PREFACE.

The following Letters were truly, as they profess to have been, written to a younger sister of the author. By the death of her parents, she was left, in a measure, dependent upon him, at an early age. She had been the subject of many prayers, and endeared by many ties. His house, as he humbly trusts, was the place of her second birth. As she was about to leave his roof, for a residence among strangers, the idea occurred to him of imbodying his fraternal counsel in such a form that it might be a friendly monitor to her, in the midst of those dangers and difficulties which beset the path of inexperienced youth. In prosecuting this design, it appeared hardly proper to bestow so much time upon the interests of one individual. Hence the writer concluded to commit these Letters to the press, with the hope that they might be the means of doing some good. This work is intended not merely to be read and laid aside; but, as its title imports, to be kept as a kind of practical directory for daily living. This edition has been revised with great care, and much new matter added.

Boston, 1851.

CONTENTS.

Preface,[5]

LETTER I.

The Christian's Mark,[17]
Introduction,[17]
A Great Mistake,[17]
The Grace of God a Growing Principle,[18]
The Spring that never dries nor freezes,[19]
Growth in Grace,[20]
The Glory of God, how manifested,[21]
The true Standard of Holiness,[21]
Paul's desire for Higher Attainments,[22]
How Eminent Holiness is attained,[23]
Examples of Eminent Persons,[23]
Mrs. Edwards,[24]
Earnestness in Religion,[25]
Religion the great Business of Life,[25]

LETTER II.

Importance of a thorough Knowledge of the Doctrines ofChristianity; Means of obtaining it,[26]
Connection of Doctrine and Practice,[26]
Religion compared to a Building,[27]
The Holy Spirit operates through the Truth,[28]
Genuine and Spurious Religious Affections distinguished,[28]
Office of the Truth in Sanctification,[29]
Doctrinal Knowledge without Practice,[29]
Directions,[30]
1.Becomes a Little Child,[30]
The Starting Point of Error,[31]
2.Avoid a Controversial Spirit,[31]
An Error of Young Persons,[31]
3.Use Helps,[32]
Writings of Men, why studied,[32]
Bible the Text Book,[32]
4.Seek the Aid of the Holy Spirit,[32]

LETTER III.

True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart, but must becarried out in the Conduct,[33]
Inconstancy of False Religion,[34]
Fruitfulness of True Piety,[34]
Fruits of the True and False Professor contrasted,[35]
Fruit-bearing the test of Christian Character,[36]
The Fruits of the Spirit,[36]
Love, as in the Experience of David,[37]
Manifested in willing Obedience,[38]
Love of the Brethren,[38]
Spiritual Joy. Peace,[39]
Peace of Mind; its Manifestations,[40]
Meekness the Twin Sister of Peace,[41]
Long-suffering, Gentleness,[41]
Goodness,[42]
Faith, a Common Principle of Action,[42]
An Operative Principle,[43]
Power of Faith. Temperance,[43]

LETTER IV.

Reading and Study of the, Bible,[44]
Search the Scriptures,[45]
We must set our Hearts to it,[45]
Directions,[46]
1.Read the Bible in your Closet,[46]
2.Preparation of the Heart,[47]
3.Seek the Aid of the Holy Spirit,[47]
4.Read with Self-application,[47]
5.Read the Scriptures regularly,[48]
6.Study the Bible systematically,[48]
Variety and Harmony of the Bible,[49]
Things to be observed,[49]
Wisdom of Divine Inspiration,[49]
How to remove Difficulties,[50]
Commentaries. Tasks,[50]
Read in Course,[51]
Close Study of the Bible,[51]
Constant Subjects of Inquiry,[52]
The Bible a History of the Church,[52]
Periods of the History of the Church,[52]
Take notice what Period you are reading,[53]
Inquire what Doctrine or Principle is taught, recognized,illustrated, or enforced,[53]
Note the Promises and Predictions,[53]
Take Notes,[53]
Read the Gospel to study the Character of Christ,[53]
Things to be observed in Sacred History and Biography,[54]
Poetic and Didactic Parts of the Bible,[55]
The Prophecies,[55]

LETTER V.

Prayer and Fasting,[57]
Duty of Prayer,[57]
Prayer defined,[58]
Examples,[59]
The Lord's Prayer; its Use,[59]
The Power of Prayer,[60]
The Promises,[61]
The Promises exemplified,[61]
The Arians. Francke. Dr. West,[63]
The Slave liberated by Prayer,[64]
Asking amiss,[64]
We must desire the Things we ask, for the Glory of God,[65]
We must ask,—
For Things agreeable to the Will of God,[65]
In Faith,[66]
With Humble Submission,[67]
Practical Hints,[67]
1.Maintain a Constant Spirit of Prayer,[67]
2.Observe Stated and Regular Seasons of Prayer,[68]
3.Observe Special Seasons of Prayer,[71]
Fasting,[72]
4.Preparation of Heart,[74]
5.Persevere in Prayer,[74]

LETTER VI.

Temptation,[76]
Existence of the Devil,[76]
His Character,[76]
1.He is Powerful,[77]
His Power limited,[77]
Why he is permitted to exercise Power,[77]
2.He has much Knowledge,[78]
3.He is Wicked,[78]
4.He is Crafty, Deceitful, and Treacherous,[78]
5.He is a Liar,[78]
6.He is Malicious,[79]
The Devices of Satan,[79]
He suits his Temptations to our Circumstances,[80]
Impulses to be tried by the Word of God,[81]
Subtlety of Satan,[82]
Temptations from the World,[82]
From our own Hearts,[82]
The Heart a Castle,[83]
We must set a Watch,[83]
The Double Watch,[83]
Watch unto Prayer,[83]
Watch in Prayer,[84]
Watch on the Mount,[84]
Watch in Despondency,[84]
Watch when Cheerful,[84]
Watch in Prosperity,[85]
Watch in Adversity,[85]
Watch over the Tongue,[85]
Watch when doing Good,[85]
Watch against Besetting Sins,[85]
Watch over the Imagination,[85]

LETTER VII.

Self-Denial,[86]
Nature and Consequences of Selfishness,[87]
The Selfish Principle surrendered,[87]
Self-Denial defined and applied,[89]
Essential to Christian Character,[89]
Christ's Example,[89]
A Caution,[90]

LETTER VIII.

Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments,[90]
Duty of Public Worship,[91]
Example of "Holy Men of Old,"[91]
Of Christ and the Apostles,[91]
Public Worship an Imperative Duty,[93]
Sin and Danger of neglecting it,[94]
Attend the stated Ministry of your Pastor,[95]
Be Punctual at Church,[96]
Go with Preparation of Heart,[96]
Deportment in the House of God,[97]
Singing. Prayer. Wandering Thoughts,[97]
Take heed how you hear,[98]
Ambassadors. The Check Book,[98]
The Noble Bereans,[99]
Fault-Finding,[99]
Self-Application,[100]
Hearing for Others,[100]
Hear with a Prayerful Frame,[100]
Remember and Practise what you hear,[100]
Meetings for Social Prayer,[100]
Be governed by Principle,[101]
Female Prayer Meetings,[101]
The Sabbath-school,[102]
Three Requisites,[102]
Hints on Sabbath-school Instruction,[103]
Skill in Teaching,[103]
Study the Juvenile Mind,[104]
Use Helps,[104]
Aim at drawing out the Minds of Children,[104]
Catechising,[105]
Dependence,[105]
Let your own Heart be affected,[105]
Personal Application,[105]
Earnestly seek God's Blessing,[106]
Private Sabbath Duties,[106]
Spend much Time in your Closet,[107]
Spend none in seeking Ease or Pleasure,[107]
Watch over your Thoughts,[107]
Set a Guard over your Lips,[108]

LETTER IX.

Meditation,[108]
1.Its Importance,[109]
2.Time and Manner of,[109]
3.Subjects of Meditation,[111]

SUBJECTS PROPOSED AND ARRANGED.

I. Character and Attributes of God,[112]
1.Self Existence,[112]
2.Eternity and Immortality,[112]
3.Omnipresence and Omniscience,[113]
4.Omnipotence and Independence,[113]
5.Benevolence,[114]
6.Justice,[114]
7.Truth,[115]
8.Mercy,[116]
9.Wisdom,[116]
II. Doctrines,[117]
1.Decrees of God,[117]
2.Sovereignty of God,[118]
3.Human Depravity,[118]
4.Regeneration,[119]
5.Condition of Fallen Man,[119]
6.Plan of Redemption,[119]
7.Justification,[119]
8.Adoption,[120]
9.Sanctification,[120]
10.Death,[120]
11.Heaven,[121]
12.The Resurrection,[121]
13.The Judgment,[121]
14.The World of Woe,[122]
III. Character of Christ,[122]
IV. Names and Offices of Christ,[124]
1.Saviour,[124]
2.Redeemer,[124]
3.Prophet,[124]
4.Priest,[124]
5.King,[124]
6.Mediator,[125]
7.Advocate, and Intercessor,[125]
8.Friend,[126]
9.Elder Brother,[126]
10.Husband,[126]
V. The Christian Graces,[126]
1.Faith,[126]
2.Hope,[126]
3.Charity or Love,[127]
4.Joy,[127]
5.Peace,[127]
6.Brotherly Kindness,[127]
7.Humility,[127]
8.Patience,[127]
9.Long-suffering,[128]
10.A Forgiving Temper,[128]
11.Meekness,[128]
12.Gentleness,[128]
13.Temperance,[128]
14.Virtue or Moral Courage,[128]

LETTER X.

The Preservation of Health,[129]
Connection of Health and Usefulness,[129]
Duty of Preserving Health,[130]
Physiology. Habits,[131]
Influence of Ladies,[131]
Rules for Preserving Health,[131]
1.Make Conscience of it,[131]
2.Be Cheerful,[132]
3.Be Regular in your Habits,[133]
4.Exercise,[134]
Delicate Training of Young Ladies,[135]
5.Practise frequent Ablutions,[135]
6.Pay Attention to the Quantity and Quality of Food,[136]
Effects of bad or excessive Diet,[137]
How to glorify God in Eating and Drinking,[138]
7.Taking Medicine,[139]

LETTER XI.

Mental Cultivation. Reading,[141]
Object of Education,[141]
Written Exercises,[142]
Discipline. Perseverance,[143]
Reading,[144]
Hints on Reading History,[144]
Biography,[147]
Doctrinal and Miscellaneous Reading,[148]
Newspapers and Periodicals,[148]
Light Reading. English Classics,[150]

LETTER XII.

Improvement of Time. Present Obligation,[151]
Value of Moments,[151]
How to redeem Time,[152]
Systematic Arrangements,[153]
Motives for being Systematic,[153]
Nature of Obligation,[154]

LETTER XIII.

Christian Activity,[156]
Female Influence,[156]
May be felt in the Bible Society,[156]
In the Tract Society,[158]
Monthly Tract Distribution,[158]
The Missionary Cause,[159]
Influence in Behalf of the Poor,[160]
A Plea for the Poor,[161]
Example of Christ,[162]
Temperance,[163]
Interest of Females in the Subject,[163]
Conversation,[164]
Influence in bringing People under the Sound of the Gospel,[164]
Influence directly on the Impenitent,[164]
The Duty enjoined,[164]
1.By the Example of Christ,[165]
2.By Love to God,[165]
3.By Love to our Neighbor,[165]
4.By the Injunctions of Scripture,[166]
Facts,[168]
Wonderful Influence exerted by one Woman,[169]
Cautions,[172]
1.Avoid Ostentation,[172]
2.Prudence and Discretion,[172]
3.Be Resolute and Persevering,[173]
4.Be much in Prayer,[173]

LETTER XIV.

Dress,[174]
Design of Dress,[174]
Things to be observed,[175]
1.All you have is the Lord's,[175]
2.Your Time is the Lord's,[176]
3.Personal Appearance,[177]
Influence of Christianity,[177]
4.Regard to Health,[178]
Compression of the Chest,[178]
5.Do not make too much of it,[179]

LETTER XV.

Social and Relative Duties,[180]
The Family Relation,[180]
Household Law,[181]
Rules,[183]
1.In Relation to the Family,[183]
2.To the Church,[184]
3.To Society in general,[186]
4.Visiting,[187]
5.Worldly Society,[188]
6.Conversation,[188]
7.Discussion of Absent Characters,[189]
8.Speaking of one's self,[191]
9.A Suspicious Disposition,[191]
10.Intimate Friendships,[192]
11.Before going into Company, visit your Closet,[192]

LETTER XVI.

Charity,[193]
General Description of,[193]
Long Suffering,[194]
Kindness,[194]
Envy,[196]
Self-Conceit,[197]
Description of a Self-conceited Person,[197]
Self-conceited Confidence not Independence of Mind,[198]
Unseemliness,[199]
Forwardness,[199]
Impertinence,[200]
Taking the Lead in Conversation,[200]
Fierce Contention for Rights,[201]
Rudeness, Grossness,[201]
Disinterestedness,[201]
Selfishness,[201]
Churlishness,[203]
Good Nature,[203]
Jealousy,[204]
Fault Finding,[205]
Telling others their Faults,[206]
Christian Watch not Espionage,[206]
Effects of Ruminating upon the Faults of Others,[206]
Sours the Temper and leads to Misanthropy,[206]
Charitable Joy,[206]
Censoriousness, a Mark of an Impenitent Heart,[207]
Apostates, before their Fall, noted far Censoriousness,[208]
Humble Christians not Censorious,[209]
Duty of Rejoicing in the Goodness of Others,[210]
Charity, positively,[211]
Charity beareth all Things,[211]
Believeth all Things,[212]
Endureth all Things,[212]

LETTER XVII.

Harmony of Christian Character,[214]
Harmony of Sounds, Colors, and Proportions, delights the Senses,[214]
Harmonious Development of the Christian Graces,[215]
Effects of the Disproportionate Development of Character,[217]
How Young Christiana fall into this Error,[218]

LETTER XVIII.

Marriage,[220]
Marriage Desirable,[220]
Marriage not Indispensable,[221]
Qualifications Indispensable in a Companion for Life,[222]
1.Piety,[222]
2.An Amiable Disposition,[224]
3.A Well-cultivated Mind,[224]
4.Congeniality of Sentiment and of Feeling,[225]
5.Energy of Character,[225]
6.Suitableness of Age,[226]
Qualifications Desirable,[226]
1.A Sound Body,[226]
2.Refinement of Manners,[226]
3.A Sound Judgment,[227]
4.Prudence,[227]
5.Similarity of Religious Sentiment and Profession,[227]
Treatment of Gentlemen,[228]
A Peculiar Affection necessary,[229]
Social Intercourse with Gentlemen,[229]
General Remarks,[230]

LETTER XIX.

Submission—Contentment—Dependence,[233]
The Hand of God in all Things,[233]
Comforting Considerations,[235]
Supply of Temporal Wants,[236]
Duty of Contentment,[237]

LETTER XX.

Self-Examination,[238]
Danger of Neglecting it,[238]
Assurance Attainable,[239]
Witness of the Spirit,[239]
Objects,[241]
1.To discover Sin,[241]
Questions for Saturday Evening,[243]
" for Sabbath Evening,[244]
Questions for every Evening,—(several sets,)[245]
(1.) When Time is limited,[245]
(2.) For Ordinary Occasions,[246]
(3.) Dr. Doddridge's Questions,[247]
(4.) When you have more Time than usual,[248]
2.To ascertain why Prayer is not answered,[251]
3.As to the Cause of Afflictions,[253]
4.Whether we are Christians,[253]
Am I a Christian?—Questions,[255]
(1.) As to Views of Sin,[255]
(2.) Of the Government of God,[256]
(3.) Faith in Christ,[257]
(4.) Love to God,[258]
(5.) Christian Character in General,[260]
5.Preparation for the Lord's Table,[262]
Questions,[262]
Conclusion,[264]

APPENDIX.

A Course of Reading,[267]
I.Sacred History,[267]
Profane History,[267]
II.Christian Doctrine,[268]
III.Biography,[268]
IV.Miscellaneous,[268]