would he speak of the pleasures which he derived from retirement, and of the triumphs of a Christian's death. Often would his heart swell with benevolence for the perishing heathen, as well as for sinners around him; while the prospect of devoting his whole life to this cause, added not a little to his enjoyment. The last composition, which he exhibited in public, was upon the christian warfare. Dear youth, how soon is thy warfare completed how soon thy victory obtained! How soon crowned with glory "After his disease assumed a dangerous appearance, he observed, 'I have no desire to live, if Jesus calls me home. I esteem it an unspeakable blessing, that I may so soon partake of that rest, which remaineth for the people of God.'-He was asked, what would you now do, if the Redeemer was no more than a man? 'I could,' says he, 'place no more dependence on him than upon any other man.' His last day was one of the most joyful, which was ever witnessed. When his limbs had become cold with death, he never expressed a fear nor heaved a sigh. He took an affectionate leave of all around him, exhorting the saints to greater diligence and zeal; while as with a voice from the grave, he proclaimed the certain and awful doom of the sinner. While looking into eternity, the final punishment of the impenitent appeared so dreadful, that he wept for them. When death approached, he smiled for joy. Then his spirit fled, attended by angels to the embraces of his Redeemer; while all who stood by his bed could exclaim, 'O let my last end be like his !'-O my brother, my brother, would to God, I had died for thee!

"No infidel ever died in this manner. Paine with his boasted philosophy, with all his exertions to fortify his mind against the fear of death, was compelled to yield to the gnawings of a guilty conscience, and to exclaim with horror and despair, 'O Jesus save me.' Hume, the celebrated infidel, to appease his troubled breast, spent his last hours in conversation upon the most vain and trifling subjects. He did not meet death like a man, as he boasted, but like a beast. Our religion affords a certain refuge in the hour of death, and presents a rational and joyful hope of future blessedness. But the impenitent often meet death with unspeakable anguish, as it hurries them into the presence of an offended Judge."

During the sickness of his friend, Mr, Parsons' health suffered an alarming decline. At length, in compliance with the advice of his instructors, he left his dying friend

about two weeks before his exit, and journeyed into the northwestern part of the state of Massachusetts. The journey had a salutary influence on his health; but it was months before it was perfectly restored. That this affliction was sanctified to him will, I think, appear evident from the following letter.

"ANDOVER, June 27, 1815.

"My Dear Mother,-Will a line from your absent son be unwelcome? True, I cannot refresh your spirit by a particular statement of revivals of religion; and perhaps the various operations of my own mind will be only what you continually experience to a greater degree. With you, my mother, I use freedom; I can tell you of joys and sorrows, which if related openly would merit the charge of pride and ostentation. I can tell you what are my views of Christ, of heaven and of death. For some weeks after the decease of my dear room-mate, I yielded to improper grief; and refused to be comforted. This, as it ought, kept me in darkness and doubt. But since I have given God the right of governing, he has given me the joys of believing. He met me, while I was yet afar off, and embraced me in the arms of his love. He kindly said, 'why weepest thou,' and then wiped the falling tear from my eye. O how could I be so sorrowful, since the promises of the gospel can never fail! My thoughts have been particularly turned to the subject of death. I have viewed it very near and very pleasant. I can find nothing in this gloomy vale to terrify or injure; for the Saviour is there. His rod and staff will defend and comfort. Death is pleasant as it terminates this course of sin, and liberates the soul from her long captivity. The struggling of the mind will then cease, cares, anxiety aud trouble will no longer attend us; they cannot pass the banks of Jordan. But the peculiar pleasure which death affords, is the glory, which it reveals. Fix the eye upon heaven, and where is the dread and sting of death? Walk but a few moments the city of God, and contemplate the perfection and beauty, which is there displayed, and where are the ties which bind us to earth? Who, that has his soul inflamed with a glimpse of heaven, could not say,

'Come death, shake hands,

'I kiss thy bands,

""Tis happiness for me to die.'

It adds much to the enjoyment of the Christian to hold familiar and constant converse with death.

'Why should the children of a king

'Go mourning all their days.'

Why should we fear to die, when Jesus has gone before us?

can

"I have had of late a faint view of the joys of the redeemed. It has made my stay in the flesh almost a burden. This body of mine is wearisome to me. I long at times to be unburdened, that I may mingle in that blessed society. Do you ask how I be willing to die when my sins are so aggravated? I have tried to be terrified with this idea, but there is no ground for it What! cannot God pardon them? Without atoning blood my first offence. would ruin me forever. With it, sin will not debar the soul from happiness. Sometimes when I view myself the greatest sinner, I have the greatest hope of pardon. The fulness of Christ surpasses the guilt of the most abandoned sinner. Jesus is my hope, my confidence and my glory. On his arm I can rest my weary soul; to his care commit my temporal and immortal interests.

"It afforded me much pleasure that my mother so cheerfully gave me up to the directions of the Saviour. I doubt not, but that this resignation would support you, even if I should die in early life. I cannot make any calculations as to my future life. I would wait with patience the direction of providence. My friends may rest assured that I regard my health as the greatest earthly blessing, and shall spare no time or expence to preserve it.”

Extract from a letter to a friend in Lewis, New York, dated

"PITTSFIELD, Vt. November 3, 1815. "No human foresight can prevent disappointments, or ensure success. It is the christian's duty as well as his glory, to commit his all to the disposal of infinite wisdom, and to rest satisfied that an infinite mind does direct. The moment I plan for future joys on earth, the voice of Perry is heard from the grave, 'He builds too low, who builds beneath the skies.' There is much advantage in keeping our end in sight, always looking for the coming of our Lord and Saviour. It prevents that attachment to the world, which kills devotion, and benumbs every feeling of piety. It en

ables us to use the world as not abusing it, while we patiently wait for a better state, even an heavenly."

Sometime in October, Mr. Parsons visited his parents and friends in Pittsfield, Vt. and after a short but delightful stay, returned again to 'the beloved seminary.'

In a letter to his parents dated November 25, Mr. Parsons says, "we have preaching in the seminary every Lord's day, and shall form a church by ourselves." Although it is not expressly stated, yet the writer believes, that Mr. Parsons was one of the number which first composed the church in the theological seminary.

Extract from a letter to myself and Mrs. M.

"ANDOVER, January 10, 1815. "My Dear Friends,-Last new year's day I received information that I had been raised to a new station, and must sustain a new relation to my friends. I was informed of the appointment to the office of an uncle, which seemed to add to my age and dignity. Now all this revolution is said to arise from a stranger in your family; who, I conceive, must be of some iufluence, for he has already made grand parents, uncles and aunt. Tell me, does he not assume considerable authority; does he not sometimes shake his fist as if he would command silence? Does he not seem to say, strange world this, and then again more mildly smile at his follies? I should like to see this little champion, and talk a little about matters; but you will do it for me.

"But I will speak more plainly and more seriously. The treasure committed to your keeping is of amazing importance, and is most intimately connected with eternity. You may carry in your arms a minister, or a missionary of the cross. You certainly have one, who will shortly be an inhabitant of eternity, and may by grace shine as a star in the kingdom of heaven. O then, while it is lent you, use it as the Lord's; give it not too much of your affections; give it not too little of your fears. Carefully nourish it as a plant in the garden of God, water it with your tears and daily prayers, and perhaps it may be precious and lovely in the eyes of our Redeemer.-Perhaps in the ordinance of baptism more depends upon the feelings of parents than is generally considered. If the offering is made in faith, will not God regard it? If the child is lent to the

Lord as long as he lives, will not God sanctify it as he did young Samuel?

"Since I returned to this seminary I have partaken largely of the divine favors. My health was never better, my studies never more interesting, the society never more instructive. Our number is sixty-one.

“Our meetings on the Sabbath are in the chapel, attended by the professors and their families, and the preceptor and students of the academy. The seasons are interesting, and not without the influences of the Holy Spirit. It is to be lamented that those seasons, which we witnessed last winter, are past. You will pray for us, I trust, without ceasing.

"I cannot forget your dear people. May I not believe that a work has already commenced, which will prevail till all are interested in it by a saving faith? I have often thought of the resolution of Miss S. Anthony, to pray for Zion as her constant employment. Are there not such pious females in your church, who accomplish much in their closets? Surely God will not disregard the cries of his children, but will reward them abundantly in his own time. I know your anxiety for the return of the Holy Spirit and I am certain if you continue to wait on the Lord, he will visit your people with his smiles, and gather many souls into his kingdom.

"It must be one of the most difficult things in the world to unite a popular discourse with unaffected humility, christian liberality with sinless compliance; duties to our benefactors with gospel admonitions. I find it next to impossible to use the world without being absorbed in its concerns; to become all things to all men, and yet conceal nothing of the truth; to be cheerful without vanity; to be serious without austerity.-Tell me, how close study, intense thinking, can be united with an entire devotedness to God, with a holy panting after divine knowledge.

"O when will a cold heart cease to perplex me, when will pride be subdued, vain thoughts suppressed, and my whole life exhibit the meekness and simplicity of the gospel? Is not the conflict with sin so severe at times, that death may appear desirable? Well might the Psalmist exclaim, 'I shall be satisfied, when I awake in thy likeness.'

"I have commenced an examination of the subject of missions, and expect to go through a course of reading before I can decide the course to take. The Indians in the west have a special claim