CHAPTER XVIII. FROM the preceding record it is presumed, a tolerably correct view may be obtained of the life and labors of the late Dr. Robert Newton; and yet a few additional observations upon the prominent features of his character, confirmed and illustrated by some additional facts, may not be unacceptable to the reader, nor devoid of benefit. Personally considered, he was unquestionably one of the noblest specimens of human nature. He was somewhat taller than the generality of men, well-proportioned in every part, robust, of great muscular power, evidently formed for activity, and capable of bearing almost any amount of labor. His breast was prominent, his shoulders broad, his gait firm and manly; so that even his appearance seemed to intimate that he was not born to spend his days in obscurity, but to take the lead among his contemporaries, and to answer some high and honorable purpose in life. His countenance was eminently prepossessing, being indicative of good-nature, kindness, generosity, frankness, intelligence and decision; and these peculiarities, with— "His fair large front, and eye sublime," at once impressed the persons who were brought into his presence, so as to command their respect, especially when they heard the sound of his incomparable voice. His noble bearing bespoke him as intended to "stand before kings, and not before mean men." His mind was in beautiful correspondence with his outward frame; for he had a singular readiness of apprehension, facility in acquiring knowledge, a sound practical judgment, an easy and distinct utterance, and an instinctive perception of what is decorous and becoming; so that without the rules of a polite and artificial training, he was naturally a thorough gentleman, without affecting that character; and in his general intercourse with society he exemplified a prudence which was perhaps never surpassed, and yet without the slightest compromise of moral principle. These natural qualifications were all rendered doubly attractive and beneficial by the principles of piety with which his mind was imbued in early life, and which were perpetuated, in uninterrupted exercise and unimpaired vigor, to the end of his earthly course. True it is, that, like the rest of mankind, he was born in sin, and was by nature a child of wrath; but in the manner already described, he obtained the mercy of forgiveness, and the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, so as to be made happy in God, and a new creature in Christ Jesus. From this period, it would appear, he suffered no spiritual declension, but grew in grace, and "increased with the increase of God." His was a life of faith in Christ, as a dying and interceding Saviour, and the source of all spiritual good he lived in habits of devotion, breathing out his soul to God continually in prayer, thanksgiving, and praise; the Holy Spirit constantly witnessing his adoption, and helping his infirmities in every act of duty. His love to God and man-the great principle of all holiness-was fervent and abounding; so that to obey the Divine commands was his joy and delight, and to seek the good of mankind afforded a rich pleasure to his sanctified nature. His intercourse with God was habitual, being maintained by constant prayer and faith; and hence his was a happy religion. It rendered him eminently cheerful; and it was no less deep, evangelical, scriptural, and practical. There was in it no airy speculation; no mysticism; nothing dark and cloudy. It was based upon the great truths of the gospel, especially those which : relate to the offices of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It rendered him both inwardly and outwardly holy, and constrained him to yield himself up as the willing servant of God, and for His sake the servant of all mankind. At the same time it placed him in an intimate alliance with the heavenly world, to which his hopes and desires were daily and hourly directed. In all this it is easy to perceive that he was guided solely by the Holy Scriptures; for he attached no importance to any thing bearing the name of religion, which has not the sanction of the word of God. His character with regard to the domestic relations was in every respect exemplary. His love to his parents was tender and reverent; and as they both lived to witness his deep and established piety, and his eminence as a minister, great must have been their glorying on his account. To his brothers and sisters his love was sincere and undying. What he was as a husband his correspondence in this volume declares. He treated his wife with unvarying kindness and respect, giving honor to her as an heir with himself of eternal life; and he was deeply concerned for her happiness in both worlds. When they had lived together in unbroken harmony for fifty years, they celebrated the jubilee of their marriage, their children and grandchildren being present. On this memorable day, when these their descendants presented their tokens of filial love, he told them that during all those years neither an unkind word, nor an unkind look, had passed between him and their mother, unless an incident which took place when he was stationed in Leeds might be regarded as an exception. He had, as usual, been from home during the week, and was expected to return on the Saturday evening. In the afternoon of that day, when sailing up the Humber, the steamer was enveloped in a dense fog; and the captain, deeming it unsafe to proceed, cast anchor till about four o'clock on the Sunday morning, when the atmosphere became clear. At Selby he met with another interruption, having to wait a considerable time before the train started; so that he did not arrive in Leeds till about eight o'clock, when he had to procure a conveyance to his appointment, which was about eight miles distant. He had therefore scarcely time to inquire after the welfare of his family, who had been kept all night in a state of anxious suspense. As he had to meet some classes after the preaching in the evening, he did not reach home till about ten o'clock. On the Monday morning he rose at an early hour, having a long journey before him, and not expecting to return to his family before the end of the week. Mrs. Newton, according to her usual practice, rose to see him comfortably provided for before his departure; and, at the hour of five o'clock, as she was pouring out a cup of coffee for him, burst into tears, and said, "This is melancholy work." He said, "I left home that morning with a sad heart." It grieved him to find that his mode of life was a cause of sorrow to one who stood in so near and tender a relation to himself; but that which she for the time felt to be "melancholy," was a source of joy and everlasting benefit to thousands. That their married life should have been thus happy, and blessed of the Lord, will excite no surprise, when it is recollected that it was their practice, through the entire period of their union, to retire twice a day for the purpose of praying with and for each other, except when his absence from home rendered it impossible.* *"Let man and wife pray together: let them confer with each other of their heavenly country: let them sing a Psalm together, and join in such religious exercises; so shall their hearts be knit together, fast and firm, to God first, and so to each other. Religion, we know, (as the word importeth,) is of a very binding nature; and therefore St. Peter would by no means that the prayers of the married should be interrupted."-Whately's "Bride-Bush," p. 49. Edit. 1619. His fatherly affection for his children, and pious concern for their conversion and salvation, are strikingly apparent in the extracts from his letters which are now before the reader. Some of the last petitions to which his heart and lips gave utterance were offered to God in behalf of his children, whom he intensely desired to meet in heaven. Several persons, whose admiration of him in the pulpit and upon the missionary platform was unbounded, have thought, that because he was not in the habit when he was from home of speaking much about his family, he was deficient rather than otherwise in the tenderness of his domestic affections; but they have entirely misapprehended his character. A kinder husband and father perhaps never lived; but then his kindness was not dotage. It was the kindness of an intelligent and strong-minded man. What he was as a master is sufficiently attested by the fact, that two servant-maids, converted and Christian women, Nanny and Naomi, went with him and his family from circuit to circuit for many years, cleaving to them with the affection of children: serving them with cheerful fidelity, under the impulse of esteem and gratitude, and rejoicing in their master's popularity and success. Nanny nursed the whole of their children, and three of their grandchildren. She died in the family at an advanced age. As a preacher he possessed many and eminent advantages; such as a fine person and countenance, a rich, melodious, and powerful voice, a noble and manly bearing, perfect self-possession, fluency of speech, a distinct utterance, and an unfailing memory. As soon as he appeared in the pulpit, and cast his benignant look upon the congregation, the people could not withhold their admiration, and were naturally disposed to pay a respectful attention to his teaching. But when they heard the sound of his majestic voice, their admiration assumed a higher tone; and they felt as if they could listen to him without weariness for any length of time. So far as our own |