never more affluent; but I find myself of late looking forward with a complacency of which I have not had experience before. It will be a glorious deliverance for me to escape from responsibilities and labors, for which perpetual bodily infirmities so completely disqualify me, into the REST that remains for God's people. Nobody can think more meanly of my capacity for usefulness than I do-nobody less of what I have done in the world, and yet I have all along seemed to myself shut up to a course of life demanding both high talents and sound health. I would gladly avoid such posts, but I am tied up by conscience and a sense of duty, beset ever, at the same time, with something near to a conviction that I am injuring the very interests for which I suffer so much, by keeping others, more fit to occupy it, out of a position for which I deeply feel my utter unfitness. How delightful a refuge is heaven from such perplexity, and from a world of sin! My wife and her little boy have something for me to do in the world. They constitute the chief reason, so far as I can see, why I should choose a longer stay. Delightful thought, that our changes are with God!

CLXIV. TO MRS. OLIN.

Northampton, August 27th, 1847. This, I suppose, is the last letter I shall send you during my present absence, as I hope to be with you early next week.

It is a great comfort to feel, under all circumstances, that progress is constantly made toward a better country, into which no annoyance will find admission. I feel that I am trying to do right, and I think I enjoy the Divine favor. This is my sheet-anchor: If God be for us, who can be against us? All things work together for good, and we may be his children-we are so.

What have I gained by coming here? 1. Increased con

fidence in the treatment. I see, and, to some extent, perceive its beneficial influence. 2. I have more knowledge on the subject, and shall be better qualified to practice on myself. 3. I have strong purposes in regard to exercise and diet, which I ought to carry out conscientiously, and which, carried out, will, I think, be useful to me.

Have you seen the statement about Dr. Emory's health? I could not refrain from tears at the thought of losing him. How ill can we spare him? I must hope for the best. May our God spare him.

CLXV. TO MR. J. R. OLIN.

Middletown, August 31st, 1847.

I have been absent from home ever since Commencement, at Northampton, Massachusetts. My health is, upon the whole, as good as it has been at any time for several years past. I mean to apply myself faithfully to the water-cure, together with the diet and exercise it enjoins, and then, if I have another such winter as the last, I may feel compelled to resort to retirement, and possibly to a change of climate. I do not intend to press so hard upon my constitution as I have done formerly; indeed, I might not venture to do so with impunity. I have yet some hope of finding improvement on my present plan. Confined as you are to the house, and often to the bed, you could hardly realize the propriety of my complaints while I am able to walk, as I have several times of late, three or four miles before breakfast, and eight or ten during the day. I, indeed, have much more of general strength than I have of power of the nerves and brain. I can do much more of work than of study. My protracted infirmities so much strife against so much weakness-have given me a strong desire for repose and exemption from responsibility. Yet I do not desire to shun any burden which I may be able to bear. I would gladly persevere to the end of life, and " cease at once to work and live." I should probably

soon grow weary of retirement should even a small measure of health return. Upon the whole, I wait to see what the Master shall ordain, crying in spirit, I trust, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" I infer from your letter that your health is not materially worse than formerly. This is a great mercy, especially as you are yet able to enjoy life. Your cheerful, trustful temperament and habit is, in your situation, of more valuc than a fortune, and they call for more gratitude. May we have hearts to render unto God according to all his loving kindnesses. How many blessings are compatible with a state of health which never leaves us a moment of freedom from pain! How much can grace do toward making tolerable the least desirable conditions in life! I rejoice to hear that sister Lucy is in good health. It seems that, contrary to her wont, she has been ill. It was perhaps well that you should have this opportunity of ascertaining anew how important she is to you.

CLXVI. TO MRS. J. R. OLIN.

Middletown, Oct. 19th, 1847.

I received your letter (joint letter) in due season. I think brother's nice little farm will do him good in more ways than one. It will draw him out when unable to visit any more distant place, and so, besides giving him a little exercise, will bring him into the open air frequently, which is the next best thing, and for him it may be the very best. So far as I can gather, he is not materially worse that he was a few years since. Add to this, that his cheerfulness refuses to desert him, that he is placed above want, and so above the necessity of exertion, and, above all, that he has faith in God, and I am unable to perceive what material ingredient of hap-piness is denied him. Review God's mercies to this inveterate, hopeless invalid. "Food and raiment convenient". "a place where to lay his head" (better off than the Master)a farm about as large as that of Cincinnatus-a happy home,

and a good wife-power to interest himself in all matters of public or social moment-love of conversation and of society -good society to enjoy-glorious hopes-heaven near at hand, with the assurance that, if the worst comes to the worst, it can only force him away from the world, where he enjoys much, in spite of reverses, into the world where he will enjoy infinite good eternally. Not so bad, after all. I am too often anxious about this man. I fear his becoming worse, or that he will soon be taken from us. All this may happen, but what then? Let us look often to the luminous side of things. We shall be better as well as happier for it. After all, a true, intelligent Christian can not very easily be made wretched. I am glad to hear that Mr. and Mrs. Mason are a comfort to you. I have a high regard for them, and rejoice in their welfare.

My family is well. Little Henry is an uncommonly fair, fine boy, as good as possible, and as huge in his day as his father. Mrs. Olin would rejoice to bring him to see you. We send much love to you both.

CLXVII. TO MR. J. R. OLIN.

Middletown, Dec. 1st, 1847.

I will try, amid the bustle and pressure of the last day of the term, to write you a few lines, which Mr. Johnson offers to bear to you. My health has been better for some months past than for any similar period since I have been in my present position, and better than it was for several years previous to my coming here. I think myself much indebted to the cold water system and regimen. I began last spring to take the shower-bath on rising in the morning. In the month of August, I went to the establishment in Northampton, where I attended to the process with all diligence during the vacation. Since the first of September, I have, for the most part, omitted the "packing," which, though a very essential part of the practice, I could not attend to sat

isfactorily. I have still taken three baths per day. I have followed up the dietetic regimen also, and have taken vigorous exercise daily, chiefly by walking four miles between half past five and half past six o'clock every morning—a transaction which is nearly completed at break of day. It requires some resolution and self-denial to carry this system through, especially in the winter; but the reward is sufficient to encourage perseverance in the face of many difficulties. I expect to go to New York in a day or two, and devote my vacation of eight weeks to the water-cure in a regular establishment, where I may have the advice of a physician skilled in this practice. Mrs. Olin, of course, will accompany me, and spend the time at her father's. She is in good health, as also our little boy. He has grown to be very interesting, and has become a chief personage in our household. He is very large of his age, and uncommonly developed-one of the finest, noblest little fellows in all babydom. Mrs. Olin desires very much to bring him to visit his kindred in Vermont, but when will this be possible? When I left Poultney, five years ago last July, I little thought that so long a period would elapse before I should revisit it. All my time, however, has been occupied-much of it, indeed, with sickness, but this only laid an additional burden on the seasons of comparative health. My vacations have been especially busy, and I can not foresee when they will be otherwise. Still, I hope and expect to visit you, God permitting, within the next year or so. I feel the strongest desire to do so, and will try to shape my affairs to such an issue. I feel not a little inclined to make the journey this winter, but it seems to be my duty to prosecute this water-cure to better effect than it can be done at home, and the vacation is my only time for it. Then I could not possibly bring Mrs. Olin and the baby at this season-the navigation closed, &c.—and without them my visit would lose much of its interest. I must postpone, trusting to the propitious future for a more convenient time.