CHAPTER III.

FROM MR. DARRACOTT'S SETTLEMENT AT WELLINGTON TO HIS LAST ILLNESS.

AFTER having preached occasionally at Wellington for some time, Mr. Darracott went to reside there, early in the year 1741. This town, which contained but a few thousand inhabitants, would be deemed by many too narrow a field for such a labourer. But he who deserved a nobler sphere had a heart to create one.. If the town was not large, the congregation to which he was invited to preach, formed but a very small proportion of its inhabitants. The members of the church amounted to no more than twenty-eight; though their former pastor, Mr. Berry, who died at an advanced age, had the reputation of a very excellent man. Perhaps his ministry had been protracted, as that of some valuable men has unhappily been, beyond the period of mental or physical vigour, and thus had contributed at last to the diminution rather than the increase of his flock.

It is deeply to be deplored, that this should often arise from the want of provision among dissenters for those who are worn out in the service of the church. What language but that of Pericles, which left stings in the minds of his

hearers, should be employed, when expressing the astonishment and shame produced by the reflection, that thousands of churches should have existed for a century and a half, possessed of hundreds of thousands of pounds, and never established a fund to support ministers whose age renders them incompetent to the work. May the spirit of christian benevolence soon wipe away from us this reproach!

The successor of Mr. Berry, far from lingering on the verge of the field, contenting himself with looking about and intending to labour, instantly devised modes of usefulness new to his flock, and entered upon his work with a spirit which excited equal pleasure and surprise. His fame soon spread, and curiosity drew from the surrounding country crowds of strangers. Whether the pres

sure of the crowd offended those who loved to be at ease in Zion, or his preaching proved too faithful for those who said "prophecy to us smooth things," or from what other cause it originated, it is not now certain; but some of the trustees of the meeting-house became his avowed enemies. Withdrawing from his ministry, they locked up their pews, which the eagerness of the hearers who were standing in the aisles frequently burst open. The opposition, however, gradually died away, and left him without an enemy, where he certainly deserved none.

Thus encouraged, he determined to accept the call of the church to the pastoral charge. On the eleventh of November, 1741, he was ordained

by twelve ministers, among whom no other names are now known, but those of Mr. Moon, of Bridgwater; Mr. Stodden, of Taunton; Mr. Palk, of South Molton; Mr. Westcott, of Tiverton; and Mr. Chorley, of Uffculm. What part of the service each one took, is not known. Mr. Darracott's confession of faith was brief; as he wisely abstained from the vain attempt to adduce the proofs of the doctrines which he avowed as his creed. To the question proposed, "What are your ends for taking upon you the work of the ministry?" he replied, "If I know any thing of my own heart, I think I may say with the greatest certainty, I have no end of life but to serve God, and no pleasure like it. And especially in entering the ministry, I know no other motive but the glory of God in the salvation of souls. May I promote this, and I have all my desire !"

On the evening of this day of fasting and prayer, he wrote the following reflections.— "Nov. 11, 1741, in the evening of my ordination. This has been a solemn and delightful day. I have now put my hand to the gospel plough, with a desire never to look back. I have now publicly devoted myself to the work of the ministry, and I heartily rejoice in what I have done. May I never defile the sacred office ! May I never prove a dishonour to my Lord and Master! May I not be a loiterer, but a labourer in his work! and may my labours be crowned with abundant success! Hitherto I have found it to be delightful work, nor have I altogether

laboured in vain. I can never be enough thankful for what I have seen, and do still see, of a divine blessing upon my poor labours, while I would be encouraged hereby, to hope and pray for greater success. Grant this, dear Lord, to thy unworthy servant, and thou wilt herein gratify his warmest wishes and his highest ambition. Amen and Amen."

Similar reflections he recorded on the evening of the first Sabbath on which he administered the Lord's supper. "Dec. 4, 1741. This day I have been administering the sacrament for the first time; and a most delightful season it has been to my soul. I cannot forbear saying on this occasion, Lord! who and what am I that thou shouldest bring me hitherto! Four were this day admitted, three of whom date their saving impressions under my poor ministry since I have been here. How does my heart rejoice herein, and all that is within me bless and magnify God! Six more were also proposed, whose hearts I hope divine grace has laid hold of. O what has God done by a poor worm already! There is a visible change upon the face of the congregation, which is at once pleasing and hopeful to me. I trust, indeed, that God has much work to do by me here, and that he has much people in this place to gather in. Whatever he has done, whatever he shall do by my poor ministrations, this be now and ever my humble song, "Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy name alone be all the glory and all the praise. Amen."

If

Such reflections were auspicious omens. God has promised to fulfil the desires of them that fear him, it could not be doubted, that these aspirations after usefulness, would be indulged with a gracious answer. Many are ambitious to shine in the public assembly, who care not what appearance thy make before God in the closet; but, where religion is thus distinguished in secret, it will not fail to throw a glory round the pulpit. But what hope can be entertained of that man's success, who treats his ordination as a ceremonious exhibition, who enters on his work with no holy longings, and deposits at the foot of the cross no solemn prayers?

Being now settled in his pastoral charge, he determined to enter into the married state. He had seen in the afflictions of his father's latter days, reasons for serious caution, which he did not neglect. His affections had been for some time fixed on Miss Katherine Besley, of Barnstaple. This lady was, like himself, a descendant of the puritan confessors, who founded the dissenting churches. Her mother's name was Peard, whose ancestor, Oliver Peard, is mentioned with honour in the "Nonconformist's Memorial," as minister at Barnstaple. Miss Besley's fine person was inspired with such a mind as Mr. Darracott deserved. The religion of the puritans, in whose scriptural principles she was well instructed, was by her perpetuated to a