schools had gone to decay, and they were almost totally destitute of the Scriptures, and of elementary books. Yet I will affirm, that they were equal to what any town or village in Christendom would be, if left for the same length of time under similar circumstances. Persecuted as they were, by their heathen neighbours, not one, as far as I could learn, had apostatized, to avoid personal suffering. Let this be contrasted with the apostacy of 60,000 Roman Catholics, upon the command of Tippoo Sultan, to have them made converts to Mahomedanism.*

In this short survey of the state of Christianity in South India, we have said but little of the recent exertions, which have been made, and which are making there, for the advancement of knowledge, religion and happiness. But in the view alone which we have taken, is there not much to excite missionary zeal, and much to reward missionary expenditure? There are

there, at the smallest computation, many thousands, who profess to believe the religion of the Bible; and who, in truth, want the Bible. There are Christians, who, for many centuries, have possessed manuscript copies of the Scriptures; but who have never, until very lately, seen a printed copy of the Scriptures. And there are many christian societies, who are without teachers and without books. But a day, bright in promise, is opening upon them. May God give to them missionaries, like Ziegenbalg, and Swartz! The field is ripe for the reaper. Who will not pray to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth Lebourers into his vineyard?

MEMOIR OF THE REV. BENJAMIN GOODIER.

THE following account of this pious and devoted minister, whose unconimon promise was early cut off, is principally abridged from an interesting volume of the Memoirs of his life, published within the present year at Liverpool. We have read it with the highest gratification, and shall be glad to extend to others, something of the pleasure and improvement to be derived from such an example of activity in duty, and patience in suffering.

Hough's Reply to the Abbe Dubois, pp. 190. 194.

Benjamin Goodier was the son of a weaver, in Failsworth, near Manchester, where he was born April 25th, 1793. He was bred to his father's trade from an early age, and pursued it as his business until after he began his preparation for the ministry, which was in 1813.

He gave indications, in early childhood, of uncommon talents and goodness. When only five years old, he became a member of a library for children, and at ten was accustomed to write letters on various subjects, suggested by the books he read, to his little companions. His memory was so remarkable, that, as one instance of it, he learned the multiplication table in one hour. A part of his small earnings were devoted to the purchase of books, and a part to charitable uses. Not satisfied

with his own means of charity, he was in the habit of asking his playfellows for pence, which he gave to the poor whom he met with, and whom he would also often seek out and visit in their wretched abodes.

His religious impressions were strong and habitual from early childhood. The journal, which he was accustomed to keep, exhibits constant proof of the devotion of his mind, his earnestness to know and do his duty, and his strong feeling of responsibility. A narrow escape for his life, when he was eighteen, the severe sickness of himself and sister, the straitened circumstances of the family, and the long distressing illness, and patient pious death of his mother, constituted a discipline, which undoubtedly helped to confirm and improve his religious character, and to prepare his mind for the work to which providence was leading him, and his own painful and premature removal.

In the years 1811 and 1812, he became an attendant of meetings for discussion of religious subjects, held once a fortnight, at different houses, and so distinguished himself by the excellent spirit and ability which displayed themselves, both in his extemporaneous discussion and his written discourses, as to attract the admiration of some benevolent Christians, who occasionally attended, and who felt that he was formed for usefulness in a higher sphere. They accordingly entered into a subscription, in order to furnish him with the means of pursuing his preparatory studies, and fitting himself for the ministry. Thus in a moment, as it were, providence changed the plans of his life. His new prospects inspired him with new and delightful hopes, and he gave the whole ardour of his mind to

study, though he did not relinquish his usual occupation of weaving, until he entered Mr Aspland's Academy, at Hackney, in April 1813. At this time, his journal contains the following entry.

April 25, 1813. On this day, I shall complete my twentieth year. It becomes me to consider the many blessings I have enjoyed in the course of my life, also the improvements I have, or might have, made of them. In this period, the goodness of God towards me has been great indeed; the mercies I have received have been greater than I can value, and more than I can number. Who is it that caused me to be born in a country where the glad tidings of the Gospel are heard? Who is it that has given me parents, who have educated me to consider the Gospel as the best gift of God to man? Who is it that, amidst the many corruptions of Christianity, has so appointed things, that I have been brought up in the knowledge of " the only true God and of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent;" knowledge which is invaluable; which tends to comfort the heart and disperse these clouds of darkness, those mists of superstition, which attend the popular systems of theology?' 'I have lately arrived at this place for the purpose of entering upon the studies preparatory to the christian ministry; this object is one of the most important which can engage the attention of any man. By entering here, I become placed under many obligations and duties, to which I have hitherto been a stranger, and am, indeed, exposed to an awful responsibility. Whether I consider the expectations of my friends and relations, the obligations I am under to the supporters of this Academy, the necessity of doing credit to my worthy Instructor, or the importance of the office I am preparing to fulfil, the great variety of the knowledge I ought to possess, connected with the shortness of the time allowed for the preparation, I feel my mind forcibly impressed with the absolute necessity of redeeming the time. May God assist me in this arduous undertaking, and whatsoever I do, may it prosper !'

These enlarged views of the extent of his duties, and his anxious hopes to gratify the expectations of his friends, were not unavailing. He pursued his studies with the greatest assiduity. The great object of his exertions was ever before him, and he continued to cultivate that amiable temper and those bevevolent dispositions, which peculiarly fitted him for that sphere of usefulness, to which, at this time, he looked forwards with sa

much hope. He attended at religious conferences, which were carried on in the lecture room of the Gravel Pit meeting, where he distinguished himself equally by his talents and his candour, his knowledge of the Scriptures, and his pleasing manner of conveying information.

Mr Goodier began to preach during the summer of this year, and seems to have fulfilled the expectations of his patrons and friends. But in the midst of his studies and success, his health began to fail him, and in a little more than a year he was so seriously ill, as to be obliged to relinquish his labours and return for a time, to his father's house. Here, though forbidden his studies and professional labours, he resumed his former benevolent pursuits, and devoted himself to the instruction of the ignorant and the improvement of those around him. From one of the letters which he wrote during this period, we learn what it is that most interested him, and have a grateful picture of the efforts for religious improvement, which were making in his neighbourhood.

I find the interests of Unitarianism here to be in a very flourishing state. During my absence, the spirit of rational inquiry and of zealous exertion, which had been excited principally by the missionary labours of Mr W. and the lectures of Mr G., have been much more generally diffused than ever, and I think I may safely venture to say, that now, in the different Unitarian congregations in and about Manchester, there are but few, even amongst the young, who are unable to give a reason for the hope that is in them. One of the most pleasing effects of this spirit is, the establishment of a quarterly conversation meeting amongst the young people of several congregations around Manchester, to be held in rotation at their different chapels, for the discussion of subjects connected with Theology. This meeting has already been carried on a year; it has excited the attention and provoked the opposition of the orthodox sects, and in consequence has drawn our young friends into discussion. If it be steadily conducted, I anticipate great advantages from it, not only in exciting and keeping up the spirit of free inquiry, but also in bringing the members of the congregations connected with it into a more intimate acquaintance with each other. Notwithstanding the good already done, there is still much to do--the moral state of the villages around me is very deplorable, much worse, I think, than before peace-drunkenness and swearing fill our streets, and I shall never think the triumphs of Unitarianism complete, till it has not only corrected the sentiments of the religious world, but also impressed the hearts and reformed the

practice of those who never felt the influence of religion. The harvest therefore is truly plenteous, and I may add, the labourers are few; indeed, when I compare the number of labourers with the extent of the work, and reflect on the satisfaction which must be felt by every diligent labourer, I must acknowledge, that were the message of Hezekiah sent to me, "Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live;"-though I should have no doubt but such a message would be intended by the all-wise Disposer of events, to remove me from the present to some other state of enjoyment and usefulness, yet I should feel reluctant and unhappy.'

After an absence of a few weeks, Mr Goodier returned to Hackney, his health a little improved, and his hope of its restoration strong; but he never recovered it wholly. The rest of his days were spent in struggling against disease. He remained a year at the Academy, but his health forbade his continuance for a longer period, and it became necessary to make its restoration a principal object of attention. Yet even in the journeyings and various other means which he pursued for this purpose, he kept in view the great cause of religion, and laboured beyond his strength to promote it.. His letters at this time depict the state of his mind, and the works which engaged him.

The following passage exhibits the quick sensibility with which he felt the privation of the exercise of his accustomed powers of usefulness, chastened by that spirit of resignation and piety which taught him to extract good even from the darkest dispensations of Providence, and made affliction itself a source of increasing virtues and trust. 'I had hoped that the country would have been highly beneficial, but I cannot say that I am much better than when I left London. I feel the deprivation of health more keenly here, perhaps, than I did at Durham-house, because there is so large a field of usefulness, and such a prospect of success around me. If I were able I could be fully engaged in preaching and conversation meetings in the neighbouring villages. We want preachers for the poor, and I flatter myself that I could be useful amongst them. I am aware, however, that we are apt to entertain too high an idea of our own labours, and to attach too much importance to them; and if there was need of me in the vineyard of the Lord, I should be fitted for the work. Some of the happiest moments of my life have been spent in the labours connected with the Christian ministry, and I am anxious to resume and continue these labours. But if the all-wise Disposer of events, in whose hands our breath is, and