MAGAZINE

"Mr. Stenner is dead!"-men of every class, and of every party, after the first utterances of amazement and sorrow, acknowledged that they had lost a friend and a father!

The following sketch may probably explain, to some extent, this universal mourning.

The latet Rev. Thomas Stenner was born in the city of Exeter, on the 26th of April, 1781. His parents were members of the Church of England; and he was trained by them in habits of strict attention to the forms of worship ob served in the national establishment. It was his privilege to enjoy the advantage of a good education; and, from his earliest years, he seems to have displayed a studious turn of mind. When he had reached the twelfth year of his age, the family removed to Chatham, where, not very long afterwards, he was led, in God's merciful providence, to attend the ministry of the late Rev. Joseph Slatterie, pastor of the Independent Church. Mr. Slatterie's preaching was instru

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mental, through Divine grace, in awakening him to deep concern in reference to his soul and to eternity. He had been brought up under a somewhat rigid moral discipline by his father,—who seems to have been a man of strict integrity; and his outward life was free from stain. But young Stenner now began to feel that something more was needful, in order to his acceptance with God and his final admission to heaven. Indications of seriousness having heen observed by some members of the church, he was introduced to Mr. Slatterie, who kindly sympathised with him in the state of feeling of which he was then the subject. Shortly afterwards he joined the church under Mr. Slatterie's pastoral care, and for many years was actively engaged in promoting the Saviour's glory. In his efforts in the Sundayschool he became associated with some others, who also entered the ministry, and subsequently occupied important spheres of labour. Among these may be mentioned that eminent man, the late lamented Rev. John Ely, of Leeds, and the excellent Rev. Thomas Scales, who, in that same town, has long been, and is yet, honoured to advance the interests of Zion. Whilst thus employed, Mr. Stenner began to cherish deep solicitude to serve his Redeemer in the ministry of the Word. This desire was encouraged

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by his pastor, who kindly afforded him some preparatory instructions in anticipation of his entrance upon college life. In 1806 he was admitted to the privileges of the college at Hoxton. Of the estimable Mr. Slatterie he unceasingly retained an affectionate remembrance, and was accustomed frequently to refer, with peculiar pleasure, to the period of his connexion with the church and Sabbath-school at Chatham.

In the year 1810, under the auspices of the late devoted Thomas Wilson, Esq., Mr. Stenner, having completed his studies, visited Dartmouth, with a view to revive the cause of religion in that town. The chapel there-formerly occupied by that immortal man, John Flavel-had for many years been closed. The Rev. T. Windeatt, of Totness, re-opened it the Sabbath before Mr. Stenner arrived. "It was an appalling sight," our departed friend once wrote,*" on the first Sabbath, to see the dilapidated state of the building, the walls green with damp, the seats scarcely fit to sit in, and the pulpit (as I thought) not safe to preach in." Under the faithful labours, however, of the subject of this sketch, the Divine blessing was enjoyed; for a good congregation was soon raised, a church was formed, a Sabbath school (the first known in the town) was established, and various other means of usefulness were, in succession, quickly brought into active operation. In August, 1812, Mr. Stenner was ordained to the pastorate of the church he had thus raised. occasion was a very memorable one; and at least one individual, it is known, was brought to the enjoyment of the Saviour through the instrumentality of the hallowed services.

The

Blessed with his diligent and affectionate ministrations, the church and congregation continued to advance in usefulness, and to increase in numbers. The personal influence of our departed friend was gradually, but constantly, extending, until it became felt and valued,

Memoir of Thomas Wilson, Esq., p. 232.

not in the town alone, but throughout the county. Year after year he thus laboured. No startling incidents, no remarkable occurrences, invested his history with novelty. His course was calm, peaceful, gradual. Like that of the sun, it shone "more and more unto the perfect day."

For some time previous to his decease, it had been observed by many, that his thoughts and affections appeared to be directed with peculiar earnestness towards the blessedness of heaven. Frequently did he dwell upon this delightful theme; and in his ministrations, with such glowing fervour as to produce a powerful impression upon his hearers. On hearing, in the course of last year, of the deaths of those two eminent men of God, the Rev. Dr. Payne, and the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, he was much affected, and seemed to dwell with extreme delight on the expression which the latter used when his approaching dissolution was announced, "It is the best news you could bring me!" Of Mr. Stenner's ministry, during the last few months of his existence, it has been remarked, that though he had preached Christ always, yet never did he preach Him with so much pathos - so much power-as then.

When he entered his pulpit on the morning of Lord's-day, June 24th, little did any of his loving and beloved flock imagine that that would be his last Sabbath upon earth! But so it proved to be. In the forenoon service he preached from John iv. 28-30, respecting the woman of Samaria. In the afternoon he addressed the children of the Sabbath-school. As he was leaving the chapel the children began singing that well-known hymn,—

"Here we suffer grief and pain,
Here we meet to part again,
In heaven we part no more!
Oh that will be joyful!
"Teachers too will meet above,
And our pastors whom we lore
Will meet to part no more!

Oh that will be joyful!”

He stopped and listened to their youthful and infant voices with evident delight, and was heard, as he withdrew, to exclaim, "How beautifully they are singing!" In the evening of that same day he preached what proved to be his last sermon; and had he known that on the following Tuesday he was to enter eternity, the text from which he spake could hardly have been more appropriately selected. The portion of God's Word was this,-Psalm xlviii. 14, "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." The energy and unction of that discourse seem to have been observed by the congregation generally. In dwelling on the words, "He will be our guide even unto death," he exclaimed, "Yes! and through death, and after death, as well!" He referred to the dissolution of the closest ties. " Husbands and wives, parents and children, pastor and people," said he, "must part!" Alas! how little did any then listening to him, imagine that, in himself, the truth of these remarks would be so very speedily exemplified!

On the Monday evening, Mr. Stenner attended, according to his invariable custom, the weekly prayer meeting, and, apparently, in perfect health. His brief address was founded on the discourse of the preceding morning. On leaving the house of God, he heard of a melancholy accident upon the river, whereby the life of a young woman unhappily was lost. This event affected him considerably; but, on returning home, he partook of his usual supper with great composure, and retired to rest, seemingly quite well. At about half past five o'clock the next morning he endeavoured to arise from bed, but, feeling giddy, fell forward, and was found by his beloved, and now widowed partner, supporting himself with difficulty. Assistance being procured, he was immediately replaced in bed. Stimulants being applied, he appeared in some measure to rally. Two or three sentences were uttered by him after the

attack; but stupor rapidly came on, and shortly subsequent to the arrival of his medical attendant he sank into unconsciousness. His state was at once pronounced to be hopeless; and at ten o'clock in the forenoon, without a struggle or a groan, he took his flight to heaven, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Thus suddenly, yet peacefully, did this man of God-the loved and venerated minister-expire! Of him it might be said, with almost literal propriety, as of the holy Enoch, "he was translated, that he should not see death!"

On Wednesday, July 4th, the remains of this faithful pastor were committed to the tomb. And rarely, if ever, was such a funeral seen in Dartmouth. The shipping with their flags half-mast high, the shops throughout the town in great measure closed, the sorrowing crowds, who, in mournful attire, poured in from every quarter,—all proclaimed how deep ly felt was the general calamity. In the chapel where the deceased had so diligently laboured, an address was delivered, over the corpse, to an overwhelming audience, by the Rev. William Tarbotton of Limerick. Ministers (of whom many were present from different parts of Devonshire) of various denominations, conducted the devotional engagements. From the chapel the vast multitude proceeded in solemn procession to the peaceful little village of StokeFleming, three miles distant, where, in a vault beneath the Independent place of worship, the body was interred. In the evening of the day, in the pulpit of our departed brother, the Rev. William Tarbotton, who for seventeen years had been favoured with his intimate friendship and ardent affection, preached the funeral sermon, from Revelation xiv. 13, to a congregation crowded to excess, and overpowered with grief. Never, surely, can the solemnity of that hour be forgotten!

Allusion has been already made to that illustrious man-one of the earliest predecessors of our departed friend