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well curled wig. The Psalm finished, a short prayer follows, and then comes an exposition of a chapter in the Old Testament. It is no arbitrary selection, but what arises in course; for this man of method having begun at Genesis, goes on with persevering regularity till he reaches the end of Malachi. The matter and manner may be easily seen on turning to his popular commentary: no doubt many a reader has already a vivid conception of both. Another psalm and a longer prayer succeed, and from Henry's work on the subject of prayer every one will see how eminently he excelled in devotional exercises. Then follows an hour's sermon, which had need to be engaging; and so it generally is,-full of good and useful thoughts, arranged in quaint devices, rather more in the Puritan fashion than common, for Matthew has received the mantle as well as the spirit of his father Philip. What is said of the sire may be said of the son: "Many a good thought has perished, because it was not portable, and many a sermon is forgotten, because it is not memorable; but like seeds with wings, the sayings of Henry have floated far and near, and like seeds with hooked

prickles, his sermons stuck in his most careless hearers. His tenacious words took root, and it was his happiness to see, not only scriptural intelligence, but fervent and consistent piety spreading among his people."* Singing and praying wind up the service, after it has lasted some three hours. This would be deemed by some almost sufficient for one day; but in the afternoon the same thing exactly is repeated, the exposition of the New Testament in order being substituted for that of the Old. We are apt to pity the men who performed or endured such lengthened exercises; but surely they felt it no hardship, or they would have shortened them. Modern pastors fancy that under this weight of six songs, six prayers, two expositions, and two sermons on a Sunday, besides preaching in the week, in all seven or eight times, they would utterly break down; yet Matthew Henry seems to have borne the whole of it very well; and, judging from his picture, gave no visible signs of wasting through fatigue. It seems past all question that the numerous extra calls and claims of ecclesiastical and religious business, now so full of the agitating excitement

* Life of Matthew Henry, by Hamilton.

of the nineteenth century, operates with more exhausting wear and tear upon the powers both of mind and body, than the quiet, calm, and regular engagements of our Nonconformist fathers in the days of William and Anne. Perhaps, too, the numerous public occasions of religious service on the week-day, at present, may the more indispose us to think with complacency of the protracted Sunday exercises then. After all, however, it deserves inquiry whether our habits of religious thought and feeling are as vigorous and steady-have in them as long sustaining power-as those of the men belonging to that by-gone age? It is very refreshing to think of the Sunday nights at home which crowned these earlier hours. In many a farmhouse or city dwelling the master called his family around him, and bringing out the "big ha' bible, once his father's pride," reverently read its sacred pages, and catechised upon the sermon the whole circle round, from the old servant to the little boy or girl who sat beside and leaned within the folds of mamma's

ample and ornamented apron. Perhaps the discourse of some old good divine was also read, with the additional, offering of a domestic

psalm or prayer. The little folks might look somewhat sleepy before all was done, and some of the larger ones might not keep quite awake; but still there were men and women of strong minds and hearts, who could then say, with the Henry family at Broad-oak,-"If this be not heaven, it is the way to it."

The relation in which the pastor stood to his flock was felt in those times to be peculiarly intimate and sacred. He was in many instances consulted as the counsellor of his people, and his advice, tendered with affection, was received in the same spirit. Families grew up looking to him as their friend from childhood. The connection of a minister with a church was more generally of long continuance than at present. The bond was felt to be of that nature which nothing but death, or the visibly outstretched finger of providence, could break.

The support rendered, though often inadequate, was not so small* as the figures employed

* Upon Calamy's being appointed assistant at Hand Alley Meeting, he says: "There was a distinct subscription made of £40 per annum, besides what they allowed Mr. Sylvester before; and I often experienced the kindness of the people in private presents which they made me; but at length the income fell considerably short." Sometimes the whole income was not above £80. At

to denote it would indicate, according to the value of money at the time, and pleasing entries belonging to that date may be found in some of our old church books, illustrative of respectful and delicate attentions paid to those who were in the office of the ministry.*

Ministers generally were supported by the freewill offerings of their living flocks; but endowments from the property of the dead for the support of a pastor were not uncommon. To these no objections were then suggested;

that time a labourer could support his wife and two children on £15 a year: meat was not more than twopence a pound.

*The following is an extract from the church books belonging to the Meeting House of Guestwick, Norfolk. In 1694, the people there were anxious to secure a Mr. Mills as their pastor, and accordingly a deputation was sent to him.-"They set forward for London about the beginning of the month Oct. 94, and from thence to Chalfont in Bucks, with letters both from Mr. James, and several others. These persons promised in the name of the church, that if Mr. Mills would come, the church would comply with what he desired. This importunity and promise did very hardly prevail, yet at last they got his consent; the tidings of which, Mr. Eli Durrant was sent to bring to the church. Mr. John Springall tarried to accompany Mr. Mills and his family down, who came by coach, and were met by several of the brethren at Swaffham the first of November, and arrived at Guestwick the second, at night. The charges which the church and other friends were at for this expenditure amounted to near £20." In the church book at Yarmouth I remember noticing an entry, at a later date, relative to a coach and four being sent for the conveyance of a new minister to the place.

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