"Samuel Hoare and Louisa were both there, Joseph Fry and wife, also Catharine, Joseph, Rachel, Daniel, and Priscilla. In all her movements, she is the nearest to 'Lucilla' I ever saw in person and in manners, in benevolence, in piety. We left this interesting group with some regret, mingled with a belief that the hand which appears to guide them in different ways, no doubt for purposes of His own glory, will conduct them to peace and happiness, as His wisdom sees the best; though they do not walk by the same rule,' they 'mind the same thing,' and appear all equally earnest to follow their Guide and Pattern in simplicity and lowliness of mind."

Again returning to his nephew's narrative, we read: "It was not long ere the good people of Ipswich united together, and established an Auxiliary Society in their own town. The Rev. Thomas Cobbold, Incumbent of St. Mary-le-Tower, offered to the Committee the use of that church for the purpose of holding a meeting; but his intention was frustrated by Captain Studd, and other parishioners, for they feared the consequences of so novel a precedent. Ipswich possessed at that time no public room of sufficient size to accommodate a large assembly. There was indeed the old Shire Hall, erected in 1698; but before that could be rendered available, it was needful to gain the consent of some number of the County Magistrates. The Committee, at this painful crisis, had but few hours to spare; however, by the co-operation of several warm-hearted gentlemen, who, at once mounting their horses, rode to the houses of those in authority, and made earnest personal application, the desired point was carried; and uncomfortable as the arrangements of the Shire Hall were for a meeting of this kind, it was with thankful hearts that the friends of the noble cause peeped over the witness boxes, in which they were almost concealed: and so was

E

the first meeting of the now flourishing East Suffolk Auxiliary Bible Society held."

On this occasion, at the close of an eloquent speech, the Rev. John Owen, lifting his arm, and swinging it with his characteristic fervour, exclaimed, "I don't care whether it is a brother with a hat, or a brother without one; this is a day in which we will all rejoice." The little plant confided to the Committee that day, has since, under its fostering care, become a noble tree. It still flourishes, and spreads its associated branches far and wide.

The gentlemen forming the Committee breakfasted at J. T. Shewell's house in Tavern Street, where, in his large drawing room, a grave and reverential party surrounded the table. The old room had oft resounded with innocent mirth; but never before was a company in that apartment who could plead so important a business. Amongst other guests, was the Rev. Joseph Julian, of Trimley, who read a portion of Scripture, selecting the tenth chapter of Acts, as a compliment to Lieutenant Edward, now General Sir Edward, Sabine, who came to give his support to the cause. The latter proved a most agreeable and amiable coadjutor, and there subsisted between himself and the subject of this memoir a sincere and cordial friendship, which lasted through the remainder of J. T. S.'s life, and proved a sunbeam on his path.

The following anecdote, as related many years afterwards, and preserved by his affectionate wife, may not be inappropriate here:

Edward Sabine, a Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Artillery, was then stationed in the barracks at Woodbridge, and hearing. of the proposed formation of a Bible Auxiliary at Ipswich, wrote to offer his assistance, adding that he had men and horses under his command, whose services he willingly offered in the

good cause. This was very encouraging, and a deputation was appointed to call upon the young officer: J. T. S., the late John Head, and Benjamin King. On entering the barrack-yard, the Friends fully realized the remarkable errand upon which they were embarked; J. T. S. remarking, "As we passed over that white exercising ground, whilst the sun beat down upon our heads, our knees almost smote together." This feeling may be fully accounted for, when we reflect that the military in those days were notorious for their reckless conduct; and so foreign to all antecedent was a genuine Bible supporter in the army, that the deputation could not but fear a hoax. On entering the young soldier's apartment, the words "all right" arose in their trembling minds. All fear was set at rest. The Captain, it is true, was not there to receive them; but the Bible, and Bible Society Reports, etc., on his table, cheered their drooping spirits, and prepared them for the engaging bright young officer, who soon after entered the room, with a warm welcome on his lips. On hearing these anxious doubts related fifty years later, at the Jubilee Meeting of this Society, the distinguished General, now President of the Royal Society, could hardly forbear a smile, so little did he dream of the effort it had been to the devoted three to pay that visit which was the commencement of a lifelong and highly valued friendship, and the inauguration of a noble work. So earnestly did the gallant Captain aid, and Colonel Fraser, who afterwards highly distinguished himself in the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns, join in the canvass of Woodbridge, assisted by J. T. S., and others, that the early minutes of the Society afford large testimony to their success, both in Bibles sold and money collected.

How great was the contrast to this first assembly, when, in 1861, at the Jubilee Meeting, the Corn Hall was crowded with

an attentive and interested audience; General Sabine and J. T. Shewell alone remaining of that first Committee to witness and rejoice in the large success of this now popular Society. The following touching Address was then issued, recalling these early difficulties and trials:

"Address of the Committee of the East Suffolk Auxiliary Bible Society to the Jubilee Meeting, held at the Corn Exchange, Ipswich, on the 15th of April, 1861.

"The Meeting convened this day is intended to mark the entrance of the East Suffolk Bible Society upon its year of Jubilee; and in conformity with the resolution passed at the last Annual Meeting, we would express our earnest desire that the very interesting occasion which brings us together may serve to animate all our minds to fresh diligence in the glorious work in which we are engaged: viz., the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, to the remotest regions of the habitable globe.

"We recur, with feelings of gratitude and tenderness, to that eventful day when, in December, 1811, a few warm-hearted and generous-minded men (most of whom have now entered into their rest) were banded together to form, in Suffolk, an Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and who planted their then infant Institution in the old Shire Hall, in Ipswich, amidst much open and secret opposition, but watered by tears of sympathy, and nurtured by many prayers. Compared with such an assembly as the present, they were a small company, and could only hope for a moderate share of success in their Christian undertaking; yet (wonderful to relate) they were enabled, at their first Anniversary, to present a list of subscriptions and donations, amounting to upwards of £2,500, and a sale of Bibles

and Testaments commensurate therewith, which has gone on gradually increasing, until the amount raised from the commencement to the present time has reached the munificent sum of £55,862, and the distribution of the Holy Scriptures to 188,236 copies, comparatively but few of which would probably have been brought into circulation, but for the labours of this Auxiliary; and we have further demonstated our interest in the Parent Society, when in its own year of Jubilee, by raising for it, on that occasion, a distinct fund of more that £300.

"On such an occasion as the present, we naturally turn to the great changes that fifty years have made amongst the first founders of this Society. Four Bishops of the Diocese have filled in succession the office of President to this Auxiliary, and given it their patronage and support; and sincerely do we desire that the present occupant of the Episcopal See may be long spared to carry out the many works of faith and labours of love, which so eminently mark his character. Of the long and honourable list of Vice-Presidents with which we commenced, not one survives. Of the two Treasurers originally recorded, Dykes Alexander and James Oakes, Esqrs., both, after a lengthened period of faithful service, have departed this life. Of the first Committee for the Eastern and Western Divisions, but one remains (viz., Major-General Sabine), to whom, while resident in this county, our Society was indebted for much important assistance, at a period when both sympathy and help were invaluable. Of the Secretaries originally appointed, but two remain, both of whom continue steady in their attachment to this great and good cause: one of them, the Rev. William Edge, is Pesident to the Bildeston Bible Association; and the other, Mr. John Talwin Shewell, still retains his office. In like manner, the Officers and Committee of the Parent Society,