terests of religion, Mr. Hall delivered soon afterwards a sermon on the signs of the times,' which at a later period was remodeled and adapted to subserve the interests of a public charity. This discourse had in it nothing speculative or predictive; its principal design was to direct attention to the great movements of the moral machinery of the world, as tending to produce a powerful effect on our devotional habits and feelings, and guiding us to the performance of specific duties, which are to be regulated and modified by the varied aspect of providence.

Among the prominent features of the times he said, one of the most remarkable was the encreased mental activity everywhere apparent; never was the human mind so excursive, nor the progress of science so general and so rapid at any former period. The advantages of knowledge were appreciated by all classes to a large extent, the moral condition of society had engaged very general attention, had excited a number of true philanthropists to impart instruction to the poor, to attempt the melioration of the criminal code, and the improvement of prison discipline, with a view of giving to moral principles a greater ascendency in the system of jurisprudence, and a wider sphere of operation. Another remarkable circumstance of the times was, an encreased effort for the propagation of the gospel. Fifty years ago scarcely more than one missionary institution was heard of, and that was the Moravian; now almost every

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denomination of christians has its missionaries, and the gospel is spreading among all nations. The sacred scriptures have also obtained encreased attention, and are more than ever regarded as the only standard of faith and practice; this cannot fail to render religious and missionary zeal both safe and salutary. Truth has commenced its triumphs even among the catholics; and in spite of the restrictions and fulminations of Rome, several of that communion have been actively employed in distributing the word of life. Another distinguishing feature of the present age, and certainly one of the most amiable and inviting is, a greater tendency to union among all real christians than at any former period in modern history; they begin to feel that they are nearly allied to each other, the children of one Father, having one common interest to promote. Nor ought it to be overlooked that the present times are distinguished for a more than ordinary attachment to the cause of civil and religious liberty, the grand ally of christianity, and the constant attendant on its triumphs. Religious liberty can never exist in the bosom of despotism; it is the pure offspring of civil freedom and liberal principles, which ought therefore to be sedulously cherished in every virtuous mind.

In the spring of 1821 Mr. Hall appeared more healthy than for a long time before, and was more than usually energetic in his public labours; indeed he thought himself in a better state of health than at almost any former period of his life. An

apprehension that the church under his care did not sustain its accustomed prosperity, and the appearance of some unsanctified tempers, gave him much uneasiness, but added a fresh stimulus to his exertions; the lukewarmness which he thought he saw around him had no other effect upon him but to quicken his vigilance, to encrease the fervour of his zeal and spirituality, and the pungency of his pulpit addresses. He dwelt much on the danger of impenitence and final perdition; and frequently, so powerful were his appeals that, had there been any efficiency in merely human means, it would have seemed impossible that an unawakened sinner should have remained in the congregation. The unusual pathos and bursts of feeling which at this time pervaded his discourses seemed to some of his friends portentous of a speedy departure, or of a dissolution of his connection with the people, his ministry having in it so much of the character of a message from the unseen world.

Early in March he attended the funeral of his esteemed and lamented friend, Mr. Toller of Kettering, and delivered a discourse which deeply affected a numerous audience, who testified by their tears the love they bore to the memory of their deceased pastor, in whose character "religion seldom presented more of the lovely and attractive. If it did not inflame him with the zeal which distinguished more active and enterprising spirits," said Mr. Hall, "it melted him into love, clothed

him with humility, and decked him in an eminent degree with the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit." He afterwards wrote a brief memoir of his amiable friend, in which he gave a most admirable delineation of the varied excellencies which distinguished his character, and that of Mr. Fuller's, both of whom were long resident in the same town, and lived in the greatest harmony.

Only a few days after this bereavement, Mr. Hall delivered a funeral oration at the interment of one of the ministers at Leicester, with whom he had had an occasional acquaintance, and was much struck with the unparalleled grief manifested on this occasion, such as he had never witnessed in any other instance. Independently of other considerations, he attributed it chiefly to the habits of friendship and kindly intercourse which had previously existed between the pastor and the flock, and took occasion from hence to remark on the very high importance of a minister's cultivating an acquaintance with his people, as the surest way of engaging their affections and of promoting his own usefulness.

The anonymous pamphlet which Mr. Hall had so considerately written nearly two years before, to encourage a Relief Society on behalf of the distressed stockingmakers in his own vicinity, met with three violent opponents, who on different grounds urged its inutility, or that the proposed mode of relief by voluntary contributions would be impracticable. Grieved to see the sympathy

he had poured into the cup of public misery treated with wantonness by inconsiderate and intemperate men, whose motives were liable to the strongest suspicions, he in 1821 condescended to reply to their objections, more for the sake of the suffering workmen than for any respect to which the assailants were entitled; and in this anonymous pamphlet he fully established the positions of his former publication. Having exposed the palpable contradictions of the principal opponent, whose political notoriety is known to every one, Mr. Hall gives in few words a true description of his character. The reader he says will be satisfied that "he is a popular declaimer, not a philosopher; a firebrand, not a luminary. He emits fire and smoke in abundance, like a volcano, but the whole effect is to desolate, not to enlighten. His principal artifice consists in the exhibition of a few specious and bold generalities, which he illustrates and confirms by a few prominent facts, culled for his purpose, without the slightest attempt at that patient induction and enquiry which alone lead to solid and useful results. Shrewd, intemperate, presumptuous, careless of the truth of his representations, and indifferent to their consequences, provided they make an impression, he is well qualified, it must be confessed, by his faults no less than his talents, by his inflammatory style and incendiary spirit, for the office he assumes, to scatter delusion, to excite insurrection, the Polyphemus of the mob, the one-eyed monarch of the blind."