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"ORIGINAL LETTER FROM MR. J. WILLIAMS.

169 success of our preaching; and it is very doubtful, whether the languid accuracy and effeminate nicety of such discourses can afford such delightful entertainments, even to a polite anditory, as all ranks, except those of a squeamish delicacy, would find in discourses less correct, animated by these extempore eruptions of an affectionate zeal.

"It is probably the lot of most of us to have occasion so frequently, or unexpectedly, to preach, that we cannot sometimes make proper preparations; and in this case it is our duty, with a humble dependence on the aids of divine grace, to improve such opportunities, though at the risk of our reputation as accurate preachers. Though, in ordinary cases, the assistance of the Holy Spirit does not supersede, but suppose the exertion of our powers in proper preparations, yet on such occasions we may, without presumption, humbly pray for and expect it, though we have made little or no preparation; and our expectations shall not be frustrated. Though we should not conciliate to ourselves so much popular applause, yet we may do more service to the souls of men than at other times by our most elaborate discourses. And indeed it is no impossible task for one to whom the great truths of the gospel are familiarized by reading, meditation, and experience, to deliver an extempore discourse, which may be very profitable to the populace, and not justly offensive to persons of superior improvements.

2. Let us generally insist upon those subjects which are purely evangelical, or peculiar to the religion of Jesus."

But, now I think on it, what need I go on transcribing, when you may, no doubt, have the reading of the whole sermon? It is a present from the author to Mr. Fawcett, who will not deny you a perusal of it.

Nevertheless, Sir, I do not grudge the pains I have been at in transcribing so far. The sentiments I think weighty, and well expressed; and I could not but wish, at first reading, every minister of Christ would practise agreeably. He certainly speaks his own experience, when he seems to appeal to the experience of all who have made the trial; and I really think it hath, in some instances, been my own experience when I have been repeating the sermons of others. Good old Mr. Spilsbury, before sermon, used frequently to make this one of his requests to the throne of grace: "Lord help us rightly to conceive !” and I remember Dr. Watts, in his Humble Attempt, &c. earnestly presses upon ministers, not to read all they deliver in their sermons, nor confine their preaching to their notes. "Dare," saith he, "sometimes to deliver a sentiment warm from the heart;" and

Dr. Doddridge, I remember, told me, seventeen years ago, that it was a rule he inculcated on all his pupils; and he illustrated the possibility, and even probability, of any pious minis

ter being capable of doing it with propriety and to advantage after this manner. There are few tradesmen of any note but can talk pertinently, and in a proper style, and that for a good while together, upon any branch of their business which they thoroughly understand. How much more may a minister, when he hath well studied and digested his subject, and arranged his thoughts under proper distinct heads, be supposed capable of uttering many things with propriety of expression whilst his people are before him, which he could not think of when alone? or to that purpose.

Give me leave, Sir, to add, it is agreeable to what has been my way of thinking these forty years. It is longer than that since, having a most awful sense of eternal things, compared with which I justly esteem all temporary things as nothing, I often wondered at some of our most serious Christians, and even ministers, that they could talk so coolly about things of such everlasting weight. I wondered ministers in the pulpit did not talk more feelingly,

"Preaching as if they ne'er should preach again,
"And as a dying man to dying men.'

BAXTER.

And I still think, that a deeper sense of the infinite weight of eternal things would help any minister at the present day to preach better, and contribute a great deal to the fruitfulness of his invention and fluency of his tongue when engaged in solemn service. But how shall he come at that? Certainly, every good gift cometh down from the Father of Lights; and, therefore, prayer must be the means to fetch it down, earnest, importunate, persevering prayer; and this joked with solemn, devotional, frequent meditation. Let him, with the greatest seriousness, preach every sermon to himself before he preaches it to his people; get his own heart warmed first, and then he will be more likely to warm others. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak; and here it may not be improper to take notice of a passage or two in the sermon, which is wrought into the body of what I have transcribed, but which I then skipped over: While our minds," he says, " are intensely engaged in the abstracted speculative contemplation of a subject, we are too ready to forget its awful reference to ourselves, and its influence upon our eternal state; and hence study sometimes deadens us into senseless Stoics, instead of firing our hearts with all those tender passions which are so graceful in Christian orators. The best way to remedy this evil, and to reap the advantage of reparation for the public, is to diffuse a spirit of devotion through our studies, to direct them to proper objects, and to avoid

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Somewhat to the same purpose I remember to have read in some of Mr. Baxter's Works, perhaps twenty or thirty years

ORIGINAL LETTER FROM MR. J. WILLIAMS.

171

ago, viz. that when in his studies he found his heart dull and dead, and out of frame, he found it the best course to read awhile, with a view to get his own soul enlivened, in some such author as Sibbs, Hildersham, Dodd, Perkins, Bolton, &c.; and when he had got his own heart warmed with their devout sentiments, mixing prayer with kis reading, he found he could go on with renewed alacrity in his studies, and to much better purpose.

Now, Sir, what do you think I have in view in all this? I need not tell you. Not to make you preach worse, but better: not more to your people's heads, but to their hearts; and yet, I assure you, I do esteem you an able, faithful minister of Jesus Christ, diligent and laborious beyond most. But who is sufficient for these things? Not the great apostle, nor the Papists' great apostle, of themselves; and yet they seem to bid as fair for it as any two that ever preached. The longer I live the more 1. am convinced what an arduous undertaking and employment the work of a minister is; and by far the more so, not only as whatever he does faithfully in his office must run counter to the corruptions and prepossessions of mens' minds; but likewise, as he himself is a man subject to like passions and infirmities as we are: if the salt should lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted or seasoned? And yet how lamentably, how generally, at least in how great a measure is this the case of those who should be the salt of the earth!

Dear Sir, it will grieve me if any thing I have said should grieve you. I assure you, I am far from intending any such thing but the liveliest need quickening; and I shall greatly rejoice, if by any thing I have said, or can do, I might contribute any thing, though but at second-hand, to render your work more easy to you, and you more successful in it; and, surely, the hints I have borrowed of Mr. Davies, reduced to practice, would not fail to render your work easier to yourself, as it would save you much writing; and if it should prove the means of animating, as well as exercising your faith, your love, aud holy zeal (as really I cannot see what would have a greater tendency thereto) you will, undoubtedly, have greater satisfaction, peace, and joy, and probably greater success of your ministra tions. I ask pardon for taking so much freedom; and yet I think you will more than forgive me. May a double portion of the spirit of Elijah's God be poured down upon you, and you be made more and more to rejoice in your work! This is the ardent desire and prayer of,

dear Sir,

your faithful Friend and humble Servant, Jos. WILLIAMS,

I am sorry I forgot so long to send you Mr. Winter's Letter.

ANECDOTES.

YOUTHFUL BENEVOLENCF.

In the institution of Saint Catherine at Petersburgh, under the direction of Madam Bredhoff, an elderly lady of distinguished talents and sweetness of disposition, the following little circumstance occurred: In this institution, which is supported by the Empress dowager, a limited number of young ladies are admitted, free of expence, by ballot; but others are received upon paying, as it is termed, a pension. At the last admission, two little girls, the eldest not exceeding ten years of age, the daughters of a naval captain, the father of a large family, presented themselves, and drew, the one a prize, and the other a blank. Although so young, they concluded that fate had, in this manner, resolved upon their separation; they felt it, and wept. Another youg lady, to whom the next chance devolved, drew a prize; and observing the distress of the sisters, without holding any communication with their pa rents, or with any other person, spontaneously ran up to the luckless little girl, presented her with the ticket, and, leading her up to the directress, said, "See, Madam, I have drawn a prize! but my papa can afford to pay the pension, and, I am sure, will pay it for - pray, let one who is less fortunate enjoy the good that has happened to me. This charming anecdote was immediately reported to the Empress dowager, who expressed the highest delight, and paid out of her own purse the pension of the little benefactress. Carr's Northern Summer, page 369.

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AWFUL INSTANCES OF EXTREME IGNORANCE.

We have frequently mentioned instances of deplorable ignorance; which are not without their use, as they teach us to prize the smallest degree of spiritual knowledge, and as they put us on vigorous exertions to diffuse it. For these purposes we insert tke following:--

A poor creature in Scotland, being on her death-bed, was vis sited by a minister, who asked her, "Where do you hope to go when you die?" She answered, I don't care where I go.' "What!" replied the minister, "don't you care whether you go to Heaven or Hell?"No,' said she; I don't care where I go."

But," added he, " if it were put to your choice, would you rather go to Heaven or Hell?" To Hell,' said she. "What!” said he, "are you mad?—would you go to Hell?"Yes," said she, I would; for all my relations are there.'

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Strange as this may appear, Mr. Whitfield was told the anecdote by a worthy minister of Scotland, who knew the fact.

Another instance, out of many, will prove how much ignorance may exist in a country favoured with the light of Christianity, as

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ours is, and what need there is of plain instruction among the poor, the following fact may be depended upon, as it comes from a very respectable person still living, who was an eye and ear-witness of it:

During one of Mr. Whitfield's excursions in Yorkshire, he preached in a field near Sheffield, to a large audience, a very affecting sermon on the Sufferings of Christ. A poor woman, who was driving some asses laden with bricks, stopped for some time to hear him. When he mentioned the circumstance of his having suffered for sinners, without the gates of Jerusalem, upwards of seventeen hundred years ago, she said, addressing herself to one of the asses, goading it, "Go, Robin! as it is so long since, I hope it is not true: and away she went.

Though there is a considerable alteration for the better in the religious aspect of our country, especially in that part where the above circumstance occurred, since the time alluded to, yet it is to be feared, there are many in our land who risa, in their knowledge of the Gopsel but a few degrees higher than the old woman now mentioned. Let the thought rouse the Christian teacher to greater attention and activity.

SEASONABLE REPROOFS.

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MR. Meikle, late a surgeon in Carnwath, Scotland, being called to a gentleman who had been stung in the face with a wasp or ber, found him very impatient, and swearing wrathfully under his pain "Oh, Doctor," said he, "I am in great torment; can you any way help?" Don't fear,' says Mr. Meikle, all will be over in a little.' The gentleman still persisting in his curses and oaths, Mr. Meikle became quite uneasy, and wished to reprove him: I see nothing," says the Doctor, only it might have been in a better place. "Where might it have been?" asks the gentleman. Why, my good friend, on the tip of your tongue!"

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The same gentleman being once at Edinburgh on business, and not comfortably lodged, he went out early on Sabbath morning to a place of retirement, in the neighbourhood of the town, to enjoy, undisturbed, some time for devotion. Sitting in an arbour, a young gentleman placed himself beside him; who, by his singing and foolish talk, discovered such a contempt of the Sabbath as the Doctor could not allow to pass without reproof. "I am just thinking," said he, of the 4th commandment; pray, Sir, can you help me out with it?" Indeed, I cannot,' replied the gentleman. O!" says Mr. Meikle, "I recollect it now: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." On this the gentleman left the Doctor to his devotion..

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