would not be rejected gave great uneasiness to his friends at Ipswich, and every possible exertion was made on their part to induce him to continue with them. In an address to him upon this occasion, which deserves to be cited, as it contains so honourable a testimony to his judgment, and to that conciliating temper by which he was eminently distinguished through life, they observe: "The distracted situation from which our society has been so happily delivered by the unanimous approbation of Mr. Wood's abilities in the pulpit, and agreeable conduct in private life, calls for the utmost exertion of our abilities (if possible) to retain a gentleman, who has to all appearance (under providence) the power of being the happy in strument, not only of healing all our breaches, but of binding up a society which was on the borders of dissolution. We therefore sincerely and heartily solicit his continuance with us. And as an inducement thereto, we do unanimously and earnestly desire that he may be made joint-pastor with the Rev. Mr. Scott, and we do also assure him that we will do every thing in our power to make his future residence amongst us in all respects comfortable and

happy." At the same time, many of the old subscribers signified their intention of raising their subscriptions, and many more offered to become subscribers, if this application should prove successful. After much deliberation he appears to have resolved upon removing; but before he had formally accepted the invitation to Birmingham, an event happened which rendered fresh deliberation, and minuter inquiries necessary, and encreased the zeal of those to whom his services had been so acceptable and important. Mr. Howell, with whom he had been requested to share the pastoral charge resigned, and the subscribers belonging to the Old Meeting, now, "cordially united in inviting him to accept either the sole-pastoral or the co-pastoral charge of the congregation, as the circumstances thereof might require." This offer was not to be lightly rejected; the situa tion was honourable and advantageous, and opened a wide field for usefulness. But some circumstances which have not come fully to the knowledge of the writer, caused him long to hesitate, and although he was at length induced to comply with this offer, it was not without some degree of reluctance. He wrote to signify

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his acceptance of the invitation, and being engaged to pay, an afternoon visit, took the letter with him, for the purpose, as he passed, of putting it into the Post Office. When he arrived at the office he found he had neglected to seal the letter, he therefore resolved to keep it till the following day. But the next post brought some information which induced him to alter his purpose; he gave a decided refusal, and agreed to continue at Ipswich as joint pastor with Mr. Scott, of an affectionate and grateful society. Of such minute links are parts of the great chain of human events composed! Upon such trifling and unimportant incidents, as they appear to us, does the great plan of Divine Providence in the disposal of his creatures: depend! The past life of every one will furnish instances of a similar kind sufficient to shew how completely we are instruments in the hands of God, and to excite astonishment and gratitude.

His continuance at Ipswich, however, after: this event was not long. At the close of the year 1772, Dr. Priestley resigned his situation of Minister at Mill-Hill Chapel, in Leeds; and in consequence of the joint recommendation of

himself and Dr. Price, Mr. Wood was invited to succeed him. On January 10th, and 17th, 1773, he preached, as a candidate, at Leeds; and on the 30th of May, entered formally upon the office to which he had been unanimously chosen. The excellent discourse which he delivered upon that occasion, was soon afterwards published. In it he justly and eloquently describes, and earnestly and forcibly urges the reciprocal duties of a Christian Minister, and his hearers. The subject is by no means uncommon, and in the treatment of it novelty was not to be expected, perhaps not to be wished, yet this discourse displays the ingenuity which characterized all the author's compositions, and discovers a mind deeply impressed by a sense of the magnitude of the pastoral care, zealous to discharge all its important offices, possessed of a manly independence, and at the same time well informed of the nature and limits of of the authority, with which, according to pure Christian principles, the minister of the gospel is invested.

When he undertook the charge of this numerous and highly respectable congregation,

he had nearly completed his 27th year. At such an age to be placed in such a situation, and as the immediate successor of Dr. Priestley, was a flattering distinction, and as such he acknowleges he felt it; but at the same time he "was not unapprized of the unremitted care which it behoved him to take, that no one might have just reason to despise his youth." He had not been long settled in this honourable and difficult station, when, to use nearly his own words in relating this curious anecdote, (b) the conviction of the necessity of unremitted diligence, care and circumspection was quickened and confirmed by the blunt, but honest and pleasing address of an entire stranger, who afterwards proved a respectable beneficed Minister of the established church. "I wished," said he," to see the successor of Dr. Priestley, and I have no other apology to make for my present freedom. You fill an important place: I don't know how you fill it." They who were most interested knew, and rejoiced at having found in him a successor to that great and good man, in every respect so well qualified to supply their loss; and the conti

(b) See Sermon on the death of Dr. Priestley, p. 9.

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