strance.

rishioners in any little emergency. No intruder will attempt to make inroads when the watchman is at his post. 4. The sick persons in his parish are constantly attended. The good impressions made in the time of sickness are not suffered to wear away without some remonAn evening call, when the poor man has left his work; a religious tract; a word in season; a friendly prayer; these may be blessed to the salvation of the soul. 5. The resident minister is a father to the poor. . . . . . Dr. Johnson, speaking of the responsibility of ministers, once said, 'that a clergyman was the father of a larger family than he could maintain.' 6. Sunday-schools, where a clergyman is resident, may do incalculable good. To these a stranger cannot attend. 7. We might insist upon the exquisite pleasure to be derived from residence. As the good old rector . . . . used to say, I feel, after a week's labour in the vineyard, that which I cannot describe; a joy with which a stranger intermeddleth not. 8. How rich the recompence of reward! Το say before the tribunal of God, "Lo! I and the children which God hath given me." . . . Let this warning of our blessed Master be written in letters of gold, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” Let the same characters record this encouragement, "Call the labourers, and give them their hire." "Thou hast been faithful in a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

In the early part of Mr. Beachcroft's residence at Blunham, he had without due consideration indulged in field sports; at length however, after some struggles he deemed it his duty finally to relinquish them as inconsistent with that spirituality of mind, and that improvement of his time which the

minister should sedulously cultivate. In proportion as a minister advances in his divine life he will thus renounce every amusement, and every avocation of a doubtful character, and lay himself out more and more for the welfare of his people.

Mr. B.'s attention to family devotion was most exemplary.

'Well he knew that, as a master, he had the soul of each of his domestics immediately committed to his care; and that an account of each would be required of him at the great tribunal. Deeply impressed with this scriptural conviction, he inquired not what course he might pursue with the least possible difficulty, or with the smallest measure of reproach. He "conferred not with flesh and blood" consequently he collected his household at morning and at evening, in a vestibule well fitted for the purpose. There, he sang with them praises and thanksgivings to his God; there he expounded to them the words of eternal life; and there he prayed with them to the God and Father of all. A holy solemnity appeared to overspread the scene; a deep attention was evinced by every one present; as if the seriousness of the master had become, through divine grace, influential on the bosom of the family. Not even a labourer in his employ was uninvited to the domestic altar. More than once has the author witnessed what he is here attempting to describe; and to himself it was not only a gratifying, but he trusts also a profitable attendance. And, possibly as no doubt it was, that the servants might be practically unaffected by it, the master might say to them, what St. Paul once said to the Ephesians-"I am pure from the blood of all men.” A consolation which never can be enjoyed by those who neglect the souls of their children or domestics; and who, in compliance with

their own inclinations, or with the maxims of a corrupt world, regard family prayer, and family exposition, as works of supererogation, if not of rigour and enthusiasm; or who avowedly approve the practice, and yet omit it on some such pretence as can neither stand the scrutiny of Him who knows the heart, nor even satisfy the dictates of their own conscience.

"A perpetual fear and love of his holy name," was a leading feature in the domestic character of Mr. Beachcroft. In him was deeply seated the master principle of action. The servants had no occasion to remark, (what in too many families is frequently observed with justice,) My master's prayers are good, but his practice is a constant contradiction to them." He was not only aware how acutely the members of a family observe every inconsistency in a religious master, whether it relate to temper, to conversation, or even to look and manner, but he remembered also that the eye of God was upon him. "Thou, Lord, seest me,” was by grace inscribed upon his bosom. On this account he was anxious to exclude from his habitation whatever might offend or dishonour his divine Master; and to establish whatever might tend to the glory of his great name. Like 66 the sweet Psalmist of Israel," he would have his household, as well as himself, "walk before God with a perfect heart." All irregularity and excess were therefore forbidden to his domestics, on pain of dismissal from his service. were they left at liberty to frequent those scenes of pleasure, (such as the fair, the race, &c.) which are eventually a source of pain. Such wise rules were adopted by him as might secure regularity of hours, an exact performance of the allotted work, and the improvement of time, especially to religious purposes. For Mr. Beach

Nor

His love to God also led him to exclude from the domestic scene all such miscalled amusements as dissipate the master's time, and have a direct tendency to corrupt the morals of his servants. The luxurious and protracted entertainment, the ball, the card party, were never witnessed under his roof. The sensuality and frivolity of the former, and the gambling character of the latter, were with him sufficient reasons for keeping them at a distance from his habita. tion. That the card-table is a nursery of gambling, he maintained in common with all unprejudiced observers. When cards are admitted into the parlour, they can scarcely be excluded from the servants' hall? And when once the spirit of play is introduced, it too often leads to dishonesty, violence, and other fearful results. Awful instances of this kind have occurred among the servants of families where cards are allowed. Mr. B. therefore would in no way countenance a practice which must wound his own conscience, and make others to offend.'

His attention however was not so exclusively devoted to the care of his own family and his own parish as to lose sight of the events of the world. He regarded with tender pity and compassion the perishing state of multitudes, and therefore felt it his duty to support those institutions which are formed for the evangelizing of mankind. The Societies for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, found him among their zealous and liberal supporters, but he felt there were other Institutions equally valuable and important which demanded his aid. He engaged especially with great zeal in the British and Foreign Bible Society, and became Secre

tary to the Bedford Auxiliary. In 'writing to a friend on this topic in April 1812, he observes—

With respect to the Bible Society, I am deeply engaged in its service, being the secretary, on the part of that establishment, of the Bedford Auxiliary. I must think the institution the very best in this kingdom, because its plan is the most simple to attain the greatest good. I have seen every thing which has been written for and against the society, and would recommend you to read Dealtry's Vindication; 'Vansittart's Reply; his Three Letters;' and a passage in Hodgson's Life of Bishop Porteus.'

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So on another occasion he observes- -The eye of the Christian sparkles with delight, when he finds that to circulate God's own book, the Bible, larger sums have been collected than for any other purpose whatsoever. Would that we could still aver, what is next affirmed in the Report, namely, that a delightful unanimity pervades every part of this immense fabric. The British and Foreign Bible Society is indeed built as a city which is at unity in itself.' Yet, while we respect the motives

of those who have of late disturbed that unanimity,' by voting for the exclusion of Socinians from the Society in question, and for the introduction of prayer at the commencement of its public meetings, we cannot admit the ground on which such resolutions have been brought forward. We must, however, confine ourselves to the following general remarks; namely, it has never yet been proved that to allow Socinians to continue members of the Society, is in any way whatever to countenance their doctrine. Next, by becoming distributors of genuine copies of the Bible, they in fact advocate, not their creed, but ours. The anniversary meetings of the Society are remarkable for those Trinita

rian addresses which maintain the Godhead of the Saviour. As to the supposed necessity of commencing such meetings with oral prayer, the measure has been shown to involve insuperable difficulties, and at the same time not to be essential to the devotional character of the Society, the meeting not being held for the purpose of public worship. That character is still sustained by the devout aspirations which appear in its annual reports, and which proceed from the bosom of its advocates, not only in the family and in the closet, but even in the public assembly.

'I never did any work for our great and blessed Lord, but I always found more than an abundant recompence in the communion which I humbly trust I had with Him. And this sense of his presence keeps us from any undue presumption on religious engagements. I own I sometimes entertain great fears for those who talk of the high and lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy," in a way so familiar as to make me shudder. . .Do you not think that in those religious characters, on whom most dependence is to be placed, you always find the greatest reverence for the name, the day, the book, the providential dealings, of the Lord? They are no longer servants, it is true, but sons, when God puts the Spirit of his Son into their hearts; but a dutiful son has a constant respect for his father mixed with his love.'

Thus usefully and actively employed-favoured with health and amply provided for with the good things of this life, Mr. B. had abundant reason to look forward with lively hope of years to come; when in June 1829 he was seized with a violent attack of bilious fever, which confined him to his bed for several weeks, and rendered it advisable that he should

remove to Ramsgate. After continuing there a few weeks he set out for town on his way home, and was seized near Canterbury with a paralytic affection, which confined him in that city for some time, whence he was removed to Bath, and thence to Clifton.

Paralytic attacks usually enfeeble the mind as well as the body, but all Mr. B's kind and tender affections remained. He felt especially the separation from his aged mother, whose advanced years disabled her from leaving Blunham, and to whom he wrote short letters as long as he was able. The following is an interesting specimen, 'My dear Mother-A letter is going to Mary from my dear wife, who is, I thank God, very much recovered. Indeed I had a very anxious week; but it has pleased God to hear and to answer our prayers. You likewise, my dear mother, are, I trust, very tolerably well. Your letter was just as I should wish to write at eighty, or indeed at my age, for it breathed contentment, peace, unshaken faith, and a good hope, which will never suffer you to be made ashamed. And so let us travel onwards. The journey is coming nearer and nearer to its end. " Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." The good Lord and Master still be with us. Even to "hoary hairs," says he, "I am with you." I will pray, may God abundantly bless you, and all our dear friends and relations. Do not forget, and may I never forget, the hourly providence of God.'

My dear children, love one another, serve your heavenly Father. I am very weak indeed; but I hope to meet you in the kingdom of heaven. I should be nothing now without the love of God to sinners in Christ Jesus. I do not forget one of you, and pray that you may be the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. And now farewell. Be stedfast; be kindly affectioned; live in peace; and the God of peace shall be with you. My love to every one, young and old, in the parish.

R. P. BEACHCROFT.'

For a time his reduced frame in some degree revived, and he enjoyed the healthful breezes of the Clifton downs. Nevertheless he had even then such fresh seizures in his head as forbade all reasonable hope of his eventual recovery. Mr. Beachcroft's friends were apprized of the extreme precariousness of his life, and led to expect his dissolution, if not from day to day, yet assuredly from month to month. Again the author saw him. His appearance was considerably more morbid than during his residence at Bath. Paleness, emaciation, languor, now marked his countenance, and spasmodic pains occasionally oppressed his frame. His mental powers had also evidently decreased. He spoke indeed collectedly, but with the slowness of one who apprehends that the chain of his ideas may suddenly be snapped asunder.

His words (treasured up by the author in the depths of memory) were these: "God is so gracious to me even now, that I am not permitted to entertain a single doubt of my salvation. I come, as a sinner, to Christ; but I find in him a present and all-sufficient Saviour.'

Thus calmly waiting for the salvation of God he lingered on till Nov. 9, 1830, when he fell asleep in the 50th year of his age. He was interred amidst the lamentations of his parishioners in his beloved retreat at Blunham.

your

IMAGINE yourself, dear fellow-labourer for God, in the world of glory, think that you see parents, I hope, and your children. But suppose, that in surveying those, your eye alights upon some over whom your heart has yearned, and upon whom your labour has been bestowed; some whom you have been the means of guiding to the Saviour, and of rescuing from the wrath to come. How will you rejoice in their happiness? Once you saw them polluted by sin, now you behold them in the image of God. Once you saw them under sentence of wrath, now accepted before the throne. Once afar off from God, now in the presence of his glory. Once on the brink of hell, now amidst the blessedness of heaven. Strange contrast. Wonderful change, and who has accomplished it? Doubtless the power of Almighty grace; but it is linked also with your instrumentality. Yours was not the might which subdued them, but yours are the lips which instructed them, and the reproofs which prevailed with them. With what amazement will you behold the result of your endeavours. You did not think the salvation of their souls a trifle, indeed, when you attempted to promote it. You knew the result would be glorious, if you should be successful; but you anticipated nothing like this. O, to think that you have been the means of rescuing a soul from the ever-burning lake; that any thing you have done has tended to produce a character so beautiful, and to lead to a condition so blessed.

Added to the sight of their happiness, will be the reception of their gratitude. The happiness they enjoy is too closely linked with your instrumentality, not to render a fervent gratitude.

Per

haps your children will again cling to your breast, and with looks of ineffable love, remind you how they drew their early knowledge of the Saviour from your lips. Perhaps your parents will, with overflowing joy, salute you as their parent in the Lord. Perhaps a brother, a sister, a friend, shall bless you for the affectionate importunity employed for their good. Perhaps the victims of vice and ignorance whom you had gathered for instruction from the highways of sin, or perhaps the tenants of those abodes of poverty and wretchedness into which you carried the glad tidings of salvation, will press in concert around you, to pour their blessings on your head, and to greet you with innumerable thanksgivings for the unwearied patience with which, amidst a thousand discouragements you pursued their everlasting welfare.

You

We shall also be favoured to behold in a new and interesting light, the fruits which may have resulted from our labours. will find that efforts which you made in weakness, were turned into strength that language dropped in discouragement, nevertheless found its way to the heart: that reproofs often repeated in vain, at length fixed upon the conscience, that persons whom you regarded with despair, have been brought by your words to meet you in glory. You may find that in some cases good has been done by you, when you little thought of it: or that where you most feared disappointment, the happiest results have been secured. Nor is this all. The wider relations and subsequent bearings of your endeavours, will at that period be manifest to you. Now you are aiming at the conversion of individuals, and by their number you estimate your success.