No. CCXV.]

[Vol. XVIII.

SIR,

YOUR

Exeter, Nov. 8, 1823. OUR readers have been informed (p.607) of the death of my highlyvalued friend Mr. Cornish, the minister of Colyton. Called upon, by his written request, to perform the last office of humanity, I attended his remains to the grave on the 17th of last month, accompanied by the clergyman and many of the most respectable parishioners. Every one deeply felt the loss the town had sustained by his death; and his fervent piety, simplicity of manners and active beneficence will be long remembered with veneration and gratitude. His views of the principal doctrines of religion were the result of serious inquiry. While he asserted and maintained the Unity of God and admitted only one object of worship, he believed in the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. But, however he might differ from others on this and other theological subjects, his mind was free from bigotry, and he esteemed it his happiness to number among his friends many valuable members of the Establishment, and particularly the highly-respectable vicar and curate of his parish, with whom he lived on the friendliest terms; and it is equally creditable to these gentlemen that they shewed him every mark of attention while living, and of respect to his memory when dead. It is with pleasure I mention these circumstances so honourable to both parties.

He was strictly and uniformly frugal in whatever related to himself, but very generous where the wants of others required his assistance. Economy and benevolence, which are generally a check upon each other, were in him happily united. By the former he was enabled, out of an income of forty pounds per annum, and the assistance derived from a few scholars, to pay the debts of his father, who died insolvent, and indulge in the luxury of doing good. He was a benefactor to the County Hospitals of

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Devon and Somerset, to the Lunatic Asylum and Eye Infirmary in Exeter, and to the Widows' Fund and the newly-established Society for the Relief of Infirm and Aged Ministers in London. And his brethren in the ministry and their families frequently partook of his kindness.*

The memoir which accompanies this was drawn up with a request that it may be perused by his brothers Manning and Yeates, and if they see fit, may be forwarded to the Editor of the Monthly Repository and Christian Reformer to insert the whole or part in either of the above publications."

In compliance with this request of our friend, Mr. Yeates and I have perused the memoir, and, after some abridgment, have sent it to be disposed of as you may judge proper.

J. MANNING.

"JOSEPH CORNISH was born at Taunton, Somersetshire, December 16, 1750. His father, Joseph Cornish, all arrived at manhood. Two of these was the youngest of nine sons, who were educated for the ministry. Mr. John Cornish served a respectable His brother, James Cornish, was the society in Leather Lane, London. pastor of a society at Dulverton, So

* His pious and benevolent spirit rendered it nearly impossible for him to have any enemies; and the innocence and simplicity of his manners and the fidelity with which he discharged the duties of his profession, will leave a deep his friends. Thus much a regard to truth and lasting impression on the minds of has led me to say concerning my departed friend. Few have known him so long as I have done, and I thankfully and publicly acknowledge the favour of Divine Providence in leading me to an early acquaintance with this excellent man, and blessing me with so great a share of his friendship during fifty years of my life.

merset. He was much beloved by his people, and held in high esteem by Messrs. Grove, Amory, and others, who endeavoured by their preaching and example to promote free inquiry and genuine Christianity. Joseph, the youngest son, was brought up to the trade of a tucker or dresser of woollen goods. Honour, the second wife of Joseph Cornish, was mother to the writer of these memoirs. She closed her life in the year 1769. Her husband, though unfortunate in business, through the unhappy disputes with America, was respected by all who knew him, and received substantial tokens of esteem towards the close of an upright life, peaceably ended in 1776. Joseph Cornish was the youngest of seven children, six of whom, born at three successive births, were soon removed.

Joseph Cornish always appeared fond of reading and early inclined to the ministry. His first classical instructor was Mr. Patch, a clergyman. Another of his masters was a Mr. Glass, educated at Westminster School. He resided near Taunton on a small fortune, and was a strict Churchman, but scrupled ministerial conformity which requires the solemn declaration of being moved by the Holy Ghost. In 1765, Dr. (then Mr.) Toulmin taking pupils, Joseph Cornish was most happily placed under his tuition till Sept. 1767, when, by his recommendation, he gained admission into Mr. Coward's Academy at Hoxton. The deeply-learned Dr. Savage, a favourite in early life of Dr. Watts, was the Divinity Tutor. His sentiments were Calvinistic, without the least mixture of bigotry. Those distinguished scholars and divines, Dr. Kippis and Dr. Rees, most ably directed the students in other branches of literature. By "them and the trustees, he was recommended as fit for the ministry in 1772. Mr. Holden, his class-fellow, almost ever since pastor of the society at Tenterden, in Kent, passed his examination at the same time with him. It rarely happens that two, commencing their public work together, have so long continued with the same flock. By Dr. Amory, the pastor and friend of his parents, he was particularly noticed during his academical course, and by him strongly recommended to accept of an invita

tion to a small society at Colyton, Devon. There Dr. Toulmin began his ministry, and was also very desirous of seeing the place supplied by his pupil. Whilst at Hoxton, he had occasionally preached at Epsom, from whence he received a unanimous invitation. The same had been received from Colyton. Its nearness to Taunton, where his aged father was still living, made that place upon the whole more eligible. On the resig nation of that learned divine and popular preacher, Mr. Farmer, he was proposed by several members of Salters' Hall congregation to succeed Mr. Farmer as afternoon preacher. Dr. Furneaux, who was then, together with Dr. Prior, the Sunday Evening Lecturer, was desired to make the proposal, and he kindly urged J. Cornish's compliance with the wishes of those who had approved his services. Dr. Furneaux's approbation was no small honour to one who had but just finished his academical course. J. Cornish must have been vain to a high degree if he had not felt his great inferiority to Mr. Farmer, and also to Mr. Sowden, of Rotterdam, on whom many had fixed their choice, and a competition with him was posi tively declined. Dr. Addington had been mentioned, but being beyond the middle period of life, he declined appearing as a candidate, which Mr. Sowden also had done; but the friends of Mr. Sowden were determined to propose him, hoping he might be prevailed on to accept an invitation. Joseph Cornish reluctantly consented to be nominated with this popular divine, who obtained a large majority, but the number of highly respectable persons who appeared in behalf of J. Cornish was gratifying.

"On the 11th of May, 1773, he was ordained in Dr. Toulmin's Meeting at Taunton. No ordination had taken place in that town for many years. A numerous audience attended, and twenty ministers were present. Dr. Toulmin preached. Mr. Kiddle delivered an excellent charge, and the devotional services were conducted by Mr. Gifford and Mr. Jillard. A gentleman of the Establishment said he would give many guineas for a copy

* See Mon. Repos. XIV. 1.

of Mr. Jillard's prayer. It was indeed excellent, and ministers who could not so conduct public or family devotions with readiness, were then little esteemed.

"J. Cornish thought the choice of the people gave sufficient authority for the performance of every pastoral duty. This opinion was then novel, and though ordination to the office, as heretofore conducted, might be unnecessary, yet a public service on the first settlement of a minister appears highly expedient and proper to be renewed on every removal. It affords a suitable opportunity of reminding teachers and hearers of their mutual duties, and on a first settlement, the public approbation of ininisters and the heads of neighbouring congregations is very proper, as recommending a young man to esteem under a new and seriously important

character.

"Colyton, though a small town, is most delightfully situated within three miles of the British Channel, fine views of which present themselves at very short distances, as also the devious courses of two beautiful rivers, the little Coly and the larger Ax, through rich meadows and between rising hills, shaded with trees, which present in numerable objects to charm the eye and elevate the heart.

"In the neighbouring towns many agreeable friends and brethren resided, with whom frequent exchanges were made. Taunton was distant about twenty miles, and Exeter nearly the same, where he obtained the kind regards of some truly valuable persons, and thought himself not a little honoured by the particular notice of that champion of the Dissenting cause, the venerable Mr. Towgood, who chose him to supply his place when absent, on sacramental occasions particularly.

"He boarded eleven years in the family of Mr. Slade, a steady friend to the Dissenting cause, and whose house was for years the chief resort of various ministers visiting the town. J. Cornish's income fell rather short of 401. per annum, though besides some endowments, his hearers subscribed as much as he desired. For a few years it somewhat exceeded 50%, but fell back to 401. again. No mi

nister, unless possessing other means of support, could now subsist on such a salary with tolerable decency; but before the American and other expensive wars Britain has since engaged in, a good manager would make it suffice. Goldsmith uses a poetical licence when he describes an amiable pastor as passing rich with 401. a year,' and contriving to display generous hospitality. A single man, however, with that income could even so lately as 1772 make a decent appearance, and be able to spare something for charitable purposes. There was hardly any Dissenting congrega tion without some one or more families ready to board a minister, not desiring to gain, aiming only at a fair recompence. Many ministers at that time in the West of England were boarded by respectable persons for less than 201. per annum, and in good farm-houses a much smaller sum was accepted for being found every thing like other members of the family. A gratis horse was frequently at the service of ministers, and both horse and rider kindly received, on making exchanges and visits, by some hospitable hearers. Western preachers had not far to walk where they failed of a welcome from some, esteeming them for their works' sake.

"One great advantage attended boarding in good families; young ministers being introduced to genteel acquaintance, not belonging to their own societies, to whom they might have remained unknown in a private lodging.

Towards the end of 1781, J. Cornish was requested to preach at Tewksbury, on the removal of Mr. Tattershall. Having preached two Lord's days, he received a unanimous and pressing invitation to fill up that yacancy, and thinking a removal to some larger town eligible, he had written a letter complying with the offer. His friends at Colyton expressed so much concern, particularly the worthy family with whom he boarded, that he destroyed the acceptance and forwarded a refusal. The society at Tewksbury appeared much disappointed, and in order to give them time to procure a minister, he agreed to supply them for three

months. Mr. Anstis, who for many years laboured as a most approved instructor of youth, and then resident at Bridport, kindly engaged to supply Colyton, where he had for a short time been pastor. Mr. Humphries, an attorney, was married to the eldest daughter of the great Dr. Doddridge, and was the leading supporter of the Dissenting cause at Tewksbury, and at his house J. Cornish was most hospitably entertained during his stay. Dr. Doddridge's widow, with her two daughters, and Mr. Philip Doddridge, her son, then resided also in the town, and with other worthy hearers, three months were most happily spent.

"In 1792, in consequence of repeated applications, J. Cornish preached two Lord's days at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, Mr. Hampton, a worthy minister, wanting assistance, and not likely to continue his useful services much longer. Mr. Hampton's sentiments well accorded with his, and the principal hearers were desirous of his settling there. Many of the common people, however, were inclined to Methodism, and as nothing would have inclined J. Cornish to remove but a very unanimous invitation from some larger society, with a fair pros. pect of greater usefulness, he declined the offer made. The large church at Banbury had fallen down, and for some years the ministers of the Establishment were accommodated with Mr. Hampton's spacious place of worship, marriages and every service being carried on there, authorized by an Act of Parliament. The hours for worship were so ordered that the different congregations had both morning and afternoon services, and occasionally an evening lecture. On one of the sabbaths J. Cornish preached three times, and besides the usual services, the sacrament was administered to the members of the Establishment. The same, as J. Cornish has been informed, was soon after done at Buckingham, an Act of Parliament consecrating these Dissenting places sufficiently for the temporal uses of the adherents to the Church of England.

* See Mon. Repos. XV. 631-633.

"After this, J. Cornish regarded himself as fixed at Colyton for life, and no situation was so well adapted to the comfort of his declining age.

"The Monthly Repository for November, 1816, (XI. 649–652,) gives an account of a most extraordinary attempt made by some over-zealous Calvinistical ministers to deprive his society of their place of worship, and to set himself aside as unfit for attempting any farther service as a minister. This proposal was considered by many of their own party as a very presumptuous one, but from the ministers who signed, no apology ever came.

"When a boarder at Mr. Slade's, he took the grandson of that gentleman under his care for classical instruction. In 1782, several boys were taught by him as day-scholars, and many friends wishing to place their sons with him as boarders, he left Mr. Slade's family at Midsummer, 1783, to reside in a house of Mrs. Stokes, who had boarded forty boys, some of whom were J. Cornish's pupils. Twelve, and afterwards fifteen, had separate apartments under J. Cornish's particular care, several more attending during schoolhours. This continued till Christmas, 1796, when he bought a house, and accommodated pupils with board and instruction till Christmas, 1800. His charge for board and every part of instruction was, with one guinea entrance, £18 per annum, which after some years was raised to twenty guineas. The expenses of housekeeping greatly increasing, and the prejudices against the friends of liberty operating to his disadvantage, he declined taking domestic pupils. Dayscholars he continued instructing till Christmas, 1819, when, entering on his 70th year, and wishing to be quite master of his time, he wholly declined the employment. A school-master, especially one who takes boarders, must expect various disappointments, but J. Cornish never repented engaging in the business. Numbers of his pupils, as well as their relatives, appeared thoroughly satisfied with the endeavours used to fulfil his trust. His old age is rendered also much happier than it would otherwise have been, from the kind and respectful attention shewn him by those whom he