322 MEMOIR OF THE REV. W. NEWMAN, D.D.

gregation will be immediately doubled. If the congregation is increased, we hope the church will be increased. If the church and congregation be increased, we shall want a larger place. We must pay off the debt on the burying-ground that we may not be hindered. We concluded with the first of the Olney hymns."

It will not be considered as extraordinary, if that period of Dr. Newman's history through which he was President of the Stepney Institution should, on various accounts, be regarded as the most memorable of his life. Nothing can be more natural than to suppose that a highly estimable individual, occupying so honourable a station, and discharging its onerous obligations with zeal and fidelity, would attract to himself much consideration from the principal persons connected with his own and other religious denominations,—that his presence and assistance would be requested, with a frequency scarcely consistent with prior and indispensable claims, and that he would be introduced to privileged associations, both sacred and social, the ordinary appendages of such distinction,-which would, however, demand the continued and utmost efforts of his diligence and prudence to prevent their seriously interfering with arrangements, for which, except upon some acknowledged emergency,

he would never suffer himself to depart. In connexion with these numerous and diversified avocacations, how often does he ejaculate, "Oh my heavenly Father, support me !"

Reference has already been made to a personal visitation, which, though painful and of some continuance, did not materially interrupt his interesting pursuits. This affliction, however, might be justly denominated light, when compared with that domestic trial by which it was succeeded, - the alarming and protracted indisposition of his most endeared companion. Nearly four years, life remained in almost hourly suspense; sometimes bringing his mind into a state of depression very similar to that which is often produced where the event he so much dreaded actually occurs, and habitually inducing an oppression of his spirits, the injurious tendency of which could only be controlled by the continued operation of christian principles. And it is exceedingly satisfactory to be able to state, not merely from multiplied entries in his diary, during this lengthened affliction, but, also, on the authority of persons whose opportunities were most favourable for observation, that such a practical illustration of patient submission and conjugal affection was discovered, as most adequately exhibits the nature and excellency of personal religion.

While this afflictive dispensation was in progress, he published his "Manual for Church Members."

The following passage occurs in the Preface, and, perhaps, is even more applicable now than at the time it was originally inscribed:-" Many of our places of worship are mere preaching-places, with scarcely a shadow of church-fellowship or government. We live at ease, under the protection and sanction of the laws; and many of our occasional hearers are so much occupied in building and ceiling their own houses, that they forget the house of God, and care not if it lie waste. Our ancestors, the puritans and the nonconformists, had these things forced upon their attention. They were compelled to fight for their principles, and their armour was kept bright by daily use. Many dissenters are so merely in name, and are now almost ashamed of the name. They are attached to the dissenting interest by anything rather than principle. They cannot, perhaps, decently and comfortably, quit their places while their father lives, or they are connected with dissenters in secular business, or they prefer the preacher they have been accustomed to hear to any one of the establishment that can be found in the neighbourhood. In some great societies, and for the promotion of charitable objects, dissenters and churchmen mingle promiscuously; and this has been the occasion of much good. This good, however, great as it has been, confessedly, is not unalloyed. It has been the occasion of many young persons thinking that the principles of nonconformity are matters of indifference; and that it is even a worthy object of

ambition that, as the Honourable Baptist Noel expressed it, All paltry distinctions should be melted down by the fire of universal charity.' The pastors of congregational churches, both Independent and Baptist, have, to a great degree, neglected to explain the laws of Christ; as if, when the child was admitted into the school, it would follow of course, that he would not fail to learn of himself whatever is desirable for him to know."

The fourteen sections, into which this work is divided, comprehend the principal topics relating to the christian church, with which it is most desirable that all its members should become familiar. The discussion of them is distinguished by the author's usual conciseness, discrimination, and perspicuity; and corroborated by numerous references to the most approved authorities. It is obviously the result of considerable research, lengthened observation, and an inflexible adherence to the law and the testimony. It is precisely what it professes to be, "A Manual:" supplying an important desideratum, which, by its brief and unexpensive form, is most judiciously adapted to meet the convenience of that large class of persons attached to our christian communities, to whom more elaborate treatises can be scarcely accessible.

The fidelity of history may often involve the necessity of reference to certain events, the introduction of which nothing else would justify. On every such occasion, scrupulous regard should be had to