3. That both these accounts are just and impartial, will readily be allowed; that is, as far as they go. But they go little farther than the _outside_ of his character. They shew you the _preacher_, but not the _man_, the _Christian_, the _saint_ of God. May I be permitted to add a little on this head, from a personal knowledge of near forty years? Indeed, I am thoroughly sensible how difficult it is to speak on so delicate a subject; what prudence is required to avoid both extremes, to say neither too little, nor too much? Nay, I know it is impossible to speak to all, to say either less or more, without incurring from some the former, from others the latter censure. Some will seriously think, that too little is said; and others, that it is too much. But without attending to this, I will speak just what I know, before him to whom we are all to give an account.
4. Mention has already been made of his unparalleled _zeal_, his indefatigable _activity_, his _tender-heartedness_ to the afflicted, and _charitableness_ toward the poor. But should we not likewise mention his deep _gratitude_, to all whom God had used as instruments of good to him? Of whom he did not cease to speak in the most respectful manner, even to his dying day. Should we not mention, that he had an heart susceptible of the most generous and the most tender _friendship_? I have frequently thought, that this, of all others, was the distinguishing part of his character. How few have we known of so kind a temper, of such large and flowing affections? Was it not principally by this, that the hearts of others were so strangely drawn and knit to him? Can any thing but love beget love? This shone in his very countenance, and continually breathed in all his words, whether in public or private. Was it not this, which, quick and penetrating as lightning, flew from heart to heart? Which gave that life to his sermons, his conversations, his letters? Ye are witnesses.
5. But away with the vile misconstruction of men of corrupt minds, who know of no love but what is _earthly and sensual_. Be it remembered, at the same time, that he was endued with the most nice and unblemished _modesty_. His office called him to converse very frequently and largely, with women as well as men; and those of every age and condition. But his whole behaviour toward them, was a practical comment on that advice of St. _Paul_ to _Timothy, Intreat the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity_.
6. Mean time, how suitable to the friendliness of his spirit, was the _frankness_ and _openness_ of his conversation? Although it was far removed from rudeness on the one hand, as from guile and disguise on the other. Was not this frankness at once a fruit and a proof of his _courage_ and _intrepidity_? Armed with these, he feared not the faces of men, but _used great plainness of speech_ to persons of every rank and condition, high and low, rich and poor: endeavouring only _by manifestation of the truth_, to _commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God_.
7. Neither was he afraid of labour or pain, any more than of _what man could do unto him_, being equally
“_Patient_ in bearing ill and doing well.”
And this appeared in the _steddiness_ wherewith he pursued whatever he undertook for his Master’s sake. Witness one instance for all, the Orphan-house in _Georgia_, which he began and perfected, in spite of all discouragements. Indeed, in whatever concerned himself, he was pliant and flexible. In this case he was _easy to be intreated_, easy to be either convinced or persuaded. But he was immoveable in the things of God, or wherever his conscience was concerned. None could persuade, any more than affright him, to vary in the least point from that _integrity_, which was inseparable from his whole character, and regulated all his words and actions. Herein he did
“Stand as an iron pillar strong, And stedfast as a wall of brass.”