OF THE

REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH, //

LATE RECTOR OF WATTON, HERTS.

BY

THE REV. T. R. BIRKS, M.A.,

RECTOR OF KELSHALL, HERTS.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION

BY

STEPHEN H. TYNG, D.D.

VOL. I.,

NEW YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,

No. 82 CLIFF ST.

1851.

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

FROM

THE BEQUEST OF

EVERT JANSEN WENDELL

1918

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

CHAPTER I.

A.D. 1786-1804,

CHILDHOOD AND EARLY YOUTH, 1–14.

CHAPTER II.

A.D. 1805, 1806.

ENTERING THE LEGAL PROFESSION, 15-24.

CHAPTER III.

A.D. 1807, 1808.

TIME SPENT IN MR. BLEASDALE'S OFFICE, 25-50.

Diligence in Studying the Law, 25.-New Home, 27.-Plan of Life (Aug.

1807), 28.-Self-Examination, 29.-Self-Dedication, 31.-Spiritual De-

cline, 33.-Character of True Religion, 36.-Letters Home, 37.-Com-

panions, 40.-Sabbath Reflections, 41.-Joy in Religion, 46.-Letters to

his Brother, 47–50.

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1808, 1809.

REMOVAL TO NEW INN, 51-88.

Diligence in the Office, 51.-Removal, 53.-Journal, 53-56.-Scripture

Principles, 57-69.-Letter on Worldly Amusements, 70-74.-On Re-

ligious Cheerfulness, 75.-Visit to Kirkby, 76.-Spiritual Difficulties, 79–81.

-Easter Meditation, 82.-Tenderness of Conscience, 83.-Acquaintance

with Mr. Bignold, 85.-Teaching Children, 87.-Church of England and

Dissent, 88.

CHAPTER V.

A.D. 1809, 1810.

DESIRE FOR THE MINISTRY, 89-114.

Season of Decline, 89.-Confession, 90.-Revival, 92.—Journal, 93–98.—

Desire for the Ministry, 99.-Letter to his Brother, 100.-Paper of Re-

flections, 101-110.-Reply to his Brother's Letter, 110-112.-Patient

Waiting, 113, 114.

CHAPTER VI.

A.D. 1810.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE, 115-148.

Letter on Christian Example, 116.-Bible Politics, 117.-Prayer, 118.—

London Riots, 120.-Christian Paradoxes, 121.-The Law and the Gos-

pel, 122.-Worldly Care, 125.-Death-bed Repentance, 126.-Joy of Re-

ligion, 127.-Christian Faithfulness, 128-130.-Letter from his Brother,

131.-Reply on Worldly Honor, 133.-On Communion with Dissenters, 136.

-On Distractions, 138-140. - Difficulties and Crosses, 141-143.-On

Christian Preaching, 145.-Spitalfields Society, 146.-Eloquence and

Prayer, 147.

CHAPTER VII.

A.D. 1810, 1811.

DIFFICULTIES AND THEIR REMOVAL, 149-170.

Letter on Enthusiasm, 150.-Apology, 154.-Bible Reading and Visits to

the Poor, 157.-Pressure of Work, 159.-Aged Christian, 160.-Journal,

Missionary Zeal, 161-164.-Letter on Missions, 165.-On the Use of the

Means of Grace, 168–170.

CHAPTER VIII.

A.D. 1811, 1812.

MARRIAGE AND REMOVAL TO NORWICH, 171-186.

Letter and Journal, 171.-Marriage, 173.-Letters before Marriage, 173-

180.-Christian Delicacy, 181.-Parting from London, 184.-Visit to

Home, 185.