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the lamentable contention and strife which have so long alienated the affections, and divided the councils of those who are one in Christ Jesus, and ought to co-operate as such.

I had a letter of introduction to the Rev. Mr. Raffles, the successor of the celebrated Spencer, in the Independent Church: but owing to his spending the week out of town, missed his acquaintance. I read, during my sojourn in Liverpool, with much interest, his biography of this astonishing youth, to whom he has succeeded, and of whom, though possessing no mean powers, by report, he falls far short in the pulpit. The account I have received of Spencer, from a Mr. Wm. Johnson, of the Baptist Church, (a gentleman to whose hospitality I shall always feel myself greatly indebted,) in addition to that of his biographer, leads me to regard him as a prodigy; who, if spared, would have rivalled Whitfield in pulpit eloquence. His early education had been very deficient. According to custom in the Independent Church, he commenced preaching occasionally, almost as soon as he began to study divinity; and from the first, when yet a boy, (and he was little more when he died) he drew crowds after him. He had been but a short while settled in Liverpool, where he had gathered a large congregation, who erected for him the very splendid house of worship, in which Mr. Raffles now ministers. He had a flow of language and power of utterance, combined with a simplicity, a pathos, and above all, a fervour, which indicated his whole soul to be in his work, that rendered his eloquence irresistible. When not yet twentytwo years of age, he was drowned in the Mersey river, near the city, while swimming, supposed from cramp. Mr. Johnson said, such a day he never witnessed in Liverpool, as that on which the occurrence took place. There was a general stagnation of business, as if

some national calamity had been inflicted. All faces gathered blackness. It was a general burst of grief and dismay among all denominations. That a youth of such promise should be cut down in such a way, in the very bud of his usefulness, is another example of the mystery that marks the dispensations of that Providence, whose "way is in the sea, and his paths in the mighty waters, and his footsteps are not known."

Liverpool is a great place, and growing with vast rapidity. In point of trade, it is second only to London. Its docks, its warehouses, its shipping, the bustle of carts and drays along its crowded streets, impress the mind with the idea of immense business going on in the place. In the business part of the city, the streets are narrow, crooked and dirty, and in many places, the buildings are old and unsightly. But the new part of the city, where wealth and nobility have fixed their residence, is delightful. It occupies an eminence, which gives a prospect of the lower town, the shipping, and the flat country all around, highly improved, with the river Mersey winding through it, that altogether is most enchanting.

The botanic garden in the suburbs is a noble establishment. In the variety of its cultivation and taste of its arrangement, it appeared to me to surpass that of Montpelier, though in point of extent, and advantages of situation, it falls immensely short. In another particular too-freedom of admission, it is equally defective. It is astonishing, the start in liberality and generosity of feeling, which the French seem to have obtained over their neighbours, whom they are so far behind in most other things. With them, the diffusion of enjoyment, in their publick establishments, seems, as it ought to be, a national object. They understand something of the happiness that consists in making others happy, for which they are entitled to

no small credit. The botanick garden at Montpelier, I visited almost daily; and met crowds of all descriptions of society, from the highest, down to the very beggars, enjoying freely the cool shades and delightful walks of the place; while at Liverpool, by a ticket from one of the owners, I had the special favour of one admittance; and while rambling through its Eden sweets, scarcely met an individual sharing my enjoyments.

Passing along the street one day, I met accidentally my friend O of Boston, the companion of my outward passage, and my associate under the privations of the Lazzaretto of Messina; from whom I had separated at Genoa. Though the intimacies of friendship had never grown up between us, and the cast of our minds is far from kindred, you can scarcely conceive the surprise of joy, felt, I believe mutually, at so unexpected a meeting, I went with him to his hotel, and after a social meal, the evening was spent in talking over the past, and detailing the events each had encountered since our separation. After I left him, I could not help reflecting, if a few months' society in trial and difficulty, is sufficient to awaken so much sensibility in the parties at a casual meeting, after a short separation, then what will be the sensations of those, whose friendship has been cemented by grace, when they meet above, after the long separation of the grave; and when, sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, they review together, the scenes through which they have passed in this vale of tears. And how will it enhance their enjoyment, to be able to unravel all the mystery, which overhangs much of the Divine dispensations towards them here; so as to be able to see distinctly, the utility of those occurrences, of which they are now ready to say

with Jacob, "all these things are against me."

The passage out to sea, from the port of Liverpool, is both difficult and dangerous, when the weather is stormy: and the first of the month, the day fixed for sailing, proving unfavourable, our vessel delayed setting off until the third; when we weighed anchor, and set sail, with a smooth sea and gentle breeze. I suppose no person, possessing common sensibility, ever sets off on

a passage across the ocean, without feelings of very strong excitement. The bustle and hurry of preparation, taking leave of friends, getting on shipboard, &c. may for the time keep down reflection; but when all this is over, and he is fairly afloat, with nothing to do but to stand and gaze, sometimes on the shore behind, fast receding from his view, and sometimes on the boundless ocean in front, as it opens to his vision, he will find feelings of awful sublimity arising in his mind, awakening sensations of almost throbbing interest: at least so I felt it. And the joy predominated, from the consideration that I was setting off for home; yet certainly I felt regret, as I bade adieu to the shores of England-Regret, at leaving a land where there is so much to interest, after so short a sojourn in it, and having seen so little. Prejudice apart, England is a fine countrymade so by the industry and intelligence of its inhabitants. The English are a great people; highly favoured in their literature, their arts, their commerce, their agriculture, &c.; and, which I believe is the foundation of the whole, their religion. With sincere respect, I took of their shores a last look; and with a heart, I think, not unthankful for hospitality received among them, I bade their land farewell. Between them and the people of my beloved country, may there b never any strife, but the strife d

grace-who will render to each other, and to the world at large, the greatest service; and if in this effort they beat us, to God be the glory, and to them be hearty thanks and an abundant reward. But well assured am I, that neither they nor we, if we compare what we are, with what we ought to be, and what we do, with what we ought to do, will find any cause for self-congratulation.

We have been now better than a week at sea, during which, the weather has been fine, and every thing going on as well as we could expect. Our captain is a plain, quiet man, who knows his business, and attends to it; meddling with nothing else. It is under such men, that business usually goes on well in this world, Religion is wanting. He however treats it with respect, and allows of morning and evening prayers on deck, at which he usually attends. The accommodations of these packet ships, allow a comfort to passengers, beyond any thing I could have expected. The chief part of the ship below deck, is cabin-divided, however, into two apartments, one of which is for the accommodation of ladies. Down the middle of the main cabin, a long table extends; which, with seats along each side, is made completely fast; so that a company can sit and enjoy their meals without the least inconvenience, during the roughest weather. Along the sides of the ship, are small apartments, called state-rooms, containing each two births, with sufficient room for trunks, and to allow the occupants to dress and undress. The doors of these apartments are constructwith Venitian blinds, which give privacy, while they admit both air and light. Our company in the cabin are twenty-eight, part of them English. And it is no small compliment to American navigation and management, that British officers, of whom we have several on board, give a preference to these

packets, over those of their own country.

The mode of living, I am sorry to remark, is luxurious and dissipated in no small degree. Breakfast is served up at eight; at twelve is luncheon; at three is dinnersucceeded by tea in the evening. And few hotels exhibit a table of greater abundance and variety. Our company, with the exception of a few, who affect the vulgarity of blasphemy, so characteristick of the young English of fashion, are civil. A few are, I hope, really pious, who are able to keep one another in countenance. A number sit over their dinner glasses until near evening, and when the cloth of the tea-table is removed, cards succeed, at which, amidst occasional libations of wine and brandy, the precious hours are wasted until midnight. On the whole, I consider the place as very ensnaring; and he who takes passage in one of these packets, had need to put on the whole armour of God, as protection against the seducements of company and luxury, to which in all probability he will be exposed.

I

I think myself very happy, in having as the partner of my stateroom, the Rev. Wm. Ward, Baptist missionary from Serampore. would like to introduce you to some acquaintance with this man, who has commended himself much to my esteem, since we have been together. I have scrutinized him with all the attention one is disposed to bestow on an eminent character, with whom he is brought into contact: and the result of my scrutiny is, admiration at what grace, in eminent measure, will effect, on a mind originally not above mediocrity. Diligence, good sense, humility, and devotedness to the cause of Christ, are the great qualifications, (and they are each of them great qualifications,) which have shed a lustre on Mr. Ward's character, and brought him for

Bat although, as a church, the e tablishment was adding to the miss ries of this miserable people, I ar not forget, and feel bound distinctly to mention, that even at this time its priesthood contained men of pri mitive and apostolick parity, whe were a living censure upon the hete rodoxy, and laxity, and sensuality, with which they were surrounded Still it must be told, that these r bukers of a degenerate age, who were the very salt of Irish episcopa cy, giving it all its sweetness and savour, were "despised and rejected of men," especially of their own brethren.

ward, ander Providence, to so much tion Papery, Ike a spiritual inco honourable seefulness in the casrch. bes, was pressing upwards of sup With him every hour is precious, millions of the wrenched inhabitan and all his time, except what is ne- beneath its horrible infvence; and cessary for meals, rest, and relaxa- the Episcopal estabust ment was co tion, seems conscientiously im- lecting its tytte at the point of the proved in writing and preparing bayonet matter relative to his object in vísiting our country. One would expect great ardour of mind, and something like high wrought enthusiasm, in an individual, whose zeal had led him to forsake his country, and with a few associates, undertake the arduous task of Christianizing the Hindoos. But nothing like this appears in the cast of Mr. Ward's mind; which I would say, constitutionally partakes much more of the phlegmatick, than the ardent qualities. But what I admire in him most, is his humility. He is a modest, retiring man; not in the least disposed to speak of himself, or the great things done by his instrumentality, and that of his associates; who have achieved so much in the Baptist mission in India. I consider him eminently a pattern of what a Christian ought to be; and am gratified at the homage paid to Christianity, in the general respect with which he is treated, and that without the smallest claim being put forward on his part. If Christians generally, and especially Christian ministers, were in all their deportment, such as he appears to be, there would be little need for written defences of Christianity. This would be the best argument, to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Yours, &c.

TRANSATLANTICK RECOLLECTIONS.

No. XI.

"Forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit," About the time to which these recollections refer, religion was perhaps at a lower ebb in Ireland than it had ever been since the reforma

During a visit which I made to the Irish capital about this period, I was peculiarly impressed by the ap pearances in the religious world Spiritual death seemed to be diffused through the ecclesiastical atmos phere, producing in most places the silence of the grave: and yet there was, ever and anon, a visible stirring of the Spirit, which did more than proclaim that all was not a "valley darkness, the few, flitting gleams of of dry bones."-Yes, and amid this light which portended brighter days.

dominant party in the church brand. ed as "radicals," and "evangelicals," and subsequently as "low church men." It was at this time that Mr. Mathias, the celebrated preacher the Bethesda, drew after him such admiring crowds. I recollect myself going to the Bethesda, on a Sabbath morning, long before the church doors were opened, and taking my stand in the middle of the street, to rush in and secure a seat. After among hundreds who were waiting standing on the outside and sitting in the inside, until I was thoroughly weary, this man of God entered the sacred desk, and repaid me richly,

came from those men whom the

ith a torrent of warm and holy ratory, which thrilled through every erve, and enraptured the heart hile it enlightened the understand1g. And yet this man was literally espised by the high church party; isomuch, that Mr. Maturin actually rote a novel, to ridicule him and ie evangelical doctrines which were Deloquently taught in the Bethesda! Ir. Maturin, however, had no influace with people of piety; for though clergyman, and a man of distinuished talents and acquirements, e spent his time and prostituted his plendid abilities in writing works f fiction, which made him better nown in the theatre and haunts of shionable dissipation, than in the hurch or circles of piety.

But in order to give you a correct nd lively idea of the situation of aese two parties, as I then beheld hem, I will relate an anecdote, hich I had on the spot where it ocurred, and from the most unquesionable authority.

The Rev. Mr. Bone of the Episcopal ministers of Dublin, was lescended of a wealthy and distinuished family. After passing through Trinity College, he and his brother hose the pulpit and the bar, as ofering an honourable competency, if ot affluence, upon which to support he credit and dignity of their famiies. To the visions of the one, there were perhaps the fame of a Curran and the honours and emoluments of Clare or an Ellenborough, to allure im onward; and no doubt the other knew the value and the dignity of the Irish Episcopal livings, in all their gradations, from one hundred, up to sixty or eighty thousand pounds annually.

They were not disappointed; for their talents, together with their paternal patronage, raised the one to the bench, of which he is a distinguished ornament; and the other to one of the best clerical livings in the metropolis of his country. Mr. Bwas identified with the high church party, of which he soon became a favourite. In the pulpit he

was a Demosthenes, eloquently moral-On the turf he was a jockey, of no mean pretensions-In the circles of fashionable resort he was the leader of the revels-In a word, he was first and last at the cardtable, and longest and deepest in the debauch. Notwithstanding all this, such was the amiableness of his disposition and the brightness of his talents, that many pious people loved him, wept for him, prayed for him. In the very midst of his dissipation and profligacy, he received an anonymous letter, evidently from the pen of a female, and one too of no ordinary parts or piety, upon the subject of ministerial character and conduct. In this letter he was depicted in lively colours, as he might have been and as he was. The writer presented to him the picture of a man, with his talents, and family influence, and professional opportunities, leading a beloved people onward and upward in piety, until, disembodied, they should appear with him, and be gems in his brilliant crown of glory in the upper sanctuary: and on the reverse, she painted him as leading them downward, to those regions of despair where every lost soul that once belonged to his unfed fold, like a burning poisoned arrow, would transfix him with unutterable anguish, for ever and for ever. He had never seen himself before, and he was now deeply shocked at the sight. A pitchy cloud enveloped his startled and astonished mind, from which conviction flashed upon him-while above it, he heard in paleness and trembling the voice of God, as if in wrathful thunder. The result is anticipated-the race course-the mas

* Let it not be supposed that this colouring is too high; for I personally knew a dean of the church, holding two large and wealthy parishes, who not only kept

race horses and had a course on his own

premises, but on several occasions rode his own horses. Nor was this the worst of his character; for after the death of his wife, he kept a concubine, at a little distance, who had a family by him, and for whom I never heard any other name than "the Dean's Miss."

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