PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE short period allotted to the editor for the execution of the present undertaking, prevented that deliberate consideration, and careful revision, which was no less due to the subject itself, than to his own personal feelings. In the present edition he has endeavoured to introduce a few improvements, by compressing some parts of the Memoir, and amplifying others. Grateful for the kind reception with which it has been honoured, he once more commits it to the divine blessing; and if the perusal of these pages shall be found to elevate the standard of ministerial doctrine, faithfulness, and zeal; and to promote the edification of the general reader, he wishes no better testimony to the memory of his deceased friend, nor a more gratifying remuneration for his own labours. CONTENTS. PAGE Preliminary Remarks-Birth of Legh Richmond-His ancestry; educa- tion; and incidents of early years-Promise of talent-Completion of Comprising the period from his entrance at the University, till his mar- riage, and acceptance of the curacy of Brading, in the Isle of Wight His entrance on his professional duties-Remarkable change in his views and conduct, and the incident that occasioned it-Reflections on the Developement of his character-Dedication of his time and thoughts to profitable objects-Fondness for the scenes of nature-Spiritual re- flections upon them-Zeal in his ministerial duties-Letters and Diary Commencement of his ministerial labours at Turvey-Former state of the parish-Plans and exertions for its improvement-Judicious rules and regulations of his Friendly Society-Effect of his exertions-His "Fa- thers of the English Church"-Doctrine and mode of preaching-Brief His anniversary sermon for the Church Missionary Society-Meeting at Bedford, in behal of the Jews-Bedfordshire Bible Society-Tours for the Jewish and Church Missionary Societies-Extracts from his Journals-Success of these tours-Their influence on the general in- terests of religion-On his own personal improvement ;-On that of his Detection of an extraordinary imposture by Mr. Richmond-Publication of his tracts-Review of them-Their great popularity and extensive cir- culation, &c.-American editions --Remarks on the subject-Mr. Rich- His appointment as chaplain to the Duke of Kent-Mrs. Richmond's ill- ness-New school-room-Report of his son's death-Embarrassment, arising from his publication of "The Fathers of the English Church" -Interview with the Emperor of Russia-Letters to and from his Im- perial Majesty-Princess Metstchersky-Letters to Mrs. Livius— Letters-Poetry-Description of Lake scenery-Brief account of his first tour to Scotland-His sentiments on Oratorios-Tribute to the memo- A tribute of affectionate veneration for the memory of a deceased Mo- ther ;-in a series of Letters to his Children. By the Rev. Legh Rich- Letter, and verses-Extracts from Diary-Tours to Scotland-Iona- Letters; friendly, family, and pastoral-Memoir of Miss Sinclair 240 Death of his infant-Marriage of his eldest daughter-Visit to the North of Ireland-Texts on the walls of his church-Extract of a letter to his daughter F.-Isle of Wight tour-Pastoral letter-Journal-His son Wilberforce's illness and death-Marriage of his daughter H.- Nugent's shipwreck and death-Apocryphal question- Mr. Rich- mond's opinion on the mode of preaching to the Jews-Journey to Cro- MEMOIRS. CHAPTER I. Preliminary Remarks-Birth of Legh Richmond-his ancestry; education; and incidents of early years-Promise of talent-Completion of his education at school. To record the excellencies of departed worth, and to endeavour to perpetuate their remembrance, is a tribute no less due to the present than to succeeding generations. Biography, indeed, has usually selected, as the subject of its memoirs, the lives of heroes and statesmen, in preference to the milder though more useful virtues of the pious and the good; because the passions and interests of men never fail to be excited by the achievements of war, and the disclosures of the cabinet. But in pleading the cause of religious biography, may we not urge the superior importance of its subject, and the hallowed tendency of its. aim? Is the skill and discernment, employed in increasing the resources and glory of earthly kingdoms, to be compared with the divine science of saving immortal souls? Are the triumphs of the cause of God less real, because they are eternal? its victories less interesting, because their object is to contract the limits of death and sin, and to extend the empire of the Son of God? It is no small praise to the age in which we live, that religion begins at length to assume the pre-eminence which its high claims and heaven-born character demand. The drama of human life has long been characterized by portentous events; and reflecting minds seem disposed to recognise in the past convulsions of empires, as well as in the elements of discord that are silently preparing the way for new conflicts, that an Almighty hand intends to make these events subservient to the accomplishment of his purposes, and to the establishment of his kingdom. Are Among those who have contributed to the revival of religion in the present day, the subject of the following memoir stands |