THE HE intention of presenting to the public the Memoirs of good and excellent men ought to be usefulness. Admitting this, it must be acknowledged, that there are private Christians whose piety and activity are equally to be admired, and as worthy of initation as those whose office lays them under the strongest obligations to be patterns to others. And some who have fallen asleep deserve to be noticed, and their Christian virtues registered, to stimulate others who are yet in the wilderness. The late Mr. Henry Church, of Wooburn, Bucks, was not only a very exemplary believer, but an active servant in his Master's work, and has left a name behind him which will long be had in remembrance. He was early in life impressed with "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus;" by what means it does not appear, nor is this of consequence, when there is every proof we can wish of a heart renewed by divine grace.

The father of this worthy man was the Parish clerk; but, like too many in that office, he was no great ornament to the station he filled. In consequence of a difference between him and the vicar, he was dismissed, and his son called upon

XXIX

unexpectedly to officiate in his stead, and he continued in his office 29 years. It will appear singular to some, that a man so spiritual in his affections, and so devoted to God as Mr. Church, could continue clerk in a church for such a length of time where the Gospel was not then preached. To this it may be replied, that besides hearing the Gospel one part of the Lord's Day at the Dissenting Meeting, as well as on week-day opportunities, he was placed in a situation of great usefulness, as a constant visitor of the sick, to whom he was remarkably useful. Possessing, however, a tender conscience, he felt some scruples as to the propriety of continuing in his situation; and therefore consulted with two pious ministers, who advised him to remain, on account of the favourable opportunities his office afforded him of visiting the poor and afflicted; and the late Pastor of the Independent Church at Wooburn observed to him"Many of the people will hear that from you which they will not from

time he allotted to the visitation of the sick was, for many years, after he had finished the secular employments of the day in which he was engaged, though latterly having retired from business, he was ever ready when opportunity offered. This good and faithful servant might be often seen travel ing through the village from cottage to cottage with his basket of temporal supplies for the afflicted and indigent, furnished him by a benevolent lady, who appointed him the almoner of her bounty. And as we would wish to exhibit this honourable disciple as an example of pious zeal, we would ask, would it not be well if the affluent would encourage such by employing them to administer to the necessities of the distressed? But to proceed; the excellency of his character, the mildness of his manners, and his tender sensibility, rendered him universally respected, and secured the attention of those he visited. He was indeed distinguished for the strictness of his integrity, the tenderness of his conscience, his peaceable disposition, his deep humility, and his unblameable life. He was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile." And it is very evident, from a few memorandums which he had made, and which he has left, that his very soul was in this benevolent work-that it afforded him peculiar delight-and that he rejoiced with humility that his labours were crowned with success."Oh, what a pleasure I feel in the work!" said he; "how pleasing to see every face wear solemnity when I am speaking of eternal things to see the knee bend with me at the throne of grace-to behold the handkerchief employed in wiping the falling tear-and to hear the tongue thanking me-but, above all, to have the approbation of my dear Master. This is pleasure, to be

preferred to gold and silver; but oh, I feel a proud covetous heart, and almost every thing that is sinful. Lord, make me more out of conceit with myself, and help me to prize my Redeemer more and more." In a similar manner he proceeds in his remarks in succeeding years, expressing himself in language of the deepest humility and self-abhorrence, bewailing his weaknesses, declaring the pleasure he experienced in his work, and in stating his unfeigned gratitude for appearances of usefulness.

At length, in the year 1803, this worthy man was expelled from the office of Parish clerk for refusing to say Amen to sermons which were any thing but the Gospel. Though the parishioners in general disapproved of his dismissal, he viewed it in a proper light, and expressed his thankfulness for the event, as he then saw his path of duty more clearly marked out; and he observ ed, "I hope the people, will be led to search out the reason of my refusing to use that very significant word AMEN. O how awful to think that the doctrines which the liturgy of the church teaches, should be so adulterated by those who have engaged to preach them." During his long continuance in office, he had constantly prayed that the Parish church might be favoured with a Gospel minister; and after long waiting, the Lord very unexpectedly an swered his request; for in March 1805, the RevT. J. Tyndale ob tained the living, and the Gospel has ever since been faithfully preached. Mr. C. became a mem ber of the Independent Church at Wooburn in 1804, and was chosen a deacon in 1819, As in his life he was so bright an ornament of the church, and spent his days in useful exertions to promote the wel fare of others; so in his sickness and death he exemplified in no

common degree the power of real religion. In noticing the closing scene of this eminent Christian, we cannot but remark what encouragement it exhibits to the weak believer; for in his life he was remarkably timid, which disposition was productive of very distressing feelings, so that he seldom had any great enjoyments. But during his long and painful illness, he was blessed with remarkable light, which chased away every dark cloud, and he was filled with joy in believing. To use his own emphatic words, "I am out of bondage." It would take up too much room to record the pleasing and instructive addresses which he delivered to his family and those who visited him. During this delightful season, which indeed continued to the end of his life, he said, "I have heaven upon earth: my vessel is full; I can hold no more; I enjoy as much of heaven as I can bear." Addressing his wife, who had long been his partner in his joys and sorrows, he observed to her, "My dear, you will never know what I enjoy of heaven, till you get there. When I die, it will only be stepping out of one heaven into another. My Redeemer is mine, and I am his, and my soul is secure." He expressed an earnest wish that both saint and sinner might know of the goodness of God to his soul, as an encouragement to trust in him. On one occasion, he

sáid, "If the Lord should raise me up again, I will endeavour to shame the people of God out of their unbelief, of which, alas! I have been so guilty." On being asked the state of his mind, after great bodily suffering, he replied, with a look of sweet serenity, "Well, considering the flesh is weak. The Lord wonderfully supports me." His daughter asking him, had he any fears of death; he answered, "No, my dear, I am

fixed.""The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee; neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee." He spake but little afterwards, except the expressing his thankfulness for kind attentions; for his strength was almost gone, and the pious saint appeared to die in his sleep without a struggle or a groan, on Thursday May 3, 1821, aged 68 years. His funeral sermon was preached to a large congregation by his affectionate pastor, on Lord's Day the 20th of May, from Acts viii. 2. "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.”

As an appendix to this brief Memoir, we subjoin the following extracts from an address delivered by the deceased in his last illness to the Rev. Mr. H. his pastor:-" The Lord support, comfort, and encourage you amidst every seeming discouragement, and amidst every seeming opposition (alluding to an alteration made by the clergyman in the time of divine service.) What we feel the most painful and the most contrary to our wishes, and for the time the most discouraging, we most frequently, in the end, find the most beneficial, and therefore for the best; only let us be willing for him to do as he pleases without murmuring and unbelief, and he will do what is good, and in the best manner, and at the best time, so that we shall with gratitude and admiration say, What has God wrought!' Difficulties and discouragements there will be. But to each of these we may say, 'Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.' Live near to him and he will not forsake