128

SUBMISSION TO THE DIVINE WILL.

It is- Dozing before Sleep, exemplifying the lingering Death of Man.' This would do for a tract, but I cannot spare it, as it is intended to occupy a place in my Aged Christian's Cabinet.'

"This is a rough copy of a letter for you; but the truth is, I must send it, rough as it is—I have not time to transcribe it, for I must go to Bridewell. "Affectionately your's,

"JOHN STANFORD."

"January 1st. This is the Lord's day!

Another year has commenced. What events, duties, or trials may await me, I leave with my gracious Lord. May the duty and privilege of walking with God be mine, then let me welcome whatever may be allotted." Such were the sentiments with which Mr. Stanford commenced the year 1809. If God would only grant him a submissive spirit, that under all circumstances he might be resigned to the divine will, then, in the absence of applause, ease, or worldly interest, he seems to have been under no particular concern about the future. O how enviable is this child-like disposition; and no man can be more truly safe, than he who is willing to give up all for Christ's sake. True indeed, it is not the duty of any man to sell all that he has, and give it to the poor, because the Saviour commanded the young nobleman to do so; any more than he is under obligation to sacrifice his son, because God commanded Abraham to do so; and yet these were written for our instruction, that, as the ereatures of God, we might be prepared, at any moment, to obey the severest calls of Providence. From the habitual resignation of his mind, we are left to infer, that this was a subject, in the experimental knowledge of which, Mr. Stanford had made great attainments.

The first Sabbath in February was his regular season for preaching to the inmates of the State-Prison;

THE FACETIOUS DUTCHMAN.

129

but his health and animal spirits were extremely depressed, and a severe storm of snow, hail, and rain, accompanied with high winds during the night, gave him but little expectation of being able to fulfil his engagement. At an early hour in the morning, the snow covered the ground to the depth of nearly twelve inches, and he had no means of conveyance.* "Nevertheless," he remarks, "in the fear of the Lord, I commenced my walk, and with much difficulty travelled about half a mile. In endeavouring to gain a better path, I suddenly fell into a deep drain, which was covered with snow, and sunk nearly to my hips. It was not without considerable difficulty I was extricated, and pursued my way to the Prison; my outward garments were so much frozen, that the keepers were obliged to remove them. After resting half an hour in a warm room, I ventured into the chapel, and performed divine worship with some gracious assistance. Often has this day's service occurred to my recollection, and as often excited my gratitude to the Lord for his kind preservation."

After the services in the chapel were ended, and he was passing through the middle hall, to visit the sick prisoners in the hospital, Mr. Hauman, who is a foreigner by birth, and one of the keepers, stood at the back door with the key in his hand, and pleasantly offered him a pinch of snuff. After the usual salutation, the following dialogue ensued:-" Sir, vot use you come here to visit dis wicked people?" "I re

plied, that my heavenly Master made it my duty to visit the sick, and especially those who are in prison.' "Den," said he, "let me ask you, vot use it be for de rain to come down upon de ocean, de sea be full

It is due to the Christian kindness of the gentlemen composing the Board of commissioners of the State-Prison, Bellevue, &c. to say, that during the latter years of Mr. Stanford's chaplaincy, he was generally provided with the coaches belonging to these public institutions to convey him to and from the places where he had appointed to preach.

130

ORDINAION OF REV. DANIEL SHARP.

enuff of vauter vidout it." "Expressing a degree of surprise at the intention of his question, he immediately proceeded"-" Sir, I vill tell you, dere be von ship go along pon de sea, vich be vont of vauter, an de sailors de be ready to die op dirst; de no trink de vauter out of de ocean. By and by de see cloud, an de rain begin to come down; den de sailors spread deir sail on de deck, de katch de rain-vauter; de do trink, an den de go on lifely. So you come to dese poor wretches-you spread de sail-de rain of Got's blessing come down, an den de drink an be glad. So, Sir, I vill now open de door, an you may spread your sail." "Thanking Mr. H. for his remarks, I passed through, to the hospital, with a design to spread my sails of instruction and prayer, in the pleasing hope that some mercy-drops from above might descend, to refresh the souls of the poor prisoners. I have often indulged pleasing reflections upon this little incident, as conveying to me valuable instruction. For, as the mariner can only spread the sail, it is the Lord alone that can raise the wind, or give the gentle rain; so I can only spread the gospel sail of instruction, and wait for drops of mercy from above, to grant the desired blessing."

It was about this time that he commenced writing his second series of lectures for the benefit of theological students. These lectures have since been delivered, with great advantage, to successive classes; and may in due time be given to the public.

On the 17th of May, Mr. Stanford assisted at the ordination of the Rev. Daniel Sharp,* at Newark, in New-Jersey. The services were performed in the first Presbyterian church, in the presence of a large and attentive audience, to whom Mr. Stanford delivered the introductory address.

*The present useful and beloved pastor of the Charles-street Baptist church in Boston.

A PAINFUL ACCIDENT.

131

In the month of August he again visited MountPleasant, where he preached nine times; after which he rode to Peekskill and York-Town, where he also preached to the people, the unsearchable riches of Christ.

On the second Lord's day in September, he preached four times, and administered the Lord's supper twice. This extraordinary circumstance arose from the fact, that he preached to two churches, whose communion Sabbath occurred on the same day.

In the month of November, the bone of his left leg was severely injured, which partially confined him during the remainder of the year, and prevented his preaching more than once on each Lord's day, and then only by being, with great care, conveyed to the place of worship in a carriage. Thus can the Lord "weaken our strength in the way," and teach us submission to his will. In a note upon this providence of God, the good man remarks" May this occurrence afford me a lesson on the importance of improving my time, and stimulate me to future exertions in the service of the Lord." This visitation, though very painful, was not without its use, as it gave him greater leisure for the private, but not less important duties of the closet.

On the 31st of December, he has the following note. in his diary" This is the last day of the year: to me, though extremely ill, and my leg very painful, this is a day of many mercies. I have found the exix Psalm, 49th verse, peculiarly interesting to my mind: Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.' O that I may constantly realize the faithful promises of my God, and possess that faith which shall enable me to extract from it, encouragement and strength for duties and trials in private and public life, and thus be strong in faith, giving glory to God. The evening was spent in reviewing the many scenes and mercies

132

ESSAY ON WALKING WITH GOD.

of the past year, and attempting to consecrate my body and soul to Christ Jesus; that whatever may be my future lot, I may walk with God, until I step out of time into eternity."

66

The opening of the year 1810, found Mr. Stanford confined at home by indisposition of body, but sweetly employed in meditation, prayer, and thanksgiving to God; and in endeavouring renewedly to devote himself to the Lord, and to his service in the gospel. "My public labours during the last year," he remarks, were not altogether in vain in the Lord; to him therefore would I ascribe the glory, and humble myself before him in dust and ashes. May I henceforth be assisted by the Spirit of his grace to know, feel, and preach the gospel, with more fruitfulness for the conversion of sinners, the comfort of believers, and the glory of his name."

After a confinement of two weeks, he again ventured to ride out, and was assisted to preach twice. In the afternoon he experienced so great a degree of physical and mental weakness, owing to his recent indisposition, that he was under the necessity of curtailing his discourse. But in the evening he says: "I was more favoured-such occurrences teach me how much I need power and perpetual influences from above. May the Lord visit my mind and heart, if not with a copious shower of his grace and mercy, yet with the gentle dew of his love, that I may bear some humble fruit to the honour of his name, and the benefit of his people."

During the month of March, he finished an essay on "Walking with God." The principal design of which seems to have been, to stimulate his own soul in the practice and enjoyment of this high and invaluable privilege. Upon this subject he remarks: "I am taught, by painful experience, both to know and feel, that it is easier for me to walk in a profession, and walk to church, than to walk sensibly and humbly