Such religious dereliction is disgraceful to all who are guilty of it. And if little harm is done by them, it is only because their character has little weight, and that their new associates, who discern their motives, have learned to treat them with the contempt they deserve. Such a betrayal of principle by a man of Hall's mark would have done incalculable evil, even though the prospect of a bishopric had been the bait employed. His fidelity rendered a service to the interests of truth, the value of which it is difficult to estimate. And if the denomination with which he was connected has improved its position and risen in public estimation since his time, it is greatly owing to his unflinching adherence to the principles it holds. Even now, in districts where his co-religionists are very few and very poor, his name and that of one or two others is sufficient to preserve them from contempt, and to secure them a measure of deferential treatment from the members of dominant sects, which otherwise they could scarcely hope to obtain. And the triumphs which we anticipate in the future-triumphs for our principles over the errors which are extensively taught and practised-triumphs which, we venture to believe, are not far distant, will be owing not a little to the splendid talents, the blameless life, and the lofty and uncompromising integrity, combined with the large-hearted catholicity of Robert Hall.

To a small extent, perhaps,-and in a manner for which he was not to blame,—his influence was indirectly injurious. Great men have always a host of admirers and imitators. And it all depends on the discrimination with which they admire, and the wisdom with which they imitate, whether it will prove injurious or otherwise. Undiscriminating admirers become proud of their connection with the object of their admiration, and are spoiled in consequence. They assume airs of superiority, not on the ground of their own

merits, but because they listen to such and such a preacher. We have heard men boast of this, and have thought how deplorable it was that such preaching had produced no better effect on their small minds than to make it grow luxuriantly the rank weed of conceit! In some instances it was so with Hall. As for his imitators, they are legion. And unfortunately for them, the peculiarities of the man were so few, and of such a nature, that the copy of them which they present only serves to make them appear ridiculous. Imitators generally seize on peculiarities, which, though tolerable in the original, are simply unbearable when they are borrowed. It might have been a good thing had they copied the one thing which they might have copied with advantage-his manly independence. When he heard one of his hearers remarking on his likeness to his predecessor, Mr. Robinson, he instantly resolved that that which occasioned the remark should be avoided; and that whatever eminence he might attain should be in his own, and not in another man's, line. And he was right. It is better, and will serve more useful ends, to cultivate one's own peculiar gifts, than to copy in inferior manner what may be the more brilliant qualities of another.

With regard to moral qualities, of course the case is different. We should all be desirous to emulate whatever good we see in any. And foremost among the qualities which should commend him to our admiration-the only one we can notice here-is his fidelity to principle. When we see a man who might fairly have aspired to the highest ecclesiastical honours, or who, devoting his talents to the service of his country, might not unreasonably have hoped to reach the highest senatorial dignity,—when we see him deliberately foregoing the possibility of attaining to such distinctions, contentedly fulfilling his vocation as a humble

Nonconformist pastor, confining his matchless eloquence to the walls of a small dissenting chapel, and his wise teaching to the men and women of lowly station who usually frequent such places of worship, we feel that we have before us a life which is fitted to stir the pulses of our young men, and to nerve them with the courage which will not only enable them to dare and do, but, if need be, to suffer and endure. We know, indeed, that not many are gifted with the martyr-spirit the spirit which subordinates the near and the tangible to the distant and the unseen, and bears patiently the present scorn and pain in hope of the future reward. We know too well that there are many meaner souls who will do meaner things-who, for the sake of a little temporal advantage, will forego their spiritual birthright. But if there be but one or two who make the wiser choice, it will be no small gain if these nobler souls have their sometimes flagging courage rallied by contact with an illustrious example. And even the men of meaner type may have their grovelling tendencies restrained and rebuked, and be preserved from greater degradation, by being brought for a while under ennobling influences. Let it be understood that, after all, there is nothing so authoritative as conscience -nothing so sacred as duty-nothing so worthy of pursuit as the right and the true. In spite of appearances, the only man who cannot miss his reward is the man who does right. The good we do lives on. The truths we utter take wings, and, like song-birds, soar into other regions, and awaken echoes in other breasts. Whether our pursuit of it be successful or not successful in the world's sense,

"The path of duty is the way to glory."

THE

Baptist Tract and Book Society,

15, CURSITOR STREET,

AND

CASTLE STREET, HOLBORN, LONDON,
Invite special attention to the following:-
·-

OLD BRISTOL. A Story of Puritan Times. Four illustrations. Cloth, elegant, 3s. 6d. A most suitable book for every Baptist Library. The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon says of it:

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Most

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The

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