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was at that time nothing better than obstinacy, was afterwards directed into a proper channel, and, in connexion with other qualifications, seemed to mark him one for eminent usefulness in the arduous work after which he aspired.

It will be proper now that we state the manner in which this happy transformation of character was effected; which statement we shall give almost entirely in his own words, as taken from a paper containing a record of his Christian experience, bearing date December 3, 1813.

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from the words, "Sir, we would see Jesus." As he was describing the feelings of the enlightened sinner, desirous of seeing Jesus, I found great consolation, as my own experience was clearly described. From that period I had greater pleasure in perusing the word of God, and attending the ordinances of divine worship: and some time after, having, as I trust, given myself to the Lord, I joined in communion with the church at Abergavenny, of which Mr. H. was pastor."

Thus was this youth delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of the Son of God; and being thus made free from sin, he became the servant of God, and therefore of necessity concerned to promote the cause of his Master.

That ardour of mind which be

Being born of religious parents, I was brought up in my childhood to attend the means of grace under the Rev. Mr. Harries, who was at that time pastor of the Independent church in Stroud, Gloucestershire, of which father and mother have many years been members; and though, alas! I felt nothing of the saving effects of the word, I had a strong attachment to Mr. H.; and when he removed to Abergavenny, I was much distressed on that account. In the year 1809, Mr. H. obtained a situation for me at Abergavenny; and I was the more willing to go, from the regard which I felt for him. Being afterwards, in this situation, "Ever since the Lord, by his exercised with various trials, I be- Spirit, has, I trust, convinced me gan more seriously to peruse the of the value of my soul, and of the Scriptures; and finding Jesus Christ excellency of the salvation of Christ, represented therein as the Friend of I have felt tenderly for the poor the distressed, I began to examine Heathen, who are destitute of the whether I had any sufficient reason means of instruction, and are peto look to Him as my Friend. Upon rishing for lack of knowledge; and reflection, I found that I had been I have found a secret inclination, trampling upon his authority, and if it were the will of God, to endespising his invitations! I now gage in the Missionary Cause. At began to see my ruined condition, first there seemed no likelihood of both by nature and practice. For my desires being realized; but a considerable time I felt great distress of mind; which was much increased by hearing Mr. Harries preach from Acts xvii. 30, 31, on the subject of final judgment. This distress continued till the following Sabbath; when Mr. H. preached

longed to him, was now employed on the most important of all subjects, Religion; and his anxiety was directed, not merely to his own salvation, but to the salvation of others. It appears that he almost immediately turned his thoughts to the work of God in foreign lands. On this subject he thus expresses himself, in the paper from which the former extract was taken:

since that time, Providence has appeared in a remarkable manner to favour my views; and my inclination to go as a Missionary has increased, particularly since I attended the Missionary Meeting at Bristol; and I am ready, through

divine assistance, to suffer all privations, and endure all difficulties attendant on such a responsible undertaking, though sensible of my own inability and insufficiency."

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with the approbation of his friends, to be taken under the patronage of the Missionary Society; and, having been accepted as a student on probation, entered the seminary at Gosport; that interesting spot, that fountain of joy to thousands of our race, whence so many streams have issued, and are yet issuing, not only to make glad the city of God, but to cause the "wilderness and the solitary place to rejoice and to blossom as the rose.”

After he had continued some time in Abergavenny, he returned to live with his parents, bringing with him a recommendatory letter from Mr. Harries, addressed to his successor in the pastoral office at Stroud. The youth was shortly afterwards called upon to take part in a meeting for social prayer ; and His demeanour, as a student, never will those who were present was such as to adorn the doctrine on that occasion forget the wonder which he professed. While he was and delight which the prayer of not slothful in college-business, he this youth excited in their minds. continued "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" and as a Missionary He was not then 16 years of age, student his character was truly exand appeared to be much younger. His voice was at that time remark- emplary. Indeed, with regard both ably slender and childlike. There to his qualifications for this work was, besides, a puerile simplicity in his expressions, accompanied by all the gravity, seriousness, and composure of old age, which rendered his prayer peculiarly impressive and from this, the first, specimen of his fitness for the service of God, which his friends in Stroud witnessed, it was scarcely possible not to augur yet greater things than these.

The ministers and other friends, to whom he communicated his wish to engage in Missionary Service, concurred in forwarding his views; which at the same time, on account of his extreme youth, they judged that opportunity should be afforded for the developement of his character and gifts before they came to a final decision. Such an opportunity was furnished by the liberality of the Rey. John Williams, of Stroud, who gratuitously afforded him the means of classical instruction for a full year, besides materially assisting his parents in the expence of his board; which would otherwise have been burdensome to them, as having a large family, and being possessed of but a small portion of this world's wealth. Towards the expiration of the year, he apped,

and the cordial attachment which he felt towards it, there has never been more than one opinion among those who knew him:-His whole soul seemed to be absorbed in this object.

In writing to a young friend, who had expressed some inclination to engage in the same work, but who hesitated to decide, he thus expressed himself:

"My dear brother, - Millions, millions of Heathens are crying "Come over and help us." A brother, a friend, and fellow-labourer is saying-Come, let us go together, and declare the mercy of God to a perishing world; but, alas, at present, all to no purpose. I really wonder how your conscience can let you have any rest, if, after having felt a desire to go, you now draw back. For my own part, I sincerely believe that, were I to stay in England, it would break my heart. It would be a hell upon earth, were I not to go abroad."

In a letter which he addressed to a minister, he wrote on the same subject as follows:

"I am happy to learn by your letter that the work of the Lord is Dd 2

prospering among you. It quite animates my soul to hear of the prosperity of Zion in my native land; but where shall I find language to express the feelings of my heart, when I hear of the salvation of the Heathen! O, how I long to be qualified and sent forth, that I may preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ! However, I rejoice that every day leaves but the number less.' I am often very much encouraged at the conclusion of a week, by the following considerations:-the glorious day will soon appear; there is one week more gone; and after a few more are elapsed,

I shall retire to rest for the last time in my native land. May the Lord hasten it in his time!"

When four of his brethren were

dispatched to Latakkoo, he longed to go with them; and looked wishfully after the vessel in which they were embarked. So ardent indeed was his desire to go abroad, that, although by no means deficient in affection to his relatives, he declared that he longed for the time when

he should bid a last adieu to his parents and friends.

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Inasmuch as it was in his heart 'to spend and be spent in his Saviour's cause, it was no doubt acceptable to his Master that it was in his heart. The disposition was accepted, but the service was not required. His Lord said to him, ere he had entered on his work, Come up hither."

During the vacation, in the autumn of 1815, he visited his friends in Gloucestershire and Wales; and preached with much energy and acceptance to very crouded congregations; and it is believed not without success. He was however too careless of his health and strength; and returned to his studies, at the close of the vacation, much indisposed. Soon after his return, his indisposition assumed a more alarming aspect, and terminated in a rapid decline.

His attachment to Missionary Labour did not forsake him in his sickness, as will appear from the following expressions, which he used after he had experienced a temporary amendment in health, "When thinking of death, I began to try how I could part with friends, mitted so lately to see them, and I was thankful that I had been perfound that I could give up all; but when I came to think of the but that I was sure God could get Missionary work, I was lost. Not much better instruments to carry on his work; and that when he takes number in his place. The thought, away one he can raise up a however, was exceedingly trying; that passage sounded continually in my ears, "Come over, and help

us."

I have no desire to live, if it he not to live as a Missionary; and God has work for me to do, he will this thought comforts me, That if fore I leave it with Him who has spare me to accomplish it. Thereinfinite wisdom, and will do all Christ; and to die is gain.'” things well;

For me to live is

He was soon to experience the truth of the words "to die is gain.” His sickness was to be unto death, and could not be removed by all the means which were employed; but his mind was kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. He had maintained, while in health, communion with his heavenly Father; and had much of the life of religion in his soul. When, therefore, his Master sent the summons for his removal, he was not alarmed, but had hope in his death.

The last scene of his life will be best described in the words of his fellow-student, Mr. Knill :

:

"On the Monday preceding his death, he spoke with peculiar delight of "the City which hath foundations." A friend sitting by, said, You will soon be there." I trust I shall," said he. "I have no dou of it; for he hath made with

"O glorious hour,-O blest abode,

me an everlasting covenant, or- Funeral sermons were preached dered in all things, and sure." on the occasion of his death, by About midnight his whole soul was Mr. Bogue, at Gosport; Mr. Harwrapt up in thoughts of Heaven; ries, at Abergavenny; Mr. Wiland with his usual energy, he ex- liams, and Mr. John Burder, at claimed, Stroud. At all these places very large congregations assembled; and in the last-mentioned place, where he had so lately preached, the crowd was unusually great, and some hundreds of people were unable to gain admittance. So deep an interest had the character, the talents, and the death of this youth excited in the place which gave him birth.

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I shall be near, and like my God!' "On Wednesday night I watched by him, and on entering his room, See," said he, "I am going home a little before you ;-my Father is going to take me to himself." Through the night his thoughts were frequently wandering; but at every lucid interval, as naturally as the needle turns to the pole, so did his mind revert to sacred things. In the morning he revived, and seemed much better. It was asked, Shall we pray with you?' "Yes;" What shall we pray for?' "That my numerous sins may be pardoned through the precious blood of Christ, and that I may be accepted through him." 'What shall we thank God for?' "Thank him for all his mercies; - thank him for the riches of his grace."

"On Thursday night he grew weaker and weaker. Twice in the course of the night he appeared earnestly engaged in preaching to children: a service which he had often performed when in health, and for which he had a peculiar talent. As the day drew on, his friends heard him praying earnestly for pardon in the Saviour's name; and in a few moments the spirit which had animated his body a little more than nineteen years,

May it please God to excite in the hearts of the readers of this Memoir, and especially of its youthful readers, admiration of the character which it exhibits, and earnest desires for the influence of that grace by which it was formed and sustained!

May many pious youths be stimulated to tread in his steps, and embark in the service after which he so ardently panted! If this desire shall be realized, it may appear at a future day, that eminently fitted as Stephens appeared to be for the missionary warfare, he, like Sampson, has effected more by his death than he might have done, had he continued for many years on the field of battle:

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face."

THE EVIL OF DESERTING

took its flight to the regions of AN ACKNOWLEDGED PASTOR eternal bliss.

"On the following Tuesday his remains were conveyed to the burial-ground at Alverstoke. Three

FOR

POPULAR PREACHERS.

of his friends with his tutor and Why gaddest thou about so much

fellow-students followed him to the grave, and saw him safely lodged by the side of a dear brother, Mr. Blackbone, whom fifteen months before he had followed thither."

to change thy way?—Jer. ii. 36.

THE present is a period of much religious profession; and it must be confessed, that the charac ter of our own times presents many

traits peculiarly gratifying to the we are acting, we must feel our eye of a Christian. He sees his character inevitably committed in holy religion, not merely surviving favour of the truth as it is in Christ ages of cruel persecution, of de- Jesus. Elevated, as it were, on plorable fanaticism,--of grievous he- a central eminence to the gaze of resies, and of daring infidelity; the whole religious world, we can but passing, with undiminished ma- not but be powerfully influential; jesty, in all the glory of a triumph, and the responsibility thus confrom nation to nation, and claiming tracted is of the highest order. and receiving the homage of their Would to God that our religious faith, love, and obedience. He character were of the exemplary sees her, especially in this highly correctness and purity demanded favoured land, leading in her train by that awful responsibilty! But, men of all ranks and pretensions in alas, we all sin, and come short of life. The nobleman, the states- the glory of God!-Yes; in many man, the learned and the unlearn- things we all offend. But, not ed, the rich and the poor, are eager intending a general declamation to give attachment to her cause. against the numerous inconsistInstitutions suggested and recom- encies of our religious character mended by her benevolent spirit, and conduct, give me leave to venare supported with a liberality ture a few remarks on one in par unknown to former ages; and we ticular, which has long been felt as exult in the progress she has al- a great evil, which is still acknow, ready made in the illumination of ledged to be an increasing evil, and the world. We congratulate each which involves, in its continuance other on the prospect, every day and growth, many other evils of brightening before us, of the speedy no small moment.

the

accession of the Redeemer to the The evil to which I allude is that promised throne of universal sway. of multitudes, who are considered We seem to feel that the faithful- as rather strict professors of reliness of God is largely demonstrated gion, taking frequent opportunities by the answers he is now making of forsaking the public instructions to the often repeated prayers of his of their own acknowledged pastor people for the spread of the Gospel. or minister, and deserting The Son appears to be even now place where they were, in a great realizing his Father's great bequest degree, pledged for their regular of the Heathen for his inheritance, attendance, to fill the train of other and the uttermost parts of the earth preachers, who have, by whatever for his possession. means, obtained the reputation of The existing state of Christianity being popular. This evil especialis, in this view of it, truly exhil- ly abounds in our metropolis. There arating; nor is the consideration the rage for hearing popular preachof the special instrumentality al- ers is now so high, that it need lotted to our country for promot- only be mentioned to justify, in the ing these great and gracious pur- estimation of serious observers, the poses of Heaven to be slightly es- strongest remonstrance that can be timated. We are bound, as a na- made against it. I do not myself tion, to be deeply grateful; and reside in town; neither I of conceiving ourselves held up by that order of men whose strictures the distinguishing arrangements of on such a subject might be cona wise Providence to the watchful sidered by some as the burst of perview of an awakened world, whose sonal mortification. It is, however, observation we are solemnly chal- impossible, with any knowledge of lenging by the very serious part the religious character there, not

am

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