ready to devour. In the distress of his soul how many times has he exclaimed, "O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me." He often felt the sweetness, power, and preciousness of the Word, and with the psalmist could say, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

In providence he saw the Lord's hand go before him, in spreading a table for him in this vale of tears. The exuberance of God's goodness to him was wont to cause tears of joy to flow down his cheeks.

The comfortings, the renewings, refreshings, and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit he knew something of. The truth in his heart was as a springing well. He drank "waters out of his own cistern, and running waters out of his own well;" which he dispersed abroad, as many of the Lord's thirsty ones that drank of the waters of life out of the good treasure of his heart can testify, to the glory of the grace of God.

When in the providence of God he first came among you at Boar's Isle, your cause was very low, as I have been informed. In that low state you no doubt often thought, By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. (Amos vii. 2.) Often your eyes and prayers had been lifted up to God; and that not in vain. Your cry was heard, and the Lord sent our brother Vinden to you "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." The word he was enabled to proclaim among you you received through him, as it were the word of God, being fastened in your hearts by "the masters of assemblies." Under his instrumentality the church and congregation increased, both in numbers and in union of heart and soul to each other; so that "the word of God grew and multiplied." The Lord opened a door before you, which stirred up the enmity of some, so that they set themselves as adversaries against you. But the Lord was with you, prospering, comforting, and blessing your souls under the word, to the confusion of your enemies. With wonder and humbleness of mind you saw many round about gathering themselves together, being drawn by the sound of the everlasting gospel. They both heard and knew the joyful sound. Our brother came to you, not with an uncertain sound. The word that he preached among you was not Yea and Nay; but Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus, unto the glory of God. He knew that the gospel which was preached of him was not after man. He received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He had an internal discovery of the truth that Jesus Christ was God's salvation unto all the ends of the earth (Acts xiii. 47); also of his interest in him as such. Christ was formed in him. His Spirit was put within him. The grace of God was implanted in his heart. He spoke out those things he felt in his heart, and which God commended to the hearts of his hearers. This caused a shaking among the dry bones. The breath of the Lord breathed in the ministry of Mr. Vinden life, light, peace, comfort, and consolation. He lifted up the Root of Jesse as an ensign of the people. (Isa. xi. 10.)

Many sought unto it, so that there was no room for them. The tabernacle was much too small to receive the doves that came as a cloud (Isa. lx. 8) to pick up some of the corn of heaven. (Ps. lxxviii. 24.)

The pillar of divine providence went before you in this matter also, and at the right time God provided a most eligible piece of land, on which, by the good hand of God towards you, a chapel has been raised, that the truth and ordinances of God according to the New Testament may be continued therein. Now stand here and look about; for you cannot fail to see that the Lord was on your side, and has done great things for you, whereof you were glad. (Ps. cxxvi. 3.)

Well do I remember the opening of the chapel. There was first a prayer-meeting; and a soul-melting one it was. The Holy Ghost, in his powerful operations, was with each of the brethren, as they poured out their souls before him, warming and enlightening the hearts of those present. By this I felt persuaded God had chosen the place, and sanctified it by his presence, and appointed that his Name from henceforth should be recorded therein. Then follows a sweet promise: "I will come unto thee, and bless thee." (Ex. xx. 24.)

After the prayer-meeting, the first public worship of God commenced. Our friend and brother Taylor, of Manchester, preached a discourse from the words, "Walk about Zion, and go round about her; tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following." (Ps. xlviii. 12, 18.) That day will be long remembered by some, for it was a good day. What an honour! You saw, and that beyond a doubt, the blessing of the Lord upon your labours of love. Peace and prosperity was in your midst.

Your late pastor went in and out before you for several years under this sun of prosperity. But ah! how very soon the Lord drops the sable curtain of adversity upon all our pleasant pictures! (Isa. ii. 16.) The day of prosperity continued long with you, in which you rejoiced. The day of adversity was sure to follow. God hath set the one over against the other. (Eccles. vii. 14.) He sowed unto you spiritual things, and he reaped your carnal things. (1 Cor. ix. 11.) Many years he travelled from his home, Reading, to Boar's Isle, which was a long journey. This he continued to do, going to and fro, winter and summer. You all thought it desirable he should be near to you, and more so as he advanced in life. With a view for his future welfare, you assisted him to the utmost of your power to build himself a habitation. You saw the foundation laid, the building raised up, and your minister take up his abode therein, much to your satisfaction. Both you and he may have looked forward to years of comfort, which you fondly hoped he would spend with you, as your minister and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. But such was not the will of God. The house and his ministry were finished almost at one and the same time. This appeared a dark step in

providence. After all your anxieties and prayers to have him settled in a comfortable habitation only a short walk from the chapel, to your grief he was by the afflicting hand of God confined in that house which you his friends and supporters did hope would be a comfort to him even to old age.

In pondering over the Lord's ways, and his dealings with us, how often do we forget that whatever comes upon us is all according to the Lord's purpose. "I will work," says God, "and who shall let it?" (Isa. xliii. 13.) It is trying and painful to flesh and blood for all our contrivances, good motives, and everything we have done, so far as we were capable of judging, for the good and prosperity of Zion, to be dashed at one stroke all to pieces-at least to all appearance. Thus it appeared to you and your friends, when, week after week and month after month, your much-loved pastor was suffering on his couch, gradually wasting away, under the afflicting hand of God. It came upon you so suddenly, and was so unlooked-for, and to the astonishment of you all. My friends, we know not what a day may bring forth. (Prov. xxviii. 1.)

No prayers, no tears, no entreaties could prevail with God to spare him to you a little longer. His work was done. Therefore it pleased the Lord to take his servant home to himself. As for myself, I felt thankful when I heard of his death; for in a moment he was absent from the body, present with the Lord.

At his interment the tears of affection flowed freely from the eyes of his sorrowing friends. Not that they sorrowed for him. They knew he was happy; but for themselves, at the loss of the man by whom God had often refreshed their souls; but now he was gone, they would never hear his voice again. Then, in a sort of half-despairing feeling, this question was asked: "Oh! What will become of the cause?" But shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? He does all things that are just and equitable in providence; and there is no unrighteousness in him, nor in any of his ways and works.

The Lord bless you all with a sweet submission unto his sovereign will, and in his good pleasure, if it is his will, send you a pastor after his own heart. The Lord keep you together in peace, love, and union. "In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

It is some years since I first became acquainted with Mr. Vinden. In the providence of God, I went to Reading for a week evening. That evening I spoke from the words: "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole." (Matt. ix. 22.) That discourse was made a blessing to his soul. The word entered into his heart with power, light, and life. After the service we met at some friend's house, and spent the remainder of the evening very comfortably together. The next morning we travelled to London together; and as we had the carriage to

ourselves, on the way he told me somewhat of his experience; for his mouth and heart both seemed opened. He began at the beginning, where God first began with him, and went on step by step. It was a blessed testimony. From that moment a union of soul sprang up in me towards him. My heart was knit to him. That union God never permitted to abate. We were of one heart and soul. I have preached with him, travelled with him, and ever found him a faithful, affectionate friend and brother in the truth. He has for years, now and then, supplied my pulpit, with acceptance to my people.

I conclude with Christian love to you and the church. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Yours affectionately in the truth,

Southall, Nov. 18th, 1879.

JOHN WARBURTON.

GRACE REIGNS.

A BRIEF AND FRAGMENTARY MEMOIR OF

THE LATE MR. CLOUGH, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE VERY SUDDENLY ON MAY 26TH, 1879, aged 62.

(Concluded from p. 139.)

To these particulars of the late Mr. Clough's earlier days of profession we now add two accounts, both furnished by Mr. D. Smith. They were derived from the subject of this memoir himself in private conversations, and are so remarkable and interesting, especially the second, and bring the man of God himself so vividly before us, both as an original character, and as one under the powerful teachings and leadings of the Lord, that we believe our readers will join with us in regretting that we are not able to furnish them with fuller details of this good man's career, and more anecdotes of a similar character.

Mr. Clough, in one of our conversations, informed me that he was out one day in a nobleman's park in the North of England, where he could read his Bible quietly, away from the busy crowd. This was soon after the Lord had called him by his grace, and when he was preparing him for the ministry. He often resorted to that park. On this occasion he had been lifted up a little above measure, so much so that he rose from his seat and walked about the park, and went home without his Bible, having left it near the place where he had been sitting to read it. When he got home, he discovered his loss, and went back to the park in search of it. When he got there the nobleman, the owner of the park, was walking about, and noticing Mr. Clough crossing the park, went after him, and asked him what his business was there. Mr. Clough replied, "Sir, I came into this park this morning to read my Father's will over; and I was so elated to find that there was a mansion and a goodly inheritance left for me, that I went home and forgot to take the will back with me. And now I have come again to find it; but I do not re

member exactly where I laid it." The nobleman said, "I will go with you and help you to find it; for it is an important document." They both walked together amongst the trees until they found the little pocket Bible Mr. Clough had left. Mr. Clough took it up, and said, "Here it is, Sir." The nobleman said, "Why, that is no will; that is the Bible." "Yes," said Mr. Clough; "and it contains my Father's will, and points out my inheritance." And he referred to the two following portions, and read them to the nobleman: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (Jno. xiv. 2.) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Pet. i. 3, 4.) The nobleman looked at Mr. Clough with astonishment, and thought he was half crazy.

Just at that moment the parkranger or gamekeeper stepped up, and said to his lordship, "I hope you will give that man positive instructions to keep out of this place; for he is here almost every day, and takes no notice of what I say to him." The nobleman said, "You may allow him to come whenever he is disposed; for he will do no harm here." And from that time Mr. Clough had free access to the park, whenever he pleased to go into it.

I remember Mr. Clough telling me some years ago of his hav ing to go and preach at some place down in the North. The distance from his home was about 15 miles. He had only three halfpence in his pocket, and therefore had to walk all the way. After he had left home a snowstorm set in; and by the time he had got about seven miles on the road the evening shades drew on, and the storm was so heavy that it was impossible to get through without being lost in the snow. He therefore made for a farm-house near some village that lay before him. He went into the house, and asked for shelter until the storm abated. The good woman of the house, the farmer's wife, said, "Yes; come in and sit down." He did so; and after being seated a short time felt faint, and asked the woman if she would sell him a pennyworth of milk. She said, "With pleasure," and brought it to him in a basin. He then asked her if she would also sell him a half-pennyworth of bread. This was all that remained of his travelling money for the entire journey; but he was to retain so much for the next day, as the good woman said, "I will give you a piece of bread, and you may keep your half-penny in your pocket."

"For when the Lord's people have need,
His goodness will find out a way."

When Mr. C. had got his milk and his bread together, he asked the Lord to bless it to the strengthening of his poor body; and