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on, as they were retiring to their chambers; "What! shall we go to bed without prayer? how do we know but some of us may wake in Hell before morning?" By this unexpected address, the family were seized with a solemn awe; and while they looked on each other with conscious shame, for the neglect of so obvious a duty, he fell upon his knees, and prayed with that readiness and fervour, which greatly excited their astonishment. Nor was his anxiety confined to their spiritual welfare; for his heart's desire was, that his neighbours might also participate of the unsearchable riches of Christ. He therefore shortly began to read Mr. Whitefield's Sermons to as many as would attend; and supposed, with Melancthon, that what had proved so singular a blessing to his soul, would not fail to produce similar effects on them, as soon as they were heard. Continuing to read the works of eminent divines for some time, the small company who attended these exercises, perceiving him to be a youth of promising abilities, encouraged him to cultivate them, by the study and delivery of his own discourses. After repeated solicitations he was prevailed upon; and his first essay of this nature was from Ezekiel xxxvii. 3. "Son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest." He used to speak of this as a season peculiarly solemn and affecting. The Lord encouraged these his early efforts, by giving him many seals to his ministry, among whom were his father, mother, and three sisters.

About this period, Mr. Whitefield, in one of his voyages to America, was obliged, by an unexpected occurrence, to repair to Plymouth, (where he had never been before,) to secure himself a passage in a ship about to sail from that port. Here, according to his usual custom, he embraced the first opportunity of preaching to the inhabitants. He had not delivered many discourses, before a gracious Providence preserved him from being assassinated, and at the same time, over-ruled the horrid attempt of his enemies, to the furtherance of the Gospel; for the odd adventure, as he calls it, brought thousands more to see and hear the man who had been marked out as a victim to the rage of persecutors; and God gave such testimony to the word of his grace, that remarkable success attended his ministry. Intelligence of these circumstances being circulated around the adjacent country, Mr. Kinsinan fled with great eager.

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ness to hear him. Being introduced, after sermon, to his company, he prevailed on him to visit Tavistock. But the opposition he here met with was so violent, as to excite such a deep rooted antipathy in the mind of Mr. Kinsman to his native town, that he resolved to reside in it no lon ger. Having removed to Plymouth, he, at the age of about twenty-one, commenced an acquaintance with Miss Ann Tiley, with whom he was united in marriage in 1745. She was a very spiritual and zealous Christian; and, with many others, had been converted under Mr. Whitefield's ministry, while he was detained there through the delays of the convoy. By her he had four children, Ann, Andrew, John, and George.

Near five years had elapsed, since Mr. Whitefield preached last at Plymouth. In this interval, Mr. and Mrs. Kinsman had devoted the piece of ground to th service of God on which the.Tabernacle now stands, and toward the erection of which they had generously contributed. This place was chiefly supplied by Mr. Whitefield's colleagues, Cennick, Adams, Middleton, &c. who were kindly entertained under Mr. Kinsman's roof, free from any expence to themselves, or the infant cause. Though his preaching at Tavistock had been attended with very pleasing effects, while. resident there, on his removing to Plymouth, he was so far from intruding his services upon that society, that the utmost he could be prevailed upon to do for some time, was to read a sermon to the people when a vacancy occurred: nor was it till 1750, that he entered fully into a regular course of preaching.

Early in 1749, Mr. Whitefield taking the tour of the West, arrived at Plymouth, where he was received by his converts as an angel of God; and by none more cordially than Mr. Kinsman; at whose house he resided during the present, and every subsequent visit. From this time he became intimately acquainted and closely connected with Mr. Whitefield *; for whom he retained the most filial affection

Soon after a cordial friendship commenced between Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Kinsman, their hearts being united in the same glorious cau-e, Mr. Whitefield paid Mr. Kinsman a visit at Plymouth, and preached as usual to large auditories, with great acceptance. On the Monday morning after breakfast, "Come," said he to Mr. Kinsman, "let us go to some of the poor and afflicted of your flock, and see if

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fection till the time of his death; frequently travelled with and consulted him as a father upon all his religious concerns. As Plymouth Dock, about two miles from Plymouth, became encreasingly populous; and as there was no place of worship in all the town to accommodate the inhabitants, except the little chapel in the King's yard, Mr. Kinsman considered this circumstance as a fit occasion to diffuse among them the savour of the knowledge of Christ. He began to preach out of doors, and continued for some time, amidst the most violent persecutions; was frequently obliged to fly for his life; and expected, that, before the ensuing we can administer to them any consolation. It is not enough that we labour in the pulpit; we must endeavour also to be useful out of it." Mr. Kinsman readily consented. Mr. Whitefield not only gave them counsel and advice, but supplied their necessities with a liberal hand, till he had given to a tolerable amount, as they called at several places. Mr. Kinsman, knowing by some means that his finances were low, was surprized at his liberality, and, at his return, gave him a hint, as if he thought he had been too bountiful. Mr. Whitefield, with some degree of smartness replied, "It is not enough, young man, to pray, and to put on a serious countenance: true religion and undefiled is this, to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to administer to their wants. My stock, it is true, is nearly exhausted; but God, whose servant I am, and whose suffering saints we have this day been relieving, will, I doubt not, soon send me a fresh supply." The matter thus rested for the remainder of the day. In the evening, while they were at prayer in the family, a gentleman came to Mr. Kinsman's house, and desired to speak with Mr. Whitefield; he was shewn into a room, and as soon as Mr. Whitefield was disengaged, he waited upon him. "Sir," said the gentleman, " I happened to be here yesterday, and with great pleasure heard you preach: you are on a journey, I find, as well as myself, and travelling is rather expensive. Will you do me the honour to accept this?" putting, at the same time five guineas into his hand. Mr. Whitefield thankfully accepted the present; and returning to the family with a smiling countenance, and the money in his hand," There, young man," said he, to Mr. Kinsman, "God has soon repaid what I bestowed! Let this in future teach you not to withhold, when it is in the power of thine hand to give. The gentleman to whom I was called is a perfect stranger to ine-his only business was to give me the sum you here see," Though I was pleased with the account of Mr. Whitefield's liberality, and his lively faith, which seemed to promise a sure and speedy return, yet I was much more surprized when the person's name was mentioned to me by whom he received the money: he was one whom I well knew; reputed to be worth ten thousand pounds; but known to be so very penurious, as scarcely to allow himself or those about him what was really necessary and on a journey he was equally parsimonious; so that he was seldom a welcome guest at any of the inns he frequented.

VOL. III.-No. 56.

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morning, his dwelling house at Plymouth would be demolished. He has sometimes been surrounded by eight or nine drums from the military, to drown his voice. But amidst this formidable opposition, his strength was equal to his day. Now Providence would soften his adversaries into pity, and thereby divert them from their evil purposes; then would fortify him with courage to withstand the united efforts of an outrageous mob. Once in particular, at Dock, a person of considerable fortune hired a number of men to interrupt his preaching. On arriving at the spot, they were so moved by his engaging address, that they not only desisted from their design, but directed their vengeance against their mischievous employer, who with difficulty escaped with his life; and so exemplified the words of David," His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate."

At another time, when the congregation was assembled in Plymouth Tabernacle, it was disturbed by a lieutenant of the navy; who came, with a part of his crew, armed for a desperate assault. Having broken the windows, they entered the place in a body. Their first attempt was to extinguish the lights, and then to fall upon the people ;-but a person, perceiving their design, drew up the chandelier to the ceiling of the building. Baffled in this project, they fell upon the people, without regard either to age or sex, and beat them with their bludgeons in a merciless manner. The worship being interrupted, a general alarm and outcry of murder ensued. At this instant Mr. Kinsman, by an extraordinary effort, throwing himself into the midst of the throng, seized the lieutenant, the ringleader of the rioters; and as he was drawing his sword upon him, he wrested it from his hand. No exertion on the side of the rioters could force Mr. Kinsman to quit his hold of the lieutenant; and by main strength, in the heat of the rencounter, he drew him out of the Tabernacle into the yard, where the scene of confusion was continued. Here the lieutenant made many violent struggles to disengage himself, lost his laced hat, and had his clothes considerably torn in the attempt. But Mr.Kinsman preserved his hold; and dragging him into the dwelling-house, carried him off through the front door to the magistrate. Both parties were now at a loss to discover what was become of their champions. Mr. Kinsman's frienere almost distracted, supposing he had been car

ried off by the rioters, and torn piece-meal. But they were soon agreeably disappointed. The lieutenant conducted himself with great insolence before the magistrate, who committed him to the watch house, where he lay all night. Being brought before him again the next morning, he ac knowledged his offences, engaged to repair all damages, and make such other concessions as the injured party might require. Mr. Kinsman, having obtained his object, and being unwilling to injure the cause of religion in the esteem of the world, by a spirit of inexorable resentment, acceded to his proposals, and he was accordingly dismissed; nor was he ever after called upon by Mr. Kinsman or his friends to fulfil his engagements.

Having procured a private house in Dock, he preached the first time to about sixteen persons; but the congregation rapidly increased; and God gave testimony to the word of his grace. Here his animated exertions, his profuse perspirations, and his inattention to his bodily health, soon injured the finest of constitutions, and laid the foundation of that asthmatic disorder which proved so severe a trial to him for more than forty years. At length his amiable. manners and exemplary life silenced the clamours of the populace; and, though many hated the cause, he became respected and revered; and the congregation not only increased, but " the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Mr. Whitefield, returning from America, landed at Plymouth, and intending to preach on the Lord's day morning, multitudes came from all parts of the country to hear him, so that the place could not contain them. Just as it was time to begin the service, he became so much indisposed as to be unable to preach; so that Mr. Kinsman was obliged to engage, though unprepared. This circumstance distressed him so much, that he wept exceedingly. He spoke from the following words:" What hath God wrought?" This discourse was made so eminently useful, that it never was forgotten by multitudes; and many spake of it as the best opportunity they ever enjoyed.

In 1752 a meeting house was erected at Dock; which, by the blessing of God upon his ministry, was obliged to be enlarged six or seven times; and now measures sixty-t -four by sixty feet.

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