Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/166

156 meeting." I should be very much surprised, if I did, sir. "And I suppose, you think you are called of God, to go to Newport?" I think it is not unlikely, sir. "I believe, you will find yourself mistaken." It is possible. "Suppose you should find no place to preach in, what would you do then?" Devote myself to private conversation. "But, suppose you could find no one to converse with?" Then I would turn about, and come back again. "But what would you think of your faith?" Call it fancy. But at present, I think I shall preach the gospel in Newport; and, although I am an utter stranger, knowing no one, nor known by any one; yet I expect, before I leave the place, to have many friends. "Ay, these are fine fancies, fine fancies indeed." Had you not better suspend your decision, until you witness the result? will it not then be full time to determine, whether it be faith, or fancy? "If it should not be, as I predict, I should not be ashamed to own my error; if it should, you ought to blush for your unwarrantable confidence. But, as it is not impossible, you may preach in that city, and that some of my people may be among the number of your hearers, I think I have a right to question you." If God will give me leave to preach to his people, I am content. "What do you mean by that, sir?" Your observation brought to my mind, what, on a certain occasion, a very distinguished servant of God said to his master, when he was told to go down and see what his people were doing. O lord, they are not my people, they are thy people. However, Moses was not settled on your plan. "Well, sir, I look upon my people to be God's people." You are perfectly right, sir, so indeed they are; and if I speak to them at all, I shall speak to them, in that character. "Well, sir, as you call yourself a preacher of the gospel, and may, as I have said, preach to my people; it is proper I should know what ideas you have of gospel. Tell me, sir, what is gospel?" I am happy in being able to give you a direct answer. The gospel, sir, is a solemn declaration, given upon the oath of Jehovah, that, in the Seed of Abraham, all the nations of the earth should be blessed. "Is that all you know of gospel?" Would it not, my good sir, require a very long time to inform mankind, who, and what, that Seed is; how, and in what manner all the nations of the earth are, and shall be blessed therein; and what blessings they are blessed with, in Christ Jesus? The apostle Paul, although he laboured more abundantly, than his brethren, found this vast, this important subject, abundantly sufficient for his whole life; and those, who are blessed in that Seed, will find the contemplation of that blessedness, which they shall be blessed with, in Him, sufficient to