he "first gave himself to the Lord, and then unto his people by the will of God." In September, 1818, he was admitted a member of the church assembling in King-street Chapel, Portsea, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Griffin. So far from thinking that union with a Christian church was the end, and a seat at the Lord's table the goal, of the young Christian's attainments, he made use of them but as the means, and earnestly sought that these high privileges should be subservient to his growth in grace, and future usefulness in the service of Christ. His diary records with what constancy and care he attended to the secret exercises of devotion, and how much he enjoyed the public services of the house of God, under the ministrations of his beloved pastor. The prayer-meeting too was his special delight, and with youthful ardour, though with trembling heart, he now took his part in the social exercises of that important service. He was encouraged by the elders and brethren, moreover, to assist them in the various organizations of the church for spreading the knowledge of the truth; and willingly essayed to use the ability which God had given him in visiting the sick, in addressing the Sabbathschool, and in accompanying the preacher, and sometimes himself engaging, on the evening of the Lord's day, in the villages around. In these pursuits his leisure time was much occupied. The memorable reply which Mr. Griffin once made to a ministerial brother, on his witnessing the prosperity of King-street Chapel, that his plan was "to feed the people well, and give them plenty of work to do," was at this time especially exemplified at Portsca. Thus initiated into the Christian profession, and associated with a minister and people who felt that the great object of that profession was to glorify Christ, by diffusing his saving knowledge, it is not to be wondered at, that the mind of young Edmonds became imbued with a similar spirit, and that his heart aspired to higher services in the cause of God. To do something for Christ, and to be instrumental in benefiting his fellow-creatures, became now the ruling passion of his soul. The ministry, but above all, the missionary work, was the supreme object of his desire; and though it appeared to him, in all its sublime importance, far above his reach, and a destiny to which he could scarcely aspire, yet he could not dispossess his mind of the thought, nor his heart of the purpose, if such were the will of God concerning him. "The accounts which I heard and read," he says, "of the state of the heathen world deeply impressed my mind, and I daily prayed for their conversion to God." "Often did I lament the small number of those who were employed among the heathen, and, in obedience to the Saviour's command, I prayed that He would thrust more labourers into his vineyard. On one occasion especially, when thus engaged in prayer, I was constrained to add, from a conviction of the importance of missionary exertions, Lord, if it be thy will, send me to the heathen; call me to this work; but, oh! carry me not hence unless thy presence and blessing go with me.'" From that hour it was the constant desire of his heart to be a missionary. Long was that desire cherished in secret, before it was disclosed. At length it was revealed to his beloved pastor and some Christian friends, who gave him their judicious counsel, and encouraged him to procced. Application was made to the directors of the London Missionary Society on his behalf, and having passed his examination entirely to their satisfaction, he was introduced by them to the academy at Gosport, as one of their students, under the able tutorship of the late Dr. Bogue. The writer well remembers with what interest and welcome young Mr. Edmonds was received into the fraternal circle of candidates for the holy ministry at that time there; for a report of him had come "across the water," and his ruddy appearance, with his ardent temperament and devoted heart, excited the hope that he would prove a youthful David among those who were aspiring to be numbered with the army of the living God. That hope was not disappointed. Though not gifted with any superior powers of intellect, his attention to study, his diligence in all its engagements, and his willingness to every good word and work, made him at once the object of his tutors' confidence, and of the attachment and regard of his fellow-students. After the first year he took his regular turn at the preaching-places of the vicinity, in one of which his early labours were greatly blessed for good to the people; and "bishop" of that place was the friendly cognomen by which he was known among the brethren. In the larger towns of Hampshire, and of the neighbouring counties, he was subsequently and always acceptably employed. At the close of the usual period of study, he was appointed by the directors to Chinsurah, in the East Indies, near Calcutta, on the banks of the Hoogley, to strengthen the mission there. Previous to his embarkation, he was publicly ordained to the work of a missionary, in the Independent Meeting at Poole, his native town, on the 17th of March, 1824. The Rev. T. Durant, pastor of the place, with Messrs. Bishop of Ringwood, Adkins of Southampton, Griffin of Portsea, Caston of Newport, and others, were engaged in the services of the day; and deeply interesting and memorable, as some now living can testify, were the solemnities of that occasion. In the summer following, Mr. Edmonds, with Mrs. Edmonds, departed from their native land for the distant East, and safely reached Calcutta before the close of the year. When arrived in Chinsurah, he gave himself with characteristic ardour to the work of a missionary of Christ, and was soon able to communicate with the natives iu their own tongue. Application to this, and English services in the neighbourhood, beneath the heat of an Indian sun, soon, however, prostrated the strength which he had previously enjoyed, and it shortly became evident that an oriental sphere was not the one which the great Master intended he should long occupy. His beloved partner, moreover, was brought by the heat of the climate almost to the borders of the grave; and after having made use of all the appliances of medical skill in vain, he saw no prospect of recovery for himself or her, but by a return to his native land. The brethren of the mission showed great kindness to him. They affectionately advised him to think of a return. due time the directors also expressed their entire concurrence with it; and, in the spring of 1827, Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, with an infant child, all weakened by disease, arrived again on the shores of England, and worshipped with the congregation at Great Georgestreet, Liverpool, on the first sabbath after the voyage; Dr. Raffles kindly receiving them, and offering praise and prayer on their behalf. In The voyage home had greatly im proved his health, and after a few weeks' relaxation he was enabled to resume his labours in his native land. Seve ral months were occupied in missionary visits to the anniversaries of different societies, and in occasional services of other kinds. The first pastoral charge to which he was inducted was at Hope Chapel, Shelton, Staffordshire, to which he was invited after a few sabbaths' engagements. There, on the 20th May, 1828, he was publicly recognised. At the time of his "entering in" among the people there, the cause of Christ was in a low and depressed condition; but by his affectionate and diligent endeavours, accompanied with the Divine blessing, it was revived. laboured "in season and out of season." Many instances of usefulness occurred. The confidence of all was placed in him. The young were attached to his He ministry; the aged were comforted; and the church considerably enlarged. For nearly fourteen years he watched over it with solicitude and joy, amidst many tokens of the Saviour's presence, and of the growing prosperity of his cause; so that, when called in providence to leave the first sphere of his pastoral anxieties and duties, he gratefully reared his Ebenezer, and said, Hitherto the Lord hath helped me." In the early part of the year 1841, he was invited to visit, as a supply, the Independent Chapel, St. Helen's, Lancashire, and to spend a few sabbaths with the then destitute church and congregation assembling within its walls. The result was an earnest request to become their pastor. 66 Though he was attached to his former flock, and they equally attached to him, yet he thought, after much anxiety, that the pillar and the cloud admonished him to depart. He accordingly resigned his charge in the Potteries, and removed with his family to St. Helen's. On the third Sabbath of the month of May, 1841, he entered on his pastoral duties, and was received with affectionate regard, and many prayers, by a united congregation. With what solicitude and prayer he devoted himself to the discharge of his obligations in this place, those who knew him can tell; and there are not a few now living, as well as some departed in the faith of Christ, who can testify to the benefit they derived from his public ministrations. Anxious to make "full proof of his ministry," and to declare "the whole counsel of God," he gave himself much to the study of the inspired word, and of the writings of our old and eminent divines. These were his constant companions and delight; and hence it was that he brought out of the treasury of the household "things new and old." The truths of "the glorious gospel of the blessed God" were the constant theme of his ministry. The trumpet gave no "uncertain sound" from his lips, but the clear notes of redeeming grace and love filled the place, and awakened a grateful response in the hearts of many who felt their need of mercy, and saw cified One. To "preach the unsearchno hope but in the merit of the cruable riches of Christ," was the aim of his whole career, the motto with which he began his ministry, and, in faithful allegiance to which, thirty-five years afterwards, he closed it, in obedience to his Lord's command. The torate, both at Shelton and St. Helen's, During the whole course of his pashe was accustomed annually to devote a portion of his time to the furtherdirectors invited him to employ a month, ance of the missionary cause. at least, in every year, in deputation scarcely a part of England, Scotland, services on its behalf; and there is its claims. or Wales, which he did not visit to plead Everywhere his services teresting to himself, and profitable to were acceptable. These visits were inothers; and though they were accompanied with great labour, he usually returned from them refreshed in spirit, if not in body. voted and useful servant of Christ must But the time drew near that this deyears to labour with little interruption, die. He had been spared for many and was usually called a critical period in the now approaching what is life of man. entered on the year 1858 with strength To him it so proved. He apparently but little impaired, though of late occasionally failing, and with renewed hopes and prospects. Some circumstances especially conspired to encourage him in his pastoral relation, and to cheer his heart. On the first of January he writes in his diary," Closed the last year with thanksgiving, and commenced the new year with prayer. I have been enabled to continue my Reviewed the past with gratitude that public labours through the year. desire also to record the goodness of God in fulfilling the desire which I endeavours; and in his strength I dethen expressed as to the success of my sire to persevere through the present I and his son were soon at his side. They saw that the hand of death was upon him. He sunk, after the struggle, into an apparently calm sleep, and at about half-past six on that sacred evening breathed out his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer and Lord. Stillness reigned in the house. His affectionate partner was left to finish life's pilgrimage alone. His children were fatherless. A messenger was sent to the sanctuary, in which the evening service was begun. The minister officiating, and the people, were deeply affected. The former was just about to give out his text, but was unable to proceed, and appropriately observed that neither he could preach, nor the people hear, under the impression of such a visitation from the hand of God. The service was, therefore, turned into mourning and prayer, and after united supplication for the family and for themselves, as a now bereaved church and congregation, they separated from the house of God. Their pastor had "spoken" to them in the morning, and at evening "he died." His last subject was "Access to God through a Mediator," and ere the Sabbath closed he was realizing it in year. I pray God to add His effectual "On the following Saturday morning," states the "St. Helen's Intelligencer" of the time, "the mortal remains of the much-respected Rev. John Edmonds were removed from the Manse to the family vauit in the Independent Chapel of this town, amidst large crowds of people. The funeral was numerously attended, and the deepest solemnity prevailed. The hearse was preceded by the Rev. W. Roaf, of Wigan; the Rev. W. G. Nevatt, of St. Helen's; Rev. Mr. Widdows, of Rainford; Rev. H. E. F. Vallancey, Vicar of Sutton; and Dr. Alanson Gaskell. In the mourning coach were the Rev. Mr. Caston, from Bristol; Dr. Spencer Edmonds, and Messrs. William and Caston Edmonds, followed by the trustees and deacons and a long train of the members of the congregation, and many other gentlemen, among whom we during which many persons were af- On Sabbath evening, April 4th, his beloved and honoured friend, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, improved the affecting event to an overflowing congregation, in the chapel at St. Helen's, from Revelation xiv. 3; and deep was the impression produced on the minds BRIEF MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. JOHN CLUNIE, LL.D. JOHN CLUNIE was born in London, in April, 1784; but both his parents were natives of Scotland, and were distinguished for the simplicity and fervour of their piety. On their settlement in London, they joined the Secession Church in Wells-street, of which Dr. Alexander Waugh was the pastor,-a man whose name is still embalmed in the memory of many, for the splendour of his genius, the warmth of his benevolence, and the catholicity of his spirit. Dr. Clunie's father afterwards became an elder of Dr. Waugh's church. He was a man of a devout spirit and reflective mind, as is evident from a small volume of Sacramental Meditations which he penned, and which was afterwards published and edited by his son. It was under the combined influence of parental piety and ministerial instruction that our departed friend was early brought to decision for Christ, and that he joined the church with which his parents were connected. Of the pastor of his youth he was wont to speak in terms of lively gratitude and veneration. For some time John Clunie was an apprentice to a woollen-draper, Mr. Reed, of Conduit-street, London, who was also one of Dr. Waugh's elders. Before the term of his apprenticeship was expired, however, by consent of his employer, he gave up business to become a student at Hoxton Academy. Among his fellow-students at Hoxtor was the Rev. R. Slate, of Preston, who writes :-" My acquaintance with our late friend commenced in August, 1805, when I became a student in Old College, Hoxton; and has been continued to the day of his death, a period of nearly fifty-three years. I have always found him to be a steady, kind, generous, and faithful friend, during the whole of that period; and hope our friendship will be renewed in a perfect state, when, by the grace of God, we meet in another and better world." Another of Dr. Clunie's fellow-students was Dr. Robert Morrison, the distinguished missionary to China, with whom he maintained a frequent correspondence. It was Dr. Clunie's desire to devote himself to the work of a Christian missionary; and it was owing to the medical opinion as to the state of his health being unfavourable, that he was prevented from the fulfilment of his purpose. In 1807, he enjoyed the advantage of becoming one of Dr. Williams's scholars in the University of Glasgow, where he remained for three years. Among his fellow-students at Glasgow were Dr. Henry F. Burder and the late Dr. Joseph Fletcher, of Stepney. It was from this university that he afterwards received the degree of Doctor in Laws. On leaving |