68 LETTEES. 
with his approbation, yet that is but the 
balance of a straw, a mere uncertainty upon 
which no hope can be built. The other is a 
certainty which must one day happen to every 
mortal. Therefore the salvation of my soul re- 
quires my most powerful exertions during the 
short time I may have to remain on earth. 
" As this is too tender a subject for me to 
inform my unhappy and distressed mother 
and sisters of, I trust, dear sir, you will either 
show them this letter, or make known to 
them the truly dreadful intelligence, in such 
a manner as, assisted by your wholesome 
and paternal advice, may enable them to 
bear it with Christian fortitude. The only 
worldly feelings I am now possessed of, are 
for their happiness and welfare. But even 
these, in my present situation, I must endea- 
vour, with God's assistance, to eradicate from 
my heart, how hard soever the task. I 
must strive against cherishing any temporal 
affections. But, dear sir, endeavour to miti- 
gate my distressed mother's sorrow. Give 
my everlasting duty to her, and unabated 
love to my disconsolate brothers and sisters, 
and all their relations. I have encouraged 
