tration; in the many uncalled and worldly ministers, and the nume-
rous, unholy, profane, and carnal members.
I consider the system
to be scripturally correct, as opposed to the various systems of dissent.'
This testimony came with considerable weight, from a man who had
seen much of what is called the religious world, and who, though a
clergyman of the church of England, frequently preached in Lady
Huntingdon's chapels, and in the meeting-houses of the Methodists,
Independents, and Baptists.

"I do not consider that true religion is extensively prevalent at the present time, either in the church or among the dissenters; nor can I consider the congregations of the latter to be more spiritual and holy in general than those of the former. Things, I believe, are partially mending, especially in the church, where there is a host of young ministers coming forward, who, it is to be hoped, will be a blessing to it."

And again, to another correspondent :

"Some thirty years since, my mind was much perplexed with regard to the baptismal services of the church. After long hesitation on their propriety, accompanied with doubts whether they were consistent or not with the sacred scriptures, I obtained at length, by what means I scarcely know, my present confirmed views of the subject, and my conviction that these services are theoretically correct, and that any modern alterations would rather mar than improve them. To separate the baptism of water from that of the spirit, which is the essential character of christian baptism, in contradistinction to that of John the Baptist, and to disjoin it from regeneration, and the other spiritual benefits connected with it in the word of God, would be to divest it of its true character, and to render it nothing beyond an initiation into the visible church. Subsequently to the period when my sentiments on this subject became decided, I found them confirmed by incidental passages in the writings of some of the reformers and their successors; and in the view which the late Rev. Dr. Williams, of Rotherham, has given of baptism in his valuable and unanswerable work, entitled 'Anti-pædo Baptism examined.' But the volume in which is contained the doctrine of baptism, as connected with its spiritual privileges, agreeably to the view of our established church, is Archbishop Usher's 'Body of Divinity.'"

During his connexion with the chapel, my father as he had previously done at Wellington, prepared a selection of psalms and hymns for the use of the congregation. In both compilations, his choice evidently appears to have been guided by a regard to poetic merit as well as to a spirit of fervent piety. The latter, which has gone through several editions and is still used at the chapel, was intended to be supplemental to Mr. Cadogan's collection, which did not contain a sufficient variety to supply the psalmody for no less than six weekly services. This little work proved a farewel token of regard and esteem to his friends and congregation; as he resigned his situation, after having held it for two years.

My father now became curate of Nettlebed and Pishill, two villages in Oxfordshire, at ten and fifteen miles distance from Reading. These churches he served for the Rev. W. Marsh, for whom to the close of life he entertained a warm and constant attachment; and to whom he expressed himself indebted for varied acts of kindness and friendship. He still resided at Reading, being unable to obtain a house at Nettlebed large enough to accommodate his family and pupils; and this source of emolument he could not resign, as the salary attached to his curacies was only 501. per annum; and even that slender stipend exceeded the value of the donatives to Mr. Marsh. The duty consisted of a single service at each church; to which my father added an evening service at Nettlebed; and this, except in the depth of winter, was continued until the close of his ministry there.

the

When it is stated that to these arduous duties, was added a fatiguing ride of thirty miles, performed in all weathers, it may well be supposed, that he possessed a double portion of strength and energy to fulfil them. But his labours of love were attended by the divine blessing. While, in obedience to the apostolic injunction, he preached the word, was instant in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting, with all long suffering and doctrine; while he earnestly warned sinners of their danger, pleaded the necessity of repentance, and directed them to Christ, the sinner's only refuge; he had the unspeakable delight of seeing the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. His continual theme was a crucified Saviour:

"Him first, him last, him midst, and without end."

That glorious object was the sun of his system, from which was derived the light that pervaded every exhibition of doctrine, precept, or experience. And the preaching of the cross has ever proved the power of God unto salvation. A spirit of inquiry was roused among his hearers; conviction was awakened; faith, hope, and love were brought into operation; and their effects were soon evidenced in the reformation of the lives and characters of many among them. Their pastor thus experienced some earnest of that felicity, to be perfected in the day when he will rejoice that he has "not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." His intercourse with these poor people was marked by a spirit of affection, that did not evaporate

when in the providence of God he was removed from them. The love which rests upon christian principles continually renews its strength, and is immortal as the source from which it flows the love of God in his Son. Many letters subsequently received from those who had derived benefit of the most important kind from his instructions, contain expressions of the liveliest gratitude.

But while thus diligently occupied in discharging the functions of his sacred office, other duties, domestic and literary, demanded and received his daily superintendence; while some afflictions in his family required the exercise of patient resignation to the divine will. My mother was for a long season seriously indisposed; a near relative, residing with him, was for several months in a precarious state of health, a circumstance which proved no inconsiderable addition to his anxieties; his children, of whom he had now six, were successively attacked by the diseases incident to childhood; and the youngest was hastily called from the affectionate embrace of his parents,hut to find unchanging rest in the arms of his Redeemer, who has declared that "of such is the kingdom of heaven." The writer recurs to this event, which passed within the period of her own recollection, with undefinable sensations of mingled pleasure and regret. While recalling the visions of those early days, amid the dim and misty shadows in which they are chiefly involved, an object here and there stands out distinctly marked in vivid colours. She cannot forget her father's assembling his little ones in his

study, where, as they knelt around the coffin that contained the remains of the departed babe, he, with holy fervour and simplicity, poured out thanksgivings for his early escape from a world of sin and sorrow, and prayers for those that remained, that all might at length meet-"no wanderer lost, a family in heaven." A few months afterwards he took some of his children to visit his last quiet resting-place, in the retired churchyard of Caversham. The little grassy mound was covered with the flowering beauties of summer; frail emblems of our short-lived existence here. He spoke of the happiness of heaven, and beguiled the long walk homeward with sweet and holy instruction; remarking that as every step brought them a little nearer home, so every day should prove a step, whereby to make some advance to our Father's house above.

My father never forgot that our most important are our earliest years," and sedulously strove to instil religious principles, as well as general information, in the most attractive form; and agreeably to the scriptural direction, at every season, whether sitting in the house or walking by the way. And his doctrine might truly be said "to drop as the rain and distil as the dew; as the small rain upon the tender herb, and the showers upon the grass;" so pleasant it was to receive his instructions, and so unwearied was he in imparting them. His company and conversation were exceedingly interesting to children; they were objects of his fond affection, and even to the close of life he felt much pleasure in talking to them; and it