LETTER TO DR. H. 143 that you may enjoy adequate support and consolation. The love of life is natural to all; but, in the bloom of years, and surrounded by the brightest earthly prospects, the desire proportionably increases. When, therefore, sickness or afflictions overcast our sky, it cannot but produce very painful emotions. I know of but one adequate remedy for this case. It is, a cheerful resignation to the divine will, from a persuasion that he pardoneth our sins, and that he designeth our present and future benefit; or, if you wish the recipe in other language, you have it in Psalm xlviii. 14. "A quack doctor may make up a prescription presented to his hand, without knowing the properties of the drugs, or the nature of the disease, which the medicine is intended to cure; but, a well educated physician, will endeavour to understand both, in order to secure his success. You will, I suppose, admit, that there are quacks both in the profession of medicine and in divinity. I am only the Physician's servant; lest, therefore, you should think me a quack, I must describe to you the component parts of my prescription. It consists, "1st. In a persuasion that God pardoneth our sins. This pardon is the principal ingredient, because sin is our mortal disease. If we analize this, we shall find that it contains justice, mercy, and love. Not produced by the abstract benevolence of the Deity, but found only on the hill of Calvary, through the sufferings and death of the Son of God. The sovereign efficacy of this arises from the appointment of Godits perfect correspondence with the requirements of the law which we have violated, and its adaptation to our wretched condition as sinners. Now, there is no other book but the Bible, which reveals this remedy; and the greatest care ought to be taken to explain its nature, because the life of the patient absolutely depends upon it; and, however valuable and effica 144 LETTER TO DR. H. cious in itself, the patient has the most astonishing aversion to it, until he is convinced he must surely die. "Does not my reason tell me, that I must bear the punishment due to my own sins, or, that I must be indebted to the mediation of another? Certainly; even if there were no Bible, common sense would teach me this lesson. "2d. The next ingredient is, 'A cheerful resignation to the divine will.' This will most charmingly incorporate with the former drug, if I may so say, but, without it, it will have no effect: for I must first know that God forgiveth my sins, before I can with cheerfulness resign myself to his will. But, if I am persuaded of this, I may say, ' This God is my God, for ever and ever; and he shall be my guide, even unto death. In prosperity or adversity, in sickness or in health, my temper, conduct, whole life, shall be directed to the honour of my God and Guide. "Now we take the last, which sweetens all the rest-A full persuasion that he designs my present and future felicity.' All things shall work together like the different drugs in a medicine, administered by the great Physician, for my good-to save my soul -comfort me in sorrow-preserve me from evilsupport me in death, and bring me to immortality and glory! Such is the comfort which the gospel reveals ; and my prayer to God for you is, that you may abundantly enjoy it. "Well, I have got to the end of my paper, and yet, you know something more is necessary. You always put a label upon the phial to direct the patient how to take the contents; but as for me, I am only the poor servant of the great Physician, yet I will pray my divine Master to make you a visit, and administer to you the cordial of salvation. "Sincerely your's, JOHN STANFORD. "March 8th, 1811." INTERESTING INCIDENT. 145 On the first Lord's day in November, a pestilential fever made its appearance in the State-Prison, which rendered it necessary to convert the chapel into a hospital. In consequence of this arrangement, Mr. Stanford consented to preach in hall No. 5, at a considerable distance from the seat of the contagion; but his visits among the sick and dying in the hos pital, were unremitted and faithful. Like the praiseworthy Howard, to whose magnanimous philanthropy we have before alluded, our indefatigable Stanford did literally relinquish his own ease, to visit the abode of the wretched who were destitute, and "bound with fetters of iron." Few of those who have adorned the Christian Church in any age, have been more willing to expose themselves to danger, that they might free others from it, or to enter the gloomy cell, that they might inspire a ray of hope immortal in the breast of the disconsolate captive. He lived and died in the noble cause of Christian benevolence; and though no sculptured monument will convey to posterity the history of his disinterested and pious labours, yet his memory is embalmed in the grateful hearts of those for whom he toiled; and his imperishable fame will survive the wreck of every mausoleum, save that, where works of righteousness are had in everlasting remembrance. About this time, Mr. Stanford, meeting with Mr. E. J. W******, in Wall-street, who, judging from the thread-bare appearance of his garments, that a new suit would be acceptable, invited Mr. S. to step into a merchant tailor's shop opposite. After they entered, Mr. W. remarked to the tailor that he had called for the purpose of requesting him to decide a point upon which there was some doubt, viz.who was the largest man, Mr. Stanford or himself. They were accordingly measured, and nothing more was said upon the subject. The following week a new suit of clothes was brought to Mr. S. accompanied 146 LETTER TO MR. E. J. W. with an anonymous note, requesting his acceptance of them. When relating this circumstance to the writer, he remarked, with his usual pleasantry, “Well, what could I do but pocket the affront!" Letter to Mr. E. J. W* 63 MY DEAR SIR, "In some measure I can say with Dr. Blair, that 'Gratitude is one of the sweetest emotions of the human soul.' And the word of God declares, that they who are unthankful are unholy. Allow me, therefore, to present to you my very affectionate thanks for your valuable and generous donation. Most sincerely do I desire that God, in the unbounded riches of his grace, may clothe you with those vestments in which his people are arrayed, and with them may you appear at the throne of mercy, and eventually be exalted to the throne of glory. What these garments are, you are informed in Isaiah lxi. 10. As sinful creatures we have lost our moral robe; we cannot appear before the throne of God without shame and punishment; and, although our first parents, conscious of their guilt, covered themselves with fig leaves to conceal their transgression, yet the eye of God discovered and brought them to confession. Thus does every child of Adam endeavour, in his approach unto God, to clothe himself in his own righteousness. Nor shall we be undeceived, until God addresses us in language similar to that in which he spake to Adam-Sinner, where art thou?" Then shall we know that our souls are naked, and seek for refuge beneath the cross of Christ. The Lord, in mercy, I hope, has thus discovered to us our sinful deformity, and that our own righteousness is as filthy rags. Thanksgiving and praise be unto the Lord, that, in his wardrobe we find a complete suit of garments, arrayed in which, we may approach unto God with confidence at the LETTER TO MR. E. J. W. 147 throne of grace, and eventually be accepted at the throne of judgment. "These garments, Isaiah describes; and in the language of Paul, wearing them is denominated a 'putting on the Lord Jesus Christ,' whom Jeremiah triumphantly proclaims, The Lord our Righteousness.' I will therefore take the words of Isaiah, and from what little I know of these sacred garments, offer you a short description; and, at the same time, add my fervent prayer, that you and your's may know them better by happy possession. "If you cast your eye upon the words, you will perceive that there are two garments provided, and that they are ornamented with jewels. These garments are adapted to a marriage, and with these the Church is adorned; and we are certain that the possession of them will never fail to create joy and rejoicing in the hearts of all who receive them. The garments, I said, are two: the first is an inward, and the other is an outward robe, which covers the whole. The first is called 'the garments of salvation,' and comes nearest to the heart. This was made by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross:- We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins;' without this, we could have no hope of salvation. The outer robe is called the robe of righteousness,' and is composed of the meritorious obedience of the Son of God. This was so pure and spotless, that it is called 'the righteousness of God, which is unto all, and upon all them that believe.' It is, indeed, the best robe which the Father can give, or the returning prodigal receive. "The chief desire of Paul, when he was an old man, was this:-That he might be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ.' These constitute the basis of our hope! If they could be taken away, we must for ever perish, beneath the frowns of divine justice. |