Come, let us go up unto the house of the Lord, that we may learn and walk in his ways: and religion seems to sink deeper into their hearts, appear more in their lives, spread more in their families; and I hope it will descend to their posterity. Multitudes appear inclined to hear plain practical preaching, and there seems a great preparation of heart for receiving the gospel. They have two young pious ministers; one at Ravenstone, a Mr. Bull, a relation of Mr. Bull of Newport, who learned his views of the gospel under my roof, at Olney; the other Mr. Postlethwaite, who succeeded me in the curacy of Olney. Very few have turned dissenters: but most of them have taken my advice, to keep together, and edify one another. They are all satisfied I did right in coming to town.-The fire at Olney was very dreadful at the time, and one poor man lost his life instantaneously by the fall of a chimney: but the loss of property is nothing so great as one would imagine. Scarcely one of my people was among the sufferers......Though I cannot say he got the living by my means, I certainly did mention Mr. Tyler to Mr. Wilberforce, and informed him of his present precarious situation, and represented it as a very good thing to fix him in the neighborhood. He answered that, if he thought so, he would mention him to the Lord Chancellor; which he did, and the living was given to him.* But he was mentioned to Mr. W. by some others, especially Mr. Milner of Hull...... If he be faithful and useful I shall be satisfied and thankful......My situation here has amazing difficulties; but I trust I shall triumph over all. The body of professors are as shy of me, or averse to me, as they were at Olney. Most of the ministers, though they seem to allow my principles, and to avow the same, are yet afraid or averse to my preaching for them. My blunt, plain speaking (right forwards, as you used to term it,f) lays me under the censure of rash, imprudent, or even conceited and self-sufficient, because I out with all at once which they more gradually and cautiously inculcate. I often think that perhaps I am wrong and yet I seem to have example on my side throughout the scripture; and the effect of my ministry, stated and occasional, in other places, encourages me to hope I shall gradually get round here. In short, had * This refers to the living of Braytoft, my father's native place, which his brother wished him to ask for for himself, but which he thus contributed to obtain for the Rev. Mr. Tyler. + Life, p. 297. I been more cautious at first coming, I might have escaped some crosses; but it is now too late: and I hope, by this very means, if I am but enabled to act constantly and consistently, the more extensive and durable effects will follow. Though many of the governors who brought me hither are lukewarm, and are frighted because so many leave us, yet others are raised up: the income of the chapel is no less; that of the hospital more than formerly; and my congregations are not much diminished; whilst the zeal of the opposite party fills the chapel exceedingly when Mr. De C. preaches. This party-work, and the censures, and bad appearances are the worst part of the business: but it is the cause of truth and holiness, and I must abide by it." He then adverts to the Lock Asylum,* shortly to be opened, and adds :—“ I have had in my house five weeks" -waiting for Admission into the Asylum--" as vile a wretch as can be conceived of nineteen years of age, who seems truly penitent: another I have just taken in; some I have got to service; and several return to their friends: and most weeks there are some whom it is grieving to turn into the streets. You will understand that I want your earnest prayers for a blessing on this and other designs...... Your affectionate uncle, "DEAR SUSAN, "THOS. SCOTT." "Chapel Street, November 13, 1787. "NOTHING but a continued series of engagements could have occasioned my delay in answering your last letter, which in some respects was pleasing, in all interesting. But the institution, to which the pamphlet referred, was opened before I received your letter, and has been the source of so much work, and so many anxieties and mortifications, as it is difficult to express or imagine; so that I have scarcely time to eat my meals, or read any thing but my Bible, (which I am always reading and expounding,) or write any thing but what relates to it. Yet, in the midst of all, I hope and believe the harvest will be glorious; many plucked as brands out of the burning; although many baffle all our efforts, and return to their wallowing in the mire. * Life, p. 168. + The Asylum. This was about seven weeks before he commenced writing his Com mentary. "For all this labor the Lord is to be my paymaster; for I have not one farthing salary. Taking it altogether, it appears evidently to have been suggested by him; who encouraged the proposal, raised up friends, removed obstacles, and I trust will crown all with his blessing.-Twentyeight have been admitted: twenty remain upon our hands, many of whom appear very hopeful. Of six more we can give at present a good account: the Lord give them perseverance! One died, I believe, a true penitent: one is married, but no true penitent, I fear of one I stand in doubt: the rest have disappointed us.-Enough of this.Pray earnestly for success. 66 My situation seems rather more encouraging; and probably the hospital and asylum will fix me in the chapel; and in time other doors may be opened. Indeed I not unfrequently preach occasional sermons in different parts of London; and I have reason to believe that all the dispute upon the business has already been productive of much good.Many ministers, I am sure, preach in a more awakening, distinguishing, guarded and practical manner than they used to do. To this a society of which I am admitted a member seems likely to contribute. Indeed whether I hear the Arminians or Calvinists, I seem to find the same fault; and the difference between the zealots of both parties seems trivial, compared with the difference of both from the word of God. Both keep the moral character of God much out of sight; both narrow the broad law of God; both have slight thoughts of the evil of sin; both are defective on humiliation for sin, and abhorrence of it; both make much too little a matter of renovation and sanctification; both place their standard of personal holiness too low-though one fancy they have got up to it, and the other seem afraid of pressing towards it; both lay too much stress on impressions, &c. &c., and too little on newness of heart and life. But let us not forget our principles; but ask ourselves, who made us to differ? Humility, meekness, patience, are especially consistent with the scriptural practical view of the doctrines of grace; and we should be careful to avoid the appearance of evil. We may pray for those we cannot do any thing else for.-The gospel can teach us to accommodate ourselves to any possible situation in which the providence of God casts our lot, and to behave well, and be cheerful in it: and a few weeks witnessing the abominations I am surrounded with, would make you thankful to see even the least appearance of any thing like the fear of God in any belonging to us. Your situation is not of your own choosing, that I can see, and, being your cross, will not be your detriment. "You will receive with this a few sermons, which I have lately published, preached at Olney:* perhaps you will receive some from Boston previously: but no matter: dispose of them as you think best. The people about Olney go on well in the midst of changes; and many shew the truth of the doctrine they have heard, by their lives: pray for them......I remain with prayers and good wishes for you all, "Your affectionate uncle, "DEAR SUSAN, "THOS. SCOTT." "Chapel Street, September 16, 1788. "You must not attribute my long silence to any thing but the multiplicity of my engagements; especially with my pen. By my utmost exertions I can scarcely keep on to supply a number per week of the Bible-to finish it in the manner I would: nay, for these three or four weeks past I have lost ground considerably, having been very poorly in health, though I am now better: and I consider it as my duty to let no number go forth less clear, distinct, and exact than I could make it with proper diligence. Therefore company, correspondence, and almost every thing (preaching in season aud out of season excepted) must here give place. The publication gets forward in sale and in repute; and I trust will be useful: but by one means or other I have got a sad character even among my brethren; who look upon me as a man ambitious of the honor of being talked of, and of setting the world right, and reforming ministers, &c. &c. They judge according to appearance, but the Lord judges righteous judgment. "Your last letter gave me sensible pleasure in every way. I can only say, Go forward, and the Lord prosper you! Do not forget to pray to the Lord to give me humility, patience, meekness, wisdom, perseverance, and success: for what God hath taught me I certainly desire to impart to others, and to all others, of every class and character, if it were possible, all over the world. But whether in this I seek the glory of God, or my own honor, is best known to him who searcheth the heart of man...... I remain your truly affectionate uncle, "THOS. SCOTT." * On Growth in Grace: Life, p. 170. No. VI. LETTERS TO MR. J. CAMPBELL, EDINBURGH-NOW THE REV. J. CAMPBELL, OF LONDON.* 1789-1793. IN introducing these letters I shall take the liberty of prefixing the greater part of that, with which Mr. C. favored me, on transmitting them-believing that it will be interesting to the reader. 66 REV. AND DEAR SIR, "Kingsland, near London, February 17, 1823. "I HAVE enclosed copies of all the letters I am able to find, which I received from your late worthy father, divested of their mere business parts. I know there were others; but though, since my return from Africa, I have spent my leisure hours during some weeks in burning old papers and letters, I have not discovered any of those of your father's which I miss.-The reading of his letters regarding his severe asthma reminded me of hearing him preach one morning at the Lock, when he was more fit for a pillow than a pulpit, in point of health; but no creature could have discovered it while he was preaching. I dined with him: and after dinner we set off on foot to walk part of the way to Bread Street, where he was to preach in the afternoon. A shower of rain caused all the hackney coaches to be engaged: while walking along Piccadilly, he was gasping for breath, and declared he could proceed no further, but must sit down on the pavement. That instant an unhired coach appeared at a little distance: he waved his handkerchief, exclaiming, 'There's a coach, and God has sent it!' Great was the gratitude he expressed on tak * Visitor of the London Missionary Society's establishments in Southern Africa. |