replete with the most salutary warnings, and breathing all the spirit of care and tenderness of one who watched for their souls in the prospect of his final account. Though written in 1786, it is deemed more appropriate to introduce it in this connection.

"To the Methodist Society at Cumberland.

"HALIFAX, Aug. 15, 1786.

"MY DEAR Brethren anD SISTERS,

"What a necessary caution is that of the apostle--Rom. xii: 2. Be not conformed to this world.' There seems, at the present day, to be a sad declension amongst professors in general-little of the life and power of religion is to be found. Yes! though the world swarms with professors, I fear there are but few who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. How manifestly do those, of whom we would fain entertain the most favourable opinion, live beneath their privileges, and even wound, by their unwatchful conversation, the best cause in the world. The declension that has of late been so visible amongst us is easily accounted for :-There is too much conformity to the world in its spirit-maxims—and amusements.

"1. We have drank deeply into the spirit of the world. Religion, I grant, does not hinder us from being diligent in business. But then, it moderates our attachment to the things of time. It raises our affections to a better state. There is such a thing as going through all the cares and duties of life with a single reference to God's glory; and when it is thus, we enjoy the most intimate union and communion with Him. But alas! who and where are the faithful few whose eye being single, have their whole souls filled with.

light? In general the spirit of the world reigns in professors as well as profane; and though it is less conspicuous, equally powerful. It occupies their heartsit dwells in their affections--it has damped the ardour of their first love-it has carried them away captiveit has shorn them of their strength, and given them over to the power of the Philistines. Let us examine ourselves. Have not we forsaken the fountain of living waters, and hewn to ourselves cisterns that can hold no water? O how little do we live in the spirit of Christ! Our designs, desires, and ends, ought to be directed to the glory of God; but alas! how does self mingle with them all!

"2. The maxims of the world have gained too much influence over us. We fear man too much, many times even to the neglect of duty. There is too little of the fear of God in our hearts,-of the filial fear of offending him. With the world we too often put darkness for light, and light for darkness; bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. It is a general maxim with the world, that religion is an irksome, melan_ choly thing, calculated to abridge our pleasures. And is not this false maxim too much received amongst professors? It is true, indeed, our more enlightened judgments tell us that the ways of God are pleasantness and peace. Yet, do not our attachment to the creature, and our aversion to God and duty, seem to indicate that we have by experience found things otherwise than we expected? Why, if this be not the case, do we feel more aversion to spending an hour with God in private, than with man, yea, even with men who have no religion? While our judgments prefer scripture maxims, our affections prefer worldly ones.

"Lastly. The amusements and diversions of the world have insinuated themselves quite too much into our affections. What communion can that man have with God who delights in the empty, vain, foolish conversation and amusements of the world? I admit, religion does not require us to abstain from all connection with worldly persons, for then, as the apostle says, we must go out of the world; but it does require us to be holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. In this sense it enjoins, 'Touch not-taste not-handle not.' What concord hath Christ with Belial, light with darkness, or he that believeth with an infidel? No-it is impossible for a man to follow the amusements of the world, or relish its company and conversation, and grow in grace. Rather, he will esteem the saints the excellent ones of the earth, and in them will be all his delight.

"So far as the spirit, maxims, and amusements of the world have any share in our affections, so far the Spirit of God is quenched, the comforts of religion are withdrawn-the peace of our minds disturbed-our evidences beclouded--our confidence weakened-our unbelief strengthened—our corruptions nourished -our profession dishonoured-religion woundedsaints grieved-devils gladdened-while unwary souls stumble-perhaps into everlasting burnings..

"O brethren! I long much to hear how the Gospel prospers with you and in you. I have (blessed be the name of the Lord) experienced much of his kindness since I came here. Jesus seems lovely. I can say, it is good to be here. There is, I trust, a prospect of much good being done. Several are under deep awakenings. One or two profess to have found the Lord since I came here. Our congregations are larger

by three times the number than they were. Pray the Lord to make me faithful.

"I am.

Your affectionate brother and servant, &c.
"WILLIAM BLACK."

These faithful remonstrances are of more than local application, and lamentable to reflect, can scarcely ever be unseasonable. There is not a more insidious enemy of vital godliness than the world. Its objects constantly solicit our senses, and by their controul over our imaginations, are ever throwing around us a fascinating and deleterious influence. The world assails religion in the very citadel of its strength. It aims at the destruction of the universal element of true piety-a spirit of self-denial, of sacrifice, of surrender-by the seductions of sense and pleasure, or by the more splendid temptations of affluence and the pride of life. In following Christ, therefore, we must make our account with opposition. It must be met; and the panoply of our Redeemer's love is the only armour by which the antagonist power-the love of the world, can be overcome. May the victory be ours!. "He justly claims us for his own Who bought us with a price:' The Christian lives to Christ aloneTo Christ alone he dies."

CHAPTER VII.

IMMORTAL FAME-STATE OF THE SOCIETIES AFTER MR. BLACK'S RETURN FROM THE UNITED STATESREVIVAL AT HALIFAX-CONVERSION AND CHARACTER OF A. ANDERSON, A.M.-LETTER TO MR. WESLEY-MR. WESLEY'S ANSWER-LETTERS TO MR. GARRETTSON-FIRST DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN NOVA SCOTIA REVIVAL AT HORTON INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF ANTINOMIANISM-REFUTATION OF ANTI

NOMIANISM-SPIRITUAL

LETTERS-TO LAWYER HILTON-TO MAJOR CRANE-TO J. N. SHANNON,

ESQ.

USEFULNESS is the only material of immortal fame. The admired achievements of the warrior-the splendid retinue of gorgeous epithets that emblazon the names of statesmen-and the envied garland that decorates the brow of genius, are often the precursors of everlasting shame and contempt; but "they that are wise shall shine as the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." Among these, the faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, though entirely unknown to worldly fame, will appear with distinguished and unfading lustre. His deeds, though witnessed with emotions of thrilling interest by angels, may be despised or forgotten by men; and while of a nature the most substantially estimable, they may be susceptible of little embellishment. Nor