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cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad, therefore, on your behalf; but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.' With the apostle I add the prayer, 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.'

"But whence this wisdom? What saith the word? 'The holy Scriptures are able to make you wise unto salvation, through faith which is in the Lord Jesus Christ.' Again, 'The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. How shall it be attained? 'The letter killeth, but the Spirit maketh alive.' How many read, and still are blind! 'But if any man'—any Presbyterian man, or any Church man, or any Methodist man, or Baptist man, or any other man, 'lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.' Here then is the source, the word of God, accompanied by the Spirit of God illuminating the mind and working powerfully in the soul. And the effect will be, wisdom that is profitable to direct, and the harmlessness of the dove.

"Let us appeal to the experience of those who can testify. But for the truth, the word of God, what knowledge of salvation could we have? But for the medium of access to God, the way of the sinner's return plainly marked out, who before us, or with us, but would, like the benighted in heathen lands, feel after God in vain? But

for the command, 'Repent,' who would ever think of it And unless convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, by the Spirit of God, who would be brokenhearted? But for the Lamb of God, held out for the taking away of sin, who would ever believe to the justifying and sanctifying of their souls? Here we see something of the value of the word and Spirit of God, so much slighted by the world. 'Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.'

"In the sense of the Scripture, then, it seems that that person is void of understanding, who knows not its commands and the blessing consequent upon obedience, which blessing is the loving-kindness of the Lord.

"Do we read, 'Repent-believe. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. Walk before me, and be ye perfect. Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and live soberly, righteously, and god. ly in this present world. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' If we may expunge one of these, may we not expunge them all? But by so doing we take our names from the book of life. How much better to yield obedience. How much better! O how sweet! The soul that has been at the feet of Jesus, wishes to be often there; for he knows the peace of God that passeth knowledge. He that hath this experience, hath what chaseth away all his fears, save the holy filial fear of offending a holy, loving, indwell ing Father-the loyal fear that wishes to be submissive at the feet of King Jesus, who rules on the throne of his kingdom, set up in the soul-the sacred fear that trembles at the thought of disturbing the hal

lowed breathings of that Spirit, whose temple is the body of the saint. How harmless such guests would make the soul! This fear is the fruit of love-and love is the fulfilling of the law. Well, this is all we want, that is, in kind. We want, and shall for ever want; and we may for ever have more, in measure, of God's love. O may we sink-sink, and sink, and sink into this ocean; for this (a paradox to the world,) is the way to rise; and it will carry us higher than the stars, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto a full and eternal salvation. We will talk of the rest when we shall walk the golden streets. Ah! shall we see each other there? If you do not get so high above me that I cannot reach you. By the grace of God I hope to shine forth even there—a sinner saved by grace.

"A christian salutation to sister W. and the brethren R. and R., whom with yourselves I beseech, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me, in your prayers

to God for me.

"Farewell. In the best bonds, your brother, in our Lord Jesus Christ,

"JAMES B. TAYLOR."

The following was addressed to a colored woman, since gone to her rest, at the advanced age of 118 years-whom Mr. Taylor seems to have regarded as one of the excellent of the earth, in whom he delighted.

"Princeton, Dec. 24, 1824.

"Aunt Sarah, perhaps, is expecting to hear from her friend Mr. Taylor. Could I be with you for an hour, we would converse upon things that pertain to the kingdom; but you have a Friend on high, who deigns to visit your little room-nay, who takes up his abode in your heart-He has brought his Father with him, and the Holy Ghost, whom he promised to send, overshadows and fills you. By and by, you will exchange your cottage for a palace; you will lay aside your garments below, 'to walk in white above.' Instead of prayer, you will be all praise. Instead of seeing Jesus by faith, you will see him as he is, face to face. Do you not exult in the prospect of dying-dying in the arms of Jesus, and of going to your Father, God? There, too, you will meet those who died in faith, and some with whom you have sung, and prayed, and wept below. And this is the sweetness of it—the place, the scene, will never close. Those that enter in shall go

no more out.

"You will be glad to hear that the Lord blesses me with his presence-my soul is in health and prospersstill help me in your prayers for me, that I may indeed be a man of God—one in whom God will delight to dwell-and one whom God will deign to honor in bringing sinners to Christ.

"Should the Lord continue you, I trust you will have a happy new year; but hence, it will be thrice happy.

if he should take you Farewell,

"J. B. TAYLOR."

Of the same date, but a little in anticipation of the

time, we find Mr. Taylor's new-year's letter to his parents, brothers, and sisters.

"Nassau Hall, Dec. 24, 1824.

"Endcared Parents, Brothers, and Sisters,

"The time has arrived for my annual gift; and, in anticipation, I wish you a happy new-year. Should it not be realized on earth, who of us doubts but it would be enjoyed at the right hand of God?

'There everlasting spring abides,
And never withering flowers:
Death, like a narrow sea, divides

This heavenly land from ours.'

แ Το say that this may be the last epistle of this kind that I shall write, you know is to say what the closing year naturally suggests. But it may be that the Lord of the vineyard has designed me as an under-dresser.

"The close of the year generally finds men of business engaged in adjusting their accounts. Would it not be well for us, as stewards in the house of God, and transacting business for our unseen Lord, to inquire of each other, 'How much owest thou unto my Lord?' My father, my brother, my sister, how much owest thou? James, son, and brother, how much owest thou?

"How great is our debt as a family! In common with other families, we have enjoyed food, and raiment, and house, and home, and friends. The same social privileges, the same civil and religious liberty, have been given unto us as to our neighbors. And under heaven where is there a family more blessed with

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