Father. His qualifications for the ministry came congregations assemble, and by whose blessing their from the Lord Jesus-he gave him a freedom of souls are benefited, may here afford his watchful speech-he made him apt to teach-he furnished care, his animating smiles: we have every reason him with wisdom and knowledge-he made him a to believe he will do it, entreated by the earnest and minister that needed not to be ashamed, rightly di- fervent supplications of the men he loves; himself viding the word of truth. His success in the mi- inclined to bless the gates of Zion, his eyes and his nistry was from the Lord Jesus-he made him fruit- heart shall be here perpetually; with pleasure will ful, and he made him useful-he opened the hearts he behold the favored spot; and in the liberality of of his hearers-he attended his message with the his heart afford to his assembled saints an earnest, a power of his Spirit-he gave testimony to the word foretaste, a lively representation of what those hapof his grace. Thus he assisted him in his work-py spirits know and feel who are ever with the Lord. owned him as an honored servant, nor suffered him to labor in vain, or spend his strength for nought. Now, he wishes to close this ministry with joy. He does not want to leave it-to quit it for worldly ease; but to go on in it to the end of his life. He does not wish to grow weary in well doing; but to persevere to the last; and thus finishing his work, he would do it with joy, as he would review instances of usefulness, and behold the grace of the Lord of the harvest, in raising up more laborers to enter into his vineyard. A minister closes his work with joy, when he reviews instances of usefulness, when he knows that there are many whom he may view as his joy and crown of rejoicing-that he shall have to say of a goodly number, here am I, Father, and the children which thou hast given me. Thus our Lord rejoiced at the close of his labors, saying, "I have given them thy word-I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." So also does the good minister finish his course with joy, when he beholds other laborers crowned with success in the vineyard-when he dies with the full confidence that Zion's glory increases, and that the work of the Lord is promoted. He rejoices that others shall enter into his labors, and that by their exertions, the Saviour will be honored when he is cold in dust. Thus he rejoices, that instead of the fathers, he raises up the children, and that the Saviour's name shall be known to all generations. Happy man; like Simeon, thou shalt depart in peace-like him, thou shalt have the Saviour enclosed in thine arms, and eternal glory full in thy view.

Let those of us who are aged in the ministry imitate the apostle's example.

Students be diligent-honor Christ, and the Holy Spirit-aim sincerely to do good-be not afraid of difficulties-let us go on, &c. &c.

In so doing, we shall both save ourselves and those that hear us. Amen.

No. V.

ADDRESS AT LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE

NEW CHAPEL.

"And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house." So said the patriarch Jacob on a memorable occasion, and so may we say, assembled as we are to lay the foundation-stone of an edifice to God. We have found out a place for the Lordan habitation for the mighty God of Jacob: beholding this spot of ground on this interesting morning, a thousand delightful sensations pervade our souls, and we are ready to anticipate the presence of the Great Eternal in this place, or "is not this the hill which God hath chosen to dwell in it for ever?" Let us please ourselves with believing, that here holy incense shall ascend to God---that from this place the voice of prayer and praise shall rise tuneful to the court of heaven-that here pious men shall enjoy the sublime happiness of devotion-that here the ungodly and the sinner shall be induced to begin their lives anew. How often may many have to say, on the very ground we tread, "How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." The master of worshipping assemblies, Jehovah, by whose call

We flatter ourselves, that the erection of an edifice like this is the effect of benevolent feeling to mankind, and an ardent love to the Great Lord of all. We unite in endeavoring to maintain the honor of the Saviour's name, and to support the glory of his cross.. We feel, and deeply too, the necessity of possessing somewhat more than this earth can afford: we regard men as immortals, and we know that there are blessings, without the enjoyment of which, those souls will experience continued disappointment here, and will languish forever in another world. These necessary and holy blessings, the Eternal has chosen to communicate by the instrumentality of a preached gospel. We know that Jehovah, in making up the number of his elect, works by means; therefore it is that we endeavor to bring that gospel, the report of which is indeed a joyful sound, to the ears of mankind, praying that the blessed Spirit would send it to their hearts. The erection of this place is a direct attack against-against whom? say my hearers, alarmed at the idea of hostility-against the Church of England? No! God forbid; the very reverse of all this. We cheerfully take the present opportunity of informing this numerous auditory, that the doctrines which will be proclaimed on this ground will exactly correspond, will be just the same, with those contained in the doctrinal articles of the Church of England, which are the bulwarks of its faith, and may be read in most of the Books of Common Prayer. Is it, then, you ask again, an attack against any other congregation, or body of professing Christians? My soul revolts and spurns at the idea; for in the cause of Immanuel we wish cordially and constantly to unite with all those who believe in the Lord Jesus, both theirs and ours. But in one word, this is an attack directed against the kingdom of Satan, and the prince of darkness. Its object is the translation of our fellow creatures from his hateful power and dominion, and their transition into the family of the blessed household of their Redeemer. With the sword of the Spirit we wish to combat the old serpent the devil. In this large and populous town he has maintained his seat, he has reigned and triumphed: we long to see him fall, like lightning from heaven; and hence we preach that glorious gospel, which opposes his works, which rescues from his power, which gives us to expect a final triumph over him and his followers.

Here we expect that the preaching of the cross will be heard-that self righteousness will in no shape meet with encouragement-that man will be represented as nothing, and Christ as all in all. We erect no altar to an unknown God, but are boldly confessing, that we wish every day to approach the Father of Spirits, through the mediation of God our Saviour, and all this by the gracious aid of the Holy Spirit. And are any of us so hardened, through the deceitfulness of sin, as not to wish that here many souls may be born to God-may be trained up for heaven; or shall we not, at the last great day, rejoice to see a goodly company of men, who on this spot shall have met with the Saviour Jesus, and cominenced an honorable path to heaven. We rejoice in the thought, that the cause is God's, and must prevail, and with pleasure we celebrate

LIFE OF THE REV. THOMAS SPENCER.

the growing empire of our King. His church must flourish, because it is purchased with his blood, and preserved by his grace. The names of the several denominations among which it is scattered may be lost and forgotten, but its numbers shall increase, and its honors spread to the end of time.

The Episcopalian church may totter to the ground; the Presbyterian church may be known no more; the Independent church may no longer exist as a separate body; but the true church, made up of many of all these, and confined to no one of them, shall increase yet more and more, and ever be acknowledged the Zion of the Lord, the city of the Holy One of Israel.

This morning have we cause for gratitude, that amidst the spread of infidelity, and a vain philosophy, the work of God is not forgotten: that still his churches rise and flourish; that still souls are born to God, and the saints shout aloud for joy. In the sanctuaries where we worship, we have the solace of our cares, a kind refreshment afforded us in our journey to heaven, and new light and joy bestowed. May all this be known amongst us-be known by posterity when we are cold in death.

I cannot lose sight of the opportunity which this morning affords me, of assuring this large and mixed assembly, that real religion is a personal thing; that the gospel we preach must be believed, and its consolations enjoyed, or there remains for us no hope of pardon or of peace. My fellow immortals you have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God; but we exhibit to you a blessed and perfect Redeemer! Believe in him, and you shall not be confounded world without end. And when I meet you in an assembly far larger and more solemn than this, I mean at the judgment day, you shall be accepted of him; yea, believing in him, you shall then enter a temple, not made with hands eternal in the heavens; and for ever adore the hand that formed it, the grace that conducted us to it, and the Saviour who fills it with his glory. Amen. On Wednesday, May 29, 1812, the chapel was solemnly dedicated to God. On this interesting occasion, the Rev. P. S. Charrier, of Bethseda chapel, Liverpool, commenced the morning service by reading a suitable portion of Scripture, and offering up a solemn and appropriate prayer. The Rev. William Jay, of Bath, delivered a sermon from Psalm exxii. 6, "They shall prosper that love thee." The Rev. Mr. Lister, of Lime-street chapel, concluded by prayer. In the evening, the service was opened by reading of the Scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. Jos. Fletcher, A. M. of Blackburn. The Rev. Dr. Collyer, of Peckham, preached from 1 John iv. 8, "God is love." The Rev. Mr. Kershaw of Edinburgh, concluded by prayer.

No. VI.

MR. SPENCER'S ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS PROPOSED

TO HIM, AT HIS ORDINATION.

What motives hare induced you to enter upon the im

portant work of the Christian Ministry?

As the religion of the Bible appears in my estimation the best blessing Jehovah has bestowed upon the world, I, from the humble hope that it has shed its influence on my own heart, am impressed with an earnest wish to be the instrument of conveying its holy advantages to my fellow immortals! I say from the hope that I am interested in its blessings; for in no one sentiment am I more fully established,

*This is evidently but a rude outline of what was delivered on that interesting occasion. The effect produced upon the immense auditory which he addressed was remarkably strong-and every effect must have an adequate cause.

than that the ministers of God should be men of
God; that personal religion is a most indispensable
requisite in all who grasp at the honor of being the
servants of Christ and his churches, That it has
pleased God, who has separated me from my
mother's womb, to call me by his grace, and reveal
his Son in me, I am led to hope, or I dare not think
of the Christian ministry! From my earliest in-
fancy, having been blest with a religious education,
my mind was powerfully impressed with the solem-
nities of death and judgment: and often have such
impressions been the means of drawing me to ear-
nest secret prayer, at a very early period of my ex-
istence. Yet did I, as I advanced in age and stature,
give proofs, awfully evident, frequently since dis-
tressing to my mind, of the dreadful depravity of
my nature, and of the necessity of that great change,
which I then accurately judged had not really pass-
ed on my soul. But God remembered me in mercy!
The Holy Spirit made use of the preaching of the
gospel at Hertford by various ministers of our own
denomination, as also by several in the connection
of the late Countess of Huntingdon, to enlighten
my mind in the knowledge of him; gradually he
drew me to himself; and, I trust, imparted to me,
for my best treasure, his love in my heart, the salva-
tion of Christ, with its attendant blessings. View-
ing myself, then, as a young sinner, blest with
special favors, I determined I would not live to my-
self, but to Him who I believed had loved me, and
given himself for me. I cast myself upon his care;
I implored his direction as to my future steps; I
longed to be engaged in the holy ministry, yet God
is my record that I trembled at the idea of rushing
into his service; of assuming, with daring temerity,
a character I was so unfit to bear. I resolved that I
would wait for the direction of his providence, and
then go on in his strength. Christian friends urged
me to devote myself to the work of the Lord; my
own mind eagerly seconded their proposals; yet the
consideration of my youth, and the dread that I was
unprepared for the employment, held me back from
the attempt, till after a little while my acquaintance
with Mr. Thomas Wilson commenced: encouraged
by him in the hope that I might be a laborer for
God, I commenced preparatory studies for the mi-
nistry, under the direction of my honored friend, the
Rev. William Hordle, of Harwich, and, recom-
mended by him, entered the seminary at Hoxton.
Thus, Sir, a persuasion of the great importance of
the preaching of the gospel, a consciousness that
God had imparted to me that tone of mind which
seemed adapted to the employment, the earnest
wishes of intelligent and useful Christians, the clear
and evident direction of Divine Providence, and, I
hope, the glow of zeal for the honor of our glorious
Redeemer and the good of man, united together to
direct my coming to the ministry of the word.
Why do you choose to exercise your Ministry among
Protestant Dissenters?

The close alliance of the church of England with the state, were there no other argument against it, would be enough to influence my mind in refusing to enter within its pale. But my conscience also objects to many of the terms of communion it imposes, and its acknowledgment of a human head; to several of its prescribed ceremonies, which appear to me unlike the simplicity that is in Christ, and very unnatural characteristics of a kingdom which cannot be of this world. Yet, while these are my decided sentiments, I shall always respect and love the zealous followers of the Lamb, whom Heaven acknowledges, as his friends among the members of the established church. May grace, mercy, and peace, ever be with them; may the work of God succeed among them. From

all that I can collect from the New Testament, it appears obvious to me, that all that is meant by a church of Christ, is a company of faithful men determining to unite together in his faith and service -bowing to his directions-submissively yielding themselves up to him-and resolving to walk in all his ordinances and commandments, blameless! These churches are, I believe, to be found among those of the congregational order, and therefore I ain united to them.

What are the principal topics on which you mean to

insist in your future ministrations?

|

eternity all the events that should take place in the universe, and that he orders all things after the counsel of his own will. I believe that his almighty power created all the things that do appear, and still supports and upholds them in the state of existence in which he has wisely placed them. I believe that the persons in the Godhead did, foreseeing the fall and ruin of Adam and his posterity, enter into a covenant engagement with each other, that through their grace, the lost rebel might be restored to the whole Trinity. In this covenant, I believe all divine favor and friendship, and to communion with the blessings of grace are deposited for all the faith My earnest ambition, Sir, is to declare the whole ful; Christ is its surety. He has made that atone counsel of God and to give to every one his portion ment this covenant secured, and the blessed Spirit of meat in due season. In order that this may be communicates the happy effects of it to the souls of effectually done, I know that the Mediator's excel- all good men. It was by virtue of the arrangelencies must be particularly displayed, and the glo- ment of this covenant that Christ appeared once in ries of the cross largely insisted on. I intend, Sir, the end of time, to put away sin by the sacrifice of in humble dependence on the strength of Christ, himself. Gradual discoveries of his glory have without regarding either the smiles or the frowns been made to the Jewish church; but at length he of man, to endeavor to approve myself the faithful came to redeem Jacob, to ransom him out of the servant of God. In my discourses, Christ shall be hand of him that was stronger than he. By his all in all. His person, work, and great salvation, sufferings, his obedience unto death, and the whole shall be constantly exhibited in their bearings, upon of his mediatorial work, I believe he has purchased every part of the scheme of religion I have beheld the church; redeemed and saved the goodly compain the Bible, and admired. The solemn truth, that ny of men, who by the Eternal Father were for man is totally depraved, and altogether defiled by this purpose given into his hands before time began. sin; the necessity of regeneration; the suitableness And having on earth finished the work given him of the atonement our Lord has made; the nature to do, I believe that he ascended to glory, sat down and blessedness of the influences of the Holy Spirit; at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and ever the various consolations and directions contained in liveth to make intercession for sinners, that their the gospel of Christ, shall all be illustrated and dis- corruptions may be purified, their graces may be cussed in my ministry, according to the ability Je- matured, and they be finally with him, where he is, hovah shall bestow. The doctrines of grace shall to behold his glory. I believe that the Holy Spirit maintain a high precedence in all my ministrations: works on the human mind, when the time, the set yet will I, with the most industrious care, labor to time, to favor the individual, is come; that he afshow that they are doctrines according to godliness. fects the heart with compunction for sin; that by The holiness of the religion of Christ shall be en- the instrumentality of the gospel, he calls the sinforced from every subject. Thus will I labor toner out of darkness into marvellous light; that by secure the approbation of God, to preserve an honest and good conscience, to promote the glory of the great and precious Redeemer of sinners, and to win souls to Christ. The terrors of the Lord shall be declared to the ungodly; the sure support of our covenant Lord shall be preached to the faithful; and Christ shall be preached to all.

CONFESSION OF FAITH.

the influence of divine truth, he sanctifies the soul; that by the application of the promises of Scripture, and by his own internal witness, he gives strong consolation to the heirs of God, for such I consider those whom he has convinced of sin, and led to Jesus; called, enlightened, sealed, and established, they give evidence of a divine work upon their souls, by appearing in the beauties of holiness; by adorning the doctrine of God, their SaI do, Sir, with pleasure, in the presence of this viour, in all things; such characters I believe that congregation, deliver to you the sentiments I hold Jehovah views as his church on earth; his family dear to my heart, and those views of the truth as it below, only separated by death from the blest socieis in Jesus; which, having imbibed myself, I intend ty above; and for their sakes all nature stands; to to communicate to my fellow men. The sentiments promote their present and eternal happiness. the I hold, I trace up to their source when I mention gospel was published in the world; ministers have the Bible, the book of God, which holy volume, been commissioned to serve the Lord, and qualified attested by every evidence that consistency, dignity, for the office; separate churches have been raised; purity, miracles, and divine effects can afford, I re- the ordinances of Christ's appointment, viz. the ceive as the standard of truth, as God's revelation Lord's supper administered to believers in Jesus; of his own mind and will to men. Regarding the and Baptism, designed for those who from heathen Bible, then, as able to make us wise unto salvation, countries were proselyted to the Christian faith, and I receive as positive and important truths, all that it for all the infants of believers--have been preserved teaches concerning God, the world, salvation, amongst us. In their hearts, the fruits of grace heaven, and hell. I believe then, from the testimo- must abound; they must walk with God, and be ny of divine truth, that God is a spirit, holy, infinite, conformed to the divine image. Such characters unchangeable, and perfect in all the attributes of must, I believe, endure to the end, and be saved; deity. That in the Godhead, there are three divine their perseverance, I consider as resting on the and glorious persons, equal in power and honor-power of God, on the nature of the covenant-Dithe Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This vine faithfulness, and the very tendency of the sublime mystery I dare not attempt to explain; be- principles of grace. I consider justification from cause I know, that we cannot by searching find out sin; the pardon of every offence; the gradual God, nor trace the Almighty to perfection. Yet do sanctification of the soul, and its preparation for I most cordially receive the fact, admiring the va- heaven, as all blessings of grace, freely bestowed rious parts each of them has undertaken in the upon the unworthy; obtained without money and economy of our salvation, and adoring a triune without price. I view the preaching of the gospel God as the proper object of Christian worship. I as God's appointed means for the translation of sinbelieve that Jehovah's omniscience foresaw from all|ners from darkness to light, and for the edification

of his mystical body, the church, by the exhibition | fectly insensible to the influence of every other prin-
of Christ crucified, it had pleased God to save them
that believe.

Through the grace of God, every humble believer will, I know, eventually appear before the Saviour in glory everlasting. To that state of joy and felicity, I believe all real Christians to be daily tending; and am happily persuaded, from the testimony of God, that those who serve him here shall reign with him above. Hence the spirit of a good man, when it is separated from the body, is by its beloved Saviour, received to the final dwelling of the just, where it waits for the time appointed for the trumpet to sound, and the dead to be raised, to be again united to the body, then glorified, and made like the body of the Redeemer.

ciple, than the love of Christ, and the souls of men. Hence if he attained not to the same eminence in literature with some of his own age and standing, it is not to be attributed either to the want of opportunities or of talents. A mind richly endowed, and naturally ardent, as was his, might have attained any object to which it had consecrated its superior powers. Spencer early selected his. To this he devoted all the faculties of his soul. His mind seemed never for a moment diverted from it; and in this, as might be expected, he excelled. He neither was nor wished to be accounted a great scholar. A gentleman, intimately acquainted with Spencer, and formerly a student in the same institution, and whose estimate of his character and talents is, perI anticipate sir, the last judgment-I believe that haps, as correct as any that has been formed, after God is coming to vindicate the right of his own speaking of the inferiority of his critical and clasgovernment; to declare the equity of his holy pro- sical attainments, which certainly bore no proporvidence, at which we have in our ignorance often tion to his eminence as a preather adds, "Do not murmured; to banish the impenitent, the unholy, suppose that I am endeavoring to depreciate him and all who would not obey the gospel, into tor-by these remarks. I am far from doing it; and I ments, more awful than we can ever imagine, and think that when you take into view what was his lasting as the existence of the soul. On that day, main object, and what were the high views which sir, I believe that we shall give an account of our-occupied every power of his soul, they will be found selves unto God, and if found clothed in the Medi- to increase rather than detract from his eminence. ator's righteousness, we shall be declared approved It was his glory to be ignorant of other and inferior of God, and welcomed to the joys of heaven. This, things, if thereby he was becoming more acquainted sir, is the outline of what I conceive to be the faith with those which made for his peace, and the peace delivered to the saints; these are the fixed princi- of thousands who were benefited by his early minisples I have cordially received myself, and intend to try. It will never after this be surmised, that his make known to others. Oh! that my faith in them want of proficiency in what is called learning, was may be operative and influential, in supporting my owing to any want of ability to acquire it. It was mind under the severe, sharp trials, with which my to be attributed to the same cause which induced Father in heaven has thought fit to exercise me; him to refuse an exhibition to Glasgow in my hearand may I be enabled, in simplicity and godly sin- ing-a love of doing good, and a conviction of the cerity, to declare these truths to the people of my shortness of his day. I am far from being one of those unreasonable persons, who when they find a charge. man rising to distinction in one part of his intellectual character, expect that he should be equally prominent in every other."

ADDITIONAL PAPERS.
No. VII.

I think that it must have been apparent from the
preceding narrative, that Spencer's great object was
usefulness. He seemed in his pursuits to be per-

their claims upon me, and each received a measure of attention. I have reason to hope, that the Lord of the harvest will bless his word, as he enables me to deliver it to the congregation. The greatest atseparation from them with any peculiar sentiments tentions are paid me; nor do I anticipate the day of of pleasure. Motives for humility and lowliness of mind continually rush in upon me, and wretched indeed shall I be, if suffered to fall into pride-that 'condemnation of the devil.'

"The vicinity of this town is remarkably pleasant: in my walks I am sometimes led to see, how the azure skies, meandering streams, flowery meads,

and rising hills, all show forth the eternal power | sorrow oppressed the heart of your valuable partner. and Godhead of the Saviour by whom all things were created; and how they all serve, in one way or other, to recommend him, and set forth his unrivalled excellence, while they acknowledge him as their sole proprietor, for he is Lord of all.'