CONFESSION OF A UNIVERSALIST.

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Almshouse, that they exclude some of the poor, who attempt to press into the room; and I was therefore obliged to tell the gate-keeper not to admit these visitors in future. I should be happy to preach to them, for they are persons of all ranks in society, and they are sinners; but in the Almshouse the Gospel must first be preached to the poor.

April 13th.

FREQUENTLY I have conversed with J. D. Dthe old Universalist, since I have made any record of his conversation. The other day he told me, that when I first addressed him, he

thought me one of the physicians, or he should not have made so free with me. His frankness, however, led to many dise cussions. I requested him to write me, and state what were his serious thoughts, on his bed, about the future state. He has complied, and his letter follows.

"PARSON ELY.

"Sir,

"As

"New York Hospital, April 12th, 1813.

you have requested my sentiments on a future state, I shall endeavour to answer you in a short paragraph.

"My thoughts are, that when a man departs this life, if he is a righteous man, he goes to Heaven; but if he is wicked, he goes to Hell, without redemption; there to be punished for his sins, to the endless ages of eternity.

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THE OBDURATE OLD MAN.

"As for my own part, I well know, that I am a sinner born, and still so remain. Without the help of the blessed Saviour, I am ruined for ever.

"When I pray, the tempter draws my attention to some worldly business, to persuade me from the great and Almighty God. By a strong sense of my own guilt, I know that I am a sinner, and have only one way to be saved; that is, through the blessed Jesus Christ. This bed of affliction has brought me to know the want of a Saviour, who I am in great hopes will teach me to pray the right way. I feel my desire grow stronger for religion. The more good I hear, the more I want to hear. The first time I heard your discourse, I seemed to have a strong regard for t he speaker. This was the first time I had any taste for religion. I shall be very glad to have some private talk with you; so you must excuse me, for I have written my thoughts. I shall be glad to see your

answer.

"I remain your well-wisher, through Christ,

REPLY.

"J. D. D

AGED FRIEND,

New York, April 14th, 1813.

"IF you verily believe that it shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked, your faith will influence your conduct, and afford such evidence of its existence as the scriptures require. But if any one professes to believe in a future judgement, and yet lives in a thoughtless, prayerless, heedless manner,

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the truth is not in him. I am pleased to have it from your own pen, that you do believe the scriptural doctrine of rewards and punishments. If you wrote from serious reflection, I can easily credit your assertion, that you feel yourself a needy and helpless sinner. Why is it that men can talk proudly against divine truth before their wicked associates, but cannot easily persuade themselves to commit the same language to writing? Are they ashamed to have that read and remembered, which they speak wickedly against God? Let them remember, that all their speeches, as well as writings, are recorded in the memory of their final Judge. Why are many of the patients in the Hospital willing to use such language before one another, as they would not adopt before me? Why would you, my old friend, say that to the physician, which you would not say to the minister? Truth is the same, whether it be told to another or myself. You should never say any thing about religion to any one, which you would not say to Jehovah, were he present in the visible person of Jesus Christ.

"If you intend what you have written, you repent of the past, and you will henceforth seek to order your conversation aright. You will speak and act in the presence of all, as one who believes that religion is a serious business.

"Never again deny the doctrine of future punishments, for you perceive that sinners are punished here under the government of the good God; and if they die in a state of impenitence, his goodness will not deliver them from their present state of suffering, but hisjustice will increase its evils, until they shall

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A SINNER AWAKENED.

be made as miserable as they have made themselves sinful.

"You speak the truth, when you attribute many of the temptations which you experience to the influence of Satan. Men speak more truth than they imagine they do, when they sometimes thoughtlessly say, "The Devil is in you!" If you have discovered, that the enemy of all good is suffered to trouble you, it will be your business to resist him, by prayer, pious meditation, and the perusal of the Bible, with other pious books, that he may flee from you.

"The name of Jesus is an ever-grateful theme to me. You need not fear to ask of him all the spiritual blessings which you want. Your sins are many; but the blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse those who believe, from all sin. Now be entreated to confess your iniquities to him; and accept of him for all the purposes for which he offers himself to you; for pardon, righteousnes, sanctification, salvation, and everlasting life.

"If you have written to me in good earnest what you think, may God bless you! and if you have written merely for amusement, may God bless you! so that by any means you may receive spiritual benefit through the Lord's minister, and the friend of your soul,

E. S. ELY."

April 14th.

A FEW weeks since, a gay and thoughtless young man providentially took up "The Journal of the

THE BLIND SAILOR.

163

Stated Preacher to the Hospital and Almshouse, for 1811," and was so much interested in it, that he immediately purchased a copy. It was the means of awakening his serious attention to the concerns of his soul. At that time he was a stranger to me; but one of his relatives made me acquainted with his situation, and requested me to visit him. To-day the request was renewed in the name of the young man, and I visited him. Never before has he desired to see any preacher of the gospel; and since he has hitherto attended public worship in no church, he belongs to my diocese. Of his eternal salvation, there is much reason to hope.

This will compensate me abundantly for the little labour which that book cost. One soul is of infinite value; and to be the instrument of saving it, is an infinite honour.

April 16th.

TO-DAY I have made a Missionary tour through many rooms in the Hospital and Almshouse. The blind sailor is, in my opinion, a Christian indeed; and is so grateful for the preaching of the gospel, that the Orderly-man says, that the poor fellow will weep at the mention of my name. He is full of contrition, humility, and affection. It is not in vain that God has sent me to proclaim, in the name of Jesus, 'liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to preach good tidings unto the meek; to bind up the broken