purchase from a wholesale house in the city, and in this manner I am enabled to make satisfactory arrangements, so that I can procure any quantity or quality that may be required. I believe at the present moment that nothing would assist me more than to receive orders for tea and coffee, &c., for though my profits might not be very great, yet this, added to my former business of carrying articles from house to house, would materially assist me. I know that you have exerted yourself to the utmost to recommend me amongst your friends, for which, as well as for all your kindness, I shall ever be at a loss to express half of what I feel.

CHAPTER XIII.

In the former part of my narrative, I have stated that five of our children were baptized by Mr. the sixth son was born subsequently to our leaving the Irvingitish church, and viewing the ordinance of baptism not as a mere formal act, but as an ordinance of Christ, I cannot but think that it claims our serious and solemn attention, and it is to be lamented that so little regard is paid to it by the many who call themselves christians. Not that the mere performance of that, or any other rite, will secure the salvation of a soul, but it is a means of grace, and, if observed with an eye to the intention of its institution, it would not fail, under God's blessing, to lead us to see our natural depravity, and to seek earnestly the baptism of the Holy Ghost. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Heb. x. 20. Again, I look

upon baptism as a substitute for circumcisionan outward sign or figure; as the one points to the circumcision of the heart, so does the other to the washing of regeneration. infants, at the earliest age, were the subjects of circumcision, so I believe it to be, according to Scripture, that infants should be early dedicated to the Lord in baptism; and I should feel it a departure from duty if I, who have been graciously led to the good Shepherd myself, should not early devote them to Him who hath said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not," &c. However, I will not dwell upon this point. I know there is a diversity of opinion on it. None, however, will deny, that baptism itself is an imperative command issued by our blessed Redeemer. Matt. xxviii. 19., and admits of no dispute: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." I approve of the appointment of sponsors for infants; and, I believe, were that office faithfully fulfilled, it would tend to very great good. Many a soul would be nurtured in the admonition of the Lord, which is now left to a state of desolation. But alas! this ceremony is

awfully abused. Nevertheless, the abuse of it does not make void the value or importance of the rite itself. I stated my views on the subject to a much valued christian friend, whom the Lord, in his Providence, had lately raised up to me. You will be aware that I refer here to E. J. B., Esq. He entered fully into my views on the subject; and after fully weighing such an important matter, offered to become one of the sureties for my child, whom I now felt anxious to devote to the Lord in christian baptism, according to the forms of the Established Church. I gladly and thankfully accepted this offer, for I never would consent to give the suretyship to any one who did not feel his responsibility. The above gentleman was joined in the office by my kind friends, the Rev. Dr. A. M'Caul and Mrs. M'Caul. The baptismal service was solemnly and devoutly performed by the Rev. Mr. Farncourt, at the Episcopal Jews' Chapel, Palestine Place, Bethnal Green, in May, 1836, in presence of the Rev. Professor Alexander, the Rev. Mr. Cartwright, the Rev. Mr. Reichart, and many other friends of Israel. May the blessing of the Lord descend on the dear

child, and may he become a faithful witness for Christ.

But to proceed:-We were now brought to the winter of 1836 and 7. I need not remind you of the extreme inclemency and long duration of that season; it was indeed one of the most trying periods we were ever called to pass through. Our heavenly Father saw it good that we should once again be thrown into the fiery furnace. When the time arrived when it was needful for my dear wife to wean her little one, she endured the greatest sufferings. One abscess after another formed and broke, till she was reduced to the last degree of weakness. In addition to this, the influenza, which was then very prevalent, and in many cases had proved fatal, seized upon her, and two of the children. Her life was in great danger. My faith was now indeed put to a severe test, for I myself was also, at the same time, visited with a complication of diseases, of which a violent affection at the heart, and excruciating pains in my head and face, were the predominant. In this situation I was called upon to nurse my poor wife, night and day. We were obliged to hire a girl to take