A Brother's Portrait; or, Memoirs of the late Rev. W. Barber. Compiled chiefly from his journals and ... correspondence by Aquila Barber ... To which is added, as an appendix, the meorials of his late wife, written by himself

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Preface

In introducing the present Volume to the notice of the Religious Public, to oflFer any remarks on the utility or importance of Christian Biography mighty probably, be deemed superfluous, if not intrusive. The providential and gracious dealings of God with his people are subjects, the value of which is too highly appreciated, to need any description or recommendation from the Compiler of the following Memoir. There is, however, one thing which has forcibly impressed his mind; it is, that, as the press is constantly sending forth publications of a biographical kind, there should be something peculiar in the circumstaHC<;s, and something important in the character^ of an individual deceased, to justify

a2

IT PREFACE. .

the placing before the Public eye so formidable a thing as a history of his life. As to the character of his lamented Brother, the Compiler thinks he may safely leave the Public to form their own judgment ; and with regard to the principal facts of his life, such, for instance, as the remarkable manner in which he was at length thrust into the Ministry ; — the untrodden sphere in which, aS a Protestant Missionary, he was called to move ; — the consequent probable introduction of pure and evangelical piety into Spain ; — and the awful and d^'sterious circumstances of his early dissolution ; — these are events, which;, it is believed, will not be regarded by enlightened persons with disappointment or indifference.

But knowing, at the same time, that, in many cases, what may appear both peculiar and importantin the estimation of a near relative, may prove^ in a great measure, void of interest to the Public at large ; it appeared to the Compiler advisable, to submit the original documents to the inspection of persons, who, by their ability and impartiality, might be reasonably supposed to be qualified to decide upon their merit. And the result of this expedient is, the appearance of the following sketch of ' A Brother's Portrait/

PREFACE. y

However, the above-mentioned difficulty was not the only one, which, from the natural partiality of a relative, arrested the Compiler's attention. He considered, that, as his object was to give a faithful delineation of his Brother's character, moulded, as it was, by ordinary events atid novel circumstances, by complicated afflictions and circuitous providences, and, above all, by the influence of Divine Grace ; it would be extremely difficult, if not totally impossible, to do. it in his own language in such a manner, ^8 to avoid the suspicion of being too lavish in bis commendations, or too lenient in his cen* sures. Hence, the best method appeared to be, to confine himself, as much as possible, to matters of fact, and those generally related in the words of the deceased himself; especially, as the Reader will have an ample opportunity of perceiving, that, in William Baiiber, there was but little disposition to exalt himself in the estimation of others.

Some surprise may, possibly, be excited at the introduction of so larg^ a portion of private letters, which have so little connection with the facts in the life of the deceased ; but wheq it is recollected, that the object of the Compiler was to give> not merely a narrative of events, but likewise the 'Portrait' of a mind, which was more than ordinarily gifted, both by nature and

VI PREFACE.

by grace^ the consistency of the plan will be at once acknowledged.

That part of the Volume, which describes the Origin and progress of a Protestant Mission, among the poor, benighted Spaniards at Gibral* tar ; as well as that, which contains such painful descriptions of the moral and civil destitution of the Parent Country ; will, probably, be read with unusual interest by those, who are labouring and praying for the prosperity of the kingdom of Christ. But that interest must be sharpened into agony, when it is remembered, that Spain^, in the midst of her degradation, is denominated a Christian Country, and that, too, in the nineteenth century; as well as that, notwithstanding the miseries, both temporal and flpiritual, under which she is labouring, the Bible and its genuine Religion, which are the only means of her emancipation, are pertinaciously withheld from her millions of deathless, yet perishing, inhabitants. Oh! how important, therefore, does it appear for every Christian believer most ardently to implore the hastening of the period, when even that ^dark place of the earth, which is so full of the habitations of cruelty,* shall behold *^the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ!'

By some persons it may be thought necessary

PREFACE* Til

to state the reasons^ why^ in the Memoirs of a ^ professed Missionary^ the Reader should be so long detained from that peculiar view of the character of the deceased. Those reasons^ however^, will immediately suggest themselves^ after a patient perusal of the account. There will be seen one of those ' wonderful and excellent worklogs in the counsel of God/ by which his servants are sometimes impelled to the fulfilment of vows^ whichj in their execution^ have appeared so long, and so powerfully^ crossed by opposing circumsti^nces : there also will be presented a practical illustration of the extreme danger of allowing the creature^ in any degree^ to usurp the place of God in the heart : and there, too, will be learnt a lesson,, which, in order to render influential on the soul of the believer, often entails upon him such a multitude of sufferings in mind, and body, and estate, — the necestiUf of entire conformity to the image of Christ.

After all, however, it will be impossible to rise from the perusal of the Narrative, without a powerful conviction . of the present mystery of the Divine proceedings. After such a series of disciplinary circumstances, which, while they qualified the sufferer for the post of duty, rendered the fulfilment of his early vows necesyill PREFACE.

^ sary to the preservation of life itself; that he should be taken away through the instrumentality.of the exposures involved^ and that almost at the very commencement of his career of Missionary us^fulness^ — is one of those deep and perplexing movements in the Providence of God^ which, the more they are contemplated, the less they are comprehended by the feeble mind of man. ^ Canst thou, by searching, find out God P Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection ? It is as high as heaven, what canst thou do ? deeper than hell, what canst thou know ? The measure thereof ig longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If He cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder Him ?'

. It may now be necessary to make one observation, in reference to the Appendix* It will be seen, in the course of the Narrative, by what reasons the deceased was actuated in with*- holding, from general publicity, so important a document. And when those reasons are weighed against the urgent solicitattons* of a very large majority of his Christian friends^ who, from the purest motives, were^ and still are, desirous of its publication; ,the Compiler thinks, that he may leave it with the Public to decide, whether he has done right <)r wrong.

PREFACE. IX

in deviating fram the wishes of an affectionate and beloved Brother, now that he is incapable of being ' pained at si^ch a procedure: '

In conclusion : it is felt, not less as a pleasing, than an imperative, duty, to acknowledge , the kindness of those numerous relatives and friends, who have contributed their assistance, so readily, and so largely, in the prosecution of this Work. The most cordial thanks are also presented (o the Subscribers, who hare so generously encouraged the Compiler with their countenance and support, names having been given for about 500 copies of the Work ; those names would have been published in the usual way, but for the many prohibitions, which have been received upon the subject. It has, doubtless, been a matter of some regret, that the appearance of the Volume, should have been so long delayed: the fact, however, has been, that, from some unknown circumstances, the principal documents, from which the Work has been compiled, were many months before they came to hand.

May that Great Being, who ' searcheth the hearts, and trieth the reins' of the children of men, and who alone, therefore, can appreciate

X PREFACE.

the motive from which the present labour has been undertaken^ vouchsafe to make it instrumental in the salvation of sinners^ and in the provocation of saints to increasing zeal in the work of the Lord !

A.B.

Midsummer'Nortony near Bath.

December^ 1829.

CONTENTS-

CHAPTER T.

Birth — ^Parentage — Education — ConvenioD to God — Usefulness as a Sunday-School Teacher, Exhorter, and Member of his own Family — Becomes a Local Preacher — ^Plan for the spiritual Edification of his Sisters — ^Turns his Attention exclusively to the Ministry — Ad« mission to the Baptist Academy — ^Increasing Desires after personal and family Piety — Continued Zeal for the Salvation of Sinners — Recommended to travel by the Bristol Quarterly and District Meetings— Devotes Himself to the Missionary Work — Prevented by his Friends from going Abroad — ^Remarkable Instance of Depravity in three profligate Youths — ^Leaves the Baptist Academy Pt^t 1

Chapter II

Becomes a Tutor — Preserves hU Longings after the Enjoyment of God, and the Work of the Ministry — Labours for the Conversion of a younger Brother,and for the Comfort of a desponding Sister— Insubordination towards Him in the School — Consolation for an afflicted Sister — Commencement of his tedious Illness — ^Leaves the Academy at Chew-Magna — Disappointment in reference to the Ministry— First Visit to Gloucester — Journal — Strivings of Himself and Friends after purity of Heart — ^Remarkable Conversion of a Sceptic, and subsequent Prosperity of the Cause of God — ^Visit into Worcestershire— Remarks on Friendship— Character of an undecided Man — Hints to young Preachers 25

XII CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Continuation of his Journal — ^Remarks on the Union of the People of God— Curious Experiment in Agriculture — ^History of Robert Bernman, Esq. — ^Remarks on Celibacy — Singular instance of Filial Affection— ^Dialogue on the difference between Sin and Satan — Consolation for a guilty and polluted Soul — A prosperous Sabbath — ^Advantages of Religious Correspondence — Reflections on th^ Death of an Infant — Arguments against Anxiety respecting the Future — ^Return to Bristol — Increasing ill-health Pagt 57

Chapter IV

Providential Escape from the effects of Fire — Revival of Health — Remarks on Spiritual Conversation — ^The Penitent described and encouraged— Visit to Chew-Mngna — Affecting Case of Distress — ^Reflections on Eternity — Second ViHit to Gloucester — Reflections in a Stage-Coach — Observations on Evil-speaking and Calumny — Important Advice to a younger Brother — ^Remarks on Marriage . 85

Chapter V

Opens his Academy at Longford — His Marriage — Advice to a Brother in the Ministry — Prosperity in Business — Death of his Wife — Dissolution of his Academy — Distress of his Mind — Difficulties of his Situation — Commences a Day-School at Gloucester — Publication of his Wife's Memorials — ^ew Discoveries of Sin in the Heart . 1 19

Chapter VI

Remarks on Preaching — Consoles his afflicted Mother — Her peaceful Death — Comforts his widowed Father — Leaves GlouceBtcr-^Review of afflictive Dispensations-^R^marks on Friendship — Opens a Day- School at Bristol — The Maxims and Spirit of the World frequently the Cause of Spiritual Declension — On the Trials of the Ministry — On llie Employraefnts of the Blessed — On the fatal Errors of Uuitarianisni .... 151

CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter VII

Again involTed in deep and complicated Ailictions-^Triumphant DwUh of a Sifitef^— Remarkable Opening of Divine Providenee-««Fafliiily AiBictions — ^Memorable Instances of disinterafted OeneroaiCf— 4'arther Brightenings of his providential Path— Resignation ander anew Disappointment — Glory of the Missionary Work — Scenes in Monmouthshire— ^Advice to a young Sister — Critique on a poeHcaV passage— Memory's Twilight Bowers, a Poem Ptige 185

Chapter VIII

Summoned to London by the Missionary Committee — Reflections on the Scenes of the Metropolis — Passes his Examination — Bids adieu to his Friends — Ordination as a Missionary — Hopeful Circumstances of a Backslider — Comfortable Reflections in the anticipation of his Work — Commencement of his Voyage 223

CHAPTER IX. MiwienaryJonrnat—Reflections on Sight ol Land--*Graciouf AnffWjer

to Player — Providential Deliverance*--Arrival at Qibnriitat*-Paiti-

- cular Daseription of his tedious Voyage— Remarkable Answera to

Pmyer 245

Chapter X

Description of Gibraltar— And of the Wesleyan Society and Congregation— ^Prospects among the Spaniards — ^Persecution of two British Officers for Conscience' sake — ^Promising Commencement of a Spiritual Work among the Spanish Catholics— Study of the Spanilh Language — ^Providential Deliverance from imminent Danger— Effects of a Change of Climate — Low State of real Religion in Gibraltar- Loss of the Vessel in which he took his Voyage . * 264

StIV CONTENTS.

Chapter XI

Removal of Mr. Dixon from the Rock— Painfulness of Solitude in the Ministry— Plan for the Continuation of Family-Prayer— Attacl^ of Cbolera-Morbus through improper Abstinence — Pastoral Visits — Alarming Appearances of Yellow-Fever — Arrival of Mr. Pratten to take Charge of the English Work — ^Dreadful and disastrous Tempest — Attack, by the Spanish Soldiery, upon the Wreck of a Colombian Privateer — ^Paring conduct of some British Officers and Sailors — Affecting Narrative, and awful Death, of an emigrant Spanish Colonel— Commencement of Public Labours in the Spanish Language —Infidelity among the Higher Orders of Spaniards — Prosperity in the English Mission — Conversion of a Spanish Woman — Prosperity among the Spaniards — Dreadful state of Spain — Infamous Case of Injustice and Bribery — Effrontery of a Highway-Robber — Impudence of a Thief — Awful Assassination of a Murderer — Introduction of Spanish Prayer-Meetings — ^Affecting Conversation of a respectable Spanish Emigrant — Illustration of Romans viii. 28, &c.

Chapter XII

Coasequences of over-Study — ^Popish Sermon on the Merits of the Virgin Mary—- Voyage to Algefiras, in Spain — Barefaced Smuggling — Indifference of Revenue Officers — Dangerona Situation in attempting to Land — Want of Accommodations in Algepras — Disgusting Instances of Popish Superstition — Curious Account of a Popish Mission — ^Popish Sermons — Popular Enmity against the Friars — ^Ramble to a Spanish Cottage — Popish Processions — Hostility of the Soldiers to the existing Government — ^Litany of the Saints — Narrow Escapes from the Populace — ^Pride of the Popish Priesthood — State of Morals in Algepiras — Manreuvre of a Friar — Affecting Statement of the Religious Condition of Gibraltar — Approbation of enlightened Spaniards of the Common Prayer-Book — Occupation of a Week — Hopeful Circnmstances of a few Spaniards — ^Discouragements connected with the Mission — Death of Mrs.. Pratten — Conversations with a Sentinel, a Genoese, and some young Jews— ^Evils of Popish Mysticism — Affecting Case of a young Spaniard — Hopeful Death of a Spanish Gentlenum— and of a Penitent Prodigal— First Spanish Watch-Night . Z^

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XIII

Reriew of the past Year — ^Renewing Covenant with God— Doubtfulness of a Death-Bed Repentance — Left alooe again in the Work — Climate of Gibraltar — Encouragements in the Spanish Work — Promising Conversion of a Spaniard and his Wife — Report of the Gibraltar Auxiliarv Missionary Society — First celebration of the Lord's Supper in the Spanish Language — Contemplates a Second Marriage — Mixed Character of Success among the Spaniards — Mischief of Hyper- Calvinism — Grossly inconsistent Conduct of a Spaniard — His consequent and awful Apostacy — ^Reward of Virtuous Decision — ^Promising Case of a Spanish Gentleman and Lady — Interesting Letters from an enlightened Spanish Priest and his Friend . Page 355

Chapter XIV

Discussions among the Soldiers on Experimental Piety— Journey from Almerla to Granada — Unexpected Meeting with an old Friend of his Father — Interview with a Spanish Prior— Reflections on the pernicious Influence of Popery — Description of the Country — Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants — Ludicrous Effects of Bigotry upon a Fat Spaniard — Candour in Reference to Ministerial Deficiencies— Offer of the Education of the Officers' Sons — Medical Certificate of Health — Affecting History of an unfortunate Spanish Emigrant, with a Letter to his Son — Letter of Condolence on the Death of Mrs. Dixon 384

Chapter XV

Admission into fuU Connexion by the Conference — Commencement and Awful Ravages of the Yellow- Fever, at Gibraltar — Final Letters — Accepts the Office of Acting-Chaplain to the Forces — Numerous Calls to visit the Sick, and bury the Dead — Death aad Character 415

XVr CONTENTS.

Appendix

MEMORIALS OF THE LATE MRS. BARBER,

OF LONGFORD ACADEMY, NEAR GLOUCESTER.

BY HER HUSBAND.

MEMOIRS,

Sfc. Sfc. Sfc.

Chapter I

Birtli — Parentage — ^Education — Conversion to God — ^Usefulness asaSanday-Scbool Teacher, Exhorter, and Member of bis own Family — ^Becomes a Local Preacber — ^Plan for tbe spiritual Edification of bis Sisters— -Toms bis Attention exclusively to tbe Ministry — ^Admission to tbe Baptist Academy-- Increasing Desires after personal and family Piety — Continued Zeal for tbe Salyation of Sinners — ^Recommended to travel by tbe Bristol Quarterly and District Meetings — ^Devotes Himself to tbe Missionary Work — Prevented by bis Friends from going Abroad — ^Remarkable Instance of Depravity in tbree profligate Youths'^ Leaves tbe Baptist Academy.

The subject of the present Memoir, was born in the city of Bristol, April 25tb, 1799. He was tbe second son of parents who were pious from their youth; his Father being a member of the Weslejan Methodist Society, and his Mother 'a Baptist, connected with the church of the late venerable Dr. Ryland, in Broadmead, Bristol.

In consequence of the decided piety of both his parents, William, together with a numerous family, was carefully educated ^ in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ;' and the result was, that the whole of them, while yet young, joined themselves to God and his people in Christian fellowship ; though it is somewhat singular, that they all became Methodists.

2 EDUCATION.

Nothing particalar distinguished the earlier years of William, cept a peculiar ardour of disposition, which often led him into evils of a yerj serious nature, one of the worst of which was an extraordinary propensity to prevarication and falsehood ; this, notwithstanding all the admonitions and corrections of his parents, grew to such a height, that none of the family could rely upon his word, when unsupported by other evidence : in his case therefore there was a most painful exemplification of the language of the Psalmist-—^ The wicked are estranged from the womb ; they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.'

When between seven and eight years of age, he was sent to a day-school in Bristol ; but his father shortly afterwards saw it necessary to remove him in consequence of the wildness of his habits, and those of the associates with whom he was invincibly connected. On this account therefore, in the year 1808, he was sent to the classical Academy of his uncle, the late Rev. John Cherry, who was pastor of the Baptist Church, at W'ellington in Somersetshii^, upwards of thirty years, and who was in the habit of receiving a select number of pupils.

He had been at this school between three and four years, when in the month of February 1812, he was deeply convinced of his awful alienation from God and exposure to eternal wrath. The immediate cause of this happy circumstance was his witnessing the ordinance of adult baptism administered by his uncle to several persons, among whom was a youth but a few years older than himself. The convictions of his mind on that occasion were greatly strengthened by an awful dream respecting the day of judgment which he had almost immediately afterwards.

He began at once to seek the Lord with all his heart ; but being at that time situated among a body of professing Christians, who, though of unquestionable piety, did not teach the doctrine of the direct witness of the Spirit, he remained for many months the victim of the most distressing anxieties respecting the favour of God.

The sanguine temperament of his mind at first disposed him to enter with all his soul, into the various peculiarities of that system of theology which was adopted and taught by the people among whom he was awakened ; and it cost him a long time of painful struggling, even after he had left Wellington, (which took place in the course of the same year,) before he could summon sufficient courage to examine for himself the scheme of general redemption.

He had unhappily contracted a prejudice very common among Calvinists against Arminianism, respecting the doctrine of good works, supposing that the latter system taught justification before God, either In whole or in part, by the deeds of the law* When however he had gradually^ though slowly, perceived his error; and discovered that the

CONTXRMON TO G09. 9

Wesleyftii Mcfthodtsts built the foandation of their hopes vpon the exclusive merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, he gladly united himself to them, joining the class of which his Father had been for many years the leader. This was somewhere about August 1813.

From this time, though still without a satisfactory evidence of the favour of God, he endeavoured to < walk in all the ordinances of the Lord blameless,' eventually embracing all the peculiar sentiments of those with whom he had united in Christian fellowship.

In the May of the following year, his elder brother, who had previously manifested the greatest aversion to the restraints of religion, and the regularity of his Father's domestic government, was suddenly and powerfully awakened in a private prayer-meeting, under the roof of the late excellent Mrs. Stevens, widow of the Rev. William Stevens^ at Kingswood Hill, whither he had been drawn by the gracious Providence of God, after intruding himself, contrary to the wishes of his Father, into a love-feast held in the Kingswood chapel. As soon as the intelligence of this unexpected circumstance had reached the ears of William, with fraternal regard he betook himself to his brother's chamber, where he found the distressed prodigal overwhelmed with confusion at his past sins, and horror at his present situation. Not satisfied with enjoying the sight, he immediately began to point the criminal to the Lamb of God, concluding with an earnest petition upon his knees, for the salvation of his guilty brother's soul : after which, marking with feelings of indescribable interest, the agony of the penitent's mind, he retired with this reflection-— ^ If I do not take care, Aquila after all will obtain mercy before myself, who have sought it so long/ This induced him to redouble his diligence in private at a throne of Grace, and the consequence was, as might have been expected, that he did not long remain without the blessing he sought ; so true is the word of the Lord — ^ Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.'

On the following Sabbath, June 5, 1814, the two brothers^ being yet without a clear sense of the Divine favour, resolved to visit the above mentioned Lady at her dwelling, to implore advice. When they had arrived and made known their errand, Mrs. S., whose sole delight was to spend and to be spent for the glory of her God, immediately assembled her family for the purpose of besieging a throne of Grace ; here they had not waited long, before the Spirit descended in a glorious manner, and at the same moment liberated both the prostrate penitents : then it was that for the first time, they < rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and fall of glory,' for the Spirit himself ^ bore witness with their spirits that they were the children of dad^ They immediately rose to praise the God of their salvation, and both

B 2

4 USEFULNESS AS A SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER,

delightfully experienced that he had * bound up the broken-hearted, proclaimed liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison doors to them that were bound ;* and that he had ' appointed unto them that monrned in Sion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord^ that he might be glorified.'

Before his removal from Wellington, and almost immediately on his return to Bristol, William had been engaged in the important office of teacher in a Sunday-School, in which he had laboured with much diligence and punctuality ; but now that the Lord had set his soul at complete liberty from the guilt of sin, scarcely any thing could exceed |he zeal by which he was instigated ; for although he was little more than fifteen years of age, he commenced his career of public usefulness. He began by addressing his own class of scholars collectively and individually on the all important concerns of eternity ; and such was his success, that the majority of his boys began in full earnest to seek the Lord, and many found peace ; among whom was one who is now regularly travelling in the connexion as a Methodist Missionary. But this was a sphere much too contracted for William's soul ; by permission therefore of the Superintendent of the school he proceeded to address the whole of the boys in public, and so extraordinary was the impression produced upon their tender minds, that it seemed as though they were universally determined to give themselves to the Lord ;-— > scores were seen together crying for mercy, and many were heard rejoicing in a sense of pardoning love.

This of course soon attracted attention, and the result was, that the various Superintendents of the other schools in connexion with the Bristol Methodist Society, solicited his assistance in addressing and praying with the precious young immortals committed to their charge ; and so extensive were the operations of the Spirit at that time upon the hearts of the children, that out of seventeen schools, the whole number, there was scarcely one that did not present a similar scene to thftt already described. In these engagements William had indeed many co-adjutors, through whose instrumentality much of this good was effected, but it was evident to all that he was one of the principal agents in the work ; — nor was that work by any means confined to the children, for many of the teachers themselves, who were previously undecided for God, were thenceforward induced to ^ enquire the way to Sioh, with their faces thitherward.'

It was impossible that a person whose talents for public usefulness were so conspicuous, and whose efforts had been icrowned with such early success, could remain long confined to the comparatively secluded engagements of a Sunday-School Teacher, however important or honourable those engagements might be. William therefore grad-

AS AN SXHORTEB, AND AS A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY. 5

aally emerged from his retirement, and became an exhorter in St. Peter's hospital; where he laboured for some time with acceptance to others, though with little satisfaction to himself. Shortly after this he preached his first sermon at Compton-Greenfield, where he was greatly assisted,, and where his labours were ultimately blessed to the conversion of at least two sisters in one family.

But he did not forget that the majority of his brothers and sisters were as yet in an unconverted state ; he therefore determined to use all his efforts for their salvation : and as a proof of the earnestness of his soul in this important object, I shall now insert an extract from one of his Letters to his second sister at that time on a visit at Wellington.

Aug* 16, 1815.

My dear Sister Priscilla,

I WANT to know in particular, whether you have yet disclaimed Satan for your master, and ' put on the Lord Jesus Christ.' St. Paul says, — ^ If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maran-atha ;' ' let him be accursed till the Lord come.' But oh! how can it be that there is such a character? Whatl not love Jesus, who ^ gave himself a ransom for all,' — who ' was bruised for our iniquities,' — who ^ was rich, yet for our sake became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich ?' Oh ! let gratitude do its office, let it operate as it ought, and we shall see whether it is possible or no. But ah! there is no such thing as gratitude to God naturally in the heart of man : his ^ heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,' — a nest of iniquity, — a sink of sin, — as naturally inclined to evil ^ as the sparks are to fly upwards.' And does my heart answer this description ? Is my sister's heact one of this sort ? 0 yes ! for my own part, I can answer that it is perhaps, (but why perhaps ?) the worst enemy I have, and I have the authority of the unerring Word of God to say that my sister's is the same, for it ^ concludes all under sin.' How shall I get rid of it then ? First, I must be convinced of the evil of sin. Secondly, I must be convinced of the necessity of a change. Thirdly, I must be convinced of the sufficiency of Christ. Fourthly, I must have faith, that his blood may be applied. Do I want the first ? I cannot give it myself. ' Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and the door shall be opened.' You can feel no good desire of yourself, yoa have of your own self not the least wish nor hope of any good ; ' a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.' But the matter is, is there any desire for God? — Yes! How did it get there ? — It wasnot yourself who implanted it, for you are ^ only e?il, and that continually.' It was not Satan, for ^ he is not divided against himself.' It must therefore be from God. Now, why did God implant it there ? Surely with an