affection, but his heavenly mindedness, his gentle | religion: I want a more habitual sense of the divine manner of persuading, and how every argument presence; I want to walk with God as Enoch walkwas fetched from religion, and every incident im-ed. There is nothing that grieves me so much, or proved for introducing it:brings so much darkness on my soul, as my little spirituality, and frequent wanderings in secret prayer. I cannot neglect the duty; but it is seldom that I enjoy it. Chipping Norton, August 15, 1792. "I believe, on retrospection, that I have hitherto anticipated the proposed time of my return, rather than delayed the interview with my dear Sarah for an hour. But what shall I say my love now, to reconcile you to my procrastinating my return for several days more? Why, I will say, it appears I am called of God; and I trust the piety of both of us will submit and say, Thy will be done. "S. P." 'Ye that love the Lord indeed Tell me, is it so with you?' When I come to the house of God, I pray and preach with freedom. Then I think the presence of the people seems to weigh more with me than the presence of God, and deem myself a hypocrite, almost ready to leave my pulpit, for some more pious preacher. But the Lord does own the word; and again I say, if I go to hell myself, I will do what I can to keep others from going thither; and so in the strength of the Lord I will. "An observation once made to me, helps to support me above water:-'If you did not plough in your closet, you would not reap in the pulpit.' And again I think the Lord dwelleth in Zion, and loveth it more than the dwellings of Jacob. "You have no doubt perused Mr. Ryland's letter to me, wherein I find he solicits an exchange. The reason he assigns is so obviously important, that a much greater sacrifice than we are called to make, should not be withheld to accomplish it. I therefore propose, God willing, to spend the next Lord's day at Northampton. I thought of taking tea with you this evening:-that would have been highly gratifying to us both; but it must be our meat and drink to do and submit to the will of our heavenly S. P." Father. All is good that comes from him, and all Feb. 1, 1793. is done right which is done in obedience to him. Oh to be perfectly resigned to his disposal-how "The pleasure which your friendly epistle gave good is it! May you, my dearest Sarah, and my-me, rises beyond expression; and it is one of the self, daily prove the sweetness of this pious frame | first wishes of my heart ever to live in your valued of soul: then all our duties will be sweet, all our friendship. Accept this, and my former letters, my trials will be light, all our pleasures will be pure, dear brother, as sufficient evidences of my ardent and all our hopes sanctified." wishes to preserve by correspondence, that mutual "This evening I hope to be at Northampton. Let remembrance of each other, which on my part will your prayers assist my efforts on the ensuing Sab- ever be pleasurable, and on yours, I hope, never bath. You will, I trust, find in Mr. R. a ship richly painful. laden with spiritual treasures. Oh for more sup-ble of such an intercourse! When I left Bristol, I "But ah, how soon may we be rendered incapaplies from the exhaustless mines of grace! left it with regret. I was sorry to leave my studies to embark (inexperienced as I am) on the tempes tuous ocean of public life, where the high blowing winds, and rude and noisy billows, must more or less inevitably annoy the trembling voyager. Nor did it make a small addition to my pain, that I was to part with so many of my dear companions, with whom I had spent so many happy hours, either in furnishing or unburthening the mind. I need not say, among the first of these I considered Josiah Evans. But ah, my friend, we shall see his face no more! Through divine grace I hope we shall go to him, but he will not return to us. He wasted away, he gave up the ghost, and where is he? I The last time I heard directly from him, was by a was prepared for the news, because I expected it. very serious and affectionate letter, which I received, I think, last September. To it I replied; and now my conjectures and fears are all realized. but received no answer. I conjectured, I feared; Dear departed youth! thy memory will ever be grateful to this affectionate breast. May thy amiable qualities live again in thy surviving friend, that to the latest period of his life he may thank God for the friendship of Josiah Evans. The soul of Mr. Pearce was formed for friendship: it was natural, therefore, to suppose, that while engaging in the pursuit of his studies at the academy, he would contract religious intimacies with some of his brethren; and it is worthy of notice, that the grand cement of his friendship was kindred piety. In the two following letters, addressed to his friend, Mr. Steadman, the reader will perceive the justness of this remark, as well as the encouraging prospects which soon attended his labors at Birmingham: May 9, 1792. MY VERY DEAR BROTHER-"You live so remote that I can hear nothing of your prosperity at Broughton. I hope you are settled with a comfortable people, and that you enjoy much of your Master's presence, both in the study and the pulpit. For my part, I have nothing to lament but an insensible, ungrateful heart, and that is sufficient cause for lamentation. This, only this, bows me down; and under this pressure I am ready to adopt the words 1 preached from last evening:-Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest! "As a people, we are generally united; I believe more so than most churches of the same dimensions. Our number of members is about two hun-feel dred and ninety-five, between forty and fifty of whom have joined us since I saw you, and most of them I have the happiness of considering as my children in the faith. There is still a crying out amongst us after salvation; and still, through much grace, it is my happiness to point them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. "In preaching, I have often peculiar liberty; at other times barren. I suppose my experience is like that of most of my brethren: but I am not weary of my work. I hope still that I am willing to spend and be spent, so that I may win souls to Christ, and finish my course with joy; but I want more heart "I assure you, my dear Steadman, I feel, keenly the force of the sentiment, which Blair thus elegantly expresses 'Of joys departed ne'er to be recall`d, How painful the 'remembrance!' "But I sorrow not as one without hope. I have a two-fold hope: I hope he is now among the spirits of the just made perfect, and that he will be of the blessed and holy number who have part in the first resurrection: and I hope also, through the same rich, free, sovereign, almighty, matchless grace, to join the number too. Pleasing thought! Unite to divide no more! "I preached last night from Rev. xxi. 6: 'I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.' I took occasion to expound I have prized the gospel more than ever, and hope the former part of the chapter, and found therein ait will be the means of guarding me against future pleasure inexpressible; especially when speaking temptations. Your brother, with ardent affection, from the first verse-' And there was no more sea.' in the dear Lord Jesus. S. P." The first idea which presented itself to me was this From his first coming to Birmingham, his meek-there shall be no bar to intercourse. Whether theness and patience were put to the trial by an Antithought be just or not, I leave with you and my nomian spirit, which infected many individuals, hearers to determine: But I found happy liberty in both in and out of his congregation. It is well illustrating it. What is it that separates one nation, known, with what affection it was his practice to and one part of the globe from another? Is it not beseech sinners to be reconciled to God, and to exthe sea? Are not Christians, though all of one fa- hort Christians to the exercise of practical godlimily, the common father of which is God, separated ness: but these were things which they could not by this sea, or that river, or the other stream be- endure. Soothing doctrine was all they desired.low? Yes; but they are one family still. There Therefore it was, that his ministry was traduced by shall be none of these obstructions to communion, them as Arminian, and treated with neglect and of these bars to intercourse; nothing to divide their contempt. But, like his divine Master, he bore affections or disunite their praise for ever. Forgive the contradiction of sinners against himself, and my freedoms, I am writing to a friend, to a brother. this while he had the strongest satisfaction, that in those very things to which they objected, he was pleasing God. And though he plainly perceived the pernicious influence of their principles upon their own minds, as well as the minds of others, yet he treated them with great gentleness and long forbearance; and when it became necessary to exclude such of this description, as were in communion with him, it was with the greatest reluctance that he came into that measure, and not without having first tried all other means in vain. He was not apt to deal in harsh language; yet in one of his letters about that time, he speaks of the principles and spirit of these people, as a "cursed leaven." "S. P." There are few, if any, thinking men, but who at some seasons, have had their minds perplexed with regard to religious principles, even those which are of the greatest importance. In the end, however, where the heart is right, they commonly issue in a more decided attachment to the truth. Thus it was with Mr. Pearce. In another part of the above letter, he thus writes to his friend Steadman :-"I have since I saw you, been much perplexed about some doctrinal points, both Arminian and Socinian, I believe through reading very attentively, but without sufficient dependence on the Spirit of truth, several controversies on those subjects; particularly Among his numerous religious friendships, he the writings of Whitby, Priestly, and others. In- seems to have formed one, for the special purpose deed, had the state of mind I was in about ten of spiritual improvement. This was with Mr. Sumweeks since continued, I should have been incapa-mers, of London, who often accompanied him in ble of preaching with comfort at all. But in the mount of the Lord will he be seen. Just as I thought of giving up, he who hath the hearts of all men in his hand, and turneth them as the rivers of water are turned, was pleased, by a merciful though afflicting providence, to set me at a happy liberty. his journeys; to whom, therefore, it might be expected he would open his heart without reserve.Here, it is true, we sometimes see him, like his brethren, groaning under darkness, want of spirituality, and the remains of indwelling sin; but frequently rising above all, as into his native element, and pouring forth his ardent soul in expressions of joy and praise. On Aug. 19, 1793, he writes thus: "I was violently seized with a disorder very rife here, and which carried off many, supposed to be an inflammation in the bowels. One Sabbath even"MY DEAR BROTHER--When I take my pen to ing I felt such alarming symptoms, that I did not pursue my correspondence with you, I have no conexpect to see the Monday morning. In these circum-cern but to communicate something which may stances I realized the feelings of a dying man. My answer the same end we propose in our annual jourmind had been so accustomed to reflect on virtue neys: viz. lending some assistance in the important and moral goodness, that the first thing I attempted, object of getting, and keeping nearer to God. This was a survey of my own conduct; my diligence I am persuaded is the mark at which we should be and faithfulness in the ministry, my unspotted life, continually aiming, nor rest satisfied until we attain &c. &c. But ah! vain props these for dying men that to which we aspire. I am really ashamed of to rest on! Such heart sins, such corruptions and myself, when on the one hand, I review the time evil propensities recurred to my mind, that if ever that has elapsed since I first assumed the Christian I knew the moment when I felt my own righteous- name, with the opportunities of improvement in ness to be like loathsome and filthy rags, it was godliness which have crowded on my moments then. And where should I, where could I, where since that period; and when on the other, I feel did I flee, but to Him whose glory and grace I had the little advance I have made! More light, to be been of late degrading, at least in my thoughts? sure, I have; but light without heat leaves the Yes, there I saw peace for guilty consciences, was Christian half dissatisfied. Yesterday I preached to be alone obtained through an almighty Saviour. on the duty of engagedness in God's service, from And O! wonderful to tell, I again came to him; Jer. xxx. 21, 'Who is this that engaged his heart nor was I sent away without the blessing. I found to approach unto me? saith the Lord. (A text for him full of all compassion, ready to receive the which I am indebted to our last journey.) While most ungrateful of men. urging the necessity of heart religion, including sincerity and ardor, I found myself much assisted by reflecting on the ardor which our dear Redeemer discovered in the cause of sinners. 'Ah,' I could 'O! to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be.' Thus, my dear brother, was the snare broken, and not help saying, 'if our Saviour had measured his thus I escaped. 'A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing.' Join with me in praising Him, who remembered me in my low estate, because his mercy endureth for ever. Yet this is among the all things. I have found it has made me more spiritual in preaching. intenseness in his engagements for us, by our fer- 'Dear Lord, the ardor of thy love "Two things are causes of daily astonishment to me--the readiness of Christ to come from heaven | ness; and scarce a day passes over my head, but I say, were it not for an ungrateful heart I should be to earth for me; and my backwardness to rise from earth to heaven with him. But oh how animating the prospect! A time approaches when we shall rise to sink no more: to be for ever with the Lord.' To be with the Lord for a week, for a day, for an hour; how sweetly must the moments pass! But to be for ever with the Lord that instamps salvation with perfection; that gives an energy to our hopes, and a dignity to our joy, so as to render it 'unspeakable and full of glory!' I have had a few In a letter to Mrs. Pearce, from Plymouth, dated realizing moments since we parted, and the effect Sept. 2, 1794, the dark side of the cloud seems tohas been, I trust, a broken heart. O, my brother, it wards him: "I have felt much barrenness, says he, is desirable to have a broken heart, were it only for as to spiritual things, since I have been here, com the sake of the pleasure it feels in being helped and pared with my usual frame at home: and it is a healed by Jesus! Heart affecting views of the Poor exchange to enjoy the creature at the expense cursed effects of sin, are highly salutary to a Chris- of the Creator's presence: a few seasons of spiritatian's growth in humility, confidence, and gratitude.ality I have enjoyed; but my heart, my inconstant At once how abasing and exalting the comparison heart, is too prone to rove from its proper centre. of our loathsome hearts with that of the lovely Sa- Pray for me, my dear, my dearest friend! I do for viour! In him we see all that can charm an an- you daily. Oh wrestle for me, that I may have gel's heart; in ourselves, all that can gratify a more of Enoch's spirit! I am fully persuaded that devil's. And yet we may rest perfectly assured a Christian is no longer really happy, and inwardly that these nests of iniquity shall ere long be trans-satisfied, than whilst he walks with God; and I formed into the temples of God; and these sighs of Would this moment rejoice to abandon every plea isure here for a closer walk with him. I cannot, sorrow be exchanged for songs of praise. amidst all the round of social pleasure, amidst the most inviting scenes of nature, feel that peace with God which passeth understanding. My thirst for preaching Christ, I fear, abates, and a detestable the world terms it) has already cost me many cunvanity for the reputation of a "good preacher" (as flicts. Daily I feel convinced of the propriety of a remark which my friend Summers made on his journey to Wales, that It is easier for a Christian to walk habitually near to God, than to be irregular in our walk with him.' But I want resolution; I want a contempt for the world; I want more hea venly-mindedness; I want more humility; I want much, very much of that, which God alone can be stow. Lord, help the weakest lamb in all thy flock! "Last Lord's day I spent the most profitable Sabbath to myself, that I ever remember since I have been in the mistry; and to this hour I feel the sweet solemnities of that day delightfully protracted. Ah, my brother, were it not for past experience, I should say, My heart presumes I cannot lose But now I rejoice with .rembling; desiring to 'hold Ere one fleeting hour is past, The flattering world employs "Yours, in our dear Saviour, S. P." In another letter to Mr. Summers, dated June 24, 1794, he thus writes:-" We, my friend, have enter ed on a correspondence of heart with heart, and must not lose sight of that avowed object. I thank you sincerely for continuing the remembrance of so unworthy a creature, in your intercourse with heaven: and I thank that sacred Spirit, whose quickening influences you say you enjoy in the exercise. Yes, my brother, I have reaped the fruits of your supplications. I have been indulged with some seasons of unusual joy, tranquil as solitude, and solid as the rock on which our hopes are built. In public exercises, peculiar assistance has been afforded; especially in these three things-the exaltation of the Redeemer's glory; the detection of the crooked ways, false refuges, and self-delusions of the human heart; and the stirring up of the saints to press onward, making God's cause their own, and considering themselves as living not for themselves, but for him alone. "Nor hath the word been without its effect; above fifty have been added to our church this year, most of whom I rejoice in, as the seals of my ministry in the Lord. Indeed I am surrounded with good "I preached this evening from Cant. ii. 3: 'Isat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.' But how little love for my Saviour did I feel! with what little affection and zeal did I speak! I am, by some, praised; I am followed by many; I am respected by most of my acquaintances; but all this is nothing; yea, less than nothing, compared with possessing this testiners, humble me by repentance, and melt me down that I please GOD.' with love! mony, Oh thou friend of sin "To-morrow morning I set off for Launceston. I write to-night, lest my stay in Cornwall might make my delay appear tedious to the dear and de serving object of my most undissembled love. Ob my Sarah, had I as much proof that I loved Jesus Christ, as I have of my love to you, I should prize As often as you can find an hour for correspondence, think of your more than it more than rubies! ever affectionate S. P. In another to Mr. Summers, dated Nov. 10, 1794, he says:-"I suppose I shall visit London in the spring. Prepare my way by communion both with God and man. I hope your soul prospers. I have enjoyed more of God within this month than ever since the day of my espousals with him. Oh, my brother, help me to praise! I cannot say that I a quite so exalted in my frame to-day; yet still I ac knowledge what I have lived upon for weeks.-That were there no being or thing in the universe, be side God and me, I should be at no loss for happiness. Oh, 32 CHAPTER II. His laborious exertions in promoting Missions to the heathen, and offering himself to become a Missionary. whose soul is deeply affected with the importance of the precious gospel to idolatrous heathens! Excellently, my dear brother, you observe, that, great as its blessings are in the estimation of a sinner called in a Christian country, inexpressibly greater must they shine on the newly illuminated mind of a converted pagan. "We shall be glad of all your assistance in a pe TO MR. FULLER. "S. P." February 23, 1793. MR. PEARCE has been uniformly the spiritual and the active servant of Christ; but neither his spirituality nor his activity would have appeared in the manner they have, but for his engagements in the introduction of the gospel among the heathen. It was not long after his settlement at Birming-cuniary way, as the expense will be heavy. Dear ham, that he became acquainted with Mr. CAREY, brother Carey has paid us a visit of love this week. in whom he found a soul nearly akin to his own. He preached excellently to-night. I expect brother When the brethren in the counties of Northampton Thomas next week or the week after. I wish you and Leicester formed themselves into a Missionary would meet him here. I have a house at your comSociety at Kettering, in Oct. 1792, he was there, and mand, and a heart greatly attached to you. entered into the business with all his heart. On his return to Birmingham, he communicated the subject to his congregation with so much effect, that to the small sum of £13 2s. 6d, with which the subscription was begun, was added £70, which was collected and transmitted to the treasurer; and the leading members of the church formed themselves into an assistant society. Early in the following spring, when it was resolved that our brethren, Thomas and Carey, should go on a mission to the Hindoos, and a considerable sum of money was wanted for the purpose, he labored with increasing ardor in various parts of the kingdom; and when the object was accomplished, he rejoiced in all his labor, smiling in every company, and blessing God. During his labors and journeys, on this important object, he wrote several letters to his friends, an extract or two from which, will discover the state of his mind at this period, as well as the encourage ments that he met with in his work at home: TO MR. STEADMAN. "I am willing to go any where, and do any thing in my power; but I hope no plan will be suffered to interfere with the affecting-hoped for-dreaded day, March 13, (the day of our brethren, Carey and Thomas's solemn designation at Leicester.) Oh, how the anticipation of it at once rejoices and afflicts me. Our hearts need steeling to part with our much-loved brethren, who are about to venture their all for the name of the Lord Jesus. I feel my soul melting within me when I read the twentieth chapter of the Acts, and especially verses 36-38. But why grieve? We shall see them again: Oh, yes; them, and the children whom the Lord will give them; we, and the children whom the Lord hath given us. We shall meet again: not to weep and pray, but to smile and praise. S. P." From the day of the departure of the missionaries, no one was more importunate in prayer than Mr. Pearce; aud on the news of their safe arrival, no one was more filled with joy and thankfulness. Hitherto we had witnessed his zeal in promoting this important undertaking at home; but this did not satisfy him. In October, 1794, we were given to understand that he had for some time had it in serious contemplation to go himself, and to cast in his lot with his brethren in India. When his designs were first discovered, his friends and connections were much concerned about it, and endeavored to persuade him that he was already in a sphere of usefulness too important to be relinquished. But his answer was, that they were too interested in the affair to be competent judges, and nothing would satisfy him short of his making a formal offer of his services to the committee: nor could he be happy for them to decide upon it, without their appointing a day of solemn prayer for the purpose, and, when assembled, hearing an account of the principal exercises of his mind upon the subject, with the reasons which induced him to make the proposal, as well as the reasons alleged by his connections against it. Birmingham, February 8, 1793. "MY VERY DEAR BROTHER-Union of sentiment often creates friendship among carnal men, and similarity of feeling never fails to produce affection among pious men, as far as that similarity is known. I have loved you ever since I knew you. We saw, we felt alike in the interesting concerns of personal religion. We formed a reciprocal attachment. We expressed it by words. We agreed to do so by correspondence; and we have not altoge ther been wanting to our engagements. But our co rrespondence has been interrupted, not, I believe, through any diminution of regard on either side: I am persuaded not on mine. I rather condemn myself as the first aggressor; but I excuse while I condemn, and so would you, did you know half the concerns which devolve upon me in my present situation. Birmingham is a central place; the inhabitants are numerous; our members are between three and four hundred. The word preached has lately been remarkably blessed. In less than five months I baptized nearly forty persons, almost all newly awakened. Next Lord's day week I expect to add to their number. These persons came to my house to propose the most important of all inquiries: 'What must we do to be saved?' I have been thus engaged some weeks during the greatest part "Last Wednesday I rode to Northampton, where of most days. This with four sermons a week, will a ministers' meeting was held on the following day. account for my neglect. But your letter, received We talked much about the mission. We read this evening, calls forth every latent affection of my some fresh and very encouraging accounts. We heart for you. We are, my dear brother, not only lamented that we could obtain no suitable persons united in the common object of pursuit-salvation; to send out to the assistance of our brethren. Now not only rest our hopes on the same foundation-what do you think was said at this meeting? My Jesus Christ; but we feel alike respecting the poor dear brother, do not be surprised that all present heathens! Oh, how Christianity expands the mind! What tenderness for our poor fellow sinners! What sympathy for their moral misery! What desires to do them everlasting good doth it provoke! How satisfying to our judgments is this evidence of grace! How gratifying to our present taste are these benevolent breathings! Oh. how I love that man On Oct. 4, 1794, he wrote to an intimate friend, of whom he entertained a hope that he might accompany him, as follows: united in opinion, that in all our connection there was no man known to us so suitable as you, provided you were disposed for it, and things could be brought to bear. I thought it right to mention this circumstance; and one thing more I cannot refrain from saying, that were it manifestly the will of God, I should call that the happiest hour of my life. I actually had thought of making an effort to go out unknown to my friends; but, ignorant how to proceed, I abandoned my purpose. Nevertheless, I could not help talking about it; and at one time a report was circulated that I was really going; and a neighboring minister very seriously conversed with me upon the subject. which witnessed our both embarking with our families on board one ship, as helpers of the servants of Jesus Christ already in Hindostan. Yes, I could unreluctantly leave Europe and all its contents for the pleasures and perils of this glorious service. Often my heart in the sincerest ardors thus breathes forth its desires unto God: 'Here am I, send me!' But I am ignorant whether you from experience can realize my feelings. Perhaps you have friendship enough for me to lay open your meditations on this subject in your next. If you have had half the exercises that I have, it will be a relief to your laboring hand: or, if you think I have made too free with you, reprove me, and I will love you still. O if I could find a heart that had been tortured and ravished like my own in this respect, I should form a new kind of alliance, and feel a friendship of a novel species. With eagerness should I communicate all the vicissitudes of my sensations, and with eagerness listen to a recital of kindred feelings. With impatience I should seek, and with gratitude receive direction and support, and, I hope, feel a new occasion of thankfulness, when I bow my knee to the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Whence is it that I thus write to you, as II, weeping among them, could scarcely speak, or have never written to any one before? Is there a fellowship of the Spirit; or is it the confidence that I have in your friendship that thus directs my pen? Tell me, dear— tell me how you have felt, and how you still feel on this interesting subject, and do not long delay the gratification to your very affectionatefriend and brother, Ś. P." About a month preceding the decision of this affair, he drew up a narrative of his experience respecting it; resolving at the same time to set apart one day in every week for secret fasting and prayer to God for direction; and to keep a diary of the exercises of his mind during the month. When the committee were met at Northampton, according to his desire, he presented to them the narrative; and which was as follows: "October 8, 1794. Having had some peculiar exercises of mind relative to my personally attempting to labor for the dear Redeemer amongst the heathen; and being at a loss to know what is the will of the Lord in this matter respecting me, I have thought that I might gain some satisfaction by adopting these two resolutions: First, That I will, as in the presence of God, faithfully endeavor to recollect the various workings of my mind on this subject, from the first period of my feeling any desire of this nature until now, and commit them to writing; together with what considerations do now, on the one hand, impel me to the work, and on the other, what prevent me from immediately resolving to enter upon it. Secondly, That I will from this day keep a regular journal, with special relation to this matter. "While I was at the Bristol academy, the desire remained; but not with that energy as at first, except on one or two occasions. Being sent by my tutor to preach two Sabbaths at Coldford, I felt particular sweetness in devoting the evenings of the week, to going from house to house among the colliers, who dwell in the Forest of Deane, adjoining the town, conversing and praying with them, and preaching to them. In these exercises I found the most solid satisfaction, that I have ever known in discharging the duties of my calling. In a poor hut, with a stone to stand upon, and a three-legged stool for my desk, surrounded with thirty or forty of the smutty neighbors, I have felt such an unction from above, that my whole auditory have been melted into tears, whilst directed to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world;' and they hear, for interrupting sighs and sobs. Many a time did I then think, Thus it was with the apos tles of our Lord, when they went from house to house among the poor heathen. In work like this, I could live and die. Indeed, had I at that time been at liberty to settle, I should have preferred that situation to any in the kingdom, with which I was then acquainted, "But the Lord placed me in a situation very different. He brought me to Birmingham; and here, among the novelties, cares, and duties of my station, I do not remember any wish for foreign service, till after a residence of some months, I heard Dr. Coke preach at one of Mr. Wesley's chapels, from Psalm lxviii. 31. Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.' Then it was, that in Mi Horne's phrase, 'I felt a passion for missions.' Then I felt an interest in the state of the heathen world, far more deep and permanent than before, and seriously thought how I could best promote their obtaining the knowledge of a crucified Jesus. "As no way at that time was open, I cannot say, that I thought of taking a part of the good work among the heathen abroad; but resolved that I would render them all the assistance I could at home. My mind was employed during the residue of that week, in meditating on Psalm lxvii. 3. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God;'and the next Sabbath morning I spoke from those words, On the promised increase of the church of God. I had observed that our monthly meetings for prayer, had been better attended than the other prayer meetings, from the time that I first knew the "This account and journal will, I hope, furnish people in Cannon street: but I thought a more geneme with much assistance, in forming a future opi- ral attention to them was desirable. I therefore nion of the path of duty; as well as help any friends preached on the Sabbath-day evening preceding the whom I may hereafter think proper to consult, to next monthly prayer-meeting, from Matt. vi. 10– give me suitable advice in the business. Lord,Thy kingdom come;' and urged with ardor and help me! affection, a universal union of the serious part of the congregation in this exercise. It rejoiced me to see three times as many the next night as usual; and for some time after that, I had nearly equal cause for joy. It is very common for young converts to feel strong desires for the conversion of others. These desires immediately followed the evidences of my own religion: and I remember well they were particularly fixed upon the poor heathens. I believe the first week that I knew the grace of God in truth, I put up many fervent cries to heaven in their behalf; and at the same time felt a strong desire to be employed in promoting their salvation. It was not long after, that the first settlers sailed for Botany bay. I longed to go with them, although in company with the convicts, in hopes of making known the blessings of the great salvation in New Zealand. "As to my own part, I continued to preach much upon the promises of God, respecting the conversion of the heathen nations; and by so doing, and always communicating to my people, every piece of information I could obtain respecting the present state of missions, they soon imbibed the same spirit: and from that time to this, they have discovered so much concern for the more extensive spread of the gospel, that at our monthly prayer-meetings, bok |