publication on the "practice of prayer," as a supplement to your valuable performance: but those intentions soon expanded into various larger undertakings, till, at length, they settled down into a resolution to obtrude upon the public the sketch of a "Christian Gentleman," as he presents himself under the various aspects of duty and demeanour proper to the purest conception of that character. Whether I have or have not drawn and coloured the picture correctly, no one is more competent to judge than yourself. I have endeavoured to portray a man worthy of being introduced to the honour of your acquaintance, and have, therefore, kept as close as I could to your own views of spiritual and moral excellence. So far as my humble purpose shall appear to have been usefully executed, I am sure it will have the advantage of your countenance and approbation, and I desire no success for it on any other grounds. If, by the favour of Almighty God, I shall be accepted as an instrument in his hands of conveying profitable counsel to some of my countrymen, who contemplate the qualifications of a gentleman, through the medium of perverted sentiment, and the prejudices which naturally and almost necessarily result from a prevalent system of false education,-if I shall be successful in bringing over a few to better judgment, in a matter which so greatly concerns the well-being of society, I shall consider slight performance as superabundantly rewarded. my I am, my dear madam, with the highest sense of what I owe to you, as one of a community so benefited by your labours, and for long continued personal kindness, Your affectionate friend and servant, W. R. Clapham, Feb. 1829. XVII. The Force of high Example further illustrated 136 |