prevailed amongst the richer people; much of low sensuality amongst the poorer. Religion was a feeble and sickly plant; it consisted for the most part in names and forms, and a sort of pharisaical attendance upon one service on the Sunday. Party spirit, envy and strife, jealousy and railing, chiefly on the ground of petty divisions in provincial politics, with a high degree of bigotry and intolerance in religion, were found in most circles. What little of vital religion there was, appeared principally amongst the Dissenters; especially those of the Presbyterian and Baptist persuasion.

But in this general dearth of evangelical spirit, there was a small remnant of Churchmen; persons cordially attached to the doctrines and discipline of the church of England; "who waited for redemption in

Israel." Some of these had formed themselves into a religious society, on the plan detailed and recommended by Dr. Woodward"; and, under the sanction of the Rev.

"See "An Account of the Rise and Progress of the Religious Societies," &c. by Josiah Woodward, D. D.; a little book which I earnestly recommend, for its sober and fervent piety, to the perusal of all who love and would extend the flame of christian devotion.

Mr. Simmons, the vicar of St. Mary's, (who himself also sometimes attended,) were accustomed to meet every Tuesday evening at the vestry of St. Mary's Church. The society consisted of about twenty persons; all of the established church, and all zealously attached to her principles. Dr. Woodward's rules and even forms of prayer were their guide; and it was generally a part of the Evening's Service to make special prayer to God, who, as they believed, has all power in his hands, that he would be pleased to send into his churches, and particularly into this portion of his vineyard, faithful pastors; who might diligently, fervently, and fully preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This society was founded in the year 1768; had continued nearly six years when Mr. Robinson came to Leicester; and did not cease till one of their number was enabled, through the divine blessing, to found a weekly lecture in the same church, on the Tuesday evening, appointing Mr. Robinson his first lecturer, in the year 1778.

This same gentleman, happening to learn at the News-Room on the preceding evening that Mr. Haines had just engaged a new

curate, who was to preach for the first time at St. Martin's on the following morning, determined to go and hear him; not without some faint hopes of finding in him the ambassador whom he had long been in the habit of praying for. His expectations were not disappointed. The text was one of these. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in reconciled to God."

Christ's stead be ye Or, " And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent; because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained"". I rather think it was the latter. This hearer "had his senses exercised by reason of use to discern both good and evil." He "knew the joyful sound." Man humbled; God exalted; the fiery judgment which is to try; ruin by the fall; recovery by the incarna tion of the Son of God; the dead soul quickened by the spirit; the disobedient

made just and holy

these are sounds which

characterize the faithful ambassador, and in

€ 2 Cor. v. 20.

4 Acts xvii. 30, 31.

which the discerning hearer at once recognizes him. "This is very delightful indeed," said a truly pious member of the society which I have named: "this is very delightful indeed," said he to his next neighbour, not able to contain his joy even in the midst of the discourse; "but I can tell him if he goes on so, they will call him a methodist.

I have said that one of these two texts was his first in Leicester. Certainly they succeeded each other, and were amongst his earliest subjects: they were followed by others of like import and weightiness. The characteristics of his ministry at this time were solemnity, ardour, and vigour. He knew the soil into which he was casting his seed: fallow ground was to be broken up. The careless were to be roused; the sleeping and the dead were to be awakened, quickened, made to hear. He must effect this, (I speak as a man) by awful statements of the wrath of God; of the abominable sinfulness of man; of the universal and utter condemnation and incapacity of "these sinners against their own souls." To this end, he opened the commandments; showing largely and deeply their spiritual

nature, and their tremendous sanction. These sermons are remembered and spoken of, to this day, with peculiar impressions, through the many arrows of conviction which they were the means of infixing in the hearts of his hearers. T

{

I have heard him say in his latter years, that he thought he had been too rough. I believe he was mistaken. His His weapon was of the very nature which the case required. Self-righteousness was to be ferreted out of its lurking holes, and hunted down. Sensuality, covetousness, impudent vice, lukewarm dissipation, stupid indifference were to be exposed, alarmed, and renounced. The despised, misapprehended, perverted, unknown cross was to be lifted up, unfolded, made visible, made intelligible, for the prostration, conversion, sanctification, joy, peace, and eternal glory of the people.

By all accounts he did this nobly: he cast down and he built up; he laid low and he lifted high and this he contrived to do even in the same sermon. The beginnings and former parts of his sermons were in general very alarming and terrific; the concluding parts, highly encouraging and