THE DUTY OF ECCLESIASTICAL BODIES.

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publish it to the world, and yet his servants silent as death! Is it not amazing? Tuesday of last week a letter was read in the meeting of our Bible Society from a man who was a convert last winter. He had given a dollar, but afterwards his conscience smote him because he had done no more to send that Bible to others, while he felt it to be the principal means of his own salvation. So he paid ten instead of one. The old school General Assembly took up the subject and said something. Yet I fear that little was done. So we pass on year after year, while twenty millions of souls go unsaved into eternity! Brother Brace, farewell. Let us do our part of this great work, even if we do it alone. I know of no other way toplease our Lord.

Respect and love, much and strong, to Mrs. B. and all yours. E. YALE.

Nor was Dr. Yale's interest in these matters comparable to wind, or of that evanescent character which vanishes into smoke. It did not expend itself in eloquent words and pathetic sentiments, while all the zeal which is felt, dies away with the sound, and nothing is done or attempted more than there would have been if no eloquent appeals had been made. Would we understand the depth of that interest which he felt in the various objects of benevolence which make their appeals to the friends of Christ, we need to look at the selfdenying efforts which he put forth to advance them. In the course of his pastorate he spent days, and even weeks in going from house to house and personally soliciting donations for these various objects of Christian philanthropy. If the reader desires to hold communion with him on this subject, to be let into the inner chambers of his heart, so as to understand the feelings under which he acted, and to attend him upon some of his tours for the collection of funds, I am happy in being able to gratify him. Read the following:

1823, Oct. 20. "Having invited and requested the members of the domestic missionary society to meet this evening to consult about raising $125, about twelve

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met and agreed that it would be best to undertake it immediately. Twenty dollars were subscribed. Thus about one-sixth part is secured. Now I shall try to raise $20 every day this week. I feel some anxiety, but I think it is the cause of God, and that I can trust him. I do hope, love to his cause and the good of my fellow men move me. Oh God, purify me from all selfish views, and give me success."

Oct. 21. "Felt an anxiety this morning on this subject, but was enabled freely to plead the cause before my Lord and Savior. In the afternoon went out with the hope of obtaining $20 more; but was disappointed in that I did not find but just one man at home. He and his wife gave me four dollars, which was all I gained. Yet, I thank God, I am not discouraged."

Oct. 22. "In view of my labors in soliciting subscriptions I felt disagreeable for a time, but was enabled to feel that all hearts are in the Lord's hand, and that he can turn them and make them willing. Went out trusting in God. Obtained $20.50. In four instances where I might have called, or did call, I did not find them at home. In one case a man and his wife gave me six dollars very cheerfully. In another, a man from whom I did not expect much gave me six dollars very pleasantly. In another, a man from whom I had expected something, gave me nothing but objections. These I answered very easily, and yet he kept objecting. I finally concluded that his heart was too small, and his mind too ignorant to be wrought upon. Thank my gracious Savior, I was enabled to converse with composure. I left him, saying that he was under no obligation except to God, and that the matter rested between him and his Maker. He said he would think of it. I felt more sorrow for him than I did for myself. Poor man! I afterward learned that he lets out money at fourteen per cent."

Oct. 27. "Spent the day in raising subscriptions. Very kindly received, and successful. Raised more than $30 this day. The sum now amounts to $84, and I think the remainder will be raised without difficulty.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

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The Lord has been very kind indeed, and blessed be his name. He has blessed and strengthened me, and I now feel ready to talk with almost any man I meet."

The various benevolent societies of the day, found in him a zealous cooperator; nor were the accredited. agents of these societies refused a hearing from hist pulpit. Yet there were times, when the number and claims of these several societies, were a trial even to him. On this subject we find in his diary, the following interesting reflections:

1824, May 12. "SOCIETIES.--I have been tried because they are so numerous, and require so much time and care. But the thought struck me this morning: What if there were none? Then suppose you saw the wants of men just as you do now-that you felt an ardent desire to relieve them-that you exerted your own powers and made your own sacrifices-would you not wish others to aid you? Would you not endeavor to obtain their aid? Should you obtain it, what would be the result? Societies. Now they are ready to your hand-what is to be done? Shall they be neglected? Then where is your desire to do good? Take them as they are, be thankful for them, go on laboring in them, and trusting in God."

As the soldier has joy when he gains a battle, and the husbandman when he reaps a harvest, so also does one who truly loves the cause of Christian benevolence rejoice in its prosperity. In this we have another illustration of the interest which was felt in this matter by Dr. Yale. It is expressed in the following paragraph:

1829, March 10. "Yesterday and to-day I have seen and admired the goodness of God in directing and prospering my new plan to obtain donations for domestic missions, as a work of faith and labor of love. He seemed to be opening the heart. Oh that he would indeed increase and strengthen faith and love greatly. These are greatly needed. Oh Lord, move our hearts.'

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1830, Aug. 24. "Rev. Mr. Weed called about nine. o'clock. We prayed together for wisdom, grace, and blessing. We went out and had a most delightful day.

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One man was ready as soon as he understood our object, and subscribed a hundred dollars. This was not all. He expressed views of the subject and of provision for his children, of the most enlarged kind. We called on some others, and found much good feeling. Oh, how glad I was, and I hope thankful for the grace of God bestowed upon him. Oh that it might be bestowed upon all my people."

Aug. 25. "We called on several, and with my own obtained $140, so that in two days we have raised $250; and yet, there are only six subscribers. I am truly surprised at it. I bless God for it. I apprehended great trials in connection with it, and I hope and pray for great grace. I know that God is able to sustain us, and to make all grace abound.”

Aug. 26. "In the morning found trials arising on account of the stand we have been taking, so much in advance of what we have been. The enemy will roar. Some that have professed to be friends may fail. Many may say it is extravagant. Motives may be questioned. But my mind runs immediately to Christ, Ye know the grace,' &c.,-to the apostles-primitive Christians -the word of God-living by faith-a man that should die—a Christian. I prayed that I might be a Christian -like Christ-like the apostles. Blessed be God, it helped me to pray-to cast my care on him. The Lord answereth the requests of his people in truth and terror -truth to them-terror to his enemies. Oh let me go after him through the sea. Let this church follow. God, cause us to be Christians.'

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When, however, a soldier loses a battle, and the husbandman fails in a harvest, he is filled with grief. So also did the interest which was felt by Dr. Yale in the cause of benevolence, sometimes show itself by his grief on account of the apathy of some of its professed friends, and the want of success which attended his efforts to advance it. Take a single illustration, among the many which might be given.

1830, Aug. 27. "To-day Brother Weed and I went to B. to endeavor to finish an important work there.

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Found some individuals of importance entirely indisposed-moved by nothing, even such as profess to be friends-elders. Very few at the meeting. Only one of these few seemed desirous to act. One person who had subscribed forty dollars desired to draw back, because his family, his wife and daughters were averse to it. It was indeed a grievous disappointment. We returned home in deep sorrow for the miserable condition of our brethren. After our return we called on one from whom we expected twenty-five or thirty dollars, who did not subscribe any thing, though he promised to give something."

CHAPTER XXIV.

MEANS USED TO PROMOTE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS AMONG HIS PEOPLE.

For a number of years past the congregation of which Dr. Yale was pastor, has contributed for benevolent purposes, perhaps, more in proportion to their means, than most other congregations; and the inquiry has often been suggested, how has this desirable end been attained? This is certainly a question of considerable interest, and one also of great practical importance. There can be no doubt, that very much of that spirit of enlarged benevolence, which has been there developed for years past, is to be attributed to the enlightened zeal and judicious labors of their pastor. It has not been of spontaneous growth there, any more than in other places; but the results have been realized as the fruit of longcontinued and persevering efforts. Time was when that people fell very far below $1,500 a year, as the medium, or even the maximum of their gifts for benevolent purposes; and that point was attained by degrees, and as the result of much fervent prayer, and much hard labor on the part of their spiritual guide and leader. And,