for the measure of success which has followed its operations, and while it distinctly recognizes the fact, that the majority of the churches of our denomination are composed, for the most part, of those who live by their daily toil, it cannot but deplore the afflictive estrangement from God and from his people, still manifested by a large portion of the working classes of the community; and would solemnly record its conviction that this painful state of things demands, with the view of ascertaining its causes, and earnestly applying its appropriate remedies, a measure of attention from the churches of Christ, far more searching, candid, and prayerful, than it appears hitherto to have received."

Such societies as these are indeed a great blessing, and the fact of their existence calls

for thankfulness to God. The age in which we live is remarkably wakeful to the condition of the people, and, it is confessed, that socially, morally, and financially, we are not in a healthy state. There is no lack of professed remedies, but nothing will avail for a soul-sick people, except that prescribed by the Great Physician of souls. This society takes the plain gospel

the language of the resolution, an afflictive estrangement from God manifested by the working-classes of the community. We should endeavour to obtain an accurate account of the forty counties in England and the twelve in Wales. True it is, that the people we want to Christianize are not naked savages or the worshippers of Juggernaut; on the contrary, they have reached the pinnacle of civilization, they are an industrious and an enterprising people; but, notwithstanding these advantages, they are almost Christless, and therefore demand our sympathy and aid.

tion, said, It has special respect to the working The Rev. S. GREEN, in seconding the resolu classes, and to their supposed alienation from the efforts we are making to Christianize all around us. I think, however, that one or two mistakes have been made on this subject. It has been talked of, comparatively, as though it were greater now than it had been at any preceding time. I belonged to the working-classes myself; and in the town where I resided they were then farther off from a devout attention to the things pertaining to their peace than they are at this moment. We must not talk of the

term is understood to mean that we ever had

them in close sympathy with us. There is another mistake against which we must carefully guard. The resolution does so, but I mention it that the audience, in speaking, and thinking, and praying, may be preserved from it. I have seen a great deal of discussion iu print respecting ministers of the gospel addressing the working-classes with thoughts, and feelings, and habits similar to their own. I am, in this respect, a levellest. The gospel of Christ brings the rich and poor together, and presents to them the same blessings. If we would gain the attention of the working-classes, we must speak to them with kindness and with manly simplicity, addressing their hearts and their consciences; and then we shall see God's blessing resting abundantly upon the efforts we are making. The iniquity that prevails amongst difficulty. It may, however, be overcome. Let us is regarded as presenting an insurmountable

of Jesus Christ, and endeavours to extend a knowledge of it throughout the country, and we have reason to magnify God for granting us some measure of the much-longed-for resultthe much-prayed-for increase. It may, how-working-classes being driven from us, if that ever, be said, that our success is very small; to which I reply, that our means are very small. Give us more men, and we believe that we have found a fulcrum, and obtained a lever, by which we shall be enabled to move England from the bed on which it has been reposing, and to lift up the souls of its inhabitants from the horrible pit and the miry clay in which they have been so long sunk. The world may say that our success is small, but it knows nothing about it. It may calculate pounds, shillings, and pence, but it knows nothing about the worth of immortal souls. Such fractions are too vulgar for its calculations. There are other intelligences, who form a very different estimate of the success which has crowned the efforts of this society. They weigh things in an even balance, they take eternity into account, and they proclaim that the conversion of a soul to Christ is a matter of serious and surpassing moment. But, while we are thankful for success, yet it is disgraceful to our country, that after the possession of a reformed faith for three hundred years, it should still be necessary to send missionaries throughout our own land. If Wickliffe were to rise from the grave, he would exclaim, "What! are you not yet gospelized?" If Ridley, and Hooper, and Cranmer were to revisit us, they would inquire whether we meant to let the candle which they had lighted be extinguished. Our nonconformist forefathers would ask, how it was that England was still a wilderness-why the desert had not rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. Baxter would be astonished that so few were seeking everlasting rest; and Bunyan that the pilgrim's path was so little trod. There is yet, to employ

us address ourselves to the contest with the weapons which God has provided, and `in dependence on his aid; and then, be assured that we shall not labour in vain.

The resolution was then put and carried. GEORGE LOWE, Esq. moved, and the Rev. J. CUBIIT seconded:

"That the thanks of this meeting be presented to

the treasurer, the other officers of the society, and year; and that J. R. Bousfield, Esq., be the treasurer, that the Rev. S. J. Davies be the secretary, and that the following gentlemen be the committee for the year ensuing." [Names read.]

the committee, for their services during the past

The resolution having been put and carried, the Doxology was sung, the Benediction pronounced, and the meeting separated.

Donations and Subscriptions will be gratefully received on behalf of the Society, by the
Treasurer, J. R. BOUSFIELD, Esq. 126, Houndsditch; or by the Secretary,
THE REV. STEPHEN JOSHUA DAVIS, 33, MOORGATE STREET, LONDON.
Much trouble will be saved, both to the Secretary and his correspondents, if in making pay-
ments by Post Office orders, they will give his name in full; or, at any rate, advise

him of the name they have communicated to the Post office authorities.

THE

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1849.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. WILLIAM GRAY.

DEPARTED ministerial worth claims, other issue of the marriage was a

at least, a passing tribute. The following brief memorials of one who, though of a spirit at the farthest remove from sectarian exclusiveness, devoted his best energies for nearly fifty years to the service of the Redeemer in connexion with baptist churches, will, it is hoped and believed, be acceptable to many readers of the Baptist Magazine.

The Rev. W. Gray was born at Oakham in Rutlandshire, on the 2nd of November, 1776. His father, Mr. Jacob Gray, who carried on the business of a saddler in the place, was a man of serious, humble piety, and a member of the baptist church then under the care of Mr. Jarman, in the prosperity of which he felt a deep interest. Little is known of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Gray, who died September 30th, 1786, nearly thirty years before her husband; but it is believed that she was of like religious principles and habits with himself. The only

VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES.

daughter who died September 16th, 1824.

No abiding sense of the importance of religion appears to have been felt by the subject of this memoir till his twentieth year; indeed, up till that time, he might almost be regarded as a scorner of serious piety. This disposition manifested itself very decidedly on the occasion of the public Christian profession and baptism of his sister about the period just mentioned. Not content with opposing this step in private, Mr. Gray, it appears, made an appointment with some of his gay companions to attend the ordinance, in hope, as he avowed, of finding grounds to justify his opposition. Very different, however, was the effect on his mind. "As the service proceeded," says a correspondent to whom we are indebted for this account of his early life, "the persecuting brother, who occupied a conspicuous place in the assembly,

3 G

began to tremble; the two-edged sword to you?' In his blunt yet kind tone was piercing, and he who was a | he said, 'Well, now then, what did you stranger to emotion shed the penitential tear and offered the prayer, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.' Thus did the arrow of conviction enter. The change soon became evident. His general conduct closely watched, his diligent attendance on the means of grace, his devout spirit, and his love to the people of God, led to the happy conclusion that the brand was plucked from the fire, while friends gratefully exclaimed, 'This is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes.'"

"Was pleased to-day from the idea of being where I am preparing for usefulness in the church of God. O that the divine Being might smile on my daily studies! His assistance may I constantly invoke, his presence may I ever experience, and his blessing constantly attend me !"

"December, 1799. It is pleasant to be alone pursuing literature, the very labour itself is a pleasure. Felt more determined than ever to improve time and to lay up a store of knowledge for future exigencies. Lord, do thou bless me and make me diligent."

to exemplify the holy nature of the attacks rendered it necessary for his gospel. colleague to be always ready to supply his place at these times, so that it was no unusual thing for the latter to proceed to the chapel, uncertain whether he should be speaker or hearer. It was during his settlement in London that Mr. Gray entered into that matrimonial relation which contributed so much to the comfort of his after life. He had, while residing at Bristol, formed an attachment to a member of Mr. Sharp's church in the Pithay-Miss Elizabeth Taylor-and they were married at St. Philip's of that city the 22nd of December, 1802. The somewhat strict notions of Mr. Booth as to the proprieties of feminine attire, rendered the position of a minister's bride in the Prescot Street congregation one of some difficulty; the good feeling and taste, however, of the youthful couple in this case superseded the necessity of much either of advice or animadversion, and the utmost cordiality of feeling subsisted between all parties to the last. Out of respect to the memory of Mr. Booth, Mr. Gray subsequently named one of his sons after him.

With views similar to the above he afterwards proceeded to the University of Edinburgh, where he remained for a few months. He says under date

"November 12, 1801. Arrived safe at Edinburgh. Diverse were the sensations which occupied my mind when I drew near the city. Thought of the importance of the undertaking, and prayed for wisdom, prudence, and grace."

An anxiety thus to possess the scriptural qualifications for the work of an evangelist, was a good guarantee of a future career of honourable service. The first settled ministerial engagement of Mr. Gray, after his return from Edinburgh, was as assistant to the venerable Abraham Booth, then pastor of the baptist church meeting in Goodman's Fields, London. This connexion, owing to the death of Mr. Booth which took place in January, 1806, proved short, not much exceeding three years. The number of sermons, however, which Mr. Gray preached in this time, ascertained from his memoranda to be four hundred and forty, show that his labours were scarcely less than those of a single pastor. Although Mr. Booth professed to take the morning service regularly, his liability to asthmatical |

On Mr. Booth's decease, a majority of the members were desirous that his recent colleague should succeed him in the pastoral charge of the church; but rather than incur the risk of dividing a church hitherto unanimous, Mr. Gray wisely decided to decline the invitation they addressed to him. He was always accustomed to look back with pleasure on his brief sojourn in the metropolis, both for the means it afforded him of intimacy with Mr. Booth, and as having given him the opportunity of forming many most valued friendships. To the latter cause it was owing that when some years afterwards he was called to visit London as beggar for a chapel debt he was able to collect upwards of £200.

His first direct pastoral relation,