Carolina, and greatly instrumental in fixing its rules, and promoting its prosperity; from July 1810 until his death he annually sustained the office of President. He had also the happiness to remove all the difficulties which stood in the way of reviving the sittings of the convention of the diocese; which then only required another step to its full consolidation and efficiency, the election of a Bishop. This took place Feb. 20, 1812, when Dr. Dehon was unanimously elected, and, after some deliberation, undertook the office, and was consecrated thereto on the 15th of October by Bishops White, Hobart, and Jarvis. So peculiarly fitted he was for eminent usefulness, both as a Pastor and a Bishop, that the Church has seldom suffered a severer loss than when Bishop Dehon was cut off by yellow fever, August 6th, 1817, in the 41st year of his age, and the fifth of his episcopate. But he seems with a remarkable union of zeal, prudence, and activity, to have effected much in so short a life.

Dr. Gadsden's detailed account of the pastoral proceedings of this devoted man, is one of the most instructive of such biographies. It well deserves to be reprinted in England, where, in 1822, the late Dr. Gaskin reprinted his two volumes of the Bishop's Sermons on the Public means of Grace; the Fasts and Festivals of the Church; Scripture Characters, and various practical subjects-volumes which we have good reason to think are highly valued, and from which we have occasionally made extracts in our pages. We shall very gladly, at some future time, if circumstances allow, make some other extracts from Dr. Gadsden relative to the character, and parochial and episcopal proceedings of him, whose life has now been briefly sketched. At present we must content ourselves with Bishop Gadsden's remarks as to the conduct he observed in restoring the actual observance of the rubrically prescribed public celebration of Baptism, which is so beautifully recommended in the eighth Sermon of Vol. I.—Are there any Sermons more suitable for Parochial Lending Libraries than those of Dehon? We think not; believing, with Dr. Gaskin, that they will "forward the christian edification of the English reader, by their luminous and energetic enforcement of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, and of the importance of adhering to primitive views of Church order and communion!"

In these days, when strict and conscientious conformity to the directions of the Church is by some ignorantly and mischievously identified with the objectionable tenets of a certain school, with which it has no peculiar, or exclusive, connexion, it may be observed, that nearly forty years have elapsed since Dehon endeavoured to revive the publicity of Baptism; and that this, and public catechising, have been revived as largely and as long ago, by evangelical, as by other, clergymen. Other matters now in debate have, in themselves, as little connexion with any error. Such real innovations as sanction error, we would oppose; but revived conformity to the rubric is not an innovation, although to some it may so appear. But we doubt not that the conduct herein ascribed to Dr. Dehon, will eventually succeed in calming unnecessary and injurious fears, where there really is no just cause of offence given by falsely called Catholic innovations, and a teaching of semi-Roman speculations.

"He knew that some persons would consider him an innovator, although he was, in fact, opposing a mischievous innovation. He knew that the practice he opposed was recommended by habit, and by convenience, and was particularly favoured by the rich and the great. He had encountered difficulties in this

matter at Newport, and expected that he would meet with a stronger opposition here. But he was not to be turned aside from duty, and a regard to the welfare of his flock by any considerations. In his private intercourse with parents he made a strong appeal to their feelings, by the consideration, whether they would be willing to deprive their children of the prayers of a devout congregation? He sought a friendly conversation with those persons who differed from him on the subject, and generally succeeded in removing their objections. Even when he failed to convince, his affectionate manner persuaded his people, that the object was important in his opinion, and that so worthy a minister, and kind a friend, ought to be gratified. He cautiously avoided any public controversy on this point, and urged his friends to beware of it, knowing that it would inflame prejudice and create parties, in whose conflicts truth would unavoidedly suffer. He met each objector singly, reasoned with him meekly, and convinced him, that he was advocating a public measure, not his mere opinion; and was solicitous for truth, not for victory. In this way, each objector was induced to be silent, or to agree with him; and thus, gradually, acquiescence-and finally, a general approbation of his proceeding was obtained. To this admirable discretion, he added an inflexible firmness in the course on which he had entered. . . . The uncommon propriety with which he conducted this business, was most probably the fruit of many prayers. In concerns of much less importance he was known diligently to seek the divine direction and blessing. He had the satisfaction to see his complete success unattended with any of those unpleasant circumstances, which occurred in some other congregations. He had another satisfaction. His example and advice, modestly communicated, led to its adoption in most of the churches in this diocese. It was not for some years after this subject had, in appearance, been settled, that it produced any considerable excitement; and it is probable that this was occasioned by a departure from the prudent course of proceeding which he had adopted. This regulation, as was anticipated, has had the happy effect of illustrating the utility and necessity of baptism. It has ensured its more solemn administration has prevented some improper persons from undertaking the office of sponsors-made the sponsor more sensible of his responsibility-and called the congregation to a serious recollection of their baptismal engagements. it has led the laity to investigate the regulations of their own Church, and induced a proper sentiment of veneration for her wisdom, and respect for her authority. Indeed it is to be regretted that any of the directions of our Church should be disregarded by its members, either through carelessness, or accommodation to other denominations: for the framers of our liturgy were especially distinguished for their knowledge and piety; and the utility of their regulations has been tested by experience."-Page 128—131.

REV. JOHN WALKER, AUTHOR OF "THE SUFFERINGS OF THE CLERGY."

"WALKER, REVEREND JOHN, is the author of a work entitled 'An Attempt towards recovering an Account of the Numbers and Sufferings of the Clergy of the Church of England, Heads of Colleges, Fellows, Scholars, &c., who were sequestered, harassed, &c., in the late times of the Grand Rebellion; occasioned by the Ninth Chapter (now the Second Volume) of Dr. Calamy's Abridgement of the Life of Mr. Baxter: together with an Examination of that Chapter,' folio, London, 1714. It contains a long list of subscribers, is dedicated to 'The Archbishops, Bishops, and Clergy, now assembled in Convocation,' and commences with a preface of above 50 pages, in which the author gives a very detailed account of his sources of information and the extensive researches he had made both in printed books

and in public and private repositories. The body of the work consists of two parts, the first in 204 pp., the second in 436.

"On his title-page the author designates himself 'M.A., Rector of St. Mary's the More in Exeter, and sometime Fellow of Exeter College, in Oxford.' In Watt's 'Bibliotheca' he is called 'Vicar of Ledbury, Herefordshire;' and there are attributed to him, besides the above-mentioned work, two single Sermons, both published in 1710, and Conscience Displayed, in several Discourses on Acts xxiv. 16,' 8vo., 1729. But whether different writers be not confounded in this notice may be doubted. In Gorton's 'Biographical Dictionary' Walker is stated to have been a native of Devonshire, to have been, after the publication of his work on the sufferings of the Clergy, complimented by the University of Oxford with the honorary degree of D.D., and to have died at Exeter in 1730. This information professes to be given on the authority of the 'Biographia Britannica;' but there is no account of Walker either in that work or in any of the other collections of English biography which we have had an opportunity of consulting.

"Walker's 'Account of the Sufferings of the Clergy' has been very severely attacked for its misstatements and exaggerations by Puritan and dissenting writers. It was replied to soon after its first appearance by Dr. Calamy, in a tract entitled 'The Church and Dissenters compared as to Persecution;' and also by the Rev. John Withers, a dissenting Minister of Exeter. Several of its assertions are disputed by Neal, in various passages of his 'History of the Puritans;' and there is a general notice of the book in the preface to the third volume of that work, published in 1735, in which it is denounced as written with notorious partiality, and in language not fit for the lips of a clergyman, a scholar, or a Christian.' It must be admitted that Walker was a man of coarse and violently prejudiced mind, without any critical judgment, and with little learning or ability of any kind: he boasts indeed of his unusual ignorance of the history of the time to which his work relates, when he undertook its compilation, as rather a qualification for the task; and with all his parade of inquiry and preparation, it is evident that, partly from incompetency, partly from haste, he has set down many things upon the most insufficient authority. His style is illiterate to the point of barbarism, and he complains pathetically of the laborious occupation he found writing for the press to be. Yet, after all deductions that may be justly made from the value of his book, it must be allowed to have preserved much curious information that in all probability would otherwise have been lost. Walker makes the entire number of the episcopal clergy who were 'imprisoned, banished, and sent a starving,' to have amounted to seven or eight thousand."

The above account is extracted from the Penny Cyclopædia, Part CXXV., at the suggestion of a correspondent, who has often inquired for a portrait, as well as a life. We have been informed by those who professionally acquaint themselves with portraits, that none of Dr. Walker is known to exist. We have ourselves referred, in several of our great public libraries, to all works likely to supply information: but can add nothing material to the above. Lysons, in the Devonshire part of Magna Britannia, has given a full account of the Walkers of Exeter, and their monuments; p. 216. He seems to confound Richard and John Walker; but we will copy out our notes. Under the

Parish Church of St. Mary Arches, he says, "Dr. Richard Walker, author of the 'Sufferings of the Clergy,' was presented to this benefice in 1704"-"Born at Exeter-Dr. Richard Walker, author of the 'Sufferings of the Clergy,'" p. 221.-Upton Pyne six miles from Crediton, and four from Exeter-"Dr. John Walker, author of the 'Sufferings of the Clergy,' was inducted into this rectory in 1720, and died here in 1746." p. 545.-The Gentleman's Mag. begins too late to give a chronological place to Dr. Walker, and seems to have no other reference. There are many references

to his work in the "Biographia Britannica," in giving the lives of other persons; and possibly Gorton may have got his information from thence, but we know not from which corner of so many folios. It should not be unobserved, in reference to the suggestion that Walker may sometimes err, (and who might not in such a work) that we are not to rely implicitly, on the statements of Calamy and Neal, either in their own declarations, or their criticisms on Walker. See Bishop Maddox's Vindication of the Church of England, in reply to Neal's History of the Puritans (1733) and Dr. Zachary Gray's Impartial Examination of Neal's history in three vols. Dr. Gray died in 1766. We subjoin a letter addressed by Bishop Maddox in reply to one by Dr. Gray, in which reference was probably made to a published Sermon by Jennings preached at Neal's funeral. Neal died in 1743.

"Sir, I have always thought Mr. Neale's an unnecessary and injurious attack upon the great instruments of the blessed reformation in this Kingdom; and cannot but be somewhat surprised that Mr. Jennings should adventure to avow in print such an assertion with regard to Mr. Neale's historical performance, which by evidence, and by evidence only, you have convicted of so many gross, I wish (especially as he is now dead, and cannot defend himself) there were less ground to believe them wilful, mistakes. You are pleased to mention a review of the history of the Puritans, and likewise a design of my vindication, etc.' I suppose you intend these to go together as one performance, which may be very proper, to give the world at one view, a just notion of the whole history of the Puritans.

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"I do not recollect (for I have not the books here) that Mr. Neale has charged me with one false quotation; and therefore cannot imagine upon what evidence Mr. Jennings can hope to support his assertions, since the proof of the several propositions in my book stands wholly unimpeached; and the exact care and fidelity, as well as an extensive knowledge in history, which appear uncontradicted in your several volumes, must give full conviction of the impartiality and truth to be found in the History of the Puritans. I shall be very glad to see your review, which I dare say will be composed with the utmost candour and fidelity, and give just satisfaction to your readers, and in particular to,

"July 20, 1743."

"Sir, your faithful servant, and affectionate brother, "ISA. ASAPH.

Fernando, had scarcely finished speaking, when I was seized with that kind of swimming in the head to which sanguine temperaments are so liable. These fits of dizziness, which I used to be subject to some years ago, rendered me insensible for the time being, to what was passing around me, and deprived me for a long while of the free use of my intellectual faculties. I don't know how long I remained in this state, but on again opening my eyes I thought I saw-and in point of fact I did behold-a terrific sight, that I can only compare to one of those scenes that a delirious imagination conjures up under the influence of a burning fever. A being, whose external attributes bore the impress of power, was slowly descending from heaven, borne upon clouds. His look was threatening, his bearing proud, and his gestures were expressive of anger about to burst forth uncontrolledly. A rolling crowd was tossing and hurrying to and fro around him. Some, covered with wounds, were dragging instruments of torture along with them, to lay at his feet as a sort of claim to mercy-for great had been the sufferings they had endured! Others appeared to face him with confidence. A little lower, half open graves were seen yielding up their prey. This scene was neither set forth by a dazzling brightness, nor yet completely thrown into the shade; light equally different from that of day, or from the pallid beams of the moon, tinged every object with a lurid hue, in strict keeping with all that was going forward. A single blood-red star shed its rays over this fearful assembly. On a sudden it disappeared, like the fitful meteors that dart through the air at the beginning of a stormy night, and then I recollected the Divine prophecy :-' "The stars shall fall, and the sun shall lose its light then shall ye know that the day of judgment is at hand." Instinctively I looked around me as I pondered on these words, and I found myself surrounded by a vast crowd, composed of dignitaries of the Church, princes, magistrates, and women dressed with all the luxury and coquetry of Jezebel on the day of her death; there were likewise soldiers and simple citizens, but all silent, immovable, and intently gazing; scarcely a breath was drawn, and each seemed in expectation of some great event. I sought in vain amongst this crowd for the face of a single poor person, or for the rags of indigence; the only nakedness, the only suffering beings that I perceived, were those that met my eyes, on turning them in the direction where sat enthroned the august being who presided over the whole assembly. A strange terror seized me at this sight, and I said to myself, can it be true that the awful moment which is to witness the subversion of the world is already come? Can it be true that these wretches, without rags to cover them, alone can hope for mercy ? In the state of agitation which such a thought occasioned, my head dropped on my breast, and I put my hands up my to face in doubt whether I was still in the land of the living. While these sensations were passing through my mind, a low wailing struck upon my ear, and other lamentations soon joined the plaintive tones of the first voice. Some

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* Stray leaves from a work entitled Tablettes Romaines, published in Paris in 1837.