4. " From this root of humility sprung such patience
as I wish I could either describe or imitate. It produced
in him a mind most ready to embrace every cross with
alacrity and pleasure. For the good of his neighbour,
nothing seemed hard, nothing wearisome. Sometimes
I have been grieved to call him out of his study two or
three times in an hour : especially when he was engaged
in composing some of his most important works. But
he would answer with his usual sweetness, ' O my dear,
never mind that. It matters not, if we are but ready to
meet the will of God. It is conformity to the will of God
that alone makes an employment excellent.' He never
thought any thing too mean, but sin ; he looked on
nothing else as beneath his character. If he overtook a
poor man or woman on .the road, with a burden too heavy
for them, he did not fail to offer his assistance to bear
part of it. And he would not easily take a denial. This
proof indeed of condescension and kindness he has fre-
quently given.
'■' In bearing pain he was most exemplary, and con-
tinued to be more and more so to the last. Nor was his
descending to the capacities of the ignorant the least
remarkable or least humbling part of his ministry. And
he had a most resolute courage in reproving of sin. To
daring sinners, it is well known, he was a son of thun-
der ! and no worldly considerations were regarded when-
ever he believed God had given him a message to deliver
to any of them.
