he did not engage in its duties | Clark, a respectable inhabitant of up. sooner, is a question, involving an that town. This connection proved an answer, well deserving the at- a reciprocal blessing; and they so tention of the young. He honoured walked together as heirs of the his father and his mother. He con- grace of life, as fully to warrant sulted their interests, and strove the conclusion, that their union to the utmost, and to the last, to was formed under the sanction and promote their temporal comfort. blessing of heaven. But the one In a well recollected conversation is taken, and the other is left. The with him some years since, upon widow remains, with her three this subject, he observed to the sons and three daughters, to dewriter of this memoir (or words plore most deeply a loss, which nearly to this effect), "as an ap-grace may enable them to endure, prentice to my father, he was enti- but which earth can never make tled to the benefit arising from my labours, and therefore, though he From Rye, it appears, he rewas willing to make the sacrifice moved to Chipping Ongar, in of that benefit, yet, much as 1 Essex; and at this place it is prodesired the work of the Lord, I bable he would have remained, at was unwilling that the sacrifice least much longer than he did, and should be made, and that because" have blessed it, not burdened it it would have involved an abridg- with his residence," had not the ment of my parents' temporal com- change of his sentiments relative forts." This was the reason (in to the Ordinance of Baptism so far at least as the writer has shortened the period of his continubeen able to ascertain) why he ance there. "I shall never forget did not enter upon the work of the (says an aged deacon of this church, ministry earlier; and this surely and who himself is not far from was a motive acceptable to God, the kingdom of God-in a letter as it was most unquestionably to the writer), your dear father's worthy of himself, and beneficial liberal sentiments as it respected to others. It was not long after us, and himself, as to our future the expiration of his apprentice- pursuits; and we parted, but with ship that he entered Cheshunt Col- some of us, not to say all, it was lege; but as there is no authentic like tearing away a part of ourmemorial of this, and other circum-selves; such was the attachment." stances connected with this part of his history, no certain reason can be assigned why his continuance there was not of long duration. We next find him discharging his ministry, with honour to himself, and with benefit to the Independent Church (a church not now extant), at Rye, in Sussex; and from which after having laboured there for some months, he received an invitation to settle among them as their pastor. This invitation was dated, March 15, 1793, but he did not accept it. Here he married the daughter of Mr. Philip This brings us down to his honourable connection with the church at Unicorn Yard. From this church, after four months' probationary labours, he received a letter, dated 19th of April, 1795, signed on behalf of the whole, affectionately inviting him to take the oversight of them in the Lord. This, however, was not the only invitation he received during the interval of his leaving Rye, and his final settlement in London; for in looking over some of his letters, several have been found, containing invitations from different churches. One from the church at Milton, in of the left side (occasioned, it is Kent, dated July 3, 1793; another presumed, by the rupture of some from Ware, dated June 16, 1793; large blood-vessel within the cavity and a third from Harlow, dated of the brain), which terminated for June 4, 1795. But it was to the ever his public employ. The church at Unicorn Yard he was petitions which dropped from his directed by him, who keeps the venerable lips when thus attacked, feet of his saints." To this church and after a momentary pause, comhe conscientiously and actively prised the substance of all his devoted his time and his talents, sermons, the purport of all his his heart and his life, for the space prayers, and the object of all his of better than thirty-two years; hopes; lifting up his eyes to and this he did, "not by con- heaven, he drew a long and deep straint, but willingly; not for filthy breath, and in the tremulous tones lucre, but of a ready mind." He of a failing voice, said, "Lord, was ordained to the office which we are dying creatures, prepare us he so long and so honourably for life, prepare us for death, and sustained, July 23, 1795, and for eternal glory, for Christ's sake. it is worthy of remark, that but Amen." Here the power of artione minister still lives, who took culation failed him, and he fell, to a part in the services of that stand in that pulpit no more. He day. Those who knew him best was removed by his deacons to his in the discharge of his official duty home, and to his bed, where he (the writer feels confident), will exemplified in dying moments, the have no hesitation in saying of aid of those hallowed principles him, that he was indeed, "a chosen which he had inculcated with servant to feed Jacob his people, living energies; displaying all the and Israel his inheritance.' And unruffled composure of one, who from the commencement to the was indeed assured, that "all was sudden, but final termination of well." To the last the partner of his sacred engagements, it may in his life and his children held a truth be affirmed," that he fed the large share in his affections, his people of his charge, according to counsels, and his prayers. He took the integrity of his heart, and his leave of them twice; once on guided them by the skilfulness of his the Wednesday morning, and again hands," till at length he dropped, on the Thursday evening. On the not sleeping at his post, but pray-first of these occasions he looked ing in his pulpit, on Lord's day at his eldest son, who was standmorning, Feb. 25, 1827. ing by his bed side, and said, so as to be understood, "most gone." He then addressed for some time his family, evidently intending The mind, and the heart of the writer convince him, that a son is but ill qualified for the discharge of that part of the duty, which (like dying Jacob) something for must now be performed; it requires more nerve, and less feeling, than he is the subject of, to relate the circumstances attendant upon a father's death. Mr. H. was attacked during the performance of Divine service (the general prayer), with a fit of apoplexy, and consequent paralysis each, but little could be understood. Having paused for a few moments, he lifted up his hand, and said, "all is well :" and on his son's asking him if he was happy, he answered with an emphasis, yes! yes!" He was evidently much in prayer. In this state he continued till Thursday 66 evening, March 1st, when he calmly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, and entered the joy of his Lord. "Softly his fainting head he lay His Maker kissed his soul away, "Not a groan, nor a pain, nor a tear, acquaintance with him to be convinced, that he was a good man." "I had not," (says a respectable minister, lately removed to London, in a letter to the writer) "the happiness of a long acquaintance with Mr. H., but saw enough_to be forcibly impressed with an idea He experienced a far less mea-of his solid worth. His unruffled sure of suffering, than usually modesty, his ardent piety, his attends a departure from this gentleness and kindness were maworld. He laid him down in nifest to all." Yes, he lived daily peace, and seems scarcely to have under the influence of Christian known that he was absent from the principles, and as a necessary conbody, before he found himself pre- sequence, the happy effects of sent with the Lord. these principles, were rendered visible in his conduct. He was a man of God, and as such he was a man of prayer. A man eminently embued, both with the gift, and the spirit of prayer: may we, who remain, catch the mantle of this ascended Elijah! He cherished, and attained, and enjoyed, genuine and exalted devotion; in order to which he courted privacy and retirement. The popular cry of "lo here! or lo there!" exerted no attractive influence upon him. He was not to be seen every where, but where he ought to have been. The people of his charge always knew where to find their pastor, in his study, alone with God. He tasted himself what he handed out to others. He did not offer, either to his God, or to his people, that which cost him nothing. Unseen and unheard, he was week after week, and day after day, working in the mines of God's word, as for hidden treasure, that thereby his own edification, and growth in grace might be promoted, while he became more extensively qualified to advance the benefit of others. He walked much in the paradise His remains were deposited in Bunhill Fields, in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to eternal life, on March the 12th, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and spectators, anxious to testify their respect for this eminent Christian, and distinguished minister; on which occasion an appropriate address was delivered by Dr. Newman, in his wonted strain of affection, of piety, of solemnity, and of excellence; and on the following Lord's day afternoon, a Sermon was preached by Dr. Rippon to a crowded audience, from John ix. 4. The character of this distinguished servant of Christ, remains to be noticed; that we may be followers of his faith, and practically consider the end of his con versation. As a man, he was amiable in his disposition, attentive in his manners, steady in his friendships, tender in his feelings, and unas-of communion with God, and thus piring in his pretensions. As a Christian, his religion was the religion of the heart, and of the life. It required no lengthened he not only partook of the tree of life himself, but he obtained immortal fruit to feed the church. The duties of the closet extended their influence to the pulpit. The formed the deceased to such disexercises and enjoyments of per- tinguished excellence of character sonal religion diffused around him as a Christian, the answer given a blessed savour of Christ, whether in this case, is the same, as must he entered the parlonr, or the pulpit. be given in the case of all, who are There was such a combination of" Israelites indeed;" "by the intelligence and spirituality, of grace of God he was what he sensibility and solemn feeling, of was;" and by the same grace he fervour, pathos, and energy in his devotions, that he was like Aaron, who was recognised as the high priest of good things to come, much more by the rich perfume he diffused, than by the sound of the bells he wore. The personality of his religion, moreover, extended its influence to the motives by which he was actuated in the discharge of his public ministrations. did what he did. By grace he possessed a spirit that disdained dishonour, a heart that knew not guile, a life that was above reproach, a character that was beyond suspicion. As a minister, he followed the Master he served, and the Saviour he adored. He was an example to his family, to his friends, and to his flock, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As a minister he was affectionate. The being celebrated as an orator, or the being applauded as a candid, rational preacher, were He cherished the warmest atobjects too mean to engage his tachment to the people of his pursuits, or fire his ambition. He charge, for he knew that love is disdained the paltry artifice of the fulfilling of the law, and the finding a Shibboleth, or of invent- bond of perfection. And hence ing one, to make himself the head from personal knowledge the of a party, or the rallying point of writer is warranted to say of the a sect. He was in earnest to win deceased, that he carefully, and souls to Christ, and with his spirit conscientiously, watched against he served God in the Gospel of his every impression, that would tend Son. And thus he carried in his in the remotest degree to alienate own bosom a powerful stimulus his mind from his flock. He was to exertion, and an effectual anti- concerned that his love towards dote to discouragement. He pos- them might "abound, yet more sessed an internal source of conso- and more, in knowledge and in all lation, of which no adverse cir-judgment:" and prayed to be encumstances could deprive him, and creasingly imbued with the spirit feeling somewhat of that to which of him "who loved the church, an apostle refers, when he says, and gave himself for it." "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward;" he was prepared to meet the trials of life, the solemnities of death, and the awards of eternity. If, however, it should be asked, what As a minister he was faithful. In dispensing the word of truth, it was his concern to maintain the most unshaken fidelity, and unabated zeal. He shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. He handled not the word of God deceitfully. True, he insulted no man's feelings, misrepresented no man's sentiments, burlesqued no man's conduct; but then, in speak nounce in the parlour, the doctrines of the pulpit, and diffused a kind of Sabbath day dignity over all his hours, and over all his ing boldly, he feared no man's ration, from principle, and with enmity, and courted no man's ardour. He shunned not to anfriendship at the expence of truth. The manner, and the strain of his preaching, evinced at once his affection for the souls of his hearers, and his warm and ardent attach-visits. Thus did he faithfully and ment to the truth as it is in Jesus. affectionately attend the flock, He knew that what flows faithfully "over which the Holy Ghost had and affectionately from the heart made him an overseer," "not of the speaker, is most likely to counting his life dear unto him, so make its way to the hearts of the that he might finish his course with hearers, and that such animated joy, and the ministry which he had fidelity needs no apology, as the received of the Lord Jesus, to teswant of it admits of none. tify the Gospel of the grace of God." his As a minister he was judicious. He explained Scripture by ScripBut he has finished his course, ture, but he did not mistake sound and entered into his rest. He is for sense, nor take any unwarrant- reaping his gain, while we are able liberties with the word of deploring our loss. The death of God. He betrayed no culpable such a man, of such a husband, of partiality for some doctrines at the such a father, of such a friend, of expence of others. He looked such a Christian, and of such a upon every link in the glorious minister, is indeed a mournful loss chain of salvation, as essential to to us, but a great gain to him. It the perfection of the whole; but at is a loss to the family; for his the same time, he did not gratify instructions, his entreaties, the false taste of those, who will prayers, and his example will be not admit that a full Gospel has heard and witnessed no more. It been preached, unless in every dis- is a loss to the church; he will course, the five points, as they call plead no more, he will not toil them, were detailed, and profess-again for the advancement of its edly discussed. And in order that he might give to every one his portion of meat in due season, he guarded against an indiscriminate application of the promises and threatenings of the divine word; and without descending to the meanness of personal preaching, he endeavoured to be characteristic; varying the mode of his address, according to the nature of the subject, and the character of the parties to whom that address was directed. interests. It is a loss to the social circle; it is no wonder that those who shared most intimately his friendship feel so keenly (and the writer will add, so honourably to them), the desolation which his death has occasioned. Such a friend, so confiding, so affectionate, so faithful, so constant, grows not on every bough. It is a loss to the world; for if good men are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth, the one to illumine its moral darkness, and the other to As a minister he was diligent. stay its moral corruption, then the He pursued with laborious at-light which he diffused is extintention the duties essentially connected with his holy calling. His work was always before him, and he pursued that work with delibe guished, and the salt which he scattered is withheld. With honour and with joy, he rested from his labours, in the fifty-ninth year of |