father from Oxfordshire,-whither the family had removed for a little space,he was placed as an apprentice to a business, in which he acquired a proficiency, such as, had he pursued its occupations, would no doubt have secured him, in a few years, a handsome competency. This was a result attained by many a companion with whom he started in the career of worldly occupation; but whatever worldly advantages were before him, he was eventually brought cheerfully to forego them, for the engagements of an office in which this world's wealth was not to be acquired.

In childhood he had often experienced solemn impressions respecting a future state; but during his apprenticeship, those impressions were in danger of being wholly obliterated. Companionship with thoughtless and profane youth, sabbaths spent in the public gardens in the vicinity of Birmingham, and the sinful tendencies of his own fallen nature, led to early proficiency in sin; and the everlasting ruin of his soul seemed to be inevitable. But the grace of God interposed on his behalf. On a certain Lord's-day in the year 1800, when preparing to join his companions, he found himself unprovided for the expenses of the day; he applied at once to his father for money, which was freely given but in the meanwhile his party had proceeded on their excursion, and he sought in vain to track their steps. Returning, wearied and disappointed, towards his home, he had to pass by the chapel,, then situated in Carr's-lane, and at that time occupied by the Rev. Jehoiada Brewer he was induced to enter it with the design of resting himself, but finding the place crowded, as it was wont to be, he stood in the aisle. The preacher was addressing himself to his hearers, in the application of his subject, in a strain of solemn appeal: he pictured the judgment-throne, and faithful ministers appearing there as witnesses against unconverted hearers; he imagined himself to be giving in his own account, his account of that day's

ministrations; then, stretching out his hand, his finger was directed to the very spot where the disappointed sabbath-breaker stood, and he exclaimed, "Lord, I told that young man that he was a sinner, and that thou alone couldst save him, but he slighted thy salvation ;" and having said this, he pronounced the words of his text, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." "At one moment," the narration is continued in the words of Mr. Jones himself, "at one moment, I had such a view of my ruined condition, that I could scarcely forbear cry ing out, in the midst of the people. God appeared to me as a sin-avenging God, and his terrors were indeed upon me. Under conviction that sentence of death had passed upon me, I was constrained to cry out for pardon; and for a long time I cried, and God did not seem to hear me. My load of guilt appeared too heavy for me to bear, and I had little hope of ever having it removed, But the Divine thoughts were not like my thoughts; the everlasting love of God had, I trust, made provision for me in the person of his dear Son; through faith in his name, as revealed in the oracles of truth, my soul found comfort. All ter ror being removed from his countenance, I could, with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, address him as 'My Lord and my God.' Trusting to that Almighty arm which had wrought out my deliverance, I went on my way rejoicing. Having given myself up to the Lord, I gave myself up to his people, desiring to show forth in my life and conduct the praise of him who had done such great things for me. Sin is the object of my implacable hatred. Holiness is the element in which I wish to live. The cross of Christ is my glory, and (I hope) the honour of God my supreme aim."

Having united himself with the church under the pastorate of Mr. Brewer, he became the subject of an earnest desire to preach to others that gospel, the efficacy of which he himself

had so happily experienced. For some months he cherished the desire without divulging it, for he dreaded lest others should treat with contempt the idea of his introduction to the ministry. His father also, surmising apparently in what his new notions and his obvious zeal would issue, threatened him with the severest penalties, should he ever enter a dissenting pulpit. In the meanwhile his pastor's discerning eye recognised qualifications for usefulness: he first appointed him leader of a company of young men accustomed to meet for prayer; he then requested him to give an address at a prayer-meeting; and after this he took him under his immediate charge, for purposes of instruction, and sent him forth to preach from time to time in the neighbouring villages. His preaching proving very acceptable, he was called upon, soon after the completion of his eighteenth year, to preach twice or thrice every Lord's-day, walking eight or ten miles, and oftentimes accompanied by a young disciple, who afterwards followed him to Bolton, and now survives him, serving as a deacon of the church in which his early friend so long held the pastorate. Carrying on these itinerant labours for two years, he was instrumental in rendering important service to the localities around his native town, localities among which HalesQwen, Crudely, and Wednesbury may be particularly specified. It is related that at the last-named place he was, on one occasion, sent as Mr. Brewer's substitute. When he presented himself, the question was proposed, in a tone of disappointment, and with significant emphasis," Are you come ?" " Yes," he replied, "I am come, and God has come with me, I hope." That God had come with him, was felt by many. The sermon was long held in remembrance, and often mentioned, and he himself retained a strong impression that he had been specially aided in his preaching that day, by help from above. These early labours proved his adaptation for usefulness, and having now received the preparatory instructions of

his pastor for the space of two years, he at length entered Hoxton Academy. The following sentences occur in the letter addressed by him to the Committee of that Institution, when applying for admission as a student: "From the time that the Lord opened my eyes to see my own state by nature, and the state of all mankind, I was sensible of a longing desire to be made useful, as the instrument of serving the immortal interests of my poor perishing fellowmen. That God who knows my heart knows, so far as I know myself, that I have no other end in view than his glory, and the salvation of souls." He was now twenty years of age.

On the completion of his term of preparatory study, Mr. Jones entered on his first and only pastorate, at Bolton, a large manufacturing town in Lancashire. His first visit to that place was paid at Christmas, 1807, when he found a small congregation recently gathered, and worshipping temporarily in a room. The project of forming a second Independent church in the town had arisen out of a visit of the venerable man who was then the resident Tutor at Hoxton, and who had formerly held the pastorate in Bolton, the late Rev. Dr. Simpson. The people at once rallied round Mr. Jones, and unanimously and urgently invited him to become their minister; and they engaged, in the event of his compliance, immediately to build a commodious chapel. The invitation thus urged upon him was dated Jan. 13th, 1808. He accepted the call, but having yet six months longer to remain at the Academy, he returned to the metropolis, engaging to enter on his office at midsummer. In the meanwhile the church which had just been organized, augmented from five to twenty-five members; and a chapel was erected, capable of accommodating a congregation of seven or eight hundred individuals. He entered on his new sphere in the month of July, and was ordained to the pastorate of the church assembling in Mawdsley-street chapel, in the following September.