The life of the Rev. Thomas Scott, D. D., rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks

Front matter

THE lilFE

/vSC.^

OF THE

Preface

The letters will, I trust, be judged a highly valuable part of the volume : and, as will appear to the reader, there are many more in reserve, from which a farther selection may be given to the public, if it should be desired. With this view, I would still earnestly invite those friends who possess letters of my father's to communicate to me, through the medium of the booksellers, either the originals or authenticated copies of such parts as may not be mixed up with private affairs. To those who have already complied with this request, I beg leave here to return my sincere acknowledgments.

I find that it may not be superfluous to insert a caution with respect to any new pubhcation bearing my father's name. Whatever is not expressly sanctioned by his family, must be considered as appearing contrary to their wishes.

CHAPTER I. IsfCLTJDING THE FIRST STXTEE3V YEARS OF HIS LIFE. Page

Mr. Scott's own memoir of his life,

Plan of the present work, ....

1 747. His birth and early education,

His eldest brother, .....

1757 to 1762. At School, at Scorton, in Yorkshire, A peculiarity in his early turn of mind, . Remarks on Schools, .....

1762. Short apprenticeship to a surgeon at Alford,

Remarkable incident during his apprenticeship,

Reflections,

Extracts from the * Force of Truth,' relative to this period, Employment in the grazing business, with his father,

J3

CHAPTER II. Fro3i his apprenticeship to his ordination. 1763 to 1772. Hardships from his sixteenth to his twenty-sixth year, .

Some account of other members of his family,

His attempts to obtain oruers,

1772. His ordination by the bishop of Lincoln, (Sept. 20th,)

He accepts the curacies of Stoke Goldington, and Weston-Underwood, Bucks,

Reflections on his ordination,

Extracts from the * Force of Truth,'

Apology for the preceding narrative,

for Mr. S.'s censures of himself.

An incident.

His character as displayed in letters of this period,

CHAPTER III. From his ordination to his marriage

1772. Settlement at Stoke, 41

Family of George Wrighte, Esq. of Gayhurst, • . . ib.

1773. Entrance at Clare Hall, Cambridge, 42

His studies, ib.

Attention to clerical duties, 46

Death of his sister, Mrs. Caborn, 47

Rev. John Newton, curate of Olney, 48

Extracts from the 'Force of Truth,' . . . . .49

His finances, 53

His family worship then and in later life, . . . .54

CHAPTER IV. The great change in his religious views

1775. Removal to the curacy of Ravenstone, . . . . 58

24 26 29 32 via

CONTENTS.

1776,1777. Birth of his two eldest children,

1775. Death of his sister, Mrs. Gibbons, Great change in his religious views.

Important letters relative to this subject,

1776. He devotes himself entirely to the work of the ministry, His sentiments on study and learning, .

Doctrinal views at the close of 1776, Extemporary preaching.

CHAPTER V. Period at weston underwood, till PUBLICATION OF THE ^ FORCE OF TRUTH.'

Removal to Weston Underwood,

Death of his father and mother.

Renewal of intercourse with Mr. Newton,

Practice of medicine among the poor.

Progress of his religious inquiries,

Ministerial faithfulness — Bart. Higgins, Esq. .

Playing at cards, ....

The theatre, ....

Interview with a clergyman,

The vicar of Ravenstone, 1779, 1780. Birth of two sons — Death of a son and daughter, 1779. Publication of ' The Force of Truth,' .

. 59

. ih,

. 60

. 61

. 71

. 72

. 74

. 77

THE

1778. 1773.

CHAPTER VI. Letters belonging to the period of the PRECEDING CHAPTER

1779. Letters on numerous deaths in his family, particularly his In-

1780. On the death of his daughter, . , . . .90 1778, 1779. On the impression produced on his relations by his change

Tenderness of his affections, . . . . .94

1778 to 1781. Letters to a relation by marriage, pressing the great duties of religion, . . . . • . .97

CHAPTER Vn. From the first proposal of the curacy

OF OLNEY, TO THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY THERE.

1780. Proposal of the curacy of Olney, . . . .100

Changes there on Mr. Newton's removal, . . 101 — 105

Small-Pox at Olney and Ravenstone^ .... 101

Jail fever at Stoke, . . . . . .103

Remarkable case, . . , . . .104

Week-day lectures, . , . . . .106

Lady Austen — ^Cowper, the poet, . . . 107, 108

Question of Infant Baptism, ..... 109

Regular ministrations, . . . . .111

Extract on itinerant preaching, . . . .112

Rev. Dr. Carey, of Serampore, . • . .114

1776. Dissenters at Northampton, . . . . .115

1783. Severe illness in Shropshire — Letter from Rev. J. Mayor, . 116

1784,1735. Thanksgiving Sermon— Discourse on Repentance, . 117

COKTENTS. IX

CHAPTER VIII. Correspondence during the period of THE PRECEDING CHAPTER

Parish of Olney, . . . . . .118

1779 to 1782. LettersofRev. J. Newton, . . . .119

1781. Situation at Olney, - - - - - - 125

1782. Happy state of his mind, - - - - -127

1783. Treatment of relations not religious, - - - - 129 1783 to 1785. Letters to the Rev. J. Mayor, - - 130—137

Antinomianism, - - - - - - 132

Letters to the Rev. G. More. — His religious views, 133 — 135

CHAPTER IX. From the close of his ministry at olney, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS COMMENTARY

Situation at Olney, - -- - - -139

Charge of scolding in the pulpit, - - - 140 — 153

Ministerial discouragement, ----- 140

1785. Situation at the Lock proposed, - - - - 141 On giving and receiving advice, - - - - 142 Removal to London, ----- 144 The Lock, - - - - - - ib,

1 790. Lectureships in Bread-street and Lothbury, - - - 146 His Sunday labours, ------ 147

Charge of Arminianism, - - - - - 150

1786. Sermon on Election and Final Perseverance, - - - ib. Society in London, - - - - - 150 — 155

Trials at the Lock, - - - - - - 153

Usefulness in the Hospital, - - - - -151

1787. Pamphlet on the fatal consequences of female Prostitution, ?*&. Institution of the Lock Asylum, - - - - 154

1786, 1787. Visits to Buckinghamshire, and Sermon on Growth in

1786. Correspondence during this period, - - - - 157 AVith his sisters — Funeral Sermon for Dr. Conyers, - - ib. With the Rev. Dr. Ryland, - - - - - 158 With a late parishioner in Buckinghamshire, - - - 162

1787. With a friend in Wales, on Welsh Bibles, - - -165

CHAPTER X. His commentary on the scriptures — death

OF MRS. SCOTT.

1787. The work proposed and undertaken, - • - 16S

1788. Embarrassment and failure of the proprietor, - - - 169 1792. Losses of the author, - - - - 171—177 1800 to 1811. Improvements of the work in two new editions, - 171

Copy-rightdisposedof to the present proprietors, - - 172

1788 to 1792. First publication of the work, - - - 174

Letters relative to it, - - - - - 175

1791. Discourse on the Death of John Thornton, Esq. - - 176 Subsequent editions of the Commentary, - - 178 — 181 Its progress in America, - - - . ISI — 184

1790. Death of Mrs Scott, - - - - - 186

Mr. Scott's second marriage, - - - - 187

Letters, - - - - - - - ib.

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XL Additional particulars from the time or finishing his commentary to the eve of his removal

FROM LONDON.

Publications —

1792. On Civil Government and the Duties of Subjects, - - 189

1793. The Rights of God, - - - - - - ib.

1796. Answer to Paine's Age of Reason, - - - 189,193

1792, 1793. Letters to Dr. Ry land— Political Sentiments, - - 190

1793. Dr. Carey, the Baptist Missionary, - - - " - 193

Farther Publications —

1793, 1794. Essays on the most important Subjects in Religion, - 194

1794.1795. Notes on Bunyan's Pilgrim, - - - - ib,

1796. Volume of Sermons, - - - - - ib.

1797. Warrant and Nature of Faith, - - - - ib.

1802. Four Sermons, ------ ib,

1798 to 1802. Lectures connected with the state of the times, - ib,

1798. Observations on the signs and duties of the times, - - 195 1802. Sermon at the close of the Lectures, - - - - ib. 1793 to 1795. Fast Sermons, - - , - - - ib.

1793. Thanksgiving Sermon, - - - - ' ib. 1801. Sermon before the Church Missionary Society, - - ib,

1800. Origin of that Society, - - - - - ib. Commemoration of Mr. Scott, at the anniversary in 1821, - 196 Works projected, but never executed, - - - 197

1796. Voyages between London and Margate - . - 198

CHAPTER XII. Letters belonging to the period of the PRECEDING CHAPTER

1794, 1795. Letters to his friends in Northumberland, - - 199

1795.1796. Letters to his son at college, - - - -202 Letters on companies and studies, . - - - ib,

— onjoining religious societies in college, - -204

on the study of divine truth, - - - - 205

on the love of God, - - - - 207

to a lady on ' Hart's Hymns,' - - - 209

on habits, and the employment of time, - - 211

1797. ontheRev. Henry Venn, - - - -212

to Mrs. Webster on the death of her daughters, - ib.

on Mr. Wilberforce's * Practical View,' - - 214

on the ministry, and qualifications for it, - ' ib.

1798. on academical distinctions, - - - - 217

on education, - - - - - ib,

on his own religious sentiments, - - « 218

1801. an his views during a very dangerous illness, - - ib.

Observations on the last letter, - - - - 221

CHAPTER XIII. From his accepting the living of aston TO the final disposal of his commentary. Concluding transactions at Ihe Lock, - - - 223 1801. The Living of Aston Sandford, - - - - ib. Determination to quit the Lock, - - - - 224 Erection of a parsonage house at Aston, - - - 226 Elizabeth Moulder — filial duty and charity to the poor remunerated, - - - - ^ - - ' ib.

Review of his own conduct at the Lock, - . - 228

CONTENTS. XI

Conclusion of his own Narrative, _ - - - j&.

1806 to 1811. Visits to Hull, York, Leeds, - - - - 230

1809 to 1813. to Bristol, and to Portsmouth, - - - 231

1813. Visits to Cambridge, - - - - - - ib.

Publications —

1803. Funeral Sermon for the Rev. J. Newell, - - - 232

1804. Sermon before the London Missionary Society, . - - ib, 1808. Funeral Sermon for the Rev. T. Pentycross, - - ib. 1810. Sermon on the death of the Missionary, Barneth, - - ib,

1810. Sermon for the Jews' Society, - - - - ib, 1811 Address to Missionaries proceeding to Africa, - - ib,

1812. Sermon for the London Female Penitentiary, - - ib,

1811. Remarks on the Refutation of Calvinism, - - -233 1805 to 1808. His collected Works, - - - - ib.

1807 to 1814. Tuition of Missionaries, - - - - ib.

Study of Arabic, - - - - - - ib,

1813. His views with respect to the instruction of Missionaries, - 234 His zeal for religious and benevolent Institutions, - - 236 Effects of his ministry at Aston, . _ - - 237 Chapelry of Gawcott, ----- 238

CHAPTER XIV. Letters belonging to the period of THE PRECEDING CHAPTER

L On the work of the ministry, - - - . 239

II. On the provision for families, and education of children, particularly those of ministers, - . - . 245

III. On. the death of children and near friends, - - 247

IV. Miscellaneous, - - - - - -254

CHAPTER XV. From the final disposal of his commentary TILL HIS last illness

1813. Unexpected difficulty in his finances, - - - - 256 Extraordinary relief, - - - - - 258

1814. Works on the question between Jews and Christians, - - 262 Sermon on the Peace — The Slave Trade, - - . 264 Death of his sister, Mrs. Burgess, - - - _ 265 of Henry Thornton, Esq. - - _ . 267

1815. Sermon on the death of Lady Mary Fitzgerald, - '■268 Index and Concordance to his Bible, - - - - 269

1815 to* 181 7. Letters on Ecclesiastical Establishments, - - 270

1815. On fluctuations in a congregation, - - - - ib. Second Edition of his ' Remarks,' - - - - 272

1816. Trials.— On temptation, - - - - . 273 On concern for spiritual welfare of children, - - ib. On the death of an infant grandchild, - - - _ 276 On cultivating cheerfulness, - - - . 278 Letters to his sister, Mrs. V^ebster, - - - .. 280

1817. History ofthe Synod of Dort, - - - - - 281 Sermon on the death ofthe Princess Charlotte, - - ib,

1818. Preparation of a stereotype edition of his Bible, - -282 Letters on submission to God, - - - - 283 His state at this period, - ^ . _ - 285 On Dr. Chalmers' farewell Address, - _ - 286 Occurrences in a visit to Aston, - - - - 287 Last letter t© Mrs. Webster, - _ - . 283

-Xll COjSiTENTS.

1819. Letter to his youngest son, ----- 290 On the recent ecclesiastical acts and proceedings, - - 291 Death of his late wife's sister, - - - - 293

1820. of King George III. - - - . - i6.

of Mr. Scott's brother, - - » . - 294

of his sister, Mrs. Webster, - - - i6.

His state in the summer and autumn of 1820, - - 295

Last letter to the Rev. T. Webster, - - - - 297

On the exertions for the spiritual improvement of seamen, - 298

On Cruden's Concordance, - - - - ' ib.

On his own Index and Concordance, - - - - 299

1821. Last letter to Rev. Dr. Ryland, - - - « 300

to his eldest son, - - - - 301

to Mrs. Burgess on the death of a daughter, - 302

to his friend in Northumberland, - - ' ib,

1818. Letters to a niece after the death of her mother, - - 304

1819. to a Clergyman on private religious meetings, - 306

on prayer to the Holy Spirit, - - 308

1821. Last letter to the Rev. J. Mayor, ... -310

CHAPTER XVL His last illness and death.

Introductory observations from the Rev. D. Wilson's Funeral Sermons, ------- 312

March 16 to April. Extracts of letters written from Aston during his

His funeral, -----. 328

Impressions left on the minds of the family, - - - 329

On the occasional depression and gloom experienced by Mr. Scott, 331 Memorandums made during his illness, - - . 334

His fears, which were never realized, - - . 351

CHAPTER XVn. His character — habits, sentiments on

EDUCATION.

His character as delineated by Mr. Wilson, - - - 353

Additional observations, ----- 363

On his intellectual endowments, - - - - ib-

On his spirit and temper — particularly deadness to the world, 365

On his habits, - - - - - - 371

Letter from John Pearson, Esq. - - - - 374

Letter from William Wilberforce, Esq. - - - 375

Mr. Scott's Sentiments on Education, . - - 373

CHAPTER XVHL His works — his theology — conclusion.

I. The Force of Truth, and the Commentary, - - -386 Principles of interpretation adopted in the latter work, - 387

II. Theological Treatises, ----- 391

III. Occasional sermons, - - - - - 397

IV. Works against infidelity and disaffection, - - 399

V. Other controversial works, . , - - 40O His Theology, - - - - - - 406

Conclusion, -.._-- 408

Memoir of his eldest daughter, - . , -414

JLIFE

OF THE

REV. THOMAS SCOTT.

Chapter I. Including The First Sixteen Years Of His Life

The public are already apprized, that my honoured father left behind him a written memoir of his own life, brought down to the year 1812. The first sentence of this manuscript will explain*, at once, his reason for so doing, and the nature of the composition. " As there can be little doubt," he says, '^ that, after my decease, something in the way of memoir, or narrative, will be published concerning me, to prevent misinformation, and to supply a few authentic materials, I purpose, in the following sheets, to state such facts as seem of sufficient importance, leaving it, in general, to others to make their observations upon them."

Hence it would seem, that not so much to write for the public eye, as to furnish '' authentic materials" to those who might be induced to do so, was the object which he proposed to himself. Accordingly I confess, that, on my first inspection of the narrative, it appeared to me, though in all parts gratifying to the writer's immediate friends, yet in many instances more minute and familiar than might be suitable for a work, to be submitted to the world at large. But, on more deliberately considering the subject, and reflecting on what the public have, in other instances, not only tolerated, but approved, I have so far altered my judgment, as to determine to keep back very little indeed of what my father has written ; and, in committing it to the press, to subject it only to that verbal, or otherwise slight correction, which an unrevised composition naturally requires.

It farther appears, from the sentence which has been recited, that contenting himself with recording leading facts, the writer left it to others to make the proper reflections upon them.

On the whole, therefore, in compliance with what would, I hope, have obtained his own sanction, and what, I feel some confidence, will meet the wishes of the religious public, I shall give the bulk of my father's manuscript in his own i4 EARLY LIFE. [CHAP. I^

words ; interweave with it pretty copious selections from his correspondence, illustrative of its contents ; offer such reflections as the several occasions may seem to demand ; and, after we shall have lost the help of that original document, detail the history of the remaining period of his life, as much upon the same plan as the means in my power shall enable me to do. I would endeavour every where to keep in view the great object for which he lived, and to which, on his dyingbed, more entirely, if possible, than before, he approved of having devoted his life ; and would humbly desire, that the present work may still conduce to the same design : that here, as well as in the writings more exclusively his own, he may " yet speak" to the glory of God, and to the highest good of mankind.

My father thus records the time and place of his birth. '^ I was born on the fourth of February, 1746-7, answering, since the change of the style, and the beginning of another century, to February 16, 1747. A small farm-house at Braytoft, in Lincolnshire, was the place of my birth. Braytoft is five miles from Spilsby, and about six from Skegness, — where a well-known bathing place has since been built ; but where, in my remembrance, only one solitary public house existed, on the seashore.

'^ My father, John Scott, was a grazier, a man of a small and feeble body, but of uncommon energy of mind, and vigour of intellect ; by which he surmounted, in no common degree, the ahnost total want of education. His circumstances were very narrow, and for many years he struggled with urgent difficulties. But he rose above them ; and, though never affluent, his credit was supported, and he lived in more comfortable circumstances to the age of seventy-six years. He had thirteen children, ten of whom Hved to maturity ; and my eldest brother was twenty-three years older than my youngest sister.

^' Concerning my father's family and ancestors, I know scarcely any thing. My mother's maiden name was Wayet, and she was descended of a family well known and respected, for a long time back, at Boston. From her method of ruling and teaching her large family, when very young, I derived many of my best maxims concerning the education of my own children.

^' Having principally by her been taught to read fluently, and to spell accurately, I learned the first elements of Latin at Burgh, two miles off, at a school to which, for a while, I went as a day scholar. But at eight years of age I was sent to Bennington, a village about four miles north of Boston, where my father had a grazing farm, (on which my elder brother and sister resided with my father's sister,) that I might attend a school in the parish, kept by a clergyman. Here I continued about two years ; and, in addition to writing, and the first rudiments of arithmetic, I learned a little Latin at my master's desire, who thought he saw in me a turn for that kind of learning. He had, as I recollect, no other Latin scholar. Exclusive of some instances of my early proficiency in several kinds of vice, and the severe corrections to which this exposed me, I remember little of these two years, except a preservation from drowmng, in a situation mto which I had rushed in defiance of warning. My escape was considered as wonderful, for none of the spectators was able to give me any aid.

'-'- Towards the close of these years my eldest brother died on board a man of war, I thmk at Portsmouth. My father, amidst his difficulties, greatly desired to have a son educated for one of the learned professions ; and his eldest son, showing a talent for learning, was sent to school, at Scorton, in Yorkshire, (of which place more will be spoken hereafter) and, when he had acquired a competent stock of Latin and Greek, was bound apprentice to a surgeon and apothecary at Burgh. His master dying during the term of his apprenticeship, lefl *him his indentures, and, I believe, a small legacy. He then went to Lynn, in Norfolk, where he enjoyed far greater advantages for acquiring professional knowledge ; and, having attended the hospitals in London for some time, he was induced, on the breaking out of war with France, to enter the navy as surgeon's mate, determined to push his fortune in that Hne. His advance from the lowest rank to that next to a surgeon, to which, if he had hved, he would certainly have been very soon promoted, was rapid ; and the most sanguine expectations were formed. But a vessel of war arriving from abroad with a malignant disease among the crew, he, being, as it always appeared, a stranger to fear, and enthusiastically eager in the pursuit of professional knowledge, requested to be one of those who were sent on board of her. There he soon caught the disease, which terminated at once his prospects and his life, when he was about twenty-four years of age.

" My father felt this event as, in every way, a most heavy affliction. He determined, however, if possible, to have a son in the medical profession ; and, as I was thought of the proper age, and seemed capable of readily learning Latin, I was selected. From this time my attention wavS almost entirely directed to that language ; and, at different places, 1 got a superficial knowledge of several books generally read at schools : which

16 EARLY LIFE. [GHAP, I,

gave the appearance of far greater proficiency than I had actually made.

'^ At ten years of age I was sent to Scorton, where my brother had been before me ; and there I remained five years without returning home, or seeing any relation or acquaintance. Scorton is a hamlet of the parish of Bolton, where the celebrated Henry Jenkins, who lived one hundred and sixty-nine years, lies buried ; and there is a monumental inscription for him in the parish church. This was one hundred and forty miles from Braytoft ; five miles from Richmond, and two from Catterick, in Yorkshire ; the river Swale running between. There were then several turnpike roads in the neighbourhood, and one through the village, but f do not remember that I ever saw or heard of a stage coach ! — The whole expense of boarding and clothing amounted to 1 41. a year ; two guineas were paid for teaching, books being found ; there were some extra charges for writing, arithmetic, and French, and some expenses for medical assistance : but I have often heard my father mention, that I cost him 17Z. a year, for five years. I think he must have underrated the sum, but I am fully satisfied that 100/. more than covered all the charges of the five years ; and this was all the cost of my education. Yet I wanted for nothing. I had plenty of wholesome food, and, though my clothing was rather coarse, I was as tenderly taken care of when sick, which* was frequently the case, by the widow, who kept the boarding house, and her daughter, as I could have been at home. The effect, however, of such long separations from parents, brothers and sisters, and other near relations, is far from favourable to the forming of the moral and social character, in future life.

'^ The school of Scorton is, I believe, well endowed : and it was at that time of considerable note. During the whole of my continuance there, there were above eighty scholars ; several from remote places ; and a few of superior station in society ; whose names I have since met with as occupying rather conspicuous situations. The Rev. John Noble was head-master. He had been, in his day, indisputably an able teacher of the learned languages : but at this time he was old and lethargic ; and, though still assiduous, was most grossly imposed upon by the boys, and by no one more than myself.

" When I arrived at Scorton, I was asked what Latin books I had read ; and my answer induced the usher to overrate my proficiency, and to place me in a class much beyond my superficial attainments. This, however, stimulated me to close application ; and it was not very long before I overtook my class-mates, and with ease accompanied them. Had I then been again pushed forward, I might have been excited to persevering diligence : but, as I could appear with tolerable credit without much application; partly by actual proficiency, and rrtlvby imposing on Mr. Noble, under whose care I now ?an ie • my love of play, and my scarcity of money for selt-.n- Sent Expenses, induced me to div.de a great proportion ot my time between diversion and helping other boys m their excises, for a very scanty remuneration, which ost in gaming or "squandered in gratifying my appetite, btul, however, 1 mad2 considerable progress, and should have been at the head of the school, had I continued in it anottier year. But one thin- is remarkable, considering what has^since taken place, that! while I could translate Latin into English, or English into Latin, perhaps more readily and correctly than any other boy in the school, I never could compose themes. 1 absolutely seemed to have no ideas, when set to work of this kind, either then or for some years afterward ; and was even greatly at a loss to write a common letter. As for verses, I never wrote any except non.en^e-verses, of one kind or other^; which has perhaps been the case also of many more proline versifiers God had not made me a poet, and I am very thankful that 1 never attempted to make myself one." ,..,.,., -.

[n addition to what my father has here stated, I think it sufficiently curious to be inserted in the history of one who hved to compose so many large volumes, that I have often heard him remark, that, in his early days, he looked upon few things with so much surprise, as upon great books : he felt utterly at a loss to conceive, how they had ever been produced. 1 or the encouragement, also, of industry and perseverence, I would venture to express an opinion, which facts, I think, have suggested to me, -that to find composition a difficult task is rather a promising symptom in young persons, than the contrary. Precocity in writing is very often no other than the art of writing" without ideas :" while they, who cannot write till they have thought, are more likely, in the event, to store their compositions with valuable matter.

" During these five years," my father proceeds, " I experienced, as I suppose most young persons do, several remarkable preservations in perilous circumstances, generally such as my violent and eager spirit pushed me into ; and I also recovered from some very dangerous fevers. These thmgs ought to be remembered by me with lively gratitude, especially as I then scarcely ever thought of God ; but they are not so peculiar as to deserve public notice. Perhaps one exception may be admitted. Sitting by the fire-side reading, I affronted, by no great offence, a school-fellow of as violent passions as myself: when, without my being at all aware of his design, he seized a large poker, and aimed a blow at my head, which must have proved fatal, had not its force been broken by an intervening object. As it was, it inflicted a severe wound, which left a bald place on the top of my head ever after.

" My own conduct, at this period, was as immoral as want of money, pride and fear of temporal consequences, and a natural bashfulness, would admit it to be ; except that in one thing I retained a sort of habit of my family, and never learned to swear or take the name of God in vain, unless sometimes when provoked to violent passion. There wsisnofear of God before my eyes ; no restraint from the thought of any relations watching over and reproving my conduct ; no want of most vile examples and prompters ; and little fear of detection by the master. In one instance, however, this latter confidence failed me, and 1 was put to shame in the face of the whole school for robbing an orchard ; and my disgrace was proclaimed in the neighbourhood : which I mention to show that the master, though liable to gross imposition, decidedly opposed immorality whenever it was detected.