18 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN/ 



ance with this invitation, come as you are, fresh from the 

 tenderness of recent affliction, and fresh from the move 

 ment of God's spirit in your heart. Do not wait to be 

 perfect, nor even to be assured beyond a doubt ; come, and 

 your doubts will vanish. When you have united yourself 

 to the followers of the Redeemer, you will find comfort in 

 your decision, and grace to sustain you in a Christian 

 course. The sweet influence of Christian affections will 

 give an additional charm to a fine mind, and increased at 

 tractions to natural loveliness. Our merciful Redeemer is 

 mild and gentle. He was indeed severe upon hypocrisy 

 and self - righteousness, but gentle towards the humble 

 and timid ; a bruised reed He never breaks, nor will He 

 quench the smoking flax. Take Him, therefore, at His 

 word, and He will receive you, while no source of real hap 

 piness will be closed or abridged for the present life, and 

 the bright reversion beyond the dark valley will be held in 

 reserve for you. These mortal bodies will be superseded 

 by new and glorious forms, spiritual, incorruptible, and 

 worthy to inhabit the celestial world. If I have any right 

 to entertain the hopes which I recommend to you, I may 

 be permitted to add, that they have produced no gloom or 

 depression of energy in the duties of life, or cast discour 

 aging shadows over a temper and temperament naturally 

 cheerful and hopeful. In every vicissitude, I am encour 

 aged and sustained by the revelations of the Bible ; and 

 my entire family, I trust, with good hopes are grouped 

 within the Christian fold. Accept, I pray you, these few 

 suggestions, prompted by an earnest desire to promote 

 your happiness ; and I trust I shall have the pleasure of 

 hearing in due time, that, under the guidance of your ex 

 cellent minister, you will have found your doubts removed, 

 and yourself happy in the decision to walk with those who 

 have chosen the good part that shall not be taken away 

 from them. You will not hear from me again until I have 

 seen the green hills of New England, now two thousand 



