I now come to answer the third thing named, which was my staying almost three days in New York, and not calling the morning after preaching in Banker street. I went to look for a passage, but could find none till Friday; and having a brother living two miles from Powlerhook's landing, I went to see him, and preached at his house on Wednesday evening, and returned to the city the next day. I then had to prepare for leaving the city on Friday morning. I saw Mr. Bogart in market, and he told me that the steamboat was to leave the city at five o'clock that evening; and I went and took a passage in it, and had no time to see any body, or to spend any time in conversation.

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I now come to the fourth thing, in which my sister requests me to explain what I meant to convey by a space in eternity. What I meant is this: I conceive the phrase, in the first place, to be unscriptural, as the word eternal justification is not mentioned in all the word of God. As the purpose of God is one thing, and the acts of God another, although the purpose eternal, his acts bring his purposes into existence; and that justification is an act of God no one can consistently deny, for it is an act of grace, and is founded on the covenant of grace made between the Father and the Son; and on that ground the Apostle agrees, (Titus, chap. 2nd, verse 7,) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the

hope of eternal life.' The second act is when Christ the covenant-head made the atonement, and completely paid the debt of his bride; when he satisfied Divine Justice, and opened the great fountain for Jerusalem and Judah to wash from sin and uncleanness. To this, the Apostle, in Romans, chap. v. verse 9, 'Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.' The third is an act of the Holy Ghost, the third Person in the Trinity, which brings these acts of God to our understanding, and makes us to rejoice in hope of the glory of God, (Rom. chap. 5, v. 1,)Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.'

I shall now endeavour to inform you something of the state of Zion in this part of the land. The Lord prospered my journey. I reached home on Monday after I left the city. The Sabbath following, I baptized five of such as we believe to be God's dear children. The month following, we baptized ten more, and are expecting a number more. The church is in á comfortable situation at present; but the rage of the enemy is very great, so that there appears to be nothing but the overruling hand of God, that prevents their laying hands on me.

But my dear sisters, you know that nothing enrages the enemy like the solemn truths of the gospel, for it exposes all his lurking places, wherein he lays

in wait to deceive; which has brought to my mind this passage of Scripture, (Rev. chap. xii. v. 12,)

Wherefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell therein. Wo to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth he hath but a short time.'

. Nothwithstanding all that, there appears to be a great prospect of the Lord's building up this branch of Zion, and as the Lord has brought some of his greatest foes to bow to his sceptre, we feel to believe that he is about to bring again Zion. And it appears to me not to be far off, for our Lord saith, in Mat. xxiv. 30, 'Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, when they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.' The signs appear to be rolling on; therefore the saints may lift up their heads, for the day of their redemption draweth nigh.

My dear sister, you remember I told you the Lord had never let me pray for my children, but you told me that the Lord had given you a spirit of prayer for my family. The same God that gives, the same answers prayer; for my oldest daughter is hopefully brought to know the Lord, and to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, and has been baptized, and is a member of the church..

I must now tell you something about my health. When I first left New York, I was very weak; but the God who works according to the counsel of his own will, has been pleased to raise me by degrees, till I am at present in tolerable health. I now must conclude, begging the prayers of my dear sisters and brethren.

And give my best respects to all the friends in Christ. Give my love to those three dear lambs in Broadway; tell them that I carry them on my heart, praying that the Lord may keep them, and preserve and establish them in the faith, till the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Give my best respects to Mr. Bogart, and tell him that I esteem him as a friend, as a benefactor, and I could wish to say, a brother;→ and I remain your sincere friend and brother in the Lord.

JONATHAN VAN VELSAN.

LETTER III.

From Elder Jonathan Van Velsan to Mrs. Fradgly.

September 15th, 1819.

I received your letter with a request to answer it as quick as I could. I should have written before; but how shall I write a word of comfort to an afflicted sister, when I am wading through great trials myself. But the Lord who alone can comfort, has been pleased to support me under trials; and I doubt not but he has supported my sister, though things appear dark, and you were in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith may be more precious than gold which God has seen cause to bring through the furnace.

My sister, you are not the only one of God's children that is tried, and it appears it is the way all the servants of God have gone. But we have reason to love God for the full promises in Christ, and the certainty of their fulfilment. 'For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely, blessing