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has accumulated a stock of mental riches, which few of us possess. He would not very frequently surprise us with new or original thoughts; but neither would he shock us with any thing devious from truth or good sense. Good Mr. Hall, of Arnsby, having heard him soon after his coming to Olney, said familiarly to me, 'Brother S. is a safe man : you never need fear that he will say or do an improper thing.'

He particularly excelled in practical judgment. When a question of this nature came before him, he would take a comprehensive view of its bearings, and form his opinion with so much precision as seldom to have occasion to change it. His thoughts on these occasions were prompt, but he was slow in uttering them. He generally took time to turn the subject over, and to digest his answer. If he saw others too hasty for coming to a decision, he would pleasantly say, 'Let us consult the town-clerk of Ephesus, and do nothing rashly. I have thought many years, that amongst our ministers, Abraham Booth was the first Counsellor, and John Sutcliff the second. His advice in conducting the Mission was of great importance, and the loss of it must be seriously felt.

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It has been said that his temper was naturally irritable, and that he with difficulty bore opposition: yet that such was the over-bearing influence of religion in his heart, that few were aware of it. If it were so, he must have furnished a rare example of the truth of the wise man's remark, "Better is he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city." Whatever

might have been his natural temper, it is certain that mildness, and patience, and gentleness were prominent features in his character. One of the Students who was with him, said, he never saw him lose his temper but once, and then he immediately retired into his study. It was observed by one of his brethren in the ministry, at an association, that the promise of Christ, that they who learned of him who was meek and lowly in heart, should find rest in their souls, was more extensively fulfilled in Mr. S. than in most Christians. He was "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Thus it was that he exemplified the exhortation of the apostle, giving no offence that the ministry be not blamed.

There was a gentleness in his reproofs, that distinguished them.' He would rather put the question for consideration, than make a direct attack upon a principle or practice. I have heard him repeat Mr. Henry's note on Prov. xxv. 15. with approbation-" We say, Hard words, break no bones, but it seems that soft ones do." A flint may be broken on a cushion, when no impression could be made on it upon an unyielding substance. A young man, who came to be under his care, discovering a considerable portion of self-sufficiency, he gave him a book to read on self-knowledge.

He is said never to have hastily formed his friendships and acquaintances, and therefore rarely had reason to repent of his connexions; while every year's continued intimacy drew them nearer to him; so that he seldom lost his friends-but his friends have lost him!

He had a great thirst for reading, which not only led him to accumulate one of the best libraries in this part of the country, but to endeavour to draw his people into a habit of reading.

Allowing for a partiality common to men, his judgment of characters was generally correct. Nor was it less candid than correct he appreciated the good, and if required to speak of the evil, it was with reluctance. His eye was a faithful index to his mind; penetrating, but benignant. His character had much of the decisive, without any thing conceited or over-bearing.

In his person, he was above the ordinary stature, being nearly six feet high. In the earlier stages of life he was thin; but during the last 20 years he gathered flesh, though never so much as to feel it any inconvenience to him. His countenance was grave, but cheer ful; and his company always interesting.

But I shall conclude with a few extracts of letters concerning him, which I have received since his decease, from those who knew him intimately.

"His zeal for the cause of Christ, (says one of his congregation,) was uniform, and increasingly ardent, to the end of his life. One of the last conversations that he had with me, he concluded in these words-Farewel! Do your utmost for the cause of Christ. I have done a little, and I am ashamed that I have done no more. I have such views of its importance, that had

I ability I would spread the gospel through the world.' His knowledge of books was very ex tensive: he appeared to have a facility in extracting the substance of them in a short time, as a bee extracts the honey from the expanded flower. He possessed an equal facility in knowing men, more especially ministers, and that not confined to his own denomination. So that in a few minutes he could give you an account who they were, what places they had occupied, and what was their general reputation. From this he was many times able to give seasonable advice.

"I believe (says a minister, who had been one of his pupils) I was the first young man placed under the care of our dear deceased father S. From my first acquaintance with divine things, on seeing aud hearing him occasionally in my native village, I formed a very high opinion of the general excellence of his character; and the intimate knowledge I had of him, from residing in his family, so far from diminishing my esteem and veneration for him, greatly increased them. His piety was not merely official and public, but personal and habitual. The spirit of devotion rested on him. He was the man of God in all his intercourse. He conducted the worship of his family with singular seriousness, ardour, and constancy; never allowing any thing to interfere with it, except great indisposition. He manifested a parental tenderness

This library is left by his Will to the Bradford Baptist Academy, only on condition of the trustees paying 100l. to his relations; a sum far short of its value.

and solicitude for the welfare of

his pupils, and took a lively interest in their joys or sorrows. I have seen him shed the sympathizing tear over them, in the hour of affliction. Such was the kindness and gentleness of his deportment, that they could freely impart their minds to him; but while his affectionate spirit invited their confidence, the gravity of his manner, and the commanding influence of his general character, effectually prevented any improper freedom being taken with him. Such too were the sentiments with which he was regarded among his people: they loved and venerated him. He heard the sermons of his younger brethren with great candour, and if he saw them timid and embarrassed, on public occasions, he would take an opportunity of speaking a kind and encouraging word to them, and aim to inspire them with a proper degree of confidence. He was singularly regular and punctual in fulfilling his engagements, whether in preaching or visiting, not only in attending, but in being there at the time; and earnestly inculcated it on his pupils, if they wished to command respect. He endeavoured to preserve and mote the order and regularity of christian families where he visited. I never saw him out of temper but once, and that was produced by want of punctuality in another person. I often regret that I did not profit more by his instructions and example. He has many times, by his judicious counsel, been the guide of my youth.' His name and his memory will ever be dear to me, 'My father, my father!'

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"I have just heard (says another, who had, some years since, been his pupil) of the death of Mr. S. It has returned upon me whether alone or in company. Such an event may well do so. In him I saw bright lines of resemblance to our Lord and Mas ter, such as are seldom to be met with in poor mortals. Such amiableness of manners, so much of the meekness and gentleness of Christ, of sound judgment, and warm affection, we rarely see. united. While memory holds her place, his name and manner will be cherished by me with pleasing melancholy, not without anticipations of meeting him in another and better world."

"The memory of Mr. S. (says another, who had been his pupil, and who was present at his death) will live in my warmest affections, while I possess the powers of recollection. It seems impossible that I should ever forget such a friend, or speak of him without blessing God that I ever knew him. I am grieved that he is gone, yet grateful that he was continued with us long enough for me to receive his instructions, and to witness his example. You have heard some of his dying sentiments. As his address to me may be considered as his dying advice to the young men, who were under his tuition, I communicate it, leaving it to your dis cretion what use to make of it. About 3 in the morning of the day on which he died, like Israel, he strengthened himself, and sat up on his bed. Calling me to him, he, in the most affectionate manner, took hold of my hand, and expressed himself as follows

"Preach as you will wish you

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Remarks on Chap. xxvi, 9, in reference to the present times."When thy judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."

If the foregoing piece* contain the true meaning of these prophecies, there can be no doubt but the words in verse 9th, refer to the calamities preparatory to the overthrow of the papal antichrist, and the introduction of the millennium. Some of these we have seen; others are yet to come; but the most interesting character pertaining to them, is that under them "the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." It is not enough to understand them of what ought to be, but of what will be. The inhabitants of the world have in all ages been taught righteousness by the judg. ments of God; but now they shall learn it. The same thing is foretold in Rev. xv. 4; where, in

reference to the pouring out of the vials, it is asked "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee, for thy judgments are made manifest." The sense is, that the judgments already found upon the earth, and those which are yet to come, will, with the word of God, which shall at the same time be spreading, be the means of effecting that great change in the moral state of the world, which prophecy gives us to expect.

Let us observe the effects produced by the events which have already occurred. We are informed, by a serious and intelligent spectator, that a deep impression was made upon the continental armies by the late sanguinary contests. The Rev. Mr. Hallbeck, Moravian minister, who, in the summer of 1813, travelled through the North of Germany, while occupied by the French and Allied armies, and published a narrative of his journey, writes as follows"It is impossible to describe the ardour and enthusiasm, which prevailed in Prussia, as soon as the people were permitted to take up arms against their oppressors. Scarce were the intentions of the Monarch known, before the whole country was in motion, and thousands flew to arnis. Counts and Barons, professors and students, masters and servants, enrolled themselves as common soldiers, and those who could not bear arms, gave money. The ladies sold their jewels, their gold, their very hair to aid the common

*See Bap. Mag. for January, p. 14. Vol. VII. H

cause; they left the toilet to provide for hospitals, to dig entrenchments, &c.

"This enthusiasm, to which modern history presents no equal, was combined with a RELIGIOUS spirit pervading the whole nation The iron time (as it is called) since 1807, had subdued the pride of the people, and the terrible judgments in Russia had opened their eyes. The soldiers were solemnly consecrated for the war by their parish ministers. It was a most affecting scene to see some thousand young warriors together, receiving in structions from their minister, and the blessing of the church, of their parents and relatives, before they went to fight for liberty. Every heart was moved, every eye shed

tears.

"The same good disposition and unparalleled enthusiasm pervaded also the regular troops. They were no more the boasting self-confident Prussians of 1809; on the contrary, modesty and dependance on help from above, formed the general character of Blucher's army. WITH GOD, FOR OUR KING AND COUNTRY, was the motto embroidered on their standards, eng:-ven in their hearts. Cursing and swearing, the common vices of soldiers, were seldom heard; no songs were allowed to be sung, till revised by the Colonel, and approved by a clergyman. Many of these songs were of a religious, and all of a moral tendency. The regiments were not indeed provided with chaplains, but they attended divine service, as often as circumstances permitted.

"Eight hundred Prussians were once quartered in Herrnhut. The commanding officer had ordered

the band to parade the streets as usual in the evening; but being told that there was a meeting for divine worship at that hour, he postponed the music, and he and all the officers and soldiers attended the chapel.

"To this modest and pious spirit was joined a bravery equally enthusiastic, of which it is not easy to form an idea, without having been a witness to it. CONQUER OR DIE, was a resolution legible in the countenance of every soldier, which was not effaced by the most adverse circumstances, and which influenced those who were naturally of a weak and timid disposition.'

I lay no stress on the durability of these impressions: some of them may have continued, others may have subsided; but however this be, we may see how the mighty hand of God when stretched out, can subdue the spirits of men. The inhabitants of Prussia, and other Continental nations, have of late years been said to be remarkable for their infidelity: but infidelity at this time seems to have hid its head.

Farther, Is it not deserving of notice, that while some of the most awful judgments have been abroad in the earth, and men's minds have been impressed by them, an impulse has been given to circulate the Holy Scriptures, such as was never before known?

Without enquiring, whence this impulse proceeded, its existence and extent are manifest to every observant eye. The remarks made upon this subject in respect of Russia, in the Eclectic Review for November, are worthy of notice, and will in part apply to other nations as well as Russia. "In contemplating the exertions

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