Power of conscience.

Synodical fast.

more work now to do than I ever had in any other situation. But I feel encouraged in the Lord my God."

"Nov. 26.-My trials, instead of being removed, appear to be increasing. But I think I see the wisdom and the goodness which appoints them. I know that I need them, and, in general, I have, for a long time past, felt a disposition to praise the Lord for such dispensations."

Among these trials was one from a singular source. A gentleman took great offence at being singled out, as he supposed, by the searching discourse of a brother who preached in Mr. W's. pulpit, and accused Mr. W. of communicating to him a knowledge of the circumstances of himself and family. Mr. W. had some difficulty in convincing him that he had not uttered a word to the preacher on the subject, and that he never employed another person to make remarks, which he himself feared to make. The fact illustrated the acuteness of the preacher, and the power of conscience in the hearer.

"Dec. 17.-We lately observed a day of fasting &c., agreeably to a recommendation of the Synod. The exercises were, I trust, profitable to my soul. I lectured from Is. lviii. In studying that chapter, I obtained clearer views than I had ever had before, of the manner in which a fast day should be observed. I endeavored to comply literally with the requirements of that chapter, and then I had confidence in enforcing the same duties upon my people. It led me to search into my heart, and into my past and present transactions with my fellow men; and I have since felt more tenderly conscientious in regard to my dealings; willing to rectify any thing that I may have done amiss, although it could not be legally demanded of me; and such a dread of every thing like injustice and oppression, that I have felt afraid of having any thing to do with the world, lest I should, without intending it, do my fellow men an injury. I feel that what God has spoken on these subjects has a decisive and strong influence upon me. I fear God; I desire above all things to do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

Various endeavors to do good to himself and others.

"I have lately been reading Massillon's charges to the clergy of his Diocese. They have given me more correct views of the exalted character I ought to sustain as a minister of the gospel, than I had before, and determined me to keep the world at as great a distance as possible."

"Bethany, Dec. 25.-I have spent a part of this morning in reviewing the Lord's dealings with me. It is a profitable exercise; it is humbling; it is comforting; it is strengthening; it gives me a distinct and impressive conviction of my infinite obligations; it excites some feelings of gratitude, though, alas! very inadequate, and determines me to live, not to myself, but unto Him who died for me. I feel that my great object is to glorify God and to do the greatest amount of good that can be accomplished with the talents He has given me."

"I have lately prayed more with my children, than I had done before, and they seem deeply interested in the exercise, and sometimes they ask me to pray with them and for them."

"I have had several opportunities lately of combatting certain antinomian errors that many christians hold, and I hope good has been done. Some with whom I conversed, appeared to be deeply impressed with the importance of my views on those subjects, which were evidently entirely new to them, and they expressed a wish that these views might be extensively made known."

CHAPTER IX.

Benefits of prayer.

"When one who holds communion with the skies,
Has filled his urn where those pure waters rise,
And once more mingles with us meaner things,

"Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings;

Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide,

That tells us whence his treasures are supplied."

Growing in grace.

"I love prayer," said one who practised it much. "It is that which buckles on all the Christian's armor. What incomes of grace, and peace, and glory, yea, and outward good things, as far as they are indeed good for us, have we by our access to God in Christ! Such a companion ready in all their solitudes; a counsellor in all their doubts; a comforter in all their sorrows; a supply in all their wants; a support underneath their burthens; a shelter in all their dangers; strength for all their performances; and salvation insured by a sweet and undeceiving earnest. What is heaven, but an everlasting access to God? and present access is a pledge of it."

In the review of the year 1825, Mr. Walton found that he had obtained clearer views of truth. Divine truth was more precious than ever. The plan of salvation was continually revealing new beauties. Affliction had drawn him near to God, and it was evident he had grown both in knowledge and in grace. He had tried the power of prayer, and it

Grows in ministerial power.

Antidote to melancholy.

abided the test. His preaching was marked with more perspicuity, pungency, and strength. His sensibilities as a minister seemed to prevail over his sensibilities as a man; his anxiety for souls to absorb the inferior anxiety, so often exacted by the ordinary concerns of this life.

"Jan. 5, 1826.-My trials and cares have been greater than in any former year. But I never enjoyed so much consolation-never was so uniformly cheerful. I have seldom felt, even for an hour, any thing like those sinking spells which formerly embittered my life; and I can bear my testimony to this truth, that nothing is so effectual an antidote against melancholy, as to be fully and actively engaged in doing what we know God approves, with a view to His glory."

During the past year, a number of souls in Charlestown have, I trust, been born again. Some as the fruits of our labors in the neighborhood. Also, I have heard of good done by means of my pamphlet,* and of one who is now in the ministry among the Methodists, who was converted, as he thinks, under my ministry in Charlestown years ago.

"I must not fail to record that I feel more weaned from the world, and less under the influence of certain temptations, which formerly often prevailed over me. I feel a more disinterested concern to glorify God and to advance His cause. I have more satisfactory views of Christ, and more of His love than I formerly had; and I trust also, a deeper sense of the evil of sin and of my vileness as a sinner. I feel convinced that I should be under infinite obligations to thank and love God for what He has already done for me, and for our guilty world, if He should now cut me off, and send me to hell for my sins. He has indeed done great, unspeakably great things for my soul, for which I know I must be forever indebted to Him."

"I find a considerable difference in myself from what I formerly was in these respects; that I am not so easily irritated, and I have more command over my words, and am less apt to utter any thing rashly when irritated. I feel also more tenderly conscientious in regard to the manner in

* On the Revival in Baltimore.

Solicitude for the cause of Christ.

Conversion of a youth.

which I speak to all the members of my family, and to all with whom I have to do. Oh! that the Lord may forgive all my past sins-perfect what is lacking in me, and cherish my soul with His grace."

“Jan. 11.—I visited, conversed and prayed with a little boy at W. H 's, who is near his end in a consumption, and felt inclined to pray for him and for the family after returning home."

"I took my little son to the grave of his sister."

"I have lately felt an increasing concern that the Lord may preserve me from every thing that might lessen my influence among my neighbors, or give any an unfavorable opinion of religion."

"I have also several times felt a strong impression upon my mind that the Lord will enable me to die in joy and triumph. The thoughts of death have lately been more pleasing than ever. But still I feel a strong desire to do a great deal for the advancement of the cause of Christ while I live."

"Feb. 12.-Last night while viewing the heavens, which declare the glory of God, I had a more exalted view of His character than I ever had, and was unusually affected by the consideration of the Saviour's voluntary humiliation, suffering, and death. I never read the bible with so much interest. I had thought of reading another book, but I felt as if I could take no interest in it."

Speaking of a young man who owed his salvation, under God, to his faithfulness, and who desired to take part in the same ministry, he records under date

"Feb. 20.-On Saturday evening I had a conversation with him, in which I received much satisfaction. He ascribes his conversion to my ministry: is strongly attached to our Church, and greatly prefers obtaining an education with us. He appears to be a youth of superior talents and of great promise. I made him an offer of a place in our institution, which he readily accepted. For this event I desire to be unfeignedly thankful. There are several things peculiarly encouraging to me, and if I am spared, I shall take great pleasure in cultivating the mind of one, who promises to be so very useful in the Church of Christ."

"April 15.—I have reason to entertain the hope that my