amination at Hoxton (which was postponed to the 7th of January) at his father's house at Hertford.

Whose imagination does not follow this beloved youth into the bosom of his family again; who does not picture to himself the charming scenes of social and domestic joy his presence would inspire! With what tenderness and affection would his venerable father bid him welcome to his paternal home again; with what delight would he gaze upon the animated features of his countenance, smiling in all the ingenuousness of youth; while with nobler feelings of delight he marked the unfolding graces of his mind, saw his improvement in the best of sciences-religion, and beheld him daily growing in favor both with God and man. With what adoring gratitude would they retrace together the scenes of his childhood, and the many alarming obstacles which once almost forbade the indulgence of a hope that the object of their ardent wish would ever be obtained; and how, in the transport of those happy hours, would his family anticipate for him they loved, in the future stages of an honorable ministry, years of usefulness and comfort. Ah! pleasing visions never to be realized! Little did that interesting group conceive that it was his appointed lot but just to taste the joys and sorrows of a pastor's life, and then expire. Already they had seen the bud swelling with fullness-teeming with life; now they beheld the blossom, and admired its beauty; and they

thought long to gaze upon the promised charms of the unfolded flower; happy strangers of the melancholy and mysterious fact, that so soon as it had opened it must be suddenly cut down and die! But such and so frail is man-" In the morning they are like grass that groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth."-Psalm xc. 5, 6. Such and so uncertain is human life-" It is even as a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."-James iv. 14.

CHAPTER II.

Letters written from Home-His Return to Harwich-Resumes his Studies-Interesting Correspondence-Papers submitted by Spencer to the Committee of Hoxton Academy.

At this interesting period of Mr. Spencer's life, it will be perhaps gratifying to the reader to pause, and gain a more familiar acquaintance with him than can be supplied by a narration of events and circumstances in his history, by perusing some extracts from his correspondence and other papers, which will throw much light upon the formation of his character, and afford a pleasing specimen of his early genius.

I have now before me a packet of letters addressed to his friend Mr. Heward, dated at various periods, from October, 1805, to December, 1806.— Though at the commencement of this correspondence he had not attained his fifteenth year, these letters breathe a spirit of the purest piety, and often express sentiments by which age would not be dishonored, in a style remarkably correct and vigorous. But the reader shall participate with me in the pleasure which the perusal of this interesting

correspondence this simple and unaffected utterance of early piety and friendship, has afforded me.

แ

HERTFORD, November 12, 1805.

I join with you in saying, 'how wonderful are God's ways.' We indeed little thought that Mr. H. was the person under whom I should be instructed, when we were at Hoxton, hearing him preach, or I, when I breakfasted with him; at the same time, I cannot forbear adoring that favor which is shown to me from God; ME who am utterly unworthy of the least of all God's mercies. Goodness and mercy have hitherto followed me, and, I doubt not, will through life. May that goodness which was so gloriously displayed in the salvation of sinners, and that mercy which has snatched so many brands from the burning, be our consolation all through life—our joy in deathand the burden of our song to all eternity."

The following observations are worthy of a much older pen, and display a judgment and discretion, rather unusual in a lad, not yet fifteen years of age.

"You informed me in your last, that your desires for the work of the ministry had not at all abated. I sincerely wish that they may be fulfilled, and that you and I may be fellowlaborers in the Lord's vineyard. God certainly can do this for us; let us pray that he may. You still appear dubious of your own ability for that important work. I would have you consider, that God works by whom he will work. He has many ministers in his church, real sent ministers, who have not those great gifts that distinguish many of his servants; and not only so, but these men have often been the means of doing more good than those of great talents-and what is the reason of this? Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight-is all that we must say. And you, my worthy friend, should also remember, that as yet, you cannot form any idea of your own

abilities. As I have often told you, when I lived with you, I doubt not your abilities, when improved by application to study, &c. will be as fit for that employ, (if the will of God) as any other. God, you know, in every thing acts as a sovereign: 'I will work, and who shall let it,' is his language-will work by the feeblest means, and the weakest instruments. I hope you will still be kept low in your own eyes, for, that, I am sure, is one quality, or rather property, of a gospel minister. At our best estate we are altogether vanity, and less than nothing. May the Lord keep us all truly humble. Luther used to say, there were three things made a minister-affliction, meditation, and prayer; that is, sanctified affliction, scriptural meditation, and earnest prayer; in which last particular I hope you are perpetually engaged. Pray, my dear friend, for direction of God-pray for grace, which is of more value, by far, than great gifts, and say in the language of resignation, hope, and faithHere am I, Lord, send me to labor in thy vineyard. You have appealed to me in saying, 'You well know I shall never rely on my own strength for success and usefulness'-I know you will not, (at least whilst in your present mind) and I pray that God would keep you still so determined. Let us then pray, that we may both of us be able, useful, and humble ministers of the New Testament.

I am glad to find, that you generally hear three times a day. Young men who wish to be ministers, cannot hear too much of the gospel, provided they are anxious to improve on what they do hear.”

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO THE SAME.

HERTFORD, November 18, 1805. "MY DEAREST FRIEND:-I expected to have heard from you before now, but as I have not, it becomes me to bear the disappointment with fortitude and resolution, hoping that it will not be long before I have a few lines from you. On Saturday last, I heard that that good and worthy man, Mr. Winwood, was dead.