laboured in the hottest and most unpleasant part of his occupation, so that nothing should be left to be done on the day of God. During the whole of his youth he displayed a watchful pre-eminence in his regard to the Sabbath, and, without ceasing, endeavoured to diffuse around him the same reverence for the institutions of religion. Thus he evinced that the spirit of benevolence which the Saviour embodied was taking the lead in his own heart. But, while the duties and obligations of business were met with becoming diligence, it was clearly seen that the string most responsive to the appeal of all-engrossing labour had not been left untouched, and that his heart was fully resolved to enter upon the exhausting, responsible, but glorious office of an ambassador of Christ. When the duties of the day were finished, he was often found in the cottages of the poor, breaking unto them the bread of life, and pointing the erring feet of mortals into that path which leads to happiness and God.

About this period he was united in holy bonds with the church of Christ assembling in the New Road Chapel, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Bryson. This was a step which, in the retrospect, furnished matter for sincere gratitude and joy. He was a striking proof that decision in religion, during the period of youth, is the surest safeguard from evil, and the richest source of comfort while life continues.

After this public avowal of his love to the Saviour, it became his hourly wish and prayer that his life and energies might be all consecrated to the work of winning souls. Under the fostering care of his pastor's affection and experience, he commenced a course of study with this object directly in view. His first discourse, delivered

before the church of which he was a member, was founded upon these words:" How shall they hear without a preacher?" When this was concluded, his spiritual father immediately required him to prepare a second from the words that follow:- How shall they preach except they be sent?" Though to a spirit zealous as his this advice had for a moment a discouraging influence, yet, in after life, he frequently expressed his thankfulness that he had been thus led carefully to examine what are the prerequisites and qualifications for that holy office which so nearly connects itself with the destinies of men.

This soldier of the cross had not long buckled on his armour before the field of labour opened before him. With unwearied fidelity, though in the midst of many trials, he ministered for God at Newport, in Essex; until Providence guided his feet to that department of the Christian church where he lived, and laboured, and died. His first visit to Chisshill was paid on April 24th, 1795, and, after waiting for the finger of God to point out his way, he was set apart to the office of pastor on May 19, 1796.

On his arrival, the church, though venerable through age, had fallen into a condition of the most

alarming decline. The sanctuary was almost deserted, and the church composed of at most but three members.

Amidst these depressing circumstances, faith and hope were the anchor of his soul. At the close of the account of his ordination, he carried his immortal and now happy spirit to the Ebenezer which be so devoutly reared; and the prayer and hope with which he closed the report in the church-book are in these words: "Thus has God, for more than a century, maintained his own cause. May he long con

tinue to shine upon his people here, and, as long as time shall last, continue his candlestick and a light among them. Amen.”

He who despises not the day of small things was graciously pleased to hear his servant's prayer, and to answer it with a blessing so copious that there was not room enough to receive it. After a new erection, and several subsequent enlargements, the subject of this memoir beheld himself the honoured shepherd, amidst a united and affectionate congregation of 800 souls. In his last hours he looked back upon the way in which God had led him, and bore this rare but honourable testimony respecting his bereaved flock :- "I was never, during the period of nearly forty years, for a single hour made uneasy by my church." This his mourning family desire to write as in letters of brass, and to lay it in the rock as a memorial of them before the Lord for ever and evermore. Oh, that every minister had such a church, and every church such a minister!

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The course of ministerial exertion, which was commenced in a spirit of devotion, was carried on with increasing vigour, until bodily maladies began to exert over mental energies a damping and impairing influence. Still, however, this beloved individual exhibited beautiful instance that a celestial inhabitant may tenant a frail tabernacle, which the wind has shaken, and the storm made to tremble. His heart was ever in his work; and, the moment disease had a little subsided, every particle of strength was laid on that altar where both the gift and the giver are sanctified. A cloud of witnesses remain who well know that the motto which influenced him, both in the study and the pulpit, was this:-" I seek not yours, but you." On several occasions, when his countenance resembled the pale hue of death,

he would be carried toward the table of communion, that he might once more preside at the feast of love. The last time that this privilege was granted, the flock of Christ will never forget how his spirit appeared to heave with intensity of holy joy, and how the fire of celestial rapture once more beamed in those eyes which are now so tranquilly closed in death. All perceived, while with a faltering voice he spoke of glory to come, that, though his body was perishing, his inner man was renewed day by day, and that not the very chill of death could damp his ardour in the cause of God.

Naturally irritable, and keenly susceptible of feeling while in health, when the ravages of his last sickness commenced, it appeared that his soul was visited by a power which produced a perfect tranquillity, and so soothed his mind that not a wave of trouble was suffered to roll across his peaceful breast. Every pain arrived and was welcomed without a complaining thought. He was the image of peace and quiet, like that of the summer's eve, which left nothing to ruffle or agitate the calm surface of his mind.

By those best acquainted with his peculiar cast of character, and reserve of disposition, it will not be expected that those ecstacies which others have enjoyed, should remain to be recorded as characterising his exit from the land of pilgrimage. Indeed, it was with marked reluctance that he received accounts of this nature respecting others. He considered the placid resignation of a soul matured for heaven as far more becoming that chamber where the good man meets his fate. Nor was it necessary that in his case such a testimony should be given. His people knew his heart, for his sermons were his experience, and the pulpit one of his

of the Spirit of grace and supplication, all things in the church are found to revive.

One word more, and I have done: let those who take the lead in our prayermeetings study those qualities which are fitted to make them attractive and edifying. Let them study propriety, fervour, adaptation, and brevity. I think that

tedious and dull prayers tend much to discourage some valuable persons from attending our prayer-meetings. I do not justify their culpable neglect; but I do say to the individuals referred to, remove this stumbling-block out of the way of your brethren. May God bless this hint to the good of many!

HOPE.

MR. EDITOR,-As an aged minister permit me, through the medium of your pages, to express the very painful sense which I entertain of the bad taste which is evinced by many of my younger brethren in the present day. I do not charge them with the neglect of vital truth, nor do I believe them to be indifferent to the conversion of souls; but I do fear that they are in danger of cultivating an intricate and ornamental style of composition, too far removed from the associations of ordinary minds.

Now I would venture to suggest to my beloved young friends, that such a course is not more inconsistent with the solemn demands of conscience, than it is with the dictates of sound taste, and the most approved models of pulpit eloquence. If my younger brethren will allow me to speak freely, I will make bold to tell them, that the labor verborum is too generally dissociated from genuine vigour of thought; and that the most intricate preachers are, in general, the most uninteresting. It is quite common for a spruce young divine to hide the poverty of his thoughts in a heap of cramp words and involved sentences. A inore excellent way would be to search for valuable

thoughts, and to allow them to fall into their own natural forms. I must say that the pious clergy of the Church of England are justly famed for the simplicity of their pulpit compositions; and that, if the young men who are leaving our Dissenting Academies do not imitate them in this particular, there is the utmost danger of the poor and unlettered being driven from our sanctuaries. It is a sad mistake for any minister to imagine that he will increase his acceptance or usefulness by a style elevated above the conceptions of the ordinary run of his hearers. It is absurd and wicked to preach to the few, when, by addressing ourselves to the many, we may preach to all. Conceit is one of the most unhappy qualities that can be chargeable upon a minister of the cross. I beseech my dear young friends to study simplicity of style and riches of thought. This will screen them from many painful censures, will augment the sphere of their usefulness, and will confer on them every desirable measure of popularity. I have laid these hints before them as the result of having heard many distressing remarks on the subject to which they refer.

SENEX.

of such a habit, and still less to the cause of separation from the National Church. It may be pleaded, indeed, that some of the clergy are constantly employed in hurling their anathemas against the nonconformists, and that others are endeavouring to undermine their plans of usefulness; but allow me to say, that the example of such bigots ought not to be

followed by any who possess the spirit of the Great Master, and whose steady aim is the enforcement of truth, and the salvation of souls.

At the present moment the Church of England boasts a large body of faithful and devoted pastors, whose zeal for the divine glory and the good of souls is not surpassed in the purest communions; and it is therefore peculiarly hazardous, at such a crisis, to join with infidels and others in the vulgar cry, "Down with the Church," inasmuch as it tends to shock the prejudices of thousands of worthy and devoted persons, whose ideas of religion have all been formed and fostered within the bosom of the National Church, and who are apt, when they hear sentiments of this description uttered, to think unfavourably of the good sense, candour, and piety of the Dissenters.

I would by no means recommend my brethren to cultivate a time-serving habit in their mode of speaking on matters connected with church polity-much less would I advise them to conceal their views of the kingdom of heaven; but, without falling into either of these errors, may they not more effectually subserve the interests of divine truth by gentle and persuasive methods, than by severe and uncharitable denouncements ? If the question of church government is too prominently exhibited, is there not some

TEMPERANCE

Temperance Societies are excellent in their place, but preposterous out of their place.

Such, Sir, is the estimate formed of these institutions, and which was publicly avowed the other day, by a gentleman who officiates in a neighbouring episcopal chapel, and whom (though differing from him on some non-essential points) I hold in high and deserved esteem.

The opinion of an influential minister of the gospel can never be indifferent to the friends and supporters of Temperance Societies; but I should gladly have been excused from troubling you on this subject, did I not feel it a duty to correct a mistake which appears to prevail on this subject, not only in the mind of the estimable individual referred to, but also in the minds of other ministers and Christian friends, viz. that we put-or at least seem to do so-these Societies in the place of the gospel.

danger of a nominal and worldly dissent being propagated, which would prove the inevitable ruin of non-conformity? Besides, may we not expect that a censorious and proud spirit will be generated by a constant reference to the defects and failings of others; and that our churches will thereby be filled with a class of political and disputatious professors, rather than with humble followers of the cross?

My firm opinion is, that dissent, as such, is in general best taught in personal intercourse, where any observation that is misunderstood can be immediately explained, and where the pious aim of a pastor may be distinctly perceived. It is indeed a poor affair to make dissenters where the vital truths of the gospel have not been embraced; and if we are wise to win souls, it is but a matter of secondary moment if we fail to bring new converts to our views of the government of the Christian church. For my own part, I am determined more and more, by the help of divine grace, to preach Christ, and to visit all, without exception, who resort to my place of worship, leaving consequences with God; and to be ready at all times to acknowledge any good thing I may discover in the clergy or members of the Church of England, and to co-operate with them in doing good to the bodies and souls of men.

SOCIETIES.

A FRIEND TO CHARITY.

For myself, and for my brother secre taries-and I believe for every member of the Parent Committee-I can answer that such a thought is abhorrent to every feeling of our hearts. We have indeed avowed our conviction, that, though not professing the conversion of sinners, they have yet been, like John the Baptist, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." So far, however, is this view from any-the remotesttendency to depreciate the gospel, that it necessarily implies its vast superiority.

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The writer of these remarks trusts that, under the circumstances of the case, he shall be forgiven for saying he will yield to none of your readers in attachment to the great leading and fundamental doc. trines of the gospel-these, and these alone, are the power of God to the salvation of every one that believeth. It is the free and faithful proclamation of