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I to myself; why not all? why not many? Long experience now has taught me, that a few only do, in fact, believe to the saving of their souls; even where the Gospel is faithfully delivered by a man of God, whose life and example adds weight to all he teaches. How lamentable this view of the Church visible! Still, to be in any measure a mourner, and an earnest supplicant for those who are destroying themselves--to be grieved for the injurious treatment our God and Saviour every day receives from His reasonable creatures, who are baptized into His Church-affords a solid satisfaction. In this temper, we are conformable to the Prophets, Apostles, and the Son of God. The world rejoiced, and were gay and thoughtless, in all their provocations and dangers; but they retired, and wept in secret for their pride and their delusion. I am apt to think, that till we are deeply affected for the multitude who are profane or evidently dissemble with God, we shall never be able to look with desire for our dismission. When Elijah wished to die, it was from a survey of the wide-spreading idolatry in the children of Judah.

Six weeks ago, an unexpected opening at St. Neot's tempted me to undertake, with the help of my son, the supply of that church; from whence the curate had been suddenly called away. The offer, on my part, of doing it gratis, was, to my surprise, readily accepted; but so long has the church been deserted, and all worship of God given up, that even curiosity will not bring them to hear; and, in a morning, not one hundred, out of sixteen hundred, are to be seen at church! In less than

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an age, things proceeding in the present train, our churches will be like those now at Jamaica. A lady, who was for some time there, assured a friend of mine, that they were not used in the country. The doors were opened, and the bells rung; but neither the people nor priest attended. So doth atheism advance, with horrid strides !

My son's health is still far from established. You are very kind and partial to him. I learn from him, with grief, that there is a spirit of debate got up amongst the ministers in the West Riding, about the Arminian and Calvinistic doctrines. The enemy certainly doth thus gain much advantage; and no good can debate ever produce. Living and working for God, and to save souls, is the only way of knowing more and more of His truth and His salvation.

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W-came last month to College, and immediately began disputing. My son told him how greatly he had longed to see him, that he might receive a blessing from his company; "But you," said he, entirely disappoint me: and I will ask you only one question: Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ more, and pray more, and feel more life and comfort in your own soul, since you have begun to dispute about these points?" To this he made no reply.

Last Wednesday, Mr. Berridge preached to my people. How gladly could I have wished for you! Mr. Waltham came over from Royston, where he is doing very well. Mr. Berridge preached from Ps. lxii. 1-3. Just such a Calvinist as he is, I wish all ministers of Christ to be. I think his voice grows weaker. He is sixty-eight in February—a great age

for one who has laboured so much! Dr. Conyers, Mr. Madan, Mr. Newton, and myself, are all fiftyeight in March. How soon shall we be dismissed from our work! Oh! to be found even the least and last amongst the pastors after His own heart! The Lord grant us to meet each other in that number! From your ever affectionate friend,

H. VENN.

TO MR. EDWARD VENN.

MY DEAR NEPHEW,

Yelling, Jan. 7, 1783.

I heartily return thanks to the Giver of all our earthly and our heavenly comforts, for the preservation of your beloved Charlotte, who has, in all appearance, been so near her departure. You will now receive her as given back to you and your children, doubly endeared by her apprehended loss. Now you have had a fresh instance brought home, of the absolute uncertainty in which we stand respecting our condition, when it is pleasing and prosperous—how suddenly the stormy wind ariseth, which may sweep away all in this world which is dearest to us! Accept our salutations; for we all join in them to you and our niece. May this year prove a happy year! May you grow, both of you, very rich indeed much more so than in any preceding year-rich in durable riches and righteousness, in communion with God, in the high pleasures of a spiritual mind, in the abounding hope that all things are yours, whether life or death, things present or things

to come!

The new year has begun in a manner

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very afflicting to me. Mr. and Mrs. denly involved in distresses. My dear friend Mrs. Kershaw at the point of death. O what troubles and adversities, my dear nephew, are the lot of man! How much need is there that we prepare for what may so soon be our burden!

You will be pleased to hear your cousin, my son, has gained the favour of all the inhabitants of St. Neot's. His father is not to be named with him! I thought my voice, old as I am, was not worse than his; but they give that also to him.

Pray let us hear how Charlotte recovers; and the little tender branch, how it thrives. I wished for your presence with us on New-Year's day. Princes have no such fare to feast on! Mr. Robinson, from Leicester, was in the pulpit in the evening; and in a manner masterly, solemn, and affectionate, to the last degree, he exhorted young men and maidens, old men and children, believers and unbelievers, to awake out of sleep, for it was high time! Many attended, and great was the seriousness of one and all. Mr. Simeon and Mr. Farish, from Cambridge, were here; and we all set out for Everton the next morning. The venerable father, Mr. Berridge, received us, though unlooked for, with open arms; and his prayer, and Mr. Robinson's, were again most edifying and animating. We parted in fervent love, looking upward and forward, till we shall meet to dwell together in love for ever. Such is our present honour, to be with the excellent of the earth, educating together for glory in the highest heavens. Accept from us all our best wishes for the new year. May peace national, peace domestic,

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