EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY. JAN. 15, 1818.-"This is the anniversary of the birth of my youngest son. In our eyes he was lovely-to us, very dear. What a grave has the western world been to Europeans! To-day, he would have attained his thirty-first year. What varied and painful reflections return to my mind! and, as often before, so now, I regret that I can procure no intelligence of his thoughts or feelings in his last hours. Never does the country in which he died come to my recollection, but it produces a chilling influence through all my frame. "Be content, my soul, with the will of Heaven. What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter. Rest in hope; he was instructed in the ways of righteousness, he was the child of many prayers, and of many faithful admonitions. He gave, in his letters, some tokens of reflection upon those things which are of the first importance. Suffice it that God has said, They who sow in tears shall reap in joy. It cannot be, that prayer, and faith, and hope, shall prove utterly fruitless." Feb. 27.-"This day paid a visit to my dear friend, Mr. Hardcastle, who is gradually sinking. He is perfectly resigned to the dispensation of Him, whose wisdom and mercy form the basis of hope and comfort to the Christian. The dying saint is willing either to live or die. In this submissive temper of mind, he said-" If I am to live, I shall welcome life, and thank its Giverif I am to die, I shall welcome death, and thank its Conqueror-but if I have any choice, it is to die, and be with Christ, which is far better.' April 11.-"This morning I have been reading the character, piety, and death of the Rev. David Brown, who was a burning and a shining light in the superstitious regions whither he had directed his steps. By the extent of his labours, by his uniform piety and disinterestedness, by the ardour of his zeal, and the consummate prudence of his measures, he honoured his divine Master, and exemplified the excellency, the power, and the purity of that Gospel which he preached to others. We seldom find such talents and usefulness, united with such unassuming modesty, unfeigned humility, and entire abandonment of all regard to personal ease, worldly interest, and human applause. If this eminent servant of Christ felt constrained humbly to deplore, and feelingly to lament his own unworthiness, regretting that he had not done more for God, what reason have I for humility. O Lord, let the impressions made upon my mind to-day continue, that I may be stimulated to more diligence, spirituality, and self |