tered upon a course of studies for the ministry as early as the fifteenth year, of his life, he must have enjoyed the happy change before that period. For it will be said, surely a pious minister would not have devoted his son to preach the gospel to others, before it was ascertained that he had experienced its influence himself, and was called to the work by that Redeemer whose sole prerogative it is to give to his church pastors and teachers.

It must not, however, be unnoticed, that the first dissenters brought with them from the communion from which they had but recently emerged, other ideas of entrance into the ministry. That sacred calling, charged with so awful responsibilities, was too often chosen from no higher motives than predilection for a father's profession, fondness for literary pursuits, or a wish to favour a delicate constitution with exemption from secular labours. It is, therefore, difficult to ascertain whether Risdon Darracott experienced the vital change which produces true religion before he went to the seminary for the ministry, or whether he found, while there, the inestimable blessing which he was professedly studying to proclaim to others.

In the choice of a seminary for his son, Mr. Darracott was happily directed by the public voice to that over which Dr. Doddridge presided at

Northampton. The academy exhibited at this time, indeed, the evil consequences of admitting young men to study for the ministry before they had given sufficient evidence of their regeneration, or their call to the work. But the charac ter of the tutor was, in the instance before us, a counterpoise to the evil; for Doddridge proved an eminent blessing to his pupil. While in the seminary, young Darracott lost his father, but found another in his tutor. The affectionate heart of the doctor soon formed a strong attachment to the youth in whom he perceived a soul panting for the noblest distinction. A humble diligence in his studies won the tutor's esteem, and inspired such hopes of future eminence as are supremely grateful to those who are formed for the education of youth. Some manuscript volumes, written at college, equally attest the ability of the instructor and the industry of the pupil. But it was the frankness of young .Darracott's mind, the purity and strength of principle manifest in all his conduct, and the ardour of his devotion which so fixed the affections of Doddridge as to induce him to say, "I hope this young friend will be the guardian of my widow and orphans, should I be called away by death."

As there was a vast diversity of character among the students, the reader is prepared to hear that the subject of these memoirs took into

his bosom those whose personal religion afterwards rendered them eminent among the faithful preachers of the gospel. Mr. Fawcett, who became successor to Baxter, at Kidderminster, said, when preaching Mr. Darracott's funeral sermon, that he looked back on their friendship formed at Northampton, and cemented by two and twenty years continuance. The character of Mr. Pearsall, of Taunton, another of his early friends, serves also to mark the pious turn of Mr. Darracott's mind.

If, indeed, Northampton was not the place of his new and better birth, it was while he was there. pursuing his studies for the ministrv. that

his religion blazed forth with that seraphic ardour which distinguished his future days. To this period of his life he ever after looked back with peculiar delight; and when on the verge of eternity, referring to it, he recommended to his children the service of that God whom he had served upwards of twenty years. Whether he conceived that his religion then commenced, or whether he thus referred to that era of his existence, because his devotedness to God then became more decided, and his studies drawing to a close he began to serve God in the gospel of his Son, cannot now be ascertained.

From this time, however, his heart declined. every other distinction but that (which is indeed

the loftiest) of being the devoted servant of Jesus Christ. He now formed some of those friendships with pious and distinguished persons beyond the pale of his own communion, which were the honour and delight of his future days. While a student he became the friend of Hervey, the author of the "Contemplations," and of "Theron and Aspasio," a work, which, with all the faults imputed to it, has been honoured with extensive usefulness. The letters of Mr. Darracott to this young friend cannot be laid before the reader, but those of Hervey sufficiently indicate the tone of the correspondence, as the following specimen will testify. It was written in answer to a letter consulting him on the formation of a religious society among the students.

"Dear Sir,

"I return you my heartiest thanks for your kind present, and kinder letter. The Lord make them as beneficial as they were acceptable unto me! You tell me, my example has had a great and good influence upon you. Strange and glad tidings! Amen! Hallelujah! Sure the principalities and powers in heavenly places will be filled with wonder and pleasing amazement; will tune their highest and most triumphant strings, when they behold their immortal King vouchsafing to work, to carry on the

cause of his Christ by an unclean and sinful'

worm!

"This cool morning I took a walk with a design to consider the scheme which you are going to set on foot. My thoughts were all along attended with abashment and admiration, to perceive you having recourse to and consulting me, when you daily converse with gentlemen who are far my superiors in wisdom and knowledge: but especially since you have the happiness of living under the same roof with the judicious and devout doctor. Yet, sir, I fear I am one of those who, as the inspired apostle says, "are blind and cannot see afar off." Nevertheless, since you press for my opinion, for the all-commanding sake of our Redeemer, I cannot, I dare not, withhold it.

"I think then your proposal, as far as I can see into it, is very proper; and if discreetly managed, and steadily persisted in, cannot fail of being advantageous to yourself and others. "It is not good that man should be alone," said the divine Beneficence at the beginning. And if company was a blessing, if it was requisite and necessary to complete man's happiness in Paradise; sure it is much more a blessing, much more requisite and necessary to complete his holiness in a degenerate and corrupt state. This seems to be evident for several reasons; four of which at present occur to my mind.