m FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY r v\eion ^V°/^ / PREFACE. This new edition of "The Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society" has been issued from the press at the present moment, as a suitable memorial of the approach- ing Jubilee. And, with a view to render it accessible to the less wealthy friends of the Societ)'-, it has been published at less than half the cost of the first edition, though no part of the Work has been withheld but the General Sketch of Christian Missions. At such a crisis in the history of the Society, it is fondly hoped that many will be glad to embrace the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the characters of those honoured men who laid, deep and broad, the foundation of an Institu- tion so highly honoured of God. Many years have elapsed since the plan of this work was originally projected. The men and the events connected with the early proceedings of the London Missionary Society seemed deserving of some distinct memorial. The events were such as to exert considerable influence upon the state of Chris- tianity, both in Great Britain and America ; and the men were so signally endowed, by nature and grace, for all the purposes of a great achievement of Christian benevolence, that to lay open the main facts of their history was but to record the good- IV PREFACE. UCSS of God, who had, in special mercy, vouchsafed them to our country, at a time when formalism pervaded the church, and ungodliness or political frenzy had seized on the great mass of the people. It would be difficult, perhaps, in the early movements of any great Institution, to point to an equal number of distinguished men as may be traced in the first Committee of the London Missionary Society. Their high standing in the church of God, their exalted piety and character, the learning and genius of not a few of them, Avere circumstances worthy of peculiar notice. But the most remarkable feature of all was, that men belonging to different sections of the visible church, animated by one common feeling of sympathy for the perishing heathen, should have grace given them to lay aside all their party jealousies and distinctions, and to unite as the heart of one man in carrving out the commission of their risen Lord, — " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature/' The Author is not unconscious of the imperfections attaching to biographical sketches of so many eminent men. In some instances, the existing materials were so scanty, as to preclude the possibility of minute detail ; and in others, as in the case of Dr. Ilawcis, documents have been withheld from the Author by reason of the projection of family memoirs. In every instance, however, he has done his best to uphold the fair fume of a circle of men, to whom posterity', for ages to come, will look for some of the brightest examples of devoted zeal and holy effort in the cause of Christ. The Author would not omit to express his deep sense of obligation to many kind friends, who have cheerfully aided him in his laborious undertaking. To the family of the late Joseph PREFACE. v Hardcastle, Esq., in particular, he would take this opportunity of conveying his heartfelt acknowledgments, for the very cordial manner in which they have entered into the general plan of his work, and for the valuable materials supplied for the memoir of the late venerated Treasurer of the London Missionary Society. To Alexander Haldane, Esq. ; the Rev. James Parsons, of York ; the Rev. Thomas Stratten, of Hull; the Rev. T. P. Bull, of Newport Pagnell ; Mrs. CunlifFe, of Highbury, and many other Christian friends, he would tender his warm expressions of gratitude, for various kind offices which they have rendered in the prosecution of his grateful task. It is the Author's sincere and ardent desire to promote the interests of the London Missionary Society, by the pub- lication of these memorials of its early friends. He has sought to catch their spirit, while he delineated their virtues; and, if he has succeeded, in any measure, in embalming the memory of a race of men who so eminently served their generation, he will feel that he has made a useful contribution to those who have been called by Divine Providence to enter into their labours. Such as the work is, the Author commits it to the candid inspection of the friends of Missions, and to the sove- reign blessing of Him who can render effectual the humblest effort to promote his glory, and the immortal benefit of the human race. 1, Walton Place, Brompton, Sept. 10, 1844. CONTENTS. PAGE Historical Notice of the London Missionary Society vii Memoirs of the Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Society... 9 Memoir of the Rev. John Eyre, A.M ib. Memoir of Joseph Hardcastle, Esq 47 Memoir of William Shruhsole, Esq 182 Memoir of the Rev. David Bogue, D.D 156 Memoir of the Rev. Alexander Waugh, D.D 218 .Memoir of the Rev. John Love, D.D 254 Memoir of the Rev. George Burder 268 Memoir of the Rev. Rowland Hill, M.A 298 Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Haweis, LL.B. & M.D 323 Memoir of the Rev. Edward Parsons 345 Memoir Of the Rev. Robert Simpson, D.D 355 Memoir of the Rev. William Roby 364 Memoir of the Rev. George Lambert 375 Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Greatheed, F.A.S 392 Memoir of the Rev. William Francis Piatt 397 Memoir of the Rev. John Townsend 406 Memoir of the Rev. Edward Williams, D.D 427 Memoir of the Rev. Matthew Wilks 444 Memoir of the Rev. Joel Abraham Knight 462 Memoir of the Rev. James Steven, D.D 472 Memoir of the Rev. Henry Hunter, D.D 478 Memoir of the Rev. George Townsend 487 Memoir of the Rev. Joseph Brooksbank 495 Memoir of the Rev. Herbert Mends 499 Memoir of the Rev. George Jerment, D.D 506 Memoir of the Rev. William Graham A.M 512 Memoir of the Rev. William Smith, A.M 519 Memoir of the Rev. James Boden 522 Memoir of the Rev. William Kingsbury, A.M 528 Memoir of Captain James Wilson 539 Memoir of the Rev. James Knight 551 Memoir of Sir Egerton Leigh 554 Memoir of the Rev. John Mead Ray 556 Memoir of John Wilson, Esq 564 Memoir of Robert Steven, Esq 5G7 Memoir of Thomas Wilson, Esq 573 EMBELLISHMENTS. Portrait of Joseph Hardcastle, Esq To face the Title. Portraits of the Rev. John Eyre, A.M. — The Rev. David Bogue, I). I).— The Rev. T. Haweis, LL.B., M.D. —The Rev. John Love, D.D. — The Rev. George Burder To face page 9 Portraits of the Rev. Rowland Hill— Rev. Matthew Wilks— Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. — Rev. Alexander Waugh — William Shruhsole, Esq To face page 293 Portraits of the Rev. Edward Williams — Rev. Edward Parsons — Rev. William Roby— Sir Egerton Leigh, Bart. — Rev. Samuel Greatbeed To face page 429 Portraits of Thomas Wilson, Esq. — Rev. J. A. Knight— Rev. Robert Simpson Rev. George Jerment-- Rev. George Lambert To face page 651 BRTEF SKETCH ORIGIN. PROGRESS, AND PROSPECTS LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. More than a generation has passed away since this Protestant Mission sent forth its first messengers to the island of Tahiti. The honoured men, with one or two exceptions, who formed the Society are now numbered with the dead ; but they left behind them a portion of their spirit, and their children live to witness the triumphs of their hopes. As the Jubilee year of the institution will commence on the 22nd of September, 1844, it would seem a grateful task to furnish brief memo- rials of the devoted men who gave it birth, and of the results which have sprung from the efforts of their consecrated zeal. If it be a high religious duty to mark the band of God in the events and agencies which he em- ploys in extending the kingdom of his Son, it must be incumbent upon all the members of the true church to make themselves acquainted with the history of a society, which, for the lengthened period of fifty years, has been operating- with mighty energy and success upon the benighted and idolatrous regions of the globe. ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY. The rise of the London Missionary Society may be regarded as a dis- tinct era in the history of Christian missions. Its plan was so new, and its proposed scale of operation so vast, that it burst forth with a kind of Pentecostal excitement upon the public mind of the church. The joy created in the hearts of thousands of God's children, by the formation of a scheme of philanthropy so enlarged, so comprehensive, and so accordant with the spirit of primitive Christianity, can only be fully judged of by those who were happy enough to aid its first struggle for existence, or to hail the successive voyages of the missionary ship Duff to the islands of viii MISSIONS OF the great South Pacific. The tidings of these events were, to many a languishing church, and many a slumhering Christian, " as life from the dead ; " and generations yet unborn will have to look back on these happy days of the Son of Man, as the commencement of a distinguished era in the revival of true religion, and in its more extended dissemination throughout the habitable globe. When we contemplate the present aspects of the Society, the vast field which it occupies, the number of its missions, the honoured men who represent its interests on many a heathen shore, the sunny and bright spots which have risen to view under its culture in the moral desert, and the glorious triumphs of divine grace] which have attended, and which still attend, its hallowed enterprise, we cannot but desire to look back upon its early history, and to trace up to its fountain-head that stream of mercy which is now conveying health and refreshment on its bosom to many a parched wilderness thirsting for the waters of life. In July, 1793, that important organ of religious intelligence, the Evangelical Magazine, as the result of many anxious deliberations, first took its stand among the periodical publications of our highly-favoured country. The object of its founders was two-fold ; first, to stem the torrent of ungodliness, which, at that time threatened to sweep away all the great landmarks of morality and religion ; and, secondly, to furnish an effective organ for the defence of evangelical truth, and the diffusion of Christian knowledge. Happily for " the good of Jerusalem," it was hailed with gratitude by Christians of every name, and drew around it a circle of Churchmen, Methodists, and Dissenters, whose venerable names are still an inheritance to their children, and a precious memorial to the church of the living God. Among the many objects of benevolence which have either been origi- nated or materially helped forward by the advocacy of this religious periodical, the London Missionary Society occupies a conspicuous and distinguished place. The mind of one of its first editors, the late venerable Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, had been awakened to serious reflection upon the sad condition of the heathen world, and the indifference to the spread of the gospel so largely prevailing in his own particular denomination. He thought of what had been done by Episcopalians and Presbyterians; by Anglo-Americans and Moravians, by Wesleyans and Baptists,* and • In a memoir of the late Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, which appeared in the Baptist Magazine for January, 1826, the following interesting facts are recorded: — "A few months after Dr. Ryland fixed his residence at Bristol, he received the first letters which had arrived from Carey and Thomas in Bengal, and the intelligence they contained was so cheering, that he longed to communicate it as widely as ible. The Rev. David Bogue, of Gosptnt, and the Rev, James Steven, then THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ix lie longed to see the Independents and Calvinistic Methodists engaged in the same field of hallowed enterprise. He was powerfully acted upon ; and, in September, 1794, he inserted an earnest appeal to Psedobaptist Christians, in the pages of the Evangelical Magazine, calling upon them, in energetic and scriptural terms, to combine all their efforts for carrying into effect the commission of their Divine Lord. The address is so ex- cellent a specimen of the spirit which animated this honoured servant of Christ, that it deserves a place in any record of the London Missionary Society, however brief or imperfect ; it is as follows : — Christian Brethren, God has favoured us with the knowledge of the way of salvation, through a crucified Redeemer. Our obligations to him on this account are inexpressible ; and, I trust, we are often prompted, from the fulness of our hearts, to ask, " What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits ? " If in many things we are anxious to make a suitable return, there is one thing with respect to which, if weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, we shall be found wanting. A survey of the state of the world presents to us more than one-half of the human race desti- tute of the knowledge of the Gospel, and sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Their deplorable condition, it is utterly impossible for words to describe ! And what have we done for their salvation ? There are hundreds of millions of poor Pagans ignorant of the true God, and falling down before stocks and stones. There are hundreds of millions more, blinded by the delusions of Mahomet, and unacquainted with Jesus, as the only mediator between God and man, whom to know is eternal life. If we have never thought of these things, there is much reason to lament our criminal unconcern for the honour of God, and for the salva- tion of the perishing souls of men. If they have been the subject of our serious consideration ; with such a scene before our eyes, what methods have we employed, that all these myriads of Pagans and Mahometans might be delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son ! While we are forced to acknowledge that we have as a body done nothing, we may justly reflect that we are under the strongest obligations to do everything in our power. We all know that it is the supreme end of our existence to glorify God. But can we suppose though we endeavour personally to live to his honour, our obligations are fulfilled, while we have employed no methods, as a Christian body, to lead our brethren in Pagan lands to glorify him also, by making them acquainted with his nature, government, and grace? We profess "to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity ; " but are we not bound thereby " to shed abroad the sweet odour of his name in every place," till it be diffused throughout all the of London, being at that time supplying at the Tabernacle, were invited to meet a few friends at the Doctor's house on this interesting occasion ; and when, after uniting in prayer and praise, these worthy ministers returned to their lodgings, they mutually expressed their desire to set on foot a missionary society among their connexions likewise. About the same time, Dr. Edward Williams, then of Birmingham, and other Pcedobaptist ministers of that district, were imbibing a similar spirit, and the result of these concurrent trains of thought and feeling was one in which ages unborn will have to rejoice— the establishment of the London Missionary Society, in Sept. 1795." x MISSIONS OF dark parts of the earth, the habitations of ignorance and cruelty? We are com- manded to " love our neighbour as ourselves ; " and Christ has taught us that every man is our neighbour. But do we display this love, while we allow gross darkness to cover the Pagan and Mahometan nations, and are at no pains to send to them the glad tidings of salvation through the sufferings and death of the Son of God ? Perhaps we have not considered our duty, resulting from that command, which was directed from the supreme authority to every follower of the Lamb, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." That has yet been done. It ought to be done without delay ; and every Christian is called upon to act his part, and cannot without criminality withhold his exertions towards procuring obedience to the command of bis Redeemer and his Lord. Gratitude calls loudly to us to be active instruments in the hands of Christ, in proclaiming to the most distant parts of the earth that grace of which we hope we have our- selves been made partakers. Justice, too, unites her strong and imperious voice, and cries, " Ye were once Pagans, living in cruel and abominable idolatry. The servants of Jesus came from other lands, and preached his gospel among you. Hence your knowledge of salvation. And ought ye not, as an equitable compen- sation for their kindness, to send messengers to the nations which are in like condition with yourselves of old, to entreat them that they turn from their dumb idols to serve the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven ? Verily, their debtors ye are." But it may be asked, " Why are we in particular called on to exert ourselves in this work?" Will it satisfy you if I answer, that lam one of you, and think myself on this account obliged to speak more immediately to you ? A connection with a society or denomination of Christians should certainly influence us to seek the welfare of that society, and authorises us to invite its members to discharge the duties incumbent on them. Besides, all other bodies of professing Christians have done, and are doing, something for the conversion of the heathen. The labours of the church of Rome have been far more abundant than those of all other sects whatever. O that they had but conveyed Christianity pure to the blinded Pagans! The Church of England has a society of considerable standing, for the propagation of the gospel. The Kirk of Scotland supports a similar institution. The Moravian brethren have, if we consider their numbers and their substance, excelled in this respect the whole Christian world. Of late the Methodists have exerted themselves with a most commendable zeal. An association is just formed by the Baptists for this benevolent purpose, and their first missionaries have already entered on the work. We alone are idle. There is not a body of Christians in the country, except ourselves, but have put their hand to the plough. We alone (and it must be spoken to our shame) have not sent messengers to the heathen, to proclaim the riches of redeeming love. It is surely full time that we had begun. We are able. Our number is great. The wealth of many thousands of individuals is considerable. I am confident that very many among us are willing, nay desirous, to see such a work set on foot, and will contribute liberally of their substance for its support. Nothing is wanting but for some persons to stand forward, and to begin. We have the greatest encouragement, Brethren, to engage in this work of love. The sacred Scripture is full of promises, that the knowledge of Christ shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the channel of the sea ; and every promise is a call ami a motive to enter on the service without delay. It is the cause of Cod, and will prevail. Should we even fail in the attempt, we shall not lose our labour; THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xi for though the heathen should not be gathered by our means, " yet we shall be glorious in the eyes of our God." But we have no reason to expect such an issue. For all who are engaged have met with such success, as to animate others to unite their vigorous endeavours. In no one place have pious and persevering missionaries laboured in vain. Some, perhaps, may ask, " What can we do ? We are willing to assist; but how can our assistance avail? Need I say, Brethren, that our duty is to use the means of Divine appointment? In every age of the church, the propagation of the gospel has been by the preaching of the ministers of Jesus Christ. By the same method are we to propagate the gospel now. It is highly probable that some zealous men would present themselves, who are well qualified to go imme- diately on a mission among the heathen. But in general they will require some previous instruction ; and therefore it will be necessary to found a seminary for training up persons for the work. An able and eminently pious minister, in a central situation, must be sought for, to superintend it ; and as the education of a missionary must be, in many respects, widely different from that of those who preach in Christian countries, it maybe expected that every man of talents will unite his endeavours to render the plan of instruction as well adapted to answer the end in view, and in every respect as complete as possible. For the support of the seminary and of the missionaries, funds must be provided ; and I do not think I am too sanguine in my expectations when I say I am fully persuaded, that in every congregation among us, annual subscribers will be found, and an anuual collection granted ; and that the produce of these, aided by occasional donations, and by legacies from the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ, will be sufficient for maintaining at least twenty or thirty missionaries among the heathen. What pleasing and glorious effects may result from their labours, it is impossible for the human mind to calculate ! With objects before us so grand, and prospects so delightful, I conjure you, Brethren, to exert yourselves in the cause of your Redeemer and of perishirg souls. An insulated individual, and not having an opportunity of consulting with others, I take this method of recommending the subject to your serious attention. Think of it in your most pious moments. Let it be matter of prayer before God ; and make it the topic of your conversation with one another. As it is the duty of pastors of the church " to be forward in every good work," I call upon the ministers of the metropolis to consult together on this important subject, and without loss of time to propose some plan for the accomplishment of this most desirable end ; that our Lord Jesus Christ may have "the heathen for his inherit- ance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." August 26, 1794. As might have been expected, such an appeal gave birth, in many a private circle, to serious conversations on the subject of missions to the heathen. The writer of the address, and many of his Christian Brethren were much roused on the theme; and on the 4th of November, 1794, only two months after its publication, the first formal meeting was held at the Castle and Falcon, Aldersgate Street, with the express view of carrying out the suggestions of Mr. Bogue, and giving birth to a society, on a large and comprehensive scale, for diffusing the gospel to the ends xii MISSIONS OF of the earth. Those who were privileged to mingle iu this hallowed circle have been wont to refer to it as something like a type of heaven, for the harmony and love, the devotion and praise, by which it was distinguished. Though it consisted of ministers of various denominations, not a single jarring note was heard in it, but all seemed to forget what was peculiar to themselves, in thinking of " the common salvation," and of the para- mount duty of extending its blessings to the heathen world. The impluse was now given ; and from this hour the infant cause began to take deep root in the public mind. Every day witnessed fresh accessions to the number of its friends, while many generous offers of pecuniary assistance were made in prospect of its approaching organization. Some there were, indeed, of high respectability, who refused their early co-operation, and regarded the project at large as tinctured with enthusiasm, and but little fitted to abide the test of experience. These discouragements, however, by the way, did not in the least damp the zeal of its devoted friends, but led them rather to look with firmer confidence to the promise and power of the Most High. The period had now arrived, when these more private consultations were to be followed up by a succession of appeals to the religious public, all tending to one great object, viz. the formation of a catholic union of Christiana for the spread of the gospel throughout the world. Accord- ingly we find that, in the close of the year 1794, it was resolved to prepare au appeal for publication in the Evangelical Magazine, and for circulation among ministers in the metropolis and its immediate vicinity. It was styled " An Address to Christian Ministers, and all other Friends of Christianity, on the subject of missions to the heathen." This address was published in the January magazine for 1795, and was at the same time forwarded to a large circle of ministers of various denominations, accompanied by an affectionate letter from the pen of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Love, the provisional secretary for the time being. Both the letter and the address are so excellent, that they are truly worthy of being handed down to posterity. ADDRESS. Dkak Brethren, The address which appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for last September, on the subject of sending missionaries to preach the gospel among Pagan nations, Beems to have awakened considerable attention. Many acknowledge the desirable- ness of the object; some lament, with tears, its having been so long neglected, and numbers only wait with anxiety for an opportunity of exerting themselves in bo glorious a cause. That something may be done with effect, it ib hoped that not only evangelical THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xiii Dissenters and Methodists will be found generally disposed to unite in instituting a society for this express purpose, but that many members of the Established Church, of evangelical sentiments, and of lively zeal for the cause of Christ, will also favour us with their kind co-operation. Indeed, the increase of union and friendly intercourse among Christians of different denominations at home, is one of the happy effects which will immediately flow from an institution of this nature. In order to the organization of such a society, it has been proposed that a general meeting of ministers should be held in London, early in the ensuing summer. In the meanwhile, that such a meeting may be brought forward with advantage, it is warmly wished that ministers and others, who favour the design, would immediately begin to exert themselves in their particular spheres. It may be asked, What can be done ? In answer to this proper inquiry, the following hints are humbly suggested : — Let each individual, who is affectionately zealous in the cause, take every pro- per opportunity, by conversation and by letter, to endeavour to communicate the same sacred fire to others. Let him try to impress his friends, not only with the general importance of this business, but with the idea of its being practicable and expedient in concurrence with others, to do something in it now. And where the force of argument seems to take effect, let him farther endeavour to persuade his friends to come forward with pecuniary support. By all the methods which a prudent zeal can suggest, let him make up as large a list as possible of respectable names and subscriptions. Proceeding in this manner, it isimposssible to say what extensive success may soon follow the exertions even of a few individuals. To such as shall subscribe, it may not be amiss to hint the impropriety of diminishing their former liberality to other religious institutions, in order to extend it to this new undertaking. The Lord does not approve of "robbery for burnt offering." What is given, should either be saved from some article of unnecessary expenditure, or taken from what would otherwise be laid up in store. By such efforts as these, a Christian may engage the support of his friends in behalf of this important enterprise ; but let it never be forgotten, that it belongeth to " Him who hath the key of David, who openeth and no man shutteth," to open a great and " effectual door" for the propagation of his gospel. To him, therefore, let every eye be directed ! The great mean of obtaining his blessing on our benevolent exertions, is prayer. Perhaps God's putting it in our hearts to engage in this excellent design is an answer to the prayers of many of his people for a series of ages. Let us, then, take encouragement to stir up ourselves, and others in our several connections, to extraordinary prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit from on high, to direct and prosper this great attempt. For this purpose the laudable example of our brethren in Warwickshire is worthy of general notice, who have set apart the. first Monday of every month, at seven o'clock in the even- ing, as a season of united prayer for the success of such attempts to spread the gospel through the world, " Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence ; give him no rest till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." Already has Divine Providence begun to smile on this infant design. In the Evangelical Magazine for November, one gentleman promises one hundred pounds to the society as soon as it is established; and five hundred pounds more are pro- mised by another gentleman, for the equipment of the first six missionaries to the South Sea Islands. The warmest gratitude is due to these two generous friends of the Christian interest in heathen lands, and their animating example is worthy x;v MISSIONS OF of being held op to general imitation. Though a Thornton is gone, we rejoice to think thai the lively efficient seal of that great Christian philanthropist is not extinct, but warms the breasts of others, and prompts them to the same noble and strenuous exertions. Mut the ardour of our joy is somewhat damped by the opposite consideration, that even among serious and opulent professors of religion, some are to be found cf a timid, cold, contracted spirit, who lose all their zeal in a false prudential delicacy, and who are ever crying out, " A lion is in the way," when any benevo- lent scheme is projected so arduous and extensive as this before us. With such an object in view, obstacles and opposition are to be expected ; but what difficulty presents itself in this case, which by sovereign grace heretofore has not been, and may -till be, surmounted? Even the temper of the times, which some would insinuate as unfavourable to our views, is, however specious, no valid objection. That Divine Oracle is a sufficient reply, " He that observeth the winds will not sow." Besides the faithful page of history tells us, that times of the most gloomy and unpromising aspect have, by the wisdom and power of the great Head of the Church, " rather tended to the furtherance of the gospel." Was it not in the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero, that "so mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed ?" What remains then, but that, laying aside all excuses, we put our hand to the work with vigour and speed. Perhaps, some wish to wait till they see their seniors go before them ; but this is a false modesty. Procrastination argues a torpid indifference. To be "forward to every good work," ranks high both as a ministerial and Christian virtue. A few successive moments will terminate our present life, and with it all opportunities of "serving the will of God in our generation," or of " seeking the profit of many, that they may be saved." Every argument that recommends the object at all, tends also to stimulate to instant exertion. The glory of God — the constraining influence of redeeming love — the deplorable condition of countless millions, who never heard of the great salvation, and ''are ready to perish for lack of knowledge" — our awful responsibility for the use we make of the privileges and talents entrusted to us — and, finally, the exalted honour and felicity awaiting those who " shall have turned many to righteousness," — are powerful incentives to speed and diligence in this noble design. It is pleasing to anticipate the wide-extended happiness of heathens, when con- verted to Christ, and brought "to know the joyful sound;" an anticipation, which, by the smiles of Heaven upon our endeavours, we may, by and by, see partly realized. As yet, it is only matter of prayer and contemplation; but if many hands set early to the woik, who knows but before we ourselves are numbered with the dead, we may have cause to adopt that gratulatory triumphant song of the apostle, " Now, thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and by us maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place." Vet a little while, and the latter-day glory shall shine forth with a reviving splendour, when, according to the predictions of the infallible word, "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea : His name shall endure for ever : His name shall he continued as long as the sun : Men -hall lie blessed in him ; and all nations shall call him blessed. Amen." Dec. 1,1794. Yours, &c. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. jcv LETTER ACCOMPANYING THE ADDRESS. Rev. Sir, By appointment of several ministers, who have repeatedly met together, with a serious design of forwarding the great object which the prefixed printed address recommends, I take the liberty to acquaint you, that another meeting for the same purpose is proposed to be held on Thursday the loth inst. at eleven o'clock pre- cisely. The place of meeting is the Castle and Falcon Inn, Aldersgate-street. It is also intended that the hour immediately before, viz. from ten to eleven shall be employed in prayer at the same place. We realize the cry of misery and destruction, in destroying lands where millions are perishing in the blood, gall, and wormwood of a Christless state, and are hasten- ing to eternity in guilt, pollution, and darkness ; we listen, with solemn regard, to the voice of infinite grace, which promises and commands the publication of the everlasting gospel to every creature under heaven, and we earnestly desire to use some strong exertions, that, if it pleases our God, we may be, in some degree instrumental to fulfil his merciful purposes respecting heathen countries. Trusting that your sentiments of zeal and compassion are congenial with ours, we solicit in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, your kind co-operation, by your counsel, influence and prayers, and request that you will favour us with your presence at the time of prayer and consultation above-mentioned. lam, Rev. Sir, With great respect, your most obedient humble servant In gospel bonds, Jan. 9, 1795. John Love. By these modes of ascertaining the state of the public mind, it was discovered, with much joy, that there existed a wide-preading sympathy in favour of the projected undertaking. Dr. Loves letter, in connection with the appeals contained in the address, drew together, on the 15th of January, 179o, a much larger body of friends than had ever met before. " The Spirit of grace and supplication" was poured out in a remarkable degree upon the assembly ; portions of God's holy word, relating to the future triumphs of the gospel, were read ; affectionate deliberations were entered into as to the best mode of proceeding to work in forming the society, and the result was, that all present agreed, with holy unanimity, to merge all party-names and inferior distinctions, and to combine their energies for the one great object of spreading the doctrine of the Cross. These prepatory meetings continued to be held, on a given day, once a fortnight ; and such was the spirit of unanimity and love pervading them, that they became gradually objects of attraction to the wise and good of various Christian communities. The first platform of union adopted in these provisional meetings, and which still stands upon the early minutes of the society, sufficiently proclaims the philanthropic and unsectarian spirit of the men whose xvi MISSIONS OF names are appended to it. It is signed by thirty-three ministers and laymen, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Independents. It is as follows : — We, whose names are here subscribed, declare our earnest desire to exert our- selves for promoting the great work of introducing the Gospel to heathen and other unenlightened countries, and unite together, purposing to use our best endeavours that we may bring forward the formation of an extensive and regularly organized society, to consist of evangelical ministers and lay-brethren of all denominations ; the object of which society shall be to concert and pursue the most effectual measures for accomplishing this most important and glorious design. (Signed) Alexander Easton, John Love, Joseph Brooksbank, Edward Edwards, J. A. Knight, John Knight, W. F. Piatt, Joseph Radford, William Roby, James Steven, John Towers, Matt. Wilks, T. Williams, John Eyre, James Knight, George Gcrment, Jonathan Scott, John Reynolds, Samuel Greatheed, William Moore, William Love, Robert Simpson, John Towns- end, Alexander Waugh, James Weston, George Townsend, Henry Hat- ley, T. Haweis, Thomas Beck, William Graham, Andrew Duncanson, Thomas Best, T. Priestley. The next step taken in this great work was the formation of a com- mittee of correspondence, whose duty it should be to circulate, by all proper methods, intelligence throughout the country respecting the pro- jected society. For this purpose, nine ministers were selected ; one clergyman of the Church of England, two of the Church of Scotland, two Methodists, three Independents, and one Presbyterian Dissenter. Happily, their work was comparatively easy, as the public mind was fully prepared to respond to their call. Wherever they directed their attention, they found that God had opened the hearts of his people to the great object of their solicitude. A chord of sympathy had been touched, which now vibrated from one end of the kingdom to the other. The first circular addressed by them to pious clergymen and ministers throughout the empire, bespeaks the temper of mind by which they were animated, and the high qualifications which they possessed for the work to which God in his providence had called them. It is as follows : — Jan. 27, 1795. Reverend and dear Sir, Amidst the desolating strife of mortals, God has often " appeared in his glory," to extend the kingdom of his dear Son. This remark, iti the present ]cera, is suited to afford peculiar consolation ; and the recent " shaking of nations " has led not a few pious minds to anticipate those glorious days, when " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the whole earth." Many Christians, both clergy and laity, have long pitied the deplorable blind- ness of heathen countries, and have wished to do more than commiserate the unnumbered millions of their fellow men, who are "perishing for lack of know- le Ige." Some have written with considerable energy, on the nature and expediency of missions to those remote inhabitants of the earth, and our Baptist brethren have sent two persons to the Bast Indies, where they meet with flattering encouragement. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. x\ii Several meetings have lately been held in London, by evangelical ministers of various denominations, who cordially unite in this interesting subject. On Thurs- day, the 15th of this month, a respectable body of ministers met at the Castle and Falcon Inn, Aldersgate-street, and appointed a committee of correspondence, for the purpose of collecting the sentiments of their reverend brethren in the country relative to this affair. We, the undersigned, being chosen to act as the said committee, are induced to make this application to you, by the sentiments we entertain of your piety, zeal, prudence, and compassion for perishing souls. We hope that your personal ex- perience of the bitterness of a sinful state, and of the love, power, and riches of Jesus the Redeemer, and your official employments in labouring to save immortal souls, will open your heart to the enlarged concern for millions ready to perish in "the dark places of the earth," and prepare you to echo to the sounding of tie bowels of Christian compassion towards them from this favoured, though unworthy, country. We trust to find in you, not only a well-affected generous individual, but one whose active exertions will stir up and collect the scattered embers of holy zeal in the neighbourhood around you. Without therefore, enter- ing into long reasoning in support of our arduous attempt, we will briefly explain the service, which, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call you to undertake. The object before us is of such magnitude as to require the combined wisdom and exertions of many gospel ministers and societies. It is therefore in contem- plation to bring forward, early in the ensuing summer, a general meeting of ministers and lay-brethren, delegated from all parts of the country at London, or some other central situation. Their business, when convened, will be to plan and organize a society for carrying these great designs into immediate effect. It is necessary, in the mean while, that some prudent and active individuals be at pains to collect information respecting the number and abilities of ministers and congre- gations who may be willing to afford their countenance to this undertaking. Such inquiries we wish you to make in the county where Providence has placed yon, and to use all other endeavours for promoting this cause, which you may judge expedient. We request your immediate answer, intimating your consent to engage in this service, together with your opinion what is likely to be effected in your neighbour- hood, and will be ready on our part, to forward to you every information, and to answer any questions you or your brethren may propose. The Warwickshire association have unanimously resolved to concur in the design, and have suggested the expediency of a short spirited address, to be sent to ministers to be distributed gratis among their friends. Hoping that the Lord will incline and direct you to do his will in this business, and wishing that his truth and work may prosper in your part of the country, and particularly under your ministerial labours, We are, with the greatest respect, Reverend Sir, Yours, in the fellowship of the gospel, (Signed) Jos. Brooksbank, Joh. Eyre, Joh. Love, Will. F. Piatt, Joh. Reynolds, Will. Smith, Jas. Stephen, Alex. Waugh, Matt. Wilks. P. S. — Your answer may be addressed to the Rev. John Love, Queen's Row, Hoxton. We wish to unite with approved evangelical ministers, respectable in their moral conduct, and with all sects of every denomination. The burst of feeling which this excellent circular called forth shewed b xviii MISSIONS OF how rapidly the cause was gaining- ground in puhlic estimation. From all quarters the corresponding committee received most gratifying testi- monials of the interest excited on behalf of the great plan for evangeliza- tion they were nurturing to maturity. One honoured minister thus addresses them : — " Your kind letter I look upon as an answer from above. It has long been my wish, my prayer, and my hope also, that God would send forth his light and truth among the poor heathen. To promote this cause, I will plead, preach, and spare no exertion." Another writes thus: — " We have all done too little for the souls of men and the honour of our great Master. We have blessed ourselves in the possession of gospel privileges, and almost forgotten our fellow-men in other parts of the world, sunk in sin, and perishing in horrible darkness. Verily we have sinned in this matter. May we be forgiven ; and may we do so no more ! Let us all rise up to the work of God, and he will bless the labour of our hands." Another, with a characteristic simplicity and genuine affection of spirit, thus responds to the call of the committee : — " Immediately on hearing the good news, I called the members of our little church together, to pray for a blessing on it. All rejoiced in the prospect of seeing many come from the east and west, and north and south, to sit down in the kingdom of their common Father; and all signified their readiness to put their mite into your treasury. If it be but little, I am sure you will have their hearts, and, I hope God's blessing with it." About the same period, the committee circulated through the country an excellent address, written by the Rev. G. Eurder, then of Coventry, which may be seen in the Evangelical Magazine for April, 1795, It now only remained, after all these preliminary steps, upon which the adored Head of the church had so signally smiled, that arrangements should be made for regularly constituting the society ; for which purpose it was resolved to convene its friends, in town and country, on the 22nd. 23rd, and 24th days of the following September, 1795. In prospect of this approaching solemnity, which gave birth to an excitement unknown, perhaps, in the previous history of the British churches, the following circular was issued by the corresponding committee to ministers through- out the land : — Dear Brother in the Lord, You have most probably been made acquainted that some of your fellow- labourers in the gospel of Christ, of different denominations, practising infant baptism, have united for the purpose ot establishing a society to support missions in heathen and unenlightened countries. The committee whose names are sub- scribed to this address, compose a part of the number who have met, for several months past, in London, to seek the Lord's direction and blessing on this benevolent design. Though our plan is distinct from the undertakings of the Moravian Brethren, and Anninian Methodists, and the churches who hold the neces- THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xix sity of adult immersion, we are far from opposing or disapproving their laudable endeavours. On the contrary, we applaud their zeal, and rejoice in their success, accounting it our duty to imitate their tiuly primitive example. At the same time, it is our desire to attempt an improvement of the plan on which they have proceeded, by an extension of its limits, both in the foundation and superstructure of the intended edifice. We therefore earnestly invite all who hold the truth in love to unite in exertions which may hereafter be found extensively successful. Early in the present year we wrote to several ministers in the various counties of England, soliciting their co-operation, and requesting them to make known our communications in their respective vicinities and connections. A small printed address has been also widely circulated. Through the medium of the Evangelical Magazine, the subject has been frequently recommended to general attention. The answers received, both from individual and associated ministers, have been of a very encouraging nature. By these our expectations are exceedingly flattered, as they contain expressions of the most lively pleasure, with which our brethren concur in our design, and also assurances of their determination to afford us their most strenuous support. At length it has been resolved to hold a general meet- ing in London, on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th days of next September, for the purpose of forming a permanent society, and deciding upon the best mode of carrying our wishes into full effect. In prospect of this solemn assembly, we address you, dear Brother, as one who, we trust, feels no less interested than any of us, in the advance- ment of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. The success of the attempt appears, under God, to be almost wholly with the ministers of Jesus, and where they lead, their flocks will probably follow ; what they have faith and love to undertake, the people will easily find means to execute. For our own parts, we do not imagine that the zeal of gospel ministers will be found wanting, as they know and believe that the kingdom of their Lord is already universal in point of right, and must hereafter become so in fact. We hope, dear Brother, that you, in particular, honoured with the fellowship of this ministry, are ready to stand among the foremost in whatever way the Lord is pleased to call you. Deeming it inexcusable to remain inactive, we have done, and through grace, will continue to do, what we can. We now apply to you for assistance ; we put the cause into your hands; into your's as much as any man's, trusting that it will not fail for want of your support; and that if it should stop short of its great end, it will be as far beyond your station as your unwearied endeavours can advance it. We request you, dear Brother, to make the congregation, over which the Lord hath placed you, acquainted with our design, and to recommend it earnestly to their serious, devotional, and practical regard. Improve every opportunity your situation affords, of conferring with your neighbouring brethren upon the best means of strengthening our hands in this good work. Where congregations cannot depute their minister to assist at our deliberations, we earnestly recommend that such as arc associated together will delegate, at least, one of their number for that purpose; and others, no doubt, will help us by their intercessions at the throne of grace. After all, the chief difficulty will be to find proper missionaries ; men of God, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. We expect, however, to hear from many places, that the Lord has been stirring up the hearts of fit persons to this glorious work. Permit us to ask — Is there among your acquaintance any one desirous to take advantage of the opportunity which, we trust, will shortly be furnished, to become instrumental in conveying the glad tidings of redemption into the regions of the b2 xxii MISSIONS OF and preach the gospel to every creature ; he that believeth, and is bap- tized, shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." From these words the preacher took occasion to show, to an immense assembly, " where we must go — who are to be sent — what they must preach — and the result of their mission." The sermon, which was listened to with breathless attention, is a rich specimen of simple missionary appeal, con- ducted on Bible principles. The Church prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Kirkman, and the other parts of the devotional exercises were con- ducted by the Rev. Mr. Sibree, of Frome ; the Rev. Dr. Haweis ; the Rev. Mr. Leggett, of Stroud ; the Rev. J. Cook, of Maidenhead ; and the Rev. Mr. Lambert, of Hull. After the close of Mr. Haweis' discourse, a public meeting was held in the area of the chapel, for the purpose mainly of submitting the plan of the society which had been prepared for the adoption of the assembled friends of the cause. The Rev. William Kingsbury, A.M., of South- ampton, having been requested to preside, opened the meeting with prayer, when the Rev. John Eyre, A.M., introduced and read the plan of the society, taking occasion, at the same time, to make some admir- able historical remarks upon the propagation of Christianity, and to point out certain striking analogies between the first publication of the gospel by the apostles, and its subsequent diffusion in the uninspired ages of the C hurch. The sketch is said to have been very vivid, of the principal attempts which have been made to spread the savour of the knowledge of Christ, both prior and subsequent to the period of the Reformation. The plan of the society having been read, a committee was chosen to examine its details, and to submit it again, in a revised form, to the meeting. They retired into the vestry of the chapel, and, after having made some verbal alterations in the document submitted to their revision, returned it again to the meeting, with their unanimous approval. The plan was read a second time and discussed, and, with some corrections, was adopted, clause by clause, with much cordiality and joy. PLAN OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Name. — The Missionary Society.* 2. The Object. — The sole object is to spread the knowledge of Christ among heathen and other unenlightened nations. 3. The Members. — Persons subscribing one guinea, or more, annually — every benefactor making a donation of ten pounds— one of the executors, on the pay- ment of a legacy amounting to fiTty pounds, or upwards; and ministers, or other representatives of congregations in the country, which subscribe or collect, for the use of the society, five pounds annually. w The name was afterwards changed to "The London Missionary Society." THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xxiii 4. General Meetings. — To be held annually in London, on the second Wednes- day of May, and oftener, if necessary, to choose a Treasurer, Directors, Secretary, and Collectors, and to receive reports, audit accounts, and deliberate on what farther steps may best promote the object of the society. At every such meeting, one sermon, or more, shall be preached by one or more of the associated ministers, and notice given, as is usual, on such occasions; the President for the day shall open and conclude the meeting with prayer, and sign the minutes of the proceed- ings. All matters proposed shall be determined by the majority of the members present. 5. The Direction — To consist of as many Directors, annually chosen out of its members, as circumstances may require. At the first meeting twenty-five shall be elected, with power to associate with themselves such an additional number as may be judged by them expedient, when the extent of the society is ascertained. Three-fifths, and no more, of these Directors shall reside in or near London ; where all monthly meetings shall be held for transacting the business of the society. Not less than seven shall constitute a board. For greater facility and expedition, they may subdivide into committees, for managing the funds, conduct- ing the correspondence, making reports, examining missionaries, directing the missions, &c. ; but no act of these committees shall be valid till ratified at a monthly meeting. No expenditure exceeding £100 shall be made without con- sulting all the Directors, or £500 without calling a general meeting of the sub- scribers. Annual subscribers of .£10, or upwards, and benefactors of ,£100, or more, may attend, if they please, with the Directors, at any of the monthly meet- ings. On any emergency, the Directors shall call a general meeting of the society, to whom their arrangements shall be submitted : nor shall they enter upon a new mission till they obtain the general concurrence. 6. The Funds — arising from donations, legacies, subscriptions, collections, &c, shall be lodged, as soon as collected, in the hands of the Treasurer. The Directors shall place in the public funds all monies so paid, whenever they exceed £300, until they are required for the use of the mission; excepting it appears to them prejudicial to the interests of the society. 7. Salaries. — The Secretary shall receive such a salary as the Directors may appoint; but the Directors themselves shall transact the business of the society without any emolument. Joseph Hardcastle, Esq., Duck's-foot Lane, Thames-street, Treasurer. Rev. John Love, Hoxton, | Q . Mr. William Shrubsole, Old Street Road, J a"e ' On the evening of the 22d, the Rev. George Burder, then of Coventry, and afterwards a most efficient officer of the society, preached at the Scots' Church, Crown Court, to an overflowing assembly, on the subject of Jonah's message to Nineveh. The sermon was remarkable for two things — the vivid picture which it drew of the heathen world, and the heavy charge of guilt which it fastened upon all those who refuse to carry to dying men God's message of mercy and salvation. The Rev. Messrs. Hey, Waugh, and Parsons, conducted the devotional exercises of the evening. After the service, the Rev. W. Kingsbury was again called to the chair, when the Rev. George Burder read the plan of the x.xiv MISSIONS OF society, and a committee was chosen to nominate gentlemen to act as Directors. On the morning of the 23d, the Rev. Samuel Greatheed, of Wohurn, Bedfordshire, preached a most ingenious and impressive discourse, at Haberdashers' Hall Meeting-House, from the words in Luke x. 29, " And who is my neighbour ?" Of this sermon it is not saying too much to assert of it, that it remains, among the class of exercises to which it belongs, an unrivalled production. The devotional exercises were con- ducted by the Rev. Mr. Lowell, of Woodbridge, afterwards of Bristol ; the Rev. Mr. Sloper, of Devizes ; the Rev. J. Saltern, of Bridport ; the Rev. Mr. Herdsman, of South Petherton ; the Rev. Mr. Smelle, of Great Grimsby ; and the Rev. Mr. Whitbridge, of Oswestry. Immediately after divine worship, a meeting of friends was held, for the purpose mainly of completing the arrangements as to the first list of Directors. The Rev. Dr. Hunter, of the Scots' Church, London Wall, was called to the chair ; and, after prayer to God for direction, the indi- viduals who had been appointed on the preceding day to revise the plan of the society were requested to withdraw into the vestry, and to prepare a list of persons whom they might judge fit to take the oversight of the society for the first year of its eventful undertaking. Their nomination of twenty-five individuals was produced and approved ; and in the even- ing, after the service at the Tabernacle, the names of the parties selected were read, with evident tokens of public approbation. On the evening of the 23d, the Rev. John Hey, of Bristol, preached at the Tabernacle, on " The Fulness of Times," from Eph. i. 10. The discourse contained a brief but striking sketch of the opposition which had been made to the spread of divine truth, and of the triumphs which had attended its publication in the world. The crowd was so great, that thousands retired without being able to gain admission into the place of worship. The devotions were conducted by the Rev. Joseph Slatterie, of Chatham ; the Rev. Mr. Ralph, of Maidstone ; the Rev. W. Jay, of Bath ; the Rev. Mr. Rooker, of Gold-Hill ; the Rev. Mr. Beaufoy, of Town- Sutton ; and the Rev. George Townsend, of Ramsgate. After the meeting, the Rev. Matthew Wilks announced the names of the intended Directors. Early on the morning of the 24th, a meeting was held at the vestry of Surrey Chapel, for the purpose chiefly of collecting the names of all the ministers who had attended the formation of the society, and of receiving the communications of such gentlemen as had been delegated to attend the meeting by congregations, or associated bodies in the country. On this occasion, the Rev. Dr. Haweis delivered an address of considerable energy, pointing out many weighty reasons for selecting THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xxv the South Sea Islands as the first sphere of the society's labours. The impression produced by this address was powerful and permanent ; and many of the hints it contained were ultimately adopted and acted upon by the Directors of the society. On the forenoon of the same day, the 24th of September, the Rev. Rowland Hill preached at Surrey Chapel, to a crowded audience, from Matt. xxiv. 14, " This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." It was evidently an extemporaneous effusion ; but it was so replete with noble sentiments and faithful appeals, that it produced a most hallowed feeling on behalf of the cause. Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Percy, of London, and the other devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Wood, of Rowell ; the Rev. Mr. Griffin, of Portsea ; the Rev. Mr. Audley, of Cambridge ; the Rev. Mr. Douglas, of Newmarket ; the Rev. Mr. Ray, of Sudbury ; and the Rev. R. Hill, A.M. On the evening of the 24th, the Rev. David (afterwards Dr.) Rogue, the original suggester of the society, preached at Tottenham Court Chapel, to an immense multitude, from the words of the prophet Haggai, i. 2, "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, the time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." This sermon may be fairly regarded as one of the best answers to objectors against missionary undertakings that has yet seen the light. The con- cluding paragraph is animated and striking. " When we left our homes,'' he observes, " we expected to see a day of small things, which it was our design not to despise, but to cherish with fond solicitude. But God has beyond measure exceeded our expectations. He has made a little one a thousand, and has inspired us with the most exalted hopes. Now we do not think ourselves in danger of being mistaken when we say, that we shall account it through eternity a distinguished favour, and the highest honour conferred on us during our pilgrimage on earth, that we appeared here, and gave in our names amongst the Founders of the Missionary Society ,• and the time will be ever remembered by us, and may it be celebrated by future ages, as the Mr a of Christian Benevolence !" Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Edwards; and the other devo- tional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Jefferson, of Rasing- stoke; the Rev. John Cook, of Maidenhead; the Rev. Mr. Golden, of Croydon ; the Rev. Mr. Thresher, of Abindon ; and the Rev. Mr. Crole, of London. The Rev. J. A. Knight of London, closed with a brief exhortation.' On the afternoon of Friday, the 25th of September, a general meet- ing of the friends of the society was convened at the Castle and Falcon, Aldersgate-street, for the purpose of choosing the Treasurer, Directors, and Secretaries of the society. The Rev. Mr. Percy was called to preside, xxvi MISSIONS OF and, after prayer to Almighty God, the meeting proceeded to elect a Treasurer. To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. all eyes were directed, as a gentleman whose education, sound judgment, urbane disposition, munificent liberality, and fervent godliness, marked him out as pre- eminently adapted for the responsible post. He was accordingly nominated ; and, though at first sight of the proposal he was disposed, with characteristic modesty, to shrink from it, yet, upon fuller delibera- tion, he acquiesced, and was unanimously chosen to an office, which he filled, for nearly a quarter of a century, in a manner that reflected the highest credit on his disposition as a man, and his grace as a Christian. The meeting then proceeded formally to elect the twenty-five Direc- tors who had been nominated by the sub-committee, and approved at the Tabernacle, Crown Court, &c. When the list of gentlemen selected by the committee was read, they were requested to withdraw, and, by a distinct vote on each name, the fol- lowing individuals were unanimously chosen : — The Rev. Messrs. Boden, Bogue, Brooksbank, Burder, Eyre, Greatheed, Hawes, Hey, Hill, Lambert, Love, Mends, Parsons, Piatt, Reynolds, Steven, Waugh, Wilks, Sir Egerton Leigh, Bart., and Messrs. Foyster, Neal, Stokes, West, John Wilson, and Thomas Wilson. The Directors thus chosen, with the full consent of the meeting, nominated the following gentlemen as suitable persons to be associated with them in the great work to which they had been called by the unanimous suffrages of their brethren in Christ : — The Rev. Messrs. Saltern and Audley, and Messrs. Alday, Campbell, R. Cowie, R. Steven, and Taylor. The next business of importance which occupied the attention of the meeting was the election of a Secretary, upon which some perplexity arose, on account of the vast variety of qualifications requisite to the due discharge of the duties of an office involving such heavy responsibility. The important affair was ultimately referred to the prayerful and deliberate consideration of the Directors, who at their first meeting, on Monday, the 28th of September, unanimously agreed in the election of two Secretaries, the Rev. John Love, to whom was assigned the corres- pondence of the society in England, and W. Shrubsole, Esq.. of the Bank of England, as the organ of communication with the future mis- sionaries of the institution. A happier choice, perhaps, could scarcely have been made. Mr. Love had a dignity of mind, and a depth of piety, seldom equalled ; and, with an urbane and gentlemanly demeanour, Mr. Shrubsole combined habits of business, talents for correspondence, and a power of ready address, which qualified him, in a remarkable degree, for his new and responsible post. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xxvii The last matter of importance which engaged the anxious and prayer- ful deliberation of the meeting, was the selection of the first sphere of the society's labours. This was a subject of vast moment, and received a degree of attention proportioned to its magnitude. After a full con- sideration of all the information laid before " The Fathers and Founders " of the society, it was determined, with perfect unanimity, that the first mission of the society should be sent to Otaheite, or some other of the islands of the South Pacific ; and also that, as early as possible, missions should be attempted to the coast of Africa, or to Tartary, by Astrachan, or to Surat, on the Malabar coast, or to Bengal, or the Coromandel coast, or to the Island of Sumatra, or to the Pelew Islands. It was also resolved, that if the Directors should feel themselves war- ranted and prepared to commence a mission before the next general meeting of the society, in May, 1796, they should be empowered to ex- pend on it such a sum as might be necessary to carry its important object into effect. These momentous resolutions having been severally agreed to, the proceedings of the first meeting of the London Missionary Society were terminated by solemn acts of prayer and praise ; when with devout gratitude to God, the multitude of Christ's disciples who had been drawn together by the combined influence of " brotherly love," and compassion for the souls of men, retired to their respective spheres of action, to ponder on the things which they had seen and heard. The feelings of the Directors, in reviewing the events connected with the formation of the Society, will be best expressed in their own words, as committed to print soon after their occurrence : — " Looking back," they observe, " to this singular epoch, we cannot avoid expressing our sense of the condescension and tender mercy of our God, who hath benignly smiled on this rising" institution. To him the unfeigned gratitude and praises of many are, we hope, on this account frequently ascending, like clouds of fragrant and acceptable incense. Let not, however, the appearance of success and prosperity in this arduous undertaking seduce our vain hearts into carnal con- fidence, security, and presumption. Let us 'rejoice with trembling.' 'Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast as he that putteth it off.' The great difficulties of the warfare have not yet been encountered. In vain do men flow in crowds to the places of worship, in vain is gold lavished out of the bag, in vain do songs and shouts of triumph shake the starry vault, if there are not in secret places those agonizing wrestlings of faith, and compassionate supplication, which bear some proportion to the magnificent object — the conversion of the heathen nations. To these deep-felt, unostentatious, and truly Christian exercises apply yourselves) with your utmost might, ye children of the living God, ye friends of Zion, ye who love Jerusalem, and mourn for her. As has already been intimated, the first meeting of the Directors took place on Monday, the 28th of September, 1795; on which occasion xxviii MISSIONS OF several sub-committees were formed, for the purpose of facilitating the despatch of business ; two secretaries were also chosen ; and other matters of great importance to the well-being of the institution were agreed upon with unanimity and affection. After these preliminaries, the first object of deep importance which claimed the attention of the Directors was the examination of missionary candidates. This they felt to be a solemn trust, and, considering their inexperience and the difficulty connected with finding agents in all respects qualified for such an undertaking, it will be conceded by all candid minds, that they were, with some few exceptions, wisely directed in their choice. That they were not infallible in their selections, can be no impeachment either of their discretion or their integrity. While some of their first missionaries lived to disgrace their high and holy calling, the majority of them sustained a career of honourable and devoted service. Among the early and striking interpositions of Divine Providence on behalf of the London Missionary Society, the generous offer of Captain James Wilson, without fee or reward, to hold himself in readiness, at the disposal of the Directors, to proceed to any quarter of the globe to which they might determine on sending a missionary ship, must be regarded as one of the most gratifying. He was a man of great nautical skill, of high standing and character, and of fervent devotion to the cause of his Redeemer ; and though he had retired from public life, and realized an independent fortune, yet such was his attachment to missionary objects in general, and to the plans of the London Missionary Society in particular, that he was ready to enter once more on the toils and hard- ships of a seafaring life, if it should be the will of God to call him, by the voice of Directors, to do so, for the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom on earth. His offer of service was generously made, and gratefully accepted: and, the mission to Otaheite having been finally determined upon, and the ship Duff having been purchased for the service of the society, he embarked at London, with his interesting com- pany of missionaries and their wives, on the 10th of August, 1796, amidst the prayers and plaudits of multitudes of God's people. At Portsmouth they were detained for several weeks, waiting for the con- voy ; but Dr. Haweis, and other members of the direction, remained with the missionaries and Captain Wilson till the Duff weighed anchor, and proceeded on her voyage of mercy. The period of delay, as will be seen from Dr. Haweis' Journal,* kept at the time, was happily and usefully spent. * In the Memoir of Dr. Haweis is inserted,the interesting Journal which he kept during the detention of the Duff. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xxix In seven weeks after she quitted Portsmouth, the Duff arrived at Rio Janeiro, on the coast of Brazil ; the weather having been fine, the voyage agreeable, and nothing having occurred in the slightest degree unpleasant or discouraging. Having laid in fresh provisions, Captain Wilson proceeded on his mission, intending to go round Cape Horn, by the nearest passage. The untoward gales, however, immediately encountered by the Duff, led him to change his purpose, and to proceed by the eastern passage, though it necessarily doubled the length of the voyage. Even by this route, near the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, they experienced a dreadful hurricane ; insomuch that they were led almost to despair of life itself. But God had mercy on them, and carried them in safety to their desired haven, in the month of March, 1797, in less than six months from the period of their quitting their native shores. Thus originated an institution which has done noble service, in uniting the church of Christ at home, and in diffusing the gospel abroad. PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS OF THE SOCIETY. South Seas. The mission to the South Seas, so long subjected to a severe test, became at last, by the divine blessing, the wonder and glory of the Christian church, and exhibibited one of the most signal triumphs of the cross of Christ in the history of the present dispensation. The names of Nott, Ellis, Williams, Pritchard, and others, who have laboured in this high field of missionary enter- prise, will be handed down to posterity with the honour attached to the most distinguished philanthropists of the human race. A dark cloud has come over the horizon of this first mission of the society, protentous of much evil to the cause ; but " the Lord reigneth," and in answer to the prayers of multitudes of God's people, it is hoped that the aggressions of French arms and French priests will "yet turn out rather to the furtherance of the gospel." The stations and out- stations belonging to this mission in the Georgian, Society, Harvey, Austral. Pamotu, Navigators, New Hebrides, Loyalty, and New Caledonia, and Isle of Pines, &c , are now 54 ; its ordaiued missionaries 45 ; its native and other assistants 200, while its converts are numbered by thousands, and the entire scene of its opera- tions, but for French aggression, presents an aspect of holy exhiliration and still advancing conquest. The refreshing visit of the late lamented Mr. Williams to this country, and the publication of his admirable and touching narrative, have produced an impression in favour of the South Sea mission, which, it is hoped, will be as permanent as it was grateful. Surely the whole Christian church should unite in one general ascription of praise to the God of Salvation, for the rich displays of his sovereign and boundless mercy among a race of people formerly abandoned to the vilest superstitions, the most sensual and degrading vices, and the most cruel and barbarous practices ; but now happily elevated by the message of the cross, to a position of humanity, civilization, and Christian purity, strik- ingly illustrative of the fact, that " the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto xxx MISSIONS OF salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek;" nor should an admiring and grateful church fail to offer up continual supplications to the great Lord of the harvest, that he would shield and preserve this part of his vineyard from the blight of deadly error and moral pestilence which now sweeps across it, and threatens to change this bright and sunny region of hope into a sterile and unsightly wilderness. South Africa. This mission, which will ever be associated with the honoured name of Van- derkemp,* was commenced in the spring of 1799, and has proved a highly productive and encouraging field of missionary labour, though it has had to struggle with the difficulties attendant upon the wrong modes of government so long prevalent in the colony of the Cape. In Caffre-land, in the Boscheman's country, among the Corannas, Namaquas, and Hottentots — at Bethelsdorp, Griqu Town, and Lattakoo — multitudes have been gathered into the fold of Christ. The stations now belonging to this mission are 24 ; the ordained mis- sionaries, 20; artisans, schoolmasters, and the native assistants, 10. Several eminently devoted men have been connected with the South African mission during the whole period of its history ; and still it continues to prosper, under the wise and energetic superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Philip, whose fearless and self-denying efforts to liberate the native tribes from a species of most degrading bondage, have entitled him to rank with Wilberforce, Clarkson, Buxton, and other well-known and distinguished philanthropists. It may be reasonably hoped that the assertion of the civil and political rights of the native African tribes will con- tribute, in no small degree, to the future triumphs of the gospel. India. The first missionaries to India, Messrs. Ringeltaube, Crane, and Des Granges, sailed from England in February, 1804, and settled themselves at Vizagapatam and Travancore. Mr. Forsyth, indeed, proceeded to Bengal, and settled at Chinsurah, in 1798; but as his labours were confined to British soldiers and Europeans, and were not extended to the Hindoos, he could searcely be regarded in the light of a missionary. Since 1804, missions have been established at Bellary, Ganjam,t Surat, Calcutta, Bangalore, Benares, Belgaum, Quilon, &c. Many of the mis- sionaries to India have been men distinguished and eminent, of apostolic ardour, and of untiring philanthropy. In 1812, the three first Gospels, translated by Des Granges into the Telinga language, were issued from the Baptist mission-press at Serampore ; and in 1819, the whole of the New Testament translated by Mr. Pritchett, was published at Madras, at the expense of the Calcutta Bible Society.:]: The labours of the late Mr. Reid, at Bellary, have been crowned with remarkable success ; more especially in the establishment of native schools ; and the mission to Benares, the head-quarters of Hindoo superstition, now assumes a very encouraging * In December, 1798, the Rev. Dr. Vanderkemp, with Messrs. J. J. Kichener, William Edwards, and James Edmonds, sailed for the Cape of Good Hope. f This station has since been relinquished. i The missionaries at Bellary have translated the Old Testament into Kurnata, and have also compiled a Grammar and Vocabulary of that language. Those at Surat have translated the Old and New Testament into Guzzarattee, and have prepared a Grammar and Dictionary in that dialect. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. xxxi aspect. The mission stations in northern and Peninsular India, are 21 ; ordained missionaries, 55 ; native assistants, 247. Ultra Ganges. —The father of the Chinese mission was the Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D., who entered on his bright career in 1807. Before he left England he had made considerable progress in the study of the Chinese language, and, on his arrival at Canton, he addressed himself in the most self-denying manner to the task of acquiring a complete knowledge both of the Canton and Mandarin dialects. In prosecuting his undertaking, he had to observe as much secrecy as if he had been plotting the overthrow of the Celestial Empire ; and the two natives who assisted him were under continual apprehension lest the real nature of their engagement should be detected. But notwithstanding all the restrictions and disadvantages he had to encounter, Dr. Morrison acquired an accurate acquaint- ance with the language, in a much shorter time than could have been expected. His sholarship was such, that he was speedily appointed as Chinese interpreter to the East India Company ; an office which, while it secured his residence at Macao, contributed in no small degree to his facilities for conducting his Chinese studies. In 1812, he was joined by Dr. Milne, a missionary of rare attainments, and of singular devotedness to the cause of Christ. In 1814, Dr. Morrison's edition of the Chinese New Testament was completed at press. He afterwards proceeded with his translation of the Old Testament, and, with the powerful assistance of Dr. Milne, was enabled to give it to the public in a few years. Besides his translation of the Scriptures, Dr. Morrison published many other works, mainly of a philological character. The chief of these were, a Grammar of the Chinese Language ; a Collection of _Dialogues and detached Sentences, Chinese and English ; a View of China, containing a Sketch of Chinese Chronology, Geography, Population, Government, Religion, and Customs ; and a Dictionary of the Chinese Language, containing all the characters which occur in the original Chinese dictionary, in 32 volumes, published in 1816, by order of the emperor of China. Dr. Milne founded the Malayan branch of the Ultra Ganges mission at Malacca, in 1815, with the hope, which has since been realized, of enabling missionaries to cany on their evangelical efforts on behalf of the inhabitants of China without inter- ruption. He was speedily joined by other devoted missionaries in this work ; and the result was that schools were opened, upon a somewhat extended scale, for Chinese, Malayan, and other children ; religious and other books were translated and circulated ; and the Anglo- Chinese college was opened, for the cultivation of Chinese and English literature, and the diffusion of Christian knowledge. In 1814, Batavia and Amboyna became missionary stations ; and in 1819, Pinang and Singapore. In 1822, Dr. Milne, after a short but brilliant career of service, was called to receive his crown of glory; and in 1834, Dr. Morrison, the father of the mission, laid aside his toils, and entered, into rest. The war with China, in itself a great evil, has been overruled for much good, in opening portions of that vast Empire to the labours of missionaries. The Anglo- Chinese College, under the presidency of Dr. Legge, is removed from Malacca to Hong-Kong ; and the society has engaged to send at least twelve missionaries to that British settlement, and to theother ports opened to English commerce. The prospects begin to brighten. May the Lord of the harvest smile on the efforts of the society to evangelize the millions of that populous region of the globe ! All who feel interested in this mission should read — Dr. Milne's " Retrospect of xxxii THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. the first Ten Years of the Protestant Mission to China," Medhurst's China, Gutzlaff's two famous works, and Dr. Morrison's Memoirs, lately published. West Indies. This mission was begun in 1807, when Mr. Wray sailed for Demerara ; and it now prospers in a very remarkable degree, many of the mission churches entirely supporting themselves, and aiding the spread of the gospel to others. TRANSLATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES. Translations of the Scriptures have been made into Chinese— two versions ; Bengalee; Urdu; Teloogoo ; Canarese ; Tamil ; Malayalim ; Gujeratte ; Buriat; Tahitian ; Rarotongan ; Samoan ; Nawacqua ; Sechuana ; Caffre ; and Malagasy. INSTITUTIONS FOR TRAINING NATIVE TEACHERS. India, two ; South Seas, three ; West Indies, one. NUMBER OF MISSIONARIES. One Hundred and Seventy European Missionaries ; Native Teachers, Four Hundred and Ninety-three, having under their charge One Hundred and Thirty-one Native Churches. LIST SOCIETY'S STATIONS, MISSIONARIES, &c. MAY, 1844. SOUTH SEAS. Georgian (or Windward) Islands. Tahiti (or Otaheite) . . Waugh Town — Tliomas S. M'Kean. Hankey City — Joseph Moore. Wilks's Harbour — John Barff, pro tern. — A. Smee, Missionary Printer — E. Buchanan, Infant School Teacher. Burder's Point — David Darling. Haweis- Town — John Davies - Joseph Johnston, Nor- mal School Teacher. Atidiatu — Thomas Joseph. Bogue-Town — J. M. Orsmond. Tautira — John T. Jesson. Roby- Toivn— Robert Thompson — George Stalhvorthy. Eimf.o Blest- Town — Alexander Simpson — Thomas Blossom, Missionary Artisan. Griffin- Town — William Howe. Society (or Leeward) Islands. TJuaiiine Fare Harbour — Charles Bsirff. Haiatea Utumaoro — George Piatt — George Charter. Tahaa K. R. W. Krause. Borabora John Rodgerson. Maupiti Two Native Teachers. IIervey Islands. Rarotonc.a Ngatangiia — Charles Pitman. Titikaveka — Ko Iro, Native Teacher. Avarua — Aaron Buzaeott. Arorangi — William Gill. - Aitutaki Henry Royle. Atiu Three Native Teachers. ters. Mm a no, Mautt, & Man-^ ,n , P, .. N t?- it -\r ,■ t j ;■( Out- Stations) —jh.ii/hf. Native Jeacli gaia J v ' J Austral Islands. RAIVAVAI. TUBUAI, RJMA--I (0utStat;ons)_iWne ^^ Tfachers TAR A, RURUTU, & RAPA j v Paumotu Islands. Taaroa Chain Island, \ (0llt-Stations)-iW Native Teach and Matka .... J v ' 'iers. C LIST OF STATIONS, ETC. Navigators Islands. Savaii Charles Hardie — Alexander M'Donald — George Pratt — George Drurnmoiid — Alexander Chisholm. Upolu William Mills — William Day — William Harbutt— John Betteridge Stair — Thomas Slatyer — H. Nisbet — G. Turner. Manono Thomas Heath. TuTun.A Archibald Wright Murray — Thomas Bullen — Matthew Hunkin, European Assistant. New Hebrides. Ebromanga )( Vacant) I.M.MEK, FOTUNA, EkKAMiO r- i. nr ,■ m i j tvt.... r Eight Native leacltrrs. Loyalty Islands.. Mare Two Native Teachers. Lifu Two Native Teachers. New Caledonia and Isle) r. »r . . rr* ? p VTive Native 1 earners. ULTRA GANGES. China Hong-Kong — James Legge, D.D. — W. C. Milne — Dr. Benjamin Hobson, Medical Missionary — William Gillespie. Shanghae — W. H. Medhurst — Dr. William Lockhart. i Singapore John Stronach — B. P. Keasbury — William Young, Assistant Missionary — Mrs. Dyer, pro tern. Penang Thomas Beighton — Alexander Stronach — R. W. Weber, Schoolmaster. ^alacca . . . . . -j (relinquished.) EAST INDIES. Northern India . . . (CALCUTTA DISTRICT.) Calcutta — A. F. Lacroix — Thomas Boaz — John Camp- bell— William Morton — James Pater son — Joseph Mullens— J. H. Parker. Chinsurah — George Mundy — James Bradbury. Lerhampore — Micaiah Hill — T. L. Lessel. Benares — William Buyers — J. A. Shurman — James Kennedy — D. G. Watt. Mirzapore—R. C. Mather— J. H. Budden— M. W. Woollaston — H. Dannenberg, Missionary Printer. Sural — William Fivye — William Clarkson — William Flower. Peninsular India . . (MADRAS DISTRICT.) Madras — W. H. Drew — William Porter— A. Leitch — E. Lewis — Isaac David. Vizagapatam and Chicuco/e — J W. Gordon — John Hay — William Dawson— R. D. Johnston. LIST OF STATIONS, ETC. Cuddapah — Edward Porter. Belgaum — Joseph Taylor — William Beynon. Bellary — William Thompson — J. S.Wardlaw — Samuel Flavel— J. Shrieves — Robert Sampson, Printer. Bangalore — EdmundCrisp — Benjamin Rice — J. Sewel. Mysore — Colin Campbell — J. B. Coles. Salem — J. M. Lechler. Cotiibaconum — J. E. Nimmo. Coimbatoor — W. B. Addis. SOUTH TRAVANCORE. Nagercoil — Charles Mault — lames Russell — J. O. Whitehouse. Neyoor — Charles Mead — John Abbs— William Ashton, Assistant Missionary. Quilon — J. C. Thompson — J. T. Pattison. Trevandrum — John Cox. MEDITERRANEAN. Corfu Isaac Lowndes. SOUTH AFRICA. STATIONS WITHIN THE COLONY OF THE CAPE. CapeTown John Philip, D.D., Superintendent — M. Vogelgezang — Joseph Gill. Paarl George Barker. Tulbagh Arie Vos. Klaas Vooks River . . Cornelius Kramer. Caledon Institution . Henry Helm — D. J. Helm, Schoolmaster. Pacaltsdorp .... William Anderson. Dysalsdorp .... John Melvill. Hankey W. Philip — W. Kelly, Schoolmaster — James Clark, Artisan. Bethelsdorp .... James Kitchingman. Pokt Elizabeth . . . Adam Robson — W. Passmore, Schoolmaster. Uitenhage William Elliott. Graham's Town . . . John Locke — N. Smith. Graaff Reinkt ... A. Van Lingen. Theopolis Christopher Sass — R. B. Taylor. Kat River James Read — James Read, jun. Craduck John Monro. Long Kloof .... T. S. Hood, Schoolmaster. Colesbf.rg Theophilus Atkinson. Somerset Thomas Merrington, Schoolmaster. STATIONS BEYOND THE COLONY. Caffreland .... Buffalo River — John Brownlee — Jan Tzatzoe, Native Assistant. Keiskamma — F. G. Kayser. Blinkwater — Henry Caldei wood. Umxelo — Richard Birt. Griqua Land .... Giiqua Town — E. Solomon — Isaac Hughes — Jan Fortuin, Native Assistant. Lekathnci — H. Helmore. Philippolis W. Y. Thomson. Lattakoo Robert Moffat — William Ross — David Livingston — William Ashton — Walter Inglis — Robert Hamilton — Rogers Edwards. LIST OF STATIONS, ETC. N \.\i.\i ui'M and . . . Komaggas — John Henry Schmelen. Babuto Country . . . Thab'a Pechu— G. Schreiner. AFRICAN ISLANDS. Madagascar .... Tananarivo — (Vacant.) Mauritius Port Louis — J. Le Brun (in part). J VEST INDIES. DeMERABA Smith Chapel, George Toivn — E. A. Wallbridge — Mrs. Giles, European Schoolmistress — J. Betts, Native Assistant. Ebenezer Chapel — James Scott — W. Trotz and J. Newby, Native Assistants. Freedom Chapel — Sidney Smith Murkland — Alexander Stewart, Native Teacher. Canal No. 1 — Charles Rattray — G. Day, Native Assistant. Montrose— Charles D. Watt. Lusignan — Thomas Henderson — J. F. Charter, School- master. Island of Leguan — J. W. Ferrier, Native Teacher. Hkrbicf Neto Amsterdam — Ebenezer Davies — John Marks, and N. D. Larose, Native Teachers. Lonsdale — John Dalgleish — George Pettigrew, Cale- chist and Schoolmaster. Hanover Chapel— James Roome —Jacob Johnson, Na- tive Assistant. Ithaca — John Baxter, Catechist and Schoolmaster. Rodborough — Alexander Jansen, Native Assistant. Union Chapel — Thomas Lewis, Native Assistant. Fearn Chapel — Joseph Waddington. Ebenezer, Out- Station — J. James, Native Teacher. Orange Chapel — Samuel Haywood. Brnnsivick Chapel — Alexander M'Kellar, J. Introizie, Native Assistant. Albion Chapel — D. Kenyon — M. Innes and M. E. Innes, Native Assistants. Jamaica First Hill — John Vine — Peter L\\\ie, Assist. Missionary. E>ry Harbour — Thomas H. Clarke — Joseph Miller, Native Assistant. Ridgemount — W. Slatyer. Davyton {late Tellus) — J. Gibson, Catechist and School- master. Whitefield — W. Alloway — G. Stricker,NativeAssistant. Fuur Paths— W. G. Barrett— G. Grange, Native Assistant. Brixton Hill — William Milne. Chapelton — Robert Jones— James Milne, Catechist and Schoolmaster. Mount Zion — Edward Holland — William Hillyer, Catechist and Schoolmaster. Kingston —George Wilkinson — David Walker, Native Assistant. Shartwood — Fred. W. Wheeler. Murant Bay — B. Franklin. Prospect Perm — R. Dickson — Nathaniel Franklin and John Brown, Catechisis and Schoolmasters. ■^2,/v^;// I7ip. fa & eucM z^z^C /vL&yT^^t /^-^/^ ^ /^>i ^ ^/^-7 V>- CrCZ^ 6 ' 'V*-) tW v £ <7> I o %> • rj" /'/' ?r^ <=xf^r^ cS) /' 7*-S. THE FATHERS AND FOUNDERS OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A. M. MINISTER OF RAM CHAPEL, IIOMERTON. In the list of pious clergymen who hailed the formation of the London Missionary Society, as an event highly auspicious to the interests of vital Christianity, both at home and abroad, the name of the Rev. John Eyre, A.M. occupies a conspicuous place. If to other distinguished servants of Christ belonged the honour of originating the fine conception of a union of various religious denominations, for the grand and catholic object of extending the gospel of Christ to heathen and other unenlightened countries, to him at least was reserved the happiness of being one of the first to adopt the hallowed suggestion, and to confer on it the advocacy of his enlightened and glowing pen. Wise to " discern the signs of the times/' he distinctly perceived, that the isolation of good men Avas the weakness of the Christian cause, and that a combined system of operation for the spread of evangelical truth throughout the world, would inevitably weaken the hands of the common foe of God and man. He belonged, in life, and at death, to a race of men, who, valuing highly the peculiarities of their own ecclesiastical enclosures, were yet much more attached to the grand essentials of a common faith, by which all the members of " the holy catholic church" are linked together in the bonds of an indissoluble and glorious fellowship. Would to God that hundreds of such men were raised up, to bless the churches of B 10 MEMOIR OF Christ, in this age of denominational asperity, and party con- flict ! It is, indeed, a mournful reflection, that, with an increased energy in the cause of truth and godliness, there is evidently, in the present state of the church, a diminished manifestation of that " charity which is the bond of perfectness." How grateful, then, is the task, to recall the memory of those great and good men, who, half a century ago, stood as a link of union between different sections of the visible church, and showed, by their own example, " how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." May that spirit of love which they cultivated and displayed be once more restored to the church, " that all who profess and call themselves Chris- tians," may " love as brethren," and " keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace \" The honoured subject of this biographical sketch was born at Bodmin, in the county of Cornwall, in the month of January, 1754. His parents occupied a respectable station in the middle walks of life, and had good taste sufficient to secure for their son the elements of a sound general and classical education ;* though they had no intention apparently of training him for any of the learned professions. At the age of fifteen, young Eyre was removed from school, and was bound apprentice to a Mr. Oliver, a clothier and shopkeeper at Tavistock. Little comparatively is known of his early years, though that little is peculiarly interesting. As a child, he was lively, in- telligent, affectionate, and sensitive, — the general favourite of the little circle in which he moved. Of a singularly thoughtful and reflective turn of mind, he was not without powerful im- pressions of eternity in the season of his early childhood ; and, though it does not appear that his parents laboured with assiduity to instil religious principles into his mind, he was no stranger to the lively workings of a tender and active con- science. When he was only four years of age, his mind was powerfully acted upon by an incident, which he ever after wards regarded as an element in the formation of his religious charac- ter. A friend of his family, eminently pious and benevolent, • His classical studies were conducted at the public grammar-school of his native place, under the tuition of the Rev. John Fisher ; and his mathematical, under the Kev. Jo-eph Thorpe, rector of Forrabury and Trevelga, Cornwall. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 11 took up young Eyre one clajr in his arras, and said to him, " There is such a thing, my dear child, as the pardon of sin, and there is such a tiling as knowing it too." This affectionate appeal, though in no way remarkably adapted to the infant mind, seized on the conscience of Eyre, and left such an abiding impression on his memory and feelings, that in the days of childhood and youth he often reflected on the words of his venerable friend ; and at the early age of fourteen began to seek in prayer the blessing of forgiveness, under a deep sense of his sinfulness in the sight of God. These gentle strivings of conscience were considerably acce- lerated by the habitual perusal of a little volume included in his father's library, entitled, " The Great Assize, or Day of Judg- ment." The sentiments and imagery of this book awakened such a lively interest in the mind of Eyre, that he committed the greater part of it to memory, and took great delight in repeating it to those who were willing to hear its vi\ id descrip- tions of the day of final account. All the existing records of Mr. Eyre's juvenile years dis- tinctly show, that his mind was under the influence of a strong religious bias, which, in more prospering circumstances, might have developed itself in all the rich fruits of an early and hal- lowed consecration of himself to the service of Christ. With such fair promise in the morning of life, we cannot but regret that the mind of Eyre was so slenderly fortified against that current of temptation which was to set in upon him immediately on quitting the parental roof. He had, indeed, a susceptible conscience, — a keen perception of right and wrong; but his memory was not stored with the word of God ; nor had he shared the benefits of parental instruction and discipline, con- ducted upon the lofty principles of revealed truth. Shall we wonder, then, that on his removal to Tavistock, (a town at that time by no means eminent for vital religion,) at the sanguine age of fifteen, he should become the victim of those youthful follies, which prevailed in the circle of gay com- panionship in which he was destined to move ? Those who have formed accurate conceptions of the depravity of human nature will not be surprised to find him intoxicated with the cup of pleasure, and, like others around him, living " without b 2 12 MEMOIR OF God, and without hope in the world.-" From his own descrip- tions of this period of his life, we are led to conclude, that he was one of a circle of young men, who were " lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God •" and who were chargeable with habitual neglect of religion, and many sinful outbreakings against the spirit and precepts of the gospel, of which they were lamentably ignorant. It pleased God, however, that the conscience of Eyre was not long to be seared and stupified by the influence of the world. It had been an early reprover, when it was even but slenderly enlightened ; and the time was now fast approaching when its stern voice was no longer to be resisted. As was frequently the case at this period of his life, Mr. Eyre had spent a noisy and unprofitable evening with his youthful associates, in which they had proceeded to great lengths in folly and dissipation, and vied with each other in acts of rebellion against the laws of Heaven. What materials for pungent and distressing reflection does such an evening supply ! yet, alas ! how often is it allowed to pass without any signs of heartfelt contrition for the guilt and impenitence by which it has been disfigured ! It was not so, in this instance, with young Eyre. On the following morning he had to perform a solitary journey from Tavistock to his native place ; and as he neared the scenes of his youth, and called to recollection the better feelings of his childhood, some portions of the word of God rushed into his mind, with such energy of application to the conscience, that he was utterly overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and unworthiness in the sight of God. " Deep convic- tion," observes one who knew him well, " accompanied with the greatest distress, immediately seized his mind. The arrows of the Almighty drank up his spirit ; and this anguish, no doubt, urged him to fervent prayer.* We can easily conceive of the strange mixture of feeling with which he would now approach the scene of his birth. If there were gay and thoughtless friends at Bodmin, ready to * See Memoir of the Rev. John Eyre, A.M., by the Rev. George Collison, in the Evangelical Magazine, for June and July, 1803. To this article the Editor is mainly indebted for the materials of this sketch, though the whole has been rewritten with considerable care. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 13 hail his visit, he had no heart to enter into their society. The concerns of eternity now pressed upon him so intensely, and the recollection of his past sins was so oppressive, that retire- ment and supplication were far more adapted to his agitated state of mind, than the frivolous intercourse of worldly and undevout associates. The one great question — "What must I do to be saved ! " now occupied all his thoughts, and invested every object and pursuit of life with a measure of its own matchless solemnity. What transpired in his visit to Bodmin is not known ; but we may believe, from what afterward occurred, that every method was used to tranquillize the mind of young Eyre on worldly, and not on Christian principles. All such efforts, however, had now become fruitless, for his soul was smitten with a deep godly sorrow ; and nothing but a believing view of the cross could relieve the anguish of a wounded and sin-oppressed spirit. On his return to Tavistock, Eyre resolved on pursuing an entirely new course of life ; habits of sin were vigorously aban- doned, the companions who had ensnared him were now for- saken, and others who were found walking in the ways of God were resorted to for counsel and encouragement. At this precise juncture, it was so ordained by Divine Provi- dence, that Mr. Eyre was introduced to the acquaintance of two young men, who, like himself, had been for some time under great concern about the state of their souls. In their society he found all the materials of an improving fellowship ; and as his convictions of sin appear to have been much deeper at this time than theirs, his conversation became the means of awaken- ing them to still greater anxiety about eternal interests. They were all alike ignorant, however, of the true way of acceptance with God, and were seeking, by methods of human righteous- ness, to obtain peace for their troubled consciences. They met, they conversed, they prayed, they read such religious works as fell into their hands ; but having no enlightened minister or Christian friend to direct their pursuits, or to point out the way of salvation to them, by faith in the righteousness of Christ, they remained, for a season, in a very dark and perplexed state of mind. Little did these attached friends imagine what God was pre- 1 i MEMOIR OF paring them for, by this severe and distressing conflict. It is not a little remarkable, that all the three young men were destined to the work of the Christian ministry ; two of them, Messrs. John and William Saltern,* among Congregational Dissenters, and Mr. Eyre in the Church of England. They have now met in glory, and have left behind them a fair and spotless reputation, as good ministers of Jesus Christ, and as men eminent in their day and generation. As Mr. Eyre was to be made the instrument of great good to many of his fellow-creatures, it pleased God to train him for his future ministry in the school of adversity. Eor a considerable period after he was first visited with the terrors of the law, he found no peace to his troubled mind. The preachers to whom he listened were either tainted with Socinianism, or ignorant of the real platform of the gospel. He felt oppressively the defi- ciency of their instructions ; but knew not precisely in what it consisted. He saw himself to be guilty, and was eager to obtain peace to his distracted mind, but found it not, because he " sought righteousness as it were by the works of the law." At a moment when he was ready almost to yield to despair, he was thrown unexpectedly into the society of an aged and enlightened Christian, of the name of Barnett, who, perceiving his confused notions on the subject of a sinner's acceptance with God, put into his hands the celebrated Dialogues of the excellent Hervey ; which, in directing him to the doctrine of Paul, in the third chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, shed such light faid peace upon his mind, that he ever afterward rejoiced in the liberty wherewith Christ had made him free. He now perceived that he could be "justified freely by grace, through the redemption that is in Christ ; " and that God " might be just, aud yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." Up to this period, these elementary principles of the gospel had been so completely hid from his mind, that they fell on it with all the surprise and delight of a new discovery. He wondered at his former ignorance and unbelief, and gratefully embraced that testimony which God had given concerning his Son. All his self-righteous dreams of rendering himself accept- * The Rev. W. Saltern was pastor of the Independent church at Launceston, Corn- wall; and the Rev. John Saltern, at Bridport, Dorset. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 15 able to God at once fled ; and looking by simple faith to the cross of Christ, his night of legal bondage and toil passed away, and a bright morning of peace and hope dawned on his soul. About the same time, and by nearly the same means, Mr. Eyre's two friends were brought to "rejoice in Christ Jesus, and to have no confidence in the flesh." So great was Mr. W. Saltern's joy in becoming acquainted with the Divine method of salvation in reading Hervey's Theron and Aspasio, that, meeting his brother one day immediately after, he ex- claimed, with the strongest emotions of wonder and delight, " Brother, I have found it ! I have found it !" The passage in Hervey's Dialogues which acted upon him so powerfully, and Avhich probably was blessed to the whole little band of inqui- rers, was the following : " The Son of God, infinitely com- passionate, has vouchsafed to become our Mediator. That nothing might be wanting to make his mediation successful, he placed himself in our stead. The punishment which we deserved, he endured ; the obedience which we OAved, he ful- filled. Both which being imputed to us, and accepted for us, are the foundation of our pardon, and the procuring cause of our justification. This righteousness of the Mediator is to be received by faith alone, as the free gift of God." From this moment, the two brothers mutually rejoiced in the truth, felt themselves in possession of "the pearl of great price," and saw a light beaming from the cross of Christ which scattered all the gloom of their former unhappy state. In the spirit of that benevolence which ever animates the mind of the young convert, Mr. W. Saltern said to his brother, " I will go and find poor Eyre, that I may tell him the way to be saved ;" he accordingly went, and, to his great surprise and joy, found that Eyre had already, by means of Hervey's Dialogues, come into the light and liberty of the gospel. Thus were these three bosom friends, who had wept and agonized together, " seeking rest and finding none," united, by a mysterious providence, at one and the same time, in the glorious hopes of immortality, by faith in God's dear Son. The pious individual, whose judicious efforts had been blessed in conducting these interesting young men to the feet of Jesus, 16 MEMOIR OF was anxious to secure for them the counsels of one, who might teach them the way of God more fully. With a kind of pro- phetic eye, he could discern in them the germ of future use- fulness, and spared no pains in endeavouring to aid its early and effectual development. For this purpose, he earnestly pressed his young friends to visit the venerable Mr. Kinsman of Plymouth-Dock ;* a servant of Christ, whose praise was in all the churches. To this they readily consented ; and found in Mr. Kinsman an enlightened and affectionate counsellor. It so happened that, on their way to Mr. Kinsman's house, they called on one of his flock, to whom they had been speci- ally recommended. In conversing with this worthy individual, they expressed a Avish to partake of the Lord's Supper, which was to be administered by Mr. Kinsman on that particular day. On being informed, that persons were not admitted to the table of the Lord in the church at Plymouth Dock, without evidence being furnished of their true conversion to God, Mr. Eyre replied, " If this privilege is denied to us, I hope we may be permitted to be present, at least, as spectators, to feast by faith upon the atoning sacrifice ; if we cannot be allowed to partake of the sacramental elements." No sooner, however, did Mr. Kinsman and his Christian friends enter into conver- sation with the young men, than it wras instantly perceived that they were in a delightful state of preparation for approaching the Lord's table ; and though there was a slight informality in admitting them to communion without previous intimation, the peculiarity of the case fully justified a deviation from the standing rules of the community. To all parties concerned, the occasion was one of deep interest. Mr. Kinsman and his friends were refreshed by the visit of three promising youths so deeply imbued with the spirit of the Gospel ; while, on the other hand, Mr. Eyre and his companions returned to Tavistock * The Rev. Andrew Kinsman was born at Tavistock, Nov. 17, 1724. His mind ■was enlightened in the knowledge of the Gospel by reading Wliitefield's Sermon on the New-Birth, and by perusing the Seventeenth Article of the church of England. He afterwards became the particular friend of "Whitefield, gave the ground on which the Tabernacle at Plymouth was erected, was the founder of a meeting-house at Ply- mouth-Dock, (now Devonport), and became one of the most eminently devoted and useful ministers in the west of England. For a long period he encountered the most cruel persecutions from the enemies of the cross ; but he lived to see all opposition withdrawn, and to find himself the object of general veneration and esteem. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 17 gratified and improved by the lovely exhibition of Christian principles and graces which it had been their privilege to witness. They were, at the same time, very painfully exercised in contemplating the dark and neglected state of society at Tavistock, as contrasted Avith that which obtained at Plymouth Dock. Being now thoroughly alive to the responsibilities arising out of the great change which divine grace had wrought in them, both gratitude and benevolence prompted them to devise means for imparting to others a measure of the happiness of which they had themselves become the partakers. What they could do for the neglected scene of their residence, where they had contributed, with others, to swell the tide of ignorance and rebellion against God, was the question which occupied their anxious deliberations on their way back to Tavistock. It was a bold step ; but Mr. Eyre proposed that a room should be hired, in some convenient place, and that all disposed to countenance such an undertaking should be earnestly invited to meet for the purpose of conversing on religious subjects. The proposition was immediately assented to, a room was hired, and intimation given of the intended meeting. At the hour appointed, a numerous auditory assembled ; amongst whom were to be seen some of the most respectable inhabitants of the town. To the great surprise of all present, Mr. Eyre rose up, and delivered a most striking and pathetic address, full of luminous and animated references to all the leading truths of the gospel, and remarkable for its close appeal to the human conscience. He spoke with all the fervour and confidence of a young convert ; " and, like another Melancthon, in the trans- ports of his joy and zeal, conceived that he had nothing more to do, to secure the conversion of his hearers, than merely to state that Gospel, which had become so self-evident and delightful to himself."* Such an auspicious commencement was not likely to dis- courage either himself or his friends. The news of his address spread far and wride; and those who had known his former careless and worldly career, were greatly struck at perceiving the seriousness of his deportment, and the entire change in his * Kev. George Collison's Memoir. 18 MEMOIR OF character. Many solicited a repetition of his sendees ; and for the space of nearly two years he continued to preach the simple truths of the Gospel to as many as were disposed to listen to them. It is a striking fact, that in the very place where he had contributed, in no small degree, to foster the thoughtless- ness and impenitence of his fellow-townsmen, he became the instrument of awakening, in not a few, a deep and imperishable interest on the side of truth and godliness. During these eventful changes, Eyre's father was pondering with anxious feelings the probable destinies of his son. He was ill at ease with what he deemed the irregular and enthusiastic proceedings to which he had given his influence, and of which he had become the patron and the leader. He had no clew by which to judge of a zeal which was exclusively directed to the salvation of immortal souls ; and longed for the time when he might divert his son from pursuits which he regarded as inju- rious, if not fatal, to his worldly interests. Acting upon these erroneous impressions, Mr. Eyre's father, a feAV months before the expiration of his apprenticeship, expressed a wish that, whenever the moment of release should arrive, he would return to Bodmin, and enter, with his sanction and assistance, into business for himself. By this tempting offer it was doubtless expected that young Eyre would be effec- tually withdrawn from those scenes of religious excitement in which he then mingled, and that in his native town he might be restrained from entering into similar occupations. The object was twofold — to render him less devoted in the pursuit of religion, and more zealous in the prosecution of worldly avocations. Young Eyre saw full well the bearing of his father's proposal ; and though he was truly desirous not to give unnecessary pain to a parent, who, with all his mistakes, aimed only at his good, he felt that it was due to his rehgious character to seek couusel of some experienced Christian friend, before he decided on a measure, which would have the effect of removing him from a sphere of extensive usefulness. He accordingly went over to Plymouth, and submitted the case to the decision of a gentle- man on whose wisdom and integrity he could rely. The con- sequence was, that, after a full examination of all the aspects of THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 19 his father's offer, he was induced to accept it; reserving to himself the right of following out those plans of usefulness upon which he had entered, as opportunity might offer, in his native place. At the time appointed, Mr. Eyre quitted Tavistock, where he had been known for a season as the child of the world, but afterwards as the friend of Christ. There he had shed the first tears of repentance ; there he had first tasted the joys of par- doned sin ; there he had first opened his lips for Christ ; and there he had first been honoured to carry his Saviour's cross. Various and conflicting were the emotions which struggled in his bosom as he retired from a scene hallowed aud endeared by so many affecting recollections. But he had sought counsel of the Lord, and of his people, and he hesitated not in following the path of duty. On his settlement at Bodmin, one of his first efforts was to secure the town-hall for the purpose of preaching the gospel to its then benighted inhabitants. The attempt was so novel, and the fame of the preacher had now so increased, that multitudes, both of the poor and rich, flocked to hear the word of God. The interest excited was altogether unprecedented in the annals of the place. The reproach and persecution of the few only tended to render more resolute and determined the support of the many ; and, but for the untoward influence of domestic events, there is reason to believe, that the good work begun would have issued in great and extensive good to the town of Bodmin. Mr. Eyre's father had long contemplated with anxiety the religious bias of his son; and, now that he was able to judge for himself of the practical working of the views and opinions entertained by him, he formed the unhappy resolution of endea- vouring to thwart him in his course, by every method which either ridicule or parental authority could interpose. "Ah, Jack," said the displeased parent, " you will soon be tired of this ; you are of too warm a temper to keep to anything long." On relating this anecdote in after life, Mr. Eyre observed, with his characteristic good humour, " True, I have been tired, again and again, of almost everything else ; yet, blessed be God, I am not yet tired of religion, but like it now better than ever." 20 MEMOIR OF Mr. Eyre had been too well accustomed to reproach for Christ's sake, to be much moved in spirit by so hasty a judg- ment of his religious character ; and proceeded with his various labours as if no such remark had been made. Contempt, how- ever, was not the only weapon by which this devoted young man was to be assailed ; higher honours yet awaited him in manifesting his attachment to his God and Saviour. When his father perceived that his Christian principles were too firmly rooted to be overcome by the force of mere ridicule, and saw that his object in bringing him to Bodmin was likely to be frustrated, he resorted to other and harsher measures, and laid his commands upon him to desist from his pulpit efforts, as he would not wish to incur his severest displeasure. Gladly would Mr. Eyre have obeyed his father's mandate, if conscience and the word of God had not interposed a powerful check to such an act of filial submission. He saw, at once, however, that where his heavenly Father or his earthly parent must be offended, it was his duty to obey God rather than man. He did so with a melting and stricken heart ; " committing himself to Him who judgeth righteously." Alas ! the results were most painful to contemplate. His father was exasperated beyond expression at the resistance of his stern command ; and a son, whose only crime was his devotion to Christ, was ordered instantly to quit the parental roof, with but one solitary guinea in his pocket, and a servant and horse to conduct him to the next town. How formidable an element is enmity to the truth, when it is suffered to manifest itself without any counteracting influence ! Young Eyre had done nothing to justify so cruel an act of expulsion ; nevertheless, he Avas dealt with as if guilty of some shameful dereliction in the discharge of his filial duty. Abandoned by him who ought to have been the guardian of his youth, and who might well have rejoiced in the thought that God had given him such a son, this persecuted young man was thrown upon the resources of that kind Providence which is always the protector and friend of the helpless. In the house of that pious and amiable individual* who had advised him to return to Bodmin at the request of his father, he found * Mr. Brown, of Plymouth. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 21 an asylum, when his heart was ready to burst with anguish at the thought of what had befallen him. Here he met with every conceivable expression of sympathy and kindness ; and soon discovered that though his father and his mother had for- saken him, yet the Lord had taken him. While under the hospitable roof of his friend, repeated con- versations were held on the subject of his entire devotion to the work of the ministry. Mr. Brown was a man of mind, and could discern in his young friend intellectual and spiritual endowments of a high order. He proposed to him the idea of entering himself as a student in the late venerable Countess of Huntingdon's college, at Trevecka in Wales ; and offered to aid him in procuring admission. The proposal was not unac- ceptable to the feelings of Mr. Eyre, whose mind was fully bent on doing good to the souls of his fellow-men. Application was accordingly made for his reception into the college ; and in a short time he entered upon his studies with a heart over- whelmed at the remembrance of the Divine goodness. His knowledge of Latin being considerable, and his literary ac- quirements being superior to those of most of his fellow- students, he began his College course amidst many advantages. Never, perhaps, did a student enter upon a career of mental improvement with a deeper feeling of responsibility to God, or with a more earnest determination to improve his opportu- nities. He had seen the pillar and cloud directing his course, and to his Divine Benefactor he was ready to consecrate all his energies of body and mind. In his theological and other studies, his progress was most rapid ; and the delight which he took in the study of the Scriptures in the original tongues, gave promise of his future eminence as an expounder of the word of God ; while his devotion and piety always kept pace with his advancement in general knowledge. A youth like Eyre could not escape the observant eye of such a person as Lady Huntingdon. Her ladyship watched his career with great interest ; and, at a period much earlier than usual, sent him on a mission to Cornwall, where his ministry was attended with remarkable success, especially at Tregony. From this place he returned to his studies, greatly humbled at the measure of success which had attended his 22 MEMOIR OF labours in a place proverbial for its ignorance, sabbath-break- ing, and profaneness. After remaining for a season at college, he was next appointed to the city of Lincoln, where, amidst many difficul- ties, he had the happiness of finding that his ministry, by the Divine blessing, had awakened a greater interest than had previously been felt in that exceedingly unimpressible city. Before his season of probation was ended in this city, he had the unspeakable satisfaction of knowing that some immortal souls were drawn to Christ by the power of the Cross, though the general state of religion in the place was most unpropitious and discouraging. Having been thus employed with acceptance and usefulness in various country stations, it was now resolved to send young Eyre to some of Lady Huntingdon's congregations in the metropolis, for which his popular style of address well qualified him. Accordingly, in 1778, he was appointed to minister for a season at Mulberry Gardens Chapel, in the east of London, where he preached to large assemblies, and was received with every mark of affection and respect. A new era in Mr. Eyre's history now opens upon our view. With such fair prospects of success, it might have been expected that he would prosecute his future ministry in the Countess of Huntingdon's connection. We find, however, that, during his visit to the metropolis, from what cause is not accurately known, he was brought to the determination of pre- paring himself for taking orders in the Established Church. There is reason to believe that a conversation held at this time with his tried friend Mr. Brown, of Plymouth, exerted consi- derable influence in bringing him to this decision. Nor is it matter of surprise that he adopted such a course. He had never formally quitted the National Church ; and it is probable that circumstances, rather than deliberate examination of the claims of any particular ecclesiastical system, induced him to cast in his lot with the followers of the Countess of Hunt- ingdon. Add to all this the fact, that the Countess's ministers did not, in their early history, regard themselves as a body in strict separation from the Establishment, — and we shall then cease to wonder that Mr. Eyre should embrace any favourable THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 23 opportunity of devoting himself to the ministry of the gospel in the church as by law established. It will be to the lasting honour of Mr. Eyre, that, although he felt it to be his duty to conform to the National Church, he did not, like some who might be named, abandon his former associates ; nor did he fall into the exclusive pretensions of those who can discern no orders, no valid administrations, and no well-defined hope of salvation, without the pale of Episco- pacy. He had not so learned Christ ; and neither his studies at Oxford, nor his Episcopal ordination, nor indeed any thing pertaining to his position as a minister of the Church of England, ever tempted him to deviate from the broad path of charity in which he continued to walk, with steady pace, to the close of life. Owing to the advanced state of Mr. Eyre's education, and the liberality of Dr. Lowth, who was at that time bishop of London, he was not long held back from the exercise of the ministry among his new connections. With a respectable knowledge of mathematics, and of the Greek and Latin clas- sics, he entered Emanuel College, Oxford, in the year 1778; on the 30th of May, 1779, he was admitted to deacon's orders; and, in the December following, he was licensed to the curacy of Weston, where his ministry was received with abundant tokens of the Divine favour. Soon after this, he became the assistant of that distinguished servant of Christ, the Rev. Richard Cecil, then of Lewis ; where he had ample opportunities of listening to the best models of preaching, and of receiving the matured counsels of a wise, ingenuous, and devout mind. Few preachers in modern times can be compared with Mr. Cecil. A single sermon of his contained more real sentiment than is often to be found in the entire volumes of men of distinguished reputation. Mr. Eyre remained at Lewis with Mr. Cecil, till the year 1781, when Divine Providence directed his steps to Reading, in Berkshire, where he was invited to become curate to the late Hon. and Rev. W. B. Cadogan, vicar of St. Giles, in that town ; a man who did much in his day to raise the tone of evangelical preaching in the National Church, and who breathed a catholic 24 MEMOIR OF spirit towards all the disciples of a common Saviour. In Reading, and especially under such an incumbent, Mr. Eyre found large scope for the exercise both of his pulpit and pastoral talents. He had many to hear him, and was so favourably received, that he lived among the people as in the bosom of an attached family ; not a few having been taught to look up to him as their father in Christ. The pious part of the congrega- tion highly prized his ministry ; and he could look around him on many who had heard from his lips words whereby they were saved. To two individuals, a husband and wife, Mr. Eyre's ministry and intercourses were rendered an eminent blessing. They had been awakened to serious thoughtfulness by the preaching of Mr. Cadogan j and were called " to endure a great fight of affliction" from their worldly connections who remained in unbelief. Mr. Eyre had borne a similar cross, and knew how to speak a word in season to persecuted Christians. His kind offices endeared his person and ministry to them, and paved the way for much usefulness to them and to their chil- dren. " Seldom, if ever," observed Mr. , " did Mr. Eyre enter our house, without endeavouring to impress upon the minds of our children the great importance of real religion." It is not remarkable, therefore, that two of these children, and three near relatives of the family, were converted under his ministry. Though his stay at Reading was only for one short year, the fruits of his ministry were long manifest after he had been gathered to his fathers, and probably are not entirely imperceptible even to the present day. In the year 1782, Mr. Eyre removed to St. Luke's, Chelsea, at the desire of Mr. Cadogan, who held the rectory of that parish. One of Mr. Cadogan's converts, recently deceased, well remembered the ministry of Eyre, and spoke of it as charac- terized by affection and zeal. Such was the opposition to evan- gelical preaching at that time, that, though Mr. Cadogan was the member of an influential family, it was sometimes difficult to prevent open disturbances, of profane and ungodly persons, in the church. The attendance, however, on public worship was encouraging, and not a few souls were born to God, of whom one here and one there remain to the present day. During his short stay in Reading, Mr. Eyre was introduced THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. *5 to] the acquaintance of Miss Keene, a lady of prepossessing manners, and of truly Christian graces. To this individual he became united in marriage in 1785, and found in her society a rare combination of those qualities which tend to make a minister's house the abode of intelligence, the attraction of the good, and a sanctuary from the turmoil of official conflict and care. At this period the Episcopal chapel at Homerton was vacant; and the worthy individuals who had purchased it, for the express purpose of securing an evangelical ministry within its walls, had their attention directed to Mr. Eyre, whose reputation as a gos- pel minister was now fully established. They invited him to make trial of it ; and though it was then of very limited dimen- sions, yet, looking at the large population by which it was surrounded, and anxious, moreover, to have the charge of a people for himself, he consented, after much prayer, delibera- tion, and consultation with Christian friends, to quit his beloved curacy at Chelsea, and to take up his abode at Homerton. This important step of his life, upon which a large portion of his future usefulness depended, was taken about Christmas, 1785. As Mr. Eyre and his beloved companion retired from their little endeared circle at Chelsea, where they had been both use- ful and happy, many tender associations sprung up in their minds ; and, with his usual facetious and imaginative turn, Mr. Eyre repeated with much feeling the five last lines of " Paradise Lost" — " Some natural tears they dropt, but wiped them soon. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way." On his settlement at Homerton, Mr. Eyre first went into lodgings ; but soon after, as his prospects of usefulness began to enlarge, engaged a house, and opened a school, for which he was eminently qualified, not more by his educational attain- ments, than by his talent for securing the affections of the rising generation. No preceptor of youth was ever more beloved by his pupils. Some are living to the present day, 26 MEMOIR OF among whom may be named the highly respected Bishop of Calcutta, and the Rev. Mr. Wildbore of Falmouth, who can bear testimony to the love and respect which reigned in his establishment. The success of Mr. Eyre's ministry at Homerton soon con- vinced him that Divine Providence had placed him in that village for great good to his fellow-creatures. His chapel was considerably enlarged; his labours were daily more and more blessed ; he felt himself at home in his work ; and never again changed his sphere till he was called to quit the fellowships of earth for those of heaven. How faithfully, discriminative^, affectionately, and diligently, he fulfilled the duties of his ministry, can yet be testified by some aged disciples, who gratefnlly remember his " work of faith and labour of love." As a clergyman of the Established Church, he had subscribed her Articles, without a single particle of mental reservation, and ever expounded them in what he deemed their genuine sense, never so much as doubting their Calvinistic interpretation. But he did not receive them because they were the Articles of the Episcopal Church ; but because he regarded them as a correct digest of the grand doctrines of grace as contained in the infal- lible record of inspired truth. To the Bible, as the fountain of truth, he continually drew the attention of his hearers ; and only valued human formularies as they aided him in this his paramount aim. He was emphatically a [preacher of the cross of Christ ; and " travailed as in birth" till he saw his Saviour formed in the hearts of his people " the hope of glory." Though resolutely attached to the doctrines of sovereign and efficacious grace, he never stated them in an abstract manner ; but always associated them with calls to faith and repentance, and with earnest exhortations to holiness on the part of those who had been admitted into covenant with God. Like all such preachers, he neither pleased the high nor the low class of doctrinalists. He never sought to adapt his ministry to any of the violent parties in the religious world; but looked every part of Scripture in the face, and cared not whether he was held to be Arminian or Calvinist, so long as he felt that he was hand- ing out to the people " the sincere milk of the word." He could, when he pleased, exhibit the fallacy of that system of THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 27 doctrine which attributes to the fallen creature a self-deter- mining power in the will ; and he could equally arraign at the bar of reason and Scripture that pestilent heresy which would strip man of his accountableness, reject the moral law as a rule of life, and invest the free and rich mercy of the gospel with the attributes of exclusiveness, repulsion, and limited adapta- tion to the condition of a fallen world. He was the stern antagonist, on the one hand, of every modification of the doc- trine of human merit ; and, on the other, of every licentious accommodation of that " grace which reigns through righteous- ness unto eternal life." He delighted to dwell upon the matchless honours of the Son of God. " If we ascribe to him/' said he, " in consequence of his meritorious death and righteousness, as our surety, sub- stitute, and representative, deliverance from the guilt of sin and wrath to come, reconciliation, pardon, justification, adoption, and eternal life, we ascribe no more to him than the Holy Ghost has taught us to do in the Scriptures. If we attribute to him all Divine perfections and operations, and honour him, in every respect, even as we honour the Father, we shall not offend the God of truth. In short, exalt him how we will, we shall never exalt him higher than the Father did, when he raised him to his own right hand in glory."* Mr. Eyre's method and style of preaching might be pro- nounced to be simply elegant. He never lost sight of his theme, in searching for ornaments by which to set it off. His aim was rather to impress the conscience, than to please the fancy. " In his esteem, that preacher who does not aim at the conscience, forgets the ends of his mission. With a taste capable of perceiving and relishing the beauties of composition, he possessed a mind superior to the art of hunting similes, adjusting periods, and studying cadences, when he ought to be alarming the supine and impenitent sinner; or establishing, comforting, and directing the Christian. Though his manner was simple, ' the plainest words with him acquired the truest charac- ter of eloquence ; and which is rarely to be found, except where a subject is not only intimately known, but cordially beloved.' "f • "Union and Friendly Intercourse," &c, a sermon at Mr. Wesley's chapel, City Road, 1798. f The Rev. George Collison'c Memoir. c 2 •28 MEMOIR OF His lowly estimate of himself, however, may be judged of from the following extract of a letter to a friend. "I am never," observed he, " satisfied with what I do. I can assure you, it is my constant grief that I serve the Lord no better. I never preach a sermon but I groan over it in spirit, and reflect on myself, a thousand times, for taking so little pains in winning sinners to Christ, and exciting believers to live more devotedly to their adorable Saviour. I see more glory in Christ than my lips can utter; and I condemn myself for coming so short of my own views and conceptions ; and while I lament my unskilfulness and want of fervent zeal in his ser- vice, I wonder that he suffers his precious treasure to remain in such an earthen vessel." Oh, it is this deep humility of mind that makes the Christian minister ! " Unto me," said Paul, " who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." He was very jealous of popularity as a safe criterion of real usefulness. Though his ministry was generally most acceptable to the several denominations of professing Christians in and about the metropolis, as well as throughout the kingdom, he was never known to be elated for one moment by this circumstance. " The pleasure," he observed, " which many professors express (referring to his own ministry) is not the criterion of profit to be relied on. Nor do I ever venture to conclude, that because congregations are pleased, they must therefore be profited." By the habitual indulgence of such sentiments as these, Mr. Eyre was happily preserved from many of those snares which rise up in the path of popular preachers. Human applause he held to be worse than nothing, when dissociated from the approbation of God and the testimony of a good conscience. He knew how undiscerning professors often are, both in their censures and commendations ; and he had seen instances in which popular address had made men the idols of the people, when there was an obvious defect in sound doctrine, Christian temper, and even moral deportment. In his case, the approval of his fellow-creatures only led him to test more rigidly the motives of his public conduct ; while success itself — and he was eminently successful — only humbled him in the sight of God, THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 29 under a sense of conscious unworthiness, and innumerable short-comings. In his pulpit labours, Mr. Eyre was an example of diligence to his brethren in the ministry. When his health would per- mit, he preached three full discourses to his people every week, in addition to many occasional services undertaken at the call of friendship, or in support of the claims of benevolence. For many years, he conducted a series of annual addresses, which were eminently attractive, and upon which God was pleased to vouchsafe a large measure of his benediction. The first of these addresses, and which generally consisted in an annual review of God's mercies, was delivered on the last Sab- bath of the year ; — the second, which was intended to engage his flock to the service of God, was preached on the first Sabbath of the new year ; — and the third, which was expressly adapted to the young, was delivered on Whit-Monday. Mr. Eyre's attention to the religious interests of the young was a marked feature in his pastoral character. Every Tuesday throughout the year was devoted to their improvement. Two large classes, one of either sex, met alternately on the day appointed, to receive the benefit of his familiar lectures on the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, and on subjects connected with scripture history. These diets of instruction were so ingeniously and so simply conducted, that young persons, in the most respectable grades of life, deemed it a privilege to be permitted to attend them. " The condescending manner," observes a lady who had belonged to his class, " in which he behaved to his young friends, on these occasions, had a tendency to endear him much in their esteem ; and it seemed his chief aim to remove any difficulties which might arise, and place the interest- ing subjects brought forward in such a light, as to encourage their minds in the pursuit of divine things." These exercises were mainly confined to the children of the more respectable and wealthy of his congregation. But he was equally solicitous for the best interests of the children of the poor ; and for this purpose instituted a school, under the super- intendence of the more devout ladies in his flock, for clothing and educating thirty poor girls. This charity was so much approved, that a similar one was immediately erected, under the 30 MEMOIR OF care of the gentlemen in his congregation, for the benefit of twenty poor boys. These benevolent efforts were the joy of his heart ; and engaged a large share of his time and attention, in following out their practical details. They brought him more frequently in contact with the active members of his congrega- tion ; for it was his method periodically to meet all the subscri- bers to the schools, and to address a few words of counsel and encouragement to them, in reference to the excellent work in which they were engaged. By such hallowed intercourses, Mr. Eyre secured for himself a warm place in the affections of his flock. They "esteemed him very highly in love, for his work's sake ;" and suffered him to acquire an influence over them rarely, perhaps, possessed by the most devoted of Christ's servants. Yet there was no effort on his part to gain this ascendancy ; it was far more the effect of weight of character, than of any attempt to ingratiate himself into their confidence and esteem. It was a truly just remark made by^the late Rev. Rowland Hill, when preaching Mr. Eyre's funeral sermon, " that ministers very much impart their own spirit and temper to their congregations. Humble and affec- tionate ministers diffuse the same spirit amongst their people ; as ministers that are full of spiritual pride, generally have their people puffed up with pride and self-conceit." Mr. Eyre's flock partook, in an eminent degree, of his " generous and enlarged views, his humble Christian temper; and, like him, devoted large portions of their property to the cause of Christ ; — nay, such was his influence, that even those of his hearers who never gave any decisive evidence of genuine religion, were so far acted upon by his example, as to contribute largely to any cause advocated by him. Perhaps few, if any, ministers in the United Kingdom, from a congregation of equal number, could command such pecuniary aids, and so frequently, as he did."* Of the responsibility attached to his position in this respect, he was fully aware ; and said to a friend concerning it, " God has given me influence among my dear people ; and I am bound, by the strongest ties, to use this, perhaps weightiest talent I possess, to his glory. He was generous to a fault, having been known, on more * The Rev. G. Collision's Memoir. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 31 occasions than one., to part with the last farthing he possessed at the call of suffering humanity. One day, while he stood talking to an individual, a poor man, in great distress, asked him for some pecuniary assistance. He instantly put his hand into his pocket, and gave him a guinea. The poor man's tears almost choked him, in receiving so large and unexpected a sup- ply. Mr. Eyre's friend hinted to him, that he ought to consider his own family, and be less profuse in his charity. " Oh," said he, " I shall soon have it repaid with interest." The next day a very handsome present was sent to him ; and he did not fail, with his accustomed good humour, to rally his friend for the parsimonious advice tendered to him on the preceding day. A pious dissenting minister came to him once in great anxiety, to ask his advice. It had become necessary for this good man to change his sphere of labour, and he had no means of defray- ing the expense attendant upon the removal of his family, but the expedient of parting with his little library. Mr. Eyre would not hear of his doing this ; and told him to go home, and leave the matter with him ; the anxious minister did so, and in a few days received from his generous benefactor the sum of fifty pounds, which more than relieved his pressure, and called forth songs of praise to Him who heard his prayers in the hour of pressing necessity. He was most liberal in his benefactions toward the erection of new places of worship, never caring what denomination they belonged to, provided the pure gospel was preached in them. To a minister who waited upon him with a chapel case, he said, after speaking to him in a kind and condescending manner, " There is my mite, (presenting him with the sum of five pounds,) and I wish T could give you fifty pounds." In the last year of his life, when the Village Itinerancy determined on educating their own preachers, he nobly gave up his house for that object ; and begged the committee to con- sider it as property consecrated to the cause of God. Acting on the same high principle, he never would consent to receive any remuneration from the London Missionary Society, or any other institution with which he stood connected, though his labours on their behalf were most zealous and abundant. It may be questioned, indeed, whether he did not carry his notions 32 MEMOIR OF of disinterestedness much farther than either a regard to the claims of his family, or to the principles of the word of God, would have fully justified. But such a man was never suffered to want. His trust in God's providence was a remarkable feature in his religion ; and never did that providence forsake him or his. When, in early life, his father drove him from his home, for preaching the gospel of Clmst, he said, " Now, Sir, I take God for my father and friend ; and if ever I am reduced to want, you may then blame my religion." But he was never thus reduced, though he often knew what it was to have his faith severely tried. While he possessed resources of his own, in his early ministry, he would not consent to take any pecuniary assistance from the Countess of Huntingdon's connection. Once, however, his sup- plies failed him, and he had neither the means left of paying for his own refreshment, or that of his horse. In this anxious state, and in the midst of strangers, he called at a house on his journey, where, to his surprise, he found a letter addressed to him, containing two guineas from an unknown friend. Other similar events occurred in his history, by which, though he never allowed himself to fall into the extreme of enthusiasm, his belief in a particular providence was greatly strengthened and confirmed. He lived in the daily confidence of that providence, and urged others, with whom he had influence, to cast them- selves, in the path of duty, on its never-failing resources. Mr. Eyre's mind was naturally formed for bold enterprise and active effort ; and divine grace had so attuned and sanctified his various powers, that he was ever consulting for the glory of God and the good of man. There were three objects in particular, with which he was infmentially associated, which will carry down his name to posterity, as a real benefactor to his country and the world. They are — the Evangelical Magazine — the London Missionary — and the Village Itinerancy. Far from confining his sphere of usefulness to his own pastoral labours, he looked abroad on the state of mankind, and took a deep interest in the prosperity of the whole visible church. He delighted in every scheme of combined action which tended to unite the real children of God. Often had his thoughts turned upon the idea of a religious periodical, which should THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 33 circulate useful intelligence at the cheapest possible rate, and which should be conducted upon those catholic principles in which the great body of evangelical Christians might be found to unite. He set his heart upon the production of such a peri- odical ; and, consulting with several kindred spirits, found it by- no means improbable that his favourite object might be realized- He received, indeed, the Avarmest encouragement from his brethren in the ministry; and it was finally ,agreed that the responsible conductors of the work should be composed of churchmen and dissenters, uniting their efforts for the mainte- nance of common and grand truths, and for the diffusion of religious intelligence throughout the world. The first number of this periodical made its appearance in July, 1794, under the title of " The Evangelical Magazine ;" and if Mr. Eyre had lived for no other object than to originate, and, for a season, to edit, a work which has exerted such a beneficial influence on the public mind, he would not have lived in vain. Most anxiously did he labour, with others, to establish this periodical upon a truly catholic basis ; and to make it, at the same time, the firm advocate of the much neglected doctrines of grace.* How far God has honoured his and their endeavours, may be gathered from an impartial consideration of the facts connected with the history of " The Evangelical Magazine/' from the issue of its first number down to the present hour. In the most agitating times, it has advocated the spirit of charity among all the true followers of Christ; it has ever contended for the essential principles of the church's union ; it has taken its stand on the grand doctrines of Protestantism and Evangelical truth ; it has contributed largely to the formation or extension of most of the religious and charitable institutions of the age; it has been a cheap and effective medium of intelligence on all points connected with the spread of religion, both at home and abroad; it has circulated widely among the poor members of Christ's flock, and has, in no slight degree, improved their social, moral, and religious condition ; it has, from the profits of its extensive sale, contributed between twenty and thirty thousand pounds to the widows of pious ministers — Episcopalians, Presbyterians, * It is understood >that Mr. Chapman, of the Globe newspaper, was the person in whose mind the idea of the Magazine originated. 34 MEMOIR OF Independents, and Calvinistic Methodists; — and now, in the fifty-first year of its existence, its conductors are, by the Divine blessing, enabled, on a monthly sale of fifteen thousand copies, to minister the annual sum of fourteen hundred pounds to the objects of their beneficent regard. The next grand object which engaged the mind and heart of Mr. Eyre, was the formation of the London Missionary Society ; an event to which the pages of the Evangelical Magazine in no small degree contributed. As one of the first editors of the work, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, with the concurrence of Mr. Eyre, the final editor, inserted an appeal to the Evangelical Dissenters in England, calling upon them, in most energetic terms, to combine their efforts for the evangelization of the heathen world, urging the ministers of the metropolis in particular, " to consult together on this im- portant subject; and, without loss of time, to propose some plan for the accomplishment of this most desirable end, that the Lord Jesus Christ may ' have the heathen for his inherit- ance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession/"* This appeal, as may be seen in another part of this work, was successful beyond the most sanguine expectations of its author. Devoted brethren in Christ met, consulted, sought direction of God, circulated intelligence, and, on the memorable 4th day of November, 1794, the first formal meeting was held, with a view to the formation of the London Missionary Society. Of the parties assembled on this occasion, Mr. Eyre was one of the most deeply anxious for the success of the object ; and in the following May, when the first annual meeting of the society was held, he delivered an address in defence of missions to the heathens, which can never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of listening to its heart-stirring appeals. In his threefold character of Director, Editor of the Evangelical Magazine, and, ultimately, one of the Secretaries of the society, he rendered such admirable service to the institution, as entitles him to occupy a distinguished place among the most devoted and influential Mends of the cause. Wise in counsel, ready in utterance, prudent in action, and catholic in spirit, his rela- tion to the society was one of the greatest boons conferred on " See the account of the London Miss. Soc, in the Introduction to these Memoirs. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 35 it by Divine Providence in its early history. His correspond- ence, as secretary, with the missionaries of the society, was inva- luable for its discretion, Christian dignity, deep-toned sentiment^ and generous sympathy. The missionary who did not love Mr. Eyre soon proved himself to be unworthy of the confidence which the directors of the society had reposed in him. His temperament was at times warm and irritable ; but there was so much of native generosity in his character, and withal such profound humility and affection, that those who knew him were constrained to love him " with a pure heart, fervently." The third great object of benevolence that engaged the attention of Mr. Eyre, and which he began to mature and arrange in the year 1796, was a society, composed of five or six wealthy and pious persons in his own congregation, for the purpose of introducing the gospel into those towns and villages in England, which were at that time most remarkable for their ignorance and crime. The first operations of this society were directed to parts of the county of Hants, where two congre- gations at least were raised by the labours of its devoted agents, and much good effected to the souls of men. After a season, he saw the importance of enlarging the sphere of the institu- tion's operations, and of connecting with it a seminary for the education of its own agents. In carrying out this laudable design, he was generously aided by many of his Christian friends, and particularly by Messrs. Hanson and Townsend, the latter of whom munificently agreed to give £500 per annum during his life ; and to pay by instalments, or give by will, the principal sum of .£10,000 for the same great object. A plan of education was drawn up, excluding the dead lan- guages, except so far as to read the Scriptures in the original, to consist of twelve courses of lectures ; six of which were to be biblical and theological, and six on science, literature, and the duties of a preacher. At the period of Mr. Eyre's death, a Tutor for the seminary was engaged, students had sought admission, and the day of opening was fixed ; but it was not the will of his heavenly Father that he should see the comple- tion of his own favourite undertaking. Thus originated these excellent institutions, the Hackney Academy and Village Itinerancy, which for a long series of years have been usefully 36 MEMOIR OF and evangelically employed in training devoted pastors, raising new congregations, and greatly extending the sphere of vital Christianity. Before Mr Eyre entered into his rest, he had the happiness of giving his assistance in choosing the president of the Hackney Seminary; and whatever might be his anti- cipations of the fitness of that honoured individual* for the work to which he was called, they have been more than realized by the facts which have transpired during a lengthened period of devoted sendee. The original platform of the college has been considerably enlarged and improved ; and, with the assistance of an able classical Tutor, the venerable president is enabled to devote his attention more exclusively to subjects connected with theology and biblical criticism. The institution has of late years furnished several promising agents to the London Missionary Society ; and has others still in training for this most honourable of all human occupations. Mr. Eyre, though a man of peace, was a fearless champion of truth, when roused by a sense of duty to enter into the field of righteous conflict. When the late Bishop Horsley, that talented but haughty prelate, in one of his charges to his clergy, attacked, in a most virulent manner, those societies which had been formed for the sole purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ at home and abroad, Mr. Eyre came forward as the defender of these institutions, in two successive numbers of the Evangelical Magazine,f in a manner which did equal credit to his head and heart. The well-timed irony and sharp rebuke which pervade these articles, abundantly prove that if the writer seldom resorted to such a style of literary warfare, it was not because he was unable to do so, but because he re- served himself for those great occasions when the interests of truth and godliness were eminently at stake. By a most unwarrantable violation of truth and justice, the angry prelate had identified the zealous labours of Dissenters, Methodists, and Evangelical Churchmen, with the revolutionary proceedings of Infidels and Jacobins ; and threw out certain oblique hints of his intention to apply to the legislature for the means of suppressing their active movements. • The Rev. George Collison. t See Review department of the Evangelical Magazine, for March and April, 1801. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 37 " A principal cause/' observes Mr. Eyre, " of this prelate's jealousy seems to arise from the abundant increase of these congregations since the suppression of Jacobinical assemblies; but his lordship should recollect, that when the alarm was sounded, that religion and the state were both in danger, all ranks of men were called upon to oppose the spreading evil. In this case the Methodists (whether Episcopalians or Dissenters) thought the greatest service they could render their country, was to aim, under the Divine blessing, at the conversion of the adult, and the instruction of the rising generation. They have eminently succeeded ; and, beside the good resulting to indi- viduals from their own conversion, and to society from the amelioration of the public morals, they have rendered an essen- tial service to the state, by turning the attention of the people from political debates to subjects of higher importance, and of everlasting interest. And to this, under God, the tranquillity of the country in existing circumstances must, in a great mea- sure, be attributed. For it has been observed, by a respectable writer, who appears to be well acquainted with the importance of religion to the state, that fhe who worships God in spirit and in truth, will love the government and laws which protect him, without asking by whom they are administered.' So far is the fact from countenancing his lordship's idea — that Metho- dism is a tool of the Jacobins — that it is in distinct opposition to their views ; and the leading men among the Methodists are known to be as inveterate enemies to Jacobinism as any prelate on the bench. " We hope, therefore, that the legislature, should his lordship bring the matter before them, as he intimates in his discourse, will be too much alive to the interests of the country, to stop the activity of the only men who appear willing to instruct the ignorant, and teach the children of the poor. Not that we wish to check the exertions of his lordship's clergy, to whom, it is a little remarkable, that he recommends the preaching of the same truths by which the Calvinistic Methodists happen to be distinguished, namely, the doctrinal articles of the Church of England. At any rate, we hope the reverend bench themselves will fill the churches with these truths, and then we believe they will think it unnecessary to request the legislature to prohibit 38 MEMOIR OF the sectaries from preaching them in conventicles. ( Thin con- gregations/ observes Mr. Young, ' whether in town or country, are always the fault of the clergy/ " While he was thus defending the truth on the open field of fair combat, he was at the same time, in his private correspon- dence, endeavouring to allay the anxious fears of some of the pious itinerant preachers, who were greatly alarmed at the tendency of the bishop's Charge. To one of them he thus writes : " We need not fear what the enemy can do, since He that is with us is greater than he that is in the world. Satan works by lies ; and no wonder if his children do the works of their father. Blessed be God, truth is more powerful than the weapons of our adversaries; and it shall ultimately prevail. But let us keep our temper, and learn sometimes to keep silence. Scurrility and abuse are best refuted sometimes by answering them not. Unless I am mistaken, we shall have great need of caution. Such exertions as are now making, will be offensive to the carnal mind ; and therefore evil motives will be attributed to those who have nothing in view but the glory of God. Our lives must speak for us ; and to those who are capable of discernment, our disinterestedness will appear. None will be found so faithful to their country, and so obedient to its laws, as those who seek a better country, and who have put on the yoke of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. The discontented and ambitious, who have only earthly things in view, may be contentious and unruly ; but the children of God seek the peace of the land where they dwell, and are intent only on promoting the honour and interest of the spiritual king- dom of Christ. Blessed be God, that is flourishing; and it must flourish and increase, and spread itself at last over all the earth." The closing scene of Mr. Eyre's eventful life will be best described in the very words of one who knew him intimately, and who drew his information from the most authentic sources. Few will read the account, without feeling that the Rev. John Eyre was one of the most honoured clergymen that ever graced the English church. " It was," observes Mr. Collison, " hi3 practice, as we have seen, to conclude the old year with a sermon, reminding his THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 39 hearers of the mercies they had received. The last year was improved from Psalm cxxvi. 3. ' The Lord hath done great things for us/ In this discourse he enumerated signal blessings continued and enlarged ; among which he mentioned, that the number of communicants was then greater than the number of hearers when he first came to Homerton. He then particu- larized new favours, among which he reckoned the establishment of the academy above mentioned, as likely to be a great blessing to the country. "Jan. 1, 1803, he opened the new year with an address from Solomon's Song, ii. 16. 'I am his.' On the following Lord's- day evening he preached from 1 Cor. vii. 29, f But this I say, brethren, the time is short.' ' It was a sermon/ says one of his hearers, 'of uncommon elegance and ability, and strikingly prophetic, as Mr. Townsend died within four hours after it was delivered ; his dear friend Mr. Hanson, and another of his con- gregation, within a week ; and himself, within the short space of three months.' " Jan. 16. He preached Mr. Townsend's funeral sermon, from Rev. xiv. 13, ' Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,' &c. " Jan. 23. He preached Mr. Hanson's funeral sermon, from Matt. xi. 28 — 30, ' Come unto me, all ye that labour,' &c, in which he declared that he would rather die with Mr. H.'s poverty of spirit, than in the most triumphant manner ; and begged the people to notice, that he desired his dying words might be those of the publican, f God be merciful to me, a sinner ! ' "Feb. 13. In the evening, he preached from 1 Cor. vi. 9 — 11. In the course of the sermon he solemnly appealed to the con- sciences of his hearers, respecting the doctrines he had preached among them. — ' Have I asserted that fornicators can enter the kingdom of heaven ? Have I asserted that the covetous, drunk- ards, and extortioners, can enter the kingdom of heaven? I solemnly affirm, before God and you, I have not. Have I not declared, that the unrighteous, &cv shall not inherit the kingdom of God? I solemnly declare, that I am pure from your blood.' This was his last sermon. "The next day (Monday) he attended the committee of examination of the Missionary Society ; and returned home in 40 MEMOIR OF the evening, very ill of the influenza, which terminated in an irnposthunie of the head : this, breaking on the Tuesday follow- ing, produced a great degree of deafness. About a week after, being seized by this illness, his friend, the Rev. Matthew Wilks, wrote a note, inquiring after his health ; to which he returned the following answer : — " My dear Brother, " Except relief from excruciating pain, I can scarcely venture to think myself better. My strength altogether fails me, and my spirits are greatly depressed. It is the nature of the disease. Debility is its characteristic. The Lord only knows whin I shall be again restored to my labours ; or whether I shall be restored at all, is to me very ques- tionable. I wish to stand prepared, and know no will but his. "Why did brother 's young men not write their letters for the committee ? Things must move, ■whether I live or die. Pray go forward, and believe me, with affectionate remembrance to Mrs. W , " Yours, very sincerely, " J. Eyre." " After three weeks, he began, though slowly, to recover • and at the end of the fourth, he appeared in a state of convales- cence. About this time he observed to a friend, who called on him, ' The Lord has prevented me from enjoying much of the society of my friends, on account of my deafness. I have, therefore, had more leisure for his blessed word. I have travelled through the book of Job and the Psalms ; but found nothing peculiarly adapted to my state. I therefore passed on to the living ward.3 He the nrelated the views with which he had been favoured of the whole Gospel of John : describing the glory of Jesus in his conversation with Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria ; his discourses on himself, as the Bread of life, the Fountain of living water, and the good Shepherd ; the glory of his actions in opening the eyes of the blind, but espe- cially at the tomb of Lazarus, adding, ' Who would not die, to be raised up by such a Saviour V In short, he threw such a lustre upon the whole book of John, and spoke with a coun- tenance so illuminated with joy, with an air and manner altoge- ther so superior, solemn, and impressive, so much like a being who had been personally conversing with the Saviour, as strongly to remind the writer of that fine image, of the Christian poet : " When one that holds communion with the skies Has filled his urn where these pure waters rise, And once more mingles with us meaner things, 'Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings : Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide. That tells us whence his treasures are supplied." — Cowpek. THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 41 " On the Lord's-day, March 28, he was attacked with very violent pains in the head. Leaning on Mrs. Eyre, he observed, ' If it were so sweet to recline on the bosom of an earthly friend, what must John have felt when leaning on the bosom of his Saviour?' " On the Monday his pains increased ; but on the Tuesday were less violent. On the Wednesday morning, when engaging in private prayer with Mrs. Eyre, before he left his room, he was seized with a paralytic affection, which impeded articula- tion. However, he got down stairs ; and that day wrote a letter (the last he ever did write) to the missionaries at Otaheite ; and observed to a friend, ' Perhaps my chariot may be nearer than we are aware of. I have been praying for my family, and all my friends, by name, as many as I can recollect ; and the charge the Lord has committed to me, I have resigned to him again. I do not say I will go before, and prepare you mansions. No, blessed be God, they are already prepared ! And my friends I shall not lose : I shall meet them again, for I have long broken off all friendship with the world.' Upon hia friend observing, 'You have not been left in this affliction?' ' Oh, no ! ' said he, in an ecstasy, ' I do not indeed know what heaven is, but I have had such views, that it seems worth while to leave heaven, and come down to enjoy them over again. But on these joys I lay no stress ; — I had rather go out of the world in poverty of spirit, than with the greatest joy !' " To Mrs. Eyre he said, ( Here is a portion for you, my dear Mary, in Jer. xlix. 11, ' Leave thy fatherless children, and let thy widows trust in me.' " Thursday morning, when at breakfast, though he ate but little, he said to Mrs. Eyre, ' Eat a good breakfast to strengthen your body, and look up to the Lord to strengthen your mind ; for you don't know, Mary, what is before you to-day.' About half an hour afterward, he was almost insensible, and continued so during that day ; but on the following day, he was so much better, as to allow hopes of his recovery ; and in the afternoon observed, ' Yesterday was an awful day : you could not desire my life under such circumstances ; for I have no recollection of what passed.' " On the Saturday he observed, ' The Lord gives strength in 42 MEMOIR OF great weakness : I cannot pray for you in the family now j but Jesus ever lives to make intercession/ Mrs. Eyre observing when he was in great pain, fThe Lord will give you ease;' he answered, f It is all well/ On the LordVday he said very little, but appeared, by his countenance, very happy. During the night, he was heard to say, in a low voice, ( Who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think ! And these were the last words he was heard to articulate. "While the event was dubious, his friends prayed for his recovery. On Monday evening, March 28, a prayer-meeting was appointed ; but when they assembled at six o'clock, they were informed that he had just departed. No pen can describe the affecting scene which followed : all who engaged in prayer that evening, for the family and the church, were his own spiritual children, lamenting the loss of their father in Christ. " Under this great affliction, Mrs. Eyre was supported in an extraordinary manner. One of the children exclaimed, in the moment of his anguish, f Oh, the good advice he gave us, and the many prayers he offered up for us ! Having such a father, who is just gone to glory, Oh, Mother ! if any of us should be missing, how great will be our condemnation !' " Upon opening the head, the blood-vessels of the dura mater were found to be in a turgid state, particularly on the left side ; and thefalx, or septum cerebri, which is formed by a doubling of the dura mater between the hemispheres of the brain, was found to be ossified into irregular bony patches. The blood- vessels of the pia mater were in the same state ; and some water was found in the ventricles on each side of the two beds of optic nerves ; and a little lower, inflammation was found to have taken place. " On April 5, his remains were interred in his own chapel. The corpse was preceded by the Reverend Messrs. R. Hill, Glasscott, and Wilson. The pall was borne by the Reverend Messrs. Palmer, Waugh, Wilks, Townsend, Simpson, and Piatt, Messrs. Buck, Collison, Beck, Pine, Ranee, and Voss ; — the principal members of the congregation, and the Town Directors of the London Missionary Society, followed in about twenty-five coaches, attended by a prodigious concourse of spectators, whose countenances evidentty declared the general THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M . 43 respect and esteem in which Mr. Eyre was held by all who knew him, The Rev. Mr. Glasscott read the funeral service ; and the Rev. Rowland Hill affectionately addressed a very crowded and sorrowful audience from Matt. xxv. 21, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' " Mr. Eyre was of a stature which approached to the tall ; his countenance was fair, open, and strongly expressive of a benignant and enlightened mind. His perceptions were quick, his memory was retentive and ready, his powers of invention were remarkably good, and his taste was highly polished. His manners were extremely graceful ; and, although his feelings were quick, and easily wounded, his heart was the seat of kindness, and anger and resentment had no abidance there. His education was regular, and his diligence great in improving his mind with such stores of literature as enabled him to discharge respectably the duties of the station to which he had devoted himself. " From the beginning of his ministry, his indefatigable labours bore a proportion to the zeal which warmed his bosom, and received increase daily from the Divine benediction which rested upon his ministry. His life was employed in the uniform pursuit of the great object which engrossed his heart, — the glory of his crucified Lord, displayed in the salvation of those who were the purchase of his blood : them he sought diligently, scattered through this present evil world, with much success ; and multitudes are living witnesses, and many have borne their dying testimony, how much they owed to his fidelity. He preached the word in season and out of season ; every where exhorting, reproving, rebuking, where Providence and the desire to hear ' all the words of this life/ opened a door of usefulness. He counted his work his wages ; and souls gained to Christ were his most coveted reward. " In every relation he was a burning and a shining light ; nor was the man less eminent than the minister : the best of husbands, the tenderest of fathers, the kindest of masters, the most faithful of friends. " His eager activity to be useful often urged him beyond the powers of a body enfeebled by labour and disease. The sword "d 2 44 MEMOIR OF was too sharp for the scabbard ; his vivid feelings and exertions shook the tabernacle of clay ; and, his spirit plumed for flight to the eternal rest, he never looked on death with dismay, but as a ' consummation devoutly to be wished/ His affections embraced all mankind. His increasing cares and pursuits more abundantly to diffuse the gospel of the grace of God, over- whelmed a frame become broken, yet exulting in the pleasure and prospect of doing good ; and he died just at the moment when the great object of his heart appeared ready to be accomplished. " His last hours displayed the triumphs of faith ; and, amidst every endeared attachment, and love of all his brethren, his work being done upon earth, he meekly bowed his head on the bosom of his Lord ; of wrhom he had often said, in the midst of esteem, affection, and earthly comfort, ' that to depart, and be with Christ, was far better.'" — " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace. Though dead, he yet speaketh." To live, is Christ — To die, is gatn. conclusion. In reviewing the history and character of Mr. Eyre, many interesting reflections crowd upon the mind. 1. He was a striking monument of Divine grace. All the events connected with his conversion were powerfully illustrative of the sovereignty of the Divine government, in selecting and preparing instruments for advancing the kingdom of God among men. Who could have imagined that the obscure Tavistock apprentice, trained without regard to religious inte- rests, and fully initiated in early life into the follies of worldly society, would have been raised to such eminent usefulness in the church of Christ ? We wonder and adore, while we mark the hand of God, first, in bringing this apparently outcast youth to the knowledge of himself, and, secondly, in conducting him, step by step, to that sphere of high and honourable service which he was ultimately destined to fill. No man was prepared to adopt with warmer emphasis the sentiment of the great apostle of the gentiles, than Mr. Eyre, " By the grace of God, I am what I am." THE REV. JOHN EYRE, A.M. 45 2. IVe see in Mr. Eyre's history, the effect of high character, in securing for its possessor a large measure of Christian influence. From the moment of his conversion, Mr. Eyre became influential in the circle in which he moved; and as he advanced in his Christian course, he was more and more looked up to, until at last he became one of the most honoured and effective clergymen in the British metropolis. If we desire to know the secret of his high standing in the church of Christ, we must look at the elements which entered into the formation of Mr. Eyre's character. He served God, through life, with a single eye, and a noble decision of purpose. He sought not his own things, but the things which are Jesus Christ's. Intent on promoting the Divine glory, he realized the truth of that promise, "Them that honour me, I will honour." He "became all things to all men, that he might save some[;" yet was he firm and unbending when truth and integrity demanded that no compliance should be made. Combining, in a remarkable degree, in his deportment, dignity and sweetness, kindness and fidelity, sanctity and charity, affableness and self-respect, he won for himself the confidence and esteem of the wise and good of all religious denominations. He was a fine example of a Christian gentleman, which it were well if all who sustain the office of the Christian ministry would study and imitate. 3. We may trace, finally, in the history of Mr. Eyre, the loveliness and good effect of an unsectarian spirit. Though a minister of the Established Church, in full orders, he culti- vated the most unrestrained Christian fellowship with his bre- thren of other denominations ; met them on their committees • prayed with them in their devotional assemblies ; laboured with them in their works of charity ; and gave his hearty counte- nance to their efforts for the spread of the gospel of Christ, whether at home or abroad. And had his dying testimony been required as to the propriety and consistency of this course, the writer of this article has the means of knowing that it would have been unhesitatingly given on the side of charity. He acted out the great principle, that the church of Christ is one ; and that all the disciples of a common faith are to reciprocate with each other the offices of holy sympathy and brotherly kindness. May many such spirits as that of Eyre be 46 THE REV. JOHN EYRE. A.M. raised up to bless the age, and to hasten forward the millennial reign of the Prince of Peace ! That reign can never bless our world, until all Christians, holding the vital doctrine of accept- ance through faith in the righteousness of Christ, shall agree to meet on this common ground, and give to each other the right- hand of fellowship. So long as the controversy about Estab- lishments, and about modes of worship, is suffered to alienate real Christians from each other, and to tempt any of them to withdraw the tokens of their love " for the truth's sake/' the interrogatory of Paul may be addressed to them with an affecting emphasis — " Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" When those who are the first to boast that Luther won the glorious achievement of the Reformation by the simple preach- ing of justification by faith, are yet unwilling that all true Protestants should meet and fraternize in the maintenance and diffusion of this great article of the Christian faith, it is but too obvious that they do not attach the importance to the doctrine of the German reformer, which in words they profess. When will Christians learn the great lesson, that all true believers are " one in Christ Jesus," and that to fix the principles of the church's unity in anything but faith in the one sacrifice of " the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world/' is to adopt a human theory of Christian fellowship, and then to employ it for the unworthy object of tearing asunder and distracting the one body of Christ ? O that all good men would come to the Bible for their theories, instead of repairing to it for the pur- pose of bolstering up some subtle human device, at variance with the entire spirit of Christ and his apostles ! 47 MEMOIR OF JOSEPH HARDCASTLE, ESQ. OF HATCHAM HOUSE, IN THE COUNTY OF SURREY. " Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses, whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future predomi- nate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings." There is much truth in the sentiment thus forcibly expressed by Dr. Johnson, in that celebrated passage composed amidst the ruins of Iona, which was, in Mr. Burke's opinion, one of the finest in the English language. To trace the his- tory of mankind in the monuments of a by-gone age, to study the records of former times, and to acquaint ourselves with those who have long since left the busy stage of life, is an occu- pation calculated both to instruct and elevate the mind. But in the biography of the eminently wise and good, in the retro- spect of the lives of those who have been privileged to devote themselves to the service of God, we are enabled at the same moment to comprehend in one rapid glance "the past, the distant, and the future." While in imagination we seem to be carried back into the times in which they lived, and are intro- duced to the men of another generation, it is both pleasing and instructive to recall the scenes in which they moved, the trials they endured, the virtues they exhibited, and the paths of usefulness they trod. It is still more animating to discern the supporting arm on which they leaned, and the guiding eye on which they fixed their stedfast gaze, — to contemplate the workings of that mighty faith by which they overcame the world, and to remember that he who armed them for the con- flict, and crowned them with victory, is " Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." But our reflections are not limited to the short span of their earthly pilgrimage. While we look back on the course which 48 MEMOIR OF they have finished with joy, and upwards to " the land which is very far off/' we are at the same time invited to look for- wards to the approaching hour, when we shall behold the " King in his beauty," and " those who have turned many to righteousness, shining as the stars, for ever and ever." Twenty years have now elapsed since the tomb closed on the mortal remains of Joseph Hardcastle, but his praise still lives in all the churches, and his memory is embalmed in the recollection of those, to whom the history of Christian Mis- sions is a subject of interest, and the advance of the Redeemer's kingdom an object of desire. Few men have been so long and actively occupied, who were less anxious about the applause of the world. When summoned by the call of duty to assume a prominent station in the church of Christ, he did not shrink from publicity ; but such was the modesty of his nature, such his dislike of ostentation, such, too, his natural preference for the calm enjoyments and duties of domestic life, that, highly as his name and character have been appreciated, the full extent of his labours, and the true value of his able co-ope- ration, are known to few but those who were his immediate coadjutors in the great works of social benevolence and Chris- tian philanthropy, to which his best energies were devoted. The memorial of such a man is therefore peculiarly desirable, not so much to commemorate the graces of his character, nor yet to celebrate his achievements in the cause of his Master, but chiefly to hold him out as a pattern to those who, engaged in the bustle of secular pursuits, may yet learn from his example, how it is possible to combine diligence in business with the fervour of devotion and the sendee of God. Joseph Hardcastle was born at Leeds, on the 7th of Decem- ber, 1752. He was descended from a family originally seated at Hardcastle, near Masham, in Yorkshire. In that neigh- bourhood, several of its branches continued for many genera- tions to inherit property of considerable extent ; and the period is comparatively short, since the beautiful estate of Hackfall passed out of their hands, into those of the possessors of the magnificent domains of Studley Royal. All worldly things come to an end ; and in the mutability of earthly possessions is strikingly exhibited the vanity of man. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 49 But to Mr. Hardcastle belonged a nobler boast, and a higher privilege, than a descent from those who called their lands after their own names, and whose inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-place to all generations. To him it was a just subject of thanksgiving, that he was sprung from ancestors endowed with a better and more enduring substance; of many of them it may be truly said, that their names are written in heaven ; while to some it was given, on behalf of Christ, " not only to believe, but also to suffer for his sake." Amongst these was the Rev. Thomas Hardcastle, the friend and chaplain of the celebrated Lord Fairfax. He is described by Calamy, as " a man of good abi- lities, and a bold spirit, fearing no danger." He was vicar of Bramham, near Tadcaster, at the period of the restoration of Charles the Second. That ill-advised and profligate monarch, forgetful of his solemn oath, and most sacred promises, in an evil hour, and in reality with the view of paving the way for the introduction of Popery, was induced to pass the Uniformity Act, by virtue of which two thousand clergymen were deprived of their livings, and ejected from the Church of England. Of this number was Mr. Hardcastle, who, on St. Bartholomew's day, 1662, was forcibly expelled from his vicarage. After his ejection, neither his character as a scholar, his blameless life, nor his enduring patience, were sufficient to protect him from the violence of persecution. He was several times a prisoner — in York Castle, Leeds, Chester, and Bristol, for continuing to exercise that sacred calling which he derived not from man, and of which he could not be divested by human violence or oppression. He rested from his labours in 1679 ; but the example of his stedfast faith, his Christian fortitude, and con- sistent character, passed as a rich heritage to his children, who appear to have followed in his steps. The grandfather of Mr. Hardcastle resided at Great Wood- house near Leeds. He married a daughter of Mr. Lee, of New Grange Hall, a gentleman of great respectability, whose family had for many generations occupied a prominent station in that neighbourhood. By this lady he had two sons, the elder of whom, Mr. Nathaniel Hardcastle, established himself in London, where he became a merchant of considerable emi- 50 MEMOIR OF nence. The younger, who was the father of the subject of this memoir, continued to reside at Leeds. The childhood and youth e: Mr. Hardeastle were not distm- ■ ned by any remarkable occurrence : but his cultivated tari and extensive information, are sufficient proofs how well he improved the educational advantages he enjoyed, at a period when fewer acquirements were judged nece ■ : young men not destined for the learned professions. In 1766, in the four- :h year of his age, he came to reside with his uncle. Mr. N ianiel Hardeastle, who, having no child of his own, was desirous of adopting his nephew, and introducing him into commercial life in London. He did not. however, at once ~m ting-house, but for t^ - placed at a school in the metropolis, at which, as from the very beginning of his mercantile career, he displayed that characteristic ene . which distinguished him to the last. In early life, his intelli- gent countenance, attractive manners, and lively, engaging dis- position, secured the affection of all who knew him. TYhile he steadfastly shunned the dissipations of youth, and in purity of morals was a pattern of ti best -rtue, he entered with : into every innocent amusement and recreation, in its proper season, and was remarkable for the cheerfulness of his spirits, and the flow of his wit, which was always refined, always playful, and never, in the slightest degree, envenomed with the t of sarcasm or personality. know not when his mind was first led to repose its confi- dence on the Rock <: : . - Wi^h some Christians, the period of their second birth is as distinctly marked as any epoch of their hves ; while in others, the work of the Holy Spirit is so secret and so gradual, that it is impossible to record the time when they pass from the state of nature into the state of grace ; from the thraldom of Satan into the glorious liberty of the children of God. It is, however, certain, that at a very early age, the Lord was pleased to make it manifest that this honoured servant of Christ had learned that divine lesson which ■ flesh and blood " cannot teach, and which the pride of human wisdom too often despises. He had been taught that the natural *'* heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;*5 but he was also led to see the glory of that finished righteousness which JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 51 wrought out by Christ, and of which all his disciples are made partakers by faith. To this we must ascribe his remarkable preservation from the snares to which youth are erposed in a great metropolis, and especially when possessed of ample means of self-indulgence. In his own beautiful language, uttered near the close of his mortal career, and when apparently stretched on the bed of death, he observed, u He has drawn me with the cords of mercy from my earliest day* : He gave me very early impressions of religion, and enabled me to devote myself to him in early life ; and this God is my God, for ever and ever. I said to him, when a young man. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.'"' There are several traditionary recollections of the high opinion entertained of his intellectual superiority, and Christian attainments, almost before he reached the period of manhood. He was zealous in the pursuit of knowledge, for the acquisition of which his habits of early rising afforded great facilities. His library was stored with the works of the most approved English authors, and his correspondence shows how fully he appreciated their productions. Of theology he was always a diligent student, and was well read in the works of the Puritan divines, such as Charnock, Bates, Flavel, and Boston : but it was in the writings of Howe and Owen that he preeminently delighted. He was by family descent, and he continued, to the end of life, both in principle and practice, a consistent nonconform:-" * During h:? residence in London, and i:T some years afterwards, be was a member of the church in llaij iilml. Alary Axe, to which bis node, Mr. Nathaniel Hardcastte, belonged, and which was then under the pastoral care of Dr. Savage, and afterwards of Mr. Beck. Tnis church was. in the earlier periods of nonconfonnit \ . one of the most distinguished in London Hot only did it number among its numbers several noble men and other persons of high rank and station, at a time when dissent was more closely associated with the aristocracy than it afterwards became, but it was far more remarkable for the eminence of its ministers. Of these, there were no less than eight of the ejected ministers, of whom, the first was Dr. CaryL of Exeter College, Oxford, preacher to the Society of Lincoln's Inn. and the well-known commentator on Job, who, after he was ejected from St. Magnus. London Bridge, continued to be the pastor of the church in Bury-streer. till the year 1673. when be was succeeded by the celebrated Dr. Owen, Vice- Chancellor of the University of Oxford, who had also, as his w*hlint, the Rev. Robert FergusoD. who was ejected from Godmersham in Kent. In 1683. Dr. Owen was succeeded by the Rev. David Clarkson. fellow and tutor of Clare Han, Cam- bridge, who had been ejected from Mortlake in Surrey. He was followed by Isaac Loeff. in 16S6. who had been fellow and tutor of Peterboose, Cambridge. From 16S7 to 1 702, the Rev. Isaac Chaucer was the mintstrr of the same church : this man of God had been silenced by Archbishop Laud, for refusing to read the Book of Sports. 52 MEMOIR OF But while this was the case, no man was ever more distinguished by the largeness of his heart, the absence of bigotry, and his dislike of party spirit. He loved and honoured the image of his Saviour in all his servants, and some of Mr. Hardcastle's most intimate and long-cherished friends were, in his younger as in his maturer years, members of the Church of England. He was accustomed to seek the society and attend the ministry of those excellent clergymen, who, like Mr. Romaine, Mr. Newton, Dr. Conyers, Mr. Foster, Mr. Bentley, and others, so faithfully preached the great doctrines of grace, when these were cast out and rejected by many of their associates. " The strength of his intellectual powers," as has been most truly observed by one who knew him well, "- could be understood only by long and familiar intercourse ;" and of the truth of this estimate, the many documents which he wrote for the Mission- ary Society, and other objects, furnish abundant evidence, to which many more might be added from the remains of his cor- respondence and private papers. To that practical sagacity which enabled him to pursue the avocations of a merchant with so much prudence and success, there was added a mind much given to contemplation. The bustle of the exchange, and the cares of an extensive business, furnished no apology for neglect* ing the spiritual welfare of his fellow-men, or the honour of the God whom he delighted to serve. Long before the occurrence of those great political events, which seemed to rouse the Chris- tian church at large, as from a state of torpor, he was accus- tomed much to ponder the glory of the latter days, and it was doubtless this feeling, which induced him to cultivate the friend- ship of the excellent Mr. Latrobe, and to frequent the meetings of the Moravian brethren, where he heard of the transactions of their missionaries, and of their efforts to publish the gospel to the heathen. At that period he probably little thought of the and was afterwards ejected, in 1662, from Woodborough, Wilts. The Rev. Edward Terry, formerly fellow of University College, Oxford, and ejected from Great Green- ford, was the last of the ejected ministers who presided over the chapel, before Dr. Watt?, the first pastor who had not enjoyed a living, or been educated at either university. Dr. Savage, who succeeded Dr. Watts, was lineally descended from John Savage, first Earl of Rivers, and was nearly related to Archbishop Boulter, Lord Primate of Ireland, under whose auspices he was destined for the National Church, but his own judgment determined him to minister among the Nonconformists. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 53 position he was destined to fill ; but doubtless it was in such society as this, as well as in his more active engagements, and the retirement of his closet, that God, in his adorable providence, was fitting him "for a post of high importance and difficult duties/' In 1777, he entered on a new era of his fife, having in that year, by his marriage with Anne, the daughter of John Corsbie, Esq., of Bury St Edmunds, formed a connection which, to his latest hour, was a source of unclouded happiness and joy. This amiable and excellent lady belonged to a family, highly respectable in worldly station, but far more distinguished for their hereditary attachment to the gospel, for which some of them, in the time of persecution, were confessors. Of this family was the great Dr. Goodwin, a part of whose property is still in possession of Mr. Hardcastle's eldest son. In the evil days of the Second Charles, one of Mrs. Hardcastle's forefathers was accustomed, at much personal risk, to protect and entertain some of the proscribed nonconformist ministers, as well as to afford facilities for their exercising beneath his roof their sacred calling as preachers of the word. Her great- grandfather, Thomas Corsbie, of AshAvell Thorpe, was an emi- nent nonconformist, and a very pious man. He died at the age of sixty, in 1 700. Her maternal grandfather, Mr. Cum- berland, also manifested his loyalty to the House of Bruns- wick, by raising a troop of volunteers to oppose the Pretender, at that alarming crisis in 1745, when the rebels advanced to Derby. He was much in the confidence of the Duke of Grafton, the lord - lieutenant of the county, and a frequent guest at his table. Her mother was a woman of a very supe- rior mind, and an eminent Christian. Her whole life was devoted to the glory of God. She was an intimate friend of Mr. Whitefield, by whom she was highly esteemed. He re- gularly corresponded with her, and she generally, every year, spent a month at his house in London, discussing plans for the revival of religion, and the furtherance of the gospel. Encouraged by the example of that great man, and also by the sympathies and good wishes of the celebrated Countess of Huntingdon, she built or contributed to the erection of several chapels in Norfolk, and with exemplary zeal persevered in pro- 54 MEMOIR OF nioting the preachiug of the truth, in places where tLe poor ignorant inhabitants manifested then opposition by assailing their benefactors with insult, amounting, in some instances, to positive violence. If, as the Scriptures declare, a good wife is a gift from the Lord, Mr. Hardcastle was in this respect pre-eminently favoured. She was, indeed, as her husband declared in his last illness, " a help meet for him in all his pilgrimage." Her cheering sympathies sustained him in every toil ; while the placid sweet- ness of her temper, contributed to maintain that joyous tone of peaceful serenity which always distinguished then domestic circle. As a mother, those might best speak her surpassing excellencies, who were the daily and happy witnesses of her bright exhibition of the maternal character, with all its self- denying, tender, and ever-watchful solicitudes. " Her children rose up, and called her blessed; her husband, too, and he praised her." It is unnecessary minutely to follow Mr. Hardcastle through his commercial history. Let it suffice to state, that from the beginning to the close of his lengthened career, amidst all his varied and extensive engagements, he maintained a character for spotless integrity and unsullied honour, which even calumny itself never ventured to assail. To him, from the very outset, belonged the reputation of the English merchant of the old school ; and years only served to augment that weight of cha- racter which he bore on the exchange, as well as in the Missionary and other religious societies. Many are the instances which could be adduced, in illustration of the noble spirit by which he was distinguished ; and there is one passage in the earlier period of his life, over which we almost regret to draw a veil, especially as it proves how readily he consented to sacrifice present advantage and future prospects, to the maintenance of his independence — a sacrifice the more admirable, and a stronger evidence of his manly and Christian firmness, because made at a period, when his fortune was not so firmly established, as it afterwards became by the good hand of his God upon him. He was remarkable for a happy combination of prudence and decision. No important proceeding in business was adopted, until it had been maturely pondered. But when his mind was JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 55 once made up, he acted with promptitude and energy, and then awaited the event with unruffled tranquillity. It appears from the tenor of his private correspondence with his family, how cautiously he shunned the entanglements of dangerous specu- lation, how careful he was lest he should be found " hastening to be rich," and how truly the words of the wisest of men applied to his case — "A good man ordereth his affairs with discretion." Although the larger portion of his fortune was acquired by his own exertions, no man was ever less indebted to those sudden turns of success, the world calls chance. It was his study, in the fear of God, so to direct his transactions that his mind should not be overcharged with care and anxiety, that he might not, on the one hand, be interrupted in the enjoyment of his domestic tranquillity, or, on the other, pre- vented from giving his undivided energies to those great objects of Christian benevolence which he delighted to advance. The following picture, drawn by Mr. Townsend in his Funeral Oration, was peculiarly applicable to Mr. Hardcastle : — " From the busy and agitating scenes of commercial life, he returned with renewed delight, to enjoy and bless his family. It is only at home that we see our friends in the undress of human life, and are enabled to form a full and correct estimate of their principles, character, and temper. To the honour of religion, the subject of this address bore the nearest and most scrupulous inspection with advantage. " I have met him at the gate, or on the steps of his hospitable mansion, on his return from the great metropolis, and have noticed his countenance beaming with the placid and cheerful smile of disinterested friendship, free from that corroding care, and those agitated feelings, with which too many return froni business." Such were the circumstances in which Mr. Hardcastle was placed. Happy in his domestic relations, with ample means, but a still larger spirit of generosity and benevolence ; blessed with a temper placid, cheerful, and elastic; endowed with a mind of a superior order, abounding in intellectual resources ; d slighting in the beauties of nature; above all, adorned with the graces of Christianity, which seemed to shed a mild and softened effulgence, over all the other gifts which Providence 56 MEMOIR OF had so largely showered upon him ! Had Mr. Hardcastle been permitted to choose for himself, he might not have occupied so public a station, either in the world or in the church. He might have been content to have pursued the even tenor of his way, beloved by his family, esteemed by his friends, respected by the world, exerting his influence to promote the best interests of his fellow-creatures, but well pleased that others should occupy stations of honour or pre-eminence. Such, how- ever, was not the will of God, who was all along fitting him, as an instrument in his hands, to fill a place to which he was called by the force of providential circumstances, and in which he became, in some sense, the centre of a very important move- ment in the Christian church. Before noticing his connection with public life, it may be use- ful to give a few extracts, from- the slender remains of his extensive correspondence, during the period when he was com- paratively unknown. It ought to be premised, that none of the letters contained in this memorial are selected because they are in themselves superior to others that are omitted, but simply as furnishing a picture of the usual current of his thoughts, and the character of his mind, at different stages of life. The following letter was written by Mr. Hardcastle to his father-in-law, Mr. Corsbie, on the occasion of the death of his first-born infant son. This was one of the few trials that clouded the noon-day of his domestic happiness. At this period they resided at Peckham, where they remained for seven years, before their removal to Hatcham House, in October, 1788. To John Corsbie, Esq. Dear Sir, London, Sept. 6, 1779. You will sympathize with us when you hear that our dear babe has bid adieu to this world, and has withdrawn to the invisible regions. It was yesterday that he closed his eyes in death, after a very painful struggle for two or three days before. 1 think there is no doubt, dictated by reason or Scripture, of the happiness of his present state, and therefore am reconciled to this painful expression of the Divine will. I consider my child, who a few days ago was an object of condescension, to be now looked up to as an exalted happy spirit, more intelligent, pure, and perfect than the most elevated or venerable character to be found among mortal men ; and though no infant could well deserve or possess a greater parental partiality than ours did, yet, when I consider the sorrows and snares of life, the dangers and difficulties he would have to combat, I would not recall my babe into this uncertain and sinful life, were it in my power to do it. I only hope the event will be sanctified, to detach my affections from life, abate the JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 57 eagerness of my pursuits of this world, and strengthen my acquaintance with, and interest in, the world of spirits. I doubt not he spent his sabbath with God, and has had "all tears wiped away from his eyes." I know you will be pleased to hear that my dear Anne is supported in that calm and composed acquiescence to this trying dispensa- tion, which proves her faith and hope to be divine. The following letters were addressed to William Buck, Esq. of Bury St. Edmund's, brother of the well-known recorder of Leeds. Mr. Buck married a much-loved sister of Mrs. Hard- castle ; and being a man of eminent piety, and of a spirit most congenial with Mr. Hardcastle's, they enjoyed the delightful communion of an unbroken friendship, for the long period of forty years, and entered on their eternal rest within three months of each other. To William Buck, Esq. Dear Brother, London, Oct. 30, 1780. I cannot forbear immediately expressing the sincere pleasure which your letter com- municated to us, and offering our united congratulations on the happy event which has taken place in your family ; it is a deliverance which ought to be considered of the first magnitude, and claims the warmest gratitude to Him who is the author of our mercies. You may be assured that we shall bear it on our hearts, when we bow our knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and mingle also the breath of prayer with the incense of praise. Happy improvement of mercies, when we find they elevate and fix our hearts more entirely upon the blessed Fountain from whence they spring, and lead our wishes after a greater participation of those evangelical blessings which form the true peace of earth and the bliss of heaven ! How empty a toy is worldly honour, and what a gilded phantom do riches appear, to the mind which is in pursuit of the salvation of the gospel, and is accustomed to weigh the importance of that word eternity ! I wish more and more to despise the world, when it pretends to stand a candidate against the Deity, and diminish my supreme affection to him. I wish you would more frequently take up the pen on my account. I am a good deal in the hurry and glare of life, and I stand in need of being exhorted, quickened, and animated. I see some glimmerings of the excellency of the gospel, and want to buy that pearl which is in its field. I wish to be more altogether a Christian, and to be crucified to the world, and the world to me; to have my conversation in heaven, and consider myself as designed for a mansion there. In that world may our affection be renewed and perfected ; and in the hope of it, I subscribe myself, Dear Brother, ever yours, Monday evening. Joseth Hardcastle. Dear Brother, London, Aug. 2, 1781. .... I have lately had repeated evidence of the uncertainty of every thing here. Besides that which arose from the death of three friends within so short a period at Bury, it has received additional force from the death of two of my own relations since ; one of whom, from a state of perfect health, of robust and athletic texture, in the prime of his days, was seized with a paralytic fit, remained speechless a few days, and died 1 At this moment my uncle is struggling with a deep-rooted and cruel fever ; which E 58 MEMOIR OF disorder has also for several days made a prisoner of my friend, Mr. , whose recovery is very doubtful. Thus some of our species are languishing upon the beds of sorrow ; shut out from the cheerful sunbeams, and more cheerful society of man; they count the moments as they roll painfully over their heads, and wish that Time would accelerate his speed, and finish the periods of their painful captivity ! Others are just stepping into the grave ; they have bid farewell to their friends, to their habitations, and to all the shadowy scenes of life ; they no longer belong to the world, and think of nothing but meeting their Judge, and adjusting their grand account with him ! The rest of mankind are warm in the pursuits of life : the objects of avarice, ambition, or pleasure, inspire their activity and zeal. In the altitudes of health, spirits, success, they do not visit the chambers of sickness and pain, where their own bed is preparing for them ; they do not contemplate the dominions of the grave, which will soon receive them, and exclude even their remembrance from the book of the living. What a vanity is man ! what a bubble is pleasure ! what a toy is wealth ! what a conqueror is Death, whose scythe has mown down the generations of man, that creature of God, from age to age, and made their existence like a dream that is forgotten ! It is to be hoped, however, multitudes are accounted for in the regions of heaven, enjoying a more perfect and exalted being. Death, then, is a friendly monarch, if, while he depopulates the habita- tions of the earth, he supplies with new subjects the happy kingdom of joy and peace, and elevates his victims to a place inaccessible to his approaches, and open only to life and happiness ! May we and ours, my dear Brother, live in the love of that divine and condescending Friend, who once sojourned in this valley of tears, and in due time follow and adore him in that invisible but glorious region of happy spirits into which he has reascended. I little thought of proceeding thus far. I must, however, conclude, with every senti- ment of affection and friendship to yourself and my Sister. Dear Brother, yours, Joseph Harhcastle. Dear Brother, London, Jan. 4th, 1787. I doubt not you are very happy now in your family meetings. Our great Benefactor is gracious to his children ; first in forgiving their sins, and then in giving them the oil of joy for mourning. When he was manifest in the flesh, he honoured the social circle with his presence, and wrought a miracle, to show that he was himself the source of true exhilaration and cheerfulness of heart. When our consciences are sprinkled with the blood of atonement, and we can rejoice as ransomed sinners in hope of the glory that shall be revealed, it creates a revolution to us in the system of nature ; we feel ourselves in the dominions of our Father ; this desert woi-ld becomes like Eden, and streams of refreshing joy break forth around us in our daily progress through this barren wilderness; the countenance of our fellow travellers inspires a con- genial cheerfulness, and, being the subjects of redemption, it elates the depressed spirit, fills the heart with joy, and the lips with songs of praise. This, however, my dear Brother knows, describes not the daily feelings of my heart, nor perhaps of many of the children of God : it is their happy experience, in the day when the Lord turns away their captivity, and whenever his candle shines upon their tabernacle, when the Lamb in the midst of the throne leads them beside the still waters, when he wipes away the tears of contrition from their eyes, and feeds them with that bread which comes down from heaven, so that they hunger no more. I hope, my dear Brother, it will please God to spare you and my Sister to train up your young plantation, till they become trees of righteousness, and that in due time we shall all be transplanted into a happier climate, and flourish under the genial beams of the Sun of Righteousness, where there is no night. Remember me to all friends, and believe me invariably yours, Joseph Hardcastj.e. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 59 From the period when Mr. Hardcastle was fixed in his new abode, he became gradually more known to all who were engaged in the cause of religion or benevolence. His character for discretion and sound judgment rendered his counsels pecu- liarly valuable, and the pleasure which he felt in the society of the wise and good, was reciprocated by the most emi- nent philanthropists of the age. His house was at all times open to men of this description ; and to the close of life, the hospitality which he delighted to maintain, made the name of Hatcham familiar to Christians of every denomination, not only throughout the empire, but in America, and on the continent. Among those who were thus introduced to Mr. Hardcastle, was Thomas Clarkson, a man to be holden in everlasting remembrance, as the originator of the struggle for the abolition of slavery, and the indefatigable champion of the oppressed Africans. With Granville Sharp, and other labourers in the same cause, Mr. Hardcastle often took counsel ; while Mr. Clarkson, soon after the commencement of his great work, became a frequent inmate at Hatcham, and was animated in his exertions by the cordial sympathy of his friendly host, at a time when the object which engaged his energies, was too often regarded as Utopian, by multitudes who did not absolutely frown on the perseverance with which it was pursued. It was there that Mr. Clarkson first became acquainted with his future wife, Miss Buck, a niece of Mrs. Hardcastle's ; there, also, he afterwards wrote a considerable portion of his History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade ; and there, during his occasional visits to London, the time-honoured philanthropist, after the lapse of half a century, still delights, as a revered and beloved guest, to make his abode amidst scenes endeared to his heart, by associations which only leave room for regret, that in the welcome which greets his approach, there mingles no longer the voice of those who cheered him at the commencement of his labours, but have not survived, to share his triumph. "I never," says Mr. Townsend, in his Funeral Address, " thought seriously of the slave-trade, till I read the incomparable pamphlet of Mr. Clarkson, which immediately impressed my mind with its im- policv, its injustice, and its cruelty. But how great was the e 2 GO MEMOIR OF disgust find horror which I felt, when I beheld, in a parlour at Hatcham House, those abominable instruments of cruelty which are used on board the African slave-ships : they consisted of iron handcuffs, shackles for the legs, thumb-screAvs, and the speculum oris, an instrument for wrenching open the mouths of the poor slaves when they were obstinate, and would not take their food. In the same room I saw various articles of African manufacture in cloth and in leather, and also different kinds of dyeing, the whole calculated to show the capacity and ingenuity of this class of the human species, and proving that they are capable of all the enjoyments and duties of civi- lized life." But the time was now approaching, when Mr. Hardcastle was himself to assume a more prominent station in the ranks of Christian benevolence. The struggle for the abolition of slavery, naturally induced a concern for the welfare of the injured Africans. It was thought, that a settlement on the coast of Gambia would be attended with beneficial results ; and in 1791 a company was established, by a number of phi- lanthropic individuals, for the purpose of promoting civilization, and protecting the sable inhabitants of Africa from the sordid cupidity of slave- dealers. Of this benevolent enterprise, Mr. Granville Sharp may be regarded as the founder, while Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Henry Thornton, Sir Charles Middleton afterwards Lord Barham, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Hardcastle, and others, were the directors. But as the constitution of the Sierra Leone Company admitted, only incidentally, of efforts to promote Christianity, the greater part of the gentlemen above enumerated resolved to form a society for the purpose of sending missionaries to the Foulah country, a district adjacent to Sierra Leone. This scheme was undertaken, in a great measure, under the superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Coke, a graduate of Oxford, a clergyman of the Church of England, one of the chief leaders of the "VVesleyan connection, a man of a devoted spirit, who made frequent missionary voyages across the Atlantic, and at last died on his way to India. He lived on terms of the closest intimacy with Mr. Hardcastle, and usually, during his visits to London, took up his abode at his house. The Foulah mission did not fulfil the expectation of JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 61 its founders ; but their labours were not altogether in vain ; and it may be remarked, that the attempt was a kind of har- binger of the Missionary Society, which was not then estab- lished. The following letter, addressed to Captain Hebden, of the York, one of the ships belonging to the Sierra Leone Company, will show the views of Mr. Hardcastle in connection with this mission. To Cai'tain Hebden. Dear Sir, London, Jan. 6, 1793. I write you these few lines, to express the pleasure I received from the perusal of several of your letters to your friends here, as well as to the court of directors. I re- joice with you that there is so pleasing a prospect of the accomplishment of those objects of benevolence and utility which form the basis of t lie Company we are con- nected with, and which, if favoured with the blessing and patronage of the great Father of mankind, may convey their blessings to many regions hitherto unvisited by the sons of humanity and mercy, and to generations whose existence is not yet begun. I rejoice with you that the everlasting gospel resounds amongst the hills of Africa, and that the despised, and degraded, and benighted natives are likely to become acquainted with that lowly One, who was once despised, and impoverished, and abased more than themselves, that they might hereafter rank amongst the immortals, and wear the habiliments of purity and light: to be in the least degree instrumental in this honourable service, is a distinction far preferable to the splendid offices of the world — it is to be associated in the same employ with ministering spirits, whose flaming zeal is ever on the wing in fulfilling the purposes of Divine benevolence towards the sons of men. The first Sabbath in which our excellent friend opened his commission among the people, appears to have been very impressive: but its impression was not confined to those who heard him — we feel the sympathy in England, and there are some among us who read the accounts with tears of thankful joy. "We trust that He in whom all fulness dwells, and who forms pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry, will continue to feed his zeal, and inflame his love, and fill him with inspiration suited to his apostolic labours, that the preaching of " Him that was lifted up may draw all men to him, and prove the power of God and the wisdom of God to those who hear." Your friend Redsdale still feels a desire to be engaged in this work, which no oppo- sition can extinguish — it seems so deeply rooted, that we begin now to think that further resistance may prove an opposition to the will of God. I think it is probable he may see Sierra Leone ; and as he is prepared for all difficulties, and is willing either to honour God by his life or by his death, I begin to think he may be the right sort of a person for the colony. Pray remember jme most affectionately to Mr. Home, and thank him for the interesting letter which I received after I had sealed up the hasty letter he will receive by the African Queen. I am sorry to understand Mr. Field was dangerously ill when the Harpy came away. I hope he will be restored to health, and have the happiness to be very useful in his important station. I rejoice to hear so favourable an account of the zeal and prudence with which he engages in the duty of his office. I shall rejoice to hear of your welfare, and that you are enabled still to support and exalt the honour of the Christian name— giving no occasion of 62 MEMOIR OF offence to any. walking in wisdom towards those who are without, and by meekness, and fortitude, and aotive zeal, and constant circumspection, demonstrate how useful and honourable a character it is to be a follower of the Lamb, who calls us to virtue as well as glory. I am, dear Sir, Your sincere friend, Joseph Hardcastle. The Rev. Melville Home, to whom Mr. Hardcastle desires to be remembered in the foregoing letter, was one of the chap- lains of the colony, and afterwards author of the able and eloquent Letters on Missions, published in 1794. He was sometime curate at Olney in Bucks; having previously been settled at Madeley, where he succeeded Mr. Fletcher, the friend of Wesley. He closed his long and useful labours, which have been greatly blessed of God, as minister of St. Stephen's, Salford, but still survives in extreme old age, daily expecting to take possession of his heavenly rest. On the same subjects, Mr. Hardcastle maintained a constant correspondence with Mr. Zachary Macaulay, a man whose unflinching courage, never-tiring zeal, laborious research, and practical talent, have given him a name and a place in the annals of Christian benevolence, which cannot easily be rivalled. Mi'. Hardcastle' s correspondence with Lieut. John Clarkson, of the royal navy, still further manifests his watchful care over the interests of the rising colony. Mr. Clarkson was the first governor of Sierra Leone, and largely imbued with the same spirit of philanthropy which burned so brightly in the bosom of his elder brethren. At the risk of his life, he laboured in the cause of the Africans, and by his disinterested zeal greatly endeared himself to Mr. Wilberforce, whose letters prove the affectionate terms of familiar intercourse which subsisted between them.* The ill success of the Foulah mission by no means damped the zeal of Mr. Hardcastle in the same cause, and shortly after- Avards, the establishment of the Missionary Society, of which he was one of the first promoters, afforded him the opportunity of forwarding the design on a more enlarged scale. The senti- ments which warmed his heart towards Africa are more fully * It is not very creditable to the Admiralty, of which Mr. Pitt's brother, Lord Chatham, was chief, that Lieut. Clarkson's public services in the cause of the Africans went unrewarded. He was entitled to promotion, not as the brother of the abolitionist, or the friend of Mr. Wilberforce, but on account of his own acknowledged merit. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 63 expressed in an address which he wrote, in the name of the directors, in 1796. •• Africa, that much injured country, throughout its immense extent, has for many ages been deprived of the inestimable advantages of tie pure principles of Christiauity ; it has been visited by Europeans, not for the friendly purpose of a communication of benefits, but in order to carry on a commerce which invariably inflicts on its inhabitants the wounds of slavery and death. The very name of Africa produces in every breast mingled sentiments of pity and indignation. Its innocent blood, which is continually flowing, whilst it cries to Heaven for Tengeance, appeals with resistless force to every ingenuous principle in the nature of man, and every feeling of compassion and mercy in the breast of a Christian. It is to this benighted and oppressed country we are desirous of sending the gospel of Chrut ; that best relief to man under his accumulated miseries ; that essential blessing, which outweighs the evils of the most suffering life. "If it shall please God, frum whom every good disposition proceeds, to incline the minds of his people so far to encourage this work as to put into our hands the means of accomplishing our designs, it is our wish to send seieral distinct missions to this immense continent. We cannot at present delineate the specific plans which will be adopted, because we are continually seeking and receiving new light and fresh information on this subject; and it will be our duty to adapt our final measures to the general body of evidence which we may eventually receive. We must also be regulated by the assistance we derive from the friends of the institution, in respect both to missionaries and to funds; and as it appears to us that there will soon be the probability of intro- ducing the gospel into several parts of Africa, we hope that the zeal of Christians will be enkindled in proportion to the love which they bear to Christ, and to the pity which they feel for those who drink deepest in the cup of human woe. '• Our general ideas, however, at present are, that Divine Providence is opening a wav for the admission of the Christian religion into the southern parts of Africa, through the medium of the Cape of Good Hope. In these parts, a mission from the United Brethren, undertaken a few years ago, is now in a flourishing state ; and the last infor- mation from thence contains the welcome intelligence, that the power of the gospel is manifested in the conversion of many of the natives. This circumstance mav, by the overruling providence of God. prove an invaluable advantage to the mission which we may undertake ; as we hope that our exalted Saviour, who has received gifts for men, may be pleased to qualify some of the converted natives for the work of evangelists, and for ass'sting our missionaries in their labours among their countrymen. " Although they who possess the true missionary spirit are so inflamed with the loTe of Christ, and the desire of proclaiming his grace and power amongst those who are ready to perish, that they count not their lives dear to them, and are willing to spread his fame in frozen or in sultry climates, yet it is incumbent upon us, in stating the cir- cumstances of every projected mission, to enter into the consideration of the salubrity of the country " With respect to the qualifications which the missionaries to this country should possess, it is requisite in this, as in all other cases, that they should be Christians well instructed in all the principles of divine truth, and who live under its active influence ; possessing a supreme love to the Saviour of sinners, and a fervent zeal for his honour in the world ; to promote which, they are not unwilling to endure the hardships of life, or meet the conflict of death. These are the supreme and indispensable requisites, without the possession of which no Christian should venture to embark in this work. But it seems expedient also that some subordinate qualifications should be attended to in per- sons engaging in this mission," &c. &c. Towards the close of the " Address," which is replete with the noblest sentiments, Mr. Hardca^tle again deplores the wrongs 64 MEMOIR OF of Africa, and urges the claims of its injured sons in language of persuasive eloquence. " We anticipate from the zeal of our Christian friends, the assistance we need, to accomplish the objects we have in view. When there is a project in hand which is intended to promote the good of the Africans ; to chase away the shades of ignorance which envelope their minds ; to dry up their tears, and give them the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; who will not join in the generous emulation to forward so beneficent a work? There are no people under the heaven we have so deeply injured ; nor is there a virtuous disposition which warms the human breast, that is not an advocate in behalf of Africa. " Those generous minds who deplore the degradation of their species, and exert the ardour of their spirits to restore enslaved man to the rank he is entitled to fill in the scale of rational existence, must rejoice in a plan so pregnant with blessings of every sort. What so much promotes the civilization of man as the Gospel of Christ? What so much enlightens his mind, ennobles his heart, and dignifies his nature? It is the engine which raises our fallen spirits, and lifts them from earth to heaven. Although the plan of introducing the Gospel into heathen countries is replete with usefulness of every sort; is altogether good, without any mixture of evil ; and is a measure against which nothing can be justly alleged ; and therefore merits the countenance of every . friend to human happiness ; — yet to those we principally look for assistance, whose hearts are warmed with the love of Christ. Tliis is the commanding principle, which will produce both the instruments and the funds we need : tliis is the principle, which feeds and cherishes every other excellence which can reside in the human heart. The love of Christ is the argument of sovereign efficacy, which comprehends every motive that can sway the breast of a believer, and rouse the sacred energies of his soul. " Without the love of Christ prevailing above the love of life, or the fear of death, let no one venture upon the missionary warfare ; but those who feel the inspiring flame, those to whom the Saviour is more precious than anything which earth or heaven contains, or earthly language can express, let them come forward, and consecrate themselves to his service in this sacred work. They will have the distinguished privilege of being the first to announce the Saviour's name among the heathen to whom they are sent ; they will be recorded in the annals of the church in terms of honour, and their memorial cherished and revered in succeeding generations : or, should they be forgotten in this world, their names will be enrolled in the registers of heaven, and be illustrious when all earthly monuments shall perish. " We repeat our earnest invitation to Christians of every name, to aid the work with their prayers, their counsels, and their influence. ~We consider it to be a cause which, above all others, demands the support of every one who feels for the honour of his Saviour, or the happiness of his species. " There is no period in which this duty is not seasonable. But are there not many circumstances which more especially press it upon us now ? We profess not to unfold the mysterious purposes of the Almighty, nor to know the times and the seasons, which he has put into his own power, nevertheless we would not be inattentive to the ways of his providence which illustrate his word. The general impression on the minds of the people of God prepare them to expect the approach of that predicted period when the Christian church shall enlarge its boundaries. The signs of the latter days advance — the shades of darkness are dispersing — the kingdom of Antichrist is falling, — and the hand of Providence appears to be making arrangements for a new era in human affairs. Under the auspices both of providence and prophecy, is it not a season peculiarly suit- able for Christians to improve, by forming and executing those plans which have both a natural and appointed tendency to produce the happy events we are looking for? Let then our endeavours to promote the enlargement of our Redeemer's dominion on JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 65 earth give energy to our prayers — let us consecrate the vigour of our powers to this most blessed work ; and whilst we see the kingdoms of this world shaken to their foun- dation, and passing away, let it be our unceasing supplication to our Saviour, 'O let thy kingdom come, and last for ever.' " "November 14, 1796." The original settlement at Sierra Leone had been begun at an expense which eventually extended to nearly £100,000 ; and although it did not, to the extent anticipated, become the home of rescued and emancipated negroes, yet neither Mr. Hardcastle, nor the rest of its founders, had any reason to repent of their labours. It was a noble spectacle, to behold the banner of the Cross unfurled on the shores of Western Africa, where the guilt of Europeans had inflicted the deepest wounds on the unoffending natives, and where the footsteps of those who desecrated the Christian name, had been marked with devasta- tion and blood. It was then, too, that the foundation was laid of the first labours of the Church Missionary Society, which commenced its operations in 1804. By the missionaries of that great institution, the cause was prosecuted with a zeal which neither death nor danger could abate : in spite of all difficulties, a church was ultimately planted among the despised Africans, and schools established for training up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Sierra Leone company was formed at the commencement of that great political revolution, which overturned the ancient monarchy of France, and was followed by a long night of deso- lation and bloodshed. Mr. Hardcastle was numbered among many good men, who, through the gloom of present disaster, discerned afar off the rising of a brighter sun, than had yet beamed upon our ruined world. Over the downfall of popish tyranny and superstition, they saw infidelity rearing its blood- stained crest, and unmasking before the universe its hideous features. But they also beheld altars overthrown, which Avere stained with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, and sceptres broken, which had been wielded against the kingdom of God. They were assured by prophecy, that the reign of Satan was drawing to its close, that the world was not for ever doomed to groan beneath his iron rod ; and amidst the earth- quake of political convulsions, they waited to hail the morning of the latter-day glory, already spread upon the mountains, and fi6 MEMOIR OF gilding their summits with the promise of millennial blessedness. They knew, however, that God works by means, and is pleased to employ his servants for the accomplishment of his sovereign purposes, and it was in the year 1794 that " a small number of Christians expressed to each other a wish that a society might be formed for the sole purpose of sending the Gospel to heathen and other unenlightened nations." Among these was Joseph Hardcastle ; his heart had long been pledged to the cause, and he had already devoted much of his time and property to its furtherance. " ProAddence," says the Rev. George Collison, in a letter written shortly after his death, " Providence prepared him by a process of its own, for the eminent services which he has yielded to the world, as the presiding spirit, under the God of all grace, of our great society. He was with it at its forma- tion ; every heart selected him for his office ; his soul gave its very constitution and its primary operations that character of unity, zeal, and love, which we hope it will ever retain and exemplify. In its councils on difficult occasions, and many such have presented themselves, he was its wisest and safest oracle. His sagacity never failed to mark out its best measures, and from his bosom emanated some of its mightiest achievements." In his office of treasurer of the Missionary Society, his duties were by no means exclusively, or even chiefly, confined to mat- ters of finance. He was generally chairman at the meetings of the directors, and the individual whose office, as well as his many rare and valuable qualifications, combined to render him a leader among those distinguished men with whom he was associated. When called to this arduous post, he begged that an esteemed friend of his own might be preferred — a man well known to the world, both as an eminent banker and a senator, who also was a member of the Establishment. Although the first nomination was steadfastly adhered to, the fact is worthy of record, more especially because it indicates the liberal spirit of Mr. Hard- castle, and the harmony of Christian co-operation, which then so happily prevailed between pious Churchmen and Dissenters. How well the treasurer of the new society Aras fitted for this important station, is declared by the united testimony of its members during a period of more than twenty years. His best JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 67 energies were devoted to the objects of the institution. He consulted for its welfare, watched over its every step, and laboured by every means to give a right direction to all its exertions. Many of the early documents of the society, such as its instructions to missionaries, its annual reports, its occasional addresses to the public, its letters to colonial governors, and other despatches, came from the pen of Mr. Hardcastle. Be- sides these more important writings, he maintained a constant and extensive correspondence, not only with the missionaries, but with the friends of missions, in England, Scotland, Ireland, the continent, and America. The ability displayed in those papers which remain, would be sufficient to evince the compre- hensive mind and vigorous intellect of the writer, while the spirit which they breathe, declare the purity of his motives, the singleness of his heart, and the spirituality of his devotion. But it was not merely by his wisdom in council, or his talent as a writer, that Mr. Hardcastle justified the distinction con- ferred on him by the society. His mild and conciliating dispo- sition, combined as it was with dignity and firmness, prevented the ill-consequences of those differences of opinion, which must sometimes inevitably arise in the deliberations of a numerous body, even when actuated by the most conscientious feeling, and the most upright intentions. His very look was calculated to disarm hostility, and, beaming with the affection he so strongly cherished towards his brethren, reflected and commu- nicated the tranquillity which reigned in his own breast. If differences did arise, he immediately set himself to accommo- date matters between the parties, so as to eradicate " any root of bitterness" which might spring up, to mar the great object they all laboured to advance. So far as he himself was con- cerned, the testimony delivered in his funeral sermon by Dr. Bogue is corroborated by all who knew him. " On one occa- sion," says Dr. Bogue, " being charged rather uncourteously, as well as unjustly, Avith finesse, he replied, ' On entering the Missionary Society, I made this resolution in the strength of the Lord — never to be offended, and I have, by the grace of God, endeavoured to maintain it ; I shall therefore take no notice of the remarks just made, but proceed to the business 68 MEMOIR OF before us.'" Such was his care over his own spirit ; and, in regard to others, he was the umpire, to whose unbiassed judg- ment the wisest and the best agreed 'to yield the point in dis- pute. If at any time, on subjects of moment and difficulty, debate ran high between good men, each accustomed to take the lead in his own sphere, it was his blessed work as peace- maker to heal or prevent dissensions like that which divided the labours of Barnabas and Paul. Dr. Bogue's testimony to his general character is peculiarly valuable: it is given in the following terms: — "The qualifications for the office which he possessed were of the first order. His intellect was acute and penetrating, and his judgment was sound, being endued both with sagacity and profoundness ; his views were comprehensive, and his principles liberal and enlarged. To the justness of this sketch, the fullest testimony will be borne, by those who have perused the documents he furnished, from time to time, for the service of the society, or listened to him when he delivered his opinion on questions of importance. With talents were combined excellencies of a still higher and nobler kind. A calm, mild, and amiable temper peculiarly distinguished him, and was maintained, amidst all the eagerness of debate, on subjects of moment and difficulty. In gentleness of disposition and manners he had few equals. Benignity and affection beamed forth in his countenance and deportment, and endeared him to all who were engaged in the same arduous work. His extensive and continued liberality, from year to year, entitle him to the rank of the first pecuniary benefactor to the society. Over all these excellencies was thrown the mantle of unaffected simplicity and profound humi- lity, which assumed nothing, which boasted of nothing, and made no show. A life of unfeigned piety was the basis on which they rested, and which sustained the whole." The peculiar circumstances of the times, his public character, and personal influence, all united to place him in a position of great importance to the church of Christ. The Missionary Society was composed of Churchmen and Presbyterians, as well as regular Dissenters. All of them found in Mr. Hardcastle a congenial spirit. While he steadfastly adhered to his own principles, he did not suffer them to limit his Christian sympathy JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 69 with all who loved the Lord in sincerity. He delighted to bring together disciples of every denomination, and to stir up among them mutual affection. The Rev. Charles Simeon, of Cambridge, was one of his most intimate and much cherished friends and correspondents. He was a frequent attendant upon the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Scott, during the years he held the afternoon lectureship at the church of St. Magnus in Bread-street, up to the period of his removal to Ashton Sandford. That judicious and disinterested clergyman was materially aided, in the publication of his valuable Commentary, by the liberality of Mr. Hardcastle, to whom he expresses his acknowledgments in letters, which exalt his character as a Christian and a man. The Rev. Rowland Hill was accustomed, to the close of life, to speak writh kindling delight of the pleasure he enjoyed in his frequent intercourse with Mr. Hardcastle at Hatcham. He was ever received as an honoured and beloved guest, and in the family circle of his valued friend, often would he read the manuscript of his " Village Dialogues/' and enjoy the gratifi- cation of witnessing the delight they afforded. Various other eminent clergymen, such as Dr. Haweis, the Rev. John Eyre, the Rev. John Newton, the Rev. Melville Home, the Rev. John Simons, of Paul's Cray, Dr. Hawker, the Rev. Mr. Thomason, afterwards so well known in India, were in like manner num- bered among the intimate friends of Mr. Hardcastle, whom he delighted to associate with their dissenting brethren in the ministry, of whom many of the most distinguished were fre- quent inmates of his house. To enumerate these separately, would, in fact, comprise every zealous and spiritually-minded man, whose interest in the missionary cause brought him within the sphere of his observation, or the range of his acquaintance. It is sufficient to allude to the excellent Dr. Waugh, whose kindling spirit and glowing benevolence made him, as a man and as a minister, alike the object of respect and affection in all circles ; — Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, in whom extraordinary intellectual vigour, and a mind stored with the treasures of learning, were combined great sobriety of judgment, much practical wisdom, and the disinterested spirit of one, whose joy was to count all things but loss for the excellency of the know- 70 MEMOIR OF ledge of Christ Jesus liis Lord; — the Rev. George Burder, the laborious, useful, and gratuitous secretary of the Missionary Society, the author of the well-known " Village Sermons," and long the editor of that valuable miscellany, the Evangelical Magazine ; — Mr. John Townsend, one of the founders of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, with whose church at Rotherhithe he was long accustomed to communicate at the monthly adminis- tration of the Lord's supper ; — Dr. Conyer, whose ministry he attended, whose catholic spirit well accorded with his own, and to whom he listened with the greater delight, because his popular talents and flowing eloquence, never seduced him from the simplicity of the gospel, or led him to forget that it is not the display of human intellect, but the grand doctrine of the righteousness of God, which is "the power of God unto salva- tion/' To these we might add many other good men from Scotland and Ireland, the Continent, America, and the East. Mr. Hardcastle's co-operation with Mr. Wilberforce has been already alluded to, and the esteem which they mutually entertained for each other is apparent from the tenor of their correspondence. With Mr. Robert Haldane he became acquainted in 1796, when that gentleman, having been led to understand the vanity of the world, and the unsearchable riches of Christ, was about to sell his beautiful paternal estate of Airthrey (now the chief seat of Lord Abercromby), and devote himself and his pro- perty to the missionary cause in India. In the sovereign providence of God, the noble design of his mission to Bengal was frustrated, in consequence of the opposition of the East India Company to all interference with the superstition of the natives, and of the dread which Lord Melville professed to entertain of the magnitude of the scheme, and the talent of its founder, who was well known by personal acquaintance and family connection to that noble lord, then Secretary of State, and President of the Board of Control. To remove these difficulties, more especially on the part of the East India Directors, Mr. Hardcastle exerted all his influ- ence, and strove to convince those to whom he had access, that their paramount duty to God, and their obvious interests, as the guardians of a mighty colonial empire, demanded a very JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 71 different policy. These efforts proved fruitless, although backed by Mr. "Wilberforce, Mr. Grant, Mr. Thornton, and, perhaps more than all, by the Rt. Hon. E. J. Eliot, the beloved aud accomplished brother-in-law of Mr. Pitt, whose high station and great prospects, combined with talents consecrated to the cause of God, rendered his premature decease, not long after, a loss to be deplored by the church of Christ. Mr. Haldane was thus constrained to seek a field of usefulness nearer home ; and from this period, an uninterrupted friendship was main- tained by Mr. Hardcastle with him, and his equally disinterested and devoted brother, Mr. J. A. Haldane, who, after the lapse of more than forty years, still continues to preach with una- bated zeal and increasing unction, that gospel, to which in the vigour of manhood he sacrificed every worldly interest, and dedicated his time, his talents, and his energies. Thus it ap- pears that the missionary flame which was kindled on behalf of the heathen abroad, induced equal exertions for the revival of religion at home. Mr. Simeon's tour in Scotland, in the sum- mer of 1796, was shortly afterwards followed by that of Mr. Rowland Hill, undertaken at the request of Mr. Haldane, by whom, or by his younger brother, each of these eminent clergy- men Mas accompanied in his journeyings. It was at that period that, influenced by such bright examples, and animated by pros- pects of usefulness, Mr. J. A. Haldane, with the spirit of a true missionary, was induced to engage in the same hallowed work of preaching the gospel, and, in the quaint language addressed to him by Mr. Hill, " to cry his wares from place to place without money and without price." His arduous labours in the remote and stormy islands of Orkney and Shetland were carried on with a courage and zeal which shrunk from no toil, and quailed at no danger. The result will be the source of joy through eternity; for an abundant blessing crowned his ministrations in these long-neglected regions, while in Caithness, and various other districts in the north, he was also listened to by thou- sands ; so that, under the Divine blessing on his efforts and those of his pious coadjutors, an impulse, now gratefully ac- knowledged by not a few of the most eminent clergymen, was given to the cause of vital Christianity in Scotland, then weighed down beneath the leaden influence of positive error 72 MEMOIR OF or lifeless orthodoxy. From this period an uninterrupted friend- ship was maintained by Mr. Hardcastle with both of these dis- tinguished Christians, and in 1822 his youngest daughter was married to Mr. J. A. Haldane's son, a barrister in London. Dr. Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China, was especially noticed and brought forward by Mr. Hardcastle, before his value could be known. He watched over his progress with affectionate regard ; and the feelings, with which Dr. Morrison cherished the memory of his early friend and coun- sellor, were honourable to a man who has rendered his name illustrious in the annals of the church, by the glorious achieve- ment of his translation of the Bible into the language of the Chinese. The celebrated and highly-gifted Dr. Mason of Newr York, was another of Mr. Hardcastle' s intimate friends; he spent much of his time at Hatcham, during his visits to this country, and maintained with the family an occasional correspondence. The following letters are interesting in themselves, as well as a record of that eminent man's communications with Mr. Hardcastle. To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. My very Dear Friend, New York, Aug. 1, 1803. I can scarcely believe that this day completes a twelvemonth since I had the hap- piness of seeing you, and that to-morrow morning will be the anniversary of that painful hour when I took my leave of the dear family at Hatcham House, never, per- haps, to meet till our pilgrimage be over. At the same time I am not without a pang of a different and less honourable nature, and in respect to which you are perhaps, I will not say without reason, inclined to be sceptical, when you cast your eye on the date of my letter, and remember what it ought to have been. Ah, my dear Sir, if you knew my compunction, you would not for one moment withhold your forgiveness. Place my misdemeanour to the account of business, of indolence, of a singular faculty of procrastination, which has always been my evil genius; of any thing, but of that which your own heart is incapable of feeling— insensibility or ingratitude. Grievous as are the trials of this life, our condition would be much more forlorn than it is, were we denied the recollection of what is past. Departed joys leave a sweet remembrance, when they have grown out of the principles, and been sanctified by the grace, of the gospel. Among the many pleasurable reflections which lighten our toil in this wea- risome world, those arising from former intercourse with Christians are none of the least. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one hope, one heart under the influence of that hope, are better enjoyments than spring from the increase of corn and wine ; enjoyments which leave no sting in the conscience, which continually remind us that the children of the kingdom are treading a common path, and which furnish precious pledges of that fellowship on high, which shall neither be mingled with bitterness nor interrupted by change. I would not for the gold of Potosi lose that precious hope and belief, that a review of the way in which the Lord our God led us by the hand JOSEPH HAKDCASTLE. 73 will form one of the employments of the blessed. We shall talk over the transactions of London, and the walks of Hatcham gardens, with another language and other views than are permitted to our present faculties. We who are in this tabernacle -do groan, O for that consummation, when we shall get the last victory over death, shall see Jesus as he is, shall be like him, and hear from his own glorious lips the explanation both of his truth and of his dispensations. I frankly confess to you, my dear Friend, that I am often near to fainting, and disposed to say, in a spirit too little resigned, " It is better for me to die than to live." One of my greatest luxuries is even an earthly bosom into which I can pour out a part of the anguish which is created by the rebellion of the "old man." Everlasting thanks to our Lord Jesus, that he is able to succour those who are tempted, seeing that he also was tempted. It is a wonderful word, which ought to stop our mouths, or open them in adoration : " Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." That school is of high import and salutary lesson, of which the " Word made flesh" was not exempted from the discipline ! Blessed be the Lord for the promise of release. We have only to follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. They have the advantage of us ; but we can do one thing for our Redeemer which they cannot — glorify him by suffering, and conquer by believing. But it is only z. little while, and then — oh, what shall be then ? The friends who undertook to prosecute the interests of our seminary have the gratitude of our churches. Of my own, they need no assurance. Patience in waiting for fruits, and firmness in resisting difficulty, added to faith and supplication, will work wonders. I have no fear of the ultimate success. Rome was not built in a day. We cannot conjure up useful seminaries at our pleasure. We must not despise the day of small things, and we beg that our Christian benefactors in Britain will not expect more in any given time than the nature of things renders practicable. A committee, of whom I am one, are directed to have a plan of instruction digested by the meeting of our general synod, which takes place in May ensuing. This alone will require much thought and mature consideration, to do it well. Every day cools me more and more to mushroom measures, which are to have extensive and lasting effects. " Make haste slowly," is a maxim which the abortive fits of green zeal in myself and others have taught me in some measure to understand. I have lived but a short time, very short indeed, dating from the time when frisky boyhood swells into sanguine youth. It is not long since I imagined the reformation of the world, the diffusion of know- ledge, the propagation of sound literature, &c. &c. &c. were the easiest things possible. But I have already lived long enough to dismiss these visions, to learn that no effec- tual good is to be obtained but by diligence and fortitude, in the use of proper means, and that a man, or a community, acting upon system, never losing sight of the object, always returning to the charge after every repulse, and persevering in the course, is almost infallibly sure of accomplishing the object, and with much less delay than afterwards appears credible. On this principle, I flatter myself that our friends in Britain may see a harvest spring up from the seed which they have contributed to sow, and it will surely be no damper to us, if they still incline " in the morning to sow their seed, and in the evening to hold out their hand." . . . Thus far had I written, when business, which called me from home, interrupted my conversation with my friend ; and I had returned only one day, when the formidable re-appearance of the scourge, from which our city has been mercifully exempted for three years, the yellow fever, made it necessary to seek an asylum for my family in a less perilous situation. An alarm which had been given about a fortnight before was rapidly subsiding, and the danger was thought nearly over on Sabbath, the 14th of August. But the next morning we were surprised with such a sudden and serious inroad of the destroyer, as united medical men in the advice to leave the city. The advice produced an electric effect ; whole districts are completely deserted ; so general F 74 MEMOIR OF an evacuation was never before known ; and it is the opinion of the best informed that without this measure the calamity would have been frightful beyond example. Nothing but black frost will kill the venom floating in the air. This cannot be expected before November ; so that all the business and arrangements of our com- mercial metropolis will be suspended for nearly three months. You will sympathize with us. I retired to this place — a delightful village, some miles west of New York, on the 16th ult. My family, including six children, one of whom is a present from the Lord since I came from England, are in perfect health. My congregation has hitherto lost only a single member by the epidemic. Of the multitudes who are unable to retire, the deaths have not averaged more than six per day. You may think it strange, but it is true, that while Death holds his reign over a great portion of the eastern margin of this city, so that none venture there but with imminent danger, other parts of it are untouched. We cannot but lament, and be humbled, that the dispersion of our citizens has broken up our worshipping assemblies and shut our sanctuaries. This, though perhaps least regarded by many, is not the lightest part of the judgment. Alas, we are a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity ; the judgments of the Lord are right. Oh that when his voice crieth unto the city, we may have wisdom to see his name, to hear the rod, and who hath appointed it ! I go every Lord's day to the island, and preach to such of my flock, and they are not a few, as can be collected at two miles' distance from the city. The Lord sanctify his dispensations ! I had hoped to inclose an official communication from our board of directors to yours : but it cannot be effected till we be permitted to return. Our mission to the Chickasaw Indians, we have been compelled to discontinue for the present. Our northern mission is in a flourishing state. The missionary Mr. Holmes, to a large portion of piety and zeal, adds the benefit of experience, and much of that quality, more rare and more valuable in dealing with Indians than any other quality merely intellectual, strong natural sense — usually called common sense, though one of the most uncommon things in the world. We have high hope, that amongst the tribes to whom he is sent, God our Saviour will make to himself a glorious name, &c. &c. Assure Mrs. and Miss Hardcastle that I retain an affectionate remembi-ance of them and their society, and the other young ones. I would say to them one by one, with deep solemnity, " Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind ; if tliou seek him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." I have only to wish for you and yours righteousness from the God of your salvation. Pray that in your best enjoyments here, and in your final triumphs through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may be joined by, dear Sir, Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant, J. M. Mason. My valued Friend, New York, April 19, 1806. My chief design, in this letter, is to impart to you a share of the pleasure which I recently enjoyed in becoming acquainted with the bearer, Mr. D , of Philadelphia. He is a young man engaged in commerce, very highly respected as a man, and much beloved as a Christian. Your heart will warm to him, as to one who has "obtained like precious faith" — may I not say (my soul trembles, and my eyes fill while I ask the question) "with us?" Oh, how blessed to know, amid the seductions of sense, and the conflicts with the " law in the members," " to know whom we have believed." I desire, if I can rightly judge of any thing which passes in my own mind, to " live by faith" to "walk by faith" — to overcome by faith" — to die in faith." But I find it another affair altogether, than I thought it to be nineteen years ago, when, I trust, I was enabled to commit myself as a perishing sinner to the Lord Jesus, as the Lord my JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 75 righteousness. I am only learning, as yet, the alphabet of that supernatural science which teaches us to " rest in him" every day, and all the day, as " the Lord our strength." I have been preaching for some time past on the 130th Psalm. If I have no other fellowship with the " man after God's own heart," I understand him when he speaks of the " depths," and can repeat after him, with pungent emotion, " out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." On the afternoon of last Lord's-day, I reached the point of consolation, and intend to dwell on it again to-morrow, " There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Blessed be his name for such relief. Ah, my friend, nothing but 'such forgiveness as has God's greatness marked upon it, will suit such a sinner as I am compelled to see myself to be. I look up to his heavens ; I stretch out my hand, and remember that in this very matter of forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, his ways are above our ways, as the heavens are above the earth. Whenever I incline to mean thoughts of his mercies, to cherish secret pride, by opposing the magnitude of transgression to the freedom of their exercise, I compare the length of my arm to the height of the firmament, and am sometimes permitted to sit down to look at the sacrifice which, through the eternal Spirit, his dear Son offered for sins — to wonder, and weep, and blush, and praise, while I read " there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Am I intrusive or loquacious? Bear with me : the uppermost idea when I began this letter was that of introducing a Christian to your notice, and it has insensibly diverted my view from everything which I proposed to touch upon. I can but touch upon any thing, being pinched for time. Notwithstanding your pleasant speculations, my apprehension that " an hour of great darkness" is about to fall upon the church, grows more deep and dreadful every hour. Some reasons for this apprehension will be mingled with the discussions in my missionary sermon. All the contrary appearances coincide well with the general principle ; there is nothing in them, my friend, but preparation. Our greatest joy on their account is only a " little reviving in our bondage." " Wo, wo, wo to the inhabiters of the earth !" she is only beginning to " uncover the blood" which she has for ages concealed ; and every drop of it must be reckoned for, and the score cleared, before a better state of things can take place. The United States (though not within the immediate sweep of the judgments which are now inflicting upon the " man of sin") present to my view prospects which fill me with dismay. On all sides, the pulpits are filling with smatterers, who are too ignorant of the Scriptures, and therefore of the grand relations of truth, to make any formidable resistance to the enemy. The extreme apathy of professors, on the one hand, and the miserable cowardice of these teachers on the other — a cowardice which shrinks from the danger of being unpopular, as from the worst of evils in this life — are paving the way for a desolation that will burst ere long upon their heads, with the suddenness and fury of a waterspout. Our natural population will demand, in the course of thirty year3 from this date, not less than eight thousand ministers of the word ! And the churches are fast asleep — no provision hardly among any of them to meet the exigency. They cannot be persuaded that their circumstances are so inauspicious ; and that, unless God pour out his Spirit to awaken them from their lethargy, we shall shortly have, in the very heart of our country, five or six millions, the offspring of our own loins, in a state of gross heathenism ; and nearly as much the objects of missionary notice as the Caffres and Hindoos ! With this terrifying spectacle staring them in the face, our citizens are soothing themselves with general reflections on the care of God toward his people ; and then fold their arms in sloth, as if ministers were to be rained upon them from heaven. Not one of the churches in this vast continent, no, not one of them, excepting our own small body, is taking a single efficient step for self-preservation, in preserving a power- ful ministry. Recommendations, and addresses, and exhortations, are published. The people read them, and praise them, and say what a fine thing it would be to have something done, and what a pity it is that there is such a want : and there the matter" f2 76 MEMOIR OF ends. Nobody acts. You will, however, derive some satisfaction from the efforts which we are making, though on a contracted scale. An act for establishing our seminary passed our synod last May, and the seminary commenced in November. My students as yet are only eight : but they are precious youths. They all indicate the savour of godliness : six of them have choice talents ; and they have engaged in their studies with a zeal and intenseness that entitle us to hope for much comfort. The number next season will probably be doubled. The " act," which I herewith transmit, will show that, so far as human precautions can avail, we are determined not to license novices. My own congregation, though by no means wealthy, contributes annually toward the support of the seminary, above one thousand dollars, equal to £225 sterling. This example is not without effect, but, if it be not backed by the public spirit of other con- gregations, will not be sufficient. The point to which I have long laboured to bring our churches is this, that students of theology are their children, and must be supplied by them with the requisite means of future usefulness. That it is chimerical to dream of a well-appointed ministry, unless they charge themselves with the expense of maintaining and educating such students as are in straitened circumstances — and that, as it is the Lord's ordinance that his churches must support his ministers, it is for them to consider whether this does not involve a similar obligation toward those who " desire the office of a bishop," but are unable to support themselves while preparing for it : at any rate, it is only entering upon that work of love a little sooner. Some of my noblest youth could not move a step without the aid of our Young Fund ; and none of them are from a less distance than two hundred miles. Two of them, from Kentucky, came eight hundred miles. What gratitude, my dear friend, do we owe to our British patrons? I feel its whole force; in the name of all, I thank you, and thank our God, again and again. It is Saturday almost midnight. The risen Saviour bless my friend and his dear family. So prays the soul of Your affectionate brother in Christ, J. M. Mason. Among other means adopted by Mr. Hardcastle to bring together and associate in fraternal intercourse good men of all denominations, it was his custom to invite a large party of missionary friends, to dine and pass the day at Hatcham on the Saturday of the missionary week. In this social meeting were generally found the four preachers, including a clergyman of the Church of England, another of the Church of Scotland, besides the Secretary, some of the oldest Directors, and other friends, especially those who came from a distance. " I have known," says Mr. Townsend, " this interesting group consist of the established clergy of England, Ireland, and Scotland, of all the various denominations of seceders, of Calvinistic and Wes- leyan Methodists, of Independents, Baptists, Moravians, &c. Nor did the variety of country or of denomination in the least diminish the harmony or pleasure of the meeting ; for they had all come there in one character — that of friends to the poor heathen. The intellectual pleasure which this meeting afforded, JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 77 exceeded what I ever enjoyed in a social meeting elsewhere. The subjects which generally engaged attention were so impor- tant in their own nature, and discussed with so much freedom and animation, that I always anticipated the day as a high festival, and returned from the meeting with regret. I am not sure that the missionary flame, which now burns so bright and strong among the evangelical clergy, if it had not its first spark from the circle at Hatcham House, was not fanned and strengthened there." In thus acting, Mr. Hardcastle exhibited the true spirit of Christian hospitality, alike devoid of ostentation, and unem- barrassed by formality. His unaffected kindness and courteous urbanity, while they added grace and dignity to his own charac- ter as a gentleman, also greatly contributed to the gratification and happiness of his guests. The recollection of these meet- ings, and of the social intercourse enjoyed in the groves and pleasure-grounds of Hatcham, has always been cherished by those who were present, with feelings of hallowed delight ; and their influence, in drawing closer the bonds of sacred union, was acknowledged by men of all denominations. Nor was this hospitality restricted to a particular occasion; for Mr. Hard- castle ever delighted in the society of good men, and was especially mindful of the apostolic injunction not to forget to " entertain strangers." In connection with this spirit, it may also be mentioned, that beneath the roof of his mercantile premises at Old Swan Stairs, not only the missionary, but several other of the most important religious institutions, for many years held their committee meetings. It is in allusion to this circumstance that Mr. Townsend thus writes : — " I scarcely ever pass over London Bridge without glancing my eye towards those highly-favoured rooms, appertaining to our departed friend's counting-house at Old Swan Stairs, and feeling a glow of pleasure at the recollection, that there the London Missionary Society, the Religious Tract Society, the Hibernian Society, &c, formed their plans of Christian benevolence, on which Divine Providence has so signally smiled. This pleasure is greatly heightened, when I also recollect that in those favoured rooms was brought forth that gigantic agent of moral and spiritual good, the British and Foreign Bible Society. These rooms, in 78 MEMOIR OF my judgment, are second to none but that in which the disciples met after their Master's ascension, and from whence they went forth to enlighten and to bless a dark and guilty world." Did the limits of this memoir permit, it might be interesting to pursue, in successive detail, the history of all the great opera- tions of the Missionary Society, with which Mr. Hardcastle was peculiarly connected. The zeal on behalf of Africa which animated his exertions, several years before the formation of the Missionary Society, has already been noticed; and 'it would be pleasing to trace, in his correspondence with Dr. Vanderkemp, the prominent share which he had in forwarding the mission to the Cape of Good Hope. With that much honoured servant of God, he maintained an unbroken and intimate friendship. He revered the self-denying zeal which prompted him to relinquish his native land, and sacrifice Avorldly prospects in order to devote his talents, his learning, his property, his life, and his all, to the service of the Saviour, who had delivered him from the vortex of infidelity, and snatched him as a brand from the burning. How successfully Dr. Vanderkemp laboured in South Africa, is attested by the progress of Christianity in that benighted region. To the last, Mr. Hardcastle watched over this mission with parental solicitude; and it was not long, before his failing health compelled him to retire from public life, that the Rev. John Campbell of Kingsland was, at his suggestion, appointed to visit the Cape of Good Hope, with the view of exploring the country, and pioneering the way for further exertion. Well did Mr. Campbell's steadfast faith in God, untiring zeal, and tried dis- cretion, qualify him for the dangerous task, and enable him to triumph over difficulties which to many would have appeared insurmountable . The history of the South Sea mission is one of the brightest pages, in the annals of the Christian church. Mr. Hardcastle's communications with his valued friend Captain Wilson, of the Duff, whose remarkable history and disinterested labours are well known to the world, would be read with pleasure by those who love to retrace the footsteps of Providence in his dealings with mankind . It might also be useful to insert other letters on missionary subjects, but it is needful to hasten forwards, and only to glance at topics on which it would be delightful to expatiate. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 79 PreAaous to Captain Wilson's sailing on his voyage to the South Seas, Mr. Hardcastle addressed to hhn the folloAying letter. Letter to Captain Wilson, previous to his sailing to the South Seas. Dear Sir, London, Sept. 5. 1796. I have frequently heen desirous of half an hour's leisure, that I might present to you, in writing, before your departure, the effusions of my heart. Amidst the pressure of business, my imagination makes swift excursions to the vessel which contains so many apostolic men, and is destined upon an occasion so pregnant with important events : and the wishes and petitions, which spring from my soul with more than usual warmth, relate to the safety and success of those who are more directly the instruments of God in accomplishing this interesting service. The arrangements of Divine Providence, and the diversified occupations and employ- ments of the]inhabitants of the world, furnish a subject of contemplation, well adapted both to instruct and to recreate the mind ; but when my thoughts revolve on thi3 extensive field, and the innumerable employments of mankind are present to my reflec- tion, there are none amongst them all which more attract my attention, or which appear to me more benignant in their principles, or more beneficent in their effects, than that, my dear Friend, in which you, and those that accompany you, are engaged. It is not a voyage, the objects of which terminate in the present existence ; its effects, we trust, will not be limited either by time or space : if our prayers are answered for its success, it will be a circumstance probably recollected in a more perfect state ; it will perhaps be a topic of conversation, and a ground of thankfulness, when we shall be associated with the spirits of the just, and dwell with our Saviour in the immortal regions ! It is from this consideration that I offer to you, and to every brother who is consecrated to this service, my unfeigned congratulations. I consider yours a society of precious individuals, very dear to our common Lord, selected by him for a service peculiarly honourable in his kingdom, and intimately connected with his praise on earth. To you he has confided the distinguished privilege of proclaiming, as his heralds, the message of redemption, for the first time, among these islands, that are far off. It is probable, that through a long lapse of ages, the prince of darkness has maintained an undisturbed dominion over them ; it is therefore a peculiar designation of Providence that they should be visited with the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and receive the first intimations of redeeming grace, through your instrumentality. Charged with so important a commission, and intrusted almost with the fate of immortal beings, how frequently will your rejoicing be mingled with trembling, and your praises with supplication ; how impressively will these thoughts lead you every hour to the Fountain of grace, and wisdom, and strength, and cause you to draw upon his fulness for the emergencies of every moment ! In a world, in which to pray always is a duty applicable to every believer, it is yet to you, who are engaged in this warfare, a weapon more incessantly and indispensably needful than to other Christians. Our brethren, who have renounced the world, will, I hope, maintain a continual intercourse with their Saviour in heaven ; consult him on all occasions, as a wise and accessible friend, who is always at hand; and cherish, in solitude or in society, the manifestations of his presence, in the recesses of their hearts. As for us, who though we remain in this part of the vineyard, yet consider ourselves as united to you and to the friends around you, in bonds of close endearment, we shall not cease to offer our intercessions that you may be strong in faith, devout in prayer, active to perform or patient to suffer the will of God, and that he may impart to you wisdom, and grace, and strength equal to your day; nor shall we forget to pray for the extensive success of your mission. The motto of our institution should be, " Thy kingdom come." This should form the first wish of every 80 MEMOIR OF day, and be the last sentence with which we take leave of the world, and retire to our rest. Our faith coincides with our prayer; we are looking for the coming of our Saviour; we are tracing the signs of the latter days; the events with which we are surrounded should inspire us with fresh energy, that many may run to and fro, as the missionaries of the kingdom of heaven, and divine knowledge be increased, till it shall cover the earth, and the islands that are in the great deep, and all flesh see his salvation. I now commend you, and those with you, to the care and blessing of that Infinite Being whom archangels revere, but who bears to us the relation of a merciful Father, through Christ ; to the love and fellowship of Him who was once poor and despised among men, and was a missionary on earth for our sakes for upwards of thirty years ; who is also our Lord and our God, the object of our delight and our reverence ; who is our confidence and our boast, both whilst we dwell in houses of clay, and when we reside among the immortals, in the house not made with hands ! Connected with him, I venture to subscribe myself, Your Friend in imperishable bonds, JOSEI'H H-ARDCASTEE. His own mission to Paris must not, however, be passed over in silence, because its consequences were most important, espe- cially in paving the way for the institution of the Bible Society, of which it was the immediate precursor. The objects and the results of that mission are fully detailed, in a report written by Mr. Hardcastle, and published in the November number of the Evangelical Magazine for 1802. He had for a long period been especially concerned for the religious welfare of the continent, and we find him, at the beginning of 1800, communicating to Mr. Bogue a plan which he had deeply pondered, and urging the importance of employing the press as an engine for encoun- tering infidelity in France, and introducing a knowledge of "the pure religion of Jesus." In a letter dated January 20, 1800, he writes to Dr. Bogue, " Perhaps it would be advisable to compose new works, adapted to the actual state of the people in France, rather than to republish old ones." At that time he conceived that, " by means of their Christian friends in Holland, intercourse might be opened with a bookseller in every large town in France ; and thus, " general attention might be thereby awakened to the subject of religion." "At present," he adds, " I conceive it to be only necessary to suggest this subject to yoiu* consideration, and I am induced to do so by the persuasion, that the great Head of the Church has confided to you the talent which especially qualifies you for this service. He has also bestowed on you the disposition ; and I therefore believe you will exercise your thoughts upon it, and select the best time and fittest means for its execution. Perhaps the JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 81 Missionary Society, or that for the Circulation of Religious Tracts, might consider this object as directly connected with those institutions. These suggestions found in Dr. Bogue a hearty response. That able and energetic minister of Christ had long cherished an anxious desire for the revival of religion in France. Ever since the year 1784, when he had accompanied to Paris Mr. Robert Haldane, then a young man, commencing the tour of Europe, he had deeply felt the lapsed condition of Protestant churches abroad, and deplored the infidelity he had seen every- thing triumphant. He therefore willingly engaged in the work to which he was invited, and for which his talents so amply qualified him, and produced his masterly "Essay on the Inspi- ration of the New Testament/' The following draft of a letter addressed to the directors of the Missionary Society, shows how maturely Mr. Hardcastle had weighed this subject, how near it was to his heart, and how fully he had resolved on at- tempting something for the revival of religion on the continent, either through the Missionary Society, or by his own personal exertions, and the aid of his private friends. To the Directors of the Missionary Society. Dear Brethren, London, March 13, 1800. The effects of my late indisposition prevent me from having the gratification of attending your deliberations, and devoting myself according to my wishes. My duty to the sacred objects of that Institution which has a claim upon our unceasing prayers and our unwearied exertions, and the pressing engagements which have lately required the whole of your time and attention, induced me to suspend till now, the subject which I am desirous of submitting to your consideration ; and I am persuaded that its importance will be so universally felt, as to produce a general disposition to enter upon its discussion as early as can be made convenient. The subject itself relates to an attempt to be made to introduce and advance the interests of Christianity in France ; and the plan which the Rev. Mr. Bogue suggests, as you will perceive by the letter which is inclosed, is the circulation of the New Testament in that country, connected with an extensive preface, to be drawn up with peculiar care and ability, and adapted to remove the misapprehensions and overthrow the objections, which have been urged with such fatal success by the atheistical philo- sophers there, whose writings have been the most efficient instruments to produce a temporary subversion of Christianity itself, as well as of its corruptions ; so that the religion of our Saviour has been, by public and national acts, rejected, disavowed, and exploded in that country. The corrupt state of Christianity, or, shall I rather call it, the great apostacy, which has for many centuries prevailed in that nation, as well as others connected with the see of Rome, was well adapted to generate those principles of infidelity, which the wise and righteous providence of God has been pleased lately to use for the destruction of its parent, and to verify his ancient and faithful predictions. But the overthrow of 82 MEMOIR OF Antichrist is not an event connected with the permanent establishment of infidelity, but with the introduction of the pure and endless kingdom of our Saviour. The principles of heathenish philosophy may remain in France, or may pervade other countries in connection with Rome, so long as the great Head of the Church may see fit to use them as instruments to remove the obstructions, which interfere with the establishment of his own peaceable kingdom ; but there are no intimations in pro- phecy that after this service is performed, their own duration will be permanent, or of very long continuance. The duty, therefore, of zealous Christians, and especially of the directors of missionary institutions, is to watch every opportunity, and embrace every opening, to promote the interests of this kingdom, which is destined to become universal. As the Christian religion was rejected some years since by legislative and national acts, so the principles of toleration have recently been recorded and established in that nation, by enactments equally public and binding. Every one has now an acknow- ledged right to exercise his religious profession, to avow, and defend, and propagate his opinion in any way he pleases, so that he interferes not with the existing civil govern- ment. Is not this, then, a situation of things produced by the hand of Providence, by ■which the exertions of Christians in favour of their Redeemer's kingdom is invited; and can there be a scheme of greater extent, or of more probable utility ? Is there a field in which the energies of our Society may be more honourably exerted, or the cause of our adored Master more eminently served ? Will not the sincere and humble attempt be acceptable to Him, whose we are and whom we serve, and will it not pro- duce estimation and respect in favour of our Society from the religious part of the community ? Every one to whom I have incidentally mentioned it, has expressed his warmest approbation. A member of the legislature, who cordially supports the ad- ministration of the country in the continuance of war, yet has expressed to me his earnest wish that the plan may be attempted, and his desire to contribute to the fund for supporting it. It rests, therefore, with my respected Brethren to decide whether it shall be a measure of our Society or not. They will not reject it on the ground of its being out of our constitutional limits, because it will be recollected, that when our regulations were formed, France was specially in our view, as a probable future object for the exertions of our Society. If our Brethren should adopt it as their own mea- sure, they will perceive that we must receive information from our friends in Holland and Switzerland before we can decide upon the best means of circulating our publica- tions on the Continent. A correspondence is already opened on that subject in my own name, and without committing in any degree the Society ; the result of which will be laid before the Directors ; and all that will be necessary to be done at present is to come to the following resolutions : — 1. That the Society approve the plan of attempting to promote the cause of Christi- anity in France by means of the circulation of scriptural knowledge in that country. 2. That the Rev. Mr. Bogue be appointed and requested to prepare a suitable pre- face, to be prefixed to the edition of the New Testament, and that, if he shall be desir- ous of one or more associates in this service, he be requested to select them himself, and to appoint such persons to translate it into the French language as he may approve. 3. That three or four, viz. , be a committee for general purposes in relation to this measure, especially for communicating the plan to the other missionary institu- tions, and inviting their co-operation. Joseph Hardcastle. The foregoing letter shows that the mission to Paris, and the plan for circulating the Scriptures in France, were not hastily adopted. Even previous to the conclusion of the war, and JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 83 before Mr. Hardcastle suggested the subject to the Missionary Society, he had been corresponding respecting it with Chris- tians in Holland and Switzerland, and, by the measures which he adopted, displayed not only the benevolence of his heart, but the vigour of his mind, and the sagacity of his judgment. The short peace at length presented an unexpected opening for the prosecution of the plan, and in the autumn of 1802, Mr. Hardcastle, with his excellent friends, Dr. Waugh and the Rev. Matthew Wilks, were deputed to visit Paris, in company with Dr. Bogue. The Rev. Dr. Haweis, rector of Aldwinkle, and one of Mr. Hardcastle's most intimate associates, was to have been of the deputation ; and this would have realized his favourite plan of combining Churchmen, Presbyterians, and other dissenters, in the missionary work. But an accident, which happened to Dr. Haweis, detained him at home, and his place, as has been mentioned, was supplied by Mr. Wilks, one of the successors of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield, and a man highly esteemed in the church. One of the objects of this mission, namely, the translation and circulation of Dr. Bogue's Essay, as an introduction to the Scriptures, succeeded " beyond their expectations ;" and there is every reason to believe that this work, which was read by Napoleon at St. Helena,* proved eminently useful in arrest- ing the progress of infidelity, and preparing the way for the diffusion of the Scriptures. Other prospects of brilliant pro- mise were almost entirely frustrated by the renewal of hosti- lities, and, in particular, the hopes of the deputation in regard to the circulation of Bibles were much blighted. But they made known the necessities of France, and assuredly helped to stimulate future exertions. "In Paris," says Mr. Hardcastle, " it required a search among the booksellers, of four days, to find a single Bible •" and he adds, " We fear this is also the awful situation of the greater part of France, and other coun- * Dr. Bogue's Essay was sent to Napoleon at St. Helena by the dowager Lady Grey, when her husband, the late Hon. Sir George Grey, was commissioner of the dock-yard at Portsmouth. This was only one of the many instances, of the zeal with which that devoted lady availed herself of the great opportunities of usefulness, presented by the official situation of her gallant and excellent husband. The copy of the Essay was, after Napoleon's death, returned to Dr. Bogue, with some marginal notes in the hand- writing of the hero of Marengo and Austerlitz. 84. MEMOIR OF tries formerly connected with the see of Rome." But if, in the providence of God, the mission failed to accomplish all the objects it contemplated, Mr. Hardcastle truly observed, " God has been pleased to render the visit of the deputation the occa- sion of exciting already a very considerable impulse in the minds of many in favour of genuine Christianity. The objects of the deputation, and the disinterested philanthropy to which their mission was attributed, produced a powerful effect, and awakened a train of ideas, which were entirely new, or had long lain dormant in their minds." Of the pleasure with which the opening prospect of useful- ness in France was hailed by all Christians, we may form some idea from the following letter of Mr. Simeon, of Cambridge, addressed to Mr. Hardcastle, soon after his return from Paris. To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. My very dear Sir, King's College, Nov. 5, 1802. Accept my most grateful acknowledgments for sending me these glad tidings. My heart was so overjoyed with the perusal of them, that, before I had read one-third of the account, I could not endure to enjoy the feast alone, or to defer for one moment the gratification which it would afford to my dear friends, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Lloyd. I therefore ran instantly to their rooms, and, having got them together, read them your narrative ; and oftentimes my heart was so overwhelmed with joy, that I could with great difficulty proceed. I need not say that they united with me in most un- feigned gratitude to God for opening such a door of usefulness, and in an ardent desire that your society may be directed and prospered in all their labours of love. Having first bowed my knees before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to implore a blessing on your undertakings, and on all engaged in them, I sit down to thank you for this expression of your love in sending me the account, and to re- quest that you will receive on behalf of the society the enclosed testimony of my cor- dial co-operation. In less than three hours I hope to be reading the account to Mr. Thomason, who will doubtless feel his obligation to you (as Mr. Mitchell does) for remembering him also. If I should live to the time of your meeting, I think I shall endeavour to be present at it, in which case I shall surely reserve a day for visiting one who is exceeding dear to me for his Master's sake, and in writing to whom I can with great sincerity sign myself, as I now do, His most affectionate friend and brother in the gospel, C. Simeon. The necessity which existed for the mission to Paris has been already proved by sufficient testimony. Of the state of that guilty metropolis, which has been the theatre of so many crimes, a melancholy picture is, at a much later period, given in the following letter addressed to Mr. Hardcastle by his valued friend Dr. Mason, of New York. JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 85 My dear Sir, Paris, Dec. 19, 1816. Believing, from your great and affectionate kindness tome, that it will afford you some satisfaction to know how matters go on with me, I avail myself of a private oppor- tunity to drop you a line. Almost immediately after the delightful day I had the happiness to spend at Hatcham House, so severe a cold seized my frame, as to prevent the repetition of a visit on which I had set my heart, and to throw me back consider- ably in my general health. Through that mercy, however, which has followed me all my life through until this day, I have quite recovered my lost ground ; and notwith- standing the exceedingly damp state of the streets of this metropolis, and the generally ungenial season, I am much better, and hope to see you in the spring, prepared and willing to resume my poor labours, in my Master's work : he is the best of masters — his work the best of works — and his recompense the best recompense. I desire never to be out of his immediate service, nor to have higher honour than to show forth his praise, nor higher happiness than to enjoy the light of his countenance. My very heart bleeds at the melancholy spectacle of this wretched Paris. Every mark is upon it, but the image and superscription of the Son of God. Often have I talked and preached about heathen misery, but never before had I such a practical perception of its extent. It has furnished me, if not with new principles, yet with new feelings con- cerning missionary enterprize. How deeply do they who are embarked in it need a double portion of the spirit of power, and of a sound mind, not only to bear them up to their work, but to hold their own souls in life. My Christian friends — my Christian Sabbaths — my Saviour's sanctuary, oh ! how I miss them. Nothing, I think, but a sense of imperative duty could impel me to go through the dreary journey before me. My heart wearies. I long to be back again. Pray for me, my friend, (you know the way to the mercy-seat,) that I faint not, nor be impatient, and especially pray that I may not wither in this land of drought, but that the well of living water may spring up in my bosom to eternal life. We expect, if the Lord will, to set our faces southward next week, and to proceed as rapidly as circumstances will admit. My affectionate remembrances to Mrs. Hardcastle and your good family. Very truly your obliged and obedient, J. M. Mason. The Religious Tract Society, to which allusion has already been made, had been founded in 1799, beneath Mr. Hard- castle's roof. Out of this association arose the Bible Society, whose preparatory meetings were, in like manner, all held at Old Swan Stairs. It was at a meeting of the Tract Committee held there on the 7th of December, 1802, on the day, as it happened, that he completed his fiftieth year, that the idea of the Bible Society was first formally entertained. Several indi- viduals have been named as having made the first suggestion ; among these were the late Rev. Joseph Hughes, afterwards secretary to the Bible Society, and also Mr. Joseph Reyner, a man of much Christian zeal, who for many years was a partner in one branch of Mr. Hardcastle's commercial establishment. But it signifies little who was the originator of a plan, which seems to have been simultaneously present to the minds of many Christians, and of which the proceedings, as well as the 86 . MEMOIR OF report of the Paris deputation, a few weeks before, appears to have been a practical commencement. The following extract from a letter addressed by Mr. Hardcastle to his eldest daughter (afterwards married to the Rev. Dr. Henry Burder,) relates to the first public meeting of the Bible Society, when it was fairly launched into the world. London, March 13, 1804. .... I have the pleasure to inform you of the formation of a new institution, the object of which is to promote the more general circulation of the Scriptures, both in Great Britain and in foreign countries. It has for some time been the subject of atten- tion in the committee of the Tract Society, and by means of circular letters a numerous meeting was held on Wednesday at the London Tavern, which was remarkably har- monious and impressive, — a committee of thirty-six persons was formed, consisting of individuals connected with almost every religious denomination, and about £700 were immediately subscribed. This institution seems likely to meet with extensive support, and to be the occasion of bringing into closer connection those good men of different parties who have been too long dissociated. This may be considered as another stream which has flowed from the Missionary fountain, as it is entirely owing to the committee of the Tract Society which sprung out of it. .... Your affectionate Father, To Miss Hardcastle. Joseph Hardcastle. Mr. Hardcastle's zeal for the prosperity of foreign missions, by no means drew away his attention from domestic objects of Christian benevolence. Exclusive of the liberality with which he contributed to the preaching of the gospel in his own neigh- bourhood, and to those numerous private claims for assistance which daily pressed on him, he warmly co-operated, with the Rev. Rowland Hill, the Rev. Matthew Wilks, the ;Rev. George Collison, and other excellent men, in the support of the Village Itinerancy Society, of which he was the treasurer. The Hiber- nian and Irish Evangelical Societies, instituted beneath his roof, were uniformly the objects of his interest. In Scotland, too, his name was of high account in all matters connected with the spread of the gospel, and he acted as treasurer in London for the Scottish Missionary Society. But were all the public institutions to be enumerated to whose formation or advancement he contributed, it would exhaust the list of most of the societies whose constitution was not restricted to a particular denomination. Nor did his labours exclusively relate to the spiritual interests of his fellow- creatures. While this was viewed by him as the grand object of solicitude, and to be estimated above their temporal welfare, JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 87 inasmuch as time dwindles into insignificance when compared with eternity, he was feelingly alive to the more ordinary calls of benevolence, and never turned a deaf ear to the claims of distress, more especially when they concerned the household of faith. " I have seldom," says Mr. Townsend, " seen an individual whose mind was so deeply penetrated with sympathy and compassion for the children of poverty and misery. The poor and afflicted throughout the neighbourhood which surrounded his habitation found in him a feeling and generous benefactor. He not only gave food to the hungry, medicine to the sick, and clothing to the naked, but he was particularly anxious that the rising generation should be instructed, and that their parents should become acquainted with the glad tidings of salvation : he therefore cheerfully incurred a considerable annual expense in support of schools and the preaching of the gospel. In addition to these local operation?, he was often resorted to by persons from every part of the kingdom, for his assistance upon various occasions ; but the largeness of his heart was equal to the means with which Providence had blessed him ; and that case must have furnished some very striking ground of objection, which he dismissed without aid. Of all modern philanthropists, I think none could have had stronger ground of saying with Job, ' When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.' " It was his character in this capacity, added to the influence of his name, that induced the committee formed in 1805, for raising by public contribution a fund for the relief of the dis- tress in Germany, to desire that he, in conjunction with his partner, Mr. Reyner, would act as their treasurer. For this benevolent object, a large sum was raised, and the distribution of it in those parts of Germany which had suffered most from the ravages of war, and the rapine of the French soldiery in the campaign of that year, tended materially to relieve the most urgent necessities of the population, and to strengthen their attachment to their British allies. At the final close of the war in 1814, when Germany presented still more fearful traces of that terrible contest which terminated with the battle of Leipsic, another generous effort was made on the part of England to send relief to the suffering Germans, and Mr. Hardcastle was again invited to undertake the office which he had so ably filled on the former occasion. The following is a copy of the letter addressed to him, on the part of the German Relief Committee, by the pious and benevolent Dr. Steinkopff, of the German chapel in the Savoy. 88 MEMOIR OF To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. My respected and dear Sir, Savoy-square, Strand, Jan. 15, 1814. At a numerous meeting of the committee for relieving the distresses of the people in Germany, and other parts of the continent, it was unanimously resolved to request the favour of you again to accept the office of treasurer, which, in union with Mr. Iteyner, you filled during the former exertions of the committee, with so much benefit to the institution. Permit me to add, that your name is well known and highly respected in various parts of the continent, and that a blessing from God will rest upon yourself and your dear family, for the kind interest you have taken in promoting the temporal and everlasting welfare of so many thousands of your fellow- creatures. I am, with the most unfeigned respect, Sir, Your very humble servant and friend, Steinkopff. Mr. Hardcastle did not, however, accept the office to which he was again so honourably called, but, partly from a sense of declining strength, and perhaps also from those retiring and unostentatious feelings for which he was distinguished, he urged the substitution of Mr. Henry Thornton, who was consequently prevailed on to act as treasurer to a subscription, of which the princely amount was better calculated to exalt the character of Great Britain, in the eyes of Europe, than all the splendour of her naval and military triumphs. Nothing has been said of Mr. Hardcastle as a politician, and it would be improper to dismiss the subject without notice. He was an attentive observer of the signs of the times. In the study of prophecy he took much pleasure; and although he was never beguiled into those fanciful interpretations, which have tended to throw discredit on such inquiries, he was accus- tomed to pursue the investigation with considerable zeal, more especially at those seasons, when indisposition or other tempo- rary causes withdrew him from active engagements. The events which passed before him, from the commencement of the Ame- rican war to the downfall of Napoleon, were too remarkable not to produce a deep impression on his contemplative and observant mind. The papers which he has left, prove how deeply these events occupied his attention, in connection with the future prospects of the kingdom of Christ. He delighted to trace in the history of mankind the developement of the grand plans of Providence ; but the tenor of his conduct and conversation proved how strongly he felt, that it was his privi- lege as a Christian to be " a stranger and pilgrim upon earth/' who remembered that his " citizenship (TroXneia) was in hea- ven," and that it was his duty to declare, by his moderation in JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 89 regard to worldly objects, that he " sought a better country, that is, a heavenly." Yet while he did not suffer himself to be led away by sanguine expectations of the results of mere worldly legislation, apart from the diffusion of Christian principles — while he systematically stood aloof, from the turmoil and agi- tation of political strife, he was an ardent admirer of the Brit- ish constitution, and zealous to maintain the privileges and blessings it confers. To adopt the words of Mr. Burke, in his inscription on Lord Rockingham's bust in the mausoleum at Wentworth, " He was attached to liberty, not because he was haughty, and impatient of control, but because he was bene- ficent and humane." If he might be numbered with any political party, he was by choice, as well as by family descent, attached to the old Whigs of 1688. But he was ever chiefly solicitous, to secure the return to parliament, of men who were actuated by Christian principles, like Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Babington, rather than mere worldly politicians, all of whose thoughts are bounded by the narrow prospects and sordid hopes of earth alone. He was a zealous member of the London committee for conducting Mr. Wilberforce's election for Yorkshire at the great contest in 1812. He contributed liberally to the fund raised to defray his expenses, and he regarded the success of that eminent man as a national victory. In fact, the only elections in which he personally interested himself, were those of Mr. Wilberforce, and Mr. Henry Thornton. To every thing which affected the cause of religious liberty he was, however, actively alive. At the close of the last cen- tury, and the beginning of the present, at a time when party spirit ran high, serious and well-grounded apprehensions were entertained, of a design on the part of government to restrain the liberty of preaching, both in England and Scotland. The plan originated with Bishop Prettyman (afterwards Bishop Tomline,) by whom it was pressed on Mr. Pitt, whose misfor- tune it was, to have been the pupil of that learned but worldly- minded prelate. The restraints were not exclusively intended to affect Dissenters, but also to strike a blow at Evangelical religion in the Established Church. To avert such a calamity, Mr. Hardcastle, with other Christians, zealously exerted him- self, and, under the good providence of God, the threatening cloud passed over. It is upon this subject that, in a letter 90 MEMOIR OF dated 14th of April, 1800, Mr. Haldaue thus addresses Mr. Hardcastle. To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq, Of the restrictions upon the Dissenters, I have heard from various quarters. I am happy to learn that Messrs. Thornton and Wilberforce disapprove of the proposal. As regards Scotland, you may inform them, that, not only are there no bad intentions, so far as I can possibly know, among those who are active, but that a spirit of uncommon, thankfulness and cheerful submission to government is throughout manifest. From my increased conviction of the corruption of the human heart, and especially of my own natural depravity, you may inform them, that my early views on political subjects, with which they were fully acquainted, are much changed — that 1 understand the doctrine of Scripture in its strictest and most obvious meaning, and have for a long time renounced politics altogether, as a subject to which I am not called to attend — that I have found this both my duty and privilege — and that the same are the senti- ments of all who act along with me. I do trust that so impolitic a measure as commencing a persecution will not be attempted ; for many, as you remark, would, by means of it, feel their attachment to government much weakened. I can truly say, for my own part, that I never so highly valued the British constitution, till after the promulgation of the pastoral admonition of the General Assembly, and the consequent dislike and alarm that was generally excited against us, when I found it protected us so effectually from the cruel rage of "unreasonable and wicked men." In short, I think it might give Mr. AVilberforce and Mr. Thornton more confidence in opposing this measure, to assure them, upon my word, which I doubt not they will fully credit, that all the reports from Scotland concerning our political designs, and attempts to overthrow the Establishment, are false Mr. Rowland Hill could also inform them of all we are about. I really think you should call upon them with Mr. Hill, to converse upon the state of things in Scotland, and let them know that, if they have the smallest wish for it, I will immediately go to London personally, to converse with them, and acquaint them of all that is going on here. I would not wish to undertake this journey for no purpose; but it tl mplete, that any impulse may be speedily conveyed throughout the whole frame. It appears, therefore, that it would be expedient for the Dissenting and Methodist bodies not to show themselves till the members of the Church have actually committed themselves, (according to our parliamentary phrase), or till it be seen that they can- not be prevailed upon to come forward. I was more grieved than surprised to hear from Mr. Steven that there was an inten- tion of applying to the Legislature shortly, for a repeal of the Conventicle Act. Such a discussion would infallibly produce a violent contest between all the High-church men and the Methodist and all classes of Dissenters ; and when once these parties should be arrayed againstjaach other, I fear they would continue to oppose each other on the East India Instruction subject, as well as on the other. What great harm could there be in pausing for one year? . . . All this, I am aware, is very tender ground. It is also dangerous ground ; for though our victory [over the East India Company] might be more complete if obtained to that extent, yet the probability of obtaining it might be much diminished by taking such high, ground. And, indeed, I am far from being decided in my own mind that it would be right to go this length, only that it is well to contemplate the whole field that is before us ; and I must declare, that I can- not doubt but that the most mature consideration will only confirm the present inclina- tion of my mind to throw open the whole, and abolish the East India Company alto gether, rather than not ensure, humanly speaking, a passage for the entrance of light, and truth, and moral improvement, and happiness in their train, into that benighted and degraded region. I have been forced to scribble hastily ; but what 1 have given JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 101 you are the deliberate judgment and feelings of my mind and heart ; and I remain ever, with cordial esteem and regard, yours most sincerely, W. Wilberfoiu e. [ The above reply to Mr. Hardcastle's first letter on the East India charter, is pub- lished with some omissions in Mr. Wilberforce's life by his sons. It appears (vol iv. p. 10. ) under the heading " Keeping back Dissenters," and by some accident is printed as if addressed to Mr. Butterworth. The same mistake occurs at p. 14, where one of the omitted passages is introduced by itself, with a note intimating, that that extract is also taken from a letter to Mr. Butterworth. But both the letter as it stands in the life, and the passage separately introduced, are parts of the same document, which, as inserted above, is copied verbatim from Mr. Wilberforce's own autograph, excepting a few sentences which are left out because stated to be confidential.] Mr. Wilberforce alludes in the above letter to the idea then entertained of applying for the alteration of the Toleration Act, — a measure which was a few weeks after carried into effect by the government, without any excitement in any quarter. So far as Conventicles were concerned, the law then, and even now, was in reality as much calculated to annoy evangelical Churchmen, as Dissenters. For their private dwelling-houses, as well as their chapels, Nonconformists could easily obtain a license, whereas Churchmen could not do so, without placing themselves in the condition of Nonconformists. When the number of strangers present at Mr. Wilberforce's prayer- meetings, at his own house at Kensington Gore, exceeded twenty, the possibility of an information was often talked of by himself; and the recorded fact that the present Lord Bar- ham was some years ago fined forty pounds on two informa- tions of the Earl of Romney, for a breach of the statute, in his mansion in Kent, is a circumstance well known to the pub- lic. Before the alteration effected in 1812, the presence of five strangers was illegal. The following reply to Mr. Wilber- force's letter will afford a new illustration of Mr. Hardcastle's liberal feelings, and show the grounds on which he was con- cerned about the Toleration Act. While he was at all times a firm and consistent friend to freedom, he also remembered the secularizing tendency of political questions ; and, in a Chris- tian point of view, more than doubted the wisdom of multiply- ing new societies, which were about that period projected or established, for the protection of religious liberty. To William Wilberforce, Esq. M.P. My dear Sir, Hatcham House, Feb. 26, 18]2. I beg you will accept my thanks for the ample communication with which you have favoured me, in reply to my letter ; and as it coincided so satisfactorily with my own wishes and views on the subject, I did not think it needful either to trouble you with any further observations immediately, or to take any steps in relation thereto, except to converse confidentially with two or three friends, who, I believe, are well known to you, 102 MEMOIR OF in whose prudence I could implicitly confide, and whose judgment I greatly respect. I refer to the Rev. Messrs. Burder and Townsend, and my worthy friend Mr. Steven, whose sentiments, in conjunction with my own, I am now desirous of communicating. The intimation which you give, that a considerable party in the Church of England are likely to interest themselves on this occasion, affords us great satisfaction, presuming! however, that they will act on the liberal principle of promoting the general interests of Christianity, without any system of exclusion as to Dissenters; and I have no doubt that the latter will rejoice to see them taking the lead in so honourable a cause, and will most readily assist and strengthen them with all their influence, at the proper season. Indeed, I can safely assert, that, so far as my observation extends, it is peculiarly grate- ful to Dissenters to co-operate with the members of the Establishment in every measure of general utility. It appears, however, expedient that we should receive very early information on this point, if it be true that the question of the renewal of the charter is likely to be discussed in the course of three or four weeks. In this case it seems unsafe to admit of any avoidable delay, more especially if it shall be necessary to call into action the whole force of the religious world, as appears to be your opinion, for in this case the interval would be little enough to produce so great an effect. Would it not, however, be undesirable to agitate the religious part of the community, on a subject in which their feelings would be so much interested, if the end could be obtained by a more calm and private process? If it could be ascertained that the free admission of missionaries into India, whether they where sent out by societies connected with the Establishment, or with Dissenters, or with the Methodists, was a measure which entered into the views, and formed a part of the plan of administration in the future government of India, then our minds would be satisfied, and we should abstain from any further proceedings on this subject. You, my dear Sir, are better acquainted with the practicability than I can be ; and if in your opinion it cannot be adopted, we shall be very glad to attend to any further advice which you may offer in pursuit of this great object, which we all have in view. Should the government be inclined to extend the Ecclesiastical Establishment to our dominions in India, I have no doubt that the Dissenters would accompany it with their best wishes and prayers for its prosperity and success ; but I am persuaded that this measure alone would be no more satisfactory to you, who are a member of the Church of England, than to me, who am a Dissenters. I conceive that no genuine Christian ought to be satisfied, except the door to India be equally open to every sect of Protest- ants, and this I believe to be the general impression of the whole body of Dissenters throughout the United Kingdom. With respect to the application for the repeal of the Conventicle Act, I am in hopes it may not be necessary to be made, and should be very sorry if it were to interfere with the India subject. It is to be regretted, that, within a few months, a new mode of interpretation has been adopted as to the Toleration Act, and many persons applying for licenses to preach, and to have the oaths administered, have been refused, on grounds unknown or unacknowledged by our forefathers ; and I understand that cir- cular letters have been addressed to almost all the magistrates in the kingdom, encouraging them to make the same objections in their districts. The evil is spreading in every direction, and must in time produce a general appeal to the higher powers, if in the meanwhile it be not counteracted by private means, which I sincerely hope it may. I have now only to request the favour of as early a reply as may be convenient, and to assure you that I am, with great and sincere respect, dear Sir, &c. Joseph Harhcastle. In the above letter it will be observed how cordially the writer was disposed, not only to rejoice in the preaching of the gospel by the Church of England, but in its " taking the lead in so honourable a cause." He even assures Mr. Wilber- JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 103 force of his " best wishes and prayers" for the prosperity and success of an ecclesiastical establishment in India, should such a measure be adopted. It was not surely from communications, breathing such a Christian spirit, that a man of Mr. Wilber- force's large benevolence, experienced the regret, which a detached extract from his diary, of the same date as this letter, represents him to have felt at " the coldness even of religious people" produced by the notion that the Church of England was to be established. In a subsequent letter, Mr. Wilberforce deplores the difficulties with which he had to contend, and especially the disappointment occasioned by the apathy of that portion of the high-church dignitaries and^ clergy whose sym- pathies he had hoped to engage. To Joseph IIardcastle, Esq. My dear Sir, New Palace Yard, 16th March, 1812. It must always grieve me to be conscious of appearing inattentive wherever you are concerned, especially in matters of great intrinsic importance, but I have been so cir- cumstanced, that I could not well write to you' sooner, and I must now do it briefly and hastily On the subject of our last correspondence, I am almost constantly thinking, and often at work, but I grieve to say, the efforts I have hitherto made have not been attended with the moderate degree of success which I had expected. But yet I do not despair of doing something in that line, (I mean, through members of the Establish- ment;) and it is a cause in which I trust all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and who wish to diffuse the blessed light of divine truth, will be ready to combine, and exert themselves. At present I believe it will be better to proceed quietly, that we may not call forth the zeal of the opponents of Christianity in India. I am glad to perceive that the discussion concerning the charter cannot even com- mence before Easter, so that we shall have more time for preparation than I had expected. I will write to you again on this subject; meanwhile, as at present advised, I conceive that the best course to pursue will be to endeavour to obtain the sanction in parliament of the general principle, that it is our duty to diffuse, by safe and prudent means, the light of Christian truth among the natives of our East India empire. See the first of the Resolutions which I formerly sent you, and of which I will send you another copy, if you wish it I must break off. — In cordial regard, Yours ever most sincerely, W. Wilberforce. The result of the brilliant and successful efforts of Mr. "Wil- berforce in parliament, acting on this occasion as the organ of the great body of Christians throughout the British empire, is now matter of history. The East India Company did not yield the point in discussion without a desperate struggle ; and the evidence they adduced in favour of their restrictions, when regarded at the distance of twenty-seven years, can only be viewed as a melancholy proof of the blinding influence of pre- judice, and of the lamentable "enmity" with which "the carnal mind" is embued against the things of God. Other letters of Mr. Wilberforce prove, how confidentially he communicated 104 MEMOIR OF with Mr. Hardcastle on affairs of the utmost moment, and how little sectarian differences interfered with their co-opera- tion. Mr. Hardcastle's public career in the missionary cause, was begun on behalf of the injured Africans, and it could not have ended with a nobler triumph, than that in which he so justly shared, when, after much private negociation, wherein he bore a leading part, and after a difficult and arduous public contest, the gates of India were thrown open to Christian missionaries, and the gospel of Jesus Christ was allowed to have free course, among the benighted Hindoos, and the deluded Mahommedans. From this period he gradually withdrew from active exertion, and having found an appropriate residence at Bayton, near Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, during the three following years he spent a great portion of his time in comparative retirement, in the bosom of his family, and the enjoyments of a country life. In the choice of this retreat from the active scenes to which he had been so long accustomed, he was influenced by the vicinity of several of Mrs. Hardcastle's dear friends and relatives. Her only brother, the late Mr. Corsbie, was at that period the proprietor of an estate not far from Bayton, and, in addition to the ties of relationship, his solid piety, rich experience, deep acquaintance with the Scriptures and the old divines, could not fail to render his society both pleasing and profitable. His friend and brother-in-law, Mr. Buck, resided still nearer; and his cheerful temper, combined as it was with an enlarged mind and a congenial ardour in the pursuits of Christian philanthropy, added much to the comforts which Mr. Hardcastle enjoyed. In 1814, the growing importance of the Missionary Society, and their need of enlarged accommodation for a Museum and other purposes, compelled them to leave Mr. Hardcastle's premises, where for so many years they had been accustomed to transact their business. The following letter, which the Direct- ors addressed to him on the occasion, expressed the sincerity of their gratitude and the cordiality of their esteem ; while his reply evinces his own sense of the honour and privilege that had been conferred on him, together with his regret that they were obliged to depart. The Directors of the Missionary Society, to Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. Sir, — The directors of the Missionary Society having thought it expedient to engage some rooms, in which the curiosities sent by our missionaries may be deposited, and judging that the apartments being centrally situated will be convenient for the meeting JOSEPH HARDCASTLE. 105 of the Directors in future, beg leave to take the first opportunity of tendering to you their most sincere and cordial thanks for the kindness and generosity with which you have favoured the Society for many years past, by accommodating them with the use of your rooms at Old Swan Stairs, and for the refreshments perpetually offered to the Directors at their meeting there. The Directors, Sir, feel obligations which they are absolutely incapable of express- ing ; it is impossible for them to find any words adequate to their grateful sentiments ; they can only entreat you to accept this sincere declaration of their gratitude, accom- panied with wishes equally sincere and cordial, for the continuance of your valuable life, the establishment of your health, and the happiness of every branch of your family; and especially that you may continue to enjoy, in the fullest measure, the rich blessings of that glorious gospel, which you have long promoted by your counsel, your example, your fortune, and the friendly accommodation afforded to the Missionary Society. In this feeble acknowledgment of favours received, the Directors beg leave to include your worthy Sons, who have for some years past so kindly concurred with you in con- ferring the benefits just mentioned, and who, we earnestly hope, will continue to tread in the steps of their pious father. We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, your affectionate and obliged Friends, The Directors. SQSa-ruun f J" VTONTNEH, Chairman. London, Aug. 29, 1814. t&igne