^ . > ■ CIHM Mi / Series / ' (Mono / /I- ICMH Collection de microfiches ) i Canadian Inatituta for Hiatorical Microraproductfona /Inatitut Canadian da mici^raproductiona htatoriquaa • W t a Ml Ttettnical and Bibliogriphk Notm / NotM tachniqum tt bibliofrapiti(|M«* Th* Inttitut* hat'^ttainptMl to obttin th« b«t oriflifMl copy availabtt for filmmg. Faaturtt of tlii*co|iy wliidi m«v to Mbliofraphicirily uniquf. mrfiich miV •>«•' •"¥ of tiM imagM in ttM raprodiietion. oir which may tignif ieantly changt tiM imial mathod of f iiminc. ara dVMrlMdbaiow.. L'Inttitut a microf ilm* la maillaur axcmplaifa qu'ii lui a *t4 pottibia da w procurar. La* detail* da cat axamplaira qui «ont paut-4tra uiwiuat du point da «IM liiblidtraphiqMa^ qui pauvant modifiar una imata raproduita. ou qui pauvant axifar una nHidification dans la mithoda nprmala da fiMnaft Mnt indiqute ci-dauoui. / /• ■ •■ □ Colourad eovari/ -' Couvartura da coulaur ■ : Covari damagad/ Couvartura andomihaeit Covart rattorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raitauria at/ou palliculte Covar titia ifiiuint/ La titra da couvartura manqua iColburad liiaiSw/ Carta* gtegrafihiquas an coulaur □ Colourad pagat/ Fagat da coulaur Pagat damagad/ Pagat andommagAas □ Paga* rattorad and/or laminatad/ Pagat rairtauria* at/ou palliculAn Q.'T dilcolourad. itainad or foxad/ Pagat dicblorim, tachat^ ou piquiat mPagas datachad/ Pkgaid*tach«at IquM Colourad ink d.a. othar thfii Mua or Mack)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) d D Colourad plattis and/or illustratibni/ Planchai at/ou ilfuftrations an coulaur ■'■-'■ ' . ■- / ^ , ->■■■■'• ■ -■'•■. ■ ■ *' • ' ■ . ■ Bound with othar matarial/ Ralii avac d'autras documanti Tight binding* may^causa shadows or distortion along intaribr margin/ La raliura sarrte paut causar da i'ombra ou de la distorsioh la loiig da la marga intiriau'ra Blank laavas addad during rastoration may ^ppfiaar within tha taxt. Whanavar possibla. thasa hava baan bmittad from filming/ - '^ , II sa paut qua cartainas pagas blanches aibut^ lors d'una rastauration apparaissant dans la taxta, . mais, lorsqua cala itait possiMa. cas pa^ n'ont p^Mfilmias, > 0Showthroiigh/ Trantparanca □ 'Quality of print varies/ Qualita iniftgala da 1'imprassidn □ □ Continuous pagination/ Pagination continue Includes ihdex(es|l/ Comprend un (das) index Title on header taken from:/ La titre de I'en-tfte provient: A ■ Title paga of issue/ Page de titre de la livraisbn / Caption of issue/ Titre de d^art de la livraison □ IMasthead/ Genirique (periodiques).de la livraison Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplemenuires: This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film^ au raux de rMuction indiqui ci'dassous. tOX 14X liX 22X 26X XX V 12X 16X 20X 24X 1«X - / '\- 32X 1 \ 7 n ■mr- Th« Copy fllmMl h«r« ha* b««n rsproducad thanks to tha o*narosity of: Victifii Uniytnity ArfklvN ia imagaa appaarino hara ara tha bast quality possibla eonsidarinfl tha conclltion and lagibility i»f tha originar copy and in kaaping with tho ' fiiming oontract spacificatiohs. , Original copi«« in printad papar covars ara fllmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impras- aiph. or tha back. J|!|var Whan appropriata. All othar original ciwws ara filnnad baginning on tha first paga wHItja printad or Illustratad impras- sion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impraMtlon. Tha last racordad frama on aach microficha shall contain tha symbol -h^ (maaning "CON- "■ TIlMU^D"), or tha symbol V (maanihg "END"), whichavar appHas. . Map*, plataa, charts^, ate. may ba fllmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too large to' ba anftiraly incitidad in ona axposura ara filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplatra f ilfiri4 f ut repred4it grice ii la gAnArositA da: / ■/ ■ , . '■ '■■ ■■■■-.■- TWUwIirtfiliMnlisf £■■■<■ Arcfclm : . Vittsnt Usiwnlty Arakiwi • ■ '.A ■ ■ . " ■'::■ ,. ' ■■ ■■ Las images suivantas ont At* reproduites avec la plu« grand soin. eompta tenu de la condition at da ia jnattat* de i'exemplaire f ilm4. et en conforn>lt# ayac les conditions du contrat da .filmagsf^ iKamplairas originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimiacsont fi|m«s an dommanqant par la premier plat at elf ^erminant soit pir la daitiiAra paga qui comporta una ampraihte rimpraasion ou d'lllustration, soit par la second . lat. salon la caa. Tous lea autres axemplaires - originaux soht filmAs en commen^ant par la • pramlAre page qui comporte une empretnte d'impression ou d'illustratidn at en t|rminant par la darnlAre paga qui comporta una telle - . emprelnte.: - \- ■ '> Un des fymboles sulvants appara?tra sur la ,dernt*re image de'chaque microfiche, seion le cas: ia symboie -^^ signifie "A SUIVRE", la symbol^V signifie "FIN". . Les cartas, planches, tableaux^ etc.. peuvent Atre fiimis A des taux de r6duction difftrents. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit eh un seul clichA.'il est f ilm« A partir da rangia supArieur gauche, de gajjche A droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant ie nombre d'images nAces8Sire< Les diagrammes |u1vants illbstrent la mAthoda. ii 6 ;MiaOCpfV IHOIUTION TBT CHART X V : ^^ (ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ;■-. ■ / ;■ A .' ' ' ¥:: <€ I. d >^PPUED IN/MGE ii 165J E<»»t Mgin S«i»el Rocbertw, N««r York 14609 USA (716) 482 - qaOO - Phope (716) 288 - 5989 - Pax nc *n *i ^- ARCHIVES WESLEYAN METHODIST'S THOUGHTS APOUT PRAYER, THE BIBLE, THE HOUSE OP GOD, BAl>T,IS]f, THE lord's SUPPER, THE COVENANT, MY MINISTERS, MY CiASSj, HOME, MY MASTER, MY SERVANT, ^ MY COVtrSKV, GIVING, SORROW, • SICKNESS, AND DEATH* •\. 80y0titr: PJIIKTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE WE8LEYAN BOOK ROOM, KING STREET k^T. r.,^ -; \ * A WESLEY AN METHODIST'S TIIOUGIITS. .-#• done,,without to iiHi*t such Prayer. — Everything Borvea to reini id mo that I am ft most helpleHS creature. If God were to leave me to myself, no ■effort of mine couUl preserve to me mt health, my senses, or niy reason. Still less could I originiwe or maintain the life of holiness in my soul. There are a thousand spiritual enemies to grapple with ; the most subtleil and severe temp- tations to resist ; duties to which my natiu'e is sadly averse, to be constantly performed ; and " things! not seen " to be looked at and loved. How can all this Divine aid 1 But I know that God is willi aid to^all who earliefitly seek it. " If any nlan lacF^isdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and up- braideth not ; and it 'shall ho given him." It is on this account that I pray. Blind,-! ask for heavenly light and guidance: weak, I ask to bo strohgthoned by the Spirit's might : I impl6re grace to subdue and sanctify my earthly heart. , , Besides all this, I have committed iniquity. I have done wickedly. Time was when I did not believe tWs, but strove to hide it from myself. But now, God's law, applied to my conscience by the Holy Spirit^ has condemned me. I know and feel that I am guilty ; and if this guilt be not cancelled, 1 am for ever undone. But at the throne of grace, I may •.♦. V ~^. /I N :ji /' h ' .■,,■■ ■ dkjUbi mcTcy. ]>ploa(l thoro, in thn name of J^wns, and trufiting in His death for mo, to bo forgiven ; and then ^ ; " My Ood iH roconcilod, liis panhuiing voico I liear . Ho OWU8 m« for hia child, ' <■ I can ao longer foar." '" Thus would I pray, oncmiragwl by God's proTnisoR, and? gratofiilly owning his past goodnos^. From no other source can I dorivo tliese great blossings. No created being can remove tlio loa/I of guilt, renovate the Iioart, and bring "to heavHii. '.'tiOrd, to whom slmU we go) Tbon hast the words of eternal life.'' It is not to saints, or angels, or the Virgin Mother, that I would go. No: it is to God. Nor do I seek tlxoir intercession : " There is one Mediator between Gpd and men, the Ixuin Christ Jesus /' I need, desire no other. X wish to live in the spirit of prayer all the day long; whUe some seasons shall be expressly sot apart for com- .nlunion with God. Good Philip Henry said, " Let prayer be the key of the morning, arid the bolt of the evening.** ^ So sliall my devotions ascend to God with the morning light j and when thetshades of night gather around, my last a,ct shall be to commend my body and soul to Ged, the keeper of Israel. "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry alou^J." ' The Bible.— If one of my children, when absent from Home, were to allow a letter which I had addressed to him to lie unopened ftnd neglected, I should deem him guilty of great disrespect and want of filial affection. Now my Father in heaven has sent me a message of instruction, counsel, and love. It is here in the Holy Scriptures, which I i • « boar on ovory |»ftg« tlio ntarkH of tlipir fliviiuty. Tlio lYihU in (itxl'8 W.iU)r io iu«. How wroiip; it woro not to rwul it; or to rojul it iu a»\ otbor tlum uii limiihio, wriouH, uiul |«*iiy(u*- ful Hpirrt! Ami l\w fooliwh ! for in thin hook alono am I tiuiglitliovr to iivo and how tti dio. Wliat manner would cjwt away hiM cihart, or liis compivKs ! Y«!t thiH wouhl iiol ho coiuhict half no nukliiHi and infatuated, m for n»o — an iiuniortal, orring, sinful man — to neglect tho Bihlo. Tlion not a day «liall pass without my reading Bomo portion of tUin prexioua hook. It IH enlightening and life*-, giving. " Tho entrance of tliy wordH giveth light ; it giveth iimlorHtauding unto thd Kiniide. 'J'ho law of the Lord i^ perfect, converting tho souL" I would not read it cursorily 'or carelos-sly. I would, as exhorted by tho Saviour, tearch tho Scriptures ; thinking out there Wossed trutha, and caniestly praying ovor them. It is only thus tluit I can perceive all their sacred beauty, and realize their saving cfli- cacy. As many P'^^'t'id^y.io -Bible are ditHcult and mysteri- ous, I wish thankfuUlJPavail mysolf of tho helps furnished by conversation with exporiencod^nd intelligent Christians, and with my Pastors^ und by reference to books written by learned and pious men. At tho same tipi«, I wonld care- fully abstain from putting them in the place of the Bible, it must and shall stand foremost and linrivalled, I am" well convinced that iV i« the revelation of God to man : but tradition, the teachings of the Church, the opinions of fallible men, have no such authority. 1 cannot think that when God wrote his will in the books of Scripture, He wotdd do this in an unintelligible manner, or would l§aye it incom- plete. I rest, then, in the supremacy and sufHciency of the written word of God. All in the Bible I am bound to be- m^-; Uevo and practiw) ; but notliing olno in wwontinl to Rnlvatlon. "f havo thought, I Hill a crtnituio of luluy, i>iiHHiiig through lifo iiH ail arrow thrt)Ugh tho air. I am a Kpirit coino from OotI, and returning to God: juHt hovering over thft griuit gulf : till, a fow niotiiontH honce, I am no moro hooii ; I drop into an unohangoablo oturnity I I want to know oiio thing, — tho way to hoavon j how to landBafo on that h'lppy Hhoro. Qod himtiolf haH condvHconded to toach tlu) way ; for thiH very end ho camo down from luiavcn. Ho luith writtcJn it down in a book. O give me that lM>ok ! At any priye, givo mo tho book of God ! I havo it : hero ia knowledge enwigh for me."* f ' The House op God. — How fervent was tlio attachment of God's ancient peoi>le to Jerusalem I And in the case of the devout and right-minded among them, was it not because at Jerusalem was tho temple,— the house of tho Lord their God. It was "Zion, the city of their" solemnities." Ko wonder that its name was the symlK>l of liallowi]ag and ele* Vttted enjoyment : no wonder that it acted like a ^^ell to call Up the best feelings with which thojr hearts wei'e s^tbred. . For similar reasons I love my . place of Worship, ^nd gladly^, frequent it. T^here I join with the holy and good in public- ly confessing God as our God, and the King over tho wholp earth ; in offering gnitcfuj homage before his throne, and supplicating his blessing ; and in listening to his w:ord, as read and expottmkd by his conMtussioncd servant."^ ' ! *find that God's gracious promise is still tpue : " In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, andjj^^^ill bless thee." O how oft have I been enlightened, quicl r :-N 'i*- I ; - ^-- >-,-f-.r" ■X -f ' 1»- oonif<)rtfl<1,'\iul Rtrmigthonwl, whllo waiting within tliMrt orooon bloiwoil with the hopo and tho fon^tiHto of Uio liigh happiiu'fw «)f that worl*! of which "tliQ LortI God Almighty and thu Lamb ara tUo tomplo!" And not only wouM I account it my privilogo to atton^Jl^ with my family in tho honso of prayer, l»«it my conHcienco tellH iiw thai it Im my imnimlMmt duty. Ih not (Jod to l)0 publicly acknowlwlgml in hiB own world t Im not the churcli to bo as " a city Hot on a hill V Anobtrude themselves into it; but were called of God. They experL ■/ I '■ H I f: :■% * . ' " • ■ - ■ ...'■. mce(}L tho powerful constraint of tlio Holy Spirit on tholr Boulis, causing tliem to feel that necessity was laid upontkein to preach the Go8i)el ; and their own convictions were con- firmed and ratified by the constituted authorities in our branch of the church of Christ. -And the blessing that at- tends their labours is the seal of their apostleship. They are then God's commissioned ambassadors. And let m© remember the words of the Lord Jesus,—" He that receiveth whomsoever I flend, receiveth me." I would receive them therefore "in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in reputation." I would " esteem th6m very highly in love for their ^rk'a sake." When I am in sorrow, per- plexity, or trouble of mind, I would go to them, for comfort and direction, frankly confiding iu them as true friends, Nor can I doubt that their Master will make their pr^-yers, counsels, and ministrations a blessing to my souL As they have sown ilnto me spiritual things, they shall reap my worldly things. (2 Cor. ix. 11.) I esteem it a privilege to contribute toward their maintenance; nor would I meanly and wrongly regard such contribution in the light of alms or benefactions j but rather as being an equit- able acknowledgment of their cares and labours for my high- est and eternal interests. As little would I forget the duty of prayer for them. They have their trials as men; and how many additional and deep anxieties as Ministers ! What tremendous responsibilities they sustain. How much grace and holy unction they need to make them ensam- ples to the flock, and to give success to their efforts to spread the kingdom of the Redeemer! Often, then, will I plead with God on their behalf, that He would fill their souls with light and peace; and qualify them for their holy work, by -ilA •VVv 14 richly enduing them with " poww from on high.'' And I have always found Uiat the more I have remembered them at the throne of grace, the more of spiritual good have I de^ rived through their ministiy. Mt Class.-— I read of some in the ancient church of Ood who ''feared the Lord, and spake often one to another ;" and God pronounced a special blessing U|k>n them* Coming to "tiie New Testament, I find it Uiere enjoined, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray>for one ailother, that ye may be healed f and the fellowship of believers with each other is represebted as one of the choicest .privileges ofXthe militant church. Kow in my class-meeting I have the oppor- tunity of imitating these saints of past ages, and of perform- ing the duties, and realizing the benefits of the communion of saints. By being thus brought into more intimate inter- course with a little band of Christ's followers, my love to the brethren is increased. . Our mutual conversations and •prayers are helpful to me in my heavenward journey. I feel that I have friends among the excellent of the earth, who' "^take an affectionate interest in me, and delight to intercede Wim^^^cpd, for me when I am in special need or trouble, having thua^ regularly to disclose my spiritual exercises/ a salutary habit ^^self-inspection and godly jealousy over myself is chmshed. "^ii'\?!!^at may be peculiar in my case is met in a manner that it scarcdy could be in the public ordi- nances of religion; and often has it^^iefreshed and ihstructed ine to hear the Statements of those who know the way of God , more perfectly; often, in the midst of sore trialand conflict^ have I been comforted and encourage^ on finding .wal^' the name aipQiictions are fUscomplished in my brethren that are ,^. "J' :"■ '•■-■;■:"■■■....■■'■.,•■'■ ^*, ■■-■'/■■■ ,'■■-„■■'■•■■.,■ ■ ■:- the world." As the gifted Richard Watson saj'd, " It is by these blessed institutions, which so constantly respect tike end of all preaching, and of all religious profession, — the work of Qod in the hearty — that the blind are led in j^va right way j the penitent encouraged to the exercise of that faith in Christ, whereby cometh salvation ; the t«3mpted comforted; tmd all urged forward by the counsels of ex? perienoe, and the prayers of those who are united in this in- teresting fellowship, to the mack ,^f the prize of our higb ■ calling,* ■• . .^^, ' ■ ■' \k '] 1 therefore hail the hour of our meeting, an<»wo4ld go in the spirit of recollection and prayer. 1 would be fts frank and explicit in my statements as possible, guardinj^ against a loose, vague, or stereotyped style of expression. And as my, Leader must Imve inuch care about us, and grettt)[y needs spiritual wisdom to direct us aright, I will ever rejmember: him in prayer. Thus I hope that these means of gkace will be as weljs of water by iho way-side, and^' antepasts of the fellowship of heaven. Home,— It isGfodwho ^*setteth the solitary in families ,-* so that by families^ ond'in all i'heir affairs, He ought to b© acknowledged and adored. TIus then i» my r6solv©,— •* I a,nd my house will serve the Lord." I would be the more careful to show " piety at home," as it is here that my ex- ample and influence are most powerfully felt. Hojw much of circumspection, thoughtf^hiess, and jHrayer will this re- quire ; for if there be failings and inconsistenpies^ tjiey will be stire to be developed here. When Whitefield waa asked vhethcr a certain person was a good man, he replied, **^I >. ^ VtI t 1- ■ "^^ ■^ V r . k\.- .K |i [, ! [ !■ ■ ' , " ■ - * ■ know not : I never lived with liim." may I Imvo grace to walk within my house with a perfect heart I Ab a professed »(ervant of the Lord, I feel that it is my duty to regulate all family affairs^ such as style of living, associa- tions, habits, Ac.; according to the principles of the Bible, rather than those which are current in society at large. I utroidd not seem sanctimonious or unnecessarily singular : at the same time, 1 must let it be .seen that mine is a ChrUtian^^ househoid. John Howard's resolution is mine : " Wherever I have a tent, there God shall have an altar." Tliere will 1 • with my family, oflfer morning and evening worship to our Father in heaven. Hisprecioiis word shall be read. ' Fraise shall be presented to him for bestowing and continuing life, ^ health,! reason^ domestic comfort, and mutual love; and most of all for " the unspeakable gift." And earnest suppli- cation shall ascend, that ours may, be <*the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush." I would be scrupulously careful in reference to thes observance of the Sabbath in my family j not, however, making it a day of austerity and; gloom, but ,. one of quiet, of hallowed cheerfulness, of sacred duties and pleasures. , i I would acknowledge God in the training and government of my children\^ While I feel bound to give them as good an education as possible, I would in this be especially careful of their moral and religious training. And when they are to be settled in life, I would not sacrifice their spiritual in- terests to the prospect of worldly wealth and honour. With all tenderness and fidelity, I would press on them the mor mentous truths connected with their salvation, "allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way." I know that in tins ■,#'■ ..V. .'. ■■ v., ■■•■■■,17 . . rospeot, my roHiwnsibility is great. But God's covenant in ordorod iu all things and sure ; His proiniso cannot fail : and wliile I look to him for his blehsing, 1 would solonmly re- solve to do my part. So earnest and faithful would I bo with each one of my offspring that I may bo a1>lo to adopt the language addressed by Bolton to his children, when on his death-bod, " I think verily nope of you dare think to meet me at the grout tribumvl in an unfogonerate condition." Thus would, I seek to make mine a happy home. Over all its concerns the spiiit of religion shall preside ; and kindliness, love, and joy shall circulato around our hearth. And then, \^' When soon or late wo roach that coast, O'or life's rough ocean driven ; May we rejoice, no wanderer lost, j^ family in heaven." ■.%''' My Master. — ^I would "count my master worthy of al honour." He is placed by the provide»tial appointment oi God above me ; so that I ought to avoid everything rude in my carriage, or contemptuous in my «pecch, towards him. If he be, like myself, a professor of religion, I would respect him the more, according to the Apostle's admonition^ (I Tim, vi. 2.) All his commands, where they are not at variance with God's, shall be ot)eyed : and this whether his eye be upon me or not ; without. grudging, or murmuring, but " heartily and with good-will, as to the Lord." I would be scrupulously honest and faithful in all that is committed to my trust ; and no more waste his goods than I would my own; "not purloining, but showing all goWSfidelity," I fr.i.0 . ti ^:^C' ^ . ^p; would guard my«olf against injuring him in reputation or «ny otiicr thing by tho idlo liubit of goiwiping uitd tale- bearing. Atxd let jne not ix^pine l)ecau8e I have Id occupy myself in what may seom low and menial afiaira. The Apostle teaches us, .(Eph. vi. 5-8^Col. iii. 22-24,) that if thoFe duties be discharged in a religious spirit, they shall" all be accepted by God as service done to him ; so that, while I am about my daily avocations/if my eye and heart bo fixed on Him, I am as truly seiVing on^ glorifying Him as tJ»e Christian Minister in his more smictly spiritual labours. And blessed be God it is permitted m^in my station to ,a# vance the cause of Christ. The little captive maid in- strumentally brought about Noaman's cure and converaion ; and so may I, by a meek, consistent, and godly deportment, recommend my Saviour's service, and adorn His doctrinei My Servant.— In selecting those whom I am to employ, especially if under my roof, 1 would prefer such as are of the household of faith. For the sake of my children, I would seek for godly domestics; ^* Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me ; he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me." (Psalm oi.^6.) A just and equitable remuneration shall be given by me fof all the labour thus rendered ; for it is a most odious and in- iquitous thing to oppress the hireling in his y^&ge». While maintaifilng the pfof»ef authority with which God in his provi. dence h^ Atrusted me, I would at the same time guard against all harshness and superCiliousttesJs. ItiiTOuld be most unworthy conduct to treat one who is immoi^la^^nd re- darned like myself, in a hatighty, or passionatei 'OT uIqoo- V:- A. \ '. ■■ t \ '. ■■ I 19 • Biilorato nmnnnr. It would l>o ofToriHivoto Tliin who is my Mjwtor in lioivven. It would (dlVictually prevent tho BUoceHii of my attomptH to promoto tho Hpi ritual intoroHts of Huch aH are depoiuleut on uie. For I wouUl not forget that hucU effoi-ts are my incunil»ont duty. I ought to Uo all in my jwwer to induce thorn to taiko tho yoke of ChriHt uixm them. I^t me then recommend it to them by kind anIiticHl - coiiHulomtiou ; woU HiitiHti(iroiU!b to any |M!Opl(9." I wotild rtv* momlior tliu duty of pniying for KiiigH, and for nil tbat aro in autfiority. And m I Itoliovu tbat wo aro a guilty nation, X would, liko Danitd, tho patriot t'ropbi^t, buniblo niymdf boforo the Lord. UocauHo of provailing wonllinoHH, Htibbatli- breaking, national pride, and faitbloHHiioss to our character as a ProteHtimt nation, God may be justly angry with uh. I will then pload with Ilim to turn'awavhiH wrath ; todifluHo his truth and righteouHnoMti throu^l|^f tho land ; to diHiioNo those in high places to own tl|» clahus of his truth and cause ; and thus to give us the huppinoss of tho people whose Ood is tho hord. Ql|^i)fO. — t wish over to rememlier that whatever amount of w6ic||ly good I possosss, be it less or more, I have been entrusted with it by God, and am t(fbmploy it in subo tion to him. I am not its independent proprietor, i|teward, acconntable for the nuftOn^l^ft which it is e and ^ised. Now it is plainly God^s will, as reveale word, 4]^t fKun,e portion of our property should be employed in mi felkiw-cj " receiv good eite this causu; to the tom})oral and spiritual wants of our humai\ family. As, then, I have so it^buld I minister the same, aa a s ma|d^^ grace." ^ I would Hot do ly atmt' from mere impulse; but on a system, thoughtfully, prayerfully and conscientiouBly adopted. Thus It was enjoined the childi-en of Israel that r every man shall give as be is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy i 1# 1^, M^^ •^ I ^ ■ 21 ■• %■ l^-^ ^. ' ii lio hatli Riven thoo." Ami tlin holy Aportfe " lAit I) very oiio of you lay l>y liim in utow nM ^dMj^liaih proHporncl liiiu :" )>y which ho nrgcn, ni Faloy ba|^ juiilfy olmorvucl, *' tho boing charitable u[)OU a phm." • '^JlimI in (hitemiihing what jrrofxyrtion of my income nfcnll bo Hot apart to God and liiH cauHO, I will endeavour to call Into exereiHO tlie grace of w?lf-denial. Shall I " offer of tSat which doth coHt me nothing," to Ilini who, " though tie wirb rich, yet for our sakoH became [K>or, that we through hln poverty might be rich 1 " ConHidering how many claims oa the liberality of Christians there are, I would oxcrciqe ti proper discrimination, selecting from among the excellent enterprises of the Christian church, such as are in the most urgent need, and as accompliHh the highest and noblest good. The temporal distresses of those around me are to bo re* lieved ; and, chief of all, aid must be given to the efforts made to evangelize my country and tJie world. And to be permitted to do this, praise shall be given to Gotl's glorious name. " Who am I, that I should be able to offer so will- '** ingly after this sort I" Freely 1 have received ; freely will I give. These contributions are not a burden nor a tax. Neither are they given with tho foolish and unscriptural idea of purchasing God's favour, or meriting heaven. They aro , but small and mo«t inadequate expressions of my infinite ob- icd Saviour who gave iiiM8cu.r for me. ligationiybo SoBBow, SiqKNESS, AND DiiATH.\ — Adversity, in one form or other, is necessary for the purposes of moral discipline. "What is noble and exalted in character can never otlierwiso be developed, tlie injurious influence of the world counter- .v ""'-.'-/. *r*- ( < « \» .^-•s •\ <^ V acted,, nor the fruits of righiteousness matured. It is on this account, that Qod, as a wise and gi'acious Father, chastises those whom he loves. " Every branch that b«ireth fruit, he'purgeth,"or pruneth, "it, that it may bring forth more fruit"' - But I have no right to brings trouble on myself by my own misconduct or fanaticism. God only has a perfect knowledge of my character j so that he alone knows how far, and in what manner, it Is proper for me to be tried. The misguided Bomanist may impose self-infiicted penances, or perversely refuse to take the blessings and comforts of this life which God's tender care provides; but can this be well^pleasing to God 1 Can it give increased sanctity 1 Is^ it not virtually questioning the wisdom of the appointments of an ail-wise Providence f " Who hath required thia at your hands?" And further,' I may do what lies in my power to alleviate or to remove the burden of distress. Thus, by provident management and foresight, I ought to strive to prevent future pecuniary embairassment. And it is my duty to be most careful of the preservation of my health and life. Habits which inevitably engender disease, or the neglect of it when it befalls me, woilld be sins against myself, my family, and my Maker. Still as I must have tribulation in the; world, I will en- dedvour to fortify my mind against it, and anxiously seek to defiive the spiritual profit which it is intended to impart. The wisest of men exhorti^ " In the day of adversity cpnsidefv" 1 would consider what is the design of God in appointing it ; especially searching into the defects of my character and Ohristian experience, all which may, by these k:-: .^' k:-: ■■■ 23. ■■ sorrows and trials, be reniedisd. The sick chamber, or the house of mourning, is thepleM)e to cultivate self-acquaintance , to humble the heart before God, and to get solemn and affecting views of the " things eternal and unseen. " And if I neither despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when rebuked of him, I know he will sustain, comfort, and bless me.. Even in these dark days, I find much to console me. Never is Qod's blessed book dearer. The sympathy, visits, counsels, and prayers of pious friends and my Pastor all cheer me. And, best of all, the Son jof Man is graciously present with me in the furnace* -^ *I!hen I would remember that the close of this life of mingled joy and sorrow is hastening; and it would betray criminal w^kness or carelessness not to look forward to it, and to arr&ige niy tfipporal concerns in reference to it. I would seek for the wM^t and holiest of my friends, to be the guardians of iny children when I am gone; and if I have any property to leave behind, I would give the most explicit and equitable directions about it, so that there might be no heart-burnings or jealousies among those connected : with 'me. ■ ■ ! I know that by far the best consolation to survivera, and the most satisfactory evidence of final safety, are found in a life spent in walking with God and doing his will ; and I am chiefly solicitous that such should be my case. Still, if it be the will of my heavenly Father, I should be thankful to be delivered from sudden death. I would fain review my life, 'compose my spirit, and repair more earnestly than ever to the fountain dpened for sin and uncleanness, before entering on the invisible and eternal world. It would give ibe sweet peace and satisfaction then, once more^ to partake -•/" '.■:■'}■' M 6f the memorials of my Saviour'is death and paission,— not that I superstitiously think of it as a charm to make me Bure of heaven ;— but I woi|d again hold communion with Him and his followers in this blessed sacrament, and in life's latest hour show forth the Lord's death by which I hope to rise to the life immortal. And I should deem it a privilege to be able then to give some words of counsel and consolation to those whom I have loved, and whom I must leave to join ihe family above. This, therefore, is my prayer:— ; " So when thou sendest, Lord for me, " '■'■'■■■■ O let the messenger be love ! Whisper thy love into my heart, » Warn me of my approaching end I And then I joyfully depart, And then I to thy arms ascend." TORONTO: PUBLlSnED AT THE WESLEYAN BOOK BOOM, KIWQ STREET EAST, #^>'