[The Annals of the Poor by Legh Richmond]@TWC D-Link bookThe Annals of the Poor PART IV 10/17
I trust you are no stranger to his divine teaching, aid, and assistance, in all you set your hand to do for the glory of God. "I hope, sir, the sincerity of my wishes for your spiritual welfare will plead an excuse for the freedom of my address to you.
I pray the Giver of every perfect gift, that you may experience the mighty workings of his gracious Spirit in your heart and your ministry, and rest your all on the justifying and purifying blood of an expired Redeemer.
Then will you triumph in his strength, and be enabled to say with the poet,-- 'Shall I, through fear of feeble man, The Spirit's course strive to restrain; Or, undismayed in deed and word, Be a true witness for my Lord? Awed by a mortal's frown shall I Conceal the word of God most high? How then before thee shall I dare To stand, or how thine anger bear? Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng, Soften thy truths and smooth my tongue, To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee The cross endured, my God, by thee? What then is he whose scorn I dread. Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid? A man? an heir of death? a slave To sin? a bubble on the wave? Yea, let men rage, since thou wilt spread Thy shadowing wings around my head: Since in all pain thy tender love Will still my sure refreshment prove. Still shall the love of Christ restrain To seek the wand'ring souls of men, With cries, entreaties, tears to save, And snatch them from the yawning grave. For this let men revile my name,-- No cross I shun, I fear no shame: All hail reproach, and welcome pain; Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.' "I trust, sir, that you see what a glorious high calling yours is, and that you are one of those who walk humbly with God, that you may be taught of him in all things.
Persons in your place are messengers of the most high God.
Is it too much to say, they should live like the angels in all holiness, and be filled with love and zeal for men's souls? They are ambassadors, in Christ's stead, to persuade sinners to be reconciled to God.
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