many subsequent conversations, tended gradually to remove the fears and scruples of his son; so that at length he was enabled to devote himself to the service of the sanctuary, with a cheerful confidence in the gracious acceptance of his labours by the Great Head of the Church. I need not remind my readers how abundantly those labours were afterwards owned and blessed, in the very important sphere in which he was placed.

In the letters written about this time, I find the first mention of the much-honoured name of CHARLES SIMEON. His entrance into holy orders preceded, by a few months, that of Mr. John Venn.

TO THE REV. JAMES STILLINGFLEET.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,

Yelling, Oct. 9, 1782. Your goodness, in inquiring so affectionately about us all, has spirited me up immediately to take my pen. Often have I remembered you; and been thankful for your mercies, in dear Mrs. Stillingfleet's health, and in your own, and son's health. He is a great trust committed to you both; but with joy I can believe his parents will not be blinded with fondness, and cruel enough to cherish in him the plague of a fallen spirit-self-will. I have no doubt he will be educated under a mild, steady authority. Happy lot for the child! Happy for the parents! Much have I seen to lament, in many who make a profession! Their children are lawless, or miserable under an iron rod. My poor pains, and constant attention to this matter, how

graciously hath the Lord rewarded! My children are now my companions and friends, obedient, affectionate, and, amongst earthly things, my chiefest treasures;-if they are to be accounted amongst earthly things, who are immortal spirits, and joined in fellowship with the Church, and with whom I hope to spend an eternity in the presence of Immanuel. Till that period, we must be companions in patience and in sorrows;-one or other of us frequently sick, or in pain, or taking leave, and parting from each other.

On the 22d of last month, my son was ordained; and the Sunday before last preached his first sermon to my people, on the feast-day. His text was, "Who is able to save unto the uttermost, &c." It was extraordinary, for a young man's first attempt -(I will not call it Essay); for it was very Scriptural, and full of Christ. He staid one week and now, by the advice of our Hippocrates (Dr. Rait), is gone to visit his relations and friends in town. And if he does not recover his health, he is to try Yorkshire air; and the very idea of being with you, makes him smile. He has had much to try him. Nothing could have been a greater disappointment to him, than not being chosen Fellow of his College; after the Master made an apology for not choosing him last year, even before a senior; and after two of the Fellows told me he was a sure man. Yet, from circumstances with which my son was only indirectly connected, his prospect of success was reversed; and whether he will now ever be chosen, is very doubtful. By this trial, he is taught to know more of the heart of those who are

in trouble; and to speak to them, not by hearsay, and awkwardly; as I did, for some years.

My small parish is very much altered for the worse, within these few years. Three farmers, in whose families there were some hopeful hearers, are removed; and a fourth is upon the point of removing. They have been succeeded by men of a very profane spirit: scarcely will they ever come to church. To this add the departure of a few, in the faith of Christ, I trust. I preach therefore, now, to a handful of people indeed! However, I have cause to bless and adore God, that I can and do cry unto Him, to awake, and glorify His word; and wait in hope He will, before it is long, come down and work mightily, for His own Name sake. Much I am encouraged to do so, by an account I have lately had, from good hands, of the wonderful success Mr. Maddock has had in his ministry at Creaton, a village in Northamptonshire. Hundreds, I am told, in his neighbourhood, now love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Whilst I continue, therefore, to plead His own promise, and feel compassion and bowels of mercies for my poor people ready to perish, I have hope. Miss Hervey pleased me much with the account of your congregation. Glory be to God! If you find the building or repairing a house a sad damp upon your soul, it ought to teach us how to pity the multitude who labour or trade for their bread. I am sadly defective in that blessed temper!

On Trinity Sunday was ordained Mr. Simeon, Fellow of King's College. Before that day he never was in company with an earnest Christian.

my

Soon after, he was visited by Mr. H. Jowett, and son, and two or three more. In less than seventeen Sundays, by preaching for Mr. Atkinson in a church at Cambridge, he filled it with hearers—a thing unknown there for near a century. He has been over to see me six times within the last three months he is calculated for great usefulness, and is full of faith and love. My soul is always the better for his visits. Oh to flame, as he does, with zeal, and yet be beautified with meekness! The day he was a substitute for Mr. Atkinson, he began to visit the parishioners from house to house. Full of philanthropy was his address:-"I am come to inquire after your welfare. Are you happy?" His evident regard for their good disarmed them of their bitterness; and it is amazing what success he has met with! Let us hear soon from you, and some good news of souls converted from darkness to light, in dear Yorkshire. A letter from Hotham is a joyful sound to all my family. When you see your brother, pray remember me to him. Love to Mrs. Stillingfleet, yourself, and son, from all here.

Yours &c.

H. VENN.

TO THE REV. JAMES STILLINGFLEET.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

24th Dec. 1782.

I mourn at the relation you send me of your own village: yet be not discouraged. Many years since I was much struck with that passage of St. Paul, "If, by any means, I may save some." 'Some,' said

in trouble; and to speak to them, not by he and awkwardly; as I did, for some years.

My small parish is very much altered fo worse, within these few years. Three farm whose families there were some hopeful hear removed; and a fourth is upon the point moving. They have been succeeded by me very profane spirit: scarcely will they ever c church. To this add the departure of a few faith of Christ, I trust. I preach therefore, a handful of people indeed! However, I hav to bless and adore God, that I can and do c Him, to awake, and glorify His word; and hope He will, before it is long, come do work mightily, for His own Name sake. Mr encouraged to do so, by an account I hav had, from good hands, of the wonderful Mr. Maddock has had in his ministry at ( a village in Northamptonshire. Hundrec told, in his neighbourhood, now love t Jesus in sincerity. Whilst I continue, ther plead His own promise, and feel compas bowels of mercies for my poor people perish, I have hope. Miss Hervey ple much with the account of your congregatio be to God! If you find the building or a house a sad damp upon your soul, it teach us how to pity the multitude who trade for their bread. I am sadly defecti blessed temper!

On Trinity Sunday was ordained Mi Fellow of King's College. Before tha never was in company with an earnest