mer. Each had a considerable share | of natural talent. The discourses of Donisthorpe were fervent and florid; those of Grimley logical and instructive. The latter excelled in exposition; the former in exhortation. Donisthorpe was ever anxious to convert sinners, and never preached without pointing out the way of salvation; Grimley was intent on the edification of the church. "The former gained the attention of the people to the great things of religion, and laid a solid foundation; the latter, by regulating the affairs of the church, and the practice and principles of the members, raised a useful superstructure." One planted and another watered. Admirably fitted to work together, either had confidence in the other; and the great Head of the Church crowned their labours with abundant success. 1774, cast a gloom over these pros- The growing magnitude of the church suggested the propriety of a division, and in 1782, Loughborough, Quorndon, &c., became one distinct church of 260 members; and Leake, Wymeswold and Broughton, another, of 159. Mr. Grimley re church, and Mr. Thurman, who had been raised up amongst the people, and who was an earnest, useful preacher, was ordained pastor of the church. So widely in a short period had this first church extended itself. Good old Mr. Grimley, when contemplating with admiration their progress, exclaimed, "Surely a gracious God never before did so great a work by such feeble instruments!" Mr. In less than four years after their settlement, the meeting house was enlarged at a cost of £100, and was soon filled. Mr. Grimley removed to Loughborough, and devoted himself entirely to the ministry in 1764; and in 1766 Mr. Donisthorpe follow-mained pastor of the Loughborough ed him, but continued in business, and generously served the church without pecuniary recompense. In 1766 preaching was introduced into Quorndon. For four years the worship was conducted in a dwelling house, but in 1770 a meeting house was erected. This was enlarged in 1780, and ten years afterwards the walls were raised, and three galleries added, the various and heavy expenses of these erections, &c., being defrayed without the aid of sister churches. The church also increased in members. In 1770 the fifteen had become two hundred and forty, with most pleasing prospects of increased usefulness. The sudden death of Mr. Donisthorpe,* in May, This was very solemn. Mr. D. had often wished he might die preaching. He with the service, by reading a second had sung and prayed, and was proceeding hymn, and when he had read, "The land of triumph lies on high, There are no fields of battle there;" and before proceeding with "Lord, I would conquer till I die, And finish all the glorious war," he sunk speechless in the pulpit, and in a few days expired!" Grimley, the impress of whose systematic mind, and the savour of whose excellence is still felt in this region, was not immortal. On Lord's May, Aug. 6, 1787, he preached at Loughborough, Quorndon, and Rothley, with unusual life and power. On Tuesday evening he discoursed at Loughborough from 2 Tim. vi. 6-8. "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight," &c. A few days afterwards he was taken ill, and died on the following Sabbath. He was scarcely able to speak at all. He did, however, recognize Mr. B. Pollard, and said to him, "Go on with my work." Mr. Pollard was ordained pastor in November of that year, and the good cause advanced; and preaching was commenced both at Mountsorrel and Swithland. In 1791, Mr. T. Truman, of Kirkby Woodhouse, became assistant minister, and in 1792 a new chapel on the present site was erected in Woodgate, Loughborough, at a cost of £900. Preaching was introduced into Barrow about this time, and in 1796 a new meeting-house was erected at Woodhouse Eaves, for £300, which was opened in July, 1797. Mr. Truman's useful career was cut short by his death. A person rode against him in the dark, Oct. 10, 1797, as he was returning from Loughborough, and so bruised him that he died in about an hour. So uncertain is life! This sorrowful event plunged the church into distress; they obtained help from other churches; but they did not relax their efforts. In 1800 their numbers amounted to 400, and they erected a new meeting house at Rothley, at a cost of £300, and commenced a Sabbath-school at Quorndon with 100 scholars. They had now eight places of worship, and were scattered over some thirty villages; another division therefore became expedient. This was a matter of difficulty, as some part must be left weak or destitute. In 1802, however, the members residing at Rothley and Woodhouse, and the neighbouring places, were constituted a distinct church, and numbered 73; and in 1803, Loughborough and Quorndon separated. Quorndon with its adjuncts had 174 members; and Loughborough 164. Mr. Pollard, however, as the church at Loughbo rough was without a pastor, (himself being pastor of Quorndon) agreed to attend church meetings, and administer the Lord's-supper until a suitable minister could be procured. Mr. N. Hurst of Nottingham ministered to the Loughborough church for a year, 1803-4, with great acceptableness and success. But his removal to Nottingham left them again destitute. The church obtained supplies for a time, but its vigour remained. In 1805, a Sabbath-school was opened, and additional accommodation provided in the chapel. In 1806, Mr. William Brand, from Mr. Dan Taylor's Academy, became the minister, and his labours were continued until 1810, when he removed to Castle Donington. At this period the members were 208. Late in the same year, the late Mr. Thomas Stevenson, then of Leicester, was removed hither. This well-known, eloquent, and earnest preacher, after experiencing some trouble and division, arising from questions of doctrine and discipline, was privileged to enjoy an almost uninterrupted course of prosperity. In 1815, the chapel and school-room were rebuilt and enlarged at an expense of £1000, and the number of members reported was 232. In 1816, Mr. S. was solemnly set apart as the pastor of this church. In 1820 the members had increased to 300. In 1822 a new chapel was opened in Sheepshead; and in 1828, so great had become the increase of the congregation and Sabbath-school, that the large and noble chapel in Baxter-gate, was erected at a cost of £3000; four hundred and thirteen pounds being collected at the opening services. Prosperity attended this distinguished minister to the close of his useful life. In 1830 the number of members reported was 437; and in 1840, 519. Mr. Stevenson died after a short but severe illness, in July, 1841. He was succeeded by his son, Mr. E. Stevenson, now the respected minister at Baxter-gate. During the past seven years, this church has again been divided. The larger section, in Baxter-gate, having 339 members; the second part, worshipping in this place, having 213; and the church in Sheepshead, 43. Thus we have seen two or three illiterate, persecuted, and insulted men, lay the foundation of an interest which has spread itself through the whole region. Scarce five persons could be found at first to befriend the infant cause; and now, after three or four generations have experienced the saving effects of their labours, and have entered into rest, there are nearly fifteen hundred members in the different churches which sprung from this stock; the children in their Sabbath-schools amount to near two thousand; and there are sixteen substantial, and some of them large places of worship. Most of our places in this circuit are well-attended with hearers. There are five regularly ordained pastors, a goodly band of effective occasional preachers, and, on the whole, there is room for encouragement as to the future. Who can fail to recognize the hand of God, and his great mercy, in this glance at the past century? How many immortal souls, through the labours of his servants, have been awakened, enlightened and saved! How large and beneficent an influ ence, both moral and religious, through the existence and prosperity of these churches, has been exerted on the surrounding population! How signally has God honoured his cause here in the distinguished men who have been found amongst them! The names of Smith, Freeston, Dr. Yates, Charles Lacey, and others, are as ointment poured forth. And among the members, who has not marked the Bennets, Whites, Millers, Parkinsons, Chapmans, and many more of their order, who were "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." In every section of this cluster of churches, there have been, and we trust still are, persons distinguished for their piety, zeal, and devotedness to God. Thus has the Lord fulfilled his word, honoured the labours of his servants, and blessed them, and made them a blessing. "The little one has become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. The Lord has hastened it in his time." How different is the public feeling and conduct in relation to religious freedom and the rights of conscience now, from what it was a century ago! This pleasing change is mainly due, under God, to the sufferings and firmness of dissenters. They practically asserted their right to religious freedom, and after much suffering established it. Politically, this country and the world are, and will be to the latest age, under the greatest obligations to the good men who advocated and established the idea of religious freedom. How interesting to a pious mind is the increased attention paid to religion in this country. A hundred years ago there were no Sabbath-schools. Little regard was paid even to the form of religion; and if any dared to speak of its power, they were in danger of being the objects of universal reproach and scorn. Now, with all there is to lament, what do we see? In the Establish- | duty of all his people, and that their ment, with all its strange errors and prayers prevail with God,-and that contradictions, there is more regard to as they are renewed and sanctified, it the form of religion, more vitality, and is theirs to "walk in holiness and and more activity in visiting the sick, righteousness all the days of their life," and instructing the young, than at any and to look for "that blessed hope, former period. All denominations and the glorious appearing of the great of Dissenters and Wesleyans are acGod and our Saviour Jesus Christ." tive and enterprising; and though As these and their cognate truths are many persons never enter a place of believed, enjoyed, and practised, vital worship, even they are not overlook-religion flourishes; as they are neged; while, to the ends of the earth, lected, it decays. Bibles and Missionaries are being sent, to awaken the world to righteousness. What reason there is to value the great principles of evangelical truth. These constitute the life and power of vital religion. They are "the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth." If they are disregarded, or held as of doubtful claims, or not proclaimed with believing fervour, there is nothing to awaken the sinner's conscience, to allay his fears, to win and subdue his heart, or to inspire his hopes; nor can the blessing of a dishonoured Saviour, or the grace of a grieved Spirit, be expected or enjoyed. It was the abandonment of these divine verities that superinduced the awful spiritual dearth that blighted the 17th and 18th centuries. The church forsook its Lord, and disregarded his work, and He in consequence, withdrew himself from his professed people. O let us hold fast "the truth as it is in Jesus." Let us warmly em brace, and steadily maintain, the allimportant doctrines that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures," that He is our Divine and Almighty Redeemer and Intercessor, -that the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier and Comforter of his people, that justification before God, is by faith alone, "without the deeds of the law," -that believers are introduced into a state of grace and favour, and have the spirit of adoption,-that the communion with God is the privelege and Let our gratitude be awakened by the favours which God has conferred on his church in former years. He has not left himself without witness. He has raised up a succession of able and zealous ministers, and a goodly number of devoted and active friends and helpers; and he has given them his blessing. He has sustained his people here in the midst of their trials and labours; he has cheered them with many manifestations of his mercy; he has rendered their sanctuaries the abode of his gracious presence; and while preparing them for a better world and giving them an antepast of heaven, he has made them the means of leading many others into the path of life. While one generation after another has been removed to his courts above, there has not wanted others who have effectively filled their places. Having obtained help of God," his people" continue unto this day." 66 Reviewing the past century with grateful pleasure, let us stir ourselves up to be the "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Do we walk in our fathers' footsteps? Do we imbibe their spirit, and emulate their zeal? Do we, like them, "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints ?" If we do, God will bless us and make us a blessing. He will even yet "multiply the nation and increase the joy." "The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation." Amen. THE REVIVAL CONVENTION AT LOUGHBOROUGH. Ar the public meeting held on the evening of Nov. 9th, at Baxter Gate chapel, several respected brethren were engaged to deliver brief addresses on specific subjects. These, with the brethrens' names, were stated in our November number. We shall now briefly indicate them, and then insert such of them as have come to hand. "Eminent Piety," was the Rev. J. Wallis' subject; "Individual Influence," that of Rev. E. Bott; "Benevolent Activity," Rev. J. C. Pike; The Restoration of Backsliders," Rev. W. Underwood; "Earnest Prayer," Rev. H. Hunter; and "The Claims of the Young," Rev. J. Buckley. At this meeting, Rev. E. Stevenson presided. The spacious chapel was crowded in every part of the area, and the attentive audience listened with intense interest to the various speakers. Rev. G. Staples of Measham offered prayer at the beginning, J. J. Goadby of Harborough about the middle, and Rev. J. Lawton of Wimeswold at the conclusion. The addresses were pertinent and impressive. They will, however, speak for themselves. REV. J. WALLIS said:A revival of religion comprehends both a large advance of personal piety in the church, and a great increase in the number of conversions; and the subject on which I have been desired to offer a few remarks imports, that the first form of progress is usually necessary to the second form; the promotion of which is the object of this meeting, and of christian devotedness throughout the world. Speaking in the fear of God, and with an earnest desire to be faithful, I observe that the necessity of a revival is suggested by reflection on our own manifold deficiencies, and by observing in how many churches there are signs of religious declen sion. Is there not too much ground to complain of the progress of worldly conformity, of the prevalence of formalism and lukewarmness, and the absence of holy courage? Have we not reason to exclaim, "Lord, can we be the lights which are to illumine this dark world? Is ours the force of character which is to subdue moral evil? Is ours the moral heroism which is to put to flight the armies of the alien ?" 66 "O Lord, revive thy work" in every one of us; and "give not thy heritage to reproach." The solicitude thus produced is changed into alarm when we hear, as we too often have done, of the failing of standard-bearers in the camp of Immanuel, and of the ridicule and blasphemies which their failures have occasioned among the enemies of the cross. more The disproportion also between the increase of population and the number of conversions, compels us to reflect on the necessity of a powerful religious influence passing from the church to the world. We know that "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation;" we acknowledge, also, the inscrutable wisdom of the Divine procedure, which frequently causes light suddenly to spring up, gives unexpected turns to affairs, and often makes the smallest incident the primary means of originating great changes in the religious world. Yet as the object of this meeting is a practical one, we may ask, whether the intelligence and influence of the church are exerted on the masses as they ought to be; and whether, in order to do more for Christ, we must not be more like Christ in purity, zeal and love. Keeping in view the two forms of progress above mentioned, we observe that the blessed effects of a revival of primitive christianity within the church will appear when those who are now |