148

LETTER TO MR. E. J. W.

"It is worthy of attention, that the same God who in mercy provides these garments, must put them upon us, for by nature we are attached to our filthy garments of the flesh, and are at enmity against the free and full salvation and righteousness which is in Christ. Therefore Isaiah says, ' He hath clothed mc.' The same God who provides the garments, I said, puts them upon us, or we should remain unclothed for ever. This makes salvation, from first to last, to be of free mercy and grace, and enables us to say, • Christ is all and in all.

"These garments are highly ornamental. They are beautified with the brilliant graces of the Holy Spirit, so that the possessors, by their temper, life, profession, experience, and general conduct, adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. There are some who seem to possess the gift of many spiritual jewels, by which they become highly useful in the world, and in the Church. In life, such Christians contribute much to the moral benefit of their fellow-creatures, and materially promote the cause of Christ, by their humility, benevolence, for bearance, patience, and love. Concerning these garments, I may safely say, they will never wear out; and the jewels themselves, though sometimes a little of the dust of worldly-mindedness may conceal their beauty for a time, yet their intrinsic excellence will ever remain; and God is not wanting in means, by the brush of affliction, to make them sparkle again.

"Isaiah seems desirous to impress upon our minds, that this exquisitely rich dress, is a wedding dress. The bridegroom is Christ, his bride is the Church; and, as according to the ceremony of Jewish marriages, there was first a betrothment; so also when the Father chose his people, and gave them to his Son, there was an espousal; after which the parties are brought together; and thus it is at our conversion; which will be followed by the public

HIS DESIRE TO BE USEFUL.

149

marriage that is to take place at the first resurrection. At that august scene, in the language of David, 'the king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework.' Psalm xlv. Or, according to Paul, ' He will present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.' Ephesians v. O that you and I may rejoice in hope of the glory of God!

"For the abundant goodness of God, in clothing him with the garments of salvation, Isaiah could not but say; I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: and shall we not join in the sacred anthem? In our temper, profession, and conduct, at home and abroad, let us magnify the exceeding riches of divine grace, for what we have received through Jesus Christ our ascended Lord! Very great and precious promises are given for our encouragement, confirmation, and joy, in prospect of immortality.

"To the gracious care of the Saviour, I commend you and your's, and conclude myself,

"Your obliged and affectionate friend,
"JOHN STANFORD.

"November 15th, 1811."

From this, until the close of the year, Mr. Stanford continued in the untiring prosecution of the duties of his chaplaincy. The regions of worldly gratification possessed no charms sufficient to allure his contemplative soul; while his peaceful labours were blessed with the usefulness for which heaven had appointed them, he was but little concerned who might wear the diadem of earthly greatness, or wield the sceptre of human power, or gather the deathless laurels of literary glory, and fill the world with their fame. If be could but witness the triumphs of the gospel, and behold penitent sinners returning to the Saviour,

150

WALKING BY FAITH.

and the kingdom of Christ extending; then his happiness seemed to be complete. In this respect he was favoured with no ordinary measure of enjoyment. Nevertheless, during the last week of this year, the good man seems to have experienced a temporary mental depression; but even in that condition, we recognize the man of God "walking by faith." This is apparent from the following note in his diary:My mind is far from being in a desirable frame, whether to review or improve the events of the past year; but I will cast myself into the hand of that God who has thus far directed my steps through this gloomy vale of tears; and pray that in future he would dispose of me and mine, in that way which shall best promote his glory." Thus did he, like the pious John Newton, declare, even in view of anticipated trials

"Though dark be my way, since he is my guide,
'Tis mine to obey, 'tis his to provide;

Tho' cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail,
The word he has spoken shall surely prevail."

With similar sentiments does he appear to have commenced the year 1812. "All I can say is, Lord, dispose of me according to thy good pleasure; be my guide in life, grant me a peaceful end, and receive my soul at last."

A prisoner being desirous of expressing his gratitude for the preaching of the gospel, wrote a Latin letter to Mr. Stanford, which he enclosed in the following note to the superintendent of the Prison.

INDULGENT SIR,

"Permit me, through the medium of yourself, to present the Rev. Mr. Stanford with a New-Year's gift. The friendly and disinterested manner in which he has so frequently addressed us, has impressed me,

A LATIN LETTER BY O. P.

151

and I sincerely believe many others, with a deep sense of our obligations. I am not authorized to address im in behalf of the prisoners, though individuals ordially assent, but beg leave, in the commencement of the New-Year, to give him a small token of our ratitude. The mode may appear novel. I have written it in Latin, not with a view to exhibit a speimen of an imperfect and much impaired education, ut merely to pay a just compliment to Mr. Stanford's uperior understanding. For your own personal onvenience, I have annexed to this a translation, as teral as the peculiar idioms of the two languages would permit. There are undoubtedly many imperections; but Mr. Stanford's well known goodness encourages a hope that he will view it with candour. "Notwithstanding the gratitude I feel for Mr. Stanford, it is not confined to him alone. You, Sir, old an equal claim. For the numerous instances of your past kindness, I wish you, on this occasion, a restoration of your health. May you liberally enjoy the blessings of the New Year. May you long live to enjoy conjugal and paternal felicity. May the lives of hose sweet babes, who daily delight you with their innocent prattle, be prolonged; and may they become ornaments to society, in whose future prosperity you anticipate the joys of your old age.

"With sentiments of gratitude, I subscribe myself, “The unfortunate,

'To Nicholas Roome, Esq."

"ANNI NOVI DONUM.

"O- P

"Reverendissimo JOHANNI STANFORD, Artium Magistro, Theologia Doctori, hominumque amico, cum diffidentia, dedicatum est.

"Si liceat, me miserum, in carcere clausum, et gnominia circumtectum, te salutare; memor anni præteriti, multorumque tuorum laborum ad illumin

152

THE TRANSLATION.

andas nostrum mentes imperitas, tibi beneficia divina rogo. Tui conatus, in consolandis mœrentibus, trahendisque animis ad peccantium Servatorem, gratias poscunt. Non mihi verba sunt, quibus mentis mei cogitata enuntiare. Non blanditias, sed verum loquor. Est tibi suavitas in modo loquendi, quæ miserimos solatur, et benignitatem dicentis perspicue indicat. Dum corpus dolore languescit, animum cum evangelii alimento nutris.

"Ut cera dura igne calefaciatur, ita tuis sermonibus corda obstinata ad accipienda veritatis divinæ vestigia parantur; atque, dum mens in dubio errat, viam, ad felicitatem æternam monstras.

"Pro tuis officiis benignis, quibus sæpissime politi sumus, prosperitatem tuam, hoc anno novo augeri, ætatemque longam in terris te conterere, precor; atque, quando vitam mortalem relinquas, Deus ad superos te accipiat; ibi, adjunctus beatis, Dei Agnique laudes in æternum modulare.

"Ita precatur,

"Januarii primo die, annoque Domini 1812.”*

P."

*To the original paper the writer of the above elegant and classical composition subjoined a note, by which he altered a word to avoid tautology. This circumstance, trivial as it may seem, is an additional evidence of his critical scholarship, and furnishes abundant proof, that intellect, far above mediocrity, is required in the man, who either as a missionary or stated preacher, would minister with acceptance in a state-prison. The following is a translation of the above letter:

“A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

"With diffidence addressed to the most Reverend JOHN STANFORD, Master of Arts, Doctor of Divinity, and the friend of man.*

"If it be proper for me, a wretch, confined in a prison, and clothed with disgrace, to greet you; contemplating the events of the past year, and your numerous endeavours to instruct our ignorant minds, I wish you the blessings of heaven. Your labours in consoling the wretched, and drawing souls to the Saviour of sinners, demand our thanks. I have not words whereby I can express the feelings of my heart. Not flattery, but the truth I speak. There is a suavity in your manner of speaking, which gives comfort to the most miserable, and plainly indicates the humanity

"The English reader will remember that this is the usual style of address, which was used among the polite Romans."