NERVOUS AND SYSTEMATIC.

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the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, in my closet meditations, as in my pulpit exercises. By this course of preparation, I can preserve a distinction in my discourses-although many of them are on kindred or similar subjects. In this way I avoid a repetition of the same set of phrases, and sameness of manner of argument, illustration, and application. I can be full without redundency, and observe a more close, nervous and systematic course of reasoning, than I can generally expect to attain when I have only a general outline marked out. Yet I leave room for enlargement on subjects partially discussed-for a fuller developement of thought, in the expanding process of expression, for new ideas as they may advantageously be employed, to be engrafted upon the parent stock, and for dress and embellishment, as the occasion may require — taking care never to go beyond a neat and plain style of elocution. My aim in the fear of God is to be understood by the most ignorant, and apprehended by the most dull in the congregation.

Is not this an example worthy of imitation of all christian ministers.

Mr. Baldwin had a remarkable faculty of adapting his discourse to the occasion. Being called upon at one of his appointments to preach the funeral of a child that had died suddenly, he says:-August 16, "Preached the funeral of Mr. B. N's. child, who died suddenly like Benjamin. Text, 'His brother was dead, and he alone was left of his mother, and his father loved him.' From the giving out of the hymn 'God moves in a mysterious way,' the Lord was with us. I had uncommon liberty and power in preaching. Our class meeting was a heart melting and reviving time. One of such universal, deep and powerful excitement as to draw strangers within the house, and to windows without, one of whom stood and wept like a child. At the close, the bereaved father offered himself for admission on trial,- truly there is joy on earth as well as in Heaven, over one sinner that repenteth."

FRATERNAL LETTERS.

CHAPTER XX.

TO REV. WILLIAM YOUNG.

Dear Brother: I do not intend it as a mere compliment when I tell you I was truly pleased to receive a few lines from you, although they contain no very cheering intelligence. The society and the correspondence of my brethren in the ministry, I prize very highly, and I am always gratified with the least mark of kindness from them. I have sometimes, though not now, as formerly, when I am with my brethren, thought of Paul upon his first visit to Jerusalem. Yet I can hardly think for a moment, that my religion is doubted, or that I am the object of distrust, much less of fear, but my former profession and associations, I am satisfied, have often thrown difficulties in my way and prevented a ready

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access to the hearts of the people. Religion is love-we all profess to have drank of the same Spirit, and coldness, jealousy and constraint, can have no welcome place where Jesus deigns to dwell. *

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To attend your meeting, I should have to leave four or five of my regular appointments, and I really think my presence unnecessary. I am somewhat stale to the people of Charleston. You and brother Findley are yet fresh. Brother Spencer too will be new. You have also brother Wesley Young, good for effective service. I think you are strong; all you want is faith. I pray you may have the great Head of the Church with you and that the work of the Lord may be gloriously revived. Since I wrote the first part of my letter, my faith has increased in reference to our prospects on this circuit. At every appointment during the last week, and especially at Black's and in Barbourville, on Sunday and Sunday night, I felt much of the presence and power of the Lord, and my soul was filled with his love.

ONE THEME INTERESTING.

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"Pray for us that the word of God may have free course and be glorified."

Yours,

CHARLES R. BALDWIN.

ADVICE TO A PENITENT.

TO MRS. AGNES S. SEHON.

GUYANDOTTE, December 17, 1834.

My Dear Madam: I trust you will not regard it as a mere common expression of civility when I assure you, that since our first acquaintance, you have occupied a higher place in my esteem, than merely that of a sister of my wife. To-day I have thought I would devote a few moments in writing to you. And encouraged by the wishes of Mary Jane, I have without ceremony set about it. But I am sadly at a loss what to write. Yet it is possible, I can find one theme interesting to us both; the religion of Jesus Christ-a knowledge of the pardon of our sins and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy