The following quotations from the Memoir before us ought not to be omitted in this notice, and may best be introduced here.

"In his ministerial relation, Mr. Townsend became acquainted with a lady, whose son was deaf and dumb, and who had been a pupil of Mr. Braidwood's almost ten years. The youth evinced an intellectual capacity which caused delight and surprise to the good pastor, who was astonished at the facility and accuracy, with which ideas were received and communicated. Mrs. C., the lady referred to, sympathizing with those mothers whose circumstances precluded their incurring the expense of £1500, (which was the sum paid by herself,) pleaded the cause of those afflicted and destitute outcasts of society, until Mr. T. entered into her feelings of commiseration, and decided with her on the necessity and practicability of having a charitable Institution for the deaf and dumb children of the poor."

"On the Sabbath day, June 1st, 1792, were commenced the subscriptions, which were to receive additions little calculated on, by the small band who gave their first offering to induce their excellent pastor to begin the noble work of mercy. Three friends contributed one guinea each; Mr. Townsend gave the fourth. This was, apparently, a feeble foundation on which to commence an undertaking which, even on the most contracted scale, required hundreds; but energy and perseverance can accomplish much, when the heart is under the influence of Him who said, Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful." Through his persevering exertions, and those of his associate in the benevolent work, the Rev. Henry Cox Mason, "eight years had scarcely elapsed, before the infant institution was recognised as a great national charity; legacies, generous private contributions, subscriptions, all marked the support of a Christian and generous people." pp. 36, 37, 39. This society was "first projected and established" in 1792.

"When Dr. Bogue [who more than any other man deserves the title of the Father of the London Missionary Society] met with the subject of our present memoir, he found an ardent co-operator in his missionary plans. The former invited him to meet a few ministers at Baker's Coffee House, November 5, 1794, to consult measures for the formation of a Missionary Society, to be composed of episcopalians and non-conformists. Those present were the Rev. Dr. Bogue, Rev. M. Wilks, Rev. John Eyre, Rev. J. Stevens, Rev. J. Love, Rev. J. Reynolds, Rev. J. Brooksbank, and the Rev. J. Townsend. The principle of the Society was agreed upon, and it was resolved to invite the co-operation of the country ministers and churches, by inserting an outline of its plans in the Evangelical Magazine." pp. 49, 50.

"It was in May, 1799, that, at a general meeting of the London Missionary Society, some of its members formed the plan of the Religious Tract Society. Mr. T. had no immediate share in its formation, but he soon fell into the ranks of its supporters, and was introduced into the Committee. He assisted in reading and preparing tracts for publication, and several were written by himself.' p. 52.

"The year 1804 was marked by the origination of that Society, which, from a small and humble commencement, was destined to include within its ranks the most revered of our bishops, the most honored of our nobility, the most distinguished of our philanthropists. The seed planted has sprung up to a mighty tree, which has overshadowed the earth, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations." "Among the honored band who first founded this benign Institution was John Townsend. As one of the Committee of the Tract Society,* he was present when the Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala, made

This committee were accustomed to hold their meetings at Mr. Hardcastle's counting-house. In a note prefixed to the address delivered at Mr. H.'s interment, Mr. Townsend writes:-"I scarcely ever pass over London Bridge, without glancing my eyes towards those highly favored rooms appertaining to our departed friend, and feeling a glow of pleasure at the recollection, that there the London Missionary Society,

application for Welsh Testaments to supply the wants of the Principality. Discussion on this request, elicited the fact, that many parts of England were destitute of the Bible. Mr. Hughes then proposed an address to the public, requesting aid in the general dispersion of the scriptures. This receiving unanimous assent, a circular address was issued, with the following title:"The importance of a further distribution of Bibles." The issue was the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society. pp. 57, 58.

"Being very anxious that an Auxiliary Bible Society should be formed in Westminster, he pointed out the duty of such an effort to an individual resident there, who afterwards, acting on his suggestions, interested those in its favor, who gave form and consistency to the object. The first public meeting was held in Willis's Rooms, on the 17th of December, 1812, when Mr. Townsend spoke as follows:

"In rising to address this large and respectable assembly, I feel myself oppressed by a great contrariety of feelings. I recollect that I am surrounded by peers of the realm-by those whose thundering eloquence has made the Commons House of Parliament even ring with admiration and applause; I recollect the pleasing and interesting manner in which these honorable persons have held forth entertainment and instruction to this assembly, and feel anxious in rising to address you after them, because what they have offered to your acceptance at this mental feast, they have presented in golden cups, embossed and enamelled with the finest tints of human eloquence. But on the other hand, I am relieved and comforted with the thought that those plain men who cannot enchant by eloquent or fine and sublime figures of allusion, may be equally zealous in the cause, and as anxious and successful in their endeavors to promote and extend it.

"I have the privilege of saying, that I was one of those who stood among the small circle that witnessed the opening of the spring head of this Institution, but it yielded only drops; we all felt anxiety lest it should never become a stream; but lo! it has become a broad, a deep, and a rapid river; it not only rolls on with majestic force, but is divided into a thousand, yea, into ten thousand rivulets, of which it may be truly said, the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly; and rejoice even with joy and singing. But great as is its prosperity, yet it must not be expected that it will meet with no resistance. I hold in my hand a translation of an edict of the emperor of China, aiming to interdict the introduction of that sacred volume into his dominions, and making the penalty of such an attempt no less than death itself. How vast the contrast between the policy and the judgement of those who there stand at the head of empire, and of those wise and enlightened men whom we behold assembled among us to-day, to befriend the world by the diffusion of sacred light.

"My worthy friend who sits near me, (and I feel honor and pleasure in being permitted to call him so,) you will know him best as the LIBERATOR OF AFRICA-he has, with great elegance and propriety, compared the circulation of the sacred scriptures to the diffusion of light. And is there that emperor in the world who shall lift up his hand before the rising sun, and say, thy light shall not extend over my dominions?' It may be so, but it is not possible that such opposition should succeed. The Star has already arisen in the east, and not long hence, peradventure, the Sun of righteousness shall arise in all its meridian glory. I do not possess, and I would not profess to have, the least particle of the spirit of prophecy; yet I do not hesitate to say, I cherish the hope that the time will come, when the sacred scriptures

the Religious Tract Society, the Hibernian Society, &c. formed those plans of Christian benevolence on which Divine Providence has so signally smiled. This pleasure is greatly heightened, when I also recollect, that in those favored rooms was brought forth that gigantic agent of moral and spiritual good-the British and Foreign Bible Society. These rooms, in my judgement, are second to none but that in which the disciples met after their Master's ascension, and from whence they went forth to enlighten and to bless a dark and guilty world."

shall not only penetrate into the empire of China, but also when Pekin itself, the capital of that vast and populous empire, shall have a Bible Society, and some future emperor become its patron. I do not speak merely upon hypothesis, I reason from facts." pp. 58-60.

"On the first of January, 1807, the London Female Penitentiary was founded. To this institution Mr. T. became a decided friend and warm advocate. Many facts coming to his knowledge of the demoralized state of the metropolis, he published a letter to the Bishop of London, entreating his lordship's attention to the state of the public and populous streets of London, where scenes of unblushing vice were exhibited that would disgrace a continental city." p. 63.

In 1810 he commenced his efforts for the establishment of the Congregational School, and of a fund for the relief of aged ministers; the former of which he saw accomplished in 1811, and the latter in 1818.-Sept. 17, 1818, he recorded in his journal, "Attended a meeting this evening for the formation of a society to be called the Continental Society for spreading the Gospel over the dark places of the Continent. Mr. Drummond read some letters from Switzerland, Geneva, France, &c., soliciting pecuniary assistance for the employment of some evangelical teachers, and for the diffusion of the Bible and religious tracts. O that a blessing from the Almighty may rest upon our feeble endeavors." In 1822, he made a journey to Ireland in behalf of the Irish Evangelical Society, and at other times travelled in England preaching and soliciting in behalf of various benevolent institutions. Of his ordinary labors in this department he has left numerous records like the following.

1819. Feb. 13. "Attended the Missionary Society at cleven-the Bible Society at twelve-Missionary Society again at four-went to see the wife of Capt. who was ill, and returned to meet the Berinondsey and Rotherhithe Bible Society."-1821. April 16. "This day has been passed in London. Went to the Missionary Society at eleven; to the Audit of the Deaf and Dumb at one; and to the Committee of the Congregational School at five. Returned at seven, and visited some members of the church. Much pain in the side, and general debility: am strongly admonished of the approach of the last enemy; the whole tabernacle totters to its foundation, and is hastening to the decay exhibited in the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes. I long to think, feel, and act as one just stepping into eternity."-Oct. 30. "Scarcely able to walk, from debility and oppression in the chest. Attended the printing committee of the Bible Society, and the committee of the Missionary Society; also the committee of the Protestant Society, to consider the principles and provisions of Mr. Brougham's Education Bill."-1825. January 17. Preached three times yesterday: a tranquil night enabled me to meet the duty and pleasure of attending the Bible Committee this morning. At four o'clock went to the Missionary Committee of tours, to express my desire of being released from an engagement to visit Plymouth, Cornwall, &c.; pleading the bad state of my health at five attended the meeting of the directors; went from thence, at six, to the committee of the Congregational School." pp. 97, 98, 116, 118, 127.

Well may his biographer say,

"Mr. Townsend has been aptly styled the apostle of charity;' such in

very truth he was. The sphere of his philanthropy was so large, and embraced so great a variety of objects, that the relation would be tedious. He had not only commenced and reared two lasting monuments of his benevolence and perseverance, but he belonged to almost every society that embraced either religious, moral, or physical relief to his fellow men. There are, however, some acts of beneficence, to be related only by those who knew him in his more private habits. With a limited income, he allowed aged persons a small stipend to assist them in the winter, at which season he distributed coals; giving not, merely to those of his own congregation, but extending his liberality to the poor of his neighborhood. So early as the year 1786, he had established a society for visiting the sick; and the love and respect shown him by the miserable and destitute of his own vicinity, equalled the tribute of admiration which he was ever receiving from the noble and the wealthy. He was sometimes honored by being appointed almoner; but this never superseded the usual draft upon his own funds, which was extended with every increase of income."

But it is time to give some account of his early history, and of his personal, domestic, social, and pastoral character.

Mr. Townsend was born, not of noble or of rich, but of respectable and pious parentage, March 24, 1757. Like a multitude who have gone before him of the truly great and good, he testifies, "I owe much to the love and care of an affectionate mother, not only for her regard to my personal safety, but also for her instruction and admonitions. Well do I remember standing at her knees to repeat Dr. Watts' hymns, and kneeling to say my prayers." After receiving the first rudiments of his education from "a good old lady, for whom he always entertained a strong recollection of esteem," he was put successively to two boys schools, where he made but little progress; and then, by means of one of his father's more wealthy brothers, was procured for him a presentation to Christ's Hospital, where he continued five years, making good proficiency in study. "The moment now arrived for another conflict between worldly interest and conscientious scruples. Mr. T.'s uncles wished him to remain at Christ's school, that he might be sent to college on the foundation; but his father, seeing in the son no indications of that fitness which is required in ambassadors from God to men, decided against the plan. An offer was then made to place him in a public office, but that also was declined by his excellent parent, who feared his child might not resist the ensnaring temptations of the world. Thus, apparently destined for obscurity, the future philanthropist and useful minister was placed as an appren

tice to his father."

Before he entered Christ's school, he had had some "convictions of the evil of sin." Some interesting and rather remarkable circumstances detailed in the Memoirs had revived these

* Let parents notice this instance of preferring the spiritual good of a child to the promise of worldly advantage, and let them carefully note the result.

feelings, while a member of that institution. After his leaving it, they were renewed at intervals, till, in 1774, they hopefully issued in his conversion; and, after waiting a suitable time to obtain settled evidence of a Christian hope, he joined the church of Christ, in connexion with the Whitefieldian Methodists, connecting himself with "the Tabernacle near Moorfields," of which his parents were members.

Of his introduction to the sacred office he says, "I had no wish to intrude into the ministry had I consulted my own family, I should probably have been discouraged, as they had no idea that I possessed talents for so important a station. Providence effected it in a gradual and silent manner, most congenial to my own feelings and habits." After his conversion, he devoted much of his time to reading theological works, and the sermons he heard were carefully treasured in his memory, and afterwards committed to writing. In the Tabernacle, regular meetings were held for prayer and conversation, and "at these, some of the young men attempted to expound a passage of scripture, that their knowledge might be increased, and a facility of speaking acquired." Mr. T. soon began to take a part, successfully, in these exercises. Through his older brother, the Rev. George Townsend, who had entered the ministry under the patronage of the Countess of Huntingdon, Mr. T. became acquainted with Mr. Beck, a minister in the same connexion. With this gentleman he formed a strong friendship. He "frequently accompanied Mr. B. to the various places round London, where he was accustomed to preach. On one of these occasions, Mr. B. being indisposed declined the afternoon service, and requested Mr. T. to take his place. After enduring much distress and anxiety of mind, and fearing to disappoint the people, he consented, and gave an exhortation, urging the necessity of religion to promote the happiness of man, whether in this world or the next." The subsequent incidents are thus narrated by himself.

"I continued my visits to Mitcham, praying and occasionally exhorting in the little chapel, when owing to a sudden indisposition, Mr. B. insisted on my preaching. In the most candid manner I expressed dislike, urging my insufficiency and unpreparedness, which would increase my diffidence and fear. It seemed impossible to enter the pulpit before I had obtained a more full and accurate acquaintance with divinity, and till I had studied at some college. My friend now endeavored to convince me, that the various exhortations I had given had afforded considerable satisfaction, and that whatever was my ultimate destination, I ought to exercise my "talent" till some arrangement could be made, as proofs had already been given of my acceptance and usefulness. The conversation was closed by an assurance, that as illness pre

* Among the Dissenters in England, of different classes, young men destined for the ministry make trial of their preaching talents, in pulpits and on the Sabbath, without being previously licensed.