A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females Being a Series of Letters from a Brother to a Younger Sister   By: Harvey Newcomb (1803-1863)

BY HARVEY NEWCOMB.

WRITTEN FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, AND APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.

Seventh Edition.

BOSTON: MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY Depository, No. 13 Cornhill.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

Stereotyped by HOBART & ROBBINS; NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, BOSTON.

PREFACE.

The following Letters were truly, as they profess to have been, written to a younger sister of the author. By the death of her parents, she was left, in a measure, dependent upon him, at an early age. She had been the subject of many prayers, and endeared by many ties. His house, as he humbly trusts, was the place of her second birth. As she was about to leave his roof, for a residence among strangers, the idea occurred to him of imbodying his fraternal counsel in such a form that it might be a friendly monitor to her, in the midst of those dangers and difficulties which beset the path of inexperienced youth. In prosecuting this design, it appeared hardly proper to bestow so much time upon the interests of one individual. Hence the writer concluded to commit these Letters to the press, with the hope that they might be the means of doing some good. This work is intended not merely to be read and laid aside; but, as its title imports, to be kept as a kind of practical directory for daily living. This edition has been revised with great care, and much new matter added.

BOSTON, 1851.

CONTENTS.

Preface , 5

LETTER I.

The Christian's Mark , 17

Introduction, 17 A Great Mistake, 17 The Grace of God a Growing Principle, 18 The Spring that never dries nor freezes, 19 Growth in Grace, 20 The Glory of God, how manifested, 21 The true Standard of Holiness, 21 Paul's desire for Higher Attainments, 22 How Eminent Holiness is attained, 23 Examples of Eminent Persons, 23 Mrs. Edwards, 24 Earnestness in Religion, 25 Religion the great Business of Life, 25

LETTER II.

Importance of a thorough Knowledge of the Doctrines of Christianity; Means of obtaining it , 26

Connection of Doctrine and Practice, 26 Religion compared to a Building, 27 The Holy Spirit operates through the Truth, 28 Genuine and Spurious Religious Affections distinguished, 28 Office of the Truth in Sanctification, 29 Doctrinal Knowledge without Practice, 29

Directions , 30