Lord, just according to His will, that give me com- "Your affectionate friend, THOMAS SPENCER." you will express the sincerest gratitude to the God "Our Redeemer himself, in order to be rendered a merciful and compassionate high-priest, was templed like as we are;' endured the various ils and sorrows that flesh is heir to; and hence (oh! blessed sympathy and kind relief) he is able to succor them that are tempted. "Next Sabbath morning I intend to preach at the Countess' chapel, and in the evening at Mr. Styles': pray for me, that I may be supported and blest. It is still my design to reach Liverpool on Friday night: tell our friends, that they may expect to see me in the pulpit on the following Sabbath. May I be there richly laden with the good things of the kingdom;-may I be animated by a mind fraught with rich and heavenly favors. I am sure that if my God restores those who are so dear to me to perfect health and strength, my heart, hard But scarcely had Spencer entered on the full dis- as it is, will not be insensible to the feeling of graticharge of his public duties at Liverpool, when se- tude. No;-it will leap as doth a hart; it will vere affliction in the endeared circle of his connec-pant with the sensations of unutterable joy. I have tions at Brighton called him to that place. A letter written about this period, displays the agonized state of his feelings-but abounds with expressions of holy acquiescence in the Divine dispensations. He left Liverpool on the 18th of March, accompanied by the valued friend, under whose roof he still resided, and whose guest he was during his first visit. Arrived in London, the following hasty note bespeaks the anguish of his mind, Ludgate street, Tuesday night. "MY DEAR FRIEND-This moment I am within a few doors of you, but cannot reach you. Mr. H is with me: we have just got in from Liverpool, and start for B. to-morrow, at seven o'clock in the morning. I shall write to you from Brighton. Pray for me: I am in unutterable distress. Farewell! "T. SPENCER." received a very kind letter from our worthy friend, "THOMAS SPENCER." The Sabbath after his arrival in Brighton, he did not engage in any public service. Much of the day doubtless was spent in administering comfort to the afflicted. The fears which he had sometimes been induced to harbor, were not, however, realized; The uncommon attention excited in Liverpool by health slowly returned. His friend was under the Mr. Spencer's ministry, soon suggested the necessinecessity of hastening to Liverpool, after the lapse ty of providing more accommodation than Newingof a few days-but Mr. Spencer remained at Brighton chapel could afford, for the numbers who were ton. His affectionate heart dictated the following letter, to welcome his friend on his arrival home. XXXVII. TO MR. H Brighton, Thursday morning. "MY DEAR AND VALUED FRIEND-I am pleasing myself with the idea, that before this reaches Liverpool, you will have shared the hearty and affectionate welcome of a beloved and happy family: this is a blessing which you know how to improve and enjoy aright, and for which I am persuaded anxious to enjoy the benefit of his stated labors. At first the idea of enlarging the old place of worship presented itself; but some difficulties arising, this was relinquished, and early in March it was resolved, that a chapel capable of accommodating two thousand persons should be erected-a committee of management was appointed-and an eligible spot of ground soon selected for the purpose. A most judicious plan for the building was proposed and adopted-the dimensions of which were thirtytwo yards long outside, and twenty-one yards and a half broad outside. A liberal subscription was soon obtained, and the affair was in a state of such forwardness on his return from Brighton, that on intervene. Their salutary influence may be traced the 15th of April, Mr. Spencer laid the first stone in the following letter: of the chapel, in the presence of an immense assembly-computed to consist of about six thousand persons. On that truly interesting occasion, he delivered an appropriate address, and solemnly dedicated the place to God by prayer.* About this time Mr. Spencer removed from the hospitable abode of his early friend, with whom he had resided on his first coming to Liverpool, in order to lodge with Mr. Thurstan Lassel, in the Park Road; a pleasant situation, about half a mile from the town. It was the lot of Spencer to be beloved in every circle which he entered—and none who were honored to behold his excellence, and enjoy his friendship, ever resigned him, without feelings of the deepest regret. I cannot deny myself the pleasure of extracting a sentence or two from the willing testimony which that friend has borne to the sterling worth of his most amiable guest. I am the more anxious to do this, as it will unveil his character in private life, and show us, what he was as the member of a family. "We had the great advantage of Mr. Spencer's pious conversation and fervent prayers in the family for near four months, for he did not leave us till the latter end of April; it was indeed a pleasant, and I trust, a profitable season, which we often review with great delight. With what pleasing emotions have we often surrounded our domestic altar, and witnessed the fervor of his addresses to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this delightful employ, he never seemed to engage with half a heart, his whole soul was alive to the service of his God: he was serious in a serious cause, nor did any circumstances that arose ever seem to unfit him for the discharge of religious duties. Morning and evening he generally engaged in prayer at family worship; the variety he produced on these occasions has often astonished us; it was impossible to trace any thing like repetition, every prayer seemed quite new, and gave fresh proof of the powers of his mind, and the ardor of his soul. "Mr. Spencer naturally possessed an amiable disposition, and was innocently cheerful; no one could say that gloom or melancholy was connected with his religion. In his manners he was simple and unaffected; any thing like ostentation or parade he disliked exceedingly; he would always, if possible, avoid mixing with large parties. The company of serious, pious, plain Christians was his delight. He was kind, generous, and tender-hearted; the wants of the poor and necessitous he was ready and willing to relieve; to do good and communicate he forgot not, knowing that with such sacrifices God is well pleased."" But whilst all around him was prosperous and happy-whilst his ministry was successful beyond his most sanguine expectations; and hundreds were eager to administer to his comfort; his heart was the victim of anxiety and grief. The continued and alarming indisposition of his friends at Brighton, inspired his delicate and susceptible mind with the most gloomy and agonizing fears. It was well. His Heavenly Father saw he needed some thorn in the flesh, under the circumstances of his unexampled popularity, to prevent his being exalted above measure-and to preserve his soul in a frame of holy solemnity, and humble reliance on himself. Lest the sun of his prosperity should dazzle him too much, these friendly clouds were permitted to For the oration delivered at the foundation of the chapel-and also for an account of the services performed at its opening in May, 1812-see Appendix, No. V. XXXVIII. TO MR. JOHN HADDON. Liverpool, April 16, 1811. "MY DEAR FRIEND-The melancholy state of depression in which I have been held so long, must form my excuse for neglecting the sacred duties of friendship, in not writing before this to you. Oh! how soon can Jehovah blast our hopes of happiness from creature comforts, to convince us of the uncertainty of all earthly good! We must walk by faith,' and live in the exercise of a lively hope, that we shall obtain a better and more permanent rest. I scarcely dare, for my own part, anticipate any other kind of happiness on earth, but what may arise from communion with the Saviour, and the delightful work in which I am engaged, which, I must say, amidst all my trials affords me increasing happiness and pleasure. Thanks be to God, the work of the Lord is prospering in my hand; and though I may not have much pleasure in this world myself, I hope I shall be the means in the hands of the Holy Spirit, of putting into the possession of my fellow creatures, real and substantial felicity; this, the gospel I am enabled to preach is sent to confer. The next week I expect to go to my lodg ings. I shall reside in a retired, rural and delightful spot, with a family (three only in number) who belong to the congregation in which the Lord has graciously called me to labor; it is about half a mile from the town, away from all bustle and noise, commanding a most delightful and enchanting prospect of both land and water. My study affords a most extensive view of fields and hills, the river and the adjacent county, (Cheshire.) I am persuaded it is every thing I could wish for as a plan for my residence. In that pleasant study* I expect to spend much time, and enjoy some degree of pleasure; and my dear friend will believe me when I assure him, that amidst the afflictions which our righteous Father judges the best schools for me, it would tend to alleviate my sorrows, and cheer my spirits, could he be in my new study, and as he did in my old one, occasionally spend an hour or two with me in social chat. "Yesterday I laid the foundation stone of my new chapel, gave an address upon the spot, and dedicated the place to God in solemn prayer. The auditory consisted of not less than five thousand people, who were all fixed in their attention. May on that ground, often find a solace for my cares, in the public worship of God! May he bless the undertaking! May his eyes and his heart be there perpetually! Farewell, I must break off by assuring you, that I am sincerely yours, "THOMAS SPENCER." The week following that in which he laid the foundation stone of the new chapel, Mr. Spencer made an excursion into the country, and preached on * To me it is a melancholy reflection, that I should so soon become the occupier of a spot in which he had fondly pictured to himself so many years of pleasure. In his own study; on his own table; in his own chair; I am now drawing up these memoirs of his life; around me are the fruits of his short but laborious exertions; and immediately before my eyes the path by which he descended to his grave! From every object within my view, I am admonished "work whilst it is day, for the night cometh, when no man can work." I would that every loiterer in the vineyard of Christ were attended by mementos such as these. XXXIX. TO MR. HADDON. May 13th, 1811. the Tuesday evening at Darwen, and on the Thursday evening at a meeting of ministers at Blackburn. During this journey, he suffered much from the complaint to which he was subject; but although laboring under the pressure of severe indisposition, "MY DEAR FRIEND-I am ashamed when I think in the pulpit he rose superior to the influence of of the length of time which has passed since I last languor and pain; and his exertions on that jour-wrote to you; but indeed since then I have scarcely ney are still spoken of by those who witnessed them, and they were many, with delight. On his return to Liverpool, Mr. Spencer received a melancholy summons to Chester, to attend the funeral of his early and amiable friend, the Rev. Ebenezer White, and to deliver the oration at his grave. His obligations and attachment to that excellent man have already been recorded. When arrived at the scene of death, his delicate mind seemed overwhelmed in an agony of grief. He stood weeping in unutterable distress over the cold remains of his departed friend. His bosom formed for friendship, and even then the seat of no ordinary sorrow, was ill prepared to sustain the pressure of a stroke, by which he was suddenly bereft of one who had discharged for him the relations of the father, the tutor, and the friend! Mr. Walter White, who was the witness of his grief, has thus described it:-"I shall not easily forget this dear young man's behavior on the evening preceding my brother's funeral at Chester. We were standing together by the side of the coffin, viewing the corpse-he wept excessively, and clasping his hands with great emotion, exclaimed, 'Oh! that I may but finish my course like him!' and turning to me, he said with his usual energy, 'Oh! what a fine thought it is, that the bodies of the saints are purchased by Christ as well as their souls.' And then passing his friendly hand gently over my brother's face, he said, with great emphasis, This body is the purchase of Christ: it cannot be lost-it must revive again-all these limbs must resume their activity. Oh! with what fine sentiments and ideas does the Christian religion furnish us to what any of the heathen sys tems did!'" Though excessively agitated in his whole frame, he yet sustained himself to deliver at the grave a funeral oration, characterized by tender and solemn eloquence--the eloquence of feeling and of piety. His letters to his friends for some time after this event, contain occasional allusions to the death of Mr. White--and in a way which proves how much he loved him-how deeply he deplored his loss. In one he says "I have lately been visiting a scene of death at Chester: my worthy friend Mr. White is now no more in this world; but I doubt not, he shines illustriously in another state of existence. When I was eleven years of age he came to Hertford, and used to spend a great deal of time with me; ah! little did I then think I should have to deliver a funeral address at his interment, and so far away too from the place with which we were then familiar. Peace to his ashes, and eternal joy to his departed spirit! and ere long may I meet him in that blessed state, where disappointments will no longer be his lot or mine." On the Sabbath evening following, Mr. Spencer preached a funeral sermon for his friend, in his own pulpit at Liverpool, from Deut. xxxiv. 5, "So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord." The sermon was solemn and impressive. Thus we record the mortality of others, and drop into eternity ourselves. On that Sabbath evening three months, his own funeral sermon was preached in the same pulpit. The following letter was written the day before the funeral of Mr. White: written to any one, so much have I been occupied. ation is so retired and beautiful, that it is every "THOMAS SPENCER." Mr. Spencer seemed now to become more and more interested in his important work; the scenes of every day appeared to present it to his mind in soul were absorbed in its concerns. He could think some new and interesting light. The powers of his and speak of nothing else. In the pulpit, or in preparations for it-in serious conversation with his friends-or in the chambers of the diseased and dying, he was at home. He lived but for the discharge of his high obligations; and in the prosecution of his arduous work he was both useful and and talents ripened. He seemed to grow daily in happy. With astonishing rapidity his character favor both with God and man. admired him, there was something so engaging in All that saw him, vered him, so serious and important were the truths his manner-all that heard him, respected and rewhich he delivered-all that knew him, loved him, for his was every amiable quality that could excite and retain the best affections of the human heart. Valuable as our public institutions for the education of students for the Christian ministry really are, they can afford but an inadequate conception of the complicated duties of the pastoral office. The work of the pulpit is perhaps, after all, not the most difficult or trying part of the pastor's employ and the reason why so many fail when called into active service in the church of God, is probably a character to sustain, which ought ever to appear free, even from the very appearance of eviland all this with the most depressed state of feelings, and but little experience of the arduous duties the course of the Christian ministry embraces. Often do I exclaim, 'who is sufficient for these things?' Oh! that I may find that my sufficiency is of God. I am led at times to derive encouragement from the good which I trust the blessed Spirit has accomplished by my feeble labors; but then I think again of my youth, my inexperience, my exposure to the fiery darts of the wicked one, and the possibility of my eventually becoming a cast-away." "Oh! there are many feelings of this painful class in my mind, which few can share, which I cannot dare frequently to communicate. "All this and much more, do I daily feel. I wish you were with me. I could say a thousand things I cannot write, and you might console me with the comforts wherewith you yourself are comforted of God! Do pray for me, for I need it more than ever now. Often do I dispense to others that consolation I cannot take myself. "Thank you a thousand times for Cecil. Oh! they are admirable; what a character was he. Oh! that the Head of the Church would but make me like him. The tracts are just what I wanted; may a Divine blessing attend the distribution of them. Farewell! "I am yours affectionately, this, that they never calculated upon one half of the engagements which then press upon their regard. They had formed a most incorrect estimate of the numerous claims which the office of the ministry involves, upon their time-their talents-their patience and their faith. They had imagined, that in the composition and delivery of sermons was the chief of their labor-and that when this duty was discharged by far the heaviest burden was removed. The visitation of the sick, with all the peculiar delicacy, prudence, affection, and faithfulness which it requires the consolation of the distressed, with all the caution and skill which the varieties of their grief demand-the reproof and admonition of the irregular, with all the mingled tenderness, constancy and fidelity, which, in such difficult cases, must be exercised-the care of the young, with that adaptation of temper and manner to their capacities which, in the work of catechising, familiar conversation or public instruction, is absolutely necessary the advising, comforting and relieving the distressed, the embarrassed, and the indigent, who all press to him for counsel, solace and relief;-these, and unnumbered other duties connected with the pastoral office, are perhaps but seldom contemplated with sufficient seriousness amid the exercises of a college. And even in the public engagements of ministry, the circumstances of the pastor differ materially from those of the student. The pulpit compositions of the student are general; those of the pastor must be particular. The student has no individual case to suit; the congregation to whom he preaches are strangers to him; the pastor has as many cases as there are people com- "Cecil's works are a high treat indeed: you canmitted to his charge. The student can select his not think how I enjoy the perusal of them. There topics, and adapt his preaching to the tone of his are such valuable hints for ministers-such inestimind-or if peculiar reluctance should be felt, may mable directions, that I hope I shall evince the beenjoy the repose he wishes, and not preach at all;nefit of reading them, to the last hour of the day in but the pastor must appear at the stated hours of which I am appointed to work!" worship, whatever be the frame and temper of his soul. Often he is called to the discussion of subjects but ill adapted to his feelings; and it becomes his duty to administer consolation to others which his bleeding bosom needs, but cannot take. He must sometimes cover with a smiling countenance an aching heart; and his lips must exhort to tranquillity and confidence in God, whilst over his own spirit broods the cloud of anxiety and sorrow! Happy shall I be if the perusal of these imperfect memoirs tend to excite in the breast of any a spirit of Christian sympathy and prayer for the ministers of the gospel; or if these statements of the labors and anxieties of their office, shall induce those to pause and count the mighty cost, who may be thoughtlessly pressing forward to the arduous work. Let such remember the worth of souls-the guilt of becoming accessary to their ruin-and the solemn account all must render at the bar of God, who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of seeking, by every possible method, to promote their eter nal interests. These considerations seemed ever present to the view of Spencer. The feelings of an affectionate and faithful pastor's heart breathe in every sentence of the following letter. "THOMAS SPENCER." In another letter he writes: The church and congregation at Liverpool now became anxious for Mr. Spencer's ordination, and Thursday the 27th of June was appointed for that solemn service. In the following letter he announced it to his early friend and patron, Mr. Wilson, whose presence on that occasion he earnestly desired. XLI. TO THOMAS WILSON, ESQ. Liverpool, June 4, 1811. "MY DEAR SIR-I am happy to inform you, that Thursday, June the 27th, is the day appointed for my ordination. Will you allow me to expect the pleasure of your presence and society on that solemnity? If you were here, you would be pleased with my prospect of usefulness, and you would be able to suggest some hints to our friends about the new chapel. Little things are apt to be neglected, and their neglect, though apparently trifling, would spoil the whole concern. We may well congratu late each other on the triumph the dissenters have obtained over an intolerant and oppressive spirit. They have imagined a vain thing: the Lord reigneth, let the people tremble. You know the great depression of spirits under which I have for some time labored; may the Lord appear a present help in this time of trouble. The walls of Zion are to be built, it appears, in troublous times, for such they Liverpool, May 31, 1811. are to me; yet I would submissively commit my "MY DEAR FRIEND-You really must excuse my cause to God; he may ordain that the benefit of his apparent neglect in not writing you before; but if church, and the good of others, shall be promoted you knew the number and pressing nature of my by the ills I endure. You know poor White, of avocations, you would not wonder. I now feel, and Chester, has received the end of his faith-the sal deeply too, the dreadful responsibility of my em- vation of his soul; I delivered the oration over his ployment. I have sick beds constantly to attend-grave. Mr. Fletcher, of Blackburn, preached his a numerous congregation committed to my charge funeral sermon. We are all dying creatures, XL. TO MR. HADDON. LIFE OF THE REV. THOMAS SPENCER. Affectionately yours, "6 THOMAS SPENCER." hastening to the world of immortality. I think | ed as expletives to supply the want of other matter that lately the world has appeared to me in its true or splendid furniture to decorate and give effect May we by every dis- to the address. The anticipation, though founded light-it passeth away." pensation of Providence be rendered more meet in reason, warranted by Scripture, and authorized for the inheritance of the saints in light: in due by experience, is yet unaccompanied by any just astime may we be clothed upon with our house, surance of the event it realizes; and its connection which is from heaven. Present my kind respects with any special decree of God is concealed from to Mrs. and Miss Wilson. I hope you will try to mortals. But there are seasons when the lips of visit Liverpool by the time mentioned. Wishing holy men seem to utter something more than those vague admonitions of death, which, from their fremuch to see you, I remain, dear sir, quent recurrence, or the uncertainty of their immediate accomplishment, lose their power to impress. And to those who admit the doctrine of divine influence upon the minds of men, and more especially upon such as are appointed to state and enforce the solemn doctrines of revelation to mankind, it can be no source of astonishment that God should sometimes direct the thoughts and expressions of his ministers into a current adapted to certain ends he has to answer, or particular events he intends shall shortly come to pass. With respect to the passage above cited, and its corresponding event, persons will form their own opinion. I cannot, however, but regard it as adding somewhat to the force and propriety of observations such as these, since here was another instance, in which the event anticipated by the speaker as possible, though at the time, perhaps, regarded by the hearers as highly improbable, was but too surely realized! * The day of ordination at length arrived. The chapel in which Mr. Spencer preached being but small, that service, which, amongst dissenters of the congregational order, is remarkably solemn, was performed at the chapel in Byrom-street, Liverpool, which was handsomely granted to the people at It was Newington chapel for that special purpose. indeed an interesting day. The services were commenced by the Rev. Mr. Evans, of Stockport, who read suitable portions of Scripture, and implored the Divine blessing upon the sacred engagements of the day. The Rev. Joseph Fletcher, M. A., of Blackburn, then delivered an admirable introductory discourse, and received from Mr. Spencer his confession of faith, together with answers to the questions usually, on such occasions, proposed to the minister to be ordained; Mr. Spencer then kneeling down, surrounded by his fathers and brethren in the ministry, the Rev. John Cockin, of Halifax, offered up, with deep solemnity, the ordination prayer, accompanied by the imposition of hands. To this act of ordination succeeded a most impressive and affecting charge from the Rev. William Hordle, of Harwich, Mr. Spencer's former tutor and friend. The passage on which this excellent address was founded was Col. iv. 17. "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it." The Rev. Mr. Roby, of Manchester, preached to the people of Mr. Spencer's charge, upon the duties which devolved on them in the relation that day publicly recognized, from Gal. iv. 18, "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." The service was throughout most affecting and impressive; it was characterized by a peculiar solemnity, both in the feelings of the ministers and the people. The tender frame and delicate mind of Spencer was nearly overwhelmed by the awful considerations which then pressed upon him. Had the melancholy event which so rapidly succeeded this interesting service been at that time certainly announced, a seriousness more suitable to the occasion could hardly have been inspired; and indeed in Mr. Hordle's charge there were passages which in the sad sequel of this history appear most singularly appropriate-bordering even on the prophetic! One in particular deserves to be recorded: "You, my dear young brother, must die, and stand at the bar of God. Your ordination service may be only a prelude to your funeral service, for what is man? Man is but of yesterday, and his days are as a shadow. How often have we seen the sun go down while it is yet day! and while the church has been pleasing itself with the prospect of enjoying the pious fervent labors of an endeared minister for years, has an unexpected stroke separated them for ever! Mourning survivors wondering have said, ' Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour."" Too often such remarks as these are passed by unnoticed by the thoughtless-are merely consider For Mr. Spencer's confession of faith, &c., see To his most intimate Mr. Spencer was now fully invested with that sacred office, which from his infancy he had desired; and he set himself diligently to the discharge of its momentous duties. That he felt its importance, was evident to all. His habitual conduct and conversation proved it. friends he freely expressed his anxieties respecting it, and earnestly did he implore an interest in the try. In the assurance that he labored amongst a prayers of his people and his brethren in the minispraying people, he felt confidence: and no consideration is more adapted to relieve the mind of a faithful minister than this-while it pours unseen a thousand blessings on his head, it secures to his labors an affectionate attention, and an earnest desire rightly to appreciate and improve them. That which persons make the subject of earnest prayer, they will usually value; and it is hardly possible but that good must be uniformly the result, when both minister and people come from their closets, which have witnessed their fervent intercessions for each other, to the house of God. The apostle knew how to estimate the prayers even of the meanest Christians who enjoyed his labors. "Brethren, most part take the cast of their religious character pray for us." It is true that a people will for the from that of their minister: if he be much alive to God, and zealous in the discharge of his ministry, he will communicate the sacred flame to all around him, and cause his people to reflect on every side the light his preaching and his example shed. But, on the other hand, are there no instances in which the reverse of this has been the case; the minister has been gradually disheartened and dispirited by a cold, supine, and worldly-minded people, who have continually thwarted him in his generous designs counteracted his benevolent efforts and quenched, by indifference and neglect, the ardor of his zeal. Instead of assisting him in his glorious work, they have hung like weights about his garments; and instead of acting as pioneers to prepare the paths *See an admirable sermon upon this subject by the Rev. William Jay, of Bath, preached at the settlement of the Rev. Henry Forster Burder, A. M. at Hackney. Every pious minister, who knows its worth, must wish to see this excellent discourse in the hands of his people. |