possible, to have the sureties and obligations discharged; which, through the good providence of God, Mr. Maurice had the satisfaction of living to see, though he died soon after.

He was so assiduous in his work that he was advised by his friends to be more sparing of himself; but he used to answer, "When a man has loitered the best part of his day, and the evening draws on, he had need to double his strokes." Excessive labour at last so broke his constitution, that it hastened his end. His behaviour on the bed of sickness was answerable to the past conduct of his life. He discovered a deep sense of the divine goodness to him and his. When his wife observed to him, that he had had a wearisome night, he replied, "What if I have? Job had many wearisome nights.' When he saw the people weeping about him, he said to her, "Dost thou observe the loving kindness of the Lord to us poor strangers, in raising us so many friends? The love of God in Christ is a great refreshment to my soul! Blessed be God, who has made thee and me partakers of the same grace." He was far from an apprehension of merit, and yet rejoiced in the testimony of his conscience. "There is nothing I have to trust to (says he) as to my work and labour, and yet I shall have joy of that too." He died in July, 1682, about fifty years of age.

MAURICE, WILLIAM, was born Dec. 23, 1762, at Chapel Town, in the parish of Ecclesfield, near Sheffield, in Yorkshire: was sent to school when about three years of age; and such was his proficiency, that at the age of four he could repeat the Catechism and many passages of Scripture. He continued at school till his twelfth year; and acquired, besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, some knowledge of the Latin tongue. Immediately on his leaving school, his father, who was a nailer, taught him his trade; and afterwards Mr. Maurice partly worked at, and partly presided over, some mines, in getting iron ore. Still he was assiduous in acquiring knowledge, and gladly embraced every opportunity to read. But, alas! he did not search for the best knowledge, and was ignorant of its necessity and value. Mr. Maurice received from his parents moral instructions; yet, he had not the advantage of a religious education. Though he attended the church regu

larly,

larly, he paid no other regard to the Lord's day; and was even in the habit of profaning it openly, after public worship. It was no uncommon thing for him, after going twice to church, to strip off his Sunday clothes, put on his ordinary dress, and play at foot-ball. His constitution

being then strong, and his mind active, he was passionately fond of youthful sports, and excelled particularly in that rustic amusement. Some of his competitors greatly envied him, and his party having once gained the victory on the evening of the Lord's day, quarrelling and fighting ensued; and some on the opposite side were determined to wreak their vengeance upon him. Three of them, accordingly way-laid him; and, in repelling their furious attack, he nearly killed one of them, while his own arm was much injured. The alarm of the village, the concern of his parents, and dread of the fatal consequences, deeply impressed his mind. Apprehensions of divine wrath, especially for profaning the Sabbath, and the fear of legal punishment, filled him with unutterable anguish. He groaned, he prayed, he vowed; but still his mind was like the trou bled sea. This scene of agony happened in April, 1779, A few days afterwards, Mr. Maurice hearing that the rev. Mr. Grove was to preach at Barnsley, on Easter Monday, resolved to attend, and went with his arm bound up. The text was very appropriate, Isaiah ini. 10, 11. "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings: woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Mr. Maurice felt that his state as a sinner was accurately described, his character exactly drawn, and his doom faithfully denounced. The sharp arrow of conviction pierced his inmost soul; but the leading balin of the Saviour's blood and grace was partly applied by means of the same preacher, and the same discourse. So soon as he returned home, he searched the Scriptures; heavenly light arose on his soul; the Spirit of supplication was poured out; and, by means of prayer, the Lord gave him a good hope through grace, and a comfortable sense of divine mercy. He now began to love the Lord, his word, his ordinances, his ways, and people; as heartily as ever he had loved the ways of sin, and the workers of iniquity. His knowledge, holiness, and comfort increased; and he gave the most satisfying evidences of a saving change. The Bi

ble

ble and religious books were his daily and delightful com panions. An excellent piece of good John Bunyan's, called Come, and welcome," falling into his hands about this time, was much blessed to his soul. He now attended the ministry of the rev. Mr. Grove, at Masbrough, near Rotheram; and was admitted as a member of the church of Christ there, after giving a solid and satisfactory account of his experience. His life was an ornament to his Chris tian profession. Mr. Maurice soon felt and expressed a strong desire to serve God in the Gospel of his Son, and to proclaim the excellence of that Redeemer whom he found so precious. Having asked counsel of the Lord, he was encouraged to proceed amidst many difficulties. He consulted Mr. Grove, whom he ever respected and loved as his spiritual father; and by the recommendation of that worthy minister, Mr. Maurice entered the academy at Northouram, near Halifax, then under the direction of Mr. Walker. He continued there the usual time; and was distinguished by ability, industry, piety, and prudence. Often has he been heard to express his obligations to Mr. Walker and Mr. Grove for assistance in his studies. Profiting by such aid, his strong and ardent mind made rapid improvement.

Leaving the Academy with universal esteem, Mr. Mau Fice discovered eminent and edifying gifts as a preacher, He soon received and accepted an invitation to Haslingdon, in Lancashire; where he continued to preach with general acceptance for a few months: and then, receiving an unanimous call from the church of Christ at Stockport, in Cheshire, he was ordained as their pastor. He laboured among them faithfully for five years. The Lord blessed his labours; and there were seals of his ministry in that church and congregation; but trials of various kinds were mingled with his comforts, disappointments with success. Disturbances arose among a few about mere trifles, and rendered his situation extremely irksome. The people had an increasing esteem for their minister, yet would not be at peace among themselves. He durst not, however, leave his post without the call of his Master. That call was given by an opening for his removal to Bolton, in Lancashire.

Two or three years previous to this period, some of the people of Bolton heard Mr. Maurice preach an occasional sermon, at a village about five miles from that place. The discourse was pleasing and profitable to them, and they

wished to hear him again. Accordingly, when the rev. Robert Simpson, who was then their minister, left them, and accepted the office of tutor at Hoxton Academy, they solicited Mr. Maurice to preach to them for a few Sabbaths. He complied with their request; and when he had finished his engagement, they gave him an unanimous call to become their pastor. But, from a sense of duty, he declined the offer. When the disturbances already mentioned arose at Stockport, the people of Bolton inade a second application; and seeing his call clear, Mr. Maurice now gave a favour able answer. He was settled among them, and continued with them five years. During that period, his labours were remarkably successful. Many were added to the church, and the congregation was much increased. Alas! however, strife sprang up among them too, and produced bitter fruits; and not the least of these was the removal of their minister from Bolton to London. He received a call from the church of Christ, in Fetter Lane. They enjoyed the benefit of his matured gifts and experience; but he was cut off in the midst of life, and when the sphere of his usefulness was greatly enlarged. His ministerial course was divided, as we have seen, into three short, equally short stages.

Of Mr. Maurice's general acceptance, the various lectures in which he was invited to take a share, and his many engagements in ordinations, and on other public occasions, are convincing proofs, Only two of his discourses, both of them preached on remarkable occasions, have been published; and furnish a good specimen of his abilities, principles, and dispositions. The first, "The Meridian Glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom," founded on Rev. xi. 15. was delivered before the Missionary Society, at the designation of the missionaries appointed for the second mission to the South Seas. The second discourse," Mercy Triumphant," founded on 1 Tim. i. 16. was occasioned by the untimely death of John Osborn Dawson *.

It was chiefly by Mr. Maurice's means, that the "Theo logical Magazine," which had been printed at Bristol, was brought to London; and he was unanimously chosen editor

• There was a wonderful and happy change in the mind of this young man, after his condemnation for forgery. Mr. Maurice was the honoured instrument of it, visited him frequently and with increasing comfort, and attended him to the place of execution. He was "a brand plucked out of the fire:" and like Paul," obtained mercy." VOL. III.-No. 65,

Xx

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of the work. The first number, however, and even that number but in part, was the only one, he was able to superintend. He wrote some good pieces for the work both in prose and verse.

Mr. Maurice had a considerable acquaintance with the Hebrew Bible, the Greek Testament, and the Roman classics. In the company of select friends, religion was his favourite topic; and it was evident, that, without ostentation, he reckoned himself a signal monument of mercy. His information was various; his intellectual powers were greater than his learning, and his genius was superior to both. He had read much, had thought more, was well acquainted with the human heart, and an excellent judge of character. He was of a social, communicative, cheerful disposition. His company was, therefore, both instructive and engaging. His failings, the most remarkable of which was an occasional acerbity of expression, were lost in the strength of his understanding and the goodness of his heart. His life was distinguished by rational, cordial, fervent piety.

The root of the disorder which finished his days on earth, seems to have been planted, and even began to spring up, soon after his settlement in London. For the last two years and a half, his health was visibly declining. But such was his delight in the service of God, that he preached frequently, and with fervour beyond his strength. About the beginning of December, 1801, his complaint assumed a consumptive aspect.

He died at his house, Kentish Town, March 31, 1802, in the fortieth year of his age*. His remains were interred in Bunhill Fields, April 7. The body was preceded by the rev. Messrs. Brooksbank and J. Humphrys; the pall was supported by the rev. Dr. Hunter, rev. Messrs. Reynolds, Simpson, Steven, Nicol, and Jerment; the deacons of the church, and some particular friends, followed as mourners. The rev. Mr. Brooksbank delivered a suitable oration at the grave, and concluded with prayer. The rev. Mr. Humphrys preached the funeral sermon, at Fetter Lane, on the

He left a widow and seven children, to lament his early removal: but the God to whom he prayed in their behalf, and to whose care he committed them confidently, raised up friends to shew unfeigned and substantial sympathy. The church of Christ in Fetter Lane did honour to themselves, by the liberal and ready assistance which they granted them. Besides defraying the expences of the funeral, they contributed cheerfully for the relief and comfort of the family, too.

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