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from the day, it must abridge them of their minister's society. A congregation, then, cannot with justice expect to see their pastor always in their social circles, and yet demand from him on the Sabbath, what much and intense application only can enable him to produce. A minister worthy of his people's affection cannot be too much esteemed, nor his society too highly valued-but even this authorized attachment may be carried to an injurious length--a people may desire too much-God may gratify their wish-he may send them a busy body in the form, and with the pretensions of a minister —and it may be said of them, he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.' For an unoccupied study, must cause, eventually, an empty mind.

Mr. Spencer was conscientious in the direction which he gave to his studies. Aware that he had but little time for preparatory labour, and a mighty work before him, we have already seen, that at Hoxton, whilst he performed with cheerfulness and credit the duties of his class, in the various departments of literature and science, yet he consecrated the first and most constant exercises of his mind to such studies as were immediately connected with preaching, and the pastoral office.* And when actually embarked in his most arduous profession, the little time he could procure for study he found too precious for the pursuit of any object whose claims, in connexion with the ministry, might hold but a secondary rank. Hence he pursued not so much the study of

* See page 103.

general literature, as that of THEOLOGY. Aware that the sources of this sacred science, are the holy scriptures, and that to understand them correctly, requires an accurate knowledge of their original languages, he cultivated with great care, the study of the Hebrew and the Greek. To the former of these tongues he was peculiarly attached-his early labours in it have been already stated,* and I believe that his proficiency bore a just proportion to his exertions. On Theology he read very extensively, and for the most part the productions of the puritan divines. His library was small-it was but in its infancy; but it was well chosen. His study, which remained precisely in the state in which he left it on the morning of his death, was an object of considerable curiosity to the inhabitants and visitors of Liverpool: many judicious and venerable ministers came to see it, and all expressed their admiration of the taste which he displayed in the selection of his books. There was scarcely a volume that did not bear most obviously on the work of the ministry. The cast of a man's mind may be gathered from an inspection of his library, if the volumes composing it have been of his own selection. Whoever should form án estimate of Spencer's character from his books, must pronounce him a sound and well-informed divine.

As a student he was successful. If a man may be deemed successful who accomplishes what he proposes to himself, he certainly was so. He never desired to be a profound mathematician-an acute phi

* See page 28.

losopher-or an accomplished classic--but a useful preacher-a good divine. As a preacher, few could compare with him as a divine, he surpassed most of his contemporaries, of the same age and standing. But his attainments in classical literature were far from being scanty; that he had read the best Greek and Roman authors, with considerable advantage, was obvious from the purity and elegance of his style. And in the perusal of those English writers, most justly celebrated for the correctness of their reasoning, and the chasteness of their composition -he was well trained, whilst under the tuition of his excellent and revered friend at Harwich. Upon most subjects he was well informed, and could converse with ease. He disliked controversy, at any rate in public, however he might be disposed to try his strength in private. His chief excellence did not lie in the power of conducting a deep, an intricate, and long continued process of reasoning to a triumphant close. He rather excelled in clearly unfolding the more prominent features of the gospel--in stating with correctness the great truths of Christianity, and supporting them by arguments purely scriptural-for such discussions he was amply furnished. His knowledge of the Bible was most extensive, and his quotations from it were, in general, remarkably apt and striking. But it was in prayer, chiefly, that his familiarity with the Bible was observed. Not a sentiment escaped him, for which he had not suitable language borrowed from the scriptures and this rendered his prayers peculiarly rich, simple, and appropriate.

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Of elegant accomplishments he possessed but little. I believe he never touched the pencil. He was fond of music, but he used no instrument, and though perpetually humming tunes to favourite hymns, he was not a good singer. He was much devoted to the love of poetry, especially that of Milton, Young, Cowper, and Kirk White. He was exceedingly attached to Kelly's hymns, and frequently repeated from them, with great fervour and delight. When a boy he courted the muse himself, but not with much success. Though not disciplined in the schools of fashionable life, his manners were easy, and his action graceful; and these, added to a lovely countenance, and an elegant form, rendered him interesting, both in his public engagements, and in his private intercourse.

AS A CHRISTIAN,

He was FERVENT HOLY-and HUMBLE.-Fervent ; his piety was the ardour of an unquenchable flame. With him religion was no matter of mere profession and convenience; nor did it lose its impression by the frequent recurrence of its subjects and its duties -he seemed to live under its abiding influence-it was wrought into the constitution of his nature--its principles were the springs-its precepts the ruleits objects the end of all his actions. To this he ever had respect-what opposed it he heartily abhorred what clashed with it he cheerfully resigned -what injured it he conscientiously avoided. His love to God was ardent. In this I think he much resembled Mr. Pearce, of Birmingham; and, indeed, often, when contemplating the life of Spencer,

my thoughts have involuntarily recurred to certaia traits of character preserved in the memoirs of that glorified saint. His love to God shed a glorious lustre on his whole character and conduct; every thing that came within the sphere of his influence or operation was irradiated by it. But chiefly would I confine myself now to the influence of this noble principle upon himself. It inspired him with a love of piety as a Christian he was eminent for

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Holiness. He contemplated the character of God, and was attracted to it by its purity. "I shall not," says his friend, "easily forget the delight which sparkled in his eye when conversing upon the divine attribute-holiness. How sweet,' said he, is that word holy!—holy Father-holy Saviour-holy Spirit-holy scriptures. Surely if there is one word dearer to me than another, it is the word holy.” During his residence at Hoxton, the same friend observed to a student in the institution, whose attention he wished to direct to the character of Spencer, "Perhaps you perceive youthful levity in him ?” "No," he replied, “I have remarked him particularly, but it was for his spirituality.”

His ardent love of holiness enkindled and cherished in his bosom a corresponding hatred to sin; and so strong was this principle of love to God, that the dread of offending his purity sometimes amounted almost to terror, and enveloped his mind in most distressing gloom. A paper composed at one of

* See Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel Pearce, A. M. with extracts from some of his most interesting letters, by Andrew Fuller.

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