CHAPTER V. -0 EARLY MINISTRY IN LONDON. ND now we must accompany Mr. MADGE to London, and see him standing in the place which had been occupied by the three excellent and uncompromising men who went before him, and carrying on their work with a kindred fidelity. Following such men, he was well aware that it would be no easy thing to answer the demand that would be made upon him. But he soon proved that he was not unequal to the duty, weighty as it was, which he had undertaken. Mr. BELSHAM'S strength rapidly declined, and he seldom officiated, after Mr. MADGE'S appointment; so that the entire responsibility of the services at Essex Street Chapel soon fell upon him. It was one which he was peculiarly fitted to sustain with honour to himself, and with satisfaction to others. His distinguished predecessors were necessarily much employed, as Religious Reformers, in attacking error. It was for him, he saw, to dwell chiefly on the positive aspects of the Unitarian faith, and to build up and unfold divine truth. As scholars and theologians, they were superior to him; but he had more popular talent,-more imagination, and greater power of moving the affections. His clear, sweet voice, distinct enunciation, and calmness and refinement of manner, gave a peculiar charm to his services, and admirably qualified him to minister to thoughtful and cultivated hearers. There were difficulties in his new position, but they were entirely surmounted; and he had the pleasure of preaching to one of the most remarkable and influential Dissenting congregations in the metropolis. Nor was he alone in his popularity. There were others in the Unitarian Churches of London, at that time, who were much admired in the pulpit. The Rev. ROBERT ASPLAND, of Hackney, was deservedly esteemed a great preacher, and he possessed an amount of influence which does not fall to the lot of many ministers. The Rev. W. J. Fox, too, was then at Finsbury Chapel, and attracting large numbers of persons by the splendour of his oratory. But Mr. MADGE maintained and increased the repute which he brought with him to Essex Street; and it was not diminished even at the end of his ministry. Around him, from week to week, might be seen men from the learned professions, from both Houses of Parliament, from the walks of literature, from the magistracy of the City, from the busy marts of commerce, and also devout, earnest, and accomplished women, not a few ;-and all found their spiritual wants met, and their religious faith expanded and confirmed. When Mr. MADGE became the minister of Essex Street Chapel, it was an exciting period of English politics; but he took no part in political discussions. It is probable that he had found his active interference in such matters at Norwich a hindrance to his more special calling, and that he resolved, on going to London, to confine himself entirely to his pulpit and pastoral work, which was more than sufficient to engage his time and attention. "Recollecting," said Sir SAMUEL ROMILLY, "what passes at popular meetings, I cannot but think that those who often attend them generally lose by such attendance much of the weight and dignity which may have belonged |