tom supplies no argument against its legitimate use. The utility of such memoirs, when faithfully executed, is not to be questioned. They have proved the means of rousing the conscience of the sinner into action, of confirming good resolutions, of directing the anxious inquirer into the way of salvation, of comforting the hearts of the afflicted, and of animating the faith and hope of those who have been passing through the gloomy shade of death. Nor should it be forgotten, that a large portion of the sacred volume consists of memorials of the dead. The career of the wicked is set forth in such dark colours, as to warn against the evils which proved their destruction, and the course of the godly is exhibited in such impressive aspects, as to allure to an imitation of their bright example. An inspired apostle, when referring to the former, says, that they are ensamples, to the intent that we should not criminally desire and pursue those forbidden objects by which they were ensnared and ruined; and when alluding to the latter, he bids us follow those, "who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Particular classes also have reaped advantage from the records of such as formerly belonged to these sections in society. The young have been encouraged to early piety by the patterns of a Joseph, an Abijah, and a Timothy, and the matured and aged by a description of the ripe virtues of an Abraham, an Elijah, a Samuel, and a John. The extended biography of Moses has shown how lofty talent and learning may be associated with fervent piety and a fitness for the common duties of active life, and that of Paul has proved how the scholar, educated at the feet of Gamaliel, may turn his literature to the benefit of the public, by his luminous expositions of the word of God, and the adaptation of his ministry to those of exalted as well as of humbler rank, in the wide community.

As one star differeth from another star in glory," though all contribute to the beauty and splendour of the firmament, so there is a diversity in the order, the talent, the character, and engagements of the servants of the Most High God, who show to men the way of salvation. All are not possessed of the vigorous understanding and extensive attainments of a Paul, nor are distinguished by the overpowering eloquence of an Apollos, nor by the earnest ardour of a Cephas; but while these various gifts are illustrative of the manifold wisdom of God, their respective endowments and labours are employed for the good of the catholic church. The minister who occupies the highest station, and achieves the noblest exploits of zeal, and he who moves in a humbler and more quiet sphere, are alike commissioned by the same

Divine authority, derive their qualifications from the same source, and are honoured with their several degrees of usefulness by the same Lord and Master, who is the author of every good and perfect gift. Those of the first class, however, who are most prominent in society, are sure to find numerous biographers to publish the narrative of their lives. it is otherwise with those of the second, whose substantial usefulness may have equalled, if not surpassed, that of their more conspicuous brethren, and who remind us of the stanzas of the poet

"Full many a lark, high towering in the sky, Unheard, unheeded, greets the approach of light,

But

Full many a star, unseen by mortal eye,
With twinkling lustre glimmers through the
night."

The history of both is, nevertheless, pregnant with important lessons; and while the majestic river which bears on its tides the treasures which enrich a country commands our admiration, the rivulet which rolls through the secluded vale, spreading life and fertility as it flows, should not escape our attentive notice.

The subject of the following outline has furnished us with the account of his early years, and of his entrance on active and ministerial life, from his own pen. In the service conducted at his ordination is the subjoined extract, which was the answer to one of the questions put to him on that solemn occasion.

"It was my happiness to enjoy, from my earliest infancy, religious advantages. The first instructions that were administered to my mind were selected from the compositions of Dr. Watts, and of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. These were familiarized to me by frequent repetition and explanation, and very early impressed me with a sense of right and wrong. So soon as I attained a suitable age, I was placed by my parents under the care of tutors of acknowledged piety and worth, to pursue my education. About the close of this probation, during my residence at Peckham, my mind was greatly interested by a series of discourses delivered by the Rev. Dr. Collyer to young people, which induced me, in connection with a few of my fellow-scholars (three of whom are now honourably engaged in the Christian ministry) to become more circumspect. On quitting school, however, to enter on active life, my resolutions were greatly interrupted by new scenes and duties, so that I merely conformed to the external observances of religion which were maintained in my family. At length the preaching of the Word again interested my attention, revived, in a very powerful degree, my early impressions, and by progressive

steps, under, I trust, the superintending influences of Divine grace, proved instrumental in finally determining the bias of my heart toward decided piety. I now felt solicitous to become useful; and accordingly engaged myself as a teacher in a Sabbath-school. In the discharge of the various duties which devolved upon me, the Christian ministry frequently presented itself to my mind as a sphere in which I could most fully acknowledge the obligations I felt myself placed under, through the mercy and goodness of God. At last its claims upon my serious consideration appeared so urgent, that I felt it my duty to reveal my convictions to those friends from whom I had every reason to expect an enlightened and unbiassed opinion on the propriety or impropriety of obeying the dictates of my mind. After the most serious attention and patient deliberation on their part, they advised me to delay taking any decisive steps for a few months, so that I might more closely scrutinize my motives and views, and seek Divine direction in a matter of such vast importance. During this period of postponement an event occurred which finally determined their opinion and my own, on the propriety and duty of devoting myself to the Christian ministry.

My

"A small interest in the county of Hertfordshire was deprived, by a variety of circumstances, of every possible means of rereligious instruction, and almost totally deserted. A gentleman in London, who felt deeply interested in its welfare, and very anxious for its preservation, heard of my situation, and applied to me (as a case of necessity) to supply it for one Sabbath. With considerable reluctance I accepted this new and altogether unanticipated engagement. visit, however, by a remarkable train of events, which time forbids me to detail, though intimately related to my present decision, was prolonged to more than nine months; and God was pleased to crown my youthful labours with remarkable success, the recollections of which have frequently proved the consolation and support of my mind under many subsequent depressions and discouragements. Deeply conscious, however, that I required other qualifications than those I then possessed, I applied to my pastor, Dr. Collyer, who introduced me as a student to the Dissenting College at Homerton, in which I have spent five happy, and I trust, profitable years."

On quitting that ancient Institution, he further states, that on the fulfilment of his engagement at Berkhampstead, he was requested to preach for the Rev. Nathaniel Jennings, Pastor of the Church in Lowerstreet, Islington, who was then laid up by the illness which soon terminated in his death; and after a short probation, he was

For

After his auspicious settlement he addicted himself to the appropriate duties of his new sphere, with earnestness and diligence. a period of five-and-twenty years, he not only preached twice on the Sabbath in his own pulpit, but almost uniformly undertook a third service, to assist surrounding brethren in London and its suburbs. Though often suffering from feeble health, he was assisted to pursue his useful course for a period of thirty years, when his constitution became seriously impaired, and its powers were so broken down, that he was compelled to yield to the advice of his medical attendants, and to resign his pastoral engagements, as "the only chance of saving a life so deservedly dear to all his friends." This crisis arrived in the year 1845, since which period, though from a loss of voice he was unable to occupy himself in pulpit ministrations, he devoted his remaining energies, often beyond his strength, to advance the cause of humanity and of religion, in his circle, and in the world at large.

The dissolution of the connexion between a pastor and the church of which he has had the oversight, is a solemn transaction, and never can be resolved upon, by a rightly-constituted mind, without the most serious and prayerful deliberation. No precise rule can be laid down as a guide for conduct on such an occasion, whether as to the time or mode of the resignation. Much depends on the health of the party,-on continued or impaired capacity for labour,-on the secular circumstances of the minister, and the particular state of his flock. Doubtless there have been errors committed in this instance, and some have broken off the connexion too early, through indolence and defective piety; while others have deferred their retirement till the church has exhibited only "the things which remained, which were ready to die." The difficulties connected with a copastorate among Independents have deterred many useful servants of Christ from such a procedure, which, possibly, might have saved some Christian communities from extinction. Happy those who, after having spent their strength and the greater part of their lives in pastoral service, have been enabled to discern the appropriate time and season, and have been permitted, by the providence of God, to pass from publicity into the shade, with "the testimony of a good conscience," and thus "to set with a grace." Mr. Yockney appears to have well studied and understood his position, and to have acted with a decision the firmness of which was not shaken by the harsh comments of misinformed or malignant critics on his pastoral seccession. He was well aware, that although he renounced certain offi

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cial movements and responsibilities, there were various methods still open to him of widelyextended usefulness. In his engagements on numerous committees of valuable institutions, -in his distribution of books and tracts,-in the assistance which he rendered to those who consulted him on secular topics,-in the disbursement of funds which were intrusted to his care, and in visits of sympathy to the couch of the sick and dying, he expended his time in ways very beneficial to the private circle and the public sphere. friend, who was connected with him in the management of some entangled affairs, thus writes:-"He possessed, in an extraordinary degree, a tenderness of heart, so that he was the friend of the oppressed and the afflicted; and in all his transactions in reference to worldly affairs, his conduct was regulated by a regard to kindness as well as equity." Another adds," Having been associated with him for a considerable time, in the disposition and arrangement of some intricate executorship matters, involving difficulties of no ordinary character, I experienced in his counsel and advice the soundest wisdom and the most exalted integrity of purpose." There are not a few who survive him, who can attest the accuracy of this commendation, and whose welfare has been essentially promoted by his uprightness, his disinterestedness, and resolute adherence to the claims of probity and benevolence.

As a

The Christian minister whose history these lines imperfectly trace, wore some other distinctive features of character, which, as they adorned his religious profession, furnish an impressive example for others to copy. If his preaching was not fervid and impassioned, it was sound, solid, and admirably adapted to edify, console, and urge his hearers forward in the paths of sanctity and usefulness. As a pastor, he gave diligence to know the state of his flock, that he might feed and sustain the lambs and sheep of which it was composed, and guide them across the plains of this world, towards that in which there shall be one fold, under one shepherd." "help" to the successes of several humane and religious institutions, he stood on a high eminence. His counsels were judicious; his plans discreet; his enterprises economical; his demeanour courteous; his administration punctual and correct; and his assiduity vigorous and persevering. Though a decided Nonconformist, he was of a remarkably catholic spirit. He did not think it necessary, in order to prove his attachment to his preferred opinions and ritual practices, to attempt to sully the fame, or cripple the usefulness, of those from whom he differed, but dissented from them with the dignity of the scholar, the urbanity of the gentleman, and the suavity of the Christian; while he cor

dially loved all who loved the Saviour, and generously co-operated with all who would unite with him in liberal modes of zealous activity. His friendship was firm, affectionate, and faithful; his conversation intelligent, amusive, and devout; and his general movements were marked by a practical consistency which created an influence of the best order, gave efficiency to the exercises of his zeal, and placed the crown of excellence on the entire superstructure of his character.

"A Christian is the highest style of man." Nor did he excel only in the illustration of the active, but of the passive virtues of true piety. Though he has been often heard to lament over his incapacity to continue his public ministrations in the sanctuary, and the necesssity for his retirement from the pulpit, before he reached the autumu of his life, yet it was never without heaving a sigh, and the utterance of some expressions indicative of his resignation to the will of God, and of his persuasion that the Great Head of the church had an absolute right to extend or abbreviate the time in which his servants should labour, as well as to determine the period when they should vacate their spheres. Amidst several successive and painful afflictions, he discovered unmurmuring patience; but it was especially in his last illness that his submission shone forth as with the brightness of a star, during a dark night of protracted suffering. The lingering malady which brought him to the gates of the grave, subjected him to acute suffering, and which was sometimes so intense, that, (to use the language of his mourning relict,) "it amounted to agony." Yet he bore his excruciating pains, not only without complaint, but with "cheerful acquiescence in the appointment of his heavenly Father;" and in the intervals of comparative ease, he gave frequent intimations that "his sufferings were not worth a thought, when once compared with those of HIM who endured the curse for man." particular friend states, that he spent an hour with him a few days before his departure, and was gratified "to observe his calm, tranquil, and heavenly state of mind, while he waited for the summons to depart and be with Christ;" and that, as he bade him farewell, he said, "Yes; I have taken fast hold of the throne of grace, and feel persuaded of the safety of my soul in the arms of my Saviour." Towards the close of his mortal malady he was incapable of expressing his feelings, except in brief and abrupt exclamations, and at last peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, in the 63rd year of his age.

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Thus passed and thus terminated the course of John Yockney! Devout men have accompanied his remains to the tomb, there