THE Rev. JOSEPH JEFFERSON was born at Wigton, in Cumberland, October 28, 1766. He received a liberal education at the Grammarschool in that town, at which he continued till his 18th year.

His parents encouraged the studious disposition of their son; and his early proficiency was such, that, in January 1784, he commenced a school at Whinns, in the vicinity of his native town; and in June 1785 succeeded to the mastership of the Free-school at Bothel.

From his earliest years Mr. J. was of a reflecting and serious mind, and, having been educated in the Established Church, intended to take orders in her communion. It had given him pain to observe the careless manner in which many of the clergy performed their offices and although he was at this time far from those views and feelings of religious truth which he afterwards attained, yet his upright mind looked forward to ordination with the most disinterested motives, little anxious for preferment, but wishing rather for a studious and contemplative life, and intending to make it his business to instruct and benefit his parishioners,

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and to show them an exemplary pattern of Christian behaviour. Such he afterwards stated to have been his feelings with regard to the clerical office.

His knowledge of the gospel of Christ was at this period painfully deficient, and he had to contend with disadvantages of no ordinary magnitude. A book, entitled "The Pious Country Parishioner," occasioned him a long mental conflict; which yet appears to have been overruled by the goodness of God to the production of incalculable benefit. This manual of piety enforced "the duty of all Christians of riper years, that is, about 16 or 17 years of age," to receive the Sacrament. As Mr. J. was of the prescribed age, he was often disturbed with compunction for neglecting this duty; and yet, under his present consciousness of unfitness, he scarcely dared to presume on such a solemn act. The painful emotions of his mind were indescribable; convictions of sin haunted him without ceasing; and the failure of repeated resolutions of amendment and future godliness embittered his very life. Attendance on the public worship of the Church, and the reception of the

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Sacrament, brought not the wishedfor relief; and nearly five years passed away in this state of anxiety and trouble. Like many who have preceded him in this painful discipline, he thought his own case peculiar, and different from that of all other men; and thus found little relief in those passages of Scripture and those books of religious instruction, which have brought peace to the minds of many in the tumult of their thoughts.

In the year 1787, Mr. J. first ventured to reveal his distress to a pious neighbour, a Dissenter, and in his house, for the first time in his life, attended family prayer. He now discovered that his own literary attainments were insufficient qualifications for the ministry which he anticipated, and learned how much need he had, before he became a teacher of others, to be himself taught even the first principles of the gospel. The conversation of this good man set before him the way of salvation by faith in the Son of God, and the books which he kindly furnished let in upon his mind a light which he had never before seen. The Scriptures were more diligently studied, and more earnest prayer was offered for the teachings of God. And yet a considerable time elapsed, before the troubled mind found peace and joy in believing. The terrors of God drank up his spirit, and he himself described his situation as resembling that of the desponding patriarch.* "When I lie down, I say, when shall I arise, and the night be gone? I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day." The long continuance of such keen mental suffering had its effect upon his health, and by the advice of friends, medical aid was resorted to. The family in which he resided kindly endeavoured to afford every alleviation, and the apothecary's care was seconded by their

*Job vii.

efforts to banish the supposed in> disposition, and to recover his exhausted spirits. They knew not that no earthly physician can give rest to the wounded spirit, and that the anguish of a guilty conscience needs the gracious healing of a heavenly Comforter.

In this year, 1787, Mr. J. began frequently to attend, at Bothel, the preaching of the Rev. Henry Townsend, of Cockermouth. To the instructions received in the house where the Dissenters worshipped, he was deeply indebted; and although he "loved the praise of men," and would gladly have avoided the reproach of worshipping with Dissenters, yet truth at length prevailed over prejudice, and the benefit derived, outweighed all considerations of a minor character.

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To the year 1788, Mr. J. was accustomed to look back as the period of his deliverance from that fearful anguish which he had so long endured. His distress gradually subsided as his understanding increased of the truths of the Gospel of Christ. He felt now a pleasure in the duties of religion, and, having often prayed for very bitterness of soul, he now prayed with joy and gratitude, having communion "with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." That dependence which he had once placed upon amendment and virtuous resolutions was destroyed; and that faith, which is at once so humiliating and exalting, vindicated its ascendancy. With faith came hope and charity. From this period, the consistency of a holy life showed the reality of the change which had passed upon him; and it is probable that, to the severity of the discipline through which he had been brought, may be traced that remarkable humility and that quick sensitiveness of conscience, which distinguished the whole of his subsequent character.

About the year 1788, Mr. J. was in the habit of walking every Sabbath