it is a sign of their admission into the visible church, and as it is emblematical of the giving of the Holy Ghost, and that it is to be administered by sprinkling. I believe, that, notwithstanding all the Christian's enemies and dangers, he shall hold on his way, and grow stronger and stronger; and though the doctrine of final perseverance has been much abused, as well as its truth much questioned, it is an article of my faith, because God's word declares it. I believe in the approach of a judgment day-the eternal glory of believers, and the insufferable torments of the wicked in hell. I believe that God will have the whole glory of the salvation of those who are saved forever and ever; and that through all eternity they will ascribe dominion, power and glory to Him who loved them, and washed them in his own bloodat the same time, sinners will everlastingly blame themselves for their perdition and wo."

On the 7th of January he appeared at Hoxton, before the committee, and underwent the examination which he had so long and so anxiously anticipated -with success and honor: was admitted a student, and became immediately an inmate of the house, In a letter to his friend, Mr. Hordle, dated Hoxton, January 21st, 1807, he says

"Two things make this day remarkable to meone is, that it is my birth day, as I am now sixteen years old; the other is, that I have been a fortnight in this house. On Wednesday the 7th inst, that long dreaded day, I appeared before the committee. Your imagination may represent a little boy speaking before them. I felt a good deal of timidity, and waited the event with feelings of anxiety."--"[ hope I can say, I feel the importance of that work for which it appears God in his providence has de.

grace

to

signed me; but oh! I need larger degrees of fill that station in such a manner, as that my own soul, and the souls of my fellow creatures, may be benefited thereby."-"I recall to my mind occurrences which transpired when I was at HarwichO may I have all God's dealings sanctified unto me. I want a deeper acquaintance with my own heart, and a more influential knowledge of God my SaVicr."

That on his entrance into the Academy at Hox. ion, Mr. Spencer was no novice in the knowledge and experience of divine things, is obvious from a peru. sal of the papers above cited. With a mind already the subject of considerable culture, and habits formed for the pursuits of science, he commenced his academical course under circumstances the most auspicious. The importance of such a previous preparation in candidates for the Christian ministry, and the patronage of our dissenting colleges, is not, perhaps, sufficiently considered. It is to be regretted that so many enter without having previously obtained the lowest rudiments of general science, or even a tolerable acquaintance with their native tongue. The time allotted for a student's residence is, in the most. liberal institutions but short, compared with the immense labor and magnitude of the object to be obtained. But much of this time, short as it is, mustbe expended in the inculcation of those first principles of knowledge, which might be easily obtained elsewhere; and then, when the student is somewhat prepared for studies more suitable to the dignity of a college, he begins to preach. Thus an attention which ought to be undividedly devoted to the labors of the study and the exercises of the class, is partly lavished on preparations for the pulpit and public

services. Hence arose the plan, so judiciously adopted in certain cases, in connexion with the college of which Mr. Spencer was a member, and of the beneficial tendency of which he was so striking an example, of sending the candidates who may be defective in these radical points, or two young for admission, to some pious and able minister for preparatory instruction. But these instances, the offspring of a peculiar necessity, shew the importance of an institution, founded expressly for preparatory studies, that so a matter of such vast importance to the respectability of the ministry may not be left to the causual benevolence of liberal and enlightened individuals, or any happy combination of circumstances in a solitary case.*

In the mean time, to remedy, as far as may be, by his own exertions, this serious defect, should be an object of conscientious regard to every young man. whose views are directed to the Christian ministry. By a diligent improvement of his time-by a careful employment of those smaller portions of it, which in too many cases are suffered imperceptibly to slide away-aided by the friendly direction and advice of some prudent and well-informed minister, which may without much difficulty be in every case obtain-ed-any one of tolerable capacity and perseverance might afford his own mind a considerable degree of cultivation, and attain a portion of knowledge, ere his entrance into an academy, most favorable to the facility and success of his pursuits whilst there.

These remarks more particularly apply to those young men, who, with views directed towards the

*The reader who would be gratified with an outline of the course of study pub sued in most of our dissenting colleges, may turn to the Appendix, No. I.

ministry, are still engaged in secular employments, and to whom the privileges of an academy must be, in the first instance, regarded as a distant object.

Little of importance can be expected to have transpired, in connexion with the early part of Mr. Spencer's residence at Hoxton. It appears, however, that here, as in the Poultry and at Harwich, his interesting appearance and amiable manners soon gained him the love and esteem of all. The tutors and the students alike felt an interest in this new and youthful member of their literary society-and he applied himself with diligence to the improvement of those advantages which he there enjoyed. He was now introduced to a wider range of observation and of study. But whilst a respect to the orders of the institution, and a desire to render himself, by useful acquirements, respectable in any circle in which it might be his future lot to move, induced him to apply with becoming diligence to the various occupations assigned him, he yet dwelt with peculiar attachment on such as were more immediately connected with the work of preaching. And with an ardent desire to be early and extensively employed in the ministry of the gospel, a desire strengthened and confirmed by time, it can be no matter of surprise, that to this darling object were directed all the hours of his leisure, and all the ardor of his soul.

At the vacation in June he returned to his father's house at Hertford. During his stay there he preached his first sermon in public. It was at the small village of Collier's End, six miles from Hertford. His auditory consisted of about thirty plain country people and his text was 1 John i, 7, 'The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.' Simple and unlettered, however, as his audience might

be, they had sufficient penetration to discover the uncommon talents of their youthful preacher; which, together with the novelty and loveliness of his juvenile appearance, excited in that little village an astonishment and admiration, which have since circulated through all the districts of the great metropo lis, and almost every town in Great Britain. How beautiful is the progression which marks all the dispensations of nature, providence, and grace. From the smallest springs the mightiest rivers rise, to promote the fruitfulness or waft the commerce of the world. From the grain of mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven gradually rises and expands, till it becomes a great tree, beneath whose shade all the nations of the earth repose; and in the history of individuals, from the day of small things, has not unfrequently arisen a career, whose brilliancy has daz. zled and surprised the world; and from the remarkable concurrence of circumstances, events the most important to the interests of the individual, and the happiness of mankind, have sprung. It is for the most part denied to men, who move in a public and extended circle, to witness those early displays of genius, and that gradual developement of talents, afterwards so eminent for their usefulness or splendor, upon which the eye of a philosopher would love to dwell. This is usually the privilege of a few ob scure individuals in some retired spot. The new fledged bird first tries its pinions in its own sequestered bower ere it soars above its native glen, and courts the admiration of man by the boldness of its flight, or the sweetness of its song. And yet there

is such a peculiar interest connected with the early efforts of a mighty mind, and the first stages of an eminent career, that we gather with diligence all that