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At this period Mr. Wilberforce's "Practical View" made its appearance; and I trust I may, without offence in any quarter, allow the public to observe the impression which that work made upon my father's mind.

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April 26, 1797. It is a most noble and manly stand for the gospel; full of good sense, and most useful observations on subjects quite out of our line; and in all respects fitted for usefulness; and, coming from such a man, it will probably be read by many thousands, who can by no means be brought to attend either to our preaching or writings. Taken in all its probable effects, I do sincerely think such a bold stand for vital Christianity has not been made in my memory. He has come out beyond all my expectations. He testifies of the noble, and amiable, and honourable, that their works are evil; and he proves his testimony beyond all denial. He gives exactly the practical view of the tendency of evangelical principles, for which I contend; only he seems afraid of Calvinism, and is not very systematical: perhaps it is so much the better.-It seems, likewise, a book suited to reprove and correct some timid friends, who are at least half afraid of the gospel, being far more prudent than the apostles were; or we should never have been able to spell out Christian truths from their writings. But it is especially calculated to show those their mistake, who preach evangelical doctrines, without a due exhibition of their practical effects. I pray God to do much good by it! and I cannot but hope that I shall get much good from it, both as a preacher and a Christian."

Indeed, of all the high and deserved compliments

which have been paid to this work, scarcely any, it has appeared to me, have more strongly spoken its worth, than the manner in which my father always regarded it. In general, I was tempted to think that he formed rather too low an estimate of the books which came before him, especially those connected with his own profession; which arose, no doubt, from the depth of thought which he had himself bestowed upon the subjects of them. But the sentiments of this work appeared to him so just, and many parts of it as he expresses it, "so much out of our accustomed

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line," that he recurred to it again and again, and never seemed weary of the perusal.

From a letter full of wise, animating, and exciting counsel, but too personal to be inserted more at large, I give the following extracts.

"November 28, 1797. Upon the whole, if I have many difficulties and discouragements in one way, they are counterbalanced in another; and I have every reason to think, that the Lord will make my poor labours from the press considerably, and, I hope, durably useful. My answer to Paine has been reprinted, and, I am told, is approved in America. The Force of Truth has also been reprinted there....I mention this to show you, that the Lord will make use of honest, though mean endeavours to promote his cause; and that he mixes encouragements with humiliating dispensations, in his dealings with those who trust in him. . . . The Lord puts his treasure into earthen vessels; such as men despise, and such as think meanly of themselves. He makes little use of those attainments and accomplishments which men so much admire, and which many think absolutely

essential to the ministry.... Consider well the worth of immortal souls; the millions, all over the world, who are perishing for lack of knowledge; the awful delusions which prevail, even in this land; the few, comparatively, of even honest and faithful preachers; how the Lord is taking many of them from us; what a determined combination is every where made against Christianity; and what an honour it will at last be found, to have been decidedly on the Lord's part—an instrument of defeating the gates of hellof sowing seed for that harvest which he will shortly gather—as well as of rescuing, though it be but a few, souls from eternal destruction, to be your crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming. With all my discouragements and sinful despondency, in my better moments I can think of no work worth doing, compared with this. Had I a thousand lives, I would willingly spend them in it: and had I as many sons, I should gladly devote them to it.-I have little doubt that you will see your way clear before the time comes: and though a country situation may probably be most eligible, yet, I trust you will say, Here am I, Lord, send me where thou wilt. (Isaiah vi. 8.)...

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Praying frequently helps to pray fervently.... "Watch against heartlessness as against the grossest crime; for it is very dishonourable to the mercy and grace of the gospel, and to His name, who commands his servants to rejoice in hope; and a very great hindrance to active endeavours to glorify him.... Strive against reserve.... Beware lest pride, and fastidiousness, and the fear of not acquitting yourself creditably, influence you to be silent, where

you should speak: for pride may work this way, as well as in forwardness and self-sufficiency. Nature always needs counteracting and correcting: and whatever endowment is, or may be necessary to the service intended for us, we should long before be asking it of the Lord in daily prayer, and using means to obtain it, and to overcome impediments: and, though we may for a long time seem unsuccessful, we shall find, at length, that it has not been in vain.

"I am sorry to hear of Mr.'s death, and of but Mr. Milner's death especially affects me, and bids me redouble my diligence, while the day lasts."

With Mr. Milner of Hull, my father had no personal acquaintance. That he had the highest esteem for his character, I need not say. His death took place the same month in which this letter was written, in the fifty-fourth year of his age.

A passage in the latter part of this letter reminds me of a beautiful sentence of Plato, Archbishop of Moscow, who enumerates among the "external signs," by which our "internal devotion" should be indicated, "joy of countenance, produced by a glad heart, sensible of the infinite goodness of God."

A letter, dated February 14, 1798, gives an account of a long conversation with the late Dean of Carlisle, (Dr. Milner,) in which "a variety of questions, both concerning doctrines, experience, and the state of religion in town," were discussed. My father says, "He allowed nearly all my sentiments as true and important; but I could hardly persuade him that any men, who were not totally and evidently bad characters, would hold such notions, and

make such abuses of the gospel, as I too well know many do."-I insert this sentence, because I am aware, that persons at a distance from the scene in which my father lived, and strangers to many things which came under his observation, have been ready to judge him unduly apprehensive of antinomian abuses of the gospel.

The remainder of the letter shows the " godly jealousy" with which he looked upon any degree of success, however slight, obtained in the university: and is one among a thousand proofs, how far he was from viewing things with the eyes of "a man of this world." "I I rejoice with trembling; and would suggest a cautious, jealous watchfulness. I know how the heart is to be puffed up prone with any kind of distinction, or supposed advance, or comparative knowledge. I feel it to this hour, after all my mortifications; and I cannot do without them. I am aware how bewitching those studies must appear to a youthful mind in your situation-among so many who judge by unscriptural rules-which procure applause, distinction, or the prospect of secular advantage; and what a strong temptation there is, to devote more time to them, than to others of far more importance, which are of small repute in the world, but derive an unspeakable value from their enabling the possessor, though poor, to make many rich, and having nothing, yet to possess all things. I own I have a higher aim for you, than any eminence in an university, or any acquirements of human learning could bestow: and I hope you have, and will have the same for yourself.

I may be permitted to say, that I derive much

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