to "serve your generation by the will +of God;" to die in peace, and to be remembered +with love and veneration when you are gone, then +it is perfectly manifest a very different method of +training is indispensable.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_47" id="Page2_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>I trust you will not hesitate a moment in +deciding which of these courses you ought to +choose. I trust the way of practical wisdom, of +piety, and of usefulness, will be the object of your +prompt and decisive choice. If so, the course of +mental culture which you ought to adopt, cannot +possibly be mistaken by a mind of the least reflection. +If you are to feel and act as moral accountable +agents, and to consider human life as a serious, +momentous thing; then, doubtless, you will feel +that you are bound, first of all, and above all, to +exercise your minds in such a manner, and to store +them with such branches of knowledge, as will +tend most effectually to enlarge them, to strengthen +them, to inspire them with practical wisdom, and +to furnish them with the means of the most solid +and extensive usefulness.</p> + +<p>Upon this principle, I would say, let your first +and chief attention be directed to those branches of +knowledge which lie at the foundation of all that is +enlarged, liberal, and elevated in human pursuits; +such as Grammar, Rhetoric, Geography, the Latin, +Greek, and French languages, Natural and Moral +Philosophy, the elements of Mathematical science, +Chemistry, and as many of the branches of Natural +History as may be within your reach, especially +Botany and Mineralogy. These are all proper for +both sexes; and the more you gain of all of them, +the better fitted will you be both for enjoying life, +and for fulfilling its various and momentous duties.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_48" id="Page2_48">[48]</a></span> +I grant, indeed, my dear grandson, that with regard +to what is denominated Classic literature, and +Mathematics, I wish <i>you</i> to go more thoroughly to +work, than would be desirable, or perhaps proper, +for your sisters. But I hope that neither of these +will be entirely neglected by <i>them</i>. For I have an +impression, that the careful study, to a certain +extent, of the best of the dead languages, and an +intelligent acquaintance with the elementary principles +of Mathematics, ought to be omitted by none +who can possibly attain them. In my opinion, +they are adapted to produce an effect on the mind, +and to diffuse an influence over all its other acquisitions, +more happy and more important than is +commonly recognised, even by many of the educated +themselves.</p> + +<p>Besides the popular sciences just mentioned, +with which every human being who can afford it, +ought to seek some good acquaintance, there is an +extensive and important field of knowledge, which +is defined by the general term of <i>literature</i>, and, +in our case, of <i>English Literature</i>. There is a +large class of writers, with whose works every one +who claims to be intelligent and well informed, +must be familiar. To this department belongs the +whole subject of <i>History</i>, which, I trust, will +receive the serious attention of all of you; and +about which I hope you will take enlightened +advice, as a number of the most attractive and +popular writers in this department, are unfit to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_49" id="Page2_49">[49]</a></span> +perused without much reserve and caution. To +these, of course, ought to be added, those great +writers, both in prose and poetry, which deserve +to be ranked as <i>English Classics</i>; and, with +which, I feel confident, you will seize the earliest +opportunity of becoming acquainted. I refer to +such writers as Milton, Shakspeare, Dryden, Addison, +Steele, Pope, Thompson, Gray, Young, +Goldsmith, Johnson, Cowper, Beattie, and a number +of others, whom I cannot pause to specify, but +with whom it would be highly discreditable not +to have some intimate knowledge. Without an +acquaintance with these writers, you cannot appreciate +the riches, the beauties, or the purity of your +vernacular tongue, or form for yourselves a good +style of writing. In these writers, too, you will +find a great store-house of fine sentiment, as well +as diction, adapted greatly to enlarge and elevate +the mind, to impart to it its highest polish, and to +prepare it for its best efforts.</p> + +<p>There are certain accomplishments commonly +called <i>ornamental</i>, deemed by many desirable for +females, and by some considered as of much consequence. +Among these are dancing, music, painting, +drawing, embroidery, &c. With regard to +<i>dancing</i>, your beloved grandmother and myself +never thought proper to permit any of our own +children to be instructed in this art; not because +we thought the <i>act</i> of dancing itself criminal, but +because we considered it as inseparably and almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_50" id="Page2_50">[50]</a></span> +necessarily connected with the whole system of +balls, dancing assemblies, midnight parties, &c., +all of which we deemed criminal, and in a great +variety of ways, hostile to the principles and +the claims of true religion. We do, indeed, find +dancing spoken of in the Old Testament Scriptures, +as having been employed, even on occasions of religious +joy; but never on such occasions do we read +of the midnight dance, nor of promiscuous dancing, +that is, of the sexes together. And with respect to +the New Testament, we read there of only one +actual dance, and that was performed by a profligate +woman, and connected with crime of the most +atrocious and revolting character.</p> + +<p>As to <i>music</i>, I am persuaded it is the duty of +every one who is able to do it, to acquire the +power of uniting in the social praise of God with +excellence and efficiency. The cultivation of +vocal music, and the attainment of such a degree +of skill in it as is essential to imparting an interest +in the exercise, are conducive to health and favourable +to moral and spiritual improvement. So far, I +am confident you ought all to go. And if my +granddaughters should have a special taste and +love for instrumental music, I am by no means +prepared to advise that they deny themselves the +pleasure. It is an elegant accomplishment, and +when wisely employed, may be connected with +innocent pleasure, and sometimes with benefit. +But I should deeply regret to find them aiming at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_51" id="Page2_51">[51]</a></span> +that <i>exquisite skill</i> in instrumental music, which +cannot be attained without great expense, much +loss of time, and that intense and long continued +attention which cannot fail to engross the mind and +stand in the way of more worthy objects of pursuit, +if it do not wholly exclude them. This is so +unworthy of a rational accountable creature, that +I would infinitely rather my dear grandchildren +should know nothing of music, than that they +should carry their zeal for it, and their devotion to +it, to such an injurious length. And as to my +dear grandson, while I hope always to hear him +unite in singing the praises of God in the sanctuary +with taste and skill, it would give me unspeakable +pain to hear that he was regarded as a highly +acceptable and admired singer at convivial meetings, +and that his company was courted on that account. +I concur in opinion with the old Grecian sage, who, +when a young gentleman of his acquaintance, of +respectable station and employment in society, had +performed on an instrument of music with consummate +skill and effect, said to him, "Are you not +ashamed, my young friend, to play so well?"</p> + +<p>In conducting the intellectual culture of the +young, there is one question which I presume you +will not fail to ask, and which I wish to anticipate +and answer in this little system of affectionate +advices. The question is, whether <i>Novels</i> ought +to have any place in the course of reading prescribed +for young people? This is a question of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_52" id="Page2_52">[52]</a></span> +exceeding great importance. When I was a youth +it was far less interesting and momentous, as a +practical matter, than it has now become. Three +quarters of a century, and more especially a century +ago, the number of this class of writings was +so small, and their popular circulation so inconsiderable, +that their influence was scarcely worthy of +notice, compared with that which they have more +recently exerted, and which they are daily going +on to extend. Bear with me then, dear children, +while I dwell a little on this subject, and call your +attention to some thoughts which I pray God may +be deeply impressed upon your minds.</p> + +<p>That fictitious history is not in its own nature +and necessarily criminal, will probably be acknowledged +by all. It <i>may</i> be so construed as to awaken +curiosity, to excite sympathy, and to impress the +understanding and the heart in a salutary manner. +Of course, to condemn every thing of the kind <i>as +such</i>, and however constructed or employed, would +be to pronounce an unjust judgment. Hence we +find examples of this mode of instruction in the +holy Scriptures; and on the same principle, some +of the wisest and best human teachers in all ages, +have used the vehicle of lively and interesting +fiction, known to be such at the time, for insinuating +into the mind moral and religious lessons, +which in a different form, might not so readily +have gained admittance.</p> + +<p>But the great error of modern times is two-fold;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_53" id="Page2_53">[53]</a></span> +<i>First</i>, in multiplying publications of this kind, +until they bear an inordinate and injurious proportion +in the current literature of the day; and, +<i>Secondly</i>, in constructing them upon a plan adapted +to degrade virtue and piety, to recommend vice, +and of course to prove seductive and immoral in +their whole influence.</p> + +<p>Even when such works are perfectly unexceptionable +in their character; when they are wholly +free from any thing improper, either in language or +sentiment, they may be productive of incalculable +mischief, if, as now, they are issued in excessive +<i>numbers</i> and <i>quantity</i>. Leaving the <i>character</i> of +modern novels entirely out of the question, the +enormous number which for the last half century +has been every day increasing, has become a +grievous intellectual and moral nuisance. As +long as they were <i>few</i> in number, and were +regarded not as the <i>substance</i>, but only as the +<i>seasoning</i> of the literary feast, they occupied but a +small share of public attention. The chief time +and attention of the reading portion of the community +were mainly devoted to works of substantial +value, fitted to strengthen, enlarge, and enrich the +mind. But, within the last twenty or thirty years, +the number of novels has increased so rapidly; +they have become so prominent and alluring a +part of the current literature of the day; and by +their stimulating and inexhaustible variety, have so +drawn away the minds of the aged as well as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_54" id="Page2_54">[54]</a></span> +young from solid reading, that they have formed +the principal reading of a large portion of the community, +and, of course, have become a snare and +an injury to an extent not easily calculated. As +long as exhilarating gases, or other stimulating substances, +are administered sparingly, and as medicines, +they may be altogether harmless, and even +essentially useful. But, when those who have +taken them for some time in this manner, become +so enamoured with them as to be no longer satisfied +with their moderate and salutary use, but +make them their daily and principal aliment, they +become inevitably mischievous. They destroy the +tone of the stomach, and, in the end, radically +undermine the health.</p> + +<p>So it is with the insidious excitement of novels. +Were the reader of them to take none into his +hands but those which might be safely pronounced +perfectly pure and innocent; and were he certain +that he would never be tempted to go beyond the +most moderate bounds in seeking and perusing +even such, there would, perhaps, be little danger +to be apprehended. But no one can be thus certain +of either. The general stimulus of fictitious +narrative is morbid and disorderly. It excites the +mind, but cannot fill or enrich it. The probability +is, that he who allows himself to enter on this +course, will be led on, like the miserable tippler, +from one stage of indulgence to another, until his +appetite is perverted; his power of self-denial and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_55" id="Page2_55">[55]</a></span> +restraint lost; and his ruin finally sealed; or, at +least, his mind so completely indisposed and unfitted +for the sober realities of practical wisdom, for +the pursuits of solid science and literature, as to be +consigned to the class of superficial drivellers as +long as he lives.</p> + +<p>The truth is, novels—even the purest and best +of them—are adapted, not to <i>instruct</i>, but only to +<i>amuse</i>; not to <i>nourish</i> and <i>strengthen</i>, but only to +<i>exhilarate</i>. They even enervate the mind; they +generate a sickliness of fancy; and they render the +ordinary affairs and duties of life altogether uninteresting +and insipid. After wading through hundreds +of the most unexceptionable volumes belonging +to this class—what has been gained? What +has been laid up for future use? Nothing. Not a +trace of any thing useful has been left behind. The +days and nights devoted to their perusal have been +absolutely lost. What infatuation is it for a rational +creature who is sent into the world for serious and +important purposes, and who is hastening to the +judgment seat, thus to waste precious time; and, +what is worse, thus to pervert his mind, and disqualify +himself for sober employments! The celebrated +Dr. Goldsmith, in writing to his brother, +respecting the education of his son, expresses himself +in the following strong terms, which are the +more remarkable, as he himself had written a +novel:—"Above all things, never let your son +touch a romance or novel. These paint beauty in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_56" id="Page2_56">[56]</a></span> +colours more charming than nature, and describe +happiness that man never tastes. How delusive, +how destructive are those pictures of consummate +bliss! They teach the youthful mind to sigh +after beauty and happiness which never existed; +to despise the little good which fortune has mixed +in our cup, by expecting more than she ever gave; +and, in general, take the word of a man who has +seen the world, and has studied human nature +more by experience than precepts—take my word +for it, I say, that such books teach us very little of +the world."<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> He might have gone farther, and +said—They teach us little of <i>any thing</i>; and so +pervert the taste, as to take away all relish for +applying the mind to any thing sober or useful. +Often have I known young men and women so +bewitched by novels, that they could read nothing +else. They sought for new works of this class in +every direction; devoured them with insatiable +avidity; and became less and less disposed for +pursuing any study either prescribed by their preceptors, +or adapted to promote their ultimate enjoyment; +until their prospects for both worlds were +irrecoverably overcast with clouds and darkness.</p> + +<p>Imagine not, dear children, that <i>you</i> will exercise +more resolution than others, and thus avoid +the snare of which I have spoken. You cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_57" id="Page2_57">[57]</a></span> +answer for yourselves in this matter, any more +than the man who is constantly exposed to the +temptation of stimulating drinks can be sure of +escaping the danger. Rely upon it, the more confident +you are of your own wisdom and firmness +in avoiding the evil in question, the greater your +peril. In this, as in many other things, the only +complete safety is to be found in wholly avoiding +the dangerous territory.</p> + +<p>But there is another source of evil in this department +of literature, still more serious and formidable. +A very large proportion of modern novels, +are far from being innocent. They are positively +seductive and corrupting in their tendency. They +make virtue to appear contemptible, and vice +attractive, honourable, and triumphant. Folly and +crime have palliative and even commendatory names +bestowed upon them. The omnipotence of <i>love</i> +over all obligations and all duties, is continually +maintained; and the extravagance of sinful passion +represented as the effect of amiable sensibility. +Surely these representations can have no other +tendency than to pervert the moral sentiments, and +to corrupt the hearts of those who habitually dwell +upon them. And even though they be, at first, +contemplated with abhorrence, no one can tell how +soon the mind may be gradually and insidiously +reconciled to them, by familiarity with the infectious +influence.</p> + +<p>For example; the novels of <i>Sir Walter Scott</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_58" id="Page2_58">[58]</a></span> +have been read with eager delight by millions of +the young and the old; and many pronounce them +at least innocent. But those who read them with +intelligence, and with a proper estimate of the +times and the characters which he undertakes to +portray, will perceive that the writer arrays himself +against the patriotism and the piety of some +of the best men that ever adorned the history of +his country; that he exhibits orthodoxy and zeal +under the guise of enthusiasm and fanaticism; that +he strives to cover with dishonour, men "of whom +the world was not worthy;" and to elevate and +canonize their persecutors. In short, that his +general influence is wholly unfriendly to religion. +These characteristics pervade the most popular +of his novels. Of course few of his readers, +especially of his youthful readers, are aware of his +misrepresentation, and, therefore, are not armed +against the mischievous influence.</p> + +<p>But there is a poison lurking in this field, still +more virulent and fatal. A large portion of novels +may be charged with being seductive and immoral, +upon a more refined and deep laid plan. They +are systematic, and, in some instances, ingenious +and plausible apologies for the most atrocious +crimes. In many modern productions of this kind, +the intelligent reader will recognise the following +process of representation: Corrupt opinions are +put into the mouth of some favourite hero, the +splendour of whose character, in other respects, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_59" id="Page2_59">[59]</a></span> +made to embellish the principles which he holds, +and the force of whose eloquence is employed to +recommend the most unreasonable and mischievous +dogmas. When this hero commits a crime, and +when, by this crime, according to the fixed laws +of the divine government, he is involved in serious +difficulty, if not lasting and fatal misery, the +fashionable novelist endeavours to throw the blame +on the religious and moral institutions of society, +as narrow, illiberal, and unjust. When a splendid +but corrupt woman, has forsaken the paths of +virtue, and when she suffers in her reputation and +her comfort, by such conduct, all this is ascribed +to "the wretched state of civilization"—to "the +deplorable condition of society." Every opportunity +is taken to attack some essential principle of +morality, under the tide of a "prejudice;" to +ridicule the duties of conjugal and domestic life, as +flowing from "contracted" and "slavish" views; +to stigmatize the sober pursuits of honest industry, +as "dull" and "spiritless;" and, in a word, to +frame an apology for robbery, murder, suicide, and +the indulgence of every propensity, for which a +corrupt heart can plead an inclination.</p> + +<p>Now, my dear children, when novels of this +kind are placed on the shelves of every circulating +library, and strewed over every part of our land, +what security have youthful novel-readers that +many of this class will not fall into their hands, +and that they may not imbibe the fatal poison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_60" id="Page2_60">[60]</a></span> +before they are aware? Is it any wonder that +wise parents and guardians are painfully apprehensive +of such danger? Many amiable and well-intentioned +young people, who fancied they were +gaining amusement only, have been unwarily betrayed +into opinions, and prepared for practices +which they would once have regarded with abhorrence, +and which ultimately led them into error, +crime, and ruin. Since, then, there are so many +novels of this insidious and baneful character; and +since it is by no means easy for the young and +inexperienced to distinguish between the innocent +and the vile, you will not wonder that I advise, +nay, entreat you to avoid the reading of novels +altogether; never to allow yourselves to take a +volume of this kind into your hands at all. The +most innocent of them, as you have seen, are +worthless, and the perusal even of <i>them</i>, a waste +of time; and if you allow yourselves to touch any +of them, you will be in danger of being led astray +to an extent which you can hardly be made to +anticipate. I beseech you, dear children, trust +one who sincerely loves you; who understands +the subject of which he is speaking; and who +would not deprive you of a single safe or solid +pleasure—trust him when he earnestly exhorts +you, <span class="smcap">NEVER TO READ A NOVEL</span>.</p> + +<p>You will, perhaps, ask, what is my opinion of +what are called "religious novels," that is, of fictitious +narrative, designed to illustrate and recom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_61" id="Page2_61">[61]</a></span>mend +religion? I am compelled to say, that my +deliberate judgment is unfavourable to <i>these</i> also. +They are neither edifying nor safe as instructors in +the great department of religion. I do not deny +that <i>some</i> of this class may be adapted to do good, +and may have been actually useful. But this is +not the question. The question is, whether, as a +system, it is better to instruct in religion through +the medium of fictitious narrative, and by means of +thrilling incidents, or by plain, sober, didactic, and +exhortatory address. In general, I cannot help +deciding in favour of the latter. The reason why +the large majority of mankind prefer fictitious narrative +is, that they love <i>excitement</i>; and most +youthful readers will be more likely to take interest +in the "story," than in the moral lessons +which it conveys. Condiments and stimulants are +useful in our food; but to make our daily food +consist wholly or mainly of condiments and stimulants, +would not, surely, be wise or salutary.</p> + +<p>But this is not the worst. Among the novels +called <i>religious</i>, there are various classes. Almost +all the different religious denominations have issued +novels appropriate to their respective sectarian characters. +We not only have those which have been +put forth by the friends of truth and piety; but, +also, many by the advocates of error. Socinianism +is now strenuously inculcated through the medium +of fictitious narrative. Cold Pelagianism on the one +hand, and Antinomianism on the other, have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_62" id="Page2_62">[62]</a></span> +presented in the same manner. Amidst these alternate +pleadings of orthodoxy and heresy, how shall +the youthful learner discriminate? Were he to +take up a didactic treatise in favour of Socinian or +Pelagian opinions, he would see the error in a +moment, and be on his guard against it. But +when he is borne away by the excitement of a +stirring narrative, and a spirited, eloquent dialogue, +he may imbibe the poison of error, before he is +aware.</p> + +<p>You must not, dear children, consider me as +fanciful, if I express an opinion, that the present +prevailing state of mind of the religious public has +some connexion with that class of novels of which +I am now speaking. The most striking characteristic +of the present time is <i>a love of excitement</i>. +The old and sober mode of proceeding in any +thing has become unpopular and intolerable. Our +children can scarcely be prevailed upon to read +any thing unless it comes in the shape of a striking +story. If any one wishes a pious <i>tract</i> to be read, +he must construct it in the form of a thrilling fictitious +narrative. Every dish must be highly seasoned; +every draught must be a dram. Is it any +wonder that, in such a condition of the public +taste, all old methods of doing good should be despised, +and the Church as well as the world filled +with new opinions, new estimates of things, and +"new measures?"</p> + +<p>Be assured, when your mind is brought, by any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_63" id="Page2_63">[63]</a></span> +means, whether by an insatiable love of fictitious +narrative, or by any other form of exciting composition, +to relish nothing conveyed in the old form of +solid, didactic, direct instruction, it is high time +to examine whether you are not acquiring habits +unfriendly to sober thought, to the best mental +culture, and to the acquirement of the most valuable +knowledge. How often have I met with +young people, of both sexes, who could talk fluently, +and with apparent intelligence, of the volumes +of Miss Burney, Mrs. Radcliffe, Madame +De Stael, Miss Edgeworth, and Scott, and Cooper, +and Bulwer, and even of the depraved and infamous +Byron;—but, who were struck dumb if you +spoke to them of Shakspeare; of Bacon; of Milton; +of Addison; of Thompson; of Young; of +Dryden; of Pope, and Johnson, and Robertson, +and Junius, and Cowper, and other English classics, +of whom, if they had ever heard, they seemed +to know nothing! Is this the way to cultivate the +mind? Does this speak for or against the devourer +of novels?</p> + +<p>The sum of my counsel, then, under this head, +is, that if you wish really to cultivate your minds, +and to prepare them for healthful and useful action, +let your studies be solid, diligent, and persevering. +Let your reading be such as will fill your +minds with the knowledge of facts, principles, and +sentiments of the enriching and elevating kind. +Let your first and most intimate acquaintance be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_64" id="Page2_64">[64]</a></span> +with those authors whose works will tend to fit +you for answering the great purpose for which you +were sent into the world. Carefully avoid every +species of reading which tends to turn away your +minds from sober, practical views of life and duty. +And remember that, for every book you read, and +for every mental influence which you invite, you +have to render a solemn account.</p> + +<p>There is one more counsel, dear children, with +which I will close this letter. It is, that whatever +subject you study—whatever book you read, you +do it <i>faithfully</i> and <i>thoroughly</i>. Leave nothing +until you understand it well;—until you have, as +far as possible, gone to the bottom of it. You +may rely upon it that no solid knowledge is to be +gained without patient, unwearied labour. Be not +in haste, then, to pass on to another subject or +lesson, until you have completely mastered that in +which you may be engaged. Be not contented +with merely enabling yourselves to recite a lesson +with plausible fluency. Be sure that you thoroughly +comprehend, not only its obvious meaning, +but also its elementary principles. Despise +the indolence of those, who, in learning languages, +are constantly using the miserable crutches of +<i>translations</i>, instead of walking with the use of +their own limbs; and who, whenever a difficulty +occurs in mathematics, or any other subject, instead +of delving it out themselves, ignobly ask help +from some wiser and better scholar. This is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_65" id="Page2_65">[65]</a></span> +cheating yourselves. That which is gained by +your own efforts, and with considerable labour, +will be better understood, and more firmly lodged +in the mind, than that which is imparted gratuitously +by others, without any vigorous mental +exercise on your part.</p> + +<p>The fact is, the pursuit of knowledge may be +compared to the task of one who is called to cross +a high and craggy mountain. If he is willing to +forego his own best interests, both as to bodily +and mental health, he may employ some sturdy, +athletic assistant to take him up in his arms, and +bear him over the steep ascent, and deposit him in +safety on the other side, without the use of a muscle +of his own. But what would he be the better +for it, at the end of his journey? His limbs would +not be braced. His chest would not be expanded. +He would miss a thousand interesting objects of +attention which the use of his own feet would have +brought to his view. After a thousand such boasted +expeditions, he might live and die the same +feeble, nervous dyspeptic, that he was when he set +out. Whereas, he who resolves to climb the same +mountain by his own efforts; who addresses himself +to the task with patient persevering labour; +who takes step after step, slowly, but wisely and +firmly; may not gain the ascent quite as speedily +as his weaker contemporary; but he will gain it +much more to his own profit and comfort, and, in +the end, find every power invigorated by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_66" id="Page2_66">[66]</a></span> +enterprise. O, if children and young people could +feel how foolish it is to procure themselves to be +borne up the mountain of knowledge by others, +instead of climbing it themselves, they would despise +all the "labour-saving machinery" to which +many of them are so fond of resorting; and would +remember that what is gained by their own intellectual +efforts, is more solid, wears better, digests +better, and is productive of richer fruit, both to +themselves and others.</p> + +<p class="ht">It is a law impressed by our Maker on the intellectual, +as well as the physical man, that "if any +will not work, neither shall he eat." It is a real +blessing, if we did but know it, to have labour connected +with all our attainments. Thus do we best +answer the great end of our being; thus do we +invigorate every power, and become prepared most +effectually to "serve our generation by the will of +God."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_67" id="Page2_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VII.<br /> + +CULTIVATION OF THE HEART, AND THE +MORAL HABITS.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—By the <i>heart</i>, I mean the moral +feelings, dispositions, and affections. And by +<i>cultivating</i> the heart, I mean directing much attention +to restraining, regulating, and purifying all its +exercises. This may be said to lie at the foundation +of all duty and all happiness. Were your +intellectual powers cultivated with all possible care +and success, and your moral faculties neglected, +you might be polished and elegant demons; but +would be miserable yourselves, and a curse to +society. Whether, therefore, you regard your own +present enjoyment, and everlasting welfare, or the +happiness of those around you, you cannot too +early remember the great purpose for which you +were sent into the world, and the relations which +you sustain as rational, social, and immortal creatures. +You cannot too early or too diligently learn +to restrain your passions; to deny yourselves; and +to cultivate those benevolent, meek, humble, and +amiable habits, which are indispensable to tranquillity +and peace of mind, and which alone can +prepare you to adorn and bless the social circles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_68" id="Page2_68">[68]</a></span> +with which you may be connected. I draw your +attention the more earnestly to this great subject +because I see so many young people who appear +never to think of the importance, or even utility of +this part of their education.</p> + +<p>If you have not learned, dear children, that you +are by nature prone to be proud, vain, selfish, +envious, irascible, sensual, malignant, and, in a +word, to indulge the various appetites and passions +which tend to destroy your own peace, and to +invade the comfort of those around you; if you +have not discovered that this is the tendency of +your nature, and that resisting it will call for much +self-denial, and continual, and sometimes for agonizing +effort, you have attended less to your own +feelings, and habits, and less to the character of +your friends and associates than I am willing to +suppose.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you will ask—Does not <i>religion</i> cover +all this ground? Where the power of Christian +principle reigns in the heart, will not every thing +intended to be included in this letter follow as a +matter of course? If the <i>plan of salvation</i>, treated +in a former letter, be received and obeyed, will not +all the objects contemplated in the present letter, +be included and secured? Whence, then, the +necessity, or even the propriety, of making it matter +of separate consideration? I answer, the religion +of Christ, in its spirit and power, does indeed +embrace all moral excellence. It does, in fact,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_69" id="Page2_69">[69]</a></span> +where it bears appropriate and entire sway, include +every moral feeling, affection, and habit, which +can adorn and elevate human nature. And yet it +is to be lamented that many who cherish the +Christian hope, are not as much aware of this fact +as they ought to be; and are not so careful to +exhibit all the <i>loveliness</i>, as well as the <i>purity</i> +of example which become them, as is desirable. +And, besides, I have always found that there is a +great advantage in pursuing rather more into detail +the various branches of the Christian temper, than +is commonly done even in the best treatises on +religious character and duty. The French have a +phrase which expresses more exactly than any +English one which I can recollect, my meaning in +the title of this letter. The phrase I refer to, is +<i>Les petites morales</i>; by which they appear to +understand those <i>moral delicacies</i> of feeling, temper, +and intercourse, which, though not always +found actually shining in every professing, or even +every real Christian, do really belong to the Christian +code of ethics, and are indispensable to a complete +and exemplary character.</p> + +<p>The duties which grow out of our relations to +God, are generally acknowledged by all professors +of religion. However defective their obedience, +their obligations are seldom disputed. But if it be +the law of God, not only that we should "love +Him with all our heart and soul and strength and +mind," but also that we should "love our neigh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_70" id="Page2_70">[70]</a></span>bours +as ourselves," then the duties growing out of +this great law are more multiplied, tender, delicate +and important than most of those who are called +religious people recognise in practice, or even in +theory.</p> + +<p>It is true, the root of all sound morality is religion. +And it is equally true, that the deeper sense +any one has of the constraining love of Christ, and +of the holiness, majesty, omniscience, and omnipresence +of God, the more faithful he will be in +the discharge of all moral duties, both in private +and in public. Labour then, day by day, to gain +a deeper impression of the claims of your Creator +and Redeemer upon you. Meditate much on the +Divine glory. Cultivate a devout spirit. Study +to walk with God in the exercise of faith, and +love, and prayer. And endeavour to keep constantly +before your minds his all seeing eye, his +infinite holiness, his judgment seat, and those +righteous retributions which he has in store for all +his creatures, whether they be good, or whether +they be evil? This is cultivating the heart in the +most essential and radical sense. This is going to +"the root of the matter." That morality, and +that alone, which is grafted upon this sanctified +stock, will be regarded with approbation by the +Searcher of hearts, and stand the test of the great +day.</p> + +<p>But while you labour with your hearts, that +they may be habitually laid open, with all the soft<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_71" id="Page2_71">[71]</a></span>ness +and tenderness of spiritual sensibility, to the +claims of your Creator and Redeemer; study with +no less diligence to cherish a deep sense of all the +duties which you owe to your beloved relatives, to +your friends, to your neighbours, and to all with +whom you have intercourse. To perceive the +theory of these duties, is the province of the understanding; +to enter into them, as a practical matter, +and under a solemn sense of obligation, is an affair +of the heart; and the more deeply your hearts are +schooled both in the principles and practice of +these duties, the more they may be said to partake +of that culture which I am now recommending.</p> + +<p>When I imagine to myself what an influence +your precious Mother might have had in cultivating +your moral feelings and habits, if it had +pleased God to spare her to you; when I think of +the happy power which her delicate, forming +hand, might, by the divine blessing, have exerted +over the heart of each of you;—the heart—as Mrs. +Hannah More expresses it—that "seat of evil +propensities—that little troublesome empire of the +passions;"—I could sit down and weep afresh +that you are never to enjoy that culture. But, +happily, there is a source of infinitely better culture. +Try to lay to heart your weakness and your +wants, and implore without ceasing the enlightening, +subduing, and sanctifying power of the Holy +Spirit, and you will find "his grace sufficient for +you."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_72" id="Page2_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are special duties which you owe to your +beloved surviving Parent, and to all your domestic +relatives, of the most peculiar and tender kind; +duties which it is equally your privilege and your +honour to discharge. These are veneration, love, +gratitude, and a dutiful respect to all their feelings, +as well as their interests. Here children are extremely +apt to fail. Affection is generally found +to descend from parents to their offspring, and in +general from elder to younger relatives, in great +strength; but from children to parents, or from the +young to the old, it seldom rises with equal vigour. +Let not this be said of you. Constantly cherish +toward your beloved Father, and all your elder +relatives, not merely an outward respect, and dutifulness +of deportment, but a cordial and ardent +affection; a sincere and lively gratitude for all +those anxious cares and labours on their part for +your benefit, for which you have been indebted +ever since you were born, and for which you can +never make an adequate return. Try to please +them by the constant manifestation of love, confidence, +and grateful veneration; and let them see +that you treasure up, to your profit, all their +instruction, reproofs, and warnings. When the +<i>heart</i>, as well as the outward conduct, is conformed +to these sentiments, O, how endearing and +happy is the intercourse between parents and children! +What a charm is diffused over the whole +aspect of domestic society!</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_73" id="Page2_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let me entreat you, also, early to learn the duty +and the pleasure of <i>living in affectionate harmony +among yourselves</i>. I can scarcely express to you +the pain which I have sometimes felt when I +have perceived any thing like a spirit of strife and +acrimony rising between you, and leading to the +exchange of angry looks and passionate language. +Surely three motherless children ought to feel +more closely bound together than to indulge in +such a temper and conduct. If you do not love +one another, who can you expect will love you? +Be careful, then, continually to cultivate a spirit of +brotherly and sisterly affection toward each other. +Let nothing interrupt this. When any contest +arises, let the only strife be, which shall be the +first to yield, rather than contend. On no account +allow yourselves to employ harsh, much less violent +language toward each other. And if any contest +arises which you cannot settle between yourselves +without violence, let a united appeal to your +Father, if he be present, or in his absence, to your +grandparents, terminate the controversy. Seldom +does a conflict of this kind arise without there +being blame on both sides. And who so proper to +make the proper award, and to adjust every difficulty, +as those who love you all equally and +dearly, and have age and experience on their side?</p> + +<p>Let me enjoin on you to begin, as early as possible, +to cherish a spirit of <i>habitual benevolence</i>—a +desire, wherever you go, to promote the <i>happi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_74" id="Page2_74">[74]</a></span>ness</i> +of all around you. Selfishness is the great +master-sin of human nature. "All seek their +own." The <i>young</i>, especially, are apt to be +swallowed up in the excessive pursuit of their own +enjoyment, and that enjoyment is rarely sought or +found in ministering to the wants, and promoting +the comfort of others. But rely upon it, dear +children, this is a narrow and altogether deceptive +view of the best means of happiness. Not only is +it the divine command that we "love our neighbour +as ourselves," but it is equally certain that +obedience to this great law tends as directly to +make ourselves happy, as it does to promote the +comfort of the objects of our benevolent attention. +If you wish to be happy yourselves, study continually +to make all around you so too. The luxury +of doing good is the richest luxury of which we +are capable. It is the very spirit of Christ, who +"went about doing good;" and the more closely +we commune with him in the exercise of the same +spirit, the more we secure true and rational enjoyment. +Wherever you are, then, cultivate a spirit +of sympathy with the afflicted, and the habit of +flying spontaneously to the relief of suffering. +You cannot begin too early to feed the hungry, to +clothe the naked, to minister to the wants of the +sick and dying, to relieve distress of every kind, +and to "please every one for his good to edification:"—not +by flattery, which is too commonly +the method of pleasing adopted; but by letting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_75" id="Page2_75">[75]</a></span> +it be seen that you seek, as much as in you +lies, to make all around you truly happy. Never +promote mirth at the expense of others. Never +allow yourselves to "set others by the ears" as it +is sometimes expressed, for the sake of derision. +Carefully avoid all those "tricks," which so many +of the young delight in, and by which so much +suffering, and sometimes even ultimately the loss +of life, have been incurred. In a word, conscientiously +cherish the principle and the habit of never +giving a moment's pain to a human being, or even +to a brute beast, unless it be necessary for their +real good; and wherever you see pain, by whomsoever +inflicted, do all in your power, consistent +with other obligations, to relieve it, and to give +rational pleasure. There is nothing, be assured, +dear children, in all the splendour of fashionable +display, in all the gratifications of sense, in all the +delirious joys of giddy dissipation, once to be compared +with the hallowed pleasure of habitually +doing good to all within your reach. Yes, make +doing good your "ruling passion," and you will +be among the happiest of mortals.</p> + +<p>Let me beseech you to watch over your <i>temper</i> +with studious care. Few things are more unhappy +in a young person of either sex, than an irritable, +irascible temper. It betrays into a thousand indiscretions. +It poisons social intercourse. It alienates +friends. It destroys the comfort of the individual +who indulges it; and it interferes with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_76" id="Page2_76">[76]</a></span> +comfort of all with whom he converses. I have +known this infirmity to cast a cloud over the +whole course of many persons who were otherwise +fitted to adorn and bless society. Watch and +pray against it with the utmost diligence. "He +that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that +taketh a city." "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, +slow to wrath." Learn "by soft answers to turn +away wrath," both in yourselves and others. Be +not ready to take offence, or to consider any one +as "an offender for a word." Never regard an +honest difference of opinion from yourself as a personal +affront. Surely the indulgence of such a +spirit is as unreasonable as it is unhappy. Guard +with the utmost vigilance against a jealous, suspicious +temper. Ill nature, peevishness, and a disposition +to take every thing by an unfavourable +handle, and to indulge in satire and sarcasm, are +revolting in every human being, but especially in +the female sex. I have never known such a temper +to be indulged without diminishing both the +respectability and happiness of its possessor. Let +a mild, amiable, conciliatory spirit reign in all your +intercourse. Be ever kind, tender hearted, and +forgiving, even as you hope to obtain forgiveness +from the God of all grace. Let the spirit of +benevolence, and a desire to please, shine in your +countenances, and be manifest in your deportment +in all companies; at home and on journies; in the +public hotel, and in the parlour of a friend;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_77" id="Page2_77">[77]</a></span> +towards servants, as well as towards your equals +or superiors. In a word, in temper as well as in +conduct, "Whatsoever ye would that others should +do unto you, do ye even so to them, for this is the +law and the prophets."</p> + +<p>In forming your moral character and habits, I +entreat you to lay great stress upon cultivating a +sacred and delicate regard to <i>truth</i>, in all your +social intercourse. Rely upon it, you cannot pay +too conscientious a regard to this point. A fault +here is as dishonourable as it is criminal. I do +not allow myself to fear that my beloved grandchildren, +after the training they have received, will +ever indulge in deliberate falsehood. In this there +is a meanness as well as a sin, which I hope they +will equally despise and abhor. But it is to be +lamented that there is much in social conversation, +in which many people deemed respectable are apt +to indulge themselves, and which I hope you will +make conscience of sacredly avoiding. I mean all +exaggeration in your descriptions; all high-colouring +in your statements; all indulgence in fabulous +narratives, even in jest, for the amusement of company. +Aside from the dictates of religion in this +matter, which are sacred and conclusive, there is +something in these habits adapted to lower the +character, and to diminish the influence of those +who indulge them, with all sober-minded people. +Whatever may be the consequence, let a regard to +the strictest verity, as if you were on oath, reign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_78" id="Page2_78">[78]</a></span> +in all you say and do. Avoid the meanness, as +well as the sin of the slightest departure from absolute +truth. Let all underhand deceptive contrivances, +all low cunning, all habits of carrying +your plans by disingenuous arts, be abhorred and +avoided. How gratifying would it be to those +who love you, to know that it had passed into +something like a proverb among your acquaintance—"The +statement is from a Breckinridge—and +therefore may be depended on!"</p> + +<p>Let me farther entreat you to guard against all +indulgence of the spirit of <i>pride</i>, or <i>vanity</i>. By +<i>pride</i>, I mean such an inordinate and unreasonable +conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as +leads us to look down on others as beneath us, and +to treat them with haughtiness, or contempt. And +by <i>vanity</i>, I understand that excessive desire for +the applause of others which leads to egotism, and +such a weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain +the approbation of those around us, as are apt to +betray into little and unworthy arts for gaining the +object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at +once folly and sin, I hope no formal argument will +be necessary to convince you. But still, they are +both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable +obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against +them. Be assured, dear children, pride is as foolish +as it is criminal. Who made you to differ +from others? And what have you that you have +not received? If you have minds, or an education,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_79" id="Page2_79">[79]</a></span> +or outward circumstances more favourable than +those of many others, who conferred them upon +you? If, therefore, you have received all, why +should you glory as if you had not received them? +I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a +"laudable pride," an "honest pride," "a noble +pride," &c. But such language is a grievous +abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished +from the vocabulary of Christians. <i>Pride</i> was +"the condemnation and snare of the devil," and is +in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper +personal dignity and self-respect by this odious +name, is altogether incorrect and deceptive. To +speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as +"a noble pride," is a perversion of language, as +well as of moral principle. "Be clothed with +humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth +grace to the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, +and an haughty spirit before a fall; for +when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with +the lowly is wisdom." <i>Vanity</i> is a passion still +more childish and degrading. It exhibits a rational +creature hanging on the smiles and the praise of +his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. +O, what infatuation for miserable sinners, +who deserve nothing at the hand of God but wrath, +and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant +on his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up +with high thoughts of themselves, and arrogantly +to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_80" id="Page2_80">[80]</a></span> +pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study +to be "meek and lowly in heart." "Mind not +high things, but condescend to men of low estate." +"In lowliness of mind esteem others better than +yourselves." "Be not wise or great in your own +conceits." Be not greedy of praise. Despise all +the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. +Rely upon it, the lower you lie in the dust of +abasement, the happier you will be. The more +you are disposed to love and honour all around +you according to their real character, the more +infallibly you will secure their love and confidence +in return. And the less anxious you are to gain +the applause of men, the more likely you will be +to attain it, if you are found humbly and diligently +performing your duty. In short, if I wished you +to gain the highest degree of esteem and honour +among men, I would say—Do not seek this object +anxiously, or even directly at all. Never inquire +what others say or think of you. Speak of yourselves, +in conversation, as little as possible. Treat +your superiors with uniform respect, but not with +fawning or flattery; and your inferiors, down to +the lowest servant or beggar, with undeviating +condescension and kindness; trying to benefit +every one, and promote the happiness of every +one; and you will have as much of the love and +respect of all as you really deserve, and probably +more. If you sincerely try to promote the happiness +of all around you, and do it with a kind and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_81" id="Page2_81">[81]</a></span> +amiable manner, I believe it is one of the cases in +which our Lord's declaration never fails to be fulfilled—"Give, +and it shall be given unto you, +good measure pressed down and running over +shall men give into your bosom."</p> + +<p>Strive with sacred care against every feeling +approaching to the passion of <i>envy</i>. As you are +now at an age when you are called daily to compete +with school and play-mates, you may be +sometimes strongly tempted to indulge in this passion. +But it is a base passion. Beware of it. +How fiend-like, to sicken and repine at excellence! +How base, to be displeased and mortified when we +contemplate the superior prosperity, happiness, or +accomplishments of others! When you witness +such superior attainments or excellence, let the +only effort be to excite gratitude to God for its +existence, and a generous emulation of it in yourselves.</p> + +<p>Guard with vigilance against a <i>talebearing</i> and +<i>tattling</i> spirit. I will not suppose you capable of +deliberate <i>slander</i>, or cruelly circulating reports to +the injury of others without just evidence. This +is so base and mean, that I trust you will ever +abhor and despise it. But it is the infirmity of +many, who intend thereby no injury, that they +delight in circulating news concerning their neighbours, +and have not a little of the true gossipping +spirit. This is a bad habit. It degrades the individual +who indulges it, in the view of all wise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_82" id="Page2_82">[82]</a></span> +reflecting people; often involves in painful explanations +and difficulties; and is frequently followed +by consequences of the most perplexing and disreputable +kind. Never indulge the disposition to +repeat idle stories about neighbours. If they are +repeated in your presence, listen to them either in +silence, or with a civil remark, which cannot possibly +implicate you, or be construed into an approval +of the scandal. It was an excellent appeal +which was once made by a wise and benevolent +man whom I knew in early life—"Why can you +not talk more about <i>things</i>, than about <i>persons</i>?"</p> + +<p>Let me farther exhort you, as a point of duty, +to cultivate habitual <i>cheerfulness</i>. When I say +this, you will not understand me as recommending +a spirit of levity and frivolity. This is unworthy +of rational, accountable creatures, and indicates as +much of weakness as of sin. Those who spend +their lives in gaiety and mirth, are "dead while +they live." But by cultivating habitual cheerfulness, +I mean cherishing a pleasant state of the animal +spirits; as opposed to constitutional gloom, +mental depression, and settled, clouded taciturnity, +I mean habits, not of light, but of lively and affable +conversation. Such a state of mind does good +like a medicine. It contributes to our own enjoyment. +It makes us more pleasant and useful to +those with whom we converse. It may even operate +to promote health and prolong life; and in +various ways extend our power of doing good.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_83" id="Page2_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>Guard with conscientious care against habits of +<i>indolence</i>. A tendency to this sin is one of the +radical symptoms of the great moral disease of our +nature; and you cannot begin too early to labour +and pray for effecting a cure. Fly from idleness +as a habit connected with a legion of evils. +Make a point of always having something useful +to do—something to fill up every moment left +vacant between the larger and more important +tasks of life. I am aware that we all stand in need +of <i>recreation</i>; but this is often best attained by +<i>a change of employment</i>. When you have finished +a sedentary task, which required intense application +of mind, think, for a moment, whether there +be not some other object to which you may attend +for a short time, which will require no mental +effort, but by attention to which, you may promote +either your own health or comfort, or the advantage +of others. Make it your daily study to +"redeem the time." Try to turn every moment +to some valuable account. For this purpose, form, +as early as possible, a plan, a systematic order in +your daily tasks. Without such a plan, more or +less formally adopted, you will inevitably lose +much time in passing from one engagement to +another. But if you manage always to leave something +useful with which to fill up every little interval; +so as never to be idle, and never to waste +time with frivolous, or worse than frivolous employments, +you will be more happy, and live more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_84" id="Page2_84">[84]</a></span> +to your own true honour, and the benefit of your +generation.</p> + +<p>I have only to add on the subject of this letter, +a single word on the great importance of maintaining +strict and habitual <i>temperance</i> in all your enjoyments. +If you wish really to enjoy life, and to +"live out all your days," you must exercise moderation +and self-denial in eating and drinking, and in +every department of indulgence. Temperance has +been defined—the moderate use of things useful, and +total abstinence from those which are pernicious. +This is an excellent definition, which I trust you +will ever keep in mind, and make your daily and +hourly rule. To be thus temperate, is a divine +command. It is eminently conducive to health. +It is highly advantageous to the activity and +strength of the powers of the mind. And it is an +admirable defence against a thousand irregularities +and mischiefs which cloud the faculties, destroy +comfort, and lead to multiplied forms of disease, +and to premature graves. If you habitually restrain +appetite, deny yourselves, and "let your moderation +be known" in all things, and to all men, you +will avoid many evils which continually beset +those who act on the system of self-indulgence. +Never drink any thing but pure water, when in +health; indulge in animal food but <i>once</i> in each +day, and that in smaller quantities than most people +consider as temperate. Labourers in the open air +may, not only with impunity, but perhaps with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_85" id="Page2_85">[85]</a></span> +profit, eat animal food more than once every day; +but I am persuaded few other persons can do it +without disadvantage to their health. My personal +experience and observation in regard to this +point are very decisive. Nay, I would advise you +to go one step farther. Make the experiment of +wholly abstaining from animal food at least one +day in each week, for the purpose of "giving +nature a holyday;" of clearing the body and the +mind from crudities; and taking a new start in +refined feeling and unclogged activity.</p> + +<p class="ht">In fine, let it be the object of your unceasing +study and prayer, to "keep under the body;" to +"crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts;" +to subdue and restrain all irregular tempers; "if it +be possible, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably +with all men;" to avoid wounding the feelings +of any one with whom you converse, unless required +to do it by a pure sense of duty; to promote +the happiness of all around you; and to be continually +seeking and improving opportunities of +doing good.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_86" id="Page2_86">[86]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VIII.<br /> + +MANNERS.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—I wish it were in my power +to give you a perfect and vivid representation of +the manners of your lamented Mother. There +was in them a sweetness, a gracefulness, and an +attraction truly rare. Wherever she went, they at +once gained her friends. I am sure if you had +been old enough at her decease to appreciate them; +or, if I could now depict them to the life, you +would have a deeper impression of the importance +of happy manners; of their value to their possessor; +of their benign influence on social intercourse, +than I can now hope to impart. As it is, I hope +you will be willing to take on trust my statement +of the fact concerning her, and that you will be +stimulated to seek a similar accomplishment.</p> + +<p>If it be true, as has been often said, that a +good face is an "open letter of recommendation," +wherever its possessor appears; we may, with +quite as much emphasis, say the same of pleasant +engaging manners. Nay, we may go farther. +The most beautiful face and form that ever existed, +if unaccompanied by agreeable manners, will soon +be contemplated with indifference, if not with dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_87" id="Page2_87">[87]</a></span>gust. +While, on the contrary, where there is an +entire absence of personal beauty, there may be, +and often are found, such manners as captivate and +win wherever they are seen, and with a power felt +by all, however remote they may be from the possession +of such manners themselves.</p> + +<p>I shall not tax either your patience or my own, +by entering largely into the subject of manners. +On this extensive subject I refer you to a volume +on "Clerical Manners and Habits" which I published +a few years ago, and in which considerable +minuteness of detail is indulged. For although +that work was intended more particularly for the +benefit of clergymen, and especially of candidates +for the sacred office; yet a large portion of it is +equally applicable to all classes and professions, +and to both sexes. I recommend the volume +referred to, to your serious attention, and to your +careful study. And whatever may be your situation +in life, I think you will find much in it worthy +of your regard. At any rate, if it be not so, I have +failed of gaining my main object in its publication.</p> + +<p>I will not, however, content myself with merely +referring you to the volume in question. It is my +wish, in this little system of affectionate advices, +to call your attention to a few particulars on this +subject which may be considered as more immediately +appropriate at your present tender age, and, +perhaps, on that account, more likely to dwell +upon your memory than the contents of a volume.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_88" id="Page2_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>You will, perhaps, ask me, what I mean by +those "good manners" which I would recommend? +I answer, by such manners I mean that +mode of personal address and deportment toward +all with whom we converse which is dictated by +the meekness, benevolence, and purity of the Gospel. +In a word, "true politeness"—the most +genuine politeness—that which I would earnestly +desire those whom I love to cherish and cultivate—is +<i>the religion of Christ acted out in the +whole temper, conversation, and deportment</i>. The +simple, unembarrassed, gentle expression of mingled +respect and kindness toward all with whom +we converse, from the hovel to the palace, is the +perfection of manners. These are manners which +become all times, places, companies, and circumstances, +and which will carry their possessor +through the world with acceptance and comfort.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, in your inexperience, you may be +disposed to ask, what is the great value of such +manners as are here recommended? If you have +any doubt on this subject <i>now</i>, I am persuaded a +little more knowledge of the world will satisfy you +that their value is unspeakably great. Few people +are adequate judges of those solid intellectual and +moral qualities which form a character of high +excellence. But of personal manners, all are +judges; at any rate, all are capable of perceiving, +and in some degree estimating, their value. Only +a small portion of those with whom you converse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_89" id="Page2_89">[89]</a></span> +are able to discern whether you are wise and well +informed; but every child can see whether you +have a sweet voice, a pleasant countenance, an +amiable, kind and respectful mode of address, or +the contrary. Can there be, then, a more obvious +dictate, both of policy and duty, than to cultivate +that which, to multitudes, is more attractive than +real merit; which secures to merit a hearing, and +an influence which it would not otherwise obtain; +and which will be likely, in many cases, to open a +door to usefulness which, without it, would, in all +probability, have continued impenetrably closed? +In repeated instances have I known persons of +weak minds, and of small information, but of +remarkably fascinating manners, carry all before +them in circles of society into which persons of far +higher qualifications, both intellectual and moral, +but defective in the attractions of manner, were +scarcely able to obtain admittance, and very inadequately +esteemed when admitted. A soft, insinuating +address has, a thousand times, rendered its +possessor every where acceptable and popular, +when, on the score of real merit, he ought by no +means to have enjoyed so much public favour.</p> + +<p>But this is not all. Pleasant attractive manners +not only have a paramount influence with the +superficial and unthinking; but they have more +power even on the minds of the wise and the good +than is commonly imagined. To every human +being, that which is intrinsically excellent, appears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_90" id="Page2_90">[90]</a></span> +doubly attractive when presented in a pleasing +manner. Truth, even to those who know it to be +truth, finds a more cordial welcome; and duty, +even among its most sincere and enlightened +friends, commands a more ready obedience, when +they are clothed in an attractive garb, and speak in +alluring accents. That the very same words, +which, when uttered by some, are intolerably +offensive; when spoken in the mild, respectful +manner of others, are welcome, and even delightful—that +the very same action, which, performed +by some, is censured; when performed by others, +of perhaps less talent or virtue, is lauded to excess; +are among the most notorious facts in human +life; and that not in the circles of ignorance and +dissipation only, but also in those of the most estimable +portions of mankind.</p> + +<p>To despise or undervalue the cultivation of +<i>manners</i>, then, argues a great want of practical +wisdom. It is a subject worthy of your constant +regard. To neglect it, is equally to oppose reason +and experience, and to set at naught some of the +most precious means of gaining access to the human +heart. And when I speak of cultivating good +manners, do not imagine that I mean the formal, +showy, pompous manners which some commend, +and seem to aim at. The truth is, the perfection +of manners—the ultimate point which is the result +of the very best culture, is to attain that ease, simplicity, +modesty, and gentleness of deportment in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_91" id="Page2_91">[91]</a></span> +every thing, which has nothing of the artificial, +nothing of display about it. But to be more particular.</p> + +<p>The first characteristic of manners to which +I would direct your attention, as lying at the +foundation of all excellence, is <i>benignity</i>. Without +the law of <i>benevolence</i>, reigning in the heart, +and governing the temper and the life, there may +be much pomp and courtliness of manner; many +a heartless smile, and many a flattering form +of address; but there can be no genuine politeness. +The essence of this consists in the spirit +of cordial good will and kindness shining in the +countenance; expressing itself in the language and +tones of respect and benevolent regard; and flowing +through all the channels of human intercourse, and +all the minutiæ of human life. This is the vital +principle of good manners. Just in proportion as +you really desire to increase the happiness of all +around you; to consult their ease; to anticipate +their wants; and to promote their welfare—you +will spontaneously manifest these feelings in all +situations and companies. Your whole deportment +will be pleasing, attractive, and graceful, +without your having studied artificial rules. This +is the foundation and the sum of all; but it may +not be improper to trace the radical principle into +some of its minute details.</p> + +<p>In all social intercourse, let <i>respectful attention</i> +mark your whole manner. To turn away your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_92" id="Page2_92">[92]</a></span> +eyes from the person who is addressing you; or +to manifest in any way that you are thinking, or +wish to be thinking, of something else, is a great +breach of good manners; cannot fail of giving pain +to those with whom you converse; and must deprive +you of a large part of the benefit of conversation. +When you look your companion gently and +respectfully, but firmly in the face, you manifest +attention; you enable yourselves to watch his +countenance, and mark the impression which you +make on his mind; to say nothing of the power +of the eye in seconding and enforcing all that is +said.</p> + +<p>Cultivate <i>affability</i> of manner. By this I mean +that style of manners which is distinguished by +ease, simplicity, and courteousness; a deportment +opposed to haughtiness, reserve, coldness, or taciturnity; +in short, to every thing that is adapted +to repel, or to prevent freedom and comfort of +approach. I am aware that constitutional temperament +has much to do with this. But still, it is +equally true that affability may and ought to be +carefully cultivated; and that there are few things +better adapted to conciliate good will, to inspire +confidence, to invite freedom of communication, +and to place at ease all with whom we converse.</p> + +<p>Study to exercise <i>gentleness</i> and <i>mildness</i> in all +your deportment and conversation. Guard against +every thing harsh, severe, rough, abrupt, or in any +way repulsive in your language, voice, or manner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_93" id="Page2_93">[93]</a></span> +Let the meekness and gentleness of wisdom appear +in every look, tone, and expression. By a mild, +respectful address, you may at once reprove impertinence, +disarm violence, and put even brutality +to shame. Give all diligence, then, to be "gentle +toward all men." Learn the happy art of conversing +with gentleness, of giving your commands +with gentleness, of arguing with gentleness, of +contending with gentleness, and of even reproving +with gentleness. Both commands and reproofs, +as well as arguments, when dispensed in this +manner, have not only more dignity, but also more +weight than when invested with an opposite character.</p> + +<p>Few things are more opposed to good breeding +than a <i>loud, boisterous</i> manner in social intercourse. +Whether this be indulged in laughter, or +in conversation, it is equally exceptionable as an +offence against both delicacy and dignity. With +regard to <i>females</i>, an offence against this rule, is +peculiarly revolting. It is a sure sign of vulgarity, +and ought to be carefully avoided. But, in either +sex, it is a blemish which well bred people never +fail to notice.</p> + +<p>Closely allied to this is the habit of <i>rude familiarity</i> +which some affect, and to which they give +the name of social pleasantry. This is undignified, +and, to all delicate people, offensive. Mutual dignity +and respect are indispensable to the continued +existence of Christian intercourse, in its most pure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_94" id="Page2_94">[94]</a></span> +delicate, and profitable form. If you wish to +maintain such intercourse, be free and unconstrained; +but never indulge in coarse familiarity. Those +who are worthy of your love will certainly be +repelled rather than attracted by it.</p> + +<p>Remember, too, that all <i>interruption</i> of any one +with whom you are conversing, or blunt <i>contradiction</i> +of his statements, is an offence against +delicate manners. However erroneous he may +be, hear him out; and however certain you may +be that his representations are false, rectify his +mistake, not bluntly, but with kindness and respect.</p> + +<p>Guard against <i>talking too much</i> in company. +He who is very talkative incurs disadvantages of a +very serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires his +hearers; and must, of course, diminish his usefulness. +However rich and instructive any one's +talk may be, yet, if there be too much of it, both +his dignity and his influence cannot fail of being +impaired. "A fool's voice," says Solomon, "is +known by the multitude of his words." "In the +multitude of words," says the same inspired teacher, +"there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth +his lips is wise." And again, "He that hath +knowledge, spareth his words."</p> + +<p>But another extreme in social intercourse, is +that of excessive <i>reserve</i> and <i>taciturnity</i>. Some +from physical temperament; others from abstraction +or absence of mind; and a third class, per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_95" id="Page2_95">[95]</a></span>haps, +from still more exceptionable causes, wrap +themselves up in a chilling reserve in company—never +speaking but when addressed; and then +answering as briefly as possible, and relapsing into +silence again. This is surely unhappy in a social +being, and ought to be carefully avoided. While +you avoid garrulity, then, sink not down into obstinate +silence. If you find yourselves, from any +cause, prone to this, it is abundantly worth while +to take pains to counteract it, and to labour to have +something ready to say that shall be at once +acceptable and instructive.</p> + +<p>In regard to <i>uncleanly and vulgar personal +habits</i>, I will not suppose you capable of them: +and, therefore, shall not dwell upon them. All +spitting on floors, lounging in your seats, putting +up your feet on chairs or stools, leaning with your +elbows on tables—these, and all similar habits, I +hope, after the training you have had, you will +avoid with instinctive repugnance. But there is +one habit which I would earnestly recommend, as +favourable not merely to good manners, but also to +<i>health</i>. Learn to <i>sit erect</i>, not only in company, +but even in your most private apartment. Reading +or writing in a half-sunken or reclining posture is +unfriendly to a graceful carriage; is apt to betray +unwarily into similar postures in company; prepares +the way for the sinking, half-bent postures +which disfigure so many of the feeble and aged;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_96" id="Page2_96">[96]</a></span> +and really tends to bring on premature decrepitude.</p> + +<p>Do not affect <i>wit</i> or <i>punning</i> in conversation. +So many of those who try to make themselves +acceptable by such attempts, not only fail, but often +render themselves a laughing stock by it, that there +is little probability of your succeeding as wits or +punsters. But even with respect to those whose +talents in this way are ever so great, there is so +much danger of their indulging those talents unseasonably +and imprudently, so as to offend and alienate +friends, that such powers ought to be deprecated +rather than desired, and their exercise, if possessed, +subjected to the severest restriction. I never +knew more than one person of wit who was strictly +discreet and delicate in its use. But I have +known thousands who, by their miserable attempts +to display what they possessed either not at all, or +in a very small degree, succeeded only in exposing +themselves to ridicule. And I have known many +real wits, who almost every day wounded feelings, +and alienated friends by their reckless effusions.</p> + +<p>Do not indulge the habit in conversation of <i>talking +of yourselves</i>. Hardly any quality is more +apt to appear in social intercourse than personal +vanity. This leads to egotism, so that the idea of +<i>self</i> appears to be ever present to the imagination. +Hence we perpetually find people talking of themselves; +what they have done; what they have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_97" id="Page2_97">[97]</a></span> +said; what others have said and done to their +honour; in short, bringing into view something to +their own advantage, or that of their family or +relatives. Rely upon it, if you have real worth, the +less <i>you</i> say about it the better; and if you have it +not, every claim of it, direct or indirect, can only +sink you lower in the estimation of those with +whom you converse.</p> + +<p>Carefully form the habit of adverting to all the +properties of <i>time</i>, <i>place</i> and <i>circumstances</i> in conversation. +When you are about, in company, to +make a remark, or to introduce a new topic of +conversation, look round on the circle, and ask +yourself, whether there is any one present whose +feelings would be likely to be hurt by what you +are about to say, or who would be placed by it in +embarrassing circumstances. Be very sure for +example, when about to make, in company, an +unfavourable remark on an absent person, that no +relative or special friend of that person is among +your hearers. For, although you ought never to +make a remark on any one which the Christian +spirit cannot justify; yet in certain circumstances, +a remark perfectly proper in itself, may be unseasonable, +and peculiarly painful to some who hear it. +Guard against the possibility of such an occurrence. +This is a dictate of sound worldly policy. A departure +from it is a gross violation of true politeness. +But it may be said, still more emphatically,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_98" id="Page2_98">[98]</a></span> +to be a departure from the principles of Christian +benevolence.</p> + +<p>Avoid the too frequent <i>use of superlatives</i> in conversation. +The habit of many, when they wish to +express either approbation or censure, is to employ +the very strongest terms which the English language +affords. If they think favourably of the talents or +the performance of any one, they are apt to speak +of them as "noble, admirable," as of "the first +order;" or in some terms expressive of the very +highest excellence. And, on the other hand, if +they undertake to express disapprobation, the +terms "mean," "execrable," "detestable," are +the softest that they think of employing. This is +a bad habit. It renders both the praise and censure +of those who indulge it of less value in the +estimation of all sober-minded and discriminating +judges. If you wish your judgment to pass for +any thing in the view of the wise and reflecting, +you must learn to express opinions in that guarded +and moderate manner which indicates intellectual +discrimination rather than undistinguishing emotion. +You know where it is said "Fools admire, +where men of sense approve."</p> + +<p>Carefully avoid giving <i>unnecessary trouble</i> wherever +you are. The difference between different +persons in this respect is very conspicuous. Some, +when in the houses of their friends, have so many +little wants, so many errands to perform, and are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_99" id="Page2_99">[99]</a></span> +so absorbed in their own affairs, that, if permitted, +they would keep several servants and others +constantly employed in waiting upon them. You +may rely upon it you can never be, long together, +welcome visitants in families which you subject to +so much trouble. Make as few demands as possible +on the time and attention of those whose hospitality +you are enjoying. Never call upon their +servants to wait upon you when it is practicable to +avoid it. Never allow the occupations or order of +any family to be set aside or disarranged on your +account, where it is possible to prevent it. In +short, act universally on the principle of doing +every thing that you can for yourselves, and making +as few demands as possible on the time and +labour of those around you.</p> + +<p>In <i>calling on friends</i> consult their convenience, +as well as your own; and in some cases in preference +to your own. Many make their calls at such +hours, and sit so inordinately long, as to throw a +whole family into disorder, and inflict very serious +pain. Never sit long in your social calls at any +time; but when you make them at times which +may, by possibility interfere with domestic meals, +let them be <i>very short</i>; be on the watch for every +symptom of engagement or uneasiness on the part +of those whom you visit, and on the appearance of +any thing of the kind, instantly take your leave.</p> + +<p>Constantly maintain the habit of <i>early rising</i>. +Few things are more conducive to health and ac<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_100" id="Page2_100">[100]</a></span>tivity +both of body and mind. A disposition to lie +long in bed in the morning, is, at once, a symptom +and a cause of feeble digestion, of nervous debility, +and of general languor. Go early to bed. Avoid +much night study. Quit your beds by dawn of +day, and, in winter, before the dawn, and thus secure +several hours of unbroken time, for devotion, +for study, and for gentle exercise in the open air, +before breakfast, and before the interruptions of +the earliest visitors commence.</p> + +<p>Cultivate habits of moderation in <i>dress</i>. You +are never likely to be able to indulge in very +inordinate expense in bodily adorning; and I will +venture to say, this inability, wherever it exists, is +a great blessing. Few things evince more weakness +of mind, and absence of Christian principle, +than extravagance and splendor in dress. In +young men it is a sad evidence of "dandyism" +and folly; and even in young females, an excessive +indulgence in fashion, in finery, and the +extreme of <i>devotion</i> to bodily adorning, never +fails to depress their character in the estimation of +the wise and good. Try to set an example of +sober, dignified <i>moderation</i> in regard to this whole +subject. Always guard against negligence of dress. +Conscientiously avoid exposing yourselves to the +charge of careless, slatternly habits. But never +make dress an idol. Reject every thing dazzling, +or what is commonly called "dashing," in outward +ornament. Be not seen aping the extreme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_101" id="Page2_101">[101]</a></span> +of fashion; and ever remember how unworthy it +is of Christians to be worshippers of external +adorning; and how peculiarly disreputable for the +children of <i>clergymen</i> to bear such a character.</p> + +<p class="p2">Thus, dear children, I have endeavoured, with +brevity, to give you a few paternal counsels, +which, I would fondly hope, may, by the grace +of God, be made to promote your benefit, when +the hand which penned them shall be sleeping +in the dust. You will perceive from the <i>order</i> +in which I have placed my counsels, that I consider +real heart religion as the most indispensable +and precious of all attainments; that my first and +highest wish concerning you is, that you may love +your Father's and Mother's God, and make it +your daily aim to follow her to that world of bliss +and glory to which, as we trust, she has gone +before us. Next to seeing you real Christians, +my desire is to see you enlightened, polished, +benevolent, amiable, attractive members of society, +respected and beloved by all who know you.</p> + +<p>Remember, I beseech you, that the friends of +your Parents will expect much from you. The +advantages which you have enjoyed, and are daily +enjoying, impose upon you a solemn responsibility +in the sight both of God and man. Many prayers +have ascended to heaven on your behalf. Pray +without ceasing for yourselves, that you may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_102" id="Page2_102">[102]</a></span> +preserved from the paths of sin and folly, and led +in the ways of heavenly wisdom.</p> + +<p>I have no doubt that the counsels I have given +you will commend themselves to your judgment, +and that you will promptly form the resolution to +make them your constant guide. But you cannot +rely upon your own wisdom or strength to do this. +Such are your own infirmities, and so multiplied +the temptations and allurements which surround +you, that you will need at every step, guidance and +help from above. Happy will it be for you if you +habitually bear this in mind, and acknowledge +God in all your ways, that he may direct your +steps.</p> + +<p>And now, dear children, I bid you farewell. +When I look forward, and imagine to myself what +may be your course in life—when I think of the +corruptions and perils with which you are surrounded, +and what <i>may</i> be the result of them, I +hardly know how to express my anxieties and +fears: but when I recollect the love and faithfulness +of that God who blessed your Parents, I feel +willing to commit you into his hands, and to trust +his grace for your temporal and eternal welfare. +May he guide you by his counsel! May he +guard you amidst all the dangers of youth and of +riper years; and finally, "present you faultless before +the presence of his glory with exceeding great +joy!" O how unutterably precious the thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_103" id="Page2_103">[103]</a></span> +of meeting you all at last—with those of our +beloved family who have already gone before us, +and those who are yet to follow—around the +throne of our covenant God, and rejoicing forever +in his presence and glory! Such will be the +prayer until his last breath, of your</p> + +<p class="i5">Affectionate Grandfather,</p> + +<p class="i9">SAMUEL MILLER.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Princeton</span>, July 10, 1839.</p> + + +<p class="p6 center">THE END.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The appearance of these servants of God, in any +part of the city, seemed to make "iniquity hide its +head," and was often the means of dispersing an idle, +youthful group, in which profanity and disorder were +beginning their destructive career. Through their influence, +in a great measure, the Sabbath was, at least +externally, a holy day, on which the public ways exhibited +no crowd or bustle, but what was of necessity occasioned +by a church-going people.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Many will probably have reason for everlasting rejoicing +in the kind arrangement which placed them under +Mr. Jaudon's instruction. He was truly "a man of God," +and the effects of his wise and holy instruction and discipline, +we have no doubt are felt in the bosom of many families, +and in the hearts of many individuals in Philadelphia, +to this day, who will, we trust, be prepared to meet +him, where, having turned many to righteousness, "he +shall shine as a star for ever and ever."</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The following passages are so graphic, that it would +seem as if our day had set for the likeness, though they +were written two thousand six hundred years ago:—"Moreover +the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion +are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks, wincing +as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: +Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of +the head of the daughters of Zion: The Lord will take +away in that day the bravery of their tinkling ornaments +Footnote: about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires +like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the +mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and +the head-bands, and the ear-rings, the rings, the changeable +suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the whimples, +and the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine linen, +and the hoods, and the veils."—Isaiah iii. chap. Behold +the contrast! 1 Peter iii. 1-6. 1 Timothy ii. chap. 9-10.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> It is at once a remarkable indication of the nobleness +of those Philadelphia friends already named, and of +the extent to which her worth and her sacrifices were +appreciated, that on being informed of our final purpose to +remove to Princeton, they united in the purchase of +a commodious dwelling, which was presented to Mrs. +Breckinridge and her children. It is true, one object in +view was, the accommodation of the Professor (for the +time) of Pastoral Theology and Missionary instruction in +the Seminary. But the terms of the gift are specific; +and when we attempted to alter the direction of this munificent +testimonial, so as to make it the <i>property of the +Institution</i>, it was peremptorily declined; and the deed was +drawn in the name of Margaret Breckinridge and her +children.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> There is poetic beauty in the Stanza of Southey's on +the portrait of Bishop Heber, written after his decease; +and though fanciful it is striking. Blessed be God our +Redeemer, we have surer marks of recognition in the +heavenly world.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">"They too, will gaze</div> +<div class="line">Upon his effigy</div> +<div class="line">With reverential love,</div> +<div class="line">Till they shall grow familiar with its lines</div> +<div class="line">And know him when they see his face in heaven."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The following touching stanzas do more real honour +to their illustrious author, (Lord Palmerston) than all the +distinctions of his high rank and public life.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish brings</div> +<div class="line">His dearest earthly treasure to these springs;</div> +<div class="line">Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain,</div> +<div class="line">Shall court these salutary springs in vain:</div> +<div class="line">Condemn'd, like me, to hear the faint reply,</div> +<div class="line">To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye—</div> +<div class="line">From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death,</div> +<div class="line">And watch in dumb despair the short'ning breath:—</div> +<div class="line">If chance should bring him to this humble line,</div> +<div class="line">Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine.</div> +<div class="line">Ordain'd to lose the partner of my breast,</div> +<div class="line">Whose virtues warm'd me, and whose beauty bless'd;</div> +<div class="line">Fram'd ev'ry tie that binds the heart to prove,</div> +<div class="line">Her duty friendship, and her friendship love.</div> +<div class="line">But yet, remembering that the parting sigh</div> +<div class="line">Appoints the just to slumber, not to die,</div> +<div class="line">The starting tear I check'd—I kissed the rod,</div> +<div class="line">And not to earth resigned her, but to God!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson +of New York, we all owe more for their unwearied and +sympathizing care than we have words to express.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was +the death of a little child, who, in the last moments, called +on her mother <i>to die with her</i>. This was the voice of +nature. To this call the heart would, but cannot respond. +"Here our father and mother must forsake us."</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in +subduing grief, is given in the narrative of one of our +American missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were +alone in a barbarous land, far away from any creature +who cared for their Lord or for them. Suddenly his +friend was taken from him. In that awful moment of +desertion and anguish, after commending the parting +soul to God, and closing the eyes of the dead, <i>he kissed +his cold lips, and thought, "What glory has already burst +upon his view!"</i> In this thought his sorrow was lost.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous +Works.</p> + +</div></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45317 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/45317-h/images/cover.jpg b/45317-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8df482e --- /dev/null +++ b/45317-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/45317-h/images/margaret.png b/45317-h/images/margaret.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..737b249 --- /dev/null +++ b/45317-h/images/margaret.png diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..837001f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #45317 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45317) diff --git a/old/45317-8.txt b/old/45317-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9cc1083 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4398 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, by +Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge + +Author: Archibald Alexander + Samuel Miller + John Breckinridge + +Release Date: April 5, 2014 [EBook #45317] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by + =equal signs=. + + Small uppercase have been replaced with regular uppercase. + + Characters after a carat are superscripts. + + Blank pages have been eliminated. + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the + original. + + A few typographical errors have been corrected. + + + + [Illustration: + _Painted by Robinson._ _Eng^{d.} by J. Sartain_] + + + + + A + + MEMORIAL + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + IN TWO PARTS. + + + PART I. MEMOIR, AND FUNERAL SERMON. + PART II. LETTERS TO HER SURVIVING CHILDREN. + + + PHILADELPHIA: + WILLIAM S. MARTIEN. + 1839. + + + + +Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by + +WILLIAM S. MARTIEN, + +in the office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PART I. + + _Page._ + + INTRODUCTION, 13 + + + CHAPTER I. + + Life of Mrs. Breckinridge, 17 + + + CHAPTER II. + + Additional Illustrations of the Life and Character of Mrs. + Breckinridge, 35 + + Her Religious Character, 42 + + Her dedication to the work of Foreign Missions, 46 + + Her Sacrifices for the Church of God, 47 + + Her Last Sickness and Death, 54 + + + CHAPTER III. + + Closing Reflections, 61 + + + SUBMISSION: + + A SERMON--by the Rev. A. Alexander, D.D. 69 + + + PART II. + + LETTERS OF A GRANDFATHER. + + + LETTER I. + + Introductory, 5 + + + LETTER II. + + Human Nature, 10 + + + LETTER III. + + The Way of Salvation, 17 + + + LETTER IV. + + The Bible, 29 + + + LETTER V. + + Prayer, 37 + + + LETTER VI. + + Cultivation of the Mind, 45 + + + LETTER VII. + + Cultivation of the Heart and the Moral Habits, 67 + + + LETTER VIII. + + Manners, 87 + + + + + A + + MEMOIR + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + "Jesus wept." + + + PART I. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +MORE than a year has now passed since Mrs. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE, the +beloved subject of the following brief notices, was taken from us into +the saints' everlasting rest. By that event, the little family of which +she was the joy and crown, was dissolved. The surviving parent felt that +God had committed to him the interesting but mournful duty of preserving +the memory of so inestimable a friend. But it is long after such an +event, before the mind is sufficiently tranquil to utter our thoughts +and feelings without excess. The peaceable fruits of so dreadful a +chastisement succeed, alas! but slowly in our intractable hearts, to the +distraction of grief, and the desolation of the grave. + +It was in the midst of the deepest of his sorrow, also, that the writer +was hastened (by a very kind Providence, as he now sees it to have been) +into the active duties of an office which left no rest for body or mind +during almost an entire year. So that if his feelings had allowed the +attempt at preparing a Memoir, his duty to the Church of God forbade it. + +In these trying and peculiar circumstances, he was permitted to call in +the aid of those honoured and venerable Friends, from whose hands, in a +happier day, he had received the lovely wife of his youth. They of all +others knew her best, especially from her birth to her marriage. They +had done most, under God, to fit her for life's duties, and its close; +and to make her "worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance." And none +were judged to be so well qualified to do justice to her memory. To the +one we are indebted for the following interesting Sketch, making the +first chapter. To the other for the valuable Letters to her surviving +children, forming the second part of this memorial. + +While all must admire the delicacy and candour with which this sketch is +drawn, it is evident to those who knew the deceased, that much remains +to be said which ought not to be omitted--especially in regard to that +portion of her life, embracing more than fifteen years, which passed +between the time of leaving the parental roof, and her lamented death. +In attempting to supply this omission, the writer felt the +inconvenience--even awkwardness of returning upon a narrative which +seemed to have been brought to an appropriate close. But this was +thought preferable to leaving the memoir incomplete; or to breaking the +thread of the narrative given in the first chapter. + +And moreover it was felt that the design of the work which called for +the additional chapters, dispensed with form in the manner of +furnishing them. It is intended to preserve the memory of the beloved +dead for her bereaved children, and her numerous kindred and friends, +rather than to unveil her retiring character to the public eye. The work +being designed, not so much for general circulation as for family use, +is rather _printed_, than _published_; and all its imperfections will +readily be overlooked by those who will come to these pages, as Mary +went to the tomb of Lazarus--"to weep there." + + + + +MEMOIR. + + +CHAPTER I. + +A NARRATIVE of the life of our departed friends, bears some resemblance +to the representation, on canvass, of their persons and features; it +serves to restore and collect our scattered thoughts, and revive our +affections; and prevents the hand of time from obliterating entirely, +their peculiar mental and moral lineaments. + +It was in consequence of the necessity of this help to our natural +infirmities, that our Lord gave to his people the bread and wine, as a +symbol of his body and blood, and said, "Do this in remembrance of me." +He knew too well our careless, wandering hearts, to trust the +recollections, even of _his_ great and lovely character, to our +unfaithful keeping, and established, as a help to his word, the +ordinance which was to continue unto the end of the world, "as a +memorial of him." And we trust that his people are permitted to +endeavour to perpetuate the remembrance of each other by means, which, +however they may come greatly short of the significant emblem ordained +by himself, will assist in enabling them "to love one another as he also +loved them." + +In view of this encouragement, given us in the Scriptures of +inspiration, we would endeavour to bring together, and exhibit, in the +history of the short life of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, some of those +graces of a Christian character, which lead us to hope that the finger +of the Lord had engraven his name on her heart, and that his grace was +carrying on the work, notwithstanding much infirmity of flesh and +spirit, until the body of sin and death within her was rolled away, and +a simple, undivided hold taken on the Rock of ages. + +She was born September 29th, 1802, in New York, and educated for several +years under the immediate instruction of the sanctuary, in a +comparatively pure state of the Church, when the name and influence of a +few such venerable and holy men as the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, had thrown +a restraint on the vices of the world around them, as well as on the +constantly recurring disorders of the Church, so that the very vagrants +of the street felt their presence.[1] Every pastor of a flock of Jesus +Christ seemed to feel it his privilege, as well as his duty, to feed the +lambs of his flock himself, and did not commit them to the ever-varying, +heterogeneous instruction of others. The Scriptures, and the Catechism, +it was his own business to inculcate; and the same afternoon in each +week, had been for many years, in several of the churches of the city, +of various denominations, the season for this instruction. + + [1] The appearance of these servants of God, in any part of the + city, seemed to make "iniquity hide its head," and was often the + means of dispersing an idle, youthful group, in which profanity and + disorder were beginning their destructive career. Through their + influence, in a great measure, the Sabbath was, at least + externally, a holy day, on which the public ways exhibited no crowd + or bustle, but what was of necessity occasioned by a church-going + people. + +By these and other means, the Bible had taken a systematic form in +Margaret's mind, very early; and whenever she met, even in childhood, +with a scriptural scene or subject, she generally knew where to place +it, and was particularly animated by it. And this peculiar skill, and +taste, continued and increased until childhood passed away, and the +pride and enjoyment of life opened a new scene before her. + +For a time it seemed as if every vestige of the sensibility arising from +religious instruction would be swept away. She had friends who wished to +see her enjoying the _innocent_ pleasures of youth; especially as in +person and mind there was a promise of peculiar adaptation to them. And +there was a will of her own very clearly developing, which wanted more +restraint than parents are generally willing to exercise. Many +interpositions, however, in providence occurred, which, though sad in +the view of her family, proved a real deliverance to her--frequently +arresting her first decisive step in folly. + +At the age of eleven she was removed with her family to Princeton, in +consequence of a call which her father received, to a Professorship in +the Theological Seminary in that place. Being thus separated from many +snares incident to a city life, she began anew, as it were, to form +habits and connexions, which, although in some respects, more dangerous +and ensnaring than those which she had left, had not "grown with her +growth, and strengthened with her strength;" and were, on that account, +more ready to yield, when the follies of youth passed away, and the +solemnities of this world, in view of another, opened before her. + +The want of a good school in Princeton, induced her parents to send her, +at the age of about fourteen years, to Philadelphia, for the purpose of +obtaining for her some finish to the education which she had received at +home. She remained there nearly a year, residing with an aunt, and +attending a daily and well conducted school. Indeed it was _her_ +privilege, as well as the privilege of many others, to receive +instruction from a teacher, who not only was competent to every branch +of polite learning which adorns the mind of a female, but desirous of +having all which he taught so sanctified as to reach the heart, and be +made the means of communicating spiritual and saving, as well as +intellectual instruction.[2] + + [2] Many will probably have reason for everlasting rejoicing in the + kind arrangement which placed them under Mr. Jaudon's instruction. + He was truly "a man of God," and the effects of his wise and holy + instruction and discipline, we have no doubt are felt in the bosom + of many families, and in the hearts of many individuals in + Philadelphia, to this day, who will, we trust, be prepared to meet + him, where, having turned many to righteousness, "he shall shine as + a star for ever and ever." + +The immediate effect of this experiment was injurious to Margaret's +disposition and deportment. She returned to her parents with more love +for the world, and a better opinion of herself; and of consequence was +less docile. It was evident that the atmosphere of a city was not the +element in which her heart would receive the best influence. + +In a revival which took place in Princeton, when she was about eighteen +years of age, an interest was excited in some of her pious female +friends for her conversion. They concluded to make her the subject of +special prayer. Of this she was entirely ignorant, until the evidence +appeared in herself of the verity of the promise, as to the result of +"fervent, effectual prayer." A sermon of the celebrated President +Edwards, read in a small, social meeting, arrested her attention, and +brought her to continued, deep, serious thinking, which ended, as she +thought, in a new view of everlasting things. With all the sanguine +feelings of youth, she judged herself prepared to be united with the +Church; but owing to the unwillingness of her parents to risk the +possibility of a premature profession of religion, this step was +delayed. + +In connexion with this period of her life, it seems necessary to relate +some circumstances which took place with regard to a much loved sister +of hers; not many years younger than herself. They had been so closely +educated together, as to make them one in many of their views and +feelings. + +Elizabeth, in giving an account of the exercises of her own mind on the +subject of religion, some time after they took place, said, that she +experienced an irresistible feeling of contempt for the concern which +Margaret manifested, and concluded that she was indulging a mere +hypocritical affectation; in consequence of which she was beginning to +make some observations to this effect, when, in a moment, a deep +conviction fastened on her conscience, of the danger of resisting what +might prove to be the influence of the Holy Spirit. This impression +resulted in a real concern for herself, and in views equally solemn with +those expressed by Margaret. + +They both now made progress together in their inquiries and experience, +and were a mutual help, rather than a hinderance to each other. Both +soon thought that they had obtained an interest in "Him, whose blood +cleanseth from all sin." + +It appeared, however, soon after this, as if our fears with regard to +Margaret were but too well founded. "Because of manifold temptations," +she seemed to be taking a new hold on the world; but a state of things +about the same time, began with Elizabeth, which disciplined and humbled +her spirit; and she was soon enabled to realize all the insufficiency +and uncertainty of this world, as a portion. + +Many doubts with regard to the genuineness of the change which Elizabeth +trusted had taken place in her heart, increased by the weakness which +rapidly declining health had induced, perplexed and troubled her, and +made her more and more unwilling to make a profession of religion. She +had witnessed some of the extravagances of revivals, and felt the danger +of being deceived, and of "having a name to live whilst she was dead." + +In January, 1823, Margaret was married to the Rev. John Breckinridge, +and returned with him to Kentucky, his native State, in the spring of +the same year. In consequence of a call which her husband received, to a +church in Kentucky, (which he accepted,) they were soon after this +settled in Lexington. Her departure from her early home was her first +real trial. For although, through the course of several months, she had +taken a prospective view of this arrangement, with much buoyancy of +spirits, as the time approached, every circumstance connected with a +separation from all the associations of her childhood and youth, seemed +to produce a new and deeper impression, and seven or eight hundred miles +appeared at length, as almost an interminable space. The sadness which +irresistibly overspread her countenance, convinced her friends that +when, in view of Mr. Breckinridge's first destination, she had given +herself unreservedly to a foreign mission, she, like many others, little +knew her own heart, and all the sacrifices which such a destination +involved. And when it was seen expedient that this intention should be +relinquished by him, for a plan more eligible in the view of his fathers +in the ministry, a release from this more enduring trial, formed no +small part of the considerations which assisted in making her +submissively bow to one so much more lenient. And indeed, she had reason +to say, that goodness and mercy had followed her at every step. For this +very trial which sobered her countenance, made her heart better, and +prepared the way for deeper self-examination, and probably more fervent +prayer; and the result was, that with a trembling confidence she united +herself with her husband's church in Lexington, a few months after he +took charge of it. From her letters, after this event, we learned that +her connexion with the church took place at the same time--it is thought +on the same day--in which her sister Elizabeth, having been delivered +from the many doubts which had clouded _her_ mind, made a profession of +religion in the church in Princeton. This co-incidence in providence, +having occurred without any mutual intercourse or understanding on the +subject, seemed so consistent with the plans of Him who "sees the end +from the beginning," and who, from their first serious impressions, +appeared to have united the lines of their experience until they ended +in one gracious result, that it did much to confirm their friends in the +hope, that a good "work was begun in them which should be carried on." +They felt constrained to say, "It is the Lord's doings and wonderful in +our eyes." + +The kind and affectionate family in Kentucky, of which she now made one, +assisted much in alleviating the pressure of sorrowful recollections, +and in making the resolution which she had formed of "learning in +whatsoever state she was, therewith to be content," more practical, and +more enduring; and when Mr. Breckinridge was called to Baltimore in +1826, although she was pleased with the prospect of getting nearer to +her early home, she felt that a new tie had been formed which could not +be broken, even partially, without much pain. It was a source of much +grateful recollection to her, that she was not permitted to use any +undue influence to lead her husband away from his congregation in +Lexington, to which she was indebted in so considerable a degree, for +the pleasant circumstances which surrounded her. + +Her health was remarkably firm, especially for one of her delicate +appearance, for several years after her marriage, and during all the +time that her husband had a settled charge. In Baltimore, to which he +removed from Lexington, she seemed to realize with much gratitude, the +particularly pleasant circumstances in which her family was placed. +Situated on the direct way between her husband's relatives, endeared to +her by so many pleasant recollections, and the family of her youth, with +both of which she could have frequent intercourse, and in the midst of a +kind circle of friends, not limited by the bounds of Mr. Breckinridge's +congregation, she was literally at home; and when the summons came to +call him to another sphere of labour in the Church, she was the last to +be persuaded that it was his duty to obey it, and reluctantly yielded to +the opinion of those whose judgment she honoured. + +From this time she may truly be said to have been a sacrifice to the +interests of the Church. The unsettling of her domestic duties and +habits, to which her temperament was particularly adapted, was, +probably, directly and indirectly at the foundation of those causes, +which gradually but too surely undermined her health, and prepared her +for a premature grave. Her last change of residence, which placed her in +Princeton by the side of her paternal family, and amongst many of her +youthful associates, seemed to her to fill up the measure, as it +regarded this world, of that providential goodness "which had followed +her all the days of her life;" and she said, not long after it took +place, with a humility which was in itself an evidence of her gracious +state, "I think, in view of all my mercies, there is a thankfulness +experienced which is not the natural growth of my own heart." To us who +remain it is given to see, that these unusual comforts were mercifully +intended to soothe the infirmities of a rapidly dissolving body, and +soften the approach of the last and most formidable enemy. + +Several attacks of disease in the course of two years, which threatened +to be immediately fatal, were, by the aid of skilful medical treatment, +happily arrested, but not until their baleful effect had fastened on her +feeble body, and each had left her "more a prey for death." And it was a +cause of much thankfulness to her friends, that instead of one of those +unexpected instant departures, which so frequently occur, and which in +her case it was often feared would take place, the approach of death was +gradual and mild, so as to involve no pain, and but little surprise. + +The simplicity of her character appeared through all her last days, +especially after she ascertained that her end was not far off. Her +words were few, because she studied to utter none but "the words of +truth and soberness;" she seemed to feel that there _might be_ a parade +even in dying. + +After a short conversation in her room a day or two before she departed, +on the subject of the unprofitableness of our best works, which we found +had deeply exercised her mind, she remarked with much emotion, a tear +starting to her eye, "I feel the truth of these remarks;" but, after a +pause, she said, "I have _tried_ to do my duty as a wife and as a +mother; I have _endeavoured_ to conduct the affairs of my family with +discretion, and to instruct my children in the best things." She +evidently clung to this as an evidence of grace, (and not at all as a +cause of acceptance with God,) and as affording some hope for her +children, when relied on in view of the promises of Him who says, that +if this precious seed is sowed, grace shall insure the crop. + +Her Sabbath evenings, after the good old way of our puritan fathers, saw +her with all her household, over whom she had any authority, gathered +around her for the purpose of giving them that instruction which, with +the promised blessing, would save them from the paths of sin and folly +in this world, and prepare them for enjoying the blessedness of another. +And through the distractions of an unsettled life, and the hinderances +experienced in a large boarding house, in which several winters were +spent with her family, she persevered as far as possible, in the +instruction of both children and servants in the week and on the +Sabbath, with a determination which both she and her friends thought had +shortened her life. + +In view of this peculiar faithfulness to her domestic duties, we are the +more willing to offer an apology for what appeared to some of her +friends, an indifference to various extra means; which in these last +times have been esteemed needful for the awakening of a slumbering +church. + +When her mind began to open to this subject, the glory of our revivals +was beginning to be tarnished. "The enemy had begun to sow his tares." +The extravagance which so frequently attended them, had produced in her +no little disgust for what she thought the mere machinery of religion. +In such circumstances, it is difficult to "choose the good, and refuse +the evil." The cast of her mind was such, that parade in any thing, and +especially in the vital concerns, in which is involved our everlasting +destiny, irresistibly revolted her mind. And the errors in principle and +in practice, which had been by these means insinuated into, and +corrupted the legitimate and professed doctrines and ordinances of the +Presbyterian Church, greatly impaired her confidence in what many good +people esteemed genuine revivals of religion. Subsequent events have +abundantly confirmed the wisdom of her early and deep distrust. + +After her constitution had been tried with another violent and unusual +attack, in March, 1838, which prostrated nearly all her remaining +strength in a few hours, it was evident to many of her friends, that +recovery was no longer to be expected. Every means, however, were made +use of, that might in any way prove salutary; many of which, as has +often occurred, were rather injurious than beneficial. As a last +resource, a journey was commenced, for the purpose of trying the Springs +of Virginia, so highly recommended to invalids. She was not permitted, +however, to go beyond Philadelphia. Her physicians there, judging so +long a journey very hazardous, gently arrested it, by proposing a delay +of a few days; thus endeavouring to obviate the effects of any +disappointment which she might experience. Her own views seemed, +spontaneously, to meet theirs, and a quiet acquiescence was every day +more manifest. After a consultation of physicians, in which they agreed +that an effort might be safely made for her return to Princeton, the +sweet complacency with which she said to a very kind friend, who was +visiting her, "I am going home to-morrow," encouraged a hope that she +had realized her danger; and that _her_ will was gradually moulding to +the Divine will, and she preparing for a far better home. + +It appeared as if she was permitted to get thus far on her journey, in +order to gratify the feelings, and experience the renewed kindness of +friends, whom her husband had attached to his family, from his +temporary labours amongst them. The attention of these, and indeed many +others, whom their interesting circumstances were a means of winning to +them, is deeply felt in the family circle, of which she was a beloved +member; and which will continue to be felt, as long as her memory shall +be cherished amongst them. + +It was with difficulty that she was removed to her own residence at +Princeton, a few days before she died, fully sensible that her departure +was not far off. One of her anxious friends, wishing to be more +satisfied of this, said: "You know, my dear Margaret, how ill you are?" +A most emphatic "O yes," silenced every remaining doubt. + +The day before she died, the conversation leading to the subject of +death, she said, "I am only afraid of the article of death: I know that +when this is over, I shall be in Jesus' arms." From one, so slow to +speak, these were encouraging words. + +A few hours after this, she awoke from a light sleep, with that sort of +bewildered spirit, which is frequently experienced under circumstances +of so much weakness, especially when accompanied with, perhaps, the +effects of an opiate, and repealed the _name_ of a person, with which +she had been familiar in her childhood. She observed, "what easy words!" +Some one present remarked--there are words equally easy. She said, "tell +me some." Upon being referred to a Psalm which had been spoken of the +day before, she commenced, as having found something exceedingly +pleasant--"The Lord is my shepherd"--and continued to the end of this +short and interesting portion of the Word of God, in a tone of sweetness +and solemnity, which impressed every one present, adding her testimony +to the sweetness of the words. It appeared as if, while the world was +fast receding, her character was rapidly finishing in the mould of this +precious Word. + +Reason was continued to her until the last departing moment, when, after +a violent but short struggle, which seemed to arrest every mental +exercise, except that which led her spirit immediately to "Him who takes +away the sting of death," the freshness of former years was restored to +her complexion, which had been, for some months, suffused with +feverishness, and marked with suffering, and a calm and solemn composure +settled on her countenance, appearing full of meaning, which persuaded +those who were around her, that she had some communication to make. But +her mouth was sealed, and her hand could no longer effect the gentlest +pressure. We were left to conclude, that when in her agony she had +cried--"Come, Lord Jesus--come quickly;"--"Lord Jesus receive my +spirit," "she was heard, in that she asked;" and the freshness of +everlasting youth, casting one parting ray upon her mortal countenance, +had passed upon her, and "she had gone to be forever with the Lord." + +"She being dead yet speaketh," and speaks, especially, to all who yet +live of her youthful associates. Many of them are, as she was, called to +sustain the character of wife and mother, and their history in its +prominent features, most probably resembles hers. Her course was marked +with much failure in duty, over which she mourned, and, in view of which +she seemed deeply humbled. She once said--many months before she +died--"O! if the Lord were to send his bereaving commission into my +family, I could never forgive myself for the manner in which I have +failed to improve the trust committed to me, and fulfilled the duties to +which I have been called." Hear the voice which speaking, says, "My dear +companions in sin and infirmity, I leave you a poor example. But I +exhort you to become believingly and affectionately acquainted with Him, +who has borne _me_ through the dark valley and shadow of death, and +'presented me faultless before his Father, clothed in his righteousness, +and washed in his blood.'" + +"Ye cannot, though _Christian_ wives and mothers, do the things ye +would;" but there is a fountain opened, in which your poorest desires +and efforts, though like filthy rags, "may be washed and made white, and +made instrumental for much good." Point this out to your children, +"talk to them in the house and by the way, in sitting down and rising +up," of this only hope of perishing sinners. And lest, after all, they +should come short, plead, unceasingly, the promises for them, and take +hold by faith of the blessing. O! how will you rejoice if you can say, +"Here am I Lord, and the children thou hast given me." In order to +sustain your character as wives, aim continually, by prayer, to obtain +the gift of a meek and quiet spirit, "which in the sight of God is of +great price, that even the unbelieving husband may be won to the +knowledge of the truth." + +May such exhortations from our departed friends, reach us all, and be +sanctified to us--and may we "exhort _one another_, daily," so that our +social intercourse may be made the means of grace, and assist in +preparing us for our last great change! + + +CHAPTER II. + +ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF MRS. MARGARET +BRECKINRIDGE. + +WHOEVER has been called, in the midst of life, to part with 'the wife of +his youth'--if these pages should chance to meet his eye--will _know_ +what the writer has felt. Such a bereavement must be _felt_, in order to +be understood. There is a shock in its coming for which no foresight or +submission can fully prepare us. There is a chasm created by it which +nothing can fill. It is a new experience, replete with dreadful +desolation. It is a wonderful attribute of grace that can make these +great afflictions so "work _for us_ an exceeding and eternal weight of +glory," that the most weighty and enduring of them all, shall seem, in +comparison, to be "light, and but for a moment." Yet "no chastisement," +(especially such as this) "for the present seemeth to be joyous, but +rather grievous." God intends that we shall be _moved_ by such +visitations. The call which they utter is too costly to be lightly felt. +The stroke is too deep to be hastily healed. "To _faint_ when we are +rebuked of Him," is to reproach the goodness of God, when we ought to +"lay hold on his strength." But insensibility to his afflictive +dispensations is to "despise" the methods of his grace. And who can fail +to feel at such a moment! To find one's self strangely, and after all +the warnings mercifully given, suddenly left alone; in the midst of life +to be broken in twain; to come to a time when you may no longer pray +with her whose presence sweetened devotion itself; no more pray for her +who many a year has been the dear burden of all your intercessions; to +see your orphan babes left desolate, and enhancing your woe, by being +unconscious of their own; yea, "to sorrow most of all" for those dread +words, "that you shall see her face no more!" This is sorrow! If it were +possible, and being so, were right to ask it for others, we might pray +for our readers, that they may be forever ignorant of our experience. +But we know that every house is appointed to such a sorrow, sooner or +later. They who are yet to pass through these deep waters, if they +cannot now fully enter into our trials, may at least be expected to +excuse this humble tribute to the dead, as an amiable weakness. + +But it is not bleeding affection, merely, which has prompted us to add +to the foregoing brief narrative, these imperfect illustrations of the +life and character of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge. The bereaved children +having been early called to lose a mother's care, justly claim of +surviving friends to preserve her image that they may gaze on it, and +her example that they may imitate it, in after life. It is a cruel +addition to an orphan's lot, to consign to the tomb even the memory of +the dead. We refer not to the indecent and revolting haste with which +every memorial of the deceased is swept into oblivion by those who, +studious of new relations, are faithful only to forget. Such a spirit is +abhorrent to every sentiment of humanity and religion. But it often +happens that the disconsolate survivor, for a season careless of all +things but of grief, neglects to treasure and record what God gave in +peculiar trust to him--for the good of others. That godly example, which +it cost the toils and the trials of a life to exhibit, ought not to be +permitted to perish from the world. That "death of the saints," which +"is precious in the sight of the Lord," and which so gloriously shows +forth his praise, is worthy of a monument that time cannot consume. +These should live! We should embalm them in the memory of the heart. We +should hand them down in the tradition of faithful love. We should +record them in a household book, if not publish them to the world--in +honour of Jehovah; in memory of the beloved dead; and for the good of +those who, even while they were spared to them, were too young to know +their value. It is the memory of the wicked alone which God has doomed +to rot; or if it live, to stand as a beacon on the brow of death. + +There is another consideration of great tenderness and force by which we +have been influenced in making these sketches. Woman dwells, to speak +so, in the shade of retirement; and not like man, in the blaze of public +life. In the household she sits enthroned, the weaker vessel, but the +stronger power. Yet the domestic circle, in a great degree, +circumscribes her influence; shuts in her character. Her refinement--her +patience--her humility--her cheerfulness in trial--her fortitude--her +readiness to forgive--her faithful, constant love--her self-devotion to +her children--her personal charms--her domestic virtues--her Christian +graces--which make her + + "The light and music of our happy homes," + +are little known beyond the narrow boundary of her own family, on which +they continually rest, "like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the +mountains of Zion." It is not less so with her domestic trials--with her +perplexing domestic duties, as she meekly toils in "patient continuance" +amidst their innumerable detail, and ever returning round. Now while the +full disclosure and rewards must be reserved to the great day of final +account, it is a special duty, on proper occasions, to bring such +excellence to view. Without our care, this never will be done, since the +graces that most adorn, are the most retiring. By an affectionate +diligence in this service, a thousand pearls might be brought from the +recesses of domestic life, and added to the too scanty stock of +memorable worthies. At least, we ought not to make oblivion the penalty +of domestic virtue. On the other hand, the doing of proper justice to +real female merit, would most effectually rebuke that assurance of +coarse and fanatic women, who, in the insulted name of God, assume the +prerogative, and attempt the offices of the stronger sex--forgetting +that the immodesty which is offensive to all men, can never be an +offering pleasing to a God of purity and order. By presenting to mankind +examples of Christian women revolving in orderly beauty, and shining +with mild lustre in their appointed course, we not only preserve the +memory of those who rest from their labours, but we diffuse their +influence abroad. If we may but do justice to the subject of these +notices, she would be herself the only being likely to complain, for she +shrunk with instinctive sensibility from every such disclosure of her +retiring character. + +Without repeating what has been said in the first chapter, we proceed to +fill up the narrative given therein, by additional notices, which some +one ought to furnish, and which a parent could not. + +It was God's peculiar mercy to Margaret (Miller) Breckinridge, that she +came into life under parental influence so admirable in all respects, +that she may be said to have been born and reared in a family, which, +like that of Aquilla and Priscilla, "_had a church in the house_." She +enjoyed, in its happiest form, a domestic Christian education, having +the BIBLE for the basis of knowledge; the Parents for instructors; the +family fire-side for the school of manners; and the royal law of love +and truth, as the standard and source of all true politeness. Truly it +is a goodly spectacle in these days of pretension, and vulgar parade; of +shallow learning, and degenerate manners, to behold here and there a +mother in Israel, after "the manner of the olden time," training her +little flock without the aids of modern parties, fashions, vain +accomplishments, and earthly tinsel; waiting with them day by day at the +door-posts of that wisdom by which grace is poured into the lips, and +mien, as well as heart--where "woman indeed becomes the glory of man;" +(1 Cor. xi. 7,) and then to see her lead them forth into life, from +these sacred shades, polished after the similitude of a palace.[3] Such +a school was well fitted to form the mind, refine the manners, and +under God to save the soul of our lamented friend. God had been pleased +to endow her with an unusual measure of personal beauty, and great charm +of character and mind. So that as soon as she entered into society, +which she did with great reserve, she attracted much attention, and was +universally admired. These things combined, might have been expected, +especially in early life, to draw her into the world; and lead her away +from the humbling and self-denying religion of her father's house. But +even before she gave her heart to God, there was an inimitable +simplicity in her character, manner, and dress, which evinced either a +total unconsciousness of her attractions, or a noble superiority to +human praise. Her good taste, and the better principles of the Gospel, +enabled her in all her after life, notwithstanding the many temptations +to which she was exposed, to exhibit the same transparent and lovely +example. + + [3] The following passages are so graphic, that it would seem as if + our day had set for the likeness, though they were written two + thousand six hundred years ago:--"Moreover the Lord saith, because + the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth + necks, wincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: + Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of + the daughters of Zion: The Lord will take away in that day the + bravery of their tinkling ornaments Footnote: about their feet, and + their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and + the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of + the legs, and the head-bands, and the ear-rings, the rings, the + changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the whimples, and + the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine linen, and the + hoods, and the veils."--Isaiah iii. chap. Behold the contrast! 1 + Peter iii. 1-6. 1 Timothy ii. chap. 9-10. + + +HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. + +The work of the Spirit was early begun in her heart; but it was for some +time resisted. Our acquaintance with her began just as she was closing +her domestic education, (in her sixteenth year,) and almost before she +had looked this evil world in the face. In 1820 she became decidedly +serious; and after several months of deep religious impression, +expressed a trembling hope of an interest in the Divine Redeemer. At +this time she was strongly disposed to make a public profession of +religion; but the salutary caution of her parents induced her to +postpone it to a future occasion. Subsequently to this, the extreme fear +which she ever after cherished, of self-delusion in religious exercises; +the high standard of Christian character which she had proposed to +herself; and her strong conviction of the frequent and very hurtful +inconsistencies of many professors of religion; influenced her, in the +end to defer that solemn step to a distant day. That day, as stated in +the narrative, did not arrive until after her marriage, her removal to +Kentucky, and her settlement as the wife of a pastor. In the mean time, +however, it cannot be doubted, that the grace of God had taken +possession of her heart. And when finally she did publicly connect +herself with the people of God, her tenderness of heart, her +self-distrust, her deep humility, her child-like simplicity, and +transparency of Christian character, condemned her _only_ for a delayed +profession, and left few fears for her sake in any bosom but her own. + +She was in a remarkable measure devoted to the Word of God. Her +extraordinary memory faithfully stored with its rich treasure in early +youth, vividly retained the chief part of it through life. The Psalmody +of Dr. Watts, her favourite author in that department, she had almost +wholly at her command. And with the Commentary of the inimitable Matthew +Henry, a Latin and a French Bible, and a Harmony of the Gospels at her +side, she daily and most devoutly searched the Scriptures. Clarke on the +Promises, was also a favourite book, especially in her last days; and +the Pilgrim's Progress was her companion to the "water's edge," where +her _real_ visions of the celestial city enabled her to lay the sweet +Dreamer by, as the Parting Pilgrim did his crutches, when on the bank of +the river he saw "chariots of fire" to bear him to the _Pearly Gates_. +Her diligence in studying the Bible, without in the least degree +neglecting her domestic duties, (and even in the days of her feeblest +health,) was truly wonderful. When a subject specially interested her, +she compiled and collated all the leading passages of the Bible upon it; +often writing them out at great length, and preserving them for +reference on future occasions. Indeed, so far did she carry her +interested inquiries into the various parts of the Old and New +Testament, and especially into the life of Christ, that she drew out a +harmony of the Gospels with her own hand; the better to confirm her +knowledge of the true order and relation of the events of his history. + +She was a most faithful hearer of the preaching of the Gospel. Her +luminous face cheered the progress of the herald of the Lord, and marked +the deep measure of her personal interest in the message from the skies. +Since her decease, we have found numerous briefs of sermons which she +had heard at different periods of her life, from those whom she most +admired. Some of these were delivered by Dr. James P. Wilson, and some +by her father, others by Dr. Green, but chiefly by the venerable and +honoured friend whose tribute to her memory is affixed to this Memoir. +He was undoubtedly her most esteemed instructor from the sacred desk. +His inimitable simplicity, vivacity, richness, and force of truth, +always carried her understanding and her affections along with him; and +those appeals which were most searching and simple, were most treasured +and admired. + +To her refined and candid spirit, nothing was more detestable than +religious parade. As it is intimated in the former chapter, it sometimes +served to repel her from things and people that were good, but savoured +of religious cant. She was especially shocked with the numberless and +painful examples of female impropriety in this way, which our age has +disclosed. But in all the appropriate walks of Christian females, and in +every becoming expression of their feelings and influence, though +diffident of herself, she promptly took her part. Perhaps her most +cherished occupation in the service of others, was that of a +Sunday-school teacher. Here she rejoiced in the work of her hands. Here, +without indelicacy or pretension, she could use the word of God, in his +house, and on his day, to teach the little children, whom like her Lord, +she so much loved to take in her arms and bless. She had for this +service uncommon adaptation in the vivacity of her mind, in the charm of +her manner, and especially in the rich store of her Biblical knowledge. +She continued this relation after she became a wife, and a mother; and +the tenderness of a Christian mother's love seemed to be transferred to +the little commonwealth of the Sabbath-school. + +We shall never forget the animation and delight with which she +communicated to us, two years before her decease, the account of a visit +which had been paid her very recently, by a highly respectable young +gentleman, then attached to a learned profession, the son of a +distinguished public man, who had been a member of her Sunday-school +class in Princeton, fifteen years before! + + +HER DEDICATION TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. + +It was not long after the first experience (as was hoped) of the grace +of God in her heart, that the relation was formed between herself and +the writer of these pages, which, by its consummation and close, became +in succession the crowning joy and the absorbing sorrow of his life. + +While this interesting event, combined with other causes, was made the +occasion (from an excess perhaps of delicacy on her part) of retarding +her public profession of religion, it led to an early and very decisive +trial of her Christian principles in another form. At this time the +friend whom she so much honoured by her affection, was devoted to the +work of Foreign Missions; and he had solicited her hand with the +distinct expression, both to herself and her venerable parents, of such +a purpose. This necessarily called her to consider the question of a +personal engagement in this work. She met and decided this question with +a promptitude and nobleness of Christian resolution which surprised even +those who knew her best; and though in the providence of God she was +spared the expected trial of separation for life from her family and +country, yet the unreserved dedication of herself to the Missionary +cause which her Redeemer enabled her to make, gave elevation to her +Christian character, and prepared her for the trials scarcely less +severe to which she was called in the domestic field. It was on the +ground of her having thus dedicated herself, that with so much +self-oblivion, and even cheerfulness, she encountered the many +difficulties of which we are now to speak. + + +HER SACRIFICES FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD. + +By a train of events over which we had no control, and in the +interpretation of which we were permitted to enjoy the direction of the +Church, (it would be needless to recite them here,) we were hindered +from indulging the desire to "go far hence to the Gentiles." But the +_principle_ of dedication for life was settled; and hence it was from +the first, understood and acted on at all times, that other things being +equal, the field at home in which there was opportunity to do most for +the conversion of the heathen, was always to be preferred, if offered by +the Lord of the harvest. Her first and second settlements could scarcely +be considered as giving occasion to many _sacrifices_. Lexington, +Kentucky, was in the bosom of her husband's native state. There, in the +garden of America, surrounded by a great circle of the most affectionate +kindred and friends, and in a city remarkable as the Athens of the west +for its refinement and general intelligence, and connected with a most +kind and worthy congregation, Mrs. B. felt, that even separation from +the home of her youth, was a form of trial so softened by her +circumstances, that it was converted into a mercy. + +In our removal to the interesting and important city of Baltimore, we +felt that goodness and mercy followed us, changing our abode, but +augmenting the number of our friends, and opening to us new and +effectual doors of usefulness. Her attachment was very strong to both +cities; she left each with regret; but still referring the decision to +others in whose wisdom and affection she confided, she cheerfully obeyed +their successive summons to depart. It was in leaving the latter city +that her sacrifices for the Church more especially commenced. At this +eventful period, (the summer of 1831,) it was found that there were more +than one thousand congregations in the Presbyterian Church without a +pastor, not to mention the immeasurable destitution of the heathen +world. To supply this immense demand required, in addition to the very +inadequate means already in use, a greatly enlarged and quickened effort +of the entire Church. This necessity was deeply felt by the General +Assembly of 1831, and led to the re-organization by that body of its +Board of Education. In the solemn providence of God, the writer of these +sketches was called to fill the office of Corresponding Secretary and +General Agent for that Institution. He found it impossible to resist +what appeared to be the voice of God speaking through his Church; +though in yielding to it he was constrained to dissolve forever the +sacred tie which bound him to a beloved people, and to pass from the +endearments of domestic and Pastoral life, to incessant toil and travel +in the wide and homeless world. She foresaw, and with keen anticipation +felt, all the trouble which such a step must bring upon herself and her +little household. But the decision of all her friends, excepting the +kind people we were about to leave, was in favour of removal. She +remembered her Missionary vows. She saw in it the sweetness as well as +the severity of the cross, and without a murmur meekly bowed to the +burden of the Lord. In this service, which continued for nearly five +years, she shared; and like an angel, soothed the trials of the work. +The comforts of domestic life were almost annihilated, either by +incessant separations, or the nameless discomforts of a constant absence +from home. During one entire year her house was occupied by her but _six +weeks_, the rest being spent in hotels, and boarding houses, and +steamboats, and stages, with occasional intervals of repose in the bosom +of related or attached families scattered through the wide field of her +visits from the Mississippi to the Hudson. Yet never did woman shine +with more lovely lustre at home; never was woman more indisposed to step +from this, her undisputed and delightful empire, into the confusion and +folly of this selfish and evil world. Yet did she give up all, and +consent to erect her domestic altar in the wilderness, and gather her +little fold on the highway, for Jesus' sake. When weary of a year of +travel, undertaken to shun a year of separation, she returned to occupy +and order her solitary home. There she was constrained, though both +tender and inexperienced, "to guide her house" alone; and to receive her +husband only as an occasional visitant. Still, she never murmured; nor +would we complain. But faithful history--now that she rests from her +labours, requires this narrative; and God permits the record of "_those +works which follow_" such "_as die in the Lord_." Thus, for five years, +were kept up the alternations of these affecting trials. They were +relieved, it must devoutly be acknowledged, by the unremitting +attentions of those kind and lovely families in Philadelphia, whose +virtues bound them to us by better ties than those of earthly +kindred--as "Zion's friends, and ours;" whose reward we will not attempt +to take out of a Saviour's hands by our poor praises; and whose +displeasure we shall only then be sure of incurring, when we attempt to +unveil to the public eye, the authors of so much disinterested and +untiring goodness. The same reference is due to very many families in +the city of New York, in which, for several successive years, she passed +the winters with her husband. He who thus imperfectly attempts to record +his gratitude, knew her worth so well, that he cannot wonder that such +friends should love her; and he feels it his duty here to say, that any +portion of success in the work herein referred to, is under God, largely +owing, not only to her influence on his labours, but to the charm which +she threw upon every circle with which she mingled, and the interest she +kindled in all the persons and objects which interested her. When, at +the end of two years, he felt overwhelmed with the review of her +domestic trials, and was strongly moved to abandon a work which made +them inevitable, _she_ earnestly resisted the thought of change; and +with generous self-devotion urged her husband forward in a work which, +though painful to her feelings, was in her view useful to the Church, +and pleasing to its glorious Head. As her impressions were those of all +her friends, and apparently of the Church at large, and as the Board +itself kindly relaxed some of the severer features of our trials, we +were confirmed in the conviction that it was our duty to persevere, lest +we should incur the divine displeasure, "_by being weary in +well-doing_." + +When, however, the indications of divine Providence in the spring of +1835 seemed plainly to say, that our work for the Board of Education was +done, and that we ought to enter the door opened for us at Princeton, +she was the last to see the duty of a removal; and though her parental +home was there, and though her heart and her wearied nature cried aloud +for rest, she would not allow any reasons for the change, to be drawn +from her wishes or her sacrifices, and to the last, rather _submitted_ +to, than _heartily approved_ of, the new relation. + +But how deep are the ways of God! Scarcely had she time to establish +herself in her new home at Princeton,[4] when another and loud call to +an agency, directly in behalf of _Foreign Missions_, was pressed upon +us. Though at this period her health had become evidently far more +delicate, she heard and heeded again the voice of her Saviour; and still +recalling the Missionary vow, offered herself again a willing sacrifice +on the altar of God. In deciding this momentous question (in the winter +of 1838, after having spent but eighteen months in Princeton, nearly +half of which was occupied by her husband in active agency in behalf of +the funds, library, &c. of the Theological Seminary,) we found +ourselves incapable of being instrumental in recalling her _still again_ +to the commotion, desertion at home, and incessant cares, of another +agency. Three months therefore were given to the important work, and the +offer of the office finally declined. Even here however, she persisted +in referring the decision to _public relations_ alone, leaving all +personal considerations out of view. And though fast approaching her end +(what at that time none of us knew) she spontaneously put herself at the +disposal of the friends of the Board of Foreign Missions, for her part +of any service which might be required of her husband, whether it was in +extensive journeys with him, or separation from him, or a winter's +sojourn with him and her children in the city of New York. For the +first, hoping it might invigorate her health, she was actually +furnished; and when that was abandoned for the last, she repaired, with +the spirit of her Master in her heart, to meet the trials it induced. It +was in the fresh recollection of the parting scene, on her way thither, +that the following sentences were addressed to the writer by the Rev. +Dr. Alexander. + + [4] It is at once a remarkable indication of the nobleness of those + Philadelphia friends already named, and of the extent to which her + worth and her sacrifices were appreciated, that on being informed + of our final purpose to remove to Princeton, they united in the + purchase of a commodious dwelling, which was presented to Mrs. + Breckinridge and her children. It is true, one object in view was, + the accommodation of the Professor (for the time) of Pastoral + Theology and Missionary instruction in the Seminary. But the terms + of the gift are specific; and when we attempted to alter the + direction of this munificent testimonial, so as to make it the + _property of the Institution_, it was peremptorily declined; and + the deed was drawn in the name of Margaret Breckinridge and her + children. + +"I cannot conclude, without a word to dear Mrs. Breckinridge. I admire +her ready submission to the calls of Providence. For although she cannot +help dropping the silent tear, she makes no complaint, but shuts up her +comfortable house, leaves her home and her friends, and as cheerfully as +she _can_, goes to live in a hotel, and among strangers. Well, she +shall not lose her reward. For these sacrifices she shall have rich +compensation: and our sweetest earthly pleasure is in doing the will of +our Heavenly Father." (Dated Princeton, December 17th, 1837.) + +At the close of the winter we returned to Princeton, hoping that now God +would grant us a little rest in that quiet village and that delightful +home, where not "_unaware we entertained an angel_." But ah! this +blessedness was not long intended for us. Having done her work, (though +still we did not fear it,) she was soon to be taken to her rest and her +reward on high. + + +HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. + +Her last sickness was of a protracted and very interesting character. +When she returned from New York, she was delicate and her state of +health was mysterious, but not yet alarming even to her physicians. Very +soon after this, she had a violent attack, which in a short season +prostrated her frame, and, disclosing a peculiar complication of +diseases, overwhelmed every mind in the family, but her own, (she was +calm,) with the most gloomy apprehensions of her danger. + +At the close of the winter term of the Theological Seminary, (May +first,) it was our anxious desire to take her to the Red Sulphur Springs +in Virginia. But it was too early in the season; and being yet doubtful, +whether this or that place would be useful or hurtful, it was agreed by +her physicians to indulge her strongly expressed wish to try the waters +of Saratoga. Thither therefore we went, pausing only a short time in the +city of New York for medical consultation. + +At this time, she was a most interesting object to all who saw her. Her +debility was so extreme that she was borne from place to place in the +arms of her husband, which, from her delicate frame, it was easy to do. +The gentleness and patience with which she endured her sickness, the +inimitable moral beauty of her countenance, and the general expression +of frailty mingled with grace, excited the deepest interest wherever she +passed.[5] + + [5] There is poetic beauty in the Stanza of Southey's on the + portrait of Bishop Heber, written after his decease; and though + fanciful it is striking. Blessed be God our Redeemer, we have surer + marks of recognition in the heavenly world. + + "They too, will gaze + Upon his effigy + With reverential love, + Till they shall grow familiar with its lines + And know him when they see his face in heaven." + +At Saratoga we spent a very quiet season of three weeks, (before the +great hotels were opened, or the crowds had arrived) at the house of a +most kind and deserving Christian woman, Mrs. Taylor, whose unceasing +attentions greatly conduced to soothe sufferings which God had pleased +should not be arrested. During this visit she used the waters freely, as +a beverage, and in the bath, with no apparent _injury_, except that it +evidently disclosed the fatal symptoms of her malady. She was able +almost every day, to take gentle rides in the open air, and frequently +to mingle with the family. But her chamber was her sanctuary. There she +reclined, feeding on the Word of God. She was especially delighted with +Clarke on the Promises. During that season of seclusion, she seemed to +grow in grace with a progress which surprised (while it delighted) us; +for we knew not then how near she was to the perfection of the heavenly +rest. But it has since been interpreted to us, by the event, as one of +God's peculiar mercies. What made this the more pleasing evidence of +grace was, that she did not know her own danger. It was the power of +religion poured upon her spirit by Him who was "hastening to make her up +among his jewels." At one time, she said--"Oh, yes, pray that the +_distance_ between God and me may be taken away." And after uniting, +with the most affecting solemnity and tenderness in the prayer which was +offered, she at its close expressed _aloud_ her joy in the exercise, (a +thing most unusual with her) and her delight in God her Saviour, who +_draweth nigh_. On another occasion, after hearing some of the promises +of _healing_ to the body, as collected by Clarke, she seemed for a +moment to be musing, she then gently said: "My dear----I am like the +poor woman who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could +be healed of any; but rather grew worse. _My hope is in the Great +Physician!_" + +Since we have been calm enough to review the various stages of her last +sickness in relation to her religious exercises, it has been a subject +of deep regret, and of no little self-reproach, that we had not made the +attempt at recording, as they were uttered, some of the deeply affecting +expressions of her Christian principles and feelings. But the tumultuous +hour of hope and fear, and hurried, anxious watching at the bed of +death, is not the time for cool calculation. Some of the most affecting +parts of such scenes are incapable of being written down, even by one +not interested in the sufferer. Nay, more--like the voices which John +heard from heaven in Patmos, the Spirit seems to say of them, "_write +them not_." These are "joys with which the stranger intermeddleth not." +(Prov. xiv. 10.) It is a sanctuary which no creature can enter. And then +our beloved Friend, who was often afraid to whisper her religious joys +to her Saviour, lest she should be found offering "strange fire" on his +altar, seldom talked of her hopes, (though often of her sins,) to her +nearest friends; and never, by _writing them_ down, put it in the power +of posthumous publications to expose them to the view of others. We can +only, therefore, illustrate her religious character, at the stage which +we now approach, by broken fragments of thoughts and feelings, caught +from her lips amidst the awful mercies of a dying hour. + +She began at length, visibly to sink, when Dr. Freeman, of Balston, +whose skilful and kind attentions she enjoyed, (Dr. Steel, of Saratoga, +having himself been recently removed by death,) strongly advised a +discontinuance of the use of the waters, and an attempt to reach the Red +Sulphur Springs. For now the prevailing type of the disease had become +distinctly pulmonary; and the skill of physicians, and the healing +waters, and all the help of man were vain. Now, for the first time, we +began to discern the dread reality of her approaching dissolution; and +had some foretaste of the _first_ anguish of such a loss.[6] + + [6] The following touching stanzas do more real honour to their + illustrious author, (Lord Palmerston) than all the distinctions of + his high rank and public life. + + Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish brings + His dearest earthly treasure to these springs; + Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain, + Shall court these salutary springs in vain: + Condemn'd, like me, to hear the faint reply, + To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye-- + From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death, + And watch in dumb despair the short'ning breath:-- + If chance should bring him to this humble line, + Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine. + Ordain'd to lose the partner of my breast, + Whose virtues warm'd me, and whose beauty bless'd; + Fram'd ev'ry tie that binds the heart to prove, + Her duty friendship, and her friendship love. + But yet, remembering that the parting sigh + Appoints the just to slumber, not to die, + The starting tear I check'd--I kissed the rod, + And not to earth resigned her, but to God! + +With heavy hearts, but hastened steps, we returned to Princeton; whence +almost in despair, yet anxious to try any and all means for so great an +end, we hastily set out with our meek sufferer for the Virginia Springs: +but as the previous narrative has recited, we were arrested at +Philadelphia. Here all was done by the assiduity and skill of her +physicians,[7] and the most tender and constant attentions of a great +number of friends. But her divine Redeemer claimed her for himself. She +returned to Princeton, to bless her household, and to die. On the +evening of June the 13th, she reached her children, and her earthly +home. On the morning of the 16th, a quarter before ten o'clock, with her +reason unclouded, in a frame of calm and holy triumph which marked the +dawning of heaven on her soul; with a meek prayer for permission to die, +and with but a single pang, she bade the world farewell, and ascended to +God! + + [7] Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson of New York, we + all owe more for their unwearied and sympathizing care than we have + words to express. + +Her remains were attended to the grave by a very large and deeply +affected assembly, after the delivery of the impressive funeral +discourse affixed to this Memoir; where they rest by the side of her +three little children, two daughters and a son, removed by death before. +The like number and of the same sex, two daughters and a son, are left +to the surviving parent, to mourn her loss, to treasure and imitate her +example, and, by the grace of the Saviour, to follow them to the skies, +where the "house now left desolate unto them" shall be restored with +added bliss; and the little family thus divided in the midst of life, +being reunited in pure and perfect love, be received into everlasting +habitations. + +A neat marble monument points to the spot where her dust reposes. + + +CHAPTER III. + +CLOSING REFLECTIONS. + +THUS it has pleased our Heavenly Father to "take away from us the desire +of our eyes, with a stroke." The first impression of such a loss is that +of _amazement_--overwhelming and bewildering the soul, and with strange +horror, destroying for a time, the power to feel. "Deep calleth unto +deep--all thy waves, and billows have gone over me." Such is the abyss +of grief! At such a time, our part is "to be still"--sitting, like the +Marys, "over against the sepulchre." + +When the disciples of John lost their earthly Master, "they came and +took the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." This ought to be +the first act of every mourner, _to tell it unto Jesus_. With him we +shall find both sympathy and support. And more than this: He resolves +the death of our friends into his own gracious sovereignty, when he +calls it, "the coming of the Son of Man." Death loses its terror when it +becomes his act of grace. "The death of his saints is precious in his +sight," and is always ordered with a supreme regard to their +blessedness, and his glory. So that the feeblest of his dying children +may confidently say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." +"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no +evil; for Thou art with me." + +There is a feeling about the death of our friends, which is made up in +part of unbelief, and in part of that tender regard which is produced by +their dependence on us through life. Those endearing relations which +make us their protectors, and supports, send their deep sympathies even +into the grave. Who of us that is a husband, or a parent, that does not +feel the horror of the separation aggravated by the spectacle of our +helpless kindred struggling alone in mortal strife with "the king of +terrors"? We, to whom they have always looked for succour, are then as +helpless as they, in their extremest need. We cannot even share their +agony. It is this which gives a nameless anguish to such a moment.[8] + + [8] One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was the death + of a little child, who, in the last moments, called on her mother + _to die with her_. This was the voice of nature. To this call the + heart would, but cannot respond. "Here our father and mother must + forsake us." + +But it is because we forget that "when father and mother," and all they +most depended on in life, "forsake them, then the Lord doth take them +up." The Christian is never so little alone as on the verge of heaven. +The Lord of life is there. Underneath are the everlasting arms; and +through all the terrors of the grave; and above all the tumult of that +last hour, the Shepherd's voice is heard, saying--"IT IS I--BE NOT +AFRAID." While some pass over Jordan on the wing, and some struggle +through the waves, yet all safely pass. Not one of them shall perish, +but each appear in Zion before God. + +It adds tenderness and force to these consoling hopes, that Jesus once +"tasted death himself." It moves us, that "Jesus wept." But it gives a +new nature to death, that Jesus died! For while the _merit_ of _his_ +death takes the sting from ours, his presence in the tomb dispels all +its terrors. Therefore, since Jesus died, let us consent to death; and +surrender at his call those most dear to us. + + The graves of all his saints he blest, + And softened every bed-- + Where should the dying members rest, + But with their dying head! + +It must be sweet to lie in that grave which he has hallowed by his +presence among the dead. + +One of the considerations which should make us acquiesce in the removal +of our beloved friends who die in the Lord, is this--that we are +suffering for their sakes; and that they could not be blessed without +our sufferings. For their death, (the dread cause of all our grief,) was +necessary to their perfect and eternal blessedness. This thought ought +to soften every pang. If we really love them, and if our sacrifices for +them while they were here below, were the fruit of our love, then we +have only to remember that this is one prolonged, supreme sacrifice for +their sakes.--This reflection if properly pursued, would often turn our +mourning into gladness.[9] And then, if this weight of sorrow that is +laid on us may but be duly improved and meekly borne; if it may not only +mark the bliss of our friends begun on high, but be made by a wise and +good God conducive to our growth in grace--it will have in it the pledge +of our everlasting re-union in heaven; and thus be an affliction doubly +blessed. + + [9] A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in subduing + grief, is given in the narrative of one of our American + missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were alone in a barbarous + land, far away from any creature who cared for their Lord or for + them. Suddenly his friend was taken from him. In that awful moment + of desertion and anguish, after commending the parting soul to God, + and closing the eyes of the dead, _he kissed his cold lips, and + thought, "What glory has already burst upon his view!"_ In this + thought his sorrow was lost. + +But the silencing, yea, elevating thought of all is, that it is _for +Jesus' sake_, we are called to suffer. "_The Master_ is come and called +for her." It is indeed the richest of our earthly treasures. Our own +life were a far lighter offering. But for that reason we honour him the +more. It is our _Isaac_ that God calls for; and it is then indeed we +honour God when we can _offer_ like Abraham. We shall receive the +offering back, if not as soon, as certainly--and at no distant day! +When, therefore, He who laid down his life for us, asks for our richest +gift, let us not call him a hard master, but give without a murmur. + +The death of our friends should have the effect of bringing Heaven +nearer to us. We ought to cultivate, if we may so speak, _domestic_ +views of that blessed world to which we are so much honoured as to have +sent up angels from our households. While all superstitious emotions are +carefully to be quelled, we are permitted to draw very nigh to them. We +may cherish their image in our memories and hearts; we still belong to +the same great communion--and all are members of that body of which +Jesus is the head. "As death does not separate from the Lord, neither +does it divide the saints from one another. Our spirit and theirs daily +meet at the one throne--they to praise, we to pray; therefore, in that +sense, though we are absent in body, we are present in spirit." + +And the distance which lies between them and us is daily growing less. +How swiftly we travel, yea, fly, in all the speed of time! It may not be +an inappropriate close to these meditations, to insert the family hymn, +with which the remnant of a bereaved household often close the day, and +comfort each others' hearts, at the hour when we feel most desolate. + + Come let us join our friends above, + That have obtained the prize; + And on the eagle wings of love, + To joy celestial rise. + + Let saints below his praises sing, + With those to glory gone; + For all the servants of our King, + In heaven and earth are one. + + One family, we dwell in him, + One church above, beneath: + Though now divided by the stream, + The narrow stream of death. + + One army of the living God, + To his commands we bow; + Part of the host have crossed the flood, + And part are crossing now. + + Ten thousand to their endless home, + This solemn moment fly; + And we are to the margin come, + And soon expect to die. + + Dear Saviour, be our constant guide, + Then when the word is given, + Bid the cold waves of death divide, + And land us safe in heaven. + +And now, in bringing to a close these very imperfect notices of a +beloved saint of God, it is proper to say, that much more might truly +have been added in reference to many points of her character, that would +have been proper, and interesting: as for example, her intellectual +endowments; her extensive acquirements; her domestic life; her personal +accomplishments. But we fear to indulge our feelings. Nor is it needful. +For it was her Christian character mainly which we designed to +illustrate. Her love for the Redeemer, and her sacrifices for his sake, +were the jewels which adorned her on earth, and which lose not their +lustre in death. It was the glory of all those qualities which so +eminently fitted her to attract the admiration of this world, that she +meekly laid them at the Saviour's feet. There also, we desire to leave +this humble tribute to one whose "sun went down while it was yet day," +praying that he who thus early fitted her for heaven, may by these poor +means prolong her usefulness, and bless her memory on earth. + + + + + SUBMISSION: + + + A SERMON + + OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. A. ALEXANDER, D.D. + + + + +SERMON. + +PSALM XLVI. 10. + +"Be still, and know that I am God." + + +OMITTING all critical discussion of the true import of the text, I will +consider the words as addressed by Jehovah to his own people, when +suffering affliction under the strokes of his mighty hand. It may be +considered as the language of authority; or of consolation. According to +the first view, it is as if the Almighty had said, "Be still, and +neither repine, nor rebel, for your affliction comes not from the dust, +but from me, your rightful Sovereign; to whom you owe absolute +subjection." If viewed in the sense last mentioned, then it will be as +though God, feeling compassion towards his afflicted saints, puts them +in mind of the sure refuge which they had in him; as if he had said, "Be +calm and unruffled, in the midst of all your overwhelming calamities, +for I am able to sustain you, and to deliver you by my Almighty arm." +"Be still, and know that I am God." In either case, the result, as to +our duty, is the same. Unreserved submission is the thing enjoined, and +the reason to enforce the injunction is, "_I am God_." + +"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He +cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, +and continueth not. His days are determined: the number of his years are +with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass." No +condition in this life is exempt from trouble. No bulwarks can be +erected by kings and princes, strong enough, and high enough, to be a +safeguard against the shafts of adversity. In regard to this matter, the +rich and the poor stand very much upon a level. "Man is born unto +trouble as the sparks fly upward." Hence, this life has justly been +denominated, "the vale of tears." Uninterrupted bliss cannot be found +beneath the skies. The righteous are not exempt, but many are their +afflictions. Besides a participation in the common lot of humanity, they +have troubles peculiar to themselves. The dispensations of God towards +his own people, are, indeed, in covenant love and faithfulness, but they +are not calculated to encourage them to take up their rest in this +world, but to render their path so thorny, and their bed so uneasy, that +they are continually admonished of their duty to set their affections on +things above, and to press forward as pilgrims to the possession of +their heavenly inheritance. + +The reasons which should persuade us to exercise unreserved and +uncomplaining submission to the will of God, as manifested in the +dispensations of his wise and righteous Providence, are at the same +time obvious and weighty. But, here, as in other cases, theory and +practice are very different things. On this subject, we all can teach +and inculcate what is right; but when it becomes necessary to practise +our own lessons, we experience a sad deficiency. This is a school in +which, sooner or later, we must all be learners; and it behoves us to +use diligence in preparing ourselves to endure trials with fortitude, +and cheerfully to acquiesce in those painful events, which we cannot +avoid. Some persons, when overtaken by severe strokes of adversity, are, +like the bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, restive and rebellious; they +resist the hand which presses them, and struggle to throw off the yoke. +Such a course is altogether unwise, and must be unsuccessful. "Wo to him +that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds strive with the +potsherds of the earth," but let not a feeble, sinful worm rise up in +rebellion against the Almighty; for who hath hardened himself against +him and hath prospered? And when there is no open rebellion, there is +often a spirit of discontent and murmuring, which, though smothered in +the breast, partakes of the nature of rebellion, and is the very +opposite of cordial, filial submission. Every degree of this temper, +whether concealed or expressed, is exceedingly offensive to God, as we +learn from his word, and is so far from mitigating the evils which we +suffer, that it doubles their pressure; it makes even a light burthen +intolerable. + +Others again, endeavour to form habits of hardy insensibility; they seek +refuge from the keen arrows of affliction, in a stoical indifference. +They affect to contemn, as weak, and wanting in fortitude, all those who +seem to suffer exquisitely under the strokes of adversity. Much +practical progress never can be made in this unnatural system. Whatever +men may profess or pretend, nature will assert her claims, and if her +feelings may be for a season suspended, she will again resume her sway; +and indeed the equanimity acquired by these principles, has been more in +appearance than reality; and the greatest adepts in eradicating the +susceptibilities of our nature, have only learned the art of +successfully concealing the emotions of their bosoms from the +observation of others. + +But while some endeavour to obtain relief by rendering themselves +insensible to the calamities of life, and aim at braving the storms of +adversity, there are others, who err on the opposite extreme. Under the +chastising hand of God, they are prostrated in the dust; not in +humility, but in despondency; their sorrow not only casts them down, but +overwhelms them. They find themselves sinking in deep waters, where +there is no standing. Such persons not only put away all hope, but cease +from all exertion, and abandon themselves to grief; forgetting the +exhortation which speaketh unto them as to children, "My son, despise +not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of +him." + +There is but one effectual remedy for the evils to which man is heir, +while on his earthly pilgrimage; and that is RELIGION--true religion, +not merely apprehended and approved in its theory, but deeply felt, and +cordially embraced in the inmost soul. This is the only principle of +sufficient potency to tranquillize the perturbations of the soul when +deeply afflicted. This only can sustain the mind, ready to sink into +despair. This furnishes the only medicine which heals the anguish of the +broken heart; the only balm which relieves the wounds made in the spirit +by painful bereavements. Here the superlative value of true religion is +realized; and this principle of heavenly origin is found to possess a +power, not only to sustain the soul under the heaviest pressure of +affliction, but to pour sweet consolations into the desolate and +troubled heart. Here, indeed, is opened a fountain of refreshing +streams, in the midst of this dreary wilderness, of which the poor +heathen had no knowledge, and of which the men of the world are still +ignorant. + +These blessed effects of genuine piety are not produced by any +irrational process, or blind impulse; but by the contemplation of truths +adapted to the end. Consolations which do not rest on this firm +foundation, will ever be found precarious, and commonly evanescent. +Buoyant hope and cheerful resignation must have the solid pillar of +truth on which to repose. It will therefore be consonant to our present +purpose, to bring more distinctly into view, some of those important +doctrines, the practical belief of which leads to the exercise of +Christian submission. + +That which lies at the foundation of the whole, is, that God exists, and +governs all events by his providence. Whatever men profess, or +speculatively believe, as it relates to the actual presence and +operative providence of God, there is undoubtedly much practical atheism +in the hearts of men. Most feel and act as if there was no God, and as +if all things happened by chance. This is remarkably manifest when they +are suddenly cast down into deep affliction. They recognise not the hand +that smites them. They seem to think, that affliction cometh from the +dust, and that trouble springeth out of the ground. In all their bitter +lamentations, their views extend no farther than to the proximate causes +of their distress; and they often experience the bitterest regret, +because they did not pursue a different course, or make use of different +means from what they did; although with the knowledge possessed, they +could not have done better. Under the same short-sighted views, they are +prone to censure others who have had an innocent instrumentality in +bringing about the events by which they are distressed. All this arises +from the want of faith in Divine Providence; and too much of this +unbelief cleaves to the pious themselves, and greatly aggravates their +calamities. But when their faith in the being and providence of God is +strong, they see his hand in every thing good and evil, which occurs; +they behold him operating through all nature, and giving efficacy to all +second causes; and are as fully persuaded that he directs the fall of a +sparrow, as the overthrow of a kingdom. This doctrine of an universal +and particular Providence, is the foundation of our trust in God, for +security and sustenance. How beautifully did Christ teach this lesson to +his disciples, when he said, "Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow +not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly +Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And why take ye +thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; +they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even +Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, +if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow +is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little +faith?" + +When the dark and cloudy day of adversity, or the long and tempestuous +night comes upon us--when our comforts are suddenly blasted, and our +brightest earthly prospects are obscured, then, instead of repining or +desponding, we should betake ourselves to the doctrine of an overruling +Providence. The dispensation may be dark, and afflictive, and even +profoundly mysterious; yet we should think, it is God that hath done it. +These are his footsteps. This is the operation of his hand. He it is, +"who formeth the light and createth the darkness; that maketh peace, and +createth evil." The more, in such circumstances, we look beyond all +creatures, and second causes, and fix our thoughts and our faith, on God +alone, the sooner shall we find composure of mind. If we fully believe +that God is in the storm, and that it is his voice which is heard in the +thunder, and his face which is seen in the flashing of the lightning, +the less shall we be terrified with the apprehension of unknown dangers. + +But we are permitted to know not only that God governs all human affairs +by his Providence, but also that his dispensations, as it relates to his +own people, are all ordered in wisdom, in faithfulness, and in love. The +doctrine of Providence can bring no true consolation to any who are +unreconciled to God. They may know that it is his rod by which they are +smitten, but they cannot tell but his strokes are those of vindicatory +justice, and only a prelude to more intolerable pains. Before we can +repose with confidence and comfort on the faithfulness, wisdom, and +goodness of the Divine dispensations, we must possess some evidence that +our sins are pardoned and our persons accepted; for the more perfect +the Divine government, the more certainly will punishment pursue the +guilty. Our cheerful resignation to the afflictions of life, is +therefore, closely connected with our justification through the merits +of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we contemplate our own sins and +imperfections only, we can entertain no other feeling, than a fearful +looking for of wrath; but when with the spirit of adoption we can look +up to our heavenly Father's reconciled face, we need not be alarmed nor +cast down, under the heaviest afflictions which befall us. We know that +he doth not willingly afflict his beloved children, but out of love +chastises them for their greater good, that they may become in a higher +degree, partakers of his holiness. They are assured, therefore, that all +these painful events shall be so overruled, as to work for their good. +And the Holy Scriptures clearly teach, that although these chastisements +are, for the present, not joyous, but grievous, yet, hereafter, they +will produce in them who are exercised thereby, the peaceable fruits of +righteousness. They eminently conduce to wean the affections from this +vain world, to humble the spirit in the dust under a sense of +unworthiness, and to excite an ardent spirit of prayer. It is, moreover, +by a severe but salutary discipline of this kind, that saints are made +meet for the heavenly inheritance. And not only so, but these temporary +afflictions, somehow or other, will have a direct efficiency in +increasing their future felicity and glory, according to that remarkable +declaration of Paul, "These light afflictions which are but for a +moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory." It is not surprising, therefore, that God who loves his people +with an unchangeable love, should visit them with the rod. It is the +method which he takes to purge out their dross and their tin. Affliction +is therefore compared to a furnace, in which the precious metals are +assayed and purified. Thus Peter comforts suffering Christians in his +time: + +"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to +try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, +inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory +shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Again: "That +the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that +purifieth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto peace, and +honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." + +In the testimony just cited, there is another interesting reason +suggested for the affliction of Christ's disciples. And it is one which +must be touching to the hearts of all who truly love their Lord. It is, +that as he was pre-eminently "the man of sorrows," there is a congruity +in their participating in suffering, that in this respect, as in +others, they may be conformed to his example. Paul also makes express +and repeated mention of the same thing. "If children, then heirs of God, +and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we +may also be glorified together." He speaks of this communion with Christ +in suffering, as a characteristic of discipleship, and as a high +privilege, "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord +Jesus."--"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to +believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Christians, therefore, +in primitive times, gloried in their severest sufferings. And now, no +consideration is more efficacious in fortifying the believer against +fainting than the idea of the sufferings of Christ for us. It would seem +that they who have been privileged to endure nothing for Christ's sake, +would scarcely be admitted to reign with him in glory. + +And as we should endeavour, while in the world, to glorify God to the +utmost of our power, by letting the light of a holy example shine forth, +so there is no situation in which piety appears to greater advantage, +than when exercised in deep affliction. What disposition can be +conceived as possessing more moral beauty, than the grace enjoined in +our text; _cheerful, quiet submission to the will of our heavenly +Father_, under the heaviest pressure of his hand. And as we all are +conscious that there is yet much impurity and dross cleaving to our +nature, we should rejoice in being subjected to a process, though it be +a fiery one, by which we might be more and more purified from sin. +Indeed, we cannot do without this salutary discipline: our salvation, +probably, depends upon our sufferings as a means of conservation in a +state of grace. We ought not, therefore, "to think it strange concerning +the fiery trial, which is to try us, as though some strange thing +happened to us; but should rather rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers +of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, we may be +glad with exceeding joy." + +"Be still, and know that I am God." Be calm and submissive; be not +alarmed nor perturbed; let your resignation to the Divine will be +unreserved and cheerful. Seize the occasion, which severe afflictions +offer, to show your entire willingness that God should govern and +dispose of you and yours according to his own sovereign will. He is +wise, and knows how to order every thing for the best. He is powerful, +and can bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil. He is +faithful, and will certainly fulfil all his gracious promises. He is +good and merciful, and will consult the best interests of his children +in all his dealings towards them; and even those events which seem to be +most adverse, he will so temper and overrule, that ultimately, and +relatively, they will be made to work for their good. + +Under sore and unexpected bereavements, the human heart will bleed; and +the susceptible feelings will be lacerated, and the gush of sorrow will +have its course; but grace comes in and suggests considerations which +ought to moderate our grief; and to teach us to be quietly submissive to +the hand of the Almighty. It is a blessed state, when the feelings of +the man are absorbed in the nobler feelings of the Christian; when our +will is swallowed up in the will of God. What He doeth we know not now, +but we shall know hereafter. It will not be long until we shall be able +to see, "that he hath done all things well." + +In the recent mournful dispensation of Divine Providence, we see how +many hearts may be wounded, and how many joys withered, by a single +stroke. In this interesting group of mourners, we behold the aged +parents weeping over the lifeless body of a much loved, and very lovely +daughter. They have lived to witness the premature departure of one, +whom they might naturally have expected to be a comfort to them in their +declining years, and to wipe from their foreheads the cold drops, in a +dying hour. Parental bereavements admit of less alleviation, than +others, from earthly considerations. The friends and comforts which, +late in life, we lose, we cannot hope to have made up to us. And, +sometimes, the parents of a numerous offspring are preserved so long, +that they survive all, or most of their children; and they stand, like +aged trees, which, by successive storms, have been stripped of their +foliage and branches. But, although bereaved parents cannot draw much +consolation, under their afflictions, from this world; yet the rich +consolations of the Gospel are accessible to them, and peculiarly +appropriate to their condition. The pious do not know how to appreciate +the promises of God rightly, until, in the hour of affliction, they are +made to experience their power and sweetness. We cannot blame these +parents for mourning the loss of a first born and very amiable daughter; +but we trust that they now find support and comfort in that God on whose +Almighty arm they have long trusted. They have not now for the first +time, to learn the riches of that grace which is treasured up in Christ +Jesus; and may they be enabled to come now to that fountain of mercy, by +the streams of which they have been so often refreshed and comforted, +under former trials! + +The grief of affectionate brothers and sisters also, flows this day, in +a strong current. They feel as if a part of themselves had been taken +away; and yet they can scarcely realize the extent of their calamity. It +often requires time for grief to become rooted in the soul. The first +gush of sorrow from the bleeding heart, is indeed a more sensible +emotion, but the full value of our loss is not felt, until after serious +reflection. It is a painful thing to be separated from those around +whom our earliest and tenderest affections were entwined. The thought of +never again, in this world, seeing a face, from which always the most +benignant affections beamed upon us, cannot but leave a melancholy and +heart-sinking impression. Who can adequately describe the anguish +produced by the sudden severance of hearts, long cemented in the bands +of the tenderest affection! But, though nature will be obeyed, and the +floods of sorrow cannot be altogether restrained, yet there is a +Christian duty incumbent on those placed in these circumstances. The +command does not say, that we should not weep, but that we should not +sorrow as those that have no hope. Christians are not divested of the +common sensibilities of humanity; but they possess principles much +higher than mere humanity, by which they moderate their passions, and by +which the stream of natural sorrow may be sanctified, and turned into +that of "godly sorrow, which worketh a repentance not to be repented +of." + +But among the weeping mourners, on this sad occasion, I see some, who +though deeply affected, can scarcely be supposed capable, on account of +their tender age, of estimating the irreparable loss which they have +sustained. I call the loss of a mother _irreparable_; because, however +many affectionate friends may stand ready to do all in their power to +supply a mother's place; yet, the assiduity, forbearance, and +tenderness, so requisite in the treatment of young children, can be +expected in perfection from nothing but that affection, which the +Creator has deeply implanted in the hearts of mothers. To those who have +had long experience in the world, there are few ideas more affecting +than that of _a motherless child_. But orphaned, as these dear little +ones are, by the loss of one parent, they are, I may say, on this +account, more peculiarly the care of a covenant God, whose promise +extends not only to believers, but to their seed, and whose kind care +extends especially to such children of the faithful, as have been +bereaved of one or both parents. These dear children, we confidently +trust will be the objects not merely of God's common goodness, but of +his special grace; and after spending a life of usefulness in acts of +piety and beneficence, will enjoy the blessed privilege of regaining +their beloved mother, in the mansions of glory, where sickness, death, +and tears, will be known no more. + +In addressing the interesting group of mourners now before me, I +perceive one, whose griefs are too big for utterance, and whose swelling +bosom cannot be soothed, at this time, by any of the common topics of +consolation. An officious intrusion into the sacred recess of such +indescribable sorrows, only serves to exacerbate, rather than mitigate +the wounded spirit. All that the kindest friends can do, in such a case, +is to let their warmest, tenderest sympathies fall in with the tide of +overwhelming grief, which rejects all consolation. "Weep with them that +weep." There is another thing which we can do, and that far more +important, we can pray for our afflicted and bereaved brother. In such +circumstances, prayer is almost our only refuge; for all our help must +come from God. While the voice of man is powerless to afford relief, +there is ONE who causes his voice to be heard even in the midst of the +tempest. And his authoritative, his affectionate language to our beloved +brother is, "_Be still, and know that I am God_." "God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble." It is somewhere related of +that eminently pious reformer, Luther, that when he fell into any great +trouble, he was wont to say to his friends, "Come, let us sing the +forty-sixth psalm." + +A striking example of uncomplaining submission we have in the good old +priest Eli, who, when informed that God was about to bring such +judgments on his house, as would cause the ears of every one that heard +them to tingle; meekly replied, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth +him good." + +And the patriarch Job, when deprived of all his property, and of all his +children, humbled himself and worshipped God, saying--"The Lord gave, +and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." "What, +shall we receive good from the hand of the LORD, and shall we not +receive evil?" + +When Jesus visited the mourning family of Bethany, who were among his +dearest friends, he did not say to the afflicted sisters, weep not--but +the compassionate Redeemer united his tears with theirs; for it is +written, "Jesus wept." These were indeed only the tears of sympathy, for +it was in his benevolent purpose to restore the deceased brother to his +disconsolate sisters. Here also, we have a striking illustration of the +truth, that God's children are ignorant often of his kind designs, when +he permits sore afflictions to come upon them; "If thou hadst been +here," said both the weeping sisters, "my brother had not died." Their +regret was keen, and unmitigated by any known circumstance; but in one +short hour, they were, no doubt, glad that their Lord was not +there--they rejoiced that their beloved brother had died; because the +glory of God and the power of the Redeemer had now been manifested. +Indeed, a gracious visit from Jesus will turn our bitterest sorrows into +joy. His name--his word--his grace--has a mighty power to calm the +swelling surges of overwhelming sorrow. He can say, as he did to the +raging storm, "Peace, be still," and there will be a great calm. Were it +not for thoughts of God--of his providence, and promises, and of the +seasonable and effectual aid of his grace, grief would often drown the +soul in perdition; as it often does work death in the heathen, and in +the men of the world, who are without God, and without hope. + +It would be in place here to speak of our dear departed sister, whose +loss we now mourn; but this task will hereafter be better performed by +another hand. And to this audience little need be said; for she was +brought up among you from her childhood, and enjoyed the affectionate +regards of this community in no common degree, as is manifest by the +general and tender sympathy felt on this occasion. By her sweet +simplicity, engaging vivacity, affectionate temper, and affable manners, +our beloved friend endeared herself to her acquaintances and neighbours, +wherever she resided. And in regard to her Christian character, she +adorned her profession by a consistent life and conversation, in all the +relations which she sustained. + +Her latter end was calm and peaceful. She felt some dread of the pangs +of dissolution; but in regard to what comes after death, she had no +fear--her hope continued firm and her prospects bright to the last +moment. + +It is always a cause of lively gratitude, when God is pleased to sustain +his dear children in passing through "the valley of the shadow of +death." It affords to mourning friends the sweetest consolation which +could be received under such sore bereavements. This consolation of our +benignant Father has not been withheld in the present instance. Mourning +friends are permitted to rejoice in the midst of their overflowing +sorrow, in the confident hope, that the departed spirit of our dear +sister, free from all sin and pain, rests sweetly in the love and +beatified vision of her divine Redeemer. + +"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD THAT DIE IN THE LORD, FROM HENCEFORTH; YEA, SAITH +THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS; AND THEIR WORKS DO +FOLLOW THEM." + + + + + LETTERS + + OF + + A GRANDFATHER, + + + TO THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D. + + + PART II. + + + + +LETTERS + +OF + +A GRANDFATHER. + + +LETTER I. + +INTRODUCTORY. + +MY DEAR GRANDCHILDREN:--The decease of your beloved and lamented Mother, +has placed both you and me in circumstances of great solemnity and +responsibility. To be deprived of a mother's care and counsel at the +tender age at which she left you, is indeed a loss which no human +arithmetic can estimate; especially to be deprived of _such_ a mother, +one so well qualified by strength of intellect, by sincere piety, and by +peculiar loveliness of character, to be a blessing to you, for time and +eternity, is a bereavement of which, even now, I know not how to speak +without emotions too strong for utterance. While this precious Parent +lived, she seemed to interpose between your beloved grandmother and +myself, and any immediate responsibility in regard to your education; +but now that she is removed, we seem to be brought, in the mysterious +and mournful Providence of God, to stand in some measure in her place, +and to perform some of the most important duties which she owed to her +children. And, although your surviving Parent is eminently fitted, both +by nature and grace, to be a guide to your youth; yet, as he is engaged, +and is likely for some time to be engaged, in active, arduous, and +extended labours for the Church of God, which will probably separate him +from you often and much for a considerable time;--an additional +responsibility on our part seems to grow out of every circumstance. + +It is under these impressions that I now address you. Your grandparents +are drawing near to the end of their course. They must soon leave you in +a depraved and ensnaring world. What they do for your benefit, they must +do quickly. As one placed in these tender and endearing relations to +you, and in these solemn circumstances, allow me to pour out the fulness +of a heart most earnestly engaged for your welfare, and desiring more +ardently than I am able to express, to see you walking in truth and +happiness, and embalming by your conduct, as well as by your affection, +the memory of that blessed Parent, who, if she is ever permitted from +her high and holy abode, to look down on those whom she has left behind, +will rejoice to see you making choice of that path which leads to the +same blessedness. + +There are two considerations, beloved grandchildren, which, I think, you +will all agree, entitle me to expect from you a respectful and +affectionate attention to what I have to offer in these letters. The +_first_ is, that I have lived a long and somewhat eventful life; and, of +course, my range of _experience_ has not been small. In my three-score +and tenth year, I have had an opportunity of following many young people +from the cradle to the grave. I have seen the training, the subsequent +course, and the end of thousands. Need I say, that the lessons derived +from such experience are not unworthy of your regard? O, if you could +start in your career with that practical knowledge of the vanity, the +snares, and the sufferings of the world, which has come to me through +the medium of many a melancholy sight, and many a painful conflict, how +great would be the advantage! But this cannot be. Happy were it for you, +if you were willing to profit as you might from the experience of +others. But neither can this be expected, in ordinary cases, to be +realized. I cannot, however, admit the thought, that you will be willing +to reject this teaching altogether. + +The _second_ claim which I have on your attention is, my ardent and +affectionate desire to promote your happiness. You cannot suspect me of +any sinister design in what I have to say. This would be to suppose me +capable of "hating my own flesh." No, dear children, I have no desire to +damp the sanguine joy, or cloud the smiling sun of your youth. I would +not take from you a single rational pleasure. On the contrary, I delight +to see you happy; and desire, by all the means in my power to promote +your true enjoyment and honour. But you must allow me now, in my old +age, when I have seen so much of the illusions of the world, and so many +examples of the destruction of those who yielded to them, to counsel +you, not in the style of youthful flattery, but in the language of +"truth and soberness." You will find nothing in these letters intended +to carry a point by overpainting, or by any other artifice. If you have +a real disinterested friend on earth, who unfeignedly wishes to promote +your best interest in both worlds, it is he who now addresses you. I +shall not give a counsel or an injunction, but what I verily believe +your precious Mother, if she were permitted to speak from the bosom of +her Saviour, would ratify with all her heart. + +You will observe that some of my counsels have a respect to objects +beyond the period of childhood, which you now occupy. The truth is, I +expect soon to leave you. Probably long before any of you shall reach +adult age. Of course, I feel that what I have to say at all, had better +be said _now_. I may have no other opportunity. Besides, one of the +great truths which I wish to impress upon your minds is, that you are, +even at your present age, sowing the all important seeds of a future +harvest of good or evil. You will not find a single habit or attainment +recommended in the following pages, which, if you are ever to gain it, +you will not find an advantage in having calculated and prepared for, as +far as possible, at the earliest age. The earlier you begin to imbibe +good principles, and lay good plans, the better will it be for all the +future. + +Let me entreat you, then, to receive with all the affection and docility +of dutiful children, the counsels of one who, while he writes, looks up +to "Him who has the residue of the Spirit," that what is rightly said, +may be impressed upon your hearts, and made to bring forth precious +fruit, to your happiness, and to the glory of his holy name! + + +LETTER II. + +HUMAN NATURE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--On all important subjects there are certain great facts +which must be regarded as fundamental; as lying at the foundation of all +truth, and all duty. I feel that this is peculiarly the case in regard +to the counsels which I am about to give you concerning your course in +life. Among these fundamental facts are the depravity, the misery, and +the numberless temptations of the world in which you live; the depravity +of your own nature, ever ready to be attracted by the allurements and +corruptions of the world; and your consequent need of the grace of God, +at every step, for your guidance, protection, and deliverance. And until +you know and feel, and in some degree lay to heart, that the world in +which you live is a fallen, depraved world; that its habitual maxims and +ways are hostile to your best interests; that you are yourselves, by +nature, miserable sinners, standing in need of pardoning mercy, and +sanctifying grace; and that you are every day exposed to snares and +perils, from the joint influence of a depraved nature and a corrupt +world;--until you have learned, in some good measure, to recognise these +facts; to dwell upon them daily and hourly; and to receive the lessons +which they are adapted to teach; you are not prepared even to _begin_ +life. You are not prepared to meet or encounter the most common scenes, +much less the more formidable dangers which are likely to beset your +path every day that you live. But the moment you are brought to admit +these humbling, momentous truths; to feel their reality; and to consider +and treat them in some degree according to their practical importance; +then, and not till then, may we hope you will be ready to make a proper +estimate of the world; to guard against its allurements; to ponder well +what you need for securing your true happiness; and to implore that +divine aid which is necessary if you desire, in such circumstances, to +perform any duty aright. And, therefore, when I see young people +apparently forgetful of the character of their own hearts, and of the +world in which they live; thinking that all is gold that glitters; and +imagining that they can safely trust to their own wisdom and strength in +every situation, I regard them as objects of the deepest commiseration, +and as wholly unqualified for either the duties or the best enjoyments +of life. + +Know, then, dear children, and remember, that you belong to an apostate +race; that we are all, according to the declaration of God's own word, +"born in sin," and "shapen in iniquity;" that we are "by nature the +children of wrath;" that our native propensities are all of them +corrupt; opposed to God; impelling us to habits and practices forbidden +by his law, and unfriendly to our best interest. Remember, too, that, so +far from being able to trust your own hearts to resist the temptations +around you, and to guide you aright, they are all naturally inclined to +that which is evil, and disposed to take side with the vanities and +corruptions of the world. So that there is constant need of self-denial; +of imposing restraints upon all our appetites and passions; and of +submitting, especially in early life, to the counsels of the wise and +the good, who have gone before us in the journey of life, and have had +more experience than ourselves of its temptations and dangers. + +Hence it is, that so large a part of religion is represented in +Scripture as consisting in opposing our own corrupt inclinations; in +"crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts;" in constant +efforts to bring down pride and vanity; to mortify our evil +propensities; "to keep under the body;" to "rule our own spirits;" and, +in general, to gain the victory over ourselves. All these expressions +imply that the course of true wisdom is a warfare with evil; that our +most formidable enemies are within; and that resisting our own corrupt +nature is at once the most constant, and the most serious part of our +duty as accountable creatures. + +Nor is this all. Not only is our nature corrupt; not only are we from +our very birth, prone to evil "as the sparks fly upward;" but we are +also by nature under condemnation. In the language of that incomparable +Catechism, with which you have been familiar from lisping infancy--and +every doctrine of which, as I believe, is drawn from the Bible--"All +mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and +curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death +itself, and to the pains of hell forever." + +Such is the condition of our race by nature. Not only depraved and +unworthy, but guilty, condemned, and perishing; not only in _danger_ of +being forever lost; but already under a sentence of death, unless +rescued from it by the power and grace of the Saviour. All the posterity +of Adam are by nature, "dead in trespasses and sins," having no +resources within themselves for regaining the favour and image of God. +"The carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not in subjection to the +law of God, neither indeed can be." So that, left to ourselves, we +should infallibly go on in sin to eternal, merited, and hopeless +destruction. + +Here you are, then, dear children, in a revolted, polluted, lost world, +where the vast majority of the population is in open rebellion against +God; where the prevailing habits and maxims are selfish, carnal, and +opposed to all that is truly and spiritually good; where, if you fall +in, and continue to go with the prevailing current, you are inevitably +and eternally lost; where your only safety consists in renouncing the +world, its idols, its master, and its hopes; in "crucifying the flesh +with its affections and lusts; in resisting the fashions and allurements +which reign around you; and taking refuge in that Saviour, who came to +seek and to save that which was lost." Such are the temptations and +perils with which you are constantly and every where surrounded; and +such your only refuge. And, what greatly adds to your danger is, that if +the representation which I have given be correct, your own hearts are +naturally disposed to take the side of the enemy, and to betray you into +his toils and his power. So that you are like persons travelling in an +enemies' country, and liable every moment to be taken in some insidious +and fatal snare, and whose own inclinations to yield to the enemy are +among their greatest dangers. These are the humbling facts which it +behoves you constantly to keep in view, and to regard as the great +practical index of all your plans, resolutions, and efforts, as long as +you live. + +And as you can never be truly wise until you learn the corruption of +your own nature, and how indispensably you need pardoning mercy, +sanctifying grace, and unceasing guidance and help from on high; so you +are not prepared to begin your intercourse with a corrupt world, until +you have learned to appreciate the real character of human nature as it +appears in all the walks of social life. The young, anterior to +experience--and indeed many, long after experience ought to have taught +them otherwise--are too ready to put confidence in the professions and +arts of men. They are apt to believe the flattering tongue; to rely on +plausible promises; to trust heartless professions of attachment; to +repose confidence in civilities never meant to be accepted; and to +expect much from protestations of kindness, and assurances of +friendship--all dictated by the merest selfishness, and never intended +to be fulfilled. Rely on it, dear children, you live in a cold, selfish, +heartless world. Its civilities are hollow; its promises are deceitful; +its flatteries are insidious; its most splendid attractions are +delusive. Expect little from the warmest professions, and be very +backward to avail yourselves of the most fervent proffers of friendship. +I am far, indeed, from recommending a misanthropic suspicion of every +body. Your parents and grandparents ought to be the last persons in the +world to indulge or recommend such a spirit. They have been so happy as +to enjoy friendships sincere, disinterested, active, and unwearied, +never to be forgotten. For these they would be thankful, and enjoin it +upon you never to forget such precious friends. But remember, that +social confidence is a plant of slow growth; that there are few cases in +which it can be safely indulged; that where it exists, great care ought +to be taken not to abuse it by laying too much upon it; and that, while +you ought to receive all expressions of civility and respect with a +suitable acknowledgment, nothing can be more unwise and unsafe in such +a world as this, than to trust indiscriminately to the professions and +promises of men. + +If such be our deplorable circumstances, as a race, and as individuals, +then we need deliverance. We need salvation. To this great subject I +would next entreat your attention. + + +LETTER III. + +THE WAY OF SALVATION. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--Salvation is a word often on your lips, and on the lips +of many around you. The truly pious look forward to it with humble, +joyful hope. And those who have no piety, and even the profane and +profligate often speak of it as something which they desire and +anticipate. But what is SALVATION? The very expression presupposes that +we are all by nature in a state from which we need to be _delivered_ or +_saved_. We never apply this term to any but those who are in danger of +being _lost_. When a man is drowning, or in the utmost peril of death in +any form, and by the interposition of some benevolent and active friend, +is rescued, we say he is _saved_. Now in a similar sense is the term +used in the case before us. The salvation of man implies that he is, by +nature not only in _danger_, but in a _lost_ and _perishing_ condition. +Accordingly I told you, my dear children, in the preceding letter, that +our whole race, and you among the rest, are, by nature in a state of +guilt, depravity, and misery; that we are fallen creatures; under +condemnation; exposed to the wrath and curse of God; liable not only to +natural death, but also exposed to all the terrors of eternal death, +that is, of eternal separation from the presence of the Lord, and the +glory of his power, unless delivered, or, in other words, _saved_ by the +interposition of some mighty and merciful deliverer. Such a great +Deliverer has appeared to save sinners of our race;--to "put away sin by +the sacrifice of himself." And now, the word of God assures us, that +there is "no other name given under heaven among men whereby we can be +saved, but the name of Jesus Christ." + +It is my earnest desire, dear children, to open this way of salvation to +your minds, and to recommend it to your serious and solemn attention. +Believe me, "it is not a vain thing for you, it is even your life." +Unless you are, by the grace of God made partakers of this great +salvation, it "had been better for you that you had not been born." + +By the salvation revealed in the Gospel is meant, delivering us from all +the ruins of the fall--from the condemnation of sin and the power of +sin--restoring us to the favour and image of God--and bringing us to the +everlasting enjoyment of his presence in heaven. This is salvation. Now +I wish to show you how this great and blessed result is accomplished by +the undertaking and work of Jesus Christ, whom we are accustomed, on +that account, to denominate, with emphasis, our SAVIOUR. + +Man was made upright; in full possession of all the powers necessary to +perfect moral agency, and with all the dispositions which prompted to a +perfectly correct use of those powers. But "man being in honour abode +not." He rebelled against God. He violated the covenant under which he +was placed, and became liable to the dreadful penalty which it denounced +against transgression. In this fall of our first parents we are all +sharers. "In Adam," says the apostle, "all die." "By one man's +disobedience," he again declares, "many were made sinners." We have all +totally lost our original righteousness; so that there is now, by +nature, "none righteous, no not one." In short, we have all become +guilty and polluted before God, and incapable of regaining his image or +his favour by any merit or doings of our own. How, then are we to be +delivered from these deplorable circumstances? How shall we escape that +perdition which is the just reward of sin? "How can we escape the +damnation of hell?" How can any be saved? God cannot set aside his own +law, or permit his authority and majesty, as a righteous Governor, to be +trampled under foot. To "clear the guilty;" to take impenitent rebels +into the arms of his love, would be to "deny himself." Where, then, is +our refuge? Must we sit down in despair, and say, "There is no hope?" +No, by no means. A God of infinite wisdom, power, and love, has devised +and proclaimed a wonderful plan by which sin was punished while the +sinner is pardoned; by which justice is completely satisfied, while +mercy is extended to the guilty and vile; by which "grace reigns through +righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." + +This wonderful and glorious plan of mercy consisted in the Father giving +his own Son to obey, suffer, and die in our stead, as our substitute; +and in the Son consenting to bear the penalty of the law for us; to put +away our sin by the sacrifice of himself; and to bring in an everlasting +righteousness for our justification. Yes, dear children, however coldly +an unbelieving world may receive the amazing annunciation, the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, condescended, in his wonderful +love, to assume our nature; to take the place of the guilty and the +perishing; and to become the victim of Divine justice in their stead. +His language, in the eternal counsel of peace, was, "Let me suffer +instead of the guilty. Let me die to save them. Deliver them from going +down to the pit; I will be their ransom." This wonderful, this +unparalleled offer was accepted. The Father was well pleased for the +righteousness sake of his Son. He accepted it as the price of our +pardon; as that on account of which all who repent and believe should be +justified. So that the Scriptures may well say concerning the +Saviour--_He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that +believeth. He is the Lord our righteousness. He was wounded for our +transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of +our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. He bare our +sins in his own body on the tree. He died the just for the unjust, that +he might bring us to God. He delivered us from the curse of the law, +being made a curse for us._ + +Here then, dear children, is the way, and the only way of a sinner's +acceptance with God. In virtue of the covenant of redemption, the +righteousness of Christ, or what he did and suffered on our behalf, is +placed to the account of his people, _as if_ they had performed it in +their own persons. Though sinful and unworthy in themselves, God is +pleased to pardon and accept them as righteous in his sight, only for +the righteousness sake of his beloved Son. I am aware, indeed, that some +who speak much of "the merits of Christ," and profess to rely entirely +on those merits, represent the whole subject in a very different light. +They suppose that in consideration of the sufferings and death of our +blessed Saviour, the old, original law of God, requiring perfect +obedience, is repealed, and a _mitigated law_ now prescribed as the rule +of our obedience. So that now, under the Christian dispensation, a +perfect obedience is not even required, but only an imperfect one, +accommodated to our fallen condition and our many infirmities. But +still, they insist, that this imperfect obedience is the meritorious +ground of our acceptance with God; and, of course, that eternal life is +the purchase of our own obedience. In short, the doctrine of these +errorists is, that the benefit conferred by the sufferings and death of +Christ, consists, not in providing an entire righteousness for us, but +only in abating the demands of the law; in bringing down the divine +requisitions more to a level with our ability; and still enabling us, +low as we have fallen, to be the purchasers of salvation by our own +works. + +Be assured, dear children, this view of the subject is a grievous +departure from the Scriptural doctrine concerning the way of salvation. +The Bible represents our pardon and acceptance with God as not founded, +in any respect, or in any degree, on our own obedience; but as wholly of +grace--as a mere unmerited gift, bestowed solely on account of what the +Redeemer has done as our substitute and surety. It represents the holy +law of God as remaining in all its original strictness without repeal or +mitigation; and as falling with the whole weight of its penalty on all +the impenitently guilty. But it declares that penalty to be removed from +those who repent and believe the Gospel, not on account of any +worthiness in themselves, as the meritorious ground of the benefit; but +only on account of the perfect righteousness of Him who came to seek and +save those who were lost. In short, a gracious God saves his people not +by overlooking their sins; but by lifting the penalty from them, and +laying it upon the divine Redeemer, and for his sake letting them go +free, and accepting them solely on account of his merit. + +This righteousness of Jehovah the Saviour is said to be "to all, and +upon all them that believe;"--that is, it is imputed to none--set to the +account of none but those who receive Christ by faith. Faith is that +great master grace by which we become united to the Saviour, and +interested in his atonement. This righteousness, therefore, is called +_the righteousness of faith, and the righteousness of God by faith_. +Hence we are said to be _justified by faith_, and to be _saved by +faith_. Not that faith, as an act of ours, is, in any measure, the +ground of our justification; but all these expressions imply, that there +is an inseparable connexion, in the economy of grace, between believing +in Christ, and being justified by him, or having his righteousness +imputed to us. Happy, thrice happy they, who can thus call the Saviour +_theirs_, and who have thus "received the atonement!" Though unworthy in +themselves, they are graciously pronounced righteous by their heavenly +Judge, on account of what the Mediator has done. Their sins, though +many, are, for his sake, forgiven them. They are _freely justified from +all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses_. +They are "accepted in the Beloved." Though polluted and undeserving in +their own character, they are "complete in Him." There is no +condemnation to them now; and in the day of judgment they shall find, to +their eternal joy, that there is both safety and happiness in appearing +in the righteousness of Him who loved sinners, and gave himself for +them, clothed in "robes which have been washed and made white in the +blood of the Lamb." + +But we not only need to be justified by the righteousness of Christ; we +also indispensably need to be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. +Accordingly, the purification of our nature, as well as the pardon of +our sins, is one of the benefits purchased by Him, and secured by +covenant to all believers. Hence the teaching and the sanctifying power +of the Holy Spirit must be regarded as an essential part of the great +salvation of which I am speaking. We need as much to be delivered from +the love of sin as from its condemnation. And for both, the plan of +mercy held forth in the Gospel of Christ, makes equal and effectual +provision. "Whom he justifies, them he also sanctifies; and whom he +sanctifies, them he also glorifies." By the power of the Holy Spirit, +the dominion of sin is broken in the hearts of all who are brought under +the power of the Gospel. The reign of corruption in the soul is +destroyed; the love of it is taken away; and though not perfectly +sanctified in the present life, yet every believer has his +sanctification begun. It is carried on, not by his own wisdom or +strength, but by the same divine power by which it was commenced; until +he is, at last, made perfectly holy, as well as perfectly happy in the +presence of his God and Saviour. + +Thus does it appear that salvation is all of grace, sovereign, unmerited +grace. The original devising of the plan, in the eternal counsels of +peace, was prompted, not by any foresight of faith and holiness in the +fallen creature; but in mere grace. The plan itself, in all its +principles and provisions makes our salvation perfectly gratuitous, and +wholly excludes all human merit. After the plan was formed and executed, +and the knowledge of it imparted to us, no one would ever accept of it, +did not the same grace which formed it, incline the sinner to lay aside +his native opposition, and accept of the offered mercy. And even after +cordially accepting it, no individual would ever cleave to his hope, and +continue to embrace it, and live under its power, were he not "kept by +the power of God through faith unto salvation." + +After the foregoing statement, the great question is, what message does +this plan of salvation bring to YOU? The message which it brings, dear +children, is an unspeakably solemn one. It charges _you_ with being +sinners--miserable sinners in the sight of God--without merit--without +help, and without hope in yourselves. It offers you peace, and pardon, +and sanctification, and eternal life, through the atoning sacrifice of +the blessed Redeemer. It entreats you to lay aside your enmity, and to +receive these benefits with humble and adoring gratitude, as a free, +unmerited gift, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Its +language is, "Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the water of +life freely." And again, "Whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast +out." It calls upon you to renounce all confidence in yourselves, and to +receive and rest on Christ alone for salvation as he is freely offered +in the Gospel; to receive him as the Lord your righteousness, and the +Lord your strength, and rejoice in him as your only hope. To this end, +it is indispensable that you be convinced of sin; that you experience a +deep and cordial sense of your own sinfulness and unworthiness; that you +despair of saving yourselves; that you fall at the footstool of +sovereign grace, feeling that you deserve to die, and that you can have +no hope but in the atoning blood, and sanctifying Spirit of the +Redeemer. It is your duty and your privilege to go to the Saviour at +once, and cast yourselves on his mercy, without waiting for any +qualifications to render you worthy of his favour. You are commanded to +go to him as miserable, helpless sinners, not with a price in your +hands; but to receive from him all that you need to make you holy and +happy here and hereafter. And until you are prepared thus to go to him, +as miserable, unworthy sinners, who deserve God's wrath and curse +forever; until you sincerely feel that you have nothing to plead but the +merit of another; until you are ready to cast yourselves at the feet of +the Saviour, and to be indebted for pardon and eternal life as a mere +gift of grace, you have yet to learn the vital element of practical +religion. + +Dear children! will you hesitate a moment--will you wait for a second +invitation to accept of such a Saviour? Will you turn away with +ingratitude from such a salvation? Listen to the entreaty of one who +loves you, and who has no stronger desire concerning you than to see you +walking in the Spirit, and enjoying the consolation of the Gospel: or +rather listen to the voice of that blessed Saviour himself who died for +sinners; and who says to you, and to all who hear the Gospel--"Come unto +me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Him +that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." + +Think not, I beseech you, of putting off this acceptance of the +Saviour's love until you are farther advanced in life. Do you forget +that "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths +peace," and that you cannot too soon begin to be happy? Besides, have +you any assurance that you will live to be much more advanced in age +than you now are? Not long since, a graduate of one of our colleges was +heard to say, "I have finished my college education. I will now devote +two years to the study of a profession; and _then_ I will take one year +to see what there is in _that mighty thing they call_ RELIGION." So +calculated this careless, blooming youth. But before his plan was half +accomplished, he suddenly fell sick; was seized with delirium; and died +without hope. But there are facts, dear children, which ought to come +nearer home. Can you forget your beloved brother and sisters, who, in +the very threshold of their existence, were cut down, and laid in the +grave? And what security have _you_ that you will live to see another +year? But even if you _are_ permitted to live until you reach adult age, +or until you are old and grey-headed, what reason have you to hope, if +you go on hardening yourselves against the Gospel until that time, that +you will then have grace given you to "consider your ways?" O, how many +who were in youth thoughtful and tender, have become more and more +callous to every serious impression, as they advanced in life, and have, +at length, sunk into the grave without hope! Be entreated, then, dear +children, _now_, while your hearts are tender; before the world has +twined around them a thousand entanglements; before you become hardened +by inveterate habits of sin; be entreated to make choice of that "good +hope through grace," which will form the best treasure, and the only +effectual pledge of safety and happiness in the voyage of life: the +treasure which is emphatically "that good part which can never be taken +away from you." + + +LETTER IV. + +THE BIBLE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--If you were walking, in a dark night, along a road full +of sloughs, and pits, and snares, and dangers of every kind, what would +you do for safety? You would naturally, if you could obtain it, take a +_light_ in your hands. You would also, if possible, engage a _guide_, +strong and faithful, well acquainted with the road, and qualified to +conduct and defend you. And, besides all this, you would vigilantly +_look around you_ at every step, and eagerly mark and avoid every spot +that had a suspicious or doubtful appearance. + +Your situation, dear children, in the journey of life, is precisely such +as I have described; or rather, I ought to say, "the half has not been +told you." You are just entering on a world, dark, corrupt, and full of +allurement and danger. On every side enemies lie in wait to deceive and +betray. You are and will be exposed to a thousand temptations and perils +from which you have no wisdom or strength to deliver yourselves. You +need direction and guidance at every step. Now the BIBLE presents the +only complete and perfect map of the road which you are travelling. It +was given us to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path." It +exhibits, with unerring fidelity, every enemy, every snare, every danger +which beset your path. It gives all the information, all the warning, +all the caution, and all the encouragement which you need. It tells you, +more perfectly than any other book, all that you have to fear, and all +that you have to hope for. There is not a form of error, or of +corruption, against which it does not put you on your guard; nor an +excellence or a duty which it does not direct you how to cultivate and +attain. "Wherewith," asks the Psalmist, "shall the young cleanse their +way?"--"By taking heed thereto," he replies, "according to thy word." No +one ever made this holy Book the guide of his life, without walking +wisely, safely, and happily; without finding the truest enjoyment in +this world, and eternal blessedness in the world to come. + +Can you wonder, then, beloved children, that I place a high value on +this blessed Book; that I earnestly recommend it to your serious +attention, to your constant study, and to your devout and affectionate +application and confidence? Can you wonder that I should delight to see +it daily in your hands; much of its sacred contents committed to your +memory; and your hearts deeply imbued with its spirit and its power? +You, no doubt, remember how earnestly your precious Mother, now gone to +the God who gave this Book, recommended it to your attention; how +assiduously she put it into your hands; how often she constrained you to +commit portions of it to memory; and how frequently, on Sabbath +evenings, she gathered you round her to recite those portions in her +hearing, and to receive her instructions and counsels in regard to them. +Can you ever forget these scenes, and the solemn, tender lessons which +you then received? Call to mind her earnest looks, her affectionate +tones, her unceasing labour to impress the contents of this sacred Book +on your minds and hearts. Think of these things; and if you can +recollect them without gratitude to God for such a mother, and without +tears of regret that you have not profited more by her faithful +counsels, you have less moral feeling, and less filial sensibility than +I have been accustomed to give you credit for. + +Why is it, my dear children, that so many young people regard the Bible +with aversion, and consider the study of its pages, and especially +committing them to memory, as a task and a burden? When we reflect that +it is sent to us from heaven; that it contains the glad tidings of +peace, and love, and salvation to a lost world; that it is besides full +of the noblest specimens of literary beauty, and of tender pathetic +eloquence that the world ever saw; that there is something in it adapted +to touch the finest and best cords of human sensibility--why is it that +you so often feel aversion to the study of this volume, and would +gladly be excused from the task of perusing its chapters? Alas! dear +children, this is one of the many proofs that your nature, as I before +stated, is depraved; and that you need the renewing and sanctifying +power of the Holy Spirit, before you can understand and relish a book +given by his inspiration. Every feeling of reluctance to the study of +this Book which you experience, ought to fill you with alarm, and to +constrain you to cry mightily to God that he would open your eyes and +your hearts, and give you that taste for the best of all books, without +which you cannot be prepared for the joys of his presence. Consider, I +beseech you, that, as you have been made acquainted with this Book from +your earliest childhood, so you will have to give an account for this +knowledge. Many children around you have never had the Bible put into +their hands; have never been taught to venerate and love its sacred +pages; but you have been informed of its origin and value. You have +enjoyed a privilege denied to thousands. Will you not be grateful for +this privilege? Will you not manifest that you know how to prize a gift +of more value than all the world beside? Can you deliberately consent to +meet the dreadful condemnation of those who, from childhood, "knew the +Master's will, and did it not." + +I hope I need not remind you that the BOOK OF GOD is to be read with +feelings and in a manner very different from those with which you read +all other books. When you have read books of human composition once or +twice, you have gotten from them all they contain--you have done with +them. But with the perusal of the Bible you can never have done. The +oftener you go over it, if you feel as you ought, the richer and more +delightful will it appear. You can never exhaust its meaning or its +interest. Like its divine Author, it has a length and breadth and depth +and height, concerning which no human reader can ever say that he has +completely fathomed its meaning, or measured its riches. + +Other books are to be read with attention, and, if they abound with +truth and wisdom, with respect; but the Book of God is to be read with +the deepest veneration, as containing the mind and will of our heavenly +Sovereign. In fact, every line of it is to be considered as the voice of +God speaking to us. Woe to those, whether young or aged, who can handle +the Bible with levity, make sport of its contents, or recite its solemn +language as matter of jest! The Lord will not hold them guiltless who +thus, practically, "take his name in vain." The Mohammedans manifest +much more reverence for their _Koran_, than many Christians for the +Bible. They never allow themselves to touch it without washing their +hands. They handle it with the most pointed respect, never holding it +lower than their girdles. Every copy of it commonly contains an +inscription or label on the cover, in these words--"Let none touch but +those who are clean." How very differently do many, young and old, among +us, treat the Holy Scriptures! I have often been distressed when I have +seen children toss about their Bibles, and even throw them in the dirt, +as they would the least valued of their play-things, or rattle over some +of the most solemn language of the Bible with as little apparent thought +or respect as they would repeat the veriest effusions of nonsense. + +The Bible, farther, is to be read _daily_, and with _diligence_, as +containing that daily food from which you are to derive spiritual +aliment, and strength continually. It is to be read with fixed +_attention_, seriously directing your mind to its rich and important +meaning; with _humility_, feeling your need of the instruction and grace +which it contains; with _prayer_, imploring the guidance of the Holy +Spirit, that he may open your hearts to receive the engrafted word which +is able to save your souls; with _application_--asking continually--"How +does this concern _me_? Does it describe _my case_? Does it not contain +a lesson which demands _my_ special regard? Do _I_ know any thing in my +own experience of what is here taught?" + +In this precious Book you will find every thing adapted to enlarge the +mind, to gratify the taste, to elevate the affections, and to purify the +heart. If you only sought the richest _entertainment_, you could not +open a book more fitted to gratify you. It is an inexhaustible mine of +instruction as well as of beauty--the deeper you dig, the richer will +you find its treasures. Its exquisite simplicity, its pathos, its +sublimity, its heavenly wisdom, its purity, are all adapted to turn us +away from the vanities of the world; to enlarge our views beyond these +regions of disorder and darkness; to strengthen every high and holy +motive; and to lead us upward to Him who is the source and the sum of +all good. Happy, thrice happy will those children and young people be, +who early learn to go to the BIBLE for all their sentiments, principles, +and rules of action; who learn daily to go to that precious Book to +direct them in their pursuits, to comfort them in their sorrows, to +guide them in their perplexities, and to animate them in their labours +whatever they may be! Such have the best pledge of temporal enjoyment, +and of eternal blessedness. When, therefore, those who love you, and +would in some measure take the place of your dear departed Mother, daily +put this precious Book of God into your hands, and urge you to read and +commit to memory a portion of its contents, do not allow yourselves to +regard it as a task or a burden. Think from whom it comes--from the God +who made you. Think of the great purpose for which it was given--to make +you wise and eternally happy. Think of the only means of making it truly +profitable to you--studying it with devout attention, laying it up in +your hearts, and practising it in your lives. Think of the solemn +responsibility which the possession of this Book lays upon you--for to +whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required. And may the +great Author of this Book give you grace to "seek for the heavenly +wisdom which it contains as silver, and search for it as for hid +treasures!" + + +LETTER V. + +PRAYER. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--"Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for +things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of +our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." This is the +definition given in a Catechism with which you are familiar, and a more +complete and perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the offering +up of our _sincere desires_; for unless it be _sincere_, it is but +solemn mockery. It is to be addressed to _God alone_; for prayer +addressed to any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful +Sovereign. It is to be "for things _agreeable to the divine will_;" or +else it is unauthorized and presumptuous. It is always to be presented +_in the name of Christ_; for there is no other name under heaven given +among men whereby we can draw near to a holy God with acceptance, but +the name of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with _confession of +sin_; because the approach of a sinner to God, without an humble sense +and acknowledgment of unworthiness, would be contrary to every principle +of reason, as well as to the Christian plan of salvation. And, finally, +it ought to include a thankful acknowledgment of _divine mercies_; for +without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we cannot be in a frame of +mind fitted to receive farther favours. + +I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on either the +_reasonableness_ or the _duty_ of prayer. If we are entirely dependent +on God for every temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely +reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, and apply to him with +humility and earnestness for his aid. If his favour is life, and his +blessing the best riches, it is evident that we ought to supplicate them +with importunity and perseverance. If we are sinners, unworthy of the +divine favour, we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and make +confession of our sins with penitence and obedience. If he has revealed +a plan of mercy and grace to us, of which he invites and commands us to +avail ourselves, then every principle of self interest concurs with +reason, in urging us to seek with earnestness a participation in that +mercy. And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many words, commanded us +"by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests +to God," who can question, for a moment, the _reasonableness_ of a +compliance with that command? + +Nor is the _duty_ of prayer less apparent than its _reasonableness_. The +command of our Father in heaven is--"Pray without ceasing--pray always +with all prayer and supplication, and abound therein with thanksgiving. +I will be inquired of by my people to do that for them which they need. +Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall +be opened unto you. For if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts +unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give his +Holy Spirit to them that ask him? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in +prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The effectual, fervent prayer of a +righteous man availeth much. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, +and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, +and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. If any +one lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and it shall +be given him. Is any afflicted? let him pray. Be careful for nothing; +but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let +your requests be made known to God. The Lord is rich in mercy to all +that call upon him. In the day of my trouble I called upon the Lord, and +he heard me, and delivered me out of all my distresses." + +Such are some of the numerous passages of Scripture which plainly +_require_ and _encourage_ prayer. Can any one who reads and believes the +Bible, doubt for a moment, that it is equally his _duty_ and his +_privilege_ to go daily to the throne of grace to supplicate for all the +temporal or spiritual good which he needs? I hope, my dear children, +you will not be disposed to say, notwithstanding such express and +positive declarations of God's word, in the language of profane +objectors of old--"Wherefore should we seek after God? Does he need to +be informed of our wants? Can we, by importunity, alter his purposes? +Where is, then, the advantage of asking for what we need? What profit +shall we have if we pray unto him?" If you should ever be tempted to ask +such a question, I would answer--"Much every way." God has connected our +asking for blessings with receiving them. He has promised to hear and +answer prayer. He has condescended to say, that he will regard with all +the tenderness of a parent's heart, the cries of his children. He has +said in his word, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." This is enough. But +it is not all that is worthy of our attention. Prayer is not intended to +inform God, but to benefit ourselves. It tends to remind us of our +dependence and unworthiness; to impress our hearts with a deeper sense +of the divine goodness and mercy; and to beget in our minds that humble, +grateful, tender sense of our own weakness, and of our obligation to the +Author of all good, which constitute the best preparation for receiving +the gracious gifts of our heavenly Parent. + +While your precious, lamented Mother was alive, what a privilege did you +consider it to be allowed to go to her in all your troubles, and to +make known to her all your desires! How much greater the privilege to be +allowed every hour free access to your Father in heaven, with all your +anxieties and distresses, to pour out all your wants and wishes, your +hopes and fears into the bosom of an Almighty Friend, who is ever able +and ready to help! + +Since, then, dear children, there are so many reasons prompting you to +prayer; since you are always weak, always dependant, always unworthy, +and always in need, can you doubt that it is your duty and your interest +to abound in prayer? Let me entreat you, therefore, never to suffer a +day to pass without engaging in this delightful and most reasonable +exercise. Set apart fixed times for the purpose, that you may form such +_habits_ as will aid your memory, and prevent your neglecting it. Retire +as soon as you can, after rising in the morning, to return thanks for +the mercies of the night, and to implore the protection, the guidance, +and the blessing of your heavenly Father, through the day. And in the +evening, before drowsiness overtakes you, retire again, to praise him +for the mercies of the day, and to ask for his guardianship during the +night watches. But are these the only subjects of prayer? Far from it. +They are numerous as the moments you live, and various as the objects +which you are called to contemplate. Pray in the morning, that God would +keep you from all evil in body or soul, through the day; that he would +create in you a clean heart, and renew within you a right spirit; that +he would guard your speech and behaviour at all times, and in every +situation; that he would enable you to mortify and subdue every sinful +affection, and to overcome every improper habit; that he would deliver +you from sloth, and pride, and vanity, and malice, and envy, and every +evil temper; that he would enable you to treat all around you in a +dutiful and becoming manner; in a word, that he would enable you to +spend the day in a manner profitable to yourselves, and to the benefit +of all around you. And in the evening pray, that he would pardon all the +deficiencies and infirmities of the preceding day; that he would make +you grateful for all the favours of his merciful Providence; that he +would watch over you during the hours of darkness and repose; and bring +you to the light of another day in health, in the exercise of your +reason, and in the enjoyment of his favour and love. + +And while you thus pray daily for yourselves, it is your privilege and +duty to include in your petitions all with whom you are connected in the +various relations of life. You ought to pray continually for your +beloved _father_, who is engaged in such important labour for the +Church, and who loves you with an affection and solicitude which you can +never repay; for your _grandparents_, who are daily praying for you, and +who are falling more and more under the infirmities of age; for _one +another_, that you may be guided and blessed amidst all the temptations +and dangers of youth; for your _teachers_; for your _school-mates_; for +the _poor children_ around you, who have none of the advantages of +instruction and restraint which you enjoy; for your _friends_, and +_neighbours_, and all with whom you are acquainted. O, my dear children, +if you prayed as you ought every day for all these, how much happier +would you be! What a benign influence it would have on your whole temper +and conduct! It would make you kind, tender hearted, and forgiving +toward all with whom you conversed; and make all of them, in their turn, +love you as a friend and benefactor. + +Let me make, on this subject, one more suggestion. Most people, +especially most young people, have no idea of engaging in prayer unless +at particular times when they retire for the purpose. I wish you all, +dear children, besides your stated seasons of prayer, morning and +evening, to form the habit of lifting up your thoughts and your desires +to God in any and every situation; when walking by the way; when +surrounded with company; when met by any call of duty, or by any +circumstance of a doubtful aspect, or perplexing character--be in the +habit of silently but devoutly looking up to God for wisdom and strength +to perform every duty. This kind of intercourse with God may be carried +on at all times, and in all situations; and, I will add, was never +sincerely adopted by any one without being connected with guidance and +consolations of unspeakable value. In this way the suggestion of the +apostle in writing to Timothy will be realized, that "_every thing_ be +sanctified by the word of God, and prayer." + + +LETTER VI. + +CULTIVATION OF THE MIND. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--That every human being is bound to cultivate, in the +best manner, the intellectual powers which God has given him, I hope you +will take for granted, anterior to all argument; and, although the moral +aspects of education are the most vitally important, yet as no one can +be a moral agent without some degree of intellect; so it may be said, +that the wisest and best culture even of our moral powers, depends more +on the discipline, the enlargement, and the furniture of the intellect, +than is commonly supposed. + +The cultivation of the mind comprises two things, and two only, viz: +giving it proper habits of exercise, and filling it with useful +knowledge. The case is precisely similar with regard to the _body_. The +sum total of all that we are called to do for the benefit of the body, +is to secure its strength by constant and wholesome action or exercise, +and to furnish it with appropriate nourishment. On the one hand, were +its _exercise_ ever so abundant, if left without aliment, it would +speedily sink into weakness and death; and, on the other, if its aliment +be ever so plentiful and rich, yet if it be left wholly without +_exercise_, it will soon become a mass of disease and corruption. +Precisely so is it in the cultivation of the mind. Exercise and aliment +are equally indispensable, and must go together. If the mind be not +taught to think, and to feel an appetite for intellectual provision, all +the knowledge in the world, if introduced into it, would be of little +use. But, if it be taught only to think and feel, and be furnished with +none of the appropriate aliment of knowledge, it cannot grow either in +strength, or in a capacity to act its part in the world with dignity or +usefulness. + +As these principles lie at the foundation of all intellectual culture, +so they are also adapted to instruct us with regard to the wisest and +best means of conducting that culture, with regard to the departments of +knowledge most worthy of being studied, and the relative stress which +ought to be laid on different pursuits. If you would be trained up +merely to be splendid butterflies, to shine and to please the +superficial and the empty, for a day, and, having done this, to die like +senseless insects; why, then, a corresponding plan of culture must be +adopted. But, if you wish to be regarded as rational creatures; to be +prepared for sober thought and action; to "serve your generation by the +will of God;" to die in peace, and to be remembered with love and +veneration when you are gone, then it is perfectly manifest a very +different method of training is indispensable. + +I trust you will not hesitate a moment in deciding which of these +courses you ought to choose. I trust the way of practical wisdom, of +piety, and of usefulness, will be the object of your prompt and decisive +choice. If so, the course of mental culture which you ought to adopt, +cannot possibly be mistaken by a mind of the least reflection. If you +are to feel and act as moral accountable agents, and to consider human +life as a serious, momentous thing; then, doubtless, you will feel that +you are bound, first of all, and above all, to exercise your minds in +such a manner, and to store them with such branches of knowledge, as +will tend most effectually to enlarge them, to strengthen them, to +inspire them with practical wisdom, and to furnish them with the means +of the most solid and extensive usefulness. + +Upon this principle, I would say, let your first and chief attention be +directed to those branches of knowledge which lie at the foundation of +all that is enlarged, liberal, and elevated in human pursuits; such as +Grammar, Rhetoric, Geography, the Latin, Greek, and French languages, +Natural and Moral Philosophy, the elements of Mathematical science, +Chemistry, and as many of the branches of Natural History as may be +within your reach, especially Botany and Mineralogy. These are all +proper for both sexes; and the more you gain of all of them, the better +fitted will you be both for enjoying life, and for fulfilling its +various and momentous duties. I grant, indeed, my dear grandson, that +with regard to what is denominated Classic literature, and Mathematics, +I wish _you_ to go more thoroughly to work, than would be desirable, or +perhaps proper, for your sisters. But I hope that neither of these will +be entirely neglected by _them_. For I have an impression, that the +careful study, to a certain extent, of the best of the dead languages, +and an intelligent acquaintance with the elementary principles of +Mathematics, ought to be omitted by none who can possibly attain them. +In my opinion, they are adapted to produce an effect on the mind, and to +diffuse an influence over all its other acquisitions, more happy and +more important than is commonly recognised, even by many of the educated +themselves. + +Besides the popular sciences just mentioned, with which every human +being who can afford it, ought to seek some good acquaintance, there is +an extensive and important field of knowledge, which is defined by the +general term of _literature_, and, in our case, of _English Literature_. +There is a large class of writers, with whose works every one who claims +to be intelligent and well informed, must be familiar. To this +department belongs the whole subject of _History_, which, I trust, will +receive the serious attention of all of you; and about which I hope you +will take enlightened advice, as a number of the most attractive and +popular writers in this department, are unfit to be perused without +much reserve and caution. To these, of course, ought to be added, those +great writers, both in prose and poetry, which deserve to be ranked as +_English Classics_; and, with which, I feel confident, you will seize +the earliest opportunity of becoming acquainted. I refer to such writers +as Milton, Shakspeare, Dryden, Addison, Steele, Pope, Thompson, Gray, +Young, Goldsmith, Johnson, Cowper, Beattie, and a number of others, whom +I cannot pause to specify, but with whom it would be highly +discreditable not to have some intimate knowledge. Without an +acquaintance with these writers, you cannot appreciate the riches, the +beauties, or the purity of your vernacular tongue, or form for +yourselves a good style of writing. In these writers, too, you will find +a great store-house of fine sentiment, as well as diction, adapted +greatly to enlarge and elevate the mind, to impart to it its highest +polish, and to prepare it for its best efforts. + +There are certain accomplishments commonly called _ornamental_, deemed +by many desirable for females, and by some considered as of much +consequence. Among these are dancing, music, painting, drawing, +embroidery, &c. With regard to _dancing_, your beloved grandmother and +myself never thought proper to permit any of our own children to be +instructed in this art; not because we thought the _act_ of dancing +itself criminal, but because we considered it as inseparably and almost +necessarily connected with the whole system of balls, dancing +assemblies, midnight parties, &c., all of which we deemed criminal, and +in a great variety of ways, hostile to the principles and the claims of +true religion. We do, indeed, find dancing spoken of in the Old +Testament Scriptures, as having been employed, even on occasions of +religious joy; but never on such occasions do we read of the midnight +dance, nor of promiscuous dancing, that is, of the sexes together. And +with respect to the New Testament, we read there of only one actual +dance, and that was performed by a profligate woman, and connected with +crime of the most atrocious and revolting character. + +As to _music_, I am persuaded it is the duty of every one who is able to +do it, to acquire the power of uniting in the social praise of God with +excellence and efficiency. The cultivation of vocal music, and the +attainment of such a degree of skill in it as is essential to imparting +an interest in the exercise, are conducive to health and favourable to +moral and spiritual improvement. So far, I am confident you ought all to +go. And if my granddaughters should have a special taste and love for +instrumental music, I am by no means prepared to advise that they deny +themselves the pleasure. It is an elegant accomplishment, and when +wisely employed, may be connected with innocent pleasure, and sometimes +with benefit. But I should deeply regret to find them aiming at that +_exquisite skill_ in instrumental music, which cannot be attained +without great expense, much loss of time, and that intense and long +continued attention which cannot fail to engross the mind and stand in +the way of more worthy objects of pursuit, if it do not wholly exclude +them. This is so unworthy of a rational accountable creature, that I +would infinitely rather my dear grandchildren should know nothing of +music, than that they should carry their zeal for it, and their devotion +to it, to such an injurious length. And as to my dear grandson, while I +hope always to hear him unite in singing the praises of God in the +sanctuary with taste and skill, it would give me unspeakable pain to +hear that he was regarded as a highly acceptable and admired singer at +convivial meetings, and that his company was courted on that account. I +concur in opinion with the old Grecian sage, who, when a young gentleman +of his acquaintance, of respectable station and employment in society, +had performed on an instrument of music with consummate skill and +effect, said to him, "Are you not ashamed, my young friend, to play so +well?" + +In conducting the intellectual culture of the young, there is one +question which I presume you will not fail to ask, and which I wish to +anticipate and answer in this little system of affectionate advices. The +question is, whether _Novels_ ought to have any place in the course of +reading prescribed for young people? This is a question of exceeding +great importance. When I was a youth it was far less interesting and +momentous, as a practical matter, than it has now become. Three quarters +of a century, and more especially a century ago, the number of this +class of writings was so small, and their popular circulation so +inconsiderable, that their influence was scarcely worthy of notice, +compared with that which they have more recently exerted, and which they +are daily going on to extend. Bear with me then, dear children, while I +dwell a little on this subject, and call your attention to some thoughts +which I pray God may be deeply impressed upon your minds. + +That fictitious history is not in its own nature and necessarily +criminal, will probably be acknowledged by all. It _may_ be so construed +as to awaken curiosity, to excite sympathy, and to impress the +understanding and the heart in a salutary manner. Of course, to condemn +every thing of the kind _as such_, and however constructed or employed, +would be to pronounce an unjust judgment. Hence we find examples of this +mode of instruction in the holy Scriptures; and on the same principle, +some of the wisest and best human teachers in all ages, have used the +vehicle of lively and interesting fiction, known to be such at the time, +for insinuating into the mind moral and religious lessons, which in a +different form, might not so readily have gained admittance. + +But the great error of modern times is two-fold; _First_, in +multiplying publications of this kind, until they bear an inordinate and +injurious proportion in the current literature of the day; and, +_Secondly_, in constructing them upon a plan adapted to degrade virtue +and piety, to recommend vice, and of course to prove seductive and +immoral in their whole influence. + +Even when such works are perfectly unexceptionable in their character; +when they are wholly free from any thing improper, either in language or +sentiment, they may be productive of incalculable mischief, if, as now, +they are issued in excessive _numbers_ and _quantity_. Leaving the +_character_ of modern novels entirely out of the question, the enormous +number which for the last half century has been every day increasing, +has become a grievous intellectual and moral nuisance. As long as they +were _few_ in number, and were regarded not as the _substance_, but only +as the _seasoning_ of the literary feast, they occupied but a small +share of public attention. The chief time and attention of the reading +portion of the community were mainly devoted to works of substantial +value, fitted to strengthen, enlarge, and enrich the mind. But, within +the last twenty or thirty years, the number of novels has increased so +rapidly; they have become so prominent and alluring a part of the +current literature of the day; and by their stimulating and +inexhaustible variety, have so drawn away the minds of the aged as well +as the young from solid reading, that they have formed the principal +reading of a large portion of the community, and, of course, have become +a snare and an injury to an extent not easily calculated. As long as +exhilarating gases, or other stimulating substances, are administered +sparingly, and as medicines, they may be altogether harmless, and even +essentially useful. But, when those who have taken them for some time in +this manner, become so enamoured with them as to be no longer satisfied +with their moderate and salutary use, but make them their daily and +principal aliment, they become inevitably mischievous. They destroy the +tone of the stomach, and, in the end, radically undermine the health. + +So it is with the insidious excitement of novels. Were the reader of +them to take none into his hands but those which might be safely +pronounced perfectly pure and innocent; and were he certain that he +would never be tempted to go beyond the most moderate bounds in seeking +and perusing even such, there would, perhaps, be little danger to be +apprehended. But no one can be thus certain of either. The general +stimulus of fictitious narrative is morbid and disorderly. It excites +the mind, but cannot fill or enrich it. The probability is, that he who +allows himself to enter on this course, will be led on, like the +miserable tippler, from one stage of indulgence to another, until his +appetite is perverted; his power of self-denial and restraint lost; and +his ruin finally sealed; or, at least, his mind so completely indisposed +and unfitted for the sober realities of practical wisdom, for the +pursuits of solid science and literature, as to be consigned to the +class of superficial drivellers as long as he lives. + +The truth is, novels--even the purest and best of them--are adapted, not +to _instruct_, but only to _amuse_; not to _nourish_ and _strengthen_, +but only to _exhilarate_. They even enervate the mind; they generate a +sickliness of fancy; and they render the ordinary affairs and duties of +life altogether uninteresting and insipid. After wading through hundreds +of the most unexceptionable volumes belonging to this class--what has +been gained? What has been laid up for future use? Nothing. Not a trace +of any thing useful has been left behind. The days and nights devoted to +their perusal have been absolutely lost. What infatuation is it for a +rational creature who is sent into the world for serious and important +purposes, and who is hastening to the judgment seat, thus to waste +precious time; and, what is worse, thus to pervert his mind, and +disqualify himself for sober employments! The celebrated Dr. Goldsmith, +in writing to his brother, respecting the education of his son, +expresses himself in the following strong terms, which are the more +remarkable, as he himself had written a novel:--"Above all things, never +let your son touch a romance or novel. These paint beauty in colours +more charming than nature, and describe happiness that man never tastes. +How delusive, how destructive are those pictures of consummate bliss! +They teach the youthful mind to sigh after beauty and happiness which +never existed; to despise the little good which fortune has mixed in our +cup, by expecting more than she ever gave; and, in general, take the +word of a man who has seen the world, and has studied human nature more +by experience than precepts--take my word for it, I say, that such books +teach us very little of the world."[10] He might have gone farther, and +said--They teach us little of _any thing_; and so pervert the taste, as +to take away all relish for applying the mind to any thing sober or +useful. Often have I known young men and women so bewitched by novels, +that they could read nothing else. They sought for new works of this +class in every direction; devoured them with insatiable avidity; and +became less and less disposed for pursuing any study either prescribed +by their preceptors, or adapted to promote their ultimate enjoyment; +until their prospects for both worlds were irrecoverably overcast with +clouds and darkness. + + [10] Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works. + +Imagine not, dear children, that _you_ will exercise more resolution +than others, and thus avoid the snare of which I have spoken. You +cannot answer for yourselves in this matter, any more than the man who +is constantly exposed to the temptation of stimulating drinks can be +sure of escaping the danger. Rely upon it, the more confident you are of +your own wisdom and firmness in avoiding the evil in question, the +greater your peril. In this, as in many other things, the only complete +safety is to be found in wholly avoiding the dangerous territory. + +But there is another source of evil in this department of literature, +still more serious and formidable. A very large proportion of modern +novels, are far from being innocent. They are positively seductive and +corrupting in their tendency. They make virtue to appear contemptible, +and vice attractive, honourable, and triumphant. Folly and crime have +palliative and even commendatory names bestowed upon them. The +omnipotence of _love_ over all obligations and all duties, is +continually maintained; and the extravagance of sinful passion +represented as the effect of amiable sensibility. Surely these +representations can have no other tendency than to pervert the moral +sentiments, and to corrupt the hearts of those who habitually dwell upon +them. And even though they be, at first, contemplated with abhorrence, +no one can tell how soon the mind may be gradually and insidiously +reconciled to them, by familiarity with the infectious influence. + +For example; the novels of _Sir Walter Scott_ have been read with eager +delight by millions of the young and the old; and many pronounce them at +least innocent. But those who read them with intelligence, and with a +proper estimate of the times and the characters which he undertakes to +portray, will perceive that the writer arrays himself against the +patriotism and the piety of some of the best men that ever adorned the +history of his country; that he exhibits orthodoxy and zeal under the +guise of enthusiasm and fanaticism; that he strives to cover with +dishonour, men "of whom the world was not worthy;" and to elevate and +canonize their persecutors. In short, that his general influence is +wholly unfriendly to religion. These characteristics pervade the most +popular of his novels. Of course few of his readers, especially of his +youthful readers, are aware of his misrepresentation, and, therefore, +are not armed against the mischievous influence. + +But there is a poison lurking in this field, still more virulent and +fatal. A large portion of novels may be charged with being seductive and +immoral, upon a more refined and deep laid plan. They are systematic, +and, in some instances, ingenious and plausible apologies for the most +atrocious crimes. In many modern productions of this kind, the +intelligent reader will recognise the following process of +representation: Corrupt opinions are put into the mouth of some +favourite hero, the splendour of whose character, in other respects, is +made to embellish the principles which he holds, and the force of whose +eloquence is employed to recommend the most unreasonable and mischievous +dogmas. When this hero commits a crime, and when, by this crime, +according to the fixed laws of the divine government, he is involved in +serious difficulty, if not lasting and fatal misery, the fashionable +novelist endeavours to throw the blame on the religious and moral +institutions of society, as narrow, illiberal, and unjust. When a +splendid but corrupt woman, has forsaken the paths of virtue, and when +she suffers in her reputation and her comfort, by such conduct, all this +is ascribed to "the wretched state of civilization"--to "the deplorable +condition of society." Every opportunity is taken to attack some +essential principle of morality, under the tide of a "prejudice;" to +ridicule the duties of conjugal and domestic life, as flowing from +"contracted" and "slavish" views; to stigmatize the sober pursuits of +honest industry, as "dull" and "spiritless;" and, in a word, to frame an +apology for robbery, murder, suicide, and the indulgence of every +propensity, for which a corrupt heart can plead an inclination. + +Now, my dear children, when novels of this kind are placed on the +shelves of every circulating library, and strewed over every part of our +land, what security have youthful novel-readers that many of this class +will not fall into their hands, and that they may not imbibe the fatal +poison before they are aware? Is it any wonder that wise parents and +guardians are painfully apprehensive of such danger? Many amiable and +well-intentioned young people, who fancied they were gaining amusement +only, have been unwarily betrayed into opinions, and prepared for +practices which they would once have regarded with abhorrence, and which +ultimately led them into error, crime, and ruin. Since, then, there are +so many novels of this insidious and baneful character; and since it is +by no means easy for the young and inexperienced to distinguish between +the innocent and the vile, you will not wonder that I advise, nay, +entreat you to avoid the reading of novels altogether; never to allow +yourselves to take a volume of this kind into your hands at all. The +most innocent of them, as you have seen, are worthless, and the perusal +even of _them_, a waste of time; and if you allow yourselves to touch +any of them, you will be in danger of being led astray to an extent +which you can hardly be made to anticipate. I beseech you, dear +children, trust one who sincerely loves you; who understands the subject +of which he is speaking; and who would not deprive you of a single safe +or solid pleasure--trust him when he earnestly exhorts you, NEVER TO +READ A NOVEL. + +You will, perhaps, ask, what is my opinion of what are called "religious +novels," that is, of fictitious narrative, designed to illustrate and +recommend religion? I am compelled to say, that my deliberate judgment +is unfavourable to _these_ also. They are neither edifying nor safe as +instructors in the great department of religion. I do not deny that +_some_ of this class may be adapted to do good, and may have been +actually useful. But this is not the question. The question is, whether, +as a system, it is better to instruct in religion through the medium of +fictitious narrative, and by means of thrilling incidents, or by plain, +sober, didactic, and exhortatory address. In general, I cannot help +deciding in favour of the latter. The reason why the large majority of +mankind prefer fictitious narrative is, that they love _excitement_; and +most youthful readers will be more likely to take interest in the +"story," than in the moral lessons which it conveys. Condiments and +stimulants are useful in our food; but to make our daily food consist +wholly or mainly of condiments and stimulants, would not, surely, be +wise or salutary. + +But this is not the worst. Among the novels called _religious_, there +are various classes. Almost all the different religious denominations +have issued novels appropriate to their respective sectarian characters. +We not only have those which have been put forth by the friends of truth +and piety; but, also, many by the advocates of error. Socinianism is now +strenuously inculcated through the medium of fictitious narrative. Cold +Pelagianism on the one hand, and Antinomianism on the other, have been +presented in the same manner. Amidst these alternate pleadings of +orthodoxy and heresy, how shall the youthful learner discriminate? Were +he to take up a didactic treatise in favour of Socinian or Pelagian +opinions, he would see the error in a moment, and be on his guard +against it. But when he is borne away by the excitement of a stirring +narrative, and a spirited, eloquent dialogue, he may imbibe the poison +of error, before he is aware. + +You must not, dear children, consider me as fanciful, if I express an +opinion, that the present prevailing state of mind of the religious +public has some connexion with that class of novels of which I am now +speaking. The most striking characteristic of the present time is _a +love of excitement_. The old and sober mode of proceeding in any thing +has become unpopular and intolerable. Our children can scarcely be +prevailed upon to read any thing unless it comes in the shape of a +striking story. If any one wishes a pious _tract_ to be read, he must +construct it in the form of a thrilling fictitious narrative. Every dish +must be highly seasoned; every draught must be a dram. Is it any wonder +that, in such a condition of the public taste, all old methods of doing +good should be despised, and the Church as well as the world filled with +new opinions, new estimates of things, and "new measures?" + +Be assured, when your mind is brought, by any means, whether by an +insatiable love of fictitious narrative, or by any other form of +exciting composition, to relish nothing conveyed in the old form of +solid, didactic, direct instruction, it is high time to examine whether +you are not acquiring habits unfriendly to sober thought, to the best +mental culture, and to the acquirement of the most valuable knowledge. +How often have I met with young people, of both sexes, who could talk +fluently, and with apparent intelligence, of the volumes of Miss Burney, +Mrs. Radcliffe, Madame De Stael, Miss Edgeworth, and Scott, and Cooper, +and Bulwer, and even of the depraved and infamous Byron;--but, who were +struck dumb if you spoke to them of Shakspeare; of Bacon; of Milton; of +Addison; of Thompson; of Young; of Dryden; of Pope, and Johnson, and +Robertson, and Junius, and Cowper, and other English classics, of whom, +if they had ever heard, they seemed to know nothing! Is this the way to +cultivate the mind? Does this speak for or against the devourer of +novels? + +The sum of my counsel, then, under this head, is, that if you wish +really to cultivate your minds, and to prepare them for healthful and +useful action, let your studies be solid, diligent, and persevering. Let +your reading be such as will fill your minds with the knowledge of +facts, principles, and sentiments of the enriching and elevating kind. +Let your first and most intimate acquaintance be with those authors +whose works will tend to fit you for answering the great purpose for +which you were sent into the world. Carefully avoid every species of +reading which tends to turn away your minds from sober, practical views +of life and duty. And remember that, for every book you read, and for +every mental influence which you invite, you have to render a solemn +account. + +There is one more counsel, dear children, with which I will close this +letter. It is, that whatever subject you study--whatever book you read, +you do it _faithfully_ and _thoroughly_. Leave nothing until you +understand it well;--until you have, as far as possible, gone to the +bottom of it. You may rely upon it that no solid knowledge is to be +gained without patient, unwearied labour. Be not in haste, then, to pass +on to another subject or lesson, until you have completely mastered that +in which you may be engaged. Be not contented with merely enabling +yourselves to recite a lesson with plausible fluency. Be sure that you +thoroughly comprehend, not only its obvious meaning, but also its +elementary principles. Despise the indolence of those, who, in learning +languages, are constantly using the miserable crutches of +_translations_, instead of walking with the use of their own limbs; and +who, whenever a difficulty occurs in mathematics, or any other subject, +instead of delving it out themselves, ignobly ask help from some wiser +and better scholar. This is cheating yourselves. That which is gained +by your own efforts, and with considerable labour, will be better +understood, and more firmly lodged in the mind, than that which is +imparted gratuitously by others, without any vigorous mental exercise on +your part. + +The fact is, the pursuit of knowledge may be compared to the task of one +who is called to cross a high and craggy mountain. If he is willing to +forego his own best interests, both as to bodily and mental health, he +may employ some sturdy, athletic assistant to take him up in his arms, +and bear him over the steep ascent, and deposit him in safety on the +other side, without the use of a muscle of his own. But what would he be +the better for it, at the end of his journey? His limbs would not be +braced. His chest would not be expanded. He would miss a thousand +interesting objects of attention which the use of his own feet would +have brought to his view. After a thousand such boasted expeditions, he +might live and die the same feeble, nervous dyspeptic, that he was when +he set out. Whereas, he who resolves to climb the same mountain by his +own efforts; who addresses himself to the task with patient persevering +labour; who takes step after step, slowly, but wisely and firmly; may +not gain the ascent quite as speedily as his weaker contemporary; but he +will gain it much more to his own profit and comfort, and, in the end, +find every power invigorated by the enterprise. O, if children and +young people could feel how foolish it is to procure themselves to be +borne up the mountain of knowledge by others, instead of climbing it +themselves, they would despise all the "labour-saving machinery" to +which many of them are so fond of resorting; and would remember that +what is gained by their own intellectual efforts, is more solid, wears +better, digests better, and is productive of richer fruit, both to +themselves and others. + +It is a law impressed by our Maker on the intellectual, as well as the +physical man, that "if any will not work, neither shall he eat." It is a +real blessing, if we did but know it, to have labour connected with all +our attainments. Thus do we best answer the great end of our being; thus +do we invigorate every power, and become prepared most effectually to +"serve our generation by the will of God." + + +LETTER VII. + +CULTIVATION OF THE HEART, AND THE MORAL HABITS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--By the _heart_, I mean the moral feelings, dispositions, +and affections. And by _cultivating_ the heart, I mean directing much +attention to restraining, regulating, and purifying all its exercises. +This may be said to lie at the foundation of all duty and all happiness. +Were your intellectual powers cultivated with all possible care and +success, and your moral faculties neglected, you might be polished and +elegant demons; but would be miserable yourselves, and a curse to +society. Whether, therefore, you regard your own present enjoyment, and +everlasting welfare, or the happiness of those around you, you cannot +too early remember the great purpose for which you were sent into the +world, and the relations which you sustain as rational, social, and +immortal creatures. You cannot too early or too diligently learn to +restrain your passions; to deny yourselves; and to cultivate those +benevolent, meek, humble, and amiable habits, which are indispensable to +tranquillity and peace of mind, and which alone can prepare you to adorn +and bless the social circles with which you may be connected. I draw +your attention the more earnestly to this great subject because I see so +many young people who appear never to think of the importance, or even +utility of this part of their education. + +If you have not learned, dear children, that you are by nature prone to +be proud, vain, selfish, envious, irascible, sensual, malignant, and, in +a word, to indulge the various appetites and passions which tend to +destroy your own peace, and to invade the comfort of those around you; +if you have not discovered that this is the tendency of your nature, and +that resisting it will call for much self-denial, and continual, and +sometimes for agonizing effort, you have attended less to your own +feelings, and habits, and less to the character of your friends and +associates than I am willing to suppose. + +Perhaps you will ask--Does not _religion_ cover all this ground? Where +the power of Christian principle reigns in the heart, will not every +thing intended to be included in this letter follow as a matter of +course? If the _plan of salvation_, treated in a former letter, be +received and obeyed, will not all the objects contemplated in the +present letter, be included and secured? Whence, then, the necessity, or +even the propriety, of making it matter of separate consideration? I +answer, the religion of Christ, in its spirit and power, does indeed +embrace all moral excellence. It does, in fact, where it bears +appropriate and entire sway, include every moral feeling, affection, and +habit, which can adorn and elevate human nature. And yet it is to be +lamented that many who cherish the Christian hope, are not as much aware +of this fact as they ought to be; and are not so careful to exhibit all +the _loveliness_, as well as the _purity_ of example which become them, +as is desirable. And, besides, I have always found that there is a great +advantage in pursuing rather more into detail the various branches of +the Christian temper, than is commonly done even in the best treatises +on religious character and duty. The French have a phrase which +expresses more exactly than any English one which I can recollect, my +meaning in the title of this letter. The phrase I refer to, is _Les +petites morales_; by which they appear to understand those _moral +delicacies_ of feeling, temper, and intercourse, which, though not +always found actually shining in every professing, or even every real +Christian, do really belong to the Christian code of ethics, and are +indispensable to a complete and exemplary character. + +The duties which grow out of our relations to God, are generally +acknowledged by all professors of religion. However defective their +obedience, their obligations are seldom disputed. But if it be the law +of God, not only that we should "love Him with all our heart and soul +and strength and mind," but also that we should "love our neighbours as +ourselves," then the duties growing out of this great law are more +multiplied, tender, delicate and important than most of those who are +called religious people recognise in practice, or even in theory. + +It is true, the root of all sound morality is religion. And it is +equally true, that the deeper sense any one has of the constraining love +of Christ, and of the holiness, majesty, omniscience, and omnipresence +of God, the more faithful he will be in the discharge of all moral +duties, both in private and in public. Labour then, day by day, to gain +a deeper impression of the claims of your Creator and Redeemer upon you. +Meditate much on the Divine glory. Cultivate a devout spirit. Study to +walk with God in the exercise of faith, and love, and prayer. And +endeavour to keep constantly before your minds his all seeing eye, his +infinite holiness, his judgment seat, and those righteous retributions +which he has in store for all his creatures, whether they be good, or +whether they be evil? This is cultivating the heart in the most +essential and radical sense. This is going to "the root of the matter." +That morality, and that alone, which is grafted upon this sanctified +stock, will be regarded with approbation by the Searcher of hearts, and +stand the test of the great day. + +But while you labour with your hearts, that they may be habitually laid +open, with all the softness and tenderness of spiritual sensibility, to +the claims of your Creator and Redeemer; study with no less diligence to +cherish a deep sense of all the duties which you owe to your beloved +relatives, to your friends, to your neighbours, and to all with whom you +have intercourse. To perceive the theory of these duties, is the +province of the understanding; to enter into them, as a practical +matter, and under a solemn sense of obligation, is an affair of the +heart; and the more deeply your hearts are schooled both in the +principles and practice of these duties, the more they may be said to +partake of that culture which I am now recommending. + +When I imagine to myself what an influence your precious Mother might +have had in cultivating your moral feelings and habits, if it had +pleased God to spare her to you; when I think of the happy power which +her delicate, forming hand, might, by the divine blessing, have exerted +over the heart of each of you;--the heart--as Mrs. Hannah More expresses +it--that "seat of evil propensities--that little troublesome empire of +the passions;"--I could sit down and weep afresh that you are never to +enjoy that culture. But, happily, there is a source of infinitely better +culture. Try to lay to heart your weakness and your wants, and implore +without ceasing the enlightening, subduing, and sanctifying power of the +Holy Spirit, and you will find "his grace sufficient for you." + +There are special duties which you owe to your beloved surviving Parent, +and to all your domestic relatives, of the most peculiar and tender +kind; duties which it is equally your privilege and your honour to +discharge. These are veneration, love, gratitude, and a dutiful respect +to all their feelings, as well as their interests. Here children are +extremely apt to fail. Affection is generally found to descend from +parents to their offspring, and in general from elder to younger +relatives, in great strength; but from children to parents, or from the +young to the old, it seldom rises with equal vigour. Let not this be +said of you. Constantly cherish toward your beloved Father, and all your +elder relatives, not merely an outward respect, and dutifulness of +deportment, but a cordial and ardent affection; a sincere and lively +gratitude for all those anxious cares and labours on their part for your +benefit, for which you have been indebted ever since you were born, and +for which you can never make an adequate return. Try to please them by +the constant manifestation of love, confidence, and grateful veneration; +and let them see that you treasure up, to your profit, all their +instruction, reproofs, and warnings. When the _heart_, as well as the +outward conduct, is conformed to these sentiments, O, how endearing and +happy is the intercourse between parents and children! What a charm is +diffused over the whole aspect of domestic society! + +Let me entreat you, also, early to learn the duty and the pleasure of +_living in affectionate harmony among yourselves_. I can scarcely +express to you the pain which I have sometimes felt when I have +perceived any thing like a spirit of strife and acrimony rising between +you, and leading to the exchange of angry looks and passionate language. +Surely three motherless children ought to feel more closely bound +together than to indulge in such a temper and conduct. If you do not +love one another, who can you expect will love you? Be careful, then, +continually to cultivate a spirit of brotherly and sisterly affection +toward each other. Let nothing interrupt this. When any contest arises, +let the only strife be, which shall be the first to yield, rather than +contend. On no account allow yourselves to employ harsh, much less +violent language toward each other. And if any contest arises which you +cannot settle between yourselves without violence, let a united appeal +to your Father, if he be present, or in his absence, to your +grandparents, terminate the controversy. Seldom does a conflict of this +kind arise without there being blame on both sides. And who so proper to +make the proper award, and to adjust every difficulty, as those who love +you all equally and dearly, and have age and experience on their side? + +Let me enjoin on you to begin, as early as possible, to cherish a spirit +of _habitual benevolence_--a desire, wherever you go, to promote the +_happiness_ of all around you. Selfishness is the great master-sin of +human nature. "All seek their own." The _young_, especially, are apt to +be swallowed up in the excessive pursuit of their own enjoyment, and +that enjoyment is rarely sought or found in ministering to the wants, +and promoting the comfort of others. But rely upon it, dear children, +this is a narrow and altogether deceptive view of the best means of +happiness. Not only is it the divine command that we "love our neighbour +as ourselves," but it is equally certain that obedience to this great +law tends as directly to make ourselves happy, as it does to promote the +comfort of the objects of our benevolent attention. If you wish to be +happy yourselves, study continually to make all around you so too. The +luxury of doing good is the richest luxury of which we are capable. It +is the very spirit of Christ, who "went about doing good;" and the more +closely we commune with him in the exercise of the same spirit, the more +we secure true and rational enjoyment. Wherever you are, then, cultivate +a spirit of sympathy with the afflicted, and the habit of flying +spontaneously to the relief of suffering. You cannot begin too early to +feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to minister to the wants of the +sick and dying, to relieve distress of every kind, and to "please every +one for his good to edification:"--not by flattery, which is too +commonly the method of pleasing adopted; but by letting it be seen that +you seek, as much as in you lies, to make all around you truly happy. +Never promote mirth at the expense of others. Never allow yourselves to +"set others by the ears" as it is sometimes expressed, for the sake of +derision. Carefully avoid all those "tricks," which so many of the young +delight in, and by which so much suffering, and sometimes even +ultimately the loss of life, have been incurred. In a word, +conscientiously cherish the principle and the habit of never giving a +moment's pain to a human being, or even to a brute beast, unless it be +necessary for their real good; and wherever you see pain, by whomsoever +inflicted, do all in your power, consistent with other obligations, to +relieve it, and to give rational pleasure. There is nothing, be assured, +dear children, in all the splendour of fashionable display, in all the +gratifications of sense, in all the delirious joys of giddy dissipation, +once to be compared with the hallowed pleasure of habitually doing good +to all within your reach. Yes, make doing good your "ruling passion," +and you will be among the happiest of mortals. + +Let me beseech you to watch over your _temper_ with studious care. Few +things are more unhappy in a young person of either sex, than an +irritable, irascible temper. It betrays into a thousand indiscretions. +It poisons social intercourse. It alienates friends. It destroys the +comfort of the individual who indulges it; and it interferes with the +comfort of all with whom he converses. I have known this infirmity to +cast a cloud over the whole course of many persons who were otherwise +fitted to adorn and bless society. Watch and pray against it with the +utmost diligence. "He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that +taketh a city." "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Learn +"by soft answers to turn away wrath," both in yourselves and others. Be +not ready to take offence, or to consider any one as "an offender for a +word." Never regard an honest difference of opinion from yourself as a +personal affront. Surely the indulgence of such a spirit is as +unreasonable as it is unhappy. Guard with the utmost vigilance against a +jealous, suspicious temper. Ill nature, peevishness, and a disposition +to take every thing by an unfavourable handle, and to indulge in satire +and sarcasm, are revolting in every human being, but especially in the +female sex. I have never known such a temper to be indulged without +diminishing both the respectability and happiness of its possessor. Let +a mild, amiable, conciliatory spirit reign in all your intercourse. Be +ever kind, tender hearted, and forgiving, even as you hope to obtain +forgiveness from the God of all grace. Let the spirit of benevolence, +and a desire to please, shine in your countenances, and be manifest in +your deportment in all companies; at home and on journies; in the public +hotel, and in the parlour of a friend; towards servants, as well as +towards your equals or superiors. In a word, in temper as well as in +conduct, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even +so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." + +In forming your moral character and habits, I entreat you to lay great +stress upon cultivating a sacred and delicate regard to _truth_, in all +your social intercourse. Rely upon it, you cannot pay too conscientious +a regard to this point. A fault here is as dishonourable as it is +criminal. I do not allow myself to fear that my beloved grandchildren, +after the training they have received, will ever indulge in deliberate +falsehood. In this there is a meanness as well as a sin, which I hope +they will equally despise and abhor. But it is to be lamented that there +is much in social conversation, in which many people deemed respectable +are apt to indulge themselves, and which I hope you will make conscience +of sacredly avoiding. I mean all exaggeration in your descriptions; all +high-colouring in your statements; all indulgence in fabulous +narratives, even in jest, for the amusement of company. Aside from the +dictates of religion in this matter, which are sacred and conclusive, +there is something in these habits adapted to lower the character, and +to diminish the influence of those who indulge them, with all +sober-minded people. Whatever may be the consequence, let a regard to +the strictest verity, as if you were on oath, reign in all you say and +do. Avoid the meanness, as well as the sin of the slightest departure +from absolute truth. Let all underhand deceptive contrivances, all low +cunning, all habits of carrying your plans by disingenuous arts, be +abhorred and avoided. How gratifying would it be to those who love you, +to know that it had passed into something like a proverb among your +acquaintance--"The statement is from a Breckinridge--and therefore may +be depended on!" + +Let me farther entreat you to guard against all indulgence of the spirit +of _pride_, or _vanity_. By _pride_, I mean such an inordinate and +unreasonable conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as leads us +to look down on others as beneath us, and to treat them with +haughtiness, or contempt. And by _vanity_, I understand that excessive +desire for the applause of others which leads to egotism, and such a +weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain the approbation of those +around us, as are apt to betray into little and unworthy arts for +gaining the object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at once folly +and sin, I hope no formal argument will be necessary to convince you. +But still, they are both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable +obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against them. Be assured, dear +children, pride is as foolish as it is criminal. Who made you to differ +from others? And what have you that you have not received? If you have +minds, or an education, or outward circumstances more favourable than +those of many others, who conferred them upon you? If, therefore, you +have received all, why should you glory as if you had not received them? +I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a "laudable pride," an +"honest pride," "a noble pride," &c. But such language is a grievous +abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished from the vocabulary of +Christians. _Pride_ was "the condemnation and snare of the devil," and +is in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper personal dignity +and self-respect by this odious name, is altogether incorrect and +deceptive. To speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as "a noble +pride," is a perversion of language, as well as of moral principle. "Be +clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to +the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit +before a fall; for when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with the +lowly is wisdom." _Vanity_ is a passion still more childish and +degrading. It exhibits a rational creature hanging on the smiles and the +praise of his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. O, what +infatuation for miserable sinners, who deserve nothing at the hand of +God but wrath, and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant on +his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up with high thoughts of +themselves, and arrogantly to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then, +from pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study to be "meek and +lowly in heart." "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low +estate." "In lowliness of mind esteem others better than yourselves." +"Be not wise or great in your own conceits." Be not greedy of praise. +Despise all the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. Rely upon +it, the lower you lie in the dust of abasement, the happier you will be. +The more you are disposed to love and honour all around you according to +their real character, the more infallibly you will secure their love and +confidence in return. And the less anxious you are to gain the applause +of men, the more likely you will be to attain it, if you are found +humbly and diligently performing your duty. In short, if I wished you to +gain the highest degree of esteem and honour among men, I would say--Do +not seek this object anxiously, or even directly at all. Never inquire +what others say or think of you. Speak of yourselves, in conversation, +as little as possible. Treat your superiors with uniform respect, but +not with fawning or flattery; and your inferiors, down to the lowest +servant or beggar, with undeviating condescension and kindness; trying +to benefit every one, and promote the happiness of every one; and you +will have as much of the love and respect of all as you really deserve, +and probably more. If you sincerely try to promote the happiness of all +around you, and do it with a kind and amiable manner, I believe it is +one of the cases in which our Lord's declaration never fails to be +fulfilled--"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed +down and running over shall men give into your bosom." + +Strive with sacred care against every feeling approaching to the passion +of _envy_. As you are now at an age when you are called daily to compete +with school and play-mates, you may be sometimes strongly tempted to +indulge in this passion. But it is a base passion. Beware of it. How +fiend-like, to sicken and repine at excellence! How base, to be +displeased and mortified when we contemplate the superior prosperity, +happiness, or accomplishments of others! When you witness such superior +attainments or excellence, let the only effort be to excite gratitude to +God for its existence, and a generous emulation of it in yourselves. + +Guard with vigilance against a _talebearing_ and _tattling_ spirit. I +will not suppose you capable of deliberate _slander_, or cruelly +circulating reports to the injury of others without just evidence. This +is so base and mean, that I trust you will ever abhor and despise it. +But it is the infirmity of many, who intend thereby no injury, that they +delight in circulating news concerning their neighbours, and have not a +little of the true gossipping spirit. This is a bad habit. It degrades +the individual who indulges it, in the view of all wise, reflecting +people; often involves in painful explanations and difficulties; and is +frequently followed by consequences of the most perplexing and +disreputable kind. Never indulge the disposition to repeat idle stories +about neighbours. If they are repeated in your presence, listen to them +either in silence, or with a civil remark, which cannot possibly +implicate you, or be construed into an approval of the scandal. It was +an excellent appeal which was once made by a wise and benevolent man +whom I knew in early life--"Why can you not talk more about _things_, +than about _persons_?" + +Let me farther exhort you, as a point of duty, to cultivate habitual +_cheerfulness_. When I say this, you will not understand me as +recommending a spirit of levity and frivolity. This is unworthy of +rational, accountable creatures, and indicates as much of weakness as of +sin. Those who spend their lives in gaiety and mirth, are "dead while +they live." But by cultivating habitual cheerfulness, I mean cherishing +a pleasant state of the animal spirits; as opposed to constitutional +gloom, mental depression, and settled, clouded taciturnity, I mean +habits, not of light, but of lively and affable conversation. Such a +state of mind does good like a medicine. It contributes to our own +enjoyment. It makes us more pleasant and useful to those with whom we +converse. It may even operate to promote health and prolong life; and in +various ways extend our power of doing good. + +Guard with conscientious care against habits of _indolence_. A tendency +to this sin is one of the radical symptoms of the great moral disease of +our nature; and you cannot begin too early to labour and pray for +effecting a cure. Fly from idleness as a habit connected with a legion +of evils. Make a point of always having something useful to +do--something to fill up every moment left vacant between the larger and +more important tasks of life. I am aware that we all stand in need of +_recreation_; but this is often best attained by _a change of +employment_. When you have finished a sedentary task, which required +intense application of mind, think, for a moment, whether there be not +some other object to which you may attend for a short time, which will +require no mental effort, but by attention to which, you may promote +either your own health or comfort, or the advantage of others. Make it +your daily study to "redeem the time." Try to turn every moment to some +valuable account. For this purpose, form, as early as possible, a plan, +a systematic order in your daily tasks. Without such a plan, more or +less formally adopted, you will inevitably lose much time in passing +from one engagement to another. But if you manage always to leave +something useful with which to fill up every little interval; so as +never to be idle, and never to waste time with frivolous, or worse than +frivolous employments, you will be more happy, and live more to your +own true honour, and the benefit of your generation. + +I have only to add on the subject of this letter, a single word on the +great importance of maintaining strict and habitual _temperance_ in all +your enjoyments. If you wish really to enjoy life, and to "live out all +your days," you must exercise moderation and self-denial in eating and +drinking, and in every department of indulgence. Temperance has been +defined--the moderate use of things useful, and total abstinence from +those which are pernicious. This is an excellent definition, which I +trust you will ever keep in mind, and make your daily and hourly rule. +To be thus temperate, is a divine command. It is eminently conducive to +health. It is highly advantageous to the activity and strength of the +powers of the mind. And it is an admirable defence against a thousand +irregularities and mischiefs which cloud the faculties, destroy comfort, +and lead to multiplied forms of disease, and to premature graves. If you +habitually restrain appetite, deny yourselves, and "let your moderation +be known" in all things, and to all men, you will avoid many evils which +continually beset those who act on the system of self-indulgence. Never +drink any thing but pure water, when in health; indulge in animal food +but _once_ in each day, and that in smaller quantities than most people +consider as temperate. Labourers in the open air may, not only with +impunity, but perhaps with profit, eat animal food more than once every +day; but I am persuaded few other persons can do it without disadvantage +to their health. My personal experience and observation in regard to +this point are very decisive. Nay, I would advise you to go one step +farther. Make the experiment of wholly abstaining from animal food at +least one day in each week, for the purpose of "giving nature a +holyday;" of clearing the body and the mind from crudities; and taking a +new start in refined feeling and unclogged activity. + +In fine, let it be the object of your unceasing study and prayer, to +"keep under the body;" to "crucify the flesh with the affections and +lusts;" to subdue and restrain all irregular tempers; "if it be +possible, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably with all men;" to +avoid wounding the feelings of any one with whom you converse, unless +required to do it by a pure sense of duty; to promote the happiness of +all around you; and to be continually seeking and improving +opportunities of doing good. + + +LETTER VIII. + +MANNERS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--I wish it were in my power to give you a perfect and +vivid representation of the manners of your lamented Mother. There was +in them a sweetness, a gracefulness, and an attraction truly rare. +Wherever she went, they at once gained her friends. I am sure if you had +been old enough at her decease to appreciate them; or, if I could now +depict them to the life, you would have a deeper impression of the +importance of happy manners; of their value to their possessor; of their +benign influence on social intercourse, than I can now hope to impart. +As it is, I hope you will be willing to take on trust my statement of +the fact concerning her, and that you will be stimulated to seek a +similar accomplishment. + +If it be true, as has been often said, that a good face is an "open +letter of recommendation," wherever its possessor appears; we may, with +quite as much emphasis, say the same of pleasant engaging manners. Nay, +we may go farther. The most beautiful face and form that ever existed, +if unaccompanied by agreeable manners, will soon be contemplated with +indifference, if not with disgust. While, on the contrary, where there +is an entire absence of personal beauty, there may be, and often are +found, such manners as captivate and win wherever they are seen, and +with a power felt by all, however remote they may be from the possession +of such manners themselves. + +I shall not tax either your patience or my own, by entering largely into +the subject of manners. On this extensive subject I refer you to a +volume on "Clerical Manners and Habits" which I published a few years +ago, and in which considerable minuteness of detail is indulged. For +although that work was intended more particularly for the benefit of +clergymen, and especially of candidates for the sacred office; yet a +large portion of it is equally applicable to all classes and +professions, and to both sexes. I recommend the volume referred to, to +your serious attention, and to your careful study. And whatever may be +your situation in life, I think you will find much in it worthy of your +regard. At any rate, if it be not so, I have failed of gaining my main +object in its publication. + +I will not, however, content myself with merely referring you to the +volume in question. It is my wish, in this little system of affectionate +advices, to call your attention to a few particulars on this subject +which may be considered as more immediately appropriate at your present +tender age, and, perhaps, on that account, more likely to dwell upon +your memory than the contents of a volume. + +You will, perhaps, ask me, what I mean by those "good manners" which I +would recommend? I answer, by such manners I mean that mode of personal +address and deportment toward all with whom we converse which is +dictated by the meekness, benevolence, and purity of the Gospel. In a +word, "true politeness"--the most genuine politeness--that which I would +earnestly desire those whom I love to cherish and cultivate--is _the +religion of Christ acted out in the whole temper, conversation, and +deportment_. The simple, unembarrassed, gentle expression of mingled +respect and kindness toward all with whom we converse, from the hovel to +the palace, is the perfection of manners. These are manners which become +all times, places, companies, and circumstances, and which will carry +their possessor through the world with acceptance and comfort. + +Perhaps, in your inexperience, you may be disposed to ask, what is the +great value of such manners as are here recommended? If you have any +doubt on this subject _now_, I am persuaded a little more knowledge of +the world will satisfy you that their value is unspeakably great. Few +people are adequate judges of those solid intellectual and moral +qualities which form a character of high excellence. But of personal +manners, all are judges; at any rate, all are capable of perceiving, and +in some degree estimating, their value. Only a small portion of those +with whom you converse are able to discern whether you are wise and +well informed; but every child can see whether you have a sweet voice, a +pleasant countenance, an amiable, kind and respectful mode of address, +or the contrary. Can there be, then, a more obvious dictate, both of +policy and duty, than to cultivate that which, to multitudes, is more +attractive than real merit; which secures to merit a hearing, and an +influence which it would not otherwise obtain; and which will be likely, +in many cases, to open a door to usefulness which, without it, would, in +all probability, have continued impenetrably closed? In repeated +instances have I known persons of weak minds, and of small information, +but of remarkably fascinating manners, carry all before them in circles +of society into which persons of far higher qualifications, both +intellectual and moral, but defective in the attractions of manner, were +scarcely able to obtain admittance, and very inadequately esteemed when +admitted. A soft, insinuating address has, a thousand times, rendered +its possessor every where acceptable and popular, when, on the score of +real merit, he ought by no means to have enjoyed so much public favour. + +But this is not all. Pleasant attractive manners not only have a +paramount influence with the superficial and unthinking; but they have +more power even on the minds of the wise and the good than is commonly +imagined. To every human being, that which is intrinsically excellent, +appears doubly attractive when presented in a pleasing manner. Truth, +even to those who know it to be truth, finds a more cordial welcome; and +duty, even among its most sincere and enlightened friends, commands a +more ready obedience, when they are clothed in an attractive garb, and +speak in alluring accents. That the very same words, which, when uttered +by some, are intolerably offensive; when spoken in the mild, respectful +manner of others, are welcome, and even delightful--that the very same +action, which, performed by some, is censured; when performed by others, +of perhaps less talent or virtue, is lauded to excess; are among the +most notorious facts in human life; and that not in the circles of +ignorance and dissipation only, but also in those of the most estimable +portions of mankind. + +To despise or undervalue the cultivation of _manners_, then, argues a +great want of practical wisdom. It is a subject worthy of your constant +regard. To neglect it, is equally to oppose reason and experience, and +to set at naught some of the most precious means of gaining access to +the human heart. And when I speak of cultivating good manners, do not +imagine that I mean the formal, showy, pompous manners which some +commend, and seem to aim at. The truth is, the perfection of +manners--the ultimate point which is the result of the very best +culture, is to attain that ease, simplicity, modesty, and gentleness of +deportment in every thing, which has nothing of the artificial, nothing +of display about it. But to be more particular. + +The first characteristic of manners to which I would direct your +attention, as lying at the foundation of all excellence, is _benignity_. +Without the law of _benevolence_, reigning in the heart, and governing +the temper and the life, there may be much pomp and courtliness of +manner; many a heartless smile, and many a flattering form of address; +but there can be no genuine politeness. The essence of this consists in +the spirit of cordial good will and kindness shining in the countenance; +expressing itself in the language and tones of respect and benevolent +regard; and flowing through all the channels of human intercourse, and +all the minutiæ of human life. This is the vital principle of good +manners. Just in proportion as you really desire to increase the +happiness of all around you; to consult their ease; to anticipate their +wants; and to promote their welfare--you will spontaneously manifest +these feelings in all situations and companies. Your whole deportment +will be pleasing, attractive, and graceful, without your having studied +artificial rules. This is the foundation and the sum of all; but it may +not be improper to trace the radical principle into some of its minute +details. + +In all social intercourse, let _respectful attention_ mark your whole +manner. To turn away your eyes from the person who is addressing you; +or to manifest in any way that you are thinking, or wish to be thinking, +of something else, is a great breach of good manners; cannot fail of +giving pain to those with whom you converse; and must deprive you of a +large part of the benefit of conversation. When you look your companion +gently and respectfully, but firmly in the face, you manifest attention; +you enable yourselves to watch his countenance, and mark the impression +which you make on his mind; to say nothing of the power of the eye in +seconding and enforcing all that is said. + +Cultivate _affability_ of manner. By this I mean that style of manners +which is distinguished by ease, simplicity, and courteousness; a +deportment opposed to haughtiness, reserve, coldness, or taciturnity; in +short, to every thing that is adapted to repel, or to prevent freedom +and comfort of approach. I am aware that constitutional temperament has +much to do with this. But still, it is equally true that affability may +and ought to be carefully cultivated; and that there are few things +better adapted to conciliate good will, to inspire confidence, to invite +freedom of communication, and to place at ease all with whom we +converse. + +Study to exercise _gentleness_ and _mildness_ in all your deportment and +conversation. Guard against every thing harsh, severe, rough, abrupt, or +in any way repulsive in your language, voice, or manner. Let the +meekness and gentleness of wisdom appear in every look, tone, and +expression. By a mild, respectful address, you may at once reprove +impertinence, disarm violence, and put even brutality to shame. Give all +diligence, then, to be "gentle toward all men." Learn the happy art of +conversing with gentleness, of giving your commands with gentleness, of +arguing with gentleness, of contending with gentleness, and of even +reproving with gentleness. Both commands and reproofs, as well as +arguments, when dispensed in this manner, have not only more dignity, +but also more weight than when invested with an opposite character. + +Few things are more opposed to good breeding than a _loud, boisterous_ +manner in social intercourse. Whether this be indulged in laughter, or +in conversation, it is equally exceptionable as an offence against both +delicacy and dignity. With regard to _females_, an offence against this +rule, is peculiarly revolting. It is a sure sign of vulgarity, and ought +to be carefully avoided. But, in either sex, it is a blemish which well +bred people never fail to notice. + +Closely allied to this is the habit of _rude familiarity_ which some +affect, and to which they give the name of social pleasantry. This is +undignified, and, to all delicate people, offensive. Mutual dignity and +respect are indispensable to the continued existence of Christian +intercourse, in its most pure, delicate, and profitable form. If you +wish to maintain such intercourse, be free and unconstrained; but never +indulge in coarse familiarity. Those who are worthy of your love will +certainly be repelled rather than attracted by it. + +Remember, too, that all _interruption_ of any one with whom you are +conversing, or blunt _contradiction_ of his statements, is an offence +against delicate manners. However erroneous he may be, hear him out; and +however certain you may be that his representations are false, rectify +his mistake, not bluntly, but with kindness and respect. + +Guard against _talking too much_ in company. He who is very talkative +incurs disadvantages of a very serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires +his hearers; and must, of course, diminish his usefulness. However rich +and instructive any one's talk may be, yet, if there be too much of it, +both his dignity and his influence cannot fail of being impaired. "A +fool's voice," says Solomon, "is known by the multitude of his words." +"In the multitude of words," says the same inspired teacher, "there +wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise." And again, +"He that hath knowledge, spareth his words." + +But another extreme in social intercourse, is that of excessive +_reserve_ and _taciturnity_. Some from physical temperament; others from +abstraction or absence of mind; and a third class, perhaps, from still +more exceptionable causes, wrap themselves up in a chilling reserve in +company--never speaking but when addressed; and then answering as +briefly as possible, and relapsing into silence again. This is surely +unhappy in a social being, and ought to be carefully avoided. While you +avoid garrulity, then, sink not down into obstinate silence. If you find +yourselves, from any cause, prone to this, it is abundantly worth while +to take pains to counteract it, and to labour to have something ready to +say that shall be at once acceptable and instructive. + +In regard to _uncleanly and vulgar personal habits_, I will not suppose +you capable of them: and, therefore, shall not dwell upon them. All +spitting on floors, lounging in your seats, putting up your feet on +chairs or stools, leaning with your elbows on tables--these, and all +similar habits, I hope, after the training you have had, you will avoid +with instinctive repugnance. But there is one habit which I would +earnestly recommend, as favourable not merely to good manners, but also +to _health_. Learn to _sit erect_, not only in company, but even in your +most private apartment. Reading or writing in a half-sunken or reclining +posture is unfriendly to a graceful carriage; is apt to betray unwarily +into similar postures in company; prepares the way for the sinking, +half-bent postures which disfigure so many of the feeble and aged; and +really tends to bring on premature decrepitude. + +Do not affect _wit_ or _punning_ in conversation. So many of those who +try to make themselves acceptable by such attempts, not only fail, but +often render themselves a laughing stock by it, that there is little +probability of your succeeding as wits or punsters. But even with +respect to those whose talents in this way are ever so great, there is +so much danger of their indulging those talents unseasonably and +imprudently, so as to offend and alienate friends, that such powers +ought to be deprecated rather than desired, and their exercise, if +possessed, subjected to the severest restriction. I never knew more than +one person of wit who was strictly discreet and delicate in its use. But +I have known thousands who, by their miserable attempts to display what +they possessed either not at all, or in a very small degree, succeeded +only in exposing themselves to ridicule. And I have known many real +wits, who almost every day wounded feelings, and alienated friends by +their reckless effusions. + +Do not indulge the habit in conversation of _talking of yourselves_. +Hardly any quality is more apt to appear in social intercourse than +personal vanity. This leads to egotism, so that the idea of _self_ +appears to be ever present to the imagination. Hence we perpetually find +people talking of themselves; what they have done; what they have said; +what others have said and done to their honour; in short, bringing into +view something to their own advantage, or that of their family or +relatives. Rely upon it, if you have real worth, the less _you_ say +about it the better; and if you have it not, every claim of it, direct +or indirect, can only sink you lower in the estimation of those with +whom you converse. + +Carefully form the habit of adverting to all the properties of _time_, +_place_ and _circumstances_ in conversation. When you are about, in +company, to make a remark, or to introduce a new topic of conversation, +look round on the circle, and ask yourself, whether there is any one +present whose feelings would be likely to be hurt by what you are about +to say, or who would be placed by it in embarrassing circumstances. Be +very sure for example, when about to make, in company, an unfavourable +remark on an absent person, that no relative or special friend of that +person is among your hearers. For, although you ought never to make a +remark on any one which the Christian spirit cannot justify; yet in +certain circumstances, a remark perfectly proper in itself, may be +unseasonable, and peculiarly painful to some who hear it. Guard against +the possibility of such an occurrence. This is a dictate of sound +worldly policy. A departure from it is a gross violation of true +politeness. But it may be said, still more emphatically, to be a +departure from the principles of Christian benevolence. + +Avoid the too frequent _use of superlatives_ in conversation. The habit +of many, when they wish to express either approbation or censure, is to +employ the very strongest terms which the English language affords. If +they think favourably of the talents or the performance of any one, they +are apt to speak of them as "noble, admirable," as of "the first order;" +or in some terms expressive of the very highest excellence. And, on the +other hand, if they undertake to express disapprobation, the terms +"mean," "execrable," "detestable," are the softest that they think of +employing. This is a bad habit. It renders both the praise and censure +of those who indulge it of less value in the estimation of all +sober-minded and discriminating judges. If you wish your judgment to +pass for any thing in the view of the wise and reflecting, you must +learn to express opinions in that guarded and moderate manner which +indicates intellectual discrimination rather than undistinguishing +emotion. You know where it is said "Fools admire, where men of sense +approve." + +Carefully avoid giving _unnecessary trouble_ wherever you are. The +difference between different persons in this respect is very +conspicuous. Some, when in the houses of their friends, have so many +little wants, so many errands to perform, and are so absorbed in their +own affairs, that, if permitted, they would keep several servants and +others constantly employed in waiting upon them. You may rely upon it +you can never be, long together, welcome visitants in families which you +subject to so much trouble. Make as few demands as possible on the time +and attention of those whose hospitality you are enjoying. Never call +upon their servants to wait upon you when it is practicable to avoid it. +Never allow the occupations or order of any family to be set aside or +disarranged on your account, where it is possible to prevent it. In +short, act universally on the principle of doing every thing that you +can for yourselves, and making as few demands as possible on the time +and labour of those around you. + +In _calling on friends_ consult their convenience, as well as your own; +and in some cases in preference to your own. Many make their calls at +such hours, and sit so inordinately long, as to throw a whole family +into disorder, and inflict very serious pain. Never sit long in your +social calls at any time; but when you make them at times which may, by +possibility interfere with domestic meals, let them be _very short_; be +on the watch for every symptom of engagement or uneasiness on the part +of those whom you visit, and on the appearance of any thing of the kind, +instantly take your leave. + +Constantly maintain the habit of _early rising_. Few things are more +conducive to health and activity both of body and mind. A disposition +to lie long in bed in the morning, is, at once, a symptom and a cause of +feeble digestion, of nervous debility, and of general languor. Go early +to bed. Avoid much night study. Quit your beds by dawn of day, and, in +winter, before the dawn, and thus secure several hours of unbroken time, +for devotion, for study, and for gentle exercise in the open air, before +breakfast, and before the interruptions of the earliest visitors +commence. + +Cultivate habits of moderation in _dress_. You are never likely to be +able to indulge in very inordinate expense in bodily adorning; and I +will venture to say, this inability, wherever it exists, is a great +blessing. Few things evince more weakness of mind, and absence of +Christian principle, than extravagance and splendor in dress. In young +men it is a sad evidence of "dandyism" and folly; and even in young +females, an excessive indulgence in fashion, in finery, and the extreme +of _devotion_ to bodily adorning, never fails to depress their character +in the estimation of the wise and good. Try to set an example of sober, +dignified _moderation_ in regard to this whole subject. Always guard +against negligence of dress. Conscientiously avoid exposing yourselves +to the charge of careless, slatternly habits. But never make dress an +idol. Reject every thing dazzling, or what is commonly called "dashing," +in outward ornament. Be not seen aping the extreme of fashion; and ever +remember how unworthy it is of Christians to be worshippers of external +adorning; and how peculiarly disreputable for the children of +_clergymen_ to bear such a character. + + * * * * * + +Thus, dear children, I have endeavoured, with brevity, to give you a few +paternal counsels, which, I would fondly hope, may, by the grace of God, +be made to promote your benefit, when the hand which penned them shall +be sleeping in the dust. You will perceive from the _order_ in which I +have placed my counsels, that I consider real heart religion as the most +indispensable and precious of all attainments; that my first and highest +wish concerning you is, that you may love your Father's and Mother's +God, and make it your daily aim to follow her to that world of bliss and +glory to which, as we trust, she has gone before us. Next to seeing you +real Christians, my desire is to see you enlightened, polished, +benevolent, amiable, attractive members of society, respected and +beloved by all who know you. + +Remember, I beseech you, that the friends of your Parents will expect +much from you. The advantages which you have enjoyed, and are daily +enjoying, impose upon you a solemn responsibility in the sight both of +God and man. Many prayers have ascended to heaven on your behalf. Pray +without ceasing for yourselves, that you may be preserved from the +paths of sin and folly, and led in the ways of heavenly wisdom. + +I have no doubt that the counsels I have given you will commend +themselves to your judgment, and that you will promptly form the +resolution to make them your constant guide. But you cannot rely upon +your own wisdom or strength to do this. Such are your own infirmities, +and so multiplied the temptations and allurements which surround you, +that you will need at every step, guidance and help from above. Happy +will it be for you if you habitually bear this in mind, and acknowledge +God in all your ways, that he may direct your steps. + +And now, dear children, I bid you farewell. When I look forward, and +imagine to myself what may be your course in life--when I think of the +corruptions and perils with which you are surrounded, and what _may_ be +the result of them, I hardly know how to express my anxieties and fears: +but when I recollect the love and faithfulness of that God who blessed +your Parents, I feel willing to commit you into his hands, and to trust +his grace for your temporal and eternal welfare. May he guide you by his +counsel! May he guard you amidst all the dangers of youth and of riper +years; and finally, "present you faultless before the presence of his +glory with exceeding great joy!" O how unutterably precious the thought +of meeting you all at last--with those of our beloved family who have +already gone before us, and those who are yet to follow--around the +throne of our covenant God, and rejoicing forever in his presence and +glory! Such will be the prayer until his last breath, of your + + Affectionate Grandfather, + + SAMUEL MILLER. + + PRINCETON, July 10, 1839. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret +Breckinridge, by Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 45317-8.txt or 45317-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/5/3/1/45317/ + +Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/45317-8.zip b/old/45317-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f73bead --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-8.zip diff --git a/old/45317-h.zip b/old/45317-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe93c97 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-h.zip diff --git a/old/45317-h/45317-h.htm b/old/45317-h/45317-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f86551 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-h/45317-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6196 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, by + Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge. + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3, h4, h5 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + line-height: 2; +} + +h1 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +h2 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +h3 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + +h4 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} +h5 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + + .p2 {margin-top: 2em;} + .p4 {margin-top: 4em;} + .p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + .ht {page-break-after: always;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 15%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +.poetry-container +{ + text-align: center; + font-size: 95%; +} + +.poetry + { + display: inline-block; + text-align: left; + } + +.poetry .stanza +{ + margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; +} + +.poetry .line +{ + margin: 0; + text-indent: -3em; + padding-left: 3em; +} + +.poetry .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} + + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + /* not bold */ + font-weight: normal; + /* not italic */ + font-style: normal; + /* not small cap */ + font-variant: normal; +} /* page numbers */ + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 2em; +} + + .tdl {text-align: left;} + .tdc {text-align: center;} + .tdr {text-align: right;} + .tdch {text-align: center; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .tdcc {text-align: center; padding-top: 1em;} + .tdcch {text-align: center; padding-top: 2em;} + + +.center {text-align: center;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.medium {font-size: medium;} +.small {font-size: small;} +.large {font-size: large;} +.i2 {margin-left: 3em;} +.i5 {margin-left: 5em;} +.i9 {margin-left: 9em;} + + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.box {margin: auto; + margin-top: 4em; + border: 1px solid; + padding: 1em; + background-color: #F0FFFF; + width: 25em;} + +/* Footnotes */ + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + +.caption p +{ + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.25em 0; +} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter6m {margin: auto; + text-align: center; + margin-top: 6em;} + + +@media print +{ + + hr.tb + { + width: 5%; + margin-left: 47.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + + hr.chap + { + width: 15%; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } +} + +@media handheld +{ + + body + { + margin: 0; + padding: 0; + width: 90%; + } + + .box + { + width: auto; + } + + hr.chap + { + width: 15%; + margin-left: 42.5%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + } + +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, by +Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge + +Author: Archibald Alexander + Samuel Miller + John Breckinridge + +Release Date: April 5, 2014 [EBook #45317] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a></span></p> + + +<p class="box">Transcriber's Notes:<br /> +<br /> + + +Blank pages have been eliminated.<br /> +<br /> +Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the +original.<br /> +<br /> +A few typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter6m"> + <img src="images/margaret.png" width="600" height="745" alt=""/> + <div class="caption"> + <p><i>Painted by Robinson.</i> <i>Eng<sup>d.</sup> by J. Sartain</i></p> + </div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h1><span class="medium">A</span><br /> + +MEMORIAL<br /> + +<span class="small">OF</span><br /> + +MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</h1> + +<p class="p6 center">IN TWO PARTS.</p> + +<p class="smcap center p6">Part I. Memoir, and Funeral Sermon.<br /> +Part II. Letters to her surviving Children.</p> + +<p class="center p6 ht">PHILADELPHIA:<br /> +WILLIAM S. MARTIEN.<br /> +1839.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a></span></p> + + + + +<p class="center p6">Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by</p> + +<p class="center">WILLIAM S. MARTIEN,</p> + +<p class="center ht">in the office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania.</p> + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a></span></p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" summary="contents"> + +<tr> + <td class="tdch" colspan="2">PART I.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdr" colspan="2"><i>Page.</i></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introduction,</span></td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter I.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Life of Mrs. Breckinridge,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter II.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Additional Illustrations of the Life and Character of Mrs. Breckinridge,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Religious Character,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her dedication to the work of Foreign Missions,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Sacrifices for the Church of God,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Her Last Sickness and Death,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chapter III.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Closing Reflections,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2">SUBMISSION:</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Sermon</span>—by the Rev. A. Alexander, D.D.</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcch" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>PART II.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2">LETTERS OF A GRANDFATHER.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter I.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Introductory,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_5">5</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter II.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Human Nature,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_10">10</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter III.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">The Way of Salvation,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_17">17</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter IV.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">The Bible,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_29">29</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter V.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Prayer,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_37">37</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VI.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Cultivation of the Mind,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_45">45</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VII.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Cultivation of the Heart and the Moral Habits,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_67">67</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdcc" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Letter VIII.</span></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Manners,</td> + <td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page2_86">86</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<p class="ht"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a></span></p> + + + +<p class="center p6">A</p> + +<p class="center p2 large">MEMOIR</p> + +<p class="center p2">OF</p> + +<p class="center p2 large">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="center p6">"Jesus wept."</p> + +<h2>PART I.</h2> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a> +<br /><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>INTRODUCTION</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">More</span> than a year has now passed since +Mrs. <span class="smcap">Margaret Breckinridge</span>, the beloved +subject of the following brief notices, +was taken from us into the saints' everlasting +rest. By that event, the little family of +which she was the joy and crown, was dissolved. +The surviving parent felt that God +had committed to him the interesting but +mournful duty of preserving the memory of +so inestimable a friend. But it is long after +such an event, before the mind is sufficiently +tranquil to utter our thoughts and feelings +without excess. The peaceable fruits of so +dreadful a chastisement succeed, alas! but +slowly in our intractable hearts, to the distraction +of grief, and the desolation of the +grave.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was in the midst of the deepest of his +sorrow, also, that the writer was hastened +(by a very kind Providence, as he now sees +it to have been) into the active duties of an +office which left no rest for body or mind +during almost an entire year. So that if +his feelings had allowed the attempt at preparing +a Memoir, his duty to the Church of +God forbade it.</p> + +<p>In these trying and peculiar circumstances, +he was permitted to call in the aid of +those honoured and venerable Friends, from +whose hands, in a happier day, he had received +the lovely wife of his youth. They +of all others knew her best, especially from +her birth to her marriage. They had done +most, under God, to fit her for life's duties, +and its close; and to make her "worthy to +be had in everlasting remembrance." And +none were judged to be so well qualified to +do justice to her memory. To the one we +are indebted for the following interesting +Sketch, making the first chapter. To the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +other for the valuable Letters to her surviving +children, forming the second part of this +memorial.</p> + +<p>While all must admire the delicacy and +candour with which this sketch is drawn, it +is evident to those who knew the deceased, +that much remains to be said which ought +not to be omitted—especially in regard to +that portion of her life, embracing more +than fifteen years, which passed between +the time of leaving the parental roof, and +her lamented death. In attempting to supply +this omission, the writer felt the inconvenience—even +awkwardness of returning +upon a narrative which seemed to have +been brought to an appropriate close. But +this was thought preferable to leaving the +memoir incomplete; or to breaking the +thread of the narrative given in the first +chapter.</p> + +<p>And moreover it was felt that the design +of the work which called for the additional +chapters, dispensed with form in the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>ner +of furnishing them. It is intended to +preserve the memory of the beloved dead +for her bereaved children, and her numerous +kindred and friends, rather than to +unveil her retiring character to the public +eye. The work being designed, not so +much for general circulation as for family +use, is rather <i>printed</i>, than <i>published</i>; and +all its imperfections will readily be overlooked +by those who will come to these +pages, as Mary went to the tomb of Lazarus—"to +weep there."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>MEMOIR.</h3> + + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">A narrative</span> of the life of our departed friends, +bears some resemblance to the representation, on +canvass, of their persons and features; it serves +to restore and collect our scattered thoughts, and +revive our affections; and prevents the hand of +time from obliterating entirely, their peculiar mental +and moral lineaments.</p> + +<p>It was in consequence of the necessity of this +help to our natural infirmities, that our Lord gave +to his people the bread and wine, as a symbol of +his body and blood, and said, "Do this in remembrance +of me." He knew too well our careless, +wandering hearts, to trust the recollections, even of +<i>his</i> great and lovely character, to our unfaithful +keeping, and established, as a help to his word, +the ordinance which was to continue unto the end +of the world, "as a memorial of him." And we +trust that his people are permitted to endeavour to +perpetuate the remembrance of each other by +means, which, however they may come greatly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +short of the significant emblem ordained by himself, +will assist in enabling them "to love one +another as he also loved them."</p> + +<p>In view of this encouragement, given us in the +Scriptures of inspiration, we would endeavour to +bring together, and exhibit, in the history of the +short life of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, some of +those graces of a Christian character, which lead +us to hope that the finger of the Lord had engraven +his name on her heart, and that his grace was carrying +on the work, notwithstanding much infirmity +of flesh and spirit, until the body of sin and death +within her was rolled away, and a simple, undivided +hold taken on the Rock of ages.</p> + +<p>She was born September 29th, 1802, in New +York, and educated for several years under the +immediate instruction of the sanctuary, in a comparatively +pure state of the Church, when the +name and influence of a few such venerable and +holy men as the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, had +thrown a restraint on the vices of the world around +them, as well as on the constantly recurring disorders +of the Church, so that the very vagrants of +the street felt their presence.<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Every pastor of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +flock of Jesus Christ seemed to feel it his privilege, +as well as his duty, to feed the lambs of his +flock himself, and did not commit them to the +ever-varying, heterogeneous instruction of others. +The Scriptures, and the Catechism, it was his own +business to inculcate; and the same afternoon in +each week, had been for many years, in several of +the churches of the city, of various denominations, +the season for this instruction.</p> + +<p>By these and other means, the Bible had taken +a systematic form in Margaret's mind, very early; +and whenever she met, even in childhood, with a +scriptural scene or subject, she generally knew +where to place it, and was particularly animated +by it. And this peculiar skill, and taste, continued +and increased until childhood passed away, and +the pride and enjoyment of life opened a new +scene before her.</p> + +<p>For a time it seemed as if every vestige of the +sensibility arising from religious instruction would +be swept away. She had friends who wished to +see her enjoying the <i>innocent</i> pleasures of youth; +especially as in person and mind there was a promise +of peculiar adaptation to them. And there +was a will of her own very clearly developing, +which wanted more restraint than parents are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +generally willing to exercise. Many interpositions, +however, in providence occurred, which, though +sad in the view of her family, proved a real deliverance +to her—frequently arresting her first decisive +step in folly.</p> + +<p>At the age of eleven she was removed with her +family to Princeton, in consequence of a call +which her father received, to a Professorship in +the Theological Seminary in that place. Being +thus separated from many snares incident to a city +life, she began anew, as it were, to form habits +and connexions, which, although in some respects, +more dangerous and ensnaring than those +which she had left, had not "grown with her +growth, and strengthened with her strength;" and +were, on that account, more ready to yield, when +the follies of youth passed away, and the solemnities +of this world, in view of another, opened +before her.</p> + +<p>The want of a good school in Princeton, induced +her parents to send her, at the age of about +fourteen years, to Philadelphia, for the purpose of +obtaining for her some finish to the education +which she had received at home. She remained +there nearly a year, residing with an aunt, and +attending a daily and well conducted school. Indeed +it was <i>her</i> privilege, as well as the privilege of +many others, to receive instruction from a teacher, +who not only was competent to every branch of +polite learning which adorns the mind of a female,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +but desirous of having all which he taught so sanctified +as to reach the heart, and be made the means +of communicating spiritual and saving, as well as +intellectual instruction.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>The immediate effect of this experiment was +injurious to Margaret's disposition and deportment. +She returned to her parents with more +love for the world, and a better opinion of herself; +and of consequence was less docile. It was evident +that the atmosphere of a city was not the +element in which her heart would receive the best +influence.</p> + +<p>In a revival which took place in Princeton, +when she was about eighteen years of age, an +interest was excited in some of her pious female +friends for her conversion. They concluded +to make her the subject of special prayer. Of +this she was entirely ignorant, until the evidence +appeared in herself of the verity of the promise, as +to the result of "fervent, effectual prayer." A +sermon of the celebrated President Edwards, read<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +in a small, social meeting, arrested her attention, +and brought her to continued, deep, serious thinking, +which ended, as she thought, in a new view +of everlasting things. With all the sanguine feelings +of youth, she judged herself prepared to be +united with the Church; but owing to the unwillingness +of her parents to risk the possibility of a +premature profession of religion, this step was +delayed.</p> + +<p>In connexion with this period of her life, it +seems necessary to relate some circumstances +which took place with regard to a much loved sister +of hers; not many years younger than herself. +They had been so closely educated together, as to +make them one in many of their views and feelings.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth, in giving an account of the exercises +of her own mind on the subject of religion, some +time after they took place, said, that she experienced +an irresistible feeling of contempt for the +concern which Margaret manifested, and concluded +that she was indulging a mere hypocritical affectation; +in consequence of which she was beginning +to make some observations to this effect, when, in +a moment, a deep conviction fastened on her conscience, +of the danger of resisting what might +prove to be the influence of the Holy Spirit. +This impression resulted in a real concern for +herself, and in views equally solemn with those +expressed by Margaret.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>They both now made progress together in their +inquiries and experience, and were a mutual help, +rather than a hinderance to each other. Both soon +thought that they had obtained an interest in +"Him, whose blood cleanseth from all sin."</p> + +<p>It appeared, however, soon after this, as if our +fears with regard to Margaret were but too well +founded. "Because of manifold temptations," she +seemed to be taking a new hold on the world; but +a state of things about the same time, began with +Elizabeth, which disciplined and humbled her +spirit; and she was soon enabled to realize all the +insufficiency and uncertainty of this world, as a +portion.</p> + +<p>Many doubts with regard to the genuineness of +the change which Elizabeth trusted had taken +place in her heart, increased by the weakness +which rapidly declining health had induced, perplexed +and troubled her, and made her more and +more unwilling to make a profession of religion. +She had witnessed some of the extravagances of +revivals, and felt the danger of being deceived, and +of "having a name to live whilst she was dead."</p> + +<p>In January, 1823, Margaret was married to the +Rev. John Breckinridge, and returned with him to +Kentucky, his native State, in the spring of the +same year. In consequence of a call which her +husband received, to a church in Kentucky, (which +he accepted,) they were soon after this settled in +Lexington. Her departure from her early home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +was her first real trial. For although, through the +course of several months, she had taken a prospective +view of this arrangement, with much buoyancy +of spirits, as the time approached, every circumstance +connected with a separation from all the +associations of her childhood and youth, seemed +to produce a new and deeper impression, and +seven or eight hundred miles appeared at length, +as almost an interminable space. The sadness +which irresistibly overspread her countenance, +convinced her friends that when, in view of Mr. +Breckinridge's first destination, she had given herself +unreservedly to a foreign mission, she, like +many others, little knew her own heart, and all +the sacrifices which such a destination involved. +And when it was seen expedient that this intention +should be relinquished by him, for a plan more +eligible in the view of his fathers in the ministry, +a release from this more enduring trial, formed no +small part of the considerations which assisted in +making her submissively bow to one so much +more lenient. And indeed, she had reason to say, +that goodness and mercy had followed her at every +step. For this very trial which sobered her +countenance, made her heart better, and prepared +the way for deeper self-examination, and probably +more fervent prayer; and the result was, that with +a trembling confidence she united herself with her +husband's church in Lexington, a few months after +he took charge of it. From her letters, after this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +event, we learned that her connexion with the +church took place at the same time—it is thought +on the same day—in which her sister Elizabeth, +having been delivered from the many doubts which +had clouded <i>her</i> mind, made a profession of religion +in the church in Princeton. This co-incidence in +providence, having occurred without any mutual +intercourse or understanding on the subject, seemed +so consistent with the plans of Him who "sees the +end from the beginning," and who, from their first +serious impressions, appeared to have united the +lines of their experience until they ended in one +gracious result, that it did much to confirm their +friends in the hope, that a good "work was begun +in them which should be carried on." They felt +constrained to say, "It is the Lord's doings and +wonderful in our eyes."</p> + +<p>The kind and affectionate family in Kentucky, +of which she now made one, assisted much in alleviating +the pressure of sorrowful recollections, and +in making the resolution which she had formed of +"learning in whatsoever state she was, therewith +to be content," more practical, and more enduring; +and when Mr. Breckinridge was called to Baltimore +in 1826, although she was pleased with the +prospect of getting nearer to her early home, she +felt that a new tie had been formed which could +not be broken, even partially, without much pain. +It was a source of much grateful recollection to her, +that she was not permitted to use any undue influ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>ence +to lead her husband away from his congregation +in Lexington, to which she was indebted in +so considerable a degree, for the pleasant circumstances +which surrounded her.</p> + +<p>Her health was remarkably firm, especially for +one of her delicate appearance, for several years +after her marriage, and during all the time that her +husband had a settled charge. In Baltimore, to +which he removed from Lexington, she seemed to +realize with much gratitude, the particularly pleasant +circumstances in which her family was placed. +Situated on the direct way between her husband's +relatives, endeared to her by so many pleasant +recollections, and the family of her youth, with +both of which she could have frequent intercourse, +and in the midst of a kind circle of friends, not +limited by the bounds of Mr. Breckinridge's congregation, +she was literally at home; and when +the summons came to call him to another sphere +of labour in the Church, she was the last to be +persuaded that it was his duty to obey it, and +reluctantly yielded to the opinion of those whose +judgment she honoured.</p> + +<p>From this time she may truly be said to have +been a sacrifice to the interests of the Church. +The unsettling of her domestic duties and habits, to +which her temperament was particularly adapted, +was, probably, directly and indirectly at the foundation +of those causes, which gradually but too +surely undermined her health, and prepared her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +for a premature grave. Her last change of residence, +which placed her in Princeton by the side +of her paternal family, and amongst many of her +youthful associates, seemed to her to fill up the +measure, as it regarded this world, of that providential +goodness "which had followed her all the +days of her life;" and she said, not long after it +took place, with a humility which was in itself an +evidence of her gracious state, "I think, in view +of all my mercies, there is a thankfulness experienced +which is not the natural growth of my own +heart." To us who remain it is given to see, that +these unusual comforts were mercifully intended to +soothe the infirmities of a rapidly dissolving body, +and soften the approach of the last and most formidable +enemy.</p> + +<p>Several attacks of disease in the course of two +years, which threatened to be immediately fatal, +were, by the aid of skilful medical treatment, happily +arrested, but not until their baleful effect had +fastened on her feeble body, and each had left her +"more a prey for death." And it was a cause of +much thankfulness to her friends, that instead of +one of those unexpected instant departures, which +so frequently occur, and which in her case it was +often feared would take place, the approach of +death was gradual and mild, so as to involve no +pain, and but little surprise.</p> + +<p>The simplicity of her character appeared through +all her last days, especially after she ascertained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +that her end was not far off. Her words were +few, because she studied to utter none but "the +words of truth and soberness;" she seemed to feel +that there <i>might be</i> a parade even in dying.</p> + +<p>After a short conversation in her room a day +or two before she departed, on the subject of the +unprofitableness of our best works, which we found +had deeply exercised her mind, she remarked with +much emotion, a tear starting to her eye, "I feel +the truth of these remarks;" but, after a pause, she +said, "I have <i>tried</i> to do my duty as a wife and +as a mother; I have <i>endeavoured</i> to conduct the +affairs of my family with discretion, and to instruct +my children in the best things." She evidently +clung to this as an evidence of grace, (and not at +all as a cause of acceptance with God,) and as +affording some hope for her children, when relied +on in view of the promises of Him who says, that +if this precious seed is sowed, grace shall insure +the crop.</p> + +<p>Her Sabbath evenings, after the good old way of +our puritan fathers, saw her with all her household, +over whom she had any authority, gathered around +her for the purpose of giving them that instruction +which, with the promised blessing, would save +them from the paths of sin and folly in this world, +and prepare them for enjoying the blessedness of +another. And through the distractions of an unsettled +life, and the hinderances experienced in a large +boarding house, in which several winters were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +spent with her family, she persevered as far as +possible, in the instruction of both children and +servants in the week and on the Sabbath, with a +determination which both she and her friends +thought had shortened her life.</p> + +<p>In view of this peculiar faithfulness to her +domestic duties, we are the more willing to offer +an apology for what appeared to some of her +friends, an indifference to various extra means; +which in these last times have been esteemed +needful for the awakening of a slumbering church.</p> + +<p>When her mind began to open to this subject, +the glory of our revivals was beginning to be tarnished. +"The enemy had begun to sow his tares." +The extravagance which so frequently attended +them, had produced in her no little disgust for +what she thought the mere machinery of religion. +In such circumstances, it is difficult to "choose the +good, and refuse the evil." The cast of her mind +was such, that parade in any thing, and especially +in the vital concerns, in which is involved our everlasting +destiny, irresistibly revolted her mind. And +the errors in principle and in practice, which had +been by these means insinuated into, and corrupted +the legitimate and professed doctrines and ordinances +of the Presbyterian Church, greatly impaired +her confidence in what many good people +esteemed genuine revivals of religion. Subsequent +events have abundantly confirmed the wisdom of +her early and deep distrust.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>After her constitution had been tried with another +violent and unusual attack, in March, 1838, which +prostrated nearly all her remaining strength in a +few hours, it was evident to many of her friends, +that recovery was no longer to be expected. Every +means, however, were made use of, that might in +any way prove salutary; many of which, as has +often occurred, were rather injurious than beneficial. +As a last resource, a journey was commenced, +for the purpose of trying the Springs of +Virginia, so highly recommended to invalids. She +was not permitted, however, to go beyond Philadelphia. +Her physicians there, judging so long a +journey very hazardous, gently arrested it, by proposing +a delay of a few days; thus endeavouring +to obviate the effects of any disappointment which +she might experience. Her own views seemed, +spontaneously, to meet theirs, and a quiet acquiescence +was every day more manifest. After a +consultation of physicians, in which they agreed +that an effort might be safely made for her return +to Princeton, the sweet complacency with which +she said to a very kind friend, who was visiting +her, "I am going home to-morrow," encouraged +a hope that she had realized her danger; and that +<i>her</i> will was gradually moulding to the Divine will, +and she preparing for a far better home.</p> + +<p>It appeared as if she was permitted to get thus +far on her journey, in order to gratify the feelings, +and experience the renewed kindness of friends,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +whom her husband had attached to his family, +from his temporary labours amongst them. The +attention of these, and indeed many others, whom +their interesting circumstances were a means of +winning to them, is deeply felt in the family circle, +of which she was a beloved member; and which +will continue to be felt, as long as her memory +shall be cherished amongst them.</p> + +<p>It was with difficulty that she was removed to +her own residence at Princeton, a few days before +she died, fully sensible that her departure was not +far off. One of her anxious friends, wishing to +be more satisfied of this, said: "You know, my +dear Margaret, how ill you are?" A most emphatic +"O yes," silenced every remaining doubt.</p> + +<p>The day before she died, the conversation leading +to the subject of death, she said, "I am only +afraid of the article of death: I know that when +this is over, I shall be in Jesus' arms." From one, +so slow to speak, these were encouraging words.</p> + +<p>A few hours after this, she awoke from a light +sleep, with that sort of bewildered spirit, which is +frequently experienced under circumstances of so +much weakness, especially when accompanied +with, perhaps, the effects of an opiate, and repealed +the <i>name</i> of a person, with which she had been +familiar in her childhood. She observed, "what +easy words!" Some one present remarked—there +are words equally easy. She said, "tell me some."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +Upon being referred to a Psalm which had been +spoken of the day before, she commenced, as +having found something exceedingly pleasant—"The +Lord is my shepherd"—and continued to +the end of this short and interesting portion of the +Word of God, in a tone of sweetness and solemnity, +which impressed every one present, adding +her testimony to the sweetness of the words. It +appeared as if, while the world was fast receding, +her character was rapidly finishing in the mould +of this precious Word.</p> + +<p>Reason was continued to her until the last departing +moment, when, after a violent but short +struggle, which seemed to arrest every mental +exercise, except that which led her spirit immediately +to "Him who takes away the sting of +death," the freshness of former years was restored +to her complexion, which had been, for some +months, suffused with feverishness, and marked +with suffering, and a calm and solemn composure +settled on her countenance, appearing full of meaning, +which persuaded those who were around her, +that she had some communication to make. But +her mouth was sealed, and her hand could no +longer effect the gentlest pressure. We were left to +conclude, that when in her agony she had cried—"Come, +Lord Jesus—come quickly;"—"Lord +Jesus receive my spirit," "she was heard, in that +she asked;" and the freshness of everlasting youth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +casting one parting ray upon her mortal countenance, +had passed upon her, and "she had gone +to be forever with the Lord."</p> + +<p>"She being dead yet speaketh," and speaks, +especially, to all who yet live of her youthful associates. +Many of them are, as she was, called to +sustain the character of wife and mother, and their +history in its prominent features, most probably +resembles hers. Her course was marked with +much failure in duty, over which she mourned, +and, in view of which she seemed deeply humbled. +She once said—many months before she died—"O! +if the Lord were to send his bereaving commission +into my family, I could never forgive +myself for the manner in which I have failed to +improve the trust committed to me, and fulfilled +the duties to which I have been called." Hear the +voice which speaking, says, "My dear companions +in sin and infirmity, I leave you a poor +example. But I exhort you to become believingly +and affectionately acquainted with Him, who +has borne <i>me</i> through the dark valley and shadow +of death, and 'presented me faultless before his +Father, clothed in his righteousness, and washed +in his blood.'"</p> + +<p>"Ye cannot, though <i>Christian</i> wives and mothers, +do the things ye would;" but there is a +fountain opened, in which your poorest desires and +efforts, though like filthy rags, "may be washed +and made white, and made instrumental for much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +good." Point this out to your children, "talk to +them in the house and by the way, in sitting down +and rising up," of this only hope of perishing sinners. +And lest, after all, they should come short, +plead, unceasingly, the promises for them, and +take hold by faith of the blessing. O! how will +you rejoice if you can say, "Here am I Lord, and +the children thou hast given me." In order to sustain +your character as wives, aim continually, by +prayer, to obtain the gift of a meek and quiet +spirit, "which in the sight of God is of great +price, that even the unbelieving husband may be +won to the knowledge of the truth."</p> + +<p class="ht">May such exhortations from our departed +friends, reach us all, and be sanctified to us—and +may we "exhort <i>one another</i>, daily," so that our +social intercourse may be made the means of +grace, and assist in preparing us for our last great +change!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<h5>ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER +OF MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</h5> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whoever</span> has been called, in the midst of life, +to part with 'the wife of his youth'—if these +pages should chance to meet his eye—will <i>know</i> +what the writer has felt. Such a bereavement +must be <i>felt</i>, in order to be understood. There is +a shock in its coming for which no foresight or +submission can fully prepare us. There is a +chasm created by it which nothing can fill. It is +a new experience, replete with dreadful desolation. +It is a wonderful attribute of grace that can make +these great afflictions so "work <i>for us</i> an exceeding +and eternal weight of glory," that the most +weighty and enduring of them all, shall seem, in +comparison, to be "light, and but for a moment." +Yet "no chastisement," (especially such as this) +"for the present seemeth to be joyous, but rather +grievous." God intends that we shall be <i>moved</i> +by such visitations. The call which they utter is +too costly to be lightly felt. The stroke is too +deep to be hastily healed. "To <i>faint</i> when we +are rebuked of Him," is to reproach the goodness +of God, when we ought to "lay hold on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +strength." But insensibility to his afflictive dispensations +is to "despise" the methods of his +grace. And who can fail to feel at such a moment! +To find one's self strangely, and after all the +warnings mercifully given, suddenly left alone; in +the midst of life to be broken in twain; to come +to a time when you may no longer pray with +her whose presence sweetened devotion itself; no +more pray for her who many a year has been the +dear burden of all your intercessions; to see your +orphan babes left desolate, and enhancing your +woe, by being unconscious of their own; yea, +"to sorrow most of all" for those dread words, +"that you shall see her face no more!" This is +sorrow! If it were possible, and being so, were +right to ask it for others, we might pray for our +readers, that they may be forever ignorant of our +experience. But we know that every house is +appointed to such a sorrow, sooner or later. +They who are yet to pass through these deep +waters, if they cannot now fully enter into our +trials, may at least be expected to excuse this +humble tribute to the dead, as an amiable weakness.</p> + +<p>But it is not bleeding affection, merely, which +has prompted us to add to the foregoing brief narrative, +these imperfect illustrations of the life and +character of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge. The +bereaved children having been early called to lose +a mother's care, justly claim of surviving friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +to preserve her image that they may gaze on it, +and her example that they may imitate it, in after +life. It is a cruel addition to an orphan's lot, to +consign to the tomb even the memory of the dead. +We refer not to the indecent and revolting haste +with which every memorial of the deceased is +swept into oblivion by those who, studious of new +relations, are faithful only to forget. Such a spirit +is abhorrent to every sentiment of humanity and +religion. But it often happens that the disconsolate +survivor, for a season careless of all things but +of grief, neglects to treasure and record what God +gave in peculiar trust to him—for the good of +others. That godly example, which it cost the +toils and the trials of a life to exhibit, ought not +to be permitted to perish from the world. That +"death of the saints," which "is precious in the +sight of the Lord," and which so gloriously shows +forth his praise, is worthy of a monument that +time cannot consume. These should live! We +should embalm them in the memory of the heart. +We should hand them down in the tradition of +faithful love. We should record them in a household +book, if not publish them to the world—in +honour of Jehovah; in memory of the beloved +dead; and for the good of those who, even while +they were spared to them, were too young to +know their value. It is the memory of the wicked +alone which God has doomed to rot; or if it live, +to stand as a beacon on the brow of death.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is another consideration of great tenderness +and force by which we have been influenced +in making these sketches. Woman dwells, to +speak so, in the shade of retirement; and not like +man, in the blaze of public life. In the household +she sits enthroned, the weaker vessel, but the +stronger power. Yet the domestic circle, in a great +degree, circumscribes her influence; shuts in her +character. Her refinement—her patience—her humility—her +cheerfulness in trial—her fortitude—her +readiness to forgive—her faithful, constant +love—her self-devotion to her children—her personal +charms—her domestic virtues—her Christian +graces—which make her</p> + +<p class="p2 center">"The light and music of our happy homes,"</p> + +<p class="p2">are little known beyond the narrow boundary of +her own family, on which they continually rest, +"like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the +mountains of Zion." It is not less so with her domestic +trials—with her perplexing domestic duties, +as she meekly toils in "patient continuance" amidst +their innumerable detail, and ever returning round. +Now while the full disclosure and rewards must +be reserved to the great day of final account, it is a +special duty, on proper occasions, to bring such +excellence to view. Without our care, this never +will be done, since the graces that most adorn, are +the most retiring. By an affectionate diligence in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +this service, a thousand pearls might be brought +from the recesses of domestic life, and added to the +too scanty stock of memorable worthies. At least, +we ought not to make oblivion the penalty of +domestic virtue. On the other hand, the doing of +proper justice to real female merit, would most +effectually rebuke that assurance of coarse and +fanatic women, who, in the insulted name of God, +assume the prerogative, and attempt the offices of +the stronger sex—forgetting that the immodesty +which is offensive to all men, can never be an +offering pleasing to a God of purity and order. +By presenting to mankind examples of Christian +women revolving in orderly beauty, and shining +with mild lustre in their appointed course, we not +only preserve the memory of those who rest from +their labours, but we diffuse their influence abroad. +If we may but do justice to the subject of these +notices, she would be herself the only being likely +to complain, for she shrunk with instinctive sensibility +from every such disclosure of her retiring +character.</p> + +<p>Without repeating what has been said in the +first chapter, we proceed to fill up the narrative +given therein, by additional notices, which some +one ought to furnish, and which a parent could +not.</p> + +<p>It was God's peculiar mercy to Margaret (Miller) +Breckinridge, that she came into life under +parental influence so admirable in all respects, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +she may be said to have been born and reared in a +family, which, like that of Aquilla and Priscilla, +"<i>had a church in the house</i>." She enjoyed, in +its happiest form, a domestic Christian education, +having the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> for the basis of knowledge; the +Parents for instructors; the family fire-side for the +school of manners; and the royal law of love and +truth, as the standard and source of all true politeness. +Truly it is a goodly spectacle in these days +of pretension, and vulgar parade; of shallow learning, +and degenerate manners, to behold here and +there a mother in Israel, after "the manner of the +olden time," training her little flock without the +aids of modern parties, fashions, vain accomplishments, +and earthly tinsel; waiting with them day +by day at the door-posts of that wisdom by which +grace is poured into the lips, and mien, as well as +heart—where "woman indeed becomes the glory +of man;" (1 Cor. xi. 7,) and then to see her lead +them forth into life, from these sacred shades, +polished after the similitude of a palace.<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +school was well fitted to form the mind, refine the +manners, and under God to save the soul of our +lamented friend. God had been pleased to endow +her with an unusual measure of personal beauty, +and great charm of character and mind. So that +as soon as she entered into society, which she did +with great reserve, she attracted much attention, +and was universally admired. These things combined, +might have been expected, especially in +early life, to draw her into the world; and lead +her away from the humbling and self-denying religion +of her father's house. But even before she +gave her heart to God, there was an inimitable +simplicity in her character, manner, and dress, +which evinced either a total unconsciousness of her +attractions, or a noble superiority to human praise. +Her good taste, and the better principles of the +Gospel, enabled her in all her after life, notwithstanding +the many temptations to which she was +exposed, to exhibit the same transparent and +lovely example.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + + +<h5>HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.</h5> + +<p>The work of the Spirit was early begun in her +heart; but it was for some time resisted. Our +acquaintance with her began just as she was +closing her domestic education, (in her sixteenth +year,) and almost before she had looked this evil +world in the face. In 1820 she became decidedly +serious; and after several months of deep religious +impression, expressed a trembling hope of an interest +in the Divine Redeemer. At this time she was +strongly disposed to make a public profession of +religion; but the salutary caution of her parents +induced her to postpone it to a future occasion. +Subsequently to this, the extreme fear which she +ever after cherished, of self-delusion in religious +exercises; the high standard of Christian character +which she had proposed to herself; and her strong +conviction of the frequent and very hurtful inconsistencies +of many professors of religion; influenced +her, in the end to defer that solemn step to +a distant day. That day, as stated in the narrative, +did not arrive until after her marriage, her +removal to Kentucky, and her settlement as the +wife of a pastor. In the mean time, however, it +cannot be doubted, that the grace of God had taken +possession of her heart. And when finally she did +publicly connect herself with the people of God, +her tenderness of heart, her self-distrust, her deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +humility, her child-like simplicity, and transparency +of Christian character, condemned her <i>only</i> +for a delayed profession, and left few fears for her +sake in any bosom but her own.</p> + +<p>She was in a remarkable measure devoted to the +Word of God. Her extraordinary memory faithfully +stored with its rich treasure in early youth, +vividly retained the chief part of it through life. +The Psalmody of Dr. Watts, her favourite author +in that department, she had almost wholly at her +command. And with the Commentary of the +inimitable Matthew Henry, a Latin and a French +Bible, and a Harmony of the Gospels at her +side, she daily and most devoutly searched the +Scriptures. Clarke on the Promises, was also a +favourite book, especially in her last days; and the +Pilgrim's Progress was her companion to the +"water's edge," where her <i>real</i> visions of the celestial +city enabled her to lay the sweet Dreamer by, +as the Parting Pilgrim did his crutches, when on +the bank of the river he saw "chariots of fire" to +bear him to the <i>Pearly Gates</i>. Her diligence in +studying the Bible, without in the least degree +neglecting her domestic duties, (and even in the +days of her feeblest health,) was truly wonderful. +When a subject specially interested her, she compiled +and collated all the leading passages of the +Bible upon it; often writing them out at great +length, and preserving them for reference on future +occasions. Indeed, so far did she carry her inte<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>rested +inquiries into the various parts of the Old +and New Testament, and especially into the life of +Christ, that she drew out a harmony of the Gospels +with her own hand; the better to confirm her +knowledge of the true order and relation of the +events of his history.</p> + +<p>She was a most faithful hearer of the preaching +of the Gospel. Her luminous face cheered the +progress of the herald of the Lord, and marked the +deep measure of her personal interest in the message +from the skies. Since her decease, we have +found numerous briefs of sermons which she had +heard at different periods of her life, from those +whom she most admired. Some of these were +delivered by Dr. James P. Wilson, and some by +her father, others by Dr. Green, but chiefly by the +venerable and honoured friend whose tribute to her +memory is affixed to this Memoir. He was undoubtedly +her most esteemed instructor from the +sacred desk. His inimitable simplicity, vivacity, +richness, and force of truth, always carried her understanding +and her affections along with him; and +those appeals which were most searching and simple, +were most treasured and admired.</p> + +<p>To her refined and candid spirit, nothing was +more detestable than religious parade. As it is intimated +in the former chapter, it sometimes served +to repel her from things and people that were good, +but savoured of religious cant. She was especially +shocked with the numberless and painful examples<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +of female impropriety in this way, which our age +has disclosed. But in all the appropriate walks of +Christian females, and in every becoming expression +of their feelings and influence, though diffident +of herself, she promptly took her part. Perhaps +her most cherished occupation in the service +of others, was that of a Sunday-school teacher. +Here she rejoiced in the work of her hands. Here, +without indelicacy or pretension, she could use the +word of God, in his house, and on his day, to teach +the little children, whom like her Lord, she so much +loved to take in her arms and bless. She had for +this service uncommon adaptation in the vivacity +of her mind, in the charm of her manner, and +especially in the rich store of her Biblical knowledge. +She continued this relation after she became +a wife, and a mother; and the tenderness of +a Christian mother's love seemed to be transferred +to the little commonwealth of the Sabbath-school.</p> + +<p>We shall never forget the animation and delight +with which she communicated to us, two years +before her decease, the account of a visit which had +been paid her very recently, by a highly respectable +young gentleman, then attached to a learned +profession, the son of a distinguished public man, +who had been a member of her Sunday-school +class in Princeton, fifteen years before!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + +<h5>HER DEDICATION TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.</h5> + +<p>It was not long after the first experience (as +was hoped) of the grace of God in her heart, that +the relation was formed between herself and the +writer of these pages, which, by its consummation +and close, became in succession the crowning joy +and the absorbing sorrow of his life.</p> + +<p>While this interesting event, combined with +other causes, was made the occasion (from an excess +perhaps of delicacy on her part) of retarding +her public profession of religion, it led to an early +and very decisive trial of her Christian principles +in another form. At this time the friend whom +she so much honoured by her affection, was devoted +to the work of Foreign Missions; and he had +solicited her hand with the distinct expression, +both to herself and her venerable parents, of such +a purpose. This necessarily called her to consider +the question of a personal engagement in +this work. She met and decided this question +with a promptitude and nobleness of Christian resolution +which surprised even those who knew her +best; and though in the providence of God she +was spared the expected trial of separation for life +from her family and country, yet the unreserved +dedication of herself to the Missionary cause which +her Redeemer enabled her to make, gave elevation +to her Christian character, and prepared her for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +the trials scarcely less severe to which she was +called in the domestic field. It was on the ground +of her having thus dedicated herself, that with +so much self-oblivion, and even cheerfulness, she +encountered the many difficulties of which we are +now to speak.</p> + + +<h5>HER SACRIFICES FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD.</h5> + +<p>By a train of events over which we had no control, +and in the interpretation of which we were +permitted to enjoy the direction of the Church, (it +would be needless to recite them here,) we were +hindered from indulging the desire to "go far hence +to the Gentiles." But the <i>principle</i> of dedication +for life was settled; and hence it was from the first, +understood and acted on at all times, that other +things being equal, the field at home in which there +was opportunity to do most for the conversion of the +heathen, was always to be preferred, if offered by +the Lord of the harvest. Her first and second settlements +could scarcely be considered as giving occasion +to many <i>sacrifices</i>. Lexington, Kentucky, +was in the bosom of her husband's native state. +There, in the garden of America, surrounded by a +great circle of the most affectionate kindred and +friends, and in a city remarkable as the Athens of +the west for its refinement and general intelligence, +and connected with a most kind and worthy congregation, +Mrs. B. felt, that even separation from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +the home of her youth, was a form of trial so softened +by her circumstances, that it was converted +into a mercy.</p> + +<p>In our removal to the interesting and important +city of Baltimore, we felt that goodness and +mercy followed us, changing our abode, but augmenting +the number of our friends, and opening to +us new and effectual doors of usefulness. Her +attachment was very strong to both cities; she left +each with regret; but still referring the decision to +others in whose wisdom and affection she confided, +she cheerfully obeyed their successive summons +to depart. It was in leaving the latter city +that her sacrifices for the Church more especially +commenced. At this eventful period, (the summer +of 1831,) it was found that there were more +than one thousand congregations in the Presbyterian +Church without a pastor, not to mention the +immeasurable destitution of the heathen world. To +supply this immense demand required, in addition +to the very inadequate means already in use, a +greatly enlarged and quickened effort of the entire +Church. This necessity was deeply felt by the +General Assembly of 1831, and led to the re-organization +by that body of its Board of Education. +In the solemn providence of God, the writer of +these sketches was called to fill the office of Corresponding +Secretary and General Agent for that +Institution. He found it impossible to resist what +appeared to be the voice of God speaking through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +his Church; though in yielding to it he was constrained +to dissolve forever the sacred tie which +bound him to a beloved people, and to pass from +the endearments of domestic and Pastoral life, to +incessant toil and travel in the wide and homeless +world. She foresaw, and with keen anticipation +felt, all the trouble which such a step must bring +upon herself and her little household. But the +decision of all her friends, excepting the kind +people we were about to leave, was in favour of +removal. She remembered her Missionary vows. +She saw in it the sweetness as well as the severity +of the cross, and without a murmur meekly bowed +to the burden of the Lord. In this service, which +continued for nearly five years, she shared; and +like an angel, soothed the trials of the work. The +comforts of domestic life were almost annihilated, +either by incessant separations, or the nameless +discomforts of a constant absence from home. +During one entire year her house was occupied by +her but <i>six weeks</i>, the rest being spent in hotels, +and boarding houses, and steamboats, and stages, +with occasional intervals of repose in the bosom of +related or attached families scattered through the +wide field of her visits from the Mississippi to the +Hudson. Yet never did woman shine with more +lovely lustre at home; never was woman more +indisposed to step from this, her undisputed and +delightful empire, into the confusion and folly of +this selfish and evil world. Yet did she give up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +all, and consent to erect her domestic altar in the +wilderness, and gather her little fold on the highway, +for Jesus' sake. When weary of a year of +travel, undertaken to shun a year of separation, she +returned to occupy and order her solitary home. +There she was constrained, though both tender and +inexperienced, "to guide her house" alone; and to +receive her husband only as an occasional visitant. +Still, she never murmured; nor would we complain. +But faithful history—now that she rests +from her labours, requires this narrative; and God +permits the record of "<i>those works which follow</i>" +such "<i>as die in the Lord</i>." Thus, for five years, +were kept up the alternations of these affecting +trials. They were relieved, it must devoutly be acknowledged, +by the unremitting attentions of those +kind and lovely families in Philadelphia, whose +virtues bound them to us by better ties than those +of earthly kindred—as "Zion's friends, and ours;" +whose reward we will not attempt to take out of a +Saviour's hands by our poor praises; and whose +displeasure we shall only then be sure of incurring, +when we attempt to unveil to the public eye, +the authors of so much disinterested and untiring +goodness. The same reference is due to very +many families in the city of New York, in which, +for several successive years, she passed the winters +with her husband. He who thus imperfectly +attempts to record his gratitude, knew her worth +so well, that he cannot wonder that such friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +should love her; and he feels it his duty here to +say, that any portion of success in the work herein +referred to, is under God, largely owing, not only +to her influence on his labours, but to the charm +which she threw upon every circle with which she +mingled, and the interest she kindled in all the +persons and objects which interested her. When, +at the end of two years, he felt overwhelmed with +the review of her domestic trials, and was strongly +moved to abandon a work which made them inevitable, +<i>she</i> earnestly resisted the thought of change; +and with generous self-devotion urged her husband +forward in a work which, though painful to her +feelings, was in her view useful to the Church, +and pleasing to its glorious Head. As her impressions +were those of all her friends, and apparently +of the Church at large, and as the Board itself +kindly relaxed some of the severer features of our +trials, we were confirmed in the conviction that it +was our duty to persevere, lest we should incur +the divine displeasure, "<i>by being weary in well-doing</i>."</p> + +<p>When, however, the indications of divine Providence +in the spring of 1835 seemed plainly to say, +that our work for the Board of Education was +done, and that we ought to enter the door opened +for us at Princeton, she was the last to see the +duty of a removal; and though her parental home +was there, and though her heart and her wearied +nature cried aloud for rest, she would not allow +any reasons for the change, to be drawn from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +wishes or her sacrifices, and to the last, rather +<i>submitted</i> to, than <i>heartily approved</i> of, the new +relation.</p> + +<p>But how deep are the ways of God! Scarcely +had she time to establish herself in her new home +at Princeton,<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> when another and loud call to an +agency, directly in behalf of <i>Foreign Missions</i>, +was pressed upon us. Though at this period her +health had become evidently far more delicate, she +heard and heeded again the voice of her Saviour; +and still recalling the Missionary vow, offered herself +again a willing sacrifice on the altar of God. +In deciding this momentous question (in the winter +of 1838, after having spent but eighteen months +in Princeton, nearly half of which was occupied +by her husband in active agency in behalf of the +funds, library, &c. of the Theological Seminary,)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +we found ourselves incapable of being instrumental +in recalling her <i>still again</i> to the commotion, desertion +at home, and incessant cares, of another +agency. Three months therefore were given to +the important work, and the offer of the office +finally declined. Even here however, she persisted +in referring the decision to <i>public relations</i> +alone, leaving all personal considerations out of +view. And though fast approaching her end (what +at that time none of us knew) she spontaneously +put herself at the disposal of the friends of the +Board of Foreign Missions, for her part of any service +which might be required of her husband, +whether it was in extensive journeys with him, or +separation from him, or a winter's sojourn with +him and her children in the city of New York. +For the first, hoping it might invigorate her health, +she was actually furnished; and when that was +abandoned for the last, she repaired, with the spirit +of her Master in her heart, to meet the trials it +induced. It was in the fresh recollection of the +parting scene, on her way thither, that the following +sentences were addressed to the writer by the +Rev. Dr. Alexander.</p> + +<p>"I cannot conclude, without a word to dear +Mrs. Breckinridge. I admire her ready submission +to the calls of Providence. For although she +cannot help dropping the silent tear, she makes +no complaint, but shuts up her comfortable house, +leaves her home and her friends, and as cheerfully +as she <i>can</i>, goes to live in a hotel, and among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +strangers. Well, she shall not lose her reward. +For these sacrifices she shall have rich compensation: +and our sweetest earthly pleasure is in doing +the will of our Heavenly Father." (Dated Princeton, +December 17th, 1837.)</p> + +<p>At the close of the winter we returned to Princeton, +hoping that now God would grant us a little +rest in that quiet village and that delightful home, +where not "<i>unaware we entertained an angel</i>." +But ah! this blessedness was not long intended +for us. Having done her work, (though still we +did not fear it,) she was soon to be taken to her +rest and her reward on high.</p> + + +<h5>HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH.</h5> + +<p>Her last sickness was of a protracted and very +interesting character. When she returned from +New York, she was delicate and her state of health +was mysterious, but not yet alarming even to her +physicians. Very soon after this, she had a violent +attack, which in a short season prostrated her +frame, and, disclosing a peculiar complication of +diseases, overwhelmed every mind in the family, +but her own, (she was calm,) with the most gloomy +apprehensions of her danger.</p> + +<p>At the close of the winter term of the Theological +Seminary, (May first,) it was our anxious +desire to take her to the Red Sulphur Springs +in Virginia. But it was too early in the season; +and being yet doubtful, whether this or that place +would be useful or hurtful, it was agreed by her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +physicians to indulge her strongly expressed wish +to try the waters of Saratoga. Thither therefore +we went, pausing only a short time in the +city of New York for medical consultation.</p> + +<p>At this time, she was a most interesting object +to all who saw her. Her debility was so extreme +that she was borne from place to place in the arms +of her husband, which, from her delicate frame, +it was easy to do. The gentleness and patience +with which she endured her sickness, the inimitable +moral beauty of her countenance, and the +general expression of frailty mingled with grace, +excited the deepest interest wherever she passed.<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>At Saratoga we spent a very quiet season of +three weeks, (before the great hotels were opened, +or the crowds had arrived) at the house of a most +kind and deserving Christian woman, Mrs. Taylor, +whose unceasing attentions greatly conduced +to soothe sufferings which God had pleased should +not be arrested. During this visit she used the +waters freely, as a beverage, and in the bath, with +no apparent <i>injury</i>, except that it evidently dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>closed +the fatal symptoms of her malady. She was +able almost every day, to take gentle rides in the +open air, and frequently to mingle with the family. +But her chamber was her sanctuary. There she +reclined, feeding on the Word of God. She was +especially delighted with Clarke on the Promises. +During that season of seclusion, she seemed to +grow in grace with a progress which surprised +(while it delighted) us; for we knew not then +how near she was to the perfection of the heavenly +rest. But it has since been interpreted to us, +by the event, as one of God's peculiar mercies. +What made this the more pleasing evidence of +grace was, that she did not know her own danger. +It was the power of religion poured upon her +spirit by Him who was "hastening to make her +up among his jewels." At one time, she said—"Oh, +yes, pray that the <i>distance</i> between God +and me may be taken away." And after uniting, +with the most affecting solemnity and tenderness +in the prayer which was offered, she at its close +expressed <i>aloud</i> her joy in the exercise, (a thing +most unusual with her) and her delight in God her +Saviour, who <i>draweth nigh</i>. On another occasion, +after hearing some of the promises of <i>healing</i> +to the body, as collected by Clarke, she seemed for +a moment to be musing, she then gently said: +"My dear——I am like the poor woman who +had spent all her living upon physicians, neither +could be healed of any; but rather grew worse. +<i>My hope is in the Great Physician!</i>"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>Since we have been calm enough to review the +various stages of her last sickness in relation to +her religious exercises, it has been a subject of +deep regret, and of no little self-reproach, that we +had not made the attempt at recording, as they +were uttered, some of the deeply affecting expressions +of her Christian principles and feelings. +But the tumultuous hour of hope and fear, and +hurried, anxious watching at the bed of death, is +not the time for cool calculation. Some of the +most affecting parts of such scenes are incapable of +being written down, even by one not interested in +the sufferer. Nay, more—like the voices which +John heard from heaven in Patmos, the Spirit +seems to say of them, "<i>write them not</i>." These +are "joys with which the stranger intermeddleth +not." (Prov. xiv. 10.) It is a sanctuary which no +creature can enter. And then our beloved Friend, +who was often afraid to whisper her religious joys +to her Saviour, lest she should be found offering +"strange fire" on his altar, seldom talked of her +hopes, (though often of her sins,) to her nearest +friends; and never, by <i>writing them</i> down, put it +in the power of posthumous publications to expose +them to the view of others. We can only, therefore, +illustrate her religious character, at the stage +which we now approach, by broken fragments of +thoughts and feelings, caught from her lips amidst +the awful mercies of a dying hour.</p> + +<p>She began at length, visibly to sink, when Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +Freeman, of Balston, whose skilful and kind attentions +she enjoyed, (Dr. Steel, of Saratoga, having +himself been recently removed by death,) strongly +advised a discontinuance of the use of the waters, +and an attempt to reach the Red Sulphur Springs. +For now the prevailing type of the disease had +become distinctly pulmonary; and the skill of physicians, +and the healing waters, and all the help +of man were vain. Now, for the first time, we +began to discern the dread reality of her approaching +dissolution; and had some foretaste of the <i>first</i> +anguish of such a loss.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>With heavy hearts, but hastened steps, we re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>turned +to Princeton; whence almost in despair, yet +anxious to try any and all means for so great an +end, we hastily set out with our meek sufferer for +the Virginia Springs: but as the previous narrative +has recited, we were arrested at Philadelphia. +Here all was done by the assiduity and skill of her +physicians,<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> and the most tender and constant +attentions of a great number of friends. But her +divine Redeemer claimed her for himself. She +returned to Princeton, to bless her household, and +to die. On the evening of June the 13th, she +reached her children, and her earthly home. On +the morning of the 16th, a quarter before ten +o'clock, with her reason unclouded, in a frame of +calm and holy triumph which marked the dawning +of heaven on her soul; with a meek prayer +for permission to die, and with but a single pang, +she bade the world farewell, and ascended to God!</p> + +<p>Her remains were attended to the grave by a +very large and deeply affected assembly, after the +delivery of the impressive funeral discourse affixed +to this Memoir; where they rest by the side of +her three little children, two daughters and a son, +removed by death before. The like number and +of the same sex, two daughters and a son, are left +to the surviving parent, to mourn her loss, to trea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>sure +and imitate her example, and, by the grace of +the Saviour, to follow them to the skies, where +the "house now left desolate unto them" shall be +restored with added bliss; and the little family +thus divided in the midst of life, being reunited in +pure and perfect love, be received into everlasting +habitations.</p> + +<p class="ht">A neat marble monument points to the spot +where her dust reposes.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<h5>CLOSING REFLECTIONS.</h5> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thus</span> it has pleased our Heavenly Father to "take +away from us the desire of our eyes, with a +stroke." The first impression of such a loss is +that of <i>amazement</i>—overwhelming and bewildering +the soul, and with strange horror, destroying +for a time, the power to feel. "Deep calleth unto +deep—all thy waves, and billows have gone over +me." Such is the abyss of grief! At such a time, +our part is "to be still"—sitting, like the Marys, +"over against the sepulchre."</p> + +<p>When the disciples of John lost their earthly +Master, "they came and took the body, and buried +it, and went and told Jesus." This ought to be +the first act of every mourner, <i>to tell it unto Jesus</i>. +With him we shall find both sympathy and support. +And more than this: He resolves the +death of our friends into his own gracious sovereignty, +when he calls it, "the coming of the Son +of Man." Death loses its terror when it becomes +his act of grace. "The death of his saints is precious +in his sight," and is always ordered with a +supreme regard to their blessedness, and his glory. +So that the feeblest of his dying children may con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>fidently +say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust +in Him." "Though I walk through the valley of +the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou +art with me."</p> + +<p>There is a feeling about the death of our friends, +which is made up in part of unbelief, and in part +of that tender regard which is produced by their +dependence on us through life. Those endearing +relations which make us their protectors, and supports, +send their deep sympathies even into the +grave. Who of us that is a husband, or a parent, +that does not feel the horror of the separation +aggravated by the spectacle of our helpless kindred +struggling alone in mortal strife with "the king of +terrors"? We, to whom they have always looked +for succour, are then as helpless as they, in their +extremest need. We cannot even share their agony. +It is this which gives a nameless anguish to +such a moment.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<p>But it is because we forget that "when father +and mother," and all they most depended on in +life, "forsake them, then the Lord doth take them +up." The Christian is never so little alone as on +the verge of heaven. The Lord of life is there. +Underneath are the everlasting arms; and through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +all the terrors of the grave; and above all the +tumult of that last hour, the Shepherd's voice is +heard, saying—"<span class="smcap">It is I—be not afraid</span>." While +some pass over Jordan on the wing, and some +struggle through the waves, yet all safely pass. +Not one of them shall perish, but each appear in +Zion before God.</p> + +<p>It adds tenderness and force to these consoling +hopes, that Jesus once "tasted death himself." It +moves us, that "Jesus wept." But it gives a new +nature to death, that Jesus died! For while the +<i>merit</i> of <i>his</i> death takes the sting from ours, his +presence in the tomb dispels all its terrors. +Therefore, since Jesus died, let us consent to +death; and surrender at his call those most dear +to us.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">The graves of all his saints he blest,</div> +<div class="line i1">And softened every bed—</div> +<div class="line">Where should the dying members rest,</div> +<div class="line i1">But with their dying head!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>It must be sweet to lie in that grave which he has +hallowed by his presence among the dead.</p> + +<p>One of the considerations which should make us +acquiesce in the removal of our beloved friends +who die in the Lord, is this—that we are suffering +for their sakes; and that they could not be blessed +without our sufferings. For their death, (the +dread cause of all our grief,) was necessary to +their perfect and eternal blessedness. This thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +ought to soften every pang. If we really love +them, and if our sacrifices for them while they +were here below, were the fruit of our love, +then we have only to remember that this is one +prolonged, supreme sacrifice for their sakes.—This +reflection if properly pursued, would often turn our +mourning into gladness.<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> And then, if this weight +of sorrow that is laid on us may but be duly improved +and meekly borne; if it may not only mark +the bliss of our friends begun on high, but be made +by a wise and good God conducive to our growth +in grace—it will have in it the pledge of our everlasting +re-union in heaven; and thus be an affliction +doubly blessed.</p> + +<p>But the silencing, yea, elevating thought of all +is, that it is <i>for Jesus' sake</i>, we are called to suffer. +"<i>The Master</i> is come and called for her." It is +indeed the richest of our earthly treasures. Our +own life were a far lighter offering. But for that +reason we honour him the more. It is our <i>Isaac</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +that God calls for; and it is then indeed we +honour God when we can <i>offer</i> like Abraham. +We shall receive the offering back, if not as soon, +as certainly—and at no distant day! When, +therefore, He who laid down his life for us, asks +for our richest gift, let us not call him a hard +master, but give without a murmur.</p> + +<p>The death of our friends should have the effect +of bringing Heaven nearer to us. We ought to +cultivate, if we may so speak, <i>domestic</i> views +of that blessed world to which we are so much +honoured as to have sent up angels from our +households. While all superstitious emotions are +carefully to be quelled, we are permitted to draw +very nigh to them. We may cherish their image +in our memories and hearts; we still belong to the +same great communion—and all are members of +that body of which Jesus is the head. "As death +does not separate from the Lord, neither does it +divide the saints from one another. Our spirit +and theirs daily meet at the one throne—they to +praise, we to pray; therefore, in that sense, though +we are absent in body, we are present in spirit."</p> + +<p>And the distance which lies between them and +us is daily growing less. How swiftly we travel, +yea, fly, in all the speed of time! It may not be +an inappropriate close to these meditations, to insert +the family hymn, with which the remnant of a +bereaved household often close the day, and com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>fort +each others' hearts, at the hour when we feel +most desolate.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Come let us join our friends above,</div> +<div class="line i1">That have obtained the prize;</div> +<div class="line">And on the eagle wings of love,</div> +<div class="line i1">To joy celestial rise.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Let saints below his praises sing,</div> +<div class="line i1">With those to glory gone;</div> +<div class="line">For all the servants of our King,</div> +<div class="line i1">In heaven and earth are one.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">One family, we dwell in him,</div> +<div class="line i1">One church above, beneath:</div> +<div class="line">Though now divided by the stream,</div> +<div class="line i1">The narrow stream of death.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">One army of the living God,</div> +<div class="line i1">To his commands we bow;</div> +<div class="line">Part of the host have crossed the flood,</div> +<div class="line i1">And part are crossing now.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Ten thousand to their endless home,</div> +<div class="line i1">This solemn moment fly;</div> +<div class="line">And we are to the margin come,</div> +<div class="line i1">And soon expect to die.</div> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Dear Saviour, be our constant guide,</div> +<div class="line i1">Then when the word is given,</div> +<div class="line">Bid the cold waves of death divide,</div> +<div class="line i1">And land us safe in heaven.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="ht">And now, in bringing to a close these very +imperfect notices of a beloved saint of God, it is +proper to say, that much more might truly have +been added in reference to many points of her +character, that would have been proper, and interesting: +as for example, her intellectual endowments; +her extensive acquirements; her domestic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +life; her personal accomplishments. But we fear +to indulge our feelings. Nor is it needful. For +it was her Christian character mainly which we +designed to illustrate. Her love for the Redeemer, +and her sacrifices for his sake, were the jewels +which adorned her on earth, and which lose not +their lustre in death. It was the glory of all those +qualities which so eminently fitted her to attract +the admiration of this world, that she meekly laid +them at the Saviour's feet. There also, we desire +to leave this humble tribute to one whose "sun +went down while it was yet day," praying that he +who thus early fitted her for heaven, may by these +poor means prolong her usefulness, and bless her +memory on earth.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a><br /><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>SUBMISSION:</h2> + +<p class="p4 center">A SERMON</p> + +<p class="p2 center">OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF</p> + +<p class="p2 center large">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="p4 center">BY THE</p> + +<p class="p2 center ht">REV. A. ALEXANDER, D.D.</p> + +<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>SERMON.</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Psalm xlvi. 10.</span><br/> + +"Be still, and know that I am God."</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Omitting</span> all critical discussion of the true import +of the text, I will consider the words as +addressed by Jehovah to his own people, when +suffering affliction under the strokes of his mighty +hand. It may be considered as the language of +authority; or of consolation. According to the +first view, it is as if the Almighty had said, "Be +still, and neither repine, nor rebel, for your affliction +comes not from the dust, but from me, your +rightful Sovereign; to whom you owe absolute +subjection." If viewed in the sense last mentioned, +then it will be as though God, feeling compassion +towards his afflicted saints, puts them in mind of +the sure refuge which they had in him; as if he +had said, "Be calm and unruffled, in the midst of +all your overwhelming calamities, for I am able to +sustain you, and to deliver you by my Almighty +arm." "Be still, and know that I am God." In +either case, the result, as to our duty, is the same. +Unreserved submission is the thing enjoined, and +the reason to enforce the injunction is, "<i>I am +God</i>."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, +and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, +and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and +continueth not. His days are determined: the +number of his years are with thee; thou hast +appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass." No +condition in this life is exempt from trouble. No +bulwarks can be erected by kings and princes, +strong enough, and high enough, to be a safeguard +against the shafts of adversity. In regard +to this matter, the rich and the poor stand very +much upon a level. "Man is born unto trouble +as the sparks fly upward." Hence, this life has +justly been denominated, "the vale of tears." +Uninterrupted bliss cannot be found beneath the +skies. The righteous are not exempt, but many +are their afflictions. Besides a participation in the +common lot of humanity, they have troubles peculiar +to themselves. The dispensations of God +towards his own people, are, indeed, in covenant +love and faithfulness, but they are not calculated to +encourage them to take up their rest in this world, +but to render their path so thorny, and their bed so +uneasy, that they are continually admonished of +their duty to set their affections on things above, +and to press forward as pilgrims to the possession +of their heavenly inheritance.</p> + +<p>The reasons which should persuade us to exercise +unreserved and uncomplaining submission to +the will of God, as manifested in the dispensations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +of his wise and righteous Providence, are at the +same time obvious and weighty. But, here, as in +other cases, theory and practice are very different +things. On this subject, we all can teach and +inculcate what is right; but when it becomes necessary +to practise our own lessons, we experience +a sad deficiency. This is a school in which, +sooner or later, we must all be learners; and it +behoves us to use diligence in preparing ourselves +to endure trials with fortitude, and cheerfully to +acquiesce in those painful events, which we cannot +avoid. Some persons, when overtaken by severe +strokes of adversity, are, like the bullock unaccustomed +to the yoke, restive and rebellious; they +resist the hand which presses them, and struggle +to throw off the yoke. Such a course is altogether +unwise, and must be unsuccessful. "Wo to him +that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds +strive with the potsherds of the earth," but let not +a feeble, sinful worm rise up in rebellion against +the Almighty; for who hath hardened himself +against him and hath prospered? And when there +is no open rebellion, there is often a spirit of +discontent and murmuring, which, though smothered +in the breast, partakes of the nature of rebellion, +and is the very opposite of cordial, filial submission. +Every degree of this temper, whether concealed +or expressed, is exceedingly offensive to +God, as we learn from his word, and is so far +from mitigating the evils which we suffer, that it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +doubles their pressure; it makes even a light burthen +intolerable.</p> + +<p>Others again, endeavour to form habits of hardy +insensibility; they seek refuge from the keen +arrows of affliction, in a stoical indifference. They +affect to contemn, as weak, and wanting in fortitude, +all those who seem to suffer exquisitely +under the strokes of adversity. Much practical +progress never can be made in this unnatural system. +Whatever men may profess or pretend, nature +will assert her claims, and if her feelings may +be for a season suspended, she will again resume +her sway; and indeed the equanimity acquired by +these principles, has been more in appearance than +reality; and the greatest adepts in eradicating the +susceptibilities of our nature, have only learned +the art of successfully concealing the emotions of +their bosoms from the observation of others.</p> + +<p>But while some endeavour to obtain relief by +rendering themselves insensible to the calamities of +life, and aim at braving the storms of adversity, +there are others, who err on the opposite extreme. +Under the chastising hand of God, they are prostrated +in the dust; not in humility, but in despondency; +their sorrow not only casts them down, +but overwhelms them. They find themselves sinking +in deep waters, where there is no standing. +Such persons not only put away all hope, but +cease from all exertion, and abandon themselves +to grief; forgetting the exhortation which speaketh +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +unto them as to children, "My son, despise not +thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when +thou art rebuked of him."</p> + +<p>There is but one effectual remedy for the evils +to which man is heir, while on his earthly pilgrimage; +and that is <span class="smcap">RELIGION</span>—true religion, not +merely apprehended and approved in its theory, +but deeply felt, and cordially embraced in the +inmost soul. This is the only principle of sufficient +potency to tranquillize the perturbations of +the soul when deeply afflicted. This only can +sustain the mind, ready to sink into despair. +This furnishes the only medicine which heals the +anguish of the broken heart; the only balm which +relieves the wounds made in the spirit by painful +bereavements. Here the superlative value of true +religion is realized; and this principle of heavenly +origin is found to possess a power, not only to +sustain the soul under the heaviest pressure of +affliction, but to pour sweet consolations into the +desolate and troubled heart. Here, indeed, is +opened a fountain of refreshing streams, in the +midst of this dreary wilderness, of which the poor +heathen had no knowledge, and of which the men +of the world are still ignorant.</p> + +<p>These blessed effects of genuine piety are not +produced by any irrational process, or blind impulse; +but by the contemplation of truths adapted +to the end. Consolations which do not rest on +this firm foundation, will ever be found precarious, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +and commonly evanescent. Buoyant hope and +cheerful resignation must have the solid pillar of +truth on which to repose. It will therefore be +consonant to our present purpose, to bring more +distinctly into view, some of those important doctrines, +the practical belief of which leads to the +exercise of Christian submission.</p> + +<p>That which lies at the foundation of the whole, +is, that God exists, and governs all events by his +providence. Whatever men profess, or speculatively +believe, as it relates to the actual presence +and operative providence of God, there is undoubtedly +much practical atheism in the hearts of +men. Most feel and act as if there was no God, +and as if all things happened by chance. This is +remarkably manifest when they are suddenly cast +down into deep affliction. They recognise not the +hand that smites them. They seem to think, that +affliction cometh from the dust, and that trouble +springeth out of the ground. In all their bitter +lamentations, their views extend no farther than to +the proximate causes of their distress; and they +often experience the bitterest regret, because they +did not pursue a different course, or make use of +different means from what they did; although +with the knowledge possessed, they could not have +done better. Under the same short-sighted views, +they are prone to censure others who have had +an innocent instrumentality in bringing about the +events by which they are distressed. All this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +arises from the want of faith in Divine Providence; +and too much of this unbelief cleaves to the pious +themselves, and greatly aggravates their calamities. +But when their faith in the being and providence +of God is strong, they see his hand in every thing +good and evil, which occurs; they behold him +operating through all nature, and giving efficacy to +all second causes; and are as fully persuaded that +he directs the fall of a sparrow, as the overthrow +of a kingdom. This doctrine of an universal and +particular Providence, is the foundation of our trust +in God, for security and sustenance. How beautifully +did Christ teach this lesson to his disciples, +when he said, "Behold the fowls of the air, for +they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into +barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. +Are ye not much better than they? And why take +ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the +field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do +they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon +in all his glory was not arrayed like one of +these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of +the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast +into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, +O ye of little faith?"</p> + +<p>When the dark and cloudy day of adversity, or +the long and tempestuous night comes upon us—when +our comforts are suddenly blasted, and our +brightest earthly prospects are obscured, then, instead +of repining or desponding, we should betake +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +ourselves to the doctrine of an overruling +Providence. The dispensation may be dark, and +afflictive, and even profoundly mysterious; yet +we should think, it is God that hath done it. These +are his footsteps. This is the operation of his hand. +He it is, "who formeth the light and createth the +darkness; that maketh peace, and createth evil." +The more, in such circumstances, we look beyond +all creatures, and second causes, and fix our thoughts +and our faith, on God alone, the sooner shall we +find composure of mind. If we fully believe that +God is in the storm, and that it is his voice which +is heard in the thunder, and his face which is seen +in the flashing of the lightning, the less shall we +be terrified with the apprehension of unknown +dangers.</p> + +<p>But we are permitted to know not only that +God governs all human affairs by his Providence, +but also that his dispensations, as it relates to his +own people, are all ordered in wisdom, in faithfulness, +and in love. The doctrine of Providence +can bring no true consolation to any who are +unreconciled to God. They may know that it is +his rod by which they are smitten, but they +cannot tell but his strokes are those of vindicatory +justice, and only a prelude to more intolerable +pains. Before we can repose with confidence and +comfort on the faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness +of the Divine dispensations, we must possess some +evidence that our sins are pardoned and our persons +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +accepted; for the more perfect the Divine +government, the more certainly will punishment +pursue the guilty. Our cheerful resignation to the +afflictions of life, is therefore, closely connected +with our justification through the merits of the +Lord Jesus Christ. While we contemplate our +own sins and imperfections only, we can entertain +no other feeling, than a fearful looking for of +wrath; but when with the spirit of adoption we +can look up to our heavenly Father's reconciled +face, we need not be alarmed nor cast down, +under the heaviest afflictions which befall us. We +know that he doth not willingly afflict his beloved +children, but out of love chastises them for their +greater good, that they may become in a higher +degree, partakers of his holiness. They are +assured, therefore, that all these painful events +shall be so overruled, as to work for their good. +And the Holy Scriptures clearly teach, that although +these chastisements are, for the present, +not joyous, but grievous, yet, hereafter, they will +produce in them who are exercised thereby, the +peaceable fruits of righteousness. They eminently +conduce to wean the affections from this vain +world, to humble the spirit in the dust under a +sense of unworthiness, and to excite an ardent +spirit of prayer. It is, moreover, by a severe but +salutary discipline of this kind, that saints are +made meet for the heavenly inheritance. And not +only so, but these temporary afflictions, somehow +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +or other, will have a direct efficiency in increasing +their future felicity and glory, according to that +remarkable declaration of Paul, "These light +afflictions which are but for a moment, work out +for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory." It is not surprising, therefore, that God +who loves his people with an unchangeable love, +should visit them with the rod. It is the method +which he takes to purge out their dross and their +tin. Affliction is therefore compared to a furnace, +in which the precious metals are assayed and +purified. Thus Peter comforts suffering Christians +in his time:</p> + +<p>"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the +fiery trial which is to try you, as though some +strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, +inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, +that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be +glad also with exceeding joy." Again: "That +the trial of your faith being much more precious +than gold that purifieth though it be tried with fire, +might be found unto peace, and honour, and glory, +at the appearing of Jesus Christ."</p> + +<p>In the testimony just cited, there is another +interesting reason suggested for the affliction of +Christ's disciples. And it is one which must be +touching to the hearts of all who truly love their +Lord. It is, that as he was pre-eminently "the +man of sorrows," there is a congruity in their +participating in suffering, that in this respect, as in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +others, they may be conformed to his example. +Paul also makes express and repeated mention of +the same thing. "If children, then heirs of God, +and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer +with him, that we may also be glorified together." +He speaks of this communion with Christ in suffering, +as a characteristic of discipleship, and as +a high privilege, "Always bearing about in the +body the dying of the Lord Jesus."—"For unto +you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to +believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." +Christians, therefore, in primitive times, gloried +in their severest sufferings. And now, no consideration +is more efficacious in fortifying the +believer against fainting than the idea of the +sufferings of Christ for us. It would seem that +they who have been privileged to endure nothing +for Christ's sake, would scarcely be admitted to +reign with him in glory.</p> + +<p>And as we should endeavour, while in the +world, to glorify God to the utmost of our power, +by letting the light of a holy example shine forth, +so there is no situation in which piety appears to +greater advantage, than when exercised in deep +affliction. What disposition can be conceived as +possessing more moral beauty, than the grace +enjoined in our text; <i>cheerful, quiet submission to +the will of our heavenly Father</i>, under the +heaviest pressure of his hand. And as we all are +conscious that there is yet much impurity and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +dross cleaving to our nature, we should rejoice in +being subjected to a process, though it be a fiery +one, by which we might be more and more +purified from sin. Indeed, we cannot do without +this salutary discipline: our salvation, probably, +depends upon our sufferings as a means of conservation +in a state of grace. We ought not, therefore, +"to think it strange concerning the fiery +trial, which is to try us, as though some strange +thing happened to us; but should rather rejoice, +inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's sufferings, +that when his glory shall be revealed, we +may be glad with exceeding joy."</p> + +<p>"Be still, and know that I am God." Be calm +and submissive; be not alarmed nor perturbed; +let your resignation to the Divine will be unreserved +and cheerful. Seize the occasion, which +severe afflictions offer, to show your entire willingness +that God should govern and dispose of +you and yours according to his own sovereign +will. He is wise, and knows how to order every +thing for the best. He is powerful, and can bring +light out of darkness, and good out of evil. He is +faithful, and will certainly fulfil all his gracious +promises. He is good and merciful, and will consult +the best interests of his children in all his +dealings towards them; and even those events +which seem to be most adverse, he will so temper +and overrule, that ultimately, and relatively, they +will be made to work for their good.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +Under sore and unexpected bereavements, the +human heart will bleed; and the susceptible feelings +will be lacerated, and the gush of sorrow will +have its course; but grace comes in and suggests +considerations which ought to moderate our grief; +and to teach us to be quietly submissive to the +hand of the Almighty. It is a blessed state, when +the feelings of the man are absorbed in the nobler +feelings of the Christian; when our will is swallowed +up in the will of God. What He doeth we +know not now, but we shall know hereafter. It +will not be long until we shall be able to see, +"that he hath done all things well."</p> + +<p>In the recent mournful dispensation of Divine +Providence, we see how many hearts may be +wounded, and how many joys withered, by a single +stroke. In this interesting group of mourners, +we behold the aged parents weeping over the lifeless +body of a much loved, and very lovely daughter. +They have lived to witness the premature +departure of one, whom they might naturally have +expected to be a comfort to them in their declining +years, and to wipe from their foreheads the cold +drops, in a dying hour. Parental bereavements +admit of less alleviation, than others, from earthly +considerations. The friends and comforts which, +late in life, we lose, we cannot hope to have made +up to us. And, sometimes, the parents of a numerous +offspring are preserved so long, that they +survive all, or most of their children; and they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +stand, like aged trees, which, by successive storms, +have been stripped of their foliage and branches. +But, although bereaved parents cannot draw much +consolation, under their afflictions, from this world; +yet the rich consolations of the Gospel are accessible +to them, and peculiarly appropriate to their +condition. The pious do not know how to appreciate +the promises of God rightly, until, in the hour +of affliction, they are made to experience their +power and sweetness. We cannot blame these +parents for mourning the loss of a first born and +very amiable daughter; but we trust that they now +find support and comfort in that God on whose +Almighty arm they have long trusted. They have +not now for the first time, to learn the riches of +that grace which is treasured up in Christ Jesus; +and may they be enabled to come now to that +fountain of mercy, by the streams of which they +have been so often refreshed and comforted, under +former trials!</p> + +<p>The grief of affectionate brothers and sisters +also, flows this day, in a strong current. They +feel as if a part of themselves had been taken +away; and yet they can scarcely realize the extent +of their calamity. It often requires time for +grief to become rooted in the soul. The first gush +of sorrow from the bleeding heart, is indeed a +more sensible emotion, but the full value of our +loss is not felt, until after serious reflection. It is a +painful thing to be separated from those around +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +whom our earliest and tenderest affections were +entwined. The thought of never again, in this +world, seeing a face, from which always the most +benignant affections beamed upon us, cannot but +leave a melancholy and heart-sinking impression. +Who can adequately describe the anguish produced +by the sudden severance of hearts, long +cemented in the bands of the tenderest affection! +But, though nature will be obeyed, and the floods +of sorrow cannot be altogether restrained, yet +there is a Christian duty incumbent on those +placed in these circumstances. The command +does not say, that we should not weep, but that +we should not sorrow as those that have no hope. +Christians are not divested of the common sensibilities +of humanity; but they possess principles +much higher than mere humanity, by which they +moderate their passions, and by which the stream +of natural sorrow may be sanctified, and turned +into that of "godly sorrow, which worketh a +repentance not to be repented of."</p> + +<p>But among the weeping mourners, on this sad +occasion, I see some, who though deeply affected, +can scarcely be supposed capable, on account of +their tender age, of estimating the irreparable loss +which they have sustained. I call the loss of +a mother <i>irreparable</i>; because, however many +affectionate friends may stand ready to do all in their +power to supply a mother's place; yet, the assiduity, +forbearance, and tenderness, so requisite in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +the treatment of young children, can be expected +in perfection from nothing but that affection, +which the Creator has deeply implanted in the +hearts of mothers. To those who have had +long experience in the world, there are few ideas +more affecting than that of <i>a motherless child</i>. +But orphaned, as these dear little ones are, by the +loss of one parent, they are, I may say, on this +account, more peculiarly the care of a covenant +God, whose promise extends not only to believers, +but to their seed, and whose kind care extends +especially to such children of the faithful, as have +been bereaved of one or both parents. These dear +children, we confidently trust will be the objects +not merely of God's common goodness, but of his +special grace; and after spending a life of usefulness +in acts of piety and beneficence, will enjoy +the blessed privilege of regaining their beloved +mother, in the mansions of glory, where sickness, +death, and tears, will be known no more.</p> + +<p>In addressing the interesting group of mourners +now before me, I perceive one, whose griefs are +too big for utterance, and whose swelling bosom +cannot be soothed, at this time, by any of the common +topics of consolation. An officious intrusion +into the sacred recess of such indescribable sorrows, +only serves to exacerbate, rather than mitigate the +wounded spirit. All that the kindest friends can +do, in such a case, is to let their warmest, tenderest +sympathies fall in with the tide of overwhelming +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +grief, which rejects all consolation. "Weep with +them that weep." There is another thing which +we can do, and that far more important, we can +pray for our afflicted and bereaved brother. In +such circumstances, prayer is almost our only +refuge; for all our help must come from God. +While the voice of man is powerless to afford +relief, there is <span class="smcap">ONE</span> who causes his voice to be +heard even in the midst of the tempest. And his +authoritative, his affectionate language to our beloved +brother is, "<i>Be still, and know that I am +God</i>." "God is our refuge and strength, a very +present help in trouble." It is somewhere related +of that eminently pious reformer, Luther, that when +he fell into any great trouble, he was wont to say +to his friends, "Come, let us sing the forty-sixth +psalm."</p> + +<p>A striking example of uncomplaining submission +we have in the good old priest Eli, who, +when informed that God was about to bring such +judgments on his house, as would cause the ears of +every one that heard them to tingle; meekly +replied, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth +him good."</p> + +<p>And the patriarch Job, when deprived of all +his property, and of all his children, humbled +himself and worshipped God, saying—"The Lord +gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be +the name of the Lord." "What, shall we receive +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +good from the hand of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, and shall we not +receive evil?"</p> + +<p>When Jesus visited the mourning family of +Bethany, who were among his dearest friends, he +did not say to the afflicted sisters, weep not—but +the compassionate Redeemer united his tears with +theirs; for it is written, "Jesus wept." These +were indeed only the tears of sympathy, for it was +in his benevolent purpose to restore the deceased +brother to his disconsolate sisters. Here also, we +have a striking illustration of the truth, that God's +children are ignorant often of his kind designs, +when he permits sore afflictions to come upon +them; "If thou hadst been here," said both the +weeping sisters, "my brother had not died." Their +regret was keen, and unmitigated by any known +circumstance; but in one short hour, they were, +no doubt, glad that their Lord was not there—they +rejoiced that their beloved brother had died; because +the glory of God and the power of the +Redeemer had now been manifested. Indeed, a +gracious visit from Jesus will turn our bitterest +sorrows into joy. His name—his word—his +grace—has a mighty power to calm the swelling +surges of overwhelming sorrow. He can say, as +he did to the raging storm, "Peace, be still," and +there will be a great calm. Were it not for +thoughts of God—of his providence, and promises, +and of the seasonable and effectual aid of his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +grace, grief would often drown the soul in perdition; +as it often does work death in the heathen, +and in the men of the world, who are without God, +and without hope.</p> + +<p>It would be in place here to speak of our dear +departed sister, whose loss we now mourn; but +this task will hereafter be better performed by +another hand. And to this audience little need be +said; for she was brought up among you from her +childhood, and enjoyed the affectionate regards of +this community in no common degree, as is manifest +by the general and tender sympathy felt on +this occasion. By her sweet simplicity, engaging +vivacity, affectionate temper, and affable manners, +our beloved friend endeared herself to her acquaintances +and neighbours, wherever she resided. And +in regard to her Christian character, she adorned +her profession by a consistent life and conversation, +in all the relations which she sustained.</p> + +<p>Her latter end was calm and peaceful. She felt +some dread of the pangs of dissolution; but in +regard to what comes after death, she had no +fear—her hope continued firm and her prospects +bright to the last moment.</p> + +<p>It is always a cause of lively gratitude, when +God is pleased to sustain his dear children in +passing through "the valley of the shadow of +death." It affords to mourning friends the sweetest +consolation which could be received under +such sore bereavements. This consolation of our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +benignant Father has not been withheld in the +present instance. Mourning friends are permitted +to rejoice in the midst of their overflowing sorrow, +in the confident hope, that the departed spirit of +our dear sister, free from all sin and pain, rests +sweetly in the love and beatified vision of her +divine Redeemer.</p> + +<p class="ht">"<span class="smcap">Blessed are the dead that die in the +Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, +that they may rest from their labours; and +their works do follow them.</span>"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_3" id="Page2_3"></a></span></p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_4" id="Page2_4"></a><br /><a name="Page2_5" id="Page2_5"></a></span></p> + + + +<h2>LETTERS<br /> + +<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> +<br /> +A GRANDFATHER,</h2> + +<p class="p4 center">TO THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF</p> + +<p class="p2 center">MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE.</p> + +<p class="p4 center">BY THE</p> + +<p class="p2 center">REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D.</p> + +<p class="p4 center ht">PART II.</p> + + + + + +<p class="large center p6">LETTERS<br /> + +<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> + +A GRANDFATHER.</p> + + +<h3>LETTER I.<br /> + +INTRODUCTORY.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Grandchildren</span>:—The decease of +your beloved and lamented Mother, has placed +both you and me in circumstances of great solemnity +and responsibility. To be deprived of a +mother's care and counsel at the tender age at +which she left you, is indeed a loss which no +human arithmetic can estimate; especially to be +deprived of <i>such</i> a mother, one so well qualified +by strength of intellect, by sincere piety, and by +peculiar loveliness of character, to be a blessing to +you, for time and eternity, is a bereavement of +which, even now, I know not how to speak without +emotions too strong for utterance. While this +precious Parent lived, she seemed to interpose +between your beloved grandmother and myself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_6" id="Page2_6">[6]</a></span> +and any immediate responsibility in regard to your +education; but now that she is removed, we seem +to be brought, in the mysterious and mournful +Providence of God, to stand in some measure in +her place, and to perform some of the most important +duties which she owed to her children. And, +although your surviving Parent is eminently fitted, +both by nature and grace, to be a guide to your +youth; yet, as he is engaged, and is likely for +some time to be engaged, in active, arduous, and +extended labours for the Church of God, which +will probably separate him from you often and +much for a considerable time;—an additional responsibility +on our part seems to grow out of +every circumstance.</p> + +<p>It is under these impressions that I now address +you. Your grandparents are drawing near to the +end of their course. They must soon leave you +in a depraved and ensnaring world. What they +do for your benefit, they must do quickly. As +one placed in these tender and endearing relations +to you, and in these solemn circumstances, allow +me to pour out the fulness of a heart most earnestly +engaged for your welfare, and desiring more +ardently than I am able to express, to see you +walking in truth and happiness, and embalming +by your conduct, as well as by your affection, the +memory of that blessed Parent, who, if she is ever +permitted from her high and holy abode, to look +down on those whom she has left behind, will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_7" id="Page2_7">[7]</a></span> +rejoice to see you making choice of that path +which leads to the same blessedness.</p> + +<p>There are two considerations, beloved grandchildren, +which, I think, you will all agree, entitle +me to expect from you a respectful and affectionate +attention to what I have to offer in these letters. +The <i>first</i> is, that I have lived a long and somewhat +eventful life; and, of course, my range of +<i>experience</i> has not been small. In my three-score +and tenth year, I have had an opportunity of following +many young people from the cradle to the +grave. I have seen the training, the subsequent +course, and the end of thousands. Need I say, +that the lessons derived from such experience are +not unworthy of your regard? O, if you could +start in your career with that practical knowledge +of the vanity, the snares, and the sufferings of the +world, which has come to me through the medium +of many a melancholy sight, and many a painful +conflict, how great would be the advantage! But +this cannot be. Happy were it for you, if you +were willing to profit as you might from the +experience of others. But neither can this be +expected, in ordinary cases, to be realized. I +cannot, however, admit the thought, that you will +be willing to reject this teaching altogether.</p> + +<p>The <i>second</i> claim which I have on your attention +is, my ardent and affectionate desire to promote +your happiness. You cannot suspect me of +any sinister design in what I have to say. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_8" id="Page2_8">[8]</a></span> +would be to suppose me capable of "hating my +own flesh." No, dear children, I have no desire +to damp the sanguine joy, or cloud the smiling sun +of your youth. I would not take from you a +single rational pleasure. On the contrary, I delight +to see you happy; and desire, by all the means in +my power to promote your true enjoyment and +honour. But you must allow me now, in my old +age, when I have seen so much of the illusions of +the world, and so many examples of the destruction +of those who yielded to them, to counsel you, +not in the style of youthful flattery, but in the +language of "truth and soberness." You will +find nothing in these letters intended to carry a +point by overpainting, or by any other artifice. +If you have a real disinterested friend on earth, +who unfeignedly wishes to promote your best interest +in both worlds, it is he who now addresses +you. I shall not give a counsel or an injunction, +but what I verily believe your precious Mother, if +she were permitted to speak from the bosom of +her Saviour, would ratify with all her heart.</p> + +<p>You will observe that some of my counsels +have a respect to objects beyond the period of +childhood, which you now occupy. The truth is, +I expect soon to leave you. Probably long before +any of you shall reach adult age. Of course, I +feel that what I have to say at all, had better be +said <i>now</i>. I may have no other opportunity. +Besides, one of the great truths which I wish to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_9" id="Page2_9">[9]</a></span> +impress upon your minds is, that you are, even at +your present age, sowing the all important seeds of +a future harvest of good or evil. You will not +find a single habit or attainment recommended in +the following pages, which, if you are ever to gain +it, you will not find an advantage in having calculated +and prepared for, as far as possible, at the +earliest age. The earlier you begin to imbibe +good principles, and lay good plans, the better will +it be for all the future.</p> + +<p class="ht">Let me entreat you, then, to receive with all the +affection and docility of dutiful children, the counsels +of one who, while he writes, looks up to +"Him who has the residue of the Spirit," that +what is rightly said, may be impressed upon your +hearts, and made to bring forth precious fruit, to +your happiness, and to the glory of his holy +name!</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_10" id="Page2_10">[10]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER II.<br /> + +HUMAN NATURE.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—On all important subjects there +are certain great facts which must be regarded +as fundamental; as lying at the foundation of all +truth, and all duty. I feel that this is peculiarly +the case in regard to the counsels which I am about +to give you concerning your course in life. Among +these fundamental facts are the depravity, the +misery, and the numberless temptations of the +world in which you live; the depravity of your +own nature, ever ready to be attracted by the +allurements and corruptions of the world; and +your consequent need of the grace of God, at +every step, for your guidance, protection, and deliverance. +And until you know and feel, and in +some degree lay to heart, that the world in which +you live is a fallen, depraved world; that its +habitual maxims and ways are hostile to your best +interests; that you are yourselves, by nature, +miserable sinners, standing in need of pardoning +mercy, and sanctifying grace; and that you are +every day exposed to snares and perils, from the +joint influence of a depraved nature and a corrupt +world;—until you have learned, in some good measure, +to recognise these facts; to dwell upon them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_11" id="Page2_11">[11]</a></span> +daily and hourly; and to receive the lessons which +they are adapted to teach; you are not prepared +even to <i>begin</i> life. You are not prepared to meet +or encounter the most common scenes, much less +the more formidable dangers which are likely to +beset your path every day that you live. But the +moment you are brought to admit these humbling, +momentous truths; to feel their reality; and to +consider and treat them in some degree according +to their practical importance; then, and not till +then, may we hope you will be ready to make a +proper estimate of the world; to guard against its +allurements; to ponder well what you need for +securing your true happiness; and to implore that +divine aid which is necessary if you desire, in such +circumstances, to perform any duty aright. And, +therefore, when I see young people apparently +forgetful of the character of their own hearts, and +of the world in which they live; thinking that all is +gold that glitters; and imagining that they can safely +trust to their own wisdom and strength in every +situation, I regard them as objects of the deepest +commiseration, and as wholly unqualified for either +the duties or the best enjoyments of life.</p> + +<p>Know, then, dear children, and remember, that +you belong to an apostate race; that we are all, +according to the declaration of God's own word, +"born in sin," and "shapen in iniquity;" that we +are "by nature the children of wrath;" that our +native propensities are all of them corrupt; opposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_12" id="Page2_12">[12]</a></span> +to God; impelling us to habits and practices +forbidden by his law, and unfriendly to our best +interest. Remember, too, that, so far from being +able to trust your own hearts to resist the temptations +around you, and to guide you aright, they are +all naturally inclined to that which is evil, and disposed +to take side with the vanities and corruptions +of the world. So that there is constant need of +self-denial; of imposing restraints upon all our +appetites and passions; and of submitting, especially +in early life, to the counsels of the wise and +the good, who have gone before us in the journey +of life, and have had more experience than ourselves +of its temptations and dangers.</p> + +<p>Hence it is, that so large a part of religion is +represented in Scripture as consisting in opposing +our own corrupt inclinations; in "crucifying the +flesh with the affections and lusts;" in constant +efforts to bring down pride and vanity; to mortify +our evil propensities; "to keep under the body;" +to "rule our own spirits;" and, in general, to gain +the victory over ourselves. All these expressions +imply that the course of true wisdom is a warfare +with evil; that our most formidable enemies are +within; and that resisting our own corrupt nature +is at once the most constant, and the most serious +part of our duty as accountable creatures.</p> + +<p>Nor is this all. Not only is our nature corrupt; +not only are we from our very birth, prone to evil +"as the sparks fly upward;" but we are also by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_13" id="Page2_13">[13]</a></span> +nature under condemnation. In the language of +that incomparable Catechism, with which you have +been familiar from lisping infancy—and every doctrine +of which, as I believe, is drawn from the +Bible—"All mankind by their fall lost communion +with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so +made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death +itself, and to the pains of hell forever."</p> + +<p>Such is the condition of our race by nature. +Not only depraved and unworthy, but guilty, condemned, +and perishing; not only in <i>danger</i> of being +forever lost; but already under a sentence of +death, unless rescued from it by the power and +grace of the Saviour. All the posterity of Adam +are by nature, "dead in trespasses and sins," +having no resources within themselves for regaining +the favour and image of God. "The carnal mind +is enmity against God; it is not in subjection to +the law of God, neither indeed can be." So that, +left to ourselves, we should infallibly go on in sin +to eternal, merited, and hopeless destruction.</p> + +<p>Here you are, then, dear children, in a revolted, +polluted, lost world, where the vast majority of the +population is in open rebellion against God; where +the prevailing habits and maxims are selfish, carnal, +and opposed to all that is truly and spiritually +good; where, if you fall in, and continue to go +with the prevailing current, you are inevitably and +eternally lost; where your only safety consists in +renouncing the world, its idols, its master, and its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_14" id="Page2_14">[14]</a></span> +hopes; in "crucifying the flesh with its affections +and lusts; in resisting the fashions and allurements +which reign around you; and taking refuge in that +Saviour, who came to seek and to save that which +was lost." Such are the temptations and perils +with which you are constantly and every where +surrounded; and such your only refuge. And, +what greatly adds to your danger is, that if the +representation which I have given be correct, your +own hearts are naturally disposed to take the side +of the enemy, and to betray you into his toils and +his power. So that you are like persons travelling +in an enemies' country, and liable every moment +to be taken in some insidious and fatal snare, +and whose own inclinations to yield to the enemy +are among their greatest dangers. These are the +humbling facts which it behoves you constantly to +keep in view, and to regard as the great practical +index of all your plans, resolutions, and efforts, as +long as you live.</p> + +<p>And as you can never be truly wise until you +learn the corruption of your own nature, and +how indispensably you need pardoning mercy, +sanctifying grace, and unceasing guidance and help +from on high; so you are not prepared to begin +your intercourse with a corrupt world, until you +have learned to appreciate the real character of +human nature as it appears in all the walks of +social life. The young, anterior to experience—and +indeed many, long after experience ought to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_15" id="Page2_15">[15]</a></span> +taught them otherwise—are too ready to put confidence +in the professions and arts of men. They +are apt to believe the flattering tongue; to rely on +plausible promises; to trust heartless professions +of attachment; to repose confidence in civilities +never meant to be accepted; and to expect much +from protestations of kindness, and assurances of +friendship—all dictated by the merest selfishness, +and never intended to be fulfilled. Rely on it, +dear children, you live in a cold, selfish, heartless +world. Its civilities are hollow; its promises are +deceitful; its flatteries are insidious; its most +splendid attractions are delusive. Expect little from +the warmest professions, and be very backward +to avail yourselves of the most fervent proffers +of friendship. I am far, indeed, from recommending +a misanthropic suspicion of every body. Your +parents and grandparents ought to be the last persons +in the world to indulge or recommend such a +spirit. They have been so happy as to enjoy +friendships sincere, disinterested, active, and unwearied, +never to be forgotten. For these they +would be thankful, and enjoin it upon you never to +forget such precious friends. But remember, that +social confidence is a plant of slow growth; that +there are few cases in which it can be safely indulged; +that where it exists, great care ought to be +taken not to abuse it by laying too much upon it; +and that, while you ought to receive all expressions +of civility and respect with a suitable acknowledg<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_16" id="Page2_16">[16]</a></span>ment, +nothing can be more unwise and unsafe in +such a world as this, than to trust indiscriminately +to the professions and promises of men.</p> + +<p class="ht">If such be our deplorable circumstances, as a +race, and as individuals, then we need deliverance. +We need salvation. To this great subject I would +next entreat your attention.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_17" id="Page2_17">[17]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER III.<br /> + +THE WAY OF SALVATION.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—Salvation is a word often on +your lips, and on the lips of many around you. +The truly pious look forward to it with humble, +joyful hope. And those who have no piety, and +even the profane and profligate often speak of it as +something which they desire and anticipate. But +what is <span class="smcap">SALVATION</span>? The very expression presupposes +that we are all by nature in a state from +which we need to be <i>delivered</i> or <i>saved</i>. We +never apply this term to any but those who are in +danger of being <i>lost</i>. When a man is drowning, +or in the utmost peril of death in any form, and by +the interposition of some benevolent and active +friend, is rescued, we say he is <i>saved</i>. Now in a +similar sense is the term used in the case before +us. The salvation of man implies that he is, by +nature not only in <i>danger</i>, but in a <i>lost</i> and +<i>perishing</i> condition. Accordingly I told you, my +dear children, in the preceding letter, that our +whole race, and you among the rest, are, by +nature in a state of guilt, depravity, and misery; +that we are fallen creatures; under condemnation; +exposed to the wrath and curse of God; liable not +only to natural death, but also exposed to all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_18" id="Page2_18">[18]</a></span> +terrors of eternal death, that is, of eternal separation +from the presence of the Lord, and the glory +of his power, unless delivered, or, in other words, +<i>saved</i> by the interposition of some mighty and +merciful deliverer. Such a great Deliverer has +appeared to save sinners of our race;—to "put +away sin by the sacrifice of himself." And now, +the word of God assures us, that there is "no +other name given under heaven among men +whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus +Christ."</p> + +<p>It is my earnest desire, dear children, to open +this way of salvation to your minds, and to recommend +it to your serious and solemn attention. +Believe me, "it is not a vain thing for you, it is +even your life." Unless you are, by the grace of +God made partakers of this great salvation, it "had +been better for you that you had not been born."</p> + +<p>By the salvation revealed in the Gospel is meant, +delivering us from all the ruins of the fall—from +the condemnation of sin and the power of sin—restoring +us to the favour and image of God—and +bringing us to the everlasting enjoyment of his +presence in heaven. This is salvation. Now I +wish to show you how this great and blessed +result is accomplished by the undertaking and +work of Jesus Christ, whom we are accustomed, +on that account, to denominate, with emphasis, +our <span class="smcap">Saviour</span>.</p> + +<p>Man was made upright; in full possession of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_19" id="Page2_19">[19]</a></span> +the powers necessary to perfect moral agency, and +with all the dispositions which prompted to a +perfectly correct use of those powers. But "man +being in honour abode not." He rebelled against +God. He violated the covenant under which he +was placed, and became liable to the dreadful +penalty which it denounced against transgression. +In this fall of our first parents we are all sharers. +"In Adam," says the apostle, "all die." "By one +man's disobedience," he again declares, "many +were made sinners." We have all totally lost our +original righteousness; so that there is now, by +nature, "none righteous, no not one." In short, +we have all become guilty and polluted before +God, and incapable of regaining his image or his +favour by any merit or doings of our own. How, +then are we to be delivered from these deplorable +circumstances? How shall we escape that perdition +which is the just reward of sin? "How can +we escape the damnation of hell?" How can any +be saved? God cannot set aside his own law, or +permit his authority and majesty, as a righteous +Governor, to be trampled under foot. To "clear +the guilty;" to take impenitent rebels into the +arms of his love, would be to "deny himself." +Where, then, is our refuge? Must we sit down +in despair, and say, "There is no hope?" No, by +no means. A God of infinite wisdom, power, and +love, has devised and proclaimed a wonderful plan +by which sin was punished while the sinner is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_20" id="Page2_20">[20]</a></span> +pardoned; by which justice is completely satisfied, +while mercy is extended to the guilty and vile; by +which "grace reigns through righteousness, unto +eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord."</p> + +<p>This wonderful and glorious plan of mercy +consisted in the Father giving his own Son to +obey, suffer, and die in our stead, as our substitute; +and in the Son consenting to bear the penalty +of the law for us; to put away our sin by the +sacrifice of himself; and to bring in an everlasting +righteousness for our justification. Yes, dear +children, however coldly an unbelieving world +may receive the amazing annunciation, the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, condescended, +in his wonderful love, to assume our +nature; to take the place of the guilty and the +perishing; and to become the victim of Divine +justice in their stead. His language, in the eternal +counsel of peace, was, "Let me suffer instead of +the guilty. Let me die to save them. Deliver +them from going down to the pit; I will be their +ransom." This wonderful, this unparalleled offer +was accepted. The Father was well pleased for +the righteousness sake of his Son. He accepted +it as the price of our pardon; as that on account +of which all who repent and believe should be +justified. So that the Scriptures may well say +concerning the Saviour—<i>He is the end of the law +for righteousness to every one that believeth. +He is the Lord our righteousness. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_21" id="Page2_21">[21]</a></span> +wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised +for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace +was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. +He bare our sins in his own body on the tree. +He died the just for the unjust, that he might +bring us to God. He delivered us from the +curse of the law, being made a curse for us.</i></p> + +<p>Here then, dear children, is the way, and the +only way of a sinner's acceptance with God. In +virtue of the covenant of redemption, the righteousness +of Christ, or what he did and suffered on our +behalf, is placed to the account of his people, <i>as +if</i> they had performed it in their own persons. +Though sinful and unworthy in themselves, God +is pleased to pardon and accept them as righteous +in his sight, only for the righteousness sake of his +beloved Son. I am aware, indeed, that some who +speak much of "the merits of Christ," and profess +to rely entirely on those merits, represent the +whole subject in a very different light. They +suppose that in consideration of the sufferings and +death of our blessed Saviour, the old, original law +of God, requiring perfect obedience, is repealed, +and a <i>mitigated law</i> now prescribed as the rule of +our obedience. So that now, under the Christian +dispensation, a perfect obedience is not even required, +but only an imperfect one, accommodated +to our fallen condition and our many infirmities. +But still, they insist, that this imperfect obedience +is the meritorious ground of our acceptance with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_22" id="Page2_22">[22]</a></span> +God; and, of course, that eternal life is the purchase +of our own obedience. In short, the doctrine +of these errorists is, that the benefit conferred +by the sufferings and death of Christ, consists, not +in providing an entire righteousness for us, but +only in abating the demands of the law; in bringing +down the divine requisitions more to a level +with our ability; and still enabling us, low as we +have fallen, to be the purchasers of salvation by our +own works.</p> + +<p>Be assured, dear children, this view of the subject +is a grievous departure from the Scriptural +doctrine concerning the way of salvation. The +Bible represents our pardon and acceptance with +God as not founded, in any respect, or in any +degree, on our own obedience; but as wholly of +grace—as a mere unmerited gift, bestowed solely +on account of what the Redeemer has done as our +substitute and surety. It represents the holy law +of God as remaining in all its original strictness +without repeal or mitigation; and as falling with +the whole weight of its penalty on all the impenitently +guilty. But it declares that penalty to be +removed from those who repent and believe the +Gospel, not on account of any worthiness in themselves, +as the meritorious ground of the benefit; +but only on account of the perfect righteousness of +Him who came to seek and save those who were +lost. In short, a gracious God saves his people +not by overlooking their sins; but by lifting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_23" id="Page2_23">[23]</a></span> +penalty from them, and laying it upon the divine +Redeemer, and for his sake letting them go free, +and accepting them solely on account of his merit.</p> + +<p>This righteousness of Jehovah the Saviour is +said to be "to all, and upon all them that believe;"—that +is, it is imputed to none—set to the +account of none but those who receive Christ by +faith. Faith is that great master grace by which +we become united to the Saviour, and interested in +his atonement. This righteousness, therefore, is +called <i>the righteousness of faith, and the righteousness +of God by faith</i>. Hence we are said to +be <i>justified by faith</i>, and to be <i>saved by faith</i>. +Not that faith, as an act of ours, is, in any +measure, the ground of our justification; but all +these expressions imply, that there is an inseparable +connexion, in the economy of grace, between +believing in Christ, and being justified by him, or +having his righteousness imputed to us. Happy, +thrice happy they, who can thus call the Saviour +<i>theirs</i>, and who have thus "received the atonement!" +Though unworthy in themselves, they +are graciously pronounced righteous by their +heavenly Judge, on account of what the Mediator +has done. Their sins, though many, are, for his +sake, forgiven them. They are <i>freely justified +from all things from which they could not be justified +by the law of Moses</i>. They are "accepted in +the Beloved." Though polluted and undeserving in +their own character, they are "complete in Him."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_24" id="Page2_24">[24]</a></span> +There is no condemnation to them now; and in +the day of judgment they shall find, to their eternal +joy, that there is both safety and happiness in +appearing in the righteousness of Him who loved +sinners, and gave himself for them, clothed in +"robes which have been washed and made white +in the blood of the Lamb."</p> + +<p>But we not only need to be justified by the +righteousness of Christ; we also indispensably +need to be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. +Accordingly, the purification of our nature, as well +as the pardon of our sins, is one of the benefits +purchased by Him, and secured by covenant to all +believers. Hence the teaching and the sanctifying +power of the Holy Spirit must be regarded as an +essential part of the great salvation of which I am +speaking. We need as much to be delivered from +the love of sin as from its condemnation. And for +both, the plan of mercy held forth in the Gospel +of Christ, makes equal and effectual provision. +"Whom he justifies, them he also sanctifies; and +whom he sanctifies, them he also glorifies." By +the power of the Holy Spirit, the dominion of sin +is broken in the hearts of all who are brought +under the power of the Gospel. The reign of +corruption in the soul is destroyed; the love of it +is taken away; and though not perfectly sanctified +in the present life, yet every believer has his sanctification +begun. It is carried on, not by his own +wisdom or strength, but by the same divine power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_25" id="Page2_25">[25]</a></span> +by which it was commenced; until he is, at last, +made perfectly holy, as well as perfectly happy in +the presence of his God and Saviour.</p> + +<p>Thus does it appear that salvation is all of grace, +sovereign, unmerited grace. The original devising +of the plan, in the eternal counsels of peace, was +prompted, not by any foresight of faith and holiness +in the fallen creature; but in mere grace. +The plan itself, in all its principles and provisions +makes our salvation perfectly gratuitous, and +wholly excludes all human merit. After the plan +was formed and executed, and the knowledge of it +imparted to us, no one would ever accept of it, did +not the same grace which formed it, incline the +sinner to lay aside his native opposition, and accept +of the offered mercy. And even after cordially +accepting it, no individual would ever cleave to his +hope, and continue to embrace it, and live under its +power, were he not "kept by the power of God +through faith unto salvation."</p> + +<p>After the foregoing statement, the great question +is, what message does this plan of salvation bring +to <span class="smcap">YOU</span>? The message which it brings, dear children, +is an unspeakably solemn one. It charges +<i>you</i> with being sinners—miserable sinners in the +sight of God—without merit—without help, and +without hope in yourselves. It offers you peace, +and pardon, and sanctification, and eternal life, +through the atoning sacrifice of the blessed Redeemer. +It entreats you to lay aside your en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_26" id="Page2_26">[26]</a></span>mity, +and to receive these benefits with humble +and adoring gratitude, as a free, unmerited gift, +"through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." +Its language is, "Whosoever will, let him come, +and take of the water of life freely." And again, +"Whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast +out." It calls upon you to renounce all confidence +in yourselves, and to receive and rest on Christ +alone for salvation as he is freely offered in the +Gospel; to receive him as the Lord your righteousness, +and the Lord your strength, and rejoice in +him as your only hope. To this end, it is indispensable +that you be convinced of sin; that you +experience a deep and cordial sense of your own +sinfulness and unworthiness; that you despair of +saving yourselves; that you fall at the footstool of +sovereign grace, feeling that you deserve to die, +and that you can have no hope but in the atoning +blood, and sanctifying Spirit of the Redeemer. It +is your duty and your privilege to go to the Saviour +at once, and cast yourselves on his mercy, without +waiting for any qualifications to render you worthy +of his favour. You are commanded to go to him +as miserable, helpless sinners, not with a price in +your hands; but to receive from him all that you +need to make you holy and happy here and hereafter. +And until you are prepared thus to go to +him, as miserable, unworthy sinners, who deserve +God's wrath and curse forever; until you sincerely +feel that you have nothing to plead but the merit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_27" id="Page2_27">[27]</a></span> +of another; until you are ready to cast yourselves +at the feet of the Saviour, and to be indebted for +pardon and eternal life as a mere gift of grace, you +have yet to learn the vital element of practical religion.</p> + +<p>Dear children! will you hesitate a moment—will +you wait for a second invitation to accept of +such a Saviour? Will you turn away with ingratitude +from such a salvation? Listen to the entreaty +of one who loves you, and who has no stronger +desire concerning you than to see you walking in +the Spirit, and enjoying the consolation of the +Gospel: or rather listen to the voice of that blessed +Saviour himself who died for sinners; and who +says to you, and to all who hear the Gospel—"Come +unto me all ye who labour and are heavy +laden, and I will give you rest. Him that cometh +unto me I will in no wise cast out."</p> + +<p class="ht">Think not, I beseech you, of putting off this +acceptance of the Saviour's love until you are farther +advanced in life. Do you forget that "the +ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all +her paths peace," and that you cannot too soon +begin to be happy? Besides, have you any assurance +that you will live to be much more advanced +in age than you now are? Not long since, a +graduate of one of our colleges was heard to say, +"I have finished my college education. I will +now devote two years to the study of a profession; +and <i>then</i> I will take one year to see what there is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_28" id="Page2_28">[28]</a></span> +in <i>that mighty thing they call</i> <span class="smcap">RELIGION</span>." So +calculated this careless, blooming youth. But before +his plan was half accomplished, he suddenly +fell sick; was seized with delirium; and died +without hope. But there are facts, dear children, +which ought to come nearer home. Can you forget +your beloved brother and sisters, who, in the +very threshold of their existence, were cut down, +and laid in the grave? And what security have +<i>you</i> that you will live to see another year? But +even if you <i>are</i> permitted to live until you reach +adult age, or until you are old and grey-headed, +what reason have you to hope, if you go on hardening +yourselves against the Gospel until that time, +that you will then have grace given you to "consider +your ways?" O, how many who were in +youth thoughtful and tender, have become more +and more callous to every serious impression, as +they advanced in life, and have, at length, sunk +into the grave without hope! Be entreated, then, +dear children, <i>now</i>, while your hearts are tender; +before the world has twined around them a thousand +entanglements; before you become hardened +by inveterate habits of sin; be entreated to make +choice of that "good hope through grace," which +will form the best treasure, and the only effectual +pledge of safety and happiness in the voyage of +life: the treasure which is emphatically "that +good part which can never be taken away from +you."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_29" id="Page2_29">[29]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER IV.<br /> + +THE BIBLE.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—If you were walking, in a +dark night, along a road full of sloughs, and pits, +and snares, and dangers of every kind, what would +you do for safety? You would naturally, if you +could obtain it, take a <i>light</i> in your hands. You +would also, if possible, engage a <i>guide</i>, strong and +faithful, well acquainted with the road, and qualified +to conduct and defend you. And, besides all +this, you would vigilantly <i>look around you</i> at +every step, and eagerly mark and avoid every spot +that had a suspicious or doubtful appearance.</p> + +<p>Your situation, dear children, in the journey of +life, is precisely such as I have described; or +rather, I ought to say, "the half has not been told +you." You are just entering on a world, dark, +corrupt, and full of allurement and danger. On +every side enemies lie in wait to deceive and betray. +You are and will be exposed to a thousand +temptations and perils from which you have no +wisdom or strength to deliver yourselves. You +need direction and guidance at every step. Now +the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> presents the only complete and perfect +map of the road which you are travelling. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_30" id="Page2_30">[30]</a></span> +given us to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to +our path." It exhibits, with unerring fidelity, +every enemy, every snare, every danger which +beset your path. It gives all the information, all +the warning, all the caution, and all the encouragement +which you need. It tells you, more perfectly +than any other book, all that you have to fear, and +all that you have to hope for. There is not a form +of error, or of corruption, against which it does not +put you on your guard; nor an excellence or a +duty which it does not direct you how to cultivate +and attain. "Wherewith," asks the Psalmist, +"shall the young cleanse their way?"—"By +taking heed thereto," he replies, "according to +thy word." No one ever made this holy Book +the guide of his life, without walking wisely, +safely, and happily; without finding the truest +enjoyment in this world, and eternal blessedness +in the world to come.</p> + +<p>Can you wonder, then, beloved children, that I +place a high value on this blessed Book; that I +earnestly recommend it to your serious attention, +to your constant study, and to your devout and +affectionate application and confidence? Can you +wonder that I should delight to see it daily in your +hands; much of its sacred contents committed to +your memory; and your hearts deeply imbued +with its spirit and its power? You, no doubt, +remember how earnestly your precious Mother, +now gone to the God who gave this Book, recom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_31" id="Page2_31">[31]</a></span>mended +it to your attention; how assiduously she +put it into your hands; how often she constrained +you to commit portions of it to memory; and how +frequently, on Sabbath evenings, she gathered you +round her to recite those portions in her hearing, +and to receive her instructions and counsels in +regard to them. Can you ever forget these scenes, +and the solemn, tender lessons which you then +received? Call to mind her earnest looks, her +affectionate tones, her unceasing labour to impress +the contents of this sacred Book on your minds +and hearts. Think of these things; and if you +can recollect them without gratitude to God for +such a mother, and without tears of regret that you +have not profited more by her faithful counsels, +you have less moral feeling, and less filial sensibility +than I have been accustomed to give you +credit for.</p> + +<p>Why is it, my dear children, that so many +young people regard the Bible with aversion, and +consider the study of its pages, and especially committing +them to memory, as a task and a burden? +When we reflect that it is sent to us from heaven; +that it contains the glad tidings of peace, and love, +and salvation to a lost world; that it is besides full +of the noblest specimens of literary beauty, and of +tender pathetic eloquence that the world ever saw; +that there is something in it adapted to touch the +finest and best cords of human sensibility—why is +it that you so often feel aversion to the study of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_32" id="Page2_32">[32]</a></span> +this volume, and would gladly be excused from +the task of perusing its chapters? Alas! dear +children, this is one of the many proofs that your +nature, as I before stated, is depraved; and that +you need the renewing and sanctifying power of +the Holy Spirit, before you can understand and +relish a book given by his inspiration. Every +feeling of reluctance to the study of this Book +which you experience, ought to fill you with +alarm, and to constrain you to cry mightily to God +that he would open your eyes and your hearts, and +give you that taste for the best of all books, without +which you cannot be prepared for the joys of his +presence. Consider, I beseech you, that, as you +have been made acquainted with this Book from +your earliest childhood, so you will have to give +an account for this knowledge. Many children +around you have never had the Bible put into their +hands; have never been taught to venerate and love +its sacred pages; but you have been informed of +its origin and value. You have enjoyed a privilege +denied to thousands. Will you not be grateful +for this privilege? Will you not manifest that +you know how to prize a gift of more value than +all the world beside? Can you deliberately consent +to meet the dreadful condemnation of those +who, from childhood, "knew the Master's will, +and did it not."</p> + +<p>I hope I need not remind you that the <span class="smcap">Book of +God</span> is to be read with feelings and in a manner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_33" id="Page2_33">[33]</a></span> +very different from those with which you read all +other books. When you have read books of +human composition once or twice, you have gotten +from them all they contain—you have done with +them. But with the perusal of the Bible you can +never have done. The oftener you go over it, if +you feel as you ought, the richer and more delightful +will it appear. You can never exhaust its +meaning or its interest. Like its divine Author, it +has a length and breadth and depth and height, +concerning which no human reader can ever say +that he has completely fathomed its meaning, or +measured its riches.</p> + +<p>Other books are to be read with attention, and, +if they abound with truth and wisdom, with respect; +but the Book of God is to be read with the +deepest veneration, as containing the mind and +will of our heavenly Sovereign. In fact, every line +of it is to be considered as the voice of God speaking +to us. Woe to those, whether young or aged, +who can handle the Bible with levity, make sport +of its contents, or recite its solemn language as +matter of jest! The Lord will not hold them +guiltless who thus, practically, "take his name in +vain." The Mohammedans manifest much more +reverence for their <i>Koran</i>, than many Christians +for the Bible. They never allow themselves to +touch it without washing their hands. They handle +it with the most pointed respect, never holding +it lower than their girdles. Every copy of it com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_34" id="Page2_34">[34]</a></span>monly +contains an inscription or label on the cover, +in these words—"Let none touch but those who +are clean." How very differently do many, young +and old, among us, treat the Holy Scriptures! +I have often been distressed when I have seen +children toss about their Bibles, and even throw +them in the dirt, as they would the least valued of +their play-things, or rattle over some of the most +solemn language of the Bible with as little apparent +thought or respect as they would repeat the +veriest effusions of nonsense.</p> + +<p>The Bible, farther, is to be read <i>daily</i>, and with +<i>diligence</i>, as containing that daily food from which +you are to derive spiritual aliment, and strength +continually. It is to be read with fixed <i>attention</i>, +seriously directing your mind to its rich and important +meaning; with <i>humility</i>, feeling your need of +the instruction and grace which it contains; with +<i>prayer</i>, imploring the guidance of the Holy Spirit, +that he may open your hearts to receive the engrafted +word which is able to save your souls; +with <i>application</i>—asking continually—"How does +this concern <i>me</i>? Does it describe <i>my case</i>? +Does it not contain a lesson which demands <i>my</i> +special regard? Do <i>I</i> know any thing in my own +experience of what is here taught?"</p> + +<p class="ht">In this precious Book you will find every thing +adapted to enlarge the mind, to gratify the taste, to +elevate the affections, and to purify the heart. If +you only sought the richest <i>entertainment</i>, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_35" id="Page2_35">[35]</a></span> +could not open a book more fitted to gratify you. +It is an inexhaustible mine of instruction as well as +of beauty—the deeper you dig, the richer will you +find its treasures. Its exquisite simplicity, its +pathos, its sublimity, its heavenly wisdom, its +purity, are all adapted to turn us away from the +vanities of the world; to enlarge our views beyond +these regions of disorder and darkness; to +strengthen every high and holy motive; and to +lead us upward to Him who is the source and the +sum of all good. Happy, thrice happy will those +children and young people be, who early learn to +go to the <span class="smcap">Bible</span> for all their sentiments, principles, +and rules of action; who learn daily to go to that +precious Book to direct them in their pursuits, to +comfort them in their sorrows, to guide them in +their perplexities, and to animate them in their +labours whatever they may be! Such have the +best pledge of temporal enjoyment, and of eternal +blessedness. When, therefore, those who love +you, and would in some measure take the place of +your dear departed Mother, daily put this precious +Book of God into your hands, and urge you to +read and commit to memory a portion of its contents, +do not allow yourselves to regard it as a +task or a burden. Think from whom it comes—from +the God who made you. Think of the great +purpose for which it was given—to make you +wise and eternally happy. Think of the only +means of making it truly profitable to you—study<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_36" id="Page2_36">[36]</a></span>ing +it with devout attention, laying it up in your +hearts, and practising it in your lives. Think of +the solemn responsibility which the possession of +this Book lays upon you—for to whomsoever +much is given, of them shall much be required. +And may the great Author of this Book give you +grace to "seek for the heavenly wisdom which it +contains as silver, and search for it as for hid +treasures!"</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_37" id="Page2_37">[37]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER V.<br /> + +PRAYER.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—"Prayer is the offering up of +our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will, +in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, +and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." +This is the definition given in a Catechism with +which you are familiar, and a more complete and +perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the +offering up of our <i>sincere desires</i>; for unless it be +<i>sincere</i>, it is but solemn mockery. It is to be +addressed to <i>God alone</i>; for prayer addressed to +any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful +Sovereign. It is to be "for things <i>agreeable to +the divine will</i>;" or else it is unauthorized and +presumptuous. It is always to be presented <i>in the +name of Christ</i>; for there is no other name under +heaven given among men whereby we can draw +near to a holy God with acceptance, but the name +of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with +<i>confession of sin</i>; because the approach of a sinner +to God, without an humble sense and acknowledgment +of unworthiness, would be contrary to +every principle of reason, as well as to the Christian +plan of salvation. And, finally, it ought to include<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_38" id="Page2_38">[38]</a></span> +a thankful acknowledgment of <i>divine mercies</i>; for +without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we +cannot be in a frame of mind fitted to receive farther +favours.</p> + +<p>I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on +either the <i>reasonableness</i> or the <i>duty</i> of prayer. +If we are entirely dependent on God for every +temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely +reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, +and apply to him with humility and earnestness +for his aid. If his favour is life, and his blessing +the best riches, it is evident that we ought to +supplicate them with importunity and perseverance. +If we are sinners, unworthy of the divine favour, +we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and +make confession of our sins with penitence and +obedience. If he has revealed a plan of mercy +and grace to us, of which he invites and commands +us to avail ourselves, then every principle of self +interest concurs with reason, in urging us to seek +with earnestness a participation in that mercy. +And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many +words, commanded us "by prayer and supplication +with thanksgiving to make known our requests +to God," who can question, for a moment, +the <i>reasonableness</i> of a compliance with that command?</p> + +<p>Nor is the <i>duty</i> of prayer less apparent than its +<i>reasonableness</i>. The command of our Father in +heaven is—"Pray without ceasing—pray always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_39" id="Page2_39">[39]</a></span> +with all prayer and supplication, and abound therein +with thanksgiving. I will be inquired of by my +people to do that for them which they need. Ask +and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; +knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For if +ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto +your children, how much more shall your Father +in heaven give his Holy Spirit to them that ask +him? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in +prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The effectual, +fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. +When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and +when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father +which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in +secret, shall reward thee openly. If any one lack +wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, +and it shall be given him. Is any afflicted? let +him pray. Be careful for nothing; but in every +thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, +let your requests be made known to God. +The Lord is rich in mercy to all that call upon +him. In the day of my trouble I called upon the +Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all +my distresses."</p> + +<p>Such are some of the numerous passages of +Scripture which plainly <i>require</i> and <i>encourage</i> +prayer. Can any one who reads and believes the +Bible, doubt for a moment, that it is equally his +<i>duty</i> and his <i>privilege</i> to go daily to the throne of +grace to supplicate for all the temporal or spiritual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_40" id="Page2_40">[40]</a></span> +good which he needs? I hope, my dear children, +you will not be disposed to say, notwithstanding +such express and positive declarations of God's +word, in the language of profane objectors of old—"Wherefore +should we seek after God? Does he +need to be informed of our wants? Can we, by +importunity, alter his purposes? Where is, then, +the advantage of asking for what we need? What +profit shall we have if we pray unto him?" If you +should ever be tempted to ask such a question, I +would answer—"Much every way." God has +connected our asking for blessings with receiving +them. He has promised to hear and answer +prayer. He has condescended to say, that he will +regard with all the tenderness of a parent's heart, +the cries of his children. He has said in his word, +"Ye have not, because ye ask not." This is +enough. But it is not all that is worthy of our +attention. Prayer is not intended to inform God, +but to benefit ourselves. It tends to remind us of +our dependence and unworthiness; to impress our +hearts with a deeper sense of the divine goodness +and mercy; and to beget in our minds that humble, +grateful, tender sense of our own weakness, and of +our obligation to the Author of all good, which +constitute the best preparation for receiving the +gracious gifts of our heavenly Parent.</p> + +<p>While your precious, lamented Mother was +alive, what a privilege did you consider it to be +allowed to go to her in all your troubles, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_41" id="Page2_41">[41]</a></span> +make known to her all your desires! How much +greater the privilege to be allowed every hour free +access to your Father in heaven, with all your +anxieties and distresses, to pour out all your wants +and wishes, your hopes and fears into the bosom +of an Almighty Friend, who is ever able and ready +to help!</p> + +<p>Since, then, dear children, there are so many +reasons prompting you to prayer; since you are +always weak, always dependant, always unworthy, +and always in need, can you doubt that it is your +duty and your interest to abound in prayer? Let +me entreat you, therefore, never to suffer a day to +pass without engaging in this delightful and most +reasonable exercise. Set apart fixed times for the +purpose, that you may form such <i>habits</i> as will +aid your memory, and prevent your neglecting it. +Retire as soon as you can, after rising in the morning, +to return thanks for the mercies of the night, +and to implore the protection, the guidance, and +the blessing of your heavenly Father, through the +day. And in the evening, before drowsiness overtakes +you, retire again, to praise him for the mercies +of the day, and to ask for his guardianship +during the night watches. But are these the only +subjects of prayer? Far from it. They are +numerous as the moments you live, and various +as the objects which you are called to contemplate. +Pray in the morning, that God would keep you +from all evil in body or soul, through the day; that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_42" id="Page2_42">[42]</a></span> +he would create in you a clean heart, and renew +within you a right spirit; that he would guard +your speech and behaviour at all times, and in +every situation; that he would enable you to mortify +and subdue every sinful affection, and to overcome +every improper habit; that he would deliver +you from sloth, and pride, and vanity, and malice, +and envy, and every evil temper; that he would +enable you to treat all around you in a dutiful and +becoming manner; in a word, that he would enable +you to spend the day in a manner profitable to +yourselves, and to the benefit of all around you. +And in the evening pray, that he would pardon all +the deficiencies and infirmities of the preceding +day; that he would make you grateful for all the +favours of his merciful Providence; that he would +watch over you during the hours of darkness and +repose; and bring you to the light of another day +in health, in the exercise of your reason, and in +the enjoyment of his favour and love.</p> + +<p>And while you thus pray daily for yourselves, +it is your privilege and duty to include in your +petitions all with whom you are connected in the +various relations of life. You ought to pray continually +for your beloved <i>father</i>, who is engaged +in such important labour for the Church, and who +loves you with an affection and solicitude which +you can never repay; for your <i>grandparents</i>, who +are daily praying for you, and who are falling +more and more under the infirmities of age; for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_43" id="Page2_43">[43]</a></span> +<i>one another</i>, that you may be guided and blessed +amidst all the temptations and dangers of youth; +for your <i>teachers</i>; for your <i>school-mates</i>; for the +<i>poor children</i> around you, who have none of the +advantages of instruction and restraint which you +enjoy; for your <i>friends</i>, and <i>neighbours</i>, and all +with whom you are acquainted. O, my dear +children, if you prayed as you ought every day for +all these, how much happier would you be! What +a benign influence it would have on your whole +temper and conduct! It would make you kind, +tender hearted, and forgiving toward all with whom +you conversed; and make all of them, in their +turn, love you as a friend and benefactor.</p> + +<p class="ht">Let me make, on this subject, one more suggestion. +Most people, especially most young people, +have no idea of engaging in prayer unless at particular +times when they retire for the purpose. I +wish you all, dear children, besides your stated +seasons of prayer, morning and evening, to form +the habit of lifting up your thoughts and your +desires to God in any and every situation; when +walking by the way; when surrounded with company; +when met by any call of duty, or by any +circumstance of a doubtful aspect, or perplexing +character—be in the habit of silently but devoutly +looking up to God for wisdom and strength to perform +every duty. This kind of intercourse with +God may be carried on at all times, and in all +situations; and, I will add, was never sincerely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_44" id="Page2_44">[44]</a></span> +adopted by any one without being connected with +guidance and consolations of unspeakable value. +In this way the suggestion of the apostle in +writing to Timothy will be realized, that "<i>every +thing</i> be sanctified by the word of God, and +prayer."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_45" id="Page2_45">[45]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VI.<br /> + +CULTIVATION OF THE MIND.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—That every human being is +bound to cultivate, in the best manner, the intellectual +powers which God has given him, I hope +you will take for granted, anterior to all argument; +and, although the moral aspects of education are +the most vitally important, yet as no one can be a +moral agent without some degree of intellect; so +it may be said, that the wisest and best culture +even of our moral powers, depends more on the +discipline, the enlargement, and the furniture of the +intellect, than is commonly supposed.</p> + +<p>The cultivation of the mind comprises two +things, and two only, viz: giving it proper habits +of exercise, and filling it with useful knowledge. +The case is precisely similar with regard to the +<i>body</i>. The sum total of all that we are called to +do for the benefit of the body, is to secure its +strength by constant and wholesome action or +exercise, and to furnish it with appropriate nourishment. +On the one hand, were its <i>exercise</i> ever so +abundant, if left without aliment, it would speedily +sink into weakness and death; and, on the other, +if its aliment be ever so plentiful and rich, yet if it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_46" id="Page2_46">[46]</a></span> +be left wholly without <i>exercise</i>, it will soon become +a mass of disease and corruption. Precisely so is +it in the cultivation of the mind. Exercise and +aliment are equally indispensable, and must go +together. If the mind be not taught to think, and +to feel an appetite for intellectual provision, all the +knowledge in the world, if introduced into it, +would be of little use. But, if it be taught only to +think and feel, and be furnished with none of the +appropriate aliment of knowledge, it cannot grow +either in strength, or in a capacity to act its part in +the world with dignity or usefulness.</p> + +<p>As these principles lie at the foundation of all +intellectual culture, so they are also adapted to +instruct us with regard to the wisest and best means +of conducting that culture, with regard to the departments +of knowledge most worthy of being +studied, and the relative stress which ought to be +laid on different pursuits. If you would be trained +up merely to be splendid butterflies, to shine and +to please the superficial and the empty, for a day, +and, having done this, to die like senseless insects; +why, then, a corresponding plan of culture must +be adopted. But, if you wish to be regarded as +rational creatures; to be prepared for sober thought +and action; to "serve your generation by the will +of God;" to die in peace, and to be remembered +with love and veneration when you are gone, then +it is perfectly manifest a very different method of +training is indispensable.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_47" id="Page2_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>I trust you will not hesitate a moment in +deciding which of these courses you ought to +choose. I trust the way of practical wisdom, of +piety, and of usefulness, will be the object of your +prompt and decisive choice. If so, the course of +mental culture which you ought to adopt, cannot +possibly be mistaken by a mind of the least reflection. +If you are to feel and act as moral accountable +agents, and to consider human life as a serious, +momentous thing; then, doubtless, you will feel +that you are bound, first of all, and above all, to +exercise your minds in such a manner, and to store +them with such branches of knowledge, as will +tend most effectually to enlarge them, to strengthen +them, to inspire them with practical wisdom, and +to furnish them with the means of the most solid +and extensive usefulness.</p> + +<p>Upon this principle, I would say, let your first +and chief attention be directed to those branches of +knowledge which lie at the foundation of all that is +enlarged, liberal, and elevated in human pursuits; +such as Grammar, Rhetoric, Geography, the Latin, +Greek, and French languages, Natural and Moral +Philosophy, the elements of Mathematical science, +Chemistry, and as many of the branches of Natural +History as may be within your reach, especially +Botany and Mineralogy. These are all proper for +both sexes; and the more you gain of all of them, +the better fitted will you be both for enjoying life, +and for fulfilling its various and momentous duties.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_48" id="Page2_48">[48]</a></span> +I grant, indeed, my dear grandson, that with regard +to what is denominated Classic literature, and +Mathematics, I wish <i>you</i> to go more thoroughly to +work, than would be desirable, or perhaps proper, +for your sisters. But I hope that neither of these +will be entirely neglected by <i>them</i>. For I have an +impression, that the careful study, to a certain +extent, of the best of the dead languages, and an +intelligent acquaintance with the elementary principles +of Mathematics, ought to be omitted by none +who can possibly attain them. In my opinion, +they are adapted to produce an effect on the mind, +and to diffuse an influence over all its other acquisitions, +more happy and more important than is +commonly recognised, even by many of the educated +themselves.</p> + +<p>Besides the popular sciences just mentioned, +with which every human being who can afford it, +ought to seek some good acquaintance, there is an +extensive and important field of knowledge, which +is defined by the general term of <i>literature</i>, and, +in our case, of <i>English Literature</i>. There is a +large class of writers, with whose works every one +who claims to be intelligent and well informed, +must be familiar. To this department belongs the +whole subject of <i>History</i>, which, I trust, will +receive the serious attention of all of you; and +about which I hope you will take enlightened +advice, as a number of the most attractive and +popular writers in this department, are unfit to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_49" id="Page2_49">[49]</a></span> +perused without much reserve and caution. To +these, of course, ought to be added, those great +writers, both in prose and poetry, which deserve +to be ranked as <i>English Classics</i>; and, with +which, I feel confident, you will seize the earliest +opportunity of becoming acquainted. I refer to +such writers as Milton, Shakspeare, Dryden, Addison, +Steele, Pope, Thompson, Gray, Young, +Goldsmith, Johnson, Cowper, Beattie, and a number +of others, whom I cannot pause to specify, but +with whom it would be highly discreditable not +to have some intimate knowledge. Without an +acquaintance with these writers, you cannot appreciate +the riches, the beauties, or the purity of your +vernacular tongue, or form for yourselves a good +style of writing. In these writers, too, you will +find a great store-house of fine sentiment, as well +as diction, adapted greatly to enlarge and elevate +the mind, to impart to it its highest polish, and to +prepare it for its best efforts.</p> + +<p>There are certain accomplishments commonly +called <i>ornamental</i>, deemed by many desirable for +females, and by some considered as of much consequence. +Among these are dancing, music, painting, +drawing, embroidery, &c. With regard to +<i>dancing</i>, your beloved grandmother and myself +never thought proper to permit any of our own +children to be instructed in this art; not because +we thought the <i>act</i> of dancing itself criminal, but +because we considered it as inseparably and almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_50" id="Page2_50">[50]</a></span> +necessarily connected with the whole system of +balls, dancing assemblies, midnight parties, &c., +all of which we deemed criminal, and in a great +variety of ways, hostile to the principles and +the claims of true religion. We do, indeed, find +dancing spoken of in the Old Testament Scriptures, +as having been employed, even on occasions of religious +joy; but never on such occasions do we read +of the midnight dance, nor of promiscuous dancing, +that is, of the sexes together. And with respect to +the New Testament, we read there of only one +actual dance, and that was performed by a profligate +woman, and connected with crime of the most +atrocious and revolting character.</p> + +<p>As to <i>music</i>, I am persuaded it is the duty of +every one who is able to do it, to acquire the +power of uniting in the social praise of God with +excellence and efficiency. The cultivation of +vocal music, and the attainment of such a degree +of skill in it as is essential to imparting an interest +in the exercise, are conducive to health and favourable +to moral and spiritual improvement. So far, I +am confident you ought all to go. And if my +granddaughters should have a special taste and +love for instrumental music, I am by no means +prepared to advise that they deny themselves the +pleasure. It is an elegant accomplishment, and +when wisely employed, may be connected with +innocent pleasure, and sometimes with benefit. +But I should deeply regret to find them aiming at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_51" id="Page2_51">[51]</a></span> +that <i>exquisite skill</i> in instrumental music, which +cannot be attained without great expense, much +loss of time, and that intense and long continued +attention which cannot fail to engross the mind and +stand in the way of more worthy objects of pursuit, +if it do not wholly exclude them. This is so +unworthy of a rational accountable creature, that +I would infinitely rather my dear grandchildren +should know nothing of music, than that they +should carry their zeal for it, and their devotion to +it, to such an injurious length. And as to my +dear grandson, while I hope always to hear him +unite in singing the praises of God in the sanctuary +with taste and skill, it would give me unspeakable +pain to hear that he was regarded as a highly +acceptable and admired singer at convivial meetings, +and that his company was courted on that account. +I concur in opinion with the old Grecian sage, who, +when a young gentleman of his acquaintance, of +respectable station and employment in society, had +performed on an instrument of music with consummate +skill and effect, said to him, "Are you not +ashamed, my young friend, to play so well?"</p> + +<p>In conducting the intellectual culture of the +young, there is one question which I presume you +will not fail to ask, and which I wish to anticipate +and answer in this little system of affectionate +advices. The question is, whether <i>Novels</i> ought +to have any place in the course of reading prescribed +for young people? This is a question of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_52" id="Page2_52">[52]</a></span> +exceeding great importance. When I was a youth +it was far less interesting and momentous, as a +practical matter, than it has now become. Three +quarters of a century, and more especially a century +ago, the number of this class of writings was +so small, and their popular circulation so inconsiderable, +that their influence was scarcely worthy of +notice, compared with that which they have more +recently exerted, and which they are daily going +on to extend. Bear with me then, dear children, +while I dwell a little on this subject, and call your +attention to some thoughts which I pray God may +be deeply impressed upon your minds.</p> + +<p>That fictitious history is not in its own nature +and necessarily criminal, will probably be acknowledged +by all. It <i>may</i> be so construed as to awaken +curiosity, to excite sympathy, and to impress the +understanding and the heart in a salutary manner. +Of course, to condemn every thing of the kind <i>as +such</i>, and however constructed or employed, would +be to pronounce an unjust judgment. Hence we +find examples of this mode of instruction in the +holy Scriptures; and on the same principle, some +of the wisest and best human teachers in all ages, +have used the vehicle of lively and interesting +fiction, known to be such at the time, for insinuating +into the mind moral and religious lessons, +which in a different form, might not so readily +have gained admittance.</p> + +<p>But the great error of modern times is two-fold;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_53" id="Page2_53">[53]</a></span> +<i>First</i>, in multiplying publications of this kind, +until they bear an inordinate and injurious proportion +in the current literature of the day; and, +<i>Secondly</i>, in constructing them upon a plan adapted +to degrade virtue and piety, to recommend vice, +and of course to prove seductive and immoral in +their whole influence.</p> + +<p>Even when such works are perfectly unexceptionable +in their character; when they are wholly +free from any thing improper, either in language or +sentiment, they may be productive of incalculable +mischief, if, as now, they are issued in excessive +<i>numbers</i> and <i>quantity</i>. Leaving the <i>character</i> of +modern novels entirely out of the question, the +enormous number which for the last half century +has been every day increasing, has become a +grievous intellectual and moral nuisance. As +long as they were <i>few</i> in number, and were +regarded not as the <i>substance</i>, but only as the +<i>seasoning</i> of the literary feast, they occupied but a +small share of public attention. The chief time +and attention of the reading portion of the community +were mainly devoted to works of substantial +value, fitted to strengthen, enlarge, and enrich the +mind. But, within the last twenty or thirty years, +the number of novels has increased so rapidly; +they have become so prominent and alluring a +part of the current literature of the day; and by +their stimulating and inexhaustible variety, have so +drawn away the minds of the aged as well as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_54" id="Page2_54">[54]</a></span> +young from solid reading, that they have formed +the principal reading of a large portion of the community, +and, of course, have become a snare and +an injury to an extent not easily calculated. As +long as exhilarating gases, or other stimulating substances, +are administered sparingly, and as medicines, +they may be altogether harmless, and even +essentially useful. But, when those who have +taken them for some time in this manner, become +so enamoured with them as to be no longer satisfied +with their moderate and salutary use, but +make them their daily and principal aliment, they +become inevitably mischievous. They destroy the +tone of the stomach, and, in the end, radically +undermine the health.</p> + +<p>So it is with the insidious excitement of novels. +Were the reader of them to take none into his +hands but those which might be safely pronounced +perfectly pure and innocent; and were he certain +that he would never be tempted to go beyond the +most moderate bounds in seeking and perusing +even such, there would, perhaps, be little danger +to be apprehended. But no one can be thus certain +of either. The general stimulus of fictitious +narrative is morbid and disorderly. It excites the +mind, but cannot fill or enrich it. The probability +is, that he who allows himself to enter on this +course, will be led on, like the miserable tippler, +from one stage of indulgence to another, until his +appetite is perverted; his power of self-denial and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_55" id="Page2_55">[55]</a></span> +restraint lost; and his ruin finally sealed; or, at +least, his mind so completely indisposed and unfitted +for the sober realities of practical wisdom, for +the pursuits of solid science and literature, as to be +consigned to the class of superficial drivellers as +long as he lives.</p> + +<p>The truth is, novels—even the purest and best +of them—are adapted, not to <i>instruct</i>, but only to +<i>amuse</i>; not to <i>nourish</i> and <i>strengthen</i>, but only to +<i>exhilarate</i>. They even enervate the mind; they +generate a sickliness of fancy; and they render the +ordinary affairs and duties of life altogether uninteresting +and insipid. After wading through hundreds +of the most unexceptionable volumes belonging +to this class—what has been gained? What +has been laid up for future use? Nothing. Not a +trace of any thing useful has been left behind. The +days and nights devoted to their perusal have been +absolutely lost. What infatuation is it for a rational +creature who is sent into the world for serious and +important purposes, and who is hastening to the +judgment seat, thus to waste precious time; and, +what is worse, thus to pervert his mind, and disqualify +himself for sober employments! The celebrated +Dr. Goldsmith, in writing to his brother, +respecting the education of his son, expresses himself +in the following strong terms, which are the +more remarkable, as he himself had written a +novel:—"Above all things, never let your son +touch a romance or novel. These paint beauty in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_56" id="Page2_56">[56]</a></span> +colours more charming than nature, and describe +happiness that man never tastes. How delusive, +how destructive are those pictures of consummate +bliss! They teach the youthful mind to sigh +after beauty and happiness which never existed; +to despise the little good which fortune has mixed +in our cup, by expecting more than she ever gave; +and, in general, take the word of a man who has +seen the world, and has studied human nature +more by experience than precepts—take my word +for it, I say, that such books teach us very little of +the world."<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> He might have gone farther, and +said—They teach us little of <i>any thing</i>; and so +pervert the taste, as to take away all relish for +applying the mind to any thing sober or useful. +Often have I known young men and women so +bewitched by novels, that they could read nothing +else. They sought for new works of this class in +every direction; devoured them with insatiable +avidity; and became less and less disposed for +pursuing any study either prescribed by their preceptors, +or adapted to promote their ultimate enjoyment; +until their prospects for both worlds were +irrecoverably overcast with clouds and darkness.</p> + +<p>Imagine not, dear children, that <i>you</i> will exercise +more resolution than others, and thus avoid +the snare of which I have spoken. You cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_57" id="Page2_57">[57]</a></span> +answer for yourselves in this matter, any more +than the man who is constantly exposed to the +temptation of stimulating drinks can be sure of +escaping the danger. Rely upon it, the more confident +you are of your own wisdom and firmness +in avoiding the evil in question, the greater your +peril. In this, as in many other things, the only +complete safety is to be found in wholly avoiding +the dangerous territory.</p> + +<p>But there is another source of evil in this department +of literature, still more serious and formidable. +A very large proportion of modern novels, +are far from being innocent. They are positively +seductive and corrupting in their tendency. They +make virtue to appear contemptible, and vice +attractive, honourable, and triumphant. Folly and +crime have palliative and even commendatory names +bestowed upon them. The omnipotence of <i>love</i> +over all obligations and all duties, is continually +maintained; and the extravagance of sinful passion +represented as the effect of amiable sensibility. +Surely these representations can have no other +tendency than to pervert the moral sentiments, and +to corrupt the hearts of those who habitually dwell +upon them. And even though they be, at first, +contemplated with abhorrence, no one can tell how +soon the mind may be gradually and insidiously +reconciled to them, by familiarity with the infectious +influence.</p> + +<p>For example; the novels of <i>Sir Walter Scott</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_58" id="Page2_58">[58]</a></span> +have been read with eager delight by millions of +the young and the old; and many pronounce them +at least innocent. But those who read them with +intelligence, and with a proper estimate of the +times and the characters which he undertakes to +portray, will perceive that the writer arrays himself +against the patriotism and the piety of some +of the best men that ever adorned the history of +his country; that he exhibits orthodoxy and zeal +under the guise of enthusiasm and fanaticism; that +he strives to cover with dishonour, men "of whom +the world was not worthy;" and to elevate and +canonize their persecutors. In short, that his +general influence is wholly unfriendly to religion. +These characteristics pervade the most popular +of his novels. Of course few of his readers, +especially of his youthful readers, are aware of his +misrepresentation, and, therefore, are not armed +against the mischievous influence.</p> + +<p>But there is a poison lurking in this field, still +more virulent and fatal. A large portion of novels +may be charged with being seductive and immoral, +upon a more refined and deep laid plan. They +are systematic, and, in some instances, ingenious +and plausible apologies for the most atrocious +crimes. In many modern productions of this kind, +the intelligent reader will recognise the following +process of representation: Corrupt opinions are +put into the mouth of some favourite hero, the +splendour of whose character, in other respects, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_59" id="Page2_59">[59]</a></span> +made to embellish the principles which he holds, +and the force of whose eloquence is employed to +recommend the most unreasonable and mischievous +dogmas. When this hero commits a crime, and +when, by this crime, according to the fixed laws +of the divine government, he is involved in serious +difficulty, if not lasting and fatal misery, the +fashionable novelist endeavours to throw the blame +on the religious and moral institutions of society, +as narrow, illiberal, and unjust. When a splendid +but corrupt woman, has forsaken the paths of +virtue, and when she suffers in her reputation and +her comfort, by such conduct, all this is ascribed +to "the wretched state of civilization"—to "the +deplorable condition of society." Every opportunity +is taken to attack some essential principle of +morality, under the tide of a "prejudice;" to +ridicule the duties of conjugal and domestic life, as +flowing from "contracted" and "slavish" views; +to stigmatize the sober pursuits of honest industry, +as "dull" and "spiritless;" and, in a word, to +frame an apology for robbery, murder, suicide, and +the indulgence of every propensity, for which a +corrupt heart can plead an inclination.</p> + +<p>Now, my dear children, when novels of this +kind are placed on the shelves of every circulating +library, and strewed over every part of our land, +what security have youthful novel-readers that +many of this class will not fall into their hands, +and that they may not imbibe the fatal poison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_60" id="Page2_60">[60]</a></span> +before they are aware? Is it any wonder that +wise parents and guardians are painfully apprehensive +of such danger? Many amiable and well-intentioned +young people, who fancied they were +gaining amusement only, have been unwarily betrayed +into opinions, and prepared for practices +which they would once have regarded with abhorrence, +and which ultimately led them into error, +crime, and ruin. Since, then, there are so many +novels of this insidious and baneful character; and +since it is by no means easy for the young and +inexperienced to distinguish between the innocent +and the vile, you will not wonder that I advise, +nay, entreat you to avoid the reading of novels +altogether; never to allow yourselves to take a +volume of this kind into your hands at all. The +most innocent of them, as you have seen, are +worthless, and the perusal even of <i>them</i>, a waste +of time; and if you allow yourselves to touch any +of them, you will be in danger of being led astray +to an extent which you can hardly be made to +anticipate. I beseech you, dear children, trust +one who sincerely loves you; who understands +the subject of which he is speaking; and who +would not deprive you of a single safe or solid +pleasure—trust him when he earnestly exhorts +you, <span class="smcap">NEVER TO READ A NOVEL</span>.</p> + +<p>You will, perhaps, ask, what is my opinion of +what are called "religious novels," that is, of fictitious +narrative, designed to illustrate and recom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_61" id="Page2_61">[61]</a></span>mend +religion? I am compelled to say, that my +deliberate judgment is unfavourable to <i>these</i> also. +They are neither edifying nor safe as instructors in +the great department of religion. I do not deny +that <i>some</i> of this class may be adapted to do good, +and may have been actually useful. But this is +not the question. The question is, whether, as a +system, it is better to instruct in religion through +the medium of fictitious narrative, and by means of +thrilling incidents, or by plain, sober, didactic, and +exhortatory address. In general, I cannot help +deciding in favour of the latter. The reason why +the large majority of mankind prefer fictitious narrative +is, that they love <i>excitement</i>; and most +youthful readers will be more likely to take interest +in the "story," than in the moral lessons +which it conveys. Condiments and stimulants are +useful in our food; but to make our daily food +consist wholly or mainly of condiments and stimulants, +would not, surely, be wise or salutary.</p> + +<p>But this is not the worst. Among the novels +called <i>religious</i>, there are various classes. Almost +all the different religious denominations have issued +novels appropriate to their respective sectarian characters. +We not only have those which have been +put forth by the friends of truth and piety; but, +also, many by the advocates of error. Socinianism +is now strenuously inculcated through the medium +of fictitious narrative. Cold Pelagianism on the one +hand, and Antinomianism on the other, have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_62" id="Page2_62">[62]</a></span> +presented in the same manner. Amidst these alternate +pleadings of orthodoxy and heresy, how shall +the youthful learner discriminate? Were he to +take up a didactic treatise in favour of Socinian or +Pelagian opinions, he would see the error in a +moment, and be on his guard against it. But +when he is borne away by the excitement of a +stirring narrative, and a spirited, eloquent dialogue, +he may imbibe the poison of error, before he is +aware.</p> + +<p>You must not, dear children, consider me as +fanciful, if I express an opinion, that the present +prevailing state of mind of the religious public has +some connexion with that class of novels of which +I am now speaking. The most striking characteristic +of the present time is <i>a love of excitement</i>. +The old and sober mode of proceeding in any +thing has become unpopular and intolerable. Our +children can scarcely be prevailed upon to read +any thing unless it comes in the shape of a striking +story. If any one wishes a pious <i>tract</i> to be read, +he must construct it in the form of a thrilling fictitious +narrative. Every dish must be highly seasoned; +every draught must be a dram. Is it any +wonder that, in such a condition of the public +taste, all old methods of doing good should be despised, +and the Church as well as the world filled +with new opinions, new estimates of things, and +"new measures?"</p> + +<p>Be assured, when your mind is brought, by any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_63" id="Page2_63">[63]</a></span> +means, whether by an insatiable love of fictitious +narrative, or by any other form of exciting composition, +to relish nothing conveyed in the old form of +solid, didactic, direct instruction, it is high time +to examine whether you are not acquiring habits +unfriendly to sober thought, to the best mental +culture, and to the acquirement of the most valuable +knowledge. How often have I met with +young people, of both sexes, who could talk fluently, +and with apparent intelligence, of the volumes +of Miss Burney, Mrs. Radcliffe, Madame +De Stael, Miss Edgeworth, and Scott, and Cooper, +and Bulwer, and even of the depraved and infamous +Byron;—but, who were struck dumb if you +spoke to them of Shakspeare; of Bacon; of Milton; +of Addison; of Thompson; of Young; of +Dryden; of Pope, and Johnson, and Robertson, +and Junius, and Cowper, and other English classics, +of whom, if they had ever heard, they seemed +to know nothing! Is this the way to cultivate the +mind? Does this speak for or against the devourer +of novels?</p> + +<p>The sum of my counsel, then, under this head, +is, that if you wish really to cultivate your minds, +and to prepare them for healthful and useful action, +let your studies be solid, diligent, and persevering. +Let your reading be such as will fill your +minds with the knowledge of facts, principles, and +sentiments of the enriching and elevating kind. +Let your first and most intimate acquaintance be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_64" id="Page2_64">[64]</a></span> +with those authors whose works will tend to fit +you for answering the great purpose for which you +were sent into the world. Carefully avoid every +species of reading which tends to turn away your +minds from sober, practical views of life and duty. +And remember that, for every book you read, and +for every mental influence which you invite, you +have to render a solemn account.</p> + +<p>There is one more counsel, dear children, with +which I will close this letter. It is, that whatever +subject you study—whatever book you read, you +do it <i>faithfully</i> and <i>thoroughly</i>. Leave nothing +until you understand it well;—until you have, as +far as possible, gone to the bottom of it. You +may rely upon it that no solid knowledge is to be +gained without patient, unwearied labour. Be not +in haste, then, to pass on to another subject or +lesson, until you have completely mastered that in +which you may be engaged. Be not contented +with merely enabling yourselves to recite a lesson +with plausible fluency. Be sure that you thoroughly +comprehend, not only its obvious meaning, +but also its elementary principles. Despise +the indolence of those, who, in learning languages, +are constantly using the miserable crutches of +<i>translations</i>, instead of walking with the use of +their own limbs; and who, whenever a difficulty +occurs in mathematics, or any other subject, instead +of delving it out themselves, ignobly ask help +from some wiser and better scholar. This is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_65" id="Page2_65">[65]</a></span> +cheating yourselves. That which is gained by +your own efforts, and with considerable labour, +will be better understood, and more firmly lodged +in the mind, than that which is imparted gratuitously +by others, without any vigorous mental +exercise on your part.</p> + +<p>The fact is, the pursuit of knowledge may be +compared to the task of one who is called to cross +a high and craggy mountain. If he is willing to +forego his own best interests, both as to bodily +and mental health, he may employ some sturdy, +athletic assistant to take him up in his arms, and +bear him over the steep ascent, and deposit him in +safety on the other side, without the use of a muscle +of his own. But what would he be the better +for it, at the end of his journey? His limbs would +not be braced. His chest would not be expanded. +He would miss a thousand interesting objects of +attention which the use of his own feet would have +brought to his view. After a thousand such boasted +expeditions, he might live and die the same +feeble, nervous dyspeptic, that he was when he set +out. Whereas, he who resolves to climb the same +mountain by his own efforts; who addresses himself +to the task with patient persevering labour; +who takes step after step, slowly, but wisely and +firmly; may not gain the ascent quite as speedily +as his weaker contemporary; but he will gain it +much more to his own profit and comfort, and, in +the end, find every power invigorated by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_66" id="Page2_66">[66]</a></span> +enterprise. O, if children and young people could +feel how foolish it is to procure themselves to be +borne up the mountain of knowledge by others, +instead of climbing it themselves, they would despise +all the "labour-saving machinery" to which +many of them are so fond of resorting; and would +remember that what is gained by their own intellectual +efforts, is more solid, wears better, digests +better, and is productive of richer fruit, both to +themselves and others.</p> + +<p class="ht">It is a law impressed by our Maker on the intellectual, +as well as the physical man, that "if any +will not work, neither shall he eat." It is a real +blessing, if we did but know it, to have labour connected +with all our attainments. Thus do we best +answer the great end of our being; thus do we +invigorate every power, and become prepared most +effectually to "serve our generation by the will of +God."</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_67" id="Page2_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VII.<br /> + +CULTIVATION OF THE HEART, AND THE +MORAL HABITS.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—By the <i>heart</i>, I mean the moral +feelings, dispositions, and affections. And by +<i>cultivating</i> the heart, I mean directing much attention +to restraining, regulating, and purifying all its +exercises. This may be said to lie at the foundation +of all duty and all happiness. Were your +intellectual powers cultivated with all possible care +and success, and your moral faculties neglected, +you might be polished and elegant demons; but +would be miserable yourselves, and a curse to +society. Whether, therefore, you regard your own +present enjoyment, and everlasting welfare, or the +happiness of those around you, you cannot too +early remember the great purpose for which you +were sent into the world, and the relations which +you sustain as rational, social, and immortal creatures. +You cannot too early or too diligently learn +to restrain your passions; to deny yourselves; and +to cultivate those benevolent, meek, humble, and +amiable habits, which are indispensable to tranquillity +and peace of mind, and which alone can +prepare you to adorn and bless the social circles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_68" id="Page2_68">[68]</a></span> +with which you may be connected. I draw your +attention the more earnestly to this great subject +because I see so many young people who appear +never to think of the importance, or even utility of +this part of their education.</p> + +<p>If you have not learned, dear children, that you +are by nature prone to be proud, vain, selfish, +envious, irascible, sensual, malignant, and, in a +word, to indulge the various appetites and passions +which tend to destroy your own peace, and to +invade the comfort of those around you; if you +have not discovered that this is the tendency of +your nature, and that resisting it will call for much +self-denial, and continual, and sometimes for agonizing +effort, you have attended less to your own +feelings, and habits, and less to the character of +your friends and associates than I am willing to +suppose.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you will ask—Does not <i>religion</i> cover +all this ground? Where the power of Christian +principle reigns in the heart, will not every thing +intended to be included in this letter follow as a +matter of course? If the <i>plan of salvation</i>, treated +in a former letter, be received and obeyed, will not +all the objects contemplated in the present letter, +be included and secured? Whence, then, the +necessity, or even the propriety, of making it matter +of separate consideration? I answer, the religion +of Christ, in its spirit and power, does indeed +embrace all moral excellence. It does, in fact,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_69" id="Page2_69">[69]</a></span> +where it bears appropriate and entire sway, include +every moral feeling, affection, and habit, which +can adorn and elevate human nature. And yet it +is to be lamented that many who cherish the +Christian hope, are not as much aware of this fact +as they ought to be; and are not so careful to +exhibit all the <i>loveliness</i>, as well as the <i>purity</i> +of example which become them, as is desirable. +And, besides, I have always found that there is a +great advantage in pursuing rather more into detail +the various branches of the Christian temper, than +is commonly done even in the best treatises on +religious character and duty. The French have a +phrase which expresses more exactly than any +English one which I can recollect, my meaning in +the title of this letter. The phrase I refer to, is +<i>Les petites morales</i>; by which they appear to +understand those <i>moral delicacies</i> of feeling, temper, +and intercourse, which, though not always +found actually shining in every professing, or even +every real Christian, do really belong to the Christian +code of ethics, and are indispensable to a complete +and exemplary character.</p> + +<p>The duties which grow out of our relations to +God, are generally acknowledged by all professors +of religion. However defective their obedience, +their obligations are seldom disputed. But if it be +the law of God, not only that we should "love +Him with all our heart and soul and strength and +mind," but also that we should "love our neigh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_70" id="Page2_70">[70]</a></span>bours +as ourselves," then the duties growing out of +this great law are more multiplied, tender, delicate +and important than most of those who are called +religious people recognise in practice, or even in +theory.</p> + +<p>It is true, the root of all sound morality is religion. +And it is equally true, that the deeper sense +any one has of the constraining love of Christ, and +of the holiness, majesty, omniscience, and omnipresence +of God, the more faithful he will be in +the discharge of all moral duties, both in private +and in public. Labour then, day by day, to gain +a deeper impression of the claims of your Creator +and Redeemer upon you. Meditate much on the +Divine glory. Cultivate a devout spirit. Study +to walk with God in the exercise of faith, and +love, and prayer. And endeavour to keep constantly +before your minds his all seeing eye, his +infinite holiness, his judgment seat, and those +righteous retributions which he has in store for all +his creatures, whether they be good, or whether +they be evil? This is cultivating the heart in the +most essential and radical sense. This is going to +"the root of the matter." That morality, and +that alone, which is grafted upon this sanctified +stock, will be regarded with approbation by the +Searcher of hearts, and stand the test of the great +day.</p> + +<p>But while you labour with your hearts, that +they may be habitually laid open, with all the soft<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_71" id="Page2_71">[71]</a></span>ness +and tenderness of spiritual sensibility, to the +claims of your Creator and Redeemer; study with +no less diligence to cherish a deep sense of all the +duties which you owe to your beloved relatives, to +your friends, to your neighbours, and to all with +whom you have intercourse. To perceive the +theory of these duties, is the province of the understanding; +to enter into them, as a practical matter, +and under a solemn sense of obligation, is an affair +of the heart; and the more deeply your hearts are +schooled both in the principles and practice of +these duties, the more they may be said to partake +of that culture which I am now recommending.</p> + +<p>When I imagine to myself what an influence +your precious Mother might have had in cultivating +your moral feelings and habits, if it had +pleased God to spare her to you; when I think of +the happy power which her delicate, forming +hand, might, by the divine blessing, have exerted +over the heart of each of you;—the heart—as Mrs. +Hannah More expresses it—that "seat of evil +propensities—that little troublesome empire of the +passions;"—I could sit down and weep afresh +that you are never to enjoy that culture. But, +happily, there is a source of infinitely better culture. +Try to lay to heart your weakness and your +wants, and implore without ceasing the enlightening, +subduing, and sanctifying power of the Holy +Spirit, and you will find "his grace sufficient for +you."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_72" id="Page2_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are special duties which you owe to your +beloved surviving Parent, and to all your domestic +relatives, of the most peculiar and tender kind; +duties which it is equally your privilege and your +honour to discharge. These are veneration, love, +gratitude, and a dutiful respect to all their feelings, +as well as their interests. Here children are extremely +apt to fail. Affection is generally found +to descend from parents to their offspring, and in +general from elder to younger relatives, in great +strength; but from children to parents, or from the +young to the old, it seldom rises with equal vigour. +Let not this be said of you. Constantly cherish +toward your beloved Father, and all your elder +relatives, not merely an outward respect, and dutifulness +of deportment, but a cordial and ardent +affection; a sincere and lively gratitude for all +those anxious cares and labours on their part for +your benefit, for which you have been indebted +ever since you were born, and for which you can +never make an adequate return. Try to please +them by the constant manifestation of love, confidence, +and grateful veneration; and let them see +that you treasure up, to your profit, all their +instruction, reproofs, and warnings. When the +<i>heart</i>, as well as the outward conduct, is conformed +to these sentiments, O, how endearing and +happy is the intercourse between parents and children! +What a charm is diffused over the whole +aspect of domestic society!</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_73" id="Page2_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let me entreat you, also, early to learn the duty +and the pleasure of <i>living in affectionate harmony +among yourselves</i>. I can scarcely express to you +the pain which I have sometimes felt when I +have perceived any thing like a spirit of strife and +acrimony rising between you, and leading to the +exchange of angry looks and passionate language. +Surely three motherless children ought to feel +more closely bound together than to indulge in +such a temper and conduct. If you do not love +one another, who can you expect will love you? +Be careful, then, continually to cultivate a spirit of +brotherly and sisterly affection toward each other. +Let nothing interrupt this. When any contest +arises, let the only strife be, which shall be the +first to yield, rather than contend. On no account +allow yourselves to employ harsh, much less violent +language toward each other. And if any contest +arises which you cannot settle between yourselves +without violence, let a united appeal to your +Father, if he be present, or in his absence, to your +grandparents, terminate the controversy. Seldom +does a conflict of this kind arise without there +being blame on both sides. And who so proper to +make the proper award, and to adjust every difficulty, +as those who love you all equally and +dearly, and have age and experience on their side?</p> + +<p>Let me enjoin on you to begin, as early as possible, +to cherish a spirit of <i>habitual benevolence</i>—a +desire, wherever you go, to promote the <i>happi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_74" id="Page2_74">[74]</a></span>ness</i> +of all around you. Selfishness is the great +master-sin of human nature. "All seek their +own." The <i>young</i>, especially, are apt to be +swallowed up in the excessive pursuit of their own +enjoyment, and that enjoyment is rarely sought or +found in ministering to the wants, and promoting +the comfort of others. But rely upon it, dear +children, this is a narrow and altogether deceptive +view of the best means of happiness. Not only is +it the divine command that we "love our neighbour +as ourselves," but it is equally certain that +obedience to this great law tends as directly to +make ourselves happy, as it does to promote the +comfort of the objects of our benevolent attention. +If you wish to be happy yourselves, study continually +to make all around you so too. The luxury +of doing good is the richest luxury of which we +are capable. It is the very spirit of Christ, who +"went about doing good;" and the more closely +we commune with him in the exercise of the same +spirit, the more we secure true and rational enjoyment. +Wherever you are, then, cultivate a spirit +of sympathy with the afflicted, and the habit of +flying spontaneously to the relief of suffering. +You cannot begin too early to feed the hungry, to +clothe the naked, to minister to the wants of the +sick and dying, to relieve distress of every kind, +and to "please every one for his good to edification:"—not +by flattery, which is too commonly +the method of pleasing adopted; but by letting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_75" id="Page2_75">[75]</a></span> +it be seen that you seek, as much as in you +lies, to make all around you truly happy. Never +promote mirth at the expense of others. Never +allow yourselves to "set others by the ears" as it +is sometimes expressed, for the sake of derision. +Carefully avoid all those "tricks," which so many +of the young delight in, and by which so much +suffering, and sometimes even ultimately the loss +of life, have been incurred. In a word, conscientiously +cherish the principle and the habit of never +giving a moment's pain to a human being, or even +to a brute beast, unless it be necessary for their +real good; and wherever you see pain, by whomsoever +inflicted, do all in your power, consistent +with other obligations, to relieve it, and to give +rational pleasure. There is nothing, be assured, +dear children, in all the splendour of fashionable +display, in all the gratifications of sense, in all the +delirious joys of giddy dissipation, once to be compared +with the hallowed pleasure of habitually +doing good to all within your reach. Yes, make +doing good your "ruling passion," and you will +be among the happiest of mortals.</p> + +<p>Let me beseech you to watch over your <i>temper</i> +with studious care. Few things are more unhappy +in a young person of either sex, than an irritable, +irascible temper. It betrays into a thousand indiscretions. +It poisons social intercourse. It alienates +friends. It destroys the comfort of the individual +who indulges it; and it interferes with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_76" id="Page2_76">[76]</a></span> +comfort of all with whom he converses. I have +known this infirmity to cast a cloud over the +whole course of many persons who were otherwise +fitted to adorn and bless society. Watch and +pray against it with the utmost diligence. "He +that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that +taketh a city." "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, +slow to wrath." Learn "by soft answers to turn +away wrath," both in yourselves and others. Be +not ready to take offence, or to consider any one +as "an offender for a word." Never regard an +honest difference of opinion from yourself as a personal +affront. Surely the indulgence of such a +spirit is as unreasonable as it is unhappy. Guard +with the utmost vigilance against a jealous, suspicious +temper. Ill nature, peevishness, and a disposition +to take every thing by an unfavourable +handle, and to indulge in satire and sarcasm, are +revolting in every human being, but especially in +the female sex. I have never known such a temper +to be indulged without diminishing both the +respectability and happiness of its possessor. Let +a mild, amiable, conciliatory spirit reign in all your +intercourse. Be ever kind, tender hearted, and +forgiving, even as you hope to obtain forgiveness +from the God of all grace. Let the spirit of +benevolence, and a desire to please, shine in your +countenances, and be manifest in your deportment +in all companies; at home and on journies; in the +public hotel, and in the parlour of a friend;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_77" id="Page2_77">[77]</a></span> +towards servants, as well as towards your equals +or superiors. In a word, in temper as well as in +conduct, "Whatsoever ye would that others should +do unto you, do ye even so to them, for this is the +law and the prophets."</p> + +<p>In forming your moral character and habits, I +entreat you to lay great stress upon cultivating a +sacred and delicate regard to <i>truth</i>, in all your +social intercourse. Rely upon it, you cannot pay +too conscientious a regard to this point. A fault +here is as dishonourable as it is criminal. I do +not allow myself to fear that my beloved grandchildren, +after the training they have received, will +ever indulge in deliberate falsehood. In this there +is a meanness as well as a sin, which I hope they +will equally despise and abhor. But it is to be +lamented that there is much in social conversation, +in which many people deemed respectable are apt +to indulge themselves, and which I hope you will +make conscience of sacredly avoiding. I mean all +exaggeration in your descriptions; all high-colouring +in your statements; all indulgence in fabulous +narratives, even in jest, for the amusement of company. +Aside from the dictates of religion in this +matter, which are sacred and conclusive, there is +something in these habits adapted to lower the +character, and to diminish the influence of those +who indulge them, with all sober-minded people. +Whatever may be the consequence, let a regard to +the strictest verity, as if you were on oath, reign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_78" id="Page2_78">[78]</a></span> +in all you say and do. Avoid the meanness, as +well as the sin of the slightest departure from absolute +truth. Let all underhand deceptive contrivances, +all low cunning, all habits of carrying +your plans by disingenuous arts, be abhorred and +avoided. How gratifying would it be to those +who love you, to know that it had passed into +something like a proverb among your acquaintance—"The +statement is from a Breckinridge—and +therefore may be depended on!"</p> + +<p>Let me farther entreat you to guard against all +indulgence of the spirit of <i>pride</i>, or <i>vanity</i>. By +<i>pride</i>, I mean such an inordinate and unreasonable +conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as +leads us to look down on others as beneath us, and +to treat them with haughtiness, or contempt. And +by <i>vanity</i>, I understand that excessive desire for +the applause of others which leads to egotism, and +such a weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain +the approbation of those around us, as are apt to +betray into little and unworthy arts for gaining the +object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at +once folly and sin, I hope no formal argument will +be necessary to convince you. But still, they are +both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable +obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against +them. Be assured, dear children, pride is as foolish +as it is criminal. Who made you to differ +from others? And what have you that you have +not received? If you have minds, or an education,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_79" id="Page2_79">[79]</a></span> +or outward circumstances more favourable than +those of many others, who conferred them upon +you? If, therefore, you have received all, why +should you glory as if you had not received them? +I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a +"laudable pride," an "honest pride," "a noble +pride," &c. But such language is a grievous +abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished +from the vocabulary of Christians. <i>Pride</i> was +"the condemnation and snare of the devil," and is +in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper +personal dignity and self-respect by this odious +name, is altogether incorrect and deceptive. To +speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as +"a noble pride," is a perversion of language, as +well as of moral principle. "Be clothed with +humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth +grace to the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, +and an haughty spirit before a fall; for +when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with +the lowly is wisdom." <i>Vanity</i> is a passion still +more childish and degrading. It exhibits a rational +creature hanging on the smiles and the praise of +his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. +O, what infatuation for miserable sinners, +who deserve nothing at the hand of God but wrath, +and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant +on his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up +with high thoughts of themselves, and arrogantly +to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_80" id="Page2_80">[80]</a></span> +pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study +to be "meek and lowly in heart." "Mind not +high things, but condescend to men of low estate." +"In lowliness of mind esteem others better than +yourselves." "Be not wise or great in your own +conceits." Be not greedy of praise. Despise all +the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. +Rely upon it, the lower you lie in the dust of +abasement, the happier you will be. The more +you are disposed to love and honour all around +you according to their real character, the more +infallibly you will secure their love and confidence +in return. And the less anxious you are to gain +the applause of men, the more likely you will be +to attain it, if you are found humbly and diligently +performing your duty. In short, if I wished you +to gain the highest degree of esteem and honour +among men, I would say—Do not seek this object +anxiously, or even directly at all. Never inquire +what others say or think of you. Speak of yourselves, +in conversation, as little as possible. Treat +your superiors with uniform respect, but not with +fawning or flattery; and your inferiors, down to +the lowest servant or beggar, with undeviating +condescension and kindness; trying to benefit +every one, and promote the happiness of every +one; and you will have as much of the love and +respect of all as you really deserve, and probably +more. If you sincerely try to promote the happiness +of all around you, and do it with a kind and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_81" id="Page2_81">[81]</a></span> +amiable manner, I believe it is one of the cases in +which our Lord's declaration never fails to be fulfilled—"Give, +and it shall be given unto you, +good measure pressed down and running over +shall men give into your bosom."</p> + +<p>Strive with sacred care against every feeling +approaching to the passion of <i>envy</i>. As you are +now at an age when you are called daily to compete +with school and play-mates, you may be +sometimes strongly tempted to indulge in this passion. +But it is a base passion. Beware of it. +How fiend-like, to sicken and repine at excellence! +How base, to be displeased and mortified when we +contemplate the superior prosperity, happiness, or +accomplishments of others! When you witness +such superior attainments or excellence, let the +only effort be to excite gratitude to God for its +existence, and a generous emulation of it in yourselves.</p> + +<p>Guard with vigilance against a <i>talebearing</i> and +<i>tattling</i> spirit. I will not suppose you capable of +deliberate <i>slander</i>, or cruelly circulating reports to +the injury of others without just evidence. This +is so base and mean, that I trust you will ever +abhor and despise it. But it is the infirmity of +many, who intend thereby no injury, that they +delight in circulating news concerning their neighbours, +and have not a little of the true gossipping +spirit. This is a bad habit. It degrades the individual +who indulges it, in the view of all wise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_82" id="Page2_82">[82]</a></span> +reflecting people; often involves in painful explanations +and difficulties; and is frequently followed +by consequences of the most perplexing and disreputable +kind. Never indulge the disposition to +repeat idle stories about neighbours. If they are +repeated in your presence, listen to them either in +silence, or with a civil remark, which cannot possibly +implicate you, or be construed into an approval +of the scandal. It was an excellent appeal +which was once made by a wise and benevolent +man whom I knew in early life—"Why can you +not talk more about <i>things</i>, than about <i>persons</i>?"</p> + +<p>Let me farther exhort you, as a point of duty, +to cultivate habitual <i>cheerfulness</i>. When I say +this, you will not understand me as recommending +a spirit of levity and frivolity. This is unworthy +of rational, accountable creatures, and indicates as +much of weakness as of sin. Those who spend +their lives in gaiety and mirth, are "dead while +they live." But by cultivating habitual cheerfulness, +I mean cherishing a pleasant state of the animal +spirits; as opposed to constitutional gloom, +mental depression, and settled, clouded taciturnity, +I mean habits, not of light, but of lively and affable +conversation. Such a state of mind does good +like a medicine. It contributes to our own enjoyment. +It makes us more pleasant and useful to +those with whom we converse. It may even operate +to promote health and prolong life; and in +various ways extend our power of doing good.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_83" id="Page2_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>Guard with conscientious care against habits of +<i>indolence</i>. A tendency to this sin is one of the +radical symptoms of the great moral disease of our +nature; and you cannot begin too early to labour +and pray for effecting a cure. Fly from idleness +as a habit connected with a legion of evils. +Make a point of always having something useful +to do—something to fill up every moment left +vacant between the larger and more important +tasks of life. I am aware that we all stand in need +of <i>recreation</i>; but this is often best attained by +<i>a change of employment</i>. When you have finished +a sedentary task, which required intense application +of mind, think, for a moment, whether there +be not some other object to which you may attend +for a short time, which will require no mental +effort, but by attention to which, you may promote +either your own health or comfort, or the advantage +of others. Make it your daily study to +"redeem the time." Try to turn every moment +to some valuable account. For this purpose, form, +as early as possible, a plan, a systematic order in +your daily tasks. Without such a plan, more or +less formally adopted, you will inevitably lose +much time in passing from one engagement to +another. But if you manage always to leave something +useful with which to fill up every little interval; +so as never to be idle, and never to waste +time with frivolous, or worse than frivolous employments, +you will be more happy, and live more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_84" id="Page2_84">[84]</a></span> +to your own true honour, and the benefit of your +generation.</p> + +<p>I have only to add on the subject of this letter, +a single word on the great importance of maintaining +strict and habitual <i>temperance</i> in all your enjoyments. +If you wish really to enjoy life, and to +"live out all your days," you must exercise moderation +and self-denial in eating and drinking, and in +every department of indulgence. Temperance has +been defined—the moderate use of things useful, and +total abstinence from those which are pernicious. +This is an excellent definition, which I trust you +will ever keep in mind, and make your daily and +hourly rule. To be thus temperate, is a divine +command. It is eminently conducive to health. +It is highly advantageous to the activity and +strength of the powers of the mind. And it is an +admirable defence against a thousand irregularities +and mischiefs which cloud the faculties, destroy +comfort, and lead to multiplied forms of disease, +and to premature graves. If you habitually restrain +appetite, deny yourselves, and "let your moderation +be known" in all things, and to all men, you +will avoid many evils which continually beset +those who act on the system of self-indulgence. +Never drink any thing but pure water, when in +health; indulge in animal food but <i>once</i> in each +day, and that in smaller quantities than most people +consider as temperate. Labourers in the open air +may, not only with impunity, but perhaps with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_85" id="Page2_85">[85]</a></span> +profit, eat animal food more than once every day; +but I am persuaded few other persons can do it +without disadvantage to their health. My personal +experience and observation in regard to this +point are very decisive. Nay, I would advise you +to go one step farther. Make the experiment of +wholly abstaining from animal food at least one +day in each week, for the purpose of "giving +nature a holyday;" of clearing the body and the +mind from crudities; and taking a new start in +refined feeling and unclogged activity.</p> + +<p class="ht">In fine, let it be the object of your unceasing +study and prayer, to "keep under the body;" to +"crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts;" +to subdue and restrain all irregular tempers; "if it +be possible, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably +with all men;" to avoid wounding the feelings +of any one with whom you converse, unless required +to do it by a pure sense of duty; to promote +the happiness of all around you; and to be continually +seeking and improving opportunities of +doing good.</p> + +<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_86" id="Page2_86">[86]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>LETTER VIII.<br /> + +MANNERS.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Children</span>:—I wish it were in my power +to give you a perfect and vivid representation of +the manners of your lamented Mother. There +was in them a sweetness, a gracefulness, and an +attraction truly rare. Wherever she went, they at +once gained her friends. I am sure if you had +been old enough at her decease to appreciate them; +or, if I could now depict them to the life, you +would have a deeper impression of the importance +of happy manners; of their value to their possessor; +of their benign influence on social intercourse, +than I can now hope to impart. As it is, I hope +you will be willing to take on trust my statement +of the fact concerning her, and that you will be +stimulated to seek a similar accomplishment.</p> + +<p>If it be true, as has been often said, that a +good face is an "open letter of recommendation," +wherever its possessor appears; we may, with +quite as much emphasis, say the same of pleasant +engaging manners. Nay, we may go farther. +The most beautiful face and form that ever existed, +if unaccompanied by agreeable manners, will soon +be contemplated with indifference, if not with dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_87" id="Page2_87">[87]</a></span>gust. +While, on the contrary, where there is an +entire absence of personal beauty, there may be, +and often are found, such manners as captivate and +win wherever they are seen, and with a power felt +by all, however remote they may be from the possession +of such manners themselves.</p> + +<p>I shall not tax either your patience or my own, +by entering largely into the subject of manners. +On this extensive subject I refer you to a volume +on "Clerical Manners and Habits" which I published +a few years ago, and in which considerable +minuteness of detail is indulged. For although +that work was intended more particularly for the +benefit of clergymen, and especially of candidates +for the sacred office; yet a large portion of it is +equally applicable to all classes and professions, +and to both sexes. I recommend the volume +referred to, to your serious attention, and to your +careful study. And whatever may be your situation +in life, I think you will find much in it worthy +of your regard. At any rate, if it be not so, I have +failed of gaining my main object in its publication.</p> + +<p>I will not, however, content myself with merely +referring you to the volume in question. It is my +wish, in this little system of affectionate advices, +to call your attention to a few particulars on this +subject which may be considered as more immediately +appropriate at your present tender age, and, +perhaps, on that account, more likely to dwell +upon your memory than the contents of a volume.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_88" id="Page2_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>You will, perhaps, ask me, what I mean by +those "good manners" which I would recommend? +I answer, by such manners I mean that +mode of personal address and deportment toward +all with whom we converse which is dictated by +the meekness, benevolence, and purity of the Gospel. +In a word, "true politeness"—the most +genuine politeness—that which I would earnestly +desire those whom I love to cherish and cultivate—is +<i>the religion of Christ acted out in the +whole temper, conversation, and deportment</i>. The +simple, unembarrassed, gentle expression of mingled +respect and kindness toward all with whom +we converse, from the hovel to the palace, is the +perfection of manners. These are manners which +become all times, places, companies, and circumstances, +and which will carry their possessor +through the world with acceptance and comfort.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, in your inexperience, you may be +disposed to ask, what is the great value of such +manners as are here recommended? If you have +any doubt on this subject <i>now</i>, I am persuaded a +little more knowledge of the world will satisfy you +that their value is unspeakably great. Few people +are adequate judges of those solid intellectual and +moral qualities which form a character of high +excellence. But of personal manners, all are +judges; at any rate, all are capable of perceiving, +and in some degree estimating, their value. Only +a small portion of those with whom you converse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_89" id="Page2_89">[89]</a></span> +are able to discern whether you are wise and well +informed; but every child can see whether you +have a sweet voice, a pleasant countenance, an +amiable, kind and respectful mode of address, or +the contrary. Can there be, then, a more obvious +dictate, both of policy and duty, than to cultivate +that which, to multitudes, is more attractive than +real merit; which secures to merit a hearing, and +an influence which it would not otherwise obtain; +and which will be likely, in many cases, to open a +door to usefulness which, without it, would, in all +probability, have continued impenetrably closed? +In repeated instances have I known persons of +weak minds, and of small information, but of +remarkably fascinating manners, carry all before +them in circles of society into which persons of far +higher qualifications, both intellectual and moral, +but defective in the attractions of manner, were +scarcely able to obtain admittance, and very inadequately +esteemed when admitted. A soft, insinuating +address has, a thousand times, rendered its +possessor every where acceptable and popular, +when, on the score of real merit, he ought by no +means to have enjoyed so much public favour.</p> + +<p>But this is not all. Pleasant attractive manners +not only have a paramount influence with the +superficial and unthinking; but they have more +power even on the minds of the wise and the good +than is commonly imagined. To every human +being, that which is intrinsically excellent, appears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_90" id="Page2_90">[90]</a></span> +doubly attractive when presented in a pleasing +manner. Truth, even to those who know it to be +truth, finds a more cordial welcome; and duty, +even among its most sincere and enlightened +friends, commands a more ready obedience, when +they are clothed in an attractive garb, and speak in +alluring accents. That the very same words, +which, when uttered by some, are intolerably +offensive; when spoken in the mild, respectful +manner of others, are welcome, and even delightful—that +the very same action, which, performed +by some, is censured; when performed by others, +of perhaps less talent or virtue, is lauded to excess; +are among the most notorious facts in human +life; and that not in the circles of ignorance and +dissipation only, but also in those of the most estimable +portions of mankind.</p> + +<p>To despise or undervalue the cultivation of +<i>manners</i>, then, argues a great want of practical +wisdom. It is a subject worthy of your constant +regard. To neglect it, is equally to oppose reason +and experience, and to set at naught some of the +most precious means of gaining access to the human +heart. And when I speak of cultivating good +manners, do not imagine that I mean the formal, +showy, pompous manners which some commend, +and seem to aim at. The truth is, the perfection +of manners—the ultimate point which is the result +of the very best culture, is to attain that ease, simplicity, +modesty, and gentleness of deportment in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_91" id="Page2_91">[91]</a></span> +every thing, which has nothing of the artificial, +nothing of display about it. But to be more particular.</p> + +<p>The first characteristic of manners to which +I would direct your attention, as lying at the +foundation of all excellence, is <i>benignity</i>. Without +the law of <i>benevolence</i>, reigning in the heart, +and governing the temper and the life, there may +be much pomp and courtliness of manner; many +a heartless smile, and many a flattering form +of address; but there can be no genuine politeness. +The essence of this consists in the spirit +of cordial good will and kindness shining in the +countenance; expressing itself in the language and +tones of respect and benevolent regard; and flowing +through all the channels of human intercourse, and +all the minutiæ of human life. This is the vital +principle of good manners. Just in proportion as +you really desire to increase the happiness of all +around you; to consult their ease; to anticipate +their wants; and to promote their welfare—you +will spontaneously manifest these feelings in all +situations and companies. Your whole deportment +will be pleasing, attractive, and graceful, +without your having studied artificial rules. This +is the foundation and the sum of all; but it may +not be improper to trace the radical principle into +some of its minute details.</p> + +<p>In all social intercourse, let <i>respectful attention</i> +mark your whole manner. To turn away your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_92" id="Page2_92">[92]</a></span> +eyes from the person who is addressing you; or +to manifest in any way that you are thinking, or +wish to be thinking, of something else, is a great +breach of good manners; cannot fail of giving pain +to those with whom you converse; and must deprive +you of a large part of the benefit of conversation. +When you look your companion gently and +respectfully, but firmly in the face, you manifest +attention; you enable yourselves to watch his +countenance, and mark the impression which you +make on his mind; to say nothing of the power +of the eye in seconding and enforcing all that is +said.</p> + +<p>Cultivate <i>affability</i> of manner. By this I mean +that style of manners which is distinguished by +ease, simplicity, and courteousness; a deportment +opposed to haughtiness, reserve, coldness, or taciturnity; +in short, to every thing that is adapted +to repel, or to prevent freedom and comfort of +approach. I am aware that constitutional temperament +has much to do with this. But still, it is +equally true that affability may and ought to be +carefully cultivated; and that there are few things +better adapted to conciliate good will, to inspire +confidence, to invite freedom of communication, +and to place at ease all with whom we converse.</p> + +<p>Study to exercise <i>gentleness</i> and <i>mildness</i> in all +your deportment and conversation. Guard against +every thing harsh, severe, rough, abrupt, or in any +way repulsive in your language, voice, or manner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_93" id="Page2_93">[93]</a></span> +Let the meekness and gentleness of wisdom appear +in every look, tone, and expression. By a mild, +respectful address, you may at once reprove impertinence, +disarm violence, and put even brutality +to shame. Give all diligence, then, to be "gentle +toward all men." Learn the happy art of conversing +with gentleness, of giving your commands +with gentleness, of arguing with gentleness, of +contending with gentleness, and of even reproving +with gentleness. Both commands and reproofs, +as well as arguments, when dispensed in this +manner, have not only more dignity, but also more +weight than when invested with an opposite character.</p> + +<p>Few things are more opposed to good breeding +than a <i>loud, boisterous</i> manner in social intercourse. +Whether this be indulged in laughter, or +in conversation, it is equally exceptionable as an +offence against both delicacy and dignity. With +regard to <i>females</i>, an offence against this rule, is +peculiarly revolting. It is a sure sign of vulgarity, +and ought to be carefully avoided. But, in either +sex, it is a blemish which well bred people never +fail to notice.</p> + +<p>Closely allied to this is the habit of <i>rude familiarity</i> +which some affect, and to which they give +the name of social pleasantry. This is undignified, +and, to all delicate people, offensive. Mutual dignity +and respect are indispensable to the continued +existence of Christian intercourse, in its most pure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_94" id="Page2_94">[94]</a></span> +delicate, and profitable form. If you wish to +maintain such intercourse, be free and unconstrained; +but never indulge in coarse familiarity. Those +who are worthy of your love will certainly be +repelled rather than attracted by it.</p> + +<p>Remember, too, that all <i>interruption</i> of any one +with whom you are conversing, or blunt <i>contradiction</i> +of his statements, is an offence against +delicate manners. However erroneous he may +be, hear him out; and however certain you may +be that his representations are false, rectify his +mistake, not bluntly, but with kindness and respect.</p> + +<p>Guard against <i>talking too much</i> in company. +He who is very talkative incurs disadvantages of a +very serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires his +hearers; and must, of course, diminish his usefulness. +However rich and instructive any one's +talk may be, yet, if there be too much of it, both +his dignity and his influence cannot fail of being +impaired. "A fool's voice," says Solomon, "is +known by the multitude of his words." "In the +multitude of words," says the same inspired teacher, +"there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth +his lips is wise." And again, "He that hath +knowledge, spareth his words."</p> + +<p>But another extreme in social intercourse, is +that of excessive <i>reserve</i> and <i>taciturnity</i>. Some +from physical temperament; others from abstraction +or absence of mind; and a third class, per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_95" id="Page2_95">[95]</a></span>haps, +from still more exceptionable causes, wrap +themselves up in a chilling reserve in company—never +speaking but when addressed; and then +answering as briefly as possible, and relapsing into +silence again. This is surely unhappy in a social +being, and ought to be carefully avoided. While +you avoid garrulity, then, sink not down into obstinate +silence. If you find yourselves, from any +cause, prone to this, it is abundantly worth while +to take pains to counteract it, and to labour to have +something ready to say that shall be at once +acceptable and instructive.</p> + +<p>In regard to <i>uncleanly and vulgar personal +habits</i>, I will not suppose you capable of them: +and, therefore, shall not dwell upon them. All +spitting on floors, lounging in your seats, putting +up your feet on chairs or stools, leaning with your +elbows on tables—these, and all similar habits, I +hope, after the training you have had, you will +avoid with instinctive repugnance. But there is +one habit which I would earnestly recommend, as +favourable not merely to good manners, but also to +<i>health</i>. Learn to <i>sit erect</i>, not only in company, +but even in your most private apartment. Reading +or writing in a half-sunken or reclining posture is +unfriendly to a graceful carriage; is apt to betray +unwarily into similar postures in company; prepares +the way for the sinking, half-bent postures +which disfigure so many of the feeble and aged;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_96" id="Page2_96">[96]</a></span> +and really tends to bring on premature decrepitude.</p> + +<p>Do not affect <i>wit</i> or <i>punning</i> in conversation. +So many of those who try to make themselves +acceptable by such attempts, not only fail, but often +render themselves a laughing stock by it, that there +is little probability of your succeeding as wits or +punsters. But even with respect to those whose +talents in this way are ever so great, there is so +much danger of their indulging those talents unseasonably +and imprudently, so as to offend and alienate +friends, that such powers ought to be deprecated +rather than desired, and their exercise, if possessed, +subjected to the severest restriction. I never +knew more than one person of wit who was strictly +discreet and delicate in its use. But I have +known thousands who, by their miserable attempts +to display what they possessed either not at all, or +in a very small degree, succeeded only in exposing +themselves to ridicule. And I have known many +real wits, who almost every day wounded feelings, +and alienated friends by their reckless effusions.</p> + +<p>Do not indulge the habit in conversation of <i>talking +of yourselves</i>. Hardly any quality is more +apt to appear in social intercourse than personal +vanity. This leads to egotism, so that the idea of +<i>self</i> appears to be ever present to the imagination. +Hence we perpetually find people talking of themselves; +what they have done; what they have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_97" id="Page2_97">[97]</a></span> +said; what others have said and done to their +honour; in short, bringing into view something to +their own advantage, or that of their family or +relatives. Rely upon it, if you have real worth, the +less <i>you</i> say about it the better; and if you have it +not, every claim of it, direct or indirect, can only +sink you lower in the estimation of those with +whom you converse.</p> + +<p>Carefully form the habit of adverting to all the +properties of <i>time</i>, <i>place</i> and <i>circumstances</i> in conversation. +When you are about, in company, to +make a remark, or to introduce a new topic of +conversation, look round on the circle, and ask +yourself, whether there is any one present whose +feelings would be likely to be hurt by what you +are about to say, or who would be placed by it in +embarrassing circumstances. Be very sure for +example, when about to make, in company, an +unfavourable remark on an absent person, that no +relative or special friend of that person is among +your hearers. For, although you ought never to +make a remark on any one which the Christian +spirit cannot justify; yet in certain circumstances, +a remark perfectly proper in itself, may be unseasonable, +and peculiarly painful to some who hear it. +Guard against the possibility of such an occurrence. +This is a dictate of sound worldly policy. A departure +from it is a gross violation of true politeness. +But it may be said, still more emphatically,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_98" id="Page2_98">[98]</a></span> +to be a departure from the principles of Christian +benevolence.</p> + +<p>Avoid the too frequent <i>use of superlatives</i> in conversation. +The habit of many, when they wish to +express either approbation or censure, is to employ +the very strongest terms which the English language +affords. If they think favourably of the talents or +the performance of any one, they are apt to speak +of them as "noble, admirable," as of "the first +order;" or in some terms expressive of the very +highest excellence. And, on the other hand, if +they undertake to express disapprobation, the +terms "mean," "execrable," "detestable," are +the softest that they think of employing. This is +a bad habit. It renders both the praise and censure +of those who indulge it of less value in the +estimation of all sober-minded and discriminating +judges. If you wish your judgment to pass for +any thing in the view of the wise and reflecting, +you must learn to express opinions in that guarded +and moderate manner which indicates intellectual +discrimination rather than undistinguishing emotion. +You know where it is said "Fools admire, +where men of sense approve."</p> + +<p>Carefully avoid giving <i>unnecessary trouble</i> wherever +you are. The difference between different +persons in this respect is very conspicuous. Some, +when in the houses of their friends, have so many +little wants, so many errands to perform, and are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_99" id="Page2_99">[99]</a></span> +so absorbed in their own affairs, that, if permitted, +they would keep several servants and others +constantly employed in waiting upon them. You +may rely upon it you can never be, long together, +welcome visitants in families which you subject to +so much trouble. Make as few demands as possible +on the time and attention of those whose hospitality +you are enjoying. Never call upon their +servants to wait upon you when it is practicable to +avoid it. Never allow the occupations or order of +any family to be set aside or disarranged on your +account, where it is possible to prevent it. In +short, act universally on the principle of doing +every thing that you can for yourselves, and making +as few demands as possible on the time and +labour of those around you.</p> + +<p>In <i>calling on friends</i> consult their convenience, +as well as your own; and in some cases in preference +to your own. Many make their calls at such +hours, and sit so inordinately long, as to throw a +whole family into disorder, and inflict very serious +pain. Never sit long in your social calls at any +time; but when you make them at times which +may, by possibility interfere with domestic meals, +let them be <i>very short</i>; be on the watch for every +symptom of engagement or uneasiness on the part +of those whom you visit, and on the appearance of +any thing of the kind, instantly take your leave.</p> + +<p>Constantly maintain the habit of <i>early rising</i>. +Few things are more conducive to health and ac<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_100" id="Page2_100">[100]</a></span>tivity +both of body and mind. A disposition to lie +long in bed in the morning, is, at once, a symptom +and a cause of feeble digestion, of nervous debility, +and of general languor. Go early to bed. Avoid +much night study. Quit your beds by dawn of +day, and, in winter, before the dawn, and thus secure +several hours of unbroken time, for devotion, +for study, and for gentle exercise in the open air, +before breakfast, and before the interruptions of +the earliest visitors commence.</p> + +<p>Cultivate habits of moderation in <i>dress</i>. You +are never likely to be able to indulge in very +inordinate expense in bodily adorning; and I will +venture to say, this inability, wherever it exists, is +a great blessing. Few things evince more weakness +of mind, and absence of Christian principle, +than extravagance and splendor in dress. In +young men it is a sad evidence of "dandyism" +and folly; and even in young females, an excessive +indulgence in fashion, in finery, and the +extreme of <i>devotion</i> to bodily adorning, never +fails to depress their character in the estimation of +the wise and good. Try to set an example of +sober, dignified <i>moderation</i> in regard to this whole +subject. Always guard against negligence of dress. +Conscientiously avoid exposing yourselves to the +charge of careless, slatternly habits. But never +make dress an idol. Reject every thing dazzling, +or what is commonly called "dashing," in outward +ornament. Be not seen aping the extreme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_101" id="Page2_101">[101]</a></span> +of fashion; and ever remember how unworthy it +is of Christians to be worshippers of external +adorning; and how peculiarly disreputable for the +children of <i>clergymen</i> to bear such a character.</p> + +<p class="p2">Thus, dear children, I have endeavoured, with +brevity, to give you a few paternal counsels, +which, I would fondly hope, may, by the grace +of God, be made to promote your benefit, when +the hand which penned them shall be sleeping +in the dust. You will perceive from the <i>order</i> +in which I have placed my counsels, that I consider +real heart religion as the most indispensable +and precious of all attainments; that my first and +highest wish concerning you is, that you may love +your Father's and Mother's God, and make it +your daily aim to follow her to that world of bliss +and glory to which, as we trust, she has gone +before us. Next to seeing you real Christians, +my desire is to see you enlightened, polished, +benevolent, amiable, attractive members of society, +respected and beloved by all who know you.</p> + +<p>Remember, I beseech you, that the friends of +your Parents will expect much from you. The +advantages which you have enjoyed, and are daily +enjoying, impose upon you a solemn responsibility +in the sight both of God and man. Many prayers +have ascended to heaven on your behalf. Pray +without ceasing for yourselves, that you may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_102" id="Page2_102">[102]</a></span> +preserved from the paths of sin and folly, and led +in the ways of heavenly wisdom.</p> + +<p>I have no doubt that the counsels I have given +you will commend themselves to your judgment, +and that you will promptly form the resolution to +make them your constant guide. But you cannot +rely upon your own wisdom or strength to do this. +Such are your own infirmities, and so multiplied +the temptations and allurements which surround +you, that you will need at every step, guidance and +help from above. Happy will it be for you if you +habitually bear this in mind, and acknowledge +God in all your ways, that he may direct your +steps.</p> + +<p>And now, dear children, I bid you farewell. +When I look forward, and imagine to myself what +may be your course in life—when I think of the +corruptions and perils with which you are surrounded, +and what <i>may</i> be the result of them, I +hardly know how to express my anxieties and +fears: but when I recollect the love and faithfulness +of that God who blessed your Parents, I feel +willing to commit you into his hands, and to trust +his grace for your temporal and eternal welfare. +May he guide you by his counsel! May he +guard you amidst all the dangers of youth and of +riper years; and finally, "present you faultless before +the presence of his glory with exceeding great +joy!" O how unutterably precious the thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page2_103" id="Page2_103">[103]</a></span> +of meeting you all at last—with those of our +beloved family who have already gone before us, +and those who are yet to follow—around the +throne of our covenant God, and rejoicing forever +in his presence and glory! Such will be the +prayer until his last breath, of your</p> + +<p class="i5">Affectionate Grandfather,</p> + +<p class="i9">SAMUEL MILLER.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Princeton</span>, July 10, 1839.</p> + + +<p class="p6 center">THE END.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The appearance of these servants of God, in any +part of the city, seemed to make "iniquity hide its +head," and was often the means of dispersing an idle, +youthful group, in which profanity and disorder were +beginning their destructive career. Through their influence, +in a great measure, the Sabbath was, at least +externally, a holy day, on which the public ways exhibited +no crowd or bustle, but what was of necessity occasioned +by a church-going people.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Many will probably have reason for everlasting rejoicing +in the kind arrangement which placed them under +Mr. Jaudon's instruction. He was truly "a man of God," +and the effects of his wise and holy instruction and discipline, +we have no doubt are felt in the bosom of many families, +and in the hearts of many individuals in Philadelphia, +to this day, who will, we trust, be prepared to meet +him, where, having turned many to righteousness, "he +shall shine as a star for ever and ever."</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The following passages are so graphic, that it would +seem as if our day had set for the likeness, though they +were written two thousand six hundred years ago:—"Moreover +the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion +are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks, wincing +as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: +Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of +the head of the daughters of Zion: The Lord will take +away in that day the bravery of their tinkling ornaments +Footnote: about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires +like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the +mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and +the head-bands, and the ear-rings, the rings, the changeable +suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the whimples, +and the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine linen, +and the hoods, and the veils."—Isaiah iii. chap. Behold +the contrast! 1 Peter iii. 1-6. 1 Timothy ii. chap. 9-10.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> It is at once a remarkable indication of the nobleness +of those Philadelphia friends already named, and of +the extent to which her worth and her sacrifices were +appreciated, that on being informed of our final purpose to +remove to Princeton, they united in the purchase of +a commodious dwelling, which was presented to Mrs. +Breckinridge and her children. It is true, one object in +view was, the accommodation of the Professor (for the +time) of Pastoral Theology and Missionary instruction in +the Seminary. But the terms of the gift are specific; +and when we attempted to alter the direction of this munificent +testimonial, so as to make it the <i>property of the +Institution</i>, it was peremptorily declined; and the deed was +drawn in the name of Margaret Breckinridge and her +children.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> There is poetic beauty in the Stanza of Southey's on +the portrait of Bishop Heber, written after his decease; +and though fanciful it is striking. Blessed be God our +Redeemer, we have surer marks of recognition in the +heavenly world.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">"They too, will gaze</div> +<div class="line">Upon his effigy</div> +<div class="line">With reverential love,</div> +<div class="line">Till they shall grow familiar with its lines</div> +<div class="line">And know him when they see his face in heaven."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The following touching stanzas do more real honour +to their illustrious author, (Lord Palmerston) than all the +distinctions of his high rank and public life.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish brings</div> +<div class="line">His dearest earthly treasure to these springs;</div> +<div class="line">Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain,</div> +<div class="line">Shall court these salutary springs in vain:</div> +<div class="line">Condemn'd, like me, to hear the faint reply,</div> +<div class="line">To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye—</div> +<div class="line">From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death,</div> +<div class="line">And watch in dumb despair the short'ning breath:—</div> +<div class="line">If chance should bring him to this humble line,</div> +<div class="line">Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine.</div> +<div class="line">Ordain'd to lose the partner of my breast,</div> +<div class="line">Whose virtues warm'd me, and whose beauty bless'd;</div> +<div class="line">Fram'd ev'ry tie that binds the heart to prove,</div> +<div class="line">Her duty friendship, and her friendship love.</div> +<div class="line">But yet, remembering that the parting sigh</div> +<div class="line">Appoints the just to slumber, not to die,</div> +<div class="line">The starting tear I check'd—I kissed the rod,</div> +<div class="line">And not to earth resigned her, but to God!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson +of New York, we all owe more for their unwearied and +sympathizing care than we have words to express.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was +the death of a little child, who, in the last moments, called +on her mother <i>to die with her</i>. This was the voice of +nature. To this call the heart would, but cannot respond. +"Here our father and mother must forsake us."</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in +subduing grief, is given in the narrative of one of our +American missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were +alone in a barbarous land, far away from any creature +who cared for their Lord or for them. Suddenly his +friend was taken from him. In that awful moment of +desertion and anguish, after commending the parting +soul to God, and closing the eyes of the dead, <i>he kissed +his cold lips, and thought, "What glory has already burst +upon his view!"</i> In this thought his sorrow was lost.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous +Works.</p> + +</div></div> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret +Breckinridge, by Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 45317-h.htm or 45317-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/5/3/1/45317/ + +Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/45317-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/45317-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8df482e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/old/45317-h/images/margaret.png b/old/45317-h/images/margaret.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..737b249 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317-h/images/margaret.png diff --git a/old/45317.txt b/old/45317.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a95514b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4398 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, by +Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge + +Author: Archibald Alexander + Samuel Miller + John Breckinridge + +Release Date: April 5, 2014 [EBook #45317] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Carlos Colon, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by + =equal signs=. + + Small uppercase have been replaced with regular uppercase. + + Characters after a carat are superscripts. + + Blank pages have been eliminated. + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the + original. + + A few typographical errors have been corrected. + + + + [Illustration: + _Painted by Robinson._ _Eng^{d.} by J. Sartain_] + + + + + A + + MEMORIAL + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + IN TWO PARTS. + + + PART I. MEMOIR, AND FUNERAL SERMON. + PART II. LETTERS TO HER SURVIVING CHILDREN. + + + PHILADELPHIA: + WILLIAM S. MARTIEN. + 1839. + + + + +Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by + +WILLIAM S. MARTIEN, + +in the office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Eastern +District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PART I. + + _Page._ + + INTRODUCTION, 13 + + + CHAPTER I. + + Life of Mrs. Breckinridge, 17 + + + CHAPTER II. + + Additional Illustrations of the Life and Character of Mrs. + Breckinridge, 35 + + Her Religious Character, 42 + + Her dedication to the work of Foreign Missions, 46 + + Her Sacrifices for the Church of God, 47 + + Her Last Sickness and Death, 54 + + + CHAPTER III. + + Closing Reflections, 61 + + + SUBMISSION: + + A SERMON--by the Rev. A. Alexander, D.D. 69 + + + PART II. + + LETTERS OF A GRANDFATHER. + + + LETTER I. + + Introductory, 5 + + + LETTER II. + + Human Nature, 10 + + + LETTER III. + + The Way of Salvation, 17 + + + LETTER IV. + + The Bible, 29 + + + LETTER V. + + Prayer, 37 + + + LETTER VI. + + Cultivation of the Mind, 45 + + + LETTER VII. + + Cultivation of the Heart and the Moral Habits, 67 + + + LETTER VIII. + + Manners, 87 + + + + + A + + MEMOIR + + OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + "Jesus wept." + + + PART I. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +MORE than a year has now passed since Mrs. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE, the +beloved subject of the following brief notices, was taken from us into +the saints' everlasting rest. By that event, the little family of which +she was the joy and crown, was dissolved. The surviving parent felt that +God had committed to him the interesting but mournful duty of preserving +the memory of so inestimable a friend. But it is long after such an +event, before the mind is sufficiently tranquil to utter our thoughts +and feelings without excess. The peaceable fruits of so dreadful a +chastisement succeed, alas! but slowly in our intractable hearts, to the +distraction of grief, and the desolation of the grave. + +It was in the midst of the deepest of his sorrow, also, that the writer +was hastened (by a very kind Providence, as he now sees it to have been) +into the active duties of an office which left no rest for body or mind +during almost an entire year. So that if his feelings had allowed the +attempt at preparing a Memoir, his duty to the Church of God forbade it. + +In these trying and peculiar circumstances, he was permitted to call in +the aid of those honoured and venerable Friends, from whose hands, in a +happier day, he had received the lovely wife of his youth. They of all +others knew her best, especially from her birth to her marriage. They +had done most, under God, to fit her for life's duties, and its close; +and to make her "worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance." And none +were judged to be so well qualified to do justice to her memory. To the +one we are indebted for the following interesting Sketch, making the +first chapter. To the other for the valuable Letters to her surviving +children, forming the second part of this memorial. + +While all must admire the delicacy and candour with which this sketch is +drawn, it is evident to those who knew the deceased, that much remains +to be said which ought not to be omitted--especially in regard to that +portion of her life, embracing more than fifteen years, which passed +between the time of leaving the parental roof, and her lamented death. +In attempting to supply this omission, the writer felt the +inconvenience--even awkwardness of returning upon a narrative which +seemed to have been brought to an appropriate close. But this was +thought preferable to leaving the memoir incomplete; or to breaking the +thread of the narrative given in the first chapter. + +And moreover it was felt that the design of the work which called for +the additional chapters, dispensed with form in the manner of +furnishing them. It is intended to preserve the memory of the beloved +dead for her bereaved children, and her numerous kindred and friends, +rather than to unveil her retiring character to the public eye. The work +being designed, not so much for general circulation as for family use, +is rather _printed_, than _published_; and all its imperfections will +readily be overlooked by those who will come to these pages, as Mary +went to the tomb of Lazarus--"to weep there." + + + + +MEMOIR. + + +CHAPTER I. + +A NARRATIVE of the life of our departed friends, bears some resemblance +to the representation, on canvass, of their persons and features; it +serves to restore and collect our scattered thoughts, and revive our +affections; and prevents the hand of time from obliterating entirely, +their peculiar mental and moral lineaments. + +It was in consequence of the necessity of this help to our natural +infirmities, that our Lord gave to his people the bread and wine, as a +symbol of his body and blood, and said, "Do this in remembrance of me." +He knew too well our careless, wandering hearts, to trust the +recollections, even of _his_ great and lovely character, to our +unfaithful keeping, and established, as a help to his word, the +ordinance which was to continue unto the end of the world, "as a +memorial of him." And we trust that his people are permitted to +endeavour to perpetuate the remembrance of each other by means, which, +however they may come greatly short of the significant emblem ordained +by himself, will assist in enabling them "to love one another as he also +loved them." + +In view of this encouragement, given us in the Scriptures of +inspiration, we would endeavour to bring together, and exhibit, in the +history of the short life of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge, some of those +graces of a Christian character, which lead us to hope that the finger +of the Lord had engraven his name on her heart, and that his grace was +carrying on the work, notwithstanding much infirmity of flesh and +spirit, until the body of sin and death within her was rolled away, and +a simple, undivided hold taken on the Rock of ages. + +She was born September 29th, 1802, in New York, and educated for several +years under the immediate instruction of the sanctuary, in a +comparatively pure state of the Church, when the name and influence of a +few such venerable and holy men as the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, had thrown +a restraint on the vices of the world around them, as well as on the +constantly recurring disorders of the Church, so that the very vagrants +of the street felt their presence.[1] Every pastor of a flock of Jesus +Christ seemed to feel it his privilege, as well as his duty, to feed the +lambs of his flock himself, and did not commit them to the ever-varying, +heterogeneous instruction of others. The Scriptures, and the Catechism, +it was his own business to inculcate; and the same afternoon in each +week, had been for many years, in several of the churches of the city, +of various denominations, the season for this instruction. + + [1] The appearance of these servants of God, in any part of the + city, seemed to make "iniquity hide its head," and was often the + means of dispersing an idle, youthful group, in which profanity and + disorder were beginning their destructive career. Through their + influence, in a great measure, the Sabbath was, at least + externally, a holy day, on which the public ways exhibited no crowd + or bustle, but what was of necessity occasioned by a church-going + people. + +By these and other means, the Bible had taken a systematic form in +Margaret's mind, very early; and whenever she met, even in childhood, +with a scriptural scene or subject, she generally knew where to place +it, and was particularly animated by it. And this peculiar skill, and +taste, continued and increased until childhood passed away, and the +pride and enjoyment of life opened a new scene before her. + +For a time it seemed as if every vestige of the sensibility arising from +religious instruction would be swept away. She had friends who wished to +see her enjoying the _innocent_ pleasures of youth; especially as in +person and mind there was a promise of peculiar adaptation to them. And +there was a will of her own very clearly developing, which wanted more +restraint than parents are generally willing to exercise. Many +interpositions, however, in providence occurred, which, though sad in +the view of her family, proved a real deliverance to her--frequently +arresting her first decisive step in folly. + +At the age of eleven she was removed with her family to Princeton, in +consequence of a call which her father received, to a Professorship in +the Theological Seminary in that place. Being thus separated from many +snares incident to a city life, she began anew, as it were, to form +habits and connexions, which, although in some respects, more dangerous +and ensnaring than those which she had left, had not "grown with her +growth, and strengthened with her strength;" and were, on that account, +more ready to yield, when the follies of youth passed away, and the +solemnities of this world, in view of another, opened before her. + +The want of a good school in Princeton, induced her parents to send her, +at the age of about fourteen years, to Philadelphia, for the purpose of +obtaining for her some finish to the education which she had received at +home. She remained there nearly a year, residing with an aunt, and +attending a daily and well conducted school. Indeed it was _her_ +privilege, as well as the privilege of many others, to receive +instruction from a teacher, who not only was competent to every branch +of polite learning which adorns the mind of a female, but desirous of +having all which he taught so sanctified as to reach the heart, and be +made the means of communicating spiritual and saving, as well as +intellectual instruction.[2] + + [2] Many will probably have reason for everlasting rejoicing in the + kind arrangement which placed them under Mr. Jaudon's instruction. + He was truly "a man of God," and the effects of his wise and holy + instruction and discipline, we have no doubt are felt in the bosom + of many families, and in the hearts of many individuals in + Philadelphia, to this day, who will, we trust, be prepared to meet + him, where, having turned many to righteousness, "he shall shine as + a star for ever and ever." + +The immediate effect of this experiment was injurious to Margaret's +disposition and deportment. She returned to her parents with more love +for the world, and a better opinion of herself; and of consequence was +less docile. It was evident that the atmosphere of a city was not the +element in which her heart would receive the best influence. + +In a revival which took place in Princeton, when she was about eighteen +years of age, an interest was excited in some of her pious female +friends for her conversion. They concluded to make her the subject of +special prayer. Of this she was entirely ignorant, until the evidence +appeared in herself of the verity of the promise, as to the result of +"fervent, effectual prayer." A sermon of the celebrated President +Edwards, read in a small, social meeting, arrested her attention, and +brought her to continued, deep, serious thinking, which ended, as she +thought, in a new view of everlasting things. With all the sanguine +feelings of youth, she judged herself prepared to be united with the +Church; but owing to the unwillingness of her parents to risk the +possibility of a premature profession of religion, this step was +delayed. + +In connexion with this period of her life, it seems necessary to relate +some circumstances which took place with regard to a much loved sister +of hers; not many years younger than herself. They had been so closely +educated together, as to make them one in many of their views and +feelings. + +Elizabeth, in giving an account of the exercises of her own mind on the +subject of religion, some time after they took place, said, that she +experienced an irresistible feeling of contempt for the concern which +Margaret manifested, and concluded that she was indulging a mere +hypocritical affectation; in consequence of which she was beginning to +make some observations to this effect, when, in a moment, a deep +conviction fastened on her conscience, of the danger of resisting what +might prove to be the influence of the Holy Spirit. This impression +resulted in a real concern for herself, and in views equally solemn with +those expressed by Margaret. + +They both now made progress together in their inquiries and experience, +and were a mutual help, rather than a hinderance to each other. Both +soon thought that they had obtained an interest in "Him, whose blood +cleanseth from all sin." + +It appeared, however, soon after this, as if our fears with regard to +Margaret were but too well founded. "Because of manifold temptations," +she seemed to be taking a new hold on the world; but a state of things +about the same time, began with Elizabeth, which disciplined and humbled +her spirit; and she was soon enabled to realize all the insufficiency +and uncertainty of this world, as a portion. + +Many doubts with regard to the genuineness of the change which Elizabeth +trusted had taken place in her heart, increased by the weakness which +rapidly declining health had induced, perplexed and troubled her, and +made her more and more unwilling to make a profession of religion. She +had witnessed some of the extravagances of revivals, and felt the danger +of being deceived, and of "having a name to live whilst she was dead." + +In January, 1823, Margaret was married to the Rev. John Breckinridge, +and returned with him to Kentucky, his native State, in the spring of +the same year. In consequence of a call which her husband received, to a +church in Kentucky, (which he accepted,) they were soon after this +settled in Lexington. Her departure from her early home was her first +real trial. For although, through the course of several months, she had +taken a prospective view of this arrangement, with much buoyancy of +spirits, as the time approached, every circumstance connected with a +separation from all the associations of her childhood and youth, seemed +to produce a new and deeper impression, and seven or eight hundred miles +appeared at length, as almost an interminable space. The sadness which +irresistibly overspread her countenance, convinced her friends that +when, in view of Mr. Breckinridge's first destination, she had given +herself unreservedly to a foreign mission, she, like many others, little +knew her own heart, and all the sacrifices which such a destination +involved. And when it was seen expedient that this intention should be +relinquished by him, for a plan more eligible in the view of his fathers +in the ministry, a release from this more enduring trial, formed no +small part of the considerations which assisted in making her +submissively bow to one so much more lenient. And indeed, she had reason +to say, that goodness and mercy had followed her at every step. For this +very trial which sobered her countenance, made her heart better, and +prepared the way for deeper self-examination, and probably more fervent +prayer; and the result was, that with a trembling confidence she united +herself with her husband's church in Lexington, a few months after he +took charge of it. From her letters, after this event, we learned that +her connexion with the church took place at the same time--it is thought +on the same day--in which her sister Elizabeth, having been delivered +from the many doubts which had clouded _her_ mind, made a profession of +religion in the church in Princeton. This co-incidence in providence, +having occurred without any mutual intercourse or understanding on the +subject, seemed so consistent with the plans of Him who "sees the end +from the beginning," and who, from their first serious impressions, +appeared to have united the lines of their experience until they ended +in one gracious result, that it did much to confirm their friends in the +hope, that a good "work was begun in them which should be carried on." +They felt constrained to say, "It is the Lord's doings and wonderful in +our eyes." + +The kind and affectionate family in Kentucky, of which she now made one, +assisted much in alleviating the pressure of sorrowful recollections, +and in making the resolution which she had formed of "learning in +whatsoever state she was, therewith to be content," more practical, and +more enduring; and when Mr. Breckinridge was called to Baltimore in +1826, although she was pleased with the prospect of getting nearer to +her early home, she felt that a new tie had been formed which could not +be broken, even partially, without much pain. It was a source of much +grateful recollection to her, that she was not permitted to use any +undue influence to lead her husband away from his congregation in +Lexington, to which she was indebted in so considerable a degree, for +the pleasant circumstances which surrounded her. + +Her health was remarkably firm, especially for one of her delicate +appearance, for several years after her marriage, and during all the +time that her husband had a settled charge. In Baltimore, to which he +removed from Lexington, she seemed to realize with much gratitude, the +particularly pleasant circumstances in which her family was placed. +Situated on the direct way between her husband's relatives, endeared to +her by so many pleasant recollections, and the family of her youth, with +both of which she could have frequent intercourse, and in the midst of a +kind circle of friends, not limited by the bounds of Mr. Breckinridge's +congregation, she was literally at home; and when the summons came to +call him to another sphere of labour in the Church, she was the last to +be persuaded that it was his duty to obey it, and reluctantly yielded to +the opinion of those whose judgment she honoured. + +From this time she may truly be said to have been a sacrifice to the +interests of the Church. The unsettling of her domestic duties and +habits, to which her temperament was particularly adapted, was, +probably, directly and indirectly at the foundation of those causes, +which gradually but too surely undermined her health, and prepared her +for a premature grave. Her last change of residence, which placed her in +Princeton by the side of her paternal family, and amongst many of her +youthful associates, seemed to her to fill up the measure, as it +regarded this world, of that providential goodness "which had followed +her all the days of her life;" and she said, not long after it took +place, with a humility which was in itself an evidence of her gracious +state, "I think, in view of all my mercies, there is a thankfulness +experienced which is not the natural growth of my own heart." To us who +remain it is given to see, that these unusual comforts were mercifully +intended to soothe the infirmities of a rapidly dissolving body, and +soften the approach of the last and most formidable enemy. + +Several attacks of disease in the course of two years, which threatened +to be immediately fatal, were, by the aid of skilful medical treatment, +happily arrested, but not until their baleful effect had fastened on her +feeble body, and each had left her "more a prey for death." And it was a +cause of much thankfulness to her friends, that instead of one of those +unexpected instant departures, which so frequently occur, and which in +her case it was often feared would take place, the approach of death was +gradual and mild, so as to involve no pain, and but little surprise. + +The simplicity of her character appeared through all her last days, +especially after she ascertained that her end was not far off. Her +words were few, because she studied to utter none but "the words of +truth and soberness;" she seemed to feel that there _might be_ a parade +even in dying. + +After a short conversation in her room a day or two before she departed, +on the subject of the unprofitableness of our best works, which we found +had deeply exercised her mind, she remarked with much emotion, a tear +starting to her eye, "I feel the truth of these remarks;" but, after a +pause, she said, "I have _tried_ to do my duty as a wife and as a +mother; I have _endeavoured_ to conduct the affairs of my family with +discretion, and to instruct my children in the best things." She +evidently clung to this as an evidence of grace, (and not at all as a +cause of acceptance with God,) and as affording some hope for her +children, when relied on in view of the promises of Him who says, that +if this precious seed is sowed, grace shall insure the crop. + +Her Sabbath evenings, after the good old way of our puritan fathers, saw +her with all her household, over whom she had any authority, gathered +around her for the purpose of giving them that instruction which, with +the promised blessing, would save them from the paths of sin and folly +in this world, and prepare them for enjoying the blessedness of another. +And through the distractions of an unsettled life, and the hinderances +experienced in a large boarding house, in which several winters were +spent with her family, she persevered as far as possible, in the +instruction of both children and servants in the week and on the +Sabbath, with a determination which both she and her friends thought had +shortened her life. + +In view of this peculiar faithfulness to her domestic duties, we are the +more willing to offer an apology for what appeared to some of her +friends, an indifference to various extra means; which in these last +times have been esteemed needful for the awakening of a slumbering +church. + +When her mind began to open to this subject, the glory of our revivals +was beginning to be tarnished. "The enemy had begun to sow his tares." +The extravagance which so frequently attended them, had produced in her +no little disgust for what she thought the mere machinery of religion. +In such circumstances, it is difficult to "choose the good, and refuse +the evil." The cast of her mind was such, that parade in any thing, and +especially in the vital concerns, in which is involved our everlasting +destiny, irresistibly revolted her mind. And the errors in principle and +in practice, which had been by these means insinuated into, and +corrupted the legitimate and professed doctrines and ordinances of the +Presbyterian Church, greatly impaired her confidence in what many good +people esteemed genuine revivals of religion. Subsequent events have +abundantly confirmed the wisdom of her early and deep distrust. + +After her constitution had been tried with another violent and unusual +attack, in March, 1838, which prostrated nearly all her remaining +strength in a few hours, it was evident to many of her friends, that +recovery was no longer to be expected. Every means, however, were made +use of, that might in any way prove salutary; many of which, as has +often occurred, were rather injurious than beneficial. As a last +resource, a journey was commenced, for the purpose of trying the Springs +of Virginia, so highly recommended to invalids. She was not permitted, +however, to go beyond Philadelphia. Her physicians there, judging so +long a journey very hazardous, gently arrested it, by proposing a delay +of a few days; thus endeavouring to obviate the effects of any +disappointment which she might experience. Her own views seemed, +spontaneously, to meet theirs, and a quiet acquiescence was every day +more manifest. After a consultation of physicians, in which they agreed +that an effort might be safely made for her return to Princeton, the +sweet complacency with which she said to a very kind friend, who was +visiting her, "I am going home to-morrow," encouraged a hope that she +had realized her danger; and that _her_ will was gradually moulding to +the Divine will, and she preparing for a far better home. + +It appeared as if she was permitted to get thus far on her journey, in +order to gratify the feelings, and experience the renewed kindness of +friends, whom her husband had attached to his family, from his +temporary labours amongst them. The attention of these, and indeed many +others, whom their interesting circumstances were a means of winning to +them, is deeply felt in the family circle, of which she was a beloved +member; and which will continue to be felt, as long as her memory shall +be cherished amongst them. + +It was with difficulty that she was removed to her own residence at +Princeton, a few days before she died, fully sensible that her departure +was not far off. One of her anxious friends, wishing to be more +satisfied of this, said: "You know, my dear Margaret, how ill you are?" +A most emphatic "O yes," silenced every remaining doubt. + +The day before she died, the conversation leading to the subject of +death, she said, "I am only afraid of the article of death: I know that +when this is over, I shall be in Jesus' arms." From one, so slow to +speak, these were encouraging words. + +A few hours after this, she awoke from a light sleep, with that sort of +bewildered spirit, which is frequently experienced under circumstances +of so much weakness, especially when accompanied with, perhaps, the +effects of an opiate, and repealed the _name_ of a person, with which +she had been familiar in her childhood. She observed, "what easy words!" +Some one present remarked--there are words equally easy. She said, "tell +me some." Upon being referred to a Psalm which had been spoken of the +day before, she commenced, as having found something exceedingly +pleasant--"The Lord is my shepherd"--and continued to the end of this +short and interesting portion of the Word of God, in a tone of sweetness +and solemnity, which impressed every one present, adding her testimony +to the sweetness of the words. It appeared as if, while the world was +fast receding, her character was rapidly finishing in the mould of this +precious Word. + +Reason was continued to her until the last departing moment, when, after +a violent but short struggle, which seemed to arrest every mental +exercise, except that which led her spirit immediately to "Him who takes +away the sting of death," the freshness of former years was restored to +her complexion, which had been, for some months, suffused with +feverishness, and marked with suffering, and a calm and solemn composure +settled on her countenance, appearing full of meaning, which persuaded +those who were around her, that she had some communication to make. But +her mouth was sealed, and her hand could no longer effect the gentlest +pressure. We were left to conclude, that when in her agony she had +cried--"Come, Lord Jesus--come quickly;"--"Lord Jesus receive my +spirit," "she was heard, in that she asked;" and the freshness of +everlasting youth, casting one parting ray upon her mortal countenance, +had passed upon her, and "she had gone to be forever with the Lord." + +"She being dead yet speaketh," and speaks, especially, to all who yet +live of her youthful associates. Many of them are, as she was, called to +sustain the character of wife and mother, and their history in its +prominent features, most probably resembles hers. Her course was marked +with much failure in duty, over which she mourned, and, in view of which +she seemed deeply humbled. She once said--many months before she +died--"O! if the Lord were to send his bereaving commission into my +family, I could never forgive myself for the manner in which I have +failed to improve the trust committed to me, and fulfilled the duties to +which I have been called." Hear the voice which speaking, says, "My dear +companions in sin and infirmity, I leave you a poor example. But I +exhort you to become believingly and affectionately acquainted with Him, +who has borne _me_ through the dark valley and shadow of death, and +'presented me faultless before his Father, clothed in his righteousness, +and washed in his blood.'" + +"Ye cannot, though _Christian_ wives and mothers, do the things ye +would;" but there is a fountain opened, in which your poorest desires +and efforts, though like filthy rags, "may be washed and made white, and +made instrumental for much good." Point this out to your children, +"talk to them in the house and by the way, in sitting down and rising +up," of this only hope of perishing sinners. And lest, after all, they +should come short, plead, unceasingly, the promises for them, and take +hold by faith of the blessing. O! how will you rejoice if you can say, +"Here am I Lord, and the children thou hast given me." In order to +sustain your character as wives, aim continually, by prayer, to obtain +the gift of a meek and quiet spirit, "which in the sight of God is of +great price, that even the unbelieving husband may be won to the +knowledge of the truth." + +May such exhortations from our departed friends, reach us all, and be +sanctified to us--and may we "exhort _one another_, daily," so that our +social intercourse may be made the means of grace, and assist in +preparing us for our last great change! + + +CHAPTER II. + +ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF MRS. MARGARET +BRECKINRIDGE. + +WHOEVER has been called, in the midst of life, to part with 'the wife of +his youth'--if these pages should chance to meet his eye--will _know_ +what the writer has felt. Such a bereavement must be _felt_, in order to +be understood. There is a shock in its coming for which no foresight or +submission can fully prepare us. There is a chasm created by it which +nothing can fill. It is a new experience, replete with dreadful +desolation. It is a wonderful attribute of grace that can make these +great afflictions so "work _for us_ an exceeding and eternal weight of +glory," that the most weighty and enduring of them all, shall seem, in +comparison, to be "light, and but for a moment." Yet "no chastisement," +(especially such as this) "for the present seemeth to be joyous, but +rather grievous." God intends that we shall be _moved_ by such +visitations. The call which they utter is too costly to be lightly felt. +The stroke is too deep to be hastily healed. "To _faint_ when we are +rebuked of Him," is to reproach the goodness of God, when we ought to +"lay hold on his strength." But insensibility to his afflictive +dispensations is to "despise" the methods of his grace. And who can fail +to feel at such a moment! To find one's self strangely, and after all +the warnings mercifully given, suddenly left alone; in the midst of life +to be broken in twain; to come to a time when you may no longer pray +with her whose presence sweetened devotion itself; no more pray for her +who many a year has been the dear burden of all your intercessions; to +see your orphan babes left desolate, and enhancing your woe, by being +unconscious of their own; yea, "to sorrow most of all" for those dread +words, "that you shall see her face no more!" This is sorrow! If it were +possible, and being so, were right to ask it for others, we might pray +for our readers, that they may be forever ignorant of our experience. +But we know that every house is appointed to such a sorrow, sooner or +later. They who are yet to pass through these deep waters, if they +cannot now fully enter into our trials, may at least be expected to +excuse this humble tribute to the dead, as an amiable weakness. + +But it is not bleeding affection, merely, which has prompted us to add +to the foregoing brief narrative, these imperfect illustrations of the +life and character of Mrs. Margaret Breckinridge. The bereaved children +having been early called to lose a mother's care, justly claim of +surviving friends to preserve her image that they may gaze on it, and +her example that they may imitate it, in after life. It is a cruel +addition to an orphan's lot, to consign to the tomb even the memory of +the dead. We refer not to the indecent and revolting haste with which +every memorial of the deceased is swept into oblivion by those who, +studious of new relations, are faithful only to forget. Such a spirit is +abhorrent to every sentiment of humanity and religion. But it often +happens that the disconsolate survivor, for a season careless of all +things but of grief, neglects to treasure and record what God gave in +peculiar trust to him--for the good of others. That godly example, which +it cost the toils and the trials of a life to exhibit, ought not to be +permitted to perish from the world. That "death of the saints," which +"is precious in the sight of the Lord," and which so gloriously shows +forth his praise, is worthy of a monument that time cannot consume. +These should live! We should embalm them in the memory of the heart. We +should hand them down in the tradition of faithful love. We should +record them in a household book, if not publish them to the world--in +honour of Jehovah; in memory of the beloved dead; and for the good of +those who, even while they were spared to them, were too young to know +their value. It is the memory of the wicked alone which God has doomed +to rot; or if it live, to stand as a beacon on the brow of death. + +There is another consideration of great tenderness and force by which we +have been influenced in making these sketches. Woman dwells, to speak +so, in the shade of retirement; and not like man, in the blaze of public +life. In the household she sits enthroned, the weaker vessel, but the +stronger power. Yet the domestic circle, in a great degree, +circumscribes her influence; shuts in her character. Her refinement--her +patience--her humility--her cheerfulness in trial--her fortitude--her +readiness to forgive--her faithful, constant love--her self-devotion to +her children--her personal charms--her domestic virtues--her Christian +graces--which make her + + "The light and music of our happy homes," + +are little known beyond the narrow boundary of her own family, on which +they continually rest, "like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the +mountains of Zion." It is not less so with her domestic trials--with her +perplexing domestic duties, as she meekly toils in "patient continuance" +amidst their innumerable detail, and ever returning round. Now while the +full disclosure and rewards must be reserved to the great day of final +account, it is a special duty, on proper occasions, to bring such +excellence to view. Without our care, this never will be done, since the +graces that most adorn, are the most retiring. By an affectionate +diligence in this service, a thousand pearls might be brought from the +recesses of domestic life, and added to the too scanty stock of +memorable worthies. At least, we ought not to make oblivion the penalty +of domestic virtue. On the other hand, the doing of proper justice to +real female merit, would most effectually rebuke that assurance of +coarse and fanatic women, who, in the insulted name of God, assume the +prerogative, and attempt the offices of the stronger sex--forgetting +that the immodesty which is offensive to all men, can never be an +offering pleasing to a God of purity and order. By presenting to mankind +examples of Christian women revolving in orderly beauty, and shining +with mild lustre in their appointed course, we not only preserve the +memory of those who rest from their labours, but we diffuse their +influence abroad. If we may but do justice to the subject of these +notices, she would be herself the only being likely to complain, for she +shrunk with instinctive sensibility from every such disclosure of her +retiring character. + +Without repeating what has been said in the first chapter, we proceed to +fill up the narrative given therein, by additional notices, which some +one ought to furnish, and which a parent could not. + +It was God's peculiar mercy to Margaret (Miller) Breckinridge, that she +came into life under parental influence so admirable in all respects, +that she may be said to have been born and reared in a family, which, +like that of Aquilla and Priscilla, "_had a church in the house_." She +enjoyed, in its happiest form, a domestic Christian education, having +the BIBLE for the basis of knowledge; the Parents for instructors; the +family fire-side for the school of manners; and the royal law of love +and truth, as the standard and source of all true politeness. Truly it +is a goodly spectacle in these days of pretension, and vulgar parade; of +shallow learning, and degenerate manners, to behold here and there a +mother in Israel, after "the manner of the olden time," training her +little flock without the aids of modern parties, fashions, vain +accomplishments, and earthly tinsel; waiting with them day by day at the +door-posts of that wisdom by which grace is poured into the lips, and +mien, as well as heart--where "woman indeed becomes the glory of man;" +(1 Cor. xi. 7,) and then to see her lead them forth into life, from +these sacred shades, polished after the similitude of a palace.[3] Such +a school was well fitted to form the mind, refine the manners, and +under God to save the soul of our lamented friend. God had been pleased +to endow her with an unusual measure of personal beauty, and great charm +of character and mind. So that as soon as she entered into society, +which she did with great reserve, she attracted much attention, and was +universally admired. These things combined, might have been expected, +especially in early life, to draw her into the world; and lead her away +from the humbling and self-denying religion of her father's house. But +even before she gave her heart to God, there was an inimitable +simplicity in her character, manner, and dress, which evinced either a +total unconsciousness of her attractions, or a noble superiority to +human praise. Her good taste, and the better principles of the Gospel, +enabled her in all her after life, notwithstanding the many temptations +to which she was exposed, to exhibit the same transparent and lovely +example. + + [3] The following passages are so graphic, that it would seem as if + our day had set for the likeness, though they were written two + thousand six hundred years ago:--"Moreover the Lord saith, because + the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth + necks, wincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: + Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of + the daughters of Zion: The Lord will take away in that day the + bravery of their tinkling ornaments Footnote: about their feet, and + their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and + the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of + the legs, and the head-bands, and the ear-rings, the rings, the + changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the whimples, and + the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine linen, and the + hoods, and the veils."--Isaiah iii. chap. Behold the contrast! 1 + Peter iii. 1-6. 1 Timothy ii. chap. 9-10. + + +HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. + +The work of the Spirit was early begun in her heart; but it was for some +time resisted. Our acquaintance with her began just as she was closing +her domestic education, (in her sixteenth year,) and almost before she +had looked this evil world in the face. In 1820 she became decidedly +serious; and after several months of deep religious impression, +expressed a trembling hope of an interest in the Divine Redeemer. At +this time she was strongly disposed to make a public profession of +religion; but the salutary caution of her parents induced her to +postpone it to a future occasion. Subsequently to this, the extreme fear +which she ever after cherished, of self-delusion in religious exercises; +the high standard of Christian character which she had proposed to +herself; and her strong conviction of the frequent and very hurtful +inconsistencies of many professors of religion; influenced her, in the +end to defer that solemn step to a distant day. That day, as stated in +the narrative, did not arrive until after her marriage, her removal to +Kentucky, and her settlement as the wife of a pastor. In the mean time, +however, it cannot be doubted, that the grace of God had taken +possession of her heart. And when finally she did publicly connect +herself with the people of God, her tenderness of heart, her +self-distrust, her deep humility, her child-like simplicity, and +transparency of Christian character, condemned her _only_ for a delayed +profession, and left few fears for her sake in any bosom but her own. + +She was in a remarkable measure devoted to the Word of God. Her +extraordinary memory faithfully stored with its rich treasure in early +youth, vividly retained the chief part of it through life. The Psalmody +of Dr. Watts, her favourite author in that department, she had almost +wholly at her command. And with the Commentary of the inimitable Matthew +Henry, a Latin and a French Bible, and a Harmony of the Gospels at her +side, she daily and most devoutly searched the Scriptures. Clarke on the +Promises, was also a favourite book, especially in her last days; and +the Pilgrim's Progress was her companion to the "water's edge," where +her _real_ visions of the celestial city enabled her to lay the sweet +Dreamer by, as the Parting Pilgrim did his crutches, when on the bank of +the river he saw "chariots of fire" to bear him to the _Pearly Gates_. +Her diligence in studying the Bible, without in the least degree +neglecting her domestic duties, (and even in the days of her feeblest +health,) was truly wonderful. When a subject specially interested her, +she compiled and collated all the leading passages of the Bible upon it; +often writing them out at great length, and preserving them for +reference on future occasions. Indeed, so far did she carry her +interested inquiries into the various parts of the Old and New +Testament, and especially into the life of Christ, that she drew out a +harmony of the Gospels with her own hand; the better to confirm her +knowledge of the true order and relation of the events of his history. + +She was a most faithful hearer of the preaching of the Gospel. Her +luminous face cheered the progress of the herald of the Lord, and marked +the deep measure of her personal interest in the message from the skies. +Since her decease, we have found numerous briefs of sermons which she +had heard at different periods of her life, from those whom she most +admired. Some of these were delivered by Dr. James P. Wilson, and some +by her father, others by Dr. Green, but chiefly by the venerable and +honoured friend whose tribute to her memory is affixed to this Memoir. +He was undoubtedly her most esteemed instructor from the sacred desk. +His inimitable simplicity, vivacity, richness, and force of truth, +always carried her understanding and her affections along with him; and +those appeals which were most searching and simple, were most treasured +and admired. + +To her refined and candid spirit, nothing was more detestable than +religious parade. As it is intimated in the former chapter, it sometimes +served to repel her from things and people that were good, but savoured +of religious cant. She was especially shocked with the numberless and +painful examples of female impropriety in this way, which our age has +disclosed. But in all the appropriate walks of Christian females, and in +every becoming expression of their feelings and influence, though +diffident of herself, she promptly took her part. Perhaps her most +cherished occupation in the service of others, was that of a +Sunday-school teacher. Here she rejoiced in the work of her hands. Here, +without indelicacy or pretension, she could use the word of God, in his +house, and on his day, to teach the little children, whom like her Lord, +she so much loved to take in her arms and bless. She had for this +service uncommon adaptation in the vivacity of her mind, in the charm of +her manner, and especially in the rich store of her Biblical knowledge. +She continued this relation after she became a wife, and a mother; and +the tenderness of a Christian mother's love seemed to be transferred to +the little commonwealth of the Sabbath-school. + +We shall never forget the animation and delight with which she +communicated to us, two years before her decease, the account of a visit +which had been paid her very recently, by a highly respectable young +gentleman, then attached to a learned profession, the son of a +distinguished public man, who had been a member of her Sunday-school +class in Princeton, fifteen years before! + + +HER DEDICATION TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. + +It was not long after the first experience (as was hoped) of the grace +of God in her heart, that the relation was formed between herself and +the writer of these pages, which, by its consummation and close, became +in succession the crowning joy and the absorbing sorrow of his life. + +While this interesting event, combined with other causes, was made the +occasion (from an excess perhaps of delicacy on her part) of retarding +her public profession of religion, it led to an early and very decisive +trial of her Christian principles in another form. At this time the +friend whom she so much honoured by her affection, was devoted to the +work of Foreign Missions; and he had solicited her hand with the +distinct expression, both to herself and her venerable parents, of such +a purpose. This necessarily called her to consider the question of a +personal engagement in this work. She met and decided this question with +a promptitude and nobleness of Christian resolution which surprised even +those who knew her best; and though in the providence of God she was +spared the expected trial of separation for life from her family and +country, yet the unreserved dedication of herself to the Missionary +cause which her Redeemer enabled her to make, gave elevation to her +Christian character, and prepared her for the trials scarcely less +severe to which she was called in the domestic field. It was on the +ground of her having thus dedicated herself, that with so much +self-oblivion, and even cheerfulness, she encountered the many +difficulties of which we are now to speak. + + +HER SACRIFICES FOR THE CHURCH OF GOD. + +By a train of events over which we had no control, and in the +interpretation of which we were permitted to enjoy the direction of the +Church, (it would be needless to recite them here,) we were hindered +from indulging the desire to "go far hence to the Gentiles." But the +_principle_ of dedication for life was settled; and hence it was from +the first, understood and acted on at all times, that other things being +equal, the field at home in which there was opportunity to do most for +the conversion of the heathen, was always to be preferred, if offered by +the Lord of the harvest. Her first and second settlements could scarcely +be considered as giving occasion to many _sacrifices_. Lexington, +Kentucky, was in the bosom of her husband's native state. There, in the +garden of America, surrounded by a great circle of the most affectionate +kindred and friends, and in a city remarkable as the Athens of the west +for its refinement and general intelligence, and connected with a most +kind and worthy congregation, Mrs. B. felt, that even separation from +the home of her youth, was a form of trial so softened by her +circumstances, that it was converted into a mercy. + +In our removal to the interesting and important city of Baltimore, we +felt that goodness and mercy followed us, changing our abode, but +augmenting the number of our friends, and opening to us new and +effectual doors of usefulness. Her attachment was very strong to both +cities; she left each with regret; but still referring the decision to +others in whose wisdom and affection she confided, she cheerfully obeyed +their successive summons to depart. It was in leaving the latter city +that her sacrifices for the Church more especially commenced. At this +eventful period, (the summer of 1831,) it was found that there were more +than one thousand congregations in the Presbyterian Church without a +pastor, not to mention the immeasurable destitution of the heathen +world. To supply this immense demand required, in addition to the very +inadequate means already in use, a greatly enlarged and quickened effort +of the entire Church. This necessity was deeply felt by the General +Assembly of 1831, and led to the re-organization by that body of its +Board of Education. In the solemn providence of God, the writer of these +sketches was called to fill the office of Corresponding Secretary and +General Agent for that Institution. He found it impossible to resist +what appeared to be the voice of God speaking through his Church; +though in yielding to it he was constrained to dissolve forever the +sacred tie which bound him to a beloved people, and to pass from the +endearments of domestic and Pastoral life, to incessant toil and travel +in the wide and homeless world. She foresaw, and with keen anticipation +felt, all the trouble which such a step must bring upon herself and her +little household. But the decision of all her friends, excepting the +kind people we were about to leave, was in favour of removal. She +remembered her Missionary vows. She saw in it the sweetness as well as +the severity of the cross, and without a murmur meekly bowed to the +burden of the Lord. In this service, which continued for nearly five +years, she shared; and like an angel, soothed the trials of the work. +The comforts of domestic life were almost annihilated, either by +incessant separations, or the nameless discomforts of a constant absence +from home. During one entire year her house was occupied by her but _six +weeks_, the rest being spent in hotels, and boarding houses, and +steamboats, and stages, with occasional intervals of repose in the bosom +of related or attached families scattered through the wide field of her +visits from the Mississippi to the Hudson. Yet never did woman shine +with more lovely lustre at home; never was woman more indisposed to step +from this, her undisputed and delightful empire, into the confusion and +folly of this selfish and evil world. Yet did she give up all, and +consent to erect her domestic altar in the wilderness, and gather her +little fold on the highway, for Jesus' sake. When weary of a year of +travel, undertaken to shun a year of separation, she returned to occupy +and order her solitary home. There she was constrained, though both +tender and inexperienced, "to guide her house" alone; and to receive her +husband only as an occasional visitant. Still, she never murmured; nor +would we complain. But faithful history--now that she rests from her +labours, requires this narrative; and God permits the record of "_those +works which follow_" such "_as die in the Lord_." Thus, for five years, +were kept up the alternations of these affecting trials. They were +relieved, it must devoutly be acknowledged, by the unremitting +attentions of those kind and lovely families in Philadelphia, whose +virtues bound them to us by better ties than those of earthly +kindred--as "Zion's friends, and ours;" whose reward we will not attempt +to take out of a Saviour's hands by our poor praises; and whose +displeasure we shall only then be sure of incurring, when we attempt to +unveil to the public eye, the authors of so much disinterested and +untiring goodness. The same reference is due to very many families in +the city of New York, in which, for several successive years, she passed +the winters with her husband. He who thus imperfectly attempts to record +his gratitude, knew her worth so well, that he cannot wonder that such +friends should love her; and he feels it his duty here to say, that any +portion of success in the work herein referred to, is under God, largely +owing, not only to her influence on his labours, but to the charm which +she threw upon every circle with which she mingled, and the interest she +kindled in all the persons and objects which interested her. When, at +the end of two years, he felt overwhelmed with the review of her +domestic trials, and was strongly moved to abandon a work which made +them inevitable, _she_ earnestly resisted the thought of change; and +with generous self-devotion urged her husband forward in a work which, +though painful to her feelings, was in her view useful to the Church, +and pleasing to its glorious Head. As her impressions were those of all +her friends, and apparently of the Church at large, and as the Board +itself kindly relaxed some of the severer features of our trials, we +were confirmed in the conviction that it was our duty to persevere, lest +we should incur the divine displeasure, "_by being weary in +well-doing_." + +When, however, the indications of divine Providence in the spring of +1835 seemed plainly to say, that our work for the Board of Education was +done, and that we ought to enter the door opened for us at Princeton, +she was the last to see the duty of a removal; and though her parental +home was there, and though her heart and her wearied nature cried aloud +for rest, she would not allow any reasons for the change, to be drawn +from her wishes or her sacrifices, and to the last, rather _submitted_ +to, than _heartily approved_ of, the new relation. + +But how deep are the ways of God! Scarcely had she time to establish +herself in her new home at Princeton,[4] when another and loud call to +an agency, directly in behalf of _Foreign Missions_, was pressed upon +us. Though at this period her health had become evidently far more +delicate, she heard and heeded again the voice of her Saviour; and still +recalling the Missionary vow, offered herself again a willing sacrifice +on the altar of God. In deciding this momentous question (in the winter +of 1838, after having spent but eighteen months in Princeton, nearly +half of which was occupied by her husband in active agency in behalf of +the funds, library, &c. of the Theological Seminary,) we found +ourselves incapable of being instrumental in recalling her _still again_ +to the commotion, desertion at home, and incessant cares, of another +agency. Three months therefore were given to the important work, and the +offer of the office finally declined. Even here however, she persisted +in referring the decision to _public relations_ alone, leaving all +personal considerations out of view. And though fast approaching her end +(what at that time none of us knew) she spontaneously put herself at the +disposal of the friends of the Board of Foreign Missions, for her part +of any service which might be required of her husband, whether it was in +extensive journeys with him, or separation from him, or a winter's +sojourn with him and her children in the city of New York. For the +first, hoping it might invigorate her health, she was actually +furnished; and when that was abandoned for the last, she repaired, with +the spirit of her Master in her heart, to meet the trials it induced. It +was in the fresh recollection of the parting scene, on her way thither, +that the following sentences were addressed to the writer by the Rev. +Dr. Alexander. + + [4] It is at once a remarkable indication of the nobleness of those + Philadelphia friends already named, and of the extent to which her + worth and her sacrifices were appreciated, that on being informed + of our final purpose to remove to Princeton, they united in the + purchase of a commodious dwelling, which was presented to Mrs. + Breckinridge and her children. It is true, one object in view was, + the accommodation of the Professor (for the time) of Pastoral + Theology and Missionary instruction in the Seminary. But the terms + of the gift are specific; and when we attempted to alter the + direction of this munificent testimonial, so as to make it the + _property of the Institution_, it was peremptorily declined; and + the deed was drawn in the name of Margaret Breckinridge and her + children. + +"I cannot conclude, without a word to dear Mrs. Breckinridge. I admire +her ready submission to the calls of Providence. For although she cannot +help dropping the silent tear, she makes no complaint, but shuts up her +comfortable house, leaves her home and her friends, and as cheerfully as +she _can_, goes to live in a hotel, and among strangers. Well, she +shall not lose her reward. For these sacrifices she shall have rich +compensation: and our sweetest earthly pleasure is in doing the will of +our Heavenly Father." (Dated Princeton, December 17th, 1837.) + +At the close of the winter we returned to Princeton, hoping that now God +would grant us a little rest in that quiet village and that delightful +home, where not "_unaware we entertained an angel_." But ah! this +blessedness was not long intended for us. Having done her work, (though +still we did not fear it,) she was soon to be taken to her rest and her +reward on high. + + +HER LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. + +Her last sickness was of a protracted and very interesting character. +When she returned from New York, she was delicate and her state of +health was mysterious, but not yet alarming even to her physicians. Very +soon after this, she had a violent attack, which in a short season +prostrated her frame, and, disclosing a peculiar complication of +diseases, overwhelmed every mind in the family, but her own, (she was +calm,) with the most gloomy apprehensions of her danger. + +At the close of the winter term of the Theological Seminary, (May +first,) it was our anxious desire to take her to the Red Sulphur Springs +in Virginia. But it was too early in the season; and being yet doubtful, +whether this or that place would be useful or hurtful, it was agreed by +her physicians to indulge her strongly expressed wish to try the waters +of Saratoga. Thither therefore we went, pausing only a short time in the +city of New York for medical consultation. + +At this time, she was a most interesting object to all who saw her. Her +debility was so extreme that she was borne from place to place in the +arms of her husband, which, from her delicate frame, it was easy to do. +The gentleness and patience with which she endured her sickness, the +inimitable moral beauty of her countenance, and the general expression +of frailty mingled with grace, excited the deepest interest wherever she +passed.[5] + + [5] There is poetic beauty in the Stanza of Southey's on the + portrait of Bishop Heber, written after his decease; and though + fanciful it is striking. Blessed be God our Redeemer, we have surer + marks of recognition in the heavenly world. + + "They too, will gaze + Upon his effigy + With reverential love, + Till they shall grow familiar with its lines + And know him when they see his face in heaven." + +At Saratoga we spent a very quiet season of three weeks, (before the +great hotels were opened, or the crowds had arrived) at the house of a +most kind and deserving Christian woman, Mrs. Taylor, whose unceasing +attentions greatly conduced to soothe sufferings which God had pleased +should not be arrested. During this visit she used the waters freely, as +a beverage, and in the bath, with no apparent _injury_, except that it +evidently disclosed the fatal symptoms of her malady. She was able +almost every day, to take gentle rides in the open air, and frequently +to mingle with the family. But her chamber was her sanctuary. There she +reclined, feeding on the Word of God. She was especially delighted with +Clarke on the Promises. During that season of seclusion, she seemed to +grow in grace with a progress which surprised (while it delighted) us; +for we knew not then how near she was to the perfection of the heavenly +rest. But it has since been interpreted to us, by the event, as one of +God's peculiar mercies. What made this the more pleasing evidence of +grace was, that she did not know her own danger. It was the power of +religion poured upon her spirit by Him who was "hastening to make her up +among his jewels." At one time, she said--"Oh, yes, pray that the +_distance_ between God and me may be taken away." And after uniting, +with the most affecting solemnity and tenderness in the prayer which was +offered, she at its close expressed _aloud_ her joy in the exercise, (a +thing most unusual with her) and her delight in God her Saviour, who +_draweth nigh_. On another occasion, after hearing some of the promises +of _healing_ to the body, as collected by Clarke, she seemed for a +moment to be musing, she then gently said: "My dear----I am like the +poor woman who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could +be healed of any; but rather grew worse. _My hope is in the Great +Physician!_" + +Since we have been calm enough to review the various stages of her last +sickness in relation to her religious exercises, it has been a subject +of deep regret, and of no little self-reproach, that we had not made the +attempt at recording, as they were uttered, some of the deeply affecting +expressions of her Christian principles and feelings. But the tumultuous +hour of hope and fear, and hurried, anxious watching at the bed of +death, is not the time for cool calculation. Some of the most affecting +parts of such scenes are incapable of being written down, even by one +not interested in the sufferer. Nay, more--like the voices which John +heard from heaven in Patmos, the Spirit seems to say of them, "_write +them not_." These are "joys with which the stranger intermeddleth not." +(Prov. xiv. 10.) It is a sanctuary which no creature can enter. And then +our beloved Friend, who was often afraid to whisper her religious joys +to her Saviour, lest she should be found offering "strange fire" on his +altar, seldom talked of her hopes, (though often of her sins,) to her +nearest friends; and never, by _writing them_ down, put it in the power +of posthumous publications to expose them to the view of others. We can +only, therefore, illustrate her religious character, at the stage which +we now approach, by broken fragments of thoughts and feelings, caught +from her lips amidst the awful mercies of a dying hour. + +She began at length, visibly to sink, when Dr. Freeman, of Balston, +whose skilful and kind attentions she enjoyed, (Dr. Steel, of Saratoga, +having himself been recently removed by death,) strongly advised a +discontinuance of the use of the waters, and an attempt to reach the Red +Sulphur Springs. For now the prevailing type of the disease had become +distinctly pulmonary; and the skill of physicians, and the healing +waters, and all the help of man were vain. Now, for the first time, we +began to discern the dread reality of her approaching dissolution; and +had some foretaste of the _first_ anguish of such a loss.[6] + + [6] The following touching stanzas do more real honour to their + illustrious author, (Lord Palmerston) than all the distinctions of + his high rank and public life. + + Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish brings + His dearest earthly treasure to these springs; + Whoe'er, like me, to soothe distress and pain, + Shall court these salutary springs in vain: + Condemn'd, like me, to hear the faint reply, + To mark the fading cheek, the sinking eye-- + From the chill brow to wipe the damps of death, + And watch in dumb despair the short'ning breath:-- + If chance should bring him to this humble line, + Let the sad mourner know his pangs were mine. + Ordain'd to lose the partner of my breast, + Whose virtues warm'd me, and whose beauty bless'd; + Fram'd ev'ry tie that binds the heart to prove, + Her duty friendship, and her friendship love. + But yet, remembering that the parting sigh + Appoints the just to slumber, not to die, + The starting tear I check'd--I kissed the rod, + And not to earth resigned her, but to God! + +With heavy hearts, but hastened steps, we returned to Princeton; whence +almost in despair, yet anxious to try any and all means for so great an +end, we hastily set out with our meek sufferer for the Virginia Springs: +but as the previous narrative has recited, we were arrested at +Philadelphia. Here all was done by the assiduity and skill of her +physicians,[7] and the most tender and constant attentions of a great +number of friends. But her divine Redeemer claimed her for himself. She +returned to Princeton, to bless her household, and to die. On the +evening of June the 13th, she reached her children, and her earthly +home. On the morning of the 16th, a quarter before ten o'clock, with her +reason unclouded, in a frame of calm and holy triumph which marked the +dawning of heaven on her soul; with a meek prayer for permission to die, +and with but a single pang, she bade the world farewell, and ascended to +God! + + [7] Drs. Chapman and Meigs, to whom with Dr. Nelson of New York, we + all owe more for their unwearied and sympathizing care than we have + words to express. + +Her remains were attended to the grave by a very large and deeply +affected assembly, after the delivery of the impressive funeral +discourse affixed to this Memoir; where they rest by the side of her +three little children, two daughters and a son, removed by death before. +The like number and of the same sex, two daughters and a son, are left +to the surviving parent, to mourn her loss, to treasure and imitate her +example, and, by the grace of the Saviour, to follow them to the skies, +where the "house now left desolate unto them" shall be restored with +added bliss; and the little family thus divided in the midst of life, +being reunited in pure and perfect love, be received into everlasting +habitations. + +A neat marble monument points to the spot where her dust reposes. + + +CHAPTER III. + +CLOSING REFLECTIONS. + +THUS it has pleased our Heavenly Father to "take away from us the desire +of our eyes, with a stroke." The first impression of such a loss is that +of _amazement_--overwhelming and bewildering the soul, and with strange +horror, destroying for a time, the power to feel. "Deep calleth unto +deep--all thy waves, and billows have gone over me." Such is the abyss +of grief! At such a time, our part is "to be still"--sitting, like the +Marys, "over against the sepulchre." + +When the disciples of John lost their earthly Master, "they came and +took the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." This ought to be +the first act of every mourner, _to tell it unto Jesus_. With him we +shall find both sympathy and support. And more than this: He resolves +the death of our friends into his own gracious sovereignty, when he +calls it, "the coming of the Son of Man." Death loses its terror when it +becomes his act of grace. "The death of his saints is precious in his +sight," and is always ordered with a supreme regard to their +blessedness, and his glory. So that the feeblest of his dying children +may confidently say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." +"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no +evil; for Thou art with me." + +There is a feeling about the death of our friends, which is made up in +part of unbelief, and in part of that tender regard which is produced by +their dependence on us through life. Those endearing relations which +make us their protectors, and supports, send their deep sympathies even +into the grave. Who of us that is a husband, or a parent, that does not +feel the horror of the separation aggravated by the spectacle of our +helpless kindred struggling alone in mortal strife with "the king of +terrors"? We, to whom they have always looked for succour, are then as +helpless as they, in their extremest need. We cannot even share their +agony. It is this which gives a nameless anguish to such a moment.[8] + + [8] One of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed, was the death + of a little child, who, in the last moments, called on her mother + _to die with her_. This was the voice of nature. To this call the + heart would, but cannot respond. "Here our father and mother must + forsake us." + +But it is because we forget that "when father and mother," and all they +most depended on in life, "forsake them, then the Lord doth take them +up." The Christian is never so little alone as on the verge of heaven. +The Lord of life is there. Underneath are the everlasting arms; and +through all the terrors of the grave; and above all the tumult of that +last hour, the Shepherd's voice is heard, saying--"IT IS I--BE NOT +AFRAID." While some pass over Jordan on the wing, and some struggle +through the waves, yet all safely pass. Not one of them shall perish, +but each appear in Zion before God. + +It adds tenderness and force to these consoling hopes, that Jesus once +"tasted death himself." It moves us, that "Jesus wept." But it gives a +new nature to death, that Jesus died! For while the _merit_ of _his_ +death takes the sting from ours, his presence in the tomb dispels all +its terrors. Therefore, since Jesus died, let us consent to death; and +surrender at his call those most dear to us. + + The graves of all his saints he blest, + And softened every bed-- + Where should the dying members rest, + But with their dying head! + +It must be sweet to lie in that grave which he has hallowed by his +presence among the dead. + +One of the considerations which should make us acquiesce in the removal +of our beloved friends who die in the Lord, is this--that we are +suffering for their sakes; and that they could not be blessed without +our sufferings. For their death, (the dread cause of all our grief,) was +necessary to their perfect and eternal blessedness. This thought ought +to soften every pang. If we really love them, and if our sacrifices for +them while they were here below, were the fruit of our love, then we +have only to remember that this is one prolonged, supreme sacrifice for +their sakes.--This reflection if properly pursued, would often turn our +mourning into gladness.[9] And then, if this weight of sorrow that is +laid on us may but be duly improved and meekly borne; if it may not only +mark the bliss of our friends begun on high, but be made by a wise and +good God conducive to our growth in grace--it will have in it the pledge +of our everlasting re-union in heaven; and thus be an affliction doubly +blessed. + + [9] A lovely example of the power of this sentiment in subduing + grief, is given in the narrative of one of our American + missionaries. He and his fellow-labourer were alone in a barbarous + land, far away from any creature who cared for their Lord or for + them. Suddenly his friend was taken from him. In that awful moment + of desertion and anguish, after commending the parting soul to God, + and closing the eyes of the dead, _he kissed his cold lips, and + thought, "What glory has already burst upon his view!"_ In this + thought his sorrow was lost. + +But the silencing, yea, elevating thought of all is, that it is _for +Jesus' sake_, we are called to suffer. "_The Master_ is come and called +for her." It is indeed the richest of our earthly treasures. Our own +life were a far lighter offering. But for that reason we honour him the +more. It is our _Isaac_ that God calls for; and it is then indeed we +honour God when we can _offer_ like Abraham. We shall receive the +offering back, if not as soon, as certainly--and at no distant day! +When, therefore, He who laid down his life for us, asks for our richest +gift, let us not call him a hard master, but give without a murmur. + +The death of our friends should have the effect of bringing Heaven +nearer to us. We ought to cultivate, if we may so speak, _domestic_ +views of that blessed world to which we are so much honoured as to have +sent up angels from our households. While all superstitious emotions are +carefully to be quelled, we are permitted to draw very nigh to them. We +may cherish their image in our memories and hearts; we still belong to +the same great communion--and all are members of that body of which +Jesus is the head. "As death does not separate from the Lord, neither +does it divide the saints from one another. Our spirit and theirs daily +meet at the one throne--they to praise, we to pray; therefore, in that +sense, though we are absent in body, we are present in spirit." + +And the distance which lies between them and us is daily growing less. +How swiftly we travel, yea, fly, in all the speed of time! It may not be +an inappropriate close to these meditations, to insert the family hymn, +with which the remnant of a bereaved household often close the day, and +comfort each others' hearts, at the hour when we feel most desolate. + + Come let us join our friends above, + That have obtained the prize; + And on the eagle wings of love, + To joy celestial rise. + + Let saints below his praises sing, + With those to glory gone; + For all the servants of our King, + In heaven and earth are one. + + One family, we dwell in him, + One church above, beneath: + Though now divided by the stream, + The narrow stream of death. + + One army of the living God, + To his commands we bow; + Part of the host have crossed the flood, + And part are crossing now. + + Ten thousand to their endless home, + This solemn moment fly; + And we are to the margin come, + And soon expect to die. + + Dear Saviour, be our constant guide, + Then when the word is given, + Bid the cold waves of death divide, + And land us safe in heaven. + +And now, in bringing to a close these very imperfect notices of a +beloved saint of God, it is proper to say, that much more might truly +have been added in reference to many points of her character, that would +have been proper, and interesting: as for example, her intellectual +endowments; her extensive acquirements; her domestic life; her personal +accomplishments. But we fear to indulge our feelings. Nor is it needful. +For it was her Christian character mainly which we designed to +illustrate. Her love for the Redeemer, and her sacrifices for his sake, +were the jewels which adorned her on earth, and which lose not their +lustre in death. It was the glory of all those qualities which so +eminently fitted her to attract the admiration of this world, that she +meekly laid them at the Saviour's feet. There also, we desire to leave +this humble tribute to one whose "sun went down while it was yet day," +praying that he who thus early fitted her for heaven, may by these poor +means prolong her usefulness, and bless her memory on earth. + + + + + SUBMISSION: + + + A SERMON + + OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. A. ALEXANDER, D.D. + + + + +SERMON. + +PSALM XLVI. 10. + +"Be still, and know that I am God." + + +OMITTING all critical discussion of the true import of the text, I will +consider the words as addressed by Jehovah to his own people, when +suffering affliction under the strokes of his mighty hand. It may be +considered as the language of authority; or of consolation. According to +the first view, it is as if the Almighty had said, "Be still, and +neither repine, nor rebel, for your affliction comes not from the dust, +but from me, your rightful Sovereign; to whom you owe absolute +subjection." If viewed in the sense last mentioned, then it will be as +though God, feeling compassion towards his afflicted saints, puts them +in mind of the sure refuge which they had in him; as if he had said, "Be +calm and unruffled, in the midst of all your overwhelming calamities, +for I am able to sustain you, and to deliver you by my Almighty arm." +"Be still, and know that I am God." In either case, the result, as to +our duty, is the same. Unreserved submission is the thing enjoined, and +the reason to enforce the injunction is, "_I am God_." + +"Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He +cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, +and continueth not. His days are determined: the number of his years are +with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass." No +condition in this life is exempt from trouble. No bulwarks can be +erected by kings and princes, strong enough, and high enough, to be a +safeguard against the shafts of adversity. In regard to this matter, the +rich and the poor stand very much upon a level. "Man is born unto +trouble as the sparks fly upward." Hence, this life has justly been +denominated, "the vale of tears." Uninterrupted bliss cannot be found +beneath the skies. The righteous are not exempt, but many are their +afflictions. Besides a participation in the common lot of humanity, they +have troubles peculiar to themselves. The dispensations of God towards +his own people, are, indeed, in covenant love and faithfulness, but they +are not calculated to encourage them to take up their rest in this +world, but to render their path so thorny, and their bed so uneasy, that +they are continually admonished of their duty to set their affections on +things above, and to press forward as pilgrims to the possession of +their heavenly inheritance. + +The reasons which should persuade us to exercise unreserved and +uncomplaining submission to the will of God, as manifested in the +dispensations of his wise and righteous Providence, are at the same +time obvious and weighty. But, here, as in other cases, theory and +practice are very different things. On this subject, we all can teach +and inculcate what is right; but when it becomes necessary to practise +our own lessons, we experience a sad deficiency. This is a school in +which, sooner or later, we must all be learners; and it behoves us to +use diligence in preparing ourselves to endure trials with fortitude, +and cheerfully to acquiesce in those painful events, which we cannot +avoid. Some persons, when overtaken by severe strokes of adversity, are, +like the bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, restive and rebellious; they +resist the hand which presses them, and struggle to throw off the yoke. +Such a course is altogether unwise, and must be unsuccessful. "Wo to him +that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds strive with the +potsherds of the earth," but let not a feeble, sinful worm rise up in +rebellion against the Almighty; for who hath hardened himself against +him and hath prospered? And when there is no open rebellion, there is +often a spirit of discontent and murmuring, which, though smothered in +the breast, partakes of the nature of rebellion, and is the very +opposite of cordial, filial submission. Every degree of this temper, +whether concealed or expressed, is exceedingly offensive to God, as we +learn from his word, and is so far from mitigating the evils which we +suffer, that it doubles their pressure; it makes even a light burthen +intolerable. + +Others again, endeavour to form habits of hardy insensibility; they seek +refuge from the keen arrows of affliction, in a stoical indifference. +They affect to contemn, as weak, and wanting in fortitude, all those who +seem to suffer exquisitely under the strokes of adversity. Much +practical progress never can be made in this unnatural system. Whatever +men may profess or pretend, nature will assert her claims, and if her +feelings may be for a season suspended, she will again resume her sway; +and indeed the equanimity acquired by these principles, has been more in +appearance than reality; and the greatest adepts in eradicating the +susceptibilities of our nature, have only learned the art of +successfully concealing the emotions of their bosoms from the +observation of others. + +But while some endeavour to obtain relief by rendering themselves +insensible to the calamities of life, and aim at braving the storms of +adversity, there are others, who err on the opposite extreme. Under the +chastising hand of God, they are prostrated in the dust; not in +humility, but in despondency; their sorrow not only casts them down, but +overwhelms them. They find themselves sinking in deep waters, where +there is no standing. Such persons not only put away all hope, but cease +from all exertion, and abandon themselves to grief; forgetting the +exhortation which speaketh unto them as to children, "My son, despise +not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of +him." + +There is but one effectual remedy for the evils to which man is heir, +while on his earthly pilgrimage; and that is RELIGION--true religion, +not merely apprehended and approved in its theory, but deeply felt, and +cordially embraced in the inmost soul. This is the only principle of +sufficient potency to tranquillize the perturbations of the soul when +deeply afflicted. This only can sustain the mind, ready to sink into +despair. This furnishes the only medicine which heals the anguish of the +broken heart; the only balm which relieves the wounds made in the spirit +by painful bereavements. Here the superlative value of true religion is +realized; and this principle of heavenly origin is found to possess a +power, not only to sustain the soul under the heaviest pressure of +affliction, but to pour sweet consolations into the desolate and +troubled heart. Here, indeed, is opened a fountain of refreshing +streams, in the midst of this dreary wilderness, of which the poor +heathen had no knowledge, and of which the men of the world are still +ignorant. + +These blessed effects of genuine piety are not produced by any +irrational process, or blind impulse; but by the contemplation of truths +adapted to the end. Consolations which do not rest on this firm +foundation, will ever be found precarious, and commonly evanescent. +Buoyant hope and cheerful resignation must have the solid pillar of +truth on which to repose. It will therefore be consonant to our present +purpose, to bring more distinctly into view, some of those important +doctrines, the practical belief of which leads to the exercise of +Christian submission. + +That which lies at the foundation of the whole, is, that God exists, and +governs all events by his providence. Whatever men profess, or +speculatively believe, as it relates to the actual presence and +operative providence of God, there is undoubtedly much practical atheism +in the hearts of men. Most feel and act as if there was no God, and as +if all things happened by chance. This is remarkably manifest when they +are suddenly cast down into deep affliction. They recognise not the hand +that smites them. They seem to think, that affliction cometh from the +dust, and that trouble springeth out of the ground. In all their bitter +lamentations, their views extend no farther than to the proximate causes +of their distress; and they often experience the bitterest regret, +because they did not pursue a different course, or make use of different +means from what they did; although with the knowledge possessed, they +could not have done better. Under the same short-sighted views, they are +prone to censure others who have had an innocent instrumentality in +bringing about the events by which they are distressed. All this arises +from the want of faith in Divine Providence; and too much of this +unbelief cleaves to the pious themselves, and greatly aggravates their +calamities. But when their faith in the being and providence of God is +strong, they see his hand in every thing good and evil, which occurs; +they behold him operating through all nature, and giving efficacy to all +second causes; and are as fully persuaded that he directs the fall of a +sparrow, as the overthrow of a kingdom. This doctrine of an universal +and particular Providence, is the foundation of our trust in God, for +security and sustenance. How beautifully did Christ teach this lesson to +his disciples, when he said, "Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow +not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly +Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And why take ye +thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; +they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even +Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, +if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow +is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little +faith?" + +When the dark and cloudy day of adversity, or the long and tempestuous +night comes upon us--when our comforts are suddenly blasted, and our +brightest earthly prospects are obscured, then, instead of repining or +desponding, we should betake ourselves to the doctrine of an overruling +Providence. The dispensation may be dark, and afflictive, and even +profoundly mysterious; yet we should think, it is God that hath done it. +These are his footsteps. This is the operation of his hand. He it is, +"who formeth the light and createth the darkness; that maketh peace, and +createth evil." The more, in such circumstances, we look beyond all +creatures, and second causes, and fix our thoughts and our faith, on God +alone, the sooner shall we find composure of mind. If we fully believe +that God is in the storm, and that it is his voice which is heard in the +thunder, and his face which is seen in the flashing of the lightning, +the less shall we be terrified with the apprehension of unknown dangers. + +But we are permitted to know not only that God governs all human affairs +by his Providence, but also that his dispensations, as it relates to his +own people, are all ordered in wisdom, in faithfulness, and in love. The +doctrine of Providence can bring no true consolation to any who are +unreconciled to God. They may know that it is his rod by which they are +smitten, but they cannot tell but his strokes are those of vindicatory +justice, and only a prelude to more intolerable pains. Before we can +repose with confidence and comfort on the faithfulness, wisdom, and +goodness of the Divine dispensations, we must possess some evidence that +our sins are pardoned and our persons accepted; for the more perfect +the Divine government, the more certainly will punishment pursue the +guilty. Our cheerful resignation to the afflictions of life, is +therefore, closely connected with our justification through the merits +of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we contemplate our own sins and +imperfections only, we can entertain no other feeling, than a fearful +looking for of wrath; but when with the spirit of adoption we can look +up to our heavenly Father's reconciled face, we need not be alarmed nor +cast down, under the heaviest afflictions which befall us. We know that +he doth not willingly afflict his beloved children, but out of love +chastises them for their greater good, that they may become in a higher +degree, partakers of his holiness. They are assured, therefore, that all +these painful events shall be so overruled, as to work for their good. +And the Holy Scriptures clearly teach, that although these chastisements +are, for the present, not joyous, but grievous, yet, hereafter, they +will produce in them who are exercised thereby, the peaceable fruits of +righteousness. They eminently conduce to wean the affections from this +vain world, to humble the spirit in the dust under a sense of +unworthiness, and to excite an ardent spirit of prayer. It is, moreover, +by a severe but salutary discipline of this kind, that saints are made +meet for the heavenly inheritance. And not only so, but these temporary +afflictions, somehow or other, will have a direct efficiency in +increasing their future felicity and glory, according to that remarkable +declaration of Paul, "These light afflictions which are but for a +moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of +glory." It is not surprising, therefore, that God who loves his people +with an unchangeable love, should visit them with the rod. It is the +method which he takes to purge out their dross and their tin. Affliction +is therefore compared to a furnace, in which the precious metals are +assayed and purified. Thus Peter comforts suffering Christians in his +time: + +"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to +try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, +inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory +shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Again: "That +the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that +purifieth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto peace, and +honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." + +In the testimony just cited, there is another interesting reason +suggested for the affliction of Christ's disciples. And it is one which +must be touching to the hearts of all who truly love their Lord. It is, +that as he was pre-eminently "the man of sorrows," there is a congruity +in their participating in suffering, that in this respect, as in +others, they may be conformed to his example. Paul also makes express +and repeated mention of the same thing. "If children, then heirs of God, +and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we +may also be glorified together." He speaks of this communion with Christ +in suffering, as a characteristic of discipleship, and as a high +privilege, "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord +Jesus."--"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to +believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Christians, therefore, +in primitive times, gloried in their severest sufferings. And now, no +consideration is more efficacious in fortifying the believer against +fainting than the idea of the sufferings of Christ for us. It would seem +that they who have been privileged to endure nothing for Christ's sake, +would scarcely be admitted to reign with him in glory. + +And as we should endeavour, while in the world, to glorify God to the +utmost of our power, by letting the light of a holy example shine forth, +so there is no situation in which piety appears to greater advantage, +than when exercised in deep affliction. What disposition can be +conceived as possessing more moral beauty, than the grace enjoined in +our text; _cheerful, quiet submission to the will of our heavenly +Father_, under the heaviest pressure of his hand. And as we all are +conscious that there is yet much impurity and dross cleaving to our +nature, we should rejoice in being subjected to a process, though it be +a fiery one, by which we might be more and more purified from sin. +Indeed, we cannot do without this salutary discipline: our salvation, +probably, depends upon our sufferings as a means of conservation in a +state of grace. We ought not, therefore, "to think it strange concerning +the fiery trial, which is to try us, as though some strange thing +happened to us; but should rather rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers +of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, we may be +glad with exceeding joy." + +"Be still, and know that I am God." Be calm and submissive; be not +alarmed nor perturbed; let your resignation to the Divine will be +unreserved and cheerful. Seize the occasion, which severe afflictions +offer, to show your entire willingness that God should govern and +dispose of you and yours according to his own sovereign will. He is +wise, and knows how to order every thing for the best. He is powerful, +and can bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil. He is +faithful, and will certainly fulfil all his gracious promises. He is +good and merciful, and will consult the best interests of his children +in all his dealings towards them; and even those events which seem to be +most adverse, he will so temper and overrule, that ultimately, and +relatively, they will be made to work for their good. + +Under sore and unexpected bereavements, the human heart will bleed; and +the susceptible feelings will be lacerated, and the gush of sorrow will +have its course; but grace comes in and suggests considerations which +ought to moderate our grief; and to teach us to be quietly submissive to +the hand of the Almighty. It is a blessed state, when the feelings of +the man are absorbed in the nobler feelings of the Christian; when our +will is swallowed up in the will of God. What He doeth we know not now, +but we shall know hereafter. It will not be long until we shall be able +to see, "that he hath done all things well." + +In the recent mournful dispensation of Divine Providence, we see how +many hearts may be wounded, and how many joys withered, by a single +stroke. In this interesting group of mourners, we behold the aged +parents weeping over the lifeless body of a much loved, and very lovely +daughter. They have lived to witness the premature departure of one, +whom they might naturally have expected to be a comfort to them in their +declining years, and to wipe from their foreheads the cold drops, in a +dying hour. Parental bereavements admit of less alleviation, than +others, from earthly considerations. The friends and comforts which, +late in life, we lose, we cannot hope to have made up to us. And, +sometimes, the parents of a numerous offspring are preserved so long, +that they survive all, or most of their children; and they stand, like +aged trees, which, by successive storms, have been stripped of their +foliage and branches. But, although bereaved parents cannot draw much +consolation, under their afflictions, from this world; yet the rich +consolations of the Gospel are accessible to them, and peculiarly +appropriate to their condition. The pious do not know how to appreciate +the promises of God rightly, until, in the hour of affliction, they are +made to experience their power and sweetness. We cannot blame these +parents for mourning the loss of a first born and very amiable daughter; +but we trust that they now find support and comfort in that God on whose +Almighty arm they have long trusted. They have not now for the first +time, to learn the riches of that grace which is treasured up in Christ +Jesus; and may they be enabled to come now to that fountain of mercy, by +the streams of which they have been so often refreshed and comforted, +under former trials! + +The grief of affectionate brothers and sisters also, flows this day, in +a strong current. They feel as if a part of themselves had been taken +away; and yet they can scarcely realize the extent of their calamity. It +often requires time for grief to become rooted in the soul. The first +gush of sorrow from the bleeding heart, is indeed a more sensible +emotion, but the full value of our loss is not felt, until after serious +reflection. It is a painful thing to be separated from those around +whom our earliest and tenderest affections were entwined. The thought of +never again, in this world, seeing a face, from which always the most +benignant affections beamed upon us, cannot but leave a melancholy and +heart-sinking impression. Who can adequately describe the anguish +produced by the sudden severance of hearts, long cemented in the bands +of the tenderest affection! But, though nature will be obeyed, and the +floods of sorrow cannot be altogether restrained, yet there is a +Christian duty incumbent on those placed in these circumstances. The +command does not say, that we should not weep, but that we should not +sorrow as those that have no hope. Christians are not divested of the +common sensibilities of humanity; but they possess principles much +higher than mere humanity, by which they moderate their passions, and by +which the stream of natural sorrow may be sanctified, and turned into +that of "godly sorrow, which worketh a repentance not to be repented +of." + +But among the weeping mourners, on this sad occasion, I see some, who +though deeply affected, can scarcely be supposed capable, on account of +their tender age, of estimating the irreparable loss which they have +sustained. I call the loss of a mother _irreparable_; because, however +many affectionate friends may stand ready to do all in their power to +supply a mother's place; yet, the assiduity, forbearance, and +tenderness, so requisite in the treatment of young children, can be +expected in perfection from nothing but that affection, which the +Creator has deeply implanted in the hearts of mothers. To those who have +had long experience in the world, there are few ideas more affecting +than that of _a motherless child_. But orphaned, as these dear little +ones are, by the loss of one parent, they are, I may say, on this +account, more peculiarly the care of a covenant God, whose promise +extends not only to believers, but to their seed, and whose kind care +extends especially to such children of the faithful, as have been +bereaved of one or both parents. These dear children, we confidently +trust will be the objects not merely of God's common goodness, but of +his special grace; and after spending a life of usefulness in acts of +piety and beneficence, will enjoy the blessed privilege of regaining +their beloved mother, in the mansions of glory, where sickness, death, +and tears, will be known no more. + +In addressing the interesting group of mourners now before me, I +perceive one, whose griefs are too big for utterance, and whose swelling +bosom cannot be soothed, at this time, by any of the common topics of +consolation. An officious intrusion into the sacred recess of such +indescribable sorrows, only serves to exacerbate, rather than mitigate +the wounded spirit. All that the kindest friends can do, in such a case, +is to let their warmest, tenderest sympathies fall in with the tide of +overwhelming grief, which rejects all consolation. "Weep with them that +weep." There is another thing which we can do, and that far more +important, we can pray for our afflicted and bereaved brother. In such +circumstances, prayer is almost our only refuge; for all our help must +come from God. While the voice of man is powerless to afford relief, +there is ONE who causes his voice to be heard even in the midst of the +tempest. And his authoritative, his affectionate language to our beloved +brother is, "_Be still, and know that I am God_." "God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble." It is somewhere related of +that eminently pious reformer, Luther, that when he fell into any great +trouble, he was wont to say to his friends, "Come, let us sing the +forty-sixth psalm." + +A striking example of uncomplaining submission we have in the good old +priest Eli, who, when informed that God was about to bring such +judgments on his house, as would cause the ears of every one that heard +them to tingle; meekly replied, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth +him good." + +And the patriarch Job, when deprived of all his property, and of all his +children, humbled himself and worshipped God, saying--"The Lord gave, +and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." "What, +shall we receive good from the hand of the LORD, and shall we not +receive evil?" + +When Jesus visited the mourning family of Bethany, who were among his +dearest friends, he did not say to the afflicted sisters, weep not--but +the compassionate Redeemer united his tears with theirs; for it is +written, "Jesus wept." These were indeed only the tears of sympathy, for +it was in his benevolent purpose to restore the deceased brother to his +disconsolate sisters. Here also, we have a striking illustration of the +truth, that God's children are ignorant often of his kind designs, when +he permits sore afflictions to come upon them; "If thou hadst been +here," said both the weeping sisters, "my brother had not died." Their +regret was keen, and unmitigated by any known circumstance; but in one +short hour, they were, no doubt, glad that their Lord was not +there--they rejoiced that their beloved brother had died; because the +glory of God and the power of the Redeemer had now been manifested. +Indeed, a gracious visit from Jesus will turn our bitterest sorrows into +joy. His name--his word--his grace--has a mighty power to calm the +swelling surges of overwhelming sorrow. He can say, as he did to the +raging storm, "Peace, be still," and there will be a great calm. Were it +not for thoughts of God--of his providence, and promises, and of the +seasonable and effectual aid of his grace, grief would often drown the +soul in perdition; as it often does work death in the heathen, and in +the men of the world, who are without God, and without hope. + +It would be in place here to speak of our dear departed sister, whose +loss we now mourn; but this task will hereafter be better performed by +another hand. And to this audience little need be said; for she was +brought up among you from her childhood, and enjoyed the affectionate +regards of this community in no common degree, as is manifest by the +general and tender sympathy felt on this occasion. By her sweet +simplicity, engaging vivacity, affectionate temper, and affable manners, +our beloved friend endeared herself to her acquaintances and neighbours, +wherever she resided. And in regard to her Christian character, she +adorned her profession by a consistent life and conversation, in all the +relations which she sustained. + +Her latter end was calm and peaceful. She felt some dread of the pangs +of dissolution; but in regard to what comes after death, she had no +fear--her hope continued firm and her prospects bright to the last +moment. + +It is always a cause of lively gratitude, when God is pleased to sustain +his dear children in passing through "the valley of the shadow of +death." It affords to mourning friends the sweetest consolation which +could be received under such sore bereavements. This consolation of our +benignant Father has not been withheld in the present instance. Mourning +friends are permitted to rejoice in the midst of their overflowing +sorrow, in the confident hope, that the departed spirit of our dear +sister, free from all sin and pain, rests sweetly in the love and +beatified vision of her divine Redeemer. + +"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD THAT DIE IN THE LORD, FROM HENCEFORTH; YEA, SAITH +THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS; AND THEIR WORKS DO +FOLLOW THEM." + + + + + LETTERS + + OF + + A GRANDFATHER, + + + TO THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF + + MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE. + + + BY THE + + REV. SAMUEL MILLER, D. D. + + + PART II. + + + + +LETTERS + +OF + +A GRANDFATHER. + + +LETTER I. + +INTRODUCTORY. + +MY DEAR GRANDCHILDREN:--The decease of your beloved and lamented Mother, +has placed both you and me in circumstances of great solemnity and +responsibility. To be deprived of a mother's care and counsel at the +tender age at which she left you, is indeed a loss which no human +arithmetic can estimate; especially to be deprived of _such_ a mother, +one so well qualified by strength of intellect, by sincere piety, and by +peculiar loveliness of character, to be a blessing to you, for time and +eternity, is a bereavement of which, even now, I know not how to speak +without emotions too strong for utterance. While this precious Parent +lived, she seemed to interpose between your beloved grandmother and +myself, and any immediate responsibility in regard to your education; +but now that she is removed, we seem to be brought, in the mysterious +and mournful Providence of God, to stand in some measure in her place, +and to perform some of the most important duties which she owed to her +children. And, although your surviving Parent is eminently fitted, both +by nature and grace, to be a guide to your youth; yet, as he is engaged, +and is likely for some time to be engaged, in active, arduous, and +extended labours for the Church of God, which will probably separate him +from you often and much for a considerable time;--an additional +responsibility on our part seems to grow out of every circumstance. + +It is under these impressions that I now address you. Your grandparents +are drawing near to the end of their course. They must soon leave you in +a depraved and ensnaring world. What they do for your benefit, they must +do quickly. As one placed in these tender and endearing relations to +you, and in these solemn circumstances, allow me to pour out the fulness +of a heart most earnestly engaged for your welfare, and desiring more +ardently than I am able to express, to see you walking in truth and +happiness, and embalming by your conduct, as well as by your affection, +the memory of that blessed Parent, who, if she is ever permitted from +her high and holy abode, to look down on those whom she has left behind, +will rejoice to see you making choice of that path which leads to the +same blessedness. + +There are two considerations, beloved grandchildren, which, I think, you +will all agree, entitle me to expect from you a respectful and +affectionate attention to what I have to offer in these letters. The +_first_ is, that I have lived a long and somewhat eventful life; and, of +course, my range of _experience_ has not been small. In my three-score +and tenth year, I have had an opportunity of following many young people +from the cradle to the grave. I have seen the training, the subsequent +course, and the end of thousands. Need I say, that the lessons derived +from such experience are not unworthy of your regard? O, if you could +start in your career with that practical knowledge of the vanity, the +snares, and the sufferings of the world, which has come to me through +the medium of many a melancholy sight, and many a painful conflict, how +great would be the advantage! But this cannot be. Happy were it for you, +if you were willing to profit as you might from the experience of +others. But neither can this be expected, in ordinary cases, to be +realized. I cannot, however, admit the thought, that you will be willing +to reject this teaching altogether. + +The _second_ claim which I have on your attention is, my ardent and +affectionate desire to promote your happiness. You cannot suspect me of +any sinister design in what I have to say. This would be to suppose me +capable of "hating my own flesh." No, dear children, I have no desire to +damp the sanguine joy, or cloud the smiling sun of your youth. I would +not take from you a single rational pleasure. On the contrary, I delight +to see you happy; and desire, by all the means in my power to promote +your true enjoyment and honour. But you must allow me now, in my old +age, when I have seen so much of the illusions of the world, and so many +examples of the destruction of those who yielded to them, to counsel +you, not in the style of youthful flattery, but in the language of +"truth and soberness." You will find nothing in these letters intended +to carry a point by overpainting, or by any other artifice. If you have +a real disinterested friend on earth, who unfeignedly wishes to promote +your best interest in both worlds, it is he who now addresses you. I +shall not give a counsel or an injunction, but what I verily believe +your precious Mother, if she were permitted to speak from the bosom of +her Saviour, would ratify with all her heart. + +You will observe that some of my counsels have a respect to objects +beyond the period of childhood, which you now occupy. The truth is, I +expect soon to leave you. Probably long before any of you shall reach +adult age. Of course, I feel that what I have to say at all, had better +be said _now_. I may have no other opportunity. Besides, one of the +great truths which I wish to impress upon your minds is, that you are, +even at your present age, sowing the all important seeds of a future +harvest of good or evil. You will not find a single habit or attainment +recommended in the following pages, which, if you are ever to gain it, +you will not find an advantage in having calculated and prepared for, as +far as possible, at the earliest age. The earlier you begin to imbibe +good principles, and lay good plans, the better will it be for all the +future. + +Let me entreat you, then, to receive with all the affection and docility +of dutiful children, the counsels of one who, while he writes, looks up +to "Him who has the residue of the Spirit," that what is rightly said, +may be impressed upon your hearts, and made to bring forth precious +fruit, to your happiness, and to the glory of his holy name! + + +LETTER II. + +HUMAN NATURE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--On all important subjects there are certain great facts +which must be regarded as fundamental; as lying at the foundation of all +truth, and all duty. I feel that this is peculiarly the case in regard +to the counsels which I am about to give you concerning your course in +life. Among these fundamental facts are the depravity, the misery, and +the numberless temptations of the world in which you live; the depravity +of your own nature, ever ready to be attracted by the allurements and +corruptions of the world; and your consequent need of the grace of God, +at every step, for your guidance, protection, and deliverance. And until +you know and feel, and in some degree lay to heart, that the world in +which you live is a fallen, depraved world; that its habitual maxims and +ways are hostile to your best interests; that you are yourselves, by +nature, miserable sinners, standing in need of pardoning mercy, and +sanctifying grace; and that you are every day exposed to snares and +perils, from the joint influence of a depraved nature and a corrupt +world;--until you have learned, in some good measure, to recognise these +facts; to dwell upon them daily and hourly; and to receive the lessons +which they are adapted to teach; you are not prepared even to _begin_ +life. You are not prepared to meet or encounter the most common scenes, +much less the more formidable dangers which are likely to beset your +path every day that you live. But the moment you are brought to admit +these humbling, momentous truths; to feel their reality; and to consider +and treat them in some degree according to their practical importance; +then, and not till then, may we hope you will be ready to make a proper +estimate of the world; to guard against its allurements; to ponder well +what you need for securing your true happiness; and to implore that +divine aid which is necessary if you desire, in such circumstances, to +perform any duty aright. And, therefore, when I see young people +apparently forgetful of the character of their own hearts, and of the +world in which they live; thinking that all is gold that glitters; and +imagining that they can safely trust to their own wisdom and strength in +every situation, I regard them as objects of the deepest commiseration, +and as wholly unqualified for either the duties or the best enjoyments +of life. + +Know, then, dear children, and remember, that you belong to an apostate +race; that we are all, according to the declaration of God's own word, +"born in sin," and "shapen in iniquity;" that we are "by nature the +children of wrath;" that our native propensities are all of them +corrupt; opposed to God; impelling us to habits and practices forbidden +by his law, and unfriendly to our best interest. Remember, too, that, so +far from being able to trust your own hearts to resist the temptations +around you, and to guide you aright, they are all naturally inclined to +that which is evil, and disposed to take side with the vanities and +corruptions of the world. So that there is constant need of self-denial; +of imposing restraints upon all our appetites and passions; and of +submitting, especially in early life, to the counsels of the wise and +the good, who have gone before us in the journey of life, and have had +more experience than ourselves of its temptations and dangers. + +Hence it is, that so large a part of religion is represented in +Scripture as consisting in opposing our own corrupt inclinations; in +"crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts;" in constant +efforts to bring down pride and vanity; to mortify our evil +propensities; "to keep under the body;" to "rule our own spirits;" and, +in general, to gain the victory over ourselves. All these expressions +imply that the course of true wisdom is a warfare with evil; that our +most formidable enemies are within; and that resisting our own corrupt +nature is at once the most constant, and the most serious part of our +duty as accountable creatures. + +Nor is this all. Not only is our nature corrupt; not only are we from +our very birth, prone to evil "as the sparks fly upward;" but we are +also by nature under condemnation. In the language of that incomparable +Catechism, with which you have been familiar from lisping infancy--and +every doctrine of which, as I believe, is drawn from the Bible--"All +mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and +curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death +itself, and to the pains of hell forever." + +Such is the condition of our race by nature. Not only depraved and +unworthy, but guilty, condemned, and perishing; not only in _danger_ of +being forever lost; but already under a sentence of death, unless +rescued from it by the power and grace of the Saviour. All the posterity +of Adam are by nature, "dead in trespasses and sins," having no +resources within themselves for regaining the favour and image of God. +"The carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not in subjection to the +law of God, neither indeed can be." So that, left to ourselves, we +should infallibly go on in sin to eternal, merited, and hopeless +destruction. + +Here you are, then, dear children, in a revolted, polluted, lost world, +where the vast majority of the population is in open rebellion against +God; where the prevailing habits and maxims are selfish, carnal, and +opposed to all that is truly and spiritually good; where, if you fall +in, and continue to go with the prevailing current, you are inevitably +and eternally lost; where your only safety consists in renouncing the +world, its idols, its master, and its hopes; in "crucifying the flesh +with its affections and lusts; in resisting the fashions and allurements +which reign around you; and taking refuge in that Saviour, who came to +seek and to save that which was lost." Such are the temptations and +perils with which you are constantly and every where surrounded; and +such your only refuge. And, what greatly adds to your danger is, that if +the representation which I have given be correct, your own hearts are +naturally disposed to take the side of the enemy, and to betray you into +his toils and his power. So that you are like persons travelling in an +enemies' country, and liable every moment to be taken in some insidious +and fatal snare, and whose own inclinations to yield to the enemy are +among their greatest dangers. These are the humbling facts which it +behoves you constantly to keep in view, and to regard as the great +practical index of all your plans, resolutions, and efforts, as long as +you live. + +And as you can never be truly wise until you learn the corruption of +your own nature, and how indispensably you need pardoning mercy, +sanctifying grace, and unceasing guidance and help from on high; so you +are not prepared to begin your intercourse with a corrupt world, until +you have learned to appreciate the real character of human nature as it +appears in all the walks of social life. The young, anterior to +experience--and indeed many, long after experience ought to have taught +them otherwise--are too ready to put confidence in the professions and +arts of men. They are apt to believe the flattering tongue; to rely on +plausible promises; to trust heartless professions of attachment; to +repose confidence in civilities never meant to be accepted; and to +expect much from protestations of kindness, and assurances of +friendship--all dictated by the merest selfishness, and never intended +to be fulfilled. Rely on it, dear children, you live in a cold, selfish, +heartless world. Its civilities are hollow; its promises are deceitful; +its flatteries are insidious; its most splendid attractions are +delusive. Expect little from the warmest professions, and be very +backward to avail yourselves of the most fervent proffers of friendship. +I am far, indeed, from recommending a misanthropic suspicion of every +body. Your parents and grandparents ought to be the last persons in the +world to indulge or recommend such a spirit. They have been so happy as +to enjoy friendships sincere, disinterested, active, and unwearied, +never to be forgotten. For these they would be thankful, and enjoin it +upon you never to forget such precious friends. But remember, that +social confidence is a plant of slow growth; that there are few cases in +which it can be safely indulged; that where it exists, great care ought +to be taken not to abuse it by laying too much upon it; and that, while +you ought to receive all expressions of civility and respect with a +suitable acknowledgment, nothing can be more unwise and unsafe in such +a world as this, than to trust indiscriminately to the professions and +promises of men. + +If such be our deplorable circumstances, as a race, and as individuals, +then we need deliverance. We need salvation. To this great subject I +would next entreat your attention. + + +LETTER III. + +THE WAY OF SALVATION. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--Salvation is a word often on your lips, and on the lips +of many around you. The truly pious look forward to it with humble, +joyful hope. And those who have no piety, and even the profane and +profligate often speak of it as something which they desire and +anticipate. But what is SALVATION? The very expression presupposes that +we are all by nature in a state from which we need to be _delivered_ or +_saved_. We never apply this term to any but those who are in danger of +being _lost_. When a man is drowning, or in the utmost peril of death in +any form, and by the interposition of some benevolent and active friend, +is rescued, we say he is _saved_. Now in a similar sense is the term +used in the case before us. The salvation of man implies that he is, by +nature not only in _danger_, but in a _lost_ and _perishing_ condition. +Accordingly I told you, my dear children, in the preceding letter, that +our whole race, and you among the rest, are, by nature in a state of +guilt, depravity, and misery; that we are fallen creatures; under +condemnation; exposed to the wrath and curse of God; liable not only to +natural death, but also exposed to all the terrors of eternal death, +that is, of eternal separation from the presence of the Lord, and the +glory of his power, unless delivered, or, in other words, _saved_ by the +interposition of some mighty and merciful deliverer. Such a great +Deliverer has appeared to save sinners of our race;--to "put away sin by +the sacrifice of himself." And now, the word of God assures us, that +there is "no other name given under heaven among men whereby we can be +saved, but the name of Jesus Christ." + +It is my earnest desire, dear children, to open this way of salvation to +your minds, and to recommend it to your serious and solemn attention. +Believe me, "it is not a vain thing for you, it is even your life." +Unless you are, by the grace of God made partakers of this great +salvation, it "had been better for you that you had not been born." + +By the salvation revealed in the Gospel is meant, delivering us from all +the ruins of the fall--from the condemnation of sin and the power of +sin--restoring us to the favour and image of God--and bringing us to the +everlasting enjoyment of his presence in heaven. This is salvation. Now +I wish to show you how this great and blessed result is accomplished by +the undertaking and work of Jesus Christ, whom we are accustomed, on +that account, to denominate, with emphasis, our SAVIOUR. + +Man was made upright; in full possession of all the powers necessary to +perfect moral agency, and with all the dispositions which prompted to a +perfectly correct use of those powers. But "man being in honour abode +not." He rebelled against God. He violated the covenant under which he +was placed, and became liable to the dreadful penalty which it denounced +against transgression. In this fall of our first parents we are all +sharers. "In Adam," says the apostle, "all die." "By one man's +disobedience," he again declares, "many were made sinners." We have all +totally lost our original righteousness; so that there is now, by +nature, "none righteous, no not one." In short, we have all become +guilty and polluted before God, and incapable of regaining his image or +his favour by any merit or doings of our own. How, then are we to be +delivered from these deplorable circumstances? How shall we escape that +perdition which is the just reward of sin? "How can we escape the +damnation of hell?" How can any be saved? God cannot set aside his own +law, or permit his authority and majesty, as a righteous Governor, to be +trampled under foot. To "clear the guilty;" to take impenitent rebels +into the arms of his love, would be to "deny himself." Where, then, is +our refuge? Must we sit down in despair, and say, "There is no hope?" +No, by no means. A God of infinite wisdom, power, and love, has devised +and proclaimed a wonderful plan by which sin was punished while the +sinner is pardoned; by which justice is completely satisfied, while +mercy is extended to the guilty and vile; by which "grace reigns through +righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." + +This wonderful and glorious plan of mercy consisted in the Father giving +his own Son to obey, suffer, and die in our stead, as our substitute; +and in the Son consenting to bear the penalty of the law for us; to put +away our sin by the sacrifice of himself; and to bring in an everlasting +righteousness for our justification. Yes, dear children, however coldly +an unbelieving world may receive the amazing annunciation, the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, condescended, in his wonderful +love, to assume our nature; to take the place of the guilty and the +perishing; and to become the victim of Divine justice in their stead. +His language, in the eternal counsel of peace, was, "Let me suffer +instead of the guilty. Let me die to save them. Deliver them from going +down to the pit; I will be their ransom." This wonderful, this +unparalleled offer was accepted. The Father was well pleased for the +righteousness sake of his Son. He accepted it as the price of our +pardon; as that on account of which all who repent and believe should be +justified. So that the Scriptures may well say concerning the +Saviour--_He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that +believeth. He is the Lord our righteousness. He was wounded for our +transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of +our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. He bare our +sins in his own body on the tree. He died the just for the unjust, that +he might bring us to God. He delivered us from the curse of the law, +being made a curse for us._ + +Here then, dear children, is the way, and the only way of a sinner's +acceptance with God. In virtue of the covenant of redemption, the +righteousness of Christ, or what he did and suffered on our behalf, is +placed to the account of his people, _as if_ they had performed it in +their own persons. Though sinful and unworthy in themselves, God is +pleased to pardon and accept them as righteous in his sight, only for +the righteousness sake of his beloved Son. I am aware, indeed, that some +who speak much of "the merits of Christ," and profess to rely entirely +on those merits, represent the whole subject in a very different light. +They suppose that in consideration of the sufferings and death of our +blessed Saviour, the old, original law of God, requiring perfect +obedience, is repealed, and a _mitigated law_ now prescribed as the rule +of our obedience. So that now, under the Christian dispensation, a +perfect obedience is not even required, but only an imperfect one, +accommodated to our fallen condition and our many infirmities. But +still, they insist, that this imperfect obedience is the meritorious +ground of our acceptance with God; and, of course, that eternal life is +the purchase of our own obedience. In short, the doctrine of these +errorists is, that the benefit conferred by the sufferings and death of +Christ, consists, not in providing an entire righteousness for us, but +only in abating the demands of the law; in bringing down the divine +requisitions more to a level with our ability; and still enabling us, +low as we have fallen, to be the purchasers of salvation by our own +works. + +Be assured, dear children, this view of the subject is a grievous +departure from the Scriptural doctrine concerning the way of salvation. +The Bible represents our pardon and acceptance with God as not founded, +in any respect, or in any degree, on our own obedience; but as wholly of +grace--as a mere unmerited gift, bestowed solely on account of what the +Redeemer has done as our substitute and surety. It represents the holy +law of God as remaining in all its original strictness without repeal or +mitigation; and as falling with the whole weight of its penalty on all +the impenitently guilty. But it declares that penalty to be removed from +those who repent and believe the Gospel, not on account of any +worthiness in themselves, as the meritorious ground of the benefit; but +only on account of the perfect righteousness of Him who came to seek and +save those who were lost. In short, a gracious God saves his people not +by overlooking their sins; but by lifting the penalty from them, and +laying it upon the divine Redeemer, and for his sake letting them go +free, and accepting them solely on account of his merit. + +This righteousness of Jehovah the Saviour is said to be "to all, and +upon all them that believe;"--that is, it is imputed to none--set to the +account of none but those who receive Christ by faith. Faith is that +great master grace by which we become united to the Saviour, and +interested in his atonement. This righteousness, therefore, is called +_the righteousness of faith, and the righteousness of God by faith_. +Hence we are said to be _justified by faith_, and to be _saved by +faith_. Not that faith, as an act of ours, is, in any measure, the +ground of our justification; but all these expressions imply, that there +is an inseparable connexion, in the economy of grace, between believing +in Christ, and being justified by him, or having his righteousness +imputed to us. Happy, thrice happy they, who can thus call the Saviour +_theirs_, and who have thus "received the atonement!" Though unworthy in +themselves, they are graciously pronounced righteous by their heavenly +Judge, on account of what the Mediator has done. Their sins, though +many, are, for his sake, forgiven them. They are _freely justified from +all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses_. +They are "accepted in the Beloved." Though polluted and undeserving in +their own character, they are "complete in Him." There is no +condemnation to them now; and in the day of judgment they shall find, to +their eternal joy, that there is both safety and happiness in appearing +in the righteousness of Him who loved sinners, and gave himself for +them, clothed in "robes which have been washed and made white in the +blood of the Lamb." + +But we not only need to be justified by the righteousness of Christ; we +also indispensably need to be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. +Accordingly, the purification of our nature, as well as the pardon of +our sins, is one of the benefits purchased by Him, and secured by +covenant to all believers. Hence the teaching and the sanctifying power +of the Holy Spirit must be regarded as an essential part of the great +salvation of which I am speaking. We need as much to be delivered from +the love of sin as from its condemnation. And for both, the plan of +mercy held forth in the Gospel of Christ, makes equal and effectual +provision. "Whom he justifies, them he also sanctifies; and whom he +sanctifies, them he also glorifies." By the power of the Holy Spirit, +the dominion of sin is broken in the hearts of all who are brought under +the power of the Gospel. The reign of corruption in the soul is +destroyed; the love of it is taken away; and though not perfectly +sanctified in the present life, yet every believer has his +sanctification begun. It is carried on, not by his own wisdom or +strength, but by the same divine power by which it was commenced; until +he is, at last, made perfectly holy, as well as perfectly happy in the +presence of his God and Saviour. + +Thus does it appear that salvation is all of grace, sovereign, unmerited +grace. The original devising of the plan, in the eternal counsels of +peace, was prompted, not by any foresight of faith and holiness in the +fallen creature; but in mere grace. The plan itself, in all its +principles and provisions makes our salvation perfectly gratuitous, and +wholly excludes all human merit. After the plan was formed and executed, +and the knowledge of it imparted to us, no one would ever accept of it, +did not the same grace which formed it, incline the sinner to lay aside +his native opposition, and accept of the offered mercy. And even after +cordially accepting it, no individual would ever cleave to his hope, and +continue to embrace it, and live under its power, were he not "kept by +the power of God through faith unto salvation." + +After the foregoing statement, the great question is, what message does +this plan of salvation bring to YOU? The message which it brings, dear +children, is an unspeakably solemn one. It charges _you_ with being +sinners--miserable sinners in the sight of God--without merit--without +help, and without hope in yourselves. It offers you peace, and pardon, +and sanctification, and eternal life, through the atoning sacrifice of +the blessed Redeemer. It entreats you to lay aside your enmity, and to +receive these benefits with humble and adoring gratitude, as a free, +unmerited gift, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Its +language is, "Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the water of +life freely." And again, "Whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast +out." It calls upon you to renounce all confidence in yourselves, and to +receive and rest on Christ alone for salvation as he is freely offered +in the Gospel; to receive him as the Lord your righteousness, and the +Lord your strength, and rejoice in him as your only hope. To this end, +it is indispensable that you be convinced of sin; that you experience a +deep and cordial sense of your own sinfulness and unworthiness; that you +despair of saving yourselves; that you fall at the footstool of +sovereign grace, feeling that you deserve to die, and that you can have +no hope but in the atoning blood, and sanctifying Spirit of the +Redeemer. It is your duty and your privilege to go to the Saviour at +once, and cast yourselves on his mercy, without waiting for any +qualifications to render you worthy of his favour. You are commanded to +go to him as miserable, helpless sinners, not with a price in your +hands; but to receive from him all that you need to make you holy and +happy here and hereafter. And until you are prepared thus to go to him, +as miserable, unworthy sinners, who deserve God's wrath and curse +forever; until you sincerely feel that you have nothing to plead but the +merit of another; until you are ready to cast yourselves at the feet of +the Saviour, and to be indebted for pardon and eternal life as a mere +gift of grace, you have yet to learn the vital element of practical +religion. + +Dear children! will you hesitate a moment--will you wait for a second +invitation to accept of such a Saviour? Will you turn away with +ingratitude from such a salvation? Listen to the entreaty of one who +loves you, and who has no stronger desire concerning you than to see you +walking in the Spirit, and enjoying the consolation of the Gospel: or +rather listen to the voice of that blessed Saviour himself who died for +sinners; and who says to you, and to all who hear the Gospel--"Come unto +me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Him +that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." + +Think not, I beseech you, of putting off this acceptance of the +Saviour's love until you are farther advanced in life. Do you forget +that "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths +peace," and that you cannot too soon begin to be happy? Besides, have +you any assurance that you will live to be much more advanced in age +than you now are? Not long since, a graduate of one of our colleges was +heard to say, "I have finished my college education. I will now devote +two years to the study of a profession; and _then_ I will take one year +to see what there is in _that mighty thing they call_ RELIGION." So +calculated this careless, blooming youth. But before his plan was half +accomplished, he suddenly fell sick; was seized with delirium; and died +without hope. But there are facts, dear children, which ought to come +nearer home. Can you forget your beloved brother and sisters, who, in +the very threshold of their existence, were cut down, and laid in the +grave? And what security have _you_ that you will live to see another +year? But even if you _are_ permitted to live until you reach adult age, +or until you are old and grey-headed, what reason have you to hope, if +you go on hardening yourselves against the Gospel until that time, that +you will then have grace given you to "consider your ways?" O, how many +who were in youth thoughtful and tender, have become more and more +callous to every serious impression, as they advanced in life, and have, +at length, sunk into the grave without hope! Be entreated, then, dear +children, _now_, while your hearts are tender; before the world has +twined around them a thousand entanglements; before you become hardened +by inveterate habits of sin; be entreated to make choice of that "good +hope through grace," which will form the best treasure, and the only +effectual pledge of safety and happiness in the voyage of life: the +treasure which is emphatically "that good part which can never be taken +away from you." + + +LETTER IV. + +THE BIBLE. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--If you were walking, in a dark night, along a road full +of sloughs, and pits, and snares, and dangers of every kind, what would +you do for safety? You would naturally, if you could obtain it, take a +_light_ in your hands. You would also, if possible, engage a _guide_, +strong and faithful, well acquainted with the road, and qualified to +conduct and defend you. And, besides all this, you would vigilantly +_look around you_ at every step, and eagerly mark and avoid every spot +that had a suspicious or doubtful appearance. + +Your situation, dear children, in the journey of life, is precisely such +as I have described; or rather, I ought to say, "the half has not been +told you." You are just entering on a world, dark, corrupt, and full of +allurement and danger. On every side enemies lie in wait to deceive and +betray. You are and will be exposed to a thousand temptations and perils +from which you have no wisdom or strength to deliver yourselves. You +need direction and guidance at every step. Now the BIBLE presents the +only complete and perfect map of the road which you are travelling. It +was given us to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path." It +exhibits, with unerring fidelity, every enemy, every snare, every danger +which beset your path. It gives all the information, all the warning, +all the caution, and all the encouragement which you need. It tells you, +more perfectly than any other book, all that you have to fear, and all +that you have to hope for. There is not a form of error, or of +corruption, against which it does not put you on your guard; nor an +excellence or a duty which it does not direct you how to cultivate and +attain. "Wherewith," asks the Psalmist, "shall the young cleanse their +way?"--"By taking heed thereto," he replies, "according to thy word." No +one ever made this holy Book the guide of his life, without walking +wisely, safely, and happily; without finding the truest enjoyment in +this world, and eternal blessedness in the world to come. + +Can you wonder, then, beloved children, that I place a high value on +this blessed Book; that I earnestly recommend it to your serious +attention, to your constant study, and to your devout and affectionate +application and confidence? Can you wonder that I should delight to see +it daily in your hands; much of its sacred contents committed to your +memory; and your hearts deeply imbued with its spirit and its power? +You, no doubt, remember how earnestly your precious Mother, now gone to +the God who gave this Book, recommended it to your attention; how +assiduously she put it into your hands; how often she constrained you to +commit portions of it to memory; and how frequently, on Sabbath +evenings, she gathered you round her to recite those portions in her +hearing, and to receive her instructions and counsels in regard to them. +Can you ever forget these scenes, and the solemn, tender lessons which +you then received? Call to mind her earnest looks, her affectionate +tones, her unceasing labour to impress the contents of this sacred Book +on your minds and hearts. Think of these things; and if you can +recollect them without gratitude to God for such a mother, and without +tears of regret that you have not profited more by her faithful +counsels, you have less moral feeling, and less filial sensibility than +I have been accustomed to give you credit for. + +Why is it, my dear children, that so many young people regard the Bible +with aversion, and consider the study of its pages, and especially +committing them to memory, as a task and a burden? When we reflect that +it is sent to us from heaven; that it contains the glad tidings of +peace, and love, and salvation to a lost world; that it is besides full +of the noblest specimens of literary beauty, and of tender pathetic +eloquence that the world ever saw; that there is something in it adapted +to touch the finest and best cords of human sensibility--why is it that +you so often feel aversion to the study of this volume, and would +gladly be excused from the task of perusing its chapters? Alas! dear +children, this is one of the many proofs that your nature, as I before +stated, is depraved; and that you need the renewing and sanctifying +power of the Holy Spirit, before you can understand and relish a book +given by his inspiration. Every feeling of reluctance to the study of +this Book which you experience, ought to fill you with alarm, and to +constrain you to cry mightily to God that he would open your eyes and +your hearts, and give you that taste for the best of all books, without +which you cannot be prepared for the joys of his presence. Consider, I +beseech you, that, as you have been made acquainted with this Book from +your earliest childhood, so you will have to give an account for this +knowledge. Many children around you have never had the Bible put into +their hands; have never been taught to venerate and love its sacred +pages; but you have been informed of its origin and value. You have +enjoyed a privilege denied to thousands. Will you not be grateful for +this privilege? Will you not manifest that you know how to prize a gift +of more value than all the world beside? Can you deliberately consent to +meet the dreadful condemnation of those who, from childhood, "knew the +Master's will, and did it not." + +I hope I need not remind you that the BOOK OF GOD is to be read with +feelings and in a manner very different from those with which you read +all other books. When you have read books of human composition once or +twice, you have gotten from them all they contain--you have done with +them. But with the perusal of the Bible you can never have done. The +oftener you go over it, if you feel as you ought, the richer and more +delightful will it appear. You can never exhaust its meaning or its +interest. Like its divine Author, it has a length and breadth and depth +and height, concerning which no human reader can ever say that he has +completely fathomed its meaning, or measured its riches. + +Other books are to be read with attention, and, if they abound with +truth and wisdom, with respect; but the Book of God is to be read with +the deepest veneration, as containing the mind and will of our heavenly +Sovereign. In fact, every line of it is to be considered as the voice of +God speaking to us. Woe to those, whether young or aged, who can handle +the Bible with levity, make sport of its contents, or recite its solemn +language as matter of jest! The Lord will not hold them guiltless who +thus, practically, "take his name in vain." The Mohammedans manifest +much more reverence for their _Koran_, than many Christians for the +Bible. They never allow themselves to touch it without washing their +hands. They handle it with the most pointed respect, never holding it +lower than their girdles. Every copy of it commonly contains an +inscription or label on the cover, in these words--"Let none touch but +those who are clean." How very differently do many, young and old, among +us, treat the Holy Scriptures! I have often been distressed when I have +seen children toss about their Bibles, and even throw them in the dirt, +as they would the least valued of their play-things, or rattle over some +of the most solemn language of the Bible with as little apparent thought +or respect as they would repeat the veriest effusions of nonsense. + +The Bible, farther, is to be read _daily_, and with _diligence_, as +containing that daily food from which you are to derive spiritual +aliment, and strength continually. It is to be read with fixed +_attention_, seriously directing your mind to its rich and important +meaning; with _humility_, feeling your need of the instruction and grace +which it contains; with _prayer_, imploring the guidance of the Holy +Spirit, that he may open your hearts to receive the engrafted word which +is able to save your souls; with _application_--asking continually--"How +does this concern _me_? Does it describe _my case_? Does it not contain +a lesson which demands _my_ special regard? Do _I_ know any thing in my +own experience of what is here taught?" + +In this precious Book you will find every thing adapted to enlarge the +mind, to gratify the taste, to elevate the affections, and to purify the +heart. If you only sought the richest _entertainment_, you could not +open a book more fitted to gratify you. It is an inexhaustible mine of +instruction as well as of beauty--the deeper you dig, the richer will +you find its treasures. Its exquisite simplicity, its pathos, its +sublimity, its heavenly wisdom, its purity, are all adapted to turn us +away from the vanities of the world; to enlarge our views beyond these +regions of disorder and darkness; to strengthen every high and holy +motive; and to lead us upward to Him who is the source and the sum of +all good. Happy, thrice happy will those children and young people be, +who early learn to go to the BIBLE for all their sentiments, principles, +and rules of action; who learn daily to go to that precious Book to +direct them in their pursuits, to comfort them in their sorrows, to +guide them in their perplexities, and to animate them in their labours +whatever they may be! Such have the best pledge of temporal enjoyment, +and of eternal blessedness. When, therefore, those who love you, and +would in some measure take the place of your dear departed Mother, daily +put this precious Book of God into your hands, and urge you to read and +commit to memory a portion of its contents, do not allow yourselves to +regard it as a task or a burden. Think from whom it comes--from the God +who made you. Think of the great purpose for which it was given--to make +you wise and eternally happy. Think of the only means of making it truly +profitable to you--studying it with devout attention, laying it up in +your hearts, and practising it in your lives. Think of the solemn +responsibility which the possession of this Book lays upon you--for to +whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required. And may the +great Author of this Book give you grace to "seek for the heavenly +wisdom which it contains as silver, and search for it as for hid +treasures!" + + +LETTER V. + +PRAYER. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--"Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for +things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of +our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." This is the +definition given in a Catechism with which you are familiar, and a more +complete and perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the offering +up of our _sincere desires_; for unless it be _sincere_, it is but +solemn mockery. It is to be addressed to _God alone_; for prayer +addressed to any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful +Sovereign. It is to be "for things _agreeable to the divine will_;" or +else it is unauthorized and presumptuous. It is always to be presented +_in the name of Christ_; for there is no other name under heaven given +among men whereby we can draw near to a holy God with acceptance, but +the name of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with _confession of +sin_; because the approach of a sinner to God, without an humble sense +and acknowledgment of unworthiness, would be contrary to every principle +of reason, as well as to the Christian plan of salvation. And, finally, +it ought to include a thankful acknowledgment of _divine mercies_; for +without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we cannot be in a frame of +mind fitted to receive farther favours. + +I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on either the +_reasonableness_ or the _duty_ of prayer. If we are entirely dependent +on God for every temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely +reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, and apply to him with +humility and earnestness for his aid. If his favour is life, and his +blessing the best riches, it is evident that we ought to supplicate them +with importunity and perseverance. If we are sinners, unworthy of the +divine favour, we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and make +confession of our sins with penitence and obedience. If he has revealed +a plan of mercy and grace to us, of which he invites and commands us to +avail ourselves, then every principle of self interest concurs with +reason, in urging us to seek with earnestness a participation in that +mercy. And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many words, commanded us +"by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests +to God," who can question, for a moment, the _reasonableness_ of a +compliance with that command? + +Nor is the _duty_ of prayer less apparent than its _reasonableness_. The +command of our Father in heaven is--"Pray without ceasing--pray always +with all prayer and supplication, and abound therein with thanksgiving. +I will be inquired of by my people to do that for them which they need. +Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall +be opened unto you. For if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts +unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give his +Holy Spirit to them that ask him? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in +prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The effectual, fervent prayer of a +righteous man availeth much. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, +and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, +and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. If any +one lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and it shall +be given him. Is any afflicted? let him pray. Be careful for nothing; +but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let +your requests be made known to God. The Lord is rich in mercy to all +that call upon him. In the day of my trouble I called upon the Lord, and +he heard me, and delivered me out of all my distresses." + +Such are some of the numerous passages of Scripture which plainly +_require_ and _encourage_ prayer. Can any one who reads and believes the +Bible, doubt for a moment, that it is equally his _duty_ and his +_privilege_ to go daily to the throne of grace to supplicate for all the +temporal or spiritual good which he needs? I hope, my dear children, +you will not be disposed to say, notwithstanding such express and +positive declarations of God's word, in the language of profane +objectors of old--"Wherefore should we seek after God? Does he need to +be informed of our wants? Can we, by importunity, alter his purposes? +Where is, then, the advantage of asking for what we need? What profit +shall we have if we pray unto him?" If you should ever be tempted to ask +such a question, I would answer--"Much every way." God has connected our +asking for blessings with receiving them. He has promised to hear and +answer prayer. He has condescended to say, that he will regard with all +the tenderness of a parent's heart, the cries of his children. He has +said in his word, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." This is enough. But +it is not all that is worthy of our attention. Prayer is not intended to +inform God, but to benefit ourselves. It tends to remind us of our +dependence and unworthiness; to impress our hearts with a deeper sense +of the divine goodness and mercy; and to beget in our minds that humble, +grateful, tender sense of our own weakness, and of our obligation to the +Author of all good, which constitute the best preparation for receiving +the gracious gifts of our heavenly Parent. + +While your precious, lamented Mother was alive, what a privilege did you +consider it to be allowed to go to her in all your troubles, and to +make known to her all your desires! How much greater the privilege to be +allowed every hour free access to your Father in heaven, with all your +anxieties and distresses, to pour out all your wants and wishes, your +hopes and fears into the bosom of an Almighty Friend, who is ever able +and ready to help! + +Since, then, dear children, there are so many reasons prompting you to +prayer; since you are always weak, always dependant, always unworthy, +and always in need, can you doubt that it is your duty and your interest +to abound in prayer? Let me entreat you, therefore, never to suffer a +day to pass without engaging in this delightful and most reasonable +exercise. Set apart fixed times for the purpose, that you may form such +_habits_ as will aid your memory, and prevent your neglecting it. Retire +as soon as you can, after rising in the morning, to return thanks for +the mercies of the night, and to implore the protection, the guidance, +and the blessing of your heavenly Father, through the day. And in the +evening, before drowsiness overtakes you, retire again, to praise him +for the mercies of the day, and to ask for his guardianship during the +night watches. But are these the only subjects of prayer? Far from it. +They are numerous as the moments you live, and various as the objects +which you are called to contemplate. Pray in the morning, that God would +keep you from all evil in body or soul, through the day; that he would +create in you a clean heart, and renew within you a right spirit; that +he would guard your speech and behaviour at all times, and in every +situation; that he would enable you to mortify and subdue every sinful +affection, and to overcome every improper habit; that he would deliver +you from sloth, and pride, and vanity, and malice, and envy, and every +evil temper; that he would enable you to treat all around you in a +dutiful and becoming manner; in a word, that he would enable you to +spend the day in a manner profitable to yourselves, and to the benefit +of all around you. And in the evening pray, that he would pardon all the +deficiencies and infirmities of the preceding day; that he would make +you grateful for all the favours of his merciful Providence; that he +would watch over you during the hours of darkness and repose; and bring +you to the light of another day in health, in the exercise of your +reason, and in the enjoyment of his favour and love. + +And while you thus pray daily for yourselves, it is your privilege and +duty to include in your petitions all with whom you are connected in the +various relations of life. You ought to pray continually for your +beloved _father_, who is engaged in such important labour for the +Church, and who loves you with an affection and solicitude which you can +never repay; for your _grandparents_, who are daily praying for you, and +who are falling more and more under the infirmities of age; for _one +another_, that you may be guided and blessed amidst all the temptations +and dangers of youth; for your _teachers_; for your _school-mates_; for +the _poor children_ around you, who have none of the advantages of +instruction and restraint which you enjoy; for your _friends_, and +_neighbours_, and all with whom you are acquainted. O, my dear children, +if you prayed as you ought every day for all these, how much happier +would you be! What a benign influence it would have on your whole temper +and conduct! It would make you kind, tender hearted, and forgiving +toward all with whom you conversed; and make all of them, in their turn, +love you as a friend and benefactor. + +Let me make, on this subject, one more suggestion. Most people, +especially most young people, have no idea of engaging in prayer unless +at particular times when they retire for the purpose. I wish you all, +dear children, besides your stated seasons of prayer, morning and +evening, to form the habit of lifting up your thoughts and your desires +to God in any and every situation; when walking by the way; when +surrounded with company; when met by any call of duty, or by any +circumstance of a doubtful aspect, or perplexing character--be in the +habit of silently but devoutly looking up to God for wisdom and strength +to perform every duty. This kind of intercourse with God may be carried +on at all times, and in all situations; and, I will add, was never +sincerely adopted by any one without being connected with guidance and +consolations of unspeakable value. In this way the suggestion of the +apostle in writing to Timothy will be realized, that "_every thing_ be +sanctified by the word of God, and prayer." + + +LETTER VI. + +CULTIVATION OF THE MIND. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--That every human being is bound to cultivate, in the +best manner, the intellectual powers which God has given him, I hope you +will take for granted, anterior to all argument; and, although the moral +aspects of education are the most vitally important, yet as no one can +be a moral agent without some degree of intellect; so it may be said, +that the wisest and best culture even of our moral powers, depends more +on the discipline, the enlargement, and the furniture of the intellect, +than is commonly supposed. + +The cultivation of the mind comprises two things, and two only, viz: +giving it proper habits of exercise, and filling it with useful +knowledge. The case is precisely similar with regard to the _body_. The +sum total of all that we are called to do for the benefit of the body, +is to secure its strength by constant and wholesome action or exercise, +and to furnish it with appropriate nourishment. On the one hand, were +its _exercise_ ever so abundant, if left without aliment, it would +speedily sink into weakness and death; and, on the other, if its aliment +be ever so plentiful and rich, yet if it be left wholly without +_exercise_, it will soon become a mass of disease and corruption. +Precisely so is it in the cultivation of the mind. Exercise and aliment +are equally indispensable, and must go together. If the mind be not +taught to think, and to feel an appetite for intellectual provision, all +the knowledge in the world, if introduced into it, would be of little +use. But, if it be taught only to think and feel, and be furnished with +none of the appropriate aliment of knowledge, it cannot grow either in +strength, or in a capacity to act its part in the world with dignity or +usefulness. + +As these principles lie at the foundation of all intellectual culture, +so they are also adapted to instruct us with regard to the wisest and +best means of conducting that culture, with regard to the departments of +knowledge most worthy of being studied, and the relative stress which +ought to be laid on different pursuits. If you would be trained up +merely to be splendid butterflies, to shine and to please the +superficial and the empty, for a day, and, having done this, to die like +senseless insects; why, then, a corresponding plan of culture must be +adopted. But, if you wish to be regarded as rational creatures; to be +prepared for sober thought and action; to "serve your generation by the +will of God;" to die in peace, and to be remembered with love and +veneration when you are gone, then it is perfectly manifest a very +different method of training is indispensable. + +I trust you will not hesitate a moment in deciding which of these +courses you ought to choose. I trust the way of practical wisdom, of +piety, and of usefulness, will be the object of your prompt and decisive +choice. If so, the course of mental culture which you ought to adopt, +cannot possibly be mistaken by a mind of the least reflection. If you +are to feel and act as moral accountable agents, and to consider human +life as a serious, momentous thing; then, doubtless, you will feel that +you are bound, first of all, and above all, to exercise your minds in +such a manner, and to store them with such branches of knowledge, as +will tend most effectually to enlarge them, to strengthen them, to +inspire them with practical wisdom, and to furnish them with the means +of the most solid and extensive usefulness. + +Upon this principle, I would say, let your first and chief attention be +directed to those branches of knowledge which lie at the foundation of +all that is enlarged, liberal, and elevated in human pursuits; such as +Grammar, Rhetoric, Geography, the Latin, Greek, and French languages, +Natural and Moral Philosophy, the elements of Mathematical science, +Chemistry, and as many of the branches of Natural History as may be +within your reach, especially Botany and Mineralogy. These are all +proper for both sexes; and the more you gain of all of them, the better +fitted will you be both for enjoying life, and for fulfilling its +various and momentous duties. I grant, indeed, my dear grandson, that +with regard to what is denominated Classic literature, and Mathematics, +I wish _you_ to go more thoroughly to work, than would be desirable, or +perhaps proper, for your sisters. But I hope that neither of these will +be entirely neglected by _them_. For I have an impression, that the +careful study, to a certain extent, of the best of the dead languages, +and an intelligent acquaintance with the elementary principles of +Mathematics, ought to be omitted by none who can possibly attain them. +In my opinion, they are adapted to produce an effect on the mind, and to +diffuse an influence over all its other acquisitions, more happy and +more important than is commonly recognised, even by many of the educated +themselves. + +Besides the popular sciences just mentioned, with which every human +being who can afford it, ought to seek some good acquaintance, there is +an extensive and important field of knowledge, which is defined by the +general term of _literature_, and, in our case, of _English Literature_. +There is a large class of writers, with whose works every one who claims +to be intelligent and well informed, must be familiar. To this +department belongs the whole subject of _History_, which, I trust, will +receive the serious attention of all of you; and about which I hope you +will take enlightened advice, as a number of the most attractive and +popular writers in this department, are unfit to be perused without +much reserve and caution. To these, of course, ought to be added, those +great writers, both in prose and poetry, which deserve to be ranked as +_English Classics_; and, with which, I feel confident, you will seize +the earliest opportunity of becoming acquainted. I refer to such writers +as Milton, Shakspeare, Dryden, Addison, Steele, Pope, Thompson, Gray, +Young, Goldsmith, Johnson, Cowper, Beattie, and a number of others, whom +I cannot pause to specify, but with whom it would be highly +discreditable not to have some intimate knowledge. Without an +acquaintance with these writers, you cannot appreciate the riches, the +beauties, or the purity of your vernacular tongue, or form for +yourselves a good style of writing. In these writers, too, you will find +a great store-house of fine sentiment, as well as diction, adapted +greatly to enlarge and elevate the mind, to impart to it its highest +polish, and to prepare it for its best efforts. + +There are certain accomplishments commonly called _ornamental_, deemed +by many desirable for females, and by some considered as of much +consequence. Among these are dancing, music, painting, drawing, +embroidery, &c. With regard to _dancing_, your beloved grandmother and +myself never thought proper to permit any of our own children to be +instructed in this art; not because we thought the _act_ of dancing +itself criminal, but because we considered it as inseparably and almost +necessarily connected with the whole system of balls, dancing +assemblies, midnight parties, &c., all of which we deemed criminal, and +in a great variety of ways, hostile to the principles and the claims of +true religion. We do, indeed, find dancing spoken of in the Old +Testament Scriptures, as having been employed, even on occasions of +religious joy; but never on such occasions do we read of the midnight +dance, nor of promiscuous dancing, that is, of the sexes together. And +with respect to the New Testament, we read there of only one actual +dance, and that was performed by a profligate woman, and connected with +crime of the most atrocious and revolting character. + +As to _music_, I am persuaded it is the duty of every one who is able to +do it, to acquire the power of uniting in the social praise of God with +excellence and efficiency. The cultivation of vocal music, and the +attainment of such a degree of skill in it as is essential to imparting +an interest in the exercise, are conducive to health and favourable to +moral and spiritual improvement. So far, I am confident you ought all to +go. And if my granddaughters should have a special taste and love for +instrumental music, I am by no means prepared to advise that they deny +themselves the pleasure. It is an elegant accomplishment, and when +wisely employed, may be connected with innocent pleasure, and sometimes +with benefit. But I should deeply regret to find them aiming at that +_exquisite skill_ in instrumental music, which cannot be attained +without great expense, much loss of time, and that intense and long +continued attention which cannot fail to engross the mind and stand in +the way of more worthy objects of pursuit, if it do not wholly exclude +them. This is so unworthy of a rational accountable creature, that I +would infinitely rather my dear grandchildren should know nothing of +music, than that they should carry their zeal for it, and their devotion +to it, to such an injurious length. And as to my dear grandson, while I +hope always to hear him unite in singing the praises of God in the +sanctuary with taste and skill, it would give me unspeakable pain to +hear that he was regarded as a highly acceptable and admired singer at +convivial meetings, and that his company was courted on that account. I +concur in opinion with the old Grecian sage, who, when a young gentleman +of his acquaintance, of respectable station and employment in society, +had performed on an instrument of music with consummate skill and +effect, said to him, "Are you not ashamed, my young friend, to play so +well?" + +In conducting the intellectual culture of the young, there is one +question which I presume you will not fail to ask, and which I wish to +anticipate and answer in this little system of affectionate advices. The +question is, whether _Novels_ ought to have any place in the course of +reading prescribed for young people? This is a question of exceeding +great importance. When I was a youth it was far less interesting and +momentous, as a practical matter, than it has now become. Three quarters +of a century, and more especially a century ago, the number of this +class of writings was so small, and their popular circulation so +inconsiderable, that their influence was scarcely worthy of notice, +compared with that which they have more recently exerted, and which they +are daily going on to extend. Bear with me then, dear children, while I +dwell a little on this subject, and call your attention to some thoughts +which I pray God may be deeply impressed upon your minds. + +That fictitious history is not in its own nature and necessarily +criminal, will probably be acknowledged by all. It _may_ be so construed +as to awaken curiosity, to excite sympathy, and to impress the +understanding and the heart in a salutary manner. Of course, to condemn +every thing of the kind _as such_, and however constructed or employed, +would be to pronounce an unjust judgment. Hence we find examples of this +mode of instruction in the holy Scriptures; and on the same principle, +some of the wisest and best human teachers in all ages, have used the +vehicle of lively and interesting fiction, known to be such at the time, +for insinuating into the mind moral and religious lessons, which in a +different form, might not so readily have gained admittance. + +But the great error of modern times is two-fold; _First_, in +multiplying publications of this kind, until they bear an inordinate and +injurious proportion in the current literature of the day; and, +_Secondly_, in constructing them upon a plan adapted to degrade virtue +and piety, to recommend vice, and of course to prove seductive and +immoral in their whole influence. + +Even when such works are perfectly unexceptionable in their character; +when they are wholly free from any thing improper, either in language or +sentiment, they may be productive of incalculable mischief, if, as now, +they are issued in excessive _numbers_ and _quantity_. Leaving the +_character_ of modern novels entirely out of the question, the enormous +number which for the last half century has been every day increasing, +has become a grievous intellectual and moral nuisance. As long as they +were _few_ in number, and were regarded not as the _substance_, but only +as the _seasoning_ of the literary feast, they occupied but a small +share of public attention. The chief time and attention of the reading +portion of the community were mainly devoted to works of substantial +value, fitted to strengthen, enlarge, and enrich the mind. But, within +the last twenty or thirty years, the number of novels has increased so +rapidly; they have become so prominent and alluring a part of the +current literature of the day; and by their stimulating and +inexhaustible variety, have so drawn away the minds of the aged as well +as the young from solid reading, that they have formed the principal +reading of a large portion of the community, and, of course, have become +a snare and an injury to an extent not easily calculated. As long as +exhilarating gases, or other stimulating substances, are administered +sparingly, and as medicines, they may be altogether harmless, and even +essentially useful. But, when those who have taken them for some time in +this manner, become so enamoured with them as to be no longer satisfied +with their moderate and salutary use, but make them their daily and +principal aliment, they become inevitably mischievous. They destroy the +tone of the stomach, and, in the end, radically undermine the health. + +So it is with the insidious excitement of novels. Were the reader of +them to take none into his hands but those which might be safely +pronounced perfectly pure and innocent; and were he certain that he +would never be tempted to go beyond the most moderate bounds in seeking +and perusing even such, there would, perhaps, be little danger to be +apprehended. But no one can be thus certain of either. The general +stimulus of fictitious narrative is morbid and disorderly. It excites +the mind, but cannot fill or enrich it. The probability is, that he who +allows himself to enter on this course, will be led on, like the +miserable tippler, from one stage of indulgence to another, until his +appetite is perverted; his power of self-denial and restraint lost; and +his ruin finally sealed; or, at least, his mind so completely indisposed +and unfitted for the sober realities of practical wisdom, for the +pursuits of solid science and literature, as to be consigned to the +class of superficial drivellers as long as he lives. + +The truth is, novels--even the purest and best of them--are adapted, not +to _instruct_, but only to _amuse_; not to _nourish_ and _strengthen_, +but only to _exhilarate_. They even enervate the mind; they generate a +sickliness of fancy; and they render the ordinary affairs and duties of +life altogether uninteresting and insipid. After wading through hundreds +of the most unexceptionable volumes belonging to this class--what has +been gained? What has been laid up for future use? Nothing. Not a trace +of any thing useful has been left behind. The days and nights devoted to +their perusal have been absolutely lost. What infatuation is it for a +rational creature who is sent into the world for serious and important +purposes, and who is hastening to the judgment seat, thus to waste +precious time; and, what is worse, thus to pervert his mind, and +disqualify himself for sober employments! The celebrated Dr. Goldsmith, +in writing to his brother, respecting the education of his son, +expresses himself in the following strong terms, which are the more +remarkable, as he himself had written a novel:--"Above all things, never +let your son touch a romance or novel. These paint beauty in colours +more charming than nature, and describe happiness that man never tastes. +How delusive, how destructive are those pictures of consummate bliss! +They teach the youthful mind to sigh after beauty and happiness which +never existed; to despise the little good which fortune has mixed in our +cup, by expecting more than she ever gave; and, in general, take the +word of a man who has seen the world, and has studied human nature more +by experience than precepts--take my word for it, I say, that such books +teach us very little of the world."[10] He might have gone farther, and +said--They teach us little of _any thing_; and so pervert the taste, as +to take away all relish for applying the mind to any thing sober or +useful. Often have I known young men and women so bewitched by novels, +that they could read nothing else. They sought for new works of this +class in every direction; devoured them with insatiable avidity; and +became less and less disposed for pursuing any study either prescribed +by their preceptors, or adapted to promote their ultimate enjoyment; +until their prospects for both worlds were irrecoverably overcast with +clouds and darkness. + + [10] Life of Goldsmith, prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works. + +Imagine not, dear children, that _you_ will exercise more resolution +than others, and thus avoid the snare of which I have spoken. You +cannot answer for yourselves in this matter, any more than the man who +is constantly exposed to the temptation of stimulating drinks can be +sure of escaping the danger. Rely upon it, the more confident you are of +your own wisdom and firmness in avoiding the evil in question, the +greater your peril. In this, as in many other things, the only complete +safety is to be found in wholly avoiding the dangerous territory. + +But there is another source of evil in this department of literature, +still more serious and formidable. A very large proportion of modern +novels, are far from being innocent. They are positively seductive and +corrupting in their tendency. They make virtue to appear contemptible, +and vice attractive, honourable, and triumphant. Folly and crime have +palliative and even commendatory names bestowed upon them. The +omnipotence of _love_ over all obligations and all duties, is +continually maintained; and the extravagance of sinful passion +represented as the effect of amiable sensibility. Surely these +representations can have no other tendency than to pervert the moral +sentiments, and to corrupt the hearts of those who habitually dwell upon +them. And even though they be, at first, contemplated with abhorrence, +no one can tell how soon the mind may be gradually and insidiously +reconciled to them, by familiarity with the infectious influence. + +For example; the novels of _Sir Walter Scott_ have been read with eager +delight by millions of the young and the old; and many pronounce them at +least innocent. But those who read them with intelligence, and with a +proper estimate of the times and the characters which he undertakes to +portray, will perceive that the writer arrays himself against the +patriotism and the piety of some of the best men that ever adorned the +history of his country; that he exhibits orthodoxy and zeal under the +guise of enthusiasm and fanaticism; that he strives to cover with +dishonour, men "of whom the world was not worthy;" and to elevate and +canonize their persecutors. In short, that his general influence is +wholly unfriendly to religion. These characteristics pervade the most +popular of his novels. Of course few of his readers, especially of his +youthful readers, are aware of his misrepresentation, and, therefore, +are not armed against the mischievous influence. + +But there is a poison lurking in this field, still more virulent and +fatal. A large portion of novels may be charged with being seductive and +immoral, upon a more refined and deep laid plan. They are systematic, +and, in some instances, ingenious and plausible apologies for the most +atrocious crimes. In many modern productions of this kind, the +intelligent reader will recognise the following process of +representation: Corrupt opinions are put into the mouth of some +favourite hero, the splendour of whose character, in other respects, is +made to embellish the principles which he holds, and the force of whose +eloquence is employed to recommend the most unreasonable and mischievous +dogmas. When this hero commits a crime, and when, by this crime, +according to the fixed laws of the divine government, he is involved in +serious difficulty, if not lasting and fatal misery, the fashionable +novelist endeavours to throw the blame on the religious and moral +institutions of society, as narrow, illiberal, and unjust. When a +splendid but corrupt woman, has forsaken the paths of virtue, and when +she suffers in her reputation and her comfort, by such conduct, all this +is ascribed to "the wretched state of civilization"--to "the deplorable +condition of society." Every opportunity is taken to attack some +essential principle of morality, under the tide of a "prejudice;" to +ridicule the duties of conjugal and domestic life, as flowing from +"contracted" and "slavish" views; to stigmatize the sober pursuits of +honest industry, as "dull" and "spiritless;" and, in a word, to frame an +apology for robbery, murder, suicide, and the indulgence of every +propensity, for which a corrupt heart can plead an inclination. + +Now, my dear children, when novels of this kind are placed on the +shelves of every circulating library, and strewed over every part of our +land, what security have youthful novel-readers that many of this class +will not fall into their hands, and that they may not imbibe the fatal +poison before they are aware? Is it any wonder that wise parents and +guardians are painfully apprehensive of such danger? Many amiable and +well-intentioned young people, who fancied they were gaining amusement +only, have been unwarily betrayed into opinions, and prepared for +practices which they would once have regarded with abhorrence, and which +ultimately led them into error, crime, and ruin. Since, then, there are +so many novels of this insidious and baneful character; and since it is +by no means easy for the young and inexperienced to distinguish between +the innocent and the vile, you will not wonder that I advise, nay, +entreat you to avoid the reading of novels altogether; never to allow +yourselves to take a volume of this kind into your hands at all. The +most innocent of them, as you have seen, are worthless, and the perusal +even of _them_, a waste of time; and if you allow yourselves to touch +any of them, you will be in danger of being led astray to an extent +which you can hardly be made to anticipate. I beseech you, dear +children, trust one who sincerely loves you; who understands the subject +of which he is speaking; and who would not deprive you of a single safe +or solid pleasure--trust him when he earnestly exhorts you, NEVER TO +READ A NOVEL. + +You will, perhaps, ask, what is my opinion of what are called "religious +novels," that is, of fictitious narrative, designed to illustrate and +recommend religion? I am compelled to say, that my deliberate judgment +is unfavourable to _these_ also. They are neither edifying nor safe as +instructors in the great department of religion. I do not deny that +_some_ of this class may be adapted to do good, and may have been +actually useful. But this is not the question. The question is, whether, +as a system, it is better to instruct in religion through the medium of +fictitious narrative, and by means of thrilling incidents, or by plain, +sober, didactic, and exhortatory address. In general, I cannot help +deciding in favour of the latter. The reason why the large majority of +mankind prefer fictitious narrative is, that they love _excitement_; and +most youthful readers will be more likely to take interest in the +"story," than in the moral lessons which it conveys. Condiments and +stimulants are useful in our food; but to make our daily food consist +wholly or mainly of condiments and stimulants, would not, surely, be +wise or salutary. + +But this is not the worst. Among the novels called _religious_, there +are various classes. Almost all the different religious denominations +have issued novels appropriate to their respective sectarian characters. +We not only have those which have been put forth by the friends of truth +and piety; but, also, many by the advocates of error. Socinianism is now +strenuously inculcated through the medium of fictitious narrative. Cold +Pelagianism on the one hand, and Antinomianism on the other, have been +presented in the same manner. Amidst these alternate pleadings of +orthodoxy and heresy, how shall the youthful learner discriminate? Were +he to take up a didactic treatise in favour of Socinian or Pelagian +opinions, he would see the error in a moment, and be on his guard +against it. But when he is borne away by the excitement of a stirring +narrative, and a spirited, eloquent dialogue, he may imbibe the poison +of error, before he is aware. + +You must not, dear children, consider me as fanciful, if I express an +opinion, that the present prevailing state of mind of the religious +public has some connexion with that class of novels of which I am now +speaking. The most striking characteristic of the present time is _a +love of excitement_. The old and sober mode of proceeding in any thing +has become unpopular and intolerable. Our children can scarcely be +prevailed upon to read any thing unless it comes in the shape of a +striking story. If any one wishes a pious _tract_ to be read, he must +construct it in the form of a thrilling fictitious narrative. Every dish +must be highly seasoned; every draught must be a dram. Is it any wonder +that, in such a condition of the public taste, all old methods of doing +good should be despised, and the Church as well as the world filled with +new opinions, new estimates of things, and "new measures?" + +Be assured, when your mind is brought, by any means, whether by an +insatiable love of fictitious narrative, or by any other form of +exciting composition, to relish nothing conveyed in the old form of +solid, didactic, direct instruction, it is high time to examine whether +you are not acquiring habits unfriendly to sober thought, to the best +mental culture, and to the acquirement of the most valuable knowledge. +How often have I met with young people, of both sexes, who could talk +fluently, and with apparent intelligence, of the volumes of Miss Burney, +Mrs. Radcliffe, Madame De Stael, Miss Edgeworth, and Scott, and Cooper, +and Bulwer, and even of the depraved and infamous Byron;--but, who were +struck dumb if you spoke to them of Shakspeare; of Bacon; of Milton; of +Addison; of Thompson; of Young; of Dryden; of Pope, and Johnson, and +Robertson, and Junius, and Cowper, and other English classics, of whom, +if they had ever heard, they seemed to know nothing! Is this the way to +cultivate the mind? Does this speak for or against the devourer of +novels? + +The sum of my counsel, then, under this head, is, that if you wish +really to cultivate your minds, and to prepare them for healthful and +useful action, let your studies be solid, diligent, and persevering. Let +your reading be such as will fill your minds with the knowledge of +facts, principles, and sentiments of the enriching and elevating kind. +Let your first and most intimate acquaintance be with those authors +whose works will tend to fit you for answering the great purpose for +which you were sent into the world. Carefully avoid every species of +reading which tends to turn away your minds from sober, practical views +of life and duty. And remember that, for every book you read, and for +every mental influence which you invite, you have to render a solemn +account. + +There is one more counsel, dear children, with which I will close this +letter. It is, that whatever subject you study--whatever book you read, +you do it _faithfully_ and _thoroughly_. Leave nothing until you +understand it well;--until you have, as far as possible, gone to the +bottom of it. You may rely upon it that no solid knowledge is to be +gained without patient, unwearied labour. Be not in haste, then, to pass +on to another subject or lesson, until you have completely mastered that +in which you may be engaged. Be not contented with merely enabling +yourselves to recite a lesson with plausible fluency. Be sure that you +thoroughly comprehend, not only its obvious meaning, but also its +elementary principles. Despise the indolence of those, who, in learning +languages, are constantly using the miserable crutches of +_translations_, instead of walking with the use of their own limbs; and +who, whenever a difficulty occurs in mathematics, or any other subject, +instead of delving it out themselves, ignobly ask help from some wiser +and better scholar. This is cheating yourselves. That which is gained +by your own efforts, and with considerable labour, will be better +understood, and more firmly lodged in the mind, than that which is +imparted gratuitously by others, without any vigorous mental exercise on +your part. + +The fact is, the pursuit of knowledge may be compared to the task of one +who is called to cross a high and craggy mountain. If he is willing to +forego his own best interests, both as to bodily and mental health, he +may employ some sturdy, athletic assistant to take him up in his arms, +and bear him over the steep ascent, and deposit him in safety on the +other side, without the use of a muscle of his own. But what would he be +the better for it, at the end of his journey? His limbs would not be +braced. His chest would not be expanded. He would miss a thousand +interesting objects of attention which the use of his own feet would +have brought to his view. After a thousand such boasted expeditions, he +might live and die the same feeble, nervous dyspeptic, that he was when +he set out. Whereas, he who resolves to climb the same mountain by his +own efforts; who addresses himself to the task with patient persevering +labour; who takes step after step, slowly, but wisely and firmly; may +not gain the ascent quite as speedily as his weaker contemporary; but he +will gain it much more to his own profit and comfort, and, in the end, +find every power invigorated by the enterprise. O, if children and +young people could feel how foolish it is to procure themselves to be +borne up the mountain of knowledge by others, instead of climbing it +themselves, they would despise all the "labour-saving machinery" to +which many of them are so fond of resorting; and would remember that +what is gained by their own intellectual efforts, is more solid, wears +better, digests better, and is productive of richer fruit, both to +themselves and others. + +It is a law impressed by our Maker on the intellectual, as well as the +physical man, that "if any will not work, neither shall he eat." It is a +real blessing, if we did but know it, to have labour connected with all +our attainments. Thus do we best answer the great end of our being; thus +do we invigorate every power, and become prepared most effectually to +"serve our generation by the will of God." + + +LETTER VII. + +CULTIVATION OF THE HEART, AND THE MORAL HABITS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--By the _heart_, I mean the moral feelings, dispositions, +and affections. And by _cultivating_ the heart, I mean directing much +attention to restraining, regulating, and purifying all its exercises. +This may be said to lie at the foundation of all duty and all happiness. +Were your intellectual powers cultivated with all possible care and +success, and your moral faculties neglected, you might be polished and +elegant demons; but would be miserable yourselves, and a curse to +society. Whether, therefore, you regard your own present enjoyment, and +everlasting welfare, or the happiness of those around you, you cannot +too early remember the great purpose for which you were sent into the +world, and the relations which you sustain as rational, social, and +immortal creatures. You cannot too early or too diligently learn to +restrain your passions; to deny yourselves; and to cultivate those +benevolent, meek, humble, and amiable habits, which are indispensable to +tranquillity and peace of mind, and which alone can prepare you to adorn +and bless the social circles with which you may be connected. I draw +your attention the more earnestly to this great subject because I see so +many young people who appear never to think of the importance, or even +utility of this part of their education. + +If you have not learned, dear children, that you are by nature prone to +be proud, vain, selfish, envious, irascible, sensual, malignant, and, in +a word, to indulge the various appetites and passions which tend to +destroy your own peace, and to invade the comfort of those around you; +if you have not discovered that this is the tendency of your nature, and +that resisting it will call for much self-denial, and continual, and +sometimes for agonizing effort, you have attended less to your own +feelings, and habits, and less to the character of your friends and +associates than I am willing to suppose. + +Perhaps you will ask--Does not _religion_ cover all this ground? Where +the power of Christian principle reigns in the heart, will not every +thing intended to be included in this letter follow as a matter of +course? If the _plan of salvation_, treated in a former letter, be +received and obeyed, will not all the objects contemplated in the +present letter, be included and secured? Whence, then, the necessity, or +even the propriety, of making it matter of separate consideration? I +answer, the religion of Christ, in its spirit and power, does indeed +embrace all moral excellence. It does, in fact, where it bears +appropriate and entire sway, include every moral feeling, affection, and +habit, which can adorn and elevate human nature. And yet it is to be +lamented that many who cherish the Christian hope, are not as much aware +of this fact as they ought to be; and are not so careful to exhibit all +the _loveliness_, as well as the _purity_ of example which become them, +as is desirable. And, besides, I have always found that there is a great +advantage in pursuing rather more into detail the various branches of +the Christian temper, than is commonly done even in the best treatises +on religious character and duty. The French have a phrase which +expresses more exactly than any English one which I can recollect, my +meaning in the title of this letter. The phrase I refer to, is _Les +petites morales_; by which they appear to understand those _moral +delicacies_ of feeling, temper, and intercourse, which, though not +always found actually shining in every professing, or even every real +Christian, do really belong to the Christian code of ethics, and are +indispensable to a complete and exemplary character. + +The duties which grow out of our relations to God, are generally +acknowledged by all professors of religion. However defective their +obedience, their obligations are seldom disputed. But if it be the law +of God, not only that we should "love Him with all our heart and soul +and strength and mind," but also that we should "love our neighbours as +ourselves," then the duties growing out of this great law are more +multiplied, tender, delicate and important than most of those who are +called religious people recognise in practice, or even in theory. + +It is true, the root of all sound morality is religion. And it is +equally true, that the deeper sense any one has of the constraining love +of Christ, and of the holiness, majesty, omniscience, and omnipresence +of God, the more faithful he will be in the discharge of all moral +duties, both in private and in public. Labour then, day by day, to gain +a deeper impression of the claims of your Creator and Redeemer upon you. +Meditate much on the Divine glory. Cultivate a devout spirit. Study to +walk with God in the exercise of faith, and love, and prayer. And +endeavour to keep constantly before your minds his all seeing eye, his +infinite holiness, his judgment seat, and those righteous retributions +which he has in store for all his creatures, whether they be good, or +whether they be evil? This is cultivating the heart in the most +essential and radical sense. This is going to "the root of the matter." +That morality, and that alone, which is grafted upon this sanctified +stock, will be regarded with approbation by the Searcher of hearts, and +stand the test of the great day. + +But while you labour with your hearts, that they may be habitually laid +open, with all the softness and tenderness of spiritual sensibility, to +the claims of your Creator and Redeemer; study with no less diligence to +cherish a deep sense of all the duties which you owe to your beloved +relatives, to your friends, to your neighbours, and to all with whom you +have intercourse. To perceive the theory of these duties, is the +province of the understanding; to enter into them, as a practical +matter, and under a solemn sense of obligation, is an affair of the +heart; and the more deeply your hearts are schooled both in the +principles and practice of these duties, the more they may be said to +partake of that culture which I am now recommending. + +When I imagine to myself what an influence your precious Mother might +have had in cultivating your moral feelings and habits, if it had +pleased God to spare her to you; when I think of the happy power which +her delicate, forming hand, might, by the divine blessing, have exerted +over the heart of each of you;--the heart--as Mrs. Hannah More expresses +it--that "seat of evil propensities--that little troublesome empire of +the passions;"--I could sit down and weep afresh that you are never to +enjoy that culture. But, happily, there is a source of infinitely better +culture. Try to lay to heart your weakness and your wants, and implore +without ceasing the enlightening, subduing, and sanctifying power of the +Holy Spirit, and you will find "his grace sufficient for you." + +There are special duties which you owe to your beloved surviving Parent, +and to all your domestic relatives, of the most peculiar and tender +kind; duties which it is equally your privilege and your honour to +discharge. These are veneration, love, gratitude, and a dutiful respect +to all their feelings, as well as their interests. Here children are +extremely apt to fail. Affection is generally found to descend from +parents to their offspring, and in general from elder to younger +relatives, in great strength; but from children to parents, or from the +young to the old, it seldom rises with equal vigour. Let not this be +said of you. Constantly cherish toward your beloved Father, and all your +elder relatives, not merely an outward respect, and dutifulness of +deportment, but a cordial and ardent affection; a sincere and lively +gratitude for all those anxious cares and labours on their part for your +benefit, for which you have been indebted ever since you were born, and +for which you can never make an adequate return. Try to please them by +the constant manifestation of love, confidence, and grateful veneration; +and let them see that you treasure up, to your profit, all their +instruction, reproofs, and warnings. When the _heart_, as well as the +outward conduct, is conformed to these sentiments, O, how endearing and +happy is the intercourse between parents and children! What a charm is +diffused over the whole aspect of domestic society! + +Let me entreat you, also, early to learn the duty and the pleasure of +_living in affectionate harmony among yourselves_. I can scarcely +express to you the pain which I have sometimes felt when I have +perceived any thing like a spirit of strife and acrimony rising between +you, and leading to the exchange of angry looks and passionate language. +Surely three motherless children ought to feel more closely bound +together than to indulge in such a temper and conduct. If you do not +love one another, who can you expect will love you? Be careful, then, +continually to cultivate a spirit of brotherly and sisterly affection +toward each other. Let nothing interrupt this. When any contest arises, +let the only strife be, which shall be the first to yield, rather than +contend. On no account allow yourselves to employ harsh, much less +violent language toward each other. And if any contest arises which you +cannot settle between yourselves without violence, let a united appeal +to your Father, if he be present, or in his absence, to your +grandparents, terminate the controversy. Seldom does a conflict of this +kind arise without there being blame on both sides. And who so proper to +make the proper award, and to adjust every difficulty, as those who love +you all equally and dearly, and have age and experience on their side? + +Let me enjoin on you to begin, as early as possible, to cherish a spirit +of _habitual benevolence_--a desire, wherever you go, to promote the +_happiness_ of all around you. Selfishness is the great master-sin of +human nature. "All seek their own." The _young_, especially, are apt to +be swallowed up in the excessive pursuit of their own enjoyment, and +that enjoyment is rarely sought or found in ministering to the wants, +and promoting the comfort of others. But rely upon it, dear children, +this is a narrow and altogether deceptive view of the best means of +happiness. Not only is it the divine command that we "love our neighbour +as ourselves," but it is equally certain that obedience to this great +law tends as directly to make ourselves happy, as it does to promote the +comfort of the objects of our benevolent attention. If you wish to be +happy yourselves, study continually to make all around you so too. The +luxury of doing good is the richest luxury of which we are capable. It +is the very spirit of Christ, who "went about doing good;" and the more +closely we commune with him in the exercise of the same spirit, the more +we secure true and rational enjoyment. Wherever you are, then, cultivate +a spirit of sympathy with the afflicted, and the habit of flying +spontaneously to the relief of suffering. You cannot begin too early to +feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to minister to the wants of the +sick and dying, to relieve distress of every kind, and to "please every +one for his good to edification:"--not by flattery, which is too +commonly the method of pleasing adopted; but by letting it be seen that +you seek, as much as in you lies, to make all around you truly happy. +Never promote mirth at the expense of others. Never allow yourselves to +"set others by the ears" as it is sometimes expressed, for the sake of +derision. Carefully avoid all those "tricks," which so many of the young +delight in, and by which so much suffering, and sometimes even +ultimately the loss of life, have been incurred. In a word, +conscientiously cherish the principle and the habit of never giving a +moment's pain to a human being, or even to a brute beast, unless it be +necessary for their real good; and wherever you see pain, by whomsoever +inflicted, do all in your power, consistent with other obligations, to +relieve it, and to give rational pleasure. There is nothing, be assured, +dear children, in all the splendour of fashionable display, in all the +gratifications of sense, in all the delirious joys of giddy dissipation, +once to be compared with the hallowed pleasure of habitually doing good +to all within your reach. Yes, make doing good your "ruling passion," +and you will be among the happiest of mortals. + +Let me beseech you to watch over your _temper_ with studious care. Few +things are more unhappy in a young person of either sex, than an +irritable, irascible temper. It betrays into a thousand indiscretions. +It poisons social intercourse. It alienates friends. It destroys the +comfort of the individual who indulges it; and it interferes with the +comfort of all with whom he converses. I have known this infirmity to +cast a cloud over the whole course of many persons who were otherwise +fitted to adorn and bless society. Watch and pray against it with the +utmost diligence. "He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that +taketh a city." "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Learn +"by soft answers to turn away wrath," both in yourselves and others. Be +not ready to take offence, or to consider any one as "an offender for a +word." Never regard an honest difference of opinion from yourself as a +personal affront. Surely the indulgence of such a spirit is as +unreasonable as it is unhappy. Guard with the utmost vigilance against a +jealous, suspicious temper. Ill nature, peevishness, and a disposition +to take every thing by an unfavourable handle, and to indulge in satire +and sarcasm, are revolting in every human being, but especially in the +female sex. I have never known such a temper to be indulged without +diminishing both the respectability and happiness of its possessor. Let +a mild, amiable, conciliatory spirit reign in all your intercourse. Be +ever kind, tender hearted, and forgiving, even as you hope to obtain +forgiveness from the God of all grace. Let the spirit of benevolence, +and a desire to please, shine in your countenances, and be manifest in +your deportment in all companies; at home and on journies; in the public +hotel, and in the parlour of a friend; towards servants, as well as +towards your equals or superiors. In a word, in temper as well as in +conduct, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even +so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." + +In forming your moral character and habits, I entreat you to lay great +stress upon cultivating a sacred and delicate regard to _truth_, in all +your social intercourse. Rely upon it, you cannot pay too conscientious +a regard to this point. A fault here is as dishonourable as it is +criminal. I do not allow myself to fear that my beloved grandchildren, +after the training they have received, will ever indulge in deliberate +falsehood. In this there is a meanness as well as a sin, which I hope +they will equally despise and abhor. But it is to be lamented that there +is much in social conversation, in which many people deemed respectable +are apt to indulge themselves, and which I hope you will make conscience +of sacredly avoiding. I mean all exaggeration in your descriptions; all +high-colouring in your statements; all indulgence in fabulous +narratives, even in jest, for the amusement of company. Aside from the +dictates of religion in this matter, which are sacred and conclusive, +there is something in these habits adapted to lower the character, and +to diminish the influence of those who indulge them, with all +sober-minded people. Whatever may be the consequence, let a regard to +the strictest verity, as if you were on oath, reign in all you say and +do. Avoid the meanness, as well as the sin of the slightest departure +from absolute truth. Let all underhand deceptive contrivances, all low +cunning, all habits of carrying your plans by disingenuous arts, be +abhorred and avoided. How gratifying would it be to those who love you, +to know that it had passed into something like a proverb among your +acquaintance--"The statement is from a Breckinridge--and therefore may +be depended on!" + +Let me farther entreat you to guard against all indulgence of the spirit +of _pride_, or _vanity_. By _pride_, I mean such an inordinate and +unreasonable conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as leads us +to look down on others as beneath us, and to treat them with +haughtiness, or contempt. And by _vanity_, I understand that excessive +desire for the applause of others which leads to egotism, and such a +weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain the approbation of those +around us, as are apt to betray into little and unworthy arts for +gaining the object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at once folly +and sin, I hope no formal argument will be necessary to convince you. +But still, they are both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable +obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against them. Be assured, dear +children, pride is as foolish as it is criminal. Who made you to differ +from others? And what have you that you have not received? If you have +minds, or an education, or outward circumstances more favourable than +those of many others, who conferred them upon you? If, therefore, you +have received all, why should you glory as if you had not received them? +I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a "laudable pride," an +"honest pride," "a noble pride," &c. But such language is a grievous +abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished from the vocabulary of +Christians. _Pride_ was "the condemnation and snare of the devil," and +is in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper personal dignity +and self-respect by this odious name, is altogether incorrect and +deceptive. To speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as "a noble +pride," is a perversion of language, as well as of moral principle. "Be +clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to +the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit +before a fall; for when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with the +lowly is wisdom." _Vanity_ is a passion still more childish and +degrading. It exhibits a rational creature hanging on the smiles and the +praise of his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. O, what +infatuation for miserable sinners, who deserve nothing at the hand of +God but wrath, and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant on +his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up with high thoughts of +themselves, and arrogantly to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then, +from pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study to be "meek and +lowly in heart." "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low +estate." "In lowliness of mind esteem others better than yourselves." +"Be not wise or great in your own conceits." Be not greedy of praise. +Despise all the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. Rely upon +it, the lower you lie in the dust of abasement, the happier you will be. +The more you are disposed to love and honour all around you according to +their real character, the more infallibly you will secure their love and +confidence in return. And the less anxious you are to gain the applause +of men, the more likely you will be to attain it, if you are found +humbly and diligently performing your duty. In short, if I wished you to +gain the highest degree of esteem and honour among men, I would say--Do +not seek this object anxiously, or even directly at all. Never inquire +what others say or think of you. Speak of yourselves, in conversation, +as little as possible. Treat your superiors with uniform respect, but +not with fawning or flattery; and your inferiors, down to the lowest +servant or beggar, with undeviating condescension and kindness; trying +to benefit every one, and promote the happiness of every one; and you +will have as much of the love and respect of all as you really deserve, +and probably more. If you sincerely try to promote the happiness of all +around you, and do it with a kind and amiable manner, I believe it is +one of the cases in which our Lord's declaration never fails to be +fulfilled--"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed +down and running over shall men give into your bosom." + +Strive with sacred care against every feeling approaching to the passion +of _envy_. As you are now at an age when you are called daily to compete +with school and play-mates, you may be sometimes strongly tempted to +indulge in this passion. But it is a base passion. Beware of it. How +fiend-like, to sicken and repine at excellence! How base, to be +displeased and mortified when we contemplate the superior prosperity, +happiness, or accomplishments of others! When you witness such superior +attainments or excellence, let the only effort be to excite gratitude to +God for its existence, and a generous emulation of it in yourselves. + +Guard with vigilance against a _talebearing_ and _tattling_ spirit. I +will not suppose you capable of deliberate _slander_, or cruelly +circulating reports to the injury of others without just evidence. This +is so base and mean, that I trust you will ever abhor and despise it. +But it is the infirmity of many, who intend thereby no injury, that they +delight in circulating news concerning their neighbours, and have not a +little of the true gossipping spirit. This is a bad habit. It degrades +the individual who indulges it, in the view of all wise, reflecting +people; often involves in painful explanations and difficulties; and is +frequently followed by consequences of the most perplexing and +disreputable kind. Never indulge the disposition to repeat idle stories +about neighbours. If they are repeated in your presence, listen to them +either in silence, or with a civil remark, which cannot possibly +implicate you, or be construed into an approval of the scandal. It was +an excellent appeal which was once made by a wise and benevolent man +whom I knew in early life--"Why can you not talk more about _things_, +than about _persons_?" + +Let me farther exhort you, as a point of duty, to cultivate habitual +_cheerfulness_. When I say this, you will not understand me as +recommending a spirit of levity and frivolity. This is unworthy of +rational, accountable creatures, and indicates as much of weakness as of +sin. Those who spend their lives in gaiety and mirth, are "dead while +they live." But by cultivating habitual cheerfulness, I mean cherishing +a pleasant state of the animal spirits; as opposed to constitutional +gloom, mental depression, and settled, clouded taciturnity, I mean +habits, not of light, but of lively and affable conversation. Such a +state of mind does good like a medicine. It contributes to our own +enjoyment. It makes us more pleasant and useful to those with whom we +converse. It may even operate to promote health and prolong life; and in +various ways extend our power of doing good. + +Guard with conscientious care against habits of _indolence_. A tendency +to this sin is one of the radical symptoms of the great moral disease of +our nature; and you cannot begin too early to labour and pray for +effecting a cure. Fly from idleness as a habit connected with a legion +of evils. Make a point of always having something useful to +do--something to fill up every moment left vacant between the larger and +more important tasks of life. I am aware that we all stand in need of +_recreation_; but this is often best attained by _a change of +employment_. When you have finished a sedentary task, which required +intense application of mind, think, for a moment, whether there be not +some other object to which you may attend for a short time, which will +require no mental effort, but by attention to which, you may promote +either your own health or comfort, or the advantage of others. Make it +your daily study to "redeem the time." Try to turn every moment to some +valuable account. For this purpose, form, as early as possible, a plan, +a systematic order in your daily tasks. Without such a plan, more or +less formally adopted, you will inevitably lose much time in passing +from one engagement to another. But if you manage always to leave +something useful with which to fill up every little interval; so as +never to be idle, and never to waste time with frivolous, or worse than +frivolous employments, you will be more happy, and live more to your +own true honour, and the benefit of your generation. + +I have only to add on the subject of this letter, a single word on the +great importance of maintaining strict and habitual _temperance_ in all +your enjoyments. If you wish really to enjoy life, and to "live out all +your days," you must exercise moderation and self-denial in eating and +drinking, and in every department of indulgence. Temperance has been +defined--the moderate use of things useful, and total abstinence from +those which are pernicious. This is an excellent definition, which I +trust you will ever keep in mind, and make your daily and hourly rule. +To be thus temperate, is a divine command. It is eminently conducive to +health. It is highly advantageous to the activity and strength of the +powers of the mind. And it is an admirable defence against a thousand +irregularities and mischiefs which cloud the faculties, destroy comfort, +and lead to multiplied forms of disease, and to premature graves. If you +habitually restrain appetite, deny yourselves, and "let your moderation +be known" in all things, and to all men, you will avoid many evils which +continually beset those who act on the system of self-indulgence. Never +drink any thing but pure water, when in health; indulge in animal food +but _once_ in each day, and that in smaller quantities than most people +consider as temperate. Labourers in the open air may, not only with +impunity, but perhaps with profit, eat animal food more than once every +day; but I am persuaded few other persons can do it without disadvantage +to their health. My personal experience and observation in regard to +this point are very decisive. Nay, I would advise you to go one step +farther. Make the experiment of wholly abstaining from animal food at +least one day in each week, for the purpose of "giving nature a +holyday;" of clearing the body and the mind from crudities; and taking a +new start in refined feeling and unclogged activity. + +In fine, let it be the object of your unceasing study and prayer, to +"keep under the body;" to "crucify the flesh with the affections and +lusts;" to subdue and restrain all irregular tempers; "if it be +possible, as much as lieth in you, to live peaceably with all men;" to +avoid wounding the feelings of any one with whom you converse, unless +required to do it by a pure sense of duty; to promote the happiness of +all around you; and to be continually seeking and improving +opportunities of doing good. + + +LETTER VIII. + +MANNERS. + +DEAR CHILDREN:--I wish it were in my power to give you a perfect and +vivid representation of the manners of your lamented Mother. There was +in them a sweetness, a gracefulness, and an attraction truly rare. +Wherever she went, they at once gained her friends. I am sure if you had +been old enough at her decease to appreciate them; or, if I could now +depict them to the life, you would have a deeper impression of the +importance of happy manners; of their value to their possessor; of their +benign influence on social intercourse, than I can now hope to impart. +As it is, I hope you will be willing to take on trust my statement of +the fact concerning her, and that you will be stimulated to seek a +similar accomplishment. + +If it be true, as has been often said, that a good face is an "open +letter of recommendation," wherever its possessor appears; we may, with +quite as much emphasis, say the same of pleasant engaging manners. Nay, +we may go farther. The most beautiful face and form that ever existed, +if unaccompanied by agreeable manners, will soon be contemplated with +indifference, if not with disgust. While, on the contrary, where there +is an entire absence of personal beauty, there may be, and often are +found, such manners as captivate and win wherever they are seen, and +with a power felt by all, however remote they may be from the possession +of such manners themselves. + +I shall not tax either your patience or my own, by entering largely into +the subject of manners. On this extensive subject I refer you to a +volume on "Clerical Manners and Habits" which I published a few years +ago, and in which considerable minuteness of detail is indulged. For +although that work was intended more particularly for the benefit of +clergymen, and especially of candidates for the sacred office; yet a +large portion of it is equally applicable to all classes and +professions, and to both sexes. I recommend the volume referred to, to +your serious attention, and to your careful study. And whatever may be +your situation in life, I think you will find much in it worthy of your +regard. At any rate, if it be not so, I have failed of gaining my main +object in its publication. + +I will not, however, content myself with merely referring you to the +volume in question. It is my wish, in this little system of affectionate +advices, to call your attention to a few particulars on this subject +which may be considered as more immediately appropriate at your present +tender age, and, perhaps, on that account, more likely to dwell upon +your memory than the contents of a volume. + +You will, perhaps, ask me, what I mean by those "good manners" which I +would recommend? I answer, by such manners I mean that mode of personal +address and deportment toward all with whom we converse which is +dictated by the meekness, benevolence, and purity of the Gospel. In a +word, "true politeness"--the most genuine politeness--that which I would +earnestly desire those whom I love to cherish and cultivate--is _the +religion of Christ acted out in the whole temper, conversation, and +deportment_. The simple, unembarrassed, gentle expression of mingled +respect and kindness toward all with whom we converse, from the hovel to +the palace, is the perfection of manners. These are manners which become +all times, places, companies, and circumstances, and which will carry +their possessor through the world with acceptance and comfort. + +Perhaps, in your inexperience, you may be disposed to ask, what is the +great value of such manners as are here recommended? If you have any +doubt on this subject _now_, I am persuaded a little more knowledge of +the world will satisfy you that their value is unspeakably great. Few +people are adequate judges of those solid intellectual and moral +qualities which form a character of high excellence. But of personal +manners, all are judges; at any rate, all are capable of perceiving, and +in some degree estimating, their value. Only a small portion of those +with whom you converse are able to discern whether you are wise and +well informed; but every child can see whether you have a sweet voice, a +pleasant countenance, an amiable, kind and respectful mode of address, +or the contrary. Can there be, then, a more obvious dictate, both of +policy and duty, than to cultivate that which, to multitudes, is more +attractive than real merit; which secures to merit a hearing, and an +influence which it would not otherwise obtain; and which will be likely, +in many cases, to open a door to usefulness which, without it, would, in +all probability, have continued impenetrably closed? In repeated +instances have I known persons of weak minds, and of small information, +but of remarkably fascinating manners, carry all before them in circles +of society into which persons of far higher qualifications, both +intellectual and moral, but defective in the attractions of manner, were +scarcely able to obtain admittance, and very inadequately esteemed when +admitted. A soft, insinuating address has, a thousand times, rendered +its possessor every where acceptable and popular, when, on the score of +real merit, he ought by no means to have enjoyed so much public favour. + +But this is not all. Pleasant attractive manners not only have a +paramount influence with the superficial and unthinking; but they have +more power even on the minds of the wise and the good than is commonly +imagined. To every human being, that which is intrinsically excellent, +appears doubly attractive when presented in a pleasing manner. Truth, +even to those who know it to be truth, finds a more cordial welcome; and +duty, even among its most sincere and enlightened friends, commands a +more ready obedience, when they are clothed in an attractive garb, and +speak in alluring accents. That the very same words, which, when uttered +by some, are intolerably offensive; when spoken in the mild, respectful +manner of others, are welcome, and even delightful--that the very same +action, which, performed by some, is censured; when performed by others, +of perhaps less talent or virtue, is lauded to excess; are among the +most notorious facts in human life; and that not in the circles of +ignorance and dissipation only, but also in those of the most estimable +portions of mankind. + +To despise or undervalue the cultivation of _manners_, then, argues a +great want of practical wisdom. It is a subject worthy of your constant +regard. To neglect it, is equally to oppose reason and experience, and +to set at naught some of the most precious means of gaining access to +the human heart. And when I speak of cultivating good manners, do not +imagine that I mean the formal, showy, pompous manners which some +commend, and seem to aim at. The truth is, the perfection of +manners--the ultimate point which is the result of the very best +culture, is to attain that ease, simplicity, modesty, and gentleness of +deportment in every thing, which has nothing of the artificial, nothing +of display about it. But to be more particular. + +The first characteristic of manners to which I would direct your +attention, as lying at the foundation of all excellence, is _benignity_. +Without the law of _benevolence_, reigning in the heart, and governing +the temper and the life, there may be much pomp and courtliness of +manner; many a heartless smile, and many a flattering form of address; +but there can be no genuine politeness. The essence of this consists in +the spirit of cordial good will and kindness shining in the countenance; +expressing itself in the language and tones of respect and benevolent +regard; and flowing through all the channels of human intercourse, and +all the minutiae of human life. This is the vital principle of good +manners. Just in proportion as you really desire to increase the +happiness of all around you; to consult their ease; to anticipate their +wants; and to promote their welfare--you will spontaneously manifest +these feelings in all situations and companies. Your whole deportment +will be pleasing, attractive, and graceful, without your having studied +artificial rules. This is the foundation and the sum of all; but it may +not be improper to trace the radical principle into some of its minute +details. + +In all social intercourse, let _respectful attention_ mark your whole +manner. To turn away your eyes from the person who is addressing you; +or to manifest in any way that you are thinking, or wish to be thinking, +of something else, is a great breach of good manners; cannot fail of +giving pain to those with whom you converse; and must deprive you of a +large part of the benefit of conversation. When you look your companion +gently and respectfully, but firmly in the face, you manifest attention; +you enable yourselves to watch his countenance, and mark the impression +which you make on his mind; to say nothing of the power of the eye in +seconding and enforcing all that is said. + +Cultivate _affability_ of manner. By this I mean that style of manners +which is distinguished by ease, simplicity, and courteousness; a +deportment opposed to haughtiness, reserve, coldness, or taciturnity; in +short, to every thing that is adapted to repel, or to prevent freedom +and comfort of approach. I am aware that constitutional temperament has +much to do with this. But still, it is equally true that affability may +and ought to be carefully cultivated; and that there are few things +better adapted to conciliate good will, to inspire confidence, to invite +freedom of communication, and to place at ease all with whom we +converse. + +Study to exercise _gentleness_ and _mildness_ in all your deportment and +conversation. Guard against every thing harsh, severe, rough, abrupt, or +in any way repulsive in your language, voice, or manner. Let the +meekness and gentleness of wisdom appear in every look, tone, and +expression. By a mild, respectful address, you may at once reprove +impertinence, disarm violence, and put even brutality to shame. Give all +diligence, then, to be "gentle toward all men." Learn the happy art of +conversing with gentleness, of giving your commands with gentleness, of +arguing with gentleness, of contending with gentleness, and of even +reproving with gentleness. Both commands and reproofs, as well as +arguments, when dispensed in this manner, have not only more dignity, +but also more weight than when invested with an opposite character. + +Few things are more opposed to good breeding than a _loud, boisterous_ +manner in social intercourse. Whether this be indulged in laughter, or +in conversation, it is equally exceptionable as an offence against both +delicacy and dignity. With regard to _females_, an offence against this +rule, is peculiarly revolting. It is a sure sign of vulgarity, and ought +to be carefully avoided. But, in either sex, it is a blemish which well +bred people never fail to notice. + +Closely allied to this is the habit of _rude familiarity_ which some +affect, and to which they give the name of social pleasantry. This is +undignified, and, to all delicate people, offensive. Mutual dignity and +respect are indispensable to the continued existence of Christian +intercourse, in its most pure, delicate, and profitable form. If you +wish to maintain such intercourse, be free and unconstrained; but never +indulge in coarse familiarity. Those who are worthy of your love will +certainly be repelled rather than attracted by it. + +Remember, too, that all _interruption_ of any one with whom you are +conversing, or blunt _contradiction_ of his statements, is an offence +against delicate manners. However erroneous he may be, hear him out; and +however certain you may be that his representations are false, rectify +his mistake, not bluntly, but with kindness and respect. + +Guard against _talking too much_ in company. He who is very talkative +incurs disadvantages of a very serious kind. He cheapens himself; tires +his hearers; and must, of course, diminish his usefulness. However rich +and instructive any one's talk may be, yet, if there be too much of it, +both his dignity and his influence cannot fail of being impaired. "A +fool's voice," says Solomon, "is known by the multitude of his words." +"In the multitude of words," says the same inspired teacher, "there +wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise." And again, +"He that hath knowledge, spareth his words." + +But another extreme in social intercourse, is that of excessive +_reserve_ and _taciturnity_. Some from physical temperament; others from +abstraction or absence of mind; and a third class, perhaps, from still +more exceptionable causes, wrap themselves up in a chilling reserve in +company--never speaking but when addressed; and then answering as +briefly as possible, and relapsing into silence again. This is surely +unhappy in a social being, and ought to be carefully avoided. While you +avoid garrulity, then, sink not down into obstinate silence. If you find +yourselves, from any cause, prone to this, it is abundantly worth while +to take pains to counteract it, and to labour to have something ready to +say that shall be at once acceptable and instructive. + +In regard to _uncleanly and vulgar personal habits_, I will not suppose +you capable of them: and, therefore, shall not dwell upon them. All +spitting on floors, lounging in your seats, putting up your feet on +chairs or stools, leaning with your elbows on tables--these, and all +similar habits, I hope, after the training you have had, you will avoid +with instinctive repugnance. But there is one habit which I would +earnestly recommend, as favourable not merely to good manners, but also +to _health_. Learn to _sit erect_, not only in company, but even in your +most private apartment. Reading or writing in a half-sunken or reclining +posture is unfriendly to a graceful carriage; is apt to betray unwarily +into similar postures in company; prepares the way for the sinking, +half-bent postures which disfigure so many of the feeble and aged; and +really tends to bring on premature decrepitude. + +Do not affect _wit_ or _punning_ in conversation. So many of those who +try to make themselves acceptable by such attempts, not only fail, but +often render themselves a laughing stock by it, that there is little +probability of your succeeding as wits or punsters. But even with +respect to those whose talents in this way are ever so great, there is +so much danger of their indulging those talents unseasonably and +imprudently, so as to offend and alienate friends, that such powers +ought to be deprecated rather than desired, and their exercise, if +possessed, subjected to the severest restriction. I never knew more than +one person of wit who was strictly discreet and delicate in its use. But +I have known thousands who, by their miserable attempts to display what +they possessed either not at all, or in a very small degree, succeeded +only in exposing themselves to ridicule. And I have known many real +wits, who almost every day wounded feelings, and alienated friends by +their reckless effusions. + +Do not indulge the habit in conversation of _talking of yourselves_. +Hardly any quality is more apt to appear in social intercourse than +personal vanity. This leads to egotism, so that the idea of _self_ +appears to be ever present to the imagination. Hence we perpetually find +people talking of themselves; what they have done; what they have said; +what others have said and done to their honour; in short, bringing into +view something to their own advantage, or that of their family or +relatives. Rely upon it, if you have real worth, the less _you_ say +about it the better; and if you have it not, every claim of it, direct +or indirect, can only sink you lower in the estimation of those with +whom you converse. + +Carefully form the habit of adverting to all the properties of _time_, +_place_ and _circumstances_ in conversation. When you are about, in +company, to make a remark, or to introduce a new topic of conversation, +look round on the circle, and ask yourself, whether there is any one +present whose feelings would be likely to be hurt by what you are about +to say, or who would be placed by it in embarrassing circumstances. Be +very sure for example, when about to make, in company, an unfavourable +remark on an absent person, that no relative or special friend of that +person is among your hearers. For, although you ought never to make a +remark on any one which the Christian spirit cannot justify; yet in +certain circumstances, a remark perfectly proper in itself, may be +unseasonable, and peculiarly painful to some who hear it. Guard against +the possibility of such an occurrence. This is a dictate of sound +worldly policy. A departure from it is a gross violation of true +politeness. But it may be said, still more emphatically, to be a +departure from the principles of Christian benevolence. + +Avoid the too frequent _use of superlatives_ in conversation. The habit +of many, when they wish to express either approbation or censure, is to +employ the very strongest terms which the English language affords. If +they think favourably of the talents or the performance of any one, they +are apt to speak of them as "noble, admirable," as of "the first order;" +or in some terms expressive of the very highest excellence. And, on the +other hand, if they undertake to express disapprobation, the terms +"mean," "execrable," "detestable," are the softest that they think of +employing. This is a bad habit. It renders both the praise and censure +of those who indulge it of less value in the estimation of all +sober-minded and discriminating judges. If you wish your judgment to +pass for any thing in the view of the wise and reflecting, you must +learn to express opinions in that guarded and moderate manner which +indicates intellectual discrimination rather than undistinguishing +emotion. You know where it is said "Fools admire, where men of sense +approve." + +Carefully avoid giving _unnecessary trouble_ wherever you are. The +difference between different persons in this respect is very +conspicuous. Some, when in the houses of their friends, have so many +little wants, so many errands to perform, and are so absorbed in their +own affairs, that, if permitted, they would keep several servants and +others constantly employed in waiting upon them. You may rely upon it +you can never be, long together, welcome visitants in families which you +subject to so much trouble. Make as few demands as possible on the time +and attention of those whose hospitality you are enjoying. Never call +upon their servants to wait upon you when it is practicable to avoid it. +Never allow the occupations or order of any family to be set aside or +disarranged on your account, where it is possible to prevent it. In +short, act universally on the principle of doing every thing that you +can for yourselves, and making as few demands as possible on the time +and labour of those around you. + +In _calling on friends_ consult their convenience, as well as your own; +and in some cases in preference to your own. Many make their calls at +such hours, and sit so inordinately long, as to throw a whole family +into disorder, and inflict very serious pain. Never sit long in your +social calls at any time; but when you make them at times which may, by +possibility interfere with domestic meals, let them be _very short_; be +on the watch for every symptom of engagement or uneasiness on the part +of those whom you visit, and on the appearance of any thing of the kind, +instantly take your leave. + +Constantly maintain the habit of _early rising_. Few things are more +conducive to health and activity both of body and mind. A disposition +to lie long in bed in the morning, is, at once, a symptom and a cause of +feeble digestion, of nervous debility, and of general languor. Go early +to bed. Avoid much night study. Quit your beds by dawn of day, and, in +winter, before the dawn, and thus secure several hours of unbroken time, +for devotion, for study, and for gentle exercise in the open air, before +breakfast, and before the interruptions of the earliest visitors +commence. + +Cultivate habits of moderation in _dress_. You are never likely to be +able to indulge in very inordinate expense in bodily adorning; and I +will venture to say, this inability, wherever it exists, is a great +blessing. Few things evince more weakness of mind, and absence of +Christian principle, than extravagance and splendor in dress. In young +men it is a sad evidence of "dandyism" and folly; and even in young +females, an excessive indulgence in fashion, in finery, and the extreme +of _devotion_ to bodily adorning, never fails to depress their character +in the estimation of the wise and good. Try to set an example of sober, +dignified _moderation_ in regard to this whole subject. Always guard +against negligence of dress. Conscientiously avoid exposing yourselves +to the charge of careless, slatternly habits. But never make dress an +idol. Reject every thing dazzling, or what is commonly called "dashing," +in outward ornament. Be not seen aping the extreme of fashion; and ever +remember how unworthy it is of Christians to be worshippers of external +adorning; and how peculiarly disreputable for the children of +_clergymen_ to bear such a character. + + * * * * * + +Thus, dear children, I have endeavoured, with brevity, to give you a few +paternal counsels, which, I would fondly hope, may, by the grace of God, +be made to promote your benefit, when the hand which penned them shall +be sleeping in the dust. You will perceive from the _order_ in which I +have placed my counsels, that I consider real heart religion as the most +indispensable and precious of all attainments; that my first and highest +wish concerning you is, that you may love your Father's and Mother's +God, and make it your daily aim to follow her to that world of bliss and +glory to which, as we trust, she has gone before us. Next to seeing you +real Christians, my desire is to see you enlightened, polished, +benevolent, amiable, attractive members of society, respected and +beloved by all who know you. + +Remember, I beseech you, that the friends of your Parents will expect +much from you. The advantages which you have enjoyed, and are daily +enjoying, impose upon you a solemn responsibility in the sight both of +God and man. Many prayers have ascended to heaven on your behalf. Pray +without ceasing for yourselves, that you may be preserved from the +paths of sin and folly, and led in the ways of heavenly wisdom. + +I have no doubt that the counsels I have given you will commend +themselves to your judgment, and that you will promptly form the +resolution to make them your constant guide. But you cannot rely upon +your own wisdom or strength to do this. Such are your own infirmities, +and so multiplied the temptations and allurements which surround you, +that you will need at every step, guidance and help from above. Happy +will it be for you if you habitually bear this in mind, and acknowledge +God in all your ways, that he may direct your steps. + +And now, dear children, I bid you farewell. When I look forward, and +imagine to myself what may be your course in life--when I think of the +corruptions and perils with which you are surrounded, and what _may_ be +the result of them, I hardly know how to express my anxieties and fears: +but when I recollect the love and faithfulness of that God who blessed +your Parents, I feel willing to commit you into his hands, and to trust +his grace for your temporal and eternal welfare. May he guide you by his +counsel! May he guard you amidst all the dangers of youth and of riper +years; and finally, "present you faultless before the presence of his +glory with exceeding great joy!" O how unutterably precious the thought +of meeting you all at last--with those of our beloved family who have +already gone before us, and those who are yet to follow--around the +throne of our covenant God, and rejoicing forever in his presence and +glory! Such will be the prayer until his last breath, of your + + Affectionate Grandfather, + + SAMUEL MILLER. + + PRINCETON, July 10, 1839. + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memorial of Mrs. Margaret +Breckinridge, by Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller and John Breckinridge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMORIAL--MRS. MARGARET BRECKINRIDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 45317.txt or 45317.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/5/3/1/45317/ + +Produced by Carlos Colon, Princeton Theological Seminary +Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/45317.zip b/old/45317.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbfe1bc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/45317.zip |
