and recalling to the mind occurrences relating only to us, which never shall be forgotten. I hope we have the same friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' I am affected, peculiarly affected, when I read the solemn confessions you make of depravity, &c. You know Paul acknowledged himself the chief of sinners. When, therefore, you are oowed down under a sense of sin, look unto Jesus, there only salvation is to be found for those who, like you, are sensible of sin. But 1 verily believe my friend has already been washed in the fountain of his blood. Yes, I doubt not but you have passed from death unto life, and are called according to God's eternal purpose; therefore, instead of writing bitter things against yourself, rejoice in Christ Jesus whilst you have no confidence in the flesh.Ah! my friend, you know not fully how I have lifted up my puny arm in rebellion against God; so that I cannot think myself a whit behind the chief of sinners. Young as I am, I am a great sinner; but blessed be God who has, I hope, given us both a good hope through grace: to him be all the glory. "I shall, I expect, be in town a day sconer than was intended, viz. Wednesday the 8th; my father will not come till the next day. Mr. F his letter, mentions a desire that I would give them a lecture (in the old way) at his house in the evening. I am very willing to do it, and I hope we shall have your company."

5

in

No. 7.

Hertford, January 3, 1806.

66 MY DEAREST FRIEND,

"With the greatest pleasure I received and read your kind but short letter; but I must not speak about its shortness, as mine must be as short, if not shorter, as I expect S to come for it direetly. Mr. Davies's Sermon entitled, The Midnight Hour,' I understand, is printed. How glad I should have been to have heard it. I hope when I am in town you will remember your promise, and not forget the greatest part of the sermon, as you know how I respect (and like the preaching of) that worthy man.* I hope you will have a pleasant and profitable day next Sabbath at Finchley. I am afraid you cannot get out next Thursday, the day Nelson is buried; for I do assure you that your presence at any place in town would afford me more pleasure than the sight of his funeral, to which I do not intend to go. I have been with Samuel a little about Hertford.

I have read what I wanted in Washington's Life, or rather his History of American Wars, as I do not see so much of Washington in it as I expected. I cannot add more; but remain your very affectionate friend,

"THOMAS SPENCER."

*The Rev. Mr. Davies, of Queen-Street, Cheapside, London.

His next letter is from Harwich, and contains a pleasing disclosure of the state of his mind on the accomplishment, so far, of his ardent wishes.

No. 8.

Harwich, February 6, 1896.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

"I with pleasure embrace the opportunity which now offers itself of writing you a few lines for the first time since I have been here. While I hope you enjoy your health, I can say I never was better in my life than I have been since I have been at Harwich. The air is very cold and healthy: I am sure I have felt the difference. In the town there are many inhabitants, and a Methodist place besides Mr. Hordle's: by Methodists, I mean Wesley's people. Mr. Hordle preaches three times on a Sabbath day, and is very well attended, and on Wednesday evenings; prayer meeting on Monday night. I doubt not but you will join with me in returning thanks to the all-wise Disposer of events for placing me in that comfortable situation which I now fill. I live with Mr. H. entirely; his study is where I pursue my learning, and in an afternoon I meet his boys (there are only nine) at his vestry, to say a lesson or two with them. I learn Latin, Geography, and have got a considerable way in Doddridge's Lectures on Pneumatology, in which now and then I meet with a philosophical subject; indeed, my dear friend, I really am very comfortable.

O! that my improvement may keep pace with the advantages I enjoy.

"But, my dearest friend, what a separation between us. I often think of you when in this study pursuing my learning; think! did I say? I cannot help thinking of you, and I will cherish every tender thought of a friend I so much love. Ofttimes I think that of an evening, when we are surrounding the family altar, you are engaged in the busy concerns of life-whilst I am enjoying the advantages of a kind teacher, a good library, and various other blessings, you are behind the counter of a glove shop. Yet do not despair. I hope we shall some future day enjoy one another's company, and these advantages connected with it.. When I walk out, as I in general do every day for exercise, I imagine you to be here I converse with you I see you-and fancy many other enjoyments, which perhaps will not come SO soon When I last saw you I was exceedingly vexed that we could not have half an hour together in private ; but, however, I know you regard me still-and am sure I love you mach; and it is some pleasure to think that we can yet pray for one another. O do not forget me, unworthy as I am, in your approaches to the throne of grace. Pray that I may not abuse my privileges; but that whilst I am here it may be manifest that I am possessed of a principle of divine grace in my heart. But I hope I need not mention this to you, for you do, I trust, still rememher me in your best moments. I have not forgot the pleasure I experienced the last time I saw you in London, nor the affectionate manner in which

you conversed with me from Mr. F's to my eousin's the last evening.

"I had a very tedious journey here, as I could not sleep all night in the coach. But I think I am well repaid. I did not imagine that I should be. treated with such care; I have a nice little bed to myself; and, in short, am surrounded with blessings. I take some pleasure in contrasting my present situation with what it was when at Mr. Thodey's; but after I have considered the peculiar advantages of this to that, I find that there was one pleasure 1 enjoyed there which I do not here that of your company and conversation; and thus is life made up of hopes and fears, pleasures and pains. May we be among those who are strangers and sojourners here, who seek a better country.

"The evening I generally employ in promiscuous reading, as the time is then as it were my own. As I come home from the vestry about an hour before the other boys, from that time till tea I am engaged in secret meditation, reading God's word, and prayer to him. Ah! Thomas, you are then more on my mind than during the other parts of the day, for I cannot but remember how often you have pressed on me the duty of private prayer; and indeed, my friend, you are then most remembered by me in the best sense. I do continue to pray for you; and I hope God will hear our petitions for one another, and send us answers of peace. I beg of you, I entreat you to be earnest in supplication for me, that if God has appointed me for the work of the ministry, I may be fitted for it,