Letter from Mr. Bromwich. 177 heads are fast disappearing from the stage | mation of his pious father, began early to of active life. During the latter part of display themselves in this singular boy. Robert Hall's ministry at Harvey-lane, Thus his father writes in the minutes of Mr. Bromwich, now of Sheepshed, was the church at Arnsby, dated August 13, pastor at Archdeacon-lane. Mr. Brom- 1780, Robert Hall was serious from his childhood, and began to compose hymns wich enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Hall. before he was seven years old, and therein He often officiated for him in the admin- discovered marks of piety, deep thought, istration of the ordinance of baptism. and genius. Between eight and nine years Mr. Bromwich has survived his friend old he made several hymns, which were for a period of thirty-five years, and has much admired by many, one of which was lived in the affections of the people to printed in the Gospel Magazine. About whom he has ministered in things per- that time he wrote his thoughts on various taining to the kingdom of heaven. religious subjects, and select portions of scripture.' Mr. Bromwich has kindly sent the writer of this sketch a few recollections of the life and character of his honoured and revered friend. "My dear Brother,-As I never read Gregory's Life of Hall, it is not improbable that some things which I pen may have been noticed by him. But should that be the case you have your remedy at hand-you are not far from the fire, and there is no harm done. His taste for learning was gratified by his residence with the late Rev. John Ryland, M.A., of Northampton, whose academy was in high repute among orthodox dissenters. It was further gratified by his entrance of the College at Bristol, which took place when he was little more than fourteen years of age. And his great predilection for the ministry was accomplished about two years after, as he was sent out to the ministry by his father's church when only sixteen years and three months old. He remained at Bristol till the completion of the usual term of study there, when he proceeded to the University of Aberdeen, where he took the degree of M.A., and subsequently by delivering a Thesis in Greek carried away the gold medal of the University as his prize. And it was said some time ago that the place where he stood to deliver his Thesis by the inmates of the University as an honour to that seat of learning, and also to the departed great one himself. I once heard Robert Hall preach a most delightful sermon on Psalm cxvi. 16. He dwelt with much emphasis and feeling on the words, 'I am the son of thine handmaid;' remarking, that it had in many instances been the fact, that persons of great eminence and utility in the church of God had been the children of deeply pious mothers; and then nicely pointed out to his auditory that this was in perfect harmony with God's usual method of work-was marked by a ring, which is still shown ing, inasmuch as His means were exactly adapted to His end. Nothing on earth, he contended, was so likely to penetrate the heart of a son as the sweet indications of a It is worthy of remark, as it tends to mother's love: and when that love had for illustrate the wonders of Divine Proviits chief object the everlasting happiness dence, that while Mr. Hall was a student of the soul, was it not likely to be honoured at Bristol, two young gentlemen from Camof God with a successful issue. Doubtless, bridge, belonging to Mr. Robinson's conin touching on a matter of such deep in-gregation, paid a visit to that city, and terest to the church of God, Hall would calling upon Dr. Evans at the College, feel, at the moment, he was describing his requested him to allow one of the students own case. His mother was a lady of deep to accompany them in their perambulaand fervent piety, although of a somewhat tion of the city and its environs. peculiar mental temperament. Also his Hall was appointed to attend them on this father, the Rev. R. Hall, sen., was a minis- agreeable excursion, and he so delighted ter of whom it would be difficult to decide his companions with the liveliness of his which of his great ministerial qualifications spirit and the charms of his conversation, preponderated; his mental perspicacity that the impression they carried back to the breadth of his views-the striking and Cambridge with them was the means, after visible effect of his pulpit oratory-or the the lapse of several years, of his being ineminence of his devotion. vited to that celebrated place, to preside over the congregation from which those young gentlemen had emanated. It is recorded of the younger Robert Hall that while yet a child he was, owing to the propriety of his behaviour, a general favourite; and although not even then destitute of some eccentricities, he would often fascinate the company by his agree able conversation. But symptoms of a yet more valuable kind, especially in the esti N Mr. To any one capable of appreciating the evidences of genuine piety, no man ever exhibited a higher claim than the subject of these reminiscences in the spirit in which he conducted the devotional part of the worship of the sanctuary. In the commencement of the principal prayer he always so united, in his own view, the majesty and purity of the glorious object of divine worship, as seemed to lay himself and the whole congregation in the dust before the Lord. Then he, with humble gratitude, gave thanks for Christ and the gospel, and for our knowledge of them. Next came confession of sin: and so low did he lay himself and his fellow worshippers, that at the moment there seemed no room left to cherish the least hope of finding mercy with God. But when, without delay, he began to beg in downright earnest for the blessings of grace and salvation, such views did he advance of the mercy and love of God, and of the infinite merits and glories of the Redeemer, that at the moment unbelief and fear seemed to die speechless; and so he wound up his highly scriptural but not very long prayer, with a glowing description of salvation and glory to God and the Lamb. It is well known that such were his talents both as a preacher and a writer, as to fill the Post-horns,' not only of all Europe,' but also of America, with his fame. The great problem, then, which here offers itself for solution is this: Seeing the influential gales of renown so constantly filled the canvas of our departed friend, how was it, since he was but a man, that his noble vessel was never overset? What was it that constituted the ballast? In this case the solution is quite safe, and quite easy. It was his soul humbling view of himself as a sinner; it was his soul comforting view of Christ and salvation; and last, not least, it was his close daily intercourse with the blessed God. It was stated by one who had an opportunity of hearing, that nothing in relation to Mr. Hall surprised him more than the frequency with which he prayed in his study. HALL'S PREACHING. He never seemed at ease in his Introduction. It seemed often as though he had not got hold of a satisfactory view of his subject. He changed his words, as if it was not the right word, or not in the right place. This was commonly painful to a stranger. But a regular hearer would take little notice of it, but be patiently waiting, and expecting him to break away from all trammels and soar away into the most lofty flights of truth and love, where the immense wings of his almost superhuman soul seemed to have plenty of room for their mighty and all-important action; and on some occasions the effect on his listening auditors was such, that they were literally afraid to breathe for fear they should miss a word; and it has been observed that at such times the silence in a congregation of a thousand people would be so profound, that a person might hear the ticking of the clock. But even Mr. Hall's sermons were not all great sermons. Five out of six, probably, rose but little above mediocrity; yet they were all good, and in nearly all his discourses there were, what his people used to call, bits,' which were, some, very sweet-some, very singular-some, very edifying-and some, very pungent. There was always an air of deep solemnity and of great earnestness in his ministrations. There were few things more offensive to our late friend than any attempt on the part of ministers at 'showing off' in the pulpit. Young men, fond of display, were sometimes very desirous after preaching before him to get an applauding word: to an applicant of this sort he once said, ‘I think I shall be able to preach again, sir, now I have heard you.' To understand the force of this gibe, however, it must be noted, that having heard recently a sermon which greatly impressed him, he had said that after hearing that sermon he feared he should have a difficulty in finding courage to preach again. On the other hand, he was in danger of overstepping the limits of propriety in the praises he bestowed on very plain and simple sermons delivered by ministers of whose piety and scriptural aim he was decidedly convinced. At an Association held in College-street chapel, Northampton, having heard a discourse by the late Rev. A. Fuller, of Kettering, he remarked to another minister walking in company with him from the chapel, Our brother Fuller is above eloquence, sir; his matter is so good he has no need of it, sir; he wont stoop to it, he wont stoop to it.' On a similar occasion, having heard a very plain sermon from the late pious and venerable Mr. Fletcher, of Swanwick, in Derbyshire, he remarked to one of the brethren, Excellent sermon, sir. Excellent sermon; if it please God I should be laid aside from the ministry, I should deem it a great privilege to sit under the ministry of such a man as father Fletcher.' Such also was his liberality and kindness toward the poor of his flock, that to those who knew his character it will not seem anything like using strong language to say that he was a complete stranger to the cold limitations of prudence. Indeed, it was a well known fact that when he had made a tour among them, Mrs. Hall would often pleasantly twit him with having returned home much lighter in pocket than when he set out. On one occasion Mrs. H. having told him that he was frequently much imposed on by the parties he relieved as persons in distress, he went so far as to say that no man could deceive Sabbath Schools. · 179 him in such a case, that he could always showed her face; and a thorough volley of tell when a person's distress was real. Of laughter rung in the ears of our late his error in this respect Mrs. H. deter- friend. Now, Mr. H., now, Mr. H., that's mined to convince him, and laid a plan for you that can't be taken in!' vociferated the purpose. There was at that time a Mrs. H. 'I wont have it,' said he, 'I young lady, the orphan daughter of a wont have it; 'tisn't fair; 'tisn't fair; she deceased clergyman, spending a month at didn't let me see her face;' and away he Mr. H.'s. She had been thrown into great ran up stairs, dead beaten by the desire difficulties; so the plan was this: Miss M. of his eyes. dressed herself in the attire of one of the servant maids, goes round to the front door, knocks thereat, is let in. Mrs. H. goes to the bottom of the stairs, and calls her sagacious husband, telling him there is a person in the entry who wishes to speak with him. Mr. H. approaches the applicant, who drops him a low courtesy, and then begins in a feigned voice to relate to him the sad tale of all her woe: true it was indeed, but a little modified to serve the occasion. Come in, poor woman, come in,' said he, very sorry for you; it's a cold day, come to the fire and warm you.' 'Mrs. Hall,' says he, here's a poor woman here in distress; give her something to eat and drink, and when she has taken what she chooses, give her some money.' 'Well, Mr. H.,' said his crafty lady, what money must I give her then?' 'O,' said he, 'what you please; not less than half a crown,-as much more as you please.' At that moment the slouched bonnet was raised, and the young lady From this harmless specimen of domestic mirth the reader will perceive that, gigantic as were the powers of Mr. H., he was very manageable in the hands of the ladies of his own establishment. In fact, when relaxed from study, the innocent playfulness of his wit, the amazing fertility of his invention, and his great affability, rendered him, as seated in the bosom of his family, an object of pleasant interest to all around. He was no cynic. The law of kindness was written in his heart. Hence it was that few persons that entered his habitation were more welcome than the old lady who had nursed him in his infancy. She came when she liked, stayed as long as she pleased, and left when it was convenient. In his playful humour he would say to her, 'Ha, ha, nurse, nurse, it was your fault that I have so large a mouth; you fed me with too large a spoon, you fed me with too large a spoon.' Thus you get a look into the domestic circle, and see the great man in his undress.” Sabbath Schools. NONE BUT JESUS. labours as a teacher, anything seems to reflect more loveliness, or excite more admiration or desire than Jesus, however beautiful the work may seem, LILLIE RAY. A PAINTER once on finishing a magnificent picture called his artist friends around him to regard it, and express blot it out. Let Jesus be all and in their judgment concerning it. The one in whose taste the author most all. Hold him up to your own soul. confided came last to view the work. Hold him up to your scholars, and "Tell me truly, brother," said the your work shall be judged perfect in painter, "what do you think is the its beauty, and you shall not fail of best point in my picture?" "O your reward. brother, it is all beautiful; but that chalice—that is a perfect masterpiece -a gem!" With a sorrowful heart the artist took his brush and dashed it "LILLIE," said Mrs. Ray to her little over the toil of many a weary day, daughter, "what is that you always and turning to his friends, said, "O whisper to yourself after saying your brothers, if there is anything in my prayers?" piece more beautiful than the Master's face, that I have sought to put there, let it be gone.' Thus, brethren in Christ, teachers in the Sabbath schools, if in your instructions anything seems to stand out more prominent and more beautiful than the glory of Jesus, forget it all, dash it out. If, in your "O! I am whispering something to Jesus, mamma dear." "I know you are, my child, and I fear lest it is something you ought not to say; for that reason I wish you to tell me." "Why, mamma, I say, Heavenly Father, wash all sin from my heart." "My sweet child, you are quite you ever think that it was for you that right in whispering that to Jesus, and Jesus died? That unless your little I hope you will never close your eyes sinful heart is made pure in his blood, in sleep until you have breathed that you can never be saved? prayer into his ear, for he loves to hear you, darling, and will ever lend a listening ear to the whisperings of your young heart." Dear little friend, do you ever ask Jesus to wash you in his blood? Do If you never have thought of these things, I hope you will now; and that you will not close your eyes in sleep until you have prayed, like little Lillie, "O, Heavenly Father, wash all sin from my heart!" Christian Work. THE LADIES' SAMARITAN SOCIETY. to her on several occasions, and a charitable lady now makes her a small The above case THE object of this Society is to aid the weekly allowance. paralysed and epileptic in connection strikingly exemplifies the forlorn conwith the National Hospital, Queen's-dition of the epileptic poor in England. square, Bloomsbury. The following Not only are they denied admission cases are taken from the report :into nearly every institution founded “M— K—, a widow, severely para- by charity or philanthropy, but the lysed, supported by her daughter, a very door of that last sad refuge-the delicate young woman, who works at workhouse-is closed against them, embroidery. They were of a class who for surely no human being could accept had known better days. Small sums the shelter of a home under the conof money, meat tickets, clothing, &c., ditions above described. It may be were given at various times; as the added that in France and other counmother suffered from bed sores, a tries the epileptic poor receive by mackintosh was provided, and a nurse right a weekly allowance at their own sent to instruct the daughter how to dwellings, or suitable asylums are proproceed. The mother was ultimately vided for their reception." received into the Royal Hospital for Incurables, but died soon after her admission. The Society finding the poor girl in a state of great prostration, rendered her some further assistance, and obtained for her a letter to a convalescent asylum. CHERRY-HILL ORPHAN ASYLUM, THIS is a remarkable institution, but M— A— G—, a respectable young woman, age twenty-one, suffering from epileptic fits since the age of thirteen. A sister also died of epilepsy in the insane ward of Clerkenwell workhouse. The applicant is by trade a boot-closer. This business has been ruined by the introduction of the sewing-machine. She cannot work with one owing to the sudden nature of her attacks. She also made other sacrifices. A house made application to the Board of was taken at Cherry-hill, for the purGuardians for out-door relief; it was pose of providing for a few childrenrefused, and she was compelled to not more than ten. In two years the enter the workhouse, where, although applications have doubled. More than a most intelligent and sensible young twelve hundred benevolent ladies and person, she was placed in the insane gentlemen in different parts of the ward. Language cannot describe the country have helped, by their donahorrors she endured from such associations, to sustain Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's tion, and eventually she left the work- asylum. These have all been given house. Pecuniary help was granted without solicitation. Science and Art. detached from the rock. VEGETABLE FLANNEL is now largely manufactured in Germany from the pinus silvestris. The flannel is said to be highly efficacious in restoring the fanction of the skin to its normal condition. ANOTHER NEW PROCESS OF ENGRAV- the fuze had been lighted a dull report ING.-A layer of finely pulverised chalk was heard and enormous blocks were is compressed and smoothed by hydraulic power on a metal plate. The artist draws on this with an ink which makes the lines hard. A soft brush, or piece of velvet, rubbed over the plate, leaves the iuky portion in relief. The whole plate is then saturated with a chemical solution, which turns the chalk into stone. From this impressions may be taken, or stereotypes, or electro-plates obtained. The cost of these "graphiotypes" is said to be nearly one tenth of the cost of wood blocks, to which they are fully equal. A NEW FUEL, composed of peat and coke, has been patented by Mr. W. Smith, of Dublin. It is intended to be used in the smelting of iron, and, when thus employed, it is thought that iron will be produced equal in quality to that now manufactured in Sweden. LIGHTHOUSES.-The Seaman's Fraternity have accepted the offer of Mr. W. Anderson, of Dundee, to erect two new lighthouses at the Buddonness, to replace those on the present site. The highest tower will be over ninety feet high, and the light, arranged according to the most approved apparatus, will be visible seaward fifteen miles. EXHIBITIONS OF PICTURES.-There are several now opened in London. The water-colour drawings at the Dudleygallery, Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly; the British Artists' exhibition at their gallery, Suffolk-street; the French and Flemish exhibitions, Pall-mall; and the Royal Academy. MR. WALLIS has finished a picture representing Giorgione painting the portrait of Sir Philip Sidney. SIR EDWARD LANDSEER will contribute three pictures to the Royal Academy exhibition, two companion works, and one a portrait of himself and two dogs. MR. LEIGHTON'S CONTRIBUTIONS to the Royal Academy will consist of (1) a large work, representing Helen hastening along the walls of Troy to witness the proposed combat between Menalaus and Paris; (2) "From St. Mark's," a lady carrying a child, and leaving one of A NEW FORM OF BIANCHI'S AIR PUMP the aisles of the church at Venice; (3) has been invented by M. Deleuil, of The Widow's Prayer, a lady before an Paris. It introduces a new method of altar, a child playing with an apple, and lubrication, and avoids that repeated seated in a gleam of sunshine; (4) a breakage of valves, by the action of genre subject, a child pressing a cherry various gases, which is so objectionable to its mother's lips; (5) "O that I had to the experimenter. A HUGE TELESCOPE.-The University of Chicago possesses the largest, and, it is believed, the finest telescope in the world. The focal length is twentythree feet. A NEW TORPEDO has been invented by an engineer at Stockholm for blowing up iron-plated vessels. The torpedo floats beneath the surface of the water, and is provided at the bow with a mine, which explodes when it strikes the ship. NITRO-GLYCERINE has been used in Sweden in place of the common blasting powder with great success. A hole was bored in a rock twenty-five feet deep and charged with five-and-a-half pounds of nitro-glycerine, and in five minutes after wings like a dove!"-David seated on the roof of his palace, and looking towards the west; doves flying away. M. GEROME's picture of the reception of the Siamese Ambassadors by Napoleon III. is finished. The orientals are crawling on their hands and knees before the Emperor of the French and Eugénie. The ambassadors are superbly dressed: their umbrellas lie near to them. BUST OF RICHARD COBDEN. - Mr. Woolner has been commissioned to execute a bust of this distinguished and lamented statesman. MONUMENTAL.-Various towns are about to erect statues to Richard Cobden. Teniers is to have a statue in Antwerp. M. Ducaju is the sculptor. |