oo great a dependence on my own
strength--which afterwards proved a great damage to me." "Mrs. Edwards
had been long in an uncommon manner growing in grace, and rising, by
very _sensible degrees_, to higher love to God, weanedness to the world,
and mastery over sin and temptation, through _great trials and
conflicts_, and long-continued _struggling_ and _fighting_ with sin, and
_earnest_ and _constant prayer_ and _labor_ in religion, and engagedness
of mind in the use of all means. This growth had been attended, not only
with a great increase of religious affections, but with a most visible
alteration of outward behavior; particularly in living above the world,
and in a greater degree of steadfastness and strength in the way of duty
and self-denial; maintaining the Christian conflict under temptations,
and conquering, from time to time, under _great trials_; persisting in
an unmoved, untouched calm and rest, under the _changes and accidents_
of time, such as seasons of extreme pain and apparent hazard of
immediate death."

You will find accounts of similar trials and struggles in the lives of
all eminent saints. This is what we may expect. It agrees with the
Christian life, as described in God's word. It is "through much
tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven." This is the way in
which you must go, if you would ever enter there. You must make religion
the great business of your life, to which everything else must give
place. You must engage with your _whole soul_ in the work, looking to
the cross of Christ for strength against your spiritual enemies; and you
will come off "conqueror at last," through him that hath loved us, and
given himself for us.

Your affectionate Brother.

LETTER II.

_The Importance of a thorough Knowledge of the Doctrines of
Christianity--means of obtaining it._

"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."--John 17:17.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Some people are frightened at the idea of _Doctrine_, as though it were
a mere abstraction, which has nothing to do with practical life. This
notion is founded on a misapprehension not only of the meaning of the
term, but of the connection of actions with established principles of
the mind. The general signification of the word _doctrine_ is, the
principles upon which any system is founded. As applied to Christianity,
it means _divine truth_; for this is the foundation upon which the
Christian