BIOGRAPHICAL.

XVI. MEMOIR OF REV. JOHN RYLAND, D. D., BRISTOL, ENGLAND.

(We this month gratify our friends with a memoir of that venerable man, the Rev. JOHN RYLAND, D. D., President of the Baptist College, Bristol. In July, we gave a biographical sketch of his father. The engraving appended is an admirable likeness; and we are pleased that we can promise our subscribers, at an early period, an equally correct likeness of Fuller, Carey, and other worthies.-Eds.]

A few particulars, which may be desirous to begin. My father gave deemed not uninteresting, relative to me Stennett's Grammar, containing a Dr. Ryland's early life, will be given little vocabulary, and the twen y-third in his own words, as contained in an psalm. I remember reading that psalm unfinished narrative, drawn up at the to Mr. Hervey, when my father visited request of an intimate friend in 1807. him in the summer of 1758. Mr.

“I was born at Warwick, on Janu- Hervey died the following Christmas. ary 29, 1753, in the parsonage-house • My mother taught me a great deal belonging to the great church, which of scripture history, by explaining to iny father rented of the rector, who me the pictures on the Dutch tiles in was a candid, moderate man. When the parlor chimney at Warwick. But some of the high church people re- when I was very young, I was always flected on Dr. Tate for letting the unwilling to repeat one or two of the house to an anabaptist teacher, he re- answers concerning the misery of the plied, • What would you have me do? | wicked, in Dr. Watts' first set of cateI have brought the man as near the chisms, and used to burst into tears, if church as I can; but I cannot force ever it came to my turn to say them. him into it.'

" About Michaelmas, 1759, my fa“When I was four or five years old, ther removed to Northampton. I was my father invited one Hill, of Buck- fond of reading, and generally prefer. ingham, (noticed by Spence, the au- red that employment to play. I not thor of Polymetis, as having attained only delighted in history and poetry, very considerable knowledge of He. but in many religious books, especialbrew by his own industry) to come to ly in Bunyan's Holy War, and De his house for a few weeks: during Foe's Family Instructor. his stay, some of the boys began of the latter work I could never read earning Hebrew. I also was very without tears.

Some parts

"I was accustomed to say a prayer | was educated, may well suppose that morning and evening, often adding a I could not have been destitute of a few expressions of my own to the speculative acquaintance with evanform drawn up by Dr. Watts. I was gelical truth-but I now began to feel persuaded that all would be lost who more deeply affected with it than I had died without conversion, and my con- ever been before, and endeavored to science was sometimes alarmed with apply for mercy by earnest prayer. I a sense of my own danger. I used to remember, about this time, a little purpose an alteration sometime, and gratification afforded me by my father, thought that I would begin at a partic- excited a fear of having a portion in ular period, when it might be noticed this world, instead of future blessedby others, how much I was altered ness, which savored indeed of childish from that particular season. But, simplicity; yet indicated, I trust, a though I often had slight convictions tenderness of conscience and an anxof sin, nothing of an abiding nature iety for spiritual blessings. affected my mind till nearly the close of my thirteenth year."

After mentioning that two or three of his father's pupils used to walk together every evening, for the purpose of religious conversation, the narrative thus proceeds:

"On one occasion I felt greatly dejected, and was relieved by referring to Hosea xiii. 14, 'I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.' It is impos. sible for me, at this distance of time, to recollect the exact train of thought which these words excited, or to ascertain that there was no erroneous conception mixed with my comfort. I believe that I had often heard reli. gious people express themselves inaccurately respecting the application of the promises. It was not till some years afterwards, that I was led, by reading Edwards on the Affections, to consider this subject closely. But I remember that I was immediately convinced of the justness of his observations; and I hope that my own experience, even before I thus understood the subject, did in the main agree with the statements of that judicious divine.

"On the 22d of September, 1766, I was conversing with R; but their usual time of meeting being come, he went away, at which I took offence. On the following morning he spoke to me, and I would not answer him; when he enquired what was the matter. I replied, 'You know that you fell out with me last night, and would not speak to me.' He answered, that he had not fallen out with me, but he wanted to talk with B- and Badding, I hope we were talking of something better.' This expression, 'something better,' immediately struck my mind. I suspected that he had a reference to religious subjects, and that they had that knowledge and sense of them which I had not, but which it was necessary I should have. I endeavored, in the evening, to ascertain what was the subject of their conversation. I found that they were talking about Jesus Christ, and the salvation of their souls. 'Oh!' thought The concluding words of this exI, 'these boys are going to heaven, tract may be considered as a brief and shall be left behind!' I felt summary of the great object of the that I was undone without an interest writer's life. It is, indeed, no more in Christ. Yes, I felt it now; though than what every disciple of the New I knew in some manner before, that it Testament must profess in theory; was so, yet I had not habitually laid it but in how few instances comparativeto heart. Those who know how Ily is it pursued with that unremitting

"I sometimes was greatly injured by a passionate temper, which brought me into much distress. I felt, however, an earnest longing after holiness, and could not be content with merely hoping I was pardoned, but wanted to be like Christ."

ardor, and that simplicity of purpose, / tinomian spirit, evinced by some indi. evinced in the present instance! viduals who attempted, but in vain, to

On the 13th of September, 1767, he introduce the noted Mr. Huntington was baptized, with two of his father's into the pulpit. But, however much pupils and Mr. Joseph Dent, afterwards to be regretted the effect of such his brother-in-law. That, at an early events might be, in lessening his soperiod of his religious profession, he cial enjoyments, and in repressing his should entertain thoughts of devoting natural energy, they might be considhimself to the Christian ministry, will ered, in a more elevated and spiritual not be thought surprising; and the view, as of inestimable value; since circumstances in which he was placed they evidently contributed, under the were such as favored' a suitable and divine blessing, to mature the best virgradual introduction to it.

For some

tues of the Christian character: they time he had united with several of his deepened his humility; purified and serious companions, in meetings for chastened his zeal; induced more prayer and religious discourse ; it diligent self-inspection, more genuine was an easy step to address them in a benevolence to men, more profound more formal manner from a text of and entire devotedness to the will and scripture. After a frequent practice service of God. To give a detailed of these exercises, for upwards of two account of these occurrences is not years, he commenced a more public requisite. It will be more to the purtrial of his abilities, and received the pose of this sketch, to advert to Dr. final approval of the church, March Ryland's theological sentiments: these, 10, 1771. " From that time, (he re- it is well known, were decidedly Calmarks, thirty-six years after, and the vinistic. At an early period of his observation may be extended to a public life, however, he was led to almuch longer period,) I have had very ter his views on one point of great few silent Sabbaths." Ample scope practical moment; which, though it was afforded for his exertions in the formed no genuine part of Calvinism, neighboring villages; and when his was maintained by some of the leadusual occupations permitted, it was ing ministers in the Baptist denomi. esteemed a gratifying relaxation to nation, and in many of the churches spend a day in visiting several aged was considered almost a test of orthoChristians in these places, who, on doxy. It was an opinion sanctioned their part, highly valued the short re- by Dr. Gill and Mr. Brine, that it was ligious exercises engaged in on these unlawful to urge the duties of faith and occasions, and with much simplicity repentance on men in general—an erand affection used to say, that they ror, which, to unprejudiced minds, were not worthy he should come un would be sufficiently exposed, by ob. der their roof. Besides ministerial serving, that "it would have annihi. duties, Dr. Ryland assisted in his fa- lated at once the apostolic commis. ther's school, till his 25th year, and in sion, by rendering it impossible to 1781 was united with him in the pas- preach the gospel to any creature, toral office, which in five years de since there were in the gentile world, volved on himself entirely. In this none to whom it could on this princiconnexion, his success, without being ple be addressed.” A sentiment so extraordinary, was such as often ex- adverse to the natural promptings of cited his gratitude to the source of all Christian benevolence, excited in the good, and contributed to sustain his minds of Dr. Ryland and several of mind under the pressure of various his brethren, the most painful embar. trials, partly domestic, and partly rassment. They endeavored to adspringing up in the church itself. Of dress the unconverted as far as their the latter, one which gave him great system would allow, and not unfre. concern was the symptoms of an An. quently were carried beyond it. They were gradually led to a devout and / version of the Heathen;" and that, earnest examination, and finally to an as no individual more fully possessed abandonment of a tenet which'shack-the confidence and affection of its two led all their movements. Dr. Ryland's leading agents, Mr. Fuller at home, mind was, in some measure, prepared and Dr. Carey abroad, so no one was for a change, by an extensive acquaint- more deeply concerned in all the deance with the Puritan writers and liberations respecting it, or felt a their immediate successors, who were greater devotion to its interests. Af. for nothing more distinguished than ter the decease of the former, he their fearless and cogent appeals to might, indeed, be considered as its the conscience. But Edward's Trea. second father; and his anxiety for its tise on the Freedom of the Will, with welfare ceased only with the last pulwhich and the other works of that wrisations of his heart. Scarcely had ter, he became acquainted about the its first missionaries left their native year 1775, rendered him the greatest shores, when Providence removed him assistance. His intimacy with Mr. to the precise spot where he could Fuller, (who had been involved in most effectually promote its interests, similar perplexities,) which commen- not only by introducing it to the notice ced soon after, and was cemented of a large portion of the religious into a friendship, seldom perhaps world, but by training the youthful equalled and never surpassed, for gen- race of ministers in those views of uineness and constancy, powerfully Christian doctrine and duty, by which tended to give firmness to his convic- his own zeal had been kindled and tions. Several other ministers, about sustained. the same time, were led to adopt simi- By the death of Dr. Caleb Evans, lar views, among whom should be in August, 1791, the two offices of especially mentioned Mr. (since Dr.) Pastor of the Baptist Church in BroadCarey, the venerable Mr. Hall, of mead, Bristol, and President of the Arnsby, and Mr. Sutcliff, of Olney. Academical Institution connected with Though in many points their charac- it, were vacated, and the state of the ters were strongly contrasted, yet it is denomination at that time, rendered pleasing to observe, that their devoted the choice of a successor equally imness to the same great cause, so at- portant and difficult. After an unsuctempered and blended the respective cessful application to thu late excel. peculiarities of each, as to render lent Dr. Fawcett of Hebdenbridge, the ihem eminently subservient to the views of the bereaved church were promotion of the kingdom of their com- directed to Northampton, and in April, mon Lord and Saviour. The most 1792, Dr. Ryland, who had previously important result of their constant in supplied their pulpit for some weeks, terchange of sentiment, was the estab- received an unanimous invitation to lishment of the Baptist Missionary accept the pastoral offico. That one, Society, October 2, 1792. The lead whose disposition was naturally reti. ing facts respecting the formation of ring and unobtrusive, and who was so this Society are so well known to the conscientiously alive to the claims of public, as to render any detailed ac- duty, would shrink from a station of count needless. What specific part superior distinction and responsibility, the subject of this memoir had in its might be expected ; and the ties of a establishinent, cannot be stated, ex- connexion which had subsisted almost cepting that the Association Letter, from childhood, and had been conwritten by him, on “Godly Zeal,” may firmed by a long intercourse of Chrisbe considered as having contributed tian and social kindness, presented an to keep up the impression made by additional barrier against the most Dr. Carey's “ Enquiry into the Obliga- distant thought of a removal. Not tion of Christians, to attempt the Con- discouraged, however, by want of suc.

cess in the first instance, the church | duced me to listen for a moment, to renewed their solicitations, in which any solicitation to remove from Norththey were joined by the patrons of the ampton, though I allow, that to a man Academy, who requested his accept- at liberty, your application without ance of the Presidentship. Few trans- that consideration would have been actions of the kind have been con- as worthy of respect as that of any ducted in a manner so onorable to people in the kingdom. But to me, all the parties concerned ; with so every consideration, including that of much conscientious regard to the wel. the Academy, would be insufficient to fare and claims of others, on the one reconcile my conscience to a removal, side, and on the other, such generous before I saw our people in immediate acquiescence in making a deeply-felt prospect of being provided for comsacrifice of private good, from a re- fortably with a successor.” In arriving gard to the general interests of reli- at a decision on this important step, in gion. “ We were not sorry,” said his addition to earnest supplication to the Northampton friends, "to find that Supreme Source of wisdom, he availed his labors were acceptable to others ; himself of the advice of those of his but if a month's acquaintance made brethren who were most distinguished you desirous to obtain him, you can- for judgment and experience, and with not wonder that above twenty years the exception of Mr. Newton, (though should make us unwilling to resign even he did not absolutely disapprove him. We are not disposed to call in of the removal,) they expressed their question your sincerity, in professing conviction that, however painful, duty to desire our welfare, though we are demanded the sacrifice. He removed sorry that your circumstances have to Bristol, with his family, in Decemlaid you under any necessity to make ber, 1793, and on the 15th of May a proposal, that seems tó militate following, a public service, recognizing against our interest. You profess, that his union with the church at Broadyour application gives you pain on mead, was held, in which Messrs. that account, and we are sure that it Francis of Horsley, Kingdon of Frome, causes in us somewhat very opposite and Clark of Exeter, took part. One to pleasure. But though some at first minister only survived him, who uniwere ready to be offended at your con- ted in that service, the Rev. Joseph duct, in making application to the pas- Hughes of Battersea, who, for uptor of another church, who was sin- wards of two years, shared in the cerely loved and valued by his people, ministerial and academical engageand had no occasion or inclination to ments; and for him it was reserved to leave them, yet, on reviewing your attend the funeral of his venerable pleas, we are more inclined to excuse friend, in the very place where more your request, than to comply with it. than thirty years before he had im. Yet we would wish not to act under a plored the divine benediction on his laselfish spirit, but to consider the inter- bors. est of the whole denomination, and to Soon after Dr. Ryland's settlement, deny ourselves for a greater good, if he preached before the Baptist Westwe were sure that could be procured ern Association at Chard, a discourse, by the removal of our beloved pastor.” | afterwards published, on “ The CerIt was not till after a third application tain Increase and Glory of the Kinghad been made, and a suitable succes- dom of Christ;" in which, by an enersor had been found for his first charge, getic survey of the prophetic declarathat Dr. Ryland gave his final assent. tions, and of the prospects

then

open“ Nothing," he observes in one of his ing on the world, he attempted to letters, “but the peculiar circumstan. arouse their attention to missionary ces of the church, as connected with efforts. Subsequently, he preached the Baptist Academy, could have in- on various public occasions, and in