who, by being at Ryde in the course of business, some years since, was struck with the necessity of preaching the gospel there; and who has generously contributed to the keep ing up of public worship, and to. wards the building of the place. Cominendations are likewise due to the generous and active exertions of J. Kirkpatrick, Esq. of Newport. DEC. 11, in the afternoon, was opened a small chapel at Wistanwigg, about four miles from Market Drayton, by the Rev. John Wilson, minister of the Calvinistic chapel at that town; at whose sole expence the above chapel was erected, after his having, for near two years, preached at a house in the neighbourhood with encourag ing success. Mr Wilson preached from Exod. xx. 24. Independent Chapel (called Bethel) DEC. 12, was opened the New at Leeds, In the morning, Mr. Rayson, of Wakefield, preached from Is. Ivi. 7. In the afternoon, Mr. Bennett (pastor of the church} preached from Zech. vi. 13. the evening, Mr. Parsons, of Leeds, delivered a third discourse, from Phil. i 18. lat. cl. The congrega tions throughout the day were numerous and attentive. Widows. W. DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. January 10, 1803. At a Meeting of the Trustees, the following Cases being properly recommended, were accordingl y relieved: THE WORDS AND MUSIC BY W. BARRE. 5 Arise, O Lord, and help on Thee HYMN My own dear child when dangers near, So may I act, and soon these fears For the Missionary Meetings. And animate thy saints with zeal; In winning sinners to thy ways! Now let thy pow'r with us be found! And efforts oft abortive prove, And light, and zeal, and grace supply; S On reading the Motto on the late cenerable Countess Dowager of Hunting don's Arms, "IN VERITATE VICTORIA. Or aim to wound thy cause : And shame upon them draws. What fierce assaults hast thou repell'd, Truth shall its foes cast down. And mists and shadows Hee; From darkness set us free ! O Truth divine, we hail thy beams! Of superstitious rites = S EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1803. MEMOIR OF WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. FEW persons, in any age of Christianity, have been equally eminent for Evangelical devotion, and for literary genius and taste. Religious people may, indeed, in general, be regarded as better informed, because more accustomed to read, than others in the classes of life to which they chiefly belong: but while an earnest desire of religious knowledge usually renders the pious peasant, or mechanic, superior to his worldly neighbours, it seldom pervades the circles of the polite; and when it does, is likely to render them less ardent in the pursuit of literary excellence, by fixing their principal attention on objects of infinitely greater importance. The very remarkable subject of this memoir, might, at the first view, be deemed a striking exception to this rule; yet it may reasonably be doubted, whether, if a sovereign dispensation of the providence of God, had not incapacitated him for the sublimer enjoyments of devotion, he would ever have attained to the summit of poetical fame. His life, on the whole, has become an object of great curiosity to all who possess a relish for literature and humanity; but to the religious mind, especially if in some measure endowed with a similar taste, the enquiry is singularly interesting. We should therefore, gladly have gratified our readers with an earlier Memoir of Mr. Cowper: but, as a full and authentic account of his life, under the sanction of his relatives and intimate friends, was earnestly expected, motives of respect for their inclinations, induced us to wait for its appearance. We can cordially recommend Mr. Hayley's elegant performance to the attention of all whose circumstances enable them to purchase it, as a faithful and satisfactory delineation of his adinired friend and literary associate. The judicious selection he has made from Mr. Cowper's confidential correspondence, comprizing the substance or extracts of nearly 300 letters, exhibits his character in an amiable and instructive point of view. His work includes |