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 '^y r::yu^M^Yuuy' 
 
A MEMOIR 
 
 , itEV. LEGH RICHMOND, A.M. 
 
 AUTHOR OP THE 
 
 DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER, YOUNG COTTAGER, &c. 
 
 BT THE 
 
 REV. T. S. GRIMSHAWE, A. M. 
 
 :<ECTOft or BUKTON-LATIMER, NORTHAMFTUNSHIRE ; AND VICAR OF BIDDENHAM, 
 BEDFORDSHIRE. 
 
 ABIUDGED 
 
 BY THE REV. WILLIAM PATTOJ 
 
 Q 
 
 rUBLISHED BY J. LEAVITT, 182 BROADWA^. 
 
 BOSTON \ 
 Cmocebr & Brkwstkr, 47 Washinotoii Street. 
 
 1829. 
 
3 XT. 
 
 Southern District of J/eio York^ ss. 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, That on tho twenty-seventh 
 ilay of December, A. D. 1828, in the fifty-third year of the In- 
 dependence of the United States of America, Jonathan Leavitt, of 
 the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, 
 the ri<i;ht whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 " A Memoir of the Rev. Legh Richmond, A. M., author of the 
 Dairyman's Daughter, Young Cottager, &c. By the Rev. T. 
 S. Grimshawe, A. M , Rector of Burton-Latimer, Northampton- 
 shire ; and Vicar of Biddenham, Bedfordshire. Abridged by the 
 Rev. William Patton, A. M.'' 
 
 In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United Statfes, enti- 
 tled *' An Act lor the encouraj^ement of Learning, by securing the 
 copies of Maps Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors 
 of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to 
 an Act, entitled " an Act, supplementary to an act, entitled an Act 
 for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, 
 Charts, and Botiks, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, 
 during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits 
 thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical 
 and other prints." 
 
 FRED. J. BETTS, 
 Chrk of the Southern District of JVeio York. 
 
 Vandcrpool & Cole, Printer«. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 lis our religious and intelligent community, there must be 
 a very general curiosity to become intimately acquainted 
 with one, whose writings have been read with so much de- 
 light and profit, as those of Legu Richmond. The Editor 
 of the following pages, has therefore Avished to aftbrd 
 American readers a full view of his character and senti- 
 ments, and of the most important incidents of his life. Still 
 it has seemed proper to omit some paragraphs and sen- 
 tences of a local nature and some observations and reflec- 
 tions of the original Compiler, which might be interesting 
 and useful in England, but not so muph so in this country. 
 The omission of those, and of large extracts from the 
 Diaryman's Daughter, and other writinirs already in exten- 
 sive circulation, has much reduced the price of the volume, 
 nd thus, it may be hoped, will greatly extend its usefulness. 
 In making these omissions, the Editor has not relied solely 
 onhiaown judgment, but his been privileged with the advice 
 and cordial approbation of two of his mmisterial brethren 
 of this city, of the same Christian denomination of which 
 Lcgh Richmond was so distinguished pn ornament. Thus 
 abridged, thc.book is now affectionalely commended to the 
 intelligent and good of every name. 
 
 W. P. 
 Veip York, Dec, i2, 1828. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Birth of Legh Richmond — His ancestry; education; 
 and incidents of early years — Promise of talent — 
 Completion of his education at School. ... 1 
 
 CHAP. n. 
 
 Comprising the period from his entrance at the Uni- 
 versity, till his mitrriagpj and acceptance of the cu- 
 racy of Eroding in the Isle of Wight. ... C 
 
 CHAP. HI. 
 
 IFis entrance on his professional duties — Remarkable 
 change in his views and conduct and the incident 
 tJiat occasioned it — Reflections on the foregoing 
 event 15 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Der elopement of his character — Dedication of his time 
 and thoughts to profitable objects — Fondness for the 
 scenes of nature — Spiritual reflections upon them — 
 Zeal in his ministerial duties — Extracts from Let- 
 ters and Diary — Remarks on the foregoing — 
 Voetry 20 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 rr* Page- 
 
 His removal from the Isle of Wight — Temporary 
 connexion with the Lock Hospital, in London, and 
 final settlement at Turvey 4(» 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Commencement of his minisferial labours at Turvey — 
 JFormer state of the parish — Plans and exertions for 
 its improvement — Judicious rules and regulations 
 of his Friendly Society — E,ifecis of his exertions 
 — His Fathers of the English Church'' — Doctrine 
 and mode of preaching — Brief reflections on 
 controversy . 54 
 
 CHAP. vn. 
 
 His lalent for extempore preaching — Family letters-^ 
 Commencement of the editor" s acquaintance ivith him 
 — Public Societies 80 
 
 CHAP. vni. 
 
 Review of his anniversary sermon for the Church 
 Missionary Society — Meeting at Bedford, in behalf 
 of the Jews — Bedfordshire Bible Society — Tours 
 for the Jewish and Church Missionary Societies — 
 Extracts fiom his Journal 103 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Extracts from his Journal — Success of these tours — 
 Effect on the interests of religion — His own improve- 
 ment — That of his parish and family. . . . 133 
 
r 
 
 CONTENTS. VII 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Page. 
 Vuhlicaiion of his tracts — Kecieio of them — Their 
 great popularity and extensive circvhition, ^c. — 
 Americaa editions — Remarks on the subject — Mr. 
 Richmond's connexion with the Tract Society. 1 64 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Made chaplain to the Duke of Kent — Mrs. Richmond- s 
 illness — Neic school room — Restart of his son's 
 death — Embarrassment on account of ' the F thers 
 of the English Church' — Interview with the Empe- 
 ror of Russia — Letters to and from his Imperial 
 Majesty — Princess Metstchersky — Letters to Mrs. 
 Livius — Verses written on the marriage of a friend's 
 daughter 174 
 
 CHAP. xn. 
 
 Letters — Poetry — Description of lake scenery — Brief 
 account of his tour in Scotland — His sentiments on 
 Oratorios 200 
 
 CHAP. xm. 
 
 Tribute to the memory of his mother 216 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Ijetter and copy of verses — Extracts from Diary — 
 Tours to Scotland — lona — Letters ; friendly ^ fami- 
 ly ^ and pastoral — Memoir of Miss Sinclair. 248 
 
Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Page. 
 Death of his infant — Marriage of his eldest daughter 
 — Visit to the North of Ireland — Texts on the walls 
 of his church — Extract of a letter to his daughter 
 F. — Isle of Wight tour — Pastoral letter — Jour- 
 nal — His son Wilherforce'' s illness, and death — 
 Marriage of his daughter H. — Nugent' s shipwreck 
 and death — Apocryphal question — Mr. Richmond's 
 opinion on the mode of preaching to the Jews — 
 Journey to Cromer — Conversation with the editor — 
 Meditation in his study 275 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 Closing scene — Funeral — Remarks on his character 
 — Conclusion. . . ■ 321 
 
HEI^OIRS. 
 
 — »^'^KVv— 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth of Legk Richmond — Aw ancestry ; edtication ; and 
 incidents of early years — Promise of talent — Completion 
 of his education at school. 
 
 The Rev. Legh Richsiond was descended from an an- 
 cestry highly respectable on the side of both his parents, 
 «;ach of whom was related to some of the principal families 
 in the counties of Lancaster and Chester. He was the son 
 of Henry Richmond Esq., M. D., who practised as a phy- 
 sician, first at Liverpool, and afterward at Bath, where he 
 resided for several years previously to his death, which oc- 
 curred at Stockport, in Cheshire, in the year 1806 ; of 
 which place his father, the Rev. Legh Richmond, had been 
 rector. 
 
 Dr. Henry Richmond, was the fifth in lineal male descent 
 from Oliver Richmond Esq., of Ashton Keynes, in tiie 
 county of Wilts, on which estate his ancestors had resided 
 from the time of the Conquest. 
 
 The mother of Mr. Richmond, was the daughter of John 
 Atherton Esq., of Walton Hall, near Liverpool, and by the 
 maternal side first cousin to Dr. Henry Richmond. 
 2 
 
2 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 As some additional particulars of the family appear i/i 
 the progress of this work, recorded by his own pen, any 
 farther statement in this place is superfluous. 
 
 Mr. Richmond was born at Liverpool, on January 29th, 
 1 772. It was his privilege to have a most estimable mo- 
 ther, endued with a superior understanding, which had been 
 cultivated and improved by an excellent education and sub- 
 sequent reading. In addition to her natural talents and 
 acquirements, she was piously disposed. 
 
 This affectionate and conscientious parent anxiously in- 
 structed him, from his infancy, in the Holy Scriptures, and 
 in the principles of true religion, according to the best of 
 her ability ; a debt, which was subsequently well repaid by 
 her son, who became the happy and honoured instrument 
 of imparting to his beloved mother clearer and more en- 
 larged views of divine truth than were generally prevalent 
 during the last generation. It seems highly probable that 
 the seeds of piety were then sown, which in a future period, 
 and under circumstances of a providential nature, were 
 destined to produce a rich and abundant harvest.* 
 
 It was in the period of his childhood, that the accident 
 occurred which occasioned the lameness to which he was 
 subject during the remainder of his life. In leaping over a 
 wall, he fell with violence to the ground, and injured the 
 left leg, so as to contract its growth, and afterward to im- 
 pair its use. It is a remarkable coincidence, that some- 
 what of a similar occurrence befel one of his own sons, and 
 was attended with precisely the same effects. It was in 
 
 * " Could we without sacrilege enter the sanctuary of a mother's 
 bosom, we might whisper a tale that would account for the distin- 
 guished usefulness with which God has condescended to favour 
 some of the best of men. Many a godly mother can say— I have 
 had peculiar solicitudes respecting this child. Even before its birth, 
 I dedicated it to the Lord ; and then engaged that it should be un- 
 reservedly devoted to his glory. And when the little immortal was 
 committed to my arms, with many prayers and tears did I renew 
 my engagements, till it was strongly impressed on my mind, that 
 God had heard my cry and accepted my offering.— Spring'* Life of 
 S. Y. Mills. A. E. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 6 
 
 consequence of this accident, that Mr. Richmond received 
 the rudiments of his early education under the sole tuition 
 of his father, who was an excellent classical scholar, and 
 well acquainted with literature in general. 
 
 In addition to his proficiency in classical and other ele- 
 mentary studies, he made considerable progress, during 
 this period, in the science of music ; a predilection for 
 which, he retained to the end of his life. 
 
 The activity of his mind soon began to develope itself 
 Some specimens of the productions of his early years have 
 been preserved, by the partiality of his friends ; and as 
 youthful talent generally delights to assume a poetical form, 
 his first efforts were devoted to the Muses. 
 
 The following parody on " Hamlet's Sohloquy" is one of 
 the earliest of his juvenile compositions. It was written 
 when he was only eleven years of age. The occasion of 
 its production was the general habit which then prevailed 
 of wearing hair powder. 
 
 " To be, or not to be in powder ? — This is the question : — 
 Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to bear 
 The plagues and torments of a powdered head, 
 Or to take arms ag^inut a round of fashion!<, 
 And by opposing, end them ? — To pomatum — to daub — 
 No more ; — and, by a daub, to say, 
 We end the bickerings and chntterings 
 Of a trifling world : — 'tis a consummation 
 Devoutly to be wished for. — To powder — to pomatum — 
 Perchance to spoil my hair : — aye, there'* the rub ; 
 For in that woful ruin of my hair 
 What dreadful consequences may ensue ! 
 Yet, who can bear the whips and scorns of fashion ! 
 I'd spend my days beneath a barber's hands. 
 And breathe within a shower of falling powder ; 
 But that the dread of something greater still — 
 The certain ruin of my auburn hair, 
 Puzzles the will, and racks the tortured brain — 
 Ob, dreadful thought ! It smks the rising courage, 
 And of my pride the current turns away. 
 Powder — pomatum— barbers — all, adieu I'' 
 
4 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Lines written about the same period : 
 
 " Before the earth and sea to man were given, 
 Or stars were spotted o'er the crystal heaven ; 
 The laoe of Nature was throughout the same — 
 A rugged heap, and Chaos was its name ; 
 Nor any thing, but piled up heaps were there, 
 And earth and sea were mixed with fire and air : 
 No radiant sun by day afforded light, 
 Nor wanitig Phoebe shone in midst of night ; 
 Nor the earth self-poised in fluid air was placed. 
 Or sea, with circling arms, the earth embraced.'* 
 
 The next specimen of versification, was written at the 
 age oi twelve. 
 
 ON THE MORNING. 
 
 •' Behold, the earth is clad in sober gray. 
 And twinkling stars foretell the approach of day. 
 The hare runs timid o'er the bladed grass. 
 And early shepherds on the meadows pass. 
 In splendid majesty the morning star 
 Welcomes Aurora, in her rosy. car. 
 The lark, the early herald of the morn. 
 Whose tender sides soft gentle plumes adorn, 
 Flies from her nest above all human sight. 
 And to the skies sublime she bends her flight. 
 Her pleasing n(»tes the ambient hills repeat. 
 And day o'er half the world resumes its seat ; 
 The splendent sun's ethereal light appears. 
 And Nature wipes away her dewy tears.—" 
 
 The following lines in imitation of Pope, may be consi- 
 dered as no unsuccessful illustration of the poet's rule : 
 
 ♦ 'Tis not enough, no harshness gives ofience, 
 The sound should seem an echo to the sense.' — 
 
 " The line should soften when the bleat of sheep, 
 And gentle zephyrs sooth to placid sleep ; 
 When dm of ratthna: thunderbolts is heard, 
 The roughest words to softer are preferred. 
 When purling rivulets translucent glide. 
 The liquid letters then should form a tide. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. i> 
 
 Within a labyrinth, the line seems vest, 
 
 Mazy, inextricable, aud perplext. 
 
 13 ut when the rougher storms fierce rage on high, 
 
 And heave the angry billows to the tky ; 
 
 When rattling rain comes hissing down in showers, 
 
 And to the whirlpool in a torrent pours ; 
 
 'i'he line should rage, and every letter more, 
 
 As if great Jove was storming from above." 
 
 In the year 1784, when Mr. Richmond was twelve years 
 of age, he was placed under the care of Mr. Breach, of 
 Reading, for the purpose of obtaining further assistance on 
 account of his lameness, as well as to pursue the course of 
 his education. 
 
 Mr. Richmond was subsequently removed to Blandford, 
 in Dorsetshire, under the care and tuition of the Rev. Mr. 
 Jones, vicar of Loders and curate of Blandford ; and ha- 
 \ ing made a very creditable proficiency in his studies, and 
 completed his education at school, he was finally sent, in the 
 year 1789, being then seventeen years of age, to the univer- 
 sjtv of Cambridire. 
 
 2* 
 
MEMOIRS OF THK 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Comprising tlie 'period from his entrance at the Vniversityr 
 till his marriage and acceptance of the curacy of Brad- 
 ing in the Isle of Wight. 
 
 Mr. Richmond was entered at Trinity College, 
 Cambridge, in the month of August 1789. The follow- 
 ing particulars have been communicated in a letter from 
 the Reverend A. J. Crespin, vicar of Renhold, Bedford- 
 shire, a cotemporary of his in the University, and with 
 whom he formed an intimate friendship, which continued 
 to the period of his death. 
 
 **I perfectly well remember, that our dear departed 
 friend came to Cambridge for admission about Midsummer, 
 in the year 1789. I was just one year his senior. It was 
 then the custom at Trinity College, that one of the under 
 graduates should take the candidate for admission to the 
 dean, and to one or two others, and then to the master, for 
 examination It fell to my lot to perform this office for 
 Legh Richmond, and thus our friendship commenced. 
 He came into residence, according to the usual plan, in 
 the following October ; we were both among the candi- 
 dates for foundation scholarships, and after a public ex- 
 amination of two or three days, we were happy on finding 
 our names among the successful candidates ; and as we 
 afterward dined every day at the same table, the bands of 
 our friendship were drawn still closer. * * 
 
 " I can with perfect truth affirm, that during the under- 
 graduateship of Mr. Richmond, he applied himself closely 
 to his studies, and was considered and acknowledged by all. 
 to be a young man of great abilities and correct conduct.*" 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 7 
 
 A letter from the Rev. William Tate, Chaplain of the 
 Dock-yard, Portsmouth, and tutor of the Naval Academy, 
 contains a further and more detailed account of Mr. 
 Richmond's residence at college. 
 
 »' Mr. Richmond and myself were of the same year at 
 Cambridge, and had the same college tutor, the late Rev. 
 Thomas Jones. We were not, however, in the same lec- 
 ture room till within a year of our going out A. B. ; hence, 
 our intimacy did not commence till about the beginning of 
 1793. Mr. Richmond came to college with a high cha- 
 racter for his proficiency, both in classics and mathematics. 
 In fact, I often heard him spoken of as likely to be one of 
 the third or fourth highest wranglers. At the annual col- 
 lege examination in May, he was each year in the first class, 
 and consequently was a prize-man. I do not recollect 
 that he ever was a candidate for a University prize ; indeed 
 I think that although he was an extremely good classic, 
 he did not consider himself sufficiently practised in writing 
 Greek or Latin verse, to venture a competition in this 
 respect with the distinguished men from the great public 
 schools 
 
 " That he had a great fondness for social life is not to 
 be wondered at, as he was so well informed on most sub- 
 jects, and had such a fluency of language that conversa- 
 tion with him never flagged, and his company was generally 
 acceptable. He visited at the Lodge, Dr. Postlethwaith 
 being then master, and was noticed by some of the senior fel- 
 lows, in consequence, I presume, of their having been friends 
 of his father, Dr. Richmond, who had liimself been a fel- 
 low of the college, and whose name stands in the Tripos as 
 having been the tenth senior optime, in January 1764. 
 
 '* Mr. Richmond's great recreation was music, in which 
 1 suppose you are aware he was eminently skilled. He 
 always had a piano-forte in his room, and played on the 
 organ also. To any tune he could, as he played, make an 
 ♦extempore thorough bass. His musical talents gave rise 
 to a great intimacy and friendship with the late Dr. Hague, 
 the professor of music, and also with Dr. Jowett, then tutor 
 
8 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 of Trinity Hall, who used to have frequent musical parties 
 at his apartments, at which I believe Mr. Richmond was 
 generally present. He was at all times attentive to the 
 studies of the University, and preserved, throughout, the 
 character of a reading man. Mr. Copley (now the Lord 
 Chancellor) had apartments directly under those of Mr. 
 Richmond, and as they were both reading hard, they com- 
 monly, for some months before taking the degree of A. B. 
 had coffee together after midnight. He went through the 
 public exercises of the schools, preparatory to his degree, 
 with great credit and he was accordingly placed by the 
 moderator in the first class. He did not however, go into 
 the senate-house to stand the final examination, owing to 
 ill health. 
 
 Mr. Richmond for some years was collecting materials 
 for a great work, which he intended to publish. On the 
 theory as well ^s history of music. After taking his de- 
 gree, he applied himself with great ardour to his favourite 
 study, and took much pains to provide materials for his in- 
 tended musical publication, which he hoped might be ready 
 for the press in the course of two or three years. I have 
 frequently sat with him, while, for liours together, he was 
 making experiments with his musical plates, of which he 
 had a great number made, some of glass and some of cop- 
 per, of all the common regular forms ; as circles, ellipses, 
 squares, rhombuses, pentagons, &c. These he screwed 
 down at a particular point, so as to be perfectly horizontal ; 
 and then, having sprinkled fine sand over the surface, the 
 bow of a fiddle was drawn across the edge, so as to bring 
 out a musical note ; and, by the vibration thus caused, the 
 sand was shaken from the vibrating parts, and became col- 
 lected in one line or more, formed by the quiescent points. 
 It seems very remarkable, that whenever that particular 
 note which was the fundamental of any plate was sounded 
 by it, the sand invariably took the form of a cross, having 
 its centre in the centre of the plat€. All other notes which 
 could be sounded by the same plate, diverged from the 
 fundamental note, according to a certain scale : and everv 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 9 
 
 one caused the sand to take a different form. Sometimes 
 it seemed to take the figure of two opposite hyperbolas ; 
 but in whatever form it rested, the figures on the different 
 sides of a straight hne, drawn through the centre of the 
 plate were exactly the counterparts of each other. The 
 lines formed by the quiescent points, in the vibratipn of 
 such plates, were calculated by Euler, as may be seen by 
 the Transactions of the Imperial Society of Petersburgli 
 (Acta PetropoUtana ;) but the results are little satisfactory, 
 being commonly expressed in hyperbolic forms, and not 
 assuming a tangible shape. 
 
 ** About this time Mr. Richmond was member of a small 
 club, formed by six or eight Trinity men, for the discus- 
 sion of philosophical subjects They met once a week, at 
 each other's rooms ; and, to prevent expense in giving 
 suppers, nothing more was to be provided than red-herrings, 
 bread, cheese, and beer. Hence they called this society 
 the " Red-herring Club." The respectability of the mem- 
 bers appears from this circumstance, that nearly every one 
 obtained a fellowship. Mr. Richmond took a leading 
 part at this time in another small society, which was named 
 *' The Harmonic Society." The members were musical 
 amateurs, who, in turn, gave a concert every fortnight, at 
 which, with the help of two or three hired musicians, they 
 performed pieces out of Handel and other celebrated com- 
 posers, together with catches, glees &C. In 1796 was 
 published, by Mr. Dixon, a townsman of Cambridge, and 
 one of the members of the Harmonic Society, a collection 
 of glees and rounds, for three, four, and five voices, com- 
 pose<l by the members of that society. In this publication, 
 out of seventeen pieces, seven were contributed by Mr. 
 Richmond. 
 
 ** In 1 796, Mr. Richmond began seriously to think of 
 taking orders, and of marrying on a curacy. In that situa- 
 tion, he intended conscientiously to do his duty, though he 
 had not the deep sense he alterward entertained of the 
 vast importance and responsibility of the charge ho was 
 about to undertake." 
 
10 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 The important period to which Mr. Tate alludes was 
 now arrived, when it became necessary that he should no 
 longer delay his choice of a profession, — that choice, which 
 exercises so powerful an influence over all the events and 
 circumstances of future life, and in which our usefulness 
 and moral responsibility are so deeply involved. 
 
 It was the wish and intention of Mr. Richmond's father 
 that he should embrace the profession of the law, with the 
 view of being called to the bar ; but after taking his degree, 
 the predominant views of his mind are thus expressed in 
 the following letter : — 
 
 « Cambridge, Feb. ISth, 1794. 
 
 « My dear Father, 
 
 *' It has long been my wish to write to you on the 
 subject which has occupied so much of my attention of 
 late ; and on which, during the solemn interval of my con- 
 finement, I had more frequent opportunities of meditating 
 than on any former occasion. I hope and trust that f have 
 thought more seriously on this subject, and have pursued a 
 more regular train of sound reasoning and self-examination 
 on account of my illness, than if I had enjoyed an uninter- 
 rupted series of good health. The time is now arrived 
 when, after having passed through the regular forms of an 
 academic education, it is expected that a young man should 
 select his profession ; and on the foundation (which he 
 either has, or ought to have laid in the university) of sound 
 learning and good morals, should begin to raise a super- 
 structuie ot such materials as may render him an ornament 
 to his profession and a satisfaction to his friends. 
 
 " I should here feel myself guilty of much ingratitude, 
 or at least of much unpardonable neglect, if I did not, at 
 this period of my life, return you my most sincere and un- 
 feigned thanks for the repeated testimonies of affection and 
 generosity, which 1 have experienced for upwards of two- 
 and-twenty years at your hands : more especially do I feel 
 myself indebted to you, during the last four years, for pla- 
 cing me in a situation in which I have enjoyed numberles? 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 11 
 
 iiappy hours ; have fonned friendships and connexions, 
 which are a source of honest pride and satisfaction ; and 
 have had an opportunity (which I hope I have not entirely 
 thrown away) of making great proficiency in such studies 
 and acquirements, as must and will be the chief basis of 
 my future usefulness and happiness. If such be the obli- 
 gations which I owe to your kindness, what must be my in- 
 sensibility to every tie of affection, and to every principle of 
 honourable feeling, were I deficient in my expressions of 
 gratitude to the benevolent author of so many blessings. 
 No, sir, I am neither ungrateful nor insensible It has not 
 been my custom, hitherto, to make long professions, nor to 
 enter into a detail of ray internal feelings ; and, perhaps, 
 owing to a deficiency of this kind, I may have suffered in 
 your opinion, on some particular occasions, more than I 
 deserved. It now appears, therefore, to be the more ad- 
 visable to unfold myself at large, observing, at the same 
 time, that the chief faults and errors of which I hitherto 
 have been, and of which I am still, I fear, too susceptible, 
 have not arisen from any source of moral depravity, or in- 
 nate viciousness ; but from an evil, which I see much too 
 prevalent among young men, and from the contagion of 
 which I have not been entirely able to escape ; I mean, 
 the want of resolution to resist temptation, when it is op- 
 posed to their better convictions, A very moderate ac- 
 quaintance with the younger part at least, of mankind, will 
 convince any observer, that a certain degree of irresolution 
 is by no means inconsistent with many better qualities, and 
 often has its origin rather in the influence of external exam- 
 ple, than in any real viciousness of the heart. But I can 
 truly say that I am very desirous of becoming such as your 
 most sanguine wishes could expect, and I look up to a su- 
 perior Power for assistance not to violate these my resolu- 
 tions. 
 
 " It appears to me, that in reviewing the respective 
 ir)orit3 of the different professions, and in determining upon 
 one of them, a very intimate self-examination is requisite, 
 previous to the formation of any fixed resolution. It has 
 
13 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 been my endeavour for five months past to pursue this diffi- 
 cult undertaking ; and I hope I have not failed in the at- 
 tempt. The church and the law are the two subjects to 
 which I have directed my attention. I have consulted my 
 own inclinations, abilities, deficiencies, merits, and deme- 
 rits, and examined them in as many points of view as I have 
 been able^ in order to determine which of those professions 
 was the best calculated to promote my own, and the wel- 
 fare of others. My present determination is in favour of 
 the former, principally from the following considerations. 
 The sacred profession is in itself without doubt the most res- 
 pectable and the most useful in which any man of principle 
 and education can possibly be engaged. The benefits 
 which it is the province of the clergyman to bestow on his 
 fellow creatures are more widely disseminated, and are in 
 themselves more intrinsically valuable, than those of every 
 other profession or employment united together. To a 
 conscientious mind, therefore, that line of life appears to 
 be the most eligible, in which he may be enabled to do the 
 most solid good to mankind. 
 
 " One very strong argument with myself for preferring 
 the church to the law is, that I have found, from four years' 
 experience, a strong inclination to study several branches 
 of literature, which are far more connected with the church 
 than with the law, as neither their nature nor the time re- 
 quisite to be bestowed upon them would allow the lawyer 
 to exercise himself in them. What these are shall be the 
 subject of future information to you. At present, my de- 
 sire of becoming a very good general scholar is so much 
 stronger than that of becoming an extremely good par- 
 ticular one, that I am convinced I could not throw aside the 
 hopes of pursuing my favourite views in that way, and de- 
 dicating myself solely to one, and that perhaps not the most 
 inviting, without the utmost regiet. 
 
 " Your affectionate son, 
 
 "Legh Richmond." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 13 
 
 In these views, the father of Mr. Richmond ultimately 
 expressed his acquiescence, though his own wishes inclined 
 liim to recommend the choice of the bar ; and thus was the 
 profession of the church determined upon, for which he 
 afterwards proved to be so singularly qualified, and where 
 his influence and services were so widely felt and acknow- 
 ledged. 
 
 He continued to reside at Cambridge till the end of the 
 Midsummer term, in 1797, pursuing those studies which 
 were more immediately connected with his future destina- 
 tion. 
 
 The following letter, the last that he WTote from college 
 to his father, expresses his sentiments more fully on the 
 subject of the ministry, and his preparation for those duties, 
 on which he was now on the eve of entering. It is dated 
 June 30tb, 1797:— 
 
 " My dear Father, 
 
 " I take this opportunity of returning you my most 
 hearty and sincere thanks for all your kindness to me du- 
 ring my stay at Cambridge, for the last (nearly) eight years. 
 I look back on the time which I have there spent, with a 
 considerable mixture of pain and pleasure. That I have 
 done things which I ought not to have done, and neglected 
 to do things which I ought to have done, is most true : yet 
 have I added very considerably to my stock of literary in- 
 formation — have gained the good-will and approbation of 
 many respectable and good men — have made acquaintances 
 and friends of several literary and worthy characters — have 
 enabled myself, I trust, by the improvement of my abilities, 
 such as they are, hereafter to maintain myself. I have also 
 had an opportunity of contemplating men, manners and 
 morals to a very extensive degree ; and finally, in an age of 
 much infidelity, and surrounded by many, whose principles 
 savoured strongly of irreligion, I have built up a fabric of 
 confidence in, and love for, that holy religion of which I am 
 now a professor. To this I ultimately look as my future 
 guide through life, and hope it will enable me to bear with 
 3 
 
14 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 fortitude those evils, which may be in store for me ; for 
 who can expect exemption? In return for these advan- 
 tages, I have only to offer you my jriatitude, and my affec- 
 tion ; and let what will herealter become of me. bear in 
 mind that it is not in the power of any thing human to les- 
 sen, either the one or the other. I am now preparing to 
 undertake what I cannot but consider as a most serious 
 and weighty charge — the sole responsibility, as resident 
 clergyman, of two parishes. So far as information is re- 
 quired, I hope I have not laboured in vain ; so far as good 
 resolution is concerned, I trust, I am not deficient : as re- 
 gards my success and future conduct in this important call- 
 ing, I pray God's assistance lo enable me to do my duty, 
 and to become a worthy member of the Established 
 Church ; a church founded on the purest and most exalted 
 principles of unsophisticated Christianity, as delivered by 
 its divine author himself, and confirmed and explained by 
 his inspired successors. The character of a fashionable 
 parson is my aversion ; that of an ignorant or careless one, 
 I see with pity and contempt ; that of a dissipated one with 
 shame ; and that of an unbelieving one with horror. I am 
 very busy preparing sermons for my future flock. It re- 
 quires much practice to write with fluency and ease. Be- 
 lieve me to be, with every sentiment of regard and affection, 
 
 " Your son, 
 
 L. Richmond." 
 << To Dr Richmond, 
 Grecian Coffee House, London.^ ^ 
 
 Mr. Richmond was ordained deacon in the month of 
 June, 1797, and proceeded to the degree of M. A., the 
 begining of July, in the same year. On the 22d of the 
 same month, he was married to Mary only daughter of 
 James William Chambers, Esq., of the city of Bath ; imme- 
 diately after which, he proceeded to the Isle of Wight, and 
 entered upon the curacies of the adjoining parishes of 
 Brading and Yaveriand, on the 24th of July. He was or- 
 dained priest in February, 1798. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 15 
 
 CHAPTER lie. 
 
 llis entrance on his professional duties — RemarJcable cliange 
 in his views and conducU and the incident that occasioned 
 it — Reflections on the foregoing event. 
 
 Mr. Richmond appears to have entered on the ministry 
 with the desire and aim of discharging its important duties 
 in a conscientious and consistent mariner ; and manifested 
 such propriety of conduct in his moral deportment, aud in 
 the general duties of his new charge, as to procure for him 
 the character of a highly respectable and useful young 
 clergyman. After he had resided at Brading about two 
 years, a most important revolution took place in his views 
 and sentiments, which produced a striking and prominent 
 change in the manner and matter of his preaching, as well 
 as in the general tenor and conduct of his life. The 
 change referred to, was not a conversion from immorality 
 to morality ; for he was strictly moral in the U5ual accep- 
 tation of the term. Neither was it a conversion from he- 
 terodoxy to orthodoxy ; but it was a conversicm from ortho- 
 doxy, in name and profession to orthodoxy, in its spirit, 
 tendency, and influence. But before we indulge in any 
 further remarks it is necessary to record the occurrence 
 to which we have alluded. About two years after he had 
 entered on his curacies, one of his college friends was on 
 the eve of taking holy orders, to whom a near relative had 
 sent Mr. Wilberforce's "Practical Christianity." This 
 thoughtless candidate for the momentous charge of the 
 Christian ministry, forwarded the book to Mr. Richmond, 
 requesting him to give it a perusal, and to inform him what 
 he must say respecting its contents In compliance with 
 this request, he began to read the book, and foun<l himself 
 .^ deeply interested in its contents, that the volume was 
 
16 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 not laid down before the perusal of it was completed. 
 The night was spent in reading, and reflecting upon the 
 important truths contained in tliis valuable and impressive 
 work. In the course of his employment, the soul of the 
 reader was penetrated to its inmost recesses ; and the ef- 
 fect produced by the book of God, in innumerable instan- 
 ces, was in this case accomplished by means of a human 
 composition. From that period his mind received a pow- 
 erful impulse, and was no longer able to rest under its for- 
 mer impressions. A change was effected in his views of 
 divine truth, as decided as it was influential. He was no 
 longer satisfied with the creed of the speculatist — he felt a 
 conviction of his own state as a guilty and condemned sin- 
 ner, and under that conviction, he sought mercy at the 
 cross of the Saviour. There arose in his mind a solemn 
 consciousness that, however outwardly moral and appa- 
 rently irreproachable his conduct might appear to men ; 
 yet within, there was wanting that entire surrender of the 
 heart, that ascendency of God in the soul, and that devoted- 
 ness of life and conduct, which distinguishes morality from 
 holiness — an assent to divine truth, from its cordial recep- 
 tion into the heart ; and the external profession of religion, 
 from its inward and transforming power. The impressions 
 awakened were therefore followed by a transfer of his iime> 
 his talents and his affections, to the service of his God and 
 Saviour, and to the spiritual welfare of the flock committed 
 to his care. But while his mind was undergoing this in- 
 wsLvd process, it is necessary to state how laborious he was 
 in his search after truth The Bible became the frequent 
 and earnest subject of his examination, prayer, and medita- 
 tion. His object was fontes haurire sacros — to explore 
 truth at its fountain head or, in tl e emphatic language of 
 Scripture, to " draw water out of the wells of salvation." — 
 Isa. xii. 3. From the study of the Bible, he proceeded to 
 a minute examination of the writings of the Reformers, 
 which, by a singular coincidence, came into his pos- 
 session shortly after this period ; and having from these 
 various sources acquired increasing certainty as to the cor- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 17 
 
 roclness of his recent convictions, and stability in holding 
 them, he found what the sincere, and conscientious in- 
 quirer will always find, the 'I'ruth ; and his heart being in- 
 terested, he learnt truth through the heart, and believed 
 it, because he felt it. 
 
 His own account of the effect produced on his mind by 
 the perusal of Mr. Wilberforce's book, will excite the in- 
 terest of the reader. Speaking of his son Wilberforce, ho 
 remarks : — 
 
 " He was baptized by the name of Wilberforce, in con- 
 sequence of my personal friendship with that individual. 
 whose name long has been, and ever will be, allied to all that 
 is able, amiable, and truly Christian. That gentleman had 
 already accepted the office of sponsor to one of my daugh- 
 ters ; but the subsequent birth of this boy, afforded me the 
 additional satisfaction of more familiarly associating his 
 name with that of my family. But it was not the tie of 
 ordinary friendship, nor the veneration which, in common 
 with multitudes, I felt for the name of Wilberforce, which 
 induced me to give that name to my child : there had. for 
 many years past, subsisted a tie between myself and that 
 much-loved friend, of a higher and more sacred character 
 than any other which earth can afford. I feel it to be a 
 debt of gratitude which I owe to God and to man, to take 
 this affecting opportunity of stating, that to the unsought 
 and unexpected introduction of Mr. Wilberforce's book 
 on * Practical Christianity' I owe, through God's mercy, 
 the first sacred impression which I ever received, as to 
 the spiritual nature of the Gospel system, the vital cha- 
 racter of personal religion, the corruption of the human 
 heart, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. As u 
 young minister, recently ordained, and just entrusted with 
 the charge of two parishes in the Isle of Wight, I had com- 
 menced my labours too much in the spirit of the world, 
 and founded my public instructions on the erroneous no- 
 lions which prevailed among my academical and literary 
 associates. The scriptural principles stated in the ♦ Prac- 
 fical View,' convinced me of my error ; led me to the study 
 3* 
 
18 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 of the Scriptures with an earnestness to which I had hi- 
 therto been a stranger ; humbled my heart, and brought 
 me to seek the love and blessing of that Saviour, who alone 
 can afford a peace which the world cannot give. Tlu*ough 
 the study of this book, I was induced to examine the 
 writings of the British and foreign Reformers. I saw the 
 coincidence of their doctrines with those of the Scriptures, 
 and those which the word of God taught me to be essential 
 to the welfare of myself and my flock. I know too well 
 what has passed within my heart, for now a long period of 
 time ; not to feel and to confess, that to this incident I was 
 indebted, originally, for those sohd views ot Christianity, 
 on which I rest my hope for time and eternity. May I not, 
 then, call the honoured author of that book my spiritual 
 father ? and if my spiritual father, therefore my best earth- 
 ly friend ? The wish to connect his name with my own, 
 was natural and justifiable. It was a lasting memorial of 
 the most important transaction of my life : it still lives 
 amidst the tenderness of present emotions, as a signal of 
 endearment and gratitude ; and I trust its character is 
 imperishable." 
 
 Though Mr. Richmond's mind and heart were experi- 
 encing the remarkable change that has been recorded, it 
 is necessary to state, that the regularity and decorum with 
 which he was previously discharging his duties, far ex- 
 ceeded those of many other ministers. If then, notwith- 
 standing these exertions, he was still conscious how much 
 he fell short of the standard of ministerial faithfulness and 
 zeal, and the requirements of personal holiness : may we 
 not ask, what ought to be the convictions of those who 
 evince a far less degree of earnestness, where the claims 
 are precisely the same, and the obligations to fulfil them arc 
 equally binding ? If he felt the need within, of a more ope- 
 rative principle of divine grace, as the only genuine source 
 of inward and external hohness ; what must be their state 
 who, with greater deficiences, experience no conflict of 
 the mind, no secret misgivings of the conscience ? If, in 
 his ardent inquiry after truth, he meditated over the sacred 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 19 
 
 page, and explored the voluminous writings of the Refor- 
 mers ; what is their responsibility who rest in a system, 
 without an endeavour to ascertain its correctness ; who 
 give to the world the hours sacred to prayer and study ; or 
 who appropriate their time too exclusively to objects, which, 
 however praiseworthy in themselves, are not sufficiently 
 identified with their profession, nor calculated to promote 
 their advancement in grace and holiness ? 
 
 The principal error in Mr. Richmond's former views, 
 consisted in this, viz., that they were deficient in the grand 
 characteristic features of the Gospel. Not that he disbeheved 
 a single doctrine which the Gospel inculcates ; but his con- 
 ceptions were far from being definite, clear, and compre- 
 hensive. They wanted the elevation and spirituality of the 
 Christian system. They were founded more on the stand- 
 ard of morality, than on that of the Gospel ; and therefore 
 were defective as it respects the motive and end of all hu- 
 man actions, the two essential properties that constitute an 
 action acceptable in the sight of a holy God. A Heathen 
 may be moral, a Christian must be more ; for though true 
 religion will always comprise morality, yet morality may 
 exist without religion. There was a confusion also in his 
 notion of faith and works, and of the respective offices and 
 design of the law and of the Gospel. The Saviour was 
 not sufficiently exalted, nor the sinner humbled ; and there 
 was wanting the baptism of <* the Holy Ghost and of fire."" 
 — Matt. iii. 11. His sermons, partaking of course of the 
 same character, were distinguished indeed by solidity of 
 remarks, force of expression, strong appeals to the con- 
 science, and a real and commendable zeal for the interests 
 of morality ; but they went no further. As regarded the 
 great end of the Christian ministry — the conversion of im- 
 mortal souls — they were powerless ; for moral sermons can 
 produce nothing but moral effects ; and it is the Gospel 
 alone that is " mighty through God to tJic pulling dotim of 
 the strong holds of sin ; and bringing into captivity every 
 thought to the obedience of Christ. ''-^2 Cor. x. 4, 6. 
 
•20 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Vevelopement of Ids character — Dedication of his time and 
 thoughts to profitable objects — Fondness fior the scenes 
 of Nature — Spiritual refections upon them — Zeal in his 
 ministerial duties — Extracts from Letters and Diary — 
 Remarks on the foregoing — Poetry. 
 
 In/ the preceding chapter, we have recorded the re- 
 markable change of which Mr Richmond was the subject. 
 We shaV. now proceed to illustrate it by its effects, which 
 form the best evidence of its existence, and one of the 
 strongest arguments for its necessity. With this view, we 
 shall consider its operation and influence on the qualities 
 of his mind and heart — his ministerial habits — his episto- 
 lary correspondence — and the more solemn and impressive 
 exposure of the inward recesses of his soul. 
 
 In our intercourse with men, we meet with an almost 
 endless diversity of character ; and he who studies human 
 nature, is apt to classify those who are the subjects of his 
 contemplation, according to their respective shades and 
 gradations. But how painful is the discovery, when we 
 see persons endowed with the finer qualifications of the 
 mind, and the interesting sensibihties of the heart, wasting. 
 on unprofitable objects, the powers which, rightly directed, 
 might render their possessor the instrument of extensive 
 usefulness and good. We cannot help feeling, that there- 
 is wanting the heavenly spark to kindle the holy flame 
 within. We seem to behold a beautiful and imposing 
 structure, but it is not occupied by the rightful owner. 
 The Lord of the mansion is absent, and a stranger Jias 
 usurped his place. We turn with disappointment from the 
 scene, exclaiming, " God is not there ;" and if God be not 
 there, how can they ever be with God ? Nor can we with- 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 31 
 
 hold the prayer, that ere long the fatal illusion may cease, 
 and the chain of the captive be broken. 
 
 In Mr. Richmond every qualification became consecrated 
 to religion. His imagination, taste, aflfections and endow- 
 ments received an impulse which directed all their energies 
 to the glory of God, and to useful and profitable purposes. 
 
 To illustrate what we have said, we subjoin the follow- 
 ing passage, which not only shows his powers for descrip- 
 tive scenery, but proves, that in admiring the works of 
 Providence, he never failed to associate with them the con- 
 templation of the wonders of his grace. 
 
 " It was not unfrequently my custom, when my mind 
 was filled with any interesting subject for meditation, to 
 seek some spot where the beauties of natural prospect 
 might help to form pleasing and useful associations. 
 
 " South-eastward I saw the open ocean, bounded only 
 by the horizon. The sun shone, and gilded the waves 
 with a glittering light, that sparkled in the most brilliant 
 manner. ........ 
 
 On the north the sea appeared like a noble river, varying 
 from three to seven miles in breadth, between the banks 
 of the opposite coast, and those of the island which I in- 
 habited.* Immediately underneath me, was a fine woody 
 district of country, diversified by many pleasing objects. 
 Distant towns were visible on the opposite shore. Num- 
 bers of ships occupied the sheltered station which this 
 northern channel afforded them. The eye roamed with de- 
 light over an expanse of near and remote beauties, which 
 alternately caught the observation, and which harmonized 
 together, and produced a scene of peculiar interest." 
 
 The reflections awakened by these scenes are thua ex- 
 pressed. 
 
 " How much of the natural beauties of Paradise still re- 
 main in the world, although its spiritual character has been 
 ^ awfully defaced by sin ! But when divine grace renews 
 the heart of the fallen dinner, Paradise is regained, and 
 
 ♦The We of Wight, 
 
22 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 much of its beauty restored to the soul. As this prospect 
 is compounded of hill and dale, land and sea, woods and 
 plains, all sweetly blended together, and relieving each 
 other in the landscape ; so do the gracious dispositions, 
 wrought in the soul, produce a beauty and harmony of 
 scene, to which it was before a stranger." 
 
 Again, we insert one more brief reflection. 
 
 *' What do they not lose, who are strangers to serious 
 meditation, on the wonders and beauties of created nature ! 
 How gloriously the God of creation shines in his works ! 
 Not a tree, nor leaf, noi* flower ; not a bird, nor insect, but 
 it proclaims in glowing language, ' God made me.' " 
 
 In his parochial engagements, we find him fulfilling all 
 the duties of an active and zealous parish priest. The im- 
 portant and essential doctrines of the Gospel, were now 
 made the powerful and affecting themes of his public ad- 
 dresses. As we shall have occasion elsewhere to enter in- 
 to a minute detail of the subject and manner of his preach- 
 ing, it is sufficient in this place to observe, that man's fallen 
 and ruined state, and his deliverance and redemption by Jesus 
 Christ, forme^d the grand outline of his discourses ; and if the 
 truth be best estimated by its effects, he could appeal to 
 unquestionable evidences that he proclaimed it ; for God 
 blessed it, and numerous converts attested its efficacy and 
 power. No such discoverable results appeared in his for- 
 mer ministry, because it was incompetent to produce them. 
 In addition to the usual and appointed duties of the Sab- 
 bath, he visited his flock, and went from house to house, 
 taking care not to make these opportunities the mere occa- 
 sion of friendly and condescending intercourse, but the 
 means of real improvement, and spiritual edification. The 
 children of Brading were also the objects of his tender soli- 
 citude. They were in the habit of repairing to him every 
 Saturday, for the purpose of religious instruction ; and his 
 memoirs of ' Little Jane,' records one of the happy results 
 of these youthful meetings. 
 
 Within the parish of Brading was situated the hamlet of 
 Bembridge, at the distance of about two miles. To this 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 23 
 
 ]»lace Mr. Richmond went once in every week, to expound 
 the Scriptures, and to meet those who, through age and 
 infirmity or other causes, were unable to attend the parish 
 rliurch. A chapel of ease has since been erected, and 
 consecrated in the summer of 1827. There was also 
 another hamlet, called Arreton, where he was accustomed 
 to meet the poor, for religious edification. He had hke- 
 wise the care of the parish of Yaverland ; and as the scenes 
 of his early piety and zeal cannot but be interesting to his 
 numerous friends, the following description so completely 
 localises every object, and presents them so vividly to the 
 imagination, that we msert it in his own words : 
 
 " I had the spiritual charge of another parish, adjoining 
 to that in which I resided. It was a small district, and had 
 but few inhabitants. The church was pleasantly situated 
 on a rising bank, at the foot of a considerable hill. It was 
 surrounded by trees, and had a rural, retired appearance. 
 Close to the church-yard stood a large old mansion, 
 which had formerly been the residence of an opulent and 
 titled family ; but it had long since been appropriated to 
 the use of the estate, as a farm-house. Its outward as- 
 pect bore considerable remains of ancient grandeur, and 
 gave a pleasing character to the spot of ground on which 
 the church stood. In every direction the roads that led to 
 this house of God possessed distinct biit interesting fea- 
 tures. One of them ascended between several rural cot- 
 tages, from the sea-shore, which adjoined the lower part of 
 the village street. Another winded round the curved sides 
 of an adjacent hill, and was adorned, both above and below, 
 with numerous sheep, feeding on the herbage of the down. 
 \ third road led to the church by a gently-rising approach, 
 
 tween high banks, covered with young trees, bushes, ivy, 
 hedge-plants, and wild flowers. 
 
 '* From a point of land which commanded a view of all 
 1 licse several avenues, I used sometimes for a while to watch 
 my congregation gradually assembling together at the hour 
 of Sabbath worship. They were in some directions visible 
 for a considerable distance. Gratifying associations of 
 
24 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 thought would form in my mind, as I contemplated their 
 approach and successive arrival within the precints of the 
 house of prayer." 
 
 His reflections on this occasion are thus interestingly ex- 
 pressed : — 
 
 " How many immortal souls are now gathering together 
 to perform the all-important work of prayer and praise — 
 to hear the word of God — to feed upon the bread of life ! 
 They are leaving their respective dwellings, and will soon 
 be united together in the house of prayer. How beauti- 
 fully does this represent the effect produced by the voice 
 of ' the good Shepherd,* calling his sheep from every part 
 of the wilderness into his fold ! As these fields, hills, and 
 lanes are now covered with men, women, and children, in 
 various directions, drawing nearer to each other, and to the 
 object of their journey's end ; even so, ' many shall come 
 from the east and from the west, and from the north and 
 from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of 
 God.' " 
 
 In the year 1801 he formed a society at Brading, which 
 proved an occasion of much benefit ; the rules and regu- 
 lations being peculiarly calculated to promote order, so- 
 briety, and religion. This society met every Wednesday 
 evening, and he himself assumed the office of director.* 
 The members of whom it was composed, were such as 
 
 * The following regulation will afford a general idea of the 
 character and object of this society : 
 
 " The society will meet every Wednesday evening, when the 
 director will attend, for the purpose of explaining the holy Scrip- 
 tures, the Liturgy of the Church of England, and other such godly 
 books as he may think useful and profitable for the instruction and 
 edification of the members ; giving them such friendly and Chris- 
 tian exhortation and counsel as each or all of them may require ; 
 answering any questions which they may wish to propose, respect- 
 ing the meaning and design of the word of God, and their own con- 
 duct and religious progress in general ; and joining in prayer with 
 them to Almighty God, for a blessing upon themselves, their fami- 
 lies, their neighbours, and their country, and the whole Church of 
 God, wherever dispersed in the world." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 25 
 
 had derived adv.intages from his ministry, and were sin- 
 cerely desirous of advancing in knowledge and true holi- 
 
 To the soldiers that were occasionally quartered in that 
 part of the country, he was made highly useful by his preach- 
 ing. The history of one of those men is remarkable. It 
 is recorded at length in a communication inserted in the 
 * Christian Observer,' for the year 1802 (p. 772.) Being 
 too long for insertion here, the substance of it is as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 '' A young soldier, one day, introduced himself to Mr. 
 Richmond, in company with one of his comrades, begging 
 to know if he would kindly purchase from him a few cler- 
 gyman's bands, and some manuscript sermons. Being 
 asked by what means they came into his possession, he 
 stated, with much embarrassment, that his history was 
 wholly unknown to his companions in arms, but that being 
 thus urged, he would recount the painful circumstances of 
 his past life. He proceeded to declare that he was the son 
 of a clergyman in Wales — that he himsfelf had been re- 
 gularly ordained, an! officiated during three years on a cu- 
 racy in the county of W ; that disorderly habits, and 
 
 debts incurred without the possibility of discharging them, 
 had brought him at length to ruin and disgrace ; and that, 
 to avoid imprisonment, he had been induced to enlist as 
 a common soldier — that he had served in the last campaign 
 in Holland, and was then about to proceed with the army, 
 io the expedition to Alexandria, under Sir Ralph Aber- 
 crombie. He added, that it was to furnish himself with a 
 few necessaries, that he was led to offer the articles in 
 question for sale. Mr. Richmond having ascertained, as 
 far as possible, the correctness of his story, purchased them ; 
 and afterwards held a very long conversation with him, on 
 the awful consequences of his past life, and his unfaithful- 
 ness to the solemn and sacred engagement he had formerly 
 contracted. The soldier seemed to be more abashed by 
 the disclosure of his history, than impressed by the con- 
 sciousness of bis guilt, and the admonitions that he had 
 4 
 
26 MEMOIKS OF THE 
 
 heard. In June, 1802, the comrade who had originally 
 accompanied him, once more called on Mr. Richmond, 
 and stated that he was just returned from Egypt, and that 
 the young man, in whose welfare he had taken so lively 
 an interest, had fallen in battle, and died a true penitent — 
 that on the evening preceding the engagement of the 21st 
 March, he had been seized with a presentiment that he 
 should not survive the event of the following day ; and had 
 commissioned him, (the bearer.) should he be spared to re- 
 turn, to mforra Mr Richmond, that the counsel he had so 
 faithfully given to him, though it had failed at the time to im- 
 press him as it ought to have done, had ultimately sunk deep 
 into his conscience, and produced all the eifects that he 
 could have wished ; ' tell our dear pastor,' continued he, 
 ' that I owe him more than worlds can repay ; he first 
 opened my heart to conviction, and God has blessed it to 
 repentance. Through the unspeakable mercies of Christ, 
 I can die with comfort. The event that he had prognosti- 
 cated was fulfilled ; and it was discovered that poor Mr. 
 
 E lost his life by a cannon ball, at an early period in 
 
 the action." 
 
 Such were his parochial labours in the Isle of Wight. 
 We omit the interesting circumstances that gave rise to 
 the publication of his popular tract of the ' Dairyman's 
 Daughter,' because they will be recorded at the proper 
 time ; but what has already been detailed, furnishes con- 
 clusive evidence that he was sustaining the part of a labo- 
 rious parish priest ; that he was " a workman that neodetli 
 not to be ashamed ;" and that his doctrine, energy and ex- 
 ample, were holding forth a bright prospect of the more 
 extensive career of usefulness, on which he was shortly 
 about to enter. The writer of these lines cannot recall 
 without emotion, a visit that he paid to the village of 
 Brading, some years after Mr. Richmond had left that 
 scene of his former labours. And, if the recollections 
 awakened by the mention of a person's name and affec- 
 tionate traces of the past, be one of the testimonies paid to 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 27 
 
 worth, and a token that we are not forgotten, that mark of 
 distinction mijjht justly be claimed as his ; for every tongue 
 was eloquent in his praise, and every eye ghstened with de- 
 hght, while the virtues of their former beloved pastor fur- 
 nished the theme of conversation, and was the welcome 
 subject of fond remembrance, gratitude and love. 
 
 Having described him engaged in the duties of his parish, 
 the following extract from a letter, addressed to his mo- 
 ther, will prove that the same high sense of his minis- 
 terial responsibility, and anxious desire for usefulness, dis- 
 covers itself in his correspondence. He had recently been 
 invited to preach the annual sermon in the abby church at 
 Bath, on the subject of cruelty to the brute creation, in 
 conformity with the bequest of the Rev. Henry Brindley, 
 at the close of the last century. It is to this circumstance 
 that the letter alludes. 
 
 " Brading, March 26, 1801. 
 " My dearest Mother, 
 
 " It gives me real and unspeakable gratification that 
 any thing you observe in me^«hould give you the pleasure 
 you describe ; yet I fear you overrate me. Daily do I be- 
 come more and more sensible of my own deficiencies ; and 
 when I hear myself praised, my failings and corruptions 
 seem to be magnified in the mirror of conscience and con- 
 viction. I do feel an earnest and solemn wish to be a real 
 Christian minister of the gospel of Christ ; but it is indeed 
 a character too exalted for my expectations of attaining, 
 and unutterable is the responsibility attached to it. To be 
 a Christian at all, in the scriptural sense is a business of 
 unwearied attention, watchfulness, and labour ; but to be a 
 teacher, an example, a shepherd to the flock, requires ten- 
 fold circumspection. May God make me what he wishes, 
 in order to form that character ; and may no self sufficiency, 
 carelessness or presumption, ever lead me to false security, 
 neglect of duty, or inactivity — to all of which we are so 
 prone by nature. In exact proportion as we struggle to 
 
28 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 rise above our natural propensities, Satan endeavours not 
 only to stop our progress, but to turn our very improvement 
 into danger, and a snare, by exciting pride and self-satis- 
 faction at what we have been enabled to do. I have no 
 objection to hearing that my preaching excited attention at 
 Bath (though 1 ought to avoid every thing likely to awaken 
 vanity,) because I am convinced that it is not so much 
 from any thing in me, individually speaking, as in the 
 scriptural truths which, by God's grace, I invariably en- 
 deavour to advance and expound, that approbation was 
 manifested. I claim no praise, but that of being in earnest ; 
 and when I open the counsel of God to a congregation, I 
 hope 1 feel anxious for the welfare of my hearers, and 
 really desirous that they should, for their own sakes, * mark, 
 learn, hear, and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures,' 
 when explained according to the principles of sound or- 
 thodoxy and evangelical truth. And, thus considering- 
 sound truth as the matter, and pastoral anxiety as the man- 
 ner of my preaching, I hope to steer clear of any personal 
 vanity, or silly presumption, in the arts of human eloquence, 
 either written or oratorical. I have no wish to be a popu- 
 lar preacher in any sense but one viz., as a preacher to the 
 hearts of the people. 
 
 " Mary and the children send kindest love to you and my 
 father, with your affectionate son, 
 
 " Legh Richmond. 
 '' To Mrs. Richmond, Bennet Street, Bath.''' 
 
 The following letter was written about the same time, 
 to his sister, on her marriage : — 
 
 "Forgive me, ray beloved sister, if I express myself with 
 more than customary anxiety, in now writing to you ; re- 
 lated as I am by the nearest ties of kindred, and by the slili 
 more close bonds of love and tender friendship. I feel a 
 liveiv mterest in all which concers you ; and should be 
 more than commonly happy, if a brother's prayer, and a 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. '^ 
 
 brother's admonition, should prove in any way conducive 
 to the welfare and advancement of a much-loved sister. 
 
 *' I am desirous of seeing and knowing that you will 
 shine in the united characters of wife, mother, friend, and 
 Christian. I feel truly and unequivocally anxious that you 
 should not, even in appearance, sink into the mere accom- 
 plished and elegant woman. I wish you to set a right es- 
 timate upon that far more accomplished, and infinitely more 
 useful character, which exists chiefly within the walls of 
 your own house. Every thing depends on your first out- 
 set. By the model which you frame for your conduct this 
 rery year% will probably be regulated all your subsequent 
 character and conduct in every future station and relation 
 of life. 
 
 " You well know the affection, and I trust will not des- 
 pise the judgment and sentiments, of him who speaks thus 
 candidly and frankly to you. I am well persuaded that a 
 young woman, to be truly respectable, must dare to be 
 laudably singular. There always will be a certain des- 
 cription of persons in every place, who will wonder that 
 you can exist without passing your time as they do ; but 
 amongst those whose esteem and opinion alone ought to re 
 gulatc your own feelmgs and conduct, the more retired 
 and seldom-tobe-seen wife, whose theatre of real action 
 and real pleasure is within her own house, in the fulfilment 
 of sober, useful, and exemplary duties, will ever be most 
 beloved, most respected, and most befriended. 
 
 ♦* By way of immediate occupation of your time and 
 thoughts, allow me to direct them to the relief and benefit 
 of the poor ; not by idle gratuities, but by diligently seek- 
 ing them out, informing yourself of their wants and dis- 
 tresses, and economizing in superfluities, in order that 
 thereby the poor may abound in needfuls, and you may 
 abound in their blessings. Be systematically charitable, 
 both to their souls and bodies. Promote plans for instruc- 
 tion : assist in superintending them ; employ yourself in 
 making clothes for them : and rest not till vou have made it 
 4* 
 
30 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 a settled and uniform part of your character, to be activel\> 
 constantly, and watchfully charitable. 
 
 Be scrupulously attentive to the observance of the sab- 
 bath, both in public and in private, both at church and at 
 home ; and in all your pleasures, all your pains, all your 
 employments, prospects, plans, and engagements, remem- 
 ber that the use of this life is to prepare for a better ; and 
 that ♦ strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads 
 to eternal life, and few there be that find it ' Read your 
 Bible with prayer, daily, under the impression of this aw- 
 ful truth : and may God remember you, my dearest sister, 
 amongst those whom he especially loveth ; and his grace ren- 
 der you, what I wish you may always prove to be, a valued 
 wife, a tender mother, an estimable friend, and a devoted 
 Christian. 
 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 L. RlCIIMO?iD.'* 
 
 We now proceed to unfold the more secret recesses of 
 his heart, as developed in a diary, commencing January, 
 1804, and continued to August of the same year. It is 
 much to be lamented that it never seems to have been re- 
 gularly resumed, and that there are only occasional and 
 interrupted documents of this kind found among his papers. 
 
 " Jan. 1 . A new year is begun, but where is the new 
 heart, and the right spirit ? Oh, weakness and wickedness I 
 Preached from Rom. xi. 28, 29 ; and Joh xvi. 22. Felt 
 
 much satisfaction after the morning service, from J 
 
 and his wife proposing to become members of my society. 
 He shed tears of penitence and joy. May God work all 
 for good. In the afternoon, felt something of the fear of 
 man ; but found, as I proceeded, more freedom. O Lord, 
 save me from fear of censure, and love of praise ! Went 
 in the evening, to my society at Arreton : few, but meek, 
 humble, and hopeful. Another member proposed, an in- 
 firm old widow. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 31 
 
 •' Jan. 3. Uneasy at not having completed another part 
 of the review of Daubeny.* I ana very deficient in steady, 
 persevering diligence. Let roe think mucli of this, and 
 learn to set a right value on time. Oh ! how precious 
 ought every hour to be, when each may be the last. 
 Thought much of Cowper's description of preaching : 
 (Task, Book ii ) God impress it on my heart. B. is 
 buried to-day ; how dreadfully unprepared to meet his 
 God ! How far am I responsible ? Alas ! how great is the 
 burden of the pastor ! Lord give me grace to see it, and 
 feel it more and more, and enable me to bear it with a good 
 conscience. I have been delighted, and I hope profited, 
 by Biddulph's funeral sermon on Mr. Drewitt ; oh ! that I 
 were Uke him ! I now wonder that I had not more cor- 
 respondence with that holy man. I shall ever think with 
 pleasure, of my introduction to him God bring us together 
 at the last I trust my resolutions gain strength. O God, 
 in thy mercy strengthen me ! May my thoughts now close 
 with blessed Drewitt, and sink to peacefulness with a bless- 
 ing on the meditation. 
 
 " Jan. 4. Received the * Christian Observer ;' my 
 * fourth letter on Kipling,' there ;t surely it is conclusive, 
 yet what will not prejudice distort ? Preserve me, O my 
 God ! in the wiles of controversy, from the neglect of prac- 
 tical religion within. It is not Calvin nor Arminius- nor 
 Cranmer ; but Christ, who is the Saviour, and his name 
 only be adored. 
 
 ** Jan. 6. A beautiful frosty morning. Teach me, O 
 Lord ! from the beauties of nature, to learn the beauties of 
 grace. Every returning morning reminds me, what a 
 mercy it is I am still alive — and have space and time given 
 mc to repent and believe. Take my heart, O God ! into 
 
 • He here alludes to his review of Daubeny's Vindicice Ecclesice, 
 •r which we shall have occHsion to speak in a subsequent part. It 
 WM inserted in the * Christian Observer.' 
 
 t This is another review, in which he was engaged. It was pub- 
 lished in the • Christian Observer,' for 1804, under the signatures 
 ftf Academicus and a Curate of the South. 
 
32 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 thy keeping, and then it will be safe If it be tliy good 
 pleasure to rescue me from temporal perplexity, let my 
 gratitude appear ; if not, let it be ground for submission 
 and patient resignation. With thee, I cannot do ill ; with- 
 out thee, I cannot do well. Heard Nugent's morning 
 prayers. May he learn early the lesson which I for so 
 many years neglected, and now perform so unworthily. 
 Prayer is the breath of faith. 
 
 '' Jan. 7. Surprised by a letter from Hannah More, to 
 invite me to succeed Mr. Drewitt, at Cheddar, or to re- 
 commend a curate. Oh, I am unworthy, could it be 
 brought about. Yet what a field to act upon. Lead me, 
 O God, to that which is right. Shall I make any overtures 
 to remove there or not ? It has filled me with mingled 
 contemplation and solicitude. Is it a call from God, or 
 ought I rather to do his work here ? Direct my heart, O, 
 God, from doubts and wandeiings, into thy paths. 
 
 " Jan. 8, Sunday. Snow and sleet How cold are my 
 affections ! like this season. Warm my heart, O Lord ! 
 till it burn with the flames of devotion. Compose my 
 thoughts into holy meditation^ and let not the events o^ the 
 day destroy them. 
 
 " Preached on the Epiphany, and on Christ among the 
 doctors in the temple. 
 
 *' My heart heavy in reflecting how unworthy I am to 
 think ever of succeeding Mr. Drevv'itt : to be placed in such 
 a parish, with such neighbours and friends as that country 
 would afford, might be an unspeakable benefit to me, and 
 
 my dear M ; but I hardly dare think of it. Lord, 
 
 direct me for the best. I am a poor, weak, irresolute, sin- 
 ful creature ; without thee, I can do nothing. 
 
 "Jan. 10. What an awful idea is eternity : am I pre- 
 pared to encounter it ? * Oh, spare me a little, that I may 
 recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more 
 seen !' Settle my opinions sledfastly, and above all, ray 
 affections on thyself, O Lord ! Have mercy on the dear 
 children whom thou hast given me, and may I give ihem 
 back unto thee in Jesus Christ, their atid my Saviour. I 
 
t 
 
 REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 3^ 
 
 fear I have not taught N. all I ought, and of which he is 
 capable. Let me lay this to heart, and recommend him 
 to God in prayer. 
 
 ** Much perplexed what to say to Mrs More. Surely if 
 Vanity wanted food, it is here — to be solicited by a Hannah 
 More, to supply the place of a Drewitt ! But a sense of 
 unworthiness, thank God, represses emotions like these. 
 
 " Jan. 1 1 . Much indisposed by a very severe cold ; but, 
 alas! how much more sick in the inner man. I have 
 nearly finished this month's portion for the * Christian Ob- 
 server.' May 1 grow daily more diligent, pious, and wise 
 unto salvation, through God's blessing on my studies 
 
 "Jan. 13. Better in body : I thank thee, O God; but 
 there is much in my mind that waiits healing. Oh ! thou 
 Redeemer of souls and physician of hearts, purchase me 
 entirely to thyself, and heal my diseases. I have sent off 
 my packet to the * Christian Observer.' The world fights 
 against me, the flesh within me, and Satan both within and 
 without. How shall I conquer, but in Christ Jesus? Help 
 nie to prepare, O Lord, for the service of thy sanctuary ; 
 and direct me to such thoughts and words as shall edify my 
 hearers, and reach my own heart to a good purpose. 
 
 "Jan. 14. One fortnight more, and T shall be thirty- 
 two in years by nature, but how old in grace ? Sloth, de- 
 tested sloth, how does it mjure my advancement. Would 
 to God I might now break all bonds, and fly in heart and 
 soul to the poflses-^ion of my God. There are moments 
 when all heaven seems open before me • and others, when 
 I tremble over the pit of sorrows. 
 
 ** Jan. 16. The sabbath .is ended I preached on the 
 reason why Chnst delivered his doctrine in parables ; Matt. 
 xiii 10,11. At Yaverland, read the Homily on the time 
 and place of prayer Went to Arreton ; my excellent 
 though humble friend, .T. W., was there. I pray God I 
 might sit at his feet in the kingdom of heaven : I know no 
 such other Christian here. WouM to God I were like him. 
 I found much comfort with my society. Returned in 
 t hunder, lightning, and rain. Thought of death and of judg- 
 
34 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 nient. Oh, awful meditation ! Let me examine my heart 
 on its faith, hope, and love. Help me, O God ! to pray } 
 and so may thy bleb^sin^ rest on me and mine. 
 
 Jan. It. Another week and another mercy. * Oh, 
 teach me to number my days, tijat I may apply my heart 
 unto wisdom.' Why am I alive? Why have I space to 
 repent, when so many are cut off? Who iriakes me to dif- 
 fer, either in outward or inward circumstances ? Oh, my 
 Lord and my God ! to tiiee 1 owe every thing ; yea, myself 
 also. Let me then speedily pay the debt. 
 
 " What methods shall I take to cure my spiritual sloth- 
 fulness ? There must be a struggle and agony — heaven 
 must be taken with violence 
 
 Day aflei day elapses. — Oh, time ! oh, eternity ! In spite 
 of sorrows, calms and relaxations sometimes steal on me. 
 Let me not deceive myself with a false peace. Sometimes 
 I am tempted to doubt whether I am a real Christian. O 
 teach me, my God, to answer this question with a right 
 conscience. 
 
 " Jan. 17. I feel much nneasiness at not malting more 
 progress in the right way The unfruitful tree shall be cut 
 down and burned. Have mercy on me. and all my family, 
 according to thy goodness. O Lord ! Help me to form a 
 right judgment, bind my affection to the truth, and so let 
 my lifie shew it forth. Often as my birth-day approached, 
 have I made resolutions of a new life ; but there has always 
 been an enemy within and without, to prevail against me. 
 
 " Much pleased with Dr. Jackscwi, on the Catholic 
 church — a curious and beautiful mean, between Arminian- 
 ism and high Calvinism Give me a firm and resolute 
 heart, O God ! even such an one as thou wilt accept. 
 
 " Wrote to Hannah More, dubiously. Lord, direct me 
 to choose for the best. 
 
 « Jan. 18. This day, with thv blessing T shall go to feed 
 my sheep at Rembridge. Grant me to do so wnth a faith- 
 ful and a single heart. I always look upon that society, as 
 a hutnble ground for hope that the Lord means to do good 
 through me ; yet how often do 1 perform that duty Nyith 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 3S 
 
 slothfulness. Give me, O God, more will, and strength, 
 and grace, and povvt r, and blessing, and success ; and teach 
 me to judge (if it so please thee) by the state of my people, 
 of my own Provide Cheddar with a successor to Drewitt, 
 after thine own heart ; and increase the number of true 
 pastors, and true sheep in thy pasture. 
 
 " Jan. 19. How vain are all attempts to find peace in 
 aught but the Gospel ! How the v/orld steals upon the 
 mind, and usurps the throne of God. ' Video meliora probo- 
 quCy deteriora sequor ''* Make me more discreet and con- 
 siderate in the management of my property. Let justice 
 and generosity be equally and forcibly remembered. I find 
 my prayers languid and lukewarm to-day. Why is this ? 
 The fault must lie within. 
 
 " Jan, 20. Little Mary in a very high fever ; Nugent 
 beginning to have one. Teach me so to bear these trials, 
 that they may be truly profitable unto me. 
 
 <* Jan. 24. Let me impress oh my mind the value of 
 time, and resolve and act accordingly. Let me often re- 
 flect on my wife and children's souls, as well as my own ; 
 and never forget the spiritual welfare of my flock. 
 
 " Mary excessively weak — Nugent worse. Keep my 
 heart, O God ! or I shall be soon overwhelmed. Grant me 
 thy blessing, O God ! 
 
 " Jan, 25. Letter from Mr. Wilberforco. How beau- 
 tiful a sight is riches united with godliness ; yet, who that 
 has the latter, is not truly possessed of the former. If the 
 weather should permit my going to Bembridgc, prosper 
 my endeavour among the people, O Lord.' and may their 
 prosperity be mine. 
 
 " Jan. 27. An affecting letter from my mother to my 
 wife, exhorting to fortitude and patience, in case it should 
 please God to take our sweet little Mary to himself. May 
 we find it to be for our good, which ever way the righteous 
 God shall ordain. Let me reflect much on this matter — 
 and be thou with ipe, O my God ! in all my prayers and 
 .'supplications. 
 
 ' I see and approve the better but follow the worse. A. E. 
 
36 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Jan. 29. The Lord's sabbath and my birthday. O 
 Almighty God ! sanctify this day in my heart : herein and 
 henceforth may I rest from sin, and spiritual sorrow, ex- 
 cept that sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation. 
 
 " I have preached on the parable. Matt xx. 1 ; and from 
 Eph. i. 7, on redemption. 
 
 " Had some interesting conversation with J. W. and 
 E. C. Went to Achton* — Comfort and peace My child 
 rather better. God bless us all, and make us to know what 
 means peace with thee. 
 
 This day some friends are coming to keep my birthday : 
 when will friends of another kind celebrate my birthday 
 into the life of glory ? Ten pounds from Mr. Wilberforce. 
 for the poor. Holy man ! would I resembled thee. 
 
 "Jaw. 31. May God strengthen me to keep my birth* 
 day resolutions ; I am very weak and unstable. 
 
 " A momentary fit of anger, which, blessed be God, I 
 immediately tranquillized, and sought present reconcilia- 
 tion. Let the fear of God's anger ever make me afraid 
 of my men. 
 
 " Feb. 1 . I am studying the Augsburgh Confession on 
 Justification. It appears decisive against Daubeny. Oh ! 
 for a full application of the doctrine to my own soul. 
 
 " Met my society at Bembridge. The occasion profita- 
 ble. Returned in a storm. May these meetings prove a 
 solid and permanent advantage to all and to me. 
 
 " Feb. 2. When I reflect on my unfruitfiilness, I trem- 
 ble. Hours, days, weeks, years roll on, and still so much 
 is to be done. 
 
 "I have looked into the controversy between Daubeny 
 and Overton. Faults on both sides. But there is a con- 
 troversy between me and my God, where the fault is all on 
 one side. Who shall judge between us ? O Christ ! be 
 my advocate, yea, my surety, and I shall not fear thee, when 
 thou shalt appear as my judge. 
 
 * This hamlet is sometimes called Adjeton, and at other timcR 
 Achton, ia the Diary. Its proper name is Arreton. 
 
k 
 
 REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 37 
 
 " Feb. 7. Much ado about nothing, and little done 
 about the great thing. Oh, let thy mercy be shown to me, 
 by enabling me to show mercy to myself! When I think 
 of what I have been, what I am, what I shall be, — the 
 idea fills me with hopeful fear and fearful hope. Let me 
 think of my sermons, my soul, my family, my relations, my 
 friends, my parish, my Saviour, and my God ; and thus 
 close my meditation to-night wilh prayer. 
 
 " Fd>. 9. Dreamed a dream, full of confusion and dan- 
 ger ; useful hints may be drawn rationally from dreams, so 
 far as they may be considered as resulting from the state 
 and frame of the body, and the inward customary state of 
 the raind. Dreams are for the most part the uninterrupted 
 thoughts of the soul in sleep. Oh, my God ! may my 
 waking thoughts and my sleeping imaginations, all become 
 full of thee ! 
 
 " Feb. 1 0. I find a strong inclination to false fancy, as 
 if some change in my worldly state and residence were to 
 bring about a correspondent one in my spiritual condition. 
 Satan struggles, together with the flesh, to keep up the dan- 
 gerous phantom. Art thou not here, O my God I and is 
 not mine oflice here ? and has not my soul helps sufficient ? 
 Oh, yes ! give me strength to resist this, and to seek thee 
 here and now. Oh ! let me watch as well as pray, lest I 
 enter into temptation. 
 
 " Fe6. 11. This day is to be an echpse of the sun. 
 What a beautiful emblem of those eclipses of the soul, 
 which sometimes hide the face of God from the sons of' 
 earth. Oh, revive me with thy presence, my God ! even 
 thy effectual and abiding presence. I have been medita- 
 ting on the parable of the good Samaritan, in a spiritual 
 application, with a view of preaching on it. 
 
 ** To-morrow is thy day, O God of Hosts ! may I sancti- 
 fy it, and may my words be blessed to the hearts of my 
 hearers. Enable me to speak from the heart to the heart. 
 
 " Feb. 15. Ash Wednesday. Is this truly so to me ? 
 Do I mourn in dust and ashes for my sins ? I want the 
 spirit of mortification and self denial. Enable rae to 
 
38 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 preach to my people without fear of man, and with the love 
 of God in my own heart. 
 
 ** Oh, my God ! guide, direct, sanctify and bless me, and 
 all mine and all thine. 
 
 '' Feb. 16. How weak, frail, and inconstant a creature 
 is man ; and of men, myself most deplorably so. Some- 
 times my desires and resolutions run mountains high ; and 
 then I grow faint, and the stream of my affections is mud- 
 died and thick. Let me think of my children and my 
 household, and of their spiritual welfare ; and not cleave 
 in heart to any one temptation thrown in ray way by the 
 world. 
 
 " The organ proposal negatived. I feel the benefit of a 
 momentary disappointment ; it is physic to the soul. How 
 every thing tends to convince me of the folly and wicked- 
 ness of seeking comfort in the creature. O blessed Crea- 
 tor ! when shall I be thine in spirit and in truth ? 
 
 " Feb. 17. Harassed with foolish thoughts. I grow 
 more and more ashamed of myself, that such things can 
 lay hold of my heart, and that I should have such dead- 
 ness towards heaven. ' O earth, earth, earth ! hear the 
 word of the Lord' 
 
 " I have been to Bembridge, and read Burder's poetical 
 abridgment of the Pilgrim's Progress, with profit and de- 
 light to us all. How much more am 1 in my element, 
 among my little flock, than scheming in the world. Drank 
 tea at John Wheler's ; his cottage is God's palace. 
 
 " Feb. 20. Let me reflect on the fleetness of time, and 
 on the uncertainty of my life. Drewitt was taken away 
 just at my age — the hand of death may be close ; oh, 
 what folly to imagine it at a distance ! May I then die 
 daily. 
 
 "Received rehgious books to the value of £15, from 
 Mr. Thornton, to distribute in my parish. God be thank- 
 ed for such friends to me and mine. 
 
 "Pc6. 21. I have strangely neglected the review. I 
 pray God to give me strength to go on with it, and to think 
 and write to his glory. My inward and bosom sin prey.s 
 
r 
 
 REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 39 
 
 sadly upon me. I beseech thee, O my God ! to make me 
 a new creature : in that respect most especially, give me a 
 new heart and a right spirit. 
 
 ** Feb, 24. How soon the best plans degenerate into 
 formality, and how often Satan transforms himself into an 
 angel of light What a fight, race, and struggle the 
 Christian warfare is ! May I so fight, run, and strive, that 
 I may obtain. 
 
 " Feb. 26. A serene fine morning is an emblem of rest 
 — rest from storms and rain : how ought I to seek an earn- 
 est within, of that rest which remaineth for the people of 
 God.' In all mv ministrations this day — in the sanctuary, 
 the house, the closet, may all be to thee, and for thee, and 
 by thee. I feel my own deficiencies daily more and more ; 
 d God ! may 1 feel them till 1 lose them. 
 
 « Feb. 27. I every day feel more the truth of the doc- 
 trine, that the flesh and spirit strive contrarywise against 
 each other Excuses, apologies, procrastinations, delays, 
 all proceed from this. 
 
 " Feb. 29. I perceive too much compliance with world- 
 ly company and conversation ; oh my soul, if I give way 
 to this, my Usefulness will be mu«',h diminished. Let me 
 often remember, that I renounced the world at baptism. 
 
 " March 4. The sabbath is over. 1 preached on the 
 stront; man armed ; and from I Cor. i. 23, introducing a 
 homily. 
 
 " I wish my children could sing the praises of God ; 
 may their learning music have this end and aim, both in 
 themselves and me. 
 
 " March 6. Like the Israelites of old, I find myself wan- 
 dering in the wilderness of sin. Yet, O my God ! if thou 
 art my sruide and light, by day and night, all will be well. 
 
 ** March 7. The beauty of such a morning as this, 
 should be an emblem of the life of God in my soid. What 
 is mere animal life without this ? Oh ! break my rebel- 
 liouf spirit, and bring the inner man into true subjection to 
 thee. 
 
40 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 " March 10. I am meditating a sermon, on drawing 
 water from the wells of salvation- Let me ever keep it 
 in faithful remembrance, that I preach to my own heart 
 first, and then to my people's. 1 have been arranging the 
 different texts which describe Gospel graces and promises, 
 under the emblem of water. J must be more and more 
 urgent, in drawing from the fountain of God's word. 
 
 *' March 12, One day nearer death and eternity. Lift 
 up my heart, O God ! in earnest prayer for real blessings. 
 Let me be more desirous of graces than gifts, and yet re- 
 member, both are from thee. 
 
 '< March 16. A thick fog this morning. Is this the only 
 fog ? On looking over my diary, I see much to lament. 
 What a map of frailty ! O my Redeemer, how shall I es- 
 timate the infinite value of that blood of thine, which was 
 shed for sin. What are my time, reading, learning, memo- 
 ry, situation, influence, authority, money, and other various 
 abilities, of mind and body, but so many talents lent me by 
 God, of which I must speedily render an account ? Have 
 I any talents for the ministry ? D<i I use them as not abu- 
 sing them ? Are they with a single eye and heart conse- 
 crated to the honour of God ? 
 
 " March 17 J plainly perceive that the Lord has per- 
 mitted nie to suffer a dereliction as a just -punishment for 
 too much carelessness ; but O ! my Lord Jesus, let me see 
 the light of thy countermnce Fix my roving wishes, and 
 nail them to thy cross ; and oh ! let me remember that no 
 flower can blow in Paradise, which is not transplanted 
 from Gethsemane ; no one can taste of the fruit of the tree 
 of life, that has not tasted of the fruits of the tree of Calvary. 
 
 ^^ March 18. A <iay of rest. ResJ thou, O my soul ! 
 from vanity and the world Fix thyself on the cross, and 
 there muse and contemplate, till thou art filled with the 
 theme. 
 
 " March 24. I purpose to preach five evening lectures 
 next week, on the progress, nature, and extent of Christ's 
 suffermgs May the subject animate my soul, and through 
 grace give life to my weak faith. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 41 
 
 '^ Lord — — ^— dead ! and tims end all hopes of prefer- 
 ment (as it is called) from that quarter. How absurd to 
 build on man ! Wherever the Lord designs me to do good, 
 he will keep or place me ; and in him all is right, and as it 
 should be. 
 
 " March 26. How many unforeseen events crowd upon 
 ray attention ; what a strange busy scene is this, and how 
 it strives to steal the heart from God ! 
 
 " March 27. I feel much dissatisfied with myself! Lord, 
 what am I, that thou shouldst so regard me ? A worm, a 
 vile worm of the dust. I am to preach to-night a lecture 
 on Christ's sufferings. What do I suffer for him ? 
 
 " March 30. Good-Friday. I bless God that my first 
 act has been weeping for thy sorrows, oh my Saviour !" 
 
 It is impossible to peruse the foregoing extracts without 
 a deep conviction of the sincerity and earnestness of the 
 writer. The heart seems to be unfolded before us, stripped 
 of the illusions of self-love, which are so apt to mingle in 
 the estimate that we form of ourselves, and conscience is 
 armed with all the authority of a judge, and pronounces its 
 impartial verdict. 
 
 We see in his internal conflicts the struggles between 
 the two opposing principles, * the flesh and the spirit :" 
 the strivings of inward corruption, and the aspirations of 
 the soul towards God. The feelings of every renewed 
 heart will harmonize with this description ; though the ac- 
 curate observer will not fail to remark, that the full triumphs 
 of faith and hope were yet wanting, and that stability, which 
 time and experience can alone bestow : for though the 
 principle which renews the heart, is marked by circum- 
 stances which ascertain its reality, its effects and influences 
 arc always progressive. The reader who is less fami- 
 liar with these things, may karn a most instructive lesson. 
 He may not comprehend the doctrine of conversion — he 
 may know nothing of the conflicts of the soul — nothing of 
 the two principles within, alternately striving for the mas- 
 tery — nothing of that jealousy over the heart, and that deep 
 
42 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 conviction of its depravity, expressed in the Diary of Mr. 
 Richmond. Let him then examine the fact here presented 
 to him ; a man, undergoing a visible and remarkable change 
 in his views and conduct, and his principles and affections 
 directed to high and holy objects, — the reality of the prin- 
 ciple attested by the reality of its effects, and inward grace 
 illustrated by outward holiness. Let him remember that 
 the conversion, so strikingly exhibited in the case of Mr. 
 Richmond, is no less needed by himself — that it is indis- 
 pensible to his admission into the abodes of peace and 
 glory ; and that if heaven be a prepared place f .r a prepared 
 people and a fitness for its enjoyments be essential to their 
 possession, there must be a knowledge of this principle, an 
 inward experience of its power, and an outward evidence 
 of its existence in the life, before we can have a well- 
 grounded assurance of a happy immortality ; for the spirit 
 of heavenly inspiration has recorded, in characters never to 
 be obliterated, "except ye be converted, ye shall in nowise 
 enter into the kingdom of heaven " 
 
 The religion of Mr. Richmond, though it engaged his 
 most earnest and anxious thoughts, had in it no tinge of 
 gloom or austerity. He was at all times cheerful ; and the 
 following letter addressed to his aunt about this period, is 
 an instance of that playfulness of humour to which we have 
 before alluded. 
 
 ^'Brading, Feb. lOth, 1803. 
 " My dearest Aunt, 
 
 " Being unwilling to trust mere pen and paper to 
 make excuse for my long silence, I have sent a represen- 
 tative to do it for me ; humbly conceiving that a shadow of 
 an apology would be best made by a shadoic of a man. 
 Now, my dear aunt, unsubstantial as a shadow is, it may 
 nevertheless be the means of creating a very solid idea of 
 the thing signified. At all events, it is better than nothing ; 
 more especially as this shadow possesses (what other sha- 
 dows do not) a stationary faculty ; and I do apprehend, that 
 whether the suo shines or not, and whether a candle be or 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 43 
 
 be not in the room, the said shadowy gentleman will not 
 quit your fire-sido without leave, if you think him worthy 
 of being once placed there. It is true, that from the very 
 constitution of his nature, he rather \ooks from than at you 
 — but what then ? A man's heart may look one way, 
 whilst his eyes turn another ; and I beg you to take it for 
 granted, that he is thinking very much abuut you, notwith- 
 standing the imperfection of his bodily frame impedes his 
 treating you with a full stare. If you please, you may fancy 
 him in the pulpit, and that your pew happens to be rather 
 on one side of him, which will fully account for his looking 
 strait forward ; as imagining that his admonitions and re- 
 proof are less wanted in the pew on his right hand, than 
 in many other parts of the church. It may, indeed, seem 
 somewhat strange that any one, who has renounced (or at 
 least, as a parson ought to be supposed to have renounced,) 
 all dealings with the black art, should send a black gentle- 
 man^ as an ambassador and representative. But strange, 
 or not strange, so it is ; and here he comes, and begs leave 
 to say, that he is generally considered as bearing a strong 
 resemblance to his master ; upon the strfiny^th of which 
 plea, he chiefly hopes for a favourable reception at vour 
 hands." 
 
 The following lines were wiitten, to record the melan- 
 choly loss of a young midshipman and nine sailors, belong- 
 ing to his majesty's ship Leviathan, who were unfortunately 
 drowned, not far from his residence, in the Isle of Wight, 
 in the year 1804 : 
 
 Hark to a voice that sounds from ocean's caves, 
 Ye mortals, who in fanci(>d safety sleep ! 
 They that in ships o'erpass the stormy waves. 
 See and declare God's wonders in the deep. 
 
 Warn'd by our sudden fate, learn heaven to prize ; 
 F.arlh's pleasures fade, her riches quickly flee : 
 Death in one awful moment clos'd our eyes, 
 Thou knowsH not but the next may summon theo. 
 
M MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 We add some further specimens of his poetical efforts : — 
 
 A BIRTH-DAY THOUGHT. 
 
 My birth-day of nature IVe oftentimes kept, 
 
 And rejoicM in the revels of youth ; 
 Yet 'twas al! but a dream, for I slumber'd and slept, 
 
 Quite a stranger to God and his truth. 
 
 But he pitied my soul, I awoke from my sleep, 
 
 And he saved me in infinite love : 
 A new birth-day my Saviour then taught me to keep, 
 
 For again I was born from above. 
 
 And now I believe that the God of all peace 
 
 Will be mine till with age I am hoary ; 
 But if angels rejoiced at my birth-day of grace, 
 
 How they'll sing on my birth-day of glory ! L. R. 
 
 " No cloud can overshadow a true Christian, but his faith 
 will discern a rainbow in it " — Bp. Home. 
 The same idea versified : — 
 
 What though a cloud o'ershade my sight, 
 
 Big with affliction's tear ; 
 Yet Faith, amidst the drops that fell, 
 
 Discerns a rainbow there. L. R. 
 
 Epitaph on the death of his own infant : 
 
 This lovely bud, so young, so fair, 
 
 Call'd hence by early doom, 
 Just came to show how sweet a flower. 
 
 In Paradise would bloom. 
 
 By a reference to the Diary, it will be seen that an al- 
 lusion was made to Mr. Richmond's review of the late 
 Archdeacon Daubeny's VindicicB Ecclesue Anglicance. 
 This critique, written in the year 1804, and inserted in the 
 Christian Observer, claims a just title to distinction among 
 productions of this class ; whether we consider the ability 
 and conclusiveness of its reasoning, the extensive acquain- 
 tance that it manifests with the writings of the Reformers. 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 45 
 
 and with the genuine principles and doctrines of the Church 
 of England, or the concihalory spirit in which it is written. 
 Controversy is here stripped of the acriir»onious spirit 
 which too often disgraces its pages ; and truth is pursued 
 without violating the law of charity. 
 
 His admonitions to those engaged in controversy, are 
 thus impressively delivered. 
 
 »* What will it avail them in the great day of account, 
 when the contentions, which now agitate their minds, shall 
 sink into ahsolule insignificance, shall he as if they had 
 never been ? — what will it then avail them to have van- 
 quished their adversaries by the superiority of their pole- 
 mical skill, if, unhappilv imbibing the baneful spirit of con- 
 troversy, they shall be found to have violatt'd that brotherly 
 love which forms a distinguishing badge of the real fol- 
 lowers of Jesus Christ ? * Certainly,' as the pious Bishop 
 Hall has observed, * God abides none but rharitable disseur 
 sions ; those that are well grounded, and w<ll governed : 
 grounded upon just causes, and governed with Christian 
 charity an<l wise moderation ; those whi^se beginning is 
 equity, and whose end is peace. If we must differ, let 
 these be the conditions : let every one of God's ministers 
 be ambitious of that praise, which Gregory Nazianzen gives 
 to Athanasius ; to be an adamant to them that strike him» 
 and a loadstone to them that rliss'ut from him : the one not 
 to be moved with wrong — the other to draw those hearts 
 which disagree. So the fruit of righteousness shall be 
 sown in pe.ice of them that make peace So the God of 
 peace shall have glory, the church of God rest, and our 
 souls unspeakable consolation and joy, in the day of the 
 appearing of our Lord Jesus.' " 
 
 y>'^' 
 
 V*. 
 
 
 <^, 
 
 i^^-NV 
 
46 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 His removal from the Isle of Wight — Temporary con- 
 nexion with the Lock Hospital, in London ; and final 
 settlement at Turvey. 
 
 A CHANGE of destination in the life of a minister, is at 
 all times a subject for grave deliberation. He can take 
 no step, in the consequences of which, others are not deep- 
 ly involved as well as himself In no instance does he 
 stand alone : his principles,^ habits, and conduct, whereso- 
 ever he goes, exercise their powerful effects on all around 
 him ; and he is the star, by whose genial or unfriendly in- 
 fluence, their present, as well as future destiny, is in a 
 great measure to be determined It is this truth which 
 constitutes the moral responsibility of accepting a new ap- 
 pointment. If the glory of God, and conversion of immor- 
 tal souls, is the grand object of which, as a minister, he is 
 never to I'ise sight ; nothing less than a deliberate and well- 
 founded conviction that this is the governing principle of 
 his conduct, to which every other is subordinate, ought to 
 determine his removal, more especially from a scene where 
 his labours have been owned and blessed. 
 
 So long,, however, as we are assured that " the Lord 
 ordereth a good man's goings," and " appointeth the bounds 
 of his habitation ;" the indications of his will, and the 
 openings of his providence, rightly interpreted, will ever 
 form the best guide and ground for his determination. It 
 was under the fullest conviction that he was pursuing the 
 path of duty, that Mr Richmond was induced to listen to 
 an offer of assisting the Rev. Mr. Fry, in his laborious 
 services as Chaplain to the Lock Hospital in London ; and 
 we shall see, by the result, in what manner his acceptance 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 47 
 
 of this appointment, short as was its duration, providential- 
 ly led the way to all the subsequent events of his life. He 
 proceeded, therefore, to London, to confer on the subject 
 of this new arrangement, and preached his first sermon on 
 the following text ; " But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who 
 of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness and 
 sanctification, and redemption." — 1 Cor. \. 30. 
 
 Some extracts from letters written to his wife at this 
 time, previously to the removal of his family from Brading, 
 will throw light on a few of the circumstances connected 
 with this change of his residence and ministry. 
 
 "London, February 5, 1805. 
 " I think I may say, I am determined to try this situation. 
 The Lord seems to give me such tokens of affection, friend- 
 ship, and acceptableness, amongst the congregation of the 
 Lock, and points out so many spiritual advantages, though 
 mingled with great trials and temptations, that I believe 
 I am right in coming to this decision. On Wednesday 
 evening, I preached for Mr. Fry. Several gentlemen 
 spoke to each of us, expressing a hope that I should under- 
 take the charge ; and one of them suggested that if it were 
 an object to me, he did not doubt but very many would 
 gladly contribute towards the expenses of the removal, and 
 some increase of salary. The hint was kind, whatever 
 might be the result. Yesterday morning, Mr. Fry and I 
 conversed for a considerable time together. I told him all 
 ray hbtory and circumstances. He seems resolved to 
 omit nothing which may contribute to the hopefulness and 
 comfort of my arrangement : and I really think that it is 
 God's will that I should repose a temporal as well as a 
 spiritual confidence in him. I called yesterday on Mr. 
 Wilberforce, who put five pounds into my hand to go about 
 from poor to poor and distribute.* Blessed commission ! 
 
 * The wisdom of Ibis mode of doings good, mast at once commend 
 itself to those, who are aware of the circumstances in which cler- 
 
 Sjrmen are frequently placed relative to the poor. Their parochial 
 utiea bring to their notice peculiar cases of want, which ought not 
 
48 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 I am to dine there to-day, and to take leave of the Dean of 
 Cariisle, who goes to Cambridge to-morrow. No two 
 men ever harmonized more sweetly in opinion, views, taste, 
 judgment, &c. than Mr. Fry and myself. Our friendship 
 is forming and confirming, on the best grounds, I trust. 
 You will judge how little able I am to see many friends, or 
 to do anything but labour in my vocation, when I tell you 
 that I am to preach twice on Good-Friday, twice on Easter 
 Sunday, once on Easter Tuesday, and, perhaps, Easter 
 Monday, and even next Wednesday. You cannot write 
 too often ; the sight of your letters cheers and delights me. 
 I wish I could play on the ground for half an hour with the 
 children. 
 
 '* Pray believe how truly and affectionately 
 " I am your 
 
 L. Richmond. 
 
 *^ London, Sunday, April 15, 1805. 
 " I begin a few hnes to you, my dearly -beloved wife, in 
 the interval between my two services, and I can hardly give 
 any other reason, than that my mind is worked up to a high 
 state of agitation, by meditating and preparing to preach 
 to-night, from John v. 28, 29, and it wants a few minutes 
 relief The subject is truly solemn : and the manner in 
 which I propose to treat it, will be very trying and awful 
 both to me and my hearers. I preached to an overflowing 
 congregation, this morning, from Philip, iii. 10 : — it cost 
 me great thought and pains ; — I administered the sacra- 
 ment to near two hundred persons. I have been medita- 
 ting two hours, on death, judgment, heaven and hell. I 
 
 to be made public. So limited, generally, are their own resources, 
 that unless funds are in this way put at their disposal, many of God's 
 own children may be left to suffer. It is the practice of some 
 churches, to put portions of money in the hands of their Pastor, for 
 distribution among such destitute members as may come under his 
 special notice ; in addition to the appropriations which the Deacons 
 are expected to make. Some churches are too poor to furnish such 
 funds. How proper then, that the wealthy should remember and 
 imitate this example of Wilbervorce. A. E. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 49 
 
 fee], that in the pulpit I shall either deliver myself with 
 very little, or very great feeling and effect. Oh ! for a 
 heart to feel more for myself and others : — what a poor, 
 cold, miserable creature I feel myself to be ; I am some- 
 times constrained to cry out — and can such a worthless 
 being be saved ? yet there is worth in Jesus for the mosl 
 worthless. God make me to experience fully, the power 
 of his resurrection, lest when 1 have preached to others, I 
 myself should become a cast-away. Adieu for the pre- 
 sent — perhaps I may add a few lines before I go to bed. 
 
 " Sunday night, ten o'clock. — My sermon proved very 
 solemn, and brought forth very copious tears from many 
 eyes. I trembled inwardly, whilst I painted the resurrec- 
 tion and punishment of condemned souls ; and the effect 
 was very striking on a very large and attentive congrega- 
 tion. I am sitting up to think about a sermon for to-mor- 
 row morning. 
 
 " Monday morning, five o'clock. — Yesterday, at the sa- 
 crament, I observed kneeling at the rails, close to Mr. 
 Wilberforce, a negro. I was much struck, and many inte- 
 resting associations filled my mind. I find also that it 
 was quite accidental, and that Mr. VV. knows nothing of 
 him. Last night, I dwelt on the meeting of husbands, 
 wives, parents and children at the resurrection, and thought 
 deeply of you and your babes ; — in fact, I wept ; I saw the 
 tears of others responding with my own." 
 
 While he was thus engaged in the duties and arrange- 
 ments of his intended destination, the following letter will 
 prove that in dispensing spiritual instruction to others, he 
 was not unmindful of what he owed to one, whose happi- 
 ness and welfare was so nearly connected with his own. 
 
 London, April 20, 1805. 
 ** My Dear Wife, 
 
 "1 really feel it as an answer to very many prayers 
 which I have for,years past offered up for you, that you are 
 now seriously thinking on the all important subject of reli- 
 
 6 
 
50 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 gion. I trust you will henceforth become my spiritual mo- 
 nitor and counsellor, my helpmate in every good word and 
 work, and my wife indeed, united in grace as well as ill 
 providence. With respect to the inward conflicts and 
 doubts which you entertain in your mind, you must seek 
 spiritual armour to fight the battle. Remember, that if you 
 truly desire to overcome all the evil tempers, affections, 
 desires and principles of your natural heart, you have an 
 ovidence within that God must have wrought it, and thai 
 lie will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are 
 able to bear ; but will with the temptation, make a way to 
 escape. With respect to prayer, I recommend you to con- 
 sider th6 precept of ' pray always and without ceasing.' 
 This evidently refers to that perpetual disposition of the 
 heart to lift itself up in sudden, short ejaculatory prayer, 
 which is one of the most necessary means and proofs of 
 grace. It is this alone which can render the appointed 
 and regular devotions of the church, the family, and the; 
 closet, lively, strong and efficacious. Satan will lose much 
 of his strong-hold, if you thus laboriously strive to obtain 
 a prayerful frame of heart, an habitual meditation upon 
 Christ and eternity, a frequency of conversing on sacred 
 things, and above all, experimental contemplation and con- 
 versation. The world is a deadly enemy to spiritual at- 
 tainment ; you cannot too soon see the high importance of 
 being less conformed to it, in all its vanities, vices, follies, 
 and unprofitable waste of time, gifts and talents. The 
 Christian will appear, even in the simplicity of every pei- 
 sonal ornament. The dress, the countenance, the tone of 
 voice, the address, will lose its former levity ; and in the 
 minutest trifles of common life, you will see the hand of 
 God leading to important events, and his finger pointing to 
 the life that is to come. 1 have just been praying most 
 earnestly, that God may carry on such a work in your 
 heart. The grand work of all is to believe. Tliis is the 
 root and fountain of all other graces. That believing 
 look at the Saviour, which sees an interest in him, or 
 which at least leads to full conviction, both of his suffi- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 51 
 
 ciency and efficiency to save our omn souls, is the master 
 work of God. May yt»u be fully led to see this, and in 
 God's own time to rejoice in it. Accustom yourself to 
 talk constantly with Nugent and Mary on the substantial 
 parts of Christianity, and appeal to those little instances of 
 experience which even a child may comprehend. I wrote 
 to you yesterday, and hope you have got my letter. I have 
 tliis instant received your's of 'I'uesday. I hope to be 
 able to leave London by the time you mention. The three 
 things which I have to settle, if possible, are — the house, 
 the furniture, and a successor ; and I do hope another week 
 will arrange the two former. I only fear for the latter, and 
 this makes me uneasy ; however, as I shall retain the cura- 
 cy till Christnfds, there is still tin^e and opportunity ; only, 
 so much depends on a desirable substitute for the summer, 
 otherwise ail might be overthrown. 
 
 " Saturday morning, six o'clock, — 1 went yesterday to 
 the hospital, and spent three hours in very close inspection 
 of the miserable objects whom it includes. \ have now re- 
 solved on taking the house It is in (-hester-street, about 
 a hundred yards from the Lock ; it is surrounded by fields, 
 has a very pleasant piospect, charming air, great retire- 
 ment and quietness, with a little garden, a remarkable neat 
 exterior, and as peat and comfortable an interior. 
 
 "Our final removal, if we can get a curate, must be in 
 the middle of June. I am asked, and have consented to 
 preach the Charity Sermon at Newport, on May 16th. I 
 must once more assure you, that I shall not stay a day lon- 
 ger than absolute business requires. I trust our separation 
 has been for the best and tiiat our temporal and spiritual 
 concerns, our views and resolutions, tempers and prmci- 
 ples, will all thrive and prosper for the better. God bless 
 the dear children. Kind regards to your fireside, from 
 your truly affectionate husband, 
 
 " L. Richmond." 
 
 Mr. Richmond's connexion with the Lock chapel was 
 not of very long duration. A few weeks after he had 
 
52 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 been exercising his ministry in this place, the rectory of 
 Turvey, m Bedfordshire, became vacanr by the death of 
 the late Rev. Erasmus Middieton, author of " Biographia 
 Evangelical Mrs Fuller, an eminently pious lady, was 
 at that period in possession of the patronage of this bene- 
 fice ; and being desirous of conscientiously fulfilling the 
 important and sacred trust committed to her, she wrote to 
 the late Ambrose Serle, Esq., one of the commissioners of 
 the Transport Office, author ot " Horaa SolitarcE,^'' and 
 many other vahiable works, stating that as she was much in- 
 debted to him for the benefit she had received from his 
 writings, she would present the rectory of Turvey to any 
 clergyman, of similar sentiments with himself, whom he 
 might choose to refommend. Mr. Serle \rho at that time 
 attended the Lock chapel as his constant place of worship, 
 immediately fixed on Mr. Richmond, as the fittest person 
 among hiS clerical friends and cormexions to fill this situa- 
 tion. It is, however, a fact, highly honourable to hini. 
 and a proof of the purity of his motives, that Mr. Rich- 
 mond could with difficulty be persuaded to accept the no- 
 mination. To use the words of another truly pious and 
 excellent clergyman, who has refused to exchange a small 
 curacy for three livings successively offered to him, and 
 who, probably from this circumstance, will be recognised 
 by many of the clerical readers of this memoir, " What 
 can a man want who is useful and happy ?" And, to cite 
 the remark of another, upon this truly Christian sentiment, 
 ••' What can he want who has Christ in his ministrations, 
 and Christ's love in his heart ?" 
 
 The objection which Mr. Richmond made to his accept- 
 ance of this benefice, was, the apprehension that he should 
 enter a sphere of much less usefulness than that in which 
 he was then engaged An extensive field now lay open 
 before him, and a competency was pledged to him ; but 
 the tenure was uncertain. He dreaded, however, to be 
 limited in his exertions to a small village ; not being aware, 
 at that time, that the population of Turvey consisted ot 
 eight or nine hundred souls. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 53 
 
 At length, he yielded to the judgment of his friends, 
 and entered on his labours at Turvey. He was inducted 
 into the church by iiis friend Mr. Fry, on the 30th of July ; 
 and, with his family- went to reside at the parsonage, in 
 the month of October following At the time of his in- 
 duction, he wrote the following letter to Mrs. Richmond : — 
 « Emberton, July 30, 1805. 
 
 '' My dearest Mary, 
 
 " I arrived safely, under divine blessing, at this good 
 man's house, to diimer, yesterday. I have but a few mi- 
 uutes, for a few lines ; but I must send that few. I went 
 to Turvey this morning. I like the place — I like the 
 house ; and I feel disposed to be well pleased, in spite of 
 the casement windows, which are veiy good in their kind. 
 I was inducted amidst the ringing of bells and congrega- 
 tion of people, who assembled in troops, to peep at the 
 new rector, and witness the ceremony The church is 
 very handsome and commodious. The day is delightful, 
 and every thing appeared to adv mtage There are seve- 
 ral conveniencies about the premises. I shall reserve all 
 farther particulars, for conversation on Thursday evening, 
 when I hope to see you. To-morrow I go to Mr. Big- 
 gins, and to make various inquiries at the rectory ; and in 
 the evening, I preach for Mr. Fry. A vast many discus- 
 sions, references, and settlements must be made ; and ] 
 see, that in the opinion of all concerned, several things 
 must be allowed to the Miss Middletons ; but others also 
 must be conceded to me. A very gracious interview took 
 place between us. We went to Bedford, for the necessary 
 papers for induction. 
 
 " My first impression of all the premises at Turvey, 
 was a favourable one ; and I am persuaded all may be 
 comfortable, with a blessing on a contented and satisfied 
 heart. 
 
 " So pray for 
 " Your affectionate husband, 
 " The Kector of Turvey." 
 
 •"Kiss little ones." 
 
 «* 
 
54 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Commencement of his ministerial labours at Turvey — 
 Former state of the parish — Plans and exertions for its 
 improvement — Judicious rules and regulations of his 
 Friendly Society — Effect of his exertions — His * Fathers 
 of the English Church' — Doctrine and mode of preach- 
 ing — Brief reflections on controversy. 
 
 Mr. Richmond commenced his residence at Turvey, in 
 October, 18U5. But before we enter on the detail of his 
 ministerial labours there, it may be proper to advert to the 
 state and circumstances of the parish, previous to his ap- 
 pointment to it as rector. 
 
 The village of Turvey is situated between the two towns 
 ot Bedford and Olney ; being eight miles distant from the 
 former, and four from the latter. Tt was anciently the re- 
 sidence of a noble family, some of whose warlike ancestors 
 repose beneath the beautiful and splendid marble monu- 
 ments which adorn the chancel of the church. What 
 was once the mansion, is now converted into a farm-house. 
 Having long ceased to retain its original magnificence, it 
 seems, in its present form, to announce the transitory cha- 
 racter of human grandeur. The family of the Mordaunts, 
 subsequently Earls of Peterborough, illustrious as it once 
 was in British history, and celebrated for its achievements 
 in arms, now no longer exists, having become extinct in 
 the year 1814. How justly may we apply to these in- 
 stances of the instability of all earthly dignities, the im- 
 pressive exclamation of a distinguished judge of former 
 days :* — '< And yet Time hath his revolutions ; there must 
 be a period and an end to all temporal things — an end of 
 
 * Lord Chief Justice Crewe, in the time of Charles U^ 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 55 
 
 names and dignities, and of whatsoever is terrene. For 
 where is Bohun ? — where is Mowbray ? — where is Morti- 
 mer ? Nay, which is more, and most of all, where is 
 Plantagenet ? They are entombed in the urns and sepul- 
 chres of mortality !" 
 
 Previous to Mr. Richmond's incumbency, the village of 
 Turvey appears to have been greatly neglected. The du- 
 ties of the church were irregularly performed ; nor was 
 there ever more than one service on the Sabbath-day, in 
 a population of at least 800 mhabitaiits. The ordinances 
 of religion were not respected ; the minds of the people 
 were grossly ignorant, and their morals and manners rude 
 and disorderly. The Rev. Erasmus Middleton was Mr. 
 Richmond's immediate predecessor ; a man distinguished 
 both for his learning and piety. By him, the services of 
 the church were increased ; and the work of reformation 
 was gradually, though slowly, advancing, when this faithful 
 minister w; s prematurely cut oft, in the midst of his exer- 
 tions, having retained his office only for the short period of 
 one year. 
 
 Mr. Richmond succeeded Mr. Middleton ; and entered 
 on his new appointment with a reputation for talents and 
 piety, which excited a great interest in the neighbourhood, 
 and an expectation of extensive usefulness among his pa- 
 rishioners. The text of his first sermon was taken from 
 1 Cor. ii. 2 : " For I determined not to know any thing 
 among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." From 
 these words, he uniformly preached on every returning 
 anniversary of his incumbency, and continued to do so till 
 the last year of his life. 
 
 To those who overlook the comprehensive meaning of 
 this passage of holy Scripture, the text may seem to be too 
 limited in its view, and to restrict the whole summary oi' 
 divine truth to the doctrine of the Atonement, without a 
 due regard to other important branches of Christian faith 
 and practice. But let it be remembered, that the same 
 Apostle, who "determined to know nothing but Jesus 
 Christ, and him crucified," avows, also> that he had " not 
 
56 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 sliunned to declare all the counsel of God," {Acts xx. 27 ;) 
 and, consequently, the passage must be supposed to com- 
 prise, within its ample range, the full extent and substance 
 of every thing that is needful to the faith and practice of 
 the Christian ; nor is there a subject, of doctrine or gf 
 morals, which is not essentially identified with the doctrine 
 of the Cross. It is there that we best learn the malignity 
 of sin, the nature and duty of repentarsce, the character of 
 holiness, the motives and means for its attainment, and the 
 dutiful obligation to " glorify God with our bodies and our 
 spirits, which are his." 
 
 The following account of Mr. Richmond's proceedings 
 at Turvey, will convey to the readet a just notion of his 
 zeal and judgment, in promoting the welfare of his parish. 
 
 On the Sabbath-day, there were two regular full services ; 
 and, in the evening, a lecture, more especially designed for 
 the young. His weekly labours consisted of what he called 
 his Tuesday-night cottage lecture from its being held suc- 
 cessively in the cottages of the poor, whom he assembled 
 in small groups, for the purpose of more familiar and inte- 
 rior instruction than could be usefully or suitably delivered 
 in public. On Friday evening, a lecture was delivered in 
 the church, the prayers for the evening service being pre- 
 viously read ; and, once a month, he met the communi- 
 cants, on the Saturday preceding the sacrament. He had, 
 also, a weekly service at the work-house. His labours 
 were not confined to public instructions : like his divine 
 Master, " he went about doing good." At the cottages 
 of the poor, he was a frequent visiter ; fulfilling the apos- 
 tolical injunction, of going from *' house to house," scat- 
 tering the precious seed, making himself acquainted with 
 their spiritual state, and gathering, from their answers, 
 useful hints and reflections for the services of the succeed- 
 ing Sabbath. 
 
 A Sunday-school had been established at Turvey for 
 many years, endowed by Charles Higgins, Esq., who be- 
 queathed 300Z. in support of the charity. John Higgins, 
 Esq., of Turvey Abbey, his nephew and successor, ha.-- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 57 
 
 irenerously paid an interest for the bequest, of 20Z. a-year* 
 The school, though well attended before, had its numbers 
 considerably increased, and its regulations greatly improved 
 by the new rector. He appointed a master of real piety ; 
 justly considering, that on the principles and character of 
 the teacher, the efficiency and usefulness of these institu- 
 tions materially depend. Mr. Richmond was accustomed 
 to visit the school previous to divine service ; and, for the 
 children's benefit chiefly, he engaged in a third service in 
 the church on the Sunday evening. Here the first fruits 
 of his ministry appeared. The conversion of two young 
 people, wh«» afterward died in the faith, followed his in- 
 troductory address to children. Mr Richmond, indeed, 
 was pecuharly happy on these occasions, and no part of 
 his labours was attended with a more striking effect. 
 
 Shortly afterward, he established a FViendly Society. 
 Objections have not unfrequenlly been made to societies of 
 this description, and a preference given to savings-banks. 
 It must t)e admitted, that some of these objections are not 
 without foundation. It has been said, '* that the usual sub- 
 scription of the members is insufficient to furnish a fund 
 for the support of the aged — an insufficiency greatly in- 
 creased by gross mismanagement. That ordinary friendly 
 societies are republics of the worst kind ; in which are 
 found no men of talent or judgment, to control the dis- 
 orders of their meetings, which too often present scenes of 
 drunkenness, contenticm, and misapplication of their funds ; 
 — evils which, sooner or later, never fail to issue in bank- 
 ruptcy. 'I'hat a fifth part of the funds is regularly allowed 
 for liquor, under the idea of encouraging the landlord, at 
 whose house the subscriptions are usually paid. That the 
 8ys«tem is productive of much immorality. That the poor 
 man is alienated from his home, and longs for the excite- 
 ment of company. That associations and habits are form- 
 ed, which bring on a train of serious evils. That, to tho 
 sum allowed from the club, the poor man often adds a large 
 part of his weekly earnings, and, instead of exercising 
 prudence and economy, he wastes his money in intern 
 
58 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 perate indulgence. These abuses of benefit societies have 
 disgusted many persons, and induced them to give a pre- 
 ference to savings banks, unaccorupanied with annual din- 
 ners and monthly resorts to the public- house. Admitting* 
 however, the existence of these evils, and without detract- 
 ing from the great public good of the savings-banks, it 
 ought to be remembered, that the abuses complained of, 
 form no just grounds of excepti<m to friendly societies 
 conducted on better principles ; and that the savings-banks 
 cannot accomplish the satne benefits, or in an equal degree. 
 Their character and use is widely different from those of 
 friendly societies. The little tradesman, the domestic 
 servant, the bailiff or overseer of a farm, and others in 
 similar circumstances, may find in the banks, a safe and 
 profitable repository for their savings ; but the labourer, 
 especially if a married man, has no inclination to lay up 
 the small sums he subscribes' to a friendly society ; and 
 these sums, if deposited at the banks would, in few 
 cases, meet his necessities in sickness and old age. A 
 long illness would exhaust his deposits, and oblige him to 
 throw himself on his friends or the parish, for a maij'.tenance ; 
 but the friendly societies are, strictly, insurance com- 
 panies: and if their funds be regulated by a just rate of in- 
 surance, without which, it is granted, no friendly society 
 deserves support — and if they be wisely and properly ma- 
 naged, no institution is better calculated to afford the poor 
 a comfortable and certain independency. 
 
 Mr. Richmond, who was no mean financier, was fully 
 competent to determine the scale of subscription ; and by 
 his judicious arrangements to prevent the evils complained 
 of, and effectually secure to the poor the benefits of a 
 friendly society. It is greatly to be desired that his plans 
 were universally known ; and that all benefit societies 
 were formed, or re modelled on similar principles. For 
 the information of the public, the following sketch of the 
 Turvey club has been inserted. 
 
 The Friendly Society of Turvey, was composed of three 
 divisions. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 59 
 
 Firet, A club for children of both sexes, from seven to 
 sixteen years of age ; each member pays one shilHng en- 
 trance, and a penny per month ; and is allowed in sickness 
 eighteen-pencc per week. From three to four pounds is 
 the yearly expenditure on sick members. The society has 
 deposited 60Z. in the savings-bank, after twenty years' 
 duration. Its membei-s have varied from twenty to forty 
 children. At sixteen years of age a member becomes 
 eligible to the senior clul:s, and is entitled to receive half 
 the entrance for admission. 
 
 Secondly, The club for women, confined to persons from 
 seventeen to thirty-five years of age. The entrance is five 
 killings ; the monthly subscription one shilling, or one 
 shilling and eight-pence, at the option of the members. 
 Those who subscribe the larger sum, receive six shillings 
 per week in illness ; and to the lesser subscriber is paid 
 four shillings weekly. The number of members has varied 
 from thirty to forty The average payments for the last 
 twenty years is 20/., and the society has 200/. in the 
 vings-bank. 
 
 Thirdly, The men^s club, also, forms a double class, who 
 pay seven shillings and sixpence entrance and one shil- 
 ling, or one shilling and fourpence monthly ; and they re- 
 ceive eight shillings or six shillings weekly in sickness. 
 Their annual expenditure has been £36, and their present 
 fund amounts to nearly £400. These clubs have about 
 twenty honorary members, who greatly contribute to the 
 opulence and prosj)erily of these institutions ; and their 
 !>ounty, joined to the subscriptions of a constant succes- 
 lon of young members, Mr. Richmond considered, on the 
 alculation of the Northampton tables, to be adequate to 
 the demands of the club. The rules and regulations of 
 the Tuney club, resemble, in most respects, those of other 
 friendly societies ; but some additions and amendments 
 were made by Mr. Richmond, too important to be omitted. 
 First — No persons of immoral character were admis- 
 sible, or such as were hkely to disgrace the society by ha- 
 
GO MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 bits of drinking, impurity, cursing and swearing, or other 
 notorious crimes. 
 
 Secondly. — A careful superintendence was maintained 
 over the members, by Mr. Richmond and the officers of 
 the society. Offenders were admonished ; and after 
 three admonitions, if unreclaimed, were excluded from the 
 benefits of the society. 
 
 Thirdly. — The practice of assembling the members of 
 these societies at public houses, and of spending a portion 
 of their funds in liquor, was prohibited ; and their meet- 
 ings were held in the vestry of the church, at which Mr. 
 Richmond constantly attended. By this arrangement near- 
 ly a fifth part of the funds was saved, and the temptations 
 of the public house prevented. 
 
 In this, and indeed in all other plans of improvement. 
 Mr. Richmond was the presiding genius. Every thing 
 was conducted under his eye, and owed its success to his 
 wisdom and example. He possessed the happy talent of 
 exciting interest, conciliating regard and meeting difficul- 
 ties with calmness ; he overcame impediments by a gentle- 
 ness that disarmed opposition, a judgment that corrected 
 mistake, and a temper which diffused universal harmony. 
 There was an openness in his manner, which impressed all 
 with a conviction of his sincerity, and prevented a suspi- 
 cion of his having any other motive, than a wish to pro- 
 mote the welfare of his parishioners. 
 
 Where he met with opposition, he did not hazard the 
 failure of his measures by indiscreetly urging them ; but 
 he rather left his arguments silently and gradually to pro- 
 duce their effect. Circumspection and caution marked 
 every part of his conduct ; his great aim being at all times 
 to give no offence in any thing, that " the ministry might 
 not be blamed." He was consistent throughout, in his 
 ordinary intercourse with his parishioners ; and thus, the 
 energy of his zeal in the pulpit was known not to be the 
 excitement of the moment, " the sparks of his own kind- 
 ling ;" but the steady flame of a Divine spirit, imparting 
 to others the sacred glow which animated his own bosom. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 61 
 
 To the character, example, and authority of Mr. Rich- 
 mond, the members of these societies submitted their 
 judgment, and yielded, for the most part, a ready acquies- 
 cence in his counsels. 
 
 Notwithstanding the acknowledged excellence of these 
 plans, there appears to the writer of this memoir, one im- 
 portant defect. His societies were still <»f republican cha- 
 racter ; and it was competent to the members to injure 
 their own interests, by an overpowering majority. On one 
 occasion, this defective government had nearly proved fa- 
 tal to the Turvey club. The funds had increa ;d beyond 
 the expectation of the members, who, in a time of great 
 pressure, resolved to appropriate a portion of them to the 
 relief of llieir necessities ; and they were with difficulty 
 hindered from their purpose, by his firmness and personal 
 influence. This defect is remedied in a society formed at 
 Emberton, on Mr. Richmond's plan. One of the rules of 
 which provides, that no proposition shall pass into a law, 
 without the concurrence of the president and honorary 
 members. Mr. Richmond acknowledged the improve- 
 ment upon his principle, observing, with his usual frank- 
 ness, " our good friend at Emberton has secured by law, 
 what I have effected by personal influence." 
 
 It is very desirable that the rules of these societies, after 
 a time, should be enrolled according to act of parliament ; 
 by which they become legal corporations, and the evil at- 
 tending the removal of such men as Mr. Richmond, is 
 provided for, as far, at least, as it can be done, by bringing 
 these societies under the sanction and protection of the 
 law, and thus enabling the better informed of the poor 
 themselves, to ensure the proper application of their funds, 
 and control the sudden impulse of popular feeling. 
 
 Mr. Richmond's club, like other similar institutions, 
 kept their anniversary ; but in a different way, and with 
 different effects. These feasts are usually held at the pub- 
 lic house, and lead to much disorder. The feast at Tur- 
 vey was not a revel of riot and drunkenness ; but a gene- 
 rous hospitality, consistent with Christian principle. Mr. 
 
62 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Richmond invited, on these occasions, a number of h\^ 
 clerical brethren, and other respectahle ladies and gentle- 
 men in the neighbourhood, who usually assembled at Tur- 
 ve}', to the number of thirty or forty persons, and with a 
 large concourse of the villagers, accouipanied the society 
 to the church. The subjoined letter gives a pleasing ac- 
 count of the proceedings of the day. 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " You wish me to give you some account of the anniver- 
 sary of Mr. Richmond's Friendly Societies. This I shall 
 do with pleasure, having attended several of them. 
 
 " He generally kept the anniversary in Whitsun- 
 week. You already know that Mr. R. has three Friendly 
 Societies ; one for men, a second for women, and a third 
 for young persons. Hence it frequently happens, that the 
 father is a member of the one, the mother of another, and 
 the children of the third. Each club consists of the higher 
 and middle classes of parishioners, as well as of the poor. 
 The former contribute, but do not share in the benefit, 
 while the latter are thus more liberally assisted. 
 
 " On the anniversary, all these clubs go to church and 
 hear a sermon, after which they dine together in the school- 
 room. As this is an important place on the occasion, you 
 must indulge me with a moment of your time, while I show 
 you its interior. Imagine to yourself a fine, large, airy 
 room, with a lofty ceiling, following the form of the roof of 
 the building ; the floor even, and the walls, as well as the 
 top, beautifully white Every part of the room is orna- 
 mented with the staves of the different members, painted blue. 
 and disposed upon the walls, somewhat like the swords and 
 halberts in an armoury. These are surmounted with bou- 
 quets and festoons of flowers in rich profusion ; for which, 
 the 'squires' gardens and shrubberies are laid under such 
 heavy contributions, that it needs almost a year to replenish 
 them. Think of the variety of flowers and shrubs that a 
 village like Turvey w ould produce at Whitsuntide, and you 
 may conclude that the choicest of them are to be found 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND* 63 
 
 most tastefully disposed over the room. One garland is 
 suspended from the centre, and which is carried before the 
 clubs to the 'church, instead of any colours In the centre 
 of this garland, which is in the form of a sphere, there is a 
 triangle, emblematical of the three clubs united in one ; 
 and in the centre of the top of the room hangs the triangle 
 of Unity, which I shall have occasion to notice by and by. 
 Four tables are placed round the room, so as to form one. 
 That at the top for the honorary members, the clergy and 
 gentry ; on the right are placed the men, on the left the 
 Women- and at the lower table the children. I have been 
 thus minute, because the order as well as the elegance dis- 
 played on the occasion, contributes much to the good effect 
 of the whole. At eleven o'clock the 'squires of Turvey, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Richmond with their friends, and some of 
 the neighbouring clergy, assemble to meet the club, near 
 the school-rotMU A. long train of members of the different 
 clubs proceed in order to the church, headed by the rec- 
 tor ; the benefit m«'mbers all carrying blue staves. The 
 same order is observed on returning from church to the 
 school-room. A visiter generally preaches the sermon. 
 
 '♦ We were disbanded at the school-room, and allowed 
 an hour to ramble about ; after which we were summoned 
 to dinner by a bell. Fhe members had taken their places 
 when we entered the room. We were disposed at the chief 
 table, and on a signal given all rose up, and Mr. Richmond 
 said the grace. The covers v/ere removed, and we enjoyed 
 a very nice dinner. After dinner, the following grace was 
 sung by the whole company, standing : — 
 
 ** We thank the Lord for this our food, 
 
 But more becHune of Jenu^s blood; 
 
 Let manoa to our {luuls he gn^en, 
 
 The bread of life sent down from heaven." 
 
 " At this part of the day, as many of the villagers as 
 can approach the doors and windows, are allowed to gratify 
 their curiosity in seeing and hearing what is going on. Af- 
 ter a glass of wine at our tables, and the simpler beverage 
 
64 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 of nut-brown ale at the tables on our right and left, the 
 steward for the day proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Richmond, for their attention to the interests of the 
 club U|)on which, Mr. Richmond rose and addressed 
 them at some length on the principles of these societies, 
 and he had recourse to the triangle before mentioned, on 
 whose sides were written, ' P'aith, Hope, Charity ;' and 
 on crossbars, ' Mutual Support, Unity, Patience,' &c. 
 He commented on these with his usual simplicity and piety, 
 reverting to the early history of the institution, and urging 
 the necessity of keeping those principles steadily in view, 
 both in regard to their conduct in the management of their 
 society, and towards each other. He dwelt also on the 
 subject of the perpetuity of clubs, and the necessity of ta- 
 king the calculation of human life from more recent tables, 
 than those from which it had hitherto been made ; experi- 
 ence having proved that human life is generally longer than 
 had been supposed. I need not say he made himself un- 
 derstood ; but I may say he gave the whole discussion- 
 such an air of interest, that all were delighted, as well as 
 improved. 
 
 " A few minutes after Mr. Richmond had resumed his 
 seat, the steward proposed the thanks of the societies to 
 the honorary members, for their countenance and support. 
 When this had passed, Mr. Grimshaw arose on the part of 
 the honorary members. His address contained a strong 
 appeal to their moral principles, and was heard with much 
 interest. After a short interval, the honourable Mr. Powys 
 made an address, in which he exhibited such a burst of 
 feeling as almost to prevent utterance for some moments. 
 His remarks produced a more than ordinary effect on the 
 whole assembly. He held in his hand a narrative of a 
 waterman, who had plied upon the river Thames, and by his 
 honest industry, had been able not only to educate several 
 of his relatives and settle them in the world, but also to 
 leave considerable pecuniary legacies to some public reli- 
 gious societies. This book he presented to Mrs. Rich- 
 mond, with a reque3t that she would lend it to the raenxberf? 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 65 
 
 ol' tlic club, to teach them the blessings of patient indus- 
 tr}', with the fear of God. He pointed out to them in the 
 waterman's character, his conscientious observance of the 
 Sabbath, in his steady refusal to ply on the river on that 
 (lay. 
 
 " What I said, I must leave you to conjecture. The 
 happy countenances around me — the beautiful effect of 
 the pendant flowers, and the sweet union of ' young men 
 and maidens, old men and children,' filled my mind with 
 so many pleasing id<;as. that I assure you I could not con- 
 tinue silent, nor refrain from contrasting the scenes of 
 wretchedness I had witnessed in the manufacturing dis- 
 tricts of the north, with the comfort and tranquillity of 
 Turvey. 
 
 *' I have mentioned to you, that I was present at several 
 of these anniversaries, and I could not help observing 
 that they were so managed, as never to present an unin- 
 teresting sameness. Some new incident furnished a plea- 
 sing variety. On one occasion, the senior chaplain of Si. 
 Helena was present. With a view to inspire content- 
 ment amongst the poor, he drew a lively contrast between 
 their comforts and his own privations m that island. He 
 told them, that in consequence of the failure of the regu- 
 lar supplies of provisions, they were frequently reduced to 
 the necessity of eating salted beef, as black and hard as 
 the piece of mahogany which he held in his hand. After 
 describing Buonaparte's residence at Longwood, he pro- 
 duced a lock of his hair, which was handed round the 
 tables, and of course examined with eager curiosity. 
 
 *' Without entering into further detail. I would make 
 this general remark — that so much cheerful sobriety, de- 
 corum and good feeling, were every where visible, as to 
 afford a lively illustration of St. Paul's precept, * using 
 this world as not abusing it.' 
 
 " At the close of the meeting, Mr. Richmond requested 
 
 a part of the company to drink tea with him at his own 
 
 house. His conversation was carried on in the same im- 
 
 provinir strain, and was calculated to engage the attention 
 
 7* 
 
66 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 of the younger clergy of his neighbourhood, whom he- 
 frequently invited on these occasions. 
 
 " In closing my letter, one subject of mournful reflec-' 
 tion forces itself upon my mind — 'Ihese scenes are passed 
 away ! our dear friend is indeed gone to a more beauteous 
 abode — a pleasant paradise above ; but the vineyard he 
 has left may, I fear, in some future day. be overgrown with 
 weeds- and the anniversary at Turvey cease to present 
 the same happy fruits to win our admiration, to console 
 and improve our hearts. Yet many of the members of 
 the Friendly Societies at Turvey, are members of Christ. 
 These will follow their beloved pastor, their father, and 
 their friend, to that blessed society, whose members are 
 ' no more sick.' 
 
 "That you and I may be numbered with them, is the 
 sincere wish of your faithful friend, 
 
 " Amos Westoby." 
 
 The good effects of these societies were universally felt. 
 The poor learned to enjoy hospitality without excess. An 
 occasional intercourse between rich and poor, called forth 
 affections and emotions of sympathy and kindness in the 
 one, of respect and gratitude in the other. Instead of 
 the usual scenes at such meetings, a cheerfulness and de- 
 corum without constraint prevailed, and a respect for re- 
 ligion gave a sacred character to the whole. It is re- 
 markable, that for twenty anniversaries, though an instance 
 or two might be selected, of persons retiring from the 
 meeting to a public-house, not a single instance of intem- 
 perance occurred at the school-room. Another good 
 effect of these societies was strikingly exemplified in the 
 improvement of the female character. A lamentable de- 
 parture from propriety previous to marriage, was general, 
 before the establishment of these societies ; afterward, 
 however, it was a rare occurrence. 
 
 As might be expected, his exertions on the week day 
 contributed, in no small degree, to give effect to Mr. 
 Richmond's ministry, and attach the people to it. The 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 67 
 
 church ^vas numerously attended ; the sabbath became a 
 hallowed day, and its approach was anticipated with lively 
 expectation. The Gospel was preached with fidelity, and 
 heard with deep and solemn interest. Many were awa- 
 kened from a state of insensibility and thoughtlessness, to a 
 just estimation of the truths which they heard from their 
 beloved pastor. Instances were not wanting, of sound 
 and solid conversion ; and even those who received little 
 spiritual benefit, learned to treat reHgion with respect, and 
 began to exhibit a decency of deportment. Vice did not 
 lift up the head with its wonted effrontery, nor was sin 
 committed with the same fearless unconcern 
 
 Another circumstance in the ministry of Mr. Rich- 
 mond, deserves the particular attention of the reader ; 
 we mean the examination of candidates for the com- 
 munion. It has often been objected to the Church of 
 England, that her ministers admit to the LiOrd's Supper 
 indiscriminately, and without due regard to the principles 
 and character of the communicants. 'J'he charge cannot 
 apply to a consistent minister of the Established Church. 
 He is empowered, nay, required, by the instructions of 
 that church, to put in force her discipline— to examine, to 
 reject, or admit at his own discretion ; subject, indeed, as 
 it ought to be, to the approval of his superior. 
 
 Mr. Richmond, as a faithful son of the church, and a 
 no less faithful minister of the Gospeh endeavoured to 
 carry into effect the requirements of the Rubric, and the 
 directions of the Holy Scriptures : 1 Cor, v. 7, &c. ; xi. 
 28. The person proposing himself for the communion, 
 was examined, and a year of probation was recommended 
 to him for the trial of his sincerity, and the manifestation 
 of it by a consistent and virtuous conversation. Perhaps 
 there were few communions which exhibited a more satis- 
 factory piety ; and the attendants at the sacrament were, 
 for the most part, the fruits of his own ministry, and the 
 dearest objects of his heart : he was regarded by them as 
 a father ; they consulted him on all occasions, and received 
 advice aad sympathy in all their affairs, both temporal and 
 
68 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 spiritual. At once respected and beloved by " the chil- 
 dren which God had given him," he, in return, watched 
 over them with anxiety, prayed for them with earnestness, 
 instructed them with diligence, ruled them with mildness, 
 jind regarded them with the affection of an apostle : " for 
 now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." — 1 Thess iii. 8. 
 
 While Mr Richmond was thus fulfilling the duties of an 
 active and laborious parish priest, he commenced a work, 
 which justly entitles him to the gratitude of present and 
 succeeding generations. We allude to the ' Fathers of 
 the English Church,' a publication containing copious and 
 impartial selections from the writings of our Reformers^ 
 and comprising a valuable mass of theological knowledge, 
 illustrative of the doctrines of the Reformation. Nothing 
 of the kind had ever been attempted, and perhaps, few 
 modern divines possessed the requisite means of infor- 
 mation. 
 
 The circumstance to which Mr. Richmond was indebted 
 for his superiority on this subject, is singular, and deserves 
 insertion. While he resided in the Isle of Wight, and 
 shortly after his perusal of ' Wilberforce's Practical View,' 
 which had effected so striking a change in his own senti- 
 ments and character, a grocer at Newport ^ent him some 
 trifling article wrapped up in a leaf of Bishop Jewell's 
 Apology. His attention was directed to the wrapper by 
 one of his family, who jocosely remarked, '< this looks as 
 if it would suit you, Legh." He read the leaf, and instantly 
 set off for Newport, to inquire after the remaining pages. 
 The grocer, smiling at the anxiety of his clerical customer, 
 replied, " O yes, Sir, here they are, and 1 have a whole 
 hogshead of these worthies ; they are much at your ser- 
 vice, for two-pence a pound." The treasure was speedily 
 and joyfully secured ; and to this incident, trivial as it may 
 appear, Mr. Richmond owed his extensive and profound 
 acquaintance with the authors of the Reformation. 
 
 It is, indeed, a humiliating consideration, that works 
 like these should lose the veneration of posterity, and be 
 treated with the contempt due only to the meanest pro- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 69 
 
 ductions of the day. It was an honour reserved for Mr. 
 Richmond, to draw from obscurity the writings of those 
 eminent men, who had shaken empires by their discus- 
 sions, overthrown systems whicli centuries had struggled 
 to uphold, and seahng their testimony with their blood, 
 bequeathed a sacred legacy of pure doctrine to the Pro- 
 testant church. 
 
 At the urgent and repeated entreaties of a large body 
 of the clergy, Mr. Richmond consented to lay before the 
 public a prospectus of his plan, about the year 1806 ; and 
 shortly after, he published the work itself in numbers, 
 which was completed in eight volumes. It was favourably 
 received, and is allowed to be executed with much judg- 
 ment and impartiality. On the whole, the selection is 
 rich and appropriate — presenting a perfect uniformity of 
 sentiment in the great essentials of Christianity ; and if 
 compared with the writings of many modern divines, de- 
 tecting in those writings a mournful departure from the 
 truth. Some parts of the selection mijrht, perhaps,, have 
 been omitted, without injury to the cause of vital religion ; 
 and other extracts added, which w »uld have increased the 
 value of the publication The candid reader will allow 
 for these defects, and duly appreciate what has been ac- 
 complished. It is only wonderful, that amidst incessant 
 parochial labour, when it was diffir.nlt to find moments 
 unemployed or spiiits unexhausted. Mr Richmond should 
 have been able to bring together so much valuable material 
 with credit to himself and advant^ige to the church of God. 
 A man less devoted would have shrunk from the task, or 
 have failed in its execution But the :i|>ostle's command 
 was Legh Richmond's motto throusrh life ; " give thyself 
 wholly to them." His heart was in his work : he turned 
 for relaxation to his employment, and found refreshment in 
 ita variety. 
 
 From this brief mention of the * Fathers of the English 
 Church,' we are naturally led to the consideration of the 
 doctrines in that work, to which Mr. Richmond attached 
 
70 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 SO much importance, and which furnished the leading to- 
 pics of his own ministry. 
 
 He has often been heard to declare, " that two great 
 subjects pervaded the Bible — sin, and salvation from sin ; 
 and that these ought to form the basis of the Christian mi- 
 nistry." 
 
 In his addresses from the pulpit he never failed to point 
 out, distinctly and forcibly, mans ruin by the fall — his 
 condemnation under the law, and his moral inalnlity to deli- 
 ver himself by any 'power or strength of his own. — Free 
 and full justif cation, through faith in the atoning blood 
 and righteousness of the Redeemer — the naure of thai 
 faith, and its fruits and evidences, — tlie agency of the 
 Holy Spirit, in the regeneration and sanctif cation of be- 
 lievers ; — and the necessity of personal righteousness, or a 
 conformity of heart and life with the irord of God — not as 
 the title to heaven, but as a meetness for its enjoyment. 
 These are fundamental doctrines, in which all true Chris- 
 tians, without distinction of sect or party, cordially unite. 
 They have been the food of the church of God m all ages — 
 the manna which has sustained her children in the many 
 and diversified scenes of human trial and mfirmity ; they 
 have been the sontr of their pilgrimage : their joy in tri- 
 bulation ; their light in darkness, and their guide to life 
 and immoriahty 
 
 Jn addition to the above-mentioned doctrines. Mr. Rich- 
 mond adopted the view.* which are commonly called Cal- 
 vir)istic ; but nut in that offensive sense in which they arc 
 frequently, though most erroneously imputed. It is not 
 the intention of the editor to enter here on the Calvinistic 
 controversy : this is neither the time nor the place for such 
 a discussion. He may offer a still better reason for his 
 silence — the conviction which he has long entertained, 
 that the real question at issue, and the one in which the 
 interests of true religion are moai concerned, is not, whe- 
 ther the Ai tides of our Church, anH the sentiments (»f the 
 Reformers, be more or less Calvinistic ; but whether we 
 spiritually understand, and cordially embrace those fundn- 
 
REV. lEGH RICHMOND. 71 
 
 mental principles, the belief of which is indispensable to 
 salvation, and the well-being of every ('hrisiian community. 
 
 These principles are stated, with admirable precision, 
 and strict adherence both to the letter and spirit of the 
 Scriptures, in the 9th, 10th, Uth, 12ih and 13th Articles 
 of the Church of England ; and must ever entitle her to 
 rank among the purest of the reformed churches. Satisfied 
 with the principles there laid down, we may safely allow a 
 latitude of interpretation on points which, though deemed 
 important by some, are not maintained by any to be essen- 
 tial to salvation 
 
 The following analysis of Mr Richmond's mode of 
 preaching, is submitted to the candid consideration of 
 those persons who have fostered prejudices founded on 
 error and misrepresentation ; — prejudices not wholly un- 
 accompanied by a very culpable ignorance, and which cha- 
 rity and truth must alike lament anJ condemn. 
 
 As a preacher, he was scriptural — experimental — j*^^^- 
 tical — comprehensive — powerful in his appeals to the con- 
 sdencCf and addresses to the heart— full of pathos and in- 
 terest. 
 
 1 . He was scriptural. A rich vein of divine truth was 
 diffused through his sermons, arising from a frequent pe- 
 rusal of the Bible, and a familiar acquaintance with every 
 part of it. No man can become a sound and enlightened 
 divine, who does not give his days and nights to the study 
 of the Word of God, accompanied by prayer and medita- 
 tion. The connexion of solid piety with an intimate know- 
 ledge of the Scriptures, is indissoluble. This forms, in- 
 deed, the manual of every Christian, but belongs in a more 
 especial manner to the minister of the sanctuary. It is 
 the armoury whence he must draw all his weapons ; — it is 
 the treasury whence he is to be supplied with every motive 
 and every argument which, through the grace and power 
 of the Holy Spirit, can fix conviction on the mind, rouse 
 the torpid conscience, excite the affections of the heart, 
 and elevate the soul to God. It is the sceptre of righteous- 
 ness by which he rules and guides the flock ; — the rod 
 
OF THE 
 
 and stafi' of their support, m the dark \-alley and shadow 
 of death ; and by it they are taught the new song, which 
 will animate their praises in the land of their inheritance — 
 •» Worthy is the Lamb tiiat was slain, to receive power, and 
 riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, 
 and blessing, fur ever and ever. Amen." 
 
 Such was tJie mo<lel on which Mr. Richmond tbrmed 
 his ministr). He did not, like the polished but tlinisy es- 
 sayist in divinity, select a motto to head a discourse, vague 
 and unappropriate ; — iwr did he encumber his expositions 
 with an lumocessary parade of human learning ; nor seek 
 to attract admiration by ingenious subtleties, or wrest the 
 Scripture to subserve a svstem He regarded his office as 
 being that of an interprder ; and his aim was. with simpli- 
 city and plainness, to unfold the mind of God in his word ; 
 '^ rightly dividing the word ot truth, and giving to each 
 their portion of meat in due season. '' 
 
 2. He teas experimental. Divine trutli, from his lips, 
 was not a cold, si>eculative statement. He declared. 
 «' that which he had seen, and heard, and tasted, of the 
 word of life." From the heart he preached to the heart. 
 and seemed to enter into all its secret recesses. He de- 
 tected the illusions by which it is beguiled — he traced hu- 
 man action to its hidden s|)rings — he accompanied the soul 
 in the alternations of doubt and hope, of fear and joy, in 
 its conflicts with despair and unbelief; till, led to the foot 
 of tJie cross, it found peace with God. 
 
 3. He teas practical. He did not preach doctrine with- 
 out practice, nor practice without doctrine ; but both in 
 due proportion, in their mutual dependence, connexion, and 
 use. He connected precept with promise, and privilege 
 with duty. As a spiritual workman, he considered the 
 doctrines to be his tools, and practice the effect to be 
 wrought out by them ; adopting the sentiment of one of 
 his tavourite Reformers—** truly it is said. * without Iioli- 
 ness, no man shall see the Lord ;' but this I know, witliout 
 the Lord, no man shall see holiness." 
 
 4. He ttas comprehensive. Christianity, in his mode oi 
 
REV. tEOH RICHMOND. 73 
 
 eAliibitiug it> was a grauil and comprehensive whole ; while 
 the symmetry of the sovoral parts was faithfully preserved. 
 All tlie doctrines and all the precepts, — all tlio promises, 
 and all tlio characters to whom tlioy are made — all the pri- 
 vileges and all the duties, were, in turn, tlie theme of his 
 discourses. Of the doctrines, even tlio hij^hest, he would 
 say, *' I dare not omit what God has revealed to his church ; 
 nor call that useless or dant^orous, which he requires mo to 
 believe and teach." Of the privileges and pi-omisos— 
 " Human weakness needs encouragement ; it can stiuui no 
 longer tlian it is supported — it cm\ only climb by clinging." 
 Of the duties and prwepts — '• While tlie apostle charges 
 me constantly to aihrin, tliat thosi^ who have believe<l be 
 careful to maintain good works, my good people must allow 
 me lo stir up their pure minds in the way of remembrance." 
 
 The well iulbnued reader will easily discern the old di- 
 vine in these sentiments. The highest Calvinist, in former 
 days, took iu the whole range of Christian faith and prac- 
 tice. Usher and others of the supralapsariun school, are 
 as minute and particular in explaining and enforcing die 
 law, in all its ramifications, as tliey were full and glowing 
 in setting forth the grace of the CJospel ; and insisted as 
 strenuously on the necessity and importance of good works, 
 as tlie lowest Arminian. 
 
 5. Ue was imprctnipe in hia appeals to the heart and 
 cmuakmce. No man better understood that part of a dis- 
 coom which coasists in the application. Some preachera 
 are very deiicient in this respect ; either wholly omitting 
 to apply their subject, or fur tlie most part failing in dis- 
 crimination. A discourse, to be profitublet must come 
 home to our own case. 
 
 Mr. Richmond, in appealing to his hearers, was faithful, 
 -o.irchiri'i, forcible, and impressive. ♦♦ He reproved, rebu- 
 I. with all long-sunbring and doctrine ;" but his 
 were accompanied by the most Aifecting dis- 
 plays of the mercy, power, and grace of God in the Gos- 
 pel ; and while his own oxporionco of the truths lie utter- 
 ed, L'ave an authority and efficacy to his words, God put his 
 
74 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 seal to the testimony, and crowned his labours witli 
 success. 
 
 In presenting this delineation of Mr. Richmond's mode 
 of preaching, the editor feels there would yet be something 
 wanting, to give its complete character, if it were not 
 stated more specifically, that the Saviour, in his various 
 offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, was the grand theme 
 of Mr. Richmond's ministrations. His excellence, like 
 that of a skilful painter, consisted in so arranging all the 
 subordinate parts of his picture, as to give due prominence 
 and effect to the principal figure. Christ Jesus was the 
 soul of all his discourses ; and every precept, every pro- 
 mise, derived its force and value from its bearing and re- 
 lation to Him. 
 
 A style of preaching hke this, must be allowed to be sin- 
 gularly useful, combining all that is important and requisite 
 in a Christian preacher. His ministry possessed two pe- 
 culiar excellencies, — it was too practical to make an Anti- 
 nomian, and too doctrinal to make the mere moralist. An- 
 tinomianism may indeed exist, notwithstanding the utmost 
 precaution of the preacher ; and a dependence on our own 
 works is interwoven with the very frame of our corrupt 
 nature ; but a minister is only then culpable, when his 
 mode of preaching has a direct tendency to produce either 
 the one or the other. No man was ever more free from 
 both these defects, as a preacher, nor any congregation 
 more exempt than his own from these pernicious errors. 
 In that important branch of Christian theology relating to 
 faith and works , where some preachers are most confused, 
 he was most clear and scriptural. He laid the foundation 
 in Christ alone, and in faith in his name ; — a faith which 
 was the gift of God, and the woik of his Spirit ; living, 
 energetic, fruitful and holy ; — not the cause, but the instru- 
 ment of salvation ; and he taught, that good works were 
 themselves the subjects of promise {Mich. vii. 19 ;) the ne- 
 cessary fruits and evidences of faith, but not the meritori- 
 ous conditions, in whole or in part, of the divine favour. 
 It may be thought, that where the necessity of faith and 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 75 
 
 good works is equally admitted, distinctions of this kind 
 need not be pressed with so much earnestness ; but it will 
 be found, that the right understanding of these distinctions 
 involves the most important consequences. It is not a mat- 
 ter of small moment, whether we put cause for effect, or 
 attribute to our own imperfect services, that salvation, 
 which is the result of God's free grace in Christ Jesus. So 
 far as our own doings enter into the meritorious grounds 
 of our acceptance, they destroy the character of the Gos- 
 pel ^s a dispensation of gratuitous mercy. " If by grace, 
 then is it no more of works ; otherwise, grace is no more 
 grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace ; 
 otherwise, work is no more work." — Rom. xi. 6. It has 
 I>een said, that the poor, who constitute the larger part of a 
 <:ongregation, are unable to comprehend these theological 
 subtleties, which ought not, therefore, to form a part of 
 ministerial instruction. We cannot better meet this ob- 
 jection, than by a reference to the sentiments of Bishop 
 Horsely : — " Pray earnestly to God to assist the ministra- 
 tion of the word, by the secret influence of liis Holy 
 Spirit, on the minds of your hearers ; and, nothing doubt- 
 ing that your prayers are heard, however mean and illifC' 
 rate the congregation may be, in which you exercise your 
 sacred functions, fear not to set before them the whole 
 counsel of God. Open the whole of your message without 
 reservaiion ; that every one of you may have confidence to 
 say, when he shall be called upon to give an account of 
 his stewardship, • Lord, I have not hid thy righteousness 
 within my heart ; I have not concealed thy loving-kindness 
 and truth from the great congregation.' " We will merely 
 add to this testimony, that the doctrines of grace are ofEen 
 better understood by the poor and illiterate, than by the 
 rich and the wise. " I thank thee> O Father, Lord of 
 heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from 
 the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." 
 — MaU. xi. 25. The cross of Christ, which is declared 
 to be, ** to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks, 
 ibolishneaB," is to them that believe " the power of God, 
 
70 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 and the wisdom of God." — 1 Cor. i. 24. The reception 
 of divine truth demands not Imman learning, but poverty 
 and humiUation of spirit The learned are required to be- 
 come as fools, and to enter the kingdom of heaven as a 
 little child. While to learning is reserved the honour of 
 defending the outworks of religion ; it is the happy privi- 
 lege of none but the meek and lowly, whether learned or 
 unlearned, wise or ignorant, rich or poor, to enter in and 
 be saved. 
 
 After these extended remarks on Mr. Richmond's mode 
 of preaching, which the importance of the subject seems 
 to justify, we may now be permitted to ask, whence are 
 we to account for that prevalent disposition to represent 
 ministers of Mr. Richmond's sentiments as preaching 
 about nothing but exterminating decrees, predestination, 
 election, and reprobation ; and incessantly occupied in 
 proclaiming doctrines without practice, a God without 
 love, and a faith without morality ? Surely, it is time to 
 awake from this illusion, which first creates a phantom, 
 then combats it, and afterward gains an imaginary triumph 
 over a no less imaginary opponent. Men should not be 
 charged with consequences which they disavow ; much 
 less be accused at one moment of relaxing all the obliga- 
 tions of moral virtue, and at the next of enforcing them 
 beyond the bounds of reasonable strictness. If, by the 
 above language, it is meant to attach the charge of higlt 
 Calvinism to that portion of the clergy, who are here in- 
 tended to be specified, high Calvinism is most unequivo- 
 cally not the prevailing creed of those to whom the term is 
 often so indiscriminately and ignorantly applied. Many 
 are* known to disclaim the title of Calvinist altogether. 
 Few, very few are disposed ^o climb its Alpine heights ; 
 and the general persuasion seems to be, that in the con- 
 struction of the doctrinal articles of our church, there is a 
 sufficient approximation of sentiment to prove a resem- 
 blance to the views of Calvin, and yet a sufficient distinc- 
 tion to show that there is not an identity. Party names of 
 any kind are highly objectionable and offensive in a cause 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 77 
 
 SO sacred as that of religion, because they seem to give to 
 erring man the honour and pro-eminence that belongs to 
 God alone. *' Be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your 
 Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren : Call no man 
 your father upon the earth, for one is your Father which is 
 in heaven : Neither be ye called masters, for one is your 
 Master, even Christ." ^latt. xxiii. 8 — 10. 
 
 But if a term be employed to designate the religious 
 creed of the clergy in question, that of modified Calvinism 
 is, perhaps, the most appropriate. They conceive the Re- 
 formers, in tlie composition of the articles, to have disco- 
 vered that happy medium of doctrine, which is free from 
 objectionable extremes, which gives to grace its freeness, 
 and to man the responsibility belonging to a moral agent; 
 and while it ascribes to God all the glory of salvation, 
 charges the sinner with the guilt of his own condemnation. 
 The sentiments of that distinguished prelate. Bishop 
 Ilorseley, whom we have already quoted, are, on this sub- 
 ject, entitled to notice. " It has been the fashion," he re- 
 marks, " of late, to talk of Arminianism as the system of 
 the Church of England, and of Calvinism as something 
 opposite to it, to which the church is hostile. That I may 
 not be misunderstood in what I have said, or may have 
 occasion farther to say upon this subject, I must here de- 
 clare, that I use the words Arminianism and Calvinism 
 in that restricted sense in which they are generally taken, 
 — to denote the doctrinal part of each system, as uncon- 
 nected with the principles either of Arminians or Calvin- 
 ists, upon church discipline and church government. This 
 being premised, I assert, what I have often before asserted, 
 and by God's grace I will persist in the assertion to my dying 
 day, that so far is it from the truth, that the Church of England 
 is decidedly Arminian, and hostile to Calvinism, that the truth 
 is this — that upon the principal points in dispute between 
 the Arminians and the Calvinists — upon all the points of 
 doctrine characteristic of the two sects, the Cliurch of 
 England maintains an absolute neutrality ; her articles ex* 
 plicitly assert nothing but what is believed both by Armi- 
 8* 
 
78 MEMOIRS OF THK 
 
 nians and Calvinists. The Calvinists, indeed, hold sonn 
 opinions relative to the same points, which the Church ol' 
 England has not gone the length of asserting in her articles ; 
 but neither has she gone the length of explicitly contradict- 
 ing those opinions ; insomuch, that there is nothing to hin- 
 der the Arminian and the highest supralapsarian Calvinist 
 from walking together in the Church of England and Ire- 
 land as friends and brothers, if they both approve the dis- 
 cipline of the church, and both are willing to submit to it. 
 Her discipline has been approved — ^it has been submitted 
 to — it has been in former times most ably and zealously de- 
 fended by the highest supralapsarian Calvinists. Such 
 was the great Usher ; such was Whitgift ; such were many 
 more ; — burning and shining lights of our church in her 
 early days (when first she shook off the papal tyranny,) 
 long since gone to the resting place of the spirits of the 
 just." 
 
 If, by the charge of holding a faith without morality, it 
 is intended to arraign the doctrine of justification by faith, 
 are those who make this charge aware that they are im- 
 pugning one of the articles of their own church, whicJi 
 expressly asserts this doctrine ? — That it is illustrated at 
 large, as we have already proved, in the book of Homilies ? 
 — That it forms a characteristic ground of distinction be- 
 tween the Protestant and Romish churches ; and is one oi' 
 the fundamental principles of Christianity itself? Once 
 more let us appeal to the authority of Bishop Horseley : — 
 " That man is justified by faith, without the works of the 
 law, was the uniform doctrine of the first Reformers. It 
 is a far more ancient doctrine, — it was the doctrine of the 
 whole college of apostles. It is more ancient still, — it 
 was the doctrine of the prophets. It is older than the 
 prophets, — it was the religion of the patriarchs." 
 
 Nor can we omit the insertion of the following admoni- 
 tory hint from the same quarter : — " Take special care," 
 says that distinguished prelate, " before you aim your 
 shafts at Calvinism, that you know what is Calvinism, and 
 what is not ; — that, rn that mass of doctrine, whicli it is of 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 79 
 
 late become the fashion to abuse, under the name of Cal- 
 vinism, you can distinguish with certainty between that 
 part of it which is nothing better than Calvinism ; and that 
 which belongs to our common Christianity ; and the gene- 
 ral <aith of the reformed churches ; lest, when you mean 
 only to fall foul of Calvinism, you should unwarily, attack 
 something more sacred, and of higher origin. 
 
 After this almost involuntary allusion to polemical divi- 
 nity, but which the nature of the subject, and the peculiar 
 circumstances of our own church, seem to have rendered 
 unavoidable, we cannot close this chapter without a few re- 
 flections. 
 
 It may check the pride and asperity of religious contro- 
 versy, to remember, that amidst tlie various attempts to 
 unite mankind, at different periods, within the bounds of 
 one common uniformity of opinion ; whether under the 
 names of Luther, Calvin, or Arminius, or under the various 
 subdivisions of the present day ; all have alike failed in the 
 establishment of an universal standard. But it well de- 
 serves our notice, that, while each denomination claims a 
 preference for their own peculiarities, God has given his 
 blessiDg to all, wherever their aim has been holy, their ef- 
 forts earnest, and the essential truths of Christianity have 
 not been violated. 
 
 Where, then, God withholds not his blessing, man must 
 not withhold his charity ; and though union cannot exist 
 without tJie essentials of religion, which are — faith in 
 Christ, and a conformity to his image, in a renewed heart 
 and holy life — if these be secured, the union is not only 
 practicable, but a necessary consequence ; for, if we are 
 members of Christ, we are members one of another. 
 The more we imbibe the genuine spirit of Christianity, 
 which is a spirit of love, the more shall we be divested of 
 the shackles of party distinction ; and be convinced, that 
 the religion which is from above, is a religion, not of names, 
 but of principles ; not of forms, but of realities ; not " the 
 letter, which killeth, but the spirit, which giveth life." 
 '* God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in 
 
80 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 God, and God in him." — 1 John iv. 16. "The spirit 
 of Christianity is Christianity. If this be wanting, the 
 glory is departed, and nothing remains worth contending 
 for." 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 His talent for extempore preaching — Family letters — Com- 
 mencement of the editor's acquaintance with him — Public 
 societies. 
 
 The principles on which Mr. Richmond formed his mi- 
 nistry, have been laid before the reader in the preceding 
 chapter ; in which were detailed the soundness of his views, 
 and the impressive manner of his delivery. He never failed 
 to attract a crowded congregation, and seldom preached 
 without the most decided proofs of a divine power accom- 
 panying his ministrations. He also possessed many natural 
 endowments, which in no small degree contributed to his 
 success. He was an eloquent speaker ; but his eloquence 
 was not laboured and artificial — it was the simple and 
 glowing expression of a mind deeply impressed with the 
 importance of his subject, full of affection, and intent on 
 imparting the same feelings to those who heard him. 
 
 He used to refer his friends, who conversed with him on 
 the subject of preaching, to the advice of his college tutor : 
 " Don't use terms of science. The people have no ab- 
 stract ideas — they cannot understand comparisons and al- 
 lusions remote from all their habits. Take words of Saxon 
 derivation, and not such as are derived from Latin and 
 Greek. Talk of riches, not affluence — of trust, not confi- 
 dence. Present the same idea in a varied form, and take 
 care you understand the subject yourself. If you be intelli- 
 gent, you will be intelligible." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 81 
 
 Mr. Richmond's successful application of these useful 
 rules, is well known to all who had opportunity of hearing 
 his sermons. Though never offensively colloqu'al, he was 
 well understood by the most illiterate of his congregation : 
 nor was he satisfied till he had explained an idea in every 
 possible variety and point of view. On this account, he 
 sometimes seemed to persons unacquainted with his design, 
 to employ a needless number of words. It was once plea- 
 santly said, by one who heard him — " An excellent sermon, 
 but with too many various readings." 
 
 He was also singularly felicitous in imparting interest to 
 what, in familiar phraseology, is called a dry subject. He 
 was once known to preach an hour and three quarters,* 
 on the incidental evidence of Christianity. On this oc- 
 casion it was said, by a sensible man who heard him — 
 " This is indeed a magnificent sermon ! I always thought 
 Mr. Richmond a good man, but I now know him to be a 
 great man." 
 
 Mr. Richmond, as we have before noticed, possessed a 
 fine taste, and an almost enthusiastic admiration of the 
 beauties of nature. From these he of^en iselected illustra- 
 tions, and embellished his subject with allusions to them. 
 He used to say : " There are three books to be studied — 
 the book of creation, the book of providence, and the book 
 of grace. They confirm and illustrate each other." 
 
 These natural talents were consecrated to the service of 
 religion, and gave an interest to his preaching, equalled by 
 few, and excelled by none. 
 
 The editor would not be supposed, by these remarks, to 
 lose sight of the influence of the Holy Spirit, without whom 
 *♦ nothing is strong, nothing is holy." He knows that " the 
 
 * This jermon was one of a course of lectures on the evidences of 
 Christianity, preached at Olney, by the nei°fhbouriDg clergy. Mr. 
 Richmond took his plan from the " Horae Paulina,'' and applied 
 Dr. Paley's principle to every book of Holy Scripture, with great 
 in°^cnuity and >uc;ce«9. It i« much to he regretted that nothing re- 
 mains of the sermon, except a few short heads of discourse, used by 
 Mr. Richmond at the time of preaching. 
 
82 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Gospel is a mighty engine, but only mighty when God has 
 the working of it."* Yet is it most evident, that God is 
 pleased to make human agency, the natural endowments 
 and temperaments as well as the graces of his servants, sub- 
 serve his purposes ; and in the selection of instruments, 
 there is always a peculiar fitness for the work in which he 
 employs them. 
 
 The effect of Mr. Richmond's ministry was also consi- 
 derably heightened, by the fluency of his addresses. He 
 adopted a method of preaching usually called extempore ; 
 without premeditation, as to the words of a sermon, but 
 not to the exclusion of much previous prayer, and labour 
 in the arrangement of its materials. " It is a singular cir- 
 cumstance," observes a friend of his early life, " that his 
 first attempt to preach extempore, in the very small church 
 of Yaverland in tlie Isle of Wight- was a total failure. He 
 was so ashamed of it, that he declared he would not repeat 
 the attempt ; and it was only in consequence of the urgent 
 solicitations of our common friend, the Rev. Charles Hoylc, 
 that he was induced to make a second trial ; when he suc- 
 ceeded beyond his hopes, and never afterward found any 
 difficulty." 
 
 As a proof of the eminence to which he afterward at- 
 tained, we venture to introduce another anecdote. 
 
 The late Mr. Whitbread went to hear him preach at St. 
 Paul's, Bedford, in the year 1 807, accompanied by a friend, 
 who had expressed an earnest wish to be present. The 
 church was remarkably crowded — the preacher animated — 
 and the interest of the congregation strongly excited. The 
 gentleman above alluded to at length observed : " He has 
 now preached with incredible fluency, both as to matter 
 and language, for three quarters of an hour, and he does 
 not seem even yet to be exhausted, or to be drawing to a 
 close." " Exhausted !" replied Mr Whitbread : " he can 
 hold on, in the same way, if necessary, for two or three 
 liours longer." 
 
 * Adams' Private Thoughts. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 83 
 
 Before we proceed with the narrative, we lay before the 
 reader a few letters written about this time by Mr. Rich- 
 mond, to his aunt and mother. They are not, indeed, con- 
 nected with any previous or subsequent remarks of our 
 own ; but are here introduced to preserve the chronology 
 of the memoir. They are pleasing proofs of Mr. Rich- 
 mond's afl'ectionate attention to the claims of his own fa- 
 mily, amidst the incessant demands of public duties. 
 
 « Turvey, January 10, 1808. 
 
 " My dear Aunt, 
 
 « Affection for one so long known and loved must in- 
 deed be asleep, if I did not hasten to express my tenderest 
 concern on your account My office and station calls me 
 daily, in one place or another, to pour the balm of consola- 
 tion into the wounded breast. I cannot, indeed, comfort 
 you in person ; but if I may be allowed to speak in my 
 Lord and Saviour's name, I may often do so by letter. 
 Indeed, my dearest aunt, I shall be happy in any endeavour 
 I can exert, to prove to you how affectionately I am inter- 
 ested in what regards your welfare, both spiritual and tem- 
 poral. I am daily exercised among the sick, the weak, the 
 maimed, the suffering and the departing ; and am constantly 
 reminded of the uncertainty of life, even from one day to 
 another. What a glorious light has the word of God thrown 
 on the otherwise dark and gloomy uncertainty which would 
 have overhung the prospect of eternity t How full, how 
 free a provision has our gracious God revealed for the sal- 
 vation of sinners who lay hold on his promises by faith ! 
 May you and I be enabled, under every trial and pang of 
 soul or body, to flee to the strong One for help, remember- 
 ing that in all our afflictions he was afflicted. 
 
 " May the recollection of every past instance of God's 
 kindness lead you to trust in him, and repose on his re- 
 deeming grace and love. May your prayer be constantly 
 heard and answered, when at the throne of grace you plead 
 what a Saviour has done and suffered for you, and suppli- 
 cate for a heart thankfully resigned to God, let wliat will be 
 
84 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 his pleasure concerning you. I feel pereuaded you will 
 ascribe what I have said to a sincere affection, and a desire 
 to contribute my mite of consolation under the trial which 
 Providence has brought upon you. May you meet it with 
 the true spirit of Christian fortitude ! Sanctified afflictions 
 are the Lord's peculiar mercies to those whom he loves. 
 May your's prove one of this kind ! Frequent meditation 
 on the great change to which we are all daily liable ; to 
 which the youngest are rapidly hastening — is highly profita- 
 ble to the soul, and begets a watchfulness and preparedness 
 of mind for every event and circumstance. Seasons of 
 sickness and debility are pecuHarly calculated to this end. 
 They are often expressly sent, that as in the day of health 
 and prosperity we are too prone to forget the Author and 
 Giver of all our blessings, these messengers of mercy may 
 be the means, in his Almighty hands, of collecting our wan- 
 dering thoughts and affections, and of fixing them abidingly 
 on him. Receive these reflections from one who loves 
 you, who wishes never to forget that he is a minister of 
 Christ, and always 
 
 '• Your affectionate nephew, 
 
 " Legh Richmond.'- 
 
 <« Turvey, January 29, 1808. 
 " My dearest Mother, 
 
 " The return of this day* reminds me of life, death, 
 and eternity ; '■ • reminds me of times past, and anticipates 
 times to come ; it reminds me of my dear mother also, and 
 of the many affectionate sensations which the successive 
 anniversaries of my birth have from year to year given her. 
 arising from the mingled hope of good and fear of evil. 
 Sometimes you have written to me on this day ; but lest a 
 letter should not be penned between us, I take up the quill 
 to write to you. Accept my kind, tender, and dutiful as- 
 surances of filial love and veneration, and ten thousand 
 thanks for all your cares and prayers on my account, for 
 
 * His birth-day. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 85 
 
 six-and-thirty years ; nor let it ever be thought that I am 
 insensible to what I owe you. Happy shall 1 feel if ena- 
 bled and permittee! to contribute to the ease and consola- 
 tion of your declining years, and to mitigate the infirmities 
 of old age, by the duly applied exertions of younger years! 
 It seems but a little while since I was a boy myself, return- 
 ing home from season to season, to enjoy the blessmg and 
 comfort of parental and sisterly society and affection at 
 your home : and now I see myself surrounded by my boys 
 and girls at my own home, growing apace, and preparing 
 to occupy the station in the world, which we now fill up. 
 It is an old and worn out remark, ' how lime flies !' Yet 
 we cannot help all making it in our turn ; we feel its force, 
 and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
 One cannot help sometimes ejaculating with good old David, 
 • O, spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, be- 
 fore I go hence and be no more seen !' What a scene does 
 eternity present ! — the years of life past — earthly connex- 
 ions dissolved — the secrets of all hearts laid open — souls 
 saved or lost — Christ, a frowning judge, or a welcome sa- 
 viour — all mistakes and errors in religion at an end — every 
 false foundation undermined — a world in flames and con- 
 sumed, as though it had never been — time itself no more — 
 eternal ages of ages rolling on in ceaseless bliss or wo ! 
 Who is sufficient even to speak on these things ? 
 
 " Pray for me, that since the Lord has spared me another 
 year, I may not prove such a barren figi^ee as heretofore. 
 I could look at all that is past, and view myself as no betlei- 
 than a cumberer of the ground. But the gracious Vine- 
 dresser intercedes, and his prayer is full of love and mercy ; 
 may the Owner of the vineyard hear, and answer it. 1 
 have been very unwell, but am now much better : the poor 
 fig-tree is not yet cut down. May it bear fruit to the glory 
 of the Father. Accept our love, and give it to those around 
 you ; and believe me, 
 
 " Your affectionate son, 
 
 " Leoh RIC^Mo^•D.'' 
 9 
 
86 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 « Turvey, March 25tlh 1809. 
 " My dearest Mother, 
 
 " I do indeed most sincerely rejoice at your recovery 
 from so severe an attack of your complaint, as that which 
 you describe. May a gracious God protect you under the 
 shadow of his wing, and spare your valuable health, for all 
 our sakes ; may you daily enjoy more of a sense of the di- 
 vine presence, as you advance in your pilgrimage ; may you 
 sometimes be favoured, from the top of the mount of Pisgah, 
 with a cheerful prospect of Cana n ; and always be sup- 
 ported by the trust that He who hath begun the good work 
 in you, will perfect it m his own time. Your occasional 
 doubts and fears, arise from too much considering faith and 
 repentance as the grounds, rather than the evidences of sal- 
 vation. The truth is, that a weak faith makes the soul as 
 secure, though not so happy, as a strong one : and an im- 
 perfect repentance, as we deem it, may be sincere, and 
 therefore a work of grace. Our salvation is not, because 
 we do so well, but because ' He whom we trust, hath done 
 all things well.' The believing sinner is never more happy 
 nor secure, than when, at the same moment, he beholds 
 and feels his own vileness, and also his Saviour's excel- 
 lence. 
 
 I the chief of sinners am, 
 But Jesus died for me ; 
 
 is the burthen of his song. You look at yourself too 
 much, and at the infinite price paid for you too little. 
 For conviction, it is true, you must look to your own heart : 
 but, for comfort, at your own Saviour. Thus the wounded 
 Israelites were to look only at the brazen serpent, for re- 
 covery. The graces of the spirit, such as love, patience, 
 goodness, faith, &c., are good things for others to judge 
 us by ; but it is Christianity, as received, believed in, rested 
 upon, loved, and followed, that will speak peace to our- 
 selves. By looking unto Him, we shall grow holy ; and, 
 the more holy we grow, the more we shall mourn over sin, 
 and be sensible how very short we come of what we yet 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 87 
 
 desire to be. None are so holy as those who mourn that 
 thev are not more so. While our sanctification is a gra- 
 dual and still imperfect work, our justification is perfect 
 and complete : the former is wrought in us, the latter for 
 us. Rely, simply, as a worthless sinner, on the Saviour, 
 and the latter is all your own, with its accompanying bles- 
 sings of pardon, acceptance, adoption, and the now-impu- 
 tation of sin to your charge. Hence will flow thankful 
 obedience, devotedness of heart, patience in tribulation, 
 and quiet waiting for tht- glory of God. Thus, salvation 
 is by faith alone ; and thus, saving faith works by love. 
 Embrace these principles freely, fully, and impartially, and 
 you will enjoy a truly scriptural peace, assurance- and 
 comfort. 
 
 " You would hear from my dear wife something of my 
 intended proceedings, durmg the ensuing month of May. 
 She has, of course, told you, that 1 am to preach the an- 
 nual missionary sermon in London, on Whit-Tuesday. 
 Mr. Robinson, of Leicester, preached last year. 
 
 " I hope will succeed in procuring an eligible 
 
 residence. How 1 wish they might fix near a truly pious 
 and devoted clergymati. The importance of this circum- 
 stance should never be forgotten in the choice of a resi- 
 dence, and is of far greater importance than many are dis- 
 posed to consider it.* 
 
 • How many, who have a good support for their families, for 
 mere purposes of worldly grain, remove to sections of the country, 
 where the regular ordinances of religion are not fouml, and where 
 schools and reiigiouo inofitutions are unknown Thus their chil- 
 dren grow up in ignorance and sin, and become a cur>»e to them- 
 selves and society. How cheaply do such parents sacrifice the in- 
 terests of the soul and eternity, for the riches of earth. We would 
 not discourage emigration, but we would invoke every parent, not 
 to choose his residenc? beyond appointed means of grace. It has 
 pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that 
 believe. 
 
 We would suggest the propriety of colonies of a dozen or more 
 pious families going forth to the mure destitute parts, carrying with 
 them all th« relif^ous institutions of the day. New settlements 
 
88 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 " May God bless, protect, and preserve \ou to his own 
 
 kingdom. Love to Mr. and Mrs. H , from all herct 
 
 and from 
 
 *« Your affectionate son, 
 
 " Legh Richmond." 
 
 It was towards the close of the year 1F08 that the wri- 
 ter of this memoir first became acquainted with Mr Rich- 
 mond ; and, as the circumstances connected with the oc- 
 currence were of a nature that led to a very confidential 
 intercourse, terminating only with the decease of his re- 
 vered and much beloved friend, he trusts he shall be ex- 
 cused for briefly adverting to tlie subject. Soon after his 
 entrance into the ministry, the serious charge first attracted 
 his attention, that the Gospel was not generally preached 
 with fidelity and correctness, by the clergy. As this accu- 
 sation was circulated in the neighbimrhood where he then 
 lived, and he was included in the su|)posed number of the 
 delinquents, it awakened serious reflections in his mind. 
 Having adopted the profession of the Church under a 
 strong predilection for its duties, he was disposed, in the 
 first instance, to repel this insinuation, with a deep sense 
 of injrred feeling, not wholly unmingled with indignation ; 
 and to attribute it to the prevalence of dissent, in that 
 particular vicinity But the question immediately sug- 
 gested itself — Why was there a prevalence of dissent; and 
 did not this fact, of itself, constitute a grave and momentous 
 charge, affecting the character and credit of the cleri y ? 
 The fact, of the poor usually forming the larger propor- 
 tion of the seceders, contributed, in no small degree, to 
 rouse his conscience and to call for deliberate and solemn 
 inquiry. 
 
 At that period, the religious views of the writer, in com- 
 mon with those of many others, were of the following na- 
 ture, viz. — that we were to fulfil every appointed duty 
 
 thus formed, might not need afterward lo be evangelized, but 
 would themselves exert a salutary influence on present and future 
 g;eneration8. — Am. Ed. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 89 
 
 o the best of our ability, and that all deficiences would be 
 supplied by the merits of the Redeemer : thus making the 
 sinner's salvation, principally, the effect of his own merits, 
 and considering those of the Saviour merely as supple- 
 mentary to them The corruption and entire alienation 
 of the human heart from God, the necessity of the renew- 
 ing inflnences of the Holy Spirit, and the manner of their 
 operation, were very inadequately understood by him ; and 
 consequently, very obscurely stated from the pulpit : and 
 yet he was diligen* in his parochial duties, zealous as a 
 preacher of righteousness, and aimed at holiness in his life, 
 without ever being able to attain what he so earnestly de- 
 sired. After various attempts to satisfy his conscience, 
 the suggestion gradually presented itself, that it was possi- 
 ble he might hold erroneous \iews, however unconscious 
 of their nature and extent ; and the awful words of the 
 apostle, " Wo unto me if I preach not the Gospel," be- 
 gan to fill his mind with trouble and dismay. Not to 
 dwell on a series of minor circumstances, the idea which 
 was first admitted aa a possibilUyj assumed the character 
 of probability ; and, for a period of two years, his mind 
 was kept in a state of painful conflict ; during which, 
 many a prayer was offered up to the Father of lights and to 
 the God of all mercy : and the promise unceasingly plead- 
 ed — " If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that 
 giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it 
 shall be given him." — James i. 5. 
 
 At the expiration of this time, a dying friend sent him 
 Romaine's twelve Discourses on the law and the Gospel ; 
 earnestly expressing a hope, that the perusal of them might 
 he as useful to him as she had found it to be to herself It 
 was to this book that the writer owed the solution of all his 
 difliculties, and the first clear and spiritual conviction of 
 the mode of a sinner's acceptance before God ; from it he 
 discovered that the law can never save, either in whole or 
 in part, — that its office is rather to condemn, " as the kill- 
 ing letter," and ** the ministration unto death," because it 
 requires that perfect and unsinning obedience^ which no 
 9* 
 
90 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 man can perform ; and in the absence of such obedience,^ 
 pronounces the awful sentence, — ♦* Cursed is every one 
 that continueth not m all things which are written in the 
 book of the law to do them " — Gal. iii. 10. Thus the 
 law becomes " a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ," — 
 that the condemned and sjuilty sinner may see the grace 
 and glory of that redemption which is revealed in the Gos- 
 pel ; and disclaiming all self-de endence, may seek and find 
 acceptance from the unmerited mercy of God in Christ 
 Jesus. The work entitled " the Fathers of the English 
 Church," of which an account has already been given, was, 
 at the same time, just published in numbers ; and, from 
 a conviction that none were likely to be better guides, 
 in the right interpretation of the doctrines of the Church of 
 England, the writer began to read them with great interest. 
 Shortly afterward, he was removed to his present residence, 
 at Biddenham, but not before he had been permitted to 
 see some very decided fruits from his change of views, and 
 from a more scriptural style of preaching. The parish of 
 Biddenham not being further distant from Turvey than six 
 miles, he frequently heard of Mr. Richmond's character 
 and proceedings ; and having expressed a strong desire to 
 cultivate his acquaintance, this wish was shortly after gra- 
 tified. 
 
 As he was one morning engaged in reading the " Fa- 
 thers," the name of Mr. Richmond was announced, and 
 he immediately entered the room. After a few general re- 
 marks, " What is the book, sir," he asked, " that you are 
 reading ?" " The ' Fathers of the English Church,' " 1^ 
 replied. " What is the nature of the work, and your 
 opinion of its merits ?" I observed, tJiat I had been led by 
 a train of circumstances to examine very minutely into the 
 real purport and character of the doctrines of our church, 
 from a conviction that a great diversity of opinion pre- 
 vailed on the subject ; and that, instead of being directed 
 by any modern guide, it appeared to me to be the duty of 
 a conscientious minister, to trace doctrine to the fountain- 
 ^ead^. That a work had lately been published, professing; 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 91 
 
 to contain copious extracts from the writings of the Re- 
 formers which I considered to be a most invaluable per- 
 formance ; that I was deriving much benefit and edification 
 from it ; and that if it were read by the clergy generally, 
 I thought it would be attended with very important con- 
 sequences. Seeing a smile upon his countenance, I ob- 
 served, " Why do you smile, Sir ?" ' It is owmg," he 
 replied, " to the singularity of our conversation ; and you 
 yourself will, perhaps, smile, and be surprised, when I in- 
 form you that the editor of the work, in the praise of which 
 you are so earnest, is now before you.'' " You the author 
 of this work ?'* I said. " Yes " he replied, " 1 am the 
 compiler." He then related the facts that have already 
 been recorded, as to the manner in which he first became 
 possessed of the writings of the Reformers. The interest 
 excited in my mind by this communication, and by the 
 whole of the interview, awakened a strong wish to culti- 
 vate a nearer intercourse with so valuable a character ; and 
 the foundation was soon laid, of an intimacy which the ex- 
 perience of every year increased and strengthened — the 
 harmony of which was never interrupted for a day, an 
 iiour, or a moment ; and which was the source of increas- 
 ing profit, comfort, and happiness, to its lamented close. 
 Little did I think, when this first interview occurred with 
 my estimable friend, that we were afterward to be fre- 
 quent companions in many a labour of love — in many a 
 public cause ; and to share, with mutual sympathy, in the 
 various events that have occurred since that period ; — that 
 1 then saw before me the man with whom I was to be 
 leagued in the closest bonds of intimacy, — that I should 
 cliristen his children, marry his daughter, and bury two of 
 his sons ; and, finally, that it would be my mournful duty, 
 amidst the tears of his bereaved family and sorrowing pa- 
 rishioners, to perform the last sad office for himself! 
 
 Shortly after the above interview, Mr. Richmond was 
 requested to preach at Bi<ldenham. It was the first time 
 that I liad over heard a minister of his sentiments. The 
 clcarucsd, the ability, and the impressive manner in which 
 
92 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 he unfolded the great truths of the Gospel — the earnest and 
 affectionate appeals that he made to the conscience, the 
 skill with which he discriminated the different classes of his 
 hearers, the astonishing fluency of his utterance, and the 
 earnestness both of the preacher and the congregation, 
 awakened in me a train of solemn reflections, and especially 
 on the value of public preaching, when conducted on such 
 principles, and accompanied with such holy and devout af- 
 fections. An intense interest and heavenly fervour seemed 
 to be depicted in every countenance, and to be felt in every 
 heart. I shared in the same emotions, but they were ac- 
 companied by a great depression of feeUng, and a convic- 
 tion that I was wholly unworthy to enter the same pulpit ; 
 nor shall I ever forget the seasonable remark of a pious old 
 man, on the following morning, who, in dwelling on the ex- 
 cellencies of the preceding day's discourse, observed — 
 " The grace that God has given to him, he can give both 
 to you and me : for God is no respecter of persons." 
 
 The writer being called away for a short time, by some 
 family circumstances, Mr. Richmond undertook to assist 
 him, and supply the duty at Biddenham and at the adjoin- 
 ing parish of Stagsdcn. It was during this interval tliat he 
 received from him the two following letters. 
 
 *' Turvey^ February Qth, 1809. 
 « My dear Friend, 
 
 " I sincerely pray that you may be restored to your 
 parishes in that happy frame which may, under a divine 
 blessing, render you to them, and them to you, a mutual 
 comfort. A general interest and inquiry is excited in your 
 whole vicinity, to hear you, and the word of God from your 
 lips. May you be directed and enabled, by the Searcher 
 of all hearts, to preach Jesus Christ freely, fully, and effec- 
 tually, both to unconverted and converted sinners. Do not 
 shun to declare the whole counsel of God. Keep in mind 
 that excellent rule I mentioned the other morning : ' never 
 preach a single sermon, from which an unenlightened 
 hearer might not learn the plan of salvation ^ even thougK 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOMD. 93 
 
 he never afterward heard another discourse.' Sin and 
 salvation are the two grand subjects of our prenching ; and 
 they oucjht to be broujrht forward unceasinjjiy, both doc- 
 trinally, practically, and, above all, experi7nentally . Preacii 
 from the heart, and it will always reach the heart, I al- 
 ways find that when I speak from the inward feelings of my 
 own heart, with respect to the workings of inbred corrup- 
 tion, earnest desire after salvation, a sense of my own 
 nothingness, and my Saviour's fulness, the people hear, feel, 
 are edified, and strengthened \\ hereas, if I descend to 
 mere formal or cold explanation of particulars which do 
 not affect the great question — * What must I do to be saved ?' 
 my hearers and 1 grow languid and dull together, and no 
 good is done. 
 
 ** Many of our hearers have been accustomed to attend 
 at various descriptions of meeting-houses. The general 
 character of meeting-house piety is simple, earnest, scrip- 
 tural, plain, and interesting, — the awful condition of a sin- 
 ner, in his natural state, an<l the consolations and promises 
 of a Saviour, aredw^lt upon th oughout their prayers and 
 discourses. Thus far all is good ; and we must do the 
 same, if we would retain or regain our congregations. 
 Thus the fathers of the English church preached to our 
 elders and predecessors, — thus preached Roinaine, Walker, 
 Venn, Berriilge, Milner, Newton, &C ; and thus souls 
 were saved, and the church of Engl and ^owrwAcrf, and was 
 built up under their ministry. May you and I do so like- 
 wise, and daily see the fruit of our labours, in the growth 
 of our people in divine knowledge. 
 
 " You see, I speak to you with the freedom of a brother ; 
 you have given me libertv so to do. I esteem you highly 
 for it, and thank you for the confidence you repose in me ; 
 I only desire to use it to the glory of God, and the good of 
 souls. Having some little experience in the ministry, and 
 knowing a gcxxl deal of the character and circumstances of 
 the people, both religious and irreligious, in this neighbour- 
 hood, I may sometimes have it in my power to suggest 
 hints, and communicate information, that may be useful 
 
94 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 and satisfactory to you. But above all, pray fervently to 
 God for a blessing on yourself, your preaching?, your peo- 
 ple, on the church of God, and last, though not least, on 
 " Your unworthy triend and brother 
 
 *^ Leqh Richmond." 
 
 « Turoey, Feb. 20, 1809. 
 
 " My dear Friend and Brother, 
 
 " I promised you an account of my proceedings with 
 respect to your parishes, and now sit down to fulfil that pro- 
 mise. My friend who engaged to assist me, having been 
 prevented from coming here, I was under the necessity of 
 fixing a later hour for the services at Biddenham, but it was 
 perfectly agreeable to your people, and to many even more 
 agreeable than if I had served your church at the usual 
 time. 
 
 '* Your churches have been overflowing as to the num- 
 ber of hearers, ana 1 trust God will bless the work among 
 them ; I preached for you also at Bidde!»ham, on the fast- 
 day — I kad every reason to be highly satisfied with the ge- 
 neral appearance of things, during the three weeks 1 preach- 
 ed at Biddenham. Our only Christian friends, the B's, 
 did every thing possible to promote my comforts, and the 
 general good of our holy cause. At two o'clock in the 
 afternoon of the 1 2th ultimo, I arrived for the first time at 
 Stagsden ; the whole school were assembled in the church, 
 and a fine congregation. I preached a sermon on the 
 opening of the school. When the service was over, I de- 
 sired the children and their relations to come into the chan- 
 cel, where I gave them a familiar address by way of en- 
 couragement, and spoke to them individually on their re- 
 spective duties. I yesterday went to Stagsden again, later 
 in the afternoon, being unable to get there so early as I 
 wished, and found a noble congregation indeed After 
 service I inspected the school, and made a few regulations 
 for order and decency, to await your approbation. T have 
 been very desirous that the first impressions on the minds of 
 the scholars, and that of the parish at large, should be, 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 95 
 
 tliat it is a religious as well as a literary institution ; and I 
 think I have succeeded. I visited, this morning, two dying 
 parishioners of Stagsden, one at North-end, and the other at 
 Bury-end. Both aias ! with little light. I have said and 
 done every thing I could among the people to pave the way, 
 as I trust, for your comfortable labours among them. I 
 shall hope to see you as soon as you return, and I shall be 
 glad to enter into full detail of several Httle particulars, 
 which may be for your satisfaction, and that of the parishes. 
 One day at Biddenham, I conversed individually with seve- 
 ral of your parishioners and was happy to find that some 
 young persons have been seriously impressed under your 
 ministry Some persons also spoke to me, and desired to 
 
 be kindly remembered, particularly one named , I 
 
 propose going next week to see your Biddenham flock once 
 more before your return. 
 
 " Having given you some account of your parochial 
 transactions, allow me to express my earnest wishes for 
 your spiritual prosperity, b th as it concerns your own 
 inward experience and outward ministry. I feel persuaded, 
 that you will every day increasingly discover your infinite 
 obligation to our common Lord and Saviour, who had led 
 you by his grace to discern between good and evil, truth 
 and error, salvation by works, and salvation by grace 
 through faith alone. I cannot help feeling an affectionate 
 and brotherly concern and regard towards you, from having 
 so exactly trod over a similar ground. 1 have known tlic 
 difficulty of giving up all for Christ — of ceasing to do and 
 speak as tlie world around me did, — 1 have felt the necessi- 
 ty of denying my.self— taking up the cross, and following 
 our Lord. I offer up my prayers, that your mind may be 
 strengthened unto the clearest views of every essential 
 truth, and unto firm resolutions to walk in the good old way 
 of our forefathers. 
 
 " God appears to have prepared you a people for your 
 labours, and they are anxiously awaiting your arrival. May 
 the Lord give you many of them as souls for your hire ! 
 
96 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 " Allow me, with all the confidence and anxiety which 
 friendship, and a desire to serve the interest of our great 
 cause inspire, to give it as my decided advice, (founded on 
 observation, and the state of feeling and habit among reli- 
 gious people in general,) that you study even the prejudices 
 of those among whom you may labcjur against all worldly 
 conformity, that might injure the weight and influence of 
 your ministry. Public, and some private amusements, are 
 viewed with peculiar dislike and disapprobation by good 
 people in general. Those who have not been accustomed 
 to converse intimately with that most respectable part of the 
 community, the middle and lower ranks of religious per- 
 sons, would hardly conceive how strong their feelings are 
 upon those points which others often view as trivial. I 
 merely mention these things, because I have myself found 
 the necessity of attending to them, far beyond what I at 
 first supposed. I feel a deep interest for your happiness, 
 and the success of your ministry. I view it as a matter of 
 providential mercy, that you are thrown into this new situa- 
 tion, and trust great good will arise from it to you, and to 
 the people. 
 
 " I am much obliged by the friendly confidence with 
 which yr>u have treated me, and pray God that our inter- 
 course may be truly blest. 
 
 " I ought to apologize for so long a letter, but I have 
 been insensibly led to be prolix. I shall preach, and visit 
 the new Sunday school at Stagsden on Sunday next, and 
 shall pay one more visit to your people at Biddenham, in 
 the middle of next week ; at the end of which I hope God 
 will restore you in safety to * your work and your reward.' 
 May the free, sovereign, unmerited, and effectual grace of 
 God, give you all spiritual blessings in heavenly places 
 with Christ Jesus. I commend you to his high and holy 
 keeping, and desire you to be assured with how great sin- 
 cerity I am 
 
 " Your unworthy fellow labourer, 
 
 " Legh Richmond." 
 
JlEV. LEGH RICHMOND* 97 
 
 The writer of this memoir cannot help here observing, 
 how much he recognised the hand of providence in leading 
 him to a neighbourhood, which abounds with so many pri- 
 vileges of a religious nature, and where he found so experi- 
 enced and useful a guide as Mr. Richmond. In his former 
 residence, with the exception of an endeared friend, the 
 want of these advantages was highly injurious to his pro- 
 gress in the knowledge of religion, in this way we disco- 
 ver the goodness and wisdom of providence in the various 
 circumstances and events of our lives, in appointing the 
 bounds of our habitation, and placing us when and where 
 his Almighty wisdom and love sees to be most suited to the 
 purposes of his own grace, and our welfare. 
 
 It was about this period, in the year 1 809, that those in- 
 stitutions, whose yubsequent career is so well known, sud- 
 denly emerged from a state of comparative obscurity, and 
 by a kind of simultaneous movement engrossed the popu- 
 lar favour and sanction, from one extremity of the kingdom 
 to the other. Men were at length roused from their apathy, 
 and seized with avidity the opportunity now presented of 
 redeeming the guilt of past neglect. On the other hand, 
 feelings of disapprobation, or of more avowed opposition, 
 were manifested in certain quarter, and ministers of the 
 established church were subjected to much misrepresenta- 
 tion and censure, on account of their attachment to these 
 societies.* 
 
 It was maintained, and no doubt with all the sincerity of 
 
 * It is proper to remark, that the compiler of the memoir, had 
 introduced in this place, some remarks upon the state of society at 
 the time when the British and Foreign Bible — the Church Mission- 
 ary Society, and the society for promoting Christianity among the 
 Jews, were formed, as a vindication of Mr. Richmond for the very 
 active part which he took in their establishment and enlargement. 
 He also stated, and refuted at large, the objections urged against 
 the coarse pursued by Mr. Richmond in serving these societies as 
 an agent. This discussion is omitted on account of its local nature, 
 and from the conviction, that no good would follow from perpetua* 
 ting objections no longer felt, at least in this country. Am. Ed. 
 10 
 
\fO MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 conviction, that the circulation of the bible alone, unaccom- 
 panied by the prayer book, the proper and authorized sym* 
 bol of the established church, must ultimately prove fatal 
 to that church ; and yet, if the prayer book be in accord- 
 ance with the bible, as all the members of the established 
 church believe and avow, does it not seem at variance with 
 the allowed connexion of cause and effect, to suppose 
 that a principle, in its tendency and design, can be subver- 
 sive of that with which it is identified ; or that the bible, 
 which propagates nothmg but truth, and therefore is oppo- 
 sed to nothing but error, can possibly lead to such a con- 
 sequence ? It would certainly have been a strange ano- 
 maly in morals, as well as in philosophy, for the future his- 
 torian to have recorded, that in the sixteenth century, the 
 Church of England was first erected on the foundation of 
 the bible, and of the bible alone ; and yet, in the nineteenth 
 century, that it was undermined, and finally overthrown by 
 the same instrumentality : thus exhibiting the extraordina- 
 ry spectacle of a church, subverted by the same cause to 
 which it owed its establishment. The truth is, the Church 
 of England will increase in stability and prosperity, in pro- 
 portion to its adherence to the bible. It has only to fear 
 " the worm at the root," the decay of sound and scriptural 
 principles among its rulers and members. 
 
 The unpromising state of public feeling, prior to the 
 estabhshment of these societies, has already been adverted 
 to. The change subsequently produced, is obvious to all. 
 We may hence learn an important lesson : — a nation, 
 comparatively speaking, may be sunk in religious apathy : 
 the zeal and piety of churches may lie dormant, and the 
 prospect may appear dark and lowering. But amidst 
 general declensions, some characters are always preserved 
 by the power and grace of God from the contaminating 
 eflfects of the surrounding lukewarmness ; and it is to their 
 efforts that we must look, at such times, for tlie needed 
 revival. If it be asked, how are those efforts to be em- 
 ployed ? We answer, strike the rock at the divine com- 
 mand, and never doubt but that a plentiful stream will 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. W 
 
 follow. Means must be used in dependence upon a divine 
 power : the minds of men must be excited. They have 
 intelligence, affection, conscience, and capacities of action. 
 These properties may grow torpid, yet not be extinguished ; 
 they require to be called into action. Let us deal, then, 
 with men as moral agents. Let us address to the under- 
 standing, arwumerits calculated to inform and convince — 
 to the heart, what is likely to win and engage — and to the 
 conscience, what is best suited to rouse it from its state of 
 torpor Let us apply the exciting principle, and be un- 
 wearied in invoking the divine blessing, which can alone 
 crown our efforts with success, and God will open rivers 
 in high places, and fountains in the midst of tlie valleys ; 
 he mil make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry 
 land springs of water — Isa. xli 18. 
 
 Let churches and states, legislators and prelates, minis- 
 ters of the sanctuary and individuals in their respective 
 families, adopt this principle ; and communities will pros- 
 per, churches will levive, and the domestic altar will never 
 want a sacrifice, nor God withhold a blessing. 
 
 And yet it is this very principle of excitement, as ap- 
 plied to the religious institutions of the day, which has 
 been most strongly censured The system of public 
 meetings, the addresses sermons, biblical and missionary 
 tours have been the subject of severe reprehension with 
 the opponents of these societies. But it is this very sys- 
 tem which has elicited the moral energies of the country, 
 which has given one simultaneous and unparalleled im- 
 pulse to all its public institutions — which, by its direct or 
 indirect tendency, has localized among us every form of 
 charity that can afford an asylum to distress : — to crime, 
 the means of reformation — to i "norance, the benefit of in- 
 struction ; — and to penitent guilt, the hope of mercy and 
 salvation. It is to the publicity of these societies, next to 
 their intrinsic value and importance, that we are to ascribe 
 so large a portion of their popularity and success. If 
 ihey were leas public, they would be less known ; if they 
 were less known, they would be less supported ; and if 
 
100 MEMOIRS OF THfi 
 
 they were less supported, their efficiency would be pro- 
 portionably impaired An institution, to be popular, must 
 be brought in contact vnth public opinion. The men wlio 
 conduct it must be seen, heard^knovm, loved, and respected; 
 the subject of it must be carried home to the heart, and 
 descend through all the various gradations m society ; be 
 as accessible to the poor as to the rich — to the unlearned, 
 as to the learned — to the humblest cottage, as well as to 
 the lordly mansion. It will thus secure the patronage and 
 liberality of the wealthy, the approbation of the wise, and 
 the benediction of the poor. These advantages have 
 pre-eminently distinguished the institutions of which we 
 are speaking ; and, so long as the principle of publicity 
 characterizes almost every undertaking of a secular nature^ 
 why are religious objects alone to be debarred from the 
 benefit of this principle, where the application of strong 
 stimulants is the more necessary- in proportion as the end 
 proposed is more momentous, and men less disposed ta 
 appreciate its importance ? 
 
 The real and only question for consideration is, whether 
 public societies can be effectively carried on without the 
 agency of public advocates ? The result of experience is, 
 that societies, depending only on local means for their 
 support, are in the most declining state. Men, too, who 
 are in the habit of contributing their money to a public 
 cause, think, and with justice, that they are entitled, in 
 return, to a detail of its operations from those who, by 
 their connexion with the parent institution, and from the 
 sources to which they have access, are best qualified to 
 communicate information. Admitting, then, the justness 
 of this remark — from what class aie public advocates to 
 be selected ? From among laymen or ministers-? The 
 professional habits, experience, and education of the latter, 
 evidently constitute them the fittest organs of communica- 
 tion to all religious institutions. How to reconcile these 
 public exertions with parochial duties, is, therefore, the 
 only remaining consideration. Let it be observed, that 
 every clergyman is legally entitled to an absence of three 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 101" 
 
 months in every year, on the presumption, thai he will pro- 
 vide a proper substitute * If, then, a minister, uncon- 
 nected with public objects should choose to avail himself 
 of this privilege, for the purpose of allowable recreation, 
 or from any other motive, would his conduct be considered 
 us affording any reasonable ground for reproach ? Why, 
 then, should another minister, in the exercise of the same 
 privilege, and using the same precautions, be the subject 
 of animadversion, because, instead of appropriating the 
 allotted period to a watering-place, or to any other object, 
 his principles and conscience lead him to devote his time 
 to the more important claims of a religious institution ? 
 
 Each itinerates ; each is occasionally absent from his 
 parish — with this distinction, that one is occupied with 
 engagements most interesting to himself; the other con- 
 secrates his time, his talents, and his strength, to the ser- 
 vice of the cause of God ; and leaves for a while, the 
 limited, though important, scene of his own parish, to aid 
 in the dissemination of light and knowledge to the remo- 
 test regions of the earth. 
 
 In the navy, no means existed for distributing the book 
 of common prayer among that valuable body of men, 
 who risk their lives for the defence of their country. The 
 society was formed to supply this deficiency. !6ut, inde- 
 pendently of this call for its exertions, we would ask, were 
 not prayer books generally published and circulated at 
 that time, without the insertion of the articles of our 
 Church — those articles which are the appointed standard 
 of her doctrine, the guide to her worshippers, and the in- 
 tended security against all declensions and corruptions in 
 her faith ? As a consequence of this omission, were not 
 a large portion of her members utterly unacquainted with 
 the very existence of those articles — and was not a refe- 
 rence to them, in the pulpit, a matter of rare occurrence ? 
 
 * This has reference to ministers of the established church. 
 
 Am. £o. 
 10* 
 
i02 MEMOIRS aF THE 
 
 We would also ask, whether a single copy of the hook of 
 homilies was to be obtained through the medium of any ex- 
 isting society in the Church of England ? And yet, were 
 not these very homilies set forth by authority, originally 
 appointed to be read in churches by the ministers, dili- 
 gently and distinctly ? and are they not recognized in the 
 articles, to which every minister declares his solemn as- 
 sent, as '' containing a godly and wholesome doctrine ?" 
 When, therefore, these necessary bulwarks of our Churchy 
 the articles which record her faith, and the homilies 
 which illustrate and enforce it, were thus almost inacces- 
 sible, we would demand of every impartial and reflecting 
 mind, whether there was no just ground of apprehension, 
 that the purity of Christian doctrine might be ultimately 
 corrupted ? — whether the general tone of preaching in 
 our pulpits at that time, and before that time, did not in 
 many respects, justify that apprehension ? — and whether 
 doctrine was not treated as an inconsiderable part of 
 Christianity, and practical duties held up as the sum ai)4 
 substance of all true religion ? 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. lOS 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Retiew of his Anniversary Sermon for the Church Mis- 
 sionary Society — Meeting at Bedford, in behalf of the 
 Jews — Bedfordshire Bible Society — Tours for the Jew- 
 ish and Church Missionary Societies — Extracts from 
 his journal. 
 
 We have before alluded to the anniversary sermon, 
 preached by Mr. Richmond,^ for the Church Missionar} 
 Society, in May, 1 H09. It is much to be lamented, that 
 one so capable of contributing to the stock of valuable 
 theological literature, should have composed only tliree 
 sermons for the press : two of them published during his. 
 residence in the Isle of Wight, and the third, which we 
 now propose to review, after his removal to Turvey. This 
 deficiency of printed discourses, is the frequent conse- 
 quenoe of extempore preaching ; and ministers of ac- 
 knowledged talents and usefulness, would do well to re- 
 member, that they owe to the Church some more lasting 
 memorials of their pastoral labours, and of their zeal for 
 the general interests of religion. 
 
 Mr. Richmond has received many an urgent represen- 
 tation from the writer, on this subject : but his unceasing 
 engagements, his extensive correspondence, and the morr 
 immediate claims of duty, were always pleaded in excuse. 
 An examination of the missionary sermon will enable the 
 reader to form some judgment of Mr. Richmond's powers 
 of composition, as well as afford an illustration of his sen 
 timents on the important subject of missions. 
 
 His text is taken from John xxi. 16. — "He saith unto 
 him again, the second time, *- Simon,, son of Jonas, lovest 
 \hoa ne ?* He saith unto him^ * Yea, Lord, thou knowest 
 
104 MKMotnH or ixi 
 
 iliiil I lovp tli(M\' ItrDiiilli liiiloliiiii. ' I (mmI my Miotip.' ' 
 i'lMitiiiohliii^ on {\wnp vvoi'di*, lio nuiiioiiiin'N - 
 
 \f*{ 'V\w nnliii'p niid (lr>(«i^tl uf the ooiiiiiiiNniun ^Ivffti l>> 
 our Loiil lo iV'Inr. 
 
 Vt(l TliM ii|i|)li(Milioii of tlin roittinniKiiiKMit to I'ond (li(« 
 i4)itirt|t or (^hriivl, NN it n^npiM'tt* the luMtilini iituioii^i nitd our 
 own imi'rOonf). in onlor to Www conviMiiion. 
 
 (Indnr tlui Ih'Kt liriid. \w ittiritv (lowMittoN (Itn pmMdinr )n- 
 tjiront niul Nolnnudty ol'tlifi iicrunlun .— Ilio (|ut«»<tion pi'o|»u- 
 wnd I " liovo»«t thou nu^ f" Tlio iuikwim' yivrn i " Yoti. 
 Lord, thou knowrM thiit I lovii th««n " Tho wurcoMivo ro- 
 |uititiou ol' ihn (|unntion. luui INMor'n iiwNt^vorntion. ' Lord* 
 ih(Miuh knowf>!<t III) thiu^N, though l<U)>wi<r«t thiii 1 lovr 
 llu<o r* iilui th(« OnnI (MtMinuiud id' tlin Hitviour. ohodinnro 
 to whii'h iw thii toKt (d* tho wii.fM'iity id' thn prcdoMioii i 
 •• r«in«l my whonp." Tho motivn of lovn lo ( *hrj«l in ih'dti- 
 cod nK tho (tidy luliMjunto nml mM-iptund MtinuduH to miMioii- 
 ury rxoriiou ; nnd tht^ (Minuititiuhn<*nt ^iv(<n. to Innd hi^ 
 (looki (hudnniN thn nnliH-o mid ohpn^t ol' the dutv rnpdrnd, 
 Tho iipplioutiou ol' th»^ vvhoh^ lo ouiwdvow, in inlorrod I^>om» 
 \\w (Muniuiwwiou ^ivnn lo IN'tor mid \\\v uponth'K, wn l\\v tv- 
 pirDonliitivdM ol' Ihn rhurrh univn'F«til to thi* I'lid of limn ; 
 niid iVom \\w Tnrl, thul ^:(iiirni) rNhmttiliiMiN. u(M*ompnuiod 
 bVi nud IhuiuhMl upon, ('hrinrM ^imumiiI in'oiuirtrn to iiiM 
 Hiurt^hi ndmil of no limilntiou, iiilhor ol tlino.ur plnon. 
 I'ndnr \\\n nooiuid hrnd, ho luuulrti»— 
 
 Who mo tho whoop (d' ( 'hn»t ? 
 
 W'hff ou^hl I hoy to ho Ibd ? 
 
 WhPn f 
 
 lly whm f 
 
 VVitli«Mii< lood inuot tlioy b« ftMl, iinuriNhod; itndiiuppcu'l- 
 <«d? 
 
 Wo puw (»vor tho Ih'nt, n« ohvioux hi ilK moiinlnir. To 
 >ho Kooond impiiiy, •• Whvi" iVo. ho ropHoK — •' lloonuKo 
 tho hoitlhon tiro without (^hrii«t -nhoiiM IVom tho (Mmiuuui- 
 woitUh ol' iNiitol, mul filrun^ont IVom tho oovounnt« of pro* 
 
 Ntlft9 ) tinving no liopoi uiui without ilml In tho wogd 
 
 
RBV. LSQR RICHMOM). 105 
 
 And* ho adds, thnt our own opportunities of asrortaining 
 their present ulutr, fully provrd it to Imv in nil n'spivts, unn- 
 logouH to tlu'ir fornior wtato, a> dfwnluMi by tho apoHth*, 
 Ram. i ^1. ; although, undor Hponotus hut vtM-y o(|Uivoral 
 I >M!< to candour, sonir had inainiauird a contrary 
 
 -Ml ; — which he consulcrtMl to \w opposed to tlic 
 honour of (umI an<i the testimony of his .revealed word. 
 
 Mr. Kirhniond tpiotes the well known and modest Inn*' 
 f^un^e of Hishop Ixidley,* «» expressive ot* his own teel- 
 mps, in n'sptx'tofa subject ronlesseiily inysterioun : — *' In 
 these nmttere i nin so feHiful that I dnn* not speak lurther ; 
 yen, almost none otherwise, thnn the vttrv text doth, as it 
 were, lead me hy the hand." Yet. with respect to the 
 atntr of the heathen, Mr. Kichmond ohservj^s ; — »• I think 
 the nature of the covenant of ^racc is so clearly stated in 
 the won! of (Jo<l, and the condition of sinners so plainly 
 there descriheil, thit it is no presumption to adopt the con- 
 clusion of the primitive church, as expressiMJ in the terms 
 of our own article — that • men cannot l»(? sav»'d hy the lijfht 
 of natim». f'or holy 'Scripture doth set out unto ua only 
 the name of Jesus tMirist, whereby men inuat be saved.' " 
 — .4rr. 18 
 
 lie a<lds — «♦ ft mny with propriety be aski'd, whether 
 any thin^ short of the absolute demoiiMtration of their 
 safety witlioni ('lui*itianity, can justify our withholding; 
 from them the knowledge of the way of salvation by C'brist 
 Jesua.** 
 
 As to irhfn this duty is to be undertaken he unheaitatinf^- 
 ly answers — *' Now is the accepted tiroo»^iM«hold now is 
 the day of salvation.** 
 
 He then recites the following circumstances, to point 
 out the present as a season of special hope and promise, 
 VIE : — 
 
 The great increase of Gospel light and knowledge among 
 us, of late yenrs. 
 
 The revival of the principl«»s of the primitive church, 
 and of the reformation. 
 
 < Sm * rsthwi of ths Eng liih ohuroh,* vol. iv. p. 149. 
 
106 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Our present freedom from papal tyranny, the experience 
 of whicfi prevented the martyrs and confessors of our pro- 
 testant faith from engaging in so holy a cause, leaving the 
 duty to be fulfilled by succeeding generations. 
 
 The growing attention to prophecy, as it concerns the 
 downfall of the papacv, the restoration of the Jews, 
 the conversion of tlie Gentiles, and the approach of the 
 millenium : all which subjects are intimately connected 
 with missionary plans. 
 
 The naval and commercial eminence of this country, and 
 the ample facilities enjoyed by it, for the promotion of such 
 an undertaking. 
 
 Again, — " By whom are the sheep of Christ among the 
 Heathen to be fed ?" 
 
 This duty devolves evidently on the visible churches of 
 Christ, which, by their principle and constitution, are mis- 
 sionary bodies ; but more especially does this duty rest 
 with the Protestant churches, which, by the actual princi- 
 ples they profess, are alike called upon to protest against 
 the idolatry of the Heathen tribes, and the idolatry of the 
 church of Rome. 
 
 Here he notices the triumphant boast, often uttered by 
 the church of Rome, though less applicable to the times in 
 which we now live " It has never ceased," says Mura- 
 tori, their zealous historian and partizan, "sending into 
 divers parts of the earth fervent labourers to plant the 
 true faith." *' Let the modern sectaries (the Protestants) 
 be considered : this heroic charity vvili not be found among 
 them. They leave the bringing over of idolaters and infi- 
 dels to the belief of the Gospel, to the missionaries of the 
 Catholic church ; and freely resign to them the inestima- 
 ble advantage of being consumed with evangelical labours, 
 and exposing their lives to enlarge the kingdom of Jesus 
 Christ." " Hence," the historian adds, " the church in 
 communion w^ith Rome, is the only one that keeps up the 
 first spirit of Christianity : she alone, like the primitive 
 church, abounds in apostles and martyrs : henjce, she 
 alone is the true spouse of the Saviour of mankind/ ' 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 107 
 
 From this reflection of Muratori, Mr. Richmond takes 
 occasion to call upon Protestant churches to wipe away 
 the reproach. 
 
 " Let the superior purity of the religion which we pro- 
 fess, be made manifest in our superior union of the various 
 qualifications, which are requisite to adorn and give energy 
 to the cause of missions." 
 
 The church of England, in particular, ought to be found 
 among the foremost of her Protestant sisters in this glori- 
 ous exertion. The purity of her doctrines, and the con- 
 formity of her government to the primitive model, &c. 
 unite in distinguishing her as highly qualified for this 
 mighty conquest over the powers of darkness. 
 
 In answering the inquiry, — " who shall be the mission- 
 aries ?" he observes ; " the shepherds whom you set apart 
 to this honourable labour of feeding and nourishing souls 
 for Christ, must be men who love Christ for the salvation 
 which he hath wrought in their own souls ; men, who ' feel 
 in themselves the working of the Spirit of C'hrist, mortify- 
 ing the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and 
 drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things.' " — 
 {Art, 17 ) They must be men, not of warmth and zeal 
 alone, but of solidity, patience, and perseverance ; men 
 who, like their Lord, can endure the contradiction of sinners. 
 For the most part, it is not so often men of extensive learn- 
 ing, of genius, and superior literary talents, who arc want- 
 ed, as men of simplicity and sincerity ; men of prayer and 
 meditation ; men who so love Christ, as to be willing to 
 spend and be spent, for his sake ; men of subdued passions 
 and mortified minds, who patiently wait for the coming of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 In his next important inquiry, — " wherewith they are to 
 be fed," the following remarks claim the attention of all 
 who are engaged in the cause of missions. 
 
 " Preach Christ, as a free, full, perfect, and all-suflTicient 
 Saviour to the greatest of sinners. The sheep of Christ, 
 whether at home or abroad, will hear and know tlicir own 
 good Shepherd's voice, and none other. Proclaim, as 
 
108 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 from the house-top, ' that God commendeth his love towards^ 
 us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ;' 
 and thus accomplished that wonder of men and angels, 
 • that God might be just, and the justifier of the sinner 
 which belie veth in Jesus.' " 
 
 " Preach to them the blood of Christ : its atoning and 
 cleansiqg power. Send over your missionary shepherds, 
 to feed the flock of Christ among the Heathen, with the 
 wholesome bread and the pure water of life We must 
 not trifle in this matter. It is the cause of God and truth. 
 Mingle therefore nothing with their food ; disguise it not 
 with any self-accomodating explanations. It is not the 
 equivocal language of a mere fashionable profession of the 
 Gospel, that will convey the word and substance of sal- 
 vation to the soul of either a nominal Christian, or a real 
 Heathen. 
 
 " Let the hemisphere of light, which is to burst upon the 
 dark mountains where now the heathen sheep are scattered, 
 be unsullied ard without a cloud. Be ye pastors ac- 
 cording to God's heart, and feed them with knowledge 
 and understanding, Christ living, Christ obeying, Christ 
 dying, Christ risen, Christ ascended, and Christ interceding 
 for sinners : this is the true bread of hfe. " Our com- 
 mission to feed his sheep runs thus : * Go ye and teach 
 all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and 
 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' " Hence, the love of 
 the Father, in giving sinners to Christ; the love of the 
 Son, in dying for their redemption ; and the love of the 
 Spirit, in sanctifying and preparing them for glory, are 
 the grand themes for Christian meditation. When these 
 invaluable truths are enforced in a practical and experi- 
 mental manner, the sheep of Christ are truly fed, ac- 
 cording to their good Shepherd's design and command- 
 ment ; and so shall they live and prosper. 
 
 In illustration of the foregoing remarks, he quotes the 
 following testimony of Johannes, a converted Heathen, 
 and who also became a blessed witness of the truth to his 
 own nation. The circumstance is recorded in the history 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 109 
 
 of the missions of the United Brethren among the Indian 
 nations of North America. 
 
 " Brethren, I have been a Heathen, and have grown old 
 amongst them ; therefore I know very well how it is with 
 the Heathen, and how they think. A preacher once came 
 to us, desiring to instruct us ; and began by proving to us, 
 that there was a God. On which we said to him : * Well, 
 and dost thou think we are ignorant of that ? Now go 
 back again to the place from whence thou camest.' 
 
 '» Then again another preacher came, and began to in- 
 struct us, saying, * you must not steal, nor drink too much, 
 nor lie, nor lead wicked lives ' We answered him : < Fool 
 that ihou art, dost thou think that we do not know that ? 
 Go and learn it first thyself, and teach the people whom 
 thou belongest to, not to do those things. For who are 
 greater drunkards, or thieves, or liars, than thine own peo- 
 ple V Thus, we sent him away also. 
 
 "Sometime after this. Christian Henry, one of the 
 Brethren, came to me into my hut, and sat down by me. 
 The contents of his discourse to me were nearly these : 
 ' I come to thee in the name of the Lord of heaven and 
 earth. He sends mc to acquaint thee, that he would gladly 
 save thee, and make thee happy, and deliver thee from tlie 
 miserable state in which thou liest at present. To this end 
 he became a man, gave his life a ransom for man, and shed 
 his blood for man. All that believe in the name of this 
 Jesus, obtain the forgiveness of sin. To all them that re- 
 ceive him by faith, he giveth power to become the sons 
 of God. The Holy Spirit dwelleth in their hearts, and they 
 are made free, through the blood of Christ, from the slavery 
 and dominion of sin. And though thou art the chief of 
 sinners, yet if thou prayest to the Father in his name, and 
 believest in him as a sacrifice for thy sins, thou shalt be 
 heard and saved, and he will give thee a crown of life, and 
 thou shalt live with him in heaven for ever.* 
 
 " When he had finished his discourse, he lay down upon 
 a board in my hut, fatigued by his journey, and fell into a 
 sound sleep. I thought within mvself, < What manner of 
 11 
 
110 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 man is this ?' There he lies, and sleeps so sweetly — 1 
 might kill him, and throw him into the forest, and who 
 would regard it ? But he is unconcerned — this cannot be 
 a bad man ; he fears no evil, not even from us, who are so 
 savage ; but sleeps comfortably, and places his life in our 
 bands. 
 
 " However, I could not forget his words ; they con- 
 stantly recurred to my mind ; even though I went to sleep, 
 yet I dreamed of the blood which Christ had shed for us. 
 I thought, ' this is very strange, and quite different from 
 what I have ever heard.' So J went and interpreted 
 Christian Henry's words to the other Indians. 
 
 " Thus, through the grace of God, an awakening took 
 place among us. ' 1 tell you, therefore, brethren,' said he, 
 < preach to the Heathen, Christ and his blood, his suffer- 
 ings and his death, if you would have your words to gain 
 entrance among them ; if you wish to confer a blessing 
 upon them ' "* 
 
 " Such was the exhortation of Johannes, the Indian, to 
 the missionaries, founded upon the circumstances of his 
 own conversion to God." 
 
 But the passage in Mr. Richmond's sermon, which pro- 
 duced the strongest impression upon his hearers, was the 
 following : 
 
 " I stand before you this day, as an ambassador for 
 Christ, in the cause of those who are ready to perish. In 
 his and their name, I beseech you to hear me, while I pro- 
 pose a few considerations to your attention. 
 
 »' Consider the state of the world, its empires, nations, 
 kindred, and tribes. When a map of the world is pre- 
 sented to the eye, with what a variety of affections it i;^ 
 viewed, according to tlic character and pursuits of the in- 
 spector ! 
 
 * See Crantz's History of the Greenland Mission, a most in- 
 teresting publication, in which ihe preaching of the Cross led loa 
 general awakening of the Greenlanders, after the preliminary truths 
 of religion had been brought before them nearly eighteen years 
 ■with little or no effect. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. Ill 
 
 '♦ The mere statesman, diligently examines the magni> 
 tude, position, and boundaries of other countries, with a 
 sole reference to the political aggrandisement of his own. 
 Wars, conquests, treaties, alliances, and a multitude of 
 considerations connected with ambition, power, and na- 
 tional honour, dictate and accompany all his speculations 
 on the map. And then he has done with it, and lays it 
 down. 
 
 " The merchant takes up the map, and eagerly traverses 
 the delineation of seas, contine its, and islands, with anxious 
 inquiry as to pecuniary profit and loss, trade and mer- 
 chandise. His thoughts are absorbed in considering how 
 much may be gained by his speculations to some distant 
 island, or foreign shore. He meditates on the track of his 
 vessel upon the ocean, marks its course upon the hazardous 
 waves, and is full of agitation witli respect to its fate. 
 There is his golden treasure, and his heart is there also. 
 As he views the map, he conjectures, hopes, fears ; and, 
 with much solicitude, contemplates his future gains, or 
 dreads impending losses. The map is again laid down, 
 and he has done with it. 
 
 " The curious traveller takes up the map of the world, 
 and is occupied with the remembrance or anticipation of 
 the various customs manners, dresses, languages, build- 
 ings, and ceremonies ; with a long list of wonders and 
 amusements, that have engaged his attention. In such a 
 way, his imagination travels over the whole globe ; and 
 then this man's contemplations on the map are likewise 
 concluded. 
 
 " The natural philosopher investigates the various pro- 
 ductions of this diversified globe with another object. 
 Theories of the earth's formation ; the animal, vegetable, 
 and mineral kingdoms ; the origin of volcanoes, the cause 
 of earthquakes, the variation of the magnetic needle — all 
 afford him endless subjects of examination. Every conti- 
 nent, sea, climate and zone, which the map presents to 
 his eye, furnishes him with matter for inquisitive specula- 
 tion. And then, he has done with it also. 
 
iir 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " But when the Christian beholds the world's map, hr 
 has a subject of investigation far beyond them all. What 
 they have overlooked and disregarded, is every thing to 
 him. His great inquiry is, ' Show me the visible kingdom 
 of Christ : name the countries where Christ is known and 
 worshipped. Oh ! when shall the kingdoms of this world 
 become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ ? 
 When shall the Heathen fear the name of the Lord ?' 
 
 " As his eye traverses the globe, he sighs over the awful 
 contrast which its different portions exhibit. His own 
 soul loves Jesus, the Saviour of men. But how small a 
 part of those immense tracts of country which the map 
 presents to his view, so much as know whether there be 
 any Christ ! What nations immersed in Fleathenish ido- 
 latry ! How many overrun with the tyrannical supersti- 
 tion of Mahomet ! Yea, where even the name of Christ 
 is professed, how many are sunk into the deep mire of 
 Popish corruption or virtual infidelity ! How small a por- 
 tion seem, as yet, to belong to Christ ! 
 
 " He mourns over the prospect, but does not lay dowa 
 the map and think no more of it. Again and again he 
 takes it up, prays for the sheep of Christ m distant lands, 
 recommends their case to God, and meditates plans for 
 their deliverance. He surveys the vast continents of Asia 
 and Africa, and, for the most part, it seems to be darkness 
 visible. Then he looks for his native island at home, en- 
 deared to him by a thousand considerations, but most en- 
 deared on account of the Gospel light with which she is 
 blessed. And shall not the rays of that light soon be dif- 
 fused, as from a centre, to all the surrounding world ? 
 Doth not a voice from above, in an especial manner, say 
 unto Britons, Go ye into all the world.' Wherefore ? 
 Only for political aggrandisement — for merchandise — for 
 travelling recreation — for collecting of philosophical rari- 
 ties ? Are these your only objects ? No ; saith liie Word> 
 « Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every 
 creature I' 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 113 
 
 ** From such a meditation on the map, the Christian re- 
 tires, not to slumber over the convictions of duty ; not to 
 nay much and do nothing. He freights a vessel to carry 
 the pearl of great price to those, who neither know of its 
 existence nor its value. The missionary is on board the 
 ship. The messenger of God is crossing the seas ; not 
 as formerly, to make the Ethiopians afraid, but to proclaim 
 the glad tidings of salvation to the Heathen, to preach the 
 Gospel to the poor to heal the broken-hearted, to preach 
 deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the 
 blind. Whilst the Christian, at home, who has been the 
 instrument of sending him forth on this errand of love, 
 anxiously waits to hear the happy news, that Dagon is 
 tallen upon his face to the ground, before the ark of the 
 Lord ; that Bel boweth down, and Nebo stoopeth, while 
 the great trumpet is blown ; and that they which were 
 ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in 
 the land of Egypt, are now worshipping the Lord in his 
 holy mount. 
 
 " O ye statesmen, merchants, travellers and philosophers, 
 take up your maps once more. 
 
 " Again consider the state of the church ; and if you love 
 Christ, feed his sheep." 
 
 He then makes the following appeal to his hearers. 
 
 " Are you Christians ? How came this ? Did no man 
 cross the seas to teach your forefathers wisdom ? Did no 
 missionary brave the perils of a journey among your Hea- 
 then ancestors, because he loved the sheep of Christ ? Yea, 
 brethren, through a blessing on missionary exertions, Christ 
 visited Britain. He had a fold here, and he sent some 
 faithful shepherd to gather the scattered sheep into it. Go, 
 then, and feed tlie sheep of Christ, as yourselves have 
 l>cen fed. 
 
 " Are you Protestants ? Then let the names of the first 
 
 Reformers — of Luther, Zuinglius, Calvin, Tindal, Cranmer, 
 
 Latimer, and all the venerable host of faithful martyrs and 
 
 confessors of their day, be loved and honoured by you. 
 
 11» 
 
114 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 They were missionaries at home to your Popish ancestors , 
 and you were dehveredfrom the mark of the beast on yout 
 forehead, by God's blessing on their firm and consistent 
 declaration of scriptural truths. Those holy nien came 
 forth as witnesses for God to a sinful and superstitious 
 generation They were as angels flying in the midst of 
 heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them 
 that dwell on the earth. Show that you vahje the blessings 
 which the first Protestants purchased for you with their 
 very lives, by bountiful and efficacious exertion to convey 
 the same truths to others. If the Son hath made you fi*ee, 
 then ye are free indeed. Freely ye have received, freely 
 give. 
 
 " Are 5'ou members of the Church of England ? Be 
 dutifiil sons of an honourable and gracious mother. As- 
 sist her with your counsels, your experience, your various 
 talents, your prayers, your time, and your money. Ena- 
 ble her to send forth messengers of love and peace to 
 those who at present have no knowledge, no Gospel, no 
 church, no Christ, no God in the world. Her doctrines 
 are precious, for they are the doctrines of the Cross : send 
 them abroad to those, who know none but the doctrines of 
 devils. 
 
 " The Church of England was the glory of the Refor- 
 mation. Let her be so still. Let her character be written, 
 not in the- empty boasts of nominal grandeur, but in the 
 actual exhibition of the fi-uits of the Spirit. Let her bo 
 distinguished and approved ' by pureness, by knowledge, 
 by long-suffering, by kindness- by the Holy Ghost, by love 
 unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by 
 the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the 
 lefl.' Let her be among the foremost to send forth the 
 preachers of the Gospel into foreign lands, and to employ 
 her peculiar advantages in the service of Christ. If you 
 love the communion of your church, and the privileges you 
 enjoy in it, multiply your contributions this day in her be- 
 half. She pleads in a noble cause ; a cause that proves 
 
REV. LEQH RICHMOND. 115 
 
 her to be the spouse of Christ ; for she longs and labours 
 for the increase of his kingdom, and calls upon you to pro- 
 mote it : let her not call in vain." 
 
 The collection on this occasion amounted to 33 IZ. \s. ; 
 being the largest sum ever contributed at any of the anni- 
 versary sermons of this society.* 
 
 The sermon was published with the proceedings of the 
 Church Missionary Society. Yet as many of the readers 
 of this memoir may not possess that publication, we have 
 been the more diffuse in our extracts. 
 
 Mr. Richmond's exertions in behalf of the religious so- 
 cieties, began from this period to form a very prominent 
 feature in his life. His journals, which we mean to lay 
 before the reader, will discover an extraordinary degree of 
 zeal and labour, such as few men would attempt to equal, 
 and fewer have ever exceeded. His correspondence at the 
 same time will show, that so far from sacrjficing parochial 
 or family duties to his more public engagements, he was 
 most strictly conscientious in the observance of them, [t 
 is admitted, that incessant occupation in the service of the 
 public, may prove a- serious interruption to the due dis- 
 charge of private obligations, and that personal piety may 
 be endangered by the excitement and distraction of pubhc 
 engagements. 
 
 Mr. Richmond formed an exception to the too common 
 effect of popularity. So far from being injured by his ex- 
 ertions abroad, they seemed to invigorate and fit him for 
 the better discharge of his duties at home : and his return 
 from these missionary tours was ever accompanied with 
 some signal revivals in his church and family. 
 
 In the year 1810, an AuxiHary Society was formed for 
 the county of Bedford, to co-operate with the London So- 
 ciety for promoting Christianity among the Jews. The 
 Parent Institution was not then established on its present 
 basis, as a Church Society, but comprehended Christians 
 
 ♦ Eqoal to one thotuand four hundred tixty nine dollars and 
 eighty six cents In the following pages the amounts collected will 
 be pat down in dollars and cents, and not in sterling currency. A. E. 
 
116 AIEUOIRS OF THE 
 
 of every denomination. Extempore addresses were at this 
 time so unusual, that few persons were either wiUing or 
 able to trust themselves beyond a very brief and limited ex- 
 pression of their sentiments ; and the writer well remem- 
 bers his own nervous agitation even when, having de- 
 clined to take a more prominent part in the business of the 
 day, the less difficult office of moving a vote of thanks to 
 the chairman was assigned to him. The feelings of many 
 others he beheves were much of the same description. 
 On Mr. Richmond, therefore, by unanimous consent, de- 
 volved the task ot explaining the object of the meeting ; in 
 doing which he entered so fully» and with so much ability, 
 into the past and present Instory of the Jews — the obliga- 
 tions of the Christian world to that remarkable people for 
 the fidelity with which they had transmitted the sacred text 
 — their claims on our gratitude and humanity — the man- 
 ner in which those claims had been requited and the guilt 
 of past neglect — the lost and degraded state of the Jews, 
 contrasted with the splendour of their future hopes ; that 
 one would have supposed that he had been studying no 
 other subject all his life : so ample. Was the knowledge he 
 displayed and the fluency with which he communicated it. 
 
 A similar meeting was afterward held at Kettering, in 
 Northamptonshire, which Mr. Richmond addressed with 
 equal readiness, and with a happy variety in his ideas, and 
 mode of expressing them. He preached also on the same 
 subject, at All Saints' church, Northampton, to a very large 
 congregation. 
 
 The circumstance that next claims our attention, is the 
 formation of the Bedfordshire Bible Society, in the autumn 
 of 1811. The recollections connected with this event will 
 not easily be obliterated. The presence of Christians of 
 all denominations, assembled, for the first time in that dis- 
 trict within the memory of man, to promote, by their united 
 energies, an object equally dear to all, — the dignity and 
 cordiality with which his grace the Duke of Bedford, the 
 president, declared his approbation of the catholic spirit and 
 enlarged benevolence of the undertaking, — the animated 
 
BEV. LEGH RICHMOND. 117 
 
 and powerful speech of the late Samael Whitbread, Esq., 
 
 the Christian character of the respective addresses, and 
 
 the spirit of harmony and peace which pervaded the meet- 
 ing, awakened in every bosom the purest and most exalted 
 emotions. It was like the meeting of risau and Jacob ; 
 who, after years of mutual alienation and distrust, forgot 
 all past animosities, and fell on each other's neck, with 
 matual tears and embraces. 
 
 The public meeting at Bedford was attended with two- 
 important results : the Huntingdonshire and Northampton- 
 shire Bible Societies owed their origin to the interest ex- 
 cited on that occasion. In the establishment of the above 
 society, and in organizing county branches, at Luton, 
 Leighton Dunstable, VVoburn. Ampthill, Biggleswade, 
 &c., Mr. Richmond took an active part ; and was, subse- 
 quently, in the habit of attending their anniversaries, and 
 n<jt unfrequently those also that were held in the adjoining 
 county of Northampton. 
 
 We now proceed to notice other labours of Mr. Rich- 
 mond in the Jewish and missionary cause, in different parts 
 of the kingdom : his own journal will best illustrate their 
 beneficial effects. We begin with his first tour to the north 
 of England, in the year 1812. 
 
118 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 JOITRNAL. 
 
 " Manchester, Sunday morning, Oct. 25, 181 2. Arrived 
 at St. Stephen's, Sulford, to preach for the Sunday schools : 
 upwards of 800 children, and 2000 people besides, not- 
 withstanding a very rainy morning. The srene highly grand 
 and animating ; and the singing thrilled through every pious 
 nerve and tender aifection. Preached from John xxi. 15, 
 * Feed my lambs.' Collection — ^359 02. Spoke with 
 much freedom, and hope I felt the love of God and of poor 
 children in my heart. 
 
 " Preached again at the same church, in the afternoon, 
 from Rev. xi. 15. Church as full as in the morning. Be- 
 fore the doors were opened, observed more than a consoli- 
 dated acre of umbrellas waiting foi admittance: the church- 
 yard was like a tabernacle of silk and cloth. 
 
 "Went, in the evening to ^t. James' church (the late 
 Dr. Bailey's ) The congregation resembled a missionary 
 meeting. With much difficulty I got to the pulpit — even 
 the pulpit stairs were filled to the top. Preached for the 
 Jews, from P.mlms cxxii. 6 Collection — <^238 1 1. 
 
 " Wednesday, Oct. 28. Beautiful morning, but cold. 
 Set off at eleven, to preach for the Jews, at the lofty, ro- 
 mantically situated church of Mellor, in Derbyshire. Pass- 
 ed one grand aqueduct ; was delighted with beautiful and 
 sublime scenery. Church and parsonage on the top of a 
 high precipitous Derbyshire mountain. Prospect, magni- 
 ficent beyond description Was actually shown mountains 
 in Carnarvonshire, 100 miles distant from the spot I stood 
 on. Two mountains (Kinderscort and Ritnmonton,) 
 covered all over with snow, on our right, while all the trees 
 in the valleys and plains are quite verdant ; — a sight I ne- 
 ver saw befoie. 
 
 '* Thursday morning. Set off for Manchester, at half 
 past seven in the morning. At seven, went to St. Cle- 
 ment's church. I think I never saw such a week-evening 
 congregation, — the largest church in Manchester full to 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND, 119 
 
 the doors ! I preached from Luke xix. 41. Never felt such 
 liberty and power in tne pulpit on this subject before. A 
 grand chorus, exquisitely sung, from the * Messiah' of Han- 
 del, burst forth when the sermon ended. It had an elec- 
 trical effect : towards the conclusion, near 3000 voices were 
 performing it — it was astonishing ! Collection — $181 22. 
 " Friday morning. Went to breakfast with a gentle- 
 man, who invited me expressly to meet Joseph Lancaster. 
 Passed two hours in the most entertaining manner, with 
 that celebrated character. 
 
 " Saturday. Was occupied in meditation over three 
 new sermons, on the old subject, for next day. Being 
 followed about by very many of the same hearers, it is ne- 
 cessary that my discourses be as much as possible diver- 
 sified. 
 
 " Sunday y Nov. 1 . Set out to preach at the collegiate 
 church of Manchester, to the warden, fellows, and congre- 
 gation of that cathedral establishment. A magnificent and 
 immense old church — congregatum estimated at more than 
 6000, by the best judges. The interest and popularity 
 which the cause and preaching excite, exceed all calcula- 
 tion. I never was concerned m any thing that approach- 
 ed it. 
 
 " Preached in the afternoon, at Cheetham chapel, near 
 Manchester ; — place full. Night, rained a deluge. Went 
 at seven, to preach at Ardwick chapel. In spite of rain, 
 the place would not hold the people. Collected about 
 }450 in the day. 
 
 " After the sermon in the evening, a gentleman of rank 
 begged to be introduced to me, saying, that several ladies 
 and gentlemen in the congregation were so struck, affect- 
 ed, and convinced by what they had heard, of the duty and 
 importance of the cause, that he was commissioned to con- 
 vey their thanks, and to know in what way they might best 
 co-operate in our plans, aid the funds, &c. 
 
 " Monday^ 2. Went to breakfast with Mr. B., to meet 
 some religious characters, who had expressed a desire to 
 converse with me : one of them, a learned and pious Quaker. 
 
V20 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 After breakfast, a gentleman called on me, to say, that Mr. 
 G., with whom I dined on Monday last, was so much inte- 
 rested with my detail of the distresses of the Jewish people, 
 at his table, that he sent a donation of ^44 40 for them. 
 He added, that Mr. G. was httle less interested with my 
 conversational account of the fire at Serampore ; and add- 
 ed ^44 40 more, to repair that loss. Immediately after, 
 two other gentlemen begged to see me ; stating, that so 
 very great and extraordinary was the impression made in 
 the town by the five sermons I had preached, respecting 
 the Jews, and so desirous were very many to pay a person- 
 al tribute of respect to me, that they proposed a public 
 meeting and dinner to be called and announced, for the 
 formation of an auxiliary society ; and introducing me to 
 the principal inhabitants, in my missionary capacity : add- 
 ing — ' Sir, delicacy forbids our stating all we hear in your 
 behalf; yet, the best proof of the effect you have produced, 
 will appear in the assembling and fruits of such a meeting.' 
 It was accordingly agreed to ; and will take place, I be- 
 lieve, on Wednesday the 1 1th. 
 
 « Went to meet a female party, who are all alive to form 
 a ladies' society, under my direction, for the poor Jewesses. 
 I am at a loss to say, whether the great cause of rehgion 
 itself, or the Jewish question, seems to be most connected 
 with this journey. May the Lord keep me humble and 
 thankful. I am nothing — He is every thing ! ' O ! the 
 depth,' &LC. 
 
 " Wednesday, 4. Set off, with Mr. Maddock, for Man- 
 chester : found Mr. Collin. Went, at one o'clock, with 
 him and two clergymen, to Oldham, eight miles off. Met 
 somfe clergymen assembled to discuss the Jewish business. 
 Had a pleasant, profitable meeting. 
 
 " At seven, we all went to church. A large congrega- 
 tion : half of them live 400 yards beneath, in the depth ol' 
 the coal-pits — a sable, grisly crew. I preached from Isa. 
 Ixvi., last six words of the 13th verse. Collected ^69 46, 
 from the colliers. Returned home to Manchester, at 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 121 
 
 eleven. Discussed the proceedings for the public meeting 
 next week. 
 
 " Thursday, 5. Passed the day at Manchester. Found 
 a letter, from an anonymous writer, inclosing two pounds :— 
 
 < A debt of duty and gratitude to the poor Jews, and 
 their affectionate missionary, who preached last night, at 
 Oldham chapel.' 
 
 " Sunday, 8. Went, at eight o'clock, to visit and exhort 
 the noble Sunday school, under Mr. Thistle waite's man- 
 agement. There are 38 volunteer teachers, of all ranks. 
 A most interesting sight. The children sent a petition, 
 that 1 might address them ; — there were 1400. 
 
 " Morning service at half-past ten. I preached a sacra- 
 mental sermon {Luke xxii. 19.) In the afternoon, at half- 
 past two, a noble congregation assembled. Preached for 
 the Jews, from Rom. x. 1. At half-past six, a still more 
 numerous one appeared (about 3,500 ;) and near 500 
 turned back for want of room. All the dissenting meet- 
 ings were shut. The scene and singing magnificent, al- 
 most beyond precedent. I preached from Ps. li. 18. 
 Never enjoyed a better opportunity The service con- 
 cluded with that glory of Handel, the musical art, and reli- 
 gion itself — tlie Hallelujah Chorus. The church resounded, 
 as with the clear and harmonious strains of angels and 
 archangels. I was electrified from head to foot, and could 
 not refrain from weeping, though I concealed many tears 
 of strong affection. Hallelujahs ran in reiterated peals, 
 from every part of this immense congregation of united 
 Christians — responsive to each other and to the subject. 
 with such an effect as perfectly overwhelmed me. Tlio 
 organ was finely played ; — an excellent trumpet was in the 
 band, and added much to the brilliancy of the effect. The 
 collection was $3Q\ 70. Fifteen guineas were in copper : 
 it took three hours to count it ; four men could with diffi- 
 culty lift one basket into the chaise, to convey it from the 
 church to the house of Mr. Thistlewaite ! ! 
 
 " Tuesday evening, 10. Received a very agreeable visit 
 from a Quaker, who conversed on the subject of the Bible 
 12 
 
12S) MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Society. Meditated on the best mode of preaching my 
 first sermon to the Jews and Gentiles of Manchester, on 
 Thursday night. 
 
 " Wednesday mornings U. Went to Manchester, and 
 proceeded to the great room, where the public meeting 
 was held. Above 200 ladies, and 300 gentlemen : four 
 Jews were present. Nothing could exceed the life and in- 
 terest of the meeting. Grimshawe, Collin. Sir Thomas 
 Horton, and Thistlewaite, all spoke exceedingly well. I 
 spoke twice ; — when the vote of thanks was made to me, 
 gentlemen and ladies all rose up, and every hand was up- 
 lifted in so affecting and affectionate a manner, that all my 
 thoughts melted into a sense of unworthiness and affection. 
 
 '' At the close of the meeting, a newspaper, containing 
 some erroneous and invidious queries respecting our plan, 
 was handed over to me ; and gave me a sudden and unex- 
 pected opportunity of an extempore refutation, much to the 
 satisfaction and amusement of the company. All went of^' 
 well. The society was formed with great prospect of pros- 
 perity. 
 
 " The committee dined together. After dinner, 
 
 took an opportunity to tell me that he had been a gay 
 young man ; and that he was, for the first time in his life, 
 so deeply impressed, that he trusted it never would be ef- 
 faced. He was humbled in the dust ; and only desired to 
 repent, and seek mercy through the merits of a long-slighted 
 Redeemer. He is the son of one of the first families in 
 this neighbourhood. He told me he came to the church 
 door at the request of his sisters, to escort them to the 
 evening sermon ; but while he was lingering. Providence 
 had brought him in to hear me, and his heart was aflfected 
 in the manner he had described. * O, the depths,' &c. 
 
 " Thursday, 12. Shut myself up for two hours, to pre- 
 pare for my sermon at night. The congregation not less 
 numerous. Many Jews present : ten were planted directly 
 before me. I preached from R$m. i 16, 17. Entered 
 into a full investigation, whether A© -Messiah is come or 
 not : I made it also a vehicle of pMCtical address to Chiis- 
 
RBV. LEGH RICHMOND. . 123 
 
 tians. The service concluded with the grand hymn, 
 * Crown him Lord of all.' The Jews never took their eyes 
 off me,— rooted, fixed attention, from first to last. My 
 address to them was heard with a solemnity and anxiety of 
 countenance by all present, such as I never witnessed. A 
 Jew spoke to me as I went out, saying, * Sir, we thank you 
 for your kind spirit towards us, but you Christians do not 
 understand the law and the prophets — Good night, Sir.' "* 
 
 Extracts from a Journal of a Tour in 1814. 
 
 " August 8. Left Turvey at five in the morning. Dined 
 
 at C n, with dear J s. The savoury sweetness 
 
 and friendly cordiality of his conversation was, as it ever 
 must be, delightful and edifying. Arrived at Leicester, 
 at eight in the evening, and slept at my friend M — I's. 
 There I used to converse with dear father Robinson. 
 How solemn and interesting does death render past recol- 
 lections ! Leicester cannot but mourn the loss of such a 
 man. He was a father, friend, pastor, counsellor, and 
 preacher, in an eminent degree. Peace and veneration 
 be to his memory ! 
 
 * Aug. 9. Met Mrs. B., who informed me of the most 
 distressing death of Mr J., of London. I felt deeply 
 affected. Lord, what is man ! who can tell to what depths 
 even God's children may be brought ? I was glad to learn, 
 that he was granted time and space for repentance, and 
 recovery of mind. Lord, grant his soul may be right 
 with God ! May we all hear and fear The Lord be 
 merciful to his mteresting family In the evening, I 
 preached for the Jews, at St. Mary's church A noble 
 coogregation. My text was Matt. x. 8. I found much 
 
 ♦ The editor, who was present at this sermon, well remembers 
 the immense congreg^tioD, and intense interest excited on this occa- 
 sion. At that part of the sermon where he addressed the Jews, who 
 were very diatingaishable by their expression of countenance, there 
 was the most profound silence, and marks of the most fixed and ear- 
 nest attention prevailed that he ever saw in so large a mass of peo- 
 ple. 
 
124 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 freedom in speaking, and thought God seemed to be in the 
 midst of us. Very many clergymen and dissenting mi- 
 nisters were present. The collection was ^184 92. 
 The Lord keep me humble, simple-minded, and single- 
 eyed. 
 
 " Aug. 10. Proceeded to Derby and Matlock : — de- 
 lighted with the High Tor ; resolved on its being my text, 
 in illustration of Deut. xxxii. 4. Congregation, and eve- 
 ning, quiet, calm, and interesting. The beauty of this 
 place increases, to my apprehension, every time I revisit it. 
 Blessed be the Rock of salvation ! I returned to M. B. by 
 late twilight. The scene exquisitely fine God made all 
 these beauties I May I see Him in them ! 
 
 " Aug, 1 1 Went to Bonsai. It is one of the most in- 
 teresting, romantic spots I ever saw — it far exceeds de- 
 scription The church and church-yard are remarkably 
 interesting. In the evening, preached for the Jews, from 
 Prw. iii. 27. Collection, ^69 26. I had not so much 
 freedom as sometimes, but felt calm and hopeful. The 
 character of this picturesque, sequestered village, on the 
 opposite side of Masson (Hill) from Matlock, is beauti- 
 ful, wild, rich, and engaging in the extreme. 
 
 " Aug. 12. Early in the morning, I went into the beautiful 
 and romantically-situated church-yard, and meditated near 
 an hour. Here is a remarkably fine yew tree. In the 
 evening, I received an invitation to preach for the Jews on 
 Sunday morning, at Alfret(m. I returned to Bonsai, and, 
 at my friend Maddock's desire, addressed a large number 
 of young people in the church, who are under instruction 
 for an approaching confirmation by the bishop. It was a 
 pleasing sight, and, I hope, a profitable time. How gra- 
 cious is God to body, soul, and spirit ! 
 
 "Aug. 14. [Sunday.) We set off for Alfreton. I 
 preached for the Jews, fi-om John iv. 22. Collection, 
 g69 48. Returned to Bonsai ; preached from Psalms 
 viii. 2. A church completely filled ; many visitors from 
 Matlock. It was a delightful opportunity ; the Lord 
 
REV. LEGH SICHHOND. 125 
 
 seemed to be present, amidst a worshipping and listening 
 people. Such a congregation in so romantic and beautiful 
 a situation, is a rare and interesting sight. Returned to 
 the hotel to supper ; had some very profitable conversation 
 with Mrs. B., who has been an authoress. How desirable 
 to endeavour to introduce something for God at these 
 public places. 
 
 " August 21 . (^Sunday.) Preached for the Jews at the 
 parish church of Halifax. It is a remarkably fine old 
 building The day extremely wet. In the afternoon I 
 preached at Trinity church, in the same town ; a very 
 large congregation. I deeply felt my subject. Immedi- 
 ately after the second sermon. Mr. C. and I set off for 
 Iluddersfield. The congregation at the church was im- 
 mense. The Methodist chapel was shut up. The sight 
 of such an assembly filled me with desire and affection. 
 I preached from Rom. xi. 1 5, with great comfort. The 
 occasion was in every way interesting. Collection, ^305 
 24. One person had put into the plate two guineas, 
 wrapped in a ten pound note! (^53 72.) As soon as 
 the service was over, the organ and choir suddenly began 
 the grand Hallelujah Chorus, and executed it well. The 
 effect was sublime, and afiected me much. 
 
 August 23. Preached the promised lecture at Hud- 
 dersfield church, from Eph. iii. 17 — 19 : a very fine con- 
 gregation, although an exceedingly wet night. I was very 
 earnest in my subject, and went through it with much so- 
 lemn feeling. The character of this whole family, where 
 I now am, is highly interesting. Such new friendships 
 are, indeed, among the mercies of God to travelling pil- 
 grims. 
 
 « August 27. Set off for Bradford. Attended the 
 public meeting : a very large assembly. Mr. S. made an 
 excellent and argumentative speech. The venerable vicar 
 was present. All went off well. We dined with Mr. F. ; 
 the party numerous, spiritual, and edifying. The conver- 
 12* 
 
126 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 sation very interesting. Returned to Leeds, and, by the 
 way, examined the fine ruin of Kirkstall Abbey. It is 
 highly grand and beautiful. 
 
 " Angus' 28. {Sunday.) Awoke with anxiety respect- 
 ing the sermons of the day, having three to preach at dif- 
 ferent churches, in the same town, (Leeds.) Went in the 
 morning to St. Paul's, the church of the late Rev. Miles- 
 Atkinson I preached for the Jews, from Rom. xi. 30, 31. 
 Found myself strengthened. In the afternoon preached 
 at St. John's, for the Jews, from Ps. cii. 12, 13, Preached 
 with more satisfaction than in the morning, and felt much 
 for the souls of those present. In the evening, preached 
 at St. John's, from Aiatt. x. 8 : a very fine congregation 
 indeed. 1 preached with great freedom to my own feel- 
 ings, both as to argument and appeal. My heart was 
 much engaged in considering the great work of the minis- 
 terial calling. Singing, veiy grand and impressive. Col- 
 lection, during the day, ^450. I have reason to be 
 very thankful to God, for the help and strength with which 
 T was enabled to pursue my course this day. ^ 
 
 " August 29. Went to the public meeting at the Music- 
 hall, for forming a Ladies' Society. Many excellent 
 speeches were made, which rendered the meeting pecu- 
 liarly interesting. After dinner, went to Birstall, and 
 preached for the Jews, from Rmn. x. 1 . The church is 
 singularly venerable in architecture, and picturesque in 
 character. It was full in the extreme. 
 
 " Aug. 30. Arrived at Manchester just in time to preach 
 at St. Clement's Church, from Gen. xvii. 5., on the united 
 influence of Jewish and Heathen Missions on each other. 
 Afterwards, prepared papers for a meeting next morning. 
 I felt my mind affected while enlarging on the abov(^ 
 view of the question. 
 
 ** Aug. 31. Held the anniversary meeting of the Auxi- 
 liary Society. Numerous attendance. Preached in the 
 evening at Stanley-bridge chapel, from John iv. 22^. Was 
 struck with seeing a monument to the Rev. John Kcdl- 
 
EKV. LEGH RICHMOND. V27 
 
 worthy, aged thirty-four He was a college friend, and I 
 did not know what was become of him In the midst of 
 bfe we are m death ! 
 
 " Sept. 1 . Found many letters ; one from my dear wife, 
 which I answered. Children all well at home. O, how 
 merciful is God ! I have laboured much this last fortnight, 
 but am in no respect the worse, and in many the better for 
 it. And so may he ever give his beloved rest ; not from, 
 but in labour. The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers 
 are few. The importance of such a work as I am en- 
 l^aged in, appears daily more and more in its effects on in- 
 dividuals, places, and districts. May the Master whom I 
 serve, give me strength according to my day, and use mc 
 for his own glory, and the good of the church of Christ^ 
 where, when and hoto he pleaseth ! 
 
 Sat up, before I went to bed. and meditated on the 
 blessings which God had mercifully bestowed on me, in 
 giving me so valuable a wife, and so many dear children. 
 I then prayed for them, and retired to rest. 
 
 *' Sept. 3. Made two skeletons for Church Missionary 
 sermons, to be preached at Buxton to morrow. Proceeded 
 thither. Scenery lovely. Buxton completely full. My 
 sermon here is an arduous task. God give me strength to 
 go tlirough it to his glory ; fearless of men, and anxious for 
 their spiritual welfare. [ find that ladies are to collect at 
 the church to-morrow. 
 
 ^^ Sept. 4. (Sunday.) Rose early, to prepare for my 
 day's work. VVent to the new and beautiful chapel. A 
 large congregation of genteel people. I preached from 
 Luke xix. 42, for the Jews. I enjoyed sufficient freedom 
 from fear, so as to be rendered comfortable. Ladies col- 
 lected from pew to pew, supported by gentlemen. Went 
 immediately afterwards to Bakewell, where I preached for 
 the Church Missionary Society, from Rom. iii. 29. From 
 thence I went to Yeolgrave, where I preached for the same 
 cause, from Matt. ix. 37, 38. 
 
 " Sept. 5. Rose early, and was struck with the singular- 
 ly beautiful effect of the morning fog or dew, roUing, or 
 
f'iS MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 rather reposing in flakes and masses on the valley seen 
 from my window The hills around me were clear, the 
 sun shining, the objects in some part of the valley beginning 
 to appear. At length all became clear and uninterrupted. 
 The whole was highly interesting. Went through the 
 beautiful valley. Saw a comment on my text last night ; 
 a lars:e tract of harvest land, and one solitary person rf ap- 
 ing it! Noticed a sublime and interesting mass of rocks ; 
 their shape, form, and character, worthy of the minutest 
 attention. Wild, unfrequented, and romantic, in the high- 
 est decree. Within them is a hermit's cave, on the wall 
 of which some pious artist has sculptui ed a crucifix. Me- 
 ditation has here scope for boundless action — sceaic, spi- 
 ritual, sublime, and beautiful. 
 
 " Sept. 6. Received a letter from my dear wife. All 
 well, (jod be praised. Mercies still follow me. Bless the 
 Lord, O my soul ! and all that is withm me bless His holy 
 name ! 
 
 *' Sept 9. Attended a meeting of ladies and gentlemen^ 
 for the Church Missionary Society. Messrs. Kemp, 
 Saunders, Gell, Maddock, and mystlf, spoke. The col- 
 lection, including two donations of ten guineas each, from 
 Lady E. Percival, and the Hon. Mrs Childers, after my 
 sermon last night, amounted to ^179 69. This first in- 
 cursion into the very heart of a watering-place is an ex- 
 cellent beginning, and promises well. We met at the 
 dining-room, just underneath the romantic rocks : shrubs, 
 trees, river, &c., opposite. I was reminded of Salvator 
 Rosa's picture of John the Baptist preaching in the wil- 
 derness. 
 
 "The Lord of grace and glory help me in my work, and 
 bless it to me, a poor sinner , lohile I preach foTf and to, 
 other poor sinners ! 
 
 *^ Sept 11. (^Sunday.) Preached in the fine old church 
 (with its most singular and crooked spire,) for the Church 
 Missionary Society, from Mark xvi. 15. Set off for 
 Sheffield. Proceeded to the parish church : congregation 
 computed at 3500. Many Jmndreds unable to. get in. \ 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 129 
 
 preached jointly (by express desire) for the Jews and the 
 Heathen, from Rom. iii. 29. Collection— $308 12. 
 The Hallelujah Chorus was grand and affecting in the 
 liighest degree. Much to be thankful for in each of the 
 three sermons this day. The collection was snid to be the 
 largest ever made in this church, on any occasion It is 
 not easy to describe or conceive the effect of such a con- 
 gregation as this at Sheffield. 
 
 " Sept. 12. Most hospitably received at Mrs. Walker's. 
 Went to see Mr. Walker's great iron- works, near Rother- 
 ham. Saw a carmon cast, and went through the whole 
 manufactory. It is most ingenious and interesting Saw 
 the rolling-mill, and manufacture of tin plates. Observed 
 on our return in the evening, the effects of the many sur- 
 rounding blazing furnaces. The effect in so fine a night is 
 grand and beautiful : some of the fires on the tops of high 
 hills, some on the sides, others in the valleys — some near, 
 others distant. 
 
 ** Sept. 14 Preached at Rotherham church, for the 
 Church issionary Society. Text — Matt xxviii. 19, 20. 
 A fine congregation. Dear Maddock read prayers. Nu- 
 merous proofs hourly occur of the usefulness of my mis- 
 sionary labours, wherever we travel. Surely, goodness 
 and mercy follow us ! Glory be to God ! 
 
 " Sept. 16. Went to Selby. Preached for the Church 
 Missionary Society. The congregation good and attentive. 
 My excellent friend Maddock accompanied me. Before 
 I retired to rest, felt peculiarly earnest in prayer for my be- 
 loved wife and children. O ! for the Lord to crown them 
 with his mercies, temporal, spiritual, and eternal ! 
 
 " Sept. 19. Received a singularly interesting letter 
 from the Russian princess, Sophia Metschertski, at St. 
 Petersburgh. Explored the romantic and beautiful scenery 
 around Knaresborough. Went onto Studley Park. Saw 
 the ruins of Fountains' Abbey ; — it far exceeds every thing 
 I have seen or shall see — imagination itself is filled, and 
 more than filled. I went through the long walk with that 
 vigour, which I only find myself able to exert when I travel 
 
130 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 and have my mind strongly bent on interesting and rational 
 enjoyment. 
 
 " Sept. 26, {Sunday.) Preached in the morning at St. 
 Paul's, Leeds, from Gen. xxii. 18. Dined with Mr H. ; 
 then preacheti at St. John's, from Eph. ii. 12, 13. Preach- 
 ed in the evening, at St. James's, from Isa. \x. 7. In the 
 morning, felt calm and comfortable In the evening found 
 most enjoyment in my work The congregation overflow- 
 ing — the smgmg universal — the effect delightful. Mis- 
 sionaries weie present. How mercifully the Lard carries 
 me through ! — What shall I render unto Him for all his 
 benefits. 
 
 " Sept. 26. Attended the public anniversary meeting. 
 Thirteen clergymen spoke. The whole went off excellently, 
 Drank tea wiih a large religious party at Mr D.'s. All 
 profitable and affectionate. The Princess Sophia's letter 
 delights every one that hears it. 
 
 ^^Sept. 27. Prea<hed at Hiiddersfield, from Ps. xcvi. 
 10 Church crowded in the extreme. I was able to speak 
 with great readiness. Collection '^■■ibb 20 
 
 " Sept 28. Held the anniversary meeting of the Hud- 
 dersfield Association Preached in the evening at Al- 
 mondbury, from Matt ix .37, 38. A noble congregation. 
 What strong testimonials do I daily receive, of the extensive 
 usefulness of my journey! Surely God is good indeed, 
 in thus comforting my spirits, amidst many thoughts of 
 anxiety ! 
 
 " Oct. 1 . — Prepared to leave Woodhouse, — a roof under 
 which I have met with so much to improve and delight, 
 that I know not how to express my gratitude to God and 
 its owners as I ought The five daughters gave me ^22 
 JsO, as an annual subscription for a negro rescued child, to 
 be called after Maddock and myself We were requested 
 to plant two trees, as memorials of our visit and friendship. 
 M. planted an oak, and I a Portugal laurel. The whole 
 interesting family heaped every mark of regard and respect 
 upon us. I desire to enter my record of thankfulness and 
 affectionate pleasure, which this visit and intercourse have 
 
 n 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 131 
 
 excited in my heart : in such things, the Lord is good in- 
 deed. Proceeded to Bradford. Heard fresh testimonies 
 there, to the great use of religious tours. 
 
 " Oct 2, (Sunday.) Preached in the morning at Brad- 
 ford church, from Rom. x. 13, 14. A fine congregation. 
 Preached in the afternoon at the same church, from Matt. 
 ix. 36. A still larger congregation. Preached in the 
 evening from Rev. xi. 16. Ovei-flowing congregation : I 
 never saw any thing like it — not less than 4000, certainly. 
 Three collections — ^510 60. Such a day — such a church 
 — such a vicar — such life — such attention — such liberality, 
 and such general success, are rarely seen. I desire to 
 praise God from my heart, for the interesting, animating, 
 encouraging scene, it altogether presented. I received 
 the sacrament from the hands of |he venerable, apostohcal, 
 blind vicar. 
 
 " Oct. 5. Met my mother at Chesterfield. We travelled 
 together to Mansfield. Proceeded to the church. A very 
 fine congregation. I preached from Rom. x. 15. Collec- 
 tion — J222. I have had great heaviness of spirit since 
 Monday night, but I think the Lord has blessed me in it. 
 He is good and merciful ! 
 
 " Oct. 6. Travelled to Bonsai, where Maddock found 
 his wife and children well. O ! may God grant that I do 
 the same ! He has been with me as a Protector all the 
 way, and I will trust him still ! May every tear be wiped 
 from my loved Mary's eyes, and may we again meet, with 
 Christian and connubial afifection. Amen 
 
 «* Oct. 8. I parted with my friend Maddock, at six 
 o'clock. God be with him. He has been an amiable, 
 cheerful, and most interesting companion and coadjutor ; 
 I love and esteem him from my heart.* Rejoiced greatly 
 io the hope of meeting my dear wife at Creaton. I can 
 truly say that that place where she is, is a dear home to 
 my heart ; and home itself ceases to be home, if she is not 
 
 ♦ Thi« •xcellent man is since departed to a better world, beloved 
 aod ettMOMd by all who knew him. 
 
132 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 there. Lord, I bless thee, for having preserved me sali- 
 through a journey which already exceeds 1160 miles ; and 
 may it be crowned by meeting her at last, in love and union 
 of soul ! — Arrived safe at Creaton, and found my dear wifo 
 and daughter well. This is a crowning mercy, and shall 
 be accounted as such. 
 
 " Oct. 1 1. We letl Mr. Jones'. Dined at Northampton, 
 and arrived safe at Turvey, at half-past seven o'clock — 
 finding the dear children well. What shall I render to the 
 Lord, for all his benefits unto me ? 
 
 "Thus ends a journey marked by manifold mercies, 
 pleasures, useful labours, and gratifying events. Many 
 valuable friendships formed ; — religious and personal in- 
 fluence extended ; — the cause both of Jews and Heathen 
 furthered ; — knowledge gained, love increased, and Chris- 
 tian esteem established and cemented. — Gloria Deo in 
 excelms /" 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 133 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Extracts from Journal, — Success of these tours, — Effect 
 on the interests of religion, — His own improvement, — that 
 of his parish and family. 
 
 ^'August, 1816. Commenced a journey for the Jews* 
 and Church Missionary Societies. 
 
 *' Aug. 27. Preached at Bolton, to between three and 
 four thousand people, for the Sunday schools. Collection 
 — J763 11. A piagnificent appearance. The singing was 
 grand and impressive in the highest degree. Anthems, 
 Handel's Chorusses, &.c. were sung, and accompanied by 
 trumpets, horns, &c. in a very fine style indeed. My mind 
 was much affected, and I found considerable enlargement, 
 though not without much inward temptation and strugglo 
 to the contrary. 
 
 " Aug 30. Went to see Lancaster church and castle. 
 The latter is grand in a very high degree. The modern 
 Gothic court-houses exceed any thing I have ever seen. 
 The view from thence superb : sea, estuaries, castles, 
 mountains, &c., form a beautiful display of scenery. 
 Examined the interior of the castle, visited the criminals, 
 &-C. Had much affecting information from Mr. H. rela- 
 tive to some criminals, executed at various periods. What 
 a picture of man does a gaol afford ! — how it reminds me 
 of the saying of John Bradford, the reformer, on seeing a 
 criminal taken to the place of execution — < But for the 
 grace of God, there goes John Bradford.' 
 
 " Sept. 6 Saw Winandermere Lake with astonishment 
 and delight. Proceeded te Ambleside, where I had a very 
 pleasing conversation with the Bishop of Llandaff. Pro- 
 ceeded, through the cnciianting road by Rvdal Water. 
 13 
 
134 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 Grassmere, Lealhes Water, Helvellyn, &c., to Keswick, 
 whose beauties baffle all description. Our conversation 
 was Christian and edifying — all having the greatest enjoy- 
 ment in the scenery and its accompaniments. 
 
 " Sept, 7. Rose early, and walked to examine the beau- 
 tiful mountain of Skiddaw. After breakfast, went round 
 Keswick Lake. Saw the Barrow Cascades, Lowdore Wa- 
 ter-fall, Borrowdale Falls, Bowder Stone, &c. All beyond 
 my description, or previous conception. After dinner, sail- 
 ed on the Lj ke, with some other friends. All was serene 
 — lovely — delightful ! The Lowdore cannon was fired : 
 the echo of the many mountains produced a peal of perfect 
 thunder. We sung hymns on the lake by sunset and moon- 
 light : the effect may be better conceived than written. 
 
 " Sept. 8. Set off at six, for Ulleswater : beauty and 
 wonder in profusion. Saw the great mountain of Saddle- 
 back, and a druidical circle of stones. Crossed the Lake 
 of Winandermere, by the west. Exquisite moonlight ! Ar- 
 rived at Kendal at night. Of these three days — my com- 
 panions — my enjoyments, I would write, but 1 cannot ; — 
 they have lefl an indelible trace ; and I bless God for the 
 mercy. 
 
 " Sept 10, {Sunday.) Went to Tunstal, and preached 
 for the Jews. Proceeded to Lancaster, and preached 
 again for the Jews. A fine congregation. Much help 
 from above throughout the day. 
 
 " Sept 11. Dined with dear Mrs. P., at S. Lodge. A 
 most profitable and spiritual party. It was suddenly pro- 
 posed after dinner, that I should preach a lecture that night 
 at Lancaster. At two hours' notice, about 1000 people 
 were collected. I preached from Heb. xiii. 8. 
 
 *' Sept, 12. Passed an affectionate day with my mother 
 and sister. My mother, near eighty, walked a mile and a 
 }^alf God preserve her ! Had much religious conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 «« Sept. 13. Went to C. Hall the seat of the excellent 
 C. W., Esq. Viewed the exquisitely romantic beauties of 
 Kirby-Lonsdale church, church-yard, and bridge. In the 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 135 
 
 evening, expounded the 23d Psalm to a large company of 
 friends and neighbours. 
 
 «< Sept, 14. Left this interesting and most edifying family. 
 Proceeded to Knaresborough. Arrived at the friendly 
 house of Mr. C. ; and preached, the following daj*, for 
 the Jews, from Luke xxiv. 47. 
 
 " Leeds, Sept. 18 A delightful anniversary meeting of 
 thd Church Missionary Society. Mr. Corrie, from India, 
 gave most interesting details respecting that country and 
 Abdool Messee, &,c. Many excellent speeches : great 
 savour and spirituality throughout the whole. 
 
 *• Sept. 24, {Sunday.) Preached at St. Stephen's, Sal- 
 ford, for the Sunday schools, from Johii iii. 14, 15. Very 
 good congregation. In tlie afternoon, preached again for 
 the schools, from Ps Ixxii. 4. Preached in the evening, 
 at St. Clement's, from Gen. xii. 1, 2, 3. Congregation 
 overflowing. I find by a letter, that Mr. C, of Bradford, 
 has through me, anonymously, given ^380 28, to the churc'i 
 mission. 
 
 " Sept. 29. Attended the Jewish anniversary. It was 
 rendered most interesting by the particulars communicate! 
 about a converted Jew, Emanuel Lemon, who died at Man- 
 chester. 1 went afterward to the house where he died, and 
 spent two hours in deep affection, listening to the simpie 
 narratives of facts, from various persons, concerning this 
 singular convert. Brought away some memorials of him. 
 A very good day indeed. 
 
 Huddersfield, Oct. 1. Preached for the Church Mis- 
 sionary Society, from Acts xxvii. 23. Church much crowd- 
 ed Preached in the afternoon, at Slaithwaite chapel, from 
 Mark xvi. 15. Above two thousand persons present. In 
 the evening, preached at Longwood chapel, from Ps. 
 Ixxxix. 15, 16. An immense multitude. Upwards of 
 $350 collected at these three services. Had a day of great 
 labour and apparent usefulness. Was carried through, 
 very mercifully, in all the three sermons. I hear of good 
 effects from my sermons of last year in this vicinity, parti- 
 cularly that at Huddersfield, from Eph iii. on the love of 
 Christ." 
 
13G 
 
 MEMOIRS or THir 
 
 As the remaining parts of tliis tour refer to places alreaJv 
 mentioned in the preceding accounts, we forbear to insert 
 them ; though they aflbrd ample testimony to the usefulnes:^ 
 of his labours. 
 
 Tltfere may be a disposition in the minds of some who 
 have read these journals, to censure, rather than to approve. 
 The slender hold which the Gospel has on their hearts and 
 affections, utterly disqualifies them for estimating the spirit 
 and aim of a man who, to use the words of the venerable 
 Leighton, counted the whole world, "in comparison of the 
 cross of Christ s one grand impertinence.^'' To such minds, 
 the royal prophet would seem '' vile," when in the holy 
 exultation of bis spirit, he danced before the ark of God ; — 
 the great apostle would seem to rave, in the record of his 
 sufferings and labours ; and even the Saviour of the world 
 to be " beside himself," while he found it his meat and his 
 drink to do the will of God. Such men cannot accommo- 
 date to the standard of their own selfish and earthly appre- 
 hensions, the zeal and piety of one, who, " intent upon the 
 attainment of heaven (for himself or others) rejects with in- 
 dignation- every attempt to degrade or deride subjects he 
 never recollects but with seriousness and anxiety." Let 
 it be remembered, however, that "nothing but stupidity^ 
 or the most irivolous dissipation of thought, can make even 
 the inconsiderate forget the supreme importance of every 
 thing which relates to a future existence. The most pre- 
 posterous device by which the weakest devotee ever be- 
 lieved he was securing the happiness of a future life, is 
 more rational than unconcern about it. Uf)on this subject, 
 nothing is so absurd as indifference — no folly so contempti- 
 ble as thouglitlessness and levity."* Men may selfishly 
 indulge themselves, and pursue their own imn>ediate grati- 
 fications ; and seeing nothing valuable in religion be- 
 yond the form, decry every attempt to realise or exhibit its 
 power. They may affect to hide or explain away the dire- 
 lul consequences of idolatry, to the human race ; and under 
 
 * Paley's Moral Phil. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 137 
 
 cover of a false-named charity, which is, in reality, no other 
 than an indifference, arising out of ignorance and unbelief, 
 exclaim, " What have we to do with other men's religions V 
 But he who faithfully lays before his thoughts the awiul 
 delusions and abominable crimes of millions of his fellow- 
 creatures, and connects these evils with the solemn and af- 
 fecting declaration of the Bible, ' the wages of sin is 
 death," — even " the bitter pains of eternal death," — will, 
 in his own dehverance from them, " count all things bul 
 loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus 
 his Lord ;" and will burn with a zeal even to his consuming, 
 till " all flesh shall see the salvation of God." 
 
 These fragments were evidently not intended for the pub- 
 lic eye.* They are the simple details of daily occurren- 
 ces ; designed, perhaps, to interest his family, and keep 
 alive in his own remembrance, a sense of the divine good- 
 ness. Yet, on this account, they may be regarded as the 
 more faithful witnesses of the scenes through which he 
 passed, and of his views respecting them. It is impossible 
 to read the facts recorded, without prejudice, and not dis- 
 cern in them the man of God ; — his time spent in laborious 
 and incessant occupation ; — a piety fervent, but rational ; 
 with less admixture of human infirmity, than may be found 
 in the diaries of many other good men ; — a holy elevation 
 of spirit in the pursuit and possession of his object, combi- 
 ned with deep humility ; — a habit of devotion, and increas- 
 ing personal piety, in the midst of almost universal respect 
 and popularity ; — a sense of danger, and constant prayer 
 to be preserved from it ; — and what perhaps is more than 
 all, in the midst of labours unceasing, various, and exciting, 
 abrondf — a constant eye to the claims at home. 
 
 The editor has no inclination to amphfy the preceding 
 remarks on the missionary tours of his friend, except from 
 
 ♦ In the above opinion, we most fully concur. There are many 
 thing;! so entirely of a private nature, that we have thought it pro- 
 per to omit them altogether, and to retain only such parts of (he 
 Journal*, as were more particularly connected with Mr. Richmond's 
 public ayency. An. Ed. 
 
 13* 
 
138 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 a desire of rendering them useful to those excellent men* 
 who are following the course in which he took the lead. 
 Mr. Richmond needed more repose than he allowed him- 
 self, and probably shortened his valuable hfe by overexer- 
 tion. 'J'here is a good deal of error in the trite maxim 
 often quoted, '' it is better to wear out than to rust out :" 
 surely, it is a point of practical wisdom, to preserve a me- 
 dium between indolence and over-effort ; and the editor 
 cannot but consider, that exertion beyond the limits assign- 
 ed to human power is little better than a moral suicide. If 
 good men were to satisfy themselves of the sinfulness of 
 over-strained activity, they would submit to the rein for 
 conscience' sake. It appears, that besides the fatigue of 
 hastening from one place to another to fulfil his engage- 
 ments, Mr. Richmond generally preached three sermons 
 on the sabbath, and often five or six more in the course of 
 the week. His fatigue was also increased by the crowded 
 congregations who assembled to hear him. The hours 
 which should have been given to repose, were unceasingly 
 occupied in conducting family worship, and conversing at 
 every meal with persons who were invited to meet him, 
 even to the last hour of the day. On these occasions he 
 took> as was expected, a prominent part in the conversa- 
 tion ; which however useful to others, must have insensibly 
 exhausted his strength. The writer, who accompanied 
 him in many of these tours, often expressed a fear that he 
 would soon become a wreck in mind and body, as the in- 
 evitable result of such continued exertions His reply 
 was generally the same, " I am not fatigued : I do not feel 
 it ;" but the writer felt assured that imbecility or a prema- 
 ture old age, must soon succeed these unceasing efforts. 
 The political and religious world have had some beacons 
 held out to them, from which they might gather an instruc- 
 tive warning, and learn to acknowledge the wisdom of a 
 remark made by an estimable character, " I labour less, 
 that I may labour the longer ;" he might have added, « with 
 greater benefit to the church of God, in the season of ma- 
 tured experience and ripened judgment." In the midst of 
 
REV. LEGH RICBMOND. 139 
 
 these multiplied engagements, the writer could not refrain 
 from asking his friend, " whence do you obtain supplies for 
 these extraordinary demands ?" Hours of retirement and 
 meditation are necessary to every Christian ; still more ne- 
 cessary to the minister of religion, and most of all to those 
 who are exposed to the temptations and distractions of public 
 life. The largest reservoir will fail, unless it receives con- 
 tinual supplies. Mr Richmond, in these circumstances, 
 felt his need of redoubled watchfulness and prayer : he 
 not only rose early in the morning to seek communion with 
 the Father of spirits, and retired early at night from the 
 converse of man, that he might renew his strength in wait- 
 ing upon God ; but it was the constant habit of his mind 
 throughout the day, by secret ejaculations, to draw down 
 help from above. 
 
 Besides this, he had by previous research collected his 
 materials, and by close study had so mastered his subject, 
 that he required less time for preparation than most men. 
 He would often arrange his ideas for a sermon, as he was 
 travelling to the place where it was to be delivered ; and 
 the abundance of his resources, together with a remarkable 
 facility of utterance, contributed to lessen his labour. 
 That whirh most surprised me, was the diversified manner 
 in which he treated the same subject. An esteemed friend 
 of the writer's once assured him that he went to hear Mr. 
 Richmond preach three sermons on one Sunday. He said, 
 he expected there wouhl be, of course, a similarity in the 
 discourses ; and yet they proved to be as varied as if they 
 had been delivered bythrte different preachers. 
 
 The effects of these exertions in promoting the interests 
 of the missions, as well as those of personal religion, were 
 most obvious. 
 
 He has been known to have collected in these excursions 
 from $3,550, to $4,440 ; and he once told the writer, that 
 the fruits of one of these journeys were not less $5,228. 
 But though money forms the sinews of charity no less than 
 of war, and is indispensable to the operations of every so- 
 ciety i it was the establishment of missionary views and 
 
140 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 principles, the correction of errors, and the removal of pre- 
 judices, and the enforcement of the claims of Jews and 
 Gentiles on the prayers and benevolence of the Christian 
 public, which formed one of the most prominent features 
 of usefulness in these tours : we may add another, of 
 which he never lost sight, in preaching either for Jews or 
 Gentiles, viz. ; the interests of 'personal religion, and the 
 close connexion of missionary objects with the advancement 
 of personal piety. While he spoke of the souls of the Hea- 
 then or Jew, he faithfully reminded his hearers of their 
 own ; admonished them of their obligation to improve 
 their Christian privileges ; and of the possibility of many, 
 at the last day, being admitted " from the east, and from 
 the west, and from the north, and from the south." while 
 the children of the kingdom might be cast out : — that no- 
 minal Christianity was, after all, little better than Heathen 
 ignorance ; while it involved greater guilt, and a more tre- 
 mendous responsibility ; — that personal rehgion was one of 
 the best securities for missionary zeal and exertion ; and 
 that no one was ever likely to be successfully engaged in 
 communicating the Gospel to others, till he had first felt its 
 power and experienced its peace in his own heart. 
 
 The writer of this Memoir can state, from his own per- 
 sonal observation, that the improved tone of moral feeling, 
 and of attachment to the distinguishing truths of the Gos- 
 pel, which is now so perceptible throughout the kingdom, 
 may, to a considerable extent, be traced to the influence of 
 these, and similar missionary excursions. He has often 
 heard his lamented friend observe, in the earlier days of 
 these institutions, — " the public mind is gradually under- 
 going a great moral revolution. Ten or twelve leading 
 men are doing all the work, and bearing the burden and 
 heat of the day. It will be comparatively easy for tliose 
 who come after us ; but the prejudice, the opposition, and 
 the conflict of opinion, it is ours to encounter ; and these 
 difliculties are good for us ; for they convince us of our 
 own weakness, and show the excellency of the cause, end 
 the power and strength of God in its success and progress." 
 
REV. LEGII RICHMOND. 141 
 
 We copy an extract from a letter to his aunt, in which the 
 same sentiments are expressed. " Incalculable is the na- 
 tional goo! which is daily springing up from such exertions. 
 It now appears capable of demonstl-ation, that the moral 
 wilderness will eventually blossom as the rose, through the 
 blessing of God on Bible and Missionary institutions. The 
 opposition of error and prejudice languish and decay ; 
 while the triumphant career of sacred benevolence con- 
 veys life, light, peace, and love ; and bears unequivocal 
 evidence to the universe, that * God is with us of a truth.' '* 
 
 We have already stated, that Mr. Richmond's popularity 
 had no injurious effect on his mind. It must be acknow- 
 ledged, that ministers of great popular talents are exposed 
 to danger, and particularly from the indiscreet admiration 
 of some of their followers, who forget that ministers, like 
 other men, share in the common corruptions of fallen na- 
 ture. But it may be observed, that tlie uncommon simpli- 
 city and unfeigned humility of Mr. Richmond, was a great 
 preservative from the ensnaring tendency of human ap- 
 plause. The writer can declare, from long observation of 
 his friend, that no man more uniformly abstained from the 
 language of praise towards others, or discouraged it more 
 unreservedly towards himself 
 
 Those too, who suppose that engagements of a public 
 nature are an unbroken career of success and popularity, 
 are much mistaken. The advocates of a pubhc cause have 
 much to try their faith and patience There are fightings 
 without and fears within ; subjects of deep humiliation in 
 their own experience ; and a necessity for much meekness, 
 to bear with the unreasonable opposition of enemies, and 
 the prejudices and mistakes of friends. Their divine Mas- 
 ter leaves them not without a holy discipline, to keep them 
 low at his feet, and lowly in their own eyes. 
 
 Mr. Richmond had the habit of connecting every thing 
 with God. Every event, pleasurable or painful ; every ob- 
 ject in nature, or work of human ingenuity, suggested a 
 subject for devout contemplation, and filled his soul with 
 holy affections. He seemed to possess, in religion^ the 
 
142 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 secret once attributed to recondite philosophy, and all he 
 touched became gold, which he converted to his own use, 
 and to the benefit of others. This holy transmutation 
 made every place a Bethel, and every object a cause of 
 some pious emotion ; and thus circumstances ensnaring in 
 their natural tendency, were made to him the medium of 
 nearer access to God. 
 
 We shall close these remarks with an extract from his 
 journal, entitled, " Reflections suggested during a Tour in 
 Westmoreland and Lancashire, with two valued friends ;" 
 and a Poetical effusion, written after visiting the grave of 
 Hervey, in Northamptonshire. 
 
 *' There is a peculiar sweetness in the recollection of 
 those hours which we have spent with friends of a kindred 
 spirit, amidst the beauties of created nature. The Chris- 
 tian can alone find that congeniality in associates, who not 
 only possess a lively and cultivated sense of the high beauty 
 which landscape scenery presents to the eye ; but who can 
 also see creation!s God in every feature of the prospect. 
 The painter can imitate, the poet describe, and the tourist 
 talk with ecstasy of the sublime and beautiful objects which 
 constitute the scene before him. But he only can be said 
 to enjoy them aright, whose talents, taste, and affections, 
 are consecrated to the glory of Him by whom ' all things 
 were made, and without whom was not any thing made 
 that was made.' When the pencil that traces the rich and 
 animated landscape of mountains, lakes, and trees, is 
 guided by a grateful heart as well as by ''. skilful hand ; 
 then the picture becomes no less an acceptable offering to 
 God, than it is a source of well-directed pleat^ure to the 
 mind of man. And when the poet, in harmonious num- 
 bers, makes hill and dale responsive to his song, happy is 
 it if his snul be in unison with the harp of David, and if he 
 can call on all created nature, to join in one universal cho- 
 rus of gratitude and praise. The Christian traveller best 
 enjoys scenes like these. In every vv^onder, he sees the 
 hand that made it — in every landscape, the bounty that 
 adorns it — in rivers, fields, and forests, the Providence that 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 143 
 
 ministers to the wants of man — in every surrounding ob- 
 ject, he sees an emblem of his own spiritual condition — 
 himself a stranger and a pilgrim, journeying on through a 
 r^ountry of wonders and beauties ; alternately investigating, 
 admiring, and praising the works of his Maker, and antici- 
 pating a holy and happy eternity to be spent in the Paradise 
 of God, where the prospects are ever new, and the land- 
 scapes never fade from the sight !" 
 
 »' O ! for the expandnd mind that soars on high, 
 Ranging afar with Meditation's eye ! 
 Thnt climbs the heights of yonder starry road, 
 Rising through nature, up to nature's God ! 
 
 " O ! for a heart that seeks the sacred gloom 
 Which hovers round the precincts of the tomb ! 
 While fancy, musing there, sees visions bright, 
 In death discovering life — in darkness light I 
 
 " O ! for a soul to trace a Saviour's power. 
 In each sweet form that decks the blooming flower ! 
 And, as I wander such fair scenes among, 
 I'll make the Rose of Sharon all my song. 
 
 *' What though the chilling blasts of wintef's day 
 Forbid the garden longer to be gay ? 
 Of winter yet I'll not refuse to sing. 
 Thus to be followed by eternal spring ! 
 
 " Hervey ! be thou my guide to point the road • 
 That leads far hence, to yonder blest abode ! 
 Grant me his faith, thou good, thou great Most High ! 
 Let me like Hervey live — like Hervey die !" 
 
 We next insert an extract from a letter addressed to his 
 aunt, in the year 1817, in refutation of a report that his 
 public services were recompensed by a salary. 
 
 " This subject reminds me of an observation which you 
 made when I lately saw you, and to which I for a moment 
 beg to draw your attention. You said that some person 
 had told either you or Mrs. M , that I received some pe- 
 cuniary compensation for my services in behalf of the reli- 
 
144 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 giouis institutions for which I am in the habit of pleading* 
 I must request that justice may be done to me, and to the 
 cause which I espouse. The report is false, in every pos- 
 sible point of view. I never did, nor ever would accept of 
 a single farthing, from a single individual. The whole has 
 ever been completely gratuitous, and disinterested. Many 
 valuable clergymen are pursuing the same path of useful- 
 ness in their occasional excursions from home : »but they 
 act as volunteers, and not as hirelings ; we seek no reward 
 in this world, but that of seeing good done, and mankind 
 benefited. Let this injurious report be repelled ; let not 
 prejudice and mistake operate to the disadvantage of truth 
 and charity. I can say, for one, that if ever the least de- 
 parture were to take place from the disinterested plan of 
 serving the societies gratuitously, 1 would instantly abandon 
 the ranks of their public defenders and advocates My 
 services arise from conscientious principle, and are neither 
 directly nor obliquely connected with pecuniary advantage ; 
 but quite the reverse, if all were known. Some people 
 seem to doubt the possibihty of disinterested activity. 
 Alas ! they know not the motives which Christianity in- 
 spires. Christ said for himself, and all true Christians, 
 ' My kingdom is not of this world.' May we all fully know 
 what that important text means." 
 
 But the question which will no doubt principally suggest 
 itself to the reader, is the following : — 
 
 How was his place supplied in his parish during these 
 excursions ? 
 
 It was his fixed determination never to enter upon any 
 public engagement, till a provision had been made for the 
 services of his parish ; and he seldom left home without 
 procuring a resident minister. Subsequently, when the 
 claims of the diflferent public societies, and the calls of his 
 distant friends, required him to give up a certain portion of 
 liis time, he appointed a regular curate, who united with 
 that office the care and tuition of his children ; — that nei- 
 ther his familyi or his people, might suflTer any diminution 
 of their accustomed privileges by his absence. The fol- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 145 
 
 lowing letter, addressed to a clergyman who was his tem- 
 porary representative during one of these journeys, will 
 prove that he was not satisfied with merely procuring a 
 r^iibstitute, but that it was his earnest wish to secure the 
 conscientious and efficient performance of the duty. 
 
 •* My dear Sir, 
 
 " I hope this will meet you in good health. In com- 
 mitting my flock to your care for a season, i earnestly pray 
 God that you and they may prosper, and profit together. 
 [ will add a few words, explanatory of my usual proceed- 
 ings. I have, on Sunday morning and afternoon, full 
 services. My evening service is for the Sunday school, 
 and I always address them in the most free and simple 
 manner. If ever you speak without full notes, this would 
 be your occasion ; if not, let the children be the especial 
 object of your evening ministry, in that way wherein God 
 sjhall direct your heart and lips. 
 
 " You will naturally wish to know my usual matter and 
 manner of preaching. In matter^ I keep the Lord Jesus 
 Christ continually present, and experimentally applied to 
 the consciences, affections, and understandings of the 
 hearers : my people are constantly used to the exhibition 
 of tlie saving offices of Christ, as prophet, priest and king, — 
 all and in all ; — strengthening, comforting, guiding, and 
 making tlie believing sinner meet for the inheritance of the 
 saints in light. I preach tlie duties of Christians, not as 
 detached and separable appendages to doctrines, but as 
 intimately connected and infallibly mixed with them, and 
 flowing from them : still keeping the work of the Holy 
 Spirit in view, as convincing, directing, and revealing Jesus 
 as the principal of botli justification by faith alone, and 
 sanctification through the Holy Spirit himself These 
 rich, never- failing, fruitful, and consolatory trutlis, I feel to 
 be the great subject and object of the Christian ministry ; 
 and, as such, I have ever preached them fully, freely, and 
 rxperimentally. Give them, my dear sir, these plain scrip- 
 tural truths, in godly simplicity, and they will love and bless 
 14 
 
146 MEMOIRS or THIJ 
 
 you. In point of length, I would recommend from thirty* 
 five to forty-five minutes, as the extreme limits. 
 
 " As to manner ; my first object is, to exhibit affection, 
 earnestness, and real desire, ihni every sentiment, and every 
 sentence may projit the hearts of my hearers. 
 
 " I rely on your brotherly and friendly feelings, to allow 
 for the frankness of these accounts of my unworthy self, 
 aa 1 am sure you would wish me to explain the objects so 
 near my heart. 
 
 " On Friday evening, I have a lecture, to a small but 
 listening people. In hay and harvest time, it is much re- 
 duced. My valued friend, Mr. Barker, will afford you any 
 and every information concerning parochial matters. He 
 will introduce you to some of the sick, and other poor 
 people ; and you will find religious conversational inter- 
 course in visiting the poor, a sure road to their hearts ; 
 and, during my absence, no small satisfaction to mine. 
 
 " Mr. Barker will tell you all about my new school 
 plans, in which he is veiy useful to me. In all these 
 things, my dear sir, you will now, for a season, be my 
 substitute. Pray to God for direction ; and, after, pray 
 for your absent friend. Do the work of an evangehst — 
 resting on the special promises made to ministers and 
 flocks. Be sincere, humble, affectionate, and earnest ; — 
 keep close to the gospel of our blessed Master, in private 
 and in public ; and may He comfort and strengthen you 
 in all things. 
 
 " Be so kind to be exact in the times of commencing 
 the different services. Sunday morning, at ten ; afternoon, 
 at half-past two ; evening, at six ; Friday evening, at a 
 quarter before seven. Mr. Barker reads the lessons for 
 me ; and will, if you do not object, do the same for you. 
 
 <' In the same spirit in which I have written to you on 
 my feelings and wishes as a minister^ I now, also, wish you 
 to receive these expressions as a friend and a brother ; and 
 to be assured, that I am, 
 
 " Very affectionately, and faithfully, yours, 
 
 <' Legh Richmond." 
 
 Rev. Mr. R. >S. Tvrvey. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. * 14T 
 
 He was also in the habit, on these occasions, of writing 
 pastoral letters to his people, to convince them that, though 
 absent for a season, he was still not unmindful of their spi- 
 ritual welfare. These epistles are written with much plain- 
 ness of style, united with useful adniomtions, and suitable 
 references to the circumstanres of the parish. The Rev. 
 Mr. Ward, the excellent minister of [ver, has long ad<3pted 
 this practice on a more extended scale, by addressing a 
 yearly epistle to his parishioners, containing the substance 
 of his pastoral thoughts and reflections : and we think this 
 ^cample worthy of being recommended to general imita- 
 tion ; as they are pleasmg memorials of pastoral affection 
 and zeal, and seem calculateil to strengthen the bond of 
 union which ought ever to subsist between a minister and 
 liis people. We shall not now insert those of Mr. Rich- 
 mond, because they contain allusions to events which we 
 have not yet had the opportunity of relating, being desirous 
 of presenting the reader with the various details of his pub- 
 lic engagements without the interruption of other matters. 
 
 Perhaps some may be disposed to think that the excite- 
 ment and popularity of Mr. Richmond's public life, might 
 disqualify him for the more Homely and retired duties of a 
 country parish priest. 
 
 That he returned with his rtlind deeply impressed with 
 the importance of the cause that he had been pleading, is 
 most true ; and he endeavoured to enkindle in the breasts 
 of others, the flame which warmed and animated his own. 
 He therefore drew attention to these subjects — introduced 
 them into his sermons : described the state of the Heathea 
 world — their idolatries — their atrocious rites ; — the burning 
 of women on the funeral pile — their awful ignorance — their 
 perishing state ; and the bounden duty of Christians to send 
 them that Gospel, which the mercy of God had put into 
 their own hands. These communications were then no- 
 vel, and excited considerable interest. 
 
 It has been said, that such objects are too remote to en- 
 gage the attention of the poor ; and that their poverty dis- 
 ables them from contributing any thing to their support. 
 But the principal qualification for appreciating missions, i^ 
 
148 
 
 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 a sense of the worth of an immortal soul : and he who 
 knows the value of his own soul, be he poor or rich, needs 
 Tio other argument to inspire a desire to save the souls of 
 others : and it must be mentioned to the honour of the 
 lower classes, that they havo been found to be the most va- 
 luable and efficient friends of missionary exertions ; not only 
 by the fervour of their prayers, l)ut also by the amount of 
 their pecuniary contributions. To mnny of them may bo 
 applied the touching commendation of the apostle, when 
 speaking of the poor disciples of Corinth — " In a great trial 
 of aflliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep po- 
 verty, abounded unto the riches of tiieir liberality : for to 
 their power, T bear record, yea, and beyond their power, 
 (hey were willing of themselves : praying us, with much in- 
 treaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us tho 
 fellowship of the ministering to the saints : and this they 
 did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own-selves to the 
 Lord, and unto us by the will of God." — 2 Cor viii. 2 — 5. 
 , The people of Turvey soon expressed a desire to contri- 
 bute their aid ; and a Bible and Missionary society were 
 accordingly established. Mr. Richmond found the intro- 
 duction of these subjects to tf% attended with the happiest 
 effects. His people acquired more enlarged views ; they 
 read their Bibles with increasing interest ; comprehended 
 better the scope of prophecy, and the future spread of the 
 everlasting Gospel among all the nations of the world ; they 
 prayed for its accomplishment, and the cause of missions 
 'became dear to their hearts. There was also a re-action 
 upon themselves, — they were led to a more earnest exami- 
 nation of their own state before God. In reading the sim- 
 ple narratives of poor negroes mourning for their sins, or 
 rejoicing in the peace and consolations of the Gospel, they 
 caught the happy contagion ; they wondered to see emo; 
 tions described so like their own ; discovered that the hu- 
 man heart is every where the same ; and that the grace of 
 God, confined to no clime or colour, can impart its saving 
 influences to men of every nation, tongue, and kindred. In 
 thmkmg of the souls of others, they became increasingly 
 interested for their own ; and learned to implore that grace 
 
 t 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 14B 
 
 with renewed earnestness for themselves, the transforming 
 power and efficacy of which they saw, in the instance of a 
 once-benighted Heathen. 
 
 Another question may occur. 
 
 Did his family sustain no injury by his frequent absence 
 from them ? 
 
 They were left in the hands of an excellent mother ; to 
 whose assiduous and aflfectionate care, none bore a more 
 willing or frequent testimony than Mr. Richmond. But 
 his own ceaseless solicitude for the welfare of his children 
 will be best shown by the folkta^ing letters ; together with 
 some valuable admonitions addaessed to his daughters, and 
 containing rules for their general conduct and deportment. 
 
 ''October, 1815. 
 
 " My dear child, 
 
 « This may probably reach you on your birth-day. It 
 is a day which should remind you of the importance of time, 
 and the swift approach of eternity. It bids you remember 
 your Creator in the days of your youth But, have you ever 
 done so aright ? Have you seen yourself a sinner, and 
 gone to the blood of Christ for pardon ? Forms and no- 
 lions never yet saved a soul ; and have you, indeed, ever 
 gone farther than forms and notions ? My child, be in 
 earnest ; it is no trifle whether you have real grace or not : 
 it is every thing to ascertain this point, and to act upon it. 
 Do you feel a burden of sin for daily offences ? — do you re- 
 pent ? — do you pray from the heart ? Suppose God were 
 to see good to bring you to a bed of death, where are your 
 evidences that you are really his child ? Think in how 
 many ways you have offended him in thought, word and 
 deed ! What but a Saviour's blood can wipe it away ? 
 
 " It is full time, my dear F , that you show a de- 
 cision of character, in that humble yet determined sepa- 
 ration of life, which distinguishes a common (alas ! too 
 eommon,) nominally Christian child, from a child that be- 
 lieves in Christ, loves God, and is taught by the Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 14* 
 
ft50 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " Secret, free prayer, is a great testimony that a work 
 of grace is begun. But do you thus pray ? Have you 
 found out the sins into which you are the most liable to 
 'fall, and most easily tempted to commit. These are your 
 bosom foes, and must be resisted in a different strength 
 from any which you naturally possess That strength is 
 only to be obtained in Christ, and by believing in him and 
 him alone. Grace, free grace, reigns in every step of the 
 Christian progress. Do you ever feel these things as a 
 matter of uneasiness, or desire, or hope, or fear ? It will 
 -not satisfy me, and I hope i^ will not satisfy you, that you 
 have had so many advantages of a (Christian education, un- 
 less you prove to yourself and me. that there is a work of 
 the Spirit in your heart. What a delightful display the 
 Lord gave us of his goodness and power, when that dear 
 and beloved woman, your mother and my wife (it is my 
 iiighest earthly privilege to call her so,) lay, as we thought, 
 on the bed of death ! You cannot have forgotten it — no 
 one that saw it ever could. But that day was a warning 
 and a consolation for us; — oh! may we use it as both. 
 But do not deceive yourself — mere natural feelings and 
 meltings of heart are not enough. Sin, sin is the great 
 cause of sorrow ; and therefore must you weep. Carry 
 sin to Jesus, he will hide it forever from his Father's sight. 
 Angels rejoice when children w^eep for sin. 
 
 "Read 'Little Jane:' two Sunday scholars at Man- 
 chester have been converted to God this summer, by read- 
 ing it — and must my own dear child heed it not ? I trust 
 
 not. Pray, dear F , for faith and love to Jesus. Hap- 
 
 «j>y shall I be to hear from yourself (when it does indeed 
 come from your heart,) either by letter or word of mouth, 
 that you feel a true concern for your never dying soul. 
 And so may God give you many happy years, if it so please 
 ;him. If not, may he take your pardoned soul to himself, 
 in his own time. — Love to my dear H., 
 
 <' Fron^ her and your truly affectionate father. 
 
 " Tell H. that I write every word of this for her, as well 
 as for you." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 151 
 
 ** Keswick, Oct. 16, 1815. 
 
 •' My dear Daughter. 
 
 ♦< The exquisite beauty and sublimity of this country al- 
 most make a pen move of itself. Never did I pass so 
 beautiful a day as this at the lakes. I shall sing the praises 
 of October, as the loveliest of months. This morning, at 
 six o'clock, I was walkmg on the banks of Winandermere, 
 to catch a sun-rise. I had every thing I could wish, and 
 observed the progress of day with delight. The myste- 
 rious rolling of clouds across the hills announced the first 
 influence of the sun. Tints the most beauteous skirted 
 the eastern clouds ; those on the west, caught them as by 
 sympathy. Various patches of mountains soon gleamed 
 with the reflection of the yet unseen luminary : and such in- 
 numerable vicissitudes of light and shade, and claro obscuro 
 filled the scene, as no tongue can utter. The Lake, in all 
 its length of thirteen miles, lay beneath me, with its thirty 
 islands. I heard the early lowing of the cows, the bleat- 
 ing of the sheep, the neighing of the horses, the twittering 
 of the birds, the rustling of the breeze, the rippling of the 
 water, tlie dashing of the oar, in a gentie kind of harmony. 
 The sun advanced, and threw a blaze of magnificent lustre 
 over this Paradisaical landscape. 1 soon crossed over the 
 Lake, and passed through rich scenes of wonder and love- 
 liness. I saw Coniston and Grassmere lakes, under cir- 
 cumstances of peculiar advantage. Clusters of mountains 
 and lesser hills, clothed with craggs, brown fern, red lichens, 
 green grass, purple heath, bushes, barren gulleys, cascades, 
 wild streaks, rolling mists, bright sunshine, &c. &c., pre- 
 sented incessant variety. Hill towered above hill, Alpine 
 peaks reared their heads, — groves filled the valleys, and 
 cottages were sprinkled in wild profiision. 
 
 '* I dined at a Httle romantic hill, at the foot of the moun- 
 tain Helvellyn. The Lake of Leathcswater extended its 
 four miles' length clo.-e by. My parlour window faced the 
 ^eat hill — a mountain stream fell from a great height, 
 tumbling with a murmuring sound down into the vale. 
 
152 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Something dimmed the pane of glass through which I 
 viewed it. On inspection, I found the following lines, Vrit-^ 
 ten with a diamond : — 
 
 ' Flow, mountain streamlet, swiftly flow, 
 And fertilize the vale below — 
 Sweet emblem of that gracious lore 
 Which pours down blessings from above 
 The stream of mercy, Lord ! is thine, — 
 The Ipwly heart that feels it, mine,' 
 
 . '* On another pane was written — 
 
 * Forget not, mortal traveller, thou must die ; 
 Before thy journey's end, ask, — ' Where am I f 
 
 " And once more — 
 
 ' These lovely scenes before thine eyes 
 Form a terrestrial Paradise. 
 But this shall quickly pass away : 
 Then seek ione in eternal day.' 
 
 " Thence I advanced to Keswick. Before me stood the 
 giants of the scenery — Skiddaw and Saddleback — in sub- 
 lime beauty, not to be expressed. Their length, t^eir 
 breadth, their height, their wildness, their roughness, their 
 smoothness, their surface, their profile, their tout ensemble, 
 most grand, most interesting. At length the lakes of Der- 
 wentwater and Bassenthwaites burst upon the eye with all 
 the charms that painters and poets love, and which Chris- 
 tians know how to love far better than either. The scene 
 from a hill, a mile on the road from Keswick, so much ex- 
 ceeds the powers of my pen to describe, that I can only 
 say — < How amiable are thy tabernacles,' O Lord, the 
 Creator ! 
 
 " I watched the moon decline on the lake, and then stu- 
 died the whole scene by the finest star-light I ever beheld. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 153 
 
 Mars is now in the ea^t. like Jupiter ; yea, bright as a 
 moon. The Great Bear hanj^s pendant exactly over Skid- 
 daw, and Mars rises triumohantly over the summit of Saddle- 
 hack ; the Galaxy sweeps over the hemisphere, white as 
 milk, and clear as moonlight All is solemn, silent, peace- 
 ful. I write you this faint breathing of expression. Could 
 you copy these sceness I should be proud of your company 
 liere : I trust some day you will. 
 
 •*This morning, as I stood on an eminence, looking 
 down on the exquisitely lovely lake of Grassmere, environ- 
 ed by its amphitheatre of moimtains. a momentary shower 
 produced a rainbow ; — it extended from hill to hill, over 
 the valley, and seemed like a bridge for angels to pass over 
 from one district of Paradise to another : 
 
 *' And as they pass^ let ang^els sing 
 The wonder? of creation's King; 
 And while they tune their harps to praise, 
 I'd gladly catch their solemn lays ; 
 Unite with theirs ray feeble tongue, 
 And give to gratitude my song." 
 
 '* My dear , 
 
 '• I leave you, in nmch love, a few fatherly hints. 
 
 1 . Be constant in private prayer. 
 
 2. Be wise in the choice of books ; shun every thing of 
 the romance and novel kind ; and even in poetry, keep to 
 what is useful and instructive, as well as pleasant. 
 
 3. In company, show that the principles of your father's 
 house and ministry are your rule of conduct, and your real 
 delight. Be consistent— cheerful, but not light ; conversi- 
 ble, but not trifling. 
 
 4. Keep ever in view, that you are supporting my cha- 
 racter and credit, as well as your own. 
 
 6. Show a marked preference to such conversation, re- 
 marks, persons, discussions, and occupations as may tend 
 to essential good. 
 
154 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 6. Always think before you speak ; say and do neither 
 hastily nor unadvisedly. 
 
 7. If any proposal is ever made to you, in which you 
 hesitate how to act, first say to yourself — how would God 
 have me to act ? Secondly — what would my parents have 
 me to do, if they were here to advise me ? 
 
 8. Never lose sight of this : that the more public my 
 xiame, character, and ministry is become, the more eyes 
 and ears are turned to my children's conduct ; they are ex- 
 pected, in knowledge and circumspection, in rehgion and 
 morals, in opinions and habits, to show where they have 
 been educated ; and to adorn, not only their Christian pro- 
 fession, but their parents' principles. 
 
 9. In music, prefer serious to light compositions : an*l 
 in vocal, keep close to sacred words. 
 
 10. Pray much for 
 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 " Lbgh Richmond." 
 
 - <=<?. S. I send you the following application of a ser- 
 mon, from Eph. v. 15,16 : — 
 
 On circumspection of ivalk ; redemption of time ; and 
 general transparency of character. 
 
 1 . Adhere most scrupulously to truth ; and labour to 
 preserve the strictest integrity, simplicity and sincerity, 
 
 2. Engage in no pursuit in which you cannot look up 
 unto God,, and say, " Bless me in this, O my Father !" 
 
 3. Strive to be as kind, forbearing and forgiving as yoU 
 can, both to friends and foes. 
 
 4. Never speak evil of any one, on any pretence what- 
 ever. 
 
 5. Strive to recommerd religion by the courtesy, civilitv, 
 and condescending character of your conduct. 
 
 ^6. Watch against irritation, positiveness, unkind speak- 
 ing, and anger : study and promote love. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 155 
 
 7. Mortify lusts, sensuality, and sloth. 
 
 8. Never allow others to speak well of you ; nor espe- 
 cially yourself, to say or think any thing of yourself, but as 
 poorly done. Keep down pride ; let it not be indulged 
 tor a moment, and watch against it. 
 
 9. Shut out evil imaginations, and angry thoughts. 
 
 10. Let it be your sole business here to prepare for 
 eternity. Consider ever)' moment of time in that view. 
 
 1 1 . Remember that you have to contend with a legion 
 of devils — a heart full of deceit and iniquity, and a world 
 at enmity with God. 
 
 12 Pray you may ever rejoice in the advancement of 
 Christ's kingdom, and the salvation of sinners : and labour 
 in every way to promote these objects. 
 
 " Prayer is the only weapon which can slay your lusts, 
 and keep your evidences bright. Cultivate prayer." 
 
 " To my Daughters :* 
 
 « With a heart full of affection, I sit down to express 
 a few sentiments and intimations of my wishes, as connect- 
 ed with your conduct, in the course of any journey, or 
 absence from home. I wish each of you to preserve a 
 copy of it, my dear children, and often look at it ; take it 
 with you when from home, and keep it safe when at home. 
 " Independently of my anxious wishes for your secret, 
 spiritual welfare, I have much to feel on my own account, 
 in point of credit and character, as connected with your 
 deportment, in every house and company into which I may 
 introduce you. I have not a doubt of your general affec- 
 tionate wish to speak and act right ; but, inexperience, 
 youth, thoughtlessness, and want of more acquaintance 
 with the world carnal, and the world religious, may easily 
 occasion inconsistencies and errors which might be injn- 
 rious to your own, as well as to my comfort and credit. 
 
 ♦ With great pleasure, we call the special attention of both pa- 
 rents and children, to the judiciouj, valuable, and Christian advice, 
 contained in this letter to his daughters. — A. £. 
 
15(3 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Accept, therefore, a father's blessings and prayers, with a 
 father's chapter of admonitions and explanations. 
 
 " You are not unaware, that my name and character 
 have acquired much publicity, — that I avowedly belong to 
 a class of Christian ministers, who profess, for Christ's 
 and their souls' sakes, to be separate from the world — to 
 maintain purer and more distinct views of the Scripture 
 doctrine — and to be willing to spend and be spent in behalf 
 of the truth, as it is in Jesus. I am, therefore, supposed 
 not only to maintain a consistent separation from the fol- 
 lies and vices of the world, its pomps and vanities, but to 
 aim at so ruling and guiding my household, that my princi- 
 ples may shine forth in their conduct. Any want of cor- 
 rectness, consistency, faithfulness, and propriety in them, 
 will always attach a mixture of censure surprise, and con- 
 cern, as it regards me. Th^ friends of religion will grieve, 
 and those who are otherwise will rejoice, if you could be 
 drawn into compliances, and expressions of sentiment, at 
 variance with your father's ; always, therefore, keep in re- 
 membrance, whether you are in company with decidedly 
 rehgious and consistent Christians, or with those who are 
 only partially so, or with those who are not so, (unhappily) 
 at all, — that you have not only your own peace of con- 
 science to maintain, but the estimation and honour of 
 your parent also.* 
 
 " Many temptations will occur, to induce you to yield 
 and conform to habits and principles, the very reverse of 
 those which you hear me supporting, both in the pulpit 
 and the parlour. Be not ashamed of firmly, though mo- 
 destly, in such cases, resisting them. State vv^hat mine 
 and your principles are, and heed not the momentary un- 
 
 * Should any one think, there is too prominent a regard expressed 
 lor his own reputation, in the advice and admonition he gives his 
 children, let such an objector compare Mr. Richmond's feelings 
 with those of the apostle, in adverting to the conduct of his spirit- 
 ual children: — '' Lest, when I come again, my God, will humble 
 me amongst you, and that I should bewail many who have sinned 
 already," &c. 2 Cor. xii. 21. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 157 
 
 phsasantness of appearing singular, when conscience and 
 <luty require it. You may easily say, * My father does not 
 approve of such and such things, neither can I.' No 
 person, whose estimation is worth having, will think the 
 worse of you, for such instances of mild, but decisive 
 firmness ; and, without it, T should be disgraced. 
 
 " AH descriptions of public amusements, novels, popular 
 amorous poems, plays, songs, vanities, and finery, and ail 
 the sad tribe of poisonous and dangerous pursuits, should 
 be regulated by this principle ; and O, that your own sim- 
 plicity and love to Christ, may never give way to one sad 
 influence of false sentiment, even amongst those whom, on 
 other accounts, we may esteem and regard. The half- 
 religious are often more dangerous than those who are 
 less so ; because, we are more on our guard in the latter 
 case than the former. The great number of instances in 
 which I have seen the young people of religious families 
 deeply injured in their spirits and habits, by much visiting 
 with persons of different views and customs from those of 
 their own household, has made me, I confess, from pure 
 motives of conscience and prudence, very averse to much 
 of that sort of visiting in my own children's case, which I 
 know to have been productive of bad consequences in 
 others. And the diflSculty of drawing the line has always 
 appeared very great with my numerous friends and ac- 
 quaintance. Still, I wish to make you happy in every 
 reasonable way ; and I am glad when I can give you tlie 
 advantage of new scenes and company, when it is of the 
 right sort. But, as in my journeys, extensive intercourse 
 takes place, a great variety of characters will fall in your 
 way ; and I wish, for all your sakes, that you may be pro- 
 vided with sober, discreet, and religious cautions, that the 
 natural ardour of youth may not lead you into unbecoming 
 or sinful compliances. I know many families, and you 
 know a few, where, perhaps, the parents are religious, 
 but their young people are very imperfectly, if at all so ; 
 in such cases, you may, from equality of age, be thrown 
 much more into the light, frivolous and objectionable con- 
 15 
 
158 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 versation of the younger, instead of the more useful com- 
 munications of the elders of the family. Here, often, 
 there is danger ; ever prefer and choose those, of what- 
 ever age, in whom you think you discover a holy, serious, 
 benevolent, consistent way of acting and speaking. 
 
 " A young professor of religion has not, in most in- 
 stances, so difficult a task to sustain, when in conversation 
 with those of a decidedly religious deportment, as with 
 worldly persons, and those who can scarcely be ranked as 
 consistently serious, although often to be met with in reli- 
 gious parties. If, however, your conscience be correct, 
 you will see more and more the duty of acting and speak- 
 ing aright, and you must ever pray for grace to direct and 
 govern you. Difficulties and dangers of this kind, greatly 
 multiply when those who, from relationship and family re- 
 gard, stand very near to natural love and affection, are, ne- 
 vertheless, in great measure, strangers to the power of 
 true religion, and, therefore, mingle with the world wholly, 
 pursue its pleasures, and support its customs. I intreat 
 you to be much on your guard in all such cases. Decays 
 in religious feeling and conduct, continually arise from this 
 source, and endanger the temporal, spiritual, and eternal 
 welfare of many a hopeful family. 
 
 *' I am frequently placed in situations myself, where I 
 find it very difficult to satisfy my conscience that I am doing 
 light, among people and families where real religion has 
 little or no part in their ways and conversation. In trying 
 to be kind, attentive, and too compliant, perhaps, to their 
 habits, I feel that I am in great danger of strengthening 
 Ihem in evil, and always of injuring my own consistency 
 as a Christian. 
 
 « I will now add some remarks, placed under select 
 heads, which may make them more conspicuous, and better 
 remembered : and may God render them useful to you ! 
 Keep them constantly with you, and let them be always 
 read over, at least, once a week. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 159 
 
 . AMDSEMEKTS. 
 
 Play?, balls, public concerts, cards, private dances, 
 6lc. &c. 
 
 Serious, consistent Christians must be against these 
 things, because the dangerous spirit of the world and the 
 flesh is in them all : tliey are tlie " pomps and vanities of 
 this wicked world," so solemnly renounced at baptism. 
 To be conformed to these seductive and more than frivo- 
 lous scenes, is to be conformed to this world, or to be op- 
 posed to the character and precepts of Christ. They that 
 see no harm in these things are spiritually blind ; and they 
 who will not hear admonition against them are spiritually 
 deaf. Shun, my girls, the pleasures of sin, and seek those 
 which are at God's right hand for evermore. You cannot 
 love both 
 
 Blessed be God, you have been kept far from those, who 
 make such recreations their idols to wean their hearts from 
 God Never in any conversation, speak lightly or triflingly 
 of these subjects, as if you had not imbibed proper senti- 
 ments concerning them. Ever preserve the consistency 
 of your parental house and principles. 
 
 BOOKS. 
 
 Characters are speedily discerned by their choice of 
 books. — Novels in prose, I need not now forbid ; ignorant 
 as you are of their bad tendency by experience, you, I am 
 persuaded, trust me on that head, and will never sacrifice 
 time, affection, or attention to them. But beware of novels 
 in verse. Poets are more dangerous than prose writers, 
 
 when their principles are bad. Were Lord B no 
 
 better poet than he is a man, he might have done little 
 harm ; but when a bad man is a good poet, and makes his 
 good poetry the vehicle of his bad sentiments, he does mis- 
 chief by wholesale. Do not be ashamed of having never 
 read the fashionable poem of the day. A Christian has no 
 time, and should have no inclination for any reading that 
 has no real tendency to improve the heart. The finest 
 rule I eTer met with in regard to the choice of books, is 
 
M>0 MRMOmS OF THE 
 
 iliiw: — »< Books fire good or bad in their oflbcli, as thoj 
 iiinko us relish the word of Clod, (ho more or Iho kna^ after 
 w«!h(ivo read th(Mn." Them or<5 too iiuiny vuhiahlo books 
 on ft variety of subjcrtH. which ought to l»n rend, to allow 
 »>rtiin(5 to hn iledicuted to unworthy tiiid useless ones. 
 
 i^lnju III! Ilu« wrc'tciied folly and corruplMin olliglil, ;-<iilv» 
 iMid nmorouH Hongs, on the same principle that vou would 
 shun hookH of the smuio nature. Hacred music is the true 
 refuge of the CJiristiiin musician. 1 wish your ears, your 
 hearts, and your tongues were oflener timed to such melo- 
 dies. The nlayhousc, the o[)erji, nnd the concert-room 
 have delugeu the world with the abuses of the heavenly art 
 of music. IVlusic was dcHigned to lead the soul to hcovcn, 
 but the corruption of man has greatly perverted the merci- 
 ful intention. Do not yoti belong to such perverters, nor 
 socin to take pleasure in those who do. 
 
 DttESS. 
 
 Aim at great ncatnoss and •implicity. Shun finery and 
 show. 
 
 Hn not in haste to follow new fashions. 
 
 Krmerrdier, tintt with regard to dress, Christians ought 
 i(» bn df>ridpdiy plainer, and less showy than the people of 
 the world. I wish it to be snid of the females of my houHP, 
 '« with what evident nnd Inn'oming simplicity are the daugh- 
 ters of Simplex* attired." 
 
 niimAVIOtIK liN rOMHANV. 
 
 Bo cheerful, but not gigglers. 
 Be serious, but not dull. 
 Be oomuumicative, but not fbrward. 
 Bn kind, but not sorvilo. 
 
 In <H(<ry <'omp;iny, support your own and your faiher'a 
 pvmciples by cautioua consistency. 
 
 * Mr. ttiohBlond^i Blgnatura in the *Chriatian Guardian.' 
 
RKV. LBOH RICHMOND. IGl 
 
 He u are of silly thoughtless spcochos : although you may 
 lorjr«'l thoin, others will not. 
 
 licmeinbcr (iod's eye is in every place, and his oar in 
 cvory company. 
 
 Uewure of levity and familiarity with young men ; a mo- 
 dest reserve, without affectation, is the only safe path — 
 grace is needful here ; hsk for it ; you know where. 
 
 J0URNBYINO8. 
 
 Cultivate knowledge as you travel : — 
 
 History, antiquitie8,-7-in cities, towns, churches, castles, 
 ruins, &c. 
 
 Natural history, — in plants, earths, stones, minerals, ani- 
 mals, &c. 
 
 l*icturesquo taste, — in landscape scenery and all its 
 boundless combinations. 
 
 Cultivate good-humoured contentment, in all the little 
 mconveniences incident to inns, roads, weather, 6lc. 
 
 (/ultivate u deep and grateful sense of the power, wis- 
 dom, and goodn(\ss of (lod, in creation and providence, as 
 successively presenteil to your notice from place to place. 
 
 Keep diaries and miMuoranda of daily events, places, 
 persons, objects, conversations, s(*rmons, public meetings^ 
 beauties, wonders, and mercies, as you travel. Bo minuto 
 and faithfid. 
 
 Ask many questions of such as can afford useful informa- 
 tion as to what you see. 
 
 Write your diary daily ; — delays are very prejudicial. 
 You owe a diary to yourself, to your friends left at home, 
 and to your fatlicr, who gives you the pleasure and profit 
 of the journey. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Strive to preserve a praying mind through the day ; not 
 wnly at tlie usual and stated periods, but every where, and 
 at all times, and in all companies. This is your bvst pro* 
 »ervative agoinst orror, woaknesi, and sin. 
 16* 
 
1G:;J MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 Always think yourselves in the midst of temptations ; 
 and never more so, than when most pleased with outward 
 objects and intercourse. 
 
 Pray and watch ; for if the spirit be willing, yet the flesh 
 is deplorably weak. 
 
 RELIGION. 
 
 Keep ever in mind, that, for your own sake and for my 
 sake, you have a religious profession to sustain ; and this 
 both in serious and worldly company. Be firm and con- 
 sistent in them both. Many eyes and ears are open, to 
 observe what my children say and do, and will be, wherever 
 we go. Pray to be preserved from errors, follies, and of- 
 fences, which bring an evil name upon the ways of God. 
 You may sometimes hear ridicule, prejudice, and censure 
 assail the friends of true religion — it ever was, and will be 
 so : " but blessed are they who are persecuted for righteous- 
 ness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Be not 
 ashamed of Christ here, and he will not be ashamed of 
 you hereafter. 
 
 Court and encourage serious conversation with those 
 who are truly serious and conversible ; and do not go into 
 valuable company without endeavouring to improve by the 
 intercourse permitted to you. Notliing is more unbecom- 
 ing, when one part of a company is engaged in profitable 
 and interesting conversation, than that another part should 
 be trifling, giggling, and talking comparative nonsense to 
 each other. 
 
 Ever show the interest which you take in the subjects of 
 schools for the poor, the distribution of tracts, the Bible 
 and Missionary Societies, and all those important topics 
 which so deeply occupy the people of God : and when you 
 can find a congenial friend, talk of heaven and eternity, 
 and your soul and your Saviour. This will be as a shield 
 to your head and your heart. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 163 
 
 ESTIMATE OP CHABACTXSS. 
 
 Look first for grace. Do not disesteem good people on 
 account of their foibles, or deficiencies in matters of little 
 importance. Gold unpolished, is far more valuable than 
 the brightest brass. Never form unfevourable opinions of 
 religious people hastily, — *' Charity hopeth all things." 
 Prize those families where you find constant family prayer ; 
 and suspect evil and danger, where it is avowedly un- 
 known and unpractised. Always remember the astonish- 
 ing difference between the true followers of Jesus, and the 
 yet unconverted worlds and prize them accordingly, what- 
 ever be their rank in society. 
 
 Gentility and piety form a happy union ; but poverty and 
 piety are quite as acceptable in the eyes of God, — and so 
 they ought to be in ours. Not only are the poor far more 
 in actual number than the rich, but experience proves that 
 the proportionate number of the truly serious among the 
 poor is much greater than the corresponding proportion of 
 numbers among the rich. Take 1000 poor and 100 rich ; 
 you will probably find ten of the latter serious : but 200 of 
 the former shall be so at the same time. 
 
 Beware of critical hearing of sermons preached by good 
 men. It is an awful thing to be occupied in balancing the^ 
 merits of a preacher, instead of the demerits of yourself • 
 Consider every opportunity of hearing as a message sent 
 you from heaven. For all the sermons you have heard, 
 you will have to render an account at the last day. 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 Seek to make them happy in you. 
 
 If you perceive that any thing in your ways makes them 
 otherwise, you ought to have no peace until you have cor- 
 rected it : and if you find yourself indiflierent or insen- 
 sible to their will and wishes, depend upon it yours is 
 a carnal, disobedient, ungrateful heart. If you love them, 
 keep their commandments ; otherwise love is a mere 
 word in the moutli, or a notion in the fancy, but not 
 a ruling principle in the heart. They know much of the 
 world, you very little : trust them therefore> when they 
 
164 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 differ from you and refuse compliance with your de- 
 sires, — they watch over you for God, and are entitled to 
 great deference and cheerful obedience. You may easily 
 shorten the hves of affectionate and conscientious parents 
 by misconduct, bad tempers, and alienation from their in- 
 junctions. Let not this sin be laid to your charge. 
 " I shall add no more at present, than that I am 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 L. RicHMO^sD. ■ 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Publication of his Tracts, — Review of them, — Their great 
 popularity and extensive circulation, <Sfc. — American edi- 
 tions, — Remarks on the subject, — Mr. Richmond's con- 
 nexion ivith the Tract Society. 
 
 During Mr. Richmond's residence in the Isle of Wight, 
 some interesting events occurred, connected with his mi- 
 nistry, which he first made known to the pubHc through the 
 medium of the * Chi-istian Guardian.' These communica- 
 tions having excited much attention, he was afterward in- 
 duced to publish them in the form of tracts, of which the 
 first that made its appearance was " the Dairyman's 
 Daughter." " The Negro Servant," and " the Young 
 Cottager, or Little Jane," successively followed : and 
 finally, in the year 1814, they were united into one volume, 
 under the title of" Annals of the Poor" with the following 
 appropriate motto, from Gray : — 
 
 " Let not ambition mock their useful toil, 
 Their homely joys and destiny obscure ; 
 Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, 
 The short and simple annals of the poor." 
 
 His " Dairyman's Daughter" rapidly acquired an unex- 
 ampled celebrity. It was read with an avidity that reqpired 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. IC5 
 
 successive editions to satisfy the demands of the public, 
 and soon became the most popular tract of the day. The 
 author, from the generous motive of ensuring to it a more 
 extended usefulness, was induced to present it to the Reli- 
 gious Tract Society, by whom it was immediately trans- 
 lated into the French and Italian languages. The writer 
 of this Memoir well remembers a circumstance connected 
 with this celebrated tract, which he will here mention. He 
 was taken by Mr. Richmond, in the year 1811, to attend 
 a committee meeting of the Tract Society, when one of 
 the members rose up, and observed that as he came with 
 the full intention of submitting to them the motion in his 
 hand, he hoped he should not violate the delicacy of its au- 
 thor, by proposing, that the tract of " the Dairyman's 
 Daughter," the merit of which had been so generally re- 
 cognised, should be translated into the German, Swedish 
 and Danish languages. Another member then rose and 
 said, that he trusted he should be excused for adding an 
 amendment to the motion, by recommending that the 
 above tract be translated into all the European languagesy 
 as far as means and opportunities might occur for that pur- 
 pose. The resolution was unanimously carried in this 
 amended form. The tract has since been translated into 
 most of the Continental languages. It has also obtained a 
 wide circulation in America : the Old and the New Worm 
 have alike stamped it with the sealof popular approbation. 
 At home, several editions of 20,000 copies each were 
 printed within a very short period, and the copies which 
 have been circulated in the English language alone, to the 
 present time, are supposed to have been between one and 
 two millions.* It has found its way to the palaces of kings,! 
 
 * Of this tract the American Society have within three years 
 published tixty thmuand copieo, and it is estimated that not less than 
 ont hundred and forty thousand copies of this tract have been 
 printed in the United States. A. E. 
 
 t A copy was presented by the Rev. Mr. Paterson to the late 
 Emperor of Russia, the circumstances of which we shall soon mea- 
 lion. 
 
160 MEMOIRS OF THE" 
 
 and been seen in the hut of the Indian.* Its author wa« 
 informed of thirty instances in which it was acknowledged 
 to have been instrumental to the conversion of its readers* 
 of whom one was a female convict at Botany Bay. The 
 last instance of its usefulness was communicated to him 
 only within twenty-four hours of his decease ; and from its 
 peculiarity deserves to be mentioned. 
 
 A clergyman, who had conceived a violent antipathy 
 against the Rehgious Tract Society and all its publications, 
 was induced to select ' the Dairyman's Daughter,' for the 
 purpose of criticising and exposing its defects. In the pe- 
 rusal of it he was, however, so arrested by the interest of 
 the story, and so penetrated by the power of the religious 
 truths it contained, that the pen of criticism dropped from 
 his hand, prejudice was charmed into admiration, and he 
 was added, as another trophy of that grace which had 
 shone so brightly in the life and death of the Dairyman's 
 Daughter. 
 
 After what we have stated, we may justly inquire, to 
 what are we to attribute the great popularity of this 
 tract ? 
 
 No doubt, the happy union of interest and simplicity in 
 the story, the graces of its style, and the beautiful imagery 
 of its descriptions, have rendered it attractive to every rea- 
 der ; but the stamp of truth and reality which marks its 
 details, and the expression of feelings which find a response 
 in every awakened mind, constitute its principal charm. It 
 is needless, however, to prove the excellence of a tract, of 
 which four millions of copies have been circulated in the 
 nineteen languages into which it has been translated ; or 
 to adduce testimonies to their usefulness, which have been 
 already printed in almost every report of the Tract Society* 
 in addition to numerous instances privately received by Mr. 
 
 * A copy was seen by a traveller in the hut of a North Americaa 
 
 Indian. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 1G7 
 
 Richmond, and which are frequently alluded to in his 
 letters.* 
 
 A suspicion has been expressed by s/jiao, as to the entire 
 genuineness of the tract of the Dairymaw's Daughter, ari- 
 sing from an idea that the language and sentiments of her 
 letters were far beyond the capacity of persons in that situa- 
 tion of hfe. The writer of this Memoir once entertained 
 the same doubt ; and as it tended greatly to diminish the in- 
 terest and profit which he would otherwise have found in 
 the perusal of the tract, he some years ago ventured to ex- 
 press his feelings to Mr. Richmond, who, in consequence, 
 produced some of her letters, which were carefully examin- 
 ed ; and the result was, that no alteration was found to 
 have been made, except the correction of the spelHng, and 
 the occasional change of a single word, for one which bet- 
 ter expressed her meaning. 
 
 In further confirmation of the genuine character of 
 these interesting narratives, we lay before the reader a let- 
 ter addressed to the Rev. Mr. Fry, by a highly respectaljle 
 gentleman, who was connected for many years with Mr. 
 Richmond as a friend and parishioner. 
 
 ** Turoey Abbey, Feb, 21, 1828. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 
 '• The conversation we had together the other day, re- 
 specting the interesting tract called * The Dairyman's 
 Daughter,' induced me to request a sight of the original 
 letters. 
 
 " I own that I could not dismiss from my mind, when I 
 formerly read the tract that our friend had improved thn 
 young woman's letters according to his own amiable and 
 pious feelings, and it was not without pleasure and surprise 
 C found, on the perusal of the originals, that they were in 
 every respect as he had given them ; with the exception of 
 
 * Copious extracts from his tracts were here inserted, but are 
 MOW omitted, because of their very general circulation in this coun- 
 try. A. E. 
 
168 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 the bad spelling, and the unnecessary use of capital letters, 
 which he had corrected, and a word which was here and 
 there added or omitted, to make the young woman's mean- 
 ing more plain and intelligible. This latter alteration, 
 however, of rare occurrence, and such as was not only al- 
 lowable, but necessary. 
 
 " I think it would be advisable to advert to this circum- 
 stance in Mr. Richmond's Memoir, as it is possible that 
 others may labour under the same mistake wiUi myself. 
 
 " I trust the mention of the defect of her letters will not 
 weaken the effect of the young woman's sincere piety, as 
 she herself frequently lamented her want of ability to write 
 and spell correctly. 
 
 " I am, my dear Sir, 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 "John Higgins." 
 
 As to the fact^ of the story, the writer is able to offer a 
 vr'ry satisfactory proof of their correctness. The Rev, 
 Mr. Hughes, one of the estimable secretaries of the British 
 and Foreign Bible Society, visited the spot, in company 
 with another friend, where this interesting young woman 
 formerly resided, and interrogated the brother (who had 
 read the tract,) whether the circumstances of the story 
 were precisely the same as they are there related ? To 
 this he replied, there was only one fact that was misrepre- 
 sented. Being asked, with some degree of anxiety, what 
 that fact was, he observed, that Mr. Richmond had descri- 
 bed a vine trained near the side of the window, whereasi ii 
 was not a vine, but an apple-tree. If historic truth had 
 never been more seriously violated than in this instance, 
 the credibility of facts would seldom have been impeached. 
 Seven cities would not have contended for the honour of 
 Homer's birth. The Trojan war would not have been the 
 subject of a grave literary discussion ; nor would the sup- 
 posed antiquity of the Chinese empire have furnished the 
 infidel wits of France with an occasion to question the au- 
 thority of the Mosaic statement. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. IG^ 
 
 We have thought it important to adduce these testi- 
 monies to the character of Mr. Richmond's tracts, being 
 aware of a chsposition in the minds of some to identify 
 thern with a class of publications which profess to convey 
 rehgious truth under the garb of fiction. We do not mean 
 to discuss the propriety of such a vehicle of instruction ; 
 but we wish to distinguish these publications from the wri- 
 tings of our friend, who sought his materials, not in the re- 
 gions of fancy, but in the less questionable sources of fact 
 and reality. We consider Mr. Richmond to have been ex- 
 celled by no writer in this species of composition. To a 
 style simple, elegant, and full of pathos, he united a spirit 
 of Christian love, which transfused its sweetness into every 
 thought and expression ; and his imagination, rich and 
 powerful, being purified by " a live coal from the altar," 
 was consecrated in all its varied exercises, to the glory of 
 God and the true interests of man. While, if his fancy 
 sparkled with the beautiful tints of the rainbow, it was 
 only to fix the gaze of the admirer on the heavenly world. 
 
 We cannot conclude these remarks without adverting to 
 two editions of the * Dainman's Daughter,' published in 
 America ; the one by the Philadelphia Sunday and Adult 
 School Union, and the other by the New England Tract 
 Society, at Boston. 
 
 On comparing these editions with tlic English copies of 
 the same work, we were surprised to find numerous in- 
 stances of omission or alteration. The American editions 
 differ from each other, as well .as from the English tract. 
 Surely an author and the public have a right to expect 
 from an editor a faithful adherence to tlie original ; or, at* 
 least, that he should apprise the reader of alterations, and 
 assign a reason for making them. But, in the instance 
 before us, the foreign tracts, though they bear the name ol' 
 Mr. Richmond, arc far from being his own work. The 
 tirst letter of the Dairym'an's daughter, which contains her 
 religious principles, is wholly omitted ; the interesting fact 
 relating to the burial service, is suppressed ; no less than 
 nineteen pages of the narrative arc removed ; and, iu 
 16 
 
170 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 short, there are so many omissioRs, transpositions, and al- 
 terations, that the reader would, with difficulty, recognise 
 the real features of the cliaractcr of the pious daughter of 
 the Dairyman. We cannot but complain of this gross mu- 
 tilation of our friend's interestinii memoir, as an imposition 
 on the reader, and an injustice to the author's repi»lation. 
 
 Without intending to impugn the integrity of our Ame- 
 rican brethren, or to assign motives for their conduct, we 
 must express our regret ; considering, as we do, such in- 
 terpolations and false presentments, to be both injurious to 
 the memor}' of an author, a misrepresentation of his prin- 
 ciples, and an interference with his design, by no means 
 consistent with fair and honourable feeling ; and we cannot 
 but hope, that the evil complained of, will be corrected in 
 subsequent editions. The justness of these remarks must 
 plead our excuse, (if any be needful,) for their introduc- 
 tion in this place.* 
 
 * Concerning the two editions of which the biographer com- 
 plains, we know nothing. We have, however, been led carefully 
 to compare the Dairyman's Daughter, as published by the Ameri- 
 can Tract Society, with two editions published by the London Re- 
 ligious Tract Society, of which Mr. Richmond was a Secretary ; — 
 and we are happy in being able to assure the public, that there is 
 no cause of complaint against that edition. It is, indeed, an 
 abridgment ; but so careful have the committee been, that in no 
 instance is there an alteration in the language, which at all affects 
 either the style or sentiments of the author. The alterations are 
 such as were unavoidable in connecting paragraphs and preserving 
 the unity of the narrative. The omissions are principally descrip- 
 tions of natural scenery, and the reflections of Mr. R. The narra- 
 tive is entirely preserved. The fact relative to the burial service, 
 is inserted in page 7. The letter, containing the religious princi- 
 ples of the Dairyman's Daughter, is omitted, as the same senti- 
 ments are fully set forth in the conversations recorded in the narra- 
 tive. To have published the whole, would have made a tract of 
 50 or 60 pages — would have greatly increased the expense, and, 
 consequently, greatly limited its circulation. Before the publica- 
 tion of the tract in its present form, it was approved by a commit- 
 tee of five clergymen, of different denominations. Of this com- 
 mitlee, the Rev. Dr. Milnor represents the Episcopalian in erest. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 171 
 
 " A very useful method," says Archbishop Seeker, " of 
 spreading the knowledge of religion, is by distributing, or 
 procuring to be distributed, such pious books, especially to 
 the poorer sort, as are best suited to their capacities and 
 circumstances. Much good may be done in this way, to 
 considerable numbers at once, in a more acceptable man- 
 ner, ff»r a trifling expense." 
 
 Witli similar views and sentiments to those expressed 
 by the venerable Archbishop, a number of pious persons, 
 more than twenty years ago, formed an association, which 
 they called " The Religious Tract Society " Pubhcations 
 like those of Mr. Richmond, could not fail to attract the 
 notice of such an institution : and his well-known libera- 
 lity, together with the high estimation in which his charac- 
 ter was held, induced the committee of that society t» 
 make proposals to him, of becoming one of their secreta- 
 ries. At that time, the institution had no church-repre- 
 sentative, though the committee was composed of persons 
 of all denominations. The secretaries were, the Rev. 
 Joseph Hughes, and the Rev. Dr. Steinkopf, well known 
 from their connexion with the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society. By the accession of Mr. Richmond, it was justly 
 expected that the society would derive increased wisdona 
 in its councils, and vigour and unity in its operations. The 
 editor well remembers the circumstances of this applica- 
 tion, and the reasons which induced Mr. Richmond to ac^ 
 
 We have, also, compared it with the edition of the Dairyman "i 
 Daughter, published by the Protestant Episcopal Tract Society, of 
 New- York; and, we find this latter f met still more abridged and 
 altered, than i? the edition of the American Tract Society. 
 
 It is proper to add, that the two editions of the London Society 
 differ very much from each other, both a? to language and matter. 
 If Mr. Grinshawe compared the American editions with the edition 
 published by the London Society, he would see cause of complaint. 
 But if, ou the other hand, he should compare them with the London 
 edition, of 1812, from which they w»^re republished, he wtmid ra- 
 ther admire the candour with which they were abridged, and the 
 very strict reg;ard which was paid to the language of the author. — 
 Ax. Ep. 
 
17^ MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 cept the secretaryship. It was an offer wliich required 
 serious dehberation. On the one hand, Mr. Richmond 
 considered that a strong prejudice was known to exist 
 against the society, not only among the enemies of true 
 piety, but also among some of its friends. It was suppo- 
 sed to consist almost exclusively of Dissenters, and its 
 tracts were regarded with jealousy and suspicion. To 
 accept this offer, he feared, might identify him with dissent 
 (though he was ever warmly attached to the doctrines and 
 discipline of his own church,) and might endanger his 
 usefulness in the legitimate field of his labours. On the 
 other hand, he recognised in the institution many claims to 
 his regard. Its object was the same which lay near to his 
 own heart, — the circulation of tracts, and the revival of 
 the doctrines of the Reformation He saw in the con- 
 nexion, an opportunity of extending his usefulness ; and 
 certain pledges and securities seemed all that was wanting, 
 to allow of the co-operation of a conscientious churchman. 
 He thought, that under the sanction of a sufl^cient guaran- 
 tee against the introduction of peculiarities, there was no 
 just reason for his refusal of the office proposed to him ; 
 and that by his acceptance of the secretaryship, he might 
 even promote the interests of his own church by prevent- 
 ing the circulation of tracts hostile to her opinions ; as 
 well as advance the common cause of true religion. The 
 required guarantee was given : Mr. Richmond accepted 
 the proposal of the Tract Society ; and, from that period 
 to the day of his death, he had no reason to complain that 
 the engagement Avas violated in a single instance. 
 
 Mr. Richmond's decision may give occasion to a differ- 
 ence of opinion. By some he may be censured, — by most 
 persons his conduct will be approved and admired. Those 
 who consider a union with Dissenters, under any circum- 
 etances, as a virtual surrender of principle, and a violation 
 of ecclesiastical disciphne, will condemn his connexion with 
 the Tract Society ; but we have never been convinced that 
 a union on common ground with any part of the family of 
 Obrist, is an act of treason against our own church. The 
 
REV. LKGH RICflMOND. 173 
 
 uoion requires not a surrender o( principle, but of prejudice : 
 it requires no compromise of forms. — but it does require a 
 just estimation of the essential truths of salvation. We con- 
 fess it has ever appeared to us a strange inconsistency, that 
 the most violent opponents to the union of true Christians, 
 upon common principles, should themselves have united 
 with Lutherans, and employed them as their agents to plant 
 churches, and disseminate religious knowledge, and that 
 for a long period of time , though, in discipHne wholly, and 
 partly in doctrine, those agents differ from their own estab- 
 lishment. 
 
 From this vindication of our friend, we turn to the im- 
 portant results of the Tract Society. Eveiy part of the 
 globe has been the scene of its operations ; and from every 
 part of the globe the most pleasing testimonies of approba- 
 tion and usefulness have been received. Bishops and arch- 
 bishops, emperois and kings, ministers of the Reformed, 
 and even of the Roman Catholic church, have been loud io 
 its praises. We regret that the limits of this Memoir will 
 not allow us to insert numerous interesting proofs of the 
 Divine favour, attendant on the publications of the Society. 
 We must refer the reader to the summary of proceedings for 
 the last twenty years, published in one volume, by the Tract 
 Society, and which contains a most satisfactory vindication 
 of the character of the tracts, and the design of the institu- 
 tion. 
 
 We have purposely omitted numerous testimonies to the 
 usefulness of Mr. Richmond's tracts, received from almost 
 every part of Great Britain, as well as from many foreign 
 countries (so numerous indeed that they would fill several 
 chapters,) lest we should seem to depart from tliat Christian 
 modesty so conspicuous in the character of their author. 
 We hope the candid reader will pardon what the warmth of 
 our affection has dictated ; and the more readily, when ho 
 remembers that all that we have said of the man, magnifies 
 the grace of God which was in him, and wrought effec- 
 tually by him. 
 
 16* 
 
174 'MEMOIRS OF THK 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Made chaplain to the Duke of Kent, — Mrs. Richmond's ill- 
 nesSi — New school-room, — Report of his son's death, — 
 Embarrassment on account of '' the Fathers of the Eng- 
 lish Church,^'' — Interview with the Emperor of Russia, — 
 Letters to and from his Imperial Majesty, — Princess 
 Metstchersky, — Letters to Mrs. Livius, — Verses written 
 on the marriage of a friend's daughter. 
 
 Among the distinguished characters who gave the sanc- 
 tion of their rank and influence to the public institutions of 
 our country, his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent 
 is pre-eminently entitled to our grateful remembrance. 
 Every religious and benevolent undertaking found in him a 
 powerful friend and patron. He was the avowed advocate 
 of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He was the pa- 
 tron also of the Society for promoting Christianity among 
 the Jews. He usually attended, and took the chair, at the 
 anniversaries of the numerous public charities in the city of 
 London ; on which occasions Mr. Richmond often met his 
 Royal Highness, and by the intervention of a common 
 friend, became one of his chaplains. 
 
 In the discharge of his functions, Mr. Richmond was 
 frequently required to officiate at the palace. On one of 
 these occasions, the Duke and Duchess and their retinue 
 were all present. His Royal Highness heard Mr. Rich- 
 mond's sermon with profound attention ; and when the 
 service was concluded, he was pleased to express his appro- 
 bation of the impressive, scriptural, and faithful truths he 
 had heard ; adding, that he fully concurred in their impor- 
 tance, and wished to feel their influence. At the same lime 
 he inquired how he had attained so remarkable a fluency in 
 the expression of his ideas ; and asked whether his discourse 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 175 
 
 had been committed to memory. Mr. Richmond replied 
 in the negative ; and said that he usually committed to pa- 
 per a (ew leading heads of his subject, but he modestly as- 
 cribed his ready utterance to the effect of habit. His 
 Royal Highness expressed a hope that he would preach at 
 the palace whenever he came to town ; and added, "you 
 must converse, Sir with the Duchess on these subjects, for 
 she understands them far better than I do." 
 
 On the evening of that day, Mr. Richmond received a 
 polite request from the Duke of Kent, that he would send 
 iiim the notes from which he had preached in the morning. 
 A discussion had taken place at the palace, on the subject 
 of Mr Richmond's extempore preaching ; and it had been 
 said, that no man could preach so accurately, as well as 
 fluently, without large and copious notes. 
 
 The notes, on inspection, were found to occupy a very 
 small space ; and we mention this little anecdote as another 
 proof of that talent in extempore preaching for which he 
 was remarkable. 
 
 Mr. Richmond continued to be honoured with the uni- 
 form marks of his Royal Highness's esteem and regard. 
 And when that solemn event occurred, wliich was mourn- 
 ed by the nation at large, and by the friends of religion 
 and humanity in particular- Mr. Richmond was one of 
 those who followed his royal patron to the grave. There, 
 as well as in various parts of the kingdom, where his pub- 
 lic exertions called him, he heard many a testimony to the 
 virtues, the zeal and benevolence of this beloved and vene- 
 rated prince. Testimonies like these are instructive to the 
 living, while they are honourable to the dead. They prove 
 that, in this country, whenever exalted rank is adorned with 
 corresponding virtues, and consecrated to high and noble 
 ends, it never fails to obtain the best of all kinds of ho- 
 mage — the homage of the heart. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Richmond was visited with a do- 
 mestic event which threatened the most distressing conse- 
 quences. Mrs. Richmond, after having given birth to 
 
176 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 another child, and being apparently recovered from the ef* 
 fects of her confinement, was attacked by a dangerous ill- 
 ness, occasioned, as was supposed, by a severe cold. The 
 symptoms became very alarming, a high fever followed, and 
 after the utmost exertion of medical skill, and the most 
 unremitting attention, her recovery was declared to be hope- 
 less. 
 
 The suddenness of this shock to the feelings of Mr. 
 Richmond, who had long known her value, both as a wife 
 and a mother, and the tender age of most of his children, 
 gave to this dispensation the poignancy of the severest trial. 
 Never can the writer forget the impressions made on his 
 own mind at that period. In the expectation of her im- 
 mediate dissolution, she had taken leave of all the members 
 of her family. A very few of their more intimate friends 
 were permitted to see her on this occasion, and he was in- 
 cluded in the number. On entering the room with another 
 endeared friend, to pay this mournful visit, he was surpri- 
 sed to see an expression of joyful feeling on the counte- 
 nance of the wife, and a calm and delightful serenity de- 
 picted on that of the husband. He could not help exclaim- 
 ing, — Is this the chamber of death ? Death was so strip- 
 ped of its terrors, and rehgion so surrounded with all its 
 consolations, that the place looked more like the portals of 
 heaven, than the gloomy vestibule of the tomb. The tri- 
 umph of faith in the dying wife seemed to support the 
 otherwise afflicted husband ; and to impart to him a cor- 
 responding elevation of feeling. He forgot for the moment 
 his own sorrows in her joys ; his own loss in her gain ; and 
 did not wish to arrest her expected flight to the world of 
 happy spirits, or indulge his grief, while she was rejoicing 
 in the mercies of redeeming love. 
 
 If this conduct of Mr Richmond should excite surprise 
 in any of our readers, let it be remembered that he was in 
 the habit of estimating every thing by its reference to eter- 
 nity ; and that tenderly as he was attached to his wife, and 
 sensible of the importance of her life to himself and to his 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 177 
 
 children, still the consciousness of her assured happiness 
 was evidently the absorbing feeling of his mind at that time. 
 God also gives extraordinary support under extraordinary 
 trials. " A martyr's grace in a martyr's sufferings." 
 
 *• There is a time for all things " Nature and grace 
 have their feelings, and there is a season for the lawful ex- 
 pression of both. The removal of the wife would doubt- 
 less have filled with the greatest sorrow that heart which 
 now exulted in her triumphant prospects. The husband 
 would weep, while the Christian rejoiced " with joy un- 
 speakable and full of glory." 
 
 It will be well while we contemplate the triumph of faith 
 and hope in others, that we should inquire what would be 
 our feelings in the hour of death, and under the pressure of 
 affliction. Reader ! does death present the appalling image 
 of a dread eternity to your mind, or does faith open to your 
 view the prospect of a glorious immortality? Time hurries 
 on its rapid course. Sorrow, or joy, the cry of terror, or 
 the song of victory, must sooner or later be the portion of 
 every child of Adam. Be yours the triumphant song — 
 " thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our 
 Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 The affectionate sympathy of Mr. Richmond's parishion^- 
 ers at this trying season, deserves to be mentioned. The 
 most fervent prayers had been offered up daily for the re- 
 covery of Mrs. Richmond; those prayers were heard. 
 Contrary to all human expectation, the symptoms of the 
 disorder abated, and her life was spared. It seemed as if 
 she had entered into the valley of the shadow of death — 
 explored all its secret recesses — penetrated to its utmost 
 confines, and seen the light which could alone dispel all its 
 darkness ; and then, led by the hand of Him who says, 
 " I kill, and I make alive : I wound, and I heal ;" she 
 once mofP returned to the days of her pilgrimage, and sur- 
 vived to follow to the grave the hasband who, thirteen 
 years before, had resigned her to the mercy of his God. 
 
178 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 The following letter alludes to the circumstances above 
 described. 
 
 " My dearest Friend, * 
 
 *' A hasty line must tell you that my dear wife has 
 been dangerously ill. On Saturday, her end appeared at 
 hand, but she has since revived, and we entertain hope. 
 
 " 1 never witnessed such a triumph of grace ; it has 
 shone more bright than tenderest hope could have expect- 
 ed. Jesus bore her through the most painful and affecting 
 scene more than triumphantly. Among other (as it then 
 appeared, dying) requests, she desired that one of the lit- 
 tle boy's names (the child whose birth has occasioned so 
 much danger) should be a memorial of that disinterested,, 
 affectionate, and highly valued kindness which a friend in- 
 deed once showed her and hers in a time of need : that 
 name will be Pellatt. She breathed a most grateful mes- 
 sage to you at the same time Her manner of taking 
 leave of me and our eight children around her bed, was 
 more striking than you can conceive, or I can describe. 
 
 " Pray for us, and give a line to 
 
 " Your grateful friend, 
 
 '< Legh Richmond." 
 
 Mr. Richmond ever considered the education of the 
 young as forming one very important part of his ministerial 
 duties. His heart was much in this work, and he was sin- 
 gularly blessed in it. He diligently fed the lambs of his 
 flock ; and the first-fruits of his ministry at the Isle of 
 Wight and at Turvey, were found among them. 
 
 At Turvey he had been accustomed to assemble the chil- 
 dren of the parish in a room taken out of a barn adjoining 
 the rectory, but which was too small to accommodate the 
 numbers that attended. Hitherto the instruction had been 
 confined to the Sunday. Mr. Richmond felt anxious to 
 afford the children the additional advantaije of week-day 
 lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic, on the national 
 plan. With this view he determined to erect a school- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 179 
 
 house ; a piece of ground in the centre of the village was 
 given for the purpose, by John Higgins, Esq., and the ob- 
 ject was ultimately accomplished, by the contributions of 
 numerous friends. 
 
 We here insert a letter on this subject, written by Mr. 
 Kichmond to Thomas Pellatt, Esq. 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " It is common in this vicinity, when any person is 
 subject to epileptic fits, that they go about from house to 
 house, begging for a piece of silver money at each. When 
 they have obtained as many sixpences and shillings (the more 
 they apprehend, the better,) they get them all melted down 
 into one amalgamated thumb-ring : this charm they wear, 
 and they fancy it cures their fits. This may or may not be 
 wise ; but I have also my sort of fit, and that is, the build- 
 ing and carrying on a pastoral school, under my own care 
 and labour for all the poor children of my parish, without 
 exception ; and local resources being inadequate, I beg 
 about for precious metal, to be amalgamated into a ring of 
 personal friendship and general benevolence, for the sup- 
 port of my school : not that I expect to be cured myself of 
 my fit of anxiety for the poor's sake, but that I do hope for 
 the cure of much sin and ignorance in their hearts, lives, 
 and houses, through God's blessing on this union of chari- 
 table aid. 
 
 *• Having said thus much, do you feel it right to give my 
 poor children either a donation, or annual subscription, or 
 both, or neither ? Your name is already incorporated, not 
 only with my heart, but with my child. It would gratify 
 me to record it in my parochial book also. But be assu- 
 red, that if you refuse me (and pray do so without re- 
 serve, if you see good reason for it,) I shall ascribe your 
 non-compliance solely to the purest motives. My school. 
 both in its erection and continuance is, and will be, a monu- 
 ment of personal esteem to me, and of charity to my poor 
 'hildrcH. 
 
 " Your faithful friend, 
 
 " Lech Richsiond." 
 
180 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 The fidelity of detail which we have prescribed to our- 
 selves in the execution of the present Memoir, compels us 
 to advert to a subject of peculiar delicacy. Though it was 
 the object of Mr. Richmond to train up his family, from 
 their earliest youth, in those prmciples which he himself 
 professed and adorned ; circumstances of a painful nature 
 occurred in the conduct of his eldest son. It cannot fail 
 to afflict the mind of a pious parent, when he perceives no 
 fruits from the seeds of piety, which he has been anxious 
 to implant in the hearts of his children. Yet this is far 
 from being an uncommon case ; children do not always 
 adopt the views, or walk in the steps of those who have 
 gone before them ; unhappily, examples are not wanting in 
 pious families, of greater evils in the conduct of their chil- 
 dren, than are generally found even among the worldly and 
 the unbelieving. Such grievous disappointments may, per- 
 haps, be traced in many instances to the neglect, the weak- 
 ness, or the inconsistency of the parents, who are rebuked 
 and chastised by the Almighty, in the iniquity of their off- 
 spring ; yet in other cases, trials may be permitted, to ex- 
 ercise faith, deepen repentance, quicken diligence, and ex- 
 cite to more frequent and fervent supplications at a throne 
 of grace. But whatever be the cause of these mournful 
 dispensations, they certainly confirm the views and declara- 
 tions of Scripture, respecting the awful condition of our 
 fallen nature. They show that where the heart is not re- 
 newed by divine grace, the best instructions and the bright- 
 est examples are without effect. 
 
 Mr. Richmond used every means in the power of a 
 Christian parent, to instruct his children, and to restrain 
 their evil propensities. Neither solemn expostulations, nor 
 tender entreaties, nor fervent prayers were wanting ; but 
 they were in this case apparently without effect. At length, 
 discovering that his son, now sixteen years of age, evinced a 
 decided predilection for a sea-faring life ; (one of the last 
 occupations in which he wished to see him engaged ;) he 
 conferred with a valued friend in the Transport Office, by 
 
 J 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 181 
 
 whose advice it was ultimately arranged that Nugent should 
 ombark in a merchant's vessel destined to Ceylon. 
 
 These circumstances deeply wounded Mr. Richmond's 
 ()atemal feelings, and required the utmost exercise of his 
 principles to support him under them. It was a disap- 
 pointment of the keenest kind. This was his first-born 
 son, and in the days of tender infancy he had fondly de- 
 voted him to be a minister of the sanctuary. But the plant 
 was blighted in the bud. Yet he submitted with a confiding, 
 though mournful spirit, to the will of God : he met his 
 son at Deptford ; urged whatever affection and duty could 
 suggest ; prayed with his child, and for his child ; visited 
 him again for the last time at Portsmouth, where the vessel 
 had arrived ; and having presented him with a Bible, which 
 he conjured him carefully to peruse, he committed him to 
 that God who had promised, *' I will pour my spirit upon 
 thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." (7«a. 
 xliv. 3.) He saw the vessel proceed on her voyage with 
 emotions better conceived than described, and lingered on 
 the shore till its white sails were discernible no longer. 
 
 The name of the ship was the Arniston. The expected 
 time of absence was two years. Mr. Richmond received 
 letters from his son, during the voyage, as he arrived at 
 Madeira, and afterwards at the Cape of Good Hope, in 
 the month of September ; and finally from Ceylon, dated 
 at Columbo, which place lie reached in January, 1815. 
 
 These letters expressed regret for his past conduct, and 
 a hope that he might one day prove a consolation to his 
 parents : other letters which he subsequently wrote were 
 to the same effect 
 
 About sixteen months afterward, Mr. Richmond read 
 the afi3icting account in the public prints that the Arniston, 
 on its return from Ceylon to Europe had been lost in a 
 dreadlul gale of wind, near the Cape of Good Hope ; and 
 that it was feared every person on board had perished. 
 Who can describe the feelings which, at that moment, rent 
 the hearts of the unhappy parents ? The intelligence was 
 brought by a vessel from the Cape, which had lieard the 
 17 
 
18ii MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 report on its voyage homewards. Still, no official intelli- 
 gence had reached this country. Mr. Richmond waited 
 the result with the most painful anxiety. Information was 
 at length received, that the vessel was wrecked near Cape 
 Lagullas, and that every passenger on board had perished, 
 with tlie exception of six persons, whose names were spe- 
 cified ; in which number Mr. Richmond's son was not 
 mentioned. 
 
 The whole family went into mourning; and the father 
 sorrowed for his lost child with a sorrow unmitigated by 
 the communication of any cheering circumstance as to the 
 state of his mind, and his fitness for so sudden a change. 
 
 Three months afterward, a letter was delivered to Mr. 
 Richmond in the hand-writing of the very son whom he 
 mourned as dead, announcing that he was alive — that cir- 
 cumstances had prevented his setting sail in the Arniston, 
 of whose fate he seemed to be unconscious ; and commu- 
 nicating details of his present engagements and future 
 prospects ! The transition of feeling to which the receipt 
 of this letter gave rise, produced an effect almost as over- 
 whelming as that which the report of his death had oc- 
 casioned. The family mourning was laid aside, and Mr. 
 Richmond trusted he might recognize, in this signal inter- 
 position of Divine Providence, a ground for hope that 
 his child's present deliverance was a pledge of that spiri- 
 tual recovery, which was now alone wanting to fill up the 
 measure of his gratitude and praise. 
 
 The following letters, written during the period of pain- 
 ful suspense, equally discover the heart of the parent, and 
 the piety of the Christian. 
 
 " My dear Mary, 
 
 " On my return last night from tlie scenery of that per- 
 fect paradise, the district of the Lakes, I found your triple 
 letter. With a heart responsive to your own, and whose 
 happiness depends on yours I throw myself along with you 
 at the footstool of grace and mercy, and say, Not my will*. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 183 
 
 but thine be done, O Lord ! Be calm, be very calm, my 
 love, and wait the Lord's will. It appears, doubtless, more 
 probable that the commissioners of the Transport Office, 
 and the ship owners, should know the fact, than others. 
 Mr. H. argues on that ground ; and it is our wisdom to 
 follow hira, and pause. Perhaps the report is designed of 
 God, to do us good : nay, can I doubt it ? If it should 
 prove true, the temporary check given to it has a lenient 
 and merciful tendency, to prepare our minds for events ; 
 if false, it must call forth our gratitude, when it shall be 
 proved so. It can be no subject of wonder to either you or 
 me, that accidents may happen amidst the perils of the seas. 
 I have ever felt it a duty to my own feelings, to look upon, 
 such as at all times probable ; and so, I am persuaded, 
 have you. After all that we have gone through on that 
 trying subject, I hope we are prepared to view all its con- 
 tingencies, as those who have experienced too much mercy 
 from our God and Saviour, not to trust him in the darker 
 and more mysterious providences with which he may see 
 good to try us. I perfectly accord with you, in the most 
 willing surrender of his life, if his soul be but safe : and il' 
 it has pleased God to remove him in this way, why should 
 we wholly despair of answers to prayer ? I have faith in 
 that very prayer you offered up in May last for him, and in 
 many others which you have sent forth to heaven in his be- 
 lialf. Knowing nothing but what your letter affords me, I 
 shall wait, and cast ray burden on the Lord. Do you the 
 same ; and then we shall sweetly meet at the throne of 
 Grace, in daily unity and blessed accord. I could never 
 for an instant doubt that God had some designs of wisdom 
 and love in the trials of last May ; and I hope amongst 
 them is a more calm, resigned, hopeful, and solid state of 
 raind. as it concerns our son. I will, therefore, for the 
 present, close the subject, with an earnest prayer, that you 
 and I may mutually cast our care on Him who careth for 
 US, who prescrveth us daily, and crownetli our unworthi^ 
 noss with his mercies. He has a right to it, and we will 
 
184 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 not rob fiim of the honour of keeping us as the apple of 
 his eye. So he giveth his beloved rest. Amen. 
 
 " I will just observe, that, after much rainy weather, the 
 Lord permitted me, and two highly valuable friends, Mr. 
 R., and young Mr. W., of C. — Hall, to have three of the 
 finest days that ever were seen, for our tour to the Lakes. 
 I am lost in wonder and delight at the indescribable beauties 
 of the scenery ; no language can convey it, — I wept with 
 emotion. My two religious friends enjoyed it with holy 
 delight, and it has been a sweet season of grace to us alL 
 Never can I depict the beauties and marvels of what I have 
 seen. Never did I see the union of the God of creation and 
 .grace in such a point of view before. The expectations of 
 thirty-six years are far more than realised, and I thank God 
 they were sanctified. The Lord be praised for his kind- 
 ness, and give us gratitude for all his mercies. 
 
 " To-morrow I preach at Lancaster ; and leave on 
 Wednesday, in my way to Mr. C, at Knaresborough ; and 
 so on to Leeds, by Saturday, 16th. As I go on in my pil- 
 grimage, you shall hear from step to step. Remember the 
 promise, ^ Fear not, I will uphold thee with the right hand 
 of my righteousness.' Love to the dear children, from 
 
 " Your afiectionate 
 Legh Richmond." 
 
 « My dear Mother, 
 
 " We thank you from our hearts, for all your kindness. 
 We feel a calm resignation to the will of God in this new 
 trial, and recognise evidences of his covenant love in the 
 consolations which he vouchsafes us. Nature and memory 
 will now and then be very busy, and we feel greatly. Then 
 we think of the efficacy of prayer in connexion with pro- 
 mise, and Jesus reigns supreme. I doubt not that a veil is 
 permitted to be thrown over the last nine months of poor 
 dear Nugent's life, in order that faith and hope may have a 
 ground for exercise. I am willing to believe, that, in ad- 
 dition to all others, the prayers of his apparently dying 
 mother, a fortnight before the shipwreck, were too fervent 
 
RET. LEGH RICHMOND. * 185 
 
 and spiritually effectual, not to avail much for her son. 
 * The promise is to you aud your children, and to them that 
 are afar off.' 
 
 ♦*The people here once more assemble in crowds at 
 prayer-meetings, for us : above 250 gathered together last 
 night Much sympathy prevails ; and I trust God is mak- 
 ing * all things work together for the good of them that love 
 lum, and are called according to his purpose.' My dear 
 wife exhibits all the grace and Christianity of last May, on 
 the present occasion. She is incessantly occupied. She 
 devotes four entire hours to the boys alone, indepen- 
 dently of the three hours which they pass with Mr. Gar- 
 rard. The remainder is appropriated to the other chil- 
 dren and tlifi household. She has high ideas of the du- 
 ties both of a wife and mother, and seems to lay herself 
 out for both, with a mixture of good sense and piety which 
 I have never seen exceeded, seldom equalled. God gives 
 her great strength of mind at present, although she often 
 testifies debility of body and spirits. You may write to her 
 without fear. I was prepared, by contradictory reports, 
 for some weeks past, to meet the confirmation of this sad 
 catastrophe, and so was my dear wife in a measure : bur 
 last Saturday morning, as we, and the three elder girls, were 
 breakfasting at Mrs. Livius's at Bedford, the newspaper, 
 containing the whole melancholy narrative, was taken up 
 by my wife, and she instantly and suddenly saw the account. 
 It was a trying hour, and we all melted. Friends in need 
 are friends indeed, and among our greatest earthly mercies. 
 Not)ody but ourselves can rightly estimate this'trial, because 
 none else can know what we went through on that poor 
 boy's account. Thank God, we cannot reproach ourselves 
 — we did the best we could, from his birth. The Lord saw 
 fit to try us, but it was all in wisdom and love. We dreaded 
 his return to England, unless he was greatly changed : but 
 who shall say that the great change was not wrought, through 
 Jiis own trials and sufferings, sanctified of God to his soul ? 
 Poor boy ! when his watery grave appeared to be his inmio- 
 4iatc and only refuge, he must have thought of bis poor pa- 
 17* 
 
IS^i MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 rents, and needed a friend and counsellor. But I hope Gotf 
 was better to him than any earthly friend — and then, all is 
 well, for him and us too. A thousand thoughts sometimes 
 crowd into our minds, and make us weep. Then comes 
 the kind Redeemer, and wipes away the tears from our eyes, 
 ' This is the victory that overcometh the world, even ouv 
 faith.' 
 
 " Your affectionate son, 
 
 L. Richmond." 
 
 " My dear Friends, 
 
 " I expected to have the satisfaction of speaking tc» 
 you this day from the pulpit, after a journey, during which 
 I have seen much of the blessing of God, both in my pub- 
 lic labours and my private intercourse ; — but we know not 
 what a day may bring forth ! It has pleased him with whom 
 are the issues of life and death, to bring me acquainted 
 with the event of the death of my first-born child by ship- 
 wreck on the shores of Africa, on the 30th of May last. I 
 know that I have many dear friends among you, who will 
 feel for me under this trial, and make allowance for my 
 state of mind, as not permitting me to come out this day. 
 Nevertheless, I wish you to hear something of my thoughts, 
 and to know how a covenant God and Saviour supports me 
 under this bereavement. I have therefore, desired that 
 you would gather together as many friends and neighbours 
 as you can, for prayer. We feel most thankful to God, and 
 to you, for your prayers, when my dear partner seemed to 
 be dying ; and believe that the Lord heard you. We think 
 that he will hear you again, when you ask that this trial 
 may be sanctified to us, and overruled to God's glory and 
 the final comfort of many a soul. 
 
 " You arc none of you ignorant that it ple&sed God to 
 permit grievous exercises of mind to befall his parents, 
 through some circumstances connected with the conduct of 
 this now departed youth ; and I believe that very many of 
 you have felt much for us, before now, on this account. 
 Yet we feel it to be a great mercy, that, making all neces- 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 187 
 
 sary allowances for human defects and failings, we cannot 
 reproach ourselves with misconduct towards him. We 
 did what we believed to be right and best for him, from his 
 infancy : the precepts, the principles, the instructions, and 
 the examples which we endeavoured to set before him, 
 were, to the utmost of our power, according to the word 
 of God, to the time of his leaving us. And then we were per- 
 fectly satisfied that God, in his providence, had opened the 
 best and only possible way of avoiding greater evils, when 
 he sliowed us and our child, that it was right and necessary 
 he should choose a sea-life, as his appointed path. How- 
 ever contrary to our former wishes, we submitted to the 
 will of God ; and he very cheerfully set out on his voyage^ 
 The God who saw good that this should be his lot and por- 
 tion, has forbidden his return home again ; and our boy is 
 gone the way of all flesh. * The Lord gave and the Lord 
 hath taken away — blessed be the name of the Lord !' But 
 here is our hope and consolation. Nearly eighteen years' 
 prayers have been unceasingly offered up for the welfare 
 of his soul, and I believe that none of those prayers were 
 unavailing. Only a fortnight before the time at which he 
 died, his mother was wrestling in earnest and believing 
 prayer, for his soul to be reconciled to God. The Lord 
 iieard her for herself; and may we not hope that he who 
 says, * the promise is to you and to your children,' would 
 hear her for kim likewise ? Moreover, you prayed earnest- 
 ly for her and for him too ; and the Lord heard you for 
 her — why not for him hkewise ? All these things appear 
 to the eye of my faith, as links in the chain of grace : and 
 I do therefore hope, that, amidst the trials and wonders of 
 the deep, faith and repentance might be granted to our 
 poor boy, before he departed hence, and was no more seen, 
 O parents ! learn to pray for yourselves, and then you shall 
 be heard for your children. We are most thankful to God. 
 for enabling us to take this view of his covenant love, and 
 to build hope on this Rock of ages. 
 
 " There are some persons, perhaps, in this town, who, if 
 their con^jciences are not seared as with a red-hot iron, will, 
 
188 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 when they hear of this youth's death, feel some convictioi* 
 and sorrow ; because they helped to lead and strengthen 
 liim in the ways of evil, and thereby to bring on the train 
 of events which hurried him to his early grave. May 
 God forgive them, as I do, and may they repent of their 
 wickedness before it be too late. I commit his case, and 
 their case, to Jesus Christ, satisfied that ' he doth all things 
 well.' 
 
 " Some of you will remember him with affection, al- 
 though you used to mourn over his errors. I sincerely 
 hope you will yet meet him in a better world — where shall 
 be neither sin nor sorrow, and where no acts of real kind- 
 ness to your fellow-creatures will be forgotten. 
 
 " I have often called on you as missionary friends j and 
 I hope I shall prevail on still more of you to help the cause 
 of poor injured Africa. 
 
 " We seem to have now another strong feeling towards 
 the shores of Africa. Poor Nugent lies buried there ! 
 and our missionary pennies and pounds are going to a 
 country, which his father loves for the negro's and the 
 Hottentot's sake, as well as because his son has there found 
 a grave. May the living and the dead in Africa experience 
 the blessing of the Lord ! 
 
 " Grace, peace, and mercy be upon you all ! I hope 
 His presence will be with you, when you meet for prayer ; 
 and if (as may be probably the case,) some may not be 
 with you the first time, you hear this, call another meeting, 
 and read this letter again ; so that all may hear it who 
 wish to do so. And believe me, with much Christian love, 
 to be 
 
 " Your affectionate fiiend and minister, 
 
 Legh Richmo>d." 
 
 We have already alluded to * the Fathers of the English 
 Church,' and to a respectable body of the clergy, at whose 
 earnest entreaty, and on whose promise of support, Mr. 
 Richmond undertook that important publication. At the 
 same time, they submitted to his consideration, the propriety 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 189 
 
 of conliuing liis selections from the writings of the Re- 
 formers, to four octavo volumes. 
 
 When our friend yielded to the wishes of his clerical 
 brethren, among whom was the late Mr. Robinson, of Lei- 
 cester, and Dr. Gilbee, the rector of Barby, in Nor- 
 thamptonshire, he considered the whole body of his advisers 
 as responsible for the expenses, and pledged to carry him 
 through the hazard of the undertaking : and with this idea, 
 he announced the proposed work, under the sanction of a 
 joint editorship. The selection was, however, left to his 
 own discretion ; and trusting too implicitly to the reputa- 
 tion and merits of the Reformers, and judging of the pub- 
 lic mind by his own estimation of their writings, he extend- 
 ed the work to eight volumes. Admitting the value of his 
 materials, we still question the propriety of increasing the 
 size of the publication ; not only because the risk was 
 doubled, but also, because the purchase was rendered too 
 expensive for the generaUty of theological readers. It was 
 hardly to be expected that when even some works of taste 
 had failed to excite much general interest, authors such as 
 Cranmer, Ridley, Jewel, and other writers of polemical 
 divinity, should easily overcome the indifference and pre- 
 judice of the age, so as to obtain a rapid and extended 
 sale, when brought forth in eight large volumes. Besides 
 which, the subjects of the second volume were displeasing 
 to some good men, and hindered the sale, on account of 
 their containing a higher standard of doctrine than was 
 approved by many readers of the old divines : though it 
 was allowed by all, that the editor had performed his office 
 of selection with great fidelity ; including the sentiments of 
 all, and excluding none ; mingling with them no comments 
 of his own, but leaving the reader to the free and unfetter- 
 ed exercise of his judgment. 
 
 Worldly policy, however, was not one of the qualifica- 
 tions of the subject of this memoir : he was by no means 
 fitted for transactions of a secular nature. None possess- 
 ed more of the harmlessness of the dove — few had less ol* 
 the cautious prudence of the serpent. 
 
190 MEMOIRS OF THE * 
 
 The sale of ' the Fathers' was /insufficient to defray the 
 expenses of piiWication ; and in the summer of 1814, on a 
 balance of accounts, it appeared that Mr. Richmond was 
 indebted to his publisher in the sum of £2,000 ; and that 
 he had no means of defraying this large amount, but by 
 the stock in hand. 
 
 These pecuniary embarrassments lay heavy on the mind 
 of Mr. Richmond, and deeply affected his spirits. His 
 depression was observed by his friends ; but it was not 
 without difficulty he was prevailed on to disclose the cause. 
 He was a man of most delicate feeling, and shrunk from 
 the idea of calhng on others for relief. 
 
 The knowledge of these facts, induced many of his 
 friends to exert themselves in the sale of ' the Fathers ;' 
 and, by their exertions, in a few months the whole debt 
 was discharged. 
 
 It is not intended, by the above remarks, to reflect on 
 the parties with whom the work originated, or on the per- 
 sons employed in its publication : yet it is but common 
 justice to our much-esteemed friend, to explain to the 
 world a transaction to which no small blame has been at- 
 tached, yet in which nothing is to be regretted but the in- 
 creased size of the work, and his want of knowledge in 
 the business-part of its pubhcation In the pecuniary 
 transactions of life, Mr. Richmond preserved an undevia- 
 ting rectitude. With an income never exceeding £400 or 
 £500, till within a few years of his decease ; and with a 
 family of twelve children, to be maintained and educated^ 
 (with the exception of two who died in infancy,) it is 
 much to his credit that he provided things honest in the 
 sight of all men, * owing no man any thing,' and depend- 
 ing only on his own resources. With respect to the diffi- 
 culties arising from the publication of * the Fathers,' he 
 ever considered himself entitled to public sympathy and 
 relief, havhig undertaken the work, not, indeed, with the 
 security of legal instruments, yet with the implied engage- 
 ment of an adequate support. Whether he was right in 
 this supposition) we are not prepared to decide ; however* 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOXD. 191 
 
 \ 
 
 the purchaser of * the Fathers' had his full equivalent, and 
 no just blame can attach to the memory of our friend, for 
 availing himself of the voluntary interference of the church 
 of God in his behalf. 
 
 The folio wmg letter shows the strength of his Hiith, and 
 his implicit reliance on the promises of God, amidst his 
 difficulties. 
 
 " With the most affectionate love, regard, and estima- 
 tion, my dearest Mary, 1 must expostulate with you, on 
 this mistrustful and despondent view which you Seem too 
 willing to indulge I may say, what has God done in his 
 whole course of providential mercies for eighteen years, 
 that we should not, to the fullest extent, trust Him with 
 ourselves, our fortunes, and our children, for the lime to 
 come ? Will mistrust of our only Provider and Protector, 
 render us less likely to meet with trials ? I am too deeply 
 sensible, and grateful, also, for your conduct and feeling 
 on the general subject of domestic matters, not to enter 
 most heartily into them. But, as you have asked my advice 
 on your state of mind, I do most earnestly conjure you to 
 consider the genuine meaning of those texts — * Take no 
 thought for the morrow ;' and * Be careful for nothing, 
 but in etery thina by prayer and supplication, with thanks- 
 giving, let your requests be made known unto God,' &.c. 
 (PkU. iv. 6, 7.) See, also, 1 Peter v. 7 ; Paa. Iv. 22 ; 
 and many more. I am persuaded, that mistrust of God's 
 providential care is a besetting sin of many of God's 
 children, and hinders much of their peace, comfort, and 
 usefulness. You are not justified, my dear Mary, in fore- 
 boding evil to yourself and your children. How many 
 clergymen, with large families, have much fewer comforts, 
 and worse prospects. God has blessed us too much in 
 many points of view, to warrant such sad conclusions and 
 ffloomy doubts. Pray lay these things more uncondition- 
 ally on the Lord, and He will infallibly prepare, strengthen, 
 and support you, in every thing. What has lie not done 
 
192 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 to prove this ? It is the joy of my lieart to hope and think 
 that your merciful restoration to me and mine, is to exem- 
 plify a lasting confidence in the wisdom , love, and power of 
 that God, who so delightfully brought you through the 
 greatest of all trials, in the valley of death, leaning on his 
 rod and his staff. May God enable you to keep up my 
 spirits as well as your own, by the belief that lie who hath 
 done, will also do all things well. It is my perfect per- 
 suasion, that by faith we are saved, in body as well as in 
 soul. Therefore, with the minutest attention to every pru- 
 dent and active means, yet, ' Only believe !' is the Chris- 
 tian's motto." 
 
 During the Emperor Alexander's visit to this country, 
 Mr. Richmond had the gratification of meeting him at 
 Portsmouth. Mr. Richmond had ascended a lofty tower, 
 in the dock-yard, and from its summit was viewing, through 
 a telescope, the surrounding objects, when his Imperial 
 Majesty and suite unexpectedly came to the spot. Mr. 
 Richmond offered to withdraw ; but the Emperor would 
 not consent, saying — " Perhaps, sir, you are acquainted 
 with the points of view before us ?" Mr. Richmond as- 
 sured him, he well knew every spot in the neighbourhood ; 
 and, drawing out his telescope, directed the eye of the 
 Emperor to the different objects worthy of notice. Afler 
 a long and interesting conversation with his Majesty, be- 
 fore they separated, Mr. Richmond said — " I avail myself 
 of this opportunity to thank your Imperial Majesty, in my 
 own name, and in that of all the friends of the Bible So^ 
 ciety in England, for the distinguished patronage and sup- 
 port that your' Majesty has shown to the same cause in 
 Russia." The Emperor obhgingly replied — " Sir, my 
 thanks are rather due to your country, and to the friends 
 of the cause : for, had it not been for your example, we 
 should have had no Bible Society in Russia." 
 
 Some months after this singular interview, Mr. Rich- 
 mond inclosed a copy of his Tracts, with the following 
 letter to his Imperial Majesty. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 193 
 
 '• May it please your Imperial Majesty, 
 
 *• An offer has been made to me, by the Rev. Mr. 
 Paterson, of conveying a copy of the book which accom- 
 panies this letter to your Imperial Majesty, through the 
 kindness and condescension of His Excellency the Prince 
 Galitzin. 
 
 " In presuming to take this liberty, I am influenced, not 
 by the opinion which I myself entertain as to the value of 
 the contents of the volumes, but by the firm persuasion 
 which I hold, that the Christian sentiments which form the 
 foundation of those simple narratives, are dear to your Ma- 
 jesty's heart. 
 
 ** Your Majesty's public conduct and avowed principles, 
 have tended to convince me, that neither the splendour of 
 imperial dignity, nor the glory of military conquests, are, 
 in your Majesty's estimation, comparable to the privileges 
 and blessings which Christianity alone can confer on those 
 who live under the influence of the Gospel of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 " In the belief and hope that it is your Majesty's desire 
 to promote the temporal and eternal interests of the people 
 of Russia, by any instrument, however apparently small and 
 unworthy, which God may see good to bless, I submit this 
 little volume to your Majesty's candid acceptance. 
 
 " These short * Annals of the Poor' have been made 
 very useful, through the mercy and power of God, to many 
 in this country. England is now attached to Russia, not 
 only by past political and friendly relations, but much more 
 than ever, by your Majesty's dignifled and condescending 
 deportment, during your recent visit to this kingdom. 
 May the King of kings, who is alike the Lord of Russia 
 and of Britain .make use of even so feeble an instrument 
 as this little volume, to convey some of the spiritual bless- 
 ings which have attended its publication in Britain, to the 
 utmost extent of your Majesty's dominions. 
 
 •* When your Majesty shall be pleased to receive this 
 book, may the author of it be permitted to remind your 
 Majesty, that he is the same individual whom your Ma- 
 18 
 
194 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 jesty saw at the summit of the lofty tower, in the dock- 
 yard at Portsmouth, on Friday, June 24th last ; and who 
 then had the unexpected honour of lending your Majesty 
 the telescope with which your Majesty surveyed the sur- 
 rounding prospect. The kind and condescending manner 
 in which your Majesty was pleased to notice an English 
 stranger on that occasion, is recollected with the sincerest 
 satisfaction and gratitude, whilst I now present this volume 
 to your Majesty's notice. 
 
 " Your Majesty will be pleased to allow me, as a minister 
 of the Gospel, to conclude by praying Almighty God, that 
 His grace, peace, and mercy, may be abundantly poured 
 down upon your Majesty, and upon the people of your ex- 
 tensive dominions, over whom He has given you the earthly 
 sovereignty ! 
 
 " May the Gospel of the blessed Jesus prosper among 
 the subjects of all the Russias ; and that it may be your 
 Majesty's chief crown of rejoicing, in the great day of his 
 appearance, is the supplication of 
 " Your Imperial Majesty's 
 
 Most obedient and unworthy servant, 
 "L. R." 
 
 The following reply was received by Mr. Richmond, 
 Irom his Imperial Majesty, accompanied with a ring of con- 
 siderable value. — 
 
 " Reverend Sir, 
 
 *• The copy of your book, entitled * Annals of the 
 Poor' was, according to your desire, presented to his Im- 
 perial Majesty the Emperor Alexander, by me, together 
 with your letter ; and accepted by his Majesty, with the 
 greatest satisfaction. The object of this volume, the pro- 
 motion of Christian charity and truly religious sentiments, 
 renders it most interesting and valuable in the eyes of the 
 Emperor, who desires nothing so much as to see the prin- 
 ciples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour, more and 
 more universal in his dommions, and in the whole world. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 195 
 
 •' On this occasion, his Imperial Majesty recollected also 
 having made your acquaintance in Portsmouth, under the 
 circumstances you describe in your letter. 
 
 " In consequence of all this, his Majesty ordered me to 
 deposit your book in the library of the Imperial Humane 
 Society, and to send the ring which accompanies this letter, 
 as a mark of his true esteem for you, and high approbation 
 of your work. 
 
 " It is very agreeable to me, in thus fulfilling the order of 
 my sovereign, to assure you of the sincere esteem with 
 which I have the honour to be 
 
 " Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Prince Alexander Galitzin. 
 
 « St. Petersburg^ \4th January, 1817." 
 
 Mr. Richmond also presented a copy of his * Young 
 Cottager' to Princess Sophia Metstchersky, who first trans- 
 lated the tract of the Dairyman's Daughter into the Russian 
 language, and he received from her Highness the follow- 
 ing answer. This noble lady's time and influence are con- 
 secrated to the cause of riligion. and many instances are 
 recorded of her usefulness. May her distinguished ex- 
 ample inspire a like zeal in others of the same rank ; and 
 may the time soon arrive, when the crown and the coronet 
 shall universally be laid at the foot of the cross of the Ra- 
 ti eemer ! 
 
 " Reverend Sir, 
 
 '« I have been hesitating for some days if I should stop 
 to answer you till Mr. Pinkerton would be here, in hope 
 that he would help me to express my gratitude for your 
 kind letter and valuable present, in proper time ; but 1 
 am afraid it will be too long, and you will perhaps suppose 
 me indifferent and ungrateful, so 1 venture to send you my 
 bad t^nglish without correction. 
 
 *' Remember, dear sir, that I am but a scholar ; a very 
 new one, and quite unfit to correspond with such a man as 
 you ; though my soul Is capable of loving you as a brother 
 
196 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 and friend in Christ Jesus, and of admiring you as a chosen 
 servant of his, a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet 
 for the Master's use, and for the edification and comfort 
 of his children. Yes, sir, I hope I am united to you in one 
 body and soul, which is Christ Jesus the Saviour ; and I say, 
 with * Little Jane,' that I am happy to be even the small- 
 est and lowest of all his members. How much I delighted 
 in reading this narrative ; how wonderful the grace of our 
 Lord ! how happy the country where children are brought 
 up in the fear of God, and taught so young to love and 
 serve the Saviour ! what an eminent Christian — so young 
 a child ! But this is neither to be taught nor learnt. He 
 alone can give it, who is love itself, and who purchased us 
 to himself by shedding his precious blood for us. Oh, sir ! 
 you do not know, perhaps to what an unworthy bein?^ you 
 wrote. I have passed all my life in the ignorance of Him 
 who died for me, without love to Him who loved me first, 
 and sought me out, when I hastened to my ruin in a life of 
 enmity to my God. He sought me out, and mercifully 
 sent His servant Pinkerton to open my eyes and ray ears 
 by the [)ower of his Avord, so that I plainly see now what a 
 sinful, wicked creature 1 am : what a gracious merciful 
 God to offend 1 and how kind, and always ready and 
 willing to receive us, our Saviour Jesus Christ is, and al- 
 ways will be ! How good He was to me, sending such a 
 meek, patient loving soul, as the worthy Mr. Pinkerton 
 proved to be during his hving in my family. What a life 
 of disgust it must have been to a man of his distinguished 
 merit, to bear with the caprices and wickedness of a spoil- 
 ed, ignorant, and proud woman : — but charity seeketh not 
 her own, is not easily provoked, beareth all things ; hopeth 
 all things ; endureth all things : charity never faileth : I 
 have had an evident proof of it in my dear friend and in- 
 structor. But I must stop, and ask to be forgiven for 
 having written so much ; my heart opens at the voice of 
 a friend, and then I speak out of the fulness of it. Excuse 
 me, then, sir, for intruding so much upon your time. Pray 
 for me, that 1 may come in faith and grace to the happy 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 197 
 
 day, in which I shall be enabled to join with you in joy- 
 M hallelujahs and eternal praises of our heavenly Father 
 and divine Saviour. Oh, may his peace always be with 
 you ! Receive with indulgence, dear sir, my hearty thanks, 
 and in the assurance of the sincere esteem and high regard 
 with which' I am 
 
 ** Your much obliged and obedient, 
 
 P. Sophia Metstchersky.^' 
 
 The two letters to Mrs. Livius^ which are next inserted, 
 were written about this period, and the editor cannot recur 
 to them without feelings of the liveliest emotion. The 
 first alludes to the death of one who ended a life of uniforrn 
 pain and sickness, by a death cheered with the hope of a 
 joyful immortality. The person adverted to in the second 
 letter, the late G. Livius, Esq., is endeared by recollec- 
 tions which time cannot impair — which live not only in the 
 memory, but in the heart. He once knew the world, but 
 had long left it in pursuit of a better portion. He was the 
 well-known Gaius of the county where he lived — the lover 
 of good men, of whatever name or title : he was purified in 
 the furnace of affliction ; but his trials are now terminated^ 
 and his sun shines bright and unclouded through an endless 
 eternity. 
 
 " My dear Madam, 
 
 " Allow roe once more to express the friendly solici- 
 tude which I feel for you and my honoured friend Mr. 
 Livius, under your recent and present trial. His strength 
 and spirits would not admit of my saying all which my heart 
 dictated, when I saw him yesterday. I wish him to know 
 how much I have valued his friendship, and how grateful I 
 feel for a series of hospitality and kindness of no ordinary 
 character, for a period of now near eleven years. I wish 
 him to know that I have ever been a sympathising observer 
 of his bodily and mental anxieties, and have entertained a 
 cordial esteem and regard for his many amiable and excel- 
 lent qualities of head and heart. 
 
lyS MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " The confidential intercourse witR which at various pe- 
 riods he has been pleased to favour me, cannot be obhtera- 
 ted from my recollection nor effaced from my affections. 
 It is my heart's prayer that his consolations may be ♦ neither 
 few nor small ;' that the peace of God may be his resting- 
 pillow, and that God will ' make his bed in all his sickness.' 
 Not one affliction has ever befallen him beyond what his 
 heavenly Father designed for his present and eternal good. 
 Wisdom, mercy, power and faithfulness, have guided all. 
 May each of his children be blessed with a heart taught by 
 the same spirit who hath taught him and you to look to the 
 Strong One for help ; and may they be effectually preserved 
 from the snares and delusions of this present evil world. 
 
 " May you, my dear friend, be upheld by a Saviour's 
 power and love, to fulfil every arduous task which his wis- 
 dom assigns you. Forgive this intrusion, solely prompted 
 by grateful friendship. Accept our united assurances of 
 love for you and yours, 
 
 " And believe me most sincerely yours. 
 
 In the bonds of strong regard, 
 
 Legu Richmond," 
 
 " My very dear Friend, 
 
 " It is fit that the same moment which brings me the 
 long-expected, yet afflicting tidings of my much-loved 
 friend's departure from this vale of tears, should dictate a 
 few •sympathetic lines to his dear relict. Your mind has 
 long waited this event with Christian resignation- May 
 the Spirit of power and peace bless bis own preparation , 
 now that the hour of trial has arrived ! You have the 
 prayers of many friends, to mingle with your own. These, 
 in God's sight, are riches. May you enjoy them spiritu- 
 ally and eternally ! * Tribulation worketh patience ; pa- 
 tience, experience ; experience, hope ;' hope thou therefore 
 in God. Time is swiftly passing away, and its stream is 
 gradually absorbed in eternity Our years roll on, and we 
 shall soon be there ;. and there we shall meet those who 
 have loved Christ, and loved us^ There, dear madam, in 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 199 
 
 the bosom of your Saviour and God, you shall meet your 
 dear husband. Till then, may faith, hope, peace, tranquil- 
 lity and love, gild your horizon, hke resplendent clouds 
 round the setting sun, prophetic of a bright approaching 
 morning. Christ has bequeathed his peace to you ; take 
 it as his legacy, and use it to his glory. Mrs. Richmond 
 unites in affectionate regards to you and all yours, under 
 this present trial, with 
 
 « Your affectionate friend, 
 
 Legh Richmond." 
 
 We close the chapter with a pleasing Uttle poem, written 
 about this time. 
 
 A WIDOWED MOTHER'S ADDRESS TO HER DAUGH- 
 TER, ON THE DAY OF HER MARRIAGE. 
 
 Say, why should my bosom thus heave with a sigh, 
 And the tear of affection now start from my eye ? 
 Forgive me, my child, whom my soul holds so dear — 
 You've a smile from my heart, though my eye drops a tear ! 
 
 This sigh is the tribute of teaderest love, 
 
 And I trust shnll be heard in the mansions above ; 
 
 For it breathes a warm prayer to the Bridegroom of heaven,. 
 
 That to tkee, now a bride, bis best blessing be given. 
 
 May He weave thee a garland on this nuptial morn. 
 With the roses of Sharon thy brows to adorn ; 
 With the ring of his love, may he claim thee for his, 
 And pronounce thee "joint heir" of his heavenly bliss. 
 
 May his true wedding-robe, which he purchased with blood,. 
 Be thy portion,, my daughter, by Jesus bestowe'd ; 
 By his grace freely pardoned, and cleansed from all sin, 
 Be thou spotless without, and all glorious within. 
 
 May my child and her partner, in hely connexion, 
 lie united, through grace, by true Christian affection ; 
 May the wife prove a sister, the husband a brother, 
 And each fiaU a help in the faith of the other. 
 
200 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Thus thy marriage on earth a sweet emblem shall be. 
 Of a far brighter union provided for thee ; 
 And then, the few days of thy pilgrimage past, 
 Thy Saviour will own thee his spouse at the last. 
 
 Peace be with you, my children ! I speak without guile ; 
 I began with a tear, but I end with a smile ; 
 'Tis my hope that your happiness nothing shall cloy, 
 And the heart of the widow shall sing with new joy ! 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Letters, — Poetry, — Description of Lake scenery, — Brief 
 account of his first tour to Scotland, — His sentiments on 
 Oratorios. 
 
 It was usual with Mr. Richmond to mark with peculiar 
 solemnity the birth-days of himself and all his family. 
 These he kept as a kind of religious festival — writing letters 
 to the different members of his family, and preaching to his 
 parishioners on an appropriate subject. The following 
 letter he wrote to bis mother, on one of these occasions : — 
 
 " My dearest Mother, 
 
 " The return of this day demands a return of affec- 
 tionate regards to God, the author of my being, and to you, 
 the instrument employed by him to convey hfe and exis- 
 tence to my unworthy self. Often do I reflect with love 
 and gratitude on your kmdness and watchful care over me,^ 
 from infancy to the present moment. Your qualities of 
 heart and head cannot be forgotten, any more than the 
 name of parent — a title consecrated by every principle, 
 divine and human. This being my birth-day, I propose to 
 preach on Psalm cxxxix. verses 14 to 18. How suitable 
 for such a meditation ! What a miracle is the life of man^ 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOITD. ^01 
 
 viewed naturally, spiritually, and eternally ! How incom- 
 prehensible, from fii-st to last ! from conception to the cra- 
 dle — from the cradle to the grave — from the grave to the 
 resurrection — from the resurrection tlirough eternity ! 
 Then to consider the endless variety of frames, providences 
 events, souls, bodies, and spirits ! Sometimes when I me- 
 ditate on futurity, I am lost in inexplicable thought : I then 
 see the importance of the mind's retiring into the consola- 
 tions of the past and the present, as they arise from the re- 
 vealed plan of salvation ; and through that medium, even 
 eternity assumes a solid and hopeful aspect. 
 
 " If ever 1 felt it more than ordinarily due to a valued 
 parent to express my gratitude, it is at a time when she 
 has so kindly and so considerately met the peculiar circum- 
 stances of difficulty, in which a variety of events have con- 
 spired to place me. Between my last and present birth- 
 day, many sorrows, many shocks to feeling, many heavy 
 expenses have occurred ; my heart has been tried to the 
 utmost : but your atfectionate, unupbraiding, antf liberal 
 conduct, has proved a great cordial to me and my dear 
 M'ife, in all our trials." 
 
 The following letter will introduce to the reader a son of 
 Mr. Richmond's, of whom we shall have occasion to speak 
 towards the close of this Memoir. The name, as has 
 been before observed, was given to commemorate that re- 
 markable event in his own life, arising from the perusal of 
 Mr. Wilberforce's work on Practical Christianity. This 
 boy was now in his twelfth year ; and we principally insert 
 this letter to show the manner in which Mr. Richmond 
 addressed bis children at an early age. 
 
 " My dear Wilberforce, 
 
 " Shall I have no cause for heart-ache at my return^ 
 when I inquire how my child has behaved ? how he has 
 attended to his learning ? how he has adhered to truth in 
 bis words ? Shall I be comforted with the glad tidings 
 that your heart, and your conscience, and your ways, all 
 seem to partake of a happy influence ? That you show 
 
'202 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 your love to mamma by keeping her commandments ? Thaf 
 you pray to God to forgive you your sins, and hourly 
 offences ? Do the four walls of your little chamber bear 
 witness to your prayers and supplications for yourself and 
 me ? Do the sun's rays, as they early penetrate your win- 
 dow in the morning, find you early and active to rise, to 
 read, to labour, and to grow in grace ? 
 
 " I saw Litchfield cathedral, and attended divine service 
 there. It is a much smaller one than York, but has great 
 beauty ; the organ notes rolled sublimely through the 
 vaults, arches, pillars, and roof; and the exquisitely paint- 
 ed windows assimilated with such sounds, and rendered the 
 effect very fine. It has three beautiful spires. 
 
 " One evening I travelled with a friend for three hours, 
 amidst the most beautiful and never-ceasing distant light- 
 ning ; the whole western hemisphere was in a constant 
 blaze ; the flashes alternated from one point of the horizon 
 to another, distant about forty-five degrees from it ; some- 
 times thf flashes were silvery, sometimes yellow, sometimes 
 orange ; sometimes forked, sometimes sheet-like ; some- 
 times so vivid, you seemed to have a peep into more dis- 
 tant regions of space ; sometimes more faint ; now and 
 then yow heard slight rumblings, then all was silent. At 
 one point the flashes gleamed upon a distant view of a cas- 
 tle, which seemed all on fire, and was only rendered visi- 
 ble by the effect of the hghtnirig A dark forest lay behind, 
 and formed a fine contrast. Sometimes the forked flashes 
 hurried one another in a kind of playful progress ; at 
 others they dashed together as if in terrible combat ; all 
 this passed between seven and ten o'clock, on the evening 
 of June 28th. But what are these lightnings, compared 
 with those which made Moses quake and tremble at Mount 
 Sinai ? or what were even the latter, when contrasted witli 
 Miose of God's wrath against sinners ? Thunder and 
 lightning is a fine emblem of Divine justice and threaten- 
 ings. You have need to ' flee from the wrath to come.' 
 ' Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' * The 
 wicked, and all the people that forget God, shall be turned 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 203 
 
 into hell.' Do you forget him ? if so, what shall be your 
 portion ? If you say you do not forget Him, how do you 
 Jirove it ? — 
 
 I see and approve the better, 
 
 But follow the worse,* 
 
 is the character of too many nominal Christians ; I would 
 not have it to be yours. An enlightened, but unconverted 
 mind, has eyes and tongue to approve what is right ; but 
 the feet follow the paths of evil. A converted heart alone 
 walks in the steps of Him who is * the way, the truth, and 
 the life.' Say— 
 
 " To me, O Lord, be thou ' the way,' 
 
 To me, be thou ' the truth ;' 
 
 To me, my Saviour, be ' the life,' 
 
 Thou Guardian of my youth ! 
 
 " So shall that ' way' be my delight. 
 That ' truth' shall make me free ; 
 That ' life' shall raise me from the dead, 
 And then I'll live to Thee." 
 
 1 sincerely hope you are beginning to be truly sensible 
 of the danger of sin, and the necessity of seeking the Lord 
 very early. Your life is an uncertainty, at best ; occa- 
 sional indispositions should remind you that you may never 
 arrive at man's estate. If you are to die a boy, we must 
 look for a boy's religion, a boy's knowledge, a boy's faith, 
 a boy's Saviour — a boy's salvation ! Or else, a boy's igno- 
 rance — a boy's obstinacy — a boy's unbelief — a boy's ido- 
 latry — a boy's destruction ! Remember all this, and be- 
 ware of sin ; dread the sinfulnefss of an unchanged heart 
 — pray for a new one ; pray for grace and pardon, and a 
 soul conformed to the image of Christ Jesus ; — pray for 
 wisdom, for the destruction of pride, vain conceit, and 
 geif-sufficiency. * Be not slothful in business ; but fervent 
 ill epirif, sening the Lord.' 
 
204 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ** Friends here inquire after you ; but it is in the full 
 liope that you go on well, creditably, obediently, industr^r 
 ously, humbly, and Christianly. Love to all, from 
 " Your affectionate Father, 
 
 L. R." 
 
 We here introduce a birthday hymn, composed for his 
 son Wilberforce. 
 
 *' My years roll on in silent course, 
 Impelled by a resistless force : 
 Awake, my soul ! awake and sing, 
 How good thy God, how great thy King ! 
 
 " My years roll on : then let me know 
 The great design for which they flow ; — 
 And as the ship floats o'er the wave, 
 Thy vessel, Lord ! in mercy save. 
 
 " My years roll on : the tide of time 
 Bears me through many a changing clime ; 
 I've summers, winters — heat and cold, — 
 Winds, calms, and tempests, ten times told. 
 
 *' My years roll on : but here's my hope, 
 And this my everlasting prop : 
 Though seasons change, and I change too, 
 My God's the same — for ever true ! 
 
 " My years roll on : and as they roll, 
 Oh ! may they waft my ransomed soul 
 Safe through life's ocean, to yon shore, 
 Where sins and sorrows grieve no more I 
 
 " My years roll on ; and with them flows 
 That mercy which no limit knows : 
 'Tis Mercy's current makes me glide. 
 In hope of safety, down the tide. 
 
 " My years roll on : my soul be still, — * 
 
 Guided by love, thy course fulfil : -'^ 
 
 And, my life''s anxious voyage past. 
 My refuge be with Christ at last !" 
 
 " L. R." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 205 
 
 The birtli of another child induced Mr. Richmond to re- 
 ♦juesl a very endeared friend, Mrs. R., formerly of Kendal. 
 io stand as sponsor. The request was made in the follow- 
 ing letter. 
 
 « Turvey,Jan. 23, 1818. 
 
 <' Will my dear friend Mrs. R. allow me to enrol her 
 name among the sponsors of my sweet little gift, at her 
 baptism ? It is my wife's desire, as well as my own : do 
 
 not refuse us. Dear Mrs. F. of S Castle, is the 
 
 other godmother. Join her in this act of charity and 
 friendship, and thus put a seal to valuable recollections of 
 Kendal, Keswick, &c. &c. The hymn of our last morn- 
 ing, after breakfast, still echoes a sweet farewell in my ear 
 and my heart. 
 
 «* My babe is to be called Charlotte Elizabeth. Char- 
 lotte» as a memorial of the lamented princess ; and Eliza- 
 beth, as a memorial of * the Dairyman's Daughter.' A 
 palace and a cottage here unite in my child's cradle : may 
 she rock in peace, and ever be found in the arms of hei- 
 Saviour." 
 
 The following verses, composed by Mr. Richmond, wore 
 song at the baptismal font, immediately after the service 
 wa.s concluded. 
 
 " Welcome, dear babe, to Jesu's breast, 
 For ever there securely rest ; 
 Welcome to these his courts below — 
 Here may our God his grace bestow. 
 
 ** Lord sanctify this solemn hour. 
 Thy spirit on our ofispring pour I 
 Fulfil thy promise to our child — 
 May she in Christ be reconciled ! 
 
 •' These holy waters now proclaim 
 Redemption free in Jesu's name ; 
 Each, sprinkled drop becomes a seal 
 Of that salvation which we feel. 
 
 10 
 
206' MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 •> Behold tir affrighted infant weep r 
 Fear has disturbed her gentle sleep. 
 Weep not, dear babe, all others smile, 
 And love and bless thee all the while. 
 
 " Grant, Lord ! if spared, the time may comeT 
 When, summoned to her heavenly home, 
 Though all around her weep and sigh, 
 In smiles triumphant she may die ! 
 
 " Receive the helpless child, we pray, 
 And seal her to Redemption's day ! 
 Mansions of bliss may she inherit — 
 The gift of Father, Son, and Spirit !" 
 
 With the lady who stood sponsor to liis child, during 
 one of his tours in the North, Mr. Richmond visited the 
 lakes of Westmoreland. Among his papers, is a very 
 ])leasing description of the scenery of that rich and roman- 
 tic country. We extract the following passage, on account 
 of its beauty. 
 
 " There are numberless changes of ejETect produced in 
 mountain scenery by the variation of sun, shade, mist, 
 cloud, the state of vegetation, character of the atmosphere, 
 and other causes, well known to every one familiar with 
 such'Scenes ; and they constitute no inconsiderable source 
 of that high gratification which the traveller experiences in 
 the study of natural beauties. The same combination of 
 objects, viewed under a change of external circumstances, 
 forms completely a new scene, and possesses an appropriate 
 charm ; inasmuch as it is the same, and yet different. 
 This consideration unfolds an almost endless diversity of 
 effect, to be observed and enjoyed by the mind which loves 
 to investigate the varieties of which such prospects are 
 susceptible. This double source of variety, sometimes 
 occasioned by actual change of the principal objects in the 
 landscape, and sometimes only by a change of attendant 
 circumstances, affords strong evidence that the Creator, in 
 all his works, appears to delight in sl profusion of that dis- 
 play of contrivance, skill, and diversity, which teaches the 
 
REV. LEQH RICHMOND. 207 
 
 creature to adore his attribute of Omnipotence. But it 
 does more : it leads to the contemplation of that which de- 
 clares, that ' God ia here !' The dehght with which a 
 Christian traces the finger of God, in the midst of a fine 
 prospect, does not merely arise from the admiration of di- 
 vine power and contrivance ; nor from his own quick sense 
 of beautiful and sublime imagery ; nor from his deduction 
 of cause and effect, which natural philosophy traces in the 
 history of earth, air, fire- and water. He sees all this, it is 
 true, and honours God in it. But he also sees, that in the 
 whole of this complexity of wonders, this harmony of crea- 
 ted existence, tliere is a purpose of benevolence. The 
 diversified joys of the landscape all concentrate in the joy 
 of devotion. It is the love of God to man, which fills tho 
 scenery with beauty and delight ; it is the love of God, 
 which adapts the mind of man to this peculiar capacity of 
 intellectual enjoyment. Whether the Christian's survey of 
 nature partakes of the skill of the artist, the energy of the 
 poet, the science of the philosopher — let his enjoyment 
 arise from any or from all of these sources, — this is the 
 crowning consideration, that tlvese delights arc given him of 
 Godi and afe an evidence of God's love to him This leads 
 him to reflect on his own character as a fallen sinner, yet 
 still the object of such incomprehensible mercy. 
 
 '* Under the impression of all these powerful emotions^, 
 he bursts forth into the pious reflection — * What is man^ 
 O Lord, that thou art thus mindful of him, or the son of 
 man, that thou so regardest him !' Nor can he refrain 
 from exclaiming — * O Lord, our God, how excellent is thy 
 name in all the earth !' " 
 
 We subjoin another reflection, as he surveyed the beau- 
 tiful lake of Windermere, above the town of Bowness, 
 where it first breaks upon the sight. 
 
 " Was Paradise more enchanting than this ? Did thq 
 Lord put our first parents into a garden more exquisitely 
 beautiful than that before me ? Could the river, which 
 watered the plains and valleys of Eden — could the ground, 
 out of which grew every tree that is pleasant to the sight 
 
208 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 and good for food, present a more lovely sight than this ^ 
 That Paradise is vanished from moital sight and posses- 
 sion ; but through the Redeemer, a brighter and immortal 
 Paradise is regained ; and the believer may see it emble- 
 matically and substantially represented to him, in his spi- 
 ritual enjoyment of such an earthly Paradise as the vale 
 and mountains of Windermere " 
 
 As he passes through the church-yard of Bowness, to- 
 wards the Lake> he remarks :— 
 
 " A country church-yard is ever an interesting object ,: 
 but in such a situation as this, many new ideas are excited.* 
 which add greatly to contemplative affections. On enter- 
 ing it, I was immediately struck by seeing a newly-erected 
 tomb-stone, at the east end of the church yard, on which is 
 inscribed the name of Richard Watson, late Bishop of 
 Llandaff, who passed a large portion of the latter part of 
 his life at a beautiful mansion on the banks of W^inder- 
 mere: he died aged 81. It was nearly this Tery day 
 twelvemonths, on which I was favoured by a conversatioR 
 -with him, as he sat in his carriage, at Ambleside." 
 
 Mr. Richmond, having received frequent invitations t® 
 visit Scotland, and being no less desirous himself of culti- 
 vating a personal intercourse with many valuable charac- 
 •ters in that country, was induced, in the year 1818, t© 
 fulfil his long meditated project. The introduction of the 
 Jewish subject afforded a favourable opportunity ; though 
 it was to be expected that the sphere of exertion would be 
 somewhat contracted to an Episcopalian pleader of thai 
 cause. We are in possession of very few notices of this 
 first journey, beyond the accompanying letters ; but we 
 are furnished with more ample materials respecting a visit 
 .paid in 1820, to whicli we shall, in due time, direct the at- 
 tention of the reader. 
 
 •« My dear Mary, 
 
 " The respect, regard, friendship, and affection, with 
 which both mvself and mv cause are received, in every 
 
REV. LEGU RICHJtOND, !209 
 
 place, by the religious people in Scotland, constitute a fea- 
 ture in my life never to be forgotten. My whole mind is 
 deeply busied in meditations upon the goodness and love of 
 God. I can hardly expect to interest your mind in all the 
 minutuB of my hourly intercourse ; but 1 believe your eyes 
 would be often filled with tears of gratitude, if you saw and 
 heard all which I see and hear. 
 
 " Delicate and difficult as the task is which I have to per- 
 form as an Episcopal missionary in this Presbyterian land, 
 I seem to have succeeded beyond hope ; and I am laying 
 the first foundation of a building, in which, if Providence 
 permit and spare me, I shall hereafter feel much interested, 
 and tlie cause of God, I trust, be eftectually promoted. 
 But think not, my loved Mary, that amidst the bustle of 
 missionary arrangements, conversations, speeches and ser- 
 mons ; nor amidst the wonders and beauties of mountains, 
 lakes, cascades, rocks, glens, plains, rivers, trosacks, and 
 woods, I forget my dear, dear domestic circle at home. 
 You are all unceasingly before my eyes ; and the family 
 group mingles with every scene I behold and every under- 
 taking wherein I am concerned ; and often I see ray dear 
 wife anxiously and diligently pursuing the duties of her 
 station, — smiling on the babe, or listening to the juvenile 
 tales which a Catharine or a Legh may be able to read or 
 to spell ; or, taking your walk, during this beautiful wea^ 
 ther, in the fields. Or, I see you on your knees, praying 
 for grace to enable you to act with judgment in all things ; 
 and supplicating mercies on your husband, as he journeys 
 by land or by water. Our i)rayer8 meet. What a favour, 
 to enjoy healtii, safety, and comfort, in all my wanderings ; 
 to be permitted to see the cause of God flourishing in a 
 foreign land, or rather, in so distant a part of our own !" 
 
 '' My dear Boy, 
 
 " Were 1 to attempt to describe the beauties of the 
 Highlands of Scotland to you, I should be much at a loss. 
 Whether my subject were the grand mountains, with snow 
 i>tili on their tops ; or the magnificent water-falls, amidst 
 
 10* 
 
r^lO MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 rocks, and glens, and woods ; or the noble rivers and ro- 
 mantic brooks, winding through fruitful plains or hills ; or 
 the fine lakes, expanding their bosoms to the clouds, which 
 they reflect from their surfaces ; whether I were to write 
 from the splendid mansion and grounds of a Highland 
 chief; or the lowly, smoke-dried cottage of a Highland 
 peasant ; whether the ruined caslle or abbey, or the neat 
 modern parish church, were the subject of my description, 
 I could say much, yet not enough. Here I am, amidst the 
 unexampled and wild beauties of the Trosacks, on the 
 banks of Loch Katrine ! There is the glen, down whicli 
 Fitz-James hurried from the mountains, when he lost his 
 way : there is the island of the Lady of the Lake, from 
 whence she put forth her little skiff, at the sound of the 
 echoing horn. There is the great mountain of Benvenu, 
 springing up from the lake to the clouds : there is his 
 brother Benan, with Benean, and Benhaum, and Benledi, 
 and Benvoirlich, and Beneen, and many more lofty beins 
 (mountains,) surrounding this most lovely lake. Here is 
 the GobUn's Hole ; and there the spot where the last of 
 the couriers of Roderic Dhu was slain. In it all, sublimity 
 reigns ; and, above all, God reigns in it also." 
 
 " My dear F , 
 
 " I was unspeakably gratified at Newcastle, in seeing 
 two little girls, one of ten, the other of twelve, the spiritual 
 fruits of my ' Young Cottager ;' the latter of the two I had 
 not seen before. I never before, except in the case of 
 'little Jane,' herself, saw so clear and so early an instance 
 of decided grace, and of a truly enlightened mind ; you 
 would have thought her conversation equal to eighteen, at 
 least. I apprehend, that I have become acquainted with 
 above thirty cases of decided usefulness in youth, from 
 that tract, since I came into the North. Oh ! what a 
 mercy ! In this, ' goodness indeed follows me.' My mo- 
 ther is very comfortable, — looks more aged, but not ill. 
 
 '' My visit to Scotland has been marked by more affec- 
 tion and usefulness than any one I ever made : numerous 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 211 
 
 public and 'private occurrences overwhelm me with grati- 
 tude. The Scottish scenery is of the very first class. 
 Whatever is beautiful, whatever is grand, whatever is wild 
 and romantic — all are to be found in almost unlimited va- 
 riety of display. Noble rivers, lakes, and water-falls, pic- 
 turesque hills and mountains, lovely land and sea views, 
 tine towns and buildings — ail speaking the goodness, power, 
 and wis<lom of God ! The marks of affection, regard, 
 and esteem, with which I was received, far exceed what I 
 haTC ever witnessed ; and, I have reason to believe, much 
 actual good has been done to many individuals, while I was 
 there." 
 
 The follow ing letters express his sentiments on the sub- 
 ject of Oratorios, on which he seems to have held a most 
 decided opinion. No man was ever more truly fond of 
 music than himself, and especially in its application to de- 
 votional purposes. Such is the professed object of Orato- 
 rios ; and the sublime compositions of those great masters 
 in this science, Handel and Haydn, certainly carry its 
 powers to almost the highest degree of perfection. The 
 principle then, itself, in its pure and legitimate application, 
 must ever be considered as subservient to the interests of 
 piety. It is, therefore, the abuse of this principle, and the 
 mode in which Oratoiios are generally conducted, that ex- 
 cited the apprehensions of Mr. Richmond, as to their pos- 
 sible influence on his own children. The worldly associa- 
 tions connected with what is otherwise a source of high 
 gratification to a scientific and devotional mind, constituted, 
 in his estimation, an insuperable objection to these festivals. 
 As a difference of opinion is known to exist in the religious 
 world on this subject, we feel happy in exhibiting Mr. 
 Richmond's sentiments, in the following letter to his wife. 
 
 " My very dear Mary, 
 
 " The approaching grand musical festival, to be held 
 at Edinburgh, about the same week with that at North- 
 ampton, occasions almost daily discussion in every party 
 
!212 MEMOIRS OF TUE 
 
 where we are visiting ; and there is but one feeling among 
 all our Christian friends — that no serious and consistent 
 Christian will go. Mary, of course, hears nothing from 
 either her father's lips, or from those of all his estimable 
 friends on this side of the Tweed, but determined objections 
 to the whole plan, its accompaniments, its gayety, its dissi- 
 pation, its ensnaring character, and its inconsistency with 
 every principle of nonconformity to the world. Neither 
 she nor I could appear again in Scotland, in a rehgious, 
 and much less a missionary character, if we were to be 
 present at these amusements. How, then, can I do other- 
 wise, which from my heart I sincerely, seriously, and deli- 
 berately must, than condemn the same thing, as it concerns 
 
 dear F . 
 
 " I have never had but one opinion on the subject of 
 these prostitutions of religion and music, at these theatri- 
 cal, and, as I think, unwarrantable medleys. I wish you 
 had the good sentiments of dear John Newton, on the pub- 
 lic Oratorio of the ' Messiah,' at hand. I deeply lament 
 that any who, in other respects, so justly deserve the name 
 of consistent Christians, should so little fathom the corrup- 
 tions of their own hearts, and be so insensible to the dan- 
 gerous tendency of public amusements which unite all the 
 levity of the world with the professed sanctity of religious 
 performances. Think not that I blame any one but myself, 
 for not long since making my sentiments on this ensnaring 
 subject better known to those so near and dear to me. It 
 is somewhat singular, that I should, with many Christian 
 friends of all ranks in Edinburgh and Scotland, be making 
 a firm stand against the principle and the practice of a mu 
 sical festival held here, at the very lime that 1 must also 
 make as firm a stand against the same thing in the South 
 It is contrary to every feehng I can entertain on the subject. 
 We have forsworn all these things on principle ; and what 
 is religious character and credit worth, if consistency is to 
 be sacrificed ? Numerous as my faults and errors may be, 
 I hope to be preserved from ever deliberately consenting 
 that my children, of whatever age, should enter into socie 
 
REV. LEGH Rl(-HiIO\D. 2VS 
 
 ties, intimacies, or what I deem forbidden amusements, so 
 as to wound ray conscience 
 
 '• I write with the most affectionate feelings of a husband, 
 a father, and a Christian ; and at this distance, we must not 
 encounter the chance of reciprocal uneasiness, from any 
 dubious discussion. I will only add, that I have not the 
 least objection to dear Mrs. M. knowing my whole mind 
 on the subject, which is, and has been for many years, per- 
 fectly decided God will ever bless those who sacrifice 
 worldly interest to pure conscientious motives : I have no 
 fears on that head. 
 
 " Our journey is very active, and full of mercies. I con- 
 clude that Mary tells you of the beauties and kindness of 
 Scotia. She is here forming truly Christian acquaintances 
 and friendships. I pray for, and think of you much. God 
 bless you ! Take this as the hearty prayer and desire of 
 " Your affectionate 
 
 L. Richmond." 
 
 The same subject is again thus resumed, in a letter ad- 
 dressed to an active friend of the Tract Society : — 
 
 " I can truly, dehberately, and conscientiously add to the 
 testimony of my friend Pellalt, the writer of this tract, that 
 I do consider the ordinary musical festivals, conducted as 
 they are, amid a strange medley of wanton confusion and 
 most impure mixtures, as highly delusive, fascinating, and 
 dangerous to youth. 1 consider the Oratorio performances 
 in churches, as a solemn mockery of God, and forbidden by 
 the clear principles of the Gospel. The making the most 
 »»acred and solemn subjects which heaven ever revealed to 
 man, even to the Passion of Christ himself on the cross, a 
 matter for the gay, critical, undevout recreation of indivi- 
 duals, who avowedly assembJe for any purpose but that of 
 worship ; and who, if they did'could hardly pretend that it 
 were very practicable in such company, and on such an 
 occasion, I do from my heait bel'eve to be highly offensive 
 to God. Playhouse actors and singers (frequently persons 
 of exceptionable character,) are hired, supported, applaud- 
 
214 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ed, and almost idolized, in tliese exhibitions, and encour- 
 aged to perseveie in their immoral and dangerous profes- 
 sion. Vice lides very triumphantly in such proceedings. 
 I am happy to say, that in the case of the festival at Edin- 
 burgh, none of the serious people either ministers or lay- 
 men, have countenanced it with their presence : excepting 
 two clergymen, one of whom letl the Oratorio in the midst 
 of the performance, sliocked and confounded at the abuse 
 of holy things, and ashamed of being found there ; the other 
 is deemed by all his brethren to have acted very wrongly, 
 and to have countenanced much evil. The spirit of the 
 world, the pride of hfe, the lust of the eye. all enter into 
 these public gayeties ; and their false pretensions to partial 
 sacredness, only tender them more objectionable. If young 
 people do not learn this lesson early, they will greatly suf- 
 fer in all hope of their spirituahty. The less they may 
 now, in the infancy of their Christian state, see and feel 
 thife, the more dangerous it is to yield to their ignorance 
 and inexperience. What is morally and religiously wrong, 
 can never become right through the error of youth. And 
 it would be a strange departure from every moral and reli- 
 gious principle, to say — < I know an act to be wrong in it- 
 self, but my child has not grace enough to see it as I do ; 
 therefore, I may lawfully permit him to do what I know to 
 be wrong.' Would not this open a door to every species 
 of sin and error ? 
 
 " As to examples of good people : — Sin does not cease 
 to be sin, because some good people unhappily fall into the 
 snares which the great enemy of souls spreads for their de- 
 lusion. It is, and it shall be for a lamentation, that good 
 men err so deplorably, and thereby countenance what, 
 eventually, their principles condemn, and what they may 
 some day have deep cause to regret. 
 
 " No man in England loves music — sacred music — bet- 
 ter than I do ; therefore my sacrifice to principle and con- 
 science is far greater than that of many others. I ought 
 to have the greater credit for my self-denial ; but I dare 
 pot countenance sin a"d dnnnrpT-, hprnnse it is clothed iji 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 215 
 
 the bewitching garb of good music and pretended sanctity. 
 •*Let not my soul come into their assembly !' Tender and 
 affectionate husband and father, as I hope I am, however I 
 sometimes may be misapprehended, and consequently sorry 
 to interfere with the comfort of those most near and dear 
 to me ; yet I rejoice from my heart, in having prevented 
 the sanctioning any part of so promiscuous and unjustifiable 
 a medley, by the attendance of the members of my dear 
 family ; and they will one day thank me. When the object 
 is avowedly an act of worship, all is right, let who will sing 
 and play : but when it is avowedly an act of amusement, 
 religion, rightly felt and understood, forbids the profane 
 performance of singing-men and singing women, trifling 
 with the things that belong to our everlasting peace, and 
 turning them into mockery." 
 
 We now return to the course of our narrative. 
 
 Allusions have already been made, in a preceding part 
 of this Memoir, to Mr. Richmond's mother Her maternal 
 <-are in the days of his childhood, her early endeavours to 
 instil into his mind the principles of religion, and the inter- 
 est she manifested in some of the subsequent events of his 
 history, have been incidentally mentioned. She died in the 
 beginning of the year 1819. But before we enter upon the 
 account of her decease, we shall introduce a brief memoir, 
 from the pen of Mr. Richmond, in which the history of his 
 family is so interwoven with bis own earlier years, as to 
 fojrm a kind of episode, which we have no doubt will in- 
 terest the reader by the simple and affecting character of 
 its details. It is addressed to his children, as a memorial 
 of the virtues of his mother : while his execution of it is no 
 less the memorial of his own. 
 
 This little piece will appropriately form, by itself, our 
 next chapter. It is entitled by the writer, — 
 
 " A Tribute of affectionate veneration for the memory of 
 a deceased Mother ; — in a series of Letters to his Children. 
 By the Rev. Legh Richmond." 
 
*il'6 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER XII!. 
 
 , ** Tribute to the memcyry of his Mother.' 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 " My beloved children, 
 
 " The affecting summons which I so lately and unex- 
 pectedly received, to pay the last act of duty and love to 
 the remains of my invaluable and revered parent, has im- 
 pressed my mind with a strong desire to leave some memo- 
 rial of her character, for your sakes, and for your instruc- 
 tion. 
 
 "I am just returned from the grave of one whom a 
 thousand tender recollections endeared to every faculty of 
 my soul ; and I wish to preserve something of that solemn- 
 ity of feeling and gratitude of heart, which such a scene 
 was calculated to inspire. How can T better do this, than 
 by endeavouring to convey those emotions to your bosoms, 
 through the medium of an epistolary communication, de- 
 voted to an affectionate retrospect of the character and 
 disposition of the deceased ? I feel myself, as it were, a 
 debtor to two generations, between whom I now stand, as 
 the willing, though feeble and unworthy agent by whom 
 benefits and consolations derived from the one, may be 
 transferred for the lasting advantage of the other. The 
 solid character of her religious principles, the superiority 
 of her mental attainments, and the singularly amiable de- 
 portment by which she was distinguished, constitute pow- 
 erful claims to your regard. If any additional plea were 
 needed, I would derive it from the deep and affectionate in- 
 terest which she took in whatever concerned your welfare. 
 
REV. LKGH RICHMOND. *21v 
 
 iioth spiritual and temporal ; from the prayers which she 
 daily offered up to the throne of mercy, for your happiness ; 
 and from the unceasing watchfulness and anxiety which 
 she manifested, for your progress in every good word and 
 work. 
 
 " Although she was far separated from you, by the dis- 
 tance of her residence from our own, and the opportunities 
 of personal intercourse were thereby greatly restricted ; 
 yet her most tender and sacred affections were ever near 
 to me and mine. We occupied her daily thoughts, and 
 her nightly meditations ; and now that she is gone to rest, 
 and her heart can no longer beat with mortal anxieties, it 
 is highly becoming that we, who loved her, and whom she 
 ^o ardently loved, should give a consistency to our affection 
 for such a parent. Jay a grateful inquiry into those qualities 
 of head and heart with which God so eminently blessed 
 her. 
 
 " There is a solitary tree, underneath which, by her own 
 desire, she lies buried, in Lancaster church-yard. I feel a 
 wish, if I may be allowed for a moment to employ the 
 imagery, to pluck a branch from this tree that waves over 
 her tomb, to transplant it into my own domestic garden, 
 and there behold it flourish, and bring forth < fruit unto ho- 
 liness.' I would gladly encourage a hope, that this wish 
 may be realized in you, my children ; and that such inter- 
 course with the dead, may indeed prove a blessing to the 
 living. 
 
 " But this only can be expected in dependence on the 
 free and undeserved mercy of that God and Saviour, in 
 whom your venerable grandmother trusted, and *■ whom to 
 know is hfe eternal.' Whatever, therefore, of domestic 
 narrative ; whatever of earnest exhortation to yourselves ; 
 or whatever of remark upon the interesting quahties of 
 the subject of this memoir, may intermingle with my pre- 
 sent address, — keep invariably in mind, that my great ob- 
 ject, as it concerns her, and you, and myself, is to give 
 glory to God alone ; and in the deepest humiliation of 
 heart, to look up to Him as the sole fountain of excellence. 
 20 
 
'218 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " In addressing you on such a subject, my children, it is- 
 natural that I should reflect on the varieties of age, and 
 circumstance in which you are placed. Even in point of 
 your number^ I can hardly pronounce it without some de- 
 gree of fear and trembling Ten immortal souls ! — souls 
 allied to my own, by ties inexpressibly tender, and inviola- 
 bly dear, — souls committed to my charge, not only as a 
 minister, but a parent ' Who is sufficient for these things ?' 
 has been the secret cry of many a minister and many a 
 parent. In each of these relations, I wish to apply that 
 divine promise to my heart, our * sufficiency is of God." 
 I have long cherished a hope, founded on another gracious 
 intimation of His will to those who love and fear him — 
 ' The promise is unto you and to your phildren, and to all 
 that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall 
 call.' Supported by these consolations, it has been my 
 aim to bring you up in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord, and to train up my children in the right way ; trust- 
 ing, that if they live to be old, they will not depart from it. 
 Yet sometimes the anxious fear, connected with a survey 
 of the world in which you are placed — its vanities and its 
 vices — its delusions and its dangers, will force itself on my 
 thoughts. I have lived to see, in other families, some of 
 their buds of promise blighted, through the baneful and 
 infectious influence of corrupt associations. I have seen 
 what havoc the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, 
 the sinful lusts of the flesh, and the wiles of the devil, 
 have made in many a household. I have witnessed the 
 sorrows, and mingled mine with the tears of my friends, 
 when they have spoken of the wanderings and misconduct 
 of some of their children : and then, I have occasionally 
 trembled for my own little flock. But I feel it, at the same 
 time, to be both my privilege and my duty, to use this very 
 solicitude for a higher and nobler purpose than despon- 
 dency and unbelief would suggest. These anxious affec- 
 tions are planted in the parental heart, and manifestly or- 
 dained of God, as incentives to caution, and stimulants t© 
 prayer. As such; I would employ them for your sakes ; 
 
BEV. LE6H RICHMOND. '21% 
 
 1 would hereby the more assiduously teach you to ' abhor 
 that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good :' and, 
 above all, I would, with the more earnestness and depen- 
 dence on the covenant grace of God, present your mortal 
 and immortal interests in suppHcation, to Him who hath 
 said, * the promise is unto you and your children, and to 
 all that are afar off, as many as the Lord shall call' 
 
 " And surely, I may be alhjwed to urge an excuse for 
 dwelling upon this text, even in a way of literal applica- 
 tion. For you, my first-bom child, are indeed ' afar off;' 
 a'Jid these pages may much more easily reach you, among 
 your uncertain journeyings on the shores or the waves of 
 India, than they can ever convey an adequate idea of the 
 exercises of varied affection, which your eventful history 
 lias occasioned us. 
 
 ** Next to your immediate parents', no one felt so deeply 
 on your account as my deceased mother. Her prayers 
 and good wishes were mingletl with our own, when we first 
 committed you to the vicissitudes of the ocean, and the 
 mariner's lot ; — and the above-named promise was her sup- 
 port, as well as ours. 
 
 " As 1 stood on the shores of the Isle of Wight in the 
 summer of 1814, and watched the departure of the ship 
 which contained my child, with a father's eye and a father's 
 heart, I mused over the past, the present, and the future^ 
 until the shadows of the night interrupted my view. One 
 moment suggested, * my poor child will soon be afar off;* 
 the next, as it were, replied, but ♦ the prrtmise is unto you 
 and to your children, and to as many as are afar off.' The 
 thought consoled me as 1 returned homeward, and I pray- 
 ed for my little ones, that God would speak * peace to you 
 which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.' 
 
 *' And then, again, my son when during the following 
 year we received the dismal tidings of the wreck of your 
 ship, and the destruction «»f nearly all her crew, on thf 
 coast of Africa, as she returned on her voyage from Cey- 
 lon, when among the six persons whom alone, out of 360, 
 Providence saved from death, we found not your name, we 
 
•320 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 seemed, in this valley of the shadow of death, more than 
 ever to need the rod and the staff of the great Shepherd to 
 comfort us. At that trying period the same promise came 
 to our aid, and we felt its consohng influence, while, like 
 Aaron, when his sons were dead, we held our peace. And 
 when afterward it pleased God, in the mystery of his mer- 
 cies, to discover to us our mistake, and to prove to us that 
 you had no part in the horrors ol this watery grave, it did 
 indeed seem once more fulfilled — ' this my son was dead 
 and is alive again ; he was lost and is found.' 
 
 " During these transitions of feeling, I cannot express 
 how much the truly scriptural communications of sentiments 
 and counsel, which we received from my now deceased pa- 
 rent, contributed to the encouragement of faith, and 
 patience, and gratitude. From that period till her death, 
 the welfare of my child * afar off' continued to lay very 
 near to her heart : * what news from India V was her fre- 
 quent inquiry, and always accompanied by an interesting 
 tear of maternal solicitude. To you, therefore, as the 
 eldest of my dear fihal flock, I may, with due earnestness, 
 first commend this ' tribute of affectionate veneration for 
 the memory of my deceased mother. ' 
 
 " She was a faithful mother to us all ; and I wish her 
 memory to be enshrined in the grateful recollection of your 
 heart. If these lines are ever permitted to meet your pe- 
 rusal, my son, cherish them for her sake and mine. 
 
 " From India, I turn to my nine children at home ; and 
 greet you with a father's blessing, as I present you with 
 these domestic meditations, which I write for the sake of 
 those of you who have enjoyed the opportunity of occa- 
 sional intercourse with the subject of the memoir, as well 
 as of those whom circumstances never permitted to know 
 her. I anticipate the time when even my last born, the 
 babe that cannot yet lisp the honoured name of ' grandmo- 
 ther,' shall not be ignorant of her worth, but shall love to 
 •listen to the record of those gracious affections with which 
 God w^as pleased to adorn her ; and, perhaps, on some fu- 
 ture day, when visiting the grave where she is laid, may say. 
 
REV. LEGU RICHMOND. 
 
 5^1 
 
 » here lies one, whom from ray cradle I was taught to love 
 and honour.' 
 
 '* But, whilst T am enumerating ' the olive branches 
 which surround my table,' and * the children whom God 
 hath given me,' [ suddenly feel as if I had erred in my 
 calculations. Is there no link of connexion between the 
 visible and invisible worlds ? no right of appropriation by 
 which an earthly parent may say, ' I have a child in hea- 
 ven V Yes ; a sweet little cherub in the mansions above., 
 seems to my imagination to be the very link which faith and 
 love would employ to animate all the energies of my best 
 affections, when I look at my still living children, and con- 
 template their immortal condition. 
 
 " One of you, my eleven children, is in glory, — a lamb, 
 safely and eternally folded in the arms of his Redeemer. 
 lie is the first of my household that has gone to his rest. 
 May he prove a pledge for many to follow him there, in 
 God's own time. In the mean-time, cherish it in your fre- 
 quent remembrance, as an argument for heavenly-minded- 
 ness, that one of you is already in heaven. I may not, in- 
 deed, now address myself to him ; but f may speak of him 
 to you : I may remind you of his epitaph, and of the Para- 
 dise to which he belongs. I may also thus preserve the 
 sense of kindred alhance between the dead and the living 
 of my family, and ardently pray for the perfect and eternal 
 reunion of them all, through grace, in ' the house not made 
 with hands, eternal in the heavens.' Such likewise, were 
 the supplications of her who through faith and patience is 
 gone to inherit the promises, and to join our own httle in- 
 fant in singing hallelujahs * to Him that sitteth upon the 
 throne, and unto the Lamb.' 
 
 " In the cherished anticipation of such results, from the 
 free and undeserved mercies of redemption, I will conclude) 
 the present letter, by subscribing myself 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 Leoh Richmot^p." 
 20* 
 
-:2*^ uMEMOIRS OF THF 
 
 LETTER IT. 
 
 *« My dear children, 
 
 " In this endeavour to delineate a short sketch of the 
 •life of your deceased grandmother, it seems necessary that 
 I should give you some little information respecting her pa- 
 rentage and ancestry. There is a kind of pleasing melan- 
 choly in recurring to times now long past, and to former 
 generations, endeared to recollection, by kindred ties, to 
 which I cannot feel wholly insensible. A number of letters, 
 papers, and documents, connected with fhe early circum- 
 stances of my dear mother's life, and of her more imme- 
 diate relatives and ancestors, lie before me. While I pe- 
 ruse them, I seem to be translated to a former age ; and 
 to realize once more, scenes and associations which can 
 only thus be revived. They bring to ray recollection the 
 friends of my own infancy long since dead, and the various 
 domestic relations and events of which they loved to speak. 
 I would not set a higher value on such things than they de- 
 serve, nor would I put the mortal genealogies of earth in 
 even a momentary competition with the alliance of < the 
 family of heaven.' Yet, in tracing the personal history of 
 those whom God is pleased to honour with spiritual bless- 
 ings, an interest may lawfully be excited by a variety of mi- 
 nor circumstances, which are necessary to the connexion 
 of the story, and may lead to profitable considerations, 
 when viewed as the links of that chain in Providence, by 
 which the Almighty Father upholds the destinies of his 
 children, and confirms the councils of his will respecting 
 them. 
 
 " My mother was born at Liverpool, in the year 1 736. 
 Her parents were descended from, and nearly related to, 
 several ancient and respectable families in the counties of 
 Lancaster and Chester. Her father, John Atherton, Esq., 
 of Walton Hall, near Liverpool, was descended from a 
 younger branch of the Athertons, of Atherton in the former 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 2*23 
 
 county, who settled at Preston. Of his character I have 
 frequently heard my mother speak with affectionate vene- 
 ration. More particularly, she used to give me an account 
 of a behaviour and conversation on his death-bed, which 
 seemed to bear the characteristics of true Christian faith 
 and hope. ' I am,' said he, ' an unworthy sinner, but I 
 know in whom I have beHeved. I have nothing, nothing 
 of my own ; but Christ is every thing. My daughter, the 
 comforts of dying rest not in the poor merits of man, but 
 in the sure ftiercies of God.' 
 
 '* Such were a few of the expressions which frequently 
 escaped from his Hps, till his eyes peacefully closed in 
 death. Such traditional memorials should be valued 
 amongst us that remain : and may, by God's blessing, 
 prove incentives to follow those who, through faith and pa- 
 tience, are gone before to inherit the promises. 
 
 *• Her mother was tlie daughter of Sylvester Richmond 
 Esq., of Acton Grange, in the county of Chester, by Fran- 
 ces Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Brook, of Norton 
 Priory, Baronet, who died in 1710. 
 
 *' Her mind, at a very early period, exhibited a strong in- 
 clination to the study of the best authors. She was well 
 versed in the historians, essayists, and poets of her own 
 country, and read the French language with fluency. Her 
 memory, even at the advanced age of eighty-three, was 
 well stored with the judiciously-selected reading of her 
 younger years. She possessed a naturally strong judgment, 
 and examined with accuracy the sentiments and the style 
 of every book which she read. At a period when female 
 education was, with but few exceptions, vei7 feebly di- 
 rected to the cultivation of general and useful literature ; 
 when the romance and the cookery book were too frequent- 
 ly esteemed to be the chief requisites of a lady's library — 
 Miss Atherton was a constant student in almost every branch 
 of such learning as, even in this more cultivated age, would 
 be deemed advantageous and interesting to the female mind. 
 In this ihe was encouraged by both her parents, who well 
 
224 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 understood and highly valued the proper cultivation of the 
 understanding, through the medium of useful literature. 
 
 " But with these attainments there was no display, no 
 pedantry, no conceit. If ever there was a disposition 
 marked by true feminine modesty and humility, it was her 
 own. She thoroughly fulfilled the apostolic injunction, 
 ' in honour preferring one another.' Others, indeed, knew 
 her value ;' but she ever undervalued herself. Althougl) 
 domestic and retired in her habits, yet she mingled with 
 and adorned a most respectable circle of relatives and 
 friends, among whom she was justly esteemed as an improv- 
 ing and amiable companion. 
 
 " From her childhood she entertained a deep reverence 
 for the holy Scriptures, and had a strong tincture of piety 
 in her disposition She read many valuable authors, on re- 
 ligious subjects : and though not at all times equally favour- 
 ed with opportunities of Christian intercourse, which daily 
 experience proves to be so requisite for decision of charac- 
 ter, yet her heart was ever directed with firmness and af- 
 fection towards serious subjects, which produced a con- 
 scientious integrity of mind, distinguishable in her whole 
 deportment. In the latter period of her life, to which I 
 shall soon direct your chief attention, she has confessed to 
 me that defective views of some primary points of Christian 
 doctrine pervaded her former religious sentiments. She 
 most sincerely relied on the atonement of Christ ; but at 
 that period had imperfect views of the fulness and suffi- 
 ciency of his work. She had acquired very humbling views 
 of herself as a sinner ; yet these were not unmixed with er- 
 ror and indistinctness, with regard to the plan of divine 
 acceptance. The commonly received divinity of that day, 
 and the usual discourses of the pulpit, were lamentably de- 
 fective in many grand essentials of Christian faith. The 
 spiritual truths of the Gospel and the fundamental princi- 
 ples of the Reformation, were generally veiled under a sys- 
 tem of ethics, which however pure and correct, as a part of 
 the great scheme of revelation? yet, when substituted for 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 225 
 
 the whole, loses its own intrinsic value, while it robs the 
 Redeemer of his honour, and the sinner of his hope. 
 
 " Under external disadvantages of this nature, it is an in- 
 teresting subject of investigation to trace the secret and 
 gradual progress of tlie mind of a sincere and humble in- 
 quirer after truth, through the different stages of its ad- 
 vancement. 
 
 " There were two circumstances which greatly contri- 
 buted to strengthen and direct her judgment and affections 
 in religious concerns. Her mother's own brother, the 
 Rev. Legh Richmond, who was, first, vicar of Garstang 
 near Lancaster, and afterward rector of Stockport, in 
 Cheshire, was educated and prepared for the ministry by 
 Dr. Thomas Wilson, bishop of Sodor and Man. The ve- 
 nerable and apostolical character of this insular prelate, was 
 by this connexion brought more immediately under Miss 
 Atherton's notice She also saw much of a similar dispo- 
 sition in the conduct and ministry of his pupil, her uncle. 
 * Bishop Wilson,' to use the language of his biographer, 
 < was a man of most exemplary piety, charity, and all 
 Christian graces, who continued for the long course of 
 fifty-seven years, to perform all the ofllices of a good bishop 
 and a good man.' His writings, and particularly his ma- 
 nual of devotion, entitled * Sacra Privata,' were much es- 
 teemed by, and rendered very useful to her. These bene- 
 fits were greatly increased by intercourse with her uncle, 
 whose disposition, attainments, and conduct in the ministry, 
 not a little resembled those of his excellent tutor. 
 
 ** My dear mother always spoke with peculiar gratitude 
 and veneration of the advantages which she received from 
 the instructions and conversation of this relative. Her 
 subsequent marriage with his son, my late honoured father, 
 Henry Richmond, M. D , naturally conduced to increase 
 those sentiments of respect and regard which she had pre- 
 nously entertained, and rendered every valuable feature in 
 his domestic and ministerial character doubly dear. 
 
 Another circumstance connected with the early period 
 of her life, to which I have frequently heard her revert, and 
 
226 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 of which I find among her papers some valuable memorials:, 
 was her intimatf^ acquaintance with a near relative, the late 
 Henry Cornwall Legh, Esq., of High Legh, in the county 
 of Chester. This gentleman had formed a valuable inter- 
 course with the late Lord Dartmouth and some of his 
 friends, through whom he had ireen led into remarkably 
 solid and serious views of tie great importance of realreli-' 
 gion. I have often heard my mother observe, that of all 
 the acquaintances of her own age, during her earlier years, 
 there was none with whom she found so much congeniality 
 of mind, upon religious topics, as Mr. Legh Frequent 
 visits which she made to the family at High Legh, afforded 
 opportunities of useful conversation with her relative. I 
 am now in possession of two manuscripts on sacred sub- 
 jects, given to my mother by Mr. Legh, to which she at- 
 tached great value, and of which she spoke, to the end of 
 her life, as a means of guiding her mind into clearer views 
 of divine truth than any human composition which she had 
 previously read As I consider these papers to be estima- 
 ble for their own sake, as well as that of my mother and 
 her friend Mr. Legh, I will annex part of them to this me- 
 morial, and indulge a hope that her grandchildren may 
 profit by the same channel of instruction which, at a former 
 period, was instrumental to the spiritual attainments of the 
 deceased. 
 
 " I have hitherto been speaking of that portion of m^ 
 dear parent's life which was prior to my own birth. I 
 shall, in ray next letter, write more immediately from my 
 own recollection and experience. I wish you to profit by 
 this simple domestic narrative. I feel that I owe it to 
 God, to my children, and to my departed mother, that you 
 should become better acquainted with her now that she is 
 dead, than circumstances permitted while living." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. '327 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 •* In the year 1771, Miss Atherton was married to hei 
 i:ousin, Dr. Henry Richmond, the only son of the Rev. 
 Legh Richmond. His mother was the daughter of Henry 
 Legh, Esq., of High Legh, in Cheshire, by Letitia, anotlier 
 daughter of Sir Richard Brook, Bart., of Norton. Dr. 
 Richmond was educated at the grammar school in Maccles- 
 field, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Atkinson. He was 
 entered at Trinity College, Cambridge, in the year 1759, 
 and was elected fellow of that society in 1766. He was 
 originally intended for the sacred ministry, and his father 
 had considerable hopes at one period, of obtaining the rec- 
 tory of Stockport for him ; but in consequence of the fail- 
 ure of his expectations in that point, a change took place 
 in regard to the profession which he adopted, and he ap- 
 plied himself to the study of physic. 
 
 " Not long after the death of hi^ father, which took place 
 in 1769, Dr. Richmond settled as a physician in the town 
 of Liverpool. At this period Miss Atherton resided with 
 her motlier, now a wid«>w, in St. Paul's Square, in the 
 same town. A congeniality of principles and dispositions, 
 foimded upon many valuable qualifications of mind, which 
 they each possessed ; and an esteem, strengthened by the 
 kindred intimacy of the families from their very infancy, 
 led to that union which took place in 1771. Her younger 
 sister Elizabeth was nearly at the same time married to 
 
 Michael Nugent, Esq., of in Ireland, a first-cousin 
 
 to the late Earl Nugent. Mrs. Atherton continued to live 
 with Dr and Mrs. Richmond till her death, which did not 
 take place till about sixteen years after the marriage of her 
 daughters ; I am the more minute in relating these family 
 occurrences to you, my children, because I am aware that 
 it is the only channel through which you are likely to obtain 
 them. The lapse of time, the distance and dispersion of 
 9onie relatiTes, and the deaths of many others, gradually 
 
228 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 throw a veil over a variety of occurrences and connexion-^, 
 the remembrance of which, to a certain extent, I wish you 
 to preserve. 
 
 " We know not by what pecuHar links in the chain of 
 providence and grace, it may please God to promote our 
 best and dearest interests ; but, among others, I would 
 cherish the hope, that the memorials of our ancestry, and 
 more especially of such as, in their generation, loved and 
 feared His holy name, may not be unavailing to their pos- 
 terity. 
 
 '' I will now endeavour to lay before you a short review 
 of what I may call the second period of your grandmo- 
 ther's life. Her conduct during the single state, as a 
 daughter, had been useful, affectionate, dutiful, and domes- 
 tic Such daughters, and such alone, are calculated to ex- 
 hibit those still brighter characteristics which attach to the 
 subsequent relations of the wife and the mother Let my 
 children ever remember, that in the ordinary course of the 
 progress of a Christian and domestic character, the seed of 
 hope is planted in childhood, and the bud manifests its first 
 beauty and fragrance in their earlier youth, and thence is- 
 sues that more expanded foliage, which constitutes the 
 ornamental features of their more advanced condition. 
 There is a wise and beautiful order in the mode and manner 
 of the dispensations of God's grace. 
 
 " There is a progressive attainment of knowledge, and a 
 growth of principle in the hearts of such as He is training 
 up in the way they should go, which successively develope 
 as the infant advances to childhood, the child to youth, and 
 the youth to man. There is a preparation of heart which 
 accompanies this progressive formation of character. The 
 affections and principles of action which, under the divine 
 blessing, have been fostered in the bosom of the child, to 
 the furtherance of the parent's happiness, and the general 
 welfare of the domestic circle, are precisely those which 
 will hereafler constitute the solidity and the loveliness of 
 the nuptial character. The difficulties and the trials of 
 early life may have been fewer (mercifully, perhaps, or- 
 
 I 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. !229 
 
 dained to be so ;) but the heart that has been disciplined 
 in the school of filial obedience and affection, is thus pre- 
 pared for future usefulness, and for the trial of faith, love, 
 and patience in a subsequently acquired relation. 
 
 " More particularly to speak of the female character : — 
 subject to those exceptions which the urdimited grace of 
 the Almighty is sometimes pleased to make in the disposi- 
 tions of individuals at a more advanced period of life, — ex- 
 ceptions which in no respect form a rule for general con- 
 clusions ; those who, in unaffected sobriety of manners 
 and simple spirituality of heart, have aimed at fulfilling the 
 domestic duties of the daughter^ will ever constitute that 
 truly honourable class of women whom Providence ap- 
 points to sustain the more arduous characters of the Chris- 
 tian wife and the Christian mother. In vain shall we look 
 for characters of this description among the daughters of 
 tolly and fasliion Their hearts are estranged from the 
 very principle of the domestic disposition. Accustomed 
 to the repeated indulgence of luxurious inclinations, their 
 volatile desires are ever upon the wing in search of some- 
 thing new and gay, that may satisfy a craving and disorder- 
 ed appetite for novelties. They are * lovers of pleasure 
 more than lovers of God.' But, says the same apostle, 
 ' she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.' Be- 
 ware, my dear daughters, of such examples : dread their 
 contagion, and, therefore, shun their society. Pray that 
 you may ever be preserved from the ensnaring influence of 
 those pomps and vanities of the world which you have so- 
 lemnly renounced in your baptism. And let it be the com- 
 fort of ray advancing years, to see that your centre of 
 attachment, as well as duty, is at home. 
 
 " Numberless and invaluable are the ideas which connect 
 with that one word, home.. May you and I eq cherish them 
 by sacred principle on earth, that we may be found meet 
 for a better home hereafter, even for * the inheritance of 
 the saints in hght.' My dear mother had been educated 
 in sentiments truly domestic : her chosen associates were 
 of a similar character, — her parents encouraged them for 
 21 
 
230 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 conscience, as well as for comfort's sake. Her time and 
 attention had been, from her youth upward, chiefly directed 
 to the devoted study of religious truths, the culture of use- 
 ful literature, the temperate pursuit of the elegant arts, the 
 society of estimable friends, and the well regulated plans 
 of her parents' family. In the midst of all, she lived in 
 constant habits of prayer ; and this consolidated the valu- 
 able qualities of her mind, and gave them a holy tendency. 
 
 " With dispositions and habits thus previously formed, 
 Miss Atherton entered into the marriage state. The fol- 
 lowing year gave birth to the heart that dictates, and to the 
 hand that guides my pen. 
 
 " May I not be allowed to pause for a few moments over 
 the solemn and affecting considerations hereby suggested. 
 I have frequently meditated upon the subject of my birth, 
 as connected with my death and resurrection. I have often 
 contemplated the history of man, through its eventful 
 course, from the cradle to the grave ; and endeavoured to 
 make the practical application to myself. But I think I 
 never felt its characteristic importance so powerfully, or at 
 least so affectingly, as when I committed to the grave the 
 friend, the nurse, the protector, the guide and guardian of 
 ray helpless infancy, — all summed up in the endeared name 
 of mother. I seemed to recall the time, ' when as yet I 
 hanged on my mother's breast ;' and to revert to the ten- 
 der anxieties with which she watched over her JBrst-born 
 child. And now a few short years are rolled away, and 
 how great the change ! The eye that saw, the ear that 
 heard, the tongue that encouraged, and the arm that upheld 
 the babe of her youth, are mouldering in the dust ! She 
 is departed hence, and is no more seen ! It is my prayer, 
 for myself and my loved children, that we may so learn ' to 
 number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wis- 
 dom.' And if such meditations as these may, through 
 grace, lead us to see more of the vanity of the earthly 
 state, the value of time, and the rapid approach of eter- 
 nity, our visit to the tomb will not have been unprofit- 
 able. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 231 
 
 *^ I wen remember, in the early dawn of my expanding 
 reason, with what care she hiboured to instil into my mind 
 a sense of the being of God, and of the reverence which is 
 due to him ; of the character of a Saviour, and his infinite 
 merits ; of the duty of prayer, and the manner in which it 
 ought to be offered up at the throne of grace. Her way ol* 
 enforcing these subjects was like one who felt their impor- 
 tance, and wished her child to do so likewise. First in- 
 structed by her to read I have not forgotten, in my Bible 
 lessons, with what simplicity and propriety she used to ex- 
 plain and comment on the word of God, its precepts and 
 examples. These infantine catechetical exercises still vi" 
 brate in my recollections, and confirm to my own mind, 
 the great advantage attendant upon the earliest possible 
 endeavours to win the attention, and store the memory with 
 religious knmcledge. Her natural abilities, which were of 
 a superior character, enabled her to converse with a very 
 little child with much effect ; and there was a tenderness 
 of affection, united to a firmness of manner, which greatly 
 promoted the best interests of a nursery education. 
 
 ** My mother had six children ; three of whom died ia 
 infancy. A very affecting circumstance accompanied the 
 death of one of them, and was a severe trial to her ma- 
 ternal feelings. Her then youngest child, a sweet little 
 boy, just two years old, was, through the carelessness of 
 his nurse^ precipitated from a bed- room window, upon the 
 pavement beneath. I was at that time six years of age, 
 and happened to be walking on the very spot, when the 
 distressing event occurred : I was, therefore, the first 
 to take up, and deliver into our agonized mother's arms^ 
 the poor little sufferer. The head was fractured, and he 
 only survived the fall about thirty hours. 1 still preserve a 
 very distinct and lively remembrance of the struggle be- 
 tween the natural feelings of the mother, and the spiritual 
 resignation of the Christian. She passed the sad interval 
 of suspense in almost continual prayer, and found God a 
 present help in time of trouble. Frequently during that 
 day, did she retire with me ; and as I knelt beside her, she 
 
i233 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Uttered the feelings and desires of her heart to God. I 
 remember her saying, ' If 1 cease praying for five minutes^ 
 I am ready to sink under this unlooked-for distress ; but 
 when 1 pray, God comforts and upholds me : his will, not 
 mine, be done/ Once she said, ' Help me to pray, my 
 child : Christ suffers little children to come to him, and 
 forbids them not, — say something, * What shall 1 say. 
 mamma ? — shall I fetch a book ?' * Not now,' she replied : 
 * speak from your heart ; and ask God that we may be re- 
 conciled to his will, and bear this trial with patience.' 
 
 " The day after the infant's death, she took me to the 
 bed on which my little brother lay ; and kneeling down, she 
 wept for a few minutes in silence ; and then taking his 
 Cold hand in one of hers, and mine in the other, she said 
 — * Lord, if it had not been thy good pleasure, it had nol 
 been thus. Thy will be done ! I needed this heavy trial, 
 to show me more of myself, and to wean me from the 
 world. Forgive my sins, O God ! and let me not murmur/ 
 Then looking at the cherub countenance of her babe, she 
 added — 'Thou art not lost, but gone before me!' She 
 then put his hand into mine, and said — * If you live, my 
 child, never forget this ; and may I one day meet you both 
 in heaven I' 
 
 " I have dwelt upon this part of my dear parent's histo- 
 ry with the more minuteness, because she has frequently 
 told me, that it was not only the greatest shock which her 
 feelings were ever called upon to sustain ; but that she 
 was persuaded, it was overruled by God for the most salu- 
 tary purpose, as it concerned the spiritual discipline of her 
 own heart. To the end of her life she wore a little locket 
 attached to her watch : it contained a lock of her poor 
 little Henry's hair : and she often looked at it, and spoke 
 of it, as a remembrance of God's goodness to her, at a 
 most trying season. 
 
 " These things occurred at Stockport, when we were on 
 a visit to my father's mother and sisters, in the early part 
 of the year 1778. "^Fhe recollection of what I have rela- 
 ted, is still clear and impressive on my mind. 
 
' B,EV. LEOfl RICHMOND. 283 
 
 ♦' Not many weeks after the death of this child, my father 
 proposed a tour into Yorkshire, Westmoreland, Cumber- 
 land, and Lancashire, with a view to the restoration of my 
 mother's heahh and spirits, which had materially suffered 
 from her distress of mind. A journey through scenes of 
 so much beauty as the mountains and lakes of that district 
 afford, was rendered peculiarly interesting by the state of 
 mind in which it was undertaken. 
 
 " My mother had a correct taste for landscape scenery, 
 and loved to trace the hand of the Creator in his works. 
 She had, also, an acquaintance with the history, antiquity, 
 and biography of her country, which was much gratified 
 by the objects, both of art and nature, associated with 
 them. Her memory was enriched with many of the best 
 descriptive passages in the works of the poets, and she 
 was able to quote and apply tliem to the various objects 
 which presented themselves to her notice. My lather's 
 mind was perfectly congenial to hers in these things. 
 
 " Young as I was at the time, 1 feel a grateful satisfac- 
 tion in retaining 30 much as I do, of the scenes through 
 which we passed, and of the remarks which they made, in 
 conversation upon them. I need not tell you, my children, 
 how great a source of pleasure I myself have derived 
 from the contemplation of the beauties of landscape, taken 
 in connexion with its associated circumstances, and more 
 especially in its relation to the hand that formed them. 
 
 " To this journey in my childhood, accompanied as it 
 was by the tender anxiety of my mother in particular, to 
 direct my attention to every object worthy of notice, and 
 the impressive maimer in which her late severe trial led 
 her to utter her sentiments, I ascribe much of my own 
 turn of mind, as associated with the works of nature. Her 
 little boy was permitted to ramble with her amongst the 
 noble scenery of Skiddaw and Helvellyn ; to sail on the 
 smooth expanses of Derwentwater and Winandermere ; 
 and to have his wondering eye directed by her to the cata- 
 racts of Barrow and Lowdore. He was allowed to visit, 
 with her, the minsters of Ripon and York, tjje ruins of 
 21* 
 
^34 xMEMOIRS or THK 
 
 "Fountains' Abbey, the splendid castle of Raby, and the 
 romantic course of the Tees. Amidst the whole, she did 
 not forget to teach him the importance of treasuring up 
 useful information, cultivating a taste for the wonders of 
 nature and art, and of learning how much it is the Chris- 
 tian's duty, 
 
 ' To look through nature, up to nature's God.' 
 
 And now, when no longer himself a little boy, but a father, 
 writing to his own little boys, he feels a kindred pleasure 
 in endeavouring to excite in them a love for these early 
 enjoyments of his own phildhood, througli which he was 
 so affectionately led by the hand and the heart of his mo- 
 ther. 
 
 "In the year 1782, my father quitted his residence at 
 liiverpool, and settled in tht' city of Bath, where he prac- 
 tised as a physician about twenty-four years. As it is my 
 intention to write to you principally upon what I have seen 
 and known of my mother, during the latter part of a life 
 prolonged to nearly eighty-four years, and as, in so doing, 
 i shall have occasion to make several references to the 
 circumstances that preceded this period, I shall, in a more 
 cursory manner, speak of the events of her domestic history. 
 " Her mother, Mrs. Atherton, died at Bath, in the nine- 
 tieth year of her age, in the year 1789. She was a woman 
 of remarkable sweetness of disposition ; and possessed 
 many qualities of mind which greatly endeared her to a 
 valuable circle of acquaintance, even to that advanced pe- 
 riod. Serious, sensible, and cheerful, her conversation 
 was instructive and entertaining : full of anecdote and 
 good sense, she was an interesting companion to the young, 
 and even to children, as well as to their elders.^ She evi- 
 denced a very marked regard for religious principles and 
 services, and adorned them with a corresponding conduct. 
 She bore her faculties very meekly, and enjoyed an almost 
 uninterrupted state of good health, until, after a short, and 
 not painful illness, she gently sunk into the grave ; and. 
 full of years and respect, < slept with hor fathers.' 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 235 
 
 •' In the whole of their deportment, and in the manage- 
 ment of the family, ray parents maintained great order and 
 propriety, founded upon conscientious principles. They 
 steadily resisted the torrent of folly, vice, and dissipation, 
 for which the gay city of Bath is distinguished. While 
 the giddy votaries of fashionable life incessantly whirled in 
 the vortex of ensnaring pleasure, they cultivated, for them- 
 selves and their children, sentiments and habits of a do- 
 mestic and rational character. Regular and prudential in 
 all their household arrangements, they maintained a valua- 
 ble intercourse with many estimable friends ; and set their 
 children a uniform example of steady resistance to those 
 temptations so injurious to all, but especially to the rising 
 generation. Their evenings were much spent at home, in 
 family reading, and improving conversation. By pursuing 
 tliis course, they hoped to lay a foundation for future do- 
 mestic usefulness, in their childrens' dispositions. I shall 
 ever retain a grateful remembrance of the sober and tem- 
 perate regulations which characterized my paternal roof. 
 It was their desire to bring us up in the fear of God, and 
 to teach us the important lesson of self-denial, so essen- 
 tial to the formation of Christian principle 
 
 " My dear mother felt much anxiety on my account, 
 during the period of my residence in Trinity College, 
 Cambridge, which commenced in 1789, and tenninated in 
 1797. A tide of infidel and democratical principles burst 
 upon this country at that period, in connexion with the 
 French revolution. Many young men, and not a few at 
 the Universities, were deeply infected with them : it was, 
 indeed, a dark and dangerous epoch, and she dreaded the 
 influence of evil communications. Her letters used to 
 breathe the language of parental caution, and evidenced 
 the correctness of her own judgment. The following ex- 
 tract is from one bearing date 1790 : — 
 
 * I hope that my dear son does not, in the midst of his 
 literary studies, forget those that pertain to religion. I 
 cannot help trembling for my country, in these days of in- 
 fidel democracy. I fear, too many young students at Col- 
 
^6' MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 lege treat the Scriptures with neglect, if not with contempt. 
 Some such have lately passed the Christmas vacation at 
 Bath, and have made a very unbecoming display of their 
 sentiments, at the coffee-houses and public rooms. I sin- 
 cerely hope that you will be preserved from this conta- 
 gion. It has been my prayer to God, from your infancy, 
 that you might live and die a true Christian. I am more 
 anxious about this point, than about your classical and ma- 
 thematical attainments, important as they may be. I 
 know you will bear with a mother's exhortations ; they 
 come from a heart which has long beat with anxiety for 
 your welfare,' &c. &c. 
 
 " In a subsequent letter, of the same period, she writes — 
 
 ' Your sentiments in answer to your father's last, on the 
 subject of religion, gave me no small satisfaction. Who- 
 ever deserts that firm foundation, is exposed to every gale 
 of passion, and at best, spends his life in a comfortless and 
 agitated state : for doubt is misery to a thinking mind ; and 
 human reason, with all its self-sufficiency, is easily misled 
 by inclination.' 
 
 " It was a subject of peculiar satisfaction to my mother, 
 that after four years' residence at college, during which 
 period my father had left me to the free choice of the pro- 
 fessions of the law or the church I at length deliberately 
 preferred the latter Before that period it had been other- 
 wise — both my father's mind and my own had leaned to 
 the former : but when 1 assigned to him a variety of mo- 
 tives for entering into the ministry, which resulted from 
 much consideration on my part, he cheerfully acquiesced 
 in my decision. 
 
 " I then first discovered that it had been my mother's se- 
 cret wish and prayer, from my birth, that I might become a 
 minister of GodJ's word ; but she had never disclosed it to 
 me, from a fear of creating an undue bias, in a matter 
 which she considered ot so great importance. Her views 
 of the ministerial profession were peculiarly serious, and 
 she dreaded the idea of a rash intrusion into the sacred of- 
 fice. She had wished me to be guided by the unfettered 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 237 
 
 ilisposidon of my own mind, and hoped God would di- 
 rect me in the riaht path. Her sentiments may be ga- 
 thered from the following extract of a letter, dated March, 
 1794 :~ 
 
 * Your account of the motives which have determined 
 you to enter into the church, as contained in your letter to 
 your father, has given us both great satisfaction. \our 
 determination on this point, appears to me as an answer to 
 the prayers which I have been offering up ever since you 
 were born. The character of a good clergyman has ever 
 stood foremost in my estimation ; and on the other hand, that 
 of a careless J idley and dissipated^ and above all, an immoral 
 onci has been my dread and abhorrence. The object of al- 
 most every other profes.si<m terminates with this world, and 
 its concerns ; but that of a clergyman looks to eternity. 
 Here much depends upon the character and conduct of the 
 minister of a parish. Your grandfather Richmond was an 
 excellent pattern of what a pastor should be, and I sincerely 
 wish you may tread in his steps. I am sorry to say, that 
 Bath has long been the annual resort of a class of young 
 clergymen, whom I hope you will never imitate. The ball- 
 room, the theatre, and the card-table, are not the appointed 
 scenes of clerical occupation. / l&ce the Church of En- 
 gland too tpeUj not to feel hurt and ashamed when the lerdty 
 and unsuitable conduct of any of her clergy give the world 
 at large a just ground for censure. 
 
 * My feelings respecting yourself and the sacred profes- 
 sion, have been constantly associated with the principles of 
 a Httle book, with which I wish you to become better ac- 
 quainted. It is called * A Mother's Legacy to an unborn 
 Child.' It was written by Mrs. Joceline, who was aunt to 
 my great-grandfather. Sir Richard Brook, of Norton. Her 
 thoughts and wishes, relative to her child becoming a cler- 
 gyman, are precisely my own Her book is a very inter- 
 esting and affecting composition, and has long been a fa- 
 vourite companion of mine. 
 
 * Your choice of your profession has ea.sed my mind of a 
 considerable burden ; and the principles which you express 
 
238 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 give me hope, that if my life be spared, you will be a coi«-_ 
 fort to my old age, and also a blessing to many others. 
 Pray to God for direction and counsel in all your ways j 
 trust in the mercy of the Saviour ; and pursue the path ojf 
 duty, as the appointed way to happiness.! 
 
 " I was ordained a deacon in the month of June, 1797^ 
 by the Bishop of Winchester ; in consequence of obtaining 
 the curacy of Brading, in the Isle of Wight. On this oc- 
 casion she wrote to me. — 
 
 ' I passed the evening of the day on which my dear sot 
 was ordained (last Trinity Sunday,) in privacy and prayer* 
 Next to the day that gave you birth, I consider it as the 
 most important of your life. You are now become a mi- 
 nister of the church. Yours is a weighty charge — may 
 God give you grace to fulfil its duties aright. You are go- 
 ing to reside in a beautiful country, and I hope you will 
 also find * the beauty of holiness' there. I always had a 
 desire to see the Isle of Wight ; and now I have the pros- 
 pect of visiting the young pastor and his flock, as an addi- 
 tional inducement to go there. I shall conclude by obser- 
 ving, that as it may now seem too presuming in me to give 
 lectures on theology to a reverend divine, I shall henceforth 
 rather expect to receive them from you : but a mother's 
 prayers may be as needful as ever, and her blessing no less 
 acceptable than formerly. Take them both from 
 
 ' Your aflfectionate mother, 
 C. R.' 
 
 *' Such, my dear children, were the maternal auspicejs 
 under which I entered on the work of the ministry. As to 
 myself, I had much, very much yet to learn, and not a little 
 to unlearn ; but whatever lessons I had to acquire, or what- 
 ever mercies to experience, they are all rendered doubly 
 valuable to me, as connected with the prayers and blessing 
 of such a parent. 
 
 " Peace and gratitude be to her memory, from the heart 
 of your affectionate father. 
 
REV. LEGH RlCHMOXD< 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 im 
 
 '• My dear Children, 
 « I had scarcely entered upon the work of the ministry, 
 when a train of circumstances led me to a much deeper and 
 more anxious investigation into the real nature of the reli- 
 i,Mon of the Bible and of the Church of England, than I had 
 hitherto pursued. But as my present object is not to speak 
 of myself, otherwise than as immediately and necessarily 
 connected with my dear parent, I shall only observe, that 
 my correspondence and intercourse with her, from that pe- 
 riod, assumed a very serious and affectionate character, 
 upon all the great points of scriptural truth. 
 
 " My own mind has been thoroughly convinced, that it 
 is very possible to enter into the sacred office of the minis- 
 try, with all the advantages of theological and literary at- 
 tainments — with a mind not insensible to the moral and 
 benevolent duties of the clerical character — and with a 
 general acquaintance with all the system of our ecclesias- 
 tical formularies, and still be a stranger to the essential and 
 discriminating principle, on which rest all the energies and 
 all the efficacy of personal and social rehgion. I evidently 
 perceived the application of this important remark to my 
 own case, and was gradually led to the deliberate and con- 
 scientious adoption of what I then did believe, and now do 
 believe to be the truth, the only genuine source of inward 
 peaco and vital holiness." 
 
 [Here the manuscript ends.] 
 
24(1 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 We feel considerable regret at the abrupt conclusion of 
 this manuscript, not only on account of the reader, but for 
 the sake of Mr. Richmond's family, to whom it would have 
 served as a valuable and authentic memorial, endeared by 
 its being the production of their father. It seems to have 
 been commenced shortly after the death of his mother, 
 which occurred in February, 1819 ; and it is probable, 
 that his numerous engagements prevented him from com- 
 pleting the interesting detail We cannot forbear observing 
 how important it is, that men whose writings are likely to 
 benefit others, should leave nothing of real moment unfinish- 
 ed — that they should beware of trusting to a futurity which 
 they may never realise.* 
 
 We can supply the deficiency in the above memoir only 
 by the insertion of the following papers. We are sorry 
 that our materials are not more ample. 
 
 The first is a prayer, found among his mother's papers, 
 and which appears to have been composed by her at the 
 time her son first went to college. 
 
 " O Lord the author and fountain of all good things ! 
 from thy bountiful mercy and goodness, we, thine unworthy 
 creatures, receive all we possess and enjoy, valuable in tliis 
 World, and also the assured hope and confidence of eternal 
 happiness in the world to come. Look down, I most ear- 
 nestly beseech thee, upon the hearty desires of thy humble 
 servant. Bestow, O Lord, upon this child such a portion 
 
 * The writer remembers once paying a visit to r>r. Watson, the 
 well known bishop of Llandaff, at his beautiful residence at the 
 lakes, and seeing him surrounded by several volumes which he was 
 successively examining : on asking his lordship what was the subject 
 of his studies — he replied, " these, sir, are my own works. At my Ad- 
 vanced age I must expect to be drawing near the grave, and I am 
 preparing for the press a final edition of all that I have written, re- 
 vised and corrected by my own hand, to prevent an editor mutila- 
 ting them after my death." His decease occurred about twelve 
 months afterward, which was the best proof of the prudence of the 
 measure. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 'Ml 
 
 of thy heavenly grace as may support him in all the dan- 
 gers, and carry him through all the temptations of* this 
 wicked and degenerate age. Let the enemy of our salva- 
 tion have no advantage over hira : and let not the wicked 
 one be able to approach to hurt him ; visit him, O Lord, 
 with thy salvation, and keep him in perpetual peace and 
 safety. Let not the pernicious examples of any of his 
 companions ever incline him to transgress thy laws, in 
 thought, word, or deed. May he abhor and detest every 
 thing that has the appearance of immorality, and flee from 
 sin as from a fiery serpent. Grant, O Lord, that after the 
 pattern of his blessed Saviour, he may increase in wisdom 
 and knowledge ; may he grow in grace as well as years, 
 and in favour with God and man. May he be dutiful and 
 obedient to all those who have the rule and authority over 
 him. May he cheerfully and readily obey their commands, 
 and in every thing be directed and instructed by their gui- 
 dance and counsels. May he behave with due judgment 
 and propriety to all his equals ; and to his inferiors may he 
 always show himself condescending and obliging. Endue 
 him, O Lord, with such a share of natural faculties and 
 abilities, that he may receive and retain the instructions 
 and precepts of his tutors and teachers : but grant, O 
 Lord, that human knowledge may not prejudice that which 
 is divine ; let him rather study thee and thy kingdom, than 
 all things else. To know thee. O Lord, is to be truly 
 wise, and to contemplate and meditate on thee, and thy won- 
 derful goodness to the children of men, is the highest learn- 
 ing. 
 
 *' Finally, O Lord, if it be thy blessed will, grant him 
 such a measure of thy wisdom from above, that, in the fu- 
 ture course of his life, he may become a useful member of 
 Jiociety ; and having served tJiee faithfully in this Ufe, by 
 doing good in his generation, may be made partaker of 
 everlasting glory in thy Son's kingdom in heaven, where 
 there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand tiiere arc 
 pleasures for evermore. All this I most humbly and ear- 
 nestly entreat, in and through the merits and mediation ot 
 22 
 
•242 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whose name, 
 and in whose words, thou Irast promised to be propitious to 
 the petitions of those who approach thy throne with faith 
 and sincerity. 
 
 <*Our Father, which art in heaven," &c. 
 
 Mr. Richmond's mother was sometimes exercised with 
 fears respecting her right apprehension of eternal things. 
 The following letter from her son, written on one of these 
 occasions, exhibits a most lucid statement of Christian 
 doctrine. 
 
 " My very dear Mother, 
 
 *' t trust that the letter which you have written to 
 me, will neither in length rior strength be one of only few 
 such, which I may be happy enough to receive. No ; 
 write to me constantly, while hand and eye, and heart 
 and head, are thus mercifully spared for the instruction 
 and gratification of your children. Write to me on what 
 concerns the body, and also the soul. The latter es- 
 pecially claims our mutual contemplation. Ere long we 
 shall both be in eternity : you, perhaps, a little sooner, 
 and I in a short space to follow. Yet even this natural 
 order of providence may be reversed, if God see good. 
 At all events, what are the i^w^ short years and days of 
 time compared with a ' for ever ?' Cherish, my dear 
 mother, clear, deep< solid, unfading views of the Saviour's 
 work ; a work so perfect, that the sinner can neither add 
 to nor take away from it, — a work which ensures peace to 
 the guilty — pardon to the offending — light to the blind — 
 life to the dead! Beware of dishonouring Christ by 
 doubting of his power or willingness to save, because you 
 feel yourself unworthy, sinful and weak. Faith honours 
 him by believing. < What must I do V cried the jailer ; 
 ' believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,' was Paul's reply. 
 Salvation is wholly of faith from first to last. This is the 
 grand discriminating principle between true scriptural 
 evangelical religion, and all mere imitations or assump- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 243 
 
 tions of that title. Our paradox is, that < weakness is 
 strength.' The soul that by faith, through grace is saved 
 without works, obtains an inward principle of love, which 
 must \Dorky cannot but work^ and actually does work. The 
 order is thus : First, God loved us , secondly, thence wo 
 obtain faith to tru t him ; thirdly, we are thus saved ; 
 fourthly, we therefore love him who first loved us : fifthly, 
 this love produces ^rood thoujrhts, words, and works, as 
 the fruits, not the root, of our salvation. Thus is He the 
 author and finisher of our faith, and the author of salva- 
 tion to all them that obey him. He has promised to all, 
 as well as to David, to perfect the thing which concerneth 
 his people : whom he loveth, ne loveth to the end ; trust 
 him, therefore, evermore SucH is the Christian's doc- 
 trinal, practical, and experimental creed. 
 
 '* I preached, on Sunday, a right loyal sermon for poor 
 queen Charlotte, and traversed all the useful and exem- 
 plary features in her character. This day she is to be 
 buried. Peace to her memory ! Poor king George ! In 
 the midst of life, he is, as it were in death — in light, dark- 
 ness — in riches, poor — in splendour, dulness — in society, 
 solitary : — yet, hippily, not dead — not dark — not poor — 
 not dull — not solitary. Providence hangs a veil of mys- 
 tery over him, but grace illuminates it, even while we can 
 scarcely discern through it the form of our revered 
 monarch. He sees cons^dations and companions from on 
 high. He has the peace which the world cannot give, nor 
 sickness take away ; therefore he is a happy man. Our 
 journey was well bestowed on Fanny, and will, I hope, 
 leave a lasting impression on her mind, of a useftil sort. 
 I do with you hope that my valuable acquaintance may 
 be of future use to my children ; the * promise,' you 
 know, * is not <mly to us, but to them.' 
 
 »< With great love to all, from all, 
 
 '* Your affectionate son, 
 
 LeGII RiCHlklOXD." 
 
-44 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 The following letter, addressed by Mr. Richmond to 
 Iiis wile, enables us to supply some information relative to 
 his father ; at the same time that it affords a fine illustra- 
 tion of tlie faith and resignation of his mother. 
 
 " Dearest Maiy, 
 
 " I sent you a few hastily penned lines last night. 
 As soon as I had finished them, I went to our medical 
 friend, from whom I had a regular account of the melan- 
 choly event which has brought me here I had previously 
 written a note, that I might be shown into a room witli 
 my dear mother alone. I then went with Mary, and 
 found my mother in a most interesting struggle between 
 divine consolation and natural aftection. My first words, 
 after an interval of silence, were, * are you supported, my 
 dear mother ?' * Beyond all hope and expectation,' was 
 the reply. * Do you find the consolations of Christianity ?" 
 
 * I am resigned to the stroke, although it rends my heart 
 in two. I may weep ; but I dare not, will not complain. 
 I never deserved him ; he was lent to me, and now God 
 has taken him again You are come to support a poor wi- 
 dowed mother's heart ; and I know you will be, what your 
 dear sister Fanny has already been, the prop and strength 
 of my age and affliction.' I was astonished and melted at 
 her fortitude and resignation. I find my dear father's mind, 
 for three weeks past was calm and tranquil, expressive of 
 much faith, patience, and hope. My mother was reading 
 that exquisite commentary of Bishop Home, on the 23d 
 Psalm. He observed, at the close of the fourth verse. 
 
 * that is heavenly, and it is my comfort.' He then suddenly 
 said, ' my head is giddy,' staggered to the sofa, and fell into 
 my mother's arms ; his eyes fixed, and a deadly paleness 
 on his face. She contrived to ring the bell, and instanlly 
 returned to him ; he gasped for breath, and groaned twice. 
 The servant came in, and lifted up his legs ; he gave one 
 more slight struggle, and breathed out his soul in my mo- 
 ther's arms. She sat with him two hours in silent compo- 
 sure ; unable to weep, but tranquil in grief. That night 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. '245 
 
 she could not sleep, but gained relief by much weeping. 
 Fanny arrived on Sunday evening, and slept with our dear 
 mother. After I had sat for half an hour yesterday even- 
 ing, the rest came in, one by one, and we fell into a solemn 
 but tranquil conversation. My very heart was ready to 
 burst ; but I concealed my feelings as much as possible. 
 After a while, I went to see the body of my father. As 
 we proceeded up stairs, I found my legs tremble, and 
 when I came to the room door, I staggered ; but instantly 
 offering up a prayer for strength, felt relieved, and ad- 
 vanced. 
 
 *♦ Instead of seeing any thing to inspire terror, I beheld 
 his well-known and honoured countenance so calm, hea- 
 venly, mild, and unaltered, that it seemed only like a sweet 
 sleep. I never felt more composed ; and we sat three- 
 quarters of an hnur, chiefly in silent contemplation. I could 
 only now and then interrupt it by, ' Oh ! how sweet a coun- 
 tenance ! — there is nothing terrible in this ! It is the em- 
 blem of peace and composure. Oh ! my dear father ! I 
 could have wished to have closed your eyes — but God's will 
 be done ! With difficulty, I left the room. I went down 
 lo supper. Afterwards, I requested all the house to assem- 
 ble, and read 1 Cor xv. ; and then offered up a solemn and 
 appropriate prayer. Great feelmg pervaded us all. 
 
 " This naorning, at nine o'clock, commenced the business 
 of the funeral. My heart again failed me. I was exces- 
 sively tried in the procession through the church-yard, and 
 in the church I was, however, inwardly strengthened, and 
 shed the last tear over his remains. 
 
 " On i-eturning to the house, for a moment I fainted, but 
 recovered. Indeed, my dear love, it has been a very trying 
 scene to me. A thousand tender recollections of past days 
 have successively crowded upon my mind ; and every ob- 
 ject here reminds me so much of a beloved and revered 
 parent, that I cannot but feel deeply. 
 
 " He seems to have had a presentiment of his approach- 
 ing end, but rather concealed it from others. I never felt 
 ffiyielf of such power to console as at this moment. My 
 
 22* 
 
ilG MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 dear mother says, ' You are my oak, and I am a poor ivy^ 
 clinging around you : now you are my child indeed.' " 
 
 The ensuing letter contains all the particulars with which 
 we are furnished respecting the decease of this excellent 
 woman, in January, 1819. It is addressed to one of his 
 daughters. He had previously seen her in the month of 
 July ; and remarked, that she looked more aged, though not 
 complaininor ; but that she had ex{)ressed her apprehensions 
 that they were meeting for the last time. 
 
 '' My dear F , 
 
 < I am just returned, after executing the difficult and 
 affecting task of preaching a funeral sermon for my most 
 excellent and revered mother, at her parish church. I 
 took my subject from Ps. cxv. 1 as best suited to her hum- 
 ble, meek, and' believing frame of mind. It was indeed a 
 trying effort ; but God carried me through surprisingly. 1 
 introduced some very interestmg papers, which I have 
 found among her memoranda, in her own hand-writing. 
 Her last message to me was — ' Tell ray son, I am going di- 
 rect to happiness.' 
 
 " Never was there a more delightful and heavenly coun- 
 tenance than hers, as she lay in her coffin ; it combined 
 every sentiment which the most devout mind could desire : 
 love — ^joy — peace — gentleness — goodness — faith — meek- 
 ness — charity, all shone serenely bright. I followed her to 
 her grave, in Lancaster church-yard, where she lies under 
 a sycamore tree, amid the magnificent landscape of sea. 
 mountains, rivers, castle, and church, around. You remem- 
 ber its high beauties. But you very imperfectly know the 
 high qualities of head and heart which your grand-mammn 
 possessed — 1 never met with her eqyal at the same age. J 
 occupy her little room, adjoining her bed room, by day ; 
 and it is a great consolation to me, to sit in her arm-chair 
 and think of her, and read her papers on various subjects. 
 
 There you and I took leave of her, in November kst — 
 but, alas [ her place knoweth her no more ! I look out of 
 
REV. LEG^H RICHMOND. ^4T 
 
 the window, at the grand range of snow-capt mountains^ 
 which are now beautiful in the extreme. I had no concep- 
 tion of the winter beauties of these hills ; — Lansdale Piles. 
 Rydal Head, Hill Bell, Helvellyn, &c. &c., all finely illu- 
 minated with snow sunshine, in diversified shades. And 
 then I think of my dear mother, and how she enjoyed their 
 characteristic grandeur. 
 
 " Letters pour in daily, from all parts of England, con- 
 doling with us in our great loss. My mother was loved 
 and honoured most extensively. Dear woman ! for forty- 
 seven years I have proved thy affection, and can trace, from 
 earliest infancy, the tokens of thy worth. May I follow 
 thee in humility, faith, and love ; and cherish thy memory 
 with gratitude and honour ! 
 
 ^'^So prays your affectionate father^ 
 
 " Leuh Richmond." 
 
 Thus had Mr. Richmond the delightful consolation of 
 knowing that both his parents departed in the hope and 
 peace of the Gospel. Happy is it when the bonds of na- 
 ture are knit more closely by those of grace ! — when the 
 child and the parent arc partakers of the same Christian 
 hope, running the same race, and looking forward to thr 
 same eternal rest and glorj- ! 
 
 " Oh • what is death ? 'Tis life's last shore, 
 Where vanities are vain no more ! 
 Where all pursuits their goal obtain, 
 And life is all retouched again : 
 Where, in their bright results, shall rise 
 Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs^ and joys," 
 
34S MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 CHAPTER XTV. 
 
 Letter, and copy of verses, — Extracts from Diary, — Tours 
 to Scotland, — lona, — Letters ; friendly, family, and pas- 
 toral, — Memoir of Miss Sinclair. 
 
 Mr Richmond, in- his northern tours for the religious 
 societies, often visited Scotland. On one of these occa- 
 sions, he left his eldest daughter under the hospitable roof 
 
 of Dr. and Mrs. S , near Glasgow, with whom he had 
 
 formed a particular intimacy. But whether present or ab- 
 sent, Mr. Richmond discovered a uniform anxiety for his 
 children. Their spiritual welfare lay near his heart. He 
 often wrote to them, and never omitted to make some use- 
 ful reference to the great concerns of eternity. 
 
 The following letter, and copy of verses to his daughter^ 
 exhibit a model of parental eare and affection : — 
 
 » 
 
 « Dear Mary, 
 
 " I Avrote to you on my own birthday, and now I do the 
 same on yours. ' There is a time to be born, and a time 
 to die.' So says Solomon ; and it is the memento of a 
 truly wise man. But I may add, there is an interval be- 
 tween these two times, of infinite importance. 
 
 '* Does my beloved child duly appreciate this ? Not all 
 the charms of nature, either Scottish or English, can for a 
 moment compare with those of grace : and when can wo 
 better contemplate the real value of life, the vanity of the 
 world, the w^orth of a soul, and the need of a Saviour, than 
 when the lapse of time brings round the anniversary day of 
 our birth ? It seems to concentrate all the experience and 
 feeling of past days, and to unite them with the anticipa- 
 tions of those which are yet to come : it speaks to youth 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 249 
 
 and age alike, and summons both to prayer and meditation. 
 Soon will eternity overwhelm all the concerns of time, but 
 will infallibly take its character from tliem. I sincerely 
 hope that you are systematically improving time, with a 
 view to -/A/z^. eternity. Your opportunities have been many 
 and valuable, your privileges great, — may every ensuing 
 day prove that they arc not lost upon you. Religious pa- 
 rentage and social connexions alone cannot save : personal 
 religion in the heart is every thing. Our dear friend Mrs. 
 S — - — appears to have it in deed and in truth. Prize 
 such a friend ; not only because she is kind and agreeable, 
 and worthy, but because she is a child of God, a member 
 of Christ, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven ; and 
 as sucht may be the ordained instrument of God, for esta- 
 blishing the same principle in you. Think of us all ; not 
 for the mere love's sake of earthly kindred, but for the love 
 of Jesus, as connected with the family of heaven. This 
 alone gives to charity itself its value. 
 
 *• Farewell, my dear child ;. and while you pray for your- 
 self, forget not 
 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 Leoh Richmond." 
 
 ADDRESSED TO MISS RICHMOND, 
 
 ACCOMPANIED BY A LOCKET OP DERRYSHIRE FLUOR SPAR, IN 
 THE FORM OF A HEART. 
 
 Here I offer my daughter a heart without sin, 
 That knows nought of corruption and sorrow within ! 
 A heart which you see is so curiously wrought, 
 That it ne'er can offend — not so much as in thought \ 
 
 That its virtues are shining within and without. 
 It a truth which admits of no rational doubt ; 
 Its character. Mary, is pure and sincere ; 
 And it« inmost ideas transparent end clear. 
 
^0 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 'Tis a heart that will bear the minutest inspection^ 
 And never prove guilty of any deception ; 
 What it was, that it is — what it is, it will be — 
 Unconscious of guile or to you or to me. 
 
 It may seem to be strange — nay, it is so I own — 
 That this heart, though so ()ure, is as hard as a stone ; 
 It resists all impressions whu;h tftnderness makes ; 
 But if force be employed, it immediately breaks. 
 
 And this heart, if once broken, can never be healed, 
 ]Nor the least of its wounds be a moment concealed : 
 And though stony its texture, and hard be its nature, 
 Like yourself, this poor heart is a delicate creature. 
 
 Then make use of the emblem you wear at your breast : 
 With "the hearts that are pure,"* do you seek to be blest 
 Weep and mourn for a nat"re by sin so deranged, 
 And pray for a heart that's essentially changed. 
 
 May the "stone" in your heart, be removed far away, 
 And the softened affections alone bear the sway ! 
 They will lead you to Jesus with penitent sighs, 
 Till the Sun of his Righteousness sweetly arise. 
 
 May graces resplendent as those of the stone. 
 
 Both within and without, be tor ever your own ! 
 
 Let your heart be transparent, wherever you are. 
 
 And your conduct will shine lar more clear than the spar. 
 
 But should you offend, and for sm be heart-broken, 
 Behold on the cross there is Mercy's bright token ! 
 The heart that is contrite God will not despise,— 
 The heart that is broken, is dear in his eyes 
 
 Christ's love has no limit, then give Him thy heart, — 
 In the deed shall His spirit free comfort impart : — 
 So the heart of the Saviour, allied close to thine, 
 In a glorious unity ever will shine. 
 
 L. R. 
 
 * Matt. V. 8. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 251 
 
 Wc regret that the limits of this memoir will not allow 
 lis to lay before our readers copious extracts from Mr. 
 Richmond's journals of his tours in Scotland. He adverts 
 to them at all times with grateful recollection : they form 
 an interesting part of his public jife, and indeed led to an 
 important event in his family. We insert the following 
 extract, principally with a view to ^how our friend's opi- 
 nion of all institutions which professedly exclude religion 
 from their operations. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 
 
 " July 2 1 . Set out for Biggar. Held a meeting for 
 Hebrew Testament. Collected $bZ 93 Felt much re- 
 spect for the memory of the well known John Brown of 
 Haddington, while I was in the house of his grandson, and 
 among his great grandchildren. 
 
 " JuZy 22. Went to see New Lanark and the Clyde 
 Falls : Mr. Owen accompanied us. Nothing could exceed 
 the beauty of the scene. Saw the whole of the mills and 
 machinery. Dined, and had much conversation with Mr. 
 Owen on all his plans. They want a religious basis. 
 
 " July 23. Sermon at church. Went at four to Mr. 
 Owen's school-room, and addressed the whole institution, 
 from Job xxii. 21. Fine sight. In the evening, held a 
 meeting at Lanark church for Hebrew Testament. Two 
 tliousand people — grand spectacle. 
 
 " July 24. Breakfasted with Mr. Owen. Conversed 
 again on his new plan. Went to the school : saw 
 the children go throuL'h all their various classes. The 
 dancing may be pretty for children, but unquestionably 
 leads to much evil among the adults. Many things arc 
 very interesting here, but require close investigation. Visi- 
 ted the fall of the Clyde — very superb indeed. Read, as 
 f travelled on, Mr. Owen's manuscript. Some clever ideas 
 of economical arrangement ; but it must fail, as it now 
 stands. There h no Christ in his scheme, and it cannol 
 prosper. 
 
*252 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " July 30. Paisley. Preached in the morning, from 
 Rom. X. 11. Collected ^46 98. Addressed in the eve- 
 ning 3,000 people, including 1,500 children and young 
 people. I bless God for all his goodness. 
 
 ^' July 31. Glasgow. Met Dr. C. Interesting and 
 most profitable conversation, on plans for parochial visita- 
 tion, intercourse and "reform. 
 
 " Aug. 3. In the course of the last three days, have 
 seen some of the finest specimens of clouds rolling over 
 hills in every shape and manner. Also grand combina- 
 tions of sea, island and mountain beauty. O, for a heart 
 to feel and acknowledge God's protecting mercies ! 
 
 " Aug. 1 3. Aros. Prayed earnestly for all my family, 
 and my parish. • 
 
 From Aros, island of Mull, Mr. Richmond wrote a let- 
 ter to his son Wiiberforce, and in the course of his journey 
 another to Mrs. Richmond, both of which are here in- 
 serted. 
 
 " How little idea can my son form of the scenes with 
 which his father is surrounded, among these Highlands 
 and islands of the North. It is like being in another world. 
 In some of these remote islands, where the Gaelic lan- 
 guage is chiefly spoken (though not to the exclusion of the 
 English.) where different manners, dress, habits, dwellings, 
 &:.c. prevail,-— 
 
 it seems difficult to conceive that it is still Britain. I am 
 now on my way for Staffa and lona, but whether the 
 weather will be fine enough to allow of my projected ex- 
 cursion, remains a doubt ; you shall know before this letter 
 is concluded. I propose this evening to gather a little 
 company of Highland cotters, and to preach to them in a 
 wild glen, in this romantic island. The parish church is 
 
BEV. LEGH RICHMOND. 253^ 
 
 fifteen miles distant. Yesterday I came from Oban, 
 which is thirty-five miles by sea from this place ; but owing 
 to the wind being in the wrong direction, we made tacks 
 amounting to one hundred miles, before we got into this 
 little peaceful spot. This is a little inn — before it, in one 
 direction, is the sea, and beyond, a vast range of mountains, 
 called Morven, in Argyloshire ; in another direction, about 
 half a mile off, is a ruined castle, standing on a bold knoll 
 and rock, washed by the waves. On our right hand are 
 the hills of the Isle of Mull, covered with heath and cot- 
 tages. Before the door runs a salmon stream, rattling over 
 stones : above thirty people were yesterday fishing and 
 harpooning for salmon, fifty of them weighed from four to 
 twenty-five pounds each. Dozens of children wade in the 
 river to catch eels, talking Gaelic with much vociferation 
 and alacrity. 
 
 " I think, in our voyage yesterday, I saw twenty ruined 
 castles, and three inhabited ones, and above twenty-five of 
 the islands of the Hebrides. The intelligent boatmen tell 
 you all manner of ancient legends and histories connected 
 with them and their ancient masters. They carry you 
 back into the days of Norwegian, Danish and Irish story. 
 I saw the spot where a part of the Spanish Armada was 
 wrecked ; and a gun still remains on a rock, belonging to 
 one of the Spanish ships. It is on the main-land shore, 
 opposite to the Isle of Mull. This is the grand scene of 
 all Ossian's descriptions, and corresponds exactly witli 
 them. All the ruins are finely covered with ivy, and so 
 are the rocks. 
 
 " We have bad much rain, and the mountain torrents 
 run grandly down their sides. I think on Thursday we 
 counted 360 cascades, in a morning ride ; some of them 
 gigantic. 1 remember seeing twenty-nine at one view. 
 The wild magnificence of Highland scenery cannot easily 
 be conceived. Parties of ladies are among the visitants, 
 and in some places they cheerfully submit to many priva- 
 tions for the sake of the prospects. I go into the cottages, 
 and sit down with the poor people, and talk with them on 
 23 
 
254 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 religious subjects. There is much grateful affection about 
 them. 
 
 " I am very thankful to God for permitting me to take 
 this round, and more so for making my services very ac- 
 ceptable, and I hope useful. The tempest-beaten glens, 
 the secluded isles, the popuous towns, the romantic villages, 
 all in their turn bear witness to. the declaration of < the 
 truth as it is in Jesus.' I have a truly congenial companion 
 in the ' Clericus' of the Christian Guardian ; he is just 
 what I want, both for soul and body, and in each devotes 
 himself to my aid and comfort most assiduously. Our views, 
 principles, taste, and feehngs strictly accord. He is a stu- 
 dent in divinity in the university at Edinburgh, and pre- 
 paring for the Scotch church. T left Mary with Dr. S. 
 last Tuesday, she will soon go to Edinburgh, and wait till 
 ray return from the North of Scotland. 1 shall now lay 
 down my pen, and probably not resume it until the point 
 is decided, to-morrow or next day, whether the rain will 
 allow of our visiting these most interesting of islands, Staffa, 
 and lona. The latter is thirty miles from hence ; the for- 
 mer twenty, but on the opposite side. 
 
 " Aug. 18. My dear boy, I have seen Staffa, and write 
 this from lona. What I shall say, I know not, for really 
 I can say nothing as I ought. When I entered the cave 
 of Fingal, I knew not whether to burst out into one un- 
 ceasing cry of astonishment, or meditate in unbroken si- 
 lence of overwhelming wonder, or fall down upon my knees 
 in devout adoration of Him who formed such a scene of 
 subhme beauty. It beggars all description. This was on 
 Wednesday : after waiting four days for weather, yesterday 
 we arrived at this lonely scene of ruin and curiosities, and 
 it more than answers all my expectations. Think of all we 
 have read about lona, and imagine then a small part oi my 
 sensations." 
 
 " My dear Love, 
 
 " It would be no easy task to describe the laborious 
 t-ircuit of engagements and accompanying solicitudes, in 
 
BEV. LEQH RICHMOf^D. 255 
 
 which I am daily engaged. Next week, I enter the depths 
 of the Highlands, and so far north : if all be well, the week 
 after next I shall reach Staffa, the isle of wonders ; and 
 lona, the isle of caves and kings. Amongst the spiritual 
 mercies I have this week met with, are three new and dis- 
 tinct instances of the conversions and happy deaths of 
 children in Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock ; two, through 
 'Little Jane.' The wide dispersion of, and impression 
 connected with these tracts in Scotland is scarcely credible. 
 I have, in this respect, seen far beyond * the travail of my 
 soul.* When I reflect upon the simplicity of their origin, 
 and the little idea entertained of their ever going beyond 
 the limited circulation of the Christian Guardian, I am 
 sometimes lost in wonder at the history of the publication. 
 Surely, we may unitedly praise God for his unspeakable 
 mercy to us, in this one unexampled instance. 
 
 " This situation is very lovely ; near it stands the seat 
 of Lord Blantyre, Mrs. Stewart's brother. Close by, flows 
 the magnificent river Clyde, widening gradually, from two 
 hundred yards to three miles in bieadth. Highly culti- 
 vated scenery is backed by stupendous groups of vast High- 
 land mountains, forming the very first class of landscape. 
 Ruined castles, elegant mansions, sea-port towns, woodsi 
 rocks, promontories, boats, ships, banks, succeed eacn 
 other. Ben Lomond is seen in all his ponderous grandeur, 
 and so is Benledi. The whole neighbouring scenery is in- 
 deed very fine. 
 
 Mr. Richmond visited the island of Tona twice ; he 
 found there neither temple nor ordinances of religious 
 worship, except in the occasional visits of a Scotch minis- 
 ter from an adjacent island ; and the appointment of a 
 schoolmaster, without salary, who assembled the children 
 in a rude building. 
 
 From lona, Mr. Richmond visited Staflfa. Wo extract 
 a few memoranda from his Diary, written at this time. 
 
 " Aug. 19. Set off for a second view of Staffa. Wo 
 look the good schoolmaster and his wife with us. N« 
 
•2o6 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 words can describe the whole : we had the afternoon 3uii 
 upon all the most striking features of this magnificent 
 grou}). The water was so calm that we went into thr 
 great cave in the boat, and thus obtained the finest vie^v 
 possible. We sang a hymn ; it was sweetly echoed 
 
 " Conversation this day in the boat very interesting. 
 Returned to lona at eight o'clock. Drank tea with the 
 good schoolmaster." 
 
 " Aug. 20. — Sunday. Willy's birth-day ; God bles?* 
 liim ! Went at eleven to the school-house, and gave a ser- 
 vice. I preached to a large company of these poor loni- 
 ans, from 2 Cor. v. Then I went and passed two hours 
 alone, amid the ruins and graves. Had solemn and peace- 
 ful meditations ! 
 
 " At four, gave another service, preaching from Luke 
 }LXiv. 47. At half past six, gave a third, chiefly to the 
 children. The last, by the schoolmaster interpreting in 
 Gaelic, sentence by sentence. It was sin interesting expe- 
 riment ; he prayed, read, and sang in Gaehc. 
 
 " Passed a most comfortable evening, in conversation 
 with these worthy lonians. Surely, I have learned much 
 here ! A day to be remembered. I hope to raise a sufii- 
 cient subscription to build a new school-house for lona. 
 
 " Moon setting. Stars most bright at eleven. All re- 
 flected on the ocean, on the ruins, and from the hills and 
 «rocks." 
 
 It will excite no surprise, that a man of Mr. Richmond's 
 |)iety and taste should avail himself of this opportunity to 
 visit the once celebrated island of lona, one of the He- 
 brides, lona now contains only one village, with mean 
 ^ouseSi and about 400 inhabitants. It is the most noted 
 place of Caledonian antiquity* It was formerly the seat 
 of the Druids, some of whose sepulchral remains are still 
 extant. Christianity was introduced into this island by St. 
 
 * We refer the reader to Pennant's Tour througfh Scotland, au^ 
 Johnson's Tour to the Hebrides, for further information. 
 
REV. LEGH BICHMOSD. 357 
 
 Columba, after whom it was called I-colum-kill, or Co* 
 lumba's Cell. St. Columba came from Ireland to lonaj 
 in the sixth century, accompanied by twelve disciple^j 
 through whose missionary labours the greater part ot" 
 Scotland was converted to the Christian faith. The col- 
 lege, founded by St. Columba, was the seat and centre of 
 literature and piety ; and, from hence, these blessings 
 were diffused, not only over the British islands, but through* 
 out a great part of Europe. The ruins of these ancient 
 edifices still remain as memorials of the apostolical labours 
 of Columba, his associates, and successors. lona is the 
 burial place of forty- eight Scotch crowned heads, four 
 Irish kings, eight Norwegian princes, or viceroys, of the 
 island, and a multitude of nobility and religious orders. — 
 It had, also, 360 crosses, which were all destroyed, except 
 one, at the Reformation. The ruin of the once splendid 
 cathedral cannot fail to interest the traveller, and to excite 
 the deepest emotion in the heart of the Christian. 
 From lona, he wrote to Mrs. Richmond : 
 
 " I am persuaded, that my dearest Mary will not only 
 allow me to express the strong sensations of my own 
 heart, as connected with the remote and magnificent 
 scenes in which a kind Providence is at present placing 
 me, but will sympathize and share them with me. Had I 
 not sent off a letter two days since to Wilberforce, I would 
 on this day have written to him, as it is his birth-day ; 
 which has been the subject of my early and earnest morn- 
 ing prayer, on a Sabbath spent in this extraordinary and 
 interesting island. You are not altogether unaware of the 
 peculiar feelings and wishes which, for many years, I have 
 cherished in regard to these islands ; and now, the desire 
 has been fully answered. You can form little idea of the 
 characteristics of every thing and every body around me. 
 The novelty, simplicity, singularity, the tout ensemble is 
 ndescribable. I have been obliged to wait a whole week 
 or suitable weather, and almost despaired of success, but 
 23* 
 
2o8 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 f regret it not now. * God waits upon the waiters,' and 
 we experience it. No one can visit these islands, without 
 allotting from a week to a fortnight of disposable time for 
 the purpose. You have seen my prints of Staffa ; but 
 you have not seen tiiem large and solid as the original. 
 The sublimity, beauty, magnificence, singularities, wild- 
 ness, and overwhelming influence of the whole, quite stop 
 •my pen, and my breath, when I attempt either to write or 
 speak on the subject. I have made two separate visits to 
 Staffa, and seen it within and without, with every possible 
 advantage. My travelling friend, Mr. P., is of a truly 
 congenial mind, and we have mutual pleasure in using the 
 scenes of nature as means of grace. 
 
 lona is delightful in another way. Here, amid the ruins 
 of ancient grandeur, piety, and literature, surrounded by 
 the graves, and mouldering grave-stones of kings, chief- 
 tains, lords of the isles, bishops, priests, abbesses, nuns, 
 and friars ; the scene decorated with the fine and romantic 
 remains of cathedral, colleges, nunnery, chapels and ora- 
 tories, with views of islands, seas, rocks, mountains, in- 
 terspersed with the humble huts of these poor islanders ; — 
 I am just preparing to preach to as many of them as can 
 understand English, in the open air. A rock my pulpit, 
 and heaven my sounding-board ; may the echo resound to 
 their hearts. In the evening, 1 expect to preach by a 
 Gaelic interpreter, to the whole company of islanders, 
 sentence after sentence being translated as I utter them. 
 I trust I am following up the spiritual example and wishes 
 of my friend C, and that some good will result from this 
 visit. This will more than repay the delay occasioned in 
 my journey, by this most interesting excursion to the He- 
 brides. It will somewhat lengthen my journey and time ; 
 but I feel a persuasion, that my own soul and. those of 
 others are to profit by it. Join your prayers to mine, that 
 it may be so. 
 
 *' Since writing the above, I have given three services, 
 under circumstances most interesting and novel, to these 
 j»oor islanders of Icolumbkill. The last by a Gaelic inter- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 preter, who translated every sentence, after I had delivered 
 it in English. I passed near two hours alone, amid the 
 ruins and graves of the cathedral It was a most solemn 
 and peaceful meditation : and here, you may tell Willy I 
 knelt down upon the graves of ancient monarchs, mould- 
 ering in the dust, and prayed God to " remember him for 
 good ;" to make him a holy and happy being, both in time 
 and eternity. I asked of the Lord, that my child might 
 share in the Christian privileges, character, and literature 
 of the once renowned Christian divines of lona, the mis- 
 sionaries and theologians of a primitive period, on whoso 
 ashes I was treading ; I prayed that if (and only if) his 
 heart were rightly directed, God would make him a minister 
 of Christ's church on earth ; but that he might never enter 
 on the sacred office, if likely to be a careless, carnal, un- 
 converted servant of the sanctuary. My heart was full of 
 holy freedom, as I offered up a father's petition on the 
 birthday of my child." 
 
 " My dear Boy, 
 
 * • ♦ * * * * 
 
 *• It is high time that you and I should communicate 
 frequently, intimately, and confidentially. If this is not to 
 be expected by the time you have arrived at fifteen, when 
 is it to be looked for ? On one account, I have more soli- 
 citude, and even dread, on your behalf, than for any of my 
 children. Earnestly as I should wish a son of mine to be a 
 minister, yet I tremble at the idea of educating and devo 
 ting a son to the sacred profession, without a previous sa 
 tisfactory evidence that his own soul was right with God 
 Without this, you and I should be guilty of a most awfu 
 an in liis sight. To any, and every other good profession 
 trade, or occupation, it may be lawful and expedient to fix 
 with some degree of determination, long before the enter- 
 ing on it ; but the ministry is an exception. Even St. 
 Paul himself trembles, " lest, when I have preached to 
 others, I myself should be a cast-away." I consider per- 
 sonal religion, accompanied and evidenced by personal con- 
 
260 JIEMOiaS OF THE 
 
 duct, to be indispensable in the individual, before either ho; 
 or another for him, fixes on the ministry for his profession. 
 And I will not hesitate to say to you, that, honoured and 
 happy as I should feel in being permitted to see you a faith- 
 ful preacher of righteousness, adorning the Gospel which 
 you would proclaim to others ; — yet without this, I would 
 rather a thousand times see you a mason, or in the humblest 
 capacity in life. I know what the office is ; and a penitent 
 sense of my own deficiencies, teaches me to be fearful, and 
 to tremble for those of others : how much more so in the 
 case of a child ? 
 
 " The national church groans and bleeds, * from the 
 crown of its head to the sole of its feet,' through the daily 
 intrusion of unworthy men into its ministry. Patrons, pa- 
 rents, tutors, colleges, are annually pouring a torrent of 
 incompetent youths into the church, and loading the nation 
 with spiritual guilt. Hence, souls are neglected and ruined 
 — bigotry and ignorance prevail — church pride triumphs 
 over church godliness — and the establishment is despised, 
 deserted, and wounded. Shall you and I deepen these 
 wounds ? — shall we add one more unit to the numbers of 
 the unworthy and traitorous watchmen on the towers of 
 our British Jerusalem ? God forbid ! But, to avoid so sad 
 a departure from every principle of sacred order and con^ 
 science, you must become a humble, seriously-minded., 
 consistent young disciple of Christ : a diligent student, an 
 obedient son, a loving brother, a grateful worshipper, a 
 simple-hearted Christian. And / must feel comfortably 
 satisfied that you are so ; or with what conscience, witlj 
 what hope, with what satisfaction, with what peace of 
 mind, can I consent to devote you to the most sacred, the 
 most important, the most responsible of all offices within 
 the compass of human existence ? 
 
 " Now, I will not, and ought not to conceal from you, 
 that, however accustomed we may all have been to talk of 
 you as a future clergyman, I dare not decide upon any 
 such plan without a much more clear evidence than I have 
 yet seen, that your actual state of feelings and conduct. 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 261 
 
 temper and conversation, habitual and permanent thoughts, 
 are such as will justify me in coming to so solemn a deter- 
 mination on my own part 
 
 « I say this with anxiety, and write it with fear, as my 
 pen proceeds : but 1 say it with earnest prayers for the 
 real conversion of your soul to God, and with some hope 
 that He will hear the petitions which I have offered up for 
 you, through many a long year. I still repeat it, that I 
 never can consent to put my seal to \he question of the 
 ministry, unless, and until I have some satisfactory proof of 
 Tour heart being turned to God, in holy consistency and 
 permanence of character. 
 
 ** Let these pages be a testimony before God — and keep 
 them as a sign between you and me — that I am inearnest^ 
 as to a subject where indifference would be sin 
 
 " I have long been studying your character in the hourly 
 events of each day, in immediate reference to this point, 
 ♦ * * Remember, * they that are 
 
 Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and 
 lusts :' crucify yours. Pursue your studies with diligence : 
 you may do great things for yourself, even without help — 
 although I grant, much better with it. But ' work while 
 it is day ; the night comejth, when no man can work.* 
 ** Believe me your affectionate father, 
 
 L. R." 
 
 Wc have already noticed the cheerful character of Mr. 
 Richmond's piety. The kindness of his heart inspired an 
 exquisite satisfaction in imparting pleasure. It seemed to 
 be his constant aim ♦♦ to instruct by pleasing ;" and he en- 
 tered into every innocent feeling of children, and readily 
 shared their recreations. The school at lona particularly 
 interested him ; and he soon gained on the childrens' af- 
 fections, who listened to his instructions with confiding 
 simplicity. Before he quitted lona, he rewarded their dili- 
 gent attendance with a public entertainment. The best 
 sheep to be found in the island was purchased for the vast 
 .sum of six shillings. But a difficulty arose on the occa- 
 
5262 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 sion, — there was fuel to roast the creature, bgt the whole 
 domain could not supply the neoessary apparatus for its 
 dissection. The children assembled on the shore, and 
 picked up shells, to answer the purpose of knives and 
 forks. 
 
 How interesting a scene ! Two hundred children and 
 their parents, assembled on the sea-shore, — every counte- 
 nance beaming with delight ! The hearts of the guests 
 might be full of joy, in the noveity of amusement, and in 
 the hospitality of their benefactor ; but the master of the 
 feast, amidst the wreck of greatness, the tombs of the 
 mighty dead, and the anticipation of the revival of former 
 piety among these remote islanders, would taste the higher 
 luxury of doing good. 
 
 At the conclusion of the festivity, all sung the following 
 hymn, which Mr. Richmond, in the glow of his benevo- 
 lent feelings, had composed, and which was interpreted by 
 the school-master : — 
 
 ^' Thou God of all grace ! O omnipotent Lord, 
 Fill our hearts with the power of thy soul-saving vrord J . 
 Have mercy, Jehovah ! and be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icoluuikill ! 
 
 ^^ Thy Spirit came once on the wings of a * dove,' 
 And proved to our fathers how j;reat was thy love : 
 Have mercy again, Lord ! and be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill .! 
 
 *' When idolatrous Druids polluted the land. 
 To banish them hence, Thou didst stretch forth thy hand; 
 Thou art still the same Lord ; and oh ! be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill ! 
 
 V' On Thee all our hope, in our poverty, stays — 
 Revive, Lord, thy work, in the midst of the days : 
 W© will trust thee, O Lord ! that it shall be thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill ! 
 
 '> Though remote be our dwelling, and humble our lot-, 
 Yet our God has a blessing for each little cot. 
 Have mercy, dear Saviour ! and be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill. 
 
EEV. LE6H RICHMOND. 2(53 
 
 '* May our hearts feel the power of the blood that was shed, 
 When Christ on the cros» for our sins *■ bowed his head :^ 
 May that bloo<3 be our trust ; and oh ! be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill ! 
 
 " Bless our parents and teachers ; and make it their joy 
 In seeking our welfare their time to employ : 
 Oh I bless their instructions ; and be it thy will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill ! 
 
 •' Now hear our petition, O God of the Isles I 
 That we all may partake of thy heavenly smiles : 
 In life and in death be thou merciful still. 
 And save the poor children of Icolumkill ! 
 
 ^* And at the last day, when our bodies shall rise. 
 To behold the great Saviour and Judge in the skies — 
 Then let it be known that it was thy good will 
 To save the poor children of Icolumkill !" 
 
 Mr. Richmond, during his residence at lona, frequently 
 preached in the school-house. On one of these occasions, 
 he adverted to the Jewish mission. The hum of the chil- 
 dren was heard, " We will give, we will give !" Some 
 persons present attempted to check their zeal, and keep 
 silence, but all voices were raised in reply — " The bairns 
 will liave it — the bairns will have it I" meaning the chil- 
 dren tcould make a collection : and they presented to our 
 friend the sum of J 10 86.* If not all their living, yet a 
 magnificent offering to Him whose grace had touched 
 their hearts and inspired their zeal. Of these poor island- 
 ers it might be truly said, ** Their deep poverty abounded 
 imto the riches of their liberality." • 
 
 The impression made on the people of lona by Mr. 
 Richmond's visit, appears from the following anecdote. 
 He had hired a boat and two sailors, to take him to Fin- 
 gal's cave, a place of great curiosity, and of which he 
 
 * This teems a large sum for lona, but we have the authority of 
 Mr. Richmond's journal for the fact; where it is also stated, that 
 he repeatedly declined accepting the boon, but the islanders forced 
 it upon him, as a teitimooy of their regard to him and to hiacaose. 
 
264 HEHoias OF the 
 
 never spoke without the deepest emotion. On his return, 
 he asked the boatmen what he had to pay them. But they 
 would take nothing ; and though he urged them to name 
 their charge, they firmly persisted in their refusal ; looking 
 at him with tears m their eyes — ♦' No, no, no, sir. Loye 
 has brought you to lona, and. love shall find you a boat." 
 
 Mr. Richmond before he quitted this interesting scene 
 of his labours, addressed the children : about 200 of whom 
 were present. The master desired that as many as wished 
 to thank their benefactor for his kindness to them, would 
 lift up their hands. All raised their hands above their heads. 
 " Is this from your hearts ?" said the master. Instantly 
 one hand was laid on their hearts, the other remaining up : 
 " and in this posture>" says Mr. Richmond, in his jour- 
 nal, " the dear children stood, while I gave them a part- 
 ing blessing. It was a most touching sight." 
 
 He left lona amidst the tears of its population, nearly the 
 whole of wh9m attended him to the sea-shore, with the most 
 lively demonstrations of gratitude and love. 
 
 " Farewell, dear, interesting lona. May I think much 
 and profitably on my visit, and on what I saw and enjoyed 
 there." 
 
 Before he quitted the island our friend had formed a 
 plan for raising, by subscription, the means of building a 
 new school-house, and providing a permanent salary for 
 the master. 
 
 With a view to prepare his Scotch friends for the de- 
 sign, he wrote to his daughter Mary, whom he left at Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 " My dear Mary, 
 
 • " Nothing ever equalled Staffa in one point of view, 
 or lona in another : no words of mine will ever reach or 
 approach what I should wish to say ; but I thank God for 
 what I have seen. 
 
 *' Tell our good friends, that my anxiety to promote the 
 welfare of the poor islanders of lona, has led me to under- 
 take the raising a subscription to build a school-room ; 
 
REV. LEGU'RICHMOND. 
 
 which, with the aid of the schoolmaster, of most true and 
 crodly simplicity, will be of essential benefit to the place. 
 About ^400 will be wanted, and I sincerely hope to suc- 
 ceed m raising it. I have spent three days and a sabbath 
 among them. I preached thrice there : the opportunity 
 was dehghtful, and affecting in the highest degree. Do 
 use your influence to prepare the way before I come. The 
 money will be admirably laid out for the good of the island. 
 I have pledged myself for the attempt, and trust God will 
 prosper it. 1 hope my petition will prevail with those who 
 wish well to the poor islanders. The prayers, tears, and 
 blessings of the dear people followed us to the shore, as I 
 departed. It was a time much to be remembered. 
 
 At this time he wrote the following letter to his daugh- 
 ter Fanny : — 
 
 ♦♦ Since I wrote my last, I have abundantly succeeded 
 in Staffa and lona. No words can express the astonishing 
 sublimity, beauty, grandeur, and unique character of the 
 former ; or the deep and affecting interest excited by the 
 ruins and associations of the latter island. I slept four 
 nights therein, in a little hut, such as you never saw, amid 
 the venerable ruins of all the great literary and rehgious 
 establishments of ancient days, when lona was the foimtain 
 of learning and piety to all Europe. I preached there 
 thrice on Sunday, to such a group of poor islanders, in 
 such a poor place, as you cannot easily conceive ; and be- 
 tween the services, I went and locked myself up, for affect- 
 ing meditation, amidst the ruins of the once grand cathe- 
 dral of St. Columba ; and walked upon the graves of num- 
 berless kings of Scotland, Ireland, and Norway, — lords of 
 the isles, chieftains of all the clans, bishops, priors, abbess- 
 es, nuns, and friars — who lie here in wild confusion, 
 mingled with the very poor forefathers of the present islan- 
 ders. By day, the sun shone — and by night, a lovely moon 
 illuminated the splendid panorama of ocean, eighteen 
 islands, innumerable mountains, ranges of vast rocks, ruins, 
 peasants' huts, ships, boats, and a countless group of other 
 interesting objects. As but a small part of these poor 
 24 
 
266 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 '^ 
 
 lonians can understand English, I preached tojhem, by an 
 interpreter," sentence by sentence ; a pious Schoolmaster, 
 who is a blessing to the island, translating all lisaid. Never 
 did I see such a sight, nor feel such a feeling pefore. I am 
 trying to raise a subscription, to build these poor islanders 
 a school-room : it will be indeed a work of charity. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Richmond opened a communica- 
 tion with the Duke of Argyle, the owner of the island of 
 lona, after he had raised ^300 among his friends. The 
 duke, it appears, chose to erect the proposed building at 
 his own expense. 
 
 The following extract from a letter written to the editor 
 by Mr. Pitcairn, contains all tne information on this subject 
 which we have been able to collect. 
 
 " Much of my correspondence with Mr. Richmond, was 
 respecting a fund which he had collected for erecting a new 
 school-room at lona This was afterward rendered unne- 
 cessary, as the Duke of Argyle built the house entirely at 
 his own expense. Mr. Richmond contemplated the appro- 
 priation of the money raised for lona, to a nobler purpose 
 than that of a building. He died, however, before a plan 
 was adjusted. Mr. Hepburne is the treasurer, and I am 
 secretary to this fund. We are now making arrangements 
 with the society in Scotland for propagating Christian 
 Knowledge, and with whom the money is to be vested in 
 trust ; and the interest applied annually for the moral and 
 religious benefit of lona. We are thus endeavouring to 
 carry into efi'ect, Mr. Richmond's benevolent design." 
 
 On his return from the North, our friend passed through 
 Stockport, at the time when radical opinions disturbed the 
 country. Mr. Richmond, from his lameness, was never 
 able to walk far without resting. He was leaning on his 
 stick and looking aboflt him, when a poor fellow ran up to 
 him and offered his hand, inquiring with considerable ear- 
 nestness, " pray, sir, are you a radical ?" " Yes, my friend," 
 
BEV. LEGH RICHBfOND. 267 
 
 replied Mr. Richmond, " I am a radical, a thorough radi- 
 cal." " Then," said the man, " give me your hand." 
 " Stop, sir, stop ; I must explain myself : we all need a ra- 
 dical reformation, our hearts are full of disorders ; the root 
 and principle within us is altogether corrupt. Let you and 
 I mend matters there ; and then, sir, all will be well, and 
 we shall cease to complain of the times and the govern- 
 ment." " Right, sir," replied the radical, " you are right, 
 sir ;" and bowing respectfully, he retired. 
 
 Our friend had ever a strong antipathy to political conten- 
 tion ; nor could he be prevailed on to vote at an election 
 without extreme reluctance. He used to say " a religious 
 man is never more out of his place, nor in greater danger 
 of losing his piety, than in the squabbles of politics." The 
 following humorous epistle to his friend Mr. P., well ex- 
 plains his sentiments on this subject. 
 
 " My dear Sir, ^ 
 
 " I always tremble when religion and politics jam their 
 chariot-wheels together. I once saw a post-chaise overtake 
 another post-chaise : the foremost was going gently and 
 peaceably onward ; the hindmost rather furiously ; at the 
 instant of near approach (rather too near, you will say) 
 the fore wheel of the latter caught fast hold of the inner 
 circumference of the hind wheel of the former. For a few 
 paces the two chaises went on, josthng in awkward part- 
 nership, till at length all four horses took alarm, and set 
 off at full s{)eed, compelling the tottering carriages to go 
 as fast as themselves ; which they did. till one was over- 
 turned with the loss of a wheel, and the other dashed on- 
 ward in a full career of ungovernable rapidity. It was 
 soon out of sight, so I know not what became of it. This 
 was the political vehicle. Poor religion lay smashed in 
 the ditch, and the passengers at length put their heads out 
 of the window, and cried * help us out of the ditch.' We 
 did 80. and they crept slowly on foot to the next village, to 
 collect bam, beef, beer and experience. 
 
'208 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 Mr. Richmond's correspondents were numerous. It is 
 truly wonderful that he could find time for a few lines to 
 each of them. When absent from home, he not only wrote 
 to his wife and every one of his children ; but to the tutor 
 of his boys ; the curate who supplied his church ; and his 
 parishioners, to whom he addressed a kind of pastoral epis- 
 tle. We have not room for many specimens. The follow- 
 ing are no discredit to his memory. 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " I throw myself on your Christian feelings of charity 
 once more. I have done wrong in what I have written, I 
 pray you to forgive me. My real, true, and only excuse 
 is, that my anxious feelings for the parish, and my high ap- 
 probation of your character and conduct among the people, 
 made me mider-rate your objections ; I did not think them 
 of suffi«f«nt weight, and I was sincerely and honestly fear- 
 ful th^^ou had some other reason, in which I was person- 
 ally implicated, and which your delicacy did not hke to 
 name. I now believe otherwise, and I hope you will re- 
 ceive my acknowledgment of my error in the same spirit 
 wherein it is offered to you Do not let it influence you in 
 any part of your feelings or conduct towards me. You 
 little know the heart with which you have to do, if you 
 think that, except under an erroneous impression, I could 
 wound any one much less a friend and brother, and one 
 whom I so cordially esteem and love. I fancied that it 
 was your nerves, and not yourself, that shrank from the 
 path in which I hoped Providence had placed you ; and 
 therefore I wrote as I did. Once more, forgive me. My 
 wife can tell you how much I suffered in my mind before 
 you arrived, in consequence of parochial vexations. I 
 looked to your coming as a great comfort — I found it so. 
 Every thing went on well ; I thought that after a year's 
 trial and acquaintance with the people, you would be the 
 very man to succeed in my absence. I built upon this 
 hope, and imagined that I could remove the difficulties 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 269 
 
 which, on a short and cursory view, affected your mind. 
 I tried to do so, — I failed ; — the fabric of my hope seemed 
 to totter, — my spirits sank ; — I fancied there was more of 
 fancy than argument in your reasons for going. All this 
 put together, disappointed me, and excited my solicitude. 
 I was crossed in all my hopes and plans for the next year. 
 Even the parental desire to visit my daughter in Scotland, 
 by leaving a tried and accepted friend at home, seemed to 
 be blighted. Put all these things together, and I think you 
 will the more readily throw a mantle of charitable forgive- 
 ness over the faults and mistakes of your friend. On the 
 receipt of this, which I send open as a. part of my letter to 
 Mrs. R., talk to her freely about it ; and may every uneasy 
 feehng, either in your or hers, or my own mind, be done 
 away. So far as concerns my correspondence, this letter 
 contains my heart and mind ; cancel every other. 
 
 " I trust that you are sparing yourself, agreeably to my 
 request, in regard to any of the meetings, which have 
 pressed on your strength and spirits. Shorten the evening 
 chancel lectures : take care of yourself yet be at ease in 
 so doing. An unexpected, but important proposition has 
 been made to me relative to some sermons for next Sunday, 
 and which may possibly prevent my return before then. 
 It is yet unsettled, and waits the arrival of a letter to-mor- 
 row ; but I will mention the result as soon as I know it 
 myself. 
 
 " Accept, for myself, the most sincere assurance of my 
 high and unfeigned esteem for you and your ministry ; my 
 cordial prayers for your welfare, both in mind, and body, 
 and estate ; my anxious regret, that our connexion must 
 not be of a more lasting continuance ; and my beUef, that 
 you have entertained a real and unmixed regard and re- 
 spect for your unworthy friend. I can add no more than 
 prayers for your happiness, and a hope that your next 
 partner in the ministry may as highly appreciate your ser- 
 vices, and give you as fully his heart, as does 
 *♦ Your affectionate friend and brother, 
 
 Legh Richmond.'' 
 24* 
 
270 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " Had I not frequently heard of you, and of the satis- 
 factory manner in which you and the boys were going on, 
 from my daughters, 1 should have written to you before, a 
 letter of inquiry and friendship. Accept a few hues now, 
 however, for the sake of both. I can assure you, that no 
 object lies nearer to my heart than the welfare of my sons, 
 in whom the treasury of my affections and conscientious 
 desires is greatly bound up. I often, very often, look with 
 trembling regard on the future, as it concerns them ; and, 
 were there not a throne of grace for them and for me, 1 
 know not how I should bear up under many a drooping 
 feeling. You now see and know them, and, I am per- 
 suaded, feel an interest in all that respects them. Tell me 
 a little of the progress and general conduct of each, and 
 be assured of the confidence which I repose in your con- 
 scientious assiduity and friendly affection towards them 
 and us. You, my friend, know the value of an immortal 
 soul, and can unite its prospei ity with every other conside- 
 ration ; you feel it for yourself, and can feel it for others. 
 You know something of the snares and vices of the world 
 by which we are surrounded, and can enter into the 
 temptations by which youths are constantly endangered : 
 you are- not ignorant of the inward plague of the natural 
 heart, and of the need there is for prayer and watchfulness, 
 to preserve it from manifesting its evils in a thousand ways. 
 I can, therefore, and I do, feel a peculiar satisfaction in 
 contemplating your office, as connected with your princi- 
 ples. The time is now at hand, when, I trust, in the bosom 
 of my family and parish, to cultivate more intimacy and 
 friendship with you than circumstances have recently per- 
 mitted ; and to share with you the anxious task of rearing 
 up young minds for heaven. I have had much interesting 
 matter for contemplation during this journey, on the beau- 
 ties of nature as well as of grace. I have taken a wide 
 range of scenery in Scotland, in the Hebrides, and the 
 North-east coast of Ireland ; it is no easy task to detail or 
 describe such objects, with all their combinations and ef-. 
 
REV. LEGR RICHMOND. 271 
 
 fects ; but they leave a valuable impression on the mind 
 that seeks God in the midst of them. It is delightful to 
 Worship Him in the temple of creation, and to catch from 
 psalmists and prophets, the happy art of elucidating his 
 works of redeeming love, by illustrations and arguments 
 drawn from his wonders and beauties in the natural world. 
 I will, hereafter, try to tell you something of these things, 
 and to brighten the gloom of our winter horizon by some 
 of my Northern lights I have also seen some very lovely 
 instances of the power of divine grace on the hearts of 
 individuals and people It is a very delightful considera- 
 tion, that the same God and the same Redeemer reigns 
 every where, and produces the same effects in heart and 
 life. What reason have we to mourn over our slow 
 growth under so many advantages ! 
 
 ** Be pleased to give my kind love to Mr. Renton, and 
 tell him that I received his letter subsequently to mine 
 leaving this. I shall be happy if he can, even for two or 
 three days, give me the comfort of his society beyond the 
 \ 2th of August. Can you tell me where he is going ? He 
 forgot, in his letter, to mention the name of the place and 
 clergyman whose church he is to serve. Give my love to 
 the boys, accept of mine and Mrs. Richmond's assurances 
 of esteem and regard ; 
 
 " And believe me, 
 
 " Faithfully, yours, 
 
 Leoh Richmond." 
 
 Pastoral letter, addressed to his parishioners at Turvey. 
 
 " My dear Friends, 
 
 " Although distance may for a season produce silence, 
 it cannot cause forgetfulness in my heart. As it concerns 
 you, I can truly say that your spiritual welfare and temporal 
 comfort, form the subject of prayers constantly offered up 
 at the throne of grace. It has pleased the Lord to bring 
 us safe to our dear child, whom we found better than we 
 could have expected, considering the illness and sufferings 
 
272 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 through which she has been carried. Great joy attended 
 our meeting, and the affections of nature and grace were 
 called into no small exercise I desire to praise Him for 
 the past, and trust Him for the future. Many of you have 
 had abounding proofs of God's mercy and goodness in the 
 hour of need, and have been brought ' through fire and 
 through water into a wealthy place' May the recollec- 
 tions of such benefits keep you humble, make you thankful, 
 and render you meet for the inheritance of the saints in 
 light ! As we journeyed hither we saw many lovely scenes 
 among the mountains, lakes rivers, and waterfalls of na- 
 ture ; and they reminded us of the fax greater beauties of 
 holiness in Him who made them all, and gives us many a 
 Gospel lesson in the works of creation. We are now in a 
 vast city, containing above 150,000 inhabitants. Much 
 grace prevails here ; and also, in such a multitude, much 
 evil. What need we have to pray for the universal reign 
 of Christian principles in all hearts ; for the day when 
 Glasgow and London and Turvey may present nothing but 
 a population of the true followers of the Lord Jesus. 
 When and how shall this come to pass ? Times and sea- 
 sons are in the Lord's hands, but the means of grace are 
 put into ours And I know of no means so immediately 
 likely to promote the great event of general conversion, as 
 the lively, steadfast, and exemplary conduct of Christian 
 professors. I would wish to impress this strongly upon 
 every one of your minds : you are answerable to God for 
 the conduct of every hour, not only as it may affect 
 your own individual state, but as it may, and must res- 
 pect your famihes, your neighbours, and the church of 
 God. The increase and prosperity of young converts, is 
 closely connected with the manner in which older profes- 
 sors of religion so let their light shine before them, that 
 they, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father 
 which is in heaven. Be a united people ; give no place to 
 unkind suspicions, or jealousies, or words. Remember 
 the golden rule, ' even do ye unto others as ye would that 
 they should do unto you.' Keep your eye and your heart 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 273 
 
 Steadily fixed upon the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Walk happily, by walking wisely and holiiy. Maintain 
 family prayer and instruction in your households, whenever 
 it is practicable ; and where it is not, be more earnest in 
 secret prayer for the removal of all hindrances. Keep to- 
 gether as a people ; encourage no divisions whicli break 
 the peace of the church, and injure weak souls by many 
 false delusions. A good Christian is a- steady one. You 
 that are in trouble, cast your cares upon the Lord, know- 
 ing that he caieth for you. If God be with you, who can 
 be against you ? Think oyer past mercies, and see on 
 whom you ought to trust. Do not dishonour Him by un- 
 believing doubts. He is faithful that has promised. May 
 God answer my prayers for unity, peace and concord. 
 Hearken to the word of truth, from the lips of my faithful 
 fellow-labourer : strengthen his hands and encourage his 
 heart. Pray much for me ; I need it, for my labours are 
 many, and I am weak : but the Lord is my strength. God 
 bless every one of you : and may we, if God will, meet 
 again in love and holy resolution. 
 
 " So prays your affectionate pastor, 
 
 Legu Richmond." 
 
 It was during one of Mr. Richmond's -excursions to 
 Scotland, that he arranged for publication the very interest- 
 ing diary and " Letter on the Principles of the Christian 
 Faith," composed by Miss Sinclair, eldest daughter of the 
 Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair. Bart. ; who died on the 22d 
 May, 1818. There are few of our readers, we presume, 
 who have not read the above production, addressed by Miss 
 Sinclair to one of her younger sisters without any intention 
 of its meeting the public eye, or aiming at any thing beyond 
 the private edification of her sister. It contains a very 
 clear, scriptural and able exposition of the principles of 
 the Christian faith, accompanied by remarks which showed 
 the influence of those principles in her own heart. At the 
 request of the family, a memoir of Miss Sinclair was pre- 
 fixed to the publication, by Mr. Richmond. It is foreign 
 
274 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 to our purpose to enter into any review of this interesting^ 
 little work, which details the early growth and progress of 
 divine grace in the heart of this young lady, who appears 
 to have united the attainments of genuine piety with the 
 en^'owments of the most cultivated mind. We have much 
 pleasure in subjoining the following testimony, as one of 
 the many instances of usefulness arising from the perusal of 
 this little memoir : — 
 
 <' Rev. Sir, 
 
 " Being informed that you are writing the life of Mr. 
 Richmond, I beg, through the medium of my much es- 
 teemed friend Mr, F to inform you how greatly I am in- 
 debted to the memoir of Miss Hannah Sinclair. I trust it 
 is from no ostentatious wish to see my name in print, that 
 I allude to the blessed change in my views and principles. 
 Yet I do wish to give publicity to the little volume by which 
 my mind was first drawn to the true principles of the word 
 of God, and my heart rightly impressed by them. I would 
 pay a tribute of respect to the memory of one who must be 
 ever dear to my recollection, for benefits received from 
 that excellent letter of Hannah Sinclair ; and I anxiously 
 desire that her valuable memoir by Mr. Richmond, may be 
 read with the same dehght and benefit which accompanied 
 my perusal of it. 
 
 <* 1 am, &c. 
 
 H. Phipps." 
 
REV. I-EGH RICHMOND. 275 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Tkath of his infant, — Marriage of his eldest daughter, — 
 Visit to the north of Ireland. — Texts on the tcalls of his 
 
 churchy — Extract of a letter to his daughter F Isle 
 
 of Wight tour^ — Pastoral letter, — Journal, — His son 
 WHberforce' s illness, and death, — Marriage of his 
 daughter, H — , — Nugenfs shipvyreck, and death, — Apo- 
 cryphal question, — Mr. Richmond's opinion on the mode 
 of preaching to the Jews, — Journey to Cromer, — Conver- 
 sation unth the editor, — Meditation in his study. 
 
 In the spring of 1821, Mr. Richmond lost his infant 
 child. He gives the account of this event in a letter to his 
 daughter ; and he composed a copy of verses, to soothe the 
 feehngs of the mother. 
 
 " Dear Mary, 
 
 " Our dear delicate baby has taken his flight to a hap- 
 pier world ! I write beside his unspeakably beautiful re- 
 mains. Of all my twelve babes, I never clung to one like 
 this — perhaps, because I never expected his life. He was 
 formed for a higher state than this, and is taken away from 
 the evil to come. He had an inflammation on the chest 
 for a few days. He died in my arms — lovelier than the 
 loveliest, calmer than the calmest. His previously languid 
 eye suddenly illumined into heavenly brightness and 
 vigour; it looked at me with full intelligence-j-*seemed 
 to say, * Farewell ! I am going to Jesus !' — and he was 
 srone." 
 
^276 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 HYMN FOR AN INFANT'S FUNERAL. 
 
 Hark ! how the angels, as they fly, 
 Sing through the regions of the sky ; 
 Bearing an infant in their arms. 
 Securely freed from sin's alarms : — 
 
 " Welcome, dear babe, to Jesu's breast — 
 For ever there in joy to rest : 
 Welcome to Jesu's courts above. 
 To smg thy great Redeemer's love I 
 
 " We left the heavens, and flew to earth, 
 To watch thee at thy mortal birth : 
 Obedient to thy Saviour's will. 
 We stayed to love and guard thee still. 
 
 " We thy protecting angels came. 
 To see thee blessed in Jesu's name; 
 When the baptismal seal was given, 
 To mark thee, child, an heir of heaven. 
 
 " When the resistless call of death 
 Bade thee resign thy infant breath — 
 When parents wept, and thou didst smile. 
 We were thy guardians all the while. 
 
 " Now, with the lightning's speed, we bear 
 The child committed to our care ; 
 With anthems such as angels sing. 
 We fly to bear thee to our King." 
 
 Thus sweetly borne, he flies to rest : 
 We know 'tis well — nay more, 'tis best : 
 When we our pilgrims' paths have trod. 
 Oh ! may we find him with our God ! 
 
 We have already noticed that Mr. Richmond, in his 
 lour to Scotland, left his eldest daughter to the care of Dr. 
 and Mrs. S., who resided near Glasgow. It was there 
 that an 'attachment was formed between Miss Richmond 
 and a clergyman of the Estabhshed Church of Scotland, 
 whose profession and character rendered the connexion 
 truly gratifying to our friend. He alludes to this circum- 
 stance in the following letter : 
 
REV. LEGH klCHMO]>fB. 277 
 
 *• My dear Love, 
 
 « Was not this the day on which you were born ? Why, 
 then, I must now wish you many happy returns of it. But 
 will they be happy, if you be not holy ! How I long to 
 see my dear F. still more decided — more spiritual — more 
 given to holy thoughts, words, and works. Let not your 
 mind be run away with by any thing that will steal your 
 heart from God. Make no idols of books that carry away 
 the imagination. 1 will give you a rule to judge whether 
 an author is doing you good : — Go directly from your book, 
 and open your bible ; and, without partiality or hypocrisy, 
 say which you embrace with the most delight. . The an- 
 swer will always show the state of your mind, and the prO' 
 fitableness and lawfulness of the book. 
 
 " Become more serious. I am much pleased with the 
 conscientious principles and behaviour of Mary and Mr. 
 ,M., in their intercourse. He is a true Christian, and most 
 affectionately attached to her. His view of faith and 
 practice exactly accord with my own : he is too good a 
 man to be light and trifling on such a solemn subject as a 
 nuptial engagement. Mary's mind is sacredly and stead- 
 fastly made up, to Iodc, honom*, and obey him, as the part- 
 ner of her heart, and the spouse of her conscience. Oh ! 
 pray for the dear girl, and treat the question with sacred 
 cheerfulness. 
 
 " My visit to Glasgow was blessed to the cultivation of 
 pure regard and esteem with all the M 's. I can re- 
 si^ her, with full hope and confidence, into God's hands. 
 Do you the same ; and when we return home, seek more 
 opportunities of useful conversation. Attend, in the course 
 of every day and hour, to the growth of your best and most; 
 ennobling principles of action. Much, very much time, 
 which might be employed in an increasing meetness for the 
 inheritance of the saints in light, is, I fear, lost. These 
 things ought not so to be, my dear child. Time is shortt 
 eternity is at hand. It is a hard thing to be saved at all ; 
 and every lost hour, every idle word, every neglected 
 portunity, makes it more hard. It is a strait gate and 
 
 nyr 
 
278^ MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 row way to heaven, and (comparatively) few there be that 
 find it. 
 
 " Never be without a book, in daily reading, of a direct 
 Spiritual and devotional tendency ; one that will make the 
 vanities of time and sense appear unworthy of your notice. 
 Always keep up, if possible, with some one, a truly reli- 
 gious correspondence, calculated to bring Christ to the 
 soul. Keep in hourly recollection, that you are a great 
 sinner, unworthy of all the comforts and enjoyments which 
 you possess ; and that- without a Saviour inwardly known, 
 all is as knothing. Examine for the proofs of a converted 
 mind, in. the grand act of faith on Jesus Christ. I cannot 
 recommend you a more lively example than Mrs. Isabella 
 Graham, the admirable aunt of Mr. M. Learn to love 
 true religion in others, whoever they may be. Shun paCrty 
 prejudice, as the bane of charity and the curse of the 
 church. God's love is not limited to us, and our division 
 of the church of Christ ; why then ought ours ? Far be it 
 from us to feel alienation from any whom He is leading 
 heavenwards. 
 
 " Pray think of the general tenor of this letter, for my 
 sake, and for your own sake. I have much spiritual un- 
 easiness about all my children, and most anxiously wish to 
 see them grow in grace. Without this, all is dead. I 
 want to see them useful to others around them, and patterns 
 to one another, and comforts to me in all things." 
 
 The union took place at Turvey, in the spring of 1822 ; 
 and the writer of this Memoir had the pleasure of officia- 
 ting on the occasion. On the day of Miss Richmond's 
 marriage, her father addressed to her the following inte- 
 resting letter : — 
 
 " I this day consign you, my beloved daughter, into the 
 hands of one whom I believe to be a man of God, and 
 who will watch over your eternal as well as your temporal 
 interests. I trust that your union is formed in the simplici- 
 ty of faith, hope, and love. Give yourself up, first to God, 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 279 
 
 and then to your husband, for Christ's sake. Pray for 
 grace to conduct yourself aright, in the new station of a 
 wife. Never depend for a single moment, on the strength 
 of your own feeble nature. Live constantly by faith on 
 the Son of God : relying on him for the graces of domes- 
 tic life, as well as those of a more general character. En- 
 deavour in all things to please God, and you will be sure to 
 please all whom you ought to please. 
 
 " Expect the trials and crosses incident to the earthly 
 pilgrimage ; but expect also by the mercies and merits of 
 Jesus Christ, to be enabled to pass through them with 
 safety and peace. 
 
 " Love, honour, and obey your husband, for the Lord's 
 sake. Do it upon deep conscientious principles, as in the 
 constant sight of God. Think much on the love of Christ 
 to poor sinners ; and live upon this love, as food and medi- 
 cine to your own soul. 
 
 " Be cheerful without levity ; be grave without morose- 
 ness ; be devout without affectation ; be firm without ob • 
 stinacy ; be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving 
 the Lord in all things. 
 
 " Although you leave your father's house, I know you 
 will not leave its principles, any more than its love. 
 Though separated, we shall be closely united, — though out 
 of sight, yet never out of mind : you will think of us, and 
 we of you, with affections tender, rational and abiding. 
 We shall often meet at the throne of grace, and welcome 
 each other, and be welcomed there ; we shall oflen meet 
 in ihe correspondences of heart and pen. We shall, if 
 God permit, sometimes meet in sweet personal intercourse 
 again ; we shall often meet in the affectionate reveries of 
 imagination. And oh ! may we at last meet to part no 
 more, in the house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens. 
 
 " Study your own and your husband's dispositions, that 
 you may cultivate true conjugal peace and love Ever be 
 ready to open your heart to him on things spiritual as well 
 as temporal. Disappoint him not herein, for he will watch 
 
!^0 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 over your soul, as one that must give account. A minis- 
 ter's public labours are intimately connected with his pri- 
 vate and domestic consolations. A minister's wife may be 
 a main-spring of encouragement or discouragement to her 
 husband, in all his arduous and anxious occupations for the 
 good of his flock. On her example and demeanour very 
 much may often depend. Keep this always in mind, and 
 look up to Christ for gracious help. Feel with, and for 
 your husband, in all his parochial and congregational inte- 
 rests, as well as in those which are simply domestic — they 
 ought to be inseparable. Cultivate a deep and personal 
 piety. Imitate the holy women of old, and let your adorn- 
 ing be like unto theirs : St. Peter can tell you what this is, 
 
 *' I rejoice in your lot ; I can see the hand of God in it. 
 This is a token for good to us all. 
 
 " Go, dear Mary, to your husband's house ; and may 
 the presence and blessing of the Lord go with you : J 
 commend you to his holy keeping, with confidence. 
 Faithful is He that hath promised, and He will do it. We 
 shall have pledged our vows at the table of the Lord, at 
 this interesting period : may this strengthen and animate 
 our hearts to serve and trust him On this day, the Spirit 
 was poured out on the primitive church with great power, — 
 may we this day receive the earnest of His love in much 
 simplicity. 
 
 " Grace, peace, and mercy, be with my beloved daughter, 
 arid with her affectionate father, 
 
 Legh Richmond.'* 
 
 The year after the marriage of his daughter, Mr. Rich- 
 gnond paid a visit to the North of Ireland. He staid there 
 but a short time. We can furnish the reader with no other 
 particulars than are contained in the subjoined letter to his 
 ii'iend, Mr. Higgins, of Turvey Abbey. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 
 " Owing to some domestic circumstances, connected 
 with our dear daughter's confinement, indisposition, and 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND, 281 
 
 recovery, we have been detained here beyond our expecta- 
 tions ; but in our absence, we think and talk much of our 
 Turvey friends, and anticipate the restoration to their so- 
 ciety with much pleasure. During my wife's more retired 
 occupation of nursing, and superintending household affairs 
 in Glasgow, I have had interesting opportunities of seeing 
 districts of much beauty and curiosity. I have again visit- 
 ed Staffa and lona, and several other of the Western 
 islands. I have also seen the Giant's Causeway, and the 
 highly romantic and subhme coast of Antrim, in Ireland, 
 including a journey of seventy miles by land to Belfast. 
 I was very glad to find, that amidst all the misery and mis- 
 chief of many other parts of Ireland, one district in the 
 North is very quiet, and comparatively comfortable. I 
 travelled in an open vehicle until midnight, without fear or 
 danger. But not so, had I traversed the territories of 
 Captain Rock. The North of Ireland is chiefly Protest 
 tant, although not exclusively so. I had the opportunity 
 of observing there, as in Scotland, that in exact proportion 
 to the universality and superiority of the school education 
 of the children of the poor, good or bad conduct prevails 
 in the different districts. With mental attainments and 
 useful instruction, an elevation and stability of character, 
 and a happy adaptation of mind to circumstances, is gene- 
 rally formed. Subject to occasional exceptions, I feel con- 
 fident that the three kingdoms will owe their future and 
 final prosperity to the great advances and improvements 
 made in general education. Nothing can more illustrate 
 this fact, than the comparison between Scotland and Ire- 
 land, and the contrasted districts of educated or uneduca- 
 ted Ireland and Scotland with each other. For, in some 
 of the remote islands, and Highlands of even Scotland, 
 much is yet to be done. You would not be sorry that the 
 Popish question was lost in Parliament, neither was I : I 
 am convinced, that we are safer as we are ; althougli 
 equally convinced, that many good men most conscien- 
 tiously think otherwise ; but I was glad when I saw the 
 result. I grieve at the violence with which the subject 
 25* 
 
^2 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 !ias been too often argued on both sides, and at tbe conse- 
 quent irritation of parties. 
 
 " From my children's account, the boys are going on 
 very well with Mr. Ayre, and, I trust, will improve much 
 under his tuition. May God be pleased to enable us ta 
 bring them up in ' the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord,' and to see them, as much as possible, preserved 
 from the abounding snares and evils of the corrupt world 
 in which their lot must be cast. 
 
 ♦* We have had recent accounts of, and from Nugent :^ 
 and all very satisfactory. That subject, my dear sir, was 
 a bitter, but is turned into a cordial. I feel great reason 
 to be thankful. We have often drank from your cups, so 
 kindly given to Mrs. M., and the remembrances of Turvey 
 have sweetened the draughts. She is most happy in her 
 husband, a man and a minister of sterling worth ; they are 
 «nost comfortable in each other, and live in mucli respecta- 
 bility and domestic love. I must, also, gratify the feelings 
 of a newly-made grandfather, by praising little Mary Mar- 
 shall the second, and observing that she is a very nice little 
 girl. 
 
 " The beauty of nature, and its accompanying scenery, 
 is now great indeed. I cannot convey to paper the mag- 
 fiificence of the mountains, the loveliness of the plains, the 
 sublimity of the rocks, the splendour of the ocean, the di- 
 versity of the islands, the wonders of basaltic columns, the 
 awfulness of the caves, nor the combinations of effects 
 produced by them all together. I cannot depict the nume- 
 rous ivy-girt ruins of feudal castles, nor the groves and 
 woods of the mansions and villas of lairds and lords ; but 
 you know something of them, and must conceive, in ima- 
 gination, what your friend is unable to describe. My great 
 desire is, to seek and find God in them all, and lo adore 
 Jjim there. 
 
 '* You will present my kind regards to Mrs. H., in which 
 all here unite. To your children likewise, give every good 
 
 * His eldest son, then in India. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 283 
 
 wish and blessing. Accept the same for yourself, and be 
 assured of iny friendly and Christian desire that you mayi 
 through the blessing of God and his crucified Son, ' so pass 
 through things temporal that you finally lose not the things 
 eternal.' Such wishes and prayers become us whilst we 
 are here, and their answers may be our crown of glory 
 when we depart hence, and are no more seen." 
 
 About this time, the church at Turvey was inspected by 
 the archdeacon, who expressed his approbation of the neat- 
 ness and good order with which every thing appeared to be 
 conducted. The church is a singular buildmg, having 
 three chancels annexed to it. In one of these are the 
 monuments of the Mordaunts ; the middle chancel contains 
 the font and communion table ; and the third was used for 
 the evening instruction of the schools, where Mr. Rich- 
 mond catechised and preached to the children A most 
 appropriate selection of texts are inscribed on the walls of 
 each of these chancels, as well as in the body of the church, 
 chosen by Mr. Richmond with great care, and they exhibit 
 a complete system of divinity. " I wish," said our excel- 
 lent friend, " when I can no longer preach to my flock, 
 that the walls should remind them of what they have heard 
 from me. The eye, though wandering in thoughtless va- 
 cancy, may catch something to affect the heart." 
 
 We regret that we cannot supply the reader with a map 
 of the interior of Turvey church. The admirable order of 
 the texts, which display both the taste and piety of the de- 
 parted rector, might afford a model for similar arrange- 
 ments in other churches. 
 
 The following are extracts from an interesting letter, 
 written to his daughter F , about this time : — 
 
 " Fully as I can enter into the beauties of works of fic- 
 tion, yet I exceedingly dread their tendency. The utmost 
 caution is requisite in meddling with them. The novelist 1 
 unequivocally proscribe, and many of the poets, and their 
 poems, which are only nets to catch yonng minds in the 
 
!284 MEMOIRS. OF THE 
 
 maze of Satan. It is a maxim in regard to books as well 
 as companions, that what does not improve^ invariably in- 
 jures. Few things in this world are merely negative and 
 harmless : they either do us good, when sanctified by the 
 Spirit ; or they do us harm, by stealing our hearts from God. 
 Even the beauties and wonders of nature, in an unsanctifi- 
 ed mind, excite nothing beyond natural affections — pleasure 
 and surprise. If Christ is not sought for there, we may 
 rise no higher than mere tourists, rhymists, and painters. 
 Whether we eat, or drink, or travel, or read, or converse, 
 or philosophize — all, all must be done to the glory of God.'"' 
 
 The tours of Mr. Richmond which we have already laid 
 before the reader, were undertaken at the solicitation of the 
 Church Missionary and Jews Societies. He often made 
 voluntary excursions of a smaller extent, to assist in the 
 formation of branch Bible Societies ; and he usually at- 
 tended the annual meetings of the auxiliaries to the parent 
 institution, within his own neighbourhood, where he was 
 allowed to be one of the most efficient instruments in their 
 establishment and confirmation. 
 
 In this year, he was appointed by the committee of tho 
 Parent Society in London, to accompany one of their se- 
 cretaries (Dr. Steinkopff,) to Chichester, Portsmouth, 
 Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. The recollections oi' 
 his former residence were too strongly associated with all 
 the early events of his ministry, not to render the proposal 
 highly acceptable to him. 
 
 We venture to make a few extracts from Mr. Rich- 
 mond's journal at this time, being the last we shall have oc- 
 casion to notice. We trace in them his usual taste for the 
 beauties of nature, with a growing spirituality and devoted- 
 ness of heart, 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 285 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 " Attg. 27. Saw views of the Isle of Wight. What as- 
 sociations crowd upon my heart ! Joyfully and affection- 
 ately received by my old friends, Mr. and Mrs T., in the 
 dock -yard. Talked over old times — about the Isle of 
 Wight, Brading, Bembridge, &<c. 
 
 " I entreat thee. ( > my God, to sanctify this season to my 
 soul and to the souls of others ! May this visit be a bless- 
 ing. Time is going on — eternity is at hand. Strengthen 
 my heart, head, and tongue, and keep me from evil. 
 
 " Aug. 28. Proceeded to Southampton. Profitable 
 conversation with Dr. S., on the necessity of retirement and 
 prayer, in the midst of public and officiai duties. My af- 
 fections greatly exercised to-day by the topics of my speech 
 — never more so. 
 
 " Lord, guide me in this pilgrimage ! Keep ray heart — 
 give me judgment — direct my tongue — preserve me from 
 sin ! 
 
 " Aug. 29. Went to the Bible meeting at Southampton, 
 I told the miners' story.* A poor widow brought an in- 
 teresting girl, named Mitchell, about eighteen, to acknow- 
 ledge, with tears of grateful affection, how much she was 
 indebted to the tract of * The Young Cottager,' for a 
 change of heart and 4iope. She showed a simplicity of 
 character that affected me greatly. Sailed to Cowes. Pro- 
 ceeded to Newport. 1 am once more in the Isle of Wight 
 
 * The story to which he alludes is very affecting;. In one of the 
 Newcastle collieries, 35 men and 41 boys died by suffocation, or 
 were starved to death. One of the boys, with a bit of pointed iron, 
 engraved on a tin box which the colliers use, this la.st message to 
 his mother : — " Fret not, my dear mother, for we are singing the 
 praises of God while we have time. Mother, follow God more 
 than ever I did. Joseph, be a *ood lad to God and mother." Mr. 
 Richmond brought the r/ox from the North, and by showing it to 
 his friends, awakened in their hearts feelings of the most lively in- 
 terest. 
 
MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 — God bless this visit. My heart yearns over this spot. 
 Lord, sanctify all things to ii;e and thy children ! and daily 
 add to the church such as shall be saved. 
 
 *^ Neicport, Aug. 3.0. Met Robert Wallbridge,* and 
 talked about liis sister and father. Attended the Bible 
 meeting. Entered at large into Isle of Wight feehngs. 
 Much affection manifested. 
 
 A number of persons came in the evening, and joined 
 us in family prayer. I expounded and prayed. It was an 
 affecting season How my heart feels these scenes and 
 interviews ! Lord, sanctify all this to my own soul ! The 
 Brading pulpit is offered me for Sunday morning. 
 
 "Aw^. 31. (^Saturday.) Fixed to have a Bible meet- 
 ing on Thursday next. Set out with my daughter Fanny, 
 and went through Brading, to Mr. L's cottage at Sandown. 
 All the way felt strong associations. Every tree, hedge> 
 gate, house, revived them. Went to Shanklin, to the 
 Chine. Exquisite views. Dined in the Chine. Return- 
 ed through Brading. Was much affected on reading many 
 grave-stones — so Inany that I once well knew ! Drank tea 
 with the curate Finally settled that I should preach to- 
 morrow, at Brading. May my soul be directed into all 
 truth. I felt much while sitting in the Brading vicarage 
 parlour — so many domestic recollections ! 
 
 '^ Sept. I. [Sunday.) A most . affecting day. Before 
 church, saw many friends, who most affectionately greeted 
 me. Preached from Ps. viii 4 — ' What is man, that thoii 
 art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest 
 liim ?' Church most crowded. I was much affected by the 
 whole scene. Mr. T., the curate, acted in a very friendly 
 manner. After many interesting circumstances, went to 
 Ryde, and preached there in the afternoon. At eight, 
 went to Mrs. Y., at Bank Cottage, where a multitude of 
 people heard me expound and pray. How many gave me 
 the affectionate right-hand of fellowship ! I expounded 
 from John vii. 37. — ' In the last day, that great day of the 
 
 * This was the brother of his Dairyman's daughter. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 287 
 
 feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let 
 him come unto me and drink.' 
 
 '• What scenes are these ! How far removed from the 
 pomps and vanities of this world ! 
 
 *' Sept. 2. Went to Brading. Showed Jane's cottage 
 to Fanny. Called on numbers of people. Much friendly 
 and kind reception at Brading : much religious and devo- 
 tional feeling in every direction. 
 
 " Sept. 3. Went to Bembridge. Interesting in the ex- 
 treme. Saw old Mr. G. dying, and happy in death. Call- 
 ed at the G's. Found the whole family full of love, affec- 
 tion, and piety. Went to Mr. K's, and various others. 
 All respect and affection Ascended Bembridge Down : 
 the finest prospect in the island. Had a delightful religious 
 |)arty in the evening. Exposition and prayer. Settled to 
 liave a distribution of tracts at Bembridge, on Thursday, if 
 fine. 
 
 '* God grant me grace to go through all these affecting 
 scenes profitably to myself and others ! 
 
 " Sept. 5. A day much to be remembered. After break- 
 fast, went with Mr. Butterworth, &>c., to distribute tracts, 
 according to promise, at Bembridge Point : to which I had 
 invited all the population of Bembridge. The most af- 
 fecting and affectionate scene ever witnessed. Such meet- 
 ings, welcomes, congratulations, smiles, tears, salutations, 
 from some hundred persons — men, women, and children ! 
 It is indelibly impressed upon my mind, and beggars all 
 description. 
 
 " Had many proofs of past usefulness. God bless this 
 day to me and many ! On returning home, found a de- 
 lightful letter from my dear wife, about the Isle of Wight : 
 God bless and preserve her Expounded 23d Psalm. Oh ! 
 that this day may be remembered for good ! 
 
 " Sept. 6. Visited Robert Wallbridge and Mrs. A. 
 Had much useful conversation about the Dairyman's 
 Daughter. She gave me a lock of her hair. Wc went to 
 Arreton church, and visited her grave. 
 
288 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 *' Sept. 12. A day to be much remembered. On this 
 day twenty-five years since, I first read Mr. Wilberforce's 
 book on Christianity, in my Httle study, in the vicarage 
 house at Brading ; and thence and then received my first 
 serious, and I hope saving impressions 
 
 " A memorial stone was this day put up over the grave of 
 little Jane, the young cottager — my first convert and seal in 
 Brading. Multitudes attended — old and young, from all 
 the vicinity. Her parents bent, weeping, over the grave. 
 What did I not feel 1 We then adjourned to the cottage 
 where she lived and died, and I distributed a number of 
 < Young Cottager' tracts to the inhabitants and neighbour- 
 hood, who came in throngs to receive them. A truly affect- 
 ing scene ! 
 
 " Sept. 18. A stone was this day put up for the Dairy- 
 man's Daughter, in Arreton church-yard. 
 
 * To God be all the praise.' '' 
 
 After preaching several times to large congregations, he 
 took an affectionate farewell of his numerous friends in the 
 Isle of Wight. 
 
 Extract from a pastoral letter from the Isle of Wight. 
 
 " Dear Christian Friends, 
 
 " Although I have been prevented fi-om writing to you 
 before, by daily occupations, I have borne you on my heart, 
 and lifted up my prayers to God for your welfare. I have 
 been received by my old friends in this island with warm 
 affection. Some whom I remembered, have gone to their 
 rest, and are with the Lord ; others are growing old, but 
 God blesses them, even to hoar hairs. Some bring their 
 children, and their children's children to me, and bless God 
 for their piety, tracing it to the prayers we formerly offered 
 up together. I have been much affected in visiting the 
 churchyard, and reading the names of so many of my old 
 neighbours inscribed on the grave-stones. Time passes 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 289 
 
 away eternity is at hand. You have also been reminded 
 
 of this by two sudden deaths among yourselves. May 
 such things be deeply impressed upon your hearts. 
 
 '* I long much for your stability and increase in the grace 
 of Christ, and am often exercised with fears, lest the 
 weakness of your nature, and the cares of the world, 
 should beguile any of you into inconsistencies in your 
 Christian course. Look well to your families, correct 
 what you see to be evil in them ; pray much for your 
 children, and set them an example of holy tempers ; try to 
 do all the good you can ; but let none of you be busy- 
 bodies and tale-bearers ; this is the bane of Christian so- 
 ciety. 
 
 « Be very kind, respectful, and attentive to my brethren, 
 who serve the church in my absence. Keep close together, 
 and strive to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of 
 peace. When troubles befall me, may your affection 
 soothe me ; where I am deficient and wanting, bear with 
 me ; if I am useful to you, bless God alone for his un- 
 speakable mercy." 
 
 We have already alluded to the illness of Mr. Richmond's 
 son Wilberforce. Mr. Richmond sent him, under the care 
 of his son-in-law, the Kev. James Marshall, to try the 
 effects of a sea voyage and change of air, as well as for the 
 benefit of Dr. S.'s advice, whose success in several instan- 
 ces of consumption inspired a hope in the anxious parent, 
 of his son's recovery, under the judicious treatment of his 
 highly valued firiend. Mr. Richmond followed his son in 
 a few weeks, and, in the interval, wrote the following let- 
 ters, which we have selected from. many others. 
 
 *' My ever dear Son, 
 
 " I thank you for your letter, and am glad to hear 
 again from Mr. Marshall that you have borne your travels 
 so far well. You are never out of my thoughts, and I fol- 
 low you in imagination through every scene of your occu- 
 pation. But there is an eye that beholds and watches over 
 26 
 
i290 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 you, as I cannot do. To Him I confide, and commend 
 you, for sickness and health, for time and eternity. What 
 a word, what a thought is eternity ! Wliat prospects does 
 it set before us ! What inconceivable mysteries are invol- 
 ved in it ? How does it make the things of time dwindle 
 into insignificance I But what questions of unspeakable 
 import are involved in it ! Sin, corrupt nature, a broken 
 law, an oflTended God, eternal punishment ; conscience, 
 guilt, regeneration, salvation by Christ ; faith, hope, love, 
 iree grace, undeserved mercy, justification, effectual calling, 
 adoption into God's family, pardon of sin, consolation in 
 Christ, heaven, and glory. These, and a thousand accom- 
 paniments, are all connected with the idea, and the reality 
 of eternity. What a sad proof of the depravity of our 
 hearts, is our indiflference towards thinking, and our back- 
 wardness towards speaking upon those things which belong 
 to our everlasting peace ; and which, nevertheless, if ne- 
 glected, involve our eternal ruin. We need warnings, and 
 the Lord sends them in many ways. Sickness, pain, be- 
 reavements, losses, disappointments ; all bring their mes- 
 sage with them. The great question between a soul and 
 God, is not, whether we admit the truths of the Scripture 
 into our understandings, but whether they are so applied 
 to our hearts as to have wrought a change, and become 
 vital principles of faith and practice. Nothing short of 
 this, can afford evidence of a saved and safe condition. 
 There is an action of the soul, by which it rests upon 
 Christ, and all that he has done, with full confidence ; arid 
 this produces peace in the conscience. The more we see 
 of ourselves the more we see our sin, and the more we 
 see our sin the more we fly to the death and righteousness 
 of Christ, for pardon, deliverance, and hope. We behold 
 not only his sufficiency, but his willingness, to save the chief 
 of sinners. For this, we love him ; and, if we love him, 
 we desire, and endeavour to keep his commandments ; and 
 this is the way of salvation. 
 
 " Now, does my dear boy view this in all its integrity ? 
 -Do the experiences of the past, strengthened by all the 
 
REV. LEGII RICHMOND. ^91 
 
 variety and succession of instruction, which you have from 
 your infancy received, work together to this great end ? — 
 Can you be satisfied with any thing short of this ? God 
 forbid ! Let nothing interrupt you in this continual work 
 of self-examination ; and let self-examination lead you to 
 earnest and ardent prayer. Let no pursuits of literature, 
 no delights of sense, no passing occurrences, no debility of 
 body, no inferior subjects of recreation, prevent you from 
 keeping your thoughts close to God, and to eternity. 
 Great have been your mercies, may your gratitude be 
 great likewise I 
 
 *» Accustomed as I am to close and faithful dealings 
 with my Christian friends and flock, it would ill become me 
 to be silent or indifferent where my dearly beloved child is 
 concerned. Sickness gives both you and me a wholesome 
 admonition. I pray God, from -the depths of my heart, 
 that we may each of us improve it to our spiritual welfare. 
 God may have great things to accomplish hereby : let us 
 believe and hope so. < 
 
 " I had much pleasure in showing you London ; and, if 
 Providence permit, may yet have more, in viewing the fine 
 scenery in your present vicinity, along with you : but whe- 
 ther amongst the beauties of art or nature, never, never 
 cease to look for and contemplate the God both of crea- 
 tion and redemption, in the midst of all. Keep a continual 
 watch over your disposition, temper, and thoughts. There 
 are not only sins of the temper, but of the understanding 
 also ; and pride, in every form, intellectual as well as sen- 
 sual, must be brought low. * Learn of me,' said the Sa- 
 viour, * for I am meek and lowly of heart.' I write, as I 
 would talk with and pray for you. May this dispensation 
 of the Almighty, which has, for the present, separated us, 
 and given us cause for mucli anxiety on your account, be 
 a season of much profit to us all ! Lay these things to 
 heart, make them the subject of unceasing petition at that 
 throne, whence no believing supplicants are ever sent 
 empty away. Wonder not that \ cannot rest contented 
 with a superficial religion, but that I lock for a deeply 
 
292 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 experimental life of God in your soul. I place time and 
 eternity before me in holy imagination. I strive, as it 
 were, to penetrate the veil which separates them, and to 
 look earnestly at those things which belong to your and my 
 everlasting peace. Forgive me, my dear child, and may 
 God forgive me, if I have not always and equally pressed 
 these subjects upon your personal attention. They have 
 ever lain near to my heart, and you have had multiplied 
 opportunities of meditating upon them. I trust you have 
 done so. But let me know more and more of your 
 thoughts, past and present. My Christian and parental 
 peace is dependent greatly upon it. I am glad that our 
 friend. Dr. Stewatt, has had so good an opportunity of stu- 
 dying your case. You are in the Lord's hands. May he 
 overrule every thing for your good. May our confidence 
 be placed only where it is due ; and pray for your father, 
 and your father shall pray for you. Amongst the books in 
 your traveUing library, are many most valuable authors. 
 Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest what they say, so 
 far as you find time and strength to peruse them. Above 
 all, search the Scriptures, for in them you have eternal life. 
 Your mother sends her entire and most affectionate love 
 to you : your sisters and brothers the same. And what 
 shall I add for myself? All that is tender, aflfectionate, 
 parental, and Christian, 
 
 " From your father, * L. R." 
 
 *' My dear Wilberforce, 
 
 " We have so long been fellow-travellers and pilgrims 
 together, and my eye and my heart have been so long ac- 
 customed to watch over you, that 1 cannot help wishing to 
 indulge my aflfectionate feehngs, by giving you a few lines 
 during this short separation ; which, short as it has been, 
 never ceases to present my dear boy to imagination and 
 recollection. I have reason to think, and perhaps the fault 
 is my own, that you are but imperfectly aware of my strong 
 and anxious feelings toward you, with respect both to your 
 temporal and spiritual welfare. I sometimes fancy 1 sec 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 293 
 
 this in your manner, and it hurls me. I say little^ or pro- 
 bably nothing ; but my heart is alive to great sensibilities. 
 Rest assured, my much-loved child, that at ail past periods, 
 but most especially since it has pleased God to put your 
 health, and of course with it your life, to so marked a trial, 
 I liave not ceased, for a single hour (and I can hardly ex- 
 cept the dreaming hours of the nighl,) to make your com- 
 fort and prosperity the subject of my prayers and solicitude. 
 When you may least have suspected it from my ordinary 
 manner, even my silence has spoken to God in your behalf. 
 Many and deep have been my meditations, as we ascended 
 the hills, and descended the vales of Scotland ; or as we 
 plowed the waters with our prows and paddles. I have 
 often experienced a kind of stupid impotency of utterance, 
 when my heart has been animated and full You likewise 
 manifest a sort of reserve on the subject of personal reli- 
 gion, which checks, and sometimes chills my rising incli- 
 nation to more unreserved, free, congenial, and comforta- 
 ble conversation. I wish all this to vanish ; and that 
 whatever may be the will of God concerning you, the fu- 
 ture days which his providence may permit us mutually to 
 spend together, may be more distinctly marked by free and 
 affectionate communications. But far, far above all, it is 
 my cherished and anxious hope, that you may evince an 
 increasing love to spiritual things, to reading, conversing, 
 and meditating upon the things which belong to your ever- 
 lasting peace. You have had your warning as to the deli- 
 cate and precarious tenure, by which life, health, and 
 youthful vigour are held. Every day and hour still reminds 
 you of the uncertainty of all things future, so far as thi>^ 
 world is concerned. And such warnings arc unspeakable 
 mercies, designed by God for the most wise and benevolent 
 purposes. 
 
 " The season of amended health, and present suspension 
 of painful and distressing symptoms, is precisely that in 
 which your heart should exercise a peculiar jealousy over 
 itself, lest the comparative trifles of this world, and the en- 
 snaring affections of tlie flesh, should deaden your feelings 
 
 26* 
 
!294 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 about the grand question, * What are the evidences of my 
 salvation ? What have I done, what must I do to be saved ?' 
 Other studies than those directly rehgious, may^ doubtless, 
 have their due and subordinate place. Other books than the 
 Holy Scriptures and their expositions, may also have their 
 moderated share of our attention ; but if any human study, or 
 any human book, have more of our love and attention, than 
 those which directly lead our hearts to God, something must 
 be very wrong. Idols force themselves upon our notice every- 
 where, and lawful things may become idols by the abuse of 
 them, and the suffering them to usurp the first place in the 
 heart's affections. Never be contented with slight and 
 general hopes of all bemg right within ; but seek and strive 
 afler clear and particular evidences, that you ' know whom 
 you have trusted,' for time and eternity. 1 earnestly en- 
 treat you to examine yourself daily on scriptural principles, 
 that you may the more ardently throw yourself on the 
 mercy of a covenant God, for the forgiveness of your sins, 
 the renovation of your heart, and the guidance of your 
 judgment. Never be satisfied with an avowedly imperfect 
 Christianity. A half Christian is no Christian, nor is he 
 accepted of God. Christ is a whole, perfect, and finished 
 Saviour ; and whosoever is a partaker of Christ, is a par- 
 taker of all that he is, all that he has done, and all that he 
 will do, for the complete salvation of all his chosen. De- 
 cency, formality, and cold ceremonial worship, are poor 
 and inefficacious substitutes for heart-service, holy affec- 
 tions, trust in a Saviour, and love to God. Not unfrequent 
 are the times, and your dear mother oflen experiences 
 them also, when the immensity of that question, ' Am I his, 
 or am I not ?' overwhelms me ; and I should sink in des- 
 pondency, if the pure, undeserved, and inexpressible mercy 
 of God did not direct my soul to the Redeemer's blood, 
 which, when believed in, and applied to the guilty and 
 trembling conscience, cleanseth from all sin, and opens the 
 door to hope and consolation. May my beloved child flee 
 to the same fountain with genuine humiliation, and find the 
 like deliverance : and may his anxious parents be made so 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. ^5 
 
 far partakers of his thoughts, as to feel strong in the Lord 
 on Aw account. My raind was much affected when I first 
 received you at the table of the Lord, and my heart went 
 out in lively prayer, that you might also be received of God 
 —owned, honoured, and accepted, as a child of heaven. 
 Live, speak, and act as a consistent communicant of the 
 church ; the vows of the Lord are upon you ; but if all be 
 right, you will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden 
 light. I wish to look upon you, not only as my child by 
 nature, but as my spiritual child, and therefore (without a 
 paradox,) my spiritual brother. Sweet associations of re- 
 lationship are formed in the family of God and the house* 
 hold of faith. Many tender and affectionate prayers have 
 been daily offered up for you among the poor people of 
 Turvey, as I have several testimonies to prove. The night 
 before I set out to meet you at Glasgow, the belfry was 
 fdled with weeping and praying souls ; whose feeUngs were 
 most tender in your behalf. We shall soon return to them 
 again, God willing ; and may those prayers, united to my 
 own, be fully answered in the gracious state of your soul, 
 as well as in the comfort of your boilily health. But we 
 must, as to the latter, await the Lord's will. He doeth, 
 and will do, all things well. Meditate on these things, and 
 may you and I mutally reap the benefit of such exercises ol' 
 your heart As you read this letter, cherish a tender as 
 well as a dutiful sentiment towards him who penned it, and 
 accept it as one more token of that deep-seated love which 
 I bear towards you, and which must increasingly subsist, 
 while / remain a fa (her, and you a son. 
 
 " I yesterday enjoyed the high mental luxury of walking 
 in the broad aisle of York Minster, quite alone, during the 
 morning service. As often before, such sights and such 
 sounds compelled me to weep ; and as I was solitary', no- 
 thing interrupted the flow of my heart. I recollected be- 
 ing there once with you, and I have not forgotten how 
 much, if I mistake not, your infant heart was also affected 
 at that time. Whether we shall ever again meet together, 
 in that magnificent and astonishing fabric, I know not ; but, 
 
'296 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 oh ! may God grant that we finally meet in the * house not 
 made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' " 
 
 In the month of October, Mr. Richmond joined his son 
 in Scotland ; and after various alterations of hope and fear 
 in this treacherous and delusive disorder, they returned to- 
 gether to Turvey, without any vi.^ible amendment in the 
 dear invalid. 
 
 The period was now approaching when this youth, tlie 
 subject of many prayers and (bnd anticipations, was to be 
 removed from this earthly scene. The wasted form, the 
 hectic look, the sunken eye, and the increasing difficulty of 
 respiration, all denoted that the hour of dissolution was at 
 hand. He looked like a tender flower nipped in the bud ; 
 but it was a flower soon to bloom in the paradise of God. 
 His Christian graces had been gradually unfolding, and his 
 mind carried through a state of anxious inquiry and close 
 examination, till it was able to rest in full confidence on 
 the grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus. He disco- 
 vered the most earnest desire for satisfaction, both as to 
 the ground of his hope, and its necessary evidence. 
 
 To a friend, who frequently visited him, he said, " I wish 
 to be under no mistake or delusion, in a matter of so much 
 importance as the salvation of my immortal soul. Tell 
 me where you think I am defective in my views, or wanting 
 in the experience of their power. Deal faithfully with me, 
 do not deceive me ; and pray for me, above all, that I may 
 not deceive myself." 
 
 To the writer, a fortnight before his death, he expressed 
 himself as follows : " I trust 1 have the Christian's hope, 
 but I want more of it. I want more of that hungering and 
 thirsting after righteousness, which the Saviour has pro- 
 mised to satisfy — which we ought to have at all times ; but 
 which, if we have not in death, what is our hope, and how 
 can we be prepared to die ?" 
 
 The last visit was still more aflTecting : it was only two 
 days before his end. He was sitting in an arm chair, sup- 
 ported with cushions, and seemed to be in a very exhausted 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 297 
 
 state. His father sat opposite to bim, in whose counte- 
 nance was depicted the struggle of nature and of grace ; — 
 of nature, for he was about to lose his child, — of grace, for 
 that child was already on the very threshold of glory. In 
 another part of the room were three or four of his brothers 
 and sisters, some of them in tears. *• Speak to this dear 
 boy." said the father, addressing himself to me, ** and ques- 
 tion him about his hopes " 
 
 I sat down at his side- and taking him by the hand, said. 
 " Can you, my dear boy, pass through the valley of the 
 shadow of death, and say with David, ' I fear no evil.' " 
 " Yes, I trust so." " What is the ground of your trust ?'* 
 " It is, because his * rod and his staff they comfort me.' " 
 " Have you any doubts to be removed ?" "I had many 
 misgivings, but God has mercifully taken them all away." 
 ** Do you love him ?" " I hope I do, but I wish I loved 
 him more." *' You have been long ill ; do you feel weary 
 of sickness ?" "I feel more weary of sin, and long for the 
 time when it will be laid aside for ever." " Does the hope 
 of heaven animate and support you, and is it often the sub- 
 ject of your meditations?" "Yes, 1 have been thinking of 
 it with great delight this very morning, and almost seem to 
 have entered within its blest abodes." 
 
 I then read to him that beautiful chapter in the Revela- 
 tions (the 22d,) descriptive of a state of blessedness. His 
 attention was peculiarly arrested. After I had finished, 
 »* This happiness," I said, " will soon be yours, and the por- 
 tion of all who die in the Lord." Then gathering his bro- 
 thers and sisters around us, I requested him to bear his dying 
 testimony to the value of the Gospel in this trying hour. 
 
 He spoke tenderly and affectionately to all ; and then 
 particularly addressing himself to his brother Henry, re- 
 marked — ** My dear father once hoped to see me a minister 
 in the church. It has pleased God to disappoint that 
 hope. Do you fulfil it, in my place, and be a comfort to 
 my father, when 1 am gone." 
 
 Three days afterward, Jan. 16, 1825, his happy spirit 
 took its flight to the mansions of the blessed. 
 
298 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 The following letters are pleasing testimonies to the 
 piety of the departed child, and the resignation of the be- 
 reaved parent. 
 
 *' My much-loved Son, 
 
 " Amidst many arduous struggles between nature and 
 grace, sorrow and joy, anxieiy and consolation, I wish to 
 express a few of my feelinj's towards you. A very few 
 they must be, compared with the volume of emotions which 
 agitate my heart. But thar.ks be to God, grace, peace, 
 and mercy have been so abundantly inscribed upon the whole 
 of this affecting transaction, that I ought solely to be oc- 
 cupied in songs of praise to God, for all his goodness to me 
 and mine. The delightful enlargement of heart, the liberty 
 of tongue, the humiliation of soul, the affectionate tender- 
 ness, the sweet serenity of mind, the dignity of sentiment, 
 the laboriously acquired intimacy with the Scriptures, the 
 earnestness to speak to, exhoi t- and comfort each and every 
 individual, the devotional spirit, the clearness of doctrinal 
 views, and their blessed application in imparting solid peace 
 and comfort, in the prospect of dying, all of which illus- 
 trated and adorned his latter end, were beyond my most 
 sanguine expectation : it was, and shall be, matter for joy 
 and gratitude. 
 
 "We have now found letters, some of them near four 
 years old, and others written while he was in Scotland, 
 beautifully descriptive of this state of mind; while the con- 
 versations — close, deep, and searching — which I enjoyed 
 with him during his last formight, produced the most con- 
 vincing demonstrations that he had been ripening for glory, 
 beyond our thoughts and imagination. For a season, ho 
 was reserved towards me, relative to personal feelings ; but 
 at length, of his own accord, he broke out like the sun 
 from behind a cloud, and light diffused itself over the whole 
 moral and spiritual landscape. 
 
 " It was gratifying to m^ to find that the humiliation of 
 his spirit was precisely such as 1 particularly wished to see 
 it. For four or five days previous to the arrival of my wife 
 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 299 
 
 and FannVj God so mercifully ordered it, that he said every 
 thing to me, and I to him, wiiich T could possibly have 
 wished. Our whole souls, on almost every topic of feeling, 
 opinion, confidence, faithful dealing, and unreserved afiec- 
 tion, were mutually opened. Oh ! they were sweet days. 
 The pressure of weakness, disease, and pain, often after- 
 ward interrupted our lengthened communications ; but 
 sweeter and brighter still weie the intervals of ease and 
 short conversation. Many witnessed his lovely testimonies, 
 and none can ever forget them. 
 
 ♦* Two hours and a half before his death, he went to bed, 
 and laid his head upon the pillow. I said to him — * So he 
 giveth his beloved rest.' He replied, * Yes ; and sweet 
 indeed is the rest which Christ gives.' He never awoke 
 from this sleep : but when we dreaded, from past examples, 
 a painful waking, he imperceptibly went off, in perfect 
 l>eace, without a sigh or groan, or struggle, or even open- 
 ing of the eye. I did not suppose it possible for any death 
 to be such as this. Peace, rest, gentleness, faith, hope, 
 and love, all seemed to be the characteristics of his mind 
 and of his dissolution. Oh ! what love, what mercy, what 
 grace ! 
 
 " One of the most remarkable circumstances attending 
 him was, his secret and deep exercise of heart and study of 
 the Scriptures, beyond my own sujiposition, owing to his 
 reserve and silence. I saw much that I loved and admired, 
 but I was not aware of the half. Our feelings are much 
 tried, in proportion to the endearing nature of our past and 
 recent intercourse. But, as he often said, *' 1 know whom 
 I have trusted," and this relieves and consoles me. He 
 was deeply impressed with the idea that his removal was 
 designed for the spiritual good of others. I think it is ma- 
 nifest already, in more instances than one? 
 
 " The whole village has been much in prayer and weep- 
 ing, for some weeks past, and the tenderest affections have 
 prevailed throughout : it is a season of much love. 
 
 « On Sunday, Mr. Ayre will preach a funeral sermon 
 for our dear boy ; and a beautiful hymn of Bishop Heber 
 will be sung by the congregation. 
 
300 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 " Give my tenderest love to dear Mary. Comfort her 
 heart ; and may the peace of God, whicli passeth all un- J 
 derstanding, keep her's and your heart." ' 
 
 " To the Rev. James AtarshcdV 
 
 " My ever dear Child, 
 
 *» And now to the subject which occupies by far the 
 greater part of my thoughts, by day and by night. 1 
 should find it no easy task to describe the state of my feel- 
 ings. No previous event of my life, with the exception of 
 what passed during your beloved mother's dangerous ill- 
 ness, near ten years since, ever exercised my heart like 
 this. And, as that illness termmated favourably, the cir- 
 cumstances no longer assimilate. Dear, blessed boy, I 
 watched over and cherished his infancy, childhood, and 
 youth, in sickness and in health, for eighteen years, with no 
 common measure of parental feeling. I delighted in his 
 superior mind ; endeavoured to check its errors, and to 
 cherish its virtues ; and too fondly hoped that he might 
 have been spared as an ornament to the sanctuary. From 
 the beginning of last summer, I went on pilgrimage with 
 him, both for his soul and body's sake. God alone knows 
 what I endured, in the inmost thoughts of my heart. But 
 the Lord was ordering all things well, beyond what I con- 
 ceived. The most valuable intercourse which I enjoyed 
 with him during our Scotch residence, was in those hours 
 after breakfast, when, as you may remember, I used to 
 read, talk, and pray with him, previous to his receiving the 
 sacrament at Greenock. I then saw many lovely testimo- 
 nies of his state of mind. After his return home, he was 
 more reserved as to the personal question, although ever 
 ready to converse on the general subjects of religion, and 
 that with much clearness and precision. But at length his 
 sweet sunshine broke from the cloud, and filled the horizon 
 most beautifully. We poured out our whole hearts to 
 each other, and mutually blessed God for the liberty of 
 feelmg and language which we obtained. I felt much 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 301 
 
 when he had just departed, but I think I feel more now. 
 \ thousand spiritual questions press upon my conscience 
 and consideration. Regrets, convictions, meltings, hopes, 
 fears, doubts, resolutions, anxieties, joys, retrospections, 
 anticipations, all mingle, all exercise, all agitate my heart. 
 It was his declared and solemn impression, that his death 
 was to be as life to others. Thank God I see it so, both 
 in the house and the parish — an important work* is going 
 on in both, beyond former precedent. T have not seen the 
 like before, to the same extent. Blessed be God ! 
 
 " Dear Willy told me, on the Monday evening before he 
 
 died, that Mr. M 's affectionate attentions to him had 
 
 never been exceeded by those of a real brother ; and that 
 he should love him dearly as long as he lived, and ' much 
 longer,* he said, ' if such consciousness shall be permitted. 
 And, dear Mary,' he added < ' how kind she was to us all, 
 last summer ! 1 shall not see her again, on earth, but I 
 trust we shall meet hereafter !' Our last Lord's supper 
 was a very affecting and trying one : the family kneeled 
 around the grave to which we had recently committed the 
 mortal remains of one so dear. I stood upon the very 
 spot ; and, dear Henry, for the first time, came weeping, 
 trembling, and rejoicing, to supply his departed brother's 
 place. I could hardly have conceived that, after so long 
 meditating upon the probable removal of my child from 
 this mortal scene, I should have had such exquisitely trying 
 emotions to undergo. How little we know ourselves, until 
 we are put to the proof! 
 
 And now, my dear little grand-children, how do they 
 both do ? Your little boy seemed to come into the world 
 to keep up our number. I have nine children on earth, 
 and three in heaven : but 1 now seem again to have eleven 
 on earth ; and, with dear Mr. Marshall, it is once more 
 twelve.'* 
 
 The same year, Mr. Richmond married:his third daugh- 
 ter, Henrietta, to the Rev. John Ayre, his friend and cu- 
 27 
 
302 UEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 rate, now tlie classical tutor of the Church Missionary 
 college, at Islington. 
 
 It was a great solace, in the midst of his affliction, to 
 unite his child with a gentleman whose principles he cor- 
 dially approved, and who was in full possession of his con- 
 fidence and esteem. 
 
 The following letters were addressed by Mr. Richmond 
 to his son-in-law and daughter, previous to their marriage. 
 
 " My dear Henrietta, 
 
 " Take, my beloved child, a father's blessing, prayers, 
 best wishes, and approval of your affectionate project. I 
 hope the matter is of God, or I could not say what I have 
 done. The apostolical rule is to ^ marry only in the Lord ;' 
 and every Chiistian should be guided by it. Earthly af- 
 fection, however powerful, is not, of itself, a warrant for 
 the nuptial union. Where passion drives the steeds, by 
 which the vehicle of our plans and endeavours is carried 
 forward, we may expect, sooner or later, an overturn. 
 But when the heavenly Spirit of truth and peace guides 
 and governs our machinery of conduct, all is right and 
 safe. Now I am full of hope, from Mr. Ayre's and your 
 letters, that this is the case. Real Christianity as a foun- 
 dation, with personal esteem and affection, united to con- 
 geniality of feelings on all important subjects, as a super- 
 structure, will ever make the marriage union a source of 
 happiness for both worlds. 
 
 " I am disposed to concur with you in thinking that my 
 esteemed friend's principles, acquirements, talents, and 
 steadiness of character, are good pledges for his success in 
 life ; and as Providence, not design, first brought you to- 
 gether, and seems to have guided you both, I feel myself 
 yustified in joining my consent and sanction to the future 
 realizing of those views which form the subject of his and 
 your letters to me. May constancy, faithfulness, and re- 
 ciprocal love, characterise your attachment, and adorn 
 your conduct. liCt prudence, propriety, and considera- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 303 
 
 lion, regulate all your behaviour, during the interval which 
 must naturally elapse, before all is concluded. Keep in 
 mind the dignity as well as the kindliness of the Christian 
 lover ; courtship and marriage are honourable in all, when 
 principle and grace direct our choice. May you prove a 
 blessing to each other, and may the love of God be shed 
 abroad in both your hearts 1" 
 
 " My dear friend, 
 
 * « « ♦ » * 4 
 
 « I trust the providence of God is in the matter, and 
 that you and my dear child will be guided for the best in 
 every thing connected with the subject. My prayer is, 
 that grace may reign throughout, and that you may prove 
 helpmates to each other in your pilgrimage through this to 
 a better world. 
 
 " My heart often sinks within me, when I see how little 
 solid, sterling, vital piety^ manifests itself even among 
 many creditable Christians. I the more earnestly pray for 
 myself, and for all belonging to me, that we may walk cir- 
 cumspectly, redeeming the time amidst evil days. How 
 much more of the Spirit's influence do we all need ! When 
 I look back upon a half century of rational existence, I 
 blush, and take shame to myself How much done which 
 I might wish undone ; and not done., that ought to have 
 been done. The Publican's prayer is mine, and will alono 
 suit me. even to my dying hour. 
 
 ♦* Farewell, for a short interval, and believe me, 
 *» Affectionately, yours, 
 
 Leoh Richmond." 
 
 The marriage between Mr. Ayre and Mr. Richmond's 
 
 daughter H , took place in the beginning of July. 
 
 The affection displayed by the villagers on this occasion, 
 was truly gratifying to the feelings of the family. When 
 the parly arrived at the church, they found the walls de- 
 corated with evergreens, and the pavement leading to the 
 altar strewed with flowers. Two hearts, formed with the 
 
304 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 heads of flowers, and the words " May God bless you V 
 traced in the same manner underneath, exhibited both the 
 taste and the affection of the parish clerk. This rustic 
 attempt at elegance, so unsought for, and unexpected on 
 the part of the family, was a pleasing testimony to the in- 
 terest excited in the parish, by every event connected with 
 their beloved pastor. 
 
 We have already mentioned the disappointment of Mr. 
 Richmond with respect to his eldest son, and the choice 
 made by the youth of a seafaring life. The affectionate 
 father committed his son to the Lord, with an unshaken 
 reliance on the truth and faithfulness of his promises ; and 
 he lived to realize their fulfilment in the conversion of his 
 child ; who being preserved in the midst of perils, by 
 some very extraordinary interpositions of divine .Provi- 
 dence, was at length brought to acknowledge the mighty 
 hand that had smitten him — not to destroy, but to save. 
 
 He had been employed in different merchant vessels, 
 sailing from Bencoolen, Calcutta, and other parts of India, 
 to the Isle of France and Gibraltar. From the latter 
 place, he wrote to his father in the years 1820 and 1821, 
 strongly urging a meeting between them. His letters had 
 been expressive of much affection, contrition for the past, 
 and sincere desires of amendment. Several persons who 
 had opportunities of observing him, bore pleasing testi- 
 mony to the change of his character and conduct. Among 
 these were Mr. Chater, a missionary at Ceylon ; Mr. 
 Rees, another missionary, at Gibraltar ; and Lieutenant 
 Bailey, R. N., of the same place, who gave a decisive 
 proof of his confidence > by entrusting him with the care 
 of his son. The offi'^ers under whom he had served also 
 spoke highly of his attention, and general propriety of 
 behaviour. 
 
 The following interesting letter gives an affecting des- 
 cription of his shipwreck, and the state of his feelings in 
 those awful circumstances. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 305 
 
 " My dear Father, 
 
 « We left Calcutta in May, and proceeded as far as 
 Sauger Island, on the morning of the 26th, when the 
 weather began to look very unsettled. Another ship and 
 a large brig, were in company with us. On the evening 
 of the 27th, about an hour before dark, the Oracabessa 
 began to drive. A perfect hurricane ensued, and such a 
 sea got up, that the ship was continually burying herself 
 under water, which prevented the people from working 
 forward. We could now do nothing farther — every thing 
 having been attempted, to avoid the dreadful fate that 
 seemed to await us. I seized this opportunity to go down 
 to my cabin, to pray to the Lord for his divine assistance 
 and protection. In the midst of ray prayers and tears, the 
 ship struck on a sand, at a quarter before nine o'clock ; 
 with such a shock as to throw down several persons, and 
 make me stagger on my knees. 
 
 *♦ Every thing was now in confusion, as the ship continu- 
 ed striking very hard. There was nothing but one wild 
 surf around us, and a raging sea beating all over, — the 
 wind blowing a complete hurricane. However, in two 
 hours, an excellent raft was made, capable of carrying 
 from thirty to forty people. As the flood made, we again 
 struck violently, and the ship sprung a leak. But as every 
 thing was now in readiness to meet the worst, we anxiously 
 waited for day-light. 
 
 " In the meantime, I again went below, and prayed with 
 heart and soul to Almighty God, to save us. My prayers 
 were answered sooner than could be expected ; for a cer- 
 tain something, a kind of comfortable thought, seemed to 
 arise within me, and say, • Thy life shall be saved !' And 
 not all the shocks, seas, or wind, afterwards, could make 
 me think, or fear, the contrary. Surely, there never was 
 a greater proof of the Lord being with us : it animated 
 and comforted me, and made me work and exert myself 
 with double energy. During a great part of this time, it 
 rained violently, with thunder and lightning. 
 27* 
 
306 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " Long-wished-for daylight at length came ; when, 
 having put a few small things into the boats, we abandoned 
 the unfortunate ship, making our way through dreadful 
 breakers ; in which, had the boat touched, we must ine- 
 vitably have perished." 
 
 In another letter, written about the same time, he re- 
 marks : — 
 
 " Oh ! my good father !. no one can conceive the horrors 
 of shipwreck, but those who have experienced them. 
 Many grateful and heartfelt thanks to that divine Provi- 
 dence, that has again saved me from a watery grave ! 
 
 " In this unfortunate occurrence, I have lost every thing. 
 My loss in private speculation is 3500 rupees. My books, 
 furniture, and wearing apparel, together with * The British 
 Encyclopedia,' are all gone, and amount to a considerable 
 sum. I saved nothing but a very small trunk, in which, 
 prior to my leaving the ship, I put my Bible and the * An- 
 nals of the Poor,' with two suits of clothes and my watch. 
 How my hopes and expectations are frustrated ! Oh, that 
 all this may be for my good ! I have now to begin the 
 world again ; and hope to do so in reality, and in more re- 
 spects than one." 
 
 Nugent arrived at Calcutta in a most destitute state. 
 Through the great kindness and benevolent exertions of 
 the Rev. Mr. Thomason, to whom he made himself known, 
 a subscription was raised for him, out of respect to his 
 father, amounting to 100 guineas ; by means of which, he 
 was provided with necessary comforts. 
 
 This calamity was rendered the more distressing to him, 
 by its occasioning the suspension of his marriage with a 
 young lady at Calcutta, of pious character and principles, 
 to whom he was engaged. Anxious to repair his past 
 misfortunes, he obtained an eligible employment on board 
 another vessel ; and Hkewise a promise, on the part of the 
 young lady, that if his circumstances then enabled him to 
 marry, she would unite herself to him on his return. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 307 
 
 His new speculations having proved successful, he once 
 more returned to Calcutta, full of the image of the happi- 
 ness that awaited him, and disposed to forget the past, in 
 the brightening prospects of the future. But who shall 
 describe the bitter anguish of his mind, when, on present- 
 ing himself at the well-known house where he had left his 
 intended bride, he found the family in deep mourning, and 
 received the melancholy intelligence of her death. She 
 had been seized with a fever, which carried her oflf a few 
 days before his arrival ! 
 
 While Mr. Richmond was visiting the Isle of Wight, in 
 August, 1825, to recover the shock which his health and 
 spirits had sustained from tlie death of his son Wilberforce, 
 some indistinct rumours reached him respecting that of his 
 son Nugent. He had received communications from him, 
 stating his intention to revisit England ; and declaring, 
 that the two happiest days of his life would be, " first, 
 when he should see again his dear parents, after so long 
 an absence ; and the second, when he should be weaned 
 from the danger of temptation." Mr. Richmond was an- 
 ticipating his return with much delight, when he heard the 
 report of his having died on his voyage homewards. Every 
 inquiry was made, to ascertain the truth of this rumour, 
 and the father's heart was again filled with the most anxious 
 disquietude. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Richmond went to Bristol, to be 
 present at the anniversary of the Auxiliary Society of the 
 Jewish mission. On his return to Turvey, he wrote the 
 ibllowing letter to his eldest dautrhter, in Scotland, — a 
 child very dear to his* heart, and one who well knew how to 
 sympathise with his sorrows, and ipt.share them with him. 
 
 ** My dearest Mary, 
 
 " I have lately been present at an interesting meeting 
 of the Auxiliary Society for Jewish Missions, at Bristol. 
 You know my companions in this journey ; I feel better 
 for it. My strength and spirits have been greatly affected 
 for a long time — indescribably so ; for it often does not 
 
308 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 much appear to others, at least not in its real extent. Not- 
 withstanding my supposed readiness of speech, and the 
 overflow of tender feelings, which plead for utterance, I am 
 often thoughtful, silent, and constrained, when it might be 
 better for me to communicate more of what passes within. 
 
 " Our visit to Mrs. Hannah More was a high gratifica- 
 tion. 
 
 " We have been kept in long suspense about poor dear 
 Nugent ; he was dangerously ill when I last heard of him. 
 I have reason to expect a speedy letter now arriving in 
 England. I have received rumours of his having died in 
 his passage home, and am fully prepared for the worst ; but 
 do not notice what I say until yon hear again, as it distresses 
 your dear mother greatly. I thank God, I have had 
 many satisfactory testimonies of his state of mind, and feel 
 much comforted on that head. Henry and I were three 
 weeks under the roof of his intimate and very Christian 
 
 friend, Lieutenant B — , R. N. from Gibraltar, now at 
 
 Cowes ; and learned much about him. I desire to bow to 
 the will of God, in this dispensation of his providence. I 
 saw one of his most intimate friends last week, who had 
 just come from the East, and had heard a report of his de- 
 cease. I mention these things to you, that, with me, you 
 may look up to God for a right state of mind, under all the 
 designs and decrees of his will. 
 
 " I have had the satisfaction of obtaining likenesses, 
 very nicely executed, in the same style with those of your 
 father and mother (in the drawing-room,) of Fanny, Henry, 
 Henrietta, and Legh I wish for yours and Mr. Marshall's, 
 by the same hand. My feelings are strong on this subject ; 
 and the irrecoverable lossof my dear Wilberfbrce, and pro- 
 bably of Nugent, render them stronger. It is, I had almost 
 said, a blessed art, which can perpetuate to the eye, what 
 affectionate memory does to the heart. In the midst of 
 life we are in death, and who can tell what may occur ! I 
 honour the art of painting much, for the sake both of the 
 dead and living, I often look around my study, surrounded 
 as I am by the resemblances of many loved and honoured 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 309 
 
 ancestors ; and their forms on canvass realize not a few 
 grateful recollections of infancy, childhood, and youth I 
 can sigh and weep, and smile too, in the solitude of my 
 chamber, when I am still, and communing with my own 
 heart. 
 
 '* Just as I finish my letter, I cast my eye on Willy's 
 walking-stick Oh ! how these relics strike to my soul's 
 affections ! With our two sticks, alas ! he and I wandered 
 on the shores of Rothsay and the adjoining walks, and in 
 many another spot ; and now they stand side by side in the 
 corner of my study. The partnership of the sticks is pre- 
 served on earth, but not that of their possessors : — we are 
 separated. Yet oh ! that we may be reunited. Medita- 
 tions on this subject often agitate, sometimes console, al- 
 ways solemnize my mind. 
 
 ** Farewell. Love to your fireside." 
 
 Afler the lapse of a few weeks, a letter arrived from tlic 
 Rev. Mr. TbomaBon, of Calcutta, dated January 23d, 1825, 
 stating that Nugent had left that place in July, 1824, in a 
 vessel bound to the Mauritius : — that he had been pre- 
 viously seized with a fever, from which he whs not perfect- 
 ly recovered at the time of settinfj sail : — that afterward, 
 being exposed to very severe weather, he suffered a re- 
 lapse — was occasionally delirious ; and at length, to the 
 surprise of all on board, was found dead one morning, in 
 his cabin. A little ivory box was discovered, containing a 
 few jewels and gold chains, which he had intended as pre- 
 sents to his brothers and sisters On the inside of the 
 cover of this box. the following lines were written in" his 
 own hand, in pencil^ apparently a short time before his 
 death : — 
 
 ♦* Where vice has held its empire long;, 
 Twill not endure the least control ; 
 None hula power divinely i-trong 
 Can turn the current of the soul. 
 
310 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 " Great God ! I own thy power divine, 
 That works lo chano^e this heart of miae ! 
 I would be formed anew, and bless 
 The wonders of renewing grace." 
 
 Such is the eventful history of Mr. Richmond's eldest 
 son ; at once affording a salutary warning to the children 
 of religious parents, and encouraging such parents to ex- 
 ercise unlimited confidence m the promises of God. Let 
 those who trifle with their opportunities, and refuse to 
 hearken to the counsels of piety and aftection, mark, in the 
 blighted prospects and repeated trials of this young man, an 
 expression of the Divine displeasure. For though in the 
 midst of wrath God remembers mercy, yet in his inscru- 
 tfible wisdom, he often makes a man ' to possess the ini- 
 quities of his youth ;" and in his sore chastisement, keeps 
 alive the penitent recollection of the sins which he has long 
 since pardoned. Let pious parents, while mourning over 
 the wanderings of their offspring, never cease from the 
 holy importunity of prayer, that God would meet the prodi- 
 gal " in his ways," and turn him into the paths of righ- 
 teousness and truth ; that, like Mr. Richmond, they who 
 have " sowed in tears, may reap in joy." 
 
 A tablet was erected by his father, in the church of Tur- 
 vey, recording the manner of his death ; and having in- 
 scribed on it the last four lines of the above verses, with 
 the following appropriate passage Irom the Psalms — "Thou 
 shalt show us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God 
 of our salvation thou art the hope of all the ends of the 
 earth, and of them that remain in the broad sea." — {Ps. 
 Ixv. 5.) 
 
 In reference to the death of his son Nugent, he wrote 
 the following letters : 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 311 
 
 To Lis daughter, Mrs. Marshall, Glasgow : — 
 
 " My ever dear Daughter, 
 
 ** The circumstances attendant upon our dear Nugent's 
 rnd, are few and simple. You are aware what a long series 
 of favourable accounts of his general behaviour we have 
 had from a variety of quarters. You should know, that 
 from at least five religious friends, I have received highly sa- 
 tisfactory testimonies of his religious feelmgs and princi- 
 ples, although he was modest and leserved in speaking of 
 himself. I had much information, while 1 was visiting his 
 most intimate friend, Mr. Bailey, in the Isle of Wight (late 
 of Gibraltar,) whose little baby was christened Mercy Nu- 
 gent Richmond. The time of his shipwreck seemed to be 
 one of special prayer and impression. He lost his all. He 
 however, recruited in some degree ; and was engaged to be 
 married to an amiable and pious young lady. He took a 
 short voyage, and on his return, tbund that she had died of 
 a fever. His spirits never recovered that shock. He wag 
 afterward appointed commander of a vessel to England, 
 The day before she sailed, he fell out of a gig, was confin- 
 ed to bed, and lost the opportunity. Twice afterward, he 
 was similarly disappointed. At length he sailed in a ship 
 bound for the Mauritius, from whence he intended to havfc 
 proceeded to England. 
 
 Previous to this last voyage, he had an attack of fever, 
 and went through a severe course of medicine. At the 
 beginning of the voyage, meeting with a heavy gale, he had 
 much laborious service. In the course of a very short 
 time he became ill, was not unfrequently delirious, but still 
 did not excite ideas of immediate danger. One night, ho 
 went to bed at twelve o'clock, and the next morning at six, 
 to the grief and surprise of all on board, was found dead in 
 his cabin. The ship proceeded to the Mauritius ; and it 
 was not until her return to Calcutta, that our excellent and 
 kind friend, the Rev. Mr. Thomason received the news, 
 and his tilings, papers, &lc. He left, out of the scanty 
 
312 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 store preserved from the wreck of the Oracabessa, 100 ru- 
 pees to general charitable purposes ; 50 to the Bible So- 
 ciety ; 60 to the Church Missionary Society ; 60 to the 
 Society for promoting Christian Knowledge ; and 50 to the 
 Religious Tract Society. A rupee is about fifty-five cents. 
 His aflTections for his relatives were very strong. His 
 principles of honourable conduct, integrity, pecuniary ac- 
 curacy, oflBcial diligence, kmd manners, and moral deport- 
 ment were exemplary. He lived in much esteem, and died 
 much beloved. Dear boy ! He was snatched from our 
 embraces at the hour of his returning to them. He is bu- 
 ried in the depths of the ocean But the sea shall give up 
 her dead, and I trust he will then appear a living soul." 
 
 To his friend, the Rev. H. I. Maddock. 
 
 " My beloved Friend and esteemed Brother, 
 
 " Such you shall be called, for such you are and long 
 have been to me. I am told how ill you are, and that you 
 are, as it were, vibrating between two worlds. The out- 
 ward man is fast decaying, but not so the inner man. 
 Glory to God alone for the past, present, and future. You 
 know in whom you have trusted He cannot, will not for- 
 sake you. My heart yearns over many pleasant recollec- 
 tions concerning you. The visions of the past revive. O 
 may they unite with those beyond the grave, and may so- 
 vereign grace sanctify them both ! We have spent many a 
 happy hour together, cheerful and grave — we have labour- 
 ed together in public and in private. We have, I think, 
 loved each other as brothers ; and when little, perhaps, was 
 written or spoken, we have had mutual thoughts of peace, 
 and regard for our god-children, our wives, and our little 
 ones, 
 
 " I had pleased myself with the thought of visiting you 
 for a week, at Matlock, next month ; but I fear we may 
 never meet again. But shall we not meet hereafter ? 
 Lord, how long ! 
 
REV. LEGII RICHMOND. 313 
 
 •• When I last parted from you, I had a dear boy with 
 «ne — how dear, no one can tell. You are hastening to the 
 mansions where he dwells. It is not permitted me to send 
 u message, or it should be expressive of ten thousand emo- 
 tions of a father's heart. But Christ is all! And I have 
 lost my eldest boy — my sailor-boy ! But God has found 
 Jiim, and all is well there also. Forgive my ramblings. 
 Give me a book, some little book — one that contains your 
 name, written in it with your own hand. It shall be a 
 cherished memorial — pignus amicitim jucundissim<B* 
 
 " My regard for you, my brother, has not been of a com- 
 mon character. I "fear you are not strong enough to give 
 me a few lines ; but perhaps your venerable and respected 
 Hither will do so. I this day saw your very dear friend 
 Mr. Allen. The sight of him did me good, although he 
 told me how ill you were, beyond what I was aware of. 
 
 " And now, my beloved friend, I commend you to the 
 triune Jehovah — Father, Son, and Spirit — to united power, 
 wistlom, and love ; to tbe consolations of promise, and the 
 consummations of Omnipotence. Faithful is he that hatli 
 promised ; and he will perfect the thing that concerneth 
 you. What a strong- hold is this ! While you can and 
 may, cherish a tender and prayerful feeling for your friend. 
 Fanny shares in all these feehngs ; she can never speak of 
 you but with Christian afTection. 
 
 " I desire to be most kindly remembered to all that be- 
 longs to you. May the God whose consolations are neither 
 few nor small, overshadow you with his wing ! < He is 
 able, he is willing, doubt no more.' Be this yours and my 
 son 2 : 
 
 * I the chief of sinners am, 
 But Jesus died for met' 
 
 L. R. 
 
 We have few materials of public interest during the year 
 I8.?f5. Mr. Richmond declined in health, and was indis- 
 
 * *1 pledge of most endearing friendship. A. E. 
 23 
 
314 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 posed for exertion beyond the confines of his parish. We 
 may, however, fill up the chasm with his opinions on two 
 subjects of no small importance to the cause of true reli- 
 gion ; but which we could not notice at an earlier period 
 without interrupting the narrative, and departing from the 
 order we had prescribed to ourselves. 
 
 We advert with extreme reluctance, and with the mOst 
 painful recollections, to the apocryphal question, which un- 
 happily for a long time divided and distracted the Christian 
 world. Mr. Richmond, with many other wise and excel- 
 lent men, at first approved the judgment of the committee 
 of the Bible Society, in printing from 4he foreign editions 
 of the Holy Scriptures. He considered the fundamental 
 law of the society, «' without note or comment," to include 
 the authorized versions of the Continent. He knew that 
 the apocryphal books, though attached to the canonical 
 Scriptures, had fallen into contempt in our own country ; 
 and he was disposed to believe that increased light and in- 
 formation, by the circulation of the word of God in any 
 form, would eventually illumine the darkness of men's 
 minds, and enable them, to distinguish between truth and 
 error. 
 
 We abstain from entering on any unnecessary discussion 
 on this subject. Persons whom we highly value, of long- 
 tried integrity and acknowledged talents, have ranged 
 themselves on either side. We confine, therefore, our re- 
 marks, to recording the ultimate sentiments of the subject 
 of this Memoir 
 
 In the progress of this unhappy dispute, Pdr. Richmond 
 saw reason to change his opinion ; and though the meek- 
 ness and humility of his spirit would not allow him to be- 
 come a violent partisan, he joined in the remonstrances 
 which were made to the parent committee, by the greater 
 part of their auxiliary societies. On this account, he has 
 been accused of vacillation : but in our judgment, the man- 
 liness which avows an error, is much more commendable 
 than the pertinacity which defends and persist? in it. 
 
REV. LEGH HICHMOND. 315 
 
 The Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews 
 furnishes another subject for remark. A discussion had 
 arisen in some of the periodicals, as to the most efficient 
 mode of preaching to the Jews ; whether the doctrine of 
 the second coming of Messiah in his kingdom and glory, 
 ought not to constitute the most prominent feature in the 
 diScoui-ses addressed to that people. 
 
 In conversing with Mr. Richmond on this topic, the wri- 
 ter one day submitted to him the following question : — 
 
 " What is the scriptural and right way to preach to the 
 Jew ?" 
 
 " I know of no scriptural way," he replied, " of preach- 
 ing to men, otherwise than as sinners ; and why the Jews, 
 whose sins nre of so aggravated a nature should be dealt 
 with in a different way, I do not see I would address the 
 Jew as I would address any other man ; — that is, as a sin- 
 ner ; and till he is convinced of his sin, he will never believe 
 in a Saviour. ♦ Christ crucified,' is declared to be < to the 
 Greeks foolishness, ?ind to the Jews a stumbling-block ; 
 but to them that believe, the power of God and the wisdom 
 of God.' No man will ever feel the power of God, whether 
 he be Jew or Gentile, till he learns it at the foot of the 
 cross." 
 
 When speaking of the strong prejudices that existed 
 among many in our own church against several of the pub- 
 lic institutions, as contrasted with the expression of popular 
 feeling in their support, he observed — *' I am fully con- 
 vinced that nothing is more likely to weaken the attach- 
 ment of serious and reflecting minds, than this standing 
 aloof from public feelmg, as if we had some distinct inte- 
 rest of our own, and were insulated from that of the great 
 mass of the community." He added, that, '* in a period 
 peculiarly marked by enlarged ideas, and extended efforts 
 for the cause of God, not to participate in these views, nor 
 to grow with the growth of the times in which we live, 
 would render us liable to the charge of being unfit for the 
 age in which we are placed, as if we were men * born out 
 of due time.' Some porsons/' he said, " think they are 
 
316 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ])uilcling up the church by encouraging a .spirit of hostility : 
 my own opinion is, that they are overturning it ; and that 
 no position can be more dangerous to a church, than that 
 which exhibits it in avowed opposition to the prevaihng 
 character and sentiments of the community in which it is 
 placed." 
 
 Alluding to some modern religious controversies, I asked, 
 " if he did not thmk that many became thereby more con- 
 firmed in their prejudices ?" 
 
 " All are so," he replied, " wlio read only one side of the 
 question, which is generally the case v* ith the majority of 
 readers, and especially of prejudiced readers. They then 
 
 say to each other, 'have you read the book of ? 
 
 It is a most able and trmmphant work.' In the meantime, 
 they never read what is said in reply to it ; they conse- 
 quently view the subject through a partial and distorted 
 medium. But what should we say of a judge who examined 
 no witnesses except those who were on the same side ? 
 We should have no hesitation in declaring that he perverted 
 the administration of justice, and was unfit for his office ; 
 and yet precisely the same thing is practised every day in 
 theological controversies. The great bane of pur church," 
 he observed, " is prejudice : many believe without evidence, 
 and decide without inquiry. Still, the spirit of improve- 
 ment is perceptible, and religion considerably on the in- 
 crease." 
 
 I asked him, " how we were to reconcile the increase of 
 religion with the acknowledged growth of crime, as evinced 
 in our courts of justice ?" He answered — " Both are true. 
 Bad men are becoming worse, and good men better. 'J'he 
 first are ripening for judgment, the latter for glory. The 
 increase of wickedness is, in this respect, a proof of the 
 increase of religion. ' The devil is wroth, knowing that 
 his time is short.' " . 
 
 The reader will here probably wish to know what were 
 his views of the Millennium ; and how far he concurred in 
 some modern interpretations of prophecy. On this subject 
 he had not come to any decided conclusion : he was 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 317 
 
 merely accustomed to observe, that in the first four centu- 
 ries, such a belief was known to have prevailed. He was 
 generally of opinion, that the time of great judgments was 
 at hand ; and that all human institutions, both governments 
 and churches, would have to undergo some great purifying 
 process ; — that what was wrong in either must be rectified ; 
 that much, probably, would be accomplished in the way of 
 improvement, by the advancing spirit of the age ; and that 
 when this spirit was resisted, a series of divine judgments 
 (or God's controversy with the nations,) would level all 
 abuses in the dust ; when a new and better order of things 
 would arise, and Christianity become a dispensation of 
 universal holiness and peace. 
 
 Another remark deserves to be recorded. 
 " What is the mode of proceeding," I said to him, 
 •* which is most likely to promote the best interests of our 
 own church ?'* 
 
 " That," he replied, " which is least calculated to make 
 Dissenters." 
 
 " And what will best answer that description ?" 
 ** Preaching the Gospel." 
 
 In the summer of 1826, Mr. Richmond attended the 
 Norwich anniversaries ; which were the last of his public 
 labours. lie afterward proceeded to Cromer, a bathing 
 place in Norfolk, for the benefit of his health. He had for 
 some time laboured under an affection of the lungs, which 
 no change of air or power of medicine had hitherto suc- 
 ceeded in removing ; though he experienced a temporary 
 revival of strength and spirits by his excursion, and return- 
 ed home with improved health. 
 
 But the scenes of his former afllictions renewed the de- 
 pression of his spirits. Amidst the affectionate welcomes 
 of hia family, he seemed to feel yet more keenly the ab- 
 sence of his departed son. He would say, *' No time nor 
 .succession of events, can wean my affections from the chan* 
 eel vault." Though increased tenderness marked his in- 
 tercourse with his remaining children, his heart still wept 
 •ver bis beloved Wilberforce There was a visible chaitwo 
 25* 
 
318 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ill his appearance, and liis family felt cause for alarm. lie 
 said little, but his mind seemed to be greatly exercised. 
 He sometimes repaired to the grave of his son ; remaining 
 long, absorbed in his own reflections. The silence and 
 solitude of this hallowed spot, soothed and comforted his 
 mind ; " the waters of healing issued from the sanctuary." 
 and he probably dehghted to contemplate the blessedness 
 of the eternal world, in such immediate connexion with his 
 own dear child. On one occasion, accompanied by is 
 daughter, he sat nearly an hour in dee.p musing, without 
 lifting bis eyes from the stone that covered the beloved re- 
 mains. At length rising, he exclaimed — ' Thanks be to 
 God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus 
 Chi-ist!'' 
 
 The writer of this Memoir was requested by his family 
 to converse with him on the subject of his sorrows. After 
 a few expressions of cordial sympathy, " My dear friend,'' 
 I said, " you are indulging a grief beyond its proper bounds, 
 and consuming all your strength : you will unfit yourself 
 both for present and future usefulness. You are in danger 
 of forgetting the living, by a mournful recollection of the 
 dead. God acts as a sovereign, he claims nothing but 
 what is his own. You are still surrounded by many mer-' 
 cies. The past dispensation has been peculiarly blest to 
 your own family. You have another son, who will occupy, 
 both in your heart and in the church of God, the place that 
 is now made void. Your parish loves you ; the cause of 
 God prospers beyond former precedent ; you have gained 
 more than you have lost and your child is in glory,7- would 
 you wish to call him back again ?" 
 
 " All is well," he replied, •' as it relates to these things ; 
 but there are times when we are led deeply to consider, 
 not merely the trial itself under which we labour, but how 
 far it has answered its appointed end. Whether it is sanc- 
 tified to our own souls ; — what is the reality of our own 
 j^ope ; — the foundation on which we ourselves stand ; — the 
 evidences of a renewed mind ; — and whether we can 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 319 
 
 appeal to the great Searcher of hearts, that all is right 
 within." 
 
 " But you have this hope," I said ; " why then does it 
 not support you with its consolations ?" 
 
 »* God," he answered, " is sifting me ; he is weighing 
 me in the balance of the sanctuary. I have been preach- 
 ing all my life to others — how far am I myself interested in 
 these great truths ? Yes, God is searching me, and proving 
 me, and seeing if there be any wicked way in me." 
 
 " He will do more," I said, " than this, — he will lead 
 you in the way everlasting." 
 
 " God grant it," he replied ; " God grant I may have as 
 assured a hope for myself, as I have for my beloved child." 
 
 We conclude this chapter with the following interesting 
 meditation, which was written in the privacy of his study, 
 to which he was confined by indisposition. 
 
 " I am this day staying at home, during divine service in 
 the afternoon, owing to a cold, — Mr. Ayre being here to 
 assi.st me. The last Sunday afternoon on which I was si- 
 milarly detained, was in December 1824, with my dear 
 Wilberforce ; he was then within a few weeks of his de- 
 cease. This day twelvemonth was the day preceding his 
 death. 
 
 " Dear, blessed boy ! in the midst of our daily domestic 
 cheerfulness of spirits, how my heart moans and mourns in 
 tcnderest recollections ! I see the dear child in all his de- 
 bilities of body ; I hear him speak, — I retrace the look of 
 his eye, I hang upon his spiritual language, — his affection- 
 ate expressions, — his devotedness to God, — his faithful ad- 
 monitions, — his languid frame, — his sweet countenance, — 
 his willingness to die. 
 
 " I lament my own want of more feeling : and yet I feel 
 much. O blessed God ! help me ; — strengthen mc ; — save 
 im ! Make his death to be a source of life to me, through 
 the death of Christ, — sanctifying his memory to my soul ! 
 I want to see more deep and solemn seriousness among my 
 children at this time ; and yet I know they are not deficient 
 
320 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 in much good feeling on this subject. Lord, help, bless, 
 and save them also ! 
 
 " My Nugent, too, is since gone — or rather, I have since 
 heard it ; for he died some months before his brother, little 
 as we apprehended it, when Wilberforce was so beautifully 
 speaking about him, a few days previous to his own death. 
 
 " Oh, my dear boys ! your memorials are inost dear to 
 my soul ! 
 
 " I tremble, when I think how poorly I have profited by 
 these parental warnings ; yet I take some encouragement 
 from the feelings which I am conscious I retain. Lord, 
 increase their influence ! In the midst of life I am in death. 
 Who may be taken away next ? I sometimes have fearful 
 forebodings — I look around my beloved little circle, and 
 sigh. I check these feelings again, and am ashamed of my 
 weakness. Lord ! make Christ to be every thing to me — 
 and then all will, all must be well. Oh ! keep my Fanny 
 in a serious frame. Let her not forget her past impres- 
 sions ! Bless my Henry, and preserve him in a steady 
 mind, untainted by levities ! Cherish my poor Legh, and 
 let not my good hopes. concerning him be blighted ! Bless 
 the little ones, and make them thine own for ever ! 
 
 " Pardon my weakness, O God ! and bless this whole 
 meditation to my own soul ! 
 
 L. R." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 321 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Closing Scene — Funeral — Remarks on his character^ ^x. 
 
 We are now drawing to the close of the Hfe and ministry 
 of this excellent man, whose labours were singularly at- 
 tended with the blessing of God to the end. I he last two 
 Sundays on which he preached, were in I he beginnmg of 
 March, 1827. On the former of these occasions, a person 
 attended the church, who, having taken some offence, had 
 secretly made a rash resolve never more to enter it. He 
 was both thoughtless and dissolute, and a bitter persecutor 
 of religion in those who professed it ; but on this day was 
 constrained, by circumstances that need not be mentioned, 
 to alter his determination The text of the sermon was 
 taken from Ps. li. 10, " Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
 and renew a right spirit within me." Sharper than a two- 
 edged sword is ihc word of God ; and in its application by 
 the power of the Spirit to this poor man, it proved " to be 
 the hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces " He con- 
 fessed, that immediately on his return home, he, for the first 
 time, fell on his knees, and with crying and tears, poured 
 forth the strong emotion of his heart in the language of the 
 publican, " God be merciful to me a sinner." 
 
 Should this record meet the eye or the ear of the indi- 
 vidual so deeply interested in it, we would remind him of that 
 hour of divine mercy, and of the day when he bore to the 
 grave the body of him whose dying lips had conveyed the 
 message of life to his soul. We would remind him of his 
 bitter anguish, when he descended the vault, and knelt, 
 weeping, beside the coffin We would exhort him to cleave 
 with full purpose of heart to the Lord, and to continue 
 faithful unto death, thatia the day of Christ's appearing, ho 
 
3'22 MEMOIRS or the 
 
 may be found among those who will be the crown and joy 
 of him whose loss he now laments. 
 
 The next Sunday Mr Richmond's sermons were parti- 
 cularly solemn. In the morning he preached from Col. in. 
 2 ; " Set your affections on things above." And this ad- 
 dress was directed to the true disciple for his comfort and 
 confirmation. In the afternoon he preached from Ps. cxix. 
 52, 53. " I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord, 
 and have comforted myself Horror hath taken hold upon 
 me. because of the wicked that forsake thy law " This 
 sermon was an awful and solenm appeal to the consciences 
 of unawakened sinners. It was remarked by a person 
 going out of church ; « this sounds as if it came from the 
 lips of a dying man." 
 
 From this time the disorder visibly increased : Mr. 
 Richmond caught a fresh cold, and could only speak in a 
 whisper. It was, nevertheless, with some difficulty that he 
 was restrained from being carried to the church ; but he 
 never more left his house, and soon became sensible that 
 his beloved flock would " see his face no more." A gloom 
 of sorrow overspread the parish, and " prayer was made 
 without ceasing of the church unto God," for his recovery. 
 But the time was come when he was to enter into his rest. 
 Few of his brethren had the privilege of conversing with 
 him at this time, and the editor being abroad, had no op- 
 portunity of any personal interview with his friend during 
 the season of his last illness. • He has, however, been sup- 
 ])lied with abundant and most interesting details, in the fol- 
 lowing letters. 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " I unite with you and the neighbourhood, in deeply 
 lamenting the decease of our much valued friend the late 
 Mr. Richmond. Every day and occasion will remind us 
 of our loss. He was indeed a bond of union in all our 
 meetings, both public and private ; we bowed to his au- 
 thority, for he had an excellent judgment, and his fine tem- 
 per never failed to diffuse a kind and brotherly feeling among 
 
 I 
 
REY. LEGH RICHMOND. 3:23 
 
 US. It was the spontaneous remark of every one who had 
 any acquaintance with him, » You have only to know Legh 
 Richmond to love him. 
 
 " My interview with him, a kw days before his death, 
 concerning which you desire to be informed, was highly in- 
 teresting, though i have but few particulars to communi- 
 cate. 
 
 Mr. Richmond had been declining in health for the last 
 two years. A visible alteration took place in him, after 
 the death of his son Wilberforce. The intensity of h\fi 
 feeling? was at all times disproportionate to his strength : 
 and some things, especially his dear boy's removal, seemed 
 to lay hold of him with a degree of poignancy which he 
 him.self, in common with his frie.ids, greatly regretted. He 
 felt, and expressed, resignation and thankfulness in the 
 event ; yet it was evident to us all that his frame had recei- 
 ved an irreparable injury 
 
 " His brethren saw little of him during the last few 
 months of his life He continued the regular performance 
 of the duties of his parish till within a few weeks of his 
 death, and we did not apprehend that he was so soon to be 
 taken from us. 
 
 " In his confinement, he shrunk from all intercourse be- 
 yond the circle of his own family. 
 
 ♦* After making repeated inquiries about his state of 
 health, and receiving very unsatisfactory answers, I con- 
 sulted his medical attendant, whose report determined me 
 to lo?e no tune in seeking an interview. Of his spiritual 
 state, there could be no doubt : iiui I thought if, like his 
 family, he felt persuaded of his recovery, it might be impor- 
 tant on many accounts that he should be apprized of his 
 approaching end. 
 
 " I wished, among other things, to induce him to use his 
 influence with the patron of the living in the appointment 
 of a suitable successor. We had a conversation of some 
 length on this subject, and which I regretted when I per- 
 ceived how greatly it exhausted his weak and shattered 
 frame, and disabled him from entering on maltcra of still 
 
324 MEMOIRS or THE 
 
 deeper interest. I was anxious to hear his dying testimony 
 to the great truths he had so long taught, and so strikingly 
 exemplified by a consistent and holy conduct. The idea 
 too, that a friendship which had suffered no interruption for 
 more than twenty years, endeared by the remembrance of 
 his judicious advice and affectionate sympathy in my hours 
 of trial and affliction, was soon to be dissolved, gave a so- 
 lemn and affecting interest to this interview, and 1 longed 
 to express my gratitude, as vtell as to be quickened and 
 confirmed by his dying counsels. 
 
 <' An opportunity offered, and I said, * Dear brother, I 
 owe you much love, and am pained to be the messenger of 
 evil tidings. Still I cannot think it right to withhold from 
 you my apprehension of the dangerous nature of your dis- 
 ease.' ' I know it, brother,' he rephed : - seven months 
 ago I was well satisfied from whence this cough came ; 
 that it was a messenger from above. I knew what it meant 
 — but I cannot talk : F — ■ do you talk.' 
 
 " I had scarcely resumed the conversation, with a re- 
 mark on the immense value and importance of our princi- 
 ples, when he raised himself upright in his chair, and with 
 great solemnity of manner, said, ' Brother, we are only half 
 awake — we are none of us more than half awake.' He 
 seemed unable to proceed, for his feebleness was extreme, 
 and to relieve him, I began again ; but he made another 
 effort. The enemy, as our poor people would say, has been 
 very busy with me. I have been in great darkness — a 
 strange thought has passed through my mind — it is all delu- 
 sion. Brother, brother, strong evidences, nothing but 
 strong evidences, will do at such an hour as this. I have 
 looked here and looked there for them — all have failed me 
 — and so I cast myself on the sovereign, free, and full 
 grace of God in the covenant by Christ Jesus ; and there, 
 brother (looking at me witii a smile of tranquillity quite 
 indescribable, and which I shall never forget,) there I have 
 found peace.' 
 
 " I could utter nothing in reply. My heart was quite 
 full. I grasped his hand and left liim, with a promise of a 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 326 
 
 Speedy return, musing on the similarity of his experience 
 with that expressed by Hooker, a favourite with us both, 
 * To name merits, then, is to lay their souls upon the rack, 
 the memory cf their own deeds is loathsome to them, they 
 forsake all things ichercin they have put any trust or confi- 
 dence — no staff to lean upon, no ease, no rest, no comfort 
 then, but only in Jesus Christ.^ 
 
 ** There are, doubtless, many persons who would feel sur- 
 prise at the particulars which I have related, and might even 
 be disposed to ascribe our dear friend's distress of mind to 
 a cause very remote from the truth. Those wiio know no- 
 thing of indwelling sin, whose standard js low, and whose 
 apprehension of the law of God is far from spiritual, can- 
 not possibly enter into the feelings of a man, 
 
 * who evil felt within, 
 And wbea he felt it, heaved a sigh, 
 And loathed the thought of sinJ' 
 
 •• To me it appeal's that our friend's dispensation was pe- 
 culiarly fitted to preserve him from those feelings of self- 
 complacency to which his extensive usefulness, and the 
 singular honour which God had put on his ministry, would 
 not fail to expose him. < I never knew,' gaid the late Mr. 
 n. of York, ' more than one person who was not injured 
 by success.' Therefore, we may esteem every dispensa- 
 tion merciful, however painful, which teaches the salutary 
 lesson, ' Let no man glory in men, but he that glorieth, let 
 him glory in the Lord ' 
 
 " A conver8atir)n I had with Mrs. Richmond, after her 
 husband's decease, confirmed my views on this subject. 
 When I told her what had passed between us, she said, * i 
 can explain the meaning of these conflicts. I had latterly 
 often observed my beloved husband in deep thought. He 
 seemed to be very low and cheerless. I pressed him to 
 unbosom his feelings, that I might share his sorrows and 
 svmpathisc with him. For a long time \\v was unwiUin^r 
 29 
 
326 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 to enter on the subject, and usually replied, * nothing, love, 
 nothing.' But at last he told me that strange thoughts had 
 been suggested to his mind, such as had never entered it in 
 his hours of health — thoughts of his extensive usefulness in 
 the church of God. He said he knew them to be sugges- 
 tions of Satan, but that they overwhelmed him with deep 
 and bitter anguish. Pride, pride, hateful thing!' 
 
 " Another idea has occurred to me with respect to this 
 trial of our dear friend. He had insisted much upon the 
 free and full sufficiency of the dispensation ot grace to 
 meet man's extremity. His darkness and distress of mind, 
 as well as the support he found in his own principles, 
 seemed to me a practical illustration of the grand doctrine 
 of the cross. It was for him to prove the reality of what 
 he taught. In Christ every thing, — out of him nothing. 
 He became an example, as he had been a preacher, of the 
 righteousness of faith. God humbled his servant, magnifi- 
 ed the riches of his own grace, and made him a pattern to 
 us all, of the necessity and sufficiency of trust in Christ 
 alone. 
 
 '< But after all, there is much truth in John Newton's re- 
 mark ; ' tell me not how a man died, but how he lived.' 
 The weakness of a dying hour, and the ravages of disease, 
 may cloud the mind, depress the spirits, and disturb the 
 sober exercises of the judgment. One thing, however, my 
 dear friend, is evident ; it becomes us * to set our house in 
 order,' before the approach of this trying hour. At that 
 time we should have nothing to settle with God. It is not 
 a season to begin to turn to Christ, when we cannot turn in 
 our bed. May the thought be ever present to our recol- 
 lection, ' we are only half awake.' The removal of our 
 dear brother is a loud call to us to trim our lamps and 
 * wait for our Lord,' that when he cometh and knocketh., 
 we may open to him immediately. 
 
 <' Believe me, my dear friend, I am yours, very faithfully, 
 though most imworthilv, 
 
 T. F." 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. S27 
 
 Letter to Mrs. F — , after Mr. Richmond's decease. 
 
 " My dear Mrs. F — , 
 
 •* You wish me to give you an account of the closing 
 scene of niy beloved parent's life This will be attended 
 with some difficulty ; for though I was his friend as well as 
 his child, and the endeared companion of his retired hours, 
 and though many events and conversations, full of deep 
 and affecting interest, are mdelibly engraved on my me- 
 mory, yet as I did not anticipate the mournful bereavement, 
 and omitted to make merooranda at the time, I find now 
 that much of the detail is irrevocably lost, and I should be 
 afraid to write any thing which was not strictly and literally 
 true. 
 
 " Yet the recollection of hours spent in my beloved fa- 
 ther's study, whicli was indeed a hallowed sanctuary of de- 
 votion, keeps ahve m my minri an abidmg conviction of 
 the reahty and happines.^ of experimental chjset religion. 
 When I feel worldly influence stealing on me, and conse- 
 quently, religious duties losing their gh)w of interest, I have 
 but to think of my departed parent and of |)ast times, and 
 my heart is again warmed, a new energy in the spiritual life 
 seems imparted, and thus my soul does indeed realise that 
 * the memory of the just is blessed ' 
 
 *' I cannot express the veneration and love with which 
 he was regarded by every one of his children. With an 
 understanding of the very first «.rder, a mind elegantly re- 
 fined and polishetl, and feelings of the most delicate sus- 
 ceptibility, he had a heart overflowing with intense affec- 
 tion towards each of them, which w.is shown by daily and 
 hourly attentions of the most winning nature, and they 
 found in him not only a counsellor and instiuctor, but a 
 companion and bosom friend. They ^'lung to him, indeed, 
 with an almost idol itrous loudness. Esich of my brothers 
 and sisters will agree with me in the sentiment of dear Wil- 
 berforce (it was one of my brot^ier's refnark« a little before 
 he closed his eyes U}K)n his weeping parent,) * when my 
 heart feels too cold to thank God for any thing else, it can 
 thank bim for giving me such a father.' lie was the spiri- 
 
O^ MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 tual as well as the natural father of that dear boy, and I 
 trust others of his children are thus bound to him by a tie 
 strong and lasting as eternity itself. Surely the world does 
 not contain a spot of more sweet and uninterrupted domes- 
 tic happiness than Turvey rectory presented, before death 
 entered that peaceful dwelling. It was ever the first wish 
 of my beloved father that our home should be happy ; and 
 he was never so pleased as when we were all sitting around 
 him. Both in our childhood and youth, every innocent 
 pleasure was resorted to, and all his varied attainments 
 brought into exercise to instruct and amuse us. He was 
 the sun of our little system, and from him seemed to be de- 
 rived the light and glow of domestic happiness. Like the 
 disciple, whose loving spirit I have often thought my dear 
 father's resembled, his motto was, ' little children, love one 
 another ;' and he taught this more effectually by sympathy 
 than even by precept. Religion was unfolded to us in its 
 most attractive form. We saw that it was a happy thing 
 to be a Christian. He was exempt from gloom and me- 
 lancholy, and entered with hfe and cheerfulness into all our 
 sports. 
 
 »* But we should not have been thus happy in domestic 
 affection, had not our beloved father so carefully trained u? 
 in the religion of Jesus Christ. This was his chief con- 
 cern, his hourly endeavour. He did not talk much with us 
 about religion ; but the books, studies, and even amuse- 
 ments to which he directed us^ showed that God was in all 
 his thoughts, and that his great aim was to prepare his 
 children for heaven. Religion was practically taught in 
 all he said and did, and recommended to us, in his lovely 
 domestic character, more powerfully than in any other way. 
 He had a thousand winning ways to lead our infant minds 
 to God, and explain to u the love of the Saviour to little 
 children. It was then our first impressions were received ; 
 and though for a time they were obscured by youthful 
 vanities, they were never totally erased ; he lived to see 
 them, in some instances, ripened into true conversion. It 
 was his custom, when we were very young, to pray with us 
 
REV. LEGH KICHJTOXD. 3ii9 
 
 iribne : he used to take us by turns into his study -^ and 
 memory still recalls the simple language and affecting ear- 
 nestness with which he pleaded tor the conversion of his 
 child. I used to weep because he wept, though I under- 
 stood and felt little of his meaning ; but I saw it was all 
 love, and thus my earliest impression was associated with 
 the idea that it was religion which made hitn love us so ten- 
 derly, and that prayer was an expression of that love. I 
 was led in this way to pray for those who were kind to me, 
 as dear papa did. 
 
 " In conversation he did not often urge the subject of 
 religion directly on our attention, or question us much as 
 to our personal experience of it. lie has sometimes re- 
 gretted this, and called it iiis infirmity ; but I think he 
 adopted a more successful plan. He used to watch over 
 us most cautiously, and express his opinion in writing : we 
 constantly found letters left in our rooms, with directions 
 to think and pray over them Reproot was always con- 
 veyed in this way ; and he also took the same method of 
 questioning us on experimental religion, and of beseeching 
 us to become more decided for God. Sometimes he re- 
 quired an answer ; but generally his only request was, that 
 we would * spread his letter before the Lord^ and think 
 over it.' 
 
 " His reproofs were inexpressibly tender. lie was never 
 angry with us ; but when we displeased him, he showed it 
 by such a sad and mournful countenance, that it touched 
 us to the very heart, and produced more effect than any 
 punishment could have done, for we saw that it was om* 
 dear father who suffered the most. In this way he gained 
 such an ascendancy over our affections, that none of his 
 children could feel happy if his smile was withdrawn, and 
 all regarded that smile as a rich reward. 
 
 " The anniversaries gf our birth-days were always sea- 
 sons of festivity among us. We were generally awakened 
 with his congratulations and blessmg. ' lie rose up early 
 in the morniog, and offered sacrifice, according to the 
 miraber of tlicm all : thus did he continually. ' I love ^c 
 
 29* 
 
330 ^ MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 recall those happy and innocent days, when our dear father, 
 even in our childish sports, was the mainspring of our joys, 
 and the contriver of every amusement. We always found 
 a birth- day present for us, often accompanied by an affec- 
 tionate note. 
 
 " Though my dear father was naturally playful and lively, 
 his spirits were easily depressed ; and they appeared to un- 
 dergo a considerable change subsequent to the summer of 
 1824, the period at which Wilberforce's health began to 
 decline : Wilberforce was most tenderly endeared to him ; 
 and there was a strong affinity in their characters. He 
 was just beginning to unfold a very fine understanding, and 
 his intellectual attainments were certainly superior for his 
 age. His mind had been cultivated with much care ; and 
 the same elegance of taste and delicacy of feeling, so pro- 
 minent in my father's character, seemed likewise to mark 
 that of his cherished boy. He manifested the same incli- 
 nation to the studies of natural philosophy ; and when the 
 school lessons were finished, they were constantly engaged 
 together in these pursuits. While the other boys were at 
 play, Wilberforce generally occupied himself in reading in 
 the study, and trying experiments, d^c. Mineralogy, in 
 particular, was a favourite science with both ; and in each 
 instance it beguiled the hours of declining health. Papa 
 used to amuse himself with his minerals, when all his other 
 scientific pursuits failed to interest him : and poor W^illy 
 found the same pleasure in this study ; for within a few 
 days of his death, he was searching to see how many diffe- 
 rent kinds of stones might be enumerated. He had never 
 been absent from home, but w^as brought up under the im- 
 mediate eye of his parent, and watched with ceaseless care. 
 He was now preparing for college, and sanguine in the 
 hope that he might distinguish himself ; and his father was 
 looking forward with deep interest to this period. 
 
 *' In the summer of 1024, my brother ruptured a blood- 
 vessel, and began to spit blood. My dear father discovered 
 great anxiety and alarm ; though we did not, for a long 
 time, know how deeply he was affected. He afterward 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 331 
 
 told mamma, that on that morning, as he looked on Wil- 
 berforce, he felt a shock, which seemed to shatter him to 
 the very soul, and from which he never after recovered. 
 He did indeed, to use his own words, ' roll the troublous 
 calamity on God,' but nature sunk under the stroke. 
 
 « In June 1 824, he took a journey to Scotland, to place 
 Wilberforce under the care of Dr. Stewart I was their 
 companion in that journey, which I have a mournful plea- 
 sure in retracing. 
 
 " It was very pleasant to travel with my father, he had 
 such an exquisite perception of the beauties of nature ; 
 and every object of interest was pointed out to us with his 
 own elegant and devotional ass«)ciations. Often has he 
 wandered on through the fine scenes of Scotland, both by 
 day-hght and moon-light, with poor Willy and myself at his 
 side ; and we have sat down together on the sea-shore, or 
 by the hedge side, while he showed us the image of the 
 Deity in the beauty of his works : and whether he was 
 contemplating the simple wild-flower or the resplendent 
 firmament, he would pomt to the hand of Omnipotence in 
 both. But his enjoyments at this time greatly depended 
 upon his dear boy's being able to participate in them : if 
 Willy drooped, his spirits were gone, and nature lost its 
 power to charm. I think he was gradually declining in his 
 own health, though he did not complain. He was watch- 
 ing the decay of bis beloved son, while his own frame was 
 giving way. 
 
 " We returned home in October, with no material benefit 
 to our dear invalid : and in January 1825, after a happy and 
 even triumphant experience of the power of religion, my 
 brother breathed his last gentle sigh in the arms of his 
 afflicted father, who had been, in God's hands, his sole teach- 
 er, comforter, and supporter. He was ever at the dying 
 pillow of his suflering child, reading, praying, and com- 
 forting him, by day and by night. Before us, he appeared 
 composed and tranquil ; but in his retired moments. I have 
 heard him give vent to his feelings, with strong * crying 
 and tears.' I remember, on the evening of Wilberforce's 
 
332" MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 death, after he had yielded to the first burst of grief, he 
 clasped the inanimate form to his heart, laid it down, dried 
 his tears, and collecting us together in the study, he knelt 
 down, and uttered only the language of praise and grati- 
 tude. For a little moment he seemed not only to follow, 
 but to realize his child's flight and welcome to the realms 
 of glory. His whole conduct seemed to express, ' though 
 I should see his hand lifted to slay me, yet from that same 
 hand will I look for salvation.' 
 
 " He was much comforted, at this time, in his parish and 
 in his own family. In the parish, there appeared a remark- 
 able revival of religion, particularly among the young peo- 
 ple. It might be truly said ' there were added to the 
 church daily, such as should be saved.' This dear boy's 
 death appeared to be the life of many souls ; and, in my 
 dear father's own language, ' they were as spiritual roses, 
 blooming around the grave of his Willy.' 
 
 * '' At this time, his character as a parish priest shone 
 forth most eminently. He was singularly blessed among 
 his flock. His heart was always in Ins work; but more 
 particularly did he now preach the word, in season and out 
 of season ; ' reproving, rebuking, exhorting, with all long- 
 suffering and doctrine ' An increase of religious inquiry 
 and anjjiety among his people, produced a corresponding 
 increase of visiting and teaching on his part He regular- 
 ly met a party of his pious poor at a neighbouring cottage, 
 on Tuesdays ; frequently a different set on Thursdays ; and 
 on Sunday nights, after his fatiguing duties in the church, he 
 met those who had been newly awakened to spiritual life. 
 His heart seemed particularly interested in this last little 
 party, which he used to call ' his spiritual nursery .^ I have 
 looked at him with astonishment, when he came to us on 
 Sunday nights. Unceasingly occupied, ft-om ten in the 
 morning till ten at night, he met us with his usual cheerful- 
 ness, and entered into animated and interesting conversa- 
 tion, as if no fatigue was felt. On Sunday evenings, after 
 the administration of the sacrament, he met the communi- 
 
 Ganls. On these Qccasions, he was happy i» being sur- 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 333* 
 
 rounded by his spiritual children, dearly loved by him, and, 
 lyn the whole, he could look on them with approbation and 
 confidence, as his * glory and joy. ' He was earnest in en- 
 forcing upon them consistency of character, and upright- 
 ness in temporal affairs : anxious that the enemies of true 
 rehgion should have no cause to blaspheme from the incon- 
 sistencies of its professors, but that his people should 
 adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour, ^d put to silence 
 the ignorance of foolish men, showing that the doctrines of 
 grace are the doctrines of holiness. 
 
 ** But not in his parish alone was the death of his be- 
 loved son rendered singularly useful ; his heart was yet more 
 comforted by the hope t)f solid benefit to his own family. 
 The seed which had been sown with many prayers, and 
 watered with many tears, though it had hitherto lain dor- 
 mant, began at this time to spring up to the consolation of 
 his bereaved heart. With unspeakable tenderness he 
 watched over the signs of religious anxiety in his children, 
 weeping over them and pra) ing for them with the most ve- 
 hement affection. 
 
 " It was a few days after Willy's death, that my own 
 mind was in a state of agit.itmg anxiety — thirsting for the 
 knowledge of God and his holiness, yet feeling so ignorant, 
 dark, and helpless, that I knew not where to look for encou- 
 ragement or assistance. My ignorance was my great bur- 
 den. I felt as if I never could understand religion, and 
 with these feelings I went into the study, where I found my 
 beloved parent in deep meditation. He seemed to perceive 
 at one glance what was the matter. In his engaging man- 
 ner he took me on his knee and foldirg me to his heart, 
 begged me to tell hua all I telt. This was the first time 1 
 had opened my mind to him on the subject of religion. I 
 tried to tell him my feelings, dwelling particularly on my 
 ignorance and total blindness in spiritual things With strik- 
 ing humility and condescension, he replied, * well, my dear 
 child, we will begin religion together. We will set out in 
 the first step, for I have as much need as you to begin all 
 again. We must go to Jesus Christ to be set right. Wc 
 
"334 MEBTOIRS OP THE 
 
 will ask to be taught the first lesson in his religion, and wait 
 in the ignorance of babes tor his instruction.' 
 
 " In the following winter, my dear father's failing spirits 
 sustained another severe shock. We were expecting every 
 week our eldest brother from India He left home at the 
 age of fifteen, and eleven years had now elapsed since his 
 father, had seen him. Many singular and affecting circum- 
 stances had occurred during this mterval. He was thrice 
 shipwrecked ; and on one occas^ion, with only a few others, 
 he got safe to shore. In his early youth he had been a 
 source of much sorrow to his parents, but in a far distant 
 land his heart was turned to the (lod of his father ; and we 
 received the most satisfactory testimonies to his conversion. 
 
 ** My fath r's sensitive feelings were strained to the high- 
 est pitch in expectation of meeting his dear sailor-boy, who 
 was on his return to visit us ; and he was preparing to wel- 
 come the ' son who was lost and is found, was dead and is 
 alive again,' when the mournful tidings of his death reach- 
 ed us. 
 
 "Both the mind and body of my dear father was shatter- 
 ed by this intelligence. But though suffering most acutely, 
 he was, as in the former bereavement, the comforter and 
 stay of his family y. — concealing his own 4eelings,.to miti- 
 gate theirs. 
 
 " He used to be much alone at this time, communing 
 with his own heart, in his chamber, in silence : and no 
 doubt it was his fervent and frequent devotion which 
 strengthened and enabled him ' to comfort those who were 
 in trouble by the comfort wherewith he himself was com- 
 forted of God.' 
 
 " He had shut himself up for six weeks, and never ap- 
 peared in public, except on the Sunday ; but when he 
 heard of the anxiety of the people to see him, and share 
 the sorrows of their beloved pastor, he desired them to as- 
 semble in the school-room , and he went there to meet 
 them. It was evidently too trying and exciting for his 
 weak frame For some time he could not speak ; but 
 when he recovered himself, his address was inexpressibly 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 335 
 
 touching, and yet comforting. The people wept with him, 
 and feh his sorrows as their own. lie told them, that con- 
 scious of tlieir interest in him, and of their anxiety to know 
 his state of mind under this afflictnig rod, he had come on 
 purpose to tell them what God could do for tlie soul that 
 looked to him for help ; that they might magnify the Lord 
 ^vith him, and exalt his name together He said, that while 
 he had heen shut up in the solitude of his study, for the last 
 six weeks, in silent communing with God, he had learnt to 
 feel, * it is good for me that I have been afflicted,' — that 
 the experience of his soul during that trying season had 
 been, * in the multitude of my thoughts witliin me, thy com- 
 forts have refreshed my soul. 
 
 " He then expounded the 107tli Psalm, with reference 
 to poor Nugent's case ; and expressed himself with more 
 than ordinary energy and freedom. He had been tried, 
 but he came forth as gold. His heavenly Father seemed 
 to say to him, ' My son, give me thine heart ;' and the an- 
 swer of his soul was — * i here is none upon earth I desire 
 in comparis(m of thee.' While fainting beneath the heavy 
 load of suffering, he tried to say, like his blessed Master, 
 * the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink 
 it?' 
 
 " He now resumed his usual cottage meetings ; and, 
 though his constitution was evidently sinking, and he was 
 labouring far beyond his strength, he could not be per- 
 suaded to relax or lessen any of his pastoral engagements. 
 We earnestly pressed him to retire for a season from his 
 duties ; but, contrary to his usual yielding temper, he re- 
 mained inflexible ; adding, either * it does not injure me ;" 
 or * I shall suffer more in my mind, by giving them up, 
 than in my body, by attending to them.' The last year of 
 his life, he had a constant irritating cough, which finally 
 settled upon his lungs ; and was, no doubt, much increased 
 hy such frequent talking and exposure to the night air. 
 
 " I was his constant companion in his visits to the cot- 
 tages ; and he oAen looked so worn and fatigued, and his 
 spirits svmetiiDes so much affected, apparently with 
 
336 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 thoughts which he did not express, that I have turned 
 away to weep and felt undefinable sensations of dread, as 
 the idea crossed my mind, that he was meditating on the 
 final separation. 
 
 " His public discourses at this time were particularly 
 awakening as well as confirming. While he warned his 
 flock, with deep solemnity, lest any man fail of the grace 
 of God ' he enlarged on the divme promises, the glory of 
 the Saviour, and the blessedness of the redeemed. A poor 
 woman remarked to me — * Your dear papa preaches as if 
 he was near home.' 
 
 " What he was in his family during the two last years of 
 his life, my pen can but faintly describe. Since Nugent's 
 and Willy's death- his affections were more concentrated 
 on those who were left ; and he had, also, a more endear- 
 ing tie, for he could now look on some of his family as his 
 spiritual children. In conversation and reading, he could 
 find companions in them. Very pleasant is the recollec- 
 tion of the happy and profitable hours spent in my father's 
 study. He used to awake me at six o'clock every morn- 
 ing, and I read to him till breakfast. He was fond of this 
 early hour, and kept up the plan even through the last 
 winter. But it was injurious to him ; for when his cough 
 was bad, and his health sinking daily, he would still rise 
 before the servants were up, call me and my brothers, and 
 then light his own fire, that all might be ready for the 
 reading to commence. He made many valuable remark!! 
 as we went on The last winter months, he wished me to 
 read to him the Cripplegale Lectures. Archbishop Leigh- 
 ton, who was a particular favourite with him, was the last 
 author we read together. Sacred is the memory of those 
 hours ; his health was declining, but his soul was ripening 
 for gloiy ; and, while hstening with interest to the deep 
 experience and triumphant victories of these holy men, he 
 was probably anticipating the near approach of that time^ 
 when he should join their company. 
 
 " His mind was often for days peaceful and tranquil. At 
 such times, he never spoke of Wiiberforce's death, but in 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 537 
 
 terms of gratitude and prawe for his happy end : but at 
 other times, the vivid ren* mbrance of his bereavements 
 seemed to overwhelm him, and to occasion new conflicts. 
 i have heard his convulsive sobs, and his heart-touching 
 prayers, as I sat in the room beneath the study. I remem- 
 ber on one day in particu; -i . he had been a long time alone, 
 wishing to be undisturbed ; and, when I went to him, I 
 found him in deep sorrow. Willy's papers were lying 
 before him, and he appecrfxl in great agitation of mind. 
 In what tollowed, I was sii uck with the deep humility ol 
 his feelings. He said, * i; was not unmingled grief for 
 Wilberforce which was then uppermost ; he knew he was 
 safe in heaven, and that to him death had been victory : 
 but that the thought paiii fully harassed him — shall / ever 
 meet him in heaven ? shall / indeed ever get there ? 
 Friends, try to comfort jne, by saying, (as if they took it 
 tor granted,) that sorrow is unnecessary ; for the separa- 
 tion is very short, and we shall soon meet again in heaven. 
 But, alas ! there is that inward consciousness of sin, and 
 that perplexing conflict, that / cannot take it for granted ; 
 and the thought is now sinking me in the very dust, shall 
 1 indeed meet hiin in heaven ? Am I sure eternity will 
 unite us ? And 1 oflen shudder, and fall down confounded; 
 at the possibility that, after ail, I may come short, and our 
 separation be eternal.' 
 
 " This was an aflecting and important lesson. I saw 
 that the most holy and established Christian is still a sin- 
 ner, and feels himself such ; that, however high his spiri- 
 tual attainments in this life, the flesh still weighs down the 
 spirit. 1 had heard and seen my dear father so strong in 
 faith, that heaven seemed realized, and victory obtained i 
 and I fancied he could never have a doubt of his salvation. 
 But I found, that the father in Christ could weep -and trem- 
 ble like the babe, because of the sin that dwelleth in him. 
 
 ** My dear father's cough continued, and he became very 
 thin ; and every one remarked how ill he looked. But lie 
 appeared not to notice it, and we thought he did not ap- 
 prehend danger : we have since found that we were mista- 
 
338 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ken, and that he * always looked on the cough as a summons 
 from above.' He abated nothing of his work, and still 
 continued his visits to the poor. It was in the cottage of 
 sorrow and by the bed of the dying that my beloved parent's 
 character appeared the brightest. • He was the father as 
 well as the minister of his people ; and they brought all 
 their difficulties and troubles to him, and ever found in him 
 a tender and judicious adviser. He had particular pleasure 
 in conversing with the pious poor, and said he had learnt 
 some of his best lessons from them ; that the religion of the 
 poor in general was more spiritual and sincere than that of 
 the rich ; that they lived more simply the life of faith on the 
 Son of God. I have seen my beloved father in public, Avhen 
 the gaze of admiration was fixed on him, and in the private 
 drawing-room I have beheld him the delight and entertain- 
 ment of the company, and my heart has exulted in him ; 
 but it was when smoothing the pillow of poverty and death, 
 that I most loved and venerated him ; and discovered the 
 image of that Saviour ' who went about doing good.' 
 
 " In the month of February he went to Cambridge for a 
 fortnight, to enter Henry. This was another subject of 
 great anxiety to his mind : he dreaded the temptations of a 
 college life ; and expressed much solicitude, lest his dear 
 inexperienced boy should be corrupted, and his religion in- 
 jured 
 
 " When he returned from Cambridge, we thought he 
 looked better. He had been among friends he loved, and 
 he derived great pleasure from his visit, and appeared more 
 cheerful and lively than we had known him for the last two 
 years. He Entered into conversation with spirit, and even 
 amused and entertained us in his engaging manner. We 
 ^pent one week with him in this improved state of health 
 and spirits { .but he soon relapsed into his former thought- 
 ful silence'. The next week he caught a fresh cold and his 
 cDugh returned with greater violence : yet he would have 
 preached on the following Sunday, if his voice had not en- 
 tirely failed him. I do not think he imagined that he had 
 seen his people for the last time, but that he anticipated a 
 icmporaTy a.mendment, sufficient to enable him to go among 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 339 
 
 Ihein again. But his ministry was closed ; and he was to 
 meet them no more, till they met at the Judgment seat of 
 Christ ! 
 
 " To prevent increase of cold, he kept entirely to his 
 study, and never came down stairs after that Sunday ; yet 
 he read and wrote as usual. 
 
 " It may seerft extraordinary that he never spoke to us 
 on the subject of his death, but those can understand it who 
 knew the exquisite tenderness and susceptibility of his feel- 
 ings. His i^ection indeed was alinost his affliction. He 
 could not bear to witness the sorrow which would have 
 filled our hearts in the certain and near prospect of sepa- 
 ration. He wi<»hed us, I think, to understand his situation 
 and to observe in silence. 
 
 " There were no violent symptoms to mark the approach 
 of death ; but a gradual decay of strength. He sat with 
 us as usual in his study-chair to the very last day, — almost 
 to the last hour. I recollect many things which I did not 
 then understand, but which now show me that he was pre- 
 paring for death : with surprising calmness he set his house 
 in order. He made a catcilogue of his principal books, 
 with mnmoranda how they were to be disposed of; also of 
 his minerals and philosophical apparatus ; he emptied all 
 the cupboards round the room, which had not been done 
 for many years ; he burnt every book which he thought of 
 an injurious tendency. All this was done for the most part 
 in silence, it being painful for him to speak, even in a 
 whisper. I have seen him sit for an hour together in the 
 deepest abstraction of thf>ught — then he would raise his 
 eyes, the tears streaming down his pale cheeks, clasping 
 his hands, as if in the fervency of importunate prayer — and 
 again all was composure, and he looked peaceful and happy. 
 He seemed to be maintaining a constant communion with 
 God. I know he felt deeply for his children, whom he was 
 ab<iut to leave young and inexperienced — exposed to a 
 world of sin and temptation. My brother and I have fre- 
 quently heard him break forth in prayer for us when we 
 had scarcely closed his door. The sounds were faint and 
 broken t but we understood their import ; and the nnutter^ 
 
340 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 able tenderness of his manner towards us is even now too 
 affecting to dwell upon. He would sometimes open his 
 arms for me to come to liiru, and laying his head on my 
 shoulder would fall again into deep thought His parish 
 also was always upon his n^nd. He was continually in- 
 quiring about the people, and sending me with messages to 
 them ; and he listened with ir.uch interesf to the report I 
 made of them. 
 
 *' One of his converts, a young girl of nineteen, was at 
 this time on the bed of death, and my dear father regretted 
 much he could not visit her ; but he was very anxious to 
 comfort and instruct her through me. She survived him 
 two months, and died in the same peace, perhaps with 
 more triumph. She said, just before her death, * she 
 longed yet more for heaven, because her dear minister was 
 there to welcome her.' I knovv that he was full of anxiety 
 for a suitable successor, and <lie idea of his flock being dis- 
 persed hung heavy upon his ^oirils. One morning, when 
 I was sitting near him, he l)n st into tears and said, ' oh t 
 my parish ! my poor parish I feel as if 1 had done nothing 
 for it, as if it had been so n.ach neglected. 1 have not 
 done halfth.it I ought.' It v. as more than I could bear to 
 hear him speak in this way : 'or I had seen him in weari- 
 ness, and painfulness, and v.Jtchings, spending aud being 
 spent, if by any means he h, ght win souls to Christ. I 
 suggested to him his labour? and the singular usefulness of 
 his ministry, especially witliK; the last two years : he would 
 still reply, * no thanks to uu\ no thanks to me. I see it so 
 different now, as if 1 had done just nothing. I see nothing 
 but neglect and duties left nadone.' T could n- t help re- 
 flecting on the different aspf ct things must have when eter- 
 nity is opening upon us. 
 
 " He was considerably cheered soon after this, by the 
 
 prospect of Mr. H becoming his curate ; it seemed to 
 
 revive him ; he lost sight ot other troubles in the thought 
 that his church w(»uld be wrll supplied. 
 
 " He often recurred to Henry's residence at college, and 
 talked of his fears for his c'oar boy till he was quite spent* 
 He would say, *l have seen the ruiaof so many promising 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 341 
 
 youths by a college life, and those apparently as amiable 
 and pious as my own dear chiM. I know the difficulty of 
 maintaining spiritual religion at Cambridge. Even studies 
 which are in themselves 1 1 wful, and which he ought to pursue, 
 have a tendency to weaken piety and interrupt private de- 
 votion. Christ has often been crucified between classics and 
 mathematics, I wish him to be diligent in his studies- but 
 the Bible is the proper library for a young man entering 
 into the church. If he does but understand the Bible ex- 
 perimentally. 1 shall be content. Bid him, F — , to be very 
 careful of his companions, that they be few, and more ad- 
 vanced in religion than himsell ; and particularly that he 
 attends Mr. S — 's ministry. It cheers my heart, that there 
 is such a ministry at Cambridge. Be sure you talk to him 
 about these things. Warn him of declensions, and against 
 sacrificing religion to the desire of distinction. That 
 dear boy, and his approaching trials, are never out of my 
 thoughts; I ihkik of him by day, and dream of him by 
 night.' 
 
 *♦ We found in his desk a sheet of paper on which was 
 written * Cambridge documents.' 'J'hese were directions 
 for Henry, but not finished. He had often expressed a 
 great desire to see a son in the church, ready to take his 
 place. * If I might but hear a true gospel sermon from one 
 of my chiUlren, 1 should die in peace.' On another occa- 
 sion, he expressed great delight that his young friend C, 
 H — visited the poor, and said, ' you must recommend this 
 (o Henry, as the very best preparation for the ministry. 
 Try, my dear F — , to keep him up to it. Tell him his 
 poor father learnt his most valuable lessons for the ministry, 
 and his most useful experience in religion, in the poor man's 
 cottage.' 
 
 " The last time he spoke to me on personal religion he 
 endeavoured to establish my mind in the doctrine of aa» 
 surance, and enlarged on its importance, and its tendency 
 to promote both comfort and obedience. He pointed t9 
 Archbishop Leighton as my pattern : ♦ see how holily an^ 
 lovingly that naH walked with God, beoausQ he bcfieved 
 
 30» 
 
S4S MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 that his salvation was safe and settled, thnt he was chosen 
 in Christ. Try, my dear child, to expand your views ; 
 look at the magJiificent scheme of salvation — the contract 
 between the Father and his eternal Son. How much 
 better to look out of self, and see all perfected in Christ. 
 You will never be happy and strong, till you grasp the 
 covenant plan of redemption. You live upon self too 
 much ; you will get misery and despair, but nothing else, 
 by looking to yourself You must live upon Christ ; he 
 has done all for you, if you could but believe it.' 
 
 " Of the last sermons I read to him, one was entitled, 
 ' Hope amidst Billows,' the other ' The Believer a Hero.' 
 This last I read twice to him ; and he expressed much 
 delight in listening to it. It seemed to suit the state of 
 his mind, and correspond with his own sentiments. At 
 one part of the sermon he stopped me, that he might 
 meditate on what he heard, and then he said, ' read it 
 again.* It seemed to cheer his mind. • When I had 
 finished it, ' this' said he, ' exactly expresses what I would 
 say to you ; that is just my sentiment ;' and he told me to 
 turn down the leaf, that he might show it to mamma. I 
 have copied the passage ; it appears to me very beautiful, 
 and is greatly erfdearfd to me, as having comforted my 
 dear father a few days only before his death. 
 
 " * The fear of God is not a perplexing doubting, and 
 distrust of his love : on the contrary, it is a fixed resting 
 and trust in his love. Many who have some truth of 
 grace are, through weakness, filled with disquieting fears ; 
 but, possibly, though they perceive it not, it may be in 
 some a point of wilfulness, a little latent undiscerned af- 
 fectation of scrupling and doubting, placing much of reli- 
 gion in it. True, where the soul is really solicitous about 
 its interest in God, that argues some grace ; but being 
 vexingly anxious about it, argues that grace is weak and 
 low. A spark there is even discovered by that smoke, 
 but the great smoke still continuing and nothing seen but 
 it, argues there is little fire, httle faith, little love ; and 
 then as it is unpleasant to thyself, so it is to God, as 
 .s^oke to the eyes. What if on« should be always 
 
REV. LEOB RICHMOND. 
 
 34[a 
 
 questioning with a friend, whether he loved him or not, 
 and upon every httle occasion were ready to think he doth 
 not, hiow would they disrelish their society together, 
 though truly loving each other. The far more excellent 
 way, and more pleasing both to ourselves and to God, 
 were to resolve on humble trust, reverence, and confidence, 
 being most afraid to offend, delighting to walk in his ways, 
 loving him and his will in all ; and then resting persuaded 
 of his love, though he chastise us, and even though we 
 oQend him, and see our offences in our chastisements, yet 
 he is good ; plenteous in redemption, ready to forgive ; 
 therefore let Israel hope and trust. Let my soul roll itself 
 on him, and adventure there all its weight. He bears 
 greater matters, upholding the frame of heaven and earth, 
 and is not troubled nor burdened with it.' 
 
 " Three days after, he asked me to read one of New- 
 ton's letters, from the volume entitled * The Aged Pil- 
 grim's Triumph.' He listened to me with interest, but 
 did not speak, except to thank me. 
 
 *' When his meals were brought to him, he used to clasp 
 his wasted hands, and ask a blessing ' I thank thee, 
 heavenly Father, for these undeserved mercies to such an 
 unworthy sinner.' There may be nothing more in the 
 words than any other Christian would utter ; but the 
 humility ami reverence of his manner deeply affected us. 
 
 " Nearly the whole of (iood Friday, he sat in a solemn 
 prayerful meditation, with that exquisite print of Guido's 
 before him, the head of our Saviour "rowned with thorns. 
 His attention seemed rivetted on it, but he said nothing. 
 
 " On Easter Sunday the sacrament was administered 
 at the church This day he regarded with peculiar 
 reverence, and some new converts generally partook of 
 the sacred ordinance at this time, whom he had been pre- 
 paring during the past year. The delight with which he 
 gave them these emblems of the body and blood of Christ 
 was very uncommon. It would cheer his spirits for weeks. 
 This was the first Easter Sunday during his residence at 
 Turvey that he had been prevented from joining his church, 
 and commemorating the resurrection of our blessed Re- 
 
344 SEUOIRS OF THE 
 
 deemer, and he seemed to feel the privation deeply. Be- 
 fore we went to church, he told us to remember him at the 
 table, and he would join the communion of the saints in 
 his study. He said, * I shall look at my watch, and mark 
 the exact time and read the service, that I may be one 
 with you in the fellowship of the redeemed.' On our re* 
 turn we saw the prayer book open before him. and he was 
 still intent on the communion service. He looked up with 
 great composure in his countenance, and said, * i have 
 followed you in every sentence, and I think I may say, 1 
 have indeed been with you, and enjoyed a sweet cora- 
 munion.' 
 
 " He had a great dishke to keep his bed ; and I cannot 
 but acknowledge the goodness of God, that it was not 
 necessary. He rose every day, to the last, and sat as 
 usual in his study ; only getting up a little later, and going 
 to bed earlier, as his strength gradually failed him. The 
 last fortnight he was very silent, and appeared constantly 
 in prayer and meditation. — waiting his dismissal, and the 
 end of his earthly pilgrimage. At this time, nothing 
 seemed to disturb him ; and he appeared to realize the full 
 import of that blessed promise, ' Thou wilt keep him in 
 perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.' I have 
 often thought he exemplified the faith his favourite Leigh- 
 ton commends — ' Let thy soul roll itself on God, and ad- 
 venture there all its weight.' It was indeed an unspeak- 
 ble delight to us to observe the unruffled calm of his soul j 
 and it confirmed our minds in the truth and value of the 
 doctrines he had taught for thirty years. We had seen 
 our beloved father prostrate in soul before God, under a 
 consciousness of indwelling sin ; we had heard him be- 
 moaning himself, after a long life of usefulness, as an un- 
 profitable servant, renouncing again and again all hope of 
 salvation by his own goodness, and fleeing to Jesus as his 
 only refuge. To use his words to C. H — , ' It is only by 
 coming to Christ as a little child, and as for the first time, 
 that I can get peace.' Yet, though for a time perplexed, 
 he was not forsaken. We saw him comforted of God, 
 aad proving what he had often said to me — < Christ ba« 
 
REV. LEOH RICHMOND. 345» 
 
 firm hold of you, however feeble your grasp of him ;' and 
 now we saw him stron<^ in faith, and in the last hour of 
 dissolving nature, rejoice in the sure and certain hope of 
 the glory of God. He did indeed find, to use the dying 
 words ot my beloved brother, ' the rest that Christ gives 
 is sweet.' He was silent but it was a most expressive 
 silence ; and revealed emotions of joy and praise not to 
 be described. Many touching circumstances occurred, 
 which showed both the man and the I'hrisiian ; but they 
 are of too delicate a nature to be communicated beyond 
 the circle of his own family. 
 
 " Two days before his death he received a letter men- 
 tioning the conversion of two persons (one of whom was a 
 clergyman,) by the f)eiusal of his tract, ' The Dairyman's 
 Daughter.' VVhen the letter was given him, he seemed too 
 feeble to open it himself, and desired Henry to read it to 
 him. The contents deeply interested him He raised 
 himself in his chair, lin;ed up his hand, and then let it fall 
 down again ; while he repeatedly shook his head. His 
 manner spoke the greatest humility, as if he would say — 
 'How unworthy of such honour!' For h few moments it 
 seemed to administer a cordial to his fninting spirit, and 
 led our minds, in referem'.e to our dear father to contem- 
 plate the near fulfilment of that promis<'. They that turn 
 many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and 
 ever.* 
 
 *♦ On Tuesday, the 8th of May, he rose later than usual ; 
 I think it was twelve before he got into the study ; and he 
 was so weak that he had great difficulty in walking there, 
 from 'his bedroom His breath was short, and he looked 
 very pale, but he said he felt no pain. He sat on his 
 reading-chair, with bis head resting on a pillow : his coun- 
 tenance and manner was calm and peaceful In the after- 
 noon he could scarcely support himself; and I kneeled on a 
 chair behind him, and he laid his head on my shoulder. 
 Once he seemed to be fainting, but he soon revived ; and 
 looking calmly at mc, he said, * Better now, love.* 
 
 '• Mamma could no longer stay in the room, and i was 
 
346 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 left alone with him till five. He still said nothing, except 
 to assure me he felt no pain. To the very last, it appear- 
 ed to be his great desire to spare our feelings. We now 
 persuaded him to go to bed, but we little thought death 
 was so near. He could not walk, and we were going to ring 
 for a servant, to assist him ; but he said, ' I should like 
 Henry to carry me.' He was wasted to a skeleton : 
 Henry took him up with great ease, and we all followed. I 
 shall never forget this most affecting moment : it was a mo- 
 ment of anguish to me, more than the last scene He 
 seemed to know that he was leaving the study, never to re- 
 turn to it : his look told me that he knew it. This was his 
 favourite room where for more than twenty years he had 
 constantly carried on his pursuits. There he had written 
 his books — studied his sermons — instructed his children — 
 conversed with his flock, and offered daily sacrifice of 
 praise and prayer. I watched him, as Henry carried him 
 out : his countenance preserved the same look of fixed 
 composure. He raised his head, and gave one searching 
 look round the room, on his books — his table — his chaii — 
 his wife — his children ; — and then the door closed on him 
 for ever ! He gave the same look round the gallery, 
 through which we passed, as if hff was bidding farewell to 
 every thing. There was a peculiar expression in his coun- 
 tenance, which I cannot describe ; it seemed to say, ' Be- 
 hold, I die, but God will hf. with you I' Henry seated him 
 in a chair ; and he sat to be undressed, like a little depen- 
 dant child, in deep silence, but without the ruffling of a 
 feature. 
 
 " About nine, he seemed rather wandering ; and made 
 an effort to speak, but we could not make out his mean- 
 ing ; only we perceived he was thinking of his church, for 
 we heard him say several times, 'It will be all confusion!' 
 Mamma asked him what would be confusion. ' The church ! 
 There will be such confusion in my church !' 
 
 '• About ten o'clock, he signified to mamma, in the gen- 
 tlest whisper, that he wished to be left alone — to send US 
 all away, and draw the curtains round bim. 
 
 i 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 
 
 347 
 
 "About half-past ten, Mrs. G., the kind and faithful 
 nurse of Willy, tapped at my door. I was reading the 
 Bible, and had just reached that verse, * That ye be not 
 slothful, but folio we!^ of them who through faith and pa- 
 tience inherit the promis^.' I have thought the coinci* 
 dence remarkable, at least I trust it will ever give a quick- 
 ening influence to that passage, when I read it. She. told 
 me to come and look at my father. She said, she could 
 hardly tell whether there was any change or not. 1 hur- 
 ried to him. He raised his eyes to heaven, and then closed 
 them. I put my cheek upon his ; and 1 believe at that in- 
 stant I felt, for I could not hear, his dying sigh. I thought 
 he was sleeping, and continued looking at him, till Hannah 
 said, * Your dear papa is in heaven.' I did not think him 
 dead ; and I rubbed fiis still warm hands, and kissed his 
 pale cheek, and entreated him to speak one word to me : 
 but I soon found it was the silence of death. All turned 
 to poor mamma, who was insensible ; and I was thus left 
 alone with my dear father, kneeling beside him, with his 
 hand in mine. The same holy calm sat on his countenance, 
 and seemed to say — * Thanks be to God, who has given me 
 the victory !' 
 
 *' The scene that followed was truly afflictive. The grief 
 of the widow and the fatherless was unchecked ; for he 
 who had always comforted them, and bid them kiss the rod, 
 was no longer with them. The contrast between the after 
 scene of Wilberforce's and our beloved parent's death, 
 was peculiarly affecting to me. When my brother died, 
 my father assembled us together, to implore resignation, 
 and offer praise. But when he liimself departed, all seem- 
 ed gone. There was no one to collect us ; and we were 
 scattered in wild sorrow, with a feeling of desolation which 
 was quite unutterable, 
 
 " We cannot, we ought not to forget such a father. 
 Yea, I would add, « when I forget thee may my right hand 
 i'oTgei her cunning.' 
 
 " The hand of Go<l has gone out against us — yet ' the 
 -ccd of the righteous is not forsaken.' He has cut off the 
 * stream which made us glad,* — but praised be hi? namp. 
 
348 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 he invites us Jo the * living fountain,' where our souls may 
 drink and be satisfied. 
 
 •« Believe me, my dear Mrs. F., 
 
 " Your very affectionate, 
 
 ^ F. R." 
 
 Mr. Richmond was buried in the church of Turvey, and 
 m the same vault which contained the remains of his be- 
 loved Wilberforce, and of two infant sons. The affecting 
 circumstances of the funeral are thus described by a friend, 
 who was a spectator of the solemn scene. 
 
 '< I was hastening to witness the sad obsequies of this 
 excellent man ; the bell tolled heavily, and seemed to smite 
 on my ear with more than ordinary solemnity. Sorrow 
 was depicted on every countenance, and the mourners 
 crossed my path at every step. Even the aged and the 
 sick, who had long heard from his lips the glad tidings of 
 salvation, crept out of their cottages, resting on their crut- 
 ches, or leaning on the arm of friendship, to gaze on the 
 mournful cavalcade, and weep over their melancholy be- 
 reavement. 
 
 ", Every eye exhibited the struggle of feeling, and spoke 
 more for the memory of the deceased than volumes written 
 in his praise Multitudes from the neighbouring villages 
 were attracted to the spot, and came to pay their tribute 
 of affection to the memory of one with whose name they 
 had lone associated feelings of respect and esteem. The 
 members of the men's club, established by Mr. Richmond 
 at Turvey, had assembled with their long wands, clothed 
 in mourning, and formed a double line from the rectory to 
 the church porch. Through this avenue the body was 
 borne, without interruption from the crowds of spectators. 
 It was carried by six bearers, and the pall was held by the 
 same number of clergymen from the neighbourhood, whose 
 countenances, marked with profound sorrow, seemed to 
 say, * alas ! my brother !' There followed as mourners, 
 the family — the more respectable of the parishioners — the 
 communicants — the friendly societies of young and old — 
 
REV. LE6H RICHMOND. 
 
 •]ie Sunday and day schools — and a long train of the poor, 
 with many strangers who were present on the occasion. 
 The men's club joined the procession as it passed along ; 
 and the whole presented to my eye the most affecting pic- 
 ture of deep and sincere sorrow I ever witnessed. 
 
 " The service was read, at the request of the family, by 
 Mr. Grirashawe, who delivered an addiess at the conclusion 
 of the funeral, in compUance with the wishes of the pa- 
 rishioners, and in accordance with the custom of the de- 
 ceased rector." 
 
 The following Sunday, a sermon was preached at Turvcy 
 church, on the occasion, by the Rev. T. Fry, rector of Em- 
 berton, to an overflowing congregation. So great was the 
 number of persons that attended, that many went away, 
 unable to procure admittance. Not only was every space 
 in the church and the chancels occupied but the marble 
 monuments were covered with people, and even the large 
 beams which supported the roof Mr. Richmond, some 
 years before his decease, had selected a passage of Scrip- 
 ture ; and Mr. Fry, in compliance with the wishes of his 
 friend, took his text from Romans vii. 24, 25, — * O wretch- 
 ed man that I am ! who shall deliver me from this body of 
 death ? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.'* 
 
 Letter from Mrs. Richmond : — 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " Allow me to assure you of the unfeigned satisfac- 
 tion which I feel in addressing you as the biographer of my 
 late most dear and lamented liusband. 
 
 " That the task lias devolved on you, who were better 
 acquainted tlian most othei*s with tJie qualities of him whom 
 you so justly loved and valued, is a melancholy pleasure, 
 connected with my afflictive bereavement. 
 
 " The confidential and affectionate intercourse, which 
 lor so many years subsisted between you, afforded nume- 
 rous and varied opportunities lor making a just estimate of 
 iiis character : and I feel full confidence that you will be 
 
 * Sermons were preached in the neighbourhood by the editor 
 and other clergfyoien, the succeeding Sunday. 
 31 
 
350 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 faithful in your own observations on this honoured servant 
 of the sanctuary. 
 
 " To him, indeed, it is a thing of nought ; — his witness 
 is in heaven, and his record is on high. But to those 
 whom he has left behind in this vale of tears, it is, I think, 
 a lawful source of anxiety and interest, that ' his name 
 should be had in remembrance.' 
 
 " His public character you had more frequent and diver- 
 sified means of appreciating tlian I had. But in the private 
 and family circle, it may naturally be supposed that to my- 
 self he was best known. 
 
 " In the endeared relations of husband Rndfatfier, those 
 only knew his value who are now left to deplore his loss. 
 The honoured but unworthy partner of his weal and wo. 
 can bear grateful testimony, how truly be fulfilled the apos- 
 tolic injunction of loving his wife ; how patiently he bore 
 with her infirmities ; and with what tenderness of mind 
 and refinement of feeling, he manifested the daily recurring 
 instances of his affectionate and devoted attachment. 
 
 " The subject is sacred and delicate, and my pencil 
 might be thought to colour too highly ; but on my own 
 heart is indelibly impressed the fond remembrance of what 
 he was to me — a remembrance which death only can 
 eflTace : — and which I humbly hope will be renewed, with 
 increased powers of recollection, when I shall have come out 
 of this great tribulation, washed in the blood of the Lamb, 
 nd made meet for the inheritance of the samts in hght. 
 
 " Nevertheless, I feel myself called upon to oflTer the tri- 
 bute of hiy heart's best effusions of gi-atitude for a con- 
 tinued course of connubial felicity, enjoyed by few to the 
 same extent. To him I was indebted for thirty years of 
 domestic Iiappiness, from the recollections of which, ' vi- 
 sions of past enjoyment rise, in long and bright array ;' 
 while I am painfully reminded that they are joys departed ; 
 for, < in the forsaken tomb, the form beloved is laid !' 
 
 *' In how many instances did he cast the mantle of love 
 over my deficiencies and short-comings ! — and when he 
 might have been ' much bold in Christ, to enjoin me tliat 
 which is convenient : yet, for love's sake, he rather be- 
 soneht me.' 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 35t 
 
 " But it is as a candidate for heaven that I supremely 
 teel my obligations to my departed husband. Here the 
 dispenser and the possessor of all earthly joys must have 
 their close ; — Here all sublunary bliss must cease ! But 
 there, mortality s»hail put on immortality ; and the pleasures 
 at God's right hand are for evermore. To him I owe the 
 hope of never-ending happiness : and I rejoice in the bless- 
 ed prospect, that from having been fellow-pilgrims on 
 earth, we shall be fellow-heirs of glory in heaven. And 
 if celestial happiness can be increased by the reunion of 
 terrestrial objects of affection, mine must receive addition 
 from again beholding him. The anticipation cheers my 
 widowed heart. Oh ! that we may again meet, * with our old 
 and with our young, with our sons and with our daughters.' 
 
 " As a father he possessed a tenderness and sweetness 
 of affection almost peculiar to himself. How does my 
 heart now thrill, while I recall the affectionate and paren- 
 tal emotions with which he took each new-born babe in his 
 arms ; and like Simeon of old, blessed it ! Those prayers 
 were registered in heaven, they have descended in bless- 
 ings on his children, and they are yet * the portion and 
 inheritance for them, in their Father's house :' a bequest 
 more precious than silver and gold. I doubt not that 
 those prayers were accepted for the Saviour's sake ; and 
 the surviving parent adds her petition — * Therefore, now 
 let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it 
 may continue for ever before thee : with thy blessing let 
 the house of thy servant be blessed for ever." 
 
 *' In pourtraying the general < haracter of my dear hus- 
 band, his peculiarly prominent feaiute of benevolence should 
 be specially notice<i ; for he possessed it in the most ex- 
 tended and comprehensive meaning of the word. 
 
 *• It was a universal k\ni\neas an<l good-will, best descri- 
 bed by the charity which * beareth all things, believeth all 
 thing?, hopeth all thmgs, endureth all things A charity 
 which never failed.' There were occasions when accord- 
 ing to man's wisdom, this virtue might have been and was 
 thought to partake of the works of supererogation And 
 certam it is, that in some instances, the unsuspecting sim- 
 plicity of his disposition subjected him to consequenccF 
 
352 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 which fully proved that the children of this world are wiser 
 in their generation than the children of light ! 
 
 " But he was ever mindful of the admonition, ' never im- 
 pute a bad motive to any one, while you can find a good 
 one.' The motto which encircled his heart was, ' glory to 
 God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men.' 
 
 " This was his Christian badge ; nor can I recollect a 
 single instance in which he ever laid it aside. ' Speak not 
 evil one of another,' was a very remarkable characteristic 
 of my beloved husband. W ith David he said, ' I will take 
 heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue.' He ap- 
 peared never to lose sight of this caution, nor did he ever 
 fail to check the forgetfulness of it in others when occa- 
 sion required. 
 
 " His own breast was the sacred depository of any event, 
 circumstance, or communication which cast reproach upon- 
 the church, or on individuals. And that with a conviction,, 
 founded upon the sure word of God, that ' the tongue is an 
 unruly evil' 
 
 " You, dear sir, need not to bo intormed of his unweari- 
 ed labours of love, when publicly engagetl in the cause of 
 God. You well know that he counted no personal sacri- 
 fice too dear, so that he might win souls to Christ. 
 
 " Were any tempted to think that he robbed his own to. 
 enrich others, and that enthusiasm carried him too often 
 and too far from kindred ties, and from the appointed flock 
 over which God had made him overseer ? Let wife, chil- 
 dren, and flock, separately and unitedly declare, without 
 partiality and without hyprocrisy, what was the spirit in 
 which he returned among them. Was it not invariably ' in 
 the fulness of the gospel of peace,' replenished with fresh 
 arguments for each, that ' laying aside all malice, and all 
 guile, and hypocrisies, and envying, and all evil speakings ; 
 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live so- 
 berly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world ; lay- 
 ing up in store a good foundation against the time to come.* 
 How animating were the details which he gave of his pro- 
 gress through the varied scenes of his pilgrimage and how- 
 calculated to impress the conviction, that the love of Christ 
 constrained him. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 353 
 
 " Nor let it be su^«j)osed that the breath of fame kindled 
 in his bosom any desires at variance with the duties of that 
 more confined sphere in which he was permanently station- 
 ed. 1 always considered his missionary labours as productive 
 of fresh energies for the discharge of his parochial duties. 
 
 *♦ Instant in season, out of season, he preached the word 
 with invigorating power and demonstration of the spirit. 
 Giving all diligence, to add to his ♦ faith virtue, and to vir- 
 tue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to tem- 
 perance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godli- 
 ness brotherly kindness, and to brotlierly-kindness charity.' 
 These things being in him, and abounding, they made him, 
 that he was neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 *' But his days are accomplished : he rests from his la- 
 bours. He is now become a citizen of Zion, answerable 
 to the description of David, ^ Lord, who shall abide in thy 
 tabernacle ? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill ? He that 
 walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh 
 the truth from his heart.* And having joined the hundred 
 forty and four thousand, in concert he proclaims, * not by 
 works of righteousness which we have done, but according 
 to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, 
 and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us 
 abundantly through Jesus Christ.' 
 
 " It might naturally have been expected, that the liori- 
 zon around this setting sun would have been gilded witli 
 many a bright though dep:irting ray ; and that he would 
 have winged his flight to glory, commencing the hallelujahs 
 on earth, so soon to be attuned to harps of gold in heaven : 
 that finding the end of all things was at hand, he would 
 have spoken ' as the oracles of God, — declaring that he 
 had not followed cunningly devised fables, when he made 
 known the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.' That such 
 was not the case, can, I think, be best accounted for by 
 those who have most cause to mourn the deprivation. 
 
 "The feelings of the husband and ihe father were too 
 sensitive for the weakened frame, which shrunk from the 
 excitement to be apprehended from any direct allusion to 
 81* 
 
^M MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 the mournful event which was about to rend asunder a Ikifc 
 so strongly uniting the family chain. This was the bitter- 
 ness of death. For his own soul, he had long committed 
 it to the keeping of God, in well-doing, as unto a faithful 
 Creator ; but he would not hazard an interruption to the 
 peaceful calm with which he anticipated his dismissal from 
 the body. He saw the restrained anguish of my heart, and 
 forbore to probe thr wound, which he knew.was rankling. 
 This it was that imposed silence. 
 
 " A more tranquil departure could neither have been 
 wished nor granted. Every tumult was hushed, — all was 
 serene, — death had lost its sting, for he had gained the vic- 
 tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. With the utmost 
 composure, he put his house in order, feeling that he must, 
 die, and not hve. The placidity of his countenance ex- 
 pressed the peace witliin, speaking more than words could 
 have done ; ' and now. Lord, what wait I for ? truly my 
 hope is even in thee.' Can I ever forget the morning of 
 that day which closed upon me as a widow (oh ! word of 
 sorrow) and desolate. With what prophetic earnestness did 
 he pronounce the assurance, ' God will never leave you, 
 nor forsake you It is impossible.^ 
 
 " This may be said to have been his parting benediction.. 
 ¥ov though some few hours more did elapse, before the de- 
 parture of the spirit to God who gave it, yet the powers of 
 nature were so exhausted, that briefly reminding me, < how 
 merciful the Lord had been to us for many years,' and 
 with, a short exhortation to *esignation, he continued in si- 
 lent composure, waiting the arrival of the heavenly convoy,, 
 to be ushered into the presence of Him whom, not having 
 seen, he loved — and whom now beholding, and knowing 
 even as he is known, he falls down and worships ; uniting 
 with the innumerable company of angels, the spirits of just 
 men nMwk perfect, and the multitude which no man can- 
 number, in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. 
 ' Mark the upright man, and behold the perfect ; for th(j 
 epd of that man is peace.' 
 
 " Such was my beloved husband, in life and in death. 
 JVhat he is in glory, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard^ 
 ^ither hath entered into the heart to conceive. 
 
RET. LEQH RICHMOND. 355 
 
 * Thus much (ami thi« is all) we know, — 
 He is supremely blest ; 
 Has done with sin, and care, and wo. 
 And with his Saviour r^sts.' 
 
 •* In giving this transcript, dear sir, of thoughts so deeply 
 ongraven on my heart, many a pang has been revived. 
 Memory retraces joys and sorrows, each in their turn a 
 source of grief. I am painfully remmded that God * hath 
 stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my 
 head ' I see myself surrounded by the pledges of an ardent 
 attachment, and I remember that my children * are orphans 
 and fatherless — their mother is a widow.* The^j must set 
 sail on the ocean of life ex[)osed to the chiUing blasts of 
 this inhospitable clime, without a pilot to warn them of the 
 rocks and quicksands to which they will be exposed. The 
 guide of their youth, he who would have given to the young 
 man knowledge and discretion, is separated from them. 
 How often will they have need to cry out, ' My father, my 
 father!' 
 
 " For myself^ I am left to travel the remainder of my 
 pilgrimage solitary and alone. The bosom upon which I 
 was wont to recline, no longer beats with affectionate sym- 
 pathy, responsive to my joys and sorrows. The evening of 
 my days must close in cheerless solitude : but the voice ol" 
 God is in this dispensation, and it becomes me to hearken 
 unto it. He doth not willingly grieve, but says, ' turn you 
 at my reproof.' 
 
 " May the Lord » make me to know my transgression 
 and sin. May my soul keep it still in remembrance, and 
 be humbled in me.' 
 
 " * Who is wise and he shall understand these things ? 
 Prudent, and he shall know them ? For the ways of the 
 Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them.' 
 
 •• I am, my dear sir, your's, very truly, 
 
 Mary Ricujioxd." 
 
 Wo. feel extreme reluctance to trespass on this holy 
 tjround, or interrupt the train of solemn thought and feel' 
 rntr wliich these interesting letters of a beloved wife and an 
 ifTectionate child, must have inspired in the minds of our 
 readers. Yet we cannot close this Memoir with satisfaction 
 to ourselves or justice to our esteemed iriend, without no- 
 
356 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 ticing a few of those qualities for which he appears to us and 
 to all who knew him, to have been eminently distinguished. 
 
 The tbllowing testimonies from those who possessed am- 
 ple opportunities of forming a just estimate of his character, 
 are at once a faithful and honourable record both of his 
 public and private virtues. They will not be the less ac- 
 ceptable in being offered, for the most part, by men whose 
 names are associated with the distinguished institutions that 
 adorn the times in which we live. 
 
 " I not only witnessed." says Dr. Steinkopff, " the ability 
 with which he publicly advocated the cause of the Bible 
 Society, and the powerful and beneficial impression which his 
 addresses produced on numerous and highly respectable au- 
 diences, but I also felt delighted with his Christian conver- 
 sation. I saw him devoutly perusing those sacred pages which 
 he so effectively recommended to the attention of others, 
 and heard many an edifying remark dropping from his lips« 
 
 " Instead of living to himself, he felt an ardent desire to 
 live to the honour and glory of Him who died for him, and 
 rose again. He closely watched his own heart, temper, 
 and disposition ; and often expressed himself in terms of 
 the most unfeigned humility and self-abasement, — -renounc- 
 ing all dependence on what he had done, and relying ex- 
 clusively on the free grace of God, and the merits of his 
 adorable Redeemer. In all my interviews with him, I wit- 
 nessed a serenity of mind and cheerfulness of temper, pe- 
 culiarly calculated to recommend the religion of Christ." 
 
 '* By his fine imagination," observes the Rev. Mr. 
 Bickersteth, « his devotional spirit, his full and copious flow 
 of expression, and his rich exhibition of the good tidings of 
 redeeming grace, he interested, in a very uncommon de- 
 gree, the large assemblies he was accustomed to address. 
 Some of his most extemporaneous addresses had a beauty 
 of conception and a glow of feeling quite irresistible. Very 
 many in our own country can testify that, through his la- 
 bours, they not only first became sensible of the importance 
 of missions, but the value of their own souls, and the infi- 
 nite price at which they were redeemed " 
 
 In allusion to his exertions in behalf of the Jews, tlu^ 
 Rev. Mr. Hawtrey remarks : — 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 357 
 
 »* There was something in the cause of poor benighted 
 and outcast Israel, wliich seemed peculiarly congenial with 
 liis affectionate and sympathising spirit. To exhibit their 
 wronsra, and paint their sorrows, was a work in which he 
 delighted to be engaged ; and he did so with such genuine 
 feeling and pathetic eloquence that few could resist his ap>- 
 peals ; and it would not be easy to define how much, under 
 Go{l, that now widely diffused c.ompassion for this interest- 
 ing but long neglected people, is to be attributed lo his 
 pious and able exertions in their behalf." 
 
 " Cnough has been witnessed by me," says the Rev. 
 Mr. Hughes *' on the road, in families, and at public 
 meetings to furnish the materials of an ample testimony in 
 favour of that excellent and extraordinary man. To a 
 sound understamiing, a full command of thoughts and lan- 
 guage, a free and graceful utlerance, and an exuberant 
 imagination, he added those qualities of the heart, which 
 endeared him to the whole r»f that larue circle in which he 
 moved Piety, candour, courtesy, and Christian kindness, 
 were embodied in all his demeanour. Who that knew him 
 could ever be reminded of the gall of bitterness, except by 
 the perfect contrast of his own admirable dispositions ? 
 
 " If all the professed ministers and disciples of our Lord 
 shone with a radiance so mild, and exeuiplified a zeal so 
 pious and affectionate, then would the church embody her 
 arguments and persuasions in their most effective and im- 
 pressive form." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Jones, of Creaton, one of his oldest and 
 most esteemed friends, thus writes : — 
 
 '* He was no common man ; whether considered as a 
 writer, a speaker, a pastor, a parent, or a friend. I always 
 felt it my honour and happiness to have the benefit of his 
 acquaintance, and a share in his affections ; which I hap- 
 pily enjoyed without interruption, from the time he came 
 to reside at Turvey, to the day he entered his eternal rest. 
 And I can now declare, with the greatest truth, that the 
 nearer I came to him and the more opportunities I had of 
 entering into his real character, principles, and disposition, 
 the more I loved and esteemed him." 
 
358 MEMOIRS OP THE 
 
 " I admit," remarks the Rev. Mr. Fry, " that the best 
 of men are men at the best ; and that rehgion has sustain- 
 ed no small injury from the unmeasured and injudicious 
 encomiums bestowed on its professors, by friends and par- 
 tisans. Legh Richmond might have his weaknesses, as 
 well as others, but his faults were the excesses of his vir- 
 tues. After a very intimate and confidential mtercourse 
 with him for more than twenty years, 1 may aver, in the 
 perfect integrity of truth, that in my juiigment he was 
 equalled by few, and excelled by none. Although there is 
 a considerable affinity of character in the general attain- 
 ments and labours of the distinguished servants of God, 
 there were some qualities in him which might be more 
 peculiarly called his own. 
 
 " Harmony is the perfection of character, and Legh 
 Richmond exhibited a beautiful combination of varied ex- 
 cellencies. With an acknowledged superiority of talents 
 and acquirements, and with a tide of popularity and use- 
 fulness, which might have induced a train of fearful temp- 
 tations, he possessed a deep consciousness of his own un- 
 worthiness, and his conduct was marked with a most un- 
 feigned meekness and humility ; no one could be more 
 exempt from display. His rich stores of material were 
 always at hand, but they were never brought forward till 
 the occasion called for them. It is often seen that men of 
 commanding minds are careless of the feelings of others, 
 and unwilling to stoop to the infirmities of the weak. In 
 Legh Richmond were united strength and sweetness ; he 
 had a head of intellect, and a heart of love,' as was ex- 
 pressively observed by my friend Mr. Garrard. He pos- 
 sessed powers to grapple with a giant, and sensibility that 
 would not trample on a worm ; tenderness, forbearance, 
 and sympathy characterised his intercourse with everyone. 
 
 " Men of fine taste and delicate perceptions, are fre- 
 quently betrayed into fastidiousness ; and are apt to be of- 
 fended with the coarseness and peculiarity which sometimes 
 disfigures a sincere and genuine profession of religion ; but 
 Mr. Richmond kept his eye fixed on the jewel, however 
 rough and unsightly the casket which contained it. 
 
 " His largeness of heart embraced every part of the 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 359 
 
 church of Christ, and the kindness and cordiality of his 
 manner endeared him to all. 
 
 " From his connexion and correspondence with good 
 men of every denomination, he was suspected by some of 
 indifference and laxity towards the principles of his own 
 community. 
 
 " But if he be the best churchman, the purity of whose 
 doctrine, and the fidelity of whose labours have the most 
 direct tendency to check the progress of dissent, and to at- 
 tract numerous worshippers within the walls of our own 
 Zion, no man ever possessed a juster claim to this title than 
 the subject of the present Memoir. 
 
 " He was conscientiously and firmly attached to the dis- 
 cipline as well as to the doctrine of the establishment, and 
 never shrunk from its defence, when he thought himself 
 called upon to advocate its cause.* 
 
 " He was remarkable for his disinterestedness , and when- 
 
 * Mr. Richmond once met the lale Rev. Andrew Fuller, the well 
 known secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, at the house of 
 Mr. Liviufl, in Bedford. The conversation turned on the Ritual of 
 the Church of England. Mr. Fuller remarked, " that it assumed 
 the sincerity of the worshipper, which he considered a defect." 
 ''How wotild you frame these services .'" said Mr. Richmond : 
 " The Church presumes, in the judgment of charity, that all her 
 worshippers ure -incere, and forms her Ritual on this principle. If 
 they are not sincere, the greater is their responsibility." " But the 
 fact." said Mr. F., " is otherwise; and charity, unsupported by fact, 
 is misplaced." *' How would you remedy the defect.'" rejoined 
 Mr. Richmond. Here the conversation \ras interrupted. The 
 time being arrived for family worship, Mr. Richmond expounded a 
 passage of Scripture, and Mr. Fuller concluded with prayer ; after 
 which, our friend observed, with a smile, "your prayer, sir, is lia- 
 ble to the same objection which you make to the services of our 
 •:hurch. Your petitions for pardon and grace, your acknowledg- 
 ment of guilt, your hope and confidence in God were all generally 
 offered up without qualification, as expressive of the feelings and 
 sentiments of the whole assembly." " How would you have me 
 pr»y ?" said Mr. F. " Precisely as you did," replied Mr. Rich- 
 mond, — »' but you must no longer adhere to your objection ; for 
 you were not warranted to believe, except in Ihu judgment of cha- 
 rity, that all the members of the fnmily were sincere worshippers. 
 Vou have this night authorised the principle on which our services 
 were conttructed, by your own example." 
 
360 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 ever he asked a favour, it was for others, and not for him- 
 self. Perhaps 1 cannot better illustrate this part of his 
 character than by relating an anecdote of Mr. Howe (one 
 of Oliver Cromwell's chaplains,) to whom, in many points, 
 Legh Richmond bore a stronjr resemblance. Hr. Howe 
 was applied to for protection, by men of all parties, in 
 those eventful times ; and it is said of him, that he never 
 refused his assistance to any person who was a ' worthy 
 man,' whatever might be his religious tenets. ' Mr. Howe' 
 (said the Protector to his chaplain, ' you have asked favours 
 for every body beside yourself, pray when does your turn 
 come.' ' My turn, my lord Protector,' said Mr. Howe, 
 * is always come when I can serve another.' 
 
 " He had a great abhorrence of slander, in any form or 
 on any occasion : he shrunk from its foul breath, as if he 
 feared his own soul would be polluted by it. It was a 
 maxim with him, ' never impute a had motive where you 
 can find a good one ; nor repeat a thing to the disadvantage 
 of another, where imperious necessity does not require it.' 
 
 " It is no small praise to say of any man, * they loved him 
 best, who knew him most.' Legh Richmond had not an 
 inmate of his family, whether wife, child, or servant, per- 
 haps scarcely a parishioner, who can even now hear his 
 name without emotion. 
 
 " It is little to say, that I truly loved him, and shall ever 
 cherish his memory with affectionate veneration. 
 
 •* You, my dear friend, have a difficult task imposed on 
 you, and much less time allowed than is needful, to satisfy 
 the pubhc or yourself, in the execution of a work which is 
 intended to exhibit the character of one * who 7vas hath a 
 good and a great man, in every person'' s estimation hut his 
 own.^^ 
 
 We merely add one more short testimony, from the Rev. 
 Mr. Gauntlett, the vicar of Olney. 
 
 " Thousands, and tens of thousands, who have hung with 
 admiration, affection, and interest on his eloquent addresses 
 from the pulpit and the platform, will unite in the sentiment 
 that < a great man is fallen.' The sermons of Legh Rich- 
 mond were characterised not only by a depth of piety, 
 and a sound orthodoxy, in strict conformity with the Scrip- 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 361 
 
 (urcs, and with the fathers of the English church, but like- 
 wise by the most pathetic and affectionate appeals to his 
 auditors on the subject of personal religion His addresses 
 on public occasions, in behalf of many of the relij^ious so- 
 cieties, were marked by extraordinary powers of descrip- 
 tion ; by a pathos which deeply interested and dfiVcted his 
 audiem-e ; by felicit<ui- and appropriate references to pre- 
 sent circumstances, arising from the occasion ; and by an 
 eloquence peculiar to hmiself, which must have been wit- 
 nessed to be duly appreeiated. Mr. Richmond was strictly 
 an extemp«)raueous speaker. The remarks of his brethren 
 and others on the platform were frequently made the occa- 
 sions on which he formed the most judicious comments, 
 gratifying to their authors, illustrative of the subject, and 
 which, while they delighted, at the same time instructed 
 and edified his auditors.'* 
 
 We intended to have drawn a summary of the character 
 of Mr. Richmond, founded on recollections of nearly 
 twenty years' continuance ; but our anxiety to afford room 
 for the contributions of others leaves little space for our own. 
 
 We shall, therefore, briefly add a few* remarks to what 
 has been already said of his extensive vsefulness. Numer- 
 ous indeed are the testimonies to this fact ; not limited to 
 the precincts of his own parish, but extended to various 
 parts of the kingdom. iMany at the last day from all por- 
 tions of the world, who have read his tracts with profit and 
 edification, will r^se up and call him blessed ! 
 
 The cause of this sign d usefulness we consider to have 
 been, not merely his acknowledged gifts and endowments, 
 bat rather the singular fidelity with which he uniformly 
 exalted the Saviour, and humbled the sinner. The un- 
 ceasing subject of his ministrations and writings, was*- Je- 
 sus Christ, and him crucified." Christ was exhibited in 
 his varied oflices, as prophet, priest and king— embodied 
 in every precept and promise,— and his power, Piitlifulness, 
 grace, and love, urged with affectionate and impressive 
 earnestnew. We would here beg emj)iiatically to add, 
 \hni it ig only in proportion as this great truth forms the 
 32 
 
362 MEMOIRS 0F THR 
 
 basis and end of the Christian ministry, that the divine bless- 
 ing can be the ultimate reward and seal of all its labours. 
 
 His publication of ' The Fathers of the English Church' 
 is the first systematic attempt in modern times to commu- 
 nicate to the public the writings of the Reformers ; and by 
 its powerful influence in restoring the standard of sound 
 Protestant doctrine, is a noble memorial of his labours. 
 
 If it be said, that in the above outline there is a faithful 
 enumeration of what is excellent in the character of Legh 
 Richmond, and that what now remains is with equal fidelity 
 to record what is defective ; painful as it is at all times to 
 exercise so ungrateful an office^ we are nevertheless sup- 
 ported by the conviction that we can record no blemish 
 that affected the loveliness of the Christian, or the estima- 
 tion of the man. In endeavouring, therefore, to discharge 
 this duty, it will perhaps awaken the astonishment of the 
 reader, who has been contemplating the laborious career of 
 his life, to be told that indolence was naturally his besetting 
 sm, ' the thorn in the flesh,' against which he had unceas- 
 ingly to contend. It will be remembered that in his diary, 
 the following remarkable words occur; 'sloth, detested 
 sloth, how does it injure my advancement ;' and again, 
 < what methods shall I take to cure my spiritual slothful- 
 ness ? I'here must be a struggle and agony — heaven must 
 be taken with violence.' We more particularly mention 
 this fact, that we may magnify that grace which could thus 
 convert indolence into activity, and supineness into zeal, till 
 life itself became the sacrifice of his exertions, and he died 
 literally spent in his Master's service.* 
 
 Let the reader improve the knowledge of this circum- 
 stance to his own personal edification, and reflect that na- 
 tural infirmities afford no justification for their indulgence : 
 that they are not only to be resisted, but may be subdued ; 
 that God's strength is perfected in man's weakness, and 
 
 ♦ It was stated by Dr. Thackeray, a well known and highly re- 
 spectable physician in Bedfordshire, who attended him in his last 
 illness, that he fell a martyr to his ministerial labours, — that the 
 death of his son might have hastened the event, but that his frame 
 had been sinking for the last two years. 
 
REV. LEGH RICHMOND. 363 
 
 that divine truth has declared for our encouragement, " my 
 grace is sufficient for thee." 
 
 There was also an excess of sensibility in Mr. Rich- 
 mond's character, often injurious to his inward serenity 
 and comfort, and which pkced his feehngs too much under 
 the dominion of others His tender spirit could not bear 
 an unkind word, and still less an uncharitable act ; and in 
 the hours of confidential intercourse, he would deeply 
 nuHirn over a tendency, even in what is called the rehgious 
 world, to exercise a censorious spirit, incompatible with 
 Christian charity, and with the precepts of the Gospel, 
 which enjoin us to " bear one another's burdens, and so to 
 fulfil the law of Christ ;" and to ''judge not, lest we our- 
 selves be judg'ed of the Lord." 
 
 We have already alluded to his unfitness for the secular 
 concerns and business of common life It might be that 
 his mind was absorbed with higher contemplations, and 
 thai he forgot the perishing dust of thiji^jarth, ia his pursuit 
 after the imperishable riches of heaven. His excellent 
 wife amply suf)phed the omission ; and the manner in 
 which his children have been brought up and educated, to 
 the period of his decease, is the best commentary on the 
 subject. 
 
 To Legh Richmond the judgment of man must now be 
 a matter of profound indifference. Praise the most ele- 
 vated can add nothing to the enjoyments of that scene on 
 which he has entered ; censure the most severe can de- 
 tract nothing from its blessedness. Let it rather be our 
 inquiry, how we mav best imitate the virtues that have 
 been recorded, and finally attain the same blessed end. 
 
 The grace of God, which was so eminently manifested 
 in hia case, let us humbly and earnestly invoke for our- 
 selves. It may not be communicated to us in the like pro- 
 portion—we may neither be distinguished by his endow- 
 ments, nor honoured with the same extent of usefulness ; 
 but fidelity is attainable by all. whatever be the measure of 
 their quaUfications, or opportunities of doing good. To 
 the possessor of ten talents is assigned the corresponding 
 obligation to improve them adequately to the glory of their 
 
364 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 great Giver : while from the lowest attainments and the 
 humblest labourer will be demanded what is recorded oD" 
 the zeal of a Magdalene — " she hath done what she could.'* 
 While we respecif illy address these remarks to all, we 
 more especially bea; to apply them to those who sustain 
 the high office of the Christian pastor. 
 
 And oh ! how great and transcendent will bo the reward 
 of the Christian pastor who has laboured with patience, 
 and has not fainted, and who shall at length reap the bar-, 
 vest of an eternal blessedness ! His trials may, in nume- 
 rous instances^ be sijjiial, as in the case of Legh Rich- 
 mond ; and successive purifying dispensations may be the 
 ordained mess ngers of God's providence, and necessary 
 to accomplish the mysterirms purposes of his grace ; but- 
 the days of mourning shall have an end, and the year of re- 
 compence is at hand. And then how justly may we ap- 
 ply the animating language recorded in the Volume of in- 
 spiration t — " Who are these which are arrayed in white 
 robes ? And whence- carne they ? And I said unto him, 
 sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These aie the}^ 
 who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their 
 robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve 
 him day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth on the 
 throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no- 
 more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light 
 on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the 
 midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them 
 smto living fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away 
 nil tears from their eyes." 
 
 THE END 
 
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