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and who, through all my fiery trials and great infirmities, and weaknesses, never left me nor forsook me? O that I may be enabled ever to be mindful of your good counsel, admonitions, and prayers. I supplicate their continuance, and hope to profit by them, through life and eternity.”— "I went to church."-"I could not prevent myself from standing at the door, and indulging my imagination with seeing you walk from your house to the church."-" I hope my friend will not think me deceptious, when I say no preacher, time, nor place, will ever erase him from my memory. Remember me affectionately to Mrs. Allen, and kiss the dear children for me. May the best of blessings attend you, and when your journey of life is over, may you be wafted to the Haven of Eternal Rest.

"There may we meet at last, and join
In songs and raptures all divine,

With saints and angels round the throne,
To praise the Infinite Three, One.'

Another writes

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"December 4th.

'My Dear Friend :— -I feel thankful that you were so well received, and pleased with your situation. Your absence was much regretted by your friends here, but as it is ordered otherwise, and so much to your temporal, as well as spiritual welfare, we must not repine. I hope your duties will not be more than your health will permit."May the Lord of his great mercy spare us to meet again in this world, and also fit us for his Kingdom above, prays "Your affectionate friend,

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E. W."

An aged and tried friend also writes to him from the neighbourhood of Sharpsburg

"MOUNT PLEASANT, December 27th. "My Dear and Reverend Son and Children, for as such, my attachment is for you. I wish the will of

242

MEMOIR OF REV. BENJAMIN ALLEN.

my dear, departed husband, was as he made it, and I believed it."

"I would never have parted with you and your's, if I could have prevented it."

soon.

"I received your kind letter from Frederick. Write me I long to hear from you and your dear family. I pray God to bless you all, and prosper you, and give you many happy New Years.

"From your sincere friend,

M. A. C. A. C."

The husband of the above lady was so much attached to my brother that, in making his will, he left his family dwelling and one hundred acres of land to him. After the old gentleman's death, however, a connexion came forward, and by a course of law obtained possession of the above estate, to the exclusion of my brother.

I add another extract from a friend in

"WINCHESTER, December 15th.

"Rev. and Dear Sir:-I should be glad to have a letter from you, as a friend. It would give me pleasure to know of your success in relation to yourself, your family, and the Church of Christ. I fear your having left our Diocess will be seriously felt: there is no other person among us capable of the exertions which you exercised. I fear the society, and the associate meetings, will languish."—" May God bless your labours abundantly, and make you the instrument of much good. The reward is certain.

"Your friend, &c.

OBED WAITE."

My brother's removal to Philadelphia was one of the most important steps in his history. I have, therefore, endeavoured to present a full view of his feelings and motives, and many of the attending circumstances of that removal; also his standing with the people of Virginia, and his reception in Pennsylvania.

CHAPTER XV.

ADDITIONAL EXTRACTS FROM HIS CORRESPONDENCE DURING 1820 AND 1821.

THE following extracts from my brother's correspondence with myself, to the time of his removal to Philadelphia, I trust will not be perused without pleasure and profit.

"CHARLESTOWN, February 9th, 1820."

"Dear Thomas :-What is the best means of correcting our own evil tempers? What, but studying the character of Jesus, making the gift of humility and meekness a greater subject of constant prayer? What, but oft reflecting on Paul's description of charity? You know, my brother, we must be patient even under injuries, forbearing, studious of discovering the best motives, thinking no evil.".

"Indeed our code of laws is not that of men of this world's honour. We may rather expect even insults, and it is a part of our business to bear them, and even under them to continue to do good to those who give them.""It becomes us to endeavour to be like Him, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not, but committed himself to HIM that judgeth righteously.""I hope the Spirit of the Lord is with you, in writing, and preaching, and private wrestling for your people, as well as public intercourse, and that many under your ministrations may be brought from darkness to light." Perhaps you may join us over the mountain yet.

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"Your's, sincerely,

B. ALLEN."

“Winchester, March 6th.

"Very Dear Thomas:-I sincerely congratulate you on the good prospects, and pray you may have an ingathering of many stars in your crown of rejoicing.

"In haste, your's."

My brother was instrumental of my removal to Montgomery County, Maryland, as appears by the following"FREDERICKTOWN, Md., May 18th.

"Dear Thomas:-As I came by Montgomery CourtHouse, I was informed that they were very anxious to procure a clergyman to preach there, and at another place about ten miles distant. I mentioned you to one of the Wardens, and he appeared very anxious to obtain you, provided Mr. G. should not come, which I am now sure he cannot. Their salary is one thousand or twelve hundred dol. lars. The village at the Court-House is very considerable, and the society pleasant; it is fourteen miles from Georgetown, thirty-five from Baltimore, and thirty from here. The Church needs some one there, and that soon. It is out of Virginia; but Keith (and when he goes, M'Ilvaine) Johns, Henshaw, as well as Wilmer, and Norris, would form a desirable clerical neighbourhood."-" If you are disposed you might visit the situation. Perhaps they may write to you; but the gentlemen are lukewarm, at least some of them-others, I did not see.' -"Pray for direction."

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"LEESBURG, June 15th. "Dear Thomas:-Since writing you about Montgomery County, I find Bryan about going to Wheeling to seek for a settlement. Should he go, he would be much pleased to have you succeed him, and it would be well for you to do so, if the arrangement could be made. You might live at Winchester, and, associated with Mr. Meade, preach alternately in Frederick, and at Bunker's-Hill. I have not yet

spoken to Meade, neither is Bryan yet settled in Wheeling, but I expect that arrangements can be made. I expect to go home this morning. Have been preaching here."

July 18th.

"You wrote me, some time since, that you had accepted the call to Montgomery. I am thankful that you have a prospect of usefulness and support. I wrote you before receiving your's, about succeeding Bryan. The situation you have, will, perhaps, on some accounts, be better, though it would have been agreeable and desirable to have had you so near. Montgomery is not very far off, and we may see each other oftener than we have done. I hope you will be aided by the Spirit to act with faithfulness, industry, activity, perseverance, prayer, and all the other virtues and duties of the Gospel labourer. May God make you a blessing to the people. May he give you many souls as seals among them. Oh, may you have a bright crown from among them. May God bless you and all of us."

"CHARLESTOWN, August 26th.

"Dear Thomas:-I cannot but hope, that, in your present situation, you will be useful. This will depend on the degree of your activity, and the fervency of your constant private devotion, and the degree of your self-consecration to the one great work of converting souls. The armour of the Christian is meekness, and in meekness instruct those who oppose themselves. Become a servant of servants, for the sake of souls. Let Christ dwell in your lips wherever you go-your conversation with grace, &c. "A country pastor should circulate among his people like the air, labouring with them in every direction.

"I may visit you when I can probably do good. Do you have associations? I wish you would procure the Young Minister's Companion, published by Armstrong, Boston,

1813."

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