way home, as I expect to proceed thither from Cambridge. It will considerably facilitate my executing this plan, if your service is on a week-day, as I fear it will be quite out of my power to add another sabbath to my excursion. It will give me very high satisfaction to see you once more in the flesh, if it be only for a day or two; the time, I am afraid, must be very short.

I am far advanced in my answer to Mr. Kinghorn, and expect it will be in the press in a very few weeks. I am afraid it will be a more hasty performance than I wish. It is exactly as you say: there is more difficulty in disentangling his arguments, than in replying to them. He is unques

tionably a clever man. I hope, however, that I

have succeeded in shewing the utter fallacy of

far greater part of his reasoning; but the must judge.

I desire to be affectionately

Mrs. Langdon, and remain,

Your most affectionate Fri

for preferring it, ostentation in a com of your disposition. repulsive. Theres these perpetual s the deficiency of ar Missions. If annuai congregation, and such to subscribe who are me with propriety be done struggle who shall re theatrical and abomina it, prognosticate ill There is one sim opinion, of prometing yet been tried on = annual collection which is att

measure

it wor

"

515

upon

1 who

he con1 so long

1 is never

ressure of

s the world heering that

h the gospel

a reconciled ow that "He is ".mities," and that nant with us, well ,"these are wells You, my dear friend, se sure cordials and Jould you be called to

of the shadow of death,

rod and staff will com

le for me to suggest any which you are not already it I be permitted to advert ce, I should say, that I have salutary as to turn the mind Saviour: "Whosoever calleth f the Lord, shall be saved." To y to Christ, to cast ourselves inhis power and grace, as revealed , appears to be the best antidote to ey to despondency. I have no doubt

way home, as I expect to proceed thither from Cambridge. It will considerably facilitate my executing this plan, if your service is on a week-day, as I fear it will be quite out of my power to add another sabbath to my excursion. It will give me very high satisfaction to see you once more in the flesh, if it be only for a day or two; the time, I am afraid, must be very short.

I am far advanced in my answer to Mr. Kinghorn, and expect it will be in the press in a very few weeks. I am afraid it will be a more hasty

performance than I wish. It is exactly as you say: there is more difficulty in disentangling his arguments, than in replying to them. He is unquestionably a clever man. I hope, however, that I have succeeded in shewing the utter fallacy of the far greater part of his reasoning; but the public must judge.

I desire to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. Langdon, and remain,

Your most affectionate Friend and Brother,

LVI.

ROBERT HALL.

TO DR. RYLAND.

Leicester, August 8, 1817.

You are the best judge, but I am quite

at a loss to perceive the utility of having all the

missionary sermons preached at one season. Such

a method of procedure makes more noise and parade than if they were preached at separate times, it is true; and this is probably the chief motive for preferring it, with those who appear studious of ostentation in religious exertions: but, to a person of your disposition, I presume it would rather be repulsive. There is something I do not like in these perpetual suggestions of Mr. respecting the deficiency of your collections for the Baptist Missions. If annual collections are made in each congregation, and such individuals are solicited to subscribe who are able and disposed, what can with propriety be done more? This perpetual struggle who shall get most money, and the theatrical and abominable arts exerted to procure it, prognosticate ill to the real interests of religion. There is one simple and effectual mode, in my opinion, of promoting the mission, which has never yet been tried on any extensive scale; namely, an annual collection in every baptist congregation which is attached to its interests. If such a measure were resolved upon in your association, it would soon spread to others, and would shortly become a standing practice in all our congregations; and their number is such, that, with the sums which would incidentally fall in from other quarters, the pecuniary resources of the society would be as great as we ought to aspire to. As to collecting a great number of ministers together, for the purpose of making a collection, nothing, in my opinion, can be more injudicious. Besides, why

should more assemble than are wanted? and what a waste of money attendant on the travelling of so many from distant parts! I do most earnestly wish, my dear brother, you would set yourself in earnest towards promoting annual collections, and making them universal.

I feel extremely concerned for the uneasiness you have felt. My poor prayers will not be wanting in your behalf: but, alas! how far am I from having power with God! Do not, my dear brother, let your spirits sink; you are dear to God, and he will, I am persuaded, support you, and bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your

66

judgement as the noon-day."

LVII.

TO WILLIAM HOLLICK, ESQ.

My dear Friend,

Leicester, August 11, 1817.

your

It is with great concern I have heard of illness. Mr. Edmonds informed me [some time ago that] you were very poorly; but I have been much concerned to hear that you have since been much worse, and that you suffer much from your complaint.

Mrs. Hall and myself have been long anticipating the pleasure of seeing you shortly at Cambridge, and of renewing the pleasure we derived from our former visit. But, alas! how uncertain are all