so much of his path. From the first | laborious study of the various questions awakening of his mind he had been involved in it. Once started upon a troubled with difficulties on the Socinian train of serious thought, his mind could controversy, and now that he had not stop until it had reached the furthest become somewhat settled, these diffi- limits of its capacity, though the difficulties came upon him with increased culties which beset him in his investigaforce. Possessing a remarkable tender- tions, in relation to the divine governness of conscience, his difficulties caused ment, cost him much agonizing pain of him great distress of mind, as he long duration. It is impossible to state abhorred the idea of becoming himself all the circumstances which conduced a Socinian. At length he determined to bring this important question to a on a thorough examination of the final issue, but a devout and prayerful question, and laboured day and night study of the scriptures was not among for its solution. The conclusion at the least. Probably, too, the society which he arrived was a firm belief in into which he was thrown, which was, the true deity of Jesus Christ. But the for the most part, of persons holding effort was too much for so sensitive a sentiments denominated Calvinistic, conmind, and for a few weeks he suffered tributed in some measure, by presenting severely from mental depression. Soon, new phases of the question to his mind. however, his mind assumed its wonted The venerable Joseph Kinghorn was tone, and he pursued his ordinary then in the vigour of his days, and from labours, at the same time storing his Mr. Green's first settling in Norwich, mind with knowledge and cultivating a close intimacy and a strong attachhis intellectual powers. He continued ment was formed between them. It is, at Barton till the autumn of 1823, when, however, known that the writings of owing to a spirit of domination on the the learned Dr. Gill had a great effect part of some who claimed to exercise a upon him, although he repudiated very kind of hereditary rule, he resigned his much that Dr. Gill held. At length charge. fully convinced that the Arminian scheme is one which does not account for facts, and is not founded on scripture, he avowed his change of sentiments and resigned his charge at Priory Yard chapel, and withdrew from the General Baptist body.

In November of the same year he removed to Norwich, where, unlike the midland counties of England, the general baptist cause has never made much progress. His success, however, at Priory Yard chapel was very considerable, as both the church and congregation were greatly increased. But, as well as the thought connected with preparation for the pulpit, a mind like Mr. Green's required a subject which should give scope for more extended investigation and research. The Arminian system never appeared to him without its difficulties, though somewhat modified, he accepted it in the commencement of his ministry as the nearest approximation to the truth. Subsequent thought upon it served to shake his faith in its soundness, and led him to an earnest and

Mr. Green's first intention was to leave Norwich, but a number of his friends pressed him to recommence preaching in that city; and in accordance with their desire, he opened a large school-room for public worship, commencing to preach on the first Lord's day after his resignation of his former charge. In this place he continued many months, drawing around him a goodly number, and his labours in this place were by no means without tokens of the divine approval.

For some time previous to this period,

and more or less for several years after, | collision with the immense difficulties he was much employed in private teach- which the mind laboured to solve, the ing, in the classics and mathematics, thinking powers, long over-wrought, principally among the junior branches sunk at length, leaving the shattered of families in the higher walks of life. mind a prey to the workings of a conHis engagements in this way might science now a hundred-fold more active have been very lucrative, had not a than before. The most minute actions greater love to the ministry of the of childhood and youth stood before the gospel, and the necessity of time for view; a vast array of guilt that could study, caused him to decline advantage- not be washed away. Ordinary transacous offers. But as it was, his labours tions in life then assumed a sinful aspect were such as none but a man of strong to the sufferer, which in other persons constitution could perform. Denying he could regard as faultless; the word himself of needful rest, from early of God became a book of terror; the morning till long after midnight, his mind incapable of receiving spiritual days were spent in ceaseless toil in consolation; all was darkness and acquiring knowledge for himself, or in despair. Reasoning against such a state imparting it to others. Numbers now of mind is cruelty and torture inoccupying positions of high responsi- describable to one so afflicted: kindness bility as bankers, merchants, medical and commiseration, endeavouring to men, and not the least as ministers of draw the attention of the mind from the gospel, owe to him no inconsiderable itself, rest, change of scene, and conpart of their mental training. genial associations, in time allow the mind to regain its ordinary elasticity, and all once more becomes clear and peaceful.

In June, 1830, Mr. Green accepted the unanimous invitation of the newly formed church now meeting at Charles Street, Leicester, to become their pastor, intending to remove thither at the ensuing Michaelmas; but while making preparations for this purpose, he again became afflicted with mental depression, which compelled him to relinquish the undertaking, as he was for the space of several months quite incapacitated for preaching, indeed almost the sole mental exercise he could indulge in was the study of the Greek tragedians and historians, an exercise not involving questions which most seriously affected him.

To those who have never experienced mental depression in its darkest forms, or who have not been intimately connected with those who are called to endure it, it is exceedingly difficult to make it intelligible. In the present instance it was doubtless to be traced to physical causes; extreme sensitiveness of conscience coming into frequent

In the following summer hope began to beam, and in the autumn Mr. Green was induced to supply the pulpit of a newly erected chapel in the vicinity of Kirstead Hall, about seven miles from Norwich. This place was the property of G. S. Kett, Esq., who had recently seceded from the church of England. Here the gospel was almost a novelty, and many were drawn to hear it, not a few of whom were savingly converted to God. In watering the souls of others, his own soul was watered, his mind was entirely free from gloom, and now something more settled than the place of a supply appeared very desirable. Accordingly Mr. Green endeavoured to find a place in Norwich suitable for a permanent place of worship. A large and substantially built warehouse in a most eligible situation being for sale, Mr. Green, single handed, bought it, and commenced immediately both to recon

struct it, and to collect funds for the | Leamington in order to consult the late undertaking. The project was favour- Dr. Jephson, but during a stay there of ably thought of by his friends, and no six weeks, he found no real benefit. great difficulty was experienced in Shortly after his return home he proraising the needful amount of money. ceeded to Holland, visiting Rotterdam On the 29th of January, 1833, a neat and Amsterdam, and from thence jourand commodious house of prayer was neyed up the Rhine. This change was completed, and the opening services decidedly beneficial to him. Most evenconducted by Messrs. Brock, Funtis, ings he enjoyed some alleviation from and Alexander (independent), all of his sufferings, and as often as he did he Norwich. A church, consisting of a sallied forth to the cottages of the poor very small number, was formed and to converse with them on the interests gradually progressed in strength during of their souls. On his return home Mr. the time of Mr. Green's connexion with Green resumed his charge, and speedily them. The congregation speedly reached regained vigorous health. His minisand continued to maintain, an average trations were again much blessed, and attendance of about six hundred persons, many souls won to Christ were the fruits and additions to the church were both of his toil. frequent and numerous.

In the summer of 1834, Mr. Green received a second invitation to become the pastor of the church at Charles Street, Leicester, which however he declined, and continued to labour among the people whom he had been the means of bringing together. Besides these pastoral labours, for a number of years he held the office of secretary of the Norfolk Association of Baptist Churches, in which capacity he frequently visited the various churches in the county, and by this means extended the circle of his influence and usefulness. In Norwich too, a city somewhat celebrated for the intelligence of its inhabitants, he formed many agreeable associations with persons of various denominations. His conversational capabilities and his strong reasoning powers, induced many to seek his acquaintance, in complying with which he found both agreeable and beneficial relaxation, the want of which after his removal from Norwich he severely felt.

In the early part of 1839 Mr. Green was again prostrated by an attack of mental depression, which soon compelled him to lay aside all preaching for a time. In the spring of the same year he visited

In 1841 the increasing wants of his family led him to think of a removal; and having been strongly urged by the committee of the Bible Translation Society to become their travelling secretary, he accepted that office, and commenced journeying at Christmas of the same year. He soon found, however that his new calling was entirely unsuited to his tastes and habits. Protracted absence from home, and the entire want of opportunity for study, made him wish again for the comparative settledness of a pastoral charge; nor was he long without an opportunity of gratifying his desires. The church at Charles Street, Leicester, being again without a pastor, unanimously invited him for the third time to accept that office. He acceded to their request, and commenced his labours there in May, 1842. On entering upon his engagements in this new sphere he soon discovered, to his deep sorrow, that discord prevailed to a fearful extent; and, with that promptness which was his wont, he exerted himself to effect reconciliations, and to bring about such a unanimity of spirit and healthy tone of piety, as should become the foundation for future success. His spirit was much bowed down

by the task he had undertaken, but in | soon, too, after his settling in the north humble dependence on divine aid, he he experienced the ill effects of the cliwent on, and very shortly all things wore mate on his constitution. His voice, which a different aspect. The congregations never in more than thirty years' preachincreased rapidly, and from sabbath to ing had failed him, became seriously sabbath he had the happiness to preach affected, and by continued exposure the everlasting gospel to large and at- to the raw night air grew worse tentive audiences, and many especially and worse. Profuse hemorrhage and among the young were united to the consequent prostration of strength made church. The earnestness of the minis- a very visible alteration in his previously ter seemed to have begotten a like spirit healthy looking countenance, but no enamong the people, and the prospect was treaty could induce him to take rest till that of many years of usefulness and physical inability compelled him. In happiness; but a circumstance arose, the summer of 1851 his medical adviser trivial in itself, which led to consequences strongly urged a change of air and most deplorable. Conduct very similar scene. In July of the same year the to that which drove the godly Jonathan church appointed him as their represenEdwards from Northampton was mani- tative to the Triennial Convention of fested here. The disappointment of his German Baptist Churches, to be held in hopes and prayers, and the wreck of Hamburgh; and accordingly on the 15th moral principle which he witnessed, July, in company with J. L. Angas, Esq., were more than he could bear, and he sailed for the continent. Having plunged him again into the depths of attended all the meetings with very despair, more bitter and more protracted great pleasure, he proceeded to Copenthan any he had before known, and in hagen, to visit his daughter, the wife of May, 1846, he was incapable of proceed- the Rev. A. P. Förster, who resides there, ing with his ministerial engagements. and returned home by way of HamFor many months he did not preach at burgh. This visit was very beneficial to all, but whenever relief was afforded to his health; his former lassitude and him he accepted invitations to preach at feebleness were exchanged for a large various places in Leicester and its neigh- degree of health, and his spirit was bourhood. much cheered by the sight of the great work which the Lord is carrying on by the baptists in Germany, especially by the church in Hamburg. The pros

His mind having very much recovered its usual vigour, in February, 1849, Mr. Green accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Newcourt, New-pect again appeared promising, and Mr. castle-on-Tyne, to become their pastor. By a series of disastrous events this church had been brought almost to the verge of extinction, and on accepting their invitation he calculated that that success which had invariably attended his ministrations elsewhere would not be wanting here. In this, however, he was to a great extent disappointed. The congregation and the church were considerably increased, but he felt very painfully that, at least in appearance, he was labouring very much in vain. Very

Green entered afresh on his engagements. But the event was otherwise. On the first Lord's day in September Mr. Green administered the ordinance of baptism, and, remaining too long in the water, took cold, from the effects of which he never recovered. With some interruption, however, he continued to preach till the first Lord's day in February, 1852, though often, as he afterwards said, at the risk of his life; for when to others he seemed to be preaching with his usual earnestness, to him