the best of Heaven's blessings rest on you and family, and the people of your charge.

Remember us at the throne of grace, and believe me yours, in the strictest bonds of friendship and labour in the gospel of Jesus.

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

VERY DEAR SIR,

Rutland, 13th July, 1818.

I have lately visited Manchester; there is a revival there. I expect to be with them next Sabbath. They have invited me to preach there six months, but I think I cannot go. I have more calls than I can comply with. I find, since my dismission, I am called to more laborious service than before. I think not to be confined again, as I am old and almost worn out. Perhaps I may alter my mind. There are places destitute of preaching all around. My farewell sermon perhaps will be printed; if so, you will accept a copy. Faithfully yours.

* * *

Pray for us!

LETTER IV.

DEAR SIR,

TO DEACON E. ATKINS.

Rutland, 23d September, 1818.

I have just had the pleasure of reading another letter from you, and cannot be too thankful for the pains you take to inform me of matters among you. I am much delighted in hearing from people who were my former acquaintance.

Your account about the daughter of Alderton Pratt is very remarkable. I hope more will be learned about her.

Since my dismission I have not been idle a single Sabbath. I am astonished, and even ashamed, at the pressing calls I have to preach. I know I am unworthy. I have been preaching at Hubbarton and Man

chester chiefly. Told the people at Manchester I wished they would obtain some other man, but they have renewed their invitation, and I must be with them again. There has been a good work there the season past. Meetings on the Sabbath and at conference are crowded. Last Sabbath I was at Fairhaven; preached to a most solemn congregation. No place has been more favoured with the influences of the Spirit. I had determined not to settle again in the gospel ministry. T am at some loss what is duty. Your family will accept our love. May the Lord guide us unto death.

Yours sincerely,

LEMUEL HAYNES. P. S. I am called to-day to visit a poor young woman who is going into eternity. I must fold my letter and hasten.

The sufferings, support, and reward of faithful ministers illustrated: being the substance of two Valedictory Discourses, delivered at Rutland, West Parish, May 24th, A. D. 1818, by LEMUEL HAYNES, A. M., late Pastor of the Church in that place.

ACTS XX., 24.-" But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

LONG and painful experience evinces this truth, that the present world is a state of suffering: its influence is as extensive as the inhabited globe. The fall of man points out its commencement and duration. No age, country, or character can plead exemption. The gifts, grace, and inspiration of the great apostle of the Gentiles could not deliver from this calamity. He could recapitulate scenes of distress as well as antici

pate troubles yet to come. Ephesus was the metropolis of what is called the Minor Asia; Paul visited it in the year 53—preached three years-but, on account of dissensions and persecutions, departed and went to Troas, and from thence to Macedonia and Corinth. Proposing to embark for Syria at Cenchrea, which was about nine miles from Corinth, on its eastern boundary, but fearing the Jews, who, understanding his course, and that he was carrying money to Jerusalem, which he had collected for the saints, lay in wait to rob and kill him, he altered his course, and returned to Macedonia: visited many churches, and came to Miletus, several miles to the south, where he sent for the elders at Ephesus, that he might have an interview with them, to whom he gave the valedictory address contained in the chapter from whence my text is selected. The people at Ephesus were acquainted with the peculiar trials of their former minister, which might excite sympathetic and distressing feelings, and perhaps tend to dishearten them in the cause of religion. To fortify their minds against such discouragements the holy apostle gives them to understand that he was not in the least intimidated or turned aside from advocating that cause in which he had embarked, but was still adhering to those important truths that he had heretofore inculcated at Ephesus and elsewhere. This sentiment is expressed in the heroic and ecstatic language of the words before us : "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

The method I propose in illustrating the subject before us is,

I. To show that ministers of the gospel receive their commission from the Lord Jesus Christ.

II. That they will soon accomplish their work and finish their course,

III. That wherever they go they may expect to meet with trials and sufferings.

IV. That they ought not in the least to fear or be moved from the path of duty by their trials, but persevere in their work.

V. The faithful ministry of the servants of Christ will terminate or issue in their great joy and satisfaction.

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Paul says in my text that he received it of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same apostle is very explicit on this subject, Gal. i., 11, 12: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Again, Rom. x., 15, "How can they preach except they be sent ?"-" No man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God, as was Aaron," Heb.. v., 4. In the early periods of time, preachers of righteousness were called and sent forth by the Almighty. In every succeeding age God has been carrying on his work by the ministry of men: such are called prophets, apostles, &c. It was through the instrumentality of gospel ministers that the kingdom of the Redeemer was promulgated in the days of the Messiah, who gave them their commission, and sent them forth upon the important embassy, see Matt. x., 26; Luke x., 3. Although primitive bishops were many of them called in a miraculous and extraordinary manner, yet this by no means suggests the idea that ordinary ministers do not receive their commission from God, and are not equally sent by him.

The appropriate names belonging to the ambassadors of Christ illustrate the sentiment before us. They are called stewards, servants of the Most High, angels' ambassadors, &c. These characters involve the idea of negotiating business for others, and of receiving commission from them. Plenipotentiaries are invested with full power to act by the court who sends them. Angels are sent from heaven to be ministering spirits on earth; and so, in this sense, bear a relation to the servants of Christ.

The faithful ministers of Christ are engaged in the

cause of God, and it seems suitable that he should appoint them. They are messengers sent on the King's errand to transact business for him, and receive their commission from above. They come to people in the name of the Lord. The motives by which the faithful ministers of Christ are influenced to enter upon their work are not congenial with the natural and carnal dispositions of men; no wicked man, while in that state, was disposed to be a pious preacher of the gospel; so that, when any are inclined, they are moved thereto by the Holy Ghost. When Paul engaged in this work he had to contend with a fleshly and selfish heart, did not confer with flesh and blood, Gal. i., 16. All those natural, spiritual, and acquired abilities that ministers possess are from God-he directs outward circumstances, by which a door is opened for their usefulness and improvement. When Paul came to Troas to preach, he observes that a door was opened unto him of the Lord, 2 Cor. ii., 12. The gospel ministry was an ascension gift of Christ, Eph. iv., 8.

Faithful ministers derive strength from Christ to preach and discharge ministerial duties. They are taught to go to him for help, and can exclaim in the language of a pious preacher, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me," Phil. iv., 13; who could say, "The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." 2 Tim. iv., 17.

Ministers receive directions from Christ how and what to preach. They are to preach the preaching that God bids them. Jonah iii., 2. With plainness! The trumpet is to give a distinct and certain sound. They are to deliver God's messages with earnestness, under a feeling sense of the importance of their work. Jonah was to cry against Nineveh. Isaiah was to cry aloud, and spare not; and lift up his voice like a trumpet, &c. Those awfully betray their trust who deliver their discourses in a cold, formal, and lifeless manner; as though death, judgment, and eternity, and the souls of men, were things to be trifled with. Paul could tell the elders of Ephesus that he had not shunned to declare