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easily accomplished: but even supposing that I had remained in Newcastle, circumstances might have occurred to render your situation equally unpleasant and vexatious. I hope you will not reflect upon me for what is past.

"My sincere desire is that they may be in good earnest about the welfare of their souls, about securing an interest in the blessed Jesus. Our lives are but a vapour that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away; but if the vapour should vanish while the soul is yet uninterested in the Lord Jesus, how sad the situation! A mere profession of faith in the Lord Jesus will not do without repentance and godly sorrow for sin, and the love of God shed abroad in the heart. I am afraid they remain prayerless, and if so, then Christless. It is very plain, but I speak it in love; if I be wrong, it will be a source of comfort to me and of much thanksgiving to God. My love and sympathy to sister Scott; assist her in a pecuniary way I cannot; but I will pray for her, and humbly hope that even these severe trials will be sanctified to her use, and be amongst the 'all things' that work together for good. Let my nephew J. M. know that his uncle expects he will be diligent in his business, and endeavour to be as useful as possible; that he will endeavour to retain the learning he has got, and on the Sabbath-day he will read his Bible and attend on the meeting. My duty to my aged father: I have no doubt but he strives together with you in his prayers to God for me. The Lord grant that the evening of his days may be calm and tranquil: that he may bring forth fruit in old age, and always be flourishing in a spiritual sense. As to the proposed marriage, my scruples are removed: may the Lord direct him in all things for Jesus' sake."

'September 12.-My dear friends, it is probable I shall never see you all again in this world, if ever

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I see any of you. O think not my importunity is affected when I entreat you to pray much for yourselves, and for me; and the Lord help me to be much in prayer for my father, my brothers, my sisters, and their little ones: that the Lord may take us all for his own; that when we die, which will be very soon, for our age is but a hand's breadth, we may go to glory and live for ever in the presence of God and the Lamb. I am particularly solicitous about that she may attend on the means, read the Bible, keep the Sabbath, and learn to pray. I am afraid she lives without secret prayer, and is insensible of her lost state without Jesus Christ. Please to let her see or hear this.

"I had the privilege yesterday of sitting down at the Lord's table, with brother and sister J, and E and commemorating the love of Jesus, in company with the redeemed of the Lord. O that it may be a prelude to that looked for day, when we humbly hope to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

you,

"September 17.-The recollection of the favours and indulgence shown to me when at home with will, I trust, ever warm my bosom with filial affection; and in your prayers for me, now that I am separated from you, may this be a constant request, that God may never take his Holy Spirit from me, and that my love and conformity to Jesus Christ may ever increase.

**** "O that God may bring us all near to himself, by the blood of Jesus; keep us from sin and every evil in this world, and save us from hell in the world to come; so that when a few years are past and gone, we may meet in heaven, where I trust those that were near and dear to us, now are."

"November 12.-On Monday evening last I had the pleasure of seeing three of the Hottentots, who formerly lived like beasts, as they themselves said, but who were converted to the faith of Jesus by the ministry of Mr. Kicherer. He and they came to town last week from Holland, and the Indians are now on their way to their own country again. They answered questions in their own language in a manner that many professing Christians amongst us would not be able to do. It was such a scene as perhaps was never witnessed in England before. If you still take in the Magazine you will see an account of it in that of the ensuing month. Blessed be God, who hath owned the labours of his servants and fulfilled his own word."

The following letter to one of his sisters is an interesting specimen of his solicitude to promote the spiritual welfare of his relatives, and to see them all walking in the good ways of the Lord.

"December 8, 1803.

"I received, at least my brother J— received, the letter you sent in the name of my father, mother, brothers, and sisters. I was happy to find that you were all in health; and the manner in which you wrote gave me additional satisfaction. I was pleased to hear you speak of the necessity of a renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and express a wish that you might experience it. O that God in mercy would thoroughly convince you of sin! Hannah, in a few years at most, we must die, as our mother, our brother, and our sister, have done; and unless our hearts be changed, as you said in your letter, we must be lost. Jesus said, when in the world, and he still says in the Bible, except a person be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.' And in the other world VOL. I.

E

there are only two places, heaven and hell; so that those who do not go to the former, must go to the latter. Now the intention I have in saying all this is, to urge you to give yourself up to Jesus Christ, who died for such wretches as you and I. Pray to God to change your heart for Jesus' sake. Though some people may laugh at these things, there is nothing in all the world so important. Your soul, sister, is more worth than a thousand worlds. And, O that sisters A

M- and S, would also think more about these things. I wish I had time to write a little to sister S, but were I to stop longer I should lose the opportunity of sending this."

Mr. Morrison's preference for missionary service increased after his entrance at Hoxton Academy; and in September he again referred the matter to his father and friends at Newcastle, who at length assented, although with considerable reluctance. This preference did not originate in mere excitement, but in a calm and deliberate view of the condition of the heathen, and a deep and impressive sense of his own obligations to the Saviour. The following paper, though without date, evidently belongs to this epoch, and shows the holy anxiety which Mr. Morrison felt to know and do the will of God.

"O Lord, may I have the Holy Spirit to direct me. Give me not up to my own devices! Jesus, I have given myself up to thy service. The question with me is, where shall I serve thee? I learn from thy word that it is thy holy pleasure that the gospel should be preached 'in all the world, for a witness unto all nations.' And hence thou hast given commandment to thy servants unto the end of the world,' to 'preach the gospel to every creature,' pro

mising them thy presence. I consider 'the world' as 'the field' where thy servants must labour. When I view the field, O Lord, my Master, I perceive that by far the greater part is entirely without labourers; or, at best, has but here and there one or two, whilst there are thousands crowded up in one corner. My desire is, O Lord, to engage where labourers are most wanted. Perhaps one part of the field is more difficult than another. I am equally unfit for any. I cannot think a good thought of myself; but, through thee strengthening me, 'I can do all things.' O Lord, guide me in this matter. Save me from impatience; save me from self-willedness; save me from every motive but a desire to serve thee, and to promote the welfare of the souls of men. My judgment is persuaded that it is my duty. It is my heart's desire. Suffer me not to sin either by rushing forward, or by drawing back. Enable me to count the cost, and having come to a resolution, to act consistently. Give me the comfortable persuasion of my own soul's salvation."

The preference thus cherished was first made known by Mr. Morrison to the tutors and treasurer of the institution whose advantages he was enjoying; and by them he was advised to make it a matter of serious deliberation and prayer. It was at the same time represented to him that the difficulties of foreign service were great, and that he possessed qualifications which might eventually prove useful to his native country. Amongst inducements to remain at home, an offer was made him to pursue his studies at one of the Scotch universities: but the longer he deliberated, the stronger became his conviction of duty; and early in 1804, he resolved to offer himself to the Directors of the London

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