Page images
PDF
EPUB

and that the King had expressed a determination of leaving the perpetrators of forgery to suffer the full rigour of the law. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, by which hope was almost precluded, the petition was sent to London and presented to His Majesty, when, to the unspeakable surprise and joy of Mr. Fawcett, a letter soon arrived, addressed to him by a person in authority, conveying this welcome intelligence; You may rest assured that his life is safe.'

This assurance contained all that Mr. Fawcett had implored: he immediately sent a humble address of thanks to the King, accompanied by a small book, elegantly bound, which was graciously accepted by his Majesty.

H-was transported to New South Wales, where his subsequent conduct has justified the good opinion, formed of him by the pious and judicious friends who visited him during his imprisonment.

Since his arrival there, the governor and chaplain of the colony have expressed their approbation of his behaviour; and H- gained so far the confidence of the governor, that he was employed by him in services of trust and importance; and, when many years had elapsed after his transportation, the Rev. Samuel Marsden continued to bear a favourable testimony to his general deportment.

6

Dr. Fawcett is dead; and his modesty cannot now be pained by the narration of circumstances, which, while living, he studiously endeavoured to conceal, even from his most intimate friends. But although his humility would have consigned this remarkable story to oblivion, it is recorded on high; it lives in the grateful memory of those surviving connexions of H-, whose affliction found this unhopedfor alleviation; and it will remain a bright testimony of the genuine

piety and disinterested kindness of this generous friend, whose timely interposition rescued the penitent criminal from death.

[ocr errors]

The character and disposition of our late most excellent sovereign appear throughout this transaction in their simple and genuine beauty, exhibiting that condescension, goodness, and piety, which rendered him pre-eminent as a religious monarch, and distinguished him as one of the best men that ever swayed the British sceptre. The power and efficacy of our holy religion, neither degraded by superstition, nor evaporating in fruitless profession, shone with a steady unvarying radiance in George the Third, conciliating the affections, and commanding the veneration of those among his subjects, who could rightly estimate his sterling worth; and his name will be transmitted to posterity as a noble and illustrious instance of the union of Christian graces with all those great and kingly qualities, which were the support and ornament of his throne. He is gone to receive his eternal reward; to be crowned with unfading honour and glory; and to enjoy that uninterrupted peace and unmingled blessedness, which are the portion of the people of God.'

Neither Mr. Hey's public duties or professional engagements, ever induced him to lose sight of his his own family. 'He conceived it to be not less his duty to provide for the spiritual advantages of those, over whom he presided, than to supply their bodily wants. He accordingly established the regular worship of God in his family, morning and evening, at which his apprentices, pupils, and servants, were always expected to be present; and he communicated to them, at other times, such religious instruction, as he judged to be best suited to their respective capacities and situations. He read a section of Doddridge's Family

Expositor, (omitting the paraphrase and critical notes) with the improvement, every morning, about eight o'clock; the family then united in singing a psalm or hymn; and Mr. Hey prayed, sometimes extempore, and at other times with the help of an approved form of prayer. His family assembled again between nine and ten o'clock in the evening, when he read a psalm, or a portion selected out of the Old Testament, concluding with singing and prayer as in the morning.

The manner in which he conducted the family devotions was serious and most impressive; he read the portion of Scripture Scripture slowly and reverently, now and then offering a very short and pious remark on any particular text that occurred. His prayer was offered up with a devout solemnity and reverence, which indicated the due recollection of the greatness and majesty of that sublime Being, whom he was addressing. The whole service rarely exceeded twenty, or twenty-five minutes; for he was careful not to make the duties of religion wearisome, by continuing them too long.

On the Sunday evening, he would sometimes expound part of a chapter in the Bible, or explain some portion of the service in the Book of Common Prayer, or read a plain practical sermon to his family. On some occasions he would explain and enforce the more important parts of a sermon they had been hearing, and he seldom omitted to improve any affecting incident which had occurred during the week.

'Notwithstanding his extensive practice, and being frequently obliged to visit patients at a considerable distance from Leeds, he rarely missed attending the morning and afternoon service of the church. He always saw as many of his patients as possible on the Saturday; and as they knew his

habits and manner of living, they did not expect, unless in cases of necessity, to see him on the Sunday. On this day he was much in private prayer and meditation; he neither did his own pleasure, nor spake his own words; but the intervals of public worship were filled up by conversing with his family on divine things, and instructing his servants and the children of the Sunday Schools.'

His care of his family, however, extended beyond the period of their youth. Two of his sons subsequently proceeded to college;

his letters to them while there, were replete with wise and judicious advice respecting their academical pursuits; but, above all, he was solicitous that they should become well acquainted with the essential doctrines of Christianity, and be deeply impressed with the high responsibility connected with the profession of a clergyman.

The following letters will exhibit Mr. Hey's mode of thinking on these subjects.'

November 10, 1796. You enjoyed a treat at your arrival, (at Cambridge,) in having the opportunity of hearing Mr. S. I trust you will receive benefit from his labours. It is an unspeakable blessing to hear the word of God in its purity, and delivered with proper affection. It is a blessing which many prophets and saints of old longed to be partakers of, who by faith saw the gospel dispensation at a distance, but were not permitted to partake of it. If we put a right value on spiritual blessings, we shall see. abundant cause to rejoice, and to say, with the Psalmist, "The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.' The best things ought to claim our first attention; but inferior things should not be neglected. The first thing that a minister (or one preparing for the ministry) should regard, are a right know

ledge of the doctrines of the gospel, and an experimental acquaintance with their efficacy upon his own heart but every qualification that can render his labours useful to mankind is worth the pursuit. Amongst the latter qualifications must be ranked a competent share of learning, obtained in such a manner as to cultivate the understanding; and the power of exercising the public functions of the ministry in a decent and impressive manner. Do not forget to read well. How many learned men are defective in this useful talent! A minister who is to officiate in a church where so much reading occurs as in our National Establishment, ought to be able to perform this office in a manner that shall not disgrace the solemn services, in which he is to take the lead. I am aware that your voice is not a good one; but this should urge you to make up the deficiency, as much as possible, by a proper method of using it.

[blocks in formation]

of Mr.'s conduct. I did not expect it; and I think that nothing but want of health can be an apology for it. Moderators may have some partialities, but in general it must be acknowledged, I believe, that the honours at Cambridge are distributed with as much impartiality, as can be expected in human affairs. But a candidate for a degree should submit to an examination as a matter of duty, not for the purpose of exaltation. I wish you and your brother to be diligent in your studies, because God has commanded you to be so: "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Be not greedy of honours; they have a great tendency to puff up the vain heart of man; but be diligent from higher motives. I am of opinion, that shunning examinations is generally the offspring of pride. A man fears that he shall not be quite so high as his own vanity, or the partiality of his friends, might wish. He will not therefore hazard any degree of disgrace. As he undergoes no trial, his friends are left to presume how high he would have been bad his merit been tried. Thus pride shelters itself under the guise of humility.'

RETURNING FROM THE CREATURE TO GOD.

FROM MARCH'S HYMNS FOR THE CLOSET OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER.

FOUNTAIN of living waters, let me come,

And slake my thirst in thy unfailing stream,
For thou of all true comfort art the sum,
And creature satisfactions are a dream.

Yes, I have leaned upon a broken reed,

That pierced, and left a rankling wound behind;
But staunched by thee, it shall no longer bleed,`
For thou to wounded souls art ever kind.

Where most I trusted comfort to receive,

There disappointments have been most severe;
And brighter hopes have smiled but to deceive,
As fiery vapours flash and disappear.
But I adore thy ways; myself condemn ;
I followed idols; thou hast set me free;
That so the happiness I sought in them
I now may seek and find alone in thee.

THE PLATFORM.

A LETTER TO A TRAVELLING AGENT.

MY DEAR SIR,-I am glad to hear that you are about to spend a few weeks of your vacation in travelling on behalf of one of our great societies; an employment of this nature supplies an agreeable variety to one engaged like yourself in daily recurring sedentary occupations; affords much opportunity of benefitting others; and may enable you to collect much useful information, which if rightly improved, may well compensate your own people for this your temporary absence. I therefore gladly comply with your request of furnishing you with a few hints which may be serviceable in the parlour, the pulpit, or the platform. My suggestions indeed would assume a more definite form, had you mentioned the society which you are about to advocate, and the character you are called upon to sustain, whether as an official representative, the companion of a secretary, or a mere clerical friend. Yet much of what occurs to me will apply with little variation to any or all of these characters.

Endeavour constantly to keep in view through your whole tour, that you are a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who have engaged to advocate for a time the cause of a particular institution; and make it therefore your serious study, and your fervent prayer, that in this undertaking you may be enabled to promote the glory of God, the salvation of immortal souls, and the interests of that institution for which you are called upon to plead.

Be it therefore your object to enter into every place in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel

of peace. You are to pass a few hours, or at the most a few days, in a strange place, enjoying perhaps AUGUST, 1839.

2 P

the hospitality of friends whom you have never seen before, and may never see again, adding to the labours of domestic servants who may not feel any particular attachment to religion, and associating with persons, the majority of whom are probably well disposed, but some of whom may narrowly observe your conduct with the secret desire of discovering that the stranger whose talents and piety have been perhaps somewhat injudiciously announced, is neither wiser nor holier than themselves. Let your conversation, therefore, be as becometh the gospel of Christ. Let it be seen from your first arrival, that you are especially intent upon the object of your tour. You may need rest, and retirement after your journey; but endeavour as soon as you possibly can, to ascertain what arrangements have been made for the intended meeting, whether notice has been given of the proposed sermon, who are the leading persons in the place friendly to the cause, and either call on those persons, or at least apprize them of your arrival. I have known cases where clergymen and other influential individuals have been uncomfortably anxious about the arrival of an expected deputation, some hours after the itinerants have been safely housed in their quarters. This is the more important when your route is not generally known, and when therefore your friends are not apprized in what direction to look for you. In an economical point of view this also deserves attention. A note per post, announcing your approach, or a message from the inn communicating your arrival, may cost the society for which you travel a few pence (for you should always remember to pay the postage) but the receipt of

these tidings may perhaps preclude the necessity of eating or lodging at an inn, which is of course always expensive.

I need scarcely say, in the family, becheerful, thankful, easily satisfied, avoid as much as possible giving any unnecessary trouble, or conveying the least symptom of being accustomed to better accommodations, or superior society. Endeavour to introduce suitable, and instructive conversation; espe cially, recal attention at and after meals to the object of your journey; communicate interesting anecdotes; patiently attend to inquiries and objections; and endeavour rather to encourage than repress those who have doubts or difficulties about the institution, to tell you all their mind. This will often afford you the opportunity of explaining difficulties, removing prejudices, and perhaps of converting a lukewarm supporter into a decided advocate. At all events such conversations will afford useful hints for the line of argument to be adopted on the platform; since you may reasonably expect that the individuals with whom you associate at the table of your host, are really a kind of representatives of the different classes who make up the meeting.

The private party at your host's, will very probably lead to some meeting of the Committee, &c. where the preliminary arrangements are made, the Resolutions prepared and placed in suitable hands, the Chairman and the plate holders appointed, &c. &c. In all these arrangements you must be awake; see that nothing is neglected, but guard against any thing like intrusive interference; ask whether the resolutions, &c. are provided; but beware of suggesting any doubt as to the acuteness or attention of the local officers. Be prepared however with resolutions which may meet any unlooked for exigency.

The public meeting is however the point on which you especially desire suggestions, and to that I therefore at once proceed. Now what is the object of a public meeting on behalf of any Society? It is doubtless to promote the interests of that Society, by making known its nature, operations, and success; by urging its claims to support, by obviating any objections which may arise; and adopting such arguments as may induce the audience to come forwards on its behalf; and you as the especial advocate of the Society must endeavour to keep these points stedfastly in view in your own address, and through the whole meeting. You should however take care lest while you thus explain, defend, and advocate the Society for which you plead, that you do not engross the whole time to yourself, or occupy so much of it as may preclude the local advocates from stating their own views. This has a very mischievous effect. When the travelling agent speaks for an hour or more, and when it is known that five or six, or more speakers are to follow, all parties become fidgetty; the later speakers all refer either mentally or audibly to the length of time which has been occupied, some of them profess their intentions of being short, which profession, an old stager of my acquaintance observes, is usually the prelude to a somewhat longer and more prosy address than ordinary; the meeting becomes protracted longer than is advisable, or terminates in peevish abruptness. In this way hearers are often wearied and disgusted, and local speakers think it unnecessary to prepare any thing against another anniversary, since they may not be called upon to speak, or at all events conclude that the less they say the better.

Settle it therefore in your own mind that your addresses shall be short, but make no professions of

« PreviousContinue »