Mr. H., was circulated with the utmost avidity, and the most uncandid and illiberal construction was put upon every sermon I preached; and some even of the most eminent of my hearers in seriousness of spirit and holiness of life, were maligned as Arminians and enemies of the Gospel." Circumstances like these necessarily pain and discourage dissenting ministers; but they are of little weight, compared to those trials which arise from the irregular and unholy conduct of others, who appear attached to the minister, and for whom he, in return, feels a pastoral affection. Such cases, however, will occur, notwithstanding the utmost care in the admission of members; one of this nature now called forth Mr. Townsend's firmness and fidelity. The member whose conduct demanded expulsion, was connected with an intimate friend; but church discipline, and a holy jealousy for the cause of God, triumphed over private feeling.

Antinomianism at Kingston produced that at which it ever aims,-the removal of a minister, who preaches the necessity of faith, and yet exhibits the moral law as the rule of life. Mr. T., though much beloved by the respectable part of his congregation, thought it a duty to resign his charge, and communicated his intention to some friends in London. One of these was the Rev. Anthony Crole, on whom deputies from the congregation in Jamaica Row, Bermondsey, had waited, to consult him on the choice of a Minister. rangements were subsequently made for Mr. T.'s stated labours among them, which commenced on the Sabbath after Midsummer Day, 1784.

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To some of the little flock at Kingston, he felt a strong attachment. There were individuals to whom his ministry had been made useful; two of these afterwards became pastors of Baptist Churches. One striking fact occurred, which appeares worth recording. A youth, who projected a crime of great magnitude, attracted one evening by the light, strolled to the little chapel, at the moment the minister was reading the text from Numbers xxxii. 23.-Be sure thy sin will find thee out. Conscience became alarmed, the violated law of God with its consequences was pourtrayed, and bore a terrifying aspect to the listening sinner, who believed detection must ensue, if the intended sin were committed. The impression remained, and a holy and consistent life has been the result.

CHAPTER III.

From Mr. Townsend's settlement at Bermondsey, in 1784, to the formation of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, in 1792.

THE Congregation at Jamaica Row consisted of almost every denomination of Christians, among whom were Arians, the remains of Dr. Flaxman's hearers. Mr. Townsend's first object was, to form a church on the model of congregational dissenters. Introductory to this, he preached on the principles, duties, and character of church members, taking the holy Scriptures as the basis of faith and practice. The faith and conduct of every member were to be subjected to christian inspection; it was intended to exclude those, who were uninfluenced by the power and purity of religion, and to admit those, who were renewed in the spirit of their minds and who were holy and unblameable.

Mr. Townsend was set apart over the church and congregation, Oct. 28, 1784. On this occasion, the Rev. Mr. Crole delivered the charge from 2 Timothy iv. 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. The Rev. Dr. Addington preached from Phil. i. 27. Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.

The peace of the infant church was broken by the introduction of Mr. Huntington's sentiments into the neighbourhood; the moral poison of which infected some of the members, fourteen of whom were desired to withdraw. During a long ministerial life, our deceased friend's tranquillity as a pastor was never again interrupted.

Being now settled in the vicinity of London, he frequently went to hear the Rev. William Romaine, and the Rev. Henry Foster. He hoped to derive much advantage from frequent intercourse with the independent ministers of the metropolis, but in this he was disappointed, as he received nothing more than cold civility. Conversing with his friend, the Rev. Mr. Crole, on the subject, they both lamented the want of a more close and intimate friendship with the ministers of the congregational denomination. As the pastors of the regular churches (as they were called,) thus stood aloof, those men who wished to act upon more enlightened and liberal principles; who felt that a diffusive spirit ought to mark the servants of God, determined, if possible, to form an union of such ministers as were unconnected with the Board. A meeting was called to carry this plan into effect; and the following ministers entered into the union :-The Rev. Messrs. Crole, Cottingham, Morton, Humphreys, Myers, J. Towers, T. Bryson, J. Townsend and T. Williams.

At this interview it was unanimously resolved, that two objects should be embraced; a monthly meeting of the ministers for the discussion of

theological subjects; and another for prayer and a sermon. This union was denominated the Evangelical Association; and the monthly meeting of ministers connected with it was held in Pinner's

Hall vestry. "They were to me (observes Mr. Townsend) seasons of great pleasure, and, I hope, of much profit. We were all, I believe, younger men than Mr. Crole, and esteemed him as our monitor. His affable and unassuming manners, united to a sound understanding, and a comprehensive and familiar acquaintance with theology, rendered him the object of our veneration and love."

A list of subjects was printed, and the lectures were well attended. To render the association useful, they connected with it preaching in the villages round London: Three places were regularly supplied by them in rotation, viz. Wimbledon, Poplar, and Lambeth.

Not many months after the formation of this society, Mr. Townsend became more intimately acquainted with several ministers of the Board; some of whom wished him to become a member, but this he declined, as he was already united to a very pleasant association. Notwithstanding this refusal, he had reason to believe that he was proposed at a general meeting, but that the proposal was withdrawn, on account of the opposition made to it by one individual, whose spirit was not imbued with that love, which at present pervades every class of Christians. "If I judge correctly, says Mr. Townsend, there were two grounds of