od makes his elect
willing to repent and turn to him in the day of his power. I ask, If
he is not willing that any should perish, why does he not save all? If
he wills that all should come to repentance, why does he not give
repentance to all and remission of sins? I mention these things merely
to show the contradictions and confusion involved in the doctrine of
unconditional elections.

I will here relate what I read somewhere not long ago. A very pious
African slave was employed in waiting on the guests at a public house
of entertainment. One of the guests, who was a man of some prominence
in the world, having been informed of the unaffected Christian piety
of this poor slave, thought to sport with him. Addressing him by name,
he said: "I want you to tell me whether I am one of the Lord's elect
or not." "Indeed, sir," said the poor slave, "I have never heard of
your being a candidate. If you want a place in the good Lord's service
you must go to him and tell him that you are a candidate, that you
will accept the lowest place that he is willing to give you, and that
you will do whatever he requires at your hands. If," continued he,
"you come out publicly in this way, I can then tell you what I think
as to whether you are one of the Lord's elect or not."

FRIDAY, August 5. Harvest meeting at our meetinghouse. Much good
singing, with thanksgiving and speaking suited to the occasion.

SUNDAY, August 28. Meeting at Edom, a village about six miles
northward from Harrisonburg, Virginia. I spoke from 1 Peter 3:18, 22.
The first part of this text should be handled with great caution.
Precisely what is meant is not very clear. I am told that a critical
examination of the Greek text does favor the doctrine that Christ went
from the cross to carry the news of his victorious death to the
spirits of those who perished in the flood. If it pleased the good
Lord to carry the news of salvation to this throng of prisoners and
release them from their prison, who can say aught against it? My heart
would rejoice to think that every being in the universe could and
would, sometime, in the course of the ages, be made sinless and happy.
But we should never concern ourselves about what God has not revealed.
It is our right and privilege to rejoice evermore in the free and full
salvation clearly set forth and freely offered in his Word. To the
unconverted and careless sinner, I here say to-day, as I love your
immortal soul, Do not rest your h