1

you may now proceed with pleasure from the idea that after a very few steps more, you will have a long halt. You have frequently, yet not so often as I could wish, seen me in my cot❤ tage of content, where my motto would be, if I were to put it over my door, "Parva parvum decent." But as I came to Painswick, not to please myself, but to finish the work my hea venly Father gave me to do, I proceeded according to the opening of Providence. At my first coming, I collected a class of children and young people, among whom I opened catechetical lectures. I was not contented with exact answers to the questions of a prescribed formulary; but I wanted to prove the attention and the genius of the children, and to discover if there were any principles of grace, that under proper nurture, would appear to advantage. As well therefore as hear them the assembly's catechism, I asked them questions extempore, and often received such pertinent and significant answers, as rejoiced my heart. By this means I singled out several; of which number was Mr. Wood, who while in a course of education for the ministry, died with me, and of whom there is a short account in the Evangelical Magazine, Vol. II. page 207.-Mr. Hogg, of truly amiable disposition, and who is now

just entering the establishment.-Mr. Clift of Frome, who with an improved understanding, started early, and has hitherto worn well. About the same time I received from the Devizes, Mr. Sloper, now useful and happy at Plymouth. I was uncertain of help, but confident it would be granted, as there was occasion for it. Mr. Welch, by your motion, intrusting me with the care of three students, upon his own foundation, I placed Mr. Clift and Mr. Wood upon it, and applied to Mr. Golding, late of Croydon, to come as the third. Blessed be God I have lately been witness to his growth, and perceive he is ripening in his gifts and in his grace. By the motion of the late Mr. Thornton, I took Mr. Griffin, who with the greatest credit passed his three years with me, in diligence and usefulness, and is well known for the very respectable and useful manner in which he acquits himself in the pastoral charge at Portsea, Hants. I might mention Mr. Underhill, who was determined to be with me almost upon any terms, but alas! though he did run well he is hindered, and he is the only one of all the sons I have brought up, in whom I cannot rejoice. Disengaged in the order of time from these, I thought, now I could do no more to serve the church of Christ in this

way, and proceeded to accommodate myself to the retirement of the study, and the exertions of the pulpit, till my mind received a farther impression in favor of Mr. Richardson, who is my faithful achates. He is the fruit of my ministry, endeared by his steady and uniform deportment. It was with more than former caution, I watched to be satisfied that it was right to call him from tools to books; but when fully satisfied, I proceeded upon the old plan; he is now with me, as a son with the father, and it appears as though our separation will not produce a distance of more than thirteen miles. His gifts have made him an object to the people of Frampton, with whom I think he will settle and be happy.

In the complete eleven years which have revolved over me since I have been here, I have met with little in my pastoral connexion to disturb or afflict me. Family differences, personal prejudice, and some instances of immorality, have proved a source of affliction; but these and a few other proofs of human imperfections excepted, I am surrounded with a poor, simple, pious, affectionate people, who contribute willingly, though slenderly, according to their ability, to my subsistence; and for whom I will very gladly spend, and be spert.

I HAVE more reason to be thankful for, than to complain of the attention shewn to my ministry. Though death and incidents continually occur to produce changes in our congregation, it continues respectable for number. The inhabitants of the town have their strong prejudices against the system I hold myself bound to support; and the preaching of it out of the church, renders it additionally obnoxious. Yet they shew respect to my person. I am indeed in a station of mercy, which I have no disposition to exchange for another. I have my times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, in the congregation, in the family, and in the study. No one can conceive, after a third service on the Lord's day, my mind having been free in my work, and having had reason to conclude the word has been made a blessing, with what joy and tranquillity of mind I return to my mansion in miniature. It affords me all I want till I get where there are rivers of pleasure.-I realize a few lines I have met with in Pope, and which I a little alter, for the sake of expressing what for full eleven years I have enjoyed.

"Here humble joys of home felt quiet please,
Successive study exercise and ease;

Here I most sweetly pass my tranquil days,

And would devote them to my Savior's praise."

I am within two months of entering my fiftyeighth year. Infirmities to which I never was intirely a stranger, press upon my constitution, and weariness resulting from almost every degree of exertion. On reviewing papers necessary to be inspected to bring this memoir to its conclusion, I find fourteen years back, I was exercised with the same symptoms as beset me now-but the Lord has been my support, and having obtained help of him I continue unto this day I am amidst all capable of relishing life, but I would not by the enjoyments I am capable of, and with which I am indulged, be bound. Rather I would indulge a desire to depart and to be with Christ, and would wait for his summons. Whenever it may please him to call me hence, I expect to meet with acceptance only in my Savior's righteousness. All my salvation is in him; independent of him I am nothing, and hope for nothing. My defi ciencies are many, but I would not indulge one of them. Each as discovered, is a cause of mourning. Nothing that I have done, or that I can do, will afford me satisfaction. The whole is the effort of an imperfect and an impure creature, whom it becomes, in gratitude, to study to advance the glory of God, by whom he is made a monument of grace, by