hoisted-I looked back, and prayed for them; we were in a moment out of hearingwe waved to each other-the boat flew through the water-the distance increased: the Duff began to mingle among the multitude of vessels around her-soon she became undistinguishable from them: I shall see them probably no more. God be praised, who has led us hitherto; we will bless him, and say, hitherto he hath helped us, for his mercy endureth for ever.

"And here, I cannot but pause, and look back with wonder and thankfulness on all the way in which our great Lord and Master hath led us, from small beginnings to a magnitude so far surpassing all our own hopes or thoughts, providing all the means for the execution of this desirable attempt, and bringing it to so successful an issue hitherto, as has excited the wonder of those who could scarcely believe the possibility of the event. Bless the Lord, O my soul! The work is now in his own hands; they are ploughing the billows of the deep. We have heard from them, safe and happy in their voyage as far as Falmouth, and since off the rocks of Lisbon; every thing well, and proceeding according to our prayers and wishes. O Lord God, our God, cover them as with the wings of the cherubim, conduct them to the haven where they would be, and crown their labours with all the blessings and success which we are supplicating.

66

Friday, the convoy gone; the last turning round St. Helen's at day-break-we see them no more. Wrote Mr. Taylor my intention of calling on him. Wrote to Mrs. Haweis, Lady Ann, and Mrs. Hardcastle, informing them of my intended return to town. Visited Major Macklean, who is confined to his bed by an accident: he is a truly precious man. After dinner went to Gosport; unintentionally compelled by that worthy man Mr. Minchin to spend the evening and sleep there: a large company. The evening spent, I hope, profitably and agreeably, in reading the scriptures and prayer, with conversation. He is an excellent man, and a lawyer, and I am much mistaken if he does not sometime prove a burning and shining light in that neighbourhood. He is full of zeal, and devoted to God.

"I hear with thankfulness, and, through mercy, with a deep sense of my own unworthiness, how much good has been produced by our missionary visit, that many hearts have been warmed with the gospel truths, and fresh life excited in the congregations here; the audiences have been always large and attentive-often overflowing; many have attended who were never seen to have done so before, and some, during the whole five weeks, have not missed one discourse; not to advert to the Jews, of whom I have spoken before. All concur in rejoicing to see how much the prejudices of many are abated. I am pleased myself, and surprised, at the cordiality and civility with which I am treated by persons of all denominations, and cannot but rejoice to see, that during my stay, there hath been evidently a softening of prejudices, and a more kind intercourse between Church and Dissenters, between Dissenters and Dissenters, between Christians and Jews. May God more unite all our hearts in his love, bring forth greater blessings than we can ask or think, and keep every eye single to his glory, that the Lord alone may be exalted. Found myself very fresh at night; supped, having eat nothing solid before; slept as well, nay better, than I am accustomed to do on Sunday night.

Wednesday, 28th. Wrote to Mr. Eyre, but too late, I apprehend, for insertion in the Magazine this month: I have been so hurried, I could not find a minute before; I mentioned to him, what I forgot to take notice of before, that the captain's nephew has given me a beautiful drawing of our ship, which I think may be made a valuable assistance to our Society's funds, if well ordered; when I get to town, this must be considered.

After breakfast, took horse, and went to visit Netley Abbey. Crossed the ferry to Itchin; a beautiful day and ride; a most splendid pile of ruins. The church and cloisters, once so magnificent, are now sunk into desolation. The ivy clings to the beautiful cornice and elevated pillar, and half covers the walls. The floor is strewed with vast fragments of the fallen roof, and trees of various kinds growing out from the spaces between them, overtop the craggy walls. The hoots of the owl and the clamours of the jackdaws have supplied the mummery of monkish devotion. As I stood admiring the once beautiful church and its

remaining windows, amidst the confused fragments, I was struck with the grandeur of the scene; a melancholy silence reigned around me; no voice was then heard, nor living creature seen, except one little wren which flitted across from the ivy to the broken window; the only tenant now seen to occupy these magnificent remains of former greatness. As I rode round the precincts to admire the various views presented by different parts of the ruins, I made a stand under a venerable oak, at the skirt of an adjacent wood, which looked down upon the building, with a fine view of an arm of the sea, and the rising coast on the opposite side terminating the prospect, a scene of singular beauty: I regarded with a kind of veneration this still living inhabitant of the place, and reflected, with a sort of magic revival of the former days, that this oak had probably beheld the noble pile in all its beauty and glory; had often sheltered the tonsured fathers beneath its shade, and perhaps been itself the produce of the acorn sown by some one of this sequestered fraternity, many, many ages ago, and Dow surviving them, and looking upon their desolated heritage. What a changing world is this! Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Returned slowly, musing, to dinner, at Southampton; Mr. Taylor's coach came to convey me to Portswood, to drink tea and spend the evening, and hear Mr. Newton preach; what a contrast between the vast church in ruins and the magnificent abbey, with a little newly-erected building for the purpose of public worship, where about two or three hundred persons were assembled to hear my aged friend; no vaulted roof of stone, or carved imagery, adorned the simple structure; even the walls were yet in the rough plaster; but the presence of God our Saviour, and the indwelling Spirit of Jehovah, consecrated the living temples. How transcendently superior to all monkish magnificence and mummery, as well as to all modern emptypewed, ancient, consecrated, but deserted, churches, where ignorance of all evangelical truths fills the chair, and “Ichabod" is written on the walls (for the Divine inhabitant is fled.)

I confess, I rejoiced to see my brother Newton so profitably and liberally employed: his own practice will forbid him from ever objecting to a like conduct in his brethren; whether it be a barn, or under a tree, if the people are assembled with a thirst for the words of truth and righteousness, he cannot consistently forbid to draw for them the water of life from the wells of salvation. The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy? I was much pleased to find him as clear in his intellect, and as strong in his voice, as twenty years ago. "To grey hairs will I carry you." He is nearly ten years older than me; and in his former days endured hardships, that might naturally have brought on decrepitude and premature old age; but his bow abides in strength: through the arm of the mighty God of Jacob; may his last days be his best days. Returned to Southampton with some precious friends; there is a precious seed of faithful people under Mr. Kingsbury's ministry; may he see a great increase,

Friday, went early to Mr. Kingsbury; very kindly gave me a parcel of Mr. Romaine's letters to look over, and select what I thought may be of use in his life. Dr. Romaine had already taken the greater number.

Visited a number of Mr. K.'s congregation; he is vastly desirous to join in a like effort with those of Portsea, which is begun, and to send out, two and two, such zealous members as are willing to go into the country around, on the Lord's day, and converse with the ignorant, and such as are too distant from a place of worship, or too careless ever to think about it: two or three lively men seemed very ready to accede to Mr. K.'s proposal; and may the Lord bless the attempt. I am sure it will be to the quickening of the congregation where such efforts are made. He that watereth others shall be watered himself. The coach came to convey us to dinner at Portswood: walked round General Hibbert's fine place. I am not unaffected with the beauties of nature, but, I confess, I take a thousand times more pleasure in seeing such a congregation of attentive hearers on the word of God, as assembled to hear Mr. Newton at night when he was to take his leave. Both of us start for London to-morrow. The meeting was crowded, and his discourse excellent. Returned to sleep at Mr. Toomer's; took an affectionate leave of them; they are the excellent of the earth.

Saturday, at five, entered the coach; a fatiguing day, though fine weather. Company mostly French. No good to be done.

Arrived once more in safety at the habitation I had quitted, to embark with the Mission, six or seven weeks ago. Have abundant cause to bless God for the support and blessing I have experienced, for the good health in which I am returned, and for all the pleasant prospects here opening for the greater spread of the everlasting gospel. Be still, Lord, my strength and my Redeemer, and let me ever experience the good hand of my God over me for good.

Spa Fields, October 1st, 1796.

In a good old age, full of peace, and animated by the bright hope of eternal life, Dr. Haweis entered into the joy of his Lord; leaving behind him, in the hearts of thousands of God's people, a grateful recollection of the zeal and fidelity with which he had cherished the infant cause of Protestant missions, and the vital interests of evangelical and primitive Christianity.

MEMOIR

OF THE LATE

REV. EDWARD PARSONS.

FORTY-ONE YEARS PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ASSEMBLING IN
SALEM CHAPEL, LEEDS.

THE Rev. Edward Parsons had purposed, during his last retirement, to write a memoir of his own life, especially recording the various interesting events in the Christian church with which he had been associated. It is to be regretted that his sudden removal prevented the accomplishment of this design; and that nothing remains but a brief and rough memorandum, respecting his early days.

In that document, he mentions that he "was born in the parish of Stepney, London, on the 16th July, 1762; that, as to his origin, there was little in which he could glory, but nothing of which he ought to be ashamed;" and that he was in a peculiar sense "a child of Providence." He refers to his boyish character as mischievous and daring,-attributes which gained him much popularity with his "small contemporaries," although often causing him to suffer severe punishment; "and," he says, "like many older sinners, I was a very orthodox penitent, as long as

the smart of the rod was upon me." After narrating an instance of extraordinary daring, which it is truly wonderful did not occasion a sudden and violent death, he touchingly notices his utter carelessness as to the great concerns of religion, and his destitution of guidance in the pursuit of knowledge. Here his manuscript terminates; and we are only able to state summarily as to the events of the years immediately succeeding those of his early youth,-that his course was speedily controlled by the operation of Divine grace upon his mind; that he was brought under the notice of the late Countess of Huntingdon; and that, under her auspices, he became a student at her college at Trevecca, where, after one or two discouraging failures, he gave signs of high qualification for usefulness in the work to which he was devoted.

The first place at which he exercised his ministry after leaving Trevecca, was Tunbridge Wells, and from thence he was removed to Norwich, where his public engagements were very laborious and trying, consisting of five services during each week. His constitution was then delicate, and his health, in consequence of his exertions, became soon and seriously impaired. By the advice, and with the assistance, of friends who had become much attached to him, he then retired to Brighton, where his disorder assumed a more alarming character by the rupture of a blood-vessel, and where he remained for some time in anticipation of a premature consummation to his course. Continued repose, however, at length produced beneficial results: and a residence at Bristol Hot Wells, at the suggestion of Lady Huntingdon, who supplied him with whatever could minister to his comfort, finally re-established his strength, and enabled him once more to engage in the duties of the pulpit.

After a short ministration in Bristol, where he formed some ministerial connections which had much influence on his subsequent life, he was requested by the Countess to visit Wigan in Lancashire; a favourable opening appearing in that place, for the increased administration of evangelical truth. Thither, accordingly, he proceeded. An incident occurred in connection with his residence there, which merits preservation, not only as affording an indication of his own character, but an example of the manner in which the "wrath of man" is so often overruled for the furtherance of the gospel. A magistrate in the vicinity, an ignorant, bigoted, and impetuous man, entered the

little chapel on the morning of one Sabbath, while Mr. Parsons was conducting the service; and, perhaps presuming on his youth, interrupted it by ordering him to leave the pulpit, and the congregation to disperse. The intruder was, however, reminded that the assembly was under the protection of the law, and informed that, except he instantly retired, he must be prepared to suffer the penalty which the law had provided, and which certainly would be enforced against him. This terminated the scene; much excitement was of course created by the occurrence, and a report was widely circulated in the town and neighbourhood that "a young dissenting parson was about to send Mr. Justice to jail." The consequence was, that on the following Sabbath the place of worship was crowded: and that when mere curiosity had spent itself, there remained, from better impulses, a spirit of continued attention to divine ordinances, which issued in the erection of a new and larger sanctuary. It is remarkable further, that one of the most liberal donations to that edifice was presented by the sister of the individual by whom the illegal disturbance had been made.

At the commencement of the year 1784, Mr. Parsons went from Wigan to London, principally in consequence of measures suggested by leading individuals in "the connection," the determination to adopt which led to the important step of his withdrawment from it. It is not advisable here to enter into the detail of those measures, or the proceedings which they produced it is enough to observe, that the subject of this memoir, accompanied by some others, conscientiously dissented, and that he henceforth avowed himself to have adopted the principles of church-government which are held by the Congregationalists-principles towards which he had been for some time tending, and of which he remained, to the end of life, a steady, enlightened, and able advocate.

In consequence of the separation which thus occurred, Mr. Parsons relinquished an engagement at the chapel in Mulberry Gardens, and accepted an invitation to preach for some months in Manchester to the Independent church and congregation assembling in Cannon-street; there he met with much acceptance, and there divine providence conducted him to Leeds— destined to be the scene of his long-continued and eminently successful labours. The circumstances by which he was thus