gone forth in the place: and thus it was made subservient to the usefulness of my successors, who were not bowed down with the same load of unpopularity that I was."

In explanation of what is here mentioned concerning Mr. Cowper's never hearing my father preach, it should be remembered, that one feature of the unhappy illusion, under which that admired character laboured, was a persuasion that it was his duty to abstain from religious worship. I believe I am correct in stating the fact thus generally: certainly, at least, he abstained from public worship, as from a blessing prohibited to him: and I think I have a distinct recollection, that, though he might suffer prayer to be offered in the room with him, he declined joining in it.—Mrs. Unwin never quitted the object of her assiduous care.

On the success of his labours, as here represented, we shall find him speaking as follows in a letter written in the year 1793. "The effect of my ministry in the vicinity of Olney now appears much more evidently than when I left that situation: and this encourages me amidst the manifold discouragements of my present station."—I believe there are comparatively few ministers, having their hearts really engaged in their work, who do not find their situations, on one ground or another, discouraging. It is natural that it should be so: for in this evil world the Christian minister's employment is all struggling against the current. I gladly therefore present all these passages, which may tend to strengthen the hands of my brethren, and may animate us still to struggle on: and I consider them all as laying a ground for what

may be regarded as one grand lesson afforded by my father's history, namely, that a very discouraging course, properly sustained, may eventually prove useful beyond all expectation.-But we continue the narrative. T

"While I was thus, in some respects, dissatisfied with my only prospect as to future life, on my return home from one of my irregular excursions, in September, 1785, I found a letter from the secretary of the Lock Hospital, written in the name of several governors, saying, that it had been resolved to appoint a person to the office of morning preacher in the chapel, and visiting chaplain to the patients; that, 'from what they had heard concerning me, they were of opinion that I should be a very suitable person for the situation; and that it was their request that I would come to London, and give them the opportunity of hearing me. Nothing could be more contrary to my own views of what my peculiar talent, whatever it was, qualified me for, than this proposal except as the poor patients were concerned. I therefore wrote a very plain answer, stating my views of the gospel, and my determination to speak.my mind in the plainest language, wherever I might be called to preach; and my consciousness of being totally destitute of those attractions of manner and elocution, which such a situation demanded, My friends, who afterwards saw the letter, approved it much, except the last clause, in which I consented to come and preach, if the governors still desired it. Accordingly I did go, and preached two sermons, in as plain and faithful a manner as I possibly could; without attempting any thing differ

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ent from my homely style in other places. I really thought that this specimen would be sufficient and I hoped good might be done to some individuals, by such addresses delivered in that place.

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"When about to return home, (after having my expenses much more than defrayed by individuals, without any charge on the funds of the charity,) I was asked, whether I would propose myself as a candidate at the ensuing election? I answered in the negative, peremptorily. But will you accept of the situation,' it was then said, should you be chosen without proposing yourself?' I replied, I cannot tell: but certainly not, unless that choice should be almost unanimous. Having preached in the chapel, I shall now return home; and, if I hear no more from you, you will hear no more from me.In a few weeks the election took place: no other person was proposed; and I was appointed, with only three opposing voices. This was unexpected: and I saw more and more reason, on every consideration and inquiry, to conclude that, if I acceded to this appointment, I should be plunged into difficulties and trials of a most dismaying nature. Yet I did not dare to give a direct refusal, without taking further advice upon the subject. It might be an opening to more enlarged usefulness : and my own personal feelings must not be allowed much weight in such a case.-I am conscious that I wished to know and do my duty: and I went again to London, on purpose to consult such ministers as I thought most competent to advise me. But most of those whom I consulted, assuming, groundlessly, that I was bent on coming, did not think it worth while to waste counsel (as they supposed,) on one who would

not take it. Their objections were suppressed till the die was cast; and then I heard them in abundance. Mr. Robinson of Leicester, indeed, to whom I wrote, gave me his sentiments faithfully and unreservedly; stating every objection strongly, yet not absolutely deciding that they ought to prevail.

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"Here I must observe, that it is a very great fault, and instance of unfaithfulness, especially in senior ministers, when, from a supposition that a person who consults them has already made up his mind, they decline giving him their plain and honest opinion, This leads inexperienced persons to conclude, that, as little or no objection is made, the posed measure is approved by those who are consulted, and has their sanction. Yet, as in many instances respectable men find that their advice is not followed, and in few is received with implicit submission; they often consider themselves justified in withholding counsel from those who ask it. Now, not as one requiring advice, but as one that has been long in the habit of giving it, I must say, that I think implicit compliance with advice given ought not to be expected. If those who seek counsel are willing to give it attentive consideration, accompanied with prayer for divine direction, it is all that we are intitled to look for: and, even if this is not done, yet, in giving the best advice in our power, we deliver our own souls: whereas, by withholding it, we render ourselves partakers of other men's sins; and much of the blame of that conduct, which perhaps we severely censure, really belongs to us.

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For myself I am conscious that I was fully disposed to give to the most faithful advice, about, or

against, acceding to the proposal of the governors of the Lock, an attentive hearing, and careful consideration; and the Lord knoweth, that every step in the business was taken, on my part, with many earnest and anxious prayers for direction: but, not finding the objections urged which I had expected, I began to consider the offer made me as a call to a self-denying duty; and was really afraid that I should commit a great sin if I pertinaciously refused it. Had I heard all those things previously to my consent, which I heard subsequently, I certainly should never have consented at all. Thus I should have escaped much distress: but, taking the whole together, I now think I should have been far less useful."

This subject of giving advice, and of what may reasonably be expected from those who ask it, was one on which my father frequently spoke; and from his letters it appears that it was one on which he had early formed very just opinions. Thus in 1773 he writes to one of his sisters: "I shall, I hope, ever be obliged to my friends for advice, but I do not promise always to obey it. I will promise to add the reasons they offer to my own, to give them a vote in the con sultation, and at last to let the majority carry the day, as far as I am able to discern it. That is, so long as advice serves to direct my own judgment, I shall be glad of it: but will not supersede it." Again: "One friend gives me this advice, another that one advises me to act in this manner, an other directly contrary: and what am I to do? The answer is plain: Has not God given me reason? and for what purpose, but to direct my conduct? But