the late Rev. John Nelson. This distinguished Christian and successful minister discerned in Mr. S. the elements of an energetic and useful agent for Christ; and though they were then without order, or method, or direction, he gave them an impulse and arrangement which in the course of a short time issued in the formation of one of the most powerful and beneficent characters that in recent times has arisen among us.

There are many zealous preachers with whom Mr. S. might have been associated, who would have failed to produce any thing like a revolution of his views and habits; and had not Mr. Nelson's character possessed a peculiar adaptation, perhaps I might say affinity to the native elements of his own, the probability is, that even he would not have succeeded in his attempt to mould a mind so constitutionally daring and independent. It is worthy of remark, also, that Mr. Smith's first impressions were rather unfavorable than otherwise to the influence which his revered friend afterward exerted. Nor was it till Mr. S. had heard him preach several times, and till, especially, he had seen the working of Mr. Nelson's principles, for he was even now in a degree a practical man, that his prejudice entirely gave way. And then, to render more deep the admiration of Mr. Nelson, which originated in observations on his public ministrations, his youthful colleague was struck with the nobleness, generosity, and tenderness of his nature, his exalted views of the fulness and glory of the atonement, the energy of his faith, the originality of his conceptions, and his extensive and practical acquaintance with human nature. In short, Mr. Nelson became his FRIEND, and then there was no difficulty in the case. The noblest natures are the most fully capable of yielding to the power of Christian affection. Love lays his hand on the lion's mane, and compels him to submit to the yoke.

The influence of Mr. Nelson, and the other Christian friends, who at this time contributed to model Mr. Smith's personal Christianity and public exertions, appears to have operated in two ways. He became a man of increased fervor and assiduity in prayer. His diligence in closet duties, in the first place, arose, partly at least, from a sense of constant and imminent danger. Devotion had now become more fully his element. He engaged more frequently and more at length in intercourse with God, and usually had delightful access to the throne of grace. Under the benign and quickening influence of these exercises, his piety rapidly matured, his hunger and thirst after righteousness increased, and he labored diligently, giving up his desires and energies to the pursuit of entire holiness. According to the testimony of his early and endeared friend,-the Rev. W. H. Clarkson, with whom he at this time became acquainted,—it was in the course of the nine months he spent at York that he entered into the enjoyment of perfect love.'

It is not our intention to give any thing more than a brief outline of the work before us, for the purpose of furnishing our readers with some of those particulars in which Mr. Smith seemed to excel. He was, what has been called, by way of distinction, among our British brethren, a revivalist. The fervor of his zeal would not allow him to rest contented without seeing the work of God, in the awakening and con

version of sinners, going forward and prevailing. Hence, to effect this ulterior object of all his labors, he seized upon every opportunity of calling the attention of all with whom he came in contact to the solemu realities of eternity. The following is related as an instance of his manner of improving private opportunities of doing good in this way:

Mr. Smith excelled in pastoral qualifications and duties, and was often distinguishedly useful in private society. "Kindness," says Mr. Calder," was peculiarly prominent in his moral constitution, and gave to his piety the most interesting forms of sweetness and benignity.— And this induced an individual, who was no mean judge of religious character, to observe of him that he had the piety of a certain distinguished saint and minister, [who has already been alluded to in these pages,] with more of the milk of human kindness. Hence the absence of all austerity from his manners. Of this children seemed to be conscious, and soon attached themselves to him with peculiar fondness, which he amply returned. In this respect he resembled the founder of Methodism, and I may add, the Founder of our holy religion also.Not satisfied with merely doing the work of the pulpit, he deemed it right to acquaint himself with, and frequently to visit every family connected with the society. An unconverted individual in such a family became the subject of his peculiar solicitude, and he was placed upon his list to be specifically remembered before God, with many tears and persevering intercessions. This ceaseless concern for the children and servants of our people was attended with glorious results. My house was frequently the scene of holy triumph; for if a visit was paid to me by any of the children of our friends, residing in other parts of the kingdom, they became the objects of his peculiar regard. By his kind and affectionate behavior he first ingratiated himself into their favor, and then, watching the effect of his admonitions, he was restless till they obtained the mercy of God. Never shall I forget the case of one of the sons of the late Mr. B. of London, upon whom, while paying a visit to my house at Brighton, Mr. S. commenced a serious attack on the subject of his salvation. This was followed up from day to day, till the young man became duly impressed with the importance of religion; and not long after, our departed friend called me into his study to join with them in praising God for having bestowed upon this person a sense of pardon. He shortly after returned to his family a truly converted character," and subsequently became a zealous local preacher. "The daughter of one of our London friends," Mr. C. adds, “was brought to God in a similar manner."

Another incident which occurred about this time will serve to exemplify the same subject. Having to go to a distant part of the Brighton circuit, Mr. S. stayed to dine at an intermediate village. After dinner an interesting and intelligent servant girl, of about fourteen years of age, who was engaged in the room in which he sat, arrested his attention. "Come hither, my dear," said he, in his usually serious and impressive manner, "I wish to speak to you." She immediately came, and looking very earnestly in his face, awaited, with an appearance of great interest, what he had to say. "Do you know that you are a sinner?" he asked. Heaving a deep sigh, she replied, "Yes, sir.”

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"Do you know that you will be lost unless your sins are pardoned?" Yes, sir." "Are you unhappy?" "Yes, sir." "Do you ever pray?" "Yes." "Do you say your prayers, or do you ask God for what you feel you want?" "I say my prayers.' "But you could ask me for "Yes, sir." any thing you wanted, could you not?" Suppose you were a very poor girl, and went to Mrs. S. to beg, you could tell her of your distress, and ask her to give you something?" In a voice full of emotion, she replied, "Yes, sir." "Well, you are a poor distressed sinner: God pities you: you can ask him to forgive you. Shall I pray for you? what shall I pray for ?"

The poor child could not reply for weeping. They then kneeled down, and in a very few minutes she began to cry aloud for mercy, and to confess and bewail her sins in a remarkably fluent and affecting manner. She continued to cry till God revealed his Son in her heart. The change in her countenance and accents was astonishing. She praised God in a loud and joyful voice; and with a faith that greatly surprised Mr. S., who stood at her side, interceded for her relations, for all sinners, and for the world at large. Her gratitude taught her new and eloquent language: with extraordinary emphasis she said over and over again, "Jesus has died for me! Jesus has died for me! Blessed Jesus! Blessed Jesus! my God! my Father! God pities me; God loves me, and I love my God! O, when shall I be with thee in glory, to praise thy name for ever and ever? &c." She continued on her knees for more than an hour, and her state of rapture was so extreme that, as Mr. S. afterward said, it seemed as if it had been impossible for her to have survived so overpowering a revelation of the Divine love.'

His manner of preaching was remarkably energetic, and yet simple, in the best sense of this word. Nor was he content with merely preaching the word, but generally, whenever an opportunity offered, he followed up his pulpit labors with exhortations and prayers; and although some of the lukewarm, and those who were more solicitous for the honor of man than the honor of God, were sometimes offended at the zealous manner in which he conducted these meetings, his efforts were generally crowned with that success which silenced opposition from the truly religious. We select the following account of his first visit to London as an instance of his method of conducting the exercises of devotion :

Mr. Smith was at this time a stranger in London, and the day after the occurrence of this remarkable scene he became the subject of pretty general conversation among those who had been present. His character was of course freely canvassed, and the opinions respecting him were very various. Even among his brethren assembled at the district meeting, there was this diversity of sentiment. This was what Mr. Smith every where expected; and though it never deterred him from what he considered his duty, it was often a sore trial to him, that his labours were not appreciated by some of those, whom of all men he most honoured and loved. In this feeling there was nothing selfish,

except, indeed, so far as he identified himself with the work of God. He was personally independent of the opinions of men, of how great influence soever they might be; but where hearty co-operation was withheld by any who had the ability to assist his plans, he felt that injustice was done to the cause of Christ, and hence his regrets. It is proper, however, to remark, that it was a very rare case for him to be known, without being in the highest degree esteemed, both personally and ministerially. It is only therefore to cases of casual intercourse, such as the foregoing, that these remarks apply.

In the course of the district meeting, some conversation took place on the decrease in the number of our members during the preceding year, and several measures were suggested to prevent the recurrence of so melancholy a circumstance. Among those who spoke on the subject was a preacher of the highest character and influence, who had known Mr. Smith before he entered on the itinerant work, and who highly estimated his devotedness and ardor. After having alluded to several other particulars, he added with much emphasis, "If we all possessed the burning zeal of the brother who addressed us last night, we should not have to lament any diminution of our societies." This remark, from such a quarter, had a happy effect upon the minds of those who had previously been unacquainted with the worth of the person to whom it referred. To Mr. Smith himself it was highly gratifying; it was so full a recognition of the value of the spirit which he took such pains to cherish, that he subsequently recollected it with much thankfulness, and "I have reason to believe," says Mr. Calder, "that he often afterward remembered Mr. B. where it is of most importance that we should not forget our friends." Many other instances might be cited, in which Mr. Smith's singular excellence was acknowledged by men to whose opinions the highest deference is due. The venerable Walter Griffith, for example, under whose auspices Mr. Smith commenced his labours as a local preacher, met with him some years afterward, and with profound delight wept over him, as he said, "You, my dear brother, have from the beginning preserved your simplicity," adding much more in the way of approbation and encouragement. But his character demands not the applause of men, as it cannot be affected by their censure. Some may have been induced, by the testimony of those whom they respected, to offer him a measure of their approbation; but his dearest lovers are such as knew him most familiarly; many of whom are men too fully of his own stamp to be materially influenced, except by the distinct personal perception of worth and virtue.

In the month of July, Mr. Smith visited Chichester, to assist in the opening of a new chapel, and remained there for several days. His labors in that city were honored by God. He preached one evening from 1 Peter iii, 13, "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" and had great liberty of speech. During the concluding prayer, the influence of God descended on the congregation in a remarkable manner, and several groaned audibly under the burden of their sins. Mr. S. cried out, "Now let your hearts yield!" and began to pray again. He then came down from the pulpit, and Mr. Hiley, the resident preacher, continued to plead with God on behalf of the distressed. Mr. Smith, in his usual way, immediately ad

dressed those individuals who were seeking salvation, and exhorted them to trust in Christ for present deliverance. Arrangements had been made for letting the seats in the chapel, but all other business was forgotten in the urgency of the cries of penitent sinners, and the meeting was protracted to a late hour. Nine persons were ascertained that evening to have been brought into the enjoyment of the pardoning love of God, and many others still remained under a deep and painful concern for their souls.'

Meetings of this character are by no means uncommon among us in this country; and the many revivals of pure religion which have resulted from them are sufficient attestations to their beneficial tendency It is true that some irregularities may have accompanied these solemn exercises; and human passions may have mixed themselves with these sincere efforts to promote the salvation of men; but who would not prefer such devout and fervent exercises to the heartless worship of the cold professor, whose religion is more in form and shadow than in power and substance? Our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance! The metaphysician may entertain his hearers with the cold calculations of human prudence, and curious reasonings upon abstract doctrines and sciences, and yet leave them as void of feeling on Divine subjects, and as regardless of their eternal interests, as before they went to the house of God; while the evangelical minister of Jesus Christ, whose soul is fired and filled with the tremendous nature and importance of his subject, will pour forth a torrent of holy eloquence-an eloquence inspired by the Spirit of God—and succeed in awakening the attention of his auditory to the deep and solemn truths which he so powerfully utters ; and while the former depart from the house of God with merely laudatory expressions respecting the speaker, the latter will retire displeased with themselves, but in love with the truth which makes them wise unto salvation. We, therefore, like that sort of preaching which tells on the sinner's conscience, which penetrates his heart, which portrays in just and lively colors the Savior's merits and glories, and which brings salvation nigh, even at the door;' and which, moreover, is accompanied with the energies of the Holy Ghost, in demonstration and power. Let this sort of preaching be followed up with private" and personal admonition and instruction, and with earnest prayers, and it will rarely fail to produce the most beneficial effects.

While reading over these memoirs, we were forcibly reminded of an impression we received in the days of our youth while reading the life of Col. Gardiner. The amiable Dr. Doddridge, whose greatest fault, perhaps, was a desire to please every body, in giving an account of that eminently pious man's life, while he manifested a desire to exhibit VOL. IV.-October, 1833.

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