fixed for preaching the lecture, the congregation was usually assembled in the street and waiting for admission." For five years Romaine was assistant morning preacher at St. George's, Hanover Square, and, considering the unevangelical spirit of that period, at the absence of clear Gospel truth from almost every pulpit in London, it is surprising that for so long a time it was permitted to be proclaimed by this sent servant of Christ; but He kept him there, and preserved him from the rage of his enemies until the appointed work was done, and then the door was shut. Romaine's next post was at St. Olave's, Southwark, and there he continued three years, while his own happy home was at Walnut tree Walk, Lambeth; and it is recorded of him that "there he had a delightful retreat, in which he spent some of the happiest of his years-a little garden, which he kept, dressed, and planted; and, as he received the productions of it with faith, and received them with thankfulness, he converted it into another Eden. Here he received his friends, particularly serious candidates for orders, and his younger brethren in the ministry, admitting them to his early breakfasts, and feeding them with knowledge and understanding." For the next two years he was morning preacher at St. Bartholomew's the Great, near Smithfield, and finally appointed to the rectory of Blackfriars, after considerable opposition, and mainly through the interest of Lady Huntingdon. He then writes: "My friends are rejoicing all around me, and wishing me the joy which I cannot take. It is my Master's will, and I submit; He knows what is best for His own glory and His people's good, and I am certain He makes no mistake in either of these points. But my head hangs down upon the occasion, through the awful responsibility which I ever had of the cure of souls. I am frightened to think of watching over two or three thousand, when it is work enough to watch over one. The plague of my own heart almost worries me to death. What can I do with such a vast number? When I take counsel of the flesh I begin to faint; but, when I go to the sanctuary, I see my cause is good, and my Master is Almighty-a tried Friend."

As chaplain to Lady Huntingdon, Romaine was greatly owned of the Lord. By this chaplaincy neither he nor Whitfield had ever been enriched. It was a purely disinterested service, carried on throughout with a single eye. With Whitfield he kept up an affectionate intercourse through life. When Wesley first fell into error, Romaine thus wrote to Lady Huntingdon: "I pity Mr. John Wesley from my heart. societies are in great confusion, and the point which brought them into the wilderness of rant and madness is still insisted on as much as ever. As the late alarming providence (a fire) has not had its proper effect, and perfection is still the cry, God will certainly give them up to some more dreadful thing. May their eyes be opened before it is too late!" Again he wrote: 66 How many have you and I heard of who want to be something in themselves, and, rather than not be so, will be beholden to Christ to set them up with a stock of grace? They would gladly receive a talent from Him, that by being faithful to grace given, and trading well with it, they may look with delight on their improvements, and thereby hope to get more grace and more glory. This is the Popish plan, the Arminian, the Baxterian, and the Wesleyan: very flattering to nature, exceedingly pleasing to self-righteousness, very exalting, yea, it is crowning free will and debasing King Jesus."

There is little of incident to be recorded in the life of this man of God. His walk was quiet and unostentatious, keeping self in the background

"What am I?" he

and Christ foremost, both in preaching and writing. writes, "the very vilest of the vile, that any of the Lord's people should look on me? But to think of His looking on me, whose eyes are a flame of fire, and yet to look with love! Oh, what humbling! I declare the more I daily learn of myself, I grow more amazed how Jesus should love such an one. But He is all grace, or rather grace is Jesus-not something distinct from Him, but He Himself, His name, because it is His nature." The service of the sanctuary was ever uppermost in his heart; he delighted in meditation and prayer, and would say, "In books I converse with men in the Bible I converse with God." When tidings came of the death of his son in India, deeply as it affected him, yet he could not be induced to absent himself that evening from his pulpit. On that sad occasion he wrote to a friend, "When I first saw the letter, I knew the General's seal to it, and, fearing the contents, I looked up for the presence and support of my good Master and my Old Friend, and He answered me in the words of a great believer, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.' He was of a naturally-irritable temper, which often betrayed itself in laconic replies. "It was not uncommon for him to tell those who came to him with cases of conscience, and questions of spiritual concern, that he had said all he had to say in the pulpit." But, as years advanced, Mr. Romaine ripened visibly for glory. It is observed of him, "There appeared to be little but heaven in his sermons and in his life. Some said he was a diamond, rough often, but very pointed, and the more he was broken by years the more he appeared to shine. There was indeed a light in and upon his countenance, and particularly when he preached, which appeared like the dawn, or the faint resemblance of glory. If one met him by the way and asked him how he did, his general answer was,As well as I can be out of heaven.""

His mortal illlness was a short one, lasting only a few weeks. His last lecture was on the 18th chapter of John, and he seemed to have a presentiment of the coming end, as he remarked to his curate, "that he must get on as fast as he could, lest he should not get through the Gospel." From the commencement of his illness, Mr. Romaine relinquished all hope of recovery; but his life was hid with Christ in God, and now it was he rejoiced pre-eminently in that salvation he had so long proclaimed, exclaiming, "It is now near sixty years since God opened my mouth to publish the everlasting sufficiency and eternal glory of the salvation of Christ Jesus, and it has now pleased Him to shut my mouth, that my heart might feel and experience what my mouth has so often spoken." Again, "I have lived to experience all I have spoken and all I have written, and I bless God for it. I have the peace of God in my conscience, and the love of God in my heart, and that you know is sound experience." At another time he said " he had been in the deep waters, but had enjoyed much support, that he waited to enter into the courts of the Lord; that his soul was athirst for God, yea, even the living God." "Oh, how good is God! what entertainments and comforts does He give me! what a prospect do I see before me of glory and immortality! He is my God in life, in death, and throughout eternity!" At the close of his last day upon earth, and a little before his death, he was asked if Christ and His salvation were precious? He answered, "He is a precious Saviour to me now!" His last blessed words were, "Holy! holy! holy! holy blessed Jesus, to Thee be endless praise!" Thus William Romaine finished his course with joy, and entered into rest, August 26, 1795.

C.

Pilgrim Papers.

HEART-WORKINGS.

(Continued from page 254.)

March 8, 1868.-How good and gracious the Lord is unto me! What help He continues to vouchsafe to my soul! While in secret prayer today, I felt a little softening of heart and the mind sweetly affected, I trust, by the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit. Oh, the changes which sometimes take place while in prayer! At the beginning, what bondage, darkness, contraction of spirit, and unbelief! But, when the blessed Spirit leads the soul out in prayer, inspiring petition after petition, raising up living desires after living things, what bonds are broken, fetters snapped asunder, clouds scattered, enlargement of heart effected, and unbelief subdued! How solemn and holy the influences which at such times pervade the spirit in converse with the great God and Saviour! What a nearness is then felt to the Lord! How the precious blood is then pleaded! How the Lamb-the dear Lamb of God-is adored and praised under the powerful drawings out of the soul in prayer and praise by the Holy Spirit! Thank God for teaching me to know something of these divine realities; nothing but such will do for a living soul. How much there is in the Saviour, of love, mercy, grace, wisdom, strength, and righteousness, which I know nothing of! Lord, will it please Thee to lead my soul out of shallow water into deep waters. It is in "the deep" where Thy wonders are seen. Give me to see Thy beauty-let it be upon me, for Thy name's sake.

13th.-Felt some little quickening of the Holy Spirit in my soul to-day. Was drawn out in prayer in some measure, for a blessing to rest upon the word of God. Was asked to see a poor afflicted man. Felt it right to give a little money to his wife in order to get him some little things, which he might need. When I came home I found a bag of good potatoes had been brought me for a present, and when I went into the kitchen I saw my wife with part of a joint of meat, which had just been unexpectedly sent by a kind friend as a present. "He that giveth to the poor shall not lack." It is a blessed truth-"The Lord will provide."

16th.-Communion with God, what privilege! I am often feeling great dissatisfaction with myself and my own doings. I cannot preach the word to my own satisfaction. I came home yesterday morning feeling so much ashamed of myself, that I could have wept and crept out of the way into some corner. I hope it is not presumption in me, O Lord, to stand up in Thy name to preach Thy holy Gospel. But I see so many infirmities connected with my ministry as to make me sometimes doubt as to whether I am one of the Lord's called and sent servants, thinking, if I were one such, that I should feel more liberty and power in speaking, and should not be so often dejected after having spoken in His holy name. Yet the Lord helps me very graciously at times, and supplies me with precious matter when standing up before the people, attending the same with His blessing to the souls of those present.

20th. After a great deal of inward distress arising from not realising that unction, liberty, and power in my soul which the Holy Ghost alone can give, I have felt this day a little encouraged by the Lord's assuring me that He will not leave me. How hard I feel it at times to believe the

promises are mine, made to me, or that they belong to me! When, however, one of them is applied to my soul by the Holy Spirit, I feel no hesitation in believing them, or in concluding to whom they belong. No one out of the covenant ever had a promise applied with gracious power to his soul. Bible words have lately come to my mind when feeling disquietude within, and I felt how suitable they were to my case, as they expressed the very workings of my heart; such for instance as the following: "Thou hast removed my soul far off from peace." "I forgat prosperity." "The Comforter which should relieve my soul is far off from me.' "In my distress I cried unto the Lord." The inward feelings of my heart I breathed out in these Bible words.

26th. What a mercy to have a token for good, to be shown a true token: "The blood shall be to you for a token." To see this scarlet line in the window, this is what the true Israelite regards as a true token. Bless the Lord for giving me to feel in my soul this day any evidence that I am a redeemed man. "I have redeemed thee." Oh, what words! What a Redeemer! What a redemption! How eternal the fruits of this redemption! How impossible for any ransomed soul to go to the prison of hell. "The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion," &c. Redeemed people sigh and sorrow here, but there sorrow and sighing will flee away. I have felt the Lord's gracious help to-day, for which I desire to bless His holy name. I believe Christ is my Friend; a sense of His friendship is that which will enable a poor sinner to forgive his enemies, and to pray for them.

May 4.-I am sensible of my condition as a sinner, I feel my heart so deceitful. I fear hypocrisy. Am I a hypocrite? What am I in reality? Am I" a vessel of mercy," or a "vessel of wrath ?" elect or reprobate ? Some want comfort, but not conviction. Am I one of them? How can he be dead who wants to be alive? Am I dead in sin, or do I desire to be alive to God? Is my religion real, of God, from above? Will not Satan have me? Has he not already got me in his power? Lord, help me! Christ, have mercy on me; I am a coward, a dunce, a vile transgressor. But to whom can I go, but unto Thee? In all my sins, ignorance, dulness, and foolishness I desire to come to Thee, to Thy blessed feet; and yet I fear it is not real, that there is more of nature in it than grace, if there is any grace in it, or in me. Oh, the crooked things inside, the perplexing, annoying things in my soul. Oh for more spiritual sense from the blessed Spirit of Christ. Breathe Him, dear Lord, into my heart; cast Satan out; and take up Thine abode within me. I hate cant, and yet feel so much of it in my evil heart and corrupt nature.

6th.-O Lord, I seem worse than any one else; how much mercy I need. My sins and miseries are great. Ah, it is sin, inbred sin, for the Lord mercifully preserves me from practical sin. I often feel sin so near, and Jesus so far away. Oh, may I feel Christ near and my transgressions removed "as far as the east is from the west." How inconstant is my heart; sometimes it is drawn out in sweet meditation, at other times it is hard and dark. What will the end be? Where will it be? Faith in Christ-if the Lord would be pleased to give it me-what a help and blessing it would be. However, if He withhold it, and leaves me to perish in my sin, He will be just, He cannot do wrong. I may yet praise Him. A sight of Jesus, a look from Him, a word spoken to my heart by His still, small voice, would fill me with love and gratitude. O Lord, remember me for good, for Christ's sake.

7th.-Oh, what tossings to and fro, what upheavings, aye, and what sinkings too, I have felt within my soul this day. In the Bible, I read of the Lord's eyes being over the righteous, and His ears being open to their cry. Also about His hand, His voice, &c. But it seems to me as though His ears were not open to my cry, nor yet His eyes over me, that is, not manifestly. I have been walking backward and forward in the cellar with a burdened soul, crying to the Lord, and telling Him He does not hear me, nor comfort me, and asking Him where is the sounding of His bowels towards me? That He is gracious and kind, I firmly believe; but I want to feel He is so to me. To myself I have been saying, "His sheep hear His voice, but the goats do not," or, if they do, what they will hear Him say, will be "Depart," &c. I shall soon be dead, and people will think, some at least, I am gone to heaven; but what if I should go to hell? In that case, O Lord, Thou wouldst be just; over and over again my soul has said so. Oh, sin, sin, this body of sin! how heavy it is! how it makes me groan! what a burden it is! While sitting on the chair in heaviness of soul, the following words-precious words-flowed into my mind: "Thou wilt save the afflicted people." This raised me up a little, for my soul was truly afflicted. How suited the great and precious promises are to the tried and tempted children of God. For the strength and relief it brought to my soul, I thank and praise Thy holy name, Thou most holy, holy, "King of saints," and Saviour of sinners. With a deep sense of poverty of spirit, I felt combined a love to the poor and needy people of God; that I could esteem them better than myself.

8th.-Another day is wellnigh gone. Felt a little surprise in my soul to-day at the goodness of God in condescending to look upon such a sinful worm as I am. It is really wonderful, that "the High and lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity," should dwell with man on the earth, and dwell in him. My mind has been struck with Rev. i. 1 (first part), the revelation of Jesus Christ. How much is revealed in the book of Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the First and the Last, as the faithful One, witnessing One, pierced One, loving One, cleansing One, coming One, almighty One, pleading One, eternal One, omniscient One, omnipresent One, omnipotent One, rebuking One, dying One, risen One, overcoming One, living One, speaking One, worthy One, reigning One, throne-occupying One, glorious One, praised and worshipped One! May the Holy Spirit make me savingly acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ!

19th. I have felt to-day some motions of spiritual life in my soul, and a little enlargement of heart while meditating on the Holy Scripture. Why is it that light in any measure shines into my soul, or why is it my heart should feel in it any love to the Saviour? Surely, "the cause is from God." Yes, but for this, I should have never had a broken heart nor cried for mercy, nor felt the pardon of sin, nor have seen Jesus, nor rejoiced in His salvation. It is the Lord's doings, honour and praise for ever be to His precious name, for the great things He has done for my soul. I want to feel more of Christ's love shed abroad in my heart, to make me simple and spiritually-minded. Do Thou bless me, O Lord, with the baptism of the Holy Ghost and with fire, for Christ's sake. I am now about to go to chapel with a view to preach Thy word. O Lord, go with me. May Christ be precious to my soul. May the "unction of the holy One" be felt. May the people receive good to their souls, and may Thy name be glorified, for the Saviour's sake. (To be continued.)