shall come to nought, but in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. This will be most likely to contribute to the preservation of all that should live. I do not like too much dressing, and pruning, and nursing; I think little good hath ever come of it; neither do I approve that conduct in young ministers, that, like spoiled children, run to complain of every pain and exercise that may attend them. It would, I believe, be far more profitable for them, to keep their attention inward, to ponder these experiences, and ask wisdom, strength, and counsel, of Him, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth not."

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It should ever be remembered, as instruction for those who judge of the ministry, that "there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and differences of administrations, but the same Lord;" and that this diversity is so almost infinitely great, that we can hardly tell when we have made sufficient allowance for it. There is a vast variety, thou knowest, in the flowers of the field; how abundantly does the carnation or the rose excel the daisy; and yet every one of these possesses a distinct beauty, and unites in the general incense, or the display of their Creator's power. What a variety in the notes and songs of the birds of the wood! what a difference between the sparrow and the nightingale! and yet we know who it is that careth for the sparrows; and do they not all increase the general harmony? Let

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not then the smallest gifts ever be despised, or their cultivation and improvement neglected. It was said to him who had improved the two talents, and would no doubt have been said to him who had received but one, had he improved it, as well as to him who had received and improved the five," Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Give my love to thy daughter; I feel a sympathy and care for all who are called to service in the Lamb's army, and are desirous to move on the right Foundation. O! that all such would abide in the patience, and under the clothing of humility; and in a dedication of heart, under the exercise of the cross, faithfully do the will of their Heavenly Father, and "be content with their wages." I am apprehensive the enemy has greatly injured many, by secretly working in the unrenewed nature, and leading them to expect, or to do, great things; whereas it would be right for such" to study to be quiet," to abide in simplicity, to "take no thought for the morrow;" but, in singleness of heart, attend to the requisitions of the present moment. And let us ever esteem it a rich reward, to be favoured with the evidence of peace in our own bosoms: this will be found of infinite value, in a solemn, hastening hour.

I am persuaded, that many who have been called to the work of the ministry, and who have appeared, for a short time, fresh and lively in a few words in our meetings, and afterwards have dwindled and withered as "the grass on the house-top," have suffered this great loss principally for want of dedication to the altar. Some such, perhaps, being tempted to think that the little committed to their care was hardly worth improvement; that it was not likely to edify the people, but it may be rather to be despised, and that it procured to themselves no honour; but that, if they had received talents like some others, they would have been willing to occupy with them. Thus, indeed, I fear that many, whom the Lord has raised up amongst his people, for Nazarites and for prophets, have, through entering into this sort of reasoning with the serpent, been beguiled of their reward; and, instead of being fixed, as stars of different magnitudes, in the firmament of the Lord's power, have, through the pride and subtlety of the serpent, been drawn down to the earth. I had no thoughts of writing so much on this subject; but, under a sense of its importance, I often feel a strong desire that all, who are called to any degree of stewardship of the grace of God, might happily obtain mercy to be found faithful, that in the solemn day of reckoning, they might give in their account with joy.

Our ancient, respected, honourable friend, John Routh, departed this life the 31st of 1st month. He had a short illness, (about four days) attended with little pain; and we had, I hope, the best reason to believe that he was favoured to depart in peace. His sister bears this event in a manner truly Christian; she is herself but feeble, and in so weak a state of health as does a little alarm our fears.

My wife unites in the salutation of unfeigned love to thyself and whole family, with thy affectionate friend, JOHN THORP.

Letter XXVIE.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

My dear Friend,

Manchester, 1st Mo, 22, 1793.

I have often, of late, felt something like the salutation of love moving in my mind towards thee, in which I wish thee both natural and spiritual health; and as there is no medicine that can be prescribed or taken, equal to wholesome food and exercise for the preservation of bodily health, so, I believe, that by this means also our spiritual health is best preserved. But we may observe some people, as to the outward, whose constitution is not bad, yet feeling some slight

indisposition, would rather have recourse to medicine, or give themselves up to the feeling of their infirmities, than employ the strength they have in necessary exercise, and content themselves with such food as would be most profitable for them.

Something like this I apprehend to be the case with some religious characters, who, attending too much to every little feeling of weakness, and comparing themselves with others, whose gifts and callings may be very different to theirs, (though not at all more acceptable to God, or more accordant to His will) are ready to be discouraged, and count themselves fit for nothing; whereas the Lord is only glorified by our obedience, in that station in which He hath placed us; so that, let the sphere of our activity be what it may, let the orbs in which we are placed be high or low in human estimation, let our gifts or callings be less or more conspicuous and admired by our fellow-pilgrims, those who are faithful and honest in their varied allotments, and seeking nothing for themselves, but to bring glory to God by a life of humble dedication to Him; these, however they may have been regarded amongst men, and however they may, at times, be ready to judge of themselves, will finally meet with an equal welcome from the blessed Master, as approved, good, and faithful servants. Oh! how wisely then do they act, who, taking no anxious thought for to-morrow, are attentive, according