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"Mr. Newton, [the Rev. John Newton, then curate of Olney, Bucks,] is an excellent person, and the account of his life and conversion, in several letters to Mr. Hawies, I perceive has afforded you something more than entertainment.

"I am, dear sir, very affectionately and respect

fully

"Yours,

"THOMAS ADAM.

"P. S. My disorder returning as usual, and increasing with age, and continuing longer, I pray to be thankful for.

"T. A."

The letter which follows, addressed to Colonel Pownall, brings to notice a name which has been very much canvassed of late, relative to the last hours of Dr. Samuel Johnson. It shows that the Rev. Mr. Winstanley was a friend of Colonel Pownall's, who resided at that time in Westminster.

TO COLONEL POWNALL.

"Dear Sir,

Wintringham, April 24th, 1780.

"I would make a thousand apologies for giving you so much trouble, if I believed you thought one needful. God bless you and Mrs. Pownall. My compliments to Mr. Winstanley.

"Most heartily yours,

"THOMAS ADAM."

In the year 1781, Mr. Adam published a volume of sermons. The address to the reader is from the pen of his friend the rector of Hotham. One reason for publishing them, Mr. Stillingfleet states to be, "that the author being now, through the increase of age and its attendant infirmities, rendered unable any longer to deliver the word from the pulpit, he is desirous to contribute to the good of his fellow creatures, by such means as an indulgent Providence still leaves in his power.

The volume, answers to the title, "Evangelical Sermons." Repentance towards God,-faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,-and the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as displayed in keeping the commandments of God, are therein fully set forth.

In relation to the publication of the volume, Mr. Adam addressed the two following letters to the Rev. Robert Storry,* vicar of St. Peter's, Colchester. He was made eminently useful, by his preaching to the soldiers, who were from time to time quartered in that town and neighbourhood. The editor in 1831, spent a few days in Cornwall, with the late Colonel Hornden, who received his early impression of religion, when the regiment in which he was, lay at Colchester.

TO THE REV. ROBERT STORRY, COLCHESTER.

"Wintringham, June, 1781.

"Dear Sir, "As Mr. Buckland thinks the preface, and Peter's confession will make the volume too bulky, I not only consent, but rather desire, they may be omitted, and nothing prefixed but Mr. Stillingfleet's *See his Memoir in the Appendix.

preface. I have no objection either to your title, or to that of Mr Buckland. I think it proper that you should let Mr. Browne know what is doing, and I shall send him a copy of Buckland's letter.

"I am, with love to Mrs. Storry, very affectionately yours,

"THOMAS ADAM."

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

"Dear Sir,

"Wintringham, June, 1781.

I

"The advice you give respecting know to be well grounded, and would have you know it is well taken; but, considering the natural temper, grown more stiff with age, I fear the evil, which I have long seen and lamented, is past remedy.

"When presents are made out of the twelve bound books-I suppose you know to whom-I would have the remainder sent to me, directed to Mr. Browne, Bookseller, Hull. As to those in boards, you may order as you please: and pray ask Rivington if he has sent my Lectures into Wiltshire, as desired; and, if he has, what I am in his debt. I am, with esteem and affection for you, whose absence I regret, and love to Mrs. Storry, and all christian friends,

"Sincerely yours,

"THOMAS ADAM."

The next letter is the last which Mr. Adam addressed to Colonel Pownall.

VOL. I.

I

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"As I did not receive your favour till Thursday evening, this will not reach you time enough for your coming the first Saturday you mention. I shall be extremely glad to see you and Mrs. Pownall here the Saturday week after, or whenever it is convenient, and am dear Sir,

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CHAPTER VII.

A. D. 1781-1784.

Exercises of his mind in the prospect of death-Care for his parishioners-Prayer to be used in his study-A dedication of himself to God-A word to his successor-His death, burial, and his will-His character-Excellencies-Defects-Address to the Clergy, by the Rev. J. Stillingfleet-His characterMr. Adam's works.

MR. ADAM had entered his eighty-first year, and was afflicted with deafness, besides the painful complaint under which he had laboured during many years; and, in addition, he began to be troubled with asthma.

In the autumn of 1781, the Rev. G. Burnett, of Elland, visited Mr. Adam, and thus writes:

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Wintringham, Sept. 14th, 1781, te nat night. "At this time Mr. Adam is exceedingly ill, and has said to me, 'I must look to Jesus, whether men will give me leave to do so or otherwise.' Then he added, in words to this effect: Some may think

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