Class \~) l\ \ w 
 
 Book^. 
 
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MEMOIRS 
 
 AND 
 
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 / i 
 
 OP 
 
 y ■ ■ ' 
 
 MRS- MARY DEXTER, 
 
 JjATE CONSORT OF REV. ELIJAH DEXTER, 
 
 OF PLYMPTON. 
 
 
 BY REV. WILLIAM TJTORREY* 
 
 PRINTED BY SUBSCRIPTION AT THE OLD COLONY PRESS. 
 
 PLYMOUTH, MASS- 
 ALLEN DANFORTH, PRINTER 
 
 1823, 
 
:{)477 
 
 
 CONG/f^ 
 
 rf<& 
 
 W" 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN preparing this little volume for the press, the 
 Compiler has discharged an office of friendship to a 
 brother in the ministry, and endeavored to promote 
 the interest of Zion. The publication was called for 
 by numerous friends of the deceased, who were of the 
 opinion that a selection from Mrs. Dexter's Diary and 
 Letters would furnish an acceptable present to the 
 christian public. Those letters, which gave delight 
 and instruction upon the first perusal, they wished to 
 circulate in the community, fully persuaded that their 
 influence would be pure and salutary as far as it 
 should extend. 
 
 The Compiler entertains no sanguine expectations 
 respecting the extensive circulation of this work. It 
 will doubtless be read with most interest by those who 
 cherished personal esteem and respect for Mrs. Dex- 
 ter while living, and would commemorate her worth, 
 now that she has departed. The partiality of friend- 
 ship may also discover some excellencies in her episto- 
 lary compositions, to which indifferent persons with 
 critical discernment will be insensible. This little 
 volume i s flBK|ed to circulate principally in the re- 
 gion, whe^jB B|§|exter was personally known ; and ? 
 since in that region the influence of her example, of 
 
4 Preface* 
 
 her conversation, and of her letters was known to be 
 salutary while she was living, it is but reasonable 
 that her friends should wish to prolong that influence 
 by publishing her letters after her decease. Mrs. 
 Dexter, though dead, may still speak ; her voice, if 
 heard from the grave, will be heard in the accents of 
 humble piety and in support of the truth of God. 
 
 Whoever peruses this book for the sake of gratify- 
 ing a literary taste, or with the hope of finding able 
 discussions on difficult points of doctrine,may be disap- 
 pointed. Still we hope that it contains few offences 
 against taste Which common courtesy will not excuse ; 
 and few opinions in doctrine, which upon examination 
 will not be found correct. The reader must expect* 
 sentiment rather than argument ; and bursts of pious 
 feeling which carry conviction only because we can 
 witness to their truth by our own experience. The 
 letters contain no peculiarities in doctrine, which 
 attract a momentary attention, because they promise 
 the gratification of idle curiosity ; neither has Mrs. 
 Dexter said or written any thing, which others have 
 not expressed as well before her. The subjects on 
 which she writes are Christ and him crucified, with 
 humiliating views of human depravity ,and exalted con- 
 ceptions of the Saviour's worth. She wrote on themes 
 familiar to every christian ; her confessions of sin are 
 the confessions of every man, who knows the plague 
 of his own heart ; and she dwells upon the love of Je- 
 sus, and the efficacy of his atonement, as every believ- 
 er will, when grace reigns in his heart ; and whenev- 
 he seeks a basis for the hope of his soul. 
 
PREFACE. & 
 
 Some perhaps may question the expediency of muh 
 tiplying publications of this kind, lest they should ei- 
 ther usurp the patronage which is claimed by works 
 of superior merit ; or by their own want of merit injure 
 the cause they were intended to promote. Still it 
 may be observed that local publications exert a local 
 influence* which other books will not, because they 
 will not so generally be read within that sphere ; and 
 if this influence be pure it is not to be despised. It 
 should be regarded as a contribution to the sum of 
 exertion which must be made, to the "means which 
 must be employed, to advance the cause of Christ, 
 and renovate the world. Let every region of our 
 country be filled with religious publications of correct 
 principles, adapted to the taste and capacity of every 
 reader, and the church in general will be instructed 
 and improved. While some christians of cultivated 
 minds may read with profit the discussions of learned 
 theologians upon the doctrine of the u Eternal gene- 
 ration of the Son," or upon " Divine Efficiency in the 
 production of moral evil," others of less attainments 
 may peruse with equal advantage the life of Mrs. 
 Graham or of Mary Dexter. 
 
 The publishers of this little volume disclaim all mer- 
 cenary motives. If any profit shall arise from the 
 sale of the work, it will be devoted to the cause of 
 missions. Mrs. Dexter was ardently devoted to that 
 cause while she lived, and by her letters she sometimes 
 pleaded that cause with success. Let her writings by 
 being published still plead for the same cause ; and 
 contribute, if they can, to the treasury of the Lord. 
 
6 PREFACE. 
 
 We have no fears that the treasury of foreign missions 
 will ever overflow, or that the country will be impov- 
 erished by supporting" a few families of missionaries in 
 India or Palestine. Besides, we require Harriet 
 Newells at home as well as abroad. If some must 
 go to heathen lands to advocate the cause of Christ 
 among" the Hindoos, others must advocate the cause 
 of Missions at home, among" those who live under the 
 light of the gospel, and yet are almost as unacquaint* 
 ed with their obligations to send the gospel to the 
 heathen, as the heathen are with the gospel itself. 
 The office of the domestic Advocate is the most un- 
 grateful of the two ; for while the adventures and let- 
 ters of the heroine who crosses the ocean are publish- 
 ed in every magazine in the country with enthusias- 
 tic encomiums upon her disinterested zeal, the domes- 
 tic advocate of equal zeal and disinterestedness meets 
 with more reproaches than praises for her untiring as- 
 iduity in persuading the rich to contribute of their 
 abundance, and the poor to bestow their mites and 
 their prayers. 
 
 The Compiler has admitted into the volume but few 
 extracts from Mrs. Dexter's Diary, and those extracts 
 which have been inserted are intended rather as a 
 specimen of what it is, than as a publication of the 
 Diary itself. This course has been pursued, not be- 
 cause it was apprehended that Mrs. Dexter's reputa- 
 tion as a christian would suffer by any disclosure the 
 Diary contains ; but because it was believed that her 
 letters were more proper for publication. A Diary 
 should possesss uncommon excellence to be worthy of 
 
PREFACE* 7 
 
 publication. It should be a faithful delineation of all 
 the exercises of the heart,or it will not contain what it 
 professes to exhibit. If it be a record of pious feelings 
 only, and still bear the title of a Diary, it will not be 
 true to nature. If it contain only a record of one's 
 weaknesses, and idle vagaries of fancy, it will not de- 
 serve to be read. If it contain a faithful exhibition of 
 all one*s pious exercises and unholy feelings, blended 
 and combined as they are in the human heart, tho' it 
 be in reality sanctified in part, it will be read by many 
 who will not be able to distinguish the precious from 
 the vile, and readers will be in danger of applauding 
 what they ought to disapprove, and of imitating not 
 another's excellences, but his weakness and his faults. 
 Besides there is a degree of indelicacy in intruding 
 into the private devotions of a christian in his closet ; 
 and of exhibiting- to the gaze of the world those med- 
 itations he has written for the perusal of none but him- 
 self — and would probably wish to keep concealed from 
 all except himself and his God. In making extracts 
 from the Diary the compiler has endeavored both to 
 gratify surviving friends, and at the same time show 
 no disrespect to the deceased. 
 
 The Compiler has endeavored to exclude from tkis 
 book every thing which would wound the feelings of 
 an individual. Whether in this respect he has suc- 
 ceeded he is not perhaps a competent judge. Letters 
 which contain allusions to religious controversies may 
 hurt the feelings of some, when nothing offensive was 
 designed; and letters, persuading a friend or brother 
 in the tenderest style to become reconciled to God, 
 
g PREFACE. 
 
 will necessarily convey indirect reproof for neglect- 
 ing* the grace of God which bringeth salvation ; and 
 that, which in a private letter would be received even 
 with gratitude as affectionate advice, will appear when 
 published like public reproach. Still it is believed 
 the volume contains nothing which ought to give of- 
 fence ; and nothing it is hoped which will prejudice 
 the immortal interests of any individual. Such as it 
 is, it is now sent into the world with few claims to 
 public patronage and none to public applause. 
 
 Mrs. Dexter while living desired nothing so ardent- 
 ly as to advance the cause of God on earth ; if her let- 
 ters by being printed after her decease subserve in 
 the smallest degree the interest of one immortal being, 
 it will to say the least accord with the benevolent feel- 
 ings of her heart. 
 
MEMOIRS OP MRS. DEXTER. 
 
 To pay a just tribute to the memory of de- 
 parted worth, and to circulate more exten- 
 sively those letters which gave delight and in- 
 struction upon the first perusal ; to furnish an 
 acceptable present to those who take pleasure 
 in tracing the operations of the human mind 
 under the influence of religion, and to pay 
 homage to the grace of God in forming a char- 
 acter to piety and virtue is the object of the 
 following memoirs. 
 
 Mrs. Dexter was not distinguished for emi- 
 nence of station, and splendid achievements ; 
 nor was her life signalized by any incidents, 
 which awaken intense interest or admiration* 
 This is the lot of few ; and those, who attain 
 to this distinction, are not always the purest 
 characters, noi 1J most remarkable either for 
 happiness or usefulness. The Diary and Let- 
 ters, of which this volume will principally con- 
 sist, will exhibit a character at once amiable 
 and pious ; exerting an influence, in the 
 sphere in which she moved, purely devoted 
 
 t 
 
10 
 
 to the interest of piety and virtue. Her views 
 of the doctrines of Christianity were according 
 to the strictest orthodoxy, yet without a sec- 
 tarian spirit ; — her compositions breathe the 
 spirit of a humble and fervent piety ; and nev- 
 er exhibit the humor of a disputant, or advo- 
 cate for any controverted tenet in a system of 
 theology. She was too amiable in her dis- 
 position ever to dispute; but her heart was 
 impressed with the truth as it is in Jesus ; and 
 she may be said without doubt to have re- 
 ceived w4 the love of the truth, that she might 
 be saved." Her Diary was written for the 
 perusal of none but herself, and possibly her 
 children after her decease. * Her letters were 
 written only for her familiar friends, to whom 
 they were addressed ; certainly not for publi- 
 cation. This circumstance adds to their value : 
 for had she even feared they would ever have 
 been made public, they would not have been 
 those easj 7 -, unstudied effusions of pious feeling, 
 which please because they are natural, and 
 exhibit her sentiments as the}^ were in truth 
 without the least concealment or disguise; 
 
 Mrs. Dexter was the orJy daughter of 
 Nathaniel Morton Esq. of Freetown, in Mas- 
 sachusetts. She was born on the 28th of 
 Sept. 1785. She derived her birth from 
 those who call upon the name of the Lord, 
 and are comprised by the church among her 
 most efficient members and friends. Of her 
 
11 
 
 family connexions, who still survive to lament 
 her loss, it is sufficient -to observe they are 
 among the most respectable in our land. She 
 was dedicated to God by her parents in child'* 
 hood and received baptism at that early age. 
 She was also brought up in the fear -of God. 
 It may be said that she received not only a 
 virtuous, but a pious education. 
 
 The days of her early youth were spent 
 with her affectionate parents in comparative 
 seclusion from the world, and not in tfre cir- 
 cles of gayety and fashion. Her natural dis- 
 position was uncommonly mild and amiable; 
 adapted to conciliate the esteem of all her as- 
 sociates. From her childhood she was famil- 
 iar with the holy scriptures ; and was instruct- 
 ed in the doctrines and duties of religion. — 
 Christian instruction appears to have im- 
 bued her mind at an early age with salutary 
 impressions ; and contributed to produce that 
 unaffected piety for which she became distin- 
 guished in subsequent life. 
 
 Besides attending such schools as are com- 
 mon in almost every neighborhood in New 
 England, she enjoyed the advantage of attend- 
 ing an Academy taught by the Rev. Calvin 
 Chaddock, in Rochester., at a short distance 
 from her father's house. Here she attended 
 one year. Her parents, impressed with the 
 importance of giving her a good education, 
 afterward placed her under the care and in- 
 
12 
 
 struction of Mrs. Rowson, who taught an Ac* 
 ademy for young ladies at Medford. Mrs. R's 
 School was thought to be the first in the 
 State for young ladies at that time. 
 
 After her return from Medford, and before 
 she was sixteen years of age, she undertook 
 the instruction of the female department ii> 
 the Academy of Rev. Mr. Chaddock in her 
 own vicinity, and continued in that employ- 
 ment several years. This shews that her 
 talents and acquirements were held in high 
 estimation by those who were most intimate 
 with her in youth. Miss Morton was elevat- 
 ed to the chair of instruction among the young 
 ladies of her own age, and in her ojvn im- 
 mediate neighborhood. This was a tribute 
 to her superior worth. 
 
 Miss Morton was also engaged as Precep- 
 tress in the Academy at South-Bridgwater. — 
 Tn the spring of 1808, when she was about 22 
 years of age, she went to New Bedford, and 
 opened a school for yopng ladies upon her 
 own responsibility. She continued her school 
 in that place for three seasons with high ap- 
 probation. Wherever she was engaged in 
 this employment, she gained the esteem and 
 confidence of her pupils in no common de^ 
 gree. She took peculiar delight in impart- 
 ing instruction to the youthful mind, and en- 
 deavored to inspire her scholars, with a love 
 of useful learning. She Umented ? that \n the 
 
13 
 
 course of instruction usually pursued in the 
 education of young ladies, so much attention 
 should be bestowed upon merely polite and 
 ornamental accomplishments ; and she er^ 
 deavored especially to store their minds with 
 useful *k now ledge and give them a taste for 
 solid learning. She was so much attached to 
 the employment of an Instructress, that she 
 even continued it at Plympton, after her con- 
 nexion with the Rev. Mr- Dexter, when her 
 domestic cares, and her devotedness to 44 labors 
 of love' 1 becoming one in the station of a 
 clerg} r man's wife might well have excused her 
 from all such engagements. 
 
 While at Bridgwater her attention appears 
 hy her letters to have been devoted to read- 
 ing in her leisure hours. History and works 
 of taste especially appear to have attracted 
 her principal attention- Her correspondence 
 at this time does not breathe that air of piety, 
 which was disclosed at a later period of her 
 life. She always manifested a respectful def- 
 erence to religion; but nothing is. known 
 deeply to have impressed her mind, until some 
 time in the year 1806, at Bridgwater, she re- 
 ceived a letter from her mother, relating the 
 conversion of one of her intimate female 
 friends, at New Bedford? This information 
 affected her, and she resolved that, if her life 
 was spared to the close of her school, she 
 would give her attention to the subject of re- 
 
 1* 
 
14 
 
 Jigion. The following winter, which she 
 spent with her parents at Freetown, furnish- 
 ed her a favorable opportunity of fulfilling her 
 resolution, A Mr. Smith, of Mollis, then a 
 candidate preacher, and afterwards a settled 
 minister of the gospel, was laboring In that 
 parish, and boarded at her Father's. The 
 conversation aqd preaching of Mr. S. at once 
 enlightened and impressed her mind, and shq 
 was induced to give herself wholy unto the 
 Lord, g.jad to hppe in his grace* She always 
 retained a grateiul recollection of the fidelity 
 and kindness of Mr. Smith as her instructor 
 in Christ? She appears from this time to 
 have ci chosen that good part, which should 
 not be taken from her.'- Her letters, subse- 
 quent to this date, are almost exclusively up- 
 on religious subjects, £ind prove that she had 
 sincerely consecrated herself to God, and had 
 resolved by diving assistance to maintain the 
 character of a consistent christian. 
 
 The following extract from one: of her let- 
 ters to & young lady, with whopn she was in 
 habits of intimacy, will show what occupied 
 her mifid at this tipie* 
 
 c The present season the time I have spent 
 in reading has been bestowed on books of a 
 serious nature. In them I think I have found 
 more real satisfaction than I ever enjoyed in 
 any amusements whatever. The transient 
 Mature of worldly delights, and the want of 
 
real happiness, which every one, even in the 
 tightest career of dissipation, must ackowl- 
 edge, speaks in the loudest language, that we 
 ought to seek more permanent enjoyments* 
 6 f Lean not on earth, 'twill pierce thee to the 
 heart," is a truth which daily experience con- 
 firms ; yet we will bar our hearts against con- 
 viction, and divine power is necessary to 
 make us fully sensible of the important truth.— 
 It is thought by many, and I must acknowl- 
 edge that I have been one of the number, that 
 the serious realities of death and eternity, 
 and the business of religion are fit only for 
 the aged, and infirni. But, Alas, fatal delu- 
 sion ! Have we not reason to fear that many 
 blooming youths have been swept off the 
 stage of life, the dupes of this dangerous error, 
 and found themselves fatally deceived.' 
 
 Miss Morton made profession of religion at 
 New Bedford, during her residence there, and 
 when the Rev. Curtis Coe was supplying the 
 pulpit in that place. She was at times the 
 subject of doubts respecting the genuineness 
 of her religion, because her conviction was 
 not so powerful, nor the first evidence of her 
 spiritual change so clear as she supposed 
 others possessed. Her views of divine truth 
 however were clear, and her affections she 
 could not doubt were " placed on things 
 above." The relation she gave of the exer- 
 cises of her mind upon her uniting with the 
 
16 
 
 church was distinguished for diffidence and 
 humility, and was very concise. The most 
 striking passages it contains are the following. 
 After alluding to the time when her mind was 
 first impressed, she observed, 
 
 " I humbly trust I was brought to see my- 
 self a vile sinner, whoiy estranged from God, 
 and opposed to his character. 1 saw that the 
 justice of God would &hine bright in my eter- 
 nal condemnation; and that I could make no 
 claim to any thing better; and that, if ever I 
 was saved, it must be by free and sovereign 
 grace. I have sometimes felt strength to 
 hope and believe, that God has convinced me 
 of his absolute right to dispose of me as he 
 gees fit, and has reconciled me to himself 
 thro' Jesus Christ."—' 4 1 desire to look to him 
 alone for strength to perform every duty, and 
 particularly that 1 may be assisted by the Ho- 
 ly Spirit in solemnly dedicating myself to 
 God before the world." 
 
 From the following letter, in which she ap- 
 pears to have disclosed her most secret feel- 
 ings without reserve to an intimate female 
 friend, we perceive what were her exercises 
 and mental conflicts upon making public pro- 
 fession. 
 
 TO MRS. E. F. 
 
 How shall I, my dear friend, express my 
 gratitude to you for your goodness, of which 
 
if 
 
 1 am so unworthy ? I accept as a very g?eat 
 favour your last letter, and also the one which 
 accompanied it, containing an answer to the 
 question I proposed in my first letter. The 
 question is answered agreably to my mind, 
 and gives me great satisfaction, 
 
 ' I think it is my desire to be made acquaint- 
 ed with the whole will of God, and I hope 1 
 have some right desires to do it, when ac- 
 quainted with it; but I have many doubts as 
 to the reality of my submission and reconcili- 
 ation so God. I find in myself still such an 
 evil heart of unbelief that I am at times ready 
 to give up all hope, that I have knoirn any 
 thing of true religion. I humbly desire your 
 prayers for me, that if 1 never have submitted 
 to God ? and received Christ as my Prophet, 
 Priest, and King, I may not be left to grieve 
 away the Holy Spirit, nor be given over to 
 hardness of heart ? and a reprobate mind. But 
 if I have through infinite mercy received a 
 spa^k of divine grace, O may my faith be 
 strengthened, and may I be built up in the 
 faith of the gospel. It appears to me astonish- 
 ing that any can disbelieve the depravity of 
 human nature, — I mean those who profess to 
 know what religion is j — for those who are in 
 a state of nature we cannot suppose to be sens* 
 ible of this truth. If they were, their securi- 
 ty would be disturbed, and they would be ne- 
 cessitated to seek for security out of them- 
 
18 
 
 selves.— But I have seen some professors of 
 religion who deny the depravity of man and 
 contend that he is born with a principle, 
 which, if cultivated, will lead him to heaven. 
 Their views on this subject however are very 
 different from mine. I see enough of the 
 conduct of mankind every day to convince 
 me of this truth ; but more especially do I 
 feel it in myself. At some times it rises to 
 such a height, that I am ready to cry out, 
 fy who shall deliver me" ? and even at best, 
 when I would do good, evil is present with 
 me. What but a nature entirely depraved 
 could be opposed to the character of the bles- 
 sed God, and when we are in some measure 
 made sensible of his glorious perfections, 
 should retard our progress in the spiritual 
 life, and make us so cold and dead in his ser- 
 vice. But the believer has a sure hope 
 that he shall be delivered from all these cor- 
 ruptions, and be able through Christ to gain 
 the victory " over death, hell and sin." Great 
 are the privileges of those who are redeemed 
 from destruction not with corruptible things, 
 as silver and gold but with the precious blood 
 ©f the Son of God. Surely we are not our 
 own, for we are bought with a price. And 
 what an amazing price ! Angels adore and 
 wonder at such a display of wisdom, justice 
 and mercy. But, man, stupid sinful man, 
 eyen th$ vile being for whom the price was 
 
13 
 
 paid, can view it with indifference and even 1 
 contempt. Be astonished, O Earth, at such 
 ingratitude ! 
 
 1 am a poor weak and sinful creature, but I 
 hope God will pardon my iniquities, give me 
 a new heart, and use me as a humble instru- 
 ment to do his will, and promote his glory. 
 Pray for me, that I may be enabled to devote 
 myself wholly to his service, and do all things 
 from a regard to his glory. God giving me 
 leave, and giving me strength, I hope soon to 
 own God before men, and publicly profess 
 myself a follower of Jesus. It is a solemn 
 transaction. O pray that I may not be suffer- 
 ed to do it in my own strengh. That the 
 Comforter may dwell in your heart richly is 
 the sincere wish of your unworthy friend.' 
 
 The following extract from a letter to the 
 same person, relates to the same subject. 
 
 New Bedford, May 1, 1809. 
 
 Friend A. and myself have felt it a duty 
 and very great privilege to enjoj^ the ordin- 
 ances of Christ, and have been examined and 
 this day propounded for admission into this 
 church. I fear I do not sufficiently realize 
 the solemnity of these things. But I pray 
 God to strengthen us, and to enable us to enter 
 into solemn covenant with him, with a deep 
 
20 
 
 sense of our vileness and unworihiness* May 
 We receive strength from the great and good 
 Shepherd, who has promised to carry the 
 lambs in his bosom. Will you pray that we 
 may be enabled to look to Christ alone for 
 strength and support, and have grace to re** 
 gard the glory of God as the greatest and besl 
 object of pursuits May he never leave us to 
 dishonour his great and holy name. I some- 
 times think I have a desire to devote myself 
 to the service of God; but my heart is so de- 
 ceitful and wicked, that I have reason to fear 
 It deceives me. 
 
 c I think you enjoy a grfeat blessing in Mr. 
 T. and I trust God will enable you to make a 
 wise improvement of that, and of all his 
 other blessings; Mr. T 7 s sermons on Baptism I 
 found at home on my return last winter, and I 
 think I have reason to bless God for it. They 
 throw great light on many things, thatt I 
 could never before understand, and in my ap- 
 prehension explain the scriptures according 
 to their true meaning. We live in a highly 
 favored day* Gospel light shines with great 
 splendor around us, and we have many means 
 of becoming acquainted with our Masters 
 will, and of glorifying his name. If we know 
 these things, happy are we if we do them. I 
 hope you will continue to write to your un- 
 worthy friend, whose desires are for your 
 great enlargement, and usefulness in your 
 Master's service. M. M. 
 
Ill January 1809, Mrs. Dexter, then Miss 
 Morton, commenced a Diary and continued 
 it with some interruptions for several years* 
 In this she has strongly depicted her feel- 
 ings, and shown herself extremely humble in 
 self-estimation* At the same time that her 
 friends were commending her for uncommon 
 purity of mind and giving her praise for pie- 
 ty, she was mourning her corruptions of heart 
 before God, acknowledging herself" the chief 
 of sinners." 
 
 In her Diary she did not coftfine herself to 
 friental exercises merely, but has noticed such 
 occurrences as interested her t having refer- 
 ence however to her spiritual improvement 
 £t the same time. All she wrote discovers a 
 Inind sincerely engaged in religion. 
 
 September 28, 1810. 
 e By the help of God I have continued unt6 
 this day commencing my 26th year. Good- 
 ness and mercy have followed me all the days 
 of my life. Every year, month, day and mo* 
 ment have I been living upon the undeserved 
 mercy of God. While thousands have been 
 called into eternity since my birth, I am spar* 
 ed, and arri alive this evening, a witness for 
 thee, O God, that thou art good, and doest 
 good to the evil and unthankful. I must wit* 
 ness for thee, though against myself. The 
 Lord will be forever glorious and good, if I 
 
 2 
 
22 
 
 lie down in everlasting sorrow and despair. O 
 that I may be exceedingly humbled in taking 
 a retrospect of my past mispent life. Of the 
 small part of my life which can now be called 
 to remembrance what millions and millions 
 of sins appear to my view. Wilt thou, O 
 God, show me the infinite evil of sin, and give 
 me true contrition of spirit and brokenness of 
 heart. And, since there is no other propitia- 
 tion for sin, except the blood of Christ, let 
 me never seek any other way of cleansing. 
 May that be applied to my poor polluted soul r 
 that my sins may be forgiven, my conscience 
 purged from the guilt of sin, and my soul re- 
 newed and sanctified, made like unto Jesus 
 the Author and Finisher of salvation. 
 
 I have professed to be a disciple of Christ* 
 O may I not be a Judas ; but may 1 be in sin* 
 cerity and truth a follower of the Lamb. Too 
 long have I lived in sin and folly, too long 
 despised the Savior, and joined the great Ad- 
 versary of God arid man. May I no longer 
 serve him, but may the all conquering grace 
 of God pluck me as a brand from the burning, 
 and make of a bitter enemy a faithful friend. 
 Let me mourn that I have lived no more to 
 God, since taking the vows of the Lord upon 
 me. Where shall I hide my guilty head t 
 How shall I appear to answer before my 
 Judge ? There is no other way but to return 
 to him from whom I have revolted, and come 
 
23 
 
 to the fountain of Christ's blood. May the 
 Spirit of God apply it to my soul, and make 
 me to deny myself, submit to God, and devote 
 myself unreservedly to his blessed service. 
 
 this once, if never before, may my soul be 
 stript of every u refuge of lies^" ail self de- 
 pendence, be brought to trust wholy, hum- 
 bly, and sincerely on the Lord Jesus Ghrist, 
 and make a full and unreserved surrender of 
 my all into the hands of God. In future may 
 
 1 live to his glory, and not to myself. 
 
 'This evening I have enjoyed the undeserv- 
 ed favor of hearing that excellent servant of 
 God, Mr. S. preach from Ex. 33,, 7. May the 
 word be set home with power upon my heart 9 
 and on the hearts of God's dear children. May 
 ihe blessing of God make it to all of us as good 
 seed sown on good ground, bringing forth 
 fruit to the praise of God.-— Let us gratefully 
 remember the divine goodness in sending him 
 here and putting that word in his mouth to 
 speak unto us, and may he be rewarded an 
 hundred fold into his own bosom. 
 
 ' He who knows all things knows whether I 
 shall close my 26th year, this day begun in 
 this world. O may I be made to meditate 
 much on the solemn realities of eternity, 
 and may I be prepared by riches of free, 
 sovereign, electing grace to follow my dear 
 deceased sister into the eternal world. May 
 the language of my soul be, God be merciful 
 
24 
 
 to me a sinner,- — make me a humble instru* 
 ment of his glory, that my life may be useful, 
 and my death a sleep in Jesus, through whose 
 name I beg these infinite favors.' 
 
 The person jto whom she alludes in these 
 meditations, and calls her "dear departed 
 sister," was Mrs. Clarissa Dexter, the first 
 wife of him with whom she was some years 
 afterward connected in marriage herself. — 
 They had been members of the same church, 
 ^nd lived in habits of intimacy with each 
 other, while they both resided at New- 
 Bedford. 
 
 Her Diary, Oct. 21, contains the following 
 reflections. 
 c In conversation with a christian friend I 
 received an account of the state pf Mrs. C. 
 Dexter^s mind dpring her last illpess. Though 
 in extreme bodily distress her mind was at 
 peace, and she was filled with resignation. 
 Christ was her hope, her joy, her all. This 
 and much more might be s^id in proof of her 
 heavenly temper^ — her preparedness for glo- 
 ry. Let me bless God in her behalf, and may 
 his holy Spirit enable me to profit by her 
 dying advice, " to make Christ my friend 
 while in health," Important, all important 
 advice! O let me search and see that my hopes 
 are well founded, that I may not be deceived 
 Jby my treacherous heart. As I must pass 
 
25 
 
 thro' the same dark valley, may I be prepar- 
 ed while in health, and may all the remains 
 of my life be devoted to the service of 
 Christ.' 
 
 After recording some observations made by 
 Mrs. C. Dexter in her last sickness, she pro- 
 ceeds. 
 
 'What resignation, what consoling hopes 
 does Jesus give his friends, when their flesh 
 and heart fail ! Let my portion be with his 
 people here, that I may enjoy their society 
 in heaven. And though they may be afflict- 
 ed and despised, yet may divine grace enable 
 me to choose with Moses " rather to suffer 
 affliction with the people of God, than to en- 
 joy the pleasures of.sin for a season.' 
 
 Knowing the subsequent events of her life, 
 and her marriage connexion, we perceive that 
 these her pious wishes were gratified, and 
 her prayers answered, though in a manner 
 which she then least expected. I cannot for- 
 bear also to notice in this place an observation 
 of Mrs. Dexter to a visiting friend in her own 
 last sickness. In the above extract from her 
 Diary is expressed a desire to enjoy the socie- 
 ty of the people of God in heaven. In her 
 }ast sickness, she observed to a christian 
 friend, u we all think much of enjoying the 
 society of our friends in the world of spirits. 
 Why is it that we do not think more of en- 
 joying the societv of Christ in heaven? Paul 
 
 2^ 
 
$6 
 
 fished to depart and to be with Christ" He 
 was not indeed insensible to the joyful hope 
 of meeting his converts before the throne, 
 but the hope of enjoying the presence of his 
 Redeemer in glory was that which gave him 
 peculiarjoy. 
 
 October 23, She thus expresses herself in 
 her Diary. 
 
 c O thou who art infinite in cojnpassion,sho\v 
 me still more and more the importance ojf. 
 securing an interest in the Savior's lovet 
 Thop knowest my doubts and fears. Thou^ 
 who searchest the hearts and triest the reins 
 of the children of men, knowestmy real stated 
 Will thou graciously grant the influence of 
 thy holy spirit to lead my mind into all truth* % 
 O make me a sincere and firm believer in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, 
 and the life. O forbid fhat I should live and 
 die a hypocritical professor of thy holy re* 
 ligion ; but may it be stamped on my heart, 
 and transform it into thy holy image. 
 
 6 Lord, let me not in a spiritual sense, " turn, 
 back to take any thing out of the house." 
 Let me not presume to look back ; but may I 
 be made to feel deeply the importance of es- 
 caping from the place devoted to destruction 
 without a moments delay, lest I be forever too 
 late. O that I might enter on the christian 
 race by the door, be stripped entirely of all 
 
27 
 
 false dependence, rest safely on the grace of 
 God in Christ, for present support and future 
 triumph, put on the gospel armour, and run 
 with patience the race set before me, looking 
 unto Jesus. 
 
 Awake, our souls, to run the christian race, 
 Nor tarry longer in this dangerous place. 
 
 The following devotional reflections show 
 great religious sensibility, and fear of self- 
 deception in regard to her evidence of ^n in- 
 terest in Christ. 
 
 > What a solemn and awfully dangerous state 
 is that of one, who has a name to live in the 
 church of Christ 5 while destitute of true relig- 
 ion. Certainly the state of gospel hypocrites 
 ? will be the most wretched of any of the in- 
 habitants of the dark world of despair. la 
 proportion to the means of grace, they have 
 ^despised and misimproved, will be jtheir con* 
 jdemnation. Language cannot express the 
 anguish and horror, which must forever prey 
 ppon their guilty consciences. I think 1 have 
 been this day near the borders of despair, and 
 have had a faint view of the anguish of the 
 awakeaed hypocrite. I am as it were chain- 
 ed down by the sin of unbelief. My trans- 
 gressions stare me in the face. I am undone 
 completely as to any remedy in myself, and 
 must eternally perish, unless sovereign mercy 
 jjprevent. By my obstinate wickedness I 
 
28 
 
 provoked the Most High to ctit me off as a 
 wretched cumberer of the ground. Though 
 in some measure sensible of my guilt and dan- 
 ger, I cannot come to Christ for salvation, un- 
 less the Father draw me, and the only reason 
 that I cannot, is because of the obstinate 
 wickedness of my heart. This is my state, 
 exposed to wrath eternal and naturally op- 
 posed to the only way of escape. 
 
 O Lord 9 if thou wilt graciously be please^ 
 to appear for my deliverance in thine own 
 time and way, thy rich grace will deserve all 
 the glory; hut if thou leave me to my own 
 chosen ways of rebellion, thou wilt be just and 
 every mouth must be stopped, or must justify 
 thy ways. Even so, Lord God Almighty, just 
 and true are thy ways. Yea, thou wouldst 
 be just and glorious, shouldst thou leave all 
 our sinful race to reap the fruit of their own 
 doings. It is grace, rich, free, and boundless, 
 that thou shouldst save any. 
 
 ' Q God, be pleased graciously to keep me 
 from a presumptuous hope, and a slavish fear ; 
 but let me plead, that thy spirit may work in 
 my heart that good hope thro' grace, which 
 shall lead me to all holy obedience, and a sim 
 cere desire for thy glory. O Lord, I stand 
 in perishing need of that, which the whole 
 race of men would vainly attempt to give a 
 neither can angels grant it. Thou, and thou 
 only canst bestow it on me. Let thy wonder- 
 
29 
 
 ful grace triumph over my awfully aggravat- 
 ed sins, and make me a vessel of mercy, pre- 
 pared for some humble use in thy church.' 
 
 The above extract from her Diary, discov- 
 ers great lowliness of mind ; great fear of self- 
 deception ; and great sensibility to the evil of 
 sin. That these expressions were not the mere 
 effusions of her feelings in a moment of dark- 
 ness and gloom ; but were the result of her 
 deliberate convictions, the following extract 
 will clearly evince. 
 
 4 What does sin merit but eternal punishment 
 from the just and holy Governor of the Uni* 
 verse? It must be so, for God would cease to 
 be a holy Being, if he did not always mani- 
 fest his displeasure against sin. That, which 
 has a direct and powerful tendency to destroy 
 all good, and all happiness, must necessarily 
 be extremely offensive and hateful to infinite 
 benevolence. Were sin unrestrained by, in- 
 finite power, it would certainly introduce 
 complete misery, confusion, and ;anarchy into 
 the whole system of the intelligent creation. 
 
 c Where there is in any object complete sii> 
 fulness without any holiness, it must in itself 
 be extremely hateful in the view of a holy 
 God. But what is in the heart of every na- 
 tural man? Sin without any mixture of holi- 
 ness. Certainly then it cannot be that God 
 can be pleased with such hearts, or with any 
 thing which proceeds from them; and the 
 
30 
 
 mercies, he bestows on beings whose hearts 
 are thus depraved, flow not from any com- 
 placency in them. Since the heart is wholy 
 sinful, there can no good thing proceed from 
 it ; and if it ever be made clean, it must be by 
 a power not its own. If. any mercy be shown, 
 that mercy must be unmeritted ; for the de- 
 sert of sin is eternal damnation. 
 
 As it is in the nature of sin to be opposed 
 to all good, so the benefits of the atonement 
 for sin, though of infinite value, will be op- 
 posed by the sinner, unless he be made will- 
 ing to accept them by a power superior to his 
 own. This is proved by these texts " Ye will 
 not come to me that ye might have life." 
 " My people shall be willing in the day of 
 my power." 
 
 4 Such pictures of the human heart may ap-? 
 pear to the proud boasters of the dignity of 
 human nature entirely false, or at least un- 
 reasonably exaggerated; but I believe the 
 scriptures of truth will fully authorize such 
 representations ; and, though they are ex- 
 tremely humiliating, yet we ought to know 
 our true characters, lest we be lifted up in 
 our own conceits. If God says, u the heart 
 is deceitful above all things and desperately 
 wicked ; who can know it ? I the Lord search 
 iheJieart4_I tryJJae reins" — intimating that 
 none but himself can know it, it certainly 
 becomes us to believe and confess it with 
 
31 
 
 shame and confusion of face. If the Bible 
 speak in such expressive language and in 
 numerous passages of the wickedness of the 
 natural heart, surely it becomes us to accept 
 the character, given us by inspiration; to 
 humble ourselves before God; beseech his 
 mercy to apply the blood of cleansing to our 
 polluted hearts, that we may not utterly per- 
 ish in our iniquities^ 
 
 On perusing her Diary and Letters, her ex- 
 pressions frequently remind us of the confes- 
 sions of the Apostle respecting himself, that 
 he was " less than the least of all saints," and, 
 " the chief of sinners*" She thus comments 
 upon the words of Job, "wherefore- 1 abhor 
 myself;" How suitable these words for such 
 as have drunken in iniquity like water ; have 
 as it were mocked in the face of Omnipo- 
 tence; despised all his commands; set at 
 nought all his counsels ; and rejected all his 
 gracious offers of mercy. It is utterly im- 
 possible for language to express the exceed- 
 ing evil of sin^ because it is infinite ; and no 
 creature can exercise repentance according to 
 the greatness of his guilt. O that my obstin- 
 ately wicked heart were broken for sin. A 
 broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt 
 not despise. Let me therefore plead, that 
 he, who is exalted to be a Prince and a Sav- 
 ior to give repentance and remission of sins, 
 may commission the blessed Comforter "to 
 
32 
 
 reprove me of sin." If not deceived I long 
 to have a broken and contrite heart, and to 
 walk softly before God. And surely no one 
 can have more reason to be humble and brok- 
 enhearted than I have. Help me, O Lord, 
 to receive that "faithful saying," which the 
 Apostle says " is worthy of all acceptation, 
 that Christ Jesils came into the world to save 
 sinners;" of whom, he adds, "lam chief." 
 Surely " the chiefof sinners" is my character : 
 and, as greatest in sin, so gracious Lord make 
 me lowest in humility, and most fervent in 
 repentance. O save me from sin. Purge me 
 with hyssop ; cleanse me with the blood of 
 sprinkling. Draw me by the powerful cords of 
 love to the foot of the cross. There let me 
 rest ; and no where else let me have a mo- 
 ments peace, except in entire, unreserved^ 
 submission, and dependence on the perfect 
 atonement made by a crucified Savioi . Con* 
 scious that I have crucified Mm afresh, and 
 put him to open shame, O let me return 
 with weeping eyes and broken heart to him, 
 for he alone is able and willing to save unto 
 the uttermost all, who come unto God by him* 
 May a sense of the excellency, greatness, and 
 holiness of God, his love to sinners, and a 
 sense of my own hateful character, make me 
 truly humble and fearfully watchful against 
 sin. 5 
 
 The following is in a style of animated ancl 
 ptfre devotion. 
 
33 
 
 6 Help me, Lord, by thine all subduing, all 
 purifying grace to feel and say sincerely, and 
 enable me to appeal to thee, who knowest all 
 things for the sincerity of my heart, that thy 
 glory is my only joy. O purify frorii selfish- 
 ness, covetousness, and every unhallowed 
 pollution this deceitful heart of mine; and 
 ma3 r thy Holy Spirit work in me those fruits 
 of righteousness, which shall be pleasing in 
 thy pure eyes. May the clean white robe 
 of Christs righteousness be cast about me, 
 that I may be fitted to appear in thy presence- 
 with joy and rejoicing. O God, there is no 
 other way, in which a poor sinner can see 
 thy face and live. This is the wedding gar- 
 ment in which my soul desires to appear. 
 
 The following extract we presume accords 
 with the feelings of many professors, who are 
 conscious of deficiency in discharging their 
 duty toward their friends and fellowmen. 
 
 4 What reason have we to lament, that we 
 are no riiore engaged for the salvation of our 
 fellow creatures. How can it be that chris* 
 tians, who have themselves been made par- 
 takers of the blessings of the gospel, can be 
 indifferent about the souls of others. Sure it 
 u a very unfavorable mark. — "If any man 
 have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of 
 his ;" and we well know that our Lord en- 
 gaged in the salvation of souls. He endured 
 the cross, despisirig the shame, and so ought 
 
34 
 
 we ; — but alas, I have reason to be utterly 
 confounded on account of my awful indiffer- 
 ence about the eternal welfare of my fellow- 
 sinners; I am afraid to speak to them on 
 their dangerous situation, to warn them of 
 their approaching destruction, lest I should be 
 deemed uncivil, and injure my reputation 
 among my fellow worms. Let me seriously 
 reflect on this interrogation, u Why call ye 
 me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which 
 I say ? O compassionate Intercessor, send thy 
 Holy Spirit to raise my views above this lit- 
 tle moment of life to that eternity which is 
 before me. Make me faithful, desiring to ap- 
 prove myself unto God, and not regarding the 
 opinion of this world; graciously humble me, 
 and prepare me to do some little good in thy 
 cause. But O, what an infinite condescen- 
 sion, if the infinitely holy God should em- 
 ploy such a vile wretch as a means of doing 
 good. But the High and Lofty One does con- 
 descend to use clay as a means of accomplish- 
 ing his ends* — Still let it never be forgotten, 
 that it is he who does the work ; otherwise 
 the instrument would be no more than a use- 
 less grain of sand on the sea shore* " Of him, 
 and through him, and to him are all things ; 
 to whom be glory forever." 
 
 July 23, 1812. 
 Upon occasion of the State Fast on account 
 
of the Declaration of War, she thus writes in 
 her Diary, 
 
 " Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and 
 thou seest not ? Wherefore have we afflicted 
 our souls, and thou takest no knowledge? 
 Behold in the day of your fast ye find pleas- 
 ure, and exact all your labours.' 1 Is it not a 
 great thing to fast in such a manner as will 
 be pleasing in the sight of a Being of infinite 
 purity ? Our hearts are prone to evil ; we put 
 light for darkness, and darkness for light, call- 
 ing good evil, and evil good. We love in- 
 iquity and delight in vain confidence. We 
 have been highly blessed of God in temporal 
 and spiritual favours. Though our beginning 
 was small, yet we have been raised to a rank 
 among the nations of the earth. Thou hast 
 crowned us, O Lord, with loving-kindness 
 and tender mercy. Our fathers trusted in 
 thee, and thou didst deliver them from all 
 that rose up against them. The wars and 
 distress of other nations have been a means 
 of encreasing our riches ; and we have been 
 blessed with peace and plenty ; while others 
 have been scourged with famine and blood- 
 shed. In spiritual things our blessings have 
 been more than can be reckoned up, or 
 counted for multitude. They are more than 
 the hairs of our heads. Thou, Lord, hast 
 blessed us, because thou delightest to bestow 
 thy favours in a sovereign way. The founrl 
 
36 
 
 ation of our state was laid in supplication and 
 prayer, and for many years this land was re- 
 markable for piety and good order. And 
 since we have apostatized from the purity and 
 and zeal of our forefathers, thou hast not ut- 
 terly rejected our churches; but hast been 
 wonderfully displaying thy rich grace in re- 
 markable revivals of religion in many places. 
 Very many towns and villages have been vis- 
 ited with the powerful influences of the divine 
 spirit, to take out of them a people for the 
 Lord, and prepare them for his glorious ser- 
 vice. Lord, we would bless thy name, that 
 thou hast stirred up a spirit of engagedness 
 for the conversion of the heathen ; and hast 
 in years past blessed such labours with suc- 
 cess. And of late a missionary spirit is en- 
 creasing, and we hope for a continuance of 
 the divine benediction. But it is in vain to 
 attempt an enumeration of the blessings. The 
 growing numbers would never end. And 
 now let us inquire, what returns we have? 
 made for these unspeakable benefits? OLord, 
 I fear that we have, like Jeshurun, * waxed fat 
 and kicked ;" that we have requited thee evil 
 for all the good thou hast done unto us ; that 
 we have hardened our necks against God, and 
 lightly esteemed the Rock of our salvation. 
 O Lord, set our sins in order before us, and 
 may we see their aggravations, their heinous 
 nature, their dreadful malignity. May thirds 
 
37 
 
 own people be first in confessing their iniqui- 
 ties. May they separate themselves from 
 strangers, and stand and confess their sins be- 
 fore God. May they turn unto thee heartily 5 
 justify thee in all thy dealings; and take 
 shame and confusion to themselves. O may 
 they, with their whole hearts, turn unto thee, 
 each knowing the plague of his own heart, la- 
 menting his own sins, and sighing and crying 
 for all the abominations, which are done in 
 the land. Lord, we have reason to weep in 
 secret places, that the gold has become dim. 
 We have reason to fear that the salt of 
 many of our churches has lost its savour. 
 The Lord's Day is wickedjy disregarded. 4 
 spirit of strife and contention is apparent 
 among us, a haughty overbearing spirit is 
 too prevalent. O do thou, gracious Lord, 
 prepare our hearts and turn us unto thyself. 
 Do thou work in us such a reformation, as 
 shall be pleasing in thy sight. Do thou stir 
 us up to sincere repentance, and help us to 
 bring forth the fruit thereof. O Lord, save 
 us from that sm, which is a reproach to any 
 people, and give us that righteousness, which 
 exalteth a nation „ O do thou make us holy, 
 hufnble, faithful, and prepare us for the spee- 
 dy removal of the judgments, which have 
 come upon us. May we yet be spared, and may 
 thy church arise and shine forth, the glory 
 efthis land-j and her defence against her foes. 
 
38 
 
 *May her walls be salvation and her gates 
 praise. May the Lord be a wall of fire round 
 about us, and the glory in the midst. May Je- 
 sus reign here the King of this nation, the 
 Head of his Church, the Savior of his people* 
 Do thou, O God, for Christ's sake hear, an- 
 swer, forgive, and defer not. To thee would 
 we desire to commit our cause ; we are dis- 
 tressed by thy righteous displeasure; we de- 
 serve more than is laid upon us, and we desire 
 to justify thee, whatever thou shalt lay upon 
 us. Yet Lord, for thine own name's sake and 
 for thy mercy's sake, we beseech thee, that 
 thou wouldst bring us to repentance and pre- 
 pare us for the removal of thy chastising 
 hand, and a deliverance from thy fiercer re- 
 bukes. To whom shall we go but unto thee ; 
 for thou art a God of compassion and tender 
 mercy. We would leave our country, guilty 
 as it is, our perishing souls, our nearest friends ? 
 our a//, in thy gracious hands, praying to 
 be received through Jesus Christ. In him 
 may we ever be found ; and to Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost shall be ascribed ceaseless 
 praises now and ever more.' 
 
 Jujy 27th J812 ? 
 
 " To be carnally minded is death ; for the 
 
 carnal mind is enmity against God ; it is not 
 
 subject to his law; neither indeed can be i 
 
 sp then they that are iu the flesh casmpi 
 
39 
 
 please God." Thou, O God, seest my carnal 
 heart, — " earthly, sensual, devilish." Can it 
 be that such a heart has ever been renewed by 
 divine grace. Of all beings I have most rea- 
 son to abhor myself, Nothing can express 
 my exceeding pollution^ Lord, I am vile, 
 and am unaffected with a sense of it. Do 
 thou in great mercy set my sins in order be- 
 fore me, and give me true repentance, godly 
 sorrow. Above all things, gracious Lord, pre- 
 serve me from insensibility to the evil of sim 
 O place it before me in all its horrid colours ; 
 let me see it, and learn my own deformity., 
 and to abhor myself. O thou blessed Advo- 
 cate, who sittest at the right hand of the 
 Majesty on high> who art exalted as a Prince 
 and Savior, to give repentance and remission 
 of sins unto Israel, do thou undertake my 
 cause. Thou knowest all things, therefore 
 .hou art acquainted with all the heinous ag- 
 gravations of my offences; thou knowest the 
 deep-rooted alienation of my soul, and the 
 secret abominations of my heart, thou know- 
 est my proneness to wander, to swell witty 
 pride, to neglect thee and every thing right; 
 thou knowest even the most secret pollution 
 of thought. Wilt thou, in infinite compassion, 
 cause me to see and feel, and mourn with holy 
 indignation against such iniquity. O make 
 me to feel something of that sorrow for sin. 
 $rhich weighed thee down with " sweat ? as it 
 
40 
 
 were great drops of blood, 5 ' when the Lord 
 laid on thee the iniquity of us all. O that I 
 might be in some good measure sensible of 
 thy sufferings for sin. And O forbid that 1 
 should now add to my already unmeasurable 
 guilt the awful obstinacy of unbelief; let me 
 not refuse to come to thee, in whom all ful- 
 ness dwells, who hast brought in everlasting 
 righteousness, and who hast given every pos- 
 sible encouragement to sinners to return and 
 live. O display Almighty power and in- 
 finitely rich grace in cleansing and sanctify- 
 ing my soul, preparing me for thj r kingdom. 
 Take possession of my heart, and bring every 
 thought into sweet subjection to thy will. O 
 let my soul be delivered from the bondage of 
 Satan, and brought into the liberty of the 
 children of God. Thou art an able and will- 
 ing Savior. O make me thine, entirely thine, 
 in time and in eternity. Lord be merciful to 
 me a sinner. 
 
 August— 1812. 
 ^ Two men went up into the temple to 
 pray, the one a Pharisee, the other a Publi- 
 can* The Pharisee stood and prayed thus 
 with himself.-— The other would not so much 
 as lift up his eyes to heaven but smote on his 
 breast, saj^ing God be merciful to me a sin- 
 ner." I am led by this representation to sup- 
 pose., that there is an unspeakable difference 
 
41 
 
 between praying with one's self, and praying 
 to God. A habit of performing the external 
 act of prayer, a lively imagination, a com- 
 placency in one^s own supposed goodness, 
 and a variety of other causes, may lead a per- 
 son with an unchanged, unsanctified heart to 
 stand or kneel and pray with himself. But a 
 penitent, believing heart only can pray to 
 God through the great Mediator in an accep- 
 table manner* Is there not reason to fear 
 that there is an amazing sum of iniquity com- 
 mitted under the name of prayer. O Lord, 
 how is thy blessed name profaned by unmean- 
 ing hypocritical pretences to call upon it. 
 What wonders will the day of judgment un- 
 fold to the astonished millions, who will then 
 be assembled ! The thoughts of all hearts will 
 be reyealed. The abominations of hypocrites 
 will be laid open to view. And the sincerity 
 of the true believer will be made known, and 
 receive the approbation of the Judge* Doubt* 
 less great will be the disappointment of self- 
 deceived souk, great the confusion of high 
 sounding, hollowhearted Pharisees ; and great 
 the joy of the humble contrite heart. O 
 gracious Lord, let me no longer pray withmy- 
 selfchwt do thou teach me by thy Spirit to 
 pray in spirit and in truth to Thee who dost 
 verily hear prayer. O give me a little of the 
 spirit of Christ, that I may be heartily engag- 
 ed in thy service, and may worship thee $$> 
 
42 
 
 ceptably through Him who said "whatsoever 
 ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye shall 
 receive." Precious promise to the humble, 
 believing soul. O seal it to my heart, and 
 make me thine, entirely thine. 5 
 
 September 19th, 1812. 
 " What could have been done more to my 
 vineyard, that I have not done in it? Where- 
 fore, when I looked that it should bring forth 
 grapes, brought it forth wild grapes R 1 Ap- 
 ply this, O my soul, to thyself. What more 
 ^ould have been done for thee, than has been 
 done. O think of the infinitude of blessings? 
 which have been continually bestowed upon 
 thee ; of health, of peace and plenty, of the 
 blessed gospel ; of innumerable spiritual priv- 
 ileges, opportunities for advancing in the 
 knowledge of God and divine things. With 
 some little sense of these unmerited favours 
 well may I enquire, what more could have 
 been done, that has not been done for me. — 
 Wherefore, when the Lord looked for fruit, 
 has he found wild fruit? I fear that I have 
 only produced " the fruits of the flesh," " the 
 wine of Sodom, and the clusters of Gomorrah." 
 My goodness has been as the morning cloud 
 and early dew which soon passeth away. 
 Lord I am vile. I abhor myself. When the 
 Lord has looked for supreme love, he has be- 
 held attachment to creatures^ to self, to eve- 
 
43 
 
 iy vanity, rathei than to him. When he has 
 looked for steady zeal in his service, he has 
 beheld alternate warmth of natural affec- 
 tion, and languid supineness. When he has 
 looked for humility, he has seen me full of 
 pride. When he has sought for holy self-de= 
 nial, he has found self-gratification and self- 
 seeking. When he has looked for a diligent 
 advancement in holiness, he has seen me 
 Vickedly backsliding. Lord, I would contin- 
 ually abhor myself. I would desire to take a 
 low place in the valley of contrition, acknowl- 
 edging that my iniquities are infinitely hate- 
 ful. O give me faith to apply immediately 
 to the blood of Christ, which cleanseth from 
 all sin. O cleanse me, sanctify me, purify every 
 faculty of my soul ; make me holy like thy- 
 self, fitted for thy service in thine earthly 
 courts, and for the palace of thy glory above. 
 If I am a branch of the True Vine, purge 
 me that I may bring forth fruit unto holiness, 
 to the glory of God. If I am a hypocrite, O 
 undeceive me, suffer me not to live in this 
 dangerous state, but flee immediately, while 
 there is an accepted time and day of salva- 
 tion. I would now, upon a retrospect of my 
 past life, set my seal to this truth, that the Lord 
 is good to the evil and unthankful. My soul 
 is a living witness, and I would record it for 
 the glory of God, and the humiliation of my 
 proud heart. Let my future state be what it 
 
44 
 
 rfcay, I am, and shall forever be, under infinite 
 obligation to love and serve God; not only 
 for his own essential, incommunicable glory, 
 but for his goodness to me, the most unworthy 
 of his peopled 
 
 October 25th, 1812. 
 6 The discourse this morning from these 
 words, "Pardon thy servant in this thing," 
 has condemned me exceedingly. In very 
 many things I have neglected duty, and done 
 those things which I ought not, and the lan- 
 guage of my conduct has been, " pardon me 
 m this thing." O how abominably ungrate** 
 ful for those, who have a hope in Christ, to" 
 indulge m the least sin, to make excuses for 
 the smallest neglect of duty. Does it not 
 furnish alarming evidence of a deceived state ¥ 
 O Lord, search Jerusalem as with candles. 
 Search out every 1 vain pretence, every false 
 hope, every secret abomination, whereby we 
 defile our own souls, and dishonour thine in- 
 finite holiness, O cleanse thou us from se- 
 cret faults, sanctify us from hidden abomina- 
 tions, make us pure in thy sight, being array- 
 ed with the spotless robe of Christ's right- 
 eousness, and haying the inward adorning of 
 the graces of the Holy Spirit' "Then shall 
 we not be ashamed when we' have respect 
 unto all thy commandments" 
 
 
45 
 
 Miss Morton for several years continued 
 her Diary, but with occasional interruptions* 
 During ihe years 1809 and 1810 she record- 
 ed her exercises and reflexions upon provi* 
 dential events with more particularity than 
 at any subsequent period* When she resided 
 at Freetown, and when she enjoyed most 
 leisure for writing, and for reflection, we find 
 her Diary most copious and interesting. — 
 Some extracts from it, containing her daily 
 reflexions, will doubtless gratify her chris- 
 tian friends* It will be recollected, that while 
 she resided at Freetown^ she was not favored 
 with the opportunity of attending the stated 
 Worship of God, 
 
 ' Lord's Day. Spent this day principally in 
 reading the scripture — writing some. — Being 
 destitute of a stated meeting, we are deprived 
 of the inestimable privilege of hearing the 
 word of truth dispensed. May Vre suitably 
 improve this and all other dispensations of 
 Providence. May we search our hearts, and 
 see our sins, which are the cause of the priva- 
 tion of our mercies.—- May my understanding 
 be enlightened to see the excellences of gos- 
 pel truths 5 the harmony and connexion of 
 the word of God. May the Holy Spirit 
 Vouchsafe to be my instructor, — open and 
 seal the promises to my soul, and cleanse my 
 heart from all sin. 
 
4& 
 
 Monday. Met with a trial to-day, whicli 
 was entirely unexpected, and it almost over- 
 whelmed me. But blessed be God for trials 
 as well as for mercies. Trials serve, if sanc- 
 tified to my soul, to show me more and more 
 the depravity of my heart, to wean me from 
 myself and the world, and lead me nearer to 
 God. May God grant that all dispensations 
 of Providence may have that good e%ct, be- 
 ing set home upon my neart by sovereign 
 grace. While I can feel a freedom to go to 
 God, and pour out my supplications, and de- 
 sires with a child-like confidence, I can wel- 
 come all afflictions. Let me be more hum- 
 ble, more weaned from self* 
 
 Tuesday. Passed the day without any 
 uncommon occurrence — felt not so lively in 
 religion as I could wish ; but felt something 
 affected I trust with the grace of God. 
 
 Thursday. Have felt something of a de- 
 sire for God to-day, — -a desire to love him 
 lioofe— to enjoy more of his presence. Had 1 
 a sweet season of prayer this morning. But 
 
 how faint and feeble are my best desires* 
 When I reflect on my stupidity and coldness, 
 
 1 am sometimes astonished that I have the 
 feast gleam of hope ; but 3^et in my darkest 
 hours I cannot entirely give it up. 
 
 Lord's Day. Spent the day in something 
 
47 
 
 of a dull frame of mind ; but enjoyed some 
 solemn views of the importance of religion. 
 Wrote a letter to a friend, who has discover- 
 ed some attention to eternal realities in time 
 past ; though the impression appears now 
 nearly worn off. May God bless means to 
 bring her to himself. Last evening finished 
 a letter to the dear christian friend who vis- 
 ited me some time since. O that I could 
 write solely for the glory of God without any 
 mixture of selfishness. May the great Head 
 of the Church soon favor me with an oppor- 
 tunity to wait on him in his house of prayer. 
 
 Monday. H^d a large company of rela- 
 tions to visit us t lay from a distance. Not 
 one among them, that f know of, who profes- 
 ses to have any religion. How different 
 would it be to have a number of God's peo- 
 ple to visit us, with whom we might take 
 sweet counsel together. I am so apt to go 
 astray and join in sinful mirth, that such com- 
 pany, though I esteem them my friends, 
 tends greatly to entangle me in the foolish 
 vanities of the world. When will ray way- 
 ward heart learn to be ■" fixed, trusting in the 
 Lord.' 5 I have every moment need of fresh 
 supplies of grace to keep me in the right 
 way. 
 
 Tuesday. Our friends left us to-day. When 
 we meet again, may it be in the love of Jesus* 
 
48 
 
 Blessed be God for all mercies, for health, 
 strength ? friends, and all the comforts of this 
 life ; and above all for the precious gift of his 
 Son, by whom all blessings, both temporal 
 and spiritual are purchased. May we have 
 grace to improve all to his glory. 
 
 Thursday. Had the company of a chris- 
 tian friend to-day ; one whom I have not 
 seen for some time. Blessed be God, that I 
 can see my young friends sometimes engaged 
 in his service. May our affections be more 
 placed on the great fountain of all goodness. 
 
 Friday. Wrote a letter to-day to a friend, 
 with whom I have been corresponding on re- 
 ligious subjects. I thought I had some re- 
 gard to the glory of God in this correspon- 
 dence. But alas, I fear I have more pride 
 than any thing else. I have discovered in 
 myself so much pride this day, that I am 
 ashamed to look at any one. Pride is a spir- 
 it abhorred of God, and yet how much of it 
 remains in my heart. O that God would hum- 
 ble me, and may the Holy Spirit apply the 
 blood of Christ to my polluted soul, that 
 it may be cleansed from all its hateful mal- 
 adies* that it may be fitted to honor and glo« 
 rify God. 
 
 Saturday. Passed the day rather gloomily, 
 because of my sins. Was sent for to pass the 
 night with my sick friends. — Had some pro- 
 
49 
 
 Stable conversation with a christian friend \ 
 but how cold, how dull my ungrateful 
 heart. 
 
 Lord's Day. Was very low in the fore 
 part of the day; but felt some reviving com- 
 fort in the perusal of Doddridge's Rise and 
 Prpgress. Read the Bible, and felt some de- 
 sires to understand and taste its sacred truths. 
 The sin of rooming sloth robs me of many 
 precious hours, in which God's faithful chil- 
 dren are ascribing praise and thanksgiving to 
 him. 1 have often made weak resolutions to 
 amend in that ; but I fear I have tried to do 
 it in my own strength. May God now assist, 
 me and in every deed enable me to break oft' 
 that sin, by repentance and reformation, and 
 to him shall be all the glory.' 
 
 In the above extract we have a specimen 
 of the Diary, as it was written from day to 
 day. It was begun soon after she was induc- 
 ed to consecrate herself to God in Christ Je- 
 sus, and to hope in his grace. It was com- 
 menced with the ardor of one recently "born 
 of the Spirit ;" it shows that she was habitual- 
 ly attentive to her own impressions and 
 exercises 5 and watchful over her own 
 heart. She was most diligent in writing me- 
 moirs of herself, when least occupied by 
 worldly cares ; but when she was engaged in a 
 school at New Bedford, and during the subse- 
 
50 
 
 queni years of her life, she only noted in hei 
 Diary uncommon Providences, or discontinu- 
 ed it altogether. The ardor with which she 
 began her Diary appears in some measure to 
 have abated ; or perhaps she found it incon- 
 sistent with her other engagements, as she 
 advanced in life, to pursue her original de- 
 sign. 
 
 We here commence her correspondence 
 with her intimate friends. Her letters are 
 confined almost exclusively to religious sub- 
 jects. They are generally addressed to young 
 ladies, or to those of her own age, who were 
 either professedly pious, or fond of serious 
 subjects. The following was addressed to ' 
 one who was engaged as well as herself in the 
 instruction of youth, 
 
 Freetown, 
 
 To Miss WW. 
 There is one concern my dear friend, of « 
 primary importance to be attended to imme^ 
 diately; lest by neglect we should lose our 
 souls forever. I hope we have, at least, some 
 faint desires to secure this one thing needful, 
 now in the days of youth, while we have lit- 
 tle of worldly cares to insnare and vex us. If 
 these are our desires, we shall not certainly 
 think it amiss to make religion the subject of 
 our letters ; and the grace of God may enable 
 enligfatea and edify each other, — We 
 
si 
 
 see often that weak means are used to accom- 
 plish important purposes ; that we may real- 
 ize that the sufficiency and power is all of 
 God, and that he is able to bring light out of 
 darkness. 
 
 Excuse my freedom, my dear friend, if I 
 express my fears that your mind is not so 
 much engaged in this great enquiry as it has 
 formerly been. If that be the melancholy 
 case, let me ask your conscience, as in the 
 sight of God, how you will justify such re- 
 missness. While you and I are delaying the 
 
 I work of repentance, what if God should cut 
 the thread of life? What plea could we offer 
 at his dread tribunal ? Would our hands be 
 strong, or our hearts endure ? It we would 
 escape the dreadful doom of the ungodly, 
 let us immediately humble ourselves before 
 God. 
 
 You%ill not, my dear friend, be offended 
 at such plainness. Our contract of friend- 
 
 phip requires plainness and sincerity; and in 
 a case of such moment would not unfaithful- 
 ness bring a high degree of guilt ? In this at 
 least, I can siacprely say; I do as*I wish to 
 be done by. What a new endearment it 
 would give to my present attachment to you, 
 if you wotild use greater freedom in reproving 
 me, in reminding me of my sins, which may, 
 if persisted in, draw down the vengeance of 
 Grodo I entreat you, as my most intimate 
 
52 
 
 friend, to examine what you know of my con- 
 duct, and compare it with the rule of duty. 1 
 am sensible I must shrink into nothing on 
 such a comparison, yet I desire it, as 1 may 
 thereby be brought to see and to ab^or many 
 sins, which had before concealed themselves 
 under the thick veil of self-love. I might 
 thereby learn to view myself in a juster 
 light, and might fly to Christ with more earn- 
 estness to be washed and cleansed, and made 
 white in his purifying blood, I might more 
 feelingly honor God ? who gives to so vile 
 a sinner a hope of pardon and eternal life. 
 
 I enjoyed great comfort and satisfaction in 
 your sister's conversation — my soul felt an 
 endearing union. — I cannot but hope she has 
 u passed from death unto life," and will be 
 enabled to persevere and honour God by her 
 life and conversation? I think her husband 
 is an sincere enquirer, if he has not actually 
 found the " pearl of great price." I sincerely 
 hope that he and all their children may hM 
 brought to the knowledge and acknowledge- 
 ment of the " truth as it is in Jesus." I yet 
 hope and pray that there may be an out-pour- 
 ing of the Spirit in that place, and that multi- 
 tudes may be thronging the gates of Zion. 
 
 I hope, if it be possible, you will visit me 
 before my school commences. I feel a strong 
 desire to see you, and would gladly visit you 
 if it were convenient. Remember me to all 
 
S3 
 
 enquiring friends and let us hear from you 
 soon, if we cannot see you. 
 
 Your affectionate but unworthy 
 
 M, M, 
 
 New Bedford, ■ 
 To Miss L. W. 
 
 My dear L- complains of my silence, 
 
 and truly she has some reason ; but the care 
 of a school of about fifty may be some apol- 
 ogy. I have indeed an assistant in my em- 
 ployment, but the care falls principally on 
 ynyself. But this is not jny rest. If my 
 hopes of happiness beyond this world should 
 prove delusive in that awful hour, which will 
 usher my soul into eternity, I must be wretch- 
 ed beyond description ; but I can assure you 
 that 1 now enjoy moments of happiness in 
 reflecting on the glories of eternal realities, 
 which are more than a counterpoise for all 
 the trials, through which 1 am called to pass. 
 And though my trials are many, yet I think I 
 have abundantly more reason to rejoice than 
 to despond. Almost every day brings glad 
 tidings to my ears of the conversion of souls. 
 Zion, in many parts of our land, and in dis- 
 tant lands, rejoices, and her converts multiply 
 like drops of the morning dew. Then let 
 all, who love her gates, rejoice that they are 
 building, and that her dust is precious. " Let 
 
54 
 
 rnount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Jur 
 dah be glad, besause of thy judgments. Walk 
 about Zion, and go round about her ; tell the 
 towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks ; 
 consider her palaces ; for this God is our God 
 forever and ever ; he will be our guide even 
 unto death.' 5 And is the God of Israel in* 
 deed our God ? No enquiry can be made to 
 perishing sinners which is more solemnly in- 
 teresting. My dear ' sister,' I hope he is 
 your reconciled Father, through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. If so, nothing in heaven, earth, 
 or hell can harm you. But jif God is not our 
 friend, if we are not believers in Jesus, the 
 whole creation is in arms against such rebels 
 and despisers of God, waiting only for per- 
 mission from Him against whom we are re 
 belling to execute his vengeance. The an- 
 tediluvians were not in more danger^ when 
 Noah was preparing to enter the Ark, than 
 we are now, and we have equal need of flee- 
 ing to the Ark of safety. Let us bless God 
 for his matchless love in providing such a 
 glorious Surety, Advocate, and Friend to 
 perishing sinners, which may with the great- 
 est propriety be termed an Ark of safety,— 
 Let us arise and flee, lest we be overtaken by 
 the storms of divine vengeance ; even while 
 we linger, perhaps we are on the very thres- 
 hold of eternity. 
 
 In our situation, my dear L- what a 
 
solemn responsibility devolves upon us* The 
 care of so many precious youths — of their 
 souls in a great measure as well as their intel- 
 lectual faculties. From us they may receive 
 impressions, which may be connected with 
 eternal consequences. If they, as they no 
 doubt do, critically observe our conduct, they 
 will doubtless observe what appears to us of 
 most importance ; whether it be the concerns 
 of the body, for this short life, united with a 
 predominant inclination to prepare for re- 
 spectability and pleasure in this world, or a 
 concern for the soul, united with supreme 
 regard to the will of God, and a solemn sense 
 of eternal realities. And as they observe us 
 to be inclined, they will naturally be led. A 
 sense of these solemn considerations has born 
 with an almost unsupportable weight on my 
 fnind. How affecting the thought of meeting 
 those children at the bar of God, whom my 
 unfaithfulness has been the means of leading 
 to a rejection of the salvation of the Gospel ! 
 Methought they would rise in the day of 
 Judgment, and say "You professed to be a dis- 
 ciple of Christ, but your attention to your 
 scholars was confined to those things, which 
 were calculated merely to make us useful and 
 respectable in that vain world, which is now 
 consuming by the brightness of Christ's com- 
 ing; and you did not suitably warn us of our 
 danger; and those very accomplishments, 
 
56 
 
 which you laboured to give us, by exciting 
 the applause of the vain were the means of 
 blinding our eyes to important truths, and 
 now we must eternally perish through your 
 neglect*" Nor do I believe this a mere flight 
 of imagination ; for I fully believe that you 
 and I shall meet our pupils at the great day 
 of decision, when it will appear to the assem- 
 bled world, in what manner we have dis- 
 charged the important trust committed to us. 
 
 may we then appear in the righteousness 
 of Christ ; and have the joy to meet many of 
 our charge among the jewels of the Most 
 High; in answer to our prayers and admoni- 
 tions. Eternal consequences hang on every 
 hour of our lives, while we lie groveling in 
 inactivity and stupor. May the gentle calls 
 of Christ arouse us to diligence and engaged- 
 ness in his blessed service. Through divine 
 goodness I enjoy quite good health. that 
 
 1 may also have a disposition to improve that 
 and all other blessings to the glory of God. I 
 wish much to see you a:nd trust I shall when 
 consistent with divine Providence. My re-* 
 memb ranee to all friends* Your unworthy 
 sister, M. M. 
 
 Freetown, - — ** 
 
 To Miss L. W. 
 
 My dear L 's letter deserved an .earlier 
 
 answer, and a few weeks since a very favoura- 
 
ble conveyance was anticipated; but before 
 it arrived the hand of sickness incapacitated 
 me from performing the pleasing office. The 
 complaint with which 1 was afflicted was a 
 nervous fever ; but 1 have abundant cause of 
 gratitude, that I was so lightly chastised ; and 
 that all the means used for my recovery, even 
 my jonrney home several days after the coirt^ 
 mencement of my illness, were blessed. In 
 reviewing the providence of God in my sick- 
 ness and recovery 1 find occasions of pious 
 1 gratitude exceedingly multiplied. O that I had 
 a heart to return to God according to benefits 
 received ; but a sense of the hardness of my 
 heart and of my exceeding barrenness affords 
 I matter for the deepest humiliation. I am 
 
 i learning, my dear L , by little and little 
 
 to feel the force ©f that text in Jeremiah* 
 64 The heart is deceitful above all things and 
 desperately wicked ; who can know it ?" I 
 think I ani in some measure sensible, that 
 none but he, who searcheth the secrets of all 
 hearts, can penetrate into the amazing depth 
 of iniquity, which my treacherous heart con- 
 ceals. How blind we are in a state of nature, 
 tinawakened to a sense of ourselves. We im- 
 agine ourselves whole ; and though our con- 
 sciences accuse us of some sins, yet we have 
 no idea that " the whole head is sick, and the 
 ! whole heart faint." But when the Spirit of 
 !God is commissioned to "convince us of sin, 
 
 5 
 
58 
 
 of righteousness and of judgment," we then 
 begin to perceive what kind of creatures we 
 are. We feel that the " carnal mind is enmi- 
 ty against God." We find that we are in- 
 volved in an unfathomable gulph of wretched- 
 ness and sin ; and, unless an almighty Savior 
 has compassion on us, we must perish eternal- 
 ly. My beloved friend, the sands of our glass 
 are rapidly, though silently, passing away r 
 and hurrying us into eternity. I would hope 
 that you consider more the solemn scenes 
 which are just before us, than your unworthy 
 friend. Surely they are worthy our most 
 constant and solicitous attention ; and I pre- 
 sume, when we come into eternity and to the 
 bar of God, we shall not regret taking too 
 much pains to secure an interest in Christ. 
 The great day of accounts will declare, that 
 they ohly are truly wise, who live in time 
 for eternity ; who " give all diligence to make 
 their calling and election sure. I often fear 
 that, in the day of eternal decision, I and 
 many of my dear earthly friends, shall 
 be separated from the enjoyment of God and 
 from all good to have our part with hypocrites 
 and unbelievers. The thought is awful ; but 
 the doom would be just. O may we all be 
 aw r akened and constrained to u flee to the 
 strong hold as prisoners of hope." 
 
 The season past I have heard of the deaths 
 of two of my young female acquaintances. 
 
59 
 
 which exhibited the contrast between the 
 lovers of the world and the lovers of Christ. 
 One, though exercised with extreme bodily 
 pain, was full of consolation. Reflecting on 
 the sufferings of Christ, she said, hers were not 
 to be named. To me and to all her friends, 
 she sent her dying love and request, that we 
 would secure an interest in Christ while in 
 health, for a dying bed was a most unsuitable 
 place to prepare for eternity. With a heart 
 humbly submitting to the will of God, and with 
 faith in the merits of a crucified Savior, she 
 could leave an affectionate husband, her little 
 infant, and the world in peace. May our last 
 £nd be like hers. The other to whom I al* 
 luded was greatly awakened to see her sinful 
 life, and the awful vengeance, which awaits 
 the ungodly. She confessed the pride of her 
 heart, which had fondly doated upon riches. 
 Said she, — " My father, your riches cannot 
 save me from death, nor purchase me an in- 
 terest in Christ, though they have lifted up 
 my heart to despise the poor, when perhaps 
 they were christians and possessed that which 
 I would give worlds to purchase." Such were 
 her distressing reflexions on her death bed ; 
 and I have never heard that she obtained a 
 hope before the awful summons of her disolu- 
 tion arrived. O that such solemn warnings 
 may be sanctified to all who receive them. 
 Yoursj M. Mi 
 
§0 
 
 The following extract from a letter to Miss 
 %j. W. contains some interesting reflexions 
 upon the day of judgment. 
 
 Our time on earth is short. What an in* 
 centive should this be to us, to " be up andi 
 doing while the day lasts ; lest the night come 
 in which no man can work." " Time is short" 
 and yet on this little moment hang eternal 
 consequences. Let us live under an habitual 
 sense of the reality of eternal concerns. 
 Would it not serve to repress sinful mirth, in- 
 ordinate desires, and dangerous passions, if 
 w r e should reflect frequently and solemnly on 
 the great day of final retribution, when the 
 secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest, 
 before assembled worlds ! God will bring into 
 judgment every evil work, and every idle 
 word. O what a multitude, beyond the 
 reach of computation or the stretch of ima- 
 gination,— of idle thoughts and words shall 
 we, my dear 'sister,' have to answer for defore 
 the Judge and Maker often thousand worlds ! 
 Where shall we be found amidst the conflaga- 
 tion of the spheres ? The scene is present to 
 my thoughts, when the many millions of 
 creatures, who have trod this earth, shall be 
 called by the reanimating trumpet of the 
 archangel to appear before their God and 
 Judge. How glorious the appearance of him, 
 who once hung on Calvary's mount, attended 
 by ten thousand times ten thousand angels. 
 
61 
 
 assembled to hear the just and impartial 
 sentence of a God ! Where then, oh where, 
 will guilty bouIs retire from his wrath ? Where 
 then, O my soul, wilt thou appear ? Will the 
 great Judge receive thee and cover thee with 
 a robe of his own righteousness, and pro- 
 nounce on thee that blessed plaudit, " Come 
 thou blessed of my Father ?" The glory, the 
 justice, the excellency of God will shine with 
 inconceivable lustre on this all important day, 
 and the ransomed of the Lord will sing hal- 
 lelujah forever and ever. "Come then, O 
 ©ur souls, meditate on that day, when all 
 things in nature shall melt and decay.' 5 May 
 .©ur thoughts dwell on these solemn realities, 
 lor they are assuredly approaching; and an- 
 other sun may not set before we are cut off 
 hy death. Let us humbly and heartily pray 
 lor repentance unto life. Let us come to 
 God in our true characters, and beg for par- 
 don and acceptance through the blood of the 
 Lamb. Then, O animating belief, shall we 
 he prepared u to meet Christ iri the air." By 
 J&ith in Christ shall we be enabled to join the 
 triumphant son£ of Moses and the Lamb. 
 
 M. M. 
 
 New Bedford, 
 
 To the same. 
 My dear L— is not forgotten though she 
 
 has been so long wondering at the silence of 
 friend, 5* 
 
62 
 
 Surely goodness and mercy have followed 
 jne all my days ; but alas, "what poor returns 
 of love, hath my Creator found." 1 have the 
 greatest cause of any one to be humble, and 
 yet my heart is filled with pride. I have 
 every motive, which can be offered to a ra- 
 tional being, to be engaged in the blessed 
 pause of Go$ ; yet I am cold and stupid, as 
 though it were a matter of no consequence. 
 I have the greatest reason for watchfulness, 
 yet am never rightly engaged in it. My 
 dear friend, it is impossible you should form 
 an idea of my exceeding vileness ; and that 
 such a sinner should be made to see it, and 
 to hope in Christ, is surely a most convincing 
 proof of the efficacy and power of God's 
 grace. If we believe the scriptures of truth, 
 we must be sensible that the christian life is 
 a state of warfare. " The flesh lusteth against 
 the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh." 
 At some times I feel a comfortable hope, that 
 I am what I have professed to be, a fol- 
 lower of the Lamb; and feel such delight in 
 the contemplation of divine things as np eaith- 
 ly objects ever afforded me. My heart seems 
 to be enlarged and animated, and all things 
 appear to speak the love of God. At other 
 times the corruptions of my heart appear to 
 be let loose, and form a cloud, almost an im 
 penetrable one which hides these soul-refresh^ 
 |ng objects from my view. But "by the 
 
63 
 
 grace of God, I am what I am." And even in 
 my darkest hours he does not suffer me to be 
 tried beyond the strength, which he vouch- 
 safes to grant. He never leaves me to my- 
 self entirely, I trust, but his patience is still 
 exercised towards the most unworthy and un* 
 grateful of all bis servants. 
 
 But let not our trials discourage us from 
 entering into the service. The Apostle calls 
 it a " good warfare. 5 ' And truly it is so. I 
 would humbly desire to add my feeble testi- 
 mony to the cloud of witnesses, with which 
 we are compassed about, that God is good, 
 i holy, just, and glorious, beyond all possible 
 comprehension ; and that his service is de- 
 lightful, notwithstanding the host of enemies 
 the believer has to encounter. Though he 
 may be pressed beyond measure, and suffer 
 the loss of all earthly things, yet Christ is his 
 i ighteousness, his strength, his joy, his " all 
 in all.- 5 The everlasting God is his portion, 
 an eternal heaven is his home. 
 
 When such blissful prospects are before us 
 we should esteem it an unspeakable happi- 
 Bess, even if we realized no present joys, and 
 if they were all in reversion. But this is not 
 'he case, I humbly conceive; for such re^ 
 freshing joys are afforded even in this state of 
 trial, as are sufficient to fill the heart at times 
 ^/ith transport. 
 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton? 
 
64 
 
 New Bedford, — — 
 To the same. 
 I received your letter, my dear friend, the 
 last evening with emotions of pleasure ; but 
 the intelligence it contained was surprising 
 4ndeed. But why should it be so ? We know 
 we are every moment exposed to the shafts 
 of death and that no living mortal has an as- 
 surance of future life for a day, an hour or 
 even a moment. In the death of our young 
 friend, we receive a loud call to " be also rea- 
 dy." "What day, what hour, but knocks at hu- 
 man hearts." God only knows, why our lives 
 are spared and our friend called ; doubtless 
 he has important ends to answer by this provi- 
 dence. O let us pray for grace to improve 
 our lives, whether longer or shorter, to the 
 glory of that all-perfect Being, who preserves 
 us. Unless we Joye as he requires, and com- 
 ply with the sweet invitations of the gospel, 
 the longer we live, and the more warnings 
 we receive, the more aggravated will be our 
 condemnation. May the unmerited grace of 
 God through Jesus Christ save us from this 
 It is this grace alone which saves one of the 
 human race from destruction everlasting 
 
 In the case of our friend, who is gone be- 
 fore us, we witness the free grace of God, 
 who can save even at the eleventh hour. My 
 heart was comforted by the intelligence of 
 the happy state of her mind, and was, I hum- 
 
 
65 
 
 My trust, disposed to give glory to him who 
 could show himself just and righteous in the 
 salvation of sinners ; and that it was his sover- 
 eign will to prepare my friend^ tho' at the last 
 part of life, to enjoy and praise his name to 
 all eternity. It is better to hear that she 
 died in Christ, than that she was living in sin 
 and rebellion against God. I trust she is gone 
 home to glory, and has met; the faithful pas- 
 tor, upon whose ministry she has attended the 
 season past, ia realms of everlasting day. 
 But let us not make this example of mercy 
 displayed on a dying bed, encourage ns to 
 put off a preparation for the important events 
 of eternity a single moment. We may be 
 called without the least warning to meet our 
 God and Judge. Rather let such providences 
 Stimulate us to an immediate enquiry wheth- 
 er we are prepared to make the same impor- 
 tant exchange. 
 
 As this is the day appointed for our annual 
 Thanksgiving, a retrospective view of the 
 year past naturally occurs to the mind. We 
 are destitute of a meeting to-day— and of 
 course I have much leisure for reflexion. 
 May God direct my meditations, and enable 
 me to keep this day as a day of thanksgiving 
 to the Lord* What abundant reason have I 
 to say, " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all 
 that is within me, bless his holy name." Pre- 
 suming on the kind indulgence of my friend,, 
 
66 
 
 I shall, in my letter, endeavour with a spirit 
 of heart felt gratitude, to enumerate a few of 
 the blessings of God to an unworthy worm 
 the past year. May the Holy Spirit help me 
 to remember and to acknowledge all my mer- 
 cies. On our last annual Thanksgiving, how 
 far was I from any sense of my relation to 
 God, as an accountable being. I had grieved 
 his Spirit, and returned to a state of se- 
 curity, gfter being in some measure made 
 sensible of my need of an interest in Christ. 
 I was full of vanity, stupidity, and hardness 
 of heart. But GodVmercy is infinite, there- 
 fore did he not cut me off. His sovereign 
 grace, I trust, brought me nigh when I was 
 afar off* And how has he born, with my stu- 
 pidity, unbelief, and neglect of him, since 
 that period? How often has his arm been re- 
 vealed for my safety and deliverance, from 
 the power of temptation, from fatal backslid- 
 ings, and from open and gross sins; and, 
 though the sins of my heart have been more 
 in number than the hairs of my head, yet he 
 has graciously upheld me, and has, I trust, in 
 mercy " cast them behind his back." How 
 many blessed seasons of comforting and in- 
 structive conversation with his dear children, 
 have I enjoyed. How many of them have 
 honoured me, a worthless sinner, with friend- 
 ship and tender regard. How many precious 
 admonitions and warnings have 1 received 5 
 
61 
 
 and I humbly trust thou hast, O God, sancti- 
 fied them to my soul. My life and health 
 have been preserved amidst contigions and 
 mortal diseases : while one on my right hand 
 and another on my left has fallen, thou hast 
 upheld me. In temporal concerns how great- 
 ly have I been prospered, and O what poor 
 returns! "Dear Lord, I give myself away, 'tis 
 all that I can do.*' — O help me, gracious God, 
 to say this with my whole heart, and to de- 
 vote all my future life, whether it be longer 
 or shorter, to the praise of thy blessed name ; 
 and prepare me to praise thee through an 
 endless eternity. " Bless the Lord, O my soul, 
 and forget not all his benefit." 
 
 Remember an unworthy friend, 
 
 Marv Morton. 
 
 New Bedford. 
 To Miss L. W; 
 
 We are destitute of a preached word to-day <j 
 and of course I have leisure to write. May 
 God enable me to spend to day in his fear 
 and service — and whatever I do$ may it be 
 done with a single eye to his glory. On 
 Friday evening last I suppose my young ac- 
 quaintance in B. assembled for a ball in the 
 usual place. I also was invited to attend a 
 ball at F. the same evening. I desire to give 
 thanks to God that I had no inclination to at- 
 
6§ 
 
 iend ; and that 1 felt in some imperfect meas- 
 ure, disposed to pity and pray for those, who 
 have no idea of happiness in higher pursuits. 
 Fully aware that 1 shall draw on myself the 
 imputation of bigoted superstition by oppos- 
 ing the fashionable amusements of the day, I 
 would wish to do it with caution and judg- 
 ment, lest 1 should bring a reproach on that 
 religion, which I hope 1 love and reverence. 
 Neither would I do it without the fullest con- 
 viction of their impropriety ; — I mean in 
 those who profess a regard for God and his 
 commands. For those who profess«to follow 
 Christ, to partake of the sinful amusements of 
 the world, what is it less than saying by their 
 conduct, whatever may be their words, that 
 the pleasures of piety are not sufficient to 
 satisfy them, but they must indulge them* 
 selves in sinful pleasures to make up the de- 
 ficiency ? Will not the enemies of the religion 
 of Jesus at once make this conclusion ? I know 
 an argument often made use of in favor of 
 professing christians joining in the amuse- 
 ments of the world, is, that "they, of all people 
 have greatest reason to be cheerful." I ac- 
 knowledge that, and would contend for the 
 peculiar causes of rejoicing, which the believ- 
 er possesses ; but would ask, are the pleasures 
 of piety and the pleasures of sin exactly the 
 same ? Can the believer in Jesus take delight 
 in the same objects, which are pursued by the 
 
most hardened infidel ? Does not this redact 
 the saint to a level with the sinner? If their 
 joys and sorrows arise from the same sources, 
 the difference between them surely cannot 
 be very great/ But does not the word of 
 truth Explicitly point out a wide difference ? 
 It points out with great clearness the peculiar 
 joys and sorrows of the christian, and declares 
 them to be not only different in degree but 
 diametrically opposite in kind to those of the* 
 sinner. Pious joy is often mentioned in the 
 scriptures, and characterized as being a " joy 
 in God," " jfcy in the Holy Ghost." ;i Is any 
 merry ? let him sing Psalms." u Rejoice in 
 the Lord always j and again I say rejoice." 
 
 But I need not dwell on this subject, for I 
 believe ftiy dear friend heartily assents to the 
 truth I have been endeavoring to establish, 
 and to her only my letter is directed* I should 
 not, perhaps, have thought of this subject at 
 this time, if it were not the case that some 
 professors of religion in this place, practice 
 attending balls, card-playing, and other fash- 
 ionable amusements. It was mentioned to 
 me as an argument for attending the ball, that 
 such a young lady, a professor, was going. 
 How is Christ wounded in the house of his 
 professed friends ? — What a stumbling block 
 is then laid in the way of enquiring minds ? 
 It is to be feared that some immortal souls 
 Will stumble over the irregular and unscrig- 
 
 6 
 
turai walk of professors into eternal condem- 
 nation. What an argument should this be to 
 those, who have named the name of Christ to 
 depart from all iniquity; " to walk circum- 
 spectly, not as fools but as wise ;" and to be 
 prayerful, and humble, and watchful, " that 
 their light may shine before others; that 
 they, seeing their good works, may glorify 
 their Father who is in heaven." 
 
 Are not my friends in the South of B. af- 
 fected seriously by the Providence of God in 
 taking one of their number ? " O that they 
 would be wise, that they would consider their 
 latter end." O that all would " come and 
 taste that the Lord is gracious ;" that my 
 young friends would flee sinful amusements, 
 and would seek the Lord with full purpose of 
 heart. Youth is the best time to begin to 
 serve the Lord, and he has given precious 
 promises to those who remember him in 
 youth. In the early part of life the mind is 
 less hardened by the bondage of Satan, and 
 more susceptible of the warnings and calls of 
 the Spirit- Let us not giieve away the Holy 
 Spirit, but attend now to its influences, and 
 submit ourselves to God, lest he fulfil that 
 threatening, " my Spirit shall not always 
 strive with man ;" and we be given over " to 
 hardness of heart and a reprobate mind." 
 The pleasures of piety are incalculable and 
 inexpressible, but the carnal heart has no 
 
71 
 
 more conception of them than a blind maa 
 has of colors. May God open our eyes to 
 gee and adore. 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 Upon perusing the following letter, and 
 many others in this collection, we may recol- 
 lect that humble general confessions are no 
 conclusive proofs of extraordinary depravity ; 
 but only of great sensibility to that depravity, 
 which is common to all mankind. The opin- 
 ion we adopt of another's piety is sometimes 
 exactly the reverse of that, which we hear a 
 person himself express. Paul was eminent 
 for personal piety as well as for spiritual gifts ; 
 yet he speaks of himself as less than the least 
 of all saints. The young Ruler in the gos- 
 pel said he had kept all the commandments of 
 the Decalogue from his youth ; yet he gave 
 most sorrowful evidence of predominant sel- 
 fishness., and love of the world after all ; and 
 refused to follow Christ the Savior of the 
 world. He loved his treasure more than he 
 Joved his God. 
 
 It may be observed also that this letter was 
 written at a time of increasing attention to 
 
 religion ; precisely at such a time as would 
 lead a sincere christian to reproach himself 
 most severely for languor in sacred duties. 
 
72 
 
 New Bedford, 1809. 
 
 T*> Mrs. N. N. 
 
 The letter of my beloved friend reached 
 my hands yesterday morning — and I have 
 reason to hope it will be blessed as a means 
 of good to my soul. I cannot thank you as 
 enough for your kindness in so often remem- 
 bering me. I am unworthy of it, utterly un- 
 worthy. 
 
 It is not necesary that I should tell you that 
 my heart is jnot engaged in religion as it 
 ought to be. You will see it from my writ- 
 ing; for out of the abundance of the heart 
 language flows* To grieve the people of 
 God, to grieye the Holy Spirit, to open afresh 
 the wounds of our suffering Redeemer, to 
 wound him in the house of his professed 
 friends, — how sinful— how -ungreatful. — But 
 I am that very sinner. Of all persons I have 
 the hardest, most stupid, most unbelieving 
 heart. How just would it be in God to give 
 me up and say of me as of Ephraim of old, "he 
 is joined to idols let him alone." My chris- 
 tian friends say I must not speak this lan- 
 guage. I know I am sinful in feeling thus : but 
 when I am so full of darkness, how can I speak 
 of light and peace? I believe I am the most- 
 hardened creature that ever lived. My soul 
 is in bitterness on account of my stupidity 
 and iniquity. It paiijed me to find you have 
 
13 
 
 guch fears respecting our friend Mrs. G — — 5 
 but alas, you may justly have such fears of 
 me. How melancholy to think that we 
 should thus cast a reproach on the cause of 
 the blessed God. But do not let it give you 
 too much pain ; for God will be glorified in 
 all things. His justice will shine conspicu- 
 ously in the punishment of the hypocrite. 
 It is a blessed thing that hypocrites and un ? 
 believers will never grieve the children of 
 God after their removal to the blessed man- 
 sions. The church shall be complete; none 
 that are given to Christ shall ever perish, 
 neither shall any man pluck them out of his 
 hand. If you can feel a freedom to lay my 
 case before the throne of grace ; — but I am 
 entirely unworthy. O that I may be prepar- 
 ed to glorify God by liying devoted to his 
 cause and interest? Now at this interesting 
 season when we hope God is about to make 
 a display of his power here, how important 
 that every one who has professed friendship 
 to his name should step blodly forward to the 
 help of the Lord against the rnighty. O that 
 I may have faith given jrte to rise above this 
 weight of sin ^nd unbelief. — Faith in the 
 Lord Jesus can remove mountains. Moun- 
 tains of darkness which I cannot express seem 
 to press me down from duty — from every 
 thing I ought to feel and to do. We shall 
 have your prayers that the work of the Lord 
 
 6* 
 
-74 
 
 tray prosper here — that Zion's gates ma y be 
 crowded with converts, that the young and 
 the middle aged and the aged may be mad^ 
 trophies of sovereign grace, electing love* 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The following observations upon dress, con- 
 tained in a letter to Miss B. M. were not the 
 mere sportive effusions of one, who took 
 pleasure in reading her ow r n compositions, or 
 who fed her vanity with the .thought, that 
 others would read them also. It appears with 
 her to have been a settled principle in this 
 respect not to be conformed to the world.— 
 Neatness and economy in this particular ac- 
 corded with the purity of her mind, and with 
 her sincere desire to relieve the wants of the 
 poor, both at home ^nd abroad. 
 
 August 8th ■ » 
 To Miss B. M. 
 In replying to your query, my dear sister, 
 I fear I shall use less circumspection than I 
 ought* My mind is so entirely decided on 
 this point, that I sometimes feel a wish tp 
 have all view the subject in the same light 
 that I do. The Apostolic direction is exceed- 
 ingly plain and forcible. " Not with broid- 
 ered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly <*rray. r/ 
 
Did we all delight only in the ornaments, 
 which the Holy Spirit, by this Apostle has 
 recommended, how much more should Ave 
 appear like the daughters of Zion and the 
 disciples of him, whose kingdom is not of thi$ 
 world ; and what an immense saving might 
 be made for the benefits of the destitute 
 heathen. The price of one lace veil ; $r oth- 
 er expensive superfluity, might be sufficient 
 under Providence to save the souls of many 
 heathen from eternal despair. How shall 
 christian females answer it to God in the day 
 of "dread decision,^ 3 how can we now answer 
 it to our own consciences, if we prefer the 
 empty decorations of fashion to the everlast- 
 ing interests of immortal souls ? I am not con- 
 scious of feeling the least degree of hardness 
 against any dear sister, who feels it right to 
 spend much in ornamental dress, &c. But I 
 sometimes confess to my most intimate friendf 
 that it grieves me. May it not with great 
 propriety be said, "Why is this waste ?" 
 These clayey bodies, now so delicately at- 
 tired, will soon need no other prnamenfc than 
 a shroud and coffin. " The i^orm shall feed 
 sweetly on them and the dust shall cover 
 them." They will not indeed be then the 
 worse for former splendid coverings ; but the 
 souls of those who might have been saved by 
 the expense, where will they be? Alas, be- 
 yond the reach of salvation, in the world of 
 Sternal despair. M. M, 
 
76 
 
 Whether the following letter was a real 
 dream, or written in that form merely for the 
 sake of attracting the attention of a young 
 person, the admonition it contains is equally 
 worthy of ^regard. It is not a visionary no- 
 tion that* ajl mankind by nature are dead in 
 trespasses and gins; but it requires all the 
 Ingenuity of address, and something more 
 than$the charms of fiction to make the* point 
 of reproach contained in this letter accepta- 
 ble. How can one who has a thousand times 
 perhaps been called a u sweet little cherub,'* 
 receive without offence the intimation, that in 
 the eyes of infinite purity she is but a fallen 
 spirit? 
 
 New Bedford, — 1810. 
 To Miss E. B. 
 My dear Emily will be surprised tp receive 
 this letter, and her mind will doubtless be 
 led to enquire why I should write when I 
 may have daily oppartunite§ of personal con- 
 versation. Once 1 have called with a design 
 of conversing on the subject which now en- 
 gages my pen, but your absence prevented \ 
 and 1 have since thought a more lasting im- 
 pression might be made by this method of 
 communicating the important subject which 
 has long engaged my mind. My neglect for 
 so long a time has occasioned many painful 
 reflections; and as I regard the welfare of 
 yo$v soul, 1 will no longer remain silento 
 
■'77 
 
 The importance of the eternal interests of 
 the soul can never be duly estimated by such 
 blind creatures as we are, till ihe curtain of 
 eternity is drawn aside, and we enter the isx- 
 visible world. But observation teaches ue 
 that there are many among the thoughtless 
 children of men, to whom contemplation on 
 these solemn events is familiar and pleasing* 
 Yes, blessed be the name of the Most High, 
 that he does not allow all the fallen race of 
 Adam to continue in the broad road, which 
 leadeth to death, but prevents them from 
 "sealing their own destruction sure," and 
 calls them by his efficacious grace to tfee 
 knowledge of himself. 
 
 At the present day we hear of a great num- 
 ber who are brought out of darkness info 
 God's marvellous light, and whose feet &re 
 established on the Rock of ages, and their 
 mouths filled with a new song even praises 
 to God. We not only hear of these things, 
 but our eyes have seen in months past, a dis- 
 play of the power .of God in the hearts of our 
 friends and acquaintances, of our own age 
 and standing. And have we not also felt a 
 conviction in our own souk, that unless we 
 were born again into the kingdom of Jesus 
 Christ, our soul, would inevitably sink into 
 everlasting destruction. My dear young 
 friend has in times past appeared concerned 
 for her soul: and he who knows all hearts, 
 
78 
 
 knows perfectly what your state now is ; 
 whether you have believed in Jesus, and are 
 in a state of justification, preparing for heav- 
 en; or whether you still remain, notwith- 
 standing all your past concern, in a state of 
 iinbelief and consequent condemnation; for 
 " he thatbelieveth not is condemned already," 
 and "the wrath of God abideth on him." 
 
 Some time since I had a dream concerning 
 ?ny dear Emily, which to me appeared re 
 markable; and though I do not generally 
 give heed to sleeping thoughts, yet this was 
 so strongly ^nd cleqxly impressed on my 
 mind, and the duty of mentioning it to you ? 
 appeared sq plainly that I cannot willingly 
 defer it any longer. Though it took place 
 some time since, it is still fresh in memory, 
 and O that the blessed Spirit, who alone can 
 effectually impress the mind may powerfully 
 affect your heart and mine with the impor- 
 tant instruction it contains. While in sleep 
 my mind was thus led,— You were dead and 
 the time of your funeral arrived ; and when 
 the procession was formed to follow your 
 corpse to the grave, it was observed that pro : 
 lessors of religion should form the procession^ 
 and I then followed others. Contrary to the 
 usual custom the coffin was not opened for 
 the last view of your remains, until we had 
 gone a short distance, when we went into a 
 house to take a last leave of our departed 
 
79 
 
 friend. The corpse appeared ghastly; thfe 
 print of death was stamped in frightful characS 
 ters ; but as I looked I observed that yoil 
 opened one eye. Astonished, I gave notice 
 to those who stood around, and left the room ; 
 but the noise of the groans occasioned by re- 
 turning life were distinctly heard and were 
 distressing indeed. In a few moments yoii 
 were so far reanimated as to speak. I heard 
 those aroiincj you say that I was the mean's of 
 saving you from being buried alive, as no one 
 saw any appearance of life until 1 mentioned 
 it. You immediately requested them to call 
 me; and when I approached, you were sit- 
 ting still in your coffin. Your countenance 
 appeared flushed with all its native bloom. 
 The expressions of gratitude in your counte- 
 nance and words cannot be described. With 
 the utmost affection you threw your arms 
 around my neck a&d kissed me, while 1 was 
 so overcome that I could say nothing but 
 this, u You must give God all the glory, it be- 
 longs not to me. 15 The scene is present to 
 my imagination, but my dear friend, I have 
 hot communicated it to frighten you or fill 
 your mind with any needless apprehensions 
 concerning the hour of death; but will ask 
 leave to add the thoughts, w r hich crowded in- 
 to my mind immediately after waking from 
 this solemn scene. 
 
 You, as all are by nature, was dead in tres- 
 
80 
 
 passes and sins, entirely destitute of an£ 
 spiritual life ; you had appeared at times, to 
 be anxious for the welfare of your soul. Per- 
 haps one eye, to preserve the allusion, had 
 been opened to view your danger ; but as yet, 
 unless 3^011 had received Jesus by faith, you 
 had not breathed the air of spiritual life. O 
 that God would raise you to life, even life 
 everlasting, and fill your heart with his love ; 
 then indeed to him would be all the glory 
 ascribed by the angels in heaven and the 
 saints on earth. It my appear to you a vis- 
 ionary thing and the mention of it simplicity, 
 yet the events of eternity are solemn reali- 
 ties ; and we shall soon know them to be so. 
 If I know my heart, its desires are that you 
 may taste the joys of early religion, and now 
 rn the bloom of life devote yourself unreserv- 
 edly to the service of that God whose name 
 h Love, 
 
 I would add, my beloved girl, that a sincere 
 regard for your souPs best interest has led me 
 to write thus. We must meet at the bar of 
 God, and give an account how we give and 
 receive advice. May God grant that we 
 may meet in peace, being clothed in the 
 righteousness of Jesus that our souls be not 
 found naked. O let us now attend to these 
 things, while we have health and time ; a dy- 
 ing bed may be too late. u O come to Jesus, 
 sinners alj a " Your sincerely affectionate 
 friend, Mary Morton. 
 
31 
 
 The following observations, extracted from 
 one of her letters to an intimate friend, dis- 
 cover at least a desire to rise superior to sec- 
 tarian prejudices, and to cultivate love to all, 
 who appear in the judgment of charity to 
 bear the image of Christ. 
 
 Freetown, 1810. 
 
 To Miss H. P. 
 
 After you left me on Friday morning, Mr* 
 H. told me he thought he " should live to see 
 me become a Baptist." The charge was an un- 
 expected one, but I trust it has had a good ef- 
 fect upon me in two respects. First, it makes 
 me better acquainted with my own heart. 
 I thought I had nearly conquered the preju- 
 dices, which I have too much indulged against 
 that persuasion. But I find they were only 
 laid asleep, not exterminated. O that such 
 discoveries of the wickedness of my heart 
 might humble me in the very dust before 
 God, and lead me to a fresh application to 
 Christ for pardoning, sanctifying, and purify- 
 ing grace. Certainly nothing less than the 
 blood of the Son of God can be sufficiently 
 powerful to cleanse such a sink of iniquity as 
 is within my heart. In the second place, the 
 observation led me to enquire into my prin- 
 ciples to see whether I am a Baptist now, or 
 whether I am in the path which leads thith- 
 
 7 
 
82 
 
 er; and also to make a new research into the 
 grounds of difference between our denomina- 
 tion and theirs. Unless I am deceived, I do 
 not find myself disposed to favor them in dis- 
 puted points; for I now think, whatever 1 may 
 hereafter be led to believe, that the evidence 
 of scripture is on the side, on which 1 have 
 professed myself to be. 1 hope we shall be 
 kept from all bitterness and evil speaking 
 against those who differ. As we view them 
 to be in an error, let us in meekness and love 
 endeavour to convince them ; and if that be 
 impracticable, let us by no means allow any 
 hardness toward them; but endeavour to 
 keep our eye fixed on that glorious day, 
 w r hen the " watchmen shall see eye to eye." 
 The will of Christ is that christians should be 
 one. Let us therefore carefully avoid every 
 thing tending to interrupt the unity of chris- 
 tians. Were our hearts now moulded into 
 the spirit and temper of the gospel, we should 
 I think, find less occasion of division and 
 strife. M. M. 
 
 This letter and the two next following ap- 
 pear to have been written to one who was 
 engaged as well as herself in the instruction 
 of youth. Miss Morton adopts the appella- 
 tion, 'Sister,' in allusion perhaps to their com- 
 mon employment, and to their common in- 
 terest in the grace of the gospel. 
 
83 
 
 Middleborough, — 1311. 
 
 To Miss L. T. 
 
 My dear Sister, 
 
 We have some time since entered into a 
 solemn covenant to serve God, to be for him 
 and for none else. We professed to receive 
 Christ as our king and our Savior; and en- 
 gaged that he should have our hearts and all 
 our services. Whatever is implied in a pub- 
 lic renunciation of the world, and in a profes- 
 sion of th<* religion of Jesus, we are under 
 solemn obligations to perform. After a strict 
 and impartial enquiry into our conduct and 
 motives, will our hearts acquit us or con- 
 demn? "If our hearts condemn us, God is 
 greater than our hearts and knoweth all 
 things." If \ r e have forsaken the living God, 
 and are worshipping idols, we cannot expect 
 to escape the Vengeance of him, who will not 
 "give his glory to another, nor his praise to 
 graven images." I am sensible that I am 
 sunk into a state of awful stupidity, which 
 will increase like an overwhelming flood, un- 
 less that sovereign mercy, which J so much 
 neglect, should speedily interpose. A few 
 observations, which passed between us yes- 
 terday, ju-t befo p we entered the house of 
 God have led me +hink more on this sub- 
 ject, and presse r> ^re weight on my 
 feelings. Faithful dealing with a backsliding 
 
84 
 
 dftceitful heart, may be very painful ; but it is 
 no less necessary and profitable. If we find 
 ourselves depressed, and the power of godli- 
 ness declining in our hearts, what must we 
 do as a hopeful mean$ of being restored to 
 the path of duty, and the enjoyment of the 
 divine life? To neglect self-examination 
 through a fear of discovering our case to be 
 very alarming would only make it worse, and 
 we should fall by more rapid declension. 
 Would it not be more safe immediately to 
 enter into a thorough scrutiny of our hearts, 
 to endeavor to find the lengths we have gone 
 
 ti the by-paths of the enemy ; to know the 
 orst of our state, and the black ingratitude 
 of our conduct ; to pray earnestly that God 
 would restore our wandering feet, and lead 
 us in the way everlasting. There is no hope 
 for us while we continue to wander, and there 
 is a hope if we return that the grace of him, 
 who pardoned a backsliding David and a de- 
 nying Peter, may be extended to us also. In 
 the messages sent by the prophets to ancient 
 Israel, I think there is some encouragement 
 for poor repenting backsliders. In the 1st of 
 Isaiah, after an enumeration of abominable 
 sins, there is added this blessed encourage- 
 ment, "Come and let us reason together, saith 
 the Lord ; though your sins be as scarlet, 
 they shall be as white as snow ; though they 
 be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." 
 
Can we wish for greater condescension than 
 this ? Can we ever sufficiently adore the un- 
 fathomable compassion and grace of God ? 
 Never in this world. Eternity will be em- 
 ployed by the redeemed in admiring and 
 praising the great plan of salvation. May 
 the glorious Mediator who is exalted a Prince 
 and a Savior, to give repentance and remis« 
 sion of sins, work in our hearts by his spirit 
 to produce unfeigned contrition. May he 
 draw us with the cords of love, cleanse our 
 souls from every idol, and give us that su- 
 preme love to his blessed character and cause, 
 which shall be stronger than death, and shall 
 influence us to live holy, and strive daily to 
 honor him in all things. His compassion is 
 infinite, and his word gives us encouragement 
 to repent and return. Dear sister, let us be- 
 lieve his assertions and immediately return, 
 — -if possible with the feelings of the poor 
 prodigal- — for we have indeed sinned against 
 heaven and in his sight and are no more wor- 
 thy to be called children; the meanest place 
 among his hired servants would be infinitely 
 beyond our deserts. What have we found 
 in the service ofkinglmmanuel, which should 
 so dishearten us, as we have both frequently 
 lamented to be the case? Do we not by our 
 sloth awfully dishonor his cause, by giving 
 too much reason to beholders to think we 
 esteem his service a weariness and bondage, 
 
 7* 
 
86 
 
 May we be made sufficiently humble to re- 
 turn with broken hearts, be restored to his fav- 
 or, and yet be made instrumental of some good 
 in the blessed cause, which we have hitherto 
 too much neglected. I have nearly covered 
 my paper without mentioning the interesting 
 charge in which you will soon be engaged 
 Its importance is incalculable, and my heart's 
 desire is that you and I, and all engaged in 
 It, may feel its weight and be directed by in- 
 finite wisdom, in what manner to discharge 
 its duties to the benefit of the rising genera- 
 tion. In our anticipated correspondence an 
 interchange of ideas on that subject may be 
 made useful to us both. Present my affec- 
 tionate regards to your parents and sisters, 
 and to your worthy friend and employers 
 That divine grace may be your safeguard and 
 support in your expected journey and im- 
 portant undertaking, is the sincere wish of 
 your unworthy friend, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 Middleborough, — 181 U 
 To Miss L. T. 
 Dear L -, 
 
 Does not daily experience teach us that 
 ^liis world is not a place of rest ? Many cares, 
 perplexities, and disappointments must be 
 
87 
 
 experienced even in the most prosperous cir- 
 cumstances. And undoubtedly there is a 
 display of divine benevolence, no less appar- 
 ent in adverse, than in favorable events. 
 Since the heart is naturally inordinately at- 
 tached to the world, and since even christians 
 are easily enticed from the path of duty by 
 its dazzling allurements, we can easily dis- 
 cover the necessity of something to show us 
 what the world really is. God is supremely 
 good in all his ways ; no less so in afflictions 
 and crosses, than in the bounties of his provi- 
 dence. Indeed I think the tenor of scripture 
 leads us to this conclusion, that adversity is 
 more favorable to a life of holiness, than its 
 opposite ; and we find that some of the most 
 eminent ancient saints were "destitute, afflict- 
 ed, tormented," And what is the world with 
 all its applause and magnificence, when put 
 in competition with the favor of him, who 
 created, upholds, and governs it? To a soul 
 truly sensible of eternal realities, 1 think, it 
 appears as u vanity of vanities, and less than 
 vanity*" I presume you have passed through 
 some peculiarly trjang scenes, since you left 
 home, if what I have heard be true, that our 
 friend Mr. B. no longer has the government 
 of the Academy. I have felt for you, for him, 
 and for the interest of the school, and the 
 rising generation. But we may safely trust, 
 that all these things shall be overruled for 
 
good, though our beclouded minds and unbe* 
 lieving hearts may be ready to exclaim, "all 
 these things are against us." Mr. B. has now 
 an opportunity of exercising the precious 
 grace of forbearance and forgiveness of injur- 
 ies. I hope and trust he is enabled closely 
 to imitate the example of his blessed master, 
 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again ; 
 but endured great contradiction of sinners 
 against himself; and left for his disciples this 
 heavenly precept ; " Love your enemies 5 do 
 good to them that hate you, and pray for 
 them that despitefully use you and persecute 
 you." It may be that these very trying 
 events, by calling into exercise the principles 
 of the gospel, and discovering the nature of 
 that religion, whose doctrines are so violent- 
 ly controverted, may be used as a means of 
 convincing many an unbeliever. M^y all, 
 who are called to the trial, experience special 
 support from the blessed Comforter. I hope 
 to hear from you soon, and to be informed, 
 not only of the events which have transpired, 
 but of the exercises and supports of your own 
 mind. 
 
 We, who have taken upon ourselves to in* 
 struct others, are surely in a station of great 
 responsibility. To perform our various du- 
 ties we need the constant exercise of grace, 
 and the teachings of the divine spirit, with- 
 out which we cannot do right. I am iq spme 
 
89 
 
 measure sensible of my own deficiencies, 
 though not suitably humbled for them. I 
 know that I am an unfaithful, unholy crea- 
 ture; but the blackness and aggravated cir- 
 cumstances of my guilt are too much hidden 
 from my eyes by the thick veil of §tupidity. 
 When reflecting on the present method of 
 female education, I connot feel entirely satis- 
 fied that we are right. But it is so hard to 
 combat fixed prejudices, that I do not gener- 
 ally express my ideas, except to those who 
 coincide with me in opinion. Could we 
 have a just sense of the infinite value of time, 
 should we not sedulously avoid, in a system 
 of instruction, an attention to accomplish- 
 ments merely ornamental ? Is there not rea- 
 son to fear some danger from them in a mor- 
 al point of view ? Do they not lead to vanity 
 and lightness of mind, and do they not in 
 some measure disqualify for the sober duties 
 of life ? I have thought it would be desirable 
 to confine our attention to those pursuits, 
 which would qualify for usefulness in the 
 christian character, should it ever please God 
 in sovereign mercj?- to call our pupils into his 
 service. The mental faculties surely deserve 
 more attention, than is generally bestowed. 
 It is sometimes the case that the graces, which 
 are merely personal, are assiduously cultivat- 
 ed, while the mind is suffered to remain en- 
 tirely uncultivated, or at least superficially 
 
90 
 
 informed. The female mind is naturally 
 vain enough ; and surely the force of educa- 
 tion should not be employed to increase the 
 evil, but to counteract it. To inspire just 
 and rational habits of thinking, to give sobrie- 
 ty and energy to the mind, to enlarge and 
 regulate the understanding, appears to me a 
 more important object, than to encourage a 
 fondness for the empty applause of the gay 
 by a graceful exterior. My respects to our 
 worthy friend Mr. B. 
 
 Your unworthy friend, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 Freetown,— 1812. 
 To Miss L. T. 
 My dear Sister, 
 An attempt to rescue our correspondence 
 from the shade of oblivion will, I trust, be 
 pardoned by the kind indulgence of friend- 
 ship. The improbability of an opportunity 
 for personal conversation, unless you should 
 visit me, which would indeed be highly grat- 
 ifying, induces me to use the pen as a sub- 
 stitute. I have heard, and rejoice to hear it, 
 that your pastor is unusually quickened in 
 the discharge of his ministerial functions, and 
 that christians are more engaged in prayer. 
 Are not these encouraging symptoms of a 
 display of divine grace in the conversion of 
 
91 
 
 sinners ? I trust they are, and can but hope 
 that the precious dew of divine influence, 
 which is distilling so copiously, will be extend- 
 ed to you also. Those who love Zion, and 
 prefer Jerusalem above their chief joy, are 
 doubtless earnestly praying for such a bles- 
 sed event. Your hearts, I hope and trust, 
 are going forth to the good Shepherd, that he 
 would come unto you and gather in his chos- 
 en sheep, who now may be wandering over 
 hills of darkness and unregeneracy ; pleading 
 with him, that he would come this way and 
 make glorious displays of his power and love. 
 But if you feel any thing of the coldness and 
 languor, with which I am almost overwhelm- 
 ed, you must at some/ times exclaim, "Why, 
 O why, am I not more devoted to him who 
 bled and died on the cross for the redemption 
 of my soul, and for the innumerable multitude 
 of his chosen people 9 " Why am I so earthly 
 and sensual as to prefer the unsatisfying van- 
 ities of earth to the substantial blessings of 
 the new and divine life ?" We are under sol- 
 emn obligations to live to the glory of God. — - 
 Did we enter into engagements, and are we 
 now depending on our own strength for the 
 performance ? This may be the reason of our 
 unprofitableness. Surely if we depend on 
 Christ for strength, as well as righteousness, 
 we shall not be disappointed of his aid ; he 
 will enable us to do those things which he 
 will own and bless. 
 
92 
 
 I have thought much on a subject which I 
 shall in perfect confidence communicate to 
 you; praying that if it would be, as I serious- 
 ly believe it would, a powerful means under 
 the divine blessing of quickening the soul in 
 the divine life, and giving exercise to the 
 graces of the christian character, that it may 
 be accomplished in the Lord's own time and 
 way. In your society where many live 
 so remote from meeting as to make it very in- 
 convenient for them to return home during 
 the interval of divine worship, there is much 
 time unprofitably, not to say foolishly, spent 
 among the younger professors. I speak of it 
 from experience, and confess with shame my 
 own guilt in this respect. The serious im- 
 pressions made upon the mind by the labors 
 of our spiritual instructor, instead of being 
 cherished and matured, are too often obliter- 
 ated, and the mind is unfitted for the solemn 
 devotions of the afternoon. I think 1 can for 
 myself trace the unprofitableness of many 
 Sabbaths to this source. We profess to call 
 the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, 
 honorable ; and to honor him not doing our 
 own ways, nor finding our own pleasures, nor 
 speaking our own words. If we love the 
 Lord Jesus, surely this day, which expressly 
 commemorates his resurrection, will be pre- 
 cious to us as a memorial of him, whom our 
 souls love. Every means then which prom- 
 
93 
 
 ises by a divine blessing to assist us to sanc- 
 tify the Sabbath, and promote the power of 
 godliness in our hearts, should be sought out 
 and embraced with grateful pleasure. Would 
 it not be practicable and desirable, my dear 
 sisters, for the younger sisters in your Church 
 to meet privately, on Lord's day noons, for 
 religious exercises ? Might there be found ac-^ 
 commodation in some place not far from the 
 house of worship? I think there might; and 
 j 1 trust my friends would experience a blessng 
 \ in the enjoyment of his presence, who has 
 promised it to two or three gathered together 
 in his name. Should you be enabled to form 
 the resolution and go in the strength of the 
 Lord, you would experience divine teaching 
 ! and enlargment of soul. Free conversation 
 on scriptufe, or on the discourse of the morn- 
 ing, or on the state of religion in your souls, 
 and mutual prayer, would 1 think tend un- 
 speakably to produce that unity of spirit and 
 cordial christian fellowship, which ought as- 
 siduously to be cultivated. It would expose 
 us to many things crossing to our natural 
 feelings ; but we know the language of scrip- 
 ture, which commands us to take our cross 
 daily and follow Christ. Your hearts are, I 
 ! doubt not, oftentimes affected with the view 
 iof so many of your young friends, who give 
 decisive evidence of being strangers and ene- 
 mies to Christ 5 and your secret places of re- 
 
 8 
 
94 
 
 tirement witness the fervor of your supplica* 
 tions to the God of all grace, that he would 
 awaken them, and bring them to a knowledge 
 of the truth as it is in Jesus. Would it not 
 have a blessed effect, at least on your own 
 minds, if you who profess to seek a better 
 portion than the honors and pleasures of this 
 world, should unite in secret supplication for 
 them, at the time when we have reason 
 to fear they are profaning the Sabbath, dis- 
 regarding the holiness of this day of the Lord, 
 by vain and unsuitable conversation in their 
 social parties ? Who can tell but God would vis- 
 it them in mercy, in answer to your prayers 
 Should it please him in sovereign mercy t 
 do it, what must be the joyful feelings of your 
 souls ? But if this be not granted, it would 
 afford a comfortable reflexion on the bed of 
 death, that you have humbly labored for their 
 good, and have earnestly endeavored that 
 your example should not hinder them from 
 embracing the gospel you profess. Would it 
 not be a powerful means of enabling you to 
 live in such a manner as to convince them 
 that you have been with Jesus, and partake 
 of his spirit? 
 
 Sensible in a small measure of my own aw- 
 ful deficiency in every gospel duty, and in 
 some degree touched with pity for the perish- 
 ing condition of our dear young friends in M. 
 I feel very desirous that others, who are cat 
 
 i 
 
 ir 
 
95 
 
 led into the gospel vineyard, may be zealous- 
 ly engaged in good works, though I am but a 
 barren branch. My mind has been dwelling 
 for some time on the proposal I have made, 
 and I can but think it would meet with the 
 divine blessing. I therefore humbly offer it 
 for your consideration with earnest and affec- 
 tionate desires for its accomplishment, and for 
 the blessing of God upon it. You are, my 
 dear sisters, highly exalted with privileges. 
 You doubtless bless God for them, and can 
 you answer it to him, or to your own con- 
 sciences, if you do not make some suitable re- 
 turns for benefits received ? I feel that con- 
 fidence in you which leads me to open my 
 mind without reserve. Freedom and sincer- 
 ity are characteristic of real friendship, and I 
 trust ours is such, founded not on the ebullition 
 of a transient intimacy, but upon that un- 
 changeable basis which will endure through a 
 wasteless eternity. Wherein I err, you will 
 kindly reprove and remonstrate. O may we 
 be enabled, by the influence of the divine 
 Spirit, to act in character for our profession 
 as disciples of him who went about doing 
 good, enduring the cross and despising the 
 shame. May we willingly follow in the steps 
 of self-denial and deadness to the world, "fol- 
 low him without the camp, bearing his re- 
 proach." May we be sufficiently humbled to 
 do some little service and labor of love in the 
 
96 
 
 cause of him, who has done so much for us. 
 Present my respects to your parents, and lov6 
 to other friends. 
 
 With sincerity, 
 
 your unworthy sister. 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 In the following letter the writer bewails 
 in a truly christian spirit the religious dissen- 
 sions, which prevailed in the church and 
 society in New Bedford, at the time it was 
 written. 
 
 New Bedford April 1810. 
 To- the Rev.S. H. 
 Frienfl beloved in the Lord, 
 When Zion is afflicted, her children must 
 mourn and be in heaviness. And truly the 
 hand of the Lord is now laid upon us for our 
 iniquities, and we are chastised for our sins. 
 O may the grace of God be sufficient for us, 
 that we may " humble ourselves under the 
 mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us in 
 due time." You have been an eye witness 
 of our unhappy situation, and I have no doubt 
 of your sympathizing care. I feel as if the 
 church was bleeding at every pore. Divis- 
 ions in sentiment create hardness and un- 
 christian prejudices between brethren and 
 sisters, jarring passions are allowed too much 
 
97 
 
 place in those hearts, where love alone should 
 reign. Satan, the grand deceiver and accus- 
 er of the brethren, goes about as a roaring 
 lion, seeking whom he may devour; and 
 doubtless is never better pleased than when 
 the professed friends of Jesus 4: fall out by the 
 way." In this place those, who have profes- 
 sed faith in Christ and the doctrine of his 
 cross, are watched, censured, and condemned; 
 and for myself, I feel that we deserve all and 
 infinitely more than has befallen us, for we do 
 not live as becometh the gospel of Christ. 
 We must ta^e blame and confusion of face to 
 ourselves, but ascribe unto God righteousness 
 and truth. If the Lord should utterly for- 
 sake us, and cut us off from being a church ; if 
 he should remove our candlestick out of its 
 place, we must confess thaf it would be but 
 our deserts. He would be glorified by all holy 
 beings, should he lay judgment to the line 
 and righteousness to the plummet. Some- 
 times when reflecting upon our sins, our un- 
 faithfulness, our want of that fervent charity 
 which the Apostle recommends, our awful de- 
 clension from the faith, zeal, and purity of 
 the primitive churches, I am led to fear, that 
 we shall be made monuments of the righteous 
 displeasure of a holy God. But then I reflect 
 on the conduct of our merciful Father to the 
 rebellious house of Israel. Though they pro» 
 roked him to anger by their sins, yet for his 
 
 8* 
 
98 
 
 own name's sake did fee bear long with them, 
 and though they be now scattered among 
 every nation and kingdom under heaven, 
 yet with everlasting mercies will he gather 
 them, that his name may be great among the 
 heathen, and that all the earth may know 
 that Israel is his people, and that his faithful- 
 ness shall not fail to his chosen. I trust I am 
 enabled, at times, to rest in this promise " Not 
 for your sakes do I these things; but for my 
 own name's sake," If the Lord be for us, 
 who can prevail against us ? If we put our 
 trust in the immutable Jehovah, then shall 
 one put ten to flight. Nothing is wanting 
 but a firm confidence in God to make us com- 
 pletely victorious over ail our spiritual foes. 
 But where is that to be found ? Not in my 
 heart, I am sure. There is ingratitude 
 under the most distinguishing blessings ; at 
 all times stupidity, and, in seasons of dark- 
 ness, sinful distrust. Can such a heart be the 
 residence of one spark of divine grace ? God 
 knows. If it be not, — Oh may he have mer- 
 cy and open my blind eyes : but if there has 
 been the good work of the Spirit begun, may 
 it be perfected, and may a sacred flame of di- 
 vine love consume every impure particle of 
 dross. We are certainly in a furnace of af- 
 fliction, aad if we possess the same Spirit, 
 which actuated the three ancient worthies, 
 we shall undoubtedly haye the presence of 
 
99 
 
 the Son of God, walking with us in the midst 
 of the fire, that it shall not consume us. We 
 have abundant reason to sing of goodness, for 
 the displays of divine grace which our eyes 
 have witnessed the winter past. Eternity 
 will be employed by the happy seuls, who we 
 trust have been brought into the glorious 
 liberty of the gospel, in hymning anthems of 
 praise to him, who has redeemed them and 
 Washed them in his own blood. But these 
 contentions, which are in themselves so un- 
 jphsirable, are calculated to do us good, if we 
 are the children of promise. They certainly 
 fulfil the scriptures and help to confirm the 
 faith of the heavenly pilgrim. I have a hope 
 that our God will appear for us and will grant 
 us so great a blessing as a faithful gospel min- 
 ister to lead us in the way of salvation and 
 hreak unto us the bread of life. If so, his 
 name shall have all the glory, for unto him it 
 bdongeth. And indeed whatever may be 
 our state, God will be glorious in holiness ; his 
 name and his nature is love. Whatever we 
 can conceive of excellency, and whatever is 
 infinitely beyond our narrow views of majes- 
 ty and beauty, are treasured up in the eternal 
 fountain of being and perfection. Here is an 
 inexhaustible source of consolation and de* 
 light to those whose hearts have been renew- 
 ed by grace. 
 
 1 have not yet received your second letter, 
 
100 
 
 but am hoping every day it will reach my 
 hand. Respecting the subject which I men- 
 tioned to you in a former letter, I find the 
 trial very different from my fears— I expects 
 ed a great cross ; but find not that, and now 
 am perplexed with fears that I am actuated 
 by pride, or some other wrong motive. But 
 1 hope for divine direction and support, and 
 wish to say with the Poet, " I beg the trial of 
 thine eyes," O my God. You see that I am 
 continually bringing self into view. Why 
 am I not entirely swallowed up in the divine 
 glory, forgetting there is such a creature in 
 existence as myself, except when melted with 
 contrition for my aggravated offences? In 
 heaven there will be no self, no sin, no divis- 
 ion ; but God will be all and in all. Who is 
 worthy to enter that holy place ? Surely none 
 but those who are made so by being washed 
 in the blood of the Lamb, to whom all the glory 
 of their salvation will be ascribed. If my let- 
 ters become troublesome intrusions, deal plain- 
 ly with me and tell me. We beg your prayers 
 for us. God knows what we stand in need of, 
 and I trust will teach you what to pray for on 
 our account. May he grant our desires, if 
 consistent with his holy purposes, that you 
 may yet be returned to pray with us. May 
 the grace of God be ever sufficient for you. 
 Your unworthy friend, 
 
 Marv Morton. 
 
 
101 V 
 
 The following letter was addressed to a 
 clergyman with whom she was intimate, and 
 on whose ministry she had frequently at- 
 tended, 
 
 Freetown, — 1811. 
 To the Rev. S. H. 
 My esteemed friend, 
 
 Every day's experience teaches me how 
 little I know of myself ; and that text, Jer.17, 
 9. needs no exposition but what an atten- 
 tive examination of our own hearts will abun- 
 dantly furnish. Very many times have I ac- 
 knowledged that my heart was too deceitful 
 to be trusted ; yet I am often surprised at the 
 discovery of new treachery; which would 
 not be the case, if I were thoroughly and 
 practically convinced of its real character. It 
 is a great blessing to christians that their 
 Physician perfectly knows the nature, ex- 
 tent and malignity of their disorder; and, 
 though they know it not themselves, yet they 
 are safe in relying upon the infinite skill of 
 their great Healer. 
 
 A friend told me that I had made great pre- 
 tensions to religion, and if I fell back it would 
 give so much greater occasion to the adversa- 
 ry to speak reproachfully. I acknowledge I 
 am so ignorant of myself, that I know not that 
 1 have made great pretensions to religion. 
 If it be true, surely 1 have been a very great 
 
102 
 
 hypocrite ; for, if I have any religion, it is 
 but very little ; and I am shocked at the dis- 
 honor, which my conduct may have occasion- 
 ed to the cause of religion. None perhaps do 
 greater injury to the cause than high sound- 
 ing, hollow professors; and surely none can 
 be more hateful in the eyes of a holy and 
 jealous God, who searcheth the heart and 
 trieth the reins of the children of men. I 
 hope the sincere prayer of my soul is, that I 
 may not be left thus to serve Satan under a 
 mask of religious zeal. If that is my present 
 character may the Lord in infinite mercy 
 confound the Babel which I have erected, and 
 make me a contrite and broken-hearted be- 
 liever in the Almighty Savior. The irrecon- 
 ciliation of the will appears in an infinite 
 variety of ways. I often think it would be 
 much best for such a frail, unstable, vile crea- 
 ture as I am, to be placed more out of sight in 
 the world, in some very contracted sphere 
 where my name and example would be known 
 only to a few. But if I believe in the univer- 
 sal and particular providence of God, which 
 ought not to be doubted, I must suppose my 
 lot in life to be directed by his unerring 
 hand. Many would smile contemptuously to 
 hear an obscure school-mistress express ideas 
 like these ; but, I trust, as you are acquainted 
 with the responsibility and circumspection 
 pecessary in such an employment, you will 
 
103 
 
 easily comprehend my meaning. At some 
 times a sense of the exceeding importance of 
 my trust almost overwhelms me, and I am al- 
 most resolved to relinquish it. But if I can 
 be instrumental of more good in that way 
 than in any other, I ought to bless God that 
 he gives me the opportunity, and heartily 
 devote my life^ my health, and all that I can 
 command, to the interesting employment. I 
 would still request yoiir prayers, that the 
 path of duty may be enlightened, and that I 
 may ever walk in it with humble, unshaken 
 faithfulness. It appears to me that the invi- 
 tation to Sandwich is the call of Providence ; 
 and if so, all obstacles will be removed out 
 of the way in due season. Omitting the con* 
 sideration of my insufficiency to fill the sta- 
 tion suitably, I think it would be very much 
 to my mind. I have for some time thought 
 that a situation as an assistant to a religious 
 Preceptor would be not only more congenial 
 to my feelings, but more suitable for my tal- 
 ents, than to have the whole care of a school. 
 If I can see any way of leaving Middleboro' 
 without violating the precept which teaches 
 us to do to others as we wish they should do 
 to us, I know of no other obstacle to prevent 
 Wy compliance with Mr. B's request. Wher- 
 ever I may be placed I hope for a continua- 
 tion of your friendship and counsel. It is a 
 privilege which I esteem highly to be favor- 
 
104 
 
 ed with frequent letters from christian friends. 
 And if not deceived, I desire them to deal 
 with me with the greatest plainness in point- 
 ing out my errors, and searching my heart 
 to discover its hypocrisy. 
 
 It appears to me important that the truth 
 should be preached in B. and I hope it may 
 speedily triumph. Its advocates have great 
 trials and need large supplies of grace to help 
 them, in a right spirit, to bear and forbear* 
 Human nature is so inclined to rise in a con- 
 troversy about religious tenets, that I think 
 there is great danger of using carnal weapons 
 of pride, contention and the like, instead of 
 those which are mighty through God to the 
 pulling down of strong holds. We have in 
 such circumstances peculiar need of following 
 the example of him who, when he was reviled^ 
 reviled not again ; but endured great contra- 
 diction of sinners against himself. I hope' 
 3^ou will every one be kept by the mighty 
 power of God, and be made to shine brightest 
 in this furnace of afflction, and that your mod- 
 eration maybe known unto all men. Present 
 my affectionate congratulations to Mrs. H. 
 Yours, with esteem and respect, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 In the following letter the writer appears 
 to be the advocate of disinterested benevo- 
 
105 
 
 Ience, though she objects to the language in 
 which it is taught by divines on the ground 
 of its being unscriptural. We presume she 
 had indeed no objection to the doctrine ; for 
 a very pure spirit of benevolenee appears in 
 most of her letters ; and we would charitably 
 hope that the objections of many others to 
 this doctrine are objections only to the let- 
 ter and not to the spirit. 
 
 Middleborough, 1811. 
 
 To Miss A. S. 
 
 Dear Sister, 
 
 I hope you are enjoying the blessings of 
 christian intercourse,leisure for religious read- 
 ing, faithful preaching, and the presence of 
 Christ in all religious duties. With that you 
 must be happy, and without that the soul 
 will pine and languish amidst the most favor- 
 able means of improvement. If we are not 
 deceived, experience has taught us that noth- 
 ing can satisfy the desires of our souls, noth- 
 ing can enliven devotion, but the invigorating 
 influences of that Spirit which is the light of 
 the world. It appears to me an important 
 point gained, when the christian can feel a 
 full and abiding sense of his absolute depend- 
 ence on the Spirit of Truth for every, even 
 the smallest, ray of spiritual light. Are we 
 not naturally prone to forget our entire dark- 
 
 9 
 
106 
 
 ness ; and, when we feel the enlivening influ» 
 ence from on high, are we not sometimes 
 tempted to think it is our own, till its depart- 
 ure convinces us of our presumption. The 
 Psalmist confesses to God, "All my springs 
 are in thee," Happy for us could we feel 
 that, and rejoice in it. It is really an un- 
 speakable blessing that our supplies of grac 
 are not put in our own power. Were that 
 the case, how soon should we lavish all our 
 stock and ruin our souls. But if I have a cor- 
 rect idea on that subject, the christian's 
 graces, his life, his all, are treasured and cen- 
 tred in Christ Jesus, who will bestow what- 
 ever is needful in every circumstance of life, 
 in every trial, and in the awful hour of dis- 
 solution. So that the christian has nothing of 
 his own in himself any more than the vilest 
 sinner. And this view of things opens to 
 my apprehension the meaning of many pas- 
 sages of scripture, which speak of living by 
 faith, walking by faith, and being dead and 
 the life hid with Christ in God. If this opin- 
 ion be according to the truth, and if it be not 
 I hope you will kindly rectify my error, the 
 believer, if he would live comfortably and walk 
 as becometh the gospel, must live entirely by 
 faith on the Son of God. Self must then be 
 denied and self-righteousness trampled under 
 foot. But to those, who sincerely and su- 
 premely regard the blessed Mediator, it must 
 
107 
 
 be attended with an indescribable sweetness 
 and peace. My beloved N****, may we, poor, 
 polluted, self-destroying sinners, be made 
 to understand and know by happy experience, 
 what it is to live by faith in Jesus, May wc 
 be united to him by a living faith, and by the 
 divine influence of his holy Spirit, may we be 
 made fruitful in every good work to the praise 
 of the glory of his grace. We certainly owe 
 our whole selves, our all to him, who hath, as 
 
 I we sometimes presume to believe, redeemed 
 us with his own blood. But 1 am so bound 
 by a selfish spirit, as it were by a chain of 
 brass or fetters of iron, that I have reason 
 seriously to question whether I have ever 
 
 ' been enabled to rise and act above it. I think 
 
 i it does appear very loathsome and hateful ; 
 but I am not sufficiently humbled for it. — 
 Nothing can be more inconsistent than a sel- 
 fish christian. How unlike to him who made 
 
 j himself of no reputation, tho' he thought it 
 not robbery to be equal with God. Our 
 hearts naturally are entirely selfish, and con- 
 sequently opposed to the gospel temper ; but 
 as far as grace prevails and the new man is 
 
 1 put on, it will be subdued ; and that charity 
 which seeketh not her own will be the gov^ 
 erning principle. Many object to the term 
 "disinterested benevolence," But 1 cannot 
 perceive that it conveys anything more than 
 the meaning of the Apostle, when speaking 
 
108 
 
 of that charity which is the essence of relig- 
 ion. Surely if she "seeketh not her own," it 
 must imply a disinterested principle. I free- 
 ly acknowledge, however, that I should feel a 
 degree of satisfaction, if the defenders of the 
 doctrines of grace would confine themselves 
 more to the language of scripture; not be^ 
 cause I have any objection myself to the 
 terms they use, but because it would be more 
 likely to stop the mouths of gainsayers. In 
 that case they could not, as they now fre- 
 quently do, dispute that the ideas advanced 
 are contained in the Bible. But the time is 
 coming, when every mouth will be stopped, 
 and all the world will become guilty before 
 God. The Lord alone will be exalted in that 
 day. O may we be then and ever found 
 clothed in the righteousness of Christ, that 
 the shame of our nakedness may not appear. 
 With sincere wishes for your prosperity tem- 
 poral and spiritual, 1 am your affectionate 
 friend, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The following letter, written in 1810, cer- 
 tainly breathes a spirit of fraternal affection, 
 and of tender solicitude for the immortal wel- 
 fare of her nearest relations. 
 
 New Bedford, Dec. 22, 1810. 
 Amidst the cares of business and the en- 
 
109 
 
 dearments of domestic scenes, my dear broth- 
 er and sister have been called to witness the 
 solemnities of death and the struggles of dis- 
 solving nature ; and with tears of filial grief 
 to resign a parent to the dust. The event is 
 painfully afflictive; and, though 1 have never 
 been taught by experience how to sympa- 
 thize, yet I am not altogether insensible to 
 your painful emotions ; and the sincere de- 
 sire of my heart is that your wounds may be 
 healed by the great and good Physician of 
 soul and body. May you be consoled by the 
 heavenly Comforter, who has access to the 
 heart, whose joys are such as the world know 
 not of. May your hearts be inclined to hear 
 and attend to the call of God in this provi- 
 dence, " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour 
 as ye think not the Son of man cometh.' 1 
 How much is implied in the admonition, 
 " Be ye also ready ?" Naturally we are " chil- 
 dren of wrath even as others," estranged from 
 pur Creator, and enemies to him by wicked 
 works ; born under the curse of a violated law. 
 the awful threatenings of which are in full 
 force against every one who is not a true be- 
 liever in the Lord Jesus ; and nothing, but the 
 compassionate forbearance of that God against 
 whom we are so unreasonably rebelling, pre- 
 vents the immediate execution of that awful 
 sentence, " the soul that sinneth it shall die. ,? 
 Language cannot express more strikinglv, 
 
110 
 
 than is expressed in the sacred volume, the 
 amazing danger of impenitent sinners. Unre- 
 conciled to God, strangers to the way of sal- 
 vation by Jesus Christ, surely in such a state 
 we are most unready to meet the Son of man, 
 when he cometh to death and the day of final 
 Judgment. That we are naturally insensible 
 of being in a state of such imminent danger 
 is not a proof of our safety. If we receive 
 the Bible as the inspiration of God, we must 
 be confirmed in the belief of our danger, and 
 also of our insensibility to it. Infinitely con- 
 descending is the great Lord and Lawgiver of 
 the universe, that he stoops to reason with 
 his rebellious subjects, and invite them to rec- 
 tum unto him. He has provided an infinite 
 citonernent for all their offences, has opened a 
 new and living way of reconciliation by of- 
 fering his w beloved Son," his " Fellow and 
 Equal" for a mediatorial sacrifice, that we 
 who are dead in trespasses and sins might 
 live, forever live, in the realms of heavenly 
 glory. The compassionate Redeemer, who 
 was u God manifest in the flesh," entreats us 
 by every moving consideration to turn, re- 
 pent, and live. — * 6 Behold I stand at the door 
 and knock; if any man hear my voice and 
 open the door, I will come in and sup with 
 him, and he with me." He has also purchas- 
 ed the mission of the Holy Spirit, to "reprove 
 the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judg- 
 
in 
 
 ment." And do not our consciences witness 
 that he has been sent to us. Have we not 
 felt ourselves reproved of sin, and at times 
 have we not been filled with fears of future 
 judgment? If we have, O then, as we value 
 the eternal interests of our souls, let us attend 
 to the calls wfrile the day of grace continues ; 
 for we are assured that he will not always 
 strive, but if we refuse to hear and attend, if 
 we despise the chastenings and calls of God 9 
 he will laugh at our calamity and mock when 
 our fear cometh. O my dear brother and 
 sister, what is the enjoyment of this world of 
 sin and death, to the unfading glories of heav? 
 en ? What is the honor of this world , to that 
 which cometh from God, — to be honored as 
 children of the eternal Father, and to inherit 
 a crown of glory which fadeth not away?— 
 What are the most exalted pleasures which 
 can be enjoyed, while in a state of alienation 
 from God, — which can charm but for a mo? 
 ment and then be extinguished forever by 
 the night of eternal death and despair,— what 
 are they, when compared with the joys of 
 pardoned sin, peace with God, through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and 3, rich prelibation of 
 heavenly enjoyipents ? I would entreat my 
 dear brother and sister immediately to weigh 
 these important concerns,— now while life 
 and health are granted, while there is hope 
 that the door of mercy is not shut againet 
 
112 
 
 them; while the Lord says, " Behold now is 
 the accepted time, behold now is the day of 
 salvation," Ask yourselves solemnly^ whicti 
 is of the greatest consequence, a few days of 
 earthly care and disappointment, in the ser- 
 vice of the great enemy of all good, or an in- 
 heritance incorruptible, undefiled, and which 
 fadeth not away.— May the Lord enable you 
 ip make a wise choice,— a choice which angels 
 and saints will approve, which God requires, 
 and which you will reflect on with approba- 
 tion and triumph in the solemn hour of death, 
 and in the tremendous hour of the general 
 dissolution of all things, How can I endure 
 the thought that my nearest earthly friends^ 
 to whom God has given talents for usefulness, 
 should any longer withhold their hearts from 
 God and abuse his bounties by employing 
 them in the service of the world and the 
 grand apostate. The words of Christ are 
 €; He that is not with me is against me." Every 
 motive whlph ought to influence a rational 
 immortal being urges you to an immediate 
 attention to your souls,— to repentance and 
 faith in the Savior. The souls of your chil- 
 dren are committed to your care and will be 
 required at your hands. O let ther^ not per- 
 ish through your neglect The day of death 
 and the day of judgment present themselves 
 to my view, not as idle tales, but as solemn 
 realities, which we must as certainly pass 
 
113 
 
 through, as that we are now in existence.-— 
 How can I endure that any of my dear friends 
 should be called to meet them while out of 
 the ark of safety. . Lest it should be through 
 my neglect, let me continually warn, entreat, 
 and beseech with the utmost importunity. 
 And after all that can be said, the half is not 
 told respecting their eternal moment. Lan- 
 guage connot paint it, neither can we con- 
 ceive it until the curtain of time is dropped 
 and the awful realities of eternity open to 
 our astonished view. Yet let me not des- 
 pair, but look to him who hath said, what- 
 soever ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye 
 shall receive, perad venture he will give re- 
 pentance to the saving of the soul. Realizing 
 that the time is short, let us work while it is 
 called to-day, for the night comeih wherein 
 jioman can work. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Morton,, 
 
 Middleborough, — 1 8 1 1 • 
 To Miss B. M. 
 My heart has been greatly rejoiced, my be- 
 loved sister, in hearing that you have been 
 enabled to come forward publicly and own 
 the name of our once crucified and now as- 
 cended King. He is worthy of all honor 
 and praise; and the most zealous services of 
 
114 
 
 all his creatures cannot equal his infinite 
 merit. Of what astonishing presumption and 
 ingratitude then shall those be found guilty, 
 who despise his righteousness and go about to 
 establish a righteousness of their own. And 
 it is what we all naturally incline to do.- — 
 Nothing but the powerful influence of the 
 Holy Spirit will effect the mighty work of 
 leading the sinner to renounce his own good- 
 ness and submit to the sovereign mercy of 
 God. The rejected and misconceived doc- 
 trine of Election is the only solid basis on 
 which to rest the church. Christ has declar- 
 ed that the gates of hell shall never prevail 
 against his church. He who hath promised 
 is also able to perform. Being stronger than 
 the strong maii armed, and all power in heav- 
 en and on earth being committed to his hands, 
 what can possibly prevent the accomplish? 
 ment of his promise? Certainty nothing. It 
 is impossible that* one jot or tittle should fail 
 of all his promises. Therefore every one, 
 who has committed to him the keeping of 
 his soul, is perfectly secure, Npthing shall se- 
 parate him from the arms of everlasting love. 
 If Jesus be himself the corner Stone on which 
 the church is built ; and if he also assures us 
 of his determination to complete the building, 
 which determination, I conceive, involves in 
 it the doctrine of election, then we may safe- 
 ly trust, and rejoice in the belief of it t The 
 
115 
 
 counsel of the Lord shall stand, and he will 
 do all his pleasure. His purposes are, like 
 his nature, immutable. Holy and righteous 
 are all his judgments ; and to the truly re- 
 conciled soul nothing can afibrd greater se- 
 curity and satisfaction, than a firm belief of 
 the universal government of God. Will not 
 the spontaneous language of the believer be 
 in unison with the royal Psalmist, " The Lord 
 reigneth, let the earth rejoice ; let the multi- 
 tude of the isles be glad thereof." 
 
 My heart expands to welcome you to the 
 fellowship of our church. I trust the Lord 
 by his Spirit has made you measurably sensi- 
 ble of your own unworthiness, and given you 
 faith to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your 
 righteousness, sanctification, and complete re- 
 demption. I hope and trust you are interest- 
 ed in the everlasting covenant, ordered in all 
 things and sure. In addition to the ties of af- 
 fection which had united our hearts, we are 
 now under solemn, covenant obligations to 
 watch over and to love each other. May di- 
 vine grace be imparted to us to make us faith- 
 ful unto death; — faithful to him by whose 
 holy name we are called, to each other, and 
 in all the relative duties of life. I must re- 
 quest an interest in your petitions, and the 
 plainest reproof, whenever you find me 
 wandering from duty's path. I hope I may 
 be enabled to comply with your request of a 
 
116 
 
 similar nature, if need should ever require.— 
 But I hope the grace of God may be abun- 
 dantly imparted to you, making you a means 
 of good to all around, and a blessing to the 
 church in that place. The flock in B. is a 
 "little flock ;" but if truly a flock belonging 
 to Christ, they may receive the precious 
 word, " fear not for it is your Father's good 
 pleasure to give you the kingdom." 
 
 All the servants of Prince Immanuel are 
 not called to endure the same conflicts, or to 
 act in the same station ; but all are dear to 
 him, as the purchase of his blood, and are 
 placed by him in the stations, where they are 
 Beeded, and grace is given them equal to their 
 day. They are clad with the King's livery 
 and fed from his table. The righteousness of 
 Christ is the glorious robe which believers 
 wear; and though the blind world cannot dis- 
 cover its efficacy or glory, and have no know- 
 ledge of the dignity it ensures ; yet he know-- 
 eth his own sheep, and will not be regardless 
 of the pledge of his love. The solemn day of 
 final decision will discover the characters of 
 those, who, though they may have been set 
 at nought by the world and counted as the 
 off-scoiiring of all things, are precious in the 
 sight of the Lord and counted as his jewels. — 
 I think with concern of my dear N****, and 
 would request a remembrance to her as well 
 as to my other pupils, I have frequently 
 
ill 
 
 the joy to Tiear from one place and another 
 of little children and young persons, who are 
 hopefully converted and brought to give their 
 hearts to the Savior in the morning of their 
 days. Should it please God to operate thus 
 in B.5 it would greatly rejoice the hearts of 
 all good people ; and the souls of many dear 
 young friends there are equally valuable with 
 those in other places* How shall they es- 
 cape if they neglect so great salvation- 
 Mary Morton* 
 
 Upon perusing this and some other letters 
 ] in the series, we may refaiark that those who 
 reproach themselves most severely for their 
 languor are often the most lively in spiritual 
 affections; and^ while they are lamenting 
 their own barrenness, they appear evidently 
 to others to be fruitful in good works. This 
 1 strain of lamentation may be indulged both 
 in conversation and in Writing, until it be- 
 comes a mere whining affectation. Then it 
 is disgusting* But when it is evidently the 
 'offspring of sincere conviction, it denotes 
 christian humility. Moses wist not when 
 his face shone. 
 
 10 
 
118 
 
 Middleborbiighy— 1811.- 
 
 To Mrs. F. C. 
 
 Respected and dear Sister, 
 
 You have frequently and kindly encouraged! 
 me to write, and I enjoy too much pleasure ia 
 complying with the request to omit any op- 
 portunity* As I advance in age and exper- 
 ience I discover more and more of human de- 
 pravity around me, and more especially with- 
 in me, and am led to wonder at the patience 
 and forbearance of God. Were it not for the as- 
 surance which the scriptures contain, that for 
 his own name's sake God will continue his 
 church in the world, and will gather in his 
 elect; that Christ shall "see of the travail of 
 his soul, and be satisfied f what hope could 
 we reasonably indulge that another soul 
 would ever be regenerated ? Did the all-im- 
 portant work of salvation rest on the free will 
 of natural meri? how sad, how hopeless, would 
 be the state of our world ? But, adored be the 
 wisdom and grace of God, he has concerted a 
 glorious plan, whereby he can glorify himself 
 in the salvation of an unnumerable multitude 
 of all nations, tongues, and people. What an 
 astonishing, inconceivable glory will be re- 
 flected on the perfections and attributes of 
 the eternal Jehovah at the day of Judgment. 
 Then, I conceive, the ways of Providence, 
 ^hicl? are in this world often inscrutable even 
 
119 
 
 to the godly soul will be fully unfolded ; artd 
 the wisdom of all, as well as the benevolent 
 design, will appear in the clearest light. The 
 tempted, afflicted believer shall see and re- 
 joice in the grace, which led him in the right 
 way, and will doubtless be fully sensible that 
 all his trials were necessary ^ and that he aev- 
 er was made to feel heaviness unless there 
 was a necessity for it. My mother says she 
 has enjoyed much heart-felt satisfaction: in 
 reflecting how gloriously the character of 
 God, and his wisdom and goodness in ■the 
 dealings of his providence, will be cleared 
 from the imputations, which an ungodly world 
 is continually easting upon them f Then, at 
 the day of final consummation, all these things 
 will be opened. God's waj^s will appear as 
 they are, glorious and holy; and confusion 
 will be poured upon the despisers and oppos-t 
 ers of his government. All his ways are per- 
 fect rectitude. Holy beings, saibts, angels, 
 cherubim, and seraphim will unite in saying 
 "holy, holy Lord God Almighty ; just and 
 true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 35 
 
 O that J could feel the importance of these 
 things; — that my heart ceuld be raised to 
 heavenly contemplations, and freed from 
 earthly ties. How true is it that we are of 
 the earth, earthy. I have it for a continual 
 lamentation, that my affections are chained, 
 as it were, down to earth. Sometimes one 
 
120 
 
 particular object will operate as a weight to 
 gink me down, and, if I am enabled to lay that 
 aside, or if it be taken away, then another will 
 take its place ; and thus I go on sinning against 
 God, Those, who know my situation as to 
 outward things, may think there is nothing to 
 prevent my being wholly devoted to the sei> 
 vice of God, There is nothing but a wicked 
 heart, a slothful carnal mind ; therefore is 
 my sin the more aggravated. How shall I, 
 who have enjoyed such precious privileges, 
 answer for such a poor improvement of them ? 
 1 have solemn reason to fear I shall be cut 
 down, as a cumberer of the ground, and re- 
 ceive my portion among the despisers and re- 
 jecters of the gospel, But I ought not tp 
 burden you with the tale of my unfruitfulness. 
 I hope and trust you enjoy the smiles of the 
 Savior in your soul, and feel his grace to be 
 sufficient for you in every trial. I greatly 
 desire to see you. But above all 1 hope th$ 
 peace of God may be with you. 
 
 Mary Morton, 
 
 Middleborough, -*- 1811, 
 To Miss H. P. 
 Dear Sister, 
 
 Your last kind letter did not reach me till 
 pome time after I had written to you. It was 
 
121 
 
 truly welcome ; and, as much as my cold 
 heart is capable, I have sympathized in your 
 complaints. We are inconsistent, unrecon- 
 ciled, unholy creatures. We are naturally 
 destitute of every good thing ; and not only 
 destitute of the least principle of good, but 
 wholly opposed to that which is good, resist- 
 ing the grace of God, and doing despite to 
 the Spirit of truth. Is not this the picture 
 which the infallible word has drawn of the 
 Jiuman heart : and our daily experience con- 
 firms the humiliating truth, I do not think, 
 my dear, that your complaint? are peculiar; 
 but many, very many, who are considered 
 the friends of Christ, are making the same 
 lamentatfon, and are ready to exclaim against 
 themselves as the vilest wretches living. But 
 though a knowledge, that many christians are 
 exercised ii> the same manner as we are, may 
 Jceep us from despair; yet I conceive we 
 ought npt to rest on that ground,but seek a fresh 
 application of the blood of sprinkling to pur 
 polluted souls. The greater our sense of sin, 
 and danger, the more speedy and urgent 
 should be our cries to him who is able to de- 
 liver, and has declared hirnscif willing to 
 receive all, who feel their need of his grace. 
 I sometimes think I have a faint gleam of 
 light from the infinite fountain, which is con- 
 tained in him, who is the light of the world. 
 But alas, I fear my conduct gives the lie t% 
 
 10* 
 
122 
 
 such an assertion. Blindness and obduracy 
 are still my companions, and instead of mak- 
 ing progress in diyine knowledge, I fear I am 
 much more carnal, than jvhen you saw me, 
 I must repeat again in this letter how much I 
 need your friendly counsel and reproof. But 
 as we cannot now enjoy past privileges, let 
 us improve those which are yet in our power 
 by writing frequently. Soon we shall be plac- 
 ed bej^ond the reach of means. And if we be 
 the friends of Christ, it will be n blessed re- 
 move; otherwise, most awful. O may we 
 not be among that most unhappy number of 
 professed friends of Christ, who must hear 
 the heart-rending sound, " Depart, I know 
 you not, ye workers of iniquity." 
 
 Since beginning my letter 1 have seen Mrs* 
 J., who has given me some particulars re- 
 specting the trials of your Church in F, She 
 £eems dejected on that account, and indeed I 
 cannot wonder, for we are prone to forget the 
 promised care of the great Shepbprd; and 
 are ready to despond, when appearances are 
 dark* But we should do well to rernember 
 that the children of God wjjj never be utter-? 
 }y forsaken, though they may be in difficul- 
 ties ; and may be carried captives into Chal- 
 dea and Babylon ; yet even there God will be 
 with them, and will guard thern by the migh^ 
 %y hand of his power, Do not our soul$ 
 pany fishes say, blessed be God for the safety 
 
its 
 
 of his church? "The gates of hell shall not 
 prevail against her." Hath he said it, and 
 shall he not do it ? "No weapon formed against 
 thee shall prosper." Is \i not enough ? O let 
 us " chide our unbelieving fears, and turn 
 them to a song." We cannot see how alj 
 these crossing and intricate events can be 
 made subservient to the gre.at good of the 
 church? But we are blind ; smd, if we realiz- 
 ed it, and were willing to believe what we 
 cannot see by reason of this blindness, we 
 should live more comfortably ; and our con- 
 duct would be more honorable to our great 
 Master, We have beloved and faithful earth- 
 ly friends, and we believe and trust them. — 
 Do we as readily trust our Heavenly Friend ? 
 Unbelief like a canker, eats out the very 
 heart of our religion, and makes us dreadful- 
 ly unprofitable, as well as without comfort. 
 May it be banished from our hearts, and may 
 we this year, if never before, bring forth some 
 fruit, to the glory of God. 
 
 ¥opr unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The following letter relates to the ordina- 
 tion of a Pastor over the church in New Bed- 
 ford, of which the subject of these memoirs 
 was a membero This circumstance alone wa§ 
 
124 
 
 sufficient to render the transaction a subject 
 of interest to her. But it was a day of pecu- 
 liar trial with that church. This ordination 
 was solemnized, when the church were in a 
 state of separation from the parish, and of 
 voluntary exclusion from the meeting-house. 
 They were resolved to maintain their princi- 
 ples, and their independence in opposition to 
 a majority in the society. This ordination 
 was therefore a subject of peculiar interest to 
 her, and to all who separated from the society. 
 Though their trials were severe, they were 
 blessed. That church has enjoyed the smiles 
 of Providence, and increasing prosperity to 
 the present time. 
 
 Middleborough, — 1811. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 Dear Sister, 
 
 I acknowledge with grateful emotions, the* 
 receipt of two letters since 1 wrote you, the 
 last of which gave information of Mr. H's or^ 
 dination. I was very desirous to be present, 
 but could see no way consistently to leave 
 my school without a neglect of duty. 
 
 I have since been informed that the exer- 
 cises were peculiarly solemn and interesting, 
 and I expected to hear it. The council were 
 such as we trust feel the importance of these 
 transactions, and are apparently favored with 
 
much of the divine presence. May the seed 
 then sown be watered by the divine Spirit, 
 that it may spring up, and bear much fruit to 
 the praise and glory of God. I trust the love 
 of Gospel Truth is so deeply engraven on the 
 hearts of a precious few in New Bedford, that 
 it never will be hidden. Providential cir- 
 cumstances, which are often disclosing, 
 strengthen me in the belief that the truth 
 must be preached, as well as believed, in that 
 place. O that it maybe accompanied with 
 divine power for the growth of christians; 
 and be made as sharp arrows in the hearts of 
 the King's enemies, whereby they maybe 
 njade to fall under him, 
 
 fs there not at this time a peculiar call for 
 the zealous exertions of those, who love the 
 Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity? Commotions 
 in churches, as well as in earthly associations, 
 are frequent and portentous; and the events 
 
 \ of Providence, I think, loudly call for an at- 
 tention to the -signs of the times.' 5 Surely 
 all these things are not ^natters of chance; 
 but are solemn calls to the friends of Zion to 
 
 'lift up a standard, because iniquity abounds, 
 and the love of many waxes cold. Ought we 
 not very diligently and carefully to search 
 and enquire into our real characters; — since 
 it appears evident the time is rapidly advanc- 
 
 j ing, when a separation will be made between 
 the clean and the unclean, the holy and pro- 
 
126 
 
 fane. The great Head of the Church cer- 
 tainly will not always suffer his " little flock," 
 to be so blended with the world, as to be 
 scarcely discernible. " My kingdom is not 
 of this worlds" — The kingdom of Christ is 
 entirely different from all other kingdoms. 
 It is founded on a different basis, even the 
 eternal Rock of Ages ; governed by different 
 laws ; supported by different weapons. Tho' 
 despised and set at nought by a wicked 
 world ; its excellency and glory are indescrib. 
 able. It will be continually unfolding to the 
 astonishment of all holy beings throughout 
 eternity* And now, dear sister, let us care* 
 fully enquire, whether we are subjects of this 
 glorious kingdom ? Have we the external gar- 
 ments and the internal adorning ? 
 
 We have reason to bless the infinite com- 
 passion of God, that there is a door opened 
 for the reception of subjects ; and on such an 
 infinitely gracious plan, that the most vile 
 and obdurate rebel may be received and trea- 
 ted as a friend, whenever he will lay down 
 his arms. Though he is altogether filthy 
 and diseased, here is cleansing and health. — • 
 Though destitute of clothing and arms of de* 
 fence, here is white raiment clean and pure, 
 and the whole armor of the gospel. The 
 real christian is a a citizen of no mean city,"— 
 and is enlisted under the banner of a glorious 
 Prince, even the blessed Immanuel, 
 
127 
 
 Is there not evidently at this day a violent 
 struggle between the two kingdoms of light 
 cand of darkness ? Satan is inflamed with great 
 rage, because he hath but a short time. We 
 fcknow which will prevail ; for with the King 
 ,of Zion is everlasting strength. But a ques- 
 tion arises in my mind ; — Am I returned to 
 jthe Shepherd and Bishop of souls, and enlist- 
 'ed under the banner of the cross ; or, am I still 
 m stranger and an enemy ? — May we be as- 
 sisted in searching and trying ourselves ; and, 
 if we are interested in these great blessings, 
 may the Spirit bear witness with our spirits, 
 that we are born of God. Give my love to 
 ?N — , hope she will become a young disciple. 
 Your unworthy friend, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The following letter contains some very 
 good reflexions upon the spirit of contro- 
 versy. 
 
 Middleborough, — 1811. 
 To Miss H. P. 
 Dear Sister, 
 
 It appears to me, if I had a real love for the 
 .peace of Zion, 1 could weep in secret places 
 for the trials of my brethren and sisters 
 in B. In the New Testament the church 
 
128 
 
 is called the "house of God," the " body of 
 Christ." Reflecting on the situation of the 
 church on both sides of the river, are we not 
 led to enquire " is Christ divided?" Where is 
 the unity, the harmony the fellowship of the 
 saints? A house divided against itself cannot 
 stand* We have reason to be very grateful 
 for what has been done for the establishment 
 of the truth ; and, from what has been done 
 for us^ we have reason to trust that he who 
 has, as we cannot but believe, "begun a good 
 work," will perfect the same, and purify his 
 house and people. Though to us the appear- 
 ance may be dark, yet infinite wisdom and 
 almighty power are sufficient to overrule all 
 for the accomplishment of the glorious pur- 
 poses of grace* In such seasons we have pe- 
 culiar need of humility and watchfulness, lest 
 a wrong spirit should actuate us ; — lest we 
 should not preserve the meekness of the 
 lamb. There is so much of the old man re* 
 fnaining, that we are exceedingly prone to 
 improper warmth in controversies* The 
 apostolic injunctions, 6i let all bitterness and 
 wrath and anger and clamor and evil-speaking 
 be put away from you with all malice," and, 
 " be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, 
 forgiving one another, even as God, for 
 Christ's sake, hath forgiven you," contain a 
 sweet portrait of the christian temper. Alas 
 that I feel no more conformed to it. When 
 
|?9 
 
 we all agree in sentiment and practice it is 
 Hot so difficult to " love as brethren." But 
 when our opinions are controverted and our 
 wishes thwarted, it is less easy to practice the 
 gospel precepts* Every real christian has this 
 promise, "my grace is sufficient for thee." 
 And that is enough* Let us hate faith to 
 plead that, and we need not fear. I feel for 
 you on account of the trials you are called to 
 endure, and wish I could enjoy a spirit of 
 prayer to plead for you ; but I feel nothing 
 as I ought ; in all things I come short and in 
 many offend all. But I trust you are support^ 
 ed by an unseen hand, and comforted by the 
 promised presence of the holy Spirit. I can- 
 not express, my dear H*****, now much I 
 wish to see you. May you enjoy much of 
 the divine presence, and be made a blessing 
 to Zion. 
 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton* 
 
 If the christian reader does not find that 
 his own heart responds to the correctness of 
 the sentiments contained in the following ex- 
 tract of a letter to her parents, he may at 
 least be consoled by the recollection that the 
 perusal of it occupied his time but a few mo- 
 ments. It is short, and appears to have been 
 composed in haste^ but is the effusion of a 
 pious mind* 1 1 
 
130 
 
 Middleborough, — 1811.* 
 
 I am rationally convinced that there is no 
 object worthy the pursuit of a rational, im- 
 mortal being, but the gloiy of God and the 
 promotion of his cause. 1 am in a measure 
 sensible, that there is happiness in no other 
 path of life. Honor is a puff of empty air. 
 Worldly pleasures belie their name. The re- 
 finement of intellectual enjoyment cannot sat- 
 isfy the soul. Only in the pure and benevo- 
 lent religion of Jesus Christ is there real 
 peace and solid joy. Yet alas, instead of be- 
 ing devoted to the service of the Lord, I am 
 entrenched with a spirit of selfishness, as 
 with a prison wall, and nothing but almigh- 
 ty grace can set me free, or enable me to be 
 what I should be, and to live as I ought. O 
 that the compassionate Savior, who came to 
 preach deliverance to the captives, and the 
 opening of the prison doors to them that are 
 bound, would bring me up out of my spiritual 
 dungeon and put his own garment on me that 
 the shame of my nakedness might not appear. 
 O that it might please him to prepare me for 
 some humble service in his vineyard. The 
 depravity of my nature, the plague of my 
 heart, and the inconsistency of my life, are 
 sufficient to keep me very low in my own 
 eyes, did I rightly reflect on them; but I am 
 prone to be proud and haughty. 1 cannot say 
 
131 
 
 with the Psalmist, "my heart is not haughty, 
 nor my eyes lofty;" but, if not deceived, I 
 can say I sincerely wish to feel so. 1 hope 
 you are enabled to live more like christians 
 at home, than 1 do abroad, for I am very far 
 from being engaged as I ought. 
 
 Your unworthy daughter, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The two following letters manifest a pious 
 solicitude for one who had been her pupil, 
 that she might become a follower of the 
 Lamb. 
 
 Freetown, 1812. 
 
 To Miss S. H. 
 Can my dear S**** after a silence of sev- 
 eral years receive with complacency a line 
 from so negligent a correspondent ? During 
 the winter 1 felt a strong inclination to write 
 you, and determined to embrace the first con* 
 venient opportunity of conveyance ; but be- 
 fore any presented 1 was informed of the re- 
 vival in A. On this account I have thought 
 much more of you and the other young ladies, 
 my former pupils. If the desires of my heart 
 are granted, you are all ere this partakers of 
 the great salvation of the gospel. Truly 
 "now is the accepted time and now is the day 
 of salvation." Jesus is now passing th^t way 
 
132 
 
 grid poor blind sinners $re now especially 
 called upon to " return, repent, and live." 
 He is waiting to be gracious, saying, "behold 
 I stand at the door and knock* If any will 
 open unto me I will come in and sup with him, 
 and he with me. ,? His infinite condescen- 
 sion astonishes the heavenly host ; and those 
 of the human family, whose eyes are not seal* 
 ed by sin, are exclaiming, "behold what man- 
 ner of love/ 5 The unfathomable depths of 
 his love, which p^sseth knowledge, will furn- 
 ish a delightful subject of contemplation, and 
 will be continually unfolding through a waste* 
 less eternity. O how dreadfully depraved 
 are our hearts to despise and reject such offers 
 of pardoning love, as are made to us at the ex- 
 pense of a Savior's sweat and blood. Can 
 we believe, my dear S******, that a spark of 
 native goodness exists in such hearts? Surely 
 ■' the whole head is sick and the whole heart 
 faint." And the malady is not only univer- 
 sal, but exceedingly obstinate, so much so that 
 almighty power is necessary for its removal. 
 The vast importance of our souls' concerns 
 cannot be tpo much impressed on our minds. 
 We are worse than lunatic to neglect them as 
 we do. The Spirit of God has recorded in 
 the inspired volume the infinite danger, to 
 which we are ever exposed, while in a state 
 of unregeneracy. Enemies to God, and with* 
 out Christ; continually contending with tb^t 
 
133 
 
 almighty arm, which created and preserves 
 us, provoking divine anger by our transgres- 
 sions; despising the riches of his grace, and 
 defying by our conduct the threatenings of 
 his vengeance, how exceedingly vile must we 
 be in the sight of God ? And this, my dear, is 
 ^ very faint sketch of the real state in which 
 you and I are living, unless we have been 
 translated from the kingdom of darkness into 
 God's marvellous light, Ought we not then 
 immediately to enquire, what our real char- 
 acters are ? If we have passed from death un- 
 to life, we must have some evidence of it; 
 and, if we have not, we are this moment un- 
 der sentence of condemnation, and exposed 
 to all the threatened judgments of God 
 against those y who believe not the gospel. In- 
 finite forbearance now proclaims, " to-day, af- 
 ter so long a time, if ye will hear his voice, 
 harden not your hearts." If we now refuse 
 to return, it may hereafter be said to us, " be- 
 cause I have called and ye refused, I also will 
 laugh at your calamity and mock when your 
 fear cometh." u My spirit shall not always 
 strive with man." 
 
 Permit me, my dear S., with the ardor of 
 affectionate friendship, as in the fear of God, 
 to entreat you, if you have not already done 
 it, immediately to repent and believe in the 
 X^ord Jesus Christ, yielding yourself to his 
 service as one alive from fee dead. Can we 
 
 I! * 
 
134 
 
 wish for a more glorious Savior or a more 
 compassionate High Priest ? It is an unspeakv 
 able honor to be a subject of so glorious a 
 King. He is the brightness of the Father's 
 glory and the express image of his person. 
 Notwithstanding he wag exalted with the Fa- 
 ther above all blessing and honor, yet he con- 
 descended to become of no reputation and 
 take upon him the form of a servant, becom- 
 ing obedient unto death, even the death of 
 the cross, that he might open a way for the 
 everlasting salvation of his enemies and mur- 
 derers. Infinite compassion dwells in his 
 hearty eternal glory is at his disposal; and, 
 fearful truth, everlasting destruction awaits his 
 incorrigible enemies, when he shall be reveal- 
 ed from Heaven in flaming fire, taking ven- 
 geance on them that know not God and obey 
 not the gospel. Now the sweet language of 
 invitation and entreaty dwells on his lips. 
 " Whosoever will let him take of the water of 
 life freely." " Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye 
 die." The great salvation js freely offered 
 without money and without price. May we 
 be sweetly drawn unto him that we may be 
 filled with all joy and peace in believing, that 
 pur sins may be pardonecl and our souls pre- 
 pared for the coming of the Lord. 
 
 I have heard with pleasure that your aunt 
 F. has become a disciple of Christ. I hope 
 the information is correct ; and that I shall 
 
m 
 
 hear the same intelligence from all my other 
 pupils. 
 
 With sincere affection, yours, &c. 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 New Bedford, — 1812, 
 
 To Miss S. H. 
 
 From the tenor of your last letter, my dear 
 S., I was led to hope that the Holy Spirit was 
 striving with you to bring you to an expert 
 mental knowledge of your own lost, wretch- 
 ed, and guilty state 9 and of the only way of 
 lalvation through a precious Redeemer. Tho? 
 ] have not heard from A. for some time, I 
 hope the good work is still carried on, that 
 you are a sharer, and have begun your ever- 
 lasting song of praise for redeeming love ? 
 Whatever blinded, stupid mortals may think 
 of religious revivals, and of conversion by the 
 influence of the Holy Spirit, 1 am convinced 
 by the concurrent testimony of scripture and 
 experience, that they are the greatest bless- 
 ings, which can be bestowed on a people.— 
 And perhaps no sin has a more direct tenden- 
 cy to harden the heart, and sear the con- 
 pqience; than opposition, or neglect of such a 
 work of God. Melancholy indeed -must be 
 the state of any one, who has seen such a day 
 
 of Christ's power, and refused to submit. 
 
 r 
 
136 
 
 Must not this be their despairing complaint, 
 " The harvest is past, the summer is ended, 
 and we are not saved/' Yet for the encourage* 
 ment of any mourning soul, who is at any 
 time made willing to come to Christ, and is 
 fearful the day of grace is past, the inspired 
 penman says, ci To-day, after so long a time, 
 if ye will hear his voice, harden not your 
 hearts/ 5 The most unequivocal testimony is 
 given in the volume of inspiration of the will- 
 ingness of Christ to receive all, who will come 
 to him for salvation. " Turn ye, turn ye, for 
 w r hy will ye die ?" — Come unto me all ye that 
 labor and are heavy laden and I will give you 
 rest." Are we convinced ofhavingahard and 
 stony heart. The promise will apply, " 1 will 
 take away the heart of stone and give you an 
 heart of flesh." If a sense of inward pollution 
 press heavy upon the mind, the blood of 
 Christ cleanses from all sin. The religion of 
 Jesus Christ is exactly suited to the case of 
 guilty, self-destroyed sinners. No possible 
 case can be found, for which there is not am- 
 ple provision in the gospel. Infinite wisdom 
 could not devise, nor infinite love execute a 
 plan more honorable to the divine attributes, 
 nor more safe or more happy for the humble 
 soul. Yet all this wisdom, which is the won- 
 der of angels and saints, is esteemed foolish- 
 ness by the wise of this world, and is reject- 
 ed with disdain. And why? Because it levels 
 
137 
 
 the pride of man and exalts the glorious char* 
 acter of God. If my dear S. wishes to seek 
 for glory and immortal blessedness, let her 
 enlist under the banner of the Savior, who 
 hath brought life and immortality to light 
 through the gospel. 
 
 I sometimes hope I have some small discov*- 
 eries of the glory of the gospel salvation, and 
 am filled with astonishment that I can live so 
 amazingly stupid. I see the riches of divine 
 grace, in a very imperfect manner, but am 
 frequently distressed by desponding gloomy 
 fears, for the want of faith, and the unwilling- 
 ness of my carnal heart to come to Christ. I 
 do by no means feel or live according to the 
 gospel. But it is not owing to any defect 
 in that. My own obstinacy and blindness are 
 the cause. Yet I feel that it is important for 
 others, even if I myself should be a castaway* 
 The souls of others are of equal value, and 
 eternal life will be to them equally precious; 
 and their superior talents for usefulness per- 
 haps makes it more desirable that they should 
 embrace the gospel. None will perish be* 
 cause there is not an infinite fullness ; — none 
 will be lost because their sins are too great to 
 be cleansed by the blood of atonement. Noth- 
 ing will shut the soul out of heaven but per- 
 severing impenitence. Whom then will the 
 condemned sinner find to accuse as the cause 
 of his damnation ? Will not his mouth be stop- 
 
133 
 
 fed by a consciousness that he has been his 
 own destroyer ? Fearful thought, that a be- 
 ing, formed for immortality > should by his 
 own madness and perverse refusal of offered 
 salvation plunge himself into hopeless des- 
 pair, and make that immortality a curse ! 
 With perfect truth is it said " madness is in 
 their hearts while they live." In the hour of 
 reflexion, when the actions of our past lives 
 come up in remembrance, are we not aston- 
 ished at the long-suffering and forbearance of 
 God to us? Should we thus have borne with 
 a fellow creature, even a beloved friend, much 
 less with a relentless enemy? And now even 
 after such displays of divine compassion, are 
 we ready to believe fully in the Savior and 
 devote ourselves unreservedly to his service? 
 1 hope we shall be made willing in the day of 
 God's power ; that our hearts may be subdued 
 by the love of Jesus, and thereby constrained 
 to live to his glory. But if we should perish 
 after the enjoyment of such privileges, the 
 throne of God will be guiltless, and we must 
 be speechless. May the Lord graciously 
 humble us and give us joy and peace in be* 
 Jieving. 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 Mary Mprton, 
 
139 
 
 Miss Morton, while she resided in New 
 Bedford and in other places, comparatively 
 free from worldly cares, and with all the ar- 
 dor of youth, was peculiarly devoted to the 
 cause of Missions* By her influence especial- 
 ly a Female Association was formed at New 
 Bedford in 1812, styled " the Heathen 
 Friends.' 5 She drew up a Constitution. She 
 met with many kindred spirits in that place, 
 who were prepared to second her in this work 
 of disinterested benevolence; and the society 
 flourished. It continues to prosper to the 
 present day. 
 
 This association originated among the fe- 
 male members of the congregational churchy 
 but was not confined to them. The society 
 invited females of all denominations, ranks! 
 and ages to unite with them, and their num- 
 ber soon became respectable. No certain 
 sum was required as an annual contribution ; 
 but every one was permitted to contribute 
 according to her ability. The only officers 
 appointed were a Committee to collect and 
 appropriate the contributions; and these 
 were called Assistants. The society was or- 
 ganized without any ostentation or parade; 
 and the contributions though not large were 
 respectable. 
 
 By the influence of Miss Morton other sim- 
 ilar associations were formed in Rochester^ 
 Wareham, and other places in the vicinity •— 
 
140 
 
 
 
 These Branches of the Parent Society at 
 New Bedford still continue, and their annual 
 contributions are among the rills which now 
 flow into the treasury of the American Board* 
 The influence of the Subject of these Memoirs 
 Was seldom seen; but her letters gave the 
 first impulse to missionary exertion, especial- 
 ly among the females, in that part of the 
 State. 
 
 What gave the first impulse of missionary 
 zeal to her own mind may be perceived from 
 the following letter to a lady in Hallowed 
 written as early as 1811. 
 
 Freetown, Sept. 8, 1811* 
 To Mrs* N* N. 
 Dear Sister, 
 In the tenth number of the Panoplist, Mr* 
 Burder's letter has excited my attention, — 
 This sentence particularly, "The call for Mis* 
 sionaries in the Namaqua country is great/ 
 induced a train of thought which I shall take 
 the liberty of communicating to you, as I trust 
 you are* by divine grace, inspired with some 
 thing of a Missionary spirit. Could 1 be 
 made a mean of any good in a cause so glori- 
 ous, I should esteem it beyond any earthly 
 honor or emolument. There are many pow- 
 erful reasons, which may be urged in favor of 
 the African Mission, reasons which we, as a 
 nation, and as a professedly christian people 
 
141 
 
 ought to feel. Though the New England 
 States have not been deeply stained with the 
 guilt of the slave trade, yet we are not whol- 
 ly free. And as we are confederated with 
 the Southern States, where slavery abounds, 
 we, as a part of the nation, must feel ourselves 
 very guilty on that account. Have we any 
 right to expect national blessings unless na* 
 tional sins are repented of? And is it not the 
 duty of every individual,howevei private may 
 be the station in which he or she is called to 
 act, to mourn and bewail over national sins, 
 and to do all in his power towards their a- 
 mendment? The awful prevalence, the indes- 
 cribable cruelty of the slave trade is in my 
 View a powerful argument in favor of the Af- 
 rican Mission. Past sins cannot it is true be 
 atoned for in this way, — We must look to him 
 1vho alone hath power to forgive sins for the 
 pardon of this as well as all other crimes. — 
 And if the infinite riches of his grace can be 
 extended to such guilty creatures as we, do 
 not gratitude, love, and all the affections, 
 which ought to fill the hearts of ransomed 
 rebels, loudly call on us to be active in the 
 service of him who has redeemed us with his 
 own blood ? Is it not highly rational, that we 
 should use every exertion to spread the 
 knowledge of his name among our dying fel- 
 low creatures, that they also may turn from 
 their evil ways and live ? Is there afcy por* 
 
142 
 
 tion of the human family who have k greater 
 claim upon our benevolence, than those who 
 have suffered so long the unspeakable miser- 
 ies of slavery from our hands ? The name oi 
 Christian, in the minds of poor Africans, and 
 indeed of many other nations, is associated 
 with the basest crimes and the most detesta- 
 ble cruelty. May those who are real chris- 
 tians be enabled by grace to make such benev- 
 olent exertions for the spreading of the gos- 
 pel and the salvation of the poor heathen, as 
 shall convince them of the excellence, the 
 purity, and benevolence of real christian- 
 
 The Lord has opened a door for the gospel 
 in South Africa, and may we not hope, yea 
 confidently expect, that the blessed news will 
 reach and gladden the coast of Guinea ? May 
 the time soon come when those miserable 
 shores, where now is heard the lamentable 
 cries of separating parents and children, 
 doomed to perpetual, merciless slavery, shall 
 become vocal with the praises of God ; when 
 the peaceful kingdom of Christ shall there be 
 established on the ruin of the empire of dark- 
 ness. " The call for Missionaries in the Nam- 
 aqua country is great." If so, the call for pe- 
 cuniary aid must also be great ; and the ne- 
 cessity of persevering praj^er, that the Lord 
 of the harvest would raise and qualify labor- 
 ers for that part of his extensive harvest, must 
 
143 
 
 be obvious. In this state of affairs, is there 
 nothing for American females to do ? They 
 hare already been blessed as means of doing 
 considerable ; but is there nothing more in 
 their power 2 The cent establishment is good ; 
 private acts of beneficence are indispensable 
 in the christian character ; and it may be that 
 many In moderate circumstances do thus use 
 all the superfluity of their income. But da 
 we make such sacrifices as we ought ? Let us 
 reflect on the self-denial and poverty of an- 
 cient saints, and above all, on the example of 
 1 him, who though he was rich yet for our 
 j sakes became poor 5 and shall we not find in 
 ourselves many instances of self-indulgence, 
 that might be dispensed with, and the ex- 
 pense directed to a more benevolent channel, 
 1 even the sending of the gospel to the poo^ 
 benighted Africans 9 I request your opinio^ 
 j upon the plan of forming an Association for 
 the purpose of aiding the African Mission. It 
 ma}' be stipulated that the sacrifice of a super- 
 fluous article of dress, or other unnecessary 
 i| expense, may be expected in a matter of such 
 i moment. I doubt not but tiie hearts of many 
 pious females in the country would be opened, 
 and they would rejoice in the opportunity of 
 rendering such a service to the cause of 
 Christ. — They would esteem it a privilege to 
 deny themselves many personal outward orn- 
 aments, \f it plight by a divide blessing corn 
 
144 
 
 tribute for the purpose of sending the gospel 
 to our jetty brethren and sisters, whose souls 
 are as valuable as our own, and who stand in 
 the same perishing need of the robe of Christ's 
 righteousness. I must acknowledge that I 
 have a strong presumption that something of 
 this kind may be done 5 but, as it may be on- 
 ly the effect of youthful animation, I shall 
 wait till I have the decision of your judgment. 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 t 
 
 Middleborough, — 1811. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 Dear Sister, 
 Ihftf&read with much interest the little 
 pamphlet you handed me, pleased to observ 
 the effect of pure religion on the heart, an< 
 ashamed that I am no more conformed to an 
 example so amiable. The purity and divine 
 excellence of the christian religion must be 
 more and more perceived, the more closely 
 it is examined. Though, by reason of the 
 natural darkness of my mind, I have very im- 
 perfect discoveries of its glories, yet I am 
 constrained to believe them infinite and un- 
 speakable. Jesus said to his disciples, " ye 
 are the light of the world." And without 
 this divine light, the effulgence of the gospe,!, 
 
145 
 
 *he world would be entirely epveloped in the 
 gross darkness of heathenism, a striking ac- 
 count of which is given in the late publica- 
 tions of Dr. Buchanan, 
 
 You have probably read them, and have 
 been led to adore the distinguishing grace of 
 God in placing j 7 ou in a gospel land, as well 
 as to shudder at the sanguinary delusions of 
 heathen nations. Without Bibles, without a 
 knowledge of the name of Jesus, millions are 
 living in wretchedness, and d3^ing on the fun- 
 eral pile, or under the wheels of Hindoo idols. 
 What a picture of human nature does this 
 consideration present to our?ninds? Can it 
 be possible that any will doubt the entire de- 
 pravity of the heart, who give themselves 
 time to reflect and enquire into the sub- 
 ject? 
 
 I am sometime^ led to enquire what may 
 be done by a private individual, as a means of 
 sending the knowledge of salvation to those, 
 who sit in darkness and in the region of the 
 shadow of death. Great things are doing, at 
 the present day, in this glorjous cause by 
 Missionaries, and by the translations of the 
 scriptures, Would it not be an un- 
 speakable privilege, if we might be allowed 
 to assist in a work so divine ? If the humblest 
 office were assigned us, it w r ould be an honor 
 far beyond our deserts. My dear sister, will 
 you give me your ideas on the subject, and 
 
 12* 
 
146 
 
 point out the way in which you think we 
 might be most useful ; — and above all will you 
 pra} r that in all things my desire may be sing- 
 ly for the glory of God, in the salvation of 
 sinners ? Is it rational for us to live in ease, 
 and enjoy so rich an abundance of spiritual 
 privileges, while millions of our fellow-sin- 
 ners are perishing for lack of vision, and at- 
 tempt nothing for their relief? Well ma}' all 
 the heathen adopt the exclamation of the 
 Hottentot christian, " How could christians 
 have so much bread and not give poor heath- 
 en some before ?" The heathen and the men 
 of the world are A reproach to christians by 
 their engagedness in their several objects of 
 pursuit. Oh that we, and that all the dear 
 household of Christ, might be awakened from 
 the sleep of indifference, and be roused to 
 vigorous, consistent, and holy energy in the 
 service of Ijnmanuel ! Much may be done, 
 but soon "the night will come, wherein no 
 man can work." O that we might by grace 
 u redeem the time." When I turn my eyes 
 within, I am led to adopt the language of the 
 Poet, 
 
 " Fill'd with unbelief and sin, 
 Can I deem myself a child," 
 
 The Apostle records this as a faithful saying 
 and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
 came into the world to save sinners, of whom, 
 )m adds, I am chief, Cpuld 1 be as hupible as 
 
147 
 
 the chief of sinners ought to be, could I deny 
 myself and live solely for the glory of God, I 
 think I should be happy ; but alas ! I am more 
 vile, more brutish and ungrateful than any 
 one, and cannot do the things which I know 
 to be excellent, because of a sinful heart. — - 
 Can it be that we shall ever be made perfect- 
 ly holy and be prepared to serve a Being of 
 infinite perfection without the pollution of 
 sin ? The salvation of the gospel is a salva- 
 tion from sin; not only frojiv its curse, 
 but from its pollution, its power, and its very 
 being. This stamps an incalculable yalue up- 
 on it, and should lead us to desire it more 
 than gold, yea more than much fine gold. 
 
 I often think of N. with affection, and hope 
 
 she will at this early age be made willing to 
 
 occupy Mary's place at the feet of Jesus ; 
 
 that she may be a humble and useful disciple 
 
 Adieu, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 In the following letter, Miss Morton alludes 
 to the exercises of the Bedford Female Socie- 
 ty. This was an Association formed at New 
 Bedford as early as 18Q9. She drew up the 
 Constitution. It was confined to professors 
 of religion, and to persons of acknowledged 
 piety. Their meetings were price a fortnight, 
 Their exercises were prayer and reading the 
 
148 
 
 scriptures. Three times a year the Society 
 observed a day of Fasting and prayer. All 
 the members in rotation were required to lead 
 In the devotional exercises, unless particular- 
 ly excused by the Society. Associations like, 
 t!iisaie t formed iji many of the New-England 
 churches, where the life and power of relig- 
 ion is felt; and they have a tendency in an 
 eminent degree to promote the spiritual im- 
 provement of those who attend them, 
 
 Freetown, — 1812. 
 
 To Miss B. M. 
 
 Dear Sister, 
 
 1 feel with peculiar force your complaints 
 of unfitness to engage in any Missionary ser- 
 vices on account of unfaithfulness to those 
 around you. Surely of all who profess the 
 name of Christ I haye the greatest reason to 
 be abased before God, and also before my fel- 
 low creatures for the same criminal negli- 
 gence. Biit if not deceived I do feel an anx- 
 ious desir§ that the Heathen may be saved 
 from the cruel pollutions of Paganism by the 
 "•light of the knowledge of thp glory of God 
 in the %e pf Jesu^ Christ." Unworthy as 
 we are to be employed in the lowest office in 
 so great a work, what can we do but go to the 
 aii sufficient Fountain, for spiritual cleansing^ 
 V'd pray the gracious Master of the vine- 
 
149 
 
 yard that he would accept such worms ;— that 
 he would inspire our hearts with such desireff 
 as he will graciously own and succeed, and 
 make us feel our absolute dependence on him 
 for all we have, and are, end all we hope to 
 become. 1 am waiting for information from 
 Mrs. N. on this interesting subject. I think 
 she will suggest some method whereby pecu- 
 niary assistance may be obtained. But the 
 method, sto which you referred, of helping 
 th£m. by frequent supplication at the throne 
 of^race, is of all others the most important, 
 anii 1 may say the most effectual. For all be- 
 ings and events are under the absolute con^ 
 trot of our heavenly Father. "He doth what* 
 soever he pieaseth in the armies of heaven 
 and among the inhabitants of the earth." The 
 silver and the gold are his. The winds and 
 waves are at his command. By the sure word 
 of pf ophecy we are encouraged to expect a 
 glorious enlargement of Zion by the accession 
 of tt|p heathen nations, as well as the restora- 
 tion pf the ancient covenant people. It is the 
 opinion of those, who are most favored with 
 spiritual light and understanding, that we 
 now see the dawning of that bright day which 
 is predicted. Trusting then in the promises 
 of truth, and fully assured of the infinite pow- 
 er of thf* gracious Promiser, may we not con- 
 fidently trus- :, that thn " light," which has ap- 
 peared in the East, will cover the face of the 
 
160 
 
 whole earth. O may our hearts be purified 
 and prepared to glorify God on earth, and 
 praise him through eternity in the heavenly 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 You exactly express the feelings of my 
 mind, my dear sister, with respect to active 
 duty in our female meetings, I wished that 
 the elder members might feel freedom and 
 enlargement in prayer, and that I might be a 
 hearer, rather than a speaker; yet I felt it 
 a duty to be willing, if there appeared a call 
 to it, to open my mouth in prayer. If not 
 deceived I have enjoyed a blessing in it; 
 though many harrassing suggestions w r ould 
 sometimes crowd my mind /—And there is 
 none more common or more difficult to over- 
 come than that with wjiich you were assault- 
 ed — a fear of appearing too assuming. In- 
 deed I was so perplexed in that way, that I 
 mentioned it to several of the elder sisters in 
 a secret manner ; it was their opinion that it 
 was a (Jeyice of the adversary to keep me from 
 dut3 r ; bijt 1 could never quite overcomp it. 
 Perhaps I was too forward and conducted un- 
 becomingly to the grief of some dear sistpr. If 
 so, may the offence be forgiven by infinite 
 mercy. But as it respects the exercises of 
 your mind on that subject, my sister, I can- 
 not think there would be an appearance of 
 the nature you fear. As you observe, we 
 are associated for the purpose pjf social prayer, 
 
151 
 
 wishing to plead the promise, " if two of yon 
 shall agree, as touching any thing ye shall 
 ask, it shall be done for you/' Each mem- 
 ber is, I think, under an obligation to perform 
 that duty ; or, I might with more propriety 
 say, is allowed the privilege of leading in so- 
 cial prayer. Nothing has a greater tendency 
 to create and increase a freedom of soul in 
 such seasons than that. We have our pecul- 
 iar hindrances and difficulties ; and each in- 
 dividual sister, Without doubt, has something 
 equally powerful which restrains her from 
 coming forward^ and thus we can trace the 
 backwardness which grieves us to this cause. 
 Is it not evidently one of Satan's devices ? It 
 would rejoice the hearts of your friends, 
 should you find strength for the exercise, and 
 it might be a means of opening the mouths of 
 others* 
 
 I rejoice to hear that our number is enlarg- 
 ed and pray that our zeal, charity, love, and 
 every grace may abound to the glory of God. 
 I think it would be desirable that almost the 
 the whole time should be spent in supplica- 
 tion, and that every sister would in her turn 
 present the united petitions of the whole. — • 
 I doubt not it would with a divine blessing 
 exceedingly increase the sweet unity of soul 
 which Christ's disciples ought ever to feel. — 
 Without his presence, and the invigoratirjg* 
 influence of the heavenly Comforter our 
 
152 
 
 meetings fnust be unsatisfying to our souls* 
 We may have the form of devotion, but it 
 will be without life* May you be directed 
 "by the holy Spirit into all truth, and may 
 every duty be made plain, and every cross 
 easy to be borne. 
 
 Yours with sincere affection, 
 
 Mary Morton* 
 
 Kew-Bedford, — 1&12, 
 
 ToMissL.F, 
 
 I was much gratified, my dear Louisa, 
 by your account of the little society for as- 
 sisting the Missionary cause/ I approve of 
 the plan of ■ converting- the fruits of female 
 industry to a purpose so noble. You did not, 
 I think, mention Whether you unite in prayer 
 for a blessing on your labours 5 but since 
 some of the number are professed members of 
 Christ, I trust you do. You will realize that 
 nothing useful can be done without the spec- 
 ial blessing of God, and for this he will be en- 
 quired of* Probably you have one to read 
 while the others are employed in labor. — 
 Would not some well selected books, in which 
 the distinguishing doctrines of the cross are 
 explained and exemplified, be peculiarly use- 
 ful^ to the members of the societj', whether 
 they, are professors' or not. Those, who are 
 
153 
 
 laboring for the means of sending the gospel 
 to the heathen, which they have not them- 
 
 5 selves embraced, will, I hope, be led by it to 
 a conviction of their own lost estate. Why 
 
 ? are we anxious to send the tidings of salvation 
 to the dark abodes of paganism ? Is it because 
 the human race are inevitably and eternally 
 lost without it ? Then we are in the same con- 
 demnation, unless we have received the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and must also perish with an 
 unspeakable accumulation of guilt ; for they 
 may rise up in judgment and condemn many 
 who have lived in christian lands. Still the 
 prayer of faith, which none but the new born 
 soul can offer, would be more successful, than 
 the unsanctified labors of thousands. God 
 can and does,in his sovereign pleasure,employ 
 many to help his cause, who have no part 
 
 1 nor lot with his people. In this way they 
 
 5 are made useful, and they will u have their 
 
 Ere ward ;" but not that gracious reward of eter- 
 nal life, which is prepared for the followers 
 of the Lamb. I believe there is an universal 
 (degree of concern for the heathen awakened 
 j in the hearts of all christians throughout the 
 country, and many who do not profess to 
 know Christ, have been led to contribute lib- 
 erally to furnish the means of sending the 
 gospel abroad through the earth. Must we 
 not with admiration adopt the language of the 
 " man after God's own heart," " what are we 
 
 13 
 
154 
 
 that we should be able to offer so willingly 
 after this sort." He did not panegyrize the 
 liberality of his people, but blessed the Lord 
 and gave him the praise, not only for the 
 means of offering for the building of the tem- 
 ple, but also for the disposition* An example 
 highly worthy our imitation. Such senti- 
 ments are calculated to prevent self compla- 
 cency, and promote real gratitude to God. 
 What are we that we are blesse ■:. with the full 
 sunshine of gospel light and privileges, and 
 not only made able but willing to do a little 
 to assist in sending the same rich blessings to 
 our perishing fellow sinners ? Why rather are 
 we not writhing under the huge car of Jug- 
 gernaut, or ascending the funeral pile ? Why 
 are we not with Dives vainly soliciting a drop 
 of water ? The infinite grace of God alone 
 prevents, and by that we are what we are. — 
 Let us then lie abased before him, that we do 
 so little, and be stirred up to more vigorous 
 and self-denying exertions. Mrs. N. wrote a 
 short time since, and observed that she had 
 suggested the idea to her female friends, 
 whether it would not be becoming the disci- 
 ples of Jesus to appropriate the expense of 
 golden ornaments and other superfluities in 
 dress, to the support of Missionaries ; and in 
 that way they might better conform to the 
 apostolic direction for the female wardrobe, 
 "adorning themselves in modest apparel, — not 
 

 155 
 
 with broidered hair, or gold or pearls or cost- 
 ly array, but with good works." Were this 
 inspired precept generally complied with, 
 how much more lovely would the members of 
 Christ's church appear, and what a sum might 
 be saved for benevolent purposes. May the 
 Lord bless and prosper your society and es- 
 pecially her whose heart was prepared to in- 
 troduce and to promote it. May he gra- 
 ciously make each of you a fruitful branch of 
 the True Vine, and may the blessing of many 
 ready to perish come upon you. 
 
 With affection yours, &c, 
 
 Mary Morton* 
 
 In the year 1812 the subject of these me- 
 moirs was connected in marriage with the 
 Rev. Elijah Dexter, of Plympton. A person 
 of her pious disposition, devoted to the cause 
 of God; unambitious of worldly distinction 
 or of affluence, would naturally choose the 
 situation of a clergyman's wife. It was a sit- 
 uation for which she was eminently qualified. 
 Dignified in her manners, she always comman- 
 ded respect. Affable in her address, and un- 
 commonly amiable in her temper, she was cal- 
 culated to exert more than ordinary influence 
 in society. And her influence was always sa- 
 cred to the cause of godliness. She was a 
 crown to her husband, and a blessing to the 
 parish. 
 
156 
 
 In her Diary she notices her marriage with 
 appropriate and pious reflexions By this it 
 appears that she acknowledged God in all her 
 ways, and humbly sought divine direction 
 and blessing. In her marriage she enjoyed 
 as much happiness as ordinarily falls to the 
 lot of humanity. 
 
 When she took leave of her parents, and 
 removed to Plympton, she wrote the follow- 
 ing letter, which is an interesting specimen 
 of filial piety. When those to whom this let- 
 ter was addressed shall cast their eyes upon 
 it in this collection, they will perhaps peruse 
 it with tears of gratitude, that they were once 
 blessed with such a daughter; and with emo? 
 tions of the deepest sorrow too, that the hand 
 which wrote it is now in the grave. 
 
 Freetown,— 1812. 
 My very dear Father and Mother, 
 Under God I owe to you my existence and 
 the innumerable blessings, with which I have 
 been surrounded for more than twenty-seven 
 years. Your tenderness watched over and 
 protected my helpless infancy, and your care 
 supplied the wants of childhood and youth. 
 You have been unwearied in endeavours for 
 my good, and by a divine blessing on the 
 means you have used, I have succeeded thus 
 far in life. I cannot leave you without at- 
 tempting to express my feelings; — but the 
 
157 
 
 language of the lips is denied me. My 
 tongue cannot utter the emotions of my full 
 heart. I beg you to accept my humble ac- 
 knowledgement for all the perverseness and 
 obstinacy of childhood, and the innumer- 
 able sins of my youth. O forgive every in- 
 stance of ingratitude, and bury in oblivion 
 every word or action, which has been stained 
 with unkindness, I am pained with the re^ 
 Collection of my ungrateful returns for such 
 exceeding kindness, as you have shown me. 
 If not deceived I have endeavored to avoid 
 intentional disobedience ; but alas ! how far 
 have I been from that filial duty, which the 
 holy law of God requires. Entreat for me 
 that his pardon may be sealed to my soul by 
 the precious blood of atonement. Accept the 
 unfeigned gratitude of my heart for your 
 unnumbered, continual, and unabating kind- 
 nesses. It is all I have to return. I never, 
 never shall repay. But the Lord is able to 
 reward you. I attempt to look to him for 
 his blessing on your declining years, and for 
 the never failing supports of his grace. May 
 your last days be the most happy of your 
 lives, and your path that of the just, which 
 shineth brighter and brighter till the perfect 
 day. 
 
 I now leave you to act in another sphere, 
 where Providence appears to direct; and^ 
 though I leave you in declining health an4 
 
 13* 
 
158 
 
 years, I hope you will never fail to receve 
 necessary tenderness and attention. The 
 thought of leaving you is indeed painful; but 
 I hope I have not violated my duty to you in 
 forming my present connexion. 1 trust you 
 do not object to the friend of my choice. I 
 have not knowingly contradicted your wish- 
 es; and I earnestly desire never to be a 
 means of embittering a momont of your re- 
 maining days. 'Tis a pleasing circumstance 
 that I am not to be removed far from you at 
 present, unless it should be by death. But in 
 earthly things there is no continuance, there- 
 fore we should ever feel as pilgrims continu- 
 ally journeying towards another country. If 
 the Lotd will, I hope to see you frequently 
 while we continue in this mutable world. — ■ 
 May we all be prepared by the abounding 
 grace of God in Christ Jesus to meet in an- 
 other world at the right hand of our Judge to 
 spend an eternity in his service. 
 
 When you need any thing in my power to 
 afford, call on me with freedom, remembering 
 that I am stil} your child, and should esteem it 
 a privilege to be a means of adding any thing 
 to your comfort, to make any returns for the 
 vast debt of gratitude I owe yoiu 
 
 O may the grace of the Lord Jesus be 
 abundantly poured out upon you. — May his 
 presence give you comfort in life., triumph in 
 
159 
 
 death, and consummate your blessedness in 
 his heavenly kingdom. 
 
 Your affectionate daughter, 
 
 Mary Morton, 
 
 The following account of the revival in 
 Plympton in 1812 is here inserted from one 
 of Mrs. Dexter's Letters for the sake of bring- 
 ing to the recollection of the present mem- 
 bers of the Church in that place the spiritual 
 blessings they have enjoyed in years that are 
 past. Perhaps some who read this account 
 jnay be induced to exclaim in view of their 
 present state, how has the gold become dim, 
 how is the most fine gold changed ! 
 
 Plympton,— 1813, 
 To Miss L. F. 
 In my present place of residence, my dear 
 £***** 5 th e wonders of redeeming love have 
 been manifested the season past, and the love- 
 ly fruits are still apparent, and I trust will re-? 
 jnain, and will be recognized in the day 
 when the Lord shall make up his jewels.— 
 About sixty persons it is hoped have joined 
 pn the Lord's side. A considerable number 
 of the dear youth were subjects of the w r ork« 
 I have heard them at different times relate 
 before the churchy what they trusted had 
 been done for their souls, and their names $re 
 
160 
 
 now given in to be the Lord's. Young ladies, 
 whoa few months ago were first in attending 
 to the calls of fashion and youthful folly, are 
 now as I trust turned from vanity to the liv* 
 ing God ; appear to be mainly anxious to ap- 
 prove themselves unto him, and to be adorn- 
 ed with a meek and quiet spirit. It was in- 
 teresting to hear them relate the work of the 
 Holy Spirit on their hearts ;— how they were 
 brought to see their danger, to feel the amaz- 
 ing enmity, opposition, and vileness of their 
 hearts ; their entire helplessness and depen* 
 dence on Jesus alone, not only for pardon, but 
 for a disposition to receive it ; and to feel 
 their obdurate wills sweetly bowed, their load 
 of guilt removed and their souls filled with 
 heavenly peace. They now find unspeaka- 
 bly purer pleasure in attending the means of 
 grace and gospel blessings, than this world 
 could possibly afford. If it were right to in- 
 dulge such a thought, I could wish that my 
 dear L***** might have been present on 
 some occasions to see and hear the mighty 
 wonders which the grace of Jesus can per- 
 form. 
 
 How succeeds your little Missionary Soci- 
 ety? Are the young in W. apparently seek- 
 ing an interest in Jesus, or decorating and ac-> 
 complishing the clay-formed casket, which 
 contains the inestimable jewel, for which the 
 whole world should be given in exchange ? 
 
161 
 
 O when shall we be wise to give our heart; 
 to God, and live as becomes immortal bemgo* 
 Your friend, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 If any, who read the following letter, are 
 disposed to think that the writer accuses her- 
 self with too much severity, and that the 
 scripture quotations with the application are 
 pot always made with good taste, they may 
 be reminded, that they had better turn chris- 
 tian, than critics ; and consider, whether the 
 quotations are not descriptive of themselves, 
 This letter was apparently written on the 
 day of the monthly concert. 
 
 Plympton, — 1813. 
 To Miss B, M. 
 Dear Sister, 
 I have hardly dared of late to indulge my- 
 self freely in thinking of my New Bedford 
 friends, lest I should feel a sinful impatience 
 to see them. But 1 must not omit a favora- 
 ble opportunity of writing, tho' I can by no 
 means discharge the pleasing obligation which 
 your last favor conferred. On this day mul- 
 titudes, as we hope, of the daughters of Zioq 
 have assembled in different places to address 
 their Savior and King, to eritreat that he 
 
162 
 
 would appear in his glory and multiply her 
 converts as drops of morning dew ; that he 
 would " strengthen her stakes and lengthen 
 her cords," and let his own comeliness be put 
 upon her. May their united prayers ascend 
 as holy incense acceptable before God, and a 
 gracious answer be vouchsafed. The object 
 of the social prayer-meetings of this day, is 
 peculiarly interesting, and calculated, perhaps 
 more than any other, to engage the benevo- 
 lent affections of the soul. I hope that all 
 our sister Societies in this land will cordially 
 and earnestly unite in this attempt to pro- 
 mote the glory of Zion's King. Ought we 
 not to say of the dear Society whieh first pro- 
 posed the plan, " Blessed be thou of the Lord 
 and blessed be thine advice." 1 hope my be- 
 loved sisters in New Bedford have enjoyed a 
 good season ; — have been fovored with fresh 
 discoveries of the glory of Christ's spiritual 
 kingdom, and have been allowed near access 
 to the throne of grace to plead with holy 
 boldness for its enlargement. O that 1 could 
 see, that I could feel as a believer ought, the 
 momentous realities, the unspeakable glories 
 of eternity. My dear B*****, are you ena- 
 bled to live daily with a realizing sense of 
 God and eternity ? If you are, I entreat you 
 will pray very earnestly for the unworthy 
 guilty dust, who now addresses you. 
 
 You have probably heard that I have late- 
 
163 
 
 ly been visited with sickness^ and have ex- 
 perienced restoring mercy* The Lord brought 
 me into danger, but did not give me over to 
 death. He graciously blessed the means used 
 for my recovery, and I was healed ; and now 
 surely I ought to feel " what shall I render 
 unto the Lord for all his benefits ?" I was 
 scarcely, if at all, sensible of my danger, till 
 my disorder began to yield to the power of 
 medicine. When God gives efficacy to medi- 
 cine, the most obstinate disorder must im- 
 mediately give way. Perhaps I had never 
 before so great reason to admire and adore 
 the exceedingly kind providence of God. — 
 Truly I have reason to say emphatically " he 
 hath done all things well." With propriety 
 may he look for suitable returns of gratitude 
 and lively praise, for the entire devotedness 
 of every power and faculty to his service ; 
 but alas, this is not to be found. I am un- 
 speakably ungrateful. " Earthly, carnal, sen- 
 sual, devilish," may be written on my heart. 
 Such a heart as mine can never be prepared 
 for heaven, but by the abounding grace of an 
 all-sufficient Savior. It must be sovereign 
 grace. It must be because the Lord has mercy 
 on whom he will have mercy. 
 
 There will be a time when " the loftiness 
 of man shall be bowed down, and the haughti- 
 ness of men shall be made low ; and the Lord 
 alone shall be exalted in that day." God 
 
164 
 
 shall have the glory which is his due, and 
 none shall dare exalt himself against the Most 
 High. Is not the time drawing near, when 
 Jesus shall take to himself his great power 
 and reign till all shall be subjected unto him? 
 It will be a joy ful day to those who love hisf 
 appearing, but a day of fearful vengeance to 
 all his enemies. Why do we not think more 
 of the solemn season so plainly predicted by 
 the prophets, when the kingdom shall be giv- 
 en to the saints of the Most High, and when 
 Jesus the mighty Conqueror^ shall destroy 
 those who fight against mount Zion? Surely 
 the day will come and even draweth near. — 
 Was there ever a time when it was more ne* 
 cessary for christians to be active? Events 
 deeply interesting to the church are almost 
 every day unfolding, and we know not what 
 will be on the morrow. Sometimes when a 
 little aroused to a sense of myself, I am filled 
 with astonishment at my amazing stupidity; 
 that I can be so insensible, when every thing 
 is calling on me to "work while the day lasts, 
 because the night cometh in w r hich no man 
 can work." 
 
 Your mvworthy friend, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
165 
 
 The following reflexions upon Milnert 
 Church History deserve attention. They 
 discover Mrs. Dexter's talent in making ob- 
 servations upon books, and her habit of con- 
 verting what she read to her spiritual 
 improvement. In a letter to a friend she 
 observes. 
 
 Plympton, — 1814. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 Dear Sister, 
 By the indulgence of a friend we have been 
 favored with the perusal of "Milner's Church 
 History*" 1 am exceedingly delighted with 
 it. Shame and confusion of face almost over- 
 whelm me, when reading of the fervent love, 
 the holy zeal, the patient endurance of per- 
 secution and death, which the christians of the 
 first century exhibited. Can it be that I 
 have ever received the least spark of the same 
 blessed spirit, when I am so entirely unlike 
 them. Yet, if not deceived, my heart re- 
 joices, that the religion of Christ has produc- 
 ed such unspeakably glorious fruit. Yes, it 
 shall be seen, thou meek and lowly, yet high- 
 ly exalted and glorious Savior, that thy death 
 and sufferings, thine assension and interces- 
 sion, have opened the way for the pardon 
 and sanctification of the vilest slave of Satan. 
 But language fails to describe the greatness of 
 the salvation of the gospel. The joy is un~ 
 
I 
 
 166 
 
 speakable and full of glory, even an eternal 
 weight of glory* I was struck with the force 
 and propriety of one short expression of the 
 pious Milner. " To believe, to suffer, to love, 
 and not to write, was the primitive taste." I " 
 I may be allowed to hazard an opinion, I 
 should say, that to read, write, and speculate, 
 rather than to believe, suffer, and love, has 
 been the modern taste. But doubtless the 
 same love, which in times of persecution 
 leads to a cheerful suffering of death, will, in 
 times of toleration, induce a zealous use of the 
 pen for the benefit of the church. The Lord 
 has wisdom to use his people in a way to pro- 
 mote his own glory in the most effectual man- 
 ner. tfr I have set my King upon "my holy 
 hill of Zion." — He is crowned Lord of all and 
 he shall reign till all enemies are subdued un- 
 der his feet. O may we not be found ainong 
 the enemies of his Cross, to be burned with 
 unquenchable fire. 
 
 Your very unworthy sister, 
 
 Marv Dexter. 
 
 Plympton, — 1815. 
 
 To Mrs. N. N. 
 
 After the lapse of nearly half a year, lam 
 seated to acknowledge the receipt of my dear 
 sister's letter. Certainly if I am not much 
 
167 
 
 deceived in myself, it is not because my af- 
 fection for my friends decreases, that I have 
 become so dilatory in writing ; but .because it 
 has pleased God to confine my hands to the 
 care of a young immortal, whose little actions 
 seem to say " mama, I have the best claim to 
 your constant attention," It was some time 
 after the birth of my son before my health 
 
 i was re-established, but I have since enjoyed 
 unusually good health. O help me to praise 
 the name of the Lord for his loving kindness 
 and tender mercy. O pray for me that I 
 
 | may be in a measure faithful in this new rela- 
 tion in which his providence has called me - 
 
 i to act. The care of a soul is an awfully sol- 
 emn trust. How responsible a station is that 
 of a parent ; and yet I am thoughtless and 
 indifferent. 
 
 O that I had a heart to be truly grateful to 
 God for his goodness in raising you and your 
 son from the borders of the grave. It was dis- 
 tinguishing mercy, for you observed that oth- 
 
 ! ers around you were cut down. Your reflexion 
 
 ' that you are raised for some special purpose, 
 is undoubtedly correct ; for had your work 
 
 ! been then done, millions of angels could not 
 have saved you from death. God's purpose 
 concerning your earthly existence was not 
 complete. I trust he has a great deal of good 
 
 | to do by you before you shall be removed to 
 the church triumphant. There was a "needs 
 
168 
 
 be" for your suffering an affliction so severe. 
 Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth, 
 that it may bring forth more fruit. I hope 
 you are a bearing branch of that Vine, of 
 which the Father is the husbandman : and he 
 cannot mistake in his method of culture. The 
 promise is infallible that all things shall "work 
 together for good to them that love him and 
 are the called according to his purpose." — 
 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 
 All his works are righteous and his ways are 
 past finding out. 
 
 Does the flame of Missionary zeal burn as 
 brightly now as it has formerly done, or do 
 national calamities, and the delays which our 
 dear missionaries have experienced, serve to 
 depress it ? For my own part, I must say that 
 the divine dealings with them have convinc- 
 ed me more than ever, that they are to be 
 used in doing a great work. Their trials, 
 which have been severe, are evidently pre- 
 paratory to the more successful prosecution 
 of their mission. How gloriously the grace of 
 Christ shines in them, while they are passing 
 thro' the furnace? Have we not evidence to 
 convince us that God has been with them of 
 a truth, and has given them favor in the sight 
 of those in authority; and has furnished them 
 with a mouth and wisdom which none of their 
 adversaries have been able to resist. Ameri- 
 can christians must not cea^e to contiibute for 
 
building the Temple in heathen lands on ac- 
 count of the pressure of national calamities. 
 They may not be able to do so much. But 
 in the present season of fluctuation in busi- 
 ness, and of speculation, the treasury of the 
 Lord seems to be the only place of security 
 for wealth. 
 
 We thank you for your friendly invitation 
 to visit you. Such an excursion would be 
 very gratifying; but in the present state of 
 our family it would be quite impracticable. 
 Permit us to reciprocate the same wish. — 
 Mrs. L., the sister whose name you have 
 mentioned to me in your letters, has friends 
 residing in this region, whom she occasional- 
 ly visits. How happy I should be if you 
 would accompany her, and make our house 
 the principal place of your visit. My re- 
 membrance to your daughter, and to Mrs. G. 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 Freetown, — 1815. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 
 My dear sister perceives that I make very 
 poor returns for her kindness in writing to 
 me. But I shall commend myself to her for- 
 giving disposition without taking time for a 
 lengthy apologv. 1 have not long since re«* 
 
 14* 
 
170 
 
 eeived from the hands of God a precious 
 treasure ; a lovely, promising son ; and have 
 the care of an .immortal soul committed to 
 my trust. " What shall I render to my God 
 for all his kindness ?" How shall I discharge 
 the important duties devolved on me? We 
 have publicly, and I hope sincerely and un- 
 reservedly, dedicated our infant charge to 
 him from whom we received him. O that it 
 may please the good Shepherd to receive hirq 
 as a lamb into his arms — to make him truly 
 one of his own, prepared to promote his 
 glory. 
 
 Have you not, my dear sister, been exceed- 
 ingly refreshed by the last report of the 
 American Board of Commissioners ? Our dear 
 missionary brethren and sisters have been 
 severely tried; and how wonderfully ^ e 
 wisdom and grace of God are displayed i n ft. 
 How wonderfully they have been furnished 
 with wisdom, prudence and courage to act as 
 
 becometh the ministers of Jesus Christ. 
 
 These trials will more fully establish their 
 characters — make them more extensively 
 known and excite the greater interest in their 
 favor. 
 
 I am extremely short-sighted. When they 
 were obliged by the Bengal government to 
 leave Calcutta without a prospect of effect- 
 ing the first object of their benevolent design, 
 I had fears that the American churches might 
 
171 
 
 pot be permitted to share in the blessed priv? 
 iiege of sending the gospel to the heathen* 
 But I am now convinced that God will con^ 
 descend to accept the service at our hands. — 
 He well knows our infinite unworthiness of 
 so great a blessing ; but I think his providen- 
 tial dealings with our dear brethren in the 
 East carry full conviction, that they are de- 
 signed as instruments of great good to the per- 
 ishing idolaters of India, The serious diffi- 
 culties which the war between this country 
 and England occasioned, will now be remove 
 pd, never, I hope, to return. Does not the 
 heart of my dear sister glow with lively grat- 
 iitude to the Author of every gift, that we 
 are allowed again to enjoy the sweets of na- 
 tional peace ? O let us magnify the Lord and 
 exalt his name together for this unexpected* 
 undeserved favor. My foreboding mind was 
 looking forward with dread to the bloody 
 scenes of another campaign, and could see no 
 prospect of returning peace; when, behold, 
 the olive branch again visits our shore. Is 
 there now any thing to prevent the perfect 
 union and co-operation of christians in Eng- 
 land and America in the great work of send- 
 ing the gospel to every creature under heav- 
 en ? Doubtless it was in answer to the prayers 
 of God's people on both sides the Atlantic, 
 that we were blessed with returning peace. I 
 -jgnow of no obstruction now to prevent Amer- 
 
172 
 
 ican christians from gratifying the most ex- 
 tensive benevolence of their hearts. The 
 whole world is before them 5 a large majority 
 of its inhabitants are destitute of the " Words 
 of eternal life," and Christ has commanded 
 that the gospel should be preached to every 
 creature. Blessed be his name that he is 
 raising up some from among our brethren and 
 sisters, and filling their souls with a holy 
 zeal to fulfill this benevolent command. Shall 
 we now sit down in criminal supineness, 
 while others are entering into the fields al- 
 ready whitened for the harvest ? Oh no, it 
 shall not be so; for the same Spirit, which is 
 influencing the hearts of European christians 
 to forsake all to proclaim the name of Jesus 
 in heathen lands, and has called some of our 
 dear brothers and sisters to the same self-de- 
 nying work, will still operate, and many more 
 shall be prepared and sent forth. 
 
 How greatly should I rejoice to see you., 
 my dear sister. I should rejoice if Provi- 
 dence should lead you to visit Plympton. — 
 May it not yet be so? I will still hope it may, 
 and while we are separate I will solicit a fre- 
 quency of. letters. Kindly remember me to 
 dear Bedford friends, particularly to Mrs. IL 
 and daughter ; and every dear sister in the 
 female meeting. 
 
 Have yon, my dear sister, ever seen Kich- 
 jRrer's account of his mission in the South of 
 
173 
 
 Africa ? I have recently sent to Bostoh, but 
 could not obtain it. It is a most affecting 
 and interesting little pamphlet, particularly 
 the conversation of the three converted Hot- 
 tentots, who accompanied him to England, 
 with the Missionary Society. If you have 
 ever seen it I presume it was as a feast of fat 
 things to your soul. 
 
 Your unworthy, affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 Plympton,— 1816. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 Dear Sister, 
 Your acquaintance with me, my dear sis- 
 ter, must have led you to observe that sloth- 
 fulness is a sin which easily besets me. Its 
 influence is most pernicious in spiritual con- 
 cerns ; but extends to all the actions of my 
 life. Were it not for this, I might have much 
 time to devote to reading, and often enjoy 
 the privilege of writing to my dear corres- 
 pondents. But it is now very seldom the 
 case that I can command an hour free from 
 company or some necessary domestic duty. 
 I hope I may never be suffered to repine, 
 that God has required active duties. It is 
 | certainly proper that we should "labor, work- 
 | ing with our hands ;" not to amass riches, or 
 
174 
 
 gratify a worldly spirit, but that we may have 
 to give to him that needeth. I find much 
 reason to be dissatisfied with myself that I do 
 so little; and that little, with a temper of 
 heart so improper. Would it not be pleasant 
 to labor, could we do it with a desire to " re- 
 deem the time," and do something for God ? 
 How much I should rejoice to welcome 
 my dear sister in P. ; to introduce you to 
 some of our dear brothers and sisters, whose 
 real, christian excellence ought highly to be 
 valued, though unattended with those accom- 
 plishments which a deceitful world calls en- 
 gaging. My husband would also be much 
 gratified with a visit from you, and I would 
 teach my prattling babe to love a friend so 
 dear to his mama. To us he is quite an in- 
 teresting child ; but alas, he is an enemy to 
 God, and 1 am not suitably affected with the 
 melancholly truth. O that it may please 
 God to spare him, and prepare him for some 
 humble employment in the vineyard of the 
 Lord. 
 
 I hope for an opportunity of conveying 
 this and several other worthless letters by 
 Mr. H****. My dear sister will prize 
 the blessing she enjoys of sitting under his 
 ministry. Is it not very evident that he is 
 remarkably assisted and blessed of the Lord ? 
 While he is enabled to commend himself to 
 every man^s conscience in the sight of God, 
 his labor will not be in vain in the Lord* 
 

 175 
 
 1 feel a pleasing confidence that that little 
 church to which you belong is established on 
 theRock of ages, and that no weapon formed 
 against her shall prosper. Amidst surround- 
 ing mists of error, she is established to dis- 
 play the light of truth, like a city set on a 
 hill which cannot be hid. O may every 
 member be enabled to walk as a child of light. 
 Perhaps there are but few christians placed 
 in circumstances so favorable for doing good, 
 as those in your church. Their temper and 
 conduct, as far as can be seen by mortal eyes. 
 are very much observed, and if agreable to 
 the gospel, will have a great effect. It is a 
 very happy thing when christians are ena- 
 bled by well-doing to put to silence the ignor- 
 ance of foolish men. O may it never be 
 found that the advocates for free-will in any of 
 its modifications, excel the professors of evan^ 
 gelical principles, in the practice of holiness. 
 O may that dear church, for which I still feel 
 a peculiar regard, produce many brothers of 
 like spirit with Brainerd, Newell, &c; and 
 sisters, whose piety and missionary zeal shall 
 equal those dear female worthies, whose lives 
 are published for an example to us. 
 
 I cannot give a very flattering answer to 
 your kind enquiry respecting our female 
 meeting. The members of the meeting are 
 considerably numerous, yet our meetings are 
 generally very small. I trust however that 
 
176 
 
 we find it good to meet, even if there are but 
 "two or three." I long for the privilege of 
 meeting with you once more at New Bedford, 
 Has our friend H. P. joined the female meet- 
 ing ? Has she yet been disposed to profess 
 Christ before the world ? I hope she may be 
 made an eminent example of the power of di- 
 vine grace. Remember me to her if you 
 please. Has my dear young friend, Miss A., 
 been made willing to receive eternal life 
 through Jesus Christ ? My love to her and 
 other friends. — Respectful regard to your 
 father. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 Plympton, — 1816* 
 
 To Miss H. P. 
 
 Has God preserved my dear sister H***** 
 from the ravages of pestilence ? If you had 
 been called to join the congregation of the 
 dead, surely some kind friend would have in- 
 formed me of the affecting event. I shall 
 therefore address you as still an inhabitant of 
 this dying world. How much longer it may 
 thus be said of us, Cod only knows. Our 
 times are in his hands. The bounds of our 
 habitation are fixed, and beyond them we 
 cannot pass. Our work is appointed, and 
 
177 
 
 must be completed, before we drop the body* 
 But when the time of our departure arrives, 
 "an angel's arm can't snatch us from the 
 grave," or give us power to live a moment 
 longer. The prevalence of disease and death 
 is calculated to make us realize that we too 
 must die and enter the world of spirits. I 
 hope my very dear sister is enabled to feel, 
 that she is but a pilgrim here, and that the 
 time is short ; that she must do quickty, what 
 is to be done. Alas, it is not so with me* 
 For a short time, while those on every side 
 are sickening and dying, I seem to feel in 
 some measure the uncertainty and brevi- 
 ty of my own life ; but quickly forget the sol- 
 emn truth, and live as if this world were my 
 home. O for an abiding, lively sense of the 
 vanity of the world and the amazing weight 
 of eternal realities. Such a sense would reg* 
 ulate our affections properly, and prevent an 
 inordinate attachment to created good. 
 
 The dear delights of friendship can be but 
 momentary in this world; and, were it not 
 for the anticipation of their continuance be- 
 yond the grave, would not be of much value. 
 • But when we consider the nature, foundation, 
 and duration of christian friendship, we per- 
 ceive a value ifr it, far beyond any mere earth- 
 ly comfort. Those who are united to Jesus, 
 and to each other by the indissoluble bond 
 of holy love, will experience only a short 
 
178 
 
 interruption at death; and will again be uni 
 ted in another, better world; and their joys 
 will be sealed with the stamp of eternity. 
 
 Is the strong affection which has existed 
 between us ever since our first acquaintance 
 of this exalted, holy kind? As it respects my- 
 self, I dare not answer confidently that it is. 
 Yet at some times,I have a hope that we shall 
 be made meet, by the almighty arm of grace, 
 to unite forever in the blessed employments 
 of those, who are washed and made white in 
 the blood of the Lamb. With shame and 
 blushing I must confess that my general de* 
 poitrhent and feelings of heart are entirely 
 inconsistent with such a hope. Jesus saves 
 his people from their sins ; and, if I am one 
 of his people, why am I not delivered from 
 sin ? 
 
 A few months since there were with us 
 some hopeful appearances of a revival. Sev- 
 eral were alarmed, some of whom obtained 
 hopes, and give striking evidence, that they 
 have passed from death to life. Others re- 
 turned to a state of carelessness. At pres- 
 ent there is no general attention to religion, 
 though I hope there are a few individuals, 
 who feel that they are in an evil case. Death 
 has lately been commissioned to remove our 
 acquaintances in quick succession into the 
 eternal world. Many are clad in the gar- 
 ments of mourning, and I have a hope that 
 
179 
 
 God will sanctify his dealings to the living, 
 and make them feel the necessity of immedi- 
 ate preparation for death. Do my dear 
 \ Hannah, visit us soon. How very much I 
 long to see you. May God bless you and 
 keep you, and show you much of his glory. 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Morton. 
 
 The following extract from a letter to her 
 I friend in Hollowell is in her usual spirit,when- 
 j ever she descants upon the subject of Missions. 
 
 Plympton, — 1817. 
 To Mrs. N. N. 
 You see, my dear sister, how much I have 
 written, and have not yet adverted to the as- 
 tonishing displays of divine power and grace 
 with which the earth is illumined. O how I 
 | should rejoice to converse with y on on the 
 | pleasing theme. In imagination we would 
 make the tour of the world, calling at the dif- 
 ferent Missionary stations, and learning how 
 ! the Lord is making bare his arm for the salva- 
 tion of the heathen — from the frozen climes 
 of Iceland and Russia to the burning plains of 
 Africa and Asia. Among the millions of idol? 
 aters we should discover the glorious light of 
 truth beaming with heavenly radiance from 
 the different missionary stations. But 
 
180 
 
 the subject is absolutely boundless. You 
 doubtless have access to the various periodic- 
 al works whose object it is to diffuse light and 
 information respecting the various triumphs 
 of Zion's King. I am ashamed that I feel so 
 little and do so little at this blessed day, when 
 God is evidently rising in his glory to build 
 up Zion. 
 
 I have scarcely ever been more interested 
 by any providential circumstance of the like 
 nature, than in the case of the little captive 
 Osage Indian, and the price of her redemp- 
 tion being offered. Has my friend, Mrs. G., 
 yet enlisted under the Captain of our salva- 
 tion ? Has your amiable daughter given her 
 heart, her all to Jesus, and taken him for her 
 everlasting portion ? Remember me to them 
 if you please, and say the "time is short when 
 they who are righteous will be righteous 
 still." 
 
 With affection yours, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 Freetown, — 1813. 
 To Mrs. F. C. 
 My dear and highly valued friends, I have 
 for some time been hoping that Providence 
 might open some door for Mr. Dexter or my- 
 self to visit you ; but as 1 ^ee no present pros* 
 
1 81 
 
 pect of it I have recourse to the pen. We 
 truly sympathize with you in all the chastise- 
 ments of our heavenly Father's hand. We 
 too have been called to taste the cup of sor- 
 row. I deserve to drink the very dregs, and 
 to lie down in hopeless, everlasting woe. 
 Yet God is graciously bestowing innumerable 
 mercies, and we are living witnesses for him 5 
 that he is good to the eviLand unthankful. — 
 In October last we were called to bury anoth- 
 er infant son. God has loaned us three. Two 
 are already removed, but the first born is still 
 spared. His ways are righteous, holy, just, 
 and good. May r we learn wisdom hy every 
 chastisement of his gracious hand. 
 
 May it not be said of every individual be? 
 liever, "I have chosen you in the furnace of af- 
 fliction V Had I sufficient evidence that I be- 
 long to the family of Christ, I think these 
 things would not much move me ; but to have 
 a heart so little affected with the glories of 
 the divine character and government. — to be 
 so little engaged in the astonishing displays of 
 divine grace, with which the world is filled— - 
 surely that is cause of grief ; that is sufficient 
 to overwhelm with conscious guilt and shame. 
 
 1 have no doubt but you rejoice and praise 
 God for the wonders which he is doing by the 
 instrumentality of the missionaries of the 
 cross. God is evidently now saying to the 
 porth, give up ; and to the south, keep not 
 
 15* ■ 
 
182 
 
 back; bring my sons from far, and my daugh? 
 ters from the ends of the earth. Ethiopia is 
 stretching out her hands unto God ; the isles 
 are waiting for his law. Some heathen na- 
 tions are burning their idols, and are crying 
 to the zealous missionary, "Come and teach 
 us the knowledge of the true God." Even on 
 poor benighted Burmah, and the immense 
 population of China, is the light of divine 
 {ruth beginning to dawn. Christ is beginning 
 to take to himself his great power, and to reign 
 over those who have long satin the darkness 
 of paganism. The heathen are his inheri- 
 tance and the utterpiost parts of the earth 
 shall be his possession. 
 
 I have recently heard that you are enjoy- 
 ing a shower of divine grace. O may it con- 
 tinue and increase, till a very great army 
 shall be raised up for the service of Imman- 
 uel our King. Were I amon^ the number of 
 the true and faithful; could I be concerned for 
 the glory of God and the salvation of souls,and 
 yet so much swallowed up in my own little 
 wants and woes ? I think I do sincerely re- 
 joice when I hear of revivals of religion ; 
 but alas,my heart, if at all engaged, is not suf- 
 ficiently engrossed in the all-important con- 
 cern. 
 
 As it respects us in P. we have abundant 
 caiise for " lamentation, mourning, and woe. n 
 Iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes 
 
183 
 
 h cold. I fear we have provoked the blessed 
 Spirit to withdraw and leave us to barrenness 
 and desolation. I sometimes feel almost en* 
 tircly discouraged. But I trust there are at 
 least a few who sigh and cry for the abomina- 
 tions which prevail ; and 1 have some hope 
 that we shall witness the fulfilment of this 
 scripture, " When the enemy shall come in 
 like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall 
 lift up a standard against him.' 5 do remen> 
 ber us and let our church have a deep share 
 in your petitions. In the place from which I 
 write, hateful errors abound, and have appar-* 
 ently almost choked the seed of divine truth. 
 There are but very few, who hold the faith 
 pnce delivered to the saints. I wish some 
 Missionary society would compassionate this 
 dessolate spot. Should a missionary of the 
 right stamp be sent to labor here, much good 
 might be done, and some souls now lost in the 
 maze of error might be brought into the light 
 jind liberty of the gospeh 
 
 I take the liberty to addres this^ letter to 
 you all, rather than to write three separate 
 letters. May the peace of God which passes 
 all understanding fiH your hearts? Mr. D ? 
 wishes a remembrance. 
 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter* 
 
184 
 Plympton, — 1818. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 My very dear Sister ? 
 
 If the worthlessness of my letters might be 
 considered a sufficient apology for my long 
 silence, 1 should need no other. But when 1 
 observe by my memorandum that it is more 
 than twelve months since 1 have written to 
 one of the dearest of my friends, I can but 
 reproach myself as guilty of ungrateful neg- 
 lect. I think, if I am not deceived, that I have 
 often experienced a peculiar blessing in the 
 perusal .of your letters. They are a precious 
 cordial, the excellencies of which I cannot 
 well describe. This expression of my feel- 
 ing will, I fear, seem like flattery ; but noth- 
 ing is farther from my intention. 
 
 { haye heard of the wonders of a wonder- 
 working God in the region about you ; and 
 even among your own society. Contrast- 
 ing the situation of N. B. and the towns 
 on each side of it, with what it was some 
 fifteen or twenty years ago, some conception 
 may be obtained of the astonishing displays 
 of sovereign grace. Surely it is a place high- 
 ly favored of the Lord. May each of his 
 children there be enabled to render to him 
 according to benefits received. From a 
 Vineytfld so highly cultivated, much fruit 
 pay be reasonably expected ; and 1 doubt 
 
1$5 
 
 not but a rich revenae of praise arises from 
 that favored spot, perfumed with much in- 
 cense. 
 
 No doubt your heart has been cheered and 
 exhilarated by the perusal of the last report 
 of the American Board. What nobleness in 
 designing and wisdom in executing are there 
 displayed. I am led to say respecting each 
 of the establishments under their patronage, 
 " What hath God wrought V ' Whether we 
 turn our eyes to the eastern or western 
 Heathen, we discover the leadings of divine 
 Providence and the peculiar blessing of the 
 Lord on our dearly beloved missionaries, — 
 the love of Christ constraining them, and 
 the grace of Christ supporting them. We 
 have abundant reason to be satisfied with the 
 instruments, which God has chosen to "bear 
 his name among the gentiles.' 1 They appear 
 to possess an apostolic spirit, and to be emi^ 
 nently devoted to the blessed work, under the 
 influence of a zeal according to knowledge. — 
 We know who it is from whom cometh every 
 good and perfect gift. Every grace and qual- 
 ification of the most distinguished missionary 
 is from him who received gifts for men. " Of 
 him, and to him, and through him are all 
 things 5 to whom be glory forever." Every 
 crown will be cast at his feet, and the glory 
 of what has been done,as well as what has been 
 jenjoyed, will be ascribed to him. O may w$ 
 
186 
 
 here enjoy something of the blessedness of 
 those who have departed to be with Christ, 
 in beholding the luminous displays of his 
 grace in the Church. It is but an emanation 
 from the infinite excellence of his nature, 
 which makes our dear missionary brethren so 
 interesting and lovely. They, as well as eve- 
 ry other believer, are beautiful through the 
 comeliness which he puts on them. This 
 idea is illustrated by Dr. Watts, speaking in 
 the name of the Church. 
 
 "Though in ourselves deformed we are. 
 And black as Kedar's tents appear ; 
 
 Yet when we put thy beauties on ? 
 Fair as the courts of Solomon." 
 
 O my dear sister, may we be constantly en- 
 abled to behold him by an eye of faith, as the 
 Alpha and Omega to his church; the blessed 
 Vine from whose infinite fulness every branch 
 derives all its beauty, verdure, and fruitful- 
 ness; and may we love the branches for his 
 sake. 
 
 Among the names of very many dear faith- 
 ful missionaries, that of Mr. Brainerd will 
 ever hold a distinguished place. We gave it 
 to our last infant son, the same we were 
 called to relinquish after it had been but 
 few hours in our fond arms. We besought 
 the good Shepherd to sanctify its polluted 
 
187 
 
 tare, and receive it into his arms to some 
 humble place amid the innumerable company 
 which surround the throne of God and the 
 Lamb. If it had been spared, I should have 
 desired no greater blessing for it, than that it 
 should have been like him whose name we 
 gave it ; and in its death I could ask no more, 
 than that it might be prepared for the same 
 blessed society. 
 
 I trust, my dear sister, that you have en- 
 joyment in divine things, though you proba- 
 bly suffer much from feeble health. 1 feel 
 anxious to hear how you are. I do really 
 wish much to see you here. You might do 
 good, if you received none. There is abun- 
 dant need of christian exertion among us. We 
 are very, very far from what we ought to be. 
 Unhallowed feelings corrode the breasts of 
 brothers and sisters; and I sometimes fear 
 that we have nearly arrived at that state of 
 which the Apostle speaks ; "all seek their own 
 and not the things of Jesus Christ." It is pain- 
 fully evident that some of the disciples of Je- 
 sus have forgotten their first love; and are 
 apparently less concerned for his glory than 
 for their own private interest. We stand in 
 perishing need of heavenly showers of grace. 
 O that we may be deeply humbled on account 
 of our sinful departure from the right ways of 
 the Lord. 
 ... Be so kind as to remember me to dear 
 
188 
 
 friends — I shall endeavor to write to A*** 
 by the next conveyance. I ought to have 
 answered her acceptable letter before. 
 Your unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 Plympton, — 1819. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 On this consecrated evening while the 
 friends of Immanuel in every quarter of the 
 globe are bowing the knee and supplicating 
 for blessings on a ruined world, I feel an in- 
 vincible desire to write a few lines to that 
 dearly beloved sister whose affections are so 
 much engaged in the blessed cause. When 
 I reflect on your situation— on my own — on 
 the loss I shall sustain if spared longer in the 
 world, my heart is fall to overflowing, and I 
 have Feason to fear that your feeble frame 
 will scarce endure to hear my letter read. — 
 Ever since your encreased illness, I have in- 
 dulged^ hope, that 1 should again see your 
 face in the flesh. I do still hope so — though 
 I wish to feel entirely submissive, and say 
 "thy will be done." I feel a desire to express 
 to you my dear sister, once more before you 
 leave the church below, the tenderness and 
 strength of my affection for you. I feel that 
 I have reason to bless God for the privilege 
 
189 
 
 of* your friendship — and am sensible that I 
 ought not to wish to detain you longer in a 
 sinful world, at a distance from our Heavenly 
 Father's house, when Jesus seems to be man- 
 ifesting his pleasure that you should soon be 
 with him where he is, to behold his glory. — 
 But I cannot avoid feeling the loss with keen 
 sensibility, I hope God will so order it in 
 his providence, that those friends who enjoy 
 the privilege of visiting you in your gradual 
 descent into the valley of the shadow of 
 death, will inform me how the Lord is dealing 
 with you, and with what views you are 
 favored, while on the confines of glory. But 
 I doubt not that the Lord will manifest his 
 glory to your view and graciously sustain 
 your sinking frame. O he is infinitely able, 
 full of grace and truth. While flesh and 
 heart are failing 1 doubt not you are enabled to 
 say, 4 God is the strength of my heart and will 
 be my portion forever.' I trust he will be 
 with you in the final conflict, and will .make 
 you more than a conqueror through him who 
 hath loved you and washed you in his own 
 precious blood. May Christ enable you to 
 show forth his praise until your voice be lost 
 in --death. Is not your heart ravished with 
 the prospect, while only anticipating an en- 
 trance into the blessed society above, where 
 all is joy, and love, and praise ; where the 
 sun of righteousness displays the effulgence of 
 
 16 
 
190 
 
 his glory ? Yoti have lived to see the dawning 
 and advance of the Millennial day, a day of 
 wonders in the kingdom of grace ; and are al- 
 lowed to hope in the redemption purchased 
 with the blood of the Lamb* You are ena- 
 bled to say — " O to grace how great a deb- 
 tor ;" and to ascribe all the glory, for the 
 blessings you have enjoyed, or hope to enjoy, 
 to sovereign grace. 
 
 O my dear, dear sister, may an abundant 
 entrance be administered to you, into the 
 presence of him who filleth Heaven with his 
 glory. Accept my kindest thanks for all 
 your sisterly regard, and every expression of 
 your faithful love. May the Lord Jesus ena- 
 ble you to lean constantly on his compassion- 
 ate bosom, and when called to be absent from 
 the body may you " breathe your life out 
 sweetly there." For a short season I must 
 say, Adieu, 
 
 Mary Dexter* 
 
 Plympton, — 1819. 
 To Miss B. M. 
 My ever dear sister, 
 By the kindness of our friend Mr. 
 JJ***** I learned more particularly the state 
 of your health and other circumstances, than 
 1 have ever before been able to obtain, since 
 
191 
 
 the first information of your illness. I would 
 endeavor to bless God for his great goodness 
 to you, and pray that his presence may con- 
 tinually surround you until you sleep in Je- 
 sus and awake in his likeness* The faithful- 
 ness of Jehovah is engaged for your complete 
 redemption. On that you rely as on an im- 
 moveable rock, against which the hosts of hell 
 shall never prevail. I trust you enjoy re- 
 freshing and glorious views of eternal reali- 
 ties, and will be enabled to shew forth his 
 loving-kindness, while "life and breath re- 
 main." You have often occasion to rejoice 
 in the wonderful displays of sovereign grace, 
 in the many powerful revivals of religion 
 which are prevailing. In this region the 
 
 Eeople of God have strong hopes that the 
 <ord is about to appear in his glory to build 
 up Zion. Appearances have certainly never 
 been so encouraging since I have resided here 
 as at present. Among Mr. P's parishoners 
 about two miles from us a very considerable 
 degree of solemnity is evinced ; and in other 
 parts of his society the same is evident. — 
 Some have given evidence of a gracious 
 change. I hope I do long for Christ's spirit- 
 ual appearing ; and yet I often fear that I am 
 the very Achan that prevents or retards it. 
 Search me, O God and try me, and make me 
 to know myself. Beyond a doubt the friends 
 pf God in this place are pleading very ear- 
 
192 
 
 liestly with him that he would speedily arise 
 and plead his own cause, and make his ene- 
 mies submit themselves unto him. O may 
 riot our iniquities provoke him to leave us as 
 the barren heath in the desert, which does 
 not see when good cometh. I hope, my dear- 
 est sister, you will live to rejoice in another 
 revival of religion around you, the glory of 
 which shall far surpass all that you have ever 
 witnessed. 
 
 Until the receipt of Mr. ITs letter, I was 
 in a state of uncertainty whether you would 
 be able to read my letters,or were able to hear 
 them read, if I should write. I have there- 
 fore refrained from writing many times when 
 my feelings strongly urged it. Though con- 
 scious that my barren letters can afford little 
 satisfaction to one on the confines of eternal 
 beatitude, yet it is to me a sweet satisfaction 
 to write to a sister so tenderly beloved, whose 
 friendship I consider as one of the greatest 
 blessings of my life. Our mutual friend as- 
 sured me of what I presumed before, that yoij 
 had no expectation of recovery. I fear that 
 I am unreconciled to the prospect of your 
 leaving us. But it is not on your account. 
 I believe it will be far better for you to be 
 absent from the body, as I trust you will ther 
 be present with the Lord. 
 
 May you be sustained by the almighty 
 arm of Jehovah unjier all the weakness an<J 
 
193 
 
 distress through which you may be called be- 
 fore you enter the eternal world. 
 
 With unabating affection, your unworlhy 
 sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter* 
 
 Plymptoi), — 1819, 
 
 To Miss S. F. C. 
 
 My dear sister, 
 
 It would greatly rejoice me to visit you 
 personally instead of sending this letter by 
 jny husband. But providence seems to hedge 
 Up the way, and I ought to rejoice in it. I 
 think I wish to derive benefit from all the 
 events through which I am called to pass, and 
 to rejoice when my o\yn will is crossed. You 
 probably enjoy the privilege of seeing our 
 dear departing sister Mayhew. Earnestly do 
 I long to see her once more while remaining 
 4n the body; to receive her dying counsel, 
 and witness the consolations of God which a- 
 bound in her. Prize the blessing, my dear 
 S****, and may it be a means of your more 
 rapid advance in the christian race. When 
 Dea. B. visited here I fully purposed to have 
 written you 5 but a variety of demands on my 
 time prevented. 1 am not now able to write 
 to your dear mother separately, but beg that 
 
 16* 
 
194 
 
 she will accept a share in this. Your family 
 are repeatedly bereaved. God sees fit in his 
 infinite wisdom to exercise some of his dear 
 children with a larger share of affliction than 
 others. Bat shall we on that account im- 
 peach his benevolence, or doubt his love to 
 us? Surely not. ■ J Whom the Lord loveth 
 he conecteth, and scourgeth every son whorp 
 he receiveth." He is infinitely lovely in 
 taking as well as in bestowing blessings. 
 
 We doubt not you have now another si.% 
 ter in heaven. Thoqgh we mourn her depar- 
 ture, we have abundant cause of thanksgiving 
 that she has la ft such a testimony to the pow- 
 er and grace of the gospel. Her warfare is 
 accomplished, while we remain " pilgrims in 
 this barren land." 
 
 Experience has taught me to feel a tender 
 sympathy in Mrs. r Ps. loss of her babe. I 
 hope God will make it up in the abundant 
 communications of his love. To do this he 
 is infinitely able, for he is the omnipotent Je» 
 hovah, rich in mercy to all that call upon 
 Jiim* 
 
 You have probably heard much more re- 
 specting the wonderful displays of divine 
 grace in S***, W***, and the "region round 
 about/' than I have been able to learn, and 
 liave glorified God on that account. With- 
 out doubt we live in such a day of w T onders 
 as has never before been witnessed by thse 
 
195 
 
 church. God is wonderfully appearing, to 
 have mercy on Zion,by stirring up the hearts 
 of his people every where to devise liberal 
 things. The gospel is spreading in almost 
 every nation and kingdom. The important 
 enquiry with respect to ourselves ought to 
 be, Are we personally interested in the great 
 salvation ; and, What would the Lord have 
 us to do in this day of Zion's enlargement? 
 Undoubtedly the daughters, as well as the 
 son?, have something to do to promote her 
 interests. What may we do in the sphere of 
 action, which God has marked out for female 
 believers? May we have wisdom from above 
 to understand our duty, and persevering 
 grace to perform it even to the end. 1 long 
 to see you and your dear mother. How 
 much we should be gratified to see you both 
 here. We hope we begin to awake from our 
 slumbers, and we believe that some are ena- 
 bled to cry in faith, "Arise, O Lord, plead 
 thine own cause." Within a few days past 
 we have seen a display of divine power in 
 bringing down the stout heart. A few months 
 
 ago Mr. appeared in the front rank $f 
 
 opposition to God and to his people. Now 
 he trembles in view of the wrath to come, 
 and asks those whom he has cruelly slandered 
 tq visit him and to pray for him. Such pow- 
 er belongeth unto God. We hope the Lord 
 intends to make him a trophy of his victorious 
 
grace. For some time past the enemies have 
 opened their mouths wide in opposing the 
 cause of God. They have recently reproach- 
 ed the friends of Christ, by saying, " You are 
 trying to have a reformation,but you will not 
 succeed, except it may be with some few silly 
 women." But we think that some have been 
 enabled to spread that reproach before the 
 Lord, as Hezekiah did the blasphemous let- 
 ter of Rabshakah ; and we hope the God of 
 grace will vindicate his own glory. You re- 
 collect Mr. B. who used to reside at , 
 
 He this day related to us the way in which 
 the Lord had shown him the exceeding sin- 
 fulness of his heart, his exposure to eternal 
 despair, and opened to his mind the way of 
 salvation. I scarcely ever heard a more af* 
 fecting relation and prayer. He gives very 
 clear evidence of bejng a subject of divine 
 grace. O may such be multiplied among us 
 3s drops of morning dew. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 The following is the last letter address* 
 ed to Miss Mayhew, a young lady of New- 
 Bedford, a favorite correspondent of Mrs, 
 Dexter. Shortly after this Miss M. wr*s nam- 
 
197 
 
 bered with the dead ; and her spirit we hum- 
 bly trust was gathered to the spirits of the 
 just, 
 
 Plympton, — 1819, 
 
 To Miss B. M. 
 
 My very dear Sister, 
 
 I hive just heard that you have not yet 
 joined the church triumphant, and as Mr. H. 
 has assured me that my letters do not injure 
 your feeble frame, I feel a very strong inclin- 
 ation to write you a few lines. If we were 
 indulged with the privilege of a personal in- 
 terview, and your strength could endure it, 
 how much we might say concerning the 
 mighty wonders of grace which are display- 
 ing in almost every quarter of the world. If 
 j^ou are able to hear the accounts contained 
 in the Herald and Recorder, your soul is of- 
 ten filled with praise. Who that is acquaint- 
 ed with the great events which are constant- 
 ly unfolding, can doubt but that the King of 
 Kings is on his way to take the kingdom?— 
 Sometimes 1 do indulge a hope that my heart 
 rejoices in his approach. But conscious 
 guilt sinks my spirits, and makes me tremble. 
 1 will not however grieve your benevolent 
 heart by the tale of my exceeding sinfulness. 
 
 Our dear devoted missionary brethren con- 
 tinue to give us abundant evidence that they 
 are called of God, and qualified by his grace 
 
198 
 
 for their arduous, important work. Their 
 equally devoted wives claim also a large share 
 of our affection. Were the understanding of 
 the heathen illuminated to discern the excel- 
 lence of their spirit and characters, they 
 would behold in them a lovely transcript of 
 the heavenly religion, which they inculcate. 
 The time will come when the heathen shall 
 see and feel the influence of the gospel. They 
 will be constrained to cast away their idols 
 to the moles and bats, and to relinquish their 
 foolish, indecent abominations. The word 
 has gone forth, " He shall have the Heathen 
 for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts 
 of the earth for his possession ;" and shall it 
 return void ? Surely not. Nor can we sup- 
 pose that he, who is wonderful in counsel, 
 would qualify and incline so many of his sons 
 and daughters, to leave their native land and 
 go forth to proclaim the gospel among the 
 heathen, unless there was work of grace to 
 be performed through their instrumentality. 
 In God's own appointed time, the heathen 
 shall be gathered into the fold of Christ. — 
 Thrice happy are they who cheerfully assist 
 in forwarding the blessed work. I think it 
 must give you satisfaction to see the society, 
 which has so much engaged your feelings and 
 exertions, shooting forth so many "Branches." 
 Did you anticipate, at its commencement, 
 that in six years, the "Heathen's Friend" 
 
 59 
 
199 
 
 would receive seven additional Branches in 
 adjoining Towns? May God give every mem- 
 ber fourfold zeal. 
 
 May the gracious Lord, to whom you are 
 consecrated, grant you abundant consolations 
 till you shall be received into the general as- 
 sembly of the just made perfect. 
 
 Adieu, my dearly beloved friend, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 The following short letter shows how de- 
 sirous Mrs. Dexter was to do good on every 
 
 ! occasion. It was a few lines, accompanying 
 a small number of religious Tracts, put into 
 
 i the hands of one of the members of the 
 church in Plympton upon her commencing a 
 journey. 
 
 Lord's Day ^ September 28th, 1820. 
 
 To Mrs* S. T. 
 
 My very dear Sister, 
 
 I find that my heart cleaves to yota, and 
 1 will I trust follow you in your intended jour- 
 | ney. O may you constantly enjoy the pre- 
 , sence of Christ, and the transforming views 
 \ of his lovely character, which the Holy Spir- 
 it gives to those who follow him fully. Our 
 I time is short and very soon we shall be called 
 
200 
 
 to stand before the great white throne an 
 "pass the solemn test." I entreat your pray- 
 ers for me, most vile and hateful, that 1 may 
 be prepared then to appear in the perfect 
 righteousness of Immanuel, to be with him 
 where he is and to behold his glory* If a 
 heart o pray be given me, I certainly shall 
 remember you. 
 
 Our dear church at this time appears so 
 overspread with sins and iniquities, that I am 
 filled with discouragement and am almost 
 ready to fear the awful denunciation of him, 
 who walketh in the midst of the golden can- 
 dlesticks, "I will spue thee out of my mouth." 
 I have thought more of late that I may be the 
 Achan in the camp, for whose cause others 
 are left to stray ; and that the Lord of the 
 vineyard is about to remove me as a noxious 
 branch, so that the remaining branches may 
 again flourish in gospel purity. 
 
 His wisdom is infinite, — O that my soul 
 may rejoice in this precious word, "my coun- 
 sel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." 
 Though that counsel should consign me a vile, 
 ungrateful, unbelieving wretch to the black- 
 ness of darkness for ever, yet it will be wi^cr 
 and holy, just and good. Holy beings will 
 rejoice in it, and sinful ones too will be under 
 eternal obligations to love and rejoice in the 
 government of God, because his government 
 will be just and good and righteous forever 
 and ever. 
 
201 
 
 I have, my dear sister, put up a few Tracts 
 together with the valuable letters of Mrs. O. 
 thinking they might agreably occupy a leis- 
 ure hour in your journey, or help you to drop 
 a word in season by which some soul might 
 be eternally benefited. I trust those among 
 whom you may go will be constrained to 
 take knowledge of you that you have been 
 with Jesus. May his gracious providence 
 lead you out and return you home in peace 
 and safety. 
 
 Your affectionate unworthy sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 The two following letters were addressed 
 to young ladies who had been Mrs. Dexter's 
 pupils. The advice they contain, while it 
 discovers the writer's solicitude for the im- 
 mortal welfare of her pupils, is equally appli- 
 cable to other young persons of the same 
 age. 
 
 Plympton, — 1820. 
 Misses S. M. C.andC. T. 
 
 Accept my thanks, my dear pupils, for 
 your expressions of gratitude. Your attention 
 and improvement during the quarter now 
 closing have been highly gratifying. You 
 will not, I trust, relinquish the pursuit of 
 knowledge with your emancipation from 
 
 17 
 
202 
 
 scholastic duties* Much improvement of the 
 mind may be acquired amidst the duties of 
 active life. You have successfully entered 
 the paths of knowledge, and I hope you will 
 be induced to continue the pursuit, until your 
 minds shall be richly stored with useful 
 knowledge. Mental cultivation, especially 
 when sanctified by divine grace, gives digni- 
 ty to the female character ; while superficial 
 accomplishments and trifling levity degrade 
 the possessor and disgust the refined and ju- 
 dicious observer. 
 
 Reading well chosen books, reflection, the 
 habit of clothing your ideas in words, episto- 
 lary writing, all will be beneficial in the de- 
 velopement and cultivation of your minds. — 
 But these solid, useful accomplishments should 
 not be sought for their own sake solely; but 
 only as a qualification for greater -usefulness, 
 and in subordination to the interests of eter- 
 nity. The glory of God, the salvation of souls, 
 is of infinitely greater importance than every 
 thing else which can be named. You will 
 allow me, therefore, my dear young friends, 
 now we are about to separate, renewedly to . 
 press this " one thing needful" upon your 
 thoughts. It demands immediate attention. 
 The testimony of God's word, confirmed by 
 the voice of conscience, tells us that by na- 
 ture we are children of wrath even as others. 
 Born under the law, we are exposed to its 
 
203 
 
 penalty and nothing can save us from its in- 
 fliction but deep repentance, and faith in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, However amiable our 
 natural dispositions, however unexceptionable 
 our external deportment may be, yet if we 
 love not the Lord Jesus, we are exposed to 
 the awful anathema of him who cannot lie. — - 
 God has made us rational creatures, and has 
 informed us also that we are accountable to 
 him for our conduct. He has commanded us 
 to love him with all the heart ; and has as- 
 sured us that in so doing we shall not 
 only enjoy inexpressible peace at present, 
 but shall hereafter be filled with joy unspeak- 
 able and full of glory. And because we are 
 fallen and undone, there is a glorious Savior 
 provided, who is both able and willing to save 
 all who come unto God through him. The 
 Holy Spirit is also commissioned to reprove 
 of sin, righteousness, and judgment, to arouse 
 us from the slumbers of spiritual death. What 
 more can be done to save us than has been 
 done ? And now, my dear young friends, shall 
 we perish amidst all this rich profusion of 
 grace ? Shall we force our way to destruction 
 through all these barriers of mercy ? O no ! 
 Do let us attend immediately and earnestly 
 to this momentous concern. Let us not delay 
 to a "convenient season 5" for that may never 
 come, if we neglect the present. If we re- 
 fuse to hear while God is calling he may say 
 
204 
 
 of us, "Let them alone; my Spirit shall no 
 longer btrive with them," 
 
 To one of my two young friends, whom I 
 now address, I would say, since you have 
 professed to be a disciple of Christ, " Be not 
 conformed to this world," but let your con- 
 versation be in heaven, that others may be 
 won by your example, while they behold 
 your"chaste conversation coupled with fear." 
 Wherein you may have departed from the di- 
 rections and example of your great Master in 
 heaven, pray earnestly that you may be for- 
 given, and not be the means of leading others 
 to continue in the way, which leads to the 
 chambers of death eternal. 
 
 To the other I would affectionately say, 
 give your heart to God. Now in your youth 
 engage in the service of Christ. If you do 
 so in sincerity, you will find him a glorious 
 Master and a gracious Savior, every way 
 qualified to make you happy, tiot only here, 
 but forever, in him all fulness dwells ; all 
 power in heaven and on earth is committed 
 to his hands* He can do every thing, which 
 such guilty, lost creatures need to have done. 
 His precious blood has been shed for the re- 
 demption of souls, and he is exalted to be 'a 
 Prince and a Savior to give repentance and 
 remission of sins. Will you not, my dearly 
 beloved pupil, accept of him as your Savior 
 and Redeemer ? There is joy and peace in 
 
205 
 
 believing. There is solid enjoyment in the 
 ways of religion here ; there is support, con* 
 solation, and triumph in the awful hour of 
 death ; there is beyond the grave joy un- 
 speakable and full of glory. 
 
 May God abundantly bless you both. May 
 he give you grace to improve every qualifi- 
 cation and advantage you possess to the glory 
 of God, and the benefit of your fellow crea- 
 tures ; and when you and I shall meet at the 
 bar of the Judge of all, may it be with joy 
 and triumph, and may we be eternally united 
 in the service of God in the realms of glory. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Mary Dexter, 
 
 Plympton, — 1821. 
 
 To Miss S. M. C. 
 
 I acknowledge with gratitude the receipt of 
 two affectionate letters from my dear S****. 
 The first was a long time on its passage. The 
 last was received in due time by the hand of 
 sister D., but, as I was absent from home, 
 your request for an answer could not then be 
 complied with. Your affectionate enquiries 
 respecting my present religious enjoyment 
 demand a grateful return. A disclosure pf 
 the truth on the subject must pain you; |mt 
 
 17* 
 
206 
 
 I will not attempt to deceive by affecting an 
 engagedness which my heart does not, feel. — 
 God looketh on the heart; and I cannot be 
 unconscious that his infinitely pure eyes be- 
 hold innumerable abominations, of which my 
 fellow-creatures never suspect me. If we are 
 enabled to repair daily to the " fountain of 
 cleansing," we may be purified from the in- 
 expressible pollution and guilt of sin. Why 
 are we naturally so averse to bathing in that 
 blood, which clcanseth from all sin? Is it be- 
 cause we love independence, and would pre- 
 fer to deliver ourselves from the snare of the 
 fowler ? A life of faith, if I have a correct 
 view of the subject, is a life of absolute de- 
 pendence on another ; not for one thing alone, 
 but for every thing. To me it is undeniably 
 evident that a Savior less than the "Fellow 
 and Equal" of the Lord Almighty would be 
 entirely inadequate to the necessities of ruin- 
 ed, self-destroyed sinners. Let us then, my 
 dear young sister, prize more highly a pre- 
 cious and exalted Savior. Let us endeavor 
 to live more by faith in his name, more to his 
 glory, by consecrating every faculty to his 
 service. If we do not feel it in our daily ex- 
 perience, our understandings tell us that his 
 service is perfect freedom, his yoke easy, 
 and his burden light. We know that too 
 much cannot be done to honor him, who is 
 worthy of infinite honor. Why do not all 
 
207 
 
 who bear the christian name, particularly 
 those who believe in the outpouring of the 
 Holy Spirit to produce the zeal and activity 
 of christians ; — why do we not all arise with 
 one heart to do the will of God and show forth 
 his praise ? While overwhelmed with the 
 painful perception of our own deadness and 
 ]un profitableness in the Lord's vineyard, we 
 pay yet rejoice, my dear, that Christ has not 
 left himself without witness in his church, 
 that his grace is all-conquering and all-suffi- 
 cient. To those who point the finger of 
 scorn at such lifeless unprofitable professors 
 as you and I, and with too much reason make 
 the taunting enquiry, " What do ye more 
 than others ? we may with humble confidence 
 .gay, "Read the lives of a Brainerd, a Vander- 
 kemp, a Buchanan, a Martyn, and a Mills, 
 with many female worthies of kindred spirits, 
 and you may see the influence of true relig- 
 ion, when it shines with its intrinsic lustre.™ 
 Every instance of the power of divine grace, 
 jexemplified in the holy life of any christian, 
 ought not only to excite in us a desire to be 
 like-minded, but to fill us with gratitude to 
 him, from whom eometh every good and per- 
 fect gift. Every beam of light, emanating 
 from his infinite fulness on this dark world, 
 should be considered an undeserved favor, 
 demanding a suitable return of love. 
 
 By Mrs, H. we learn that you are engaged 
 
203 
 
 in imparting instruction to the children a- 
 round ybu. May you be enabled to discharge 
 faithfully the high trust reposed in you. — 
 You have seen the example of an unfaithful 
 teacher; and will you, my dear, endeavor to 
 improve by the failures you could but observe 
 during the last season. I hope you may be 
 made instrumental of making impressions on 
 the minds of the dear children, which may 
 endure through eternity* Remember me to 
 Miss H. and remind her of the obligation she 
 ought to feel on account of healing mercy and 
 spared life. 
 
 The ladies in P. are furnished with articles 
 for the formation of a Society, and are al- 
 ready organized ; so that there will be no 
 necessity for your feeling any further anxiety 
 on the subject. We have begun in Plympton 
 after thinking long on the subject, to prepare 
 clothing, &x. for the children of the forest. — 
 For so early a beginning we are remarkably 
 blessed in the undertaking. Write as often 
 as consistent, and believe me your 
 
 Affectionate friend. 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 The concluding letters in the series are ad- 
 dressed to family connexions. The expostu- 
 lations contained in some of them are plain, 
 
 : 
 
209 
 
 fcut they are such as fraternal affection will ' 
 cheerfully excuse. 
 
 Plympton, — 1821. 
 To Mrs. C. M. 
 My dear Sister. 
 Since hearing of my brother's illness by 
 Mrs. S., I have felt an unusual anxiety about 
 you and the dear children. I feel a deep 
 sympathy in the painful solicitude you must 
 have felt during the progress of his disorder, 
 and hope you have been supported under the 
 trial by him, whose "tender mercies are over 
 all his works." We had not heard from him 
 or from his family since I came from Free- 
 town about the middle of Feb. until the last 
 Sabbath, and knew not but that all my dear 
 relatives were in usual health. But a fearful 
 presentiment had fixed on my mind that some 
 of my friends were sick. 1 trust he is quite 
 recovered before now, and indulge the pleas- 
 ing expectation that he will be returned to 
 you in safety after the close of his public 
 business. O that God may sanctify the fre- 
 quent sicknesses, which he has been called to 
 
 . endure, for the benefit of his soul. It is in 
 itself a pleasing consideration that my broths 
 er is favored with the confidence of his fel- 
 low-citizens, and enjoys a considerable share 
 of worldly prosperity ; but a heart-rending 
 
 | fear sometimes oppresses me, that bis atten- 
 
210 
 
 lion will be diverted from things of eter- 
 nal moment. Frequent sickness and re- 
 peated bereavements admonish loudly, that 
 there is no durable enjoyment in this world, 
 nothing on which we can with safety lean 
 for happiness. And what are the enjoymen-ts 
 which the wealth, applause, and honors of 
 this world afford ? Does the possession of them 
 leave no unsatisfied desire? Ar<e they suffi- 
 cient to support the soul amid the terrors of 
 dissolving nature ? 
 
 In relation to my dear brother and sister 
 and each member of their family one earnest 
 desire predominates in my heart; — that they 
 may be convinced of the guilt and danger of 
 a state of enmity against God, may flee to 
 Jesus and trust in him as an all-sufficient Sav- 
 ior, and may cordially consecrate themselves 
 to his service. 
 
 My dear sister will not think me unkind, if 
 1 endeavor earnestly to pray for this. Could 
 I have evidence of this, mv heart would over- 
 flow with joy—for I should then have the as- 
 surance that those, who are bound to my 
 heart by the strong ties of natural affection, 
 were engaged in the most noble employments 
 of which they were capable, and were prepar- 
 ing to spend a happy eternity in the presence 
 of our God. We feel desirous to hear from 
 you, and if you will have the goodness to 
 Jeaye a line with your brother a few days 
 
211 
 
 hence, Mr. C. will call and take it directly 
 to me. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 In the following letter the writer alludes 
 to the principles of the Unitarians, — princi- 
 ples which, it is well known t prevail in many 
 parts of New England, where once a purer 
 doctrine w r as professed without any dissent- 
 ing voice, 
 
 Plympton, — 1321. 
 To Mrs C. M. 
 
 When I received your welcome letter, my 
 dear sister, the prospect of my having a con- 
 venient conveyance for an answer the next 
 week appeared promising. — But Mr. C. has 
 been delaying his visit from week to week 
 until now. Your situation with regard to re- 
 ligious privileges must excite the most tender 
 commiseration in the hearts of all, who feel 
 the value of such privileges in any measure. 
 ! Yet while I deeply lament the painful trial 
 ! to which you are thus early called, I do re- 
 joice that you feel such things to be a trial. — 
 Were you gratified and happy in the plans 
 and prospects of the Society in T. in their 
 present circumstances, grief would almost 
 
212 
 
 Overwhelm me. I should greatly fear* you 
 were given up to "strong delusions." Better 
 is it to suffer affliction with the people of 
 God than to enjoy the delusive vagaries of 
 unsanctified reason for a little season. We. 
 have, my dear sister, solemnly, and I hope 
 sincerely avouched the Lord God of Hosts to 
 be our God; the Lord Jesus Christ to be our 
 only Savior; and the Holy Ghost to be our 
 only Sanctifier. * Virtually, if not explicitly, 
 we have engaged to govern our faith and prac- 
 tice by the oracles of God. Is there no mean- 
 ing in this most solemn transaction ? Are we 
 now at liberty to deny the authority of the 
 law and to impugn the character of the Law- 
 giver? O may we shudder at the impious 
 thought ; and may we always feel the most 
 tender compassion for those, who are left to 
 act such a sinful part. 
 
 There are undoubtedly many points of dif- 
 ference in religious sentiment, which do not 
 affect the vital principle of piety. But the 
 doctrines to which you have of late been 
 obliged to listen, we must say from the most 
 careful attention to the Bible, are not of this 
 description. There must be a fundamental 
 difference. If the views we have fondly cher- 
 ished as the life and joy of our souls, be ia 
 reality those which God reveals, the opposite 
 connot be Christianity. You have, I doubt 
 Jiot, often shuddered at the temerity discover- 
 
213 
 
 ed by many in explaining away, and as it 
 were annihilating the most momentous gos- 
 pel truths; and have been melted into com- 
 passion for them, when reading the solemn, 
 awful denunciations of Jesus and his Apostles 
 respecting such characters. 
 
 My husband heard yesterday that Mr. — 
 had given an affirmative reply to the invita- 
 tion to settle in T. It is what 1 expected to 
 hear. For some time there has appeared to 
 me very little hope that your church would 
 be favored with what we esteem a gospel 
 minister. Believing as we do that the most 
 High governs all things after the counsel of 
 his own will, we have the highest reason to 
 believe that there is a holy and wise design 
 in this as well as in all events. May w r e be 
 enabled to exercise entire submission, while 
 we mourn that Christ should be disregarded 
 J and dishonored, and souls be deceived to their 
 : eternal ruin. It is a very important point of 
 I christian duty to feel the preciousness of the 
 i truths on which our all depends ; to love 
 them as our life, and yet at all times to cherish 
 I proper feelings towards those who oppose 
 and reproach. But this is the duty which 
 | is binding upon all, who love the Lord Jesus. 
 When the exercise of grace prevails, it is 
 easy to do so. O may those who are the 
 ! real disciples of Christ among you in this 
 day of peculiar trial be enabled to manifest 
 
 IB 
 
214 
 
 the excellence of the Spirit of Christ. While 
 earnestly maintaining the purity of divine 
 truth, may it be done with the meekness and 
 gentleness of him whom they love. Much 
 injury is oftentimes done to the best of all 
 causes by a wrong spirit in its defence. 
 
 You and nvy brother are, I have reason to 
 believe, very affectionately remembered by 
 some in this place, who, though not honored 
 with the world's applause, will be forever as 
 " kings and priests unto God." Their prayers 
 I hope may be answered with abundant bless- 
 ings on your souls, and on your family. You 
 may conceive that I have felt no small de- 
 ' gree of satisfaction in hearing that my broth- 
 er gives no suffrage to Unitarianism. That 
 must be considered as one of those errors, 
 with which we have no fellowship. — May the 
 precious, powerful truths of God's word 
 which have become the salvation of an "in- 
 numerable multitude," be made the "sword of 
 the Spirit," and the life of his soul. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 Mary Dexter. 
 
 The two following letters were written by 
 Mrs. Dexter to her brother at Washington* 
 while a member of Congress. 
 
215 
 Plympton, — 1 8 1 G , 
 To M. M, Esq. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 I must begin with an apology for delaying 
 so long to answer your kind letters of Janua- 
 ry last. I have become unaccountably remiss 
 in using the pen ; and, though I have design- 
 ed almost every mail to write you, it has still 
 been neglected. Accept my very grateful 
 acknowledgements for your fraternal generos- 
 ity. For what passed "some ten or twelve 
 years ago" I pretend to no claim ; and you 
 will allow me to receive your enclosure as a 
 kind and acceptable present. Both your let- 
 ters were received without loss or delay. I 
 hope you may be amply rewarded in your 
 own bosom for every act of kindness. 
 
 A few weeks since 1 spent several days in 
 your family, and can give you a very pleasing 
 account of the uncommonly good conduct of 
 your dear little daughters. — They appeared 
 exceedingly affectionate and obedient to their 
 mama, and pleasant to one another. Their 
 papa's much-wished return was a subject of 
 frequent conversation and eager anticipation. 
 I begin to know the heart of a parent, and 
 can therefore conceive that it will give you 
 great satisfaction to know that your children 
 conduct with propriety. They now give 
 pleasing promise of future loveliness. May 
 
216 
 
 they long be spared to comfort and delight 
 the hearts of their parents, and be fitted by 
 an early participation of divine grace for emi- 
 nent usefulness in the world. In an adjoin- 
 ing town a great mortality now prevails 
 among children. One family of my acquain- 
 tance are called to deposit three lovely chil- 
 dren in one grave. Many others are dead 
 and dying. We have been taught, my dear 
 brother, to know something of the bitterness 
 of their sorrows. O may we receive instruc- 
 tion from such painful dispensations, and nev- 
 er despise the chastening of the Lord. 
 
 It was truty gratifying to hear that you had 
 so valuable a man for a room companion as I 
 conceive Mr. S. to be. Certainly, my dear 
 brother, those whose duty it is to make laws 
 for a nation should have a sense of their ac- 
 countability to the God of nations, and should 
 feel a cordial subjection to the great eternal 
 Lawgiver. However highly any one may be 
 exalted in worldly honor, faith in the Lord 
 Jesus and obedience to his authority, would 
 be infinitely more honorable. It is not the 
 spirit of fanaticism, but a sincere desire for 
 your highest interest and your noblest exalta- 
 tion, which induces me thus to write. I cov- 
 et for you that honor which cometh from 
 God, even the favor of the "King of Kings." 
 I wish to know that you have accepted the 
 gospel invitation to a more august assembly 
 
2iY 
 
 than the most splendid levees of earthly po- 
 tentates ; even that of the Marriage Supper 
 of the Lamb. My heart's desire is that you 
 may have an interest in the everlasting treas- 
 ures of Christ's righteousness, and use your 
 influence in promoting the cause of God on 
 earth. 
 
 After your return, I realy hope you will 
 find an early opportunity to visit Plympton 
 with Mrs. M. To us it would be very grati- 
 fying. Accept the affectionate and respect- 
 ful regard of our whole family, particularly 
 of your sister 5 
 
 Mary Dexter, 
 
 Plympton,— 1821. 
 
 To M. M, Esq. 
 
 Intelligence of the sickness and death of 
 several Members of Congress during the win- 
 ter has increased my anxiety about my be- 
 loved brother. And though I have omitted 
 writing till near the close of the Session, in- 
 sensibility respecting your welfare has not 
 occasioned the neglect? My sleeping and 
 waking thoughts often visit you, and often do 
 I regret that I have not been more explicit 
 with you respecting your views and prospect^ 
 for eternity. I would humbly confess my 
 criminal backwardness in conversing with 
 
 18 * 
 
«* 
 
 you on a subject of all others the most impor- 
 tant. 1 do endeavor to pray that the want 
 of christian faithfulness, and christian exam- 
 ple, which you have observed in me, may not 
 be a means of leading you to slight the relig- 
 ion of the gospel. Its importance, excellence, 
 and glory are amply delineated by the pen 
 of inspiration. In the volume of God's word, 
 my dear brother, you may learn the spirit 
 and tendency of the religion of Christ. There 
 too we are reminded how wretched and 
 guilty we all are, while strangers to its trans- 
 forming power. 
 
 The goodness of God has been remarkably 
 displayed towards you, my dear brother. — 
 Surely nothing short of an almighty hand 
 could have raised you from an illness so ex- 
 ceedingly dangerous. Every circumstance 
 connected with your recovery, however triv- 
 ial it might appear to some, 1 consider as the 
 result of infinite wisdom and goodness, em- 
 braced in God's design of mercy. Never did 
 I on your account experience sensations so 
 exceedingly distressing as in that awful mo- 
 ment, w r hen you were to human appearance 
 ' just on the verge of eternity. How would 
 the bitterness of that hour have been changed 
 into sweet composure by an evidence of your 
 preparation for an " incorruptible inheri- 
 tance." I reflected on the temporal blessings 
 winch h^d crowned your life, $rid demanded 
 
219 , 
 
 a return of gratitude and praise. You had 
 been blessed with superior endowments of 
 mind, with the confidence and suffrages of 
 your fellow-citizens, and had been placed in 
 very responsible situations. You had from the 
 first dawn of reason been allowed the privilege 
 of God's word, and the offers of the gospel. — 
 If these and unnumbered other advantages 
 had all been regarded only with a selfish 
 view; — If you had continued in the neglect 
 of the divine requirements, — had practically 
 refused the Savior of sinners — and had sought 
 only your own interest in opposition to the 
 glory of God, amidst so many means of grace, 
 O what an account must be given at the bar 
 of him, who is a "God of judgment, by whom 
 actions are weighed." My dear brother, be 
 not angry with me for suggesting these sol* 
 emn reflections to your mind at this time. — 
 God is witness how tenderly I regard your 
 welfare. Respect for many amiable qualities 
 which I rejoice to see in you mingles with 
 the fondness of sisterly affection. But what- 
 ever be our natural advantages, and acquired 
 excellences ; however beloved and honored by 
 our fellow-creatures — without being born of 
 the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit, we shall 
 never find the gates of heaven open for our 
 reception. I hope the mind of my dear and 
 highly respected brother is not a stranger to 
 reflexions on the mo mentous subject of relig- 
 
220 
 
 ion. Bat I am ignorant of all that passes in 
 your thoughts on the subject. I can assure 
 you that many hearts would be made glad to 
 see you become a humble believer in the 
 Lord Jesus, accounting it your highest honor 
 to sit at his feet and hear his word. Such a 
 temper and conduct more truly ennobles, 
 than all th.e fading honors of this transitory 
 world. In some measure 1 feel that I am less 
 than a}] 9 and unworthy to introduce the sub- 
 ject to you ; but we are hastening into eterni- 
 ty. Our state as well as characters will soon 
 be unalterably fixed; and then, if never be^ 
 fore, we shall feel the weight of these truths. 
 May God in infinite mercy renew the heart 
 of my dear, dear brother, and qualify him by 
 his grace for usefulness in the world in a high- 
 er and more important sense, than any man 
 in a state of nature qan possibly be. Forgive 
 me, my dear brother, jf 1 have appeared as- 
 suming, or have written any thing inconsist- 
 ent with the deference I owe yop, 
 
 I have gre,at hopes that your life will be 
 spared till you return to your friends, though 
 others are taken from your number. 
 
 Your obliged affectionate sister, 
 
 Mary Dexter ? 
 
We here close Mrs. Dexter's epistolary 
 correspondence. In the latter part of her 
 life she wrote but few letters to her friends. 
 Her health was impaired ; some of her cor- 
 respondents had gone before her to the world 
 of spirits ; others had removed to remote 
 parts of the country, and her familiarity with 
 them by time and distance had insensibly di- 
 minished. Those with whom she was most 
 intimate in the latter years of her life were 
 persons of piety in the place of her residence. 
 Her intercourse with them was such as gave 
 no occasion for the interchange of letters. — 
 There was no necessity for her committing 
 to writing the pious effusions of her heart in 
 the form of letters, when she had opportuni- 
 ty to meet every week with her christian 
 friends for religious conversation and social 
 prayer. 
 
 Her death was preceded by sickness of 
 nearly two years continuance ; attended how- 
 ever by intervals, in which she enjoyed com- 
 parative health, and faint hopes of recovery. 
 When her health first declined, she labored 
 Under deep depression of mind. To the evil 
 
222 
 
 of sin in the sight of God, and to her own di- 
 ftciencies as a christian her sensibility was 
 always extreme. Throughout her whole life 
 indeed she seldom evinced much of lively 
 christian joy. She was not melancholy.— 
 Whatever some may imagine of the tendency 
 of her religious sentiments to inspire gloom, 
 this was not their influence upon her mind, 
 Melancholly constituted no part of her char- 
 acter. She was habitually cheerful ; she al- 
 ways met her christian friends with the smile 
 of joy on her countenance. Still it does not 
 appear by her letters, nor by any of her com- 
 positions, that she was often the subject of 
 transporting emotions of religious joy, or was 
 highly favored with the grace of assurance. 
 Tranquil hope in the Redeemer, rattier than 
 assurance; cheerfulness, rather than joy, 
 marked her christian course. 
 
 When her health began to decline, she was 
 sensible that her departure was approaching. 
 For nearly two years before her death she 
 ^as habitually impressed with the persuasion 
 that her time was short. She appeared to 
 have the presentiment that she should be cut 
 off in the midst of her days, and be consigned 
 to an early grave. When asked why she in- 
 dulged these thoughts, she replied that a la- 
 tent disease was gradually wasting her frame. 
 Whether she was realy a prey to any latent 
 constitutional infirmity or not, her fears were 
 
223 
 
 realized by the event; and, when death ac- 
 tually approached, she was not unprepared to 
 encounter its terrors. 
 
 For some time after the beginning of her 
 decline she was deprived of the sensible con- 
 solations of religion. She may be said at this 
 time to have walked in darkness, and to have 
 seen no light. If we seek for natural causes 
 of this mental depression, we may attribute it 
 to that fear of death to which the most pious 
 are not always superior, and to that grief 
 which a tender parent feels at the thought of 
 leaving her young children in a degenerate 
 world without a mother's counsel to guide or 
 care to protect them. It was a season in 
 which the feelings of human nature triumph- 
 ed over the exercises of grace, — a season 
 when hope and confidence in God seemed to 
 have forsaken her, because they were not 
 equal to the severity of her trials. She 
 complained of darkness. She was deprived 
 of that joy and peace in believing, with which 
 she had been favored in past years. Perhaps 
 this was designed by him, who hath promised 
 that all things shall work together for good to 
 them that love God, to make her more hum- 
 ble ; more devout ; more submissive ; and 
 thus prepare her for more sensible consola- 
 tion, when actually on the confines of eterni- 
 ty. It appears to have been the last conflict 
 with the powers of darkness anticipated; for 
 
224 
 
 after this she enjoyed the light of God's coun- 
 tenance with very little interruption; and 
 finally departed filled with hope of eternal 
 life. 
 
 Her decline can scarcely be called gradual, 
 for she was for several months in so low a 
 state as to be in almost daily expectation of 
 dissolution. This occurred nealy a year be- 
 fore her death. During this distressing sick- 
 ness her mind was at rest. Though constrain- 
 ed to consider herself on the confines of eter- 
 nity, her heart was fixed on God her Savior ; 
 her faith and hope were unimpaired. To the 
 surprize of herself and of all her friends she 
 partially recovered from this sickness, so as 
 to be able to bestow some attention upon her 
 domestic duties. Yet she was never restored 
 to health. She was at times able to superin- 
 tend her family affairs ; to converse cheerful- 
 ly with her friends ; and occasionally to en- 
 joy the comfort of a short ride. Still disease 
 was making a slow and silent progress to 
 bring her to the house appointed for all th$ 
 living, and grace was preparing her for a bet- 
 ter world. 
 
 When partially restored, and when most 
 free from pain, she enjoyed the least of consol- 
 ation in spiritual communion with God. 
 Having experienced most signal mercy from 
 God in her partial restoration, her sensitive 
 mind was filled with fears, that she should not 
 
225 
 
 render unto the Lord according to his bene- 
 fits; nor praise him with that ardor of affec- 
 tion, which his goodness demanded. She 
 was at this time often heard to reproach her- 
 self for ingratitude to God ; and to mourn 
 over her insensibility to divine goodness, — 
 The health of her mind appears to have been 
 a contrast to the health of hei body. When 
 most distressed by sickness she was most 
 tranquil and submissive; and enjoyed most 
 sensibly the consolations of religion* 
 
 All who attended her during her last sick- 
 ness were witnesses of her ardent piety. Her 
 conversation was eminently in heaven. 
 She entertained, for most of the time, not the 
 most distant hope of recovery, and with her 
 christian visitors she frequently conversed 
 upon her death as near at hand. Her own 
 departure was a topic upon which she dis- 
 coursed so frequently, that the thought of 
 death became familiar to her mind. 
 
 She observed one day to a friend,* — one 
 with whom she had frequently associated in 
 christian fellowship, — 4 Sister C, I hope my 
 ' christian friends will never lavish any prais- 
 es upon me after I am gone. If you say any 
 thing of me to any one, say that I am a poor, 
 undone, miserable sinner; dependent on the 
 blood of Christ alone for the pardon of in- 
 numeriible transgresssions. If I am ever 
 saved it will be entirely through the sovcv 
 
 19 
 
226 
 
 4 reign grace of God abounding to the chifcf 
 'of sinners.' 
 
 On another occasion the same lady obser- 
 ved to Mrs. Dexter, 4 1 hope you will enjoy 
 ' peace in your last hours, and have a triumph- 
 ant death, and entrance into heaven.' 4 0, 
 said she, tell me not of a triumphant death. 
 I know not that such a sinner as I am ought 
 to wish for a triumphant death. All I de- 
 sire is to enjoy a delightful view of the Sav- 
 ior, and to commend'my departing spirit in- 
 to his hands. I feel surprized that such a 
 sinner as I am should have any discoveries 
 of a Savior made to me, — -such a glorious 
 Savior, an Almighty Savior, one infinitely 
 able to redeem my soul from sin and raise 
 me to the heavenly world.' 
 She was frequently visited during her long 
 and distressing sickness by her christian 
 friends, and there were not a few of her visi- 
 tors, whom she requested to pray with her. — 
 Witnessing her extreme bodily sufferings with 
 tender sympathy, they frequently supplicated 
 for her recovery, and prayed that God would 
 mitigate her distresses. This she had noticed, 
 and observed one day, 'that her christian 
 6 friends must not pray so much as they had 
 ' done for her recovery, and relief from bodi- 
 ' ly distresses. She wished them rather to 
 c pray that God would endue her with more 
 4 submission, more patience 5 and make her 
 
227 
 
 * willing to be any thing or nothing, as God 
 4 should ordain ; and especially that he would 
 1 enable her to glorify God by patient sub- 
 4 mission to all he should require her to en- 
 4 dure.' 
 
 Mrs. Dexter in her sickness, and while re- 
 ceiving the visits of her christian friends, who 
 met to sympathize and to pray with her, was 
 still intent upon doing good. She frequently 
 and pathetically urged the members *>f the 
 church in Plympton to be active and zealous 
 in the cause of God, and to continue instant 
 in prayer for spiritual blessings. She urged 
 them never to be weary in well-doing ; never 
 to neglect any duty, the recollection of which 
 would give them painful reflections, when 
 they came to die. 4 Tell them from me,' said 
 she to one with whom she was most inti- 
 mate, 'charge them from me, as from a dying 
 4 friend, especially the sisters of the church, 
 4 never to bring reproach upon their profer- 
 'sion; but by a meek and humble deport- 
 4 ment, by a devout and holy life, to recom- 
 
 * mend to the world the religion of the gos- 
 4 pel.' 
 
 During her residence at Plympton Mrs, 
 Dexter had persuaded the female professors 
 of religion to attend stated meetings for 
 pi^er and other religious duties among 
 themselves. She was punctual in attending 
 herself, and frequently led in their devotions, 
 
228 
 
 In her last sickness, recollecting without 
 doubt the happy hours she had spent at these 
 female prayermeetings,she urged it upon those 
 who had attended them never to neglect 
 them. She left with them her dying charge 
 to be more spiritual, more devotional, and 
 more constant than they had been in their 
 attendance. 
 
 When her christian friends attended her 
 in her sickness, as watchers,she sometimes re- 
 quested them in the course of the night to 
 pray with her ? Mrs, C, sitting by her bed- 
 side after all others in the house had retired 
 to rest, was requested by Mrs, Dexter to join 
 with her in this exercise. 4 Itmay be,' said 
 she,'we shall never have another opportunity 
 ' of praying together in this world. 5 After the 
 exercise was concluded she exclaimed, 4 What 
 4 a privilege it is that we can come to the 
 4 throne of grace and make known all our 
 6 wants to our merciful Father in heaven.' 
 
 The same lady was at another time watch- 
 ing with her, After enjoying a little repose 
 in sleep, she awoke, and articulated in a f^iint 
 voice, gathering strength as she proceeded, 4 1 
 4 shall see the Savior, shall I not, sister C ? O 
 4 yes, I shall see him as he is. This is the 
 6 promise. J shall see all his excellence, all 
 4 his glory in the world of spirits, to which I 
 4 shall shortly go.' At this time she was sup- 
 posed to be upon the borders of eternity ; and 
 
229 
 
 it appears by this and other incidents that 
 Christ and heaven were in all her thoughts. 
 
 In her last sickness she was sometimes rais* 
 ed into transporting emotions of joy ip con* 
 templating the glory of the Savior, She ex^ 
 pressed one day to her husband a fervent de- 
 sire to depart and be with Christ. 'You will 
 4 not think it strange,' said she 4 that I wish to 
 
 4 leave you that I may be with him to behold 
 *• his glory. God has given us much domestic 
 
 5 happiness since our connexion, and I have 
 ?>as much attachment to you as one human be? 
 > ing ought to cherish toward another. I love 
 4 my two little sons, — none but a parent knows 
 4 how dear they are to a mother's heart ; and 
 U feel for you in your many afflictions; but 
 4 God will support you. I know he will. I be- 
 4 lieve he will make your children a comfort 
 4 to you by "calling them by his grace,' 5 Still 
 4 you cannot think it strange that I love the 
 4 Lord Jesus more than any earthly friend, 
 4 and that I wish to leave you that I may be 
 4 with him. I see the Lord Jesus in his beau- 
 4 ty and glory as I have never beheld him be- 
 4 fore. — 1 long to be with him.' This she ut- 
 tered, says my informant, with an eye spark- 
 ling with intelligence,and a countenance glow- 
 ing with love? Mrs. Dexter h^d spent years 
 in mourning over the depravity of her heart, 
 and reproaching herself for sins, which none 
 but herself would ever have imputed to her? 
 
 61 
 
330 
 
 She was now reaping the fruit of her godly 
 sorrow in a rich harvest of consolation and 
 spiritual joy. If; was consolation amidst the 
 anguish of dissolving nature 5 it was joy in the 
 God of her salvation, an earnest of heaven in 
 lier souL 
 
 / In the course of the summer preceding her 
 death, she requested the privilege of once 
 piore partaking at the communion table with 
 tier brethren and sisters in the Lord. Her 
 Wishes were gratified. The church attended, 
 and the service was performed at her house. 
 It was a season 6f uncommon interest to her- 
 self and others, $11 the communicants testi- 
 fied to the ardor of her devotion, when cele- 
 brating this^ festival of love* She found how- 
 ever that theexercise was too much for her 
 feeble frame to support ; and she thought it 
 prudent afterward to deny herself this mode 
 of communing With her Savior. 
 
 For several ntonth's she lingered on the con- 
 fines of life, sometimes too feeble to converse 
 except with heir family and her Savror; at 
 other times freely Conversing with any of her 
 friends on subjects m6st interesting to a dy- 
 ing christian. She appeared always resign- 
 ed ; tho' her sufferings were severe,she never 
 Expressed impatience or complaint. Christ 
 to her was ill in all. On the ninth of Oct! 
 \f 822, her departing spirit, we trust, was re- 
 ceived by her gracious Redeemer, 
 
 
231 
 
 The character of Mrs. Dexter may be collected 
 from the letters contained in this volume. In theni 
 she appears fully to have disclosed her views of the 
 doctrines of Redemption, and the feelings of her own 
 heart without' disguise. Her conversation upon relig- 
 ious subjects corresponded to what she wrote in famil- 
 iar letters to her friends. Her general deportment 
 was consistent with her professions. She may with 
 truth be said to have maintained the character of a 
 consistent christian. 
 
 She was a devotional christian., The meditations she 
 has recorded in her journal prove that she was not 
 a stranger to her closet ; and she possessed that knowl- 
 edge of the plague of her heart, which can be acquir- 
 ed only by frequent self-examination in retirement, 
 and in prayer before God. 
 
 She was distinguished for humility. This christian 
 grace shone with peculiar lustre in her character.-— 
 She scarce dared to think herself pious ; and attribute 
 ed to every one, in whom any evidence of grace ap- 
 peared, a g-reater degree of piety than she thought she 
 possessed herself. She strictly complied with the max- 
 im, " let each esteem other better than himself." Pos- 
 sessed of a humble opinion of her own attainments in 
 religion, she was grieved rather than gratified with 
 hearing any commendation of her piety. ' Let my 
 friends' said she on her death bed, 'speak of me only; 
 * as a lost, and undone sinner, saved, if ever saved, bf 
 'grace alone, and never lavish any praises upon me 
 4 after I am laid in the dust,'— an injunction with w T hich 
 they find it difficult to comply. 
 
 She was an engaged christian. It was evident to all 
 acquainted with her, that God was in all her thoughts, 
 and that she aimed habitually to serve and please him. 
 In no conversation did she delight so much as in that 
 which related to the honor of the Redeemer, and the 
 salvation of immortal souls. Intelligence of a sinner 
 brought to repentance, or of a revival of religion in 
 
232 
 
 any of the churches, was refreshing to her soul, Wheiv 
 ever it was her province in company to lead in con- 
 versation, with unassuming" modesty and winning' affa- 
 bility she would introduce some serious and instruc- 
 tive topic of discourse, adapted to lead the minds of 
 the company to meditate upon Christ and the wonders 
 of redeeming- love. Whenever she had pupils under 
 her care, she was no less concerned for their immor- 
 tal welfare, than for their improvement in the com- 
 mon branches of education. She was careful to make 
 those impressions upon the youthful mind which had a 
 rational tendency to advance their happiness in eter- 
 nity, as well as promote their respectability in the 
 world. She entertained a high opinion of her respon- 
 sibility as an instructor of }^outh, and she endeavored 
 to discharge the duty of christian fidelity. When her 
 pupils left her, she followed them with her pious coun- 
 sels and her prayers. 
 
 She entertained a high opinion of female prayer- 
 meetings. While she was engaged in Middieborough 
 as Preceptress of the Academy, she persuaded the fe- 
 male professors, ^specially the young ladies in that 
 place who were pious, to form a society, and hold stat- 
 ed meetings for prayer and other religious exercises 
 by themselves. She exerted her influence however 
 in a manner so unassuming as scarcely to be known 
 or noticed in what she did. In their assemblies she 
 always chose for herself the lowest seat. If she dis- 
 covered that the members placed dependence upon 
 her to conduct the exercises, she would not indeed de- 
 cline the duty, but so managed as to persuade them 
 all that their gifts were greater than hers. While she 
 was herself the life of the society, she prevailed upon 
 every one, however timid, to take an active part in the 
 exercises of their meetings ; and would always have 
 them esteem her inferior to themselves. 
 
 In other places also she engaged with equal ardor 
 in forming similar associations for prayer. In Plymp? 
 
233 
 
 ton especially she supported a praying- circle among 
 the female professors ; and exerted her influence to 
 maintain the life and power of religion in the church. 
 We presume the professors of religion in that place 
 will all testify, that her influence was not without ef- 
 fect. They will long" remember with what earnest* 
 ness she pressed it upon them to be watchful and 
 prayerful, and zealous in the cause of Christ. 
 
 Her eng-agedness in religion did not all evaporate 
 in lamentations respecting- the coldness of professors, 
 nor spend itself in reproaches, or in censorious reviling* 
 of christians for being- stupid, and lifeless, and formal 
 in religious duties. If she reproached any one, it was 
 always herself. She had more fear of discovering that 
 she had been herself the Judas of the company, the 
 Achan in the camp, than concern to fix that stigma 
 upon the character of another. It appears by many 
 of her letters that she was too sensible of her own im» 
 perfections, too humble in her own estimation, to be 
 severe or acrimonious in her censures. She condemn- 
 ed none but herself. 
 
 In the cause of Missions she was peculiarly interest- 
 ed. This was a favorite theme in her letters to her 
 friends. In every instance of success attending- the 
 American Missions among the heathen she rejoiced, 
 as if receiving- the reward of her own labors, or an 
 answer to her own praj^ers. She was happily calcul- 
 ated to persuade others to aid the missionary cause. 
 She was so mild in her address that none could be of- 
 fended, tho' she urged them to bestow their much 
 loved treasure. She was not so much engaged how- 
 ever in soliciting* donations for the missions, as in per- 
 suading- her friends to form societies for this object.— 
 In this respect her labors were crowned with a bles- 
 sing-. The " Heathen's Friend" Societies were the fruit 
 of her influence. Her agency was scarcely visible', 
 jet she was under providence the primary cnuse df 
 the existence of them all. 
 
234 
 
 The last labors of her life were devoted to this ob- 
 ject. She had requested her christian friends in 
 Plympton to send a box of clothing* to the Missiona- 
 ries. The donations were collected at her house. — 
 When she had disposed of her own worldly cares, had 
 set her house in order, and lived only in expectation 
 of her departure, it was her employment to make up 
 clothing for the children of the forest at the mission 
 schools. Tho' unable to sit in a chair, she could re- 
 cline on her pillow, and assist it making" some small 
 garments for the Indian children. This employment 
 was a gratification to her benevolent heart. This in* 
 cident proves that love to the missionary cause, and a 
 desire to do good, was in her like "a ruling passion, 
 strong in death." 
 
 Mrs. Dexter's charitable sympathies were not ex- 
 cited merely by the wants of the heathen in Hindos- 
 tan, nor did she make garments for the children of the 
 forest, while the wants of the poor in her own neigh* 
 borhood were neglected. Her heart was moved by 
 distress, wherever it met her eye. The cause of the 
 poor around her she searched out ; and with the char- 
 itable donation in her hand she oft repaired to their 
 humble abode. She was never rich, of course she 
 could never give much ; but she gave according to 
 her ability ; and when the gratitude of the poor was 
 excited by her bounty, she improved the happy mo- 
 ment to suggest some faithful admonition, and serious 
 advice ; and if the poor were in any special affliction 
 or in sickness, she would kneel by their bed-side, and 
 in prayer commend them to the mercy of God. 
 
 Her character as a wife and a mother also deserves 
 commendation. To say that her conduct in these re- 
 lations was exemplary is but faint praise. Her pru- 
 dence and economy in domestic affairs were such as 
 became one in her station, with an income merely 
 sufficient to meet the current expenses of a family 
 and farmish an occasional gratuity to the poor, or con- 
 
235 
 
 tribution to the treasury of the Lord. She was eeoir 
 omical from principle, but without parsimony. 
 
 She was the happy parent of several children, two 
 of whom survived her. Only one of them was of suf- 
 ficient age to be benefitted by maternal instruction; but 
 he will long remember, we presume, with what assid- 
 uity his deceased mother labored to instill into his 
 mind all that was valuable in human knowledge, adapt- 
 ed to his tender years ; and above all to inspire him 
 with the fear of God which is the beginning of wis- 
 dom. She labored to teach him the first principles of 
 the oracles of God, and her instructions were accom- 
 panied with many fervent prayers for his conversion 
 in early life, for his usefulness and happiness in this 
 world, as well as for his salvation. 
 
 She shone especially as a minister's wife. Those 
 who are acquainted with the manners and customs of 
 New-England, especially in the country towns, will 
 readily concede, that the station of a clergyman's wife 
 is one of peculiar responsibility. The deference which 
 is usually paid her gives her extensive influence, and 
 : she may be a useful counsellor to the anxious enquir- 
 i er, especially of her own sex. In times of attention 
 j or revival her friendly visits to the thoughtful, the en- 
 ' quiring, or to those who are rejoicing in hope, may be 
 attended with most salutary effects. If she be pious 
 I and discrete, and be familiarly acquainted with the 
 j elementary doctrines of the gospel, she may often 
 i answer enquiries, comfort the feeble-minded, and com- 
 municate instruction without that magisterial gravity, 
 which is repulsive, and with that condescending affa- 
 bility, which at once invites to confidence and per- 
 suades to piety. By her influence also she may re- 
 press those extravagances in young converts, which 
 bring discredit upon true religion, and by a word in 
 season make impressions upon the susceptible miudj 
 the effects of which will be felt in eternity. 
 
 Mrs. Dexter was qualified for this station ; and she 
 
236 
 
 exerted her talents for usefulness as Providence furn- 
 ished opportunity. To what extent her labors were 
 blessed in giving" pertinent advice, and seasonable in- 
 struction will appear in the disclosures of a future day. 
 We trust there are some in Plympton and other plac- 
 es, who will rise up at the day of Judgment and call 
 her blessed. 
 
 In parish controversies and dissensions respecting 
 religion a clergyman's wife may be called to act, not 
 a conspicuous, but a useful part. Her province at 
 such times is not to give counsel, or prescribe meas- 
 ures for others to pursue, but by her example to re- 
 commend evangelical religion, — by her gentle and 
 humble and heavenly deportment toward opponents to 
 conciliate their esteem. Mrs. Dexter was qualified 
 to act this part. While her unaffected piety, and 
 gentle yet dignified demeanor, made her family circle 
 the delight of her husband, and pleasant to all their 
 visitors, she conciliated the esteem and respect of the 
 parishioners ; and their esteem for her and her family 
 contributed much to facilitate their friendly recep- 
 tion of the word of truth ; and to induce them to aid 
 in supporting the gospel. She was a peace-maker, 
 not by any direct influence, much less by craft and 
 management, but by being without design, open, can- 
 did, gentle, calming dissension by her meekness, and 
 her talent to attract esteem. On this account many 
 i» Plympton have reason to lament her loss. They 
 have not indeed been insensible of her worth ; and if - 
 the grief of her husband could have been alleviated 
 by sympathy, his sorrows were lightened at her death, 
 for he had many to share his regrets and his tears. 
 
 Her death was a loss to society. But death was 
 gain to her. She sleeps in Jesus. Hers is the prom- 
 ise of a glorious resurrection "Them that sleep in Je* 
 sum shall God bring with him." 
 
SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL 
 OF 
 
 MRS. MARY DEXTER: 
 
 AT PLYMPTON, 
 OCTOBER, 11, 1822* 
 
 BY SYLVESTER HOLMES, 
 
 Pastor of the Congregational Church in 
 New Bedford. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, ye 
 my friends ; for the hand of God hath touched 
 me."— Job 19, 21. 
 
 After all the distinctions among men, form- 
 ed by climate, education, and other circum- 
 stances, a strong resemblance is manifest in 
 the formation of their bodies and in the con- 
 struction of their minds. Every man bears 
 about with him indelible marks of his relation 
 to one common parent, consequently that he 
 is a brother to the whole human family. It 
 was intended that friendly intercourse ^should 
 prevail throughout this extensive fraternity ; 
 and that all should exercise the same care one 
 of another. 
 
 Man was formed for society, and not to be 
 indifferent to the joys and misfortunes of 
 others. The duty of weeping with them 
 that weep, and of rejoicing with them that re- 
 joice, arises from the relation he sustains to 
 them. Benevolence should induce him to 
 participate in the joys of his neighbor's pros- 
 perity, tenderness and pity of heart should 
 
233 
 
 influence him to make the sorrows of another 
 his own. " Remember them that are in 
 bonds as bound with them; and them which 
 suffer adversity as being yourselves also in 
 the body." 
 
 The man who can look, with tearless eye 
 and an unfeeling heart, on the sorrows of 
 other men, exhibits one strong mark of de- 
 pravity. He is w Without natural affec- 
 tion." Such monsters of adamantine hard- 
 ness are found, who appear to be lost to all 
 sensibility, *nd void of every feeling of hu- 
 manity. The man of affliction may as well 
 expect the rocks to weep at his grief as to 
 find sympathy in such characters. 
 
 Yet there are men of better feelings; men 
 who have been recovered in a measure, by 
 grace, from the direful effects of the fall. — 
 These, addressed in the moving language of 
 the text, bear an interested part in the trials 
 of other men. 
 
 The sentiment of the passage to be consid- 
 ered is the following — When the hand of God 
 in affliction rests upon his people, the sym- 
 pathy and kindness of friends is peculiarly 
 acceptable. 
 
 We find the sentiment of the text^ as now 
 expressed, fully proved and exemplified in the 
 character and history of Job. In proof of his 
 piety we have the testimony of the highest 
 authority, even that of God himself,, by whom 
 
240 
 
 he is styled a perfect and upright man. The 
 manner in which he managed his family fully 
 proved that he did fear God and eschew evil, 
 " He sanctified his children, and rose up early 
 in the morning, and offered burnt offerings ac- 
 cording to the number of them all ; for Job 
 said, it may be that my sons have sinned, and 
 cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job 
 continually." The resolution of Joshua, 
 seemed to be his steady purpose, — "As for 
 me and my house, we will serve the Lord." — ? 
 He not only had the best of riches in heaven, 
 but extensive possessions on earth ; so that 
 this man was greatest of all the men of the 
 east. He had a very great household, and in 
 his flocks he numbered many thousands. To 
 him there were born seven sons and three 
 daughters. Heaven seemed to smile on all, 
 to which he put his hand, and on all with 
 which he was connected. 
 
 Here we see the good man rising with the 
 flowing tide of prosperity. But alas the time 
 had come, when God would assert his right to 
 reverse the scene, and pull down as well as 
 build up. God, who had smiled upon his de- 
 voted servant, drew about himself clouds and 
 darkness; and opened before Job a scene of 
 sorrow, a succession of calamities, which had 
 not an example in the history of man. 
 
 The Most High, who raises or sinks the 
 comforts of his creatures at his pleasure, usu- 
 
241 
 
 ally causes many msrcies to intervene be* 
 tween the strokes from the hand of correc- 
 tion. The case before us forms an exception 
 to this general rule. When God began, he 
 moved on in spreading desolation and death 
 about his servant, till he fell down before him, 
 and said, " Naked came I out of my mother's 
 womb, and naked shall I return thither; the 
 Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : 
 blessed be the name of the Lord." The mes- 
 sengers, who brought an account of his losses 
 in property and servants, followed each other 
 in quick succession. One had scarcely fin- 
 ished his story before ^another came. Thus 
 in a few moments he saw himself let down 
 from affluence to absolute poverty. He seems 
 to have listened to all this with silent aston- 
 ishment, enquiring no doubt why God dealt 
 thus with him. We may well suppose, while 
 his riches fled in different ways, he might 
 have consoled himself in the recollection that 
 he had friends, whose life was inconceivably 
 more valuable than the continuance of riches. 
 But he Itttle knew what remained yet to be 
 told. What he had heard was but the begin- 
 ing of sorrow; but a small part of what God 
 had already done. 
 
 44 There came another servant and said, thy 
 ^ons and thy daughters were eating and drink- 
 ing wine in their eldest brother's house, and 
 behold, there came a great wind from th^ 
 
 ■ 20 
 
242 
 
 wilderness, and smote the four corners of the 
 house, and it fell upon the young men, and 
 they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone 
 to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his 
 mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down 
 Upon the ground, and worshipped," 
 
 The very mention of his children, after 
 such repeated losses, must have excited feel- 
 ings, to which every heart, except that of the 
 parent, is a stranger. Whatever he might 
 have imagined, it could not have been more 
 dreadful than the event* It was notone,two 5 
 iive, or even nine, but the ten were taken* 
 None were left to weep with a bereaved father* 
 Heaven, the elements and men, all seem to 
 have armed themselves, and combined to 
 make a finish of his comforts in a single 
 day. 
 
 Did circumstances require, we might fol- 
 low the narrative still farther, and see waves 
 of sorrow and billows of trouble still more 
 dreadful roll over him. But we will pursue 
 the dealings of God with this man no farther. 
 We only ask, that it may be clearly under- 
 stood and distinctly recollected, that this was 
 a truly righteous man, and that all his pains, 
 disappointments, and trials were ordered and 
 directed by God. 
 
 Were it necessary to offer farther proof, 
 that the hand of God at times rests heavily 
 on his own people, we^ might present you «t 
 
243 
 
 list of names like fhat given by Paul in hi$ 
 epitle to the Hebrews. — "They had trial of 
 cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover 
 of bonds and imprisonment. They were 
 stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempt? 
 ed, were slain with the sword; they wander- 
 ed about in sheep skins and goat skins •, being 
 destitute, afflicted, tormented ; of whom the 
 world was not worthy ; they wandered in de- 
 parts, and in mountains, and in dens,and caves 
 of the earth." 
 
 Indeed 1 need not look back to the pro-' 
 jphete, or even to our fathers, to illustrate and 
 ■prove the sentiment before us. The passing 
 fevcnts of each day, and the scenes, with 
 which we are perpetually conversant, show 
 |hat many are the afflictions of the righteous. 
 While they are subject to the same passions 
 as other men, and sustain all the relations of 
 life; they are subject to the same bereav- 
 inents and losses. They know the strength 
 of conjugal affection ; they feel the tender- 
 ness of parental love, and all the various ties 
 of nature; consequently what it is to have 
 these cords broken, and these connexions 
 dissolved. 
 
 We proceed to observe that the sympathy 
 and pity of friends under these circumstances 
 are peculiarly acceptable. In every condi- 
 tion of human life remove all friends, and this, 
 world is changed into a dreary abode indeed ? 
 
244 
 
 particularly in adversity. That such friend- 
 ship is a duty, may be proved by the example 
 of all good men in their intercourse with men 
 of sorrow, especially of the household of 
 faith. Among the many examples w r e might 
 Introduce, one only will be given. This is 
 found in the character of Job. His language 
 is as follows. — "Did not my heart weep for 
 him that was in trouble? Was not nry soul 
 grieved for the poor? Did not he that made 
 me in the womb make him, and did not one 
 fashion us in the womb? If I have withheld 
 the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes 
 of the widow to fail ; or have eaten my mor- 
 sel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not 
 eaten thereof; (for from my youth he was 
 brought up with me, as with a father, and I 
 have guided her from my mother's womb :) If 
 I have seen any perish for want of clothing; 
 or any poor without covering; If his loins 
 have not blessed me, and if his loins were not 
 warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I 
 have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, 
 when I saw my help in the gate; then let 
 mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and 
 mine arm be broken from the bone." Such 
 had been the feelings, and such the conduct 
 of the man, who makes the pathetic appeal in 
 the text. He only asked that others should 
 do to him, as he had done to the sons an(J 
 daughters of sorrow. He, flow felt the need 
 
245 
 
 of having that kindness reciprocated which he 
 had manifested toward such as experienced a 
 reverse of fortune. The bitterness of his 
 spirit, the anguish of his soul, taught him that 
 the pity of friends would be like a cordial or 
 an healing balm. 
 
 Even the Savior himself seemed to call for 
 the same sympathy, while his soul was ex- 
 ceeding sorrowful even unto death. When 
 bearing the iniquities of a ruined world, he 
 enquired of his disciples, if they could not 
 watch with hirn one hour. As much as if he 
 had said, "Are not my sufferings and my sor- 
 rows an object of sufficient interest to induce 
 you to dispense with sleep for a single hour ? 
 Have you not sympathy enough for your suf- 
 fering Savior to make $ sacrifice so incon- 
 siderable P 
 
 So important and valuable is the kindness 
 and pity shown to a friend in adversity, that 
 the Apostle tells us, pure and undefiled relig- 
 ion is to visit the widow and the fatherless in 
 affliction, together with keeping ourselves un- 
 spotted from the world. 
 
 Little attentions, that would be unnoticed 
 in prosperity, are magnified into important 
 favors in a day of trouble. The kindness of 
 a servant in affliction is more important than 
 the attention of a monarch in prosperity. A 
 man in affluence may learn who are pleased 
 with his favors, but a man in the depths q£ 
 
246 
 
 sorrow becomes acquainted with his real 
 friends. 
 
 Suffer me to rest the proof of this point on 
 the experience of this congregation. Call to 
 mind, my brethren, the day when, by some 
 unexpected providence, you lost your worldly 
 substance. Remember when an affectionate 
 father or tender mother slept in death.— 
 Think of the day, which tore from your bos- 
 om some beloved child. Look over your 
 feelings when left a widow, with a number of 
 helpless and fatherless children. Let the 
 scene pass in review, when the desire of your 
 eyes, the companion of your youth, the moth- 
 er of your children, sunk into the arms of 
 death, and with a flattering tongue bid you a 
 long, a final farewell. What impressions were 
 then made by the pity and kindness of such as 
 were alive to your sorrow, and mingled their 
 tears with yours ? Were they not deep and 
 lasting, and will they not go with you down 
 to the bed of death? Who then but must say 
 with Solomon, "A friend loveth at all times, 
 and a brother is born for adversity." 
 
 It remains that we improve and apply the 
 subject in conformity to the mournful circum- 
 stances under which we are assembled. 
 
 1 . Does the hand of affliction rest upon the 
 habitation of the righteous ? Then we may 
 conclude there are important reasons why it 
 should be so. God never forgets his promise, 
 
 
247 
 
 that all things shall work together for good 
 to them that love htm* When in the hottest 
 furnace, one like unto the Son of God is sent 
 to walk with them. The good mans God in- 
 tends he shall have beauty for ashes^ the oil 
 of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise 
 for a spirit of heaviness. If a right eye be ta- 
 ken out, or a right hand taken off, it is that 
 their entrance into heaven may be made sure* 
 Since he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve 
 his children, if they are called to relinquish 
 their choicest earthly blessings, it only in- 
 creases their eternal weight of glory. " What 
 I do ye know not now, but ye shall know 
 hereafter," is written by the finger of God on 
 every trial of the saints. 
 
 2. The child of God in all his trials has an 
 unfailing source of consolation. The cup, 
 however bitter, is mixed and given him by 
 that God in whose government he has the 
 utmost confidence. Job, when he called for 
 the pity of friends, was careful to tell them, it 
 was not by chance he was in trouble, the hand 
 of God had touched him. The christian has 
 not to say, when accumulated sorrows and 
 trials await him, an enemy hath done this. — 
 No: he sees the hand of wisdom, of mercy, 
 and of kindness in it all. He sees that the 
 whole matter was directed by his best friend* 
 He may well enquire, " Shall we receive good 
 from the hand of the Lord, and shall we not 
 
248 
 
 rfccieve evil ?" The believer is satisfied that 
 his God does not change,when his own cir- 
 cumstances are Changed, In this the saints 
 have always found their consolation in adver- 
 sity, " It is the Lord, let him do as seemeth 
 him good." When darkness and clouds are 
 round about him, righteousness and judgment 
 are the habitation of his throne. 
 
 3. If the pity and kindness of friends are 
 peculiarly acceptable to the sons and daugh- 
 ters of affliction, then the people of God have 
 it in their power to do much, which may 
 smooth the rugged path to a neighbor. Hear 
 what the Savior says. — " In as much as ye 
 have done it unto the least of these my breth- 
 ren, ye have done it unto me." Open your 
 ear then to hear the story of your neighbor's 
 sorrows, and your heart to his sufferings. — 
 You do, you must meet with many in this 
 vale of tears, whose circumstances commend 
 them to your commiseration. Let the abode 
 of poverty and want be cheered by your kind- 
 ness. Let the pillow of the sick and dying 
 be softened by your prayers and gracious 
 words. Let the house of mourning see that 
 your heart is made of tenderness ; — that you 
 are willing to share a part in the sufferings of 
 the afflicted. Never, my brethren, be deaf to 
 the entreaty in the text. "'Have mercy upon 
 me, have mercy upon me, O ye my friends : far 
 the hand, of God hath touched meP 
 
249 
 
 4. If the condition of the afflicted call 
 for consolation and the compassion of friends, 
 then the present circumstances of him, who is 
 the Pastor of this church, speak most feeling- 
 ly the language of the text. 
 
 Dear Brother, you will permit me freely 
 to express the feelings of my heart on this 
 occasion. Little did I think, when solemniz- 
 ing the covenant between you and your be- 
 loved Mary, I should so soon be called to ten- 
 der the sympathies of my heart to you, while 
 the mourning father of motherless children. 
 But so it is, my Brother, God hath taken from 
 you a beloved part of yourself ; the dearest of 
 all earthly friends to you. Be assured that 
 he who speaks feels for you ; but he cannot 
 feel what you feel. Your heart, and yours 
 alone, can fully know the pain of that separa- 
 tion which is now formed. I am fully aware 
 that of all men, the minister of Christ most 
 needs the company, the tenderness, tlie en- 
 couragement and the prayers of a good wife ; 
 and such I confidently say was yours. With 
 a temper naturally amiable, a heart constitu- 
 tionally tender and affectionate, a mind well 
 informed, and above all with the image of Je- 
 sus stamped upon her soul by the grace of 
 God, she was well suited to fill the station, 
 in which the head of the church placed her. 
 
 While in her your children had a mother 
 kind, watchful, and prayerful, who was al- 
 
 21 
 
250 
 
 tvays alive to their best interest in this and at 
 future life ; your house was made pleasant to 
 all who called, especially to your brethren in 
 office. In the last mentioned situation, none 
 knew her better than I, and few have more 
 reason to lament her death. 
 
 It was my privilege to know her, not mere- 
 ly as we know hundreds whose faces are fami- 
 liar, but to whose hearts we are strangers.— 
 As she was once a resident in my family, 
 God gave me opportunity to see the graces of 
 the christian shine in an eminent degree 
 through that covering of humility^ she ever 
 wore. I do not say she was perfect. This her 
 tears of contrition before God, would deny; 
 But I do say as little guile appeared in her, as 
 in any person I ever knew. She never in any 
 respect saught display. From this her heart 
 revolted. In all company a low place was 
 chosen for herself, and an exalted one for her 
 Savior. She practically said, 'God forbid 
 that I should glory in any thing, save in the 
 cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which I 
 am crucified to the world, and the world to 
 me.-' The glory of God, the honor of his Son, 
 the success of truth, arid the salvation of sin- 
 ners, constituted the supreme end and meas- 
 ure of her actions. 
 
 Who then but must see, my afflicted friend* 
 that she was calculated to make your life hap- 
 Py> your house to you the most desirable 
 place on earth, and no less to promote your 
 
251 
 
 usefulness as a minister of Christ. But I 
 would not forget, that I am doing that which 
 is like taking here and there a sentence from 
 a volume, and placing them before one, who 
 is acquainted wilh all it contains. You knew 
 her virtues and consequently how to estimate 
 her worth. You saw her humilitj^herlove for 
 the truth, her zeal for God. But she is gone. 
 Yes, dear Sir, yours was the mournful privi- 
 lege of seeing her die ; or rather fall asleep, a 
 privilege of which many who loved her were 
 deprived. 
 
 You had opportunity to see her faith, her 
 submission, her confidence, tried by a pro- 
 tracted and most painful confinement. When 
 God put forth his hand and touched her, she 
 did not, as the enemy would direct, deny 
 God; but calmly said, " Shall we receive 
 good at the hand of the Lord and shall we 
 not receive evil ?" A greater opportunity 
 you could not have asked to see that your 
 wife, in spirit, was assimilated to Christ, and 
 suited to higher enjoyments than the church 
 ipilitant could afford. You saw her faith un? 
 shaken, her hope gather strength, and her 
 evidences brighten. You beheld her trans- 
 porting views at the opening scenes of a bet- 
 ter world. You saw that she could take her 
 leave of father, mother, brother, and sister, 
 without a wish to prrotract her stay. And 
 more, that she could leave those lovely sons 
 
252 
 
 with her God, over whom she had shed so 
 many tears of parental tenderness and chris- 
 tian anxiety. And, what is still more than 
 all, tho' she loved her husband, she loved her 
 Jesus more, and desired to depart and be with 
 him. 
 
 While you may say, in this repeated stroke 
 of divine providence, ' whose sorrow is like 
 unto my sorrow,' let not your heart forget 
 the mercies, with which your cup is mixed.— 
 Jewell, far removed from his native home, 
 from christian society, and the sympathizing 
 tears of family relatives, resigned his Harriet 
 to the hand of death. You have passed these 
 deep waters in the bosom of the church, in 
 your own house, furnished with every con- 
 venience, and attended by the kindest father 
 and the most affectionate mother. 
 
 May I not, my afflicted brother, commend 
 you to that grace,, which so abundantly sup- 
 ported your departed companion? Has not 
 God already made his promise good, " My 
 grace is sufficient for thee ?" Did you not 
 find it so, while lamenting the loss of a form- 
 er, and most valuable wife ? You will find God 
 faithful in all trials, through which you may 
 pass, before you join them that sleep in Jesus, 
 I would not needlessly aggravate your sor- 
 rows, but permit me to say in conclusion, 
 you have yet to know much of the loss you 
 sustain. This you will see more in connexion 
 
253 
 
 with your children than in any other way. 
 When you look on then*, when you hear 
 them weep, when you see them sick, the 
 wound will be opened afresh, and you may 
 exclaim, 4 the loss of a mother's care.' But 
 did not their mother say, and that repeatedly, 
 she could trust them with God ? May you be 
 enabled to do likewise. Apply to your own 
 case those considerations you have so often 
 offered to others under similar circumstances. 
 Look to that God to whom you have pointed 
 others in affliction. I hope, I pray, you may 
 have more wisdom, more grace, and act more 
 in character, as a minister of Christ, than I 
 should, were my soul in jour souls stead. Fin- 
 ally, my brother,be strong in the Lord. In the 
 multitude of your thoughts let the comforts of 
 God delight your soul ; and know, that a few 
 more trials, a few more tears, and conflicts, 
 and the victory is won, the crown is yours. 
 
 The father and mother of our departed sis- 
 ter remind us of pur text. With you, my 
 dear friends, I know how to feel. You have 
 lost an only daughter, yes your Mary is gone 
 to return no more. Twice I have been called 
 myself to cast the last wishful look toward an 
 only son. Mine lived to gain my affections 
 and then died. — Your daughter lived to be a 
 blessing to your declining years, and doubt- 
 less you might have expected her to smooth 
 your dying pillow and then follow you to the 
 
grave. This you now see was not God 5 s way. 
 She was ripe for the harvest, and to ripen 
 you she has entered the kingdom first. She 
 was all you could ask in a child. God has ta- 
 ken from you a valuable gift 5 but remember 
 it is no more than he gave. For a moment 
 enquire how much right you had in this object 
 of your parental love. She belonged to God 
 by creation. He preserved her in the midst 
 of death more than thirty years. He gave 
 bis own and only Son to redeem her. He 
 sent his Spirit to renew and sanctify her 
 heart. You consecrated her to God in her in- 
 fancy, and what is more, she gave herself to 
 God and that by your consent. Must you 
 not say on a review of these circumstances, is 
 it not the language of your heart, u The Lord 
 gave and the Lord hath taken away, and bles- 
 sed be his name. 55 
 
 If she could speak on this occasion, would 
 she not say, ; Beloved parents dry your tears V 
 " It is the Lord, let him do as seemeth him 
 good. 55 If you loved me in life, and desired 
 and prayed for my highest happiness, be as- 
 sured it is now promoted by my removal from 
 you, My body, which was so long the sub- 
 ject of pain, is now at rest; and my spirit, 
 which was burdened with sin, is now set at 
 liberty and admitted to the uninterrupted en- 
 joyment of him, whom my soul loved on 
 £arth.' You loved her too much to have her; 
 
255 
 
 l^ept out of heaven a single hour for your per- 
 sonal gratification. But after all, experience 
 has taught me that the parent's heart will 
 bleed and the tear will fall at the recollection 
 of a beloved child, who has taken a final leave 
 of earthly connexions* Be it so. — Davi4 
 wept bitterly at the death of a child, and gave 
 vent to his feelings in the most moving 
 strains. "And the king was much moved and 
 went up to the chamber over the gate, and 
 wept ; and as he went thus he said, O my son 
 Absalom ! my son, my son Absalom ! would 
 to God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my 
 son, my son !" Christ himself has given us 
 an example of weeping at the grave of one he 
 greatly loved. In this hour there is consola- 
 tion, much consolation. Tho' you?: daughter 
 will not return to you, you will go to her. — 
 The gray hairs tell me the day is not far dis- 
 tant. She, who so often met you at her door 
 and welcojned you to her earthly mansion, 
 will meet you at the gate pf heaven and wel- 
 come you to the participation of those joys 
 which are not interrupted by separation. In 
 your remaining days quicken your step in the 
 narrow way. As you have now but one child 
 to pray for, let your prayers for him be more 
 frequent and more fervent. As you love the 
 children, who are now left without a mother, 
 do as Mary did. Pray for them. Afflicted 
 friends, we commend you to that God, who i§ 
 
me 
 
 able to conduct you through every tribulation 
 and bring you to the rest remaining for his 
 people. 
 
 The affliction of the surviving brother to- 
 gether with bis companion, in our consola- 
 tory addresses, calls for a remembrance. The? 
 loss you sustain in the example and prayers 
 bf yopr sister, time itself cannot estimate. — 
 For your salvation she felt the deepest con- 
 cern ? About this she conversed; for this she 
 prayed, But her work is done. Her feet 
 3tand on the other side of Jordan. It now re- 
 mains that you be as she was ir\ all things, in 
 which she was like her Divine Master. It 
 was to the last her desire, that all the in- 
 fluence given you by the rank you hold 
 in society should be consecrated to God. Per- 
 mit me to ask, have you the same precious 
 faith you saw in her? Have you that gracious 
 hope whi,ch cheered her soul in the near ap- 
 proach of death ? If so, you have consolation 
 in the day of trial. 
 
 Turn your eyes toward your bereaved 
 brother, then toward the remains of your de- 
 parted sister, and learn what may soon be wit- 
 nessed in your own family. Look on the 
 potherless child, recollect the infant; then 
 Jet your own children pass before your minds, 
 Without father or mother, and will not the 
 anticipation awaken you to the discharge of 
 pyery parental duty, with a hope that your 
 
257 
 
 children, should they be orphans, may have a 
 father, a friend in heaven. All you do fo^ 
 your own salvation must be done soon. All 
 the prayers you offer for your children, must 
 be offered soon* All you do to promote the 
 interests of Zion, must be done soon. For 
 this I say, beloved friends, time is short* 
 While you mark the perfect nian, and behold 
 the upright, and see that the end of that man 
 is peace; may yours be the life which is con- 
 nected with such a death; that when you 
 shall have served your generation, you may 
 recommence your acquaintance with her who 
 is gone in the songs and joys of a better 
 state. 
 
 Other particular relatives of the deseased 
 and of the bereaved husband must be passed 
 without particular attention, not however 
 without our most sincere sympathy and fer- 
 vent prayers. 
 
 For a moment we turn our attention to the 
 church in this place. Beloved in the Lord, 
 another is taken from your number. In this 
 you have not only lost a sister, who deserv- 
 edly stood high in your estimation, but your 
 minister has lost his dearest earthly friend. 
 He is left, as you see him this day, with two 
 motherless children. Turn your eyes to 
 that part of the house, where this affecting 
 sight is to be seen. I ask you to do this ; for 
 if a minister, in his affliction, does not find 
 
258 
 
 friends and consolation in the church, where 
 on earth shall he expect to find it. May he, 
 who is now in the depths of sorrow, find in 
 every member of this church a heart open to 
 his grief. Stay not by your own fire-sides 
 and wish him consolation. Go to his house; 
 visit him in his trouble, and manifest by your 
 conduct, that you know the hand of the Lord 
 hath touched him. Let him not have occa- 
 sion to say hereafter, that any brother or sis- 
 ter has been guilty of a neglect so great, as 
 not once to have entered his doors in his trou- 
 ble. Wait for no formalities ; the case admits 
 of none; it requires none. Has not your 
 minister been attentive to your bed, and to 
 your house, when a house of mourning? Re- 
 turn this kindness ; it is your duty; God has 
 made it so. He is a man, and but a man, sub- 
 ject to all the feelings and tender ties of other 
 men j and comforted by the same things, that 
 comfort other men? Tho' you will see np 
 Mrs. Dexter in his house, you will see her 
 afflicted husband, and motherless children 
 there. Did she not feel for the orphan ? Were 
 not her tears ready to flow when looking on a 
 family as hers now is, and was she not ready 
 toadminister as God gave her ability for their 
 benefit? Has she not left an example in this 
 respect worthy your imitation ? 
 
 I am aware, my friends, that you have been 
 kijprd to your minister in this day of trouble* 
 
As I love my brother, I feel bound to acknowl* 
 edge all you have ever done, and pray that 
 youmaybe rewarded. But permit me to say, 
 let brotherly kindness continue and abound* 
 His troubles will not end in a day, hence 
 your sympathies must not. 
 
 The sisters in this church will find a void 
 in the social circle, and in all associations for 
 benevolent purposes and praj'er. She who 
 modestly led you in your devotions and chari- 
 table efforts, is taken from you. Her seat is 
 vacated, her voice is silenced by death. Let 
 your prayer-meetings be continued. She may 
 be present in spirit. Let the heathen be re- 
 membered, and let not your contributions 
 cease, because that name which so often ac- 
 companied them is written on the records of 
 the dead. May d mantle like hers fall on 
 each of you, that like her you may be loved 
 in life and lamented in death* 
 
 My fathers and brethren in the ministry, 
 While we aid in the solemnities of this day, 
 and feel for our afflicted brother, let us apply 
 the same to ourselves. Let this day admon- 
 ish us to be more prayerful, more watchful, 
 mor£ faithful. As we can be animated by the 
 presence and instructed by the conversation 
 of our sister no more, let us not be satisfied 
 with a cold recollection of her virtues without 
 any desire to emulate them. Which of us 
 will next be called to these trials is known on- 
 
260 
 
 ly to that God, from whom I pray we may s 
 liave support. Shall we be found pursuing 
 the determination of Joshua ? Blessed is that 
 servant who when his Lord eometh shall 
 be found thus employed. 
 
 I have but a word to say to this congrega- 
 tion, and then we part, it may be to meet no 
 more. You have seen how the christian dies, 
 and what are his consolations. Such cannot 
 be your end, nor such your support, except 
 you are born again. It is the religion of the 
 Bible that does this, not a delusive system of 
 man's devising. Dismiss all your vain hopes, 
 lay aside your opposition to truth, renounce 
 your confidence in error, and believe in 
 Christ. So your end shall be that of the 
 righteous, and your reward an unfading 
 crown of glory. Amen, 
 
 ? S4 P ?g 
 
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