CHAP. XIV. Jones in his latter days active and happy,—his delightful letters,-his joyful departure. WE are now coming to the close of this great man's life, and we trust that serious impressions will be made on our minds, which will abide with us. It will be well if we consider our own latter end, while we dwell upon that important period in the lives of others. This is esteemed true wisdom in sacred writ; and they are deemed the blessed and happy people who have secured the good part. This was Jones's enviable character; he was well prepared to meet death, and consequently he might say with St. Paul, "I die daily." He sat loose to the things of time and sense, placing his affections on things above.-These, of all people, are the most happy they are not exposed to the corroding cares and perplexing anxieties of this world. Oh that all christians would thus live up to their privileges. What honour would they bring to religion and the cause of God. "They would indeed adorn the doctrine of God and our Saviour in all things."-Jones neither thought nor said any thing in a bold presumptuous manner. He was very deliberate, and weighed well every circumstance of his spiritual life. He used often to examine-and take care that his house was built on the Rock of ages. He was on the watch to see and to mind that his evidences were bright for the mansions in the skies. When he spoke of his assurance as to salvation through Christ, it was with great gravity, seriousness, and caution. His heart was full of gratitude, and had a a sweet sense of all God's blessings. He most humbly acknowledged his dependance on God's mercy, and most heartily did he pray every day for his heavenly Father's R aid and direction. He was very fond of poetry, and was in the habit of writing verses, in which he poured his soul before God. He found that, under God's blessing, it aided his devotion, and lifted up his soul to heaven. We find him at the commencement of a new year, towards the close of his life, imploring the favour of his heavenly Master in the following lines: "A weary worm, press'd down with age, In passing o'er a toilsome stage, Looking to him, my Shepherd kind, A few letters shall now be introduced, which, with other things, will show the state of Jones's mind at the close of life. An epistle that describes his feelings and diligence in the Lord's work, when old, and his love to his everblessed Master, written Oct. 28th, 1802, has already appeard; it is in page 47. Jones, in the letter now before us, comforts in his usual kind and wise manner, a female friend attending a sick relative on the verge of eternity, where he generally felt himself to be, especially now in his old age. He also encourages her to use all means even then for the salvation of the sick man's immortal soul. How pleasing it is to meet with the counsels of experienced and venerable ministers, in events of so solemn and momentous a character. * Jones was from his childhood fond of poetry and singing.The spirit of praise and thanksgiving was excited in him by hearing young people singing to God's glory, in a mellow, sweet, and proper manner, as at the revivals. He used to exhort them to be careful in retaining such a treasure; as it was difficult to recover the spirit of praise, when once lost. "Manorowen, June 22, 1806.-Your kind letter was some days before it reached me, as I was gone to preach at Nevern and Newport.-I am sorry to find that you are at present disagreeably exercised. But I know you are able to stand to your former maxim, no cross no crown.' In this abide with christian resignation. In a little time our storms will all be blown over; and be assured there is a serene air before us. When we arrive at that new world, we shall find it all peace, all joy unspeakable and full of glory.' "Who knows but you may have an opportunity to exalt our dear Lord and Saviour, in speaking of his worth to a poor sinner on the verge of eternity! Oh say something to him of the wonderful Saviour who declared to a poor thief on the brink of hell, 'This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.I most sincerely feel for you, and hope the Lord will highly honour you, in being of infinite use to a friend in the face of the eternal world.-Fear nothing, my dear Madam, as the God of heaven has been graciously pleased to manifest his love to you in his dear Son Jesus. You are made eternally rich, having been taught to choose the good part, which shall never be taken from you. Rejoice in this, under every dark cloud, in your journey to the happy glorious home.-Poor dear Mrs. H. I had great regard for. I always wished her to seek the way of knowing the excellencies and glory of the Son of God.- Mr. Griffiths of Nevern intends to be at Mathry and St. Nicholas next Sunday week. Perhaps you will return by that time. Be so kind as to remember Mrs. Jones and myself to dear Mrs. Yerward of Haverfordwest. Believe me, dear Mrs. Needham, with the sincerest regard, We see in the following letter delightful traits of friendship and attachment, especially to God and his people. There is no place where Jones was so much owned and blessed as Langan, even to the end of his life. The Lord favoured him with peculiar influences of his Spirit, and softening and fruitful showers of his grace, whenever he preached there. It is easy to conceive that Jones's popularity was unabated. The concourse of people was as vast and amazing at Langan as usual, and their attention to the truths of the gospel, and enjoyment of it, as vigorous and delightful as ever. Indeed the river of salvation, whose streams make glad the city of God, seemed rather to increase in its progress in that part, even to the end of the life of that eminent messenger of God. And we find that he did not cease going to London to preach the gospel, notwithstanding his advanced age, and within two years of his departure out of this world. "Tremains, April 18th, 1808.—I sincerely rejoice to hear that your health is restored. This, my dear friend, is no doubt a singular mark of the Lord's goodness to you, circumstanced as you are.-Should it be his divine pleasure to continue that great blessing to you in future, you must not complain of your other trials, however heavy and severe they may be. For by having your health, and a great sense of the love of Jesus to your precious soul, you will weather all storms; and in the evening there will be light. -Langan is still honoured with the light of God's countenance, and success.* "Miss A. Deere, I am sorry to say, has a cancer in her right breast. It makes her amazingly low at times,—and yet to her unspeakable comfort she enjoys many hours of the sweetest resignation to the Lord's will. She sees nothing before her but death, yet at times she is most wonderfully supported. I feel great tenderness towards her, and A few lines of this letter here are omitted, as similar ones were used in the last chapter, where Jones says “that his chief delight was at Langan and Glamorganshire, as the Lord blessed the means of grace so abundantly there,-and his friends continued the same in their love to him, and attendance on his ministry." pray the Lord to afford her consolations which the spirit of this world knows nothing of.—Could you make it convenient to pay us a visit about the middle of June,-she will be at home, and I shall finish my rounds through Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire by that time, and shall have the great pleasure of seeing you before I go to London, for I must be there by July." We come now to the last year of Jones's life, which was 1810. Though he knew not the time of his death, yet he was always prepared and ready. How different from those servants that slumbered and slept when their Lord was coming. This year was ushered in with the sweet breathing of his soul after God, and fuller manifestations of the divine favour. The following lines, addressed to his gracious Master, were found in his pocket-book, dated 1810. "In this new year, may I, O Lord, Find matchless treasures in thy word; We come now to the last letter he wrote to his dear correspondent, and perhaps the last he ever composed.—We see a great desire in him for the salvation of souls, even to the last; and not only had he longings after their eternal welfare, but he exerted every nerve for that purpose.-We see him hurried from place to place in the cause of his blessed Master. Faith was his grand principle, and by the exercise of this in the precious Saviour he found support and strength, and was enabled to go on rejoicing. "Tremains, May 10, 1810.-I hope to remain here till Whit-Sunday; and whatever you desire me to do for you and yours, you have but to command and it shall be done, if it is in my power.-I have many little things to tell you of, if I had time to write, but I am still hurried from place to place. I suppose that if we were to meet on earth, we |