make a united effort to prevail upon him to publish, in consequence of a series of most beautiful practical sermons which he had recently delivered,on the ground of their own gratification,-their usefulness to the public,-and as a memorial for their children. The Rev. W. Anderson prepared a document in the form of a respectful requisition, which was afterwards fairly drawn out, and signed by the deacons, the principal members and subscribers at Broadmead, and by the Rev. John Foster, and myself. A deputation was then appointed to wait upon Mr. Hall. He received them very graciously, and promised to take the subject into serious consideration. He afterwards expressed to me the great pleasure he received by a testimonial and requisition so respectable. I did hope, for some time, that he would seriously set about the work, as he went so far as to prepare pens and paper for the purpose.

One day the conversation turned upon the different characters among our acquaintance. It has been stated that Mr. Hall possessed great discrimination with regard to character. It was seldom, however, that he censured any person without noticing some redeeming quality which they might possess. The following is an instance: "Mr.

is too much taken up with the world, sir; he is, however, always glad to see me when I call upon him, but he is overdone with business. If you observe, sir, he always stoops when he walks out, and looks towards the ground, as if he were of the earth, earthy: still there is something very amiable

and kind in his natural disposition, sir; if he were not so absorbed in business, I should have great hope of him; he is a very attentive hearer. Again, sir, there is Mr. ; how uncouth he is, sir! Why, sir, that behaviour would not do in the world; he cannot be aware how offensive it is, or certainly, as a religious man, he would endeavour to correct it. Many persons forget, sir, that those are christian precepts:-Be courteous, tender, and kind-hearted."

Mr. Hall once preached a sermon, the design of which was to shew the propriety of a kind and courteous demeanour. The subject was selected from Gen. xvii. 7. He observed, that "Abraham's humility and condescension were very conspicuous: he yielded to Lot, when he might have commanded: Lot, on the contrary, was selfish. Abraham was a mighty prince; yet when he purchased the land of the children of Heth, (though he had learnt from prophecy, that they were to be excluded by God, for their idolatry,) the father of the faithful bowed himself down to the children of Heth, which was the strongest expression of humility and condescension. Christianity teaches that civility and decorum in the intercourse of life, of which mere worldly politeness is only the shadow. Study, my brethren, a lovely behaviour, and not only whatever is lovely, but whatever gives dignity and grace to piety."

On another occasion, Mr. Hall said, "There is such a thing as being venerable and majestic, and yet not being lovely. Even the reproofs given by

K

Jesus Christ to his enemies were without harshness, and his dignity without ostentation or pride. The loveliness of his demeanour threw over his character an evening ray of softness and beauty. Kind and courteous behaviour appeals to the heart of every one; and to attain it, let us set before ourselves a character that is universally beloved, and, degenerate as times are, we shall not be without examples."

While Mr. Hall was at the farthest remove from levity in the pulpit, no man was more amiable, lively, and engaging in the social circle; thus furnishing a striking contrast to a certain class of preachers, who, though gloomy and morose in private life, amuse their hearers with foolish remarks and ludicrous anecdotes, when assembled in the house of God. A circumstance of rather an amusing kind took place some years since: a minister, now no more, who had been addicted to this lamentable habit, was appointed to preach a sermon on a public missionary occasion; Mr. Hall was also engaged to advocate the same cause in a different part of the day. The sermon by Mr. was a striking contrast to the address by Mr. Hall: the one was light, ludicrous, and trifling; the other solemn, instructive, and energetic. At the close of the day, when both parties met around the social hearth, Mr. Hall became lively and extremely amusing. 'Brother Hall,' said the old gentleman, 'I am surprised at you.' "Surprised at me, sir! surprised at me, sir! Why are you surprised at me, sir?" 'Why, brother

Hall, it appears inconsistent for you to indulge in frivolous conversation after delivering so serious a discourse!' "Indeed, sir," replied Mr. Hall," I don't think I am by any means inconsistent, sir: the truth is, brother I keep my nonsense for the fireside, while you publish yours from the pulpit."

Mr. Hall regretted the prevalence of a worldly spirit in our religious institutions; evincing itself in a fondness for display, and choosing presidents and vice-presidents on account of their rank, without regard to their efficiency or their religious principles. Upon this subject he observed, "This is confiding in an arm of flesh; it is a species of carnal policy, and is opposed to the spirit of the Apostle, when he said, The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual; and mighty through God to the pulling down the strong-holds of Satan. Before the final prevalence of Christianity, the church, the pure church of Christ, will appear in her original Christian simplicity, using no other weapons than those of union, of prayer, and of supplication."

Mr. Hall seldom consented to appear upon a platform: "There should be less speaking, and more prayer, sir; that is the only thing which has power with God; I don't like so much parade and ostentation, sir."*

I once accompanied him to a public missionary meeting in Bristol, in which he had been earnestly

See Mr. Hall's Letters to Dr. Ryland, Vol. V. of his collected Works.

requested to take a part. As the time drew near, he appeared very reluctant to leave the house. "Oh, sir," said he, "we need not go yet: we shall be time enough; I do not want to make myself conspicuous on a platform.' On finding that the avenues were thronged, he immediately turned back, saying, "We cannot get in; we had better go home!" and then returned. In the course of conversation, Mr. Hall stated his opinion upon the general subject of Christian missions, and the manner in which he conceived they ought to be conducted. "I think, sir," observed Mr. Hall, "that our missionary societies would be much more successful, if the management of them was strictly confined to the church, or to associations of churches, in one, two, or more counties, according to their numbers and means of supplying funds. Instead of forming auxiliaries to a metropolitan body, I would have the churches in each district manage their own mission, and choose from among themselves men of prudence, well known to be duly qualified for missionary service, according to the description given by the Apostle :-One that is blameless; the husband of one wife; vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, &c. By this plan, a reciprocal interest would be maintained between the association and the missionaries, which would be increased by local attachment; they would, as it were, be identified with each other in a common cause. Monthly prayer-meetings would thus be rendered doubly interesting, and better attended, from