the good fortune to be intimately acquainted with Mr. Stevens, was most desirous of getting his son educated at Oxford, intending him for Holy Orders, although it was quite out of his power to sustain the expence. Accordingly, this gentleman wrote to Mr. Stevens, informing him, that he understood there were various exhibitions, which might be had at Oxford; and even a society, called the Elland Society, formed to maintain young men at the University, free of expence to their friends, and thus to prepare them for the ministry. Mr. Stevens exerted himself, amongst his friends, to procure something of the kind; but all in vain. This excellent man, not to disappoint the father in a point, which, for reasons, I cannot, out of regard to the feelings of the parties concerned, fully explain, he had much at heart, mentioned the matter to different friends, and he was immediately authorized by those, who were ever anxious to join with him in every act of Christian friendship, to settle at least £100 a year upon this youth, in order to maintain him during his education at Oxford; and some of his own letters to this clergyman, will shew, particularly as to the delicacy of it, in what manner he executed his commission: for a considerable time had elapsed before the father knew that all that had been done for his son, was the mere exertion of a few private

individuals, called into action by the zeal of Mr. Stevens.

In a letter of the 12th December, 1797, Mr. Stevens writes thus: "The character transmitted to "me of your son is every way amiable, and I "should have had no suspicion of its being ex

66

aggerated, even if the testimony of his teachers, "had not been added to his father's. I should "have been sorry, therefore, in the failure of your application to the Elland Society, had I not providentially fallen in with another, which I "think may answer your purpose full as well. "It is at present in its infancy, and calls itself the "Berean Society, in allusion, I suppose, to the "Bereans of old, who searched the Scriptures

daily, whether those things were so, it being "the wish of the society to promote such laudable "pursuits. Being acquainted with some of the

66

members, they have appointed me their trea"surer, and I am authorized to inform you, that "from the representation given of your son, they

are desirous of enabling him to prosecute his "studies in the University of Oxford; and not "doubting his attention to economy, from the

example he has ever had before him, they cal"culate that an allowance of £100 per annum may be sufficient. The next term begins about

"the middle of January, and ends a little before "Easter. Entering any time in the term will "serve to keep that term: but, I suppose, you "would be glad to have the young man begin "business as soon as may be; and, therefore, if 66 you will be so good as to let me know, when it "will be convenient to you that he should set out " on his journey to town, we will be prepared to "receive him: and, in the mean time, it shall be "determined at which College to fix him. The "scheme, I flatter myself, is such as you will approve, and I wish the end as successful as the beginning is fair and promising."

In a letter of the 4th January, 1798, to the same clergyman, he writes, "I am much pleased "to think that the little society, mentioned in my "last letter, have, by their seasonable offer, made

you happy in the prospect of seeing accomplished "the object you have had much at heart. I am greatly obliged to you for the concern and

anxiety you express on my account, and you may depend upon it, that whenever I find my "office of treasurer inconvenient or troublesome, "I will comply with your friendly request, and "decline it. To be sure, at my time of life, I "cannot expect long to hold it; but, if I should drop before your son has received the full benefit

"of the institution, it will not affect the interests "of the society, and I trust I shall be succeeded

On the 15th of March in the same year, after the arrival of the young man, he again writes to the venerable father of the youth, "I have now "before me your two favours of January 24 and

66

26, the former as a warning star, announcing "the approach of the great star; and the latter, "an attendant on the great star itself. To tell

you what has passed since the arrival of the "student would be telling you no news, as I dare he has not omitted acquainting you with every single circumstance. But probably his modesty has not permitted him to tell you, what

say

you will be glad to hear, that we are all mightily "taken with him, and promise ourselves, that he "will, by his prudent exemplary conduct, be an "ornament to the University. I saw at one view, "that he was no counterfeit the likeness was so

striking, that he had no occasion to say whose "son he was; and may it be his study, as I doubt "not it will, to preserve the likeness throughout, "that in every part of his character, the son may " remind us of the father. He is now a member " of Wadham College, with the warden of which "Dr. Gaskin is particularly acquainted. The "members of the new society, who have taken

66

rr

your son as their protegee, are happy in the reflection, that it is a measure so agreeable to you: they are thankful for the opportunity of doing "so much good, as is likely to be the result of it; "and consider your blessing as a rich return for "all they can confer. Finding, on enquiry, that "the young student was not provided with Mr. "Parkhurst's two lexicons, I took care to supply " him with them, and observed to him at the same "time, that with those two books, and his Hebrew Bible, and Greek Testament, well used, he might set up trade whenever called upon."

This letter contains a list of the members of this ideal society, though they were real contributors to this labour of love, of whom the worthy treasurer was the chief: but I forbear to mention their names, as some of them are still alive; and as that is the case, it is right to assert, as the truth is, that Mr. Stevens's hopes, that this amiable and promising youth would, in every part of his character, remind us of the father, have been fully realized ; for he passed through College with considerable reputation, as to attainments, with the highest praise for his moral character; and is now a respectable Clergyman, reflecting the greatest credit on the instructions he received, and affording the most perfect satisfaction to those who took part with Mr. Stevens in advancing his education.