not find myself happy, I dare say the friends at Leicester will be glad to have me back." About this time those around him began to be very apprehensive that he would live only a few years.

Notwithstanding these alarming appearances, his state of health was afterwards improved, his spirits revived, and he was enabled to continue his labours with considerable energy and success. In a letter dated April 1827, he says, "Our congregation continues very good, rather encreasing than otherwise; and the kindness of the people continues undiminished. I wish I could see more indications of usefulness, yet have reason to hope I do not labour in vain. My health is also through mercy very good; the recent complaint in my breast is not removed, but I think it is somewhat abated."

With all his candour and christian courtesy towards individuals of the established church, his objections to the constitution of the church, and its alliance with the state, retained all their force, and rather encreased than diminished with advancing years. He beheld with extreme disgust the late practice of some dissenting ministers in going over to the establishment, while the ranks of nonconformity are continually receiving additions by the secession of conscientious men, who can no longer minister in a worldly sanctuary. Some of the late conformists profess indeed to become "churchmen from conviction," while it is but too apparent that other motives have had their influ

ence. If a dissenting minister finds his ecclesiastical authority invaded, or the infallibility of his judgment suspected, by the independent society with which he is connected; if he thinks his talents overlooked by the denomination to which he belongs, or his labours undervalued by the congregation he serves; he then finds it convenient to become a churchman " from conviction," and retires to an asylum where neither his temper nor his talents are likely to meet with any scrutiny. But what instances are there of men distinguished for ability and piety, zeal and usefulness, brought up and thoroughly initiated in the principles of dissent and of religious liberty, surrendering themselves up to a diocesan, and joining in the pomp and ceremony of a national religion, founded or annihilated by act of parliament.

When a young man at Bristol, whose parents were dissenters, was preparing himself for the church, and wished to consult Mr. Hall about a course of reading, he declined all interference, saying, "His tutor is the proper person to recommend the best books. I have met with the same thing before, and have had my name bandied about everywhere with the books I have recommended. I shall therefore do no such thing. Besides, it would be very inconsistent in me as a dissenter, to be accessory to his going into the church, especially as his parents also are dissenters. I can make every allowance for a conscientious young man, who has been educated a churchman; but

I can scarcely conceive it possible for any youth, having been brought up a dissenter, seriously to decide in favour of the church, without having some sinister ends in view. The argument upon this subject is very clear, and lies in a very narrow compass. Christ is the sole lawgiver in his church. He said, My kingdom is not of this world:' it was to be distinct and separate. Whoever then attempts to connect his kingdom or church with the state, or with the honours, the dignities and emoluments of this world, whatever may be the pretense, makes it a worldly sanctuary, and disobeys the will of the lawgiver."

Mr. Hall was exceedingly fond of architectural antiquities, and though not a student in the art he was a good judge of such matters, and seldom visited where an object of this sort was to be seen without gratifying his taste by a close inspection. Being one day at a place in the west of England where an ancient cathedral presented itself, he hastened to the spot, and was conducted through the spacious aisles by the verger, who was totally unacquainted with the quality of his visitor. While he was admiring the solemn grandeur of the edifice, his attendant remarked that the bishop was very well off, and derived a large revenue from the whole of his diocese. Mr. Hall, recollecting the anti-evangelical character of the prelate and his strong aversion to the orthodox clergy, sarcastically replied, "I understand it is a rich diocese, and he had need to make the best

of it, for it is all the portion he is ever likely to possess."

June 20th 1827, Mr. Hall preached at the annual meeting of the baptist mission-society, which was held in London; but unfortunately not one third of the large audience could hear him, though he exerted himself to the utmost. He was afterwards solicited to print the sermon, for the gratification of those who could not hear, and for the benefit of the mission, but declined it. The sermon itself, though a very good one, was not one of his best efforts; and it is believed that nearly all his superior discourses were delivered at home in his own pulpit. No man enjoyed society more than Mr. Hall, but he always required it to be limited and select; there was something in public associations and multitudinous meetings so uncongenial with his habits and feelings, that when forced into them he had little enjoyment, and had besides an insuperable objection to every thing like ostentation and parade in matters of religion. He did not attend the Report meeting of the society, but carefully avoided being called upon to make a speech, and spent the interval with two or three confidential friends, to whom he disclosed the feelings with which he was at that time oppressed, from the unrighteous treatment he had met with at the hands of one or two inconsiderate individuals in some recent instances.

About the time the annual meetings began to be held in London, soon after the decease of

Mr. Fuller, he deprecated the change of system, and the parade attending the anniversaries. "Our society said he has done much, and said little; it shows itself in its effects, not in its preparations. I am much grieved that it is about to relinquish that praise, and to vie with others in the noise and ostentation of its proceedings. Why should we at last imitate what we have so long condemned.” At another time he said, "There should be less speaking, and more prayer; for that only has power with God. Before the final prevalence of christianity, the church, the pure church of Christ, will appear in her original simplicity, using no other weapons than those of union, of prayer and of supplication."

The affectionate interest he had taken in the mission, and his generous exertions on its behalf, led him also to deplore the schism which had taken place in reference to the brethren at Serampore, who had in effect renounced their connection with the parent society, and appropriated to themselves the exclusive management of that part of the mission which came under their own immediate inspection; yet, claiming at the same time, an annual exhibition from the funds of the society. Unable to attend a committee for taking the whole of this matter into consideration, Mr. Hall addressed to them a letter, stating his opinion that, while it might be proper to tender occasional assistance to that branch of the mission, it would be highly inexpedient to stipulate for annual