tions given of that celestial world to which they were bending their steps, given by the Lord of that world, who once sojourned here. At length one of the travellers tires: he sits down and weeps. His companion stops, beholds, pours his consolations, cheers his fainting spirits, and mingles his tears; but ere long he drops, and his departing spirit bids adieu to his companion, and arrives before him at his mansion in his Father's house. The bereaved traveller feels his loss; he sighs for his friend, often looks upward after his ascended fellowpilgrim, and quickens his pace.

Such were the deceased Mr. Evans and the writer of this Memoir. For many years they were united in the closest bonds of friendship; and joined hand, head, and heart in the promotion of the cause of God, and the everlasting welfare of immortal souls, in which they were engaged. It has, therefore, fallen to the lot of this surviving traveller to record a few of the circumstances attending the life and labours of this de parted Minister of Jesus Christ. The materials are scanty; but they are such as enable us to mark the leading features of his character as a Christian, and a Minister of the glorious gospel of the blessed God. These materials were furnished by a branch of the family of the deceased.

From these papers it appears, that the Rev. W. Evans was born in the month of August, 1744, at a small town in Carmarthenshire: he was the youngest of five children. His parents were persons eminent for piety. Mr. Samuel Evans, his father, was a respectable farmer. He was removed from this world to his eternal rest with Christ, October 23, 1788, aged 74. Mrs. Evans died nearly about the same time.

We find, from a document written early in life, that the subject of this Memoir was, when young, uneasy, under convictions and remorse of conscience, on account of his past sins, and greatly concerned about the present and eterna! state of his soul; which caused him to betake himself to the Saviour of mankind. Calling upon God, in the name of Christ, I hope,' says he, he answered my request, convinced me of the sinfulness of my corrupt nature, and revealed the glory of his Son to me, inasmuch as I find pleasure in the ways of the Lord. I think I hate sin, and love God; which makes me conclude that he has begun the good work in me; and trust that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed; but perfect it at last, through Jesus Christ.'

Mr. Evans received the rudiments of his education at a grammar-school at Laugharn; whether with a view to the work of the ministry or not, does not appear. Of the motives which induced him to devote himself to the service of the sanctuary (when applying for admission into the academy) be says, A considerable space of time has elapsed since my first inclination to the work of the ministry; but when I considered

the circumstances in which I then was, I thought it impracticable to attempt it. Finding, however, the uneasiness of my mind increasing, as I found a greater pleasure in the work of God; observing likewise, several turns in Providence, together with an inward inclination, encouraging me to take on me the sacred office of the sanctuary, I hoped that these inclinations were of God; and at length I revealed the state of my mind to some of my fellow-Christians. They encouraged me to exercise my gifts; and have ever since urged me to pursue my design. I, therefore, dedicated myself to the service of God; solemnly declaring, that my motives were his glory, and a pure regard to the souls of men; and may the grace of God be my aid, and the Holy Spirit my guide!

He was, therefore, according to his desire, admitted into the academy at Abergavenny; and pursued his studies under the late Rev. Mr. Jardine and the present Dr. Benjamin Davies; for both these gentlemen, their pupil always expressed the greatest respect and affection.

After continuing the usual time at the academy, Mr. Evans quitted it, and went shortly after to London, from whence he had an invitation to settle, as pastor of the church of Christ, at Brentwood, in Essex. This he accepted, and preached his first sermon to that people, April 30, 1769. His residence at Brentwood, however, was but for a few months, owing to a severe illness, which bore strong marks of a rapid con sumption.

The Presbyterian congregation at Kingsbridge, Devon, had been for several years on the decline, occasioned by the in troduction of Arian and Arminian sentiments among them; and from the period of the Rev. Mr. Walker's death (which happened about two years before) the place of worship was shut up, and the few remaining families united with a small society of Antipædobaptists, which was occsionally visited by preachers in Mr. Whitefield's connection, and some others.

The congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Ford, a village about five miles from Kingsbridge, was nearly in the same painful circumstances, and from similar causes. For several years they had not had the gospel preached to them, and their numbers were greatly diminished. The Rev. Mr. Jones, indeed, settled with them for a short time, who is said to have

The Rev. Mr. Jardine died during Mr. Evans's residence at the academy, October 1, 1766, in the 34th year of his age, after a short illness. He departed in a very serene and comfortable state of mind; and seemed to enjoy much of the presence and love of God in his soul. One of the last sentences which fell from his lips (after he had prayed very ardently) was, 'Let me rest my head upon thy dear bosom for ever, O my sweet Jesus, my great Redeemer!" His funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Davies, from Luke xxiii. 28.

been a zealous and evangelical preacher; but having a large family, and the congregation being unable to raise a sufficiency for his support, his stay did not exceed three months.

The two congregations being in this state, at length agreed to unite their efforts in procuring and supporting a minister who should divide his labours between them. They, there fore, requested the late Rev. Christopher Mends, of Plymouth (who commiserated their condition, and occasionally visited Kingsbridge) to represent their affairs and their wishes to the ministers of London. Mr. Mends complied with their request; and by the advice and recommendation of the late Rev. Dr. Conder, Messrs. Towle, Porter, and other ministers, Mr. Evans accepted the call, believing it to be the will of God, and preached his first sermon at Kingsbridge, Feb. 25, 1770, -and at Ford, the 18th of March following.

The salary raised by the united congregations being still very inadequate to his support, Mr. Evans took the charge of the Free School at Kingsbridge, of which he continued master for about the space of two years;-but finding an application to its duties, added to those of the churches, the care of which he had undertaken, prejudicial to his already impaired health, he was induced to relinquish it. Afterwards his strength gradually increased.

In the year 1771, Mr. Evans married Miss Margaret Brooking, who proved a faithful and affectionate partner of his cares, and now survives to lament over his tomb. They lived together 37 years without experiencing the visitation of death in their family, although they had eleven children. Our departed friend used to observe, Death has long been a stranger to our family; but when he does come he will make a sweep.' His words were verified: about two years ago he lost a daugh ter, 25 years of age; in August 1802, a son-in-law, Capt.James Mackenzie of the Royal Navy (husband of his second daughter) who foundered at sea; in the last summer he lost a grandchild; and now he is himself fallen.

But to resume the thread of the biography of this good man and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, we observe that the two congregations rapidly increased. These favourable circumstances induced Mr. Evans to listen to the solicitations of his serious friends; and devote himself wholly to the work of the ministry, and assume the Pastoral Office; accordingly Mr. Evans was on the 19th of October 1774, ordained Pastor of the Church at Ford, at the Rev.Andrew Kinsman's Meeting, Plymouth Dock. The Rev. A. Kinsman, the Rev. C. Mends, the late Rev. T. Reader of Taunton, and others, taking part in the

* The Free School, alluded to above, was endowed by a Mr. Crispin, a Protestant Dissenter, and for many years continued to be superintended by a master of that denomination; but is now in the hands of the Establishment.

important services of the day. The members of the church at Ford, were, at that time, only eleven, and those at Kingsbridge not so many. From this period Mr. Evans continued to preach and administer the ordinances alternately at Kingsbridge and Ford till the year 1787, when the Rev. Samuel Blatchford was chosen, and afterwards ordained co-pastor with him. Mr. Blatchford continued in that relation about three years; and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Golding, Rev. W. Ward, now at Stow-Market, Rev. R. Crook and others, each of whom remained but for a short time.

About the year 1790, some unpleasant altercations arose in the Society at Kingsbridge, occasioned by a few persons, who wished to have the pre-eminence, which ended in a separation; and the New Chapel, which was built by the great exertions of Mr. E and his religious friends, was wrested from them, and thrown into another connexion.

After this truly painful event, which preyed long and deeply on his spirits, his labours were confined to the congregation at Ford. A divine blessing attended his efforts in the cause of the dear Redeemer, evinced by the conversion and edification of great numbers. His greatest delight was to be with his people, particularly, as he expressed it, with the poor in their humble cottages.'

He used to ride seven miles every Lord's Day morning to preach, at all seasons of the year, and in all weathers, when his health would permit. When exhausted with the fatigues of the day, he frequently adopted the language of Mr. Philip Henry, I am tired in my Master's work, but never was tired of it.'

We must now trace our worthy and beloved friend and brother to the scenes of affliction; and witness the slow approaches of dissolution. The seeds of mortality began to discover themselves in the spring of the year 1810, when Mr. Evans had symptoms of the jaundice, which increased so rapidly as greatly to alarm his friends, although he apprehended no danger himself. At length the dropsy began to make its appearance: still he was apprehensive of no danger, and continued to preach till the 26th of August. In the following week he was prevailed on to go to Plymouth for medical advice. While there he perceived Mrs. Evans, one day, standing by his bed-side weeping: Why do you weep, my love ' aid he; the Lord has raised me up again and again' (alluding to a dangerous illness he experienced about fourteen, and an other about six, years before) and I trust he will do so once more; at least I feel no forebodings that my disorder will ter minate fatally.'

His complaint while at Plymouth continued to gain ground; the paшs he endured were violent, and an operation was deemed

necessary. He submitted; and after that period felt indica tions of his approaching dissolution. One day his medical attendant entered the room, and asked how he felt himself: 'O Doctor,' he replied,' I shall soon be in

the land of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign.'

He frequently prayed earnestly for his departure, if it were the will of his heavenly Father; and never after this expressed the least fear of Death, or unwillingness to meet his approaches. Finding all medical aid in vain, he was very desirous of being removed to his own house, at the distance of 22 miles: this, in his weak state, was no easy task: he was, however, furnished with strength sufficient for the completion of his wishes, and arrived there on the 1st of October. After this time he gradually declined. Being overcome with languor and debility, he could speak but little. One day a female friend called, and asked how he felt himself: 'I am weakness itself,' he replied; but I am on the Rock. I do not experience those transports which some have expressed in the view of death; but my dependence is on the mercy of God in Christ. Here my religion began, and here it must end:'-in Heaven I shall suffer no more: there is fulness of joy, and there are pleasures for evermore!-not all the pains that e'er I bore shall spoil my future peace.' - When his labours among his affectionate and beloved people were mentioned, and his endeavours to promote the gospel among them, he exclaimed, with all the energy that his exhausted nature would admit, May God bless it to them!- May God bless it to them!Shortly after, he fell into a lethargic state, and on the 17th of October he gently fell asleep in Jesus.

The

His remains were conveyed to his meeting-house at Ford, on the 24th following. The solemn procession was attended by all the ministers in the neighbourhood who had been in the habits of intimacy with him; and also by a large number of his friends and his hearers. The service commenced by prayer, and reading suitable portions of Scripture; which part was performed by the Rev. T. Windeatt, of Totness. Address over the grave was pronounced by the Rev. James Sloat, of Ashburton, in the room of the Rev. R. Winton, who was prevented from attending. At this time the corpse was deposited in the vault prepared for the purpose. The Rev. R. Crook, of Newton, offered up a very suitable and impressive prayer; and the Rev. Herbert Mends, at the request of the family, delivered the faneral-scrmon, founded on Zech. i. 5, Your fathers, where are they? The prophets, do they live for ever? On the following Lord's Day several of the ministers preached on the mournful occasion.

[ To be concluded in our nex/.]