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and the freedom with which you write to me. Assure yourself that I sincerely sympathize in the cutting events which you have lately experienced. Trying indeed! Your heart must bleed. Yet be not discouraged in your work. The more Satan opposes Christ, the more let us oppose him. He comes with great violence because his time is short. His kingdom is on the decline; his strong holds are besieged, and he knows they must soon be taken. Whilst it lasts, he is making desperate sallies on the armies of the Lamb. It is no great wonder that he fights and wounds a raw recruit now and then, who strays from the camp, and thoughtless of the danger, keeps not close by the Captain's tent. I hope our glorious Leader will heal the wounded, and secure the captive. He is sure to make reprisals. Christ will have ten to one. You will yet see his arm made bare. He shall go forth like a man of war. The prisoners shall be redeemed, and the old tyrant shall be cast into the bottomless pit. Be of good cheer, my fellow soldier. cause is not ours, but God's. Let us endure hardness, and still fight the good fight of faith. At last we shall come off conquerors, through Him who hath loved us.

The

"I hope you have some causes for joy, as well as grief. I trust though one, or two, or three fall, the tens, and the twenties stand their ground. Oh do what you can to cheer them under the common trial. Let them not see a faint heart in you. Fight manfully still. Tell them to watch the more; to pray the harder; to walk the closer with God. So out of the eater shall come forth meat, and sweetness out of the strong. S. P."

TO MR. BATES, AND MRS. BARNES,

Who had been burnt out of their residence.

"The many expressions of Christian friendship which I received from you, and your affectionate families, during my last visit to London, will often excite grateful recollection in future, as they have almost daily since I parted from you; and though I do not write this avowedly as a mere letter of acknowledgment, yet I wish to assure you, that I am not forgetful of my friends, nor unthankful for their kindness. May all the favor you show to the servants of our common Lord for his sake, be amply recompensed in present peace, and future felicity, when the promise of Him who cannot lie, shall be fulfilled. A cup of cold water given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward.' "But, whilst you, my dear friends, live in hope of the glory' that remains to be revealed,' I am persuaded that you expect all as the fruit of sovereign mercy, which first forms us to the mind of Christ, then accepts, and then rewards. Truly, if sinners be rewarded, it must be of grace, and not of debt.' Yet it is a mercy of unspeakable magnitude, that grace should establish a connection, between obedience and enjoyment; such a connection as at once insures joy to the believer, and glory to Christ.

shall my gratitude also ascend, whilst separated from their society; and with theirs, shall it more warmly and permanently ascend when we meet to form a part of the general assembly, the church of the first born.

"I do not return to London this autumn, but I mean to visit Portsmouth. I must be indebted to you for my directions. We shall be very happy to see you at Luke street: but Wales I suppose will be the vortex that will swallow up much of your time. Well, so you are happy, we must be disinterested enough to be satisfied, although we be denied a personal participation.

"Let us not forget that we are Christians; and Christians profess a hope of a better country than Cambria contains. There, we all belong. Already citizens by privilege, we shall be by possession soon.

'Roll swifter round, ye wheels of time,
And bring the welcome day.'

"In hope of greeting you both in that good land, I remain, most affectionately yours, S. P."

TO DR. RYLAND.

November 17, 1797.

"I feel much for you in relation both to the duties and trials of your present situation: at the same time I bless God who fixed you in it, because I am persuaded that it will be for his glory in the churches of Christ. And though none but those, whose hands are full of religious concerns, can guess at your difficulties; yet our blessed Redeemer knows them all. Oh, my brother, you are travailing for Him, who redeemed you by his blood; who sympathizes with you, and who will graciously crown you at last. Small as my trials are, I would turn smith, and work at the anvil and the forge, rather than bear them for any other master than Christ. Yet were they ten thousand times as many as they are, the thought of their being for him, I trust, would sweeten them all.

6

"I have reason to be very thankful for much pleasure of late, both as a Christian and a minister. I have never felt so deeply my need of a Divine Redeemer, and seldom possessed such solid confidence that he is mine. I want more and more to become a little child, to dwindle into nothing in my own esteem, to renounce my own wisdom, power and goodness, and simply look to, and live upon Jesus for all. I am ashamed that I have so much pride, so much self-will. Oh my Saviour! make me 'meek and lowly in heart;' in this alone I find rest to my soul.'

"I could say much of what Immanuel has done for my soul; but I fear lest even this should savor of vanity. When shall I be like my Lord! Oh welcome death, when I have nothing more to do for Christ! To him, till then, may I live every day and every hour! Rather may I be annihilated than not

live to him!

"S. P."

"Oh that our thoughts, our affections, our de"You will rejoice with me to hear that we have sires may be much in heaven! Here, you have a pleasing prospect as a church. Several very been taught, is no continuing city,' no certain place hopeful, and some very valuable characters are of abode; and though you have been taught it aw-about to join us. Lord carry on thy work! fully in flames, yet if you learn it effectually, the terror of the means will be conquered by the exeellency and glory of the consequences. Yes, my friends, 'in heaven we have a better and enduring substance:' the apartments there are more spacious; the society more sweet; the enjoyments more perfect; and all to last for ever. Well may Christians ' rejoice in hope of the glory of God!' S. P."

TO MR. AND MRS. BOWYER, PALL MALL. November 17, 1797. "Blessed be 'the Preserver of men,' for all his goodness to dear Mr. and Mrs. B. With theirs

TO MRS. PEARCE,

On the dangerous illness of one of the children. Portsmouth, January 29, 1798. "Ignorant of the circumstances of our dear child, how shall I address myself to her dearer mother! With a fluttering heart, and a trembling hand, I, in this uncertainty, resume my pen. One consideration tranquillizes my mind-I and mine are in the hands of God: the wise, the good, the indulgent Parent of mankind! Whatever he does is

best. I am prepared for all his will, and hope that | humble place of Mary, or the happy rest of John! I shall never have a feeling, whose language is not, Faith can enjoy them both, till actually we fall at 'Thy will be done.' the Saviour's feet, and lean upon his bosom, whe we see him as he is.

tal principle. And the kind interest you have taken in my welfare ever since, has often drawn the grateful tear from my eye. May the God of heaven and earth reward your kindness to his unworthy servant, and save you from all the evils from which your distinguished friendship would have saved me." Such were his ideas. His labors were certainly abundant; perhaps too great for his constitution: but it is probable that nothing was more injurious to his health, than a frequent exposure to night air, and an inattention to the necessity of changing damp clothes.

Hitherto we have seen in Mr. Pearce, the active, assiduous, and laborious servant of Jesus Christ; but now, we see him laid aside from his work, wasting away by slow degrees, patiently enduring the will of God, and cheerfully waiting for his dissolution. And as here is but little to narrate, I shall content myself with copying his letters, or extracts from them, to his friends, in the order of time in which they were written, only now and then dropping a few hints to furnish the reader with the occasions of some of them.

TO DR. RYLAND.

Birmingham, October 8, 1798. "Oh! my dear brother, your letter of the 5th which I received this morning, has made me thankful for all my pulpit agonies, as they enable me to weep with a weeping brother. They have been of use to me in other respects; particularly, in teaching me the importance of attaining and maintaining that spirituality and pious ardor, in which I have found the most effectual relief; so that, on the whole, I must try to 'glory in tribulations also.' I trust I often can when the conflict is past; but to glory 'in' them, especially in mental distress-hic labor, hoc opus est.

"But how often has it been found, that when ministers have felt themselves most embarrassed, the most effectual good has been done to the people. Oh for hearts entirely resigned to the will of God. "How happy should I be, could I always enjoy the sympathies of a brother, who is tried in these points, as I of late have been. S. P."

TO MR. FULLER.

Birmingham, October 29, 1798. "I caught a violent cold in returning from our last committee meeting, from which I have not yet recovered. A little thing now affects my constitution, which I once judged would be weather and labor proof for at least thirty years, if I lived so long, I thank God that I am not debilitated by iniquity. I have lately met with an occurrence which occasioned me much pain and perplexity. **** Trials soften our hearts and make us more fully prize the dear few, into whose faithful sympathizing bosoms we can with confidence pour our sorrows. I think I should bless God for my afflictions, if they produced no other fruits than these-the tenderness they inspire, and the friendships they enjoy. Pray, my dear brother, for yours affectionately, S. P."" To a young man who had applied to him for vice, how he should best improve his time previous to his going to the Bristol academy.

opinion respecting the best way of occupying your time before you go, you will accept a little counsel during your cortinuance there, Ihall be happy at any time to contribute such a mite as my experience and observation have put in my power.

"At present, the following rules appear of so much moment, that were I to resume a place in any literary establishment, I would religiously adopt them as the standard of my conduct:-First, I would cultivate a spirit of habitual devotion. Warm piety connected with my studies, and especially at my entrance upon them, would not only assist me in forming a judgment on their respective importance, and secure the blessing of God upon them; but would so cement the religious feeling with the literary pursuit, as might abide with me for life. The habit of uniting these, being once formed, would, I hope, be never lost; and I am sure that without this, I shall both pursue trivial and unworthy objects, and those that are worthy I shall pursue for a wrong end.-Secondly, I would determine on a uniform submission to the instructions of my preceptor, and study those things which would give him pleasure. If he be not wiser than I am, for what purpose do I come under his care? I accepted the pecuniary help of the society on condition of conformity to its will; and it is the society's will that my tutor should govern me. My example will have influence; let me not, by a single act of disobedience, or by a word that implicates dissatisfaction, sow the seeds of discord in the bosoms of my companions.— Thirdly, I would pray and strive for the power of self-government, to form no plan, to utter not a word, to take no step under the mere influence of passion. Let my judgment be often asked, and let me always give it time to answer. Let me always guard against a light or trifling spirit: and particularly as I shall be amongst a number of youths, whose years will incline them all to the same frailty.-Fourthly, I would in all my weekly and daily pursuits observe the strictest order. Always let me act by a plan. Let every hour have its proper pursuit; from which let nothing but a settled conviction that I can employ it to better advantage, ever cause me to deviate. Let me have fixed time for prayer, meditation, reading, languages, correspondence, recreation, sleep, &c.-Fifthly, I would not only assign to every hour its proper pursuit, but what I did, I would try to do it with all my might. The hours at such a place are precious beyond conception, till the student enters on life's busy scenes. Let me set the best of my class ever before me, and strive to be better than they. In humility and diligence, let me aim to be the first.-Sixthly, I would particularly avoid a versatile habit. In all things I would persevere. Without this, I may be a gaudy butterfly, but never like the bee, will my hive bear examining. Whatever I take in hand, let me first be sure I understand it, then duly consider it, and if it be good, let me adopt and use it.

"To these, my dear brother let me add three or four things more minute, but which I am persuaded will help you much-Guard against a large acad-quaintance while you are a student. Bristol friendship, while you sustain that character, will prove a vile thief, and rob you of many an invaluable hour. -Get two or three of the students, whose piety you most approve, to meet for one hour in a week for experimental conversation and mutual prayer. I found this highly beneficial, though strange to tell, by some we were persecuted for our practice !-Keep a diary. Once a week, at farthest, call yourself to an account: What advances you have made in your studies; in divinity, history, languages, natural philosophy, style, arrangement; and amidst all, do not forget to inquire: Am I more fit to serve and to enjoy God than I was last week?

Birmingham, November 13, 1798. 'MY DEAR M.-I can only confess my regret at not replying to yours at a much earlier period, and assure you that the delay has been accidental, and not designed. I feel the importance of your request for advice. I was sensible it deserved some consideration before it was answered. I was full of business at the moment. I put it by, and it was forgotten; and now it is too late. The time of your going to Bristol draws nigh. If instead of an

S. P."

On December 2, 179, he delivered his last serThe subject was taken from Dan. x. 19. "Oh man, greatly beloved fear not, peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said. Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. "Amongst all the Old Testament Saints," said he, in his introduction to that discourse, there is not one whose virtues were more, and whose impertec-; tions were fewer, than those of Daniel. By the history given of him in this book, which yet seems not to be complete, he appears to have excelled among the excellent." Doubtless no one was farther from his thoughts than himself; several of his friends, however, could not help applying it to him, and that with a painful apprehension of what fol-, lowed soon after.

TO MR. CAVE, LEICESTER.

Birmingham, December 4, 1798. "Blessed be God, my mind is calm; and though my body be weakness itself, my spirits are good, and I can write as well as ever, though I can hardly speak two sentences without a pause. All is well, brother' all is well, for time and eternity. I My soul rejoices in the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. Peace from our dear Lord Jesus be with your spirit, as it is (yea, more also), with your affectionate brother, S. P."

TO DR. RYLAND.

Birmingham, Lord's day evening, Dec. 9, 1798. "MY DEAR BROTHER— -After a Sabbath (such an one I never knew before) spent in an entire seclusion from the house and ordinances of my God, I seek Christian converse with you, in a way in which I am yet permitted to have intercourse with my brethren. The day after I wrote to you last, my medical attendant laid me under the strictest injunctions not to speak again in public for one month at least. He says that my stomach has become so irritable, through repeated inflammations, that conversation, unless managed with great caution, would be dangerous; that he does not think my present condition alarming, provided I take rest-but without that, he intimated my life was in great danger. He forbids my exposing myself to the evening air, on any account, and going out of doors, or to the door, unless when the air is dry and clear; so that I am, during the weather we now have in Birmingham, (very foggy,) a complete prisoner; and the repeated cautions from my dear and affectionate friends, whose solicitude, I conceive, far exceeds the danger, compel me to a rigid observance of the doctor's rules.

God of Zion does not neglect the dwellings of Jacob. My poor wife was very much affected at so novel a thing as leaving me behind her, and so it was a dewy morning; but the Sun of Righteonsness soon arose, and shed such ineffable delight throughout my soul, that I could say, "It is good to be here. Mive to resignation and gratitude also, crowded upon motive, till my judgment was ORvinced, that I ought to rejoice in the Lord exceeding.y, and so my whole soul took its fill of jor. May I, if it be my Saviour's will, feel as happy when I come to die! When my poor Sarah lay at the point of death, for some days after her first lying-in, towards the latter days, I enjoyed such support, and fet my will so entirely bowed down to that of God, that I said in my heart, Ishali never fear another trial-he that sustained me amidst this flame, will defend me from every stars and this confidence I long enjoyed. But that was dear six years ago, and I had almost forgotten the land of the Hermonites, and the hill Mizar. But the Lord has prepared me to receive a fresh display of his fatherly care, and his (shall I call it :) puncalious veracity. If I should be raised up agar. I shall be able to preach on the faithfulness of God more experimentally than ever. Perhaps some trial is coming on, and I am to be instrumental in preparing them for it: or if not, if I am to depart hence to be no more seen, I know the Lord can carry on his work as well without me as with me. He who redeemed the sheep with his blood, will never suffer them to perish for want of shepherding, especially since he himself is the chief Shep herd of souls. But my family! An, there I find my faith but still imperfect. However, I do not think the Lord will ever take me away, till he helps me to leave my fatherless children in his hands, and trust my widow also with him. His love in times past,' and I may add in times present too, 'forbids me to think he will leave me at last, in trouble to sink.'

"Whilst my weakness was gaining ground, I used to ask myself, how I could like to be laid by! I have dreamed that this was the case, and both awake and asleep, I felt as though it were an evil that could not be borne:-but now, I find the Lord can fit the back to the burden, and though I think I love the thought of serving Christ at this moment better than ever, yet he has made me willing to be nothing, if he please to have it so; and now my happy heart 'could sing itself away to everlasting bliss."

O what a mercy that I have not brought on my affliction by serving the devil. What a mercy that I have so many dear sympathizing friends! What "This morning, brother Pope took my place; and a mercy that I have so much dear domestic comin the afternoon, Mr. Brewer, who has discovered fort! What a mercy that I am in no violent bodily urcommon tenderness and respect for me and the pain! What a mercy that I can read and write, people, since he knew my state, preached a very af- without doing myself an injury! What a mercy fectionate sermon from 1 Sam. iii. 18. It is the that my animal spirits have all the time this has Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.' By what been coming on, (ever since the last Kettering I hear, his sympathizing observations, in relation meeting of ministers) been vigorous-free from to the event which occasioned his being then in the dejection! And which I reckon among the greatest pulpit, drew more tears from the people's eyes, than of this day's privileges, what a mercy that I have a dozen such poor creatures as their pastor could been able to employ myself for Christ and his dear deserve. But I have, blessed be God! long had the cause to-day, as I have been almost wholly occu satisfaction of finding myself embosomed in friend-pied in the concerns of the (I hope) reviving church ship the friendship of the people of my charge: though I lament that their love should occasion them a pang-but thus it is our heavenly Father sees that, for our mixed characters, a mixed state is best.

"I anticipated a day of gloom, but I had unexpected reason to rejoice that the shadow of death was turned into the joy of the morning; and though I said, with perhaps before unequalled feeling, 'How amiable are thy tabernacles!' yet I found the

at Bromsgrove; and the infant church at Cradiey! O my dear brother, it is all mercy, is it not? Obelp me then in his praise, for he is good, for his merey endureth for ever.

"Ought I to apologize for this experimental chat with you, who have concerns to transact of so much more importance, than any that are confined to an individual? Forgive me if I have intruded too much on your time--but do not forget to praise on my behalf a faithful God. I shall now leave room