punishment. My own heart is more to be feared than all the allied powers of earth and hell; for outward foes could never prevail were it not for vain desires and inbred corruptions. A good conscience I find to be the best medicine, and a contented mind the best companion. I have just witnessed the happy death of an interesting child in his ninth year; and think we should speak oftener to children about the love of Christ and the joys of heaven. I have also lately visited a dear afflicted relative, who wept almost every day for the last twelve months because she had not consecrated her youthful days more entirely to the Lord. Oh, how important the advantages of early religion!" RESOLUTIONS." Let me carefully study the history of Christ, sit at his feet, contemplate his sufferings, adore his love, and glory in his cross. Let me pray without ceasing,

and trust in the Lord even when he withdraweth the joys of his salvation. Let me never preach without endeavouring to feel the importance of my subject. Let me never encourage any trifling in going to or returning from the service of the sanctuary. Let me judge rashly of no one, and envy no one's prosperity; but wish well to all, and speak well of all. Let me rise early, do all things in season, redeem time, avoid delays, and be moderate at meals and in all recreations. Let

me always have a subject prepared for useful conversation when in company, and for devout contemplation when alone. Let me be continually disposed to do good and to receive good Let my reading, conversation, and study, be subservient to practical religion and ministerial usefulness. Let me never be

scheming about future events, and indulging in any discouraging forebodings, whilst I ought to be attending to present duties and watching against present temptations.'

DESIRES." May I always feel grateful for the important advantages which a kind providence has afforded me. May the resolutions I make be so impressed upon my heart as never to be forgotten. May I be well acquainted with the Bible, and with my own heart. May I be made wise to win souls and to comfort mourners. May I have much religion, much devotedness, and much to do with Christ."

In April, 1801, he received an invitation from the church at Holywell to become their minister; but, having received similar applications from other quarters, his mind, for several weeks about this time, seems to have been subject to considerable anxiety. His heart's desire was to follow the leadings of providence, and to be useful in his Master's vineyard; and his decision

in favour of Holywell was influenced as much by the advice of friends as by his own feelings. The ordinances of the sanctuary always interested his mind, and proved at this time peculiarly refreshing. The services of a Sabbath spent at Denbigh, with the late excellent Dr. Edward Williams, a few days after the death of the Rev. Daniel Lloyd; the services of another spent at Bridgenorth with his amiable friend the late Rev. William Evans, afterwards of Stockport ; the services of another spent at Holywell with his beloved tutor the late Rev. Jenkin Lewis; and of another spent at the same place with the late revered and affectionate John Whitridge, of Oswestry, -were long remembered by him. He also refers to two ordination services, and to his last interviews with the students and other friends when leaving Wrexham, as having deeply impressed and greatly affected his mind. He left the academy May 29, 1801, and the inscription recorded on the Ebenezer then raised by him is,"I have this day ten thousand reasons to bless the Lord-to bless him for the precious advantages granted to one so unworthy, and for upholding one so helpless and sinful. May I in future be more humble, more holy, and more devoted to his service and glory."

He commenced his stated labours at Holywell on Sunday, May 31, 1801, and preached in the morning from Rom. xv. 30, "Now I beseech you brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and with may you be refreshed." In the afternoon and evening he preached from Jude 24, and Psalm xxxi. 21.

.

On the 15th of July, 1802, he

was ordained. The Rev. Dr. G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn, and the Rev. Messrs. J. Lewis, Wrexham; B. Jones, Pwllheli; W. Brown, Wrexham; J. Wilson, Northwich; D. Davies, Welshpool; and T. Jones, Newmarket; assisted on the occasion. Mr. Jones, Newmarket, is now the only survivor.

In 1810, he published a collection of hymns, which has passed through several editions, and is now used by most of the congregational churches in the Principality; he also, during the last ten years, contributed largely to the Dysgedydd Crefyddol.

The prosperity of the Redeemer's cause, both in his own neighbourhood, and throughout the world, lay very near his heart; and he had the pleasing satisfaction of establishing several new interests in his own immediate neighbourhood. Four chapels were erected by him one at Bagillt, in 1803; one at Rhesycae, in 1804; one at Heolmostyn, in 1826; 1826; and one at Penypyllau, in 1829. He was one of the secretaries to the Flintshire Auxiliary Bible Society for eighteen years; to the North Wales Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society for nine years; and to the Congregational Union for the counties of Flint and Denbigh for nine years. The committees and other friends with whom he acted in these several capacities most deeply feel the loss occasioned by the sudden removal of one so indefatigably active, so uniformly amiable, and so thoroughly disinterested. Seldom has the important cause of Christian missions lost a more zealous advocate. No minister in Wales laboured more towards cherishing a missionary spirit than Mr. Jones did. Indeed most of the intelligence contained in the chronicle department of the Dysgedydd was communicated by him. "His efforts to do good in season

and out of season were constant, and his course knew no other variety than that of the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Though his constitution was weak, and his health often delicate, he was equal to considerable labour both of mind and body. He has often, on a Sabbath-day, walked thirty miles, and performed three services; and, of late years, his mind seemed to be wholly weaned from the world, and his whole time was devoted to the cause of religion.

As most of the congregational churches in Wales have had to build or to enlarge their places of worship within the last few years, the heavy burdens thereby occasioned have been a source of many discouragements and of much painful anxiety-of anxiety the most disheartening to many who have the interest of the Saviour's cause much at heart of anxiety that has interrupted the usefulness, destroyed the comforts, and broken the spirits, if not the hearts, of many devoted and faithful Christian ministers. This must have been keenly felt by a person of Mr. Jones's sensibility as a public character. In the beginning of last year, the distressed case of the Welsh congregation in Gartside Street, Manchester, excited much sympathy; and, after several ministers had greatly exerted themselves to obtain assistance for them in the Principality, Mr. Jones, and his friend, Mr. Roberts, of Denbigh, encouraged by the kind permission of the good Manchester people, consented to visit that town for the same object; and this leads us abruptly to the closing scene of our friend's life. His death, though affecting to his friends, was blissful to himself; and, though his Lord came at an unexpected hour, he was found active and vigilant. On Sunday,

the 21st of August-his last on earth-he preached three times, with unusual animation and effect. In the morning, under the influence of feelings deeply impressed by the loss of the Rothsay Castle, from Job vii. 10, "He shall return no more to his house;" in the afternoon, on brotherly love, being his concluding lecture on the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians; and, in the evening, a very sweet discourse, from Deut. iv. 4, on the safety and happiness of those who, amid trials and temptations, "cleave unto the Lord." At the close of the morning service, a hymn "On the Death of a Minister" was selected by him to be sung by the congregation. On the following Tuesday evening, in compliance with his particular request, a much larger company than usual met at the prayer-meeting. When taking his leave of them, in a short but moving address, he said, "We may never meet again. Some of you may be taken before my return, or I may be taken; but, if we love the Lord, sudden death in such a case would be sudden glory." On Thursday morning, Aug. 25th, he and Mr. Roberts, of Denbigh, left home. They reached Liverpool that evening; and, after agreeing when and where to meet in the morning, they parted. Mr. Jones proceeded to the house of his friend, Mr. Gregson; but, in passing through

the warehouse, he fell through a trap-door; and, though medical assistance was instantly procured, he survived but little more than three hours. The event occasioned a very considerable sensation in the town, and much respect and Christian feeling were manifested. On Saturday the body was conveyed to Holywell, and the impression produced there by the suddenness of the shock-the sorrow of his friends, his relations, and his widow, who for twenty-five years had been a most affectionate help meet for him -cannot be described. The funeral, attended by thousands, took place on the Tuesday following. From twenty to thirty ministers of different denominations were present. Services suited to the affecting occasion were performed by the Rev. Messrs. Williams, of Wern, Roberts, of Denbigh, Breeze, of Liverpool, and Waterfield, of Wrexham; and, on the following Sabbath, two very impressive funeral sermons were addressed to the bereaved congregation; that in the morning, in English, by the Rev. J. Thorpe, of Chester, from Psalm xxxvi. 6; and that in the evening, in Welsh, by the Rev. W. Williams, of Wern, from Heb. xi. 4, "He being dead yet speaketh." Mr. Jones's last words were, KNOW THAT I AM ACCEPTED." March 6, 1832.

S. R.

66

I

CONVERT.

I am persuaded they will be received as appropriate to your present state of mind, and as the words of a friend who has at his heart a concern for your highest welfare.

I. Then, let me exhort you TO PRESENT

A DISTINCT AND SPECIAL OFFERING OF PRAISE TO GOD FOR THE MERCY WHICH HAS BEEN SHEWN YOU. All your blessings demand grateful acknowledgment, and their demand is in proportion to

their excellence. But your conversion is the greatest blessing you have ever received, and should be the source of the most abundant praise. The nature of the benefit-so personal, so real-makes praise indispensable. How would the blind man, of necessity, rejoice in the hand that gave him sight! How would the deaf man glorify the power that restored him to hearing! If then, in a superior sense, your eyes are opened that you may see-if your ears are unstopped that you may hear-if God, in the greatness of his mercy, has delivered " your eyes from tears, your feet from falling, and your soul from the lowest hell," what thanks do you not owe him! Think of the state from which you are redeemed-of the power shown in your redemption-of the sacrifice made for that redemption-and let

your whole heart become one offering of thankfulness to him who hath loved you, and washed you from your sins in his own blood!

II. REGARD YOUR CONVERSION AS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE UNTO A NEW OBEDIENCE. Great mistake has existed on this subject, and it has often had injurious consequences. Religion has commenced by many anxieties and deep convictions, and the prevailing concern has been to find rest from these in the evidence of a true conversion. Hope has sprung up in the mind; and, when the young convert has been led to think himself regenerated, he has also been tempted to trust in this state as safe, and to suppose that nothing more of importance was necessary to him. To put yourself on your guard against this error, remember two things; first, that life is never given for its own sake, but for its uses. Your spiritual life is given to you that you may "live unto God;" you are to walk in his ways, to hunger and thirst after his righteousness, and take a holy delight in his service. Then, secondly, remember, that your Christian life is in a very feeble state. If indeed you are truly converted, you truly live; but your life at present is the life of infancy and childhood. Your knowledge is small, your faith weak, and your charity limited. Consider, then, that you require to be "rooted and grounded " in the truth; that you are 66 to grow in knowledge and in grace;" and that you are to give "all diligence to add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience,

and to patience godliness, and to godli ness, charity." Conversion is not the end of your course, but its beginning. It is the strait gate, opening on the narrow way; and all that way you must tread if ever you arrive in heaven!

III. THAT YOU MAY HAPPILY

Our

66 GROW IN GRACE GIVE AN EARNEST ATTENTION TO ALL THE MEANS OF GRACE. The several means appointed for your edification need not be here mentioned; you know them, you have been accustomed to regard them. There is, however, some evil to which you are now exposed, and to which before you were not liable. You are in danger, not so much of neglecting the appointed means, as of sinking down into a cold and formal use of them, first acts in religion spring from present emotion; but as these acts are repeated, they are formed into habits; and the danger is of doing from habit what was at first done from the heart. Excellent prayers are still offered, but the meaning is gone-praise is still expressed, but it dies on the tongue-the word is still heard, but not with the eagerness of men who feel they must feed on it or die. Guard against this temptation. None has been more common-none more injurious. Be not satisfied that the action is good, ask from time to time whether the motive is good, whether the end is good also.

Especially as a direction on this subject, be not satisfied with the use of any religious means, which does not bring to you its proper benefit. The great design of all our means and privileges is to bring us near to God. Whatever, therefore, may be your value of the word; of the ministry of that word; or of your seasons of retirement; rest not in them, but inquire whether they have this their proper end in you. If they do not increase your penitence for sin; your abhorrence of evil; your hope in the Saviour; your nonconformity to the world; and the heavenliness of your disposition; however great their use to others, they are useless to you. And the means by which you do not receive a benefit you receive an injury!

IV. BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT CONFINE YOUR SENSE OF RELIGION TO

THE USE OF RELIGIOUS MEANS. More are in this state of mind than we ima gine; and you cannot escape it but by watchfulness. They seek to have an impression of religion when on their knees,

when in the closet, or the sanctuary; and they restore themselves to their ordinary occupations, without any serious concern to remain under the influence of their confessions, prayers, and worship. This is frequently carried so far, that many persons seem to be the reverse of their prayers and professions; and their religious services seem as a sort of penance for the inconsistent temper and principles which they habitually indulge. Remember, then, that religion is not a thing of time, and place, and posture; and that if we are truly under its influence, we shall be always so. See that it is your great regulating principle in the family, in the friendly circle, and in your worldly engagements. Let it soften your temper, exalt your thoughts, and rectify your judgment. Retire to your rest at night; arise in the morning; accept the refreshments of the day; with the holy and exalted purpose of glorifying God, in fulfilling the duties of your station. This would make every meal as a sacrament to you; each day as a Sabbath; and your most ordinary service, an act of worship to the Most High. For the want of this, many have been a stumbling-stone in the way of the inquirer, instead of an edifying example; and the "good way " has been spoken of as evil!

V. PREPARE TO MEET AND TO RESIST TEMPTATION. You must not enter on your course with false views and flattering promises. If you enter into the kingdom it must be through tribulation. Your chief trial will arise from yourself. Over your own heart, then, especially you are to watch with ceaseless jealousy. Your temptations will be principally to despondency and to presumption. Your enemy will tempt you to think of sin as trivial before commission, and as unpardonable after commission; that you may be disposed to entertain it with hope, and afterwards to retain it from despair. What thousands have fallen by these practices! You will meet with temptation from your companions. Of your former associates, some from affection, may seek to win you back to paths you have left; others may assail you with reproach and bitter persecution. But stand firm-be resolved. Show that you are on the Lord's side, and that you have counted the cost beforehand. If they see you waver, you will give them a sad advantage over you. In forming new connections, even among the professors of religion, you will need

great caution. Excellent as you may think such society in comparison with what you have left, judge of it by its effects. If it does not promote the spirit of prayer, meekness, charity, and faith, it is not good for you. Remember that "he that walketh with the wise shall become wise, while the companion of fools shall be destroyed." Then there are temptations peculiar to the times in which you live. So far as the young convert is concerned, these are chiefly two. First, you will be tempted by novelty, and the love of change. Your recent state has necessarily been one of great excitement. Every thing has been new to you. Your own condi tion, the character of God, the future world, the method of hope and mercy, have all been revealed as you never be fore saw them. Apart from the allowed importance of these things, the sense of freshness will fade away; and you will be in danger of craving some other discoveries by which you may be surprised and affected. Watch against this snare; many around you have been caught in it, and are only entangled increasingly in its. meshes day after day. Remember that the novelty of these things to you was a mere accident, and that it is their real excellence which should interest you. If your mind is rightly affected, they will become more precious to you as you know them; while what is unimportant or false owes all its interest to its freshness and extravagance. What is the gift of tongues to you, if you had it, compared with that charity, without which you are nothing! What is the faith to work miracles, if you had it, compared with that faith which saves the soul! What is the hope of an earthly and sensual millennium, were it true, compared with that more blessed hope of heavenly purity and everlasting joy! Let no man beguile you from the simplicity that is in Christ! The remaining temptation of the day is to worldli

ness.

The world, it may be said, is ever the same, and is always the tempter of the Christian. But the present peculiarity and danger is, that we have so much of the world in the church. Professors and even saints are so immersed in businessare so intent on gains—are so incessantly occupied at home and abroad, that the ascendancy of religion on the mind becomes questionable. They hear the word, but the cares of the world choke it; they offer prayer, but it is with haste and hesitation; at best, they are too often