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"Not as learned men?" No, my lord.'-" Then, I cannot preach for you."

The original idea of the Literary Fund did not comprehend all those who by their education were devoted to learning, and by their learning to misery; for, in this definition, a learned clergy must have been included. The government, as well as private associations, have, by repeated efforts, acknowledged the duty of providing for them; and the income of the Literary Fund, if withdrawn from its peculiar destination -the relief of deserving Authors in distress-would afford but little assistance in that commendable design.

It is the intention of the Society to enlarge its sphere of beneficence, by including this respectable and useful order of men. It will be extremely grateful to the council and committee, to assist learned clergymen in rescuing themselves or the unfortunate members of their body from the vulgar contempt and degradation incident to a state verging on want. Small sums, properly distributed, would render the families of such persons (the labouring bees of the sacred hive), affecting pictures of goodness to their congregations! Elevated to competence, a clergyman, thus supported, would be grateful in what he would call prosperity, as he had been magnanimous in distress, and would render ser

vices to the public of incalculable value. For, at a time when the public morals are at least questionable; when they are often degraded by vices-where are we to seek those generous sentiments which produce national valour and public spirit? And the last resource in the labouring peasants and artificers is lost, if the utility of the officiating clergy be destroyed by their poverty and distress.

The certain effects of a pure religion, favourable to virtue and good morals, while its officiating ministers are supported in competence, and preserved from degradation, are inestimable.

To contribute every thing in the power of the Society towards the attainment of this object,-it is resolved, that a learned and officiating clergyman in distress, or an officiating clergyman reduced and rendered incapable of duty, by age or infirmity, shall be considered as a claimant on the Literary Fund; and that a provision shall be made for such claim in the following manner :

The influence of the Society shall be employed in promoting a subscription for this purpose; the produce to be denominated, "The Ecclesiastical Fund." Life subscriptions and annual subscriptions to be disposed of in the same manner as the annual income and funded property of the Literary Fund: some permanent capital

being necessary to prevent those cruel fluctuations and uncertainties incident to charities depending wholly on annual subscriptions.

That the Society, collectively and individually, shall endeavour to induce the English clergy universally to plead the just cause of their own order, by preaching occasionally (in rich and populous parishes once in every year), on this most useful and most important subject. Many of them are celebrated for their benevolent exertions to establish charities of inferior effect on public happiness. It is therefore impossible to suppose they will hesitate to assist their learned and labouring brethren, sinking into misery in the midst of public profusion and extravagance. The produce of their exertions will be deposited at the Literary Fund, in a special trust appointed by themselves, and (where there can be no patronage, intrigue, or flattery, to supersede merit) it shall be distributed by a special committee (appointed also by them). For every clergyman affording this assistance, as often as may suit his convenience, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of this Society, in the department of the Ecclesiastical Fund, in common with the subscribers and members, who, in the peculiar difficulties of the institution, have borne the burthen and heat of the day.

That all the transactions, civil and ecclesiastical, of the Literary Fund, shall take place at the House of the Society, No. 36, Gerrard Street, Westminster, where the œconomy in behalf of distressed literature is so rigid and scrupulous, that the servants only receive compensations; where all the offices are executed gratuitously; and where even the resident visitor defrays all his own

WILLIAM HUNTINGTON, S. S.

PROVIDENCE CHAPEL was at once built. Such was the speedy effect of the few free-will offerings which the people brought,' &c. See p. 202.

"DURING the space of three years (says Mr. Huntington) I secretly wished in my soul that God would favor me with a chapel of my own, being sick of the errors that were perpetually broached by some one or other in Margaret Street chapel, where I then preached. But, though I so much desired this, yet I could not ask God for such a favor, thinking it was not to be brought about by one so very mean, low, and poor as myself. However, God sent a person, unknown to me, to look at a certain spot, who afterwards took me to look at it; but I trembled at the very thought of such an immense undertaking. Then God stirred up a wise man to offer to build a chapel, and to manage the whole work without fee or reward.-God drew the pattern on his imagination while he was hearing me preach a sermon. I then took the ground; this person executed the plan; and the chapel sprung up like a mushroom.