SECTION X. A. D. 1804-1806. THE late excursion to Bristol, and the warm congratulations of numerous friends, appear to have had a beneficial influence on Mr. Hall's health and spirits; and on his retiring to the village of Shelford, he passed several months in tolerable tranquility. But in the following summer of 1804, there were renewed symptoms of disquietude, and an encreasing anxiety to abandon his situation and engagements. Early one morning he arose and walked to Cambridge, called up one of his friends, took a bed there, and slept to a late hour of the day, having been unable to procure any rest for several nights before. Returning again to Shelford he was visited by the late Dr. Thackeray, who was anxious to ascertain the nature of his disorder, and prescribe for his relief. On his arrival he met with a singular reception. Mr. Hall took the bible, read a chapter, and remarked on the propriety and importance, on all occasions, of seeking counsel and direction from God, wishing at the same time to impress on the mind of his visitant such religious instruction as he thought needful. He then engaged in prayer with such sublime and elevated feelings, accompanied with so many striking and appropriate allusions to the moral and religious state of his medical friend, that it overwhelmed him with reverence and awe, and he scarcely knew what to say to so extraordinary a patient. When Mr. Hall complained of a most distressing pain in the head, as if girted and oppressed with an insufferable weight, the physician endeavoured to soothe his anguish by reminding him it would one day be exchanged for a weight of glory,' when there would be no more pain and no more death. At a subsequent visit it was judged necessary to adopt more decisive measures for the recovery of his health. The disorder was long in coming to a crisis, but short in its duration. On Nov. 11th 1804, he was placed under the superintendence of a physician at Leicester. Mr. Fuller, on hearing that he passed through Kettering that evening, exclaimed with deep emotion, Oh what a stroke is this! The eclipse of such a luminary, though but transient, shrouded the religious hemisphere with gloom and darkness; many prayers were offered up for his speedy restoration, and the desired blessing was not long delayed. "The estimation in which he was held was expressed by the deep and universal sympathy with which his case was regarded, not only in the congregation and town of Cambridge, but in the university and the surrounding country, as well as among his friends at a distance. Intense agony pervaded the minds of all who knew him; enquiries after his health were perpetual, and from all quarters; every one felt and acted as though a near relative, or bosom friend, were in immediate and extreme danger." During the seclusion a weekly bulletin was transmitted to his friends at Cambridge, who watched the progress of the disease with the utmost solicitude: "and if any stranger had wished to learn the ardour of the affection which was borne towards Mr. Hall, he needed only to witness the intense anxiety with which these accounts were listened to, when they were read from the pulpit at the close of the morning service."* Signs of convalescence appeared in little more than a month, and one circumstance is said to have been highly conducive to that end, which by the innocent and rational amusement it afforded, tended to secure a larger portion of tranquility than might otherwise have been possessed. It so happened that another patient, a Mr. Bentley, proved an agreeable and interesting companion, from his having long been accustomed to the study of botany. Mr. Hall often walked in the garden with this gentleman, who pointed out the various species and properties of plants and flowers; while the other descanted upon their beauties with devout emotion, interspersing his remarks with moral and religious reflections, tending to inspire an adoration of the Parent of all good. These conversations are said * Mr. Bosworth's Discourse. to have been enriched with some of the loftiest conceptions that ever entered the human mind, though unfortunately they have all vanished with the fragrant forms that gave them birth. This eminent man was restored to himself and to society on the 19th of February 1805, when he was received by a deputation of his kind and generous friends, who had arrived from Cambridge for that purpose. To diminish as much as possible the sudden excitement of so inspiring an interview, the medical superintendent immediately threw open a new and splendid atlas, to which the attention of all the parties was directed, and a happy degree of equanimity preserved. They then drove into the vicinity for an airing, and Mr. Hall took up his abode with his sister at Leicester, intending in a few days to visit his native village for the reestablishment of his health. A week after the interesting interview had been enjoyed, Mr. Hall wrote the following letter to an intimate friend, expressing his devout gratitude for confirmed and still improving health, his renewed and earnest desire of devoting himself to the service and glory of God, and his hope of speedily resuming his ministerial labours at Cambridge. My dear Friend, Leicester, Feb. 26th 1805. I thought it would be some satisfaction to you to hear that I continue, through the blessing of God, perfectly well. My health, through divine mercy, was never better; nor can I be sufficiently thankful to that good providence which has recovered me from the gates of death. Motives for gratitude crowd in upon me on every side, and the most I have to complain of is that my heart is so little alive to their impression. When we look back upon past life, what a series of evidences present themselves, of a presiding and parental care. With what propriety may we adopt the language of David: 'Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with lovingkindnesses and with tender mercies.' I am more and more convinced that nothing deserves to be called life that is not devoted to the service of God, and that piety is the only true wisdom. But alas, how difficult is it to get these lessons deeply impressed on the heart, and wrought into the whole habit of the mind. I have not yet been to Arnsby, but shall go there in a day or two, and propose to spend about ten days there; and shall probably visit Cambridge in little more than a fortnight. My spirits are rather low, but my mind is composed, and in some measure resigned to the leading and conduct of divine providence. The narrow bounds of my experience have furnished me with such a conviction of the vanity of this world, and the illusion of its prospects, that I indulge no eager hopes. If God enable me to do some little good, and preserve me from great calamities, it will be enough, and infinitely more than I deserve; for I have been, in the most emphatic sense of the word, an unprofitable servant.' I am, my dear sir, yours affectionately, After reposing a short time at Arnsby, Mr. Hall returned to Cambridge on the 16th of March, ac |