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HE COMMITS HIMSELF TO THE LORD.

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been miraculously preserved, "nevertheless," he remarks; "I have drunk deep of the truly bitter cup; my storms have been more violent than fall to the common lot of men; but when deprived of the creature, the Lord has made up the loss in the enjoyment of Himself, and proved to me a friend, that sticketh closer than a brother.''

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The subjoined extracts may serve to describe, the light in which he contemplated the prospective duties of life, and the ultimate solemnities of a dying hour. "My future prospects, whether temporal or spiritual, private or public, I most cheerfully leave with that good and gracious Shepherd, who hath hitherto been my guide and unchangeable friend. May thy visitation preserve my heart from sin, and my life from evil, that I may walk before thee in the light of the living." At a subsequent period, and when treading the declivity of life, he remarks: "My death, in some form, is as certain as the decree of God. The time, the place, the means, with every attendant circumstance, I leave to be ordered by infinite wisdom. I have known much of mankind, of books, of the world, and something of my own heart, and I cannot but consider it a most important point, rightly to draw the lines of life, so that they may terminate in a happy death. To Jesus, who lived and died for me, I resign the circumstances and the event of my decease, believing that he will graciously bestow upon me that faith which will sustain me in the solemn hour." In this holy expectation he was not disappointed. Having thus early formed his purposes, upon the divine plan, of faith in Jesus Christ-he believed firmly-loved fervently-prayed earnestly-walked humbly-laboured diligently waited patiently—and died triumphantly, for God was with him.

"A light was there, Whose beam was kindled from above."

32 HIS PUBLIC ORDINATION TO THE MINISTRY.

The following abstract of the account of the public ordination of Mr. Stanford to the work of the Christian ministry, was found amongst his papers, and will, it is hoped, be interesting to the reader.

ORDER OF EXERCISES.

"Prayer by the Rev. John Reynolds,-Introductory address by the Rev. W. Clarke,-Confession of faith by Mr. Stanford,-Hymn, and charge to the minister, by the Rev. Abraham Booth,-Prayer by the Rev. R. Burnham, Sermon to the church by the Rev. T. Davis,-Hymn,-Concluding prayer.

"After the public reading of, the call to the pastoral office from the church of Christ in Hammersmith to the Rev. John Stanford; the introductory address, &c. was delivered by the Rev. William Clarke, A. M. who then requested John Stanford publickly to declare his acceptance of the call of this church, and also to give a public testimony of his views of the doctrines revealed in the Bible; and of the order, and practices of thè primitive churches."

After a very able document upon this subject, but which is here omitted for want of room, the Rev. Mr. Clarke rose and said

"The church having given an account of the steps by them adopted relative to the call of our brother to the pastoral office; and whereas he has signified his acceptance, and has now witnessed a good confession of his faith before many witnesses; we do therefore proceed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, by the laying on of our hands, and by prayer; to invest him with the pastoral office over you as a church."

The Rev. Abraham Booth, Rev. John Reynolds, Rev. R. Burnham, and Rev. T. Davis, then proceeded to lay hands upon the pastor elect; while the Rev. William Clarke offered the ordaining prayer.

ADDRESS OF THE REV. ABRAHAM BOOTH. 33

Abstract of the address delivered to the pastor by the Rev. Abraham Booth, A. M.

"I shall commence the duty assigned to me on this occasion, by reading to you, my brother, the second verse of the fourth chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians.

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By manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

"When I contemplate the Apostle Paul, as the most honoured and useful servant of the Lord Jesus, in spreading the glories of divine grace, I can hardly forbear wishing, like Austin, to have beheld him in the pulpit; if, thereby, I might form a more correct iden of his doctrine and manner of preaching. Yet such a wish is quite unavailing; and indeed, the gratification of it quite unnecessary. For that incomparable man, in his several epistles, has drawn his own character both as a Christian and as a minister of Christ. In the words of our text, we have the representation of Paul in the pulpit. His grand business is, to manifest the truth. What is his immediate and first aim? It is to approve himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Paul, my brother, is therefore a pattern for your imitation.

"Your business is to manifest the truth.' Truth is a just representation of facts, whether it relates to the primary ideas of our own minds, or to objects recited by others. All falsehood is, denying that to be fact which really is fact, or asserting that to be fact which is not fact. This definition of truth, concerns not only such facts as are discoverable by the light of reason, but such as are peculiar to revelation. There is, however, something in the sacred writings which, by way of eminence, is called the truth,' and which is mentioned in our text, and deserves our particular regard.

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ADDRESS OF THE REV. ABRAHAM BOOTH.

"There are certain doctrines founded on fa, which are of an immutable nature, and these, by way of eminence, are called the truth,' and comprise the doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ. Gospel truths, and the reality of the facts on which they are founded, show the adorable wisdom, power, and glory of God; and you, my brother, are bound to search the scriptures, and endeavour to understand them and their immediate connection. Among these facts are the marvellous character of God, and that he made and governs the world. Upon these truths all the doctrines of divine revelation are founded. My young brother, you are to study these truths as a man, as a Christian, and particularly as a minister. If you do not study these truths, with their nature and tendency, it is not to be expected that you will commend them to others in your ministry. For you are not only to study the truth, but, according to the example of Paul, to manifest the truth to others. This is to be the great business of your ministry, for it is the truth,' which is appointed of God to enlighten the understanding, and awaken the conscience, under the influence of the divine Spirit. The truth of which the apostle speaks, and which will comfort the hearts of your hearers, stands in direct opposition to error and falsehood; and which, in the preceding part of this verse he calls The hidden things of dishonesty; walking in craftiness, and handling the word of God deceitfully. No man ought to be countenanced as a minister of Christ that is found guilty of this fault; or who conceals a part of the truth of God's word, or makes a false representation of it. You are, then, to manifest the truth,' the whole truth, every part of which is precious.

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"Labour to become acquainted with the doctrines contained in the scriptures, that you may be able to 'teach others also.' But remember that you are not always to dwell on some particular and favourite

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points, but deliver the whole truth in all its variety. You are not to give a body of divinity in a sermon, nor an account of all the articles in your creed; for this would be very injudicious. Carefully avoid that ambiguity in language which would leave the people at a loss to know your real sentiments.

"In the whole of your ministry, resolve to be free from the imputation of handling the word of God deceitfully.

"Here let me lay before you a caution or two. Take care, that under pretence of being open and explicit, you do not degenerate into dogmatism, or become personal in your addresses. In the pulpit, you have to do rather with characters than with persons. You are bound, in faithfulness and in duty, to declare, that drunkards, covetous, self-righteous men, shall not inherit the kingdom of God: but you must not single out any particular person before you; for you will then become ungenerous, and the consequences will be injurious.

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Carefully avoid all language which is low and inelegant; but study to find out acceptable words,' that your ministry may not become contemptible. Never think of doing good, but as you preach the plain truth of God.

"The first end the apostle had in view, was, to commend himself to every man's conscience.' This shows us the integrity and openness of his heart towards the children of God, and to the consciences of all men. The more you keep God, truth, and the consciences of men in view, the more peace will you have in your own mind; the fear of man will be discarded, and the greater probability will there be of your success in the work.

"The first thing I would mention as an advantage from this way of preaching is, you will be careful what kind of texts you choose for your discourses. I will venture to say, that a minister, whether old or

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