This

While I was meditating upon recollect of applying them to mymy unhappy situation, the thought self. I went to meeting and heard occurred to me, why not commit the three sermons, which were my ways unto the Lord, rest in preached on that day. I was prehim and wait patiently for him. I pared to hear with attention, exfelt that I could willingly do it. pecting to learn what I might do. I wished to be made entirely holy. In the improvement of the mornAnd I was desirous of entering im- ing discourse I was told to do my mediately into God's service. I duty, if I remember right, without asked myself, if I were willing, af- regard to consequences. ter enjoying his presence here, to thought immediately occurred to be cast from it forever. Ishrunk me, who can tell me what my dufrom it. The thought returned, ty is? I asked myself, if I were am I not willing God's will should willing, that Jesus Christ should be done? I thought I could cheer. be my teacher and do for me and fully commit my all into his hands, direct me in every respect. I leaving the event with him. My thought I was. The character of proud heart quickly suggested to God, as exhibited in the second me, that these feelings were right. sermon, appeared pleasing. I was The thought distressed me. I glad, that God was a being, possesmentally said what can be done sing all power. I had seen enough with such a heart as mine? I took of my own heart to convince up the bible and opening to the me, that all, which was said in the 10th chapter of Acts, I read third sermon concerning the natthese words, "he shall tell thee ural depravity of man was true. what thou oughtest to do." Who, Meditating one day that week thought 1, can tell me what I ought upon my own feelings, while sitto do? My mind was immediately ting under your preaching, the letdirected to you, sir. You had ter, which I had addressed to you, been the means of convincing me, Sir, threeyears and an half before, that I had not taken one step to- rushed into my mind. I had not wards heaven. I thought, per- thought of it for many months.-haps, you would now tell me, how It gave me pleasure to think it I might. I soon found I made were possible you had received it great dependance upon it. and that your prayers were anin haste to go to meeting. It be- swered in regard to me. I recoling early, I again took my Bible lected, that I resolved when I and opened to the 22d chapter of wrote the letter, that if ever I had Luke. I read with indifference, the least hope, that I was reconuntil I came to the 31 & 32 verses. ciled to the will of God, I My heart was affected. I thought would make you, Sir, acquainted them gracious words, but do not with it. But I scarcely knew

I felt

From the Utica Repository.
THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS IN THE NINE-

TEENTH CENTURY BY BUNYANUS.

CHAPTER IV.

Now I beheld that the pilgrims had arrived at the house of the interpreter, where they knocked, and one opened the door, and inquired who they were, and what they wanted. Then Thoughtful told him they were pilgrims who

that I had any; and I was altogether at a loss to know how to express it. The feelings that I have had, that I hoped were right, have been so few, so faint, and of so short continuance, that I know not, whether I am the friend or the enemy of God. I feel none of that opposition, which I formerly had to the divine government; but I cannot determine, whether it is resignation or stupidity. If I entered this way at the Wicket have ever been the subject of gate, and were bid to call at the your prayers, Sir, I beg the con- house of the Interpreter, to be tinuance of them; if not, may I more fully introduced into the now be particularly remembered. Begging your pardon, Sir, for the liberty 1 have taken, I subscribe myself with sentiments of respect, yours,

SOPHIA BULLOCK.

As the person who wrote the preceding letter has been a number of years in the world of spirits and was greatly endeared to her christian acquaintance, as well as to her bereaved relatives, it has been thought proper to add her name; that her letter may appear and be known, as it was written by her own hand. The letter that she sent to the Post-Office, was received and was prob. ably as trying to him who received it, as the occasion of it was to the writer. The writer was

unknown, until the reception of the preceding letter. May every reader pray with humility and perseverance for distressed, and perishing sinners.

T. W.

King's statutes. So they were desired to walk in, and were introduced into the presence of the Interpreter, a venerable old man, of a grave but pleasant countenance, who desired them to be seated, and then inquired who they were, and how they had come in at the gate, and what they had met with by the way; and they told him. Then he said, In.. You did well in not exchanging your books with Mr. Plausible. He is an impostor, and an enemy to pilgrims; and by good words and fair speeches he deceiveth the hearts of the simple. He knows that none are approved by the Lord of the way, but such as love his statutes, and obey them. He desires, therefore, to keep them ignorant of these, or to make them believe they are different from what they are. For this purpose he wishes to deprive them of their books, or destroy their confidence in them. And if and thus prepare them to be carried about with every wind of doc. trine, and become a prey to every deceiver.

Ardent. I confess that I was too much inclined to listen to Mr. Plausible, and was disposed to receive his books. But I desire to be thankful that I have escaped the danger.

Th. I wish to know what ground we have to depend upon the correctness of our present copies of the King's statute book, that my confidence in it may not again be shaken; for 1 confess that Mr. Plausible's discourse made some impression upon my mind also.

he cannot prevail upon him to ced on the King's statute book; take his mutilated and erroneous copies, he often fills their minds with doubts as to the correctness of those they have, and greatly hinders their improvement and comfort in perusing them. As for his pretended Improved Version, it was indeed made by men of learning and abilities; but they were men who wished to degrade the character of the Prince Immanuel, and rob him of his honors. They wished also to misrepresent the character, and government, and designs of the King, and make it appear that he would not destroy his enemies and burn up their cities with unquenchable fire. His other copies are more or less erroneous, in order to suit the different inclinations of those who may be willing to exchange. That made by John the Itinerant, does not indeed, like some of them degrade the Prince Immanuel to a mere fallible, peccable man, nor deny the existence of the Holy Comforter, nor the everlasting punishment of the King's enemies; but if you should compare it with your own copies, you would per- it appears, that the copies in ceive that it is intended to con- present use, cannot differ, in any ceal many of the doctrines which important particular, from those your copies teach, and to favour which were written by the King's those which he laboured to estab- scribes. And as to the translation lish; and that it differs from yours you have, it was the joint labour in so many places, that its tenden- of forty-seven of the most learned cy must be to weaken the confi- of the King's servants that could dence of the feeble minded in any be found, in a learned age, and is copy, and make them believe that the copy distributed by all those there is no dependance to be pla- corporations which the King has

In. As to the correctness of the original copy of which your copies are a translation, I would observe, that the most learned of the King's servants have carefully compared all the copies that could be found in the different parts of the world, and taken down a statement of every variation, even in the manner of spelling the same words, and published the result of their labours; from which

caused to be established for the wider circulation of his statute book, in which corporations are included the most learned of the King's servants now living. So that you may judge yourselves whether there are likely to be any important defects in it. No; whatever Mr. Plausible may pretend, you may depend upon the copy you have, and receive whatever it contains, as the pure word of the King.

Th. I wish to be informed also

how I shall know what is the true sense of the King's statute book; for I find that it is interpreted differently.

In. That is the language of those who are too indolent to search, or who are disposed to disobey. Remember, that it is a revelation from the King, not merely for the use of the learned, but for those of common understanding also. It is an impeachment of his wisdom and goodness to suppose it is not well adapted to answer the purposes for which it was given.

Th. By what rules of interpretation shall I determine what is

the true sense of any passage?

In. By the same rules that you determine what is the true sense of any thing that is said to you. Consider the connexion, and what is the subject of discourse, and let words be understood according to their plainest and most obvious import when used in such a connexion.

In. The most important requisite, in order to arrive at the true sense of the King's statute book, is a humble, teachable disposition. The Prince Immanuel hath said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." A disobedient heart is the only important diffi-ly, and sometimes literally ?

Th. Are not the same expressions used sometimes figurative

In. Yes: But the connexion

culty in the way of a right understanding of the King's book. If will always decide. If they are you feel your own ignorance, and are willing to be taught by the King, and to receive and obey whatever he teaches, without murmurings and disputings, you will be likely to find no difficulty. Th. But I have heard it alleged, that the King's statute book is very dark and difficult to be understood; and that is in vain for persons of common understanding to try to know what it means.

used figuratively, the connexion will make it manifest; and it will show also what is the meaning of the figure. If the connexion furnishes no reason why the expression should be understood figuratively, it ought to be understood literally. You must not think you may understand an expression figuratively or literally at your pleasure. This would destroy the use of the King's book altogether,