The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-05-31 00:00:00

A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO A CLERGYMAN.

On Tuesday, the 14th instant, was presented to the Rev.
JOHN GAM N, formerly curate of St. Helen's, now minis-
ter of Dolphinholme, near Lancaster, a most beautiful and
elegantly-bound copy of Scott's Commentary on the Bible,
by a few of his St. Helen's friends, to whom his preaching
had been much blessed, and to whose hearts he was much
endeared.

As a small token of their respect for, and attachment to
him, who was unwearied in his labours, and faithful in dis-
charging the several offline; of the Christian minister, during
the short time in which he was resident amongst them, they
have presented this most valuable work, and humbly pray
that it may be blessed to his own soul, by the Holy Spirit's
influence, as his preaching has been blessed by the same
Spirit to the souls of others. The inscription on the back is
as follows :

" Presented to
the Rev. JonN GAMAN, A. 8.,
by his Friends in St. Helen's,
as a mark of their approbation of his services
as a Christian Minister.
A. D. 1839."

In reply to an appropriate and complimentary address,
delivered on the occasion of presenting it, the rep•. gentleman
answered as follows :

" My dear Friends,
" It is with no ordinary feelings of Christian regard that I
receive your valuable present. It is valuable to me on two
accounts : first, because it is the word of God, the source
whence we derive, through the teaching of the Holy Spirit,
that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, through
faith in Christ Jesus ; secondly, because it is a testimony of
your affection towards me, once an unworthy instrument, in
the hands of God, of setting forth among you the truths
which that word reveals. I cannot, therefore, but receive it
with that affection in which you present it ; and this, I assure
you, I do. That heavenly love which unites me to you, as
firmly unites you to me : for though separated from you,
in the good providence of God, as to my bodily presence,
both as your minister and friend, yet in spirit I am often
with you ; and my earnest prayer for you all is, that ' the
very God of peace may sanctify you wholly, and that your
whole spirit, and soul, and body may be presented blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

" For this testimony of your affection towards me, I return
you my warmest thanks. I cannot, however, while doing
so, but feel -a degree of jealousy lest you should, in thus
honouring me, forget to give the chief honour to my Divine
Master. But this, I hope, you do ; for you cannot but feel
sensible that it is from Him all your blessings flow : to Him,
therefore, all glory is due. If I have been in any wise use-
ful, as a Christian minister, to you, I beg you will ever
remember, that I have been so only as the Lord's instru-
ment. Value the poor instrument as you please ; but give
all the glory of the work which he has been instrumental in
effecting, to that Divine Artificer, by whom he was used.
Let none of you glory in tnan. He that glorieth, let him
glory in the Lord : for we have this treasure (the gospel) in
earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of
God, and not of us. _ _ _

" May the excellency' of that ' power' by which God is
graciously pleased to accompany his word, be felt more and
more by each of you, and ' be shewn forth not only in your
lips but in your lives, by giving up yourselves to his service,
and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all
the days of your lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
" Wishing you every blessing in Christ Jesus, believe me
to remain, " My dear friends,

" Your faithful friend,
" And affectionate servant for Christ's sake,
" JOHN GAMAN.
" To the Subscribers to the Testimonial

of ministerial regard presented to
the Rev. John Gaman."