"I am ever your affectionate friend, of Christian benevolence for his willing feet to | pressing me. The pleasure of the Lord has prostread, they have clogged up the avenues with ob- pered in my hands. I love the service of the Ĥead stacles, and lined the way with insuperable diffi- of the Church better than ever I did: when I am culties. The spirit of the man has been broken by watering others, I find that Jehovah the Spirit waperpetual disappointment-vexation has gradually ters my own soul too! Oh! is not this an encouragenervated his mind-and by slow and impercepti- ing token for good? In great haste, ble degrees he has sunk into torpor and indifference -and the languor of the pastor has at length presented an unhappy counterpart to the supineness of the people. And even where neither the cause nor In the mean time, Mr. Spencer was not confined the consequences obtain to so alarming and fatal to his own pulpit. He gave his brethren in the degree, still it is to be deplored that any approach to ministry tokens of his affectionate regard, by officithem should be suffered to exist. Here the stated ating for them in their respective places: and he attendants on a gospel ministry may often find a rea- also made several excursions into the country. Mr. son for that want of pleasure and improvement. Spencer did not encourage the idea, that as he had which sometimes they deplore, though most unjust- become by voluntary consecration the minister of a ly, at the preacher's cost. If prayer, special and particular church, the church in general had now fervent, for a blessing on their pastor's labors, has lost every claim upon his kind attention. Nor were been neglected, the mystery is at once developed. the people amongst whom he labored of a disposiFor they have no right whatever to expect a bless-tion so selfish and narrow, as to wish to confine his ing without prayer; and as they have no right to exertions exclusively to the spot they occupied. expect it without prayer, neither are they in a suita- That the first and constant regards of a pastor are ble frame to receive it; and thus it often happens, due to the people of his charge, none can dispute; that where the prayerless soul departs empty away, but with the work of the pastor, to a certain extent, the hunible and earnest petitioner obtains a rich and may with the greatest propriety be added that of an suitable supply from the same table, and of the same evangelist. There are surrounding districts that will food. It is light bread to the one, but it is life-giving often cry to him for help, which he is bound to renand substantial provision to the other. "Ask and ye der-there are destitute societies to whom he must minister consolation and instruction, in token of his On the first Sabbath in July Mr. Spencer dispens- brotherly love-and there are interchanges of ed, for the first time, the solemn ordinance of the friendship, which promote union, which relieve the Lord's Supper. It was a time of lov.-a season mind, and which will ever be found beneficial to the of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The churches by whom they are encouraged. Intersweet impression of that happy day still remains, course with society informs the judgment-corrects and its memory is yet dear to many. On the fol- the views, and expands the mind. Long labor in lowing Monday at the social prayer meeting in the one appointed sphere, however important and deevening, in the bosom of his people, he again so-lightful the duties it involves, and especially where lemnly dedicated himself to God, and renewed his all the powers of the mind are ever on the stretch, vows to consecrate all his powers to their service in must produce at length weariness, sameness, mothe work of the ministry. Indeed, all he wrote, or notony. A visit to another scene-intercourse with said, or did, indicated the holy fervor of his soul. other connections-refreshes and revives the wastTenderly alive to the sacred delicacy of his cha- ed spirits and the weary frame. And the church, racter, he was anxious to sustain it well, that the however they may value their pastor's ministry cause of Jesus might not suffer by any spots it and regret his absence, will not eventually be night contract. Conscientiously awake to every losers by the temporary privation they may suffer. call of duty which his most responsible station But we must, however reluctant, pass on to the might involve, he was ready to obey them all-that closing scenes of Mr. Spencer's life. As his death the ministry might not be blamed! The following was sudden, I have none of those sayings or sentiletter is from his correspondence about this time, ments to record which occupy the last pages of most and may be numbered with the last he ever wrote. biographical sketches of departed saints; and yet The expressions which I have copied, are mingled his friends remember, with peculiar pleasure, in with others sacred to the privacy of friendship. what a holy frame of mind he appeared to be durThey promise pleasures never realized-unfolding the whole of the week previous to his removal. prospects suddenly destroyed-and record arrangements he was not permitted to fulfil! shall receive." "The ordination has, for the last fortnight, occupied almost the whole of my attention, and the impression, the solemn, the holy impression, of which I trust I shall never forget. Yesterday for the first time in my life, I administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and found it to be indeed a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,' My duties are more and more important and pressing. Conversations upon religious experience with candidates for admission into our church, the baptism of children, and the calls of the sick and dying, must necessarily engage much of my attention. But I can sincerely bless God, that amidst all the depression of mind I have suffered, my work has been my delight. The duties of the ministry have often refreshed, instead of op If I should be more minute than may be deemed absolutely necessary in what remains of these important memoirs of this lovely youth, I trust that I shall be forgiven. I write for friendship; and to his friends it must afford peculiar gratification to follow him through all the scenes he visited, and mark the slightest movements of his mind during the last week of his residence on this earth. On Sabbath day, July 28, being the day appointed for a collection for the new chapel, Mr. Spencer preached a most excellent sermon in the morning from Ezra ix. 8. “And now for a little space grace has been showed from the Lord our God to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage." In the evening his text was Acts xiii. 26, "To you is the word of this salvation sent." On that day he exerted himself greatly, and complained much of a pain at his heart, but did not seem at night particularly fatigued. The following day he spent chiefly in conversation with his friends respecting the state of the church, and some candidates for communion who were to be visited and received during that week-he dined at the house of a friend-in the afternoon visited the sick room of one of his members-and in the evening attended the prayer meeting at the chapel, when he recapitulated the outline of a sermon which had been preached on the Wednesday evening preceding, by the Rev. Mr. Davies, of London. His memory was remarkably retentive, and he gave in that exercise a proof of its powers, which astonished all that heard him. That evening he slept in Liverpool, and early on Tuesday morning he went with a friend to Prescot and laid the foundation stone of a new chapel there, and delivered an address adapted to the occasion, in the presence of a large assembly. From the ground he retired to the house of a gentleman in Prescot, whose child he then baptized, and so proceeded immediately to St. Helen's, a town about four miles distant, where he preached in the evening. On Wednesday afternoon he returned much fatigued to Liverpool, but preached in the evening with great animation, from a text selected for him, by one of the young persons of his church; Rev. xi. 2, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." The Rev. Mr. Wray, the missionary at Demerara, was then in Liverpool, and was at the chapel. A friend who saw Mr. Spencer in the vestry after service, observed him to be much exhausted, and heard him say, for the first time, "Oh! I did not feel comfortable in seeing a brother minister in the congregation this evening." Usually he did not fear the face of man. Ön Thursday, about noon, one of his deacons called upon him at his residence, and he was occupied the whole day with him in visiting those who were to be received into the church; his conversations with the respective candidates were truly admirable and appropriate, and such as will remain in the grateful memory of those who had the happiness to enjoy them. On Friday he was occupied until the afternoon in writing letters to his friends. I am able to present the reader with extracts from two of them. August 2, 1811. "I find growing pleasure in my ministerial employment; this evening I have to admit eight new members to church communion; indeed when I accepted this situation, I never conceived that I should have half the engagements or duties to attend to, which I now find must be accomplished, if I would merit the character of an active, useful minister of religion. I think my recent afflictions, and the solemn duties which now devolve upon me, have in a considerable degree chastened my character, and imparted, perhaps, a seriousness to my general deportment, which may prove highly advantageous to me in future life. How long this will last I cannot tell, but I think affliction adds a weight to a character nothing else does, and especially to young people and young ministers. I have lately been preaching in the villages round Liverpool. Oh! let us aim to glorify God and then trust all our concerns in his hands, that so at the last we may be accepted of him." In another, to his father, he says: "I was much hurt at the account of my mother's* illness; I hope no distressing circumstances have arisen, and by this time, perhaps I may indulge the idea that you are better yourself. Oh! how necessary that we should all seek a better country, since here there is so much change, affliction, and wo. May every trial be sanctified to us all, and we be meetened for the inheritance of the saints in light.". Having concluded his earthly correspondence with his distant friends, for ever,† he left his residence and resumed his pastoral visits amongst his people and the candidates who were to be that evening received. At the church meeting he was particularly lively; with holy joy he welcomed the new members into the communion of the church, and as he gave to each 'the right hand of fellowship, he addressed a short but most affectionate and solemn exhortation, admirably adapted to their respective ages, stations, and feelings. Indeed, all the duties of the pastor's office were conducted by him with a propriety and an ease, which years of experience are frequently unable to supply. With the unaffected simplicity of youth, he tempered the dignity of age-he seemed to be at once at home in the duties of his new and important station-never embarrassed or confused; he appeared to have an intuitive perception of what belonged to his character and office, in every case as it arose; and following the inward suggestion, he acquitted himself well, and discharged with undeviating consistency the high responsibilities he bore. After the meeting, Mr. Spencer spent the evening in serious conversation with a few friends; leading with great fervor the devotions of the family, and closing a day of sacred duties, with uncommon calmness and placidity of mind. The following morning, Saturday, he spent in his study, in preparations for the pulpit. In the course of the day he wrote to a young lady, one of the number received, the preceding evening, into his church-at the close of the note he said "I suppose you anticipate to-morrow with feelings of solemnity; you will appear in a new light to the church of Christ, and the spectators of our holy solemnities; we shall share to-morrow Zion's chief feast. May the blessing of the God of ordinances be upon us all. Wishing you the enjoyment of perparent has been recently renewed. Spencer's father sleeps the sleep of death; his body rests in his bed, but his spirit walks in its uprightness. He was a ve nerable saint. Few have felt the pressure of trials such as his, and few have displaved a spirit more uncom plaining and resigned. He walked with God. · Repeatedly before his departure he assured his family that he was going to glory. And on the 25th of December. 1812, his happy spirit was dismissed to the enjoyment of its rest. At the church meeting, with great emphasis, he gave out the following hymn, from Kelly's collection: RECEIVING A MEMBER. "Come in thou blessed of the Lord, Enter in Jesus' precious name; Thy name, 'tis hop'd, already stands, Mark'd in the book of life above: And now to thine we join our hands, In token of fraternal love. Those joys which earth cannot afford, Together bound by mutual love. And while we pass this vale of tears, We'll make our joys and sorrows known, We'll share each other's hopes and fears, And count another's care our own. Once more our welcome we repeat; Receive assurance of our love; Oh! may we all together meet Around the throne of God above." fect health, and much communion with your best friend, "I remain, &c. "THOMAS SPENCER." formerly reluctant to his settlement in Liverpool, as though it were not the sphere designed by Providence for him. He then expressed the full conviction of his own mind, that he was precisely where he ought to be-under such an impression, he observed, that he was perfectly satisfied and happy; and added, "if it had not been the will of God, Í should never have settled here." In the evening, in the midst of a throng, such as is rarely witnessed, and from which hundreds departed unable to gain access, he preached from Luke x. 42, " One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." His chief object in this sermon was to show, that communion with the Saviour is the one thing needful. Throughout the whole discourse, it seemed as if all the powers of his mind, all the ar dor of his soul were infused into his composition, and his delivery. In the application, he was uncommonly urgent with the young-earnestly exhorting them to an immediate decision on the side of Christ-representing to them the folly and the danger of deferring the important concerns of salvation and eternity to an uncertain futurity-and assuring them, that very soon he should meet them at the bar of God, and that there he should be a swift witness against them. By those who are best able to decide, it was observed, that his last sermon was perhaps the most adapted for usefulness of any he had preached-and this observation, which was made immediately after its delivery, has been since most amply confirmed, in instances perpetually presenting themselves, in which that sermon proved instrumental in effecting the happiest impressions, many of which have issued in a saving change. After dinner on the Saturday, the conversation turned upon a passage in Ezekiel "I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;" from which Mr. Spencer took occasion to speak much at large upon the nature and stability of the covenant of grace. In the evening he met the Rev. Messrs. Charrier, Lister, and Wray, the missionary, together with Mr. Laird, of Greenock, and others, at the house of a friend. It was a pleasant interview, and in reflection has afforded to the persons who composed that social party the sincerest pleasure. To his most intimate friends, it is a source of much satisfaction, that his pastoral engagements that week were such as every day to bring him into their society-so that they had constant intercourse with their departed friend and passing with him from house to house can look back and say, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us by the way, and opened unto us the Scriptures."-Like the companion of Elijah, they walked with him in close connection from spot to spot, charmed and edified with the holy strain of his discourse, and the rising lustre of his character; but all unconscious, that whilst they were thus conversing with him upon earth, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof were preparing to conduct him triumphantly to heaven. But the scene closes rapidly upon us. On the last Sabbath of his life, August 4th, he rose with unusual health and spirits. The family with whom he resided always beheld him with peculiar interest on the morning of the After the labors of the day he went to the house Sabbath, such an air of angelic mildness and com- of a friend to supper; he did not appear to be unposure sat upon his countenance-and so deeply did usually fatigued. With great fervor he led the dehe seem absorbed in the contemplation of the sa- votions of the family. He read a portion of Scripcred duties of the day. That morning he preached ture, and gave out the 165th hymn of the 2d book. from Jer. xxxi. 3-"I have loved thee with an ever- He was remarkably copious and earnest in prayer lasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I commending especially to God-the family-the drawn thee." The way of his discussing the sub-church-the members who had recently joinedject was simple and interesting: I have drawn thee the missionary, (who was present) and every object -to the cross-to the throne-to the church-were to which his holy and benevolent mind recurred. the leading ideas in the discourse. It was particu- At supper the conversation was pure and spiritual larly adapted to the occasion, so many new mem--such as the book of remembrance in heaven prebers being that day added to the church. He after-serves-such as will not easily be forgotten upon wards administered the Lord's Supper in a most earth. The subject was sudden death. The counsolemn and affecting manner. Such as witnessed tenance of Spencer, always animated, was lighted the scene and the number of spectators was about up with holy joy as he discoursed upon the glory of three hundred-bear an unanimous testimony to the departed saints-he seemed to realize the scenes he deep solemnity by which it was characterized. His attempted to describe, whilst he expressed his own appeals to the conscience were so close and over-conceptions of the transport and surprise in which whelming his invitations to the faint and weary the disembodied spirit will be lost, when first adwere so pressing and tender-his countenance-his mitted to the immediate presence of God. He spoke voice-his whole manner were so expressive of holy much upon the blessedness of putting off the garfervor, that every eye was fixed-every heart ments of mortality in a moment, and being caught seemed moved. How long the impression will re-up unexpectedly and instantaneously to heaven! main I cannot tell; but the emotions enkindled by He seemed to lose the memory of the day's fathe transactions of that day are yet lively in the tigue in the interesting theme, and frequently obhearts of many-and numbers love to converse up- served, that he had not for a long time felt himself on it, as one of those rare and highly favored sea- so free from weariness. A little after eleven, he sons, in which the distance between earth and hea- parted with his friends for ever. Never did they ven seems annihilated-and so transporting is the discover more of the warmth of his friendship, or joy, that whether in the body or out of the body, the the ardor of his piety, than in this last, happy interhappy Christian can scarcely tell! To a friend, view. His countenance seemed irradiated with who afterwards hinted that he appeared to be very smiles of ineffable benignity-his whole deporthappy in prayer at the Lord's Supper, he replied- ment indicated a mind abstracted from the world, O yes; I thought I could have prayed, and pray- except so far as bound to it by the benevolent desire ed, and mounted up to heaven!" At the close of of doing good, and wholly devoted to communion that memorable service-one, the ardor of whose and fellowship with God. So mature indeed did feelings age had checked, observed, that " Mr. Spen-his character appear-so ripe did he seem for glocer seemed that morning twenty years older in experience than he really was." At dinner he mentioned to the family, that he had received that morning a letter from a friend in London who had been ry, that some of his friends could not but entertain a presentiment of his early removal. Though not then elevated to a higher sphere, he still appeared mysteriously weaned from earth. His loins were girt, and his lamp burning with unusual brightness, as though he expected the coming of his Lord. In its anticipations of future glory, his happy spirit seemed to try its pinions, preparatory to the glorious flight it was about to take. On Monday morning, August the 5th, the last day that dawned for him, he rose rather later than usual; his mind was too active for his body; the exhausted frame required rest. After breakfast, he received a visit from a young lady, one of the members lately admitted into the church. He entered the room with a cheerful smile; and the family having retired after some general conversation, he said, 'Well, M- -, you are now a member of a Christian church; yesterday you solemnly professed your faith in Christ, while the attention of many of our fellow creatures was fixed on you; God also beheld your profession-all heaven and hell witnessed the solemnity." On her expressing some fears lest she should be unable to act consistently with the profession she had made, he replied, "Live near to Christ-be much in communion with your own heart--be very frequent in addresses at a throne of grace, and there is no fear of you." Then referring to the long and agonizing distress which he had suffered through the alarming indisposition of his dearest connections, and which seemed now happily removing, he said, "This severe affliction has not been sent, but for reasons the wisest and the best; from it I have learned many lessons, and have enjoyed much of the presence of God under it. O may my heart be filled with gratitude to Him who is the author of all our mercies." He frequently bathed; he found it beneficial to his health. He purposed doing so that day, and had expressed his intention in the morning. He had just repeated the first verse of Cowper's admirable hymn→ 46 God moves in a mysterious way, He plants his footsteps in the sea, when one of the family came into the room, and said, that if he intended bathing, it was time that he should go, as it would very soon be high water. He assented; but whilst a towel was being procured for him, he turned to his young friend, and said, "I can't tell how it is, but I don't feel so much inclined to go, to-day, as usual." She asked if it was thought good for his health-he answered "Yes, it will brace my nerves after the exertion of yesterday." And, indeed, he had an immediate object in view, for he had folded his paper, and prepared his pen, in order to compose a sermon to be preached in the course of the ensuing week, on behalf of the Religious Tract Society, in London; and he was anxious that, by bathing, his mind might be invigorated for study, as he had frequently observed it to have that pleasing influence. Mr. Spencer and his friend left the house together, when turning towards the water, he said, "I must go this way." They parted. His friend sought again the bosom of her family-he went the way whence he never returned! The following pages of this history must be filled with weeping, and lamentation, and wo. They must detail as sad a catastrophe as ever humanity or religion mourned. With cheerfulness Mr. Spencer took the path which leads across the fields towards the Herculaneum potteries, a little above which it was his design to bathe. The eye of his friend, beneath whose roof he dwelt, followed him till distance hid him from his sight. Arrived at the spot which he had selected, not so much from a knowledge of the ground, as from the circumstance of its retirement, he asked a gentleman, who had been bathing, and who then was dressing, "if that was a good place to bathe at ?"--he answered that it was, but that it was rather stony near the side, but better when further in. Mr. Spencer replied, "I rather think that it is a good place myself, and I don't like to bathe near the pottery, there are so many people." Mr. S. then asked again, "Is the tide nigh up?" to which he was answered, "About half past eleven." "Oh! dear," said Mr. Spencer, "it, is near twelve." As this conversation passed, Mr. Spencer was undressing, and, at intervals, humming a tune. When undressed, he walked towards the water, and spoke to a workman belonging to the pottery, of the name of Potter, who also was bathing, and who directed him which way to come into the water. While walking in, Mr. Spencer observed, that it was very cold-to which Potter replied, "You will not find it so cold when in." Potter then plunged into the water about breast high, and when he next saw Mr. Spencer, he was swimming within his depth, but soon afterwards the tide swept him round an abrupt projecting rock, where the water was from six to seven feet. Potter himself, who is an expert swimmer, soon found the current driving him round the same rock; but he immediately, with difficulty, swam to the shore, when he looked about for Mr. Spencer, and, not seeing him, was much alarmed. At length, after the lapse of a minute or two, he saw the the top of his head floating above the surface of the water. Potter could not tell whether he was amusing himself or drowning. He however cried out to him; but receiving no answer, plunged in again, and swam to the rock, in order to render him assistance-but found it impossible--Mr. Spencer having sunk in seven feet water, and the currents being remarkably strong. Potter, with considerable trouble, and not till some time had elapsed, got up the side of the rock, and communicated the intelligence to Mr. Smith, of the potteries, who immediately ordered out two boats, which were directly manned and brought to the spot, when every exertion was made to find the body. I have frequently examined the place; indeed, I take a mournful pleasure in visiting the scene; and I have sought the opinions of medical gentlemen respecting the immediate cause of Mr. Spencer's death. The spot is most unfavorable for safe and pleasant bathing. Whoever sees it at low water, is astonished that any person, acquainted with the nature of the shore, should venture there. There is a ridge of sharp and slippery rock, running in a curved direction, for many yards, into the water, and terminating abruptly; on either side of this most rugged ridge the fall is instantaneous, and from one to two feet. It is highly probable, then, that Mr. S. swimming, as was described, along by the shore, might bring himself up immediately on the edge of this treacherous rock, which being slippery, deceived him, and by suddenly precipitating him into deeper water, caused a spasmodic fear-a combination of instantaneous terror and spasmwhich directly suspended the functions of life, and he sunk, without further agitation or conflict, in the arms of death. "So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, And yet anon repairs his drooping head, waves; Where, other groves and other streams along, In solemn troops and sweet societies, In the meanwhile, the gentleman whom Mr. Spencer first addressed, returned, and, discovering the sad event, apprized them that it was Mr. Spencer, the minister, who was lost. Potter renewed his exertions to find the body, assisted by the people in the boats, in which they at length succeeded, after it had been under water about fifty minutes. By this time the melancholy tidings had spread abroad; and happily some gentlemen of the faculty being in the neighborhood, and hearing of the event, hastened immediately to the spot, so that, ere the finding of the body, every thing was in readiness for instantly commencing the resuscitating process. When drawn from the water, the body exhibited no symptoms of violence or struggle in the act of dying the countenance was placid and serene-its features were perfectly undisturbed, and so lovely was its expression in death, that one of the medical attendants observed-a painter could not desire a finer object! On the arrival of the body on the beach, the water was easily expelled, and being then wrapped up in flannel, it was immediately conveyed to the house of Mr. Smith, where, by the kind exertions of the family, every necessary arrangement had been made for its reception. The apparatus having arrived from Liverpool, and three medical gentlemen being present to receive the body, the usual methods adopted in cases of suspended animation were instantly pursued. They were soon joined by three other gentlemen of the faculty, who rendered every possible assistance; every expedient was, in the course of the afternoon, resorted to--but alas in vain! and at five o'clock, in the opinion of all present, there remained not the faintest hope of restoring animation--the spark of life was totally extinguished. whilst many, to whom by intimate acquaintance he had become peculiarly endeared-petrified at first with mingled horror and surprise, when recollection and feeling returned, yielded, for awhile, to the influence of the deepest sorrow. The estimation in which Mr. Spencer was held in Liverpool was most decidedly marked after his decease. The public prints severally bore testimony to his worth, and pronounced a warm, but just eulogium on his extraordinary merits; the introduction of some extracts will not be unsuitable here. "Mr. Spencer was about twenty years of age; in his person and countenance eminently prepossessing; and of manners most amiable, conciliating, and engaging. As a preacher, his talents were held in a degree of estimation, and possessed an extent of influence, which have seldom been equalled in the annals of pulpit eloquence. His discourses were rather persuasive and hortatory, than argumentative or disquisitive: they were addressed more to the imagination and affections, than to the judgment; and this apparently, not so much from any deficiency of talent, as from a firm persuasion, that, in matters of religion, the avenues to the understanding are chiefly to be sought in the heart. His sermons, thus constituted, were adorned with a felicity of expression, and delivered in an unremitted fluency of language, altogether surprising in extemporaneous discourses. These essential qualities of eloquence were assisted by an uncommonly distinct articulation, a tone of voice singularly melodious, and great gracefulness of action. Thus gifted by nature, and improved by cultivation, it is not surprising that he possessed the power of attaching an audience, in a manner that will never be forgotten by those who attended his ministry. Perhaps it scarcely ever before fell to the lot of any individual, at so early an age, to have diffused religious impression through so extensive a circle of hearers; and those who looked forward to the maturity of his powers, with the hope naturally inspired by his early excellence, will regard his loss as a public misfortune." tain for him a large share of public admiration and popularity. His premature death has most deeply affected the feelings of his numerous friends, who looked forward to the maturity of his early powers with the highest hope of obtaining in him a most valuable accession to the dissenting ministry." Thus, in one sad moment, was lost to society and to the church of Christ, one of the loveliest of men -one of the most eloquent of ministers: upon "The deceased was about twenty years of age, a whose lips, only the preceding day, hundreds had youth of amiable and engaging manners; and his hung with delight, and the long continued and ex-pulpit talents were so far above his years, as to obtended exertion of whose powers, in a larger sanctuary, the foundation of which he had but recently laid, thousands anticipated with eager desire! To tell how many hearts have bled, beneath this awful visitation, would require a fortitude which I do not possess and constitute a volume, not surpassed, in the anguish which it would describe, by any similar catastrophe in the records of human wo. The tidings spread through the populous town of Liverpool, with a rapidity, such as, in cases of public calamity, is usually inspired. They circulated through all ranks, and excited one common feeling of regret in every bosom. They reached the exchange, and produced an extraordinary impression there; those who knew him, mourned the loss of one they loved-and those who knew him not, felt the agitation of that sudden shock, which the premature removal of such men occasions--they participated in the general sympathy-and deplored the loss of Spencer, as an event demanding general regret! Numbers hastened to the spot. Some in- The pall supported by ten ministers, five on each credulous, to obtain the sad assurance of the truth -and others to enjoy the mournful satisfaction of beholding that countenance in death, on which they had often gazed with transport, when kindled into radiance by the ardor of the soul that lately animated it. All was confusion and distress. Such a day has been seldom seen in Liverpool; a day of such dreadful gloom-such universal grief. From the countenance of every one, to whom the tidings came, one might have imagined he had lost a friend; But at the solemnities of interment, the strongest demonstration of public feeling was afforded. The concourse of people assembled to witness or assist in the last sad token of respect to his remains was never, perhaps, equalled in Liverpool. Religion, Humanity, Friendship, and Genius, mingled their tears at his grave. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the 13th August, 1811: the procession moved from the Park about eleven in the morning, in the following order : The gentlemen of the Faculty; side: The mouere. To the number of one hundred and thirty, All the streets through which the procession passed were crowded to excess, as also were the windows and balconies of the houses. But the greatest |