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a few instances, than it was then, yet much more of spiritual fervour is generally diffused, and we have a larger number of energetic, influential minds. Intellectual temptations hem round the thoughtful and imaginative of the ministerial class, even as temptations, generally the same, but specifically different, imperilled the studious in the days of Doddridge; but we would hope that there is a sound and manly spirit of positive Christian faith amongst us, that will suffice to repel or throw off the evils of the present rationalistic tendencies in the theological world. These facts, united, are instructive and animating to all evangelical Nonconformists-some of them to us in particular. They suggest certain modes of usefulness we should adopt; they point to forms of associations of which we may take advantage; while, by indicating growth and increasing vigour, they remind us of augmented responsibility, and at the same time inspire us with courage and hope.

In conclusion, to serve succeeding generations was Doddridge's high distinction; but the privilege of doing so is awarded to but few. To shine as lights whose rays shall dart

through centuries-to stand as examples, to guide remote generations-to speak as oracles, to whose voice unborn millions will listen with reverence-is a pre-eminent honour reserved by the Father of Spirits for rarely-gifted minds; but to serve one's own generation-God makes the faculty as universal as the function. And if our work, though humble, be holy-if what we do be the expression of what we areif our activity be the fruit of the Spirit of Christ in us then, though no memorial of us should remain, and we die in obscurity, and our names sink into silence, He, the only one whose praise we should supremely covet, will, beyond all doubt, say to us at last, "Because thou hast been precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee."

POSTSCRIPT.

THE THREE COLLEGES.

I.

Coward.

THE academy, which for twenty years had been so prosperously conducted at Northampton, was, after Dr. Doddridge's death, removed to Daventry, where Caleb Ashworth, whom he had nominated as his successor, lived in the affections, and laboured for the welfare of his flock. The church had been originally gathered in the days of the Puritans, under rather remarkable circumstances; and as the institution whose history we propose to continue, became connected for a while with the Daventry congregation, the story of the manner in which it was commenced, as Dr. Ashworth used to relate it, may here be appropriately introduced. When Charles II. was on the

throne, and spiritual religion was much discouraged, it happened that one day a minister, rather advanced in life, was on his way to London, and put up for the night at the town of Daventry, under the hospitable roof of the old Swan inn. The good man was taken ill, and detained at the place for more than a week, during which period Lindsay the host, and all his family, paid him the kindest attention, and completely won his heart. The house was conducted with a regularity which was singularly remarkable in those times, when the hostelries of England were almost all scenes of unrestricted indulgence and boisterous merriment. The traveller, being restored to health, summoned into his chamber the kind-hearted people of the inn, the night before he resumed his journey, and particularly thanked them all for their great civility and kindness. But after expressing this, as well as his satisfaction with the order established in the house, he added:-" Something leads me to suspect there is not the fear of God among you, and it grieves me to see such honest civility, economy, and decency,-and yet religion is wanting, the one thing needful."

So, he entered into close and faithful conversation on the importance of inward piety, and closed the interview by telling them that he had in his saddle-bags a little book, lately printed, which he would give them, earnestly requesting that they would read it with attention and care. He then made them a present of Baxter's "Poor Man's Family Book," and went on his way. He did not tell them who he was, nor did they ever fully ascertain his name; but the suspicion on their minds, afterwards, was very strong, that the stranger was no other than Richard Baxter himself; and that indeed they had entertained an angel unawares. The book was valued and read, and other works of the great and earnest-souled Puritan were procured and studied; the result of which was, that the innkeeper and some of his children became decided Christians. Weary of the mode of life he had pursued, and having acquired a competence, Mr. Lindsay retired to a house in the middle of the High Street, having a small close behind it, at the extremity of which, upon the back lane opposite the inlands, there stood some outbuildings. These premises, in the fullness of his zeal, he forthwith

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