Letters: Discipline

TO THE REV. DR PATTON

“Edgbaston, MarcTi 14, 1834.” I feel some degree of solicitude about the consequences of their mission, (Messrs Reed and Matheson.) We folks in this land have taken up the opinion that you Americans have some portion of national vanity, and possess a sensitiveness about your country which it is easier to offend than to satisfy. Moderate and impartial praise, it is thought, does not satisfy you; we must praise everything and largely. Now, I a little solicitous, lest the remarks of our friends while with you, and their report on their return, shoidd not come quite up to your expectations, and thus produce something of irritation. We can do each other no good by shutting our eyes, abjuring discrimination, and dealing only in unmixed censure or praise; for this in the one case is envious detraction, and in the other hollow flattery. I hope that our deputation will be candid in their disposition, and honest in the expression of their opinion. I think they go out as free from prejudice, as can be looked for in the ordinary circumstances of human nature, and j I believe that you are prepared to receive them with an unsuspicious! and affectionate confidence. On many accounts I should like to be with them, but I am most entirely satisfied I have done right in refusing to accept the appointment; for though it would be one of the highest gratifications I could enjoy out of heaven, to spend a few months with you, yet I am quite sure I have taken the path of duty in remaining at home.

“And now to the state of things in our land. We are come into the conflict with the EstabUshment of which I spoke to you in my former letters. The Dissenters, from the north of Scotland to the Land’s-End, are all bestirring tliemsolves in the way of memorialising the Government and petitioning the Legislature for the redress of gi-ievances; -what these are you -will learn by the accompanjing copy of the petition of my congregation, which was signed by between six and seven hundred male persons above the age of fifteen. The Ministry are disposed to help us, but are so impeded by the High-Church party, that I fear we shall obtain only partial relief. The accompanyjig newspapers will also convey to you some idea of the state of feeling here. The Patriot, as you are aware, is the organ of the evangelical Dissenters; but you will be astonished to be informed, that although it belongs to both the Independents and Baptists, it is but very lately that it has supported itself. Our stamp-duty is a most serious hindrance to the success of a religious newspaper. The Dissenters are not quite harmonious in their operations; as some wish to petition, and do petition, for the dissolution of the alliance between Church and State, while the great body only protest against the union, and petition merely for the redress of grievances. I have enclosed a paper containing an account of a meeting at Manchester, where you will find the speeches of the party who go the whole length of prajing for the ‘dissolution of the union.’ The Church people are exceedingly alarmed and angry. Although I have discussed the subject very cooUy in the pamphlet which I send you, I am most cordially disliked by a gi-eat many on account of it. One of the most extraordinary circumstances connected with the Church of England is, the vast increase of evangelical clergjnnen, in connexion with a system so manifestly and notoriously corrupt as is the Church of England. I cannot interpret this circumstance; a vast nucleus of piety has been forming in the midst of surrounding evils of an enormous character. The mischief of the present state of things is, that all hopes of a relival of reUgion are at present checked; the heads, and hearts, and mouths of oiu- people are full of the secularities of religion; its more spiritual matters are in danger of being sadly neglected. However, I am iucUned, upon the whole, to regard the present situation of things as the commencement of a great conflict against organised systems of ecclesiastical corruption. ‘The Lord God Omnipotent reignetk’ J esus can take care of His own kingdom, and is taking care of it. Yoiu: revivals seem for the present stopped. I am still anxious about two things in the United States — the provision of religious instruction for the valley of the ilississippi, and the abolition of slavery in the Southern States. Oh for some Dr Hewit to take up this subject, and rouse your feelings in reference to it, as he did on the temperance cause! Your exertions in the latter, or rather I should say the glory of them, is in eclipse by your system of slavery in the south, and your feelings towards the coloured people all over the L^nited States.” ....

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAilES.

TO THE REV. DE SPKAGUE.

“Edqbaston, March 28, 1834.” My dear Friend, — As a member of my congregation is about to start for America, I avaU myself of the opportunity of sending a letter to assure you that we still think and talk of you. The arrival of your last communication was looked for with some degree of solicitude, that it might announce to us the welcome news of your safe return to your family and flock. We congratulate you, not merely on that account, but also that the end of your absence had been so mercifully accomplished in the restoration of your health. May your life be long spared for a blessing to the church and to the world! I ought to have replied to your letter before this, but engagements come on in such rapid succession, and objects that are immediately before you press upon your attention vath such clamorous urgency, that absent ones do not always receive their due share of time and notice. We were much disappointed that your stay with us was so short, having confidently calculated upon one or two weeks at least. Well, there you are then again in all the business and cares and anxieties of the faithful minister’s life and labours, and indeed these cares and anxieties are neither few nor small. What a delightful thought it is they are not to last for ever! And then, the results — the glorious, the immortal results! The souls, the immortal souls saved, and reflecting the glories of their redeeming God! What a wonder it is we are not more dihgent and devoted; that we can find time or interest for anything else — even for autographs! Do you know I became a little jealous over you lest this passion should engross you too much, and steal any portion of that interest and leisure which should be given to Christ and His cause? And yet I might have said his books and sermons give proof that he does not neglect Ids work; and as all men need relaxation from the

severer pursuits of duty, this is his. Pardon the hint I am afraid

your country is not in a sound and healthy state. Your church is more agitated than it should be, considering what are the causes of excitement. I do not see anything very serious in the new doctrines. There are a few things in Stuart’s volume on the Romans, which, perhaps, I might not choose to subscribe to, but I do not see the mischief in it which some do. But I find the doctrines are but a part of the cause of contention: your missions are now added to it. I wish you could all pay still more attention than you even do now, to the state of your own population. You ought, in my opinion, to relax a little on the subject of your ministry; not that you ought to have a less number of well-educated men, but a greater number of men of good sound sense and piety, to meet the wants of your new settlements, who, if they are not learned, might be very useful. The present increase of your population is, I should think, nearly double that of your ministers.

“To leave the United States and to come here, we are in a state of the most determined hostility, — I mean, the civil and ecclesiastical parties. The Tories are struggling to oust the Liberals, and, I think, will succeed. And the malignity of the Church party against the Dissenters is almost rabid. The Government plan of abolishing churchrates by appropriating the suqlus revenues of the cathedral property, has set the kingdom in a blaze. Oh, for peace! But this cannot be looked for, while such things exist as now keep the two bodies separate. Who could imagine, if the Word of God did not tell us so, that it is through such storms and breakers that Christ is steering the bark of His cause. Yet so it is. Fifty years hence many good men who are now chnging to the corruptions of Christianity, vail appear objects of astonishment to those who viiR succeed to theii- general principles, but who will renounce the grosser follies with which they are now associated.

“I am in a state of mental gestation with a small volume to be entitled ‘The Christian Professor.’.... — Your sincere friend and affectionate brother,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE REV. DR SPRAGUE.

“EcGBASTOif, Augtcst 20, 1834. “My dear Friend, — .... “What a thunderstorm has gathered and burst over your country and ours, but more fearfully over yours than ours, within the last twelve months! What a sudden and tremendous destruction of earthly confidences and hopes! And yet, who can wonder? I put out of consideration the proximate and commercial causes, such as the grasping ambition, the reckless speculation, and the selfish monopoly of a few large leviathan-like houses on our side of the water, and look only at the moral causes, the practical atheism of the world, and the wicked and shameful worldly-mindedness of the ChurcL Mammon has been the image of jealousy, causing jealousy which our two countries have joined to worship, and the vengeance of God has been awakened, and smitten the object of our idolatry. Professors have been deep in the mire of earthly-mindedness, and have therefore suffered with their ungodly neighbours. God is now calling them to a new trial of their faith, and giving them an opportunity of imitating the Macedonian liberality, and serving Him with a zeal proportioned to their poverty. May we pass honourably through the probation! Other storms, however, besides commercial ones, are passing over your country. You have earthquakes in the Church. Bj’ the New York Observer,

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES,

■whicli I constantly receive, I perceive the conflict has come on between the parties, and terminated, for the present, in the discomfiture and defeat of the new-school portion of your religious community. I cannot be supposed to be intimately acquainted with the merits of the question; but as a bystander, looking from without, I am astonished and disgusted with the conduct of the majority. I cannot help thinking that the abrogation of the Act of Union, or rather the annulling of everything which had been done under its provisions, has very much the appearance of public perfidy and treachery. If for thirty years this act has been tacitly allowed to be operative, to declare it now, and all that has been done under it, unconstitutional, has so flagrantly the aspect of a trick of party, that it will do the Presbyterian Church small honour in the eyes of the world. I admit that there were jarring elements of discord in the body, which it would have been difficult by any system to harmonise; but so despotic an excision as that of nearly half the community without a trial, is an act of power of a most astounding character. May the God of all wisdom, power, and grace overrule it for good! I am not quite sure that I do not see the slave question, in some measure, mixed up -wdth this controversy. I think the vanquished party, if indeed the vanquished, will carry with them the sympathies of your friends in this country. It is a deep, if not mortal, wound to Presbyterianism.

“And now to EngUsh afl’airs. We are just in the midst of the rage of a general election, on the demise of the king. The High-Church and Tory party are putting forth all their strength and fury, and, to the surprise and dismay of the Liberals, are likely to gain a victory. I should not be surprised at their gaining a majority, and ousting the Melbourne ^linistry. And then what is to be done I know not, unless the Tories turn Whigs in their measures, which, to a considerable extent, I am inclined to think they will be prepared to do. How dehghtful it is to reflect, amidst all these struggles, that there is One who is Head over all things to His Church!.... — I remain, your affectionate friend and brother,

“J. A. Jajies.”

TO THE EEV. DK SPEAGUE.

“Edgbaston, July 10, 1834.” !My DEAR Fkiend and Beother, — In more respects than the number of your communications, -with which I have been lately so peculiarly favoured, I am so deeply in your debt that full pajTuent is out of the question, and I can only offer you a composition of five shillings in the pound, and by that you will set down the deficiency to the score of poverty, and not to that of dishonesty. All your letters and parcel.^ have come to hand, and have really oppressed me by the kindness — the exuberant kindness, which they express. There are moments when the aflfection and esteem of my friends, especially the more excellent and inteUigeut of them, are almost painful to me, from the perfect consciousness I possess of my utter unworthiness of it. I seem to be guilty of a fraud upon their friendship in receiving the tokens of their regard; and, at any rate, I cannot accept them, -without explicitly assiuing them that they are entirely a gratuity, upon which, on the groimd of merit, I have no claim whatever. It is sometimes a matter of surprise to me to think upon how small a stock of moral excellence and mental wealth I am keeping up so respectable an appearance, as I perceive, by the testimony of my friends, I make in the world. Of one thing I am certain, that, if I do any good to my generation, the work is not only to be ascribed to grace, but will prove, in another world, how much of Divine agency and how little of human instrumentality there was in anything done by me. Do not accuse me of afiFected humility and a mock modesty. I often carry similar sentiments to the footstool of the omniscient God, as a plea for His gracious help, that men and angels might

learn in eternity how much is due to Himself

“I was sorry to find by your letter, dated March 20, that you had been indisposed through the previous winter. I very strongly suspect you are overworking yourself, especially in the way of authorship. Now, my dear friend, if this be the case, I would submit it for your serious consideration, whether you should not relax your exertions. Valuable as are your productions, and great as the good is you are doing by means of the press, and reluctant as /, for one, should feel to stop your pen in its elegant and useful course, yet, if you are imdermining your strength, and thus shortening your life by a continual taxing of your physical energies, you are doing a mischief which even your valuable writings do not entirely repair. If, however, you are quite sure that composition is not the worm that feeds upon the root of your strength, go on, I say, to write, for he who writes so well ought to write up to the full extent of his ability. This brings me to the subject of your pubhcations, which I have lately received. The ‘Hints for Regulating the Intercourse of Christians ’ is an invaluable book, on a very important branch of Christian duty, and which no author that I am acquainted with has discussed at length. You have fairly comprehended the subject, taking it in all its bearings and relations. Indeed, I think you have expanded the subject too much, or rather, I should say, too much for the age. Men are now so busy, either -with theii- own secularities, or with the active duties they owe to the cause of Christ, that they have but little time, and therefore little opportunity, to read a large book. This circumstance renders much good writing less useful than it ought to be. I trust your important volume -VNiU have a -vide circulation in America, and I shall confer with our mutual friend, whom I expect to see in a few days, about bringing out an edition, perhaps somewhat abridged, in this country. It is what we want, and your name having become known by your admirable volume on revivals, I think the work will have an extensive sale here. Your reviews are accurate, interesting, and spirited. I think you have managed, with great ability and impartiahty, the very difficult task of honestly criticising Dr Cox’s book on Quakerism. It is true, I have not seen the volume, except for a few minutes in the author’s hand, but your critique gives me a correct opinion of its general nature. I was afraid, from what little I saw of Dr Cox, and what he said about his production, that he would be likely to err on the side of severity, and thus hmit much more than he would otherwise have done the usefulness of his volume. Your review of Burder’s Life is exceedingly just, and is in entire keeping with the subject. I was much struck with the truth and propriety of your comparative estimate of the American and English preachers. I seem to think, that, with some exceptions, elocution is in greater perfection in all departments of public speaking on this side of the Atlantic than on yours. Nor is this at all surprising, considering the infancy of your nation, and consequently of your institutions. As to your preachers in mass, they are transcendently superior in the composition of their sermons to the bulk of Independent and Baptist ministers here.

“It has been with a joy that I cannot express that I have read Dr Cox’s letter in the New York Evangelist, which declares his separation from the Colonisation Society, and his conversion to the cause of the Antislavery Society, and it will be with equal joy and gratitude to God that I shall read, my dear friend, a similar declaration from your pen. Do, do, my brother, give the subject your serious and prayerful consideration. Oh, if your pen could be enhsted in the cause of abolition, what an influence might you exercise over the minds of your countrymen on this question! I almost envy the fame of those who will be foremost in the ranks that fight the battles of negro freedom. AboUtion will soon beat colonisation off the field, and weighty and glorious wUl be the laurels of those who are early in the conflict and the conquest. I foresee there will be a tremendous struggle; but what the result will be, I have no more doubt than I have that my pen is moving across this page. Your country must be foremost of all lands in the great moral renovation of the world, but she has some sins first to put away from herself. She is purifying herself from intemperance, and her next purgation must be from oppression. You have the chain of caste on the north and east, and the fetters of slavery in the south: both must be broken before the spirit of American piety will be quite free for the great work she has to do. You can scarcely imagine -what a blot these things are upon your national reputation in the estimation of the multitude in this country. If the pulpit be once engaged against slavery it will fall, and engaged the pulpit soon will be. Your effort for the Poles is worthy of you and your pen; and now let that same tongue and pen, which pleaded the cause of European exiles, plead the cause of your two mil-Hons of enslaved fellow-subjects.

“.... I have sent you a letter of Lord Holland to myself on the subject of his presenting the petition of my congregation against the union between Church and State, and for redress of grievances. He is nephew of our greatly celebrated Charles Fox, and one of His Majesty’s ministers, though, by the way, we are within a day or two in all the anxiety of suspense, in consequence of an apprehension that the Ministers are about to resign. Things are in a most unsettled state. The Church question is convulsing the nation to its centre. Our institutions are all undergoing a shaking.

“And now, my dear friend, I must bring this long letter, and this tax upon your patience, to a close, with best wishes and fervent prayers for your continued life, health, and usefulness. My wife unites with me in affectionate regards to yourself and iirs Sprague. — Yours, aa ever,

“J. A. Jajies.”

TO THE REV. DE SPRAGUE.

“Edobasto>-, February 25, 1835.

“My dear Friend, — I cannot suffer :Mr Hoby, my fellow-labourer in this town, who is going as one of the Baptist deputation to the United States, to leave Birmingham without being the bearer of a letter to introduce him, and also to make inquiries concerning yourself. You will find both the gentlemen who are going out, intelligent, agreeable, and hberal, and will, I am sure, be pleased with thcii- society. They are of high standing in their own denomination, and are much esteemed by ours. I wish they may be the means of doing good to the churches which they are going to visit. I think they would have done well to wait the result of the visit of our deputation before they imdertook theirs; but they were anxious to meet the Triennial Convention at Richmond, which assembles this year, and for which, therefore, if it were determined they should be present at its meeting, they must have waited three years longer.

“Dr Reed has not yet brought out the report of his visit. We are waiting for it with some anxiety and impatience. I am inclined to think it wUl be likely to produce a good impression on both countries.

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

I trust we are all prepared to liear ourselves blamed without irritation, and our friends praised without jealousy. Perhaps we have each something to learn from the other. I am quite sure there are many things which we have to learn from you, though I should find it more difficult to find out wherein we could be your instructors.

“I was much concerned to learn, by your last letter, that you had been so seriously indisposed; I hope that you are by this time quite recovered to your usual health, and that nothing remains of the affliction but its holy fruits. God must set a high value upon holiness when, in order to produce it, He puts to so much pain the people whom He loves. It is a great mercy to grow in grace, and, when nothing else vdU promote it, we should be thankful even for afflictions. But, my good friend, ought you not to abstain a little more from authorship? I am sure it is impossible for you to publish all you do, among your numerous engagements as a minister and a pastor, without taxing your intellectual powers beyond your strength. Remember, that although your books will do good after you are dead, yet the living labours of a Christian minister, in a public situation like yours, are too valuable to be compensated by the posthumous efi’ects of his writings. I think you engage in too many public services. May I then plead with you to desist a little more than you do from these, and I am sure I shall have your good wife, your congregation, and your whole denomination seconding ray appeal. You are awai-e that Dr Urwick has anticipated my design of reprinting your excellent volume on ‘Christian Intercourse,’ with a very good introductory essay. I will send you a copy with some other things soon. I do not like to make up a parcel for Mr Hoby, as I do not know how far he will be able to find room for it ■ndthout inconvenience. I can more boldly ask the favour from the house in this town through which your parcels come to me. I had hoped to be able to send you, by my friend, an autograph of James Watt, but have not hitherto succeeded. I have made application directly to his son, who lives in gi-eat splendour not far from this town, and was in expectation to have heard from him before this, but have been disappointed. I have never received any communications for you from either Miss Porter or Mrs Sherwood.

“We are all in excitement and agitation, in this country, by the conflict of parties. The struggle for power and place between them will be severe. It is a fearful state of things; the court, the aristocracy, and the clergy are confederated against the people. The animosity of the two parties is excessive — the defeat of the Tories in the election of the Speaker has mortified them excessively. The Whigs and Eadicals will endeavour to give them another blow at the ICing’s speech. What the end will be I do not know. The great bone of contention is the Church. Oh, how deeply is it to be regretted, though but little alas I to be wondered at, that this antichristian establishment should convulse three kingdoms! Yet, if it exist, it is no matter of surprise that it should cost the nation much peace to cast it down. I am a little anxious about the state of things in America. You have many knotty points to settle. I am jealous for the continuance of your institutions.

“I will endeavour to write again before it is long, ily wife unites with me in affectionate regards to yourself and Mrs Sprague. I hope my little namesake is well and thriving. May God bless the lad. — I remain, yours as ever,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE EEV. DK SPEAGtJE.

“Edgbaston, September 2, 1S35.” My dear Beotheb, — Your last letter, bearing date the 28th of April, came to hand in due time, as did the others to which it refers; and my first subject in reply must be to apologise to you for not writing before, — but really I have such an extreme dislike to letter-writing as to require the strong impulse of friendship or the stern dictate of necessity to overcome it; and a natural propensity to procrastination, falling in with this epistolophobia, is ever seducing me into delay, against the warnings of my better judgment and my conscience. UiJiappily, this dislike of the pen extends also to sermon-writing, so that it proves a temptation to me to put it off too long and too late in the week, and sometimes to the neglect of it altogether. I am not quite sure whether I have told you this before, — it is, however, the fact, and will account to you, as it has done to many of my other friends, for a neglect which I am anxious should not be attributed to a want of affectionate interest in yourself, your friends, and your doings. I must now thank you, and at the same time blame you, for your too flattering portrait of me in the Theological Iievieiv. It would have been well done, if it had been more true and faithful to the original You are an excellent artist: your drawing is good, and your colouring admirable; you paint with ease and grace, and, Uke our late Sir Thomas Lawrence, you give the air of nobility to your portraits. I wish you had foimd me, instejrd of endeavouring to make me, worthy of your skill. I can, without one emotion of affected humility, say I am astonished at the estimate you and others form of my talent: either you or myself must be under some egregious mistake; or else, what I do not suppose to be the case, judge me to be a vain man, and say these things to please my ruling passion. I am quite sure if the world thought of me as I think of myself, I should be soon forgotten and unnoticed. However, whether I have more or less of ability to preach

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

or write, I desire to consecrate all to the service of Him who has made me what I am. And I hope I can look upon the superior talents of my brethren without envy or discontent. May you, my dear brother, go on to employ those with which God has enriched you for the good both of the world and the Church. I think the work in which your review appeared is greatly improving; the last two numbers contain some truly excellent and able papers. I wish it did not advocate and laud the Colonisation Society, which, I may be prejudiced, but I think is a great delusion, viewed as a means of mitigating slavery. Having adverted to your intellectual self, I must now turn to the representation of the outer man, which I am happy to say came safely to hand, and is now suspended in my study, close by the side of Brother Fatten, and looks upon me daily and hourly with all the benignity which I am sure is in the heart of the original towards me. My recollection of your features is not sufficiently vivid to pronounce upon the likeness, but the execution is very good; it is really an excellent specimen of American engraving.

“A few days ago, I received two Ameiican papers, the New York Observer, containing Dr Beecher’s trial by his Presbytery for heresy, at the prosecution of Dr Winslow Wilson, but am a little tantahsed by not having the whole. I conclude, of course, that he was acquitted. This, I conjecture, is a sort of trial of strength between the parties in that neighbourhood, and probably will lead on to a much grander strife. I see very plainly that your General Assembly must divide; and yet I do not see why. The difference does not appear to me to be of that moment to require it; at least, so far as theological sentiment is concerned. The question on natural and moral inabiUty surely is not new, and is not of sufficient consequence to divide a church. I admit, however, that the magnitude of your body almost requires a separation, if sentiment does not. I feel exceedingly anxious about everything connected with the state of religion in the United States, because of its influence upon the great questions agitated here on the subject of ecclesiastical polity. I have lately been much surprised at reading the writings and statements sent forth by Alexander Campbell, and of the success of his measures and followers. His name is Apollyon the Destroyer, for he seems to me to have a greater talent for demohtion than edification. He is a man of great talent, but is evidently propagating a system of self-deception. His immersion for the remission of sins will, I think, delude thousands of souls. What errors are broached, what systems are propagated in our age! We thought that Irvingism was dead, or that it had received a mortal wound, when the great

died, but I assure you this is not the case. It still lives in

greater extravagance than ever, and is widely spread. The followers of it have just bought a place in this town, capable of holding twelve or fourteen hundred people.

“I must now come to your deputation. Dr Spring made a very deep impression upon our congregations, both in town and country, by his sermons. He was exceedingly and deservedly admired as a preacher, but he faUed as a speaker; extempore speaking does not suit him. He wants the vivacity, the energy, the fluency necessary for the platform. His solemnity, pathos, and dignity in the pulpit are very commanding; and in private he is pleasant, gentlemanly, and interesting. He and his daughter were my guests for too short a time. He spent a Sabbath with us, and preached for me, much to the gratification of my people. Dr Humphreys is quite a different man: of great worth, and much unostentatious excellence; but he produced little impression. He is a most valuable man, and we were much charmed with him in private. Of Dr Codman I saw very little. Should another deputation visit us, I trust you will overcome your nervous terror, and be one of the brethren that shall come over. I should be delighted to see you on any errand but that of seeking for health. Let us again see your face in the flesh. You shall find open houses, open arms, open hearts, and open pulpits to receive you. No American minister is known here as your Lectures on Revivals has made you known. Drs Reed and ]Iatheson have published, or rather I ought to say, Dr Reed has pubUshed, a very interesting book of their travels in America. I think, upon the whole, you will judge it to be impartial. If I could have trespassed so far on Dr Humphreys, I would have sent you a copy. I conclude it will be republished on your side of the world. I am not quite sure we shall derive all the advantage we anticipated from the deputation.

“Our political horizon is cloudy, unsettled, and stormy. The court and the aristocracy have set themselves against the present Ministry and their measures, and the Commons are trjdng their strength lith the Lords. How it will end I know not. A great deal of inflammatory and seditious matter is continually being poured forth at our public meetings, and it is the watchword of the Radical party, ‘Of what use is the Lords? ‘The question is seriously mooted, ‘Ought we to have a hereditary, irresponsible branch of the legislature V The feelings between the Church and the Dissenters are exceedingly bitter, or I ought at least to say, of the Church towards the Dissenters. I am afraid that politics are making sad work with religion, both in preventing conversions and diminishing pious feeling among believers. But God reigns, and is making all things subserve His schemes.

“I send you a copy of a work on Natural Theology by Lord Brougham, which is considered valuable here, though containing some

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

exceptionable passages. The great celebrity of the man gives an interest to the work perhaps beyond its merits.

“May God long spare and much bless you. My -wife unites in love to Mrs Sprague and yourself. — Your affectionate friend and brother,

“J. A. James.

“I have not succeeded yet in obtaining James Watt’s autograph.”

TO A YOUTH* WHO HAD DERIVED BENEFIT FKOM THE “ANXIOUS
INQUIRER.”

“BiBMiNGHAM, April 26, 1836.” My dear Sir, — The perusal of your letter put a new song into my mouth, even praise to my God. I bless Him on your account. The conversion of a sinner from the error of his ways, and the salvation of a soul from death, whoever he may be, and by whomsoever the mighty change may be wrought, is an event so replete with felicity to himself and glory to God, that no Christian can hear of it without joy and gratitude; but in this case I bless Him also on my own account, that He has made me the honoured instrument of starting your soul in its everlasting career of holiness and happiness. I sincerely thank you for making me acquainted with the dehghtful and interesting fact; it drew tears into my eyes, and caused my heart to rise in adoring wonder before God. It is another testimony added to the many I have already received of the Lord’s condescending grace in employing my little book as an instrument in gathering His elect people to Christ. Give Him all the praise. Instrumentality is all that I can speak of in reference to myself — and surely this is honour enough for the creature, without his attemptmg to rob God of His glory, to invest himself with the sinful spoils. I consider you now as another of my spiritual offspring, whom, though I may never see till I meet you in the mansions above, I regard with something of paternal love, and for whom I shall pour out a father’s prayers. May I, with congi-atulations, mingle a few words of caution 1 ‘Look to yourselves,’ said the beloved apostle in writing to his converts, ’ that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward,’ (2 John 8.) I do not write this because I suspect the sincerity of your profession, or stand in doubt of the reaHty of your conversion; but because I have had sad experience, in the course of my ministry, of the deceitfulness of the human heart, and the disappointment that sometimes follows the most sanguine hopes. ‘Ye did run well,’ said Paul to the Galatians, who would once have plucked out their eyes for him, but ‘I now stand in doubt of you.’ * Mr Foster, who is now a respected member of Carr’s Lane church.

Begin your religious career in a spirit of holy jealousy over youi’sclf. Work out, i.e., finish up, your ’ salvation -with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you, to will and to do of His good pleasure.’ That passage should be your motto, and your directory. See what a combination of duties it presents. ‘Work,’ i.e., labour, strive. ‘Work out,’ i. e., persevere to the end, ’ with fear and trembling,’ i. e., be jealous of 3’ourselves, be apprehensive, for it is God that ‘worketb in you, to will and do,’ i.e., depend entirely upon His grace, for He is the fomitaiu of all sjjiiitual influence. It is a striking exhibition in Scripture language, of the connexion between the diligence of a rational creature and the dependence of a needy one. Do not consider that the work is done, but that it is only just begun. I have sometimes seen cases in which there has been great solicitude till a profession of religion was made, and then it ceased, and the mind relapsed into indifference, and reposed upon its profession in spiritual sloth. Be as anxious as ever. Never cease to be the anxious inquirer after salvation. Seek after eminent piety as well as sincere religion. Consider prayer as the life of religion. Let your religion be of the useful kind. You are converted not only for yourseK, but for the Church and the world. Study the Scriptures much. In this day, the multitude of uninspired books that are published take off the minds of Christians too much from the Word of God. As a new-born babe, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may giow thereby. I rejoice with your honoured parents over the church in their house, which they are favom-ed to possess, that you are now another member, the last without the pale, added to its fellowship. I ask, as my reward, your prayers; and especially that God would go on to bless that book for the conversion of others, which has been eflfectual for yours. !May your path be that of the just, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. !May we meet in heaven, and if God’s win be, on earth. — I remain, your afiectionate friend,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE EEV. DR SPEAGUE.

“Edgbasto>’, Becemlcr 18, 1837. “My dear Friend a>T5 Brother, — Some little time ago I was apprised by an American pastor of the deep affliction into which it has pleased our heavenly Father to plunge you by the removal of your excellent and beloved ^^ife. I need not say that j-ou have my sym- thy and my prayers. I have passed through the trial before you, and know by experience what a desolation is occasioned by such a stroke. It is a sorrow which knows not consolation’s name, except as uttered by Him who comforteth those that are cast down, and healeth the broken in heart. You, my brother, are now called to sit alone, or

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

to see only in your dear children so many memorials of tte loss which they and you have sustained. May God be with you in your solitude, and give you, by a deeper sense of His presence and a sweeter assurance of His personal love, that which alone compensates for the treasures He has taken from you. To point out to you who know them so well, and have dispensed them so long and so judiciously, the comforts of the gospel, would be a waste of time. I would therefore only say, and say in the spirit of prayer, may you be able to appropriate to yourself all that you have been the honoured instrament of communicating to others in the way of spiritual consolations. May your most soothing sermons and advice to the tried, the tempted, and bereaved flow back in full tide to your own soul and widowed heart. May your people see in you a bright and edifying example of pious submission to the wUl of God. ]Iay you be enabled so to demean yourself under this chastisement of your heavenly Father, as that your conduct shall, through the whole future course of your ministry, give effect to all you shall say on the subject of resignation and holy joy. We, as ministers of Jesus Chiist, are in a peculiar sense not our own. The prophet Ezekiel was called to surrender his wife and forbidden to mourn, in order that he might be an example to the people. It may be so with us. Our Master layeth His afflicting hand upon us, and then comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith Ave ourselves are comforted of God. If He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; if He was made perfect through sufferings; if He was prepared to sympathise by experience; shall we think it hard to follow Him in the path of tears 1 Oh, my brother, if this should be a means of making you a holier, a more experimental, a more useful minister — if this should prepare you for a career of still greater success in your high office — if this .should make you a vessel stUl more meet for the ISIaster’s use — how will you rejoice when the clouds and sorrows of time have been all lost amidst the light and joys of eternity! Your sainted wife is now perhaps in the secret of her early removal; she has probably been told the reason of her death, and is Ufting her heart to God with adoring wonder over some vast depth of wisdom, affecting not only her and your eternal interests, but the interest of her Lord and of His Church. Believe, only believe that it is so, and by faith have fellowship with her in the bHss of knowledge. Let not your heart faint when you look round upon your motherless children. Say not, ‘Who shall take care of them, who shall be their instructor and guide?’ God will provide. Trust Him vdih yourself, trust Him with your children, trust Him for all that is future. He will honour and reward your confidence. ‘He lives, and blessed be the rock, and let the God of our salvation be exalted.’ Seek in still greater diligence and devotion a relief from sorrow. Sit not down to brood in musing indolence over your affliction. Heavy strokes are apt to stun and paralyse us, and we are prone to throw all up and indulge in melancholy and fruitless reverie. Take some new scheme of public usefulness in hand. Let not M-eeping prevent sowing; but go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and you shall return vnth joy, bearing your sheaves with you. Select some topic for a course of sermons, with the purpose of giving another volume to the Church and the world, as able and as interesting as your last on Christianity, for the copy of which I thank you. I shall be anxious to hear from you. I want to know how you are, how you bear this stroke, how the outer man sustains it, and how the inner man endures it. “Write soon, and tell me both of your sorrows and supports. I shall wait with some impatience for the letter.

“Dr Redford has sent you a copy of his Course of Congregational Lectures, which, I think you will agree with me in thinking, do him great credit. Both Ms matter and manner, his arguments and composition, are admirable. It is a valuable, a standard book. May God pour His blessings upon it, both in your land and in ours! “What is to be the end of your present great schisms? “Will the parties coalesce ] Oh, what a world! to what a Church we are connected and live in! Yet Jesus reigns! There is our confidence and comfort.

“My dear wife unites vdth. me in every expression of sjTnpatby and affection, both to yourself and your children. And now, commending you to the God of all consolation, I remain, your afiectiouate friend,

“J. A. James.”

TO ME HAHT.

‘• Edgbaston, December 17, 1838.

“Dear Sir, — Mj numerous engagements prevent me from replying to my correspondents so soon or at such length as they often deserve. This must be my apology for both a late and a thort letter.

“If you search the Scriptui-es, you will find that joy and peace are to come into the soul of the Christian by faith. What is faith? The belief of the gospel testimony concerning the person and work of Christ. The object of faith is Christ, as He is made known in the Word, not as He is pictured out in the imagination. Faith does not, so to speak, conceive of Christ as nailed to the cross, crowned with thorns, streaming with blood, and look at that object, as it is presented to the imagination, with the design of working up the feelings. For do consider how little it is of Christ that can be so conceived of. He is God as well as man, and faith believes this; but can you picture out His diraiity to the imagination. He suffered more in His soul than Z

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

He did in His body; and though you might attempt to conceive of His torn and lacerated body, you cannot conceive of His agonised soul. It is by believing, then, that we are to be saved, comforted, and edified, not by endeavouring to conceive of Him by imagination. Suppose some unknown friend in America, whom you had never seen, had worked hard and suffered much for you, and had left you in his will a thousand pounds; would not the belief of this comfort and please you, without any conception of the man’s person, or house, or anything else about him in the imagination 1 Learn to distinguish between the exercise of faith and imagination. You pray to God, trust in God, delight in God, but do you conceive of God in the imagination? No; you believe in the truth concerning Him. And so you are to do with the truth concerning Christ. Stephen’s was a bodily sight of Christ. Ministers do not, in looking upwards in prayer, intend by that a sight of Christ or God, but do it merely to raise their minds above surrounding objects. It would be better to close their eyes. If you are not satisfied with what I have written you, you had better consult some minister upon the spot, or wait tiU you have one of your own, which I pray God may be soon. I remain, yours truly,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE EEV. DR SPEAGUE.

“Edgbaston, July 22, 1839.” My dear Friend, — I embrace the opportunity of Dr Patton’s return, to send you a few lines to acknowledge the receipt of your valuable present of a copy of Dr Griffin’s Life and Sermons, and to express my sentiments and sense of the worth of the volumes. You have had a choice subject committed to your hands in the memoir of such a man, and you have done it well, — making him chiefly his own biographer, and only introducing such judicious and connectuig remarks as may weave the whole into one web of continuous narrative. I had been long acquainted with Dr Griflin through the Park Street Lectures — which, by the way, are not his best productions — and his single sermons, cojiies of which I have received from yourself and other friends. He was one of your best and most impressive preachers. His conceptions are original and vivid, and expressed in well-selected and well-compacted language. I have not had time yet since the arrival of the book to go through it, but so far as I have gone I think highly of it, and feel much indebted to you for so valuable an addition to my library.

“I am glad to find, by your letter accompanying the books, that your health is tolerably good. May it be long spared! I am not surprised you still feel and, as far as in submission to the will of God, deplore the hiatus made in your domestic comforts. Oh, what a desolation is made in a man’s possessions and prospects in that hour when the seal of silence is put on the lips, and the stamp of death is fixed on the countenance of a beloved wife! But there is One, and but One, who can ever make up that loss; and Re is infinite! May this event be blessed for your spiritual good, and more efifective ministerial labours! I have watched the prospect of the collision between the new and old schools, to which you allude in your letter, with some degree of interest. My sympathies, as I think I have before told you, have been far more with the former than with the latter. I like their theology better, and I Uke their conduct better. The vote of excision was a most violent and unjustifiable proceeding. Perhaps there may have been some blame on both sides. The decision of Judge Rogers, I see, has been impeached, and in a sense overruled, by a subsequent one of his brother judges. There must either be two bodies, or a reconstruction and reorganisation of the Assembly. I do not see any ground of separation, so far as theological sentiment is concerned. The difference of opinion is not so great as to render separation necessary, and therefore not to justify it. I see there has been a meeting at Oxford, Ohio, to consider the propriety of reorganising the whole body, by a number of ministers who declare they will not unite with either party. Will this spread?

“As regards our country, the strife between the two opposing bodies, Church and Dissent, is almost as fierce as ever; and yet I think there is an under-current flowing from many individuals longing for a better understanding between the good of both parties. There is a determination on the pai-t of the Church, if not to put us down, of which they despair, yet to keep us do^-n. Blessed is your land to be free from the influence of a State religion. I am happy to say that our churches are beginning to enter with considerable spirit into the subject of revivals. Protracted meetings are now becoming very common. Dr Bedford about two years ago set the example, and has been followed by many of his brethren, with considerable success. Finney’s Lectures has been very extensively read, and ■wdll be more so by our ministers, and has helped on the movement. It is a most extraordinary book — perfectly unique — rough, coarse, full of exceptionable passages, and containing many questionable sentiments; and yet withal, a heart-stirring book. It has certainly given an impulse to many of oiu- pastoi-s. Your neighbour, Mr Kirk, and Dr Patton of New York, have also been very useful in assisting at our meetings. Both of them have been in Birmingham, and have produced considerable impression. They have, I think, done a great deal of good. Dr Patton preached for me on Sunday last, and will preach again on Sabbath-day next. He is going

LIFE or JOHN ANOELL JAMES.

to publish an edition of Finney, somewhat revised, with notes, to which I have given a short introduction, at once cautionary and recommendatory. We have had a protracted meeting in this town, with blessed results. Mr Kirk was here. I have met vnth some works of Dr Skinner, who is now in this country, with which I have been much

pleased, and hope to see him before he leaves England

“Our political affairs are gloomy. The lower classes of the people are sadly discontented and disturbed. We have had rioting in our town, attended with burning of houses, and are now kept in peace only by the military. But for them, our land would be filled with confusion and anarchy in a week. Our position as a nation is rather critical, certainly very painful. — Yours, very truly,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE KEV. DR SPEAGUE.

“Edgbaston, December 21, 1839.

“My dear Friend, — Being about to send a parcel to America, I take the opportunity to forward you a copy of Dr Smith’s ‘Congregational Lectures on the Connexion between Geology and Eevelation,’ which perhaps will subject him, on your side of the Atlantic, as well as on ours, to the imputation of heresy against Moses. The whole subject is a perplexing one. Astounding difficulties present themselves against the commonly-received opinions on the subject of creation. Perhaps geology is yet too much in its infancy to allow of the establishment of any system; and yet what is known, clearly known, of facts, must, I think, tend to a modification of hitherto generally-received opinions. However, the arrival of the book will give you an opportunity of judging for yourself. Yorn- Professor Hitchcock will, I doubt not, be greatly pleased with it; for he has already published the same views himself. We have no need to be timid for the Bible. Let science do what it will, that is safe. The God of Nature is the God of the Bible, and He cannot contradict Himself.

“Do you ever read the JVew York Observer? If so, you will perceive that I have been called to account by both the editor of that journal, and also by an anonymous New-England pastor, for some remarks on slavery I ventured to make in a letter I published in the Evangelist. I have not till lately had much time to reply, but have sent back an answer in the parcel which will convey this to you. I really thought my observations were so cautious and measured as not likely to give oflence, — not that I mean to say the replies have been in a tone and spirit of acerbity; far from it, they are respectful and kind, but still evidently from some one who feels them. It is impossible for any one who is not long resident in this country to conceive how much it detracts, in the estimation of the great bullc of our people, from the excellence and influence of American example, to consider it the land of slavery. I have often said I do not mean to justify all that has been said or done by the AboUtionists; but their object is good and righteous before God and man, and thankful shall I be when your land is freed from this load of crime, misery, and curse

“Finney’s works are obtaining a wide circulation, and producing considerable effect among our ministei-s. They should be read with caution, for there is a strange mixture of good and bad; but he really is a most extraordinary writer. There is a great want of unction and tenderness in his words, but they are moulding the taste of many at this time, and giving to many of our preachers some of his most pungent and straightforward method of address. Dr Payne of Exeter, one of our best theologians, is preparing a volume, in which he intends to take a review of American theology. ....

“I am sorry to say the health of my dear wife is seriously impaired. Her constitution is much weakened, and though there is nothing that affects her life, her health will never be what it has been. My daughter continues as great an invalid as ever; thus you see the hand of the Lord is upon us. May our afflictions be sanctified, and all will be well. We unite in kind regards to yourself and family, not forgetting my namesake. — Your affectionate friend and brother,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE EEV. WILLIAM JAY,
ON THK OCCASION OF HIS JUBILEE.

“Edgbaston, Febniary 8, 1841.

“My dear Sir, — If you are not satiated, I will not say surfeited, with congratulations, perhaps you AviU not refuse those of a friend, who, though he has not had so much. intercourse with you as many others have been favoured to enjoy, is one amongst the thousands of Israel who bless God for the preservation of your life; and for what is infinitely more a cause of devout gratitude, the continuance of your Christian integrity and ministerial fidelity to the present time.

“The language of flattery would disgrace me, and disgust you; and I shall not employ it: and while I am sure you are uttering the humble confession of the great apostle, and saying, ‘Not I, but the grace of God which was with me;’ I would imitate the conduct of the churches of Judea towards that eminent servant of our Lord, and ’ glorify God in you.’ I bless Him for the grace that called you to the work of the ministry, qualified you for it,, and that has so long and so signally prospered you in the discharge of its momentous duties; and while I look without a particle of envy on the chaplet which the public have

LIFE OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

woven for your brow, and the honour with which they have delighted to crown you, I rejoice stUl more in the glory which you have been the instrument of bringing to the feet of Jesus. If I envied you anything, it would not be so much a reputation of fifty years’ ever-increasing brightness, and which the breath of slander has never been permitted to approach, nor that of popular applause, though ever blowing upon it, to tarnish — it would not be so much the esteem of the world and the love of the Church — it would not be so much the veneration of your junior brethren, nor the cordial afi”ection of your coevals, as the disposition which you now feel, while conscious that you possess all these, humbly to say, as you turn your own and direct every other eye to your Divine Master, ‘Though I be nothing.’ Go on, my venerable friend, thus to ascribe all to Him, to whom all is due. Go on to enjoy the grace bestowed upon you, and which is always most enjoyed when fully felt to he grace. May the long evening of your bright summer day be longer and, if possible, calmer still; and not a cloud of any kind come over your fast-declining sun, the setting of which will be watched with interest and pensive pleasure by many upon earth, and its i-ising upon another hemisphere be hailed by more with joy and praise in heaven.

“I am not so ambitious as to expect, or even to seek, as I am sure I am not so proud as to imagine I deserve, such testimonies of respect as have been heaped upon you, even though, like you, I should keep a jubilee among the people of my charge; but I am ambitious enough to seek, and through grace I hope to receive, that which, after all, is the very core of the honour that has been paid you — I mean, the acknowledgment of consistency as a Christian, and fideUty as a minister. I have had a share, though a small one as compared with yours, of popularity; but oh, how utterly worthless does it now appear to me, in comparison with the smile of an approving conscience, and the ‘WeU done ’ of an applauding Judge! ‘Give me poverty, give me the curses of a wicked world, give me the martyr’s stake; but, O my God, save me from unfaithfulness to Thee and the souls of men.’ So said an American preacher now in heaven: and so say L

“I am prepared to sympathise with you under your domestic trial; for the candle which was the light of my tabernacle is flickering in the socket. My dear, my invaluable wife is wasting away under the consuming power of incurable disease. But shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? From her scene of suffering she sends you the Christian affection of one who is near the kingdom.

“Pardon this tax on your time, and believe me, my dear air, your affectionate friend and younger brother in Christ,

“J. A. James.”

TO THE REV. DR SPRAGUE.

“Edgbastox, July 31, 1841.

“My dear Frie>T), — This is a melancholy reneval of our long-suspended correspondence. You will have heard, I beUeve, before this reaches you, that I am a second time a widower. The grave has closed over that excellent woman whom you have more than once seen presiding with grace, intelligence, and piety over my household aflfaii-s. The little memoir, with the fimeral sermon by our mutual friend Dr Bedford, will teH you all about her; and it is not necessary that I should do that in writing which I now place before you in print. It is a glowing and a glorious narrative. She died as she Uved, to the glory of the Lord that bought her, and is gone to serve Him in a higher and holier as well as happier state of existence, for which His grace had signally matured her. But /, alas! am left to journey sadly and wearily along the rugged path of life, weeping and alone. Well; God lives — and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted. My mind has been most mercifidly sustained under the stroke, and in no small measure through the sweet and holy tranquillity with which my beloved -nife descended to the dark valley. I have found that occupation is my best relief. Instead of flying in the hour of sorrow from the scene of my afiiiction, I remained at my post to take advantage of the softened state of my own mind, and solemn impression produced by the event in the mind of my people, and thus to endeavour to do them good. I trust my object has been accomplished, and that as my preaching has been unusually solemn and tender, my loss will be the eternal gain of many. As experience is the foundation of sjtbpathy, even in the character of our great High Priest, much more in His people, and as you have passed like myself twice through this trial of faith and patience, you well know how to feel, for you have felt the same. If I mistake not, you are again blessed vriXh. a sharer of your joys and sorrows in the journey of life. May you be spared a repetition of the trials you have known, and the remainder of your days be spent in the quiet enjoyment of domestic comfort, undisturbed by the intrusion of the spoiler. I hope your own health continues pretty good, for it is so long since I heard from you that I really seem to know little about you.

“Have you done anything lately in the way of publication? I have sent out a little work for widows, and if I had a copy in the house I would enclose it in this parcel Strange that this afilicted class should be the only object which the sympathy of authors has overlooked, by providing for them no specific treatise of consolation!

“You have perceived that I have been from time to time appealed

LIFK OF JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

to by some of the brethi’en on your side of the water on the subject of slavery, especially by Mr Eddy of Newark, who addressed to me five letters in the New Yorh Evangelist. They came at a time when I could not take up the subject, and I have been too unwell and too painfully occupied since; but when I can command leisure, it is probable I may reply to them. They are mild, temperate, and gentlemanly. Oh, how glad shall I be when your country shall efface the foul blot from her escutcheon!

“I cannot enlarge: to-morrow I set off on a journey to recruit my health, and have a multitude of things to attend to. I send this by Dr Parker, the medical missionary at Canton, whom I have found to be a most agreeable and devoted man.

“I beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs Sprague and your family, and shall be happy to hear from you. — I remain, affectionately yours,

“J. A. James.”

TO ME (now the KEV.) AUTHUR HALL.*

“Dover, August 17, 1841.” My dear young Feiend, — With this note you will receive the book which, when I saw you at Maidstone, I promised you I would

* This letter was forwarded to the Editor, with a very interesting note, which I am glad to be able to insert: —

“The Parsonage, Luddenden Foot, near Halifax,
November 7, 1859.

“My dear Sir, — I perceive, by advertisement, that you are bringing out a Life of Mr James. I doubt not you have abundance of materials for the work; but thinking the enclosed letter of Mr James’s might be useful, I send it you, with the special request that I may have it again, as to me it is invaluable. It gives a good illustration of a great, good, and popular man not overlooking individual cases. In the summer of 1841, Mr James was on a visit to my father, who then lived near Maidstone. I was then living in sin — hating the restraints of religion. My parents requested Mr James to speak to me on my danger. He did so. I was excessively angry with what I considered then to be an impertinent interference in my private affairs. ‘Whose business was it, if I chose to be lost? ‘Such were my feelings (boiling over with passion) when dear Mr James talked and prayed with me. The ’ feeling ’ to which he refers was simply anger; and the copy of the ‘Anxious Inquirer ’ he sent, I regret to say, I tore in pieces, and threw it on the dm<jhiU.

“Some years after, I went to Birmingham (1851) and saw Mr James, told him the fate of his first present, and begged another. Only a few days since I found the enclosed letter. How or why I kept the letter and destroyed the book, I cannot tell. God, I believe, has answered those prayers which dear Mr James offered on my behaK; and if the publication of the letter, or these facts, will be of any use, you are perfectly welcome to use them.

“Your task is no easy one. May the Great Head of the Church aid you in your work, that His glory may be promoted, is the sincere prayer of, yours, very truly,

“Arthur Hall.

“Kev. K. W. Dale, M.A.” procure and send from this place. May the perusal of it be followed with a blessing upon your immortal soul! Ton are one of those who.se case it describes, for many, many prayers have been presented on your behalf by your excellent parents, and also by your brothers and sisters; and, I can truly add, by the writer of these few lines. Shall all these prayers be in vain through your unbelief? I hope not. Recollect, that all the saints on earth cannot pray a person into heaven, if he continue unbelieving and prayerless himself. I was much engaged for your spiritual welfare when I saw you, and as soon as I saw you; and was pleased to witness the feeling you manifested when I spake to you. May I indulge a hope that I was directed by God to Maidstone, to be the instrument of your salvation? If so, both you and I shall dwell with gratitude upon that visit, miUicns of ages hence.

“The object of the little volume I have sent is to engage you and all its readers to immediate decision — that is, to immediate surrender of the heart to God by penitence and faith. At once believe there is mercy for you through Christ, and under the influence of that faith, lead a holy life. Let there be no waiting, but a prompt and full surrender to God.

“Decide for God, for heaven, for eternity. Repent, believe, and be saved; and thus remember your Creator in the days of your youth.

“I shall follow the gift of the book with my prayers. May you be saved eternally! Our kind regards to your father and mother, and to your brother and his lady. — Yom- sincere friend,

“J. A. James.”