LETTERS.

LETTER I.

From Mrs. Fradgly to Elder Jonathan Van Velsan.

New York, Stone St., January 3d, 1819.

OUR DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER JONATHAN.

I am sorry I have to begin our correspondence in a way of reproof. When we were favoured with the delightful conversation of our dear Brother, (which favour we have received, and acknowledged the same to our dear Lord,) you then spoke a large word, 'that you never had hurt the feelings of a child of God.' I think my Brother had never measured the size of that word, nor considered that it spake with two voi ces, words and actions, which latter sounded so loud in our hearts, that it woke up all those little mortifying creatures, whose family name is jealousies. Was my Brother staying in New York near three days after that cold and indifferent Tuesday morning, on

which I was almost like to have said, 'We saw your face no more?'

We would like our dear Brother to explain to us, what he meant to convey when he preached his last sermon in Anthony street, when you spoke upon eternal justification. To prove that justification was not eternal, you mentioned a space wherein the covenant of grace was made. This is the word I want you to explain, as to what you meant to convey; for I know of no time in eternity, but it must be resolved into one Eternal Now. He is an unlimited Eternal God, who was in Christ reconciling the world of his elect to himself in an everlasting covenant made before all worlds; for his purpose is an eternal purpose, because both in Essence and in Person, He himself is eternal.

On the first Sabbath after you left New York, we returned to Mr. Cummings' church again, as we had heard he was hurt at our long absence; and as we were labouring under the same disease, we thought it a duty to go and tell him the cause. And as I had before told him the sorrowful case my poor soul was in, which he did not understand, I explained to him that you had taken up my case, and that the Lord had comforted my soul under your ministry. But this added fuel to the fire. However, Mr. Cummings candidly confessed he did not understand my case, but my blessed Master sent one that did. Of this,

however, I can assure you, that if you go beyond Mr. C. in experience, he goes far before you in charity; for both Mr. and Mrs. C. will have the Methodists safe landed in heaven.

But as I profess to be a citizen of Zion, and think it my duty to contend for the faith, and especially when God's glory is endangered by the corruptions of the day, I was bold enough to tell him I did not believe a word of his doctrine. Oh! my dear Brother, how ought we to be established in the faith of the least truth, if any truth can be called little, as there is a close connection between every truth. They are so joined together that a link cannot be parted but the whole chain is broken. Hold fast the form of sou d words,' says the Captain; then, as spiritual soldiers with the sword girded by our side, let us be ready to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Well doth my Brother know that those who stand up for the truth must lay their account with opposition, or at least the reproach of a censorious spirit, as Mr. Cummings has named me. But as our Master was the chief builder, and he built by bearing witness to the truth, and was hated for his pains, so all those that have been builders under him have been called troublers of Israel, men of contention, turners of the world upside down. But if God's people do not witness against error, they refuse to witness that he is God.

Since Mr. C. has whipped us out of his church, we have gone to Mr. Parkinson. My sister Bogart stays to receive a few more blows, and I expect nothing else, but she will be all over black and blue.

When I was pleading for you at the throne this morning, it fell on my mind, what a striking instance we have in Scripture of that genuine and uninterrupted friendship which subsisted between David and Jonathan. How affecting is that pathetic, mournful exclamation of David, when sweet friendship was dissolved in death! I am distressed for thee, my Brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been to me. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of woman.' Who can read these sweet and affecting lines of David without sympathy? Ah! my dear Jonathan, I have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother; that loveth at all times, and will never be weary of his friendship. Whether in adversity or in prosperity, he is always the same. You know I told you I cannot write short letters.

Mrs. Bogart and myself never forget you in the best place. Mrs. Bogart joins in love to you and your wife, and all the friends of Christ.

Adieu, ANN FRADGLY.

Jonathan Van Velsan, late Pastor of the Baptist Church in Broome street.

LETTER II.

From Elder Jonathan Van Velsan to Mrs. Fradgly.

DEAR SISTER IN THE LORD.

March 27th, 1819.

I received your letter, and was somewhat astonished at some things I found contained in it, which I shall attempt to answer one by one. First, my sister tells me of speaking a large word, which was, that I had never hurt the feelings of a child of God. I think my sister must have misunderstood me; the words were these, 'that neither brothers nor sisters ever told I had grieved them.' But what I most wonder at, is my dear sisters, that have so long been acquainted with the enemy, whose whole business it is to disturb the peace of the children of God, and to raise jealousy, which is cruel as the grave; it destroys the confidence we ought to have in each other.

The Tuesday morning I parted with you, which my dear sister is pleased to call cold and indifferent, all my feelings of tenderness were called up, which prevented me from saying much.

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