280

THE PRISONER'S COMPANION.

useful employment, in place of evil example, ignorance, and idleness-and the exertion of the power of society in the reformation, that it may be the more safely put forth for the forgiveness of its unfortunate children."

Letter to the Rev. Dr. Allison.

"New-York, May 9th, 1826.

"MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST,

"We have loved each other in Christ Jesus for very many years. We shall not meet again in this vale of sorrow, for the time of our departure is at hand. That blessed Saviour who hath so long conducted us in duty, and preserved us in suffering, hath already, by his death and resurrection, prepared for us a bed of death without a thorn. Let us still look to his gracious hand to lay us gently down upon that cold bed, in full and certain hope of the resurrection at the last day, that we then shall be transformed into his glorious likeness, see him as he is, know each other better than we are now known, and join the redeemed in triumphant praises to God and the Lamb for ever and ever. With such hopes I will not bid you farewell, for we shall meet in heaven, to part no more.

"JOHN STANFORD."

Thursday, January 17th, 1826, Mr. Stanford says: "Visited all the wards in the City-Hospital, and then gave a discourse with some little satisfaction. After returning home, I finished the Annual Census, and sent it to the printer.

66

Thursday, October 5th. Finished the Prisoner's Companion,' and delivered the copy to the committee of the American Tract Society." This interesting publication was immediately stereotyped, and is continued in the series of the Society's tracts.

"Friday, October 20th. A violent storm-no

MERIT DISCLAIMED.

281

carriage came for me, and I therefore employed myself in writing."

"During this day I have indulged many serious reflections on the path of my long life. I know not that at any one time my spirit was laid more prostrate before the Lord, or my gratitude more elevated for mercies and preservation, than during the whole of this day. Reviewing my ministerial life, I was deeply impressed with a conviction, that the servant of the Lord should always possess a habitual sense of the value and the danger of the souls of sinners. He ought to realize the trust committed to him in the ministry of the gospel, and possess great love and zeal for the glory of God. Thoughts like these pervaded my mind; so that when I looked back on my more than fifty years services, I could not but deeply lament that I have possessed so small a share of these ministerial virtues. I am now beginning seriously to discover my defects, when I have but little time left for improvement. I shall soon finish my days and my ministry together. These considerations humble my soul in the dust. I am deeply convinced that I can have no pretensions to merit. All the good I ever had or did, must be ascribed to the mercy and grace of God. If any sinner, by my means, has been brought to the knowledge of the truth, or any afflicted saint has been refreshed, it was the Lord that put the lifegiving, consoling word into my lips, and clothed it with his power to produce the happy effect; therefore, the praise is not mine, but the Lord's. And, if I have written any thing which has been found instructive and useful to individuals, or to the public, I am certain the Lord put the subject into my heart, and he guided my hand; so that, in the review of my many publications, I have no regret, nor wish a single page recalled.

66

Advancing towards my latter end, and feeling a rapid increase of mental and bodily infirmities, I wish

282

THE FOUNDATION RE-EXAMINED.

The

to look more intently into the foundation of my hope, that I may not be deceived nor ashamed. I can say with sincerity, that the hope I possess does not spring from either my religious or ministerial profession, nor from any series of religious opinions; but upon the sovereign mercy of God, through the person, atonement, righteousness, and grace of his Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. On this I rest: without it I must sink and perish! Long as I have made a profession of faith in Christ, I this day find that I still want more of the grace of faith-that holy principle which will enable me to take faster hold, and rest more feelingly upon Christ, the rock, the only sure foundation. The conflicts of my heart with sin, unbelief, and temptation, are frequently severe. body of sin is weighty, defiling, and loathsome; I can therefore look for no other refuge, support, and victory, but in the God of all grace, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Like Moses, I know not the day of my death;' neither am I anxious to know it, though it cannot be far distant. O that the Lord may enable mé to trim my lamp, gird up the loins of my mind, and cultivate those feelings which shall accord with a devout waiting for the coming of my Lord, so that when he knocks, I may open to him immediately. May the Holy Spirit, who is the glorifier of Christ, and the source of all grace, grant me his influence to help my infirmities, increase my faith, and sanctify my affections, and it will be the most welcome and valuable gift I can desire, and receive, on this my birthday!"

On the 31st of December, 1826, he writes:"Thus closes another year. O how great has been the patience of the Lord with me, a poor sinful and unprofitable creature. What in future he designs for me, whether in life or death, I leave to his sovereign will and pleasure."

CHAPTER XVI.

FUNERAL OF THE REV. C. R. DUFFIE-MEMORIAL-MR. STANFORD A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY -MECHANICS SCHOOL-ADDRESS AT LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF THE PENITENTIARY ON BLACKWELL'S ISLANDRECEIVES THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF DIVINITY-EXERCISES AT THE CLOSE OF 1830.

JANUARY 1st, 1827, Mr. Stanford says:-"Many were the humble and grateful thoughts with which I commenced this year. My desires to live nearer the Lord increase daily; to have a firmer faith in the Redeemer, and to honour his name in whatever he may allot me to do or suffer; and to wait the time when he shall remove me from all below, in hope of endless peace."

"January 18th. Attended the Orphan-Asylum, to perform the funeral service over the remains of Elizabeth Jessup, aged eleven years, who died happy in the Lord."

"January 31st. Although this month I laboured under much bodily infirmity, yet was assisted to finish my annual reports of the different institutions, and to perform my usual duties in preaching and visiting. Many have been the conflicts of my own heart; and I humbly pray the Lord to pardon and cleanse me from my sins, and cause his holy fear so to operate upon my heart, that I may not depart from him, but love and serve him to the end of my days."

The following extract of a letter from Samuel L. Mitchill, M. D. LL. D. furnishes another evidence of the favourable light in which the labours of Mr. Stan

284

DEATH OF THE REV. C. R. DUFFIE.

ford were regarded by the most enlightened members of this community.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"New-York, April 11th, 1827.

"Be pleased to accept my thanks for your composition, entitled The Prisoner's Companion,' published lately by the American Tract Society. The topics of the nine sections seem admirably adapted to answer the purpose for which they were intended, and show the author's profound acquaintance, from long observation, with the persons whom he addresses.

"I congratulate you on your great industry; and on your ability to finish so many and such excellent writings as you have done.

"May you long live to perform, among other functions, those exemplary ones that have distinguished you as Public Chaplain to the Humane and Criminal Institutions in the City of New-York.'

"Your book on the zoology of the Bible, has edified me much. I hope it has had an extensive circulation. The information it contains will materially elucidate the sacred text.

"I avail myself of the present opportunity, to assure you of my good will and kind feeling.

"SAMUEL L. MITCHILL."

August 21st, Mr. S. says:-" Visited ten wards in the City-Hospital, and gave a discourse. In the afternoon, attended the funeral of the Rev. C. R. Duffie, who, in the midst of usefulness, and at an early age, died, after a few days illness; and yet I am preserved to very old age."

"Lord's day, September 2d. Morning, ventured to the City-Hospital with only a scrap of notes, but the Lord was pleased to multiply it. Rode to the State-Prison, preached twice in the chapel, and once in the guard-house. O the goodness of the Lord in bearing with me, and helping me this day."