I grieve to think, how often I have amused myself and

my hearers, (I fear it has been little more, with making grave remarks upon sin or holiness, which though, I hope, true in themselves, and important in their proper places, have, by the length of my proofs, reasonings, and illustrations, tended to hide the Saviour from our view. I have since compared this mistake to that of a painter who in a historical piece should omit the principal figure, I have thought it like an attempt to point out the most striking parts of an extensive prospect at midnight. In future, I wish when I preach, (if I may so speak,) to keep the sun in view. above the horizon. Then I may hope that He will be seen by his own light, and will likewise diffuse a light upon every part of my subject,

That there is an injudicious, improper way of preaching Christ, and dwelling and chiming upon the name of Jesus, as though the sound of it could work like acharm, I readily admit. But I believe the most judicious preacher, if faithful, if warmly conscious of the Saviour's just right to appear glorious in every eye, and precious to every heart, will not escape censure, from fastidious, superficial, and incompetent hearers. They will allow us to speak of God in general terms, but they will not be pleased with hearing too much of Christ. His name is of small value with the careless, and those who are at ease; it is designed for the relief of the weak, the wounded, the helpless, and the miserable; and they who truly know him, and have experienced his saving power, will be ready to speak of his name, (if they could speak Latin,) in the words of Austin, that it is "Mel in ore, melos in aure, medicina " in corde."

To draw to a close:-If the Lord shall be pleased

to give me clearer and deeper views of this point than I have as yet attained, I believe it must be not by investigation on my part, but by a manifestation on his part, I cannot, by searching, find out God. Nor am I ambitious of that moon-light knowledge, which chiefly qualifies for framing distinctions, and weighing words and phrases. The only knowledge I think worth praying for, is that which, while it enlightens, exhilarates, animates, and sanctifies the heart: such as the good woman had, who told her persecutors, when they would have disputed with her," I cannot "talk for Christ, but I can burn for him."

I conclude with my sincere and earnest prayers for myself and my readers, in the words of the apostle, "That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able "to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, " and length, and depth, and height, and to know the "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we may "be filled with all the fulness of God!"

OMICRON.

I

A LETTER TO A YOUNG WOMAN.

My dear Miss

THANK you for your letter, and for your kind sympathy with me; but I am not much to be pitied. My trial, if I may call it one, has been very light, and sweetened with innumerable comforts and mercies. I fell in the street, not down stairs; but I strained my instep a good deal, and was confined to the sofa for. near a fortnight. Last Sunday I was enabled to mount

the pulpit, and I am now returning into my old track; but I cannot yet walk in the street, because I cannot wear my own shoe. I trust, in the Lord's good time, I shall recover my former liberty: and till his time comes, which is always the best, I hope I shall not desire it. I felt little pain, except for about half an hour after my fall. Perhaps my confinement may have kept me from some greater harm.

The text of my first sermon on my return to church was suggested by my own case: John v. 14. Methinks it is applicable to you likewise. You have been sick, nigh unto death, but the Lord has raised you up; may he enable you to consider sin, as the source and cause of every sorrow; and that the afflictions the Lord sends, however trying to the flesh, are light, compared with what sin deserves; and designed, if rightly improved, to prevent still worse things which may come upon us, if we despise the chastening of the Lord. It is my heart's desire for you, that you may not only say with gratitude, He hath healed all my sicknesses, but be able to add, He has pardoned all my sin.

An accomplished and well-behaved young woman is an amiable object in the sight of her fellow-creatures. She may be sensible and obliging; she may dress and dance genteelly; she may play well upon the harpsichord; she may have much finer work to show, than the coats and garments which Dorcas made; and, by her vicacity and good humour, she may become the idol of all her acquaintance: but if she does not know her state as a sinner; if she admires herself, and is pleased with the admiration of others, while her heart is cold to the love and glory of God our Saviour; if she has no taste for prayer or praise; if her mind is engrossed by the pleasures and prospects of this poor world; she

In the sight of God her

is dead while she liveth. Maker, she is insensible and ungrateful; she is poor, blind, and miserable.

When you were a child I could observe in you, not only the sprightliness common to children, but indications of sense and mental powers above the common standard. Could I see you now, I think I should see you greatly improved. Your person, I suppose, is

formed, your education finished, and your powers expanded. Happy you, if with these advantages you should be led to devote yourself to the Lord in early life. Then he will guide and bless you, and make you a blessing in all your connexions. You will live honourably and usefully, and die, whether sooner or later, comfortably. You will have a double relish for every temporal comfort, because you will see his hand providing and bestowing it; and in times of trouble, which you will surely meet with, you will have a refuge, a hiding place, a present and effectual helper, when the help of man would be utterly in vain.

But unless you enter the narrow way by the straight gate, all your talents and accomplishments will be snares to your feet, and thorns in your eyes. Though the world, at first, may appear like a beautiful palace, or a pleasant garden, it is enchanted ground, it is all illusion; and when, at last, the charm is broken, you will find yourself in a desolate wilderness. May the Lord preserve you from those awful disappointments, and bitter reflections, which are the inevitable consequences of living without God in the world!

Shall I advise you to change your own heart, to make yourself, (what you must be if ever you are a Christian indeed,) a new creature? This would be no less vain, than if I advised you to fly in the air, or to touch the

stars with your finger. Yet there is something within the reach of your ability, and which if you neglect, the fault will be properly your own. This is, the use of what we call the means of grace. The promise of God has connected the appointed means and the promised end; so certainly that no one. who carefully attends to the former, can possibly fail of attaining the latter and no one, to whom the Lord's word of salvation is sent, shall finally miss of happiness, unless the appointed means of attaining it are wilfully neglected. You can read; the Bible is in your hands; read it therefore attentively; by it God speaks to you, and he deserves to be heard. Your heart tells you, that he ought to be worshipped. Let this conviction engage you to pray, and especially pray for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to enlighten your mind to see and understand the great things of his Word. Reverence his sabbaths, and public worship. Where two or three are met in his name, he has said, I am in the midst of them. Prize the preaching of the Gospel when you can have it, for ordinarily faith cometh by hearing. If you persevere in this way, you shall find that he is able and willing to do that for you which you cannot possibly do for yourself.

I commend you to the care and blessing of the Lord. I hope you will always believe me to be,

Your affectionate friend,

J. NEWTON.