useful Mr. de Coetlogon, and Mr. Herbert Jones. It gave me great satisfaction to think, that when we, who are aged, (I mean not to apply this epithet to yourself,) Messrs. Romaine, Berridge, Newton, and myself, are called home, there are raised up so many messengers and preachers of the same glorious Gospel of the Blessed God. The Rector of Dunham, I trust, will more than supply his poor father's place in the Church. He has begun to teach and preach the Adorable Saviour to them. They are a people sitting in darkness; no less without God, without Christ, without hope in the world, than the inhabitants of Japan! His first sermon was on that blessed word, "He is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him." One of his people, with whom he conversed afterwards, assured him they were good Christians, and not incarnate devils, as he seemed to think.— Help him with your prayers! He needs them much.

I am now returned to my own station. My prayer, day and night, is, for success; yet I find but little. My church is fuller than it was some time since; but I have still to lament that the Holy Ghost is not sent down from heaven. Last Sunday the number of hearers was large, and they were attentive; but they were not pricked to the heart ;however, our business is, to work, and to wait. We shall know hereafter, though now we know not, why there is given from above a vehement desire to do good to souls, and glorify the Name of Jesus, yet the preachers who feel it do no more good. I know not how I should bear up, if I did not find

this same trial appointed to all who labour in the word and doctrine.

Let me hear from you soon; but never think I can entertain one surmise that you want affection for me, whether you write or are silent.

From your affectionate brother in Christ,

H. VENN.

MY DEAR SON,

TO THE REV. JOHN VENN,

(AT LITTLE DUNHAM.)

Yelling, April 29, 1783.

Yesterday, our eager expectation of a letter was gratified. And we are thankful to the Father of all our mercies, that you got safe to Dunham; as I did, also, to my family, on Wednesday; after experiencing, most undeservedly, the friendship and love of many excellent people, for the sake and name of Jesus, whom we serve.

I am not pleased that you begin with two sermons. Stay, till you are quite strong.

You are now to consider yourself as a Missionary, sent to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Savages are not more ignorant of His glory and His love, or their need of His arm to save their souls, than nominal Christians. Look upon your people as prisoners under condemnation; for whose pardon and recovery you ought to feel, as a tender mother does for the child at her breast. Lament an unfeeling heart in yourself, as well as in them. Beg earnestly that you may long after their salvation in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be sure, speak not against the clergy around you: on the

contrary, be an intercessor for them too, before the Throne of Grace.

I would have you preach upon the Commandments. God always blesses that preaching. But when you have explained how much more the commandment requires than men suppose, then shew how reasonable, how necessary it is, that such a commandment should be given; and that the design of it is, not to destroy men, but to constrain them to come to Christ for life. You might take for your text, either that in Romans iii.: "Now, what the Law saith, it saith to them, &c.; or that in Gal. iii.: "Now the Scripture has concluded (shut up, as in a prison) all under sin, that the promise, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to all them that believe." Be not discouraged, if you see the people little affected for a time. I was here nine months before one person of this village came, of his own accord, to speak to me about his spiritual concerns. Christ's ministers must bear the contradiction of sinners against themselves, and wait with all long-suffering, as He did and with respect to the most, they may say, at last, "I have stretched forth my hands, all the day long, to a disobedient and gainsaying people."

Endeavour to speak within the compass of your voice; or you will strain it, and lay yourself aside. Remember me! How have I suffered! I should never have been but in a sphere larger beyond comparison than this, but for that violent overdoing, which was not necessary.

We all should wish (if wishing were not the "hectic of a fool"), to have you with us, or near us. But

He ordereth all things well, who is King for ever and ever. To Him I heartily commend you, body and soul! From your affectionate father,

H. VENN.

The present will be an appropriate occasion for introducing Mr. Venn's judgment on the question of written or extempore sermons. It was given in a letter to a young clergyman, who consulted him upon the point.

You desire my judgment on the important subject of preaching written or extempore sermons. I believe most men, who have thought on the subject, are agreed, that young men should write for some years perhaps five, or seven; and afterwards, when they speak, they certainly should have a plan, and the great outlines of their sermon, before them. They should speak, not extempore, but after premeditation, study, and self-abasing prayer. When these rules are constantly observed, no written sermons will, in general, be more connected, more full of matter, nor can they ever be delivered with so great advantage: for, after such due preparation, a pastor comes up into the pulpit, weak and ignorant in his own eyes, yet full of affiance in his Great Master; so, that he will be jealous of his glory, and pity the people. He will have His presence, and find his understanding enlightened, even while he speaks;

and feel His word has authority and power over the congregation. When he has done, he will feel ashamed of himself; and be filled with wonder that the Lord God should make use of him. In this manner, joined to constant reading the word of God, and constant cries to be formed and fashioned as a vessel of honour to bear witness of Christ, an able minister of the New Testament is formed. Those ministers, whether young or old, who dare to be idle, to venture into the pulpit without looking up and sighing-without feeling their total inequality to the subjects they are to prove, explain, or enforce— are in a terrible state; and some severe correction will be sent, to bring them to themselves; or they will proceed from bad to worse. It is too true, I fear, that many times we all offend, in neglecting to prepare: but when a strict watch is kept on this head, and we beg of our Lord, that, with all reverence and godly fear, with all carefulness and understanding, we may fulfil the ministry we have received, we shall, in the tenour of our ministry, be found faithful, and be blessed in our work.-Mr. de Coetlogon is a charming proof that you may speak with clearness, strong reason, fulness, and pathos, by taking pains. Dr. Peckwell I have heard no less excellent; and Mr. Whitfield, with others of my own particular intimates. I have known them, sometimes-that is, by due preparation-do justice to their subject-instruct, convince, exhort, persuade, to the feasting of the soul. At others, through sloth, love of company, self-confidence, and little love to souls, I heard them lean, incoherent, defective, and sadly ludicrous. I have been myself