state. We are in perfect harmony, and we have frequent additions."

Early in 1812 one of those rare and singular occurrences took place, which mark the mysterious movements of providence, and furnished occasion for the exercise of his discernment and energetic benevolence, in raising merit from obscurity, and adding to the number of able and faithful ministers.

Rev. John Mack, late of Clipstone, had incautiously entered the ranks of the army in early life. He afterwards became acquainted with the power of true religion, which he exemplified in the humble station allotted him, and acquired the esteem and confidence of the superior officers, who soon found it their interest to commit to him the management of some important concerns belonging to his detachment. Brought up in Scotland, and having talents for the ministry, he obtained a license from one of the presbyteries, and commenced preaching in the army, and wherever he had opportunity.

On leaving the north he was stationed awhile at Margate, where he was baptised, and communed with the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Atkinson. In the month of February he was suddenly ordered, with other comrades, to repair to Leicester, in consequence of some disturbances among the operatives, but which had happily subsided before the arrival of the military. On the

following sabbath Mr. Mack attended at Harvey Lane, and returned to his quarters highly delighted, without knowing that he had been hearing the author of the celebrated sermon on Modern Infidelity, whom he had heard of only as some minister at Cambridge. Mr. Hall, hearing of his zeal and religious activity, sought him out, and entered into conversation with him; receiving at the same time his credentials, he pressingly invited him to his pulpit. Mr. Mack preached in his regimentals several times with great acceptance; but having accidentally discovered with whom he had so unexpectedly been brought into contact, he felt much embarrassed, and could scarcely be persuaded to enter the pulpit afterwards, if Mr. Hall was present.

Mr. Hall however was so much charmed with his fine sense and native elocution, and so persuaded of his capacity for extensive usefulness, that he resolved to make an effort to obtain his discharge, and to have him educated for the ministry. The commanding officer threw every obstacle in the way, alleging that he could not part with such a man, and could get no one to supply his place. At length he agreed to yield him up, on condition that two substitutes were provided in his stead, both Scotsmen, or that a hundred pounds be paid for his freedom. Mr. Hall accepted the latter alternative, raised the money by private subscription, and prepared the way for his being sent to Bristol academy in the following August.

Meanwhile, the congregation at Clipstone being destitute of a minister, Mr. Hall warmly recommended him to their attention. After preaching there a short time, the people invited him to the pastoral office, and agreed to wait for his stated services till he had finished his education. Mr. Mack was publicly ordained in March 1815, when Mr. Hall delivered an appropriate address, founded on 1 Tim. iv. 16. The leading object of the discourse was to exhibit the importance and necessity of maintaining a high degree of spirituality, in order to real or extensive usefulness, and that this can be secured only by the most vigilant circumspection. The excellent preacher then proceeded to enumerate the various evils and temptations attendant upon the ministerial office, having a special reference to the peculiar circumstances of the newly-ordained pastor, which demanded much watchfulness and prayer, or they would impair his spiritual energies and impede his usefulness. The discourse closed with a charge the most solemn and interesting that can be conceived, on the importance of personal religion and ministerial fidelity; the impression on all who heard it was deep and lasting. The preacher seemed indeed to have reserved for his friend on this occasion the richest treasures of his wisdom, and the warmest effusions of his heart.

Mr. Mack laboured nearly eighteen years at Clipstone with much acceptance and success, was generally admired for the brilliance of his genius

and the benevolence of his disposition, and died at the early age of forty two, Nov. 5th 1831.

Not many months after Mr. Hall had commenced his acquaintance with Mr. Mack, and indulged the hope of a long career of public usefulness, he was called to mourn the loss of his earlier friend, Mr. Robinson, who had been his powerful coadjutor in the town of Leicester. At the following anniversary of the bible association he delivered a splendid eulogium on his character and usefulness, representing him as the great focus of piety and benevolence, as the sun and centre of the moral system, in the town and neighbourhood. Merging in the admiration of departed excellence all consciousness of his own individual weight and influence, he was himself content to be only the humble follower of the wise and good, to share their labours, and triumph in their success. That his private sentiments were in perfect unison with those publicly avowed on this occasion, is sufficiently evident from a letter addressed to an intimate friend about the same time, in which he uses the following strong and energetic language. "We have had an irreparable loss in the removal of dear Mr. Robinson; it has been a most affecting event, and has left a chasm which can never be filled up." Nothing indeed was wanting in any situation to conciliate his esteem and ensure his warmest attachment, but a mind capable of reciprocating his own enlarged and enlightened

sentiments with sectarian bigotry and priestly arrogance he could have no alliance.

Great impediments having been thrown in the way of missionary exertions in India, by the agents of the East India Company, supported by the legislative acts of the Government, Mr. Hall was induced, in the latter part of 1812, to prepare for publication an "Address, on the renewal of the East India charter," which was expected to take place shortly afterwards. The address was printed on a broad sheet, circulated in the form of a letter among the ministers of state, some of the royal family, several members of parliament, and the court of proprietors in Leadenhall street, and it is believed with considerable effect.

Such was the power granted by the existing charter that no missionary could set his foot on the Indian shore, without permission from the agents of this chartered company; those who visted that land of darkness for the righteous and benevolent purpose of disseminating the gospel among the natives were under the necessity of going by the circuitous route of America, and on their arrival in the eastern territory to place themselves under the protection of a foreign state. With admirable consistency the government and the company extended unlimited toleration to every degrading and sanguinary form of idolatry and superstition, while they proscribed the free exercise of a religion which they themselves pro