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ORDINATION OF MR. G. ELVEN.

companions and practices, to endeavour to | myself, and had taken that comfort to myself

which belonged to others, although the minister had described my experience better than I could myself, even to the putting of my fingers in my ears, and running past men who were using profane language in the street; and to the black thumb marks in my little Bible, which I was then trying to read; but my heart was overwhelmed within me, from my fearing that I had thus deceived myself, and satan stood at my right hand to resist me; who told me I was not the sort of sinner God would save; that it was presumption in me to think that I should ever be saved. These suggestions I then believed, my mind being filled with doubts and fears that what I had before felt was not real, yet the Lord knew that I desired not to deceive myself in this solemn matter, While under the influence of these doubts and fears, Mr. D. spake from those words, "Fear not thou worm, Jacob;" this text was certainly sent to me, for I then felt that my fears were groundless, and again confirmed that what I have previously experienced, was of the Lord; so that I left my fears in the pew, and again rejoiced with a little joy, and again hoped in the Lord, that he really would reveal his salvation to my soul.

amend my life, and to try to become holy before God. This led me to go to a place of worship, and as I then thought that all who made a profession of religion must of course be true christians, I was not particular as to what place of worship I attended; so I went to Long Lane Chapel, Bermondsey, where I heard the Wesleyans, (that being the nearest place,) whose preaching only added fetters to my bonds; for I entered the place in distress of soul, willing to do anything I could to ease my conscience, and to please God, so as to turn away his wrath from me; and in their preaching they told me, at least I took it to myself, that the reason why I did not save my soul, and obtain the pardon of my sin, was because I had not prayed enough, and had not striven enough, and had not attention enough to the things of God. This sent me home weeping more bitterly than ever, and made me strive with all my heart to keep from sin. When I arose in the morning, I made up my mind that I would live free from sin that day; but, alas! before one hour was gone, I detected sin upon sin, so that I found I could not be holy that day. Then I tried again the next day, but had the same failure. And so I went on forming my resolutions; but found But soon after this renewal of hope, I got I did not abstain from sin. Then I bound into a cold, careless, and indifferent state of myself under the strongest oaths or vows I mind, in which I remained some length of could think of to God with my hands clasped time, and in which I had to learn many a that I would not commit sin; this I repeated, painful lesson. For, although I was then prebut found that my vows were no more than served from outward sin, still, I had a very my previous resolutions, I broke them all and great development of my indwelling sin and still could not keep from sin. Now I felt my corruption. I was led, indeed, to see that in case worse than before, I had no hope, I was my flesh, dwelt no good thing. This instruca great transgressor of God's law, and felt tion, I had line upon line, till I was thoroughly that I should be lost, having no idea of a convinced of the fact, that "the heart is deceit Saviour, or of God's way of salvation. Just ful above all things, and desperately wicked;" about this time the Lord sent a dear child of here I was permitted not only to doubt my inhis to the place where I was then living as my terest in God, as the God of salvation, but to fellow servant; this dear sister I suppose per-doubt the being of this God at all, the reality of ceived something in me which led her to think I was concerned about my soul spoke to me about the late dear Mr. Denham, who was preaching at Unicorn Yard Chapel, to which place I went and heard Mr. Denham, who pointed poor sinners to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, shewed the way of salvation, that it was the mercy and grace of God. was now brought from saying, "What shall I do to be saved?" to the cry,God be merciful to me a sinner." In this state of mind I continued to attend Mr. D.'s ministry, and on one Lord's day he took for his text, that verse in the 27th Psalm, "I had fainted unless I had believed, to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." This discourse was blessed to my soul, so as to afford me a little refuge in raising up a hope in my soul, that I was in the way, and that the Lord would come and save me, and to encourage me to look to Jesus, for I had been brought to the place of stopping of mouths, and firmly to believe that unless I was saved solely through the precious blood and righteousness of him, I must perish for ever. But very soon after this my mind sunk into a state of despondency and darkness again, so that I lost that little ray of hope which I had received under Mr. D.'s sermon; I thought that I had deceived

I

religion, and of the existence of the soul after death. Another dire temptation beset me during this time, which was to doubt the divinity of Christ. This was a source of the bitterest grief to my soul, to think that I should doubt the divinity of that blessed Jesus, upon whose finished work I had been helped to base my hope for the salvation of my soul. Tears were under this temptation, I considered that I was my meat, I may say, day and night; while worse than devils, for they confessed it heartily.

While suffering under this, Mr. D. was speaking of the man among the tombs, saying no man could tame him, but Jesus tamed him, therefore Jesus must be more than man; he remarked that he just named this, as some of God's children were tried on this point. From this, I obtained some little relief; but still, this did not entirely remove the temptation.

words of the poet came suddenly and power-
But while I was walking in the street, those
fully into my mind:

"That Christ is God, I can avouch,
And for his people cares;
For I have prayed to him as such,

And he has heard my prayers."

By this the snare was broken, and I was entirely delivered therefrom, and I have never

ORDINATION OF MR. G. ELVEN.

But my soul was exceedingly cast down on account of these things which were so pain-ence; the new man became very weak, and ful to me; still I could not help hoping sometimes, that the Lord would come and save my soul; though I think no poor sinner could have felt more base than I did.

TROWBRIDGE, ISLINGTON AND HOLLOWAY.

holy be his name, I found the same reception | preach the gospel, and of his faith in the great as he did. This was about fifteen years ago; and I do say, to the glory of the grace of my God, that I never did walk so close with my God before that as I have been enabled to do since. The desire of my soul from that time has been that, while it may please the Lord that I should dwell here, that I might be entirely dedicated to his service.

DURING my last journey in the West of Eng-were passed home to my parish as paupers; I land, I found myself one morning in a humble was indeed brought low. One day, after being dwelling, on the borders of the county of So- brought home, an athiest came to me and mersetshire-it was the pastor's cottage. We offered me employment. I accepted it; and had been into the house of God-(one of the was once more provided with a home, and with prettiest provincial sanctuaries I have seen for temporal help. My old Christian friends came some time)-I had also been into the sick and besought me earnestly to come and preach chamber with the pastor, to speak a few words to them the gospel of Jesus. I said, "I will to his aged, his afflicted, his dying wife. She not." They went away. As soon as they were was low indeed; and, no doubt, will soon see gone, I sat done alone, and the thought of HIM face to face, on whom her hope of heaven having so harshly refused them fell upon my has long been built. I bent my knee and mind, and sunk me down in deep distress. As prayed the Lord to manifest himself unto her I sat covering my head with my hands and in the eye -to be sensibly present with her and to give leaning my arm on the table, I saw, her both the rod and the staff to support her of my mind, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. while passing through the valley. Indeed, He looked upon me, but in that look there such scenes as these are solemn: the body wast-were two things: first, a heavenly smile; and, ing, and waiting for the final stroke-the poor soul looking, and longing to stretch her wings and fly away:

We went down stairs; and being seated one on one side and the other on the other of the little fire, I took a full view of the aged man of God. I am sure it would-if I could here give a true portrait of the scene-excite feelings of humility and gratitude in many a contrite spirit. There was little I, sitting gazing upon an old weather-beaten, tempest-tossed warrior -one that had encountered many a storm, and trodden many a thorny path—and although still in the furnace and most sorely tried, he could sing and did sing of mercy and of judgment, of righteousness and of truth-of the preciousness of his Jesus-of the faithfulness of his God. Oh, was not I happy? I felt I was indeed in the company of a saint-a servant of Christ-an heir of God, and of one that would ere long be found in glory, where all painful wayfare, and flesh-mortifying warfare, should be left behind for ever. The good old man was meanly clad: there was a wide contrast between his appearance and his raiment and that of most of our prim and princely. dressed pastors whom we meet in the metropolis, and in the large cities of our provinces. He had a very old cap on his head, for he was bald; and if you had happened to meet him in the streets, you would have thought he was some worn-out mechanic, whose wages for a long time had forgotten to come to his temporal aid. There was, however, a brightness in his eye, and a dignity stamped on his interesting face, which to me plainly said, "The kingdom of God is within."

I felt a desire to dip a bit into his history. I had, at first, to draw it out by bits; "counsel in the heart of man is like deep waters, a man of understanding will draw it out."

say

nothing of my understanding in that sense; but I drew a little piece of the good old soul's history out of him, which I shall not soon forget. "Ah, sir," said he, "I once ran away from the work of the ministry; and I resolved never to engage in it again. I went and sought for employment. I travelled days and

1854.

secondly, an expression of severity; he looked me through, and then he said, HIS OWN

HATH

Here

RIGHT HAND, AND HIS HOLY ARM
GOTTEN HIM THE VICTORY.' These words,"
said the good old man, "broke my heart in
melting penitence and love, and I said, 'Yes,
Lord, thou hast gotten the victory; and now
I WILL GO, and preach in thy dear name.'
That, sir, was over twenty-two years since, and
although I still often feel reluctant to go to the
work, yet the master keeps me to it."
he burst into tears, rose up from his seat, and
sobbed for a second or two; and then he sat
down and talked to me of the goodness and of
the grace of his covenant God toward him.
The following lines are selected from a long
piece of poetry he once published, headed, "My
Jesus." The verse or two I have selected
bespeak a little of the tone and temper of the
good old man's mind.

MY JESUS!

WHO was the Head elect above,
The church his body made by love,
Before the earth was formed to move?

The Mediator Jesus.

Who was the secret covenant Man,
Ere earth was made, or time began,
Whose thoughts upon his people ran?
The glory God-man Jesus?
Who with delight and rapture too,
Salvation's plan in council drew,
For all the Father's love foreknew?
The secret wisdom Jesus.
Who did in my poor nature stand,
Gave to the law all its demand,
Freed me a rebel from the hand

Of justice? 'Twas my Jesus.
Who triumphed over hell and sin,
Law-pleasing righteousness brought in,
That I eternal life might win?
My law-fulfilling Jesus.

Who was it groaned, and bled, and died,
While from his hands, his feet, his side,
Flowed streaming down the crimson tide?
It was my suffering Jesus.
Who was it in the grave was laid,
According as prediction said,
Until the debt of sin was paid?

My wounded, bruised Jesus.
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338

Who watched me while I wandered wide
In sin, by sinning heaven defied,
What now I hate I then enjoyed?

'Twas my exalted Jesus.

Who made me feel my sin, and cry,
"Alas! my soul must surely die?
Who made to me that sweet reply,

"I died?" It was my Jesus.
Who turned my rebel will about,
And bore me up, though full of doubt,
And said I will not cast thee out?

My glorious high priest, Jesus.

Who was it said, "Come, don't despair,
But on me cast thy every care,
Thou dost in my salvation share?"

My constant, careful Jesus.

Who was it opened my sad case,
Drew me with groans to seek his face,
Made me rejoice in sovereign grace,
That dwelleth in my Jesus?

But few can tell the joy I knew,
When God the Spirit sweetly drew
My soul to see its union to

The glorious husband Jesus.
Who made the word of God to be
So very precious unto me,
And what's the object there I see?
All, all directs to Jesus.

Who will support me all the way,
And bring me to the realms of day,
With all the blood-redeemed to say,
"To my unchanging Jesus,
"Let thy unceasing praise begin,
Thy blood has washed away my sin,
And now I am by grace shut in

To glory with my Jesus."

VICTORY

I knew not where to turn to. I was fastened to the spot. All was bustle and noise with the crowds of people getting into the vessel to go over; when something said again, 'That vessel cannot go over without you.' I really trembled at my position. The vessel started; and with the utmost rapidity she cut her way through the waters, until she was soon nearly out of sight. I watched her every movement; and wondered why I could not cease to gaze upon her, and turn away. Presently, all in a moment, the harbour-master came running to me, and said, 'What is the matter? Why, the vessel is coming back again as fast as she can.' I looked more intently; and I certainly then discovered she was on her return to the port from whence she had started; and with such violence did she come, that on reaching the landing, she almost dashed the heavy beams, blocks, and all to atoms. The captain cried out, "THE ENGINE IS BROKEN: WE CANNOT GO OVER!' Mysterious enough, the harbour-master turned to me and said, 'Do you know anything of engineering?" I saidI DO." 'Go down, then, (said he) and see what is the matter.' The captain cried out'It is no use his coming; the engine is broken, and we cannot go over? 'Let him come down,' said the other. Down I went. I examined the whole of the machinery; I said, 'In half-an-hour, with certain materials, I can set all to-right. The harbourmaster brought me the materials-I went to work-and fulfilled my engagement. Apolowhich they had used me; money, victuals, gies were now made for the rough manner in and a free passage were now cheerfully given to me.-The vessel did take me over."

Never, I think, did I hear a more savory and striking instance of the Lord's interposition on the behalf of a poor outcast-a wanderer-one almost broken down in poverty, oppression, and fear. My reader-does not this prove to a demonstration that "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry?" Jonah may run away; (and there may be many more Jonahs than he who went to Nineveh,) but the Lord will follow them, and return to himself and service they must.

There was one circumstance which this dear man of God related to me with so much simplicity and truthfulness-an event so illustrative of the faithfulness, the goodness, and the careful guidance of our God towards his poor, wandering sheep, that I cannot withhold it. On the day following that night when he slept on the straw in the out-house, he was desirous of crossing over the water which separates the Welsh from the English counties. He knew that the fare over in the steam-boat was one shilling. And in those days, there was no other means of transit. Having but one sixpence in all the world, it became a serious question how he was to get conveyed over. There is a vessel that must and will carry He determined upon asking the captain of the you over, if TO JESUS YOU BELONG. vessel which sailed from what is called "The GOSPEL OF CHRIST, which contains both the It is the Old Pass," to take him over for six-pence :he went to the captain-made his appeal election of grace; and although with the little ark of the covenant, and a register of the whole was sternly refused. He then recollected that six-pence of our own efforts, and self-righteousnear to Chepstowe,-some miles distant,there was what they called "The New Pass." shall. No-it is without money, and without ness, we may think to pass over; we never In hope that he might succeed better there, price; and a sufficiency of provision by the he walked as fast as he could to the harbour-way. Thus shall the Word of God be fulfilled, master, and besought him to allow him to go as paraphrased by the poet, when he sings: over in a vessel just then starting, for sixpence. Again he was sternly refused, and The righteous are one with Jesus the Lord;" JEHOVAH hath said, (the Scriptures record) cruel language used for even daring to ask At all times he loves them, 'twas for them he died. such a favour. "Something (said the good Yet oft times he proves them, for faith must be tried, old man) riveted me to the spot. I stood with my hand on the rail that led down to the When faint in the way, or lifeless and cold, water-side, gazing on the vessel about to Yet firm to his promise thy God shall abide, Or sunk in dismay, and none to uphold; start over; and as I stood, unable to turn But grace, though the smallest, shall surely be tried. away, something said to me that vessel cannot go over without you.' I thought it pre-As thorns in thy side or pricks in thine eyes; Temptations and sins in legions shall rise, sumption in me to listen to such a persuasion; And oft to thy sorrow his face he shall hide, I made an effort to turn away, but could not. For God hath determined his grace shall be tried.