original poverty, to make our profession that we have received this gift, and to renew our acceptance of it. 4thly, Let thanksgiving abound—let it fill our lives, and eternity!”

Some jottings from his diary will give us, in his remarks upon others, some view of himself as a preacher. As to pulpit manner: "Lord's Day, May 31st, 1807. In the afternoon the Rev. R. Bawden preached from 1st Cor. vii. 30. But, though there were many solemn truths, the manner was to me as a fly in the pot of confectionary—it spoiled all. I blame myself, but I like to hear sacred things treated in a serious and solemn manner." As to pulpit tone: “Lord's Day, August 30th, 1807. Mr. John Wray, who is going abroad soon as a missionary, preached in the afternoon from Matt. viii. 11; but it was delivered in such a lullaby tone-the language so poetical, and the plan so diffuse-that I was not comfortable under the sermon. He is a good young man, aims at doing good, and I hope will be successful; but I wish more care had been taken by his tutor to the forming him for a preacher." As to the need of method: "Lord's Day, July 17th, 1796. Heard Mr. Bawden, at Mr. Pendered's, from Psalm cxvi. 4. It was a very pathetic discourse; but the plan was so secreted that I could bring away nothing but the savour. It appears to me that method is as necessary for the people as for the minister." As to the perversion of texts from their original reference: "Even divine truths, when put out of their place, instead of convincing are rendered disgusting. Like a child playing with a watch, by handling he injures it; better never to have meddled with it. Holy truths, like holy ground, are not to be trifled with. They must be touched with reverence. May I never be permitted to

pervert Scripture from its genuine meaning; or handle the word of God deceitfully. Humble inquiry is better calculated to enter into the mind and will of God than a flashy invention. Truth always appears most beautiful, and I believe is rendered most useful, when exhibited in its proper colours, and in its right place." Usefulness was his aim. Thus, under date April 11th, 1787, he writes, "A minister preached for me this evening who happened to be in the town. The subject was 1st Samuel xx. 3, 'There is but a step between me and death.' The discourse was chiefly made up of extracts from Shakespeare, Young, Addison, &c. I fear it was labour in vain. It was merely acting a part, and supplicating applause, without the ability to obtain it." This was his prayer, recorded on another occasion-" Lord help me to be plain and faithful in the discharge of my ministry; rather to aim at convincing the conscience than amusing the fancy-rather to set forth divine things in a divine light than fine words with all the graces of the orator." Current events were often suggesting to him subjects for discourse, and his texts were often aptly fitted to write home for ever the lesson of the hour. "Master Betty, the second Roscius, coming to the theatre;" "The taxgatherers collecting the property tax ;" "Errors of a Socinian. cast creeping into the town;" some of his hearers being "Too much given to liquor;"—these, among others, he enters in his diary as circumstances which suggested his pulpit themes. What he characterized in others as "a close searching sermon" was what he especially aimed after himself.

His texts sometimes were hard to find; and, when found, the work of preparation dragged slowly along. But not unfrequently happiest Sabbaths followed such unpromising and

unenjoyed preparation. Sometimes texts were given him from an unlooked for quarter. "In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed, then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth instruction unto them." These are the words of Elihu. Such more than once was Mr. Lambert's experience. One instance will suffice: "Friday, Dec. 13th, 1811. Last night I went to bed rather depressed in my spirits that I could not fix on a text for the next Lord's Day. I slept and waked and still was depressed; towards morning I dreamed of some words, but was not certain whether I had them right, or how they stood connected. Upon rising this morning, after private prayer, I sought for them-found them to be just what I wanted—and have found great pleasure and enlargement while composing a sermon on them to-day. Blessed be God, if not for songs, yet for a sermon given in the night."

Like all faithful ministers, Mr. Lambert was not without discouragements and hindrances. Sometimes bodily ailments, to which through life he was much subject, unfitted him for his study and deprived him of pleasure in the pulpit. There were "silent Sabbaths," when his frequent hoarseness laid, as he says, "an embargo on his voice." Sometimes we find jottings like this: "May 13th, 1795. I have been preaching, or rather prating, this evening from Exodus xiv. 15, 'Say unto the children of Israel that they go forward.' But I was so confused and embarassed, that I wish I could retire and dwell in a wilderness, for I am unfit to preach. O that it were with me as in former times, when study was a pleasure and preaching a delight." We find some human touches in his pulpit recollections; as, "my sight fails me much and the

O what a blessing it will be

candles give a very poor light, so that I scarce could see the notes." And, on the occasion of preaching a funeral sermon, he writes" Lord's Day, April 21st, 1811. This morning I preached a funeral sermon on the death of Miss Sarah Evison, who, after a long and trying affliction, finished her course well last Monday evening. The subject was from Psalms xxxiv. 4, and well adapted to the case; but I do not remember my mind so unfit for preaching, or so unhappy in it, for a long time. I attribute it partly to fear arising from apprehending the spring which supports the teeth by which I am enabled to preach giving way, or breaking. This was a fear from which I could not obtain deliverance. to be admitted to serve God, where there will be no fear of anything giving way." He too found that Eutychus, the sleeper under Paul at Troas, has successors still: "January 28th, 1782. I met with one thing that affected me much to-day, a person mentioned my sleepy congregation. Lord, am not I the cause? However, this I can say, that I do as well as thou art pleased to help me; and without thee I can do nothing." Ministers sometimes still have troubles like the following: "August 25th, 1793. The meeting house having been under repair last Lord's Day, we had no service, and the Sabbath before I was at Burlington. Since I got home I have had much trouble about some that have been dissatisfied about a window at the chapel, one wanting it down in hot weather, and another insisting on its being up. Also, a person in the higher station in life, who wished to join the church, yet retain the fashionable amusements of cards, plays, &c. Each of them has taken such offence as to threaten no more to come to the place. My spirits have been

much cast down upon these accounts." The next extract needs no comment: "Feb. 18th, 1789. Several of the people whom I valued much are gone over to the Baptists. They certainly have not used me kindly. But even the curses of a Shimei are not without a divine permission. However, I am happy to find that my concern does not arise only from their leaving the church with which I am connected, but from the fear that they are laying an undue stress upon that which cannot profit them, and, like the Galatian converts, departing from Christ. We have more talk in this day of the duty of going into the water, than of believing on the Son of God." On another occasion, having spoken of some troublesome members, he says, "Perhaps I have had as few trials as most of Christ's ministers in these respects; and never was there any one less able to bear them."

The pulpit was "his joy and throne." For it he laboured; there were passed his happiest hours. When he entered the ranks of authorship it was to publish sermons that he had preached. Two volumes of his sermons were published. The first volume was undertaken by the persuasion, and under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. King, Vicar of Low Church, a most amiable and pious man, who, before the second volume was contemplated, had passed to his rest. Though bringing to Mr. Lambert no pecuniary advantage, these volum esulted in much and far-diffused good. They were carried in some cases, as he records, to foreign lands; and from various parts of this country he had gratifying news of the benefit resultant from their perusal. Sometimes this came to cheer him by unexpected channels.

Thus he writes:

"Nov. 15th, 1786. Mrs. Hide, who is chosen mistress to one