MINISTRY AT STAND. [Chap. III. 



consequence of a prize fight at Radcliffe, though I did not 

 allude especially to it). I tried to be perfectly simple and 

 calm, like Mr. Barker • but I am not prepared for it yet, 

 till I have more disciplined my mind, and I must allow myself 

 more animation, etc., at present." In the evening, there was 

 a large meeting of teachers; after tea, he read to them the 

 Lenox Address on the Anniversary of Emancipation in the 

 West Indies — the last publication of Dr. Channing, who died 

 October 2, 1842. 



Long extracts have been made from this letter, because 

 the meetings he records had a great effect on his subsequent 

 life. His family afterwards feared that he was too much 

 influenced by Mr. Barker ; but, though his personal influence 

 was no doubt great, what moved Philip most was the intense 

 faith in great principles, which approved itself to his heart. 

 This faith Mr. Barker afterwards relinquished, but Philip 

 remained steadfast to it. 



A fortnight later, he sent me a precious u birthday gift in 

 the form of a long letter." It bears signs of the enthusiasm he 

 had been feeling ; but, as it contains the germ of those views 

 of human nature which he subsequently maintained, it seems 

 right, as a revelation of his character, to transcribe much that 

 would else be still treasured in sacred privacy. It may be mis- 

 understood by those who are accustomed only to judge the 

 outward life, but it will not seem strange to those who are 

 familiar with religious biography. Christ said, "Why callest 

 thou me good ? there is none good but one, that is, God." And 

 the nearer the soul approaches to God, the more conscious 

 it may be of its want of goodness. After referring to his 

 change of home, he says : — 



" I feel more and more the want of self-government, and 

 the evils of living alone, as we did at college, with tendencies 

 to study our own comfort. It will be a long time before I get 

 over the evil thus done me. . . . Life is certainly a great 

 school ; but I am one who am fond of discipline, and I find 

 it a very pleasant one. Three years ago, I never dreamt that 

 * could have such happiness. When I look back on the 



