"If I shall attain these objects, if it shall please God to give me success in inculcating holiness and charity upon the church, over which it has pleased him to appoint me ; then I shall never despair of seeing continual accessions to its numbers-then the word of the Lord will, I doubt not, have great success-and others, many others, shall join them to a society where the spirit of the Lord has taken his abode. To this object, it will of course be my constant duty to have regard.

In the calling of men to repentance, I purpose to represent to them the ruin of man by sin, and the restoration of man by Jesus Christ, supporting each representation by the terrors of the Lord,' and the rewards of the kingdom. Not as a messenger of wrath, but of peace, I would win and persuade every man that hears me, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he may saved. And after doing my endeavour to persuade, I hope I shall not fail to implore the Divine Influence, with

be

years arisen to confer blessings upon mankind,have been originated, or are very chiefly supported, by the Non-conformists of this country. It should seem as if the persecution and expatriation of our fathers had taught their descendants to enlarge their views beyond the threshold of home to all nations of men-to know no longer the claims of selfishness, but to live as citizens of the world. And accordingly these men are the first to propose that our inheritance of life, our Scriptures of immortality should be sent to every nation on this earth. They are among the first to venture forth and colonize the islands of the heathen with messengers of mercy-they preach the gospel to the ignorant of our own land, and provide for its introduction where the Legislature has not thought it proper, or necessary, or practicable to send it."-Sermon on Ps. xliv. 1. p. 16: dated" Norwich, Aug. 21, 1823."

COMMENCEMENT OF HIS

out which all human efforts are most ineffectual.

[Sect. v.

And I

do most earnestly beseech the Good Spirit to touch the impenitent hearts of men, to recover the wandering, to convert and to save all that shall hear me.

"I would just mention here, that it will be an object never to be overlooked, to set forth the glory and power of the Blessed Spirit, who gives all the success to the gospel of Christ. By acknowledging his agency, and imploring it unceasingly, I shall hope to receive the promise, that our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those that ask him.

ment.

"As the sum and crown of every expectation, I look forwards and desire to look, at all times, to the account which must one day be rendered, and the presenting of the faithful servants of Christ, perfect in the day of judgThis expectation will be the strong stimulus, and the invincible attraction to labour and perseverance. Might I hope to realize it to the full! Might I hope that all my charge shall be so found at last! I entreat your prayers, and the renewed prayers of this assembly, that hopes, so fair and holy may never be blighted, either by the negligence of the one party, or by the inattention of the other."

Determined to make full proof of his ministry, this devoted youth commenced his pastoral relationship, with all the diligence and earnestness of that sacred office. He began to "devise liberal things" for the supply of his

1825.]

CHARGE AT ATTERCLIFFE.

charge, and consecrated the stores of a richly-furnished mind to their improvement. Conscious that the Christian Minister should be the father of his people's character, he was determined, by every means at his command, to seek the happiness of "seeing his children walk in the truth," with enlightened conviction and exemplary honour. The tone of religious feeling he was desirous of raising to the pure standard of unadulterated Scripture; and in every respect to have the Congregational character modelled after the practice of primitive, catholic Christianity.

Under such impressions, and for purposes like these, he selected his pulpit discourses and subordinated every consideration of his ministry. He shortly introduced to his people, on the evenings of the Lord's days, a series of discourses on "Hebrew Prophecy," which were listened to with considerable excitement, and attended with peculiar pleasure by a respectable auditory. As they will form the subject of a separate Section in this Work, in compliance with the wishes of many friends, every reader may have an opportunity of forming his own opinion of their character and claims.

Mr. J. was no sooner "comfortably settled," with every prospect of hearty co-operation and abundant success among his people, than afflictions began to overtake him. His own health was now tolerably established, though he was by no means capable of much zealous exertion. Of this, he needed sometimes to be reminded, so arduous and

DEATH OF HIS MOTHER.

[Sect. v.

unceasing was his attention to the multiplicity of claims upon his valuable assistance and services. In the midst of these, he was painfully summoned from home to visit the death-bed scene of his excellent Mother;* and was thus early bereaved of so valuable a housekeeper and friend. This sudden stroke he felt most keenly, on his own account; but it was his desire to say with the afflicted and submissive patriarch :—

"Jehovah giveth and Jehovah taketh away,

And blessed be the name of Jehovah.”

Another " course of Sermons" he now engaged to deliver, comprising though a small number, yet topics of deep interest and of high practical advantage to himself and his hearers. It may suffice here merely to specify them, with their several texts; and to observe, that they are now in the possession of a particular friend,† who highly prizes them for the lamented writer's sake.

* Mrs. J. died suddenly at Cockermouth, Aug. 24; 1825, on a visit at her brother's; and was therefore "buried in the sepulchre of her fathers."

+W. F. Rawson, Esq. to whose kindness I have been indebted for the present use of them,

1825.]

SCRIPTURE EXPLANATION MEETING.

About the same time, this devoted Pastor established, what may be termed, a Scripture explanation Meeting. This was particularly for the benefit of the young; and proposed, by the facilities of friendly conference, to aim at solving the difficulties, and tracing the excellencies of various portions of the Bible. The reasons, object and plan have been all regularly committed to writing; and I am happy in being able to transcribe them, for the information and imitation of others.

ORDER OF THE MEETING.

"TIME. From eight to nine on Wednesday evening, after the Lecture.

"PLAN.-To commence with prayer, and close with singing.

"After prayer, each of the persons present shall be expected to read such short portion of Scripture, for the purpose of explanation, as he had proposed at the preceding meeting. These Scriptures the Minister shall explain in their order, so many as time will admit.

"After this, each person shall be at liberty to present a portion of Scripture for explanation, at the next meeting, stating what are the difficulties which he wishes to have removed.

"It may also be understood, that occasionally the Minister will make one of these passages, when suitable, the subject of the Weekly Lecture.