ness to me in my younger days. But I hope that He who alone can give happiness, will reward you a hundred fold. I never can, and I never would erase from my memory the kind admonitions which I have received from your lips. I never can sufficiently thank the Lord that my parents have been so good to me. And it is impossible for me to express how much I love and esteem you. For this also I desire to be thankful. I esteem it a great blessing."

In many other letters addressed to his parents, similar sentiments are expressed in similar language. And the same strong natural affection was ever shown towards his brothers and sisters. But religion is the great subject of every letter; and the most intense desire that the whole family might become disciples of Jesus Christ, and partakers of his salvation, is manifested in every page.

In his correspondence, as carried on from year to year, there are clear indications of a growth of religious feeling, and increased consistency of religious character; giving promise that one so devoted in early life would be employed by the Head of the church in some remarkable way for the advancement of his cause.

He was now pleasantly situated as a merchant's clerk, with a kind-hearted, pious man, whom he greaty loved. His prospects were entirely favorable. But before the close of 1819, he determined to abandon his pursuits, renounce his hopes of becoming rich, and devote himself to the ministry of the Gospel. The providence of God was plainly in this whole affair.

A physician in New-York, in full practice, and with a rising reputation, had determined to "leave all," and

go with his family as a missionary to the East Indies. His departure from the city excited great interest. James was engaged in his ordinary business, when a young christian friend, on passing his door, called, and asked him to accompany him to the wharf, to see Dr. Scudder off." The invitation was readily ac cepted. The scene and the effect produced may be told in his own words

(6

"New-York, May 24, 1819.

"This morning I witnessed a scene highly interesting to the heart of a Christian. It caused thanksgiving and praise to rise from my heart, and tears to flow from my eyes. I saw a missionary and his wife take their departure from this port for India, to declare among the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ. How pleasing is it to see the Lord, from time to time, raising up one and another to make known his truth to the children of men, and sending them to those who have never heard the voice of mercy, have never been told of a Savior from sin, nor of a way of escape from the wrath to come. Let us rejoice in what he has done, is doing now, and has promised to do in time to come, for his church. On looking back thirty years, there were no Bible, no Missionary, no Tract Societies, nor Sabbath Schools. But now, we see them all, and hear of their happy results. We also see societies for the education of pious youth for the ministry, who, I trust, will prove a blessing to millions yet unborn. Christians, at this time, seem to be exerting themselves for the cause of Zion; and while one minister is going among foreign pagans, another is taking his station among the Indians.

"This, I think, is not 'a day of small things

Yet

much remains to be done. And all the followers of Christ ought to be more concerned and engaged for a world which lieth in wickedness." We must also be more careful about our own growth in grace, and advancement in the divine life. For it would be a poor charity to neglect our own salvation in securing that of others.

"The missionary who has just left us, was former ly a physician in this city. This circumstance will be of great advantage, for he will be able to administer to the diseases of the body as well as the mind. It may be said of him and his wife, that they have left all, and followed their Savior. They counted not the blessings of home, and friends, or even their own lives, dear unto themselves, that they might 'win Christ,' and win others to him.

"I had the pleasure of being introduced to Dr. and Mrs. Scudder. He appeared cheerful ; Mrs. Scudder was bathed in tears, but yet rejoicing. They were surrounded by many acquaintances and friends; and we can with difficulty imagine their feelings when, just about to leave home, and country, and all the blessings of Christian society, they heard one and another say, 'my friend, my sister, farewell, for ever! Just as the steamboat was moving off, one of the Doctor's friends, who came too late to go on board, called out and bade him adieu, wishing him a pleasant passage. I shall never forget Dr. Scudder's looks, or his words. As he spoke, his eye kindled, and his cheek glowed with the ardor of christian benevolence. He waved his hand, and with a benignant smile on his countenance, said 'Only give me your prayers, and that is all I ask.'

"He is now gone-gone never to see his friends

again in this world :

Go, messenger, and bear

Upon thy gentle wing,

The song which seraphs love to hear,
'And angels joy to sing.'

"I have felt, since this morning, as though I would be willing to forsake my ever-dear father and mother, brothers and sisters, and country, for my Savior's sake and the Gospel's. I have also thought, perhaps my present business is not to be my future employ. Yes, the Lord may have in reserve for me, unworthy as I am, a situation far different from my present one. May 1 ever be led in the path of duty, this has been my prayer this day: and I have, more than at any former time, felt the importance of crying, 'Lord, make me to know my duty, and give me a heart to perform it.' Yes, my Lord does know all my desires, and hears all my sighs."

Again he writes:

"On seeing Dr. Scudder take his last leave of his friends, and of the people on shore, with a true missionary spirit, I felt a tenderness towards the poor heathen, to whom he was going, which caused my eyes to overflow. I thought that I would be willing to change my situation for his. On returning home, I felt that I could not attend to business. My desire was to spend that day with the Lord. I retired for prayer, and found the exercise sweet. My mind was impressed with the necessity for more ministers of the Gospel; and many reasons presented them

1

selves, why I snould devote my life to the good of my fellow-men in that situation."

The desire, which was thus awakened, grew in strength. But uo hasty resolution was taken. He consulted with those in whose judgment he confided; and with that warm filial affection and reverence which characterized him, asked counsel of his parents:

"New-York, May, 1819.

"Will it not give you pleasure to hear of my desiring to enter on a course of study for the ministry of reconciliation? Yes, my dear father, I have been led, within the course of a few weeks past, to think seriously on this subject. When I turn my eyes to the extensive fields which are presented to my view, they seem to be 'white unto the harvest.' The language of Scripture is surely applicable to the present time,--' The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.' The calls of Providence are loud to young men to devote themselves to the ministry. And to whom can the Church look but to her sons for this service? The population of this country is growing very rapidly, and the proportion of its increase is much beyond that of the faithful ministers of the Gospel. The call of destitute churches in different parts of our country is, 'Come over and help us.' The voice of the Indians on our borders is, 'Come and make known to us the Savior, that we perish not.' The superstition and idolatry of the heathen, beyond the seas, urge us to go and preach the Gospel, and proclaim to them the glad tidings of salvation. When we think of the Hindoos, who offer their own children in sacrifice to appease their offended gods: whose worship is a worse than