numerous societies are sometimes the most corrupt, both in doctrine and practice. Not in their riches; for where these abound, there is sometimes a great conformity to the spirit and manners of the world. Not in the variety or greatness of knowledge and gifts. Few of the primitive churches equalled that of Corinth in these; but they were not of a sanctified kind, for their conduct was unholy, and they were so given up to internal contention and discord, and that about such unsuitable and trifling things, that the apostle could scarce tell whether he should reckon them spiritual or carnal persons. The prosperity of churches does not consist in the abundance of their liberality, or the ardour of their zeal; there must be something more spiritual, more substantial, and more abiding, to constitute real prosperity."

A Christian society prospers, when its members grow in sound and scriptural knowledge; not merely in an acquaintance with one or two leading points of doctrine, but of the whole truth as it is in Christ. That society is not likely really and effectually to prosper, which is not as thoroughly enlightened in the knowledge of the experimental and practical part of religion, as of the doctrinal. Indeed, spiritual knowledge is nothing, unless it powerfully influences the heart, and induces a life of holiness. Christian societies flourish, when the members of which they are constituted, abound in all the fruits of the Holy Spiritwhen they consecrate their time, their wealth, their talents, their influence, to the glory of God,

and to the good of mankind. A Christian society should resemble a fountain in a desert and barren place; and channels should be opened in every direction, that its waters may go forth to heal and cleanse all around.

There can be neither prosperity nor peace in Christian communities, without the assistance and blessing of God. "Let us remember, says Mr. T., that Jesus has given his Holy Spirit to abide with the Church, and, by his operations, produce his own dove-like temper; yea, that he should mould the spirit of genuine Christians into the very mind of their blessed Redeemer, who has said, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. This Spirit not only new models the mind, but sheds abroad his heavenly fruit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, &c.

Speaking of ministerial duties, Mr. Townsend remarks, "The ministry which is best calculated to advance peace and prosperity, is that which is faithful and discreet. Jesus said to his disciples, when he sent them forth to preach, Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, Our responsibility is truly great-we speak in the name of our Master, and must give account of our ministry at the last day. Let us then take heed to the matter, the spirit, and the manner of it; let us see that we fulfil it. If we are faithful without prudence, we become impertinent, and fall into personalities; and if we are prudent and discreet without faithfulness, we fall under the influence of the fear of man, which bringeth a snare.

CHAP. VI.

Formation of the Congregational School.

EIGHTEEN years had elapsed from the first commencement of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb; during which period, the benevolent subject of this memoir had, with few exceptions, been associated with all the societies, that had been formed for the religious and physical relief of suffering man. His ardour and energy, with the enlarged views which characterised him as a member of the universal Church, had placed him on most of the committees, where he was distinguished for an excellent judgment, united with singular mildness. Feeling all the value and importance of societies now in operation, there was one subject which had much occupied his thoughts, and interested his heart.

A dissenter upon principle-a dissenting minister enjoying competency, influence and respect, he thought long and deeply on the necessities of men, who, like himself, had their commission from heaven-men, who, by faithful preaching and holy conduct, were making many rich towards God.

Mr. Townsend contemplated with pain many churches which, like the rich Corinthians, allowed their ministers to labour, with little consideration

either of their temporal necessities or spiritual anxieties; remaining cold to, or careless of, their sufferings and wants, and, in the fulness of their own sufficiency, forgetting that a devoted christian minister takes for his motto, Not yours but you. Whilst Mr. Townsend saw rising around him institutions to meet every species of suffering to which our common nature is liable, he knew one class of men who, serving a spiritual Master, wished only to have temporal wants supplied, that their whole time and intellect might be devoted to His service, and that, disentangled from the low affairs of this life, their thoughts and affections might lead them to the high contemplations of another. To relieve the cares that oppressed such men-to provide for, and educate their children, and to secure an Asylum for their advanced age, he proposed to himself hopes which were never realized, and formed plans too mighty for his feeble resources to execute. That God who had given him the benevolent spirit of a Sutton, had denied him the affluence. The Charter House was the model he had in view, but the dissenting world were not inclined to follow so munificent a plan. It is indeed singular, that Christians living under the mild precepts of the New Testament, should forget the merciful provisions in the Old, for the Levite who ministered before the Lord in holy things. If the glory and beauty which attended the sons of Aaron are not to be the destiny of our more spiritual priesthood, surely we are not to inflict on them that moral martyrdom, which depressed circumstances must ever bring to

the upright and honourable mind. Dissenting ministers willingly take the humble station of servants to the church of Christ-they wish for neither the certainty nor the perpetuity that marks the established Church; but their devotedness and their zeal deserve a higher reward from their people, than a pittance grudgingly given, or withdrawn when the whitened locks of age mark the decay of the outward man, and of that intellect whose fire and energies were employed, with unwearied ardour and unabating zeal, for a period of thirty-nay perchance forty years. Was it not to prevent such evils, that the Apostle commanded that those who minister in spiritual things should receive of temporal? Unless he had believed that, in after ages of the Christian Church, this precept would be acted on, would he have given the useless advice to youthful pastors, To be lovers of hospitality. Tit. i. 8. To be given to hospitality. 1 Tim. iii. 2.

The following address to the ministers and laity of congregational dissenters, will show the nature and extent of Mr. Townsend's plans, as laid before the public.

"It has been allotted to us to live in a day in which the activity and zeal of our churches have been called forth with an energy, and to an extent never before witnessed. Who, that loves the souls of men, and sincerely desires to see the extension and establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom, can look back upon the few last years, and not rejoice in the highly beneficial efforts which have been used to disseminate the Bible, and enlighten