so many Christians in the devotions of the family circle. I was less disappointed in Mr. Jay than in any other distinguished preacher I heard. His sermon on this occasion was a rich, deep, and full presentation of a glorious gospel. A vein of pious experience was running through it, like a thread of light; and as he stood before me in the solemn vestures of the house of God, and presented the message of my Master, I thought he realized more fully my idea of an English preacher than any other man I had heard in the kingdom. Whoever reads the works of Mr. Jay will have a portrait of the man, the measure of his mind, and the fervency of his piety. Three others I will mention, and then relieve your patience. The first is

HON. AND REV. BAPTIST W. NOEL.

The past history of this distinguished man is somewhat known in this country. His father, Sir Girard Noel, was a naval officer of some distinction, and his mother a peeress of the realm. His oldest brother is the Earl of Gainsboro', and all his relatives are of noble birth or office. For a long time, Mr. Noel was minister of St. John's Church, Bedford Row, where he drew admiring crowds of hearers. The rich and poor came together to be pleased and benefited by his simple instructions. For many years, he has been regarded as a man of very liberal views and feelings, and on various occasions has incurred the reproofs of his superiors in office (he has no superior in true nobility of nature) for his resistance to their invasions upon the rights of the people. A few years since he became convinced that a union of church and state could not be justified on gospel principles, and, to the astonishment of his former ecclesiastical associates, announced

his intention of leaving the church of England. The tidings spread through the great city, carrying consternation to the supporters of a state church, and joy to the hearts of the dissenters. What denomination he would join became a matter of some solicitude; but all doubt was soon removed by his baptism in the old chapel once owned and occupied by the sainted Evans. Removing from his former more elegant and commodious place of worship, he entered the chapel wherein he was immersed, and at once drew around him an affectionate and wealthy congregation. In this chapel, which is about as large as our own house of worship, I heard him preach. His discourse was on the fidelity of Caleb, recorded in the Book of Numbers. With great clearness and simplicity, the preacher contrasted the conduct of Caleb with that of his friends, and in a very pleasing manner pointed out the rewards of the faithful Christian. He did not allude to himself, yet no one could fail to see in Mr. Noel a living exhibition of the spirit exhibited by Caleb. Amid the reproaches of his friends, and the astonishment of the whole naon, he had left a wealthy and influential body, which lived under the protection of the greatest kingdom on earth, and united with an unhonored and despised body. and meekly bore the reproaches of them who said, "Thou art beside thyself; much learning hath made thee mad."

I was disappointed in Mr. Noel's style of pulpit address. I expected to hear something which would electrify the audience, and come up to a high idea which I had received from a friend, who, with enthusiastic admiration, described Mr. Noel as the "greatest preacher in the kingdom." The discourse under mention was preached in a quiet and unostentatious style,

without notes, and in a sweet and gentle tore of voice. There were no sublime flights, no passages of overpowering eloquence, no outbursts of enthusiasm, but a clear, ingenuous flow of holy thoughts, which, like a gentle stream rippling on ever, gilded by the silvery rays of the moon, made the hearer forget the lapse of time, and sit with delight, until the close. I think

I never listened to so long a sermon with so little weariness, or went away from the sanctuary with a greater desire to come again.

The personal appearance of Mr. Noel is prepossessing. His forehead is high and broad; his hair is brown, and carefully adjusted, yet without unnecessary precision ; and his whole countenance bears the marks of a sweet, gentle serenity. I have seen more beautiful features; but I never saw a countenance in which love and purity, meekness and grace, were more evident.

The impression which I formed of this much-loved man was confirmed by a visit which I afterwards made to his fine residence at Hornsey, about six miles from his chapel in John Street. The meekness and sweetness of disposition which are so noticeable in the pulpit become more evident as he converses in his own dwelling. His visitors are at once at ease by the dignified familiarity with which he receives them, and the readi ness with which he enters into their views and projects. I saw but few men in England whose courtesy and kindness made a deeper impression upon my mind than that of the gifted nobleman who stands so deservedly at the head of the Baptist clergymen of London.

There is another name which will be mentioned to every person in London who inquires for the most distinguished preacher. I refer to that of

REV. DR. MELVILLE,

who, every Tuesday morning, delivers what is called the "golden lecture," in St. Margaret's Church, Lothbury. The fame of this distinguished man, who, like Mr. Noel, is a nobleman, has gone abroad. His works are read extensively in this country, and are much admired; and many a poor clergyman has sharpened his own dull sword on the sides of the pyramids of thought which Melville has erected, and lighted his own lamp at fires which were kindled in Camberwell.

So, one morning, I went in with a large number of friends to hear the "golden lecture," as this is known to be one of the choicest efforts of the preacher. Lothbury Church is an uncomely structure, displaying little architectural taste. It will contain about fifteen hundred persons, and is generally well filled at this lecture. On entering, a woman came forward, and, with a bundle of keys, unlocked a pew door, and thrust us in; and for half an hour we amused ourselves with looking at the church and its adornments. Behind the chancel are two paintings of Moses and Aaron, which I at first mistook for Jack the Giant-killer and his wife Hepzebah. On the walls, all around, are marble slabs, bearing inscriptions in praise of the dead, most of them, doubtless, more beautiful than true. One of them, after describing the virtues of the dead, closed by this remark: "who, having the wisdom to know when he had enough, was also endowed with the virtue to enjoy it." While we were looking around the house, we sat in a pew where we could see most of the congregation,―an aged man marched pompously up the aisle, entered the reading-desk, and commenced reading the service with such a tone, and such a look, and such a

for

drawl, that the most patient man could hardly have endured it. He continued, for about half an hour, to murder the beautiful prayers and the more sublime scriptures which are set apart for the morning service of the English church. This done, a woman is seen passing along the aisle, putting one aside this way, and another the other way, followed quietly by a man of about fifty-five years of age, whom we recognized at once as Mr. Melville. He is escorted to the pulpit by the woman, who shuts him in; his head bows on the cushion until the hymn is done, when he rises and offers a short extempore prayer, and enters upon his discourse. His hair is slightly gray; his eye keen, and piercing black; his form robust and manly; and his countenance regular, and full of fire. I should not call him a graceful speaker. His gestures are few, and his words are jerked out in a somewhat unpleasant manner. He is confined closely to his notes, which evidently are prepared with great care.

The first time I listened to him, he was endeavoring to show that all the members of the church are of a royal line, and are priests to God. The death of Christ brings all men into a position where they may assume this priestly office. The church is composed not of a bench of bishops, but of all who, by the baptism of infancy, have been brought into it. The minister is a priest unto the church; the Christian is a priest unto the world. The dividing line between the church and the world was made by baptism. If I understand

aright, the doctrine of baptismal regeneration was taught, and some of the most objectionable features of high churchism defended. The discourse, as a whole, was of much power. It was impressed by all the evidences of a great mind. Thoughts, in massive

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