Memoir of the Rev. Josiah Pratt, B.D., late vicar of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street and for twenty-one years secretary of the Church Missionary Society

Preface

The Editors, in publishing the following Memoir of their beloved and revered father, beg to state some particulars explanatory of the circumstances under which it makes its appearance.

They have been led by something more than filial partiality to believe, that a record of his chief principles and actions would be acceptable at the present time. His name had been honourably known to the Christian World for half a century, in connection with the great revival of the INIissionary Spirit in our Church and country, which so happily distinguished the period in which he lived : and many, who behold the results, but are not so well acquainted with the circumstances which gave them birth, expressed a desire to see a Memoir of one, who took so active a part in originating some of the principal Religious Institutions of our day.

Some difRculties, however, presented themselves. Mr. Pratt left no Diary behind him, and very few papers exhibiting his sentiments on particular topics, or illustrative of his Christian experience. One of the few memoranda which have been discovered expressly states : " I occasionally kept records of the vi I'UEl-ACE.

workings of my iiiiiid, hut 1 have destroyed them all." His private history, like that of most Clergymen, was not marked hy any very extraordinary incidents; and the coeval eye-witnesses of his public career had most of them entered the world of spirits before him: and though Advertisements have been issued, for information and correspondence, they have yielded but little.

Meanwhile, the return (jf the younger son from India, in 1845-6, allowed him opportunity and leisure for examining the Archives of the Church Missionary Society. The voluminous correspondence contained in those Archives furnished a clue to Mr. Pratt's course in connection with the Missionary cause; and at the same time afforded much insight into his views and feelings on many other interesting topics. From these beginnings the work has gradually grown ; and several judicious friends, including the Bishop of Calcutta, having seen the MS., strongly urged its liui)licati()ii.

The foregoing statement will prepare the reader to expect, that Missionary details will form a prominent feature of the ensuing pages. This will be found to be the case ; and whatever interest the Volume may jjossess in other respects, the account here given of the rise of the Church Missionary Society, and of its first twenty-five years, will (it is hoped) be specially accejjtable at a moment, when the Jubilee Trumpet «)f that Society is calling its members to reflect on the ])ast and take courage for the future. May this Publii.itioii he an hoiiouicd instrument of deepening and iMTpeluating that increased feeling of interest in

PREFACE. vii

Missions, which this Jubilee Commemoration has so extensively aroused!

One difficulty, however, attending this portion of their labours the Editors have felt strongly ; viz. lest they should seem to be claiming for one individual a distinction, which others were entitled to share with him. Many time-honoured names will occur to every reader, as having been associated with Mr. Pratt both in counsel and labour, on Committees and in journeys, in the pulpit and on the platform. Mr. Pratt, however, from his official position, took such a principal share in those early operations of the Society, as will justify (it is believed) the representations here made : contemporary testimonies are (as far as possible) quoted : some of his coadjutors are named, and others are known through their respective biographers. The Editors, for various reasons, felt bound to submit this part of their work to the officers of the Society ; and their best thanks are due to the Rev. William Jowett for his kind assistance, especially in the Chapter on the Mediterranean Mission ; and to the Rev. Henry Venn, Honorary Clerical Secretary, for his valuable suggestions.

Beside the Missionary subject, there is another point, in regard to which it is hoped that the present Volume may prove useful. It was to be expected, that the success vouchsafed to the efforts of ]\Ir. Pratt and his coadjutors to extend the kingdom of Christ, and to promote scriptural and vital religion in the world, would awaken the jealousy and call forth the counter efforts of the Prince of Darkness. Mr. Pratt

,iH I-HKIACK.

lived to see that jealousy in active operation, both at home and abroad : but nothing grieved and alarmed him so nuich as the rise of a Party in the bosom of our own Protestant Church, characterized by an undue exaltation of Tradition, Sacraments, and Externals, together with a depreciation and corruption of the vital principles of the Gospel. These things cast a gloom over his spirit for several of the later years of his life, and called forth his most earnest protests and solemn warnings ;— all of which carry the greater weight, from their being the fruit of well-digested knowledge and ripe experience. Some of them are recorded in the following pages; and it is hoped that they will not be altogether lost on the present generation.

Many other matters are introduced into the Volume, which (it is believed) will interest his parishioners and j)ersonal friends, and call up numerous valuable associations with by-gone days ; though, in the selection of thenr, the profit of the general reader has not been lost sight of.

M'ith these observations, the Editors commend the Publication to the candour and consideration of those who may honour it with their perusal ; humbly imploring the Great Head of the Church to render the testimony and example of His servant, here but inadetjuatcly exhibited, subservient to those high and holy interests which lay nearest his heart; and to the advancement of wiiicji his best ))()wers, during a long life, were unceasingly devoted.

Chapter I. 1768—1802

Mr. Pratt's Birth — Character of his Father — Serious Illness in Childhood — His early Life, and first Religious Impressions— He enters the University of Oxford — Is Ordained — Removes to London — Becomes Curate to Mr. Cecil — The " Eclectic Society" — Commencement of the " Christian Observer" p- 1

Chapter II. 1799—1804

Origin and Commencement of the Church Missionary Society — Mr. Pratt succeeds the Rev. Thomas Scott as Secretary — A Mission to West Africa contemplated, and the Services of some Berlin Students engaged — Correspondence with the Principal of the Missionary Institution at Berlin — Dismissal of two Missionaries to their Stations— Institution of the British and Foreign Bible Society — Mr. Pratt appointed Secretary — He effects a Reorganization of the Committee — Resigns the Office of Secretary, and is succeeded by the Rev. John Owen — Mr. Pratt a firm Friend and Advocate of the Society to the end of his Life - - - - 12

Chapter III. 1804—1812

The Susoo Country selected for the Commencement of Missionary Enterprise — Lutheran Labourers employed — The Two first Missionaries arrive — Three more embark — Various Trials and Difficulties — Misconduct of one of the Missionaries— Letters from Mr. Pratt on this painful occasion— Two Settlements commenced — Death of one of the Missionaries— A Third Settlement established — Schools formed — Deaths of Missionaries 3'*,

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV. 1804—1812. (lianfie of Mr. Piatl's Clerical Occupations — His A])pointuierit to 8ir George Wlider's Cliapcl — Notices of Sir T. F. Buxton and Mr. Hoare — Mr. Pratt's Intercourse with Ilrnrv Martyn— His Publication of the Works of Bishops Hall and Hopkins — His Unsuccessful Attempt to publish a Polyglott Bible — Letter of Henry Martyn— Mr. Cecil's ^^'orks — Mr. Pratt's Thoughts in Retirement - - - 48

Chapter V

Renewal of the East-India Company's Charter — Efforts to gain free access for Missionaries to India, and to establish an Episcopate — Exertions of Dr. Buchanan and Mr. Pratt — Comniencenient of " The Missionary Register" — The Subject of the East-India Charter brought before Parliament, and the Efforts of the Friends of Missions crowned with Success — The Mi^^sionary Cause receives a new Impulse— Associations are organized — Mr. Pratt (lavcls for the Society — He opens friendly communication with other Mis>ionary Societies ....... Q[)

CHAPTER VL

Conunencement of the India Mission — Abdool Meeseeh

Two English and Two Lutheran Clergymen are sent out by the Society — Correspondence of Mr. Pratt with Mr. Simeon - AppointuK-nt of the first Bishop of Calcutta— Questions Willi regard to the I'^.xtcnt of the Bishop's Authority — He considers himself unauthorized to ordain Native Converts or to license Mis-ionaries - Abdool Messeeh and Mr. Howlcy receive Lutheran Ordination — Mr. Corrie's Visit to England— Seven more English Clergymen are sent out Letters of Mr. Pratt t<. the Mis-ionuries - - - 81)

CON TENTS. xi

Chapter VII. 1813—1817

Difficulties of the West-Africa Mission — Directions to enter on a systematic Course of Preaching — The Slave-Trade — Return of the Missionary who had been removed from the Society in Africa — Letters of Mr. Pratt under various painful circumstances — The Slave-Trade is at length overruled to be an indirect Instrument of Success — Mr. Bickerstetli's Visit to Africa — More Deaths — Mr. Johnson sent out with tliree other Schoolmasters — Abandonment of Bashia and Canoft'ee — Proposal for a Church Missionary Ship - lOG

Chapter VIII, 1809—1817

The Rev. Samuel Marsden visits England — Suggests a Mission to New Zealand — Returns with some Settlers — Duaterra — A Schoolmaster and his Wife sent out — All Efforts for a long time unavailing — At length Mr. Marsden visits New Zealand, and the first Church Missionary Settlement is planted there — Death of Duaterra — Mowhee visits England— Death of Mowhee .---.. 130

Chapter IX. 1815—1818

A large number of Candidates offer themselves for Missionary Work — Mr. Pratt's matured Views on the Qualifications of a Missionary — The Rev. Thomas Scott relinquishes the Education of Candidates — The Basle Institution— Correspondence with the Rev. Theophilus Blumhardt — The Institution at Islington founded ------ 139

Chapter X. 1817—1821

The Church Missionary Society is attacked by the Aichdeacon of Bath — Defence bv the Rev. Daniel Wilson — sii to N TENTS.

Great Ailvantaycs result— A King's Letter in behalf of the Society for Propaiialing the Gospel— Mr. Pratt publishes a NNork intitulcil " l^opaganda"— The New Impulse in behalf of Missions is communicated to America — Correspondence between Bishops Griswold and White and Mr. Pratt — The American Episcopal Cluirch establishes a Missionary Society — Mr. Pratt communicates on the subject of Missions with other Christian Bodies in the United States - - - - 150

Chapter XI

Ori'T^in of the Mediterranean Mission — Mr. Mair and ]3r. Naudi — Proposal to send Literary Representatives — The Rev. William Jowett devotes himself to the work — Corresponds with Dr. Buchanan — Receives his Final Instructions from Mr. Pratt — Proceeds to Malta — Translation of the Holy Scrijitures into a Native Language of Abyssinia — Tlie Rev. James Connor goes out as a Second Literary Representative — Mr. Jowett returns home — Publishes "Christian Researches in the Mediterranean" — Returns again to Malta — Publishes the Gospel of St. John in Maltese— Returns to Malta for the third and last time — Remarks on the Mediterranean Mission - - - - 109

CHAPTER XIL

1818—1824.

Progress of the West-Africa Mission — Dreadful Sickness and

Mortality among the Missionaries — Success at length

vouchsafed- Mr. Johnson's Labours abundantly blessed —

More Missionaries sent out to India — The Syrian Church

Missionaries sent with a view to its Revival— Cheering Prospects in the South lA' India — Agra — Chunar — Benares

Burdwan Krisiinaghur reinale Education — Death of Bishop Middleton, and Api)ointment of Bishoj) Ileber — Difliculties in the New-Zealand Mission — Correspondence with Missionaries— Mr. Pratt resigns the Secretaiyship - 190

CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter XIII. 1811—1824

Mr, Pratt's Ministry during this pei-iod — Withdraws from the Eclectic Society — Accidental Death of an Aged Member of his Congregations — The Honest Waterman — Visit of Bishop Chase to England— Assistance afforded to him by Mr. Pratt in his Appeal to the British Public - - - 228

Chapter XIV. 1802—1823

Mr. Pratt in his Domestic Relationships, and his Private and Social Habits — Letters to his Daughters, and to his eldest Son at Cambridge -------- 241

Chapter XV. 1823—1831

Mr. Pratt's Election to the Vicarage of St. Stephen's, Coleman Street — His Letter to the Rev. Daniel Wilson — His Entrance on Pastoral Labours — Marriage of his eldest Daughter— Severe Attack of Inflammation in his Eye — Resignation of his Lectureship at St. Mary Woolnoth's — Visit to Ramsgate — Attempt to improve a Melancholy Event which happened at that place . . . . 201

Chapter XVI. 1829—1834

The State of Public Affairs — Dissensions in the British and Foreign Bible Society — Mr. Pratt's Views on the matter in debate— Tiie Cholera— The Fast Da} — The Reform Bill — Reforms in the Church — The Christian-Influence Society — The Dissenters — Rise of Tractarianism — The Rev. Daniel Wilson appointed Bishop of Calcutta — City-of- London School — Letters of Advice and of Sympathy with afflicted Friends - - ----- 279 xiT CONTENTS.

(II \ri i:i{ \\ II. is3.>. isaf).

Mr. Pratt (Iccliiics iircaclunn; the Anniversary Church JNIissionary Sermon — His Sermon at the Consecration of Bisliop Corrie — Importance of preserving the Purity of Truth — Peculiarities of Missions connected with an Episcopal Church — Nce<l of a Revision of Ecclesiastical Relations — luiportaiicc of a Native Ministry — Schools — Promising S|>here of Lahour in the Eastern Empire- Death of Bishop Corrie, and of Mr. Simeon — Advice to liis Son at College — Importance of Right Motives for entering the Ministry and Preparation for its Sacred Duties — Bishop Chase's second Visit to I'2ngland— Church Pastoral-Aid Society founded - 311

Chapter XVIII. 1838—1844

" The Christian Year" — Errors of the Tractarian School — The " Christian Observer" exposes them — Mr. Pratt preaches on the subject at St. Paul's — Ministerial Changes, with the Results — Alleviating and Encouraging Circumstances— Tractarianism more developed, and Works written in answer to it — Krishnatrhur — The Evangelical Alliance — Secession from the Scotch Church — The Church Missionary Society continues stedfast to its Principles — The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London join the Society --------- 337

( IIAI'TKK XIX. 1839— 1R4 4.

Mr. Pratt's Pastoral Anxieties — He reliufpiishes the " Missionary Register" -His Record of Pastoral Visits — Letters of Admonition and Condolence Mr. Pratt in Ins Family — I)c[)arture of his second Son to India and of his fourth Daughter to New Zealand His Family visited by Sickness and liereavement Letter of Consolation to his eldest Daughter — His advancing Age — Deaths of his Sisters — Decline of his own Health and Strength - - . - 309

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XX. 1841

Mr. Pratt's last Illness and Death . - - - - 410

Chapter XXI

Testimonies, and Views of Mr. Pratt's Character - - - 440

APPENDIX I.

On the Origination of the Church Missionary Society - - 460

APPENDIX II.

Mr. Pratt's Dedicatory Prayei-, at laying the Foundation Stone of the Institution at Islington .... 473

APPENDIX III.

Letters to Mr. Pratt from tlie American Bishops Griswold and White --------- 477

APPENDIX IV.

Obituary of Mrs. Char.lotte Pratt, Mr. Pratt's Sister - - 481

APPENDIX V.

View of Mr. Pratt's Character as a Preacher of the Word - 487

ERRATA.

At page 139, in the Contents of Chapter IX., for ".I. Blumhardt" rmd " T. Blumhardt."

At page 309, in the Contents of Chapter XIX., for " thinl daughter" read " fourth daugliter."

At page 40i, /or " IS.3i " read " 1831."

MEMOIR.

Chapter I. 1768—1802

CHARACTER OF MR. PRATx's FATHER SERIOUS ILLNESS IN CHILDHOOn

EARLY LIFE, AND FIRST RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS — ENTERS THE UNIVER- SITY OF OXFORD — IS ORDAINED REMOVES TO LONDON — IS CURATE TO

MR. CECIL — THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY — THE " CHRISTIAN OBSERVER."

JosiAH Pratt, the subject of the ensuing Memoir, was born at Birmingham, Dec. 21st, 1768. He was one of a numerous family, and was privileged in having exemplary parents, who diligently brought up their children in the " nurture and admonition of the Lord."

His Father was a person of simple and most devoted piety, and by his uniform walk with God, and his well-regulated family habits, won and retained to the end the love and veneration of his children. So upright and holy was the demeanour of this good man, that it drew from the lips of the late Rev. Richard Cecil — no mean judge of true excellence — the distinguished commendation, that he knew no person who so frequently called to his mind the cha-

B

2 MR. PRATT'S FATHER. [Chav. I.

racter of Jesus Christ. He was a member of the Churcli of Enghmd, the Church of his fathers, and attended the ministry of the Rev. John Ililand at St. Mary's Chapel, and subsequently that of his successor, the Rev. Edward Burn. The Chapel was connected witli a large and crowded population. ]\Ir. R-iland, on his removal from Huddersfield to this new charge, obtained the aid of several pious laymen to assist him in his pastoral labours. They each undertook to visit a few families, over whom they exercised a Christian influence and care, under the direction of their Minister. The father of the subject of this Memoir w-as one of the most valued of these fellow-helpers in the Lord.*

• A Sermon was preached by Mr. Bum at St. Mary's, Biriningliani, on the 12th of March, 1707, upon the occasion of the death of this excellent Cliristian. The following extracts will give a further view of his character : —

" Few men had a larger share of those trials which arise from constitutional infirmity. Seldom through the course of a life nearly lengthened out to the age of man, did he enjoy health without some considerable alloy of pain and languor. But it was in this way — and blessed be God he well knew it ! — his Heavenly Father was gradually and most graciously preparing him for Himself. On the Thursday morning before his death he said to two of his children, who were expressing their affectionate solicitude ab(»ut his health, 'Oh! how earnestly have I prayed this night that my release might Ije signed ! I have trod many a weary step, l>ut I am drawing near my journey's end, and that's a comfort to a traveller.' On the morning of his dissolution, and as he ap])roached nearer to his rest, his prospects became still l)rij,'hter, and he sjjake of his decease in terms of uncommon animation and triumj)h. Amongst other excellent things he said, ' Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. I never thought that my death-bed would l>e so happy. Oh! I cannot tell half what I feel! Now is my salvation nearer than when I first believed: yes, it is! it is! Oh! what cause for thankfulness have I and you all ! but God forbid that I should have any

spiritual

1709— 18()2.] ILLNESS IN CHILDHOOD. 3

JosiAH, the second surviving son, received his father's name at his baptism. While yet an infant, lie was attacked with a severe illness, in which his life was despaired of. His father, in the bitterness of his sorrow, walked about the room in the night with the child in his arms to soothe him ; and as he commended his soul to God, the last verse of the 102d Psalm was powerfully impressed upon his mind — " The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before theeJ^ His mind rested upon this promise. He received comfort from the hope that it might yet please God to restore his child, and it was fulfilled, not only in that, but in a far higher spiritual pride, for I am a poor sinner saved freely by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.' *,,****

" To one of his daughters, who stood weeping at his bed, and inquiring how he was, he replied earnestly, ' Very well : my poor body is weak, but what a happy creature shall I be through the countless ages of eternity !' ^ * * * * *

" There are some leading ideas, in the character of our departed friend, that must not be omitted. In his example, his light was rather clear and steady than overwhelming and marvellous. His zeal was equally removed from the inditFercnce of the formalist and the fierceness of the bigot. His (christian affection was tempered by a holy and jealous watchfulness over the walk of his brethren. His attainments in grace were rather the effect of growth, than the hasty and immature productions of impulse. His fruits were m their season ; and the general course of his life was directed more by the constant presence and authority of truth upon the mind, than by the floating uncertainties of various opinion, or the vehement warmth of particular occasions: it was, in a word, the ' path of the just which shineth more and more to the perfect day.' ***** "In the case of our departed friend every thing is clear : in his principles, in liis conversation, and in his end, there remains nothing perple-xed, nothing to be made out, nor any thing to be proved. It is a plain unequivocal instance of the power of Clmstianity, whether you regard that as a principle of knowledge, a rule of action, or a strong consolation in death."

k2

4 ENTERS UPON BUSINESS. [Chai-. I.

sense, by Him "who is al)le to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think."

Until the age of twelve years, Josiah was educated with his two younger brothers, Isaac and Henry, at Harr School, a large establishment about six miles from Birmingham. His father then introduced him into his own business as a manufacturer; in which, from his natural habits of industry and accuracy, he might be expected to excel, and family tradition reports that the expectation was fully realised. Bat at a very early period he had imbibed a strong taste for books, and his mind became filled with an ardent desire for the acquisition of general knowledge. For several years, however, he kept this very much to himself, procuring and laying in books secretly, and indulging his literary propensity only in leisure hours, and in the retirement of his chamber. He imagined that his parents might think it unnecessary for him to spend so much time and money in pursuits which would not turn to account in that line of life for which he was intended. After remaining several years with his father, he was placed in another manufactory, for the purpose of acquiring a more extensive knowledge of commercial affairs.

There is little on record to shew what w^ere the operations of divine grace in his heart during his early youth. That little, however, seems to indicate that it was in the House of God that his mind was most susceptible of religious im])ressions. He used, in later years, to refer, with lively recollection, to the solemn elFect produced one day uj)on his young mind, in St.

17f.9— 1802.] RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 5

Mary's Church, by the earnest manner in which the Service, and especially the Venite exultemus, was read by the Rev. Charles Simeon, who had recently entered the ministry, and was on that occasion officiating for Mr. Burn. And it appears that on another occasion, when yet a boy, his attention was arrested by the petition in the Liturgy, " Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts." He was wondering what sorrows he had to speak of, when the next petition furnished an answer, which the Holy Spirit taught him to apply, " Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people." He was not brought, however, to any remarkable or abiding concern for his soul till his seventeenth year. The circumstance which led to this change is memorable. The late Rev. Thomas Robinson, of Leicester, ministered in the pulpit one Sunday for Mr. Riland. Any one who had ever heard Mr. Robinson might easily conceive the solemnity and pathos with which he would deliver the words "Let us pray," used before sermon. On this occasion they struck upon the heart and conscience of the youthful subject of this Memoir with such power, and occupied his mind so entirely, that he had no recollection of any thing else connected with the occasion, not even the subject of the sermon. He thought what a solemn act prayer was ! He doubted whether he had ever prayed in his life. His mind was filled with awe and contrition for his past neglect. These, and many other considerations, took such possession of him, that his religious views and feelings might be said to have assumed a definite character from that period, and from this circumstance. He

6 DESIRE TO ENTER THE MINISTRY. [Chap. I.

joined the Societies which Mr. Riland had recomniciuled to his (lock for spiritual edification ; in his connection with these, his religious character became further dcveloi)ed ; and the fund of information and knowkd«,^e which he had already laid in by private reading and study, found scope for profitable application.

He speedily became anxious to be a minister of Christ ; a desire which was probably much promoted by tlie sympathies, if not the suggestions, of some of his companions, who bad for some time judged that his mind was under preparation for higher duties. His chief fear as to the accomplishment of such a wish arose from what he considered to be his father's inclination and future plans. His eldest brother, Frederick, had left England to settle in Baltimore, and their father was naturally looking forward to having his next son — one of so much promise — associated with him in his own engagements. Under these apprehensions, he made it a subject of earnest prayer to God, that if it were consistent with His holy will that he should enter " the sacred ministry of His Church," He would incline the heart of his father to favour the pro- ])osal. He then, in a respectful way, and not without some fear and trembling, disclosed his mind to his l)elovcd ])arcnt. But so far was he from discouraging him, that he entered at once most kindly into his views, and rejoiced in thus giving up a son to the more immediate service of God. The friend to whom he was in some measure bound in business, with the greatest kindness released him, expressing a sincere

1769—1802] MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS. 7

regard for him, and satisfaction in his services. The time which had been thus occupied was by no means thrown away. He was then acquiring those habits of business, and that practical turn of mind, which so eminently qualified him for many duties to which he was afterwards called.

It was a distinguishing feature in the character of several of the eminent men of his day, and one which was of peculiar advantage to those who were designed, in the providence of God, to take the lead in the religious movement at the close of the last century, that Christian zeal and spiritual knowledge were combined in the same persons with active habits and a practical knowledge of secular concerns. Indeed, the fact that men, whose first line of life and education appeared to be preparing them for other occupations, should be called entirely to change their course, and devote themselves to the ministry, while it distinctly shews us that God was designing them for important services, seems also to imply that there was some peculiar fitness for the discharge of these duties in their character and cast of mind. An earnest zeal for Christ's glory and enlarged views of His blessed Gospel, together with an extensive knowledge of the world and its affairs, were eminently characteristic of the subject of this Memoir.

As soon as the above determination was arrived at, Mr. Pratt's father engaged a tutor to prepare him for college ; and, with his wonted zeal and energy, he was often at his tutor's door on cold winter mornings before he was out of bed, losing no time to make up g CoMKS TO LONDON. [Chap. I.

the (liiiciencies of liis classical education. He entered at St. Kchmiiurs Hall, Oxford, and was matriculated .huu' 22,178*). At the University he had the advantage of an excellent tutor in the Rev. Isaac Crouch, afterwards Vicar of Narborough, near Leicester, to whom he was most sincerely attached, and with whom, to the close of his life, he enjoyed an intimate friendship.

That he maintained, under his new circumstances, his former character for regular and orderly habits, may be shewn upon the principle of the adage, that The exception proves the rule. Upon one, and only one, occasion he omitted to attend the Chapel Prayers. His absence was so marked an event, that when the Service was over, the tutor and several of his friends among the Undergraduates adjourned in a body to his rooms to learn the reason of his absence, fully expecting, as they expressed themselves, to find him " dead or dying."

Having completed his College education, he was ordained June 3,1792, by the Bishop of Hereford, to the Curacy of Dowlcs near Bewdley, a small living then held by the Rev. William Jesse, of West Bromwicli ; and he remained there till after he had received Priests' Orders. Having then, in the autumn of 1795, a (ksiro to change his sphere of labour, he wrote to the Rev. Richard Cecil in London, to whom he was known by Mr. C.'s visits at Birmingham, inquiring if he knew of any Curacy in or near London that would suit l)iiii. Mr. Cecil answered him in the following laconic and (juaint style: " I want a Curate myself; put a shirt m your ])0(kct, and come and see whether my Curacy will suit you." Mr. Pratt immediately accepted the invitation, and was more than willing to undertake the post under a man whose judgment he valued so liighly. His inexperience would naturally place him at a disadvantage with Mr. Cecil's refined and somewhat fastidious congregation at St. John's, — a disadvantage which he often painfully felt. But Mr. Cecil's prompt discernment of character enabled him to encourage his young friend : " Never mind, Pratt ; make yourself useful, and a time will come when you tvill be ivanted."