them and for them, and remind them of the inconceivable advantages attached to that exercise. Accustom them to a punctual and reverential attendance at the house of God, insist on their sanctification of the sabbath, by such a disposal of time as is suitable to a day of rest and devotion. Survey them with a vigilant and tender eye, checking every appearance of an evil and depraved disposition the moment it springs up, and encourage the dawn of piety and virtue."

Towards the close of 1809, died the pious and amiable Mrs. Timms of Kettering, in whose family Mrs. Hall had resided a short time previous to her marriage; and now that the sympathies of friendship were demanded, Mr. Hall, who was never insensible to the afflictions of any of his acquaintances, addressed to the bereaved husband and family the following letter, chiefly distinguished for its affectionate and godly simplicity.

My dear Friend,

Leicester, Dec. 26th 1809.

It was with deep concern that Mrs. Hall and myself heard of the heavy affliction with which it has pleased providence to visit you, in the removal of our dear and highly esteemed friend, Mrs. Timms. Be assured we deeply sympathise with you in this affecting stroke. You, my dear friend, are so well acquainted with all the topics of christian consolation, that it is impossible for me to suggest any reflection to your mind which you will not have

already anticipated.. You are perfectly aware that afflictions spring not from the dust, but are ordered by a wise and gracious Being, who alone knows what is best, both for the interest of those he is pleased to remove and for that of survivors.

There is much mercy mixed with the severity of this dispensation. You can entertain no doubt of her being well prepared for the awful change, nor did it take place till her family were placed in circumstances calculated to allay anxiety respecting their future settlement. I am happy to find that, all along foreboding the issue of her affliction, she yet evinced such an entire resignation to the divine will. Convinced as all must be, of the infinite benefit of the change to herself, it would be a degree of selfishness to indulge overmuch sorrow. Could you realize the felicity she now enjoys, you would think it cruel to wish her back. She now 'beholds the King in his beauty, and the land that is very far off.’

You do not sorrow, my dear sir, as those who have no hope you know whither she is gone, and the way you know.' Blessed be God for the hope of the gospel, and for the interposition of that glorious Redeemer, who has brought life and immortality to light! Your dear companion knew and loved and trusted in this Saviour, and is now enjoying the end of her faith, even the salvation of her soul. Could she look down upon you from her celestial abode, and were permitted to address you; would she not say, Weep not for me, my

felicity is beyond expression; our separation is but for a short time, in a few months or years at most we shall meet, never more to part. Prepare to follow me, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.

While you mourn, as you cannot fail to do, the loss of so excellent a woman, you will not forget the debt of gratitude due to God for bestowing so great a blessing, and continuing the possession of it so long. All mortal unions are contracted upon the implied term of an inevitable dissolution. Thanks be to God, that if any thing spiritual attends a union on earth, that may subsist for ever.

My dear wife is deeply affected at the melancholy tidings. Little did she or I conceive that when you and your dear partner visited us, we should see her face no more. May God support your mind under this heavy stroke, and make it the instrument of encreasing your preparation for future blessedness, as well as of exciting every surviving branch of the family to a more earnest pursuit of eternal things, is the prayer of,

my dear sir,

your affectionate and sympathising friend, ROBERT HALL.

PS. Mrs. Hall desires to be most affectionately and sympathetically remembered. In dear Mrs. Timms she has lost one of her best friends, I might say the very best. God bless you and comfort you. Adieu once more, my dear friend.

SECTION XIV.

A. D. 1810.

THE Commencement of this year was marked by a highly honourable and beneficial coalition between the Pastor of the baptist church in Harvey Lane, and the Vicar of St. Mary's, for the benevolent purpose of extending the circulation of the holy scriptures. The Rev. Thomas Robinson had known Mr. Hall from his youth, and soon after the latter had settled at Leicester an intimacy grew up between them. Mr. Robinson was a man of great excellence, a strict churchman, entertaining high notions of episcopal prerogatives, and not unmindful of the precedence claimed by those of his own order; yet while he preserved a chilling distance from the general body of nonconformists, and carefully avoided all contamination with the principles of dissent, he honoured with his friendship a few eminent individuals among them, and invited them to his house whenever they happened to visit Leicester.

The great usefulness attending the ministry of this pious clergyman, and the general esteem entertained for his character, gave him a commanding

influence over all classes of society, which he employed for the sole purpose of promoting their present and future welfare. Amongst other plans of usefulness he, in the beginning of 1810, projected the formation of a branch Bible-society, and solicited the assistance of Mr. Hall, which was cheerfully and promptly rendered. He saw in the structure of the parent society "a rallying point for the piety of the age, an unsuspicious medium of communication between the good of all parties and nations, a centre of union and cooperation in the advancement of a common cause, which cannot fail to allay the heats and smooth the asperities of discordant sentiment;" an object ever near his heart, and which it was the labour of his life to accomplish. At the urgent request of his clerical friend he drew up the introductory Address, deeply imbued with the candid and benevolent spirit of its author, announcing the formation of an Auxiliary Society at Leicester.

Mr. Robinson felt gratified in having secured so powerful an ally, and manifested towards his dissenting brother the utmost cordiality. Walking together to the public meeting, on the day appointed for instituting the new society, he took Mr. Hall by the arm; when the latter immediately observed, "On such an occasion sir, this is the way that things ought to be." The other quickly replied, "Yes, my brother, and this is the way that things shall be." In this manner they entered the town hall, locked in each others arms, and were