J LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! #|'«i? |wsm$<> < I -£%^r Iljfo $ i l UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. J 3'?. ANECDOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS 7 <^ +*/d#£ df~ szffr CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. BY REV. DANIEL "SMITH. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY REV. D. W. CLARK, A. M. /yi iNa^gmrk: PUBLISHED BY LANE & SCOTT, 200 Mulberry. street. JOSEPH LONGKING, PRINTER. I860. V> ' Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850. by LANE & SCOTT, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New- York. A % ± PREFACE. Philosophers lay it down as an axiom, "That our Creator has so formed us, and adapted us to the world in which we live, that the view of certain ob- jects and scenes in nature is fitted to excite in the mind certain corresponding emotions." These emo- tions will be those of fear or delight, grandeur or sublimity, according to the nature of the objects and scenes which inspire them. Experience and obser- vation teach us, that from the same primary laws of our nature, facts which illustrate important truths, or develop human motives, produce certain corre- sponding emotions. When, for example, we examine a process of reasoning, in which every part is brought to bear upon the point to be demonstrated, and in which each example and illustration gives ad- ditional clearness and force to the argument, we cannot fail to admire the skill of the writer, and we become sensible of an agreeable emotion. When we follow a Wiclif, a Huss, or a Luther, through his struggles for truth and the rights of conscience, and when we see selfishness, bigotry, and malice arming themselves with penal laws and instruments of torture, for the purpose of crushing tin hero, we feel deep and powerful moral emotions. There are passages in such narratives where we hold our breath, and the mind, in the intensity of its feelings, at once desires and dreads to reach the crisis. Struggling with conflicting emotions, we detest the tyrant, while we admire and weep over the hero. Thus we perceive there is a deep philosophy in facts. They appeal to the primary laws of our nature. The learned and the ignorant alike feel their force. It is both instructive and amusing to observe their effect, when skilfully used in the pul- pit, on the platform, or even at the bar. The very persons who affect to despise them — and some such there are — though listless and uninterested before, become " all eye, all ear." Thus they pay an ex- torted homage to the laws of their own being. So also it is with the reader of a well-selected and well- arranged book of anecdotes. Who falls asleep over such a book 1 And whose memory is so treacher- ous as to forget the principle impressed by a well- selected and well-told fact ] When mere didactic reasoning solicits in vain a record upon the tablet of memory, the illustrative fact records itself, and ofttimes indelibly too. The great fault of books of anecdotes has gene- rally been, that no principle of analysis has governed their construction. The materials might be good, but they were like the stones of Solomon's temple before the edifice was erected — heaped together in promiscuous confusion. A book of anecdotes should have as specific an end as any other book. The principles to be enforced and illustrated being first settled in the compiler's mind, he should go on add- ing fact to fact under each head, making his work assume the form and perform the office of a cumu- lative argument. On this principle the compiler aimed to construct a preceding volume— "Anecdotes for the Young, or Principles illustrated by Facts;" — and the same principle has guided him in the preparation of this volume.* The character and design of the work will be ob- vious to the reader. The compiler flatters himself that the young minister, or candidate for the minis- try, will derive no little advantage from the store- house of interesting incidents to which he is here introduced. The way in which Divine Providence led many of those who became eminent in that posi- tion, of which it may be truly said, " No post on earth affords a place Of equal honour or disgrace — " is here marked out. The piety which distinguished these servants of Jesus Christ, is illustrated by facts and examples. The skill and boldness with which they wielded the weapons of their spiritual * The plan of the former volume differs materially from any- other with which the compiler is acquainted. In this work he is much indebted to a small volume published by the London Tract Society. The plan of that small work was in part adopted, and a small portion of its contents transferred to these pages. To the twelve small volumes issued by the same Society the com- piler is much indebted. warfare, and the success which crowned their efforts, are faithfully delineated. The whole is a moving panorama, a life-like picture. Nor is this a book for young ministers merely, or a book for ministers of only one denomination. It is a genuine " Evangelical Alliajjce." Here are ministers from all quarters, and of all orders — Churchmen, Dissenters, Methodists, and Presbyte- rians, Baptists and Quakers, Bishops, Elders, Dea- cons, and Licentiates. Neither is it designed for ministers only. While its title is appropriate, and descriptive of its charac- ter, it is hoped and believed it will prove instructive and interesting in any Christian family into which it may find its way. That it may be numbered among that class of books which are properly denominated useful, is the devout prayer of the compiler. New-York, April, 1850. D. Smith. CONTENTS. EncfOents Entrotmctorg to Ministerial ^Labour, 17 D'Aubigne's Conflict with Rationalism The Bishop and the Birds . 32 57 Dr. Coke and the young John Angell James 5ft Minister 85 Amiable Instincts and Cor- A Chaplain and a Cadet . . . 36 rect Deportment not A Thrilling Exordium 4(1 Christian Piety R9 Rev. W. E. Miller and his Rev. John Brown / 03 Violin 42 Value of a Half-Guinea. . 65 43 45 The Voice of "Assurance" Dr. Coke 67 70 Rev. Mr. Robinson 47 Luther on Pilate's Stair- 47 m by Kindness " Behold how great a mat- Dr. Vanderkemp 4y ter a little fire kindleth". m The Prodigal Reclaimed. . . 50 Rev. George Whitefield. . . 91 Too much Money and too Interesting Meeting 94 little Work 52 53 95 Rev. T. Robinson Rev. William Tennent 96 Something in the Gospel Rev. Gideon Ouseley 98 54 54 MM Rev. Solomon Stoddard Rev. J. W. Fletcher 102 Dr. Chalmers 55 Rev. Alexander Henderson 104 Ministerial character. EMINENT PIETY. Rev. J. W. Fletcher 106 Turning all Tilings into Prayer 109 Bishop Andrews 110 Rev. James Hervey Ill Rev. Thomas Walsh Ill Rev. John Smith 120 Rev. William Bramwell ... 124 Archbishop Usher 125 Rev. Mr. Rogers 125 Rev. Mr. Shepherd 126 Rev. Thomas Hooker 126 Rev. Mr. Blackerby 127 P«*0 PftM Durham 127 Rev. J. W. Fletcher .... i& ilishopllutton 12^ K. v. Robert Hall . . 131 Dr. Cotton Mather 128 Rev. James Hervey '. 131 SELF-DENIAL. ^ ev ;,??f don Hal1 132 Rev - J - W. Fletcher 135 J^ r - walhs 132 Wesley and Nelson in Rev. Joseph Hughes 133 '-Cornwall 135 Rev. John Howe 134 Martin Luther 136 Rev. George Whitefield . . . 134 Bishop Berkley 138 BENEVOLENCE. John Elliott 138 He that giveth to the Poor John Wesley 13'J lendeth to the Lord Rev. Bernard Gilpin 14G Rev, J. C. Lavater. . . . 150 An Angel of Mercy Hf, John Fox 153 Bishop of St. Asaph 147 Rev. J. W. Fletcher .....".' 154 Bishop Butler 150 CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. Praying and Giving 157 Preaching for a Crown .. . 1G5 The Praying Shepherd ... . 157 "Support your character, Nothing lost by keeping the and we willrespect you" 106 Sabbath 158 Dr. Waugh ... 167 Rev. D. Brown 159 Rev. John Campbell. . . " ' i«8 Rev. T. Robinson 160 Rev. Thomas Scott ... . 169 Rev. S. Walker 161 Rev. John Howe . . 170 Rev. Mr. Kelly 162 Rev. R. M. M'Cheyne. '. '. ! , 171 V e . v - £ r - chalm ers 163 Dr. Adam Clarke 172 Jolin Nelson 164 FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES. Archbishop Cranmer 176 Rev. W. Herring. 17ft Rev. George Wishart 177 MEEKNESS UNDER PROVOCATIONS. The Patriarch of Alexan- Rev. John Elliott . dria.. Dr. W^all i ^ ItsvMr,p;:U m Esi 1 ...'V : h Richm ta 1 1-3 Rev. Mr. Deenng iso Rev. John Cotton 1-1 Rev. J. W. Fletcher lbl The Italian Bishop l-i CONFIDENCE IN TIIK HOUR OF TRIAL. Bev. Oliver Heywodd 186 The Missioatriee tad the Rev Mr. Nosworthy 168 Privateer M CONTENTS. y SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. Page Page Revolting Avowal 191 "I should have left ray Bi- Rev. John Cotton 192 ble, and brought my Die- Rev. John Wesley 193 tionary " 197 Rev. Dr. Evans 193 Rev. J. Thorowgood 197 " A Man cannot feed upon Dr. Chalmers 198 Flowers"..; 194 Pulpit Eloquence 199 Dr. Manton 194 Bishop Hurd 203 Rev. Dr. Campbell 195 Important Caution 203 Rev. Andrew Fuller 196 IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. Redeeming the Time 204 Rev. Dr. Doddridge 211 Rev. John Wesley 204 Rev. R. Cecil 211 Rev. Matthew Wilkes 206 Whitefield and Tennent. . . 211 Rev. S. Brewer 206 Rev. Joseph Alleine 213 Bishop Hall 207 Rev. Thomas Shepherd ... 213 Leang Afa 210 COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. Rev. J. W. Fletcher 214 Rev. John Smith 219 The Preacher and the Rob- The Lazar House. . . . : 220 bers 217 FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. Rev. J. W. Fletcher and Rev. John Welsh 240 his Nephew 222 Rev. Samuel Wesley 243 Latimer and Henry Vffl... . 225 Mr. Ouseley and Lord 243 Andrew Marvell 226 Rev. R. Cecil 245 A Minister Challenged 227 Andrew MelviJJe and James Preach the Truth, andleave VI 246 Events to God 228 Rev. David Dickson and The Minister and the Dying the Robbers 247 Robber 229 Wiclif 248 Danger and Deliverance . . 237 Rev. H. Martyn 249 From the Closet to the Rev. Mr. Berridge and the Pulpit 239 Bishop 250 Robert Hall and his Socin- Pastor Oberlin 251 ian Hearer 239 Uarfous if&ettiofcs of Usefulness. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Street Preaching— Conver- Fruit seen after many Days 257 sion of a Clergyman 254 Dost thou well to be An- Conversion of Rev. Mr. No- gry * 259 ble 256 Rev. John Smith 260 10 Rev. Mr N I ■ fadae. 274 .... 270 iral «0 Conversion of General Rus- sell and Lady 283 273 PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. The Broken Wing 300 Rev. Mr. Venn and the Inn- keeper 301 Rev. Robert S All ... 302 John Fox and Mrs. Honi- wood 304 Rev. R. Cecil 3(>5 Rev. E. W. Miller 3<)6 An Experiment Samuel llick 309 The Ear Trumpet held A Word fitly Spoken :.-.: Smith : the Earl of Huntingdon 291 and Howard 293 Ri -v. Mr. Dodd and a blernan Rev. W. E. MiRer 2% Bar. Dr. Spring I'RAYER. Rev. John Janeway 310 Luther's Prayer for Me- Praying lor Fair Weather . 313 lancthon 314 The Prayer of Faith shall Deliverance of New-Eug- B&ve the Sick 314 land 316 * SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. Pursuing the Sinner 318 Alexander Patrick Rev. John Smith and the "Lord, Corporal 310 Rev. .John R\ Rev. J. Smith and tho Pub- •• 1 shall thank God through '•can 320 all Eternity that 1 .... 325 saw you" 343 REPROOF. Caustic Retort-Mr. Spenco Rev. Mr. Dodd 358 and the Scullers I Way 319 The ( I Rev. William Dawson Samuel Hick and theMIsi hton and ram.-. . ;<:.<; \ v Ri ■ i" Waugh ; and Jus- CONTENTS. 11 Pago . 365 Rev. Samuel Wesley, Sen. 361 The Extinguisher " How many miles did you Professor Halyburton. 3do" walk in Scotland?" 362 Abstruse Questions 366 The Defective Mill 363 John Fox and Bishop Ayl- A Ready Answer 364 mer 366 " There's nae Strife here". 368 Rev. Mr. Kilpin 371 Dr. Twiss and the Orphan. 371 Rev. D. Anderson 375 33robnientfal JSelfbevaiices ati& Sitpjitfes. Du Moulin 373 Dr. Cole and Elizabeth Ed- monds 373 Rev. D. Anderson 375 Rev. M. Thorowgood 376 Rev. Gilbert Rule 377 JBgiVLQ STestfmoitfeH. John Huss 378 Rev. William S. Pease. . . Jerome of Prague 378 All forgotten but Christ. . George Wishart 379 Rev. John Hyatt 387 Bradford 379 Stephen Beek James Durham 380 Henry Venn.. Samuel Rutherford. , Claude Charles Wesley . Rev. Mr. G Edward Payson.. Stephen Beekman Bangs. . 388 390 Halvburton 391 381 Bishop Beveridge 392 382 Augustus M. Toplady 393 382 Joseph Benson 393 384 Thomas Scott 394 J&tscellaneous filhtstratfona. Happy Blustration 396 Power of the Truth 397 The Bible in Khassee 398 Your Visit is Kind, but Late 399 The Rationalist and the Pe- nitent 400 Experience a Sure Test. . . 402 Prayer a Privilege 405 Prayer in Affliction 407 Pray and Succeed 409 The Eyes Opened 410 Ye Ask Amiss 412 The Method of Approach. . 413 Ask for the Right Things. . 414 Prayer a Defence 416 Repeating Sermons 416 Partiality to Ourselves 422 John Wilmot, Earl of Ro- chester 423 Love for the Closet 424 Converted Astronomer. . . . 424 Rev. J. W. Fletcher. . , . . . 425 Evidence of Depravity 425 Keep thy Heart with all Diligence 426 Difference between the Doubting Christian and the Skeptic 427 Love is all the Graces Combined , . 427 The Devout Christian 428 Great Losses by Religion.. 428 A Compliment to the Sex. 430 Cecil in Sickness 431 Elated and Depressed 431 12 F*r* P«r* lies. 441 :.i- No B i Law.. 44* 432 The beat met - Message 43 1 134 ten ma) er at Borne 435 wmnl be at- 435 tribal 444 436 445 " In what manner do you 436 446 i Prayer 437 447 kinst Speculations 437 : elory l Work« 439 In II Moral Frcidoiu 441 David Uume INTRODUCTION. Whitefield, from a boy, talked of becoming a minister. "But," said be, on one occasion, "I sball not tell stories in the pulpit, like old Cole ;" referring to a preacher distin- guished for reciting anecdotes, but without sympathy, pa- thos, or power. In due time Whitefield entered the ministry, and began to wield this element of oratorical power with unparalleled effect. The old man then quietly remarked, "I find that young Whitefield can now tell stories^in the pulpit, as well as old Cole." The importance of illustration, and especially of illustrative facts, has been rarely insisted upon, even in works upon homiletics and pulpit eloquence, to that degree to which it is fairly entitled. A solid, mas- sive argument, without figure, without illustration, moving onward from its premises, patiently removing the obstacles in its way, deliberately interweaving the successive links of its chain, till the whole is complete, and the conclusion has been reached, might possibly be sufficient for the mere logician, the mere thinker ; but to the great mass of both educated and uneducated men, unless the subject possessed an interest beyond that of the argument, it would appear dull, tiresome, and heavy. They would require something to relieve the tedium of the process ; would seek relief from that intense, and almost painful mental effort necessary to thread the complicated windings of the logical process. Nay, it is often difficult for the mind readily to follow out a strictly logical train of reasoning, perceiving at once the afiinity and coherence of the subordinate parts, and like- 1 1 And i h unlike of the latter, can well attest to the us -tratioiu truth, and also in fixing imk-lil.lv that truth in thi judicious juvenile educal pictorial which juvenile which the jui: day-school tear' will not fan* to employ for the ; young, rerhaj is no department of education in which this a lion can be employed with more power and t minds of the yuun^, than upon moral and reli Truth is personified, and stands before the wind's sdl the distinetiu .-.•; of a Living verity. That which predica t ed of children and youth is also true of I majority of hearers. He has studied human natui\ little put] not discovered the ] and truthful illustration. Whol ved a previously congregation excited I ■ didactic discussion of the subject fa: tratiou . impressed. The- mini Uiviuc I. mded with beautiful and iw] illuatrati and affective el< 4 oaetannor, simile, parable, and classical allusion, all have their si^'uili' i introduction/ 15 is there opened so comprehensive, rich, and varied a store- house, from which the minister may draw material to give point and edge to his truth, as in that of illustrative fact. But the employment of such material must be to illustrate, and the discourse must have in itself the principle to be illustrated. To employ illustrations when you have nothing to illustrate, to use them as a substitute for substantial truth, or as a means of extending the discourse, is the work of a wrong judging or unskilful workman. To use them without proper adaptation of subject, feeling, pathos, into- nation, is to use them as "old Cole" did, and not as did " young Whitefield." The heart must be moved, the spirit must flow, or the illustration will be tame, lifeless, ineffect- ive. Whitefield infused the very soul of his genius into the incidents and illustrative facts that shot forth like so many meteors from the body of his discourse. They flashed upon the understanding, they burned into the heart, and long did they leave their impression there. But there are other and scarcely less important ends to be accomplished, by such collections of interesting and in- structive facts as those teeming in this little volume, and another previously given to the public by the same author. They place before the Christian examples to be admired and imitated. They erect beacon lights, and raise a warning voice, where dangers are to be apprehended. Is a young man meditating whether it be his duty to enter the sacred minis- try ? Here may he find light in the experience of the godly and successful. Here, too, are illustrated the graces of mi- nisterial character, presented, not in the dry, didactic for- mula of the schools, but in the light of living example. Is instruction needed by the Christian on various points of duty ? Here may be found most valuable and timely sug- gestions in the example of others, in like manner beset and perplexed. Facts are suggestive, and here a fund of such material has been gathered ; not carelessly huddled . into one confused mass to make out a book, but culled by 16 the hand of a matter, and pruned and arrangad with the skill and severity of a The Christian minister who aims only to be logical, «ho employs argument, but eschews illustration, U neglectful of trations. The private Christian, who tarns aside from the narration of brief and appropriate illustrations, that have ban 0tamd ban lax n ec*d • • I Um • tpmSmm mi Una^ of men, is neglectful of one oi urces of moral and spiritual improver Lstian parent and the Sunday-school teacher who do not avail themselves of inci- dent anil u-ntion, «"HghtCT the ttnderstantliii_', :iii'l impress the heart, will rarely become successful eiln. . A volume pro- ■v i« 1 i iilt materials for Buch ;i w-rk. is a rich store-house of i i)\<\ useful ki -med by the Christian jmMie. Sm-Tmrif A^nf, I L». w. CHRISTIAN MINISTERS. INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO MINISTERIAL LABOUR. MARTIN LUTHER. " My parents," said Luther, " were very poor. My father was a wood-cutter, and my mother has often carried the wood on her back that she might earn wherewith to bring up us children. They endured the hardest labour for our sakes." John Luther, the father of little Martin, gradually made his way, and established two small furnaces for iron. The child grew up by the side of these forges, and with the earnings of this industry his father was able to send him to school. In those days fear was regarded as the grand stimulus in the business of education. " My parents," said Luther, in after life, " treated me severely, so that I became timid. They truly thought they were doing right, but wanted discern- ment." At school the poor child was treated with even greater severity. The master flogged him fif- teen times in one day. " It is right," said Luther, relating this fact, " it is right to correct children, 2 18 K0DI7CT0RY TO but at the tame time we school of the I was cast u{m.ii the world, withoul \ ■•■is still pre- via ac- Uttle food to tapply cur wants. One day about Christ i: ther through hl)ouriiiL r villages, from hi : the usual carols on the infant born at Bethlehem. ant's house which stood detached from the [tremity of thi 1 food which he infant to • d, in a rough loud voice, ' When lied ;it 1 We had no reason to fear, for tin 1 peasant offe S ; hut our !. doubt bt ' from the threats and tyranny which tin- masters then used towards their e >o thai 1 with sudden fri .11 after the food that le 1 <•:: Luther, "that we tremble and the when OU MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 19 science is guilty and alarmed. Then we are afraid even of the help that is offered us, and of those who are our friends, and wish to do us good." Often the poor modest boy, instead of bread, re- ceived nothing but harsh words. More than once, overwhelmed with sorrow, he shed many tears in secret ; he could not look to the future without trembling. One day, in particular, after having been repulsed from three houses, he was about to return fasting to his lodging, when, having reached the Place St. George, he stood before the house of an honest burgher, motionless, and lost in painful reflections. Must he, for want of bread, give up his studies, and go to work with his father in the mines of Mansfeld l Suddenly a door opens, a woman appears on the threshold — it is the wife of Conrad Cotta, a daughter of the burgomaster of Eilfeld. Her name was Ur- sula. The chronicles of Eisenach call her " the pious Shunammite," in remembrance of her who so earnestly entreated the prophet Elijah to eat bread with her. This Christian Shunammite had more than once remarked young Martin in the assemblies of the faithful : she had been affected by the sweetness of his voice and his apparent devotion. She had heard the harsh words with which the poor scholar had been repulsed. She saw him overwhelmed with sorrow before her door ; she came to his assistance, beckoned him to enter, and supplied his urgent wants. Conrad approved his wife's benevolence ; he even found so much pleasure in the society of young TO a few flays ai I I in the l ■ forth, and w order i<> r» ad the nam< s <>f ihc a ■ • ■ like it till that h<".ir. II — il is :i Bible ! a r with astonishment at fin ' than tli which th.> Church ! t.» the :u thnr plac< Pill then he ha 1 th< ■ he had no id< i! 11 h;in>'J hi* ur bag through the town '" cried the bi with hi .^ed to go i and perhaps at the d had been eithi . it was with I; .1 that he I monk. MINISTERIAL LABOUR, 25 to regard the satisfying of the flesh 1 ? Not thus could he acquire the humility, the holiness, that he had come to seek within the walls of a cloister. The poor monk, overwhelmed with toil, eagerly availed himself of every moment he could snatch from his degrading occupations. He sought to re- tire apart from his companions, and give himself up to his beloved studies. But the brethren soon per- ceived this, came about him with murmurs, and forced him to leave his books : " Come, come ! it is not by study, but by begging bread, corn, eggs, fish, meat, and money, that you can benefit the cloister." And Luther submitted, put away his books, and re- sumed his bag. Far from repenting of the yoke he had taken upon himself, he resolved to go through with it. Then it was that the inflexible persever- ance with which he ever prosecuted the resolutions he had once formed began to develop itself. His patient endurance of this rough usage gave a power- ful energy to his will. God was exercising him first with small trials, that he might learn to stand firm in great ones. Besides, to be able to deliver the age in which he lived from the miserable superstitions under which it groaned, it was necessary that he should feel the weight of them. To empty the cup, he must drink it to the very dregs. This severe apprenticeship did not, however, last so long as Luther might have feared. The prior of the convent, upon the intercession of the university of which Luther was a member, freed him from the mean offices the monks had imposed upon him. The rr. ODUCTOtT TO J«mg monk then resumed hi* studies wit • draw wi*! pure »«; tcned by a . but lit- rnoatab- t abore -l's win —to innvasr in n and to Burning with the he had sought in t! f of an aacc and w:itohin ? s. Shut up in h. BOD, hr was rontiir ! inclinations of his heart. \ head, a single herring, ■ h<- had Irnrned that I ■■ nt himself with th- thi-r without - did not find, in th« tat nd tnooi II MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 27 His conscience, enlightened by the Divine Word, taught him what it was to be holy ; but he was filled with terror at rinding, neither in his heart nor in his life, the transcript of that holiness which he con- templated with wonder in the Word of God. Me- lancholy discovery ! and one that is made by every sincere man. No righteousness within ; no righte- ousness in outward action ; everywhere omission of duty — sin, pollution. The more ardent, Luther's natural character, the more powerful was this secret and constant resistance of his nature to that which is good, and the deeper did it plunge him into despair. The monks and theologians encouraged him to do good works, and in that way satisfy the divine justice. " But what works," thought he, " can pro- ceed out of a heart like mine ? How can I, with works polluted even in their source and motive, stand before a Holy Judge !" — " I was, in the sight of God, a great sinner," says he ; " and I could not think it possible for me to appease him with my merits." A tender conscience led him to regard the least sin as a great crime. No sooner had he detected it, than he laboured to expiate it by the strictest self- denial ; and that served only to make him feel the inutility of all human remedies. " I tormented my- self to death," says he, "to procure for my troubled heart and agitated conscience peace in the presence of God : but, encompassed with thick darkness, I no- where found peace." His bodily powers failed, his strength forsook him ; sometimes he was motionless as if dead. TORT TO -ing a sweet ■ys been a bc could restore to him .mother \ 1 : ■ MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 29 fasting, and watching, so that you might count his bones. His eyes, which were afterwards compared to a falcon's, were sunk ; his demeanour was deject- ed ; his countenance expressed a soul agitated with severe conflicts, but yet strong and capable of en- durance. There was in his whole appearance some- thing grave, melancholy, and solemn. Staupitz, who had acquired discernment by long experience, easily discerned what was passing in that mind, and at once distinguished the young monk from all his com- panions. He felt drawn towards him, had a kind of presentiment of his singular destiny, and soon ex- perienced for his inferior a paternal interest. He, like Luther, had been called to struggle ; he could therefore understand his feelings. He could, above all, show him the path to that peace which he had himself found. What he was told of the circum- stances that had induced the young Augustine to enter the convent, increased his sympathy. He enjoined the prior to treat him with more mildness. He availed himself of the opportunities his office afforded for gaining the confidence of the young monk. He approached him affectionately, and en- deavoured in every way to overcome the timidity of the novice — a timidity increased by the respect and fear that he felt for a person of rank so exalted as that of Staupitz. His venerable guide proves to him that there can be no real conversion, so long as man fears God as a severe judge. " What will you say, then," cries Luther, " to so many consciences, to whom are pre- KV TO usand insupportable penance* »• irs this answer from the ncar-geucral — or rather he do»- .hat it cornea from a >ru bea- I teoueneas.* .ome fancy to he the tf only its be- is good, you who has first Luther l it em, u ;n . Theae eonao- 811 him with ■rfully by these su . salutary wn Still the work was not finished. The vicar-gen- ! prepared it. I malady that brought him n Um gates of tin- prare. ■ IT \ri HiinmaoL MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 31 holiness again disturbed his mind. One day when he was overwhelmed with despair, an old monk en- tered his cell, and spoke kindly to him. Luther opened his heart to him, and acquainted him with the fears that disquieted him. The respectable old man was incapable of entering into all his doubts, as Staupitz had done ; but he knew his Credo, and he had found there something to comfort his own heart. He thought he would apply the same remedy to the young brother. Calling his attention therefore to the Apostle's creed, which Luther had learned in his early childhood at the school of Mansfeld, the old monk uttered in simplicity this article : " i" believe in the forgiveness of sins." These simple words, ingeniously recited by the pious brother at a critical moment, shed sweet consolation in the mind of Lu- ther. "I believe," repeated he to himself on his bejl of suffering, " I believe the remission of sins." " Ah," said the monk, " you must not only believe that David's or Peter's sins are forgiven : the devils believe that. The commandment of God is that we believe our own sins are forgiven." How sweet did this commandment appear to poor Luther ! " Hear what St. Bernard says, in his discourse on the Annunciation," added the old brother. " The testimony which the Holy Ghost applies to your heart is this : ' Thy sins are forgiven thee.'' " From that moment the light shone into the heart of the young monk of Erfurth. The word of grace was pronounced, and he believed it. He renounced the thought of meriting salvation — and trusted him- 19 811 » •"><•• i . — ale boy resided at u little | Dmmbe. Bii ptri alinott ■ ty t sou MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 33 it was in vain to ask his father to send him to school, for he knew that his parents had no money to pay the schoolmaster ; and he often passed the whole day thinking, whilst he was gathering the juniper-ber- ries, what he could possibly do to please the school- master, in the hope of getting some lessons. One day when he was walking sadly along, he saw two of the boys belonging to the school trying to set a bird-trap, and he asked one what it was for. The boy told him that the schoolmaster was very fond of fieldfares, and that they were setting the trap to catch some. This delighted the poor boy, for he recollected that he had often seen a great number of these birds in the juniper-w T ood, where they came to eat the berries, and he had no doubt but he could catch some. The next day the little boy borrowed an old basket of his mother, and when he went to the wood he had the great delight to catch two fieldfares. He put them in the basket, and tying an old handker- chief over it, he took them to the schoolmaster's house. Just as he arrived at the door, he saw the two little boys who had been setting the trap, and with some alarm he asked them if they had caught any birds. They answered in the negative ; and the boy, his heart beating with joy, gained admittance into the schoolmaster's presence. In a few words he told how he had seen the boys setting the trap, and how he had caught the birds to bring them as a present to the master. " A present, my good boy !" cried the school- 3 TO master ; " you do not look as if yon could afford to ,,, fe I .. MRa I • 'I ::." \<-nr ;»n<»-. and 1 u it to too, aod (hank you besides." •mid rather tftve ihem to yo<.. please," amid the boy. ! at ihe boy who stood be- fore him, with bare bead ami feet, and ragg. bout do- --M. flight, aid like better than tsked the schoolmaster, smiling. boy, falling on hi* knee . kind sir, U una to bin at ' ■ commonded him to a nobleman was as noble in mmd m in birth, patronized the poor ■i nsj li it ■« u> taboo) at Katudxm. The boy • limine* ; ami when he roee, as ! fares as his arm*. *• I in. .in."' returned t srtti a smile, •• that I! \>as MYBKLT." MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 35 DR. COKE AND THE YOUNG MINISTER. The following interesting anecdote was related by Dr. Coke to his brother-in-law : — In attempting to cross a river in America, Dr. Coke missed the ford, and got into deep water ; he and his horse were carried down the stream, and were in considerable danger ; he caught hold of a bough, and with some difficulty got upon dry land ; his horse was carried down the stream. After dry- ing his clothes in the sun, he set out on foot, and at length met a man, who directed him to the nearest village, telling him to inquire for a Mrs. , from whom, he had no doubt, he would receive the kindest treatment. Dr. Coke found the good lady's house, and received all the kindness and attention she could show him ; messengers were sent after his horse, which was recovered and brought back. The next morning he took leave of his kind hostess, and pro- ceeded on his journey. After a lapse of five years, Dr. Coke happened to be in America again. As he was on his way to one of the annual conferences, in company with about thirty other persons, a young man requested the favour of being allowed to con- verse with him ; he assented with Christian polite- ness. The young man asked him if he recollected being in such a part of America about five years ago ; he replied in the affirmative. " And do you recol- lect, sir, in attempting to cross the river, being nearly drowned 1" "I remember it quite well." "And do you recollect going to the house of a widow lady in such a village 1" " I remeti the showed inc." M Ail! do you remember, • hum "• ■• : I might do SO.*' r," amid th-' fmmgman, "y»udid leave there ft tract, which v read, and li ^ed the reading of ..<• conrersio: means < ighboura; and there is no ago, a • ail. 1 winch he accompany i resting stat* : ts was M . - urt since a \> .:<■*. During a condition •t universal the ministry of one nan, set for the defence i -coined for ;i make nut the least MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 37 way, suddenly almost, in a very few days, many minds without communication with one another, and without personal intercourse with the minister, appeared deeply, and almost simultaneously interest- ed in the great matters of eternal life. Officers as well as cadets participated in this, and to such an extent, that the minister's study was soon occupied every evening- with assemblies, composed of both, for prayer and the exposition of the word of God ; and a serious impression, more or less deep and abiding, was spread over a large part of the whole military community. Several became at that period very decided soldiers of Christ. Many others re- ceived impressions then, which God has since ripen- ed into manifest and energetic piety. Many more received the seed of the word, in whom, though it seemed to die, it has since, under the continued in- fluence of the Spirit, sprung up and brought forth fruit. Some are still in military life. Others have been, long since, adorning the Christian profession in the ministry of the gospel. The very first appearance of this work of grace, so remarkably and singularly the work of God, was the coming of a cadet, alone and most unexpectedly, to introduce himself to the chaplain, and unburden the sorrows of a contrite heart. All around him was coldness and skepticism. To speak decidedly in favour of religion was then so unusual in the aca- demy, that it made one singular. To converse with the chaplain on that subject had not been ventured by any, except out of opposition to the truth. That M RODUCTOftf any one would appear there seriously seeking eternal • a the chaplain was afraid to hope. A cadet, bower r ia open day. chaplain's study, loo deeply conoerned to heed what lie waa personally unknown to the < i II is message he tried to utter, but could not. Again he tried, and again ; but his heart ..ifth he said. I 1 am entirely in the dark. h was i<>r some days, had been awakened endV . tung and reading of the truth. A peOBOQ J»re;i<-h. and at lrom the chaplain's study, to whomaoeti .eet, had been blees- * The tract was tent by a cadet, who, in obedience to Um re- quest of a pious father, of whose death he had jost heard, had come to introduce himself to the chaplain. Be was not then 0/ •to Jus hand for id upon the waters, with the direction, I anywhere in the barracks — perhaps I shall hear from iud dropped it unseen. In the room shore named That day weak the chaplain hen: shows related. But still he who dropped It was not known to care for his own soul. The other, MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 39 ed to his soul. Doubts and cavils were all aban- doned. Implicit submission seemed his engrossing principle. From that moment the young man ap- peared to take up the cross, and to stand decidedly and boldly on the Lord's side. The singular and very prominent "evidence of the hand of God in this case, was very greatly blessed to others. After graduating at that institution, and leaving the army, he passed through a regular course of study for the holy ministry, and was successively ordained deacon and presbyter. Many years have since elapsed. The chaplain has since been called to a higher order in the ministry, and more enlarged responsibilities in the church. The cadet, meanwhile, after many vicissitudes of active duty and of disabling ill health, supposed he had settled himself for the rest of his life as a preacher and pastor to an humble and ob- scure congregation of negroes, whom he had col- lected together from neighbouring plantations ; to whom, living entirely upon his own pecuniary means, he appropriated a part of his own house for a church, and to whose eternal interests he had chosen cheer- fully and happily to devote himself, as their spiritual father, with no emolument but their salvation. But such was just the true spirit for the highest of all vocations in the church. To be a servant of ser- vants is the very school in which to prepafS for the chief ministry under Him who " took upon himself the form of a servant." The church needed a mis- sionary bishop for a vast field, for great self-denial, for untiring patience, for courageous enterprise. 40 I NTS INTRODUCTORY TO Ml to the sell -appointed | of that humble congregation. With mo aire unanimity did she call him sway lo a fro Mood of more dignified duty, but of mote emi- mim responsibility ; not indeed of more exquisite satisfaction to a Chriatiao heart, (fur what ca- art more exquisite aatiafaetion lead auch of the poor to Christ ') but of severer I rials, and vastly greater difficulties and hsrd- te coat, he has not dareo Regarding the call aa of Cod, he has em- braced the promised grace, and is now ready to be offered. And thus I has here met the . seeing and adoring the end of the Lord in that remarkable beginning. a TBI MUM In a sea- port town on the west coast of England, | ' are ago, notice was given of a sermon to be I .1 there one Sunday evening. The preacher was a in ttiat circumstance, together with -course being to eu- ■. of a strict observance of the Sabbath, wing audience. After the usual - and praises, the preacher read his text, and was about to proceed with his sermon, \\)u n he aud- Aead, leaning bta head on the pulpit, and re- that he had become Indisposed ; but he soon re- covered himself, and addressing the congregation, it tafora entering upon his discourse, he MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 41 begged to narrate to them a short anecdote. " It is now exactly fifteen years," said he, " since I was last within this place of worship ; and the occasion was, as many here may probably remember, the very same as that which has now brought us together. Amongst those who came hither that evening, were three dissolute young men, who came not only with the intention of insulting and mocking the venerable pastor, but even with stones in their pockets to throw at him as he stood in this pulpit. Accordingly, they had not attended long to the discourse, when one of them said, impatiently, ' Why need we listen any longer to the blockhead 1 — throw !' But the second stopped him, saying, ' Let us first see what he makes of this point.' The curiosity of the latter was no sooner satisfied, than he, too, said, 'Ay, confound him, it is only as I expected — throw now !' But here the third interposed, and said, ' It would be better altogether to give up the design which has brought us here.' At this remark his two asso- ciates took offence, and left the place, while he him- self remained to the end. Now, mark, my brethren," continued the preacher, with much emotion, " what were afterwards the several fates of these young men ! The first was hanged many years ago for forgery ; the second is now lying under sentence of death, for murder, in the jail of this city. The third, my brethren," — and the speaker's agitation here be- came excessive, while he paused, and wiped the large drops from his brow — " the third, my brethren, is he who is now about to address you ! — listen to him." IIODUCTOKY TO •■ he demoted ^ llic: ia an rniiaiiai ■ asic iau in Sheffield. He possessed a violin .« said, he estimated at tb osed to be, • mg Miller Saib, an exquisite instrument was in use by one of band ; and having poshed his way to m enchanted the sorrrri^n by his ■tain posses the means by came to be possessed of it, be acq. the fond o borse which ca Igb his war. ^ height of ait fan and popui ssjbjb of wearinesa on board a| ■■* " ». and mad,- ■vas i in «od thai thii iostmmeni u the Idol sj MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 43 wedded to it ; and he felt it to be a great snare. " With almost unexampled firmness and resolution," adds his biographer, "he laid it aside — though at the time he was esteemed the second, if not the first, performer in England — with the purpose never to touch it more ; and he kept his resolution to the day of his death." ADAM CLARKE. A letter from Mr. Wesley, inviting him to Kings- wood school, preparatory„to commencing the minis- try, brought matters to a crisis with his parents : — they were highly displeased. His father would neither see nor speak to him ; his mother threatened him with God's displeasure, and said, as before, " We have brought you up with much care and trouble ; your brother is gone, your father cannot last always ; you should stay with the family, and labour for the support of those who have so long supported you, and not go to be a fugitive and vaga- bond over the face of the earth. I believe you to be upright, I know you to be godly ; but remember, God has said, Honour thy father and thy mother ; that thy days may he long in the land ivhich the Lord thy God giveth thee. This is the first command- ment with promise : and remember what the Apostle hath said : Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, is guilty of all. Now I allow that you are unblamable in your life, but you are now going to break that solemn law, Honour thy father and thy mother; and if you do, what will 44 arail all your other righteousr, Jtt Jd not n-pjy to an sjrgriered parent. All he couM •ay was. / iruA to do nothing contrary to ike xetll •ibour to keep a com- taenee votd of offence be/are God and mt. poor mother was ao far transported and off her guard, that she sait a hit!- |^ mlo the sea, beca to bin fot eeeeed I M and Reader '• rfjeogBttas] triu ;it find ng thai the .same young stranger was hie h " n — th ' plunged into the pariahe.l : thfirmutu.i uotbe atti-tii] ■■■ MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 47 arms of his son. The latter left the service, and be- came a pious preacher of the gospel. On closing this story, the minister, in the meeting of the Bible Society, bowed to the chairman, and said, " Sir, I am poor Jack." REV. MR. ROBINSON. The Rev. Mr. Robinson, a member of the Presby- tery of New-Brunswick, was the son of a wealthy Friend in England. On visiting London he became dissipated, got in debt, and had to leave his native land to seek his fortune in America. On his arri- val in New- Jersey he opened a school. After being thus engaged for some time, without any practical realization of religion, he was riding at a late Hour one evening, when the moon and stars shone with unusual brightness. While he was meditating on the beauty and grandeur of the scene, and was say- ing to himself, " How transcendently glorious must be the Author of all this beauty and grandeur !" the thought struck him with the suddenness and force of lightning, — "But what do I know of this God ? Have I ever sought his favour, or made him my friend ?" This happy impression, which proved, by its permanency and effects, to have come from the best of all sources, never left him until he took refuge in Christ. DISARMED AND CONVERTED BY KINDNESS. " A man of my acquaintance," says Dr. Dwight, " who was of a vehement and rigid temper, had, TO many yean, since, a dispute with a friend of b»», & :i, and bad been injured 1> . rong feelings of reaeotment, be made bun a avowed purpose of quarrelling with nature and sates* . and waa preparing, as he afterwards confessed, to load him wiih a ere re- proach' tm short by scknow- ledgiii Mattel readiness and fr in knees, the injustice • nad been guilty ; express- . ample compensation. He was compelled to say was satisfied, and withdrew, full o( mortifi- cation >een precluded from vesting his his friend with keen and tehee tor his conduct. As he was walkm. . he amid to himself to Unaeffeet: most be something more in religion than I > suspected. Were any man to ad- dress me in the tone of haughtiness and provocation with which I ■coasted my friend this evening, it reserve the nqsant i i have bam I • niess, and especially with so much frank ne*.s, humility, and meekness, to acknowledge the wrong which 1 bad done ; so rand ilv ask forgiveness of the man whom I had injured; ry recompense. I ahsnhi have e> I I ith at least squ sentment. paid him uid in- 1 tor around . omething in MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 49 this man's disposition which is not in mine. There is something in the religion which he professes, and which I am forced to believe he feels ; something which makes him so superior, so much better, so much more amiable, than I can pretend to be. The subject strikes me in a manner to which I have hitherto been a stranger. It is high time to exa- mine it more thoroughly, with more candour, and with greater solicitude also, than I have done hith- erto.' " From this incident, a train of thoughts and emo- tions commenced in the mind of this man, which terminated in his profession of the Christian reli- gion, his relinquishment of the business in which he was engaged, and his consecration of himself to the ministry of the gospel." DR. VANDERKEMP. The conversion of Dr. Vanderkemp, missionary in South Africa, was preceded by a very remarkable interposition of the providence of God in the preser- vation of his life. He was sailing on the river, near Dort, in company with his wife and daughter, when a violent storm arose, and a water-spout broke on the boat, by which it was instantly overset. Mrs. Vanderkemp and her daughter were immediately drowned, and the survivor, clinging to the boat, was carried down the stream nearly a mile, no one dar- ing, in so dreadful a storm, to venture from the shore to his assistance. A vessel then lying in the port of Dort, was, by the violence of the storra, driven 4 ■ TO from her mooring, and floated towards the part of the rin he was just ready to perish, and the sailors took !< i <>us re- markably was a life preserved, which was after- wards I advantage of raun- :ch he had laboured sudden !o*« earthh long struggle against a painful hard heart, shook • d, and ended the cause of < Tffli PBODIOA1 'KP. ' was, many years since, a labo- rious minister in the kirk of Scotland. He had a large family, hut hit eldest son was a grievoi to him, and filled him with distress. While his fa- Ofl a week-day eve- ning, he would join his wicked associates in robbing •relation. He wan d-room, hut contrived to escape from ti he ar- the head ofthl I this parish, I oerl an of mis- ohJef. In short, it would be im|-o.«sihle tosay what and su.-h w i ther he ry species of I he sacrament parish . and MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 51 upon these occasions, according to the custom of the kirk of Scotland, many of the surrounding parishes met at an appointed church, where several days were appropriated for the solemnity. When this occurs, presents of cold provisions are usually for- warded to the minister's house whose turn it may be to receive the brethren. Such had been the case in this instance, and abundant supplies poured in from all quarters, and were forwarded to the par- sonage. The tables were laid over night, and some of the provisions placed upon them. Among these was a large meat pie, which any one person could scarcely lift. The following day, when all the ministers were assembled, the Rev. Mr. invoked a bles- sing, and took his seat at the head of his guests. On removing a portion of the crust from the pie, it was discovered that the whole contents had been re- moved, and their place supplied with grass ; and on a piece of paper the following text was written, "All flesh is grass." The aged parent was so distressed at the occur- rence, that his knife and fork dropped from his hands, and exclaiming, " Poor has been here," he fainted away. Search was made for the lad, and he was brought in. When he stood before the assembled company he was somewhat abashed ; but when he saw his hoary-headed father lost in uncon- sciousness of what was passing, and when his con- science told him that he had occasioned it, his heart smote him, and the turning-point was taken. From KODt'CTOBT TO that day forward he wae aa altered character the porpoae of turning them from the eril couraea upon kneeling down with them to pra- ■ one or two listened w itii profit to his lostructione, ud ill*- reel sYosded him u ;» poof dMpnifted i* '•■'•■. truth a* it ;- I >us. TOO MUCH WORK. I'm Re v John 1 '■• B told by oiu I above double the 10 him about the ■ intercourse with the peopla having excited within him an affection which would not suffer him to be thru id which re- I unabati «1 till hi> death. -taaces rwd with his appointment are remarkable and Mr. Hill informed him that the Irving of Dnnnai •. light, the income good, (X'400 per annum. luated in a tine healthy * i-Mimtry " niter thanking Mr Hill meal co kirnln. ■!»*, .Mr. llctrher added, ** Alaa ! air, Dunham will nut mi money, . little labour " " Pen clergymen make MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 53 such objections," said Mr. Hill ; " it is a pity to de- cline such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another. What shall we do % Would you like Madeley % v " That, sir, would be the very place for me." " My object, Mr. Fletcher, is to make you comfortable in your own way. If you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difficulty in persuading the present vicar to exchange it for Dunham, which is worth more than twice as much." In this way he became vicar of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied, that he never afterwards sought any other honour or preferment. REV. T. ROBLTtfSOK The late Rev. T. Robinson, vicar of St. Mary's, Leicester, was a native of Wakefield, in Yorkshire, and was originally intended for trade ; but discover- ing considerable literary talent, his parents consulted the clergyman on whom they attended, and deter- mined to confer on him the advantages of a univer- sity education, with a view to his entering on the Christian ministry. When he was about leaving home to proceed to Cambridge, he was one day met by a poor shoemaker, who inquired whether he was not about to be trained for a clergyman ; and being answered in the affirmative, the man replied, " Then, sir, I hope you will study your Bible, that you may be qualified for feeding the sheep of Christ with the bread of eternal life." The hint was sea- sonable, and a divine blessing attended it. Mr. Robinson never forgot it while he lived ; and he la- I TO boured, a* i» well known, for many years, as a faithful and •uoomnfnl minister of the gospel. THE Sous years ago a clergyman, who waa a widower, low of a deceased minister uf a denomination. She wa. -,'bly « ,,ng «i**«irT^. ■ companion in his public and — *rtn l re ahe became penaire and dejected. ' I companion, who in-. • I 01 knowing the eaus» with trembling hes:' ^. r , your I atam i Christia nans in the « on] not speak the trnJ V . 'and so you would i Hand in lb lay, and H ny. I5ut, sir, there i» rem • r in the truth of the gospel. result was, a very important ch . .mniste- tia part- ner sat and heard hiui pn Tut i the predooi rda, was engaged bj .:aro no MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 55 indications of a renewed and serious mind. In this difficulty their resource was prayer. They agreed to set apart a day for special fasting and prayer, in reference to their pastor. Many of the persons meeting for this purpose had necessarily to pass the door of the minister. Mr. S. hailed a plain man whom he knew, and addressed him : " What is all this 1 What is doing to-day V The reply was, " The people, sir, are all meeting to pray for your conversion." It sunk into his heart. He ex- claimed to himself, " Then it is time I prayed for myself!" He was not seen that day. He was seeking in solitude what they were asking in com- pany ; and " while they were yet speaking," they were heard and answered . The pastor gave unques- tionable evidence of the change ; he laboured amongst a beloved and devoted people for nearly half a cen- tury ; and was, for that period, deservedly ranked among the most able and useful of Christian ministers. DR. CHALMERS. From Dr. Chalmers' own confession, he preached twelve years without either knowing himself or the gospel. In his address to his former parishioners he says : — " I cannot but record the effect of an ac- tual though undesigned experiment which I prose- cuted for upwards of twelve years among you. For the greater part of that time I could expatiate on the meanness of dishonesty, on the villany of falsehood, on the despicable arts of calumny ; in a word, upon all those deformities of character which awaken the 30 K0D0CTORT TO •MM of honour, and truth, a . among my people ; •d amongst thrm. If there waa .: at all brought abort in this way, it waa <>t aeo- i And it tu i • :rt in all its method of r< i before tli< in. it was not nil the t' forgiveness acceptan. . . and t)>. ; through tho ohanne] of Christ's raediatorahip ind their pi Nsor.l. nil the oootemplai turned I u and eseenl in the bueineK*..! i soul pn ardof thoee subordinate r< at tin- MOM I admin MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 57 D'AUBIGNE'S CONFLICT WITH RATIONALISM. This eminent man has recently given to the world the following statement of his final establishment in the gospel : After his conversion to God, and after he had be- gun to preach Christ with fulness of faith, he was so assailed and perplexed, in coming into Germany, by the sophisms of rationalism, that he was plunged into unutterable distress, and passed whole nights without sleeping, crying to God from the bottom of his heart, or endeavouring by arguments and syllo- gisms without end to repel the attack and the adver- sary. In his perplexity he visited Kleuker, a ve- nerable divine at Kiel, who for forty years had been defending Christianity against the attacks of infidel theologians and philosophers. Before this admira- ble man D'Aubigne laid his doubts and difficulties for solution. Instead of solving them, Kleuker re- plied, " Were I to succeed in ridding you of these, others would soon rise up. There is a shorter, deeper, and more complete way of annihilating them. Let Christ be really to you the Son of God — the Saviour — the Author of eternal life. Only be firmly settled in this grace, and then these difficul- ties of detail will never stop you ; the light which proceeds from Christ will dispel all darkness." This advice, followed as it was by a study, with a pious fellow-traveller at an inn at Kiel, of the apos- tle's expression, " Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or 68 > all his difficulties a. paatage, they prayed room at foot of know thai thou u. jure all • doubta from that iov • ful, but unto me peac : alone, but that of many | 1 alu» ! hare J01 tin t MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 59 room with him, bending his knees in prayer, on re- tiring to rest. Nearly fifty years have since rolled away," he says, " but that little chamber, that humble couch, that praying youth, are still present to my imagination, and will never be forgotten, even amid the splendours of heaven." AMIABLE INSTINCTS AND CORRECT DEPORT- MENT NOT CHRISTIAN PIETY. It was a beautiful afternoon of a summer Sabbath, when a younger brother, about sixteen years of age, came into my room, and throwing his arms around my neck, said, " I want you to pray for me." It was a moment of surpassing interest, and emo- tions never to be told, or forgotten, were awakened in my heart. He had always been what is called " a good boy" — his life had been marked by the strictest morality, and his attendance on the duties of reli- gion made it impossible to detect in his character anything amiss. And while I had looked on him as a stranger to the Saviour, and in need of regene- rating grace, I never expected to see him strongly excited in view of sin, or the prey of peculiar dis- tress. He seemed so near the kingdom of God ; like the young man in the gospel, he had outwardly kept all the commandments, so that it appeared as if he must be easily led to embrace the Saviour. His morality had allayed my anxiety in his behalf, and the interest he had ever manifested in the sub- ject of religion, tempted me almost to forget that he was still in his sins, an enemy of God, and an heir 60 U Y TO of hell. And when he broke in upon me u Mm OSS* M d t:. U I should j.r.i\ lor lutn, U start- led me, as if he had come in starring and asked fur erring that he wm in greet distress of mind, I desired him to ail a moment, and tell me the occaaion of hie i v. and then I would hia request. He said that the ligion had for years been often before '■ 1m- had il* | to become person- ally interested in it ; but, he add Qg last erening you closed your re- marks with the words, ' < ■ .,, day whom . ve Wl,! lid seek ear- nestly the aalratioa of my soul. Hut I felt no unusual concern, and this morning s«- '■as lirm to choose 1 ,,,r m > : afternoon, in church, the m v case, and I Mr, ■ greet sinner, sinking into led I want y.'U to pi I down, and I liile he mem by mj . r a few mo- and still on our knees, I asked him what ap- oi the hell t'> which he was exposed, bet netj that and las •""■» &ii that he most sink under t! aeenhei . MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 61 est religious privileges, had been early consecrated by pious parents to God, and had been the child of many prayers and tears, and had still refused to give his heart to Christ. And as his ingratitude was re- vealed, he seemed to abhor himself as unworthy of the dust. And now despair was filling. his breast. Such sins, so many, so great, so inexcusable, can never be forgiven. I asked him if he felt that God would be just in shutting him out of heaven, and making him miserable forever. O yes, he replied, he deserved the everlasting wrath of a holy God. He could never suffer more than he deserved ; but it was not hell, it was sin that made him miserable. He would suffer anything, everything, if he could only be delivered from this dreadful load of sin. We spoke of the character of God ; of his spotless purity, that could not bear with sin ; of his justice, that burns to punish it ; of his truth, that had sworn to take vengeance on the ungodly. But he antici- pated all this, and my words were too weak to meet the views he already had of these attributes, con- spiring against his soul. I spoke of the love of God ; love against which he had sinned so long and deeply ; love, that had given him the religious privileges of his youth ; love, that was now keeping him out of hell ; love, that even now offered to pardon and save him. " No, no," said he, " I have sinned too much for that. There can be no pardon for so vile a wretch as I." And sinking under this despairing thought, he gave utterance to his grief in sobs and tears. •RT TO It was an awful momen' numy own soul ; tml hi* irro clung round my neck, a* it I perish. ! pleaded thai the jht find merry m this hour of and the few "iir. as '.im to a deep sense of : <>f thoee i •■• ■!! faetroeted in the {Treat tnitli tml thp thought of ■ poseibujty of finding » from such sins as h. eemed not to BtOTod bil mind. And when at this juncture I to linn of the Honewil, rtot hod made for guil: . l0a t|, a | mot Mi led up the precious nnilfrcqoont ■ "tiers of solvation ti. ; -lamed f«» him how OOnsisteal it woe for (>oxi to pardon, •eating Btooero w • , and I aaki i bin if, with that bleed- willingneaa toprovido sal'. fur sun • jj er6 •vasstaggere.! nmself upon MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 63 the sovereign mercy of God in Christ Jesus. " You are a lost sinner, self-condemned and perishing. You acknowledge that God will be just in sending you to hell. But you see the provision which he has made for just such sinners. Can you not trust your immortal interests in the hands of that Saviour %" The solemnity of eternity appeared to rest on his soul, as he poured out his heart in prayer, and com- mitted himself unto Him who is able and willing to save. We wept in silence, in the fulness of our souls, that knew no words to express the emotions of that hour. With perfect calmness, almost incre- dible, after the storm through which "he had just* passed, we rose from our knees — we had been pray- ing and conversing for about two hours — and walked out together. A Sabbath's sun was just setting, but a brighter sun, with healing in its beams, was rising on his heart. We met some young and unconverted friends, and at my request he told them what God had done for his soul, and tenderly invited them to seek the Saviour he had found. My brother is now a minister of the New Testa- ment, and will never forget the two hours that we spent on our knees in the summer of 1831. REV. JOHN BROWN. The late Rev. John Brown, of Haddington, when a boy, was engaged in the service of a farmer in East Lothian. Having one day gone to Edinburgh mar- ket with grain, while his horses were resting and his companions asleep, he went to a bookseller's in Par- Gi i nooi i roRi to k Testament. The proprietor, standing at his dour, w as surprised to bear a poor boy a.-k for Mich a book, and inquiccd what he would do j . •■ 1 will trj shop- men, baring found one, pul aid the hare it tniy took tt, and baring read a page, ti ' Ufa great eaae. Tl would ho had polled ■ the 1 k. About I • well- I man, with ■ the same d the bookseller, who, as l walking befl Sir, I be- I ng men will ti •'' tonal)) that I an Lndebfc s face, "Sir, I do not I " "\ you re- tbat, aboot twenty yean ago, a poor bcrj I ■ • >'t' it , :uul : was no I MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 65 again in his face, and giving him his hand, he said, " Mr. Brown, I am glad to see you, and have often heard of you. We have here in our shop your Self- Interpreting Bible, your Church History, &c, which have brought me in much money ; will you be so obliging as to dine with me 1" The invitation was ac- cepted, and a lasting friendship was formed between them. THE VALUE OF A HALF-GUINEA. During Dr. Adam Clarke's short stay at Kings- wood, he often worked in the garden for exercise. " Observing one day," says he, " a small plat which had been awkwardly turned over by one of the boys, I took the spade and began to dress it : in breaking one of the clods, I knocked a half- guinea out of it. I took it up and immediately said to myself, This is not mine ; it belongs not to any of my family, for they have never been here ; I will take the first opportunity to give it to Mr. Simpson. Shortly after, I perceived him walking in the garden. I went to him, told him the circumstance, and pre- sented the half-guinea to him ; he took it, looked at it, and said, ' It may be mine, as several hundred pounds pass through my hands in the course of the year, for the expenses of this school ; but I do not recollect that I ever lost any money since I came here. Probably one of the gentlemen has ; keep it, and in the mean time I will inquire.' I said, ' Sir, it is not mine, take you the money: if you meet the right owner, well ; if not, throw it in the funds of the school.' 5 ■ UODUCTQRT TO Bfl jm w :. .!. • \ . j must k«-.-;, n nil I m^k.- the m- day he had lost a ha ■ 1 did so : — thl :c that I lost • .sure that lh\ . unless I were so, I could n >ie, probabh ■ i, in saying • the gold into my hand. Mr. v M II. tunx : ominon thiag to do with it. 1 S mod B grand addition t<> a purse that • itial ' 1.1 was po the world, ai '• Th< l»'r ; he may draw what :• may add : — besides two <»r three neo which I as my ■ knowledge of that MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 67 language, which ultimately led me to read over the Hebrew Bible and make those short notes which form- ed the basis of the Commentary since published! Had I not got that Grammar I probably should never have turned my mind to Hebrew learning ; and most certainly had never written a Commentary on Divine Revelation ! Behold how great matter a little fire kindleth ! My pocket was not entirely empty of the remains of this half-guinea, till other supplies, in the ordinary course of God's providence, came in! O God ! the silver and the gold are thine : so are the cattle upon a thousand hills." THE VOICE OF " ASSURANCE." A minister of Christ should never stop short of a clear experience of those Gospel privileges which he proclaims to others. A fine illustration of this truth is found in Dr. Krummacher's " Elijah the Tish- bite." " There was," says he, " some years ago, not far from this place, a very gifted preacher, who, for several years, preached with great earnestness and success the doctrine of the cross ; but who, on that very account, was violently opposed. One of his opponents, a well-informed person, who had for a long time absented himself from the church, thought, one Sabbath morning, that he would go and hear the gloomy man once more, to see whether his preaching might be more tolerable to him than it had been here- tofore. He went ; and that morning the preacher was speaking of ' the narrow way,' which he did not make either narrower or broader than the word of 6-» God describes h. • A new creature in Christ, or Sfc • • ;i .na!...n." W lie- tt.«-rii.- ul' hi* d;»- course ; mod be •pake with power, and net aa a mere i..i. . | n momVi l)u:. ii ' tae lewnu, tt:«- imi -ti-.n forced 1 rer*i c oao ci e a oe, ' I I this man declare the real truth i I mseineuts. I Jut it became, from da/ to day, nd ask him, upon his conscience, d of the truth of tl -- He fulfilled his intentioi acher. Path irn-at earnestness, 'I was one of your hearers, when you Spoke, a short ii. I confess ■ i from asking you solemnly, be- t ■ little surprised nt this rhat he In a ihe word of 1 1 truth. ' W h t. • r, hut he rallied i md began to i xplain the plan of salvation lo the inquirer, and to MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 69 exhort him to repent and believe. But the latter, as though he heard not one syllable of what the preacher said, interrupted him in the midst of it, and repeated, with increasing emotion, the anxious ex- clamation, ' If it be truth, sir, I beseech you what are we to do 1 ?' Terrified, the preacher staggered back. ' We,' thinks he, ' what means this we V and, endeavouring to stifle his inward uneasiness and embarrassment, he resumed his exhortation and ad- vice. Tears came into the eyes of the visitor ; he smote his hands together, like one in despair, and exclaimed, in an accent which might have moved a heart of stone, ' Sir, if it be truth, we are undone !' The preacher stood pale, trembling, and speechless. Then, overwhelmed with astonishment, with down- cast eyes and convulsive sobbings, he exclaimed, ' Friend, down on your knees, let us cry for mercy.' They knelt down and prayed, and shortly afterwards the visitor took his leave. " The preacher shut himself up in his closet. Next Sabbath, word was sent that the minister was un- well, and could not appear. The same thing hap- pened the Sabbath following. On the third Sabbath, the preacher made his appearance before his congre- gation, worn with his inward conflict, and pale, but his eyes beaming with joy, and commenced his dis- course with the surprising and affecting declaration, that he had now, for the first time, passed through the strait gate. You will ask what had occurred to him in his chamber, during the interval which had elapsed. A storm passed over him, but the Lord 70 KODUCTORT TO wm not in the storm ; an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake ; a fire, but the Lord waa not in - I iieo came a still small voice, on bsl mantle, and from that tune knew what waa the gospel, and what was grace." DR. C The Hi v Thomas Coke, LL. I)., was born at Bre- age of sixteen he was removed from Brecon 'I m the L : s iirininooeih fMsl WM '!,•,.,,! ;i jj, !,;l.iii:m OMWM at Ji-.-us pe, in that university. In this seminary of leara- red a licentiousness of manners ii h<- bad hitherto been a stranger. And to I -t« MHshiiicnt , and excite his detestation, i'l'ilv found that, instead of apologizing for rmity of their conduct, some of his fellow -stu- ith contempt those moral principles which he had been taught to con- - leered, and to shelter themselves under the sorceries of argument, from the pangs of an upbraid- ing con . ,e and their principles ho soon discovered a . . agree- ns*nt Inndelil [>ossession of their hearts, u were fully unfoldi .vee. be bad t>een brought up i" the i: ,.n camo from M which it taught, and the pre- MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 71 men wise unto salvation, his belief was of the here- ditary kind ; so that the arguments which proved revelation to be genuine were totally neglected, from an implicit conviction of its being true. On finding revelation assailed by sophisms which he had never heard before, and those principles attacked which he had never been instructed to defend, silence suc- ceeded to astonishment at first ; but the poison was working its way through unguarded avenues to his heart ; so that by slow and imperceptible degrees he became a captive to those snares of infidelity which he had at first surveyed with detestation and horror. This unhappy circumstance formed a memorable epoch in his life. The impression which it made upon his memory was too deep to be effaced. In public and in private he has frequently taken occa- sion to introduce it, accompanied with terms of com- passionate indignation against those who cherish the viper by which he was stung, and to reckon his de- liverance from this dreadful hydra as a most singu- lar interposition of the providence of God. The principles of our young student, being thus tainted, soon communicated their fatal influence to his practice. But the restraints imposed by con- science still remained, and preserved him from those excesses into which he would in all probability have been otherwise hurried. But although he was thus preserved from the ac- tual commission of the more abominable crimes, he fell an easy prey to the fashionable follies which re- puted virtue does not blush to own. But amid this 72 RODVCTORY TO career of dissipation iie happiness which (It noise was sufficient 10 voice of conscience ; do '•f excess could drown her secret whispers; snd no amusement c ■ of gsy companions, and ha flhngsjvded rirtne, his lift w»a WYsteJsld wUhMI opiates which :es recomm< I implc. at>:u»«l. -: •■ thout finding his new one to correspond with o( his con- wishes he had nose name at that tim • 1 some Sands] all pfO> . . to ptease his < hconisn anient, selected a aer- : lttf-n in :i masterly manner, on soni' read n I by the manner in which d it. to I listened to th> with all that principle cndesToored MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 73 to forget, once more begin to revive in his bosom. The effects of infidelity now appeared in an inauspi- cious light ; and serious suspicions were entertained by him of the validity of those arguments by which he had been proselyted to adopt his fashionable creed. On returning from church, the visitor took occa- sion to express his opinion of the sermon which he had just heard, in terms of unqualified approbation. To this he added some hints on the state of his mind ; and some remarks on the impression which the dis- course had made ; expecting, no doubt, to receive more ample information on those momentous subjects from a minister who had so ably advocated the cause of Christianity in the pulpit. But, strange as it may appear, this unhappy man, instead of endeavouring to remove the objections, which were only formidable to youth and inexperience, archly smiled at the sim- plicity of his young friend, and frankly told him that he did not believe any of the doctrines he had been defending ! Disgusted at the conduct he had witnessed, with- out being induced by the clergyman's example to think more favourably of infidelity, which could thus sanction perfidy, and cover an avowal of it with smiles of conscious superiority, he returned once more to Oxford, wilh a fixed resolution to take some decisive measures, that should finally confirm him in open in- fidelity, or bring him back to the principles of Chris- tianity. This, in all probability, was one of the most momentous periods of his life ; since, on the step he was about to take, without any visible guide or direc- 74 , to r rect his judgment, depended, in imi lanll degree, h.> destn.\ ::..-. .. h Uie, ana his nem both in tunc an discourses and dissertations of Bishop into his hands. These be read with more than common attention and interest ; and being ■re seeker an i was pleased to ac- company them with his blessing. notnent his mind decided in favour of Christianity, and all his I reasonings and objections disappeared. In this, also, he irch after truth, and in 1****|M hun to | t r.ut ;-«• that should • .re the !i bfl had B*> . wercr, only made lie was still a stranger point was gained ; it had brought him within : if revelation, and even laid him u various braced. Ilowed which i. om i treafiei spoon, he i.htauifd a eonsnlerahh uid Ufl lie.-, that he was put in actual pos- session of tli trito soul i" ^us. MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 75 Having thus taken a deeid ed part in favour of Chris- tianity, he soon found occasion to leave his infidel companions, and with them the practice into which they had initiated him. At the age of twenty-one, he was chosen common councilman for the borough of Brecon, which station his father had held when living ; and, at the age of twenty-five, he was elected chief magistrate ; which important office he filled with more than common re- putation. The whole corporation were highly satis- fied with the rectitude of his conduct during the time that he presided among them ; and the good order of the town was much promoted by his unwearied exertions to advance the public benefit. As it was now his full intention to enter into holy orders, the authority which his office gave him in Brecon, procured him many flattering prospects of rapid advancement in the Church. But preferment, through political interest, is a path in which disap- pointment frequently smiles at the simplicity of hope. Being properly qualified, he took out his degree of Doctor of Civil Laws on the 17th of June, 1775. Dr. Coke, having exhausted his patience in wait- ing on those proficients in artificial friendship " who squeeze my hand, and beg me come to-morrow," be- gan seriously to look around him for some respecta- ble curacy that would promise to be permanent. It was not long before one of this description offered itself at South Petherton, in Somersetshire. This he readily embraced, as it afforded him an ample field for the exercise of his talents, of his zeal, and, above ?'*> TO his farnwt desire to be useful, which, from his earliest recollection, had always bees predorm- (>n his arrival st nongh a stranger to discourses son '■se with a degree of ani- mation r«< had not been accustom- ed, he soon ngrega- • Hut amul the Mtiehad< ntlr engaged his i nfident in his own attainments, nee of sets wfciea opened before soul, he SSW than he had hither! portant and of realising the influence of Dirint had hitherto :ne assistance now mingled with his prn All his former, h pressiotis again returned ; and I re per- inea*, the necessity 1 led. t soon beearn hie mi I I m his preaching; and .rhood; ninoni? whom were n nd thst MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 77 invaluable blessing which Dr. Coke was now evident- ly seeking. To the truths which he thus delivered in great sincerity, he added a degree of eloquence which frequently so affected his congregation, that many faces were suffused with tears. It was not long that his church could contain the vast numbers who assembled to hear. He therefore applied to the parish vestry for a gallery to be erected at the public expense. Caution, however, was more predominant than zeal, with those to whom he made his appeal ; and the consequence was, that his application was refused. But this refusal was insufficient either to damp his ardour, or to make him relinquish an under- taking which he thought necessary in itself, and like- ly to be attended with the most beneficial conse- quences. He therefore, without any further con- sultation, employed tradesmen, and actually built a gallery at his own private expense. By this unexampled effort and display of liberality, he gave to the astonished farmers of his parish such a proof of his sincerity and disinterestedness, that the more crafty ones began to suspect their new minister was somewhat tainted with Methodism. From these sagacious discoverers it was whispered to others ; and all watched him " with sly circum- spection." At length, the suspicions appearing strong- ly against him, the report became general ; and, in a tone of expression that at once partook of indignity and jest, the parson, without further ceremony, was pronounced guilty, and consequently loaded with the opprobrious appellation. 78 l KODUCTOft | :!>, however, thin report did not either in indignity or jest ; but it soon led to conse- quences which its propagators ha ition. the Rev. I • sley had been instrumental in raising up, was ions man was aAer- ward ordained by the bishop oi resided »om< Onreeetrin WMMndeikm, the bishop used tl lowing u to as- '. good man, that b< i self to 8 I quitted Mr Is, about tii- | -}*uk, he had laken up his abode not i 1 ing the tale which popular gan to entertain an opinion of t . curate Hi -rent from that which on the breeze of fan* M( j er a || the assistance in I: ng man, \\h«> luij.rov, ,1 .i\\ the light \i> h,, was torn, be sought his i and was introdueed as a i During the fir.st interview, their i mental in, as the gen i godli. which it is i: , cr8 lo enjoy. MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 79 This conversation was of considerable service to the doctor, who was only yet able to " see men as trees walking." But from the repetition of these visits, his mind became gradually opened to see more clear- ly the things of God ; many of his doubts were re- moved ; and the whole plan of salvation by faith in the merits of the Saviour, unfolded its beauties to his susceptible understanding and ravished heart, in a manner he had never seen before. But it was not to the conversation of this pious clergyman alone, that Dr. Coke had to acknow- ledge his obligations. Nearly about the same time " Alleine's Alarm to the Unconverted" fell into his hands ; and the forcible manner in which the au- thor applies the language of Scripture, to confirm the salutary truths which his little book contains, ri- veted upon his heart the information he had received through the medium of conversation and of fervent prayer. " Sherlock's Discourses had produced a revolution in his opinions ; but Alleine's Alarm now produced a revolution in his heart :" and from this time he became an earnest seeker of salvation, until he experienced a clear manifestation of the love of God. But although he was an earnest seeker of salva- tion, he had not embraced any particular system, nor even yet begun to inquire into the ultimate ten- dency of the various tenets which courted his ap- probation. His final decision in the choice of doc- trines, and in favour of those taught by Mr. Wesley, was however soon effected by the following circum- 80 VlKOt>lCI \ . ' ".:.•• j ■ :•> «!< r^'\ infii who i I line os- I, put nit., hi ner's Appeal, ■ asaisu n»», and were, as -xi people called Method - • h1 being my helper, .Mr. Hull, a had been in* ■ hear ihe <1 . addressed U bt good I and of no IvaatagQ to aim, an inn was pr Mr. Hull. To this the doctor bad no personal objection, hut prejudice* in favour of the F.sUhiiahi the friendly oiler, than to oontsminstc bin >o of a aid the same prejudice Hull at \ compromiae, hoi k place, and ihey a -i- . .1 to meet at a farm-house, as a neu- ojghl naort without I doctor soon I MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 81 by which his head had been guided ; and that it was possible for piety and knowledge to exist without the pale of the Established Church. With a man labouring under prejudices so strong as those which at this time held Dr. Coke in cap- tivity, few could be found more suitable to converse than Mr. Hull. He had embraced the Calvinistic creed, but he was no bigot. Reasonable, commu- nicative, and ingenuous, he was as willing to hear as to speak, and was more inclined to support his creed by argument than by dogma. Among the happy effects which resulted to Dr. Coke from his conversation with Mr. Hull, the blow which had been given to his prejudices was not the least advantageous, since this prepared him to re- ceive instruction from those who, in humble life, had experienced the pardoning love of God ; of which an opportunity very shortly occurred. It happened, while he was thus earnestly seeking the salvation of his own soul, and strongly recom- mending the Saviour of mankind to others, that he had an occasion to visit a respectable family in De- vonshire. Among the labourers belonging to this family there was a poor man who had for some considerable time been a member of the Methodist society, and who superintended a small class. This man was soon found out by the doctor, who quickly entered into conversation with him on things which belong to our everlasting peace. The poor man, though destitute of worldly knowledge, had exten- sively explored the unfathomable mines of Divine 6 N2 DENTS IN'TRODDCTOtT TO love, and had lug) ptpMMld of the im^ar.,, . le riches < " the nature of pardon— dence which accompanies it — the witness Spirit — the necessity of obtaining thane inestimable I !■ • .:. ' iin! U. n..:'.: : :■; w:.. .. v. • : v discoursed largely, and mutually • incd in prayer, ami were so united in spirit thai dm aaensr became solicitous to of nrbose docl I heard tnsnge leantta. To all b ( 'liri>ti urn to think that \\r bad to the pious and commi . thai Dr. I at owed i t>> finding peace witli God and interna] tranquillity of soul than to any 0|] ilked into u little flock, h anei Lifted up to (;<>d in prayer tor that Wes> sing which I. He did not then r< kition. Bat while he engaged in his public duly, ami was unfolding the greatness dinpal ;dl his fears, and i» till lu» heart with MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 83 Transported with the enjoyment of this blessing he returned home, glorifying the xluthor of all his mercies, and tenderly concerned for his fellow- creatures, who were either seeking the same ines- timable gem, or living without hope and without God in the world. He soon announced from the pulpit the blessing he had experienced ; and his lan- guage partook of the fervour of his spirit. His manuscript became too feeble either to convey the rapid energy of his thoughts, or to contain the sacred fire which glowed in his breast. He had already, on peculiar seasons, ventured to make excursions beyond its confines ; but from the lesson which ex- perience had lately taught him, that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, he found but little occasion for written discourses. His crutches were therefore thrown aside ; and, under the teachings of the Holy Spirit, he began to walk boldly onward as a master of Israel. In this step also God was pleased to acknowledge his servant ; a peculiar unction attended his word ; and under his first extempore sermon three souls were awakened by his ministry. But it was not to be expected that the idle, the thoughtless, the ignorant, the self-righteous, and the profane, throughout the extensive parish of South Petherton, would quietly suffer all these changes and innovations. In all ages, and in all places, the carnal mind is enmity against God. This truth Dr. Coke was almost instantly called to witness. His preaching without a book, — the ear- 94 koductoet to ■.ostnnss of his exhortations,— the plainness of his i :iM , Mll/ ,.._; i:i ,i \ n> sjtsJMkktaf t-vf-nm- befevsi m the villages, all conspired to give offence, sad to Dt in the perish and oe hourhood. men in his vicinity were dis- pleased at n of accustomed OTder, sod because his preaching drew sway msny of their re- enteel part of his own parish wer . i common sea i eat his severe reproof of sin ; and the moral at hi> mental acqusint- introduced the staging of hymn* into the church, the singers :1 parties joined in the - .1 clamour. • fusal of the bishops to ixksoad : s enemies t ; lne parish; who. to gratify their wishes, became one •!v. and pro d had rendered him M faithful an I ' tb« ; and on an appointed day, without wn ■•■I ■ I address to his congregation, he was ab- ruptly dismissed, on !u e people, from that church where h<- had preached three NUB, Viul, n then mum; llycs the parish MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 85 As the removal of the doctor from his curacy, though sudden and unexpected to him, was the re- sult of deliberate calculation among his enemies, another curate had been provided to supply his place. This gentleman, who stepped immediately into the vacant pulpit, perfectly understood the part he was to act. He accordingly introduced himself to the notice of his congregation by preaching against the doctor, and by attempting to counteract those heresies which he had of late propagated. Banished from the citadel of consecration, it was resolved that, on. the two ensuing Sundays, he should stand near the church, and begin to preach just as the people left it, since he could no longer address them from the pulpit within. When the day arrived, he took his stand and began his dis- course, and found himself surrounded by a promiscu- ous crowd of enemies and friends. It was plain to all, that the doctor had been crushed by an act of local authority, which, without appealing to justice, had sheltered itself under the sanction of law. Many, therefore, who disapproved of his preaching, viewed him now as an object of oppression, and espoused his cause more, perhaps, from enmity to his oppressors, than from any real attachment to him ; and several among them determined to defend the injured man, whom they thought they had a right to ridicule, and even to traduce, on other occasions. Thus circumstanced, between the jarring opinions of his avowed enemies, — of many who had taken no decided part, — of his transient supporters, — and of 86 his permanent friends, the it sermon in peace fi finding that he intended preach- ing again on the ensuing - aspera'' Irhmit any hesitation, threatened to stone him, in case he made his second appearance. leaed nor deterred, k begaa t«> think * that might ensue if he persisted ; especially as hostile preparations were actually • • resided at this time, not far from 1' ton, an amiable family of dissenters, named Edmonds. 1 uiilw which was of no small respectability, d of the ymtleman and his lady, and a son and daughter, both gram n t.» maturity. The son and daughter, though bred up as dissenters, on hearing the report of the doctor's preaching, in times pal, attend the church. Th did : and conceiving an attachment for him, they be- came lus legale* hearers. On the morning el the Sunday after his expulsion, when the parents proceeded iuiiu-ir <■ antion- ehildrea aL r I mreh v\\ that us that bad been concert- ed, and their .strong attachment I l*ru- therefore, directed them to give these admo- . from an apprelu !\ed m troubles which they could nei- ■ -dv mi prevent. Scarcely, however t had the cautious parents left MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 87 their home, before their courageous son and daugh- ter began to reflect on the perilous situation of their friend ; and, thinking it mean to desert him in time of need, their affection prevailed over parental admo- nitions ; they therefore took their horses, and rode immediately to Petherton. Among the preparations that were made to annoy the congregation, and to drive the doctor from the field, a large quantity of stones had been collected and placed in some ham- pers, near the spot on which he was expected to stand. But these hostile appearances were insuffi- cient to divert the Edmonds's from their purpose. They accordingly placed themselves, when the doc- tor began, one on the right hand and the other on the left, to wait the impending event. To these were joined a great number of other real friends, who had rallied around him in this moment of danger ; and with these associated the enemies of persecution, so that only an inconsiderable party was found to patronize the hampers, and discharge their contents ; and these were from the common rabble, which every town and parish can produce. Why men, whose deeds are evil, should prefer darkness to light, requires no great degree of pene- tration to discover. It was now open daylight ; and the persons of all were well known to many, who, from the countenance which, by their present atti- tude, they seemed to give the doctor, tacitly declared that they intended to espouse his cause against eve- ry attempt of illegal violence. Under these circum- stances, it became a matter of prudent calculation 88 iii3di»cour»e, . could ri- al con- cluding without any a«-t of hostility, lh< tor with litem to their habil parents ; and ii hone during all Ins futui united with .Mi . irinu the lab cesses, and enjoying the confidence of that en man to the period of his death. " Meanwhile the doctor's opponents had no great comfort of their triumph. The worth of appreciated till w. walking the >:. >urnful Countenance. The poor had lost their hen the people thru- pastor, the sick their eomforti the wicked tin- only person thai kept tbeB in But on the doctor's future visit, .- I amosl i'» chastise their own folly. 'Well, 1 said th< • . brother, 1 said he, ' could I then h:ive had your other tract. M Whal is it to in Christ '" I should have found peace many months sooner than I did.' After his ronve: - 1 Christian. r or two he abandoned i: and for his been labouring with no or- dinary degree of success as a preacher oft' pel. having been tin- means of churches, and of converting many son I tins htt!c tr:i,-i. and think what trains of and salvation | , ,- been by us feeble instrumentality. 1 And in H a MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 91 moving argument for increased faithfulness in sow- ing such seed myself, and in stirring up others to sow it more bountifully. O that Christians under- stood and realized how God's Spirit is hovering over dark, ignorant, sin-ruined minds, waiting to have such seed sown there, that he may cause it to spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God." REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD. This celebrated man was the son of poor parents. His father died while he was young, and before he was fifteen he persuaded his mother to take him from' school, saying, that she could not place him at the university, and more learning would only spoil him for a tradesman. Her own circumstances, in- deed, were by this time so much on the decline, that his menial services were required : he began occasionally to assist her in the public house, till at length he " put on his blue apron, washed mops, cleaned rooms, and became a professed and common drawer." In the little leisure which such employ- ments allowed, this strange boy composed two or three sermons ; and the romances which had been his heart's delight, gave place for a while to Thomas a Kempis. When he had been about a year in this servile occupation, the inn was made over to a married brother, and George, being accustomed to the house, continued there as an assistant ; but he could not agree with his sister-in-law, and, after much uneasi- ness, gave up the situation. His mother, though her 92 means were scanty, perm a bed upon the ground in her house, and live with ; ■ nee should point out a place for him way was soon indicated. A servitor of Pembroke College called upon his mother, and in the course of conversation told her, thai after all his college expenses for that quarter were discharged, he had received a penny. She immediately cried out, This will do for my son ; and ttiruinu to him. said, Will you go to Oxford, George 1 Happening to have the same friends as this young man, she waited on them without delay ; they promised their interest to obtain a servitor's place in the same college, and, in reliance upon this, George returned to the grammar- school. Here he applied closely to his books, and shaking off, by the strong effort of a religious mind, all evil and idle courses, produced, by the influence of his talents and example, some reformation among his school-fellows. He attended public service constantly, received the sacrament monthly, often, and prayed often more than twice a day fan private. At the age of eighteen he to Oxford ; the recommendation of his friends was successful ; another friend borrowed for hfl pounds, to defray the expense of entering ; and with a good fortune beyond bis hopes, he was ad- mitted servitor immediately. Whitefield found the advantage of bavin.: to a public house ; many who could i their servitor preferred him, because of bis diligent and alert attendance ; and thus, bj help of the pro- MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 93 fits of the place, and some little presents made him by a kind-hearted tutor, he was enabled to live, without being beholden to his relations for more than four and twenty pounds in the course of three years. At first he was rendered uncomfortable by the society into which he was thrown ; he had several chamber-fellows, who would fain have made him join them in their riotous mode of life ; and as he could only escape from their persecutions by sitting alone in his study, he was sometimes benumbed with cold ; but when they perceived the strength as well as the singularity of his character, they suffered him to take his own way in peace. • Before Whitefield went to Oxford, he had heard of the young men there who " lived by rule and me- thod," and were therefore called Methodists. They were now much talked of, and generally despised. He, however, was drawn toward them by kindred feelings, defended them strenuously when he heard them reviled, and when he saw them go through a ridiculing crowd to receive the sacrament at St. Mary's, was strongly inclined to follow their exam- ple. For more than a year he yearned to be ac- quainted with them ; and it seems that the sense of his inferior condition kept him back. At length the great object of his desires was effected. A pauper had attempted suicide, and Whitefield sent a poor woman to inform Charles Wesley that he might visit the person, and administer spiritual medicine ; the messenger was charged not to say who sent her : 94 1 • mently invited him l An introduction to this little fello IfeJhodials] soon followed; and he also, like them, rule, ami to pick ap tt bifl time, that not a mom* might bo losl When visiting America, the Rer. (r. WhitefiHd often stood on the outside steps of the court-house in Philadelphia, and preached to thoosaJM crowded the streets below. On one of these occa- sions, a youth pr< .r to his favourite; preacher as possible ; and. to testily his respect, held a lantern tor his accommodation. .Soon alter the sermon began, he became so absorbed in the sub- ject, that the lantern fell from his hand, and was dashed to pieces ; and that part of the audience in the immediate vicinity of the s; • not a little discomposed by the ocourn Some yean after, .Mi. Wlutelield, in the course of his fifth visit to America, about tin a journey from the southward, called at S in Delaware, where Mr. Rodger* wai then settled m the ministry, and spenl some time with lum. In the amuse of this visit, Mr. Rodgers, riding one day with his \ isitor m a ofose C bed him whether he recollected llic occurrence of the little MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 95 boy who was so much affected with his preaching as to let the lantern fall. Mr. Whitefield answered, " yes ! I remember it well ; and have often thought I would give anything in my power to know who that little boy was, and what had become of him." Mr. Rodgers replied, with a smile, " I am that little boy." Mr. Whitefield, with tears of joy, started from his seat, clasped him in his arms, and with strong emotions remarked, that he was the fourteenth person then in the ministry, whom he had discovered in the course of that visit to Ame- rica, of whose hopeful conversion he had been the instrument. REV. JOHN CLARK After the late Rev. John Clark, of Trowbridge, had been engaged in the ministry for a few years, his mind became greatly depressed with a view of its responsibility, a sense of his own inability, and the want of more success. At length these discou- ragements were so oppressive, that he assured some Christian friends, one Sabbath afternoon, that he could preach no longer. In vain did they try to remove his difficulties, or to persuade him at least to address the congregation that evening, as no sup- ply could be obtained. He declared his positive inability to preach any more. At this moment a pious old woman applied to speak to the minister. Being admitted, she requested him to preach from that text, " Then I said, I will speak no more in his name : but his word was in my heart as a burning 96 INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO fire shut up in my bones, and I was wean' with for- bearing, and 1 could not stay." Jer. xx, 9. She stated that she did not know where the words were, but that her mind was so much impressed with them, that she could not forbear to request him to from them that evening. Being satisfied that she was entirely unacquainted with the circum- stances which had just transpired, Mr. Clark was turn fid that Providence had thus interposed that he should continue his ministry. He preached that evening from the text thus given, and never after- wards was greatly distressed on the subject. REV. WILLIAM TEXXEXT. During the great revival of religion in America, which took place under Mr. Whitefield, and others distinguished for their piety and zeal at that period, Mr. Tennent was laboriously active, and much en- gaged to help forward the work ; in the perform- ance of which he met with strong and powerful temptations. The following is from his own lips : — On the evening preceding public worship, he se- lected a subject for the discourse intended to be de- livered, and made some progress in his preparations. In the morning he resumed the same subject, with an intention to extend his thoughts further on it ; l. ut w;is presently assaulted with a temptation that the Bible was not of divine authority, bat the inven- tion of man. He instantly endearonred to repel the temptation by prayer, but his endeavours proved un- availing. The temptation continued, and fastened MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 97 upon him with greater strength as the time advanced for public service. He lost all the thoughts which he had prepared on the preceding evening. He tried other subjects, but could get nothing for the people. The whole book of God, under that dis- tressing state of mind, was a sealed book to him ; and, to add to his affliction, he was " shut up in prayer :" a cloud, dark as that of Egypt, oppressed his mind. Thus agonized in spirit, he proceeded to the church, where he found a large congregation as- sembled, and waiting to hear the word ; and then he was more deeply distressed than ever ; and espe- cially for the dishonour which he feared would fall upon religion through him that day. He resolved, however, to attempt the service. He introduced it by singing a psalm, during which time his agitation increased to the highest degree. When the mo- ment for prayer commenced he arose, as one in the most painful and perilous situation, and, with arms extended to heaven, began with this exclamation, " Lord, have mercy upon me !" On the utterance of this petition he was heard ; the thick cloud in- stantly broke away, and light shone upon his soul. The result was a deep solemnity throughout the congregation ; and the house, at the end of the prayer, was a place of weeping. He delivered the subject of his evening meditations, which was brought to his full remembrance, with an overflowing abundance of other weighty and solemn matter. The Lord blessed this discourse, so that it proved the happy 1 98 INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO means of the conversion of about thirty persons. This day he ever afterwards spoke of as " his har- vest-day." REV. GIDEON OUSELEY. In this bold, generous, and intrepid man, there waa nothing common-place. He refused a peerage, and gave up the estates of his ancestors for the privilege of preaching the gospel, amid dangers and difficul- ties seldom encountered in modern times. He usu- ally preached twenty-one sermons in a week, two each day in the open air, and one in the evening in a church, house, or barn, as circumstances rendered convenient. Thousands of sermons he delivered on horseback, in the market-places, at horse-races, or cock-fights. He was often waylaid and beaten, and sometimes left for dead. The Romish clergy hated him with bitter hatred, and attempts were often made upon his life, yet he always escaped, except in one case with the loss of an eye. Thousands were converted through his instrumentality, many of them from Romanism. He had the advantages of a clas- sical education, w f as fluent of speech, had a constitu- tion of iron, and spoke with equal readiness in Eng- lish and the native Irish languages. His fund of ready wit was inexhaustible, and his love to souls " like fire shut up in his bones." His introduction to the work of an evangelist is characteristic and instructive. Seeing the destitution of his country- men, his soul pitied ; the voice of their misery sounded in his ears, "Cone « > v ♦ • r ;iikI help us." MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 99 The Divine Spirit spoke to his heart, " Go preach the gospel." " Lord," he replied, "lam a poor ignorant creature ; behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child." Then would it rush into his mind, "Do you not know the disease V "O, yes, Lord, I do." " And do you not know the cure V " O, yes, glory be to thy name, I do." " Then go and tell them of the disease and the cure." "So, then," said he, " with only these two things, the knowledge of the disease and the cure, I went forth. All glory to my Divine Master !" REV. WILBUR FISK. " How ready he is to go, Whom God hath never sent ; How cautious, diffident, and slow, His chosen instrument."— C. Wesley. This eminent minister of the Lord Jesus felt the full force of the preceding lines. " We have," says his biographer, Dr. Holdich, " an insight upon this subject into his inmost feelings. It is afforded by a paper containing his reflections, thrown into the form of a dialogue between himself and his Divine Master, in which his objections to the step are stated and answered. This dialogue he once rehearsed, in the year 1838, as though it related to another person, at a meeting which he attended, of, I be- lieve, the Preachers' Aid Society, in the city of Baltimore. DIALOGUE. Christ. Go preach my gospel. Answer. But, Lord, I have other engagements, 100 INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO C. You arc not your own ; you are bought with a price. A. But, Lord, I have been preparing myself for another profession. I have been struggling for an education, and I have high prospects before me. C. What have you that you have not received 1 A. Lord, I have strong domestic feelings, and I hope one day to have a family and home of my own. C. He that loveth houses or lands, wife or child- ren, more than me, is not worthy of me. A . Lord, I have aged parents, and I am an only son. Filial love and duty require that I should look after them. C. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. A. Lord, is there no excuse "? May not another answer ! C. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. A. At least let me first stop and bury my father and mother. C. Let the dead bury their dead. A. At any rate, I must wait awhile, and acquire some property, &c. C. He that, putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is not fit for the kingdom of heaven. A. Lord, I cannot go. C. Wo unto you if you preach not the gospel. A. But, Lord, wilt thou not pity a poor, helpless wretch, who begs for an excuse as one would plead for life 1 MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 101 C. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be- came poor, that ye, through his poverty, might be rich. Here the dialogue ended. The young man co- vered his face with his hands, and bursting into tears, cried, u Nay, but I yield, I yield !" The bond was signed and sealed, and the youth was consigned over, soul and body, to the Church. The next thing I saw of him, he was threading a pathless forest among the Green Mountains, bordering upon the Canada line, driving his horse before him be- cause of the roughness of the wilderness, cheerful as an angel on an errand of mercy. And I heard his song, with which he made the rugged mountain- tops reverberate ; and what, sir, do you think it was? " No foot of land do I possess, Nor cottage in this wilderness,— A poor wayfaring man ; I lodge awhile in tents below, Or gladly wander to and fro, Till I my Canaan gain. " Nothing on earth I call my own ; A stranger, to the world unknown, I all their goods despise ; I trample on their whole delight, And seek a city out of sight, A city in the skies." 102 INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO REV. J. W. FLETCHER. After Mr. Fletcher had gone through the usual course of study at the University of Geneva, it was the desire of his parents that he should be a clergy- man. " And as far as nature can furnish a man," says Mr. Gilpin, "for offices of a sacred kind, per- haps there never was a person better qualified to sustain the character of a minister of Jesus Christ than Mr. Fletcher. His disposition and habits, his sentiments and studies, his reverential awe of God, his insatiable thirst after truth, and his uncommon abhorrence of vice, gave his friends abundant reason to apprehend that he was marked, at an early age, for the service of the Church. Contrary, however, to all expectation, and contrary to the first designs of his family, before he had arrived to the age of twenty, he manifested views of a very opposite na- ture. His theological studies gave place to the systems of Vauban and Cohorn, and he evidently pre- ferred the camp to the Church. All the remon- strances of his friends, on this apparent change in his disposition, were totally ineffectual ; and, had it not been for repeated disappointments, he would have wielded another sword than that of the Spirit. Happily, his projects for the field were constantly baffled and blasted by the appointments of that God who reserved him for a more important scene of action. His choice of the army is, however, to be imputed rather to principle than inclination. On the one hand, he detested the irregularities and MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 103 vices to which a military life would expose him ; on the other, he dreaded the condemnation he might incur by acquitting himself unfaithfully in the pas- toral office. He conceived it abundantly easier to toil for glory in fields of blood than to labour for God, with unwearied perseverance, in the vineyard of the Church. He believed himself qualified rather for military operations than for spiritual employ- ments, and the exalted ideas he entertained of the holy ministry determined him to seek some other profession more adapted to the weakness of human- ity, and he preferred being an officer in the army to all others." Not being able to gain the consent of his parents to his going into the army, according to Mr. Wes- ley, he went away to Lisbon. Here, it seems, he gathered a company of his own countrymen, ac- cepted of a captain's commission, and engaged to serve the king of Portugal on board a man-of-war, which was just then getting ready with all speed in order to sail to Brazil. He then wrote to his pa- rents, begging them to send him a considerable sum of money. Of this he expected to make a vast ad- vantage. But they refused him. Unmoved by this, he determined to go without it as soon as the ship sailed. But in the morning the maid, waiting on him at breakfast, let the tea-kettle fall, and so scalded his leg, that he kept his bed for a considera- ble time after. During that time the ship sailed for Brazil. But it was observed that the ship was heard of no more. 104 INCIDENTS INTRODUCTORY TO The following incident is equally affecting and instructive : — " About the time of my entering the ministry," says he, " I one evening wandered into a wood, musing on the importance of the office I was about to undertake. I then began to pour out my soul in prayer, when such a feeling sense of the jus- tice of God fell upon me, and such a sense of his displeasure at sin, as absorbed all my powers, and filled my soul with an agony of prayer for poor lost sinners. I continued therein till the dawn of day, and I considered this as designed of God to impress upon me more deeply the meaning of those solemn words, ' Therefore, knowing the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men.' " REV. ALEXANDER HENDERSON. The celebrated Mr. Alexander Henderson, who lived in the seventeenth century, was presented by Archbishop Gladstanes to the parish of Leuchars in Fife. His settlement was so unpopular, that on the day of ordination, the church doors were shut and secured by the people, so that the ministers who at- tended, together with the precentor, were obliged to go in by the window. Shortly after, having heard of a communion in the neighbourhood, at which the excellent Mr. Bruce was to be an assistant, he went thither secretly ; and, fearful of attracting notice, placed himself in a dark corner of the church, where he might not readily be seen or known. Mr. Bruce having come into the pulpit, paused for a little, as was his usual manner, a circumstance which ex- MINISTERIAL LABOUR. 105 cited Mr. Henderson's surprise ; but it astonished him much more when he heard him read as his text, these very striking words, " He that entereth not in by the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber ;" — which words, by the blessing of God, and the effectual working of the Holy Spirit, took such hold on him at that very in- stant, and left such an impression on his heart after- wards, that they proved the very first means of his conversion unto Christ. Ever after he retained a great affection for Mr. Bruce, and used to make mention of him with marks of the highest respect. 106 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. EMINENT PIETY. REV. J. W. FLETCHER. Op this distinguished minister the poet Southey says, " He was a man of rare talents and rarer virtue. No age or country has produced a man of more fervent piety or more perfect charity ; no church has ever pos- sessed a more apostolic minister." Mr. Wesley says, " I was intimately acquainted with him for thirty years. I conversed with him morning, noon, and night, with- out the least reserve, during a journey of many hun- dred miles. And in all that time I never heard him speak an improper word, or saw him do an improper action. To conclude : — Within fourscore years I have known many excellent men, holy in heart and life. But one equal to him I have not known ; one so uniformly and deeply devoted to God. So unblama- ble a man in every respect I have not found. either in Europe or America. Nor do I expect to find ano- ther such on this side eternity." The love of God and of man abounded in his heart ; and finding among the Methodists that sympathy which he desired, he joined them, and, for a time, took to ascetic courses, of which he afterwards ac- EMINENT PIETY. 107 knowledged the error. He lived on vegetables, and, for some time, on milk and water, and bread ; he sat up two whole nights in every week, for the purpose of praying, and reading and meditating on religious things ; and, on the other nights, never allowed him- self to sleep, as long as he could keep his attention to the book before him. At length, by the advice of his friend, Mr. Hill, and of Mr. Wesley, whom he consulted, he took orders in the English Church. The ordination took place in the Chapel-Royal, St. James's, and, as soon as it was over, he went to the Methodist chapel in West-street, where he assisted in administering the Lord's Supper. Mr. Wesley had never received so seasonable an assistance. " How wonderful are the ways of God !" said he, in his Journal. " When my bodily strength failed, and none in England were able and willing to assist me, He sent me help from the mountains of Switzerland, and an help meet for me in every respect. Where could I have found such another !" It proved a more efficient and important help than Mr. Wesley could then have anticipated. By Mr. Hill's means, he was presented to the vicarage of Madeley in Shropshire, about three years after his ordination. It is a populous village, in which there were extensive collieries and iron-works ; and the character of the inhabitants was, in consequence, what, to the reproach and curse of England, it gene- rally is, wherever mines or manufactures of any kind have brought together a crowded population. Mr. Fletcher had, at one time, officiated there as curate ; 108 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. he now entered upon his duty with zeal proportioned to the arduous nature of the service which he had pledged himself to perform. That zeal made him equally disregardful of appearances and of danger. The whole rents of his small patrimonial estate in the Pays de Vaud were set apart for charitable uses, and he drew so liberally from his other funds for the same purpose, that his furniture and wardrobe were not spared. Because some of his remoter parishion- ers excused themselves for not attending the morn- ing service, by pleading that they did not wake early enough to get their families ready, for some months he set out every Sunday, at five o'clock, with a bell in his hand, and went round the most distant part* of the parish, to call up the people. And wherever hearers could be collected in the surrounding coun- try, within ten or fifteen miles, thither he went to preach to them on week-days, though he seldom got home before one or two o'clock in the morning. At first, the rabble of his parishioners resented the man- ner in which he ventured to reprove and exhort them in the midst of their lewd revels and riotous meetings ; for he would frequently burst in upon them, without any fear of the consequence to himself. The pub- licans and maltmen were his especial enemies. A mob of colliers, who were one day baiting a bull, determined to pull him off his horse as he went to preach, set the dogs upon him, and, in their own phrase, bait the parson ; but the bull broke loose, and dispersed them before he arrived. In spite, however, of the opposition which his fidelity excited, not from EMINENT PIETY. 109 the ignorant only, but from some of the neighboring clergy and magistrates, he won upon the people, rude and brutal as they were, by the invincible benevolence which was manifested in his whole manner of life ; till at length his church, which at first had been so scanti- ly attended, that he was discouraged as well as mor- tified by the smallness of the congregation, began to overflow. TURNING ALL THINGS INTO PRAYER. The pious Elliott, the Apostle to the Indians, knew from happy experience the benefits of prayer, and was ever urgent to promote it among others. When he was informed of any important public news, he would say, " Brethren, let us turn all this into prayer." When he paid a visit to his friends, he would say, " Come, let us not have a visit without prayer. Let us pray down the blessing of heaven upon your fami- ly before we go." Whenever he was in company with ministers, he would say, " Brethren, the Lord Jesus takes notice of what is said and done among his ministers ; come, let us pray before we part." To young preachers he frequently said, " Pray, let there be much of Christ in your ministry." Hav- ing heard a sermon that greatly savoured of Christ, he would say, " Blessed be God, that we have Christ so much and so well preached in poor New-England. " At the end of his Indian Grammar he wrote, " Prayers and pains, through faith in Christ, will do anything." 110 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. BISHOP ANDREWS. The bishop of Ely, in his funeral sermon for this ex- cellent prelate, thus delineates his character : — His admirable knowledge in the learned tongues, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, besides other modern tongues, to the number of fifteen, as I am informed, was such, that he may well be ranked as one of the rarest linguists in Christendom. Of this reverend prelate, I may say his life was a life of prayer. A great part of five hours every day he spent in prayer and devotion to God. After the death of his brother, Thomas Andrews, whom he loved dearly, he began to anticipate his own, which he said would be in the end of summer, or the be- ginning of winter. And when his brother, Nicholas Andrews, died, he took that as a certain warning of his own death ; and, from that time to the hour of his dissolution, he spent his time in prayer. During his last sickness he continued, when awake, to pray audibly, till his strength failed, and then, by lifting up his eyes and hands, showed that he still prayed ; and even when voice, eyes, and hands failed in their office, his countenance showed that he still prayed and praised God in his heart, till it pleased God to receive his blessed soul to himself, which was about four o'clock in the morning of Monday, the 25th of September, 1626. EMINENT PIETY. Ill REV. JAMES HERVEY. Mr. Hervey was eminently pious, and diligently cultivated personal religion. His man-servant slept in the room immediately above that of his master. One night, long after the family had retired, he awoke, and hearing the groans of his master in his bed-room, immediately went down and opened the door. But in- stead of finding his master in his bed, as he expect- ed, he saw him prostrate on the floor, engaged in earnest prayer to God. Like Jacob, he wept and made supplication. Disturbed at this unseasonable interruption, Mr. H — , with his usual mildness, only said, " John, you should not have entered the room, unless I had rung the bell." . For some years before his death, Mr. Hervey visited but few persons belonging to the higher classes of society in his neighbourhood ; and being asked why he declined visiting those who were always rea- dy to show him every token of respect, he replied, " I can hardly name a polite family where the con- versation turns upon the things of God. I hear much frothy and worldly chit-chat, but not a word of Christ, and I am determined not to visit those companies where there is not room for my Master, as well as for myself." REV. THOMAS WALSH. Thomas Walsh was the son of a carpenter at Bal- ly Lynn, in the county of Limerick. His parents 112 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. were strong Romanists ; they taught him the Lord's Prayer and the Ave Maria, in Irish, which was his mother tongue, and the hundred and thirtieth psalm in Latin : and he was taught also, that all who differ from the Church of Rome are in a state of damna- tion. At eight years of age he went to school to learn English ; and was afterwards placed with one of his brothers, who was a schoolmaster, to learn Latin and mathematics. At nineteen he opened a school for himself. The brother, by whom he was instruct- ed, had been intended for the priesthood : he was a man of tolerable learning, and of an inquiring mind, and seeing the errors of the Romish Church, he re- nounced it. This occasioned frequent disputes with Thomas Walsh, who was a strict Catholic ; the one alleging the traditions and canons of the church, the other appealing to the law and to the testimony. " My brother, why do you not read God's word V* the elder would say : " lay aside prejudice, and let us reason together." After many struggles between the misgivings of his mind, and the attachment to the opinions in which he had been bred up, and the thought of his parents, and shame, and the fear of man, this state of suspense became intolerable, and he prayed to God in his trouble. " All things are known to Thee," he said, in his prayer, " and Thou seest that I want to worship Thee aright ! Show me the way wherein I ought to go, nor suffer me to be deceived by men !" He then went to his brother, determined either to convince him, or to be convinced. Some other per- EMINENT PIETY. 113 sons of the Protestant persuasion were present : they brought a Bible, and with it Nelson's Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England ; and, with these books before them, they discussed the subject till mid- night. It ended in his fair and complete conversion. " I was constrained," said he, " to give place to the light of truth : it was so convincing, that I had no- thing more to say : I was judged of all ; and at length confessed the weakness of my former reasonings, and the strength of those which were opposed to me. About one o'clock in the morning I retired to my lodging, and, according to my usual custom, went to prayer ; but now only to the God of heaven. I no longer prayed to any angel or spirit ; for I was deep- ly persuaded that ' there is but one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.' Therefore I resolved no longer to suffer any man to beguile me into a voluntary humility, in worshipping either saints or angels. These latter 1 considered as ' ministering spirits, sent to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation.' But with re- gard to any worship being paid them, one of them- selves said, ' See thou do it not ; worship God, God only.' All my sophisms on this head were entirely overthrown by a few hours candid reading the Holy Scriptures, which were become as a lantern to my feet, and a lamp to my paths, directing me in the way wherein I should go." Soon afterwards he publicly abjured the errors of the Church of Rome. This had been a sore struggle : a more painful part of his progress was yet to come. He read the 114 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. Scriptures diligently, and the works of some of the most eminent Protestant divines ; his conviction was confirmed by this course of study ; and, from per- ceiving clearly the fallacious nature and evil conse- quences of the doctrine of merits, as held by the Ro- manists, a dismal view of human nature opened upon him. His soul was not at rest ; it was no longer harassed by doubts, but the peace of God was want- ing. In this state of mind, he happened one evening to be passing along the main street in Limerick, when he saw a great crowd on the parade, and turning aside to know for what they were assembled, found that Robert Swindells, one of the first itinerants in Ireland, was then delivering a sermon in the open air. The preacher was earnestly enforcing the words of our Redeemer, — words which are worth more than all the volumes of philosophy : " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ! Take my yoke upon you and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls ! For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Walsh was precisely in that state which rendered him a fit recipient for the doctrines which he now first heard. Yet for some weeks he remained in a miserable condition ; he could find no rest, either by night or day. " When I prayed," says he, " I was troubled ; when I heard a sermon, I was pierced as with darts and arrows." He could neither sleep nor eat ; his body gave way under this mental suffering, and at length he took to his bed. After a while fear and wretchedness gradually gave place EMINENT PIETY. 115 to the love of God, and the strong desire for salvation : at a meeting, where, he says, " the power of the Lord, came down in the midst of them ; the windows of heaven were opened, and the skies poured down righteousness, and his heart melted like wax before the fire." " And now," says he, " I felt of a truth, that faith is the substance, or subsistence, of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. God, and the things of the invisible world, of which I had only heard before by the hearing of the ear, appeared now, in their true light, as substantial realities. Faith gave me to see a reconciled God, and an all-sufiicient Saviour. The kingdom of God was within me. I drew water out of the wells of salvation. I walked and talked with God all the day long : whatsoever I believed to be his will, I did with my whole heart. I could unfeignedly love them that hated me, and pray for them that despitefully used and persecuted me. The commandments of God were my delight : I not only rejoiced evermore, but prayed without ceas- ing, and in everything gave thanks ; whether I ate or drank, or whatever I did, it was in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to the glory of God." He had now to undergo more obloquy and ill-will than had been brought upon him by his renunciation of the errors of the Romish Church. That change his re- lations thought was bad enough ; but to become a Methodist was worse, and they gave him up as un- done forever. And not his relations only, nor the Romanists : " Acquaintances and neighbours," says 116 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. he, " rich and poor, old and young, clergy and laity, were all against me. Somo said I was a hypocrite, others that I was mad ; others, judging more favoura- bly, that I was deceived. Reformed and unreform- ed I found to be just alike ; and that many, who spoke against the Pope and the Inquisition, were themselves, in reality, of the same disposition." Convinced that it was his duty now to become a minister of that gospel which he had received, he of- fered his services to Mr. Wesley, as one who be- lieved, and that not hastily or lightly, but after ardent aspirations, and continued prayer and study of the Scriptures, that he was inwardly moved by the Holy Spirit to take upon himself that office. He had pre- pared himself, by diligent study of the Scriptures, which he read often upon his knees ; and the prayer which he was accustomed to use at such times, may excite the admiration of those even in whom it shall fail to find sympathy. " Lord Jesus, I lay my soul at thy feet, to be taught and governed by Thee. Take the veil from the mystery, and show me the truth as it is in Thyself. Be thou my sun and star, by day and by night !" Mr. Wesley told him it was hard to judge what God had called him to, till trial had been made. He encouraged him to make the trial, and desired him to preach in Irish. The com- mand of that language gave him a great advantage. It was long ago said in Ireland, "When you plead for your life, plead in Irish.*" Even the poor Catho- lics listened willingly, when they were addressed in their mother tongue : his hearers frequently shed si- EMINENT PIETY. 117 lent tears, and frequently sobbed aloud, and cried for mercy ; and in country towns the peasantry, who, going- there upon market-day, had stopped to hear the preacher, from mere wonder and curiosity, were often- times melted into tears, and declared that they could follow him all over the world. One, who had laid aside some money, which he intended to bequeath, for the good of his soul, to some priest or friar, offer- ed to bequeath it to him if he would accept it. In conversation, too, and upon all the occasions which occurred in daily life, — at inns, and upon the high- way, and in the streets, — this remarkable man omit- ted no opportunity of giving religious exhortation to those who needed it ; taking care always not to shock the prejudices of those whom he addressed and to adapt his speech to their capacity. Points of dispute, whether they regarded the difference of churches or of doctrines, he wisely avoided ; sin, and death, and judgment, and redemption, were his themes ; and upon these themes he enforced so powerfully at such times, that the beggars, to whom he frequently ad- dressed himself in the streets, would fall on their knees, and beat their breasts, weeping, and crying for mercy. x Many calumnies were invented to counteract the effect which this zealous labourer produced wher- ever he went. It was spread abroad that he had been a servant boy to a Romish priest, and having stolen his master's books, had learned, by that means, to preach. But it was not from the Catho- lics alone that he met with opposition. He was 118 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. once waylaid near the town of Rosgrea, by about fourscore men, armed with sticks, and bound by oath in a confederacy against him ; they were so liberal a mob, that provided they could reclaim him from Methodism, they appeared not to care what they made of him ; and they insisted upon bringing a Romish priest, and a minister of the Church of Eng- land, to talk with him. Walsh, with great calm- ness, explained to them, that he contended with no man concerning opinions, nor preached against par- ticular churches, but against sin and wickedness in all. And he so far succeeded in mitigating their disposition toward him, that they offered to let him go, provided he would swear never again to come to Rosgrea. Walsh would rather have suf- fered martyrdom than have submitted to such an oath, and martyrdom was the alternative which they proposed ; for they carried him into the town, where the whole rabble surrounded him, and it was deter- mined that he should either swear, or be put into a well. The courage with which he refused to bind himself by any oath or promise, made him friends even among so strange an assembly : some cried out vehemently that he should go into the well ; others took his part : in the midst of the uproar the parish minister came up, and, by his interference, Walsh was permitted to depart. At another country town, about twenty miles from Cork, the magistrate, who was the rector of the place, declared he would com- mit him to prison, if he did not promise to preach no more in those parts. Walsh replied by asking EMINENT PIETY. 119 if there were no swearers, drunkards, Sabbath- breakers, and the like in those parts ; adding that, if, after he should have preached there a few times, there appeared no reformation among them, he would never come there again. Not satisfied with such a proposal, the magistrate committed him to prison. But Walsh was popular in that town ; the people manifested a great interest in his behalf; he preached to them from the prison window, and it was soon thought advisable to release him. His friends described him as appearing like one who had returned from the other world ; and per- haps it was this unearthly manner which induced a Romish priest to assure his flock, that the Walsh, who had turned heretic, and went about preaching, was dead long since ; and that he who preached un- der that name was the devil in his shape. It is said that he walked through the streets of London with as little attention to all things around him as if he had been in a wilderness, unobservant of whatever would have attracted the sight of others, and as in- different to all sounds of excitement, uproar, and ex- ultation, as to the passing wind. He showed the same insensibility to the influence of fine scenery and sunshine ; the only natural object of which he spoke with feeling was the starry firmament, — for there he beheld infinity. Mr. Wesley acknowledged him to be the best biblical scholar whom he had ever known. If he were questioned concerning any Hebrew word in the Old, or any Greek one in the New Testament, 120 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. he would tell, after a pause, how often it occurred in the Bible, and what it meant in every place. Hebrew was his favourite study ; he regarded it as a language of divine origin, and therefore perfect. 44 O truly laudable and worthy study !" he exclaims concerning it : " O industry above all praise ! whereby a man is enabled to converse with God, with holy angels, with patriarchs, and with prophets, and clearly to unfold to men the mind of God from the language of God !" Sometimes he was lost in glorious absence on his knees, with his face heavenward, and arms clasped round his breast, in such composure, that scarcely could he be perceived to breathe. His soul seemed absorbed in God ; and from the serenity, and " something resembling splendour, which appeared on his countenance, and in all his gestures after- wards, it might easily be discovered what he had been about." Even in sleep the devotional habit still predominated, and " his soul went out in groans, and sighs, and tears to God." REV. JOHtf. SMITH. This extraordinary man died at the early age of thirty-seven. He commenced his labours as a Wes- leyan minister in 1816, and closed them nearly simul- taneously with his life on the 3d of November, 1831. From his memoir, which none can read without profit, and few without tears, a number of incidents have been extracted for the present volume. The follow- ing, which reveals the secret of his success, is from EMINENT PIETY. 121 •' Sketches of Wesleyan Preachers,' 1 * a very inte- resting work, by Robert A. West. " Constant communion with God was at the foun- dation of Mr. Smith's great usefulness. In this he was surpassed by none of any age. Whole nights were often given up to prayer, and always, when in anything like moderate health — often too when wasted by painful disease — he arose at four o'clock in the morning, and throwing himself before the mercy-seat, for three hours wrestled with God in mighty prayer. The writer has heard, from per- sons in whose houses he has been temporarily re- siding, that in the coldest winter morning they have heard him at that hour with suppressed voice plead- ing with God, while his groans have revealed the intensity of his feelings. Immediately after break- fast and family worship, he would again retire with his Bible into his study, and spend until near noon in the same hallowed employment. Here unques- tionably was the great secret of his power in public prayer and in preaching — the Lord, who seeth in secret, rewarding him openly. Every sermon was thus sanctified by prayer. On one occasion, when at a country appointment, the time for commencing the service had elapsed, and Mr. Smith did not make his appearance. He had left the house where he was a guest about half an hour before, after being some time in his closet. At length he was found in an adjoining barn, wrestling in prayer for a blessing upon the approaching service ; having re- * Published by Lane & Scott, 200 Mulberry-street, New- York. 122 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. tired thither, that unobserved he might pour out his full soul before his heavenly Father. He arose, briefly expressed his regTet at not having observed the lapse of time, and on the way to the chapel re- lapsed into silent prayer. "During the sermon that evening the fervent prayer of the righteous man proved effectual. The Spirit of God descended upon the congregation ; the deep attentive silence observed at the commencement of the discourse was soon interrupted by sobs and moans, and these ere long were followed by loud and piercing cries for mercy, as one after another the hearers were pricked to the heart, and the strongholds of Satan were beaten down, until, so universal was the cry of the broken-hearted, that Mr. Smith found it necessary to desist from preach- ing, and descend into the altar. As he had conti- nued his discourse for some time after its remark- able effects first showed themselves, there was con- siderable confusion for want of a leading and control- ling spirit, and the disorder was rapidly increasing ; but when he descended from the pulpit, and took charge of the meeting, his admirable plans and great influence, aided by a voice almost equal to the roar of thunder, soon wrought a change, and in perfect order, though not in silence, the meeting was conti- nued until midnight. Whatever apparent confusion there might be in these meetings, they were, ac- tually, conducted systematically. Mr. Smith had his method amid all the surrounding excitement, and he never delegated the control to another, but was EMINENT PIETY. 123 the last to retire from the scene of the Redeemer's triumphs. An anecdote was related in the hearing of the writer by Rev. James Methley, and is also men- tioned by Mr. Treffry, which annihilated, in the minds of all who heard it, whatever feelings were entertained adverse to the course adopted by this holy man. While he was stationed in the Windsor circuit, he was attending an anniversary at Canter- bury, where his friend and school-fellow, Mr. Meth- ley, was stationed. At this time Mr. Smith's la- bours were almost superhuman, and his constitution was manifestly giving way under them. It was re- solved, by his brethren, that he should be affection- ately remonstrated with, and Mr. Methley was deputed to introduce the subject. At the supper- table a favourable opportunity presented itself, and Mr. Methley opened the matter to him. The friend- ship between them was strong and ardent ; they were both men of noble, generous natures. Mr. Smith laid down his knife and fork, and listened to his friend with affectionate respect ; then, bursting into tears, he replied, ' I know it all. I ought to put a restraint upon myself. But what can I do ? God has given me such a view of the perishing con- dition of sinners, that I can only find relief in the way I do — in entreating them to come to Christ, and wrestling with God to save them.' And then, his feelings overcoming him, he paused a few mo- ments, and added, ' Look around you, my dear friend and brother ; do you not see sinners perishing 124 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. on every hand, and must they not be saved ? O do not seek to turn me from my purpose ; for while I thus see and feel, I am i act as I do.' All were silenced, and all were melted into — Mr. Methley being so overcome that he was com- pelled abruptly to leave the room. ' Never,' said Mr. II., his eyes rilling with tears at the recollec- tion, ' never shall I forget that evening. Often was I applied to afterward, as known to be his friend, to use my influence to arrest his self-sacrifice ; but I could not do it; my mouth was closed ; I dared not say a word ; the expression of his countenance that evening remains with me to this day.' " REV. WILLIAM BRAMWELL. The Rev. William Bramwell, well known as having been the honoured instrument, in the hands of the Spirit, of many conversions among the Wesleyans, was eminently a man of prayer. " Perhaps," ob- serves Mr. William Dawson, in his funeral sermon, " it will not be asserting too much, if it be said, that, upon an average, he employed six hours out of the twenty-four in prayer and other exercises of the closet." " This is nothing like an exaggeration," add the members of his family, in their memoir. M On the contrary, it is probably much within the real truth, though it still embraces only a part of his devotional duties. There were, in addition, the supplications of the pulpit, in the praver-meetings, in his pastoral visits ; and besides this," coutini Dawson, ik through the whole of the day EMINENT PIETY. 125 darting the feelings of his heart to God by perpe- tual ejaculations, and when in company with his friends, he was continually leading them into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, and offering the sacri- fices of prayer and praise." " Here, then," add his biographers, " was an amount of devotion which recalls the feats of some of the puritan or covenant- ing divines. Take the case of Mr. Welsh, of Ayr, the son-in-law of John Knox. Out of every twenty- four hours eight were consumed in private prayer. Like his Wesleyan brother, he would wake in the middle of the night, throw a plaid around him, and renew his supplications, without regard to the lapse of time." ARCHBISHOP USHER. Archbishop Usher and Dr. Preston, two eminently pious and learned men, were very intimate, and often met to converse on learning and general sub- jects ; when it was, very common with the good archbishop to say, " Come, doctor, let us say some- thing about Christ before we part." REV. MR. ROGERS. Mr. Rogers, one of the Puritans, was remarkable for seriousness and gravity in every society to which he was introduced. A gentleman in company with him and some other persons once said to him, " Mr. Rogers, I like you and your company very well, only you are too precise." " O, sir," replied the good man, " I serve a precise God." Important as 126 .MIN IER. this idea is, we should y- \ that gravity ought to be enlivened by huh would recommend religion to others. REV. MK. SHEPHERD. The celebrated Mr. Shepherd, when on his death- bed, said to some young miniatl ta who had come to see him, k * Your work is great, and calls for great seriousness." With respect to himself, he told these three things : First, That the studying of hifl sermons very frequently cost him tears. Secondly, Before he preached any sermon to others, he got good by it himself. And, Thirdly, That he always went to the pulpit as if he were immediately after to render an account to his Master. REV. THOMAS HOOKER, Of Mr. Thomas Hooker, of Hartford, Conn., his biographer says, " He was a man of prayer ;" which, indeed, was a ready way to become a man < A He would say, " that prayer was the principal part of a minister's work: it was; by this that be carry on the rest." Accordingly, he devoted one day in a month to prayer, with fasting, before the Lord, besides the public fasts, which often occurred. He would say, " that such extraordinary favours as the life of religion and the power of godliness, must erved by the frequent use of such extraordi- nary means aj pray, r, with fasting ; and that if pro- fessors grew negligent of these means, iniquity would abound, and the love of many wax cold." HUMILITY. 127 When he lay dying, a friend standing by his bed said, " You are going to receive the reward of all your labours." He replied, " Brother, I am going to receive mercy." REV. MR. BLACKERBY. Op this good man, it is said, " He was much in prayer ; much in closet prayer ; much in walking prayer ; much in conjugal prayer, for he prayed daily with his wife alone ; much in family prayer, daily with his own family, and almost daily with some other family. He used to ride about from family to family, and only alight and pray with them, and give them some heavenly exhortations, and then away to some other family. Also, he was very much in fasting and prayer. HUMILITY. REV. MR. DURHAM. When this good man was one day walking to the place of worship in which he was to preach, in company with a much admired young minister, who was to officiate in an adjoining church, multitudes were thronging into one, and only a few into the other. " Brother," said he to his young friend, " you will have a crowded church to-day." " Truly," said the other, " they are greatly to blame who leave you and come to me." " Not so, dear brother," re- M I N II plied Mr. Durham; " for a min such honour and success in lu- be given him ched, and that his kingdom and inter* - ground, the Lunation in people's it I am content to be any- i that Christ may bi all in all." IHOF HUTTO Whii.k Dr. Hutton, bishop of Durham, Wt travelling between WensJeydale and Ingleton. he suddenly dismounted, delivered his horse to the care of one of his servants, and retired to a particular spot, at some distance from the highway, where he knelt down, and continued for some time in prayer. On his return, one of his attendants took the liberty of inquiring his reason for this singular act ; when the bishop informed him, that when he was a poor boy he travelled over that cold and bleak mountain without shoes or stockings, and that he rem« : dieturbing a cow on the identical spot where he prayed, that he might warm his feet and legs on the plats where she had lain. Hia feelings of gratitude would not allow him to pass the place without pre- senting his thanksgivings to God for the favours he har vrhiefc obliged to them for their partial friendship, than to his own "in speaking so coldly of a countryman, in whose Ihey :iro so warm.*' " I mi as I do — 1 am Job; •• [f you ■ you must do mc the favour to take my pulpit to-morrow ; and when • acquainted, without implicitly recehring ment, or that of your friends, I shall be able to judge for myself." Thus commenced an intimacy even controversy could not destroy. When one or another mentioned anything unkind which had been said of him or his writings, if the person who had said it was named, he wo the speaker immediately. and oiler up the most fer- vent prayer for the person of whom he spoke. In- deed, he did not willingly suffer any one to say any- tbing against his opponents. And he made all the allowance for them which, on a change of circum- stances, he would have wished them to make for him. REV. ROBERT HALL. It is usually seen that true greatness is as- with humility and lowliness of mind. This was ex- emplified by the late Rer. Robert Hall. When ho • lore was an elderly person, long i member of hj§ ohorch, but differing from him in '••il view-, win. had former!? been at- HUMILITY. 131 tached to the ministry of his excellent father, at Arnsby, but could not so well enjoy the son's preach- ing. Meeting this person, he said, " We should be glad to see you at our place, if you could attend only occasionally ; for you were a friend of my fa- ther's, and have long been in fellowship with us, and it would pain me very much to have the connexion dissolved." "Ah !" was the reply, "I should be glad to attend, if you could but preach like your blessed father." " Well, I preach as w r ell as I can, but you can hardly expect me to preach so well as my father ; for he, you know, was an eminent man." This mild and gentle reply softened the objector, and retained in communion one whom he respected for his father's sake, and who was endeared to him by every fresh recollection. REV. JAMES HERVEY. Mr. Hervey, being in company with a person who was paying him some compliments on account of his writings, replied, laying his hand on his breast, " O, sir, you would riot strike the sparks of applause, if you knew how much tinder I have within." MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. SELF-DENLAX. i ALL. Tau heroic missionary at Bombay had acquired so that the Engtisl ffered him I of $13,000, if he would relinquish his calln lid them in writing and making contracts with the natives. On his peremptory refusal, they offered him $50 per week if he would afford oc * two hours in a day. This offer he also !, saying no money could tempt him to relin- quish the work he was sent to perform. He lived and died a faithful missionary of the cross. DR. W.\LLI>. In the reign of James II., Dr. Wallis was then dean of Waterford, in Ireland, and, during ti that unhappy country at that period, suffered in his private fortune, from his strong attachment to the Protestant faith. Aft< the Protestant religion firmly established hy I d of King William, WaHii tin' court of London, as ;i gentleman who hi merited the royal patronage. The kin;: had heard the Morv of his sufferings : and tl mediately turning to the dean, desired him to i any ohorch preferment then vacant. Wallii all the modesty incident to men vl' real worth, alter SELF-DENIAL. 133 a due acknowledgment of the royal favour, requested the deanery of Derry. " How," replied the king, in a transport of surprise, " ask the deanery, when you must know the bishopric of that very place is also vacant I" " True, my liege," replied Wallis, " I do know it ; but could not in honesty demand so great a benefice, conscious there are many other gentlemen who have suffered more than myself, and deserved better at your majesty's hands ; I therefore presume to repeat my former request." It is need- less to add, his request was granted. They parted ; the dean highly satisfied with his visit, and the king astonished at the noble instance of disinterestedness of which he had just been a witness. KEY. JOSEPH HUGHES. When the late Rev. Joseph Hughes, A. M., was once travelling in the service of the Bible Society, he found by his side, upon the coach, a grave and respectable looking person. In conversing on topics of general attention, they soon came to the Bible Society. His companion launched forth, in vitupe- rative terms, on its Utopian character, and espe- cially on its lavish expenditure ; noticing, in a marked way, the needless and extravagant travel- ling expenses of' its vaunted secretaries, as well as their enormous salaries. No one, from Mr. Hughes' countenance and manner, could have conjectured that he was a party concerned. " But what," he mildly expostulated, "would be your conclusion, were you informed that their services were gratuit- ous ; and tli . g much as possible the expense ol D very inclement seasons, fix on the 01 doing before N the fact ami lha tone in which it was announced, with the friendly conversation that ensued, converted an enemy into a friend ? REV. JOH lays of the commonwealth, the Rev. John Hour, one of Cromwell's chaplains, \\ • juently applied to by men of all parties for protec- tion, nor did he refuse his influence to any on ac- count of difference in religious opinions. < I iteetor .-aid to him, " Mr. Howe, you have asked favours for c\ • when doea your turn oom '" He n | li turn, my Lord Protector, is always come when I can serve another." REV. GEORGE WHITKrir.LD. It is difficult, in such a world as this, so to live as 4" shall not " Mr. WniteneM has been ohixged with mercenary mo- tives: his whole life showed tb ness of Midi a charge. During his stay i: land, in L750, a young lady, Miss Hunter, who pos- • .!'!>' fortune, made a full odor t«> him of her < tate, both nonej and lindf. njno SELF-DENIAL. 135 to several thousand pounds, which he generously- refused : and, upon his declining it for himself, she offered it to him for the benefit of his orphan-house. This also he absolutely refused. This incident is given on the authority of his original biographer, Dr. Gillies, who received it from unquestionable testimony. REV. J. W. FLETCHER. During the struggle between the colonies and the mother country, Mr. Fletcher deemed it his duty to write upon the subject. Believing the colonies in the wrong, a sentiment in which we of course could not coincide, he wrote vigorously in favour of the king and parliament. Lord North, highly gratified with his pamphlet, sent to know what service would be acceptable to him. Mr. Fletcher returned for answer, that he wanted but one thing, and that it was out of his lordship's power to give — he wanted more grace. WESLEY AND NELSON IN CORNWALL. These indefatigable missionaries rode from common to common, in Cornwall, preaching to a people who heard willingly, but seldom or never proffered them the slightest act of hospitality. Returning one day in autumn from one of these hungry excursions, Wes- ley stopped his horse at some brambles to pick the fruit. "Brother Nelson," said he, "we ought to be thankful that there are plenty of blackberries, for 136 min; this is the bast country I ever saw for getting a sto- ver I saw for getting food. Do the I lodging was little better than tin VII that Mr. Week M tho ;' ' had Borkitt' in in* - . After being here near ks, ono morning, about three o'clock, Mr. Wesley turned :«1 finding D flapped me on the side, saying, 'Brc' let us be of good cheer, I have one whole side yet ; for the skin is off but on one sid- MAKT1N LUTH i was a leading feature in the character of Luth- r | all tnlfinh conside- rations, be left the honours and i world to those who delighted inthem. The follow- iel from a will hi i irs be- wealth, to attain whirl) thousands sarrihV' enjoyment in this Hi v hope of ha] in the next The reformer i • thanks thai thou hast willed me to be poor upon earth, and :i beggar. I h land, in kind, which I I ad rhil- dren; I commend tin in t<> thei : nourish them, teach SELF-DENIAL. 137 them, preserve them, as thou hast hitherto preserved me, Father of the fatherless, Judge of the wi- dow !" The poverty of this great man did not arise from wanting the means of acquiring riches ; for few men have had it in their power more easily to ob- tain them. The Elector of Saxony offered him the produce of a mine at Sneberg ; but he nobly refused it, " Lest," said he, " I should tempt the devil, who is lord of these subterraneous treasures, to tempt me." The enemies of Luther were no strangers to his contempt for gold. When one of the popes asked a certain cardinal, why they did not stop that man's mouth with silver and gold, his eminence re- plied, " That German beast regards not money !" It may easily be supposed, that the liberality of such a man would often exceed his means. A poor stu- dent once telling him of his poverty, he desired his wife to give him a sum of money ; and when she in- formed him they had none left, he immediately seized a cup of some value, which accidentally stood within his reach, and giving it to the poor man, bade him go and sell it, and keep the money to supply his wants. In one of his epistles Luther says, " I have received one hundred guilders from Taubereim ; and Schartts has given me fifty : so that I begin to fear, lest God should reward me in this life. But I de- clare I will not be satisfied with it. What have I to do with so much money ? I gave half of it to P. Priorus, and made the man glad." 138 MINISTER!" IE*. The very ingenious and amul> D .-field (then lord-lieutenant) a bi- ial than that he poeaessed, . I nexions, and tear myself from thoM friends whose kindnt in this instance like the celebrated Plulare: n by he resided in his i, obscure and BO little, " I stay," said should BENEVOLENCE. JOHB ELIOT. the In- . . while minis try, the parish treasurer, hsring paid him his salan into a handkerchief, :md tied K I Ins own be ■! upon ;i poor family, and told had broug h t them son lu untie the knots . bui finding n a m BENEVOLENCE. 139 great difficulty, gave the handkerchief to the mis- tress of the house, saying, " Here, my dear, take it ; I believe the Lord designs it all for you." REV. JOHN WESLEY. No writer of modern times appears to have been more deeply penetrated with the declaration of our Lord, " How hardly shall they that have riches en- ter into the kingdom of God." His three maxims on this subject were, " Get all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can." "I defy," says he, " all the men on earth, yea, all the angels in hea- ven, to find any other way of extracting the poison from riches. And I call God to record upon my soul, that I advise no more than I practise. I do, blessed be God, gain, and save, and give, all I can. This was the practice of all the young men at Oxford who were called Methodists. For example, one of them [himself] had thirty pounds a year ; he lived on twenty-eight, and gave away forty shillings. The next year he receiving sixty pounds, he still lived on twenty-eight, and gave away two and thirty. The third year he received ninety pounds, and gave away sixty-two. The fourth year he received a hundred and twenty pounds ; still he lived as before on twenty-eight, and gave to the poor ninety-two." It is said, by his biographers, that during the course of his life he gave to the various objects of benevo- lence not less than thirty thousand pounds, or one hundred and thirty-three thousand two hundred dol- lars. All the profits of his literary labours, (and he no mi.n was his own publisher,) and all that he i other so ur ce s , except enough to wants, was given am he did himself, si- lowing for the difference had no family, he wished his brethren to io generally grow worldly, proud, and covetou- till victim* to the sedi;. ptMtfB have thrown around them -i^ly, we hear !ly exclaiming, just before his depar- lleicare of hoarding. After having served you between I i :th dim eyes, shaking hands, and t.>it.> r . - advice I sink into Ihe da for yoa U»at are rich in this world." : illowing in* t t'ur- nishes a fine illustration of the benevolent disposition o!' tins ^r«;it man : — 44 Mr. Dudley was one evening taking tea with that eminent artist, Mr. Culy,when he asked him whether he had seen his gallery ol Ir. I), answer- i to be gratified with I sight of it, Mr. Culy eonducted him thither, and Brief admirim: the busts of the several • it of the day, he eame to SfSj wlueh parti- cularly attracted his notici (bend it I in the i ime ii. snooted \uih it, which, as I k BENEVOLENCE. 141 fond of anecdote, I will relate to you precisely in the same manner and words that I did to him.' On returning to the parlour, Mr. C. commenced ac- cordingly : — ' I am a very old man ; you must ex- cuse my little failings ; and, as I before observed, hear it in the very words I repeated it to his lord- ship. My Lord, said I, perhaps you have heard of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodists 1 O, yes, he replied ; he, — that race of fanatics ! Well, my lord, Mr. Wesley had often been urged to have his picture taken, but he always refused, — alleging as a reason that he thought it nothing but vanity ; indeed, so frequently had he been pressed on this point, that his friends were reluctantly compelled to give up the idea. One day he called on me on the business of our Church. I began the old sub- ject of entreating him to allow me to take off his likeness. Well, said I, knowing you value money for the means of doing good, if you will grant my request, I will engage to give you ten guineas for the first ten minutes that you sit, and for every mi- nute that exceeds that time you shall receive a gui- nea. ' What,' said Mr. Wesley, ' do I understand you aright, that you will give me ten guineas for having my picture taken 1 Well, I agree to it.' He then stripped off his coat, and lay on the sofa, and in eight minutes I had the most perfect bust I had ever taken. He then washed his face, and I counted to him ten guineas into his hand. ' Well,' said he, turning to his companion, ' I never till now earned money so speedily — but what shall we do MINI with i' ,.. a good mornimj, woman 'ii three cli. eaaae of her distress, .Mr. i re drag- c fleets, •Wen I ,t by eighteen shilling, which the creditor* declared should be led on. followed by the hlessings of t haasjy Bother. Oo Mr. v. Barton, In- friend, where their charity was most needed, be replied he km 1 Propter. They accordn the turnkey to point «»ui the moat mise- . The lir>t ward th< . i who was gi On semf <;■ informed tin in thai enpported by the i of compassionate without any t and that he was confil half a guinea. On bearing this, Mr. Wesley gam utmost gratitude, end be bad the plea ng him BENEVOLENCE. 143 liberated with half a guinea in his pocket. The poor man, on leaving his place of confinement, said, ' Gentlemen, as you come here in search of poverty, pray go up stairs, if it be not too late.' They in- stantly proceeded thither, and beheld a sight which called forth all their compassion. On a low stool, with his back towards them, sat a man, or rather a skeleton, for he was literally nothing but skin and bone ; his hand supported his head, and his eyes seemed to be riveted to the opposite corner of the chamber, where lay, stretched out on a pallet of straw, a young woman in the last stage of a con- sumption, apparently lifeless, with an infant by her side, which was quite dead. Mr. Wesley immedi- ately sent for medical assistance, but it was too late for the unfortunate female, who expired a few hours afterwards from starvation, as the doctor declared. You may imagine, my lord, that the remaining eight guineas would not go far in aiding such distress as this. No expense was spared for the relief of the now only surviving sufferer. But so extreme was the weakness to which he was reduced, that six weeks elapsed before he could speak sufficiently to relate his own history. It appeared he had been a reputable merchant, and had married a beautiful young lady, eminently accomplished, whom he al- most idolized. They lived happily together for some time, until, by failure of a speculation in which his whole property was embarked, he was com- pletely ruined. No sooner did he become ac- quainted with his misfortune than he called all his lit M1M MARACTER. creditors together, and laid before them toe atatc of bis at! i hem his books, -• world to i :.:: tlit.'sumwMjL'-. he obet ired he should be sent to jail. It was . forlorn usidor his great respecta- bility — a as a stranger to his breast, and in he was hu mod away As she was very accompli! otioued to ma mil ber husband for som j by the canls. Ami thus they managed to ]>ut a little aside lor th*' tunc i lomeat, But so long an thai she was com- d from exert. ind their scanty livings were ■ no 1 1 her situ- ation then required. They were drii their clothes, and th • last reduc W infaii! h ■ want, and the hafiiees mother was about to follow it when Mr. Wesley and his friend not M so reduced Jioui the same cause, that without the fallen • sacrifice ; and as Mr. Wesley, who sras not fur .! | uM J ac- quainted himself with tin BENEVOLENCE. 145 he went to the creditors, and informed them of it. They were beyond measure astonished to learn what he had to name to them ; for so long a time had elapsed without hearing anything of the mer- chant or his family, some supposed him to be dead, and others that he had quitted the country. Among the rest, he called on the lawyer, and painted to him, in the most glowing colours, the wretchedness he had witnessed, and which he (the lawyer) had been instrumental in causing ; but even this could not move him to compassion. He declared the mer- chant should not leave the prison without paying him every farthing ! Mr. Wesley repeated his visit to the other creditors, who, considering the case of the sufferer, agreed to raise a sum and release him. Some gave jCIOO, others £200, and another £300. The affairs of the merchant took a differ- ent turn : God seemed to prosper him, and in the second year he called his creditors together, thanked them for their kindness, and paid the sum so gene- rously obtained. Success continuing to attend him, he was enabled to pay all his debts, and afterwards realized considerable property. His afflictions made such a deep impression upon his mind, that he deter- mined to remove the possibility of others suffering from the same cause, and for this purpose advanced a considerable sum as a foundation fund for the re- lief of small debtors. And the very first person who partook of the same was the inexorable lawyer V " This remarkable fact so entirely convinced Lord Shelbourne of the mistaken opinion he had formed 10 MIS: TER. ■ x-autiful reside: ''IN. , .^ an ill ust nit ion of the be- than ordinary bad fa ><1 foond that on Iropped .. huh they were endeavouring to rai . for the horse was .! with the misfortu I loss it would be Ipin bade him not i • I'll let thai horse of Mich a hrasl as that." Gilpin, "take him, take hun, demand Mt-y tin 11 tboa shall pa] i It is said of the saintly < I «>!d English Church poet, that once in a wall lishurv. t" join s musical party, he saw a p<> that was !' both in distress, help, which Mr. II. Donica] . man to unload, and BENEVOLENCE. 147 after to load his horse. The poor man blessed him for it, and he blessed the poor man, and was so like the good Samaritan, that he gave him money to re- fresh both himself and his horse. Thus he left the poor man ; and at his coming to his musical friends at Salisbury, they began to wonder that Mr. George Herbert, who used to be so trim and clean, came into that company so soiled and discomposed. But he told them the occasion ; and when one of the com- pany told him "he had disparaged himself by so dirty an employment," his answer was, " that the thought of what he had done would prove music to him at midnight, and that the omission of it would have upbraided and made discord in his conscience when- soever he should pass by that place ; for if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I am sure that I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to prac- tise what I pray for ; and let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one day of my life without com- forting a sad soul, or showing mercy ; and I bless God for this occasion." O, how many might have the anxious thoughts which infest often their midnight hours changed into sweet music, if they would only be more frequently seen, with full hands and friendly words, in the abodes of poverty and suffering ! — These are the places in which to attune one's con- science to midnight harmonies ! BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH. A violent Welsh squire, having taken offence at a poor curate who employed his leisure hours in mending clocks and watch .plaint agau ■ ■ ith all humility, anawere- won't do will your pitiful trade, I promise and irai make out :* curate, vod iitty n in in ihr '. lend, had made it bia custom for manj overplus of the pr< • i bis own hou for the buildin 'her mean* th.ui hy breaking upon the Utth BENEVOLENCE. 149 much as would raise the thirty pounds for his sub- scription to the chapel. The expedient, though painful to him, was unavoidable. Having procured the money, he left home to be the bearer of his benefaction. In his journey he over- took a young lady riding on horseback, whom he thus accosted : " Well overtaken, fair lady, will you accept of an old clergyman as your companion over the down 1 I am too old, indeed, to promise you much protection, but I trust God will protect us both." There was a certain something in the man- ner with which Mr. T. said this, that was very at- tractive, so that the young lady felt a strong prepos- session in his favour, before he had half finished what he said. She expressed herself much satisfied with his company ; and, by inquiring, found they were both going to the same town. In the course of conversation, he told her his name, and the name of his church ; what a happy village of poor people his was, and how dear they were to him. When they arrived at the town, and were about to part, Mr. T. informed the lady of the name of the friend to whose house he was going, expressing a wish that she would call upon him before he left the place. Tho young lady, the same evening, men- tioned to her friends, to whom she was on a visit, the name of the clergyman, and the many precious subjects of conversation with which he had enter- tained her. " Thomson !" cried the lady, " I wish I knew it w r as a Mr. Thomson we have been so many years inquiring after in vain. I have thirty MIV TBR. pounds tied up in a bag by my late husband, due to a person of that name, who desired to lea\ • Hut I suppose he is dead : and his exe- at, knows n Mr. ben it soon appeared that v had been so long due wa> m ho had been dead Mid to whose effects be was the the bag being put im<> mo, and \\. a, exclaimed, " Bles.^ .r wonderful thus to provide mo- money will be friend in the town to inform lain of what had happened : and as tell it in Gain, publish it in Afkelon, that c LAYATER. [lowing ia an d the priva: ol' the lulr R zerland, dated Jan. 'J, lTti'J : — \u.»kc ;it ad that I am mortal: gave thanks t<> i;<>d, and read Um sixth, and aerenin ohantaia -hew's ( What a i'tire mora'. My uife a>ked me. dm.: -.hat sentiment for the da\ !i:m that ask- BENEVOLENCE. 151 eth thee ; and from him that would borrow, turn not thou away." " Pray, how is this to be under- stood !" said she. " Literally : we must take the words as if we heard Jesus Christ himself pronounce them. I am the steward, not the proprietor, of my possessions." Just as I arose from dinner, a widow desired to speak to me. " You will excuse me, dear sir," said she, " I must pay my rent, and I am six dollars short. I have been ill a whole month, and could scarcely keep my poor children from starving. I have laid by every penny, but I am six dollars short, and must have them to-day or to-morrow ; pray hear me, dear sir." Here she presented me a book enchased with silver. " My late husband," said she, " gave it me when we were betrothed. I part with it with reluctance, and know not when I can redeem it. O, dear sir, cannot you assist me V* " My poor woman, indeed I cannot." So saying, I put my hand in my pocket, and touched my mo- ney : it was about two dollars and a half. "It won't do," said I to myself : " and if it would, I shall want it." " Have you no friend," said I, " who would give you such a trifle ?" " No, not a soul living ; and I do not like to go from house to house ; I would rather work whole nights. I have been told that you are a good-natured gentleman ; and if you cannot assist, you will, I hope, excuse me for having given you so much trouble. I will try how I can extricate myself ; God has never for- saken me ; and I hope he will not begin to turn his II IN I ww I was aogrr, ■ i six ; how, th. nd ! I by h< r look*, She then said aloud, what my conscic ncc had :•> lain that ask< th thee ; and turn m irouj linn who would borrow of th she, polling oil her ring. The old worn i l . I her t«> wait a little in the paac you in am Burpriaed that you can think 1 >j,.»rt with charity said a quarter of an Uoui ,.1 why :i ird in aaaiflling th;.' hil \sh.aiuoiu\ \mi had in vour jmrae 1 BENEVOLENCE. 153 Do you not know that there are six dollars in your bureau, and that it will be quarter-day in ten days V I pressed my wife to my bosom, and dropped a tear. " You are more righteous than I ! Keep your ring; you have made me blush." I then went to the bu- reau, and took the six dollars. When I was going to open the door to call the widow I was seized with horror, because I had said, " I cannot help you." — O thou traitorous tongue ! thou deceitful heart ! — " There, take the money," said I, "which you want." She seemed at first to suppose it was only a small contribution, and kissed my hand. But when she saw the six dollars, her astonishment was so great that for a moment she could not speak. She then said, " How shall I thank you 1 I cannot repay you ; I have got nothing but this poor book, and it is old." " Keep your book and the money," said I, " and thank God, and not me. Indeed, I do not deserve it, because I have hesitated so long to as- sist you. Go, and say not one word more." JOHN FOX. John Fox, the celebrated author of the " Book of Martyrs," was remarkable for his piety. He de- voted whole nights to prayer, withdrew as much as possible from all worldly pursuits, and was eminently skilled in imparting consolation to the afflicted. But, among all his excellences, none was more con- spicuous than his liberality to the poor. What was sometimes offered him by the rich (for he was him- self sometimes distressed) he accepted, but imme- 15 l MINIHTEEIAL CHARA< J diately gate it to those who had lets than hhninlT 80 entirely did he give of his goods to the poor, that 1- m ran ■■■■• u ..- maintained by ■ 1 ass of lha bra nd was shown with a view to his glory. recollected a poor roan, whom he waa accustomed to relieve, he reeneeshnt him well, an-! v furget lords and ladies to remember such as him. ' : DL At the last Wcsleyan < uch the Rev. Jolm Fletcher attended, when Mr. Wesley was about to rend over his on l those of all I, that any \>r< i>rchensiblc in them, to withdraw. He was < :!*'d, and odd leave them. "Because," •aid he, M it is on p to pei and painful to my feelings my brethren canvassed, unless 1 promised, it he would stay, that I be nw I »u these t< \\ hen i '•<> him. and . .• but one : ■ Mr. Kletcher : God has given him Infant than his humility will sufl \ to sp- in confining himself bio tight, oomj inder .1 bushel ; whereas, m would draw BENEVOLENCE. 155 immense congregations, and would do much more good." In answer to this, he stated the tender and sacred ties which bound him to his parish ; its nu- merous population ; the daily calls for his services ; the difficulty of finding a proper substitute ; his in- creasing infirmities, which disqualified him for horse exercise ; his unwillingness to leave Mrs. Fletcher at home ; and the expense of travelling in carriages. In reply to this last argument, another preacher rose, and observed that the expense of his journeys would be cheerfully paid ; and that though he knew, and highly approved of, Mr. Fletcher's disinterest- edness and delicacy in pecuniary transactions, yet he feared that there was a mixture of pride in his objection; for that by no importunity could he be prevailed upon to accept a present to defray his ex- penses on his late visit to Ireland. " A little expla- nation," replied Mr. Fletcher, with his characteristic meekness, " will set that matter right. When I was so kindly invited to visit my friends at Dublin, I had every desire to accept their invitation ; but I wanted money for the journey, and knew not how to obtain it. In this situation I laid the matter be- fore the Lord, humbly requesting that, if the journey were a providential opening to do good, I might have the means of performing it. Shortly after- wards I received an unexpected sum of money, and took my journey. While in Dublin, I heard our friends commiserating the distresses of the poor, and lamenting the inadequate means they had to re- lieve them. When, therefore, they offered me a J5G ' '■ handsome present, * hnt mnM I do ' The r r\{.,i,s,.v U f- mv ,„ Mni ,. v had alnady l»een Bu .) . m J 8* quila sufficient; I needed >ld hart n most nei than I . . friend ned with Dr. Hutler, then bishop of I>urli;iiu; and though tho «:uest was a man Lad the inten meat and a podding. that a was h&a maimer of tiring, and that, being die- -tnonahle expense of time and t'Ttainnu-nts, he was determined it should ins example, tot the result of eoretouaneae ; ratify to the poor, thai M I .;h httle more ill ui enough. I COxVSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 157 CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. PRAYING AND GIVING. The venerable father Sewall, of Maine, once entered a meeting in behalf of foreign missions, just as the collectors of the contributions were re- suming their seats. The chairman of the meetfng requested him to lead in prayer. The old gentle- man stood, hesitatingly, as if he had not heard the request. It was repeated in a louder voice ; but there was no response. It was observed, however, that Mr. S. was fumbling in his pockets, and pre- sently he produced a piece of money, which he de- posited in the contribution-box. The chairman, thinking he had not been understood, said loudly, " I didn't ask you to give, father Sewall, I asked you to pray." " O, yes," he replied, " I heard you, but I can't pray till I've given something." THE PRAYING SHEPHERD. One of the ejected ministers of Wales went to Eng- land, and hired himself as a shepherd to a nobleman of that country. One day the nobleman's wife was ill, and he sent for the officiating clergyman of the parish to come and pray for her. The clergyman, being a sportsman, told the messenger that he would comply with the request after his return from hunt- ing. The nobleman, hearing this, became very un- 158 MIM IE*. easy in trange that a professed mii. • rred bunting ' the shepherd could j. ray very well ; that he went Out ■ he had I linn, and hi rtl wan mill. id prayed so nobleman's heart was mailed. ■ reluctantly c .,*' said Forth be a shepherd He boil! him a meeting-house, attended mi troubled the sportsman. MOTHDi Mr. E was g. river in i Bteamb) • go on, shore. On the Sabbath h< labours were greatl] who afterwards became hopefully pious ; and I ud. • by thai I nd < a Met! CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 161 One said his idea of a Methodist was a man who preached in a tree. Another said, one who never smiles. What could be done with this stranger and his new-fangled notions 1 Different expedients were suggested. Most of them were for applying to the vicar to dismiss him. But the wise man of the party reminded them that this would be a very un- certain expedient. They might have another who was no better. " Your best way," added he, " would be to get a new Bible." KEY. S. WALKER. After the late Rev. Samuel Walker, of Truro, had begun to feel the unspeakable importance of the truth as it is in Jesus, his preaching became of a different character to what it had previously been. When he urged the importance of regeneration, and devotedness to God, those who were living in a sensual and dissipated manner, or who were building their hopes of heaven on the morality of their lives, were offended. Accordingly, some of the most wealthy inhabitants of the town complained of him to the rector, and requested his dismission. The rector promised compliance with their wishes, and waited on Mr. Walker to give him notice to quit his curacy. He was received with much politeness and respect, and Mr. Walker soon took an opportu- nity, from some passing remark, to explain his views of the importance of the ministerial office, and the manner in which its duties ought to he performed. His sentiments and manner were such, that the rec- 11 ■imtrvRii nrt. t«r went away without having accomplished h pose. He endearoured a secot Sect the was again so awed not speak to him on the aul pressed by one of and dismiss him if you etl of a snperior Mid am so abashed, that I am uneasy till I »-an ret '• KKI.I.V Tin: K !y, ef ||m town of Ayr. once ut sermon from t: i who fell an est, who saw ■ • nit of the Almighty ! he whose tongue was rk of charily, whose bosom was aj)jM.int< i .l the Best of broil iiose heart the th his ' !ers to eetet kk If he refused, if the shepherd himself « i the flock followed l " Such • her, and he practised u ■ I . when the riv \ CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. ] 63 of people were assembled, but none of them at- tempted to save the boy ; when Mr. Kelly, who was dressed in his canonicals, threw himself from his chamber window into the current, and at the hazard of his own life saved that of the boy. EEV. DR. CHALMERS. Dr. Chalmers, on his return from England, a few years ago, lodged in the house of a nobleman, not far distant from Peebles. The doctor excelled in conversation, as well as in the pulpit. He was the life and soul of the discourse in the circle of friends at the nobleman's fireside. The subject was pau- perism — its causes and cure. Among the gentlemen present, there was a venerable old highland chief- tain, who kept his eyes fastened on Dr. C, and lis- tened with intense interest to his communications. The conversation was kept up to a late hour. When the company broke up, they were shown up stairs into their apartments. There was a lobby of consi- derable length, and the doors of the bed-chambers opened on the right and left. The apartment of Dr. C. was directly opposite to that of the old chief- tain, who had already retired with his attendant. As the doctor was undressing himself he heard an unusual noise in the chieftain's room ; the noise was succeeded by a heavy groan ! He hastened into the apartment, which was in a few minutes filled with the company, who all rushed in to the relief of the old gentleman. It was a melancholy sight which met their eyes. The venerable white-headed MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. chief had fallen into the arms of his attendant in ma a P°pl< I athed for a few m^^f an d h hands bending over the decease was the very picture of distress. He was the first B 4 seaaoo ; re- prove, : ith all long-suffering and known that my rener.i was within a few minutes of often i'"t ha-, that Subject whi.-: topic of this evening's conrersaJ v to him. I would hare • l lint, » bin .;, wm and him i d. 1 would all the ■ befitting the prepare n:tv. You would li;ivr thou-: would here prooooaeed it, out of sea.* it would qet( peeled bin and U . .u." Prior to on was ! ; .;.. to work on I it was common to work oil the Sabbath for i. When anvthn CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 165 work upon the Sabbath for any man in the kingdom, except it were to quench fire, or something that re- quired immediate help." " Religion," says the fore- man, "has made you a rebel against the king." " No, sir," he replied, " it has made me a better subject than ever I was. The greatest enemies the king has are Sabbath-breakers, swearers, drunkards, and whoremongers ; for these bring down God's judgments upon the king and country." He was told he should lose his employment if he would not obey his orders ; his answer was, " he would rather want bread than wilfully offend God." The fore- man swore that he would be as mad as Whitefield if he went on. " What hast thou done," said he, " that thou needest make so much ado about salva- tion 1 I always took thee to be as honest a man as I have in the work, and would have trusted thee with j£500." " So you might," answered Nelson, "and not have lost a penny by me." "I have a worse opinion of thee now," said the foreman. " Master," rejoined he, " I have the odds of you, for I have a worse opinion of myself than you can have." The issue, however, was, that the work was not pursued on the Sabbath ; and Nelson rose in the good opinion of his employer, for having shown a sense of his duty as a Christian. PREACHING FOR A CROWN. The Rev. H. Davies, sometimes called "The Welsh Apostle," was walking early one Sabbath morning, to a place where he was to preach. He ItR. waa oterukiu by a clergyman on horseback, who com | not g©t abore | oea for a discourse. •tra: . you are a diagra I meek an- swer : " Perhaps I shall be held in still greater dia- iat I am now going nine ■ 1 hare but aerenpenee in my pocket to bear my fiTponaoa oat I tS ; but 1 look forward lo that crown of glory , stow upon ^ v0V i aiulv on the present occasion made use of CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 167 a number of very improper terms." The captain, who was rather a choleric man, was instantly in a blaze. " Pray, sir, what improper terms have I used ?" " Surely, captain, you must know," replied the clergyman, with greater coolness ; " and having already put me to the pain of hearing them, you can- not be in earnest in imposing upon me the additional pain of repeating them." " You are right, sir," re- sumed the captain, " you are right. Support your character, and we will respect you. We have a parcel of clergymen around us here, who seem quite uneasy till they get us to understand that we may use any freedoms we please before them, and we despise them." It ought to be known, that the cap- tain never afterwards repeated the offence in his presence, and always treated Mr. K with marked respect, and befriended him in all his inte- rests. DR. WAUGH. Dr. Waugh being in company with a number of ministers, the bad conduct of a brother in the minis- try became the subject of conversation, and every gentleman in the room joined warmly in condemning him. Dr. Waugh sat for a long time silent. At last he walked up to his companions, and said, " My dear friends, surely we are not acting in accordance with our profession. The person you speak of is one of ourselves, and we ought not to blow the coal. But do you know that he is as bad a man as he is represented 1 and if he is, will railing against him 168 I man behind his back ; and 1 don; have sufficient courage, it sit down an . oofoea .sum. A ati .-i ./.. an-l the eoopaay looked at each by this rebuK mj good and mild. RE\ The Rev. Dr. Phi vera] anecdotes of - parti- culars of which we transcribe pbefl left L< -IS, for I put into his hands anonymously, and it was doubtful, from the manner in wh '1 as a ^'lt't to himself, or rhantahle purposes m Africa. He ITM Um OWn phrase, behind-hand, which bim ■ source <>f considerable ui this doubt on his mind, ho won! shilling of it ti> bis ovi n the mission. CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 169 Such was his carefulness of public money, and the exactness with which he kept his accounts, that Dr. Philip says, " I have heard him several times mention, as a matter of surprise, that on returning to England after his first visit to Africa, there was one shilling and sevenpence halfpenny that he could never account for ; and he used to add, with great gravity, which it was impossible to listen to without a smile, " and I cannot, sir, to this day, account for that nineteenpence halfpenny !" REV. THOMAS SCOTT. The Rev. Thomas Scott, in the early part of his life, was exceedingly fond of cards, but was induced to leave off the practice in the following manner: ■ — " Being on a visit to one of my parishioners at Ravenstone," he writes, " I walked out after dinner, as was my common practice on such occasions, to visit some of my poor people ; when one of them (the first person, as far as I know, to whom my mi- nistry had been decidedly useful) said to me, 'I have something which I wish to say to you ; but I am afraid you may be offended.' I answered that I could not promise, but I hoped I should not. She then said, ' You know A — B — ; he has lately ap- peared attentive to religion, and has spoken to me concerning the sacrament ; but last night, he, with C — D — , and others, met to keep Christmas ; and they played at cards, drank too much, and in the end quarrelled, and raised a sort of riot. And when I remonstrated with him on his conduct, as incon- MINIflTBBI answer «u, • There u no harm i pl*y* 1 his smote me to the heart. I saw thst if I play soberly mi Id be encourage* 1 example to go fartl would eat no .in cause his 1 be inexcusable in way of : at the hint ttr her that she shou!> i to repeat tl .i*->l the wh< the company, ringed inv ii\i le, the other the key of di which we open or shut the way to th» nances of the faith. Both aie • 'hrist's gilt. and neither is to be resigned without It is ii; ; at a I should ever be a prn intercourse with others, it ttea what his one's mind is. formation or exam;-!- nipauy and conduct ; he is constantly living under the observation of man- . should never venturo on dubion >e for a mo- rn, nt that what he does in the view nf another can «-\t r fur i momoai be ■ matter nf mditrerenc il as :i trifle. I will tell you I • >me years ago. In CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 173 I readily agreed, and she was sent to me at the coach. I soon found from her conversation that she was a Roman Catholic, and also quickly perceived that she had been led to entertain a very high opi- nion of me. After we had travelled some distance, talking occasionally on various subjects, the day- light began to sink fastly away, when she took out of her reticule a small Catholic book of prayers, and commenced seriously her evening devotions. While she was reading, such thoughts as these occurred to me : — " I believe this lady to be sincere in her reli- gious creed, which I think to be a very dangerous one ; she appears to be of an ingenuous temper, and to feel much personal respect for me ; is there not here, then, a good oppo?-tunity, as well as subject, to exercise my influence, and to deliver her, if pos- sible, from her erroneous creed 1 But," continued I in my thoughts, " was she not intrusted to my care 1 Would her friends have so intrusted her, had they ever suspected that an attempt at prose- lytism would be made 1 Would not the attempt be a breach of trust, and should I, even were ultimate good to accrue to her, be a morally honest man ?" I instantly felt that my own honesty must be pre- served, though the opportunity of apparent good might be apparently lost. In a short time Miss closed her book with this observation, " We Catho- lics, Dr. Clarke, think it much better to believe too much than too little." I replied, " But, madam, in our belief we should recollect that we never should yield our assent to what is contradictory in itself, or ITI ri*. to what contradict other ascertained was the only observation that I made that looked at all tow cessoftaoM < •positod her safely in th« nds. veara ago I never heard of her, till we mot in the foNW I had been preaching at Chelsea chapel, and I lady followed me, hands, spake with much eroot; 1 . whom y< i I waa •I hare i much in consequence of the chan. I how the alteration in hi r views waa effect- ed, an.: ! will shortly turn u, -lie heard to lie waa about to he intruded, she resolved ■ r ; she was phased with (he conversation and friendliness shown i observation I had no >he said I her, cans* ; think lor herseUt and at last led her to freedom from h«-r timid should in-vi r hate b \amine. had it i n h>r the ; ,1 made 1 thought have a lair opportunity i .something of CONSISTENCY OF CONDUCT. 175 heard of them be true. Every word, every motion, every look of yours, sir, was watched with the eye of a lynx ; I felt you could not be acting a part, for you could not suspect that you were so observed ; the result of all was, your conduct conciliated es- teem, and removed prejudice ; your one observation on belief led me to those examinations which the Spirit of God has blessed to my conversion : and I now stand before you the convert of your three days' behaviour between London and Dublin." You see from this account how all ministers should ever feel themselves to be public men ; how cautious should be their conduct, and how guarded their conversation. Had I attempted to proselyte this lady, all her prejudices would have been up in arms ; had my behaviour been unbecomingly light, or cause- lessly austere, she would have been either disgust- ed or repelled, and her preconceived notions of Pro- testants would have been confirmed ; she saw and heard what satisfied her : thus, even in social inter- course, the public teacher should always be the Christian instructor. MINIS I TRIAL CHARACTER. FOROIVBNB88 OF INJURIES. •kr appeared almost alon- higher claaaea, aa tr i times, I ..t wa» forn iway his lift that the papers which would have •f whom lived in the archbishop 1 ! family, aod the Otl 4>art in kOd told them that niiiio porson- eonfidence had dii . md even ac- villany. ODfl of then add.: iitioner was wanted, he would perform Struck with their ; .•it, lamenting tb< of man, and thanking God for his preservation, he ; and inquired if they knew them. They now Ml on their k ted theii erisaee, and m»- plored forgiveoeee. Cranmei mildly with them th< I injuries was so well known that it be- bamo i I to m) lord of < 'anterbni j turn, and \ Oil m ik.- Imn your h i FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES. 177 The archbishop's first wife, whom he married at Cambridge, lived at an inn, and as he often went there, the popish party raised a report that he was but an hostler, and had never received the advantages of a learned education. This story had been empha- tically told by a Yorkshire priest, who added, that the archbishop had no more learning than a goose. Some persons informed Lord Cromwell, the minis- ter of state, of this circumstance, who sent for the priest, and committed him to prison. When he had lain there nine or ten weeks, he sent a friend to en- treat Cranmers pardon ; who instantly sent for him, and expostulated with him on trifling with his cha- racter. He excused himself by pleading his drunk- enness at the time, which Cranmer told him only increased his sin. The archbishop invited him to ex- amine him in his learning, but the priest told him he was himself only an English scholar. On further conversation, he confessed he was not sufficiently acquainted with genealogies to tell the father of either David or Solomon, and was dismissed by the archbishop mildly telling him to visit ale-houses less, and his study more ; and not to complain of the want of learning in others, till he possessed more himself. EEV. GEORGE WISHART. While Wishart, the celebrated reformer, was en- gaged in relieving the temporal wants of the inha- bitants of Dundee, during the prevalence of the plague in that city, and daily preaching to them the way of salvation, Cardinal Beton bribed a popish 12 178 ARACTr.R. I »n one occasion, Wi»hart had finished his sermon, the p* ••as descending from the pulpit. . him «>t is weapon. a, and entrc.i ■ have takm an ui not th«- reform' him in bit arm Bti hwu hhall hurt me ; tor lit- hath much oeaa for .Mu. Hkhiunu, one of the puritan ministers, was eminent bed tor Christina meekness, and to his greatest enemies. l>r. Lm, lor of the j»uril i journey, unhappily bra leg, aii'i d to the inn where Mr. i ealled on to praj thai orening in the nuai)] hi- pra\ 1 who betid him i respect to a man who was bo utterly unworthy of it. he re- I hath of our | MEEKNESS UNDER PROVOCATIONS. 179 be the disciples of Christ by loving our enemies, and praying for our persecutors." On another occa- sion, Archbishop Laud having said, " I will pickle that Herring of Shrewsbury," the good man meekly replied, " If he will abuse his power, let it teach Christians the more to use their prayers, that their enemies may see they have a God to trust in, when trampled upon by ill-disposed men." MEEKNESS UNDER PROVOCATIONS. THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA. John, patriarch of Alexandria, had a controversy with Nicetas, a chief man of that city, which was to be decided in a court of justice. John defended the cause of the poor, and Nicetas refused to part with his money. A private meeting was held, to see if the affair could be adjusted, but in vain ; angry words prevailed, and both parties were so obstinate that they separated more offended with each other than before. When Nicetas was gone, John began to reflect on his own pertinacity ; and although his cause was good, " yet," said he, " can I think that God will be pleased with this anger and stubborn- ness 1 The night draweth on, and shall I suffer the sun to go down upon my wrath 1 This is impious, and opposed to the apostle's advice." He therefore sent some respectable friends to Nicetas, and 180 ■ was no M were fiWe«! Nftluoag him in the most genii.' manner, each. •■ be embraced each other aflV 1 settled the It is said of Mr. 1» iivioes, that a person r ' awa- . ujeed a quarrel with hi in, smote him in | taking the least o!i ■ - I our sou! good, I leare to dash eel all the re.-t.*' Tim hi vs;t> n \\ ith good. in the man, who §at on the oj.j>omi<.> si i S.'.l hill!. I as mafl MEEKNESS UNDER PROVOCATIONS. 181 young gentleman presently renewed his profane con- versation, and Mr. D. reproved him as before ; upon which, but with increased violence, he threw ano- ther glass of beer in his face. Mr. Deering conti- nued unmoved, still showing his zeal for the glory of God, by bearing the insult with Christian meek- ness. This so astonished the young gentleman, that he rose from the table, fell on his knees, and asking Mr. Deering's pardon, declared that if any of the company had offered him similar insults he would have stabbed them with his sword. Here was practically verified the New Testament maxim, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." REV. J. W. FLETCHER. It is related by the Rev. Melville Home, that on his way to Ireland the Rev. John Fletcher preached in a large town, and, towards the conclusion of his sermon, stated his sentiments respecting the emi- nent degree of holiness to which a Christian might attain in this life. All the ministers of the place at- tended to hear him, and all but one stayed to shake him by the hand after the service. That one was the principal clergyman, a polished gentleman, and an old acquaintance. In the morning Mr. Fletcher, who suspected no offence, said to Mr. Gilbert, " I had not the pleasure last night of shaking hands with my friend Mr. ; I cannot think of quitting the town without seeing him ; as you are acquainted with him, perhaps you will walk with me." They accordingly called, and were introduced ; but when 182 trr. ha presented hie I I It usual l e sp c ctfta 1 what I experience. Do yoi oent de- you spake of last i. ad for discus- : i an angry disputant, he answered sed Lord ; — why then should we disagree our liveries are not turned up exactly alike I" Finding till rude and repulsive, he Sud- ani, and kissed it, and bowing low, said, M God bless you, my hi retired. It is creditali ioaa principles of this gen- tleman, that Mr. V at kindness waa not without ■ from Ireh isked hia pardon handsomest terms, and treated him with the most respectful distinction. I'hv atl ichn* ! I ■■• Hci Johl Etta!, usually called " the aj>o8tle to the Indians/' to peace and union among Christians, was exceedingly great. plain that some in : r !cult for them, the r, com- pass th< be meaning of those throe little word- 1 him to I papers waa laid be- MEEKNESS UNDER PROVOCATIONS. 183 fore an assembly of ministers, which contained the particulars of a contention between parties who he thought ought at once to be agreed, he hastily threw them into the fire, and said, " Brethren, wonder not at what I have done ; I did it on my knees this morning before I came among you." DR. WALL. Dr. Wall, some time bishop of Norwich, was as humble and courteous as he was learned and de- vout, and had, in a very large degree, the qualifica- tions of a good bishop. In reference to injuries he received, he used to say, " I would suffer a thousand wrongs rather than do one ; I would suffer a hundred rather than return one ; and endure many rather than complain of one, or obtain my right by contending : for I have always observed, that contending with one's superiors is foolish ; with one's equals, is du- bious ; and with one's inferiors, is mean-spirited and sordid. Suits at law may be sometimes necessary, but he had need be more than a man who can ma- nage them with justice and innocence." REV. LEGH RICHMOND. The late Rev. Legh Richmond was once convers- ing with a brother clergyman, on the case of a poor man who had acted inconsistently with his religious profession. After some angry and severe remarks on the conduct of such persons, the gentleman with whom he was discussing the case concluded by say- ing, " I have no notion of such pretences ; I will 184 MINISTERIAL CHARA' I h.ivc prthtfffl t : ■ with him." '" Nay. l>ro:h< r, \el us bo burnble and moderate. Remember who has •aid, ' making a ditl ooe hand, and Satan at the other, and the grace of u and -..m, of Boston, wan for bis forbearance and meekness, v* contributed to his happiness and usefulness. • nfortlesa, i re your •t i! m:iy be I who boasted wanted sent linn a pound ol excited a smile. beacon of his great soul on fire si the hading of sneb ■ l:t ' Irunk- ( anions, approsehsd bim in the street, and trhisj l'hnu art an old fool/ 1 Mr. < it'ess I am so ; the Lord make both me and Tin: itai.i \n USB ihop, who had struggled throu^l. llies without rcpii posed without i-v.r in u . CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL. 185 being always so happy, replied, " It consists in a single thing, and that is, making a right use of my eyes." His friend, in surprise, begged him to ex- plain his meaning. " Most willingly," replied the bishop. " In whatsoever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven, and remember that my great business on earth is to get there. I then look down upon the earth, and call to mind how small a space I shall soon fill in it. I then look abroad on the world, and see what multitudes are, in all respects, less happy than myself. And thus I learn where true happi- ness is placed, where all my cares must end, and how little reason I ever have to murmur, or to be otherwise than thankful. And to live in this spirit is to be always happy." CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUR OP TRIAL. REV. OLIVER HEYWOOD. It is related of Rev. Oliver Heywood, a non-con- formist minister, that on a time he was reduced to great straits, his little stock of money was quite ex- hausted ; the family provisions were entirely con- sumed, and Martha, a maid -servant, who had lived in his family for several years, and who had often assisted them, could now lend no more from the lit- tle savings of former years. Mr. Heywood trusted that God would still pro- W6 Mimi ARACTE1. Tide for him, who had nothing but the dirine pro- vidence to I r said, When crul»« *need ; in ih. ravens when • hat we ■ I i>e loan litj and ba*h rt failed her. She passed by the door again and again, without having courage to go in I door, ai him, U When she, with an anxious heart, had an- | ituruty of m ■ M r mas- v I should g CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL. 187 to send it. " Martha burst into tears, and for some time could not utter a syllable ; the necessities of the family, their trust in Providence, the seasona- bleness of the supply, and a variety of other ideas entering in upon her mind at once, quite overpow- ered her. At length she told Mr. N. upon what errand she came, but that she had not courage to ask him to lend her poor master money. The gentleman could not but be affected with the story, and told Martha to come to him when the like necessity should press upon them at any future time. She made haste to procure the necessary provisions, and with a heart lightened of its burden, ran home to tell the success of her journey. Though she had not been long absent, the hungry family had often looked wishfully out of the window for her arrival. When she knocked at her mas- ter's door, which must be locked and barred for fear of constables and bailiffs, it was presently opened, and the joy to see her was as great as when a fleet of ships arrives laden with provisions for the relief of a starving town, closely besieged by an enemy. The children danced round the maid, eager to look into the basket of eatables ; the patient mother wiped her eyes ; the father smiled, and said, " The Lord hath not forgotten to be gracious ; his word is true from the beginning. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." Martha related all the cir- cumstances of her little expedition as soon as tears of joy could permit this ; and all partook of the 188 MINI ARAfTER. homely sweeter relish than the fasti- wcre expend' fi one repeat. Had you been pr. this pious family were eating • '. and drinking pure water from hhI man thus add re* v bom — " Did I not tell irful, O ye of hit!- rive need of these toil is said unto his di>< M any- thing M and i;i:v. mi:. BOBWOWTBY. 1 :n the seren- v, was an an ,t man, hut daring tin- persecution of the times was impri- re he was cruel I v treated. After his releaee he was occasionally reduced to traits. Once when he and his fain sted they had nothing left for ; and his wife aoked, " W hat shall I d • cluldrt'ii I" — He por—a dod her to take a wa him, an * lit- bird, be said, " Tak« bo* thai bird aita and ehirpa, thooffc it knows not from whence it shall have a dinner. I . and do not dial I idence ra we not better than many span boy bad plenty hi them. Then was the CONFIDENCE IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL. 189 promise fulfilled, " They who trust in the Lord shall not want any good thing." THE MISSIONARIES AND THE PRIVATEER, The following anecdote is recorded in the diary kept at Frerdensburg, a settlement of the Mora- vians, in St. Croix, a Danish West India island : — " In March, 1819, Mr. Bell, a captain of a ship from Philadelphia, who is a religious man, living some time in this island, paid us several visits. One day he brought with him another captain, from Bal- timore, of the name of Boyle. Having for some time conversed on religious subjects, the latter in- quired whether any of our family were on board an English vessel, with only six guns, and twenty-two men, which in the year 1814 was attacked by a North American privateer of fourteen guns, and one hundred and twenty men, on her voyage to St. Tho- mas ; and which, after a most desperate conflict, beat off the enemy. He added that he supposed very fervent prayer had been offered up on board that vessel. Sister Ramuch answered, that she was on board the English vessel, and could assure him that there was. • That I believe,' replied the cap- tain, ' for I felt the effect of your prayers.' He then informed us that he was the captain who command- ed the privateer. ' According to my way of think- ing at that time,' said he, ' I was determined to strain every nerve to get possession of the British vessel, or sink her ; but she was protected by a higher power, against which all my exertions proved 180 Hip. 1 Thai disappointment and defeat ■rtimiihttd further thought about these things; an.! this St.. ict, *a learn that under all circutnstancea, however bad and to fan' kith and Is | \! mighty hat ha cannot nor his band ,t aare; >rd to aave bj 01 by f< wr.' 1 Saw uan cat I him hold a ship so ooperior ia fate •«>raing again". poor LiU chor of hope in the promii time for mind his m ,,f old t: ith which has given ich wonderful n the preach doras, stirred up these ri . to effectual, iOM wore too SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 191 mighty for the carnal weapons of their powerful and determined enemies. They had but one refuge to flee unto ; but that refuge was the mighty God of Jacob ; the God to whom salvation belongeth ; and because they trusted in his power, he caused them to rejoice in his mercy. "Well might, they exclaim one to the other, as they saw their enemies retreat- ing with shame and confusion from contending any longer with their little vessel, ' O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things ; his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten the vic- tory.'" SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. REVOLTING AVOWAL. I remember some years ago to have heard, says a writer in the Cong. Magazine for 1826, a young minister, who was settled in a small obscure town, preach a sermon at an association meeting, which was richly adorned with the graces of finished com- position. He was afterwards asked by a senior brother whether he preached such sermons at home ; and having answered in the affirmative, "And how many of your people," it was said, " do you think can understand you V " About five or six," he replied. The avowal produced, as might be expected, among men of piety and experience, a mixed emotion of grief and indignation. Nor can ■i : Mtor and teacher ing flowers and weavme ; f n the • who has assumed an oil aid awful re- sponse his m- • n the souls of his charge are sf tin-in raining, unprepared, into et< O shameful prostitution of the noblest REV. Thk K II an eminent minister of tury, who laboured for many at the • markable for i lied upon to - Mary's church in that town, high,, ex- "io character of tho iagglta in his own Bind, arising from the tamptBtMM his talent and rt'ul impression ot the im- ^'osj^l with lir :it 1. nu'th \vis«'lv -ourse. »e-chance)lor and students were not pleased, the professors commended nil ■ •■ • \ . . ■ i of Dr •) became one of the moat emi- b dav. SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 193 REV. JOHN* WESLEY. In June, 1790, the Rev. John Wesley preached at Lincoln ; his text was, Luke x, 42 : " One thing is needful." When the congregation were retiring from the chapel, a lady exclaimed, in a tone of great surprise, " Is this the great Mr. Wesley, of whom we hear so much in the present day ? Why, the poorest might have understood him." The gen- tleman to whom this remark was made replied, " In this, madam, he displays his greatness ; that, whilst the poorest can understand him, the most learned are edified, and cannot be offended." REV. DR. EVANS. The late Rev. Dr. C. Evans, of Bristol, having once to travel from home, wrote to a poor congre- gation, to say that he should have occasion to stay a night in their village, and that if it were agreeable to them he would give them a sermon. The poor people hesitated for some time, but at length per- mitted him to preach. After sermon he found them in a far happier mood than when he first came among them, and could not forbear inquiring into the reason of all this. " Why, sir, to tell you the truth," said one of them, " knowing that you were a very learned man. and that you were a teacher of young ministers, we were much afraid we should not un- derstand you ; but you have been quite as plain as any minister we ever hear." "Ay, ay," the doctor replied, " you entirely misunderstood the nature of 13 191 minister; learning, my friend ; its d« who says, in one of his charges to his clergy, M How much Icaru- rca replying in the ami with the hoj | some good I ■ooli km l was gn all) disappointed . '■• undent deal of what ; TER. lh« jwatO^bylhenMnaof^lhoDeity." A sail- • was listening, immediately started from his elbows fully spread, and exclaimed i were about to turn him [nested resume his seat, with the reraar, ..eantho aha sailor • I thought so, hut was not quite I that name b- : humbled mi- foo had a nplit to inquire l'i message oi and justice 10 immortal soots, 1 OOgkl not to have vented Mr."' v. ■ and begged pardon te the is* i as, requested the kksd pentleman some refreshment with him to make r : J],:, •• how u « thai I oaa remessl ment . I <>f com- •w each SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 197 other in succession. For instance," added he, " suppose I were to say to my servant, ' Betty, you must go and buy some butter, and starch, and cream, and soap, and tea, and blue, and sugar, and cakes.' Betty would be apt to say, ' Master, I shall never remember all these.' But suppose I were to say, ' Betty, you know your mistress is going to have friends to tea to-morrow, and that you are going to wash the day following ; and that for the tea-party you will want tea, and sugar, and cream, and cakes, and butter ; and for the washing you will want soap, and starch, and blue ;' Betty would instantly reply, ' Yes, master, I can now remember them all very well !' " «I SHOULD HAVE LEFT MY BIBLE AND BROUGHT MY DICTIONARY." A gentlewoman went one day to hear Dr. preach, and, as usual, carried a pocket Bible with her, that she might turn to any of the passages the preacher might happen to refer to. But she found that she had no use for her Bible there ; and, on coming away, said to a friend, " I should have left my Bible at home to-day, and have brought my dic- tionary. The doctor does not deal in Scripture, but in such learned words and phrases as require the help of an interpreter to render them intelligible." REV. J. THOROWGOOD. The Rev. J. Thorowgood, a dissenting minister in England, though a learned critic himself, did not 1 *J*? approve of introducing any parade of chlioiam into ;:, •..;• ftjSj f< U of Ell mm:->lrv. *fl BJSjSjssJ M instance of hia indiscretion one time is pTeashisg ; ue my lip*," says xation at my folly last Lord's day. I was preaching upon a very ■knag subject. My people were all silence and attention, when, in the midst of an important theme, I meanly stopped to divert them mg cri- ticism. 0, how did I blush at my fc n, my dear friend, lor your caution." DR. CHALMKRa There was a little old woman in the city of Glas- ho Bmch admi :ners, and diligently attended all i. on Sunday and week-dare, theoiogi- ral or astronomical. One day she cane home hi sTreat ] I halmers had dwelt upon a "moral l^ver," with which he wished to up- lift human natun\ What a M ■ a as the little old woman could not divine. A friend took the j>oker, ■ »f the grate, M the id. a. an. I Bakf the imagery palpable. I woman paused — mused — and at last the fire Ixirnnd. She thought of the ind pulpit, and the subject, tin herself, by so gross a nsHerializatxMi of the " moral lever," and, burst- ican to 1 timers would preach a hale how SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 199 PULPIT ELOQUENCE. The following extract, from the British Critic, will be found to suit some other latitudes besides those of the United Kingdom, and to describe a style not confined altogether to the Church of England. " At no period, probably, has the Church of Eng- land possessed a larger proportion of sound, good, and effective preachers ; but we confess, that of pulpit eloquence, which is most popular, at least in towns, our opinion is very low. It is a thing sui- ge?ieris, — it constitutes a peculiar style. It is like the miserable thing which we sometimes see in the streets, — a boy or girl, gaudy with worn tinsel, tricked out in a smart dress, unusually extravagant, and walking upon stilts. There is no simplicity in it, no nature, no depth ; little or nothing but a flood of confused metaphors and bombastic exaggerations. It proceeds upon fundamentally wrong principles, fostered by the publications whose business it is to print, week after week, the tumid and declamatory rant, which passes, we fear, with too many, for the climax of sublimity. We apprehend, indeed, that the tendency of pulpit eloquence is now, more than ever — although it cannot last — to florid declamation, and the clap-traps of a false style. Certain it is that the preacher, who is lavish of ornaments, or softens into pathetic tenderness, or melts and flares by turns, or scatters flowers with an unsparing hand, is tolerably sure to carry away the suffrages of the majority of his audience. Here, therefore, is a very 200 •ore and perilous temptation, against which a young and aspiring man Deeds, most particularly, to be pet upon his L'uarii. {.it too often ,ut that the words hate natter, but that the matter has been dragged forward to iatrodoc • The bt$t n>. irticular ph- l Bind a strong impression of the ttd tenor of reasoning, rather than ■ andpiec reasiooe uii.l images. meh pulpit o »H *• . ar with a multitude of grand terms, and ' I ; while it or exhortation upon not the steady pros* cution of an im] collection of the merchant tailors' dino : =»' th» l eUboi itioa of phi ioco , which is some- c died eloquence, in which yon h inmon sense, rreateot mult.'. " In truth, if the distinc SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 201 word should be amplification. We do not mean the amplification like that of Barrow, or Jeremy Tay- lor, which consists in the multitude of ideas and in- genious illustrations, arising from the affluent fertil- ity of an exuberant fancy ; but the mere amplification of words and sounds. Thus, the great size of a thing is, ' the gigantic amplitude of its colossal dimen- sions ;' and the whole race of the Tudor family of words, — if we may borrow an execrable pun, — such as amplitude, altitude, plentitude, latitude, — is in especial request, together with all others which are grandiloquent and polysyllabic, puffing themselves out like the frog in the fable. * * * * A writer, or speaker, with a bold and common style, might say, ' no man ever thought soS But observe the modern process of indefinite circumlocution. First it is, ' no man alive ;' then, ' no human being under heaven ;' then, ' no human being who lives and breathes under the canopy of the skies ;' then, ' no sentient, intelligent, rational, accountable, immortal being, who inhales the gladsome breath of human existence' — or, perhaps, ' who plods his weary way through this howling wilderness of earth, under the azure vault of the empyreal canopy' — and so on, ' ad infinitum.'' In the same way ' has ever thought so' comes out as, ' has ever entertained the shadow of such an imagination in the caverned chambers and curtained recesses of his inmost mind.' But really our specimen is very poor! We are mere tyros in the art. The adepts themselves — those magnificent gold-beaters of language — would hammer out the 202 HKimmti m*. thought to a far more glittering tod prodigious length. For practice makes perfect, and they ap- pear almost to spin sentences by a rec vhen they are at a loss for ideas, eke out their Latin rerses by culling .! wreath of synonvmes, and phrases, and epithets, from the Gradus ad Parnassum. e might also produce a specimen of a popular sermon, wl / Quality.* It on tome melliflimu* OfipMUiOt about ' the melodies of the ether region*.' ;wi fluidity,' &•. Hut we .stop ; for we in on almost sacred ground, although a scho iniu'iit make toeb :i teran difficult, with • I it is. that while, on the 006 Mil'-, it burlesques all sense, and 00T1 1 ..■!. it may eventually throw SIMPLICITY OF LANGUAGE. 203 disrepute on the real beauty of rich and brilliant diction, and frighten men out of the reality by their disgust at the caricature. It may have the effect of inducing them to abjure all eloquence, and eschew all tropes and figures, although metaphors may be, in many cases, the most natural, and the most forci- ble, of all modes of expression." BISHOP HURD. " The venerable Dr. Hurd, bishop of Worcester," says the author of " The Life and Times of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon," " being in the habit of preaching frequently, had observed a poor man re- markably attentive, and made him some little pre- sents. After a while he missed his humble auditor ; and meeting him, said, ' John, how is it that I do not see you in the aisle as usual V John, with some hesitation, replied, ' My lord, I hope you will not be offended, and I will tell you the truth. I went the other day to hear the Methodists, and I understood their plain words so much better, that I have attend- ed them ever since.' The bishop put his hand into his pocket, and gave him a guinea, with words to this effect : — ' God bless you ! go where you can receive the greatest profit to your soul.' " IMPORTANT CAUTION". " I hope," says Dr. Doddridge, " my younger bre- thren in the ministry will pardon me, if I entreat their particular attention to this admonition — Not to give the main part of their time to the curiosities of MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. learning, and only a few fragn •hey see cause m their last moments to ;. -ban he could use ibem — ' I have lost a !.:■ . .tling.' " IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. REDEEMING THE TIME. hastily into I chamber, I had almost thrown down a crystal hoor-glaM ; fi ;ir leet I had. made me 1 had broken it ; but ala- away without any regret I injur a pearl ; that but like to be bruk. :.. •. ; thai but casually — this done wiltullv I . hour- glaaa might be bought ; but tim< re more for toys than ' an boor-glass, do! to be by me, but to be in • to number my dmyt. An hour-glass to turn inc, that I may turn Kg | !>>m. REV, JOHH in was not less remarkable tor his in- other eminent charact< ad the usual man, he was abundant in I i soared abo*e IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. 205 the harmless wish which the generality of mankind indulge, ■ To crown a youth of labour with an age of ease ;" for he slackened not his pace to the last week of his life. "When I cast my eyes," says Mr. Thomas Olivers, " on a hundred volumes which he has pub- lished ; when I think of about five thousand miles which he has yearly travelled, of about one thousand discourses which he has yearly delivered, of one thousand sick-beds which he has yearly visited, and, perhaps, twice that number of letters which he has yearly answered ; when I see him now between seventy and eighty years of age, refusing, absolutely refusing, to abate anything of all these mighty la- bours ; (unless it be that of so much riding on horse- back ;) when I see him, at this very time, with his silver locks, with a meager, worn-out, skeleton body, smiling at storms and tempests, and labours and fatigues ; in short, when I still see, what I have constantly seen ever since I have known Mr. Wes- ley, how lavish he is of his strength, time, money, and influence, for the relief of the poor, the support of the weak, the prosperity of the church, the con- version of sinners, and the glory of God, I am asham- ed of myself, and of all about me." " I believe," says the Rev. Henry Moore, " it is hardly possible for those not intimate with this ex- traordinary man, to have a just idea of his faithful- ness in this respect. In many things he was gentle and easy to be entreated, but on this point decisive 206 MINIS TfcK I BR. neday his chaise waedelav yond the ap; • id put up his papers and left his apartment. V g at the door he was heard to exclaim, ' / have lost ten minutes firm .. MATTHIIW WD An aged American minister states, thai in the early part of his mi London, he called on the lai Mr. \V. received him with courtesy, ami enured into conversation, which was kept up briskly till the most important re- ligious intelligence in possession of each had been ■parted. Suddenly there was a pause — . broken by Mr. W. u H. yon anything more to oommnnicate '" " No, nothing " Any further inquil i r's business to . ning. v "Hi ter, " I received a lesson on thi trusion, and 011 the most manly method of prevent- ing it." i;kv a I Thi late Rev. Samml Bi waadie- tingmahed through lira for punctuality. When a youth, in college, he was nevet known to be a minute behind time in attending the lectures of the ox the famil) ■ ungmen who boarded in private families were expected to as- semble. On rem IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. 207 the clock struck seven, and all rose up for prayers ; but the tutor, observing that Mr. Brewer was not present, paused awhile. Seeing him enter the room, he thus addressed him : " Sir, the clock has struck, and we were ready to begin ; but, as you were absent, we supposed the clock was too fast, and therefore waited." The clock was actually too fast by some minutes. BISHOP HALL. In a letter which this excellent prelate wrote to his friend Lord Denny, he gives an account of the way in which Christians should spend their days, and from many circumstances it is evident, that he delineated the manner in which he himself spent them, so far as it was in his power. " I desire to awake, not when I will, but when I must ; pleasure is not a fit rule for rest, but health. Now when sleep is rather driven away than leaves me, I would ever wake with God. My first thoughts are for Him, who hath made the night for rest, and the day for labour ; and as he gives, so he blesses both. If my heart be early seasoned with his pre- sence, it will savour of him all the day after. " While my body is dressing, my mind addresses itself to her ensuing task ; bethinking what is to be done, and in what order ; and marshalling, as it may, my hours with my work. That done, I walk up to my masters and companions, my books ; and sitting down among them, I dare not reach forth my hand to any of them till I have first looked up to heaven, 208 HARACTER. and en I my studies i neither pro- fit nor labour. Aft- ■■* **■ I .nil forth those which may best I'sbook: that day is lost where- of some hours are not U n p roved in those I monmii' *'»•» »jr anon devotioi out sorai int: up with a more strong- and ch er work, which 1 find made easy ioceire tin- hours with change of • • other r ■ both. • dilates sad winds op foi future use; son unto present discourse ; m for <'t: " Thus could I, all day, self music w ith changes ; and complain ■ it not that this flint monitor interrupts me .still in the ol inv busy plessures, and ennteea dm both to '.recreations, arc now seasonable nnd tii nay not be pleased, but I and that \< ithcr would 1 think IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. 209 these comforts worth respect in themselves ; but in their use, in their end, so far as they may strengthen me for better things. If I see any dish to tempt the palate, I fear a serpent in that apple, and would please myself in a wilful denial. I rise capable of more, not desirous ; not now immediately from my trencher to my book, but after some intermission. After my latter meal my thoughts are slight ; only my memory may be charged with her task of recall- ing what was committed to her custody in the day, and my heart is busy in examining all my senses of that day's behaviour. " And now the evening is come, no tradesman does more carefully take in his wares, clear his shopboard, and shut his windows, than I would shut up my thoughts, and clear my mind. That student shall live miserably, who, like a camel, lies down under his burden. All this done, calling together my fami- ly, we end the day with God." He then says, that his practice is not to be an example for all, the lives of different ranks and callings must be different ; yet all must conspire in honest labour. " Sweat is the destiny of all trades ; whether of the body or of the mind. God never allowed any man to do nothing. How miserable is the condition of those men, who spend the time as if it were given to them, and not lent ! as if hours were waste creatures, and such as should never be accounted for ! as if God would take this for a good bill of reckoning : ' Item, spent upon my pleasures, forty years !' These men shall find that no blood can privilege idleness, and that nothing 14 MINISTERIAL CHARACTER. ■ desire to cast away, time. d days. But God*s day calls for other respect. The same sun arises l>ecause the sun of righte- ousness arose upon it, ami pave a new life unto the world in it, and dr- • - moral ■ I his is the day which thl made H ' !. and in a sort my- self; and deal with my wonted thoughts, as gTeat men use, who at sonic times of their ; f all suitors. Pray . read- aring, preaching, singing, pood con! are the businesses of this • not be- :iiy work or pleasure, bul i was the course of Hall to produce his numerous and valuable w : sing in ail his works, and Imputed onto him. I rrison, of China, when giving an aeeount of I*eang Afa, the < 'bineaa evangelist, 1. ment, and for some time ; and acting much, under the vivid impreaaioo that he . account to his Saviour ; and it i men, and m ik now '' " IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. 211 KEV. DR. DODDRIDGE. It is observed of Dr. Dodridge, that before he went to visit his friends, and especially before he under- took a journey, it was his custom to employ some time in seriously considering what opportunities he might have of doing good, that he might be prepared to embrace and improve them ; to what temptations he might be exposed, that he might be armed against them ; and on his return he examined himself, what his behaviour had been, and whether he had most reason for pain or pleasure on the reflection ; and his previous and subsequent reflections were attend- ed with correspondent devotions. REV. R. CECIL. " Having some business," said the Rev. R. Cecily " to transact with a gentleman in the city, I called one day at his counting-house ; he begged I would call again, as I had so much more time to spend than he had, who was a man of business. ' An hour is nothing to you !' said he. You seem little to understand the nature of our profession," Mr. Ce- cil replied. " One hour of a clergyman's time, rightly employed, sir, is worth more to him than all the gains of your merchandise." WHITEFIELD AND TENNEKT. When Mr. Whitefield was last in America, Mr. Tennent made him a visit, as he was passing through New- Jersey ; and one day dined with other minis- IARACTER. tcra at a gentleman's house. A ; adrerted to t. -die gospel mi- said that he was weary with the be day ; that in a sh< k would be done, when he should depart and to rest. -rally asset,- I by hiscoun- -ure m the • sation — on which -Mr. W., tapping him on the knee, Well, broth i oldest in:wi among us. do you not ■0 n-:ir at hand when you shall be called nit 11." Mr. W . pneead him a;*ai!; I .:i ; and it' you km w your duty :i uould be you. 1 have notl fi ; my -as well as I t -an — II ter as faithfully as I can, until he shall think | Mr. W. still urged lor an e\j. licit answer to h: hull. Ill choice. Mr. I ■ think [ Wi I was 10 end my man into the held to plough, and if at noon IMPROVEMENT OF TIME. 213 I should go to the field, and find him lounging under a tree, and complaining, ' Master, the sun is very- hot, and the ploughing hard ; I am weary of the work you have appointed me, and am overdone with the heat and burden of the day. Do, master, let me re- turn home, and be discharged from this hard ser- vice.' What would I say % Why, that he was a lazy fellow ; that it was his business to do the work that I had appointed him, until I should think fit to call him home." REV. JOSEPH ALLEINE. Mr. Joseph Alleine, when in health, rose con- stantly at or before four o'clock, and on Sabbath sooner, if he awoke. He was much troubled if he heard any smiths, or shoemakers, or other trades- men at work, before he was in his duties with God, often saying to his wife, " how this noise shames me. Does not my Master deserve more than theirs!" He used often to say, " Give me a Christian that counts his time more precious than gold." REV. THOMAS SHEPHARD. Mr. Thomas Shephard was an excellent preacher, and took great pains in his preparations for the pul- pit. He used to say, " God will curse that man's labours who goes idly up and down all the week, and then goes into his study on a Saturday afternoon. God knows that we have not too much time to pray in, and weep in, and get our hearts into a fit frame for the duties of the Sabbath." COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. v. J. W. ii.i i .ut pastor, ho daily acquainted himself with the \\ a ii in and dispositions of his people, anxious- ly watc ouseholds, and dili- gently teaching them from family to family. Esteem- ing no HUB tOO BNB) too ignorant, or too pro merit his affectionate attention, he condescended to the lowest and most unworthy of his flock, fully beoOMUg ihfl servant of all, that he SNJg In some of th' and eaofltraioing manner in which ho has piety has melted down a whole family old and Ihfl young have 1 tears together, and solemnly determined to turn right humbly to toil God. Than were indeed several families in his populous parish, to which he had no . whose members, loving 6sjrlmeosrath< v him ■n'missi should he reproved. In Mich eases, where his aeal f.>r th<- salvation of individuals could not possibly be Mfld by persuasion and I was ef- fectual;, i by supplication anil prayer; nor s the door of an opposing family with- out an earnest desire that the I t never sfl I aired against their ap- COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. 215 The following interesting incident occurred while he was seeking relief from the pressure of suffering amid the mountains and valleys of his native Switzer- land : — " I have ventured," says he, " to preach once, and to expound once in the church. Our ministers are very kind, and preach to the purpose : a young one of this town gave us lately a very excellent Gos- pel sermon. Grown-up people stand fast in their stupidity, or in their self-righteousness. The day I preached I met with some children in my wood, walking or gathering strawberries. I spoke to them about our Father, our common Father. We felt a touch of brotherly affection. They said they would sing to their Father as well as the birds ; and fol- lowed me ; attempting to make such melody as you know is commonly made in these parts. I outrode them, but some of them had the patience to follow me home, and said they would speak with me ; but the people of the house stopped them, saying I would not be troubled with children. They cried, and said, They were sure I would not say so, for I was their good brother. The next day when I heard it, I in- quired after them, and invited them to come to me ; which they have done every day since. I make them little hymns, which they sing. Some of them are under sweet drawings. Yesterday I wept for joy on hearing one of them speak of conviction of sin, and joy unspeakable in Christ which had followed, as an experienced believer would do in Bristol. Last Sunday I met them in the wood ; there were one hundred of them, and as many adults. Our first 216 MINI pastor has sin ■. ood (for 1 : ■- • ; rind I hai le Horne n meident : — ( >n my wcii I was struck ig on Noah as <>f a most ani- mating description of the ■• Lord, when he sudtlmly paused. Every feature of his cx- re countenance was mark- :ul feel- ing, and striking his forehead with the palm of his hand, he exelaiined, "Wretched man that I am! Beloved brethren, it often cuts me to the soul, as it does at this moment, to reflect that, while I M the truth, hy ihe hoau- to hring you to walk in the peaceable pa . I jeel the gospel, only tying millsto to sink you deeper in perdil Dtrified, and it was some lime befoi the suhjeet. ( )n anothrr oeeasion. alter the morn:: asked it' any of the Mm the sick man whom he 9 • 1 ; •• another soul launch eternity ' \n hal oaa 1 do tor him now ' \\ , will you so frequently senre me in this man- COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. 217 ner 1 I am not informed that you are ill till I find you dying, or hear that you are dead !" Then, sit- ting down, he covered his head with his gown ; and when the congregation had retired, he walked home buried in sorrow, as though he had lost a friend or a brother. THE PREACHER AND THE ROBBERS. A Methodist preacher, many years ago, in Ireland, was journeying to the village where he had to dis- pense the word of life, according to the usual routine of his duty, and was stopped on his way by three robbers. One of them seized his bridle reins, an- other presented a pistol and demanded his money, — the third was a mere looker-on. The grave and devoted man looked each and all of them in the face, and with great gravity and seri- ousness said, " Friends, did you pray to God before you left home 1 Did you ask God to bless you in your undertakings to-day 1" These questions startled them for the moment. Recovering themselves, one said, " We have no time to answer such questions, we want your money." " I am a poor preacher of the Gospel," w T as the reply ; " but what little money I have shall be given you." A few shillings was all he had to give. " Have you not a watch ?" " Yes." "Well, then, give it to us." In taking his watch from his pocket, his saddle- bags were displayed. I ER. lung iu ibom but i< books, i -hoes and a of linen •• \\ i thorn." iher dismounted. The saddle- keo possession of, and no funhcr de- t began to un- button his u'reat-coat, and to throw it off his shoul- thc same tin • Will you have my wiit !*' " No," was tho reply, " you arc a generous man, and wo will not take it.'' He then addressed them as follows: "I have given you everythirj .1 have given you more than you asked for; I have one favoor t«> a.->k of i M Wbol is that I" M That you will kneel down and allow DM to pray with you, and to pr . nit be- half; to ask him to turn your hearts and | upon better waye." "I'll have nothing to do with the 1.. said the ringleader of them. 1 either/ 1 said another of them. lake your watch — take your saddle-baj anything to do with yu, the jud .rli article was returned. That, kov did not II u\>oi\ them. ll<' knell down ; i COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. 219 knelt with him ; one prayed, the other wept — con- fessed his sin, and said it was the first time in his life he had done such a thing, and should be the last. How far he kept his word is known only to Him to whom the darkness and the light are equally alike ; to Him whose eyelids try the children of men. REV. JOHN" SMITH. The following anecdote, says the author of" Sketches of Wesleyan Preachers," was related in the hearing of the writer by Rev. James Methley, and is also mentioned by Mr. Treffry, which annihilated, in the minds of all who heard it, whatever feelings were entertained adverse to the course adopted by this holy man. While he was stationed in the Windsor cir- cuit, he was attending an anniversary at Canterbury, where his friend and schoolfellow, Mr. Methley, was stationed. At this time Mr. Smith's labours were almost superhuman, and his constitution was mani- festly giving way under them. It was resolved by his brethren, that he should be affectionately remon- strated with, and Mr. Methley was deputed to intro- duce the subject. At the supper-table a favourable opportunity presented itself, and Mr. Methley opened the matter to him. The friendship between them was strong and ardent ; they were both men of noble, generous natures. Mr. Smith laid down his knife and fork, and listened to his friend with affectionate respect ; then, bursting into tears, he replied, " I know it all. I ought to put a restraint upon myself. But what can I do 1 God has given me such a view 220 MINI IER. of the perishing condition m only entreating them to COIMO t to ttVO then, his feelings overcu- paused a few moments, and added, " Look around sod brother; do you not see sin- ners pei nd, and must they not be O do not seek to turn me from my purpose ; fur while 1 thus see and f nptUtd to act as I do.'' All were silenced, and all were melted into tears ; — Mr. M.thk y being so overcome that he was compelled abruptly to leave the root said Mr. M., his eyes fitting with tears at the recol- lection ; " never shall I forget that evening. Often : 'plied to afterward, as known to be his my influence to arr< ■ ; bull could not do it ; my mouth was mj a wunl ; I evening remains with in- I THE LAX a BOOth of Africa there is a large lazar-house i is. It is an immi vrrv high ^ :i "i and containing fields, which the lepers cultivate. Then is onl] oe, which is strictly guided. Whenever any one ii found with Ihe marks of leprosy upon him, he ii brought to this fed to enter in, never to rata one who enters in by that awful Within thi - COMPASSION FOR THE PERISHING. 221 ease. Dr. Halbeck, a missionary of the Church of England, from the top of a neighbouring hill, saw them at work. He noticed two particularly, sowing •peas in the field. The one had no hands, the other had no feet, — these members being wasted away by disease. The one who wanted the hands was carry- ing the other who wanted the feet upon his back, and he again carried in his hands the bag of seed, and dropped a pea every now and then, which the other pressed into the ground with his foot — and so they managed the work of one man between the two. Two Moravian missionaries, impelled by an ardent love for souls, have chosen the lazar-house as their field of labour. They entered it never to come out again ; and it is said that as soon as these die, other Moravians are quite ready to fill their places. " Ah ! my dear friends," adds the late Rev. Robert M'- Cheyne, " may we not blush, and be ashamed before God, that we, redeemed with the same blood, and taught by the same Spirit, should yet be so unlike these men in vehement, heart-consuming love to Jesus and the souls of men !" ■i MINISTERIAL CHARA' FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. NJEPUKW. i intrepidity of was stnki! his conduet towards one of his nephew ee in Switzerland. This young ni I the Sardinia a here his profligate and Dngentlemanry conduct had given such general offence to his brother officers, that tie j mined to compel him to leave th< them all in Bneceasion. After engaging- in two or three duels with varied success, he was oh!. quit the m 1 return to his own country. Then ' patod his resources in profl and extravagance. As a desperate man, he resort- ed to desperate measures. II - eldest undo, Cieneral de ( Ions : and In d a pri- vate audience, he presented a loaded pist said, — " Uncle De (.'-mis, if yon do not girt me a draft on your banker lor live hundred -hoot you." The general, thoudi a hrave man, yet seeing himself in the power of ■ desperado. eenabll of any mischief, promised to gire him the draft if he withdrew the pistol, which, he tight go off and kill bin before he intended it. " Hut there is another tiling, unele ; you must pr your honour, as a gentleman and a soldier, to use no FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 223 means to recover the draft, or to bring me to jus- tice." The general pledged his honour, gave him a draft for the money, and at the same time expostu- lated freely with him on his infamous conduct. The good advice was disregarded, and the young madman rode off triumphant with his ill-gotten acquisition. In the evening, passing the door of his uncle, Mr. Fletcher, a fancy took him to call and pay him a visit. As soon as he was introduced he began to tell him, with exultation, that he had just called upon his uncle De Gons, who had treated him with unex- pected kindness, and generously given him five hun- dred crowns. " I shall have some difficulty," said Mr. Fletcher, " to believe the last part of your in- telligence." " If you will not believe me, see the proof under his own hand," holding out the draft. " Let me see," said Mr. Fletcher, taking the draft, and looking at it with astonishment. " It is, indeed, my brother's writing ; and it astonishes me to see it, because he is not in affluent circumstances ; and I am the more astonished, because I know how justly and how much he disapproves of your conduct, and that you are the last of his family to whom he would make such a present." Then folding the draft, and putting it into his pocket, " It strikes me, young man," he said, " that you have possessed yourself of this note by some indirect method ; and in ho- nesty I cannot return it to you, but with my brother's knowledge and approbation." The pistol was im- mediately at his breast ; and he was told, as he va- lued life, immediately to return the draft, " My MINI PER. 10 pro- \sho guard* will he buffer it to i - firmness drew from the on, that his uncle De afraid of death than ; think I have he- . e years a mi- Lord of life to he afraid of death now I !. who giveth me the ric- tory ! It ifl lor joq ii, who hav. reason to fear it. Vou are a gamester and ■ yet call yourself a gentleman! You are a duellist, ami your hand is red with your brother's blood ; and for that you .style yourself a man of honour ! Look Tremble in the pres< • ut kill your body, and forever punish your soul in hell !" By this turn- the unhappy man was pale ; he trembled alter- nately with fear and passion; hi gued, he en: - he withdn .ml, fixing hi* hack against the door, stood as a sentiii' tunes ha closed on his unele, threatening . d.'ath. I'mler the.se perilous e;reu: Fletcher gave no alarm to the fai u»r no weapon, attempted neithei sition. He < ith him calmly ; address- I him m language truly j.aternal, until ho FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 225 had fairly disarmed and subdued him. " I cannot," said he, " return my brother's draft ; yet I feel for the distress in which you have involved yourself, and will endeavour to relieve it. My brother De Gons, at my request, will, I am sure, voluntarily give you a hundred crowns. I will do the same. Perhaps my brother Henry will do as much ; and I hope your own family will make out the sum among them." He then prayed with him and for him. By Mr. Fletchers kind mediation, the sum he had promised was ob- tained ; and with much good advice on one side, and many fair promises on the other, they parted. HUGH LATIMER AND HENRY VIII. Bishop Latimer having one day preached a ser- mon before king Henry VIII., which had displeased his majesty, he was ordered to preach again on the next Sunday, and to make an apology for the offence he had given. After reading his text, the good bishop thus began his sermon : — " Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak 1 To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest ; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease : but then, consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou coraest ; upon whose message thou art sent 1 Even by the great and mighty God ! who is all-present ! and who beholdeth all thy ways ! and who is able to cast thy soul into hell ! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faith- 15 M MINISTER! fully." 11 :non bad preached the preceding Si •uld be the fate of this honest and plain- .<*p. a stern countena:. '" ** got,,, i manner. Falling on his knees, he replied, his duty to his God and his prince had enforced him thereto ; and that he had mer , doty and his conscience in what he had spoken. Upon which the k from his scat, and taking the good man by the hand, embraced him, i wed be God I have so honest a servant !'" The borough of Hull, in th llfM II .. chose Andrew Marrell, a young gentleman of little or no fortune, and maintained him h I r the i ice of the public, and spirit, were dreadful to the then infamous I nistration. Persuaded he would 1- isked, th- il-fellow, the lord trea- surer Danby, to renew acquaintance with him in his garret. At parting the lord I into hand £1,000, and then went to 1: • J 1 1 nother mom< 1 the serranl I :;.!,!, what had I for dinner FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 227 yesterday ?" " Don't you remember, sir, you had the little shoulder of mutton that you ordered me to bring from a woman in the market ?" " Very right, child ; what have I for dinner to-day ?" " Don't you know, sir, that you bid me lay by the blade-bone to broil V " It is so ; very right, child, go away. My lord, do you hear that 1 Andrew Marvell's dinner is provided : there is your piece of paper, I want it not ; I know the sort of kindness you in- tended ; I live here to serve my constituents, the ministry may seek men for their purpose ; 1 am not one." A MINISTER CHALLENGED. The preaching of the late Rev. J. Scott having been made effectual to the production of a great change in a young lady, the daughter of a country gentleman, so that she could no longer join the fami- ly in their dissipations, and appeared to them as me- lancholy, or approaching to it, — her father, who was a very gay man, looking upon Mr. Scott as the sole cause of what he deemed his daughter's misfortune, became exceedingly enraged at him ; so much so, that he actually lay in wait, in order to shoot him. Mr. S., being providentially apprized of it, was ena- bled to escape the danger. The diabolical design of the gentleman being thus defeated, he sent Mr. S. a challenge. Mr. S. -might have availed himself of the law, and prosecuted him, but he took another method. He waited upon him at his house, was in- troduced to him in his parlour, and with his charac- l >oldness and intre; iressed him: ild have be* fag in this, you sent me a challenge: and v you must be, sir, to wish to engrave blind in >i»» In | the challcn<: ' . . • re appoint the present moil m place, where we now are ; and the sword for the w ill have been most accustomed.' 1 The gentle man was evidently greatly terrified, whi ittaiiM '1 his end, pn exclaimed, u This is my pon 1 wish t( whom lie related this anecdote, : was a poor careless aim .it of ■ Bible bei> . asoned with t!i duct in treat: se he had prea gospel. The result was, the gentleman to hy the hand, begged his pardon, expressed his sor- - his eonduet, and lu-eaine at'lerwaiV I'm ndl y to him. i! THE TRUTH, AND TO IKHX fault with by u gave him to un«:- that the> most part with him, if he did not all FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 229 strain of his preaching. The minister, having a family, shrank for a time, but it preyed upon his health, which his wife observing, plainly told him that he distrusted God out of fear of man, and was unfaithful ; and begged of him to preach according to his conscience, and leave the event to God. Accordingly he did so, and was expelled. But just at that time a larger church, with a better salary, and a more lively people, being vacant, he was invited thither, and settled among them ; lived in plenty, and preached with acceptance and useful- ness till removed by death. THE MINISTER ATO THE DYING ROBBER. It is not easy to determine under what head to place the following unique narrative. It evinces not a little " fidelity and Christian courage," and may therefore, perhaps, as properly come under this general descrip- tion as any. At all events, it records a thrilling ad- venture. " During the awful visitation of the cholera, a cler- gyman of the Church of England, after a day spent in visiting many a sick and dying person, had retired early, fatigued and exhausted, to his bed, hoping to enjoy, for a few hours, the repose which he had so much needed. He lay for some time, but he could not sleep ; the scenes he had witnessed that day — the countenances of the dying, some racked with agonizing pain, and some in the livid, death-like tor- por of the collapsed state — seemed still before him, and nervous feverishness from this excitement ban- 230 BiinrrwilAL eukMAi n.R. ished sleep from hie eyelids. ' O !' thought he ' that men were wise, that they understood this, that they • Blessed is the know the joyful sound of the Gosj. Lord, in the light of thy countc- M ; and m hen they pass through the valley of the I thou art i m; thy rod and th) ful contrast which that had presented to him, in the case of too mu The clock struck twelve, and he had just fallen into a slumber, when a knock at the hall door aroused him : he heard it opened, and in a few minutes his ant entered the room. ' 8 ■ man be- must speak with i him his namo and his busmen.' Mr. T roan, dressed hi: ■•'. and taking the candle left icscended into the hall. The roan stood close to the door. Mr. T approached, and held the light to his face, which he se. I anxious to conceal. The countenance which he be- held was appalling ; dark and thick mustac his upper lip ; the heard was long and neglect tho eye was sunk, «d .reasion of bring Ion- familiarized wuh crim. ■ of bom. i What do you wi Mid ' :%lIlg sa to speak with von.' l What is his ocmplaint -hesitated; and at length said, * 1 cannot go ■ ■ do me yow name, nor the pUoe to whioh FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 231 you would lead me ; I fear to trust my life in your hands." ; " ' You need not fear,' said the stranger ; ' what end would it serve to take your life'? Come with me, take no money, and, on my honour, you are safe.' Mr. T gave another glance at the man, and the word honour, connected with the appearance of such a being, made him smile. ' Sit down,' said he ; 'I will go with you.' He went again to his cham- ber, committed himself to the care of his Heavenly Father, prayed for his blessing on the visit to the dying man, and felt so strengthened and assured by his communion with Heaven that he seemed to have lost all apprehension of accompanying his ferocious- looking guide. " He followed the man through many a street of a large and populous city ; it seemed as if they traversed it in the whole length thereof, so tedious did the way appear. The watchmen were calling the hour of one, and still they proceeded. At length they came to a street, long and narrow, with houses bespeaking wretchedness, and well known as a quarter of the town remarkable for the vice as well as the poverty of its inhabitants. Here the guide stopped, and took out of his pocket a knife, and began to scrape away some earth from the ground. ' I can go no farther with you,' said the clergyman ; but, considering he was as much in the power of the man as he could be in any possible situation, his courage revived, and he watched with intense interest the movements of his strange companion. After some time, he opened a hich disclosed a vault of ,1 the man, a* he let himself down 1 at the inside. Mr. T. the awful h fled, bat be knew the man might soon I in the dark | M ■I this .strange adventur- fl tie Almighty in a short ejacu- latorv praver. be watched at the end of the pit. until he saw ft light glimmer within it, I of Which, as it approached nearer, he saw the man place a ladder firmly, ftl rtepi, and er ■ him to descend, ftssaring him again of his m& did descend into thi minded him o( the descent of the prophet into tin of lions : for at tin- DOtl he beheld a iamb ■..'. ferocioos i their hazard countenai """• Their appearance appalled him. ' : ..ll '' The \ault Wfti large ; the J | which the man held icsreelj e nli g hte ne d ' !. tad loft the other end in pitchy dark: man then led the clergyman to w |,, I upon souk R ,, ohoiera. H< "'" ,m " in;n. OStOTt , .. :\ limb, his eye Mink and hoi- FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 233 low, and his skin exhibiting the blue-black hue at- tendant on this awful malady when there is scarce a hope of recover)'. Mr. T shook in every limb ; he had been used to patients in this dreadful malady, but here was one in such a state as he had never before witnessed. ' Did you wish to see me V he asked the dying man. ' I did,' he replied, in a clear and distinct tone. ' Why do you wish to see me?' 'Because,' said the man, 'some short time ago, T wandered into your church, and heard you read what I wish you to read to me again ; I want to hear it again before I die. ! it has never left my mind ; night and day it sounded in my ear. I thought I could hide myself from God, but the darkness hideth not from him ; he has found me out, he has laid his hand heavily upon me, and soon shall I appear be- fore him, covered over with my crimes. And did not I hear you say, sir, that God would slay the wicked — that he would say : Depart from me, ye bloody men 1 O God ! I have sinned against thee ; there can be no hope for a wretch like me.' Every nerve in his body seemed convulsed with agony ; and he fixed his eye eagerly on the clergyman, waiting anxiously to hear again that portion of Scripture which had first convinced him of his sin. ' Tell me some verse that will bring it to my memory,' said the clergyman. ' O, it told me,' said the dying man, ' that God knew my down-sitting and my up-rising ; that he understood my thoughts ; that he compassed my path and my lying down, and was acquainted with ail my ways ; and there was not a word in my TEE. tongue but Cod knew it all Rial if I could climb into heaven be was there ; if I went down to The clergyman then knew that it « mi that had carried convic- theft this , taking I " 'O! ui.it is it, tii.it is it.' sail voice ; ' than The elergymao then said : ' The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.' ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' 44 4 To save sinners !' said he ; * but O ! not such have been.' ' Yos, such . \ 111:111. ' Hear what comforts • It' any in;in mii, we have ao advocal 1 iter, Jesus Christ the righteous, and Im propitiation for our sins.' Hear what I now and let us reason together ; thou. sins he as scarlet, they thai! he as white as snow; though they he red like crimson, they shall be as I low ' how !' said the in ' what moil I do to be saved P ' Believe in ti. Christ, end thou ahaJt be saved. Your p:i~ will not condemn you ; Christ is able to save to the Qttermosl all thai eome unto Cod by hun.' T ■ 1 out ln> hands, with upr plortng 1 il to a poor sii hfl tiiiiiily uttereil, :ui' on that awful day, may 1 find that this message of mercy has been blessed to all your souls !' The man conducted the until he was past the dark narrow street, and could find his lily to his home, when he • ith sen- sations of astonishment at the strange and almost romantic scene he had just witnessed ; it aim peared to him like a dream ; but he blessed God for sending him hi Gos- pel to that poor sinner — to proclaim liberty to this I bond-alare of Satan. :ie, ' is not this a brand plueked out oft!; " This is no fictitious narrative ; it is truth. ever romantic it may seem. What an important tes- timony doea it afford to tii' when applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit ! Tho simple word ofGod, as read in the ordinary of his Church, was 'quick and powerful; it was sharper than any two-ed red sword ; it ; under of soul ami spirit, and was a dis- cernei of the thoughts and intents of the heart ;' like what was said by the Samaritan woman, it told this robber ' all that he ever did.' He had wandered into FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 237 the church by accident, as he thought ; but was it chance ? No. May we not hope that this poor man was one of those rare instances of a mercy which has no bounds, extended at the last hour, so that none need despair % An arrow of conviction was sent into his heart, which rankled there till a messenger was sent to speak peace to his soul, and pour the Gospel balm into his wounded conscience ; and He who has all hearts in his hands, so disposed the hearts of his ferocious and hardened companions in guilt, as to in- duce them to consent to have the clergyman sent for whom he wished to see, although it exposed them- selves to danger, and put their lives, as they said, in his hands." DANGER AND DELIVERANCE. Nearly a hundred years ago, a Moravian mission- ary went to Guiana, in South America, to form a mission among the natives living there. These poor heathen were very unwilling to have him amongst them, and he could persuade but one of them to live with him. After some time his only companion was taken ill ; and the Indian doctors who passed by told him he would never recover if he continued to live with the white man, who was under the power of the devil, and would likewise soon turn sick. Influenced by these representations, the poor fellow, as soon as he got a little better, for- sook his teacher, and returned to his own country- men. But though the missionary was left alone, without either friend or companion, even in this so- 238 titode he was happy and conn :. says he, " was alw comforted me with his gracious presence ; so I ruly say I spent my time in happiness and peace." The Indian ' strong suspicions against him, and BlfW formed the design of putting him to death. St was informed of his danger, but his mind was kept in perfect peace. One day, bow- H he sal at his frugal meal, about fifty faraheese landed from tin ir eanoes, and surrounded his cottage, intending to kill him. Some of them were armed with swords, others with tomahawks. This was truly an alarming sight ; nevertheless, he went out and bade them welcome. They then asked him, through the medium of an interpreter, who gave him liberty to build on their land. To this he re- plied, " The governor." inquired what design he had m mrming thither; to which swercd, M I have brethren on tl :■ great waters, who, having htard that Indians on this ri\ t from the great affection they felt towards vou, sent '•11 you of ti, what he has done to save poo." The chief then said, " Have vou iirvrr h.ard that the Indiana intend to kill you »" Marline, "hut I cannot believe M \ On have amoi irho lived with me ; and ho ran tell yon thai I am the In. nd of the In- ihis the chief re] heard so; :1 different sort of a < 'hnstian from white people in general." Ti FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 239 sionary then said, " I am your friend ; how is it that you come to kill me ?" " We have done wrong," answered the chief. Every countenance now altered, and the Indians quickly dispersed. The chief, how- ever, remained behind, behaving in a very friendly manner, and left him a supply of cassava. Thus the missionary, by his magnanimous yet temperate conduct, warded off the blow which threatened his life, and converted his enemies into friends. FROM THE CLOSET TO THE PULPIT. It was the constant endeavour of the Rev. S. Kil- pin to go from the closet to the pulpit. His expres- sion was, " I need to have my heart warmed by the Sun of Righteousness ere I address the hearts of others." He often remarked, " I have preached with self-application to-day, and have been humbled in the dust, or have derived divine light from the subject presented to view, if no one else is bene- fited." Frequently he exclaimed, after four or five public services on the Sabbath-day, " Never does the blood of Christ appear so valuable as at the close of such a Sabbath. In this fountain I bathe. Lord, pardon the sins of my holy duties." ROBERT HALL AND HIS SOCLKIAN" HEARER. The first sermon which the late Rev. Robert Hall preached at Cambridge, after he became a settled pastor, was in confirmation of the atonement. Im- mediately after the service, one of the congregation, who had followed Mr. Robinson through all his changes of sentiment, until he washm. -pa rates the colder veslrv, • !r. Hall, thi r, or the doei that the 4 will unly do lor <• suit th. : ing on the bi the grai your concessions. The doctrine will not suit peo- ple of any age if it he not true} and if it be true, it II equally important at every age. .So that you will hear it tgaifl it' \<>u hear ; REV. .101 IX WE] Mr. John \\ elsh n of Josias x of Temple-patriek in Inland, and gi ; but , will nobody c -to see i lord ! Til tell you what! 1 eon : he's in town : htll come with me." The gen- tleman seemed quite relic ': to Mr. Ouse- 1 took him in his carriage to the ma;- the noble Lord. The oh I being briefly hinted by the gentleman, Mr. < i very affectionately ami respectfully urged n] lordship the indispensable an eternal world. " Mr. < ship, " public have no time tor tin M But, my lord, we | should be prepared for that inevitable i lordship said, "And what am 1 To which he replied, " Testament : it contains the will of the Lon! Christ, and tells you what j lord." •• But, Mr. <>.. there are many thing! in that book which I can understand, and that 1 admire. I must . however, there are oilier thii I Aith." "All' my lord, that will nr\ What if your lordship had a case submitted I by an individual for an opinion ; and ail nion had beta drawn up with the utmost care and FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 245 legal accuracy, he should say, ' Why, my lord, there is part of this I like pretty well, but with other parts I cannot agree :' what would you say, my lord V il Ah ! I perceive your meaning ; we must receive the whole as a revelation from God." " Exactly so, my lord. Take up that book ; believe what it says, and do what it commands, and you will, my lord, be prepared, by His mercy, for the hour of death, and for that day when the great Judge shall appear." " And as he reasoned of righteousness, temper- ance, and a judgment to come, Felix trembled." The nobleman expressed his feelings of gratitude to Mr. Ouseley, and invited him and his friend to dinner. They obeyed ; but Mr. Ouseley, not losing sight of the primary object of his visit, treated his lordship with a faithfulness to which he had been wholly un- accustomed. Whether any beneficial result followed we cannot tell — we can only hope. " The day of judgment shall declare." REV. R. CECIL. " Sometimes," says the late Rev. R. Cecil, in his valuable " Remains," " we have a painful part to act with sincere Christians who have been carried too much into the world. I was called in to visit such a man. ■ I find no comfort,' he said ; ' God veils his face from me. Everything around me is dark and uncertain.' I did not dare to act the flat- terer ; I said, ' Let us look faithfully into the state of things. I should have been surprised if you had 246 MINISTERIAL CHARACI1R. not felt thus. I believe you to be sincere ling evinces your lung in God, I should have con either deceived or a deceive! :ta in his usual order, how could you expect to feel otherwise, on the approach of You have driven hard a: your spirit I: utiments, your conversation have bee:. spirit of the world. And have you any reason to expect the repose of conscience and the clear evi- dence that await the man who has walked and lived in close friendship with God ! You know that what ■ true.' M Hii wile interrupted me, by assuring me that he had been an excellent man. ' - dving penitent, k it is all true.' " ANDREW MELVILLE AXI> In a season of great peril to tin I deputation of the clergj waiu \ 1., at the palace of Falkland. . vhire. Tin v were admitted to a private audience, When thfl celebrated Andrew Melville thus boldly and nol.lv addressed the king :«— M S alwavs humbly reverence your maj.>ty in public; but since we have this occaaion t<> be with your JT011 are brought mio extrem *■ of v,,ul ' ll1 '' :m,i crown, :ilul along with v.ui the country ami the Chureii m to wreck, for not telling you t: FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 247 and giving you faithful counsel, we must discharge our duty, or else be traitors both to Christ and you. Therefore, sir, as divers times before I have told you, so now again I must tell you, there are two kings and two kingdoms in Scotland : there is King James the king of the commonwealth, and there is Christ Jesus the Head of the Church, whose subject James the Sixth is, and of whose kingdom he is not a king, nor a lord, nor a head, but a mem- ber. We will yield to you your place, and give to you all due obedience ; but again I say, you are not the head of the Church ; you cannot give us that eternal life which we seek for even in this world, and you cannot deprive us of it. Permit us then freely to meet in the name of Christ, and to attend to the interests of that Church of which you are a chief member." REY. DAVID DICKSON AND THE ROBBERS. On one occasion, when riding between Edinburgh aud Glasgow, he was attacked by robbers. Instead of giving way to his fears, Mr. Dickson boldly ad- monished them of their danger in regard to their souls, and concluded by earnestly exhorting them to try some other profession, more safe and creditable than that in which they were engaged. Some years after this, when quietly seated in the College of Edinburgh, he was surprised by receiving the pre- sent of a pipe of wine, accompanied with a mes- sage, that the gentleman who sent it requested the 248 ier. pleasure of drinking a glass of eantation of his published opinions. Wid in ( >\i'urd when this sickw and confmed him to his ohamber. From the four orders of friars, four doctors, who wen i e gravely deputed to wait on th< FIDELITY AND CHRISTIAN COURAGE. 249 piring enemy ; and to these the same number of civil officers, called senators of the city, and aldermen of the wards, were added. When this embassy en- tered the apartment of the rector of JLutter worth, he was seen stretched on his bed. Some kind wishes were first expressed as to his better health, and the blessing of a speedy recovery. It was presently suggested, that he must be aware of the many wrongs which the whole mendicant brotherhood had sustained from his attacks, especially in his ser- mons, and in certain of his writings ; and as deafh was now apparently about to remove him, it w r as sincerely hoped that he would not conceal his peni- tence, but distinctly revoke whatever he had pre- ferred against them to their injury. The sick man remained silent and motionless until this address was concluded. He then beckoned his servants to raise him in his bed ; and, fixing his eyes on the persons assembled, summoned all his remaining strength, as he exclaimed aloud, " I shall not die, but live ; and shall again declare the evil deeds of the friars." The doctors and their attendants now hurried from his presence, and they lived to feel the truth of his saying ; nor will it be easy to imagine another scene more characteristic of the parties composing it, or of the times in which it oc- curred. REV. H. MARTYR. When the Rev. Henry Martyn was at collega, he was called to visit a family in great distress, on ac- ILR. count of the expected ' From Salem's gate, advancing slow, What object meets my eyes 1 What means this majesty of wo ; What mean these mingled cries V &c. During the singing of the hymn every face was suffused with tears, and every heart heaved with con- trition. It was sung a second time with like effect. While Mr. Alcorn engaged in pra}'er, the penitent spirit of Mr. Harrison laid hold on Christ as his only Saviour ; he gave up every plea beside, " Lord, I am lost, but thou hast died ;" and received the witness of his acceptance with God through Christ Jesus ; and, to the glory of the grace of God, this delightful consciousness he retained until he exchanged mortality for life. The whole family soon participated in his joy, and became heirs to- gether of the grace of life. His parish felt the bene- 256 VARIOUS 3IETHODS OF USEFULNESS. fit of this happy change, in his future pious exertions. Mr. Harrison's career, from this time, was short. In about two years and a half after this scene, he caught a fever in visiting one of his parishioners, and in three weeks died in the full triumph of faith. CONVERSION OF REV. MR. >~OBLK Rev. Mr. Noble, who shared the missionary la- bours of Mr. Ouseley for seven or eight successive years, was one of Mr. O's. spiritual children. The interesting circumstances of his conversion are thus given by Mr. Reilly : — A short time after their appointment to the Irish mission, Messrs. Graham and Ouseley, with their Bibles in their hands, their black caps on, rode into the town of Fintona, and opened their great commis- sion to surrounding multitudes. Mr. Ouseley was the preacher on the occasion ; his text was Rev. vi, 17, " For the great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand V All heard with the deepest attention and many tears. A youth, about fifteen years of age, was by curiosity drawn to the spot, and was deeply struck with the appearance of that extraordinary man, while tears, mingled with perspiration, rolled down his face. At the conclu- sion of his discourse, and just as he was riding away through the crowd, he raised his voice, an. I vehe- mently cried out, " O Fintona, Fintona ! remember that on the great day which I have been end. log to describe, you will recti] feo mind that a man, Bitting on his horse in the street, waned you to pet- PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 257 pare to meet your God." The lad referred to was overwhelmed with a sense of his sin and guilt, cried earnestly for mercy, and soon obtained forgiveness, and a sense of his acceptance through the atoning blood. FRUIT SEEN AFTER MANY DATS. About the middle of the seventeenth century, the Rev. John Flavel, the author of many excellent works, was settled at Dartmouth, where his labours were greatly blessed. Mr. Flavel's manner was remarkably affectionate and serious, often exciting very powerful emotions in his hearers. On one occasion he preached from these words, " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha." The discourse was unusually solemn, particularly the explanation of the words anathema, mara- natha, — " cursed with a curse, cursed of God, with a bitter and grievous curse." At the conclusion of the service, when Mr. Flavel arose to pronounce the benediction, he paused, and said, "How shall I bless this whole assembly, when every person in it, who loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ, is anathema, maranatha V The solemnity of this address deeply affected the audience, and one gentleman, a person of rank, was so overcome by his feelings, that he fell senseless to the floor. In the congregation was a lad named Luke Short, then about fifteen years old, and a native of Dart- mouth. Shortly after the event just narrated, he 11 253 VARIOUS METHODS OF r.-LMLN: entered into the seafaring line, and sailed to Ameri- ca, where he passed the rest of his life. Mr. Short's life was lengthened much beyond the usual term. When a hundred years old, he had suf- ficient strength to work on his farm, and his mental faculties were very little impaired. Hitherto he had lived in carelessness and sin ; lie was now a " sinner a hundred years old," and apparently ready to M die accursed." But one day as he sat in his field, he busied himself in reflecting on his past life ; recur- ring to the events of his youth, his memot \ upon Mr. Flavel's discourse above alluded to, a con- siderable part of which he was able to recollect. The affectionate earnestness of the preacher's man- ner, the important truths which he delivered, and the effects produced on the congregation, were brought fresh to his mind. The blessing of God accompanied his meditations : he felt that he had not "loved the Lord Jesus Christ ;" and feared the dreadful u ana- thema :" conviction was followed by repentance, and at length this aged sinner obtained peace through the blood of atonement, and was " found in the way of righteousness." He joined the Congregational Church in Middleborough, and to the day of his death, which took place in his hundred and sixteenth year, gave pleasing evidence of piety. In this case, eighty-five years passed away, after the seed was sown, before it sprang up and brought forth fruit. Let the ministers of Christ be encou- raged ; " in due season they shall reap, if th< nut." PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 259 "DOST THOTX WELL TO BE ANGRY?" It is related of a clergyman, distinguished alike for his eloquence and exemplary piety, that having an appointment to preach in a certain village, he stop- ped on Saturday evening at the house of one of his early acquaintances, who was a resident of the vil- lage. To his surprise, he found his old friend a distiller and vender of ardent spirits, and exceeding- ly bitter against the temperance cause. He could not refrain, all the evening, from giving vent to his feelings against all the temperance men, and every temperance movement. The next day the preacher took his text from Jonah, " Dost thou well to be an- gry ■?" He showed what good was doing in the days in which we live, and especially in the temperance cause ; how that cause was drying up the fountains of pauperism, and crime, and brutality ; saving thou- sands on thousands from the drunkard's path, and re- storing many a lost man to society and his family ; transforming the most degraded and abject beings in the community, into useful, respectable, and wealthy citizens. And as he enumerated one blessing after another, he would cast his eye down upon his friend, and ask, " Dost thou well to be angry V It was more than the poor man could bear ; shame and con- fusion were his. He hid his face from the congre- gation, and as soon as possible made his way from the church, and from that day no man has been a stronger advocate for the temperance reform, or made greater pecuniary sacrifices in its behalf. He 2G0 VARIOUS METHn; will be rewarded a thousand fold, we doubt not, l>y an approving conscience, through life and in death, and the blessing of Providence will smile upon his children to the third and fourth generation. REV. JOHN SMITH. On one occasion, when a remarkably good influence appeared to rest on the congregation, and several persons were penitentially seeking pardon, Mr. Smith remarked a woman standing near the door, and look- ing at what was going forward with much apparent curiosity and surprise. Her garb indicated extreme poverty, and it afterward appeared that she gained a miserable subsistence, partly by gathering and sel- ling water cresses. She had atteuded the chapel a few times before, but her ignorance was extreme. Mr. S. went up to her and said, " Woman, get down on your knees and begin to pray." She immediately knelt down and asked, u What shall I say, sir V* " Ask God to give you true repentance," was the re- ply. The poor woman for the first time opened her mouth in prayer ; — " Lord, give me true repentam-e." She had not long uttered this petition, before it was in a measure answered, and she came under the gra- cious influence which was in the meeting. She be- gan to tremble, and with great anxiety inquired, " What shall I do now ] what shall 1 pray "Ask God to have mercy upon you," said Mr. S. " Lord, have mercy upon me, a poor sinner. she, "a guilty sinner !" Who need be told I quel ' She was that night clearly converted, and PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 201 filled with the love of God. When Mr. Smith was about to leave Windsor, she came, with many others, to look once more on him who had proved her best friend, and so deep was her emotion, that when he extended his hand to her, she fell down on her knees, filled with a gratitude which she could not express. Mr. S. was deeply affected, and no doubt that mo- ment amply repaid him for all his labours in that circuit. A similar incident occurred at a prayer-meeting on another occasion. He observed an old man looking on with much surprise. " Well," said Mr. S., "do you intend to leave off your sins and be saved to- night V " Why, no," replied the other, with great coolness, " I think I will wait till next time." Had this been his real design, his policy would have been immediately to have left the place. He remained, however, and presently the hand of God came upon him. He cried aloud in anguish and horror, and in a short time the Lord gave him "the garment of praise for • the spirit of heaviness." About twelve months since he died in peace. The following inci- dent also, which belongs to the same class of facts, deserves insertion here : — A young lady of Frome, who was very ill, expressed a strong desire to see Mr. S. Her state of weakness, however, was such, that it was with difficulty her friends were prevailed on to comply with her wishes. At length he was admitted to visit her, and he had the happiness of leading her into the enjoyment of the peace which passeth all understanding. For two or three days 2G2 VARIOUS METHODS Ol ;.S9. she retained the assuranco of her acceptance, and her spirit then returned to God. Shortly aft- her sister, who was religiously disposed, re n to a pious female, that she feared Mr. Smith had hastened the death of her deceased relative. The person to whom this observation was made, re- plied, that if this was her feeling, she would recom- mend her to go to Mr. S. and express it to him, at the same time offering to accompany her. They went, and found him at home. He immediately ad- dressed the young lady on the subject of personal salvation. " Your sister," he said, " has gone to heaven ; are you preparing to follow her 1" She was much affected, and when he inquired if she wished to obtain the present pardon of her rii replied in the affirmative. They then united in prayer, and before she had the opportunity of stating the object of her visit, the light of God's countenance broke upon her soul, and she was filled with un- speakable delight. REV. MR N . The Rev. Mr. N. one Sabbath morning opened his Bible, to mark the passage he had been studying throughout the week, and from which he intended to deliver his discourse that day ; but, to his great sur- prise, he could not find the passage ; for neither words nor text could he recollect. He endeavoured to recall the subject to memory ; but all to no client. While thinking how he should be confounded before the congregation, another passage darted into his PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 263 mind with peculiar energy. He accordingly preach- ed from it, and during the discourse, he observed a person, apparently in a clerical habit, enter the place, and after having heard a little, seemed bathed in tears, and never raised his head through the whole of the sermon. Mr. N. never had more liberty in preaching. In the evening, this person called on Mr. N., and after expressing his obligation for the sermon he had heard, he added, " Two or three years ago, I heard you in such a place, preach upon a subject, and ever since I have been under the spirit of conviction and bondage. This day I took my horse and rode to hear you, and blessed be God, he has now given me to see him as my reconciled God and Father in Christ Jesus, and has also given me to enjoy that liberty wherewith he makes his people free." " After some interesting conversation, we both," says Mr. N., " began to see the good hand of God in this matter, and his good providence in de- termining me, in such a remarkable manner, to preach upon a subject I had never before proposed, and which he had accompanied with such a powerful efficacy. To me it was one of my best days, and one which, both by him and me, will be remembered through a joyful eternity." THE SECRET OF POWERFUL PREACHING. No sermon preached in New-England has acquired greater celebrity than that preached by President Edwards, at Enfield, July 8th, 1741, from the words, <• Their foot shall slide in due time." " When they 2G4 VARIOUS METHODS 01 HSS. went into the meeting-house the appearance of the assembly was thoughtless and vain ; the people hard- ly conducted themselves with common dec* But as the preacher proceeded, it is certain that the audience was so overwhelmed with distress and weeping, that the preacher " was obliged to speak to the people and desire silence that he might be heard ;" and a powerful revival followed. And it is said, that a minister in the pulpit, in the agitation of his feel- ings, caught the preacher by the skirt, and cried, " Mr. E., Mr. E., is not God a God of mercy f and that hearers were seen unconsciously bracing them- selves against the pillars and the sides of the pews, as if they already felt themselves sliding into the bot- tomless pit. This fact is often cited simply as a proof of President Edwards' peculiar eloquence — the more striking, because it was his habit simply to read from his notes without gestures. But there is another element to be taken into the account in explaining this result. The following quotation will exhibit it. " While the people of the neighbouring towns were in great distress for their souls, the inhabitants of Enfield were very secure, loose, and vain. A lecture had been appointed there ; and the neighbouring people were so affected at the thoughtlessness of the inhabitants, and in such tears that God would in his righteous judgment pass them by, as to be prostrate before him a eniisidrrable pari of the evening previous, supplicating mercy for their souls. When the time appointed for the lecture fame, a number of the neighbouring minister* PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 265 ed, and some from a distance ;" a proof of the extent of prayerful interest in behalf of the town. Here, then, we have the secret of the powerful impression of that sermon, in the fact that Christians in the churches around, themselves under the unusual in- fluences of God's Spirit, were offering their fervent prayers for GoaVs blessing on that sermon. Another sermon, the immediate results of which were perhaps more striking than the results of any sermon of modern times, was preached by Mr. Liv- ingstone, in Scotland. This, also, is often cited as an illustration of the power of eloquence. But in an old work by Robert Fleming of Rotterdam, entitled, " The Fulfilling of the Scriptures," will be found precisely the same explanation of these extraordinary results : — " I must also mention that solemn com- munion at the kirk of Shotts, June 20, 1630, at which time there was so convincing an appearance of God and down-pouring of the Spirit, even in an extraordi- nary way, that did follow the ordinances ; especial- ly that sermon on the Monday, 21st June, with a strange unusual motion on the hearers, who in a great multitude were there convened of divers ranks, that it was known (which I can speak on sure ground) near five hundred had at that time a discernible change wrought on them, of whom most proved lively Christians afterwards : it was the sowing of a seed through Clidesdale, so as many of the most eminent Christians in that country could date either their con- version or some remarkable confirmation in their case from that day. And truly this was the more 266 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. remarkable, that one after much reluctance, special and unexpected providence, was called to preach that sermon on the Monday, which then was not usually practised ; and that night before, by most of the Christians there, was spent in prayer ; so that the Monday's work as a convincing return of prayer might be discerned." Here then is the secret. Christians, having received on'the Sabbath an anoint- ing from on high, spent the night in that wrestling and prevailing prayer which such an anointing alone calls into exercise. These two extraordinary facts, therefore, are to be cited as examples, not of the power of eloquence, but of the power of prayer. REV. LEGH RICHMOND. The biographer of Mr. Legh Richmond one day sub- mitted to him the following question : — M What is the scriptural and right way to preach to the Jew- know of no scriptural way," he replied, " of preach- ing to men, otherwise than as sinners ; and why the Jews, whose sins are of so aggravated a nature, should be dealt with in a different way, I do not see. I would address the Jew as I would address any other man ; — that is, as a sinner ; and, till he is con- vinced of his sin, he will never believe in a Saviour. 4 Christ crucified,' is declared to be, ' to the Greeks foolishness, and to the Jews a stumbling-block : but to them that believe, the power of God and the wis- dom of God.' No man will erer fed the power o<* God, whether he be Jew or Gentile, till he learn it at the foot of the cross." PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 267 KEV. G. WHITEFIELD. An irreligious young man went to hear Mr. White- field, who took his text from Matt. iii. 7, " But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers ! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come T" "Mr. Whitefield," said the young man, "described the Sadducean character ; this did not touch me, — I thought myself as good a Christian as any man in England, From this he went to that of the Phari- sees. He described their exterior decency, but ob- served that the poison of the viper rankled in their hearts. This rather shook me. At length, in the course of his sermon, he abruptly broke off, paused for a few moments, then burst into a flood of tears ; lifted up his hands and eyes, and exclaimed, ' O my hearers ! the wrath to come ! the wrath to come !' These words sunk deep into my heart, like lead in the waters. I wept, and, when the sermon was ended, retired alone. For days and weeks I could think of little else. Those awful words would follow me wherever I went, ' The wrath to come ! the wrath to come !' " The result was, that the young man soon after made a public profession of religion, and in a short time became a very eminent preacher. LOST BOTH TEXT AND SERMON. A minister of the Gospel was once preaching in a pub- lic hospital. There was an aged woman present, who for several weeks had been aroused to attend to the 268 VARI0U8 METHODS OF I 'SK FULNESS. concerns of her soul ; and was now in a state of wretchedness, approaching to despair, heard the word of God from the lips of his servant, Bhe trembled like a criminal in the hands of the exe- cutioner. She was an object of pity to all who knew her. Formerly she had entertained hope of accept- ance with God ; but she had departed from her com- forter, and now she was the prey of a guilty con- science. A short time after this, the same minister was preaching in the same place ; but during the first prayer, his text, and the whole arrangement of his discourse, went completely from him, he could not recollect a single sentence of either ; but Romans v. 1, took possession of his whole soul : " Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." He considered this a sufficient intimation of his duty, and descanted freely on justification by faith, and a sinner's peace with God, through the atonement of Christ, h was the hour of mercy to this poor distracted woman. A ray of divine consolation now penetrated her soul ; and she said to the minister, when taking his leave, " I am a poor vile sinner, but I think, being justified by faith, I begin again to have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I think Christ has now got the highest place in my heart : and. 0!'l pray God he would always keep him there." REV. THOMAS HOOKER. The Rev. Thomas Hooker, some time after his set- tlement at Hartford, having to preach among his old PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 269 friends at Newton on a Lord's day in the afternoon, his great fame had collected together a vast con- course of people. When he came to preach, he found himself so entirely at a loss what to say, that, after a few shattered attempts to proceed, he was obliged to stop and say, that what he had prepared was altogether taken from him. He therefore re- quested the congregation to sing a psalm while he re- tired. Upon his return, he preached a most admira- ble sermon with the greatest readiness and propriety. After the public service was closed, some of his friends speaking to him of the Lord's withholding his assistance, he meekly replied, "We daily confess that we have nothing, and can do nothing, without Christ ; and what if Christ will make this manifest before our congregations ? Must we not be humbly contented!" REVIVAL IN SCOTLAND. In the church of Scotland, at Stewarton, there was an extensive revival of religion in 1625 ; and the minister who details its particulars tells us, that " many were so choked and taken by the heart that they have been made to fall over, and thus carried out of the church ; but have after proved most solid and lively Christians." And in consequence of per- sons under conviction falling down and crying out, the same minister states that the good work was, by the ungodly of that town, called " the Stewarton sickness." Revivals, in the same country, and con- nected with the same church, took place at Shotts, 270 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. in 1730, Cambuslang, Baldernock, Kirkintilloch, Moduli, and at some other places, in 1742, in which there are said to have been " outcries," " bodily agi- tations," and other appearances of powerful excite- ment. And at Kilsyth, about eight years ago, the same things have been witnessed in connexion with a revival of religion in that town. A minister who describes the revival informs us, that on July 23, 1839, whilst the Rev. William Burns, jr., was preaching in his father's church, " he clasped his hands, lifted his eyes to heaven, and, in an agony for the Holy Ghost to descend upon the people, ex- claimed, ' O come ! come !' and being strengthened in his faith, ' He is coming ! he is coming !' Sud- denly a voice was heard from among the congrega- tion, ' He is come ! He is come ! Hallelujah ! Hal- lelujah ! Glory be to God !' This ran like elec- tricity through the whole assembly of fifteen hun- dred persons ; and the scene which succeeded will not admit of description. Here was the formalist of fifty years standing in the church, shaking from head to foot, and crying aloud for mercy. Then the cry was heard, ' What must I do to be saved V While others were in exultation, exclaiming, ' Be- hold, God is become my salvation !' An elder, who was endeavouring to direct and comfort his aged mother, was seized by the convincing power of the Spirit, and with a voice which, had it not been heard whence it came, could Bcarcely have been believed to be human, cried out, k U Christ, have mercy on my soul ! O break this hard heart !' Presently PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 271 one ran to the manse with tidings of what had taken place in the church, when one of the ministers as- cended the pulpit, gave a few words of advice, sung, prayed, and dismissed the congregation. But al- though the people left the church, many of them would not and did not go home till God had blessed them. The vestry was filled with penitents ; other places in the town were opened for them ; and scenes were witnessed that day in Kilsyth, the like of which had not been known within the memory of any then living. Numbers felt the gospel to be the power of God to salvation." CAME TO MOCK, BUT WENT AWAY TO PRAY. A minister from England being some years since at Edinburgh, was accosted very civilly by a young man in the street, with an apology for the liberty he was taking : " I think, sir," said he, " I have heard you at Spafields chapel." " You probably may, sir, for I have sometimes ministered there." " Do you remember," said he, " a note put up by an afflicted widow, begging the prayers of the congre- gation for the conversion of an ungodly son V " I do very w'ell remember such a circumstance." " Sir," said he, " I am the very person ; and, won- derful to tell, the prayer was effectual. Going on a frolic with some other abandoned young men one Sunday, through the Spafields, and passing by the chapel, I w^as struck with its appearance, and hearing it was a Methodist chapel, we agreed to mingle with 272 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. the crowd, and stop for a few minutes to laugh and mock at the preacher and the people. We had only- just entered the chapel when you, sir, read the note, requesting the prayers of the congregation for an afflicted widow's son. I heard it with a sen- sation I cannot express. I was struck to the heart ; and though I had no idea that I was. the very indi- vidual meant, I felt that it expressed the bit! of a widow's heart who had a child as wicked as I knew myself to be. My mind was instantly solem- nized. I could not laugh ; my attention was riveted on the preacher. I heard his prayer and sermon with an impression very different from that which had carried me into the chapel. "From that moment the truths of the gospel reached my heart ; I joined the congregation ; cried to God in Christ for mercy, and found peace in be- lieving ; became my mother's comfort, as I had long been her heavy cross, and, through grace, trust I have still been enabled to consecrate myself to the service of God. An opening having lately been made for an advantageous settlement in my own country, I came hither with my excellent mother, and for some time past have endeavoured to dry up the widow's tears, which I had so often caused to flow, and to be the comfort and support of her old age, as I had been the torment and affliction of her former days. We live together in the enjoyment of every mercy, happy and thankful ; and every day 1 acknowledge the kind hand of the Lord that led mo to the tSpalields chapel." PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 273 REV. HOWEL HARRIS. When Mr. Howel Harris began his itinerant preach- ing in South Wales, which was some years before the Messrs. Wesley visited that part of the coun- try, Mr. Gwynne was alarmed at his conduct ; and imagining that this Howel Harris might be an incen- diary in church and state, he, being a magistrate, determined to put an end to these portentous irregu- larities. For this purpose he sallied out one day ; but said to his lady on going, " I will hear the man myself before I commit him." The sermon was so truly evangelical, so calculated to arouse the care- less, to alarm the wicked, and to encourage the pe- nitent, and the preacher's manner was so zealous and affectionate, that Mr. G. thought he resembled one of the apostles. He was so convinced of the purity of his doctrines, and of the benevolence of his motives, that, at the end of the discourse, he went up to Howel Harris, shook him by the hand, told him how much he had been misled by slander- ous reports ; avowed his intention of committing him, had they been true; asked his pardon, and, to the amazement of the assembly, entreated him to accompany him back to Garth to supper. Mrs. Gwynne, his lady, was a worthy woman, endowed with a superior understanding, and distin- guished by her love of the poor, whom she supplied regularly with food, clothing, and medicine ; but she had the strong prejudices of birth and fortune. She was one of six heiresses, each of whom had 18 274 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. j£30,000 for her portion, and all had married into opulent families. She was a violent enemy to all Presbyterians ; and when her husband returned, in- troducing to her Howel Harris, whom she deemed a man of inferior class, an innovator in the church, and a rebel to the king — when she heard Mr. 6 wynne himself, in the presence of his whole family, entreat his forgiveness, acknowledge his error, and pay him great respect — she thought that her poor dear husband must have lost his senses ; and in grief and consternation she quitted the room, nor Mould return to it till after supper, and till Howel Harris had departed. It is gratifying, however, to add, that such was the effect of Mr. H.'s piety, that Mrs. G. became reconciled to him ; the family became devoted to God ; their house was thrown open to the minister of Christ, and their daughter became the wife of Mr. Charles Wesley. J. WESLEY AND MR. MADAN. The late Rev. Mr. Madan was educated for the bar. His conversion arose from the following cir- cumstance : — He was desired one evening, by some of his companions who were with him at a coffee-house, to go and hear Mr. John Wesley, who, they were told, was to preach in the neighbourhood, and to re- turn and exhibit his manners and discourse for their entertainment. He went with that intention, and just as he entered the place, Mr. Wesley named as his text, " Prepare to meet thy God," with a solem- PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 275 nity of accent which struck him, and which inspired a seriousness that increased as Mr. Wesley pro- ceeded in exhorting his hearers to repentance. Mr. M. returned to the coffee-room, and was asked by his acquaintance, " if he had taken off the old Me- thodist]" To which he answered, " No, gentle- men, but he has taken me off;" and from that time he left their company altogether, and in future asso- ciated with serious people, and became himself a serious character. " WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING." A person who travelled in the country in the cha- racter of a pedler, and who was exceedingly partial to Mr. Dawson as a preacher, was on a certain oc- casion one of his auditors. The person referred to generally carried a stick with him, which answered the double purpose of a walking-stick and a " yard wand ;" and having been employed pretty freely in the former capacity, it was worn down beyond the point of justice, and procured for him the appellation of" Short Measure." He stood before Mr. Dawson, and being rather noisy in his religious professions, as well as ready with his responses, he manifested signs of approbation, while the scales were being describ- ed and adjusted, and different classes of sinners were placed in them, and disposed of agreeably to the test of justice, truth, and mercy, — uttering in a somewhat subdued tone, yet loud enough for those around to hear, at the close of each particular, — " Light weight" — " short again," &c. After taking up the 276 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. separate character of the flagTant transgressor of the law of God, the hypocrite, the formalist, Arc, Mr. Dawson at length came to such persons as possessed religious light, but little hallowed feeling, and the semblance of much zeal, but who employed false weights and measures. Here, without having ad- verted in his mind to the case of his noisy auditor, he perceived the muscles of his face working when the report of " short measure" occurred to him. Re- solved, however, to soften no previous expression, and to proceed with an analysis and description of the character in question, he placed the delinquent, in his singularly striking way, in the scale, when, in- stead of the usual response, the man, stricken before him, took his stick — the favourite measure — from under his arm, raised one foot from the floor, doubled his knee, and taking hold of the offending instrument by both ends, snapped it into two pieces, exclaiming, while dashing it to the ground, u Thou shalt do it no more." So true is it, to employ the language of an eminent minister, that " no man ever offended his own conscience, but first or last it was revenged upon him for it." REV. DR. L. BEECHER. The doctor once engaged to preach, by way of ex- change, for a country minister, and the Sabbath proved to be excessively cold, stormy, and uncom- fortable. It was mid-winter, and the snow was piled in heaps all along the roads, so as to make the passage very difficult. Still the doctor urged his PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 277 horse through the drifts, till he reached the church, put his horse into a shed, and went in. As yet, there was no person in the house, and after looking about, he took his seat in the pulpit. Soon the door opened, and a single individual walked up the aisle, looked about, and took a seat. The hour came for commencing service, but there were no more hearers. Whether to preach to such an audience or not, was only a momentary question with Lyman Beecher. He felt that he had a duty to perform, and that he had no right to refuse to do it, because one man only could reap benefit ; and ac- cordingly he went through all the services, praying, singing, preaching, and the benediction, with his one hearer. And when all was over, he hastened down from the desk to speak to his " congregation," but he had departed. So rare a circumstance was, of course, occasional- ly referred to, but twenty years after a very delight- ful discovery came to light in connexion with this service. The good doctor was travelling somewhere in Ohio, and alighting from the stage in a pleasant village, a gentleman stepped up to him and familiarly called him by his name. " I do not remember you," said Dr. B. " I suppose not," said the stranger, " but we spent two hours together in a house, alone, once, in a storm." " I do not recall it, sir," added the old minister ; " pray where was it V 1 " Do you remem- ber preaching twenty years ago, in such a place, to a single person ?" " Yes, yes," said the doctor, grasping his hand, "I do, indeed ; and if you are the 278 VARIOUS METHODS OF US£* L LNE8S. man, I have been wishing to see you ever since.** " I am the man, sir ; and that sermon saved my soul, made a minister of me, and yonder is my church ! The converts of that sermon, sir, are all over Ohio !" So striking a result made no little impression on the doctor's mind. He learned that the man was at the time a lawyer, who was in the town on business, and tired of a Sunday morning at a country hotel, went, in despite of the storm, to church, and heard that sermon. The doctor added, ■ I think that was about as satisfactory an audience as I ever had." JOHN SUNDAY. " I understand," said John Sunday, the converted Indian chief, to a congregation which he was called to address at Plymouth, in the year 1837, u that many of you are disappointed, because I have not brought my Indian dress with me. Perhaps, if I had it on, you would be afraid of me. Do you wish to know how I dressed when I was a pagan Indian ? I will tell you. My face was covered with red paint. I stuck feathers in my hair. I wore a blanket and leggins. I had silver ornaments on my breast, a rifle on my shoulder, a tomahawk and scalping-knife in my belt. That was my dress then. Now, do yon wish to know why I wear it no longer 1 You will find the cause in second Corinthians, fifth chapter and seventeenth verse : ' Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature ; old things are passed away ; behold, all things are become new.' PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 279 When I became a Christian, feathers and paint * passed away.' I gave my silver ornaments to the mission cause. Scalping-knife ' done away ;' toma- hawk ' done away.' That my tomahawk now," said he, holding up, at the same time, a copy of the Ten Commandments, in the Ojibwa language. " Blanket 1 done away.' Behold," he exclaimed, in a manner in which simplicity and dignity of character were combined, " Behold, all things are become new !" CONFLICTING ADVICE. fi I remember, on one occasion," says the Rev. Dr. Kennaday, " in the early part of my ministry, when I visited one of my appointments upon the circuit I then travelled, I was seated amid my studies, seri- ously reflecting upon my labours in that village, when one of the brethren, an aged and judicious man, entered my room, and after a few moments conversa- tion on the state of the congregation, more marked for the greatness of its numbers, and the solemnity of its general attention, than for the instances of con- version, observed, ' I have thought that I would suggest to you the propriety of preaching, this even- ing, on the love of God. I sometimes think we hear so much of terror and of wrath, that the people be- come hardened.' I thanked him for his advice, for I believed it was given in candour and affection. He had been gone from my room but a little while, when another entered, a brother deservedly beloved, and of no less influence. I soon perceived that the state of the congregation was the burden of his heart, 280 VARIOUS METHODS OK I MJTLNKSS. In a little time he remarked, ' I thought I would take the liberty of advising you to preach a sermon to- night, on the terrors of the law. It is a long time since we heard a sermon truly alarming, and the peo- ple, I fear, are presuming unjustly upon that love of which they hear so constantly. Give us something, brother, that will arouse.' Could opinions be more conflicting 1 And yet they were men of sound piety, and of no ordinary judgment. This little incident, so early occurring, taught me, through my ministry, incessantly and intensely, so to ' speak, not as pleas- ing men, but God."' CONVERSION OF GENERAL BRYAN. " At one of our quarterly meetings," says Rev. T. Ware, " on New River, a religious concern was waked up in many, which pervaded a large district of country, and suspended for many weeks almost all worldly concerns. In one family, where I passed many happy days, there were thirty who claimed to be born again, twelve of whom were whites, the fruits of that meeting. This was the family of Ge- neral Bryan, who was a barrister at law, and, pre- vious to the meeting, a professed deist. His lady had watched a favourite opportunity, and had ob- tained a promise from the general to attend her to the expected quarterly meeting. When the day ar- rived, the coach was in readiness to convt . Bryan to the meeting, and servants to attend her, but the general declined going himself. This was a disappointment that went to the heart, for she had PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 281 said she would not go without him. After a little pause, she stepped to the door and ordered the coach to be put up, and then, with a forced smile, said, ' I must forgive you, general, this ungentle- manly act, as it is the first time I have had to com- plain of you. If you, sir, can lightly get over your pledge, I cannot get over mine. I have said I would not go without you ;' adding, 'if my husband was a Christian, I should be one of the happiest of women.' She then burst into tears, and was about to leave the room, when the general caught her in his arms, and said, ' I cannot resist the eloquence of tears ; dry them up, and I will go.' " On Sunday morning the general and his lady were seated again in the congregation. Preaching, with short intervals, continued for several hours, and the whole assembly were, from time to time, bowed down like the slender reed before the passing breeze ; but none of them as yet lost their elasticity. Many hearts seemed bruised, but none broken. The last that spoke melted his auditors on these affect- ing words, namely, ' Which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.' Under this discourse General Bryan was seen to weep, and when the collection was made many wondered much to see him volunteer in making it, at the close of which he asked the privilege of addressing the people, and, having mounted the stand, spoke nearly in the following strain : — "'Fellow-citizens, — I have sometimes trembled VARIOUS METHODS oi LsLFLLM. before the majesty of courts. But where am I now ! and what? An advi >! Before a judge weak and erring like myself? No, but be- fore the Judge eternal ! To plead the cause of truth against myself, and against many of you, who, like myself, have crucified the Lord of glory ! Had I known it, I would not have do:. ly, nor would you, nor you,' pointing to two of his deistical fraternity. ' You see my tears ; they are tears of penitential grief, for myself and for you, for we have denied the Lord that bought us with his own blood. " • Ye dear heralds of the gospel ! I am an ad- vocate for Christ. You have convinced me. You say, when the Eternal would save the world, he chose a way known only to himself. None of the princes of this world knew it, and they could not until it was told them, and then they would not be- lieve ! So neither would I until you melted me into the belief. Some may doubt it, but I know God has sent you, and your God and people shall be mine. 1 " During this speech the people were silent as death, save now and then a sob or shriek ; but now a loud cry arose, and continued with many until the going down of the sun ; and the slain of the Lord were many. "General Bryan lived, I think, not qui; years after this happy change ; but he lived truly an advocate for Christ, and died happy, lifting his arm in token of victory when his tongue failed to articulate words." PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 283 COITVERSION OF GEN. RUSSELL AND LADY. " Our first conference in Holston," says Rev. T. Ware, " was held in 1788. As the road by which Bishop Asbury was to come was infested with hos- tile savages, so that it could not be travelled except by considerable companies together, he was de- tained for a week after the time appointed to com- mence it. But we were not idle ; and the Lord gave us many souls in the place where we were as- sembled, among whom were General Russell and lady, the latter a sister of the illustrious Patrick Henry. I mention these particularly, because they were the first-fruits of our labours at this confer- ence. " On the Sabbath we had a crowded audience ; and Mr. Tunnell preached an excellent sermon, which produced great effect. The sermon was fol- lowed by a number of powerful exhortations. When the meeting closed, Mrs. Russell came to me and said, ' I thought I was a Christian ; but, sir, I am not a Christian — I am the veriest sinner upon earth. I want you and Mr. Mastin to come with Mr. Tun- nell to our house, and pray for us, and tell us what we must do to be saved.' So we went and spent much of the afternoon in prayer, especially for Mrs. Russell. But she did not obtain deliverance. Being much exhausted, the preachers retired to a pleasant grove, near at hand, to spend a short time. After we had retired, the general, seeing the agony of soul under which his poor wife was labouring, read 281 VARIOUS METHODS Or ; 88. to her, by the advice of his pious daughter, Mr. Fletcher's charming address to mourners, as con- tained in his Appeal. At length we heard the word * Glory!' often repeated, accompanied with the clapping of hands. We hastened to the house, and found Mrs. Russell praising the Lord, and the ge- neral walking the floor and weeping bitterly, utter- ing at the same time this plaintive appeal to the Sa- viour of sinners : ' O Lord, thou didst bless my dear wife while thy poor servant was reading to her — hast thou not a blessing also for me V At length he sat down, quite exhausted. This scene was in a high degree interesting to us. To see the old sol- dier and statesman — the proud opposer of godliness, trembling, and earnestly inquiring what he must do to be saved, was an affecting sight. But the work ended not here. The conversion of Mrs. Russell, whose zeal, good sense, and amiableness of charac- ter, were proverbial, together with the penitential grief so conspicuous In the general, made a deep impression on the minds of many, and numbers were brought in before the conference closed. The ge- neral rested not until he knew his adoption ; and he continued a faithful member of the church, and an official member, after he became eligible for office, constantly adorning the doctrine of God our Sa- viour unto the end of his life." PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 285 PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. THE EAR-TRUMPET HELD FAST. An aged sailor, on the coast of Kent, (Eng.,) was recently an object of much solicitude to some pious persons, who were acquainted with his state. He had passed his eightieth year, was so deaf that he could hear no one speak, and was rapidly advancing to the grave, as he could not take food, and would not employ medicine. The opposition he had mani- fested to divine truth was now diminished, but it was only as, in common with other objects of dislike, he became less sensible of their real character. The anxiety of those who pitied his spiritual con- dition was in consequence increased, and a speaking and an ear trumpet were both employed, in the hope of gaining an entrance to his mind. The experi- ment succeeded ; he could now hear what was said, and truths of the first importance were plainly and faithfully stated. So offended, however, was he with the appeal of a Christian minister, that for ten days he would not allow him to be re-admitted to his room. But tracts — so often useful under the blessing of God — were not thus excluded, and he suffered several of them to be read to him, some of which proved both interesting and instructive. Still it was observed that he carefully removed the ear- trumpet whenever any part of a sentence bore hard on his state as a sinner before God. 286 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. In his second interview, the minister made more guarded and careful approaches to the conscience of the old sailor, and by gradually exhibiting til in the use of seafaring allusions, he awakened his attention. Aware of the artifice of his auditor, he held the ear-trumpet fast with his own hand, and by day and night he explained and enforced the great truths of the gospel of God. At length success crowned his efforts. Animated by the injunction — " In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand ; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good ;" he had the happiness of seeing that sailor, once so hostile to divine truth, humble, teachable, grateful, and prayerful. He died in the spring of 1839, in the attitude of prayer, leaving behind him satisfac- tory evidence that the language of devotion was fol- lowed by that of praise. His remains were interred before a small place of worship in one of the bays of the Kentish coast ; and it is delightful to add, that his widow and three daughters rejoice, it is be- lieved, in a scriptural hope of meeting him in glory. A WORD FITLY SPOKEN. The biographer of Mr. Ouseley remarks, that he never let an opportunity pass unimproved, whether riding by the way, or at the houses of his friends. Among other instances of his fidelity and success he relates the two following : — " I remember spending an evening in his com- PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 287 pany, in the house of a friend in Bumsokane, where a large company were at tea. A young lady sat at his right hand, who had not discovered any indica- tions of seriousness ; he turned to her sister-in-law, who was on his left, a person of piety and sense, and said, ' Is this young lady born again V The 4ady replied, ' She is of age, ask her.' That mo- ment the young lady was filled with deep emotion — cried to God for mercy, and soon tasted that the Lord was gracious. The whole company felt the divine influence ; such, indeed, was his general mode of spending a social hour with his friends that these opportunities were turned into means of grace. Very often his occasional conversations, as he tra- velled, were attended with similar gracious effects. One instance of this kind Mr. Noble mentions. - On one occasion,' says Mr. N., 'as he was travel- ling in the county of Wicklow, and while his horse stopped to drink in a stream that ran across the road, Mr. O. saw a young woman standing at her father's door ; he went toward her, took her by the hand, spoke to her a few moments about her soul, and at parting prayed that the blessing of the Lord might rest upon her. About two years afterward he happened to be in the country : after preaching in a gentleman's house in that neighbourhood, a young man came up to him, and invited him to his house. The next evening, on his arrival, the lady of the house received him in the most affectionate manner, saying, ' Mr. Ouseley, I believe you don't know me. 5 He replied, ' No, my dear, I do not.' She then re- 288 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. Dftlled the circumstance above narrated to his recol- lection, and added, ' I am the person you addressed on that occasion ; up to that period I had known no- thing of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, but the observations you made resulted in my con- version : I am now a married woman ; the young man who invited you is my husband, and is ■ leader. The Lord is with us, and is blessing us ; and we now rejoice to see under our roof my father in the gospel.' " REV. JOHN SMITH. " Mr. Smith," says his biographer, u excelled in pastoral qualifications and duties, and was often emi- nently useful in private society. ' Kindness,' says Mr. Calder, ' was peculiarly prominent in his moral constitution, and gave to his piety the most interest- ing forms of sweetness and benignity. Hence the absence of all austerity from his manners. Of this children seemed to be conscious, and soon attached themselves to him with peculiar fondness, which he amply returned. In this respect he resembled the founder of Methodism, and I may add, the Founder of our holy religion also. Not satisfied with merely doing the work of the pulpit, he deemed it right to acquaint himself with, and frequently to visit, every family connected with the society. An unconverted individual in such a family became the subject of his peculiar solicitude, and he was placed upon his list to be specifically remembered before God with many tears and persevering intercessions. This PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 289 ceaseless concern for the children and servants of our people was attended with glorious results. My house was frequently the scene of holy triumph ; for if a visit was paid to me by any of the children of our friends, residing in other parts of the kingdom, they became the objects of his peculiar regard. By his kind and affectionate behaviour, he first ingra- tiated himself into their favour, and then, watching the effect of his admonitions, he was restless till they obtained the mercy of God. Never shall I forget the case of one of the sons of the late Mr. B., of London, upon whom, while paying a visit to my house at Brighton, Mr. S. commenced a serious at- tack on the subject of his salvation. This was fol- lowed up from day to day, till the young man be- came duly impressed with the importance of religion ; and not long after, our departed friend called me into his study, to join with them in praising God for hav- ing bestowed upon this person a sense of pardon. He shortly after returned to his family a truly con- verted character,' and subsequently became a zeal- ous local preacher. ' The daughter of one of our London friends,' Mr. C. adds, ' was brought to God in a similar manner.' " Another incident which occurred about this time, will serve to exemplify the same subject. Having to go to a distant part of the Brighton cir- cuit, Mr. S. stayed to dine at an intermediate village. After dinner, an interesting and intelligent servant girl, of about fourteen years of age, who was engaged in the room in which he sat, arrested his attention. 19 290 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. ' Corao hither, my dear,' said he, in his usually se- rious and impressive manner, ■ I wish to speak to you.' She immediately came, and, looking very earnestly in his face, awaited, with an appearance of great interest, what he had to say. ' Do you know that you are a sinner V he asked. Heaving a deep sigh, she replied, ■ Yes, sir.' ' Do you know that you will be lost unless your sins are pardoned V 'Yes, sir.' * Are you unhappy V 'Yes, sir.' 'Do you ever pray V ' Yes.' ' Do you say your pray- ers, or do you ask for anything you feel you want V ' I say my prayers.' ' But you could ask me for anything you wanted, could you not V ' Yes, sir.' ' Suppose you were a very poor girl, and went to Mrs. S. to beg, you could tell her of your distress, and ask her to give you something V In a voice full of emotion, she replied, 'Yes, sir. 1 ' Well, you are a poor distressed sinner : God pities you : you can ask him to forgive you. Shall 1 pray for you * what shall I pray for V " The poor child could not reply for weeping. They then kneeled down, and in a very few minutes she began to cry aloud for mercy, and to com bewail her sins in a remarkably fluent and affecting manner. She continued to cry till God revealed his Son in her heart. The change in her countenance and accents was astonishing. She praised God in a loud and joyful voice ; and with a faith that greatly surprised Mr. S., who stood at her side, interceded for her relations, for all sinners, and for the world at large. Her gratitude taught her new and elo- PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 291 quent language ! With extraordinary emphasis she said, over and over again, ' Jesus has died for me ! Jesus has died for me ! Blessed Jesus ! Blessed Jesus ! my God ! — my Father ! God pities me ; God loves me, and I love my God ! O when shall I be with thee in glory, to praise thy name forever and ever V &c. She continued on her knees for more than an hour, and her state of rapture was so extreme, that, as Mr. S. afterward said, it seemed as if it had been impossible for her to have survived so overpowering a revelation of the divine love." KEY. J. WESLEY AND THE EARL OP HUJTTDTGDOtf. Speaking one day of the late Lady Huntingdon, says Rev. Henry Moore, "Mr. Wesley, shortly before his death, gave me this account respecting her ladyship's only son. His lordship, who had a great personal re- spect for Mr. Wesley, as they were sitting alone to- gether one day, observed, ' I should wish, sir, to have some conversation with you on the subject of religion ; the lady my mother is too importunate with me on these matters.' Mr. Wesley assented, replying, ' What point would your lordship choose for discussion V 1 The difficulties of revelation,' it was subjoined. Mr. Wesley continued, ' My lord, had we not better begin with the difficulties of what is termed natural religion V The earl replied, ' Sir, you surprise me ; I thougbt there were no difficulties in natural reli- gion.' Mr. Wesley answered, ' My lord, there are difficulties ; and such as I doubt neither you nor I H BTHODS »>; i SEFULN1 What does your lordship think of the Jirs-t point in all religion, tin' worship of an • God ' What idea has your lordship of a Being with- out beginning and without end I 1 His lord^i silent for some time, and then expressed himself as 4 utterly lust in the idea of such an existence.' ' And on must believe it ; ur lordship get on one step without believing it V The reply was, ' I cannot. 1 ' Well, then,' added Mr. Wesley, ' my lord, in all religion we must take the very first point for granted, and that, too, with the highest reason ; and yet we can form no concep- tion of it : the idea of an eternal Being is too vast for finite intelligence : let us, then, converse a little re- specting the evidences of religion. 1 Mr. Wesley being fully master of this subject, the conversation was long, interesting, and satisfactory. His lord- ship made this objection, ' How can 1 be certain that this record, while I cannot deny any part of it, was ever realized by any man !' ' The sau. lord, which assures you of the facts, gi\ clearest account of those who testify to th< and in such a manner as, admitting one, doubt is shut out from the other ; and I could bring you a hundred witnesses, out of the book-, who can now, any day, assure you of the same facts. 1 ' 0/ replied his lordship, 4 my mother tells me enough of that would bring me to personal experience, which as yet I cannot receive.' " And so the conversation ended ; but, oh Mr. Wesley, ' I have a good hope in reference to the PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 293 earl ; believing that for some time before his death, his lordship was a changed man.' " The earl of Huntingdon died in the prime of youth- ful vigour, in a fit of apoplexy, while sitting at table with a party of friends. WESLEY AND HOWARD. The name of Howard, throughout Christendom, is a household word. There is scarce an intelligent school-boy who has not heard of the philanthropist " who visited all Europe, not to collect medals or collate manuscripts, but to dive into the depths of dungeons, to plunge into the infection of hospitals, to survey the mansions of sorrow and pain, to take the gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt ; to remember the forgotten, to visit the forsaken, and to compare and collate the distress of all men, in all countries." But it is not so generally known, that, although each moved in his own sphere, the exemplar of Howard was Wesley. That such was the fact, will appear by the following incidents, from the life of Rev. Henry Moore.* In a letter from Alexander Knox, Esq., to Mr. Moore, Mr. Knox remarks : — " In the course of Mr. Howard's tour through Ire- land, in the year 1787, he spent a few days in Lon- donderry, (where I then resided.) I earnestly wished to see him, but bad health confined me to the house, and I thought I could not be gratified : such * A very interesting volume, published at the Methodist Book Concern, 200 Mulberry-street. VARIOUS METHOD 01 ISEFUI.M were my thoughts, when I was told a gentleman had called to see me. It was Mr. Howard : I was de- lightfully surprised : I acknowledged it as one of tho happiest moments of my life. He came to see me, because he understood I was Mr. Wesley's friend ; he began immediately to speak of him. He told mo he ' had seen him shortly before in Dublin ; that he had spent some hours with him, and was greatly edi- fied by his conversation. I was, said Mr. Howard, encouraged by him to go on vigorously with my own designs. I saw in him how much a single man might achieve by zeal and perseverance ; and I thought, why may not I do as much in my way as Mr. Wes- ley has done in his, if I am only as assiduous and persevering ? and I determined I would pursue my work with more alacrity than ever.' I cannot quit this subject," continues Mr. Knox, " without observ- ing that, excepting Mr. Wesley, no man ever gave me a more perfect idea of angelic goodness than Mr. Howard : his whole conversation exhibited a most interesting tissue of exalted piety, meek simplicity, and glowing charity. His striking adieu I shall never forget. ' Farewell, sir,' said he ; ' when we meet again may it be in heaven, or further on our way to it.' Precious man, may your prayer be an- swered, ' May my soul be with thine !' M Mr. Moore proceeds to his own personal interview with Mr. Howard thus : — 11 In the beginning of the year 1789 Mr. Howard called at Mr. Wesley's house, in the City Road, Lon- don, in order to take his leave of him previously to PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 295 his again flying to the continent at the call of mercy. Mr. Howard carried his last quarto upon the jails under his arm, in order to present it to his friend ; but Mr. Wesley was on his way to Ireland. We were then residing at the City Road, and Mr. Howard favoured us with his company for upwards of an hour. " He delightfully called to mind the former days, when he had first heard Mr. Wesley, at his seat in Bedfordshire, and well recollected the discourse which made the first impression on his mind. " ' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' Eccles. ix, 10. 'I have,' added Mr. How- ard, ' but one thing to do, and I strive to do it with my might. " ' The Lord has taken away whatever might have been an incumbrance : all places are alike to me, for I find misery in all. He gives me continual health ; I have no need to be careful for anything. I eat no animal food, and can have all I want in the most in- convenient situations. Present my respects and love to Mr. Wesley : tell him I had ho^ed to see him once more : perhaps we may meet again in this world ; but if not, we shall meet, I trust, in a better.' " We hung upon his lips delighted. Such a pic- ture of love, simplicity, and cheerfulness, we have seldom seen. Taking his leave, Mr. Howard said, ' I think I have gained a little knowledge concerning the plague : I shall therefore, after visiting the Rus- 296 VARIOUS M nan camp, pass into the Turkish, and from thence, by Constantinople, to Egypt. 1 So he pur; Moore, " his heart being enlarged with the love of God and man. " But while this angel of mercy was ministering to the sons of war, in the hospital of the Russian camp, God said, ' It is enough, come up hither, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !' " REV. MR. DODD ASD A NOBLEMAN. A nobleman, one of the former lords Say and Sele, who lived in the neighbourhood of the Rei Dodd, one day asked him to dine with him. Before dinner they walked into the garden, and after view- ing the various productions and rarities with which it abounded, his lordship exclaimed. "Well, Mr. Dodd, you see I want for nothing ; I have all that my heart can wish for. 1 ' As Mr. Dodd made no reply, but appeared thoughtful, his lordshi, him the reason. "Why, my lord," said the old man, "I have been thinking that a man may have all these things, and go to hell after all' words powerfully struck the nobleman, and, through the blessing of* God, terminated in his lordship's conversion. REV. W. E. MILLER. It was the daily and constant practice of the hte W. E. Miller, and which he carried down to the close of his life, to preach, as his biographer terms it, to persons in the streets, and by the road- side. PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 297 He habitually accosted parties he might meet, whe- ther rich or poor, young or old. And his appear- ance was so saintly, his manners so courteous, and his spirit so Christian and holy, that he seems rarely to have given offence. He informed a friend of ours, that though he had done this for many years, yet he had never met with anything remarkably rude in return for his kind offices, but once ; that was from a gentleman, who threatened corporeal punishment. The same friend observed him on a cold winter's day, with the sleet furiously falling, in pursuit of a poor beggar. He had accosted him on the usual subject, and not relishing his affectionate appeals, he crossed the street to make his escape. But Mr. Miller, in the feebleness of age, (for it took place only a year or two before his death,) girt up his ut- most strength, followed the poor man, and was seen in close conversation with him, till some turn of the street placed them out of sight. " Knowing that a friend had lived in one of the places where Mr. Miller was stationed," adds his biographer, "I inquired if he knew him. 'Not in the place in question,' was the reply, ' but I and my sisters met him once in a street in Sheffield, the only time I ever saw him, and he accosted us. ' Well, my dears, are you praying this morning ? are you happy in the love of Jesus V gave us some good advice, and passed on. One instance more may be mentioned. Two ladies of my acquaintance, then recently come to Sheffield, w r ere walking in one of the lanes in the suburbs of the town, when they 298 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. were met by Mr. Miller. He knew them not, and one had at that time never seen him. The other had been present at a meeting the night before, in which he had engaged in prayer, and being much struck with his spirit, was speaking of him, when he suddenly broke in upon them, and accosting them — ' Well, my dears, is it all prayer this morning ? Are you lifting up your souls to God for his bles- sing 1 Is Jesus all in all 1 Is he precious I 1 One answered his inquiries. ' Bless the Lord ! bless the Lord !' he exclaimed. ' Now seek for a clean heart, my dears ; get entirely sanctified. O ! the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.' Then speak- ing of his experience, he exclaimed, ' Good morning, get to your knees, my dears.' Being impressed by his manner and address, they turned round to look after a form so lovely ; when at a short distance, they beheld him stopping a servant-maid who was bustling up the road, apparently on an errand, with a jug in her hand. What passed could not be heard, but after a parley of two or three minutes, the girl was seen moving off, and as soon as she had got clear of her instructor, she gathered up her apron, and wiped her tears. Those tears, it is to be hoped, were tears of godly sorrow." REV. MR. CHARLES. When the Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala, in Wales, met a poor man or woman on the road, he used his horse, and make the inquiry — " Can you read the Bible V He was so much in the habit of doing this, PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 299 that he became everywhere known from this prac- tice. " The gentleman who kindly asked the poor people about the Bible and their souls," was Mr. Charles. Meeting one day with an old man, on one of the mountains, he said to him, — " You are an old man, and very near another world." " Yes," said he, " and I hope I am going to heaven." " Do you know the road there, — do you know the word of God I" " Pray are you Mr. Charles V said the old man. He suspected who he was from his questions. He was frequently thus accosted when asking the poor people he met with about their eternal concerns. " Pray are you Mr. Charles 1" was often the inquiry. When he had time, he scarcely ever passed by a poor man on the road, without talking to him about his soul, and his knowledge of the Bible. When he found any ignorant of the word of God, and not able to read it, he represented to them, in a kind and simple manner, the duty and necessity of becoming acquainted with it, and feelingly and compassionately set before them the awful state of those who leave the world without knowing the word of God, and the way of saving the soul. He sometimes succeeded in persuading them to learn to read ; and the good he thus did was no doubt very great. REV. DR. SPRING. The Rev. Dr. Spring, of New- York, related some time ago that, during the period of a revival of religion, a young lady of his congregation, the object of high hope, the centre of wide influence, 300 VARIOUS METRO capable of noble things, yet careering on the giddy steep of fashion and of folly, created in him no small solicitude, as every avenue to her soul seemed i sedulously guarded. He delayed the visit of counsel and exhortation, and delayed till, rebuked by con- science, he could do so no longer. As soon as he called and was ushered into the parlour, the first and only person whom he saw was this young lady bathed in tears, who immediately exclaimed, " My dear tor, I rejoice to see you. I was fearful I was the only one who had escaped your friendly notice." What a rebuke to fear ! What an encouragement to hope and to action ! THE BROKEN WIXG. A gentleman, who saw and conversed with Dr. Payson in Boston, when he visited that city towards the latter part of his life, was led by his preaching and conversation to a degree of serious concern for his soul. His wife was still in a great measure in- different to the subject. One day, meeting her in company, he said to her, " Madam, I think your hus- band is looking upwards ; making some efforts to rise above the world, towards God and heaven. You must not let him try alone. Whenever I see the husband struggling alone in such efforts, it makes me think of a dove endeavouring to fly upwards while it has one broken wing. Jt leaps and flutters, and per- haps raises itself up a little way, and then it becomes wearied, and drops back again to the ground. If both wings co-operate, then it mounts easily." PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 301 REV. MR. VENN AND THE INN-KEEPER. A year or two after the publication of his " Com- plete Duty of Man," that excellent minister, the Rev. Henry Venn, observed, whilst sitting at the window of an inn, in the west of England, the waiter endea- vouring to assist a man who was driving some pigs on the road, while the rest of the servants amused themselves only with the difficulties which the man experienced from their frowardness. This benevo- lent trait in the waiter's character induced Mr. Venn to call him in, and to express to him the pleasure which he felt in seeing him perform this act of kind- ness. After showing him how pleasing to the Al- mighty every instance of good-will to our fellow- creatures was, he expatiated upon the love of God, in sending his Son, from the purest benevolence, to save mankind. He exhorted him to seek for that salvation which God, in his infinite mercy, had given as the most inestimable gift to man. He promised to send him a book which he had himself published ; and taking down the address of the waiter, which he was very anxious to give, he sent him, upon his return to London, a copy of The Complete Duty of Man. Many years after this, a friend travelling to see him, brought him a letter from this very person, who then kept a large inn in the west of England, having married his former master's daughter. His friend told him, that coming to that inn on a Satur- day night, and proposing to stay there till Monday, he had inquired of the servants, whether any of them 302 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. went on Sunday to a place of worship. To his sur- prise, he found that they were all required to go, at least one part of the day, and that the master, with his wife and family, never failed to attend public wor- ship, and to have family prayer, at which all the ser- vants, who were not particularly engaged, were re- quired to be present. Surprised by this uncommon sppet ranee of religion where he little expected to rind it, he inquired of the landlord by what means lie possessed such a sense of the importance of reli- gion. He was told that it was owing to a work which a gentleman had sent to him several years ago, after speaking to him, in a manner which deeply in- terested him, of the goodness of God in giving his Son to die for our sins. On desiring to see the book, he found it to be " The Complete Duty of Man." Rejoiced to find that his guest was going to p;iv I visit to Mr. Yenn,tl»e inn-keeper immediately wrote a letter, expressing, in the fulness of his heart, the obligations which he owed to Mr. Venn, and the hap- piness which himself, his wife, and many of his chil- dren and domestics enjoyed daily, in consequence of the conversation which Mr. Venn had had with him, and the book which he had sent him ; and which he had read again and again, with increasing comfort and advantage. REV. ROBERT STEPHENS M'ALL. The most eminent men have generally been distin- guished even in youth, for what have afterwards proved the most prominent features of their ohlflt PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 303 ter. This was strikingly the case with the late Rev. Dr. M'All, of Manchester. Dr. Raffles, in his funeral sermon, speaking of his youth, says : — . " At this period an event occurred which I can- not forbear to mention, because it marks the vigour of his intellect, and the extent of his information, and the estimation in which, on these accounts, even at that early age, he was held by one well qualified to form an accurate estimate of both. Calling one afternoon on Dr. Olinthus Gregory, at Woolwich, intending to stay a short time and return, the doctor constrained him to remain, saying, that he expected some young men, students in the military college, to tea, who were under the influence of infidel principles, and that he knew of no one with whom he was more desirous they should converse upon the points at issue, than his youthful visitor. With his charac- teristic modesty, he shrank from the proposed inter- view, and would fain have retired. Dr. Gregory, however, would take no denial, and he at length con- sented to remain, but only so far to take part in the conversation as that, in the event of Dr. Gregory omitting anything that might seem to him to be ma- terial, he would endeavour to supply the deficiency. The expected guests arrived ; the subject of Chris- tianity was introduced ; its young apologist was in- duced to speak ; and, having once begun, he poured forth such a strain of eloquent and irresistible argu- mentation, that the conversion of at least two of the party was the happy result. VARIOUS VETUOl joh mwooDi em honourable matron, had long followed the truth, and, in the days of Queen .Mars , i visit the prisons, and comfort and relieve the 1 1 lessors. Afterwards, she was under most dif re and doubts respecting b \atiun ; her sorrow was such that she sunk into de- spair. Her health became affected ; she appeared to be in a deep consumption, even on the brink of the grave. In this desponding state she had been for twenty years, and neither physicians nor divines were able to benefit her, either as to her body or her soul. At length she sent for Fox, the author of " The Book of Martyrs." Those who went with him. said that they never entered a more sorrowful or afflicted house. Several friends, relatives, and serva: by the sick woman, some on seats, some on the chamber floor, not weeping as in a common case of sorrow, but absolutely silent, as though their tears were all spent, scarcely noticing any that ( i The sick woman lay upon her bed, apparently near her end, faintly breathing forth a few words, which were in effect a desire to end her days. Fox did not attempt the ordinary methods of consolation, but prayed earnestly, pleading the faithfulness of God's promises, and Christ's Bufferings. This course he pursued for some days, though with but little i At length he told her, that she should not only re- cover from that disease, bul also live to and, what was far better, that she had an into! PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 305 Christ, and should go to heaven. She, moved at his words, and earnestly beholding him, exclaimed that she should surely be damned, adding, " As well might you say, that if I should throw this glass against the wall, I might expect that it should not be broken in pieces." And immediately dashed down a Venice glass she had in her hand. It struck a chest, from whence it fell to the ground, without receiving the smallest injury. The event proved according to the words of Fox. Mrs. Honiwood, who was then sixty years of age, recovered, and lived till she was ninety, in peace and comfort, being able to reckon up three hundred and sixty-seven descendants. REV. E. CECIL. " I had been known," says one, " to Mr. Cecil, as an occasional hearer at St. John's, and by soliciting his advice at my commencing master of a family ; but some years had passed since I enjoyed the pleasure of speaking to him, when he called at my house on horseback, being then unable to walk, and desired to speak with me. After the usual salutations, he ad- dressed me thus : — ' I understand you are very dan- gerously situated !' He then paused. I replied, that I was not aware of it. He answered, ' I thought it was probable you were not ; and therefore I called on you ; I hear you are getting rich ; take care, for it is the road by which the devil leads thousands to destruction !' This was spoken with such solemnity and earnestness, that the impression will ever remain on my memory." 20 306 VARIOUS METHODS OF rsEFT'LNESS. THE SUFFERER COMFORTED. Dr. Payson one day called upon a sick person, who was very much troubled because she could not keep her mind all the time fixed upon Christ, on account of the distracting- influences of her sufferings, and the various objects and occurrences of the sick-room, which constantly called off her attention. S afraid that she did not love her Saviour, as she found it so difficult to fix her mind upon him. Dr. Payson said, " Suppose you were to see a sick little child, lying in its mother's lap, with its faculties impaired by its sufferings, so that it was generally in a troubled sleep ; but now and then, it just opens its eyes a little, and gets a glimpse of its mother's face, so as to be recalled to the recollection that it is in its mother's arms ; and suppose that always, at such a time, it should smile faintly with evident pleasure to find where it was ; should you doubt whether that child loved its mother or not !" The poor sufferer's doubt and despondency were gone in a moment. REV. W. E. MILLER. After his conversion, the Rev. W. E. Miller, in private amongst his friends, used persuasion of the most tender and importunate kind, to win them to Christ, never failing to bear witness to thi work wrought in his own heart, and extolling the free and all-sufficient grace of Cod. The following anecdote is told by one of the parties who furnished notes for his memoir, in illustration of tlii.s. " Iking PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 307 at that time in the habit of visiting, professionally, the family of the late Lord , he took an oppor- tunity to rehearse to them the particulars of his con- version, thinking, like most young converts, that they had only to be told these wonderful things, in order to receive and embrace them. This was ' as bread cast on the waters,'' for, after the lapse of many years, the present Lord , who was then a youth, wrote to him, expressing his grateful remembrance of his visits to his father's house, and the religious testi- mony he bore. " This instance is only the pattern of a general practice. It shows, however, the heroic nature of his faith at this early period, as well as fidelity to God. He did not, like too many, " put his light under a bushel" or appear in the presence even of the noble and the wealthy, after his profession of Christ, as a criminal, with downcast looks and igno- minious shame. AN EXPERIMENT. "I think it was during the year 1834," says the Rev. J. S.,"I called upon an ingenious mechanic, who has since become noted for useful patented in- ventions, and who was a skeptic. I said to him, 1 William, you are an ingenious person, and love to make experiments in chemistry, and other branches of science, — now, will you not be willing to make one experiment, in reference to that religion you deem a fable ? If it should be true, of course you wish to know it. If it is but a fable, you cannot be injured by the experiment, as it will be attended with 308 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. no gTeat sacrifice, nor expense.' He replied, 4 What do you wish me to do, in order to expr on such a mysterious subject?' ' I wish you to go into your closet every evening of the present week, commencing with this, (Monday,) and kneel down, and repeat the Lord's prayer, on your knees, and I will call again and see you on Saturday night. 1 He replied, ' I think I will,' and I left him. On Satur- day night I found him sitting bent forward, with his face resting on his hand, in a thoughtful mood. ' Well, William, have you made the experiment agreed upon V He replied, after a sigh and a pause, ' I have ; and I am at a loss to account for the opera- tion of my own mind. On Monday evening, about sunset, I ascended the steps leading to my bed-room, and kneeled down with no kind of seriousness. I recited the prayer, and laughed at what appeared a ridiculous absurdity! On Tuesday evening, on again to my retirement, I was affected in a more seri- ous manner. In ascending the stairs, my knees grew weak, I trembled, but knew not why. On Wednesday evening, when bowed on my knees, I found that the power of speech was withdrawn. I was a long time in a kneeling posture before I could utter a word. On Thursday and Friday evenings, I had to drag myself to the place, where I promised you I would repeat the Lord's prayer ; and had I not made an engagement on my honour, I would not have gone. This evening, I was longer on my knees than on any former evening ; and now it as my deliberate conviction, that man nc\ PRIVATE INTERCOURSE. 309 ginated that form of prayer. I believe, also, that there is a Divine religion revealed in the Bible, and that there is an evil spirit, that has an influence on man, to hinder him in his praying efforts. What I may be hereafter, I know not. My peace is now in- terrupted, and I would like to be right.' " I gave him the best advice in my power. His in- fidelity received from this experiment a mortal blow, but it was more than two years before he experi- enced justification by faith. After his conversion he joined the M. E. Church, of which he continues a member until the present time." SAMUEL HICK. This singular but most devoted man was in the habit of visiting much among the sick, and as he was no respecter of persons, he attended people of every persuasion, and in every rank in life, to whom he could find access. Among others, he visited the wife of old William Hemsworth, who died in 1820. William and his sons, having united themselves to the Wesleyan society, were in the habit of accom- panying Samuel to different places, in his religious excursions. She, being a rigid Roman Catholic, looked upon Samuel as a heretic, leading them astray from the true faith. Affliction at length overtook her, on her route to the grave ; and, what was not a little singular, she sent for Samuel to pray with her. His prayers were effectual — her heart was smitten — the clouds of ignorance and superstition rolled off in succession from her understanding, like mists 310 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNE88. from the face of a landscape before the morning sun. On the arrival of the priest, under whose guidance ■he had been fur a number of years, he was to hei apartment ; but instead of waiting for instruc- tion, she upbraided him for not having inculcated upon her the necessity of the " new birth,'" stating at the same time, that she derived " more good from Sammy Hick's prayer, than from all that" she M had heard before, and that if" she recovered, she would " go among the Methodists." The daughter asked the priest to pray with her mother ; but supposing her too far gone in heresy for recovery, he retired, saying, "I have done with her." It is pleasing to add, that the woman died in possession of " perfect peace." ANSWERS TO PRAYER. REV. JOHN JANEWAT. The father of this eminently devoted young minister was Rev. Wm. Janeway, minister of Kelshall in Hertfordshire, England. Being sick, and under somewhat dark apprehensions as to the state of his soul, he would often say to his son John, " O ! son ! this passing into eternity is a great thing, this dying is a solemn business, and enough to make one's heart ache, that hath not his pardon sealed, and his evi- dence for heaven clear. And truly, son, I am under no small fears as to my own estate for another world. O that God would clear his love ! O that I could say ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 311 cheerfully, ' I can, upon good grounds, be able to look death in the face, and venture upon eternity with well-grounded peace and comfort!"' Seeing his father continuing under despondings of spirit, (though no Christian that knew him but had a high esteem of him for his uprightness,) he got by himself, and spent some time in wrestling with God upon his account, earnestly begging of God that he would fill his father with joy unspeakable in believ- ing, that he might joyfully and honourably leave this world. After he was risen from his knees, he came down to his father, and asked him how he felt him- self. His father made him no answer for some time, but wept exceedingly, (a passion that he was not sub- ject to,) and continued for some considerable time weeping, so that he was not able to speak. But at last, having recovered himself, with unspeakable joy he burst out : " O son, now it is come ! it is come ! it is come ! it is come ! I bless God, I can die ; the Spirit of God hath witnessed with my spirit that I am his child. Now I can look up to God as my dear Father, and Christ as my Redeemer ; I can now say, ' This is my friend, and this is my beloved.' My heart is full, it is brimfull, I can hold no more. I know now what that sentence means, ' The peace of God which passeth understanding ;' I know now what that white stone is, wherein a new name is written, which none know but they who have it. And that fit of weeping which you saw me in, was a fit of overpowering love and joy, so great that I could not contain myself: neither can I express what glori- 312 VARIOUS METHODS OF USEFULNESS. ous discoveries God hath made of himself unto me. And had that joy been greater, I question win could have borne it, and whether it would not have separated soul and body. Bless the Lord, O my soul ! and all that is within me, bless his holy name, that hath pardoned all nay sins, and sealed the par- don. He hath healed my wounds, and caused the bones which he hath broken to rejoice. O help me to bless the Lord ! He hath put a new song into my mouth : O bless the Lord for his infinite goodness ! O ! now I can die ! It is nothing, I bless God, I can die. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ." You may well think that his son's heart was not a little refreshed to hear such words, and see such a sight, and to meet the messenger that he had sent to heaven, returned back again so speedily. It was so immediate and clear an answer of his own pravers, as if God had said to him, " Thy tears and prayers are heard for thy father : thou "hast, like a prince, prevailed with God ; thou hast got the blessing : go down and see." Upon this the young man too broke forth into praises, and even into an ecstasy of joy, th should deal so familiarly with him ; and the father and son together were so full of joy, light, life, love, and praise, that there was a little heaven in the place. He could not then but express himself in this man- ner : " O blessed, forever blessed be God for his in- finite grace! O who would not pray unto Cod? Verily, he is a God that heareth prayers, and that my soul knows right well." And then he told his ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 313 joyful father how much he was affected with his for- mer despondings, and what he had been praying for just before, with all the earnestness he could. His father hearing this, and perceiving that his former comforts came by prayer, and his own child's prayer too, was the more refreshed, and the more confirmed that it was from the Spirit of God, and no delusion. And immediately, his son standing by, he fell into another fit of triumphant joy, his weak body being almost ready to sink under that great weight of glory that shone so powerfully upon his soul. He could then say, " Now let thy servant depart in peace ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." PRAYING FOR PAIR WEATHER. In the life of the Rev. Robert Blair, a Scottish minister of the seventeenth century, the following passage occurs : — " There having been incessant rain for a month in harvest, the corn was growing a finger-length in the sheaves, and the whole crop was in hazard of perish- ing. In this deplorable situation, the people resolv- ed solemnly, by humiliation and fasting, to beseech the Lord to avert the threatened famine. When the day came it rained heavily from morning till night ; so that the Lord seemed to be thrusting out their prayers from him. But that same night he sent a mighty wind, which did fully dry the corn and check the growing ; and this wind continuing to blow fair for two days, the people ceased neither night nor day, till the whole corn was got in. During these 314 VARIOUS METHODS 01' I'Sl-FULNI. two days, I and two neighbouring ministers were continuing our supplications and thanksgivings to the Lord for this great mercy." "THE PRAYEB OP FAITH SHALL SAVE THE 9I0K." A clergyman, some time since, concluding a ser- mon to youth, took occasion to press upon parents the duty of parental faith, and illustrated its power in the following manner : — " About two-and-twenty years ago, a little circle were met around the appa- rently dying couch of a mfele infant ; the man of God who led their devotions, seemed to forget the sick- ness of the child in his prayer for his future useful- ness. He prayed for the child who had been con- secrated to God at its birth, as a man, a Christian, and a minister of the word. The parents were enabled to pray and believe with him. The child recovered, grew towards manhood, ran far in the ways of folly and sin. One after another of that little circle ascended to heaven ; but two of them at least, and one of them the mother, lived to hear him proclaim the everlasting gospel. It is," said the preacher, " no fiction : that child, that prodigal youth, that preacher, is he who now addresses you." LUTHER'S PRAYER FOR MELANCTHON. At a certain time Luther received an expn - ing that his bosom friend ami co-worker in the refor- mation, Philip Melancthon, was lying at the point of death ; upon which information lie immediately set ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 315 out upon the journey of some hundred and fifty miles, to visit him, and upon his arrival he actually found all the distinctive features of death, such as the glazed eye, the cold clammy sweat, and insensible lethargy, upon him. Upon witnessing these sure in- dications of a speedy dissolution, as he mournfully bent over him, he exclaimed with great emotion, " O, how awful is the change wrought upon the visage of my dear brother !" On hearing this voice, to the astonishment of all present, Melancthon opened his eyes, and looking up into Luther's face, remarked, " O, Luther, is this you % Why don't you let me de- part in peace ?" Upon which Luther replied, " O no, Philip, we cannot spare you yet." Luther then turned away from the bed, and fell upon his knees, with his face towards the window, and began to wrestle with God in prayer, and to plead with great fervency, for more than an hour, the many proofs re- corded in Scripture of his being a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God ; and also how much he stood in need of the services of Melancthon, in fur- thering that cause, in which the honor and glory of God's great name, and the eternal welfare of unnum- bered millions of immortal souls, were so deeply in- terested ; and that God should not deny him this one request, to restore him the aid of his well-tried brother Melancthon. He then rose up from prayer, and went to the bedside again, and took Melancthon by the hand. Upon which Melancthon again re- marked, " O, dear Luther, why don't you let me de- part in peace V To which Luther again answered; 316 VARIOUS METHODS OF 01 " No, no, Philip, we cannot possibly spare you from the field of labour yet." Luther then requested the nurse to go and make him a dish of soup, according to his instructions ; which being prepared, was brought to Luther, who requested his friend M thon to eat of it. Mclancthon again asked him, " O, Luther, why will you not let me go home, and be at rest |" To which Luther replied as before, " Philip, we cannot spare you yet." Melancthon then ex- hibited a disinclination to partake of the nourishment prepared for him. Upon which Luther remarked, " Philip, eat, or I will excommunicate you." Me- lancthon then partook of the food prepared, and im- mediately grew better, and was speedily restored to his wonted health and strength again, and laboured for years afterwards with his coadjutors in the bless- ed cause of the reformation. Upon Luther's arrival at home, he narrated to his beloved wife Catharine the above circumstances, and added, " God gave me my brother Melancthon back in direct answer to prayer ;" and added further, with patriarchal simplicity, " God on a former occasion gave me also you back, Kata, in answer to my prayer." DELIVERANCE OF NEW-ENGLAND. " Blessings," says Dwight, " have in many instances been given, after fervent prayers have ascended to God, when none but God could have contributed to their existence ; when they were utterly unattaina- ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 317 ble by any human efforts, and after all hope of obtain- ing them, except by prayer, had vanished. " I am bound, as an inhabitant of New-England, solemnly to declare, that, were there no other in- stances to be found in any other country, the bless- ings communicated to this would furnish ample satis- faction concerning this subject, to every sober, much more to every pious man. Among these, the de- struction of the French armament under the Duke D'Anville, in the year 1746, ought to be remember- ed with gratitude and admiration by every inhabitant of this country. This fleet consisted of forty ships of war ; was destined for the destruction of New- England; was of sufficient force to render that de- struction, in the ordinary progress of things, certain ; sailed from Chebucto, in Nova Scotia, for this pur- pose ; and was entirely destroyed, on the night fol- lowing a general fast throughout New-England, by a terrible tempest. Impious men, who regard not the work of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, and who, for that reason, are finally destroyed, may refuse to give God the glory of this most merciful interposition. But our ancestors had, and it is to be hoped their descendants ever will have, both piety and good sense sufficient to ascribe to Jehovah the greatness, and the power, and the victory, and the majesty ; and to bless the Lord God of Israel forever and ever." 318 VARIOUS MI SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. Ix his efforts to do good this apostolic minister [Rev. J. Fletcher] manifested a zeal and rarely seen, and was frequently rewarded with cess as striking- as the means employed to obtain it. A poor collier, still living a few years since, and upwards of eighty years of age, used to relate that in the former part of his life he was extremely pro- fligate, and that Mr. Fletcher frequently sought op- portunities to warn him of his danger : '* for,'* added he "he used always to run after such wicked fellows as I was whenever he saw us, in order that he might talk with us and warn us." Being aware of his pious minister's intentions, this man \\ : as soon as he saw him to run home with all speed and close the door before Mr. Fletcher could r< and thus, for many months together, he escaped his deserved reproofs. The holy man, however, still persevering in his attempts, on one occasion outran this determined sinner, and obtained possession of his house before him. The poor man, awed by tl sence of his minister, and softened by the persuasive kindness of his manner, was greatly affected, and re- ceived those religious impressions which soon ended in a thorough change of heart and life. SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 319 REV. JOHN SMITH AND THE CORPORAL. Among those for whom Mr. Smith was peculiarly interested, was a corporal who once enjoyed religion, but who had forsaken God and his people. His wife was a pious woman : she mourned deeply on his ac- count, and perseveringly prayed for his restoration. It was one day impressed on Mr. Smith's mind to visit this man, and, accompanied by Mrs. S., he walked as far as the door of his house, where he met his wife. "Well, Mrs. B.," said he, "where is your husband V With much confusion, she re- plied, " Yonder he is, going to the races." " I will follow him," he said, and without entering the dwel- ling, hastily set off in the direction indicated. The corporal soon perceived that he was pursued, and quickening his pace, succeeded, before Mr. S. came up with him, in getting into a ferry-boat, which would have taken him across the river to within a few minutes' walk of the race-course. The boatman, however, had to put back for another passenger. This brought him near the friend whom he so much wished to shun, who solemnly accosted him with, " Did you pray about it before you set out V The inquiry fastened on his conscience : he went to the races, and was wretched : " Did you pray before you set out"?" still seemed to ring in his ears. He soon returned home, but he could not succeed in dislodg- ing the arrow which was fixed in his heart. When Mr. Smith next visited him, he was in deep distress. Mr. S. invited him to unite himself to the people of 320 VARI0U8 METHOD8 OF ISF.Ff LN'ESS. God. He dill so, and never rested till the Lord healed his backslidings, and restored him to his favmir. He became a useful character, and an ac- tive class-leader in the regiment. KEY. J. SMITH AND THE PUBLII Mr. Smith's house was frequently resorted to by persons under the awakenings of the Holy Spirit, and scarcely a week elapsed in which it was not the scene of devout exultation, on account of the libera- tion of some captive soul. One afternoon, a stranger called in deep distress. Mr. S. invited him to take tea, and inquired into the means by which he had come under religious concern. He stated that his name was D , that he was a publican at Hamp- stead, and that for many years he had given himself up to the love and practice of vice. He never at- tended any place of worship, was a gambler, a hard drinker, and, in short, a sinner in almost every con- ceivable way. One of his companions in riot, having left his house in a state of intoxication, had fallen into a river and was drowned. This accident a him to alarm and inquiry, which was increased by the discovery that his own mind was so weakened, probably in consequence of intemperance, that he was unable to keep his accounts. He thought that he was about to lose his reason, and while under the influence of this distressing apprehension, the enor- mity of his past sins was powerfully presented to his mind, with the fear of something more awful than ov.ti madness. In this state, he recollected a pious SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 321 person whom he had formerly known ; to him he ap- plied for counsel, and this friend brought him down to Windsor, that he might receive the benefit of Mr. Smith's direction and prayers. Such was the ac- count which he gave of himself; but his distress was so great, that before tea was concluded he was down upon the floor ; and it was a solemn spectacle, — to see a large, muscular man prostrated by extreme an- guish, while he groaned and prayed in unspeakable disquietude. It happened to be the night on which Mr. Smith met a class which he had formed, to the members of which, after the ordinary conversation had concluded, he introduced the case of this peni- tent, and requested their intercession on his behalf ; at the same time urging him to the exertion of faith in Christ, and the expectation of a present salvation. The struggle was continued for a considerable time. At length Mr. S. perceived that the man was relax- ing in his efforts. " What, will you give it up!" said he. Mr. D. complained of exhaustion. "You have danced for whole nights together," was the re- ply. " That's true," said the other, and with renew- ed energy he began again to cry to God ; nor did he rest till about eleven o'clock, when his guilt was re- moved, and he rejoiced in the assurance of the divine favour. The following morning, as he and Mr. S. were walking out, he suddenly stopped and cried, " O, my load is all returned !" In vain did -Mr. S. tell him, that this was only an effort of the tempter ; in vain did he remind him of the peace which he had before enjoyed. He remained almost on the verge 21 322 VARIOUS METHODS 01 I SS. iir the whole day. The religious services of the next, which was .Sunday, seemed to produce no benefieial effect on his mind. In the evening prayer-meeting he was again made the su!> special intercession. One of the friends employed to him an argument similar to that of N vants, — " If the prophet had bid thee do son.' thing, wouldst thou not have done r. said he, with an air of desperate energy, " 1 would stand and be shot." The meeting was continued to a late hour ; his strength was exhausted, but his soul refused comfort; and the next day he returned, promising that he would try to believe all the way home. He immediately disposed of his inn, and re- tired to a private house at lloxton. For some weeks his despondency continued, but at length the Comforter returned, and he wrote to Mr. Smith, giv- ing him an account of his deliverance. A short time afterward he took cold, fell into a rapid consumption, and died in peace. To the above the following instances may be ad- ded :— To several members of a large family residing in the neighbourhood of Nottingham, Mr. S. had been rendered very useful ; and the greater part of them were members of the society. The mother, how ever, lived without any sense of religion, and had a particular dislike to him. Her pious children had frequently solicited permission to invite him to the house, but this she strongly refused. One Sunday morning he ventured to call. The moment she saw SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 323 him, she said he seemed to look through her, and she felt that he knew all that was in her heart. After he had taken some refreshment, and while a hymn was sung, she was smitten with deep conviction for sin, and when prayer was proposed, she was glad to kneel down, that she might not be observed to weep. While Mr. S. prayed, a peculiar divine influence rested upon all present, and when another person began to pray, he went to her and said, " Well, Mrs, B., you feel yourself a sinner !" " O yes," she re- plied. " And are you willing to give up your sins V Wringing her hands in deep anguish she rejoined, " O yes, sir, I am." He then exhorted her without delay to believe on Christ for present pardon. She instantly cried, " O Lord Jesus, I will believe ! O Lord Jesus, I do believe !" She was at once filled with a joy so extreme, that for a time it seemed to overwhelm her faculties ; — she immediately united herself to the people she had once despised, and continued an example of God's abundant grace. In the beginning of the year 1828, Mr. Smith's health began to decline. One day when he was very unwell, a person called and said he must see him, as he had come upwards of twenty miles for that pur- pose. His urgency procured him admission to the chamber where Mr. S. was confined to his bed, suf- fering at once from weakness and pain. The man told him that he had been a backslider, and that for some time past he had been under deep convictions of sin ; that he had sought the Lord with many tears, I II NESS. and bad lasted and prayed, but still remained without comfort. " Yes," .- so :i long time, and be no better, unle?- God. Vou do not need to leave this room without salvation. God would rather save you to-day than to-morrow. You may die to-day, and if you die un- pardoned you are lost forever: but God u . i. He says it, and he means what he says." »' But," said the man, " if I should believe and not get the blessing !" " Do not meddle with God's busi- ness," replied Mr. S. " But it is God that saves the soul, is it not ?" " Yes ; but it is not God's work to believe, that's your business. Do your part, man, and God will do his. Go down on your knees and ask God to save you at once." He did as he was directed. Mr. S. then turned himself in 1" began to pray, but finding that his strength was gone, he stopped and said, M We cann farther, unless you will believe. How long is ( . ■ to wait for you 1" " I will believe," cried Ik tent, " I will believe ; I cannot do wrong in ing. I do believe." God answered in a moment, and filled him with such joy that he literally on his knees. "Did I not tell you," said Mr. S., exultingly, " that God would attend to Ins own busi- ness 1" The poor fellow rose, kissed Mr. Smith*! band, and hurried home in unspeakable delight. Mr. II. Beeson of Sheffield gives the fo account of a visit paid by Mr. S. in April, 16 \ dying backslider in that town. u J. W. of pious parents, and a child of many pray* SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 325 admonitions. He had at one period of his life known the power of divine grace ; but he unhappily turned aside from following the Lord, and for a number of years had persevered in his rebellious course, when it pleased the Lord to afflict him ; or, as Mr. S. used to say, ' God took him aside to remonstrate with him.' His friends became very assiduous in their attention to his spiritual interests, but such was the carnal obstinacy of his heart, that he appeared rather annoyed than profited. Several weeks passed ; his disease was making fearful progress ; he began to yield, was brought into bitterness of soul, and in this state Mr. S. found him. He said that he was very unhappy, that he had been seeking the Lord, but had not obtained mercy. Mr. S. seemed to enter into a deep sympathy for him, and inquired whether he rested on Christ for salvation. He replied that he did. ' Well, then, God accepts you in Christ, and God accepts you now in Christ,' repeating the de- claration again and again with much emphasis. He spoke and prayed for nearly an hour, and while he was pleading the promise, ' I will heal their back- slidings,' &c, the man was clearly set at liberty ; and notwithstanding his weakness, he rose up in bed and shouted the praises of God with such energy, that his voice overpowered the voices of all present." " JN PRISON AND YE VISITED ME." Nothing is more striking in the history of the first Methodists than their labours of love in prisons. Nor were these labours without success. The fol- LSS. lowing i \ Moore furnish illustrations. u I began," says Mr. M., " to visit the sick, and those m. in company with my band-mates, and others >urs of love, several years mgers* Friend G occasions we had to wit- «• most appalling scenes of disease, am! species of misery. The; :iat time made dreadful havoc among the prisoners, and I was warned against its pestilential effects ; but ' my hope was full of immortality,' and I had rather ' a desire to depart,' knowing that I should ' be with Christ.* T felt also what Mr. Charles Wesley osed to call ' a cowardly fear of life.' I therefore shunned not any sick-bed, nor the dreadful fever-ward of the Dublin Newgate. " Upon one of these occasions I was introduced by the turnkey to the cell of the condemned prisoners, where I found a young man, a soldier, under sentence of death ; but the fever seemed very near delivering him from the executioner. I continued to \ . and he soon amended. He was an Englishman, and his name was St. George ; and being rather a su- perior young man, I made further inquiries respect- ing him, and found he had been favoured whl religions knowledge, and it was ' not in word only ;' but he declined from it after he entered the army, and at length became s<> abandoned, that li< others of the same corps, became a highway Hut his career was soon mercifully stopped ; for in SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 327 an attack on a post-chaise, at night, in the Phoenix Park, a gentleman fired from the chaise ; and St. George, who was foremost, had his arm shattered by the ball. His companions escaped, but he was taken on the spot. The case was clear, and he was condemned to die, and would certainly have been executed, (as many of the soldiers then in garrison were become notorious robbers,) but his name saved him. The lady of Lord St. George, a very eminent family in Ireland, a daughter of which had a little be- fore become duchess of Leinster, declared, it seems, that she could not live if one of that name was hang- ed ! The lord lieutenant could not stand out against her distress and importunity, and St. George's life " He informed me that while he was engaged in his vicious career, he had the most dreadful convic- tions for sin ; and that when he felt the shot take place, he thanked God in his heart that he had ar- rested him even thus in his dreadful course, and he now anticipated death with satisfaction. The Lord was very gracious to him in his confinement, and had healed his backsliding. I had much fellowship with him in the ' Friend of sinners,' and parted from him with regret. He was sent to one of the foreign set- tlements — I believe to Africa — to serve for life in a corps stationed there. " We continued our merciful visits, and received much blessing and encouragement from the Lord. I have known malefactors die, not only in peace, but with joy, while they abhorred themselves ! One 328 VARIOUS METHOD^ case was singular. A condemned felon of the name Romanist, received with • only insensible to the horrors ol ion, but d than any oi He had also a most disagreeable and forbidding countenance, — a villain in I >tood up when we spoke or prayed, but immediately after resumed his v. ed pallet, and seemed as careless as ever night, however, after we had left him and his wretch- ed companions, as I was informed, he suddenly rose, and dashed himself, irons and all, against the stone floor of the cell, with such violence that those who were with him were apprehensive that his death would be the consequence, and that perhaps he had so designed it. lie was raised up, but he immedi- ately attempted the same violence again. Al he became horribly quiet, proclaiming his perdition as certain; and this doom having come froo there could be no mercy for him. He continued in this state for a few days, thankful to those wh to him, but refusing all comfort. I was at length in- formed that God had spoken peace to his troubled soul. I hastened to the jail, and being admitted to the cell, I eagerly inquired for Hoggins ; he was standing near to me, but I really did not know him! A countenance so transformed I never beheld. He was quite changed in aspect ! The was evident in his features, and his whole t'r.i took of the happiness of his spirit. In this H SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 329 lived and died, proclaiming his guilt and sin, and the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. The astonishing change had a good effect on his fellow-sufferers ; for as they were all going to execution, one of them, a Protestant, who was deeply penitent, regarded Hug- gins (whose face shone with happiness) with feel- ings that could not be uttered ; frequently crying out, ' O Lord, give me an item of it ;' that is, of pardon, which he knew Huggins possessed. The Popish priest, who attended on horseback at the place of execution, and drew up to the side of the cart, knew not what to think respecting Huggins. He seemed to regard him as the priests did Madame Guion, when they confessed her, and were confounded at the depth and purity of her religion ; or like Latimer while confessing Bilney the martyr. When the criminals had repeated the usual prayers after the priest, he pronounced them ready to die ! Huggins immediately broke out in prayer and praise, and be- gan to exhort the people, especially the young men. ' Hold your tongue, sirrah ! hold your tongue, I say !' vociferated the zealous priest. ' Sir,' said Huggins, ' the Lord encourages me ; I cannot be silent.' The whole scene was highly impressive : the sheriffs and officers seemed astonished. The happy criminal was soon translated to the paradise of God." 330 VARIOUS METHODS 01 1.38. ALEXANDER PATRICK. The late Alexander Patrick, of Airdrie, in Scotland, ihhoogh regularly employed as a local preacher, devoted himself chiefly to private personal appeals, —it being in the class-room, or by the fire-side, that himself most in his pl.t - distin- guished by the readiness with which he could sim- plify and insinuate the truth. The following illus- trations are given by the Rev. John Drake, of the way he was wont to take in bringing his auditors to actual saving faith. " He would dwell with delight on the universality, the fulness, the freeness, and the readiness of the mercy of Christ ; but, said he, ' Suppose I be hungry, and there be ever so much food in the press, what am I the better of it if the door be locked ? And if it even be brought out and dressed for me, is my hunger appeased by that cir- cumstance] Nay, although 'tis served up on the table in braw dishes, with knives, and spoons, and every convenience, and I be actually sitting bv and hungry, it will still do me na guid. Tis for me ; I am welcome ; all things are ready ; j unless I cut and eat, I may and will, for all that, perish with hunger. Just so it is with the .. I must not only know about Christ, that He and willing, and waiting to save me, but I must be- lieve on Him, trust in Him, take Him as i viour, and lord on Him in my heart by faith, cept ye eal the flesh of the Sun of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.' This little illus- SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 331 tration was much used by our friend ; and when given in his broad Scottish accent, with allusions to the customs which he knew to obtain in the family where he employed it, it has often been very effect- ive in teaching the inmates the nature of simple faith, and persuading them to exert it. " On another occasion, having to deal with a per- son who had long rested in mere dogmas and theo- ry, which had left his heart unchanged, and to whom the act of personal faith was unintelligible, Alexander Patrick, in order to point out his duty, and to encourage him to perform it, ' put his hand into his pocket, and drawing out a shilling he said, ' Weel, noo, brother C, were I to say I'll give you this shilling, wad ye believe me V ' Yes, I would, for ye're no trifler, Sandy.' ' And what, then, wad ye da, if ye thocht me in earnest V ' Why, I'd reach out my hand and take it.' ' Very well, God has in like manner gied his Son Jesus Christ for you, and to you ; and if ye would believe, ye maun just tak Him, and trust in Him.' ' 0! but I have been such a sinner.' ' Ah weel, but God does na reject sinners because they ha' sinned, but because they winna believe on, and lip-pen (listen or hearken) to his Son.' 'Well,' said C, with animation, 1 d'ye say so, Sandy 1 If God will not send me to hell for my sin only, he shall not for my unbelief. I will believe, I do believe, I believe just now ; O Je- sus, thou art my Lord, my God !' At this moment he was accepting and trusting in the Saviour, and the token of divine acceptance was instantly afforded ; 332 VARIOUS METHODS Off BM. ■ •hains fell off, irit witnessed to his spirit that he wa a child of God. The assembh d remained only to rejoic I 'od had made known so fully and clearly his readiness to pardon. And this person, r some he genuinen- u lately been called home to God, dying in the faith." In another instance " an intelligent female, who was labouring under a deep sense of sin, wa- hy Mr. Patrick, and notwithstanding all his encou- ragements and prayers, she seemed to be only in- creasingly distressed, and almost in despair. At length, while on their knees. Mr. P. said to her, ' Let us sit up a wee ;' and placing himself beside her, and looking steadily in her face, he said, ' Do ye believe the Bible V l 1 do,' she replied, ye tell me wha made the world V She smiled a lit- tle contemptuously, and after a pause said. ' God.' To which he replied, ' How d'ye ken ? were ye there to see V She seemed surprised, perc that there was evidently more meant by the ques- tion than she had supposed, and then ram 4 No, I was not there, but the word that he made it.' ' Ah, well, the a' that e Bays, d'ye V She said ' Fee. 1 'Ah, we'll sec ; ' Tins is my beloved Son, in whom will pleased, luar ye Sim. 1 Wha says that!' 'The Father. 1 'Weei,willye< ihiMdi ye ' He commands ye to hear the Sun.' To this SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 333 she assented. ' Weel, then, what does the Son say 1 ' Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' ' Come unto me, and I will give you rest.' To the woman in the gospel he said, ' Daugh- ter, thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee,' and will he no say the same to you 1 Is he no saying it even the noo ! Ye dinna believe that, ye dinna believe him. I telt ye, ye dinna believe a' the Bible.' She instantly saw the shame and sin of not trusting in a promising, present Redeemer, and as instantly ventured upon his mercy. Con- fiding in the love and power and truth of the world's Redeemer, she trusted herself in his hands, and found the peace she sought. The word of acquittal was applied to her conscience, not by her own will, which would have been presumption, but by the Spi- rit of God, who attested his divine presence by the love, joy, and peace which he then diffused through her humble soul." " On returning from preaching one night in Kil- bride, a person followed Alexander Patrick, and showed signs of a wish to enter into conversation. Mr. P. inquired whether he had been to the meet- ing. The stranger replied that he had, and liked to hear the preaching, adding, ' but, man, I am a queer sinner.' ' Pray, what kind of a sinner is that V in- quired Mr. P. But, as the man seemed willing to enter upon particulars immediately, and the labour of preaching had greatly heated him, Mr. P. declined pursuing the conversation further at present, but en- gaged to call on him the next day. He did so, and I VAEIOUI M t.ss. waa cordially wclc<>: Bible being brought and laid before bin., le to use it himself, mit of his Mi • jucstcd his host lo portion ; but this was resolutely refused, and with a manifestation "t" feeling that irai very extra- ordinary. The following conversation brought out the facts, that this miserable man was in the state of habitual despair, persuading himself that I oue of those characters described in Hebn 4-6, whom it is impossible to renew again into re- pentance ; that whenever he opened his Bible, this terrible passage seemed always to be ready to meet his eye ; and it had often occasioned so much terror to him, that he frequently hurled the book from him as far as he could. Our friend, it seems, did not inquire into the nature of his imaginary sin, but applied himself to* show that he misunderstood the passage, giving, as nil that the per- sons referred to had had, in proof of the truth of Christianity, both the outward evident-. and the inward one of personal pardon n their own souls by the witness of the Holy < and that they had afterwards so fallen away as to renounce the gospel from principle, and to treat the Lord Jesus as an impostor, and moi nately persisted in that rejection. ' Is this like yoursel !' said he. 'Why mon, yi enough ye'ie aye vexed and awfo fasdn cause of your fall. In a' this ye're no minded to mock the Lord, but to mourn your Lot •i wee thought of the blessed words of Christ : ' All SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 335 manner of sin and iniquity shall be forgiven the sons of men.' Why, mon, Christ says this till you : he says it till you even the noo. Look up, mon ; be not faithless, but believing. This is the accepted time, and the day of salvation.' The affectionate warmth and the fervent confidence with which these words were uttered, under the divine blessing, roused the hopes of the poor desponding soul. He was persuaded to pray, and directed to look to the Saviour as willing and waiting to save even him ; and while he was yet speaking, the Lord heard and delivered him, filling his soul with confi- dence and peace. A complete change was made in his feelings and purposes at that hour. His con- version was sudden, but proved to be real by the blameless life he was enabled thenceforth to lead ; and about two or three years afterwards he died in the faith, triumphing in his last moments in the con- fident hope of eternal life." " LORD, SHOW ME THYSELF." The following interesting incident, connected with the Rev. Hector M'Phail, an old highland minister, is related by the Rev. T. M. Fraser, of Yester. On one occasion he was appointed to attend the Gene- ral Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which sits in Edinburgh. At that time there were no such con- veniences for travelling as those to which we are now accustomed ; and the only resource which the minister then had was to travel on horseback. From so distant a home as his, travelling at the rate of AKI0U8 ME1 from tl: Id fre- quently oblige him to pass the night in the I us comfortable inns upon It will i to he told that MThail's invaria: ■': to hold family worship in tl -t upon ndanee of every individual inm . one night at a little inn amid the wild hills of lire, he summoned, as usual, the fain.: thcr for devotional purposes. When all had been . the Biblea produced, and the gieq waiting the commencement of the d< M'Phail looked around him, and asked « every inmate of the house were present. The land- lord replied in the affirmative. " All r ■gain in- quired the minister. ' STes,' answered the host, k we ;ire all In re ; there is a little lassie in the kitchen, bnt we never think of askm she is so dirty that she is not lit I call in the lassie, 1 .-aid Mr. M'Phail. I . the Bible which he had Opened ; ' we will \. sheeomes.' The landlord apologized. The ter was perempto: ullery-maid had a soul, and a very precious one," he said ; ' and if she A in the habit of being summoned to family worship, all the greater was her need of joining them now.' Not one word would he utter until tkn Lei her, then, he called ill. The In ooneented ; the kitchen-girl was taken in to join the circle, and the evening worship proc SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 337 the devotions were concluded, Mr. M'Phail called the little girl aside, and began to question her about her soul and its eternal interests. He found her in a state of the most deplorable ignorance. ' Who made you ?' asked the minister, putting the usual in- troductory question to a child. The girl did not know. ' Do you know that you have a soul V ' No ; I never heard that I had one. What is a soul V ' Do you ever pray V 'I don't know what you mean.' 'Well, I am going to Edinburgh, and I will bring you a little neck-kerchief if you promise to say a prayer that I will teach you ; it is very short, there are only four words in it — ' Lord, show me myself;'* and if you repeat this, night and morning, I will not forget to bring you what I have promised.' The little kitchen-maid was delighted ; a new piece of dress was a phenomenon she had rarely witnessed. The idea was enchanting ; the condition was easy ; Mr. M'Phail, after explaining, no doubt, the mean- ing and force of the prayer, retired to rest, and next morning resumed his journey. Before he returned from Edinburgh, Mr. M'Phail did not forget the pro- mise he had made to the little highland maid ; he purchased the trifling present that was to make her happy. On his arrival at the inn, he again sum- moned the household to the worship of God. Again, however, the little kitchen-maid is absent, and again he inquires the cause. But it is now a different reason that withholds her. ' Indeed, sir,' replied the hostess to Mr. M'Phail's inquiry, ' she has been of little use since you were here ; she has done no- 22 338 VARIOUS METHODS OJ l.sS. tliiiiu' but hit and rry night and day, and now the is so weak and -e from ■ | i immedi ing tli« a hole : lay upon a straw bed, a picture of mental agony and spiritual distress. bte no, affectionately addressing her, 'here is the neck-kerchief I have brought you from Edinburgh ; I hope you have dour what you promii the prayer that I taught you.' * O no. sir, no, ike your present; a dear gin it me : you taught me a prayer that in an awful way ; lie has shown mt what a sight that is ! Minister, minister, wh 1 need not say how rejoiced the I man of God « had been dealing with this young soul, and tl though still operatin ." in the production of a true though partial and feet faith, thi : hopeful ai long. He would exhibit himself as 'the spirit of adoption, 1 generating in her heart a full and trust, and leading h< Rather, 1 Hut :oncile such an experience with the opinion which denies to the Holy Ohost any special • -to.»vl as havinf "••'II esn unt lor t*S Corn •J Hit- laoguafs usod by the Utt)< ■•. even a SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 339 agency in conversion, giving to each of the human race a certain modicum of influence, to be commu- nicated only through the medium of the Word ? Whence had this child derived, in the course of lit- tle more than a fortnight, and through the use of such prayer, this experimental acquaintance with her own heart ? Read the Word she could not ; sympathy of feeling in the careless household was out of the question ; whence, then, that mysterious ray which all at once illumed the darkened chamber of the soul, and as it shot its clear strong light through the once benighted understanding, exposed in all its barrenness the deformity of self? It was the Spirit of God that wrought independently of the Word, and came into ' warm contact" with her liv- ing soul in a manner altogether special, and hitherto unknown by herself or a carnal world. It was ' the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him :' but she knew Him, for He dwelt with her and was in her. On no other principle can we account for the fact, that one but a few weeks ago so totally ig- norant that she had asked, ' What is a soul V should now have been able to pursue that most difficult and severe of all subjective mental processes — the reflex inspection of self. Now, this is no fictitious case got up for the occasion ; ' I tell but what was told to me ;' but who that reads it can deny the absolute necessity of a special agency, and a personal and immediate indwelling of the blessed Spirit, sent forth into the soul in answer to the prayer. ' Lord, I VARIOUS METHODS 0> After some further conYeraa- MTInil opened up to the dial reused girl • :!iud of sal vat '-ed the if by reeoamending the use of another, and •qoafljahortaodeomprelx J, show minister was once again on his way to his still distant home. Hut he ' find it again *rs had this memorable journey, and tin ous and wiry minister, who could ride forty D - k without intermission, was now be- come an old and feeble man, worn out in hie Maa- ervice, scarcely any longer '•] cause already ' spent,' for < Ihrist On- v;mt intimated that a stranger was desirous to speak with him. lVrmis: matrariy woman m rod in bet band know me, Mr. MThail,' said the perse: dest and deferential air. The m rtainly did nol member ■ little scullery-maid at inn, ia soul you once took ■ deep interest apon yoni jour- ney to Edinburgh V Mr. M'Phail had eoUeetion oftheerenta. ' 1 was that little gi taught me two shorl bui By the first l htto feel my i riour; by the second I was led t<» behold tl vmiir himself, and to view Jehovah in the oh BCOnciled (iodand father IB Christ. I am SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 341 now respectably married, and comfortably settled in life ; and although the mother of a numerous family, have travelled far to see your face, and to cheer you, by telling with my own lips the glorious things which, by your means, the Lord has been pleased to do for my soul.' Before parting with Mr. M'Phail she entreated his acceptance of the parcel she car- ried, which contained a large web of linen of her own spinning, made long before, for the purpose of being presented to the blessed and beloved old man, should she ever be permitted to see his face in the flesh once more. She lived for many years, not only a consistent character, but an eminently holy Christian." KEY. JOHN RYLAETD. The late Rev. John Ryland, of Northampton, being on a journey, was overtaken by a violent storm, and compelled to take shelter in the first inn he came to. The people of the house treated him with great kindness and hospitality. They would fain have shown him into a parlour, but being very wet and cold, he begged permission rather to take a seat by the fireside with the family. The good old man was friendly, cheerful, and well stored with enter- taining anecdotes, — and the family did their utmost to make him comfortable ; they all supped together, and both the residents and the guest seemed mu- tually pleased with each other. At length, when the house was cleared, the stranger appeared un- easy, and looked up every time a door opened, as if •i METHOI'S - cham- ■ ■■ ' Had my 1 i I I 1 don't kn«»\v what you aeai landlord. "To re to pray with t! i the omission of so necessary a The landlord had never thought of doing such a thing. "Then, Mr. Ky- land, M 1 most beg you to order inv horse imme- diately." The landlord and family entreat not to BxpOM himself to the inclemency of the wea- tlnr at that late hour of the night ; observing, that the Storm w:i> as violent as \vh ." n-pli. .1 Mr. K. ■• but I had rather khi Mora than venture to sleep in a house whrrr tin re :»at may befall di I- fore morning ! No,i Mr. It. proposed to ronduet family worel all readily eonaented. The family being assembled, Mr. R. called for a Bible; hut no such boot iced. VLowt •leney, as he always earned a small Bible lament in his pocket. 11"- read i po iti oi of Scripture, and prayed with much fervour I leinnity, acknowledging the goodness of Qod, that DOM had DOM stnn-k dead bv the storm, and implorin m throogh the aight. He ear* ni mK prayed that the attention of all might be awa- SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS. 343 kened to the things belonging to their everlasting peace, and that the family might never again meet in the morning, or separate at night, without prayer. A deep impression was made on the family, and much interesting conversation ensued when worship was over. Mr. Ryland conducted family worship next morning, and obtained from the landlord a pro- mise, that, however feebly performed, it should not in future be omitted. This was indeed the beginning of days to the family ; most, if not all of them, be- came sincere followers of the Lord Jesus, and were instrumental in diffusing a knowledge of the gospel in a neighbourhood which had before been remark- ably dark and destitute. "I SHALL THANK GOD THROUGH ALL ETER- NITY THAT I EYER SAW YOU." A minister asked the maid at an inn in the Nether- lands if she prayed to God 1 She replied, she " had scarce time to eat, how should she have time to pray ?" He promised to give her a little money if, on his return, she could assure him she had mean- while said three words of prayer, night and morning. Only three words and a reward led her to make him the promise. He then solemnly gave her the follow- ing words to repeat, — "Lord, save me!" For a fortnight she said the words unmeaningly ; but one night she wondered what they meant, and why he bade her repeat them. God put it into her heart to look at the Bible, and see if it would tell her. She liked some verses where she opened so well, that I0U1 MFTHOM OP USEFULNESS. she looked again, and so on. ■ her, as a stranger sei £Ot too good for my place, and liv- 1 shall thank God through all eternity that I ever saw I want not ti ,ire reward enough ted how sahratiofl by Je^us Christ was taught her I Bible, in answer to this p REPROOF. CAUSTIC ; 1 incr in he com- tuu or three yOQJIg men, who were rather inclined to amuse him gad one another by frivolous ■use himself to H :.|> arouse.! ...ions, who wished for nil it on which them hud mi. I, "that he would rather Mieve the . i it was submitted to the which of these books he thought been awaken* d from sputes, but, however, said, he was hap;' oforraation respecting the Koran, and accordingly in ...1 » ho would rather believe the Koran than th> il was. whether it was divide chapters and v. r>. b, like our Bib ;l'l nut inform him ; and the minis;. ok, inquired a little further, ami found that he : Koran, an. I had nevt . a, "said REPROOF. 347 he, " gentlemen, is it fair that I should be awaked from my sleep, to decide a question thus raised by a man who knows nothing of either of the books of which he speaks 1 Surely it is not too much to ask men to read what they condemn ; and if you will all take my advice, you will immediately apply your- selves to the prayerful study of the word of God, which is able to make you wise unto salvation. You will then not have occasion to inquire whether the Koran or any other work is equally entitled to your belief, but you will know, and be assured, that it is indeed the word and truth of God." REV. LEMUEL HAYNES AND THE SCOFFERS. Of Mr. Haynes, the coloured preacher, it is said, that some time after the publication of his sermon on the text, " Thou shalt not surely die," two reckless young men having agreed together to try his wit, one of them said, " Father Haynes, have you heard the good news V " No," said Mr. Haynes, " what is it V " It is great news indeed," said the other, " and, if true, your business is done." " What is it V again inquired Mr. Haynes. " Why," said the first, " the devil is dead." In a moment the old gentleman replied, lifting up both hands, and placing them on the heads of the young men, and in a tone of solemn concern, " O, poor fatherless children ! what will become of you ?" ARIOCS METHODS \E88. Ax inst lant and sarcastic severity with which Mr. Isaac son. fanity occurred whflfl be was Rationed in il. :ig, and !y emboldened by, the example of a London tradesnj bis shop H a hideous and obscene picture, as l i of the sacred Trinity ; and, surpassing the metropolitan in utter and shameless profanity, attach- ed a label to the picture, to the - . }»ortrait of the devil was wanted as a C picture. This cauLjlit M :-sed, and his kfl awakened. Stepping into a eet, he asked for pea, ink, and paper, ami hastily scrawling these words, addressed them to the offender want a portrait of the devil, get yc> tor who so like the father as t: Mr. I. to th< lake thai to the vile fellow acr< man declined, perhaps ihiokin hourly, or fearing an unpleasant result, take it," .said Mr. I abroad, tor lh< friends ; and, in ' e vagrant boy, and thru another wicked urchin, would put his head tde tin- ilooi . :he wia- m 1m--!i the offensi 1 1 I, and call out, f$T wko REPROOF. 349 so like the father as the son ?" On the following day, quite a crowd of youngsters was assembled, and the inquiry was repeated in almost every possible modulation of voice, until the wretched man was so annoyed that he called in the aid of the police. This but increased the notoriety of the rebuke, and that again swelled the numbers of the crowd. The pub- lic feeling, too, was with the boys, for common de- cency had been outraged. The result was, that in the course of two or three days the man was obliged to close his shop and decamp, unable to withstand the torrent of ridicule and contempt which Mr. Isaac had been the means of turning upon him. A STRAIGHT WAY. It is stated, that as an eloquent preacher delivered a discourse, in which he set forth the intense and eternal torments of the finally impenitent, one of the modern restorationists was present ; and having a desire to show his knowledge, followed the preacher to the house, where he took tea after the exercises of the day were closed, and introduced himself by saying 5 — " Well, sir, I have been to hear you preach, and have come here to request you to prove your doc- trine." " I thought I had proved it, for I took the Bible for testimony," was the reply. " Well, I do not find anything in my Bible to prove that the sinner is eternally damned, and I do not be- lieve any such thing." 350 VARIOUS METHODS 01 IBM. uikint) will be judged ac- iy : and ihos*» aod re* main there until the '" say to I lastly, :;« 1 by bell to get there, I cannot leave, but bis mind was ** ill at ease." There is a straight and was soon ;ed his tabic tunc united with * inner in winch this aged I — tim< - he would five the narratn inglj practical turn. mple will Ulusfrate : in his little i which met for first time he i tlx'iii COt " Hut Thou man. in a sorrow i what could keep Thomas awa) '" " Perhaps," said bo, g)anc« REPROOF. 351 ing at some of the backward auditors, " Thomas had got cold-hearted, and was afraid they would ask him to make the first prayer ; or perhaps," said he, look- ing at some of the farmers, " Thomas was afraid the roads were bad ; or perhaps," he added, after a pause, " Thomas had got proud, and thought he could not come in his old clothes." Thus he went on : significantly summing up, with great simplicity and emotion, he added, " but only think what Thomas lost, for in the middle of the meeting the Lord Jesus came, and stood among them ! How sorry Thomas must have been !" This representation served to fill the vacant seats for some time to come. Father Morris sometimes used his illustratic talent to a very good purpose in the way of rebuke. He had on his farm a fine orchard of peaches, from which some of the ten and twelve year old gentle- men helped themselves more liberally than the old gentleman thought expedient. Accordingly he took occasion to introduce into his sermon one Sunday, in his little parish, an account of a journey he took, and how he saw a fine orchard of peaches, that made his mouth water to look at them. " So," says he, " I came up to the fence, and look- ed all around, for I would not have touched one of them, without leave, for all the world. At last I spied a man, and, says I, ' Mister, won't you give me some of your peaches V "So the man came, and gave me nigh a handful. And while I stood there eating, I said — 953 VAi f an eagle. To be prave in the rehearsal or ! ste, is aa difficult as it is to believe in the sincerity of the giver ; and were it not fat the general artlessness of conduct and disposition manifested by Samuel, it would have >!..' to view it than as a epe- ! with a view pose. But ■ I plan would have spoiled it ; hfl had not a mind to carry him forward : a thing beyond the length of his own -hadow, beneath n; he was the mere creature of im- — knew no more of plot than a child. DR. I'm late Rev. Dr. Ktatiphton. i town, M v sitting at I it'll the inii.l.-l Then I him, and said, " Mr. Staughton, v pity it is th:it man rfoet rule for the ' •• What is t | Tame. M REPROOF. 357 thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength ; and thy neighbour as thyself." " O," said Paine, " that's in your Bible," and immediately walked away. REV. DR. WAUGH. The late Dr. Waugh, of London, had a great dislike to everything bordering on slander or defamation. The following is an illustration of his character in this point : — One of his people had travelled all the way from Newton to his father's house, where he usually re- sided, to communicate to him an unfavourable report concerning another member of the congregation. Some friends being with him, this person was re- quested to stay and dine with them. After dinner, he took occasion, in a jocular manner, to ask each person in his turn, how far he had ever known a man travel to tell an evil report of his neighbour ; when some gave one reply, and some another. He at last came to this individual ; but without waiting for his self-condemning reply, or unnecessarily exposing him, he stated, that he had lately met with a Chris- tian professor, apparently so zealous for the honour .»1 replied, " I should not hare he had been conscious to that he had first offended my Lord ; and if your lord will offend my Lord, let him be offended.'' nuwuui urphoi The late Rev. Mr. More, minister of the gospel in Selkirk, while preaching from these words of Moses, ihow me thy gtorj . many of his hearers fast asleep, made a pause, on which I . in a very solemn maimer, addressed them • " I'' yen think, my friends, had Moses been asleep while the glory of God passed by him, that he sen it 1 The '. in the disp» ■: of the fMpel, has just been paa uid yet !. that during that day, at least, ho had a more attcnl tin: 0BOOK3ED ] i ■i.ird," sayi Mr. I : mid the I u that tree should stand and that if it were mine 1 would root it up, and there- REPROOF. 359 by reduce the orchard to an exact uniformity. He replied, 'that he rather regarded the fruit than the form ; and that this light inconvenience was abun- dantly compensated by a more considerable advan- tage. This tree,' said he, *■ which you would root up, hath yielded me more fruit than any of those trees which have nothing else to commend them but their regular situation.' I could not but yield to the reason of this answer ; and could wish it had been spoken so loud, that all our uniformity men had heard it ; who would not stick to root up many hundreds of the best bearers in the Lord's orchard, because they stand not in exact order with other more conforma- ble, but less beneficial trees, who do destroy the fruits to preserve the form." REV. J. SHERWOOD AND JUSTICE ROBINSON. Mr. Joseph Sherwood, one of the nonconformist ministers of England, having preached on that text, " I will avenge the quarrel of my covenant," was carried to a petty session of justices, where one Mr. Robinson sat as chairman, who greatly reviled Mr. Sherwood, and called him a rebel, &c, which he bore patiently, only making this reply, " That as he was a minister of the gospel, and at the church where there was so great an assembly, he could not but have compassion on the multitude, and give them a word of exhortation." Mr. Robinson said, " But did ever man preach from such a rebellious text V " Sir," replied Mr. Sherwood, " I know man is a rebel against his Creator, but I never knew that the 300 VARIOUS METHODS OK EM. . could be a rebel against his creatun i mittimus for IiSimrci—on ju ncn turning to Mr. Sher- a ww a rebellious text.*' i full in the face, and ad* dressed him in thsst words : ' die the Qossjqsji pake by roe/' found favour with t)> 1 had liberty to walk about the sod town. RobttBBM returned home; and a few days after, walking in the fields, a bull that had no up to a gate where he stood, and his s.ervant-maid before him, who had l*?en milk- aure turned her aside wuh his ran directly upon Robinson, and tore out his He was carried home in this miserable usd aoun lAanraidi died. A W< ilk of the u r «Jsi»el occasionally visiting a gay . was introduced to a room w winch she dressed. Alter waiting BOO mnd him in ti ison of liis . 44 Madam. I weep on redacting thai you can spend so many hours before your glass, and in ad your person, while I spend so few hours bet. God, and in adorning my soul.' 1 REPROOF. 361 "NO SERMON" GOOD THAT HAS NOTHING OF CHRIST IN IT." The late bishop F , of Salisbury, having pro- cured a young clergyman of promising abilities to preach before the king ; and the young man having, in his lordship's opinion, acquitted himself well, the bishop, in conversation with the king afterwards, wishing to get his sovereign's opinion, took the liberty to say, " Does not your majesty think that the young man, who had the honour to preach be- fore your majesty, is likely to make a good clergy- man, and has this morning delivered a very good sermon T' To which the king, in his blunt manner, hastily replied, " It might have been a good sermon, my lord ; but I consider no sermon good that has nothing of Christ in it." REV. SAMUEL "WESLEY, SEN. The Rev. Samuel Wesley, rector of Epworth, and father of the celebrated John Wesley, once went into a coffee-house in London for some refreshment. There were several gentlemen in a box at the other end of the room, one of whom, an officer of the guards, swore dreadfully. The rector saw that he could not speak to him without much difficulty ; he therefore desired the waiter to give him a glass of water. When it was brought, he said aloud, " Car- ry it to yon gentleman in the red coat, and desire him to wash his mouth after his oaths." The offi- cer rose up in a fury ; but the gentlemen in the box 303 various v \ ay, co- e the gentle- it is an air- swear . was thus re- I again in Ixmdon, an.! I gentleman joined linn, m : : if he seen him bi Wesley n called to li is remembrance the scene at the colTee-hoose, nnd id thank God, I ared an oath ; and as I have a perfect recol- of yon, 1 !•' nut refrain from you." "A \ in season, how good • 1I<>W MANY Mil. IS DID YOU WALI BOOT In the ministerial visitatiui ichmenl to Scotland, bis native country, was strongly manifested. When, without sufficii i son, an] rs had failed in their att« on public ordinances, and pleaded their the ehaj>i 1 u an I | ihl exclaim, in the emphatic northern dialect, which it flwriliar nnnminnn, " Whtit ' toodtaM ! from t ral S lkirk ! ami ||*a a hard matter to walk, a mile or tWO H \"ur Ifakoi ooe ilav in the * many miles did vou walk at Selkirk '" " [V. REPROOF. 363 and can you not walk two here ? Man ! your father walked ten Ortwall (twelve) out, and as manyhame, every Sunday i' the year, and your mother too, aften. I've seen a hunder folk and mair, that aye walked six or seven, men, and women, and bairns too ; and, at the sacraments, folk walked fifteen, and some twenty miles. How far will you walk i' the morn to mak half a crown \ Fie ! fie ! But ye'll be out wi' a' your household next Sabbath, I ken. O, my man, mind the bairns ! If you love their souls, dinna let them get into the habit of bid- ing away from the kirk. All the evils amang young folk in London arise from their not attending God's house." Such remonstrances as these, it may easily be imagined,, were not often urged in vain. THE DEFECTIVE MILL. An active and skilful young minister, while en- gaged under circumstances of the most promising kind in the village of J , was told of a miller, who, with more than usual profaneness, had re- pelled every attempt to approach him on the sub- ject of religion, and had discouraged the hopes and efforts of the few serious persons in his vicinity. Among other practices of sinful daring, he uniformly kept his wind-mill, the most striking object in the hamlet, going on the Sabbath. In a little time the minister determined to make an effort for the benefit of the hopeless man. He undertook the office of going for his flour the next time himself. " A fine mill," said he, as the miller adjusted his sack to re- 364 VARIOUS METHODS O. KSI. ceivc the flour ; " a fine mill indeed ; one of the com- pleted I have ever seen." This wu nothing more than juat — the miller had heard it a t honied times before ; and would firmly have thought it, though he had never heard it once : but his skill and judgment were still gratified by tins new testimony, and his feelings con irds the minister. 4 But, U! M continued his customer, after a little pause, M there is one defect in it I" " What is that V 9 carelessly asked the miller. " A very serious de- fect to<> re f i tt ed the miller, turning op his liiat is likely to counterbalance all its advantages." " Well, what it it !"' said the miller, standing straight up, and looking the minister in the face. lie went on : — " A defect n : likely to ruin the null." " What is it '" rejoined tin' miller. "And will one day no doubt dootioy : say it out claimed the impatient miller. M" It goes on the Sab- bath !'' pronounced the minister, in a firm, and so- lrmii, and monitory tone. Theastoni- blank and thunderstruck : and remained lire under • .d exhortation of ■ quarter of SB hour's ! Dgth, in which the dan- gei of i. practices, and the call to repent- . and faith in our Lord Jesttf Christ, were full) him. It has often b.cu seen. J difficult REPROOF. 365 swered without effort, by the mere exercise of com- mon sense. The papists often boast of the antiquity of their religion, and no doubt produce some effect by their statements on this subject. A Protestant clergyman having occasion to travel in France, be- fore the revolution in that country, happened, in one of the inns where he stopped, to fall into conversa- tion with a French gentleman, a Roman Catholic. The Romanist was a well-bred, intelligent man, and conducted himself with much politeness when con- versing on common topics. But no sooner did he learn, from some unavoidable expressions, that the gentleman with whom he was conversing was a Pro- testant, than he discovered his bigotry. " And pray," said he, using the hackneyed phrase and question on this subject, " where was your religion before the days of Luther V " Permit me," said the clergy- man, " to answer your question by another : Where, pray, was your face, sir, this morning, before you washed it V THE EXTINGUISHER. Dr. Taylor, of Norwich, once said to the late Rev. John Newton, " Sir, I have collated every word in the Hebrew Scriptures seventeen times, and it is very strange that the doctrine of atonement which you hold, if there, cannot be found by me." " I am not surprised at that," said Mr. N. ; "I once went to light my candle with the extinguisher on it." 366 VAl ( ss. had ever sought a bleating from the Ixjrd upon his learning. M seed that li< verend v. rnlv in the luce, replied, ( imri-li." Mr. 1 1 il fniiti in i i mini rnnsCMlicws afterwards in _;ing God while pursuing his studies. AB> ■jyinan once called upon Dr. Dwight, and Inquired respecting the best method of treating difficult sad ab.struse point in mental philoso- phy, upon which he \\a* preparing a sermo: i <>u any information upon the so the doctor replied ; M I am not topics. I leave them for j JOB Pox, the author of the " Book of Mai ■ of London, s com] a begged him Lmportonitj mo moo. \ , returned to t h- .,1 asked lbs loan of li\ ♦• pound*, which was readilv gl he immediately distributed it among tho poor by whom I Som< REPROOF. 367 Aylmer asked Fox for the money he had borrowed. " I have laid it out for you," was the answer, " and paid it where you owed it — to the poor people who lay at your gate." Far from being offended, Ayl- mer thanked Fox for thus being his steward. 368 BLESSED ARE THE PEACE-MAKERS. >LAKER8. "Til: In one of Scotland's northern towns, a famil'. seated round ikI wondering why ho was later than asuaJ. At length hi appem* < was heary, and his fad the blessing, be eat id on Ins hand, wrapped in melancholy thought. This uiihapjiy-kx.kinrr man was one of the elders in a neighbouring shape] ; he possessed much energy and seal, and it was hoped . but, alas! he was governed by a naturally bad temper, and > die wise man — M I ! .t ia better than he who I •■<• of bis unr. ineet- ths chapel business were the constant scenes strife. The venerable minister, being a tru< . deeply lamented bis ekh e hris tsis spirit On the previous day a meeting had Id, which was moa for the elder bud been pnrticnlarly angry and ■n. It within bim while ' thank- hc that evening to retire BLESSED ARE THE PEACE-MAKERS. 369 some miles from town, for the peace and quiet of the country are soothing to a wounded spirit. It was on the following morning that the elder came down to breakfast in so melancholy a mood. His wife, after looking anxiously at him for some minutes, said, "Are you ill, my dear %V "No." " Then what has happened to make you look so sad !" He slowly raised himself up, and looking ear- nestly at her, said, " I have had a most extraordi- nary dream." The look of anxiety vanished from his wife's face, as she said, with a smile, " Why, you always laugh at my dreams." " Yes, but mine was so remarkable. I dreamed I was at the bottom of a steep hill, and when I looked up, I saw the gate of heaven at the top ; it was bright and glorious, and many saints and angels stood there. Just as I reached the top of the hill, who should come out to meet me but our aged mi- nister ! and he held out his hand, crying, * Come awa, John, come awa, there's nae strife here.' And now I cannot help thinking of the grief my conten- tious spirit has given to the dear old man." The husband and wife sat some time in silence, which was broken by the entrance of a servant with a letter. The elder hastily read it, while an expres- sion of the deepest grief overspread his face ; then dropping it from his hand, he covered his face, as if to hide from those around him the anguish of his soul. 24 370 BLESSED ARE THE PEACE-MAKERS. •vai from the M follows: daw , we had the great pleasure yes- i inking what ha Balled til |>eaeeful retreat. When wa sat r in the evening, be spake with mu« mp tired of all this strife and turmoil, that 1 a dear Lord would take me horn*'.' In as he did not come down I I rau up and i ut his door ; but, receiving no answer, I I sinking a longer rest than BJnal might do him good. Aftef returning to his door once <>r twice, and h< He was in bed, and appan 1 spoke to ■ long* 8 we believed it to be the sleep of !y smile rested on his plac and his BROWy lucks hiy unrullled on the pillow; but h< slept in Jesus ; for his dear Lord had tak> !i"in'-." rod tins shock. He sor- rowad for in- friend, l>nt still mot He gradually Mink, and in three weeks was laid l amiss h earth sad sin sway— '■ 0)0, Shall I] BLESSED ARE THE PFACE-MAKERS. 371 REV. MR. KLLPIN. When any member of Mr. Kilpin's church at Exe- ter came with details of real or supposed injuries, received from a fellow-member, after listening to the reporter, Mr. K. would inquire if they had men- tioned these grievances to their offending brother or sister. If the reply was in the negative, and usually it was so, he would then calmly order a messenger to fetch them, remarking, that it would be ungenerous to decide, and unscriptural to act, merely from hear- ing the statement of one party. This determination always produced alarm, and the request that nothing might be mentioned to the parties implicated. This plan had a peaceful influence, and often produced humility and self-accusation. Assertions and proofs are very different grounds for the exercise of judg- ment, and are more distinct than angry persons imagine. DR. TWISS AND THE ORPHAN. Mr. Philip Henry relates a remarkable story con- cerning a good old friend of his, who, when young, being an orphan, was greatly wronged by his uncle. His fortune, which was £200, was put into the hands of that uncle ; who, when he grew up, shuf- fled with him, and would give him but £40 instead of his £200, and he had no way of recovering his right but by law ; but, before he would engage in that, he was willing to advise with his minister, who was the famous Dr. Twiss, of Newberry ; the coun- gave Imn, all things considered, was, for peiee 1 I !.• . ■ . I f«>r thf preretUwg <>f mm, andsnar> «, and troubles, to tak nan contend; assure thyself that Uod will make it up to thee and thine some ot will be the loser- by it at la pleased vrith, that \\i. |a a good old age. I ;reds a year, I ronged him fell into [h>\ i PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES, ETC. 373 PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES AND SUPPLIES, DU MOULIN. In that period of barbarism, rendered memorable by the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, by Louis XIV. of France, when the blood of the saints was poured out like water, some of those persons employed in hunting down the Protestants were sent in pursuit of the celebrated Protestant minister, Du Moulin. They had long sought for him in vain, when at length they traced him to a certain house, and fol- lowed in his footsteps. Every corner of this house they searched, an oven excepted, which He, who can employ, in carrying out the designs of his mercy, an insect or an angel, had rendered, by means of a despicable spider, the secure asylum of his ser- vant. A web just thrown over its mouth prevented scrutiny, and thus was Du Moulin preserved. DR. COLE AND ELIZABETH EDMONDS. After imprisoning and burning many Protestants in England, Queen Mary determined the Protestants of Ireland should be dealt with in like manner. For this purpose she signed a commission, and appointed Dr. Cole one of the commissioners. The doctor coming with the commission to Chester, on his jour- ney, the mayor of that city, hearing that her majesty was sending a messenger into Ireland, waited on the >SCES in discourse with the mayor, took oat ak-bag a leather box, saying, " Here is a commission th:it >hall la- ■ of Ireland," calling the V: iliat title. The good wo- ant religion, and also having a brother nam« Is of the sn: then a citizen of Dublin, was much troubled at the doctor's trot watching her convenient time, while the major took his leave, and the doctor c him Ay>w box, took the com- i out, and placed in lieu of it a sheet of paper, with a pack of cards wrapped u; nave of clubs being faced uppermost. The doctor coming Op to his chamber, I rf what • a done, pof up the box as for: I and weather led towards Ireland, and landed on the 7th of October, 1558, at Dublin. W arrived at the castle, the lord Fitz-W lord-deputy, sent for him to come before him and the privy council. He came accordingly, ar. made ■ tpeeoh, n fating on what account he had come over, he presented the box to the ! a to be op< i secre- tary might read the commission, there was nothing b the knave of clubs up- permost ; whi'-h nnt only startled the lord 'Mini, hut the i assured them he bad a ooMmi.HsniM, bit ki let us have another AND SUPPLIES. 375 commission, and we will shuffle the cards in the meanwhile." The doctor, being troubled in his mind, went away, and returned to England, and, coming into the court, obtained another commission ; but staying for the wind on the water-side, news came to him that the queen was dead ; and thus God preserved the Protestants of Ireland. Queen Eliza- beth was so delighted with this story, which was related to her by lord Fitz-Walter on his return to England, that she sent for Elizabeth Edmonds, and gave her a pension of ,£40 a year during her life. REV. D. ANDERSON". This worthy man, formerly minister at Walton-upon- Thames, being the subject of persecution in Eng- land in the year 1662, and apprehensive of the as- cendency of popery, removed to Middleburgh, *in Zealand. The little money he took with him was soon expended, and he was reduced with his family to very great want, which his modesty would not allow him to make known. In this perplexity, after he had been at prayer one morning with his family, his children asked for some bread for their break- fast, but he having none, nor money to buy any, they all burst into tears. While they were thus sorrowing together, the door-bell was rung ; Mrs. Anderson went to the door, where she was met by a man who presented a small parcel, saying it had been sent by a gentleman, and that some provision would be sent in shortly. When they opened the paper, they found it to con- PR0V1I ) N il a < 1 with a horse-load of whatever contnl. I iicse auppUea were contim. It afterwards ap- i (loesses were shown by a pious . observing a grave -. and sent him the gold b) untry servant, say- . 'iid that any of Christ's ambassadors should be strangers, and we not visit them ; or in distress, and we not assist them ;" at the same time nTJWOeelj charging them to conceal his name. KKV. mi: .)0D. ■• seventeenth century, li:iv. of his hearers, sensible of his guilt, and thinking he was th( irticularly intended, re**' kill him ; and in order to \lo it he hid !. i . I»y u hich he knew Mr. Thoi • to preach bis wi When Mr. T. came to the pj •hoot him, but his piece failed, and only tl.i the pea. Thi he lay in the earn with the same design. When Mr. T. cam- w retehed man attempted I would not go off. Upon thi>. hi in | lnm for Mi'-h inched— ei| he went afu AND SUPPLIES. 377 and, falling down on his knees, with tears in his eyes, related the whole to him, and begged his par- don. This providence was the means of his con- version, and he became from that time a serious Christian. REV. GILBERT RULE. Mr. Gilbert Rule was minister of Alnwick, in Northumberland, during the time of the persecution. When he was forced to leave his charge at Aln- wick, he went to Berwick, where he practised sur- gery for the support of his family. His enemies continued their persecutions. They engaged some of the baser sort to waylay him. That he might be brought into this snare, a messenger was despatched at midnight to request him to visit a person in the country, whom he should represent as very ill. The good man expressed so much sympa- thy for the sick person, and showed such readiness to run to his relief, though at midnight, that the messenger's heart relented, (for he was privy to the plot,) and was so filled with remorse, that he disco- vered the whole affair to Mr. Rule, which happily saved him from premature death. DYnso T18TIM' d\t JOHN II! John Hum, the Bohemian martyr, was ' out to be burned, they put on his head a • seeing it he said, " My Lord Jesus Christ, for my ■ of thorns ; why should not I it ever Truly I will do it, and tl. When it was set upon his head, the bishops said, '• ' "mmit thy - "But 1,'* said Huss, lifting up his eyes towards heaven, "do commit my spud into thy hi Jem* Christ; to thee I commend in which thou haul redeemed." JEROME OF PR A • be associate of Huss in the work of reformation, followed him to the stake a few months after this. Arrived at the pi down and commended him I in nearly the same a 1 1 iss did. The of tins faithful minister of Christ exhibited un I :it thfl same tunc holy - God'i will. When the executioner was al kindle the lire fa hind him, hither ; Ao thine office St/ i had I feared DYING TESTIMONIES. 379 death, I might have avoided it." As the fagots began to blaze, he commenced singing a psalm in a loud voice, until at length he was suffocated in the flames. GEORGE WISHART. George Wishart, a man of apostolic character, who trained the youthful spirit of John Knox, and paved the way for him in the Scottish Reformation, fell a victim to the truth nineteen years after Patrick Hamilton. At the stake he cried out, " For the true gospel, given me by the grace of God, I suffer this day with a glad heart. Behold, and consider my visage — ye shall not see me change colour — I fear not this fire. I know surely, and my faith is such that my soul shall drink ivine new loith my Saviour this night V And kneeling down, he prayed for forgiveness to his accusers and enemies. As the fire was kindled, he raised his eyes to heaven and cried, " O Saviour of the world, have mercy on me ! Father of heaven, into thy hands I commend my spirit /" BRADFORD. Bradford, the most famous preacher of King Ed- ward's day, was brought to the stake by Queen Mary. His last words, as he submitted to the flames, were, " Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life ; and few there be that find it. And now, Lord Jesus, receive my spi- rit !" 380 I VIC. Jam** Durham wi rles I., 1 - laagow. On :: ilarkneM of mind. I have :i, there is ther, if I may dare ! I of my salvv it: ' Whoeoerer eometh unto me, I will in nowise though you had a thousand sai- nt hazard !" Haring remained som< . in great bodily pain, but wrestling ami prayer, he at length emme joyfully from b k cloud, and cried, in a raptur good ! Is he not infinitely good how he smiles ! I do say it, and I do ; SAMUEL RXTTB Rutherford, one of tl indent lights ti. in Scotland, was the professor of divinity in the When the parliament of Scotlan I lie stood up for liberty an vim: bed. " Tell the summons to a higher bar ; i id when th- i of you shall i ins last ■ - he said to i DYING TESTIMONIES. 381 is none like Christ : O, dear brethren, pray for Christ, preach for Christ, do all for Christ ; feed the flock of God ! And O, beware of men-pleasing !" Having recovered from a fainting fit, he said, " I feel, I feel, I believe, I joy, I rejoice, I feed on man- na ! my eyes shall see my Redeemer, and I shall be ever with him ! And what would you more ? I have been a sinful man ; but I stand at the best pass that ever a man did. Christ is mine, and I am his ! Glory, glory to my Creator and Redeemer forever ! Glory shines in Immanuel's land ! O for arms to embrace him ! O for a well -tuned harp !" He continued exulting in God his Saviour to the last, as one in the full vision of joy and glory ! CLAUDE. Claude, whose fame is in all the churches, was ex- iled from France by the ferocious bigotry of Louis XIV. His closing scene was truly affecting and instructive. Having pronounced his solemn bene- diction on his spouse, and his son, (an able minister of Christ,) and on an aged domestic, all kneeling at his bed-side ; and having committed them to the God of the widow and fatherless, he uttered these his last words : "lam so oppressed that I can attend only to two of the great truths of religion, namely, the mercy of God, and the gracious aids of the Holy Ghost! I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day ! Our Lord Je- sus Christ is my only righteousness !" 382 M TESTIMONIES. It may be sa. les Wesley, that he a ;th ■ hymn lips; foe \ in a state of extreme feebleness, hating been i owing lines at Jksus, my only hope U Strength of my failing t And drop into i REV. mil m\; . Mr. Purvis, " Mr. S n uf (J - — stances uf great interest, with regard to the last ill- ness and death <>f I . . a well-known minister in th< 'and, one who had |m J eminent !<>r godliness, and had of tl Nftd. 1 Well, Mr. 8. went to see Mr. M loath bed, and DYING TESTIMONIES. 383 said he was awfully solemnized by the way he spoke to him of his own experience. He seemed to have had great searchings of heart, and to have been brought very low ; and he related a dream to Mr. S. which he had had, and which, he said, expressed very clearly both what he had been brought through and brought to. He dreamt that he saw heaven opened, and a company approach and go in, and the door was shut. In this company he beheld Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and many of the Old Testament saints, and there were amongst them those whom he himself had known, but he could not get in along with them. There was a short pause, and again the door was opened, and again a company approached, and in that company he knew many, but again he said, ' I could not get in along with them, and I be- gan to tremble exceedingly.' A third time the door was opened, and another company approached ; one went in after another, and Mr. M'G. said, ' Terror began to seize upon me, and my knees smote one upon another, when all at once, looking around, I saw Manasseh ! Manasseh, that had made Jerusa- lem stream with blood !' And, giving Mr. S. an in- describable look, he said, ¥ And I crept in at Ma- nasseh's back !' Mr. M'G. told Mr. S. he had in- deed found peace, having been brought to Paul's ex- perience : ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief ;' and that he had nothing in the world to trust to but this." i:i>v. The late Dr. Payson, in hi* last illness, suffered ex- ■ it carry - 1 >uld not add one drop to tl My happiness I do long now v dear people. Hithert wed Cod as a fixed star, bright but often intercepted by clouds ; but i •is into a sun, so vast and plorious, that the sight is toodaz/ flesh and blood to sustain. 1 see, clearly, that all these same glorious and dazzlin.- now (inly serve to kindle my afl« I flams, ami to melt down my soul into the same blessed would burn and scorch i. turning an impenitent sinner." In a !• i adopt thfl figurative ■. nt" Hunyan, 1 might dati land of Beulah, of which I have been, for several ■ haj>j>y inhabitant. The eel*.-' in inv | DM — itl odours are watted t<> mo — its sound upon D • pint is breathed u urmtsi dm from it but lh< DYING TESTIMONIES. 385 of death, which now appears but as an insignificant rill, that may be crossed at a single step, whenever God shall give permission. The Sun of Righteous- ness has been gradually drawing nearer and nearer, appearing larger and brighter as He approaches, and now fills the whole hemisphere, pouring forth a flood of glory, in which I seem to float like an insect in the beams of the sun, exulting, yet almost trembling, while I gaze at this excessive brightness, and won- dering, with unutterable wonder, why God should thus deign to shine upon a sinful worm. When I would speak of God my Redeemer, my words are all swallowed up. I can only tell you of the effects His presence produces, and even of these I can tell you but very little. O, my sister, my sister, could you but know what awaits the Christian, could you only know as much as I know, you could not refrain from rejoicing, and leaping for joy. Labours, trials, troubles, would be nothing. You have known a little of my trials and conflicts, and know that they have been neither few nor small ; and I hope this glorious termination of them will serve to strengthen your faith and elevate your hope. And now, my dear sister, farewell. Hold on your Christian course a few days longer, and you will meet in heaven your happy and affectionate brother." He died October 22d, 1827, in the 44th year of his age. REV. WM. S. PEASE. This excellent young minister was born in Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y., on the 5th of April, 1800. 25 S00 He her n of age, bat youth, he lost his communion « •Axe progress of a revive" ■c of which be retained I In 1891 be commenced Ins labours as an . labouring between four and fire years he was proe- by disease, which baffled medi t an end to his labours and hie II. remarkably patient and resigned On i\\o I b< prerioea to th, when n:it this be djh ' l»oth of \bout an hour some object, when he exclaimed with a stron. "Well, — well, — well ; — 1 half an hoar afterwards, he apok< v. In. stood by him, with well, farewell ; I ai ai.i N BUT Cli A good old minister, \\li<> died in IW3 1 1 >able of en- I ' ' DYING TESTIMONIES. 387 Towards the last days of his life, he was moved to the house of a beloved son, where he was attended to with the most filial affection. On the evening be- fore his death, a neighbouring minister visited him, but he did not know him. Being told who he was, he answered, " No, I do not remember any such per- son." His beloved son was introduced to him ; but no, he did not know him. " I do not remember that I have a son," said the good old man. In short, his memory was so impaired that he knew none of his friends or family about him. At last he was asked, " Do you not remember the Lord Jesus Christ V On this his eyes brightened ; and attempting to lift his hands in the hour of death, he exclaimed, " O ! yes, I do, I do ! I remember the Lord Jesus Christ ! He is my Lord and my God, by whom I hope to be saved !" May we not be assured that the gracious Redeemer of sinners will not forsake those who thus regard him with a love that even the decay of nature cannot destroy 1 Blessed are they that put their trust in him ! Reader, hast thou done so ? If not, what will be thy state when thou comest to die ? REV. JOHN" HYATT. It is well known that this excellent man was, for many years, co-pastor with the Rev. Matthew Wilks, of the congregations at the Tabernacle and Totten- ham-court chapel. His venerable colleague, who called upon him a few hours before his death, in a characteristic conversation, said, " Is all right for another world \ n 388 .m Tery happy," said Mr. II. lie Lord be done," i i ■ can :" alluding to Mr. Wilk- ings, at that momt i i them all to alluding to an expression .Mr. 1 i the pulpit. With a mighty and convulsive replied, "A million !" STEPHEN BEEKMAS uniable and devoted youi soq of . was born in the i I '). ] religiously inclined, and at the a<;o of thirteen he made a public i !.-.% tag • sleyan ,,v, in Wilbraham, Mass., he ing then in hi I'nt his health I I to his fath. i >rk. After I red. he the New- York I gradoati onrtobimsell aisfae- t ion of li session of tl ncc of the M It, was DYING TESTIMONIES. 389 received on trial and appointed to Westville and Bethany, in Connecticut. The following year he was stationed in Milford. Here his health failing, he returned to his father's in New Haven. The fol- lowing description of his triumphant exit is extracted from a letter written by his mother to the compiler, soon after his death.* " My dear Stephen came home on the 14th of Nov., very unwell, but his father being absent from town, he preached twice. He entered into the spirit of his work, and spoke with great energy. Two per- sons were awakened, and this was the commence- ment of a revival in his father's charge. After re- maining at home for ten weeks, and being somewhat improved in health, he went back to his station, but returned in about nine days with a severe cold, from which he never recovered. His disease proved to be a bronchial consumption. " After his physicians had given him up, I said to him, ' I fear you will not stay long with us.' His countenance brightened, 'All right,' said he, 'ask father to pray.' After prayer he took each of the family in turn by the hand, giving each a kiss and his dying charge. Then raising his feeble hands he shouted, ' Glory, glory, glory to God !' He then sank away as though dead. His father remarked, ' He has gone, with glory on his lips.' But he revived, and said, ' I am not dead.' Of the scene which fol- lowed, my dear brother, I can give you but a very * The phraseology of the letter is altered very slightly, as it was not originally designed for the public eye. iui|H.Tii ol description, k thou-h tho f hosts came as near as mortals cou the room was nearly lull of \ I . sins are all i an waah- > I ul" Jt-'MIS. doubt, not ;i cloud. All rd, I am going ho::. out ' O thou Cod of my Miration, Jeemer from ail sin.' It was came to the fourth Terse, ' Angela now are horering round us,' it seemed as though his spirit would fly awa;. looked out at the window : ■ The sun,' said he, • iaset- .. with a look ol" b< already laid his hands upon his breast, ed, and expired. " 1 bad thought if he died, I should i but there was nothing like death ! filled with the glory oltlod. I comforting lnllueyio Iviig those last Uu ili:.\i;v \ Mh. Yknn, in his last illness, t \ s DYING TESTIMONIES. 391 visited him in his declining state, endeavoured to encourage his mind, by bringing to his recollection his useful labours in the Lord's vineyard. While one of them was enlarging in this .strain, the dying saint, raised from a state of oppressive languor, and deeply sensible of his own insufficiency, with great animation exclaimed, " Miserable comforters are ye all ! — I have had many to visit me, who have endea- voured to comfort me by telling me what i" have done. ' He hath spoiled principalities and powers, — He hath made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in His cross.' This, sir, is the source of all my consolation, and not anything I have done." HALYBURTON. Mr. Halyburton was one of the most learned di- vines of Scotland, and professor of divinity in the University of St. Andrew's. The ablest of his writ- ings is his " Natural Religion insufficient, and Re- vealed necessary to man's happiness." He wrote against Lord Herbert, the father of the English De- ists ; and was the first who carried the war into the enemy's camp, showing the absurdity and futility of the deist's system. The chief of his practical works is his " Great Concern." He was a truly devoted Christian, and he breathed out his soul to God in a triumphant death. The following were his last words : " I dare look death in the face, in its most ghastly shape, and hope soon to have the victory over it. Glory, glory to him ! 0, what of God do I see ! I have never seen anything like it. Ml I and the end of religion arc \ fully tweet ! 1 long lor his sa >s* his I have round Imn ' up in blessing ■ fully, as I have done, this rod, which hath ng. This is a mil You see a man dying : a v as no longer to be able to speak, I will, if I can, give you a sijrn of tri- umph when I am near to glory. " II- d:d so: for you arc encouraging yoor- >' If in the Lord,* 1 being now unable to speak, he lifted up his hands and clapped them, aud in a few moments expired. - death- did not know any with whom he h i aoquainl him; and when conduct' his room he me V " W'l; Ba i() the bit told who the ministi know him. Another friend came who bad equally well known, and a I it was one of his intimau 1 DYING TESTIMONIES. 393 if he knew her. " Who are you!" said he. Being told she was his wife, he said he did not know her. " Well," said one of them, " Bishop Beveridge, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ 1" " Jesus Christ !" said he, reviving, as if the name had pro- duced upon him the influence of a charm, " O ! yes, I have known him these forty years : precious Sa- viour, he is my only hope !" AUGUSTUS M. TOPLADY. Mr. Augustus M. Toplady closed his life by a very triumphant death. He said, " how this soul of mine longs to be gone : like an imprisoned bird, it longs to take its flight. that I had the wings of a dove, I should flee away to the realms of bliss, and be at rest forever ! I long to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord." At another time he said, " O what a day of sunshine has this been to me ! I have no words to express it : it is unuttera- ble ! O, my friends, how good our God is ! Almost without interruption his presence has been with me." Being near his end, having awakened out of sleep, he said, " O what delights ! who can fathom the joys of the third heavens!" And just before he expired he said, " The sky is clear ; there is no cloud : Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly !" JOSEPH BENSON". Two days before the venerable and Rev. Joseph Benson expired, he was visited by Dr. Adam Clarke, and Mr. (now Dr.) Bunting. Dr. Clarke, who ap- pearcil affected at seeing km, said, yes, — it • am nut ■ 1 c au aJl-aulIiciunt and y Saviour, and you now ir trust in him." He re] with him, ai ^reat truths which LIS fully declared to us: followed acunningl) "No — I but by x 1 still feel the oQtd . firmities ; I feel th thing good in . and by irit, be fully renewed aui . mmentator, d ;i hols man, h [i sublimely < "hn^tun! I DYING TESTIMONIES. 395 of sin, of the purity and holiness of God. And not- withstanding his progress heavenward, what self- abasement he ever manifested ! " Lord, abhor me not," said he, in fervent prayer, " though I be abhorrible, and abhor myself : say not, ' Thou filthy soul, continue to be filthy still ;' but rather say, ' I will, be thou clean.' " He longed much to be gone. " I am weary of my journey, and wish to be at home, if *it be God's will. Ah ! I had thought that I should close the sacred services of this day (the Sabbath), in heaven." A great part of his time he prayed and thought aloud. On one occasion he said, "Posthumous reputation ! the veriest bubble with which the devil ever deluded a wretched mortal ! But posthumous usefulness — ay, in that there is indeed something : that was what Moses, the prophets, and the apos- tles desired ; and most of all, the Lord Jesus Christ." Among the last words he uttered were these : " Lord, support me — Lord Jesus, receive my spirit !" To his weeping wife and children he said, with tender- ness, " Can any rational being grieve at my depart- ure \ Well, nature will have its first burst of sor- row, but you will soon learn to view it in its true light. Christ is my all ! He is my only hope ! O to realize the fulness of joy ! to have done with temptation ! This is heaven begun : I have done with darkness forever ! Satan is vanquished ! Nothing remains but salvation with eternal glory, eternal glory !" |Q6 MIS' 1 HA] 44 1 REMKMfiKK that on my return a a ves- sel irU i on a voyae;» -ays St. . ' 4 as soon as the sailors had perfectly ! the land of their native country, they be- came in a gn ding to the duties of the ship 8 :t it wistfully, without the j | else ; others dressed themselves in their best clothes, as if they naelves, and others v "As we approached, the disorder of their minds increased. A everal years, ■ the foliage of the I skirled the eh and tnosees. The ehnrcb spires of the village vhich they distinguished at a di country, ami whieh tlay named one filled tliein with tra " IJut irhen the \. I the port, an : their wives, their children, and their frit their arms with t« : ^ them l>v their name, it was no lo i board , tin \ .'ii shore, and ILLUSTRATIONS. 397 came necessary, according to the custom of the port, to employ another set of mariners to bring the vessel to her mooring. " What, then, would be the case, were we in- dulged with a sensible display of that heavenly country, inhabited by those who are dearest to us, and who are worthy of our most sublime affections 1 The laborious and vain cares of this life would from that moment come to an end. Its duties would be forsaken, and all our powers and feelings would be lost in perpetual rapture. It is wisdom, therefore, that a veil is spread over the glories of futurity. Let us enjoy the hope that the happy land awaits us, and in the mean time let us fulfil with cheerfulness and patience what belongs to our present condition." POWER OF THE TRUTH. " God," said Dr. Clarke on one occasion, " will abide by his own truth, by whomsoever delivered ; by men however weak and defective, though we are not to confound occasional usefulness with a call to the ministry. A minister who understood nothing at all about experimental religion, was reading a sermon, in which the doctrine of forgiveness of sins through faith was alluded to. A poor man, already under serious convictions, on this occasion received a sense of pardon and acceptance with God ; — in the joy of his heart, he went to tell the minister of the blessing he had received — narrated his simple tale to the in- strument of his deliverance, and was surprised to find the preacher could not comprehend the subject ; de- rlarinc that there was not a passage in t he repaired to forthwith be ted with Hr- ! then intei • is not ■ near it boh I upon his ear, and *s the I the minister, 'this &enii< ■.x ofturning one man maeri>h, but have ev» 4 \[i- that believeth on the S . . (1 turn, to them gare he power tobccon to them thai on his name. 1 'Therefore we conclud is Justified by faith without the deeds of th. fore, now no condemnation to them ( 'hrist J to her -th, it was peace to • i loomed thi in the desert •■■• rain, held fast Lion, and died rejoicing in faith ; a sign our moral w. Allow that some » t starts^ not UWOh li. DO which w < ILLUSTRATIONS. 403 God has promised to hear prayer, nor that other evidence on which we believe that he has actually- heard and answered it. The greatness of creation, and the littleness of man, the decrees of God, and the immutability of natural laws, would not stop his prayer, nor startle from his knees the man who could say, " Verily, God hath heard me ; he hath attended to the voice of my petition ;" but, superior to all speculative difficulties, because secure in his experimental knowledge, that wise and happy man would still pray on. And, to see the wisdom of this course, you have only to put a parallel case. In the infinite variety of this universe, there may be a world where the processes of growth, and decay, and reproduction, so familiar to us, are utterly un- known. Suppose that the inhabitant of such a world were transported to our own, and that he witnessed the husbandman's operations in spring. He might marvel what he meant. He might won- der why he cast these grains of corn into the ground ; and, when told that it was with a view to reproduce them a hundred-fold, the mysterious pro- cess might at once assume the aspect of infatuation, and he might begin to remonstrate with the labourer on this crazy waste of useful corn ; and, if this visitor from Jupiter or Saturn were as acute a metaphysician as many in our own world are, he might adduce many subtle arguments — too subtle, perhaps, for a farmer to refute. " Is not this a mad notion of yours 1 Do you really mean to affirm, that this particle of corn will grow into a hundred more 1 Nay, do you pre- .: you will p :»ole thia bard >.i i, and com' -.• monllu and do the glossy stems, the w leaves, and i vvheat-etalk ? re be- jroc bury diamonds and guineas, awl get th« liplied after the sam pl« ton ! do vmi not know that all these matter Ithaabeee foreordained, either that you are to have a crop next autumn, or that you are to former ease, vour present pains arc yuu will gel y.iur harvest without all this a the latter, your pains are useless, for noth. pn.cui' whew it is eot the purpose of Onmij n"U should have « I ploughman listen to all thi I with it. 11 l»e able iw the precise way in " h v on the future crop ; and he might not see at duetivc, whilst diamonds and l" 4 all, might be able to dispose on. Bat ho would all th witbool a s. ■• -hat ho had ,. afficieoUy without reaping some- thing. And so, when • duo cornea in fi rleei world, in ILLUSTRATIONS. 405 ing man may not be able to discuss tbem one by one — he may not even understand them — " But this I know, God is the hearer of prayer, and, verily, he hath heard myself." And, like the farmer, who scatters his seed heedless of all that has ever been said on necessity, and causation, and general laws, a wise believer will, in the face of hypothetic diffi- culties, proceed on ascertained facts, and, amidst ob jections and cavils, will persist to pray, and continue to enjoy the blessings which prayer procures. PRATER A PRIVILEGE. Imagine that there had been certain limitations on prayer. Imagine that there had only been one spot on the earth from which prayer could arise with ac- ceptance. Imagine — by no means inconceivable, for there was once something very like it — imagine that the Lord had selected some little spot of earth — a Mount Zion or a Holy Land — and said that here, and here only, was the place to worship. Imagine that from this hallowed spot alone there had existed a passage into heaven for the prayers of earth, and that all supplications, however earnest, uttered on the profane soil of the common globe, had gone for nothing. What a resorting we should have seen to this place of only prevalency ! When there occurred some conjuncture decisive of weal or wo to an indi- vidual or a family, or when a man became so anx- ious about his soul's salvation that nothing could content him save light from above, we should have seen the busy trader arranging for his protracted ab- MISCt sence, and ' I husbandman preparing for the perilous pilgrimage, ami tudes, « "re, re- heard and an- ; imagine, further, that t: :.C day in the it those who arrived at the appointed place too late, found the gate of access closed : m \t tut U >• ii. ..:.::.-. the exi- Midden the emergen- nble to do aajthing till the weary year moved round, and brought back the one propitious day! — even thus restricted, would not | to he a privilege worth a pilgrimage, and worth a long on- waiting ? hat in our « revolution round the sun there was disclosed a .11 the sky ! — that on one night la the year, and on one mountain-top, there was a vista opened through the encircling vault, and a sight of dazzling glories revealed to all who gazed from summit ; — and fancy that through the brilliant gap recurred regularly on the - vening erery hat a concourse to that Pisga: count upon! How many eager eyes would strain hand till the first streak of radiance betokened the burstill - 1 how many emulous hands would rush together to thfl llaming rubies and the diamond ram! And just conceive — the only . hall make — that certain costly »»r arduous pn ILLUSTRATIONS. 407 naries were essential in order to successful prayer ; suppose that a day's strict abstinence, or some pain- ful self-punishment, were exacted ; or that each worshipper were required to bring in his hand some costly offering — the choicest of his flock, or a large per centage on his income — and who would say that this was unreasonable? Would not access into God's own presence — a favour so ineffable — would it not be wisely purchased at any price, and might not sinful " dust and ashes" marvel that after any ordeal or purifying process it was admitted near such Majesty? But how stands the case ? Prayer is not a con- sultation with the highest wisdom which this world can supply. It is not intercourse with an angel or a spirit made perfect. But it is an approach to the living God. It is access to the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity. It is detailing in the ear of Divine sympathy every sorrow. It is consulting with Divine wisdom on every difficulty. It is asking from Divine resources the supply of every want. And this not once in a life-time, or for a few mo- ments on a stated day of each year, but at any mo- ment, at every time of need. PRAYER IN AFFLICTION. "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray." " In agony nature is no atheist. The mind which knows not where to fly, flies to God." And to spring into the arms of Omnipotence, to find refuge in the bosom of Mercy, is to weep no longer. The 108 cring I • I put nn end to other an that rescued man opens his eyes beneath tome friendly roof, and instead of the watery winding- asters, finds htwwrff on a concli of warm comfort, his chamber glowing with the cheerful I i:dly face ready to greet his first waking, and see through the window the ship that is waiting to hear him back to his na- tive isle, — it may be true that he had treasures in the foundered vessel, and that some curious i cious things I mm may ■ ip from the devouring deep, — but how differ- ent his lot from the DOOf CMtftWl hilJows have landed on a desolate rock, and who, creeping about in his dripping ra?s, can find no food b . no foe! hut the crackling sea-weed, no hovel tor him. and no sail to waft him BO wrecked, and both have lost their all ; but in the joy ftl In his po- \ertv, and in i ! asylum from the wave* the odu nothing bat ■ prison and a tomb. |y similar Lb 1 n wlw .ml of him who, when ni — the man whom the bill., the dosolate theism, and t from the stun of dr. pavilion <'t" Goe?i own: nreneaoe. Both may have ILLUSTRATIONS. 409 suffered equal losses. Both may have left a trea- sure in the deep. Both may have been washed empty-handed ashore. But the man of prayer is like the man who comes to himself in the, asylum of the friendly home. The bliss of present fellowship with God abates or banishes the grief of recent loss. On the lee-shore, which has shattered his frail bark, he is astonished to lift up his eyes and find himself the guest of a beloved friend, and in a familiar dwel- ling. He knows that he will land safe at last, and is happy even now. " Is any among you afflicted "? Let him pray." PRAY AND SUCCEED. It was to prayer that Henry IV. of France ascribed his crown, and Gustavus owed his victories. The father of the modern fine arts was wont, before he began any new composition, to invoke His inspira- tion who in other days taught Aholiab ; and the Goliath of English literature felt that he studied successfully when he had prayed earnestly. And what Michael Angelo and Milton and Johnson found so hopeful to their mighty genius cannot hinder us. You have read in our own history of that hero who, when an overwhelming force was in full pursuit, and all his followers were urging him to more rapid flight, coolly dismounted in order to repair a flaw in his horse's harness. Whilst busied with the broken buckle, the distant cloud swept down in nearer thun- der ; but just as the prancing hoofs and eager spears were ready to dash down on him, the flaw was 410 MISCELLANEOUS. Beaded, the clasp was fastened, the steed was Boasted, and like a swooping falron he had vanished from t lid have ! s disaOEl lorious ty back • •• same profit- able d. usiness of the day, ilcnts, and great his diligl .'.loping on a steed harnessed with a broken . and BOSt DOt marvel if, iii liis hottest haste, or most baza: be be left inglorious in the dust; and though it may occasion some littli he/oreBBd, his neighbotii • iio seta all in order before the march be Most persons, in the outset of their lightenment, are in the <• Mind man at Bethsaida when his • !. lie np and saw men like trues walkin •aw thai he was in s world of light, and vivacity ; but it was all a jombll walking trees — s medley (»t' light and motion. He had no clrar peroeptioDS — no sharp and definite But — another touch of I -he looked again, and the men walked and ■■! still, tin' birds win over quivering ( Jalilee, and \o ' in the summer noon. At the i-ommcncemei ILLUSTRATIONS. 411 religious inquiry, the man finds himself in a region of deep interest, but withal a region of dim outlines and flickering obscurity. His notions run into one another, and he has rather a confused impression of the extent of the landscape, than a clear perception of any one object in it. Like the man who con- founded walking people with growing trees, he is apt to confound one doctrine with another. He mis- takes faith for the Saviour. He blends together the gospel and the law, and thinks that there must be a change in himself before he is entitled to believe in Christ for salvation. And if, at this stage, friendly counsellors come in with their distinctions and ex- planations, they answer much the same purpose as a neighbour who should have endeavoured to ex- pound the landscape to the half-enlightened Galilean. After all his well-meant efforts, the scene would still have showed a medley of glimmering colours and dancing blotches, and nothing but another touch of the Omnipotent hand could project the whole into splendid distinctness. And, just as in the case of the dim-seeing Galilean, it was not so much a sun- shine as a ghost of light which saluted his eye-balls — so, in the outset of a spiritual earnestness, it is not the warm and radiant gospel which glads the ex- ploring vision, but a cold and hazy version of it. It is not a gospel over which the love of God sheds its flood of endearment, but a gospel in a mist — a gos- pel of conflicting attributes and ambiguous meaning, a gospel of dim love and doubtful kindness. And it is not till a power from on high imparts clearer per- v stands oat in as- ■:]«»n the tool in its helming glor in this cue ■ icology and a * j religion, this is the way to get ought it in books and in sermons. Perhaps you have sought it in the Bible, and in close thinkin u hare not found it. u from abo-. | in prayer. shut the Bible and forsake the sanctuary. Don't ay the book, or cease to reflect and medi- the wisdom from on high. 1: uly it is not a | but it is a . | power of sharper discernment, and a more j " opening of your eyes" — this l Hut he will give it. ing, i nd, in the bi your views, and the strengthen;: will find that God if ,| truth, and, by the illumin v. making than all your | '. | m nt, and writes on the top of it, "To the ILLUSTRATIONS. 413 Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the humble peti- tion of So and so," but there he stops. He sits with the pen in his hand for half an hour, but does not add another word, then rises and goes his way. And he repeats this process day after day — begin- ning a hundred sheets of paper, but putting into them no express request ; sometimes, perhaps, scrawling down a few sentences which nobody can read, not even himself, but never plainly and deliberately set- ting down what it is that he desires. Can he won- der that his blank petitions and scribbled parchments have no sensible effect on himself nor on any one besides 1 And has he any right to say, " I wonder what can be the matter. Other people get answers to their petitions, but I am not aware that the slight- est notice has ever been taken of one of mine. I am not conscious of having got a single favour, or being a whit the better for all that I have written I" Could you expect it ? When did you ever finish a petition ? When did you ever despatch and forward one to the feet of Majesty ? THE METHOD OF APPROACH. It is competent to the sovereign to fix the channel through which he desires that his subjects should transmit their petitions ; and there is a day's-man appointed ; and, so to speak, it is a standing order in the court of heaven, that each petition from earth shall be transmitted through " the minister of the new covenant" — through that divine person on II 1 whose shoulder is devolved the government . that any one should try to overleap this si order— '. any one should either Jtabborooeae .scorn it, or in his carelessnesa •n in his own name— can 1 n so flagrant should i may be but the m is wronp. this is d mere eti»met, like some of the court ari of earth, but a matter i import, and neant to fulfil exalted ends. It is dc- in honour of the Prince of Peace, to memorable interposition it is owing that than loyalty in tins revolted world, and to whose admi- and to v. should 1 would present an accept - ■ tition, and :urn to his ; must remember that saying of i Belf| " What that will 1 do, that the Father may be gl in the B \ < im.n who has : who looks at u through t: .\ think bcaatiful. \ at in its folds of green and gold, an pes sparkle in ILLUSTRATIONS. 415 jects, and the child may long to grasp it. " But what man is there among you who is a father, if his son ask a serpent, will he give him the serpent V And supposing that the fretful child should weep because he is not allowed to fondle the asp, could worse befall him than just to be allowed to smash the case and clutch the envenomed reptile 1 The Lord has sometimes permitted his imperious and wayward children thus to punish themselves ; but more frequently and more mercifully, he refuses their hearts' deceitful lust. One sets his eye on the golden serpent, and prays that God would make him rich. But the Lord still keeps the shining ser- pent beyond his reach ; for should he have succeeded in hugging it to his bosom, it might have stung him with many sorrows, or even plunged him in perdition. Another sets his eye on the fiery flying serpent of fame, and wonders after it, and wishes that he too could fix his reputation to it, and see his own name flickering as a part of its meteor-train in its flight through the firmament. But this wish is also re- fused — and instead of a dizzy and dangerous re- nown, he is appointed to a safe obscurity. And sometimes requests, right or religious-looking, are refused. When the mother of Zebedee's children came and said, " Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand and the other on thy left, when thou comestin thy kingdom," — there was a plausibility and a certain faith in the petition. It assumed that Christ had indeed a kingdom, and was yet to come gloriously, and it said that the highest I re is a Little creature know n to naturalist . clothed apon, it descends u aod vou may see the lilt!- tag about dry and at 1 by 1'is cr Ifcmgh the water all around ami above be stagnant ami bitter. Prayer is such a protector— a transpa- itore, the world sees it not— but, a r- fenoe, it keeps out the world. By moans of it the believer can gather so much of heaven's aim around him, and with it descend into the putrid of this contaminating world, that for a season will touch him ; and he e to as- cend for a new supply. EEPEATE Tm: following amusing anecdoti or a bad application. A be repeated becaust tht \ product To rely, solely or en util'ul illustm': ■ Church, I ILLUSTRATIONS. 417 the preparations of former years engenders idleness, stifles genius, and gradually diminishes the preacher's interest in the truths he delivers ; giving to his audi- ence, in place of fresh and vigorous discourses, those that are stale, flat, and lifeless. Preaching be- comes a mere work of memory — a sort of school-boy declaiming, and the hearer is as little affected as the preacher. The moment a minister ceases to study — to bring forth new things as well as old — that moment he begins to decline in popularity and usefulness. It was on Monday morning, says the narrator, that I called upon the Rev. Dr. P., of Edinburgh, whom I found in a most merry laughing mood. " Why, what's the matter, Doctor, that you are so merry so early in the morning ?" "Had you been here a little earlier," said he, " you would have been laughing too. Did you meet a man going down the court as you came up it 1" " I did, doctor." " Take a chair, then, till I can tell you the object of his so early visit to me on Monday morning." He laughed again, after which, by screwing and bracing, he succeeded to finish the tale, when laughed more than the doctor. " The person you met in the court," said the doc- tor, " is one of my people, who felt it his duty to make so early a call this morning, to reprove me for a very great sin, which he conceived me to be guilty of committing yesterday. " Yesterday morning I preached from such a text, 27 418 MISCELLANEOUS. M aAer- 1 1 the same discourse to his people. t1 this person, whom you met in the down after the morning senrice to ighter, who was si when, lo ! who shot, heard in the morning, and what shou! the same sermon! ! This, sir, constituted t: heinous sin of which I was guilty — the pr. at Leith the same sermon which 1 had preaehed at Edinburgh. And so grievously great, in his ac- count, is this my sin, that I oncrht therefor to be re- buked ; and to discharge which act of brotherly kind- ness to mc was the object of this so t morning. is not in the habit of call rather surprised mc ; the more so on Monday morn- ing, at BO early an hour. " I could perceive by his rather hur: ..inner that he wanted to say something he knew not how to introduce. I fore, I said, 4 John, 1 apprehend you have calk DM fox some certain purpose; if so, procce form mc of the object of your i ie humming, much ridding of the accompanied by some few mutt< 1. 1 ami sorrow he fell that there should have < xisted such c you not preach yesterday morning from such i ILLUSTRATIONS. 419 ■ ' Yes, John.' " ' After morning service, I went down to Leith to visit my daughter, who is sick, and being there, thought I would step in and hear Mr. E. preach, but found you in the pulpit in his stead ; and did you not there preach the same sermon you preached in your own church in the morning V " ' I did, John, and I will tell you why I did it. I was some miles off, in another town, and in another congregation. If my sermon was of importance to you in Edinburgh, it certainly was so for them in Leith. But, John, I very well observe the object of your early visit. The questions you have put inform me both of its nature and design. You do not intend, I presume, to number me among the ' dumb dogs that cannot bark? but you rank me among the ' idle shep- herds? because I preached the same sermon at Leith in the afternoon that I had delivered in the morning at Edinburgh, being too lazy, as you suppose, to pre- pare another for them there ; and you felt it your duty, did you not, to call upon me to reprove me for such conduct V " 'I did, doctor ; yet not exactly to reprove you, but to warn you against such conduct in future, as I consider it very improper, if not very sinful.' "'I thank you, John, and am willing to believe you my friend, and that you are sincere in what you have done.' " ' I am all you say, doctor, and more too.' " ' That I am ready to admit, John, yet must tell you that I am more than a little skeptical as to what you affirm respecting the sinfulness ami impr< . s such as in > was, ttd to a new c :is 1 am, ami unable as 1 feel to bel;- artlv u: in your power, John, the s;ime - I felt, John, thai I an important and solemn m lv eakoJated, aided by the Spirit of < rod, I Dish and edify, not our church only, bul tian society ;' and could not fail i M in every sanctified breast that I to it. 1 " i h vaa all yon impressive Bermon ; a convincii course— just such a in her presenl circumstances, requires; and. it wafl so plain that all could understand ami I her it.' "•Well, John, as to the had an advanl bare heard ting of tins sermon you have il i f the prop:. piicty of preachin sermon a m ■ more times even at home. Now from you have heard it twice, and thai bul ILLUSTRATIONS. 421 hope you are able to repeat for the assistance of others, and the edification of your own soul, the greater part of it, and the more especially so since you say it was so plain and easy to be remembered. The introduction to the sermon was neither lengthy nor far-fetched ; you are able to tell me how I intro- duced it V " After a good deal of shifting, and changing of his position on his seat, he said, " ' Well, no, doctor, I have pretty much forgotten the manner in which you introduced the subject.' "'Well, John, you cannot have forgotten the di- visions of the discourse. There was nothing artifi- cial about them ; they arose naturally out of the text, and were such as every reflecting mind could not fail to see. What was the first V "It, too, was lost in forgetfulness. " ' Well, the second, what was it ? Well, let us pass to the third ; can you tell me it V " Nor could one of them be produced. " ' Well, John, you cannot possibly have forgotten the improvement made of the subject. You very well remember, I doubt not, the many and various classes of characters therein addressed, and the many and important Christian duties inculcated. The improvement, John, was of all the sermon the most awful, solemn, and impressive part. It you cannot surely have forgotten V " ' It was, sir, it was. It made a deep impression on my mind, and I could see very well it did on many others also ; but, doctor, I have a bad memory, and am sorry to say I can repeat but little of the im« " 1 wailed some tim^ for that 'little,' but that the improvement also was . i said, " • \N from convincing me of the sinfulness and impropriety of preaching a ser- mon a iecoed time when 1 go from home that you i.'-w duty I aerer thought of before, nam< preaching of important sermons twice and again at home. " ' When you go home, John, you had better re- flect upon the object of your visit to me ; and while you are doing that, I shall rellect whether it is not my duty to you. to preach next Sunday mot third time, the same sermon, with a view to assist your so treacherous memory. ' " I need not add that John retired, apparently suf- fering by most mortified I Where is that church in which are not to be found many such Johns] All cry fy, t'v, at the repetition of a sermon, but try them as John was tried, and you will find that bad memories are the curse not of John alone. But how appalling thee a state of things ! how discouraging to minisfc how ruinous to immortal souls ! How numerous in every church the " wajftidt 1'AKTlAI.nV XO 0X3 ■ Sarnie tie the i p sit in judgment On their own case. In human afl ILLUSTRATIONS. 423 is the appropriate business of the law to fix the ill- desert of crime ; it is the business of impartial men to decide according to evidence, whether this ill- desert attaches to the individual accused." But this is not the course of impenitent men. They as- sume to say what the law should be ; in other words, to legislate for their Maker. " If a human legisla- ture, composed of Sabbath-breakers, were to enact laws which should define the amount of guilt that should attach to Sabbath-breaking, or if a legislature of gamblers, or of duellists, or of adulterers, or of pirates, or of murderers, were to enact laws defining the guilt of gambling, duelling, piracy, or murder, who does not see that they would be under irresist- ible temptations to diminish the turpitude of these crimes V Or if a jury of thieves were summoned to sit in judgment upon a thief, a companion in guilt ; who does not see that their verdict would not be very likely to be impartial ] But stronger still would be the case if twelve men, accused of theft, and put upon their trial, should be taken from the prisoner's box, and placed upon the juror's bench, and ordered to bring in a verdict of guilty or not guilty in their own case. JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF ROCHESTER. Vhis nobleman was a man of uncommon acuteness of intellect, and conversational powers of the highest order. He has been well described as a great wit, a great sinner, and a great penitent. " He told me," says Bishop Burnett, " that Mr. Parsons read to ■ |,im the fifty-third chapter which : ; in their hands aa ■ t>"<»k divinelj . which did so enlighi could resist it no longer. For the words had an authority that did shoot Uke rays or beams in /us mind, so that he was not only convin the reasoning he had about it, which understanding, but by a power which did so ually constrain him, that he did ever after bell .viour, as If he had seen him in the el love FOB Tin: OLOfi " The preacher," knew a piou- who had been reduced from a mam polled to occupy a hired and contracted apartment ; yet nothing in the humiliating and distn i to affect her, but her want now of a place crlusion to indulge her private CONVERTED ASTRONOMER It was a fine reply oi who, when interrogated concerning U had been idolising, answered, - 1 am now bound km hearer*, and tafc ILLUSTRATIONS, 425 KEY. J. W. FLETCHER. " I have heard him say," says Mrs. Fletcher, " that when he lived alone in his house, the tears have come into his eyes when five or six insignificant let- ters have been brought him, at three or fourpence a-piece ; and perhaps he had only a single shilling in the house to distribute among the poor, to whom he was going. He frequently said to me, ' O, Polly, can we not do without beer 1 Let us drink water, and eat less meat. Let our necessities give way to the extremities of the poor.'" EVIDENCE OF DEPRAVITY. The desire to be saved without holiness is proof of depravity. Such a proposition would shock any holy being. Suppose it were made to an angel, or the spirit of a just man made perfect. "Would he not stand aghast at the very thought 1 Would he not regard it as a blasphemy, which could only ori- ginate in the bosom of a fiend 1 a blasphemy that had come up from the depths of hell itself 1 Such a de- sire, and common it is with sinners, is sin ; a sin to be lamented ; a sin to be repented of ; a sin to be be- wailed ; a sin to prostrate us in dust and ashes before God. To be saved without holiness ! To be saved in sin ! It is a contradiction in terms. It is like talking of health, of possessing health, while dying of an eating cancer, or of an incurable leprosy. To be saved in heaven, without being saved on earth from sin — without holiness ! Why holiness is the MISCELLANEOUS. very esscnco of hearen. " It is a mistake to think hntr or musir of paradis< il a place uf rejoicm of Us splendour — its eve: I in our presence — its anthems might [led by its full choirs, and yet it be no I at all to us. " It is bee ; there, that rapture will i he abode of purity, that it is the abode of peace and pleasantness. It is because every heart thrills with love, that in every heart Lb beatitude unspeakable. It U that calls forth hallelujahs of ecstasy unspeakable which ring eternally in heaven. In a word, it is not an animal but a spiritual festival, whiel for us in the mansions above ; and in these mansions continuance in well-doing, , lory and im- mortality." KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL D 4i When the heart of man is bound b\ (.'.id, ami tied by the golden bands of watched by angels, and tended by mil of the soul, it is : man to wander, and the evil of his heart be 1: ness of lions' whelps. Hut when he ha the In >'' into the strength i the licentiousness of ungoverm I'ul to observe what a great inundation <•!' m in a very short time will overflow all I ILLUSTRATIONS. 427 reason and religion. Vice is first pleasing, then it grows easy, then it is delightful, then it is frequent, then habitual, then confirmed ; then man is inde- pendent, then he is obstinate, then he resolves never to repent, then he dies, then he is damned." DIFFERENCE - BETWEEN THE DOUBTING CHRISTIAN AND THE SKEPTIC. There are unquestionably weak Christians, who, not well instructed in the evidences of Chris- tianity, meet with ingenious sophisms and cavils which trouble them. But there is a vast difference between them and those whose vicious lives make them wish religion were not true. The latter would gladly believe less than they do, and the former would gladly believe more. These skeptics are tormented with apprehensions that the Bible is true, while these feeble Christians are perplexed with suggestions to doubt, which are as unwelcome to them as the apprehensions of its truth are to the others. LOVE IS ALL THE GRACES COMBINED. It takes all the colours of the rainbow combined to form that pure beautiful white light which God has diffused abroad over this fair creation. The prism separates the ray into its constituent elements, bring- ing out the red, the orange, the purple, green, &c. Just so it is with love. Love is all the graces com- bined. A heart full of love is a heart adorned with Mfsn "ilfilling of tin i rnys, and brings out sun rate from the rest. Thus insult calls out ami exhibit ekness ■ i /ram f ht 1 I rknessy faith — continued annoyances, long-suffen its, fidelity — dangers, courage — sw of otht r#, sympathy. But all these are nothing more nor less than that lovo which " doth not behave itself nly, is not easily provoked, bean hopcth, and endureth all things ; that love that is without partiality and without hypocrisy, that is lull of mercy and of good frur THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN Has been compared to a full goblet. Just aa the slightest motion makes it run over, so every little in- cident awakens pious sentiments, and every little paiMOB his heart to overflow with gratitude. 3 BY RELM store by the Hamilton, in the Presbyterian Messi ng< r, the followu dent is related : — " \ uple, in the ■ of London, \\lu>. in the early part oflifl but who, l>v the blessing of God upon their industry, I :i comfortable independency in tlwir i illed upon l>v a Christian minister. \\ ' ILLUSTRATIONS. 429 cited their contributions to a charity. The old lady- was disposed to make out some excuse, and to an- swer in the negative, both for her husband and her- self; and therefore replied, " Why, sir, we have lost a deal by religion since we began : my husband knows that very well." And being willing to obtain her husband's consent to the assertion, she said, " Have we not, Thomas V Thomas, after a long and solemn pause, replied, " Yes, Mary, we have lost a deal by our religion. I have lost a deal by my religion. Before I got religion, Mary, I had got a water-pail, in which I carried water, and that you know I lost many years ago. And then I had an old slouched hat, a patched old coat, and mended shoes and stockings ; but I have lost them also long ago. And, Mary, you know that, poor as I was, I had a habit of getting drunk, and quarrelling with you ; and that, you know, I have lost. And then I had a hardened conscience, and a wicked heart ; and then I had ten thousand guilty feelings and fears ; but all are lost, completely lost, and like a mill-stone cast into the deepest sea. And, Mary, you have been a loser too, though not so great a loser as myself. Before we got religion, Mary, you had got a washing-tray, and washed for hire, and God Almighty blessed your industry. But since we got religion you have lost your washing-tray. And you had a gown and bonnet much the worse for wear, though they were all you had to wear, but you have lost them long ago. And you had many an aching heart concerning me at times, but those 130 Misci. you na^ od I could even wish that •*t, and even more ; DM by our : v, will be our eternal I not go away without substantial proof mil Thomas deemed Rations to divine merry and goodness. the progress of a protracted meeting, held in Johnstown, Ohio, by the Rev, Mr. C of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it so happened that most of the persons who came forward to th for the prayers of the church were females ; UM J Oe ed some objectors to Bay that weak-minded | • which came to the ears of Mr. C . The next evening of the meeting, he took occasion to notice their objections as follows, as near as I can re- member : — " Well, friends, we have had a very profitable meeting lo-nighk I wish, -e a lit- '•tion 1 heard of to-day concerning on ing. Bona ; said that this is no- the work of I .11 the seekers arc BmaiM : they, moreover, challei: why th' -port i.»n of the weaker sex but see hen : Two I had occasion to go to preach to the prisoners in the Ohio peniu Now, how did it happen that there were more than ILLUSTRATIONS. 431 four hundred males, and but about half a dozen of the weaker sex ! When you answer this, I will be prepared to speak to your question." CECIL IN SICKNESS. Mr. Cecil, during a severe illness, said to a person who spoke of it, " It is all Christ. I keep death in view. If God does not please to raise me up, he in- tends me better. 'I know in whom I have be- lieved.' How little do we think of improving the time while we have opportunity ! I find everything but religion only vanity. To recollect a promise of the Bible, this is substance ! Nothing will do but the Bible. If I read authors, and hear different opinions, I cannot say this is truth ! I cannot grasp it as substance ; but the Bible gives me something to hold. I have learned more within these curtains, than from all the books I ever read." ELATED AND DEPRESSED. " One Lord's day," a minister writes in his diary, " my mind was borne down by a sense of my unpre- paredness for the work of the day ; my fears rose so high, as greatly to affect my body. This fear, as to its nature, was an apprehension of being left to bar- renness in the work of the day. Its cause was view- ing the greatness of the work, and the weakness of my own abilities, without looking to God. Its cure, I thought, must be a view of the Lord's ability to help me, and a reliance on him for aid. I went to meeting in the depth of fear, but the Lord did not Both in I After this my proud . justly left uiu to grcal contractedness ui the the pre raa language of 1 if it any I exalted -ure, like Hesekiah, th bjunble themselves for the pride of thou was this da] ■ ... r Erekine in his of mind, on the com] ed me, and which 1 was preparing for E sacrament, on the 30th of tbia i wonder that the Lord— he v holds tli.- proud afar oil* — visible way, on this account. I prayed to tl to deliver me from pride of gifts. it is a I .sin. o Lord, keep me from it, and help m humble, to he Like Christ; and to preach Can not to preach my.-i \(." A P00B BERMOM may in ' At one time, wh< and Ralph i both pleached on the Monday after the oeV of the Lord's Supper si I livered an excellent discourse, with l animation and dignity, while the latter fell cod ILLUSTRATIONS. 433 bly short of his usual fluency and fervour. Shortly after the close of the worship, when the two brothers had an opportunity of conversing privately together, Ebenezer gently intimated to Ralph, that it appear- ed to him the sermon he had preached that day was not so substantial and interesting as usual ; on which Ralph made a reply to this effect : "True, brother ; but if my poor sermon humble me, perhaps I shall reap greater advantage from it, than you from your great sermon. 1 ' DID NOT MENTION HIMSELF. " On a visit to London," says the Rev. J. Campbell, in a letter to a minister, " I was expressing a great desire to see the late Mr. Charles of Bala, with whom I had corresponded for three years concern- ing a remarkable revival which had taken place under his ministry. Mr. C. happening to be in town at the same time, your father kindly took me to Lady Ann Erskine's, where he resided. We spent there two happy hours. Your father requested Mr. C. to favour us with a brief outline of the circumstances which led to the remarkable revival at Bala, and its surrounding region, its progress, &c. He did so for upwards of an hour. On our leaving him, your father said, ' Did you not observe the wonderful humility of Mr. C. in the narrative he gave 1 Never having once mentioned himself, though he was the chief actor and instrument in the whole matter.' " 28 Misrr: PAYS01TS MBBS The secretary of the Am- tion Society, visiting Dr. Payson shortly before his death, asked for a message whtc him to he received the t pro m p Ui : — " What if God shot;] ; :r hand ood, and tell you to inscribe on it a *• which should he read :it tho net day, and shown - an index of your own thoughts and feelings, what tare, what caution would you exercise in the selection! Now, this is what God has don» Bt von immortal minds, more im- Me than the diamond, on which you are about to inscrihe every day and every hour, by your instruc- tions, by your spirit, or by your example, som which will remain, and be for or against you at tiie judgment FAITH. ; >nakv who hail brought over a native from India, was surprised one day by to him, : . what wieked men the* ut Ood was grmeiooaly pleased to reli son! by i powerful application of Ps. exxx. I there i w w ith thee, that thou i be feared ' From tl ILLUSTRATIONS. 437 peace, and comfort, in drawing near to God through the Mediator ; and on this text I preached immedi- ately after my recovery." Perhaps to this exercise of mind we owe his excellent exposition of this Psalm. PROFANENESS IN PRAYER. An aged minister told me, that when he was a young man, he had, on a certain occasion, been praying in a family, and in his prayer he made a very frequent and energetic use of the terms " good God," and " God Almighty." At the close of his prayer, a little child, about four years of age, came to his mother, and said, " Mother, I don't like to hear that minister pray." " Why V inquired the mother. " Because," said the child, " he swears so when he prays." This reproof from the child broke the minister of the habit of swearing when he prayed. Prayer is peti- tion ; and no one would use the name of a ruler, to whom he was making a petition, in as harsh a man- ner as many use the name of the great God. PACTS AGAINST SPECULATIONS. A European may know more than a savage, and a scholar may know more than either ; but none of them can know for certain anything except facts, which they have observed for themselves, or facts which have been revealed to them by others. But whilst these are the limits of human certainty, they are not the limits of human curiosity. In our anxiety to be wise beyond what is ascertainable, we MISCELLANEOUS. have invented a transcendental metaphysics, — a science the acutest < i ell ecu have bestowed themselves, and to whose lit some of the most eloquent argument and fine Limes and modern has contr: M all its curious questions ami doublsome answers — the accum u thousand years — has not added a single atom domain of ascertained truth or actual knowledge. If you could conceive the fowls of heaven su seized with a strong desire to get aw globe altogether, — |f you could imagine them all at different elevations in the atmosphere, according to ngth of their pinions, or the lightness of their forms, hut all, beak uppermost, st . ilutter- ,ving their way a little and a little hi the rarefied medium, you wool idea of the o and the several votaries. s to as- certain truths regarding which wc have no informa- tion, and there may doubtless he many such truths, — but are they ascertainable * Tin planets each them, — but are they accessible ? A bird of powerful pinion, or .singular a mile above his llutterin^ competitors, and as an affair of aerial gym- . the fruitless effort but the wmi; wbieh is farthest I .Mill a thoMtad tunes farther fan nearest d, in the metaph] ILLUSTRATIONS. 439 away from the regions of absolute information — the terra firma of positive truth — there has been a won- derful display of mental power and buoyancy, but the subtle spirit which has mounted the highest above the ascertained and the actual of our restricted hu- manity, is still infinitely distant from the next nearest domain of knowledge. As some one has truly re- marked, " To know more, we first must be more." FAITH AND WORKS. On the Frith of Forth was an old ferryman, a man of much thought and observation, but of few words ; a constant student of the Bible, and a firm believer in its truths. Among his patrons were two loqua- cious companions, whose business led them across the river once a week. One of them was, as he sup- posed, a high-toned Calvinist, while the other ima- gined himself to be equally well grounded in the tenets of Arminius. Their conversation always turned upon some doctrinal point. The ferryman was frequently annoyed by the repetition of faith on one side, and works on the other, because they were used in a sense so different from their real import, and so destructive of their scriptural har- mony. At length the patient old man felt obliged to inter- fere. He said nothing, but fell upon the following expedient. Upon one of his oars he painted the word Faith ; upon the other, Works. It was not long before the zealous but friendly disputants ap- plied for a passage over the Forth. Upon entering 440 MISCELLANEOUS. the dee p est part ot where the swollen with fearful violence, the ferrv- and pulled sway opon ks" with all I Die U.at went round and rouud, much to the SO two passengers. " Put out the i >aid one of them, in a loud aud angry tone. "Very well," was the calm reply of the old man— at the seme The experiment with this oar produced the -ult, and drove the witnesses of it to the con- clusion that the ferryman was head. 11 The old man, however, continued his M practical de- on the water, until he thoofht the friends were prepan i called their attention to the names of his re trad your way," said he- •beerve the 1 i 1 1 ! * heiBstH ..:ht and rapid flight which she touk for the landing. i'OM. Thi B irth, in his "Saxon Gram . ' -acts from the oldest Ssxon i n and writ* onver- sation betweea Boethiusand ku soeietimne rery much disturbed," quoth be, ui.ai »" 1 leeweied. " li ieh thou say- Ircedom to ILLUSTRATIONS. 441 as well as good, whichsoever he will ; and thou say- est, also, that God knoweth everything before it happens." " Then," quoth he, " I may very easily answer this remark. How would it look to you, if there were any very powerful king, and he had no freemen in all his kingdom, but that all were slaves V " Then," said I, " it would not seem to me right, nor reasonable, if servile men only should attend upon him." " Then," quoth he, " what would be more unnatural than if God, in all his kingdom, had no free creatures under his power \ He therefore made rational creatures free, — angels and men. He gave them the great gift of freedom. Hence they could do evil as well as good, whichsoever they would. He gave this very fixed gift, and a very fixed law with that gift, to every man unto this end. The freedom is, that man may do what he will ; and the law is, that He will render to every man accord- ing to his works, either in this world or the future one, — good or evil, whichsoever he doeth." A BLESSING OJST OUR STUDIES. " Thanks to Divine goodness," says Dr. Payson, " this has been a good day to me. Was favoured with considerable freedom in the morning, and re- joiced in the Lord through the day. In the even- ing felt an unusual degree of assistance, both in prayer and study. Since I began to beg God's blessing on my studies, I have done more in one week than in the whole year before. Surely it is good to draw near to God at all times." 442 MI8CK v Mr. I/f'o; i person pre- iw, if we de- unjust, : tinucth not in all ilie words of the law to (In tad eried oat, •• How can this I I whoso- ev<-r .shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all ! How can this be .1 merits, and brea not kept the majority ? And . ren, because i kept two more than I haye broken !" Inefc into an ai ay was . the wind roared, the thunder pealed, the liu'htnini: was vivid, the v. »llen, and the current rapj iofahated elements threatened destruction to lid outlive tip for any length of tin a in distress, filled with people, rapid . the wave- thunder the fear tin- rocks on ti. which the c e r r ed is thnii. Wh .' ■ for them ' tin \ hut he draw n into litis cr< I . un the shore lo- :, ILLUSTRATIONS. 443 and discover a chain near them. A man instantly fastens a stone to a rope, binds the other end to the chain, and flings the stone into the boat. The rope is caught ; the people eagerly lay hold on the chain, while those on shore begin to draw them, amid the raging elements, towards the creek. They already rejoice at the prospect of deliverance ; but when they are within a few yards of the land, one link of the chain breaks ! I do not say ten links, but one link in the middle of the chain. What shall these dis- tressed people do now 1 — shall they still cling to the unbroken links 1 ' No, no !' exclaimed one of my hearers ; ' overboard with the chain, or it will sink them sooner.' What then shall they do % 1 Cast themselves upon the mercy of God,' ex- claimed another. True, I replied ; if one command- ment be broken, it is as though all of them were broken. We cannot be saved by them ; we must trust in the mercy of God, and lay hold on the almighty hand of Christ, which is stretched out to save us." Mr. L. frequently used this parable, and always found it to answer. THE BEST MEANS OF MORTIFYING SL¥. " Five persons," says Mr. Brooks, " were studying what were the best means to mortify sin ; one said, to meditate on death ; the second, to meditate on judgment ; the third, to meditate on the joys of heaven ; the fourth, to meditate on the torments of hell ; the fifth, to meditate on the blood and suffer- ings of Jesus Christ ; and certainly the last is the 444 MISCELLANEOUS. choice* mod strongest motive of all. If ever we would east off oar despairing thoughts, we must (id muse much epoc this precious hlood to our own souls ; so shall sorrow and laoiua haj floe away." "TOWHATOAU8K8 IN ! JU'l At i ■misters 4 meeting at Northampton, a question was discussed to the following purport : — " To what causes in ministers nay much of their want of suc- cess be imputed !" The answer turned i upon the want of personal religion ; particularly the aling with < •• prayer. Pheir pastors are be- utish, and h there- .1 not prosper, and their flocks shall be was the want ling and sti: uore as C h r i s tians , for the edification of their own souls. i apt to study them,* 1 add M Barely to Bad ool out living upon the truth - I f we eat not contents to others, Spirit will not DM eoonswy as. If w ^eriptures a* ' ■. ith them, the more ! leel their importance ; but if otherwise, oar familiarity with the word will he like th .ih death— it will wear away all sense ILLUSTRATIONS. 445 of its importance from our minds. To enforce this sentiment, Prov. xxii, 17, 18 was referred to : • Ap- ply thine heart to knowledge : the words of the wise will be pleasant if thou keep them within thee ; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.' Another reason was, our want of being emptied of self-sufficiency. In proportion as we lean upon our own gifts, or parts, or preparations, we slight the Holy Spirit ; and no wonder that, being grieved, he should leave us to do our work alone." THE KING'S DAUGHTER. One day a poor pious woman called upon two ele- gant young ladies, who received her with Christian affection, regardless of her poverty, and sat down in the drawing-room to converse with her upon reli- gious subjects. While thus employed, their brother, a gay youth, came in, and appeared astonished to see his sisters thus situated and employed. One of them instantly started up, saying, " Brother, don't be surprised ; this is a King's daughter, though she has not yet got on her fine clothes." ONE THING WANTING. " I remember," says Mr. Hervey, " a very inge- nious gentleman once showed me a composition in manuscript, which he intended for the press, and asked my opinion. It was moral, it was delicate, it was highly finished ; but I ventured to tell him there was one thing wanting, the name and merits of the divinely excellent Jesus, without which I feared the MISCELLANEOUS. (Joel of heaven would not accompany it w tad without wlm-h I was sure the enemy of souls ii it to scorn. 1 seemed with surprise. " The i Araatrati : make r« is