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the badness of the system. And though I am willing to acknow. ledge that much good has been done, at different periods, in the establishment, and that much good is now done in it; yet this is owing to the blessing of God upon the labours of individuals; good is not done by the establishment, but in spite of it. Nor is this peculiar to the establishment of this country: it is the baneful effect of all worldly systems of Christianity, whether Episcopalian or Presbyterian. The church of Christ must be distinct from the kingdoms of this world, be formed on different principles, governed by the laws of Christ, and supported by his power alone, or it will never prosper.”

To another important topic he adverted in the following manner: The Christian Ministry is, in my view, a most honourable and important institution, to be continued to the end of time. It is necessary that all who engage in it should have satisfactory evidence that Christ has called and qualified them for the work; should give themselves up to the study of the word; should preach with zeal and faithfulness; and be careful to adorn the gospel. Such is the responsibility attached to the ministerial office, that he who fills it is accountable for every one of his congregation that perishes without being duly warned; and such is the nature of the gospel ministry, in regard to those who hear, that it becomes a blessing or a curse, according to the disposi tion with which the truth is received. To some it is the savour of life, and to others the savour of death unto death!-Being persuaded of these awful truths, it is my resolution, through divine grace, to be faithful to the trust committed unto me."

The church at Attercliffe, now under the care of Mr. Phillips, continued to assemble for some

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time longer in a small and inconvenient place, now used as a school-room, until the present neat and commodious chapel was erected. The expense of the present building he assisted in liquidating; and to his exertions the congregation was greatly indebted. On the 13th of August, 1805, he was married to one of their number, Miss Esther Deakin, third daughter of Mr. William Deakin, of Attercliffe. The church experienced an increase of members, and the state of religion appeared gradually progressive, though some disadvantage was necessarily connected with the non-residence of the Minister, in consequence of his avocations in the College at Rotherham.

In September, 1798, Mr. Phillips was requested, by an Associ❤ ation of Ministers, in the counties of Derby, Nottingham, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, to write an Address to the Congregations under their care, on the subject of "Family Religious Instruction," which was approved at a meeting held at Sheffield, on the 28th of March following. In this valuable publication, he proposes the following general plan of instruction, and shows its numerous advantages: "First, That heads of families should take care that their children and servants be taught to read, and, as far as possible, to understand the Holy Scriptures, and other religious books. Secondly, That they be instructed in the principles and doctrines of the Christian religion by way of catechising. Thirdly, That they be made regularly to attend upon the ministry of the Gospel on the Lord's Day.. Fourthly, That, in the evening of every Lord's Day, children and servants be required to repeat the text, or texts, which they may have heard in the course of the day, and such parts of the sermons as they can recollect. Fifth

ly, That heads of families should také peculiar care, to watch over the conduct of their domestics, in such a manner as that they be not allowed to speak, or do such things as are inconsistent with the character of families fearing God. Sixthly, That every day begin and close with reading a portion of the word of God, and solemn prayer; and that the children and servants of the family be strictly required to be present, and to join in the exercise. Seventhly, That heads of families also endeavour to conduct themselves, in other respects, consistently, in order to enforce their instructions by the weight of a good example."

to see the attention of parents properly directed that way. But is this all? Does the knowledge of divine things make no part of a person's qualifications to act with honour as a member of society? Is not religion, by the influence of its holy and infinitely glorious truths, calculated to make the face of a man to shine, and make him appear with superior wisdom and respectability before men? Do you not profess to believe, that the religion of Christ is the only true religion? Do you not maintain that it is the offspring of heaven, and of the highest moment to the welfare of men? Surely, then, upon your own principles, you cannot but think it of the greatest moment, that those who are so nearly related to you as your chil dren are, should have the knowledge of such a religion familiar to their minds. This sentiment is unavoidable, and must strongly impress your minds, or your belief in the Gospel must stand for nothing, or, at most, very little. However, to make the knowledge of religion familiar to the mind, is' not to be expected without considerable attention and care. A proper method must be used before any branch of knowledge can be profitably acquired; and in this, the system of religion is by no means an exception. If with perseverance you make use of the method now proposed, you will furnish your offspring with the most substantial and excellent knowledge; which, if the Spirit of God apply it to the heart, will lead to the best enjoyments on earth, and to complete happiness in heaven."

It would be easy to occupy several pages in a very profitable manner, by quoting from this able and useful publication; but we can only find room for the follow ing Appeal to Parents, respecting the religious instruction of their offspring: "Were there no express commands in the word of God upon the subject, we should deem it the duty of Christians to instruct their own families. The voice of reason pleads powerfully for the practice. You that are parents naturally feel inclined to benefit them in all the ways you possibly can. You put them to school; you procure them such books to read as have a tendency to open, enlarge, and entertain the mind with general information; you spare no expense, consistent with your circumstances, to enable them to acquire those qualifications that may render them acceptable and useful members of society. Why all this expense, why all this exertion, in' qualifying your children for this world, and so little On the 17th of September September, in pains to furnish them with reli- the year following, Mr. Phillips gious improvement, in order to delivered an introductory discourse their well-being in another world? at Doncaster, where the Rev. SaWe are far from thinking you' muel Bradley, now of Manchester, ought not to do all you can to was publicly set apart to the work make your children respectable of the ministry. The discourse members of society; we are glad was afterwards published, together

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with a charge by Dr. Williams, and a sermon addressed to the church and congregation, by the Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds. Mr. Phillips's discourse is distinguished by good sense, sound principles, and an accurate delineation of the New Testament churches. Near the conclusion is a passage which deserves universal attention: "Another object connected with the formation of Christian societies, is the benefit of the world at large. Professing Christians would act a very inconsistent part indeed, were they merely to consult personal, or even or even mutual advantage, as the end of their vocation. The generosity of the Christian character is to be displayed by extending the scale of benevolence, and doing good to mankind, as such, whatever illwill and opposition they may discover, or however opprobrious the names and epithets, by which they may distinguish us. As the Christian church is a depositary of gospel knowledge, and on that account called the pillar and ground of the truth, the world is to see that knowledge unfolded in various ways. Christian societies are to let the truth shine forth, that those who sit in darkness may behold the light. From principles of compassion and love they are to make their children and relations, labourers and servants, neighbours and friends, acquainted with it. Being the happy partakers of a divine life, and a principle of holiness, they are to bring forth that principle into suitable exercise, to the view of men, according to the various providential circumstances under which they may be placed. They are to let the world have a fair specimen of the manner in which a Christian should live. This is to be done, not by ostentatious talking about religious subjects, nor by sanctimonious looks on the Lord's Day, not by plotting with eagerness for gain and preferment

in the church and in the world, nor yet by contending with warmth and zeal for niceties in divinity; but by a holy conformity in temper and conduct to the sublime morality of the glorious Gospel, in humility, meekness, love, kindness, simplicity, spirituality, zeal, and ardent devotion. Hence we are commanded to let our light so shine before men, that others may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven."

For the classical department in the college at Rotherham, Mr. Phillips was possessed of every essential qualification-a sound judgment, indefatigable industry, a competent knowledge of what he was required to teach, united with engaging manners, and a conscientious attention to the religious character of his pupils, and a becoming concern for the churches over which they were expected to preside." As a tutor," says the Rev. Robert Weaver, of Mansfield, one of his early pupils," the feature that ever appeared to me prominent in him, was his patient, investigating spirit, not suffering an expression to pass ill understood. From the conversation I afterwards had occasion to hold with him, as well as from his conduct, I certainly considered him as a man of a devout mind-conscientious, inquisitive, and persevering in his researches after truth-and of a placid and tranquil temper." As the young men waiting for admission at Rotherham, were always previously received ceived on probation for three months, Mr. Phillips generally took considerable pains to become acquainted with them before they were received as students. He not only invited them to his house, but repeatedly took them with him to Attercliffe on week-day evenings, when going to preach to his own congregation. This afforded him a good opportunity of conversing with them, so as not only

to form some opinion of the state of their minds, and their abilities for the ministerial office, but also to give them instruction and advice. He had an agreeable method of doing this; and the writer can look back with gratitude to some of those opportunities of improvement which amply rewarded the fatigue of a long walk. Among other means of keeping up a profitable conversation, when no other subject occurred, Mr. Phillips was in the habit of repeating some short and pithy sentence from the classics, either encouraging to diligence in study, serving as a useful maxim in the conduct of life, or tending to direct the judgment in its determinations. He always endeavoured to impart religious instruction while he brought for ́ward his pupils in classical knowledge. He kept a steady eye upon their spiritual interests, and never forgot that they were intended to become "ministers of the word," "the salt of the earth," and examples of piety to the churches. He was the father and friend of those who proved themselves worthy of his regard; while he would be the first to advise the expulsion of any, with whose character and conduct he had reason to be dissatisfied.

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At different meetings of a Committee for the establishment of a dissenting grammar school for the county of York, Mr. Phillips had been frequently mentioned as a desirable person to take the charge of that institution;" and in the month of January 1810, the late Rev. Thornhill Kidd, then of Cleck Heaton, was desired to correspond with him on the subject, as "it was wished that something of his mind should be ascertained previous to a general meeting." On the subject of this application, he replied to Mr. Kidd in the following terms:-"I am satisfied it was the hand of Providence that directed me to this place. Though

laborious, the employment suits my inclination. It is a sphere of great usefulness, and the connexion is, upon the whole, agreeable, as much so as I can expect in this sinful world. Go where we will, trials await us, of one description or another. I have no desire to leave this place, if I can remain here consistently with the calls of duty; nor do I wish to be considered as moveable, un

less it should appear that the proposed situation is one of superior usefulness, and that it is the will of God I should accept the invitation, which I cannot at present perceive." The ministers and gentlemen in Lancashire, who were then projecting the academic institution at Leaf Square, Manchester, had also an eye to Mr. Phillips, with a view to his becoming head master of that seminary; and in the month of April following, an official application was made by the late Robert Spear, Esq. While this was under consideration, he received other applications through his friend Dr. Smith, of Homerton, to become Principal of the Dissenters' Grammar School, at Mill Hill, Middlesex; and in July, he accepted the unanimous invitation of its committee.

The resignation of his office at Rotherham, and his removal from that place, was generally regretted, and very deeply felt by all the students. A few days previous to his departure, they invited him to a friendly entertainment in the library, after which he was presented with a silver cup, bearing an appropriate inscription, expressive of their high esteem. was put into his hands by the senior student, in concluding an address, which he was appointed to deliver in the name of the fra ternity, to which Mr. Phillips, overpowered by his feelings, made. a very brief reply; but such as, if possible, to increase the esteem in which he was already held. In a

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letter to Mr. Pickering, dated Rotherham, November 24, 1810, he thus discloses the state of his mind in the immediate prospect of leave ing that place: "When we come to quit the world, (and that will be ere long,) it will be a great comfort to reflect, that we have been of some service in the cause of God, and that "in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world." The time of our des parture hence is now at hand. We expected to remain here to the close of life, but the expectation was vain. While all our friends wish us to stay, no one blames us for leaving, but thinks we are doing right. We have been enabled through divine grace to give a decisive proof, that it is not the prospect of "filthy lucre" that influences our removal. We know not what in particular lies before us; but in general we expect a mixture of mercies and trials. This is our consolation, that the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth-to those who keep his cove nant and his testimonies."

Mr. Phillips entered on his situa tion at Mill Hill in the following month. As head master, he not only had the higher Greek and Latin classes especially under his care, but was required to pay such occasional attention to the other classes, as to know the state in which they were, and to judge of their proficiency. It was his duty to conduct the religious wor ship of the school, and to exercise a pastoral care over the boys, this being the highest object for which the establishment was formed. In the prosecution of this end, he was required to deliver addresses, to catechise, to converse privately with his pupils on divine things, and to use such other means as might appear conducive to the purposes of the institution. A meeting house attached to the

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school, and attended by a few families resident in the village, afforded him an opportunity for the exercise of his ministry. He also had the happiness to find, that there were associations for prayer among his pupils, and that they were active in conducting a Sunday-school for the children of the poor.

A gentleman, who had many opportunities of knowing the state of the institution from time to time, observes, that it" flourished much under his superintendence." On this subject, Mr. Phillips wrote in the following terms, June 5, 1816" It is now nearly five years and a half since we arrived at Mill Hill, and in that time we have experienced many mercies and trials. Our institution còntinues to prosper. There is reason to hope the Lord will render it a blessing to the church and to the world. We have had, and now have, several who are looking forward to the Christian ministry, and who give evidence of sincere piety." For the spiritual welfare of his pupils, Mr. Phillips' was much concerned, and took great pains, not only to impart the best instruction, but to insure their speedy improvement. had a very high opinion of Henry's "Scripture Catechism," which he presently introduced at Mill Hill, and of which he gives the following account in a letter to the writer of this memoir:-" Mr. Henry's Catechism is very little known. I wonder at this, and am very sorry for it. If it has not fallen under your notice, I doubt not, a copy of it will be very acceptable. I was acquainted with it from a child, being in the habit of hearing it repeated at Henllan. There is an edition of it in Welsh. In English it was very scarce, afið3 whenever I had an opportunity, I used to purchase copies of it. I showed one to Drs. Waugh' atid' Smith, and wishred) an edition of

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