and I have great hope of several of them; and what makes all this the more remarkable is, that there was a strange lukewarmness among professors themselves when I came hither; the church seemed to have a name that it lived but was dead. The people so much love me, and I find myself so affectionately concerned for them, that I believe I shall settle with them; though I shall not determine, till I go up into Devonshire, which will be about a fortnight hence. Some of my friends do not think it convenient to fix with them, as the congregation is but small, and the interest of the dissenters weak through the whole country; but yet, is the day of small things to be despised? Could I get such a friend as you near me, it would determine me at once, but the ministers throughout the country, it must be acknowledged are poor preachers, and the interest sinks in their hands. I am sorry at the account you give of yourself about fixing, as I fear I must ever despair of being near you. The London ministers too well know their interest in the city to let you come down into the country. I have sent you two little books, "Dr. Watts on the Strength and Weakness of Human Reason," and his "Redeemer and Sanctifier," as an instance of my kind regard for you. I beg I may have a letter from you when you have received them. I send them by a private hand, but hope they will come safe. I much approve of your leaving the Saturday night society; I saw the inconvenience of it myself before I left

the country; though I have received very great advantages from it, and rejoice that I set it up; still as the mixed company was found a fault, you did well to separate."

The prosperity which attended Mr. Darracott's ministry at Penzance was greatly promoted by private means, which are of far greater importance than many seem to imagine. That pastoral visits and social meetings for private devotions, ought not to preclude opportunities for study, nor induce a habit of desultory preaching, is readily admitted; for this would be sacrificing the primary means of usefulness to the secondary. But after employing in the study as much time as is consistent with the preservation of health, and essential to the mental improvement which good preaching requires, sufficient leisure will still be left for abundant pastoral attentions, without which the flock will never prosper. "I am determined," says Mr. Darracott, "to set up a religious society here; I have spoken of it from the pulpit, and it seems well relished; I shall preach some whole sermons upon it, to encourage and direct in it."

"I have again increased my labours, and I do assure you with a great deal of pleasure, to preaching three times on the sabbath. I have added a private lecture to some young men in my own room every Friday evening, and a public lecture every Wednesday; in both which, God does seem already to give me great encouragement. I make it my constant delightful bu

siness to visit the people from house to house, by which I inform myself how religion is regarded by them, being led to suit my public discourses more advantageously. Several seem to be under convictions, which I hope will end in true conversion. I bless God, as to my health, I never was better; I seem to renew my strength as I renew my labours. I meet with some particular temptations. O pray for me!

"I had lately a very large and kind letter from the Doctor; I am, indeed, delightfully pleased with the account he gives of things thereabouts. Mr. Whitefield, I find, has been there. I have written a letter to that good man, to desire him to come down into Cornwall, but I fear his going so soon to Georgia will prevent him. I therefore desired the Doctor to write to Mr. Morgan to come down, or get some person of the like holy fire do you, my dear friend, exert your utmost influence with Mr. Morgan. This country is sadly ignorant, and deserves as much compassion as Wales can do. I am daily seeing how teachable a disposition they are of, and how greatly they thirst after the gospel, and it is a pity they should perish in such multitudes for want of it. Here are, indeed, many clergymen, but they are sadly negligent of their flocks."

In another letter he says, "I am going to visit every person in my congregation, and talk with them. Pray for me."

While he was thus labouring with ardour and

success, he was seized with an alarming disorder, in the year 1738. In the February of that year, he wrote an account of his illness, not, as afflicting him by threatening his life, but as disappointing him when indulging the hope of more abundant labours and success. A few weeks after, he gave to a friend a detail of "the conversion of another soul," in a style which expressed a deep sense of the Redeemer's declaration, that one soul outweighs a world. Under this impression, he endeavoured to console himself, and compensate his flock for the abridgment of his public labours, by increased attention to all private means of usefulness. But the debility of which he complained, so rapidly increased, and was accompanied with spitting of blood to a degree so alarming, that he was thought to be far advanced in a consumption.

As a change of air was deemed requisite, he removed to Barnstaple, in Devonshire, where he had many friends. Here he spent the former half of the year 1739. He could not preach as usual, but endeavoured to employ himself by embracing such means of usefulness as still lay within his reach, and particularly by corresponding with his pious friends. Whitefield and Wesley were among the number, and he mentions the promise of the former to come and supply his lack of service in the West of England. As he began to recover, after leaving Penzance, it was thought the air of that place would not agree with him, which induced him to look out

for a new field of labour. The presbyterian congregation at Wellington, in Somersetshire, being destitute of a pastor, and having heard of his situation and character, were, happily for them, induced to give him an invitation, which led to his permanent settlement and distinguished

success.

With pleasure we see, that no inferior motives but that the hand of God removed him from a field of labour which promised so abundant a harvest. For the consideration which some urged, that Penzance was at a great distance from his relations and estate, was unworthy of a minister of Christ. Every genuine minister enters upon the work voluntarily; but when he has put his hand to the plough, he is forbidden to look back upon friends and estates, and pleasant residences, on pain of being pronounced unfit for the kingdom of God. Wo to the minister who is not guided by his master's interest as his polar star! The most paradisaic spot is blasted by the Saviour's frowns, and the loveliest circle of friendship may soon be converted into the haunt of discord and the furies. But, " as he that loveth his life immoderately shall lose it; while he that sacrificeth it for Christ's sake shall keep it to life eternal ;" Risdon Darracott, who was contented to serve Christ far from friends, was, by the kindly afflictive hand of the Saviour, sent back to enjoy his friends with new relish, and pursue his ministry with increased success.