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'%: Jfm ^iVTV SAUNDEnS, BSt ■ ^f'' .■;r,'t % # Who was a passenger on board the Ship Francis Mary, which foundered at sea on the 5th Feb. 1826, on , he ' passage from New Brunswick to Liverpool. Miss Saunders was one of the six survivors who were driveii to the awful extremity of subsisting 2^ days on the dead bodies of such of the unfortunate crew as fell victims to starvation— one of whom was a young man to whom she was soon to be joined in. marnuge. WRiTTiN BY HERSELF r 1.; ■>, .A>- A- €oinf\ Ocome, dearly beloved Christian^^ and join zvitli rae in the praise of God, who^ ^ has had pill/ onme^ and whose merci/ endnr--. ith forever. .0^0^ Anneaeu IP a Solemn Address of Miss Saupders to per % ^ sons of aJi «ge;s and of every denomination, «n tiles' import;u/Cf of attending to the concerns of theil| j^|/ hiiuioViul t ouls, and in being prepared for Peath^iV: i^ I tfj^^j? \ :0:@:3K M^:- R x-fe Mm Hj-Sf' PROVIDENCE, INTEI) FOR Z. S. CROJSSfiltfl?, • •*•• ••«••? ij^ 'fm '■.* *&'•»* ;- ,i» f' W.. >3 1827. &:'* a^ :£i^ «r.'- * "■43?*^ ■r %21 \ Distrid of MassathusettS'^to wit : District Clmik's Office* BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the Ninth day of Febtu- ary, A.D. 1827, in the Fifty -first Year of the Independence of the United States of America, EBENEZER FRIER, of the said District, has deposited in this Office the Title of a Boolc^ the rig^t whereof he claims as Proprietor, in words following", to wit : — Narrative of the Shipwreck and Sufferings of Miss Ann Saunders, who was a passenger on board the Ship Fran- cis Mary, which foundered at sea on the 5th Feb. 1826, on her passage from New-Brunswick to Liverpool. Miss Saunders was one of the six suavivors who were driven to the awful extremity of subsisting 22 days on the dead bodies of such of the unfortunate crew as fell victims to starvation, one of whom was a young- man to whom .'>:ic v/iis soon to be joined in mar- riage — written by herself — Come, O come, dearly beloved Christians and jo/n with mc 'n the priJse of God, who has had pity on me, and whose mercy endureth forever. — Annexed is a solemn address of Miss Saundei's to persons of all ages and of every denomination, on the importance of attending to the concerns of theii* immortal souls, and in being prepared for death. f In conformity to the Act of Congi'css of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of Learning by sCt curing the copies of Mv.ps, Charts and Tlooks, to the author? and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein men- tioned. And also an Act, entitled ** An Act, supplementary to an Act entitled an Act ibr the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times there- in mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints.' JNO. W, DAVIS, Ckrk of the District of Miissachuseifs., / 37*113 < «. '•iHj^jhii *.*M»^-te->' ^««t*t*te-.,3,»*(-4 of Febtu- ependence lER, of the ofaBook^ following", rs of Miss 5hip Fran- ^26, on her Saunders the awful of such of e of whom ed in mat- beloved lo has had innexed is ag-es and ling' to the pared for ed States, )g by scr e authors •ein men- lementary ' learnings s, to the nesthere- ' the arts er prints.' / } r RECOMMENDATION. 0X0- !«?. j! In confirmation of the truth of the facts, as recor* ded in the following narrative, we beg the liberty to subjoin the recommendation of a worthy Clergyman, .of Liverpool, of whose church Miss Saunders is now, we trust, a worthy member. ** Having been long personally acquainted with Miss Saunders, (the N'arrative of whose recent unparal- leled sufferings are noiv offered for public perusal,) and having been a witness of her late happy conver* sion, [ feel it a duty to recommend her publication ns ii work of great meiit, and calculated to be useful wherever it may be read, and will, I am confident, be considered a treasure of inestemable value, by Cbris-- (ians of every denomination ; who, by a faithful pe rusal of it, will, I trust, be led to feel the uncertaint if-vlife, and the infinite importance of being prepare, (or death. It is therefore with pleasure that I contf ^| ?| bute this testimony of my approbation of a publiqi ^^j tion,8o profitable and interesting to both eld and youii ^^* — to parents who love their children, and childrei^f^ who love their parents — and to all whosincerelv iove \ our Lord Jesus Christ. Tp EBENEZER WAKEFIELD '* 'S Liverpool y July ly IB26, I >- .i,^ % r i i 'L mnA . ^..' <'i^inhmiSi.iiu,/. ., %: I 'l' M I HH' l' I 1 H I 4'fc ' » -' <' il^ii ^ . ^^, ..-p- '•tl^l \ SHIPWRECK & SUFFERINGS OF ANN SAUNDERS. --""m :n:' ;(.. ., Tor the liilbrmjitlon oi such of my readers as may l»e unacquainted with tl\Q fact, it may not beuoimpoc- tant that 1 commence tho narrative of my recent un- paralleled sufferings, with stating, that I a'u 'i native of Liverpool, [Eng.] where 1 was born in Jun 3, 1802, ©f reputable parents ; who, although as regarded '^^^S- ** worldly riches," were ranked with the ** poorer '^'k dass," yet, succeeded in bestowing on me what I now '*'4 Hnd ever shall conceive a legacy of more inestema- ^1 hie worth, to wit: an education sufficient to enable j. me to peruse the sacred Scriptures, whereby 1 wa^tn. early taught the importance of attending to the coii> 4. cerns of my souL At an early age 1 had the misfoi>^h tune to lose my flUher — but, young as I was, the irr^» d , ;i^arable loss made a deep and lasting impression upon ir I My mind — by tiiis melancholy and unc^Lpectcd evcof^ ;r iny poor mother was left a widow with five helpless / ^ ^ * " ^^ II I I i.r n .ii " . '"^'' *' i r »■''' k 8 SHIPWRECK & SUFFERINGS % children, and without the nrieans of contributing but a scanty pittance to their support— the Ihree oldest were in consequence put out into respectable families in the neighborhood, where I have reason to believe we were treated with as much tenderness, as }'oung chil- dren generally are, who are bound out under similar- circumstances. When 1 had arrived to tbe age of eighteen, I >\as persuaded to take up my abode with a widowed aunt, wflh whom I remained until some- time in October, 1825. 'R was while with my aunt, that I became first acqiminted with that peculiarly unfortunate youth, James Frier, whose wretched and untimely fate, I shall hereafter have a sad occa- sion to speak. While with my aunt, I also became intimately ac- quainted with a Mrs. Kendail, the wife of Capt. John Kendall, a lady of pious and amiable disposition, and who, I believe, was very deservedly respected by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. It was by the very strong solicitations of this lady (and those of the unfortunate youth above mentioned) that 1 consented to accompany her with her husband, on their passage from Liverpool to St. Johns, (New Brunswick,) in the fall of 1825. It was early in the morning of the 10th November, that I took an affectionate leave of my mother and ersters, and embarked with Mrs. Kendall, (whose companion 1 was to be,) and bid adieu for the first time to the shores of my native land. The wind was 1^ favorable, but it being the first time in my life that I bad ever adventured more than half a mile on the t cean, with sea sickness and a depression of spirits, I was confined to my birth, the first three days, after we left port — but, becoming more accustomed to the mo- tion of the vessel, I soon regained my health and spir- its, and from this moment enjoyed a pleasant passage, \|withoutany very remarkable occurrence atttnding us,^ ,'!> »-'i A>tf ii ij" « i ) a*efe?B^^ rfey ^'U''!. .muioI'M) m nni* Im 51 ^ *. % I »*«l*«!ffl?S»*e-t~ iting huiii Idest were families in >elieve we oung chil- ler similar (he age of ibode with itil ?ome- I my aunt, peculiarly wretched sad occa- nately ac- .'apt. John Htion, and pted by ail It was '•ind ihost'! d) that i IS band, on (New ins. ovember, other and , (whose the first wind was life that I le on the spfiits, I , after we the mo- 1 and spir- t nassaire, tndiDg us. OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. 9 1^ * *. until we reached St. Johns' the port of o ir destina- tion. On the 18th January, 1826, (Capt. Kendall having obtained a cary;o of Timber, and made every neces- sary prt'piration for our departure,) we set sail for Liverpool, with a favorable wind, and with the prod - j)cct a )d joyful expectations of an ex|)^"dltiou^ passage — on boar! of the ship were 21 souls, nicluding Mrs. Kendall, a.id niyseU' — many of the seamen were mar- ried Hi'Mi, and had left in Europe numerous families^ dependent ofi (hern for support — Alas! poor mortals, liUl.i flid tiity probably think, wh»^n ihey bid their loving ( o ...jaruons and their tender litile ones the last adieu, (£i .t i* w is to be a linal one, and ihat thev were to bohold (li^'ir faces no more, iorever, in this frail worM ; I'll;, wonoust not charge an infinitely wise and goor' ' 'i.>d !f>oiishiV , who cannot err, but orders every event for ' .t' b(-!-t. VVe "t I* .^eii favorable weather until about the 1st Fcl>'' ;;,j . ( Ml asf-vere i-^ale w;»s cxjecienced, which blo^v ,i\\::; ,v me of the vrir< If emnloved ourselves iu Aounds of the poor feliow» that were •! v;bi!e those who had escaped injury, t;d in clearirii^ the deck ot the broken i ';r;',- and disentangling the rigging, kc. so ' hi)or«j tht^y wete ena leti ai^ain lo mak<^ n h tl e pleasing hope that tliey should en- w p'.ose boisterous and contrary wmds to im- n '!*sao;e — but, in this they were soon sad- •'n.-d. for on the 5th, they were visited with a S'll or»! .- vere gale, from E. S. E. which indeed cause*) tb< '^^a to run " mountains high !" The cap. tain gjave orders to his men to do every tbing^in, their sel, spar*, :-v.'-i thai i' a sail, ; r,d count- 1 pede th ■ )y disa-;'j ■g*. -■''-■"'"-"^.■' >""'-" ■-''■view w»^:j I I s ■h 10 [SHIPWRECK k SUFFERINGS power to do, for the safety of our llvns — all sails were rlewed up, and the ship hove to, hut the gale «till in creasing, ahout noon our vessel was struck hy a trfe- mendoUvS sea, which swept from her decks alnfiost ev ery moveable article, and washed one of the seamen overboard, (who wns providentially Pflved ) and in a few moments ai'ter b} another tremendous sea, the whole of the ships ?torn was stove in ! this was only the beginning of a scene of horrid calamities ! doub- ly horrible to mo, (as the reader must sup|)ose) who had never before witnessfd any thing so awful. While the capiain and (^fllicers of the ship were holding a consiilialion or; deck, what was best to be done for the preservation o>" our lives Mis. Kendall and m}solf were on our knees, on the quarter deck, as earnestly engaged in yunyer to tl e Almighty God that he would in l-is tender nierry spare our lives, and if consistent with his will, that he would finally restQ or Qo pounds of bread, and a few poun«1s of cheese, which were stow- ed in the main top ; to wh'xcU place Mrs. Kendall and myself were conveyed, it being impossible for us to ri^acd'n below, the cabin b^iw^^ nearly fil!od wiuh watei. '^jtefiftLtJSpa^gywyyuiiJw i... .. ii . .,., ^ .i i ^i gf , H,Hf i H> g(ll iiii iw i| W Wi>W i jl- i n-i " '" -JW'.SJn" >*V"" |^ClpW*WSl*^'|*J}#i '^-rty.-^ 7 OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS, 11 ails were c «ti)l in by a trfc- Imost ev i scHmen and in a sea, the Wris only s ! (loob- k«n) who 111. ip were 'st to be Kendal! :er deck, ;htv Go(i ives, and y lesiJtdre euie and nfij aud edge my n wba^ >v an a9> e of the ncrease 1 alarm- vessel )ught of 18 were p'a pro- h^ bow unde of •e stow- lall and »r us to watei; ! and almost every sea breaking over us ! Tl»e ni}];ht approached with all its dismal horrors — the horizon wa* obscun^i by black and angry lookiufj; clouds, and about midmii;' t tiie rain commenced falUnj; in torrents, attend<'d witli f ijibtl'ul pealn (tf thunder, and unro- mittuh'- streams of lijihtninj:; !— but, (hiring the nhole ©f this long .iiwl dt«mal ni^ht with all its atttndiriu; hor- rors, iVlrs. K. and myself were constantly upon our knees, supplicriting the mercy of that God, *' VVho rides upnn the stormy winds, And manages the seas." Dayii^ht returned, but only to present to our view an additional scene ot horror — one of the poor sea- men /(vercome by fuij^ue, was discovered hanging lifeless hy sonif part of I he rijzgiufT — his mortal remains were commi(ted to the deep — as this was the lirst in- stance of entombing a human body in the ocean, that I had ever witnessed, the melancholy scene made a deep impression on my mind, as 1 expected such e- ventually would be mv own fate ! At (), A. M. our depressed spirits wer« a iittl-s re- vived by the appearance of a sad standing toward us ; whirb proved to be an American, who reaained in company with us until the next morning; when, in consequence of the roughness of the sea, being una- ble lo adord us any assistance, they leit us It v^orjld be impossible for me to attempt to describo the feelings of ail on board 'in This moment, on seeing 00 unexpectedly vinish, the pleasing hope of being rescut'd by this vessel, from our perilous situation. As the only human means to prolong our miserable exisience a tent of spare canvass was erected by the ship's crew on the forecastle, and all on board put on the short allowance of a quarter of a biscuit a day. On thte 8th February (the gale still continuing) a brig ti i 12 SHIPWRECK k SUFFERINGS li was seen to leeward bat at a great distance, and io the afternoon the same brig (as was supposed) was seen to the windward. Capt. Kendall ordered a signal of distress to be made, and we soon had the satisfaction to see the brig approacli us within hail, and inquire very distinctly of C*»pt. K. how long he had been in that situation, and what he intended to do — if he in- tended leaving the ship? to which he r«iplied, ♦'yes, with God's assistance," — but, alas the Almighty, for his own wise and good purpo>~»w m m i I » M » ■ >*il «»M OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. 13 md Id the was} seen signal oi* itisfaction d inquire 3 been in -if he in- }d, '* yes, lighty, for ice more, it ! — night o that de- water, we ist deplor- dies were pits of the many oi er) over- ing with* If, altho* situation I on board, up by the we meet blessings, il Creator owledge of liscovered gain made, er course, arrived at consumed, victims ! — of no other ess caused by famine ; whose body, after reading prayers, was committed to the deep — and on the 22d, John Wilson, another searqan, fell a victim to starvation !— as the calls of hunger had now become too importunate to be resisted, it is a fact, although shocking to relate, that we were re('uced to the awful extremity to at- tempt to support cur feeble bodies a while longer by subsisting on the dead body of th^ deceased— it was cut into slices, then washed in salt water, and after bemg exposed to and dried a little in tha sun, was ap- portioned to epich of the mi erable survive rs, who partook of it as a sweot morsel — from this revolting food I abstained for 24 hours, when I too, was com- pelled by hunger, to .'ollow their example' Alas, how often in my childhood Iiav3 I read accounts of sea-far- ing people, and others, bavin;:; beeri driven to the avvfui alternative of ei:Lcr ctarvin^, or to ssatis^fy the crav- ings of nature, ^uboistiij;^ en rjuoirn fesh. or the dead carcases of the oeincat uniLnls tout were to be ob- tained ! accounts which ai'o pretty- [generally discredit- ed by those who have : ot b.-'.en placed in a similar situation — but to sr^h an a»vi:il exiremity, 1 can as- sure my cliri'.t'.'in re-wJcr:*, v^as I and my wretched companions noa' rv'^duoed !' This is indeed, the height of misjcry, yet such wr.s cur c^eplorable case ; ive eyed each other Vfl-.h mnurnf:! and mehmcholy looks, as may be supposed of people perishing with hunger and thirst ; by all of whom it was now perceived that we h'-rtntions of these poor creatures (dying for the want of sustenance) was di?- tre^sirjg beyond conception ; .-oir.*) of tliern expired raving mad, crying out lahir^r.r.bly ior wnter ! — liutch- inson, who, it apperired, had isft a onru^Tous family in Europe, talked of his wife and cb;Idron as if they were present — rej^ealino; \\\e. Dr'aies it'the latter, and begged of them tobekiniUo their poor mother, who, he represented, was abo'it to be separated from hici forever! Jcnej? became delirious Uvo or thr(^e days before his (ieath, and in liis ravin£:s, rein-oached his wife and children as well as his (ivinci; cemp-mioiis present, with being the autliors of his extreme suf- ferings, by depriving him of tbod, and in r<;fu!-ing him even asi|^i^ledrop of water, with wljich to mo sten his parched lips I and, indeed, such now n- s? the thirst of those who were but in a little bett.^r coiHiilion, that they were driven to the melancho'v, distress fu! hor- rid act (to procure their blood) of cutt-nE tlic throats of their deceased companions a momei.t after the breath of life had lelt their bodies ! In the untimely exit of no one of the unhappy suf- ferers was I 30 sensibly effected, a* in thut ol" he un- fortunate youth, James Frier — for in the welfare of „ wm jaC ~ M 5S II hear, [race."' died, whose ikin^ then^- rved for our 'e days after hunt Hfiy al- m^ to fatigue Fobn Jones, uder Kellv, J;ur.ps, sea- r th»^?;e poor c.e) was die- em expired r 1 — Hutcb- Tous family n a5 if thoy i hitter, and other, who, mI from him Ihrp.e days roached his? coii'ip nnioiis X Ire me suf- (:fu^inir him mo 5-ten his !? the thirst )(iition, that essfti! hor- tlie throat:^ >t after the ihappr suf- t of he iin- wtlfare of OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. !5 none on board did I feel myself so immediately inter- ested, as the reader may judge, from the circumstan- ces that 1 ehall mention. I have already stated, that with this ill-fated young man, I became intimately ac- quainted in Liverpool— >to me he had early made pro- testations of love, and more than once intimated an inclination to select me as the partner of his bosom ; and never had I any reason to doubt his sincerity — it was partly by his solicitations that I had been induced to comply with the wishes of Mrs. Kendall, to ac- company her in this unfortunate voy ge ; in the course of which, by frequent interviews, my attach- ment for this unfortunate youth was rath ^^r increased than diminished ; and before this dreadful calamity befell us, he had obtained my consent, and we had mutually agreed and avowed to each other our deter- mination to unite in marriage, as soon as we should reach our destined port ! judge then, my christian fe- male readers (for it is you that can best judge) what must have been my feelings, to see a youth for whom i bad formed an indiesolnble attachment — bim witk whom I expected so soon to be joined in wedlock^ and to spend the remainder of my da^s, expiring be- fore my eyes, for the want of that sustenance which ■ature requires for the support of life, and which it was not in my power to afford him ! and myself at the same moment so far reduced by hunger and thirst, as to be driven to the horrid alternative to preserve my own hfe (O • God of Heaven ! the lamentable fact is known to thee, and why should I attempt to conce4 it from the world ?) to plead my claim to the greater portion of his precious blood, as it oozed half con- gealed from the wound inflicted upon his lifeless bo- dy !! ! Oh, this was a bitter cup indeed ! but it was God's will that it thoiild not pass me — and God^s will must he done. O, it was a chastening rod, that h^s been the meant f fllitof wtnoing me forerer froi» !! U 11 16 SHIPWRECK k SUFFERINGS all the vain enjoj-ments of this frail world ; and of fixing ray hopes and trust in the merits of Jesus— ftnil although I have been made to drink deep of the cup of affliction, never will I forget the unbounded raercy and goodness of God. in preserving my hfe, in raising me from the depths of wo, and putting a song of praf^fe into my mouth I " Though I walk through the gloomy vale. Where death and all its terrors are ; My heart and hope shall never fail, For God my Shepherd's with me there." * Think mortal,* says the poet, * what it is to die,* —but 1 would add, think how distressing it must be to see those whom we tenderly love, die before oiTr eyes : die agonized with pain, after languishing with lingering disease, and without being able to contribute to their ease, or add one moment to their existence t In view of the melancholv circumstance that I have just described, 1 call upon all, and especially those who traverse the deep, seriously to consider the un» e?ertainty of life, and the importance of being pre- pared for death. One who was in the bloom and vi- gor of life but a few days previous, was thus in an unexpected manner, ushered into the unseen worlds! He was expecting soon to change his relation in life, but death suddenly blasted his hopes, and prevented our anticipated union — thus man nppoints, but God oftf n disappoints us of our most flattering prospecffe ©f an earthly nature. As a proof that my almost constant supplications for (he mercy of Him, who * has power alone lo hush the boisterous seas^ and to set the shipwrecked marc- ner free,' were of some avail, I ought not to witbi* hold from my readers a knowledge of the fact^ ih«it •"taJIBIi «f »( i ' .Ug ' ■ m " mil III'! ii j l|i | « JR ' J ' " >rld ; and of Jesua— ftn3 of the cup nded mercy I'e, in raising ng of prar^e ^ vale, re ; OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. J7 there. 97 it is to (He/ g it must be before o^fr lishing with ) contribute existence t that I have cially those der the un» being pre- om and vi- thus in an 2en world ;i tion in life, prevented , but God prospeclfe icatione for ne to hush eked marc- ot to with.* i fact^ th«lt i "4 wJaile almost every other person on board were ren- dered 80 weak, by their extreme, sufferina;? and dei privations, as to be unable to stand upon their feet, or even to detach from the lifeless bodies of their unfortunate companions that food which was now na- ture's only support, the Almighty, in mercy to me, endowed me with not o dy strength and ability to ex- hort the poor wretches to unite in prayer, and to prepare their precious souls for eternity, but to per- form this office for them, for which purpose I con* Stantly carried about with me a knife, with which I daily detached and preseitted each with a proportion- able quantity of this their only food ! my poor unfor- tunate female companion (Vfrs. Kendall, who never failed to unite with me in prayer) seemed too to en- joy with me a share of God's great mercy — but the reader may judge to what extremity of want we all must have been driven, when she, two days before we wore relieved, was compelled by hunger to eat the brains of one of the seamen — declaring in the mean time that it was the most delicious thing she ever tast- ed ! and, what is st'.ll more melancholy to relate, the Unfortunate person whose brains she vvas thus com- pelled to subside on, had (agreeable to his declaration) been three times wrecked before, but providentially picked up by a vessel after being once 22 days on thj? >?reck — but, in the present instance, he perished after surviving similar sufferings for the space of 29 day$, and then became food for his surviving shipmates ! Abo'it the 26th February, an English brig hove ip sight, on which the usual signals of distress were made, and, although the winds had become less boisterous, and the sea more smooth, to our inexpressible grief, she did not approach to afford us any assistance ! — our longing eyes followed her until she was out of sight ; leaving us in a situation doubly calamitous from our disappointment in not receiving the relief which ap- ! >J i 'aJjJLi.^-.^- ./_■.!,. |) HI L( | .H!!'"X1 — g! 18 SHIPWRECK & SUFFERINGS peared so near, and the wretched uncertainty of the approach of any other veasel, in time to save our ex« istence ; our hopes vanished with the brig, and from the highest summit of expectation, they now (with most of the survivors) sunk into a state of the most dismal despair! nature indeed seemed now to have abandoned her functions ! never could human beings be reduced to a more wretched situation ; my read- ers must have been a witness of it to form any ade- quate idea of our distress, and that which 1 am attempts ing nowto describe, falls infinitely short of the reati^ tj ! more than two thirds of the crew had already nerished, and the surviving few, weak, distracted, and destitute of almost every thing, envied the fate of those whose lifeless corpses no longer wanted susten- clnce. The sense of hunger was almost lost, but a parching thirst consumed our vitals! our mouths had become po dry for want of moisture for three or four cLiys, that vve were obliged to wjjsh them every few hours with salt water, to prevent our lips glueing f i1 ] I •>"r M ' «,' - ii iV ■ rM'V ^■ . ;i' "rrj" »',', «"■• Being, with being unjustly the author of their wretch^ ^dness. I exerted the feeble powers which God ii> mercy had left me, to exhort them to have recourse to Heaven, to alleviate their misery, and to trust in Him, who alone was able to save us. The day previous to our being relieved, I collected the poor creatures up- on the quarter deck, and kneeling down among them, poured out my soul in prayer to God, that he would, in bis infinite goodness, have mercy on us, and spare our lives 1 — truly I can say, the Spirit of God was in my soul ! nor can I express the half of what he then TQvealed to me — a voice seemed to whisper me ' thy prayers are heard, fear not, for I am with thee ;^ no^ could I conceal my joyful sensations from my suffer'^ [>•♦ V "■:■ ';i ;^- nl}' of the re our ex* and from low (with the most »jv to have lan beings my read- 1 any ade- m attempt^ the reali- id already •acted, and he fate of ted susten- lost, but a [loiiths had ec or four every f«w j)8 glueing OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. u> !»" »'•' ir wretch^ ch God in ecourse to j8t in Him^ previous to ature? up- [loog them, he would, and spare od was in lat he then r me * thy hee ;' nor. my suffer*, ^'^ t'^T^-i, l>-». ens; companions, expressing to them my confidence thiatielief was nigh, and ** Hope now revived, that we o«^ce more^ Should see our longed for native shore ^ And all the powers^ of science fail, The raptures of my soul to tell.'' Early in the morning of the 7th March, a sail WJ^s discovered to windward — the ship's crew (with my assistance) made all the signals of distress that the little remaining streiij>;th of their bodies would enable them to do ; they were indeed the last efforts of ex- piring nature — but, pr lised be God, yea, ever ought we ti> praise Him, for his mercy eiidureth forever— the hour of our deliverance brid now arrived 1 ! the shipwjis soon within hail (which proved to be hjs Majesty's ship Blonde, Lird Byron) when her bogkt was manned and setjt to our relief It worijdbe in vain (as my christian readers must suppose) tor me to attempt to describe our feelings at this moment, or those manifested bv our deliverers, When they discovered who we were, and what our miserable situation ; and that th^y had arrived ij\ season to r scue six jf their fellow creatures from ^ most awful but certain death ! My companions ifi misery, who for three or four of the preceding diivs had been ordy able to crawl about the deck upon their hands and knees, now became so animated at thp prospect of relief, as to. raise themselves erect, an^ with uplifted frauds returned thuiks to their Almighty preserver 1 And O, the mingled sounds of prayer imil praise, from tuose whose hearts had probably until within a few weeks been at enmity with God, was tp tne mo'-e pleasing than the '' music of the spheres J^ When relieved, but a small part of the body of tb# Ihfl persoD deceased remained, and this I had caiii^ 20 SHIPWRECK k SUFFERIxNGS usual into slices and spread on the qnarler deck ; which being noticed by the Lieutenant of the Blonde (yrho with others had been dispatched from the ship to our relief) and before we had time to state to him to what extremities we had been driven, lie observed "you have yet, 1 perceive, fresh me, it!'' but his horror can be better conceired than de>cribed when he was informed that what he saw, wa^ tiio remains of the dead body of one of our unforturiate compan- ions, and thiton this, oar only remaining food, it was our intention lo have put ourselves on an allowance. the ensuing evening, had not unerring Providence directed him to our relief. When we reached the Blonde, the narrative of our sufferings, as well as a view of our weak and emacia- ted bodies, caused tears to bedew those faces which probably are not used to turn pale at the approach of death. By Lord Byron, and his officers ami crew, we were treated with all possible kindness and Immanity; insomuch that we soon gained our streuitth to that de- gree, as to be able in ten days after to u:o on board of a VMSS(»I spoken, bound to Europe ; and it was on the 2()ta Mnrch followina; that I was landed in sa^'etv at Port-mouth, where for twelve days 1 was treated with that hospitality, by both sexes, as ouii;ht not, and I tru^t will not pass Without its merited revvarnds «nd restored to the arms of my ibl3 has been peculiarly merciful to you, for while some one of your poor unfortunate companions were almost dad/ expirmg before your eye?, he has been |*leased in his tender mercy to spare your lives, and fo restore you to your families and friend* ? — many irereiithe pi umisco th.ti you then made, and you Qan- I i ^!mM»f% 'ft 1^ SHIPWRECK k SUFFERINGS not noiv be insensible of your duty to perform them —can you fail to love that God who has done so much for you ? Oh, no, 1 ihink you cannot, a recollection of his goo(lneff this inconstant state, and instructs him in the nature »f true happiness ; early vreans hm from an vndiie •■ V "M' ^ ^.i/'Vi.... saec i.-:rr=r*r: ;, I 26 MORAL REFLECTIONS, Sic. lore of the world ; afflictions do not attack him bv surprise, and therefore do oot overwhelm him. lie i» equipped for the storm, as weU 'a^ the calm, io this dubious navigation of life. He is not overcome by disappointment, when that which is mortal dies ; when that which u mutual begins to change, and when thai which he knew to be transient, passes away. Religion not only purities, but also fortifies the heart ; »o that the devout man is neither lifted up bv success, nor enervated by sensibility ; he meets ihf chaogee in his lot without unmanly dejection. He is «nured to temperance and restraint, He has learneil firmness and self-command. He is accustomed to look up to Supreme Providence, not with reyerence only, but with trust and hope. *Obleet Religion, beav'nly fair! Thy kind thy healing power, Can sweeten pain, and soften care^ And gild each gloomy hour. Thy sacied dictates can assuage^ Tbwi tempest of the soul ; And ev'ry feir shall lose its rage^ At thy divine controul. Through hit s bewildered darkso Thy hand unerring leads ; And o'er the path, thy heavenly ray, A cheering lustre sheds. When feeble reason, tir'd and blind; Sinks helpless and afraid ; Thou blest supporter of the mind, How poirerfal is thj aidT me wav. II .•3 I ( PC. ttack him bv Im him. He calm, io this overcome bv a) dies ; whe.ii nd when thai ay. fortiBes the jr liftod up bv he meets the ction. He js Je has learneci iccustomed to ith rererence OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. re, e. ome wav, lay, lind; id, 27 All opportunities for attending to religion, beside the present, are totally uncertain. Nothing is more com- mon than procrastination in this great concern ; yet nothing is more dangerous ; nothing more frequently fatal. Thdt€07ivenient season^ nei'er present, yet ever in imagination near, has lured thousands to their eter- nal r«iii?. The young are too generally prone to ex- pect a long life, and to flatter themselves that they will have ^uflf'cient opportunity to secure religion hereaf- ter, thoui;j;h the present should be neglected. Vain flatteries ! Delusive expectations. — For how often has fhe j;iddy, unprepared youth been summoned into eternity, just as he was laying the deepest plans, and indulging the fondest expectations, of worldly happi- ness ? O the unutterable folly, guilt and wretchedness of such a case ! Be warned, then, ye careless youth, who have neglected religion hitherto, and neglect it no longer. As you value your immortal souls ; as you vvould not pluck down ruin on your heads, procrasti- nate no farther the all-important business. My dear young friends — we are all dying creatures. We have seen niajy of our friends and relatives laid ;n the grave ; many as young as ourselves and appar- ently as likely to live. Some we have seen carried off by long and lingering diseases, and some cut down Suddenly without warning. God only knows when we are to follow them into the eternal world. We know not the day of our death. Our times are in God*s hand. It may be to night. We are certain the moment of death must come. We are certain it can be atnojireait distance ; but we know not how near. it is a great thing to be prepared to die ; to collect fortitude of soul to pass through a scene, at which the «»toute8t heart is appalled ; when the past has been filled with guilty imperfection in the best of our race 5 while uncertain futurity covers our immortal all. It is the season of awful anxiety to the christian, even £ £ 'U ■ 1 1 timmasii^m tr-^ 1 1 ^j p, ; ■ i"' i i i i' ; ' i " a» m s=;35" % 28 MORAL REFLECTIONS, &c. hen he expires in the arms of weeping friends and sustained with the hopes of triumphant grace. But it demands hiojher gra(ies of evangehcal perfection to be able like Paul to say ' I am now ready to be offer- ed ;' ofl'ered as a sacrifice on the altar ; offered as a martyr in the cause of religion ; now ready not only to die, but also to expire amidst the tortures of mer- ciless persecution. It is to be feared that there is little of this prepar ation for death in our depraved world Else what «neansthat attachment to the vanities of time to the abandonment of a heavenly treasure? W hat resem- blance is there in the conversation of men of the worhi to the busines^s and hosannas of the celestial courts ? The busy scenes of this life ought not to expel fron> our minds the awiul certainty of death — we should remember that we must die ; that soul and body must be parted, he one to return to dust, the other to ap^ pear a naked spirit before the presence of that God, who gave it. To die. is one of the most weighty and serious things that ever creatures experience. Deutii is so terrible to some that thev cannot bear the men- tion of the name, yet none can avoid the thing. Se- veral things concur to make it the king of terrors ; strong pains, conflicts, and agonies go before; fears and terrors attend it ; but above all, it is very solemn and awful in its consequences, as it is the door of eter- nity ; the parting point between this world and ihat which is to come ; the utmost line and boundary o all temporal things, translating us into an unknown world of spirits. I i X •* Good God ! on what a slender thread Hang everlasting things 1 The eternal state of all the dead, Upon life's feeble strings. 1 1. ng fnctiih anti |it grace. But 1 perfection to dy to beofTei.- ,* offered as a eJidy not onlv •turesof mei". f this prepar J Else ivbat >f time to the ^Vhat resem- n ot'the world e^'tial courts ? to expel from I — we shou!(( nd body must ■ other to ap^ of that God, weight)^ and nee. Deafii ?ar the men- thing. Se- of terrors ; ^^ore; Tears ^'ery solemn oor o/'eter- rld and ihat boundary o n unknown ead O K ^. OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. Infinite joy or endless wo I Attend on every breath ; And yet how unconcerned we go Upon the brink of death !" 29 Ob, what a strange alteration doth death m ke ia every man's condition ! either taking him from ahouse and lands, friends, honors and pleasures, and all th concerns and enjoyments of this world ; hurrying him in a moment into the land of darkness, to drink in the^ tierce wrath of Almighty God forever, or translating him into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, to partake of his happiness, in consummate, ineffablei and everlasting glory and joy, with obedient and hap- py spirits. Alas ! What do men mean by loitering, who have these amazing, unchangeable scenes before them!—- One would suppose that the very thoughts of death and eternal judgement, should keep from sleeping, and fill with astonishment all who are not by faith and holiness prepared for the comfortable welcome of it, seeing they know not but every day and hour may conclude their life, and when they shut their e^'es al night, they may never open them again but in cterni- ty. What solicitous concerns should those be in for Iheir precious and immortal souls, who have so much l^ailttobe removed, so many evil dispositions and af- iections to be mortilied, so many holy and virtuoHs habits to attain, and so many temptations from within and without to cvercotpe ; lest death should come un- expected and find Ihcm unprepared ? With what sor- rows will the review of our past lives fill us, if we are thus surprised ! What bitter anguish of heart is couched in those expressions, which a dying person once uttered to a stander-by ? crying out, ♦ Oh how liave I been deceived ! Oh, that I had thought of this iooner I Ob, that I had my time again 1 How mad wft 1S ll 4 »]L. . 1l»l »" ' I ' '%■»»». ' •• '♦'^ " -....^..^1 V, ell . .MORAL REFLECTIONS, &c I to lead so sinful and careless a life ? What will be* come of my miserable soul ! Would God but try me once again, i w/ould never do as I have hitherto done.' N«w, that we may not conclude our lives with such dismal, fruitless moans, let us in time consider o latter end, and nevergive our souls rest, until we hav secured their happiness by an interest in the salvaf(( of Jesus Christ, and a sincere conformity to the rules of the gospel. Let us now live as at death we shall wish we had done ; that we may meet our last end with comfort, and only desire leave to die, that we may enter into glory and happiness. alj dear young friends^ as much as possible, avoid evil company. We have enough to do to struggle with our own sinful dispositions and propensities, and need not the continual solicitRtion and examples o^ others^ to evil, to make our difficulties greater. Where God IB his providence hath exposed us to these unavoida- ble inconveniences, we may hope for special assistance from him ; but if we run ourselves into unnecessary dangers and temptntionf, we must expect to reap the fruits of our own folly and presumption. It was one of the first counsels of the apostle Peter to the new converts to Christianity, to save themselves from that untoward generation. And certainly the advice is m needful now as then, when a general contempt of God, and religion, so much abounds among diankind. L«t this sentence therefore be deeply engraven upon your hearts, * he that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.' Sit down and seriously consider, what all that hap- piness is whioh sin and t^e world can afford you in the profits, honors md pleasures of it ge the one hand ; and think what it ia, "ivhicb the blessed God can and will be to yoo, and dofor jH>a, if you sincerely serve ' and please him on the ether: aoid when yoo are re- solved past all waferiog and delays, that God. heaven and holitieii, are better for yen tto the world, seimii* ■ mi.lJ:;MUJi- ' ^^1 i, \v iCll What will be. fod but try me iitherto done.' ives witb socli f^onsider o until we hav I thesalvaffc^ ty to the rules leath we shall t our last end fiie, that we ossible, avoid struggle with iea,and need les of others Where God Bse unavoida- ;ial a*!sistance unnecessary t to reap the It was one • to the new ^es from that > advice ia a^ smptofGod, nkind. L«t n iipoQ your ball be wi«e: ed.' >n that b«p> d you in the one hand ; ilod can ami erely serve yo« arc re- >od. heavtn wid, 8tMa*t Kik # ••^- OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. 31 al pleasures and sin ; yield yourself entirely and un- reservedly to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as }our Father and felicity, your Saviour and your Sane* titier. Nothing more is expected of you, in order to be interested in the blessings of the gospel than to consent to these reasonable terms, to continue that consent, and to perfornf) what you consent unto ; and this by the holp of ihose divine assistances^ which will be afforded unto you. Do this presently, resolutely, and sincerely, and heaven and salvation are all your own. When vve glance at the catalogue of human suffer- ing, we cannot but reilect, how happy that man is who, though alllicted, and appalled, by the destruction ot' earthly prospects has slil) the consolation of that in- ^ni\G principle, which can enable him to say * Our Father who art in heaven.* thy will be done, for thou dost know the wants of thy children and thy tender mercies are over rdl thy works. Under deep sense of our own frailty, we should submit to the chastenings of our heavenly Father, who orders ail things for our good. From seeming evil, he often brings forth the greatest possible benefits ; and it is often the case, that what at first seemed dark and intricate is at la^t made apparent to us as the noon day sun as having been planned for our benefit. That all-wise Being, who is the former of our bo- dies and the Aither of our spirits would never afflict us were it not for our good— He will not break the bruised reed — he will not lacerate the already bleed- ing heart — but he will in his own due time administer the oil and wine of consolation and say to th^oister . ous waves of adversity, * Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther, and here shall thou be stayed.' All consolation which the mind receives under af- flictions, is from that benevolent source from which the chastisement proceeds. We should therefore con. ,/ ■«« . I , I Mil I'* "' r 32 MORAL REFLECTIONS, &c. sider that if we murmur against the deahngs of Piuv- idence, when they are adverse to our coirupt willg, that we also tind fault with the author of our blessings. It i? « blessing that we live — and if we improve that Messing aright, the holy book of inspiration teaches urf that it is a still greater blessing to die — for we are then rehiased from the troubles and cares of life, and leav- ing this frail tenement ot clay, the joyful spirits seeks the haven of its nativity, and reposes in the ' bosom of its Father and its God.' In vain do we seek for happi: (ss in the world. — We shall never tind it out of the school of Christ. Here genuine peace indeed resides. Not because the disciples of Jesus are endowed with morn external advaniages, or are more exempted from sutVeriniis and disappointments than others, for they have often a larger share of them, but because ^ humslily is the parent of c#iten{ment ;' and he who has been led to f?ee his desert of God s displeasure, J'.nd at the same time is possess-^-d of a lively hope in his mercy thro' the merits and mediation of his lieHeemer, will not be apt to murmur at the dispensation>5 of Providence, and to think himself hardly dealt by, when lie sees numbers all around, no worse by nature tlian himself, enduring many evils from which he is exempt, and devoid of various C(^mforts with ^vhich he is endow- ed. Rather, like the patriarch Jacob, he will be rea- dy to say, ' I am not worthy of the least of all lh<^ mercies and of all the truth which thou h st shewn unvo thy servant.* The consideration, too, of the Redeemer's example will have a powerful effect to reconcile his servant to a \\^e of hardship, poverty oi contempt. While he contemplates the Lord of glory born in a stable ; lying in a manger ; at one time en- during hunger, thirst, and weariness; at another, making a thankful repast on some course barley bread and a few small fishes ; he will see how ill it becomes lMlM>««^ vm » < m" OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. 30 o (he christian to desire the honors and luxuries of life, •md thus learn with the apostle, in whatever slate he is, therewith to he content.' And should it even please the Father of tTiGrcie«; to visit his friends and followers with the heaviest rifilic (ions, the recollection that all events are nnuer tlic disposal of iiitinile wir^dom and goodness, wjH repics;^ he risinp; murmur and dili'use a delightful calm tb.ro' he soul, fai' superior to the exultation that an^es from earthly prosperity. Even in these days ihe con>ola- tions of relii^ion are sometimes seen 10 raise the great- est suii'erers al)ove all their temporal affliclion^. iind to make them triumph, when human ni.ture, uuMip^ ported, would sink into dejection or (Jespair. Who but the christian for instance, can look with ?^tedfastness and serenity, nay,olten with joy and ghuJ- ness, on the approacli of that solemn hour which vvill not only separate hnn from the most loved earthly scenes and companions, but convey his spirit to an un- tried unch;mgeable state, and bring him into the aw- ful presence of an infinitely great and holy (lod ? !n., fidelity will indeed sometimes, thousih seldoni sleel the heart ag;iinst such importhnt considerations ; iifd the lament.d)le ignorance in which most m n live, both of God and of themselves, may draw a veil f>v*»r these tremendous scenes, and sooth them into a fatal stupor and security. Bu't it is the sincere disci})le of Christ alone, who, at the same time that he impaMial- Iv reviews his whole conduct, and sees sin in rili its malignity and awiul consequences, can resign lii?. soul with the most perfect composure, and a hope full of immortality, into the hand of him who made it. Permit me, my christian readers to inquire, can in- finite vvisdcm be mistaken? can infinite goodness be cruel ? can infinite truth be false? Allow him that knows the end from the beginning, to know better what is good for you than you do for yourself j and to % -^< 4 4 34 MORAL REFLECTIONS, &c. k« > Jl h know how to come to his end the best way. Since he does not willingly grieve nor afflict the children oi men ; and since it is only if need be, that we are in heaviness ; what is it but mercv and truth that can make him do a thing unwillingly, and does it only ii need be ? Would it be mercy or truth to humor you in omitting what must needs be ? You will allow hini (o judge of the necessity of it too, for the same reas son : and thou vou will see reason to conclude witii the royal mourner, ' 1 know, O Lord, thut thy judg ments nre ri^hi ; and that in very faithfulness thou hasi afflicted me.' Psahn cxix 75. Especially when you consider in the next place, That he will make this, and all other trials, work together for good, This i^ the 2:;eneral promise, ' We know that all things work together for goci' to them that love God.' Rom. viii. 28. We know it is so in fact, but we know not how. Indeed that knowledge is no business of ours ; that part we leave to God. To believe the truth of it, to take the comfort of it, and to wait the issue of it, that IS our part. Look upon every trouble through the Scripture ; let God take what compass he please, it will come to this at last. Happy would it be for young people if they would consider their period of life as a most important era in their existence. Youth is an entrance on a jour- ney long and various ; through an untried path where are many dangers and difficulties. They should there- fore look w ell to the steps they are about to take, and use the precaution of travellers in a str»mge land — should inquire whether the way they are in is right or wrong ; whether it is the path of honor and pleas- ure, or of disgrace and pain. Look around you my dear youth, and behold many a promising young person plunged into wretchedness, whose rum is to be ascribed to too great a love of pleasure ; who has given way to the inclmatioD, and vH way. Since he the children o[ , that we are in d truth that can J does it only i*' h to humor you will allow him the same reas ) conclude with that Ihy judo- ulnes^ thou hast :ially when^ou will make this, good. This i^ all lhini;s work od.' Horn, viji . tnow not how. of ours ; that ; truth of it, to ssue of it, that le through the s he please, it OF MISS ANN SAUNDKRS. 35 if they would important era Qce on a jour- 3d path where should there- Jt to take, and rnnge land — are in is right or and pleas- behold manv wretchedness, peat a love of clinatioD, and M ■M ^^ jirccipitated himself into the habit of dissipation, till lie has become (leaf to all good adrlce ; proof against admonition, inlreaty and persuasion and is now among the splendid ruins of human nature. Let these in.. stances warn you of your danger, and persujule you to devote some part of that time, which is spent in pur- suit of any pleasurps, to reflection and consideration. * Take fast hold of insl ruction, let her not go ; keep Ijcr, for she is thy life'— way the counsel of a wise and tender parent to his son. Were parents in gen- eral as anxious to impretrs the tender minds of their children with a reverential sense of the name and at- tributes of the Deity, and a desire of pleasing him by a virtuous life, as they are to procure for them honoi- and riches ; it would have a pleasing influence upon the rising generation. To see all from a8en!»e of their obligation to the'ir common parent, cheerful ami ac- tive in his service, while f*ach one io the particular station which providence allots him, strives to reoder others happy in society ; must afford a beautital pros* peer. Who ever considers the nature and capacities of the hurniin mind, and the great variety of means our beneficent Creator has given us to obtnin th« Icnowledge of his will, must be sensible thnt no one can be truly happy without religion. Oh ! my dear young friends, if von withstand the many calls and warnings that you nave from day to day, and turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of your friends and the wooings of your Saviour, miserable must be your condition throughout eternal ages. — Seek the religion of Jesns Christ, and you will be prepared for life, von will be prepared for death, and a glorious immortality beyond the grave. Remember that we must all appear before the iudgement seat of Christ, to g^ive an ticcoont of the things done in the body, whether tbey be good or bad-^of all our secret thoughts known only (o ourieWes : of all our secret J^ i' '^ • .M f-r^ufJk-^ • m • li ' f/ -I,' R'"'-* 3b MORAL REFLECTIONS, kc. actions, which no eye saw, but the ;t]l seeing eye of the omniscient Ju(l«i;e'. He keeps a book of remem- brance, in which every evil thought woid mu\ work is registered; every one of which wil! then be brouglU forth, to our eternal confusion ; unl«\*s they are wash ed away in the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you not reflect that time is progressive, and that every past year is to us a year of added life ; which-, of consequence, is «o much substracted from the peri- od of our mortal existence ? But, in general, how improvident are we of time, (hough it is not in our power to recall or retard it I We can scarce say, thnt t'iie present moment is our own, so soon is it elapsed ; and who can tell that we shall enjoy the next ? This present moment — this now — if 1 may so express myself, is but an instant of time, betwixt that which is past^ and that which is in future, VVhile we are re- decting upon it, it is gone, and is immediately succeed- ed by another. If, then, time is so rapid and fug;r- cious, how incumbent is it on us to improve the pres- ent hour, that when it be past, we may not he subsect to the disagreeable reflection of having misemployed it! For how painfull must be the retrospect, if we should be so unhappy as to contemplate, not hours but davs and years, or perhaps the greatest part of life, dissipated in indolence, in pleasure, and in the neglect of every christian and social duty. A review of this kind must be productive of painful sensations. And tliere is no person, however harrassed with the cares and vexations of business, or the repeated calls of di- version, but will he obliged, in some solitary moment, to submit to a self-examiuation. Every age of hum-an life demands it. When we give up our hearts to God, we begin to answer the end for which we were created, and enjoy a portiou of that felicity which is reserved for the OF MISS ANN SAUNDERS. 37 blessed in Heaven. How contemptible and ingignifi- jnnt arc nil the amusennents of the world, when our learts have been rejoiced and ameliorated and our linds expanded by leflecting upon God and Christ [lesus! When I compare my imperfections and ina- Ibilit} with the infinite majesty of God how little and [humble I appear ; how my pride is lost and confoun- !dod in the, infinity of Divme Perfection ! and how I Jong for the glorious period when I shall be more juearly acquainted with the everlasting God. • f But happy am I to say, that, through the grace of God, my eyes are opened ; 1 perceive a Being which has given me a soul whose desires cannot rest short of eternity — a Being in whom every perfection and vir- tue are united, and to whom I will consecrate my heart, and devote myself for ever without reserve, and for whom I will ever receive all my consolation and delight. 1 will exchange those earthly enjoy- ments, which 1 have hitherto preferred to the bless- ings of Heaven, for advantages incomparably more real and permanently substantial. And though ' still continue to make a proper use of the good things of this life, they shall never make me forget the love of God ; but whilst I use them, and whilst I feel myself benefited by their good eflects, when not abused, they shajl serve as a constant memorial of the goodness of GdLand call forth my acknowledgments and grateful seme of his kind care and solicitude for my welfare. Whenever I partake of any outward good, 1 will fay to myself. If I find so much sweetness in the enjoy- ment of earthly things, and being only acquainted with a very small part of the works of God, that knowl- edge is so delightful, how happy and glorious will he my state when initiated into the mysteries of Heaveo, and favored with a portion of the purity and perfec-,^ tions of God ! How great is the felicity of the saints, who see him as he is, and live in the coastant partic- ipation of his Divine communion ! » ^ *'? . 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