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PURITY OF MOTIVES.

4. In motives. Let it be my aim to please God-to be and do as he will. Then the approval of conscience in the sight of God is to be sought. In my retirement, in my thoughts and feelings, I am to be such as an enlightened and correct and tender conscience will approve. The good opinion of my fellow creatures is desirable, if it favor me, for the same reasons that God and conscience do; otherwise, their hatred is better than their love, How small a matter it is to be judged of man's judgment! How little does man know of the thoughts, feelings, motives! How often should I be ashamed and confounded, if men knew my heart! Oh, let me aim to be much more pure within than I am without, that I may be blessed with the pure in heart and see God. Mat.. xxiii, 26: Thou blind Pharisee! cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.'

It is written, whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' God is the infinite one; infinite in all possible perfections, and he is therefore, in himself, worthy of all the devotion of my heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. To him must I have regard in all things, first of all, and supremely, even as though there were no other being in the universe. 'Of him and through him, and to him are all things; to whom be glory forever.'

Surely the design of livlive-to exist. Nor to enjoy Nor to be renowned.

Nor

5. In the design of living. ing should not be merely to life. Nor to become rich. to obtain, possess, and enjoy power. Oh, how mean are such objects! how far below the design which becomes me! I am destined to exist forever. I can know, love, enjoy, serve and praise God. Should I not then live for this end? Not prepare to do it hereafter, but to do it now. I am also to glorify God my Redeemer. As I expect everything from him, I may devote every thing to him. I am bought with a price, am not my own, and therefore to him I will devote all. To do good to men, to their bodies, to their souls, for time, for eternity. In short, live with the same design as good men always live.'

ABANDONS THE USE OF TOBACCO.

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'I have glorified thee on the earth, have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.' My sheep hear my voice.' 'No man liveth to himself.' 'Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.' 'For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.''

With such motives in view, and with such a course of conduct marked out for himself, it need not be wondered at that he submitted himself to the strictest regimen. Whatever might be the government to which others were brought to submit, with him, self-government was regarded as most important. He ever acted on the principle of denying himself the use of every thing which he believed to interfere with his duty to God, to dampen the ardor of his devotions, or to detract from his usefulness. As he labored hard, he was usually blessed with a good appetite for his food, and at times, when he felt dull and found a flagging in his religious feelings, he was disposed to attribute it to his having partaken of too hearty a meal, and then would he resolve to be more abstemious in future.

For some years he had accustomed himself to the use of tobacco, as very many do still. But, becoming apprehensive that even this indulgence might interfere with his devotions, he resolutely abandoned it.

Of this he speaks as follows:

1822, April 7. "I have been thinking how my prayers are not heard. It grieves me. Yet I say the Lord is right. How can I expect such prayers to be heard? While I had my pipe in my mouth it came to me, Will you give up smoking for a spirit of prayer? Yes, I answered at once, if that will be of any avail. On further consideration it seemed to me inconsistent and shameful for me to be smoking. I have laid away my pipe, and I think I shall not soon use it again. This is not to buy the Spirit. It may be a little self-denial. Oh, may the Spirit teach me to pray, and to live to the glory of God. Amen."

His purpose was formed, and from that time, the use of the pipe, and indeed the use of tobacco in all its forms, was entirely abandoned. Nor was it in the use

of this thing only that he practiced self-denial. His aim was to carry out the principle of self-crucifixion in all things inconsistent with a life of entire devotion to the service of God.

1827, April 14. "It is evident that there must be many crucifixions of the flesh with the affections and lusts.

1. Indulgence. Various luxurious affections must be crucified. So my heart has decreed. To-day, too, that they may not crucify my Lord to-morrow.

2 Negligence in regard to souls. It is true that I am very guilty.

3. Remissness in regard to charitable institutions. 4. Remissness in regard to spiritual graces.

These are a kind of negative sins, except the first. But they arise from positive sins-undue affection for earthly things-conveniencies-the comforts of lifethe praise of men. These must be crucified; and from this time forward, I must, by divine grace, be bold, intrepid, carrying forward the work openly, and with confidence in God."

In a portion of the above extracts, we have had our attention directed to that hidden fire of which mention was made at the opening of this chapter. We see the power by which he was impelled in the discharge of duty. It was this inward light which broke out, and blazed, and shone in a remarkably uniform and consistent Christian deportment.

Dr. Yale was remarkable for his improvement of time. He looked upon time as a talent given by God, and which is to be improved for his glory. His purpose was to employ even its fragments to some good purpose; and his aim to make long days and short nights. Indeed, some of his most intimate friends were of the opinion that he did not allow himself that amount of repose which the demands of nature really required.

His habits of punctuality were such as to command our admiration. It was his settled purpose to meet all his engagements, if it was within the range of possibilities; and to fulfill all his appointments at the hour. In

HIS HABITS OF PUNCTUALITY.

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one instance, at least, when the road was so blocked up with snow between his dwelling and the church as to render it impassable, he went to the house of God on snow-shoes, and preached to the few who were able to assemble. His pains-taking to meet his engagements were so great, that he seldom failed; yet there were some occasions when he speaks of such a failure with regret; e. g:

1808, Nov. 22. "The weather being extremely bad, I did not go to conference, although I started. But I was afterwards sorry that I had not gone, because three or four persons attended."

And while he was so punctual and faithful in the fulfillment of his own appointments, and in his attendance upon meetings for public religious worship, he was sometimes deeply grieved at the remissness and delinquency of others. Of this, frequent mention is made in his journal, such as the following:

"Was displeased at several things; but especially at the late hour of my people's coming to prayer-meeting; must be guarded lest I be vexed."

Again: "At 8 o'clock started and went to Broadalbin, to attend a meeting of a committee of the Bible Society. Only two members out of eight were present; but other gentlemen by invitation, met and acted. Some were so late that it retarded the whole business. when will men be punctual in the work of the Lord! His business should be done with all our heart, and with all our soul."

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HIS ENTIRE DEVOTEDNESS TO THE SERVICE OF GOD.

CHAPTER XIII.

HIS ENTIRE DEVOTEDNESS TO THE SERVICE OF GOD.

There is an end for which every man is supposed to live. The end for which Dr. Yale lived, and which he was accustomed ever to keep before his mind, was not that which seems to be uppermost in the minds of many others. It was not to make money. It was not to gain the friendship of the world. It was not to enjoy the pleasures of sense. It is not asserted that he was free from the desire to possess and enjoy a competence of this world's goods-nor that he was altogether indifferent to the applause of his fellows,-nor that he did not find in himself such like passions as mar the peace and detract from the enjoyment of other experienced Christians. These, and things like these, were the cause of his deepest sorrow; and these did he regard as his most inveterate foes.

There were times, too, when he was particularly perplexed with his pecuniary affairs; and when it was with the utmost difficulty that he was enabled to meet his pecuniary engagements, and to make the necessary provision for his family. For many years he had the occupancy of a small farm, the most of which belonged to the people of his charge, and the use of which constituted a part of his stipend; and though the labor on this farm was performed mostly by others, yet it necessarily occupied a portion of his time and thoughts. Still, his mind was ever upon his appropriate work as a minister of Christ; and it was his earnest desire to be free from all worldly care, so as that he might devote his undivided energies to the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom and the salvation of men. There are numerous entries in his diary in which his feelings on this subject are expressed, a few of which are here transcribed:

1822, Jan. 25. "Have just finished the life of Henry Martyn. He was truly a burning and a shining light.'