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FIRST INTERVIEW WITH REV. MR. WALLIN.

the civil constitution; and the king of the realm is styled, HEAD OF THE CHURCH, AND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH.' I also recollected that the Church of England considers the whole nation as baptized in infancy; and every individual, good and bad, to be members; and consequently required to receive the Lord's supper. Whereas the members of the Church of Christ, as described in the scriptures, are said to be, regenerated' called out of the world'—' new creatures,' and acknowledging no other Lord and King, but Jesus Christ.

6

“I next examined the doctrinal articles of the Church of England, and could not but approve of them as really good. I recollected also, many pious and learned ministers, and others of that communion, to whom I felt the most affectionate attachment. Duty, however, was a personal concern; and what ever others might do, according to what they had been taught, it became me to listen to the voice of Jesus- What is that to thee, follow thou me.' This I wished to do in humility and love; at the same time, possessing the most sincere regard for others, though not united to the same denomination with myself. I can truly say, Grace, mercy and peace, be with the Israel of God.' At this time I was introduced to the Rev. Benjamin Wallin,* of London ; and carefully examined the principles and practices

*The Rev. Benjamin Wallin, was for more than forty years, the devoted and useful pastor of the Baptist church in Maze-pond, London. As a minister of the Gospel he was laborious, affectionate, and successful; nor were his efforts to promote the glory of God and the moral interests of the world, circumscribed by the bounds of his own congregation. He was a man of public spirit, and sincerely attached to all good men.- -Mr. Wallin was one of the ministers who, in 1772, petitioned parliament, to relieve dissenters from the oppressive law which required them to subscribe to the articles of the Church of England. As an author he commenced his career in 1746, and attained considerable celebrity. His "Pious Memorials"-" Memoirs of a Young Gentleman, intended as a warning to Deists," and several other equally meritorious works, give ample evidence of his fervent piety, and of a sound and discriminating mind.

PERSECUTION FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE.

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of the church over which he was pastor, and found them to correspond with those described in the New Testament. I therefore resolved, in the fear of God, to unite with that people, and accordingly offered myself as a candidate for membership. As with the heart man believeth unto righteousness,' so ' with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' (Rom. x. 10.) I therefore declared before the Church, what I believed the Lord had in mercy done for me; and was accepted, baptized, and received into the fellowship of that community, as a baptized church of Christ, where I enjoyed much of the power and presence of the Lord Jesus.

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Many years have passed away since my public baptism; I have frequently and conscientiously examined the principles upon which I then acted; I have also had a more extensive acquaintance with the different religious denominations of Christians, and a more deep penetration into the word of God; and although I am far from believing that Baptist churches are in a state of perfection, yet I cannot but still approve of that denomination, as nearest to the truth, as it is in Christ, and rejoice in the profession I have made."

Added to the loss of his uncle's valuable estate, (to which he was the lawful heir, and which had repeatedly been promised to him,) in consequence of his leaving the Episcopal Church, and attending the ministry of dissenters; he now experienced much of that unkindness which, alas! too often frowns upon those who conscientiously believe that Christ and his apostles were Baptists; and that therefore duty to God requires them to imitate his example. But, regardless of pecuniary losses, and unyielding amid the reproaches of his relations and former friends, and the odium which his change of sentiment on the subject of baptism occasioned, he seemed with holy magnanimity to say:

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JOSEPH'S COAT OF MANY COLOURS.

"Hast thou the cross for me endur'd,

And all the shame despis'd?
And shall I be asham'd, O Lord,
With thee to be baptiz'd?

"Didst thou the great example lead,
In Jordan's swelling flood?
And shall my pride disdain the deed
That's worthy of my God?"-

From the foregoing narrative, it does not appear that his conversion can be refered to any particular period, but that the Lord led him step by step, like as it was with Ephraim; "I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 1 taught Ephraim also to go, taking him by the hand; I drew him with cords of love, and with the bands of a man." (Hosea xi.) His convictions of sin were not as pungent and overwhelming as do sometimes precede the joys of a hope in Christ; "nevertheless," he remarks in his diary; "the God of my mercy has done that for me which I could not have performed for myself. Whereas I was blind, now I see.' If I were not the Lord's, surely he would not have dealt thus kindly with me. Glory be to his unbounded mercy and unchanging grace!"

The subsequent parts of this narrative, must necessarily exhibit a diversified scene. His call to the ministry-public ordination-success and discouragements-his private and public afflictions-leaving his native country-emigration to America-connections -travels-friends and foes-these, with their attendant hopes, fears, pleasures and pains, have in such close succession attended his steps, that he was accustomed to say, that Providence, by its vicissitudes, seemed to have furnished him with "a Joseph's coat of many colours."

Although like David, he was permitted to "sing," both "of mercy and judgment," and to testify his gratitude to that Almighty Saviour by whom he had often

HE COMMITS HIMSELF TO THE LORD.

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been miraculously preserved, "nevertheless," he remarks; "I have drunk deep of the truly bitter cup; my storms have been more violent than fall to the common lot of men; but when deprived of the creature, the Lord has made up the loss in the enjoyment of Himself, and proved to me a friend, that sticketh closer than a brother.'

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999

The subjoined extracts may serve to describe, the light in which he contemplated the prospective duties of life, and the ultimate solemnities of a dying hour. My future prospects, whether temporal or spiritual, private or public, I most cheerfully leave with that good and gracious Shepherd, who hath hitherto been my guide and unchangeable friend. May thy visitation preserve my heart from sin, and my life from evil, that I may walk before thee in the light of the living." At a subsequent period, and when treading the declivity of life, he remarks: "My death, in some form, is as certain as the decree of God. The time, the place, the means, with every attendant circumstance, I leave to be ordered by infinite wisdom. I have known much of mankind, of books, of the world, and something of my own heart, and I cannot but consider it a most important point, rightly to draw the lines of life, so that they may terminate in a happy death. To Jesus, who lived and died for me, I resign the circumstances and the event of my decease, believing that he will graciously bestow upon me that faith which will sustain me in the solemn hour." In this holy expectation he was not disappointed. Having thus early formed his purposes, upon the divine plan, of faith in Jesus Christ-he believed firmly-loved fervently-prayed earnestly-walked humbly-laboured diligently waited patiently—and died triumphantly, for God was with him.

A light was there,
Whose beam was kindled from above."

32 HIS PUBLIC ORDINATION TO THE MINISTRY.

The following abstract of the account of the public ordination of Mr. Stanford to the work of the Christian ministry, was found amongst his papers, and will, it is hoped, be interesting to the reader.

ORDER OF EXERCISES.

"Prayer by the Rev. John Reynolds,-Introductory address by the Rev. W. Clarke,-Confession of faith by Mr. Stanford,-Hymn, and charge to the minister, by the Rev. Abraham Booth,-Prayer by the Rev. R. Burnham, Sermon to the church by the Rev. T. Davis,-Hymn,-Concluding prayer.

"After the public reading of, the call to the pastoral office from the church of Christ in Hammersmith to the Rev. John Stanford; the introductory address, &c. was delivered by the Rev. William Clarke, A. M. who then requested John Stanford publickly to declare his acceptance of the call of this church, and also to give a public testimony of his views of the doctrines revealed in the Bible; and of the order, and practices of the primitive churches."

After a very able document upon this subject, but which is here omitted for want of room, the Rev. Mr. Clarke rose and said

"The church having given an account of the steps by them adopted relative to the call of our brother to the pastoral office; and whereas he has signified his acceptance, and has now witnessed a good confession of his faith before many witnesses; we do therefore proceed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, by the laying on of our hands, and by prayer; to invest him with the pastoral office over you as a church."

The Rev. Abraham Booth, Rev. John Reynolds, Rev. R. Burnham, and Rev. T. Davis, then proceeded to lay hands upon the pastor elect; while the Rev. William Clarke offered the ordaining prayer.