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In reviewing Joseph Hart's influence, we are struck with two wide extremes not easily accounted for,-that of high esteem on one hand, and entire neglect, if not scorn, on the other. In proof of the former, what other hymn-writer has had an imposing obelisk placed over his grave as over Hart's, at Bunhillfields, in 1875? A further and indisputable test of this contrast is plainly seen by examining the favour or otherwise with which his little volume has been regarded in forming our Selections. Some have not one; several the one only that has been referred to

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Come, ye sinners," &c. "Psalms and Hymns" have admitted three only besides the whole of that one. Snepp has 12; Dr. Collyer, 16; Spurgeon, 19; Stevens, 43; till Denham astonishes us with the liberal introduction of 101. Yet more surprising and unique was the admiration of other compilers who, after taking one-half, 112, actually inserted all the remainder of a book that could be had for sixpence, yet eventually excluded sixteen-some of the best and most practical-among them, the one at the commencement of this paper.

It is pleasing to have the testimony of his contemporary and friend, Rev. John Towers, so fully confirming all that has been said in favour of the book and its author, who thus wrote in a preface to one Edition:-"This book of hymns so exactly describes the preaching of its author, that it may be justly said, that, in them, 'he being dead, yet speaketh. Here the doctrines of the Gospel are illustrated so practically, the precepts of the Word enforced so evangelically, and their effects stated so experimentally, that with propriety it may be styled a treasury of doctrinal, experimental, and practical Divinity."

There are some hymns of deep feeling on the sufferings of Christ, and twenty similar, for the Lord's Supper, in the Supplement; some also on Death, the Fear of God, and one, well known, commencing :

"Prayer was appointed to convey

The blessings God designs to give ; Long as they live should Christians

pray,

For only while they pray they live."

As to the author himself, little need be said, as his memoir is generally known. He was born of godly parents, in London, about the year 1712, and received a classical education. His calling seems to have been a teacher of languages, and he published some translations of heathen authors. He had deep convictions of sin, and appears to have attended Whitefield's Tabernacles. He passed through several changes and relapses until his deliverance in 1757, then aged forty-two. He began to preach in 1760. Respecting his ministry, he appears to have been well qualified, not only by spiritual knowledge, but by popular talents, of which there is good proof in the funeral sermon by his successor at Jewin-street, and brother-in-law, Mr. John Hughes, who said, "It is true that our brother was a singular man; but God had singular work for him to do; and that his labour hath not been in vain in the Lord, thousands of souls in this kingdom are living witnesses."

He was afflicted with illness some time before his death, and preached with the arrows of death sticking in him. There is no particular account of his end; but his ministry, though only eight years, must have been very influential, when we are told that, on

the occasion of his funeral at Bunhillfields, 20,000 persons assembled; a larger number than had ever been known. His death occurred May 24th, 1768, at the age of fifty-six; the oration at his interment being delivered by Andrew Kinsman, of Plymouth, one of the Tabernacle ministers. His own hymn, "Sons of God by blest adop

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tion," was sung on that solemn occasion. His ministerial work, though indeed short, was highly honoured and his valuable hymns have been a rich treasure to the Church, in comforting, instructing, and strengthening, in the various stages of their career, thousands of the followers of Christ, to the

praise and glory of His grace. He humbly owned :—

"The author's merit none,

And, therefore, none his boast;
For every truly Christian thought
Was by the God of Isaac brought."

H.

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Fabe he Family Circle.

HOW TO GET ON.

AMONGST many other faculties God has endowed us with, is one called "Acquisitiveness," which, when moderately possessed and wisely exercised, may be a great benefit to us, especially when young, as it prompts to industry and getting on in life. My young friends will observe that I do not speak of Inquisitiveness," though I think that a faculty to be encouraged and regulated rather than suppressed. A child may be too inquisitive at times, but nothing can be more absurd than the old reply, "Don't ask any questions, then you won't hear any falsehoods." It is said that Dr. Watts gained all his knowledge by asking questions.

We say acquisitiveness may be a great benefit. We would also warn our young friends that it often is a great curse, as when we are led thereby to make bad gains, or an unwise use of what we possess, for there are many "gains" which bring us no real profit. "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul." Better, far, make no worldly gains, than to make them under such deplorable circumstances. The best "gain" that we can possibly have is "Godliness." This, with "contentment," we are told, is "great gain" (1 Tim. vi. 6). It is also without a single drawback, being "Profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Tim. iv. 8). We are prone to regard godli

ness as something intended only to prepare a soft pillow on which to rest our heads and die. This it undoubtedly does for all who possess it; but it does more. It teaches us how to live in this world, so as to make real progress in it. Naturally it may be distasteful to us; but as medicine expels the ill humours from our bodies, so this corrects our thoughts, purifies our hearts, and brings our conduct into conformity to the will of God. It does not simply teach us what is right and good, but it helps us to live holy, useful, and happy lives. Thus we find it sweet and profitable to possess, as regards this life; to say nothing about the future.

"'Tis religion that can give

Sweetest pleasures while we live." Here, then, is the secret "How to get on in life." To illustrate this we will briefly tell the story of the lives of two lads whom we knew more than twenty years ago, and whom, for this purpose, we will name Horace and Frank. In a beautiful valley, enclosed by gracefully rounded and cultivated hills, on the banks of a little river fringed with rows of willows and alders, with its bosom adorned in summer by the snow-white lily, in the eastern counties, they lived together for four years. Both were fatherless, had fair and about equal prospects in life, and were now serving a term of apprenticeship; and had many happy hours together when the day's work was done, in fishing, swimming, and rowing in summer, and

skating in winter. As time passed away a marked difference in the dispositions and conduct of the two manifested itself. Frank seemed always to have been possessed of a tender conscience, and could never go to any great excess in sin. To spend the Sunday otherwise than in attendance at some place of worship, would always awaken great remorse; and upon one occasion, when requested by his employer to do some ordinary work on that day, he, at all hazards, absolutely refused compliance, upon conscientious grounds. He had also a firm belief in the law of retribution, which made him always most particular and upright in all lawful service to his employer, whether by himself or in company with others. To do the thing that was right was his constant aim. Hoping to be some day in business for himself, he used to say, "If I am not faithful to my employer, how can I expect others will be faithful to me when I shall be an employer?" He was also very particular about the company he kept; always seeking the society of those whom he regarded as better than himself. For this he was not unfrequently called unsocial and proud, but neither abuse or persuasion would alter his determination in this particular. Of public-houses he had a perfect horror. Finally, when a little more than sixteen years old, he was led to repent of all sin, and to put his trust in Jesus; and from that hour his favourite motto was, 66 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct

thy paths" (Prov. iii. 6). Horace, on the contrary, seemed destitute of every religious sentiment, and developed a fondness for low company, the publichouse, late hours, and excesses of sin and folly. In this way he sacrificed all his business prospects, became a confirmed sot; and, at the early age of about thirty-five, filled a drunkard's grave, leaving a widow and seven children to battle with the difficulties of life, largely dependent upon the charity of friends. Alas! how true it is that "Wickedness overthroweth the sinner" (Prov. xiii. 6).

Such was the end of poor Horace. Now let us see what has become of Frank. He, too, sacrificed his business prospects, but it was for something higher, nobler, better; as for more than twenty years he has been an accredited minister of the gospel, is comfortably provided for, and can now reckon among his sincere friends multitudes of God's dear people, and some of the rich and great men of the land. "Verily, there is a reward for the righteous." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." "Righteous ness keepeth him that is upright in the way.' 66 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. The merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold." May this chief and best of all gains be yours, and then, dear young friends, you will have a treasure that is better than life itself.

En Memoriam.

MRS. CHANDLER, OF BECCLES. ON Wednesday evening, May 9th, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-three, our much-beloved sister entered into rest. Her departure out of this time state was peaceful as her whole life had been.

"One gentle sigh the fetter broke We scarce could say-she's gone.

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The funeral service was conducted by the pastor, W. H. Smith, in "The Martyr's Memorial Chapel," and her mortal remains were deposited in the grave of her departed husband in the chapel burial ground. A number of relatives and friends assembled to pay a last token of respect to one who was held in high esteem by all who knew her.

Mrs. Chandler, in her earlier years, was brought up under the influenee of the Established Church. From all I can learn, she was early brought to a knowledge of the saving truths of the Gospel. Returning with her husband from the church, at Haughley, after the christening of one of their children, the father was so awfully shocked at the service, which said that "the child was regenerated, adopted, and received into the Church," he remarked to his wife, Mrs. Chandler, "I will never have another child christened if we have a dozen; such teaching, I am convinced, is error." They at once left the Church and commenced attending the Baptist Chapel, at Stowmarket; they were ultimately led to see the Scripturalness of believers' baptism, and the duty of all who know themselves pardoned and accepted, to follow their Lord through the baptismal pool.

They had no sooner put on Christ publicly than they erected the family altar for morning and evening worship -the wife reading God's Word and the husband praying extempore. This course of conduct was diligently adhered to all through their pilgrimage. One of the surviving children dates her first convictions from the father's simple and earnest prayers at the family altar.

I fear there are many professed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ who never have family prayer. All such are, I am sure, great losers of spiritual favours. After seven or eight years' residence at Haughley they removed to Horham, but remained only about two years. They were transferred to Beccles March 24th, 1833. Her husband died in 1869, leaving her for a time to sojourn in the wilderness alone.

She had been connected with the Suffolk Baptist churches for nearly sixty years, and was a member of the church at Beccles for fifty years. The infirmities of

age

second birthdays in my house, appreciating every little attention, and affording us great pleasure by her genial, kindly bearing. Remarking to her, on her ninety-second birthday, "You will reach a hundred," she replied, "No, no! I hope not; I want to go home." And it was said with emphasis. Like the Apostle Paul, she was "longing to depart and to be with Christ." She is with Him now"absent from the body, present with the Lord." Now she realises what she has often sung

"For ever with the Lord,

Amen, so let it be ;

Life from the dead is in that Word,
"Tis immortality."

She was a devout, God-fearing woman -so calm and patient, never a murmur escaping her lips. To know her was to love her. She was kind even to a fault. She was a lover of good men and of good books. She had been a reader of the GOSPEL HERALD from its very commencement; but her chief companion was "The Word of God." It was a beautiful sight to see the dear aged saint nearly every hour of the day reading, searching, meditating, in "the law of her God." "The memory of the just is blessed -we shall not soon forget her. We could pronounce as we stood by her grave, with all truthfulness, the words of that voice from heaven, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,"

Her death was improved on the Sunday evening in a sermon, by the pastor, from the words in Hebrews xi. 16, "But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly."

become hindered her attendance

at the chapel, but she enjoyed fairly good health up to the last. She usually began to rise in the morning at seven o'clock and was generally down to breakfast before eight o'clock. She spent her ninety-first and ninety

May every reader of the HERALD "followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises "looking unto Jesus." "

WILLIAM H. SMITH.
Beccles, June 13th, 1883.

MRS. FRANKLIN.

ON the 4th July it pleased the Lord to take to His eternal rest and home another member of the church worshipping at Hill-street, Dorset-square. On that day, my dear mother, Mrs. Franklin, calmly fell asleep in Jesus, at the age of 68 years.

My dear mother was born on the 10th January, 1815. In her early days she had but little, if any, regard for eternal things; in fact, it was not until about the year 1843 that we find her inquiring the way Zionward. About that time, God, in His providence, led her to Woodbridge Chapel, Clerkenwell, where the late Mr. Luckin was then pastor; and it was during her attendance on his ministry that she was led to see her need of saving mercy. And though she could not, like some, name the precise day and hour when God spoke peace to her troubled soul, yet it is evident, from what she has since said in conversation, that it was under Mr. Luckin's ministry that she passed from death to life; and this is confirmed by her correspondence with my dear father, Mr. John Benjamin Franklin, to whom she became united by marriage in August, 1845.

After her marriage, my father went to reside at Peckham, where, for some time, they attended the ministry of the late Joseph Irons; and, from what I have since heard my dear mother say when his name has been mentioned, the Word preached by that good and great man proved very helpful to her in her homeward journey. Later on in life she was baptized, with my father, at John-street Chapel, Bedford-row, by the late Hon. Baptist Noel; in 1875 they were both admitted into the fellowship of the church worshiping at Hillstreet, Dorset-square, London, where Brother Geo. Shepherd has so faithfully laboured for some few years.

She

much enjoyed his ministry; and even after my father removed from Paddington to Shepherd's Bush, she has, in spite of her failing health, frequently made the journey to Hill-street, especially on Ordinance Sunday. For

some time past, however, her strength has shown a marked decrease; and more than once, when she had made up her mind to go, she has been compelled by sickness and weakness of body to give up, until at the last she found it too much for her strength to walk even a mile.

As a mother, words would fail to express the feelings of her eight children in this respect. She has, indeed, been a mother of a thousand; her loving counsel, her watchful care, her longings for our conversion, cannot be expressed in words. Many a time has the midnight hour found her at the throne of grace, seeking the Lord's blessing on us; and at others advising us as to the course to pursue, and warning us against the quicksands we should find in our journey through life.

Well do I remember the night when God spoke peace to my soul. How her face lit up with joy when I told her the news; and how she stayed with me till near midnight, thanking and praising God for His goodness in bringing one of her boys to Himself in answer to prayer. Yes; and since that day she has had the joy of seeing one after another of her children brought to the Lord. Three are now members at Hill

street Chapel; one is a deacon at Addison Park Chapel, Kensington ; and the others are pressing along the narrow way, with their faces Zionward. All glory to our loving Father, God, for His goodness and mercy.

We mourn our loss, but when we think of the glorious change it is to her, it takes away much of the bitterness; for we remember that it is only a little while, and then we also shall join the throng of the redeemed, for "He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry."

On Monday, the 9th July, her dear remains were laid in the family vault at Nunhead Cemetery; there waiting the return of the Lord Jesus, who "will come again," according to His promise. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen."

Mr. G. W. Shepherd, of Hill-street, Dorset-square, officiated, and delivered

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