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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour §tre reproduites en un seul clichd sont filmdes d partir de Tangle sup§rieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en has, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la m^thode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 6^1 \ / f A GALLEHY OF DISTINGUISHED MEN, BY REV> E. BARRASS, AUTHOR OP A GALLERY OP DECEASED MINISTERS, EMINENT AND POPULAR MEN, ETC ** The proper study of mankind is Man.' r NAPANEE: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY HENRY & BROTHER. SOLD BY SAMUEL ROSE, WESLEYAN BOOK ROOM, TORONTO. J, N, STEARNE, NATIONAL TEMPERANCE HOUSE, WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 2018 Sfi^Rf^'^SjS ■^T-:-'- W: - fJ'-'y .'T>^ n' ';*> J': '•■ , t Entered, according to the Act of Parliament, of the Dominion of Canada, in the year 1870, by REV. E. B aRRASS, In the office of the Registrar of the Dominion of Canada. AfiD -^O \^ 'iM irk a r/L ■» ^^.^l^^SflTF :J^1:jMJ2t v-jC 1!?'i.5:w- ,:;..;'m'-,( 4 THIS VOLUME IS BY PERMISSION RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THB — ' AS A ' •-' MARK OP ESTEEM FOR HIS ; V. DISTINGUISHED GIFTS, AND AS "' ' -=-.- A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE roE PEBaOSMj KUffBNESS. BY HIS PAITHFUU FRIEND THE AUTHOR. m .^ I VI :^\ 1 yi Q -■>« ;».> . ?. '. 'V .!/ -•.'..■'■: ■,-■ r • - ,^./.\i \i}:\ l\.' )}{ • " CONTENTS -*♦►- DEDICATION, PREFACE, REV. L. BEECHER, D. D., " B. PARS0N8, " J. BURNS, D. D., " T. GUTHRIE, D. D., " J. A. JAMES, " J. PYE SMITH, D. D., " R. TABRAHAM, •' W. J. SHREWSBURY, *' S. ROMILLY HALL, " HUfiH BOURNE, - " W. LISTER, " G. LAMB, •" N. HALL, L. L. B., " W. ORMISTON, D. D., " W. COOKE, D. D., " C. GARRETT, HON. M. CAMERON, REV. E. P. HOOD, HON. JUDGE MARSHALL, l'A«iK. til. vi:. 1. r-o 71. l')8. 12 J. 148. 103. 174. 187. 232. 2i7. 207. 299. 318. mi ■-:T '~\ . ■V » • >.•.-« • —.-.».. ■jj '»■: •/i.i'i !'■• ' , . /,■ I '■.'■>i ■:.; ! :'■.•!' *. .1^0 - .,;'( .' .':i ■• ■ -' -i'v ■ ; ' •■■ - ■'.■,\ M,! If.'. ■ ■; ■? '-i. » «' r '' ' ' '' •• ''■"''• •'lUi-' I ;;?i"l '. 1 . 'OiC yl" >/^r;<'V"»M ■' 1 * 'It: :':■.')'• i'h.}: ■i'r. •>:Ci U)* ;'.: ' 'f;'V'>'' .'J /- ■M::TiI' ' \ ■ -.i ';l\;^. ii' JV.'^i ,'>'-.ffftD 'ilOD 5^ •' J-' A' i ; ; r-'tti 'M vv,.). :;<''■. !"^ S''' tj d:.i;'i,' :"{\ '.■•i:' ■',; ;!;"-i ^lO'Xl PREFACE lOME portions of the following pages have previously appeared in print, but the gi-eater part thereof is new. It was the author's intention to have re-printed most of the volume from which some of the following sketches ai-e taken, Lut the copy which he first sent to the printer, occupied more space than it was expected to do. On this account, sketches of such distinguished men as Elihu Burritt, James Teare, Robert Gray Mason, Jaines S. Backing- ham, Hon. Neal Dow, Father Matliew, Dr. F. Lees, Jalxiz Inwards, Thomas B. Thompson, &c., have been unavoidal)ly omitted. Some of the above were insei-ted in the author's former " Gallery," which has been long out of print. Should the present volume meet with a ready sale, the author may, if his life should be spared, issue another volume containing sketches of the before- mentioned worthies, in addi- tion to John Dunlop, Joseph Livesy, Archdeacon Sandford, E. C. Dele van, T. C. Cuyler, D. D., and others, of whom he has collected materials for that purpose. The author has long been identified with the Temperance cause, both in England and Canada. Wherever his lot has been cast during the years of his itinerancy, he has always con- nected himself with the organisation that may be in existanoe in that particular locality. He has often regretted that theT>e should be so many different Temperance organizations, as occa- sionally collision seems to be unavoidable. At present he is VIII. rilEPACE. conncc'tf^d Mith three of tho^o organiziitioiis, and it is his settled convictiou, that all of them \n\t together, arc not accoiiipliahing such aiiaiuoiint of good as they ought to do. •' •• i- At the «amo time, he is thankful that ho much is being accomplished in Canada. lie rejoices that while he wmites, news has reached him, that the " Dunkin A.ct " has received the sanction of the i^eople in several districts, where a few years ago some thought that the Temperance cause was dead, and plucked up by the roots. The triumphs achieved by the friends of Temperance in these ' ocalities, should mspire those iu other i)laces with gi'cater courage, so that with redoubled energy tlicy may give battle to the gieatest foe that exists in our laud. The author would be glad, if space would permit, to ^'ecord at greater length the admiration he feels for several distin- guished gentlemen with whom he has become acrpiainted since he was identified with "the Sons" and "Good Templars." Let those»G. W. Ps. and G. W. C. Ts., and all theii subovdinate officers still battle for the truth. A few strong-holds have been taken from the enemy. A goodly number of bloodless victories have been achieved. Hundreds, nay thousands, are now acting on the principle of Total Abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, who, but for one or other of the Temjjerance organiza- tions, would probably have been inebriates, or following in the path of those who have become such. ' ' :. ■ . It is a matter for thankfulness that the Church is at present taking a deeper interest in the Temperance Reformation than at any former period. But should not all demoninations do more than they have ever yet done 1 Has not the time come when there should be a pledge in every Sabbath School? Should not oui- Sabbath School libraries contain more Temper- ance literature 1 Can we not have more Temperance Societies in connection with our congi-egations ? Ought not the pulpit to speak out more definitely 1 There is danger lest the social fREFACE. IX. customs of the age should in aiiy way enoourage the habit of wine drinking. Many young i)orsona have learned first to drink at the social party. Sabbath School Conventions have lately been very nume- rous. Of this wo no not complain; but we beg respectfully to submit to the loading members of tliose conventions, v.-lietluT tliey might not i)rolitably spend more time in tryiiig io answer the 'question, what Ijccomea of our senior scholars? From facts that have couio to our kno\\'ledge, we can assure those gentlemen, that there are not a few at present in the rrovin- cial Penitentiary, who were once promising scholttrs in the Sabbath School. Some time ago a few ministers jiut tlicm- selves under the guidance of a police olHcer in one of our Canadian cities, and went from one den of infamy to another, until they had visited no less than sbc of these in various parts of the city, and they were homfied to find, that several of those wretched creatures, who were once lovely women, but whose stops now led dow i to hell — were once members of Christian families, and their names are to be found on the Sabbath School roll of days gone by. "What has led to this sad condition in their history 1 Simply following the bad customs of society. To his brethren in the ministry the author liuml)ly suggests, whether, as a class, we cannot even do more for Temperance than we have yet done. Tliis is a busy age, and probably no class of men are more busy than ministers. But could not more be done for Temperance in the pulpit 1 Should we not there sound a loud blast ? The following respecting a Method- ist Conference, in the United States, is deserving of attention, where strong resolutions were adopted on the Temperance question, and Dr. Marshall said : — " We ought to take high, very high, ground on this subject. The grave-yards are full of men who, but for their love of strong drink, might have carved their names upon the scroll of fame, and among them are hun- toda of ministers. Nine-tenths of the young men of the land 1 oa oil p,(\ .'■ ^REFACfi. :.* ^. ,. .-.^ , \<:i,i^ o.iT Albion, Ontario, Canada, March, 1870. ' ' ' ' ' ' '''*^ ^ '■■li'- .i;/-';«ij^j:r ^, i»( :>r'irtv>.' ).,<■: ' ,OT;II •/■;a • ,; J ^r,,; '■^> .iir.» :^'twf0J;:''; J . r ..; 'T'HJj 'tJ ,i.:,!;.'' ":: •'■' '.■. .*,(/■)?., ;; 1 ' . dc- '- !■. ^-:"-- •■■'..--"''■=''■ ^ i ■"'■"*■'■ ^'l;'-' '' ''''■"■ '■ '"■^'''*: ^^^5 ;:.!» /ii;jT-;i.j Di^i ::.'■•' fj i»r': rein;! fw ; .ii]'.';.Tj!i:iu!'. .■•ij :i;-'(fi •;/ .••'',!, iiaiir v«'^ filJi^fj ec^iroiflUri' vJ ;J M i-.-z'^m^^iid 'ioi:?. t.-iO;/ .>-:<>'ij 'li* L;>huri I !' h- '1 r.}l'\' ' >• ' ' '/■■■■' '■'■'. ■ ^" ■ ' - ■ . f .i!.rC(!.:* \ * REV. LYMAN BEECHER, D. D. " With ray sbaflf, I passed over tliia Jordan, nud now I am become two bands." •' The path of high honor lies not iu smooth ways." 'niS eminent man has been styled '* The Father of Temperance" in America. A distinguished author, however, says : " There were Temperance Societies in America before Dr. Beecher began his career; but prob- ably they did not long survive. In the year 1800 Micajah Pendleton, Nelson Co., Ya. , drew up a Pledge of Absti- nence for himself. As early as the year 1&05, the first Temperance Sermon was preached in America, in Wash* ington Co., by E, Porter." Dr. B. may, however, be called the " Father ot Temperance," as he resusciiated that which others began. His labors on behalf of Temperance are suiScicnt to hand Ills name down to posterity. But when wo further take into j*ccount the fact,that he was for many years an esteemed and useful Clergyman, and the father of a celebrated family, we can readily perceive, that he is entitled to a prominent phK'«, in the ranks of those who have labored incessantly tor their country's welfare. His family consists of seven sons, six ot^ whom, adopted the profersion of their father, Henry Ward, of Brooklyn, being the most celebrated, and i'Mward, late of Boston, coming next 1o him in point of fame. Of the two, the father is reported to have said : "Ed- ward fires fortj-pounders, and woe betide the man that he hits. Henry fires grape shot, and kills the most men." The family also consists of /o?/r daughters, of whom Mrs. ^towe is the most illustrious, known througl.out the ciTi- DISTINGUISHED MEN. li/ed world, as the Authoress of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," which created greater sensation than any b«ok of modern times, and contributed not a little towards the overthrow of *' the sum of all villanies " — Slayery in America. Catharine, has also produced some works of no mean character. So that, as a whole, it would be next to impossible to find » family equal to the Beecher family. As will be readily suy^posed, the descendents of Dr. B. were never backward in acknowledging their obliga- tions to their illustrious head. Henry, when speaking at the great Kossuth dinner, said : " Since I can remember anything, I remember my aged father let neither morning nor evening fail, that he did not supplicate God to send abroad the light of civil and religious liberty. And he be- lieved what he prayed ; and if I had not, I would not have been what I ana. now." This estimable man was born in New Haven, Ct., Oct. 12th, 1775, and lived until he was more than four score years of age. In a memoir of himself, he says : " In my domestic relations, my cup of mercy, though not unmingled with bitterness, in the death of two beloved wives, two in" fants, and an adult son in the ministry, has nevertheless been filled with pure, copious, and habitual enjoyment, espe- cially in the early conversion of my children, and their blessed affection for me and usefulness in the Church of God." It would seem that through life, Dr. B. "was characterized by a most benevolent spirit. Money did not long abide with biro, for if he met an object of pity he would be sure to forget bis own necessities and those of his family, as the fol- lowing incident will show: One day his wife gave him thirty dollars, with particular instructions t« buy himself a coat, of which he stood much in need. He wont down into the city to make the purchase ; but, stopping on the way at BR. BEECHER. »» a meeting on ')ehAlf of Foroign Missions, ihe^box wag haiiclod round, and in went the monoy which ho should liavo ex«- ponded on his new coat. Ife forgot all about himself, po much was ho absorbed on behalf of the Sandwich Islands. T>i'. B. belonged to the New School Presbyterians. lie was one of the founders of that denomination. The follow- ing description of him as a Preacher was originally pub- lished in Frascr's Magazine b}^ an ' ' Alabama man": " Pi-om early childhood, I had been taught to rererence the name of the great divine and orator, and I had long promi^icd myself the pleasure of listening to him. My first Sunday morning in Cincinnatti, found mo sitting with his congre- gation. The Pastor was not as ])unctual as his flock. Sev*' eral minutes had elapsed after the regular hour for begiao ning the service when one of the doors opened, and I saw a hale-looking old gentleman enter. The ceremonies pre*, liminary to the sermon were despatched in rather a summary manner. A petition in ' the long prayer ' was expressed so pithily, I have never forgotten it. I forget now what reprehensible intrigue our rulers were busy in at the time ; but the Doctor, after praj'ing for their adoption of vai*ious useful measures, alluded to their conduct in the following terms : ' And, Lord ! grant that we may not despise our rulers, and grant that they may not act so that ice can't help it' It may be doubted v.diether any English Bishop has ever uttered a similar prayer for King and Parliament. To deliver his sermon the Preacher stood bold upright, stiff as a musket. At first he twitched off repeatedly, and replaced his spectaclea. a dozen times in as many minutes, Avith a nervous movement, gest«ring meanwhile with frequent pump-handle strokes of his right arna ; but as he went on his_unaffected language began to glow with animation, His simple style became figurative and graphic, and flashes of irony lighted up the dark ground-work of his darkpuriv DISTlNGUlBnlTD MEN'. i i tanieal reasoning. Smiles and tears cha.icd each other over the faces of many of the audience. His poi-oration was one of great beauty and jDOwer. I have heard him many times since, and ho has never failed to justify hid cUvim to the title of the ' old man elo!j[uent/ " Tlie following incident, which occurred in tlie early pe- riod of his ministry, is worth being inserted in this place ; When Dr Eeuclior was living in Litchfield, Ct., he .spent a Sabbath in Ilartlbrd. He was accustomed to dress with great simplicity, and wa^ very difQdent in con^•ersation ^ .so tliat it was no easy matter to judge of his nihility. Tlic Ivev Dr. Strong was then settled over the Congregational Church in that city, and jirofcssional usage required that he should entertain tin young Clergyman at his house, and invite him into his pulpit. He looked distrustingly upon the plain country Pastor, and lamented the terrible necea*- .sity ; but there was no alternative but in tlie violation of courtesy. The morning and afternoon services passed with- out Mr Beecher taking any active part in them ; in the evening, Dr. Strong coolly intimated that if ho chose to do ^0, he might preach, and was shocked by his instant acquire escence. " A man who will accept an invitation tendered in such a way as this," thought the doctor, '' cannot preach a sermon fit for my congregation to hoar I" He was mis- taken. Mr. Eeecher had hardly loss pride than genius, and he keenly felt the coolness of the great man. The evening came on; the church wao brilliantly lighted, and thronged with the beauty, fashion and intelligence of that home of gentleness and learning, Dr. Stron^ Iiad oiiered the open- ing prayer, and was sitting in stern ill-humor, while the choir was singing the hymn to precede the sermon. Mr. Beecher became restless, and his face was flushed with a sud- den excitement. He turned to the doctor, and enquired in a low, hurried voice, if the sermon could be for a few miauteii DR. BEECHER. deferrcd-<-ho had loft his manuscript in liis chamber. "N"o," said the doctor, with sharpness — and grasped the Bible to select a text for himself, glad that an accident was to relieve nira and his congregation from th© mortifying infliction he had dreaded. He was too fast; his y<)ung brother had been stung to the heart by his r. nner, and recognizing the words of the last line of the hymn, sprang to the desk, and before Br. Strong had recovered from his astonishment, announced his text for an extemporaneous discourse. " It is tho will of God," thought the vexed and humbled Pastor, and prepared himself to listen with Chris- tian resignation. For a few minutes the young preacher r^pokc with a slight hcBitation, as if, while giving his intro- duction, he was revolving in his mind an extended argu-^ ment. Soon his voice rang clear and louO, his sentences came compact and earnest, and his manner caught the glow*- ii]g fervor of his thought. All was hushed but his inipas- sioHcd tones ; the great assembly was still as death ; and leaning forward with blended wonder and admiration, the pastor felt stealing over him from the hushed air the rebuke of Ids Master, for his harsh judgment and cold treatment of his young brother. In after life ho used to relate the story, and confess that he had never heard such eloquence as that of the homespun young Mr. Bcecher. Dr. B. was often involved in controversy. Certain Epis^ copalians questioned the validity of his ordination. One day his uncle said to him, " Halloo, youngster, they say you have no right to preach, as you have never been ordained." B. — "Got a good scythe there, Uncle Lot!" (His undo was mowing.) L.—" First-rate !" B.—" Who made it?" L. — *'Dun no, bought it over to the store." B; — " And if you had another that was made by a blacl^? DISTIRQUISHED MEN. ; I smith, who you suppose could trace his authority for making tfcylhoB all the way up to St. Peter, and yet the scythe would not cut any more than a sheet of lead ; which would you take to mow with ?" L. — "Go along; you rogue! ha! ha! ha!" Ho was remarkably fond of a joke, as the following inci- dent will show : In order to j^'omoto his health, he was accustomed while in Boston to saw wood for his family, and would even bog the privilege of sawing wood for a neighbor when his own pile was reduced. He was fastidious in the care of his wood-save, having it always on hand in his study, half concealed among minutes of councils, incomplete magazine articles, and sermons, and the setting of his saw was often accomplished, while he settled nice points of the- ology with his boys, or took counsel with brother ministers. Looking out of his study window one day, ho saw a large wood-pile of old ^Y. in the street. Forthwith he seized his saw, and soon the old sawyer of the street beheld a. man, without cravat and in shirt-sleeves, issuing from Br. B.'s house, who came briskly up and asked if he wanted a hand at his J")!!©, and immediately fell to work with a right good will, and soon proved to his brother sawyer, that he was no mean hand at the craft. It must be premised, that W. was a rough, shrewd, strong man, who belonged to a rival sect, and was violently preju"* diced against Dr. B. on account of Total Abstinence. Nodding his head significantly at the opposite ho use, W said, " You live there." B.-"Yes." "\Y._ Travelling by stage one dark night in Kentucky, the coach upset and all were thrown into the mud. With his usual zeal, the Doctor was gathering up the scattered lug- gage, when Dr. Brainard, having the advantage of a stout 8 DIBTINOCISIIED MSN. I '111 ' I pair of boots, said : ** Doctor, let me do that ; you're got shoes on." " No I hain't," was the quick reply, •' lost 'om off long ago." Another dark night, near Cincinnatti, he was thrown down a procipico of nearly forty feet, with his wife and daughter, horse and chaise, without serious injury. Ilear- ing some teamsters passing on the road above, he called to them for help. They, peering over into the darkness, in- quired : " How shall we get down there ?" " Easy enough; come as I did." Dr. B. is known t« be an author of no mean celebrity. When engaged in composition, his manner was peculiar. His social nature was so active that os soon as he had writ- ten a sentence which pleased him, he had an irrepressible desire to read it to somebody. Many a time has he rushed into the dining-room where Aunt Esther — his wife — was washing dishes — "Here Esther, hear this." Aunt Esther, with martyr like patience, would stand with a tovrel in one hand and an unwipod ])late in the other, (for he must have her undivided attention), till he had read his para^ graph and trotted back to his study again. It soraetimea seemed as though he wonld never get a sentence done. He would write, re-write, erase and interline, tear up and b«- gin anew, scratch out and scribble in, almost endlessly. In the latter part of his life this habit became morbid, and ac- tuallj^ shut him out from the possibility of publishing his own writings. He was the torment of printers, both by the delay of his manuscript and by the condition in which they found it when they got it. One of his daughters said there were three negative I'ulos by which she could always read her father's writings, to wit, 1st. If there is a letter crossed it is not a t. 2nd. If there Is a letter^dottod, it is not an i. 3rd- It there be a capital letter, it is not at the begin- ning of a word. DR. BEECHEil. Onco wlicii he lived two miles from iho city, aft or the printers had heen on the tenter hook.s forty neii^^ht hours for their copy, ho huHtily finisliod hi.s MS. in his study, crush- ed it into the crown of the hat that lay Jiearest to liim, clapped unolhor hat on his lu^ad, drove to the city, rushed up to the printing oi^ice and snatched olf his hat, " Hero's your copy, — h'm, — h'ln, — h'm, well, if it isn't liero, it is somewhere else." The copy was still in the hut which had heen left at home. ^ In 1S22, the works of Dr. Boechcr, were published in a series of 12 mo. "\'^ors. Vol. 2 is now before us. It consists of L'iijhf Sermons, delivered on special occasions. The first on the ' Ciovernnient of God,' abounds with many striking passages. The following may bo taken as a specimen : — ** If God governs according to his pleasure, he will do no injustice to his impoTiitent enemies. He will send to misery no liarmless animals without souls — no mere machines — none who have done, or even attempted to do as well as they could, lie will leave to walk in their own way, none who do not deserve to bo left, and punish none for walking in it who do not walk therein knowingly, deliberately and with wilful obstinacy. He will give up to death none who did not choose death, and choose it with as entire froe- dorr as he himself ci. osea entire holiness; and who did not deserve eternal punishment as truly as himself deserves eternal praise. He will send to hell none who are not op- posed to him, and to holiness, and to heaven ; none who are not by voluntary sin and rebellion, unfitted for heaven, and fitted for destruction, as eminently as saints are prepared for glory. He will consign tt) perdition no poor, feeble, in- offensive beings, sacrificing one innocent creature to ifi- ci-ease the happiness of another. He will cause the punish- ment of the wicked to illustrate his glory, and thus indi.- rectly to promote the lappiness of heaven. But God will not 10 DXSTlNOnsnED MElf. illinninc lio»T,vcn with his ^;loiy, and fill it, with his praise, by naorifi(.'ing holplos.s, unolUindirt.'ij creatures to eternal tor^ tnont; nor 'will Tfo d(>om to ]\oll one whom IJH will not conviiK'o. also, that ho desorvoy to go thithor. The jiistico of Cod in tho condomnntion c)(' tho impenitent, will bo as unfjuestionublo, as liin inllnito mercy will bo in tho salva* tion of the rodoomod." About tho beginning of tho present century, tho crime of Duelling had become fearfully prevalent, both in Eng- land and America. Men of honor, as thoy were termed, received insults, and for.sooth, they must immediately issue a challcn/jje, which, if refused by tho offending party, he was henceforth stigmatized as a coward, and this, of all other opithetH, was considered the mo^^t foul that could bo applied to any man who was called a ' gentleman,' Dr. B. eaw the fearful consequences that were likoh' to arise from such a state of , feeling in society. He therefore, delivered a most eloquent sermon on the subject, in which he entreat- ed the people not to countenance the man who practised or defended 'duelling,' boldly assorting, that "the man who was a ditollist was nothing better than a murderer, and the appointment of such a man to office, would bring down tho judgment of God upon tho nation." The sermon in question, which is inserted in the volurao before us, excited great interest, as the following account thereof, taken from the Author's Autobiography, will show : "There never was such a sensation produced in the whole country, as when Aaron Burr fought a duel with Alexander H.amilton, and killed him. When I read about it in the paper, a feeling of indignation was roused within me. I kept thinking and thinking, and my indignation did not go to sleep. It kept working and working, and finally T began to write. No human being knew what I was thinking and feeling, nor had any agency in setting me at work. It was DR. nEECHER. 11 the duel, an'l inyself, and God thnt produced that permon. I \vorkod at it, olF and on for six months, and wlien it was done, without conHuUation or advice, I preached it to my own ))ooplo, and in obscure villages on the north »i(leol the island, to boo how it would Bound. Finally, I preached it before the Presbytery at Aqueboguo, April IGth, 1800. The brctlircn all stared, tliat I Hhould venluro on Buch ft subject in such a place, but they eulogized the discussion, and thought it should bo printed. So I fell to work fitting it for the press. But, after all, it came nigh not being printed, for, wanting some one to criticise it, and having no literary man in my congregation but John Lyon (rardineri I sent it over to Gardiner's Island for him to read and crit« icis^.. A fortnight after I went over. When I went into the house and came up to the fire I mot Mrs. Gardiner. Her husband was away " Have you found your sermon ?" said she. " Found it ?" said 1, thunderstruck at the question ; " I did not know it had been lost." " No ?" said she ; " but it is though." And then she told me that her brother John had been over about a week ago, and they sent it by him ; but ho gave it to a neighbor to take over, who put it in his pea-jacket pocket. In the mid- dle of the bay, being warm with rowing, he threw off his coat, and the sermon fell into the water. He heard some- thing splash, as he ..xter wards recollected, but did not no- tice it at the time. " So there I w.?.s, I supposed all was gone. I had all my rough sheets, and should have tried to regain it; but it was a doleful prospect, after working over it so long, and read«« ing all the finishing off to Eoxasa, and Esther, and Mary Hubbard. So I went to Gardiner's Lauds — ho had some five hundred acres, of the island farm, and some thirty or forty men — and engaged them to watch the beach, and see 12 DISTINaUlbHIi) ME!f. I *H it if anything came ashore, offering five dollars to the one that found it. " One day,a month after,! was at home cutting wood, when I spied a fellow running toward me, swinging something in the air and grinning so that I could see his teeth fifty rod* off. There was my sermon, like Moses from the bulrushcB. They had wi'apped it in paper, and wound it round with yarn so closely that it was dry inside. As Providenc had ordered it, a heavy storm and high tide had set in the same night when it was lost, and lodged it high and dry, about a hundred rods from our landing place, above high-wat«r mark. So I had it printed." The following thrilling sentences are taken from a §er«i mon addressed to those who "haste to be rich " : "Let me entreat those unhappy men who baste to be rich b}'- unlawful means, "svhc thrive hy the vices and ruin of their fellow men, to consider theii* end. How dreadful to you will be the day of death! How in- tolerable the day of judgment ! How many broken heart- ed widoY.e, and fatherless children, will then lift up their voices, to testify against you ! How many of the lost spir- its will ascend from the world of woe, to cry out against you, as the wretches who ministered to their lu.sts, and fit> t<3d them for destruction ! In vain will you plead that, if you hod not done ^the murderous deed, other men would have done it, or, that if you had not destroyed them, they still had destroyed themselves. If other mon had done the deed, the^'-, and not you, would answer for it ; if th^y had destro^'cd themselves without }'0ur agency, their blood would be upon their own heads. But, as you contrib- uted voluntarily to their destruction, you will bo hohlen aa partakers in their sin, and their blood will be required at your hands. Why then, will you traffic in the bodies and fiouls of men, and barter away your souls for the gains of ^R. "BEECHER. 13 he one that wood, when unetliingin ti fifty rod* J bulruBhes. •ound with •videnc had in the same ivy, about a high- water Tom a ier* baste to be vices and end. How How in- ken heart- l up their |e lost spir- t against t«, and fit^ ad that, if en would ed them, men had for it ; if icy, their 1 contrib- holden as uired at dies and gains of a momentary life ?" AV'hen preaching at the installation of a Minister, in 1816, Dr. Beocher, made Bome remarks on the poor support, which is often rendered to the Clergy, which will apply to many congregaions at the present day. The paragraph is rather lengthy, but its excellence 'iduces us to give it entire; " The common policy has been, to settle a Minister upon an incompetent salarj^ with the expectation that he will support himself, in part, by his own exertions; ; and the con- sequence, which might have been anticipated, has usually been, that the habit of vvorldlv care, which necessity boLran, becomesahabit of worldliness, which, in some cases, renders the Ministry a secondary consideration. Gain is substituted for godliness, and preaching the gospel becomes, a conven- ient auxiliary in the system of accumulating money. The man has become a thriving farmer, an able school master, a sagacious speculator, but has long since ceased to be a faithful minister of Jesus "Christ. His thoughts, his he )i% his time, are devoted to secular pursuits, whilo. with his lips only, he deals out one day in seven, cold emendations of that religion whose interests he betrays. But the more common elfect is, that his ministry embarrasses his Tiorldly enterprize, and his worldly enterprizo his Ministry, so much 80, that both become comparatively unfruitful. He cannot pursue his woaldly business to the best advantage, because he is a farmer. The combined result is, a bare supf.ort, with a double tax of care, few books, and no leisure to read them, little time for study, and that of little value, from the im- possibility of putting in requisition, at a moment's warning, the resources of a mind vexed with ceaseless ,perplexitio^, and long since a stranger to the habits of study. He laments his situation, longs to devote himself to his work, hopes for better days, while every year brings new conviction, that they will never come. In this unequal struggle his days 14 DISTINGUISHED MEJf. of improveraont pass away, his mind is undisciplined, his heart cold and formal, his sermons unpopular abroad, and irksome at homo. lie neglects to visit his people, for ho has no time; he neglects meetings for prayer, and the main* y])ring being removed, all the movements which are the lif* of religion, stop. In proportion also, as he does less for his people, he loves them less, and their affection for him declines ill the same degree; and now, sectarians, with flaming zeal Iu-cmIv ir. upon his chiirgo, and preach, and pray, and visit, and do just those things to alienate his people which ought to have been done to attach them to himself, and to one another. Alarmed at this furious onset, he hurls from the pulpit unavailing invectives against the foe, and makes some feebio exertions to prevent a defection, which hard names will only extend. But, it is all too late ; the kind attention, by *"hich he might once have bound his people to himself for ever, has been exhibited by a stranger, who has stolen away their heatts by an irretrievable delusion. And, now, his little salaiy presses hard upon the diminished number of his people, is poorly paid, and operates as a constant temptation to increased defection. Alarmed at thoir danger, his people complain that he does not visit them, and take pains to hold the congregation together, and he, in return, complains that they have not enabled him to do it, by pro- viding for him a competent support, or even by the punctual payment of the pittance stipulated. Complaint begets complaint, and crimination begets crimination, until, at length, the crisis arrives ; his people, weakened by defeciions, can no longer raise his little salary ; and he, by the most strenuous exertions, cannot do without it. Of course, a council is called, and the pastoral relation is dissolved. The pastor, in the decline of life, with a large family, goes an exile to the wilderness, or settles in some other declining church, to repeat the same experiment, and unless death BR. BEECHER. 15 >d, his d, and for he B main* the lif« for his eclinos ig zeal d vinit, i ought to one om the Od some names tention, himself ■i stolen d, now, umber lonstant danger, [id take return, •y pro- inctual begets til, at ciions, ,e most iurse, a id. The oes an |ciining death prevents, to witness the same result. The society which, by a trifling additional effort, mi^cht have commanded the whole time of their pastor, and become yoarlj'' stronger, have, by their injudicious parsimon}-, frittered away tlioir strength, and brought themselves to desolation; have dug their own grave, and lie down in it to awake no more. One half the time of a minister, who devotes his whole time to his aj)propriato work, would be more efficacious, to build up A declining society, than all the scraps of time which any man, compelled to support himself in part, can p'issil)ly rescue from the toils and cares of worldly avocations. The success of a Minister depends much, under God, upon the state of his mind and his heart, a mind disciplined by study, and a heart warmed by action in his blessed work; a state of mind and heart which cannot bo preserved amid the dis- tractions of care, and the din of business, and which cannot be commanded for immediate use, the moment he sits ilown in his study, or steps from the world into the pulj)it." During the time that Dr. Beechor held the pastoral rela- tion, he was frequently favoured with gracious visitations of the Holy Spirit, and witnessed several blessed Revivals. "The one idea of his life was the promotion of revivals of religion." When on his dying bed, a ministerial brother suid to him: •• Doctor, you know a great deal ; tell us v/hat is the greatest of all things?" lie replied: "It i.s not theology ; it is not controversy; it is to save souls." The following are some of his matured thoughts on revivals: — " They are indispensable to guard the churches against that voluptuousness which is the consequence of national pros- perity; and to prevent the idolatry of talent, and the fascin- ations of science ; to maintain that sound doctrine which the unholy will not hear; to maintain the power of godli- ness, where the standards of doctrine are correct; to main- tain an officient discipline ; to give efficacy to the system of. X6 DrsTtNaursHfit) metst. religious education; to provide pious and able ..pastors and missionaries; to augment the number of believers in tho churches; to give to religior its proper influence iipon human society ; and to constitute one vigorous heart and soul, by which the life blood shall be propelled to the extre. mitics of the earth. They are also indispensable to meet the reaction of that instinctive alliance of worldly policy and h'-ityed of truth, whieh increasing discrimination in^ doctrine, and strictness of practice, and ardour of christian enterprize, will not fail to array against the cause of Christ, There is a point of success, in progress of the church to inherit the earth, a/t which a conflict must be sustained to determine whether she shall advance in firm phalanx around the banner of her Captain, or turn her back in a shameful discomfiture, which centuries wonld not be aide to retrieve.'' The last extract which we shall make from the interest- Itv^ volume before us, commends itself especially to those- parents,, who are not sufficiently careful, as to the institu- tions to which they send their children : " It is ludicrous to pretend, that " no doctrines in particular are taught," in- such institutions, and that no influence is exerted to bias the minds of young men against the evangelical system. We might as well speak of a sword with no edge in particular. Besides, what shall we tbittk af ciiurches, associated #n pur. pose to train up youth in the doctrines of Christianity, send'- kig them where no doctrines in particular ai'e taught?" — And is it true ? Can it be true, without a miracle, that no iiifluencK> is exerted, in suc^i institutions, to pervert the minds of young men ? Will the faculty, whose opinions are known and revered, as they are wont to be, by their pupils, and who hold in their hands the distribution of literary honors, have no influence in forming a popular sentiment hostile to the doctrines of the reformation? Will this at" mosphere of opposition and ridicule, in which a youth, DR. BEECHER. n whose previous education has been evangelical, is sent to live, and move, and have his being, exert no influence in unsettling his opinions ? Possibly, he may not make ship- Avreck of the faith ; but, is this a justification for exposing him to temptations, which to nineteen in twenty will prove /atal ? IIovv many pious parents already weep over blasted hopes ! How many children of the church, have, through the perversion of their talents and acquirements, become her most powerful adversaries? Were the evils confined to the unhappy victim, it would be deplorable : for what ehall it profit a man, if his son gain the highest point of literary attainment, and renown, and lose his soul ? But many parents of evangelical opinions, influenced by the example of christians, may send their children, who are oot^thcmselves beyond the reach of perversion, And all may have brothers, and sisters, and companions, and rela- tions, on whom they may exert a fatal influence, and thus become the instruments of an extended diversion of the public opinion," All through life. Dr. E, was a bold advocate of those prij;' iCiples which he conceived to bo calculated to advance the welfare of the people. All benevolent societies were sure to find in him, a willing labourer. His connection with the Temperance movement is best stated in a speeeh, which ho delivered at the " World's Temperance Convention." in 1848. He says: "In 1810, in the State of Connecticut, the prevalence of intemperance was such as has been described by a previous speaker. The last effort we made, was to brave the law, to regulate the licensed sale, "according to law." In this attempt wo got thrown over. Wo were helpless, and the stream of fire rolled on. In the year 1811, the General /Association of Connecticut, descendants of the old Puritan stock, held their Annual Convention, and after learning from various represoi;it9,tives, that iBteraperancc ill ' I : ill 18 c,V' DLSTINQUISnED MEN» wag increasing, thoy appointed a ' ommittee, to enquire as to what could bo done, and to report next year. Next year, that coniraittee reported, that they had taken the subject into consideration ; that they liad ascertained that the evil was tremendous, and was steadily increasing, but they eould not see that anything could be done." " ' '"'■ ' ; ''-'^ This committee was discharged, and another appointed, of Avhiol) Dr. Beecher was the chairman, and they reported, " that entire abstinence, from all distilled liquor, be recom- mondod to all individuals, all families, all members of churches, and at all clerical meetings ;" and this was adopted after a free discussion. It went ?iko an electric shock through the State: Judges adopted it, Ministers yielded to it, the most iniluontial lawyers and gentlemen of talontand standing took up the subject. It began in high places. — There was no resisting it, and no such thing as laughing at it. " That movement produced the American Temperance Society of Massachusetts." Of course, the movement thus described, was, what is now termed, " The Moderation Society," which only reqnired its adhereiits to abandon the use of bnindy, gin, rum, and Avhiskey, whilst they might drink ale, porter, cider, and wine. Some have censured the good men of that day, for not taking higher ground, but, as the Doctor says, "we acted according to all the light we had. We took the only ground we could at that time, without having all our efforts covering us with ehamo. "Wo attacked first, what met us first, and that was the van of the enemy's power. It came on under the van of the ardent spirit, and we drove it bac c at the point of the bayonet. But, no sooner had we put the enemy to flight, than wo found, that he had a great many auxiliaries, whose power we never were aware of, till the main body was gone. Then, they became the main body? and we found that the main body itself, that we had feUp[>osdtl D^t B£ECHER. 19 had boon driven from the field, had only gone round the hill and exchanged their jackets, and now come up again, under the banner of wine, beer and cider, so we had to fight the battle over again with the same soldiers. We have now got light upon two points. We find that we have not beaten those that we thouc-ht we had : so that now we must fight a second battle, with the very troops we conquered. — Wo have now come to the point. We have cowered under the danger of charginir the whole enemy in front, but wo never can triumph, unless we sot ourselves against every name of everything, which the devil employs to make drunkards everywhere. Reformers must have clean hands, and unless we begin, by reforming ourselves, all the power of our aggressive movement upon the enemy will be taken away." -- ■ ■ ' '' ' ' ' ' ''" ' -"' '"*■''' Happily, Dr. B. and others associated with him, wore led to organize another movement, that of " Abstinence from all that can intoxicate," They were led to do so in a some*, what remarkable manner. A convention was held at kSara- toga, i^. Y., wliich resolved that henceforth, teetotalisra instead of temperance, should be the war cry. On they wont, and in a few more j'oars, the famous Washingtonian movement was started by six' men, who had formed them- selves into an association for drinking, but, at length, seeing the evils they were bringing upon themselves and families, they all signed the Total Abstinence pledge, and commenced holding meetings, at first in a secret manner; but, the movement went on, and spread like fire from city to city, until every part of the Union seemed to have caught the flame. In a few years, there were no less than 150,000 re- claimed drunkards, and four millions of children, under the care of this society. Public opinion became infiuenced to such an extent, that " J^o License," was voted in the nia^ jority of cities and towns in the vState of N. Y. Two miU •■^r III II >i' 20 DISTINGUISHED MEN. I I i |i • 1 , i i 1 III lions of people rose in all their majesty, and said, "the hor- rible traffic shall be put down." Probably, a greater moral triumph was never before achieved. Dr. B. is known as the author of " Six Sermons on In- temperance," which have been circulated, not only in Eng- land and America, but, also, in every part of the civilized world, so that; we may truly say they have been sold by tens of thousands. The author at a public meeting in Lon- don, said, '* when he wrote these Sermons, he had no idea that they would be read in every part of the world. He wrote them, in the hope of saving two dear friends from an early grave, in consequence of intemperance. It had pleas- ed God, to throw them on the wings of the wind, and now, he could scarcely go anywhere, but persons were shaking- hands with him, and thanking him for their publication." Eev. W. Eced, Author of '* Temperance Cyclopedia," to whom, we confess ourselves indebted, was the Editor of the English edition of those fairous sermons. Want of space forbids us giving more than one or two extracts, which we hope maj'' inducx) ourr^eaders to adopt the venerable author^s recommendation, " that they be read aloud in every family, at least once a year." " Of all the wavs to hell which the foot of deluded mortals tread, that of the intemperate is the most dreary and terrific. The demand for artificial stimulus to supply the deficiencies of healthful aliment, is like the rage of thirst, and the ravenous dem«,nd of famine. It is famine, for the artificial excitement has become as essen- tial now to strength and cheerfulness as simple nutrition once was. But nature, taught by habit to require what once she did not need, demands gratification now, with a decision inexorable as death, and to most men as irresistM able. The denial is a living death. The stomach, the head, the heart, and arteries, and veins, ^nd every mus«, and pierce thy liead witli miiny sorrows? Wouldst thou let the wolf into thy sheepibld, amoni^ the tender himbs? w(nddst thou send thy flock to graze about a den oi' lions? Close then, thy doors against a more ferocious destroyer, and withhold the footstejis of thy immortal progeny, from [)ia- ces more dangerous than the lion's den ? Should a serpent of vast dimensions, surprise in the field one of your little group, and wreath round his body, his cold elastic folds, tightening witli every yielding breath his deadly grip, how would his cries ])ierco your soul, and his strained eyeballs, and convulsive agonies, and imploring hands, add wings to your feet, and supcrjiatural strength to your arms ? But in this case, 3'ou coukl approach with ho])e to his rescue. The keen edge of steel might sunder the elastic fold, and rescue the victim, who, the moment ho is released, breathes freely and is well again. But the serpent intemjierance, twines about tiie bod}- of your child, a deadlier gripe, and extorts a keener ciy of distress, and mocks your etibrts to relieve him by a fibre, which no steel can sunder. Like fiUocoon, you can only look on, while bone after bono of your child is crushed, till his agonies are over, and his cries are hush- ed in death." Sermons containing such thrilling senti- ments, are calculated to do much good, and are therefore deserving a world-wide circulation. They were first pub- lished in 1826, and from that timo until the death of the author in 18G4, he was the same earnest advocate of Tciun perance. He was always ready to defend the principles which he had thus espoused, both in the pulpit, on the plat- form, and through the press. Like man}' other good men, he believed that * the traffic,' should be denounced, and in a sermon which he preached in 1837, he called all places where liquor is sold, " the breathing holes of hell." •' The scene presented before the mind, is the bottomless pit, as 7'i. BE£CEI£R. 23 [a liojitod fnrnaco, Imving its air holes, from whonco its blaHj)lion\ies iasuc, and around which tlio congonial and pro- parini;- hcai tw of oarth delight to hover. Tlieneo, poculiar- lly, tlie nunistorH of evil eomo forth to ply the work of Itemptation, and hind the victims for their doom. This ti- tle, to the spiritually minded, appears approi)riatelyand in- delibly in.scribed over the drinking, gambling, and degrad- ing CHtablishments, which are bo numerous among us. Those who frequent the theatre and its kindred haunts, are in more intimate companionship with the fearfully lost than they are apt to im.agino. Let the blinding veil of mor tality be drawn aside, and a spiritual scenery of the most appalling nature would be revealed around the stage, the bar-room, and the billiard table. 'O my soul, come not thou into their secret ; unto their assembly, mine honor, be thou not united." During the period of Dr. Beecher's visit to England in 1848, at one of the Public Meetings, which he attended, ho gave utterance to the following setiments, which are de- serving of constant remembrance, and are especially ap^ posite at the prosenttime : — ''Though he had English blood in his veins, he never expected to see England. lie re- joiced greatly in what lie had seen, and could not help ex- claiming, 'Lo, this hath God wrought.' For after all that human wisdom and power could do, it was moral and di- vine influence alone which could reform the aberrations of the human heart. That had been borne in mind in the Temperance movement in America, and to that, they at- tributed their present greatness. In Great Britain, they had a stable government, which they should be careful to . urge forward in a right direction. They had greatly suc- ceeded in that respect, so that the efforts of Willberforce, Glarkston, and other philanthropists, had been brought to boar with effect. If ever such a government went wrong, Ill Hi 1 it;i |i ,"^ 24 DISTINGUISHED M£N, \l\ u- public opinion could oporato to sot it right. Lot thorn go on then ; tho way to victory was before them. Lot them only porsovoro. Let tho present fraternal visit bo recipro- cated, and ho would say, ''AiLerica and England, under God, against tho world." America may justly bo proud of her Washington, hor Everett, her Webster, her Longfellow, her Bryant, hor Preseott, and hor clergymen without number, as well as her martyiL'd Lincoln ; b it we think that she has no cause to be ashamed of her Boechers, particularly the honored man who has been styled the '* Father of Temperance." His name will long be revered. He lived to the ago of eighty- seven. The N. Y. Advocate, in noticing Dr. Beecher's death, said : " Although retaining considerable bodily vigor, his strong mental powers had for some months past been almost totally extinguished, so that he was often unable to recognize even his own children. He passed oif in a peaceful slumber, gliding so gently out of life thatMiis attendants could not determine the precise moment of his death." '^The righteous are had in everlasting remembrance," ,1 • \.-, « ,1 ' Ml '». ' J.y ;■. !;t')l''. ^*' 1 J ,»(!'. \.']<-rU-y} ',»' ' ; ; -: h(-,-ji'!nciit higher far my j)rou(l |)rotoii8ions ris(>, The sou of paroiita paaaed into tho skies." " 1 dwell among miuo own people." \ moHt extraordinary man is this Benjamin Tarsons, y^ or rather was, for he no longer lingers on the shores ^of time, lie laid down his armour early m 1855, after having struggled tyith life oiuy about 58 years. But, it is of more importance to live well than co live long, and that Benjamin Parsons, 'Ulie Oherlin of Crlocestersliiro," lived well, we believe none v/ill deny. Tho record of his life is full of earnest acts, lie knew nothing of ease or in- dulgence ; work, work, was the order of the dny with him, frequently toiling at one thing or another for sixteen hours o it of the twenty-four. Our readers may be sure that he did not eat the bread of idleness. His life was one of anxious toil, and patient industry. He was always biisy, and the amount of labor which ho performed see ns almost incredis ble. How the blush of shame must cover the cheeks of those who spend their days in busy idleness, as they read tho marvellous story of his active life. Contemplate Mr. Parsons as a Minister, a Pastor, a PhiU anthropist, an Author, a Temperance Advocate, an Educa- tiondist, or in any way you like, and we feel assured that you will pronounce him an extraordinary man, one of God's nobility. The subject of our present sketch was born in a count}^ of England, which, at different periods, has produced illustrious ;!l I li ii i II M 26 DISTINQUISIIED MEiV. mon. Who haft not ho.ird of William Tiiulal, Sir Matthew Halo, Eobcrt Raikes, and George Whitfield ? They were a'i. !.)orn in the county of Gloucester. Benjamin Parsons was another of the lioblo galaxy, and, liico those, his name \rill never die. lie did not belong to the aristocracy so called, but was of plebian origir. . His parents were poor, but both wore pious. It is said that, when the news of his birth was conve^'ed to his father, the good man was reading Mr] Whitfield's sermon, on the text: " And of Benjamin ho said. The lH>loved of tlie Lord shall dwell in safety by him ; and tlie Lord shall cover him all day long, and ho shall dwell }>etwecn his shoulders. " Deut. xxxiii, 12. The poor father was in groat trouble at the time; the pinching hand Ol poverty pressed hard upon liim, and debt, like a hideous liiglitmure, seemed to be over before him, scai-ing and terri- fying him. lie received so much consolation by the said sermon, that he resolved to c.^ll his new born child by the name, Benjamin. Tlie excellent father of Benjamin Parsons only lived six years after the birth of his son. The mother also died, wheu he had attained the age of fifteen. Tlappilj^, he was taught to read the Bible, and so much did he love this " book of l.tooks," that he road it through /I'ye times in succession. In after life, when speaking on this point, he says, " Eternity will be too short to express the benefits I derived from this oinploym^ent. I always carried the Bible in my pocket ; and some may think it superstitious, but I always slept with it under my pillow. I read it through and through, and socon- vinced^mysclf that it was the word of God, and my duty to receive its instructions. And let me tell you, that whatever sentiments I have advocated, I have never borrowed those sentiments from individuals, but have always first looked at them through the light of the Bible, If they agreed with that book, I felt I must advocate them ; if I believed they i ■% BEV. B. PARSONS. 27 Jir Matthew They were II in Parsons *o, his name istocracy so « were poor, news of his was reading icnjamin ho 3ty by him ; 11(1 ho shall The poor ching hand c a hideous g and terri- >y tho said liild by tho did not, no man over saw mo on a platform saying a woid on their behalf." Noble Kontinicnt! If every young man would get them indelibly im]>re!?t;ed u|X)n his mind ; if henceforth, all young men. ])articularly .such a.-^ arc away from home, or who may have been deprived of one, or both of their parents, would act like Benjamin Parsons, when he was left an orphan, while he was yot in his teens, what an illustrious class of young men we should have growing np around us ! Itow soon fast young men would disappear, and what a career of lienor and usefulness would the}' pursue 1 • But all young men have not such parents as Benjamin Parsons had. lie did not belong to a family that did not -" call upon the name of tho Lord." lie was early taught to fear God. His father died just after he had led tho do- votions of the faniil}^, and had particularly pi-aycd for all his children. Jlis mother was so familiar with scripture, that she had a passage !br everything. Here, we believe, lay the secret of B^uijamin Parsons' virtue. His noble mo- ther imbued his mind with those principles which she knew would make him a christian ; and the sequel proved that she w^s right ; for though taken away at a most critical period of 'her boy's life, she had laid the foundation of his carcei-, so 'deep and so broad, that the superstructure was only a matter of time; hence, though Mr Parsons was to a cert tin extent " the architect of his own fortune," we hold that the foundation of that fortune was laid by his mother. What would we give to have such mothers as Mrs Parsons was scattered hroad cast ? The groat Napoleon onco said, " Prance wants mothers ;" and are not mothers the great want of our times ? You seldom find a man great wlio has not had a.mother of more than ordinary "alue. The mothers of the " wise and good" have laid the world under lasting Obligations, and not tho least of those was the mother of 28 DISTINGUISHED MEN. I I j ;!iii Benjamin Parsons. She was the noble mother of an illus- trious son. I>y and b^-e, we find the future " Earnest Minister " la-* boring in a Sabbath Scdiool ; and from his small earnings as an apprenticed Tailor, he gave money to the support of Christian Missions, In due time he joined a church, and, having g\YQu evidence of his wish to become a minister, he was sent to Cheshunt College, and underwent a course of study, preparatory to entering the sacred office, where he iras soon to act a conspicuous part. Providence smiled upon him ; his path of duty became clear; and we soon * find him settled as a minister in the viHage,pf Ebley, in his beloved native county: We agree with his biographer. Rev. E. P. Hood, of whom we have s])oken in another part of this volume, that the state of things at that time in Ebley was enough to discour- age the heart of any other man than one like minded to him of whom we write. The place of worship was in a state of complete desolation ; the people were few and poor, and did not seem to posses any energy. When he began his hibors in tiif.s moral wilderness, he had not more than tioenty hearers, and lie lived to gather a congregation of seldom less than one thonmnd ; a beautiful church was erected,[a Sabbath School of four hundred children was gathered, a British ►School, valued at £1,400, was built, a new parsonage took the place of the old one, societies of all descriptions, literary and otherwise, were formed, all of which owed their origin to the indefatigable man who had come to labor amongst them, and ^vas one of themselves, for he gave proof that ho had nothing before him but their welfare ; for this he labor- ed incessantly, preaching and lecturing, and teaching in the day school, and all the while ho received a mere pitt- ance as a salary. His people were laboring men. They contributed as far KBV. B. PARSONS. «i I' of an illus- [inister " la^* I earnings as e siij)port of o'hurch, and, minister, he a course of e, where he ence smiled nd we soon % Sbley, in his od, of whom no, that the 1 to discour- ' minded to IS in a state I poor, and > began his lian tiventj/ seldom less a Sabbath a British nage took s, literary eir origin amongst >f that ho he labor- iching in ere pitt- -ed as far as their means would allow ; but when they had done all, their minister received but little for the maintenance of a ftxraily, which was now growing up around him. How he went through the labor, which he assigned to himself, has often astonished us; but we have been still more surprised, how he managed to endure those acts of self-denial, to which he must have been subject, almost constantly. And yet, no inducement would draw him to a more lucra- tive field of labor. lie might have gone to what some would call ^* more inviting i^laces ;" for surel}'-, the man who could draw three thousand citizens of London to hear him, whenever he went to the Metropolis, need not have remained in little obscure Ebley, unless it had been his wish to do so. We believe more than this. AVe think, that he was convinced, that he was where God would have him to be. He was em- phatically, " the right man in the right place." As a man of the people, Mr. Parsons took part in every movement that he believed to be designed to aid their ele^ vation. He spoke on the platform and in the pjlpit, and wrote booke of all sizes with this end in viow. He even meddled iji politics^ which some people think is decidedly wrong in Ministers, H« did not think so, for he even talked politics in the pulpit, when he deemed it right to do so. Ho threw himself earnestly into the Corn Law agitation, and was one of those who attended the Ministers' Conference on that subject. He did more than even this, for he dared to debate the question, with the most eloquent advocate which the defendants of the Corn Laws could produce. Peter Ik)rthwick never forgot the scathing which lie received at the hands of the villa^-e Pastor. Benjamin Parsons was always conspicuous in every mo" vement, designed to better the condition ol lii.s race. The Anti-Slavery Society found in liim a warm friend ; wlul< i lack of ) wix)te . This ;raight- ";■ that he a prize [•. Mr. assured :s. He )mplcte >ffticta and the whole subject is treated in an able manner. At the time of its issue, it was the text book for Temperance advo*" cates, It sold well, ard we have always regarded it as one of the best books that the temperance movement has pro- duced, The concluding chapter is especially impressive. We make one selection from " Anti-Bacchus " : Speaking of passages of Scripture, which are produced to condemn the Temperance movement, our Author refers to Matthew XI : 10, as occasionally quoted for that purpose : "Behold a man gluttonous and a winebibber." *' Was the charge of gluttony true ? Who will dare assert that it was? Yet Christ did not deny it ; and why? His enemies, and every one else, knew that it was false ; why not the wine bibbing? It should be observed, that the word rendered " wine-bib«. bor," simply means a wine drinker; yet in this passage, a wine-drinker and a glutton are placed on a par, plainly showing that in those days it was a disgrace for a man to be an habitual drinker of wine, and consequently that water and not wine was the general drink of the people. To say that because the Jews falsely accused our Lord of beinff an habitual wine-drinker, therefore we ought to drink alco- holic poisons, is the same as to say that because they falsely accused him of gluttony, therefore every Christian ought to be an epicure or gourmand." The £50 which the " Maiden Production " of Mr. Parsons brought him, did not long remain in his possession. He gave the amount to the building fund of the new school, at that time being er3ctod in connection with his Church. His work on "Woman." and that on "The Greatness of the British Empire," published by J. Cassoli, are both of a supe- rior description, and have each had a wide sale. Eospocting his connection with the Temperance Move- ment, he did not merely give his adhesion to that cause, but labored unceasingly to promote its interests wherever ■li i ' It !i I! I 32 DISTINGUISHED MEN. he went. He took many journies from home, that he might advance the cause, and after he jhecame known, he never went abroad without securing a large audience. He vjas always popular on the platform, no matter on what subject he might be expected to speak. We quote his personal testimony, which was written in 1851, in favor of Temperance, from a charming volume entitled, " Lines made Sublime " : " About sixteen years ago 1 became a teetotaller. As I have often said, previous to tliat period the doctors had given it as their opinion that my nerves were so shattered that nothing but giving up reading, thinking, and the ministry altogether, would afford any hope of recovery, My nervousness was siich that I enjoyed nothing. I held tightly by both rails of the staire lest I should fall from top to bottom. I expected every hour to drop down dead, and indeed suffered a living mar- tyrdom. With a life, then, not worth six months' purchase, I commenced teetotaller, and having obtained help of God, have continued until this day, and have enjoyed as large an amount of bodily and mental health as any person in the kingdom. I am quite willing to compare notes with any individual in the world, as to my exemption from pain and ailment of any kind, during the sixteen years of my teetotal history. I am also ready to examine them with my labors* I have studied for more hours everyday, on an average, than I ought,and have to some extent put my health in jeopardy; I have worked hard with my hands, feet, and tongue, and have had, perhaps, more than a common share of the cares and anxieties of life ; and yet I have never been ill, have required no medicine, and for the last sixteen years and a half have taken none at all. I may add that my spirits have been cheerful, and my labors and pursuits, which before were so perfectly irksome, have afforded me the highest pleasure." "JlTuH' this is a tolerable testimony for a man whom the t he might he never He was at subject vritten in ^ volume een years , previous inion that :iving up uld afford 3h that I the s tail's ed every ^ing mar- purchase, p of God, large an )n in the ivith any pain and teetotal y labors* ige, than )pardy; I and have ares and required (df have ve been were so ensure." om the REV. B. PARSOKS. 33 doctors had consigned to mental inactivity and a life of disk ease, and I doom it necessary to make it here, because I am no beliover'in the earthly immortality of teetotallers. I do not think that we are entirely free from disease, or at any rate from tho decay of nature to which all are doomed. I have, it is true, a firm conviction that total abstinence is the best medicine ; that teetotallers are more likely to escape disease than other persons, and that thoy have a greater prospect of a good old age. But still the life of every one must end, and with many of us may end soon, and it is the best to be ready that we may not be taken by surprise." " I have a word to say of my family. Our doctors have always told me that my wife has naturally a weak consti- tution, and yet she is stronger than ever I knew her, and has not taken a dose of medicine for nearly seven years. I have also six children, and during the same period there has not been a particle of any kind of physic in our house. As a family we are as healthy and strong as other people. * * * * Teetotalism has done this much in my house- hold, and therefore I can recommend it to others. My doc- tors' bills were formerly very expensive, and added to the items for a duo proportion of beer, jwrter, wine, and spirits, for eight moderate drinkers, made a large demai'.d on my income. Thirty pounds will not go very fiir in supplying us all with a little, and yet this sum has now seen a child to Germany to be educated, and nearly covered the expense, and perhaps made her fortune. How many drink all the resources of their families ! I know numbers who have treble my income, and not ane third of my comforts. Tho drink overwhelms them, and in not a few cases the parents drop prematurely into the grave, and the children go to the union," Mr Parsons was one of the Essayists at the " World's Tern- } I!| « !: li '<: 34. DISTINaUISHED MEN. peranco Convention in 184G, and also at tJie Ministerial Conference in 1848. At the former his theme was "Mode*, ration," the evils of which he depicted in a glowing manner, lie combatted the notion that "Temperance in Scripture means ^ moderation in drinking,' " and ably argued how that the mne generally means " self-government, and «onse- quently implies the moderate use of what would do us good, and total abstinence from everything that would be attended with any bodily or mental injury." At the Ministers' Conference, Mr. Parsons wrote an essay on " the Traliic," which, as might be supposed, he denounced in no measured terras. Wo make a single extract that our readers may judge for themselves how our Author treats a business in which so many are engaged. He says : "Yon convert God's creatures into poison ; your beverages poiton the bodies of your brethren and sisters. Poisoned by your drinks, multitudes of interesting women, once the hope of the Sunday School and the Church, are the pests of your 8ti*eets, and are sunk to rise no more. Had you plucked the sun from tlie lirmamont, the crime would have been menial compared with the ruin of but one of these souls. Poisoned from your vat or still, myriads of youths, the power, and strengtli, and glory of the country. Are now vagabonds, thieves, and swindlers, many of them a mass of disease, and thousands condemned to the hulks, or penal colonies. And more than all, and unutterably worse than all, millions are going, or gone, to that pit whence there is no redemption. As you possess and practice an act so unspeakably fatal to your fellow mortals, is it any wonder if the poison that has slain such hosts should in the end prove fatal to your- selves ? It will indeed be an awful reckoning when the wealthy men who have manufactured, the inferior agents who have sold, the emissaries who commended and gave away these destructive liq^uors, shall, amidst the solemnities REV. B. PARSONS. 36 Ministerial was " Mode»« ing riaimor. Ill Scripture Lied liow that and «onse- l do us good, I be attended •ote an essay 10 denounced ract that our :hor treats a says: (( Yon jrages poiwn med by your I the hope of 3sts of your . plucked \he been menial s. Poisoned power, and vagabonds, disease, and onies. And millions are redemption, ibly fatal to poison that ital to your- ig when the jrior agents id and gave solemnities of eternity, behold the myriads upon myriads which they have poisoned and slain, The thought to us is tremendous, and you must pardon us if we use this effort to induce you to 'flee from the wrath to come,' " In one of the speeches which Mr. Parsons delivered at the Misisterial Conference, he said : "It was cheering to think that there wore two thousand brethren in the minis- try, who had adopted the principle of total abstinence. He should be glad if they were all ])resent. He had been in the country during the last year, and had heard a remark con»^ ; corning Christian Ministers which had pained him much. ; He was much surprised at the appearance of a young man i who some years ago was an infidel ; his family was then ' starving, and he was abandoned by his friends. Tw^elve years ago he became a teetotaller ; since then he has risen to respectability, and has a good character. Upon the sub- ject of religion being refeiTcd to by him (Mr. P.), the young man said he had done with religion, and for this reason : While ho was a vagabond, his children starving, and his wife in wretchedness, all was peaceable; but now, because he '' was a teetotaller, and a comfort to his wife and iiimily he ^ was continually opposed and persecuted by religious people. * It was highly important that there should be a very diffe- ■'^- rent state of things in the Christian Church. >K * * * Elections w^ero generally exciting occasions, and to improve ' them effectually the Christian public must take greater ■. interest in them. Why should Christians not come forward *| and throw the weight of their moral and religious influence *f into all public meetings and business of the day? He had *j seen more demoralization among the higher than the lower ^5 classes, and caused too entirely b}'- the use of intoxicating T liquors at elections. He had seen, ministers demoralized, i and also members of churches, and these scenes would con- tinue so long as the drinking custom existed. Only think ^f\ DISTINOUISUED MEN. :( • I of the number whoso votes are bought with strong drink 1 Tho faults of Christians in this matter were greater than tliOHO of persons wlio wore not able to distinguisli between tho good and the evil. The ])atriotism of the country wart fast being undermined by the use of intoxicating liquors. Let them only think of having their elections conducted on total abstinence principles." This earnest laborer in the cauBC of humanity Jbecamo enfeebled. He had passed through a great amount of anx- iety, and the severe toil to which he had subjected himsolf for thirty- three years had worn down his frame. He preached for the last time Oct. 20th, 1854. Next day he took his bed and never rose again. He lay down, ho said, on throe pillows, "Infinite Power, Infinite Love, and Infi- nite Wisdom." He also said, " three things wore right about his affliction, it had como at the right time, it had come to the right person, and it had come for the right ob- ject, since he knew that God had sent it. Tell tho people 1 am trusting in the same Gospel that I preached to them." Among the last words that he spoke were these : " I must come like the poor publican, like the thief on the cross, and like Mary Magdalene. I must come to the foot of the cross, and be saved, just in the same manner as they." Great sympathy was manifested for him. His people got up a testimonial and presented him with an address and a purse containing three 7i?mcZre(? sovereigns, which were contributed by all portions of the community. Benjamin Parsons died, not full of years, but full of honors. His name will long be like ointment that is poured forth. He was a benefactor of his race, a consistent reformer, an eminent Christian, a model minister — "one of whom the world was not worthy." , ^ \... -1-. strong drink I greater than ;ui«h between country wan uting liquors. conducted on anity Jbecan>o tnount of anx- jocted himself frame. He Next day he down, he said, jove, and Infi- ^3 were right t time, it hod r the right ob- 11 the people 1 hod to them." eso : " I must the cross, and t of the cross, jthey." Great ople got up ft is and a purse re cocitributod full of honors, poured forth, reformer, an of whom the 'Y0^. r.*«i 'fT*Q* KEV. JABEZ BUJIN.^, D. D. "Eicoell -ii;'*.! is n»;ver ^rautoil to man, but an the rownnl of labor; ami tliat it argues no smnll stivn^?th of mind to ju-rstivcro in IrnbltH of inilustry without thu pleas- ure of iKir.'1'iviii); thoHu uilvimt.iircH, whiili, like the hands of a clocrk, whilst tliey make hourly ajiproudies to tln'-ir point, yet proceed so slowly as tu escape observation." *' In labors more abundant"- St. Paul. MoNGST the Ministerial adherents of Temperance, there are but few more widely known than Dr. 'Jabez Burns, of London. All through lite ho has been rcmarUablo for abstemious habits, and was never known to be intoxicated. OlJham, in Lincolnshire, England, is his birth-place. llis jjarents were far from aflluence, hence his ediivational advantages were limited, and from the ago offoiirUen he has had to plod his way through life, battling with its difficulties ; and the success which has crowned his efforts proves the advantages of the principle of self-reliance. If the parents of Dr Burns had not much of this world's goods, thoy had a largo share of moral worth. They were both members of the Wesleyan Church, and souf^ht to bring up their children '' in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." His mother died at a comparatively early period of his life, and, like many others in similar circumstances, he felt that in her death he had lost his best earthly friend. The lessons which she taught him, together with the coun- sels of his father, were not lost upon him. He was pre.- served in the path of virtue, and having nothing beyond his own small earnings, he had not the means to pursue a life of pleasure. Our devoted friend had a great taste for learning, and though his hours as clerk in a store were protracted, he •pent much time in reading all the books which came in his I "1 88. PISTTNGUIsnED JIEPT. wny, particularly tho Bildo, whicli hud boon so svongly recoil! mended by tlio oxainplo nvd precept of liis jiarentH. Ho was now from home, buthaj>pily lor liiin he \v:ih cared for by tlie late ilcv. A. E. Farrar, who was at that time Btalioned in tlio City of Yoriv. Mr. Farrar had la\nwn his parents and on tliat acconnt took tlio more lively interest in his yoiniir friend, and in due time was made tjje honored instrument of bringing him into tho way of salvation, and inducing him to join the Church of his parents. lie soon began to exercise his gifts, and when not more tlian aixteen years of age, he occnpied some of tho village pulpits in tho vicinity of York. Wlion quite young, ho oommonced to labor as an Itinerant Minister in the Primitive Methodist Church ; but, for some cause, ho did not remain long with that denomination. It was,, however, his privilege to admit a youth into the Chureh, who afterwards becam(? a very distinguished Minister in that body — the late R4>v. John Petty. ■ T ' • , * We next find our future Doctor in London, where ho wo8 actively employed on Sabbaths, preaching in variouis Dis- senting Churches. At this time, as may easily be supposed, his thirst for knowledge was intense. Every book stall * second-hand book store, of which thero are many in .idon, was often visited, and many a time he has been Atnown to deny himself of the comforts of 1?%, that he might gi*atify his taste for books. He lived in the most ftvtgsA manner, and befng "temperate in all things," he ooold th© more readily spare a lew shillings for books. " " ""•' What a noble example for a young man ! How Mnofti better thus to aet than waste time and money at saloons aiid restaurants, not to say even worse places, amid the exciting influences of intoxieatiog drinks, and the stupefactions of tobacco I If our yown^ men would redeem their spare mo- ments, and save their money to purchase good books, how REV. J. BL'IINS, D. D. 3!) I SO siron«Tly Ills jiai'ontH. l>o w.'iH cared at, ll»:it timo id known his vely interest 13 liio honored ulvation, tind ts. lie «oon G til an sixteen pul[.its in the •ommohcod to Ivo xMcthodist ain long with lege to admit ^cam(5 a very to Re-v, JohD where ho was various JDis- ^ be snppoeod, ry book stall are many in he has been hathemigbt nfiost ftxtgnU he ooald tli© How mnoh t saloons and the exciting pefactions of 3ir spare mo- 1 books, how liuicli more pleaiiiro would tbey enjoy, and how imu'li greater would be tiic i)enclits conferred upon society. Dv. (Miaminy says; *'JJo()ks are tiine-lovollers, giving to ail who will faithfully use them the best society and spiritual presence of the best and greatest of ouv race.^' Who can tell the in- fluence of a goo(lJ)ook? Benjamin Franklin tells us, in one of his letters, that whe^sjaaoment, reading has a won- drous jWwer"" We do not know what were the books which particularly engaged Mr. Burns' attention ; but we presume they were chiefly of the Theological class, as it is said that " all th rough life he has had a great fondness for the writings of the old divines." Baxter, Bunyan, Howe, Bates, and €harnock, were among his favorites. U'en<3e, tli^SM^ ihe had not the advantage of a collegiate course, and was not fiivored with the prelections of a learned Pixjfessor, he n«\X3rtheless dug deep into the mine of Puritan ore, and brought forth many precious gems, as the numerous productions of his own pro- Jmc pen will testify. .Mr- Burns at this timeL as all thr ^h life, was remarka- Ill I; ii l» III' M 40 DlBTINGtriPfiED MtU. ble for untiring industry and indomitable per^cvcsrancc, which lias ever been the secret of his amazing success He was soon to launch forth as an author. He ventured to send his " Christian Sketch Book " into the \vorld, when he had resided only a short time in London, llis maiden pro^ duction sold rapidly, which in the best proof of its value, though it is said that it gained a rapid circulatiou by reason of the auth< travelling the country and exhibiting it for sale. Be this as it ma}'-, it has gone through several edi- tions, and all who have perused it admire its contents, and believe that the book is well adapted for useful hoss. Like some others who have been brought up nnder Meth- odist regime, Mr. B. became a Baptist, i. (., one who believes m immersion. We have always thought this term some- ivhat anomalous as applied to the various denominations vho are designated by that name, inasmuch as it seems to imply that no other Christian denomination attends to the rite of baptism ; whereas, all baptize, oaly in a ditferent mode. VVfe can scarcely think that the kind-Nhearted, generous man of ♦/horn we have ventured to express our opinion is so bigoted an immersion ist as some whom we have known; nevertheless we have no doubt whatever of the sincerity of his belief on this particular subject, on which there has been an almost endless amount of controversy. » '-•• '" Wo are glad to find it stated on good authority that the Church of which Dr, Burns is Pastor not only welcomes to the Lord's table Christian friends of every Evangelical denom^ ination, but even admits those who, on the subject of bap- tism, entertain different views. This is much more Christ'* like than that which, while it allows a Minister to preach in the pulpit, but will not allow him to sit down at the Lord's tablewith the very people to whom ho hns preached, sim- ply because he " has not been baptized,^' BSV. J. BURNS, D. D. 41 ccoss He entured io d, when he ntiiden pro- f its value, \ by reason )iting it for everal edi- nlenta, and JSS. inder Meth- ho believes term some- omination(» it Koems to ends to the a different generous iinion is so vo known ; incerity of e has been y that the 3me8to the al denom- ect of bap- )re Christ^ preach in the Lord's hcd, sim- Our ei>rnest friend became a Pastor of a Baptist Church at Perth, in Scothind, whore he labored with great accep- tance for a few years, and then removed to London, where he has been ''in labors more abundant " for thirty years and upwards, and as a proof tliat ho has not only gifts and graces, but also fruit, it may be stated that the Church in St. Marylebone, of which ho has been so long the Pastor, has rapidly iiiereased, inasmuch as the number of Church members has risen from twenty-five to four hundred, and the congregation from about fifty to eight hundred. The jilacc has been two or three limes enlarged, and is still well tilled. There are two things by which Dr. Burns will ever bo lw York. All Dr. Burns* works are characterized by eleamees and great force. There is nothing pedantic or dogmatical ; but souadj sterling sense, couched in an earnest, christian spirit.. -•*•i^A■f.L',.^ xkWM REV. J. BI7BN8, I>. D. 43 f" Sketches his produc- mt that they arxJ if used which they take not, his 1, of whom lers '* — who 18 braoches ► the neigh- the towns, 'o this self- ted, and to iist sermon s preached has issued, it ecn tains an invalu- nisterread )sition and follow out siu'O that fimout. Of but herem ,s they are t and best n after the by a D. D. t>ton, N->w • Tboy embrace every possible variety, and are adapted for < every occasion ^hat may arise in the course of a Minister's Uife. The leading truths of the Gospel are especially prom- , inent. They are strictly Evangelical. There is no negative _ Theology. The Author gives no uncertain sound. He . meddles not with those things which are " haid to be under- stood;" but aims to do good. This object is never lost sight of; hence if the majority of the "Skeletons" and sermons which he has published have been preached to his own congregation, as we presume they have, we do not wonder that he should have ' een successful in winning souls to : Christ. The sinner is told of the exceeding sinfulness of sin ; his misery out of Christ is clearly set befoi*e him, whilst the way of salvation is so plainly stated that he who runs may read. Dr. Burns has ever been distinguished for the deep inter- est he has taken in matters of a philanthropic nature. Some years ago when a soldier, while in a state of intoxication, had the misfbrtune to become insubordinate and shoot his Sergeant, was found guilty, but strongly recommended to [mercy by the jury who were empanelled ou the occasion ; [the Judge was unusually severe, and declared the conduct [of the soldier to be atrocious and utterly undeserving of jmercy. Dr. 13. stepped forwai-d, and in a letter published in one of " the Dailies," strongly commented on the conduct 'of the Judge, which aroused public attention to the case. He also waited upon the Home Secretary, and succeece, which Ondod in the withdrawal of some disaffected members, who #ere amongst the most influential of his people, and with a iHew. no doubt, to injure him as much as possible, they OBtablished another Church in the immediate neighborhood. His own comfort and temporal prosperity were thus, for the time being, injured ; but he had the testimony of an approv- ing conscience, and, we doubt not, the smile of God. Who does not admire the man who maintains a pure principle, 4t5 DISTINGUISHED MEX. II' i- and will hazard even his own interest in the advocacy of truth and rightoousnesa ? In platform advocacy Dr. B. is often well armed with statistics. On one occasion, when speaking in Exeter Hall, he said: "I have instituted an inquiry in one of the largest female Penitentiaries in the Metropolis, and find the result to be that) out of sixty-two inmates of that institution, forty- four have been trained in Sunday Schools. The Governor of Leeds Borough Gaol stated recently that on examining into the cases of two hundred and ninety-nine prisoners then within the walls, it appeared that one hundred and ninety- six had been Sunday School Scholars for a period of three years and upwards, and that thirty had also been Sunday School teachers." In 1847, Dr. B. was sent as a Deputation to the Triennial Conference of the Freevrill Baptists of America, where he was cordially received, and during his short tour he travelled extensively in the different States of the Union, and his labors in the Pulpit and on the platform were duly appreci> ated. He shewed himself the same earnest, fearless advo- cate of every good cause that he was at home. Even on the subject of " Slaverj^," which we rejoice has now passed away by that tremendous baptism of fire and blood which was poured upon the United States for /oier years, but which was at the time of Dr, B.'s visit a dangerous subject in many parts of the Union ; still he spoke in strong terms against it. Hear him. *• I know of no crime equal in its deadly influence. It not only debases the slave, and wrongs him to the utmost human agency can affect, but it jardens and corrupts the slaveholder, and pollutes the entire atmosphere where the horrid traffic is perpetuated. Could I personify this climax of monstrous hatefulness, I would say that its head is folly, its countenance pride, its heart essential cru- elty, its feet are swift to shed blood, and its hands are REV. J. BURNt^, D. D. 47 ready to every evil work. God abhors it, mankind by universal consent, loathe it, and devils and human demons alone rejoice in it." On his return from America the Doctor published i in*' teresting'book of his travels, containing many iact.*- and nume- rous statistics, and much geographical information relating to the various ])laces and institutions which he had visited. In the chapter (n the Temperance movement in America, among other vahiable things, he states the following grati- fying facts : " Among Presbyterian congregations, Metho- dists, or Unitarians, it woald be considered a great blemish for any Minister or member to use constantly, as a beverage, any quantity of alcoholic liquor." At one of the public meetings in connection with the Manchester Conference already referred to, Dr. B. was called upon to speak ; and we are glad to give a short extract which is furnished by "the Queen of Temperance periodi- cals " — -'The Scottish Temperance Eeview." The Doctor said: "He had been a teetotaller for twelve years. During that time ho had been a working man ; bad worked with the head, the hands, the feet, and his whole system during that time had been in constant operation. . Since he had [been a teetotaller he had been better able to work, had had jbetter spirits, a jFnoro cheerful state of mind, and more fit fin every sense of the word, he believed, for the discharge of ^the onerous and important duties devolving upon him as a Christian Minister. Ho became a teetotaller without refe" i*ence to personal considerations as to whether it would agree with his health or not, but because he felt the con- l Viction that as a Christian Minister he was bound to be in the front rank of this important movement — that it would reflect great disgrace upo him if his members and deacons should themselves take the lead. Fifteen years ago, all the teetotallers in the world might bo assembled on that plat- M\ 48 DISTINQUISIIED MEff. ^'1 t ; li . 1 form; now, he believed, there wore at least nine or ten millions oi' pledged and practical teetotallers. He was not aware of any institution or society which has made such rapid ]>rogroH8 as the cause of teetotalism. lie believed there was not a country in the world, where British influ- ence extended, where teetotalism did not exist. It exists happil}' in our own country, and in the sister country the great hapjiiness and delightful results cousequ(Mit on the labors of Father Matthew were well known. The cause was extensively spreading in Scotland, in Wales, and in partsof our own Kingdom, The Church of God had re- ceived great and constant accessions from the ranks of the teetotallers. In the East and West Indies, in Australia and South Africa, the cause was progressing ; and in the East Indies not a few of our soldiers had been saved from an early grave through its influence. He had been exceedingly de-* lighted during a recent tour of three thousand miles in America, to notice the sobriety of the people, the manifest absence of pauperism. He only saw two beggars in his whole tour. He was pleased to observe the religious equal- ity which exists there, and to notice the extension of the franchise. * * H« The Rev. Dr. Sharde, of Boston, who had been a Minister there for torty-eight years, said the greatest possible contrast existed betweejj that countrj'' and our own. He had seen forty thousand or fifty thousand per- sons assembled there for political purposes, under circum-* stances of great excitement, hear speeches for hours in suc- cession, and sej)arate as orderly and as quietly as though they had left a place of worship. He could not say so much for his own country, England. By the blessing of Grod, however, upon the cause in this country, we might expect that the time was not far distant when we may have im- mense meetings here, and when teetotal principles shall predominate, and when our own land shall be as distinguished BEY. J. BURNS, D. ]>. 4p for sobriety as that to which reference had been made." One who knows Dr. Burns well, says : *' Whether in the pulpit or on the platform, a listless, inattentive hearer is rarely seen among his auditors. Clear, pointed, direct, terse, he takes a comprehensive yet plain view of a subject, and presents it in full force before his hearers. Parcnthe^ «is and long involved sentences he never utters. Hence he is a suggestive preacher, speaker and writer. Thoughts are thrown out sometimes almost in a crude form, and often with but little attention to their garniture. Clear of view himself, he has no mysticism or obscurity ; rapid and some what sententious, he has no time for the more decorations of oratory, and rather studiously avoids amplification. Very much in earnest he speaks powerfully, and at times sternly, and yet a ready, genial, playful wit, clear, glancing and good humored, irradiates his style. He relates an anecdote with great tact, conducts an argument with great power ; neither the point of an epigram nor the force of a reason fails when he ai^plies them." Long may Br. Burns live to labor in his Master's cause,, and may his end be peaceful and happy. 5^:rcr . ?••.• r \-(.\ .r. I • I i' I ;' 1 ■ ii M : 1 j 1 ■in PvEV. THOM.VS GUTHRIE, D. D. fi'i' should iciiiembcr the poor." "Tlup.un- j't; liiivi! alwfiy.i with ymi." " Wlioii til" c.'ir lioanl mo, th<'n it hlossoi iiu', ainl when the eye Haw me, It ga\o wit- ness to me. JJci iiiise 1 deUvLTud the [loor thiit eriod, and the tatherlees, and him that liiid nimi; to help hjni." " Mid hiunhle dweUiivH born, Fi('tir< d, niMcdf, he livi'd iinknuwii, » 'J'ill pers'.'e'.itioa diM^'Keil him into fame. And cluiHed liim up t) heiivtn." 1^3 T would bo almost an iii8ulttoa.sk our roadore if thoy v4| ^havo heard of Dr. Guthrio, for in what part of the ^^^civil'zed world is lie not Icnown, at least by repiu tation. The Free Church of Scotland does not |)osse.ss a more popular Minister, and none of Scotia's sons have been as illustrious as he, since the days of Dr. Chalmers. And yet, wherein lies the secret of this good man's fame ? Boubt^ less there are men in the Churches of Scotland who aro more famed as scholars ; men who have made more exten- sive researches, and are more familiar with the various branches of learning taught in the famous seats of learning that abound in that country. Dr. Guthrio must not, however, be considered as deficient in learning. He must not be placed on the list of those who have a limited acquaintance with men and things, for in his 3^outhful days he not only went through a regular course of study preparatory to entering the Ministry ; but he also studied the science of Medicine at one of the schools of the '' healing art," in Paris. His attainments are not confined to Theology : like '* the Great Physician," he can adminis* tcr for both body and soul, and who can tell but that this is the origin of his extensive usefulness and wide^'Spread fame? 1115 V. (t. OtTllUlE, 1). D. ftl :a\ wlt- hiiu that ifthoy of the repu-. jsess a been And Ii)oubU ho are exton- irarious arning eficient ose who for in L* course he also of the confined d minis* 3 at this ^Hspread Dr. Guthrie's power lies more in his heart than his licud. lie is of a warm and generous disposition. His heart grasps all humanity. His l)owels yearn wilii compassion lor the poor. The sight of human wretchedness awakens liim to t noblest deeds of pliilanLhr()i)y, and while he may labor by every means in his power to mako men wiser, he is evidently moi'c desirous to nnike I hem better. He aims more at the heart than the head. Hence, no sooner does h; him with a tes- timonial to the amount of £5,000 or 825,000, and a silver tea service was presented to Mrs. Guthrie at the same time. We hardlv know which to admire most, the noble Pastor who had so endeared himself to his fluld be allowed b}^ his friends from the South that he spoke English, of which he himself had • some doubts, anc. \en related the following story: A Ger- man lad}' who was staj'ing in Edinburgh remarked to a friend of his, that she liked to hear Dr. Guthrie preach better than any Minister in Edinburgh ; she could understand him better, for he spoke Englinh like a German.'^ As wt have aU'eady remarked, the Doctor al}ounda in 56 DISTINGUISHED MEN. i: 1 sympathy. Like Jesus Christ, ho weeps over the desola* lions which have been made in the abodes of humanity, and he wants to repair the waste. He does not intend to wait until people come to him. He wants the Church to go after the lost. At the Free Church Assembly in 1863, when the report of a Home Missionary was under conside- ration, he poured forth some strains of pathetic eloquence on behalf of the lost and perishing in our large towns and cities. Ho was then truly " the old man eloquent." Among other things which he uttered on that occasion, ho said : "What is the Ciiurch for? if it is not to go in and possess the land. He would say to go out and possess the earth. In urging the Free Chui'ch to take a lesson in the management ot their schemes, from other Churches, he paid a tribute to the Wc-sloyan body, whose missionary zeal, he said, burned as briglit and fervent as that of any Church in Christendom, and whose skill in the mana<>*ement of their affairs was statesmanlike, and worthy of imitation." Speaking of Methodism, we are reminded that the Doctor has often given proof of his esteem for that denomination, not only b}' preaching at the Anniversary of its Missionary Society in London, but in various other ways At a public meeting in Edinburgh, he said : *• It wa^ a very long time since he became acquainted with the Weslcyan .Methodists, and he took the o])portunity there of saying what he had said whenever he had the opportunity, that there was no denomination of Christians in this countr}'- to whose sym* pathy, and to whose kindness, and to whose substantial support the Church which he belonged to owed more in her difficulty than to the Wesleyan Methodists. V .ne entered with more sympathy into that cause, none contributed more liberally to their resources, and none, he believed, offered up more earnest prayers to God, that they should be borne through all their difficulties, and supported in the cause they REV. T. aUTHRIE, D. 1), 57 tad undertaken. The consequence was that he became inti- mately acquainted with many of the Wesleyan Ministers and people of England. Ho had often visited them, he had often preached for them, and he thanked God that he had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with a body by whose piety, and animated by whose zeal, lie hoped his own was increased." When staying at the far-famed watering place, Brighton, near London, Dr. Guthrie, in writing to "Good Words," makes a very graceful alluyion to the Methodist Local Preachers, in the following lines : '' Of that water, ' of which if a man drink he shall never thirst.' New Brighton sutlers no^lack, but enjoj^s, on the contrary, a full and very admi- rable supply. We have tried all the wells, worshipping in the Episcopalian, Congregational and Wesleyan Churches. Among the Methodists we had the opportunity of hearing their 'Local Preachers,' as they are called. This is a class to which all their Ministers must at one time have bclongccK Nor are any recognized as ' Locals ' till they have proved themselves, by a twelve month's trial, able to address men in a way both interesting and instructive, which was just what the Scotchwoman pronounced wanting in a poor pi'eacher, of whom she said that he was 'neither edifying nor diver- tive.' It is after a young man has gone through this ordeal, that he goes into regular training for the Ministry, and not till then. Now whatever objections may bo to the plan in respect of its details, the idea appears a sound one. As a recruit is not admitted into the army and sent to drill, till it has been ascertained that he possesses the physical pro- perties which fit him to b- an efficient soldier, so, by the application of an adequate test, the Churches should ivy whether men posses those properties and powers which will make them efficient Preachers, before they are put into regular training for the Ministry. The timely application p t-. •IS I i w ii ^ ^ 1 58 DlSTINCHJlBflfiD MSIJv of such a tost would go far to protect congregations from ine^cient Preachers, and also eano men the pain of discov- ering, when too late, that they have mistaken their profes- sion, a mistake well described by a shrewd countryman, who, talking* to me of his Minister, said that ' when ho left the plough for the Church, liie parish lost the best ploughman and got the worst Minister it ever had.' " Dr. Guthrie has had the honor to fill the Moderator's chair of the Free Church Assembly, on which occasion ho deliv- ered a most telling address, on the " support of the Ministry," the whole of which wo would like to insert ; but space .or bids. We make a selection or two, for the benefit of such as may be particularly concerned. Ilo luid already, some years before, published a sermon on this subject, which we woulil be glad to see circulated extensively in all our Church- es. The "Moderator " speaks wiLh"groal_;auLiiority. Ilo says: '' .Res])ecting the Minister cause at homo, give mo liberty now fully and frankly to spoai^. I will spoak fraiikly, and I'll honestly tell you the reason why. I have had it long in my head, and I have had it long in my heart. I am thankful that I am in circumstances now, by the kii Iness of my congregation and other things, to speak out my mind, and no low minded man or woman can suspect me of any personal or mercenar3' motives in this matter. Therefore, I intend to speak, and to speak out fully and frankly in this matter, I take leave to say that the livings of our Minis- tors are inadequate. I take leave to say more, tliat the livings of Ministers are quite inadequate to their position, and to their inevitable and unavoidable outlays. I take leave very distinctly and very expressly to sa^- that ; and what is the result of that? What shall be, and what will be the result of it? — the greatest calamity that can bofal the Church, far worse than persecution, and far worse than oppression. All bail to the storm that, with God's blessing. REV. T. GUTHRIE, D. C. 5^ and good managemont, drives the ship on instead of driving her buck. That calamity which I dread, next to the with- drawal of the Divine blessing, as the greatest of all, is that the rising talent, and genius, and energy of our country should leave the Church for other professions. The claims of Ministers are sometimes evaded. A weaver advocated small stipends, because the Church never had such Ministers as in those days when they went about in sheep skins and goat- skins, and lived in caves and holes of the earth. If any people sympathise with this expression, I answer, that I have a radical objection to caves — they create damp — and secondly, as to habiliments, it will bo time enough to take up that question when our people arc prepared to walk along Princes' Street with us, not in this antique dross, but in the more primitive and antiquated fashion of goat-skins with the horns on. Another case was that of a lady, rustling in 8ilk,whocondoled to a poor minister's wife by saying to her, 'your reward is above.' Such a statement, in such circam- stances, from silks and satins is disgusting; it is cant, the grossest cant, and enough to make religien stink in the nostrils of the world. Would that saying make the Minis- ter's stipend pay the Minister's accounts ? Fancy the worthy man going to the baker or his butcher, and, instead of paying down money, turning up the whites of his eyes, saying, * your reward is above.' I fancy they would i^iiy, ' Oh no, ..r, that will not pay the bill' ; and I say, what does not pay the bills does not pay the Ministers' stipends as they ought to be paid." "I have heard Ministers say that they so felt the keen^ ness of their protession, and the difficulties of their position, that the last pix)fession they would rear a son to was the Church. Now I don't sympathize with that. I have reared one son for the Church, and I hope I will rear another son for th^ Church, and send bim abroad to fight the battles of 60 DISTINOUISUSD M£K. 11 ill the Lord, however groat they may bo. At the same timd, allow me to say I cannot greatly blame them, because lean fancy a good man saying, * I am at liberty to consecrate myself to the Church «nd poverty ; but am I at liberty, in the case of that boy, at an age when he is not capable fully of judging, to a life that is full of jDrivations, when he may serve his blessed Eedecmer without having to meet these privations.' That is the real question ; and it is a question that keeps our intelligent and pious laymen at this moment from doing what I am anxious they should do — i mean give their sons to the Church." The eloquent " Moderator " then called upon rich men not to be afraid of dedicating their sons to the Ministry, and recommended all ])arents who had sons in the Ministry to give them Benjamin's portion of the paternal property. He also called upon the Church to get rid of all persons from the Ministry, who had mistaken their calling, for he argued that whilst they had a right to demand adequate support, the Church had a right to expect that they should have the moat efficient men to act as Ministers. lie also spoke approvingly of the plan pro])Oscd by a wealthy gentleman, that the Ministers' stipends in Glasgow should be raisf^d to £1,000 The " Moderator " concludod his well-timed oration in thd following personal allusions : *' I have served lay master now more than thirty years. I am grown gray in his ser^ vice ; but I can say, when eveli I saw how much richer I might have been in other professions, and when I felt the greatest hardships of my life — I can say I never regretted My choice. I have been a poor servant. I have a thousand infirmities on my head, and sins, unless washed away, on my conscienee, for which I look for pardon only through the blood of Christ ; but, fathers and brethren, poor servant as I have been, I'll stand up this day for my blessed Master RBV. T. GUTHRIE, D. D. 61 and say, Christ has been a good Master to mo. To him, with confidence, fathers and brothers, I commend you all. May there be light in your dwellings ; may there bo revi<% vals in your congregations, while the Gospel of peace is on your lips ; may the peace of the Gospel bo in all your hearts : and as to my beloved Church, I say with the Indian, • May her sky be without a cloud ; may her council firo never be oxtinguished.' " \ Dr. Guthrie has long been known osone of the most oar- nest advocates of Temperance. Ilis voice has been heard on its bohait, not only at Temperance incetinga proper, but also at University Convocations, Preahyterics, Synod.s, and also in the pulpit. The following is from one of his addresses, delivered at the University Temperance Society, Edinburgh, which we preface by enquirng whether it would not be well to have Temperance Societies in connection vi^ith all our seats of learning? ^' He remembered the days when ho was a student, and he remembered the sad history of many of his fellow students. Ho had to express his gratitude to God that he was not carried away in the flood of tempta- tion which swept away so many men with better heads and hearts than his own. He looked back to eiyht or nine years when he was a student at Kdinburgh University, with trem- bling. Suppers among students were common then ; sup'. pers in society wore common then ; a student could not give a discourse in the divinity hall, but there was a supper; and if a student had been buried, he believed they would have a supper after it* The result was apparent in the career of his fellow students, some of whom had been deposed from the office of the Ministry for drunkenness. One who had been a student along with him, and had become a minister (vas now a deposed outcast in Australia. Another fled to America. He was never more heard of; the ship was lost, and he could fancy ho could see his friend seeing death il i G2 DISTINOUIBHED MEN". ' ti h staving liim in tho face, and going down to a dark and hopeless grave. " IIo had seen no less than ten of his own acquaintances in the Ministry, dragged to tho bar of Church courts, dis- robed 'jy the head of the Church, and driven from tho Min- istry. If those men, holding that sacred ofiico, going to the pulpit every Lord's day to preach the Gospel, with every motive to do good more than ordinary men, with the wives and children they had — if these men had gone down before this demon, what man was entitled to say, ' I shall stand i When ho looked back on tho past, therefore, ho felt ho had a special call on him to appear at this meeting and boar his growing testimony to the advantages of total abstinence. IIo became a total abstainer at the time he was laboring in the Cowgate, and tho closes adjoining it, because ho felt that if ho was to do any good there, he must himself become an abstainer ; and if they were led to do good — if they wanted to bo blessed while living, and missed when they were dead, — lot them become total abstainei's. On tho first occasion that ho was asked to a party after he became an abstainer, where there was a considerable number of the elite — lords, judges, and men of literature and science — ho confessed that he felt a little. On the third time, there was no shirk- ing it any longer. He was asked, ' Are you not woll ? Why do you not take wine ?' There was no help for it, so he out with it. He said, * I have given up drinking wine, and I will tell you why. I have two thousand people living without God and without hope in tho world ; I find rags and wretchedness in their houses, and I walk till my heart is broken, and my limbs are woarj^ from door to door, and X find in many of their houses no Bible and no bread. I see children crying for bread, and none to give them ; and I have ascertained by examination, and I know by long experience, that the cause of all this is drink, I find that HEV. T. OtTTHRlE, D. D, 63 and to say to these people ' forward ' is uBelews. 1 must nay to them 'follow,' if I want to have any chance of raising them out of their position. Therefore I have resolved that' henceforth if I can save a girl from ruin, or a boy from going to prison, or to restore peace to a fomily, I will touch no drink ' while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.' What was the result? Opposite him sat Lord J-effrcy, It was the first time he had met that distinguished man, and ho saw Lord Jeffrey looking at him, and his eye kindled, and a flush of approbation came upon his cheek; and he noticed afterwards that night, Lord Jclfrey paid him more than ordinary courtesy and attention, lie felt persuaded that if he (Dr. CT.),wass<;f feet high in Lord Jeffre^-'s estima- tion before, he was now a dozen feet high. Peojde mig'ht jeer and laugh ; but if any man came forward and made himself a sacriiice for the good of mankind, the public would respect liim all the more for it." ■*' Nina-tenths of the occupants of our prisons, and five .sixths of our paupers, were s© in consequence of drink. The crime 'Of imjiurity had its acjxiliiiry in drink. lie had heard these wretched women, who prowl about oxir streets, say that but for drink they could not carry on their infamous, degrad- ing, loathsome means of living. They drowned conscience — they drowned memory of home and of their mothers — hy the bottle ; by means of that bottle they gave themselves n false courage to go out and look for their pre}' ; they ]>M^:<"iA ' From the comnieiicctnent of bis career Mr. Jnmcs M'rtB popular as a Preacher. " He had few superiorH while livin/^ and is not likely to bo soon surpassed. " Like too many 3'oung men, ho was at first especirJly anxious tocultivato an ornate style, which, while it dazzled, did not t>«rvo to -accomj^lish the great purpose of the Ministry. Ornament is often more sought after than use. Many regard dazzling things as a 8urc ]>!roof <^f gen ins, i«eminding us of the quaint sentence of Jeremy Taylor, that ■''the ga^'- tulips and useless dallodils are more soiaght after thtvn the m-edicinal phvnts springing from the margins of th-c fountain of salvation." . Happily, however, Mr. Jnra€s soon ado[)ted a more plain style both of speaking and writing, -and to the close of his life the ambition of his soul seemed to be s«t on one thing only — usefulness. He soon became known as f)»»e of the most practical ju"f^""^'Ci's of his Age. His s^rmt)ns were always diligently \.pared, and, for the most part, vrere carefully written out before preaching, though the manuscrijvt was seldom taken into the jiulpit. He made it a rule always to ibo done with his pulpit preparation hy noon on Saturday, 'OTj'^-at latest, by four o'clock in the afternoon, and then he would spend the evening either in walkiiig m some solitary field, or else in his closet with some good devotional book. This was a practice lie alwa^^s took care to inculcate upon fo-unir Ministers. Th« books that he especial iv read on wich occasions wore Haxter'e l^eformcd Pastor, I'ay son's Life) Brainerd's Life, Howe's Blessedness of the llighteous, Owen's Spiritual Mindodness, and Archbishop Lcighton'a Commentary on Peter, ^i '^/t^im yji^ fr/nf^i i . , , ''Ik i£r. James always took deep interest in ihi) welfare of young Ministers, atnl for several years ho was accustomed td have the yosng men, by turns, who were studying at tapping Hill College, to dine with him on Saturdays, and I II 76 DISTINOUISIIED Ml5!s\ alter dinner llicy would retire to Iiis ntiidy and hold convoi*s6 Ibrsomo hours on spiritual matters relating to the Ministry. In this way not a few of* the young Noneonrormist Ministers learned to imbibe his spirit, and Ibrmed attachments to hirn, which only torminatod in death. 'J'hcre were several imj)ortant movements in connection with the Clmrcii of Christ in which the Pastor of Carr's Lane Chapel occaj)icd a prominent ])osition, lie preu'died several times in the Metn^n lis, for the London Missionary Society, ami Ibr many years he was a regular speaker at the*' May Meetings,' which ai*o of world-wide celebrity. He was alwa3'B i.l those great gatherings greeted with loud cheers. Few of the orators of Exeter Hall wore more pop- ular than John Angoll James. In those days wlion Molt'att, and Williams, and Boa}', and Knill, and other distinguished Missionaries visited England, his heart abounded with tlianlcfidness, and he was always roaily to welcome those messengers of the Churches to his home and to his pulpit. •' • In one of the sermons which Mr. James preached on be- lialfof the London Missionai-y Societ}^, he said: ^' IT, one hundred years hence, Christianity shall have Ibund a lodge- ment in the cit3'of Canton, we shall have rea))ed an im.mense ])rizc for the conflicts of a century." Scarcely a thii-d of a century had rolled away before the whole of China was accessible to the heralds of salvation. None were more alive to the importance of the situatirm than was Mr. James. He was full of holy enthusiasm about the matter, and at length ho got up a scheme for ])rinting a million copies of the New Testament in the strange language of the people of tluat vast empire, which had for ages been shut out from the rest of mankind. To accomplish this noble work, he travelled thousands of miles, and in its advocacy ho wrotQ hundreds of letters. "^ .?f : REV. J. A. JAME!?. n Ho was also one of the firrtt to attend tho mootrncw of tho pjvangolicftl Alliance ; inclectl ho was one of tho originator* of that movemont, and to tho late.^t hour of liis life, his heart was hot upon the work of Christian union. lie wa^ often heard to say that he ought to love all Christ's people, heeause in his name ho lind an Angel hetween two Apostle>^. It was to bo expected that a person of such rare abi lit ie-^, both for the pnl]>it and (ho ]>lalf()rm, as Mr. James possessed, would be sui'e to be called much from home to attend occa- sional services for tho various benevolent societies, which have become so numerous, and whi(di malce such incessant demands upon Ministers' time. This special work cost liim much mental anxiety. He would sometimes not be able to sloop for several nights before tho time appointed for tho services in which ho was to take a prominent place. Indeed, in consequence of extreme nervousness, he would sometimes not be able to keep his engagements. This distressing fold- ing at times troubled Mm f^reutly, oven when attending his duties at home. Ho wouhl at tlioso periods lie doAvn ;it night, without being able to sleep an hour before d:\v]iglit, and thus on tho Sabbath ho would be compelled to .ip])e.'U' in tho pulpit in a state of great physical prostration. As a matter of course such suH'ering could not but ail'ect his general health. The consequence was that he had sev- eral severe fits of illness, in some of which his life was despaired of. He likewise had a good share of domestic afflicilon. He followed two wives to the grave, to both of whom he was urdentl}'' attachet yi>'.t '. Then loo, it munt bo romombci'od and recorded to tho honor of tho people worshipping in Carr's Lane Chapel, that they always mot the wants of their revered Pastor in tho most libonil manner. By both his marriages he received considerable wealth. His books, some of wh'ch commanded u very extensive sale, brought him considerable pecuniary means; so that he never knew by experience those painful circumstances which are the lot of too many worthy men who minister at (rod's altar. : • •* 'j ■ • • •' ,.:. , -^ •avji Mr. James sj'mpathi/.ed with his poorer brethren in tho Ministry, nnd often, in a variety of ways, strove to mi tigato tbeir surt'ci'ings. Ho assisted in the publication of ''the Christian Witness," and " the Christian's Penny Magazine," both of which were monthly periodicals, edited by tho late Dr. John Campbell, tho proceeds of which were designed to ostabli.nh a fund in the Congregational Body for the relief of suffering aged Ministers. He also at one time gave tho sum ofjire hunJn'd pounds, sterling, towards tho same fund. As an author, though Mr. James was a voluminous writer, and some of his works had an immense sale, there are none of his books by which he will be so long known and oxten- siivoly rcmombored as tho '* Anxious Inquirer," ticohundred thous rnd copies of which were sold in four years. Several: persons owed their conversion to God by reading this re- markable book. His Co-Pastor and Biographer was of tho number. One evening some twenty- seven persons were met together in a private hou^o, and by reading the '* Anxious Inquirer" eightor nineof them were converted. In Holland ticih'e Ministers attribute heir conversion to its reading. It was translated into Gaelic, Welsh, Gorman, French, Swedish, Malagasy, Dutch, Singalese, and one of tho East India dialects. At the annual meeting of tho Congregational Union of nCV. J. A. JAMEfl. 79 1847, the Rev. Dr. Bootfl, a Clergyman of the EHtablished Church of Holland, was present, and Raid " that, a principal object of his visit to England ;va8 to obtain an interview with the Kev. J. A. .Tames, as the writings of that servant of Chritit had been of great benefit to himself and many of his countrymen," lie then addressed Mr. James with deep emotion, stating that he had given away a dozen coj)ie8 of tlie " Anxious Inquirer " to as many young men, liis follow- Btudents, 1o each of whom it had proved the instrument of conversion, and that five or six of them are now zealous evangelical Ministers. Dr. B. Airthcr stated that, being anxious to extend the usefulness of Mr. James' writings, he had translated two others of his works, and begged to pro«» sent him copies of them in the language and typograjihy of Holland. These statements excited emotions of sympa- th}' and joy in all present, and the episode was felt to bo most edifying and blessed. • Mr. James, in replying to his friend from Holland, turned to his young brethren in the Ministry, many of whom he sup- posed envied him just Ihcn. He assured them that he could attribute the honor now conferred upon him as having sprung from his desire to be useful, a desire which he had over cherished from the first of his entering the Ministr3\ One feature in Mr. James* Ministry deserves special men-* tion, Ms care/or the youny. To this class of the community he preached scores of sermons. One which ho preached in I*oultry Chapel, forty years ago, to the young mon of the London Missionary Society', is a m^xlol of pulpit eloquence. Respecting it a critic has said : "With an eloquence pecu- liar to himself, Mr. James has here addressed llio young on a snbjeci which seems to be vary dear to his "own heart, and which we earnestly hope this address will render dear tr the hearts of many who hoard him. The sermon was yatber long; bvt we ,havo rarely fouud the interest kept up 11 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1 / 7 ^#/ o ^/ /A .^^ /*V#, &•/ fc ^ 1.0 I.I ■J 1^ IIIIM U£ 1^ 12.2 !!: |;o 12.0 1.8 1.25 11.4 IIIIII.6 v] V/, y: 7 -<^ L.? L^ % ^ 80 DISTINOtJISHED MEN. to the very last sentence, as it was on this occasion. We know not whether it is most to the honor of the cause to have such a pleader, or an honor to the pleader to have such a cause." T^he sermon deserves all that the critic here states respecting- it, as it is full of thrilling sentences and must have produced a powerful oft'ect upon the mass of young persons who crowded that far-famed sanctuary on the occasion. His books addressed to young people, one of which is entitled "The Young Man from Home," another, "The Young Man's Guide," and j-ct another, "The Young Woman's Guide." all show the intense interest he felt in the welfare of this important class of the community; and should the j'oung people of the present day read those books and follow out their practical suggestions, we are sure that they will grow up to bo respected and useful in their day and generation. In this day of increased mental activity, when there is some danger, perhaps^ of intellect receiving supreme atten- tion, even bej'ond the cultivation of the heart and moral rectitude, such books as Mr. James wrote for our 3^oung people, as well as his " Pastoral Addresses," his " Earnest Ministry," and others, are eminently adapted to usefulness, and will serve to prevent us being carried away from the cultivation of the heart, which after all is the most essential. Doubtless one great reason why the Pastor of Carr's Lane Chapel was so much in eiU'nest for the welfare of young men, and why his works and his preaching were so full of counsels for them, was the ti ct that he owed his conversion to God by the tidelity of a youth who was a fellow appreri'* tice with him. This youth had been religiously trained, and the first night that he abod^ under his master's roof, on entering the sleeping room which he occupied in common with the other apprentices, he knelt down b}'- his'bed-sido ftnd prayed in silence, notwithstanding the fact that th© REV. 3, A. JAMfid. 81 Other boys were present. This was truly a noble moral act, find from the results that followed may be seen the impor- tance of faithfulness in the dischargeof all Christian duties. We will here quote Mr. James' own words on this subject, Bpoken more than fifty years after the occurrence took place : ^' I mention this fact, not merely because of its influence upon my future history, but as showing the importance of letting our light so shine before others that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven. We should never be ashamed of our religion, nor of the perform- ance of its duties. It is a very great disadvantage to young men going out into the world to be lodged in the same chamber with others. It requires much moral courage, more than most persons possess, to pray amidst the gazing eyes and scornful looks of irreligious companions. I shall ever have reason to bless God for this act of Charles B — " We have referred to Mr, James' " Pastoral Addresses," which were published in two small volumes, and which were perhaps the most extensively circulated of all his publican c^tiolas, except the " Anxious Inquirer." At the close of 1859 one million^ fortif-nine thousand, three hundred and nineteen copies of the Addresses were sold. Space would fail us were we to refer to all Mr. James' publications, as we would desire to do. Ilis " Earnest Min., istry" commanded an extensive sale, and was, we believe, ot great service to many Ministers of different denomiua-* tions. We know of one intelligent lay gentleman in York«% shire, England, who presented more than one hundred Min- isters wi'h a copy of this book. It was deservedly com- mended by all classes of reviewers, and a single extract which we will give may serve to show what was the leading design of the sainted author in its publication — the inculca* tion of earnestness to his brother Ministers ; it is particularly addressed to the Dissenting Clergymen of England ; ■ m rUSTINQUISHED MEN\ ^'■^ *' Dissenters of England, and especially Diss'cnting Min^ istern, I say thGreforo unto 3'ou, bo in earnest: first of all, and chief of all, in attachment to the doctrines of Evan- gelism, to the creed of Protestantism, to the great princin pies of which God has employed, in every age and country where true religion has had existence, to vitalise a dead, and purify a corrupt world. Be it your prayer, your endoa-* vor, your hallowed arabiiion, to possess a Ministry of competer>t learning, and especially of sound evangelical sentiment; a Ministry which, in the simplicity of their discourses and the intensitv of theix* zeal, the fervour of their piety and the all-comprehending extent of their labors, shall vie with the best specimens of the Clergy of the Ohurch of England. There is earnestness among er qualitication it is a true one, that ttsefubif.ss is xcltUm flto reach of us all ; the man who in*- tensely desires to be useful and takes the proper means will be useful. God will not withhuld His grace from such de- sires and. such labors." We make the following extract from the* review which he wrote on the life of the Rev, R. Knill, the last article he ever wrote ; " In the retrospect of a long life, now drawing to a close, during which I have watched, of course, the career, and ol>served the mode of action, of manv of mv brethren, I have noticed great diversity in the result of tboir ministry: and I have most assuredly seen that where the^' have been intensely earnest for the salvation of souls, and have sought this by a style of jn'oaching adaj)ied to accomplish it, God has honored their endeavors by giving them success. If without impropriety, I may refer here, as I believe I have done elsewhere, to the service which, during fifty-four years, Iliave been allowed to render to @ur Great Master, I may declare my thankfulness in being able, in tome, small degree, ! i 86- DISTINGUISHED MEN. to rojoice that the conversion of sinners has been inj' aim. I have made, next to the Bible, Baxter's ' Ecformed Pastor ' my rule as regards the object of my ministry. It were well if that volume were often read by all pastors — a study which I now earnestly recommend to them. I sometimes venture to hope that it has kindled in me a spark — but oh, how dim ! Standing as I now do, in the prospect of the close of my ministry, of the eternal world, and of my summons to the great Lord of all, the salvation of souls as the object of the ministry appears to mo more than evor before in all its awful sublimity. Everything else, as compared with this, fcioems as the small dust of the balance ; and though perhaps not altoij-other an idler in the vinevardof the Lord, it is now my grief and ni}' surprise that I have not been more devoted and more laborious. Defects, omissions and errors come o\\^ before our view in the evening of life, and especially when it is spent, as mine now must now be, in retirement and solitude, and suHering, which we did not perceive during the burden and bustle of the day. To my 3'ounger brethren I hay, "You are engaged in the greatest work in the universe ; for in preaching for the salvation of souls you are brought into fellowship with God in His eternal purposes of mercy to t "e children of men, with our Lord Jesus Christ In His redeeming work upon the cross, with the Holj^ Spirit in His mission to our world, and with prophets, apostles and martyrs, Heaven, through eternit}-, will resound with the praises of your diligence, or hell, with lamentations and exe- crations upon your neglect.*' Mr. James was no' a man of extensive learning. He did n jt devote himself to profound studios, hence when offered ai^-ain and again a Diploma of D. D., he earnestly refused, nnd while he rejoiced in the successful prosecution of ab- struse studies, in which some of his brethren seemed to ex- cel, all his ambition v;as to be practical and evangelical. W llfeV. J. A. JAMe^. %n 1. iio was fond of the old land-marks, and was really jealous of everything that did not bear the evangelical stamp. John Angell James was a good man, and by reason of his great Rpirituality and intenf-c attachment to the leading doctrines of the gospel, he was sometimes led to speak out rather strongly against some of the movements of the age. He diJ not like some of the tendencies of the times, as he considered them to bo diametrically opposed to spiriuial religion. In his Ordination Addresses ho always sounded his voice against Rationalism in .every form, and exhorted his young brethren never to forget the grand doctrines of the cross. This good man died full of age nnd of honors, x^inongst his last utterances were these words, " My condition just now is very low — not my spirits. I am peaceful, I may say happy, quietly and contentedly waiting to see how it will go with me. How delightful it is, notwithstanding the hum- bling and sorrowful consciousness of defects and sins, to look back upon a life spent for Christ. I thank a sovereign Go I I am not without some degree of this." "We have mentioned " the life of Mr. James," by his Avor- thy successor, to which we acknowledge our obligations ; but we must admit that we have been somewhat disappointed in respect to the omission of one subject in which Mr. Jtimos felt much interest — we allude to the subject of Temjjerance. Probably owing to the numerous duties that claimed Mr. James' attention, he did not often appear in public as an advocate of Temperance ; but it is certain that he gave his adhesion and the weight of his influence to the cause. He was, we believe, what might be termed an exptx,.^ncy Tem- perance man. A pamphlet published by the Rev. W. Oooke, D. D. (of whom we have spoken in another place), on the subject of Teetotalism, contained what Mr. James termed his '<• Teetotal Creed/' 88 DI.sTINOUr.sIIED UF.y. In one of his letters fiddrosscd to Dr. Patton, he speaks thus of J. B. (loiigh : " We havo now in our country 3'our eelebrutcd Temperance oratoi*, Mr. Gough. 1 have heard him once, and trufy, for a poi)nlar ypeaUcr to the muhitudc; he IwiH unrivalled powej's. 1.1 is command of the audience by his humour, wit and anecdote, uiul ehxpient ajipeals to tiio feelings, is astounding. It is a combination of acting- and speaking. There is an equal mixture of the ludicrous and the path^itic. Ilo is amazingly popular, and thoreforo nttracts largo audiences wherever ho goes." The following paragraplis, which wo have taken from " the Tem|)erance' Cyclopedia "" — an invaluable repertory — are some of the sentences which Mr. James uttereil in favor of Temi)eraiieo : , , . r,. • ,. Aiiy'fiNENCE AS AN ExAMPLE. — "When I reflect on the mighty evils of intemperance ; when I see what misery and Clime result from it ; how it is moving against the pre.ss and the pulpit, the magistrate and the divine; and how it is in- creasing against threats of men and the commands of God ; I tl)iiik the time for agitation, for conicdoracy, and for com- bination, has arriveil. I feet bound to give my own exam- ])\o to the cause that I may upon consistent ground reason v/itlithe drunkard whom I may address." Some tinToafter Mr. James had practised Total Abstinence, he thus w^rote : " I have tried the system for two j^eara, ^nffice without any painful intimations that it i* executing the work assigned it. What is remarkable is, that a disease in my throat, which once laid rae aside fi\>m pulpit labor for eleven months, and always distressed me as long as I par- took of beer, wine^ or spirits, has entirely loft me, sa tha REV. J. A. JAMIS. my voice, which was feoblo, has wonderfully strengthened juui I can now preach in Surrey Chapel to 3,000 people with ii6 great case as I could formerly to 300 in a village chapel.'* It is often contented, that wine medicinally is absolutely essential to many constitutions, and some clergymen of eminence use it in this manner. Hear Mr. James on thi:^' point : " I was strongly recommended and even commanded, by a very eminent medical practitioner, to take a glass of wine per day for a peculiar complaint, and seeing the im. portancc of my health to my church, as well as to myself I tried the prescription for twelve months, which expired shortly after the meeting in Edinburgh. Well, after testing the virtues of wine for twelve months, and deriving no hencfit from the expej'imont, I gave it up, and have taken nothing but water sijice." These sentences were sutficient to show what Mr. Jamo;;' views were on the subject of Temperance, and which w< gladly place upon record. "We further acknowledge oursclf under great obligations to some of his writings. We alwayi= admired him fof the many Christian virtues that he posessed and we now hold him up to oui* readci's as one whose ex^ ample, in respect both to religion and temper{ince, w^e think (li^servinij of imitation. '^ • * ^ i\ m. ia» ho. lits VS. [so tor ir- La V" ri ,i; DR. J. PYE SMITH. " IIownH a colossus of It'arninR, a complete cyclopedia, a living, breathing Bibllothooa, wliMiii you could never consult in vain." '• A critic of higli and well merited eminence, and a model ot caution and candour, so \ery rare as to entitle him to a museum of cliaractcr." " All, all is rit,'ht, by God ordaiti'd or done; And wlio but God resuines the friend Ho gave ! Heaven giv(!.s us friemls to bless the protscut scene, liosumcs them to i>rcpareua for the next."-- JToMny. 11: 'he geutloman whoso name stands at the head of this paper, Avas an aceomi)lished scholar, a devoted Christian, an eminent Minister, a consistent Teeto- taler, an earnest advocate of Mechanics' Institutes, and a tutor of long standing. At the tinae of his death, in 1851, ho liad reached his 77th year. Ho had just retired from the arduous duties of tutor, his friends had made arrangements for his comfoi't during the remainder of his days, when his master summoned him home, so that his death reminds us of what has often been said, that, '• every Minister is immoi''- tal until his work is done." The venerable Dr. Pye Smith did not " rust out," but "worked out," and realized the eager wish of the Bard of Methodism, who " ceased at once to work and live." Wo presume, that few have lived to such purpose as this devoted man. He seemed to place the great object of life always before him ; marked his course, and never deviated from it, by turning to the right hand nor to the left. Some persons accomplish but little all through life, simply because they busy themselves with many things, and are vo'*y zeal- ous for a while ; but before long they alter their course, and strike off in ^n opposite direction, and thus they go oq, frittering lifi? away, and in the end accomplish noticing. N l?l ii' REV. J. pye; smith, d. d. 91 Such was not tlio eiuso with Dr. Pyo Smith, lie labored assiduou.sly. From his youth ho was accwstomod to rise early, and spend his days in the discharge of those duties which devolved upon him. The extent of his reading was almost incredible. At the ago of IG he could roj)oat the whole of the New Testament from memory. It is said that there were very few books in the library of Tlomerton College which wore without the well known marks of his perusal. # When under the parental roof, he was accustomed lo spend much time in his father's shop, which was that of a bookseller. Hero he road all kinds of books, with a rapidiiy and eagerness that was astonishing. Some called him " a book glutton ;" but happily he devoured to purpose. He was not like the epicurean, whose gormandizing habits unfit him for society, and soon terminate his career, lie digested his knowledge, and society at large, as well as himself, reaped the benefit. Even to his dying day, he delighted tq surround himself with his books, and keep adding to ]\\s stock of information. It might be said that Dr. Smith know something of almost every branch of knowledge. One who know him well, says : " He was a very accurate and chaste classical scholar, and his Latin compositions are remarkable for the purity and elegance of their style. He was among the best of the Hebvewists, and unequalled in his knowledge of pure the- ology, a skilful Biblical critic, and well versed in the sacred lore — ancient, scholastic, and modern. He was an accom- plished French scholar ; and we have always considered him among the first of those few Englishmen who knew tho German language completely and philosophically. He had *some acquaintance with the Sj^-iac, Arabic, and Dutch languages; but his general knowledge seemed almost without limit. With geology, botany, comparative ani^tQ, y2 il)STlNQUISH£D MBIf. my, and entomology', ho wjis perfectly acquainted," To some, the extent of Dr. Smith's attainments may seem incredible ; but it can only be accounted for on the ground of his diligence and proper use of time. Every p>oment was carefully improved. Every hour added some ([uota to his general knowledge. Long before the dawn of day, he might be seen in his study, preparing his College Lecture, reading some new work, or arranging for some public engagement. During the whole day he was never idle. What to some would have been leisure hours "for recreation, were to him the seasons in which he read the poets, and tluis relieved hi.-s mind from more severe toil. — In all Unit ho did, reguiarily was predominant. By doing one thing at a time, and not leaving it until it was done, he was freed frori many of those inconveniences to which those subject tliemselves who work without either habit or discipline. Let any one look at what Dr. Pye Smith ac- complished, and then will be seen the v^alue of those plans which he adoj^ted. hi fact, no man can accomplish much, either in literature or anything else, who is not possessed of a spirit of perseverance that will overcome every diffi- culty that may come in his way- The world may be thankful, that there have been some whom no obstacles could discourage; hence they have become heroes in their day, and we gladly place Dr. Pye Smith among the ;i umber. The venerable Tutor of Homerton was not content with merely performing his Collegiate duties, which were suffi- cient for any one individual, but he became an author of no mean celebrity. He was a regular contributor to some of ^he leading Reviews, and for critical acwmen, beautiful diciion, and depth of thought, he was not surpassed b}'' any of his compeers. lie wrote several vohi\iYes, anyone of \iiiich would havp been sufpcicnt to 2)erpetuate his fair^e.-^ REV J. TTE SMITH. D. D. )e Mr ^o Ifho choicest of his works, anponent with hj\rd arguments, not with hard words;" but, too often, each contending j)arty strives to speak with as much angry fr.eling and bittei" animosity as possible ; hence truth, for which both pretend great regard, is lost sight of, and victory peems to be the object that is placed before both minds. Such was not tiie case with Dr. Pyc Smith. Some of his friends conceived that he dealt too leniently with his oppo- nents, and even shcwod them almost criminal tenderness^ but he heeded not the opiidons of such quondam friends. He stood firm in the defence of tru+h, and could ailbrd to treat Mr. "Delsham with Christian respect. The book has ^long been a standard in the various seats of learning, and is atext book in the University of Oxford ; and it is belrcved that it will not be surpassed for many years to c/>me. Kov. George GilHlIan, whose Galleries of Litoj-ary por- traits are well known, writes tlms respecting Dr. Pye Smith's famous work, the "Scripture Testimony to the Messiah": ^*The critical skill, l-earning, .solidity of judjj. ment, power of argument, and conclusiveness of reasoning, oontained in that treatise, are extraordinary ; and all this combined with ii gentleness of spirit which, though t'-uly characteristic of the writer, seldom pervades polemical volumes. lie walks up to his antagonist with all the polito- 110S9 of the Christian gentleman, gives him full credit Tot everything creditable about hira^ points out mildly thn,.maivy of who-m rcganled him as a father. Dr. Smith was truly a ' niaii of the people.' When he was 3'oung. the cflects ot the lirst French revolution wero- felt throughout Eur(>|)G. The spirit of democracy wan sprejulirig, and 'thoi'L' was ever}' probabilit}' of extensive- changes being made in every part of society. The cry of all parties was 'relorni !' Young Smith, as he was then, termed, gave indul'itable evidence- as to what his view* w.ere. His f'rioiKl, the lute James Montgomery, of precious memory, was cast into ])rison for writing certain articles which were deemed (ihchus. The future Doctor, nothing daunted, discharged the editorial duties of the paper while luB friend was incarcerated in a dungeon. Durinu' the lin>e of the " Corn Law " agitation in Eni^land' ho proved that he was no- friend to monopoly, Ly giving a large sum to, the funds of the League ; and he was always, ready to aid hy his pen, or pur.-Cj every cause which aimed at the elev'iiiun (^f the people. When the Temperance movemout began to excite ])ublic attention, he joined its ranks, and to th.o end of life he was its firm friend, being at one time the President of one of the societies in his own neighbourhood. The Ibllowing are th& seiitiinents of tliis estimable man, on the hal;iLual use of intoxicating liquors: — "■ The person becomes i{isuscej)tible of ])ure religious feelings, and is mrfully liable to spurious reli(ji.oiu — t!ie religion of self-flattery, of exaltaticjn, of imagined jirivi leges, while moral obligations sir*i little regarded. The religion whose es.sential character.- REV. J. PYS SMITH, D. D. 97 d .'0 Is it lit Its is spiriliKil pride and vain glorioii.-i confidoiico. TIiih pro- tended religion, the most virulen^ of moral poisons, the most deceptive of its own victims, and the moat contagious to other persons, is well known to the faithful Minister as the hijdra evil which occasions the greatest difficulties, and most distressing trials in all his course of duty. Close in- vestigation will often discover a surprising connection be- tween these delusions of the soul, and the indulgence, very moderately, in spirituous beverages and narcotic poisons." We have often been surpri.sed at the conduct of those Ministers of the Gospel, who refuse to helj) the Temperance cause, and we have more than once wept at the sudde:i demise of some who held a conspicuous place on the walls of Zion ; since it is well known that they were accustomed to use intoxicating liquors ; not that we think they did so to excess, but that they merely took them medicinally, almost daily. The late lie v. James Sherman, when in a feeble state of health, was blamed for not using wine, as it was believed the want of it had caused his debility. Dr. John Farre was consulted, and gravely replied : " Why, the elephant gets stronger upon water; let Mr. Sherman continue the water, and perform his accustomed labor." We are glad that Ministers of every denomination are now being enrolled in great numbers in the various Tem- perance organizations, and we trust that the time will soon come when all who preach the glorious gospel will set their faces against the use of intoxicating liquors, by whomsoever recommended; as we believe that nothing else so much retards the progress of Christianity in our day. Dr. Pye Smith took an active part in the formation of Circulating Libraries and Mechanics' Institutes, and, if we are not mistaken, the last public engagement that he at- tended, was to deliver a Lecture to a number of working men, at Bethnal Green, Ix>ndon. He was always disposed 98 D16TINGUI8H1ID MBI*. to render help to those who were in straitened circum* stances, particularly students at college. He has been known to expend the whole income of one year in charity. His private gifts will never be fully known, until the day shall dawn, which shall reveal all things which have been done in secret, whether good or bad. His kind, generous disposition v» on for him a large circle of friends. His stu- dents used to call hira the ** blessed doctor." All who had the pleasure of his acquaintance felt that, in bis death, they had lost one whose memory they will ever cherish. Though sometimes imposed upon, he was ever the same kind, generous friend. Though de})riv6d of the pleasure o/ much social intercourse, through extreme deafness, he was always ready to give counsel to those who were pleased to consult him, and he was never known to betray any confi< donee. Some of the friends of Br. Pye Smith disapproved of thd course he pursued respecting the Regium Donum, a grant that used to be made from Parliament for the relief of neces- sitous Dissenting Ministers; but he regarded the so-called " grant " as a debt; not as a gift. He conceived that the Parliament had received an equivalent for all it thus gave. " Peace be to his ashes." We have given Dr. Pye Smith a place in our little book, from a sense of esteem for his many virtues, and the love he always manifested to the Temperance cp.uso. ,. , . . REV. RICHARD TABRAHAM. ' The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in tl»e way of rijihtemisiip.ss." " The love of Christ doth me constrain To seek the wiindcTJiiK sons of men : With cries, entreaties, tears, to save, To snatch them from tlie gaping grave." : - ■ ■ . . ' ■ ■■■ ' ' I ■ •■ , ■ I HIS estimable man has been in the Ministry of the Wesleyan Church, England, more than half a cen- tury, having commenced his itinerant career in 1815, and remained in the active work until the Conference •of 1869, when he took a Buperannuated relation, at which time he was the oldest Minister in the effective ranks. During Mr. Tabraham's career, he has not occupied what is usually termed the most important stations, as London, Leeds, Manchester, &c. ; but has been principally stationed in small, rural districts, and has generally remained in all his circuits the utmost length of time allowed by Conference regulation, which speaks well for him. In preaching, he is plain and practical. All his sermons contain more or less of experimental religion, which proves that the truths which he preached to others have been enjoyed in his own life. He speaks that which he does know, and testifies that which he has seen. He is rich in Christian experience- In pastoral labors he is faithful. He has suffei-ed much in the cause of Christ. During the unhappy agitation which occurred in the Wesleyan body in 1849, and following years, he was stationed in places where the conflict between the troublers of Israel and those who stood by the acts of Con- ference was dreadful in the extreme, and cannot, even now, be contemplated without a shudder ; hence the trials which !■ 100 DIsTlNGULSIIED MEN. he and others in Bimilar circumstances had to endure were of the most painful description, lie held firmly by what ho believed to be the principles of righteousness and truth. In patience he possessed his soul, and having lived through the ordeal, no doubt rejoices that the Church is novr more pure, and is girding herself with the holy weapons of the Gospel, lo make war on the citadel of the enemj''. The noble efforts put forth in the erection of new and commodious places of worship, in every part of England, especially in the largo towns and watering places ; the for- mation of a Uome ^lission ; and the care bestowed upon Weslcyan soldier's in Her Majesty's service, are all noble schemes, which have already donennuch to repair the waste places of Zion. ( • », ••-' -v-t ■, '; It is, however, more as a laboix?r in the cause of Tempe' ranee that we have to do with Mr. Tabraham in these sketches. lie would not be atrnc son of John Wesley were he to clothe himself in a coat of mail, attacking instead of defending th# good ci-.use, by wliich thone^ands have been reclaimed ; and we doubt not but that tens of thousands have been preserved from the fangs of the destroyer. Mr. Wesley, in respect to Temperance, as in other things, was far before the age in which ho lived. The advocates of Temperance have been accused of an intemperate mode of advocacy ; but, though we have had the privilege of listen^i ing to many of the most distinguished of them, both in England and America, we have never heard stronger Ian>* guage than is to be found in the writings of the Founder of Methodism. Hear him. He (Mr. Wesley) calls spirituous liquors, " Liquid fire." lie designated those who eell thera, "murderers by whole- sale," and declares that "the curse of God cleaves to the stones, the timber, and the furniture of their houses. The curse of God is in their gardens, their walks, their gro ves I I REV. B. TABRAHAM. 101 '! »» he ho es n a fire that ^ -pns to the nethermost hell. Blood, bloo. cacy there is nothing uttered thatdoe:= not cc;mj)ort with the 1 1 I!! .1 ^ 102 DISTINQVISHUD MEN. dignity of the Christian Minister. His endeavor is always to do good. He does not take up the subject of Temperance for amusement. He is invariably 'serious, weighty and solemn." He acts as in the sight of God, and feels the responsibility of his situation. He took part in the deliberations of " the World's Tern- peranco Convention," and lifted his voice among the fathers of the movement, in defence of what was then known as *Hhe long pledge." He was for no half measures. He would renounce the use of liquors everywhere, and would have nothing to do with them„ either in shape or form. And it must be observed that Mr. Tabraham thus acted when many pleaded for expediency ; when the cry was prevalent^ " you go too far." Ho had examined the ground on which he stood, and feeling assured that the day had gone by for expediency, ho resolved to stand bj his principles at all hazai'ds, and the sequel has proved the wisdom oi* the OQursQ which he adopted, Mr, Tabraham had the honor of being selected as one of the essayists at the Ministerial Temperance Convention, held in 1848. His theme was " Sabbath Schools." Before commencing to read the address, or essay, which he had prepared for the occasion, he said .^ *^ During the fourteen years that I have been identified with the cause of tota) abstinence, it has often occurred to me that the youth are our hope for the future. I have thought that the youth connected with our Sabbath Schools are a very important part of the pastoral charge, and I feel exceedingly delighted that some movement is to be made in relation to the teac^'^ ers and children of our Sabbath Schools." The address is couched in a Christian spirit, full of aflfeo- tion for the class of persons addressed, whom he styles , <' fellovv4aborors." He places the subject before them in an impressive manner, confirming his statements by some \ 'i » ; ! \ REV. R. TABRAHAM. 103 ;h" telling ftiotfl, a few of which we beg to insert : " When a child," said a young man, "my father was in the habit o£ taking me on his knee at dinner time, and giving me one teaspoonful out of his glass ; by this means the taste of drink was acquired, under the influence of which I committed the crime for which I am about to suffer death." <'*Four boys, the oldest of which was not twelve years of ago, joined their pence, and a profbssing Christian woman served them with a gill of spirits in a private i\x>m." " Of the first one hundred scholars admitted into a Sunday School, the character of sixty -five was in after years fully known j thirty-eight wore confirmed drunkards, y?ye transported, one the cause of his mother's death in a public house ; others had been occasionally drunk ; and only two had joined th:? Church of Christ, and even these had previously fallen into intemperance." " Thousands trained in Sabbath and weekday schools have become the victims of our drinking customs." He next saj^s j " Two hundred and fifty thousand of your honored class have under their godly care not less than two miUioins of our j^outh } these are the hope of the f\it«re. These should take our places. These will exert a mighty influence for good or ill in their homes, among their com- panions, and in future years. If all tt hers were piousty graying, prudent teetotallers, and would judiciously indoctrinate these two millions of youth in these preventative principles •—in true Temp«>rance — many of them would never taste, would escape uncounted ills, gather various blessings, serve their generation according to the will of God, exercise a .useful influence in an extended circle, and then they ancj theirs on earth and in heaven would call you blessed." Next follows some facts which prove the advantage of entire abstinence, from which we make a brief selection ♦ "Many'young persons, after signing, become regular attca* 104 DISTlNOniBHBD MEN. n IM dants on the means of graoe. I was much pleased in avibit I paid to an extremely poor district, to find the children clean washed aiid neatly dressed. This was the result of Temperance. Seven taverns were replaced by seven tchoolB, in which three hundred children received a sound roligioie education." "Seven hundriad more children n«w attend the schools than before total abstinence was introduced." "Our happiness may be placed to your instructing our boj in his class. This led him to sign the pledge and persuade his father to do the same. Ho is now sober and pious, and we are all happy, very happy. Thank God for the cliango." Mr. Tabraham thus concludes his valuable address : " To you then, beloved friends, under God, we look for the future SOBRIETY of our NATION, If you indoctrinate our youth with sober sentiments, with total abstinence principles, the cloudi which now gather over our native isle will be quickly scat- tered, the sun of prosperity will quickly shine more brightly, life will bo preserved, health will invigorate our population, science will advance, iniquity decrease, and religion triumph. But if you fail in your solemn duty, your glory will wane and your influence decline, for God will frown, and call into action more faithful agents. Work, then, while it is day. Work for God. Train a sober race," We have reason to believe that this address, which was circulated by thousands, was productive of much good, and we are sure that the venerable author, now thr.t he has well- nigh reached the period of four-score years, will rejoice that in the Temperance cause he has not "run in vain, nor labored in vain." May his evening conie late, and may his sun set without a cloud ! It has now become a custom to hold a Temperance meet- ing in connection with the sittings of the British Confer- ence — a custom which other Conferences would do well to follow. At the Conference of J8G8, which was held in ft ;' i I REV. R. TAIJIIAIIAM. 105 Liverpool, iho Tomporarico mooting was ono not Boon to bo forgotten. Among others who upoko on tlwit occasion, was the venerable man whose name Htands at the head of this page. Ho said "ho would occupy about five minutes in eketehing his hnmblo experience, that it might reach the heart of youth, the iioart of parents, tiie heart of Christians, tho heart of some of his beloved brother Ministers in tho Wosleyan Ministry. i\t a very early ago, almost as early as ho could reniomber, when a littlo boy, in tho groat and awful city of London, he, following tho natural taste wliich God had given him, and which up to that time had boon providentially preserved, was averse to tho taste of liondon porter, and objected to partake of the family beverage ; and his dear and, ho trusted, sainted mother, whom he would moot ero long ii the kingdom of their common Fatiier in heaven, said, ' Richard, if it is repugnant to you, you shall have your own way, and not taste it.' Oh that idl mothers would imitate tho example of mine. Thus, b^'' God's provi- donee, through tho thoughtfulnoss and kindness of my mother, the foundation of habitual and long-pro! "acted absti- nence was laid. Thank God for this. When about sevens teen yoara of age, I was brought under the influence of grace, and joined the Wesle3'an Society; godly wisdom put into my hands tho rules of that society, and I road, 'All drunkeimess, buying or selling spirituous lic[uors or drink- ing them, except in cases of extromo no^'^ssity.' I smiled approval and said, '1 have never drank t^pirits and I never will,' and that resolution I have kept until I am nearly sevonty-six years of age. When, in tho year 1815, it pleased God, through the agency of the Wesleyan Min'stry, to .'-end m© into a circuit, I said to myself in the quiet of my heart ; 'I shall have sore temptations, great exposures, imminent danger ; now for rules.' The first rule that I made was that my drink should be water or milk; but not beer. As to 'I! 106 DISTIN0UI8HED MEN, M wine, whothor homo or foreign, weak or strong, I never drank two glasses at any one time for any person, or under any circumstances. As lor spirits, I never took them except for medicine ; and if I lived rightly and worked hard, breathed pure air, and prayed for grace, I would never need it as medicine. Another rule was that as I never had hurt my delicate, sensitive sense of smell by using snuif, I never would. Thus it became a part of my religion not to smoke, not to drink, and not to take snuff; but to be a plain, earnest, devoted Methodist preacher, until God should call me home. 1 was one of the iirst to join the old British and Foreign Temperance Society, and, for anything I know, my name remains on the pledge-book of that defunct society, good at that time, and good for its object ; but superceded by the more perfect thing. I am happy to say that between thirty and forty years ago I became one of the first to adopt out- and-o'.it teetotal principles. For some time I thought I should do more good by not signing the [pledge than by fiigning it, and persisted in that mistake. I discovered, however, my misapprehension, and my name was entered in the pledge-book, and there it stands, and I hope will IX} main there till the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works shall be destroyed. Having been fifty-three years in the Wesleyan itinerancy, and by the singular providence of God put at the top of that ministry, as the oldest present traveling preacher, and being nearly seventy-six years of age, I believe I can, with- out boasting in the slightest; for, thank God, I am nothing but by His grace — work with most of my junior brethren. I just w ish tosa} that, as I am nearing the grave, and look- ing upon a bright prospect of heaven, I am growing hap- pier and happier in the wide-spread and mighty influence, among Methodists and Methodist preachers, of teetotalism." We are glad Id conclude our sketch of the venerable M REV. R. TABRAHAM. 107 Richard Tabraham by tho above speech, which we have copied from the " Methodist Temperance Magaz.inc," a small, unpretending periodical which is ably advocating theprin-' ciplos of true Temperance. ■i Igg* ■ HEY. W. J. SHREWSBURY. *' This houor have not all the saints." "Who is the greatest? I answer, the best; and tf lam required to siy who is tl»e best, I r, ply, he wh') has deserved most of his fellow creatures." "Stand tliDU as a beaten anvil to the stroke, for it is the property of a good warrior to be flayed alive and yet conquer." " A fine specimen of the missionary spirit and character." i I lOMEWHERE about half a century ago this excellent man entered the Wesleyan Ministry, and continued in the active work until 1862, when he was necessi- tated to become what, of all things, the renowned Dr. Adam Clarke is said to have most dreaded to be, a supernumerary, or " one that is not wanted "; the venerable Thomas Jack- eon, now in his eighty-fifth year, however, defines a super- numerary to be " one who may be warned again." The first term of service which Mr. Shrewsbury rendered was in the West Indies, where, in connection with his com* peers, he fought many hard battles for truth and liberty. At that time oppression and tyranny reigned in those lovely islands, and not a few devoted servants of Christ were cru- elly wronged by false accusations and unrighteous imprison- ments, and even persecuted to death. They " went through seas of blood to crowns of glory." Mr. Shrewsbury escaped death, but when stationed in the island of Barbadoes, the chapel in which he preached, and the house he occupied ; his library and all his manuscripts, were destroyed. He, and his wife who was in a delicate state of health at the time, narrowly escaped death at the hands of an excited, infuriated mob, whose only cause of RfiV* W. J. SHREWSBURY. 109 hati'ed was that he and his brethren were friends of the negro race, and were making sublime efforts to spread Christianity among those down-trodden members of the human family. Happily, by the labors of a "Wilberforce, a Clarkson, a Buxton, and others, in the British Parliament (who in their discussions made honorable mention of Mr. Shrewsbury), aided by the facts and evidence communicated by Mission- aries, "the sum of all villainies," which once reigned tri- umphant in the West Indies, has forever disappeared from all the British possessions throughout the world; so that now, though the noble and beloved Queen Victoria sways her benign sceptre over larger tracts of the globe than were owned by the " Roman Eagle," and thousands more bow to her sway than were ever claimed by any monarch since the world began, yet there is not a slave among them. " Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lunga Receive our air, that mameut they are free — They touch our country and their shackels fall" After Mr. Shrewsbury had been a few years in the \Yest Indies, he returned to "good old England," but soon sailed to another part of the mission field — South Africa, where he again gave full proof of his ministry, and was the honored instrument of turning many to righteousness. Rev. W Shaw, who, in the year 1865, was] President of the Wesleyan Conference, England, was at that time General Superinten- dent of the Wesleyan Missions in South-East Africa,- and in that graphic book, "The Story of My Mission," often makes honorable mention of his beloved friend and fellow-laborer, the Eev. W, J. Shrewsbury. At one time they performed a Missionary journey together among the Ivafir tribes, " which lasted five weeks, during which they travelled six hundred miles, principally on horseback, and for twenty-one nights slept on the ground, sometimes in the fields, but generally in the native huts, no DISTINGUISHED MEN. without undi cbsing, except occasionally to change their linen." Mr. Shrewsbury commenced his labors in that part of Kafir land over which Ciiief Ilintsa presided. The static was culled Butterworth, in honor of the late Joseph Butter- worth, Esr[., M. P., a man beloved by all for his catholicity of spirit. As he had been for several years treasurer of the Woslcyan Missionary Society, he was greatly beloved by the missionaries, who resolved thus to perpetuate his name. lie (Mr. S.) labored hard and succeeded well among the people for who-se welfare ho toiled, not confining himself to the immediate locality, but he itinerated into various parts of the extensive and wild district of country occupied by the various tribes of that region. Some years afterwards, the Chief Ilintsa joined the Gaikas, and made war with the colonists, at which time he met with his death. The mission- ary^ village was destroyed, and for some years afterwards it was in a wilderness state ; but has again been occuj)ied, and at the time we write Butterworth stands on the mission stations, and the Rev. John Longden labors there. Mr. Shrewsbury also labored in Graham's Town. Here the able and evangelical character of his ministry, together with his zealous pastoral efforts, were of the greatest service, and many were thereby attached to the new church just dedicated. This was the second large Wesleyan Church built in that town. One or two others have since that time been built ; and an " Educational Institution," called " Shaw College," in honor ot the distinguished founder of the missions in that part of the world, has also been ereeted, so that it may truly be said, " The wilderness and the solitary place are made glad for them, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose." *' By a most painful domestic bereavement, Mr. S. was Ki^. W. S. SflttfiWSBURY. Ill ime law tho 3, 60 ary and necessitated to return to England; " but," says Mr. Shaw, " he left behind him an undying reputation for piety, min- isterial ability and fidelity." On his return home he did not settle down as though ho was now entitled to comparative ease for tho zealous labors he had performed abroad; but, like a true zealous servant of Jesus Christ, he went about his circuit, visiting his people from house to house, and preaching the gospel with power and success. He was much employed on Missionary Depu- tations, and the narrations which he was accustomed on such occasions to deliver, made a most {.jowerft'l impression on the hundreds, and f?ometimes thousands, who were convened to hear of tho progress of Christianity in the regions beyond." Mr. Shrewsbury, at an early period of his ministry, be- came a total abstainer. How ho was led to adopt the principle, is best told in his own lucid stylo, in a speech which he delivered in the town of Bradford, Yorkshire, where ho was then stationed. He says : — '* During my first year's rewdcnee in Tortola, it was my happiness to be under tho fatherly care of the oldest Wesleyan Missionary in the West Indies, the Rev. George Johnstone; he was 40 years of age wlien he went to the West Indies, and of a habit of body not well suited to that climate, both of which circumstances were unfriendly to his living there ; yet ho went through labor that would have killed almost any tw^o other men, and continued in his work for scvcntrxn years, when he died beloved and respected in tho Island of Jamaica. He was not a total abstainer, but a very abstemious man, and I once heard him say, that previous to leaving Scothind, he consulted a medical man as to his course of diet in the "West Indies. That gentleman replied : " Mr. Johnstone, if you have been accustomed to take a littlaale or spirits in this country, you may take them sparingly in the West 4 I'' 112 DISTINGUISHED MiSSf, Indies ; but if you have not takfn thorn at homo, the less * you ta.>ste them abroad the better." I never forgot th*" remark, and It produced in mo a strong predisposition to take but little besides water, " I knew another most valuable missionary, the Bev. Thomas Morgan, who spent several years of hard sorvice at two different periods in the West Indies, and scarcely suffer- ed a day from headache or sickness. I remember, when several of the missionaries were met together, that one of them said to him pleasantly : " Why Morgan, you are \as hard as a Welsh pony, ^' alluding to his incessant toils, without f carcely feeling fatigue. And yel he never drank anything but water. This further confirmed me in the habits I was forming. I ob&orved, also, in my own experience, that if I took but one glass of wine when dining in company, the next day I almost invariably felt more or less tendency to inflammation in my eyes while reading or writing in my study; the natural consequence, I suppose, of the stimulated animal heat thrown into the blood, and the whole system by a drink utterly nnsuited to any country, and especially to the hot climate in which I was then living. I did not wholly escape the afflictions of that country, Thrice I had fever in the West Indies ; once, and that the severest of al?, a long continued fever in Africa j but I ascribe, nnder God, my preservation and recovery mainly to my temperate habits, verging even then on my present total abstinence principles. " Nor shall I ever forget the memorable case which I once heard of good John Baxter, of Antigua, who was the earliest Missionary of the Wesleyan society, half a century ago. He was brought to the verge of the grave by fever. His medical attendant pronounced him in the evening a dying man. His nurse left the room afterwards for a mo- ment. Cold water was not allowed him. Parched with f REV. W. J. 8HREW8BURT. 113 lie less got th*" ition to he Eev. •vice at Y suffer- r, when : one of ( are \as without ^ything ts I was ihatifl my, the ency to J in my nulate(i system ^eeially did not e I had tofaW, er God, nperate tinence v'hich I vas the century Y fever, ning a r a mo- d with thirst, during her momentary absence he made a desperate effort and reached a pitcher of water, containing three or four quarts, and drank the whole. Shortly after he sank into a profound sleep, and the most profuse perspiration began, till it so increased as to drench his bed and drip through the couch upon the floor- In the morning the Dr. called to enquire at what hour of the night Mr. Baxter had expired ; when, lo ! ho was sitting up in bed and eating his breakfast, the fever being quite gone; and thus, ^wre water, literally proved, according to the expressive language of Scripture, than which there is no truer philosophy, ^^the water of life " to him. By such a concurrence of facts, observations and reasonings, it is that I have been brought to become myself a teetotaler ; and I believe I should be one if there was not another one in the world beside." Mr. S , in the foregoing statements, professes to reason <'AS A MAN." He next states his reasons " .\.s a father" for espousing the cause of Temperance, under which head he relates the following thrilling incident, which he knew in the West Indies. " I was acquainted," says he, *' with a young man whose father had formerly been a missionary, lie was not much more than twenty j^ears of age, but I never met with a more confirmed drunkard. He charged the evil upon his father, who himself, from taking a little grad- ually, increased tho quantity until he lost the character of & sober man, and relinquished his high and holy calling ; next he abandoned his wife and family, and at length died in obscurity and contempt, and sank into a drunkard's grave. The son — his only son — was an incessant grief to her who bare Mm, his first forsaken and then widowed mother,— and he broke the heart of an aged grandfather, venerable for years and piety ; this son oftimes said, that when he was a little boy, ho bought rum for his father, and used to take a drop by the way, and thus acquired a love of it^ and bo- 114 biSTINGUIHIlED MEN. •ill'- ■ M came u solti.sli yoiitli before lio was adrnnkon man. One mornini,^at the house of h'lH uy God's universal law of retribution, making sin to contain the germ of its own punishment, when man has been so unju^it to so gracious a benefactor, what he gets by waste, in ten thous- and ways, work his ow . ruin; and the strong drink, which ho has made out of his Heavenly Father's blessings, sends the i^owtileneo and famine of drunkenness, worse than ai>- nual cholera, into every part of the land. Is there anything just, either to God or man, in this accursed drink ? And shall that thing be swallowed, in moderation, by a christian that is the generator of so much crime? As well might he be embraced l>y a harlot, who professed to de,-?iro and to follow after purity of heart." The following is worthy of consideration by all who would make progress in the Chriatian life. Speaking of total abstinence, our author says : '* Will it hlndor me from being a Christian? In no wise, how can it possibly do that? IJovv can my personally abstaining from ovevy kind and degree of inebriating drink hinder mo in the great pursuit of my life, my undeviating aim to be a real, solid, practical Christian? In thoroughly investigating the matter, and weighing every kind of objection, I vlo not remember that any opponent of total abstinence has ever taken this ground, or endeavored to convince me that I shall personally dam- age my ohrihtianity, and bo injured in my soul's welfare and holiness, by utterly abandoning intoxicating liquoro*. I conclude, tliercfore, that though the whole Christian world might not be vv'illing to subscribe a document negatively, eondemnatoiy of intoxicating drink, the conscience of the whole Christian world is in this negative sense against it, since all that is urged upon me is that 1 may take it, not that I oujht. How can I do otherwise than receive such a remark as a kind of oblique concession to the cause of truth ^nd temperance; a tacit admission, that entire abstinCROo 120 i III ' • f 'if DISTINGUISHED MEW. ( of this sort is not adverse to my pursuit of Christianity ; and this opinion is rendered more certain, when I observe, that they who aflSrm that I ...ay partake thereof, wish me to stand on my guard ; which caution is enough to arouse some suspicion of danger. If a man does not wish to call some one next me a thief; yet, if while he recommends him to my acquaintance, he bids me keep a sharp look out upon him, I cannot help thinking that he is no very good charac- ter, and that separation is preferable to intimacy. In this way, then, I make this total abstinence question, a personal matter between God and my own soul ; and my roasoti con- ducts me to the conclusion, that on the one hand it throws no obstacle in my way, while on the other hand it offers mo a safeguard, and various helps, in my desire and endea- vor to be like Jesus Christ, that I may be accepted of him, when the heavens and the earth shall be no more. This, is enough. This decides the matter.'^ 1^ After all that has been said and written against the brandied wines of tins age being used at the Lord's table, many shudder at the idea of their removal. Hear Mr. Shrewsbury ^n this question : " Instead of lurking in ves- tries, and sporting in the chalico, called in Scripture the " cup of blessing," and "the cup of the Lord," it should be turned out <.f the house of the Lord for ever, The Church of Christ is his bride, and is to be presented to him as a " chaste virgin," " not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Shall then, the drink suited to brothels, and de- lighted in by harlots, be reckoned fit for her sons, and form a part of their daily portions." Again, "The Church has now to overthrow idolatry in Britain ; she has to overthrow Intemperance, the mightiest sin and greatest curse of the age and nation, — the sin which empties sanctuaries, and makes the labors of Apostolic men comparatively powerless and ineffectual. The strong Ian- REV. W. J. SHREWSBURY. 121 guage, yet not raoro strong than just, of a writer in tho Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, for December 1836, cannot be too often repeated ; it should be publicly exhibited in every Conference, Synod, Convocation, or assembly of Chris- tian Ministers. These are the solemn and mournful words . " This single sin of Intemperance is destroying more souls, than all the Minist-ers in Britain are instrumental in sav- ing:' Speaking of the numbers rescued by Total Abstinence, Mr. S., says : " An appeal might be made to almost all the churches of the hind, for an acknowledgement, that there are to be found amongst their devout worshippers, some, whom the temperance movement first led to their sanctu- aries and their ahars. Eescued by Total Abstinence from strong drink, thcj' became penitents, reformed and Chris- tians. Could these individuals be collected together from every christian society in Britain, (to say nothing of other nations), they would form a splendid and magnificent con- gregation, and surely Jesus would see in them 'the travail of his soul, and be satisfied,' " As might be supposed, oar author views the subject from the Missionary stand point: " Exists there a Missionarj' Society that would allow its Missionaries, or even its school- masters, or its a)'tizans, to set up a model brewevy, or dis^ tillery and teach the people the fatal art and mystery of making intoxicating drink f The artisan might introduce a plough or a threshing machine; he might build a mill for grinding corn ; mi/'ht he also erect a brow house, or build wine vaults, or a liquor store ? Would any Mission- ary Society in giving an account of its operations, dare print a statement to that effect in \i^ published report, or announce it at an anniversary ? Were that done, would it not be considered an outrage upon all Christian propriety by the whole Christian world ? Ah ! how easily men can i m 122 DtSTlNGtJIsnED MEN. distinguish between right and wrong, between good and evil, when it in no way affects either their personal inter- est, or interferes with their daily habits, or with the cus- toms and usages of the community with which they intermingle ! But they would be terrified at the idea of a Kafir or a New Zealand Christian, elevated by missionary influence, becoming a manufacturer of strong drink, that instead of eating men like a cannibal, he might poison them ly wholesale, like a gentleman. Yet we have not a particle of compunction at appointing most extensive dealers and makers of such drink at home, presidents or vice-presidents, iind chairmen of some of our most sacred and religious institutions ! If thy have but acquired a sufficient sum of money, by " the wages of iniquity," to raise them to an unenviable eminence amongst the gcntrj- of the nation, their respectability covers their iniquity, and they are called upon to take the chair with great applause. Can this be pleasing to Christ ?" The concluding paragraph of this admirable essay, may serve as an incentive to continued action, in the great work of the Temperance Reformation : — " Ours is an arduous work, and requires zea^ ; ours is a constant work, and can only be sustained bj' indomitable perseverance. Let our . "'ie-nd« be vigorous in their holy warfare against strong drink cvfcryvs'hcre, without flinching, without compromise, without apology, (apologies belong not to virtuous prin- ciples,) yet always in a Cluistiaji spirit, and in meekness. Let them take care, however, not to bo mealy-mouthed,. but plain-spoken, employing " sound speech that cannot be condemned," however much the doctrine may }ie disliked by many, who will persist in keeping up the war betwqen appetite, and reason, profit and conscience, strong drink aiwl Christianit3\" Xhe eJXcellQnt man whp wrotQ those sou.I-thi:illing sou,'. V,: laEV. W. J. SHREWSBunT. 123 may work luous can our ong rise, )rin- less. hedj. t bo iJced, Qen ami tences, left the shores of mortality in the early part of the year 1866. He lived a life worthy of emulation, and loft the Church a precious legacy. He was the author of a commentarv on Ezokiel and Daniel, and the Minor Pro- phets, which occupied his chief studies for twenty-three years. Two of his sons are Wesieyan ministers, one of whom is a missionary. A well written life of Mr Shrewsbury has been publislicd by one of his sons, which deserves to be extensively circu- lated. Rospcctin,g it, the I\ev, W. Morlcy Punshon thus writes: — " This is one of the most interesting bioo-rapliies of the age. The subject was no ordinary maji. The times in which ho lived were stirring. His histf^iy is full of incident, and some of the chapters have all the inspiration of romance, the while they are the word of truth and sober- ness. If the missionary spii'it v^'cre ever in danger of languishing, this is the book to revive it. If men ave dis- posed flippantly to say that holy devotion is a tiling of the past, let them road this life, and hush the unworlhy sncei* Mr. Shrewsbury had the apostle's zeal and the martyi's heart. He was at once modest, meritorious, Govcreiy tnic. He owned no leadership but that of conscience, and knew no hatred but that of sin. The biographer has shown fine taste and filial piety with hereditarj" conscientiousness — and has done his work in a manner worthy of imitation as well as praise." Should o\,T present attempt at authorship meet with that success that we hunilly hope for, we purpose exhibiting another ' gallery,' containing portraits of " Distingu'shed Missionaries," and among these, Bev. W. J. Shrewsbury shall have a conspicuous place. " Servtmt of Christ, well done, Rt'st from tliy lov'd employ, Tlie battle's foufiht, tiio victorj-'s won Eutt'X tliy Master's jujr. ( . ■ r I .' REY. SAMUEL ROMILLY HALL. "The common peoplo heard him gladly." •' Highly aiipnciatcd wherever he is kiiowu." "All cai'iiL'St miui.ster of the New Testament.* ■Ak. II EKE are several reasons why we have a liking for tlie gentleman, whose name we have now in- troduced, bnt, the following, may be considered sufficient to Justify ns giving him a place in these sketches. First, he is regarded as the spiritual father of the Eev. W. Morley l^unshon, M. A., and it is a remarkable coincidence, that while the latter gentleman, for the second time, was elected President of the Wesleyan Conference in Canada ; the Kev. S. E. Hall, his spiritual father, w.ns the President of the Wesleyan Conlercncc in England. Second. Mr. Hall has, for many yciWH, been a warm-hearted, zealous advo- cate of the temperance cause, — a cause by which he has faithfully stood through all the changes that have occured since he first embraced its principles. This distinguished gentleman professes not to go so far as some of his temperance brethren, but, he goes so far, that he discountenances not only intemperance, but evo.i the social glass, which so often lends to drunkenness. But as we prefer in all cases, where we can do so, to quote the words of our subjects themselves, we will here give an extract from a sermon preached by Mr. Hall, some two years ago, when he stated the question thus : — "Whatever may be the opinions of men on this subject — some for, and others against — I tell you one thing.- I see tbftt drunkenaess pervades all circles. I sec that the social REV. 8. E. HALL. 125 ■tm use of intoxicating drink is at the groundwork of intempo- ranco. I poo that there is a notion prevailing in our social circles, that it is a respoclablo thing to take wine, and that it is courteous and hoHpitable to ask a visitor to take a glass of wiuo. I see that kind of tampering ,vith the mischief is based UY)on the silly and ooaeoited idea, that it is respect- able, and so on, I see that it gradually leads young men — aye. and sometimos women, too — to habits from which the}' cannot retreat, and which they would give the world could they free thonaselves of. 1 see wherever men touch not and taste not a thing that is so accursed, in almost every largo funiily, and in almost everj'- homo among the work- ing population, that those men aro the freest from disease, from sullcring. and from sin. 1 see all that; and without taking up what is called the Scri})tural ai'gumont, the me- dical argument, or the ai'gument based upon statistics, I would take the social argument. To those who see no harm in taking a glass of wine, boor or spirits, I should like to pay, have you not nean little children play with fruit and the glasses when you have done at social parties ? This is getting the first taste of a nasty and ruinous thing. Have you never oll'ered to your little ones the glass which, by and bj-o, of their own wills, they will take, and thus prepare themselves lor the ruin and curse of life ? Do you know any largo family circle which has not been disgraced by two or more of its members, when grown up into life, bringing shame and sorrow upon parents, brothers and sis- ters, because of the curse of their drunkenness ? Then, if you would bo '• without rebuke ;" if you would never have a child of yours by and bye, when he gets to shame and^in, turn round and say to you, " Father, you took your glass; you led me to take two, and then more ; now I am brought to a drunkard's death." If you would set a good example to those around jou, maintain, wherever you go, abstinence, '^ 12G DISTINGUISDED ME!o amongst wliom you associate," On ]\rr. Ifall being elected to the highest otTico of the Connexion to which he belono'^, he did not fail, from that high position, to speak out clearly his views on this sub- ject. True, he did not attempt to commit the Conference to any particular view of the question. In that " venera- ble assembly," there might bo found some who would not oven go so fir as Mr. Hall himself had gone, still, there were a goodly number; and the number is increasing, who would fully oiidor:-;o all that he said at that time. It would not be right, therefore, to regard his utterances in any other light than personal. From the chair of the British Conference, two years before, the eloquent and noble minded AVm. Arthur had given no uncertain sound, and now, in 1868, when Samuel Eomilly Hall fills the throne of Methodism, he spoke thus: "The age is active for good. Vigorous and vigilant efforts arc being made hy godly men of all churches to overtake, if they can, certain recognized and classified evils; to contend with those evils; to remedy them. Men are being classified now as the destitute class, the depraved class, the dangerous class; classes utterly beyond tho pow- er of of any single community rightly to reaeh and remedy. Now it would be, I think, to our interest to ascertain how far we can take our part in the exercise of asocial influence, 80 as to remed}^ the admitLcd evils and dangers of the social state. And it is on this ground, that I have, without be- gi'udging, and without disguise, always looked with high approval upon those efforts that are made by earnest men, to check the wido^spread intemperance of tho people. And 128 DISTINGUISHED MEN. J t ¥ cannot but suppose, that it would be highly pleasing to that great and blessed Being, who, in his infinite goodness, excludes all drunkards from His kingdom, if we, in some way or other, can cheer or aid the men, who are doing battle to one of the most insidious and diabolical foes, that ever invaded our homes and overshadowed our land with shame." There probably never was a period in the history of the temperance movement in England, when so many of the clergy of all domonina,tions were identified with one or other of the various organizations, as at present. One of these is known as " The National Temjx.wice League,^' whose head- quarters are in London. This organization has done much to spread the truths of temperance, by means of "mass meetings " in Exeter Hall. One of the latest meetings of this kind, which the League held in that celebrated hall, was addressed by the Presidents of some four branches of the Methodist Church, and also the Chairmen of the Con- gregational and the Baptist Unions, all of whom were known to be temperance men. The Rev. S. R. Hall was amongst those cliief messengers of the Churches, and delivered a thorough practical speech, a few selections from which we are sure our read' rs will gladly peruse; " He said, that although the object they had met that night to promote was one of great interest to the Church of Christ; and one of so much importance to this great nation, he was not there to speak in any representative character whatever. He said chey had" been enabled to work uphill in the face of the massing together of bad habits, and they had won. They had gone in to sustain this great work of national temperance, and they were on the right side. He took himself great pleasure in congratulating the League on the success they had won, and on the moral victory they Jjad achieved. They had gained to their side judges, magis- *'* HIT. S. R. HALL. 129 [easing to goodness, , in some ire doing foes, that land with )ry of the ly of the or other 1 of these lose head- )ne much of "mass etings of ted hall, nches of the Con- e known amongst ivered a hich we let that mrch of nation, laraeter i uphill id they ivork of e. He League y they magis- trat«8> statists, gaol authorities, and if the cause was to be satisfied with the sympathy and respect of good men, intel- ligent and philanthropic men, the best portion of the com- munity, he thought they might re^t and be thank* ful. They might rest in the approval of the righteou^a. But their aim was something beyond gaining opiuion. They went in for earnest, persevering work, to win and draw men back to God. They were there to support prac- tical godliness. The Methodist preachers had this advan- tage, they did not only argue with people, but they fell back on their experience. Although not in an experience meeting, they would not consider a Methodist preacher very much astray if he related a little of his experience. For some 3^ear8 he had felt constrained to aim at one object — to try to discourage the use of intoxicating drinks as a bever age, by forming a resolve not to touch them himself He had not gone quite so far as some present. Thoy could adopt the division of labor. Some sustained them by plat- form speeches, others privately discouraged the use of intoxicating drinks. He never hesitated to do that. He thought he might say that, as they had gained right opin- ions and pleasant sj-mpathies, tliey could afford to be very generous, very patient with slow goers. That was a very great grace. They could afford to be patient with those who were heart and soul with them. He thought there were other classes besides the drunkard to be considered — those who took their one or two glasses of wine a day. Let them work their Bands of Hope, and get hold of the young before they formed habits which might never be dreamt of, and the full eflFects of which might never be seen. Mr. Hall then narrated an adventure of his in a town in the North of England. On his arrival he went to a large room used for preaching, and asked if there was not to be a band meeting that night. Such was the case, and he listened to one 130 DlBTINGt^SHED SltS. I I person and another who had been called roughp. The first thing that Htruck him was the unusual tenderness and gen- tleness of their utterances. One man related his being asked to become a teetotaller, his becoming one, and then his desiring something better, "and this," said he, " is the l)laco whore God j)ardoned my sins." The man related his experience, and after the meeting Mr. Hall promised to preach on the Monday night. It was agreed among them- selves that no res/>ec^fe 2>erson should enter. He found the room full, and preached to about 400 peopio from one of the worst districts in a very wicked town, lie enquired liow the work begun, and found tlmt a person who lived in the neighborhood was so horritied at the depth of degrada- tion that he purposed to leave the neighborhood. Ikii ho rsaid to himisolf, that was not right, lie stayed among them, a little room was hired, and this was tha first link of a work of God, l>y which a considerable number were converted. This man got a number of poor people together and read them a tale out of the British Workman, " \\v\y your own Chei'ries," — asked them to go next week and bring their companions with them, and from that day to this the work had been progressing-" Mr. Hall has been more than 30 years in the Methodist Itinerancy, and is a native of the city of iVristol — a city, we believe, oi which he is justly proud. lie has occupied some of the most important stations in the Conference, having labored several years in London, Birmingham, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, and now while wo write, he is, for the second time, laboring in Manchester, besides having been twice stationed in his native city. ■ This list will show that he must be a man of no mean ability, and we believe that we do not go too far when we say, that the people in every circuit would gladly have retained him much beyond the allotted time, only that the BEY. B. R. HALL. T31 'he firet 1' nd gen- s being V' nd then " iH the 1 ated his '■■'. iii.'^ed to •■^ g thorn- yg found oiu one Mtquirod 9 lived in iograda- Jiut he ng them, liH i' a work averted. lid read ;iir own ig their lie work leLhodist I city, we led some Iiaving Leeds, second twice mean hen we |y have lat the inexorable law of Conference forbids a minintep to remain longer than three years in a circuit, and will not allow an}-- ono to be stationed longer than wx years in succession, even in London itself. Several years ago a book was ])abliHhed in England^ which prodticed considerable sensation, called "Wesleyan Takings," Ihe author of which was never really known, though all who are capable of judging have been generally agreed, as to wliom the public are indebted for tliat marvel- lous, and, in some respects, unwise publication. The au- thor, though talented, cannot in all instances be pi'onounccd an impartial writer; his likes and his dislikes arc veiy manifest. The second volume of the said work was pub- tished sonie/6inYir'6'n]'years after the subject of our present sketch had entered the ministry, and here is his " Takintj :" ** A little below the ordinary' size ; compact, well built; florid, be:iignant, ^igrccable features. Unites tiic jjastor and the preacher. A good, free, alTectionate manner; manly withal. Voice, strong and agreeable, nscful mat- ter., Clear in his statements and definitions ; and truth enforced with warmth. Honest, straightforward and liber- al in his views. Knows well, in the language of a popular wi'iter, that the real honest man, however plain or simple h« ap])ears, has the highest species,, honesty itself, in view; and instead of ontward forms or symmetries, is struck with that of inward character; — the harmoii}- and numbers of the heart, and beairty of the affections, — which form the manners and conduct of a truly social life." Aye, and wo add, that of the min.isterial, too. Highly appreciated wherever he is known. In good odor with the people. '^*' Another writer, who knows him well, thus describes Mr. Kail as a preacher : " He enters the pulpit with deliberate stop and calm demeanor, perfectlj' self-possessed and at easev With a voice whieft, might be heard throughout the Free I Hi ' xr.i W} ^^ if M 132 DISTINQUmnElJ ItlN. Trade IT all (ManchoHtor,; ho announcos the opening hymn. Then follows the praj'er, which is reverent and earnest, al tog jther devoid of rant, and never too lengthy. In fact his tendency in, knowing that the people do not like to be kept bej'ond a certain hour, to cut whort the other parts of the service, so as to allow full time for the sermon. The lessons read somewhat raj)idly, but intelligently, and the second hymn sung, ho announces his text. And now he is in his element. Mark him well. lie stands there with the calm, confident assurance of a man who knotvs what he is about; of one who is master of his subject; of one who has something to say and knows how to say it. As he pro- ceeds with his subject, the muscles of the face relax, the eye bi-ightcns, Hashes, and appears almost to shoot out of the socket ; the countenance becomes lighted up and beams with intulligonce; the nostrils dilate ; atone time the ex- pression is gonial, and a winsome smile plays upon the face ; anon the eyebrows lower, and a stern, uncompromis- ing frown darkens t!ie visage; or, as he closes some cogent argument, addressed to the heart and conscience of his hearers, every feature seems to appeal to them to confirm the truth. The action of the arms and hands is moderate, never in excess, never theatrical, often highly appropriate and suggestive, xin inter "»"rnestness pervades his whole manner, and it is evid'^'" .s aiming to speak from the heart to the heart. ' .roughout there is the absence of all that is oilensive, uiibecoming, or unsuited to the place and position he holds." Whatever Mr. Hall may have been in times past, as a preacher, it is evident to those of us who only know him by the reports of his sermons that are published in the periodical press, that he is eminently practical, and keeps the right end of preaching always in view, — usefulness. During his presidential year, when such multifarious I REV. 8. R. HALL. 133 ghymn. earnest, In fact iko to be • parts of m. Tho , and the low ho is loro with s what ho ' ono who \8 lio pro- rehix, the oot out of xnd beams ne the ©x- upon the )inpromis- me cogent CO of his ,0 confirin moderate, hpropriato his whole from the labtjonce of the place [past, as a Iknow him ed in the and keeps fulness. ultifarioua i duties necessarily occupied Ins attention, tho same objoct was always before him. lie was in earnest to save souls. Whether lio preached in largo ])laccs or small ])lacos, in cburchoji or in b* ther the great end of their vocation, PVom this letter we take the following paragraphs, which will enable our readers to judge how thoroughly in earnest is the Kov. President Hall. 1, " I rospectfully and earnestly suggest that we nim to express more decidedly to the world our original call to be a holy people. The doctrine of holiness we hold ami pro- fess ; the possession of the highest degree of holiness aad its consistent practice, should be the first and purest ambi- tion of our life. At this festive season wo are under special oblig9,tion to nvoid conformity to the world in its revellings and such like ; md to evidence the sobriety, the real cheer- fulnepa, and the characteristic sanctity of the Christian. 2. " Let us striv.e t(x^iv,e juQ^re devout And prayerful coa- mV. S. R. HALL. 155 n chosen ;ould not ded him. Grvene in lained to I convcrt- Epworth ford gave But Wes- learner of ins," le liero of Ting men eral, who larshal all est havoc • the close othren in ans which ly to fur^ letter we [lable our the Bov. we Aim to call to be I smd pro- iucss a«d est ambi- Br special evellings }al cheer- Lstian. erful coa- eideration to our important Church usages at the close of the year. Our Watchnight and Covenant services are not now regarded as novelties ; other branches of the Christian Church have recognized their value; and in many instances these, or similar means of grace, have been adopted by ministers of other denominations. It will be well if, by careful preparation and by proper forethought and an- nouncement, we interest our peof)le and congregations in these privileged opportunities, and guard against their mis- use O!" neglect. No small measure of the spiritual advan- tage gained (an advantage calculated by the blessing of God to allect the whole of the coming year) will result from the prefator}^ and explanatory notices we give of the nature, and design, and use of these solemn services. 3. " Lastly, I have to suggest to my ministerial brethren, the expediency of affording to our societies and congrega- tions means of promoting a more extended revival of Ihe work of God amongst us. Many churches, and in some instances communities of churches, or of Christian people, avail themselves of the first week in the year for tiie holding of meetings for united prayer. Such meetings, rightly con- ducted, cannot but be highly pleasing to the Head of the Church. But, spread overall parts of this kingdom as our circuits are. and committed as many of our societies have long been to special services of their own, they are not al- ways able to join in meetings of a more general class. All that I would now suggest is that consideration be immedi- ately given to the question of setting apart, as early as practicable in the new year, a few days or a week for spe- cial religious services, in the hope that these services may be improved to the quickening of our own souls and the conversion of sinners. ^'It was a grand idea of the old Methodist preachers (fa- ther Eeecd often urged it upon me) that special effort must '1 ; 136 DISTINGUISHED MEIV. !;: ' 11 ^'P be in;uic to ol)tuin special good. And that beautiful Sjp^Pci- mt'ii of apostolic simiilicity ftnd Methodist lii'o — Joseph Eiitwislc — frequently exhorted the 3'oung men who resided ■with him :it lloxton to seek repeated revivals — rovivali^ a^*arn for u religious uwnkening, and for a higher Christian life. Upon my bretJiren in tlie ministry very much de- pends ibr an iutcdligent, zealous, goiUy leading in this mat- ter. T len\-^ the mutter in their hands. May the good J:])irit direct and bless us." x>'ot only during his Presidential year, but also at other times, 'Mv. Hall is in groat inquest, to attend wliat is some- time:.; called '' oecasional services," such as church d ;dic-rr tionr-', anniversaries, tc lie has more than once apj^eared in this capacity at tlie anniversary of the Wesleyan Mis- sionary Society in London, which is a clear indication of the i)0])ula)-ii3' of his talents, and the esteem in which ho is held both by ministers and people. At the annivers/i- ry of 18G9, whv;n sjjeaking in Kxeter Hall, it was hfs lot a'sr ri'esident of tliC Conference to move tb.o adoption of the Iveport, in doing wliich he displayed consideraI)le tact, and* he gave, not only ii clear synopsis of that admirable docu- ment, but lik'cwisc mado some excellent remarks in con- trastiiig the present time with the period when the Mission- ary Society was formed. He said : " Then, indeed, India was an unkn.own land to us, or a prohibited one, though wo had a footing in Ceylon ; then vHi were solitary at Sierra Leone ; then we knew nothing, so to speak', of the great fields of mission service wiicre our men now labor ; and since then what has happened? Slavery, the curse and shame of an}'- land, has p>assed away, surely never to be restored ! Since then caste has been relaxed, Mohamedan prejudice shaken, barbarous usages abandoned, never to bo restored; since then, as wo have heard, the lives of women P .-^ REV. S. R. HALL. 131 I Sj^'ipci'- - Joseph resided revivals locieties hristian II ch de- :iis mat- ic g'ood at other is some- d ;du.-?> ppcarcd an Mis- ation of |lneh he livevsfi- is lot a^ of the' tic't, and docii- 11 CQIl- i^i^lon- , India iif;"h ^vo Sierra /,^reat ; and se and r to be iniedan ;r to bo women are protected and their honor guarded ; since then, in al- most in every hind, domestic and social usages have been established, of beautj- and of blessedness— a joy forever ; since then, the press has been set free and released from its restrictive penalties ; since then, Church usages have been enlarged and amended — although Church movements in some directions frighten the timid, they yet, in many instances, give confidence and joy to men who have their hope in Gel ; and since then, as you have testified to us this morning, broaches have been made in the wall of China, open ports have boon entered, and access gained to a mys- terious and ancient nation — an advantage, sir, which I trust .you in your own place, (here Mr. Ilall particularly alluded to the chairman, W. M' Arthur, Esq., M. P.,) and others likewise, will declare as the echo of the voices of the gath- erings of this great May month in London — an advantage, whatever uiiinforincd statesmen may say, and whatever selfish and ungenerous politicians may declare, shall be an advantage hold for ever." The Iieverend gentleman concluded his admirable speech by stating the manner in whicli Christians should rejoice, at the success with which God had crowned their labors. " The spirit of trium}>h v.'ith whitdi the mere politician or social reformer notes the same fact*, ought not to bo our spirit. There is in political revolutions much that deceives and disappoints ; there is oft an ebb as well as a flow in these revolutions, and there is much in social reforms hol- low and false ; but, sir, our trust must be in the living God. As I have said already in substance, the Saviour's kingdom is not of this world. It is not dependent on the discoveries of science, the lessons of human philosophy, the wealth of commerce, the policy of statesmen, the force of national arms— the kingdom of God is within us, and until a man be born again, ho cannot see it, can have no porcep- la 138 DISTINGUIBHED HEN. 11 'I r •'i;, 'I '^ 1. 1 Ii :i'i tion of its nature, of its beauty, and can have no fellowship with its spirit, and no co-operation with its power. Wo must seek a living union with the holy Saviour, ascending — as wo have on these grand occasions the privilege, right and duty to do — ascending upward and upward on the faith that boars us aloft to the throne of the living Saviour; and though as we look around we see the nations in their dark- ness and their death, may we not catch the note of inter- cession and rejoice in the prospect of final triumph f" All who know Samuel Eomilly Hall would regard our description of him as lamentably defective, if wo did not refer to his character as a Pastor. He looks well after the people of his charge. One says, that he makes it a rule to become intimately acquainted with every member of the circuit to which he may be appointed. This must be a matter of great difficulty, inasmuch as the circuits in which he usual- ly travels, not unfrequently contains from 800 to 1,400 mem- bers. Of course there will usually be two or <7iree minis- ters besides himself stationed to such circuits, and we pre- sume that they will divide the pastoral labor among them. The English Methodist ministers also are very particular about visiting all the classes-, at the quarterly renewal of tickets, by moans of which they ascertain verj' clearly what is the spiritual state of all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers. In this work Mr. Hall excels, and in this way he is beloved by his people, for doubtless the saying of Dr. Chalmers is true, as a general rule: — "A house-going minister, makes a church-going peojde." The gentleman with whom we have now to do, possesses great administrative ability. He is never backward in speaking his views on any matter that may come before the Conference, even though he should oppose some who are looked up to as the heads of departments. He is fo^« M REV. S. R. HALL. 139 (Uowship Wo must idiDg— as right and the faith lour; and heir dark- of inter- )hr' egard our did not il after the it a rule to ber of the be a matter :h he usual- 1,400 mem- three minis- ,nd wo pre- oiig them. particular renewal of early what h the Holy Mr. Hall people, for a general urch-going lo, possesses \ckward in [oTAQ before some who He is fowr- less in his criticisms on the doings of thodo who occupy official positions, but he is always the Christian gentleman. He is not a mere fault-finder, but, as he regards the system of methodism to be as near perfection as it can well bo, he has no liking for those who arc "fond of mending our rules," rather '• than keeping them." Several instances have occurred in which this feature of his character has been very manifest. At the Conference of 18G9, when one of the mini«»ters was brought to give an account of his conduct, in respecttoabook which he had published on the quchtion of Class-meetings, Mr. llall and another Ex President took decided ground, and considered the brother in question, " in "ommon with all his brethren, was placed under the most ooiemn obliga- tion of a trust to maintain class-mee /ngs. lie was commit- ted to that as to a sacred covenant ; and wnat said the Bible? ' If it be but a man's covenant, if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto.' He hold that Mr. Hughes, in publishing his book to the world, had broken his cove- nant, and that whilst he held the views cxpresed in that book, they could not, as Methodist preachers, appoint him to a circuit. These sentiments of Mr. Hall will probably be considered by some as being too severe; but the truth is, he is such a real Methodist, of the "old school" if you will, that ho wants every rule, great and small, in the Methodist constitution to be faithfully observed. In all the official meetings of bis circuits, laio with him is authority. He enforces discipline mildly but firmly. He is rigorously impartial. Ho knows nothing of friendship or cliqueism in the aftairs of the Church, which sometimes makes him have an air of aus- terity or apparent harshnesss; but withal he is kind and affectionate, and rules in love. Eight with him is every- thing, and the right must prevail, whoever it may offend. Hq ^vidontl^' sttidies to be a faithful and wise servanti 140 T^TSTINGUISHED MEN. '" Y' 1 ■', 1 I ;'■■ ^ 1 ,'.( : 1 -i, ; i Several years ago, when Mr, Hall was stationed in Bir- minu^hara, Mr. George Dawson, whom Gilfillan in his Second Gallery of Literary Portraits, styles a " transcendental bagman, a clever lecturer, made out of the elements or ruins of a second-rate preacher " — undertook to deliver one or two lectures on John Wesley, whom he was pleased to praise on certain accounts, as he pointed out " the excellen- cies of the man;" indeed, he assured his hearers that he only wished to " exhibit all that was admirable and noble " in John Wesley. Of course all who have only a limited knowledge of the ])rincipal events in the career of the great and good John Wesley, know very well that in his voluminous journals, aud other writings, there are abundant materials, which a popular lecturer, such as Mr. Dawson has the reputation of being, may easily gather up and present in such a form as may be truly interesting to a promiscuous assembly, such as are usually convened to hear a sensational lecture. We are informed that some of Mr. Dawson's stataments were of such a ludicrous nature that the audience was con- vulsed with laughter; but that in other instances, a consid- erable portion of his hearers gave the most unmistakeable evidence of their disapproval of the sentiments that were being enunciated respecting the eminent man whom the lecturer had undertaken to portray. :. . •, >- Mr. Dawson was not content with merely presenting his audience with what he conceived to be all that was excel- lent in Mr. AVesley, but in his second lecture, ho had the audacity to give a review of AVesleyan Methodism, in doing which he \evy modestly assured the thousands of persons who bear that name that Methodism had fuliied its mission, and that it must now g've place to some higher form of spiritual I'oligion. We have not the jneans of knowing what the distinguished Mi 'I i REV. 8. R. HALL. 141 i in Bir- lS Second jendental mcnts or ilivcrono leased to excellen- 1 that he id noblo " n-o of the cod John journals, , which a utation of a form as My, such ure. at3ments was con- a consid- stakeable li;it were horn the pting his las oxccl- had the in doing persons Y mission, form of Inguished gentleman — who has lately become an exponent of the views hold by the gentlemen of the Licensed YicluaUorrt' Associ- ation of the town in which he resides — thinks of the prophe- cies which he undertook to deliver respecting Methodism ; but certainly if he looks abroad upon England alone, ho nuist feel certain that the time has not yet arrived for the followers of Woiley to place themselves under f-omo other loadei-, or be called by some other name. "With places oi worship rapidly increasing; Church debts becoming " Mnall and beuutifully less ;" a Homo Mission establi.slicd that sends its agents among the veriest out casts of society ; a s^'stem of education brought into operation, that bus rec>MVC(l the highobt encomiums from Her Miijesly's comnJssioncrs; For* eign Missions established to such an extent that the »■ i:?i never ceases to shine upon one or other of those ; a Ministry thoroughly evangelical, hundreds of whom are amongst tho foremost advocates of Temperance. Surely witli all these signs of vitality it cannot bo that the mi.-siop. of Methodism has 3'et been accomplished. For once at Ica.^i, Mr. Cieorge Dawson, of J3irnungham, has made a serious blundci'. It wiXi not to bo expected that Ic.'tuics containing such egregious mistakes could be allowed to j^ass without some son of John Wesley volunteering a defence. Tlie gauntlet had been thrown down, and tho Rev. Samuel Romiilv Hall was the man who ran to tho rescue of Wesley and 3Iethod- ism. It was something new for Mr. Hall to become a controvcrtist ; but, his well known fearless spii-it wa.s not daunted. His knowdedge of Metiiodism was such, that lie could furnish a well digested mass of matter, which vvould soon destroy the effect of all tho misstatements of Mr. i;'aw.son rcsj)ecting a man whom he did not rightly under- stand, and respecting a system to which he evidently had no very great attachment. Mr. Hall, in his " Defence of John Wesley nnd Modern Me- 1 i, I U2 btsTtnOUtSIlBD MEtr. i ii fl .1 ' 1' jl ij 1' H .ill ^^ thodism ," dotails, at great length, the facts relating to the con- version of Wesley, and makes quotations from the Wesloyan hymns, illustrative of the various phases of his experience. Mr. D. had been pleased to speak of " the Hjmn Book in use among the peo'plc called Methodists," as being an admirable collection of I'salmody ^ but, with " a characteristic shrug of liis shoulders, ho said as to the theology of the book, he did not believe it," This was eei*tatnly littte better than a cariesiture. The books to which Mr. Wesley acknowledged his indebtedness, are styled l)y Mr. Dawson as being mis. chievous, aiid of which he verjr modestly said, " that they were not intended for men like me." This was surely very frank, and gives us to see in what estimation the gentle-* man holds himself The Christian Pattern, by Thomas A' Kempis, Law's Serious Call, and Tayloi-'s Holy Living and Dying, whatever Mr. D, may sa}^ to the contrary, have been of immense value to thousands, whom their perusaf have taught how to live and how to die. Mr. Hail proves himself fully competent to grapple with the distinguished lecturer, who had chosen the Founder of Methodism as the theme of his discourse, and brings out very clearly those points in his history which Mr. D. had either misrepresented, or entirely overlooked ; for not only does he make trifling remarks about the genuine character of Wesley's conversion, which took place in Aldersgate Street, when ** he felt his heart strangel3'" warmed," but he Iso fails to give the true character of Wesle3^'s preaching, itud does not even once explain the secret of its power and success. To do this, was probably foreign to Mr. Dawson's purpose. Men, such as he is reputed to be, do not admit that divine power must accompany the preaching of the word to give it success. Wesley always spoke as thougii ho had a message from God to the people. His object was not to catch the unoortain streams of popular applause, REV. 8. R. HALL . 143 the con- osleyan erience. k in uso mii'ablc of the Churches, both in iMigland and Canada, do not indicate that there is that vitality and spiritual pow- er which wo should suppose ought to exist amongst those who profess to labor to etlect "reforms " in Methodism. Wa write not thus in an exulting spirit. We deplore strifes and divisions. Our motto is, to spread scriptural boliness through these lands, and if we could see that this object is gained by the occurrences to whi"l> we have allud- ed, we would rejoice. The subject is one on which we have expended much thought, and for which we claim to Uave performed some amount of labor, and we assure our readers U6 DISTINOUISnED MEW- ir that tlio prosperity of the Church, but oupocially the Church of our choice, lies near our heart; for wo believe with the Hov. kSamuol Uomilly Hall, all that Mr. George Dawson may bo pleased to say to the contrary, that the ini.sMion of Methodism is not yet fully accomj)lished. The world is not 3'et in such a state of spiritual convaleMceneo that it can dis[)onso with those doctrines which l)ave usually been de.dgnuted, the " peculiar doctrines of Molhoilism." Wo rejoice in the growing evangelical character of many of the denominations of the day, but still thinU that the work of union might bo promoted to a much greater extent than has 3'ot tak'cn place. But we must not pursue this theme further, though we confess that the subject is one in which wo feel the deepest interest. To return to Eev. S. I?. Hall. ITe is now the Ex-President of the Wosleyan Conference. lie received the cordial and unanimous thanks of his brethren, not only of the ministers, but also of the laymen, who attended the various Confer- ence Committees, for the manner in which he discharged the duties of his office as President, Of course, he has now retired into the ranks, laden with honors, and beloved by all to wliom he is known, for his faithfulness and urbanity in the discharge of his important duties during a most eventful year. His charge to a j)ortion of the young men, who were ordained at the late Conference, will not soon be forgotten by those who hoard it. Ever and anon, the old Methodist ring was heard. It was the ver^" soul of earnest- ness, just like the man who delivered it. The Ex-President preached in the forenoon of the Confe- rence Sunday, in the church where the Conference held its sessions ; and the President, Kev, Dr. Jobson, preached in the evening. Report states that both services were seasons of unusual sanctifying power. Souls were converted. Indeed, all tho Conference services seem to have been characterized IlEV. 8. R. HALL. 147 by groat npiritual fervour, and not a few are of opinion that the labors of Samuel Romilly Ilall, througliout the year, contributed not a little to thi^ imppy issue. It is worthy of remark, that an Aggregate Temperance Meeting is now hold, in connection with every annual Conference in Eiighiiid, That which was held in Hull in 18G9, ai>pears to have surpafesed those of all ftjrmer years, Mr. Hall was to have taken part in the proceedings; but, being detained at a Conference conirnitteo mooting until an hour or more after the meeting had commenced. When ho got to the place, the crowd around the door was so immense, that all means of ingress seemed to bo cut off, so that tho Ex-President could not give utlorance to his Teini)crance sentiments; bul, when tho Conference tendered him its thanks, he declared that he had enjoyed robust health all the year of his Presidency, noLwithstand, g all his ardious and unceasing toils; and this he attributed, under Cod, to the fact that he had taken no stimulants. True sou of John Wesley is Saiaucl Romilly Hall. He neither takes diams nor snulf. With him, Temperance is the best Physician. May the great Head of the Church sjuire the Ex-President to a good old age ! 1 . . i- J KEY. HUGH BOURNE. > 1 • t "A father's tenderness, a sliephcrd's care, A leader's emirage, vliich tliccrcss eau bear; A nilcr'H awe, a watelimaii's wakeful eye; A iiiiot's skill, the helm in stcrni t<) })ly: A li:her'y li.'itieiue, and a lalxirer's toil; A guide's dexterity to disembroil." i " If any man will ci nic after me, let him deny himself." I m n ITE venerable man, of -vvliom we now intend to ])vcsent a short sketch, was a person of more than ordiFiary interest. Thousands, in England, regarded him ao a father ; and the period of his death was a season of great weeping in tlie " Primitive Methodist Church." It was estimated that sixteen thousand people followed his remains to the place of sepulture. lie departed this life about the same time as the Puke of Well ington, whoso death called forth a nation's sorrows ; and though we would not institute any comparison between "the Hero of Waterloo " and our " hero " of Stailbrdshire; yet, wo are of opinion, that the labors of the latter were more conducive to the moral welfare of England, than were those of the former. Ho was two 3'ears younger than " the Iron Duke ;" he had never led thousands to the fvelA of battle; but had often been engaged with the redeemed of the Lord in warring against the common enemy. Tie ivas not much known in the vanks of the nobility ; no pension was awarded him for his self-denying labours ; and it is not likely that the name of Hugh Bourne will ever be associated with heraldry, or placed in the list of statesmen ; but when men shall judge righteous judgment, and moral worth shall bo justly appre- W:V. H. BOURNE. U9 cijltodj tho name of this ^['ood man will bo rovorod as one of thoSs who have labored to leave the world better than he IbUnd iL It jg not onr purpose to furnish a biography of this earnest num. This has been done already by dirt'erent persons. At least five funeral sermons of him were publisiied, all of whii'h, though possessing ditt'event degrees of merit, con laiiiod a sketch of his life and labors, llis life, ?" two Vols, has also been published by a relative. A more valuable Biography of this self-denying man is, we believe, being prepared by Principal Antliif. For the sake of those who have not seen any of the above works, wo will furnish a few of the principal events in the career of the late venerable Hugh Bourne. He was born April 3rd, 1772, ut Fordhays, an obscure part of StafTordshire. From his father, he inher- i:ed an impetuous temper, but from his mother he inherited a disposition for industry, for v/hich through life he was characlp"ized He was brought to a knowledge of salvation while read- ing Mr. Fletcher's Letters on tho " Manifestation of the Son of God,' and immediately joined the VVesleyan Church. This was in his twenty seventh year. lie had not many opportunities of mixing with religious people; but he betook himself to careful study, read all the books which came in his way, which were not many. The Bible was his constant companion. lie was also favored with tho peru- ficA of the works of Fletcher and Wesley, which were of great benefit to him, particularly tho sermons of the latter. The business of Mr. Bourne, that of a carpenter, called him to another part of Statfordshire, whore there was then agreat revival of Keligion. lie entered heartily into the work and encouraged all ho met with, to talk much with others about the .salvation of their souls. This revival caused " a Pay's Meeting," or " Camp Meeting," to be held on Mow 150 BISTINOUIsriED MEN. •! 4 , ■f IIlli, wliich, ovcnluall}', led to tbo formation of what is now called (lie '' Primitive Methodist Connexion." The proceed- ings in (hose days were ji little irrcccular. There was not much dispo^^ition to observe law or order. The zeal of Hugh Bourne and his compeers, carried them aloiiij; as with a torrent. Ciiurch discipline was brought to bear upon Honi,e of the princij)al agents in these " irregular proceed- ings ;" but to the honor of the men who were thus severely dealt with, they did not attempt any agitation in conse- quence. They went forth, doing what they believed wa^ the woi'lc to which Providonce had called them. At the period albided to, " Fairs and Wakes " were held in Stafibrdshire and Cheshire, to the great injur}'" of public morals. ]\[r. Bourne and his coadjutors, held their open-air meetings to counteract those gatherings, and they succeed- ed to a marvcllou-i extent. On tlse formation of the P. M. CVumexion, small and unpretending thougli it was, Hugh Boui'iie tool: an active part, and for many years he was its mainstay, ll'm forte was nianngement. Others might be more fluent in utterance, and of greater power in preach- ing, buL none labored more assiduou^^ly for the purity of the Church, and the maintenance of good discipline. In this respect he was a true son of John Wesley, and was a pattern to nil who labored with him, in word and doctrine. Ho was the first editor of the P. M, magazines and hymn books, which office he held for twenty-two years, and then bc- bccame a superannuated ministcr,'during which time ho tra- ellcd through the most of England, and some parts of Scotland ; and also spent two years in Canada and the United States. On his return to England, he became a great sufferer from a constant pain in one of his feet, which was occasioned, it is believed, by long journeys, chiefly per- formed on foot. His illness was protracted, and his suffer- ings wore severe ; but ho never murmured. Once when REV. n. BOURNE. 151 asked how ho felt, he replied, " the blood of Christ is keep- ing mo out of hell." lie died in great peace, October 11, 1852, aged 82 years. This venerable man, who has now become an inhabitant of the better world, was remarkable for his industrious habits, lid was a great economist of time. Nono of his moments were allowed to run to waste. lie would not spend a minute in useless conversation. From tlie time o^ rising, usually i o'clock, until half-past nine in the evening* he was fully em])lo3'ed in matters pertaining to his spiritual wclfju'c, or that of others. Thus it was that, with the slight ehicalional advantages with wliieh ho was favored, he made such aslonishiug I'rcgress in the acquisition of knowledge- For Iiistory, particularly ecclosiastical, he had a remarkable taste. A work of this kind was left by him in ]\1.8., aconsider- able portion of wiiich had been published in the magazine during the period of his editorship. Ke also prepared a com- mentary on the Gospel According to St. John, and the tlrst three chapiters of the Acts of the Apostles. Ifo was also the author of about forty hymns. The work on ecclesias- tical history has sinco been published, under the supervision of his friend, Jtov. W. Antlift', now Principal of the IVimi- tivc Methodist Theological Institute, at Sunderland. Mr. ]3oiirne was well read in theology, particularly Me- thodist theology. Ko also had a good knowledge of tho English tongue, and compiled a grammar in that language for tho good of tlio junior ministers, which is a curiosity of its kind, boing in tho form of a dialogue. lie used to call teachers of grammar in general, "Latin-shackled grama" rians," Tn his compilation, he changed tho names of &omo of the parts of speech. lie called nouns, objects; verbs, actionatives; adjectives, descriptionativo words; pre])ositions, diroctionatives, Tho work, as a whole, is well ada{)tod to give persons, who have not had access to other grammars, a good knowledgo of tho Knglish language. 152 DISTINGUISHED MEK. . J 1^ I 11' M i%' He had iilso jaid cont^ideiablo attention to Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and knew far more about those languages than was generally su])po8ed, inasmuch as ho never made the least display of his attainments. When he was in com- pany with young men, by way of encourgaing them in their studies, he would relate the mode in which he pursued such and such branches of learning; and in this way, the extent of his attainments was often ascertained. lie was somewhat cor.vcrsant with Physic and Natural Philosophy. When travelling by stage or by railway, he was sure to either talk to ])eoplo about religion, or else he would be engaged reading. Ho found time every day for pastoral visiting, and the only ,vay that he succeded so amazingly was, by adopting Mr. Wesley's rule of "doing one thing at a time," and always being engaged. He also believed, that what was worth doing, rerj^uircd to be well done; hence his constant aim seemed to be, to do all things well. Ho was never unem])lo3'ed, nor triflingly employed. Some of the conversations of this remarkable man, were characterized by great quaintness. Take the following as an illustration. Being in company one day, an old gcntle»> man found fault with the manner in which some ministers preached, grounding his objections, particularly', on the mode in which a "present salvation" was presented. " They sa.}," said this accuser of the brethren, " that people may come into a place of worship in their sins, and go out without them. Now, I think, they should be in pickle a bit." " Well," said Mr. B., " what chapter of the Bible is that in ? Wiiore do you find about pickles in the Bible ? You tell mo something I never heard. I have heard about , jjicklcd 'onions, and pickled cucumbers, and pickled wal- nuts," and he went on with a long catalogue of pickles *' but in all my life I never heard about pickled converts before." "Ah," said the critic, " that is not whf^t I mean, • REV. H BoUhNE 153 I moan that thoy should be a good while before they get converted.'' " VYell," said Mr. B., "keep to what you said ; if you mean what you said, stick to it. ^ow, do you think the thief on the cross was pickled, — pickled in blood> I suppose. But he was not a long time in the jar. He only said, " Lord remember me," and Christ took him up to hea. ven at once. Do you think the jailor in Philippi was in piekl') when he cried out, " What must I do to be s>avod?'> Faul did not know 3'our doctrine about pickling, so he said nothing about lying in pickle. lie only saul, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Do you believe Saul, of Tarsus, was ))ickled while on the road to Damascus, as he lay on the ground and said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" lie was soon out of pickle, how. ever, and made a downright good preacher, a thorough travelling preacher." As a preacher, Mr. Bounio was remarkably plain and practical. He was not of those, who would break the seals or sound the trumpets in the Apocalypse. lie preached as thoujih he knew that some of his con<>:rei''ation would never hear another sermon ; hence, he never left an audience ig- norant or doubtful about the way of salvation. His sermons were, for the most part, exegetical, always short, and occa^ sionally really powerful. He never attempted to make the least display. Ho endeavored to give every one present, a *' word in season." In his mode of sermonizing, like everthing else, Mr, 'Bourne was peculiar. He was once asked, how long it took him to make a sermon ? "A minute and a half," was the prompt rej^ly: " I wish I could make a sermon as fast." "I dare say you do," responded the venerable man. " Give me a text, now ; any one you like." Accordingly, Amos iv:12, was selected,— " Prepare to meet thy God.'» He proceeded. " Dr. A. Clarke says, that this does not 154 DlSTINOtllSlTED MEN. i rj mean, " prepare to meet your God in death and judgment," ' as most people think it does, but, " prepare to meet your God " in battle. The Jews had got to bo very proud and haughty, and thinking they were a match for Jehovah, thoy hurled defiance at Him, and so God pave them a challenge to meet Him. We can tell the people this, 3^ou know ; it will do them no harm, and then we will take it in the old and morefuseful way. Now, we shall /?'S^ notice man's original state in Paradise. lie was prepared then to meet his God, and he did meet ITlm ; for they held communion together amid the trees in the garden. (There is pleniy of room here for profitable remark.) Notice, next, man's fall in Adam. This altogether unprepared him to meet his God; in proof of which, he hid himself from the face of God — so ccuiltv and ashamed was he. And we have all sinned and come short of the glor}^ of God. (Here, again, is a fine field for remark.) Notice, thirdly, man's rcdemi;tion by Chi'ist Jesus. This gives the privik^ge of preparing to meet hie God; yea, it is the very reason wl)}^ he can ]>rcpare. ]t was necessarj^ that Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead the third day, that repentance and remission of sins should bo preached to men in his name. (Plenty of sea- room here.) Notice, /o?fr//i(?/, inward and outward holiness, and the witness of the Spirit. When a man has got these blessings, by repentnnce towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Chvi.st, he is pro])ared to meet his God ; he meets Ilim at a throne of grace, in His word and in His house; yea He dwells in him, and sups with him, and he is ready to depart and be with Christ for ever. Notice lastly, the warning voice, " Prepare to meet thy God." " Except yo repent, yo shall all likewise perish." " He that believeth shall be saved, ho that believeth not shall be damned." Here the good man paused, and casting a smiling look towards his friend, said, "mend that if you can," 1= REV. n. TJOUnNE. 155 his God, together of room s fall in his God ; God — 60 mod and fine field y Christ ncct hie are. It rom the of sins of eea- loiiness, )t tliese in our meets house ; [8 ready ily, the )ept yo ievoth ued." look 4 In all liis sermons, there was sure to be a good deal for the children, lie has been styled " the prince of children's preachers." H^o one evei* saw a congregation of children tired and weary, when Hugh Bourne was the preacher. Ilis famous sermon on Matt. xia:43, will never be forgotten by those of us, wl;o have had the privilege of hearing it again and again. A friend, 'J^ to whom we are under many acUnowledgements, has furnished the following copy of this celebrated sermon : — " Now, my children, this text tells us what we shall be liiaying due uUontion to self denial. Jesus Christ says, * If any man v;'.l! come after me, »fcc.' Luke ix, 22. And as every branch of Christian temperance has in it self-denial, so the branch of Christian temperance now called teetotalism,has iii it self-denial, and occasionally, great self-denial; and tliore being a deficiency of self-denial, not in the gospel, but in the preachings and settings forth of it, the Lord, in hisdi- vine providence, may have caused the teetotalers to be raised up to move the setters forth of the gospel, to stir them up to jealousy, and '"-upply their lack of service in regard to the promotion of self-denial. And the Lord has put honor upon the teetotalers, in enabling them to promote exten- si\'o moral izings, and made them instrumental in turning many to righteousness." For the above interesting outline of a converis'ation, we are indebted to the " Life " of this holy man, and wo aro the more glad to give it a place in these pages, as wo con- conceive it to be a fine specimen of the mode in which he could repel an attack on the temperance movement. He RIV. H. BOtJftNfi. ' 150 r strongly denounced the nse of tobacco, enuff, and drams, and all miniators who used thorn ho usually styled, '* strong drink proachors," and when the subject came in his way, he denounced their practices in no measured terms, as tho following incident, detailed by the Rev. J. Simpson, will show : " A lady offered him a long pipe and tobacco, on seeing which ho said, ho believed 'tobacco was good for t' itch iind scab i' t' sheep, but he could not toll what good it could do in burning it,'and then, with stronger emphasis, frald, 'I^wish you wad'na tempt our preachers to burn 'bacca.' " Tho last time we had tho pleasure of being associated with our sainted friend, will ever be a memorable episelo in our historj^ lie spent a week with us on the circuit where wo were stationed. He spoke at four missionary meetings, and during each day, was engaged writing an *' Essay on Temperance," founded on tho objection made by an eminent clergjMnan, that "temperance or leetotali.^m was one form of Infidelity." (We believe the Kev. gentle- man afterwards acknowledged himself mistaken in making such a comparison between temperance and infidelity.) Mr. B's. essay was very elaborate. Ho often read pieces of his MS. to us, and would not be satisfied unless we expres;> ed an opinion respecting it. Ho went immediately after- wards to the Manchester Ministerial Temperance Conference, where he read his essay instead of making a speech, which produced considerable interest. ' He composed a temperance sermon, also, about the same time, which was founded on nine texts of scripture, on which he expatiated seriatim. We greatly regret that none of his biographers have preserved a copy of this dis- tinguished sermon, which was preached in several places in England. It contained many original thoughts, and we consider, that both the sermon and essay are worthy of permanent record. ^ s^ 100 DISTINOUISUED MEN. f It .1 I This good man held fvwt his teniporance principles at) long aw ho was in the body. In his Hnt illness, he was recommended to lake some medicine in a small portionk)f wine, when he broke out in strong invective. " My name is llHgh Bourne, I am « teetotaler from all intoxicating drinks. No rum, no gin, no brandy for mo, nor anything like it." Few Imott ever equalled, and probably none, at least in ra ' " I have but ono volume of the Troachor's Magazine,* and this I cannot part with. . , ; . i,j ,♦ • • • " I have not, of a considerable time, had opportunity to attend to commenting on the Gospel according to St. John. "Yours, &c., Hugh Bourne. " Bemersley, near Burslom, near Anton, Staffordshire. ♦' Bemersloy, May 1851." The following description of the person of our venerable friend, will give those who did not know him, a good idea of tho appoa.aiice of this remarkable man : " His hair was red and stumpe' ■'.' > • ' . \' I. ( ,] s J ■ iT\ ■I ' • n ( J V ' ■I .' ^ .'■'V.'. d''. 'kxr.i!] l\:< ' i ' ' • . i r . 1 . • .If 1/5 uM'. ; '' ', ■ i' ■ " r ^ ■'. ' I,', ' • .'.J <:' i. ./. 4'^J. '* ■ '.■(■•'•^' ', ^> if 'lO? /' l«'.i.l, • ■ .'a. II v^ it uu\ k/ Sid rr-'v i(rc] o REV. W. LISTER. " Wc arp atn'-dssadorfl for Christ, 08 though God did bcseoch you hy U8 : w« pray you in Clirist's stead, be ye rcfoiicilcd to Ood."— at. Paul. "His only riKhtoonHness I show, IIJH NuvinK trutli iiroclaini, 'Tis all >ny husim-HH here l)el()W, To c-y, ' Uehold the Laml).' " — Ror, Charles WEaLBT. IIB Rcv^ gontleman to whom wo now propose to iutroduco our roaderp, has becu, for many years, a loading minister in that useful denomination of Christians, known by the name of Primitive Methodists, and at the Conference of 1868, he \7a8 elected to the Presi- dential Chair, a position for which ho is well qualified. From the commencement of his ministry ho has always been regarded as a minister of respectability, thougli ho never ^'anked high in the list of those, who shine brilliantly as men of great intellectual attainments. The o])portuni- ties which he possessed in youth for gaining an education, wore small. Being born in a rural village, in the county of Durham, where, we daro say, the schoolmaster — if the vil- lage could over boast of such a functionary — would not bo distinguished for profound scholarship ; the consequence was, our hero entered upon the active duties of tho itinerancy, without being possessed of what would bo con- eidcrod at the present day, in many places, essential quali- fications for the high office of aCliristian ambassador. It is no reflection upon Mr. Lister, r.or the denomination of which ho was so lately the honored head, to sa}', that when ho left his father's house anii wont out, not knowing whither ho went, learning was in a great measure ignored I ihB I mM 164 DISTINQUIsnED HEN. r\ ■ by some who wore loading porftons in the Connexion. The writer well romombors that when about a quarter of a cen- tury ago, the late J. G. Black, Esq., of Sunderland, and some other gentleman advocated the desirability of securing some literary training for those who might enter the ministry, and were oven then disposed to take steps to carry their good designs into effect ; they encountered bo much opposi- tion that they were necessitated to allow the scheme to re- main in abeyance. \ >n /n:fi :'««;'i\t n.iM.*' '* - n ^^i Most of the good men of that day have passed away. Hon- or to them. Tliey did their work nobly. Their names should no voir be mentioned but with respect. They did an amount of labor, which we fear some of their sons would hai'dly be willing to undertake. Open air preaching has now become so respectable, that even some of the Right Reverend members of the House of Lords, have been seen in the highways, preaching the Gospel to th' ^)oor. But it was not always so. The men with whom Mr. Lister was associated |at the commencement of his career, were often hooted and despised for their zealous labors in publishing the glad tidings of salvation in market places, or in fields, or any ])lace whore a congregation could be collected. Some of tho fathers were afraid, that if the young ministers were to become skilled in book learning, they would become less qualified, or ut least, scarcely so v illing to pursue tho hum- ble course of those who had gone before them. We think that tho good men wore mistaken, but, now that the Primi- tive Methodists have got their Jubilee School in York — tho city of Churches, and their Theolo;j;ical Institute at Sunder- land, and are even tJilking of building anolhor at Croydon near London ; time will tell whether the fears of the fatliers were groundless. Aa b Mr. Lister, though uotremarkMble for literary attainments, has always held a respectable position as a preacher. He ^EV. W. LISTER. 165 ib very shrowd, and understands well how to conduct hira- ' self so that ho may not bo detected dealing in other men'S'V wares. He has confined himnolf chiefly to tlie btandard works of Methodism. In his early days, ho read Wesley's Sermons and Fletcher's Checks, very thoroughly, lie has always kept himself well posted in passing events, so that in conversation, he can generall}' occupy a respectable po- sition. His library is not large, so that those who may en- ter his study, would think him behind the times. But, wo believe Mr. Lister's plan has usually been to dispose of his books almost as rapidly as he read them, so that when ho moves, ho is not cumbered with bo much baggage as some of his brethren. When in the pulpit, the subject of our sketch is sometimes very dull, and acts as though henecfUod something to arouse him. Ho will not " load his cannon to sl^oot a spider," nor does he love to waste his breath on the desert air. He re- serves his strength. At times, however, Mr. Lister is very powerful, and makes a good impression, generally on special occasions. His sermons are usually very neat, and give evidence that they have been matured. They are always remarkable for being orderly. In some instances, we have heard him ])reach very long ; and then, again, he would be amazingly short. At Missionary Meetings, "nd groat gath- erings, in which several ministers usually take part, he will be sure, it» possible, to get himself into the least important place. Thus, ho prefers his brethren to himself. The appearance of Mr. Lister, in the jnilpit, is noble and majestic. Being about the middle size, and rather stout, with a pleasant smile upon his countenance, a stranger is usually predisposed in hit; favor. He conducts the prelimi. nary parts of a religious servic with great gravity and decorum, such as becomes the dignity of the pulpit. His delivery Is pleasant and natural. His voice is rather strong, m DiBWNQl/lSntD MEN. yot he can rnana<^o it well, so that it ia often musical, and never (lisagreoablo. l^y reason of the gracefulness of hia delivery, his sermons and speeches are usually wol j received. - • "^^oi One who has had repeated opportunities of knowing him well, says, " that usually the structure of his sermons is textual rather than topical or expository, following, in this respect, the track of tho old Puritan an'l early Methodist preachers ; and after all, if regard be had to the most impor- tant purposes of pulpit oratory, it may be questioned whether the modern and more fashionable methods of sermonizing are really an improvement. In his preaching, Mr, Lister gives evidence of choice rather than of oxtensivo reading. * * * * Of the heathen poets and philosophers, and even of the dramatists and principal classical writers of our own country, his acquaintance, we sliould judge, is limited ; but he seems to have conversed freelj' and at largo with tho theological and ecclesiastical writers of our own and by- gone times, and to be intimately acquainted with the prin- cipal works of Methodist liieraturo." As a disciplinarian, Mr. Lister has always occupied a high [Kisition. Some years Jigo it was a common sa^'ing, that none could c<|ual him for his knowlahje of rule. I'he Primi- tive Methodist Conference, of which he is a meml)er, is a great legislative body. Several days are often occupied, • with this important branch of business. New "Vules, and alterations of old rules, wnth the recommendations for tho entire repeal of other rules, will often bo sub mittcd from Circuit Quarter day Boards, until it becomes necessary for *he Conference to issue a new Book of Discipline, called *' Consolidated Minutes," every /le or six years. In this department of Connoxional work, Mr. Twister usually takes his full share. Being well read in tho rules and usngea cT t' Connexion, ho is seldom caught " napping." lie will HEV. W. LI3TEB. 167 igh mi- ls a )ied, and tho rom for lod have a rule ready to rofor to as bis authority for doing wh*itovor ho docrnH nec.Ifiil to be done. lie niay, nomo- timos err, and some of his brethren who, like himnelf, arc fond of logishiting, may diwagro3 witli him, but, generally he comes olf victorious. i. As may readily be suj)po8cd, Mr. Lister is very success- ful in all the adminifstrativo duties of his office. lie never allows the bu.siness of his circuit to hig, lie look's well after small things: the result is that, being so thoroughly systematic, he is never in a state of confusion. In this way, though being much called from home to attend special services, and transact important business mattei's relating to the Church, his circuilsare never "run down." Tho Primitive Mulhoaist Conference is ])urcly a repre- sentative body. Two ministsrs and four laymen are elocted from each disiiict, to represent their brethren in tho Con- ference. I'imc was when no minister could be elected as a dclci^ate to Oonforonce, unless he had been successful on his circuit during the preceding ycnv. That huccess con- sisted in having an increase of memboi's, and an im])rovo- ment of the linances. Mv. Lister was amongst the number, in those days, who were geticrally successful; the conse- quence was, that ho \\asoftener a member of the " venera-^ blc assembly" than some ot'his brethren of equal standing in the ministry. A similar legulaLion existed in respect to tho ])ablication of portraits, in the Tonnexional magazine. On this account Mr. Lister's ])rofiIe was sooner seen in that [jcriodi'td, than it otlierwise would have been ; but the artist made a great blunder with it. He intended, no doubt, to niiike the pic- ture perfei t ; and, as Mr. L. usually stands veiy erect, tho head was made to lean backv;ard, in a most awkward posi- tion, which lod a late Keverend gentleman, who was remarkable for facttiousness, to say, thai *• tho artist forgot 1G8 DISTINQUlsn KD MEjr. to make tUe head of Listor, until ho Haw ho was without oner and thon ho stuck it on." Few Mothodint Ministers, of our acquaintance, aro more economical, and bettor understand how to make an honest penny, than the gentleman whom we now portraj'. lie is always contriving means to improve his own circumstances. He knows well how to take care of the bawbees ; hence, while he is always dressed in a neat and respectable garb, ho will not spend more money on himself than is absolutely neces- sary, lie takes great care of his clothes, and brushes and cleans them so often, that the people of his circuits used to say, he had on a new coat every time he came to see them. Some Ministers of our acquaintance, have often been per- plexed to know how to make ends meet ; but we do not think that ]\Ir. Lister has ever had any dilliculties of this nature ; for, whilo they aro laying thoir schemes to raise a little addi- tional income, he is executing his plans ; hence, he is not of those who complain that he does not get his salary. He plans, and contrives, and schemes, and labors, until he gets all that he can claim, and is not under the necessity of holding ^' a fifth qunrterly meeting,'" or having a farewell Tea Meeting, so that the Circuit may pay up. lie has so pulled the wires all the year, that every quarter day has, for the most part, met the claims then duo. This distinguished Minister has also excelled in that important element of usefulness, (jetting books info circulation among the people of his circuits, llis business (qualifications have been of great service to him. When stationed on a circuit in the North of England, which comprises some important collieries, he sold hundreds of volumes. It was said, that on " the pay Saturday," there were sometimes more books sold in his house, than were sold at some of the bookstores in the City. • Perhaps this was an exaggeratioD ; though we do not doubt but that ho ha« occasionally rcceiv- "im^ >»' Rev. w. lister, i 169 od as much profit from his book sales as lio has recoivod by his salary. CI Some have spoken disipara^ini^ly of Mr. Lister for this trait of his character. We are of those, however, who think tiiat his conduct rather merits praise than censure. Ho may have au<^mente(l his income; but in this there is nothing wron.i^; for, while he has done so, he has also been spreading knowledge, wliich of course would do good. Few persons to wliom ho sold books v/ould have purchased them but for his recommendation ; while the fact of the people having made their purchases from their Minister, is an almost certain guarantee of their being read; and, conse- quently, ho was doing good, and receiving su!)stauLial good at the same time. From what we have written, it can easily bo inferred, that Mr. Lister has been of good service to the connexion to which he belongs, He has ha*- his run in the best cir- cuits of the Northern District, w'-*'"^ is the only one in which ho truvelled prior to 1- going to Londo i. It must here bo observed, that our Primitive brethren in England have this ]>eculiarity among others, that tliey always station their ministers at the District meeting, pre- paratory to the Conferonce, which may be called, the '' Hr«t draft of the stations. Mr. L. has more than once boon in such circuits as Newcastle, Sunderland, and Shields. He has sometimes been charged "with an unwillingness to take certain circuits to which ho was requested, and simply be- cause they wore not deemed of such importance as some others, for which he had a preference. Some twenty years ago he was invited to take charge of the Primitive Methodist missions in Canada, which were very feeble ; but he declined the honor (?), He has held the office of General Book Steward, for which ho is well qualitied ; but, by the time this volume is out of the press V'lO l)ISTIN(iUI81IEI) ME.V. m ho will huvo rcUiniod to tho cirt'iiit work, as no minister can liold I his oHlco h)n<;cr tiuiii jlrc y^fii's. Tlio P. M. Con (bronco i« so ntron^ly iloniocrutic that tlioy boliovo in n rotation of cornjoxionul otlicorn ; honco, not only niust the Book Steward, but also tho Editor, and Missionary Lecturer, and we suppose also tho Princii)al oi' tho Theological Insti. tution, consist of different persons every ^t'e years ; and no matter what ma^- ho the peculiar ([ualillcationH()f any occu- pant ofotlico, he cannot even be re-elected, For soino yeara past the Boolv Itooni has been j)roductive of }f'\ '.t good to tho connexional funds; tho sales in one year recently ex- ceeded ^t the man is htippy whom the Lord C!>i*recte(]i, and wlio need the balm of consolation (1<. rived from llio promise: "Comfort ye, comfort ye, »ny poojdo, .'■aith yonr God." Thu« we seek the (spiritual ])rolitoi' onrflocks, b}' comnninicating to lliom the plain, healthy, tjuilablo truths of fdiri-iti:niity. And, in order to perform oiii- work raicccM.sfnil^', to Icjvl M»'ward our poople to mature eiirislian holiness, anTi a meelness fortlio skies, we must earnestly stud}'' the holy RcriptnreA, cullivate a humble spirit, ask for divine direction, keep the abidin.j; witness of our ucccptance with (.Jod, and cry to be clothed tvith power from on Jiigh.'' Again, when speaking on the eiiforcomcnt of di^^ciplino the author says : " Let us study to rule well; mis-rule, in some cases, is as bad as neglect of di.scipline. Ii is possible, by an overhearing manner, and a wish to gj-alify our own hurnor, to work more misclnef than real bonoMt aniongst our flock«. The " elders " arc not to act as '' lords " over (iod's heritage; but rather to let the impoi'tanoo of their office bo felt and acknowledged in its Ixncficial results, than in ostentatious display and authoriiativo airs. Whilo on the one hand wo arc to guard against giving up all government to other offtccrs, on tho other we must bo caro- tul not to aim at that dominion and pompous pretension v.diich the New Testament does not authorize ; sucdi proce- dure, in either caso, is alien from the letter of Christianity and tho spirit of our office. Let us aim at slienherdii who us aim at sliepherding, m this particular, in tho fear of God, The chnrcli belou'rs to rt' 172 DIHTINOUISIIED MEN. Christ, and tlio pastoral rule cxcrciHcd in it ought to ho in Huhordiiiatioii to liim, in accordance with his revealed will, and with releronce to his glory. Jli.s eye is on us in every official act, and to him wo aroaccountahle. Partiality must never be allowed to interfere, when duty is clear. Standing on the woid of truth, wo must, with strict fidelity, firmness, and gentlene^s, try to keep every person at his proper work, and everything in its proper place, i^eeking the spiritual welfare of our i)eoplo, and content to bo follow- heljicrs of l heir joy." Mr. Iji.sicr was always remarkable for his temperate habits. ]lo is never f-Qo.n with a pipe in his mouth. No sister ever has occasion to complain that her curtains and carpets were stained with the fumes of tobacco, when he is her guest. lie has for many years been identified with the Tcmj)cranco cause, but has not done much in the way of public advocacy, except occasionally occupying the chair at public meetings. Ue has been heard to say, that ho did not like to become a speaker at public temperance meetings, lest he should bo too often called upon to do so. During the year of his Presidency, the National Temper- ance League arranged for a public meeting to bo held in Exeter IJall, which was to be addressed by the Presidents of the Weslej-an, the Methodist Free Church, and the Pri- mitive Methodist Conference; but the Eev. W. Lister, Pres- ident of the last named Conference, was not forthcoming. — He had " taken iM very suddenly, and begged to be excused. Some mens' illnesses are usually very " sudden ;" but, happi- 1}', thej" are not usually protracted. There is one important feature by which the Rev. Wm . Lister has alwa3^s been characterized, and \^^ " 'h we must not omit, viz., his power 171 prayer. We have selGom known any minister whose prayers were more powerful. Wo have Been large congregations well ni^h overwhelmed REV. W. LISTER. 173 J! while ho was conducting the devotional exorcises. Ilis skill, too, in conducting a revival meeting is great. The writer has often admired him on such occasions, and thought his example worthy of imitation. In 3'ears long since gone by, when we had the pleasure of his acquaintance, ho spent much time in private. The lives of Bramwell, Fletcher. Stoner, Smith, and others of the same class, were his favorites. The esteemed minister, to whom we have now introdueyd our readers, is about 65 years of age. lie has been f'>rty years in the ministry, and has seldom been laid aside by affliction, llo is, wo believe, still vigorous and hearty, and does not need the use of glasses, lie can preach with ease in some of the theatres in London, which are used for special services for the working classob, and which arc sometimes tilled with 2,000 or 3,000 persons, all of whom can hear him without difficulty. We confess great attachment to the subject of our present sketch. We have spent many happy seasons with him and his excellent family, and we pray that our friendship may bo perpetuated in the better world, to which we are sure, when he reads what we have now written, ho will respond with a hearty Amen. . Wm. TO must known ih Wo helmed I &. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I 1.0 I.I m 2A 2.2 luui. ill 1.8 \25 IIIIII.4 .6 V] ^ % -c*. /: '> > y /A ■■■■Mi ^- i %* £?, 6^ REV. GEORGE LAMB, "Now mellowing for rest aivlhoiiie, alw.avs earnest, eloquent, nnd u.vfiil, known to' multitudes of Temperance people, and advocatts of early elosiui,'.— T. Cuurcu. " A workman that neorteth not to be ashamed." fj m li : J' 1 LL lovers of literature arc more or less familiar ~^ , with the name of Lamb. Wlio has not heard of the ^f:z!:!/^ii\mtihlG, gentle, meek, gificd, poetical, Charles Lamb ? And what reader of the gci>is whieh he produced has not wept as ho remembered, that the distinguished author, whose thrilling verses have captured so many hearts, was a poor inebriate? Any person who can read his "confessions," without shedding a tear, must be pos- sessed of a stoical nature. He says : '•! have been drink- ing egg-hot and smoking bronokoo; my eyes and brain are heavy and asleep, but my lioart is awake; and if words came as ready as ideas, and ideas as feelings, T could say - ten hundred kind things. I am writing at random, and half tipsy, what you may not equally understand, as you will be sober when 3'ou read it; but my sober and my half -^ ^i;?sy hours you are alike a sharer in." -• -.•... At another time, speaking of his attempts at reformation, - he says : "If I should have formed the diabolical resolution of not admitting any spirituous liquors into my house, will • you be my guest on such shameworthy terms ? Is life, with such limitations, worth trying ? The truth is, that my liquors bring a nest of friendly harpies about my house, i. who consume mo. This is a pitiful tale to be read at St r Gothard; but it is just now nearest my heart. He is a;' ruined man. Ho is hiding himself from his creditors, and m REV. G. LAMB. 175 has sent his wife and children into the country: — my other drunken companion, (that has been,) is turned Editor . A.S for news, is coming to town on Mondaj', (if no kind angel intervene,) to surrender himself to prison. He hopes to get the rules of the fleet. On the same day, F. my other quondam co-friend and drinker, will go to New- gate, and his wife and four children, I suppose, to the parish." Once more: "Did you ever have an obstinate cold, a six or seven weeks unintermitting chill and suspen- sion of hope, fear, conscience, and everything? Yet, do I try all I can to cure it. I try wine and spirits, and smoking and snuff, in unsparing quantities, but they all seem to make me worse instead of better," Wo beg pardon of our genial, lamb like friend, for giving him such an introduction, and assure him, that though we have thus placed him in such an association, we have not the least design to even insinuate, that he has ever been found in such convivial circles as the preceding extracts would imply. We know him too well, and esteem him too highly, to cast such a stain upon his fair reputation, even by implication. Still, what is there in a name ? More than one or two of our personal friends have been the subjects of somewhat painful reflections, simply because they happen- ed to be of the same name as some who have become distinguished for matters, over which it were better to cast the mantle of oblivion. For nearly forty years, the Rev. G, Lamb has been a Primitive Methodist Minister in connection with the Eng- lish Conference, and during that time he has not only been a man of blameless reputation, bat has also been one of the mi-it dilig3it nij'nbors of that body. He has occupied some of the most important positions. He was stationed eleven or twelve years in the Metropolis, has spent nearlj' QA lon^ a period in Hull, and is to bo the successor of tue ^!l i 1\ ;#' 176 DISTINGUISHED MEN. llev. W. Listor, in the office of Book Steward, so that [^it mayreadil}^ bo seen, that he is a man of no mean celebrity. And yet, what is there peculiar about him, that makes him so amazingly popular ? Probably, some of his brethren are more distinguished for their knowledge and general attainments. Ilia voice is far from pleasant. It is some- times even rough and husky. His deliver}^ is b}^ no means- captivating ; and yet, despite of the lack of what some conceive to bo requisites for a popular orator, he is amaz- ingly pojnilar, not only with his own people, but also amongst those of manv other churches. At the time of Conference, he is invariably selected as one who must supply the pulpits Oi' other denominations; and the an- nouncement of his name, in any of the large towns of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, especially, is the signal for crowded places of worship; hence, it is no marvel that trustees of churches, who are often burdened with heavy liabilities. Sabbath School treasurers, who always want funds, or missionary societies', whose exchequers arc almost invariably empty, should call in the aid of friend Lamb, as he always succeeds as well, or better than anj'body else. — His services are constantly in demand ; so much so that it requires all the docilit}'- of his Lamb Yiko spirit to calm the perturbations of the leading men of his own circuit, who often complain, not always without cause, that they are de- prived of the privilege of hearing their own minister ; and no matter who may cater to the spiritual appetite of his people, they are not satisfied, because they want the dainty, tender, delicate Lamb. And yel, w'e recur to the question, why all this ado? wherein lies the secret of the Rev. George Lamb's great popularity ? It is in one word, earnestness. He speaks what he knows. When you listen to him, you feel certain that the minister before you does not talk at random. Ho hoA 1 [most lb, as jlse. — lai im ire s what [e h£» UEV. O. LAMB. 177 earofally revolved the feubjcct in lii.s mind, unlil it has be- come familiar to him, and he is not afraid of delivering the result of his meditations, unto the people. He aims at making an impression f )r good. There may not be so much tinselled dru[ieiy, but there is sound sense, delivered in good, saxon language. Every one understands the preacher, and by the keen eye and penetrating look, which he assumes when fairly under \v;»y, ho takes your heart completely captive, whiht the big gushiiig tears will stream down his cheeks; and it is more than probable, that before j'ou are aware, your own face will have become bedewed, and your soul trembling with emotion. This iswliat cai'rics his vast auditories away as by magic, and begets in ma.ny a sinner a determination, to " flee from the wrath to come." Like some others of his brethren, ho has been accused o^ plagiar- ism] but, probably, he designs not to forget what he reads; and, a's " great men think alike," this is perha])s the princi- pal reason why some of his sermons bear a resemblance to those of certain popular ministers, \\ho6Q style reseniblcs his own. , r . ^ . . As a platform speaker, and conference debater, ]Mr Lamb occupies a distinguished position. The conference of which ho is a member, being a delegated body, only some of its ministers are privileged to take part in its delibei'ations. Out of more than 800 ministers, not 50 are annually sent to represent tlie rest. Some have been twenty years in the ministry before they could be eligible to sit in convocation with their fathers and brethren. Anomalous state of things truly. No wonder that many attempts have been mado, though without success, to remedy thissecTning incongruity. \ Among those who have thus labored, George Lamb has always been conspicuous. On more than one occasion, he has occupied the floor of conference for hours together, ad«« v-ti)<;j'( Mr. Lamb became identified with temperance at the early period of his ministry. He was one of the members of the ministerial conference in Manchester, before alluded to in these pages ; and in seconding the motion for adopting the address to ministers, written by the Kev. J. Burns, D. I)., he said : " I consider that the great office of the Christian Ministry is to save souls from death, — to endeavor to pre- pare immortal spirits for the kingdom of bliss ; and I see that intoxicating drinks are producing an effect most hos- I :8o DlhTtNOUIsnED ilE!i. . 1 1 tilo in reference to immortal, neverdjing souls. I see thftt vast numbers of iutlividuals, who are memlK.rs of our churchefi, are sinking into the most lamentable spiritual condition, and I believe are in the broad wa}'' to everlasting dewLriiclion. I believe that great numbers of our congrega- tions, who are still continuing to use intoxicating drinks, if they could be induced to renounce them, would soon be savingly converted to the gospel of Christ. As a minister of that gospel, 1 consider it my duty to make use of every effort that is calculated to promote the spiritual and tempo- ral welfare of the people of my charge ; and in that capacity I possess some influence with the people among whom I labor; and I therefore stand forvvard to gi\e the influence of my example Jis a pledged and practical advocate of the cause of total abstinence. I have bci?n a pledged and prac- tical abstainer for the space of twelve years. I remember that when f^ became a teetotaler, I was the first in that part of the country, where I then labored. I was induced to become one from seeing the good that had resulted from the advocacy of the cause in the manufacturing districts. — I. came to Halifax, where I had before labored, and there found a number of persons who were drunkards when I left, and who were now members of christian societies. They had been reclaimed from the depths of drunkenness by means of abstinence, and had found their wi\y to the house of God. I afterwards went to Burnley, and found again, that a number who had been drunkards, had become total ab- Ftainers. I was led from these instances to reason in this \\ay : now I profe&s to love God and my fellow men, and 1 see here a cause that has been of service to the temporal and spiritual interests of my follow creatures. It is my duty, as a lover of man, to abstain f om the use of that ,„, which is producing 80 much evil I went back. I was then employed as a homo missionary. I liaU iwenty miles aUV. G. LAMli. 181 to walk, throo times to preach, to conduct a i)ra3^or mooting, and a number of miles to walk home after the service. At that time the benchts of t.eo total isin were not known as they now are ; but, however, I considered I would try it for a month. Before the month expired there was an individ- ual expelled from the society for the crimes he had com- mitted. He was on the point of being sold up, being unable, from his intemperate habits, to pay his rent. He was in- duced to become an abstainer, and I afterwards saw him at the house of God. Another, who had lost his employment; and spent i-300, became an abstainer, and he is to this day a steady man. A third had gone into eternity. Now before the end of the month these things look place. I found at the end oi the month I was as well without intoxicatinir drinks as with Uiem ; and from that time, I have advocated the cause, and have great pleasure in seconding the resolu- tion. I do ho])e the infiuenco of this Conference, and the excellent addresses giveii, will be the means of producing a powerful effect for the benefit of our land." The above we conceive to be a fair specimen of the mode of our friend's advocacy. Always earnest, powerful and practical. He usually relates some stirring facts whic/h have come under his own observation, and from these he urges the great duty of abstinence from all that can intox- icate. We once heard him deliver a pithy address at an open-air temperance meeting, at Doncaster, which was lis- tened to by many hundreds of persons who were present. He was more than usually happy on that occasion, and somo of his anecdotes were not a little amusing It was jast the kind of an address for a promiscuous assembly in the open air. There were several speakers on the occasion, hat we do not know but that, with the exception of Rev. W» Antliff, Mr Lamb received the most marked attention, and concluded amidst the most deafening applause. 18:i hlHTiaaVlSHED MEHi. ■ j r Wc have intimated that Mr. Lamb ib very pojxilar as a ])latform npoaker. At Missionary meeting.^, an at Tempo ranee gatherings, ho invariably relates some stirring facts which are well calculated to interest at least the majority of his andionce. At the annual meeting of the rrimitivc Methodist Missionary Society, which for some years past has been held in th© Metropolitan Tabernacle, several Prim- itive celebrities necessarily take part in the proceedings, which are usually very enthusiastic. The Eev. gentleman who ie now the subject of ottr re* marksi was present at the great gathering of 1861, and is repotted to have made a very effective speech, during which he said : " Very different is my position on the present occa- sion to what it has frequently been. T certninly was never bu highly exalted before I I have preached the Gospel of .iesus Christ upon village greens, in the market i)laces and in the field&, in the streets and in the lanes, in the high- ways and in the bye-ways ; but I never had an opportunity of lifting up my voice in a place like this. I am very glad, ]\fr Chairman, that such is the state of things at the present day, and that there is such a deep interest felt in the exten- sion of the cause of the Divine Eedeemer. We may bless (Jod that we live in an age- when so many efforts are put ibrth by the different sections of the Church of Christ for the purpose of bringing sinners to a knowledge of Divine truth, both at home and abroad. It was thought a few years ago, (vhen the missionary feeling took hold upon the Church, that it was like a land-flood that would soon pass away, and that men would find bye-and-by there would bo no interest felt in the cause of missions. The persons who " thought thus remind me of the man who, as he walked, came ; to the bank of a great river, the waters of which were roll- ' ing swiftly on ; and b© thought they were going so fast that ^ he had only to wait a little and presently the bed of tlie ^ > vt ^^im'^t\ JM/? .«oy t^ EEV. a. IAMB. 183 river would bo dvy. So ho sat down and waited until hi-? patience was oxhaustcd, and ho found that if ho would cross to the other side of that rivor ho must find some other moans. And, Sir, tho»o |iorHOu& who thought that the ijiter- ost in missions would soon pass away were as much mistaken as that man. Thcj did not know the fountain from whence those rivers of life flowed. And wo rejoice that instead of diminishing they are deepening and widening. The wnter-t of tho river of life are spreading onward and onvruni, and will extend, we believe, over all tho islands and continen*;; of this world." Quoting the well-known poetical line, " Eudaml! ^vith all tJiy faults, I love thee still," the speaker suid : " The best proof wo can give of our Io\ j to our countr}' is to endeavor to improve it in a t^piritu:;] point of view. You believe that the gospel is tho great re- generator of society, and you know, Sir, that law has br'CM tried; but it has been found ineffectual. W6 have known many upon whom the law has been tried, but they could evade it, or bear tho punishment itinflicted, and it produced no moral or spiritual change within them ; but the gospel of the Divine Redeemer has wrought that which the law and all the powers of the law were novor able to effect. There was an individual who had been a burglar ; his name was Hall; he was a thief, and had been trained up by his father to steal for his livelihood. He had been engnged, with a number of others, upon an occasion, in a serious bur- glary, tie had robbed an old gentleman, and also shame- fully mal-treated him. A reward was offered for their ap- prehension, and a description of him and his companions given, The}'' were arrested, and as they lay in gaol, tha turnkey one day said to Hall : * I believe some of your companions are going to turn evidence against you, and if eo you w ill bo sure to swin^.' However, he turned ovidenco I 184 DISTINGUIHIIKD MEN. .Jii: against them, and his companions wero sonlencctl to vnrioas turins of imprisonniont, aud somo indeed wore trunyportod. As for liini, i)o caiiiu ^iit of tho prison no jjottor Mian before lie Went in. One day a Priinilive Methodist ])rcaclier found Ui-i .vay to the jihice where Hall lived. Tie began operations whore we generally eonimence — in the open air. And while ho jireached the glad tidings of L>ivine mercy, that man was convinced of his stale as a sinner, and from that lioiir was a changed character. He bocamo a local preacher, a useful man, and died some years ago in the enj< Tuent of the blessini^s of God's salvation." , , ,., In the Slime speech, xMr. Lamb said: "We do not caro how the fortresses of ihe devil are entered, if only they bo entered. Whether we take possession by main force, cf wiiethcr we enter by stratagem, it is no matter only wo gain 'idmittance. There was a certain place where tho preachers were driven from the ground by stones and brick- latn^ and they felt obliged to give up the place. There was, however, one brotlicr who had never been, and he said: 'I .should like to go before it is given up.' They said it was no use — all tho preachers had tried it, and it was no uso of him tr3'ing. lie said, '1 intend to try, depend upon it I'll go and I'll preach too.' Tbey thought he talked ver}'' 1n- prudently, and used bolder language than a good man ought to employ. But, instead of going on tlio Sunday he went on the Saturday afternoon. It was in summer, and heknew there would be scarcely anybody at homo but the women and tho children. He was a philosopher, was that mani He wont and sat down upon the village groen, aud began to read his Bible. By-and-bye tho children came, and they looked at this gentleman, who was dressed in black, and who sat on the village green. They came a little nearer, and yet a little nearer. Curiosity was now excited. He said : * I have got a nice little book with a picture in it}* REV. a. LAxrcr. 18(J and a little follow carao and took one. llo had got a book for ovory little boy and /:>irl. They ran homo and 8ai(J^ what a nice gontlcman there was there!' and yon know that kindnoBS to children is the way to the mother's heart, At &my rate tho mothers went to see. Thoy drew near, and some of them with children in their arms, and others leading children by tho hand. Thc}^ looked at the man, and ho said : * I have a nice little book for you.' He had got a little book for every mother, as well as for every child. When he had given them each a little book, he said : * I shoukl like to read a chapter in tho Bible to you.' They said thoy should be glad to hear him. 'I should like to explain tho hard places.' * We should be glad to hear you do so.' When the reading was done, he said : 'I should like to preach.' Oh, they would be ghul to hear him. Ho preached a short Bermon witliout any intcrrujUion ; tears flowed, and they were ovidcutlydeoply interested. * Now,' f aid ho, * I should like to sta}' longer, but cannot now — I should like to come to-morrow.* They said, * Oh ! do come ; we shall be so glad.' ' Aye,' he said, * but I am afraid if I come the men will u.?o me as my brethren have been used, and I shall he stoned.' *0h!' said the women, 'come — wo will take care of you; nobody shall hurt 3^ou.' From that day, tho wives having their husbands (as many ladies like) in a state of good sub- jection, opposition ceased — a number of the people were soon converted, and a house of God was built. Look at that I If we have only tho women and children on our side, we have secured the best part of human nature, and are sure to succeed, with the divine blessing, in our efforts to improve tho moral and spiritual condition of the world" Wo can readily believe what the reporter states, that tho above speech produced great excitement, as it was delivered in the Kev. gentleman's usually forcible manner. Our gentle friend has now becoruo somewhat mellow with 186 DISTINGUISHED MITK. age ; but though his natural force does not seem to be mach abated, he must bo ripening for homo. The wear and tear of such a life as he has lived must nocossarlly have impaired ills ])hy8icul energies; but his temperate habits and gonial spirit cause his robust constiiution always to present a liealthy a2:)pearance. He has seldom been laid aside by rea- son of personal indisposition^and he bids fair to live to a good old age. lie is probably about five feet seven inches in height, firmly built, rather stout, and walks with an upright gait. His appearance is always prepossessing, and in the social circle he is full of innocent pleasantrv. He is a man sterling integrity, hates everything low and mean, and is anoblo specimen of sanctified humanity. There are few mt.i in the circle of our acquaintance for whom wo iiavo a greater liking than for the JRev. George Lamb. He is little aware of the liberty we have taken with his name, and should he read these lines, he will no doubt remember our meeting at Hull in 1853, and our last interview at London-: in 1858. May we spend a happy eternity in the better world,/ to which we are sui-e our friind will respond a hearty amen, t .J .A- . .. .... ,1 ' '_> r ■ ■.u,u '■■^ii*'><'^ jtl; ': ">..iii-> ;.;?> i^ .':j '..^w-j h.,ul OA"- '..- ^i: .,. iitcti or lyiAi}^, .u;,> .•.■■-/.;■•- /..*.^ u.,-fv[ 'vuvi;^ ^h:< -ui v.;,. lu^ iUJJ 5->»tetei,.\> ■■"S'lfi d'.i ti; ',Ji./;;iri'» H ■ If ■ I. , , i^ y^o- i^EY NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. ...■ w. '.'•-, ic " Would I describe a Prcaolicr such as Paul, Wftro he on earth, would hear, aud own, Paul should direct me, I would express him simple, grave, sincere, In doctrine uucorrupt; in language plain, And pilain in manner ; decent, solemn, chaste, Aud natural in gesture; much iiinja-tss'd Himself; as conscious of his awful clKirge, And anxious, mainly, that tin; Hock he feeds May feel it too; a^'ectionate in look, And teiKlor ia address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men." '■J'l }>A I y "A good Minist-r of Jesus Christ." )HE eminent Minister with whom wo now design ^ making our readers acqutiinted, is well known on both sides of ti»e Atlautic. Ilis visit to the United States in 1807 will long be remembered b}^ the thousands who had the opportunity of hearing him and forming his acquaintance, lie had long been esteemed for the noble part he took in defending Northern rights against the accusa- tions of those who had espoused the cause of the South. When Henry Ward Beecher delivered his eloquent oration in Exeter Hall, on " the American crisis," in 1863, Newman Hall sat by his side, giving proof that he was not afraid to bo in the company of one against whom some rather hard things had been said, not the least of which was " his hatred to England," but which the Pastor of Plymouth Church proved to be a base calumny. Mr. Hall is a minister of the Congregationalist Church, and was Chairman of the "Congregational Union" in 1866» We are not aware that he has been pastor of more than two churches for the space c£ thirty years. When we first be- came acquainted with bis name, ho was laboring in Hull, > .-! h DISTINGUISHED MEN. . t ■ i i:i m "I 188 where he endeared himself to thousands in that famous sea-, port by his zealous labors in every benevolent entcrprisse. He was then, though but a young man, one of the most pop- ular ministers in the east riding of Yorkshire, and w^as Q©- customed to spend a few weeks in the summer season at Ilarrowgate. a well-known resort for invalids and y)lea8ur»- takers of all descriptions. Here he occupied the Congrega" tional Church two or three Sabbaths, and was often called to visit neigbboring towns, either to preach or lecture. On one of these occasions we had the pleasure of hearing him preach in the pulj)it of our friend, Rev. J. Croft, Kipon. His text was Luke xv:10. The description of the sinner repenting was briefly but touchingly described, at the close of which the preacher looked round upon the vast audience, and said : " That is the first division of my subject, and be- fore I proceed further, I want to know how many of you have repented ; " and then he paused, as though waiting for a reply. There was a most death-like stillness. H» then wont on to describe the interest which angels take in the repenting of the sinner. This was done in a most gra- phic manner, until it seemed as though we could hear the strains of angelic music, as the news wont up to heaven from the assembled congregations of earth, from the beds of affliction, from the prisoner's cell, or from the shipwreckcKj mariner — " Behold he prayeth." - The preacher said : " Ministers might not always know when penitential tears were shed, Saints might not visit the lonely garret and point the poor prodigal to Jesus ; but angels were there. Every sob and every groan is carefullj noted, and if not known on earth, they are all known in heaven." This sermon was a theme of conversation among the worshippers on that occasion, for a considerable timQ afterwards. ;, f.r,^,, ,^._.,, ^...,,„_|4- ^^ _...,:..!.^ ._.,i,,^ On the resignation of the late Rev. J. Sherman, who wa«i ml. RET, NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. is:> for many years the distinguished successor of the iminortal Rowland Hill, the founder of Surrey Chapel, [I^otuloii, there was great anxiety felt as to who should be the pastor of that far-famed plaee of 'vorship; the choice at length scorned to be almost unanimous in favor of our friend, tlie J>ov New- man Hall. .... By the way, in common couversalion, if the name of this exccl'ent minister i» mentioned, you seldom ever hear him called anything else than Newman H all. We hardly know how to account for this, exce^it to make a distinction of per- sons iu the volerical ranks who bear the name of Hall, of which there have been some rather noted personages. Tlie-o was Bishop Hall, then Eobert Hall, and now we have Sam- uel liomilly Hall, and Hall, a cognomen, we presume, that will never die. Though he has been made l)v. Hall by one pfour seats of learning, a piece of work, by the way, which our American cousins, with their usual gall ntry, often per- form when .. glish clergymen pay them even a transient vi^sit; still, we presume that the Pastor of Siu-i-ey Clmpel will long bo known as Newman Hall, rather than as Dr. Hall. But the title, though we do not question its prripvioty in ^his case at least, will not, we think, add any additional lustre to the man whom it is thus intended to honor, drtend in the least to increase his popularit)', particularly with the laboring commun it}', in whose welfare he takes a deep interest, and for whose elevation he most zealously labors. The community at large have been so long accus- tomed to say Newman Hall that however many letters of the alphabet may be appended to his name, they will doubt- less still use the old familial* name. "" " "*' At length Mr. Hall removed to London, and began his ftietropolitan career in the Chapel where some of the most ©minent ministers of England have held forth the word of "li... 190 DISTINGUISHED MEN. ii ',1, It i life. Surrey Chapel is in the midst of a dense fopulation, cloi?e to one of the most frequented thoroughfares of that groat cit3^ At any hour of the day and night, hundreds may b3 seen passing to and fro over the famous Blackfriars Isridgc. ' The fame by which this distinguished minister was known in TIull lias not declined, but rather increased; and though his removal to London brought him into a sphere of labor suflicicnt to tax all his energies, yet, by his diligence and ploilding industry, assisted by the hearty co-operation of a class of zealoas laborers in the shape of missionaries, deacons, Sunday school teachers, tract distributors, &c., ho not only manages to keep all the wheels of the machinery of Surrey Chapel in constant motion, but he can also find time for excursions into the country, and rambles on the conti- nent. He also takes part at various public meetings in and around London, not directly connected with his own chapel. Mr. Hall has ever been laborious in preaching the gospel, both '-in season and out of season." He is not particular about what some call "consecrated places" ; but, like his Divine Master, will stand in the street, or go into a field, or occupy a place by the sea-side, and talk to people about the way of salvalion. He distinguished himself for this kind of labor in Hull, and since his removal to London he has not in the least abated the practice. Indeed, very soon after his removal to that "modern Babylon," his name was found in the police reports, for having obstructed the thor- oughfare while preaching at the Duke of York's monument, but this only tended to increase his notoriety, and drew further attention to him as a minister of the gospel. Some- times, in the summer season, after having preached twice on the Sabbath in his own place of worship, and attended other meetings of a more private character, he will take his etand in Blackfriai-s, and j)reach again to listening hun- HliV. NEWMAN UALL, LL.B. 191 ition, f th&t idreds tfriars Jrcds, many of wli<)i..,pcrhaj)s, l)ut for this extra labor would not hear a sermon, for there are tens of tl ousanda in London who never cross the threshold of a house of prayer. . .... The pastor of Surrey Chapel was among the lirst to espouse the idea of Edward .Miall, Esq., author of" British Churches, ' respecting the propriety of holding religious services in theatres and public halls, on Sabbath days, with a view to attract those who statedly neglect all places of worship. At first, the idea was treated with disdain, but now every winter season the various theatres of London are occupied on Sabbaths by some of the most popular ministers of the day, all of whom secin to make it their chief study to place before their motlcv audiences the lendiuir doctrines of Christ'nnity, in the most earnest manner possible. Mr. Kail is one of the preachers who is thus engaged every year, and as the result of the whole for one season, we copy from a leading journal the following particulars: ''Last Sunday evening (Sept. 5, 1863) several of the Lon- don theatres were 0])oued for religious services. At Sadler's Wells there was an overwhelming congregation, the service being conducted by the Rev. Joshua Kirkuian, M. A., of ^ Queen's College, Canbridge, incumbent of St. John's Epis- copal Chapel, Hampstead. At the Pavilion litheatre, White- chapel-road, the service was conducted by the Kev. Henry ; ILislam, M. A., rector of New Buckenham, near Norwich. At the Marylebone theatre there were present as many , people as the place would hold, the service being conducted )■ by the Rev. J. Cliiford, M. A.jtminister of the Baptist Chapel, Praed-street, Paddington. At the Standard theatre, Shore- ^ ditch, which was very full, the service was conducted by tho . Rev. J. Beaziey, Minister of the Congregational Church, Blackheath. The Surrey theatre was filled in every part, and the service was conducted by the Rev. J. H. Hutchman, j.^ minister of the Congregational Church, Peckham-rye. At -f| ''♦^ki »Ji !* 192 DlSTlNGUISUED MEN. 'ira Iho Britannia tlieatre, Iloxton, the service was conducted by tlie Ecv. A. M'Ausland. All the services were very heartily rendered, and the people who assembled were almoBl entirely of the working classes. There were two special services at St. James's Hall, that in the morning being conducted by the Rev. James Fleming, Congregational minister of Kentish Town, and that in the afternoon by the llov. Luke Tycrman, a minister of the Weslej'an Methodist Church. The last series of theatre services consisted of 115, attended by about 161,800 persons, making in all, from the commonconient of the effort to bring the poor to theatres on iSunday evenings, 559 services, attended by 865,100 2)erson8. These have been exclusive of the services at St, James's Hall which are promoted by other persons." IIap])il3' the Episcopal Church, headed by the Bishop of London, i.s aLso actively engaged in the same benevolent movement, and Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Janio.s' Hall, and even Exeter Hall, have all in their turn become places of worship for the working classes, to whom clei-g3'men preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, as though for the time being they were resolved to out\^e their dissenting brethren in works of faith and labors of love. The gentleman with whom we are now engaged has how- ever gone beyond all his ministerial brethren in his efforts for the laboring classes, for he has even opened his chapel on Monday evenings, for meetings which may not be con- sidered strictly religious. This movement, by reason of its irregularity, was look-ed upon with some dogree of suspicion by some grand divines who do not like the idea of any Luing secular being transacted in our churches, A meeting was held in London, at which Mr. Hall gave an account of the manner in which such meetings were held in Surrey Chapel. Ho said: ''Lectures on secular subjects were given there. The lectures commenced in October or November, and 'a R£V. NIWMAN HALL, LL.B. 193 acted very were e two >rning itional by the hodiBt ofll5, )m tho tres on lersons. rames's shop of icvolent ^hedral, in their sses, to Christ, out\n^e of love. »as how- 8 efforts 8 chapel be con- on of its uspicion nytuing ing was t of th6 Chapel, sn there, ber, and 1 /: continue till April. They were delivered every Monday night. The doors of the chapv. were opened at eight. j^From a quarter to half-past eight the organ and choir per* ^ formed sacred music. At half-past eight ho (Mr. Newman Hall) ofit'ered a short prayer, not exceeding three or four j^ minutes, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, in which the ^^ people joined. Then came a short address from the Chair- . man on some public question, or a poetical reading; and this was followed by the lecture of the evening — on some historical, scientific, sanitary or literary subject. At ten o'clock the proceedings terminated by the Doxology. The chapel hfid almost always been well filled, sometimes crowded, by an audience of the very class desired, and who uniformly manifested a great interest, and behaved with , thorough decorum. The results had been these — innocent recreation and useful instruction afforded each evening to nearly two thousand persons, who might otherwise have been at the public-house. The gospel had been constantly interwoven with or suggested l)y the theme. The prejudice against churches and parsons had been removed from many, ■w-ho, after years of absence from worshij), were surprised to find themselves comfortably inside a church, and to dis- cover that persons could talk about something else than theology. Many had thus, in the speaker's knowledge, become regular churchgoers in diflerent parts of Loncion, and some had become members- of churches, the first step to their conversion being the secular lecture. Some might think such meetings a_^desecration to a^^church. But was the place more desecrated by such a beneficial emj^loyment of * it than by being shut up empty in dark and cold? Some pew-holders might complain of poor and dirty people occu- ' pying their seats. His reply was this — sui)pose a crowd of ^ ,^the same classes could be gathered in the church to hear the ,, Gospel of Christ, what seat- holder would venture to object? 194 DISTINQUISHED Mfi^. ^/T ■ I Mr. Hall, in concluBion, spoke .if tho importance of caring" for tho recreation of the people, and not leaving it to bo provided for only by those who for profit pander to tho lowest tastes. If it was u Christian's duty to feed the hun- gry and clothe the naked, was it not a duty to do something to amuse the mind ? for if hunger and thirst were natural, EO was the desire for recreation. At present, while tho richer classes had abundant resources for amusement, the working people had scarcely any other resources than the public houses. -.xi'P !>-^!-r; t;! • . ' v ;• • ' > i '"-^ ■ '' During tho excitement in England relative to the Amer- * ican war, Mr. Hall, nt one of his Monday evening meetings, delivered a lecture on the subject, of which the Watchman thus spoke: "The Rev. gentleman showed that the triumph of the South would be the perpetuation of slavery, and its indefinite extension west of the Mississippi, while that of tho North would bring universal freedom to white and black. He concluded : ' Let us then pray for peace — not a peace which, based on wrong, would last only long- enough to enable both parties to equip themselves for the renewal of the strife on a still deadlier scale, but a peace which, being righteous, shall be permanent too. Let us hope that a brighter da}^ will soon dawn, when America, really united and free, because united in the maintenance of freedom for • all, shall again take her place in the front ranks of progress, and when, all moan rivalries buried, that country and this shall only vie with each other, which shall best promote the glory of the universal Father, in developing His gifts, and diffusing light, liberty, and happiness throughout the world.' " .,;,,,,: In respect to pulpit preparation, the subjectof our present sketch ranks high. He is remarkable for laying hold of passing events, and eitlier preaches upon them entire, op ru uses them aa illustrations of certain portions of his discourse,* .. . UEV. NHWMAN TIALL, LX.B. 195 In a Bermon, ,aich was published, on " persevorcnce and prayer," the varioiis phases of the battle of Inkorman were presented in a very impressive manner, which produced, wo are told, a powerful impression on the miiKls of tlie vast audience to whom it was preached. ••" ' • • His fast day sermon, which was preached MarcTi 21, 1855' at til e time of the Orimoan v.ixr, when ho took for his text, ^'Isilsuch a fast that I have chosen? (Isaiah 58:5), is a fine specimen of pulpit composition — chaste, impressive, and yet simple and easily comprehended. There is no attempt ■ at display. The sole aim of the preacher is evidently to do good. And yet thei-e is no shrinking from the truth ; no fear of giving offence by speaking too plainly on sins which ane exceedingly common. The objections usually made to fasting are first mentioned, and carcfull}'- answered, and then the reasons for fasting at that particular crisis uro passed m review. Hero the sin of drunkenness as it blazes in the MetropoHs,is mentioned in the following manner:"There ia one kind of sensuality connected with ami promotive of almost every other, which does not hide itself, but at every corner and in everj' thoroughfarxi blazes oat its shame. When you are told that in this great motro])olis to every one baker's shop there are .s^ye/i. places licensed to sell intox- icating drinks, you will not bo surprised at being reminded that upwards of sixtij millicms of money — equal to the entire revenue, and one hundred and twenty times more than all tho missionary societies together contribute to ^spread the gospel through the world — are annually expended \x\ the United Kingdom alone, in the purchase of strong drink. With this enormous expenditure, it is not surprising that there should be tens of thousands of habitual drunkards, thousands of whom die annually, directly or indirectly from *- the effects of their excesses. Nor need it be a matter of \ surprise that masteas of workhouses, chaplains of prisons, ^ 196 DISTINGUISHED MElf. -s^x and judges ofaHwizo uro continually giving testimony tLut tho most prolittc Hourco of poverty, vvrctchednerts and crime is tho prevailing habit of intemperance among tho working classes of our land — a habit which interferes with and coun- teracts every philanthropy — which carries tho Bible to the pawn-sho]) — which keeps back tho children from the school — which shuts out from the Church those who most need its hoiy lessons — which, as etfectually as though they were living in a heathen land, exclu'les hundreds of thousands of persons from the multiplied religious agencies which are tn operation in the midst of us. If there is one sin more than another which may be called national, it is this, distinguish- ing OS, alas I above all other nations under heaven, and exposing us to shame in the presence of those whom our missionaries go forth to convert, but from whom, in this respect, we might well learn, not only the Roman Catholic nations of Eur')po, but Mohammehans, and Hindoos, and the rude barbarians of Africa and the Southern Seas." The preacher concluded his eloquent sermon by calling u})on all his hearers to put away their personal sins, and seek mercy at the hands of God, and exhorting them to activ- ity in benevolent enterprises by the heroism which charac- lorised those engaged in tho war which was then raging. Ho says : "Co itemplate the heroism, the self oblivion of our soldiers; how they are willing to hazard their lives for their country! How they have patiently endured unparalleled hardships ; how invincible a front they hi\ve ju^'osented to the foe ! And shall we, who profess to flght for truth and lioliness, under the Captain of aalvation, shrink from diffi- culties, shirk toil, turn aside from duty, fear ridicule, refuso to make sacrifices, or to follow whithersoever our Leader summonses us? How much have our brave soldiers done and dared for their country? Shall we be less eager to do an4 daro for truth, and heaven, m^ Christ!,"'^:'' '**■•"' ^ ' ' BEV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 197 It will bo readily supposed that the eloquent minister of Surrey Chapel has warmly espoused the temperance cause. Ho has long been known as one of its most prominent and eflfectiyo advocates. Wo believe ho was induced to throw his energies into this movement, while he was a student at college, through the recommendation of his rovored prodo- csessor, Rev. James Sherman, who was a zealous advocate of the Temperance cause. In speaking on Temperance, Mr. Hall deals chiefly with facts, on which ho always grounds the most powerful appeals. Take the following : " Food is destroyed to a frightful extent, amounting to more than forty viillions of bushels of grain annually, suffi- cient to supply with food for a whole year two millions of people. How would so sinful a destruction of common property bo regarded, were food sufficient for the whole pop ulation of London and its environs to bo annuall}'' cast into the seal But would not such an act bo less injurious than destroying the nutritive properties of grain, in the process of malting, and giving it other properties, not only innutri- tious, but, in multitudes of cases, destructive both of fjoul and body] But does not every consumer of malt liquor share in the responsibility of such a waste of food ?" . "Malting necessitates Sabbath-breaking, as the proccsM cannot be performed within seven days, an ^ thus forty thoU' sand persons are necessitated to neglect the day of rest. Does not every one who uses malt liquor share in the responsibility of this sin also?" ..,: ,,^,, j : ^niM^lvu,'] Again. " We speak with abhorrence of bloody persecutors. The tale of the Queen of Madagascar murdering for the faith of Jesus, some hundreds of her peaceful subjects, has filled us with dismay. Wo shudder when we hear of the abom- inations of Muloch worship, with its human sacrifices; of Sutteeism burning its widows on the funeral pile ; or. of the rourderous car of Juggernaut, crushing hundreds of deluded / X* X y y J^pfl^ If?8 DISTIIfQUIsnED MEN. 'jr HH if aovotoos beneath his gory wliools. But wliat is all thin compared to the atrooitioH which drunkenness has wrought — Ihat demon of darkness which lias already devoured mill- ions, and, 3'ear l)y your, still drags down to hell its victims by tons of thousands, from among our own countrymen alone." i . :, >< v. -j /.'.■• •' With what horror should wo hoar of sixti/ thousand persons being led foi'th for bulchery, by some blood-thirsty tyrant! JIow wonld one such an atrocity in tho entire I'ango of tho world's history be referred to with execration in all succeeding ages! ]3ut what if it wore repeated every year ! ^nd wliat if, while similar enormities were commit- ted in other countries, the annual slaughter of sixty thou- mnd occurred in onr own land I What fiery indignation would be excited! what vigorous effort! what self-abandon- ment! How wovild all classes combine to raise their voicefi and their hands, and to sacrifice their all, to stay so terrible a curse ! Bnt is it loss terrible because it has become so fa- miliar, and because it ruins the soul as well as tho body? Oh! there comos a piercing shriek to us from the unseen world ! The hundreds of thousands of victims to strong drink who have entered an eternity of woe seem to invoke us to warn the dense crowd that presses on thoir heels, lest *' they also como into this place of torment/' Shall the appeal be in vain? Shall no hand be stretched forth for thoir rescue 1 Shall wo rather seem to encourage them in thoirdestructiv^i course, by practically discountenancing the only effectual means for their deliverance? Shall we sanction them by sipping pleasure from a cup which to thera is drugged with death ?" ■•■ ^ • 'j ' - i' ■!<»( > ^ ' v- Mr Hall in his advocacy of temperance, often appeals to j; Christian Ministers to aid the good cause, showing how that they thereby promote their own usefulness. The follow- ing, which we copy from "The Temperance Cyclopedi*/* -' ue? tive ual by low- lift" BKV. JfEWMAI? HALL, LL.B. 199 to which oxcollont voliimo wo iiro much indebted, will give our roadorrt a good idea of hi.s mo - *• There is one man in my congregation (Surrey Chapel) who attended no place of worship for twenty j-cars ; his family had attended my chapel, but he would not; at length there was a tea-meeting, a.d a lady called at his house, and left a ticket for him, with her compliments, and she said she would like to see him attend. The man was n Bailor, and when he received the kind note left for him, he felt it so much that he thought he must go ; and go he did. The meeting was exceedingly crowded, and I chanced to go to the door, and found some persons, of whom this sailor ^was one, just going awa}'', bocause tliey could not got in. I in- vited them to com© in, and I would try to get them seats ; and I did so. Well, this sailor went home, (his wife told me this), and said to his wife, 'Who do you think I've heard speak ] — your parson,' lie then told her ho was just coming away, because the meeting was so crowded, hen a gentle- man came to them and spoke to them, and 'spoke so free like,' that they went in, and after a while ho heard the chairman announce the Eov. Newman Hall as the next speaker, and found it to be the same gentleman who had invited him in, * and/ added he to his wife, ' I have signed the pledge, and I'll go and hear him preach on Sunday.* -uj/ H«did so; he instituted family pt^yer in his house, made / / A 800 DISTIHOUISHED MEN. ,r., '■ I a profession of Christianity, and ii^^ been a most consistent member of the church ever since. I have known many more who have, through teetotalism,bccome Christians ; it is not Christianity itself, but it takes men by the haod, saying, 'come with us and we will do you good." Another incident, showing that Temperance is no hin- drance to the progress of the gospel, was related by Mr. Hall in a speech which he delivered in Darlington in 1851, and was published for local distribution by some generous friends in that town : " A young man who had been religi- ously trained, and carefully watched over by anxious parents for many years, went from home into a house of business in London. Released from their insjjection, and from the influence which is exerted over individuals in a small country town, and feeling himself at large in that great city, in daily association with mmejifti/ or sixty yonng men, he was placed in great danger of being led away into dissii)ation and ruin. He went with them to places of amusement. As long as ho was able he was not unwilling to call for anything to drink, so as to join his companions. Thus he was in great danger of being ruined — and what grief this would have caused hia friends ! When, soon after the World's Temperance Con- vention was held in London, I met him and ofiFered him a ticket to attend the meeting in Ccvent Garden Theatre, he accepted it, and was there. Being impressed by the speeches be heard, he was convinced that it would be a wise thing for him to become an abstainer, and after a little time ho signed the pledge. He very soon found out that his teeto% talism would not do for his former habits and companions, and he was compelled to give up his former places of resort. He now spent more time in his lodgings on Sundays, which gave him time to look at his long neglected Bible, and to go to the house of God, The word of life roused his slum- bering conscionoe, and hp b^cevme, I trust, atri^e Ohristiftni i REV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 201 There was a friend of his, who had gone with him into sin, who had become a teetotaller, but who, gliding more and more into worldliness, was obliged to give up his teetotal- ism, and became a perfect libertine. He was shortly laid upon the bed of death ; and the very young man who had been redeemed from evil associates, and had given his heart to God, was sent for to be at his bedside during the last tew hours of his life, and to direct him to that Saviour wli ays, ' Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.* That young man, of whom I have been speaking as reclaimed from intemperance, is now a member of a Christian ch' ch, and is diligent in the promotion of Temperance principles. He looked uy on me ac a Christian minister ; but had I been indulging in strong drink, do you think he would have gone to that temperance meeting, and afterwards adopted total abstinence 1 My principle, then, was the means of leading him to teototalism, and through teetotal) sm to God." . ' '''• This esteemed minister also takes great interest in young men, as the above case clearly proves. On different occa*- sions he has delivered lectures specially adapted to them. He has more thwu once been engaged for the Young Men's Christian Association in London, whoso course of lectures every year excites the deepest interest, and the annual vol- ume in which they are published is sold by thousands. Mr. Hall delivered one lecture on "Habit," which waa highly commended. The following is a specimen of the style which ho adopted on that occasion : " Habit is slow, noiseless, stealthy, in its advances. We slumber; we are in a pleasant dream ; biit on awaking we are not what wo were. We float on a placid river — there is no ripple on the surface — we feel no breeze wafting its freshness on us — no sail is spread— no oar disturbs the mirrored surface of the St|:^ftm — we appear to make no progress, as we sitin dreamy If 202 DI3TINaUlSHEp MJSV. i! i 4i [i forgetful ness on the deck ; but, suddenly starting up at tlie noise of the torrent, we find that we have gone far, verj'' far, too far to return. The current is too mighty — we cannot stem the tide, and we are swallowed by the whirlpool's greedy vortex, or hurried down the cataract's thundering abyss. Habit offers her assistance as a friend, but we may turn her into a foe. She may enrich, but she can also im- poverish. She may ennoble with heaven-born liberty, but she may debase with vilest slavery. The first has always something of difficulty, but habit makes it easy. Let habit, then, fortify you against vice — not imprison you with it. Totally abstain, and an effort will be required to take the first glass. The habit of abstinence will bo your defence. Indulge, and it will be as difficult to abstain, while one de- gree of indulgence will lead to another by insensible degi-ees till the habit of intemperance binds you fast 1 Every fresh indulgence diminishes +he power of resistance. Habit, strengthened by every renewed act, having secured her vic- tim, compels him to forge fresh chains for his own increas- ingly hopeless captivity." Mr. Hall is known as the author of three tractates, all of whicli have had an immense circulation, eiffht hundred thou*^ sand of that entitled " Come'to Jesus," have been sold ; and more than one hundred thousand of that entitled " It is I, be not afraid. ' "Quench not the Spirit," though a more re- cent i:)ublication, has also sold extensively. ' '.I'r!' .-.L': - Is is needless to quote largely from the works so well known, and which have been of great service in turning sinners to I'ighteousness, and comforting saints. We give one selection from the last-named little book, as we believe it is least known. It shews the consequences of ''Quench- ing the Spirit " : " I can never forget the companion of my youth. He was tlje child of many prayers and parental anxieties. He Ijad p at the irerj'^ far, cannot lirlpool's inclering wo may also im- srty, but ,s always jet habit, 1 with it. take the ' defence, e one de- e degrees ery fresh Habit, i her vic- 1 increas- • (.'-1 «' :os, all of Ired thou-* lold ; and It 18 I, be more re- so well li turning |We give believe ■ Quench - He was Heljad HeV, ksWMAn hall, tt.fi. 20^ heard the gospel from his childhood, from the lips of my own honored and now sainted father. I believe he was at times the subject of strong religious convictions. But as ho grew up, he was led astray by his sinful lusts and passions, a stranger to prayer and the sacred volume. When he ar- rived at manhood, he waft seized with a fatal malady, which laid him prostrate on his bed. Instead of "calling upon God" in the time of trouble, like?' Ahaz ho "rebelled yet more against the Lord." His friends perceived that his end was near, and that ho must soon enter the eternal state. He was visited by one of my sisters, who urged him to seek salvation ere it was too late. He proudly scorned the ad- monition and despised the reproof. As tho sands in the hour glass of the young man's life were fast running out, my sister again attempted to rouuie him to serious thought and prayer ; and asked if she might be allowed to read to him a portion of God's word. He sternly resisted the offer. In a few moments, however, the poor dying man, as if star- tled by a thunderbolt, and with glaring eyeballs, exclaimed with vehemence, "Eead! Read ! I shall be in hell in a mo- ment." But alas ! before he could hear one word, the spirit hjid fled, and returned to God who gave it." Mr Hall has also published other works, all of which are more or less known. His largest work is called " The Land of the Forum and the Vatican, or Sketches during an Eastern pilgrimage to Eome,' and bears the following expres- sive " Dedication": "To the beloved companion of his home, and the charm of every excursion from it, this volume, (so deeply indebted to the journal which she wrote amidst tho scones described) is dedicated by the author." As a biographer he has proved himself to his beloved father-in-law what Boswell was to Dr. Johnson — a laithful narrator of facts, and a correct recorder of many interesting , conversations. Dr. Gordon, "the beloved physician " of ' ' \m 204 DI8TINGUISHED MEN. I i ! f ■''■ Hull, was no ordinmy man. He was truly a Christian phil- •' osopher, a noble philanthropist, and a sincere, humble Chris- ' tian. His labors for the good of his race were indefatiga- ble. Ho was an ornament to his profession, and especinlly beloved by the poor. He was President of the Christian - Temperance Society in Hull, and was ever active in intellec- tual and moral pursuits. His life was deserving of publica- ~' tion, and all members of the *' healing art " would do well 5 ' to make it the subject of their careful study, ^'n'l -^z; // oli ♦* The bedside conversations," as recorded in the life of Dr. Gordon, are deeply affecting, and cannot fail to draw forth tears from all who will peruse the book. How the Doctor ' found peact with God is thus touchingly described : "I rea^ soncd {ind debated, and investigated, but I found no peace till I eaTiie to the gospel as a little child. Then the Holy Spirit seemed to Ull my heart. I saw my sinfulness in all its vivid deformity, and found there was no acceptance with God, and no hapj^iness, except through the blessed Redeemer. -I stripped off all m}'' own deeds — went to Him naked — He received me as he promised He would — then I felt joy un- speakable, and all fear of death at once vanished." ""* j Ah ! yes, dear reader, there is but one way of salvation for all. Eeligion can only be obtained through the same medium. Whether men are rich or poor, gifted or other- wise, no matter what station they occupy, they must go "naked to Christ." The illustrious Prince Albert — Albert the Good — was often heard to say " ' ""'^ " Nothing in my hand I bring — '' ' ' • ' - •' i-' ' '^. 'J.' Simply to thy cross I cling." and so must every sinner, just as all have done who have joined the angelic throng, and swell the chorus of i heaven. Would you sing Hallelujah in heavei^] Go now 3 to Christ — make haste — look unto Him, and be saved. . l&K Mr. Hall also published the life of his late father, the ian phil- le Chris- lefatiga- jpec'illy 'hristian intellec- publica- do well feofDr. iw forth i Doctor " I rean 10 peace be Holy 33 in all ice with [leemer. ed— Ho joy un- Ivation e same other- lust go -Albert e who jriis of o now • )r, the REV. NEWMAN UALL, LL.B. 205 Hcv. Jolin Vino Hall, author of '' The Sinner's Friend," a little tractate which has boon a blessing to thousands. Wo Jiave not had the pleasure of seeing this Biography, but it is highly recommended by the reviewers. The liev T. Cuy- ler, D, I)., writing to the New York Indfperu/cnt, giveg the following sketch which we are sure our readers will peruse with pleasure : "John Vine Hall was a brand plucked from the burning. He was born in Norfolkshire, England, in 1774, and spent much of his boyhood as an errand-boy in a wine-shop in Maidstone. " Little Jack ' was a mischievous fellow ; camo near losing his life by drowning, by being crushed under a hogshead of liquor, and by tumbling into a cellar among a heap of wine-bottles. A worse danger than all these befell liim ; for he soon became a drinker of the drams he sold to ■others, and his early manhood found him a scoffer and a tippler. His diary for July 24, 1810, contains the terribly brief entry of these words alone, ' Drunkenness, horrible depravity.' On the first of March he writes, ' Six days drunk ; awful ruin.' On another page he writes, ' M}^ busi- ness gone, health destroyed^ chai'acter ruined, a dear wife miserable.' '' During the half dozen years oi i .s tremendous struggle to break the cruel slavery of the bottle, this patient woman held last to him with a true wife's constanc}'. Some of his confessions are as thrilling as Gough's. He writes, * Often have I taken the dreadful glass into my hand, and looked at it with a sort of sensible horror, yet had no power to re- sist the strong impulse to let it pass my throat.' As his drunkenness had become a confirmed disease, his wife per- suaded him to place himself under the medical treatment of a worth}'' Dr. Day, who prescribed for him draughts of steel and peppermint-water, with two or three glasses of port wine after dinner. In these days there were no total "MM 20G DISTINGUISHED MEN. VM.a 1 ! :? ! 1 ' 1 I I ( f ' i ■ i J ■ F r i i abstinence societies, and no pledge. The result was that as Dr. Day did not recommend entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinky, his poor patient was continually falling back into drunkenness tlirough the influence of the ' two or three glasses of port,' and the moderate use of a little porter. All this time ho was going to church,and praying earnestly for deliverance. But as long as ho tampered with even a Avine-glass of the treacherous drink, he gained no victory over his fatal appetite. A single glass was a spark to the gunpowder. At length ho took the decisive resolution not to touch a drop of the poison in any bhape, and is soon able to record in his diary, * February 18, 1819, Blessed be God that thirteen weeks have now passed in which I have en- joyed the uninterrupted gratification of never tasting any other liquids than coffee, tea, or milk, and water.' Hence- forth his path was brighter and brighter unto perfect day. With exultant joy — the joy of a liberated slave — he exclaims, ' Oh what a change do I witness ! Business flourishing, liealth most perfect, my dear wife and children happy, and myself, through especial grace, a deacon of the Independent chapel. My house is a house of prayer, my heart a heart of prayer; and twenty years have passed awa}'', during which not a drop of spirituous liquors has ever passed the surface of my tongue. Oh, what wonders has the Lord wrought!' Yet the Lord never works such ' wonders ' for au}^ man who still persists in keeping his finger in the adder's mouth. Abstinence is God's only method of saving a sot. "This delightful biography of John Vine Hall ought to be spread through the land. It illustrates the power of a zealous layman in preaching Christ. Above all else, it illustrates that the slavo of intoxicating drinks may be saved ; but only saved by entire abstinence from the en- snaring glass. God's grace does not save a man who does nothing to save himself When the Lord Jesus oflfers his UEV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 20T restoring and converting gospel, He accompanies it with the indespensiblo precept, 'See that yo enter not into temp" tation.' And it is to the nnhappy inebriate, and the mode- rate drinli;er too, as well as to others, that ho makes the essential demand, * Unless a man take up his cross, and deny himself, he cannot be my disciple.* Far down in the dark abyss of drunkenness may there not be othei John B. Goughs and John Yino Halls, crying out for the hand of Christian love to rescue them ?" , . Though we feel conscious of having occupied the reader's attention, perhaps to weariness, we must refer to one other event in the career of Mr, Hall, and though it is of a polem- ical kind, we will bo brief. Some years ago there was great excitement in the Congregational body in England, on what was known as the " Eivulet Controversy." Rev. T. T. Lynch had published a volume of Hj-mns, which it was asserted did not contain a sufficient embodiment of gos- pel truth. Some reviewers did not fail to say so. Others defended the Hymnologist, and soon the denomination was in a state of ierment, the like of which had probably hardly ever been witnessed. n > . . On one side was the late Dr. John Campbell, and on the other was Mr. Binney, Mr. JN". Hall, and other rising minis- ters in London. Pamphlet followed pamphlet, and minis- ters and people were everywhere taking sides. Some who professed to be neutral were of opinion that Dr. C, who first made the attack, was too hasty and too severe, though all believed that he was actuated by a desire to defend the " truth as it is in Jesus." iMr. Hall and other.s, it is be- lieved, were led to espouse the case of Mr. Lynch mainly from sympathy. None could suppose that the author of "Come to Jesus," or the popular preacher of Wicghhouso Chapel — Rev. T. Binney — could be tinctured in the slightest degree with " Negative Theology." They ably defended Ill, ! i^m i ,1' 208 DlSTINQUIsnEb MEN". themselves, and after a while the controversy became A thing of the past. As far as wo can jndge, Mr. Hall conducted himself, through the whole of the painful affair, as a Chnstian, and as a man of lionor. In one of hits "Monthly I^ernions to Young J\Jcn," ho chose for his theme," Dangers of aNega* tivo 'ihoologj'," in which ho gave no uncertain sound. In the proihco ho says, ''Negative Theology is a crafty and powerful foe to all genuine religion. It is one of the mastw strokes of policy of the great enemy of souls, avoiding the shook which the very mention of infidelity would give to many minds, by combining a nominal reception of Chris- tianity with a rejection of its essential element-?." The text on which the sermon is founded is the Acts xx:27, " I have not shunned to declare unto yoa the whole counsel of i.Jod." He begins by stating that the first pro- fessor of ntgative theology was the dcvil^ the first imivor- sit}^ the garden of Kdcn, the first scholars Adam and Eve." The great object of the discourse is to bring men to submit to bo guided by revelation lather than reason so-called not to take part of the word of God such as may suit certain iifOtioi7s, but to take it us a whole, making it a rule of faith and a guide of conduct. The preacher wants all his hearers to have a positive Christianity ; to feel the love of God shed abroad in the heart by tho Holy Ghost given unto them; not to rest satisfied but only when they feel that Christ doo» dwell in them by faith. He cautionn them against being satislied with merely not doing certain things, no^ going to certain places. The way of salvation is not only clearly defined, but ably defended. -i If the scj-mon in question is to be regarded as a fair spe- .. ciraen of the author's faith— and we should presume it is — then we are sure none can justly accuse him as not contend- ing earnestly for the faith *^once delivered to the saints/* IIEV. NEW>L\N HALL, LL.B. 200'! The cUKllni';ui.slicd iniuistor with whom wc iivc now o at uny time in danger of bcinx left to tho leadernhi]) of those who are not avow- edly ('hriistians V Should not tliose who are animated by the highc'stof all niotivoH, and seekthe highest of all ends, exert their inMueuce to direct it? Is uot tho Haying of nn Impe- rial author, in bin 'Life of Oiosar,* applicuble to this question, — ' It is always a great evil when the party of th3 honest or of the good do not embrace tho now ideas to direct hy mod- erating thetn ?' Is it a fact that wviile on a few occasions memorials from tem])erance societies liavo boon received by this Union, this great question has never yet been formall}' submitted to it for discussion? And, although ditl'crencOK of opinion exist, and some strong objections to tliis special method of ])hilanthropy may by some bo conscientiously entertained, is this question, on which so many of us feci HO deei)ly, in connection with which God is elfecting such groat results, and by means of which tho working classes con be so easily and efficiently reached, — is this question one w'hich is still to be practically ignored as irrelevant to our objects, and for tho discussion of which wo have no time, though other topics not more vital and jmictical re- ceive occasional and even prolonged consideration ? And if so, might we not, without committing any member of Iho Union, or casting tho leant reflection on those who mny differ inopiuion,-might we not sometimes, at least, discuss the question how far it may bo a privilege, if not a duty, to ])romoto the temperance reform?" The year in which Newman Hall was Chairman of the Congreg .nal Union, tho "Autumnal Meeting" was hold at Sheffield, a town which has become somewhat notorious of Iftto years, in consequence of " tho Trudcg' Unions," and REV. NEWMAN UALL, LL.B. 213. tho unhappy conhC([iionccH tluit hayo HonioliineH resulted therefrom. The (Jhairman of tiio Union having lor years past taken deep interest in all that relates to the working classes, it was deemed opportune that lie should deliver an address to tho operatives of that town. Accordingly one eveninf^ tho largo 'Join .sninco Hall uas crowded to it» utmost caj)acity hy just muh jjcrsons as tho address wa» designed to reach, wiiilo iiundrod.s were unaliie tn gain ad- mittanco. Tiie address, which was well Huiled to the ocoa'» sion, was well received. Tho following is a brief outline of tho advice then given to tho sons of toll. Aftoi some preliminary remarks, the liev. gentleman dwelt on the im- pcrtanco of a pro])or appreciation by the working men of tho vital importance of religion. In speaking of tho obsta- cles in the way of improvement, he alluded to tho atfectoi contempt with which persons would often say to ministers, "Oh, you are paid, you know, for saying thin." Well, it would be as reasonable and logical to say that bread was not lit to eat, or that knives wore unlit to cut with, because the baker and tho cutler wore paid for their labor, as to say that Christianity was worthless because ministers wore paid for preaching it. Mr. Hall's argument on this point was reinforced by several simple but striking illustrations, and a2)pearcd to go right home to tho minds of his audienco. IIo spoko of tho importance of education, and of tho dan- gers to society that arose fiv-m ignorance, and I'cmarked that tho people must be educated by some means or other. Tho community that would liavo to sutler from children growing up ignorant, ought to see to i that nobody grew up ignorant. Speaking of the reasons why so man^^oftho working classes do not attend the public celebration of di- vine worship, ho said that one reason was tyranny. This led tho Rev. gentleman to make some observations of great interest. He said there could not be too much said in eou? r.' i 11 . 2U DISTINGUISHED MEN. ! ; I m '.{'' dcmnation of tho despotism of employers who use J their men and then threw them iiway when they wore worn oat, and treated them merely as" hands," not souls. On tliis matter he would let the audience intoasecret. Hethouglitthatwork- ing men had a perfect right to demand whatever wages they could get, to combine to get those wages, and to strike if they could not get the;a. If ho went into Mr. Rodgera'p sale room and offered 5s. for a knife which was worth, in the opinion of tho seller, Gs., the latter would *' strike " for that amount, and refuse to part with the knife for less, and be perfectly justified in doing so. The working men had time, and muscle, and labor, and skill to sell, and they had the right to demand their price, and to combine together and say they would not work for less than a stated sum per day. If the employer oifered less, they could say, *' We shan'i accept, and wo will go home, read our j^aper and en- joy ourselves." Tho working man had clearly as great a right to stand out for a certain price for his labor as the capitalist had to demand one for his goods. But there was another side to the picture. Suppose ii man were to go to another and say, "I have been working for six shillings a day and I want seven ; I want you to join me in refusing to work for less than seven " ; and if the other man were to reply, " I trust my employer, who says ho can't afford to give more at present ; I have a wife and children, and if I were to lose my work my wife and children would be in difficulties. I don't feel disposed to do as you ask, but you can do it if you like, but I shall go on working." Suppos- ing the first replies, "Yery well, a number of us will com- bine together ; we will drive you from the works, and if you persist in it, we will blow up your house I" That was tyranny, If tho tyranny of the men who had never pro- fessed to care for freedom was a despicable thing, the tyranny of those who were always denouncing tyranny, and crying REV, NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 215 )irmen It, and matter t work- wages ) strike )dgeraV 3rth, in ko " for 3SS, and icn had »ey had ogether ed sum ly, " We and en- great a I- as the ere was to go to llings a L'ofusing n were ilYord to ind if I lid be in but you Suppos- \\\[ com- L and if [hat was jver ^vo- |tyranny crying. out for liberty, was so despicable that he could find no word in the English language strong enough to express it. Out upon such despotism ! Let the working men deliver them- selves from the shackles of their own class. The l»ev. gen- tleman gave an instance of this tyranny which had come under his own observation in London. A very clever young bookbinder, who had conscientious scruples against join ing bis trade " society," was driven from place after place by the refusal of the union men to work with him, and ho was almost starving when he made his case known. That was a piece of abominable tyranny. lie then f>poke of other kinds of tyranny that was exercised upon working men to keep them from the house of God. In mnny a worlvshop the fact that a man had bocoino a church or chapel goer, subjected him to an odious persecution by his follow work- men—a persecution so severe that unless ho Avas a thorough Christian he was unable to bear it, If a man attended ser- vice at a theatre or a public hall he was not attacked, be- cause it was not considered that he had " committed " him- self by going to a secular place. It was the jiractise of too many men to say of their fellows who attended church or chajx'!, " Oh, he has turned Methodist " j and ver}- often their taunts and jeers drove the --ictim back into evil courses. Ho was in favor of political reform, but ho warn.d the workinij: men that the real reformation must he from Avithin. Let them reform themseh'os, and all other reforms would follow; neglect self-reform, and they would find political reform to bo a delusion, a heat, and a snare. Ho touched briefly upon the immense evils occasioned hy the liquor trafnc, and in conclusion addressed himself to the hearts of his audience with fervent aiid impassioned eloquence, onf roat- ing their attention to spiritual things, and showing jthe inestimable blessings that flow from sincere belief in the Saviour, and a life regulated by that belief. The peroration • ll' I I ^y: 'ii 216 DISTINGUISHED ME?f. was listened to \vith breath loss attention, and at the close the audience cheered the Kov. gentleman with the heartiest enthusiasm. . .». ^J During the same year, Mr. Hall held a meeting of a somewhat unique character, in Surrey Chapel, which was attended hy several distinguished guests, specially invited by the pastor. It was a real, practical, Evangelical Alli«. ance meeting. We cop}' the following report from one of the London papers : "The meetings of the annual assembly were brought to a close last Saturday morning by a public breakfast given in the Surrey Chapel school-room, by the invitation of the Chairman, the Kev. Newman Hall, and his friends. I'here were present — the Right Hon. Lord E bury ; the Dean of Westminster, (Dr. Stanley), Sir Francis Crosslcy, Bart., M.P. ; T. Chambers, Esq.. M.P. ; Harvey Lewis, Esq., M.P.; CM. Norwood, Esq., M.P.; G. Leeman, Esq., M.P. ; T. Baines, E'sq., M.I*. ; the Pector Christ ofj,(."liurch, Blackfriars ; the President of the Wesleyan Conference; the Pev. Thos. Alexander, of the Presbj^terian Church ; the Pev. Dr. Thomp- son (of New York), and the Rev. Sella Martin, delegates of the C)ngregati('nnl Union of America; the Rev. W. Ellis, from Madagascar ; the Rev. Dr. Mullens from India; the Pev. R. Sevvell, of Londonderry; L. Kossuth, (son of the Hungarian patriot) ; Hon. Alexander M'Arthur; Samuel Morley, Esq. ; W. R. Spicer, Esq. ; C. Jupe, Esq.; H. Willis, Esq , C. E Mudic, Esq.; Professor Hoppus ; the Revs. J. Stoughton, H. Allon, T. James, E. White, R. Ashton, Dr. Massic, and upwards of two hundred others, pastors and delegates of Congregational churches in England and Wales. The room was very beautiiully decorated with banners, mottoes, flowers, and evergreens. After breakfast, the Chairman said that the present gathering was simply for the manifestation of good fellowship with representatives REV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 217 of other religious bodie«. Ho testified to the loyal attach- ment of Nonconformists to the Queen for whom earnest prayers were offered every Sabbath in all their Churches. Nonconformists, also, whatever their views on Reform, up- held the Constitution, and desired for tbeir hereditary legis- lators all heedful wisdom and guidance. Ho gave then a sentiment "The Queen," coupling with it the name of Lord Ebury. The company rose and sang the Nitional Anthem with great enthusiasm, after which Lord Ebury expresi?od his great pleasure in being present, and said that among his first utterances in the House of Lords was this — that the Queen and the Constitution had no bettor friends than amongst the Dissenters. He expressed his personal re- gard for the Chairman, his satisfaction at their endeavor to promote the Union, and his own desire to go still further in that direction. The Chairman having referred in high terms to the House of Commons, Sir F. Crossley and the other members severally addressed the assembly. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Baines said that the Chairman was neither a Churchman nor a Dissenter, alluding to the use by his congregation of the Liturgy, on which th«^ Chairman, amidst applause, interposed, "certainly we br long to the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." The Chairman then said that while Congregationalists made no secret of their viows on ecclesiastical questions, and alto- gether disapproved of the connection between Church and State, they disclaimed the unfair inference that they werr opposed to any Church as such which might happen to be so connected. It was the principal they condemned and they should condemn itequally if proposed to be applied to thoir own body. Ho wished it to be understood that the reprcsenttitives of other Churches present that morning in no degree compromised their own distinctive views ; they know how to hold and how to utter conscientious and strong iwiti li^ 218 DISTINGUISHED MEN. I 11 iii IS I 1 i\ II, convictions and yet most heartilj^ respect those who differ- ed. Turning towards the Dean of Westminster, he' said that whatever diflerences, ecclesiastical and theological, miii;ht exist, Disyenlors knew how to honour learning and genius, how to respect character and efforts honestly put forth for the glory of God and the good of men. The name of the Dean elicited loud cheers, and the compan}'- rose to welcome him. Dr, Stanley then said that, as associated with one of the most venerable institutions of the Church of Ent^land, and because he most dccidevho dilFered, and that thej* should ivy to sJiow the excellence of their principles hy the .superior results of them ; looking ruLliCr to tlieir own weak poini.s in order to ameiul thcni than to the defects of other bodies. The Rev. E. White, Sella Mar*, tin, and others then responded to the mention of their npanes. The introduction of L. Kossuth was tivo slii-nal for a spontaneous and most ent.husia-lic ovation, iiolerring to the hon. member for Cliestcr, who had li^jcu expected, the Chairman said that to liim t])e compjin^^ would have mani-* f;>sted to the son the admiration ihQy felt for the sire, the great statesmen of tlie day, not only for his brilliant gAiniiis-, universal learning, and unrivallea oratory ; but ehieilj' for liis broad sympathies and earnest endeavours to be and do right. Jjissenters well know he diti'ered from them on ecclesiastical questions, and, therefore, it was not from an}' loaning of his towardr< themselves that they respected him ; but for his openness to conviction, for his not being fio mean as to bo unwilling to change an opinion if he saw a reason for it, and for his impartial endeavours to doe(]^ual justice to all parties in the State. More than that ])i6sen- ters never sought. These sentiments, and the name of Mr. Gladf^tono, were received with the most ^'ordiul cheers. — Lord Ebury then rose to propose a vote of thanks to Mrs, Newman Hall and the Chairman, humourously, describing the latter as "the missing link" between Church and Dis- sent out of the House, as Mr. Samuel Morley was "the missing link" in the House. Most of the company then ad- journed to the chiirch, where a service of song was per- formed. |.,^ ., IlL ,1 "T' 'Hi • f>i t. i 220 DISTINGUISHED BfEN. '^^ Our sketch, though already considerably protracted, must not bo brought to a close without a few sentences being in- iserted respecting Mr. Hall's visit to the continent of Amer- ica. He spent several weeks, both in Canada and the United States, and was everywhere received with the greatest enthusiasm. He was abundant in labors, in some instances preaching four times on the Sabbath, and occa> sionally holding two separate services on the same evening in different churches. It was astonishing to many that any r.ian could perform such an amount of labor as Mr. II., did during his American tour ; he seemed to bo always ready to sj^eak on any subject, and was always listened to with the deepest interest ; indeed, such was the pleas'ant mode of his address, that while none could fail to be delighted yet there was suck a calm simplicity about the speaker that you were taken captive by his appearance of goodness and evident desire to do you good. There was never any attempt to ornate, a simple colloquial style was always chosen, which, while it deeply interested the audience, was not exhaustive to the speaker. His visit will never be for- gotten. Our brethren in the United States were exuberant in their attentions to the "distinguished Englishman," that was among them. He and his companion, the Rev. Mr. Bulgarino, often had free passes tendered to them as they travelled by rail, and would sometimes find their hotel ex- penses defrayed when they called for their bills. Few ministers from England ever received a more cordial wel- come than ISTewman Hall. His speeches and sermons were reported extenso^ and were read on the steamboats and rail- roads, as well as in hotels and boarding houses, with great interest. Sheldon & Company of New York — a large publishing house — issued a neat 12mo. volume, containing some of tbo REV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. ed,must icing in- )f Araer- and tho 7ith tho in some ^nd occa> ; evening that any r. H., did lys ready 1 to with ant mode delighted ) speaker f goodness never any IS always icnce, was or be for- liherant in nan," that Rev. Mr. sm as they hotel ex- Ills. Few rdial wel- linons were LB and rail- ith great publishing lome of tb« Bormons which were preached by Mr. now Dr. Hall, durliii; his sojourn in tho States. In looking through the volumo wo have been somewhat disappointed at not finding some of tho sermons and addresses which were delivered during the visitors brief stay in Canada, as we think they were equal, if not superior,to any that are inserted in the volumo. We would especially have been glad to have soon a sermon which was preached in the American Presbyterian Chuic h, Montreal, bearing the title "Heaven, and how to get there, ' a sketch of which we have preserved and M^hich we often read, and always with profit, It is a beautiful sermon, and no wonder that it was listened to with breathless atten- tion, b}- the crowded audience, which had tho opportuuity ul" hearing it. , , . , - ,, m .,,.'■ An address was delivered at the Sabbath afternoon Tem- perance Meeting, in Montreal on tho same daj^ as tlie ser- mon was preached to which wo have referred, and as it gives a very full account of some of the methods ado])tcd by Pr. Hall, for tho purpose of usefulness, we may be ex-" cused if wo hero insert a few paragraphs, taken from t!ie "Montreal Witness." It was expected of him, that he would tell them some thing about the special work that was being carried on in connection with the Surrey Chapel, London, for the pur- pose of laying hold of the outside masses who attended no place of worship. They had in London, and at home gen- erally, avast mass of population, indulging in strong drink and all the evils and immorality connected therewith. — They had what were called ragged schools, and the need for these schools had been occasioned by tho vast numbers of untaught children j who were thus leftuntaught,becau5e their drunken parents did not care for their ignorance. "- They had multitudes of these ragged children in London Owin^ to the great number of drunken parents, hence they i ;i;» « iill 9R 222 DISTINQUlSIlED MEN. bad need of numbers of ragged scbooln. These children came to the schools frequently without shoos and stockings and slightly clad. Articles of dress were occasionally giren them, and meals sometimes provided. ^'"•^ '■" The first ragged school was established by an individual who was in connection with the Surrey Chapel, and there were now three or four such schools connected with ^e chapel, and in them some four or five hundred children. — These children, by being thrown into the society of the streets, wore sharp beyond everything, precociously filJod alike with wit and wickedness. They were exceedingly anxious to get to school, and eager to learn ; but the dif- ticulty was to find teachers for them. Entertainments were often given to these children and their parents. On these occasions, they would sometimes steal the cups and saucers and handkerchiefs. Once w4ien this had been done, com- plaint was made ; and it was declared to be too bad to thus rob their benefactors ; and having, it was said, drunk the tea, they might at least leave the vessels. Thereupon the missing cuj>^ and saucers aiid iibstracted handkerchiefs mysteriously reappeared. There was also sometimes groat confusion, and great tact and firmness in dealing with these young Arabs (>f th-e streets were required ; but their quick- ness in learning to read in the few and disjointed intervals was truly marvellous. * ■ The adults among the humbler working classes of Lon- don were open to peculiar and constant temptation, hy rea- son of low nnd cheap amusements got up in connection with public-houses and elsewhere. The j^ublican provided this low amusement, and it was sad to think of Christians certainly did something for these people on one da}' of the week, the Sabbath ; but the devil catered for them on all the seven, for the public-houses in England were allowed to be open during most of the Sunday. But what were the REV, NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 22? CJ^ristians of London to do. The people wanted — all people wanted — amusement. Every one took some kind of amuse mont ; and the working men and women went to the pub- lic house for it. This being so, it was thought best to try to give them some, and to that end Surrey Chaj)cl had been opened to them evcMy Monday evening for a number of years past. At a (juurtor past eight o'clock, the organist performed some sacred music ; and by half-past the church would bo filled. Mr. Ilall then oll'ered up a short prayer and they had given to them more music. lie did not al- ways preside himself, but froquentl}^ got some well-known gentleman, the Lord May oi-,a member of jiarliament, perhaps a peer to take the chair. He (Mr. Hall) often lectured to them ; sometimes on history, biography, science or the subjects of the day. He would, on his return, perhaps take the subject of his American tour, and make out of it three or four lectures. He also frof|uently obtained the s'*rvicee of others. He had had Mr. Layard to tell these }>oople about Ninevah. He Jiad even turned his pulpit into a .sort of chemiciil laboratory, sliovving l:y experiment thciofrom the great and wonderful works of God. Now the people liked this ; and every Monujiy evening he had 2,500 people kept from evil for at least one night, and brought to where they might obtain some good ; and they found that, after all, the parsons were not so stupid, and that it was not true that they could say nothing,except it were about theology. These people were thus often in- duced to attend church on Sunday ; and he had known many who, from attending these more secular meetings, had obtained groat instruction and spiritual profit, and ulti- mately become members of the church. ' ' ^- There was also a sort of obverse to this pleasing picture- Secular buildings had been used in a somewhat spiritual roanuQr. Theatres and the St. James' Hall, had been eu- l*«— *i»n»w . r n iiii I > ■■ii H' :,« liil; ! bjl 224 lUSTINuUISriBD MEN. gaged, and tho pooplo who wf^uld not go to church attend- ed these. Tho working people of England were great ty- rants over each other in many matters of opinion. So, if a man went to divine worshij^ in a church they would deride him, Init if he wont to hear a sermon in a theatre they thought nothing of it. While assembling in these latter, the audience laugh and talk aluud, keep on their hats, and behave with great freedom ; but no sooner does the com- mittee arrive, and the service begin, than the hats tu'o taken off, and instantly all is quiet. There is no policeman, but a tacit understanding amongst the audience that all shall be conducted with reverence and decency. The addresses are Hucli that are adapted to tho attendance, and these theatre services have been greatly blessed of God. Open-air preaching was another method of reaching these masses. In London, there was an opon-air preaching so- ciety, and there were hundreds of those preachings every week. lie knew there was an open-air preaching going on that very day in front of his own Surrey Chapel, and af- terwards they would distribute tracts. On Sunday mornings that had a number of these services. Thus, then, ask these classes to come to hear a secular lecture, and they will do so ; and you can at the same time give them the gospel, to hear which they could not be in- duced to enter a church. But why should the preaching of the gospel be confined to churches and chapels, or confined within walls, however secular or wide ? The open-air chapel costs nothing, the ventilation is first -rate, and, if the ser- mon should be dry, the hearer can easily leave. It was truo some of the street preachers murdered the Queen's English; but their short and pithy addresses were very like the gen- uine article, and he should never forget one of these sermons (which the speaker repeated), and which he once heard a Yorkshire nian deliver in Eegents' Park, showing tho im. X." ■ ,J REV. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B. 225 :ond- tty- ., ifa oride tboy utter, , and coin- taken I, but sliall ressea th«so : tboso Ig BO cvory ingon [ ri- .•nings ocular timo bo in- ing of tifined bapel 10 ser- 18 true iglisb; e gon- rmons card a im possibility of an infidol dying bappy. Tbo pronunt-iation was not elegant; but tlie premises were sound, and tbo Iggic irresistible. They also gBibly take the form of a memorial window, on which would be inscribed tho names ot Toronto, lvingDton,]Montroal,and other places; and would cori:ainly be distinctive as a memorial from Can- adian friends. While in New York, Dr. Hall delivered a speech on tlie '•ijxcise Law," a few paragraphs of whic'li, may with pro*- prioty, he hero insr^erted. Lie had visited every part of the city ; the magnificent thoroughfarofij where nothing but splendor meets the eye, and also in the noisome dens where vice and wickedness abound. Vice needs onU'' to be seen in its nakc.1 deformity to^Jjo shunned forever. It was a wise law which separated places of drinking from the other haunts of crime. In Eng- land almost any ©no may get a license ; in the poorest dis- tricts the best gilded and best lighted houses are those Where bodies and souls aro together destroyed. In London seventy millions of raonoy aro annually expanded in tho pni-chase of stimiihmts, fifty millions of which comes ^' -1 M^ m i If, ... ,, 228 DISTINGUISHED MEN. /7i..;^ tlio poor ; it furnishes oight-tenths of the criminals, seven-'" tenths of the insanity ; to it is to be attributed nearly all the ignorance and neglect of religion — all chargeable to drinking customs and the liquor traffic. There is a peculiar- ity about drinking — increase the opportunities and you inn crease tlie indulgence. He did not want to see such scenes in America as he witnessed in England. lie liked America very much, but he liked England better. But he blushed and grieved over the drunkenness ' d vice of Great Bri- tain ; he had been fighting against it for twenty-five years; but to little purpose ; the tide still rolls on, and he r;hould be grieved to see any nation brought down to the level of England in that respect. There ought to be more control over such customs. Just picture some of the scenes. One night recently in London, he saw in a new suburb a man lying in the gutter, drunk. lie went to wake him, but there was a bull-terrier sitting on his shoulder.-*, watching him, and in more than one sense he thought that the man was lower than the brute. j.s not this dangerous trade to be looked after ? May a man store up gunjiowder or pur- sue a dangerous business without restriction or restraint ? And are wo to bo taxed for police for the poor, all in con- sequence of this traffic ^ Are we to stand with arms folded and not protect ourselves ? It is the undoubted right of the Government to rcgidate the social system of the country ; it has a right to make holy daj's and days of recreation ; for indivKluals, on account of the competition in business, would never do it ; and inasmuch as it is beneficial that there should be such days, the State has a right to design- # ate any day for such a purpose. The State does not pre- scribe what people shall do on that day ; a man may go out in the fields or lie abed, but the State merely saj's you shall not pursue your ordinary business. As in the inter- est of the poor man the Sabbath is to be preserved intact RiaV, NEWMAN ilALL, L. L. B. 229 and inviolate, our objection to opening the British Museum libraries, &c., is that it imposes Sunday labor on those who have charge of such places. And once throw down the barriers, and people will soon find that they would have to labor seven days for six days' pay — for competition would bring down the price of everything. The Christian Sabbath in the poor man's Magna Charta, and our Lord interpreted the true meaning of the day when he rebuked the Phari- sees. The disciples were right in plucking the corn, the sick man in taking up his bed when commanded to do so. The day was made for man's benefit. Religion is not a fast,but a festival; not only a tribute to.buta bencfitireceivcd from the Almighty. But let a number of men work for seven days on a railway, and put an equal number on an- other railway, and allow them to rest on Sunday, and the latter will do more than the former. In a factory where over ascends the ceaseless crash of machinery, and the grinding, grinding of innumerable wheels, suddenly at din- ner hour comes the pause. How delightful that intermis- sion ! So with the vSabbath. It is .as necessary socially .is physically. You remember the story of the little child who asked mamma the nai.ie of the gentleman who dined with them on Sunday. Oh, what a uniter of families it is i Sonje ofus find hard work to be religious, even on Sunday. What should we bo vvithout it ? do not recklessly throw away this precious boon, but preserve it as you would your very lives. Dr. Hall concluded an eloquent eulogium on the Sabbath, which was applauded again and again. It will be readily conceded that the gentleman, of whom we have writen at such length, is a great admirer of the United States, and some have even gone so far as to say that he praised America too much,and that he was not suf- ficiently English in the addresses which he delivered to our American cousins. We believe, however, that he is thor- 'riMi ■'' f h i'-' t «k' !1 -)! I ■Mfi m ■m '■t i'. ■I i ^50 DISTINGUISHED MEN. '\iV fl^U ouglily English, but, during his visit to America, he took every opportunity pos.siljle to promote a good feeling be- tween England and America, and we have reason to believe, that he was successful in allaying the prejudice which many had iinha])])ily indulged towards J^ritain. The following brief letter, whicli Dr. Hall addressed to the ''Christian World," will prove this. ■ .' ''. '.i.i li' "i:r(,v ., I'll "1 have had the privilege of visiting to-day botli the house and the tomb of the late President. It was worih a long journey. The glory of both is dc.ived alone from the man. There is no outwanl splendour here tocoiiij)ete with that of lofty character and noble deeds. The house is a neat un- pretentious homo. It is huilt of wood, and has on / one Ftorey above the grountl tioor. As you enter, there is a sit- tinii:-room on the I'ia'ht, and on the left, a d(n\ble room wilji fold m door: The iiin;;'r one haviuir been Mr. I.incolnVi sanctum. [[; ire is ills h.'>i)k-case, ain d tl le oesiv on w hich is said lie wrote his first inaugural. A very narrow stair case leads to f )ur small looms above. These, wiili ihe j-:it_ chen. constitute the house, which is in an angle wlicre two roadvS meet, and on both sides is not above ten feel ivom liio pii •ement. I'here i.>. a nariow verandah round tiie Jowor window ^Jr. Lincoln left the lior;so as a residence v/hcn 1)0 Tas appointed J'rcsident, and had to live at VVashing- lon. The family wlio then took it occujiy it still, and show every courtesy to visitors. One painfully interesting rcli- Is a small piece of the silk dress of the actress who rushed from the .vtagc. and sustained the head of the dj'ing rresit dont. [t is spotlcd with his blood, and is ])reserveil in a frame like a picture. The secretary of tlie Young Men's Christian iVssuciation told me that on the evening of the appointment to the Presidency, he and o'.hers gave their fellow-townsman a serenade. Mr. Lincoln came out, aiid, standing at the door, siuiy said : —"There arc veusou.-i tlEV. NliWMAN IIALL, LL.ii. 231 which sometimes occur in the life of a man ^lion his duty is to ho silent. Such a tinie has come to me." The tomb is as simple an the liouse. It has a brick front, and on ?he stone door bears the inscrijjtion 'Lincoln,' It i.s surround- ed and overshadowed by ti'ces. This evening I have h.ad the ])rivilego of deliverini^ u lecture in the Presbyterian {'hurcli. where Mr. Lincoln was a worshipper. It is a f-rn:i!! plain odince, much like a dissenting Ch.ipel at hon>o, c(>ii- 8trucled to hold about 40.) \vorsliij)pcrs. M3' tlioine \vtts Lincoln, his policj-, a'ld British opinion. I endeavored to make the best case for my country ; proving tl.at the great numerical majority were always for the Lincohi policy, :r.i I that of tlie rest, the greater part, v»'hilc condemning tlie war, did not the less condemn slavery; av.d w^^vg influenced not by iil-fel!ing to America, but by n!isi'cproseniati;)ns o'' faots, and mistaken opinions respeclinc; the American Con ■ stitution. Jfis Excellency, the Governor of tlio Slate, was present, and cordially thanked the lecturer, s;\ying that ho had removed several difl'culties froni Isis own mind rcspcc- ing the altitude o.*" Great Britain. I have been too busy, Sir, to write a consecutive narrative , but T have madd an eiibrl. to forward these few lines from Lincoln's shrine." Di: Ifall, (. n his return to England, delivered many ad- dresse.i res])ccting his travels in the western world, lie is now, we believe, the English correspondent of the New York Independent, so that his numerous friends on this side of the Atlantic often have the pleasure of reading the live- ly productions of his pen. Ro is an earnest laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, and is most assuredly oncof tholead^ ing ministers of London. The Master has greatly honored him, during the term of his ministry, and we are sure that all our rejulers will pray that his evening may com«J hHe, and that his sun may set without a cloud. I! (.i:': ,•] .»] /.■.,. I •-)•:•.-.. I L> .uw :/Uii '$ : ' \l ''■■• .' h [: '•!,'! ..-.I j;a;-. ,.' iv".!.". ':j::.ti[ >::.')C i^iW/''^ '>'.!.> c^'lL'lf 'dl REV. WM. ORMISTON D. D. ii:j! '/i ;j' /'/ 11 •ir.,. /, "A son of thunder. " ■ "By him the violated law speaks out " ^ It's thunders, and l)y him, in strains as sweet f As angels use, the Gospel whispers peaee. He 'stAl>lishe3 the strong, restores Uie weak Reclaims the wanderer, binds the broken heart, And arm'd himself in panoply complete Of heavenly temper, furnishes Vvith arms Bright as his own, and strains by every rule Of holy disoijjline, to glorious war The sacrament host of God's elect. " J ^ I '"' 1, «. I .1 I'll, I •• ._ I -■ . - ,'_ t! li i ,V: ;Mt- fv^HEEE aro few ministers in Canada" better known, or more generally esteemed, than the gentleman whom we now introduce to our readers. Wherever he goes he is euro to make his mark, and none who listen to him are sorry when they have the opportu*- nity to do so again. During the period of our residence in Canada we have always "esteemed him very highly in love for his work's sake ;" and have admired him for the^talents ho possesses and the use to which he appropriates them. Wo consider Dr. Ormiston a fine specimen of what a man ma}' become who exercises the principle of self-reliance. To whatever degree of eminence he may have attained, he is more indebted to his perseverance than the patronage of others. He has plodded his way manfully, and now that ho has attained the pinnacle, he may well look back with pleasure and review the path ho has trod. He is a Scotch- man by birth and has all the endurance and independence usually possessed by his countrymen. Whilst, however, he is firm he is not stubborn. He is always manly and hon- CT.nblQ. n a i^t^ ' »^'Jj^»»,^ii" c.*i.i' 31 • REV. WM. ORMISTON D. D. 233 'r. • « ■* ■,. - -hi' ■ \ < ■ i'- ' ' ' known, ntleman her ever ne who ►pportu^ ence in in love talents them. t a man nee. To d, he is nage of ,ow that ,ck with Scotch- lendence owevor, ,n 1 hon- When about thirteen years of agc,the parents of our hero emigrated to Canada, and settled on a fi\rm in Darlington. Hero the young Scotchman labored hard for the space of fowr years, doing the ordinary work that belongs to a 'bush- farm.' In all probability the healthy exerciso which he then endured, strengthened hi-3 ph^'sical system and gave him that robust, and almos!: gigantic appearancc,for which he has yince been characterised. During the years that ho was toiling like a true 'son of the soil," those Gospel pioneers of Canada — the Methodist preachers — came into the locality where he resided,and of- ten took up their abode in his father's house, and with them William spent many pleasant hours, diking over matters pertaining to religion and knowledge in general, for it might be observed that from e ,vly lifc,he was a lo 'cr of book'?., and was pursuing mathemetical and classical stu- dies, while doing his duties on the flirm. ' '"' ' ' ^ When he had attained his eighteenth year, he resolved to lay aside agricultural pursuits and aspire to something more cnobling. His father, to his honor bo it lecorded, on hearing the determinaii >n of his son, not only did not aUonipt to dibniiadc him, but iifLor consulting his "l)cttcr- half," it '.vas ?»grc.'^d that a piece of the farm should be sold and the proceeds expended on a collegiate course for their son ; but the noble youth,on hearing their intention?, with his accustomed generosity, magnaniniously refused to allow their kind intentions to be carried into clTect, inasmuch as he conceived that it would be doing an act ofinjustiqo to the juvenile members of the family. William had laid his plans, and now ho resolved to carry them out, lie became the teacher of a school in a small town, more of a village in those days, and depended entire- ly on the fees, at the same time he was preparing to enter college. After being thus engaged a few years he wont to 1 i ^m^ 234 DISTINGUISnED JIEN". :i li i: Victoria College, Couourg — tlio oldest Educational Instltn- tion in Ontario, Canada. Hero he made rapid iniprovenjent and Avas not only a student but al^o becnir.e a tutor, a.'.d then filled the chair of moral ])hi]osophy ftnd logic, and al- so taught clas<*es both in matliemutics and classics. After being connected with this seat of learning some four years, he took the degree B. A., and has ever, we believe, been ]won(X oi" his Alma Mater. . i, ;. .. » i) ,j., .1/ jn. We next find him ordained to the work of the ministry in connecLion with the United Presbyterian Church and became pastor of the churches in Newton and Kewcastie, where he was characterized by great energy as a preachei" and was remarkable as ever, for indomitable ])cr.severan''0 in pursuit of his studies. He also filled the oface of liocal Superintendent ofEducation, for the to\vnr:;hipof Clarke, the duties of which he not only dischnrged in a most efficient manner, blithe was popular both with teacdjcrs and scholar.^ in evcr}^ district. The sight of him in any school vras the the signal for great cheering among tiio little jolk.-.. During this, his first personal charge, h.c r.l.vo hccamo famous as a Temperance Lecturer, and in connection wiih the Kevs. W. Eyei'son, nr.d I. Goldsmith, was enqiloyed by the "Grand Division of the Sons of Temperancii*, ' to go through the entire Province to enlighten the public on that important movement. To their united zealous, and trul}' self-denying labors, the cause of Temperance is much indebted. They were all men of no common ability. It would have been no easy matter to iiavc found three more suitable agents for the work than they proved themselves to be. The result was that there was a more healthy tone of feeling in respect to Temperance throughont Canada, than iiad ever before been known. Whilt) the people of Newcastle and Newton were exult- ing at their possessing a minister qf such distinguishe(| m REV. Wlf. ORMISTON, D. .D 235 istitn*' era en t •, a.'.(i md al- Aftor years, ), been ; . . . > I r i inietry ■ch and i^castlc, rouchcj' v'eranco 1 Local irkCjthe officicTii scholars Ivas tho (ocamo >n with ived by logo olivi on fus, and [s much ity. It ec more I n selves hy tone Canada. exiilt- truished wortli^ not a few of them, had fears that the fame of his talents would become so extensively spread, that thoy would be sure to be called to endure the pain of severing those ties which had existed ko happily for a few )cars. We have no wish to write a sentence or a word that would seem to reflect in tho least, upon iho intelligence of the people in our ri;ral di^*ll■icts ; nevertheles , it must be ad>» mitted, that to have kept !Mr. Ormi.ston in his first pastoral charge, would have been very much like putting a candle under a bushel. The people loved their pastor, as well they might, and he was not deficient in his attachment to them, and often sitjco ho left, them, lias he gone down to the scene of his early labors and ministered to them in holy Ihing;-^. This we know, he has aonietimes done at great sa^ ^'ritjce.having to travel all niglit in the stage that ho might rotura to Toronto in time for his ])ubiic duties. Tijis was before tlie (irand Truiik Ivuilway was opened, ;. , Some fifteen or sixteen j-eai's ago, our oxcollenl friend became one of the Professors of the Xo.rnal Scliool of Up- per Canada, situated in tho City of Toronto, where his tal- ents wore broui^ht into constant exorcise. .For fonr hours '■aily he hold forth in that Institution on Mathematics, Chemistry, or Natural Pliiiosopiiy, (o tlic delight of tho en- raptured students, who crowded around his chair. Hun- dreds of 3^oung persons of both sexes, from all parts of tho Province of Ontario, have been at the Normal School, which U a credit to the country, and an honor to the distinguish- ed man who is at its head, Eev. E. Ryerson, D. L).L.L.i>.,the foundar of the present exc3llent system of Common Schools in Canatla. Many who study at tho above Institution do ot permanently engage in teaching, though that is their professed object, but thoy enter upon other professions,6uch as Law, Medicines, &c. During thQ time that ^|r. Orraiston held the )ffico of Pro- ^ H"' : 1- r 23G . DISTINQUISHED MEN. , fesswr at tho Normal School, he often visited ])lacc8 near Toronto, lecturing on various subjects, partcularly/reniper- anco, and on Sabbaths he was ahnost sure to bo called up- on to preach, either in town or country, without a days* lost. It was often a marvel to many how he could endure such an amount of toil, and his best friends were of opinion that at this period of his life he taxed his energies to se- verely, lie was truly zealous in good works. He often spoke impromptu, particularly at Tea Meetings, and social gather- ings. On some of these occasions, when it was our privilege to hear him, v\e have known him to produce an astonishing degree of excitement in a short space of time. He also for a few years, held the office of Inspector of Grammar Schools which have become numerous in Canada. After fiilin-x the office of Professor in the Normal School for the space of four years, during which time he had refus ed many pastoral calls, ho removed to the Cit^* of Hamilton where he became a Minister of the Central Presb^'terian Church, the officers of which gave him the largest salary which at that time was paid to any Minister of tho Presby- terian Church in the Province. His stipend has since re- ceived an addition which makes it 82,400 beside a beautiful Manse. This is well done, and reflects credit u])on the poo pie who know both how to appreciate an excellent Minister and also provide for his wants, an example, which wo trust, will not be lost upon other chuvches, equalhj able but not equally liberal. Ministers in general, are tho hardest wrought and worst paid of any profession. Three years after becoming pastor in Hamilton, a Uni- versity in New York, conferred upon him tho degree of D. D., a mark of honor he justly merits. A beautiful church was also erected for him, which is larc;e and spacious. The congregation, as might be supposed, has greatly increased atid there has h^eji a considerable accession in nuniber. ' ""^ -•BfrlMw t-t ■ JjSy.'JTy-'^". REV. WM. ORMISTON, D. D. 23T tvheh the Rov. Edward Payson Hammond, ' tho Kvango- list," made a tour through Canada, ho visited Hamilton, and considerable good resulted from his labors. Diflcrent opin- ions have been held as to the propriety of employing **Rc- vivalists" so called, as their visit8,in some instances at least have occasioned much uneasiness in the churches were thoy have labored. We had not the pleasure of hearing Mr.IIam- mond, and consequently, we would not write a word that would seem to reflect in the bast upon that gentleman. It is .^?owever a fact that pome ministers did not approve of the course which ho pursued, though he was the means of producing a considerable awakening and for several weeks both Dr.Ormiston and others labored zealously in their own churches to promote the revival which had been so auspi- ciously begun. The Doctor had the pleasure of receiving a considerable number of persons into church fellowship durng that year, which was somewhat memorable for m- vivals in diflferent parts of our country. In consequence of Dr. Ormiston's excessive labors, his health became somewhat precarious and duringthct^ummcr of 18C3 he went to Europe, and visited places of celebrity in England, Scotland, Ireland and Switzerland. He occu- pied several pulpits in the father-land, and from one church at least, in London,hG received "a call," which he declined wisely we think, resolving to cling to his adopted country We are also informed that large overtures have been made to him from the City of New York, and Chicago, and also San Francisco. The people of Chicago offered him a salary of 8,000, greenbacks we suppose,but the Californians tempt- ed him with an offer of $6,000 in gold, but he still declined "From henceforth let no man trouble him." The health of our noble friend was not mucTi improved by his first European tour, and for a few 3'ears it seemed as thoughhis life trembled in the balance. He was constantly S^8 utsfiNutJtsnEi) rttii^. re • Ir,, V troubled with slceplessiioss, consequently he was obligecl to take rest, and go away from all scenes of excitement. la 18G7 lio took another ramble through Europe, and by the blessing of the Most High, was permitted to return great- ly invigorated, so that now he looks strong and vigor^ 0U8, and lu3 appears to be as able and as willing to labor, as ho ever was. '• '..:',. .- •" . j.-- During his first European tour ho attended the Free Church Assembly in Edinburgh, where he spoke to the de«- light of that venerable body of grave divines. His speech which was reported, or we might say imsreportcd, m some of the journals of the day, and sent across the Atlantic, did not procure the most fav^orable imprcpsion in some circles. He was rci)rescntcd as describing Canada to be a little ^-'cot- land and that the I'resbytcrian Church was exercising a greater amount of influence than any other denomination. Some took exceptions to the statements, hut we believe all that ho meant to say was that in some places in Canada the Scotch element was so predominant, as to justily the epithet a little Scotland ; and certainly in such places the Presbyterian Church necessarily has a majority of adher- ents, and to say so is not any reflection i.pon any other Christian community. Dr. Ormiston's whole course through life has been one of unccasinj? kindness towards other de< nominntions, to all of whom ho has always been ready to lend a hcl])ing hand. The gentleman to whom wo have particularly referred, OiS taking exceptions to Dr. Ormiston's speech a,« reported, was Dr. Jeifers who edited the Christian Guardian for the period of nine years ; he is a great admirer of Dr. 0-, and has we believe, been on friendly lei-ms with him for a ing time, and while he criticised Dr. O's, remarks somo«« what freel}^, he professed to have nothing but kindness in his heart towards him and the denomination to which he HEY, WM. OIUIISTON, h. D. 239 belongs, ho concludod hid critique thus : ., j .fimi^ "Wo hiivo the liiglic.strc.sj)oetl'ur Dr.Orniiston,uiHl a very siucoro cstcom and lovo fur tlio cliurch M'ith \\lii('li ho is connected, wo hv>|)u liis pentimcnts have been fc;})oiicd in the reporting, and wo believe the grout body in that church possesses liberal ieoIin<»-s towards other christians denonii- uatioas.' We feel au».o tliat Dr. U. would readily rocipro caio those kind exproHsions of his friend Dr. Jotters, and as a ])roof that lie boars no resentment, ho has never that wc know of, taken the least notice of the critique, believing ap- parently, that his manner of life will bo a far botler ovi- ilenee of the sincerity of his a'foctions \'ol' others, than all the high sounding jjuragraphs wIjIcIi he may uond forth Ihi'ough the press > • , r After Dr. Ormiston's return to his beloved Cannda,he de- li vo,ro.l s)aiJ l'3;.*,Ui'os doscribliiu,' his joiirnie*, and skotchs of men and things as he ^aw them in the old world. Tiut iocturos were represented, by one who heard them, "as graphic, amusing, and occasional iy pathetic," all or which we can readily believe. Ai thy time of the union between the Fre<} and the Uni- l.\[ rresb3'terian Churches, ])r. prmiston took an active ]>art. Ue was, Wi? believe, a member of tlfe union commit- tee, and \vas one of the deputation lo confer with the Free ("aurch Synod, and now haj)pily the Unioit has become a matter of fiict and the two badies which were formerlv • :no>vii by dilt'erent naraes,aro now know^a as the "Presby- terian Ch urch of Canada." * When will the various b) lie-i of Methodists forn\ one cliurch ? Is it not a serious blunder to have as is sometimes the case, three^ f )ar, or even live Metho list Ministers in a jilace where one might preach to all the people who are thus devided into separate congregations ? We cannot see how such divisions promote the glory of God and tho good w^: 240 DlSTlNdUlSIIEl) MfifJ. of tho Cluii'ch. Lot thero bo mutual concessions, and w6 arc sure, that tho MolliodiHt Churches mii'ht thus become one. But to rotnrn to tho subject of our sketch. Wo will not attempt to tlo.sciMbo Di*. Ormiston as a proacher. This has been so ably done by Dr. Prime of Now York, that we pro- lorito quote from that gciitlcman, who says ; '' "Dr. Ormist'>n is a remurUablo man, ])hysically and in- tellectually, full of nervous energy, and electric fire ; well read, highly wrought, impulsive, ardent, inipetuous, yet with a heart full of tenderness, and a mind so sensitive to tho delicate touches of the beautiful, that he takes the minds so his hearers captive at his will and sways their 8enses,thrills soothes, melts, and leads them, as tho nature of the subject inspires him. lie bursts upon you with a suddenness that instantly awakens curiosity, fastens the attention, excites the intellect, and prc])ares you to accept something more than the ordinary service of the Word — and this expectation is answered." ""' ' ' ' '• '" ' ' ' .... .... '♦Thoroughly Orthodox after tho Scotch pattern,and with U8C a little Scotch accent and brogue, lie pours out a stream of glowing, earnest, strong, old fashioned,Gospel truth,with now and then, a quaint, half-humorous illustration, yet boating down all cavil and objection with the arm of logi cal force and the point of Scripture proof, and sweeping along on the tide of resistless eloquence, he carries tho judgment and feelings of tho people with him, until they are compelled to admit the overwhelming force of the mighty truths of the great message. Yet with all this tre- mendous energy of manner, and electric narvous «^powcr. Hashing in his small black oye, working in his graceful gesticulation, and leaping out in tho clarion tones of his well modulated voico,he is mild and soothing in his gentler luoods, touching tho heart-strings with sweet, plaintive, ttEV. "NVM. OKMISTON D. D. ^1 tender tones and words, hiu own oyos filling with tears as liJH hearers wept with him, ur.dcr tho spell of his pathetic appeals." , \Vc confess great lovo for Dr. Ormiston, and arc glad to find that one who only hoard him a few fSahbaths, is dis- posed to spoalv of him in a manner no less eulogistic than true. He does not now journey so much from homo as in times ]!iist, and has almost given up everything except his strictly pastoral labors. For this, no doubt,his i)oo])lc will rejoice as lliorcby they secure moro of his attention. lie is however an indefatigable laborer in the cause of Sabbath schools, '11 id often takes part in the conventions that are held both in connection with those institutions ana Young Men's Ciiristian Associations,i)ut it would bo impossible for him to go from homo as ho was wont to do in years gone bvo We cannot couelude our sketch of ^Jr, Ormiston better than by quoting a j)ortiou of a speech which he deliyered at the Sabbatii School Convcntion,hcld atToronto in Oct. 1867, in which he gave tin account of his recent visit to the In-* lernational Sabbath School Convention, hold in Paris in Juno of that year. Dr. O., said : "he had not been iu Paris two hours before ho found himself in a meeting held in connection with Sabbath School work. In the building which was within the precincts of the groat Exposition, an hours' prayer- meeting was held da l^-, and ho was sorr^' to say that many Protestants from Britain and An\erica spent weeks at the Exposition without visiting this place of worship. He at- tended it regularly and was much benefitted. It would not be interesting to go over in detail all that was done at tho International Convention ; but he would rapidly glance at tho features most interesting to Canadians. The first meet- ing was devoted to the receiving of the delegates. There :f 242 DISTINGUISHED MEN. II were delegates from the United States, Canada,England,dif- ferent i)art3 of Franco, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Swit- zerland, Prussia and Italy. He never saw a finer exhibition of Christian courtesy and warm-hearted hospitality, than "tvas manifested on that occasion, A right cordial welcome awaited all the delegates, come when they might, and when the ceremony of reception, which was a little distinguished from ours, by a greater amount of formality was ended, re- plies were read from the Sundaj^ Schools in Paris and in dilTerent parts of France. These reports brought out some striking peculiarities. Their course of opciation is alto- gether distinct from ours. They have the same faith,, the ^lamc Lord, the same Word,.the same love for 60uls,but their wants are peculiar and the courage to meet them and the perseverance to overtake tliem are far greater thai- with us. As a proof of this, imagine an attempt to introduce Sunday Schools among children of Roman Catholic parent- age. Even though their parents are willing to have their children taught* the word of God, they are prevented by the ecclesiastical authorities. In view of this it will not be surprising to find that the children generally regard the Sabbath as a grand holiday.. These things have to be con- tended against by those who undeitake to teach Sunday Schools. lie (Dr. 0.) was invited to address them, and af- ter he had spoken, questions were sent up to him to an- swer. These were questions b3aring on the difficulties Sab- bath School teachers in Franco have to encounter ; and he had in many cases to confess his utter inability to answer them satisfactorily-their situation was so different from ours. His advice was " say nothing for anybody, but everything for Him." The second meeting they had was devoted spe- cially to the hearing of reports from England and Ameri- ^^ ca. Some of these were written, others given orally. State- ^ xants were made by delegates from different parts of Eng, -f U > i REV. WM. ORMISTON, I). .D 243 iand, and especially from New York and Chicago. Ho (the speaker) gave an accouat of the Sabbath School work in Canada. The next day was spent in reading reports from general superintendents of districts, and the whole \:a^ wound up by a discussion of the very question that was discussed in this Convention this mornincr. "The end of Sabbath School instruction." Considerable diversity of opinion was expressed on this subject. In ^-^me localities it is almost impossible to introduce the reading of the Scriptures. Some schools merely use a little catechism. The result at which the Convention arrived, and that near- ly unanimously, was that which he believed almost every person who hud heard him would agree — the salvation of children. The general sentiment of that Convention seom- od to be that the Sabbath School was nothing more nor less ' than a church for the children, and therefore teaching Sabbath Scliool is simply preaching the Gospel to children in ih^i style adapted to children. Hence the teacher shoukl have the same spiritual qualifications, be actuated by the same motives, and bo possessed of the same skill as the minister. The speaker then gave a very interesting ac- count of a day he and other members of the Convention spent at the country seat of the President of the Conven- tion. They were treated with the most unbounded hospi- tality, and had a delightful time. He came away with a higher opinion of Frenchmen and with an experience most pleasant to remember. As to the results of the Convention ho did not think any very great results could have been an- ticipated from a mooting gathered as that was, its sossionn so brief, the subjects introduced so varied^ and the difficulty of language to be overcome, so great. But it did cheer the hearts of our French brethren very much, and every dele- gate from distant lands went homo with a higher opinion of their zeal^ their ability and their courage. Why it require? ^.' i i I 2U DISTINGUISHED MEN". flP 1 . t te no courage for a man to bo a Olu'istian hero ; it is a eve Jit to him. But there it is quite a (litlerent tiling, an did boAn-e leavinjr New York on his way to Euro])0 was to address five hundred and fifty of the little raggamulTlns gathered fi"om the ditches of that great city. "When thoy find these children first they are sift cd,a ml every atom of dtcency taken out of them. TIio neglected refuse — those whom nobody would have in their houses — arc there cared for. The main idea is to teach them obedience so that they will submit to famil}- authority. Those )-K)or little creatures that don't know what it is to lie down on a l-od, are kept and trained for five or six months and then they send them off to the magnificent west to make men of them. AgreatvY^ork is bein done in Now York in this way. Ho had a good time there and a more appreciative little cherub audience he seldom over before addressed. Tho REV. WM. ORMISTON, i>. D. 245 first public act ho did after landing in England, was to talk to a Sunday-School. The deduction he drew from what he learned at the International Convention, from what he observed in his personal visits and learned frcm converse with leading men engaged in the work, was that the fe^ab- bath School in the dimensions which it has attained, in the attention it has attracted, in the piety and energy which are employed in it, is one of the mightiest agencies which the church can employ to elevate home piety, to increaise her power and to hasten the time when Ziou shall arise and put on her beautiful garments. The Sabbath-School should be constantlv associated with the Church and the Church should use the school to the very beat advantage. In order to do this she must take care to place over it her very best men and women, The conclusion to which he came, from all he had seen and heard, was that the char ' acter of the school depends more ujion the teacher than cvcrj'thing else put together. What we want then is skiiled labor in our Sabbath -Schools. Ho exhorted the young men to lay themselves out for the work, to prepare ihcmselves for it by study and Y)y prayer. And if some of our J'oung ladies would devote one tithe of the time in learning how toplay upon the chords of a childs heart, which they en\- ploy in learning to play upon the piano, oh ! what music they would bring out of it. His advice to them was, 'don't play upon your pianos less but play upon the harp-strings of the childrens hearts more." '' ■" ' "'"*'' " '""' ' We liad the pleasure of he.iringthe speech of which the above is a mere outline, and we can assure our readers that the effect which its delivery produced, was r^ the most pow- erful description ; rarely if ovcr,did wehear Dr. Ormiston to hotter advantage, The meeting had been protracted until near 10 o'clock, and the feeling produced was of the most hallowed nature, so that some wore afraid lest tho interest li I 246 DISTINGUISHED MEN. might decline, but, notwithstanding the unfavorable posi- tion in which he was placed, the Doctor held the vast au- dience for three quarters of an hour as though they were riveted to the spot, and when he resumed his seat the church resounded with the most deafening applause. We have good reason to believe that the service of that memor- able e^ ening caused many to retire to their homes, resolv- ing to labor more earnestly than ever on behalf of the sal- vation of children. The people of "the ambitious little city," may well be congratulated chat they have in their midst a minister of such ability as Dr. Ormiston, and all will pray that he may be long spared to labor for the weal of those who sit under his ministry. ' • I \' > ti:'»U ■ .'■■'■ -' ■ ■ ■ ' '•» I,- J,, i . . 1,''. ■ ;►,.,, !> -.!■■, ' " f ;. • i': ..• I •-ly^' Ji^ '^ , .nnf) V ./ him, . .'ft •■".<',■■ ' • ■\ 'l * ,:-:.r-l . . , , :/•*::. r'. r" -* ' • ■ ^ jyai , ...,'J ^•t'ii .:)f; . f ■ ''".'- ■■I -'i/fl') .. -i -^ - liio" 1 !. i';t i. :■ si.nl' •.i jilijj 3 :; ■: hi tiV • REV. W. COOKE, D. D. "He writes like a master in Israel." ^ "A fine specimen of tnxe greatness." "A workman that needeth not to be ashamed.' E confess at the outset of our sketch of the gon- ^ tleman whose name stands at the head of thih page, that we regard him as one of our choicer friends, for whom we have more than an ordinary degree of affection. In this respect wo are not alone, as we believe that all to whom he is known, regard him as one of the most amiable and excellent of men. Some twen- ty-five years ago a minister with whom we were then on terms of great intimacy, after hearing this gentleman and spending a few hours with him at the house of a friend, pronounced him "one of the finest specimens of true gi'catness that he had ever seen." Probably some who may read what we now write, will say that wo are too eulogis- tic and like the editor of one of our Canadian journals, who once read what we had written respecting the Dr. said that "our statements were fu' :me." Be it so. We are sure that those who best know Dr. Cooke, will regard our statements as below, rather than above, the truth. To begin then, Dr. W. Cooke has been for more than for ty years a leading minister in the Methodist New Con- nexion, a branch of the groat Methodist family in England. The denomination is not numerous, but many of its mem- bers are wealthy and not a few of its minioters are men of considerable literary ability. Were they connected with Bome of the more influential denominations they would inHiiiKiiii i w IS w 248 DISTINGUISHED MEN. doubtless be more extensively known. Foremost in the Ministerial ranks is Br. Cooke, who has more than once been elevated to the Chair of the Conference. Ho has been stationed in all the important circuits in England; has been General Superintendent of their missions in Ireland ; ahd now while wo write, ho occupies the double office of editor and General Book Steward, a position which ho has held for more than twent}' years, but from which he intends to retire in 1870 , ^. ^ , .. . ,. . ; Dr. Cooke docs not belong to those who have had the ad- vautAge of a collegiate course. Born, wo believe, in what is now known as the 'Potteries of Staffordshire,' of parents who were not able to send their son to a seat of learning,he had but a limited education in youth. He was, we under- stand, in early life brought to embrace religion, and in com- pany with some other young men ho became a member of a literary society,for the purpose of self improvement. The reading of those devoted youths was confined almost en- tirely to theology. Some of them made considerable pro- ficiency in that important branch of knowledge, and were therefore soon called to exercise their gifts as exhorters and local preachers. One of them, to whom we are indebt- do and who was himself a useful Methodist itinerant for up- wards of forty ^'■ears, told the writer that in a very little time after the above association was formed, it was mani- fest to all that (he future Doctor was likely to be "the man of the society," "He surpassed us all," said our informant, '•and ho has kept ahead of us over since." It was not likely that a young man who possessed a pleasant mode of address, and whose hetilUi v»-iis good, and who was evidently possessed of talents that were far above mediocrity, would be allowed to remain at home. Accord- ingl}' we find that he was solicited to join the ranks of the Ministry, and from thp coHim.Qnpomprit of his itinerant c^- KF.V. V/. COOKE, J). D. 2i0, rocr, lio lias been deservedly esteemed as a man destined io be of more than oriinary value to the cause of Clu-ist. ]3einp; popular from the commencement of bis ministry and al'.vays «tinding- high in tlio denomination to which ho belongs, ho was at an early period sent to freland, where 1)0 remained for some years in charge of the missions in that country. In this im}>oi'tant sphere ho labored indefa- tigably. We have been inA)rmed by one of his Irish fellow- laborors that the amount of toil to which he their subjected himself was almost incredible. No kind of weather could prevent him keeping his engagements ; and no matter how meagre the accommodation which he might have in somool his missionary journies, ho was always cliecrful and was ever ready to endure any sacrifice for the causo of Christ. No doubt while he was in Ireland, he saw the prnctical workings of popery to such a degree, as to causo him over since to hate that system of intolerance and always be ready to speak against it, or wield his powerful pen towards has- tening its destruction. At the same time the knowledge which he received res- pecting Ireland, was a great benefit to him in all his sub- sequent life, inasmuch, as he not only ever afterwards had great sympathy for every matter relating to Ireland's wel- fare, but was especially anxious that the cause of Protesi- antism should be maintained in that country at all hazards no matter how much it might cost. lie knew that if Ire- land could be saved from the curse of popery, that the in- fluence of 'the man of sin,' would be paralysed evcrywiiero for at present the natives of 'the emerald isle,' are amon^^ the ^.oatest colonisers of the world ; and go where they will, they take their reli^zion with them. It is an unhappy fact in all our large cities and towns, both in Britain and America, that the people of Ireland are more frequently seen in our police courts and places of judicature, than any I' 250. DISTINQUrsnED MEN. other class of the community ; and to what is this to be at- tribtitod ? Simply tho systom of Popoiy, wliioh blants the moral sonsiljililios of man, warps his intellect, and teaches him to trust in the priest rather than in Christ, consequent- ly Roman Catholics for the most part, at least, do not act but as they are insfructed to do by their ecclesiastical su- periors. ' ''••<' . H v. M.U-iwi Somewhere about thirty years ago tho Methodist socie- ties in tho North of England, generally, but more jiarticu- larly those of tho Methodist Now Conuuxion, were plunged into a state of great disquietude by reason of tho agitation which was brought about by Mr. Joseph Barker. Mr, B. had been a minister in the New Connexion, and had been vQvy popular chiefly through his lectures on Socialism, and the discussions he had held with some of tho chief advo- cates — apostles they were called — of that infidel system. Unhap])ily however, Mr. B. soon afterwards began to pro- pogate views that were of the most heterodox character. The Conference of which he was a member, could not in justice to itself, allow him to proceed without calling him to account. The consequence was that after his expulsion ho soon made a division in several places where he had formerly travelled. The havoc which he made in some of the Methodist Ohurohos in the North of England was truly frightful. We remember hearing a minister who was an eje-witness of the devastations that were then made, say, "that he had no doubt but that thousands had been seduced from tho truth by Barkerism." n/wi Mr. B. having renounced one doctrine and then another ^ it was hard to form any idea of what ho would eventually •• become. He publis' .;d the following singular sentence in some of his writings which were issued at the period of which we ^ ;90w write :-"T am never at one stay, I have been changing RBV. W. COOKE, D. D. 251. or going forward cvor since they know nio ; and I am chanjing or moving onward still, and noitlior tlioy nor I can toll what I shall bo in tho end. It was a very usual course with Mr. I], to challenge minis- ters to meet him in public discussion, on what he was pleas- ed to term the system, that ho i)ropoundcd as "Evangclieal Reform," and ho would boast again and again that not one of the "hirelings" durst moot him in j>ublic debate. No doubt Mr. B. was a man of more than ordinar}' abilit}-, and tho lab' r which he performed at this time, was truly pro- cilglous. At length a fooman worthy of his steel was found i» the person of llev. Dr. Cooke, who had been sent to New- castle-upon-Tyne, to gather up tho few scattered fragm-jnts of the church that had not been swallowed in the commo-' ^io»- . :« .. . .• 1- . • , ...;t After much bandying about terms; tho discussion at length took place in tho town already mentioned, and for ten nights the excitement was of the most extraordinary description. The admittance was by ticket, and every night hundreds of additional tickets could have been sold. All the Protestants ministers in tho town took deep interest in the affair and encouraged Mr- Cooke by their presence -and sympathy. When tho discussion was brought tea close , a testimonial was presented to the gentleman who hail so zealously and ably defended the true Protestant creed. . . Y^Mr. C. in making a speech in acknowledgement of the Tahiable* testimonial which he then received, gave an able review of the principles for which he had contended, and con- cluded a most eloquent speech thus: .. - ....... r " .tr -f "An enlightened regard to our posterity conspires with all other motives to urge us to be faithful to our trust. We occupy an important position. VV^e stand between two gen- erations, the one passing away and will soon disappear ; the other is rising up and will soon fill the spheres we now^ m I 'I ., '- ill ' it 1 m^ 252 DTSTINOUlSnED MEN. 'It; I : ( 'Ifti^'H occupy. Tho interim presentb a fearful Btrugglo between truth [ind error, between Christianity and inlidelit}', and on tlie viages of [)asb history admonish us to hold fast, which all the in- terests of religion commands us to retain, then black will be our ingratitude to (J-od, treacherous will be our conduct to all our ancestors, and murderous will bo our conduct to our children and generations yet unborn. We entail upon posterity the le])r.)sy of our unbelief and a])ostacy ; wo in- fect the atmosphere which they have to breathe; we poison the fountains thoy have to drink; we intercepttho heavenly rays which were intended to enlighien and save them, and involve them in the malaria of pestiferous delusions, and damnable heresies ; we throw society back ; we postpone the day of millennial glory and originate events which may introduce again the darkestand bloodiest scenes which have yet transpired in the history of our 'A'orld. On the other hand, if faithful to God's cause, we shall prove our- selves worthy the times we live in — worthy of our noble- minded ancestors and the trust providence has committed to us. The truth will bo preserved, the designs of the enemy defeated, and the benevolent purposes of God ac* iJ:L=-JSaXL^~:2£Mtm RftV. W. COOKE, D. D. 253 complitthod. Our poHleritj' too will bloss uh, niul will enter into tho inlioritnnoj of our privileges and our labors. The impulse given to truth and religion in the past century will be accelerated and extended in this, and tho "tnoinenlun^ will be transmitted to fiifure ages. The trium])lis of the cross will bo advanced. Science and art and connncrce and all the secular advanlages of this enterprising age will be ir.ado subservient to tlic great interests of religion and the conversion of the Avorld. Tho ein-lh will help tho woman. The operations of providence will promote the purposes ol grace ; and that blessed era will di-iiw ncjir wlicn the truth shall bo everywhere triumphant, when all the enemies of the gospel '■hall bow before its power and the whole earth shall be lilled with tho glorj- of God. Then let us gird up the loins of our minds, put on the whole armour of God, and and fight tho good fight of truth. Let decision, vigilance, earnestness, benevolence, holiness, ])rayfulness, and chris-» tian cntei])rise characteri'/e, our whole conduct. Let our hearts retain the truth, our lives adorn It, and our labors promote it. Let us bo steadfast, unmovable, alwa^'s abound- in the work of tho Lord, knowing that our labor is not in rain in tho Lord." Tho discussion with Barker brought Mr. C, into more public notice than he had over before enjoyed. Applica- tions to preach at the dedication of churches and other spe- cial occasions poured in u2)oa him from all quarters ; and wherever he went, tho crowds that were anxious to hear him, were so groat that he was often necessitated to con- duct his services in the open air. The speeches which he had delivered at tho discussion, were taken down by a first class phonographer and the whole was soon published in a 12mo. volume of more than 500 pages, which at tho time had a rapid sale. The circulation of this volume, extended tho fame of tho humble Methodist preacher who now be- i 264 BISTINOUIHHED MEN. M m cnme known among tho literati of tho day. Though aside from our purpose, we feel sure that such of our readers aa may rot have Boen tho volume in question, will be glad to know how it was noticed by some of the Reviewers of tho day. One gaid, "In bringing this work before our readers, we have no heHitation in expressing our most decided conviction of tho signal triumph which Mr. Cooke achieved over his opponent. We exultingly express our high admiration of tho learning, talent, reyearch, and intel- lectual power displayed by our esteemed brother." An- other eaid, "Mr. Cooke's Bpecchos on the incarnation of our Lord, and tho Trinity, are masterly, and are of thomselvey sufficient to earn dinlinction for him within and beyond his own denomination." At the period of Mr. Cooko's ministr}' to which we now refer, ho felt himself called upon to do- tVnd in ever}" possible manner, tho peculiar doctrines of Methodiftm, which had been assailed with so much virulence. Tho result was, that he issued a goodly volume, the sub- stance of which was first published in tracts, ontitlc!(! work. Wo have read it over and over ngain, and every time wo do so, wo aro reminded of what a critical friend Haid to us, after ho had road the volume in quoHtion, for tho firpt time ; "I v\'ondci' (hat Oixl hath /^iven such powers to man." It is a bool: of /.^reat roHcandi, written in the author's usually chaHto style, and is a .successful defence of tho existence, atlrihutoM, and T^ersonal distinctions of the Godhead, All clas!^;os of Reviewers connnondod it in the highest terms, one of thorn, oven said, "that tho work was superior to that of I'r. Brown, whicli ohjained tho cole hrated Hurnet prize, €1,200." Another said, "it possesses all the brilliancy of Robert Hall's colcbnUod treatise on 'Infidelity,' combined with tho i'ncr<^y of his powerful mind. It is one of tho most perfect trotttises of tho times a/^ainst infidelity," It wai, wo bolievo, tho ])ul)lication of "Tho Deity," that cause 1 otio of otir s'jats of loarnini;^, in tho United States, to conf<;r tliu dcirreo of D. D. on tho ^nfted author — an honor to which wo conceive ho is justly entitled, for suraly thi) juimhor of Ids works is such, to say nothing of their high character, that tho more ropoatini^ them will ])rovo that lie labors uncoiisingly, for tho ])rodu(;tion of such books as ani calculated to hcl]> thocauso of truth and righteousness. IV. (/ooko has issued a goodly 12 mo. volume called "Shokinah, or the presence and manifestation of Jehovah, nndci' tho several Dispensations from tho creation of man to tho day cf Judgnient." Wo bolievo. that it too, has had a largo sale, and has boon deservedly ostoomed by all who havo given it a careful perusal. Some have thought that it is tho substance of sermons preached by tho author at diflerent periods of his ministry. Wo know not but that tho opijuoii may bo based on truth. If so, wo fool suro REV. W. COOKE, D. D. 257 thai tlic congregntiony who were privileged to hear such sermons, were certainly more highly favored than many. Our l>octor has publlsluMl a host of pampl)lets, as well as some sniall volumes. We may mention a few. "The three intercessors united, the 8on, the Spirit, and the Church;" 'The testimony of tlie aiicient Jewish Church with respect to the ]>ivine Logos ;" '''liie firand Trize;" ''Tliouglits on tiio mode of the Divine existence," and several others in the shape ofsej)aj-iito sermons, which the author liasjtreach- od, and lias issued through the press, to satisly tlie wishes of numerous friends who licard them in j)uhlic. , Dr. Cooke is alive to tlie crafty footsteps of Popery. — When the Jate Cardinal Wiseman v,us proclaimed Arch- bishop of Westminster, the J^'utcstants of England wore so much aroused, that in le.-^s than a month afterwards more than owe /iwm/rct/ dill'erent pam])hlets were issued, bearing on the question, that had become the. (;uostion of the day. Among these was 'Vi*a])al Aggression," by Dr. Cooke. He has sin(;e published ^'The Foundations of Topery Destroy- ed," "Popery Exhibited," "The Po])e's Curse turned into a Blessing." All these treatises are of great value, und possess a great anujunt of matter in a small com])as8. When Pisliop C^olen/o startled the world by his bold assaults upon Divine Pevelation, Dr, C. was again at his post, and issued two small publications entitled ''The liilile," and "God's Word defended and infidelity repulsed." He has also 8ont forth "The Cosmogony of Genesis ; its inspiration and harmony with science." It is an 8vo. pan»phlet of 32 pp., and contains an abundance of valuable matter. It is a real multum injx^i^t'o. Tlie reading of many elaborate works is hero brought into a small compass. The inspira- tion of the book in question is first clearly proved. The objections which are made to its Cosmogony are then fairly stated, consisting of objections derived from Astronomy, 11 258 DISTINGUISHED MEK. Wj Geology, Chronology, and Physiology, all of which avc carefully examined and then proved to be without founda- tion to rest upon. Li.r ••!..!<: i«H« Wo regard this pamphlet as an able summary of argu- ments in favor of the book of Genesis, which has been as- sailed in these latter days, with more than ordinary sever- ity. The learned author concludes hisadmirablo production in the following nervous language : "The objections have been answered by arguments derived from the domain of each respective science, and the conclusion to which we are carried by logic and philosophy is, that the teachings of Revelation and the tostimony of Nature are in perfect ac- cord. The history of the past and the evidence of the present unite to show that the believers in Holy Scripture have no cause to fear the future discoveries of science, nor have the abettors of infide) *y the least ground for exultant anticipations, for Revelation and Nature, which have harmonized hitherto, will harmonize for ever. They have both the same glorious Author, and the testimony of of both eternall}^ agreeing, shall eternally unite in unfold- ing the perfections of the ever blessed God." • •• '' ** One of the earliest pamphlets which was issued by the distinguished man whom we have now introduced to our :;"»aders, was entitled " Teetotal ism purified from unsound opinions," and was given to the world more than thirty ' years ago. We remember to huve read it at the time, and retained a copy for several years "Wo regret that wo have not been able to lay our hands upon it now. Many fruit- loss searches have been made for it. The author endeavors to prove that expediencij is the ground on which we can most successfully defend the Temperance question. Not having the work at our command, we wish to speak i.'ith great caution respecting it. We need scarcely tell our readers, that while wo are ready to admit that the argu- ■:^)iii<-«--;^^'MMUK.mc^>< REV. W. COOKE, D. D. 259 hich arc t founda- of argu- beon as- ry ecver- •odnction on 8 liavc omain of ;li wo are things of crfcct ac- of the Scripture ' science, •oiind for •0, which r. They imony of in unfold- d by the d to our unsound an thirty imo, and wo have ny frnit- ndcavors h wo can on. Not eak '.;ith f tell our the argu- ment from expediency may bo used to great advantage] in discuss tho Temporanco question, nevertheless, we think, that higher ground than that can now bo taken, and we hardly think that Dr. Cooke would publish the pamphlet in question at the present day. So much inves- tigation has been given to the subject, by Drs. Grindrod, Lees, Jcwett, Miller, and others, tbat wo may now boldly maintain tho position, that the manufacture and use of alcoholic liquors are an unmitigated curse, and that it is a misnomer to designate such poisons as being good creatures of God, They rob God of his glory and plunge man into misery. They are evil, only evil and that continually. — Wo rejoice to think that Dr. C. adds to his many virtues that oi temperance. He is a thorough, practical teetotaller, and recommends abstinence both by precept and by ex- , Dr. Cooko is known as a Biographer. He published a volume entitled tho "Life of Rev. Kalph Waller," which has ever been a favorite book with us. Tho holy man who is thero pourtrayod was of tho class of men which contains a Smith,a Bramwell, a Stoner, a Collins, and others of pre- cious memory. Ho died comparatively young, but ho was full of honors. He was a real revivalist, and spared no pains in prosecuting tho work of ""^o ministry. **Tho Life" should bo read by young ministers especially. Dr. Cooke also published the life of Alexander Kilham, in which ho gives a resume of tho principles of church gov- ernment as held by Mr. IC Some questioned the propriety of issuing such a book at tho time of its publication, seeing there was then great agitation in the Wesloyan church in EfigUiiul, and the book was regarded as boi \g intended to draw some of the disscntie, ts towards tho denomination of wichh Di. C. is a member. It might bo so, and should tho supposition be correct, it follows that tho author is. very ! I -■ »jm 260 DISTINQUlSUED MEN, zealous for his own donomination, not an unusual occur- rence . Of one thing wo are certain that of late years Dr. Cooke has often spoken and written in favor of Methodist Union and some have even accused him of having leanings towards an amalgamation with the Wesloyau or Old Connexion. He is of two generous a disposition to ho cynical^ and we believe that ho would hail with delight such a union of the Methodist bodies as would lend to heal the breaches which unhajjpily exist among the followers of John Wesley, and do away with the unsoeraly strife that too often follows the introduction of various Melhodist sects into the same neighborhood. He is a real Methodist, and thoroughly understands its history, and doctrines, and polity, as may bo seen, not only in some of the works which we have mentioned, as being the productions of his versatile pen, but, also in the volume which he and others published to commemorate the jubilee of the Methodist New Connexion. The space we have already occupied forbids us enlarging further. AVe had marked some striking passages in some of the Doctor's sermons, which we designed to insert, but wo will only give the following from a speech, which ho delivered a few years ago, at a Missionary Meeting, held in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, which we regard as a good specimen of the Doctor's style of address, on such occasions. Ho said : "No country in the world has such facilities for extending the Gospel as our own. We can meet together freely and fearlessly as no other people can, and un('er the protection of our Government discuss all useful questions. Our colonies are the most extensive in the world, and are vast centres of power and influence; our commerce reaches to the utmost parts of the earth, and our enterprise goes with it; Englishmen gaze en every con- stoilation, and visit every market in the world ; all lands occur- •. Cookc t Union towards iDCxion. and we n of the s which ley, and ^ows the le same •roughly as may \\Q have tile pen, ishcd to inexion. 1 urging in some crt, but hich he g, hold ard as a Dn such ti8 euch \Vq can >!o can, cuss all sivo in iiience ; th, and rv con- lands KfiV. W. COOKE, D. i). 261 are made to contribnto to our interests and power, and our coastline has constituted us a gieat maritime people, and made Great Britain the centre of all nations. Many draw- backs wo know there are, but hero is Christianity in its life and power ; nowhere is it bctt( r preached or better exemplitied. The Bible has fitted us for the gieat w^ork of evangebsing the world. It has given a tone to our litera- ture, to our arts, and to our science ; and though Germany is renowned for these, her theology is blighted by the prev- alence of neology. America has many means of usefulness butshe wants the ago, and stability, and strong government of England. Not long ago she had the curse of slavery upon her head, and this was a great disfigurement of her Christianity, and sadly in the v.ay of her usefulness; but now, thank God, she had cleansed herself of that foul blot, and her 3,000,000 slaves stood erect as citizens of thai free republic. (Cheers.) The speaker than- referred to our immense wealth, and asked why we were thus distinguish- ed, why we stood thus pre-eminent amongst the nations of the earth in our means and opportunities for evangelising the world. No other answer could be given than that, in His wonderful providence, God designed that we should take the lead in spreading the G<>opol from the "river to the ends of the earth." Never did anv natii>n in the annals of the world occupy a position of so much gran* leu r and responsibility as our own. That which the Jews wore under the Old Dispensation, England was under the New, with this diiference, that we had a far more perfect system of religion, far greater resources and opportunities forhlossing the nations of the earth than the Jews had in the ]>roudest period of their national glory. A review of the ehangcs that had occurred in so many countries showed that never were the obstacles so few, never were the facilities so great as now, to the propogation of Christianity over a'i tho <- % r •; I ii hi 2G2 DISTINOUISHED MEN. r ( ii .onrtli. IIo I'oforrcd to some instaneos of the prouross of this (Jenominatiuu in China. The numbor of mom bens hud oxcoedocl tli(; number of any other denomination gathered into church follovvKhip within the same period. And ho«v it contra.sfe. D. 263 intorcftlcd in our Saviour and our religion th«t he had got some passnges of the Now Testamont and the teachings of Christ beautifully written on card, and suspended in his public oflico." i>M -''*"• •"" ^ • '« '• ••••• -• ■ ^- ' We will also give a short extract from a more recent ppecch delivered by Dr. Cooke, wo believe in the same place, I'Yeo Trade Hall. Manchester. "He rejoiceil to lind we were all fighting against sin and Satsjn, and he trusted they should light on till Christ reigned triumphant in all lands. Wo were all here tonight for this purpose. What wo wanted was simply the conversion of the world. For this they labored, for this they prayed. God had done much for us as a people. Ouv civil and religions liberty, our cheap Bible, our right to read and ititerprct it, our Sabbatlis and our sanctuaries, are all tokens of Cj^od's special regard for us. We liave a philosophy, which, on the whole, is seeking tho truth, a ):'Mq which teaches the truth, a religion which lives the f"*'- , and we have the glorious cross of Christ, which • cs one world and illumines all others. VV^o eannot do better than disseminate these great truths through all lands, and they will upraise and bless our race. 1 am glad that something is being done at home. But much more is needed ; for we behold the most destruc- tive errors oing propagated with an effrontery that all but astounds Uf. What did Archbishop Manning say tho other day at Lcedft 1 Why, that the Korean Catholic Church had no need now to put itself to the trouble to defend its own distinguishing doctrines. There was no need to discnes these doctrines now; their defence had gone into other hands, and tho questions were settled. The Anglica^ Church, ho said, was doing all this for them, and they, (the Romanists) hml now time to devote for other matters. — Transubstantiation, he said, was safe in tho hands of the clergy of tho Establishment ; the doctrine of purgatory 264 DiaTINGtTlfiHED MeJT. I was Rafo in the liandH of thecloru}' of the Rstablishincnt; and tlio doctrine of the intorccPHion of saints was Hafe in the Imiids of llio Protcfitant C.lnirch of En/:!:land. AVliat wore wo to thirds of this, friend h ? Are wo never to awake to tho imjtortance of declarations like these? How fur are men like those to go ere we arouse ourselves ! O, for Tiati- mers and ilidleys in our own day ! We want thorn naain to bear down these barefaced heresies. Have we forn'otton how the martyrs sntl'ei'cd and bh-d and burnt for onr glorious truths ? Jlave wo for«:;otten how th ^ braved the inquisi- tion and faced the fires of Oxford, iSinilhflold, Doiby, and Other ])lacos, to defend our reliiL!,ion ? Listen to their voices as they cull tons from thei duni^eons and those stalvcs, to be faithful to our (Jod and Ids precious truth. Atrocious were those who lod Ihfin to death for their fjdc'it}' to truth, but more atrocious still are those who arc; now thus botray- ini^ that truth. (Tremenduons clieers.) This is a si)ecieB of infidelity to the Church itself which seeks to destroy all that is glorious and ]>cculiar in tlie religion of Jesus. But it is our duty to root it out by all the means in our ])0wer. We must attack these grave errors, not with kid gloves, but with stron:^ limbs, with bone and muscle ; nor must wc cease our labors tdl all forms of error are swept from the earth. Heathenism must give Vi'tiy, Mohammedanism must give way; Popery must give v^ay, and infidelity, with its negative creed, must give way too. We hivemuch to do 3^et ; for Africa is still in lier wretchedness and misery, and Asia is in her gloom, led captive by supersti- tioTJs which seem immovable. Still, we have nothing to ^fear, for a thousand prophecies declare that God's truth shall triumph, and God himself hath told us that his word shall not fail. Little more than a century ago Methodism ' numbered a mere handfulof adherents, now she has twelve millions. One hundred years ago America counted five M HeV. W. COOKE, D. D. 265 Mctliodifcits, nnd one of these wns a poor black slave, but now blio luLS eight niillioriH of adherents. Sixty-two years ago we had no JHblo {society, but now our Bible Society sends out 2,500,000 copies of the precious book annually. Every year now we have the world's prater-meeting. One week is set apart yeai'ly to supplicate the ruler of the world for the conversion of the w<;rkl. And our (lod will hear our jirayers — must hear them when they are the united and lervent jirjycrs of the whole religious world. Not many }cars huL-k New Zealand and Australia were unknown lands to us, but now the gos])el was preached tliero almost as at home. Turkey, tierce and persecuting as she was for centuries, has now been coin])elIcd to cease her cruelties-', blie has done her bloody work, put by lier sword, and now allows the truth, as it is in Jesus, to bo preached under the shadow of the minarets and mosfpies. The bible has got into Italy at length, and wliat is the result? Why, Italy is free. When that book found its way there, and was allowed fair play, it soon cru.^hed dcK- potism and began to censure Popery. All honor to Gari- baldi 1 And what was becoming of the Pope? No ono knew. He was in a sad plight. He cried out, but no one cared for his crii.s, and the priests were getting married like other honest men. Priests and popes had lost tlieir old power. Once the Po])e's threats made great men tremble; but now all, even in Italy, laughed at iiis bulls and lighted their cigars with his anathemas. He declared the Pope was about "to be otF," for Italy was becoming too. warm for him. When he took his dei)arture, he (ll.o Doc- tor) hoped he would pack all up, and go bag and baggage,. Lot him clear elean out, and take all with him — the thumb- screws and racks, and all the mischievous antiquities of his. old and worn-out system ; and when he was in retirement it was to be Loped ho would meditate a little and repent. 266 DISTINGUISHED MENT* obtain tho pardon of his siriH, and that salvation whicli is open oven to tlio chief of sinners. (Laughter and cheers.) Tlio Doctor hero oxphiinod that the Bible called the Pope "tho Man of Sin." He (the Doctor) liked to see Christian- ity doing her own work in her own way — not with earthly power, not with swords, and soldiers and thunderbolts, but with her own beautiful spiritual veapons. Let us, then, do our share by all the means with which God has blessed us, and let us ceaso not, nor weary not, till we see tho world brought to Christ." In person, Dr. Cooke is about five feet ten inches in height, rather stout, almost inclining to corpulency. His face is round, tho mouth being largo is well adapted for bpcaking. His countenance is very pleasant. When in tho pulpit ho looks dignified, and speaks usually with groat force. On the j'latform, he is occasionally playful, and at times his speeches partake much of incidents. We well remember tho first time we heard him at a Missionary Meeting, at North Shie'ds, England, many years ago, on which occasion he gave lengthened narrations respecting his tours in Ireland. His description of a *'reRpe( table inn" was both graphic and amusi'jg. The scenes which he depict- ed, sometimes convulsed the audience with laughter, and then again, you could hear tho suppreysed sigh, as some painful case was being presented. Tho speaker was very animated, and when he sat down, the congregation cheered him in a most rapturous manner. It has sometimes been said, that Dr. C. intends to visit the American continent, where one of his sons and a daughter have taken up their abode, and we are sure that were he to carry out his long-cherished inten- tion, he would receive a cordial greOv ' t> from many to whom ho is known by reputation ; others, who have long regarded him as a personal friend, would hail his presence with delight, and none more so than the writer of this sketch. » :l! iff t I ' ; ir _, .1. .■-.J'^ REV. CHARLES GARRETT. **A hot iron tliougli bluut, will piorcu goouor than a col J one, tliougb sharp. " "Give me one hundred preachorH who fear nothing,' hut sin, and desire nothing but (Jod ; suoh alone will shako this gates of hell, anart of the town, and commenced operations 1.3' investing the money given him at Sunderland in the Ci*oction of a Hall, where temperance meetings and social gatherings are held. In the summer season he holds public meetings on the New Quay, where we have often stood, and preached the gospel and proclaimed the truths of Temper- ance, more than a quarter of a contur}'- ago. But, alas I for Bro. Broadbent, he has made himself very offensive to "tlio Victualler's Association" of that town, as he has been accused of being "a brawler," fined by the magistrates for his conduct, and their decision has been confirmed by the court of Quarter Sessions, so that ho has been made to smart for his zeal in the temperance canse. But Mr, Broadbent will not slack his labors. We hope St' sum REV. CHARLES GARRETT. 269 ho will become "more vile." We are glad to learn that there has been so much righteous indignation felt at the punishment inflicted upon "the brawler," that a subscrii)- tion has been made on his behalf towards defraying the expenses of the trial, so that we would fain hope, thateyon this may turn out to the furtherance of the cause. Besides the ministers whom we have already noticed in other parts of this volume, there are the venerable Josktii Hargreaves, who a few years ago delivered a most eloquent speech in the Free Trade Hall, at the anniversary meeting of "the Alliance," in which he gave a most graphic view of the state of Liverpool, at which town, he was at that time stationed ; also, James Yeames, who takes sucli an active part in the Eand of Hope movement ; Marshall Randalls, who has spokcu at one or more of the temper- ance meetings held during the sittings of the Wesleyan Conference. Then there are G. \V. Olver, Secretary of the Normal School Institution at Westminster, whose voic3 is often heard in the metropolitan pulpits, as he reasons on righeousness and temperance. We have also in this connection to speak of J. P. .Dunn, who can thunder not merely against Popery and the Man of Sin, but also the sin of drinking. Space would fail to tell of Bowden, Tyack, Donolly, Eardly, and a ho-^t of others, among whom we must not omit to name the noble Wm. Arthur, M. A., who is a prince in Israel, in whatever department he mny be placed. In mentioning the name of Charles Garrett, however, we are reminded that he is one of three who publish the Metho- dist Temjieranco Magazine, which is now in the third 3"ear of its publication. A few clergymen of the Church of England had launched their excellent little serial in the same good cause a few years ago, and perhaps this example stimulated our Methodist brethren to start their 1- r liAiil nil fl 270 DISTINGUISHED MEN. \^ I If I unpretending little periodical, with a photograph of Wes- ley on the first page, and the words "the truth in love" incribod underneath; a very appropriate motto. The Mag- azine is doing good service, we always hail its arrival with delight, and read every article with unmingled pleasure. Eevs. G. Maunder, C. Garrett, and T. B. Stephenson, B. A., are the trio, to whom the world is indebted for the Metho- dist Temperance Magazine. The firat named gentleman has always been a hard student, and still continues to be a great lover of books. He is said to bo somewhat of a recluse; this arises from his severe habits of study. He has been in the ministry more than thirtj'^ years, during which time ho has occupied some prominent circuits, and has gencrall}' been in good odour, both with his brother ministers and the people among whom he labors. Mr. Maunder has for many years been identified with the cause of Temperance, and though he does not so often appear on the platform as some of his brethren, yet when he does speak, he is heard with breathless attention, lie gives evidence that he understands what he is about, and also knows how to make other people undt and. His forte, however, we fancy, is his pen. Some of his produc- tions that have come in our way are well worth reading. If w^e are not mistaken, his facile pen is often employed in Temperance literature. Rev. T. B. Stephenson, B. A., the junior editor, has only been in the ministry since 1860. He has had the advantage of a literary education, and has earned for himself a good degree, as he is active in every good work. He is at present stationed in one of the metropolitan circuits^ where he has labored for two years, and has been instant in season and out of season. In the streets and in halls, and private houses, as well as in churches, he lifts up his warning voice against all manner of iniquity. The open air services REV. CUARLE8 O.IRRETT. 271 which ho has held, at what is known as "tho New Cut," have l)ecn made abundantly useful. At the Conference of 1869, when the Temperance meeting was of the most enthusiastic description, Mr. Stephenson was one of the speakers. Among other startling things which he then said, take tho following : "A nobleiunn in London the other day came to a friend of mine, and he said, 'What can I do? My wife is a drunkard; nothing I can say to her, nothing T can do for her, seems to be suffi- cient to withhold her from tho excessive use of strong drink.' My friend said, ' My lord, are you prepared to put away the bottle altogether? That is the thing you must do; put it away; you must remove the temj^tation.' And that noble lord came back a week after and said, 'he could not do as my friend advised. His position was such that his noble friends would abandon him. His position in life would be lost, and even to save his wife's life he could not be a teetotaller and enforce teetotalism in his house. * * * There is a gin palace in my neighborhood, one of the very lowest, which the other day was sold to a new tenant ; the outgoing tenant had given £30,000 or 8150,000 for the good will, and in seven years had made his fortune. And for two other small public houses, £15,000 was paid for the right of going on. That of which I speak is also the poorest neighborhood of London. When wo think of these things, when we think of the force of custom driving these people like sheep to the slaughter, every day, and all the j^ear round, we must see the imperative necessity of destroying it. * * * You talk about idolatry destroying the natural aflfections, about the mother taking her little child and throwing it into the waters of the Ganges. Why, only the other day I heard of a case iu which a woman, for tho sake of Is. 6d. — 37J conte — which her boy earned, and which she spent in drink, refused to lot him be admitted ' iS '< It ''li HI ■li" ^hl 272 DISTINaUlSHED MEN. I l V^ I ^^1 t into a homo where he would have been fed and trained to a godly life. She drives him first of all for Is. 6d. to labor' in the streets, and then drives him into the streets to steal or beg his bread. And you talk about idolatry and unnatu- ral crimes. Wh}^ it was only the other night that a woman came to some of us after our open air. services, and said her drunken husband drove her out to earn, b}'^ the shame which is unutterable, the whcre-with to keep him in food. You talk about the horrible cruelties of hcathanism. It was only the other day a womun in Liverpool thrust a red- hot poker into the body of her own son, in a drunken fit. It is not long ago, a man in Glasgow, having been separated from his wife, and hearing that she had died, went to some people charitably disposed, and begged a few shillings to bury her. He went into the cellar and got some whiskey, and dragging the dead body of his wife on the floor, put it on a shutter, and shaking his fists in her pale cold face said, 'You got me six months not long ago,' (he had been committed for his brutal treatment) *but you will never do such tricks again for me.' The evil there is, if we could only see the cover taken away from the mouth of the pit, would make our very hearts grow sick, ^f: * * There are men whom we have properly found fault with, whom we have branded as enemies to the simple christian faith, who are throwing thcmbolves into the very front of this movement, because they see in what wa}' the stream is flowing, and are anxious to take advantage of the flowing stream. Archbinhop Manning is in the front, and there are men who are utterly irreligious who see the necessity and honesty of this abstinence movement, and you and I, in our measure, have to decide whether the movement is to be altogether .in irreligious movement; nnd secondly, whether our church, which I believe to be better able than ftoy other, proj^erly worked, to deal with all social questions ftEV. CHARLES OAtlRlTT. 273 concerning the great mass of our fellow countrymen, is to have its share in doing this great work." From the above, it will be seen that Mr. S. is a meet oomi^aiiion for his brother editors, and having youth and vigor on lis side, we hope that ho may be long spared to battle for the truth, and zealously labor for the public weal. It is no reflection upon the honored men who have long since gone to their reward, to say that the Wesleyan Con- ference in England, never had a more zealous, self denying and successful class of men in the ranks of the ministry, than at present. Their praise is va all the churche^", and ©very Conference appears to surj^ass the former in religious fervor. Perhaps our readers will accuse us of having made an unnecessarily long digression. We v/ili now return to Mr. Garrett. He commenced his ministry in a memorable year in the history of Methodism — 1849. God grant that such scenes may never again transpire as then took place in the Methodist Church. But in the midst of great dtfection, there were some found faithful, and the result has proven the wisdom of their course. Never was Methodism such a power for good as at the present time. She seems of late years to have been buckling on her armour for renewed conflict, and the victories she has achieved, foretel the illustrious achievements which a^'c before her. "* "^ Sbme time ago, when Mr. Garrett appeared on the plat- form of Exeter Hall, at the anniversary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, he drew a vivid picture in contrast of what he then saw before him, and what he beheld in the same place some eighteen years before, when ho was com- paratively a boy. "There were storms howling, and dark clouds lowering over us, and there were a great many people who seemed exceedingly anxious to mount the plat- form, as if speaking in Exeter Hall was a thing very greatly h' i w li ■ M?i m h:; « if 274 DISTIMUUISIIED MEN. \\m f 1 11 3 to be coveted. There was some rather sharp shooting perhaps on both sides. * * * Thank God, the storms are over. That storm, like a good many others, has torn up, perhaps, some old trees, and wasted some beautiful scenes, and destroyed some promising plants, but it is the prerogative ofour G 3d to make tlio curse a blcssing.and now, thank God, our hall is filled with larger crowds of ardent, enthusiastic friends." - During; llic twenty jcars that Mr. G. has been a liletho- dist itincnuil, he has occupied some arduous fields of toil, and although he has not, wo believe, ever been superinten- dent of a circuit, or chairman of a district, he has never been, wo dare say, "unemployed or triflingly employed." His labors have been truly herculean. The wear and tear to which he has subjected himself, must have been dread- fully severe, and had be not been possessed of a strong constitution, he would have snapped asunder long ago; but, as he drinks no stimulants, ho is always in good spirits, and is ever ready for whatever kind of work may bo re I m M 144 I ). i 1 i^i 1'^ ml I 276 DISTINGUISHED ME!*. lectuio upon anything — adraiasion threoponco. But wo did not coino up to London. Some of us stayed down there and met tlio crisis manfully. We wont Among tlio people's homes, and when they camo to us wo did not ask, *Aro you a Catholic ? Are you n Protestant? Or aro you a secul- arist ? No, we simply asked, 'Aro you a working man in trouble ?' And if ho was, we helped him. The i)eople know this. And they see, and we see, and other ministoi-a also see, that secularism has never rallied. True, it did try to get up a ball at Kochdule. for the benefit; cf tlie sriiferors by the cotton funune; but nobody was willing to dance, and there was an end of it. The working men now know who aro their true friends, and there is not a place in all Lancashire where they will not hear us, I do not nay they all come to chapel, but they do prize christianlt}' and value christiiin ministers as they never did before." It has not been our good fortune to hear the Kev. Charles Garrett preach ; but, wo understand that he is just as earnest in the pulpit as he is on the platform, lie aims to make an impro8;'ion, that will not lilely be soon erased, lie belongs to the class of men usually designated ''Ivoviv- ulists," not that there is any noisy rant or wild confusion about the services which he conducts. We moan that ho is thoroughly in earnest, and does not seem to care what methods he adopts, if only ho can save souls. ]£o never loses sight of the great object of Gospel preaching, anGcn of that claBS, which is most adapted to aiTcst tho attention and captivate the heart. The love of God to man; his willin^nesB to pardon, &c-, apj)car to bo favorite topics. When preaching one of the anniversary sermons in London, in 1807, he nclected as his text, Micah vii ; 18 — "Ho delightetli in mci-cy." The preacher first ox])hiincd the meaning of the term mercy, wliicli was not to be confounded with justice or love or i»ity. Justice had to do with law or right ; love with the pure and good and beautiful; pitj* with sorrow and suffering; mercy with the guilty. God's justice was seen in hell; Goil's lovo in heaven ; God's mercy hero. Mercy came to do the very oppoisite of what justice demanded. Mercy cried to the condemned and miserable sinner, "Beliove in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." AVhat was meant hy "delighting in mercy," was next explained. It meant something more than to be willing or able to bestow it. It means anxious to do it, and rejoicing in the oppoi'tunity. Men often pray as if niercj' had to bo wrung from God, as if Ho were unwilling to show it, as if He were always seeking some way to evade it. It is not so. Mercy comes from God more freely than water from the bubbling sj^ring, or light from the sun. ^Mercy is ever seelcing for some way to manifest itself, and rejoices with jo}' and singing when the vilest sinner yields to its saving power. * * * Mercy's ear is quick to hear ; mercy's heart is tender to pity, and mercy's hand is ever ready to help every sinner that seeks forgiveness. Reasons were next stated why the declaration of the text should be received. 1. Because God says so much about delighting in mercy. God is never tired of talking about mercy. The Bible is full of it The veiy gift of the book was an act of mercy. 2. Because so many havo found mercy. Mercy is not just now starting on a trial I " I ii m i m I it r 278 PI8T1NOU18BED MEIf. trip. For ages she ha» broa^lcd every wave of temptation and bin, and Lroutcht the ruined Hons of men to life and joy. There are millions of such on earth, and a groat mul- titude tlint no man can number in heaven, all unite in saying, "wo know that God delights in mercy, for we have found moroy." 3. The grand proof that God delights in mercy is found in the death of Christ. The seiniaon was concluded by an earnest cxhortntion to the congregation to accept of mercy. Sinners mu; have pardon for all sin, as there would be ptmishment for all. Infinite joy or end- less woo depended on the choice made. ;^j We can readily conceive that such a mode of address ae Mr. Garrett adopts, with the strong earnest words which he u.-e.s, will be likely to accomplish the end of the chris- tian ministry, thcreibre, it is no wonder that he not only has <^rac« and gifts but also fruit. There are those in every circuit to which he is appointed who claim him as their spiriuml father; hence, when he makes an occasional visit, after years of absence, his presence is hailed with delight, reminding us of what is said of Goldsmith's Vicar, that the •children plucked the good man's gown, and looked up to cutch his smile." Mr. (larrett is popular not only with the people, but also with his brother ministerF. He is one of those, of whom there are some, with whom the Stationing Committee have considerable trouble, inasmuch, as sometimes when his term of service has expired, there are several places, whose stewards imagine that he is the only man who will suit them in their peculiar circumstances. He has not to be forced to a place, but sometimes disajjpointment is felt because he cannot be ubiquitous, which he must needs be, to satisfy all claims that are prefered for his services. As might be supposed, the gentleman with whom we have now to do, is often employed for special occasions, REV. OHARLTO OAftRCTT. 279 Buch a8 church dedications, annivoi*8nry services, ami has been appointed twice at Cornwall, Halifax, Brad foi*d, and Lincoln DistriotB, on Miasionary Dopntations, all of which are clear indicationn of the esteem in which he is held, while at the eame time it is proof positive, that he pro- motes the interests of the ohjects for whicli he is thus employed, for were it not so, ho would not ho so ot\en sol- icited to appear hofore the same audience again and a^ain. » We have before us a copy of the sjieech which ho doliv- orod in Exeter Hall on the occasion to which we have already alluded, from which wo make the following selec- tions : "I have sometimes watched the farmer as ho followed his plough. All before him looked dearth and barrenness, as if there were no life there. The plough has gone on and turned up the soil right and left, until by and by, out rushed a host of black 'Ootles and creeping things which had been hidden under the soil, which nobody had dreamt were there. Just so, God's ploughshare had been going through Italy. Popery can do very well with igiv^ ranee, with darkness and with candlelight, but Popery cannot bear God's sunshine and btsautiful fresh air. Imitation things look best by candlelight. Real things will bear tho sunshine. We want sunshine ; Popery wants can then wo have had tho ploughshare ; wo have had tho printing-press; we have had the steam-engine; we havo had the electric wire in Italy. There are now schools, and books, and bibles; there God has stretched out his finger, and there 2,400 raonastaries closed, and forty thousand of thoir inmates — somewhere, I was going to aaj^, glad to bo hnrled anywhere out of Rome. * * * If I want to know the strength of a man I must not look at his hands. I have known a man who has given me such a grip as to make my finger 3 tingle for an hour afterwards. When I subsequently met his doctor, I said, 'what a splendid man 2m' DISTINGUISHED M£N'. i that is, what a gnp he gave me.' *0h/ said the doctor ;'/ *you must not judge him by bis band } look at his heart/', and you would see that his life is not worth six raonths'ii * purchase.' Now, if you want to know what Pojxjry ie,- don't look at its extremities only ; don't look at its haads» England is an extremity ; Eooie is the heart ;. go and look at the heart and you will find it rotten. True, we have got the priest's here, and who can tell how soon we shall have somebody else also, I should not wonder if before long the Pope will be seen yonder at Dover crying — n -^(^ """- ■' 'Pity the surrowa of a poor old mp.n, '* Ojiir 6:"'«.> ^'Uri 1 *; ■) Whose trembling limbs have borne him to yotur door.* ,. j-ttt and if I had a vote for a nice decent almshouse, I would give it to hirn and would say, *There now, rest and try to learn better mannei*s.' For I believcafter all, that the poor old man is better tban the system." * * * * Again, "'Talk of your doiog enough, and of being in difficulties as a- consequence g£ our doings. I should like to see the man who- is in difficulties owing to what he has given to the Missionary cause. If there be such a man in existence I wish he would send me his carte-de-visite. Done enough I Who dare say that we have done enough ? We talk of what we have done in England during the last year for CJliristian Missions; bat what have the working men of Manchester done in another direction? One of the- prin- cipal officials in Manchester hUely made this statement as to the doings of the working men there, and I hope that everybody here will understand it; one of the highest public officers ia Manchester made this statement the other day, that the working men of Manchester and Salford alone spent £250,000 every year of their lives, on Saturdays and Sun- days alone, in strong drink I ilere then we have three times as much money as the whole Methodist body are spending in the effort to convert the world. Done enough !■ REV. CHARLES GARRETT. 281 What, when we give eighty-eight millions to Eacchusi Done enough I When, instead of 5e. per head given to the Missionary cause, the average expended in strong drink by man, woman and child, christian and teetotaller, altogether amoants to £3 per head. I believe our luxuries must give place to other's necessities. It must come to that, and when it does there will bo no more need of pumping. The money will bubble up of itself I am tired of pumping ; it makes one's arm aeho so. Wo shall then take the world by storm. But we must moke sacrifkjos. Where is the one among us who is prepared to make a sacrifice this year? Who is there among the ladies wlio will do vk-ithoiH a new bonnet? Indeed if they were to do without them alto- gether they vvould scarcely be missed. Now then, a sacrifice for Christ, a gacrifite for Christ." Manchester City has long been regarded as one of the •most important i»laces in England. It is the head of tho ' t 282 DISTINQUiSHED MEN. by Archbishops, Archdeacons, Clergymen, Ministers, States- men, and men of all classes to such an extent, that those never dreamed of, who laid the foundation of Temperance Societies, in England, forty years ago. ^f* The chief plank in the platform of "The Alliance" is, the "Permissive Bill ;" in other words, when two-thirds of the community in any given locality, shall by their votes declare, that there shall be no intoxicating liquor sold there, the traffic shall cease. The Bill is an improvement on the "Dunkin Bill" which is in force in some parts of the Prov- inces of Ontario and Quebec. The annual meetingof *'Thc A^lliance," for 1869, surpassed all its predecessors. After filling the large hall, a second meeting was held, and even then hundreds went aw ay who could not obtain standing room in either place. "The Alliance" has laid a good financial basis, and its affairs are managed by men of great discretion. *'The Council" consists of some of the most shrewd business men of Manchester, besides having repre- sentatives in all parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Its income during the last year was £13,566, equai to $67,830. When will our Canadian Temperance Societies do anything like this? »i ''■'<:. 'I'f in- < u 71 i.'ivy .gSiiiJU "Iho Alliance," with other temperance organizations, aims at the entire suppression of the liquor traffic. But how formidable is the task they have undertaken. "The English Government receives not less than £21,000,000 stg. from this abominable trade, while not less than £88,620,- 000 are spent in the purchase of intoxicating liquors. Ac- cording to the authority of the 'British Association for the advancement of Science,' this sum exceeds by 23,000,000 the gross public expenditure of the United Kingdom in 1865 ; it is one-third of the value of all the English imports, and considerably more than one-half of the value of all the British produce exported in 1866 ; nearly eight times the REV. CHAELE8 GARRETT. 283 amount paid into tho Savings' Banks and Post Offices in 1865 ; and twice the amount of capital remaining in both those classes of banks at the end of that year ; it is five times the amount of all the Railway nett receipts of tho Kingdom ; it is six times the annual rateable value of all the property of London, and it is ei(jhty times the total of tho annual incomes of all the charitable and religious iiisti- tutions which have their headquarters in the metropolis of England." Fearful as is this description, it is not all, for to the enormous cost, must be added a great portion of the pauperism, crime, and lunacy, that exists in England, besides the loss of health, labor, and capital, by intemperanco. '^ To this band of earnest workers who form "The Alli- ance," belongs the Rev. C. Garrett. He sits at its Council Board, and often undertakes journies to different parts of the country on its behalf. We have before us several copies of "The Alliance News," which contains reports of his speeches delivered on those occasions, and it is astoni: ling, in what a variety of ways, he can argue this question. Of course, his denunciations against "the trafHc" are strong, and sometimes such as must make those of the unfortunate class, who ma}'" be present, cringe not a little. On one occasion, when speaking of "the trade," be said, "They apply to it the term 'ravages,' but they never apply this term to any other trade. Tho drink trade stands out alone, Beparately and distinctly from all other trades, to curse tho country. It does not tend like the other trades to bless tho country, but like Ishmael of old, its hand is against every man, and every mail's hand is against it, Wo do not bear any of the other trades complaining that tho prosperity of another is disadvantageous to them. They each aid and help the other. When one goes up they all go up. When the cotton trade is brisk tho iron trade is brisk. When a man buys a pair of boots he begins to r ► 1...^ m 284 DISTINGUISHED MEN. • * ' * ^..I , discern tliat he wants a new pair of trousers. The drink trade stands out as an enemy to all other trades, except the pawn shop. Le^ the public houses be closed next week, and what an accession there will be of business to all other trades. The drinking system is the greatest enemy, and commits the greatest ravages in the Church of Christ. It keeps people out of the church, and with those in the church, the reason why many of them have not more money to spend in the Lord's cause, is bocauw) they keep their purses empty hy keeping their barrels and bottles full. I was accosted last week, in Manchester, by a work- ing man, whom I did :iot know, who told me that he had been to take sittings for himself and family in chapel. The man remarked, 'it is cheaper to take a sitting in the chapel than it is to take a sitting in the public house.' There is at this moment two millions of children in Britain, who cry out for the stoppage of this gigantic evil. Do you ask what injury it does to the children ? I reply it is in oppo- sition to all their natural rights, and it frustrates the will of God concerning them. That will is that they should grow up healthy, intelligent and virtuous. * * * Talk of needing compulsory education ! If the public houses were clossod, every child would be voluntarily sent to school by the parents. It is God's will that every child should be virtuous, and multitudes of poor children arc allowed to gi'ow^ up vicious. God meant them to know Him, but they a,ro learning to know the devil. Education, it has been Kaid, will prevent drunkenness. Why, I saw thcotherday, that a Marquists had been drunk, and no doubt he was educated. Then it is said, bettor houses will keep the people sober. Does the man who lives in a £10 house never get drunk ? It is again and again said that if politi* cal privileges were concededtothepeople,they would bring •eobrietj. That is untrue. Some say that the Alliam» ilEV* CUABLESt QARRETT. %8^ wants to impose tyranny I deny it. We want to load tho people on to freedom, i want to stop tho public house in the street where I live but I cannot. You may all want to do 80 but you cannot. We a.sk, 'Give us tho power to pre- vent the manufacture of drunkards, and then England will be as happy as she is free.' " On another occasion, Mr. Garrett comj)arod drunkenness to a disease, and asks, "Who doubts that intemperance is » terrible disease? Who doubts that intemperance is tho most terrible disease which can afflict and curse the children of men? I look at other diseases; I contrast them with Vii& disea5?e of intemperance, and J find that there is an almost impassable gulf between them. I go to your beau- tiful cemeterj^ I stand espeoially before that column raised in memory of the seventeen hundred persons that fell victims to the cholera in your town, (Hull.) That was a terrible complaint; but there are listening to me those who have gone and stood by that column and have wept. But they have not sorrowed as those who have no hope ; but, bending over that mound, a voice has boon heard, say- ing, 'Thy brother shall rise again ;* and many a mother has wept there, and said, 'He shall not return to me, but I shall go to him.' But gather the victims of this disease, and put a monument over them, and I ask you what sot't of tears will be shedthore? No rainbow would span that terrible place, no joy would mingle with the sorrows of those who weep there, bat a monument black and terrible will n^eet tl>e eye and on which is inscribed by the finger of God, "^No drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven." Other diseases ravage around us, they touch the body,they touch the intellect but they do not touch the soul. Cholera keeps no man out of heaven. Il may contort the body. It may benumb the brain but it does not blast the soul. Intemperance destroys the wonderful body, degrades tho '. lll^' !i! 286 DlsTIMuUISHED MGlf. SI I inUllectand follows a man into eternity and damnH him for ever. 8ome peo])lo talk as though intemperance was a sort of wart on the tin/^or inritead of a cancer to the body end damnation to the houI. I ask our friends not to bo misled but to see it as God sees it — a terrible evil. Look at one victim and answer me is it not terrible] I have gone whore the fuver has burnt up the sutferer, and I have knelt by him and wept .and then when the pulse has stopped, I have turned to the mother and said, "Thy son is now wearing a crown of glory which shall never fade away." I have stood by the side of the wife when disease has laid its hand upon the husband, and when at last the voice has ceased and the head has fallen back, I have turned :md whispered to her words of liopc. But have you ever stood bj- a drunk* ark's death-bed '\ I have I And as I have stood there J have had no word of hope for the mother, I have had no com- forting words for the fathorbowed before me. I have a case of one before me now, born in a Methodist home, brought up in a Methodist school, prayed for as soon as ho was born, prayed for as long as he lived ; but his father thought it was right to use strong drink. When he went to see him at school he would say : **Now come to the inn and have a glass of wine." The father taught him to drink. I saw that man as fine a man as any in Hull — a man of brains, and taste, and genius — I saw him rush out of his home, with the veins of his forehead like whipcords, trying to escape the demons behind him, and at last fell back into the arms of the seryants who had followed him, and I stood by the dead body. The mother was there and the father was there but I was dumb. Is not that terrible 1 But not only is thii disease terrible but it is wide^spread. It is not something one hears of some small village, It is not confined to the metropolis, for if I take the wings of the morning and f!y across our land, wherever I go —in city, town or village— REV. CHABLES QABUETT. 287 the diseasu i> there. Mr. Buxton, who, as a brewer, ought to know something about it, say« there are at least 500,000 drunkarck in the land I That means 500,000 niisenible homes ; 500,000 degraded intellectR ; 500,000 souls tied and bou'ad with the chain of their sins, mem and women without God and without hope, living with a hell within, and a darker hell beyond." In connection with the annual meeting of 'the Alliance,' there is always ft groat gathering of its friends from far and near. On such occasions, the council takes a review of the year's proceedings as brought out in the report of the Secrelnry. llesolutions are atlopted and several im- promptu speeches are made. At these business gather- ings, Mr. Garrett is generally present and adds noi a little to the interest by his speeches which at such times are full of innocent pleasantries. At one of those meetings in sec- onding a resolution he said, *'I stand on the Alliance plat- form not as a Whig, Tory or Ra«Jical — not as a Protestant or a Catholic — but as a patriot. I deem the struggle in which we are engaged to be a development of the war be- tween heaven and hell. Let us keep that distinctly before us. He rejoiced to know that we could say today, * the best of all is, God is with us ; for God was always on the side of right." •■ c-'-iiMir n! m >: ^.i: •!< : j; ' 'i -►iU ' At the mooting of 18G9 a feature of pleasantry, mixed up with good sense was particularly conspicuous. After a few introductory words, Mr. Garrett said, '*IIe looked around this morning, and one thing had especially struck him, and that was the wonderful breadth of the platform. The re- markable mental transformations the Alliance was effecting were almost bewildering. We had Conservatives fighting manfully for progress, and Radicals fighting equally man*, fully for protection. We had Church of England gentle- men warring against an Establishment, and we had ourdis- ;■ ' I i ''■'< • i 28B l)I8TINGmSHED MEli'. oi soriling friondp warring against v'oTuntaryism. 'iTheTf friend, Mr. Jones,had said ho warred with the Government. He (Mr. Garrett) warred with the liquor traffic. We wore at war with no government and no man, but the govern- ment and th6 man that protected the liquor traffic. The government of this country, thank God, would over bo what the people made it ; and if we returned members of Parliament opposed to cur movement, we must blame not the members, but ourselves. No man had a right to find fault with tho present Parliament until he had done his best to alter its character. In tho resolution they expres- sed thcM' joj' that Sir Wilfrid's bill had been before tho House of Commons again. Well, it was merely a question of time. That w.*»s seYtled. That had been settled in a higher court than ours. The Upas tree under which nil un- holy things have been sheltered and fostered and developed could never have the smile of heaven, and must be destroy- ed. The resolution said that this was a great national curse. Let the people ask themselves the question wheth- er this was not at the root of all the other national curses. Let the intelligent and conscientious people of this coun- try look fair)}' at that question, and the doom of the traffic was sealed. .(fi'.l>a •nuToo , 1 1 " 1 ' 1 1 1 1 Evil is wrought by want of thought, rltvf.jff') "ftJ (1 As well ae by want of heart; < "■ ^< «U)fM*;o<| 'xi I and having the truth, all we had to do was to commend that truth to every man's conscience in the sight of God. .■' The gentleman before us is so zealous an advocate of Tem- perance, that ho is often found associated with other organ- iaations beside the Alliance. "The British Temperanco League," which is one of the oldest temperanco organiza- tions in England, and which has done a great amount of good in the country, sti]l continues its ;)raiseworthy exer- tions and at its annual meeting of 1869, we find the name of &£y. cnA&L£8 GAur»£VT. 289 in a our boroic fViend, who delivorod a most thrilling Bpoech, in which ,ho said there was great cause for them to ••thank God and take courage." /. .r»; .. r. /..,./->.. i . -..,i» ^»/> «it ,. ** Wherever ho looked, ho saw signs of vigor which war- ranted him in expecting that the future would bo brighter oven than the fast. They ought to rejoice in the fact that their friends had so faithfully and consistently labored in this groat cause, that the name '"teetotaler" had ceased to bo a brand of ditigrace. It was a mattcrof great joy to him to know that in a worksliop a man occupied a higher posi- tion as soon as he was known aniong his fcilow-mcn to bo a consistent abstainer. Ho rejoiced, too, that this was not merely the case in connection with working men, but in connection with all classes of society. In any right-mind- od congregation of the Church of Christ, the fact of a min- ister being an abstainer gave him vantage ground at tho very outset. He remembered tho timo when his being an abstainer did not recommend him much in some quarters ; but now he hardly ever got a pressing letter to preach for some important cause without having a remark something of this shape, ''I do trust you will como and help us, for there aro a great many teetotalers in our church." Thus the very thing that used to be a barrier had become a re- commcndauon even with those who wore not with them. The position which tho movement had taken in tho Church of Christ itself was most gratifying. They rejoiced in tho action of the Committee of the Lower House of Convocation for that movement was one which must alfeut all other churchef^, and through the churches it must affect tho peo- ple of the country. He rejoiced also that during the past year a gathering had takon place, such as that which was called in London by tho National Society, when the fore- most men in the various branches of the Christian Church met together on the platform of Exeter Elall to lift up their I I , 290 DlSTINGUlsnKD MIN. Mf^ I- "1 f united voicosin favour of totiil abBtinonco. As to the future action of the Loaguo, the quo«tion prcHcntfld itaolf to their minds, Had thoy done thoir work, or was thore a great woric yet to be done ? Every member of the Conforonco ought to look earnestly and patiently to the enormity of the evil with which they liml to contond. In tlie report there vvai an expression which ho [Mr. Garrettl did not like — it 8poke of intemperance as one of tiio greatest bociai evils, whereas ho held it was the greatest. Was not intem- perance the parent of almost every social evil 1 Was it not certainly the pati^on of every other social evill and if in- temperance wore swept awaj', would not a thousand social evils fly away with it ? That evil was so immense that they could not exert too much influence to bring it to an end ; an'l time, talent, and money, expended in grappling with intemperiince, were all well aj^ent. Well, but what was to be done 1 Iiet them be united. Let them speak the truth in love. And then, united, and God's blessings upon them, ihoy coidd laugh their enemies to scorn." '-■ i • •* ' It has already been intimated that in connection with the sittings of the Wesleyan Conference in England, there is now held aTemperancemeeting,wheu the largest building in the Conference town is always filled to overflowing. At first some were afraid lest the Conference Temperance Meeting- might prove afailure,but in 1867 a very succej-sful meeting was held in connection with the Manchester District Meet- ing, from which encouragement was taken to make the ex- periment in connection with the Conference, and the result has more than met the most sanguine expectations. *' At the District Temperance Meeting refered to, several ministers related their temperance experience. -* •'** r'> '* Eev. G. Curnock said he "became a teetotaler thirty-one years ago, through the lectures of James Teare, and he at- tributed his life of good health to his strict practice of to- h Sll SI tlEV. OHAllLES QARRETT. 291 tal abatinenco." Rov. G. Penman said, "ho had boon a toe. totaler for twenty years." Several otherd followed in a similar manner, after which Mr. Garrett delivered the tioal speech, in which among other arousing things he waid . "Some of them were accused of being extreme and say ing too strong things on tlii.s subject. Would to God men who brought such accusations would goand«itdown by the wives, mothers, and children of drunkards, and hear from their lips whether their words were too strong. They could not say too strong things about an evil which was blasting the lives and breaking the hearts of the wives and mothers of our land- The subject whicli had been allotted to him to speak upon was the inlluence of the drinking luibits of our country upon the Church of Christ. He wanted to show them that drink went before the church, obstructing her way, and then that it followed after the church, destroying the results of her lab >r and her toil. He ventured to say, in the face of a good many of his brethren, that the hibi- tual use of intoxicatinii: drinks was the grand barrier to the accomplishment of the Ipork of the Church of Christ, and all othftr obstacles with which men could grapple were no- where by the side of this giant difficulty. What was their object? It was to reach 1 people, and save thozn. Let him just stop here to say one word to some of their friends who did not see with them. They said, ''You are for total abstinence, and we are for the Gospel of Christ." He said no ; they had stated it wrongly. It should be, "We are for the Gospel and teetotal ism, an 1 you are for the Gospel and strong drink." They believed that the Gospel and strong diink was an unholy alliance, and they believed that the Gospel and total abstinence would work together most efficiently, under the smile of heaven. He looked at whatth-y were aiming to accomplish, and what they had consecrated their lives lo do. He know very well that 'i^r 202 DISTINGUISHED MEN. lit m »ff1 ..tT Komoof (lioir friends Bnid, "TourH is nn ensy life." "Well, a man could bo idle anywhoro, and he know a man could bo an idle minister, but woe bo to him when the reckoning day came, llo believed there was not a harder working- clasa in this land than the men whom ho for the moment represented : and they were aiming to lift up rnon and mako them what God intended them to be. Lately it had boon a Bobject of delibomtion how working men should be persuaded to attend places of worship. Ho suggested that they should ivy teetotal ism, and they would soon find a bridge acroas thogulf by whic'i they would moot the work- ing man. lie never hoard a drunkard rrhon he had come to his senses defending the course and habits which he was pur- buing. They knew instinctively that those habits were wrong, and they wondered how Christian ministers could take that which was blasting and destroying them. How was it that four-fifths of tho worldng men of this country did not attend tho House of God ? and espeoially how was it that the men of Lancashire did not attend t There were many reasons, but drink was tho chief. How did it act ? It prevented them having suitable clothes to w*>ar that they might go to God's house. No working man in Lan% eashiro need be without a good coat if ho did not buy a black coat for the landlord. He. [Mr. Garrett] did not be- lieve in other people wearing his coats till he was done with them, and he should like to say to the landlord and tho spirit merchant, "When I have don© with them, you are quite welcome, and not until then." If the working men insisted upon clothing tho landlord and his wife with fine linen, he might depend upon it that he and his wife must be content with the rags they wore. And was it not notorious that thousands of working men lived from hand to mouth, and had on a Saturday night to find their waj' to the pawn-shop. Tho father or the mother took tho clothes i«1 REV. CHAHLES OARRETT. 293 on tho Monday morning to the pawnshop in order to got the tools out of pawn to go to work with, and then, on tho Saturday night, in went tho tools again and out camo tho clothes. There was another reason wliy working men did not attend tho house of Ood. This drink developed the worst part of their nature. The man who was drunk on a Saturday night had not the inclination to go to a place of worship (/ii Sunday. Without tho clothes, without the in- clination, and with tho natural opposition of tho depraved heart, they did not gain the working classes. What were they to do ? Wh}^ just what was done in the Cambridge- shire fen. For years that fen was a waste, and the grain that was thrown into it rotted in the ground. All sorts of rcmedie.. wore tried,and at astavery simple one was found. Tho land was drainoJ by moans of those stupendous dykes, and now there were produced acres and acres of the richest crops that England ever bore. .Just so they would do noth- ing with the working men until they drain them. lie look- ed at public-houses as tho groat barriers to the Church in accomplishing her work. Then agaiu he looked atdrink as being the grand injury to tho Church lerself There was no cordon round tho Church to keep it off. Strong drink would ae soon touch a Christian as anybody else, and the devil would as soon it did attack a Christian as anybody else. Drink exhausted the resources of tho Church. Ho looked upon it that our wealtl .as a talent given ua by our Mas- ter to be employed for him, and would Jesus Christ say well done when he came to bok up the accouLt and found an item of £40 for wine, and one of £5 ibr missions ? What business had a Methodist with spirits, he Askod, in face of those rules where it was specified over and over again that they were not to touch them ? They had no right, he said, to set aside Wesley's rules in that fashion. Mr, Wesley wanted them to keep his rules, not to amend I'll i, \l w 294 Li3TINGUISH£D MEN. them. So long as the Church would exhaust her resources' on barrels and bottles she would not have much for Christ. Would to God they would stop and say, "Until the the Church has douo her duty to the world, until she has mot the wants of the world, until there is a Bible in every homo and every language, T will drink no more of this ac- cursed stuff. Alcoholic beverages also decrea.-ed their spirituzility. Alcohol has an affinity for what was bad in our nature. When a man had been taking brandy and water he woukl not have much taste for God's word or pri- vate communion., but foolish talk and jesting would be the result, if there was nothing worse than that. Drink des- troyed vast numbers of Chrix^fian people. One of the fa- vourite arguments of some of their friends was that if they did not take care they would have a division in Methodism on the tcctota' question. Ho said they were having one al- ready ; every year the}- were losing members through drink, and it would bo bett?r to have a division over teeto- talism than drunkenness. But tho talk of a division was all humbug. Thero were 30,000 churches in this land, and if but one church lost a member through strong drink yearly 30,000 members wovo thus lost to the church annually. Mr. Garrett then referred to a lamentable instance in his own denomination where a young man of promising abili- ties had to bo expelled the connexion in consequence of drunkenness, and he asked was this a thing to be tampei"«d with. Thero was a voice from Heaven which said, "Look not upon it; it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder." He concluded with an eloquent appeal for the help, sym- . pathy, and prayers of all, and said that by and by,by God's ,^, grace, they would make our own dear land as sober as she >,o was free. At the Conference Temperance Meeting, when there is usually a large number of ministers present, Mr. Garrett 'OL rces for tho has very ac- heir d in and pri- the dos- } fa- >> REV. CHARLES GARRETT. 295 dwells particularly on tho religious aspects of tho question, and endeavours to arouse the church to immediate action in the matter. On one of those occasions he said, "What a terrible word, that word,a 'drunkard' is ! Would that every - Ghi'istian man^ woman and patriot in this country would look at it 1 A drunkard ! How easily it comes from the lips but who can fathom the anguish thn ^s wrapped up in the words, 'a drunkard 1' * * * How a Christian minister can look with scorn upon those who are endeavoring to re- medy their direct national disease, I cannot understand. I x.ant to ask our friends to remember that it is not an iso- lated case we seek to meet ; but if there wore only one drunkard I think the whole Church would go down on her knees and pray for his salvation. Because however they meet drunkenness everywhere ; in the streets, laneSjCities, .towns, villages, hamlets, and homes — for where is there a home that has not been obliged to curse that unutterable evil — we do think that the Church should say that tho men who are trying to remedy it deserved their hearty sympathy and their best helps. It is said we put teetotal- ism before the Gospel. The question is just this. There is the disease, and, by God's help we will cure it. They who are teetotalers saj'-jWe will go with tectotalism and the Gos- pel, but our friends say they will go with the Gospel and drink. Wo do not put teetotalism before tho Gospel. If I want a man to read God's own Word I go to him with a spelling book in order that he may read, I venture to say that I might put the spelling book before the Gospel, so that he might be taught to read the Bible. I teach a man to abstain that he may have ears to hoar.a heart to receive, and a will to obey, that Christ may triumph over his ini- quity. What I ask our friends is to understand tho nature of the disease, the extent of the disease, the character of :j tho remedy, and then the success we have had. Mr. Wos- :' I Mm y:i ii& ;■■ •S Pi::, ft 29tCi. DISTINGUISHED ME^. ley was a wonderful man and did many wonderful things ; he published some very wonderful books, and amongst the best there was his "Primitive Phj^sic." To various reme- dies suggested there, there was a note appended, "Tried." We ask the people to try our remedy. . On another occasion Mr. Garrett closed an unusually earnest speech as follows : "I ought not to suy more, but I will for a moment or two longer for the sake of the young ministers who are on this platform. They will forgive me. It is because I love them. I looked at them this morniijg — forty of them — at Kingston Chapel (Hull, )and prayed for everyone of them. As I looked down on these young men just entering the battle fieU', I asked myself this (question: "When will their names be removed from our minutes ?" That was not wrong to ask. There will bo a day when tho^ Minutes will come out, and your name will not be there ; God grant that it may be a long time hence. Then comes the question 'What will be the cause of removal ?' I spoak with bated breath and trembling ; but I have known names' that have gone from the minutes,and the men are not deact and 3'et twice dead. What killed them ? Not teototalism,. No, strong drink slew them. I asked myself this question; 'Suppose I could foresee the future of these forty young men, and knew that one of your number would fall a vic- tim to intemperance,' and said, 'I don't know which of your number will fall, but unless you all abstain one of you will.' Now I ask if they knew I was a messenger from heaven would they not with one voice cry, *It is better that the whole should abstain than that one should perish.' My friends if the whole forty of you abstain, not one of you ^ill become a victim to this vice. Is this not equally true Qf the family. You tell me that perhaps only one of them will fall a victim. Let them all abstain rather than that pjje should perish. Then as a bodvj liad ^p not bettpr ^(sb HEV. CHARLES OARRETT. 297 O^.-r'-^^ A Tip as Christian Ministers and protect each^ other, and pro- tect our people from tliis fearful danger ? God help you all to say what one of our ministers said to me yesterday as I eat in my pew, 'God being my helper from this night lam a teetotaler.' If not, how about tliat weak man who is trembling in the balance. What if j^our one glass should turn the scale and cause him to be damned ? I want you to have clean hands. You who put the glass to the lips, will your hands be clean ? You g )od mothers who say, *it is only a glass of wine,' will your hands be clean 1 I leave it with your conscienco. I want us to save our c hildren,our ministers, our people j to sot the world an example which it maj^ safely imitate j that cannot be the case if men will continue to drink. This movement is rapidly spreading. It is folly to overlook it ; it is madness to attempt to resist it J the best thing is to attempt to guide it aright." '''^''^"^'* " We have copies of other speeches delivered by Mr. Gar- rett, from which we had intended to enrich our pages, but we are forced to deny ourselves the pleasure, as so much of our space is gone. Our readers will readily believe that the gentleman with whom we have made them acquainted is a most laborious Temperance Minister. He is always ready to speak on behalf of temperance. He has spoken in the Crystal Palace to thousands convened at the grand annual Fete in coimection with the Band of Hope movo- ment. His famous Lecture entitled "Our National Drink Bill,"which is perhaps one of the most forcible and compre- hensive speeches on the cost of the drinking system ever delivered in England ; has been delivered in many places to crowded gatherings. It abounds with statistics and startling facts, and is eminently calculated to convince all candid persons of the guilt they contract by being in any way identified with the drinking system. " Wo trust that this earnest, indefatigable Minister has !i 298 DISTINQTIISHED MEN. h 'I if ■ ■ I:* ^i^ ml n- fore him manj^ years of useful toil in his Master's service. We conclude our lengthy, though imperfect sketch of Mr. Garrett, with the following lines with whi( '; he closed one of his speeches : Down ! down ! with the temptinc; wine cup i ' Destruction lurketh there ; Up ! up ! with the Temperance hannor, •■ Let no man's heart despair. vl*' Our work is the work of heaven, ' -^n ^^n j" And if in God's strength wo stand, ' We s'liall soon make dear old England * ; • A sober and haj-py land." ' ' ' r.r. .: ^« , *l 1'.' '.■.'- i'V. y'' ' W \s- .-^^ .lajf-i. r'' (j; ;M '^' v..-. r \ ■■ir'il2 i"^^'\l iiiy- imM !«•- d-::fifl id! •(■.♦ f l!«: ,<-0-.' 'V '^Vi =-'rr ■►! t' y ■■\H) ' :-."i .1 "• ■■■'■.r.'iy n'-j.f"-»'' -^ k ■ ■ ■ ^ h ill . ' »'•>; Oil f;£ - I ' ,. ' -, * i oF rr-^ :il • ' - .CmO'lJf WC:':' •■■■• .HSH amHiiroiirtaic. 802 .1 l HON. MALCOLM CAMEEON. >Vf; )••« > 'H>. ' Yi« "He loveth our nation." "laves there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land, . n If such there Toe, go mark him well. For him no minstrels harj) shall swell, Living, he' .1 forfeit fair renown, And doubly dying, shall go down Unwept, uiihonored, and unsung." )IIE author of "Sketches of Celebrntcd Canadians," ^ says that "the biography of this gentleman would fill an interesting volume." He is the son of a British soldier who distir»guished himself in the Canadian troubles of 1812. Malcolm was bornMn 1808, and for the first twelve or thirteen years of his life he mixed greatly with Ihe arm}', which, at that time, was not the "best school of morals," especially for one so young and pliable as he was. On the restoration of peace, the parents of our hero set- tled at Perth, in the Ottawa district, which was then little better than a wilderness. Hero they kept a house of en- tertainment, and sold intoxicating liquors. They were re- markable for their kindness to travellers and never allowed any improper conduct in their house. To this day they are kindly remembered by those to whom they were then known. Through life Mr. Cameron has had to act on the princi* pie of self reliance. He has bravely fought his way to his present honorable position, and has, bo far as we know maintained a blameless reputation. When only twelve I 71. ; m 300 DISTINGUISHBD lIISlT.V!i TT s years of age.he was the keeper of a ferry at the Mississippi river, and a few years afterwards, when his father died, ho went into a store at Laprarie,butthe cruel manner in which he was treated,caused him soon to leave, and make his way to Montreal, where he engaged himself as a stable-boy un- til he earned sufficient money to pay his stage faro back to Perth. His widowed mother had now commenced to keep a boarding house, Malcolm resided with her during th« winter and went to the district school. During the next spring he had made such proficiency that he became clerk iu the Brewery and Distillery of the Hon. A. Graham. In this situation ho remained four years, gave great eatiafao- tion to his employer, and was diligent in the acquisition of knowledge. His mother watched over him with great anx- iety and parental fondness, and though she had sold liquor in large quantities, yet she took great care to caution her son againfct its use, and now while he was exposed to great temptations, she was the more solicitous that he should noi acquire the habit of using intoxicating fluids, as no doubt she had seen its bad effects, particularly when in the army. Happily for her as well as for her son, he maintained a good reputation. He was never known to indulge in any libations to Bacchus, but seemed anxious to improve his time by mental culture. He became a great reader and as there were numerous Scotch families rep:idinff in the settle- ment who had recently brought a large stock of books with them from Scotland, he availed himself of the privilege of reading them, and thus his time not only passed away plcar santly, but he was becoming qualified for the important position he was to occupy in future life. He even visitigo if not per- manently, at all events during the continuance of the ses' sion, and in this way ho was very useful and assisted in keeping some sober, whom, it is almost certain, but for him would sometimes have been found in a condition disgrace- ful to the country and dishonorable to thcinselvos. Hince he left Parliament we have sometimes been led to wish that he was there again,or that some other honorable mem- ber would act a similar part to what he tiiere did, for whilst we rejoice that in both Houses of our Dominion Parliament as well as the Local House, there are those who are firm adherents to the cause of Temperance, still if wo are to cre- dit the reports which occasionally reach us from "The fa thers of our country," there are among them, some who oc- casionally indulge somewhat freely in the use of the eir- cean bowl. The following letter which the Honorable gentleman ad- dressed to the Editor of the Montreal Witness, will show the deep interest which he continues to take in the mat lor of Temperance Societies among our Legislators. The name of the late lamented Mr.McGee will awaken in many breasts the deepest sympathy for one wdio was so mercilessly cut down. (To the Editor of the Witness.) Having seen the best results to members, but especially employes of both Houses and the departments by the Legis- lature Temperance Society we had some years ai^o, I am moving to have this plan revived, and have written Air. Tilley. I am certain he will take the initiative, and that ho will aid in expelling the saloon from the building. Surely it is humiliating to admit that stimulants are so no- \pM ^■\-m V . i li I ■ j w I 4-- m I 304 lilSTINuUISHED HEV. cepsnry that mon cannot wait to go to a rcRtaurant for tbem. Washington has got rid of it, and some of tho Ablest mon there, have joined tho temperance a8SOciation. T am greatly encouraged in this matter by a letter just re- ceived from tho Hon. T. D. McGeo, in which he says : — "A most important session awaits ns ; exciting debates ; midniglit sittings ; tho facilis descensus of the refreshment room and "a' that." I know how these parliamentary-house habits toll on men's best resolutions ; at least on ono man's viz., your humble servant. I shall gladly j subscribe your roll of total abstainers, not only for tho session, but, with Clod's all-sufficient aid, without regard to the length of time. , . • , • :•' ..-.•, m .r T. D. Med." This is a letter and declaration that would do honor to an}' man. Surely our position, the great importance of tho crisis and the coming bossion, require the very best talents in the very best order ; and for the reason that the priest, in going into tho Holy of Holies, was to take no wine, this wise man resolves that his mind and intellect shall bo so kci)t that no strange fire shall bo oflfered. God grand his resolution, and its publication (whTch ho has not forbid) may have the effect it ought to have on all the elected irembei*s. '' '^'i- ••a Yours, ■ ■ ' '" " -^^ :,.. . •. ' -. v.! -1 ;•• 'll:' Malcolm Cameron. Tho Honorable gentleman has been allied to every or- ganization that was designed to stay the progress of in- temperance. He has held the highest oflBce in the Grand Division of the 'Sons of Temperance ;" and that powerful organization is indebted to him for no small amount of its efTiciency. He is one of its oldest and best supporters. The writer had the honor of being present at the meeting of the "National Division" in 1866, which was held in Mon- treal, and at one of the public meetings Mr. Cameron de- livered the following excellent speech : •I UON. MAI 'OLM CAMERON. 305 -T ' "It afVords me mach pleasuro to bo permitted once more to address a Montreal audience on this, to me, the most in- teresting of all subjects, subordinate to the full Gospel, for with that celebrated Archdeacon Jeffrey of Bombay, I hold that this cause is the Gospel in fact, " Good News," and great blessing to sulforing humanity. It is a great pleasure to meet here old and tried veterans in this cause, who for forty years have battled with the prejudices of good men — with the ignorance of the masses and the cupidity and avar- ice of the pccuiarily interested — and it rejoices one that at the end of the bloody, expensive and fratricidal war that they have closed so well, with the entire abolition of sla- very and lui amended constitution ; that these men are as ready as ever to go on with this old, unclosed, and des- perate war, against intoxicating drinks — where there is no pay, and but little popular glory for the soldiers, I am glad to hail here as brothers in the "best of all bonds," such men as our chiiirman — a worthy representative of America ; in that he has not only devoted his life to her services men- tally,but that phj'sically he represents her immortal Wash- ington. We Canadians, feel that we know too little of the United States ; that we were ignorant of your constitution and did not understand your difficulties. In sympathising with you in your struggle with slavery, we were unani- mous ; we believed God had a controversy with your na- tion on this subject from its inception ; that the poor bliod Samson in your land would draw down pillars of witith and destruction upon you, and that only for the sake of his true church and the fearless prayerful men and women that stood before the throne day and night pleading for his mercy, God would not have spared you, nor your land. In that terrible struggle there were differences of opinion among us as to your objects and sincerity ; but as Abraham Lincoln's policy and character developed, the people of 806 DIRTINQUI8HED MEIT. if t Pi Canada spoke out for you, and you had a very largo major, ity of friends in Canada. We believed you were getting wh ppcd for your ungratefulness to truth and equal rights. We rejoiced that you seemed to submit to God, and come up to the standard of universal brotherhood, and the great declaration of right in your declaration of independence ,all men born equal ; or in other words, that God made of one blood all the nations that dwell on the face of the earth,and diversities are part of the masteries of Ills providence; and we believe with Mr. Carlton, that God has a great destiny in store for England and America and if the sifting and the thrashing has not already taught you the whole truth then you must get more thrashing and winnowing and then when clean every whit, with a really free ballot box, you will be a temple of truth and a beacon light to the true position of man on orance Magazine. See it is no mean cause, no doubtful theory, that twenty years after Fiither Mathcw adininistei'cd the pledge to 'nillions and laid the foundation, showed the fruits and was gathered in lionor to his fatiiers. About 700 of the Establishec/ clergy,and a like ])n)portion of the Ivirk, Free Church, Methodists, and Congregational Churches, in all 2,700 clergy, including Ellison, Koche, McGruirc, Guth- rie, Arnot, Mcllale, names sufficient in themselves to stani]) the undertaking as one for the good of man and the glorj'- of God. Wo used to be told, wh}' not .stick to tlie gos- pel. Say as the Apostle did — ' 1. "Believe au- ' '" - ■• ■ -■•! t- ' "Hon. Mr. Cameron moved the House into Committee of the whole to consider a resolution on the subject of prohib- iting the sale of intoxicating liquors. He said he did not intend to prevent the manufacture of liquor or the whole- sale traffic, but simply to restrain the retail traffic. Last year petitions had been presented on this subject signed by upwards of 80,000. There was no subject which had takeu such hold of the public mind as this, and none about 312 DISTlNQUIbHED MEK. V" f> * r- ■*■■ f^l k ^ t •I' which eo large a proportion of the men of intelligence, reV*' ligion and property in the Province, were so anxious for legislation. He contended that nothing had so impover*t) ished this country, promoted crime, caused accidents, and increased law costs, as the use of intoxicating drinlks. He assorted that no Government had a right to license the traffic at all." - -^ For the present Bill he claimed nO special credit ; ifwia-s a ■\^cll considcied act, and had the fullest consideration of a devoted friend of the cause of Temperance for six months. He alluded to J. J. E. Linton, Esq., of Stratford, who had sent him the Bill. Mr. Linton was himself one of the trophies of Temperance, a man of education and tiilcnt,who had been rather fond of a social glass and a drouthy neigh- ^ hour — but who, in 1849, at Montreal, became convinced that the cause of Temperance was, at the present day the cause of humanity, and from that time Mr. L., threw his whole talents and time and much monej'' into this cause, and has circulated more tracts, facts and papers in this cause than any other man in the countiy. The Bill will be found not to go too far. It does not interfere with manu- factures or wholesale business, or importation, but cuts off entirely the retail trade ; shuts up hundreds of those dens of infamy which are the receptacles of every depraved character — thehundredsof places opened by lazy idle drones in society, who, from mere laziness and unwillingness to fulfil the law of God to earn it, selling kill soldier, rot gut, and fix bayonets to the weak, the young, the already de- praved, and all who can be seduced into these traps for the unwary, opened on every street and road in the Province^' If we look back to the early history of our license law, we find that it never was contemplated to license a mere grog- gory. License was to be granted by the Magistrates to men of good character, loyal, patriotic men, and then only HON. MALCOLM CAMERON. 313 if Ihey bad beds, room9,8tabling,and all necessary comforts for travellers. But bow bas this been violated, wben the Government license in our cHies 300 or 400 houses — houses did I say, nay single rooms, — in which to sell poisons, to sell liquors adulterated with vitriol, with arsenic.and other deadly chemicals or minerals which are causes of the most fearful increase of delirium tremens, epileptic fits palpil- aberes, and other diseases, the results of drinking. /^ r The day has gone by when it was necessary to argue the right of this house to legislate on prohibition. • • ' The right always assumed by Parliament to limit the number of sellers — fully settled that question ; if thoy had a right to restrict 99 out of every 100 from selling, suiely they had a right to stop the hundredth. If they had a right from moral necessity to prevent vicious men from selling liquor to the Indians or in the unorganized parts of the Province, surely we have a right to prevent vicious men from demoralizing the whole youth of the country. If we have the right to prevent the sale from Saturday till Mon- day, we have a right to prevent it from Monday morning till Saturday night. But Mr. Speaker — It bas boon set- tled, by the fact that New Brunswick passed such a law, a full Prohibitory Law, the same as the Maine Law which was reserved for the Hoyal assent, and to which Her Majesty at once gave her assent, clearly admitting that if in any of Her Majesty's Colonies the people were suffi ciently elevated and moral, to pass laws for the preserva- tion of their own and vheir families live^. ind property, might have an assurance that Her Gracious Majesty would give them her Eoyal aid and concurrence. Besides this, Mr. Speaker, we have the fact that 14 or 15 of the States of the neighboring republic have passed such laws,and that even great' legal authorities of the U. States have asserted that is an inherent right in every Goverment to defend its 3U DISTINGUISHED MEN. Ei, > f L f - : 1 i <■ - i < * \ . r-^ y !, i!. people from every injurious habit, article of commerce, dangerous or demoralizing work, and that these principles have been carried out in ttvery land in prohibitory laws,as as to Quarantine, sale of damaged goods, tainted meats, powder, and dangerous commodities, and in fact in every thing necessary to the public safety and public interest. The only question for us is,is the retail trade in intoxicating drinks injurious to the public interests ? I feel confidence in saying that this admits of no denial. The facts from our own Committee of last year, the facts set forth in the peti«« tion of J. J. E. Linton, the history of our Jails and Peni- tentiaries, the daily "reports in our newspapers of the sui- cides, murders, tires, convictions, and fines, in every Court, prove it as an immediate existing and extensive evil. The reports of the British House of Commons, of the Physicians of Great Britain, "Guthrie's Sins and Sorrows of the City" — which, if every member of this House would read,I should have no fear for my bill — there be would see the depths of degradation to which drinking can bring educated, Bible- instructed.prayer-making men and women; there he would see that demon of intemperance can make the father take from the bed where his dying son is shivering with the cold, the new blanket which charity has just procured for him, and leave him to perish. He will see the room of death where the body of a broken-hearted mother lies cold in death, and beside it the body of the son who brought her in sorrow to the grave, but who came to see her dead body and pray for forgiveness; but seeing a bottle in the room,seized it, and instead of asking as he intended God's mer.i* w ^: ao'v;>i ^ibvu We have the petition of hirgo bodies of pe(>j)te for pfo* taction in this matter. The Sons of Temperance is a large and iiifiuential bod}'. The Good Templars have two organ* izations, one British and the other Independent. There are also the Daughters of Temperance and the Social Circle, as well as the old Sc^iety, which was formed by benevolent men, more than thirty years ago. I say that these organ- izations represent a large proportion of the worth, intelli- gence and piety of the inhabitants who have suffered. The bleeding hearts of worse than widowed wives — the broken and crushed hearts of bereaved mothers — the suffering sons and daughters of the drunkards who have been destroyed call ujwn us now to legislate, to prevent the further de8- truetion of their families by a class of men little better than legalized Thugs whose business is murder, whose living is blood, and whose houses are the very gates of death, and the liighways to perdition. This and similar bills have been the subject of merriment in this House j but let the House remember that soon they must appear before the people, and then they will find that the people of Canada have made up their minds that they will not send men to Parliament unless they are prepared to carry out their view on this question." "I now beg leave to submit my resolution." We may add that Mr. Cameron was President of the Canadian Alliance for the suppression of the liquor traffic. That Society is now blended with the Canada Temperance Union, of which Mr. Cameron has been twice appointed President. The design of the Union is to harmonize the efforts of all temperance bodies, and educate the whole peo- E ' I ^ HON. MALCOLM CAMEROlf. 317 pie for complete prohibition. It is therefore eminently fit and proper that Mr. Cameron should be at the head of such an institation, for he has identified himself with almost every society which has been formed on the basis of total abstinence and prohibition. . i. , .., < i: We trost thit our honorable friend will be long spared to bis country. To all appearance there are many years of active toil in his portly person. He is one of those for whom we entertain great respect, and with whom we re- joice to be associated in the good cause. May a good old age be the lot of the Honorable Malcolm Cameron ; to which, we feel assured, that thousands will respond a loud e;nf>8 •jjah^'fuji', omj — ^'ladiinn birrfiO'i'A io ^'JvfiSil h>'.t-.j! i » hn^ tvf{<)'iiii.^h i\'i^ O'taA i>f\ff tlrui'iiinnb v/Ij to ivxiijjir.i" \>'r' U> 3*V»! loh *)/li tMiOd 'JVi.d .-ilui -liUii.M^ htm rhiV vftr'^ r-1: Hui! •{ M'l/rf^•rfTi»1 t}i>uo\l &{{} iul Ui'l : '^'jfoH >,.:i) Ai '■.tx»;tj;ii><'v^T Yi",/ jiiudL'^i !'J (iVfi'ji ^-*«/ 7/<.'U i.'" 0/i* lo i:?«i'i**^4 r.rv^ iio'j-.'.rmD .'tU Jfi.'lJ i'i.'/i vM/!i •-♦// .ap**ii* toiip;t e*34 t'o^ oo*^eo*c»T«:fi9ifrtc*qqa ♦;»')iw^ n9d«r( &«if noiom^'j /iM itoi/I'Y "io ,aofnCJ Oil* csiinoiiiifia o^'el aohiU od* lo n^rhyb oriX .^rnebigoil .ft f .. ' ■/ •'•.., •!•'.. .i;.M ,''. ci'-i^ .:.-.7 *.->- •]>>!} j{Vi I ribtlffii'»»i REV. EDWIN PAXTON HOOD. ^'^'^ f- 1 •. r ».•. •* I* "A pattern of industry," . . ,,, , , ,.., ^w,-,« "A most indefatigable man." "An honest man is the noblest work of God. " ^y^ilt N our former edition we introduced this gentleman as a man of small stature, with a bald head, big ^^^ nose, thick lips, expansive forehead, pleasant coun- tenance, a voice of great compasfl,person exceedingly agile, and moreover, one who could sing like a nightingale, and enrapture an audience for some hours,by his witticisms and thrilling anecdotes. '•"•'•'-" u ./ --i: .. .•♦ ^": ^ - Like most men who has attained to celebrity in the pre- sent day, Mr. Hood has had to plod his way through many difficulties. He was, we understand, at one time, a private secretary to a London minister, when he identified himself with the Temperance movement, and subsequently became pastor over a small Independent church in Wales ; but, at 1 length, he went to Liverpool, whence, b}" his Temperance advocacy, he raised himself to great fame, and became so extensively known that soon application for his services poured in upon him from all parts of England and Wales, and many parts of Scotland. ./^'....- Mr. Hood is a man of considerable mental acquirements. . He has undoubtedly paid great attention to the important ; work of mental culture,for on all subjects which he may be called upon either to lecture or converse, he invariably seems to be at home. He is evidently possessed of a very i \ REV. E. P. HOOD. 818 metaphysical mind, and can pursue a line of argumv nt to a great extent. In many instances ho bewilders his hearers by the abstruse manner in which ho addresses his audio torios,and wore it not,that he now and then throws in some beautiful sallies of wit, and a humorous anecdote, he would not bo so interesting a lecturer. lie then pursues his way in the sumo abstruse manner as before, shooting far above the capacities of the commonalty, who gape and stare with amazement until ho stops again, and throws in another amusing tale, or sings a melody, and by this means greatly enlivens his hearers, and relieves himself, we presume as well. • -••^' .-'.• ri^MiTTfj* •••// f'<'t[. \ ■ ■ >i ' r. '. y From the remarks now made, it will be seen that for the most part Mr. Hood is more adapted to select audiences of literary persons, or at least, persons of some knowledge, rather than popular audiences such as are generally con- vened on Temperance occasioos. We rather regret this, for while wo give Mr. Hood ci*edit for sincerity of purpose, we cannot help thinking that he would be much more gener- ally acceptable were he more simple in his diction, and homely in his expressions. r-'Ju; y r. y. u > As a proof of the correctness of the remarks now made, we may observe,that in general Mr.Hood obtained few sig- natures at the closoof his lectures. We have seen an audience of several hundreds, apparently enraptured for a couple of hours, retire without a single signature being obtained. We thought this was greatly to be regretted, as Mr.Hood could evidentlv brins: himself down to the multitude on some oc- casions, and we think, as his design is evidently to elevate his hearers in the scale of mental as well as moral being,he ought to lift them up, and in order to do so, he must, by all means, go down to them. We remember the case of an eminent divine — Eobert Hall — Ivho was reprimanded by pom& of bis friends for having degraded himself by enter- li r i rv [1 820 DISTINOUIBHED MEN. \i ing into the marriage state with one who was much below him in point of station, and intellectual attainments, &c., to which he replied, "0,1 do not go down to Betty,I lift Betty up to me." ,,• ' tr !• 1 I -< In some of tlio literary lectures which it has been our privilege to hear from Mr. Hood, they are such iotellectaal treats as wo have seldom heard elsewhere. Well do we re- member his brilliant oration on "the Poetry of the Working Classes." The audience was enraptured from beginning to end, and many were the bursts of loud applause with which they relieved themselves. It was a lecture for the People and while it displayed great power of research, it abounded with passages of such brilliancy as seemed to dazzle every one present. Never perhaps was the dignity of the people more highly spoken of, and seldom ])erhaps was there ever moie tender sympathetic reganl displayed on the people's behalf. The lecturer spoke as though he was one of the people, who understood all their sorrows,and had combated with all their struggles, and who was resolved to labour might and main to elevate them from their present degrad- ed position. -rr- Mr. Hood seems to have great love for antiquity ; hence his lectures ^ '^he Druids," in which he seems to be equally a*^ ' as when lecturing on "the Poetry of the Workin .dses." He has paid considei*ab)e attention to the history of his country, and reduces this knowledge to good purposes, not only in his ordinary lectures, but also in some which he delivers specially relating to his own be- loved land, as for instance, his lecture on "The Days of Queen Bess," which it has not been our privilege to hear, but respecting which, some, who have heard it,speak in the highest terms. ; ..... -„ - , r. :.. .-. . " - ^ ..... It must not, however, be supposed that Mr. Hood is conr fined to the few subjects which we bavo now enumerate^* : nnY: E. p. uooD« 321 .. 1 « W© hnvo merely given those as Bamples of the tlioniua on which he, from time to time, dilates. An a lecturer to Mccbanicb' Inntitutes, Literary Societies, t^c, lie has earned for himself great faijie, and has, we doubt not, been the means fjf aeoomi)lifihlng an incalculable amount of good. Many who have heard him sj)oal< fn glowing terms on the Ailvfintfcjes of Knowle(hjc, Self-Cuttwe, &c., have felt a noble resolution formed within themselves to enjoy "the feast of reason and the flow of the soul." Many a heedless youth, who was in danger of being cairied away from the paths of rectitude, but who would net, on acoount of prejudice, enter ft temperance meeting, has been induced to listen to the philosophical lecture with which he has been enr;iptured, and finally brought into virtue's path. Many a gentleman, who has been highly favored in early life, by listening to this man of science,has felt a keen desire to co-opcratc with others for the good of the masses. Soon a reading-room has been erected, a library formed ; and thus a mighty machin- ery for good has been set in motion. - Mr. Hood is a great Peace advocate. Ho is an opponent of War ir every shape. It has not been our ]irivilogo to hear him speak of the horrors of war,or set forth the dread- ful state of the battle field, but we have heard him in pri- vate, and have read the interesting "Encyclopedia" which he has published ; and though it is only a compilation, it is such a one as gives the reader i~j see, in one view, what may be said on war versus peace. • Many will, no doubt,look up- on the subject of peace as being one of Utopian charac** ter, We quarrel not with them for entertaining such an opinion, but, wMth the Bible in our hand8,we cannot belibvo that it is right for men to fight and butcher each other ; we cannot believe it is right for a nation calling itself Christian to keep up standing armaments in t^ time of peace, and oyery year keep increasing the cost of the army and navy. h i I II 323 UlSTinuUISHED MKlf. With the Bible in our hands, we cannot but believe that the time shall come when "men shall beat their swords into plough-^shares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and na- tion shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more ;" and with the Bible in our hands wo cannot but believe that it is right to do all in our power to bring about that happy day j and by what better means can this be done,tht»n by enlightening the people on the subject] Mr. Kood is extensively known as the sweet singer of 'Temperance Melodiesr." He is one of those who think that the best tunes ought not to be employed in the ways of sin and impiety; and who likewise think that every legitimate means should be used to draw men away from the haunts of vice into the paths of virtue ; and surely this is commen- dable. We find that music, both vocal and instrumental,is employed to decoj^ men into the paths of iniquity, and thousand, of our youth have, no doubt, been ruined in con- sequence of being drawn into the paths of intemperance through the powerful aid of music, which is known to have charms for nil ears, whether savage or civilized. iMusical concerts are now very frequently held at our taverns and saloonS; which are often throntfcd with those who are in the m.orning of life. Such being the ca^e, we are glad that Mr. Hood has been induced to prepare an excellent volume of temperance melodies, prefaced as it is, by an able essay in defence of moral song, which has had an extensive circula- tion ; and now it is very customary at temperance meet- ings to have one or more melodies sung. Even children have been taught to sing those songs, and as they are en- joying their rambles in the fields, they have often been heard to sing, ''Love shall be the Conqueror ;" "The real staunch Teetotaller," &c. This we consider to be a matter of great importance, for by teaching the youthful portion ■niT REV. E. P. HOOD. 828 of our country to sing against the miseries of drunkenness, and in defence of the blessings of sobriety, we may hope,that when they attain to manhood,they will be noble champions for the temperance reformation. Somewhere about twenty years ago Mr. Hood was em- ployed to labor under the auspices of the Newcastlo-on Tyne Temperance Society, when he delivered at least thirty lec- tures in that town alone, besides perambulating in many neighboring towns and villages. At the close of his labors a Soiree was held for the purpose of testifying the esteem in which he was held by the people of that town. Not less than 800 persons sat down to tea. Various complimentary addresses were delivered, when Mr, Hood was introduced to the meeting, and after making allusion to various local matters,he concluded with the following remarks : ''Amidst appalling spectacles of human degradation, it was impos- sible to stand and not sometimes feel sceptical as to the coming of the time of universal happiness — the formation of a sober world. If he were to say that his heart was never shadoved by scepticism, it would be untrue- Stnnciing by the houses of shame, traversing the temNioa of sin, it was impossible not to feel so'iietimes oppressed with doubt, yet he believed he had faith in truth,faith in God, faith in man; he believed in the coming of a sober world, when the fields should no longer be prostituted by the growth of a destroy- ing poison, when the hop should only be known as a graceful flower, wreathing its tendrils around tlie cottage trellis — whea the sailors bearing our argosies to distant lands shall be known as missionaries of Jtruth, instead of the apostles of depravity. Why not 1 Hath a nation changed its gods ? Shall we not our's ? Why not ? Hottentots had been converted, cannibals had forsaken their vile and atro- cious appetites. Why may not our people forsake their& ? Re rejoiced in tho saccesB and prosperity of the temperance 1!^ is lis i ^W- li 324 DISTINGUISHED MEN. • cause. In Persia and Arabia, amidst the spice gardens it was known. It was known in China amidst its tea bowers. The king of Denmark and of Sweden had employed mis- sionaries to travel, advocating temperance principIeSj through his dominions. Glorious Osca ! would that some were like thee. Kings had thus become the nursing fath- ers of the cause. Queens had long since been its nursing mothers. Pon _Pomare, she had received it in triumph in Tahitijlong before her banishment from her native home. The influence of the Temperance cause would surely be productive of good. John Foster on* j said "that every cloud poured itself in a cloud somewhere," and although we might not immediately see the result of our labors, no word of truth could poasibly be spoken, no noble action could possibly be performed, but somewhere its benefit would be felt. He defined the Temperance movement to be a work for the elevation of man. Industry had long been denied its legitimate power. Ignorance had attempted to manacle its wrists, Oppression strove to bind it in the dustr- superstition to darken its vision. A-11 failed till sleek intemperance came with its bowl of poison, and all the rest became easy then. He ridiculed Lamarick's notions of man as embodied in the "Vestiges of Creation," describing our great grandfather as probably an ape or ourang-outang,and probable destiny to birds of passage, crows, or flying fish. He invoked them to labor and become angels, and the most insignificant labor to this end would be blessed." We must leave a little space to speak of Mr. Hood as an author. Many years ago he contributed several excellent papers to some of the loading Temperance Periodicals of the day,particularly that masculine one,calledthe "Scottish Temperance Review." Its pa^es have often been enriched by the productions of his pen. He sometimes appeared as a controversialist when the cause of tem]icrance was as- 'I 11 H'Ef. E. P. HOOD. 325 ■sailed by one who ought to have been better employed,viz. a minister of the gospel, known by the name of the Ecv. J, H. BaiTOw. Mr. Hood stood forth as the champion for truth, and those who have read his pamphlet will be aware how much he had the belter of his opponent. For several years he edited the ''Moral Reformer's Almanack," which was deservedly popular, as it abounded with many excel- lent fnct^ and arguments in defence of all that is good. - Mr. Hood is the author of an excellent book called, "The Age and its Architects," which was the largest volume that he had, then written. It abounds with a great deal of val- uable information, displaying great powers of research, as well as extensive knowledge of men and things. It is a book suited to the times, and one from which the minister, the philanthropist, and the senato may all learn much wis- dom. Like every other book there are many things in it which will not be approved by all, but there is some w^holesome truth spoken in plain terms, which cannot but come home to many whom it concerns, ' ' ' ' ' ' The man who could write such a volume is one of no mean order, and one too by whom society may yet hope to be much benefited; it is certain, that the plodding industry that is necessary to enable a man to write such a volume as that now under consideration will not be dormant. His restless spirit will cause him not to lean upon his oars, but will stimulate him to plod away, laying up intellectual treasure against the time to come : — treasure that will not, like the miser's gold, be hoarded up to no purpose, but will be circulated far and wide, for the benefit of the world's inhabitants. ^ .» '.i^rnvqiUtri liuioijoi juj jv yiji? >-. r,j m tqaq ' Some idea may be formed of this interesting book, if wo give the titles of the several chapters, which are, — Devel- opment OP THE Ages — The Victorian Commonwealth, — The Physique and Morale of a great City, — The Arca- TT- &26 DISTINGUISHED MEN. DiAs OF England, — Tiie Wrongs of the People, — The Sins OF the People, — The Mission of the Schoolmaster, — WoMAx, THE Reformer, — AVestwaku Fo ! — Modern Uto- pias. The author states his views in a clear and conclusive manner ; and under each head, he is not. by any means afraid of dealing with the authors of evils and abuses as lliey deserve. • ■ i - > The following extracts, taken almost at random, will show the author's capabilities for the work which he has taken in hand. The first that we shall give, beautifully contrasts the present wit.h former ages : — ' "Looking back to the seventeenth centur}', we cannot but feel for it much more affection than we do admiration or respect ; its warfare marked, in an especial manner, the spirit of opinion even in the vicinity of cabinets and thrones since it was the warfare of opinion and the contests of con- flicting principles, those wars in reality with tyrants and conspirators ; over many sections of the European conti- nent, thai age has not 3'ot closod ; in our own country, wo may fondly hope, that it has passed, and that another has commenced ; to an external observe'% after the stormy ox- citcment^ of the warlike period, it might almost seem as if we had fallen on the evening of the world. Wo have met with persons so isolated in our country, that it has seemed to them as if wo had entered the age of peace. After the wild uproar of preceding times, it is not surely wonder- ful if our age seems rather like the sabbath of the universe. Judging from the first view of things, it would seem that life hasj'greatly increased iu importance and value ; old enemies have been visited as next door neighbors ; the post-office has become the great national mission-house and benefactor; wonderful and incredible improvements in com- munication have taken place; towns and cities have sprung RBV. E. P. HOOD. 327 up, rivalling, in immensity and importance, the -great metropolis of our own day ; beyond any other time, our century is the ago of action ; boj^'ond any other ai:!:o, it is marked in simultaneoiisness, by the universal awakening of the nations to their right and destiny, by the fusion of parties. and so intorblonding with each other,that we scarce can tell in what the distinction lie^-. Science is action, and this is the age of experiment, every thing is passed thro' some alembic ; there is a strange absence truly of all pi-e Bent faith and belief,but the cheerful fa(!t is, that almost all men are yearning aft,cr a faith. :liat tiic lires of the crucible are trying all things, creeds, principles, and institutions, and persons, of whatever sort they arc. And unless wo are passing through a process which contradicts every other process of nature, we are noar the stationary state ; cer- tainly the present is by no means a happ^^ ideal of life or Bocieiy ; lot us lio[)e that we are on our way to order and to law ; storms work themselves to rest ; fermentation pro- cedes dccom})osition ; action hastens repose ; years may un- donbt.edl)'' roll away before that period dawns; but without emulating the pi'ophct's distinction, or the foresight of the seer, it sooias consistent to believe, that the next age of our hi^torv will be the aj'c of system, of combination inahiii'h- er and nobler sense than it has ever been defined as yet, an asre of moral onler and intcl!igoncc ; for that aii-e it is the especial mission of the present to prepare." The next extract will show how well the author un- derstands the position of the woi'king classes of Eng- land : — ■ V "But there are those of the working classes (and they form our hope after the despairing picture we have sketched), who have known joys. The working man has once filled a home where there wore happy faces, In his boyhood he had spread round him many comforts of which he is de- l! ( .! 328 DIBTINQUISHED 3IEN. P si I' "'■ * •. J.' prived now ; the justling competitive spirit of society hai elbowed him out of the way. He was obliged to leave the homo of his early happincHS,but he has not left behind him, memory and a sense of higher wants. Years ago he learn- ed the sanctity of loneliness, he learned the superior hap- piness of retiring with his own fiimily to his own roof, but the arrangements of society have denied him this now; still we say, ho has within him a sense of high wants, of depri- vations which ho feels to be fatal to more than happiness, lie looks down, and sees the yawning gulf of crime, — "the beggar's broth" scone, of Goethe invites him to partake ; and from the depth of his heart there comes forth a- wail, a long protracted wail of agony, a shriek of horror strug- gling with despair, — to all loving human natures full of cause for tears — to most members of parliament; and gentle- men from dinner parties >n white waistcoats, cause for laughter. But this man is not to be bowed easily to brute instincts. When some of the flippant spirits of the day have heard of, and it may be, attended some public meet ing, where thousands of the working classes have gathered, they have looked with supreme contempt upon them, have despised them — they should have been proud of them, they should have fostered and cheered them ; they should have sought (only that they were powerless to do so) to educate them; for these men showed, either that thc}^ had the mem- ory of some better state from whence they had fallen, or that they had elevated themselves from some lower state beneath them, and that meeting was the rude, runic, scarce intelligible articulation of their want, a moral and intellec- tual want, a want nobler than a beast's, a want of freedom, of knowledge, of happiness, all of which in their true sense and import are the cravings of a divine nature after the di- vine. And this is the true line of separation between the suffering a»d the degraded clsiss. It is 9, dreadful thing JIEV. E. P. HOOD. 329 vhen the suflferer crosses those borders. Suffering in itself is noble, is educational, is the furnac3, the anvil on which the spirit, by fire and by strength, is made fit for its inher- itance. But the chords of suffering, if they are to blcs, must sometimes relax their tension and their force. And this is not merely suffering, but misery. And there is "a degree of misery,especially when in proximity to sin, which virtue is barely able to resist."* Here, then, is the dis- tinction between the children of labour and the children of shame ; for it is impossible that any kind of labour can be followed n,t all, without in some degree ennobling the la- bourer , and loading him to a sense of self-respect. Labour of any kind aharpcns the spirit; but labor which demands any amount of thought lightens the soul, and fits it for truly lofty struggles." The next extract we shall give,bea^itifully points out the advantages of education to the working classes: — ■ • - "jMr, Smith is a large cotton worker, employing about 2000 individuals in all, and he testifies that the educated,in all classes, stand the highest as to general intelligence and character; but they are not always the best workmen. Some workmen manifested greater talent and mechanical skill, which qualities were quite distinct from book-learn- ing ! the book-learning did, however, greatly advance the character, and did any thing but prejudice the intellect. He as a master, thought it so important, that he piovided at his own expense schooling for about 200. His best workmen were the soberest men ; he had 350 teetotallers amongst them. He made it a point to encourage their rational amusements. At the end of each division of houses there was a white blank for playing at tennis ; he encouraged quoits and football amongst thorn * * * * Music was ejticouraged, and they had among Ihem fifteen or sixteeo h ■ *AJli900. *, M 330 DISTINGUISHED MEN. i-'i; performers. They had also a library. They liad not had a strike for tho last thirty yeavs, nor had he now u man who had lost a dry's work through inebriety.' Another employ- er, who paid similar attention to the education, the dwelling!) of tho work-people, and thoir amusements, who employed about 800,and at his own expense educated about 200, said, — "I would not, as a pecuniary speculation, consent to take less than £7,000 for my set of workmen, who amount to about 800, in exchange for the uneducated and uncultivated workmen of another manufacturer oppo- site. ' The above extracts, with many others of a similar kind are taken by Mr. Hood from evidence that has been given Ik by employers respecting the ndvantnges accruing to the working pojmlation from education and sobriety. The following extract will give the reader some idea of the estimation in which the author holds tho office of schoolmaster : — "He, the schoolmaster, is bej-ond every other man, the Architect of the Ago ; in his energy or supinenc.ss, his fit- ness or unfitness, the respect or the disesteem with which ho is treated, in the idea which he has formerl of bis mis- sion, and the conception generalh^ formed of it by others, we shall be able to read tho destiny of the future mind of the country. In a number of the schools of our land, tl ore is an amount of intelligence and moral worth bejond all price and above all praise. The weekly, monthly, or quar- terly meetings of masters, in many parts of the country, to discuss the best methods of training — the growing serious- ness of their demeanour, their quickenec' sj-mpathy, and awakened perception, all these are noble promises, but the true schoolmaster is yet undeveloped ; nor is that surpris- ing, if it is remembered that, with all our schools and edu- cational agitation, we are an uneducated people. Indeed KEV. E. P. HOOD. 331 few schoolmasters 'magnify their office,' and few people have a lofty conception of what the schoolmaslcr should be; in the more lofty walks of education, and in the lowly, he is wanting in the greut tilings which must make the teach- er great. It is a sacred vocation ; no priest or minister of public instruction, no ermincd judge, no ruler of the people, no leprcsentativo in legislative halLs, i,s invested with so high (certaiiily not with higher) dignity as tlu; awful being to whom you give in charge the shaping and the feeding of those 3'oung souls ; and no seer, or prophet, or poet, or orator, ever needed a wider range of gifts, a nioro profound earnestness, or jieculiar endovv'ment from the Tlighest, than he, '•- "'" -'^ Perhaps there is no temerity in ]iropliCsy- ing that in the course of some few years, the teacl;er will increase in his influence, respectability, and Authority over public opinion ; it is not unlikel3",that he will become what hitherto the teachers of religion have been, instead of the toiling slave, the half paid mechanical instructor, the illi- terate drudge, he will be elevated to a place of power in the commonwealth, by the universal suifrage and liomago of the citizens — he will be the shepherd of the community en- deared by every association and recollection — he will move amongst men the perpetual intimation o.' the days of in- nocence, and the days of warfare. The civil corporations will not decree bim crov/ns, and laurels, and tombs',but will so venerate his office, that, while in it, he shall be honour- ably maintained, while he is enabled to make jn-ovision lor his retirement in old age to the (piiet of a serene decline." It will be seen, from tlie following quotation, in what light Woman is viewed by our author as the Architect of the Age : — "Power has been with woman more than once in the his- tory of the world. Elizabeth of England was no "Lovely Delia, clearest maid !" We confess it, a house that held % 332 DIBTIMGUISHED MEN. *|i ii i i ) ,. such a lady would bo too hot for us. But sho was a mighty prineoBS ; tho indo'iondonce of Britain aa a nation was, un- der God, owing to her ; she rescued the land from foreign interference, from meddling Pope, morose Spaniard, and proud Frenchman, and all by a policy of peace miglitier than war. Ferdinand of Spain was a poor, craven sort of of coward, but his wife his gentle religious wife, so far be- yond her age, she was a Woman and a Queen ; sbe pawned her own jewels to fit out a fleet for Columbus, and ever threw her arms around tho brave old navigator, to shelter him from bis foes. What boj^'s head lias not been turned with the'genius and tastc,the wit,tlie 'eloquence, and power of Christina of Sweden, the wonderful daughter of Gustavus Adolphus, who, pcrhaps,needed only to be on such a throne as that of England to do greater things, and to leave a far lovelier name than Elizabeth. What did Austria owe to its Maria Theresa, and ungrateful Franco to its Joan of Arc ? What breast has not thrilled beneath the gorgeous and mournful tragedy of Zenobia of Palmyra 1 And, power- ful in crime as in genius, who has not read with horror the careers of Lucretia Borgia and Catherine de Medicis ! The ancients embodied their vices and virtues in the form of woman. Powerless woman! Yet we have received from her some of our richest intellectualities and instructions. Have wenot — borne away by an irresistib'e impulse,admired,nay, venerated Aladame Eoland, and, let it be said, the noble,the magnanimous, if mistaken, Charlotte Corday, so much greater than Brutus, 'the angel of assassination.'* and De Stael, and De Genlis. Pojverless Woman ! Who that ever dared to say so, could exceed Mrs. Somerville in profound or varied philosoj)hical learning, or Miss Martineau in the graceful ministration of even difficult knowledge, or Miss Barrett in celestial siDCCulation ? — or Mary Hovvitt in th© v^ *3Jamartin9. SEV. E. P. UOOD, . 333 power of giving to us beautiful household words?— or Clara Balfour in churming the listening hundreds witli the grace and pathos of her melodious elo<:j[uence 1 — or Elizabeth Fry in ins])iring u whole nation, perhaps a continent, with lovo to the jutca.st ? — or sister Ursula in heroic fortitude? Pow- erless Woman ! Why, our fireside conversation Hags with- out her ; she renews our youth, animates us,bids us tohopo on, work on ; every person reading this book is an illustra- tion of her power. She is the only portion of man's exist- ence that is not a dream and a fable, coming perpetually between us and the grosser things of life. With warm af- fections, instinctive piety, she weans and warns us, to the noble, the holy, the heavenly. The husband has lived to little purpose who has not found that the life of the lover begins after marriage ; and every day and every hour is but a compliment paid unconsciously to woman's power. She rules us with lier soul." ~ As the subject of emigration excites much attention at the present time, wo will give one more quotation, showing Mr. Hood's views on that subject : — ...... "Colonization is one of the best and readiest means of re- lief to the mother country. The convulsions of the conti- nent preclude the hope that, for a long course of tin\c,e(][ua- nimity can be restored to our continent Lord Ashley has had a conference with a large deputation from the thieves of Loudon, desirous of removing to some i>lace wlun*e they are unknown, and where, by independence and industry, they may work out for themselves a position and character in life. Our expenditure on paupers and criminals is about £5 per head, a sum that vvould carry the whole of them to Quebec or New Orleans, provisions included. What bene- fit do we confer on those persons, or ourselves, by punish- ing them ; but If removed to the Province of North Araer*« ica, instead of paupers and vagabonds, they might every Hi // 834 DISTINUUIHUEI) ME.V. I h > ono become a productive purohasor. The oxpeiulitiire of £10,000,()IM), in feeding the Jrisii j^eojilciH a paltry slaving oil' the Htarvalion. Tiio roliovint^ tlio ]>aiii)er ])erj)ctnate8 the race — enable him to (jcasc to be a )>aupor. 500,000 colonists, who have duritii^ this and tlie lust Hea.s'^»n depart- ed fro/n this tountiy, probably taUitig with them .£2,000,*' 000 sterlin<>;,\vill ejirn lour times as much beloro a year has ended, and will remit quite as much as they have taken away in leas than eighteen months. ''•- For the relief of the country, there should he a liii'ij;e, and noble, and worthy scheme of colonization ; while. the more wealthy etnl^rant should be allowed to follow the inclinations of his own will. The terrors of the wilderness can only bo well and success- fully, not to say ha|)pily, grappleil with by lar^^o baihls of settlers. Those wlio would be inclined to accept the o])por- tunity atlorded them of thus colonizing the desert, would be best fltted lor the rough work of civilization, and would consist of a class of whom it would be most desirable to re- lievo the country. The oxpon.'^c of tho transmission of these people should be equally shared by the (V)lonial,tho Home Government, and tho localities relieved; t!»e coutities should f>ay the cost to the place of embarkation, the Home Gov- vernment to charge it.self with the cost of con\eying them across the Atlantic, and the Colonies to defi-ay the expense of their jonrnics from the place of their landing to the ter- ritories to be occupied by them." > •' . • Mr. Hood is the author of several iittlc volumes which constitute a real valuable library, well suited to young men of the present day, and as they are sold so exceedingly cheap, and are all written in a pleasant, perspicuous style ihey are worthy of an extensive circulation. Tho following are the titles of a few of these volumes, "The dark days^ of Queen j-Mary," — "The bright days of Queen Boss," — 'The io ej4v"ju«rv> ijjv!i:r»w-'{j *8idney Smith. REV. E. P. nOuD. 335 Literature of Labor," — '*Soll-Kdiicatlon,"— Moral Manliooil" — "Tho Uhos of Biography/'— 'Old England,"- Genius and IndiiHtry, " Sec, <&c. Tiicre are upwards of twenty in all. Ho is known as the Biographer of that earnest Minister Jlev. B. I'arfjonSjOf whom wo have made mention in another part of this volume. JEc has also written an able book on the pul|)it, entitled "The Lamps of the Temple," which has gone through several editions. Besides an able essay on "Tho Tulpit and the Age," there are sketches of thirteen eminent Mini.stors,with illustrations of their style and man- ner of preaching. Doubtless, it may be said, that the au- thor in some instances, displays some degree of partiality but, nevertheless, all 'andid persons must admit that there is a degree of faithfulness displayed by the artist, which is not always seen in works of this description. It may bo pronounced a standard, and will, we doubt not,be a work of reference for years to come. Mr. Hood has retired to a considerable extent during these latter yt^ars, from the more active duties of a lecturer, and has settled down as a pastor, first in London and now in Brighton, where, in addition to his duties as a minister, ho became editor and proprietor of the "Eclectic Eeview," which is one of the oldest works of this description. It has long been characterized for its advocacy of liberal princi- ples in Church and State, and wo feel assured thut while the Kev.E. P.Hood sits in the editorial chair,its issues will not cause a blush to cover the face of those who have been ac- customed to look to the Eclectic as one of the strongholds of truth. He has, we believe, also issued a volume of ^ser- mons and some other valuable works which we have not seen. We may mention the titles of two of them : 'Lamps, Pitchers, and Trumpets/ being lectures relating to the min- istry to which were delivered in the Theological College of 336 DISTINGUISHED iltH. the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, and is highly commended as a book from which young ministers especially; may gain many valuable lessons. Another of our friend's recent volumes, is 'The World of Anecdote.' It has been descri- bed as "things new and old," and is a goodly volume of 700 j^>ages. We have been very sorry to learn that of late years, Mr. Hood has not received such an amount of remuneration for his literary labors that he might reasonably expect especi- ally in connection with tbe publication of 'the Eclectic,' and but for the tim.ely assistance of Sir John Crossley and some other like-minded gentlemen, he would have been involved in very pecuniary difficulties. Alas! that such should so of- ten be the reward of literary toil. Wo believe it is the au- thor's intention to publish one or more volumes, made up from original articles which have already appeared in the Be view, and in this way he hopes to recover some of his lost ca])ital. May he be successful. The gentleman of whom we have now written, has been one of the hardest working men that we have known. It is upwards of twenty years since we had the privilege of of- ten hearing him lecture, and occasionally preach. In those days, when visiting at the house of a friend, or w^hen going from place to place, he did not allow his hours to run to waste,Bookswerehisconstantcompanions,while literary and benevolent subjects, were his constant themes of conversa- tion. May the day of his dismissal from the stage of ac- tion be very far distant. c t i I ; n - ii U< : ^'|C' "< , -Us'' ♦_;■-* '\'.','::t 0''; ,'.'»'■ '-,1 , '! THE HON. JUDGE MARSHALL. ' . 'HE great want of this age is men who arc not for sale, men who are honest, sound from centre to circumference, true to the heart's core ; men who will stand to the right if the heavens totter, and the earth rerel ; men who know their duty and do it. The Honourable Judge Marshall having, in his day, oo- ' cupied a higher station than ordinarily falls to the lot of Temperance A-dvocates, and being from his profession more favourably situated for forming a correct opinion respecting the expediency of Total Abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, we think the honourable gentleman is entitled to more than a passing consideration. This will be apparent when we state that Judge Marshall practised in Nova Sco- tia as a Barrister twelve years, and at the end of that pe- riod was raised to a seat on the bench, which he occupied for eighteen years more. We question whether any profes- sion or occupation in life gives a clearer insight into the various motives, passions, and other springs of human ac- tion in general, than the profession of the law. In the practice of the court, tho hon. gentleman would be brought into contact with people less favoured by education, moral ohar£<,ctor, and standing in the world, and which, combined with the advantages of his social position — with the fact of his moving in a high order of society — makes him emi- nently qualified for judging the merits of the subject of "Teetotalism. ' ' '• m ' i 1 1 If 338 DISTINGUISHED MSN. I, When the Court over which the venerable judge presid- ed was abolished, he was placed on the retired list with a handsome income, which he is now so very generous in ex- pending for the good of his fellow man. This truly worthy- man has been instrumental in healing hearts that were broken, and restoring to society men who had degraded themselves by the use of strong drinks. Through summer and winter, spring and autumn, fair weather and foul weather, Judge Marshall has attended Temperance meet- ings far and near, always paying his own expenses ar:u probably more. ,, ,;j ,, . .,; ., In his seeming carelessness of the decorations of dress and other outwara signs of rank and birth, Judge Marshall seems to possess a fooling somewhat akin to the followers of George Fox. In stature he is rather under the middle size, and "the light of his countenance" is tinged almost with melaucholy — or at all events it is grave and demure — befitting, as we think, the gravity of the bench. His 'still small voice' borders on the feminine, but at times in the middle of an argument rises with the pathos of his theme, and sends forth words at once loud, sharp, quick, and ]}iercing. Ho has an honest face, a good development of benevolence and firmness, enough to render him a power- ful antagonist, providing he has reason to believe that he is on the right side of the question. To this, let the reader add a form inclining to the Siender,and a head, which,from its baldness,with the : ':3ption of a small turf of grey hairs r<5maining I'ound the cerebellum, telling of age, and he has a pretty fair representation of a man who has upheld, for a jiuraber of years, the dignity of the bench, and is rww takn ing advantage of the civil list, to show the want of dignity in a drunkaixl. We are not aware when and where Judge Marshall was born. So far as our own personal experience goes we havo &0N;\ftfbdE MARisltAtiL. 339 only had onfe opport«inity of judging of his charr.cter and general abilities by hearing him lecture when he was in England in 184T. We also had the pleasure of being intro- duced to him in Toronto in 1853, an everywhere received as a messen- ger of good, and by meanb of public brcalcfosts, &c,, testi- monials were presented in honour of his services. The fol- lowing is the substance of a speech which he delivered on one of those occasions in Edinburgh. "It had been proved, and indeed was now universally ad- mitted,that the total abstinence in'inciple had effected good to an incalculable extent. In the United States of America it had been declared many years ago, that the total absti- nence societies there, had been instrumental in reclaiming upwards of 100,000 drunkards. In Canada hundreds of the like character have been recovered and also very man}- in every other country where the reform has been estab- lished. He stated that to his knowledge many blessings and benefits have been secured in his own country of Nova Scotia through the same benign instrumontalitj'. Crimes had been gieatly reduced, business had increased, and what was best ofall,the cause of divine truth had been extensive- ly promoted, as he had been repeatedly told by ministers and others. Yet, notwithstanding, there arc some who af<- firm that the gospel is sufficient to prevent or remove all tliose evils, and that total abstinence societies are quite needless. To such it may be answered that it is perfect!}' tru6 that if the spirit,theprinciples,and jirecepts of our holy religion were fairly carried out by its ministers and other professors, such societies would irtloed be unnecessary, foi* 342 DISTINGUISHED MEN. I - It in that case the use of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, would forthwith bo entirely abandoned, and consequently, those evils would cease. But j^rofessing Christians and others, for^ many ages, have thought that such use was consistent with religion, and from this most ruinous error the evils complained of have been perpetrated, by which the churchos and society in general, has suffered so fear- fully. In contrariety to this delusive error, the Holy Scrip- tures warn and exhort us to "watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation" — also "as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lustb" — to "abstain from all ajjpear- ance of evil," — and farther in the most explicit terms us to the point in question, we are warned that "wino is h mocker," and that we arc even to 4ook not upon the wine,' which signifies, of course, that wc are to refrain altogether from partaking of it. If these and similar divine injunc tions had been duly regarded, intoxicating liquors of every kind, es])eciaily the fiery descriptions of them, now so uni- versally partaken of, would never have come into use among professedly Christian people. That use, however, was es- tablished and became almost univpvsal previous to the Pro testant reformation, and when the churches were in a very corrupt state. It may next be observed that absti- nence even from wine, and that not of an intoxicating des- cription, so far from being censured,is approved of in Holy Scripture as is manifest from the instances of thoNazarit^s^ the Eechabites, John the Baptist and others, in addition to the injunction already mentioned, of "not looking on the wine." As to the advantages of suoh entire abstinence abundant testimonies have been afforded. But yet it Is as^ sorted, and even by soiiie in the sacred ministry, that tho total abstinence principle isaiiti-scriptural. Now, were th© objects of the movement merely to advance the temporal interests of mankind, the preventioo. of crimes md of pau- IIO\. JUDGE MARSHALL. 343 \ pcrisin, the establish men t aiiil preservation of peace and good order in families and eoniinnnities, the preservation of life, ho would consider those as perfectly sufficient to in- duce, and even to bind them to enono-o /.ealouslv in this cause. Much more then are we bound to countenance such ineasur>'s when they liave a direct tendency to promote the spiritual interests of men, hy placing them in more favour- able circumstances for attending upon the ministrations and imbibing the spirit of the Gospe!. Some object to the pledge as being a self impo.-od obligation, and therefore im- proper. To this cavil, it may readily be answered that it is merely a resolution to forsake a course which has been deemed unsafe and improper, find to practice a virtue re- commended. Persons on very many of the occasions of life, enter into pledges or eiigagemonls and we are exhorted, and even commiinded to "vow and pra}' unto the Lord our God ;" and wo have the higliest auihority for entering into pledges or good resolution^ in the conduct of the pious Psalmist, who, under the influence of iho divine spirit, de- clared "I will keep my mouth with a l^ridle wliile the wicked is before me, " — "I will not sit with the wicked" — ''I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes," with many other resolves as to the avoidance of temptation and sin, and the practice of piety and virtue. Such, then, being the objects of the societies, and the laudable means they em- ployed, an appeal may next be made confidently, that it is the imperative duty of all Christian Ministers and people to alford their example and influence in aid of these socie- ties. ^ Judge Marshall is also known— and favourably known among a certain class — as an author. He has published a few pamphlets OQ the Temperance (question, in which he does good service to the cause he has espoused. "No Bible section for the use of Intoxicating Licj^uors/' is a work S44 DISTINGUISHED MEN. which goes fur towards soLtliiig the questioD, whether th« wines of sci-ipture nro intoxicating- ? By history, scripture, the ancient hmguagcs^ and scionce, lie incontrovertibly proves tl^at the wines made and used b}' our Saviour were not intoxicating ; but that tlicre were many kinds of wine in use at that time, some containiiig nothing but the pure juice of tlic grape, and others with a variety of drugs added, which produced a feeling of stupor on the mind similar to the effects of alcohol. Slaving cleared the ground of this he next proceeds to examine t'.c passages in Holy Writ which have been quoted in fav(>ur of iho use of alcohol and demolishes every title of argument in fa\'(jur of any such assumption. Other works of the same class have proceeded from his pen ; and it is eiiough to fca}', that each and all of them are characterized by the same plainness, practicability, good, sound, common sense, earnestness of purpose, and warmth of. feeling for the advancement of the mass^cs, as his Lec- tures. His style is embellished with few ornaments of rhe- toric — there is nothing in it partaking of the ornate and lofty — no brilliant flights of fancy — no flashes of wit — no withering sarcasm — no burning irony — but it is solid, uso- fuljfuU of fiists and information. Ills meaning is not hidden beneath a cloud of words. We have not to study whether the author intends to command attention to the finely turned periods,and well poised sentences, instead of the ver- dict he wishes to obtain on the subject he writes about. His aim is seen from the beginning to be that of creating in his readers a love for the fallen, outcast, degraded drunk- ard, and to convince them that the happiness, well-being, and jj^rosperity of themselves and their country, — that the Juggernaut Bacchus be hurled from its lofty pedestal and buried in his native scenes of iniquity and misery^ A higli and noble aim I s .-. HON. JUDdB MARSHALL. 345 After Judge Marshall's return to Nova Scotia,ho publirih- ed an account of his tour in England in an 8,vo pamphlet of 204 pages, entitled "An Impartial View of Cuusses and Eifects in the present Social Condition of the United King- dom." Mixing as he did, with all classes of the community, and travelling extensively, sometimes going several times to the same place, the Hon. Judge had iuvouniblo opiioi'tu- nitics of forming correct opinions on the topics on which he writes. We read his work with great interest, and at the time expressed our views thus : — "The author has giv- en a sad exposure of the evils that wore in existence in the country which ho travelled, Some will doubtless think that in some things ho has gone too far, and probably, wero he to visit England again, a few would perhaps look upon him less favourabl}'' than at the time of his former visit, but, to such he would say, 'Am I then become youi- enemy because I have told you the truth ?' There are facts in this unpre- tending pamphlet, which the legislator, the patrioi,and the Minister, might all consider with advantage." The venerable Judge, bordering as he must bo on four- Booro years, now rests in his earthly home in Nova Scotia. His course has been honorable and upright, lie has served his generation faithfully. He has been instant in season and out of season, and is always the same untiring, uncom- promising and unflinching advocate of Temperance. He has been an earnest worker and eloquent advocate not only in Temperance, but also in anti-slavery. Missionary and other societies, whose aim is to elevate and bless mankind. He has won for himself a c-ood name on both sides of the Atlantic. For the last few years he has not travelled much from home except crossing the Atlantic three or four times in 00 mection with the publication of some pamphlets and .small books in reply to Bishop Coleuso and the famous Ea- 346 DISTINGUISHED MEN, Bays and Reviews. Kccently ho used to devote fVom ten to twelve hours a day steadily in writing, when he had any subject worthy of attention. ITe is a groat opponent of the confederation .scheme, supposing that it will be attend- ed in its operation with a greater burden of taxation than the people arc able to boar, and that it may but prove the mean.s of our Eoparation from Britain. Like many old men, he is considered rather hoaciHtroiig in his opinions. He is a brave, noble old gentleman, and through life has^ we be- lieve, been an earnest, useful member of the Methodist Church. i I- A ,viriif »B neno'y'iT'^wr '»>>; I ';». M .. ' •'.. ,1..