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This was accomplished through the munificence of a few individuals, and it was opened for public worship by the Rev. Mr. Howell, on the 8th October, 1797.

At the close of the year 1798, Mr. Howell accompanied the missionaries of the London Missionary Society, in the ship Duff, to the South Seas; and, with the consent of his people, engaged Mr. Jackson to supply his place during his absence. The labours of the young minister were now much augmented, as, besides officiating at Knaresborough, Divine service had to be maintained at Wetherby, GreenHammerton, and Boroughbridge. He therefore obtained the assistance of students from Rotherham academy, and he says, The company of those intelligent young men tended much to the improvement of my talents and the comfort of my mind." He occupied his position with acceptance and efficiency, until the unexpected failure of the mission, when, after various painful events, Mr. Howell returned to his charge.

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Mr. Jackson, contemplating his future work, reflected much on the subject of entering an academical institution; but this course he was induced to abandon, and he took up his residence with his pastor, studying under his direction, and continuing to preach in the vicinity as aforetime. Early in the year 1802 he undertook an itinerant tour, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and then commenced that series of engagements which he pursued extensively for many subsequent years, with much delight and with great success. The records of the itinerant labours of this excellent man in large districts of country, as preserved in his diaries, are one of the most interesting of that order, of modern times. They well deserve publication, both on account of the statements of events, and of Christian association and experience; he who penned them,

however, has a far nobler memorial, in the lasting spiritual results of his persevering and faithful toil.

In the month of July, 1801, the church which had been formed at Green-Hammerton invited him to become their pastor; and having complied with their request, he was fully ordained to the pastoral office on the 5th of November-" a precious day," he exclaims, "to me and many." The immediate sphere was small but the surrounding villages were needy, and were desirous of the Word of life; the habits and tastes of Mr. Jackson were adapted to supply their case, and his own chosen residence was the centre from which went forth a range of influence, for a long season widely dif fused, and eminently useful. Resisting proposals to remove to other and more influential scenes, he abode among his own people until his course was closed.

On the 15th of April, 1806, Mr. Jackson married Miss Mary Clark, of Green-Hammerton, by whom he had a numerous family. Bereavement several times visited his dwelling; in one instance, that of his eldest daughter, cheered by remarkable consolation. His partner and several of his chil dren survive him. May they be enabled to rejoice in the hope of meeting him, and others of their household who have gone, in the presence of the Saviour at his coming!

It would be impossible, within the limits to which our present notice is confined, to pursue the course of our departed friend in seeking to advance the kingdom of his Master. Chapels were built, principally in consequence of his ministry and under his auspices, at Boroughbridge, Thirsk, Shipton, Eas ingwold, Great Ouseburn, which from that time formed a part of his charge, and Wetherby. He also took an active part in promoting the erection of several others. The erection of Lendal chapel, in the city of York, received

his lively and earnest regard. Of that structure he laid the foundation stone, and afterwards, in company with his friend, the Rev. John Arundel, visited the metropolis on its behalf, remaining for two months, and obtaining contributions to the unusually large amount of £500. The progress of independency in York continued always dear to his heart. He assisted in the ordination of the Rev. James Parsons, on which occasion he offered the ordination prayer; and then commenced a friendship which, notwithstanding disparity of years, became unreserved and cordial, which held its communion in social intercourse and public labour, which remained unbroken and undiminished until the hours of his last decay, and which the survivor regards as among his highest privileges to have enjoyed. After rejoicing over the advancement of religion for seventeen years, he had the gratification of witnessing the laying of the first stone of Salem chapel in the same city, when he presented supplication, and afterwards of attending the services at the opening of that edifice, when again he enjoyed the opportunity of expressing his fervent desires that the Most High would send prosperity. The ordination of the Rev. Charles Payton, at Lendal chapel, renewed his Christian pleasure, after which his visits became less frequent in consequence of his advancing infirmities; but the memory of his previously numerous and useful services is unimpaired, and must be cherished with lasting gratitude.

Mr. Jackson continued his stated labours until the close of the year 1844. His encouragements in his work had from various causes become diminished, and he deeply lamented the languish ing state of religion among his people. At that time, an ulcer which rendered necessary a painful operation, suspended his public ministry, and for several months he was incapacitated for any kind of exertion. He had then

hopes of resuming his accustomed duties, amidst earnest desires for a revival, but at length found it needful that he should terminate his pastoral office among the churches he had so long served. An attack of paralysis followed, which, after an interval, was repeated, rendering motion difficult, and painfully affecting his utterance. His mind, however, remained at rest in Jesus, and it was delightful to the writer of these lines to receive from time to time his broken expressions of Christian confidence. He gradually declined until the 18th of January last, when a sudden seizure produced his entire prostration. He could converse very little, but often appeared engaged in prayer, folding his hands, and uttering short ejaculatory sentences; he also endeavoured to repeat texts of Scripture and verses of hymns, and several times exclaimed, "None but Jesus, none but Jesus!" His last word was the name of his beloved wife, and he almost immediately resigned his spirit, calmly and without a struggle. The solemn consummation arrived on the night of Monday the 22nd of January.

According to his previous request, his remains were committed to the grave in the burying-ground attached to the chapel at Green-Hammerton, by the Rev. James Parsons, who also preached his " funeral sermon" from the words of the apostle-" A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

The character of Mr. Jackson was one of eminent Christian worth. His want of early advantages, perhaps, always operated to prevent his attaining the station in the ministry he otherwise would have occupied; but his preaching was uniformly respectable, and its evangelical character, simplicity, and earnestness, caused it to be generally esteemed. His disposition was amiable, and his conversation was cheerful and attractive. His devotional habits, as appears from his diaries, were steady and exemplary; he regularly kept the

anniversaries of his birth and of his ordination as days of fasting and prayer; the occurrence or the recollection of other important events was always specially associated, as their nature required, with supplication or with gratitude; and the entries of ordinary reflection and feeling evince how true religion was enthroned in his heart. He was very jealous for the honour of Christianity in the conduct of its ministers and professed disciples, lamenting deeply over backslidings, and rejoicing much over consistency, holiness, and active zeal. His own zeal was manifested throughout his course: if his efforts in some instances were not under the guidance of entire prudence, and therefore failed in their result, the intention was never otherwise than right; his whole soul was in the advancement of the gospel to the ends of the earth. He sincerely loved pious men of other denominations. In his early life he united in forming a ministerial association, which comprehended not merely pastors of his own body, but clergymen of the Establishment, meeting periodically for intercourse, prayer, and, as far as practicable, the interchange of

public services. The spirit which then animated him he preserved, and in mature life often beautifully exemplified; and among his last records, when his handwriting was rendered trembling by the infirmity which soon laid aside the pen for ever, he declared, as to his employment on the anni versary of his natal day, "If I knew anything of my own heart, I sincerely embraced the whole family of Christ, when no eye saw me but God's, whether they are known as Episcopalians, as Presbyterians, as Baptists, as Independents, as Methodists, or any other distinctive appellation; thinking that I cannot now be long out of the church triumphant, I would get into the spirit of the heavenly world, and feel the dear uniting love which binds the whole of the glorified members in one eternal community." To that community he is gone, himself filled with its har monies, and exulting in its joys.

This brief memoir is designed to preserve in our churches the name of one, of whom it may be pronounced, in the admirable language of an eminent brother,* recently departed, that "his greatness was his goodness."

*The Rev. Dr. Hamilton of Leeds.

THE CHARACTER AND LETTERS OF CORNELIUS WINTER.

"Thou man of God! we dwell upon thy fair
And lovely image, till all the soul within
Is moved, and thoughts are turn'd to prayers!"
Stray Leaves.

WHERE is the person of any discrimination of character, or capable of any appreciation of real and Christian excellence, who does not admire and revere the sainted Cornelius Winter, and who does not dwell, with peculiarly grateful and delightful emotions, on his memory? We do not wonder that Bishop Jebb, after perusing his choice biography, termed him, "that celestial

creature!" There was something about him so pure, so benignant, so radiant with love, so unearthly. He, obviously, had in his sentiments, his tastes, his dispositions, his habits, so much of the spirit of Heaven.

The simplicity of mind characterising Cornelius Winter always strikes us It at once beautified and distinguished him. It was most transparent, and was beautifully unfolded in all his engagements and all the relations of life. There was no artifice, no disguise, no pretension. Everything about him was

the most inelaborate and unsophisticated possible. There was the simplicity of the little child exhibited, in the most winning and attractive manner.

The good sense and sagacity of Cornelius Winter ever interest us and command our respect. These admirable qualities of mind and character were very clearly developed. Who can peruse his life and examine his correspondence without perceiving them? The shrewdness, the penetration, the native good sense, of this intelligent and devoted man we delight to consider.

His devotional temperament and habits uniformly rivet us. They were not of a low standard, but most elevated. They were not ordinary in their development, but most unusual. The exemplification of his devout spirit was "bodied forth" as finely as rarely. It was unfolded, too, in the most winning and impressive manner. There was no austerity, no scrupulousness, no moroseness. Like Enoch, or Abraham, or Noah, he walked with God. This eminently devotional temper was sweetly expressed in connection with all his pastoral engagements, his plans and efforts in the business of education, his solici tudes, his temptations, his trials, his domestic comforts and mercies, his bereavements, and in such a way as to excite the deepest interest, and even to inspire the admiration of every person of congenial disposition. He was "baptized" into the very spirit of devotion. It was the atmosphere he breathedthe world in which he lived and moved. The prime felicity of his existence was to hold communion with his God and his Redeemer.

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is! The benignity of Cornelius Winter ever charms us. He was, indeed, a man of real goodness. He was one of the benevolent, kind-hearted men, for whom "some would even dare to die." There was nothing harsh, stern, or repelling about him. He was kindness itself. He was benevolence personified. He was always ready to show compassion to the unhappy and miserable. poor ever found in him a generous and devoted friend. Like his gracious Master, he was full of kindness, and "went about doing good." He often said, in the days of his itinerancy, that, if ever he were settled, he would give to some poor child a common education; and when he had twelve scholars, he rejoiced that his income "enabled him to keep a cut loaf and a running tap for the poor." Was not this the goodness of real and eminent piety?

His submission to the will of his heavenly Father was beautifully displayed.

His was not a calm and unruffled career. He had to encounter numerous trials, and some of them were unusually acute and painful. For many years his clouds were remarkably dark, his hardships were remarkably trying, his burthens were remarkably weighty and oppressive-almost insupportable. Still, there was no fretfulness, no complaining, no resistance to the will of God, no dissatisfaction with his lot, no determination to employ undesirable or unlawful means to avoid affliction, or to escape from it. Quite the contrary. His spirit was pre-eminently submissive and yielding. His will was "swallowed up" in the will of God. His uniform temper was,

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the movements of his own mind, the emotions of his own heart, and to converse, during so many years, with his fellow-creatures in the freest manner respecting their moral and spiritual concerns, he was an adept in the art of reading character: he could use the probe skilfully.

"His head was silver'd o'er with age,
And long experience made him sage."

In this respect, his qualifications as a tutor were important and admirable. 'In teaching the young," he observes, "what is most requisite is not a vastness of talent, but a temper compounded of affection and patience-that inspires rather than commands."

No person can read his life, by the revered Jay, without being convinced of the justness of the observation, that, while his talents were not first-rate, his apprehension was quick, his judgment accurate, his imagination, though not vigorous and bold, fertile and ready. No one could more nicely or instanta neously discriminate the defects or excellences of a performance." Take it altogether, and especially the recent and enlarged edition, we know few books of a biographical character which are more interesting, instructive, and decidedly beneficial in their tendency, than the Life of Cornelius Winter, by his much-loved, much-honoured, and muchdevoted pupil. It is a volume which is as much adapted for the closet of the intelligent and experienced Christian, as to the reflecting student and minister of the gospel. It is full of wisdom. It is very descriptive. It gives the best account of Whitefield with which we are acquainted. It is rich in original obser vations on religion and the ministry, and delineates a character of extraordinary beauty, harmony, and complete

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love the truth,-not for their originality, elegance, or brilliance, but for their Christian, their spiritual excellence, and the large addition to their number furnished in the collected edition of the writings of Mr. Jay is exceedingly valuable.

They are not letters marked by their precision, philosophy, and breadth of thought, and fine observation. They have not the exquisite grace, case, and beauty, distinguishing the correspondence of Cowper; nor is there the quaint and striking originality we often find in the letters of John Newton; still, we never read them without admiring them, and we can honestly aver, that, when attentively perused, they always do us good, they awaken a class of feelings which we ever find to be most beneficial.

The letters of Cornelius Winter are written with charming simplicity. Everything is spontaneous and unstudied. The simple utterance of the heart is given us, and it is this uniform and characteristic plainness which evinces the sincerity of the writer, and imparts a peculiar freedom and interest to all his epistolary compositions. What is a letter, and especially a religious letter worth, without simplicity? If it have not this quality, the most attractive feature is wanting.

The letters of Cornelius Winter are remarkably pious. They abound in the most devout and holy observations. They are characterised by a most elevated tone of sentiment and feeling. They are replete with everything which the child of God will value and love. Indeed, we think that it would have been impossible for Cornelius Winter to have penned a letter, however short and unimportant, without embodying in it some pious and hallowed sentiment, some remark calculated to do good to the soul of the recipient.

The letters of Cornelius Winter are peculiarly experimental. We see in them all, not only how he thought, but how he felt. What he had experienced

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