Mr. Gifford was first settled at Nottingham for about two years: he then returned to Bristol, where he assisted Mr. Bernard Foskett.

REV. ANDREW GIFFORD, || since your son has been with me, D. D. was born at Bristol, on Sat- he has pursued his studies with urday, Aug. 17, 1700. He took great application, and in my aphis name from that of his venera- prehension to good advantage." ble grandfather, the very excellent pastor of the Pithay church in that city. His father was Emanuel Gifford, who was also a very respectable pastor of that church. The subject of our memoir was at an early period of his life made acquainted with the power of divine grace, and was baptized upon a profession of his faith, Aug. 2, 1715. It being considered by the church that he possessed promising gifts, he was soon after sent to the academy at Tewkesbury, kept by that eminent scholar, the Rev. Mr. Jones. Mr. Gifford finished his studies under the direction of the celebrated Dr. Ward, of Gresham College. In a letter written by that gentleman to the Rev. Emanuel Gifford, of Bristol, dated Gresham College, June 6, 1723, the following honourable testimonial is borne to the talents and application of his pupil:-"I have the pleasure to tell you, that

From some cautions to avoid the snares of popularity, given to Mr. Gifford, while at Nottingham, by his worthy friend the Rev. Mr. Noble, of Bristol, who had succeeded his father at the Pithay, it is probable that his preaching had attracted much of the publick attention. He removed to London in December, 1729, and the letter of dismission from Nottingham, printed in an account of the church in Little Wild-street, is a very honourable testimony to his character.

About the year 1731, while Mr. Gifford was pastor of the church in Little Wild-street, he had contracted an intimate acquaintance with Sir Richard Ellys, Bart. the learned author of Fortuita Sacra, consisting of Critical Notes upon

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certain Texts of Scripture. Mr. ||quaintance with ancient coins and Gifford was chaplain to the family manuscripts, it is said he eminentof Sir Richard for many years, ly excelled. taking the lead in family worship, In this station, which he conespecially in morning and evening tinued to fill till his death, his opprayer. For this office he receiv-portunities for improvement were ed forty guineas aunually, as a present from Sir Richard, till his death; and from his lady also till about the year 1745, when she married again.

very much enlarged, and having a talent to receive and communicate knowledge with unaffected politeness, his acquaintance among the nobility and gentry was very extensive. Some of them exchanged visits with him, and some of the first rank discovered their respect for him, either by their correspondence, or by an occasional attendance upon his ministry at the meeting-house in Eagle-Street.

A

Mr. Gifford marked the sense he entertained of the friendship of Sir Richard Ellys, by dedicating a sermon to him preached in Little Wild-street, Nov. 27, 1734, in commemoration of the high wind in 1703. In this Mr. Gifford styles himself, "your much oblig-mong these are mentioned, the ed and affectionate servant in the Marquis of Lothian, the Earl gospel ;" and prays, that yours, of Halifax, Lord Dartmouth, and your good lady's unaffected Lady Buchan, Lady Huntingpiety, prudent zeal, and disinter- don, &c. ested benevolence, may long continue ornamental to your country, and blessings to the church of Christ."

He visited Edinburgh in this year, and was honoured with the freedom of that city. He was in 1754 also presented with a diploma, creating him doctor in divinity, from the Marischal College at Aberdeen.

There are some pleasing anecdotes related of the Doctor while he was employed in showing the Museum. Some gentlemen were inspecting the Museum under the Doctor's guidance, amongst whom was a profane youth, who hardly uttered a sentence without taking the name of the Lord in vain. The Doctor, who had kept his eye upon him, was at length asked by In the year 1757 he was ap- him, Whether they had not a pointed assistant librarian of the certain very ancient manuscript British Museum. The doctor had there ? On coming to it, the Docbeen some time before a member tor presenting it, asked the youth of the Antiquarian Society. He if he could read it? Being anwas also personally acquainted swered in the affirmative, the Docwith the Lord Chancellor Hard-tor wished him to read a parawicke, with Archbishop Herring, graph, which was, Thou shalt not and with the Speaker Onslow. take the name of the Lord thy God But it was the affection of his un-in vain. The irreverent youth shaken patron, Sir Richard Ellys, read, and blushed; the countewhich procured him that distin-nances of his companions seemed guished station; doubtless from a to acknowledge the justness of persuasion of his eminent qualifica- the reproof, and the polite and tions for the situation. It is said christian manner in which it was that the doctor's private collection administered. of coins was, before that time, one On another occasion, a gentleof the most curious in Britain, and man who was looking at some nathad been purchased by King ural curiosities, swore in a shockGeorge II. as an addition to his ing manner, calling them ugly, own cabinet. In a perfect ac-monstrous, &c. The Doctor, in

censed at the vulgarity and impi- || vinist of the old school, his system ety expressed by his reviling the having been formed upon the conworks of the all-wise and bounti-fession of faith of the Baptist ful Creator, gently led him to a large glass which stood in the room, and firmly asked him to look there and judge whether there was any thing in the works of creation, more monstrous than himself!

churches, published by the assembly in 1689. The main topics of his discourses were, the fall of man,-redemption by Christ,the divinity of our Lord,-the work of the Spirit, the sweetness of the promises, the perseverance The attendance required at the of saints in holiness to heaven. Museum did not render him inat- After he had briefly explained his tentive to his pastoral duties, nor text, with these and similar docdid his acquaintance with persons trines, he made a direct appeal to in the higher circles of life, make the heart, interested all the pashim inaccessible to the people of sions of the soul, and summoned his flock. His house, in a court conscience before a solemn tribuat the north-west corner of Queen-nal. His biographer, Dr. Rippon, square, was always open for their says of him, "His heart was in reception, and he always met them with a cheerful welcome.

the work, and upon some occasions, particularly, it might have been said of him as of one of the reformers, Vividas vultus, vividi oculi, vivida manus, denique omnia, vivida, i. e. his countenance was alive, his eyes were alive, his hands were alive, in short, all were

From about the year 1760 to the close of his life, a period of twenty-four years, he preached with great acceptance, once a month, at the Lord's-day evening lecture, St. Helen's, in connection with several ministers of the indepen-alive. If ever any man was all dent denomination. alive in the publick service of God, Dr. Gifford was very intimate || Dr. Gifford was the man, and he with that eminent servant of retained his evangelical savour Christ, the Rev. George White- and his stated and occasional lafield; he attended him for the bours, even to the very last, with purpose of shewing his respect for but very little abatement; insohis character, when Mr. White- much that when he was above field laid the first stone of the eighty years of age, he was more chapel in Tottenham-court-road; active and zealous in his master's and afterwards preached for him work, than many young men of at the tabernacle in Moorfields. twenty-five. It was thus, through It is said that the doctor being a divine blessing upon his labours, once met in his way to Tottenham- that he kept up a numerous auCourt Chapel, was asked if he was ditory, and made every one say, going to hear Mr. Whitefield; he what indeed appears true, replied, "I am going to light the doctor would die popular."" my farthing rushlight at his flaming torch."

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The ministry of Dr. Gifford was eminently useful in the conversion of sinners, and in building up the church of God under his pastoral care. He was a pathetic, and yet powerful preacher, uniting in his character the Barnabas and the Boanerges. His sermons were highly evangelical; he was a Cal

• that

It is to the honour of this worthy pastor, that he was always humble, notwithstanding the success which attended his labours, and the respect with which he was treated. When he heard a person say, that the Lord had blessed his ministry to them, he used with great modesty, and sometimes with tears, to reply, "Give God the praise, the man is a sinner."

When he found persons, espe- || broke the bread, but was not able

to pour out the wine. He dwelt with peculiar emphasis upon the words, (afterwards selected by Dr. Rippon for his funeral text,) Thou

cially if they were young females, much intimidated at the prospect of speaking their experience before the church, he would affectionately encourage them by say-hast in love to my soul, cast all my ing, My dear child, you will sins behind thy back. never have such another opportunity of speaking to the honour of the Lord Jesus, and to the praise of the riches of his grace while you

live."

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On the

next evening, Monday June 7, he preached a sermon to the "Friendly Benefit Society," which he had established for pious men, and which still conducts its business

In his friendly and pastoral vis-in the vestry of Eagle-street meetits he was always cheerful and se- ing-house. His text was, (and rious. When he entered a house this was the last from which he he would begin the conversation preached,) Heb. xiii. 7. Let by familiarly asking, "What do brotherly love continue. After the you think of Jesus Christ? Do sermon he conversed freely with you, my dear child, love the Lord some of the members of the SocieJesus Christ ?" When he prayed in the families which he visited, he was remarkably affectionate, and so very particular in suiting his petitions and thanksgivings to the cases of the individuals who composed them, that many had reason to bless God for his prayers as well as his sermons.

ty, and at parting he said with a cheerful voice, "Farewell ;" and then coming back to the vestry, he took as it were a parting look of the meeting-house, and of his old friends, repeating emphatically, "Farewell." This was the last time he ever entered the meeting.

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He

In the administration of the or- In his last days, while confined dinance of Baptism and the Lord's by affliction, his friends who visitSupper, he was uncommonly live-ed him said, they found him ally and spiritual. While he was ways in a happy, spiritual, resignof a very catholic spirit, and ed frame; his soul resting on heartily loved good men of every Christ alone for salvation. denomination, he was a zealous often cried out under his heavy Baptist, and particularly happy pains, but would presently say, when attending to that divine "I cannot help groaning, but rite. He used to say, when he though I groan, I trust I do not was unwell, and in prospect of grumble." Three days before his administering that ordinance, "I death, being asked how he did; he shall get well, I hope, if I can but said, "I am in great pain, but go and baptize." He frequently bless God this is not hell! blesssaid, when some have spoken of ed be God, this is not hell; blessthe danger attending such a ser- ed be God for Jesus Christ." In vice to his health, I never took the last hours of life, being asked cold by baptizing, that I can rec- whether any of his friends should collect, in my life." be sent for, he replied, "I want no friend but Christ; I wish to see no friend but Christ." Some of his last words were, what should I do now, were it not for Jesus Christ? What should I do now, were it not for an interest in Jesus Christ ?" Thus while He affectionately recommending the

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The last time he attended to the Lord's Supper with his beloved charge was on June 6, 1784, when he went to the table very weak and low; and the first sentence he uttered, was, With my soul have I desired to eat this passover with you, before I suffer.

“Oh,

body to the ground, in sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Savour to those who were about his bed, he fell asleep in Jesus, about eight o'clock, Saturday evening, June 19, 1784; in the eightyfourth year of his age; and about "Farewell, thou dear old man! the sixtieth of his publick ministry. We leave thee in possession of The remains of Dr. Gifford were death till the resurrection day: interred on Friday morning, July but we will bear witness against 2, 1784, in Bunhill-fields, very thee, oh king of terrors, at the early in the morning: according mouth of this dungeon; thou shalt to the request of the deceased, not always have possession of this who had often wished he might be dead body; it shall be demanded buried, even earlier than six o' of thee by the great Conqueror, clock, "to testify his faith in the and at that moment thou shalt reresurrection of Christ, who arose sign thy prisoner. Oh ye minisearly on the first day of the week, ters of Christ, ye people of God, and likewise his hope of the res- ye surrounding spectators, preurrection morning at the last pare, prepare to meet this old serday." It was on this occasion, vant of Christ, at that day, at that that the very intimate friend of hour, when this whole place shall Dr. Gifford, the Rev. John Ry- be all nothing, but life and death land of Northampton, while stand-shall be swallowed up in victory." ing on a tomb-stone, delivered that In January, 1779, Dr. Gifford remarkable oration, contrasting the presented fifty pounds to the manfirst and second coming of Christ; agers of the Baptist Fund, by the the powerful eloquence of which hands of James Smith; it was has been compared, by no incom- kindly received, and the thanks petent judge, to the thundering of the managers respectfully preeloquence of Demosthenes. The sented to Dr. Gifford for his said closing sentences are, "Who can tell the triumphs of our Redeemer's soul, in the prospect he had of this island of Great Britain, of London, and its ministers and churches; of his saving the dear deceased man, and millions more yet unborn?

gift.

Dr. Gifford left by his will four hundred pounds, in the three per cents. for the use of the minister and the poor of the church in Eagle-Street. He left also a small sum for the poor members, and a legacy to each of the seven deacons, with some small bequests to a few ministers of his acquaintance. His valuable books, pictures, and manuscripts, with a vast variety of curiosities, he bequeathed to the Baptist Academy at Bristol; and caused an elegant room to be erected, called "Gifford's Museum." The value of this legacy was estimated at £1000. He probably was in some measure influenced to do this on account of his having been an assistant in the minis

"With respect to our departed friend, who has left our world at the age of eighty-four, it is no hard matter to tell where a man is gone, who has lived almost all his life, or if we can only say, fifty years, in the exercise of his faith in Christ, and repentance towards God-in love to mankind, preaching in an evangelical strain through the whole course of his ministry. As to his character I will leave that to be set in a proper light by my younger brother. And now we can, with the great-try and the Academy to Mr. Berest truth, use the common words, nard Foskett, from Jan. 11, 1727, in the form of service in the church till he removed to London. He of England ;" We commit this wished also to have taken an

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