the least sign of disapprobation, as if they suspected any partiality in the choice." In this situation he spent three years; and that he did not spend them unprofitably, was clearly proved in the subsequent course of his public ministry. While he was at Wrexham, the French Revolution astonished the world, and caused politics to become the topic of conversation in almost every circle. Mr. E. therefore, with his usual ardour of mind, entered warmly into the subject, and devoted much of his time in reading political tracts. But, though he thus gained much general knowledge of men and things, which is neither sinful nor wholly unprofitable to a Christian minister, yet afterwards he often regretted having spent so much time and thought on what was neither immediately connected with, nor subservient to, the great work he had in view. A reflection this, which there is little room to doubt has been confirmed by the sorrowful experience of many; and which well deserves the serious regard, not only of every pious youth training up for the sanctuary, but of every Christian professor that wishes to escape the evil of a worldly spirit! During his continuance in tle academy, Mr. E. was not inattentive to his improvement in classical literature, and the belles-lettres. He also made some proficiency in his knowledge of the Hebrew language, which indeed is of high importance to a Christian divine in his interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures; and from a critical skill in which more advantage is sometimes to be drawn, than from a toilsome examination of human commentaries. But the great object on which his mind was bent was Theology; nor was it likely that a youth with such an eager thirst after knowledge, should be inattentive to the disputes which have exercised the minds of learned men, on subjects of moral and reli gious controversy, both among the ancients and moderns. He therefore, says another correspondent, " closely consulted the writings of the Fathers, and acquainted himself with the debates and decrees of ancient councils; and, to say the truth, he exceedingly disliked them all, as inconsistent with the right of every Christian to search the Scriptures, and to judge for himself; for he was an avowed enemy to every thing like imposing creeds and systems of faith on the consciences of men." About this time, the subjects of Materialism, Philosophical Necessity, and the Liberty of Moral Agents, were argued with great vehemence by their respective advocates; as also the controversies between Unitarians and Calvinists, relating to the proper Deity and atoning sacrifice of Christ. Our young pupil, therefore, devoted much of his time to a careful perusal of numerous publications, which then issued from the press, on those profound and interesting topics. And it would not consist with truth and candour, did not the compiler of this Memoir acknowledge, that Mr. E.'s freely-enquiring mind was oft considerably shaken, and perplexed with distressing doubts, as to some of the glorious and distinguishing peculiarities of the gospel; yea, that for a while he imbibed much of a sceptical spirit, and had nearly sunk in the vortex of infidelity. But the great Head of the church, who had called him by his grace, and designed him for extensive usefulness in his vineyard, mercifully prevented him from being swallowed up in those floods of ungodliness; and by a sense of his extreme danger, roused his mind to most earnest prayer, and to a diligent examination of the Scriptures, particularly in reference to the person and death of Christ. Wellknowing, therefore, as a learned author remarks, that “there is no short way to truth; that the na as In the beginning of the year 1795, Mr. E. left Wrexham, and entered on his public labours. His first station was at Lane-Delph, in ture of things will not accommo- In this respect do they more and date itself to the laziness, the inte- more appear to me essential, rests, or the vices of men; that the blood in the human constitu the paths which lead to knowledge tion is essential to vitality." are unalterably fixed, and can be traced only by slow and cautious steps;" revering also the divine counsel, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God,"-and believ- the Potteries, Staffordshire; where ing that the most gracious promises he preached about three years and of Heaven are not designed to su- a half; and though he was then percede, but to animate our most very young, his ministerial gifts vigorous efforts in the paths of were highly esteemed by judicious duty, Mr. E. with fervent suppli- hearers, who still speak of his mecation of divine assistance and di- mory with great affection and rerection, addressed himself, with spect. From this place he removed the greatest assiduity, to the fur- to Bridgenorth, in the county of ther study of those important con- Salop, where he was ordained to troversies; and made himself tho- the pastoral office, on April 8, roughly acquainted with the whole 1801; and on which occasion the series of arguments on the points at following ministers engaged in issue between such learned the service: oppoMr. Little, then of hents; reasonably, however, and Hanley-Green, delivered the Introconscientiously resolving to make ductory Discourse; Mr. Steil, of the infallible authority of Revela- Wigan, offered up the Ordinationtion the decisive standard of judg- Prayer; Mr. Lewis, his tutor, gave ment between them; and, through him his charge, from 1 Cor. iv. 2 ; the divine blessing, though his and Mr. Whitridge, of Oswestry, mind for some length of time was preached to the people, from Psal. often sorely perplexed, the result exviii. 25. was most felicitous to his personal comfort and his ministerial usefulness. Out of this fire he came forth purified as gold; deeply convinced of the unscriptural grounds and dangerous tendency of the Socinian system, as in every part of it repugnant to the vital principles of the gospel; and fully settled in his belief and love of those glorious truths, the Deity and Atonement of Jesus Christ;-which constitute the basis of our hope as sinners, and entwine themselves with every holy and comfortable exercise of our hearts as believers; concerning the essentiality of which principles he thus expressed himself by letter, some years ago, to the author of this narrative: "I consider them to be essential, not merely as characterizing the Christian system as a system of truth, but as the life and soul of personal devotion, and of Christian virtue. Would the limits of this Memoir admit, it would have given us great pleasure to introduce the very ho nourable testimonies borne by several of his brethren in the ministry to his uncommon diligence and perseverance in various branches of literature, and especially in theological pursuits, during his residence at these places; but we must content ourselves with that of his much respected tutor, Mr. Lewis, who thus delineates his method of study, and that thirst for improvement, adorned by the veil of modesty, which endeared him to all his brethren and acquaintance."He seemed," says Mr. L. "to be habitually studious, and in all places to have his mind engaged either in collecting new ideas, or in arranging those already acquired; so that even the presence of his friends with whom he lived, never appeared to disturb his meditations, or but, even then, he made it a special condition with the church at Stockport, that he should visit the people of his former charge, and preach for them four Sabbaths in every year; - which was cheerfully agreed to. prevent him from proceeding with his work. He was seldom met in any of his walks without a book in his hand, and frequently carried with him pen, ink, and paper, to preserve any interesting thoughts that might occur to his mind. He visited all the ministers and other intelligent persons in his neighbourhood, that he might reap some advantage from their conversation, or borrow a valuable book from their library; and his disposition was so amiable, and his mien so ministrations, their number soon modest, that every one was glad to see him, and to enjoy his company." His removal from Bridgenorth to Stockport was marked with the most honourable feelings towards both congregations. Having come to supply the latter, then destitute of a pastor, in December, 1801, the church and congregation unanimously invited him to the ministerial office among them; to which he returned a respectful answer in the negative, in consequence of the people at Bridgenorth soliciting him most affectionately to continue his residence with them; whose earnest entreaties he could not resist, though their number was small, and his salary amongst them very inconsiderable. And afterwards, when the prospect of a numerous family made it necessary for him to think of some other situation, and the question of removal to Stockport was again submitted to him, still he gave no encouragement to that application, till he had heard of a minister whom his dear people at Bridgenorth could affectionately receive as their pastor. Then he renewed his visit to Stockport, in June 1803, and again received a most affectionate and unanimous call from the church and congregation at Orchard Street Chapel, to take upon him the pastoral oversight of them in the Lord; which, after due deliberation, he accepted, and commenced his labours among them September 29, in that year The interest at Orchard Street Chapel was very low when Mr. E. came; the church, then consisting of 48 members, very often formed more than half of the congregation; but, by the divine blessing on his increased to a very considerable auditory; and very pleasing evidences appeared of much spiritual advantage being derived from his preaching. Nor had he been long settled amongst them, before he began to make diligent enquiries into the religious state of the county at large; which in many places he discovered to be dark, and destitute of the gospel. This tenderly moved his compassion towards such numbers of precious souls hastening into eternity without any means of acquaintance with the way of salvation; and eventually gave rise to The Cheshire Union, for the Support of Itinerant Preachers. The first Report of which was drawn up by Mr. E. and published in September, 1806. Here, therefore, the compiler of this Memoir cannot help inserting part of a letter which he received from Mr. E. in June, 1812, in reference to this favourite object of his attention, "I am," says he, "setting out on my usual half-yearly journey to visit the itinerants, and their several stations of labour and usefulness, This is to me one of the most agreeable visits I make to any place. Oh, that you could accompany me on some of these excursions, enjoy the unaffected kindness of some of our serious farmers ; — and to hear what unsophisticated common sense, joined with fervent piety, make of the Bible! It is delightful to find the great outlines of evangelical truth so clearly, - to and, which is far better, so practically and so feelingly received by these plain good people. This hath served me for a complete answer to a hundred objections. Our good friend Mr. Burder's Village Sermons have been made extremely useful, both for instructing and building up many of our serious friends. (To be concluded in our next.) SOMETHING NEW FOR THE NEW YEAR. ACTS xvii. 21. "All the Athenians and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear SOME NEW THING." The curious disposition of the Athenians has been generally considered as a matter of reproach; but unjustly I think, except in the excess to which it was carried,-they did nothing else. Curiosity has often been the means of introducing the gospel with good effect into new places; and in the present instance, though some mocked," others clave unto the preacher-the apostle Paul, among whom was 66 Dionysius, the Areopagite," and afterwards an eminent apologist for Christianity; "and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." 66 1 A spirit of enquiry is always friendly to religion, when properly conducted. The hearers commend ed in the New Testament, are not those who received the doctrine of the apostles without hesitation or examination, but those who searched the Scriptures daily, to see if these things were so. For this reason the believers at Berea were more noble than those of Thessalonica. (ver. 11.) The decrees of councils and of synods may perish in the furnace; but divine truth will stand the fire like gold. The want of curiosity to examine, hath often proved the It greatest obstacle to the introduction of the gospel. Faith comes by hearing; and if men will not hear, how shall they believe? is the supposed novelty of the gospel which often gains the first attention; and when it is preached with fervour and affection, it seldom fails to excite wonder and admiration. To your readers, however, I do not mean to recommend the gospel as a novelty; but I have some new things to suggest at the commencement of a new year, which, I hope, will not be unworthy their attention. 1. Let us enquire what new providences, at this period particularly, call upon us for praise and prayer. The return of Peace after 25 years of sanguinary and almost universal war, must needs be a new thing, which demands a new song of praise. On the other hand,-Persecution for conscience sake, is a very unpleasant novelty in the 19th century. After the protection and sup◄ port afforded to the royal family of France; after the blood and treasures expended by ourselves and other Protestant powers, to restore them to their hereditary possession ; after engrafting the doctrine of toleration_in_the_French constitution; and, after that constitution being accepted and sworn to by those illustrious persons, it is a new and strange thing to hear of our fellow-Protestants in that country, and under those princes (who owe every thing to Protestant liberality and friendship) being persecuted to prison, to banishment, and to death! This, however, has taken place, and calls for prayer and humiliation before God;-for zeal, activity, and benevolence on behalf of our fellowChristians. In private life also, which of us has not experienced new providences, calling upon us for gratitude or humiliation? but I leave a blank let the reader fill it up from his own circumstances and experience. 2. What news have we received respecting the propagation of the Gospel at home and abroad? At home, into what new places has the Gospel been introduced? Where has it been revived when languishing?—Where is it now calling for assistance and support ?-What news have we from abroad?—In India do the Hindoos throw away their caste to receive the Gospel? Do Mahometans exchange their Koran for the Bible? - Doth Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God? And do the Isles of the South Sea call upon Jehovah, and cast their idols to the moles and to the bats? Your Magazine, Mr. Editor, gives a pleasing answer to these questions; and the lovers of novelty may be gratified with narratives equally marvellous and true. 3. What new Plans of benerolence and public utility have been lately started?-Sunday-schools may have lost their novelty, though by no means their usefulness; but education is becoming national; and adults, as well as children, enjoy its benefits. The British and Foreign Bible Society, and the British and Foreign School Society, are travelling hand in hand through Europe, and through the world. "Many are running to and fro, and knowledge is increasing." May we not hope the period is not very distant when "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters do the sea." At least, we ought to pray for its approach, and labour to hasten it in its time.' To a kingdom founded upon truth, and to be filled with knowledge, the encrease of literature and science (truly so called) must in every department be advantageous. Let the Prince of this world bind his subjects in chains of darkness,' as he is bound; Christianity is a system of light and liberty, and its children love the light and rejoice to see its beams, whether they shine upon the domes of its temples, the walls of its academies, or the cottages of its poorest population. While I have commended the Athenians for their curiosity,in their enquiries after novelty, I would not recommend my reader to do "nothing else." Enquiry should be the spring of action; and after learning what is done, and what is doing, the next question should be, What shall we do?-Is the temple of the Lord building?-Are the walls of Zion being repaired?- Oh, give me a trowel that I may lay a brick or a stone! Let every man build before his own house. If I cannot build, let me assist and encourage the builders; or, if I can do nothing else, let me, at least, join in the general shout as it progresses, "Grace! grace! unto it." Sir, INGENUUS. CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY. To the Editor. I earn I was very much pleased with the remarks of your correspondent (Monitor) in your August Magazine, on the best means of employing the summer. estly wish that professors would pay more attention to the great duty of glorifying God in the world, and more solemnly enquire What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? The cause of religion would wear a very different aspect, if all the Lord's people had their activity called into exercise, and were all determined to leave nothing undone for God, which is in the power of their hands to do! And we cannot too often consider that time, and talents, and money, and influence, are all of them committed to us by Him who will hereafter call us to an account for our employment of them; and who expects that at his coming he shall receive his own with usury. I am not, however, about to di |