scriptural and delightful manner, declare that the blood of Christ had cleansed them from all sin. Successful as our honoured father was in the pulpit, I am inclined to think that his way-side preaching, his sowing the precious seed beside all waters, will be productive of a more glorious harvest of souls than will be reaped from his public ministrations.

"When he was appointed to labour in the Cromford circuit, in 1821, he professed to have been clear in the witness of entire sanctification about three years; and I believe he retained it without wavering to the end of his days. He often said, 'I would not feel a wrong temper for ten thousand worlds.' His life was a constant illustration of his profession;-his light shone forth with a steady and increasing lustre ;-his days were spent in prayer and praise. During the three years we laboured together, he frequently expressed to me his fear of death,- Not,' said he, 'that I fear the consequences of death, but my flesh shrinks from the pain of dying.' Several years ago I met with him at Sheffield, and he told me that he had obtained the victory, and was happily delivered from that fear which had so long held him in a kind of bondage. Notwithstanding our esteemed father Miller's elevated state of grace, he had, at the same time, the most humiliating views of his unfaithfulness and unprofitableness. He frequently said to me, very recently, when we were walking and conversing together, When I retire into secret, I can say nothing before the Lord, but wretch! wretch wretch! that I am! So truly was this holy man humbled before his God."

Thus ended the regular ministry of this faithful man. It would be difficult to find a brighter example of

purity and zeal. His public life may be pronounced spotless and immaculate. The spirit he manifested towards the people of his charge in every instance, was kind, affectionate, and conciliatory; in his most confidential communications, through many years, not a word of complaint ever occurs. His language is always that of affection, content, and kindness. Much of this must have been owing to his own fine and benevolent disposition. Had he been discontented, and irascible in his own temper, he must have provoked it in others. "As a nurse cherisheth her children," so he dwelt amongst the people committed to his care. His spirit being eminently that of love, it produced a corresponding feeling in those with whom he held religious intercourse. He had evidently but one uniform and leading object in all he did, and that was, the spiritual good of all classes. No sinister, or selfish sentiment ever mixed itself with his conduct in his relations to others. If he could, in any way, secure and promote their religious improvement, the end of his life and ministry was answered. This was seen and acknowledged by all, and though they might not in all things approve of his mode of promoting the cause of God, it was impossible to disapprove of his spirit. The homage of good intentions, and purity of motive, was freely and fully accorded him. The benefit was reciprocal. It gave him immense power and influence with the people, and this in its turn being benignly exercised, produced a fine feeling of affection and regard on their part towards himself. The secret of happiness is love. This heavenly enjoyment never flows from intellectual superiority, or the exercise of power, but is inseparable from the possession, and manifestation of the kindly affections.

The zeal of Mr. Miller, through all these years and changes, remained unimpaired. A proof this of the depth of his piety. Nothing but religious enjoyment of the most unquestionable nature and of the loftiest description, could possibly have kept the flame alive in its intensity and purity, but vital union with the Saviour, and the constant anointing of the Holy Spirit. That which is often a mere ebullition in others, was an innate, power of life in him. He never abated his fervour ; never descended from his lofty and eagle flight, to walk with common men on earth; never halted in his course, or lagged in his progress; and, as is often observed in some very zealous men, he never allowed it to become eccentric, erratic, or, in the common sense of the expression, enthusiastic. Keeping the end constantly in view-the salvation and happiness of men, he never went out of his way in the pursuit of some fanciful object, or bewildered himself in the mazes of fond speculations. His zeal being the pure flame of love, remained practical. He invariably proposed some useful purpose in all he did, and then devoted his entire energies, to secure the good he sought.

Mr. Miller was a labourer in his Lord's vineyard. He spared not himself in mind, in body, or in the employment of time, in promoting the work of God. Indeed, the error, if such existed, was quite in the other extreme. His toils were sometimes excessive, and wasting to the last degree. Surrounded, as was generally the case, with large numbers of immortal men, many of whom he knew were in danger of perishing everlastingly, he was ready, like the apostle, not only to preach the gospel, but also to "impart his own soul" as a sacrifice for them. By vehement preaching, great exertions at prayer

meetings, and other labours, Mr. Miller often consumed his mental and physical energy to such a degree, that he was rendered incapable of pursuing his work. To crown the whole, we find this good man invariable and constant in his adherence to evangelical truth. The cross of Christ and its cognate doctrines, were as fresh in his mind in the close, as at the beginning of his ministry, and were exhibited to the people much more luminously and with greater copiousness of illustration. He pressed upon all, the great necessity of faith in the crucified Saviour, connecting with this, the privileges of the entire gospel. His own joys and sorrows being exclusively bound up in the interests of religion, he only lived for this end. His thoughts, affections, mental energies, and ministerial exertions, all centered in one point, the glory of his Redeemer in the salvation and happiness of mankind.

CHAPTER V.

PASTORAL FIDELITY.

It may be proper to place under one head, the spirit and habits of Mr. Miller, as a pastor. This subject may be considered in a twofold aspect; first, in relation to the economy of the church; then, in respect to the spiritual and religious state of the people. The question, so far as regards Mr. Miller, must be limited to the latter view of the subject. He certainly had no taste for theories of ecclesiastical government, and church polity. It is doubtful whether he ever studied these points at all to any extent, and certainly abhorred with all his soul, the bitterness and strife to which

they often lead. He only in one or two instances during the course of his ministry sustained the office of superintendent, and in some of his letters mentions his desire not to be intrusted either with its honours or its responsibilities. This was wise, for he did not possess the taste or talent for its complicated duties.