300 THE STANFORD LIBRARY AT BEllevue.

and death' is more depressing to my soul than all the bodily pains which I endure. O how thankful I am that the Lord hath promised; 'It shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light.

Wednesday, 26th. Depending on the help of the Lord, I ventured to ride to Bellevue, in the hope of being able to establish a library for the benefit of the poor."

The reader has no doubt, ere this, perceived that the efforts of Dr. Stanford to benefit the souls committed to his care, were not limited to the mere routine of what might strictly be considered as involved in the duties of his chaplaincy; but, that he endeavoured, by every means in his power, to promote their happiness and moral improvement. This will become still further evident, by the following extract from his address to the Board of Commissioners of the City Alms-House.

"GENTLEMEN,

"It has for many years past been my earnest wish, that an effort might be made to form a library for the particular benefit of the poor in the City AlmsHouse, as a means under God of promoting their comfort and improvement,

"The following method has suggested itself to my mind, as a measure by which the object might gradually be attained, without expense to the board; I therefore beg leave to offer the following sugges

tions."

Here follow many judicious and practical remarks. He then goes on to say :- "With the above suggestions, and the outline of a plan for the proper arrangement and regulation of the library when formed, allow me to request the favour of your acceptance of six copies of my Aged Christian's Cabinet,' for the use of the aged under your charge in this house, in the hope that the Lord may make them the means of

TRACT ON MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTION. 301

contributing to their instruction and comfort; and by so doing, you will exceedingly gratify,

"Your old chaplain and sincere friend,

"JOHN STANFORD.

66

September 30th, 1831."

"At a meeting of the officers of the Bellevue Establishment, on Friday evening, the 8th of December, 1831:

"Moved, and seconded, That the code of laws proposed by Dr. Stanford be adopted.

66

Carried. Moved, and seconded, That a library committee be appointed by the chair. Carried. When the Rev. II. Tappin, Dr. J. Wood, J. Cox, G. W. Taylor, and E. M. Guion, were named, and approved of.

เ

"Moved, and seconded, That this meeting, as organized, be called the Stanford Library Association of Bellevue,' and that Jameson Cox be president of this Association, and E. M. Guion, secretary. Carried. "E. M. GUION, Secretary."

July 3d, 1832, Dr. Stanford remarks:-" It pleased the Lord to enable me to finish a little tract on morning and evening devotion, for which I am thankful. May I still be assisted to bring forth fruit in my old age, to the praise of God, and the benefit of my fellow-creatures."

Several thousand copies of this valuable pamphlet, were printed at his own expense, for gratuitous distribution. We regret that the want of room will not permit its insertion in the present volume.

From Dr. Stanford to Mrs. Wetmore.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

"July 21st, 1832.

"In this solemn time of public calamity, when pestilence walketh in darkness, it is well for friends

302

LETTER TO MRS. WETMORE.

to inquire, and receive information from each other of their welfare; and therefore, this paper messenger will ask, How is it with you and your's? and how is it in the hospital? David tells us, Psalm ix. 16, that 'The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth.' And it is my prayer, that the inhabitants of this city, may see the hand that smiteth them, and that we may turn unto the Lord in penitence and reformation, and be a people to his praise. But, of this I am certain, if the Lord should not accompany his present judgment with his Spirit and gospel, to teach and humble us, we shall still be left in ignorance and stupidity, and it will be written of us, The people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts'-Isaiah ix. 13. Strong reasons these why we should be found in prayer at the throne of mercy.

"Most of my friends believe that I have pretty nearly got to the head-waters of the river of old age, which may be said to be seventy-eight miles long. But I consider myself as lying at anchor in the bay of mortality, waiting for the pilot to take me into the port of peace. On Wednesday last I met with a severe storm, the effects of which I still feel. It shattered me exceedingly. Towards evening of the same day, the sentiment of David was made my own: -Behold, here am I, let the Lord do with me what seemeth him good.' This greatly composed my mind then, and continues to do so now.

"That the Lord may be your preserver, and finally grant you and your's an entrance into his everlasting kingdom, through Christ Jesus our Lord, is the sincere prayer of

"Your's truly,

"JOHN STANFORD.

On Friday, July 27th, Dr. Stanford wrote on a scrap of paper, found in his desk, "I WISH TO LIVE AS A SAINT, AND TO DIE AS A SENSIBLE SINNER,

LOOKING FOR THE MERCY OF OUR LORD JESUS

CHRIST, UNTO ETERNAL LIFE. J. S. July 27th, 1832."

Lord's day, September 2d, Dr. S. remarks:"Mercifully assisted to perform my private exercises of devotion, and in reading two or three of my own sermons in the 'Domestic Chaplain,' particularly the sermon on Christ, the Alpha and Omega'-my faith was strengthened. Thus I may say, the Lord has fed me out of my own spoon. Blessed be the Lord for all his mercies to me, who am so unworthy."

6

On entering into his 79th year, Dr. Stanford remarks:-"The longer the journey of our life is, the greater are the dangers of the way. The more abundant our mercies, the greater is the obligation to erect a memorial, and to acknowledge, that hitherto the Lord hath helped' us. If any individual or minister be under obligation to erect an EBENEZER, commemorative of the care and goodness of the Lord, in the course of a long life, it certainly is a duty devolving upon me this day. Help me, O Lord, gratefully to acknowledge thy merciful kindness, in sparing me so long. Especially do I feel thankful while I remember many of my ministering brethren, and many of the companions of my youth, who have passed away to the shades of death, while I am spared, as a monument of the preserving mercy of my good and gracious God.

"From the nature of my complicated complaints, and the great advance of my age, there is every reason to believe that my public labours in the ministry of the gospel, will not be resumed. Often do I look back on the scenes of my life, and particularly those of the last twenty years, when my labours have been more abundant than in the days of youthful vigour. Deeply do I lament my numberless defects, and adore the patience and long-suffering of the Lord, in permitting so unworthy a servant to continue in his vine

304

BIGOTRY DISCLAIMED.

yard more than half a century. If I have been useful to an individual, a church, an institution, or to the public, whether by preaching, or by writing, or any other way, I attribute the whole to the influence and good pleasure of my God.

"Some in the course of their ministry have had occasion to alter their opinion in regard to the more important doctrines which they have preached, and the ordinances which they have administered; but it has not been so with me. I cannot therefore but record my gratitude to the Lord, for having taught me the principal truths of his everlasting gospel in my early experience, so that although the lines of my instruction were comparatively faint, yet the truth was precious, and upon Jesus Christ, as the foundation and only hope of the guilty, have I been building ever since I first professed to know the truth; nor have I this day any doubt of its correctness. It affords me pleasure to reflect, that I have ever been open to conviction. I never was a bigot; but sensible of the deceitfulness of my own heart, I have always been willing to receive the truth of God, wherever I have found it; and that truth will, I trust, support and cheer me to the end.

"Man is perpetually living in anticipation of some future good. This is peculiarly true in reference to those who have, by the Spirit of grace, been made nigh unto God through Christ Jesus. Such are emphatically expectants; having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' Blessed are all those who can say with David, 'All my expectation is from him'-Psalm Ixii. 5.

"Whatever I may need to supply the wants of my body, or whatever faith, and patience, and strength, I may require for the soul; for all these I look to the Saviour, and say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.' I desire to render praise unto God, that in conversation, in preaching, and in writing, I have