but they were so elated by success, that they forgot, while spreading gospel doctrines, to lay permanent foundations for a spirit of Christian unity. The confusion and disunion which succeeded the death of one of such leaders, were generally as injurious as his labours had been useful. Whitfield, and others who pursued a like course, undoubtedly waged a mighty warfare against the spiritual enemies of man; but in the heat of battle, struck too much at a venture, and inflicted wounds upon their own church which have not yet been healed. Instead of bringing into vigorous action the practical wisdom of our reformers, they adopted sudden plans of their own, which were often ill-suited to the then agitated elements around them, and productive of serious injury when they had settled into a calm. They made too much haste for the gradual working of gospel leaven; but, to do them justice, their motives were pure and their lives devoted to the willing service of God. It must also be remembered, that they had no opportunity of seeing, as we do, the full extent of those dangers which accompany departure from established discipline and order. The dissenters of that age were generally well disposed to enjoy their own opinions in peace, and set an edifying example of learning and piety. Watts, Doddridge, Guise, and others, preached also the true doctrines of the reformation, which had unhappily been overlooked by too many churchmen, who neither felt in their hearts nor taught in their pulpits, what they had subscribed with their hands. Hence these good men naturally attracted attention and friendship from enlightened clergymen, who suspected no evil, nor had

indeed cause to fear it from such liberal non-conformists. That, however, which was not to be dreaded from individuals, ought to have been apprehended from principles, to the spread of which an unguarded conduct in many members of our establishment gave but too much facility. Mr. Walker and his contemporaries of a kindred spirit, foresaw and escaped these dangers, while they have transmitted to posterity proofs of devotedness to their calling, and of experimental godliness, fully equal to those of men more popular but less prudent. They beheld with amazement and grief, those deviations from all rule by which thousands were misguided, though they were, notwithstanding, most unjustly reproached as enthusiasts. Of this number were Archdeacon Basset, Mr. Adam, Mr. Biddulph, the band of evangelists in Cornwall, Mr. Romaine in London, and many more, in whose footsteps a large company of the priests are now treading with success, who will, it is hoped, if a wider scope of usefulness, proportioned to a vastly augmented population, is opened to them, ultimately bring back those who have wandered from our fold, only because its dimensions were not sufficient to contain such a multitude. Of the followers of Wesley, Mr. Walker observed to Mr. Adam, "my conduct with regard to the Methodists, hath been upon the plan of Gamaliel's advice for though there appeared a zeal and boldness in them which might very justly engage my heart to them, yet I could never persuade myself their proceedings were justifiable ;" and again he says, "nevertheless I trust they have been the means of kindling gospel principles among us, and seem about

to leave the work to more regular and capable heads than their own."

One of the last advices Mr. Walker is reported to have given to a favourite member of his clerical club was, "whatever good you design to do, do it in the church;" to the expression of which opinion he was doubtless led, by his foresight of that disorder in which all irregularity must ever end. Time has now amply revealed the wisdom of his judgment; and it only remains for us to hope, that experience will teach others hereafter, the truth of what his penetration and knowledge of human nature predicted of the hasty proceedings of his own days. We have been accustomed to attribute too much of the present energy in our church to men, who, having called upon her sons to awake, either left them alone, or led them astray when aroused from their lethargy; a conclusion evidently most erroneous, since the most effective clergymen of our times are imitators of those who lamented and opposed all irregularity. Religion has often flourished amidst earthquakes and whirlwinds, that have convulsed and uprooted all the monuments of earthly power and grandeur, because of union and peace in the church of Christ; but when, as in our day, the same tempestuous agitation shakes both temporal and spiritual establishments, the foundations of the earth may be truly said to be out of course, and all things wear an aspect awfully fearful and momentous. Now then is the time for the church of England to arise in all her strength, to enlarge her field of action, to open wide the doors of her fold, to shew the spirituality of her doctrines, the excellence of her discipline,

the beauty of her ordinances-and she will soon recall the scattered affections of those who have wandered from her communion, and be made a blessing to a people recovered from their dissensions by the uniting spirit of the gospel of Christ.

END OF THE MEMOIR.