“The eternal, ever-blessed God, that at first created
all things by His almighty power, and that does what-
ever pleases Him, as well among the inhabitants of
earth as in the armies of heaven, you know is the only
Disposer of events; and, therefore, I would by all means
persuade you solemnly to set apart some portion of time
(on the Sabbath if you can) to beg His more especial
direction and assistance upon a business on which a
great part of your future prosperity may depend. I
would have you, in the first place, humbly to acknowledge and bewail all the errors of your past life, as
far as you can remember them; and for those that
have escaped your memory pray, as David did, that
God would cleanse you from your secret faults.
“Then proceed to praise Him for all the mercies which you can remember you have received from His divine goodness; and then go to His favour in this great affair, and do all this in the name and through the mediation of the blessed Jesus.
"Sammy, do not deceive yourself. Man is not to be depended on; God is all in all. Those whom He blesses shall be blessed indeed. When you have done this, entirely resign yourself and all your fortunes to the Almighty God; nor be too careful about your being elected, nor troubled if disappointed.
“If you can possibly, set apart the hours of Sunday, in the afternoon, from our to six, for this employment, which time I have also determined to the same work. May that Infinite Being, whose we are, and whom I hope we endeavour to serve and love, accept and bless us.
The lad was finally elected, and in some sort entered
