Page images
PDF
EPUB

6

vatión in no other but in him, and that he is able to save to the very uttermost all that come unto God by him.' I believe that he is the eternal God, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever; that his grace is all sufficient, his name, person, and all that concerns him, is precious to them that believe; that those who exercise a living faith upon him, are justified from all their sins-at the same time I know, that believers are called to be holy, and that it is by the consistency of their walk, that they are to evidence to those around them, that their profession is sincere, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord." As I am fully satisfied with respect to the divine origin of the scriptures, and the inspiration of the holy men who wrote them, so I believe, that they are the unerring standard by which to try our faith, and upon which we are to rest our opinions. I believe, that the people of God should form themselves into separate churches, that they may enjoy the benefit of divine ordinances, such as baptism and the Lord's supper, together with the hearing of the word, &c. I believe, that the ordinance of baptism is to be administered to the children of believers, inasmuch as 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 deelares 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 blood—at 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 examina-tion which he had so long and so anxiously anticipated with success and honour: 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."- "I hope I can say, I feel the importance of that work for which it appears God in his providence has designed me but oh! I need larger degrees of grace to fill that station in such a manner, as that my own soul, and the souls of my fellow creatures, may be benefitted 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 Saviour."

That, on his entrance into the Academy at Hoxton, Mr. Spencer was no novice in the knowledge and experience of divine things, is obvious from a perusal 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 Chrisian 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 labour and magnitude of the object to be obtained. But much of this time, short as it is, must be expended in the ineuleation 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 labours of the study and the exercises of the class, is partly lavished on preparations for the pulpit and public serviees. 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 too young for admission, to seme 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 casual benev. olence of liberal and enlightened individuals, or any happy combination of circumstances in a solitary

[blocks in formation]

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 obtained-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 favourable 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 pursued 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, how

ever, 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 ardour 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

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »