the practice obtained generally in Scotland; and to this fact might be attributed the superior biblical knowledge of the Scotch to that of the English, the former being in the habit of reading and hearing the Scriptures in their connexion; -that the practice of preaching from single texts was of modern invention;-that in most of our dissenting churches, the Scriptures formerly were expounded; it was, therefore, his intention to expound in future, not every Sabbath, but once in three weeks or a month. He then added, that, in case the plan was not generally interesting, he would relinquish it. After this preface, Mr. Hall read the first eleven verses of the Acts of the Apostles, finishing with the account of the ascension. In the evening, he took his text from Luke xxiv. 52. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The sermon was a sequel to the morning exposition. If the reader will refer to the account of the ascension, in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and compare it with this verse in Luke, he will better understand the following brief and imperfect outline.

Mr. Hall observed, The cause of the Apostles' joy, was the astonishing scene which they had just witnessed. And he led them out as far as Bethany, &c. While they were conversing with their Lord and Master on the mount called Olivet, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. The sacred historian has not informed us as to the nature of this cloud, but there is no doubt that it

was the cloud—the Shekinah,—the visible symbol of the divine presence. "This, my brethren, was the day of the Redeemer's solemn public inauguration, when he received the reins of universal empire. The Apostles looked steadfastly; they saw him enter into the cloud, into the bosom of the Deity, and veiled in the insufferable brightness of the divine glory. He had told Nathaniel that he should hereafter see greater things than these: Verily, verily, I say unto you, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. This was now fulfilled: they beheld him in the splendour of his glory, the glory of the only-begotten of the Father; and the angels of God ascending and descending upon Him as he entered into his glory. Two of these angels descended while they were looking steadfastly towards heaven, and stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Observe, it is said, he shall come in like manner; and, in another place, he shall come in his own glory, and in the glory of his Father; and here it is said, he shall come as ye have seen him go into heaven. What an astonishing scene, my brethren, was this! such as the world never witnessed before; and as soon as the Apostles had recovered from their transport, well might they worship him, and return to Jerusalem with great joy: they witnessed the ascension of their risen Redeemer, after

his public recognition by the Divine Being as Lord of heaven and earth, thrones and principalities and powers being made subject unto him: this it was that filled them with great joy. From this time, they assumed a new character. The Jews were astonished at the boldness with which they preached the Gospel at Jerusalem, and publicly charged the Jews with the murder of their Lord :— This Jesus, whom ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, is both Lord and Christ; whom God hath raised up. Such was their fortitude, that neither bonds, nor stripes, nor imprisonment, nor death itself, could shake their resolutions: none of these things moved them."

I feel it impossible to follow Mr. Hall any farther. When portraying the scene upon the Mount, his unrivalled powers of description placed the subject in such a view, and his impassioned manner produced such an impression, that we might well say,-Whether in the body or out of the body we could not tell.

Of course this subject became a matter of conversation in the evening. Mr. Hall commenced by saying, "Well, sir, you see I have taken your hint, but I do not know how my people will like the plan." I replied, Every one must have been interested, sir; I had no idea that you intended to commence to-day.' Why, sir, I had neither studied the exposition nor the sermon, until you suggested the plan yesterday; I have my doubts, sir, whether it was generally approved.· One of the most intelligent of my hearers came to

me in the vestry, and told me, that he preferred my sermons to expositions." I requested Mr. Hall to repeat the exercises of to-day at Cambridge, and added, that I was certain that his friends there would be highly gratified.

At supper time, Mr. Hall inquired whether I had heard Mr. Irving, who was then much followed in London? I replied in the affirmative. "Well, sir," said he, " and how did you like him?" I expressed great disappointment, and gave it as my opinion, that his statements were too bold, and his manner declamatory and theatrical. I then instanced the harsh and unfeeling manner in which that gentleman would repeat such solemn words of the Apostle, If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha. "That is very bad taste, sir," said Mr. Hall :

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your account exactly corresponds, however, with the description I have received from several persons, whose judgments I respect: I can only form my opinion, sir, from his publication, having never heard him; but as comparisons have been instituted, I am careful in stating an opinion, lest it should be attributed to jealousy. If his 'Orations' be really eloquent, we are all wrong, sir; our standard of eloquence is wrong; all the great masters are wrong; Demosthenes, Cicero, Fox, Burke, Pitt, and Sheridan, have all been mistaken," &c. &c.

The next morning, a gentleman from London endeavoured to persuade Mr. Hall to visit that city, and named several reasons which he thought

might induce a compliance with the request. do not like the bustle of preaching in London, sir," said Mr. Hall. I then turned to the gentleman, and told him that he had not taken the right tack with Mr. Hall, and recommended him to press his wishes on the ground of the good which Mr. Hall might effect, by correcting the bad taste of the Londoners, who were running after Mr. Irving. Mr. Hall, who was lying upon the sofa, smoking, instantly rose, and replied with great humour, “A pretty idea, indeed, sir! So you wish me to go to London, and have the streets placarded with the time and place of preaching; and the bills headed with large characters,-ENGLAND AGAINST SCOTLAND FOR EVER, HUZZA!" (laughing heartily.)

The next morning we took our leave of him. I think it was during this visit he informed me that he had preached a series of sermons at Leicester, against Socinianism. "I should not," he said, "have entered upon the controversy, sir, had not the Unitarian minister thrown down the gauntlet; I was, therefore, necessitated to take it up at the request of my people. I preached one sermon, sir, to prove from the Scriptures the existence and agency of the devil. I wrote that sermon fairly out; what is become of it I cannot tell, sir. It was before me in this room, (we were in his study,) I left it on the table, and walked out for a few minutes; when I returned, it was gone, sir. The window was open, just so, sir," (opening the window to shew me ;) "I think, sir, the devil must have come in, and taken it