CHAPTER III.

HIS PLAN OF STUDY-THE DEATH OF HIS PASTOR-THE FUNERAL ORATION HIS SPRING SERMON HIS MARRIAGE HE COMMENCES A SCHOOL-HIS DIARY.

THE day after his ordination, the filial affection of Mr. Newman induced him to seek a residence for his parents near the place of his own settlement. He says, "Friday, 16th, walked about a good deal with dear mother to get her a house; engaged one of brother Clarke's, opposite the meeting; but my mother was hindered from coming to occupy it by some unexpected providence; lives still at Enfield. The Lord does all things well." His diary for the next day contains the following reflection :-" How great the charge I have taken upon me this week! O my soul, gird up thy loins. Hope thou in God. What honour has been conferred upon me! What shall I render ?"

Having now, without reserve, surrendered himself to the claims of the Redeemer's kingdom, his time and talents were conscientiously devoted to its furtherance. For many years he preached regularly three times on the Lord's day, and two or three times on the evenings of every week, besides constantly attending upon meetings for devotion

and christian benevolence, and very often engaging in extra services from home; nor did he labour in vain, or spend his strength for nought; the Lord was conspicuously with him, and numbers were added to the church. Neither his zeal, however, nor his success, was permitted to exempt him from an imputation in which the most distinguished of his brethren have often been implicated, that, in the exercise of his ministry, the duty of the christian was more largely insisted upon than his privilege. And how devoutly is it to be desired, that every servant of Jesus Christ, even though the insinuation should be, as in all probability it was in this instance, without any just occasion, levy a contribution upon it, not less in amount than the following: "I have been deficient in my ministry in one particular; ah! in how many!-but one has been noticed. I have insisted too much upon duty, and not enough upon privilege. Let me be careful to encourage as well as to warn. for these things?"

O, who is sufficient

Unless there be more than ordinary skill and effort to redeem time, numerous public avocations will inevitably intrench upon those hours which, to the minister, are indispensable for application to study, and the exercise of retired devotion. His plan of study, at this time, is thus arranged:"Deistical controversy-Jewish antiquities-ecclesiastical history-doctrines of the Bible at largeexamine the five points-institutions of the New

Testament-discipline-church of England controversy." As to devotion, at the same period: "At noon, in prayer for my flock. Lord! I would be wiser, that I may teach them,-holier, that I may be a better pattern to them,-happier, that I may be a greater comfort to them." As embracing both: "O how did I pray, while in Mr. Ryland's family, for the retirement I am now indulged with! Bless the Lord, O my soul !" Nor did he neglect visiting and corresponding with his beloved parents, as the following letter, dated October, in this year, will satisfactorily attest:

"My dear mother,-Your affectionate letter gave me much comfort. I rejoice in your happiness. But you say your joy is not full-so neither is mine. Well, 'In thy presence is fulness of joy.' Let us never forget, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.' I am glad you so often mention that text in your letters. That sermon of Mr. Fuller's made a deep impression on my soul, as it did on yours. I am glad to find father and friends are pretty well, and shall be happy to meet you, if the Lord permit, Tuesday morning, November 4; and if you will invite your neighbours, as usual, I will speak a few words to them in the evening. Goodness and mercy have followed me ever since I saw you; and, I think, I have been increasingly happy.

My interview with brother Swain, at Walworth, was peculiarly sweet and profitable. I preached

for him on Thursday evening last, while he preached at Clapham. Next morning I breakfasted with him, and, after breakfast, we called on one of his members, and I could not but admire, and I hope I shall imitate, the wisdom and affection of his conversation and prayer. We walked a little farther, and called upon another, in affection, with whom he very tenderly conversed, sympathized, and prayed. When we had gone a little farther, we came to Guy's Hospital, where is a very afflicted, but godly, patient, young woman. She said she had rather be there than in the king's palace, though she confessed she was not utterly free from sinful murmurings. When the doctors and students had gone away, we kneeled down by her bed-side, and Mr. Swain prayed sweetly for her, with a low voice, not forgetting all the sick in the hospital. We took our leave; and when he had given me a promise to preach at Old Ford we parted.

"Thus, dear mother, your son, for once, walked the hospital, in hopes of learning to be a spiritual physician. Nobody has a greater respect for human learning than I have. I think a minister, in this age, should not be without it if he can help it. Yet brother Swain and I have not been to college, and we are content! To be a good shepherd, he says a man should be brought up among the sheep, that may know their food, disorders, &c. &c. When we parted, I went on to Mile End, and dined at Mr. Broady's, with Mr. Booth, and reached home,

he

by tea-time, with a little gratitude, I hope, for the most pleasant and profitable visit I ever had with a brother minister in my life.

"Our Sunday-school prospers; and we are contriving to clothe some of their bodies as well as their minds. Blessed be God, I have a few hearers who seem to imitate Dorcas in making little charity 'coats and garments.' The last Sabbath was a good Sabbath to me; for the Lord Jesus stood by me in preaching from Heb. iv. 2, Ps. cii. 13, and in the evening, at Laytonstone, from Song viii. ver. last. And though in the evening, after attending the school, preaching three sermons, the last of them three miles distant, I was weary in the work of the Lord, I have no reason to say I was weary of it. I believe I am much indebted for your prayers. Continue to pray for one who continues to pray for you, and has the happiness to subscribe himself, with cordial affection, your dutiful son,

"W. NEWMAN.”

The following reflections, with which he closes 1794, it is presumed, will be considered interesting and edifying:

"I have had a year's health, not sick one day; many young ministers languish. I have had an increase of books, and, I trust, of understanding; a great increase of friends. The kindness of the family in which I now reside has been very great and pleasant; came February 14th. Blessed be God for