also say, that the Lord drew me gradually to him-spect to the divine origin of the Scriptures, and the self, and by degrees I loved devotional exercises more and more; and I hope that I have, within these four years, experienced many refreshing seasons. How I wish to have my evidences brightened, as it respects personal interest in the Lord Jesus Christ! I desire to cast my all upon him, and wait his will concerning me. However short my experience in the divine life has been, can I not appeal to God, and say, 'Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee?'

inspiration of the holy men who wrote them, so I believe, that they are the unerring standard by which to try our faith, and upon which we are to rest our opinions. I believe, that the people of God should form themselves into separate churches, that they may enjoy the benefit of divine ordinances, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, together with the hearing of the word, &c. I believe, that the ordinance of baptism is to be administered to the children of believers, inasmuch as it is a sign of their admission into the visible church, and as it is emblematical of the giving of the Holy Ghost, and that it is to be administered by sprinkling. believe, that, notwithstanding all the Christian's enemies and dangers, he shall hold on his way, and grow stronger and stronger; and though the doctrine of final perseverance has been much abused, as well as its truth much questioned, it is an article of my faith, because God's word declares it. I believe in the approach of a judgment day-the eternal glory of believers, and the insufferable torments of the wicked in hell. I believe that God will have the whole glory of the salvation of those who are saved for ever and ever; and that through all eternity they will ascribe dominion, power and glory to Him who loved them, and washed them in his own blood -at the same time, sinners will everlastingly blame themselves for their perdition and wo."

"I hope that my reasons for wishing to be a laborer in the Lord's vineyard are sincere, and that they do not spring from any improper motives. If I should be called into it, I pray that I may be kept faithful, and never shun to declare the whole counsel of God. As I know something of the excellency of the ways of wisdom, I am anxious that my fellowmortals may be partakers of the same grace, and that they may be brought to know God, and experience the riches of divine love and mercy in Christ Jesus: and if God should so honor me, as to make me an instrument in his hand, of doing them real good, how happy should I be; how willing to endure hardships for Jesus' sake. As I trust God has given me a desire to act for his glory, and I know that he is glorified in the salvation of sinners, I am willing, if He should call me to the work, to engage in it. I am aware, that it is an arduous and a difficult work, yet from these principles, I would On the 7th of January he appeared at Hoxton, fain be a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. I would before the committee, and underwent the examinafollow the leadings of Divine Providence. By the tion which he had so long and so anxiously anticigood hand of my God upon me, I am brought hither-pated-with success and honor: was admitted a stuto; and although some circumstances are against me, yet, where he appoints, I'll go and dwell.' I am not quite sixteen years old, yet young as I am, I have committed many sins, and experienced many mercies. Now, unto Him that is able to keep me from falling, and to present me before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, for ever and ever. Amen.

"I believe in one God as the object of religious worship; that this God is from everlasting; and that in our Jehovah there are three distinct persons, viz. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and yet these three are one; that this is a mystery which we cannot explain, yet we must believe, because it is declared in holy writ. That man was created holy, but fell from his original rectitude, and sunk himself and all his posterity into sin and wo. I believe also, that God from all eternity elected and chose his own people unto eternal salvation; that men are in a lost state and condition, and are spiritually dead; that they cannot be saved by any merit or works of their own, but only by the righteousness of Christ the Saviour; that is by the operation of God the Holy Spirit on the mind of man, that he becomes a sensible sinner; that his understanding must be enlightened before he can choose God for his portion, or the paths of religion as those in which he will walk. It was for this end and purpose that Christ Jesus came into the world, viz. to save sinners by his own blood; and I am persuaded that there is salvation in no other but in him, and that 'he is able to save to the very uttermost all that come unto God by him.' I believe that he is the eternal God, 'the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever;' that his grace is all sufficient, his name, person, and all that concerns him, is precious to them that believe; that those who exercise a living faith upon him, are justified from all their sins-at the same time I know, that believers are called to be holy, and that it is by the consistency of their walk, that they are to evidence to those around them that their profession is sincere, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. As I am fully satisfied with re

dent, and became immediately an inmate of the house. In a letter to his friend Mr. Hordle, dated Hoxton, January 21st, 1807, he says

"Two things make this day remarkable to me: one is, that it is my birth-day, as I am now sixteen years old; the other is, that I have been a fortnight in this house. On Wednesday, the 7th inst., that long dreaded day, I appeared before the committee. Your imagination may represent a little boy speaking before them. I felt a good deal of timidity, and waited the event with feelings of anxiety."-"I hope I can say I feel the importance of that work for which it appears God in his providence has designed me: but oh! I need larger degrees of grace to fill that station in such a manner, as that my own soul, and the souls of my fellow creatures may be benefited thereby."-"I recall to my mind occurrences which transpired when I was at HarwichO may I have all God's dealings sanctified unto me. I want a deeper acquaintance with my own heart, and a more influential knowledge of God my Saviour."

That, on his entrance into the academy at Hoxton, Mr. Spencer was no novice in the knowledge and experience of divine things, is obvious from a perusal of the papers above cited. With a mind already the subject of considerable culture, and habits formed for the pursuits of science, he commenced his academical course under circumstances the most auspicious. The importance of such a previous preparation in candidates for the Christian minis try, and the patronage of our dissenting colleges, is not, perhaps, sufficiently considered. It is to be regretted, that so many enter without having previ ously obtained the lowest rudiments of general science, or even a tolerable acquaintance with their native tongue. The time allotted for a student's residence is, in the most liberal institutions, but short, compared with the immense labor and mag nitude of the object to be obtained. But much of this time, short as it is, must be expended in the inculcation of those first principles of knowledge, which might be easily obtained elsewhere; and then when the student is somewhat prepared for studies

In the mean time, to remedy, as far as may be, by his own exertions, this serious defect, should be an object of conscientious regard to every young man whose views are directed to the Christian ministry. By a diligent improvement of his time-by a careful employment of those smaller portions of it, which in too many cases are suffered imperceptibly to slide away-aided by the friendly direction and advice of some prudent and well-informed minister, which may without much difficulty be in every case obtained-any one of tolerable capacity and perseverance might afford his own mind a considerable degree of cultivation, and attain a portion of knowledge, ere his entrance into an academy, most favorable to the facility and success of his pursuits whilst there.

more suitable to the dignity of a college, he begins | blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all to preach. Thus an attention which ought to be sin." Simple and unlettered, however, as his audiundividedly devoted to the labors of the study, and ence might be, they had sufficient penetration to the exercises of the class, is partly lavished on pre- discover the uncommon talents of their youthful parations for the pulpit and public services. Hence preacher; which, together with the novelty and arose the plan, so judiciously adopted in certain loveliness of his juvenile appearance, excited in that cases, in connection with the college of which Mr. | little village an astonishment and admiration, which Spencer was a member, and of the beneficial ten- have since circulated through all the districts of dency of which he was so striking an example, of the great metropolis, and almost every town in sending the candidates who may be defective in Great Britain. How beautiful is the progression these radical points, or too young for admission, to which marks all the dispensations of nature, provisome pious and able minister for preparatory in-dence, and grace. From the smallest springs the struction. But these instances, the offspring of a mightiest rivers rise, to promote the fruitfulness or peculiar necessity, show the importance of an insti- waft the commerce of the world. From the grain tution, founded expressly for preparatory studies of mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven gradually -that so a matter of such vast importance to the rises and expands, till it becomes a great tree, berespectability of the ministry may not be left to the neath whose shade all the nations of the earth recasual benevolence of liberal and enlightened indi- pose; and in the history of individuals-from the viduals, or any happy combination of circumstan- day of small things, has not unfrequently arisen a ces in a solitary case.* career, whose brilliancy has dazzled and surprised the world; and from the remarkable concurrence of circumstances, events the most important to the interest of the individual, and the happiness of mankind, have sprung. It is for the most part denied to men, who move in a public and extended circle, to witness those early displays of genius, and that gradual development of talents, afterwards so eminent for their usefulness or splendor, upon which the eye of a philosopher would love to dwell. This is usually the privilege of a few obscure individuals in some retired spot. The new fledged bird first tries its pinions in its own sequestered bower ere it soars above its native glen, and courts the admiration of man by the boldness of its flight, or the sweetness of its song. And yet there is such a peculiar interest connected with the early efforts of a mighty mind, and the first stages of an eminent career, that we gather with diligence all that can be gleaned respecting them, and listen with delight to the narration of those who were spectators. But few perhaps who have heard of Spencer, but would gladly be transported to the peaceful village of Collier's End, and mingle with the auditors under his first sermon there. And it requires no uncommon acquaintance with the principles of our nature, and the doctrine of association in the human mind, to predict, that the villages of Halfway, Street, and Lewisham, in Kent, will derive some celebrity in the religious world from having been the scenes of ministerial labor, when a youth, to a preacher, who for these twelve years past has held the delighted auditories of the metropolis the willing captives of his eloquence. And surely such a principle as this, whilst in its gratification it yields an indescribable pleasure, may be cultivated to no small advantage. It banishes from the mind that despair of reaching it, which a contemplation of exalted eminence might inspire, by an assurance, that the object at which he aims is not unattainable, since its present possessor once occupied the same level with himself, and was attended by circumstances as unfavorable to his elevation as those which at present may encompass him.

These remarks more particularly apply to those young men, who, with views directed towards the ministry, are still engaged in secular employments, and to whom the privileges of an academy must be, in the first instance, regarded as a distant object.

Little of importance can be expected to have transpired, in connection with the early part of Mr. Spencer's residence at Hoxton. It appears, however, that here, as in the Poultry and at Harwich, his interesting appearance and amiable manners soon gained him the love and esteem of all. The tutors and the students alike felt an interest in this new and youthful member of their literary society and he applied himself with diligence to the improvement of those advantages which he there enjoyed. He was now introduced to a wider range of observation and of study. But whilst a respect to the orders of the institution, and a desire to render himself, by useful acquirements, respectable in any circle in which it might be his future lot to move, induced him to apply with becoming diligence to the various occupations assigned him, he yet dwelt with peculiar attachment on such as were more immediately connected with the work of preaching. And with an ardent desire to be early and extensively employed in the ministry of the gospel, a desire strengthened and confirmed by time, it can be no matter of surprise, that to this darling object were directed all the hours of his leisure, and all the ardor of his soul.

At the vacation in June he returned to his father's house at Hertford. During his stay there he preached his first sermon in public. It was at the small village of Collier's End, six miles from Hertford. His auditory consisted of about thirty plain country people-and his text was 1 John i. 7," The

*The reader who would be gratified with an outline of the course of study pursued in most of our dissent ing colleges, may turn to the Appendix, No. I.

The name of Doctor Collyer is too well known to derive any additional celebrity from being copied on a page my hand has written. And perhaps I may be censured for indulging in an allusion here which bears the least appearance of flattery. Far be it from me to cherish such a principle. The work in which I am engaged is sacred to friendship and to the memory of departed worth; and is it at all surprising, that whilst endeavoring to preserve the record of a friend removed by death, my memory should sometimes recur to the many excellencies which have so long endeared me to a friend from whom I am removed by distance?

had need to be possessed of no common discretion and knowledge, to counteract the suspicions necessarily excited, in the breasts of the thoughtful, by his youth.

Our amiable young preacher's first sermon ex- circulated, that wherever he preached, numbers cited a strong desire in his hearers for a repetition flocked from all parts to hear and see this wonderof his labors; and his fame rapidly circulating, ful youth; and he might have preached every day produced an invitation also, from another quarter, in the week, had he been so inclined, so numerous for the following Sabbath. To these solicitations, were the invitations that crowded upon him. Howwe may suppose without much reluctance, he com- ever, his vacation drew towards a close; and his plied; and he preached again on the morning of return to Hoxton suspended for a while these public July 12th, at a village called Broughin. His text exercises. He preached on the evening of Sunday, on this occasion was Col. iii. 3, " Ye are dead, and Aug. 2d, at Roydon; and we hear no more of his your life is hid with Christ in God." In the after- preaching till December. It certainly admits of noon and evening of the same day, he preached doubt, whether these early exercises in public preachagain at Collier's End. In the afternoon from Acts ing are beneficial or injurious. That they are injuxix. 2, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost?" In the rious, may be argued from the circumstance, that evening from Phil. iii. 18, " They are the enemies of they tend to elate and dissipate the mind-to inspire the cross of Christ." The attendance at Collier's it with conceited notions of its own superior powers End was, on this second Sabbath, so much increased, -too soon, alas! to familiarize the ear to the inthat the room would scarcely contain the people sinuating sounds of flattery, and, investing the who were desirous of hearing, and every one youth with high conceptions of his present qualifiseemed still more deeply affected by the impressive cations, to annihilate those humiliating views of his manner, the solemn doctrines, and the surprising own ignorance and imperfection—and that ardent powers of this young divine. On the following panting after knowledge in which lies the great Thursday he preached again at a place called source of respectability and usefulness in after life. Brickenden, from John iv. 29, "Come, see a man Not to notice those practical errors into which the which told me all things that I ever did; is not this ignorance and incaution natural to youth may lead the Christ?" On Sunday, July 19th, he again re- him, when engaged in directing men in affairs of sumed his labors at Collier's End, and preached in infinite and eternal moment. If the aged evangelist the afternoon from 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13, " And the venerable pastor, is heard so frequently to dewhen he was in affliction he besought the Lord, his plore his imperfection and lament the possibility of God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of error in his public instructions-a young man may his father's and prayed unto him, and he was entreat-well proceed in his early labors with caution, and ed of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem, and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God." In the evening the multitude that assembled was so great, that to gratify them all, he was under But perhaps, on the other hand, there are pecuthe necessity of preaching out of doors, which he liar advantages connected with an early entrance did with great animation and effect, from Ro- on the work of preaching. The novelty of the cirmans xiv. 12, "So then every one of us shall give cumstance excites attention, and many are convertaccount of himself to God." It appears from the ed, who, but for the juvenility of the preacher, had report of one who was present at the delivery of never heard the gospel from his lips, and this is this sermon, that it was remarkably impressive. doubtless amongst the many means which an Infinite Although surrounded by so great a crowd, he seemed Wisdom has selected, for accomplishing, in the quite undaunted, and expressed himself with an conversion of sinners, the purposes of an infinite ease and an energy which produced the most love. Besides that on the preacher's own mind, his serious impressions upon many, and excited the as- early employment in ministerial labor may have a tonishment of all, To see the old and grey-headed most happy influence. By an early initiation into melted into tears beneath the simple touches and the difficulties and trials of the work, he may attain fervent appeals of a youth, but little more than six- an ease and a skill in its execution, which is perhaps teen years of age, proclaiming with the boldness but seldom reached by the man who has commenced and propriety of an experienced veteran the glori- much later in the day. In youth the mind is all ous gospel of the blessed God, must have been truly activity, and difficulties which are met with then interesting. And it is also gratifying to know, that are far more easily surmounted than when they are by the earliest labors of this excellent youth, happy presented to the opposition of maturer age. But and saving effects were produced, which remain to after all, much depends upon the peculiar circumthis day. On the evening of Thursday, July 23d, he preached at Buntingford, a town about ten miles a barn, and in the open air, may perhaps excite unfrom Hertford, from John x.9," By me if any man pleasant feelings in the breasts of some who, having enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, occasionally heard him with delight, may honor these and find pasture." On Sunday, July 26th, he pages with a perusal. They may feel regret, perhaps, preached again, afternoon and evening, at Collier's that he should ever have been so irregular, or have ever End. In the afternoon from John vi. 44, " No man trodden in the steps of men, who are universally concan come to me except the Father which sent me draw demned as enthusiasts and fanatics. It is necessary. him: and I will raise him up at the last day." In the therefore, in order to vindicate him, and all who have evening from 2d Tim. ii. 19, "Nevertheless the been guilty of a similar offence against the laws of foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, ecclesiastical decorum, from the charge of enthusiasm the Lord knoweth them that are his, and let every one and fanaticism, to produce some passages of Scripture, that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." by which their conduct, in this respect, is fully justified; On the Wednesday evening following he preached"Horcbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made at Hormead, from Psalmiv. 6, " There be many that say, who will show us any good? Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." And on the Thursday evening again at Brickenden. At Hormead his congregation amounted to six or seven hundred persons, and the place where they were assembled was a barn. Indeed by this time his fame had so widely

with hands." Acts vii. 48. "Where (whether in a field, a barn, or a temple,) two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mat. xviii. 20. "Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in." Luke xiv. 23. The most impressive sermon ever preached was delivered in the open air, upon a mount. And the wilderness of Judea was the scene of his ministry, who was honored to be the fore

* The circumstance of Mr. Spencer's preaching in | runner of the Messiah.

stances of the individual case. Many a man is bet- | often the case, that he had no honor in his own ter prepared for the work of the ministry at sixteen country. Numbers pressed, urged no doubt, in the than others are at forty; and whilst the popularity and first instance, by curiosity to hear him; and those flattery which usually attend the course of youthful who are accustomed to mark the influence of simipreachers would be the ruin of some, there are lar circumstances upon a susceptible mind, will others indued with a prudence and a piety sufficient enter a little into his emotions, when rising to adto resist their influence. And be it remembered, dress, upon the most solemn of all subjects, a vast that the time allotted to every man for labor is at multitude of his fellow-townsmen, amongst whom best but short, and that for many of our ministers- he recognised many of his juvenile companionsalas! that these should be, for the most part the the several members of his own family-and, not most eminent and useful is prepared an early the least interesting object in the group, the venergrave! To be squandering away the precious time able matron who had early instructed him in the which ought to be devoted to the salvation of im- principles of his mother tongue, and whose lot it mortal souls, in the acquisition of profound and ex- was to observe the first faint dawnings of a talent, tensive erudition; to be immured for years in the then fast hastening to its fullest exercise and strength. walls of a study, and confined to the precincts of a But long after the influence of novelty may be supcollege, impairing the physical strength by mid-posed to have subsided, he continued to excite the night application, and smothering the flames of holy admiration of his native town. His first sermon at zeal amid the ices of metaphysics and the lumber Hertford was preached on the evening of Sunday, of heathenish philosophy, whilst thousands of im- December 20th, at the Rev. Mr. Maslin's chapel, mortal souls are perishing, to whose eternal inte- from Eph. v. 11, " And have no fellowship with the rest those years might be successfully devoted-is unfruitful works of darkness." He preached again certainly a conduct highly culpable, and not in the on the Wednesday evening following, and on the spirit of Him who said "work whilst it is day, for evening of Christmas day, on which occasion his the night cometh, when no man can work!" Far be it text was, Mich. v. 2." But thou, Bethlehem Ephrafrom the writer of this volume in any way to under- tah, though thou be little among the thousands of Juvalue or decry that knowledge, which, in a minister dah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that of the gospel, the circumstances of the present times is to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been render so essential. These remarks only apply to of old, from everlasting." those cases in which years are expended in adding to a stock already more than sufficient for present purposes, without beginning to apply to any practical use that which is so largely possessed; and may affect such institutions as, having for their object the preparation of young men for the work of the ministry, suffer the zeal for God, and the love of souls, which led them to its patronage, at least to lose a little of its fire by years of dry scholastic disquisition, ere they are suffered to go forth into the world and expend them on their proper object-the conversion of their dying fellow men.

With respect to Mr. Spencer, the world will judge whether he began to preach too soon or not. I believe that Liverpool, by far the most competent to judge in this case, will, without hesitation, decide in the negative. Perhaps there are, who may be disposed to say, "this was an exception." Granted; but in such exceptions, let a similar liberty be allowed. Where extraordinary gifts, attended by extraordinary grace, so early develop themselves, allow them a proportionably early exercise, nor rob the church of God of an useful minister, who, ere the period a cautious policy has fixed for the commencement of his labor is arrived-may be summoned to his rest.

The passages of Scripture selected by Mr. Spencer, as the subjects of his earliest discourses, afford another demonstration, in addition to many others, of the general bias of his mind. They are such as one may well imagine a preacher panting for the salvation of his fellow men, would select for the commencement of his public labors. The topics which they suggest are of all others the most solemn, as they are the most simple and the most important in the whole range of inspired truth, and hence they were best adapted to the preacher's age, and the unlettered character of his auditors. It seems, that in his earliest sermons there was nothing of that parade and glare-nothing of that excessive fondness of figures and love of imagery, which too often mark the first compositions of youthful preachers-preachers who, in a more advanced stage of their ministry, have not been less respectable or useful than he.

Whether this is to be considered as an excellence or defect, it is probable, with some, may be a matter of debate. Dr. Blair, (or rather Quintilian, from whom he copies,*) in his remarks on the early compositions of public speakers, urges in favor of that exuberance of imagination and excess of ornament -that time and experience will prune all this away, On his return to Hoxton we find Mr. Spencer and in proportion as the fire of youth declines, the preaching occasionally in the work-houses, an admi-glare of the composition will sink into the settled rable school for young divines. Surely this is no inconsiderable circumstance in which our dissenting colleges are superior as schools of practical divinity, to those of the establishment. There the student emerges at once from the retirement of private life to all the publicity of the sacred office; which sudden transition, to a delicate mind, must often be attended with considerable pain, and may lead, in the first few instances, to a confusion and embarrassment most distressing to himself, and most unfriendly to his prospects of future respectability and usefulness. On the other hand, with us the student gradually, almost imperceptibly, glides into the ministry, and by continued, but slow enlargement, of the sphere in which he is allowed to move, he rises from a few poor people in a workhouse, to address the most respectable auditories.

On his return to his father's house, for the Christmas vacation, Mr. Spencer preached for the first time at Hertford. It did not happen to him, as is

lustre of maturer age. And hence he argues, for an excessive indulgence of the imagination at this period; since by the time the powers are called into full and steady exercise, they will have undergone a certain train of discipline, and have found their proper limits; but if the composition has all the judicious sobriety of that maturer age, amid the vigor and vivacity of youth, what is it likely to be in the more advanced stages of its exercise, but cold, insipid, and dull.

But surely all depends upon the nature of the subject, and the source whence the public orator is to draw the energy which must give animation to his discourses. The fire of genius, the glow of imagination, must be the enkindling torches in the

* Quintilian again quotes from Cicero, the great master of eloquence; whose remarks on this subject are worthy his immortal pen. Vid. Quint. Just. Orat. lib. 11. ch. 4. et Cicero de Orat. lib. 11. ch. 21.

senate-at the bar; but though not altogether use- | honorable labors from which he was to be called so less in the pulpit, yet they are not the lawful sources soon. When he appeared in the pulpit at Hoxton, of animation there. It is not the blaze of genius, a youth just seventeen years of age, he betrayed or the glow of imagination; but the sacred flame none of that distressing anxiety which marks the of fervent piety-the holy kindlings of a mind candidate for public approbation; but stood with all moved by principles derived from heaven, and the the dignified composure, and spoke with all the ungenerous efforts of a soul impelled by an intense embarrassed energy of an ambassador for Christ. desire for the salvation of a dying world, that must His text was, Psalm xxxii. 6, "For this shall every impart life and energy to the correct, but glowing one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou statements-the warm and empassioned appeals of mayest be found; surely in the floods of great waters the ambassador for Christ. Other sources of ani- they shall not come nigh unto thee!" At the close of mation may be exhausted by exercise, and dried up his discourse, the sentiments which dwelt upon the by time; but this can never fail. It will remain the lips and countenances of his auditors were those of same when the head of the venerable prophet is pleasure, admiration, and surprise. His excessive covered with hoary hairs, and the body is sunk in youth-the simplicity of his appearance-the mothe decrepitude of age. Nay, as in the case of the dest dignity of his manner-the sweetness of his apostle Paul, it will rise into brighter radiance as voice-the weight and importance of his doctrine he advances to the termination of his course-a-and the force-the affection-and the fervor with more ardent panting for the salvation of mankind which he directed it, to the hearts and consciences will mark his dying hours, than that which attend- of those who heard him-charmed and delighted, ed his entrance on his labors; and with David, the whilst they edified. And retiring from the sanctulast prayer his spirit breathes will be for the univer- ary to the social circle, they dwelt alternately on sal diffusion of that gospel, which it has been the the loveliness of the preacher, and the importance business and the honor of his life to preach-"Bless- of the truths which they had heard from his lips. ed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen."

Upon this scene the Christian student may, with advantage, pause and meditate. Looking forward, perhaps with considerable apprehension, to the period of his public entrance on the labors of the ministry, he may be anxious to ascertain what was the secret spring-the hidden source, of that calm com

We now arrive at a period in Mr. Spencer's history, peculiarly critical and important.-During the vacation of Christmas, 1807, the Rev. Mr. Lief-posure and unfettered boldness, which characterised child, of Kensington, was supplying the pulpit at Hoxton chapel. One Sabbath afternoon, in January, Mr. Spencer being then returned to the academy from Hertford, Mr. L. expressed a wish that he should assist him, in the public service, by reading the Scriptures and engaging in prayer. The request was granted, and an extract of a letter obligingly addressed by that gentleman to me, will convey a lively picture of the deep impression which his appearance and manner produced upon the large congregation before whom he stood.

But when he appeared in the pulpit-after the first emotions of surprise were over, and after the mistakes of some, who supposed that he was a little boy belonging to the gallery, who, from ignorance or thoughtlessless, had gone up the pulpit stairs, instead of those leading to his seat had been corrected, so sweetly did he read the chapter, so earnestly, so scripturally, so experimentally, did he engage in prayer, that for the whole six Sabbaths afterwards he became the chief magnet of attraction to the place. The people now insisted upon it he should preach. I need not name his subsequent success."

the earliest addresses of this interesting youth. To such then I can confidently say-it was not the proud consciousness of superior powers-of erudition-of genius, or of eloquence; but it was the influence of a heart warmed with the love of Christ, big with the vast moment of his solemn theme, and panting with an ardor which no circumstances of difficulty could suppress, for the salvation of sinners. Such an influence as this will make the coward bold, and convert the most timid and feeble into valiant and successful champions of the cross. Before an influence like this, the love of fame-the glare of popularity, the opinions and the plaudits of mankind retire. No consideration remains but that of the worth of immortal souls, and the importance of their salvation. This, under the agency of the eternal Spirit, whose assistance every faithful minister may with confidence expect, will supply a closeness of appeal to arrest the attentionfurnish topics of discourse to inform the judgment, and animated expostulations to warm the heart. When the blaze of genius and of oratory is extinguished, this will continue with a steady flame. And whilst many, his acknowledged superiors in talent and in literature, are left behind, the preacher in whose breast it glows will be conducted to scenes of extensive usefulness, and the enjoyment of an honorable renown.

The entreaties of the people having prevailed, Mr. Spencer, though contrary to the standing order of the institution, was allowed to preach. It was a delicate situation. Yet it was one to which he had long and anxiously aspired. Indeed, so strong was Mr. Spencer now became the topic of general his desire for the public engagements of the minis-discourse-the subject of universal inquiry. His try, that the fear of being long denied the gratifica- name spread far and wide. His danger became tion of his wishes, on account of his youth, actually daily more and more imminent. Letters pressed preyed upon his spirits so severely as even to affect upon him, filled with flattery-invitations arrived his health. But it was not from the love of fame at the academy from all parts, for his services; and or popular applause that he cherished this desire, he appeared, as a friend, who witnessed his sudbut from the hope of being early and extensively den and extraordinary elevation, observed, like useful;-as if urged by a presentiment of his im- one standing on the brow of a precipice, amid the pending fate-immediately to commence those most violent gusts of wind. Disapprobation cannot be expressed in terms too strong of the conduct which is usually adopted by the religious public towards their favorite, and especially their youthful preachers. And the censure which may, in a lamentable degree admit of universal application, falls with pre-eminent propriety on the professors of religion in the metropolis and its neighborhood. There, indeed, by the constant accession of fresh

*On the evening of the following Sunday, Mr. L. addressed young people; when Mr. Spencer again conducted the devotional part of the service. The chapter which he then read was Ecclesiastes xii. A person since received into the church at Hoxton, dated her first serious impressions from the reading of that chapter, and the solemn prayer then offered up.