death,
the grave, and the bright heaven beyond it, familiar subjects of
conversation. Gladly would I give you, my dear sister, some idea of the
share borne by him in those memorable conversations; but it would be
impossible to convey, even to those who knew him best, the most distant
conception. I believe he has sometimes been thought eloquent, both in
conversation and in the sacred desk; but the fervid, burning eloquence,
the deep pathos, the touching tenderness, the elevation of thought, and
intense beauty of expression, which characterized those private
teachings, were not only beyond what I had ever heard before, but such
as I felt sure arrested his own attention, and surprised even himself.
About this time he began to find unusual satisfaction and enjoyment in
his private devotions; and seemed to have few objects of interest
continually rising in his mind each of which in turn became special
subjects of prayer. Among these, one of the most prominent was the
conversion of his posterity. He remarked, that he had always prayed for
his children, but that of late he had felt impressed with the duty of
praying for their children and their children's children down to the
latest generation. He also prayed most fervently, that his impressions
on this particular subject might be transferred to his sons and
daughters, and thence to their offspring, so that he should ultimately
meet a long unbroken line of descendants before the throne of God, where
all might join together in ascribing everlasting praises to their
Redeemer.

Another subject, which occupied a large share of his attention, was that
of brotherly love. You are, perhaps, aware, that like all persons of his
ardent temperament, he was subject to strong attachments and aversions,
which he sometimes had difficulty in bringing under the controlling
influence of divine grace. He remarked that he had always felt more or
less of an affectionate interest in his brethren, as brethren--and some
of them he had loved very dearly for their personal qualities; but that
he was now aware he had never placed his standard of love high enough.
He spoke of them as children of God, redeemed by the Saviour's blood,
watched over and guarded by his love, dear to his heart, honored by him
in the election, and to be honored hereafter before the assembled
universe; and he said it was not sufficient to be kind and obliging to
such, to abstain from evil speaking, and make a general mention of t