appointed for the evening service, whether through absence or design I cannot say, yet from the pleasant emotions that appeared to possess his mind; at once all the congregation seemed to feel themselves elevated with a hope, that they might yet sing as Sion did, when these appropriate words were read, "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion, then were we like to them that dream; then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with joy. Then said they among the Heathen, the Lord has done great things for them, Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already, whereof we rejoice.” The hopes of the people thus greatly revived, were soon afterwards completely conformed, by the giving out of an appropriate hymn, before Mr. Brightman began his first sermon, as Curate of the Parish. This hymn, together with another designed for the conclusion of the service; unknown to Mr. Brightman, was put into Mr. Sprightly's care that it might be handed to the clerk. Though Mr. Lovegood was a better man, than he was a poet; still I conceive it will be a gratification to the reader, if a copy of these hymns, be given as each comes in its place. The clerk being rather of the countrifled sort, thus gave it out. "Let us sing to the praise and glory of God, a thanksgiving hymn, for sending Mr. Brightman, ta be the Minister of this parish, in the room of Mr. Merryman deceased And how delighted and surprised the people were at the sound of a thanksgiving hymn, is not very easily to be expressed! Though the first part of the hymn they could scarcely sing for grief, yet the latter part of it they all could sing in a more cheerful key. Submissive at thy throne O God, Ten thousand stars at thy command, Display this gracious pow'r divine: With thankful hearts we bless the Lord, Baptize thy servant from above, O may this glorious grace be giv'n, Though the hymn at once created a universal ecstasy of joy; yet, O.what the people further felt when Mr. Brightman, in a most appropriate prayer before the sermon, addressed the Majesty of Heaven, that he would bless him with all those needed graces of his most holy Spirit: so as that he might accomplish the charge an unexpected Providence had involved upon him. That the love of God would fill him with a love to those souls, which were now become the objects of his peculiar attention and care; and that such zeal as he had never felt before, might animate him to peculiar exertions for their eternal good. Nor were the people less struck at the appropriate text he chose on this occasion, "I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." The whole of that passage having been made the subject of recent conversation between him and Mr. Lovegood, with the greatest solemnity he informed the people, that it was his full determination, not to address them with the enticing words of man's wisdom but that with simplicity, and godly sincerity," it was his entire aim, to have his conversation among them, and to dedicate himself to their good with his whole heart, and with his whole soul. To this he added, that as he was sure he was sent in answer to their many prayers; and especially to the prayers and exertions of their late Minister, so he requested he might have an interest in their fervent prayers, that he might be upheld in the sacred work; especially as he felt himself so unequal to fill the station of one, who was so eminently useful, and so highly devoted to God. In short, it appeared among them all, as though Mr. Merryman was actually risen from the grave. So that it would be difficult to determine whether the excessive grief the people were called to sustain on the previous Sunday, while they were paying their last token of respect to the memory of Mr. Merryman: or the ecstacy of joy, occasioned by this unexpected event, had the more powerful effect on the people's minds. At the conclusion of the sermon, Mr. Sprightly himself, was seen in the singing gallery, and heard giving out the following hymn; which was sung with astonishing ecstacy and delight. Commission'd from the Lord of hosts, Go dare the dreadful powers of sin; Strong in the strength of God alone, As darkness flies before the sun, So learn to make delusion fly, Chase down the lofty pride of man Nor let thy fears presume to quell In weakness shall thy strength be found, Thus may thy faithful servant prove After the service was over. I will leave the reader to conjecture the joyful salutations from every quar. ter, that crowded in upon Mr. Brightman, when Mr. Sprightly and he returned together from the Church ; blessing and praising God, for such an unexpected mercy, after such a calamitious event. The unhappy gloom which sat upon every countenance, seemed to be banished, they now perceived that while the voice of prayer, most fervently offered up from house to house for the preservation of the invaluable life of Mr. Merryman, was not to be answered, yet that the Lord had in reserve for them, the continuation of the same mercy, though through another channel. They could now bless God, that while they had been benefitted by the bright example which had been set before them, in the life and death of Mr. Merryman, the light of divine truth was still vouchsafed for their future good. Long live Mr. Tugwell, if the uninterrupted blessing of such a Minister is to be continued to the people of Sandover thereby, and O that every mitred head, might feel the wisdom of filling our British Sion, with such Ministers as are thus made wise to win souls to Christ" allowing them at the same time a little more elbow-room, that they may exert their wisdom and zeal a little more extendedly, in their delightful work. DIALOUGE XLIII. BETWEEN MR. BRIGHTMAN, MR. WHIMSEY, MR. SLAPDASH, AND MR. SPRIGHTLY. THE ENTHUSIASM DETECTED. HE settlement of Mr. Brightman among the inhabitants of Sandover, had now fully taken place. He became an inmate at Mr. Sprightly's where he had his board and lodging, and where he could at the same time, hear much of the pleasing and profitable conduct of the late Mr. Merryman, to which he was inquisitively attentive; being fully determined, for the good of the people, to follow him, as he followed Christ. It seems however that, very soon afterwards, he met with a little interruption, by an unexpected visit from his late Rector Mr. Whimsey, who called upon him, on his return home from a Town of considerable magnitude in the north, where, as he expressed himself, a great work of God had been carrying on, though many of them, since then, had fallen from grace. I question if Mr. Brightman would have accepted this offer, though he could scarcely have done otherwise, out of civility but for the following circumstances. He expected a visit, just at the same time, from good old Mr. Slapdash; whose constitutional warmth, was still regulated by a sound judgment, and excellent disposition; and who perhaps was better calculated for such a controversy, as next took place, than the more thoughtful, and judicious Mr. Lovegood. |