As a child, he was distinguished by firmness, an obstinate independence of spirit, and strong resistance of controul; qualities which modified and sanctified, were prominent features in his matured character. He possessed strong affections, and his disposition was peculiarly sociable; he delighted in obtaining new friends wherever he could find them. In learning he was remarkably slow, and it was long before he was able to read with any propriety, or to spell very common words without the most egregious inaccuracy.

At the age of 11, he was placed at school under the care of Dr. Thomas May, of Enfield, where he enjoyed the advantages of a solid education for several years. During this time, the retiring modesty of his disposition, and a singular susceptibility of feeling, disqualified him for entering with spirit into the boisterous sports of his companions, and led him to prefer solitary amusements, in cultivating his garden, where, there is reason to believe, his mind was much occupied with serious thought. He has frequently mentioned with gratitude the admonition of a friend who visited him at school, as having suggested some very solemn reflections.

In the account he gave at his ordination of the beginning and progress of that change of heart, which terminated in a life so eminently consecrated, he thus described the state of his mind from this time: "The taste of a companion for poetry, led me to peruse the writings of the celebrated Cowper. On leaving school, The Task' was constantly in my hand; large portions of it were committed to memory; and to share the joys, and possess the hopes of the man who could 'lift to Heaven an unpresumptuous eye, and smiling say,

My Father made them all,' became a ruling passion in my breast. At the age of sixteen, secreted in the bosom of my family, serious impressions deepened; I remember no particular sermon, nor any extraordinary event; a regular attendance on the means of grace in this place of worship, (Dr. Smith's, Hackney,) the society of beloved friends, and the reading of select authors, produced this effect. Opportunities for retirement were sought after, the actions of the day were scrutinized, and reading the Scriptures and prayer attended to as duties. Yet great ignorance on the most important topics of religion brooded over my mind. Sin was not viewed in its heinousness, in its influence upon the heart, and in its dreadful consequences. The Saviour was not prized-yea, must I not confess, that whilst familiar in theory with his gospel, and hearing his name preached from Sabbath to Sabbath, as the only ground of a sinner's hope, was unknown by me; and it was the approbation of men, rather than the approbation of God, which I sought. Spiritual pride and self-righteousness, gained fearful ascendancy in my mind. The language of the Phari'I thank thee that I am not as others,' and the conduct of the Jews, who went about to establish their own righteousness, but too truly depicted my own. character. With shame and confusion of face would I confess my sins-my sins against conscience and the law, against light and the Gospel; that what I then called repentance was only mortified pride; that knowledge was mistaken for faith; excited feeling for love; and external acts for obedience. How true it is the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are spiritually discerned.' In the

see,

most favorable of all circumstances, amid all the means of improvement, under the very sound of the Gospel, and in the Sanctuary, did I reject the only foundation of hope, expose myself unsheltered to divine indignation, and commit the heinous offence of despising a proffered Saviour."

His studious habits, the seriousness of his deportment, and especially his kind disposition and amiable manners, rendered him an object of respect and affection during his two years' residence at home. Many difficulties occurred in deciding upon an occupation for life; he had no particular predilection, and nothing eligible offered to fix his choice. About this time, the privations of the Rev. C. Malan, of Geneva, had excited peculiar interest and sympathy in the minds of English Christians, by whom he was encouraged in his plan of receiving into his family and superintending the education of young men, an office for which his transcendant talents and high attainments eminently qualified him. In the summer of 1821, Messrs. Guers and Gonthier came from Geneva, to obtain ordination from the Congregational Ministers in London, which had been denied them on account of their evangelical sentiments by the pastors of Geneva. It was suggested, and resolved that John should be placed under the care of Mr. Malan, to pursue a variety of studies, the better to qualify him for the selection of a profession, and subsequent proficiency in it. The return of Messrs. Guers and Gonthier afforded a favorable opportunity of travelling in company: the arrangements were soon completed, and he left London August 1st, 1821, with the Rev. H. Pyt, to join the party at Paris. His first letter from Paris, addressed

to his mother, described the circumstances of his journey, and his observations upon the variety of objects which had attracted his attention. The second, dated Pré l' Evêque, Geneva, August 22nd, 1821, written at various times, contains an interesting account of his route to Geneva, and his first impressions on arriving.

68

" DEAR MOTHER,

Being now seated in my little room in the midst of Mr. Malan's garden, and being refreshed after my long journey, by a comfortable night's rest, and a most delightful walk this morning beside the lake, I take up my pen to give you some little account of my journey, and of my pleasant situation with Mr. Malan. I left Paris on Sunday afternoon, and arrived at Geneva on Thursday evening, after a prosperous journey. I was not a little fatigued, having slept but one night upon the road. We reached the Brenta Mountains on Wednesday. The ascent is by a winding road, cut into the solid rock. When we had proceeded two or three miles, we came to one of the most lovely scenes I could have conceived; a beautiful valley, watered by a meandering brook, swelled by the preceding day's rain, lofty mountains on both sides, one side covered with green, diversified with different coloured rocks, the other side more bare toward the heights, through which the road was cut. The view in the front was bounded by a lofty mountain, covered with verdure, with two little foaming rivulets as white as snow, gushing out near the summit, and trickling down its side. Behind, the scene was almost unbounded; a vast extent of flat country on which the setting sun shone with its parting gleam, and through the centre

of which flowed a large river, appearing at intervals. The same night, we had a view by moonlight, which I shall not attempt to describe; it was magnificent beyond conception; the solemn stillness and serenity of the scene, tended to fill the mind with the most delightful ideas. The next day we had the first view of the Alps, covered with snow, and their summits enveloped in clouds, though it was then quite fine and clear; Mount Blanc is in the midst, towering above them all, making the rest appear comparatively small, and soon the blue lake of Geneva appeared beneath us. It is impossible for me to give you an idea of the loveliness and magnificence of this scene: I was filled with wonder and admiration. We reached Geneva at six o'clock, and soon had the pleasure of seeing dear Mr. Malan. I was struck with his appearance at first sight; he immediately brought to my mind the worthies of the primitive Church, so much he resembled the pictures I have seen of them, in the simplicity of his dress, the steadfastness and serenity of his countenance, and in the peculiarity of his hair, which is rather long behind, the forehead left bare, and on each side a few little curls. There is an inexpressible sweetness in his features and manners, such as I have noticed in no one else. He received me with the utmost cordiality, and in what I yet know of him, all my expectations concerning him, which were raised to a great height, have been abundantly answered. All he says, and all he does, evinces itself to be directed to the the one main object-religion. We never begin even the most trivial study without prayer. We rise about five, and study till seven in our rooms, then go to the chapel, where Mr. M. reads a chapter of the New