one, and satisfy herself of its adaptation to accomplish good. "I accompanied James Fuller," says she, "and I must acknowledge that my prejudice vanished. The deep humility of all present, and the wise and apt quotations from Scripture, suited to each individual case, struck me as most remarkable. In wise hands such a meeting must have a rich blessing. I am sure no hypocrite could attend a second time so close a scrutiny; it would be uncongenial to any except the sincere and earnest seeker after Jesus. I adopted the plan, forming separate classes for men and women, limiting each to twelve persons. My husband takes one of the former fortnightly for me. He comes from this class with a radiant face, and tells me it is the sweetest hour he spends. Every one speaks freely of his trials, struggles, &c., asks counsel on special occasions, and gets encouragement from the treasury of God's word. The same truths which appear of general application when heard from the pulpit, go home straight to the heart when spoken at these meetings."

May 6th. "My views of the gospel ministry are becoming more clear. I would fain cherish the expectation that God is preparing me for some useful place in His vineyard. My attention has lately been turned to those grand truths of the Bible, the exhibition of which will transform the world. What truths produce the greatest effect? and what are the best modes of exhibiting them? are inquiries which my mind has been constantly urging. I have every reason to expect I shall find out the truth. What do I want? Many things, but I believe this would comprehend them all -more of the love of God in my heart."

"If I take divine power into the pulpit, (and, praised be God, it is my privilege,) the hearts of men must be affected. I have found that when I speak in the spirit of faith, my words come with a ten-fold power. They lay hold of the

ÆTAT. 22]

A FAITHFUL MINISTER.

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person with whom I am conversing. Had I spoken from myself alone the very same words would have had no power. Here I discover a mighty energy which sinks all merely human influence into nothingness. How far may this be extended, I am led to ask? I cannot tell. I see no limits to it. The more I use it, the more I am convinced that I yet know comparatively nothing of it."

8th. "A faithful minister. He will have a high opinion of his office. Whilst he feels its honourableness he will also feel its responsibility. He will be jealous lest its importance and true dignity should be diminished in public estimation through him. In preaching he will dwell upon those subjects which most concern his hearers. His eye will be constantly spying out their wants, and he will employ his utmost efforts to supply them. An obvious necessity therefore will determine his subjects. He will see some particular thing prominently demanding his attention. And thus a force of thought and feeling will characterize his preaching. He will not be content to go mechanically through a routine of duties. He will seek to improve upon existing things. Advancement-progression-will be the law of his being."

10th. "I feel in danger of having my energies scattered by too great a variety of objects. I want much general knowledge, but I must not lose sight of a few main points. If I had not the Gospel, and did not feel my obligation to preach it, my mind would have no definite aim. It is a great mercy that I know the business of my life. My great grief is that my actions move so tardily after my thoughts, and I fear my thoughts are hindered by the slowness of my actions. I have sometimes thought it would be beneficial to be shut up in a prison a few months, with nothing but my Bible and writing materials. Such a circumstance, however unpleasant, would break up that deplorable stag

nancy of soul into which I fear I have fallen. The best method of improvement is to confine myself to a very few spirit-stirring books, and to spend much time in thinking and writing."-Beyond doubt this stagnancy was attributable to physical debility. A valuable writer has recently told the public that an immuring would be a great general benefit. "Most men are possessed by the evil spirit of muddle. Their sight resembles that of sheep, or the man half-cured of blindness in the Gospels, who confounded human beings and bushes. The infliction of six months' solitary imprisonment would add immensely to the concentration of thought of multitudes. Louis Napoleon owes his success mainly to Ham. The power of seeing one thing at a time, and seeing that in clear outline, relief, and colour, is that which renders success to any man almost certain."

Here is a beacon light for some readers: "I have got into a wrong way of treating those around me. I measure them by too high a standard, and am grieved because they do not perform what to them are impossibilities. Now if, while keeping the standard high for myself, instead of rigidly applying it to others, I helped them, and cherished thankfulness for any progress they made, I should do much more good and be much more happy."

He who boldly innovates upon current opinions and habits, must expect opposition. Such disturbances are sure to avenge themselves upon their originator. Nor is this perhaps to be regretted. However preponderating the benefit, evil in some form must ensue from innovation, and it is well therefore that it should encounter restraint. It must be admitted that innovators, having strong convictions, not unfrequently express themselves with offensive dogmatism, and have themselves to blame for much of the displeasure they excite. I confess that my friend sometimes thus erred. It is gratifying, however, to find that with

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such anticipations as those with which the accompanying extract commences, there should be associated such experiences as those with which it concludes: "If I live, the probability is that my life will be one of trial and suffering. Many of my views will give offence to persons I highly respect. That I cannot help however. The burden is heavy but I must bear it. I am not so anxious about the approbation of what may be termed the respectable part of the religious world as I once was. At one time it seemed the height of earthly happiness to be an object of regard to that class of persons. But I do not much covet it now. I think I can say before God that my chief anxiety is to benefit the mass of the people, and if a sacrifice of reputation be required for this, I am prepared to make it. I wish however to be on good terms with good men of all parties. I feel that those minor things pertaining to religion which at one time engaged much of my attention, are now dwindling into comparative insignificance. They are removing further from the centre of the soul, and their outlines are becoming more faint and shadowy. I do not wish to consider them at all except so far as they affect me practically."

The accompanying paragraph is well worthy the attention of preachers: "The condition of the heathen world and the progress of christianity, should be much oftener brought before the attention of our hearers. We might frequently introduce these topics in our sermons, and occasionally preach upon them. Might we not draw illustrations of the truths we wish to inculcate from our missionary records? Might not motives to christian duty often be derived from the operations of religion in heathen lands? Might not the conduct of some of the converted heathen be made to shame christians at home into a better way? I fear that instead of seizing the most important means of advancing true

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religion by preaching, we too often spend the sacred hours of the Lord's day in what is comparatively trifling."

His visit having extended to seven or eight weeks, he began to long for some sphere of labour. The pleasing impression he had made at Ravenstonedale three years before, procured him an invitation to become their temporary pastor. As Crosby-Garret was to share his labours, he accepted the invitation of a kind friend there to become an inmate of his dwelling. That his physical powers were inadequate to effectuate the promptings of his heart was evinced by a slight attack of hemorrhage on the day previous to entering upon his engagement. At the close of the Sunday however-May 14th-he wrote: "Was so much strengthened that I preached with ease. On entering the village I prayed that God would bless my labours here."

On the 17th he says in a letter to his parents: “I am at present in a small village, about three miles from my friend Mr. Priestley. I should most probably have gone back to Northallerton but they have got a minister—at least some one who will remain with them some months. God, however, has found me employment here, and I do not know that my desires could be better met. I preach twice every Sabbath to a room full of attentive and interested people; and in connection with Mr. Priestley I preach in the villages during the week.

"It will give you pleasure to know that, notwithstanding some little things which once would have troubled me, I am very happy. God is every day causing my cup to overflow with goodness. Although I am comparatively a stranger here, the people have been very kind. My delicate state of health excites a sympathy which shows itself in a thousand little acts of kindness I could never have expected. I mention these things to show the goodness of God. We are too apt to forget these smaller mercies of His providence, yet they