LETTER TO JOHN HOLMES, ESQ. "MY DEAR FRIEND, 103 "New-York, March 2d, 1806. "I was glad to hear, by your daughter, that you were more comfortable than when I left you in October, for which I thank God on your behalf. May the health of your body, and especially the spiritual happiness of your soul, increase still more abundantly. When I read your daughter's letter concerning you, it brought to my mind, the thanksgiving of Ezra, (x. 8) God hath given us a little reviving in our bondage.' Indeed, while in this tabernacle of clay, we are often many ways in bondage; but, how kind is our Lord, by the light of his countenance, the power of his grace, and the sweets of his love, to give us, although it be but 'a little'-a week-a day—or an hour's revival. Bless the Lord, my brother. Hold out a little longer, and you and I shall experience the pangs of bondage no more! These poor bodies will then sleep in the grave, and our souls shall wing their way Where all are bless'd, "Divine Providence is one straight line, though to us there may appear many a curve. He giveth grace and glory. He who has given you the one, will most assuredly confer the other. To his merciful care I commend you, and remain, "Your's in the Saviour, "JOHN STANFORD." In April he made a visit to the state of Connecticut, and was exposed to many dangers on the passage; yet out of them all the Lord delivered him. During this excursion, he preached in several towus, to very crowded assemblies; and, it is confidently believed, that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. This year he received a unanimous call to take the 104 MERCIFUL INTERPOSITION OF PROVIDENCE. pastoral charge of the church in Burlington, NewJersey; and in the month of August he made them a visit, preached eleven times, and administered baptism and the Lord's supper. While in this place he received visits from several neighbouring ministers, whose remarks upon the subject of his settlement with this church, greatly assisted him in discerning the path of duty. After this he made a short visit to his friends in Philadelphia, Frankfort, Holmesburg and Lower-Dublin; from whom he received fresh tokens of brotherly-kindness, and to whom he publicly communicated the glad tidings of salvation through the blood of Jesus. He arrived at home in safety on the 6th of September. On the 21st of this month, another instance of the Lord's peculiar care of Mr. Stanford and his family occurred. The family retired at the usual time, but Mr. S. remained until a late hour, employed in meditating upon the confidence of Jeremiah in the midst of his afflictions, at the time when he exclaimed"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations iii. 24. While wrapt in this heavenly contemplation, the appalling cry of Fire! Fire! broke upon the stillness of midnight, and in a few minutes the blaze flashed from the adjoining house upon the windows of his chamber. The fury of the encircling flames, and the confusion of the multitude who soon rushed to the scene of dangerthe ringing of bells, the hoarse shout of the watchmen, and the crash of falling timbers, added to the gloomy terrors of a stormy night, constituted this, in many respects, memorable event, truly a scene of horror. But through the divine favour, the flames were averted from his habitation by a change of the wind, and no extensive injury was sustained, although several of the surrounding houses were consumed. So true is it, that those who have the Lord for their portion, may hope in him under circumstances the VISIT TO GOVERNOR BLOOMFIELD. 105 most alarming, and in every scene of danger. For, while as their portion, he gratifies and fills the soul, he is truly "A very present help in time of need." O that our souls may attain the delightful assurance of the prophet; then will it be immaterial, what trials. and losses we sustain, while treading amid the thorns and briars of the wilderness, as we pursue our journey to the land of rest and peace in heaven. On the last of November, circumstances occurred which enabled Mr. Stanford to decide upon declining the invitation from the church in Burlington; this course was approved by his most judicious friends. Among other things which led to this determination, was a secret impression that he had not yet performed all the work which the Lord intended him to do in New-York. Mr. Stanford was not a man disposed to yield to the guidance of mere impressions; yet in the present case, as in all former invitations to leave the city, there was something which prevented his acceptance, for which at the time he was utterly unable to account. But the developements of succeeding years have sufficiently demonstrated the will of God, and also the wisdom of his servant, in remaining at the post where Divine Providence had stationed him, and where, during the last twenty-five years of his life, he occupied public stations of no common interest and responsibility. In his journey to Philadelphia, he stopped at Trenton, and spent a day at the house of his Excellency Joseph Bloomfield, Governor of New-Jersey. This was the anniversary of the defeat of the Hessian troops, under the command of Colonel Rhal, who was mortally wounded in the conflict with the Americans, under command of General Washington, in December, 1776.* The day was celebrated with *The following graphic description of this highly interesting event in American history, is from the pen of an eloquent writer, who, when speaking of the father of his country, remarks: 106 A MEMORABLE EVENT. great military pomp, and at the request of the Governor and his friends, Mr. Stanford delivered an "In no one instance, perhaps, was his influence with the army so strikingly exemplified, as in his attack on the enemy at Trenton. O'er and o'er have I listened with intense anxiety, in the day of my boyhood, whilst my now departed sire, who fought and bled on that proud field, recited, with thrilling interest, all that related to the enterprise. It was on a December's night, (would he say) when our little heart-broken army halted on the banks of the Delaware. That night was dark-cheerlesstempestuous and bore a strong resemblance to our country's fortunes! It seemed as if heaven and earth had conspired for our destruction. The clouds lowered-darkness and the storm came on apace. The snow and the hail descended, beating with uninitigated violence upon the supperless, half-clad, shivering soldier-and in the roarings of the flood, and the wailings of the storm, were heard, by fancies ear, the knel of our hopes, and the dirge of liberty! The impetuous river was filled with floating ice; an attempt to cross it at that time, and under such circumstances, seemed a desperate enterprise; yet it was undertaken; and thanks be to God and Washington, was accomplished. "From where we landed on the Jersey shore to Trenton, was about nine miles, and on the whole line of march there was scarcely a word uttered, save by the officers when giving some order. We were well nigh exhausted, said he, many of us frost-bitten, and the majority of us so badly shod that the blood gushed from our frozen and lacerated feet; yet we upbraided not, complained not, but marched steadily and firmly, though mournfully onward, resolved to persevere to the uttermost not for our country-our country alas! we had given up for lost. Not for ourselves-life for us no longer wore a charm-but because such was the will of our beloved chief-'twas for Washington alone we were willing to make the sacrifice. When we arrived within sight of the enemy's en campments, we were ordered to form a line, when Washington reviewed us. Pale and emaciated, dispirited and exhausted, we presented a most unwarlike and melancholy aspect. The paternal eye of our chief was quick to discover the extent of our sufferings, and acknowledged them with his tears: but suddenly checking his emotions, he reminded us that our country, and all that we held dear, was staked upon the coming battle. As he spoke we began to gather ourselves up, and rally our ener gies-every man grasped his arms more firmly-and the clenched hand, and the compressed lip, and the steadfast look, and the knit brow, told the soul's resolve. Washington observed us well; then did he exhort us with all the fervor of his soul, On youder field to conquer, or die the death of the brave.' At that instant the glorious sun, as if in prophetic token of our success burst forth in all his splendour, bathing in liquid light the blue hills of Jersey. The faces which but a few minutes before were blanched with despair, glowed with martial fire and animation. Our chief, with exultation, hailed the scene; then casting his doubts to the wind, and calling on the God of battles' and his faithful soldiers, led on to the charge. The conflict was fierce and bloody For more than twenty minutes, not a gun was fired-the sabre and bayonet did the work of destruction, 'twas a hurricane of fire, and steel, and death. There did we stand (would he say) there did we stand, foot to foot, and hilt to hilt,' with the serried foe! and where we stood we died or conquered." NEW YEAR'S SERMON. 107 address to the assembled multitude, adopting, as his motto, the text in Acts xxii. 28—“I was free-born." The substance of this address, with an account of the celebration, were published in the Trenton newspapers. The following Lord's day was spent in Philadelphia, where he preached in three different churches. The last day in the year was passed at Lower-Dublin, in the society of the Rev. Dr. Jones, and a few other old friends, in praising God for his goodness to them during the past year, and for his cheering promise, that he will never leave nor forsake them that put their trust in him. The first day of the year 1807, found Mr. Stanford still in Pennsylvania. In the morning he preached in the Rev. Dr. Jones' church, to a very large congregation, from Acts xxvi. 22—" Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day." Upon this text he remarks: "With grateful emotions would I confess before men, the debt of love I owe to my good and gracious God, who has had patience with my sinful heart and barren life so many years. O that by the same help, I may yet persevere, until the days of my pilgrimage on earth shall end!" In the evening he preached at Holmesburg, to a large assembly, on which occasion the Lord was pleased to grant him special comfort in contemplating the words of David in Psalm xlviii. 14-"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” "This," said he, "comprehends all I want. May the Lord enable me more abundantly to claim this relation, and may I trust him as my faithful and unerring guide, through all the duties, trials, and changes of my future life." A short time after his return to New-York, he addressed the following letter to his Excellency, Governor Bloomfield, of New-Jersey : |