suitable opportunity of impressing religious truth on their minds, he was accustomed most affectionately to address them on the evening of the Lord's Day. These addresses were always founded on the subjects of discourse to which they had attended. Having required of each of them to repeat what he could remember of the sermons, he concluded by an appeal the most serious and impressive to their consciences; pointing out how much they were individually concerned in what had been advanced. It is worthy of peculiar remark, that all his own children, who were included in these addresses, and many of his pupils, have been able to trace their most serious impressions to these Sabbath evening exercises. What incalculable good might be done by those to whom the formation of the rising age is entrusted, were the practice of our honoured friend in this respect more generally imitated!

This excellent man, while for more than 35 years he had been the faithful Pastor of this church, was far from limiting his attachment or his exertions to his own peculiar charge. No man ever more cordially entered into schemes for the propagation of the Redeemer's empire. In the early part of his ministry he joined with several neighbouring ministers in preaching a Lord's Day evening lecture at Mortlake; and afterwards in forming an association of ministers, who met twice or thrice in the summer for worship and friendly conference. The part which he took in these services, left an impression on my heart which, I hope, I shall retain as long as I live.

In the more enlarged plans for which this age has been distinguished for spreading the name of our Redeemer, he most cordially engaged. The Missionary Society had, from its commencement, his most determined support. Of the British and Foreign Bible Society, he was likewise a decided friend. He also united himself to his brethren of his own denomination, in an attempt to introduce a more explicit union than had hitherto prevailed among the congregational churches throughout the kingdom. *

But as every one's sphere of immediate action is in his own. nearest circle, só our respected friend devoted his principal

*The Congregational Union has not met with that aid and encouragement from ministers, or churches, which its friends had been induced to expect. The detached state of our religious societies had long been the subject of regret to many serious and zealous Christians; and it was hoped, that by such a co-operation as is described and recommended by that learned champion for congregational discipline, Dr. Owen, in the last chapter of his work on the Nature of a Gospel Church, entitled, The Communion of Churches,' much good might be done. The time, we trust, will come, when the wisdom and utility of union will forcibly impress the minds of those who hold, what the author of this discourse considers to be the most scriptural sentiments of the order and discipline, as well as of the leading doctrines of the gospel.

strength to the support of the Surry Mission; which, under God, derives the greatest proportion of its exertions and its usefulness from his unwearied assiduity. He was much set upon introducing evangelical instruction into the towns and villages of this county; and he had the rich gratification to see little societies of believing and praying people rising up, and schemes for diffusing the knowledge of Christ crowned with increasing success..

It has been already observed, that all his children were among the seals of his faithful endeavours: a rich and a glorious triumph of divine grace! In his domestic capacity he was so venerable, and yet so amiable; he commanded at the same time so much respect, and conciliated so much love, that he became a most edifying example to every head of a family in his flock; and how highly honoured was our departed friend, not only in witnessing, in one of his sons, an active, zealous, and useful minister of Christ, but in perceiving his other sons, in their respective spheres, employing their talents in promoting the cause of the gospel!-in beholding in his sons-in-law likewise, the same faith by which his own heart was animated! and two out of the three devoted to his Master in the service of the sanctuary! Such a family exhibits almost an enviable scene. Well might he say, adopting the language of the humble grateful David,' What am I! and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto!' He looked round on his children, and his children's children; and, scattered as they were, into remote parts of the kingdom, he rejoiced greatly to see, not only that they walked in the truth, but that each of them was doing something to render the name of the Redeemer increasingly glorious.

-

In a letter to one of his sons, dated January 6, 1812, when he was much depressed with some painful circumstances, which I will not irritate the feelings of any in this assembly. by unfolding, he thus expresses himself: He is truly with me, and enables me to preach with much liberty and energy. There is an appearance of the impression of the word on the hearts of some, while others, concerning whom we had entertained pleasant persuasions, seem to be again made captive.' An affecting remark, which should suggest among his hearers the inquiry which arose among the disciples of Christ in the night in which he was betrayed, Lord, is it I' Yester day,' he proceeds, ' I preached on that precious promise," He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper." It was a strengthening season; and I am enabled still to go on in the strength of the Lord God: He bears me up, and will bear me through. In the apostle's language, Phil. i. 19, 20, You will find that which, applied by the Holy Spirit, gives rest to my mind.'

What he was in the hallowed retirement of the closet, can

not be fully known but by him who deigned to commune with him there, as a man talketh with his friend." The holy and heavenly frame of his mind on almost every occasion, was assuredly derived from an exalted state of intercourse with God. It was his custom, for many years, on his birthday, to take a review of the past year in respect to himself, his family, and his various connections. On Dec. 14, 1789, when he had completed his 44th year, he writes as follows:'I have this evening been reviewing the way in which the Lord has led me. O, what mercy presents itself to my view! It is now more than 20 years since I was placed at the head of a family, when I opened my mouth to the Lord in solemn covenant engagements. Blessed be God, he has been with me, and has kept me. He has given me bread to eat, and raiment to put on. In addition to family mercies, he has blessed me with an affectionate people; and has enabled me, I trust, to be faithful and affectionate in dealing with their souls about their eternal interests. He has set his seal to my ministry, and given me some to be my joy and crown. Blessed be his name, he has given me the souls of my children, one after another. He has set his love on them, and revealed his Son in them; and then he has, in his most indulgent providence, opened a way for their very comfortable settlement in the world. The heart of one of them he has inclined to the ministry*, and given me reason to hope, that when my lips shall be silent in the grave, his mouth shall be open to plead the cause of my dear Redeemer, and to proclaim his love. O! that every vessel of my house may be a vessel of honour!'

It

One more extract I cannot forbear reading to you. bears date on the 6th of March, 1812:-'I have now nearly completed 36 years of my ministry at Tooting, which commenced in May, 1776. During these many years, I have seen many and great mercies. At the close, however, a distressful storm has been permitted to arise; during which, singular supports and consolations have been granted. Painful circumstances have constrained my retiring. This is, indeed, to me a distressing necessity;-but shall I receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall I not receive evil? Sometimes I fear, lest there should be found marks of displeasure in this dispensation. Yet my soul has been brought truly near to God by these trials; and had God been determined to put me away in anger, he surely would not have shewn me such things as these. I trust, that in all this is the will of God concerning me, even me sanctification.' Lord, not my will, but thine be done.' Now, behold, here I am :-in respect of bodily strength and a devoted heart, as well prepared as

*The Rev. W. Bowden, of Darwin, in Lancashire,

for several years past for ministerial labours. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' If it be his pleasure, he will shew me again an open door to the service of the sanctuary; but if he thus say, 'I have no pleasure in thee,' here am I,-let him do with me as seemeth good unto him.'

Tell me not how he died, but how he lived,'-said a good minister to a friend, who was reporting to him the death of a Christian professor. Death-bed evidences of grace are often exceedingly fallacious; and frequently, as in the present case, the event is so ordered, as not to allow of their existence.. Blessed be God, nothing could be added, in point of demonstration, to the character of this holy man, who had so long 'walked with God.'

His last sermon in this place, was on the 23d of February; and a faithful word of admonition it is reported to have been. The 1st of March, he preached at Dorking; the 8th, at Croydon; the 15th and 22d at Wellingborough; and the 29th at St. Alban's, continuing to testify to all his hearers the unsearchable riches of Christ. This day fortnight, the 5th of April, he had engaged to preach at Hammersmith. The greater part of the Saturday preceding, he spent in his study. On Lord's Day morning he was observed to be very importunate in family devotion, that the presence of God might be experienced that day. Before he took leave of his beloved partner, he observed to her, that his nerves were shaken rather unusually. He set out for Hammersmith, arrived there in tolerable spirits, and commenced the service. He was observed by many to be remarkably fervent in prayer. He read the 12th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews. Before sermon, by his direction, the 131st Psalm was sung, which was remarkably expressive of the temper of his mind. He joined in singing this Psalm :

Is there ambition in my heart? &c.

with such peculiar ardour as deeply affected many. He mentioned for his text, James iv. 7, Submit yourselves, therefore, unto God;' and proposed to treat on submission, with respect to the understanding, the will,—and the affection. Having illustrated the two former, and while entering on the latter, his voice faltered, and sinking on the left side, under the influence of a strong paralytic affection, he was supported only by the pulpit.-Assistance was immediately procured; and he was conveyed to the vestry, where he was bled, and recovered so as to be partly sensible of his situation; but before he reached a friend's house, this was followed by an apoplectic attack; and a stupor succeeded, from which he never recovered. At two o'clock the next morning, he breathed his last.-What a happy transition, from the work

of the sanctuary below, to the temple of God above*! From the notes of a sermon found in his pocket-book, it is conjectured that he had designed, in the afternoon of the same day, to preach on those remarkable words of Esau, Gen. xxv. 32, 'Behold, I am at the point to die.' A proof, as well as the morning subject, that his thoughts were much engaged on topics connected with dependence and mortality; although there is no reason for supposing that he had any preternatural intimation given him that he should die that day.' Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.'

*A soul prepar'd needs no delays,
The summons come, the saint obeys.
Swift was his flight and short the road;
He clos'd his eyes, and saw his God.'

WATTS.

Sir,

SOCINIANISM UNMASKED.

To the Editor.

IN the window of a bookseller's shop in London, I observed an 8vo volume, entitled A Calm Enquiry concerning the Person of Christ,' by Thomas Belsham. Being tolerably conversant with that gentleman's former productions, it amused me much to find he had become calm at last! Feeling a strong desire to peruse the volume, I applied to a learned and highly valuable friend for it, who kindly lent it me. I was previously prepared to wonder at no extravagance that proceeded from this quarter. Mr. B. is truly a man of uncommon courage, and writes with a confidence that ever increases in proportion to the weakness of his proofs.

My resolution not to be surprized, however, failed me on the perusal of the following sentences. In page 190, there are these remarks: 1st, The moral character of Christ, through the whole course of his public ministry, as recorded by the Evangelists, is pure and unimpeachable. in every particular. 3dly, Whether this perfection of character, in public life, combined with the general declarations of his freedom from sin, establish, or were intended to establish the fact, that Jesus through the whole course of his private life was com pletely exempt from all the errors and failings of human nature, is a question of no great intrinsic moment, and concerning which we have no sufficient data to lead to a satisfactory conclusion.'

If any of your readers, Mr. Editor, can peruse the above without a strong feeling of indignation, they may indeed be entitled to the character of Calin Enquirers.' But," my soul, enter thou not into their secret! unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united!'-Mr. Belsham is certainly