For some time it was supplied by a rotation of ministers in Lady Huntingdon's connexion, till the Rev. Daniel Gray, who had been educated at Trevecca, and ordained in London, on the plan of secession, July 16, 1783, became stated minister of the congregation, about 1785. He died in that office, and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. William Gray, who preached to the people abont two or three years, and afterwards took orders in the Established Church.*

But, to return from this digression, Mr. Gibbons continued at Ulverstone to the time of his death, testifying, both to small and great, the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. Though his health was extremely indifferent, yet he always appeared to feel it a refreshment, rather than a weariness, to be employed in his blessed Master's service, nor ever courted assistance. His step was firm-his preaching uniform his testimony, the simplicity which is in Christ-his sentiments left no ambiguity. He told one unvarnished tale of Him who died upon the cross to save the chief of sinners. And as the thief and the murderer, who suffered at the side of our Lord, others as vile as he, were invited and exhorted to embrace the freedom and the fulness of the Gospel of Christ, to look to Him and be saved from the ends of the earth. May the remaining noble army of confessors imitate his example, and preach the Gospel as purely, freely, and fully as he has done-eclipse, by their zeal and labours, all their predecessors; brave every suffering and reproach for the Gospel's sake; and live a life of greater weanedness from this present evil world: and, by the grace of God, dying daily, know, that when this earthly house of their tabernacle shall be dissolved, they have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!

The late Mr. Wills visited Ulverstone in the summer of 1785. “Having known Mr. Gibbons formerly,"says he, "when a student in Lady Huntingdon's connexion, and taking Ulverstone in my long journey to the North, in the year 1785, I preached at his chapel; and finding him in a very declining state of health, prevailed upon him to accompany me during my preaching in that neighbourhood, partly for exercise and air, and partly for the refreshing of his soul." At the earnest desire of Mr. Gibbons and his congregation, Mr. Wills preached to a very considerable congregation in his chapel, on the 26th of July, from Jeremiah xxiii. 6: "The Lord our Righteousness." The next day Mr. Wills set off for Bootle, about twenty miles from Ulverstone. "I was unwilling," says he, "to come into these parts without visiting Bootle, the native place of Mr. Whitridge, who has the cause of Christ so much at heart, and is not content barely to say God speed; but has built them a very pretty chapel, and dwelling house for the minister, and allows a yearly salary for his support; and as Lady Huntingdon's students have laboured so long here, and the present is one of her ministers (Mr. Gray), who is liked very much, and has been made useful among them, and does not confine himself to this little town only, but on Sunday evenings preaches out of doors in the neighbouring villages to a great many people." Mr. Wills preached in the evening in the chapel to a serious experienced people, and the next evening at the cross, for the sake of those who would not come to the chapel. The subject was the blind man sitting by the way-side-Matthew xx. On the 29th of July Mr. Wills, accompanied by Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Gray, proceeded to Whitehaven, Cockermouth, Workington, Kendal, and other places, preaching every where. He then made a tour through Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and on his return to London early in September, received the following letter from Mr. Gibbons, dated August 29, 1785:

"Dear Sir-As you desired me to drop you a line to inform you of the state of my health, I think it my duty to comply with your kind request. Indeed I am unable to express the sense I have of that tenderness you manifested to me when in these parts. The parting with you at Kendal so affected my spirits, that I could not move that day towards home; however, the next day, being a little recovered, I had a very pleasant ride, and found my family all well. I cannot say there is any material alteration with me since I was with you at Kendal; I still continue nearly in the same state, sometimes a little better, at

* London Christian Instructor for March, 1822.

+ Wills's Spiritual Register, Vol. ii.

I Memoirs of the Rev. Thomas Wil!s.

other times worse; it is as yet quite uncertain how it may go with me; and I thank God I have very little anxiety about it. I rather wish the affliction to be sanctified, than removed without that blessing. I cannot see one thing in the world worth our staying for, unless it be to be useful in the church of Christ, in promoting His glory among men, and spreading the sound of His most glorious Gospel. But what has it cost me to learn this lesson! Oh, it is easy to learn doctrines, and think we can submit ourselves in a day of trial, without feeling that rebellion of nature rising up against the Lord, and His will; but, alas! when the experiment comes to be made, we are like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. This, indeed, was my case. Easy in outward circumstances, at peace in my family, all things going well, 1 vainly began to think of some paradise on earth. But, oh, how sadly was 1 mistaken, when death began to make inroads upon us, and tore away the desire of my eyes, a darling child! when sickness attacks one and another—oh,what alarming proofs that this is not our rest! and that

'They build too low that build below the skies.'

1 should be glad of a few lines from you, if not too much trouble. I am, dear sir, your affectionate but unworthy brother in Christ, "DANIEL GIBBONS."

We now come to the concluding scene. The prophets, where are they? Good men live not for ever. Mr. Gibbons laboured under many infirmities for many years, which increased as he approached the confines of the eternal world. For some time before he discontinned preaching, it was with great difficulty he got into the pulpit; and he was frequently obliged to relieve himself by sitting down in the course of his sermon. During the whole of his decline, his mind was sweetly composed, and his confidence in God continued unshaken. He felt the foundation in which he rested firm and solid; knowing on whom he believed, he was firmly persuaded of His care to carry him through life, and to bring him safe to His eternal kingdom. He spoke to his friends as one who felt the power of the Gospel, and had realized the substantial glories of the heavenly state. The simplicity of his manner, the fervour of his spirit, and the holy and feeling way in which he spoke of the excellency of Christ, the importance of being right with God, and the peculiar happiness of a well-grounded hope of future glory, were truly interesting to all who heard him, and could not fail to produce powerful impressions on the souls of gracious persons. May the Great Head of the Church, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, raise up many others of equal knowledge, piety, and holiness, to direct the bewildered steps of benighted men! to draw down the blessings of Heaven on a guilty world! and to exemplify in living characters what a Christian and a minister ought to be!

Mr. Burder, who had a few opportunities of seeing Mr. Gibbons during his last illness, has given the following account of the manner in which he was supported in the near prospect of dissolution, in a letter to Mr. Wills, dated Lancaster, January 20, 1786.

"Dear Sir,—Your regard to the Rev Mr. Gibbons, of Ulverstone, in Lancashire, who, in December last, left this world for a better, urges me to give you a short account of his comfortable supports from the Father of mercies in his sickness, and at the approach of

death.

66

You, sir, know that he was in a declining state when you were at Ulverstone in the summer, and had his company in part of the journey which he took for his health. From that time forward he continued to decline, till he was confined to his room. On account of his weakness, he was disinclined to see any persons who made inquiries after him from day to day. To one, who visited him about a month before he died, he said, 'I am in a rapture, and have such joys and pleasures as cannot be described.' Mrs. Gibbons told me some sweet expressions which dropped from his lips; one in particular I recollect. When the richer part of the inhabitants of the town inquired of Mrs. Gibbons how he was-and begged, if Mr. Gibbons thought he would like any thing they could furnish him with, she would send to their houses for it-Mrs. Gibbons told him of this their kindness, observing, at the same time, that it showed he was well respected by them. He replied, I believe many of them do respect me: a good name may do among men ; but oh! what would that do without Christ? Oh! nothing but grace, nothing but grace! Where might I be now, if I had not Christ?' The few opportunities I had of seeing him, afforded me a pleasing evidence of the sufficiency of Christ's merit to support and comfort in a dying hour; and also of his personal assurance that he was interested in that merit. What, said he, would all the world be to me now? What are duties? Works can do nothing?

What would I now do without Jesus Christ? I find a need of Him, and I find Him precious to my soul. I have sometimes such joys, that my weak body could not sustain them long. When he asked me to preach his funeral sermon, he said, 'Come near, and I will give you the text; I have had the most comfort from it of any text in the Bible. It is that in 1 Cor. xv. 57: ' Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory.' Then he burst into tears, and cried out, Oh victory! victory! victory! Thanks be to God, who giveth us this victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.'

"A few days before his departure, he was in so sweet a frame of mind, that he used his utmost endeavours to sing the following hymn, that begins thus:

'Raise your triumphant songs

To an immortal tune, &c.'

"He repeated these words, and would have proceeded; but finding his efforts vain, his weakness of body being so very great, he stopped with saying, 'I cannot sing now, but I shall sing soon.

This part of my narrative brings me to very interesting and sadly pleasing scenes; and these scenes rendered still more affecting from the circumstance of their being described by the pen of one who had (as Dr. Young expresses it) the

- Dreadful part

Of observation! darker every hour.'

The afflicted widow herself has traced back the painful history, and I transcribe the following circumstances, in addition to the preceding, from papers written by her own hand:

"Mr. Gibbons told me often, in the summer, that he looked on death as a privilege. 'The poor weak body shall indeed be covered with dust, but the soul shall be with Jesus.' About two months before he died, I thought him much worse in the night, and said, I fear you are very ill.' He answered, 'I am very poorly, and I must expect to have bad nights before I die. But, blessed be God, this is not hell! Oh, no! the sting of death is taken away. What should I do now without an interest in Christ?'

6

"During his last illness he never showed the least concern of mind but what the weakness and pains of his body occasioned; and, when he was eased of these, he was quite cheerful. He wondered that persons in declines should so frequently delude themselves with hopes of a recovery; he could entertain no idea that he should recover. He was much distressed at seeing me uneasy, and often told me that I had more reason to be thankful; for,' said he, if I should live thirty or forty years longer, I should be guilty of more sins; and to one who has an interest in Christ, a long life is no way desirable. You will soon, very soon, be after me. I know I am a poor sinner; but I have trusted in the grace and the mercy of Christ ever since I knew the Gospel. I know in whom I have believed; and He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him till the great day. At another time I said, I hope you are comfortable in your own mind:' he answered, 'I have a steady, firm, and well-grounded hope, and sometimes extraordinary comforts.' One morning he said to me, 'Oh, I have had a sweet morning! The rapture was too strong for me; I thought it would have killed me.' Going into the room, I found him breathing short; when he said, I am just out of breath; I have had such a rapture, I could scarce keep my breath.'

6

"For about two months, in the latter part of this illness, he was almost perpetually rejoicing in Christ's victory over death; so that it evidently appeared, as his outward man decayed, his inward man was renewed day by day. The last week of his life he was much inclined to sing; often attempted it, but his strength and voice failed. He asked us to sing many times every day this week. There seemed to be no anxiety upon his mind; but an earnest desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. On Saturday, December 10th, he asked me at times, if death was come into his face? to take hold of his arm, and tell if his pulse was weakened.' He longed much to be gone; but always repeated, ‹ The Lord's time is best. He talked of death with the greatest serenity, and gave orders how his grave should be made. About eight o'clock in the evening he bid me farewell, with the utmost tenderness and serenity of mind. His face and hands were now as cold as death. He afterwards gave a person by him his arm, saying, 'My pulse is gone.' He repeated the word victory! victory!' shook hands with the people beside him, bid them farewell, and, about two o'clock on the Sabbath morning, fell asleep in Jesus."

Thus, on the Lord's day morning, December 11, 1785, the Rev. Daniel Gibbons took his

"Last triumphant flight,”

to the presence of Him, at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore, and entered upon that eternal rest prepared for the people of God—that eternal rest, "Where congregations ne'er break up

And Sabbaths never end."

to cast his blood-bought crown at the feet of Him who hath loved him, and washed him from his sins in his own blood.

The Rev. George Burder, of Lancaster, preached his funeral sermon, to an overflowing and weeping congregation, on the following Lord's day, from the passage selected by the deceased, 1 Cor. xv. 57, "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory."

A daughter of Mr. Gibbons married a Mr. Mouncey, and principally resided in Manchester, where she attended the Baptist chapel then under the ministry of Mr. Hindle, and died on Lord's day morning, November 11, 1798. Her views of the Gospel were very clear, and she expressed a peculiar pleasure in the idea, that it was the righteousness of God in which she should appear before Him; after mentioning these words, "In the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength," and "We are complete in Him." Whilst speaking on this subject, one said, "Then you are sensible you have no righteousness of your own, that can stand before God?" "Oh, no!" she replied, shaking her head, "I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked in myself." Some of her last expressions were, "I am going to heaven; Jesus is precious to me-His promises are precious, through the application of the Spirit of God."* "Blessed are the dead, who died in the Lord." "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!"

AMICUS.

Mr. JAMES THOMAS PRATT.

Mr. JAMES THOMAS PRATT was born in the year 1809, of pious parents, who were desirous of leading him betimes to the house of God-and from childhood his attendance upon the means of grace was diligent and constant. In 1817 he was admitted into the Spa Fields' Chapel Day School, where he enjoyed the opportunity of instruction in the things connected with our eternal welfare, and always expressed himself truly thankful for the benefits received from that institution. At the early age of eleven years, he was left an orphan with one older, and three younger than himself, by the death of an affectionate father, and from that time occupied various situations, in some of which he was exposed to great temptations; but in all of which he acquitted himself in a manner that gained the esteem of his employers. He was mercifully preserved amidst the dangers to which he was exposed, and never hesitated to bear his testimony in favour of religion on every suitable occasion, and often not without success. His great affection for his widowed mother and family will long be remembered. By his prayers, his counsel, and industry, he consoled the heart of his bereaved parent, and was truly a father to her orphan family. It appears that his mind was early and seriously impressed by the instructions he received in the Day and Sabbath school belonging to Spa Fields' Chapel, together with the Word of Life preached in this sanctuary. His attachment to Divine things seemed to increase with his years, and the work of Divine grace upon his heart appears to have been commenced and carried on imperceptibly, even to himself, as to times and circumstances, although its effects evidenced themselves in his walk and conversation. Previous to his departure for America in 1832, he had for some time united in the celebration of the Lord's Supper at Spa Fields' Chapel, and during his residence in that far distant land, held fellowship with the episcopal church under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Bedall, to whom he was much attached. When for a season he resided on the

* Evangelical Magazine for 1738.

VOL. X.

other side of the Atlantic, the prosperity of Spa lay near his heart, and nothing afforded him greater pleasure than to hear of the Divine blessing resting upon that place, to which he was attached by so many tender ties of affectionate gratitude. On returning to England he again worshipped in that sanctuary which he ever regarded as his home, and remained united to the Christian community there assembling, until summoned to meet with the church triumphant. His desire to do good was with him a principle, and it was with great pleasure he engaged in the work of Sabbath school instructions, as well as in other efforts for the advancement of the Divine glory. In the course of the past year he became joint superintendent in the Spa Fields' Sunday school, and appeared more in public life by delivering addresses to the children. His last address was remarked by two of the teachers at the time of its delivery, to be characterized by peculiar solemnity; but ah! little did any one imagine, that on that very day three weeks his funeral sermon would be preached in that very sanctuary where he was then speaking-so true is it, “We know not what a day may bring forth." Only a fortnight before his last illness, he engaged, for the first time, with much diffidence, but acceptance, at the Saturday evening meeting, held at Spa Fields, and perhaps at that time little imagined that it would be not only the first but the last time he was ever to be thus engaged in the church below, and that so soon prayer would be exchanged for endless praise. Of the closing days of his life but little can be said, partly because of the brevity of his illness, but chiefly on account of the delirium and insensibility that sealed up his spirits, as it were, in a living sepulchre. But what he did say proved that his mind was fixed upon that true foundation, and that the affections of his heart were centered in Him whose he was and whom he served. At his own request the Bible was constantly placed under his pillow during his illness, and, although reading was medically prohibited, yet when the mind was able to attend to anything, he was anxious to listen to the pages of the inspired Word. He spoke with much pleasure of the last sermon he heard, which was preached at Spa by the Rev. Mr. Nolands from these words-"The great salvation." The last rational sentence that fell from his lips was, "A precious salvation through the blood of Christ," thus leaving behind him a dying evidence of his entire dependence upon that dear Saviour whom living he loved, and whom in heaven he now beholds. He fell asleep in Jesus, on November, 1837, at the early age of twenty-eight years, leaving a mourning widow, and two fatherless children, with a numerously attached circle of connections and friends to lament his loss. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.' This solemn event was improved by an impressive sermon preached by the Rev. John Harris, of Kidderminster, from Job, fourteenth chapter, the first and second verses, to a numerous congregation at Spa Fields' Chapel, on Lord's Day evening, December the 10th, 1837. May the God of all grace be a Husband to the bereaved widow, and Father to the little fatherless children, and may this sudden event be sanctified in stirring up others to "work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."

LORD ELDON.

THE death of this venerable nobleman took place at his residence, No. 1, Hamilton place, Piccadilly, on Saturday afternoon, `Jan. 13, at four o'clock, in the 87th year of his age. The Right Hon. John Scott, Earl of Eldon, &c., was born on the 4th of June, 1751, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; and in 1766 entered at Oxford, at University College, of which he subsequently became a fellow; and in 1771 he obtained the Chancellor's prize for the English Essay. In 1773 he married Elizabeth (the late Lady Eldon, who died in June 1831), daughter of Aubone Surtees, Esq., and in the same year entered as a student in the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar in 1776, and was made King's counsel in 1783. In 1788 Mr.