In company, I saw and heard a person expose the letter of his private friend to the censures of all present: he read the letter publicly, and laughed at its inaccuracies. Learn, as thou didst dislike it, never to do the same. Journeying in the coach from London to Bristol, with three persons: as soon as I had learnt their disposition, and found their chosen conversation to be prophane and obscene, I begged the Lord to keep me from being injured; and desired that my conversation might be useful to them and I had the pleasure to find their respect for me to increase; and after they found that their filthy conversation was offensive to me, through the goodness of God, they behaved, in general, very soberly and kindly. I felt, that love to any poor sinner's soul, makes all that is done for his good, pleasant to him that does it. 28. Saw a person at the point of death, without the exercise of reason. - From the condition in which the body was, I would learn to be indifferent about it: and from its incapacity to do any thing for God, learn to improve health and youth. Visited also Mr. J. C. who had been very ill, and testified, from his own experience, the insufficiency of every thing short of the experimental knowledge of Christ, to support the mind in the views of death. 31. I was concerned, as soon as I awoke, about my soul. I thought malters were not right between it and God; and proposed to enquire into the nature, cause, and cure of my affliction. Its nature was found to be a care less habit of mind about the glory of God, the interest of my soul, and the` things of another world. Its cause I suppose to be, seldom thinking on these things, and slight dependence on the assistance of the Divine Spirit. Its eure is plain; viz. often meditating on these things, and strong reliance on God. This being the last evening in the year, I set apart a little tine for reflecting on the chief occurrences in the year. As to persoual afflictions, I have had none of body, but of soul many; as a Christian, many omissions and commissions may well afflict me: as a minister, I should bewail my little zeal for God, and want of love to souls. As to relative afflictions, I have buried my father, and an afflicted brother; and m grieved that there is not more religion among those that are left. My mercies were many, Preservation in journeying, and from all bodily illness. As a Christian, deEverance from external sins. As a minister, have had nothing publicly dishonourable in my ministry, have enjoyed plentiful means of grace, and some success has attended my labours; many profess the word has been useful to their souls. I was called to supply a destitulé church in London (Devonshire Square); and told that, if agreeable, they would chuse me for their minister. Let me bless God for mercies, and abhor myself for sins. A. D. 1762. Jan. 1. Being in my closet at F. at midnight, I closed the last year, and began this, with prayer. 2. Heard of Mrs. Clark's death. She was with us at conference on Tuesday, was seized yesterday, about 12 o'clock, and is now, on Saturday, dead. -Learn, my soul, from the suddenness of her death, to live every day expecting thine own; and learn the great uncertainty of earthly comforts. Consider death as on its way to thy neart, and thy soul as soon to stand before God, and be consigned to Heaven or Hell. Jesus! I have no depend ence but on thee, for the pardon of my numerous sins, the justification of my person before God, and fitting my impure soul for Heaven. I believe thon art equal to these things; and my expectation for them is from thee. Grant me more knowledge of divine things, and let them always properly impress my mind, and influence my thoughts, words, and actions.-Mr. Clark behaves ke a kind husband, being properly affected with the loss of his wife, and, like a dutiful child of God, being resigned to his awful will. Jan. 4. At midnight, being about to retire to rest, I addressed myself to * Late Pastor of the Baptist Congregation at Crockerton. the Lord; and such was his gracious will towards me, that I enjoyed greater nearness of soul to him than I ever remember before. I felt the utmost pleasure in him, the strongest desires towards him, and the greatest willingness to be and do any thing he pleased. It was, I believe, like Heaven. It has made me happy; God forbid it should make me proud! 6. Dined with Mr. P. and found that his opposing something which I spake without sufficient reason, was disagreeable to me. Therefore, let me never treat another in that manner. Saw a person behave in a haughty, proad manner; and was myself offended, not publicly, but privately. Therefore, labour against the like in thyself, - 9. Seeing, on a journey yesterday, a person in liquor, who had tumbled about the road, I was led to think of the cause of my differing from him; and from the sense I then had of the distinguishing goodness of God, my heart was melted with gratitude. mon. 14. I felt myself wandering and distracted when about to compose a serGrief filled my soul on account of it; and I carried my complaint to the Lord, and begged better abilities for his own work. I sought a fresh sense of the nature and perfections of God, thinking that all irreligion proceeded from a forgetfulness of these things. Heaven must certaiuly be a very happy state; because in it no darkness veils the understanding, no doubt of interest in the favour of God damps the joy, no incapacity for duty is ever experienced, and no temptation ever presents itself. Lord, enlarge my views of this blessed state! -Shew my soul its right to it,-increase my desires after it, and keep me from despair whilst thou seest fit to withhold the actual enjoyment of it from me. I heard an aged minister, whose faculties are much impaired, talk in a very doubting and fearful manner respecting his state, though he has lived, I believe, as much as most men under the influence of grace. Learn to pray against such frames; and mark all evidences of grace, so that they may be referred to when necessary. 23, 1762. Observing a certain person usurp more authority than he ought, and intermeddle with affairs that did not properly belong to him, 1 found it very disagreeable to me; and that it inclined me to value the person the less. Learn hence, not to be guilty of the like thyself; and remember, that the likeliest way of geiting the love of men, is to assume rather less authority over them than what perhaps thou mightest, in strict justice, require. Thinking it necessary to answer the application I have had from the church in D. S. 1 first went to the Lord for direction, and then, after weighing the reasons for and against, both London and F., I declined the invitation to the former situation. I considered the two following questions :First, What are the ends a minister should have in view in fixing with any people? Secondly, Where are these ends most likely to be attained? The ends are God's glory and the good of the church; and as to the probabi lity of attaining these ends (1.) I conceive the number of hearers not only is greatest at Fr. but is likely to continue so; and that therefore more service to souls may be done there than in London. (2.) Professors in gene. ral are more inclined to religious conversation and prayer at F. than in L. which has a tendency to excite devotion in the minister's soul. (3.) Doctrines, I believe, are alike agreeable at both places; but discipline is much more regarded at F. than in L. (4.) The conduct of professors in general is much more becoming godliness, I believe, at F. than in L. (5.) The Lord has, according to the time I have been in both places, made my ministry much more useful at F. (6.) Supporting the interest seems of more importance at L. than at F.; but as my abilities are not popular, there is little probability of my raising an interest there to any thing considerable. (1.) 1 might probably have more money for preaching in L. and also less work to do; but I would not minister for gold, nor desire an opportunity of idleness in so good a service. If I bring any greater glory to God, or do more good to souls at F. than I might at L. this will be better than gold; and the more laborious I am for Christ, my dear Master, the more pleasure I shall have as oft as I reflect on it through life; and it is likely to yield me more comfort when my work may be done, and I about to quit the world. [To be continued.] JUVENILE DEPARTMENT. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, AT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE, WHEN he was twelve years old (and so, according to the Jewish cus tom, was considered as subject to the law) he went up to the temple with his pious parents to celebrate the passover; and, upon that occasion, he shewed the most zealous attachment to the house and service of God. His parents and relations were returning home, while, unknown to them, he still remained at Jerusalem. After a painful search, they found him on the third day amongst the public teachers of religion, listening to their instructions, and requesting their answers to his enquiries; and, by his profound understanding in divine things, exciting the astonishment of all whe were present. When his mother had expressed her wonder at his conduct, as having occasioned them many anxious fears, he replied, with a zeal far beyond his years, Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's busines?' Yet he did not repounce his obedience to Joseph and Mary, or despise them on account of his own superior rank or abilities; but, with all filial regard and submission to their authority, he went down to dwell with them at Nazareth. Here then we have an example that may be proposed to all; but which more especially demands the attention of young persons; therefore, we call upon such to contemplate the amiable conduct of Jesus at that early period. Do not the same dispositions, which he possessed, become you also? and do you, who are only twelve years old, acknowledge your obliga tions to worship God and frequent his ordinances? Is the house and service of God your delight? Jesus undertook a long journey; and, after be had spent many days together in waiting upon God, seemed unwilling to leave the sacred courts: but do not you think the least trouble for any religious purposes more than enough, and the shortest time too long? Have you not said, What a weariness is it? When will the Sabbath be gone? Are the grand subjects of divine revelation your study, or the matter of your humble and diligent enquiry? Du you listen with eagerness to the instruetions of your teachers?—and would you gladly embrace an opportunity of conversing with them for your own edification? Ah! how different are the greater part of our young people! What ignorance and contempt of God! - what a profane neglect of his house, his word, and ministers, do we discover in them!' Robinson's Scripture Characters, vol. 3. THE YOUNG PILGRIM. And thus in early life began W. B. C. MR. WILLIAM EVANS. Obituary. MR.William Evans, lately a student in the academy at Axminster, was a native of Ottery, in the county of Devon. He descended from two of those excellent men who were ejected from their livings by the Act of Uniformity; and he had the superior happiness of being born of pious parents, who were anxious for the welfare of the souls of their children. We are ignorant of the time and particular circumstances of his conversion; but, from his correspondence with a venerable relative*, which he commenced in the 15th year of his age, it appears that he had then begun to devote himself to the service of the Redeemer. In these letters he often expresses that sense of his unworthiness, that hope in Christ, that ardent love to prayer, the Scriptures, and the sanctuary, which are happy indications of a mind enlightened and renewed by the Spirit of God. In one place, he writes with much simplicity and humility, in the following manner : I came into my room this morning and shut the door; but I could not shut out the world. I am hard and stupid; but, I hope, I can say I would turn to the Lord. If I attempt to pray, the world so engrosses my thoughts, that I can say nothing but Lord, quicken me!' As his constitution was delicate, he was often afflicted; and, in one of his letters, after intimating that he had felt much pain, he adds, One hour in the closet makes up for all. It is good for me that I have been afflicted. I esteem afflictions my the greatest of my mercies.' 6 After he went to the academy at Axminster, he kept a diary; from which we could, with pleasure, make numerous extracts. Such records of the dispositions of the heart, and the transactions of the life, have sometimes been injurious instead of being beneficial; — they have been used by some as a relief to their consciences, by committing their sins and infirmities to writing, without faith in the atonement, or true repentance and reformation of conduct; - but, when Christians have kept diaries, to record their own unworthiness and the goodness of God, for the purpose of encouraging and humbling their hearts, or as incitements to a more vigorous discharge of future duty, they have been blessed as instruments of holiness and comfort. Under these impressions, these little memorials of himself were evidently written. He here expresses more frequently and fully, his delightful intercourse with God in his secret devotions; and he particularly adverts to the frame of his mind relating to the work of the ministry. It is pleasing to observe how he checks and prays against that desire of human applause, by which so many are ensnared; and how he guards against that levity into which the natural and amiable cheerfulness of young persons too often degenerates; but what is especially observable is, his devotedness to the will of God, as to whatever he should please to appoint. Thus he says, in one part of his diary, 'I have had strong, very strong desires after God this day; and, I believe, that it was the genuine language of my heart that, unless I might live more to God and his glory, I might be taken out of the world. O! it has been a transforming visit! - it has been a good day! I hope I have learned something more of dependence upon God!' On another occasion, he writes, 'I believe, my earnest desire this morning has been, not for long life or any worldly good, but for the Spirit of God, and the enjoyment of his presence :—and can God deny * The late Mr. Lavington, of Bideford, who died the month following the death of his nephew. The ejected ministers above alluded to, were the Rev. W. Ball, of Winsham, and the Rev. W. Yeo, A. M. of Newton-Abbott. mer's Nonconformist's Memorial. See Pal OBITUARY. the desire which he himself has excited? About ten o'clock this morning, owing to my cough, I threw up several mouthfuls of blood. Blessed be God for it! for it is for my good. During all the remaining part of the day, I hope I enjoyed the influence of the Spirit; and bever did I feel so much admiration in reading the Scriptures. O, my soul! I now, in some measure, experience the pleasure of religion, with an increasing hatred of sin, and delight in holiness, blessed be God! On another day, he says, "I know not what God is about to do with me; but, I trust, this evening that God has given me the Spirit of grace and supplication; and has led me to pray that, do what he will with me, it may be for his glory,' Such was his religion in secret; and it strictly corresponded with his general conduct. When the duties of retirement are performed with a pharisaical formality, or an enthusiastic conceit, they are often discredited in the family and the world, by a sordid, peevish, or ungovernable spirit; but he who feels a love to God in his closet, will evince a love to his neighbour when he has left it. The Christian who is humble and holy in private, will discover a meekness, purity, and consistency in his public behaviour. This remark was exemplified in himself. He was cheerful without levity, and serious without sullenness or moroseness; and he conciliated, by his amiable and excellent character, the esteem of all with whom he was connected. He was much beloved by his tutor and fellow-students; and he was singularly endeared by his piety and the sweetness of his temper, to the numerous branches of an affectionate family. But, hopeful as he was, God was pleased to shorien his life. During the greatest part of his lingering illness, he enjoyed a blessed serenity of mind, and a resignation to the will of God. Once, however, being particularly dejected, he was relieved by a very providential occur rence. The person at whose house he then occasionally resided, knew not the unhappy state of his mind; but, after Mr. Evans was gone to bed, he read, in an adjoining room, at his family devotions, the following suitable hyma of Dr. Watts: Why should the children applied by a divine power, and afof a King,' &c. These words were forded his disconsolate spirit immediate relief. From this period, his hope in Christ was, in a good degree, steadfast. He bore his tedious illness with a truly Christian submission. tered no murmurs, nor expressed He utany signs of impatience; but was full of gratitude for all the kindness of his friends. He seemed to anticipate his exchange of worlds with the calmness with which we look forward to a removal from one house or country to another, waiting quietly for the signal which should bid him depart. Mr. Var der, of Ottery, having said to him one evening, "I hope, by next month, to have a good account of the Bible Society,' in some part of the world which he mentioned; - 'Well,' said he, in reply, if I am in Heaven by that time, I shall hear of it there.' As he advanced towards eternity, his happiness increased. (as he expressed it) came on like a His joys flood. When asked how he was, he frequently replied, with a smile, Qaite happy in God.' Alluding one day to his illness, he said, 'I am perfectly easy as to the event. If God has any work for me to do, he will raise me up again; if not, he will take me to himself, so that, as the will of God will be done in either way, all will be well.' He added, If God were to give ae my choice, either to live or die, I would refer it back to him again. A few days before his dissolution, being asked if he had any fear of the coasequences of death, he replied,' No; the sting of death has been taken away by Christ. scarcely any thing but the carcase Yes there is remaining; but this vile body will be made like body. Christ's glorious At length, he gently fell asloop, to awake to a nobler life, on the 5th of Marca, 1807, in the 25th year of his age.. His memory will long continue to be precious. |
