I have been. Little did I then dream of loving and serving the world. I thought I could have spent an eternity of happiness, on some lonely rock in the ocean, if God were with me there. I thought my soul would never forsake him, nor my voice ever be silent in his praise. But I knew not my own heart, nor the power of the world's allurements.

Now do not suppose, that because I and others have been tempted to backslide, and have yielded to the temptation, you must necessarily follow our disgraceful defection. I hope you never will. If you are a child of God, you need not. You may go "from strength to strength." You may accomplish victory after victory. God grant that you may!

But, should you, by mournful experience, have to look upon yourself as a backslider, you will remember this warning, and wish you had heeded it. Like the prodigal, you will be in spiritual beggary. I know of no condition, except that of hardened impenitence, more pitiable than the condition of a backslider. Conscience is too quick to allow him to enjoy the world; and religion is too much neglected to yield him the smallest comfort. He lives in disquietude, and anguish, until he repents, and finds anew the favour of his God.

LETTER III.

IN my last, I touched upon the subject of temptation. I am constrained to add a few words more on the same subject. It has been too common for those who have betrayed their Lord by a disgraceful return to the world, to predict the same defection in others. Hence you often hear professors of religion address the youthful convert in such language as the following: "Your present ardour is no proof that it will continue; now you are all joy, all devotion; by and by the scene will be changed. I once felt as you now feel; perhaps I enjoyed more extatic pleasure: but I soon lost the glow of my first love, and so will you. A few years will cool you down, and show you that such engagedness cannot always last."

When I hear such language addressed to the young Christian, I am indignant. It is not necessarily true; my young friend, it is not true. The Bible, which is the only "lamp to our path," gives no warrant for such a prediction. True, it represents the cases of many who at first bade fair, but subsequently apostatized. It records the cases of such, as a flaming beacon, to

warn those who should come after them. But does it not represent the path of the just, as "the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day?" Does it not say, that he who hath clean hands, shall grow "stronger and stronger?" Does it not urge us to "grow in grace," to "forget the things which are behind," and "reach towards those which are before?" to make Christ our mark, and press towards it, with all the energy of an Olympic racer, struggling in competition for the goal?

Now, I warn you not to listen to such cold predictions. They who make them from their own experience, may have been hypocrites. They may have felt something, which they called spiritual joy; but perhaps it was "Satan transformed into an angel of light:" perhaps it was the workings of their own imaginations, and not the legitimate fruits of the spirit. Let them take heed to themselves, lest they have been deceived; and not allure others on, in their down-hill course, by their disgraceful example. But suppose them to have been Christians; and I allow that a Christian may grow cold, and backslide in the service of God; is such language warranted by the word of God?

Is it likely to urge forward the young convert in the path of holiness? Is it likely to raise the standard of piety in the souls of others? No, far from it. Young converts are prone to copy those who are older and more experienced. If they are persuaded that it is consistent with the existence of piety, to grow cold in feeling, they will probably yield to the seductions of the world, and the temptations of Satan. They will not press forward; they will recede. They will take the cold dead level of their predecessors.

But, my young friend, be you warned by this, not to listen to such language for a moment; nor to suppose it must be true in your case. I do assure you, your Bible holds a different language. As you value your comfort, your peace of mind, your immortal hopes, your character as a Christian, your influence as a follower of the Lamb-press forward. Strive every day to make some new attainments in knowledge and holiness. You are engaged in a conflict. You have put on the armour of God; and, put it off for a moment you must not. Your enemies are numerous, vigilant, and powerful. You must contend every day nor must you think of rest or re

laxation. When death shall unbind for you the gospel armour, and you hear the dark waves of Jordan lashing these mortal shores, then, and not till then, will your struggles be ended, and your victory complete. You have counted the cost; do not shrink at the cross.

Christ will be with you. Christ will support you. Under His banner you contend. His arm will shield you, and his grace bring you off more than conqueror.

I have digressed a little from the point at which I aimed. I wished to caution you particularly, concerning the first step in a backward course. The first step in the retreat is an important one. It is needful, therefore, to say, that generally, that step commences at the closet. Prayer is the strong hold to which the young Christian generally resorts. In doubts and difficulties, a throne of grace is his refuge. If the "devouring lion" roar, thither the lamb will flee, and house itself in the bosom of its shepherd. If the world entice, and for a moment soil his purity, thither he repairs, and the stain is washed out in the blood of Jesus. the path of duty be not obvious, if perplexity attend his course, at a throne of grace there is light and direction. Hence it will be an im

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