CHAPTER IV. HIS SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS FOR A NEW CHAPEL-HIS INVI- NORTHAMPTON-HIS TIONS THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER-HE COMMENCES A BOARDING SCHOOL-HIS CONNEXION WITH THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE-HIS DIARY. Ir pleased God so graciously to countenance and bless the labours of Mr. Newman, that the place of worship, at Old Ford, became too strait for the assembly; and, not long after he had commenced giving daily instruction to youth, it was determined to erect a new and more commodious meeting-house. Hitherto, it has been a very serious inconvenience, among dissenters especially, that, in the erection of chapels, too generally, the energies of the minister are required, to so absorbing an extent, as materially to interfere with their more appropriate application, and, not unfrequently, to relax and impair their spiritual vigour. If the entire amount of injury sustained by ministers and churches, arising from this source, could be accurately ascertained, such a case would be made out, as must imperatively demand a remedy more speedy and effective than any which has yet been applied. Perhaps, in the particular case under consideration, the effect was as little injurious as in any to which reference could be made; yet, even in this instance, what with deliberative meetings and collecting excursions, a burden was imposed, which, in connexion with so many previous and weighty duties, was, at length, found to be more than could be safely continued. By what follows, this is sufficiently confirmed.-"I find the preacher, and the schoolmaster, and the beggar, clash so much, that I hardly know what to do with them all together." The excellency of his character, however, becoming increasingly known and esteemed, his facilities for collecting, especially in London and its environs, were proportionably multiplied; and, as his reception, on these occasions, was generally most cordial, so the assistance given to the object for which he solicited was often most liberal. Yet, this acceptance, though exceedingly gratifying, did not remove the pressure which his numerous and complicated engagements had now made so onerous, that, to relieve himself, in some degree, at least, was becoming every day as obviously the claim of necessity, as the dictate of prudence. After much deliberation, therefore, after requesting guidance and deliverance, on June 19, 1798, he dismissed his school, having conducted it nearly two years; and, about the same time, engaged in two additional monthly lectures, one at Clapton, and the other at Barking. During the greater part of this period, his mind. was considerably agitated by an event, the management of which required peculiar caution and delicacy. The church at Northampton, by the removal of their pastor, the late Dr. Ryland, to Bristol, becoming destitute, the leading persons in that connexion directed their attention to the pastor of the church at Old Ford, as his successor. Not to advert to the fact, that he must have been well known to them,—as having been several years domiciled, as a pupil and assistant, with a former venerated minister, Mr. Ryland, senior,-family claims had, more than once, taken him into that neighbourhood, and his ministry and manners had made a considerable impression in his favour. How far it is con sistent with that affection which one church should ever cherish towards another, to attempt to deprive it of a beloved pastor, it is not the design of these pages to discuss. One thing, however, is certain, that if, in this affair, blame attached any where, it did not originate with him; for the first intimation that reached him on the subject was through the medium of a letter, inquiring if he were moveable. At length, this business being brought more directly under his consideration, and repeatedly urged upon his attention, he deemed it expedient to consult the judgment of some of his ministering brethren, among whom, as will be almost necessarily concluded, his revered and judicious friend, Mr. Booth, would be early on the list. Nor was any man more likely, on such an occasion, with just and accurate discrimination, to poise the pro and con, or more faithfully to intimate towards which side the balance appeared to him to preponderate. Happily for the church at Old Ford, the decision was in their favour. He pleaded their cause with one whose tenderest sympathies were already committed to their interests, and who, being, therefore, more than half conquered before the conflict commenced, was not in a condition to oppose resistance, and became easily captured. Except in his contributions to periodicals, hitherto he had not appeared as an author; but, about this time, perceiving, with pain, what every minister must be compelled to notice, the conduct of certain individuals, who, upon the slightest pretences, absent themselves from regular attendance upon public worship, in the place to which they have voluntarily and solemnly attached themselves, he published a tract "On the impropriety and evil consequences of forsaking our own places in the house of God," which was well received, and of which a large impression was quickly in circulation. Were only the following paragraph to effect what every well-conditioned mind must earnestly desire, the benefit would be incalculable :: "What can the people of the world think, when they see the members of the church running many ways on the Sabbath day? They themselves love their own, and in this point their example affords a lesson of instruction. 'Fas est et ab hoste doceri!" Members It is right to learn even from an enemy. of other churches, when they observe this, must drop a painful tear. And what a stumbling block does this conduct lay in the way of inquiring souls. They are newly awakened, they wish to join the church, and they look for perfection. Now, if they see one and another running away, one Sabbath after another, they will wonder, justly, what church-fellowship can mean. Surely we might learn from the ox to know our owner; and even the ass might teach us to abide by our master's crib. Justly might the Lord complain of us, and say,- My people doth not consider.' Brethren, let us not forget that we exhibit a daily spectacle to the world. We have a thousand eyes upon us at once. Let us hold up to their view an example of consistency and uniformity. Consistency, as all the world will allow, is the best evidence of sincerity. Let us be one and indivisible, bound together in mutual love, as in a threefold cord, which cannot be broken. This will be the way to force upon the consciences of the men of the world an idea of the reality of religion. This will be the way to encourage inquirers, and to constrain them to say, 'We will go with you, for we see that God is with you.' And this will be the way to set a good example to neighbouring churches. If they are themselves blameless in this matter, they will rejoice to behold our order, and, if they are not, this will be the best way to give them reproof. A member of the church should consider himself as more L |