When a yearly subscription was first proposed, I was averse to it, fearing it might give offence, till a very particular friend, mentioned it to a few of her acquaintance, unknown to us. Afterwards I was convinced, it was of God. It now amounts to about fourteen pounds a year. Our family at present consists of sixteen: eleven children, one teacher for them, one servant, ourselves, and one lame with the palsy. When I look back to last Christmas, I am astonished at the loving-kindness of my God! What he hath done for us, and what he hath brought us through, I can easier bless him for, than repeat! One thing more I ask of him: And in this also he will hear me: that he would restore sevenfold into the bosom of those he has made helpful to us, either by prayer, by word, or by deed. And if a cup of cold water is not forgotten before him, surely not one of these shall lose their reward. O Sir, we have so many mercies, I know not how to leave off recounting them. _Now_ I see that design of God, in joining sister _R._ and me together. It would have been impossible for me to have gone through my present undertaking alone. I know I have neither grace for the spiritual, nor capacity for the temporal part. It is therefore in the greatest tenderness, that our Lord has given her to us as a mother. I trust, both this and every blessing, shall have the effect which God designed in it. I am, _M. B._ An EXTRACT of LETTERS. By Mrs. L****. To the READER. THE person who published these letters about twelve years ago, observes, the writer of them, “never supposed they would be made public, but put down the sentiments of her heart, in the confidence of friendship. This may excuse the inaccuracies some may find: besides they are not recommended as patterns of polite, epistolary correspondence. Their merit is of another kind. It consists neither in the fineness of the language, nor in the elegance of the manner.”――I really think it does, as well as “in the goodness of the sentiment.” I am not ashamed to recommend them, as “patterns of truly polite, epistolary correspondence:” expressing the noblest sentiments in the most elegant manner, in the purest, yea, and finest language. Yet undoubtedly even the beauty of the language is nothing compared to the spirit which breathes throughout. Happy they who both _taste_ her spirit and are partakers of it: who _walk in the light as he is the light_, and know that _the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin_. J. W. * * * * * LETTERS To Mrs. ****.