sharply for their vices, followed them to their haunts of dissipation, and used every method he could devise to induce them to hear the gospel. His habitual devotion and constant study of the Holy Scriptures prepared him to preach from 20 to 30 times a week. He visited his flock from house to house. It was his regular practice to call on the poorest, and after relieving their temporal wants, in which he expended a considerable part of his income, so as often to be in straits himself, he talked to them in the most affectionate and familiar manner. They would put aside their implements of industry for a few moments, while he prayed with them, and gave a short exhortation; and then proceeded without delay to other places. After a life of unwearied labours, in which, with the energy of an Elijah, he had borne down irreligion, and as an industrious, enterprising pioneer, had prepared the way of the Gospel, he entered into his rest 1763, in the 55th year of his age, and the 21st of extensive usefulness.

Mr. Venn was born 1725. He was the son of a Clergyman, and elected Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. Law's Serious Call, which he met with some time after his ordination, produced an effect in favour of a holy life that was strong and lasting. His removal to Clapham brought him acquainted with an extensive circle of pious

persons, both clergy and laity. Amongst the latter were Lord Dartmouth, and the munificent John Thornton. By their interest he was presented to the vicarage of Huddersfield, about 1759. Here the difficulties he had to encounter inspired him with new ardour and zeal. His language and address were dignified, masculine and energetic. He prophesied over the dry bones with the solemnity of a messenger from heaven. Multitudes flocked to hear him, and the success of his ministry has seldom been paralleled in modern times.

A remark must in this place be made, which will form some apology for introducing sketches of three most eminent clergymen into this short memoir of our Author. Nothing has contributed more to form and nourish a faithful ministry for Dissenters, than the zealous labours of godly ministers of the Establishment. Their hearers having once tasted the sweetness of truth, and felt its power, the zeal of pious youth is incited to communicate it to others. All the obstacles presented to their desires in the forms of an establishment, are forced to give way to the unquenchable ardour by which they are impelled. And as they cannot conscientiously continue silent on the one hand, and on the other, cannot always conform to the requirements of the established church, they have no alternative but to exercise their ministry among

Dissenters. It may confidently be predicted, wherever a zealous preacher in the Church is the instrument of awakening many young persons to a sense of religion, if he be removed by death, or other circumstances, and followed by one of an opposite character, that Dissent will be the inevitable consequence.

In his 19th year, Mr. Fawcett became a member of the Baptist Church at Bradford, and soon after married. About this time his diary commences. It affords the most convincing proof of a steady progress in heart-felt religion, and greater advances in knowledge than his confined circumstances would seem to allow. His principal possession at this time was his library, and the only instance in which he refers to some trifling pecuniary difficulty appears to have arisen from the too free purchase of books. The narrative is uniform, or if it rises to peculiar interest, it is where he so feelingly deplores his great unworthiness, and the prevalence of levity and vanity, mingled with solemn reflections on the vast importance and value of time. He seems now to have employed himself much in copying impressive passages from Young, Hervey, and other favorite writers, in studying commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, and occasionally in composing short pieces of poetry on pious subjects. There is one circumstance at this period, which

seems to mark the secret bent of his mind towards the ministry. The importance which he evidently attaches to the state of the Church to which he belonged, producing the most fervent and tender concern for the Pastor and every individual member. He appears to have been exceedingly watchful over his waking thoughts, and the first impressions of the day, and often marks their influence on his peace. From the whole it is evident that in a private and humble situation, religion was the principal business of his life, and would have been so had he never engaged in the ministry. The great means of his improvement were closet devotions, meditation, reading the Scriptures, Christian communion and the ordinances of public worship, followed up with the closest self-examination. By remaining some time in retirement as a private Christian, he was fitted to enter more into the views and feelings of Christians in general, to speak a word in season to him that is weary, to comfort the feeble minded, to support the weak, and to administer consolation to the fainting.

He continued his habit of early rising. The dawn of the morning was occupied in prayer, as the season least exposed to interruption, and the leisure he was able to secure during the day, was devoted to reading. He did not confine himself

to any particular class of books, but endeavoured to store his mind with general knowledge; yet the BIBLE, and books subordinary to the study of it, were the most essential part of his daily study. When employed in his manual labour he was generally surrounded by books, on which he glanced when opportunity offered; and noted down hastily, sometimes in prose and at others in verse, such thoughts as occurred from reading or reflection. To a mind thus engaged, improvement was inevitable, and after giving exhortations in a private manner he was induced by the persuasion of his Pastor and christian brethren, to speak publicly. His first attempt was discouraging. A larger assembly than was expected, overawed him. On a second trial, however, his mind was happy, and he spoke with becoming boldness and firmness. From that time he continued to preach frequently, and a pressing invitation from the church at Wainsgate induced him to settle amongst them. The rustic kindness of this people to their new Pastor is thus described in his Diary. "A number of the brethren came here with horses; and having met us at Haworth, conveyed us forwards, and the goods we brought with us."

His predecessor, Mr. Smith, was a faithful and zealous minister, whose words, to use the phrase of one of his hearers, "fell like mill-stones." One