the religion of Jesus-a system whose characteristic spirit is that of the purest and tenderest philanthropy.

Before his departure for Roydon, the following letter was addressed by Mr. Spencer to his friend. The observations at the beginning upon Christian boldness are judicious-and, though ignorant of the particular circumstances which might have called them forth, cannot fail to prove interesting and instructive.

No. 18.

TO MR. JOHN HADDON.

Thursday Evening, Sept. 14, 1809.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

6

"I know you wish me to write you a great deal; but I must plead the old excuse--want of time; for I find that instead of calling to-morrow morning, must have this directly, and I have but this minute left the chapel. You tell me your mind recoils from public duty, however plain and clear,' and you need not to be told that this is a pity; and in this respect you do not display that Christian boldness which is after all consistent with genuine humility-which the apostles displayed and enforced-which the Bible every where recommends—and which is well calculated to evidence our decided at

tachment to Jesus and his cause. It shall be my part, however, not to reproach you for the want of it, but to carry your wants before our Father's throne, and entreat him to fill you with all holy

boldness and Christian courage; whilst at the same time I would most earnestly entreat you to consider the foolishness of your fears: the little need we have to seek to please our fellow-creatures, or to dread them, and above all the constant inspection of Him who said, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before his holy angels. But I am persuaded that you are not ashamed of Jesus; yet there is great need for us all to ask ourselves repeatedly, am I fully on the Lord's side ?' because this very examination itself produces the best effects, as it prompts us to give evidence before others of the reality of our hope, and it brings us near to God, who can make us strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and faithful even unto death. Your letters always affect me; your company you know delights me; and what shall I say of your attachment to me, but that it meets return. I am often indeed induced to believe that you are too careful of me, and too much concerned about me. Expressions of gratitude on my part from my mouth or pen I know you do not want, therefore I shall not trouble you with them. My mind is perfectly at ease about the present or future laws of the house, as well as about any situation after I have filled it. O that I may be stayed on God! I often think what a pity it will be, if from our friendship there should arise no good effect; however here I am wrong, because I am myself a witness that good effects have arisen to me; but I long that to us there may be opened fresh sources of comfort and joy in God, and that we may then be made abundant blessings to each other.-I am going

to preach next Sabbath at Roydon, a village near Hertford, where I have reason to hope God has owned and blessed my unworthy labours before. May he do so again. Perhaps I may go to Hertford tomorrow afternoon, as it was the place of my nativity, and is now the residence of my dear father, my sisters, brother, and mother-in-law. I could say much more, (though in the same feeble and desultory style) but you perceive my paper is full. I cannot expect to see you at all till Tuesday. The coach comes in town on Monday evening, about half past six. If I can, I will walk then to Fleet-street. "Adieu, my dear friend,

“THOMAS SPENCER.”

From this period to that of his first visit to Liverpool, I am not in possession of any remarkable occurrences in Mr. Spencer's history. At any rate, I am aware of none which tend to illustrate any particular feature of his character-or of such a nature as to warrant their publication to the world. But there yet remain many interesting letters to his friend, Mr. Haddon, which will tend very much to supply the want of a connected narrative-and that friend who during this period, enjoyed the most intimate acquaintance with him—and obtained a most accurate knowledge of his character, has furnished me with a series of anecdotes and observations, which will make the reader familiar with the man, —and most strikingly exhibit the holy, humble and fervent bias of his mind. For the present I shall

content myself with making a selection from these letters, with such occasional remarks as may be necessary to illustrate their subjects or occasions ; whilst the characteristic sketches above alluded to, will occupy some of the succeeding pages.

No. 19.

TO MR. JOHN HADDON.

66 MY DEAR FRIEND,

Hoxton, Oct. 12, 1809.

"With pleasure it is that I inform you, that I am appointed for Vauxhall. I feel pleasure, because this assignation gives us another opportunity of enjoying each other's society. I have not yet written to those friends in the country, but intend doing it to-morrow. May the young lady die in such a peaceful and happy state of mind, as shall, instead of suffering the survivors to sorrow as those who have no hope, rather give them to say-Behold how he loved her! I mentioned the circumstance to Mr. W. at the same time stating the wish of the Roydon people that I might supply them on Sabbath day. He told me it could not be complied with, assigning as a reason, that I was given out at Vauxhall. As the affair now stands, I am quite satisfied, because I wish to resolve all my appointments into the will of the Head of the Church. Where He appoints, I'll go.'—Of all evils, I pray to be particularly delivered from leaning to my own understanding, and indulging my own wayward will. May obstinacy never

characterize me. May grace always be given me te suppress it when it rises. To these requests I know, that from your inmost soul you say, Amen. One of our fellow students has just delivered us a good sermon from The righteous hath hope in his death.'I enjoyed his sermon much more than I generally do those which are delivered to us on a Thursday evening. This was so experimental-so scriptural-so pious, that it found its way to my heart. May you and I, whenever we shall come to die, have a lively, a sure and a certain hope of reigning in life by Jesus Christ. Whilst so many are called away around us, surely we should recollect the uncertainty of our own continuance upon earth; and as death is still potent, still inexorable, and still delights to surprise, let it be our chief concern to have an interest in the affections of the heart of that Saviour, who shall destroy this last enemy, and give to his followers a crown of glory changeless as his own.-On him may we now both live by faith, that so when we have served our generation according to his will, we may fall asleep in his arms.

"Adieu! Your's affectionately,

THOMAS SPENCER."

The young lady to whom he refers in this letter, appears to have been one of the seals of his early ministry, and then at the point of death. One of the letters written by him on that occasion, I am able to lay before the reader.