men on thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace, day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence."* Such is the divine command. Nor let it be considered as a small privilege, to be reminded of our real condition, and to be favoured with the tidings of mercy." "But how shall men call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent ? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"+ The ministration of the gospel is therefore of the greatest importance. It is for this purpose the Almighty is pleased to raise up and qualify his servants, that they may be faithful monitors to the sons of men. Earnestly, zealously, constantly, must they declare the truth. They must be “instant in season; out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine."+ * Isa. lxii. 6. † Rom. x. 14, 15. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Various may be the talents of the ambassadors of Christ, but their great object must be the same. When this is kept in view, we may expect the Divine blessing will render them successful; for he hath said, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."* Let us here recollect, however, that though the Almighty is pleased to honour men and not angels as the instruments of preaching the Gospel, yet they are but earthen vessels: they are flesh, and cannot abide for ever. Sometimes they are taken away at the very time when they appear to be the most promising and the most useful. Thus hath Divine Providence been pleased to remove our dear young friend, of whom we shall now proceed to give some account. Mr. Thomas Spencer was born at Hertford, and received his religious impresions very early in life. Having a great desire to engage in the work of the ministry, he was placed under the care of the Rev. W. Hordle, of Harwich. Here he stayed for twelve months, and displayed evi * Matt. xxviii. 20. dent marks of considerable talent and piety. Before the age of sixteen he was admitted into Hoxton Academy.* Here, on account of his * The writer of this being on the committee when he was admitted, well remembers the impresion his exhibition made on the gentlemen present. All seemed filled with surprise, that, at so early an age, he` should possess such clear views of truth, should be so well acquainted with Christian experience, and should be capable of delivering himself in so masterly a manner. It brought to mind (as was then stated) the early genius of a Henry, a Watts, a Doddridge, and an Edwards-characters ever to be remembered with pleasure by the church of God. The following is a copy of his religious experience, which was read to the committee previous to his admission; Harwich, Nov. 10, 1806. "It was my happiness to be born of parents, who maintain a regard for real piety and the fear of God; by them I was, from my infancy, taught to read the Scriptures, together with other books of a serious nature. I think I may safely say, that from my childhood I felt some more than common impressions on my mind, with respect to the existence and perfections of God, the evil and awful consequences of sin, and the advantages of being religious; but, alas! these impressions, though so frequently felt, had not that abiding influence which they have had on the minds of others, but were like the morning cloud and the carly dew which passeth away.' As I grew rather youth, it was thought proper that he should appear in public as little as possible at first. older, I began to perceive some excellencies in religion, and to envy the happiness which 1 believed serious people enjoyed. I knew something of the form of religion and the doctrines of it, from having been taught catechisms, and lessons calculated to give youthful minds some ideas of the worship and conduct which God requires. Yet, notwithstanding this, I gave too much (far too much) attention to the reading of novels and romances, the unhappy effect of which I lament to the present day. Many of these books I procured of lads, without the knowledge of my father. I felt a degree of pleasure in hearing lively, animated sermons; but I have reason to believe, that this sprung from a desire to please my friends, and give myself an opportunity of imitating the preacher's voice and gesture. I also composed little pieces of poetry on sacred subjects, which I have since destroyed, because I then knew nothing of experimental, vital godliness, and of course was only mocking God in them; but I did not give up making verses. All this while I was totally ignorant of that divine principle of grace in the heart, without which, I am sensible, nothing we can do is acceptable to God. I knew nothing of the Holy Spirit's work in convincing me of sin, and leading me to Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I knew nothing of communion with God and with his Son. I hope some of the sermons of Mr. Ebenezer White, of Hertford, were not altogether useless to me, as well as some which I heard at Lady Huntingdon's chapel there; but from my conduct at that time, in Supplies however being wanted, Mr. S. was sent occasionally to preach. His popularity soon various particulars, I cannot say that I had experienced what was meant by being born again. If you ask me from what time I date my conversion to God, I must say, that the exact time I cannot tell; but I think I may also say, that the Lord drew me gradually to himself, and by degrees I loved devotional exercises more and more; and I hope that I have, within these four years, experienced many refreshing seasons. How I wish to have my evidences brightened, as it respects personal interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. I desire to cast my all upon him, and wait his will concerning me. However short my experience in the divine life has been, can I not appeal to God, and say, 'Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee."" "I hope that my reasons for wishing to be a labourer in the Lord's vineyard are sincere, and that they do not spring from any improper motives. If I should be called into it, I pray that I may be kept faithful, and never shun to declare the whole counsel of God. As I know something of the excellency of the ways of wisdom, I am anxious that my fellow mortals may be partakers of the same grace, and that they may be brought to know God, and experience the riches of divine love and mercy in Christ Jesus and if God should so honour me, as to make me an instrument in his hand, of doing them real good, how happy : |