sician held in great estimation for his talents and skill. His union with this intelligent and pious lady was a source to him of the greatest connubial felicity. Six children were the fruit of this marriage; two of whom only survived him,-a son and a daughter. The former is the Rev. John Bridges Storry, whom his excellent father had the satisfaction of seeing set apart to the ministerial office; and who was, soon after his death, presented to the Vicarage of Great Tey, in the county of Essex, through the friendship of the late Rev. John Venn, and Mr. Samuel Thornton, the member for Surrey.

Mr. Storry found that the living of St. Peter's, though small in point of emolument, entailed the charge ⚫ of a numerous population, which required a very large share of the most constant and laborious attention. At that period, the state of religion in Colchester was at a very low ebb; nor could it be said, that, in any of the fifteen churches in that large and populous town, any very strenuous efforts were made for its improvement. The fundamental doctrines of original sin, of regeneration through the influence of the Holy Spirit, and justification by faith in the merits and atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, so beautifully interwoven with our Liturgy, were not only not generally preached, but by many were derided and exploded as dangerous and enthusiastic.

Our young Incumbent was, therefore, called to sustain all that opposition which, under such circumstances, is often found to accompany the faithful promulgation of evangelical truth. All that prejudice could suggest, or calumny devise, was directed against him. But, amidst the conflicts of contending opinions, he was enabled to hold on his way, serene and unshaken; and, relying on the grace and support of his Redeemer, he surmounted all opposition, and lived to see even the prejudices which had

been raised against him extinguish ed.

Here his exertions were such as, in a short time, greatly to affect bis health; but his excellent friend, the late Mr. John Thornton, ioduced him to quit the scene of his labours, and to spend some time with him at Swansea, where his health and strength were completely restored. On his return to Colchester, be applied himself with redoubled diligence to the duties of his station, and he was so happy as to witness very extensive and beneficial effects from his exertions. Many, who are now no more, will doubtless, at the last great day, appear as seals to his ministry; and numbers, still on earth, are ready to acknowledge the efficacy of his ministerial labours in leading them to embrace the Gospel of Christ.

Thus did he continue to exercise himself in the duties of his ministerial office, till, in the autumn of 1808, he was visited by an indisposition, which excited the lively apprehensions of his family and friends. Their fears were too soon realized; this seizure being followed by repeated attacks of a paralytic complaint, which brought his valuable life to a close on the 18th January, 1814.

The patience and resignation with which he was enabled to support his long affliction, formed a pleasing commentary on the truth and efficacy of those Divine doctrines on which he had laid so much stress in the hour of his health and ministe rial vigour: a heavenly serenity beaming on his countenance, bespoke the happy calm that reigned within. For some months previous to his death, his memory and speech (which had been in some degree impaired) appeared to revive. The many excellent observations which then fell from his lips, and the devotional frame which he manifested, gave the most satisfactory evidence of his having been enabled to retain his faith and hope unshaken to the end. Within a short period of

his closing scene, when the spark of Life was nearly extinct, and the organs of speech had ceased to perform their office, his son and weeping wife hanging over him to catch the last sigh of his departing spirit, the former said, "I trust, my dear father, we shall meet in heaven:" upon which he put forth his feeble band, drew him gently to him, and affectionately kissed him; thus expressing his concurrence in the hope that they might so live and die in Christ as to meet where the ransomed of the Lord shall be united to part no more for ever.

As a public character, the town of Colchester will long have to la ment Mr. Storry's loss. When the object was to promote any useful or beneficial object, as far as his slen. der means would allow, he was ever ready to appear in the foremost rank. He acted with great wisdom on the occasion of establishing Sunday schools in Colchester. Such at that time was the opposition which he met with from his brethren of the Church of England, that there was reason to apprehend that any mea. sure would be rejected, however excellent it might be in itself, which was proposed by him. Instead, therefore, of coming forward himself, he directed the Sunday School Society in London to make application to another clergyman, who was considered a leading man among his brethren at Colchester; and the object was effected. The British and Foreign Bible Society, the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, with many others, obtained considerable sums through his exertions. The Benevolent Society in Colchester, was founded by him: and, indeed, there was scarcely any charitable institution in the neighbour hood to which he did not contribute his support.

As a Minister of the Gospel of Christ, Mr. Storry was eminently distinguished. His activity, his earnestness, his diligent attention to the wants of his parishioners, his

amiable and kind deportment, fornish a striking example to his youthful successors in the sacred office. The style of his preaching was simple and unaffected, yet deeply impressive and affecting; and his discourses always abounded with the most important truths. The grand object of all his exhortations was, to lead the sinner to a true and humbling knowledge of himself, that he might be induced to place all his dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ, as his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemp tion. He seldom entered into discussions respecting the more abstruse points in divinity, but contented himself with enforcing the pure and genuine doctrines of the Gospel in a plain and practical manner. He was peculiarly cautious in warning his hearers of the danger of resting their hopes of salvation.on any other foundation than that which is clearly laid down in the word of God itself. At the same time that he strenuously urged them to seek after the attainment of that faith which worketh by love, he carefully guarded them against the dreams of enthusiasm; impressing upon them their obligation to "think soberly," and, in the conscientious practice of all relative duties, to shew forth the praises of that Saviour who had called them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Great and abundant were the fruits of his ministry, not only among his stated hearers of the town of Colchester and the neighbourhood, but, during the late war, among the garrison, and particularly the Artillery. Many, both officers and men, who went to scoff, remained to pray; and, though before living with out God in the world, learned to reverence, from the heart, that Holy Name by which they were called. Many of these have since exerted themselves to disseminate the same piety among their brother soldiers. Indeed, so extensive has been the effect produced by his labours in

this particular direction, as to have procured for him the honoured appellation of the Father of Religion among our brave Artillery.

Nothing can so fully attest Mr. Storry's ministerial fidelity, as the state of his people. During the three and thirty years of his pas toral care of St. Peter's church, the congregation proved an almost unexampled instance of unity among themselves, and of undivided attach ment to their minister.

The same grace which shone so conspicuously in his public and official character, shed its influence over his social and domestic relations, His friendship was ardent and sincere. His desire to promote the temporal benefit of those he loved, was always strongly united with an anxiety for their immortal happiness. This recollection will remain engraven on the hearts of numerous friends, in lines of the deepest gratitude, till they shall be called to join him in the holy communion and ceaseless friendship of the ransomed of the Lord in heaven. As a husband, a father, and a master, the Christian alone can appreciate his conduct and demeanour; he alone can judge of the source of that gentleness, mildness, forbear. ance, and tenderness, which were displayed towards every member of his family.

The Reverend Robert Storry was buried on the 25th of January, 1814, in the churchyard of St. Peter's, Colchester: on which occasion nearly the whole of the parishioners, as well as many of his friends from other parts, attended to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains. His funeral sermon was preached, on the Sunday following, by his much-valued friend, the Reverend J. Hallward of Assington; and a neat monument has since been erected, in the chancel of St. Peter's church, to his memory, bearing the following inscription →→→

"In memory of the Reverend Robert Storry, who departed this life January 18th, 1814, in the 630 year of his age. He was Vicar of this Parish thirty-three years; and lies interred by the side of his children in the adjoining churchyard. Reader! when this memorial of mortality meets thine eyes, may it excite this prayer, So teach me, O Lord, to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdomthat wisdom which leads to God, by a knowledge of salvation through the atonement of Christ. Such was the doctrine which this faithful pastor delighted to proclaim to fallen sinners: it was his own hope in death: and being dead, he yet speaketh."

AN INQUIRER in our next.

No. 153.]

M

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. ANY months have elapsed since I promised to give you some account of a lady, who died at the Hot Wells in the spring of last year. To yourself, at all events, the narrative, I have little doubt, will prove interesting; and if, in your opinion, its insertion in the Christian Observer would have any tendency to promote the glory of God, her family are not unwilling that it should be given to the public. I presume, however, that you will not in that case deem it expedient to disclose the name or the connections of the deceased: these are circumstances of little import to strangers; and the greater part of your readers, who were acquainted with her, are already in possession of the facts.

If it be true, Sir, that few narratives are so well calculated to soothe and elevate the soul as those which place before us the triumphant Christian in the hour of death; it is, perhaps, not less true, that none can be more instructive than such as contain a faithful disclosure of the temptations to which persons celebrated for their piety were subjected when living, and the errors they died lamenting. Professors of religion have their own peculiar class of "besetting sins"-less startling, indeed, but on that account more insidious, than those of mere men of the world: and it is therefore to persons habitually attentive to religious duties (if to any) that this account may be expected to become useful -not as matter of curiosity and conversation, but in the retirement of the closet, in the midnight hour. CARIST, OBSERV. No. 153.

There, communing with their own hearts, some, possibly, may be led to consider whether any thing that is here stated comes near to themselves: whether, whilst they would tremble at the voluntary omission of any of the outward acts of Christian worship; and bear the name, and even the reproach, of excessive piety; their habit of mind is really such as declares the mortified, subdued, devoted disciple of Christ:-whether, in summing up the account, there is found no unchastened temper; no undue attachment to the things, though not perhaps to the amusements, of the world; no idol; nothing inconsistent with that singleness of heart which forms the very basis of all that they profess, and all they pray for. To rouse the slumbering; to call forth a holy jealousy and strict watchfulness in those who seem to stand fast; to display the wonders of Redeeming Love and the all-powerful efficacy of Divine Grace; are the proper business of narratives which tell in what manner they, who were numbered among the excellent of the earth, lived and died. Mere eulogies of the departed can only serve as opiates to the living:-such, least, was the dying conviction of her who is here spoken of. "Do not spare me," she said. every one that I am as a brand plucked from the burning. Set me up as a beacon, that I, who have so narrowly escaped shipwreck, may warn others of their danger.'

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The subject of the present narrative possessed a large portion of natural talent, much general know. ledge, and many accomplishments 4 C

For her first religious impressions she was indebted to parental care; but they displayed themselves in a more prominent manner, from a period which she had ever reason to keep in her remembrance with sentiments of the profoundest gratitude to God. Her brother had formed an acquaintance at the University with a gentleman destined for the ministry, and who, upon receiving ordination, came to reside upon a curacy in London. This brought him acquainted with her family; and although his occasional visits were limited to the period of a few months, in consequence of his being soon afterwards appointed to a foreign chaplaincy, yet, short as that period was, he anxiously sought and found many of those opportu nities of touching upon the importance of Divine things which occur in every friendly conversation, and are so frequently neglected. If it is here stated, that these occasional, though impressive, remarks of a minister, then very young in the sacred office, have had, through grace, an abiding influence on others who were then present as well as the deceased, it is in the hope that they who shall read this account may be led to reflect upon the value of such opportunities, and to ask themselves how far they are in the habit of improving or neglecting them. They may possibly call to mind in how many instances a few words,proceeding at a proper moment from the lips of some pious and respected friend, have been felt and recollected by themselves; how often they have been the means of awakening their piety, and of calling home their wandering thoughts. They may possibly recollect, that though it is alJotted but to a few to minister in the congregation, and to them only at stated periods, all, of either sex, of every degree, and in every condition of life, at all times, and under all circumstances, may in this way become a blessing to their acquaintance, the instruments of extensive good. They may possibly cease to

listen to the excuses of a false humility, but real indifference, which would persuade them, that the exercises of this Christian duty requires the assistance of superior abilities and learning. They may, perhaps, be induced to institute inquiries which will bring them speedily acquainted with many instances in which good incalculable has resulted from the judicious use of such opportunities, by persons inferior to themselves in every thing, except an anxiety for the souls of men. It is true, the learning and talents of the gentleman referred to in this particular instance were considerable; but the lasting influence of his observations must be ascribed to a very different and far more effective cause; to their sincerity and piety-qualities which require not the aid of human learning, or of splendid abilities.

From this memorable period the subject of this narrative diligently sought for the society of pious people, and she gained evidently by the association. She also read much, principally in her Bible; rising for that purpose at four in the morning, as the greater portion of her time during the day was unavoidably devoted to the care of her father's family af. fairs. The eagerness with which these pious studies were for some years pursued is sufficiently attested by the traces of her pen their immediate effect upon herself was seen in the amiableness of her deportment, in her desire to promote the spiritual welfare of all around her, in her devotedness, her humility, and compassionate tenderness for the faults of others. It is not easy to imagine a more amiable character. In this state of things she married, under circumstances which advanced her rank in life; and, to the utter astonishment and affliction of her friends, she suddenly assumed the airs of a person much occupied with her own importance. That so powerful a mind should have been so absurdly carried away, putting all religious principle out of the ques