OBSERVATIONS ON

[Sect. iv.

I plagued with the mortifying reflection, that my conduct. is far not only from the conversation of a Christian, but Those who see and despise my so sensible of its impropriety,

even from that of a man.

levity and folly, cannot be assuredly not so angry at its continuance as myself. Little do they think when I expose my character to their scorn and disapprobation, that that laughter is Sardonic, that that face of merriment is speedily succeeded by, nay often only hides, a heart of anguish. Little do they know the transition which is speedily felt from the effervescence of youthful gaiety, to the cold, dark, dismal, midnight gloominess, of melancholy and remorse. Little do they suspect, who laughed but an hour since at my mirth, and rebuked me for my licence of converse, that now that mirth is but remembered as a zest to the mortification of self-accusation, and that rebuke as a bitterer drop in the distasteful cup of repentance. Keenly do I feel and deeply do I deplore the guilt of my conduct; and retrospection only points to monuments of past offence, and beacons of resolves, neglected and aggravating remembrances.* A word which was suggested to me

* In contrast with these strong condemnations of himself, it is due to his character to express the opinions which others entertained of him; and especially those of his revered Tutors, who had the best opportunity of estimating his habitual demeanor. The Rev. Dr. Smith thus writes :-" It does not appear to me probable, that he was ever chargeable with levity, beyond the very excusable excesses of a kind, amiable and cheerful disposition. Such ex. cesses are scarcely avoidable in a College of twenty young men, living to.

this evening, by one who groans under the same burden of spirit, cast an inexpressible gloom over my conscience : "If any one seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, that man's religion is vain." O God, let this be remembered by me in the time of temptation. And may the spirit of holiness dwell in my bosom, sanctifying my thoughts and enabling me to live and converse as a rational and accountable being."

Equally affecting and instructive are the considerations he has recorded, in connection with a visit to a dying fellow Student.

"Dec. 20. With Mr. Barker, visited our brother Hosking, who is reduced to the last stage of consumption. The afflicted Christian was when we saw him, somewhat refreshed by a night's rest unusually good, but yet so weak as hardly to be able to speak in a low whisper. He manifested pleasure at our visit, and gave us the hand of affectionate salutation. We did not venture to speak

gether in daily intimacy, and of whom the larger part are in high health and spirits. The very exercises to which they are enjoined, for the preservation of their health, have a tendency to these playful ebullitions: and I have observed that the most efficient Students appear, at those seasons, to unbend the most heartily. My opportunity of knowing Mr. Jefferson's daily demeanour were not equal to those of my respected Colleague, the Resident Tutor : but 1 have received from him the most cheerful and ample testimony to Mr. Jef. ferson's exemplary conduct in private life, and to the universal propriety, prudence, and integrity of his character."

OUTLINES OF A DISCOURSE.

[Sect. iv.

much with him, since his weakness precluded conversation; but after engaging in prayer, and commending him to the merciful kindness of our heavenly Father, and entreating that we might meet again in a world without imperfection or affliction, we once more shook hands with him whom we may probably never see again in the body. These are scenes which ought to teach us lessons untaught before—and enable us, with confidence from personal experience and observation, to insist in our public ministrations upon the need and the sufficiency of religion to console and even comfort the spirit, when all earthly joys, however valued, will be rejected with disdain. See in what peace a Christian can die. Let my latter end be like his !"

The Discourses, which he composed during the first year of his studies, are alike creditable to himself and his respected Tutors. It would be very easy to enrich many pages by them, but we must necessarily be sparing in their selection. A Sermon* on Acts xv. 11, has this plain division of the text:

"We discover in these words :

First-A Spirit of Humility: "Through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ." Secondly-A Spirit of Faith: "We believe."

Thirdly-A Spirit of Independence: "We, as they."

Fourthly-A Spirit of Charity: "Even as they."

* July 1821."

1821.]

A SERMON ON MATT. V. 17.

A Discourse* entitled, "The gospel not subversive of the Law," founded on Matt. v. 17, comprises these general outlines and some needful animadversions on the ceremonious observance of Christmas:-" These words contain an exposition of the design of the coming of the Son of God to the negation contained in the former clause, we shall briefly attend."

"It was not the design of the Saviour to relax the requirements of the Law; for

1. If he had, that Law must have been dishonoured, which he came to obey.

2. If he had in one instance, the force of every other command must have

been destroyed.

3. Else the whole plan of the Atonement, would have been unnecessary. 4. Any such pretension would even have proved him to be an impostor.

"Having briefly illustrated the doctrine proposed from the text, we proceed to apply the subject to certain classes of character, who act as if the moral law were abolished by the incarnation of the Son of God."

"That is a species of practical Antinomianism, which leads men

1. To trust to the mercy of God, while they continue in the practice of sin. 2. To deny the obligation of the divine law upon believers.

3: To commemorate the advent of the Son of God by sinful excesses of any kind.

E

Basingstoke, Dec. 23, 1821.

AN ACCOUNT OF

[Sect. iv.

"We fear that the number is very few, of those who celebrate the birth of Jesus in any other manner, than by feasting and merriment. Their conduct seems to say, that they believe the Saviour came to abolish the obligations and restraints under which men had long laboured, to fulfil the law for us, and so to exempt us from its observance."

Having, in the course of correspondence, requested an account of his studies, and recommended diligence in the right improvement of his high advantages; I received a very gratifying reply, expressing his determinations to contribute his best endeavours towards the advancement of literature among the Non-conformists, and of rational enlightened religion in the world. After specifying other particulars, he thus continues:

*

"But I must not omit the very best of our plan, which is the Divinity. Dr. S. does not lecture on Divinity, except so far as Polemics, and Exegetical and Critical Lectures require. But each Student when he enters, copies a large Quarto Syllabus, which he is required to fill up in writing privately, and the result of which is privately presented for the Professor's examination. The conse

* Homerton, March 12, 1822.