splendid freak-stands before them. The body is that of the good old Englishman at ease with himself and with the world, by whom the task of thought was never accomplished, and whose brow was never furrowed with anxious care. The voice is that of some delicate female; but a great intellect, and a soul of great compass and fathomless sympathy, originate vast conceptions. The philosophy that holds that all souls were formed at once, and are meted out as bodies are prepared, at once concludes that this mighty spirit, by some accident, has taken possession of the wrong body-a body which, though seemingly nothing deficient in muscular power, reluctantly and imperfectly obeys the high behest of its dignified inhabitant. Never did the school which holds that the soul-even before death-occasionally acts independently of the body, and as the latter rests in inactivity and unconsciousness, the former ranges the universe and holds mysterious converse with the As unseen, meet with such an apt illustration. the discourse proceeds, it is impossible to bid away the idea that the piece of pure intellect that talks has little or no connection with the motionless statue. The great soul of the preacher reigns ascendant over a captive audience-an audience which, be it ever so worldly or careless ere the preacher commences, is, by the touch of his genius, carried away from the earthly, and lost amid the splendours which fill the place. The very stones and timber of the house seem to move, and the only inactive thing in the enchanted place is the preacher's body. The only uneasy feeling in the audience is that induced by occasional hesitancy caused by some imperfection of the organism through which this master-spirit is compelled to act. A tickling cough dislocates the stateliest sentences; and a trembling voice, though it occasionally gives effect to the tender, rasps down at other times the most majestic imagery; and yet the hearer wishes the preacher to preach on, and preach for ever. The perfection of the logic-the aptness of the illustration-the force of the Scripture quotation-the glowing imagery-the severely chaste diction-and the heart-stirring appeal, rivet the attention, and command the most listless of the audience: so that, despite his unpromising appearance-despite his powerless voice-despite his obstinately motionless body-and despite his shrinking shyness, Mr. Parsons is at once one of the most powerful and popular preachers of the day. All honour to York, that every sabbath-day sends 2000 of its population to listen to such a preacher."

"All honour!" We see very little

"honour" in the matter; but a great deal of responsibility, a great deal of privilege. All folly, all blame, and everlasting disgrace, we should say, to York, had it not at least 2000 men to prize the treasure! The foregoing portrait, which bespeaks a master's hand, is, upon the whole, not more striking than truthful. The tens of thousands and thousands more, therefore, who will read our pages, but who never heard and will never hear this Prince of Living Preachers, by looking on this picture may form at least some conception of his person and ministry. The Preacher's merit is only equalled by his modesty, and it may probably somewhat discompose the quiet of his shrinking spirit to find himself thus ensconced in our pages; but we are sure our readers will thank us for thus gratifying an innocent and a rational curiosity to know something of the man of whom they have heard so much-the man who is so honoured of his Master, and so beloved of his brethren. Never before, probably, was fame so unaccompanied by envy a strange fact, which finds a most satisfactory explanation in his personal character. While in the pulpit he is, in his own way, so inapproachable as at once to exclude the idea of rivalry, in private he is clothed with all the softness and gentleness of the other sex, and all the innocence and simplicity of childhood.

Our interest in the man begat in us a corresponding interest in his flock and sphere, and hence we solicited of the officers of the church the history of their community, and the statistics of their fellowship, which were most politely an promptly supplied, and which are here worked up for the public good; and first we shall set forth a sketch of the

RISE AND PROGRESS OF NONCONFORMITY IN YORK.

On the passing of the Bartholomew Act, in 1662, four ministers were silenced at York, viz.:— Edward Bowles, M.A, Peter Williams, Thomas Calvert, M.A., and Richard Prout, B.D-They had been appointed during the protectorate to officiate in turns at the Minster, and at other churches in the city. The work was equally divided between them; two were at the Minster on Lord's day for a month, and two at All Hallows in the Pavement, for the other month, alternately.

Mr. BOWLES was a man of great note,—an excellent scholar, had a clear head and warm heart, possessed an unusual degree of prudence, and was an eminent preacher. He was contented to suffer with his brethren, and determined to adhere to his principles, whoever veered with the wind and turned with the tide. It is said that the deanery of York was offered to him, but not being satisfied with conformity,

he was presently excluded from the Minster, though he still kept his turn at the Wednesday lecture, and continued preaching at All Hallows, and afterwards at St. Martin's. He was highly esteemed by Dr. Tillotson and Dr. Stillingfleet, who were anxious to retain him in the Church, but in vain. Being asked in his last illness what part of conformity he disliked, he answered the whole. He died at the age of fortynine. He published several works.

Mr. PETER WILLIAMS having been tutor to Sir John Brook, continued to reside at York, where his father was Lord Mayor. He was a sweet-tempered, meek-spirited man, of great abilities and considerable learning; he was an exact and curious preacher,-very sententious; he lived a holy and retired life. After being silenced he kept close to his study, but preached a week-day lecture at Lady Lister's. Many envied his liberty, but none durst disturb him while under the wing of such an honourable person, who was nearly related to thirty knights and persons of the first rank. After her death he held his lecture at Lady Watson's house, which she gave to him by will. He died March 26, 1680, aged fifty-five. He published a work on the transcendency of Christ's love to men.

Mr. THOMAS CALVERT lived privately at York till the Oxford Act banished him, when he withdrew to Lady Berwick's, near Tadcaster, but afterwards returned to York. He was a pious, devout man, and a profound preacher ; he read and studied much, and had a peculiar talent in translating and expounding the Scriptures; he died March, 1679, aged seventy-three. He published several works.

RICHARD PEKROT, B.D., was a most learned, ingenious man, and an incomparable preacher. After his ejectment he lived some time with Dr. Robinson, of Burnistow, where he studied and practised physic with good success. died at York, 1671, aged forty-one.

He

Such were the first four Nonconformist ministers of York; but besides these, several other of the two thousand ejected ministers took up their residence in York, viz., Ralph Ward, John Hobson, John Ryther, Joshua Whitton, (godfather to Archbishop Tillotson,) Stephen Arlush, Mr. Blackstone, and Mr. James Calvert, Mr. Noah Ward, and Mr. Matthew Hill. Some of these preached privately, but in great danger.

The first regular society of Dissenters was collected by the above-mentioned Ralph Ward, and met for worship, it is probable, in Micklegate, at the house of Mr. Andrew Taylor, a merchant, who opened his doors for private meetings in the straitest times. Mr. Ward was chaplain to Sir John Henley, but was driven away from York in 1665, by the Oxford Act. On the Indulgence, in 1672, having returned to York, he began his public ministry, and soon had a very flourishing congregation. He was a most laborious minister of the New Testament. He was imprisoned in 1684, with Mr. Andrew Taylor, on Ouse Bridge; but even here he preached on Lord's days to several that went to visit him, which alleviated his bonds. In 1686 he was restored to liberty, but his health being impaired by long confinement Mr. Noah Ward (no relative) was engaged to assist im. Mr. Ralph Ward died March 13, 1691, red 62. He was excellent in all relations, his family was a well-ordered church, his friendslp was safe, edifying, and honourable.

In a

word, all the characteristics of a worthy gospel minister met in him.

Mr. NOAH WARD was a very useful minister. He died May 22, 1699, aged fifty-nine.

Dr. THOMAS COLTON, who was both a divine and a physician, educated at Leyden, became the minister on the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Ralph Ward, in 1692. He continued minister until his death, Nov. 16, 1731. He was a man of considerable property. He founded and endowed a hospital in York for eight poor women, in 1717. He was intimate with, and preached the funeral sermon of Lady Hewley; whose munificent donations for the support of godly ministers of Christ's holy gospel in the northern counties have for many years past been the subject of such extensive litigation. The father and husband of Lady Hewley were in the law; the latter, Sir John Hewley, was representative in Parliament for York during the 29th, 30th, and 31st of Charles II. Sir John Hewley died at his country seat, called Bell Hall, about four miles from York, on the 24th of August, 1697. The attic story of Bell Hall was fitted up for public worship. Mr. Timothy Hodgson, a dissenting minister, resided in her house as private chaplain. Lady Hewley was accustomed to attend public worship in the chapel in St. Saviourgate, to the erection of which she is said to have been a liberal contributor. That chapel was erected about the time of Dr. Colton's settlement as pastor, in 1692. It is classed in Reales's list of dissenting congregations among the Presbyterians.

Mr. THOMAS BAXTER, a son of Mr. Nathaniel Baxter, who was ejected from the living of St. Michael, in Lancashire, succeeded Dr. Colton, and preached at York with great acceptance for several years.

Mr. JOHN HOTHAM next became minister, in 1698. York was his native place, where he was born about 1675. He spent some time abroad in the early part of his life, probably at Leyden. He continued one of the ministers till his death, on the 5th of January, 1756, in the eighty-second year of his age.

Mr. JOHN BROOK, previously of Norwich and Yarmouth, and Mr. JOHN ROOK, a native of Selby, were severally co-pastors with Mr. Hotham.

Mr. NEWCOME CAPPE became sole pastor on the death of Mr. Hotham, in 1756. He had been educated under the celebrated Dr. Doddridge. During the time of Mr. Cappe's connection with this Society, which continued until his death, on the 24th of Dec., 1800, another Presbyterian minister, Mr. Edward Sandercock, resided at York, and frequently assisted Mr. Cappe in his ministerial labours.

Previously to the settlement of Mr. Cappe, and for a considerable time afterwards, the gospel, it is probable, was preached amongst dissenters in York with at least some degree of clearness. Error, however, gradually crept in, and prevailed till it arrived at its full growth in the rankest Socinianism. With respect to the theological sentiments of Mr. Cappe, it is said, in his funeral sermon, preached by the late Mr. Wood, of Leeds, that at length they nearly agreed with those of Lindsay, Jebb, and Priestley.

In the year 1792, the age and increasing infirmities of Mr. Cappe rendering it necessary that he should have some assistance, the Rev.

Charles Wellbeloved settled at York, and is still minister of St. Saviourgate Chapel.

Happily, however, while the gangrene of Arianism and Socinianism was thus eating out the vitals of Evangelical Christianity, the great Head of the Church was raising up fit instruments to extend the boundaries of Zion. For many years previous to the death of Mr. Cappe, individuals had formed themselves into small bands or companies for prayer, and propagation of what they deemed the true word of life.

About the year 1770 a Society of Sandamanians arose, composed, it is probable, of a few individuals who had belonged to the late B. Ingham. A small congregation was also accustomed to meet for worship in College-street, many of whom had originally been of the Church of England, but who had come out from her communion and adopted the principles of Calvinistic Independents. Ministers were supplied from time to time by Lady Huntingdon, among whom was Mr. Wren, who went to York in December, 1779. In 1781, a small chapel was built for him in Grape-lane; but his incessant labours caused his death in 1784, at the early age of thirty-three years. The concourse of people at his funeral was so great that the corpse was placed on the Cross of Thursday Market, where Mr. Aldridge, of London, addressed the people from Isaiah xii. 2, "He also is become my salvation."

In

About the year 1788, the Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds, and some of the neighbouring ministers engaged to supply Grape-lane Chapel for one year, after which Lady Huntingdon's College became the source whence ministers were supplied. Among the names of those ministers thus supplied from Lady Huntingdon's College were, Harrison, Cureton, Brysa, Griffith, Watkins, Wydown, Jones, and Robinson. 1799, the chapel in Grape-lane passed into the hands of the New Connexion or Kilhamites, afterwards to the old Wesleyan Methodists, in 1804; and upon that body completing their chapel in New-street, in 1805, the Baptists purchased Grape-lane Chapel, and supplied it by a succession of students from the Baptist Academy at Bradford, under the care of Dr. Steadman. Mr. Simmons, Mr. Carr, and Mr. Bury, afterwards officiated at Grape-lane Chapel, which was ultimately sold, in 1820, by the Baptists to the Primitive Methodists, in whose hands it still remains.

In 1796, Mr. SAMUEL WYDOWN erected a small chapel in Jubbergate, which was opened on the 28th December, in that year, and which was capable of holding about 260 persons. The Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds, and the Rev. Mr. Howell, of Knaresborough, preached from Rom. xvi. 24, and Psa. cxxxii. 15. Mr. Wydown was ordained in Jubbergate, April 18th, 1797. The Introductory Discourse was delivered by Mr. Cockin, of Halifax; the Charge, by Mr. Parsons, of Leeds; and the Sermon to the people, by Mr. Bottomley, of Scarborough.

The Rev. GODFREY THURGARLAND succeeded Mr. Wydown in the year 1799, and continued minister of Jubbergate Chapel until his resignation, in 1814; when several ministers of the Independent denomination in the West Riding determined to put forth an effort for the more extended diffusion of the gospel in the metropolis of that large county. In the language of their resolutions, they acknowledged "that in

the city of York they had been behind some bodies of Christians in active zeal and usefulness; and it has often been a subject of surprise and regret that, while numerous congregations of their community assemble at Leeds, Hull, Halifax, Sheffield, Rotherham, and other places in the county, the capital of this great district should, for the last twenty years, have no larger congregation than usually assembles in a small village. In investigating the causes of this difference there would probably be some diversity of opinion; but there can be no doubt that the want of a more convenient chapel is one, and the want of the countenance of the respectable part of the denomination in the county is another. On these wants being properly supplied, the effects which have been so long felt to result from them must cease,-when, under the auspices of Zion's King, it may be expected that York, enjoying suitable privileges, will be like other places of the same population."

The county ministers having resolved upon making the effort, were cordially seconded in it by a few warm-hearted friends in York, and the whole matter was placed under the management of a Committee,-among whom, the most active spirits were three venerable ministers who still live, Dr. Bennett, then of Rotherham; Mr. Arundel, then of Whitby; and Mr. Jackson, of Greenhammerton; besides the late Rev. Edward Parsons, Mr. Cockin, and others, who have gone to their account. Several laymen of the county -including Mr. George Rawson and Mr. John Clapham, of Leeds, and Mr. Watkinson and Mr. Pritchett, of York-were also upon this Committee. After many deliberations, a spacious chapel was at length determined upon, and erected in LENDAL, York--a most convenient and central situation. Lendal Chapel was opened for worship on the 7th November, 1816, by the Rev. Dr. RAFFLES, who preached from Acts v. 8; in the afternoon the Rev. Joseph Cockin, of Halifax, from Psa. cii. 16; and in the evening, the Rev. Samuel Bradley, of Manchester, from Ephes. ii. 4.

The chapel was supplied for above five years by ministers from various parts of the county, and by students from the colleges of Rotherham and Idle. Its original cost was £3,637 18s., affording sitting accommodation for 900 persons. A church was speedily formed, which, while it increased in numbers, also increased in usefulness, by the formation of sabbath-schools, missionary auxiliaries, and all those varied institutions in which a Christian community will ever delight to employ itself. At length, in November, 1821, an invitation, signed by nearly 400 persons, was sent to the Rev. James Parsons (son of the Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds) to become the minister of Lendal Chapel; and on Christmas-day, his answer in the affirmative, was received, to the great joy of the church and congregation. Mr. Parsons commenced his stated labours on the 14th July, and was ordained on the 24th October, 1822. The spiritstirring appeals of the newly-appointed pastor soon caused large additions both to the congregation and the church; so that in 1823 a new gallery was added to the chapel, capable of containing 250 children, or 174 adults. Preaching was also established in several of the villages, and also in other parts of the city.

In 1826, the gradual increase of the congrega tion rendered a further enlargement of the chapel

necessary: 126 additional sittings were, therefore, secured, by the formation of another gallery, which increased the sitting accommodation

to 1200.

In June, 1829, Mr. Parsons was obliged, by indisposition, brought on by public labours, to discontinue preaching, and was unable to resume it until April, 1830, the greater portion of which time was spent at Penzance. He was, however, mercifully restored, and resumed his ministerial labours, with renewed energy and devotedness to his Master's service. In 1832, the house in which Mr. Parsons now resides was purchased by the congregation, as a residence for their minister for the time being.

In 1837 the congregation paid off all the debt which had been incurred in the erection of Lendal Chapel. The total cost had been £4200. The announcement of its extinction was made at the anniversary of the opening held 7th September, 1837.

Immediately that Lendal Chapel had been thus cleared of debt, the congregation determined, in the strength of God, to extend their borders. The place had become too strait for them, and they, therefore, with much zeal, selfdenial, and prayerful exertion, set themselves to the erection of a larger sanctuary, capable of containing 1600 persons.

An eligible site was purchased in St. Saviourgate, and the first stone of a new chapel, to be called "Salem Chapel," was laid by Mr. Parsons, on the 19th July, 1838, assisted by Mr. Jackson, of Greenhammerton, who, in 1816, had laid the foundation-stone of Lendal Chapel. The new chapel cost above £5000, and was opened on the 25th July, 1839, by Drs. Raffles and Harris. The church under the care of Mr. Parsons previous to his removing from Lendal to the larger sanctuary, numbered 447; of whom 368 determined to remove with him to Salem Chapel, and seventy-nine remained to worship at Lendal.

Since the opening of Salem Chapel, in 1839, 550 additional members have been added to that church. How may we exclaim, "What hath God wrought!"

After the separation of the church in the manner stated, and the large number who went to the new sanctuary, Lendal Chapel was supplied by various ministers from the country. The congregation, of course, greatly decreased; but good was done, and the members of the church were united and prayerful.

On the 8th March, 1840, the Rev. CHARLES PAYTON (formerly of Highbury College) became the minister of Lendal Chapel. He was ordained on the 13th May; when the Rev. E. Jukes, of Leeds; Mr. Jackson, of Greenhammerton; Rev. James Parsons; Dr. Henderson, Divinity Professor of Highbury College; and Dr. Raffles, conducted the services. Mr. Payton laboured, with much acceptance, until 1844, when he was cut off in the midst of usefulness. The following lines are written on his tomb, in the York eemetery :

"To the memory of the Rev. Charles Payton, pastor of the Independent Church, Lendal Cha❤ pel, York. He died, in faith and peace, December 2nd, 1844, after a short pastorate of five years, aged thirty five. He was a saint in whom was no guile, and a faithful minister of Christ; discharging his ministerial duties, and sustaining his relationship in life in a spirit so amiable, consistent, and exemplary, that his early death

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was deeply and generally lamented, and his remembrance is blessed. This sepulchre was erected by his church, congregation, and Sunday scholars."

After the death of Mr. Payton, the choice of the church fell upon the Rev. RICHARD SOPER, formerly of Grantham, for the pastorate at Lendal. Mr. Soper entered on his ministerial duties in 1845, and has continued to discharge them with fidelity up to the recent meeting of the Congregational Union at York, when he spoke in the kindest terms of the fraternal attachment which has existed between himself and his fellow-labourer in the ministry, Mr. Parsons, ever since his (Mr. Soper's) settlement in that ancient city. He is now about to remove, we believe, for the settlement of some family matters, into the south of England, where he will be followed by the prayers and best wishes of all who have been privileged to attend his ministry in York. The church at Lendal will now again have to seek the direction of God, in enabling them to choose a pastor for their beloved sanctuary, which has in times past been the birth-place of so many souls. May He give to them one who shall do the work of an evangelist, and give full proof of his ministry!

We shall next set forth the ecclesiastical statistics of the two chapels successively:

STATISTICS OF LENDAL CHAPEL FOR THE FIRST

This is a very important Table, which, while it will instruct, may also comfort other pastors and churches. The column on expulsion will show that temptation is too strong for the most efficient mini

stration of the gospel. During the first sixteen years it will be seen that the trials endured were very considerable, and that the laws of Christ were faithfully administered. The column on withdrawal, likewise, speaks in a language which wise men will understand. "He that continueth to the end shall be saved!" From the foregoing statement it will be seen that Mr. Parsons left Lendal Chapel for Salem in 1839, so that the above Table closes his connection with that edifice. It will also be obvious that those who have since filled the pastoral office at Lendal Chapel have laboured under overwhelming discouragements. The attractions of Salem Chapel have been so great that, instrumentally, none but a man of the very first class could be expected to make way, or even to keep the doors open. The relative position of the two chapels at the present time will appear from the next statement of matters, which belong to both jointly:

SABBATH SCHOOLS, &c.

The Christian Instruction Society, (commenced in 1833,) for the distribution of tracts and religious conversation.-Salem Chapel has 160 visitors; 82 districts, who visit 3,056 families. Lendal Chapel has 40 visitors; 25 districts, who visit 668 families.

Sunday-schools-which are taught by the same persons every Lord's day, from nine to a quarter past ten in the forenoon, and from two to four in the afternoon; nearly the whole of the teachers are members of the churches -Two schools are connected with Salem Chapel, which contain 38 teachers, 497 scholars. Lendal School has 20 teachers, 260 scholars.

In Salem School there is a youths' class, consisting of boys and lads from twelve to twenty years of age; and a similar class for girls from fifteen years and upwards, conducted by Mrs. Parsons.

The church meeting in Salem Chapel numbers 604 members. The church meeting in Lendal Chapel numbers 120 members.

From this it will appear that the church in Salem Chapel has already approached a first-class magnitude. A fellowship of 604 members in a Cathedral town is not an every day spectacle. Here again Mr. Parsons may be said to have made an experiment; and through the mercy of God on the exercise of those transcendent powers with which he has been endowed, he has conducted it to a successful issue. York is the only Cathedral town we know -Norwich excepted, where, as we shall show in our next, Mr. Alexander has wrought wonders-in which Protestant Dissent has obtained a firm footing. How has this triumph been achieved? Was it by trimming? by aping the Church?

by lowering the standard of godliness? by corrupting the ordinances of religion? Nay, verily! In these things to stoop is not to conquer, but to be trampled in the dust! In Salem Chapel-(for Chapel it is, not Church !)—all is plain as a pikestaff, as chaste and severe as could be desired by the most ultra-religious reformer. Neither gown, nor band, nor chaunt, nor organ! Let little spirits, tiny trimmers, think of this, and be corrected, be instructed, be shamed and confounded! We may say of the Established Church as Robert Hall said of Antinomianism: this is "not the season for half measures; danger is to be repelled by intrepid resistance, by stern defiance, not by compliances and concessions; it is to be opposed, if opposed successfully, by a return to the wholesome dialect of purer times." The most resolute and the most aggressive Nonconformity is compatible with the most enlarged prosperity: all that is required is, faithful, prayerful labour, systematically and perseveringly pursued. The next statement refers to Salem Chapel alone :

DAY-SCHOOLS, CLASSES, &c.

Immediately after the Conference on Education held in London in December, 1843, steps were taken to establish a Day-school for Boys; one for Girls was already in operation. An eligible site was obtained, a School-house erected, and on July 22, 1844, the school was commenced. It continued to flourish, notwithstanding an active competition on the part of the Managers of the National Schools, who reduced their charges to one penny per week; and has been for a considerable time and is still the largest Day-school in York. The amount expended by the congregation at Salem Chapel on their Day-schools since December, 1843, is upwards of £1,100. The Boys' Day-school contains at present 218 scholars; the Girls', 150 scholars.

The Clothing Society, commenced in November, 1836, for the purpose of selling to the poor persons visited by the Christian Instruction Society articles of female apparel at half the price of the material. Sales once a month, in Salem Chapel School-room.

During the winter months Mr. Parsons meets monthly a Male Bible-class and a Female Bibleclass. A Class of Girls and another of Boys meet for one hour each, on the afternoon of the first Monday in every month, for reading the Scriptures, and religious instruction; the Class of Girls numbers 42-Boys, 24, conducted by Mr. Parsons.

On July 22, 1825, a room was opened for preaching at the village of Heslington, about two miles from York; August 26, 1826, a small chapel was opened, for which an annual rent was paid; and on the 20th of January, 1847, a new chapel, capable of holding 140 people, was opened by Mr. Parsons, and Mr. Ely, of Leeds. It is supplied every sabbath and every alternate Friday evening, chiefly by lay agency from Salem Chapel.