THE DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN. 101 me,' but it has been comparatively a year of mental darkness and of unfruitfulness. Lord, what am I, that thou shouldest thus deliver, and show me thy salvation." Greatly depressed in mind, under a sense of his sinfulness, but struggling against its influence, his prayer was constant and fervent, that the mercy of God might sustain him, until his last year should flow into the ocean of eternity. "There shall I see, and hear, and know, All I desired, or wish'd below; And every power find sweet employ, As he ended the last year, so he began the year 1806, under dark and painful exercises of mind. "When," says he, "shall I walk in the light of God's countenance, and feel that vivacity and zeal which are so necessary to evince my Christian and ministerial character? Still I cannot but adore the faithfulness of my gracious God, and look for brighter days of usefulness and comfort. Like a mariner in a dark and tempestuous night, I can let go my anchor of hope, though I do not sensibly feel the ground on which it should rest. Lord, sanctify and make use of me in private or in public life, according to thy sovereign will and pleasure." On the 21st of February, a volume of lectures, containg about 380 pages, under the title of "The Domestic Chaplain," was sent to the press, accompanied with many fervent prayers, that God might employ it for the edification and comfort of souls, and for the glory of his own grace. This work has passed through several large editions, in this country and in England, and has, as its name imports, preached the gospel to many families, where the usual means of grace were not enjoyed. Domestic Chaplain" has been a useful guide, not only in private devotion, and in the social meeting, "The 102 THE DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN. 66 but it has served to instruct the soul of the Christian, in the closet and in the parlour; and to produce a more intimate acquaintance with the volume of Divine Revelation, by illustrating its doctrines, enforcing its authority, and recommending the sacred institutions of the gospel to the attention and approbation of the reader. These advantages are afforded by the unostentatious labours of "The Chaplain," in a manner at once calculated to interest and to enlighten; while each short lecture sheds its hallowed influence over the soul, without the pain of labour, or the consciousness of design. A few short extracts from the author's preface, will explain more fully the character of this valuable book. 'My aim is to be useful in promoting the moral interests of families, by disseminating some of the most important truths of the gospel, in an agreeable variety, without those perplexing controversies too prevalent among professors of Christianity. I have also in view, the assistance of congregations and societies in the country, who are frequently destitute of stated ministers; presuming that this volume, in the hand of a good reader, may secure the attendance of the people, and promote their instruction."-"Time is short-truth is divine and inestimably precious. In the construction of these lectures, I solemnly declare, that I have not introduced a single sentence, but what, from deliberate thought, I firmly believe bears the impress of the gospel, and is calculated to destroy vice, promote the purest virtue, and aid the real Christian in his life and walk of faith." We may therefore unhesitatingly recommend this work to the attentive perusal of all who desire the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ. Letter from Mr. Stanford, on the recovery of his friend, John Holmes, Esq. of Pennsylvania, from a protracted illness. LETTER TO JOHN HOLMES, ESQ. เ MY DEAR FRIEND, 103 "New-York, March 2d, 1806. "I was glad to hear, by your daughter, that you were more comfortable than when I left you in October, for which I thank God on your behalf. May the health of your body, and especially the spiritual happiness of your soul, increase still more abundantly. When I read your daughter's letter concerning you, it brought to my mind, the thanksgiving of Ezra, (x. 8)—God hath given us a little reviving in our bondage.' Indeed, while in this tabernacle of clay, we are often many ways in bondage; but, how kind is our Lord, by the light of his countenance, the power of his grace, and the sweets of his love, to give us, although it be but a little'a week-a day-or an hour's revival. Bless the Lord, my brother. Hold out a little longer, and you and I shall experience the pangs of bondage no more! These poor bodies will then sleep in the grave, and our souls shall wing their way 'Where all are bless'd, "Divine Providence is one straight line, though to us there may appear many a curve. He giveth grace and glory. He who has given you the one, will most assuredly confer the other. To his merciful care I commend you, and remain, "Your's in the Saviour, "JOHN STANFORD." In April he made a visit to the state of Connecticut, and was exposed to many dangers on the passage; yet out of them all the Lord delivered him. During this excursion, he preached in several towns, to very crowded assemblies; and, it is confidently believed, that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. This year he received a unanimous call to take the 104 MERCIFUL INTERPOSITION OF PROvidence. pastoral charge of the church in Burlington, NewJersey; and in the month of August he made them a visit, preached eleven times, and administered baptism and the Lord's supper. While in this place he received visits from several neighbouring ministers, whose remarks upon the subject of his settlement with this church, greatly assisted him in discerning the path of duty. After this he made a short visit to his friends in Philadelphia, Frankfort, Holmesburg and Lower-Dublin; from whom he received fresh tokens of brotherly-kindness, and to whom he publicly communicated the glad tidings of salvation through the blood of Jesus. He arrived at home in safety on the 6th of September. On the 21st of this month, another instance of the Lord's peculiar care of Mr. Stanford and his family occurred. The family retired at the usual time, but Mr. S. remained until a late hour, employed in meditating upon the confidence of Jeremiah in the midst of his afflictions, at the time when he exclaimed"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations iii. 24. While wrapt in this heavenly contemplation, the appalling cry of Fire! Fire! broke upon the stillness of midnight, and in a few minutes the blaze flashed from the adjoining house upon the windows of his chamber. The fury of the encircling flames, and the confusion of the multitude who soon rushed to the scene of dangerthe ringing of bells, the hoarse shout of the watchmen, and the crash of falling timbers, added to the gloomy terrors of a stormy night, constituted this, in many respects, memorable event, truly a scene of horror. But through the divine favour, the flames were averted from his habitation by a change of the wind, and no extensive injury was sustained, although several of the surrounding houses were consumed. So true is it, that those who have the Lord for their portion, may hope in him under circumstances the VISIT TO GOVERNOR BLOOMFIELD. 105 most alarming, and in every scene of danger. For, while as their portion, he gratifies and fills the soul, he is truly "A very present help in time of need." O that our souls may attain the delightful assurance of the prophet; then will it be immaterial, what trials. and losses we sustain, while treading amid the thorns and briars of the wilderness, as we pursue our journey to the land of rest and peace in heaven. On the last of November, circumstances occurred which enabled Mr. Stanford to decide upon declining the invitation from the church in Burlington; this course was approved by his most judicious friends. Among other things which led to this determination, was a secret impression that he had not yet performed all the work which the Lord intended him to do in New-York. Mr. Stanford was not a man disposed to yield to the guidance of mere impressions; yet in the present case, as in all former invitations to leave the city, there was something which prevented his acceptance, for which at the time he was utterly unable to account. But the developements of succeeding years. have sufficiently demonstrated the will of God, and also the wisdom of his servant, in remaining at the post where Divine Providence had stationed him, and where, during the last twenty-five years of his life, he occupied public stations of no common interest. and responsibility. In his journey to Philadelphia, he stopped at Trenton, and spent a day at the house of his Excellency Joseph Bloomfield, Governor of New-Jersey. This was the anniversary of the defeat of the Hessian troops, under the command of Colonel Rhal, who was mortally wounded in the conflict with the Americans, under command of General Washington, in December, 1776.* The day was celebrated with * The following graphic description of this highly interesting event in American history, is from the pen of an eloquent writer, who, when speaking of the father of his country, remarks: |