MR. NEWTON was unquestionably the child of a peculiar prov. idence in every step of his progress; and his deep sense of the extraordinary dispensations through which he had passed, was the prominent topic of his conversation. Those who personally knew the man, could have no doubt of the probity with which bis narrative, singular as it may appear, was written. They, however, who could not view the subject of these memoirs so nearly, as his particular friends did, may wish to learn something farther of the early part of his life, and of his character with respect to his literary attain. ments his ministry-bis family habits his writings and his familiar conversation.

To the early part of his life, as circumstantially related by himself, and widely circulated, little could be added.

VOL. II. New Series.

Such was the early attention which his mother paid to his religious education, that, at four years old, he was not only able to read the Bible, but had learnt by heart Dr. Watts' little hymns and catechisms, together with the answers in the Assembly's Catechism; and she flattered herself with the hope that, in a future period, he might be sent to St. Andrew's, in Scotland, to be educated for the ministry; but the Lord had designed him for another school.

We have omitted a circum. stance, during the early part of his life, of some importance to the narrative. Having made an appointment to go one Sunday on board a man of war, but coming too late, his companion went without him, and was drowned, with several others, by the oversetting of the boat; but he was

much alarmed and affected to

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think that his life should have been preserved, by a circumstance apparently so trivial and accidental. About this time he also derived some serious impressions from reading Bennet's Christian Orator, and the Family Instructor; but these impressions went no farther than externals, and left him open to the temptations of infidelity, which followed.

Mr. N. had an unexpected call to London; and on his return, when within a few miles of Liverpool, he mistook a marle pit for a pond, and, in attempting to water his horse, both the horse and his rider plunged into it overhead. He was afterwards told, that, near the same time, three persons had lost their lives by a mistake of a similar kind.

While he was in his office of tide-surveyor at Liverpool, he had another singular preservation, through being a few minutes too late (though in general remarkably punctual;) for, during that time, the ship which he was going to inspect, blew up, before he could reach her, and all on board perished.

Of his literature, we learn from his Narrative, what he attained in the learned languages, and that by almost incredible efforts. Few men have undertaken such difficulties under such disadvantages.

It therefore seems more extraordinary that he should have attained so much, than that he should not have acquired more. Nor did he quit his pursuits of this kind, but in order to gain that knowledge which he deemed much more important. Whatev. er he conceived had a tendency to qualify him, as a scribe well in. structed in the kingdom of God, bringing out of his treasury things

new and old-I say, in pursuit of this point, he might have adopted the apostle's expression, "One thing I do." By a prin ciple so simply and firmly directed, he furnished his mind with much information. He had consulted the best old divines—had read the moderns of reputation with avidity; and was continu. ally watching whatever might serve for analogies or illustra tions, in religion. "A minister," he used to say, "wherever he is, should be always in his study. He should look at every man, and at every thing, as capable of affording him some instruction.” His mind, therefore, was ever intent on his calling; ever extract. ing something, even from the basest materials, which he could turn into gold.

In consequence of his inces. sant attention to this object, while many whose early advan. tages greatly exceeded his, were found excelling Mr. N. in the knowledge and investigation of some curious, abstract, but very unimportant points; he was found vastly excelling them in points of infinitely higher importance to man. In the knowledge of God, of his word, and of the human heart in its wants and resources, Newton would have stood among mere scholars, as his namesake, the philosopher, stood in science among ordinary men. I might say the same of some others who have set out late in the profession, but who, with a portion of Mr. N.'s piety and ardor, have greatly ontstripped those who have had every early advantage and encouragement: men with specious titles and high connexions have received the rewards; while men, like Newton, without

them, have done the work. With respect to his ministry he appeared perhaps to least ad. vantage in the pulpit; as he did not generally aim at accuracy in the composition of his sermons, nor at any address in their delivery. His utterance was far from clear, and his attitudes un. graceful. He possessed, however so much affection for his people, and zeal for their best interests, that the defect of his manner was of little consideration with his constant hearers: at the same time his capacity and habit of entering into their trials aud experience, gave the highest interest to his ministry among them. Beside which, he frequently interspersed the most brilliant allusions, and brought forward such happy illustrations of his subject, and those with so much unction on his own heart, as melted and enlarged theirs. The parent-like tenderness and affection which accompanied his instruction, made them prefer bim to preach ers who, on other accounts, were much more generally popular. It ought also to be noted, that amidst the extravagant notions and unscriptural positions, which have sometimes disgraced the religious world, Mr. N. never departed, in any instance, from Soundly and seriously promul. gating the faith once delivered to the saints, of which his writings will remain the best evidence. His doctrine was strictly that of the church of England, urged on the consciences of men in the most practical and experimental manner. "I hope," said he to me one day smiling, "I hope I am upon the whole a scriptural preacher; for I find I am considered as an Arminian among

the high Calvinists, and as a Calvinist among the strenuous Arminians." I never observed any thing like bigotry in his ministerial character; though he seemed at all times to appreciate the beauty of order, and its good effects in the ministry.

He had formerly taken much pains in composing his sermons, as I could perceive in one manu. script which I looked through ; and even latterly I have known him, whenever he felt it necessary, produce admirable plans for the pulpit. I own I thought his judgment deficient in not deeming such preparation necessary at all times. I have sat in pain when he has spoken unguardedly in this way before young ministers; men who, with but comparatively slight degrees of his information and experience, would draw encouragement to ascend the pul. pit with but little previous study of their subject.

Mr. N. regularly preached on the Sunday morning and evening at St. Mary Woolnoth, and also on the Wednesday morning. Af. ter he was turned of seventy he often undertook to assist other clergymeu; sometimes even to the preaching six sermons in the space of a week. What was more extraordinary he continued his usual course of preaching at his own church, after he was four. score years old; and that when he could no longer see to read his text! His memory and voice sometimes failed him; but it was remarked, that, at his great age, he was no where more recollected or lively, than in the pulpit. He was punctual, as to time, with his congregation; and preached every first Sunday evening in the month, on relative duties. Mr.

Alderman Lea regularly sent his carriage to convey him to church, and Mr. Bates sent his servant to attend him in the pulpit; which friendly assistance was continued till Mr. N. could appear no longer in public.

His ministerial visits were exemplary. I do not recollect one, though favored with many, in which his general information and lively genius did not communicate instruction, and his affectionate and condescending sympathy did not leave comfort.

Truth demands it should be said, that he did not always administer consolation, nor give an account of characters with sufficient discrimination. His talent did not lie in discerning of spirits.... His credulity seemed to arise from the consciousness he had of his own integrity, and from that sort of parental fondness, which he bore to all his friends, real or pretended.

We have mentioned the excellent Mr. Thornton's liberality, both to Mr. Newton and to the poor, through him. Mr. Cecil enables us to subjoin, that on a visit to Olney, soon after their acquaintance commenced, Mr. Thornton left a sum of money to his disposal, adding, 'Be hospitable, and keep an open house for such as are worthy of entertain. ment: help the poor and needy: I will statedly allow you 2001. a year, and readily send whenever you have occasion to draw for more.' Mr. Thornton kept his word; and Mr. Newton received from him not less than 3000l. while he remained at Olney.

During Mr. Newton's resi. dence at Olney, he was not only made useful to the admirable poet Cowper, but also to the Rev.

Mr.Scott, then curate of Ravensdale, and now rector of Aston Sandford; the particulars of which are to be found in a very interesting narrative, published by the latter, under the title of The Force of Truth. Mr. Scott it seems was then far gone in Socinianism; but by means of Mr. Newton's very judicious correspondence, brought to the knowledge and experience of the truth.

When he published his first volume of Letters, under the signature of Omicron, he considered the gradations of christian experience under the characters A, B, and C. A vain young minister on reading these papers, wrote to him, that he had found his own character pourtrayed onder that of C. the Confirmed Christian. Mr. Newton replied, that he had forgotten one feature in C.'s character, viz. 'that he never knew his own face."

In 1799. the college of New. Jersey complimented Mr. Newton with a diploma; and a certain author dedicated to him two vol. umes of sermons under that title; but he humorously said, he could never think of accepting that honor, till he received it from a college at Sierra Leone, where he had received his education.

When Mr. Occum, the Indian preacher, was in England, he of course, visited Mr. Newton, and they compared experiences. "Mr Occum," says he, "in describing to me the state of his heart when he was a blind idolater, gave me, in general, a striking picture of what my own was in the early part of my life; and his subsequent views corresponded with mine, as face answers to face in a glass, though I dare says