CHAPTER XII.
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r. Stone’s account of his visit to Kentucky—Finds much to approve-—Some things to disapprove—Advice to a young preacher—His last ,preaching tour in Missouri—Last public discourse—Death. + »“ Upon returning home, he thus writes in referencehis tour, in the September number of the Messenger for1843. ‘The senior editor, B. W. Stone, has just re-turned to his post, after an absence of several monthsin Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. His health is creatlyimproved. He designs to continue in the faithful dis-charge of his editorial labors in the future. He wasgreatly pleased to meet with many of his old Christian _brethren; some like himself, pressed down with the ,weight of years, and attendant infirmities, and standingon the eve of time, soon to hear the summons, ‘Comeup hither.’ He is happy to state, that bigotry andparty spirit, are fast receding and dying in the hearts ofChristians of all denominations. In their brotherly em-braces I was cordially received as a brother, and ascordially did we unite in worship without one hardspeech, act, or thought. O, that this temper and con-duct might universally prevail among Christians! Itwould be a blessing indeed to themselves, and to man-kind—it would recommend religion to the acceptanceof the world, and hurl the soul-destroying monster, sin,from his long usurped throne in the human heart. Godand his truth would be glorified, heaven would descendon earth, and shame infidelity and scepticism, andsmile them from existence. What but bigotry andparty spirit prevent these glorious events.” So deeply impressed was the mind of this holy manwith the thought that union is of the essence of Chris-tianity, that the great end of our Saviour’s mission toearth was and is to unite us to God, and to one another,that he hailed with enthusiastic joy the least indications ®of a growing spirit of forbearance and brotherly loveamong the different denominations. For in the univer- ae ee en ee ee eee ee
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