Elizabeth-Town gazette., 1819-07-20

sesSA &Si"NosSu h<ks " 6Ct tiC ODIlSlldL
Observer, that he might select sermon.
| read him several texts and the divisions
OF sermons, and he selected one to be read
IN the church. He said he feared he
had been too much taken up With the af.
fairs of this world, had not DEVOTED him.
self enough 10 his Masters work. and
now the Lord, as a chsstisement, took
IRON him the privilege of bearing bis
message to the people said he hoped he
should improve by the providence, aud be
more engaged than ever he had been, for
the salvation Of precious souls; he feared
he bad felt too indifferent, while he de-
clared the counsel sEf Of God God, whether men
would hear or whether they would for
bear; that he had not wrestled enough
with God for his blessing on the word
spoken. He said be hoped his family
would improve by the chastisement, aud
be family more devoted TO God; be less
numbered with the things OF time, and
think aud speak more d the concerns of
our souls, be able to adorn the doctrine
of God our Saviour in all things, be ex.
amples to The flock over which he be-
ieyed the Holy Ghost had made him an
overseer, be more iervent in spirit, serv-
ing the Lord. Ia this strain he frequently
talked with me, as | staid alone in the
room with him. O, had | thought how
soon he was to be taken away, how much
more anxious should have felt to treas.
ure up his words in my mind Through
the next week the medicine that was CIV
en- him kept him very sick, he was uot
able to converse much. He several times
remarked, g never knew till now how
poor place sick bed is to make prepa-
ration for eternity; thanks be to God,
who enabled me before | was laid on
sick bed, to examine the foundation on
which was building my hopes for eter-
nifty. He frequently expressed his str
prise, that his thoughts were not placed
more Oh God, said his mind wandered so
he could hardly command ii to offer up a
prayer of any length. He frequently re-
peated the two first verses OF the goth
Hymn Of the second Book Of Watts
!" Why is my heart SO far from thee" &c.
About Thursday he began 10 be Eighty.
Frequently imagined persons came TO him
10 have their children baplised this, l
suppose, arose from his knowing a num-
ber Of people ii, the congregation were
| waiting till he should be ordained. to have
their children bspsised. Uae night in par.
ticular, he appeared TO address himself to
some one, and said, g / am not able at
present to baptise your children-are you
acquainted with the nature of the ordi-
nance p He then paused as if for an an-
sweI and after that, went on to explain
the nature and design of baptism; the
duties incumbent OH those persons who
presented their children for baptism; the
privilege it was that children might thus,
in their infancy, be admitted into the
Church. He quoted quite lengthy pas
sages Of Scripture in proof of what he
advanced. He concluded with Sir,
believe have now said all am able, at
this time, to say; when am able, / will
with pleasure comply with your request. .
On Sabbath he dictated note for me to
write to the congregation, mentioning that
though God 10 his providence prevented
the under shepherd from meeting with
them, the Great Shepherd of Israel would
be in the midst Of them; desired an in-
terest in their prayers, and said he should
meet them at Throne OF Grace, and se-
iected sermon to be read. He never
seemed to entertain an idea but what he
should recover,--said he hoped he should
not be impatient, but wait the Lords
time; and spoke Of the goodness of God,
in giving him such uninterrupted health
in time past. The interest Of the Second
Church in Cincinnati seemed to lay with
much weight on his mind. He often ad-
dressed to Mrs. K, an eminenlly pious
woman, supposing her present, such ques-
tions as these--Does not the Lord Jesus
appear very precious to you? Have you
not found great support, under great afflic-
ton, from the promises contained in Gods
holy word? And he would seem as well
satisfied as if he received answers. On
Friday, when came up from breakfast,
he said, Mary, there has been man, an
old man, here, who says he has been
working for you, aud you will not pay
him; my dear, if the man has been work
ing for you, he should be paid, for the
Scripture says, {" thou shalt not sleep with
the wages of an hireling," and We should
be very circumspect, that our good be moi
evil spoken Of; indeed, he said things oi
you, that felt SO vexed | was going to
strike him with the yard-stick, but re-
membered that minister should be nc
striker. This was all the effect Of hi'
own imagination, for no one had been il
the room with him. Throughout the day
he talked much Of delightful influence
that filed the room; said he could ses
j thS air ELL &c 4I>.A ..adc hin