glect to be found helping together, by prayer for each other, that we may be favoured with that Divine protection and guidance, support and comfort, and various grace which we still need during our separation; and which indeed will be always equally necessary to us, through the journey of life, whether we are travelling in it alone, or in company.

A fellow traveller in this journey, whose sentiments, views, affections, and every interest, so unite and accord with one's own, as to become in reality the same, is truly a most desirable blessing; and a blessing which has certainly laid me under many obligations, most thankfully to acknowledge the wise and tender care and mercy of the Lord, who has provided such an helpmeet for me. Of the advantages and comforts of such a connexion, the nearest and the tenderest in life, neither of us, have, I believe, been insensible. Yet as we often best learn the value of our enjoyments, when we are deprived of them, perhaps the temporary suspension of some of ours in the present instance, may serve to promote among other good purposes, a temper of thoughtfulness to the blessed Author of every good and perfect gift, who bestows, withdraws, and restores the comforts of life at his pleasure; and to excite us to improve them, when they are again returned, more to his praise.

Ever since you crossed the bar, the wind has been as favourable for your voyage, as your heart or mine could wish. If it has been so with you, the goodness and mercy of the Lord have surely followed you on the wings of the wind. And if it has been so ordered, may not this circumstance be justly regarded as an answer to prayer, and a part of the reward of a patient

waiting upon the Lord; and what then can be more reasonable, than the most cheerful, affectionate, and fervent returns of praise to Him, who commandeth the winds and the seas, and they obey him? Could you have expected such a long epistle so shortly after your sailing. I have felt a particular pleasure and consolation in talking to you, though only on paper, and while you were flying from me a thousand times faster than my pen could move towards you. Give my tender love to our dear parents, and affectionate remembrance to all inquiring friends.

I commend you to God, and the word of his grace. I know I shall not be forgotten in the family, and particularly by my dearest friend; and you may rest assur ed of your retaining all the interest you can wish to hold, in the heart of your affectionate

ISAAC S. KEITH.

TO THOMAS BENNETT, ESQ. JOHN'S ISLAND.

ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD.

WITH you, my dear Sir, with all the family, and especially the bereaved parents, we sincerely sympa. thize under the painful stroke of a Father's hand, which has called so many to mourn. But blessed be his name, for the encouragement given in his gospel, that in this case, we are not called to " sorrow, as those who have no hope;" but rather to comfort our own and each other's hearts with the words of Jesus, who gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them in his boson; and by the solemn voice of death, as well as in the tender language of the covenant of his grace, in the

ordinance of baptism, says, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Is this lovely and promising, and lately beloved and endeared babe, now with her and our Lord in his heavenly kingdom? She must there be happy; happy forever, and unspeakably more happy, than the affectionate hearts of her fondest connexions on earth, can conceive. Let them not then weep inconsolably for her : but let them humbly and quietly submit, to the holy hand that has so soon smitten their pleasant and flourishing ground, in which they took so much delight, and from which they promised themselves, probably much more, than the creature is permitted to give. Consoled with the consideration, that the idolized creature is so early removed from the evil to come, let all who feel and lament the disappointment of their fond wishes and hopes for this world, under this bereaving Provi dence, now awaken their solicitude, and offer up their earnest prayers, that it may be divinely sanctified to work for their good, in the promotion of their spiritual interests, and everlasting happiness. The most painful loss, of creature and mortal comforts, will be productive of the richest gain to the soul, which by such means is constrained to resort to, and to rest in, the Lord, the Creator and Redeemer, as its refuge and portion, in the land of the living. To this most desirable and important purpose, may this affecting event, be blessed to all concerned in it! And may the God of all grace, prepare and open the hearts of all who are again called by it into the house of mourning, to receive those consolations of God, which are not small, and which, to sincere believers, and humble mourners, are

made to abound through Christ Jesus, as their sorrows have abounded!

In sympathizing regards, and prayers for the family, Mrs. K. joins with your sincere friend,

ISAAC S. KEITH.

TO REV. DR. SPROAT.

CHARLESTON, AUGUST 17, 1796.

REV. AND DEAR FATHER,

ON Sabbath evening, the 11th inst. Capt. S. handed us your kind letter of the 29th of July. In your present afflicted state, we esteemed it a particular kindness and favour, that you should write to us again so soon after your letter, with which we were favoured by Capt. S. For that favour, Mrs. K. has returned by Capt. S. our thankful acknowledgements, with affectionate expressions of tender sympathy with our dear parents, under their afflictions, and of our desire and hope that they may be removed, or alleviated, as may seem best to the wisdom of God. It is with much satisfaction that we learn by your last letter, that your pains were considerably abated; and that our mother's complaint, though it continued, was not Your complaints respectively, may be troublesome, and your own in particular, may be often distressing; but in my view they do not appear to be very threatening to the hope which we are disposed to cherish, that you may both of you be mercifully spared for years to come, for the great comfort and benefit of your family and friends, and of the church of Christ. In the mean time, if it should please the only wise God, to continue his afflicting hand upon you, I doubt not but that he will give you the sanctified use of your afflic

worse.

tions, by blessing them to the purposes of making you partakers, more and more, of his holiness on earth, and of promoting your growing meetness for that eternal rest and fulness of joy, which, I believe, await you in his presence in heaven; and that he will also grant you the comfortable evidences of his gracious presence with you, through all the remainder of that right way, in which he is conducting you to the city of habitation, prepared for you; and enable you to continue to possess your souls in patience and peace, believing, hoping, and often rejoicing, in his promises, by which he assures his people of strength according to their day; that he will never leave nor forsake them; that all things shall work together for their good; that no temptation shall overtake them, but what they shall be enabled to bear; and that through all their tribulations and sufferings, they shall be kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Such is our comfortable hope concerning you, and correspondent to this are our prayers for you. And we desire to be thankful, that, while in all your afflictions we are afflicted, we are also comforted with the persuasion, that to you, belong all those consolations of God, which are not small that the Lord God is now your hope, who has been your trust from your youth up that now when you are old, your God will not forsake you; and that under all your weaknesses and infirmities, you will be enabled to go on in the strength of your Redeemer, making mention of his righteousness, even of his only, declaring the wonders of his grace; rejoicing with thankful praise in his salvation; and quietly waiting, with a cheering hope, for your removal to that desirable state in which all the redeemed of the Lord shall meet together, with songs

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