that "a root" springing "out of a dry ground

was

destined to become a tree, whose branches should cover the whole earth with their beauty, fragrance, and fruit? Or that a work begun in humility and sorrow, by one despised and rejected of men, wonderful in its simplicity, was destined to go on and prosper, until it shall become co-extensive with the globe on which we dwell, and commensurate with eternity? This work, committed to the apostles, evangelists, and ministers of Christ, has been carried on by them in much patience, afflictions, necessities, and distresses; and in a manner, for the most part, silent and unobserved as the dew of the morning; but when it shall be accomplished, an assemblage more numerous than those countless drops, which sometimes cover the face of nature, shall appear, gathered out of all lands, to be received into the new Jerusalem, there to rejoice in the presence of God for ever. Viewed then in the light of eternity, those efforts, however weak or despised, which tend to lead the thoughtless to serious reflection, and direct the weary sinner to the compassionate Saviour, are of incomparable value.

In this work the attention and affections of my father were ever occupied. He embraced with alacrity opportunities of administering caution, advice, or encouragement, to all within the circle of his influence; whether old or young; child, pupil, servant, occasional guest or stranger; nor was the poor vagrant at the door, neglected; and the mite of relief was always accompanied by questions of

spiritual examination and counsel. Indeed it sometimes appeared that the trifling donation, was partly designed to purchase or repay the attention of the wanderer; not that there needed a bribe; for there was a charm in the condescending interest with which he listened to their tales of sorrow or want, that seldom failed to produce correspondent gratitude and respect. He was very happy in his endeavours to excite the attention of strangers to religious subjects; and he would observe, that he was unwilling to part with any, whom he might never meet again until the judgment of the great day, without setting before them the prominent truths of the gospel" words whereby they might be saved;" and this he did more fully or concisely, according to circumstances.

Foreigners the stranger in a strange land," never failed to attract his benevolent sympathy; and to the outcast Jews especially, he delighted to offer back the salvation, which rejecting themselves, their forefathers had been instrumental in communicating to others. He frequently drew them into conversation respecting their prejudices, and brought in review before them the leading arguments in favour of christianity; recommending them earnestly to pray to the God of Abraham for heavenly wisdom. He pursued a similar course with Roman Catholics. At one period, when so many of the French found a refuge in this country from the horrors their own presented on every side, his attention was particularly directed to them. More recently the Irish papists

were advised and instructed by him; opportunities for which were not of rare occurrence. Bibles, Testaments, and Prayer-books, with the publications of the Christian Knowledge and Religious Tract Societies, he freely gave, when circumstances seemed to justify or prudence permitted the donation; and many a poor traveller or intelligent inquirer among the gipsies, may still possess the sacred scriptures, or some portion of them, with their own name and that of their friend and well-wisher the donor, inscribed within the cover.

These casual interviews, while they tended to recommend religion and endear its ministers, may have produced in many instances beneficial results. My father believed, that the good seed when scattered abroad, would surely take root in one place or another; and that it may often prove fruitful, equally beyond our expectations, as without our knowledge. He acted therefore in conformity with the scriptural direction : "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

Mr. Stephenson was generally absent from his parish three or four months in the year; and when he left it in 1814, it was to return to it no more. This truly humble and benevolent man, peacefully departed this life, while on a visit to his son, the Rev. Joseph Stephenson, at Lympsham in Somersetshire.

It was now earnestly desired that my father should succeed to the living. His general demeanour,

characterised by unassuming simplicity and inflexible
integrity, had gained for him the sincere respect,
and cordial good wishes of almost every individual
in the parish. He would himself have separated
from his flock with feelings of regret; and this may
be stated of any period during his residence at Olney.
When the letter containing the intelligence of his
appointment arrived, it was brought to my father by
one of his friends, a gentleman warmly interested in
the decision; but he refused to open it, or gratify
the eager solicitation of his family or friends, till he
had retired to commit himself and them to the
sovereign Judge of all the earth; and to implore
grace to be prepared for whatever should be His will.
He received the presentation to the vicarage on the
11th of January 1815; exactly four years after the
commencement of his ministry there as the curate :
he was instituted on the 8th of March, and inducted
by a valued friend on the 15th, the day on which he
completed his fifty-third year.

The transition from curate to vicar, produced little
change in his circumstances, except in the advantage
of removing, with his family, to the modern and con-
venient house belonging to the vicarage. And this
abode proved indeed to my father, "none other
than the house of God," and at length "the gate of
heaven." For here he passed many years in com-
munion with his divine Lord; and hence, when their
number was accomplished, the freed spirit winged
way to the mansions of glory. The study espe-
cially-Mr. Newton's study, as he frequently termed

its

for the Holy Spirit's influence upon the heart, renders every talent, natural or acquired, subservient to the divine glory. The vocal service of the church, was a part of worship which he endeavoured to raise to its merited importance. His object was, by increasing the stock of devotional poetry, and uniting it with good music, to excite that warmth of adoration so apparent, when a whole congregation unites in the delightful work of praise. To effect this, he arranged many of the tunes generally used in our churches, for four voices; adding an extensive collection from the Lutheran church, and our own composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The introduction of light, trivial, or vulgar melodies, was to him a subject of regret. On the publication of the psalm tunes of Samuel Wesley, he introduced several of them; being of opinion that they combine the refinement of the modern, with the bold outline of the ancient school. He had frequently during Mr. Stephenson's time, proposed the erection of an organ, as eminently auxiliary to the vocal part of our worship. The latter had promised his aid in the accomplishment of this object. It was not however until after his death, and towards the close of the year 1815, that an organ was purchased by subscription. It was opened on the 17th of December, by Mr. James Marshall.* It may deserve mention, that in

This gentleman was a native of Olney. He manifested in his childhood great talent for music; in consequence of which he was patronized by the late Earl of Dartmouth. He afterwards attained considerable celebrity as a professor of music at Warwick.