a "high day" with him and his wicked companions, but before it was over, he laid the foundation of his speedy death.

J. C.

My dear Friend,

LETTER IX.

St. Johns, Canada, April 21, 1841.

I did not think of writing to you again before I had sailed for Europe; but having a few moments to spare, I snatch them to address to you a few lines. I have abandoned the idea of visiting Kingston at this time. Having still a deep interest in the welfare of the little society in this place, I gathered from my feelings, that the Lord might have something for me to do, either in strengthening the young converts of last autumn, or laying hold of some of the devil's children, who were then wounded by the arrows of the gospel.

I found the little society standing fast, and doing well; but the wicked are afraid of me. They remember the arrows of the last battle, and are better prepared to avoid them. So true is that saying of an elegant writer-"If the sinner is not recalled by the invitations of the gospel, he will be rivetted by that gospel into more helpless condemnation." I fear I made a mistake in leaving St. Johns so early; and have some suspicions that was the reason why my way was so hedged up in Montreal.

I preached eighty-six sermons in Montreal; one temperance sermon, and delivered five lectures on total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. More than two hundred sinners were converted to God,

On the

and one thousand persons united with the Montreal "young men's total abstinence society." A deputation from the above society visited me before I left the city, with a request that I would give them a few months of my time previous to my sailing for Europe, in order to visit a few of the towns of Upper Canada for the purpose of promoting the cause of temperance. A liberal sum had been raised for the purpose, with an offer of more, if necessary, should I undertake the mission. Although I felt myself honoured by the flattering offer, I durst not accept it. I reflectedif my commission to visit Canada and Europe is from God, then I am not at liberty to be an agent of this kind, because, in no part of it, is a temperance agency (in the proper sense of the term) written. same principle, I rejected the proposition of some of my friends to procure an agency for the promotion of the designs of the "American Bible Society." True, this would lessen my personal expenses, but at the same time greatly entangle me in my revival designs. But, you will ask, "how could you then consistently deliver so many temperance lectures in Quebec and Montreal ?" I answer, on the same principles that I could give an address at a Missionary or Bible society meeting: when I could make such addresses subservient to the revival; when I could mingle with my remarks those eternal truths of the gospel which awaken and convert men; thus affording me an opportunity of proclaiming the verities, and pressing the claims of Christianity upon minds, which otherwise I could not have reached; and the very next night preach the gospel to these awakened sinners, and thus lead them not only to be temperance men and philanthropists, but real christians; and all this without infringing upon the rights of any particular society, or without entanglements from claims connected with any special agency.

Under these circumstances, I cheerfully embraced such opportunities, and thus enjoyed the double gratification of helping forward the interests of associations, good in themselves, while I carried forward at the same time, conscientiously, the grand design intended by God, in thrusting me out from my ordinary sphere of labour. I intend to spend only a few days here, and then return to Montreal, and from thence shall proceed into the United States.

Finding myself quite unsuccessful here, it was impressed upon my mind to preach restitution. This has created quite a stir. I plead for the rights of government, as for those of an individual; and insist that it is just as sinful to defraud the customs, as to cheat in trade. The smugglers are in great trouble. One was so powerfully wrought upon, that he was on the point of presenting his watch to a custom-house officer during the sermon. So he confessed afterwards, but congratulated himself that he had had strength of mind enough to conquer his superstitious weakness. I think the devil will have his difficulties, in keeping some of them quiet.

In Montreal the effects were more evident and general. Numerous cases of restitution came to my knowledge, from the small sum of one dollar, ranging upwards to two hundred dollars! The history of some of the cases, though melancholy, was really amusing. The conscience of a barber flew in his face, accusing him of repeatedly charging two pence more for a certain article than its real value; and keener than the razor's edge, was that conscience in its operations upon his soul.

Another had acted the rogue a few years ago, in denying possession of a bank note to a certain amount, which he had picked up on the street, although challenged by the owner a few minutes after: now it was burning his soul like a coal of fire.

Another was the case of a young man in a mercantile house, who had charge of the cash book:-In 1839, his employer one day made a wrong entry by mistake, which was to the young man's advantage. On balancing his cash account at night, a sum of money remained in his hands for which he could not account; nor was he anxious to do so. Some time after however, he discovered the error of his master, but said nothing, having expended the sum in a certain article. The doctrine of restitution fell upon his ear like peals of thunder; he became deeply concerned about his soul, but this stood between him and salvation like a gate of iron. At last these words came to his soul with awful power-" Will you sell your soul to hell for the sum of His conscience recoiled, and staggered under the influence, and he cried out" No, I will restore it."

Another had defrauded a widow, and he sent the amount to Mr. Squire, that it might be restored. But I cannot go over all the cases. Excuse this very hastily written letter, and believe me, your most affectionate friend, and brother in Jesus Christ,

J. C.

LETTER X.

Dear Sir,

New York, May 19, 1841.

My last to you was dated at Burlington, Vermont. Since then I have taken a tour of several months through Canada. The result has been the conversion of between four and five hundred sinners to God. I

cannot help receiving this as a convincing proof that I have not mistaken the will of God. On my way to this city, I preached in Plattsburgh, N. Y. Burlington, Vt. and Newburgh, on the Hudson river. To-night I am to preach in this city; and to-morrow evening, if God permit, I shall return to the north by the Albany steamer. My temporal affairs are now nearly all settled; so that I do not owe a single shilling on the continent of America. Help me to praise God for this mercy also. One can breathe freely when he owes no man anything but love.

I cannot answer your queries better than by giving you the following from a late German author. This divine, after quoting 1 Kings, xvii. 2—6. comments thus:-" Do we inquire whether the Lord directs his children still as in old time? Undoubtedly he does; though not by any audible voice, yet with equal certainty and evidence; and this commonly by closing up inwardly or outwardly, all other ways, and leaving only one open to us. And is not this equivalent to our hearing a voice behind us, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left?' When he inwardly leads us, he impresses a scriptural conviction on the judgment as to what we ought to do; and it is scarcely possible for us any longer to hesitate. Would our feelings lead us a different course? Then peace immediately departs; and such disquietude arises within us, that we are compelled to retrace our steps. When he outwardly leads us, he brings us into such circumstances, connections, and situations, that only one way remains open: for we see every other obstructed by visible providences. The way which the Lord thus points out to us, seems, therefore, like that to the brook Cherith, selected and appointed purely for the exercise of our faith, and the crucifixion of our old man. Only follow on courageously. When