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may be mentioned as a proof of the genuineness of the friendship that subsisted between himself and Mr. Fuller, that he frequently expressed his sentiments on the subject in the most unreserved manner to the latter, who, if he did not see reason to alter his opinion, certainly felt not the slightest diminution of cordiality from the freedom of such remonstrances. Surely," said Dr. Ryland, "this is not the time" (when the loss by fire at Serampore had been so liberally repaired)" to begin denying the visibility of the church, except among ourselves. I hope, however, that he who can see somewhat of Christ in a cup of cold water given to a disciple in the name of a disciple, can see somewhat of that which is from above, in what has been given us by many who follow not with us. Well! I am going to preach from that text, Surely, I come quickly! Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus.' Amen! Amen! I could almost rejoice to leave such a contentious world, and contentious church. Split, divide, and sub-divide ! The serpent's head is bruised, but he has not yet lost all his cunning, and this is his favourite maxim still."

He gratified his sentiments of Christian regard, by maintaining an extensive correspondence with ministers of various denominations. By this means

he acquired much information relative to the state of religion in foreign parts, especially in the United States of America, a country for which he felt a strong attachment, not only on account of its original relations, civil and religious, to his own, but as having had the honor of producing one of the profoundest theologians, and one of the most devoted Missionaries, the world ever saw-Jonathan Edwards and David Brainerd. Through the medium of Dr. Erskine, he opened a correspondence with the son of the former, Dr. Edwards, in the year 1785, which included discussions on many interesting theological topics; some extracts from it will be found in the collected edition of Edwards's Works. This led to a communication, though less intimate, with several other persons of eminence, among whom were Drs. Hopkins, West, Hart, and Dwight.

The Bristol Academy, when Dr. Ryland was nominated President, and for ten succeeding years, was the only Institution of the kind in the Baptist denomination; so that no inconsiderable proportion of the ministers now living, were educated under his direction: the number, at the present time, is probably not less than one hundred and twenty. As a proof of the filial veneration in which he was held by the Students, it may be stated that he was called

to preach Ordination Sermons more frequently than perhaps any other minister of his time, amounting in all to seventy-seven. The general impression made by his conduct in the capacity of Tutor, on those who received his instructions, will be described in the words of one of their number, who thus expresses himself.

"Loving him and revering him as I did, it gives me real consolation and delight to express the deep and tender veneration I cherish for his memory, and to trace my recollections of the wisdom and excellence he manifested towards me and many others, while under his care. I never left any place with: so much regret as I quitted, ten years since, the house over which he presided. To the end of life, and most likely for ever, I shall retain a grateful and delightful remembrance of the inestimable benefits I derived from his tuition and friendship. No Tutor could be more loved and revered; none could more highly deserve it. The sentiment indulged towards him by us all, and that most deeply by the most pious and cultivated of our number, was a deep and affectionate veneration for his character, together with gratitude for the tenderness and fidelity with which he performed his various

*The Rev. WILLIAM RHODES, of Damerham.

duties among us. His whole behaviour impressed us with the serious and delightful conviction, that he not only did his utmost to promote our mental advancement, and watched over our progress with benignant complacency, but that our improvement in piety was an object of fervent solicitude to his holy and devotional mind. Not to mention the sweet and commanding influence which the holiness of his deportment exerted, such was the simplicity and mildness which pervaded his constant intercourse with us, that the awe which so much goodness and mental vigour naturally tended to inspire was absorbed in cordial affection for him, as our best earthly friend. It was no small part of his praise, that with scarcely any exertion of authority he secured in general a ready compliance with his requisitions and wishes.

"It never appeared to me a serious defect in his plan of tuition, that he never read any Theological Lectures of his own to the Students.* If it were

*Though Dr. R. owing to his other engagements, gave no original series of Theological Lectures, he went through a course of reading on Theology, Ecclesiastical History, Jewish Antiquities, and Rhetoric. Besides the Hebrew language, his department included in part the Latin Classics. His colleagues, (besides a Mathematical Tutor since 1805,) were the Assistant Minister of Broadmead for the time being, and Mr. Isaac James, son of the late Rev. Samuel James of Hitchin, who, in consequence of his

any defect at all, it was compensated to a very great extent by his preaching, on which we attended, and which, as every one knows, was of a highly vigorous and intellectual, as well as of a very devotional, cast.* We thus received from him, his enlarged

advanced age and state of health, resigned his office in 1825. The Rev. T. S. Crisp has succeeded as President and Theological Tutor; the Classical and Mathematical departments have been united, and are filled by the Rev. William Anderson.

I am

Of the general style and qualities of his preaching, these volumes exhibit such ample specimens, that an attempt to anticipate the judgment of the reader may be well spared. But the Editor is induced to insert one extract from a sermon on Jer. li. 9. (" We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed,") as very characteristic of the writer, and exhibiting a striking union of fidelity and tenderness. "O my hearers! I pray God this lamentation may not be applicable to you. I am sure you want healing. afraid that you are not all healed. I am sure I long for your salvation, for your eternal salvation. Numberless defects have attended my ministry; but I have laboured to recommend Christ to you. I do, in the presence of God my Judge, profess that I should count it great gain to win one soul to Christ. I do not seek yours, but you. If it might really bring you to Christ, I could wish my abilities were far greater, to do justice to his glorious character, and to display the riches of his grace. But merely to gain your applause as an eloquent man, a fine preacher, or whatever epithet of the same kind might be used, would not satisfy me. No: I had rather be among you in much weakness, hesitation, and embarrassment, still worse than I often am, and be owned as the means of bringing you to be decided for God, than gain any applause while your souls are not saved.

"Here are many whom I know not personally; and other necessary engagements prevent my spending the time in personal visits, which might otherwise be so employed. Perhaps, also, if I had more time, I should be found less skilful in private addresses than many other ministers; but Christ the crucified, has been