had once the happiness to call him theirs. To them the recollection of those happy hours devoted to social or sacred intercourse with their departed friend, must yield a soothing, though a melancholy pleasure. Nor is the reflection less honorable to his memory, than it is consolatory to their minds. In the midst of the unbounded popularity which he enjoyed surrounded by new and splendid connections the admiration of listening crowds, each eager to express his approbation-all ambitious of his friendship he ever thought with the warmest affection upon those whom he had left in that obscurity from which he had himself emerged. Gladly did he seize the opportunity, when it occurred, of retiring from the public eye to taste again the tranquil pleasures of his home, and enjoy the interchange of all those sacred and delightful feelings which strengthen and endear the ties and obligations of social or domestic life. He was not unduly elated by his popularity. In his new associations he did not forget his kindred and his father's house. His family did not sink in his regard, in proportion as he rose to eminence. The voice of universal praise did not drown the milder whispers of paternal love. But in a heart whose best affections were devoted to the noblest objects, and to which new scenes of exertion were perpetually unfolding, the family at Hertford held an honorable and distinguished place. The most extensive public engagements, are not incompatible with the retired duties of private life-and the cares and responsibilities of the most laborious ministry may be sustained and discharged, without absorbing those af fectionate regards so justly claimed by parental kindness and fraternal love. 'Tis true, that as a Christian, and in his official capacity, every believer in Jesus is to the faithful minister a father-a mother-a sister-and a brother. But as a man the relations of life exist for him--and the feelings of humanity must be common to him too. A heart from which these ties are rudely severed-is but ill adapted to that soothing influence by which the office of the ministry becomes a source of comfort to the wretched;-and a man whose bosom is a stranger to the tender sympathies of human lifealike insensible to joy or sorrow-may with propriety administer the cold rites of a Stoical philosophy-but must ever be a living contrast to the religion of Jesus-a system whose characteristic spirit is that of the purest and tenderest philanthropy. Before his departure for Roydon, the following letter was addressed by Mr. Spencer to his friend. The observations at the beginning upon Christian boldness are judicious-and, though ignorant of the particular circumstances which might have called them forth, cannot fail to prove interesting and in structive. XVIII. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. wants before our Father's throne, and entreat bim to fill you with all holy boldness and Christian courage; whilst at the same time I would most earnestly entreat you to consider the foolishness of your fears: the little need we have to seek to please our fellow-creatures, or to dread them, and above all the constant inspection of Him who said, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before his holy angels. But I am persuaded that you are not ashamed of Jesus; yet there is great need for us all to ask ourselves repeatedly, am I fully on the Lord's side?' because this very examination itself produces the best effects, as it prompts us to give evidence before others of the reality of our hope, and it brings us near to God, who can make us strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and faithful even unto death. Your letters always affect me; your company you know delights me; and what shall I say of your attachment to me, but that it meets return. I am often indeed induced to believe that you are too careful of me, and too much concerned about me. Expressions of gratitude on my part from my mouth or pen I know you do not want, therefore I shall not trouble you with them. My mind is perfectly at ease about the present or future laws of the house, as well as about any situation after I have filled it. O that I may be stayed on God! I often think what a pity it will be, if from our friendship there should arise no good effect; however, here I am wrong, because I am myself a witness that good effects have arisen to me; but I long that to us there may be opened fresh sources of comfort and joy in God, and that we may then be made abundant blessings to each other. I am going to preach next Sabbath at Roydon, a village near Hertford, where I have reason to hope God has owned and blessed my unworthy labors before. May he do so again. Perhaps I may go to Hertford to-morrow afternoon, as it was the place of my nativity, and is now the residence of my dear father, my sisters, brother, and mother-in-law. I could say much more, (though in the same feeble and desultory style) but you perceive my paper is full. I cannot expect to see you at all till Tuesday. The coach comes in town on Monday evening, about half past six. If I can, I will walk then to Fleet-street. "Adieu, my dear friend, "THOMAS SPENCER." From this period to that of his first visit to Liverpool, I am not in possession of any remarkable occurrences in Mr. Spencer's history. At any rate, I am aware of none which tend to illustrate any particular feature of his character, or of such a nature as to warrant their publication to the world. But there yet remain many interesting letters to his friend, Mr. Haddon, which will tend very much to supply the want of a connected narrative-and that friend who during this period, enjoyed the most intimate acquaintance with him--and obtained a most accurate knowledge of his character, has furnished me with a series of anecdotes and observations, which will make the reader familiar with the man, and most strikingly exhibit the holy, humble, and fervent bias of his mind. For the present I shall content myself with making a selection from these letters, with such occasional remarks as may be necessary to illustrate their subjects or occasions; whilst the characteristic sketches above alluded to, will occupy some of the succeeding pages. Thursday evening, September 14, 1809. "MY DEAR FRIEND-I know you wish me to write you a great deal; but I must plead the old excuse-want of time; for I find that instead of calling to-morrow morning, must have this directly, and I have but this minute left the chapel. You tell me your mind recoils from publie duty, however plain and clear,' and you need not be told that this is a pity; and in this respect you do not display that Christian boldness which is after all consistent with genuine humility-which the apostles displayed and enforced-which the Bible every where recommends-and which is well calculated to evidence our decided attachment to Jesus and his Hoxton, Oct. 12, 1809. cause. It shall be my part, however, not to re- "MY DEAR FRIEND-With pleasure it is that proach you for the want of it, but to carry your I inform you, that I am appointed for Vauxhali. XIX. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. I feel pleasure, because this assignation gives us "Adieu! Your's affectionately, "THOMAS SPENCER." The young lady to whom he refers in this letter, appears to have been one of the seals of his early ministry, and then at the point of death. One of the letters written by him on that occasion, I am able to lay before the reader. XX. TO MRS. is want of time and multiplicity of engagements→ "THOMAS SPENCER." Had he then been sufficiently advanced in his studies to have cherished the idea of an immediate settlement-and had he been left to the free, unbiassed expression of his feelings-there is no spot "DEAR MADAM-Both your letters were safely and joyfully received by me. I say joyfully, because they show that God is putting honor upon my feeble and unworthy labors, and making use of them for your spiritual welfare-a circumstance that gives me more real pleasure than any other circumstance possibly could. You are much mistaken in supposing that I neglected to write to you, because you had in your letters said any thing improper; nothing could be more opposite to my ideas. Had this been on which he would have fixed as the scene of his the case, I should have felt it my duty to have set stated and pastoral labors, in preference to a village you right: but I can tell you what I can tell my God, so tranquil and retired as Rovdon. He did not vawhen I say that I never heard or read an account lue popularity, except as it afforded him an opporof a young convert which appeared more satisfac- tunity of doing good. No one ever was more averse tory, or filled me with more delight, than that which to pomp or to parade. He loved simplicity in all its you give me of yourself. I say this not to puff you forms. It was indeed a characteristic feature of up with spiritual pride, but to make you more thank- himself; and had not the prospect of more extensive ful that you have obtained mercy, and to assure you usefulness allured him to a wider and more public that your suspicions of any dissatisfaction on my sphere, his passion for retirement would have guided part are altogether groundless. Rather would I ex-him in his selection of a residence for life. claim, 'what hath God wrought! and wrought too (well may I wonder) by his blessing upon my weak exertions. Oh! let the glory be ascribed to Him who gives testimony to the word of his grace. The excuse I have to plead for not writing to you before, Number 8 which seemed declining, beneath the pressure of so Talking with him on the subject of his health, much exertion, his friend said "Do you wish to be early laid aside or do you desire a premature grave "Oh no," said he, "you know my wish-m to have a meeting in the country, surrounded by trees--occasionally to see the shadows of the leaves quivering on the walls, in the reflection of the setting sun. A burial ground near, in which I and my people can together lie! To live a long, honorable, and useful life, bringing many souls to the Saviour! This is the summit of my wishes." Though it was denied him to enjoy the first, the last object of his desire, and by far the most important and dearest to his heart, he did possess; for never was so short a ministry honored by the conversion of so many souls. Every week in Liverpool discloses some fresh instances of its successand one and another is perpetually rising up to say -"By the grace of God I am what I am,' but it was the ministry of Spencer that led me first a humble suppliant to the throne of mercy." The situation of young ministers is peculiarly delicate and dangerous. The eyes not only of the religious public, but also of the world are fixed on them. And it is to be deplored, that where they have a right to expect the greatest kindness, they often meet with an undue severity; and those who ought to be the first to throw the mantle of love over their defects, are not unfrequently the most forward and exulting in their exposure. To an unhappy and inordinate love of scandal, many a fair and unblemished reputation has fallen the victim. The scat tered wrecks by which they are surrounded, should inspire succeeding voyagers with caution. There is a cheerfulness, compa ible with the deepest seriousness--the most fervent piety; and there is a levity, in which the dignity of the minister and the satei y of the Christian, may alike be lost. Where this is witnessed, wha ever claim the individual may have pron the generosity and lenity of the specturors, le has none upon their justice--they have a right & que no--and nowever we may deprecate tab sexent--none can deny them is exercise. Andere it is perhaps la sirdens are most exposora Cinger. Faligned and wasted by the close application and in ense thought of many studious weeks, they enter, as they imagine, the circle of friendship, and instantly relax. Those who only see the effect, and are unacquainted with its cause, hastily form an unfavorable opinion of their characer, and cruelly propagate the opinion they have rashly formet These observations are not alto "Yet may not undistinguish'd be my grave: "Wishing he may not long be doom'd to pine In this low-thoughted world of darkling wo; But that, ere long, he reach his kindred skies." + I remember a case in point upon this subject—the mention of which may not be useless. A student from gether inappropriate to the subject of the following letter. XXI. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. Hoxton college, Oct. 27, 1809. "MY DEAR FRIEND-The expressions of affection your last letter, all your letters, and the whole strain of your conduct towards me evince, greatly affect me, and you will find my feelings upon the subject in Prov. xxvii. 19. Sanctified friendship appears It is what the Saviour recommended by his own to me to be one of the best sweets in the cup of life. example, and what the best of men have experienced beneficial in every age. May this kind of friendship be exemplified in us, and may we mutually share in the affections of the heart of Him, who, "having loved his own which were in the world, loved them unto the end!" To his will in all things we must bow, and in his dispensations, however contrary to our inclination, acquiesce; but "not my will but thine be done," is language which requires a large degree of grace to use in all cases, and from the bottom of our hearts. "Many eyes are indeed upon me, and much do I fear that they will see something in me ere long that will take them from me. Your warnings are faithful, but my heart is still deceitful, and Satan may, for any thing I know, be about to sift me as wheat. You are not ignorant of his devices. Oh! then, pray for me, that my faith fail not, so that, instead of the number of those who behold me, turning away from me with disgust and aversion, they may rather glorify God in me, and take knowledge of me that I have been with Jesus. The thought that affords me some degree of encouragement, is that Jehovah knowe h my rath, and that he is able to make me stand, rea to remove the suspicions of those who fear and wait to see.' But really I canno help thinking that there are some people in the world who seem as if they wished for something to hinder one's usefulness; and who by their too significant expressions on the subject, lead me to supFose that they would rejoice in such a circumstance, and say, 'Oh! so would we have it.' And why? Because then their clever prophecies would be fulfilled, and we should for the future put such confidence in their forebodings as to view them as certain omens of ill events. I do hope, however, that God will in great mercy either keep me from the snares that lie in my way, or take me to himself. "I have to-day written to the Kidderminster people, referring them to the Doctor, or Mr. Wilson. I will try and be with you to-morrow by 12 o'clock Do not be disappointed if I should not be able. I remain yours affectionately, "THOMAS SPENCER." On Sunday, the 5th of November, he was appointed to preach at Cambridge, in the pulpit lately occupied by the Rev. Robert Hall, A. M. a name dear to genius, as to religion. The day following, he one of our academies had been spending some days with a pious and intelligent gentleman in the country, who was in the habit of having the servants of Christ beneath his hospitable roof. On his departure, the gentleman accompanied his guest some miles on his road, and in the course of conversation said- I cannot forbear expressing to you, sir, the satisfaction which I have enjoyed in your society. I must confess that I have been too often grieved by the levity of students, whom yet I have highly valued; but whilst you have displayed a cheerfulness which has enlivened our circle, you have preserved a uniform respect to your sacred office, which has secured the esteem and admi ration of us all." spent in viewing the University. In a letter dated the 3d, he says, "last night my surprise was excited by seeing that I am not appointed on the list for any place in town, but for Cambridge. I am to stay Monday over at Cambridge, to look at the colleges, &c. I shall think much of Kirke White;" and aware of the respectability, both in wealth and talent, of the congregation he was called to address, he adds, "the Lord make me prudent and faithful; may it appear that he has some good end to answer by conducting me thither." He was exceedingly attached to the poetry of Henry Kirke White. He could repeat a great part of it, and frequently quoted it with great emphasis and feeling. "And yet," said he in conversation with the friend to whom these letters are addressed, "there is a thirst for fame sometimes discovered, which pains me. If 'Fifty years hence, and who will hear of Henry.' Well, suppose nobody does, and what then? Henry has served his day and generation, and is gone to glory, neither the church nor he will be losers; and the hearing of Henry will be too small a consideration to be brought into the account." cordially adore Him who has been appointed to give light to them who sit in darkness, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. May you and lever enjoy the presence of Jesus, our best friend; share in his tender sympathy; his kind reproofs; his ex cellent counsels. May he be our God for ever and ever, and our guide even unto death. Then we need fear no evil. If sensible that he is with us, we may pass through midnight glooms, and experience a season of great darkness, and yet look forward to a future time, when with pleasure we shall sing, The Lord is my light, of whom shall I be afraid. Oh! that I may be enabled to commit your soul and my own into the hands of Jesus as unto a faithful Creator. I can now add no more, than to say that "I remain affectionately yours, "THOMAS SPENCER." The next letter furnishes another proof of his humility and diffidence. It was written the day before it became his turn to preach again in the chapel at Hoxton, the Thursday evening lecture, which the tutors usually attend. XXIII. TO MR. HADDON. December 6, 1809. "MY DEAR FRIEND-I am sensible that Mr. S.'s politeness merits' much of us, and if I must name some day for us to meet there, it must be Monday I am sorry you have been so busy about so worthnext. This we will speak of to-morrow evening. Public as Spencer's life had now become, and exposed as he was to the influence of every unholy passion which popularity might awaken, he yet maintained a close and holy walk with God. He courted solitude, and for the best of purposes. Of him it may be truly said, 'his fellowship was with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. The holy and the heavenly tone his mind received in those retired hours, gave a peculiar unction to his minis-less an object as myself. I need not say, pray espetry; and the knowledge which by deep communion with his own heart, and constant intercourse with God, he had obtained, rendered his preaching remarkably profitable to believers, and gave him a skill in administering instructions adapted to all the varieties of their experience. Of this the following is a pleasing specimen. XXII. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. November 9, 1809. cially for me, that a divine blessing may attend me than it has ever been before, when I have had to "THOMAS SPENCER." "MY DEAR FRIEND-Be assured that I, as well as yourself, have walked in darkness, and complained that there was no light. Fluctuations in experience are, I am sure, my lot, whilst my only consolation in such circumstances still remain-'tis the un- It is indeed much to be regretted, that any feelchangeableness of Christ. Oh! what is so calculat-ings but those of mutual affection, forbearance and ed to reconcile our minds to the way our Father calls us to travel, as the recollection, that whilst we are found in it, Jesus is the same, and that to the end of the journey; and in every trying circumstance he is a present help. In darkness he will enable us to trust in the Lord, and to stay ourselves upon our God; yea he will cheer our desponding souls with visitation sweet. Seasons in which we experience darkness of mind, and depression of soul, are necessary: they form the analogy between us and those who through tribulation are gone to heaven: they render us fit subjects for the illuminating and refreshing grace of Christ; they add a higher relish to the renewed enjoyment of the light and liberty of the gospel; and they serve to prepare us for that world where the Lord shall be our everlasting life, and our God our glory. "Reflecting upon deliverance from such times of depression should teach us to say- Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee! It should lead us to anticipate future favors, and rejoice that he that hath delivered us, can and will deliver; and since the day has dawned, and the shadows have fled away, we should most candor, should be cherished in the hearts of brethren-and such surely are the students in the same academy. But in the present imperfect state of our nature, it must be expected, that superior excellence, while it is the object of universal admiration abroad, will, in too many instances, be exposed to the malignant glance of envy and of jealousy at home. And when the scourge of criticism is supplied with knots by these, who but must expect to smart beneath its strokes. It is certainly to the honor of the. institution to which Mr. Spencer belonged, that its members for the most part knew, admired, and confessed his worth and if there were any exceptions let them remain in that oblivion in which is their best security. But the solemn admonition of his early death, should tend to check the bitter exercise of that unhallowed sarcasm by which the rise of ex * "Those who admire and cherish rising talent, can have no bitter reflections when they contemplate the grave of Spencer. They hailed his entrance into pub. lic life, and strengthened his hands by their prayers and their approbation. Those who could envy him, and such I know there were, must be covered with traordinary usefulness or genius is too frequently assailed. In academies of religion and literature, where the avowed object of every student is, not his individual advancement, but the glory of God, a spirit of detraction and envy ought to be unknown. The most devoted and useful, should be most esteemed. Every private interest should be lost in the general welfare of the church of Christ. One may behold, indeed, with less concern, the strokes of satire when they fall upon the arrogant, the presumptuous and the vain:-but when talents are attended by humility-when popularity is connected with diffidence-and eminent piety is mingled with extraordinary displays of genius-to such an object the severity of sarcasm is improperly directed, and every well regulated mind must view its exercise with pain. About this time his health again declined. A severe cold for some days deprived him of his voice and he was compelled to rest one Sabbath day from his public work. What were his feelings in prospect of that Sabbath, this letter will declare. XXIV. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. December 6, 1809. "MY DEAR FRIEND-It appears that your suspicions that I should preach three times to-morrow, will not, cannot be realized, for Mr. Western, as well as those around me are agreed, that I must not go to Hertford at all, judging it dangerous for me to go out, much more so to preach. Yesterday I passed a miserable day. The thought of the pain of mind the letter I sent home would occasion to my friends, hurt me much, and I was much worse than I had been before, as my lungs and throat felt more inflamed. To-day I think I am better, but still very far from well. I can scarcely bear the prospect of a silent Sabbath. I think I shall be quite out of my element to-morrow. Oh! that I did but more firmly believe, that he who is my Saviour does all things well, and that he who sustains the dread character of Judge of all the earth, must do right. If I am able, I shall hear Mr. Hordle in the morning. I have no voice yet. I hope it is not irretrievably lost. I need not say, that if you can call this evening, it will give me unspeakable pleasure. "Yours affectionately, "THOMAS SPENCER." Reflecting on this temporary indisposition in a letter to his father, he says "I have reason to hope that the measure of affliction with which our heavenly Father thought it to visit me, has been made a blessing to my soul. It gave me time for reflection and close self-examination. It gave a new zest to my feelings, and when it was removed, I hope I was inspired with fresh ardor to live for the glory of God." the chamber of sickness, the exercises of the pulpit will be furnished with materials of the highest order; and the beds of the diseased will be attended with a sympathy, which experience of similar affliction only can excite. The greater part of the Christmas vacation Mr. Spencer spent at Brighton, and on the first day of the year 1810, he preached at the Rev. Mr. Styles' chapel, to young people, from 2 Chron. xxxiv. 27, 28. "Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardst his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes and weep before me: I have even heard thee also, sah the Lord. Behold I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace. Neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same." The good seed which he was the instrument of scattering in Brighton, very rapidly sprang up. In a letter to his father, written immediately on his return from thence, and dated Jan. 12th, 1810, he says, 'a young person who heard me at Mr. Styles' last year, was called by divine grace under my instrumentality, and died before I went this time, bearing an honorable testimony to the religion of Jesus, and to her interes: in it. Oh! what hath God wrought!" During his stay at Brighton, he had occasion to solicit a favor of his friend in London, the performance of which was acknowledged in the following letter. XXV. TO MR. HADDON. Brighton, January 1, 1810. "MY DEAR FRIEND-However you may smile at the idea of my writing you a letter of thanks,' I assure you I think you have a claim upon it, for you have done for me what I should have liked few others to have done; but suffice it to say, it came safe to hand. Last Thursday evening I preached on Luke xxiv. 32. Yesterday morning at the Countess', on Eph. ii. 14. In the evening at Mr. Styles', it being the close of the year, on Exodus xxii. 20. To-night I shall only preach, as one minister will commence and another close with prayer. It is said that I shall preach at the chapel on Thursday evening. You ask me, where I shall be next Sabbath. Many advise me to remain at Brighton; but it is my present intention to return home on the Friday, though I really feel myself in a difficulty about it. I hope I have, since I have been at this place, enjoyed the divine blessing those with whom I associate are the excellent of the earthwith no others have I any occasion to be at all connected. In this respect I am like your good friend Mr. H. of Westminster. We certainly do not in general sufficiently estimate the worth of the soci ety of those who discover the mind that was in Christ;-great is the benefit we may derive from their company. Oh! let those of us who fear the Lord speak often with one another; one may thus come at each other's follies, and stimulate each other to the performance of that good, acceptable, Amid the constant bustle of a public life, the retirement which temporary indisposition affords, must be most beneficial to a pious mind. Then it can relax into a calm and intimate communion with itself. It can quietly indulge in such a review of the past-and such an anticipation of the future, as will tend not a little, under the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, to curb its impetuosity--and perfect will of God. I think my cold is getting correct its levity-and regulate its principles. From better. After I had preached last night, a valuable young Scotch clergyman who was there, wished 1 might live to preach many such sermons-what could I say, but all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come. It is a great satisfaction to know, that we are training up for heaven and ripening apace for the vision of God.' Pray for me, that this perseverance may be given me. |