And the preservation of spirituality is of great importance where the office is sacred: of this Mr. Winter never lost sight. He was always. feeding and cherishing the piety as well as promoting the literary improvement of those who were under his care. He constantly reminded them of the absolute necessity of personal religion; and endeavored to keep alive a sense of their dependence on God, for the preservation and the increase of their powers, and the success of their applications and exertions. Often when we have been perfectly alone, and were going to read even a book on general subjects only, he has prayed a few moments himself, or required me to do it; and I have no doubt but all his students can testify the same practice in their private intercourse with him individually. Indeed if nothing of this kind was engaged in formally, it was impossible not to feel devoutly while near him: his presence was the very element of piety,

To illustrate this kind of attention which he paid as a tutor, I shall introduce a few extracts from his letters. If I take them from his correspondence with me, while I was more immediately his charge, it is not to insinuate that his regards were less peculiar towards others, but because

S

I am only possessed of materials to exemplify his pious care in this one instance.

"DEAR BILLY,

"AMONG the various things which employ my thoughts, your coming to Marlbo rough is one. I hope in time it will be brought about, and that you will pray for the blessing of God upon our designs and endeavors. You will not forget the object we have in view -it is to prepare you for, and to introduce you into the service of the sanctuary; in which service that you act properly, and shine to the glory of God, and be useful to your fellow-mortals, it is necessary that you should be devotedly given up in heart and life to God himself. If you are not really converted yourself, you will talk very awkwardly about conversion to others. If you do not love Jesus you will want a most powerful constraint to preach him as the only Lord God and Savior. Pray therefore for a renewed heart, if you have it not already; and for a growth in grace, if that divine principle is already implanted,

Then you will enter upon all necessary studies like a devoted and dependent youth whose every moment will discover holiness to

the Lord. You will then be prepared to partake of the afflictions of the gospel, and enjoy the spiritual and temporal blessings God may graciously confer upon you to his praise.

The above is part of the first letter I ever received from him.

DEAR BILLY,

"YOUR way to Tisbury seems open. On the 1st of October, if life and health are spared, you are appointed to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, in the village where you first drew your breath, and often since have evidenced yourself to be a sinner. Indulge suitable meditation, and pray that you may go with a holy caution upon your spirit, fearing least while you preach to others, you yourself should be cast away. By the、 thought that this may be the case, I am awakened out of my sleepy frame, and exhort you, my dear youth, on no consideration to take up

with preaching merely as a science; enter upon it as a work of the last importance, and in the discharge of it, respect your own salvation, as well as the salvation of those who hear you. I do not write as suspecting your sincerity, but as knowing the depravity of the human heart, I warn you. On my journey, I have been examining my heart, and reviewing my conduct, and I have found myself very deficient in exhorting and praying with you. I hope when you return to amend this omission, and trust you will be the better for it; neither be presumptuous nor too diffident, but go on praying and depending on the Lord Jesus, and may he be with you. Meet my wishes with your endeavors, and you will find me to be Your's, very affectionately, &c."

Bristol, Tuesday night,

Past eleven o'clock."

"MY DEAR BILLY,

"Ir gave me great pleasure to hear from you yesterday. I have not time to write to you in Latin, nor indeed much in English. I am happy to hear all is well at home, and much desire to be with you.-I pray the exercise of your soul may be sanctified to you, and that by every means you may be kept humble at the feet of Jesus. O

my

dear

Billy, be clothed with humility, and you will then be happy and useful. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Many kind inquiries are made after you. "I am, your's, &c."

"Bristol,

"Nov. 3, 1787."

"MY DEAR BILLY,

"I'AM breaking off from the sermon I am composing for Mr. Hancock's funeral, who was buried yesterday, on purpose to drop you a line. Ever since I received your's, I have been in hurry and confusion. I am absolutely going from Marlborough, and have a fair prospect of settling at Painswick, in Glocestershire. There I shall be glad to see you, and as often as may be convenient and prudent, will exchange pulpits with you. You are much upon my heart, and I think upon you with joy, with fear, and trembling. You must expect enemies, and look for persons who will not take a little pains to invalidate your labors. I have had information of the advice Mr. Cecil gave you; it was truly important, and equally true the remark he made at the same time. Let nobody spend an afternoon with you, nor do you spend so much time with