6 than a breath of wind. I longed will make heaven the sweeter. exceedingly, that God would glo- Formerly, when I have been exrify his name among the heathen.posed to cold and rain, I was I appealed to him with the great-ready to please myself with the est freedom, that he knew I pre- hope of a comfortable lodging, a ferred him above my chief joy.' warm fire, and other external acIndeed, I had no idea of joy from commodations; but now, through this world I cared not where or divine grace, such things as these how I lived, or what hardships I have less place in my heart, and might have to endure, if I might my eye is directed more to God only gain souls to Christ." for comfort. In this world, I lay my account with tribulation; it does not now appear strange to me. On meeting with difficulties. I do not flatter myself it will afterwards be better, but rather think how much worse it might be with me; how much greater trials many of God's children have endured; how much greater, perhaps, are yet in reserve for myself. Blessed be God, he makes the prospect of my journey's end a comfort to me under my sharpest trials; and instead of allowing the thought of my dissolution to excite terror or melancholy, he often accompanies it with exquisite joy." Many were the fatigues, the dangers, and the distresses which Mr. Brainerd endured in the course of his frequent journeys among the Indians; and no less singular were the faith, the patience, and the self-denial he manifested under trials of this description. A few weeks after his return from the Susquehannah, in travelling from the place of Mr. Byram's residence to the Forks of Delaware, a distance of about forty miles, he lost his way in the wilderness, wandered over rocks and mountains, down hideous declivities, through dreadful swamps, and other places no less dan- Having heard of a number of Ingerous. The night was dark and dians at a place called Crosweekcold; and to add to his misfor- sung, in New-Jersey, about eighty tune, he was troubled with a se- miles from the Forks of Delaware, vere pain in his head, accompani- he proceeded to visit them about ed with sickness at stomach, which the middle of June; but, on his rendered every step he took dis- arrival, he found them scattered tressing to him. He had little or in small settlements, six, ten, no expectation for several hours twenty, and even thirty miles but that he would have to lie out distant from each other, and not all night in the woods in this mel- more than two or three families ancholy condition. Providential- residing in the same place. He Providential-residing ly, however, about nine o'clock, preached, however, to the few he discovered a house, and was he found, consisting only of four kindly received by the people. women and several children : So Yet distressing as was his situation, inconsiderable was the congregano expression of discontent, notion, and so inauspicious seemed murmur of complaint, dropt from the spot which was soon to be the his lips His reflections on this scene of a most remarkable work occasion are reflections not unwor- of divine grace. After hearing thy of an apostle. Thus," says Mr. Brainerd, these poor people he, I have been frequently ex- set off and travelled ten or fifteen posed, and sometimes have lain miles to give notice to their friends out the whole night; but hitherto, that a minister had arrived among God has preserved me. Such fa- them, by which means their little tigues and hardships serve to wean company was in a few days inme from the earth, and, I trust, creased to between forty and fifty, 66 including both old and young. No objection, no cavilling, no murmur of opposition was heard among them, though in time past they had manifested as strong a dislike to the gospel as any Indians whatever, and even lately several of them had been much enraged at his interpreter for telling them something about christianity. Now however they were extremely anxious to obtain instruction; they asked Mr. Brainerd to preach to them twice a day, that so they might learn as much as possible during his stay; and they appeared to listen to his discourses with the utmost seriousness and attention. This favourable disposition in these Indians he attributed to the exertions of one or two of their own people, who having heard him some time before, at the Forks of Delaware, had on their return endeavoured to show their friends the evil of idolatry, and of other practices common among them a circumstance which may afford the Christian missionary some consolation under the hardest of all his trials, the want of success ; for though no success should, for a season, crown his labours in his own neighbourhood, yet, perhaps, some who have heard the gospel from his lips, may, in the meanwhile, be instrumental in preparing the way for its introduction even among distant tribes. would necessarily lose much of its force and meaning, yet now Mr. Brainerd's sermons did not ordinarily lose any thing of their original energy, unless it was sometimes owing to the want of suitable expressions in the Indian tongue, a defect which his own knowledge of the language could not have supplied. His interpreter addressed the Indians with admirable fervency; he scarce knew when to give over; and sometimes when Mr. Brainerd had concluded his discourse, and was returning home, he would stay behind to repeat and enforce what had been spoken; nor did this appear to arise from spiritual pride, or from an affectation of being a publick teacher; but from a spirit of faithfulness, and an honest concern for their souls. In the beginning of August, Mr. Brainerd paid a second visit to the Indians at Crosweeksung; and, on his arrival, was happy to find them not only still favourably disposed toward Christianity, but a number of them under serious concern for their souls, their convictions of their sinfulness and misery having been much promoted by the labours of the Rev. William Tennant, to whom he had advised them to make application. Scarcely had he returned among them, when these impressions increased and spread in a surprising manner. In two or three days, the inquiry was gen After spending about a fortnight at Crosweeksung, Mr. Brainerd returned to the Forks of Del-eral among them, "What they aware, and from this period these two places were alternately the principal scene of his labours. Soon after his arrival, he had the pleasure of baptizing his interpreter, together with his wife, the first of the Indians whom he received into the bosom of the church. Though it might naturally be supposed, that a discourse, in passing to the audience, through the medium of a second person, should do to be saved?" Such was their sensibility of heart, that a few words concerning their souls would make the tears flow in streams down their cheeks; in their publick assemblies, a dry eye was often scarcely to be seen; it was astonishing how they were melted with the love of the Redeemer, and with the invitations of the gospel, when not a word of terror was spoken to them. One day after Mr. Brainerd had the most fervent manner, and neither took notice of others, nor returned them any answer when they spoke to her. The burden of her cry was, "Have mercy on me, O God, and help me to give thee my heart." In this manner she continued most importunate in supplication for several hours together; and thus she who came to mock, returned to pray. preached on the parable of the Great Supper, (Luke xiv. 16-23.) when he was speaking with such individuals as were under concern about their souls, the Spirit of God appeared to descend on the whole assembly, and with astonishing energy overpowered all opposition, like a mighty torrent, which, with irresistible force sweeps before it whatever comes in its way. It seemed as if The whole assembly, indeed, he now beheld a second Pente-appeared as it were, transfixed to cost. Almost the whole con- the heart with concern for their gregation, the old, the middle- souls. Almost all of them were aged, and the young, were over-crying for mercy, either within or whelmed with its influence. Even without the house. So overwhelmthe most stubborn hearts were ed were they with a sense of sin, made to bow. One of the princi-so absorbed in serious reflection, pal Indians, who previously had that none appeared to cbserve anfelt secure in the armour of self- other; but each prayed as freely, righteousness, because he possess- and, probably, in his own appreed more knowledge than most of hension, as secretly, as if he had his countrymen, and who only the been in the midst of a desert, far day before had asserted, with the removed from every human eye. utmost assurance, that he had Such as had been awakened for been a Christian for upwards of some time, it was observed, comten years, was now impressed plained chiefly of the corruption of with deep concern on account of their heart; those who were newly his sinful miserable state; his impressed, of the wickedness of self-confidence vanished like a vis- their life. It is also worthy of noion of the night; his tears flowed tice, that they who had lately obin streams down his cheeks. tained relief, appeared, on this ocThere was also a young woman casion, calm and composed, rejoicwho was so thoughtless and igno-ing in Christ Jesus as their God and rant, that she seemed scarcely to Saviour. Some of them took their know she had a soul, but who having weeping friends by the hand, tellheard of something strange amonging them of the love of Christ, the Indians, came to see what was and of the comfort which is enjoythe matter. Having called at Mr.ed in him; and on this ground inBrainerd's lodgings by the way,vited them to come and give him he informed her of his design to their hearts. preach immediately, at which she laughed, and seemed to mock. She came, however, to hear him, and before he had concluded his discourse, not only felt she had a soul, but was so impressed with her sinfulness and misery, that she seemed like one pierced through with a dart; she could neither walk, nor sit, nor stand, without being supported. When publick worship was over, she lay pros trate on the ground, praying in to He reminded such as had made a publick profession of religion, of the solemn obligations under which they had come, to live devoted to God; he gave them some directions respecting their conduct in life; encouraged them watchfulness, steadfastness, and devotion; and set before them the comfort on earth, and the glory in heaven, which await the faithful followers of the Lamb. all of them, this was a most in Το teresting and delightful season. in heaven. Scarcely had he be gun to speak in this strain, when the Christian Indians appeared to dissolve in love to the Redeemer, mingled with desire after the full enjoyment of Him, and of a state of perfect holiness of heart and life. They wept affectionately, yet joyfully. Their tears, and sobs, and sighs, were accompanied with inward peace and comfort; a circumstance which seem The baptized Indians appeared to rejoice in the solemn dedication they had that day made of themselves to the service of God; their hearts were engaged, and cheerful in duty; love reigned among them, and displayed itself in the most simple unaffected manner. Several of the other Indians, when they saw and heard these things, were much affected, weeping most bitterly, and longing to be par-ed to manifest that the whole was takers of that comfort and joy they discerned in the countenance. as well as in the language of their countrymen. On the following day, Mr.fluence spread over the whole asBrainerd, after discoursing some sembly, which now consisted of time to the Indians, addressed nearly one hundred Indians, inhimself to those in particular, who cluding both old and young, alhoped they were partakers of di-most all of whom were either anivine grace, representing to them mated with joy in Christ Jesus, the happiness which Christ con- or impressed with concern for an fers on his people here on earth, || interest in him. and the glory he prepares for them the effect of a spirit of adoption, not of that spirit of bondage, under which many of them had so lately groaned. The sacred in (To be continued.) RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. ON THE CONNEXION BETWEEN A The same principle is fixed upon PREACHER'S PRIVATE LIFE, AND by rhetoricians, both ancient and HIS OFFICIAL MINISTRATIONS. modern. They lay it down as a leading truth, that no man can be THE first direction which the truly eloquent without being emiapostle Paul gave to the elders of nently virtuous. Cicero, notwithEphesus, in his parting address to standing the rare endowments of them, was, "Take heed unto nature-the extensive knowledge yourselves." This it would seem of philosophy, and of ethics, of he thought to be the most impor-poetry, and of logic, and the long tant thing which demanded their and laborious study which he attention; and the most effectual thought essential to success in his way of securing their faithfulness art, makes virtue the chief and and success as overseers of the most essential quality of an orator. church of God. But no orator, perhaps, is so much In his instructions to Timothy, affected by his moral character as and to Titus, he attaches the same the preacher. Its influence will importance to personal character attend him throughout every de"A bishop must be blameless;partment of his office, and affect an example of the believers in him in the discharge of every duty, word, in conversation, in charity, whether publick or private. in spirit, in faith, in purity." It will affect him in his prepara: the pulpit. Seldom blessed with tions for the pulpit. You may see Barrenness of mind, is another it in the very selection of his sub-evil which afflicts the cold-hearted jects. If his heart be unaffected preacher in his preparations for with the great truths of religionif, through the dimness of his moral vision, he has lost sight of the worth of the soul and the powers of the world to come," when he sits down to prepare for the labours of the Sabbath, instead of inquiring what subject will bear with the greatest weight upon the conscience, and find the readiest access to the heart, he will inquire what subject will afford him the widest scope for the display of his talents. And in the whole investigation and treatment of his subject, he will discover the same spirit of vanity and of selfishness. Instead of aiming to preach for the benefit But let this same man who is of immortal souls-instead of thus hobbling upon crutches, and striving to breathe into every sen- tortured to find materials for a tence a holy energy, and to shape sermon, be deeply imbued with every thought, and every word, the spirit of his sacred office-let so as to make it tell upon the him daily taste the heavenly gift, heart, he is searching for figures, and the good word of God, and and tropes, and flowers. Now he live and breathe in the atmosis striving to charm by the ele-phere of heaven, and his whole gance of his style, and the smooth-soul will be moved, and filled ness of his periods-now to dazzle with "thoughts that breathe and by his genius-and now to astonish words that burn." His mind by the extent of his learning, and will dilate and expand, his conthe acuteness of his reasoning. Inceptions will brighten and inshort, he is labouring to preach crease, and a current of warm and himself, instead of Christ Jesus apposite thoughts will pour forth the Lord. to astonish and to delight his soul. 66 Under the influence of such feelings, his pulpit-preparations, so far from being dreaded, and entered upon with aversion, will be among the most pleasant duties of his office. Or if indolence has so paralyzed the energies of his soul, as to have weakened the springs of his ambition, he seeks for a subject which shall cost him the least effort. And the highest object at which he aims, is to find some- Nor will a preacher be less afthing to fill up his discourse. fected by his moral character in However solemn, and warning, his ministrations in the sanctuary. and animating may be his subject, It will be seen and felt in his suphe feels no kindlings in his soul-plications at the throne of grace. no yearnings of compassion, no As prayer is an expression of feelmeltings of tenderness. Every ing, rather than an effort of the sentence, and every thought is understanding, every thing in the marked with apathy and feebleness; discharge of this duty will depend and amidst truths the most affect upon the state of the heart. And ing and tremendous, all is slug-if a preacher's heart be cold and gish, and vapid, and frozen! insensible, how will it be possible |