pany of the latter that God met him, changed the current of his thoughts, and made him a new creature in Christ Jesus.

The record of this interesting crisis in his history is found in his papers, intended evidently, as private memoranda and memorials of the Lord's dealings with his soul, to quicken his devotion and to enliven his love and gratitude to the Giver of all good. These papers were originally written in short-hand, and only a very few were transcribed by his own hand. His diary was a companion and help to his devotion on the anniversaries of some of the most important events in his life, especially those of his conversion and ordination.

In reference to his conversion, we quote from his diary, which begins thus:

Monday, August 13, 1792.-A day ever to be remembered by me. I was unexpectedly invited to take tea with two pious people in the house, at which I was not well pleased, as their company and conversation made me gloomy. After tea they went to prayer, which made it still more irksome to my carnal mind. But the Lord soon answered their prayers for my conversion. One of the party, Mr. Shum, a German, who belonged to the Methodist Society at Bath, on rising from prayer, was seated directly opposite the beautiful hills surrounding that city; which led him to say, in a spirit which I would were always mine, How bounteous is the Lord in providing for His children, not only the necessaries, but the superfluities of life. How happy,' said he, 'is the man who, being made partaker of a living faith, can call the God who made all these things his own. All mankind are seeking happiness. For the sake of saying something, I added, 'Some are seeking in the right way and some in the wrong.' I had no sooner uttered the words, than I was struck with the conviction that I was seeking it in the wrong way. A solemn feeling, which I had before experienced, and which I had sought to throw off, now came over my mind, but attended with a secret inclination to cherish it. Each thought now increased it, so that towards the time when they were going to chapel, which was in a few hours, it became intense. My whole soul was now altered. The bias of my will was turned. My grief now began to be alleviated; my hope in Divine mercy was strengthened; and shortly after my load of guilt was entirely removed, my eyes were opened, and I found myself at the foot of the cross. Such was the effect of the deliverance, that I was overwhelmed, and was reminded of the words, Comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.' 'Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.' Throughout this and the two following days I continued in a most ecstatic state. I lay down with a heart burning with redeeming love, and rose with the same delightful sensations. I could compare it to nothing but a gentle fire burning in my breast; indeed, it seemed to have that physical effect on my frame,

that it seemed to me literally such a thing as a delightful glow kindled in my heart.

"I now wondered that I had not seen the superior happiness of the people of God, and recollected how serene and happy Mrs. Bowen looked. I thought that I had only to relate what I had experienced, in order to induce others to become followers of the Lamb. I therefore made the experiment upon a young man that lived with me. But the sharp repulse I received convinced me of my folly in supposing that the conversion of a sinner was a work so easily effected. He reminded me how I had myself behaved, and though I grieved to find that others were so much like what I just now was, it delighted me to see what cause I had for gratitude to God, who had delivered me from this awful state. But joy was not always to be my portion.

"Friday.-The Lord hid His face from me. I was called from 'the banqueting-house' to the field of battle, for I had foolishly supposed that I was to be always rejoicing. I now concluded that some great sin must have been the cause of this depression. The opposition and reproach I met with from the world, joined with inward conflict, afforded the enemy a fine opportunity for temptation. But though my soul recoiled with horror at the temptation to return to the drudgery of sin again, yet this imagination filled, haunted, and distressed me. This, being my first, was a severe trial; but being founded, I trust, upon the Rock, the gates of hell could not prevail against me. The most beneficial effects were produced by this trial immediately after conversion.

"I had been much exercised with the idea of being called to preach the gospel. I was with some difficulty prevented from going out immediately into the highways and hedges, and calling sinners to repentance. Though I trust this was from the Lord, yet I am aware that Satan had much to do with it. I vainly imagined, that mine was an extraordinary case, that there never was such a conversion as mine, and that I was to do wonders in the earth.

"My trial served in some measure to subdue my pride, and make me think my experience would be much like that of others. Yet my desire to preach the gospel continued; but, by the advice of a friend, I resisted the temptation to go out immediately."

After being thus exercised in mind, he "prayed earnestly that the Lord would show His will by opening a door in providence, resolving implicitly to follow wherever He should lead."

"This evening," he says, "I was unexpectedly called upon to fill a vacancy in a village, and consented.

"I selected 2 Cor. v. 10: 'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.' My doubts and fears ran high; but I was aided in my meditations and in speaking my heart, my lips were opened; and, as I received testimonies of the people's satisfaction, my mind was fully made up, that I was following the path of duty."

This 24th of December, 1792, when he delivered his first sermon, only about three months after his conversion, became a day of mark, the anniversary of which seldom, if ever, passed unnoticed in his subsequent history. From this time the work of the ministry was the ascendant thought of his mind. His prayers, his meditations, his conversation with senior Christians, were all directed to the inquiry, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" While thus anxious to know the will of the Lord, and the way he should take, the Rev. Mr. Weston, who had been one of Dr. Bogue's earliest students, recommended Mr. Bennett to enter the academy at Gosport, to pursue a course of studies preparatory to entering on the work of the ministry.

On the 17th of October, 1793, he went to Gosport, and commenced and continued his studies with a diligence and ardour which soon secured for him distinction among his fellow-students, and the special esteem of his honoured tutor. Referring to this period of his history, and the circumstances related, Dr. Bennett says, "I gladly seized the offer, and went to Gosport, where I became the favourite pupil of good Dr. Bogue ; so that it used to be said, 'Dr. Bogue's idol is Mr. Bennett.'"

In 1795, while yet under the tuition of Dr. Bogue, he received an invitation to take the pastoral charge of the Church and congregation at Romsey. He accepted this invitation, and began his stated ministry at Romsey, February, 1796, and was ordained April 5, 1797.

His labours were so honoured of the Lord, that in taking a review after he had been settled at Romsey fourteen years, he says, "The Church is now five or six times as numerous as it was fourteen years ago. In one year, we received as many members within six, as the whole Church consisted of at one time. Among all those admitted, the instances of improper conduct have been few: only one excommunicated, and he eventually restored."

During his pastorate at Romsey, he had the high satisfaction of introducing to the work of the ministry, and subsequently to the Church at Birmingham, the Rev. J. A. James. In many of the villages around Romsey, the young minister introduced the preaching of the gospel, and established Sabbath-schools.

One of the most remarkable instances of liberality in the history of chapel building, occurred in connexion with the Church at Romsey, while Mr. Bennett was pastor. On one Sabbath he announced the intention and desire of the people to build a larger place of worship, and on the next Sabbath he preached a thanksgiving sermon, that all the money thought to be needful had been promised. And though it was subsequently found more money was needed, it was promptly guaranteed, and the new chapel was opened free of debt. This was a most substantial testimony of the high esteem and devoted affection of the people to their pastor.

After seventeen years' labour in Romsey, where Mr. Bennett con

tinued to be the diligent persevering student, as well as the indefatigable minister, his eminence as a scholar became known, and he received an invitation, April 5th, 1813, to succeed Dr. Williams as pastor and tutor at Rotherham. Flattering as such an invitation was, to succeed one who had acquired great distinction both as tutor and pastor, it was not till the 7th of June, after much prayer, fasting, and consideration, that Mr. Bennett decided to accept the invitation to Rotherham; he entered this new sphere of labour August 22, 1813.

While at Rotherham, Dr. Bennett's success was very great, both as a tutor and a pastor. Among those who were his students were many honoured servants of Christ, who have long since rested from their labours, and many now living who occupy positions of great influence in the Church: among the latter may be noticed the Rev. John Jefferson, Professor Hoppus, Principal Haigh, Rev. Samuel McAll, the Rev. John Robinson, and others.

The arduous and responsible duties connected with the College and the Church, and the literary studies in which he was engaged, proved too much for his health; and in 1821 he was laid aside by illness attended by severe neuralgia in the face. This time of physical suffering was one of high spiritual enjoyment. Though he partially recovered, so as to resume his duties, and to discharge them with great earnestness, yet in 1827 his health again gave way. Under these circumstances, with other concurring intimations of Providence, he was induced to relinquish his position at Rotherham, and to accept the call from the Church in Silver-street, London.

In this new sphere of labour God was pleased abundantly to bless him. The Church, which consisted of only sixty members, rapidly augmented to between three and four hundred. A new and larger place of worship became a pressing necessity. A freehold site was at length obtained, and Falcon-square Chapel, without debt, now stands a lasting monument to the zeal of Dr. Bennett, and to the devotedness of the people whom he had gathered around him. Here he continued pastor till he reached his 85th year, being much aided, for a short time, by his amiable and excellent co-pastor, the Rev. John Bartlett, now of Worcester.

Upon resigning his pastorate, Dr. Bennett was much comforted in knowing that the Church was united and prosperous, and that they had the prospect of much blessing in the choice they had made of their present pastor, the Rev. J. S. Hall.

On the 4th of December, 1862, this honoured servant of Christ entered his rest.

During his last illness he had large enjoyment of the presence of Christ, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Though sometimes disturbed by delirium, yet he showed a vigorous remembrance of Scripture in the original, a clear perception of evangelical doctrine, and

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a calm consciousness of his entire dependence on the perfect righteousness of Christ. His end was peace and joy: the sweet smile which came over his countenance as he heaved his last breath, seemed like the response of his soul to his Master's welcome: "Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

The God of all grace has conferred no ordinary benefit on the Church in the character of Dr. Benuett. As a Christian, an author, a tutor, and a pastor, it may be said, "He being dead, yet speaketh."

He was a model preacher; truly evangelical in his theology, perspicuous in his style, lively and earnest in his manner, and most fervent in heart and prayer for the salvation of souls.

The Favourite Son.

tears.

"Yes," he exclaimed, "it is That," pointing to true-terribly true. the painting of "Innocence," "was my child once-that," pointing to "Guilt,” "is the same child-my own child, today!"

A boy was playing in his father's palace. He had singular loveliness of form and face, and his curls fell from his open brow and rested playfully and plentifully upon his shoulders. He was the favourite son of a fond father; he was flattered by the attendants of the

far and wide. There was childhood in its sunny morning, with blessings so manifold and sorrows so transient, with the dimpled cheek that shame had never dyed, and the brow that guilt had never seared, full of brightness and hope...

IT is recorded that an artist once resolved to paint a pair of pictures, to be entitled "Innocence" and "Guilt." He was led to this determination by the sight of a child of such guileless purity of expression, that it seemed the very ideal | of innocence. The artist applied to the father for permission to take the portrait of his boy, who, proud of the distinction, at once consented; and when the sweet lineaments were transferred to the canvas, the painter's loftiest conception was realised. But it was not so with the contrast, as he could meet with no sub-court; and the fame of his beauty spread ject who adequately personified the idea of guilt. He applied himself to other works; and that first picture hung in his studio alone. Years rolled on; he visited many lands, wandered amidst the haunts of the outcast and criminal, and had well-nigh abandoned the project Years have rolled away. The father as hopeless, when one day his eye fell of that boy was still king in Israel, but upon a countenance that would do. Sin he had grown old and stricken in years. had there traced its harshest lines, shame He is leaving his home in the beloved had bronzed that cheek, cruelty had city," the city of David," "the place of erased every better trace, the features and the Lord's tabernacle." And, says the expression bore the darkest lines of guilt. chronicler, with touching simplicity and The man was induced to sit for his like- beauty, he "went up by the ascent of ness, he served as the second model, the Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, pair of pictures was finished, and the and had his head covered; and he went artist shortly after invited the father of barefoot; and all the people that was the child who had before sat for the with him covered every man his head, portrait of "Innocence," to come to his and they went up, weeping as they went studio and share his triumph. But on up." Adversity had gathered darkly entering the room the old man burst into round them; sorrow pressed heavily