true and the important. He did not consider every thing alike momentous: and therefore he did not press them with the same degree of zeal. I never remember while I was under his care any attempt to form my mind on inferior questions and disputes: he endeavored to give it in all these cases a proper temper, but not a particular bias. "Recollect" said he, "that it is possible to defend your own fort without storming another's battery. Maintain by scriptural argument your own principles and practices with modest confidence; but rail not, insinuate no reflection on your opponents; name them not unless-with respect." Though he was a dissenter from conviction before he had established his seminary, he sent one student to Oxford, and another to Cambridge. He admired the liturgy; and was attached to instrumental music in the service of God. Though he was a Podobaptist, he was on terms of the most cordial friendship with Mr. Francis of Horsley, and his brethren of the same persuasion in Glocestershire and elsewhere And here let me mention a circumstance not invidiously, but to designate the man. He was once desired by a baptist minister to preach for him. The sermon immediately pre ceded the ordinance of the Lord's supper: to which his discourse was preparatory. When the public service was over, he was informed that he must excuse their asking him to communicate, as it was contrary to the law of the house. He very cheerfully withdrew into the gallery as a spectator: and all the remark he made in relating it was, "That he much enjoyed the service, and communed with them in spirit." Here is a case which arguing a priori would appear incredibly strange, at least to some. Here are two parties of christians, agreed in all their doctrinal, ecclesiastical and disciplinarian principles-differing only in one point -and this not essential to salvation-even by the acknowledgments of both, however inconsistent with such an avowal excessive zeal on either side may be: and yet these opponents, who, when they understand one another, can hardly find ground enough to stand upon, while they are disputing, have commonly betrayed such animosity, that a man of a liberal disposition who will not help forward the contention, is not supposed to have any fixed conviction upon the subject, and our admired poet has mentioned it, as the extreme influence of the power of charity, could it induce them to be friendly towards each other 66 Relenting forms would lose their power, or cease, What Dr. Rippon said at the funeral of Mr. Ryland, many might have said at the death of Mr. Winter; "We talk of candor, he had it." Mr. Shipway of Bristol, was his very intimate friend, and many of Mr. Winter's letters to him, are now before me. He had belonged to the tabernacle; but in 1776 it appears that from conviction, he was baptized by the late venerable Hugh Evans. A transition of this kind too often alienates the affections of those who complain of the loss they have sustained; and shyness if not aversion takes place of cordiality. But this was far from being the case with this man of God. His intercourse and correspondence were as frequent and affectionate as before. As some bigots may consider this a moral phenomenon, let us raise their wonder by introducing a part of two letters the deceased wrote to the individual above mentioned. "MY DEAR FRIEND, "ON Saturday I arrived here, after being absent more than fourteen months. In this time I have frequently thought of, and pur posed to write to you, but something always prevented. It is not yet too late to testify my steady attachment to an old friend, who I did not know till I came here, had been buried in baptism. Well, I can have no just objection to that part of your conduct, though there is no apparent probability that I shall follow your steps. Through mercy I have learned to yield my prejudices to the wind, in matters of faith and practice, while I have reason to hope my differing brethren are following the dictates of a tender conscience under the influence of the Holy Ghost. It is and ever has been the lot of the poor methodists to lose their children, but this is our comfort, we shall not lose the glory of their birth. I pray that you may derive much real advantage from your submission. the good Lord carry on his work upon your heart, and keep you a dependent on his dear Son. I do not doubt but he will: it is not his usual method to lead us into a deep knowledge of ourselves, and impart to us a growing acquaintance with Jesus, and then cast us off. Owing to the power of temptation I find it hard to hang upon his breast, yet by the arm of his power defending and helping me, I have hold of him still, and trust I shall be able to maintain it. I am yet indulged with the liberty of speaking in his name, and that with some little success. Travelling without intermission is disagreeable to nature, but it has its reward, and a fear least I should take a false step, disposes me to go forward. Perhaps I may get home sooner than I expect. Many of my dear friends are safely housed of late, it may be to escape a violent storm. What if it should overtake us in the wilderness? Jesus is a refuge and that is enough.-I wish you would particularly remember to give my dear love to Miss Delamain, Mrs. Brooks, and the mourner in Zion, under the same roof, and as many beside as know or inquire after me. Poor Bristol! I know thee, and I love thee, but have no more desire to see thee. Could I draw forth some of its select inhabitants, to this little spiritual Elysium, and you among rest, I should be glad, and do not doubt but we should anticipate something of that land, where we shall meet to part no more. But we must submit to our Father's will, and bless him for the means he uses, to work that sub mission in us.-Pray for me my dear friend, and rest assured that the "In our dear Lord Jesus, Rodborough, April 15, 1776.” "C. W." |