the most edified, though this is generally the case. But th blessing comes from the Lord, and he takes various methods to hide pride from man, and to convince us, that the help that is done upon earth, he doth it himself.

At the close of the year, I seriously thought of giving up travelling. Mr. J. Manners, who acted the part of a tender Father to me, hearing of this, said with great affection, I suppose you doubt concerning your call to the Ministry. I answered, I do. He replied, Why you have no more cause to doubt of that than I have. This was a word in season to me, I was sure that he was a much better judge of such things than I was, and so wise and holy a man as I well knew him to be, speaking in such strong terms concerning my call, helped me not a little.

Being encouraged by that faithful servant of God, I went to the conference in company with that amiable man, Mr. Richard Henderson. This was the first time I ever was in London, and the Conference was held in Spital-fields Chapel. We had no money matters to settle in these days: But after the preachers characters were examined, and they were stationed for the next year; all the time was then taken up, in speaking upon spiritual subjects.

• We have seen Mr. Pawson, by a chain of providential occurrences, led to that station in the Church of God, which he occupied with so much credit, acceptance and usefulness for nearly 44 years.

It would swell this account too much to give a circumstantial detail of the different places in which he exercised his Ministry, and the scenes through which he passed in the land of his pilgrimage. He laboured in London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Halifax, Birstal, York, and various parts of Yorkshire; and some other parts of England; and also, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, greatly to the satisfaction and spiritual advantage of the people; as thousands yet alive can testify.

As a christian, he was uniform and steady; so that during almost half a century he appears to have been preserved by divine grace in a lively, zealous, devout spirit, forgetting the things behind, and reaching forwards to the things which are before; pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus. And his conduct was so regular and circumspect, that he never had any stain on his moral and religious character.

As a preacher, he was plain and familiar; so that persons of the weakest capacities might understand him; he was evangelical and experimental; and even to the close of his labours, lively and energetic. Indeed he was almost singular for preserving to the last that animation in his public prayers and sermons, for which he was eminent at the com mencement of his labours.

He was a strenuous advocate for the most important doctrines of the gospel, as taught by the people called Methodists, late in connection with the Rev. John Wesley, viz. The doctrines of original sin-justification by faith-a present salvation-the witness of the spirit of God with our spirits that we are the Sons of God-the doctrine of entire sanctification, or christian perfection; other doctrines closely connected with the above; particularly, the doctrines of the Holy Trinity, the supreme Godhead of Christ, and the atonement made by him for the sins of the whole world.

They that were acquainted with him, know how much he was concerned that the rising generation of preachers, might preach the good old doctrines which have been so remarkably owned and blessed of God. He was aware of the danger of a departure from that pointed, energetic preaching of the leading doctrines of the gospel, by which the first instruments of the present great revival of religion were distinguished. And he had a godly jealousy over his younger brethren, lest they should not be sufficiently explicit in preaching the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins-the abiding witness of the spirit with our spirits, that we are the children of God, and the possibility and necessity of being fully renewed after the image of him that created us. In his address to the Junior brethren, are the following words:"Do we see the necessity of every one enjoying a clear manifestation of the love of God in Christ Jesus, to his own soul? And do we constantly insist upon it, that this is the privilege of every believer? And that no one can be either safe or happy, unless he feel the love of God shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost given unto him?,

"Here we have the greates need to be particularly clear and strong; because the fashionable gospel of the present age, leaves the soul short of this invaluable blessing. Is it not highly necessary that we should set forth in the clearest manner, that it is the privilege of all believers to enjoy the abiding witness of the Holy spirit with our Spirits, that we

are the children of God? Are we not called of God to preach a full, free and present salvation; a salvation from every root of bitterness; from every evil temper, desire or affection; that being filled with his fulness, we may bring forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by Christ Jesus, to the honour and praise of God."

Such was the general style of his preaching; and in every place where he laboured, God gave him seals to his ministry. Very many have been brought to Christ, and others edified and comforted by his ministry. Some of whom remain to this day; others are fallen asleep in Jesus.

Having set his band to the plow, Mr. Pawson never looked back; either as a christian or as a minister as a christian, he endured to the end; and as a minister, he tinued his labours till his divine master laid him aside'; herein leaving to his brethren an example worthy of imitation.

It was his custom in his private papers, to make observations and reflections at stated times, concerning his own experience, and the Lord's gracious dealings with himself, and others with whom he was connected. This he did most frequently on the return of his birth day, and after the Conference, when settled again in his regular work. The following are specimens. On his return from the Conference in 1804 to Bristol, he writes:

"I am now entered upon my 43d year as a travelling Preacher. Well may I stand astonished at the wonderful goodness and mercy of God to me. I know of no one among all that I have been acquainted with, that has been so highly favoured with health as I have been. O how shall I sufficiently praise the Lord for his unmerited mercy. would be thankful, and would express my gratitude, not in words only, but also in humble and constant obedience to his will, whose I am; and to whom I am deeply indebted for ten thousand times ten thousand mercies.

I

"The searcher of hearts knows that I would serve him in my generation in that way, and to that degree which he himfelt would have me. I would fay from the ground of my heart, "Lord here am I, thy willing fervant; do with me what thou wilt, employ me where and as thou wlt; only be thou present with me; let thine abundant blessing attend me; be thou right precious to me; and, for the glory of thy name

make my way profperous. The longer I live in the world, the more clearly I fee the truth of the following words”—“The help that is done upon earth, the Lord doth it himself.", And therefore would give up myfelf wholly to him, that he may be all in all to me,

"If this be the laft year of my life, as it probably will be, may it be the happiest and most useful; and may I be fully ready whenfoever the Lord may call for me. Omy God, let me finish well, as many of my friends and brethren have done. Be present with me, O my gracious Redeemer in my last moments, and let me die on thy loving bofom; let me fall asleep in thy gracious arms; and let me live with thee for ever. Amen."

I connot be sufficiently thankful, adds he, that the Lord continues to me the invaluable partner of my life, that he still continues to bless her with a good degree of health and strength; and more especially as he not only makes her a blessing to me; but, also, very useful in his church. For such an help-meet I surely have infinite cause to thank God. Thus did he record the Lord's gracious conduct towards him,

At the conferrence in 1805, Mr. Pawson was appointed to exercise his ministry in Wakefield and its vicinity. He soon appeared at his post, on which occasion, we find in his papers the following observations:

"The Wakefield friends had requested me to spend a year with them. I found my mind much drawn that way. I trust my eye was single in complying with their request. So far as I could judge there was a probability of my being as useful there as any where else, and I was led to think as I am growing old, if it should please God to call me hence the present or the next year, my friends would be but at little trouble and expence in taking me to Thorner, where I might sleep with my fathers, which I greatly desired, if it should please the Lord so to favour me. I am now in my 68th year, and various bodily infirmities are come upon me; yet through the unbounded goodness of God, I am able to fulfil the duties of my station at present. How long that may be the case with me God only knows: but I am in his hand and at his disposal. Let him do with me as seemeth him good. I cannot choose, and he cannot err. He is infinitely wise in all his ways, and holy in all

his works. I thankfully acknowledge that my life has been a life of mercy. From my earliest days, the goodness of God has abounded towards me. He has been the guide of my youth; the strength and stay, the comfort and happiness of my riper years; and now, when I am old and greyheaded, he does not, and, I trust he never will forsake me. I can say on good ground, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise." And he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Having this gracious promise to rely upon, may I not in the deepest humility and self-abasement say," Lord, I never will leave, nor forsake thee." And why should I? I know by long and happy experience that he has the words of eternal life? My mind has often been much affected. by the words of our blessed Lord to his disciples, a little before his agony in the garden, "Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptations." They had not turned their backs upon him as too many had done. () that I, like them, may continue with my gracious Lord in his temptation! May I be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Whatsoever storms or tempests rise, till he shall sign my happy release, and say to me, "Come up hither, and take thy seat with me. Amen."

Let us now attend the man of God through that interesting scene at the close of which his labour and sufferings were terminated.

Unaccustomed to complain, even when indisposed, he went on in his work with his usual life and animation; himself alone acquainted with his growing infirmities. At length, however, the time arrived when he could no longer perform the duties of his station.

On this occasion he wrote to me in a manner extremely affecting. For many years I had been favoured with his friendship. He wrote to me as one to whom he could unbosom his whole soul. The original I preserve, as a precious memorial of a departed friend and relative. An extract I am persuaded, will be interesting to all who knew bim.

It is dated Feb. 5, 1806.

"It is impossible for me to tell you what I have suffered, and what I stil! suffer from the tender hand of an infinitely wise and gracious God, who is my father and