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self from human society, and hide in some cave among the mountains."

But the Lord, who will not suffer any of his people to be tempted above what they are able to bear, did not allow him to be long thus oppressed. The first thing which struck his attention was a religious book, which he took up to divert his mind for the moment. One of the first sentences which presented itself was, "all we with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord." This im some measure dissipated the darkness of his mind, and he felt revived. But reading on he came to these words "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This filled his mind with sweet serenity, and banished every cloud and sceptical doubt. He at length laid down the book, and again retired to take another solitary walk. "But O," says he, "how different were my views and exexercises from what I had experienced only a few minutes before. Some of the first views of the truths revealed in these texts were as the dawning of the day, and as I continued to view these glorious objects they grew brighter till full day overspread my horizon. Divine truth itself had now more influence in convincing me of the truth of revelation than all the learned arguments taken from miracles, &c. &c. which I had ever read, ever produced. Though arguments of that kind have their use in their proper place, I trust these views had also a transforming influence on my mind so

as to dispose me to devote myself to God more heartily, and more sweetly, and more entirely than I had ever done before, and I never felt a greater anxiety to spend and be spent for Christ in the work of the gospel minis, try." See Ps. lxxiii.

From this time, for about three years, he enjoyed more of the comforts of religion than he had ever enjoyed before in the same length of time, and enjoyed almost constantly an unshaken confidence of obtaining eternal salvation through the free grace and mercy of God. There was, within sight of his own house, a little eminence, in a pleasant grove, through which was an agreeable walk; there he used to retire, especially on evenings, for the purpose of meditation, prayer and praise; "and there," says he, "I hope I enjoyed communion with God, even fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ."

Before this gracious visitation he was frequently conscious of much being wrong within. He was sensible that be bad in a great measure backslidden in heart. This did not induce him to despair of ever being restored, but he concluded that if ever he was brought again to enjoy the light of God's countenance it would probably be after sore convictions. Great, consequently, was his astonishment, when he found himself so suddenly and so easily restored to the enjoyment of the light of God's countenance. God's ways are not our ways, nor are his thoughts our thoughts. See Is. lvii. 16-18.

CHAPTER XII.

A LITTLE REVIVING IN THE MIDST OF BONDAGE.

DURING the secret exercises recorded in Chapter XI. Mr. Rice began to attend, according to his own account, more closely than ever he had done before, to the proper spirit, temper, and conduct of a minister of the gospel of Christ, as laid down in the New Testament. The result was the discovery of great deficiences in himself, and so far as he could be a proper judge of others, great deficiences also in his brethren in the ministry. Hence, in the year 17, he was led to write a kind of circular fetter to his brethren in Kentucky, in which the character of the apostle Paul was held up as an example for the imitation of all invested with the office of the gospel ministry. This was not without its happy effects. The great and fundamental truths of the gospel were soon more clearly held forth, and more tenderly impressed on the minds of the people. On this commenced a small revival of religion in Mr. Rice's congregation, and in several other places adjoining. A number of professors appeared to be strengthened and comforted,-a number of hypocrites undeceived, and a number of sinners were made to cry out, What shall we do to be saved? The awakening and seriousness continued for several months, adding a small number to the church on every

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sacramental occasion, and inducing a few to give themup to God in the work of the ministry. How anxious ought those, who minister in holy things, to be to have their hearts right with God. What comes warm from the heart will most generally reach the hearts of others. What inducement have the christian people to pray for their ministers! As it fares with the pastor, so it is likely to fare with the people.

CHAPTER XIII.

RESIGNS HIS PASTORAL CHARGE AND RETIRES TO THE COUNTY OF GREEN.

HAVING laboured for fifteen years in a widely extended congregation, Mr. Rice's constitution was considerably weakened. He particularly felt a disorder in his head, which he supposed in a great measure unfitted him for the exercise of discipline. When any thing closely engaged his attention, or raised any thing like anxiety, he supposed that he became measurably inca pable of forming a judgment about it. Hence he concluded that it was proper to resign his pastoral charge, and take no more share in the government of the church. Whether it was really a fact that he was by any bodily infirmity rendered in some degree incapable of sitting in judgment, is of no importance now to determine. Al

must, however, allow, that it was a very amiable and a very singular. trait in his character, that he should, of his own accord, propose to withdraw from the exercise of government and discipline, and give his incapacity as his reason. That the congregations might be more free and more united in procuring another minister, he resolved also to move out of their bounds.

His situation while connected with this congregation, was a mixture of comfort and sorrow. It was comfortable to behold one of the most delightful countries under heaven rapidly filling up with inhabitants. Though the general character of these inhabitants was not of the most religious or moral cast, yet, supported by the promises made to Messiah, the mind looked forward to a period when Kentucky, the wilderness, one of the ends of the earth, was to be wholly under his controùl. And to be used by him to scatter the first seed of his truths in this wilderness, and to draw the first sketches of this his extensive and glorious empire, was to enjoy no mean honour. The head of the church had also sent him from time to time fellow labourers, with whom he enjoyed many comfortable days. He saw the slender vine extending over the land and becoming a tree, not so much needing as affording protection to those who put themselves and their families under its shadow.

To balance these and other comforts, he had his share of sorrow. He had to lament the want of personal and family religion, to a considerable degree, even among those who were in good standing in the church. A vast portion of the youth grew up quite careless, and some of them became avowed infidels. A number of useless,

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