Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ...in those papers, yet it is now published by itself. I consider it a favour in holy Providence by which I am made acquainted with Mrs. C. and her large circle of religious acquaintances, and, to some extent, with the state of religion and affairs of the church at that time." CHAPTER VII. It is well known throughout the bounds of the Associate church, that for many years the Presbytery of Cambridge was afflicted by internal dissensions connected with matters of discipline. Mr. Gordon, who was always an active member and took a decided part, may sometimes have erred in expressing his sentiments with undue warmth, or in not bearing with sufficient patience the opposition of those he believed to be unreasonable or wicked men. Yet in looking over his letters written during this period, in very many of which allusions are made to the troubles in Presbytery, no word of bitterness or railing escapes him. I mean by this that though he called things by what he thought to be their right names, yet he never spoke of any with whom he could not agree, without grieving that it was so; and seemed more ready to ask why God had permitted these trials to come on the church and on himself, than to indulge in a railing on censorious spirit. In a letter alluding to this subject he says, "1 have been sometimes endeavouring to solve this question, Why is it that He who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will has seen good to lay it on me to have to do, and so long to do with such a man? I take it for granted that it was righteous, and that it has been in mercy and love. The infinitely wise love and mercy of God sees it to be needful, oftentimes, to administer very bitter and powerful medicine, in order to effect a sound cure....