With regard to the plan, the compiler conceived that some advantages might attend throwing the Memoirs into the form of letters, as it afforded suitable pauses to the Narrative, and gave opportunity for some reflections which may be of service to the younger part of his readers; besides, as the writer is not accustomed to appear in this capacity before the public, he felt himself more at home in the epistolary style.

As the work in not of a nature to make any pretensions to literary excellence, and scarcely a proper subject of criticism, he does not feel much alarmed at venturing it into the world; especially as he has no expectations that it will extend much beyond the circle of Mr. Morris's acquaintances, for whose sake principally is was drawn up; and he is confident that, whatever be its deficiencies, it will be favourably received by them.

It may be proper to remark, that the circumstance alluded to in the first letter is not feigned.

MEMOIRS

OF

RICHARD MORRIS.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

LETTER I.

HOW often are we reminded, by the fluctuation and uncertainty of human events, of the advice of Solomon: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might!" Through inattention to this, we expose ourselves to numberless disappointments; and many good purposes are never realized, because we defer the execution of them to a more convenient season.

Our first interview with Mr. Morris, now more than two years since, excited in us both a strong desire to be more fully acquainted with the interesting particulars of his life. A determination was then formed to embrace the earliest opportunity of spending some time together with him, to hear from his own lips an account of all the way which the Lord had led him. That time never arrived,--nor will it ever arrive, till we hold converse in a better world. He has left the

scenes of earth for ever. appointed for all living;" "to God who gave it.'

Ilis dwelling is, "the house and his spirit has returned

In my intercourse with Mr. Morris, I often heard detached parts of his life and experience, which made me join in the regret of many of his friends, that their solicitations, though frequently repeated, and earnestly pressed, could never prevail on him to commit to writing some memoirs of his life. I saw the man of God laden with years, and sinking under the pressure of infirmities, approach the verge of Jordan, and was then compelled, not without some painful reflection, to relinquish all hope of putting our long-deferred plan into execution. But when laid aside from public labours, and preparing to enter into rest, the hope of being in some measure useful to those whom he was about to leave, induced him to comply with the wishes of his friends; and he dictated at intervals, as his strength admitted, a brief history of himself. This I shall now transmit to you, as the only means of compensating for the opportunity we lost.

It was truly affecting to see him, when the indications of approaching dissolution were visible in his countenance, and his anticipations of heavenly rest were strong, and near the point of being realized, taking a last- a parting view of the road through which he had travelled; tracing the merciful interpositions of a kind and gracious Providence, in order to leave in the hands of his beloved friends, whom he could serve no longer, a memorial of Divine goodness.