Chapter II: Part 2

Mr. I. was born at Ringwood, in Hampshire, May 22nd, 1773. It appears, from the interesting narrative before us, that he lived in ignorance and unbelief till he was 18 years old. Mr. Thomas Williams,[A] in the presence of his two maternal aunts, said to him one day, "Young man, do you know any thing of these things?" With an honest promptitude, by which his whole life was characterized, he unhesitatingly replied, "I know nothing at all about them." But the arrow had gone deep into his heart; and nothing but the balm of Gilead could save him. Subsequently he derived much benefit from Elisha Cole's popular book on Divine Sovereignty, and from a sermon delivered by Dr. Steadman. He was baptized at Wimborne, September 16th, 1790, by the late Rev. John Saffery. In the following year he removed to Lymington, and derived much instruction from the Rev. James Barnett, who still survives, and is in communion with the church at Eagle Street.

[Footnote A: Afterwards an Independent Minister, at Bradford.]

He came first to London in April, 1793, and communed with the church in Keppel Street, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Martin. Occasionally, also, he heard Mr. Swain at his Lord's-day evening lecture, in Devonshire Square.

"In taking the coach by which he was to depart, he silently said, 'I
will never see this London again.' But the words of the prophet are
greatly to be preferred: 'O Lord, I know that the way of man is not
in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.'" p.
34.

In 1794, he removed to Portsea, and was married July 7th, 1795. By this marriage he had two sons, and four daughters: one son and one daughter survive to lament the loss of their father. Early in 1803, when nearly thirty years of age, he was encouraged to preach by the church at Portsea, to which he and his wife were united, under the care of Joseph Horsey and Daniel Miall, who were co-pastors. Relinquishing secular business, in September, 1803, he removed, with his wife and two children, to Wallingford, and became assistant to Mr. Lovegrove. Having occupied the station at Wallingford nearly twelve months, he was invited to Eagle Street, in consequence of the resignation of the late Rev. William Smith. In July, 1804, he removed to that same London of which, at an early period, he had thought so lightly; and there the remaining half of his life was happily, honourably, and usefully spent. He died February 8th, 1834. But why should we further pursue the narrative? From the date of his settlement in London, he was "an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men."

The narrative is full of incidents, with which are interspersed many most judicious reflections; and in the "Conclusion" we have a correct and complete delineation of Mr. I.'s character. We are deliberately of opinion that it could not have been intrusted to better hands than those of his esteemed colleague in the gratuitous secretaryship of the Irish Institution, who has executed his task in a very pleasing and edifying manner, with great delicacy and fidelity; much to the credit of his own piety, judgment, and taste. We are happy to add that the work is very neatly got up, very correctly printed, and ornamented with a good likeness of our deceased brother.

Mr. I.'s ministry was greatly blessed from on high. The congregation was never before so large, new members were added continually, and the place of worship was considerably enlarged.

"From the records of the church it appears that during his pastorate
more than eight hundred were added to its fellowship. Twenty young
men were encouraged to give themselves to the work of the Christian
ministry, four of whom received missionary appointments, and two are
at this time in Ireland, zealously exerting themselves in the
service of the Baptist Irish Society." p. 314.

And, in a letter dated in 1826, Mr. I. says, "The church now consists of more than 470 members." p. 192.

Of the great labour of his life, "The History of the English Baptists," in four large volumes, 8vo., we may venture to predict that it will be far more in demand before this century closes than it is now. The author, we believe, never received any thing like compensation while he lived; he will be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Mr. I. believed, as did also the late Rev. James Dore, that when a man ceases to be a strict Baptist, there is no resting-place for his feet till he finds himself a strict papist.

But it cannot be justly maintained that our zealous brother shut himself up within the narrow precincts of his own denomination. So far from it that he had free and open communion with Christians of almost every name. Soon after he came to London, he was elected a member of the committee of the Religious Tract Society; and at the hospitable rooms of Messrs. Hardcastle and Reyner, Old Swan Stairs, near London Bridge, he cheerfully mingled with Churchmen, Dissenters, and Methodists, of every shade and every grade; all agreeing, however, to insist upon the leading doctrines of the gospel in all their publications. He was not, it is true, in the habit of going "to the house of God in company" with Mr. Taylor, the old Presbyterian Minister of Carter Lane, Doctors' Commons; nor with Dr. Winter, the Congregationalist; nor with Richard Philips, of the Society of "Friends;" nor with Mr. Butterworth, nor Dr. Adam Clarke, of the Methodist connexion; but he often "took sweet counsel" with one or another of these eminent persons; and with these more frequently than with many others, because they were among his nearest neighbours while his residence was in Harpur Street; nor was there among them all a more resolute and determined advocate in the great cause of civil and religious freedom, or in any of the pious and charitable institutions which beautify and bless our native land.

The excellent volume before us will show that our beloved brother, when most strenuously pleading for liberty, was quite alive to the claims of all lawful authority. He was for "laws and liberties combined," nor ever gave countenance to the daring and presumptuous schemes of any wild and unprincipled demagogues in this or in the sister island. His political creed, he has often been heard to say, was built upon the revolution of 1688, and the "Act of Settlement." He knew as well as any man what the House of Brunswick owes to the Protestant Dissenters; and what the Protestant Dissenters owe to the House of Brunswick. Let his printed funeral sermon for the Princess Charlotte, and another for the duke of Kent, and another for George the Third, be lasting monuments of the ardent and affectionate loyalty which he himself so deeply felt, and which he was assiduous to cherish in the ever-widening circle of his acquaintance.

Many of his constant hearers must have been aware that their pastor's heart and house were open to ministers and other friends from all parts of England; to many from Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; and that his correspondence with North America was frequent. But very few of them probably could ever guess at the number of private applications that were made to him by letter for his advice and assistance. No man was more public; and yet, by early rising, and still more by a strong desire to be useful, he had formed himself to habits of promptitude and facility in the dispatch of business, that to ordinary minds were truly surprising. Always alive and awake, he knew every thing that was done in _London_ to promote the cause of Christ, or to hinder it. Enjoying the confidence, and the occasional visits, of such men as Saffery and Steadman, and Fuller and Hinton, and Kingborn and others, he was no stranger to whatever occurred in the _country_.

May the amiable young pastor who succeeds, with all his brethren in office, and every other member of the much-favoured church in Eagle Street, long continue to flourish under the smiles of the Great Head of the church, without whose gracious influence nothing is strong, nothing is holy!

We might have added that Mr. Pritchard has appended to the Memoir a few abbreviated sermons of our lamented friend, which, no doubt, will be often read by those who heard them; and from which strangers may learn something of the spirit and style of the minister at Eagle Street, in his ordinary pulpit exercises on the Lord's-day, and on week-days.

If it be said, "Mr. Ivimey was sometimes wrong in temper, or wrong in his measures," the answer is, "This may be easily said, and justly, of every good man that breathes, who is in active life."

But, after making every concession that could be extorted from candour and truth by the most jealous and jaundiced prejudice, we need not fear to assert that much, very much, will remain, to excite admiration, and gratitude to the great Author of all good, in his sincerity, clear as crystal to the bottom; in his unquenchable zeal for the glory of God, and the best interests of mankind; in the labour, the energy, and unfainting perseverance with which he pursued his object; in the noble disinterestedness which he evinced on all occasions;--and these, all will admit, were the most prominent features of his character.

If this work meets with only half the attention it deserves, it will be extensively read in this country and in America; and the zeal displayed in the full-length portrait of "a good minister of Jesus Christ," will provoke very many.

We had marked several striking passages for quotation; but, on reconsidering the matter, deem it best to recommend the whole to all those of our readers who have not already seen it.

* * * * *

_Scripture Views of the Heavenly World._ By =J. Edmondson=, A.M.
_pp._ 260.--Mason.

This work is written in a very serious, unpretending manner; and if it do not greatly augment our knowledge of heaven, either as a place or a state, yet it supplies such varied and valuable elements of thought, and exhibits so much to enkindle ardent desire, that, as a volume of piety, it deserves to rank high. We think, indeed, it is scarcely possible that any one, whose affections are in any degree set upon the things which are above, should read it without deriving considerable advantage. On the sublime subject of heaven, the venerable author (for so we understand we may denominate him) mentions twenty views:--"There is a Heavenly World--Scripture Names of Heaven--God is present in Heaven--The Presence of Jesus in Heaven--No Sufferings in Heaven--No Death in Heaven--No Night in Heaven--No War in Heaven--Heaven is a holy Place--Heaven is a happy Place--Heaven is a glorious Place--Happy Employment in Heaven--Extensive Knowledge in Heaven--We shall know each other there--Many Ranks and Orders in Glory--The Religion of Heaven is Love--The Resurrection Body in Heaven--The Pleasures of Heaven are pure--The Wicked are shut out of Heaven--Heaven is eternal."

The preface contains some succinct and sensible observations on the immortality of the soul. Among others, the following occurs:--

"Ideas of good and evil, right and wrong, are planted in the human
heart. And there is in good men, what might be in all, a continual
cleaving and approximation to the Deity. When sin is committed, it
is followed by a sense of guilt and a fear of punishment, except in
those hardened sinners who have debased themselves by a long course
of disobedience. All these principles, when carefully cultivated,
are accompanied with ardent longings after immortality; and they
prove that man is connected with a higher order of beings than those
who are around him here, and that he is designed for a higher state
than that in which he now stands. For we perceive nothing of this
kind among the inferior creatures of our world. They are not, nor
ever will be, capable of knowing moral good and evil, much less of
knowing the God who made them. And will man, with his superior
powers, die for ever?"

Without pledging ourselves for the correctness of every sentiment or sentence in the pages of this useful work, we would earnestly recommend it to the attention of our readers generally.

* * * * *

_Two Years' Residence in the New Settlements of Ohio, North America;
with Directions to Emigrants._ By =D. Griffiths=, Jun. pp.
197.--Westley and Davis.

The information and advice contained in this small volume must be very valuable to those, especially, who contemplate a transition to Ohio, with the intention of making it the place of their permanent abode. The worthy author appears to have been a very diligent observer of men and things during his short sojourn in the new world, and to have faithfully recorded the result of his observations. Reason and experience unite to testify that, in removing from place to place, little can be calculated upon besides an exchange of one class of difficulties for another; and in many more instances than are disclosed, it is highly probable that, could the former be resumed, it would be thankfully accepted. Such, at least, has been our impression from all the accounts we have yet read of emigrants and emigration. For the edification of our readers we give the following extract:--

"It may surprise an Englishman, if he be unacquainted with the
American character, that farmers, who were well off in New England,
should leave a comfortable home for the wild woods of Ohio. The best
explanation of this fact may be furnished, perhaps, by a comparison
of the English and American character, given in an American
publication, called 'The Biblical Repository,' although penned for
another purpose. 'This is connected, no doubt, with a great feature
of European character, which at once strikes Americans, that all
ranks and classes there have a far _greater enjoyment of the
present_ than ourselves. Our national character, so far as we have
one, consists in a spirit of enterprise, excited by the desire of
improving our condition. It may be shortly styled a _love of
gain_--gain, not only of wealth, but also of reputation, of comfort,
of happiness; gain of all that is supposed to be desirable. Our
enjoyment consists more in striving after this gain, in
anticipations and in the very act of acquiring; theirs, in
possession and quiet fruition.' Local attachments, domestic comfort,
and almost every kind of present temporal happiness, in the English
sense of the term, give way to the love of gain. Unquestionably,
this was the principle which led many of the New Englanders to Ohio;
and certainly the organ of acquisitiveness must be very prominent in
the Yankee cranium, for I never met with a farmer there, however
long he had been settled, or however comfortably, but would, from
this same love of gain, sell out, and move away." p. 53.

More than eighty pages of this volume are devoted to the subjects of "Temperance Societies," and "Religious Revivals:" these should certainly obtain close attention from the reader. Concerning the latter there will, no doubt, still be much difference of opinion; yet, if it be indulged with candour, and expressed with affection, it may be rather beneficial than injurious.

* * * * *

_Twenty Sermons._ By the late Rev. =W. Howels=, Minister of Long
Acre Episcopal Chapel. pp. 440.--Shaw.

It is to be lamented that the reputation of the deceased so often suffers from the defective prudence of the surviving. We have no doubt that these sermons were delivered from the pulpit by the respected individual whose name they bear, and that, by those who knew and valued him as a preacher, they may be read with pensive pleasure and real advantage. But we have also no doubt that, could Mr. Howels have been consulted, he would have refused his consent to their publication, till they had been submitted to his careful and severe revision. That they contain many admirable sentiments and sentences, we readily admit; but, unhappily, some of the most striking and valuable paragraphs are seriously injured by rash and inconsiderate expressions, which an extemporaneous and energetic speaker, in the fervour of oral communication, may be induced to utter, but through which, were he preparing his discourses for the press, and therefore for cooler inspection, his pen would be unsparingly drawn. Without having said thus much, we could neither have discharged our duty to ourselves nor our readers; but with such cautionary intimation we can cordially commend them to their perusal.

* * * * *

_The Domestic Harp._ By =David Ives=. pp. 80.--Baynes.

The worthy author of this small neat publication says, "A few of these pieces have appeared before, in a periodical, called 'The Christian's Pocket Magazine.'" He remarks, also, in his short preface, "No glossary will here be required, but one member of a Christian family may safely read them to another with the certainty at least of being understood; and, the author feels a satisfaction in adding, without the danger of offending the most sacred affection." The reader of these verses will find that, while the preceding commendation is fully sustained, the author might have gone even further. But as he has not, we will. These poetical effusions are not only plain and pious, they are sensible and instructive; and though they may not exactly range with the more lofty efforts of poetic genius, yet they contain passages and pieces which would not suffer by comparison with many which might be referred to in more splendid volumes, the product of illustrious names. The following specimen is selected, not on account of its superiority, but because it best suits our space.

LINES FOR AN ALBUM.

"When thinking on the ways of man,
This little rule did rise,--
That he who lives without a plan,
Will die without a prize.

Reflection still to those who hear
This further guide hath given,--
That the best plan is godly fear,
And the best prize is heaven."

* * * * *

_The Sacred Classics. Expositions on the Creed, the Lord's Prayer,
and the Ten Commandments; with Two Discourses on Matthew xxii.
37-39, and Hebrews iii. 10. To which are added Expository Lectures
on Psalm xxxix._ By =Robert Leighton=, D.D., Archbishop of Glasgow.
With an Introductory Essay, by =John Pye Smith=, D.D., pp. 292.
Hatchard.

The distinguished names inscribed on the title-page of this volume of the "Sacred Classics" cannot be rendered more eminent by our commendation. The praise both of the deceased and the surviving is in all our churches; and their works, we doubt not, will continue to edify and adorn the human mind from generation to generation.

BRIEF NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

_The Works of William Cowper, his Life and Letters, by William Hayley, Esq., now first completed by the Introduction of Cowper's Private Correspondence; Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, A.M., Rector of Burton, Northamptonshire, and Vicar of Biddenham, Bedfordshire; Author of the Life of the Rev. Legh Richmond. Saunders and Otley._--We have received the early volumes of this admirable publication. The manner in which it is brought out is highly creditable to all the parties concerned in the undertaking; and we have no doubt of its being in very extensive demand by readers of almost every description. It is our purpose to watch its progress, and, at the close, to present our readers with a more enlarged account of its peculiar claims to their attention.

_The Posthumous Letters of the Rev. Rabshakeh Gathercoal, late Vicar of Tuddington; now first published, with Explanatory Notes, and dedicated to the Lord Bishop of London. p. 288. Westley._--There are many passages in these letters which, in the keenness of their satire, and the pungency of their wit, cannot be exceeded by any thing in the writings of Butler, South, or Swift; with this further commendation, that their edge and point are directed exclusively against error and arrogance. On the subject of dissent we have seen no recent publication which can be compared with this in clearness, copiousness, and power; combining so many important facts of history with so much of interesting and practical influence. In the presence of such a writer the advocates of superstition and intolerance must quail; but the admirers of the uncorrupted Christianity of the New Testament, of every denomination, will hail him, in this labour of his hands, as the intrepid friend of freedom and religion.

After all, we are praying and anxiously looking for a period, when works of this description shall have become obsolete; when ignorance shall be entirely dissipated, and the "true light" universally shine: for the knowledge of the Lord shall have covered the earth, as the waters cover the sea; and man shall no longer say to his neighbour, Know ye the Lord: for then, all shall know him, from the least to the greatest.

_The Great Case of Tithes truly stated, clearly opened, and fully resolved. By Anthony Pearson, a Justice of Peace in Westmoreland, in the time of the Commonwealth. Harvey and Darton._--This very cheap and seasonable tract is No. 63, and is printed for the Tract Association of the Society of Friends. It cannot fail to excite attention.

_Suggestions on National Education, with a View to the Advantage, not only of the Poor, but of all Classes of Society. By John Smith, Lecturer on Education, Liverpool. Simpkin and Marshall._--This very sensible writer maintains that Government ought to do that which no individual has power to do, namely, to show the public what education really is, and the best modes of carrying it forward--that the teachers of the millions have yet to be created. He urges the necessity, the practicability, and the benefit of his plan. We hope ere long this great subject will have a free, full, and fair discussion in the House of Commons.

_Reasons for Dissenting from the Church of England; showing that the Ancient Jewish Theocracy is no Authority for an Ecclesiastical Establishment, &c. &c. By a Country Farmer and Minister of God's Word and Ordinances. Simpkin and Marshall_--Though we dissent from this Dissenter in various particulars, we think every reader will see that the "Country Farmer" is quite an overmatch for the clergyman who paid him a visit.

_The Life of the Rev. Jean Frederic Nardin, Pastor of the Church at Blamont: Translated from the French. By the Rev. Robert Blessley. Ward and Co._--We have perused this little tract with the liveliest interest; and cordially thank Mr. Blessley for translating, and Mr. T. Lewis for recommending it. It contains an excellent example for pious young men; and especially for those of them who are students in divinity, pastors, itinerant preachers, and missionaries.

_The Spirit of Holiness: Four Sermons. By James Harrington Evans, Minister of John Street Chapel. pp. 168. Griffiths._--These plain, evangelical sermons are entitled to serious perusal. We think them well calculated to instruct, to reprove, and to console.

_Memoir of the Rev. Basil Woodd, M.A. By the Rev. S. C. Wilks, M.A._--An excellent Memoir, published by the Religious Tract Society.

_Puritan Farm; or Old Ways kept up in New Times. By a Puritan Family. Ward and Co._--A very entertaining little work. We hope it will be continued. The "spoundings" of the female labourer on the burial of Christ are charming, and the character of the great Dr. Owen is developed with much judgment and taste.

_A Manual of English Grammar, Philosophical and Practical, &c. &c. By the Rev. J. M. McCullock, A.M., Minister of Kelsoe. Second Edition, revised. Simpkin and Marshall._--We are glad to see a reprint of this excellent "Manual," the first edition of which we recommended to the public not many months since.

_Memoirs of a Sergeant, late in the Forty-third Light Infantry Regiment, previously to and during the Peninsular War; including an Account of his Conversion from Popery to the Protestant Religion. pp. 278._ Mason.--Of its kind, this is certainly a very respectable work; but the sieges, and battles, and wounded, and slain, are so many, that it was quite a relief to arrive at the end of the terrible detail. Perhaps some would choose to call it interesting; and we do not mean to say that there are not connexions in which it may be properly so contemplated. The pious reader, however, cannot fail to have his mind so deeply affected, as his eye glances over these pages, by the consideration of that which is the cause of war, and of every other calamity which has desolated the earth, as greatly to qualify his gratification arising from martial sounds, glittering arms, or military evolutions.

Towards the close of the volume there are some observations which deserve attention from the members of the Peace Society; and all serious persons will read with pleasure the author's account of his conversion. We hope he may live long to fight the good fight of faith, and finally die more than a conqueror.

_Essay on the Habitual Exercise of Love to God, considered as a Preparation for Heaven. By Joseph John Gurney. pp. 165. Seeley & Co._ No one whose mind is under a sacred influence, can rise from the perusal of these pages without a consciousness of having been admitted into privileged society. The principles, spirit, and tendency of this work, are eminently important. Were they but permitted to exercise that practical dominion over the judgment and conduct of men generally, to which they are fully entitled, a change as marvellous as beneficial would be the result; in the evidence of which its divine nature and origin would be abundantly manifested. The work is divided into the following sections:--"General Remarks on Meetness for the Heavenly State--On the Contemplation of God in Nature and Providence--On the Contemplation of God in Redemption; the Father, the Son, the Spirit--On Communion with God--On Submission to the Will of God, and Conformity to his Attributes--On Love towards Man--Conclusion." Our sincere wish is that this work may obtain a very extensive circulation.

_Helen of Coquetdale, or the Fair Bondager; a Tale, in two Cantos: with a few other Fragments, in Verse. By a late Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. pp. 140. Oliphant._--The principal article in this small volume contains many pious and some excellent passages; yet, as a whole, we fear it is not destined to be a favourite. We scarcely know what to say as to public taste, in relation to poetry, in the present day, except that we are apprehensive it is too refined to be attracted with the versification, &c. of "Helen of Coquetdale." We were ourselves much more favourably impressed with two or three of the minor pieces.

_Illustrations of the Bible, &c. Part 12. Churton._--The continuation of these admirable engravings is entitled to, and we hope is receiving, enlarged public attention and support. The following are the illustrations contained in the twelfth part: "Belshazzar's Feast--The peaceable Kingdom--Esther kissing the Sceptre--Death of Absalom--Solomon's Charge--The Death of Sampson--Jonah cast into the Sea--Hezekiah beholding the Sun-dial."

_1. Fruits and Flowers. By the Author of the "Wheatsheaf." pp. 212. Darton._

_2. The Garden. By the Compiler of "Fruits and Flowers," and the "Wheatsheaf." pp. 263. Darton._--These elegant little volumes cannot but be highly acceptable, especially to our pious young readers; they contain such a selection of prose and verse, presented in a form so attractive, that we may fairly presume upon their becoming favourites to a very great extent.

_Sober Views of the Millennium. By the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Creaton, Northamptonshire. Seeley and Burnside._--This little work answers to its title in a very great degree. Let the Millennarians be induced soberly to read and consider its contents.

_The Christian Journal. Conducted by Members of the Relief Church._--No. 27, for March last, contains a Review of Mr. Anderson's Funeral Sermon for Dr. Carey, and several other highly interesting articles.

OBITUARY.

MR. H. H. FREEMAN

Henry Hawkins Freeman was born at South Sydenham, in Devonshire, in the year 1767, where he resided under the parental roof until he attained the age of sixteen, when he was placed as an apprentice to a ship-builder at Plymouth, whom he faithfully served; during which time he occasionally, with worldly companions, sought pleasure on the Lord's-day; but has declared he found no gratification therein: but on the contrary, his conscience witnessed against him when so engaged, and left him miserable. His cousin, Mr. Henry Hawkins, Baptist minister of Stroud, Gloucestershire, then residing at Plymouth, exhorted him to attend the means of grace, and seek the salvation of his soul. While attending the Baptist chapel, How's Lane, under the pastoral care of the late Philip Gibbs (for whom he cherished a strong affection), the Lord was pleased to meet with him. The sermon blessed to his conversion was from Numb. xxiii. part of the 10th verse: "Let me die the death of the righteous," &c. The observation of the preacher, that unless he lived the life, he could not die the death, of the righteous, fastened upon his mind. He felt he was a sinner before God, and was led to cry for mercy, which he obtained through Christ. He united himself to the people of God, and, through divine grace, was enabled to walk consistently, so that the enemies of religion have acknowledged him to be a good man. He was a friend to peace, and possessed a meek and quiet spirit. For many years he filled the office of a deacon. In 1820, he was removed by Providence to Honduras; and during his stay there, it may be said of him, "He was a light in a dark place." He felt much pleasure in directing the negroes to the Lamb of God; and, although for four months at a time, in the interior of the country, and with no companions but the sons of Africa and his Bible, he was quite happy, and declared that "the word of the Lord was precious to him in those days."

Towards the end of 1822 he returned to England, and united himself with the Baptist church in Little Prescot Street, London. In the kind affections of many of its members he still lives. He often rejoiced in spirit that God had called nearly all his children, and made them partakers with himself of like precious faith.

The Lord was pleased to remove by death, July 16, 1833, the partner of his life, after a union of thirty-seven years, which he severely felt; from which period he rapidly declined. He was not fond of speaking of himself; but feeling a lively sense of love to his Redeemer, he was constrained to speak of it, and would often say he could appeal to his Saviour as Peter did, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." About a month before his decease, he observed to a minister, "Though the earthly house of this my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of God," &c.

He was seized with epileptic fits on Tuesday, August 26, 1834, while on a visit to his daughter at Aylesbury. After the first fit, he became sensible for a few minutes, when a pious friend, sitting at his bed-side, asked him if he was happy. To which he replied, "Yes." The friend expressed a hope that the gospel, which had been his support through life, would be his comfort in his extremity. To which he emphatically returned the same answer. On being asked if he would give up his hope for ten thousand worlds, he replied, "No, Sir." On referring to a sermon he had heard on the Sabbath previous, the good man said, "You know Christ is an ever-present Friend. He will not leave you now. I hope you will still look to him." He said, "There is no other refuge." These were his last words. A return of the fits came on; and, after lying until Thursday morning, the 28th, at 5 o'clock he fell asleep in Jesus, to wake no more until the morning of the resurrection.

He was removed to London, and interred in a vault under Wycliffe Chapel, September 2nd, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Stovel the following Sabbath, from the portion of sacred writ blessed to his conversion.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

* * * * *

FOREIGN.

CANADA.

_Extract of a Letter from Mr. John Edwards.
Clarence, Jan. 5, 1835._

In alluding to the work of grace in Breadalbane referred to in Mr. Fraser's letter, inserted in April number, he says: "Since (it began) the work has been progressing in a manner quite unprecedented in these parts. From August to November nine persons who had been in a backsliding state were restored, and eight new converts were baptized and added to the church. During last month (December) forty-one have also been baptized, making a total of fifty-eight, added since August. I left the settlement last Friday, when Mr. Fraser assured me there were twenty-two, in addition to the above number, whom he had good reason to believe were converted characters; besides a number under convictions. Among the subjects of this work is the man of grey hairs nearly eighty years of age, and the child of thirteen, and many younger, under deep convictions. The most astonishing feature in this work of grace appears amongst the youth at school. There are more than forty children attending it, and instead of vanity and trifling, sedateness and seriousness now mark their behaviour. When spoken to of divine things, they are all attention, and so eager to be instructed, that it is with difficulty they can be prevailed on to leave school. Mr. F. told me, that when passing the school one evening at ten o'clock, he found a number of the boys holding a religious meeting; it was the second time they had met for this purpose, unknown to any body. He now devotes one evening of the week to their peculiar benefit. He farther assured me, that he was satisfied six of these dear youths had experienced a change of mind, and nearly all the scholars seem deeply concerned for the salvation of their souls. So general has been the awakening, that very few of the hearers remain unconcerned about their souls.

Referring to the means of this awakening, he says,--"They set apart a day for fasting and prayer: they humbled themselves before God, and he was entreated of them. In the month of November one of their number went to Montreal, and told our brother the state of things. He immediately wrote to a devoted and worthy brother, who is pastor of the Baptist church at Fort Covington, New York (near the boundary line). They met, the following week, at Breadalbane, and spent four days faithfully and affectionately stating the truth. All secular affairs were laid aside, and one concern occupied the attention of old and young, which was the "one thing needful."

Of several interesting incidents connected with this work, I will mention one. Mr. Gilmore, on his way to the settlement, called on a pious lady, who lives fourteen miles from it, and told her of the intended meeting. Her servant is the daughter of an Irish Catholic, who lives at Breadalbane. The lady told her she must go to the meeting; and directed her to ask permission for her sister, who lives in a place of service adjoining, to accompany her. Leave being granted, the lady took the girls into her room, and prayed for them most earnestly, that the means of grace they were about to enjoy might be blessed to their conversion. They attended during the meeting, and on going home from one of the services they were accompanied by one of their former associates, who had been lately converted; on their way she pressed on their minds, with much earnestness, the truths they had been hearing; and before parting with them, took them a little off the road, kneeled down on the snow, and prayed fervently for their conversion. This, to them, was an additional proof of the reality of the solemn truths they had just heard. Before leaving the settlement, they called on Mr. F., and told him the state of their minds, and he believes they returned to their places converted characters.

* * * * *

+DOMESTIC.+

PUBLIC MEETINGS.

WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this Society was held on Monday, May 4th, in Exeter Hall. John Hardy, Esq., M.P., in the Chair.

The business of the day was opened, with singing and prayer, by the Rev. J. Taylor, Chairman of the Conference.

The hall was crowded to excess, and hundreds sought admission in vain.

The Rev. Dr. Bunting read the Report, which, though described as an abstract, was of very great length. It commenced by stating that the society had twenty-four missionaries and six scripture-readers in Ireland. They had established schools, at which 7,000 children were receiving daily instruction, many Roman Catholic families preferring to send their children there rather than to schools of their own persuasion. In Sweden, much good has been achieved, and much more might reasonably be expected, as schools had been established. A society had also been founded for the purpose of opposing the doctrine of the heathen; this society had received the Royal sanction, as well as the support of the principal Bishops, who employed a Wesleyan Missionary as their Secretary. In Germany also much progress had been made. There was one society, consisting of 395 persons, and many others were in a state of probation. In France also the cause of true Christianity was rapidly advancing. Last year there was in one district a Wesleyan Society consisting of 268 members, but this year it had increased to 464 persons, of whom only 70 were English. In Paris seven schools had been established, and there was an ample opening for five more. There was also in Paris an Auxiliary Society, by whom 25,000 French tracts have been circulated, in addition to which 400_l._ had been collected there. In Spain also the circulation of the Scriptures was making considerable progress. At Gibraltar a chapel has been built on ground furnished by Government, and was fully attended by the military. A school was likewise established, at which 30 children attended daily. The missionary in Spain wrote 35 letters to the booksellers and others of the principal towns, calling upon them to become venders of the Holy Scriptures on commission. One bookseller replied that he should feel honoured by executing such a commission, not only in his own town, but on any part of the Peninsula. The missionary having travelled into Spain, described the moral condition of the great mass of the people as most deplorable, the light of the Scriptures being altogether hid from them. In Seville there were 90,000 Roman Catholics, 70,000 of whom attended neither mass nor confession. Many of these had fallen back upon infidelity and free-thinking as a refuge from the mummeries of popery. One Spanish prelate had distributed 3,000 Spanish Bibles in his district, observing that the battle was not now against Luther or Calvin, but against Antichrist. Protestants and Catholics, he said, had an equal hope of salvation, as they both professed the essential doctrines of Christianity. At Malta, the society was progressing, but at Alexandria the missionary was withdrawn for the present, it being quite hopeless for one person to make any progress, particularly when the ravages making by the plague were taken into consideration. In the South Seas, particularly in New Zealand and the Friendly Islands, the missionaries had made the most astonishing approaches to the general establishment of Christianity. Much good had also been effected both in Southern and Western Africa, and the West Indies; in the island of Ceylon they had 10 missionaries, and the Scriptures were translated and circulated, and schools were established at which 4,000 children were receiving daily instruction. The prejudices of the people had been boldly met, and idolatry had been shaken to its foundation. In the West Indies they had 76 missionaries, but it was hoped they would be increased to 100, for whose labours there was an ample field. They were preaching God's holy word to 800,000 of their fellow-creatures just emancipated from that sin and shame and curse of the country--slavery.

After some details, the Report went on to say, there were 260 missionaries divided between 170 missionary stations. There were 48,304 members, and 37,965 children were educated by the body. The amount of the year's revenue was 53,437_l._ 15_s._ 2_d._, being an increase on the former year to the amount of 1,204_l._ 8_s._ 2_d._ This did not include the splendid legacy of Horatio Cock, of Colchester, which was one-eighth of his whole fortune, amounting to 5,274_l._; this, with special contributions, raised the year's revenue to 60,865_l._ 15_s._ but the average would be about 54,000_l._

Lord Mountsandford, Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., the Rev. J. Clayton, the Rev. Theodore Drury (Vicar of Keighley), the Rev. J. Dixon (of Liverpool), the Rev. Dr. Codman, (one of the Deputation from America), the Rev. Professor Tolock (of Berlin), the Rev. Mr. Williams (a missionary from the South Seas), the Rev. Dr. Humphry (President of Amherst College, in the United States), the Rev. W. Reilly (of Dublin), the Rev. R. Newton (who was loudly applauded), Henry Pownall, Esq., W. G. Scarth (of Leeds), Thomas Palmer, Esq., the Rev. John McLean, the Rev. R. Alder, and the Rev. M. Wilson, addressed the meeting, which lasted from 11 until a quarter past 5 o'clock: after which thanks were voted to the Chairman.

* * * * *

CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

The subscribers and friends to this Institution held their tenth anniversary at Finsbury chapel, on Tuesday, the 5th of May. Long before the time appointed for taking the chair, this spacious building was crowded by a most respectable audience.

At six o'clock the Earl of Chichester took the chair, and the services were commenced by praise and prayer.

The Secretary read the Report, from which it appeared that, during the past year, 566 copies of the Holy Scriptures had been circulated, 1662 cases of distress had been relieved, and 2976 children had been induced to attend various schools. At the present time there were 75 Associations, having 1630 visitors, attending 40,666 families, and holding 91 prayer-meetings. To supply the increasing appetite for religious and moral books apparent in the lower classes, the Committee had provided a series of Loan Libraries. There were now fifty such libraries, each containing fifty volumes. Several interesting facts, showing the benefit which had resulted from local prayer-meetings, the loan of tracts, and open-air preaching, were adduced. The mission to resident foreigners, announced at the last meeting, and conducted by Dr. Giustiniani, had been attended with the most salutary benefit. Repeated attempts had recently been made, with considerable encouragement, to visit the jails and poor-houses. Supplies of tracts and other publications had been granted to several country Associations.

Thomas Challis, Esq., then stood forward and presented his accounts as Treasurer, from which it appeared, that the balance due to the Treasurer at the last Anniversary was £126 2s. 9d.; the total receipts during the past year amounted to £1,041 19s. 4d.; the expenditure to £1,024 0s. 1d.; leaving the balance now due to the Treasurer £108 3s. 6d.

The Rev. J. Leifchild, T. Binney, J. Burnet, C. Stovel, J. Williams, T. Morell, J. Blackburn; also C. Lushington, Esq., M.P., and H. Dunn, Esq., in animating and appropriate speeches urged the claims of this Society on the attention of the Meeting.

* * * * *

ECCLESIASTICAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY.

The sixth anniversary of the Society for promoting Ecclesiastical Knowledge was held in Finsbury chapel, Moorfields, on Wednesday evening, the 6th of May. Dr. Brown was in the chair.

After prayer by the Rev. A. Fletcher, and some introductory remarks by the Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Bennett read a report, which consisted chiefly of an exposition and defence of the principles and operations of the Society. It excited deep interest, and drew forth repeated expressions of applause.

The receipts by subscriptions, donations, and collections, amounted to £180 4s. 6d.; and the sale of books, to Dec. 31, 1834, amounted to £128 11s. 8d. The disbursements were, printing, publication, paper, and copy-rights, £254 2s. 7d.; postages, advertisements, books for review, &c., £26 4s. 5d.; commission and advertisements for publications, £28 8s. 8d.; balance in hand, £3 8s. 10d. Their new monthly publication, =The Ecclesiastical Journal=, had more than paid its expenses, and the Society was not in arrears, either to printers, or to other tradesmen. The only arrear was the remuneration which, in honour, was due to those who had furnished important communications.

The Rev. C. Stovel, T. Scales, of Leeds, Mr. Davis, Blackfriars; also Mr. Brown, of Wareham, D. Wire, Esq., H. Thompson, Esq., B. Hanbury, Esq., G. Hadfield, of Manchester, and A. Pellatt, Esq., severally defended the principles of the Society, and showed the necessity for its existence.

* * * * *

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The thirty-first Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday, the 6th of May, at the great room of Exeter Hall, and was more numerously attended than any meeting since the formation of the Society. Long before the chair was taken, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather in the morning, every part of the hall, save a few seats reserved on the platform, was so closely occupied, as in many instances to be inconvenient to the parties; but even with that inconvenient pressure, there was not sufficient room for all who claimed admittance. Under these circumstances it was determined that the lower room should be opened for those who could not gain admission into the greater, and that after the Report had been read to the large meeting, it should be taken down and read in the lower room, where the Treasurer of the Society, John Thornton, Esq., had consented to take the chair. Several distinguished supporters of the Society kindly acceded to the suggestions made to them, that they should deliver their addresses to the meeting in the lower room. Amongst these were the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, Rev. C. Daley, Rev. G. Clayton, and the Rev. Dr. Morison.

At eleven o'clock Lord Bexley, the President of the Society, came on the platform. His Lordship was accompanied on the platform by the Marquis Cholmondeley, the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, Lord Lorton, Lord Mountsandford, Lord Teignmouth, Rt. Rev. the Bp. of Ohio, the Rev. Archdeacon Corrie, the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, Mr. Plumptre, M.P., Mr. Hardy, M.P., Mr. Lushington, M.P., and many other distinguished supporters of the Society.

The Secretary, the Rev. A. Brandram, read the Report, which gave statements and extracts from the communications of correspondents in various parts of the world, describing the progress of Bible distribution in those places during the year. The distribution by the Paris Bible Society had, in the year just closed, amounted to 62,194 Bibles and Testaments; the distribution of the previous year had not exceeded 55,666. The accounts from Paris contained also most gratifying intelligence of the progress of the Society in Switzerland, in some parts of which a distribution to the amount of 27,000 copies had been effected by two of the Society's colporteurs. It appeared from extracts from Dr. Pinkerton's report of the distribution of Bibles and Testaments in the North of Europe, that 27,935 copies had been distributed last year in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, Polish, and other languages, and that a considerable number of these had found their way into the hands of Roman Catholics. After adverting to the satisfactory progress of Bible distribution in other parts of Germany, in Sweden, and Russia, the principal Bible Society of which latter place had already distributed 717,977 copies of the Sacred Scriptures, the Report adverted to the state of Portugal and Spain. In the former country there was now no persecution for religious opinion, but every man was allowed to choose which religion he pleased, and to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. In the Islands of the Mediterranean and in Greece, the distribution of the Holy Scriptures had gone on favourably, and the prospect was equally favourable in Moldavia, Wallachia, Bucharest, and part of Persia. In Calcutta, and other parts of the East Indies, there had been a much greater than ordinary distribution of Bibles and Testaments, and larger collections had been made to forward the objects of the Society. The accounts from New South Wales, and the Islands of the Pacific, were also most satisfactory. Two translations of the New Testament into the language of the different Islands of the Pacific had been brought to this country by the Rev. Mr. Yate and the Rev. Mr. Williams, and were now being printed by the Society. After going into some details from the accounts from Africa, which were on the whole favourable, the Report observed that they were the reverse in the States of South America. The attention of the Society had, during the last year, been greatly directed to the West Indies, with the view of an extensive distribution of the Scriptures to such of the newly emancipated negroes as could read. An extra subscription of £15,000 had been raised for the purpose of promoting that object without interfering with the general funds of the Society. The Report proceeded to give extracts from the communications from several islands, showing the earnest desire of the negroes to avail themselves of every opportunity to obtain religious instruction. It added that the first shipment made by the Society to that part of the world consisted of 73,695 copies of the Scriptures, the conveyance of which was given by the owners of the vessels without any expense to the Society. From returns from the Isle of France, it appeared that 60,000 negroes had received civil freedom, not one in ten of whom knew how to read; and the ignorance was, of course, great in proportion. Adverting to the progress made by the North American Bible Society, the Report stated that its receipts in the last year were 88,600 dollars; that its issue of Bibles and Testaments exceeded 110,000 copies, bringing up the whole distribution, since the commencement, to 1,113,000. The receipts of the past year amounted to £107,926. 1s., being the largest amount ever received in one year since the Society's first commencement. In that amount there were two items, which could not be included in the permanent income of the Society. The first was a legacy of £11,695. 12s. 9d. (less by the legacy duty), being a bequest of the late Horatio Cock, Esq.; and the other a sum of £15,000, voted exclusively for the negro fund. But when these were taken into account, the general subscriptions of the Society would be found to be little less than those of the previous year. In these were included a sum of £29,184. 13s. 7d., being the amount of free donations from auxiliaries to the Parent Society. The expenditure within the year was £84,249. 13s. 4d., leaving a balance exceeding £23,000; but the engagements of the Society amount to above £69,000. The distribution by the Society in the past year amounted to 653,604 Bibles and Testaments, and portions of the Holy Scriptures, including those sent to the West Indies, &c.; but even after deducting the latter, it would be found that there had been a considerable increase of the issues in the last year as compared with the previous years. The Report, after again adverting to the exertions made for the West Indies, and the prospect held out that those exertions would, under the Divine blessing, be attended with complete success in the religious instruction of the negro, proceeded to state that the present year, 1835, was the third centenary anniversary of the first printing of an English Bible. It then contrasted the state of society, and of England generally of that day with those of the present, and deduced the moral greatness of England now, compared with what it was then, to its exertions to promote the free circulation of the Holy Scriptures. At that time the number of copies in circulation was very small; the extent of the demand in the present day, as contrasted with that, might be judged of from this fact, that in one day last month orders had been given for 365,000 copies of new editions.

Amongst the speakers were the distinguished individuals whose names have been already mentioned, to which may be added, the Rev. Dr. Spring (representative of the American Bible Society), J. Leifchild, W. Yate, of the Church Missionary Society, Mr. Williams, and Hugh Stowell.

* * * * *

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The thirtieth Anniversary of this Institution was held at Exeter Hall, on Monday, the 11th of May. On no former occasion have we witnessed a more numerous attendance.

At twelve o'clock Lord Brougham appeared on the platform, and was received with long continued cheers.