IMPROVEMENT.

1. "Tis impossible for God to save more sinners than he does.

2. Yet 'tis possible for all to be saved.

3. A reason why sinners complain is because God does so much for them.

4. The wicked do much to oppose their salvation. What could they do more? They would do more if God would let them. Jer. iii., 5.

5. God's character will appear glorious at the day of judgment. He will let it be known what he has done.

6. Sinners will likely be damned,-since God does all he can and they are not saved, and they do all they can to be damned.

7. We should do all we can for the salvation of

men.

8. All should examine their fruit-this is the way to know Christians.

9. Sinners should repent, and make it possible for God to save them.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DAVID JUDSON, ESQ. Fairfield, March 5, 1836.

SIR,

I well recollect that Reverend Lemuel Haynes (the partially coloured preacher) did preach in this place, before the General Association of Connecticut, as delegate from Vermont, in 1814; that Dr. Dwight and Mr. Goodrich sat in the pulpit with him. Dr. Dwight spoke very highly of his sermon, and of his great usefulness in Vermont-that, in his attendance with the Association, he discovered a very great knowledge of the Scriptures, and was almost as a concordance to refer them to texts. The church was much crowded on the

REV. AND VERY DEAR SIR,

* *

*

I had heard much of Mr. Haynes from my earliest remembrance, especially from my mother, who was a great admirer of his preaching; but I never saw him till 1814, when he attended the General Association of Connecticut, as a delegate from the churches of Vermont. I was then pastor of the church in Fairfield, and the Association met there that year. It was our privilege to receive Father Haynes (for so we regarded him), with other members of that body, as an inmate of our own house. Though my time was very much taken up, as you know is unavoidable under such circumstances, my recollections of him are very distinct. He was exceedingly simple and child-like in his manners-sociable and shrewd in his observations upon men and things, but rather inclined to keep himself in the back-ground, notwithstanding the marked attention he received from all the brethren. His prayers in the family were characterized by great humility and spirituality, and his conversation was highly edifying. It was evident that he had been a diligent student of the Bible, and that he had an uncommon knowledge of those things which the "Holy Ghost teacheth."

Everybody, of course, was anxious to hear him preach, and none so much as the eighty or hundred ministers, including Dr. Dwight, who attended the Association. With a good deal of reluctance he consented; and I believe I may say with truth, that our expectations were more than answered. According to the best of my recollection, he used no notes, but spoke

with freedom and correctness. His sermon was rich in Scriptural thought, perfumed with holy unction, and abounded with striking illustrations. It was from that interesting passage in Isaiah, "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Some of his closing remarks, as I well remember, produced a powerful effect upon the great congregation. He had been representing the sinner as in the last stages of spiritual disease just ready to sink down in death and despair -unable to help himself, but yet capable of looking to the Lord Jesus Christ for help. How affecting is such a condition! but it is not hopeless! "It is," said he, as if a child was so very sick as not to be able to go to his father, nor even stretch out his hand for help, nor to speak a word, but merely to look. Such an imploring look the father understands perfectly, and all his bowels of compassion are moved within him. So it is with the dying sinner; as long as he can look there is hope. Let him look to Christ by an eye of faith in his greatest extremity, and he shall be saved." It was so unexpected, and there was so much of truth and nature in it, that I believe I may literally say, hundreds were melted into tears.

By the grace of God Mr. Haynes was what he was. May you, dear sir, be assisted by that good Spirit which dwelt in him so richly, in preparing the memorial of him which you now have in hand; and, under the Divine blessing, may it be made eminently useful, wherever it shall be circulated and read.

I am, dear sir,

Very sincerely and affectionately yours,

H. HUMPHREY.

CHAPTER XIV.

DISMISSION FROM RUTLAND.

Ir was a sage remark of Rev. Robert Hall, "that the Christian ministry is in danger of losing something of its energy and sanctity by embarking on the stormy element of political debate." In the most interesting period of the life of Mr. Haynes, there was an interruption of the blessed effects of his ministerial labours through the influence of violent political controversy. The impression made throughout the United States by the late war with Great Britain was such, that nearly every freeman was identified with one or the other of the two great parties which then divided the nation.

It will be remembered that in early life Mr. Haynes took the field as a common soldier in defence of his country. A mind like his, which had been imbued with the spirit of the American revolution, could not easily rest in neutrality while great and conflicting interests were apparently rending asunder the nation for which he had fought. In principle he was a disciple of Washington. The State of Vermont was early agitated by the measures of the national government. The spirit of party rapidly ripened into a spirit of deeply-rooted and unquenchable rancour. Mr. Haynes was invited to preach on political occasions, and in some instances to give his sermons to the public through the medium of the press. He talked sometimes about politics, and probably with a keenness and sarcasm which were felt.

P

His talents and influence he consecrated to sustain the views of the immortal Washington; and the keenness of his satire often fell upon unprincipled parasites, whatever might be their political creed.

In one of his published discourses he has the following paragraph:—“A dissembler is one proud of applause-will advertise himself for office-dazzle the public mind with high pretences, like aspiring Absalom, 'Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man that hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!' Such devotees to applause and hypocrisy will, even when the destinies of their country are at stake, be to a commonwealth what Arnold was to American freedom, or Robespierre to a French Republic.”

Political excitement interrupted the harmony which had subsisted between pastor and people in West Rutland. In some instances Mr. Haynes experienced unkindness, and even abuse, from unprincipled men. From such trials, however, it was always his felicity to come forth as "gold tried in the fire." An unprincipled man, overtaking him in the highway, accosted him in the style of rude impertinence and abuse, as follows:“Mr. Haynes, have you heard the scandalous reports that are abroad about you?"-"I have heard nothing," replied Mr. Haynes, very calmly.

The man proceeded to state the evil reports, alleging that they were true, using profane and abusive language. "You see," continued he, "what a disgrace they have brought upon your character!" Mr. Haynes, in the spirit of his Master, "when he was reviled, reviled not again when he suffered, threatened not." He passed on silently till he reached the gate of his own house,