society. They remember certain expressions, both of countenance and language, which seemed to indicate a tone of piety-a spirituality of feelingtoo exalted for a long continuance here. And it is to be regretted, that such expressions, at the time so powerful in their influence, and so carefully preserved by a tenacious memory, no pen-no pencil can portray. Hence the sermons of animated and extemporary preachers, when introduced to us from the press, lose half their force and beauty. The scope of the discourse-the process of the argument -may be indeed preserved; but the unpremeditated, momentary flashes of holy fervor, and of brilliant genius, cannot. The eloquence of the eyethe expression of the countenance-the meaning which is sometimes thrown into every limb and muscle of the frame, are wanting. And though it is pleasing to possess a memorial of those whom living we revered and loved, yet the imperfection of the copy only deepens our regret at the loss of the original. In the preaching of Spencer, it seemed as though he saw before him every object he described --and felt the full force-the vast importance of every subject upon which he spoke."

Preaching one evening at Back-street, Horsley Down, and speaking of the reward of the faithful gospel minister, "Methinks," said he, "I already hear the melodious accents of the Saviour's voice, saying, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, en

ter into the joy of thy Lord." It was remarked, that he appeared as though he heard a voice, personally addressing him. His anticipation was in a very few months realized!

Anxious for the usefulness and variety of his ministry, he begged of his friend, upon his leaving London, to send him any useful pamphlets or works which might come out; "Let me know," said he, "when popular ministers are in town—the texts they take for particular occasions--festivals, &c., the settling or removal of my fellow students, &c."

The last time he was with his friend alone, prior to his setting off for Liverpool, their approaching separation was, as may be well imagined, the topic of discourse—when, with his own peculiar affection and energy, he said :

"Through Christ when we together came,

In singleness of heart,

We met, oh Jesus! in thy name,

And in thy name we part.

We part in body, not in mind,
Our minds continue one;
And each to each, in Jesus join'd,
We happily go on.

Present in spirit still we are,

And intimately nigh;

While on the wings of faith and prayer,
We Abba! Father! cry.

168

REV. THOMAS SPENCER.

Oh, may thy Spirit, dearest Lord,

In all our travels still

Direct and be our constant guard
To Zion's holy hill.

Oh! what a joyful meeting there,
Beyond these changing shades;
White are the robes we then shall wear,
And crown upon our heads.

Haste, Lord, and bring us to the day
When we shall dwell at home;
Come, oh Redeemer, come away;
Oh, Jesus, quickly come."

CHAPTER VI.

Mr. Spencer commences his pastoral labors at Newington Chapel -Suddenly called by affliction to Brighton-His fears relieved -Correspondence-Success of his ministry-Lays the foundation stone of a New Chapel for his Congregation-Correspondence Ordination-His first administration of the Lord's Supper-Death-Funeral-Concluding Reflections.

ON Sunday, 3d of February, 1811, Mr. Spencer commenced his stated, pastoral labors at Newington chapel, Liverpool. He was then just twenty years of age-possessed of every endowment that could render him eminent as a minister-and every amiable disposition that could endear him as a friend. The people of his charge, together with numbers who participated with them in their joy, hailed his entrance on his sacred duties with delight. From him they fondly anticipated a long series of varied and useful instructions—on him they gazed with admiration, as affording them no mean example of a holy and devoted life-and to him they looked with pleasure as their children's friend. That he was prepared to meet these high expectations, none who have contemplated the superior endowments of his mind can, for a moment, doubt8

his literary attainments, though not splendid, were respectable-his theological knowledge was considerable-his acquaintance with mankind indeed was scanty; he had only moved amongst the excellent of the earth; but this, while it might expose him to certain inconveniences, gave him this advantage-that he appeared in all the native ingenuousness of unsuspecting youth. His love of study was great, which insured a constant supply of interesting materials for his public ministry—whilst he possessed a facility, an ease, an elegance, in the communication of his thoughts, displayed by few. To all these, he added the graces of the Spirit in no common degree-the glorious attributes of a soul eminently devoted to God-a solemn awe of his sacred office-an habitual reference to the final account he should be called to render-and an ardent zeal for the Redeemer's glory! Such was Spencer when he entered on the duties of his stated ministry!

But I shall justify this sketch of his character by some extracts from his letters.

In one dated Brighton, January 9th, 1811, he says

"I dread the termination of the happiness I now enjoy. It will be the commencement of a long and agonizing separation. Oh! that henceforth I may live more devotedly to God than I have ever yet done. I can truly say this is my desire; for to be a preacher of the gospel, and not to feel its due abiding influence on the heart, is awful indeed. Since I have been here