Art. II. Memoirs of the Life and Ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Spencer, of Liverpool. With an Appendix, containing a Selection from his Papers, &c. By Thomas Raffles, 8vo. pp. 461. xxxiii. price 12s. Hamilton, 1813.

IF pious men allowed themselves to accuse the ways of Providence, a part of their charge would certainly be derived from the sudden and premature dissolution of persons of extraordinary talents and virtues. Events of this sad nature it is not easy for minds of such narrow views as ours, to reconcile, either with the goodness or wisdom of the Supreme Disposer. How the disappearing of talents and virtues that have just begun to excite great hopes of vast benefit to society, accords with "not afflicting willingly, or grieving the children of men," is more than we can comprehend. That the flower just opening to the sun, and beginning to spread its fragrance, should be instantly cut down, does not, so far as we can see, harmonize with the skill that must be ascribed to the great cultivator of moral natures. Of those events that thus perplex our reason, and call for the exercise of our faith, was the death of the admirable youth, whose life we mean, in a few words, to lay before our readers.

The Rev. Thomas Spencer was born at Hertford, Jan. 21, 1791, the third child of his parents, who, in middling circumstances in life, were respectable for their piety. A sketch of his life, drawn up by himself, informs us, that at the early period of four years he was remarkable for a retentive memory and a thirst of knowledge; and that he was in the habit of proposing curious questions on religious subjects, and of imitating, on his returning from places of worship, of which he was passionately fond, the actions of the minister and the clerk. About the close of his fifth year he lost his mother.

When the funeral sermon was preached, I could not help noticing the grief which seemed to pervade every person present. Deeply affected myself, I recollect, that after the service, as I was walking about our little garden with my disconsolate father, I said to him, "Father, what is the reason that so many people cried at the meeting this afternoon."-He, adapting his language to my comprehension, said, "They cried to see little children like you without a mother." p. 5.

He applied himself diligently to his book, and discovered great sweetness of disposition. From the curiosity that is born with genius, he was, while at school, excessively addicted to the reading of novels, romances, adventures, and histories. Though he took no delight in the games or quarrels of his school-fellows, he amused them by his talk, which was often not very pure. At this early age he was not without

reflections of the most solemn and alarming nature. His bias to the Christian ministry appeared in attempts to address the members of his family, which made him be considered as "a parson in embryo." By the late Rev. E. White, then pas. tor of the Society of Independants, at Hertford, he was assisted in acquiring the elements of the Latin tongue.

Mr. Spencer states, in the sketch alluded to, that, when he was about twelve years of age, religious impressions of a permanent nature were made on his mind, by what means or in what manner, is uncertain. The effect was an earnest desire to be a minister of the gospel, to which he had a persuasion he was destined. But his father's circumstances, obliged bim to remove his son from school. Though this was contrary to Mr. Spencer's wishes, he yet yielded as to the will of God. Meanwhile his father's business grew dull; and it was resolved to settle him elsewhere. After a fruitless attempt for this purpose, he was at last placed with respectable glovers in the Poultry, By his diligence, modesty, integrity, and piety, he gained the affection of his master's family. He formed an acquaintance with several pious young men ; and at the house of his fellow-servant's father, he sometimes explained and improved a portion of scripture.

After four months absence, Mr. Spencer returned to his father's house. Before this time he had been introduced to the notice of Mr. Wilson, a benevolent gentleman, very active in supporting the Dissenting academy, at Hoxton. This gentleman had encouraged Mr. Spencer to hope that his desire of engaging in the Christian ministry might be gratified, and now proposed to put him for that purpose, under the care of the Rev. W. Hordle, of Harwich. In this gentleman's family, to which he removed, Jan. 1806, Mr. Spencer found another home, and under his care made progress in different branches of knowledge. His diligence and application are evident from an abridgement that he made of Parkhurst's Hebrew lexicon. With progress in knowledge was connected an equal progressin devout feeling. Mr. Hordle thought him "born a preacher, and as much called to it as Jeremiah to the prophetic, or Paul to the apostolic office."

While he was under my roof, preachers and preaching were the constant topics of his discourse; and those studies which had an immediate reference to them were his delight. His remarkable gift in prayer, though then just turned of fifteen, astonished and pleased all that heard him. He usually took his turn in leading the devotions of our little family; and in his attendance on my ministry, I have sometimes seen the feeling of his heart in the tears that gushed from his eyes.' p. 133.

On leaving Mr. Hordle's, he spent a few weeks with his father at Hertford; and after the usual examination which he

anticipated with great anxiety, he was admitted into Hoxton academy. In a letter to Mr. Hordle, written some days after, he says,

On Wednesday the 7th inst. that long dreaded day, I appeared before the committee. Your imagination may represent a little boy speaking before them. I felt a good deal of timidity, and waited the event with feelings of anxiety. I hope I can say, I feel the importance of that work, for which it appears God in his providence has designed me; but oh! I need larger degrees of g grace to fill that station in such a manner, as that my own soul, and the souls of my fellow creatures, may be benefitted thereby.'- I recall to my mind occurrences which transpired when I was at Harwich-O may I have all God's dealings sanctified nnto me. I want a deeper acquaintance with my own heart, and a more influential knowledge of God my Saviour.' p. 147.

While, by his amiable manners he secured himself the affection of his tutors and fellow-students, he applied closely to his studies, particularly those connected with preaching. Having returned to his father's to spend the summer's vacation, he preached his first sermon. Those who heard him were struck with admiration; and earnestly entreated a repetition of his services. So much were persons taken with his appearance, his address, and, above all, the fervour of his devotion, that he preached incessantly till he returned to his studies in August. The following vacation he preached at Hertford, with still greater success. Then he returned to the academy. The Rev. Mr. Leifchild, who happened to be preaching at the chapel connected with that institution, procured his assistance one day to perform part of the worship.

• When he appeared in the pulpit-(says that gentleman) after the first emotions of surprise were over, and after the mistakes of some, who supposed that he was a little boy belonging to the gallery, who, from ignorance or thoughtlessness, had gone up the pulpit stairs, instead of those leading to his seat, had been corrected, so sweetly did he read the chapter, so earnestly, so scripturally, so experimentally, did he engage in prayer, that for the whole six Sabbaths afterwards he became the chief magnet of attraction to the place.' p. 173.

Contrary to the rules of the institution, he was permitted, at the entreaties of the people, to preach in the chapel. His youth, together with his modesty, simplicity, and earnest piety marvellously operated upon his hearers, who were no less charmed than edified. He now became the general subject of discourse; but as he grew more popular, he seemed to grow more humble. By preaching frequently in the vicinity of London, he exercised his talents, and made himself known to the gratification and improvement of thousands. But while during the early part of the ensuing year, he delivered many discourses. in London and its neighbourhood, with astonishing effect; his

health was much impaired. He spent the vacation at Dorking, being in a pleasant situation, and having but little labour. On his return he laboured in the metropolis; but though his zeal and activity increased, his health was still precarious, and his spirits subject to great fluctuation. He was appointed to spend his next vacation at Liverpool. To visiting that place he had an extreme aversion, and had it been left to himself, he would never have done it. His first sermon delivered there the last Sabbath in June, made a great impression; and in the course of his labours for about six weeks, he lost his own prejudices against the place, and fixed himself in the affection of those who heard him. Soon after his departure, they sent him a most pressing invitation to settle with them; to which, after seven weeks deliberation, he acceded, though he had invitations of the same nature from many other places. He now prepared diligently for his new situation, both by study and preaching.

His labours at his new situation were commenced Feb. 3, 1811. Of that day he thus wrote:

'Oh! what a memorable day to me was the first Sabbath I spent in this place every circumstance that took place appeared worthy of attention and big with events; never before had I entered a pulpit with those awful, solemn feelings, with which I was impressed that morning. The idea of appearing in a new character, of entering on a station which I have no view of relinquishing till the day of my death, the weight of responsibility which attaches to the ministerial character, the dread lest I should act in any way unworthy of my sacred office all these things would naturally impart an unusual solemnity to the mind. ON THAT DAY heaven is my witness of the holy resolutions I formed. Oh! that God enable me to put them in execution. p. 316. The attention excited by his preaching in Liverpool was universal. Those who disliked his principles, were affected by his eloquence. In a letter to his father he says,

:

may ever

The interest excited in this town is still lively and great. I trust much good is done. Prejudices are removed, convictions are impressed on the mind, and the cause of Satan appears to termble under the influence of the doctrines of the cross.' p. 319.

It was soon found necessary to procure a larger place of worship; at laying the foundation of which he delivered an animated oration. He grew daily more intent on his work, and his success was wonderful. He was ordained June 27. With regard to that day he thus expresses himself:

The ordination has, for the last fortnight, occupied almost the whole of my attention, and the impression, the solemn, the holy impression of which I trust I shall never forget. Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I administered the ordinance of the Lord's supper, and found it to be indeed "a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." My duties

are more and more important and pressing. Conversations upon religious experience with candidates for admission into our church, the baptism of children, and the calls of the sick and dying must necessarily engage much of my attention. But I can sincerely bless God, that amidst all the depression of mind I have suffered, my work has been my delight. The duties of the ministry have often refreshed, instead of oppressing me. The pleasure of the Lord has prospered in my hands. I love the service of the Head of the church better than ever I did. When I am watering others, I find that Jehovah the Spirit waters my own soul too! Oh! is not this an encouraging token for good?' p. 65.

But he had now nearly finished his course. August the 4th he preached his last sermon, and next day, while bathing, lost his life, being of an age, at which there have been few men of any service to their fellows, and fewer still, whose death has been so deeply and so generally deplored by strangers.

Of the general habits of this lamented youth little is to be said. In his dress he studied simplicity.

One Sabbath morning, when he called for me, he had a new coat on, which I told him I thought was more fashionable than he would approve. "I did not know it," said he, and on the next Sabbath morning he asked me if I thought it more becoming then: he had had it altered.” p. 268.

He paid a particular regard to decorum in his behaviour. Any particulars respecting the manner in which a person who, at such an early period, attained such celebrity as a preacher, prepared for the pulpit, must be very interesting. "I keep,' said he, 66 a little book, in which I enter every text that comes into iny mind with power and sweetness. Were I to dream of a passage of scripture, I should enter it; and when I sit down to compose, I look over the book, and have never found myself at a loss for a subject." This practice, not peculiar to Mr. Spencer, will be found of great utility where there is a necessity of frequent preaching. Mr. Spencer's sermons were generally written: but he did not adhere servilely to his notes. His great preparation, however, for preaching the gospel, was a mind habitually devout and affectionate, wrought, previous to the hour of worship, to an unusual pitch of fervour and sympathy, by deep meditation upon invisible objects, and earnest prayer to the Author of all good.

The character of this most promising youth can hardly be thought thoroughly formed, and years it is probable would have fully developed qualities that were but just discernible at his death. He was, it appears, modest, unaffected, disposed to charity and friendship; and he possessed happily tempered together, all those qualities that are essential to make a preacher of the most efficient order, diligence, an intimate acquaintance with scripture and the manner of its operating on the