commenced the Christian race. This, if real, is an infinite blessing in our family. He now stands propounded to the church. O that we may have grace given us to make a wise improvement of this distinguished favor of God to an unworthy family. Through divine mercy our children are all in health, and all appear to be as promising as children in general. What the Lord designs to do with them I know not.

hands, and at his disposal.

I desire to leave them in his

"I have mentioned the greatness of the task devolved on us--but how much greater must be yours. You have a number of children under your care without the aid and assistance of a father to guide them in the forming period of life. I know your cares and anxieties must, at times, be overwhelming. You need much wisdom and grace. May a kind and gracious God be your husband, and their father.

"Give my love to them, and tell them, from me, to be obedient and good children, and then their heavenly Father will provide for them. The present is a world of changes. Truly nothing on earth is abiding. Let us then look out for another and a better country,"

CHAPTER VI.

DEATH OF HIS SON CHARLES BACKUS HIS OWN SICKNESS IN 1813-HIS VIEWS

OF ENTIRE DEPENDENCE

AND LETTERS

AND PERFECT ACCOUNTABILITY-DIARY
TO 1819.

IN the preceding extracts from the diary and letters, we have heard this parent alluding to his family as in a state of prosperity till the Lord committed ten immortal beings to the hands of parents who felt a deep responsibility for their souls. We have heard the father mourning over the impenitence and stupidity of those so dear to him, and lamenting his unfaithfulness; and finally rejoicing with trembling when it was announced to him that his firstborn indulged some hope of an interest in the only Saviour. We have seen the father, renewing again and again the dedication of the children to the Lord, and leaving them at his disposal, and exhorting others to be looking out for a better country. The next date in his diary is as follows:

"In the month of February, 1813, the people in this town were visited with an epidemic sickness, denominated the lung fever, which proved mortal beyond any thing I ever witnessed. It prevailed about two months, in which

time seventeen adults and the most of them heads of families, died. On the 5th of March my second son Charles Backus was seized with this fatal disorder, and on the 20th of the same month, he died. This was to me and my dear companion, a new and trying scene. I had frequently been with the sick and dying, and had witnessed the anguish of parents, when they saw their children struggling in the agonies of death; but never did I enter into their feelings, till God in his providence opened this scene before my eyes. This visitation of God was, however, connected with uncommon mercies, for it occasioned a great increase of prayer in my house. Many of my Christian friends, who came to see me under this rod, prayed with great apparent fervency for my distressed son, and for all my family; and I am not left without hope that the prayers which were offered up, on his behalf, were heard. He exhibited some hopeful marks of penitence and humility, though there was not opportunity for his character to be proved. I leave that child in the hands of that Being who gave him to me and who has taken him away.

"On the day succeeding the death of this son we followed his remains to the grave, on which solemn occasion the Rev. Mr. Shepard, of Lenox, preached a sermon from Job i. 21-Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

"The distressing sickness of this son, together with the numerous calls at this time and for many weeks after to visit the sick and dying by night and by day, reduced me to a very feeble and alarming state of health. My lungs became so weak, that I was under the necessity of suspending my public labors, for a number of weeks. But through divine mercy, I had strength generally to

meet with my people on the Lord's day, and to guide the public services, though I did no more than to read the psalms, call upon some of the brethren to pray, and a suitable person to read a sermon which I had selected, and also to pronounce the blessing. This was a season of great trial, but the Lord graciously supported me."

In a letter to one of his most intimate friends he gives some additional particulars.

"My dear Friend,

"March 23, 1813.

"In our house we have had a most distressing scene. I have a desire to give you all the particulars of my dear son's death, but it would occupy sheets of paper. Some general things I must state to you, as I know you will feel deeply interested in our afflictions. Charles was attacked with the disorder a fortnight ago last Friday night, at the house of Mr. P., with whom he lived. He lodged alone in a chamber, and so violent was the attack, that he was not able to get out of bed and dress himself, though he attempted it several times. I suppose he lay, shaken and tortured with severe agues, for eight or ten hours, before his case was known to any one. About ten o'clock on Saturday, I brought him home in a sleigh, and aided him into the study, from which he never went until he was carried out in his coffin. He never was able to sit in his chair. He lived fifteen days in the most extreme distress I ever witnessed, and died on Saturday, the 20th inst., twenty-five minutes past three, P. M. On the fourth day of his sickness, I had a council of doctors at my house, all of whom pronounced his case a hopeless one, and gave it, as their opinion, that he would not live twenty-four hours; though he survived ten days and more afterwards. Several times, in the course of his sickness, we gathered

around his bed of distress to witness the parting moment. When it came, we had anguish of soul which I shall not undertake to describe. But, I desire to bless God for the precious opportunities for prayer and free conversation which I had with Charles. My house was resorted to by Christian friends, and prayer was almost unceasingly made for him. For the last ten days of his sickness, he became calm in his mind, and expressed confidence in God, and hope in his mercy through Jesus Christ. He was truly remarkable for his patience during the whole scene, and greatly endeared himself to his attendants and watchers. He apparently met the king of terrors without dismay. Thus, my dear friend, I have given you some account of this afflictive, yet righteous dispensation of divine Providence towards me and my family. I have felt much support through the trying scene, for which I am indebted wholly to the goodness and mercy of God. I have thought also, that my dear wife has borne the affliction with wonderful fortitude, though she has had to endure great bodily weakness."

* *

*

In other letters, there are the following allusions to the

same scenes.

"Dear Friends,

"Aug. 20, 1813.

"By Mrs. B.'s letter, written, I conclude, at your house, we have been informed of the renewed obligations you are under to the Giver of all blessings; particularly, for the birth of another son. hand, we were at Mr. D.'s.

When the letter came to
Mrs. H. first opened and

read it; but before she had read many sentences, I found she was in a flood of tears, and concluded that the king of terrors must have entered some of your abodes. On perusing the letter, my fears were removed; for I saw, at