EMPLOYMENTS AT NEWCASTLE.

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come a good deal under my care as to what goes out; sometimes, also, I do a little in the vinegar yard, when occasion requires, and very frequently little odd jobs come in the way which I have to do. Sometimes I go through the works to see what the men are doing, and sometimes, on a pressing exigency, I have been miller, or had part of a share therein for a time. Secondly, How I like my situation? Some things there are which are disagreeable in the business, chiefly that I am so much confined, for in the day I dare not use any spare time, if I could, and at night I am held fast with the writing part of the business; and I have many a dark and disagreeable journey at nine o'clock to the post house, through all kinds of weather, up to which time, from about half-past six in the morning, I am frequently confined.

Mr. Whitfield, of Hamsterly, has been here and sends his respects to you; would be glad to see you this way. The association is there this year, the first week in June. Shall be very glad to see you here; if you think of coming, would you specify it. I hope you will not be long in writing.

J. K.

In the summer of 1782, Mr. and Mrs. Kinghorn visited their son at Newcastle; and Mr. Ward soon after paid a visit to Yorkshire. During his absence Joseph resided with Mr. Fishwick, which he in some respects found an agreeable alteration. He complained, however, of the great confinement to which he was subjected in the business, and even hinted at making inquiry about a watch and clock business to be taken without an apprenticeship. His father objected to this as not likely either to give him less confinement, or to enable him to live with any degree of comfort; he says in a letter dated July 15th, 1782:

"I should have no objection to your being a mechanic either in the clock and watch, or any other branch that had the probability of being for your future welfare. But as we are such short-sighted mortals, we often choose such things as are for our hurt, unless directed by divine wisdom. As you know that when Mr. F. proposed your going to Newcastle for two or three years, he proposed also to advance your wages in proportion to your merit, and after a few years to help you to a better place, i. e. a place of more honour and profit, which, at the time, we embraced with thankfulness, as

judging it probable that divine wisdom had designed something else for you than being a mechanic, (especially as two attempts had failed of that nature at Hull.) Therefore as your present lot scems to be a prelude to your future situation in the world, it may perhaps be the greatest wisdom to submit to the divine will, seeing it seems to be his will that you should act in another sphere. As we cannot by taking thought add one cubit to our stature, neither can we change the divine counsels concerning our situation even as to our temporal estate in this world. For if he appoints the bounds of our habitation, he must order also the business we are to be employed in, where we dwell, &c. I desire you to read and consider a few remarks of Mr. Newton's, in his narration of himself, concerning Joseph's change of situation, and the application he makes of it to himself, on which he observes, if any one of these had failed, the grand design of God concerning the salvation of men had failed. I do not thus write as foreseeing, much less asserting, what is to be your future lot. I only think from the two former disappointments at Hull, it seems probable that you are not to get your living in the world by clockmaking."

D. K.

The above remarks were eagerly noticed by Joseph, who apparently thought they had some reference to the ministry, to which his thoughts seem even then to have been directed; and though meant by his father, (as he afterwards explains,) only as alluding to an advanced station in business; they are remarkable. Joseph says, July 31st, 1782 :

There is one thing in your letter I cannot so fully comprehend as I could wish. It is this; you say my present lot seems to be a prelude to my future situation in the world. If you think it prudent to let me know your opinion, I could like to know what you think my present lot is a prelude to, although I have, I think, a guess by what you say respecting Mr. N.

DEAR SON,

Bishop Burton, August 10th, 1782.

You desire to know what I think your present lot a prelude to? I mean no more than that you may be introduced into business in a counting-house; and if God in his providence favours you, in time you may be a master, or partner, in some branch of business yourself. But in these things we ofttimes cannot sce our way before us, nor can we know what shall befal us in this life, even the next hour or minute. But for the present I recommend a

patient submission to the will of God in bearing some difficulties that may be in the way, as there is no state without them.

As to confining you to stay there, I have no desire that you should stay longer than may be for your good, but as you are now grown almost to maturity, you must expect to be employed in something in this world for bread one way or other, and in every change you make in this world, though you may meet with some advantages, you will always meet with some disadvantages. I am fully persuaded that your being confined in business hath its advantages, as it prevents you from having any part of your time to sit heavy on your hand, and consequently from spending it idly; for I had much rather hear you complain on that head, than hear that your time was spent in loose company, which is too often the case with youth who have a deal of time on their hands: perhaps you may think me severe, or that I harbour a bad opinion of you. But, my dear son, a few years' experience will certainly teach you, that it is good to bear the yoke in one's youth, and that I speak with the feelings of a tender father, who would not willingly see you oppressed or injured on the one hand, nor exposed to the snares and temptations of Satan, and a bewitching world on the other. Perhaps you wish only for a little more time to study. I acknowledge that a little time for that purpose may be very desirable, if wholly employed in it. Nevertheless, I am in the mind at present, that it is an advantage to your health, that you are restrained from it, particularly at this time when you are growing so fast-and, indeed, a knowledge of tongues, arts, &c., unless they are for public good, are useless things, however pleasing they may be, except a person have nothing else to do than to please himself. We ought to confine all our thoughts and projects to that which hath a probability of usefulness either at present or for the future. With this view I studied to instruct you, as far as I was able, in those things you are now acquainted with in science, &c. And I hope I shall ever study your real good, and never think any trouble or expense too much, that is within my power, which hath the appearance of being really beneficial to you. Therefore if you are inclined to be a mechanic, (as I know of no probable way for you to be gratified in it, besides that of your being an apprentice,) I shall do all in my power to support you in it, though I cannot do as I should wish to do for you. We join in love to you and all friends.

I rest your loving father, &c.

DAVID KINGhorn.

Joseph is baptized by his father at Bishop Burton and returns to Newcastle-Visit of Robert Hall on his way to Aberdeen—A country school, versus a clerk's situation-Joseph is by his father's consent devoted to the ministry, and enters Bristol Academy.

We now come to Mr. Kinghorn's open profession of faith in Christ, by submission to his ordinance. The first mention of it is in a letter dated September 15th, 1782.

I often think of a journey to Burton next spring, how it will be I know not. I have thought, if no minister is fixed here before the time I hope to see Burton, if it would be consistent with gospel order, I should wish to be baptized in Burton, should I be thought worthy of it. Your sentiments on this I shall be glad to know. It is a solemn transaction, and needs much consideration and prayer for the blessing of God and his guidance.

His father replies :

Bishop Burton, Oct. 14th, 1782.

As to what you say concerning a journey to Burton in the spring, if the Lord permit it so to be, we shall be glad to see you. As to your being baptized, if you be seriously inclined to it, whether you come to Burton or not, it need not be delayed, seeing Mr. Whitfield is only thirty miles from you; even suppose there should not be a pastor at Tuthill Stairs. I do not suppose there would be any objection made to it by the people here, though I have not mentioned it to any, as the time is so distant.

Every ordinance of divine appointment ought to be attended to with seriousness and caution, and, as you observe, with prayer for the divine presence and blessing. Two things are necessary antecedents to it; first, a sense of our lost condition by the fall, and our inability to recommend ourselves to the favour of God by any duties or acts of obedience we are able to perform. Second, a hearty

JOSEPH'S WISH TO JOIN THE CHURCH.

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reception of, and dependence on Jesus Christ for salvation-without the first, the second cannot be; nor can the first be of any advantage without the second-therefore both must go together, and obedience to the precepts of Christ will flow from love, not from slavish fear, if he is viewed and depended on, as an able, all-sufficient Saviour, and loved as such. If he is loved, sin will be hated for its intrinsic evil, as it stands opposed to the holy nature of God, and to the holiness of his law. It is possible to shun sin for fear of punishment, though we may not hate it because of its impurity. Not to do the first, shews a sinner hardened in wickedness; not to hate sin as impure, shews the impurity of the heart. It is the pure in heart that shall see God, not the wise in head, unless they are purified.

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

D. K.

Newcastle, Dec. 18th, 1782.

I think my intended journey to Burton may, perhaps, be only a visit, as I believe Tuthill Stairs people are in expectation of a minister, [in which case] it will be very likely I shall lay aside the plan of being baptized at Burton. Indeed, I do not know how things will be; the state of my mind is rather low at present respecting these things, it being a very solemn transaction, and the heart knows its own bitterness although the stranger intermeddles not with its joy.

I have begun, according to your advice, to commit a little of the Greek Testament to memory; it is an operose work, and requires both time and patience, yet I have (in measure) found the use of it. I have begun with Romans v, although I am as yet only master of the first five or six verses. Being advised by my acquaintance not to use so much Pasor's Lexicon, and experiencing the truth of what he said, since I began to be particular, I got Dawson's for 5s., which I hope you will not disapprove, as I can now with pleasure surmount difficulties which before were very great hindrances.

J. K.

The year 1783 affords, as usual, a beautiful birthday meditation, as also a letter to his parents on the same occasion; from the latter we make a quotation.

By the merciful goodness of God this day I reach seventeen years of age; thus far has the stream of mercy and goodness followed me in the land of the living. The mercies I have received have been