thy Jenkins, of Whitechurch, in Pembrokeshire, the substance of which is here inserted, nion with the church at Kilvowyr about the year 1776. His zeal and diligence in the pursuit of divine things being quickly noticed by the church to which he now belonged, they requested him to take an active part in their meetings for prayer and religious conference. In the course of the following year, he was requested to exercise his talents among them, with a view to his entrance on the stated ministry. He preached his first sermon from Isaiah liii. 10 "When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin;" and the discourse gave the most entire satisfaction. In his early labours as a preacher, it was his constant study to communicate solid instruction to the mind, rather than to please the ear. Sometime in the year 1779, the church of which he was a member recommended him as a student to the Academy at Bristol."* at Bristol."* Mr. Evans justly considered his entrance into the Academy as opening to him a prospect equally interesting and solemn; and in taking this step, it is evident he did not "use lightness." It would be an unspeakable blessing to the church of Christ, if every youth, who enters on a course of education preparatory to the ministerial office, should commence that course with motives as pure, and pursue it with a diligence and seriousness as great as his. He rejoiced, indeed, to have cast off the shackles of worldly business, which so often continue, in the inost distressing manner, to impede the exercise of the sacred office; but into "Mr. Thomas Evans, the father of our deceased friend, was highly esteemed among all classes of christians, for the extent of his religious knowledge and the piety of his conversation. He was constant in his attendance on divine worship at all appointed seasons, and not easily turned about with divers and strange doctrines; for he was well acquainted with his bible, and firm in his adherence to its dictates. To him were given seven sons, three of these still survive; one of whom, Mr. Lewis Evans, is minister of the Baptist congregation at Ebenezer, in his native country. Mr. John Evans, (the subject of this memoir,) regularly attended the preaching of the gospel with his parents during his younger years, and, possessing an inquisitive mind as well as a retentive memory, he soon acquired a degree of knowledge somewhat remarkable for his age. He appears also to have been early the subject of serious impressions; but none of these (so far as his friends could judge) were abiding, till he was about eighteen years of age. At that period, being favoured with the privilege of spending some time in the family of the Rev. G. Rees, of Rhydwillin, it pleased the Lord to awaken his mind to the discovery of his character as a sinner, and to direct him to the only refuge provided in the gospel. Having made a profession of his faith, he was baptized and admitted to commu * Over this Seminary the Rev. Hugh Evans, M. A. together with his son, the Rev. Caleb (afterwards Dr.) Evans, then presided, with a zeal and ability which endeared them to all our churches, and by which their names are placed high in a record that can never be obliterated. his views of the Christian ministry indolence or the love of ease never entered. His exertions, though changed in their object, were not lessened in their degree; but, on the contrary, he redeemed the time with double care, and, giving himself with all diligence, to reading and study, he soon excited in his tutors and fellow-students, the expectation, which he afterwards abundantly fulfilled, of his becoming a man" approved unto God, a workman who should not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The respect which he had obtained from the directors and the companions of his studies was held in remembrance in the Academy long after his departure from it, as is well known to many who succeeded him in the same seminary and, though death has, in little more than thirty years, removed from earthly scenes almost all of those who were his immediate companions in study, I have the pleasure to insert a letter from one of those who still survive, the Rev. T. Langdon of Leeds, who thus writes: "My dear friend, "I was with Mr. Evans at Bristol, and the many happy hours we spent in each others society there, will always be recollected by me with pleasure. He was not only my class-fellow, but literally the companion of my academical studies; and, I believe, we uniformly regarded each other with mutual esteem and confidence. In his studies he was invariably attentive and diligent, and the proficiency he made was creditable to himself, and not merely satisfactory, but highly pleasing to his tutors. the course of his academical exercises he gave proofs of a sound judgment, a retentive memory, a lively imagination, and a correct taste. His temper was cheerful, his mind firm and independent, and the whole of his behaviour prudent and decorous. His piety was fervent, but rational and unostentatious. His devotional exercises, when, in his turn, he conducted the domestic worship of the lecture room, were peculiarly fervent and edifying. He firmly believed, and cordially loved the great distinguishing doctrines of Christianity, but discovered nothing of a servile attachment to any human system of religious opinions. In his last year he frequently preached in Bristol and the neighbourhood, and, I believe, his ministerial exercises were universally acceptable. Indeed few students ever left the Acadeniy more highly respected than he was, by all who knew him! In the year 1781, Mr. Evans accepted an invitation from the Church at Abingdon, under the care of the Rev. Daniel Turner, M. A. who was then in the decline of life, to become his assistant in the ministry. His labours proving highly acceptable in his new situation, he was, in the following year, ordained as Co-pastor with Mr. Turner; and this union, under a divine blessing, was productive of prosperity to the congregation, and mutual happiness to their ministers. He soon after entered into the marriage state with Miss Anna Roberts, a lady of respectable family, in his own congregation, well qualified for the duties of that relation which she sustained In through the remainder of Mr. Evans's life. This connection, possessing the entire affections of which was formed on principles of mutual piety and esteem, proved to them both a source of great felicity. At the death of Mr. Turner, the pastoral charge devolved wholly on Mr. Evans; and from this period his ministry, which had already received many proofs of the divine approbation, was rendered more than ever successful. With the exception of a few neighbouring villages, his labours were now confined to his own congregation, which became more numerous than it had ever been; and scarcely a year passed, in which he had not the pleasure of introducing a considerable number, converted under his ministry, to a public profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus, and to holy communion at his table. He was particularly useful to the youth of his charge; and herein God gave him the desire of his heart, as he was especially anxious to win the tender mind to the love and service of the Redeemer. Those more established in the divine life, of whom there were many in his congregation, perceived with the greatest satisfaction, that, while he had recourse in all his own trials to the strong consolation of the gospel, he led them also to "draw water from the wells of salvation." Like other ministers, he had his troubles, and to a few intimate a few intimate friends he sometimes (though not often) mentioned them; but the feelings most prevalent in his heart were those of satisfaction in the work given him to do, blended with an ardent desire that he might finish it with joy. Thus employed in the work of God with continued success, and his people, Mr. Evans, advanced to the fifty-eighth year of his age, and the thirty-second of his ministry at Abingdon. As he still enjoyed a degree of health which enabled him, with but few interruptions, to sustain the exertion of preaching three times each Lord's day, and usually once in the week, and was in the habit of carefully cherishing, for the sake of his family and flock, that strength which advancing years had begun to impair, it was natural to hope that such a life might approach but very gradually to its close; and that, when his active labours should be impeded, he might, like his venerable predecessor, be permitted to remain awhile, the companion of the aged, and the counsellor of the young, till some rising minister should be trained under his instruction, and receive at his hands the solemn charge of feeding the flock of God committed to his care. But God had otherwise determined. His work was done: and, to the glory of divine grace be it said, it was "well done." The decree, which numbered his days, included the determination that he should not live to participate, either the joy that should arise from the future prosperity of his congregation, or the sorrows which are sometimes occasioned by the sad reverses to which the best formed churches are exposed. Early in the month of June, 1813, he was indisposed little danger, however, was apprehended by his friends, and probably no immediate danger by himself. Though not in sufficient health to discharge the duties of the pulpit, he attended the public services, and seemed to expect that he might for a while, at least, resume his work. On Lord's day, June, 18th, he heard the writer of this memoir, both morning and afternoon, and conversed with him in the evening with all his usual cheerfulness. On that day fortnight he was seized with the illness which, in four days, proved fatal. On the first of July, he departed to his eternal rest. The violence and rapidity of his disorder prohibited all intercourse, except with his nearest relations, and one or two intimate friends. Even to these he was able to speak but little; yet the few sentences he occasionally uttered, indicated a calm and peaceful state of mind. He took an affectionate farewell of his relations, and, though overwhelmed with the suddenness and violence of their affliction, they were enabled, without a murmur ing thought, to resign into the hands of Jesus, their father and their friend. His widow and four sons, survive to mourn a loss, which no earthly blessing can compensate. To the foregoing narrative, the writer is induced to subjoin some general remarks, the results of a long and intimate acquaintance with his departed friend. Mr. Evans appears to have been well aware of the importance of associating in his character those virtues, which too many are satisfied to possess single and unsupported; and so well did he succeed in the combination, that any situation of life, he must have proved an ornament to society. "In Christian morals," said the late Mr. Booth, "integrity holds the first place, benevo in lence the second, and prudence the third: without the second, the first cannot exist; and without the last, the two former will be often brought into suspicion." For all these virtues, Mr. Evans appears to have been eminent. His integrity, none who knew him, could ever doubt: a vein of godly sincerity manifestly ran through the whole of his conversation and conduct. His disposition was truly benevolent. He delighted, not only in communicating benefits, according to the means with which God had entrusted him, but in witnessing the more extended efforts of many, with whom it was his happiness to be connected: provided good was done, he was satisfied, though he himself was not the immediate agent. Christian prudence, also, stood high in his esteem; and if, as the Apostle James assures us, "he that offendeth not in word, is a perfect man," our departed friend had attained to no mean rank among his fellow christians. His conversation, though for the most part lively and interesting, was equally free from the two common faults of self-exaltation and unguarded censure. Of himself he seldom spoke at all, and of others, never spoke evil; it will therefore excite no surprise, that his life was peaceful, and his company every where acceptable. He owed much of his tranquillity, however, to a happy command of temper, which he manifested on some trying occasions. In most situations, professors of religion may be found, whose views of gospel truth are so narrow and disjointed, that they can never discern the whole counsel of God, in any ministry, which is not confined to a part of it; that is, to a few truths, confessedly important, but unnaturally separated from the relation which they bear to every other part of the divine system. Such persons are usually as defective in the spirit of Christianity, as they are contracted in the views of the truth, which it reveals. From such a quarter, it may well be supposed, that Mr. Evans could not wholly escape censure: but such was the habitual meekness and gentleness of his carriage, that enmity was ere long disarmed, and so much were his public discourses imbued with the spirit of the gospel, that it soon after died for lack of nourishment. A pleasing testimony to these excellencies in Mr. Evans's character was delivered, at his interment, by the Rev. W. Wilkins, the Independant_Minister in the same town. "In him," said Mr. W, there was nothing of a narrow, bigotted, party spirit, but his disposition was amiable, candid and friendly; and I have often and sincerely wished that he might be my fellow labourer, to the end of my days. Mr. Evans spoke in public, for the last time, at the administration of the Lord's Supper and probably without suspecting that he should then close his ministerial work. The approach of death was sudden, but it could not be unwelcome to a mind habitually prepared, as his evidently was, for the solemn event. Had he been previously assured that he should, after this hour, speak to his beloved people no more, his address could not have been more affectionate or solemn, than it was on this occasion. His manner in the closing sentences, was peculiarly animated and interesting. "How divinely amiable," said he, "is the Redeemer in his love to sinners! What shall we do, my friends, in the chamber of sickness, when all is dark around us, if Christ be not at hand to cheer our hearts, and administer the cup of consolation? When death draws his sword, and says, "Sinner thou must die;" where shall we look for assistance, if Christ be absent then? but, if he be the stay of our heart, we shall smile in the hour of dissolution. Death will lose his sting, and we shall welcome the blow, which will remove us from a state of trouble and distress, to one of unutterable joy and felicity: "Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace, If Christ be in my arms.” The memoir of which the above is but an abridgment, was written by Mr. Hinton, of Oxford, and is prefixed to a posthumous volume of Mr. Evans's Sermons, a Review of which is inserted in the subsequent pages of this Number. ON TWO IMPORTANT ARTICLES IN THE APOSTOLIC CREED. If I recollect rightly, it was by perusing a well known high-church publication, written by a pious clergyman, with whom I was formerly acquainted, and whom I sincerely respect, that my attention was turned to two expressions, in what is usually called The Apostles' Creed. Though the church of Rome has certainly made too much of that form of sound words, in setting it on a level with the holy Scriptures; while some of the popish divines have idly affirmed, not only that it was made |