which has been given me in the prosecution of this affair. Opposition is to be expected from that unhappy man; but the Lord, whose we are, and whom we serve, will make us more than courageous, and cause his name and the unsearchable riches of his grace to triumph over all the malice and vain opposition of his enemies. O, pray that His presence may be with us at the dedication, and the power of his arm revealed in the conversion of sinners to himself! My eye is directed to this ultimate and only end of all my labours."

Lord Dartmouth and Mr. Thornton accompanied her Ladyship to Northampton Chapel, with a view to suggest improvements and alterations. The place is of a circular form, with a neatly ornamented dome, and two galleries, one above the other, supported by small columns, capable of accommodating a very numerous congregation. The name was changed to that of "Spafields Chapel," and was re-opened in the connexion of the Countess of Huntingdon on the 28th of March, 1779, by one of her Ladyship's chaplains, the Rev. Dr. Haweis, rector of All Saints, Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, who preached a powerful and impressive sermon to an overflowing congregation, from 1 Cor. i. 23, 24, "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

This was a formidable undertaking for Lady Huntingdon, whose private fortune was already fully engaged in meeting the various expenses attendant on the extensive exertions then making for the diffusion of the Gospel of Christ. The times were peculiar. The favourite aphorism of the devoted Carey, of more recent days, seems to have been ever before the eyes of the devoted foundress of the connexion-EXPECT GREAT THINGS, Depending on the Lord for aid, the Gospel standard was here unfurled; the result need not be stated it has been glorious.

AND ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS.

As a peeress of the realm, the Countess supposed she had a right to employ her own chaplains at any time and place in the most public manner. In this, however, she was soon undeceived; for Mr. Sellon, who most justly merited the appellation of Sanballat, renewed his attack, not against the place, but against every clergyman whom her Ladyship engaged to preach there. On this question being agitated in the Ecclesiastical Courts, it was decided against her Ladyship, and Dr. Haweis and Mr. Glascott, being ministers of the Church of England, were obliged to discontinue their services. Harassed and tormented by this unreasonable opposition, Lady Huntingdon sought the

highest legal advice, and forwarded the following queries, to be submitted to the judgment of Mr. Serjeant Glynn:

"Is the domestic chapel of a peer of this realm exempt from ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and licensed?

"What constitutes such domestic chapel? Is it sufficient that it be contiguous with the house or usual residence of such peer, and that divine service be performed, according to the Church of England, by a regularly ordained minister?

May such chapel be open to any besides his immediate domestics, if such peer pleases to admit them?

"Must the clergyman, so officiating, necessarily be registered in the Commons; or is an appointment under such peer's hand and seal, with or without a pecuniary appointment for his services, necessary to constitute him legally qualified for such ministry?

"If he is cited into the Commons for such exercise of his ministry, can he refuse to appear? Will his plea, as domestic chaplain to such peer, be sufficient bar to further proceedings? Can the cause be carried into the King's Bench or House of Lords?

"Is it necessary that such chapel should be registered in the Bishop's Court?"

These queries were returned to Lady Huntingdon with the legal opinion of John Glynn, Esq., Serjeant at Law, afterwards Recorder of London, a leading man at that time at the English bar. His letter to her Ladyship will be read with much interest at the present day, as strikingly prophetic of much that has

occurred in our times :—

"Madam,—I duly appreciate the honour you have conferred upon me, by selecting me for your legal adviser. Permit me to sympathize with you on the unjust and ungracious treatment you have received from the Rev. Mr. Sellon. That a man, wearing the sacred garb—a minister, whose office it is to preach peace and good-will to mankind'-should be guilty of such unrcasonable conduct, such determined avariciousness, and such detestable tyranny, is lamentable and disgustingly revolting. In the notes to the queries which your Ladyship did me the honour to transmit to me for my inspection, you will perceive there are great difficulties in your way. Ecclesiastical law, such as it now stands, is against you in some points-points which would not be insurmountable, were our Bishops differently minded; but I regret to say, the spirit and temper of too many of our ecclesiastical rulers is very unfavourable to any liberal or tolerant system; so that nothing can be expected from a set of men in whom the desire for gain is so deeply rooted, and who seem so determined on all occasions to crush the spirit of inquiry, free opinion, and liberty of conscience. I anxiously look for reformation in some matters connected with the Established Church, to which I am conscientiously attached; and though I may not live to see any great change, yet I am persuaded the time is not far distant when Bishops will deeply lament the

obstinate, headstrong tyranny, which has driven so many from the Church, and that persecuting spirit so prominent in their characters, in too many instances more in accordance with the dark, intolerant spirit of the Romish Church, than with the enlightened principles of the Protestant faith.

"Your Ladyship's benevolent conduct must command the respect and veneration of every liberal-minded man. I shall be most happy at all times in giving my humble aid to the furtherance of your most excellent designs for the good of mankind, and the improvement of the ignorant multitude. My professional services are ever at your Ladyship's command. I have the honour to be, Madam, your much obliged, humble servant, "JOHN GLYNN."

CHAPTER XLIV.

Ecclesiastical Courts-Letters from Lady Huntingdon--Secession of Mr. Wills and Mr. Taylor-Mr. Romaine's advice to Dr. Haweis-Letters from Lady Huntingdon-Mr. Rowland Hill-Lady Huntingdon's difference with Mr. Hill-Welsh Association Letters to Lady Huntingdon-Letter from her Ladyship Surrey Chapel-Lady Huntingdon's liberality—Mr. Piercy-Mr. Venn Sir Richard Hill-Mr. Scott-Sion Chapel-Letter to the Committee of Spafields Chapel-Remarkable Conversions-Missionary Ordination. BILLS having been found against Dr. Haweis and the Rev. Cradock Glascott in the Ecclesiastical Courts, actions were carried on and verdicts obtained, by which they were prohibited from officiating at the Spafields chapel. A citation was also procured against Mr. Wills, who had resigned the curacy of St. Agnes, near Truro, and had entered the Connexion of the Countess of Huntingdon; but he left London on the very day on which it was to have been served. To Mr. Wills succeeded Mr. Taylor, but his ministry was of short duration, owing to the former inhibition. These repeated persecutions induced Lady Huntingdon to devise a plan whereby a stop might be put to the malicious measures of Mr. Sellon :

"This cruel and bitter enemy of mine (says her Ladyship, in a letter to Mr. Piercy, dated December 23, 1781,) is suffered to go great lengths of oppression; but herein also I must see life arise through death. Should further citations come, I am not able to support the dispute, however unjustly determined by a court that has no legal authority. This I must patiently endure while power conquers right.

In this case, I am reduced to turn the finest congregation, not only in England, but in any part of the world, into a DISSENTING MEETING, unless by the medium of secession. This is a subject, in considering which nothing but the very clearest convictions of conscience, impressed by the Holy Ghost for the continued protection of the truth, and faithfulness to God's people, ought to make a point worth any minister's attending to. As He who sees in heart, sees this to be the faithful testimony of my purest conscience, so I do affectionately beg that no suggestions I may advance may have influence, but such as immediately occur to your own mind.

"Episcopacy never will be established in America according to the present or any reasonable prospect. The reformed churches are too well guarded against ecclesiastical authority, and a more liberal devised idea from experience has now become almost universal. Our ministers, then, must come recommended by that neutrality between Church and Dissent-secession. Such ministers could supply any work that opened, yet not be obnoxious to either party; while by preaching and practice they maintained the doctrines of the Reformation. These sentiments have best secured my approval in this day of necessity; indeed, the present degeneracy of the clergy, who profess the Gospel, proves this the only way to preserve the Reformation from that apostacy into which it is falling by their means. Little, weak, and insufficient as I account my light among others, this becomes the only noble and honest testimony I can bear for Jesus Christ, in this day of rebuke and blasphemy; and for the strength and support of the honest, simple, and devoted souls who were no better preserved from lapsing into the increasing declension of faith and holiness. My reasons you have the fullest right to, that I may thus commend myself to your conscience in the sight of God; and thus willingly suffer all things, looking every honest man in the face, for Jesus Christ's sake, as void of offence towards God and man.

"The next term, when the other citations must come, and with them the great weight of artillery against me, I must beg your earliest notice. I suppose this to be about the 10th of next month. My present great load is on Mr. Glascott's account; but, alas! where shall we find the Gospel, except under the affliction that is its sure handmaid? Be it so: the soul is thus preserved blameless, waiting for the Lord's coming. Then we shall be able to say, 'This is enough-no more sin now-no more sorrow now! Then the chaunts of everlasting life and liberty, and the Saviour's love, will fill heaven with acclamations of the spirits of the perfect then in glory."

To avoid all further molestation, it was unanimously resolved to take shelter under the Toleration Act. Mr. Wills having consulted with Mr. Taylor, who had joined Lady Huntingdon's Connexion after his expulsion from the chapel, they agreed for themselves to secede from the Established Church, took the oaths of allegiance as Dissenting ministers, and retained such part of the Church service as is allowed to the Dissenters by the

canons. Mr. Wills was appointed minister of the chapel, and the worship of God was carried on from that time with uninterrupted peace and harmony.

Many censorious reflections were passed on the conduct of Mr. Wills and Mr. Taylor, and many professors, as well out of the Establishment as in it, spoke hard speeches against them, as introducing a new schism into the Church of Christ. Their vindication, addressed to the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England, is inserted in the note below.*

Hitherto it had not been generally understood how far the

#66 We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, beg leave with all humility and due respect to inform your Lordships that we have for some time past been engaged in the service of the chapels belonging to the Countess Dowager of Huntingdon; apprehending that those places of worship, under the protection of her Ladyship as a peeress of the realm, were in nowise contrary to the laws, ecclesiastical or civil.

"But whereas, by a late decision in the Consistorial Court of the Bishop of London, it appears that her Ladyship cannot authorise us to officiate in her chapels in the public manner wherein we have been accustomed to exercise our ministry, we perceive ourselves (as long as we continue in the Established Church) reduced to the necessity of knowingly and wilfully opposing the laws of that church whereof we at present are ministers, or of withdrawing our services from the various congregations to whom we have ministered for a long season, and trust we have, by the blessing of God, been made useful. But as we cannot take either of these steps with a good conscience, nor submit to those ecclesiastical canons that would prevent the discharge of the ministerial commission we have received from God and man to the fullest extent; and yet desire from principle (as we have invariably done from our ordination) to spread and maintain faithfully the fundamental doctrines contained in the Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy of the Church of England through the various parts of the kingdom, as we have opportunity; we think there is no alternative left but for us to secede or withdraw peaceably from the Established Church, and under the protection of the Toleration Act, continue to maintain her doctrines, though we cannot in all things submit to her discipline. And this we desire to do, not from a factious or schismatical spirit, not from a design to propagate heresies in the Church of God, nor from any sinister or lucrative motives whatsoever; but for a simple view of glorifying God, of preaching the Gospel, and of being useful to our fellow-creatures, in that way which is most agreeable to our own consciences, and which we humbly conceive to be the most calculated for the general good of those many thousands that attend the ministry of ourselves and of those connected with us. And as great indulgences have lately been given by the legislature to religious persons of various denominations, to worship God in the way most agreeable to their consciences, we flatter ourselves our conduct will give the less offence in this land of liberty to our superiors in the Church and State, especially as we determine to maintain the doctrines of the former, and in all things desire to acquit ourselves as faithful and dutiful subjects belonging to the latter.

"We will not trouble your Lordships any further than by observing, that we have no other view in this address than to declare simply our resolutions and our motives thereunto; and in this our secession (to which we are compelled more by necessity than by choice) to acquit ourselves not only in a manner consistent with our open and uniform conduct hitherto, but in such a way as should appear most respectful to your Lordships as governors of the Established Church; humbly beseeching the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls to direct and bless your Lordships in all such undertakings as shall be most for the glory of God and the good of the Church.

"THOMAS WILLS,
"WILLIAM TAYLOR."