Even when

The swiftly liberating angel came,—

It seem'd his solemn embassy had staid

For thy last labour: the yet recent task
Of that dear hand,-which, at the setting sun,
Sank paralys'd, until it rise from dust

In deathless honour,-was a task of love.

It penn'd the fervent wish, the genuine prayer
Of" charity," to a far sever'd friend

In Asia's island groves ;* it cheer'd her zeal

*This excellent and amiable friend, Mrs. Burton, partner (in the best sense) of the Rev. R. Burton-then a missionary in Sumatra, afterwards in Hindostan,-has since "rested from her labours," leaving memorials of her friendship, zeal, and benevolence, in many Christian hearts.- -While the fifth edition of this work was reprinting, the painful news arrived of Mr. B.'s decease, at Patna, in September, 1828. In him the cause of Missions has lost a much esteemed promoter, and two infant orphans (in England) a remaining parent. But "the God of all grace," and "Father of the fatherless," who has ordained that his servants should be "not divided" longer, can overrule each public and private bereavement to the happiest ends. Some notices of the characters and exertions both of Mr. and Mrs. B. have since been published by the writer of these pages, in "Two Discourses, occasioned by the deaths of the Rev. E. C. Daniell, and the Rev. R. Burton."-Whittaker and Co., 1829.

For works of self-denying mercy there;

And beckon'd toward that haven of the blest,
Where saints whom centuries and seas divide

Shall join in endless harmony.

Thy soul

Was musical, though jarr'd by early griefs;

-Elastic heaven-ward, although press'd with care;

And when its fond solicitudes for all

It loved were lull'd awhile, it rose full fain

To high and holy musings; following up

The flight of stronger souls, as if nought lack'd
But a new wing, to bear it to the skies.

Now the new wing is given; and thou dost turn With smiling wonder back to "thoughts" like these, So dark,‚—so infantine,—so unenlarged

So feeble to the emancipated strength

Of heavenly knowledge and immortal joy!

Oh! be the chalice of thy joy but crown'd With this sweet foresight,-that thine offspring soon And whom they cherish, shall ascend to share

Thy bright maturity of saintly bliss:

Kept by his mighty power who "car'd for thee," -Midst thousand snares, and countless wanderings,

By Him that guides, and chastens, and restores,Till from this tearful brief mortality

They rise, to mingle in thy faultless song!

PREFACE.

HE who would produce what may profit others by influencing their mental state and disposition, must be guided chiefly by what he judges and feels the most adapted to benefit himself. In attempting to provide succours for moral and spiritual disorders and weaknesses, we can make no preparatory researches analogous to those of the surgeon, when he gains hints for the relief of disease from the anatomy of morbid subjects. We may, indeed, learn something from confidential intercourse; but although we were depositaries of auricular confession, still the most intimate and

analytical knowledge of the heart must be gained by the inspection of our own. This, in intellectual and moral anatomy, is the only subject to which we have free and full access. Even here, the

mischief is too abstruse for us; insomuch, that a sacred writer has exclaimed, "Who can know it?" And if it be thus with our own hearts, how much more must it be with those of others, which, in many respects, are so much less open to our view?

Consequently, in the choice and management of moral and spiritual topics, we cannot expect to offer what is best except for a certain class; i. e. for those who, as to internal character, most resemble ourselves.

It is hoped that the following Thoughts may conduce to strengthen the principle and assist the engagements of piety, in some minds of the reflective and questioning class, not sanguine in temperament, "strong in faith," or "filled with joy."