cern for others; and being a single man and of some substance, has proposed to educate a few children. We have now about thirty children on the list, and I have great hope that the seeds of piety may be sown in their minds, and that religion may enter their families, and take hold of the hearts of the parents too. I go once a fortnight to preach a lecture which is well attended. I am going this week to catechise the children, which I shall do before the people, in hopes that it may impress them. It is with great joy I tell you that God has been pleased to touch the hearts of several here since I wrote you last, one of the most notorious profligates in the place, and some more reputable characters."

"A few instances of success, which God in the riches of his mercy, has lately favoured me with, have comforted me greatly. One poor man, particularly, who from the grossest ignorance and stupidity, is so enlightened in the knowledge of Christ, so awakened to concern for his own soul and for others, as surprises us all; for a little while ago he could not read a line, but now, after vast pains, he can read a chapter in the Testament; nor can he express his love to that book or the delight he feels in reading it. The trials he has met with from a wicked partner are exceedingly great, while the

sweet, humble, and patient spirit with which he bears them is truly wonderful. He has brought several of his comrades to our private meetings, and some of them appear concerned. But what has most affected my heart is the case of a stranger who has been some time in these parts. He is a young person known by the name of Dr. Vanghable; he was born at Paris, and is by education a Roman Catholic. He has travelled in most parts of Europe, and has been in England eleven years past. He was tumbler, &c. to Smith, a mountèbank doctor, and for the two last years has mounted the stage for himself. He has had a stage here for these three months, and about a month ago on a Lord's day evening he came to our place of worship; this was the first time, he says, he was ever in a dissenting meeting-house. I was then preaching on the parable of the lost sheep, under which sermon he was so struck that he could not conceal it. He came the next evening, and was more affected still. Upon this I wrote him a letter, and gave him an invitation to my house, which he soon accepted. I was with him alone nearly two hours, and prayed with him. I found him exceedingly ignorant, yet deeply concerned about his soul, desirous to know what to do, and longing to leave his present way of life. I have put into his hands some suitable books, which he reads

very carefully. He has attended me ever since, and I have had a second interview with him, by which I learn that his concern increases; and yet I cannot but fear greatly for him, as he cannot at present disengage himself from the stage, and is now going from us into Devonshire., He assures me, however, that he will spend a Sabbath once a fortnight with me. His deportment on the stage and elsewhere is quite changed, and he assures me he would be glad to leave this life, could he by any means get his bread; but he was from his infancy brought up to tumbling, and does not know what to turn his hand to. He has a wife who is a great snare to him; mountains of difficulty lie in the way, but real grace will make him more than conqueror."

In the following year, his heart was wounded by the death of another child. His friends who knew the tenderness of his feelings strove to alleviate his sorrows by their sympathy. Among others his old college companion, Mr. Pearsall, of Taunton, wrote him a letter rich in consolations. His own devout submission he expresssed in the following lines on the words of David, "Be still, and know that I am God."

I.

In humble duty I would bow

My God before thy feet;

Convinc'd whate'er thou dost is right,
I cheerfully submit.

II.

Thy gifts I thankfully would own,
As altogether free;

And what thou tak'st, I can't dispute,
Because thou gav'st it me.

III.

Bless'd be thy name thou more do'st give
Than thou wilt ever take;

Thou giv'st in covenant thyself,

Nor wilt this cov'nant break.

IV.

Assure my soul I have a part
In such a lasting bliss;
Whatever comfort thou wilt take
I can't that comfort miss.

V.

Let all my other comforts go,
If thou, my God, remain;
Happy in thee I'll bear the loss
Without a moment's pain.

At the commencement of the year 1757 the distresses of the poor affected Mr. Darracott so powerfully that he exerted himself greatly in their behalf. He made a proposal to the principal persons in the town to raise a subscription for their relief, to which he contributed himself more largely than his own straightened circumstances seemed to justify. The subscription succeeded beyond the expectation of every one, and when he was assisting at the parish meeting for the distribution of the money, he seized the opportunity to propose a society for the reformation

of manners, by putting into execution the laws against profaneness. In the speech which he delivered to induce the meeting to concur, he urged the state of the nation which had lately called for a general fast to avert the judgments of heaven. He was heard with profound attention, and his proposal was unanimously adopted.

It was agreed to begin with executing the laws against Sabbath breaking. An abstract of these was drawn up, and fixed on the doors of all the places of worship, concluding with these words. "Zeal for the glory of God, and the honour of the sabbath, love to our king and country, and desire to avert the divine judgments from us, have determined the churchwardens and others to put these laws into execution against all persons without distinction, whereof they give this public notice." The chief men of the town perambulated the streets by turns every Lord's day to watch that no violation of the law took place.

"It is delightful," says Mr. Darracott, "to see the happy effects, places of public worship crowded, ale-houses empty, nothing done in the shops of barbers, no idle walkers in the streets, but an air of solemnity through the whole -town."

At the close of the first Sabbath, Mr. Darracott