Ought not such a blessing to induce you to visit my flock again? Do come, if you possibly can, on the evening of the eighteenth." A minister, who was for some years in the same Association with him, in writing to one of the family, says,— "My memory of your beloved father is very precious. There was so much that was genial and kind and loving, and withal such faithfulness and reality in word and deed, that it was most pleasant and refreshing to be associated with him in Christian friendship, work, and service. I do not think words can express the confidence and affection in which he was held by his brethren in the Association. All felt that he was so true, and that there was in him so much of the spirit of Christ, and such a high regard for the honour and glory of our Divine Redeemer. His sermons and addresses always struck me as remarkable for their boint. He had a way quite his own of putting the truths he proclaimed, so that they came home to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. I well remember some of his addresses at our Association and missionary gatherings, especially at the Lord's Supper, as full of power. I know they were not spoken in vain.” "Safe myself within the fold, Yet my spirit cannot rest, While thee wandering I behold, Still, alas! unsaved, unblest. Oh that thou wouldst take the place Of the lost-this Jesus craves, For the lost' in pitying grace Still the Shepherd seeks and saves." one thing to please, it is another thing to profit our hearers. I have lately had much to cheer me. "The minister of B- has written to say, that my visit to that place was blessed to three persons; and to-day one of the deacons of has sent word that three were converted when I last preached there.” In another note he says, "God has greatly honoured my visit to T. I have lately heard from one of the deacons that a fifth person has declared what was done for his soul on the day I went there. I thank God and take courage. Yesterday at H—— I met seven persons to whom God has made me useful; they were strangers to me, but made themselves known after the service. My heart was deeply affected and encouraged. Two of them ascribed their conversion to the same sermon, preached about five years ago, at C-, from the text, Ephraim is a cake not turned.' The third, a young lady of seventeen, referred to a discourse at Rthe other three dated their impressions to other occasions. I am often astonished that God honours so unworthy an instrument. Oh, how I long for a more grateful heart. Will you pray that God may bestow on me this additional gift?" -; A dear ministerial friend, the late Rev. S. Curwen, of Reading, in a letter to him, says, "A young person was received into our Church last night, who refers her first impressions to the sermon which you last preached here. It was on that text, 'Who will consecrate himself this day unto the Lord ?' Ought not such a blessing to induce you to visit my flock again? Do come, if you possibly can, on the evening of the eighteenth." A minister, who was for some years in the same Association with him, in writing to one of the family, says,— "My memory of your beloved father is very precious. There was so much that was genial and kind and loving, and withal such faithfulness and reality in word and deed, that it was most pleasant and refreshing to be associated with him in Christian friendship, work, and service. I do not think words can express the confidence and affection in which he was held by his brethren in the Association. All felt that he was so true, and that there was in him so much of the spirit of Christ, and such a high regard for the honour and glory of our Divine Redeemer. His sermons and addresses always struck me as remarkable for their boint. He had a way quite his own of putting the truths he proclaimed, so that they came home to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. I well remember some of his addresses at our Association and missionary gatherings, especially at the Lord's Supper, as full of power. I know they were not spoken in vain.” "Safe myself within the fold, Yet my spirit cannot rest, While thee wandering I behold, Still, alas! unsaved, unblest. For the lost' in pitying grace Still the Shepherd seeks and saves." |