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During a lengthened period, the Editorial arrangements of this work were entrusted to the superintendence of the same individuals, whose gratuitous exertions were uniformly directed to advance the spiritual interests of its readers generally, and the more especial advantage of that section of the Christian community to which its distinctive title refers.

As connected with this limited enumeration of facts, it is certainly not the least gratifying, nor one which can be too thankfully acknowledged, that considerably more than FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS, arising from the profits of this work, have been distributed among the widows of Baptist ministers; and it is earnestly hoped, that from the same source, during the next quarter of a century, a much larger amount may continue to flow in that necessitous and honourable channel.

And, finally, in concluding their labours and anticipating a change of management-long since contemplated by individuals connected with this periodical, but which events, not subjected to human control, have, until now, prevented-it is not possible that the Editors should omit a momentary reference to those by-gone times, connected with the earlier history of the Baptist Magazine, in which, with simplicity of purpose, and intenseness of desire to serve the cause of truth, and promote the interests of the denomination, fraternal harmony and cordial co-operation were habitually associated. Nor will they refrain from expressing the benevolent wish, that its future progress may be distinguished by whatever is adapted to improve its character, and extend its usefulness.

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THE

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1837.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. WILLIAM NICHOLS, OF COLLINGHAM.

The Rev. William Nichols was born in Nottingham, March 17, 1762. His parents, who moved

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FROM the earliest ages of the | mendation. It is hoped that the world it has been customary for following sketch of the history of survivors to preserve some mea devoted and exemplary servant morials of their deceased friends. of Christ, may be interesting to This practice, which has prevailed the readers of the Baptist in all countries, is not the result Magazine. of divine precept or of civil enactment, but has, no doubt, arisen out of the essential laws of our intelligent and social nature. The most wild and wandering tribes of savage life, often beguile their solitude with the rehearsal of their traditionary recollections of the dead; and in every condition of society, the remembrance of those who were beloved while living, is held among the most cherished emotions of the heart. True religion has not withheld its sanction from these spontaneous workings of the sympathies of our nature, but has on the contrary taken them under its guidance and control, and thereby rendered them productive of the happiest effects. A considerable portion of the inspired volume consists of biographical history, in which the character and conduct of men are portrayed, their vices censured, and their piety and virtues held up to comVOL. XII., 3rd SERIES.

a respectable sphere of life, were laudably attentive to his religious education, and their efforts in this respect were happily not in vain for though during the former period of his youth, his conduct betrayed many most affecting indications of the waywardness of our fallen nature, yet the bias which was thus given to his character, led to a comparatively early devotement of himself to the Lord. At the suggestion of one of his thoughtless companions, he was induced to visit the Baptist meeting-house, where the late Rev. Mr. Hopper was then officiating, and it was there that it pleased God to exert that influence on his thoughts and affections which issued in his conversion. In spite of the opposition of his former associates, he resolved at once to abandon the

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ways of sin, and to devote him- | brothers, he was several years

self to God. He became regular in his attendance on the means of grace, and at the age of sixteen was baptized and admitted to church fellowship. The copious and artless narrative of the exercises of his mind, which from this time he carefully preserved, exhibits in a very interesting and satisfactory point of view, the depth and ardour of his religious experience. In a paper which he drew up in the form of a solemn covenant,' he reviewed with evident contrition the iniquity of his past life, declared his cordial acceptance of the gospel, and in strains of the most fervent piety surrendered himself to God, and breathed forth his aspirations after the enjoyment of the divine favour, and full conformity to the divine will. If there be one hour of human life more important than the rest, it is unquestionably that in which the penitent sinner thus enters into covenant with God. Oh! who can describe, who can comprehend, the infinitude of interests involved in that transaction! This is, of all others, the one special event in man's history which makes the angels of God rejoice over him. This is the first step in his upward progress to the celestial dwellingplace of these rejoicing spirits. From that hour he ceases to be the captive of Satan, the child of hell, and is made an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. The career which Mr. Nichols thus commenced under auspices so interesting, he was enabled, by divine grace, steadily to maintain, through good report and through evil report, till the close of his protracted life. Having entered into the hosiery business in partnership with his

employed as commercial traveller for the firm. And here, at the outset, the reality of his religion was severely tested. It is difficult for those who have not been themselves engaged in this department of life, to form any adequate conception of the moral jeopardy to which a pious young man, thus employed, is exposed. He has not only to contend with the dissipating influence inseparable from such an avocation, but he is also thrown into continual contact with a class of persons, much of whose converse and conventional habitudes is directly militant against his principles. Mr. Nichols soon found that it would require no ordinary vigilance and decision to resist these antagonist influences, but he firmly determined to resist them, and with much difficulty succeeded.

Though his avocations as a commercial traveller would necessarily occasion his frequent absence from home, yet such was the estimation in which he was held by the church, that he was, even while thus engaged, elected by them to the office of deacon; and the manner in which he discharged the functions of this important office, through a long series of years, made it evident that the confidence which his brethren reposed in him, was not misplaced. His uniform, bland, and affectionate demeanour, his untiring zeal for the welfare of the church, his prompt and benevolent attention to the poor and the afflicted, and the regard which he paid to the interests of the young people, and especially to those who were inquiring the way to Zion, combined to render him both beloved and useful in more than an ordinary degree. His

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