was enabled, from a principle of duty and conscience, to afford Mr. Wesley very considerable assistance in the superintendence of the societies. His wisdom and experience, his courage and perseverance, rendered him an invaluable friend to our connection, during some late troubles under which it suffered. He was never intimidated through fear of calumny from pursuing those plans which he conceived to tend toward the peace and union of our societies. His noble soul was elevated above the momentary opinion of a party. He looked only at the interests and glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, and waited for his reward in a better world."* Lady Maxwell heard Mr. Mather, the night previous to her leaving York, preach in his usual luminous manner, on the important subject of faith. She was so forcibly impressed with his observations that, on the following day, she wrote to request him to favour her with an outline of the discourse. The way was thus opened for an epistolary intercourse, which was continued with mutual benefit until the growing infirmities of age, on the part of Mr. Mather, rendered it impracticable. The following letters will conclude this year : TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. Easingwould, Oct. 18, 1786. REV. SIR,-The kind attentions you have paid to my best interest since I came to England encourage me to hope that you will not refuse the request I now make, if only your numerous engagements will admit of your compliance. I regret that I did not mention it this morning before I left York; but necessary attention to pecuniary matters and want of time caused it to escape me. The favour I mean to ask of you is this, that you would employ your first leisure moments in throwing together a few thoughts on the words you spoke from last night. To save you the trouble of much writing, and that I may have the satisfaction of receiving your communication in the course of a post, you may write as concisely as possible. And as you possess the pen of a ready scribe, I hope you will not find the task imposed, in the least burthensome. I found the subject suitable to my state; but, from the causes above mentioned, was prevented reaping all the benefit I desired. Accept of my best wishes for yourself, and those you stand most closely united to by natural ties. I pray that the highest expectations of a fond parent may be fully answered in your hopeful son. His natural and acquired abilities afford you pleasing prospects; and if, to these, is superadded the greatest orna *Minutes of Conference, vol. ii, p. 82. For farther particulars relative to the life and labours of this excellent man, the reader may consult the Methodist Magazine, for the year 1780, p. 91, and for the year 1801, p. 112. ment of human nature, what can you want, to render your happiness as complete as it can be expected in this vale of tears; except still more of the divine image upon your own soul, and yet farther success in your endeavours to promote the cause and kingdom of your Master. That you may be thus highly favoured is the desire of, Rev. sir, Your faithful, humble servant, D. MAXWELL. TO THE REV. ALEXANDER MATHER. Edinburgh, December 15, 1786, REV. SIR, I have been much and necessarily occupied with temporal concerns, since my return home: this has abridged my time for work in which my heart is more engaged, and I have thus been prevented returning you many and sincere thanks for the sermon. I find it truly profitable, and derive benefit from it on every repeated perusal. It inculcates a lesson which it is difficult to learn, living by faith. All nature opposes this: yet I am convinced that I can only proceed in the divine life in proportion as I exercise this heavenly principle. And such is the present state of my mind, that no sermons, no letters, no books, no conversation, are of any use to me, nor do I reap any comfort from them, except they treat of the life of faith. I have not yet the evidence my soul requires, that I am possessed of full salvation. But the Lord is teaching me many important lessons necessarily connected with it. He so condescends to my weakness and ignorance as I cannot express. He also makes his word in secret a constant source of comfort and encouragement to me. In my pursuit of perfect love, I have often lately felt as if just at the port of bliss; my soul has been filled with a hope full of immortality, and I have thought the time to favour me was come. Yet, still, something has prevented me from taking possession of the good land: but I hope this will not long be the case; for the Lord has so mould ed my spirit that nothing can satisfy me, but constant communion with, and full conformity to, my God. The whole world, without this, appears to me an aching void, a wilderness of shadows. I suffer keenly from the remains of unbelief. Do assist me to hew this Agag in pieces before the Lord. It is a great mountain; yet, had I faith, it would become a plain before the great Zerubbabel. That I should remain so slow of heart to believe, after all the Lord has done for me, and all the kindness he is daily showing me, is truly amazing. I really feel ashamed; and, yet I cannot help it. You say I may, but I cannot easily believe this. May the Lord show me where lies the hinderance, and speedily remove it. I should wish for an hour's conversation every day with you and Mrs. Mather: but as that cannot be allowed me, permit me to ask an interest in your prayers: for I can engage in nothing with satisfaction till this great matter is settled. Business is a burthen to me; yet I must attend to it, as so much is committed to me. I know the Lord has peculiarly called me to it, and will therefore fit me for it; this is to me a constant source of comfort. Without this conviction I should sink under the load, conscious of being unequal to the task. Accept of my good wishes for the prosperity of your own soul, and for success in the work to which the Lord has called you. I hope Mrs. Mather sees much of the fruit of her labours. Remember me kindly to her, and believe me, Rev. sir, Your faithful, humble servant, D. MAXWELL. P. S. I have this day paid into the hands of Mr. Pawson, £3 3s. for the purpose mentioned to you in England. It is the widow's mite. I pray it may be blessed. TO THE REV. CHARLES ATMORE. Coates, December 30, 1786. Upon recollection I do not find, Rev. sir, that I have any thing material to add to the particulars mentioned to you on Thursday, concerning Mrs. Thompson:† but as you expressed a desire to have my thoughts on that subject in writing, I have thrown together a few hasty ones, being much circumscribed in point of time. I never was in any particular habits of friendship with Mrs. T.; but for some years past being connected with her in church fellowship, I had, of course, frequent opportunities of conversing with her. From the knowledge thus obtained, I was led to regard her as a person possessed of sterling worth, rather than shining talents; as one originally cast in a very amiable mould: of gentle manners; sweet, pacific disposition; full of benevolence and good will to all; rich in good works; and of great moral rectitude. I am inclined to think that her ideas of religion in the earlier part of life were rather crude and indigested, but that in more advanced years she obtained a clearer view and more experimental knowledge of some of the leading doctrines of Christianity; such as the fall of man and his recovery by Christ. When convinced of her original depravity, and the absolute necessity of a Saviour to restore to the divine favour and image, *The Rev. C. Atmore was, at the period of this date, one of the Wesleyan ministers stationed in Edinburgh. Having obtained help of God, he continues to this day; enjoying the esteem of his brethren and the affection of thousands, and is at present the superintendent of the London east circuit,-(1821.) † Mrs. Thompson was a pious, steady member of the society, in Edinburgh, for many years. It will be gratifying to her surviving friends to see this short sketch of her character by the pen of Lady Maxwell. she set out in good earnest in the ways of God: nor ever slackened her pace till called home to receive her great reward. Being remarkably constant in her attendance on all the means of grace, she quickly found that "the hand of the diligent maketh rich." She soon obtained " the knowledge of salvation, by the remission of sins ;" and I believe, never after lost that antepast of heaven. Thus happy in her own soul, her heart, deeply dyed with generous kindness, expanded in large and fervent desires that multitudes might share in the superlative felicity which she enjoyed. This led her, as Christian prudence directed, to be instant in season and out of season, to promote, in every possible way, the spiritual interests of her fellow creatures. Toward the close of life, it seemed good to the great Disposer of all events to visit her with various trials; more especially the death of two hopeful sons. Here all her maternal feelings were called forth, and keenly exercised; but, in the midst of severe distress, she maintained a deportment worthy the character which she sustained. She bore these bereaving afflictions, not with the stoical apathy of the philosopher, but with the tender sensibility and noble firmness of the Christian happily blended. She kissed the rod that smote her, and bowed in sweet submission to the divine will. Her mind seemed raised superior to the fears of death. She rather wished, and sometimes expressed, a desire for dissolution; and God soon gave her the desire of her heart. The almighty fiat went forth,-death came commissioned to put an end to all her sufferings. During the concluding scene she appeared full of peaceful resignation, but spoke little; the force of disease, in some measure, laying an embargo upon the powers of speech. Thus lived and died this excellent woman. She is now where the inhabitants say not they are sick. As Christians, it is our privilege to reap permanent advantage by every such providential dispensation. "For us they sicken, and for us they die." With good wishes for your spiritual prosperity, and great success in your ministerial labours, I remain, Rev. sir, Your obliged, humble servant in the bonds of the gospel, D. MAXWELL. CHAPTER XXII.-1787. Difference of opinion entertained by Christians on the nature and extent of salvation-Lady Maxwell's sentiments on this subject-Attains full salvation-Her views with regard to the Trinity-She establishes Sabbath-day schools-Corresponds with Miss Ritchie, Mr. Mather, and Mr. Atmore. THE views entertained by Christians on the nature and extent of gospel salvation must be of the utmost importance. If these are erroneous, their pursuit after it will be more or less retarded. And yet it is to be lamented that difference of sentiment has long obtained on this highly momentous subject. While all the sincere disciples of Jesus insist on the absolute necessity of holiness in order to final salvation, they are not agreed with respect to the degrees of holiness attainable on earth; or, rather, as it respects the time when this holiness may be received. Some, from a deep conviction of the entire and radical depravity of human nature, and from a consciousness of the numerous imperfections which attach to us as men, have denied the possibility of our being delivered from the remains of the carnal mind until the article of death; or, at least, conceive that God does, for wise and gracious purposes, suffer his people to struggle with their innate corruptions, so long as they remain in the body; that, though sin is subdued, it is not eradicated; that, though it does not reign, yet it maintains a warfare within, until mortality is swallowed up of life. Others, with views equally correct on the depth and malignity of human depravity, and equally conscious of unavoidable imperfections, conceive that they see enough in the Scriptures to authorize them to expect a full and a present salvation: not only from the guilt and dominion of outward sin, but also from the very remains of corruption in their hearts. They see an extent and efficacy ascribed to the atoning blood, sufficient to wash away all moral pollution: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works :""the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." They are encouraged to expect the entire benefit of this renewing and cleansing process, by numerous exceeding great and precious promises: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses." "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Having these promises," they cleanse themselves "from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." While they pray that God would "sanctify them wholly, body, soul, and spirit, and preserve 66 |