xi. ult. He then revifited Tottlebank, where he was highly acceptable, and it was with no fmall regret, that the people there were conftrained to give up all expectations of obtaining him for their paftor.

Upon his return to Hamsterly, he spent the few remaining weeks in clofe ftudy' and preparation, for the opening fcenes of more active life. He had now been with this church one year, and his coming in, and going out, were fuch as rendered them dear to each other. On the Lord's day e vening, before his departure, he took his leave of them, in a fermon both folid, and spiritual, delivered with much warmth and energy, from Numb. vi. 24-26. It was the very language of his heart, refpecting them all. The house was crowded, and both preacher and hearers were much affected, and many were edified. Being ready to depart on the morrow, he continued his Speech till nine o'clock at night, and then bid them farewell. Perhaps few churches in modern times, have parted with a member with more cordial efteem, and tender regard. They little thought it would be their laft interview: and yet fo it proved, as the fequel of this narrative will fhew.

9.

* Aug. 20, 1780.

9. His paftoral Charge at Haworth.

MR. SLEE left his brethren at Hamfterly, on the Monday morning, amidft many tears and prayers to the Holy One, for his prefervation and profperity. In the fame week he reached Ha worth, where he was received most affectionately, and commenced his labours amongst them on the following Lord's day. It is not at all surprising, that he met with univerfal approbation. But when we, who knew the character and talents of their låte paftor, remember how he had fed them for a number of years, we must allow, that even this was no small praise. And then, on the other hand, if it be confidered, how high their expectations ran, with regard to Mr. Slee, it is surprising to find that they were not at all difappointed in him. The author, who knew. fo much of his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, charity, long suffering, and patience, looks upon it as a very high encomium upon the judgment and fincere piety of that church, that they fo cordially received Ifaac Slee, and alfo as a full proof of that, the labours of their deceafed minifter had not been in vain in the Lord.

It

It was a fine thought of a celebrated bishop * of the Roman church, that Simeon's words, concerning the Saviour of the world, (this child is fet for the falling and rifing of many in Ifrael) are, in a certain sense, true of every pastor, when he enters upon his office. The people, who are employed in choosing a minifter, are engaged in a moft ferious and important matter, which concerns the beft interefts of themfelves, and their fellowcreatures; and their deliberations cannot be too much in the spirit of religion, nor their addreffes, to God too fervent, or frequent, upon fo folemn an occafion. And though there is just reason to blame those churches, who gratify a faftidious humour, and become dilatory in choosing a paftor, yet there is too much reafon to fear, from the apparent levity with which facred relations are often diffolved, that many are defective in fcrious deliberation, or guided by unchriftian motives in their choice. This blame does not attach to the church at Haworth, upon this occafion. They suffered above nine months to elapfe, before they gave Mr. Slee a call to the paftoral office. The church and congrégation at large, were unanimous in this call.

After proper deliberation, and fervent prayer to Heaven for direction, Mr. Slee accepted, and made known to them his acceptance of their call. Upon mutual confideration, the ordination, or public and folemn recognition of giving and receiving it, was fixed upon for the ninth of Auguft, in 1781. Mr. Slee addreffed a letter to the church at Hamsterly, for his difmiffion, in the month of June, to which an answer was returned. The ordination took place on the day appointed,* and was attended by a great number of minifters and people

*The following, fo far as can be recollected, were the minifters engaged:*

The Rev. J. Stuttord began with reading and

prayer.

J. Ashworth conducted the finging throughout.

J. Hindle propofed the questions, and called for the confeffion.

W. Crabtree offered up prayer with laying on of hands,

&c.

C. Whitfield gave the charge, and concluded the first fervice.

W. Crabtree preached to the church.

J. Fawcett preached to the congregation at large.

S. Medley concluded with prayer.

The charge was from 1 Tim. iii. 1, in which the preacher treated

Upon the original and defign of the epifcopal office,

The peculiar quality of the work belonging to it,

The qualifications for it,

And the motives, urging a due discharge of it.

The fermon, on the afternoon, to the church, was from 1 Thef. iii. 8. The preacher gave full scope to his mind, and feemed alternately to touch every paffion. He truly fhewed,

What

people of all denominations. Great folemnity, and the demeanour of devotion were apparent in most prefent. The ordination-fervice was conducted in the meeting-house. But as a great number could not get in, it was judged expedient to have the afternoon fervice at the door. The weather, though warm, was extremely favourable. A small fcaffold was erected before the meeting-houfe, to accommodate the officiating minifters, who were well heard by a multitude of people, whofe deportment manifefted what intereft they felt in the fervices of the day. All was conducted with great decency and propriety. And though the author has had the honour and felicity of affifting at many ordinations, he was never prefent on any occa fion, when the exercises were more inftructive, and more profitable.

The relation between paftor and people is holy and facred, and therefore it is highly proper, that

K

What it was to stand fast in the Lord;

its

In what fenfe the people's steadfastnefs was the life of their ministers,

And then urged them to it by every evangelical motive. Mr. Crabtree had been the bofom friend of their late paftor. He was warmly attached to the present one, and greatly concerned for the people. The fermon was very long, but not tedious; diffuse, immethodical, plain, pleafing, affecting, edifying. It was Mr. Crabtree in his happiest manner.

The laft fermon was short, but appropriate, comprehenfive, and ́ well adapted to the occafion, from Rev. ii. 29.