Invitation to Washington.

Washington City, then in its infancy, to do ministerial service for them, until they should receive the reply of Rev. Mr. B to a call, which had been tendered to him. His preaching was acceptable to the people; they showed him many marks of respect and affection, and the evening before he left, a leading member assured him of a very general kind feeling towards him; a feeling, which but for their delicate relation towards his friend and brother, Mr. B., (who afterwards settled with them,) would probably have manifested itself in the presentation of a call. He felt at this time, as if some change of situation would be better fitted to awaken in him fresh resolutions, and more vigorous endeavors. "My prospects of usefulness in preaching where I now am, are quite discouraging. I am waiting to see what the Lord will do with me, and it is my constant prayer, that He may guide me in all my ways." "It seems like doing nothing to preach to my distant congregations once or twice a month. I am more and more convinced that it is the duty of a minister to be much among his people, and to converse personally with them, and attend meetings for prayer and catechising, &c. As it would be attended with great inconvenience for me in my present situation, to discharge these duties, and as it would prevent me from pursuing those studies which are so important to my future usefulness, I am often ready to conclude that it would be best for me, and for the general interests of the Church, to confine my labors to the neighborhood in which I reside."

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"The Lord has recently brought me very low, and caused me to look death in the face. At first, as the dangerous symptoms were sudden, at least to my apprehension, and as I felt very much like losing my reason, I was considerably agitated. I cried unto the Lord as did Hezekiah, and prayed that he would spare me for my own sake, for the sake of my family, and for the sake of the Church. I desired to live, to be more diligent in seeking the Lord and

Depression of spirits.

obtaining the assurance of my acceptance; that I might be useful to my children and family, but especially that I might labor more for the salvation of souls in this region."

The history of Mr. Walton's experience while remaining in Virginia, is a history of alternate hope and fear, of occasional elevation, but probably of more frequent depression of mind. Through the summer of 1822, his health was feeble, his spirits dejected, his energies debilitated. Let not the sceptic sneer, and ask, Where is your God? Where are the consolations of your boasted religion? But for these, he might have sunk into a state of irretrievable despondency. Nay, had he lived in Paris, he would probably have committed suicide. Had he been without God, and without hope,' he might have raised his hand against himself! But, says he, "Prayer and reading the word of God kept me from despondency. I have never yet, at any period of my Christian experience, neglected private prayer, where I was in circumstances to perform it; and when I could not be alone, I have almost always prayed mentally, and sometimes in this way, very fervently. Generally I have found, and still find, more or less relief and comfort in these exercises. At times, my heart is much enlarged, and it is truly refreshing. Lately I have been led to pray particularly for sanctifying and enlightening grace, for perfect submission to, and acquiescence in the will of God; for my family, that all may be made wise unto salvation, and each have the spirit of his or her station; more particularly, for my wife and children, also for the people of God every where; for the afflicted and the dying; and for the success of the gospel throughout the world. On these, and other topics, I often feel much freedom in enlarging, when in private prayer."

"I am waiting to see what the Lord will do with me, and if I should conclude upon satisfactory reasons that it is his will I should remain here, I will, by his grace, go to the work in this neighborhood in good earnest."

Life of Scott and Pilgrim's Progress.

In the prospect of further pecuniary difficulties and disappointments, he says: "I feel in a good degree resigned. I trust I have committed the whole matter to the Lord by prayer, and I am willing he should dispose of it as he pleases."

This is

"I have lately read the life of Dr. Scott, and I hope it was blessed to me. This morning after family prayers Margaret Ann appeared affected to tears, and said she was very sorry that she had sinned so against God. not the first encouraging symptom of early piety that she has exhibited. The first wish and prayer of my heart respecting her and my other children, is, that they may be true and exemplary Christians."

"Dec. 12.-Went with my wife to Charlestown-labored under great depression of spirits-nothing appeared encouraging in my prospects-while many things appeared to be against me. I have often no comfort at home or abroad, except what I derive from prayer, and the hope of Heaven. I feel greatly defective in every part of Christian character. I groan, being burdened; still my ruling desire is to serve, glorify, and enjoy God as my portion."

"Dec. 23.-For about a week past, I have been more than usually alive to the concerns of my soul. I attribute this, instrumentally, to reading the Pilgrim's Progress. I have been much engaged in prayer, though I am far from that state of mind in reference to this duty, to which I aspire, and which I hope to attain. I have been particularly led to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit, that I might have clearer and more distinct views of the atonement and righteousness of Christ, and that I might be able to rest here with more comfort and assurance of acceptance; that Christ might be more precious to me, and that his law might constrain me more than it ever has done."

"Sab. Eve., Dec. 29.-Preached a funeral sermon at Smithfield-very much exhausted in body when I arrived there, and in a most unfavorable state for preaching. Having a written preparation I made out to go through with the service, but in a manner very uncomfortable to myself, and I fear not much to the edification of the hearers.

CHAPTER VI.

Invitation from Baltimore.

THE thoughtful reader will now be satisfied, that the state of Mr. Walton's mind and feelings was such, as to demand moral stimulus of a certain kind, in order to raise them to such a tone as would fit him either for personal enjoyment or useful effort. His mental idiosyncracy evidently required it. The kind Providence of God supplied this desideratum.

On his return from Smithfield, one of his preaching places, a letter was in waiting from Baltimore, the object of which, was to obtain his services for the Third Presbyterian Church in that city, then in its infancy. On the reception of this, he remarks: "I felt pleased at the idea that perhaps the Lord was about to open to me a door of greater usefulness. Yet my mind is much impressed with the thought of entering upon such a sphere of temptation and of arduous duty; I feel less confidence in my ability for such a situation than I did several years ago. I try to pray daily and often, for divine direction. And now I must act according to that view of the case which the Lord may give me. On the whole, I am convinced that it is my duty to visit the congregation in Baltimore, if the Lord should permit me so to do.”

Visits that city.

State of the congregation.

The expectations of Mr. W. had not been at all turned in the direction of Baltimore, and of this invitation, therefore, he remarks, that it "came unsought, unexpected, from a place that I had not thought of." So serious a proposal was of course made the subject of solemn deliberation and of earnest prayer. He visited Baltimore in the month of January, 1823, preached to the congregation two Sabbaths, and attended three adjunct meetings. Soon after this, he received a regular call to settle as their Pastor. On coming among them, he ascertained that things were not in a perfectly pleasant state. Causes of internal dissension had prevailed; jealouses existed; different opinions had, as is frequent in cities and larger towns, been formed on the merits of different candidates, and, says Walton, "it seemed very difficult to unite them." The appearance and labors of a new minister served for a time to repress rising animosities, and in proportion as attachment drew them towards their minister, it drew them nearer each other. The process of the election was conducted in a very friendly manner, though some votes were given to another candidate. "When they saw how large a majority there was in my favor, the minority proposed that the call should be unanimous, and cheerfully fell in with the majority."

Having stated this fact in one place, in another he says: "It is a field of labor into which I shall enter with joy, and I now feel my whole heart given up to it. My anticipations of usefulness and of comfort are far more pleasing than they ever have been before. It is true I have had, and still have some fears and anxieties as to my competency to fill such a station, and I know it will require unremitting diligence and strenuous exertion on my part. Yet I trust the Lord, who has guided my way thither, will be with me there, and crown my labors with his blessing, and fill my soul with the joys of his salvation."

His mind had been for some time so much occupied with