MEMOIR.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS-HIS BIRTH-HIS CONVERSION HIS PROGRESS IN LEARNING AND PIETY-HIS DESIRE TO BECOME A MINISTER HIS EARLIEST CONFESSION

OF FAITH.

CHRISTIANITY requires the subjection of all our efforts to the guidance of its sacred principles, and the approval of its divine Author. That, in accomplishing its most elevated purposes, it consents to the introduction of an instrumentality obviously deficient in its own resources, and, unless accompanied by supernatural influence, uniformly unsuccessful in effectively fulfilling its appointment, should be admitted without hesitation, and acknowledged without reluctance. Such, however, is the ineffable wisdom with which this administration is constructed, that, while it renders supreme honour to Him only to whom it is due, it secures, with infallible certainty, the final completion of all his infinite designs. By this arrangement, too, error, in the

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selection of adapted agency, for the performance of every required service, becomes impossible.

But, in reference to the erection of the spiritual temple, in nothing, perhaps, has the imperfection of the human intellect been more palpably apparent than in its cherished theories, and confident decisions, as to the principal instruments to be employed— their preparatory acquirements-and the appropriate sphere of their individual exertion. The province assigned by infinite wisdom to intelligent creatures is, "Remember that thou magnify his works which men behold." Devout compliance with this ancient precept is greatly to be preferred to the indulgence of visionary projects, or the repetition of unproductive experiments, and will introduce the contemplative to a range of observation not less exalted than extensive, in pursuing which, to the attainment of a desirable proficiency, the chief prerequisites are, continued attention, and profound humility.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the works of God is, harmonious diversity. Were our inconsiderate partialities permitted to interfere with the divine economy, they would either induce, in the various departments of physical and intellectual structure, an order of existences perpetually conflicting with each other, or a monotony so pervading and extensive that the melodies arising from the ever varying combinations of pursuit and attainment, would never be heard on the earth; and, even

in the heavens, one star would not differ from another star in glory. Happily, however, for the interests of the church and of the world, the supreme Ruler of both continues to exert his sovereign right, to do" according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth,"

"Nor gives to mortals an account,
Or of his actions, or decrees;"

neither framing his laws in connexion with the feeble aids of finite wisdom, nor committing their administration to the responsible control of human authority: for" with whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding ?"

Such considerations are eminently calculated to induce impressions under the influence of which it is exceedingly desirable to conduct the examination of any of those appearances by which the most High has condescended to manifest himself to his creatures; and more especially in entering upon the contemplation of a series of events, including an outline of the history of one of his servants, who

was a burning and a shining light," whose mild radiance, for nearly half a century, illumined the path, and cheered the heart, of many a candidate for immortality, and the tender recollection of whose lamented removal, from our terrene hemisphere, continues to invest the retrospect with a pensive

expression throughout the circle in which he was most intimately known.

The Reverend William Newman, D.D., the only son of Thomas and Mary Newman, was born at Four-Tree Hill, in the parish of Enfield, Middlesex, Monday morning, May 10, 1773. Whatever temporal distinction may have been possessed by his remote ancestors, probity and industry constituted the principal inheritance of his immediate parents. Their only daughter, Sophia Elizabeth, born January 4th, 1776, lived scarcely three months, leaving their son, the subject of this memoir, in the exclusive occupation of their parental solicitude and affection; towards whom, as long as they remained inhabitants of this world, his conduct was strikingly characterized by filial reverence and dutiful attention. in an overwhelming majority of instances, the avocations of the father devolved upon the affection of the mother the chief superintendence of their beloved child; a trust which appears to have been discharged with exemplary fidelity and persevering tenderness.

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Before he had completed his third year, he was committed to the daily instruction of a Mrs. Hayley; and, even at that early period, in the expression of his desire to be taught, might have been discovered the germ of that varied and enlarged information to which he ultimately attained; for, about this time, his infant sister being removed by death, his mother would fain have moderated her grief in the society

of her son, but, perceiving his anxiety to continue in regular attendance at the school, she yielded to his preference. Having remained three years under the care of his female instructor, he was removed to an academy conducted by a Mr. Liley, residing in the market-place at Enfield.

At this period, the sound of evangelical truth was not publicly heard in the town of Enfield, except through the medium of the desk and the altar of the parish church, where the subject of this memoir, with his parents, then regularly attended. The appointed time, however, for supplying this place with the gospel ministry, was now arrived. A Mr. Morton, one of those effective pioneers who so often, in advance of the more regularly disciplined force, make the first attacks on the unbroken line of the enemy's entrenchments, entered this town, August 22, 1779, and announced the tidings of redeeming mercy to sixteen persons, in the house of a Mr. Dupont. Some time after, a congregation having been collected, a chapel was built, in which Mr. Whitefoot, of the Countess of Huntingdon's connexion, officiated as the stated minister. Among his occasional hearers, was Mrs. Newman, accompanied by her beloved son. This partial defection from the established church displeased his schoolmaster, and exposed him to a certain kind of ridicule from the companions of his childhood. Perhaps this very circumstance contributed its share towards his becoming a constant attendant at the