my brother! Thou hast fled from my sight, left this world of trouble, and entered thine everlasting mansion. Art thou now veiling thy face before the throne of God, and encircled in the arms of his love? Dost thou behold his blissful face, the absence of which caused thee wearisome days, and wakeful nights! Art thou free from sin which caused thee to weep with me in college? O my brother, how happy, how happy! Let me follow him so far as he followed Christ. Let me obey my God, be faithful in his cause and when he shall bid me come, then I will sweetly lay my armour by, put off this sinful flesh, and join with my dear brother among the holy and happy throng in everlasting anthems of praise. Amen." This lovely youth was hopefully renewed by the Divine Spirit, nine or ten months before his decease, at a time when he enjoyed comfortable health. During a distressing decline, in which for some time, he apprehended that each week, and sometimes each day, might be his last, he was a pattern of patience and resignation to the Divine will. And when he found himself expiring in death, he lifted his hands and eyes, and exclaimed, "Glory to Jesus; Glory to Jesus!" In Mr. Parsons' journal, dated" April 5, 1812,” I find the first distinct mention of a mission to the heathen. He says, "I frequently think of spending my life as a missionary to the heathen. This consideration sometimes fires me with uncommon zeal. I hope God will cause me to know his will, make me willing to go wherever he pleases, prepare me to fight his battles, and afterwards receive me to his kingdom. I intend to think of heaven this week in my leisure hours." This last observation is worthy of particular remark. Different indeed would be the condition of Christians, did they always, or often "think of heaven," and meditate on its glories, "in their leisure hours." "Tuesday evening, May 20.-This day I have enjoyed communion with my God. Felt sensibly refreshed by the coming of cousin Erastus Parsons. There were a number present, all of whom expect to live in heaven. We joined in prayer before we parted, and it was sweet praying to that God, who hears when sinners cry. This afternoon brother Fisk and myself took a tour out of the village, and conversed with as many as we could upon the subject of religion. We solemnly warned sinners to repent, and we leave the event with God. This evening went into the woods to pray; but God was pleased to hide his blissful face. O how feeble, how dependent! Jesus appears lovely, but I do not feel that union to him, which I desire. O sinful man that I am! I deserve this moment to drink the wrath of God. But I can say, I think with sincerity, to the world, "Your heaps of glittering dust are yours, And my Redeemer's mine." " June 3.—I felt exceedingly happy in being the clay in the hands of so glorious a being. The thought of arriving to that place, where I could forever ascribe glory and honor, majesty and power, to my God, filled me with raptures of joy. 'I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' "Sabbath morning, June 21.-The natural sun shines with unusual splendour, and the Sun of Righteousness beams upon my soul. I hope to spend this day entirely in the divine service. Yesterday noon, brother Fisk and myself walked abroad to warn sinners, and to com fort the saints. In the college conference last evening, I was constrained to confess my vileness. After meeting, light dawned on my soul; Jesus appeared lovely, and never was I sensible of such love to the children of God. If it is so pleasant to behold a few rays of Christ's glory shining in his saints, how glorious, how unspeakably blessed will be the paradise of God! This Saviour whom my soul loveth, and melteth at the sound of his voice, will be seen in all the majesty of God. O my Saviour, how have I grieved thee! But on thy kind arms I fall, and rest on thy bosom. I hope to be kept by thy love, and at last see thee face to face. sed morning! O my Saviour, come quickly. O bles “Monday morning, July 6.—The past Sabbath was a good day to me. Those stings of conscience, which have frequently troubled me while at the Lord's table, were entirely removed, and I think I never enjoyed greater peace, while partaking of the broken elements. "The Angelic hosts above "They feast upon their Maker's love, 'But not a Saviour's blood.' Six of my class-mates dedicated themselves to God this day. "Sabbath morning, August 16.-My heart is awfully corrupt, a sink of iniquity. I can join with President Edwards, and say that my iniquities are 'infinite upon infinite.' Once more will I venture near thy throne, O my God. If thou dost ever smile upon me, it will be through infinite, free and sovereign grace. 'Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, but not into the hand of man.' "September 20, 1812.-During the late vacation my mind has been barren and frozen in stupidity. I found little enjoyment in prayer, and at times it was a burden. How can infinite purity endure such services? I have often been struck with astonishment at the close of secret prayer, at the coldness of my mind. Frequently I begin by ascribing to God the attributes of omniscience, omnipotence, eternity, and immutability; imploring his protection, the pardon of my sins, the light of his countenance; beseeching him to extend the Redeemer's kingdom; and glorify himself. During all this time, I have no suitable sense of his Being, nor one spiritual desire for the extension of Christ's kingdom. Be astonished O heaven! How just that I should have leanness sent into my soul. If I ever arrive at heaven, my devotions will be pure, and my soul steadfast in the service of God, and 'Jesus and salvation be 'The close of every song.' Hail happy day! Recently I have had considerable enjoyment. God gives me temporal prosperity, and now and then a glimpse of heaven. If a distant sight of God affords joy unspeakable, what pleasure will fill my soul, when heaven opens to my view. "Lord's day, October 25, 1812.-This evening received the news of the death of brother Harrington Hall, of Sudbury. He had been a member of this college more than two years, and one year my room-nate; but now he has bid me a final adieu. He was cut down suddenly, and called to appear before his judge. My room-mate confined to the land of silence, and I yet live! I anticipated his recovery, and flattered myself that I should still enjoy his company; but his days are numbered and finished. After he had performed the work assigned him,' the silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl broken.' O my brother, art thou in eternity, is thy probationary state closed, thy lips sealed in silence, and thy body left a feast for worms? Is thine eternal destiny pronounced? Hast thou seen God, and angels, and heaven? Hast thou commenced an eternal song? O my brother, my brother, farewell! By this event may I learn how wicked, how foolish to place my affections on things below! May I be wise for time and eternity, and so profit by this and similar events, that I may live the life of the righteous, 'that my last end may be like his.'" This young man so beloved and lamented by Mr. Parsons, was beloved and respected by many others. He had been for some time a professed disciple of Christ, and his truly christian deportment evinced most clearly the sincerity of his profession. Possessing respectable talents he promised fair for usefulness; but he, who 'seeth not as man seeth, and doeth what he will with his own,' removed him, as we humbly trust, to a world of unceasing joy, without giving him an opportunity to labor in his Master's vineyard. “November 7th, Saturday evening.—I have one thing particularly to lament, that a certain time, while attempting to pray, I had a greater desire to please men than God. This brought darkness on my soul. I hope for pardon and deep repentance. This evening had an unusually solemn and interesting meeting. I delight to be where God is worshipped. Let the Lord live, and reign forever and ever. My strength is weakness, my heart obdurate; I need the scourging hand of God to keep me humble, to remind me of my dependence." About the first of January, 1813, Mr. Parsons removed his relation from the church of Christ in Goshen, Mass. and united with the church of Christ in Middle |