1842.] 



JOSEPH BARKER. 



49 



occasion to the attribute of mercy (quite a Unitarian view), 

 when we were obliged to go. Really, it is delightful to see 

 such a spirit spreading. What a contrast to the Bible meeting 

 on Monday ! 



" The Peace meeting was most delightful. I had never seen 

 (I think) Christian principles carried out so literally. Barker 

 has a perfect faith in the practicability of all Christ's precepts, 

 even amid a crooked generation ; and he has a perfect faith that 

 God protects those who thus give themselves up to them. He 

 detailed some most interesting facts. It seemed to give me a 

 new faith in Christianity, and I cheerfully enrolled myself with 

 the other ministers as a society to spread these principles. 

 After the meeting, the people asked questions, which he 

 answered most satisfactorily ; and it was announced that Mr. 

 Barker would administer the Lord's Supper next evening, to 

 any Christians who chose to attend. Did you ever hear such 

 an announcement before, except from a Unitarian ? I was 

 greatly fired to go." He walked home, but returned the next 

 day. 



"Saturday evening was the crowning mercy of the week. 

 I never felt so great an exemplification of primitive Christianity, 

 love, and simplicity/' Different ministers, beside J. Barker, took 

 part. Philip could not recall what he had himself said — his 

 "heart was too full;" and Mr. Howorth spoke "so simply 

 and beautifully. One of the people then offered a prayer, 

 and then Mr. Barker prayed. After the meeting we all 

 greeted one another with a holy shake of the hand.* I 

 thought and said, How my father rejoiced in hope to see 

 this day ! We went back to Mr. H.'s, and stayed talking and 

 singing hymns, so that I could not get home till twelve. Oh, 

 what seasons of refreshment these are from the presence of the 

 Lord ! How holy is the communion of saints ! What a new 

 impulse it gives to the discharge of duty from a spirit of love ! 

 In the morning I preached your sermon, ' Behold, how good 

 and pleasant a thing it is,' etc. In the afternoon I preached 

 extempore : ' 1 bring my body into subjection,' etc. (partly in 



* Compare 2 Cor. xiii. 12, etc. 



E 



