"Both your letters were safely and joyfully received by me. I say joyfully, because they shew that God is putting honour upon my feeble and unworthy labours, and making use of them for your spiritual welfare-a circumstance that gives me more real pleasure than any other circumstance possibly could. You are much mistaken in supposing that I neglected to write to you, because you had in your letters said any thing improper; nothing could be more opposite to my ideas. Had this been the case, I should have felt it my duty to have set you right but I can tell you what I can tell my God, when I say that I never heard or read an account of a young convert which appeared more satisfactory, or filled me with more delight, than that which you give me of yourself. 1 say th s not to puff you up with spiritual pride, but to make you more thankful that you have obtained mercy, and to assure you that your suspicions of any dissatisfaction on my part are altogether groundless. Rather would I exclaim, what hath God

wrought!' and wrought too (well
by his blessing upon my weak. exertions.

may I wonder). Oh! let the glory be ascribed to Him who gives testimony to the word of his grace.. The excuse I have to plead for not writing to you before, is want of time and multiplicity of engagements

for in the academy my time is not my own.

I have just been writing a long letter to Mrs. W.—, stating my views, wishes and hopes, for the welfare of her amiable and beloved daughter. May she be resigned to the Divine Will, and ready when the heavenly bridegroom cometh! From all that I can learn, I have no doubt of her interest in the affections of that same Jesus who is now, I trust, all your salvation, and all your desire. When I recollect that she, a seal to my ministry, is *apparently going to join the heavenly musicians in singing that song which no man can learn but the redeemed, it is impossible to express my feelings. I am very desirous to hear from her own lips an account of the way in which the Lord met with her, and a statement of the sensations of her mind in prospect of the last conflict. I wished to come down to see her-I asked permission. This could not be granted me, because I was given out last Sabbath day at the place to which I am going. But I have the happiness of informing you, that the next Lord's day I shall preach at Roydon, and so shall have an opportunity of going to Thund ridge Bury Farm. I hope that our covenant God is leading you in a plain path, and teaching you more of the corruption of your own heart and the love of Christ, by his holy Spirit. All I can, recommend you to do is, to be much engaged in secret prayer to him. Oh! aim to get near to him in holy communion, then you will find a heaven, begun below. You will have Christ for your constant companion, and you will obtain the desire of your heart. I view this as the time of your first love. May the zealous affection for

As

Christ which I hope you now discover, increase yet more and more. Live by faith upon the Son of God, who loved you, and gave himself for you. Commit your soul into his hands, and the souls of all the members of your family. It is my earnest prayer, that you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that so I may have to rejoice that you received the gospel when delivered by me, as in deed and in truth the word of God and not of man. for your request about a settlement for me at Roydon, I should recommend you not to expect it. I am always happy to come amongst you as an occasional supply, but I must venture no further. I have a variety of reasons for not considering it my duty to settle with any congregation as yet, or even to think of it, and I have thus far not engaged to do so at Roydon. Therefore I must request you not merely to check, but actually to eradicate the thought. Wishing you your respected partner— and all your family, the best of blessings, I re

main

Your's sincerely,

"THOMAS SPENCER."

Had he then been sufficiently advanced in his studies to have cherished the idea of an immediate settlement-and had he been left to the free, unbiassed expression of his feelings-there is no spot on which he would have fixed as the scene of his stated and pastoral labours, in preference to a village so tranquil and retired as Roydon. He did not value popularity, except as it afforded him an

opportunity of doing good. No one ever was more averse to pomp or to parade. He loved simplicity in all its forms. It was indeed a characteristic feature of himself; and had not the prospect of more extensive usefulness allured him to a wider and more public sphere, his passion for retirement would have guided him in his selection of a residence for life.

Talking with him on the subject of his health, which seemed declining, beneath the pressure of so much exertion, his friend said- Do you wish to be early laid aside-or do you desire a premature grave ?" "Oh no," said he, "you know my wishto have a meeting in the country, surrounded by trees occasionally to see the shadows of the leaves quivering on the walls, in the reflection of the setting sun.—A burial ground near, in which I and my people can together lie!* To live a long, honour

* May I be indulged in another extract from the poems of Kirk White ? It was a passage which Spencer often. read with peculiar emphasis, and seems a melancholy comment on his own ideas.

"Beneath this yew, I would be sepulchred.

It is a lovely spot! The sultry sun,
From his meridian height, endeavours vainly
To pierce the shadowy foliage;"

Most pleasant."

""Tis a nook

"Yet may not undistinguish'd be my grave;
But there at eve may some congenial soul
Duly resort, and shed a pious tear,
The good man's benison-no more I ask.

able, and useful life, bringing many souls to the Saviour! This is the summit of my wishes." Though it was denied him to enjoy the first, the last object of his desire, and by far the most important and dearest to his heart, he did possess; for never was so short a ministry honoured by the conversion of so many souls. Every week in Liverpool discloses. some fresh instances of its success-and one and another is perpetually rising up to say- By the grace of God I am what I am,' but it was the ministry of Spencer that led me first a humble suppliant to the throne of mercy."

The situation of young ministers is peculiarly delicate and dangerous. The eyes not only of the religious public, but also of the world are fixed on them. And it is to be deplored, that where they have a right to expect the greatest kindness, they often meet with an undue severity; and those who ought to be the first to throw the mantle of love over their defects, are not unfrequently the most forward and exulting in their exposure. To an unhappy and inordinate love of scandal, many a fair and unblemished reputation has fallen the victim. The scattered wrecks by which they are surrounded, should

And oh! (if heavenly beings may look down,
From where, with Cherubim inspir'd, they sit,
Upon this little dim discover'd spot,
The earth), then will I cast a glance below
On him who thus my ashes shall embalm."

"Wishing he may not long be doom'd to pine
In this low-thoughted world of darkling wo;
But that, ere long, he reach his kindred skies,"