to me, If it were not for the sound of his voice, with my eyes shut, I could suppose him a man of seventy. He is ripening fast for heaven-1 can fancy him an angel, come down into the pulpit, soon to return."

"Another gentleman, possessed of undeniable critical skill, and difficult to please, after he had heard him, said, I stood the whole service and I could have stood till midnight. I felt as under the influence of a charm I could not resist, and was rivetted to the spot, intent only upon the fascinating objeet I saw before me."

"It was with sincere pity that he saw any young minister descend from the holy dignity of his station, by attention, as soon as the service was concluded, to the advances of females, who, had they really received the benefit they professed, would have shewn it in a very different way."*

Mr. Spencer was appointed by the committee to spend the midsummer vacation in this year at Newington chapel, Liverpool, then destitute of a pastor, by the death of the Rev. David Bruce, The report of his extraordinary talents and amazing popularity

* This is to Spencer's honour. Those who are accustomed to attend the vestries in London, after the sermons of popular preachers, will enter into the meaning of this observation. It would be well, if some whom it may concern would also take the hint it affords.

had already, from various quarters, reached that place. And the congregation amongst whom he was, for a few weeks to labour, had some pleasing expectations, that they might find in him a future pastor, every way qualified for the important sphere of usefulness, which so large and populous a town presented. But on the mind of Mr. Spencer far other impressions had been unhappily produced. From whatever sources he had drawn his information of the state of religion and manners in this place, it was certainly most incorrect and such as led him to anticipate his visit with feelings of considerable uneasiness and reluctance. Nor did he seem at all anxious to conceal the fact, that his coming was the consequence of a necessity, to which he was compelled to bow. So deep was his prejudice against Liverpool, that it seems to have caused the only exception to that uniform submission with which he yielded to the arrangements made by his constituents for his labours. But on this occasion, he did not hesitate frankly to assure a gentleman, who meeting him in London, expressed a hope, that they should soon have the pleasure of seeing him in Liverpool, that it was not his wish to see Liverpool-and that although the committee had appointed him to go, he should do all in his power to prevail upon them to send some other student."

But a visit upon which so much depended, and whence such amazing consequences were to flow, could not be abandoned by a superintending Providence, to the obstacles of his prejudices, or the influence of his feelings. His destination was fixed— It was the voice of duty, and he obeyed. He ar

rived in Liverpool on Saturday, the 30th of June, 1810, and commenced his public labours on the following Sabbath.

Mr. Spencer selected for the subject of his first discourse, Luke xxiv. 32, " And they said one to another, did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures."* In the afternoon he preached from Heb. xii. 24, " And to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel." And in the evening from 1 Cor. xv. 25, “For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.".

The impression produced by the labours of this Sabbath will be long remembered. The emotion then awakened has not subsided to this day. Every sermon that he preached tended to deepen the conviction of his piety and talents-and to endear him to the people. His lively, affectionate manner, and the simple but elegant style of his discourses, captivated all who heard him. Every sermon produced accessions to the congregation of such as, drawn by the report of his extraordinary powers, pressed to witness their display. The chapel soon became crowded to excess-and not alone the thoughtless and the gay, whom the charms of a persuasive eloquence and an engaging manner might attract, but pious and experienced Christians sat at his feet with deep attention and delight. There seemed to be indeed a shaking amongst the dry bones. A divine unction evidently attended his ministry, and such were the effects produced, that every beholder, with

* See Appendix, No. III.

astonishment and admiration, cried what hath God wrought!'

In his own views of Liverpool, too, a great change was wrought by the remarkable circumstances attendant on his ministry. The kind assiduities of the family under whose hospitable roof he resided, and an intercourse with the pious part of the congregation, which they carefully promoted, tended gradually to weaken his prejudices, and at length completely to turn the bias, and reverse the purpose of his mind. The period of his stay was limited to five Sabbaths; but at the earnest solicitation of the people, he consented, after communicating with his friends in London, to add another to the number. And in the afternoon of the last Sabbath, he preached from Deut. xxxiii. 3, Yea, he loved the people,' in such a style of endearment and affection, as seemed to warrant the indulgence of their warmest hopes. The last week of his visit was spent in the most delightful intercourse with Christian friends; and on Tuesday, the 7th of August, he left Liverpool with reluctance and tears.

The following extracts are from his correspondence while at Liverpool.

No. 27.

TO MR. HADDON.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

Liverpool, July 3d, 1810.

*****

“I had a most uncomfortable journey. The distance was so great, the company so disagreeable,

and I so low spirited, that I can truly say, I never travelled in such misery before. When I arrived at Manchester, there was no one to meet me at the coach. No one expected me. After a great deal of trouble I found out Mr. Smith's house, and I shall always feel indebted to him for the kindness with which he received me, though unexpected, and for the hospitality with which he entertained me till Saturday morning, when I left Manchester for Liverpool. And say you, what are your sentiments about that ?—I freely tell you then, that I think it is an excellent town, &c. &c. ; but I had rather any one should be here supplying than myself, and I long for the time when I shall leave for Hoxton.

*****

"Depend upon it, if possible, I will set off for London on Monday, July 30th; I wish it were tomorrow-but perhaps I do wrong in complaining. May you enjoy the presence of Him who has shut me up from the society of my beloved companions for a time, perhaps that I might seek more earnestly after his own.

"I remain,

"Your's affectionately,

"THOMAS SPENCER."

No. 28.

TO MR. HADDON.

Liverpool, July 17, 1810.

64 MY DEAR FRIEND,

"I suppose you have been looking for a

letter for a day or two past from your friend at Liv