YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

From the
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/ho

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE

OF THE LATE

REV. JAMES HINTON, M. A.
PASTOR OF A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN THE CITY
OF OXFORD.

BY HIS SON,
JOHN HOWARD HINTON, M. A.
PASTOR OF A BAPTIST CHURCH AT BEADING.

OXFORD,
BARTLETT AND HINTQN:
LONDON,
B. J. HOLDSWORTH. 1824.

TO THE
CHURCH AND CONGREGATION OF PROTESTANT DISSENTERS
IN THE CITY OF OXFORD,
THIS PORTRAITURE
OF ONE WHO, FOR THIRTY-SIX YEARS, DEVOTED HIMSELF
TO THEIR INTEREST,
WITH EMINENT AFFECTION, FIDELITY, AND ZEAL,
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED :
WITH UNFEIGNED GRATITUDE FOR THE KINDNESS
AND CO-OPERATION
WHICH SO LARGELY CONTRIBUTED
TO THE COMFORT AND THE USEFULNESS OF HIS LIFE ;
WITH AN ARDENT HOPE THAT,
WHILE THEY FONDLY CHERISH HIS MEMORY,
THEY WILL ALSO CONTINUE
TO REGARD HIS INSTRUCTIONS, AND IMITATE HIS EXAMPLE;
AND WITH FERVENT PRAYERS
FOR THEIR ABUNDANT INCREASE AND PROSPERITY,
BY THEIR GRATEFUL AND AFFECTIONATE FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

JHE public will soon determine whether the subject of this
volume was worthy of such an attempt to preserve his me
mory, and whether it has been successfully executed : they
will doubtless judge, also, of the qualifications and the in
dustry of the writer; and perhaps, of his motives. On these
points, therefore, the author will be silent. Conscious as he
is that he needs a lenient sentence, if, on such a work, he
could anticipate a severe one, he would be far from endea
vouring to screen himself by deprecating its utterance : . and,
in consigning it to the perusal of kind and candid men, he is
not aware that he can add to the materials they now possess
for their decision. As far as he is dependent upon public
opinion (to .in extent, probably, yet unknown to himself) he
will of course be sensible to its influence ; as far as may be-

vi PREFACE.
come a man of conscious rectitude and independent feeling,
he will shew it respect ; and, to. the utmost possible degree,
he will endeavour to improve by it.
The reader will quickly perceive that the events recorded
are not exhibited in one chronological series j and it may,
perhaps, be advisable to acquaint him with the reasons which
induced the adoption of a plan involving this peculiarity.
Mr. Hinton's life was perceived to contain feir too little
of diversified and connected incident, to admit of the struc
ture of an interesting narrative : it was never designed,
therefore, to write his history, but to delineate his character.
It is, indeed, impossible to give a full portraiture of any
man, irrespective of his history ; and it is also true, that nar
ration is eminently adapted to the exhibition of intellectual
and moral qualities, an advantage of which the author has
studiously availed himself: but, if the narrative possesses
no leading interest in itself, it becomes wholly subordinate,
and the preservation of its continuity (however otherwise desi
rable) is of no moment, in comparison with the benefit
which may result from its division into departments, cor
responding with the aspects of character they may be
adapted to illustrate. Of the soundness of this principle
the author entertains no doubt : with how much success it
has been applied, it is not for him to determine. He has only

PREFACE. vii
to solicit the reader's habitual recollection, that he is not
so much perusing a history as contemplating a character :
in a word, a Pobtbait, drawn and exhibited by the aid of
the handmaid of the moral painter, biography.
The author is aware of the objections made in some
quarters to the publication of extracts from private papers,
and especially from religious diaries : but he does not feel
the force of the reasons on which they are founded. Without
laying any stress on the amount of valuable materials thus
acquired, he is clearly of opinion that, assuming the exist
ence of a diary not rendered sacred by express injunction, its
use, as far as concerns its departed author, is altogether unex
ceptionable, provided only that no improper information be
communicated from it. At the same time he is constrained to
express his conviction, that the habit of publishing diaries tends
to exercise a very unfavourable influence on the writing of them.
Associated in the remotest degree with the idea of such
an occurrence, private memorials are consciously no longer
private; nor can they be characterized by the simplicity,
fidelity, and fearless exposure of the heart, which give them
their principal value, both as aids to experimental piety
and illustrations of religious character. He is assured that,
in some instances, this consideration has induced an almost
entire abandonment of the exercise ; aud he would rejoice to

viii PREFACE.
find that, by those who maintain it, measures were univer
sally taken for securing its inviolability, and thus insuring at
least the personal benefits it is adapted to yield.
He wishes, further, to apprize the reader in the outset,
that the scene of his father's ministry underwent great
changes during its exercise ; and especially, that the painful
circumstances, which . form so prominent a feature in its
earlier history, were by no means characteristic of its close.
In some important respects, Oxford is not now what it was
in 1787. What it is now, it is not for the present writer to
say ; but it is with great pleasure he adds, that the changes
which have taken place are not less to the honour of the city
and the university, than to the comfort of the protestant
dissenters. It has been far from his wish to censure, and,
whenever his fidelity as a biographer would allow, he has
endeavoured to avoid it : but he particularly requests that,
whatever blame may belong to times gone by, the reader will
not suffer it to attach to his ideas of the present. He is
happy, indeed, in thus having an opportunity of presenting to
the inhabitants of the city and the members of the university,
and, more especially, to the magistrates of both, together
with those of the county, his sincere thanks, for the respect
and comfort in which his revered parent passed among them
the latter portion of his days.

PREFACE. ix
He begs those friends who have kindly contributed mate
rials to this volume, to accept his grateful acknowledgments.
A more copious use of them, as well as of others of no
small interest afforded by his father's papers, has been pre
vented only by the necessary limits of the work.
Many persons have expressed a wish to possess some of
Mr. Hinton's sermons ; a wish by no means unnatural in an
affectionate people, and in this case greatly strengthened by
the very interesting character of his preaching, and his known
habit of writing his discourses. It cannot be supposed that
his fjamily are reluctant to gratify such a desire : they have,
however, been prevented from doing so, by a conviction
— or at least an apprehension— that so much of what was
uttered in the pulpit was purely extemporaneous, and that
so much of its interest depended on the manner of its delivery,
as to preclude the hope of giving, by his written discourses,
any satisfactory idea of the living preacher. They would
be sorry if sermons which were heard with delight, should
be read with a feeling of disappointment. At the same time
they are prepared to say, that, subject to the results of a
further examination of his papers, the publication of a volume
of sermons shall be determined by the expression of the
public will.
Reading, Jpril 23, 1824.

CORRECTIONS.
Page 14, line 4, for to, read /ro»»
Page 43, line 10 from the hoi^ra, ioT certain 1 ought to examine: read,
certain ; I ought to examine
Page 169, line 6 from the bottom, for aerve, read series
Page 316, line 8 from bottom, for 1816, read I8I5
Page 324, liue 2 from the bottom, for the peace and prosperity, read, peace
and the prosperity
Page 333, line 20, for unweary, read unwary

CONTENTS.

PART I.
PERSONAL CHARACTER.
CHAP. I.
Parentage and early History,
HIS grandfather's family,/). 3; — his father's dream, 5 ; — ^his mother, 7 ;—
his birth and childhood, ih.; — residence at Kilsby, 8; — religious im
pressions and conversion to God, 9 ; — Newton, Scott, and Cowper, 14 ; —
apprenticeship, at Chesham, ihi% — sentiments ou baptism, 15 ; — pro
fession of religion and call to the ministry, 16; — residence at Bristol,
18 ; — invitation to Oxford, 21 ; — tour in Wales, 22 ; — death of his fa
ther, 23. CHAP. II.
Religious Experience.
His walk with God, p. 25 ; — extracts from his diary, 26 ; — remarks, 45.
CHAP. III.
Marriage and Parental Relation.
His marriage, p. 50 ; — ^birth of his children, 51 ; — lines to Sarah, 53 ; —
education, 54 ; — consolatory letter to his daughter, 55 ;— admonitory
letter to his son, 57 ; — on a profession of religion, 58 ; — call of his
sons to the ministry, and extracts of correspondence, 59;— letter to
his daughter ou her marriage, 67.
CHAP. IV.
Family Details.
Death of his second child, p. 72 ; — the orphans, ib. ;.— illness of Mrs.
Hinton, 73 ; — her baptism, 74 ;— first spasmodic seizure, 75 ;— his

xii CONTENTS.
dream, ib. ;— -illness of his eldest son, 76 ;— thfe fire, 77 ;— fall from his
horse, and lines on the occasion, 79 ;— death of his sister and his
mother, 81 ;— death of his youngest daughter, 82 ;— domestic ill
nesses, 83 ; — spasmodic attacks, 84.
CHAP. V.
The Tutor and tlie Fiiend.
Qualifications as a tutor, p. 87 ; — and character, 88 ;— school jour-
nies, 91;— social character, 93 ;— friendships, 94 ;— correspondence
with Miss Stringer, ^6 ; — executorship, 98.

PART II.
MINISTERIAL CHARACTER.
CHAP. I.
Settlement at Oxford.
Previous history of the congregation, p. 103 ; — Mr. Hinton's ordina
tion, 106 ; — difficulties of the station, 107 ; — his adaptation to it, 108 ;
)iis coadjutors, 109 ; — his character sfk a preacher, 110.
CHAP. II.
Pulpit Experience,
Extracts from his diary, jo. 112; — remarks, 119.
CHAP. III.
Congregational Hillary,
His general acceptance, p. 126 ;— evening lecture, ih. ;'^catechisiug, 128 ;
— disturbance of the evening lecture, 129 ;— ^baptismal question, 133 ;
— mixed communion, 142 ; — general view of his difficulties, 145 ; 
dissenters and friends of the establishment, 147 ; — opposition to his
ministry, 149 ;— invitation to Wild Street, London, 151 ;— determina
tion to remain, 153 ; — failure of the opposition, 154 ; — letter to the
complainants, 155 ; — first enlargement of the meeting-house, 157.
CHAP. IV.
Congregational History ctntinued.
Prosperity, p. 162;_illness, and assistance of Mr. Morgan, 163; 
Hughes's bounty, 165 ;— volunteer corps, 166 ;— .invitation to Brad-

CONTENTS. xiii
ford, ib,; — removals, 167 ;.— invitation to Cambridge, 168 ;— death of
Mr. Pasco, 170; — and of Mr. Newman, 171; — discouragements
letter to Mr. Bartlett, 172;— Mr. Bartlett, Jun., 176;— illness, and
assistance of Mr. Price, 179 ; — choice of deacons, 180 ; — Mr. Kershaw
181 ; — Sunday-schools, 182 ; — Mr. Thomas, and second enlargement
186; — increase of the church, 189; — lay preachers, 190; — illness of
1820, 191 ;— death of Mr. Bartlett, 192; — character as a preacher, 194-
— general review, 196. CHAP. V.
Pastoral Character.
His diligence and spirituality, p, 198 ; — a peace-maker, 200 ; — domestic
services, 201 ; — notice of inquirers, 202; — introduction to the church,
203 ; — reception of candidates, 204 ; — ^baptism, 205 ; — Lord's sup
per, 206 ; — deacons'-meetings, t6. ; — church-meetings, 207 ;  exclu
sions, 210 ; — letter to an irregular attendant, 213 ; — to a member
resenting admonition, 215 ; — experience-meeting, 218 ;— monthly
church-meeting, 219 ; — letter on the death of an infant, 220 ;  to a
member in France, 221 ; — on amusements and dress, 223 ;  another
on dress, 227 ; — on imprudent connexions, 229 ; — on bribery, 230 ; 
the beath-bed, 232. CHAP. VI.
City Usefulness,
United Sunday-schools,;). 234; — Thomas Davis, 236 ;— John Bennett,
249. CHAP. VII.
foliage Preaching,
His labours and method, 251 ; — co-operation, 252 ; — difficulties, 253 ;—
Woodstock narrative, 255 ; — defence of village preaching, 266 ; —
recent success, 279 ; — labours at Hinksey, Wheatley, Oddington, Lit-
tlemore, 280 ; — Ensham, 281 ; — ^Watlington, 282 ; — Sunday-schools,
ib. ; — new churches, 284. CHAP. VIII.
Ministerial Intercourse.
Copastorate, 286 ; — letter to Mr. Thomas, 288 ; — general intercourse,
291 ; — letter to a minister in trouble, 293.

CONTENTS.

PART HI.
PUBLIC CHARACTER.
CHAP. I.
In his own Communion.
Oxfordshire association,^. 297 ; — denominational spirit, 303 ;— 'Evangelical
Magazine, 305 ; — ^letters on improving the denominational ministry,
307 ; — academies, Bristol and Stepney, 311 ; — baptist mission, 312 ;—
Oxford episcopal petition, 314 ; — secretaryship, 317.
CHAP. 11.
In the Religious World.
University intercourse, p. 322 ; — evangelical clergy, 323 ; — wesleyans, 326 ;
— independents, county mission, 329 ; — baptismal controversy, 330 ; —
public services. Mill-hill, 331 ; — begging cases, 332; — antinomianism,
letter to a friend, 334 ; — Oxford bible society, 336.
CHAP. HI.
¦< I' ' Public Spirit.
Reply to Dr. Tatham, /). 339 ;— Mr. Hayes's election for bailiff, 351 ;—
reply to Mr. Cojcer, 354 ;— letter on religious liberty, 355 ;— Lord Sid-
mouth's bill, 357. CHAP. IV.
Political Sentiments and Conduct.
His views, p. 358 ;— the object of political rancour, Birmingham riots,
362;— address on defence of the country, aud letter from Dr. Ta
tham, 364 ;— sermon to the volunteers, 365 ;— visit to Waterloo, 366 ;
Oxford elections, ih. ; — political meetings, 367.
CHAP. V.
/iuthorship.
His publications, and style,/;. 370 ;— diplomas, M. A. and D.D. 371.
CONCLUSION.
Summary view of his character, p, 375 ;— his last illness, and death, 376.

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE

OP THE LATE

REV. JAMES HINTON, M. A.

PART I.
PERSONAL CHARACTER.

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE.
PART I.
PERSOX.\L CHARACTER.

CHAP. I.
Parentage and early History,
About the year 1712, Mi. Charles Hinton (the grand
father of the subject of this ]^Iemoir) settled at Charlton
upon Otmoor, in Oxfordshire. Although he ^ras of un-
blameable morals, and punctual in the forms of religion,
he was, like many othas, violently prejudiced against
evangelical pietA, which was then ridiculed under the
nameof presbyterianism. He was, of course, very anxious
to preserve his children from this dreaded infection ;
but the difficulty of obtaining emplojinent for six sons,
induced him to place one of them in the family of ]\Ir.
Bolton, at Chipping-Xorton, notwithstanding his con
nection with the dissenting congregation in that place —
the youth being laid under the strictest injunctions, and
cheerfully giving a solemn pledge, never to enter the
meeting-house. He soon found that his master was a
verj- good and a very happy man, and began to suspect
that be could not be of a bad religion : he became, in
b2

4 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [pabt i.
short, irresistibly desirous to know what the religion
was, of which his father had been, to all appearance, so
unreasonably afraid. But he had promised ' never to enter
the meeting-house:' yet he thought that, without break
ing his word, he might stand at the door — which he
accordingly did ; and, under the first sermon he heard,
he was deeply impressed. He immediately informed his
father that he could no longer fulfil his promise, nor
consent to remain in his situation, unless released from
the injunction under which he had accepted it : he was
therefore ordered home, and replaced by a younger son,
who in his turn declared hostility against the conventicle,
and with still greater confidence than his brother. By this
measure, however, the apprehended mischief was only
aggravated. The elder son returned, not merely too
decided a character to relapse, but too firm and zealous
to be overawed. Notwithstanding threats of expulsion
from home, he regularly went to the nearest meeting
house (which was at Bicester, a distance of several miles)
and took others of the family with him : and, when locked
out of doors by their angry father, they were let in by
their mother, who began to love their religion too.
While the contagion was thus spreading at home, the
younger son, at Chipping Norton, under the same im
pulse of curiosity which had actuated his brother, stood
also at the door of the meeting-house : like him, he was
made to feel the power of the gospel ; and when, after
the same example, he wrote to his father that, if he
staid, he must be at liberty, he received in reply the lan
guage of bitter disappointment and despair : — ' You must
do as you please, for I have no other son to send in
your stead.' The ultimate result was the conversion of
the mother and all her children : and it is gratifying, to
add, that the father became reconciled to a change

CHAP. I.] PARENTAGE. 5
which made Ms family more happy and more worthy
of his love. When the late Mr. Hinton was eleven years
of age, he saw his grandmother, then venerable with
years, and received from her own lips this record of so
vereign grace.*
Thomas, the fifth son of this family, who was Mr.
Hinton's immediate ancestor, in his early years lived at
Abingdon, with an elder brother. Having often to wait
alone for his brother (whose business, or habits, kept him
frequently from home till late in the evenmg) and not being
happy in solitude, he used to seek amusement by sitting
in a porch before the door, where he had a full view of
the great church, with its clock, and the market-house
— particulars which are mentioned, not for their own
sake, but as forming the scenery of a remarkable dream
he had at this period. He thought he was sitting in the
porch, in a very dark evening, anxiously wishing for his
brother's return, and unusually troubled by admonitions
of conscience, when, in a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, a most glorious light burst through the sky, and
the whole firmament was in a blaze — the awful trump
of God proclaiming that the last day was come. In
stantly the streets were crowded with people, whose
countenances were filled with horror, and all were cry
ing "Where shall we hide ourselves from Him that sitteth
on the throne !" 'I thought, he used to say, in narrating
the circumstance, 'that I myself mingled with the
throng, running hither and thither, to hide myself from
the Judge, while the anguish of my mind was dreadful.
There was a light over the church far surpassing that
of the sun, and the hand of the clock was whirling
round with inconceivable rapidity, by which I under-
* An Account of these circumstances was inserted iu the Evangelical
Magazine of 1804.

6 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
stood that time was no longer. I turned in anguish from
the sight, and soon afterwards met my brother, with a com
pany of his christian friends, whom I well knew: they had
countenances bright as the light, and seemed to be filled
with extatic joy, already uttering praises to their Re
deemer. I flew towards them 5 but, to my unspeakable
anguish, neither my brother nor his friends would take
the least notice of me. At a little distance was the
market-house, and under it a vault which the multitude
had forced, and into which an immense crowd was
rushing, as a hiding place from the Judge. As my last
effort I sought to bury myself in this dark retreat, but
in the attempt I awoke ; and I can never forget the sur
prise, the joy, the extacy I felt, when I found it was but
a dream : or how my soul thrilled with gratitude, (while
my body still trembled with terror) that I was in a
state where prayer would be heard.' To a narrative of
this occurrence, published in the Sunday Scholars' Ma
gazine of 1823, the late Mr. Hinton attached some
valuable observations, of which the following is the
sum. ' My father placed no dependance on the dream
itself; and often said, it is not the way in which divine
truth reaches the mind that ought to be regarded, but
the effect which it produces. With respect to himself^
a long course of vital godliness, dating its commence
ment from this period, gave full proof that it was in this
vision of the night that instruction was sealed on his
mind. It should be observed, too, that the ideas which
entered into this dream were such as my father had
often read in the word of God, or heard from the pulpit,
and that the visionary circumstantials of it were entirely
subordinate to the sound and scriptural instruction it
conveyed. This the understanding already contained,
and God now impressed it upon the heart.'

CHAP, i] EARLY HISTORY. 7
Mr. Thomas Hinton became a man of great piety and
worth, and finally settled in the town of Buckingham.
He married Miss Mary Strange, of Aylesbury, a woman
of exemplary character, as a christian, a wife, and a
mother. Unequivocal proof of the strength both of her un
derstanding and her piety, is afforded by the following cir
cumstance. For two years, when a young woman, she
was unable to attend any but a socinian preacher. She did
not think it right, however, to neglect divine ordinances ;
and, although of course deriving neither edification nor
delight from the preaching of " another gospel (which
is not another") she was enabled so fully to supply
from the fervour of her own feelings the defects of the
devotional exercises, and so largely to meditate accord
ing to her own views on the subjects handled, that the
spiritual pleasure and profit of this period were scarcely
exceeded in any part of her life. Such is the value of solid
early instruction : — such is the degree in which edification
in divine ordinances depends on the fervour and activity of
the hearer's mind : — and such, in fine, are the extraordi
nary aids of the Holy Spirit, which, in peculiar circum
stances, may cheerfully be expected.
Of Thomas and Mary Hinton, James, the subject of
the present memoir, was the second son : he was born Sep
tember 3, 1761. Of his childhood little deserves to be
recorded. It was, perhaps, an indication of the quick dis
cernment, and the sound judgment at first sight, which
afterwards distinguished him, that he was singularly for^.-
ward and correct in the exercise of spelling : — .a glance
sufficed him to acquire this kind of knowledge. Some
incidents of his boyhood, also, which he frequently related,
but which are omitted as unsuitable to a permanent re
cord, indicated the early appearance of dispositions by

8 LIFE OP THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
which his mature life was strongly marked ; especially a
spirit of daring enterprize and undaunted resolution, to
gether with the generous self-devotion with which he al
ways made the cause of the oppressed his own. The cir
cumstances amidst which his childhood was spent,
tended eminently to form his character. Professors of
religion, if not openly persecuted, were at that time
exposed to much that was disagreeable and unkind : and
as Mr. Hinton's father met with no inconsiderable share
of such treatment, so he exhibited a combination of
gentleness and firmness, which produced a powerful
impression on the mind of his son. A slight incident
of each kind may be mentioned. After a public dinner,
at which he had assumed no unnecessary peculiarity,
having taken a glass or two of wine, he declined drinking
any more. His neighbours first invited, then pressed, then
ridiculed, and at last were about to use violence, avowedly
that they might have the gratification of ' making a presby-
terian drunk ;'^when he set his glass before him upside
down, and assumed a tone and attitude — not of angry,
but — of firm resistance, which none of them cared to en
counter. Upon another occasion, for the mere purpose
of preventing him from attending divine worship (which
he generally did at some miles distance) the knockers
were forced from almost all the doors in Buckingham,
and thrown through a light over the door, into the pas
sage of his house, on a Saturday night : so that the Sab
bath was disturbed by a multitude of persons, coming
to discover and reclaim their property. And this in
sult he bore with as much meekness, as with firmness
he had resisted the other.
When about eleven years of age, James Hinton was
placed under the instruction of his uncle, the Rev.
Thomas Strange, of Kilsby in Northamptonshire, a man

CHAP. I.] EARLY HISTORY. 9
whom he highly revered. Here he was frequently dis
covered writing his own ideas in his copy book, in
stead of the words exhibited for his imitation — writing,
in fact, little essays, which he afterwards read to the
other scholars, in a style between play and earnest. One
of these essays, founded on the motto, ' Honesty is the
best policy,' having been accidentally dropped, was
carried to his uncle, and gave him an idea which he
never relinquished, of his nephew's adaptation to the
ministry. Having resided at Kilsby two or three years, he re
turned to Buckingham, and was partly at home, and
partly employed as an occasional helper by several houses
in the grocery business. He now became the subject
of strong religious impressions, and soon gave satisfac-
toiy evidence of decided conversion to God : as, however,
no account of the exercises of his mind at this period is
found, except in his profession of faith afterwards made
at Chesham, we shall here introduce that paper, though
not exactly under its proper date. It is but a fragment,
and it will be given almost entire.
'The Lord has been pleased to favour me with pious
parents, from whom I received a religious education ;
and in my childhood I had frequent convictions of sin,
and was often terrified at the thoughts of future punish
ment. But I never had any abiding sense of the im
portance of eternal things till about the fourteenth year
of my age, when there were in the place where I lived,
some serious young men, who made it their practice to
meet together for reading and prayer. Having an ac
quaintance with them, I was induced to join their so
ciety. I had not then any great terror of mind, but
1 saw so much of the beauty of the ways of God as

10 LIFE OF THE REV. J. lilNTON. [part i,
made me desire to walk in them. I began to reform
my conduct by making conscience of secret prayer, and
other duties, and soon thought myself in a fair way for
heaven; and if at any time I failed in duty, I endeavoured
to be sorry for it, and to be more careful in time to come,
and was easy again. Thus I went on for near a year,
when a crowd of evil and wicked thoughts overspread
my mind. — I could be no where, however employed, but
they still occupied my breast : and this filled me with great
distress ; my hopes were almost gone, my confidence
sank, and I had little heart for duty. But at this time I
had little or no view of Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour :
though I knew my heart was wicked, yet I endeavoured
to bring myself into deep sorrow, and thought that when
I arrived to a certain degree of penitence, I might
take comfort. Thus I went on, looking for comfort from
myself; and when at any time I was affected under the
word, or thought myself bettered by it, then I was com
fortable. I had great strivings to keep my conscience easy,
but with all my care I could not do it — so' true is that
scripture, "A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit."
I had some sense of the necessity of regeneration, and
often, I trust, cried for it ; but still my unbelief was
unsubdued. I saw little of the evil of that sin. I refused
to close with Christ, and would have comfort from my
own doings, or not at all. When the Lord in his provi
dence brought me to this place, the ministry being very
different from that under which I had long sat, I was de
lighted with the ways of God, saw a beauty in them, and
often longed to be a partaker of the privileges of his house;
but still the " fountains of the deep," the corruptions of
my heart, and the exceeding sinfulness of sin, were
in a great measure undiscovered. When 1 had been here
about a year, 1 had so great a sight of my own vileness.

CHAP. i.T EARLY HISTORY. 1 1
and the wickedness of my heart, that it quite overwhelmed
me. 1 saw my sins against the light of conscience, aud
the plain commands of God which 1 had so often heard,
as greater sins than those of the most profane wretch on
earth. Now I thought the deepest penitence was too
little for me. I had read the experience of many, who
had been brought into great distress on account of sin,
and thought it was impossible to receive any comfort
without an equal measure of conviction. My distress
was so great, that it overcame my natural spirits and my
health; and melancholy grew upon me. I thought my
body was going to the grave, and my soul to everlasting
misery. I fasted often — refused any earthly comfort,
and thought there was none for me. I absolutely rejected
pleasure from any quarter, till the common concerns of
life became a burden to me, and 1 myself became a bur
den to others. I even thought it my duty not to take
comfort in any thing, without a special manifestation of
the love of God to my soul. I have since seen much
folly in these things, and am convinced that I was then
dictating to God in which way I would be comforted. In
this way I wint on, till my power of thinking, and at
times my senses, became quite impaired ; but the Lord,
who is rich in mercy, raised me up again. He gave me
to see that in the path of duty, waiting patiently for him,
he gives comfort ; and I began to entertain hopes that
some time or other, the Lord would have mercy upon
me. In all my distress, I was never suffered wholly to
give up prayer ; though, through the temptations of the
enemy, telling me I should increase my guilt, I have
sometimes neglected it. 1 went on seeking the Lord. in
his appointments, (though to my shame, too often little
sensible what I was professedly seeking,) till about the
middle of the past winter, without any particular encou-

U LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
ragement. At this time I trust the Lord carried on his
work in my heart, and gave me a fresh view of myself as
a sinner in his sight, yet not so as to lead me to despair,
but to flee for refuge to the hope set before me. I trust
he has shewn me something of the beauty and suitable
ness of Christ as a Saviour for me, and enabled me to
plead for his mercy, only on the ground of his satisfac
tion and death. I trust 1 can now say, " I desire to ac
count all things but loss, for the excellency of the know
ledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." 1 have seen it a duty
to flee to Christ, to venture my soul upon him, with an
humble determination in the strength of grace, if I
perish, to be the first who perished pleading for mercy
with him, and with a believing expectation that he wiU
not disappoint my hope.'
In connection with the influence of a pious education,
noticed in the commencement of this paper, Mr. Hinton
frequently stated that some of the most powerful of his
early impressions in favour of religion, arose from ob
serving the happiness and excellence which his parents
derived from it ; — a fact which was continually presented
to him, and carried to his heart a deep com-iction of the
importance emd value of piety.
The prayer-meeting to which he refers, was held at
the house of his father, by four young men, of whom
three became useful ministers; — viz. the late Rev.
William Goode, of St. Ann's, Blackfriars, the Rev. John
Goode, of ^\llite's Row, London, and himself. Those
who recollect the season, speak of it as one of remark
able fervour in seeking the Lord.
The crowd of evil and wicked thoughts of which
he complains, broke in upon him at fifteen years of age,
and were, in fact, deistical objections to Christianity,

CHAP. I.] EARLY HISTORY, 13
which he had heard from the workmen in his father's
shop. His mind, thus excited, acted with its usual vi
gour after the immediate impulse had ceased. His in
ternal struggles were very great ; and, during their con
tinuance, he used frequently to retire to an out-house
on his father's premises, where he endured many long
and severe spiritual conflicts, and sought relief for his
agonized heart by fervent prayer. He was particularly
tried by the difficulty of acknowledging the righteous
ness of God in the exercise of his sovereignty. He could
not indeed deny that the divine sovereignty was de
clared in the sacred Scriptures ; but he felt such a hos
tility towards this attribute, that he could not join in
any expression of adoration or praise in which it was
included : nor, on the other hand, sovereignty being as
serted, could he concur in any admission of the good
ness or justice of the Most High. He seems to have
traversed, indeed, almost the whole region of sceptical
perplexity ; since he has often said that, during his whole
life, he met with no objection actually urged which
did not in substance pass through his mind at this pe
riod. In these trials he derived eminent relief from
reading the life of Mr. Halyburton, whose experience
had been very similar, and whose language he was in
the habit of quoting with a correctness and familiarity,
which shewed how deeply it must have been impressed
upon his heart. He found much comfort, also, in at
tending an early prayer meeting on the Lord's-day
morning. Perhaps few young christians are led into so deep an
acquaintance with the corrupt workings of the heart,
and the wiles of Satan, as this narrative exhibits. The
distress of his mind under these trials was probably
increased by a singular tenderness of conscience; but

14 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
the Lord seems to have been dealing with him as one
whom he intended eminently to qualify for a guide and
comforter of others.
It was before his removal to Buckingham that Mr. Hin
ton found himself within the sphere of men, who at that
time were rising, and have since been shining lights in the
church ; but their even-tide, like his, has come. He wit
nessed some of the earliest and boldest — it may be added
some of the most useful and most honourable — of the ex
ertions of the late Rev. Thomas Scott, when he preached,
with admirable fervour and freedom, in a barn in the parish
of Tyngewick, near Buckingham. He had the privilege,
also, of attending a prayer meeting at Olney, at which
Mr. Newton, Mr. Scott, and William Cowper, were pre
sent, and poured out their hearts in supplication.
At seventeen years of age, James Hinton was bound
for five years to his cousin, Mr. Benjamin Hinton of
Chesham, in whose service he gained a high character for
diligence and fidelity. Here he was very careful to redeem
time from sleep, for the morning exercises of devotion, and
for personal improvement. At six o'clock his master rang
the bell. Too commonly this would be but a signal for a
hurried rising from the bed ; but Mr. Hinton was uniformly
heard to come immediately down stairs, in a manner
plainly intimating that he had risen some time before.
He appears at that time to have possessed a peculiar
facility in meditating on divine things, while conducting
any such business as did not require his whole attention :
and he spent many hours in a manner very favourable to
the indulgence of this disposition— either by night in
the process of candle-making, or by day in attending
the transport of goods to considerable distances. These
opportunities were eagerly embraced for the improve
ment of his education, especially after he entertained

CHAP. I.] EARLY HISTORY. 15
thoughts of the ministry ; and they produced, besides,
many little pieces, both in prose and verse, which he
took occasion secretly to read to his mother.
When Mr. Hinton says that the ministry at Chesham
was very different from that to which he had been ac
customed, it is to be understood only that he found it
more lively and impressive. The ministry under which
he sat was that of the late Rev. James Sleap, then pastor
of the baptist church in that town, to which he was led
by the practice of the family in which he was placed ;
but this circumstance was blessed, and doubtless ap
pointed of God, for important results. It tended greatly
(as appears from his narrative) to his spiritual profit.
It contributed also to the determination of his sentiments
on the subject of baptism. On this point he had not been
trained by his parents to any particular views, for they
themselves were not of one mind : but they were
of one heart, and desired their children to inquire and
judge for themselves. Mr. Hinton's prepossessions, how
ever, were in favour of infant baptism, and very naturally
so, since the only congregation of dissenters in Bucking
ham, and all his religious acquaintance were of the
psedobaptist denomination. His change of sentiments
(if he previously had any) is thus referred to at the close
of a long letter from his intimate friend Mr. W. Goode. ' I
hear, by the bye, that you have seen two or three persons
baptized, and were comfortable under that ordinance, and
that you are rather inclined to it yourself. Take heed
before you rush into it. I have lately seen a book with
very strong arguments for infant baptism, and 1 shall,
when your mother comes (that is if agreeable to you)
send you some of the thoughts, which I think are very
strong in proof of it.' The inquirer finally decided in
favour of believer's baptism by immersion : and, while

16 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
it is manifest that his determination must have been
made on full conviction, the circumstances in which it
was formed doubtless contributed to cherish the candid
judgment, the kindly feeling, and the liberal conduct
towards psedobaptists^by which he was afterwards emi^
nently characterized.
After he had been at Chesham three years, he became
a member of the baptist church in that place. He was
baptized on the 27th of May, 1781. According to the
usual practice, he related his religious history, as a pre
paration for which he had written the paper already in
serted. On this occasion he spoke with remarkable
fluency and fervour — such, indeed, that only one in
stance had been known like it — and a general impres
sion was produced, either that he was destined to the
work of the ministry, or that he would not long con
tinue on earth. It does not appear, however, that Mr.
Hinton himself had any thoughts of this kind. Some
injudicious things (as is too often the case in similar
circumstances) were said to him about ' the wonderful
depth of his experience,' which tended to inflate his mind
with high thoughts of himself, and he often spoke of the
injurious effects thus produced : but through the watch
fulness of his spirit and the closeness of his walk with
God, this incipient evil became subservient to a more
deep and salutary humiliation. Mr. Benham and Mr.
Austin, deacons of the church, and men of godly
wisdom, seem first to have seriously suggested to hini
the subject of the ministry, and to have found consider
able difficulty in inducing him to entertain it. Yet
he did not reject their counsel. His thoughts were in
tensely engaged by the interesting theme, and he felt
so much desire as urged him to apply with unusual
diligence to the improvement of his education : but

chap. I.] EARLY HISTORY. 17
he did not mention his wishes to any person for
nearly two years, and at length he spoke with much
trembling to his mother, in the course of a journey on
horseback. To his timid and hesitating communication^
she calmly replied, " Yes, James, I have been reckoning
upon that.' He was struck vidth astonishment at this an
swer, for it seemed as though she had read all his heart,
on a point respecting which he had preserved the most
fearful secrecy ; but, after his surprise was past, it served
to encourage his hope that his views were acceptable to
God. The fact was, that Mr. Strange had communicated
to Mrs. Hinton his ideas of her son's probable fitness for
the ministry, when he returned from school ; and, though
her feelings had never till now been expressed, she, like
another Mary, had " pondered these things in her
heart." Mr. Hinton's parents were anxious to be di
rected from heaven ; and in the hope of being so> they
sought the best counsel on earth. They laid before their
pastor the Rev. Thomas Burkitt, a long letter which
their son had written, in which (Mr B. states) he 'dis
covered very great caution ;' being especially desirous to
know ' whether he was called of God to that work,' and
deeply regretting that he had not enjoyed ' greater advan
tages of education.' ' The letter,' adds, Mr. B. ' manir
fested so much good sense, warm-hearted piety, and be
nevolence, that 1 did not for a moment hesitate as to
the path of duty.' The impression was equally favour-r
able at Chesharii. ' At this time,' writes the Rev.
W. Tomline, ' Mr. Hinton was much respected in the
town, and greatly beloved by the congregation. He was
eminent for humility in regard to religious exercises, but
Mr. Benham, and Mr. Austin (among others) were fully
persuaded that he possessed ministerial talents, and
urged him to dedicate himself to that good work : ac-

IS LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [parti;
cordingly, he spoke at church meetings tibout three*
times, after which he had the sanction both of pastor
and people to devote himself to the work of the > sanc
tuary.' Of his early addresses several yet remain, written at
considerable length, and, the care he took in their pre
paration may be regarded as indicating his reverence for
the service to which he aspired : but neither this,
nor the fluency with which he was naturally gifted,
raised him above the peculiar embarrassments of a
probationary exercise, which, upon one occasion, he felt
so strongly that he was unable to proceed with his dis
course. His first text was taken from Judges viii. 18 :
" And he took . . . thorns of the wilderness and briers^
and with them he taught the men of Succoth." If his
choice arose from a propensity to the fanciful, it was
very speedily and effectually corrected : but it is pro
bably to be regarded, only as indicating a preference
of experimental subjects. He was aware of the diffi
culty attending this niode of address in a young man,
but his native good sense suggested to him a way of
avoiding it — he acknowledged to the people that he was
about to impart to them what, in a great measure, they
had communicated to him : and he has often spoken of
the effectual influence of this method in preventing any
appearance of presumption, and conciliating the affec
tion and confidence of pious persons.
The academy at Bristol was contemplated as the most
desirable place for his preparatory studies, and his
father requested the Rev. Mr. Beddome, of Bourton
on the Water, to lay the case before the president, Mr.
Evans. As the resources of his parents were small,
some difficulties of a pecuniary nature were appre
hended—a subject, on which Mr. Evans wrote with his

CHAP, i.^ ¦ : EARLY HISTORY. 19
characteristic kindness, and gave assurance of consider^
able aid : the matter was also very kindly taken up by
Mr. Sleap and his friends at Chesham, who pro
mised a contribution yearly, during his stay at the
academy. Thus encouraged, he left the scenes of his
eariy life for Bristol, in August 1784. He had spent six
years at Chesham — the last in the service of Mr. Ed
wards, to whom Mr. B. Hinton had transferred his busi-
tiess ; and with how much fidelity and honour he con
ducted and closed this part of his life, may be learned
from the manner in which he took leave of his em
ployer. When for the last time his wages were set before
him, he separated part of the money, observing that Iris
mind had been too much occupied by other concerns to
render his service worthy of such a remuneration -. 'No,
James,' said Mr. Edwards, ' I have heard you get up
hours before my business required it.. I am sure no
thing has been neglected ; so take it all,'
. On his arrival at the academy he was received with
great kindness, and was highly delighted with his new
situation. Towards the president, Mr. (afterwards Dr.)
Caleb Evans, he soon felt the affection and confidence
of a son. The Rev. Robert Hall, M- A. of Leicester,
and the Rev. James Newton, were associated with the
president in the business of the institution : and among his
companions may be enumerated the Rev. Joseph Hughes,
M. A. of Battersea, ahd the Rev. Joseph Kinghorn of
Norwich ; by the latter of whom the writer has been fa
voured with the following brief sketch, from recollection,
of his character at that period. ' His diligence and
good sense enabled him to make very respectable at
tainments, and to overtake and pass those who had
not the same sense of the value of learning. He
Avas acceptable as a preacher, CAcn before his mind

20 LIFE OP THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
was stored with the information he afterwards re
ceived ; and while his taste was yet unformed, there
was something which shewed a power of expression not
usual, the rudiments of a pleasing and correct style which
many never possess. As he had comparatively no pre
vious advantages, but came from business to the aca
demy, there was something to unlearn as well as to
learn ; and this he did more readily than is common,
catching the principles of better taste, and dropping that
which offended against them. He had the art of treating
individual parts of the christian system — moral subjects,
those which took in a section of the gospel— well : it
seemed to me a talent sui generis. He was greatly
esteemed out of the house by those with whom he
was acquainted, and I had reason to think his acquaint
ance was extensive. There was a considerable de
gree of address and management about him, whenever
a point was to be gained, and of firmness too, when
he thought any thing ought to be resisted. What was
more than all, I never doubted his real piety.' He
was unquestionably stimulated to study, both by a
sense of the value of learning, and a consciousness
of early deficiencies; nor could the diligence have
been small, which enabled him to lay the foundation
of the high character he afterwards - deservedly bore,
as a man of general information. His manner in preach
ing was all nature, full of vivacity and simplicity;
and when he consulted his tutor whether he should alter
it, he received the following reply : ' By no means ; your
manner will make you. It is now perfectly natural :
let your whole care be that no alteration be made in it,
nor any pains taken with it.' He was soon discovered
to be especially gifted also in devotional exercises ; pos
sessing then the copiousness and fervour, the variety and

CHAP. I.] EARLY HISTORY. 21
spirituality, which have ever distinguished him. The
general favour he acquired, both in the pulpit and in
the parlour, was certainly considerable ; and it mate
rially influenced the course of his future life.
Early in the year 1787 the church at Oxford, being
then destitute, requested a supply from the academy at
Bristol, and the president virote in high and deserved
encomium of a student, whose talent and learning he re
garded as eminently qualifying him for the station.
When the recommendation of Dr. Evans was on the
point of being accepted at a church meeting, a proposal
was made that the services of Mr. Hinton should be
particularly solicited ; and this, though altogether unex
pected, was at length agreed to, on the ground that
some person in Oxford was acquainted with him, and
thought him peculiarly suitable. A letter to this pur
port was accordingly sent, and the request, although not
without regret, was ultimately granted. This singular
turn of affairs was occasioned by the following circum
stance : Mr. Samuel Harris (the son of Alderman Harris
of Bristol) with whom Mr. Hinton had enjoyed an inti
mate acquaintance, and who had recently taken up his
residence in Oxford, had recommended the application
to Bristol, in the expectation that his favourite would
be selected for the post ; and his unwillingness to suffer
disappointment, led him to use the personal influence
by which their final determination was affected. The
fellow student to whom he was thus preferred was
Mr. Hinton's particular friend, and he often mentioned,
as a source of honour to his companion and of plea
sure to himself, that the circumstance occasioned no in
terruption of their mutual regard. The following state
ment with which the Avriter has been favoured, is too

22 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [[part u
liohourable to both parties to be omitted. 'Your father
and L were in great intimacy at the academy, and we
both knew what was going forward. I knew part of it
by Dr. Evans's informing me : your father, by some
¦means," came to the knowledge of it before the applica
tion was made. We made eveiy particle of information
we met with common, and talked the matter over with
the utmost freedom and cordiality. I believe we both
left it in the hands of God, to dispose of it as he thought
best ; and it produced no breach of friendly feeling.'
" Just, before leaving the academy he made a tour in
Wales, partly for the benefit of his health, which had al
ways been delicate, and was then affected by close appli
cation to study. In entering upon this journey he met
with a deliverance from imminent peril, which he often
related Avith gratitude. The party went on board the
sloop at Bristol, by means of a plank extending from;
the quay to the vessel : he was last ; and while he was
on the plank he heard an eager and terrified cry, ' Make
haste,, make haste !' Not knowing why, he nevertheless.
hasted ; but before he could reach the vessel, the plank
fell from her side into the riv-er : on seeing his danger he
flung himself forward, and just succeeded in catching
hold of the ship's side, whence he was joyfully drawn
up by the affi-ighted passengers.. The cause of this ac-,
cident was the heedless manner of putting the sloop in
motion ; but the danger was great — no hope, in fact,
could have been entertained of saving his life, had he
then fallen into the water: and this deliverande . was
the mQre remakable, because, on the return of the tide:
the same day, a person was lost under precisely similar
circumstances. The tpur embraced th,e following places
— CaerlepA, Newport, .Cardiff,, L/laudaff, CaerphJlly^

CHAP. I.] EARLY HISTORY. S3
Pontypool, Usk, Monmouth, and Coleford. The young
traveller speaks in high admiration of the beauty, and in
warm commendation of the hospitality, by which the
coimtry is distinguished : ' Yet,' he adds, ' I do not wish
for an abode among them. I must say of England, "The
lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a
goodly herit^e." ' Amidst the pleasures of the tourist,
he did not forget the vocation of the minister : he
preached frequently, and expresses much pleasure in the
hope of having been useful ; it is knoAvn that his dis
courses were highly acceptable, and it is surely not
too much to believe that this better hope shall finally be
realized. Mr. Hinton had scarcely returned from this excur
sion, A\rhen he received tidings of a heaAy domestic af
fliction in the sudden death of his Father, who on
the 18th of May, on his road to Bicester, was thrown
from his horse. No immediate injuiy Avas discovered ;
but he had not proceeded many steps on his return,
when he was seized Avith a discharge of blood from the
lungs, by which the vital powers were speedily ex
hausted. He died at Bicester in the house of his inti
mate friend Mr. Rolls. For himself the suddenness of
death was not at all to be regretted, for he was habi
tually prepared : to bis family the shock Avas severe,
but they too found a refuge in the Eternal God. His
son James was deeply affected. Though he could not
be present at the funeral, he hasted to console his be
reaved mother, and he was received as an angel of God :
he was instantly the comforter, and from that hour he
became the father of the family.
From scenes of domestic sorrow, he turned to the sa
cred labours of his new situation. On the 1st June 1787

54 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
he arrived at Oxford, where he was received with great
kindness, and became a resident in the family of Mr.
Bartlett. It was not long ere, in addition to those of
his ministerial office, he entered upon the duties of do
mestic life, and the fatigues of a school : but, before we
proceed to the narration of these occurrences, we pro
pose to exhibit the aspect of his personal piety.

CHAP. II.
Religious Experience.
THROUGH his whole life Mr. Hinton walked closely
with God, and was a growing, and on the whole a happy
christian. He deeply felt tlie importance of the duties of
secret piety, and of a jealous watchfulness over the heart
and life. During his residence at Mr. Bartlett's he fre
quently observed special seasons of devotion, having his
breakfast in his chamber, and continuing several hours
in religious exercises : on these occasions he ate less
than usual, aud he frequently referred to them as the
nearest approach he ever made to the practice of fast
ing. He did not see the obligation of fasting as a
duty, nor did he consider it any way expedient so to di
minish the quantity of food as to impair our fitness for
devout engagements : but he has often spoken in com
mendation of such a degree of occasional abstinence, as
might favour the uninterrupted fervour of the more
lengthened exercises of piety. It is perhaps one among
the most decisive indications that fasting is not obligatory,
that it is altogether incompatible with a life of activity
and labour, such as Mr. Hinton's quickly became; it
will be seen, however, that amidst crowded cares, he
still maintained the practice of allotting seasons for ex
traordinary prayer.
He appears to have been very early in the habit of en
tering in his pocket book memorandums respecting the
state of his mind : the first of those which are pre
served is for 1794, and the series is continued until 1798,
in which year he commenced a regular diary ; and al-

26 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
though these papers Avere never intended for any earthly
eye, we shall venture to present to the reader a selection
of such passages as may contribute to the illustration of
his character, or exhibit ian example worthy of imitation.
The extracts noAV giv«n refer exclusively to the charac
ter and progress of his religious experience.
' 1794. April 19. On the whole rather low and un
comfortable in mind, though not without a mixture of
cheerful hope.
'Aug. 16. Have redeemed too little time for prayer
this week : O Lord, forgive me 1
. ' Aug. 23. A calm, comfortable, and spiritual Aveek ;
blessed be God.
'¦Oct.25. A good week. I hope corruption has beert
kept low, though I have many struggles in my heart.
; ' JVov, 29. Very hard pressed for time by cares and a
multiplicity of concerns ; yet more comfortable than 1
could expect.
' 1795. •/an. I. The last year, on the whole, was as
full of trials as any past one, and I belicA-e more full of
spiritual comforts than any I haA-e yet spent : blessed
]t)e God for both. My chief delight, a lively sense of
divine things on my mind, and an increasing confidence
of my gracious pardon and acceptance in the Beloved, i
' Feb. 7- A comfortable Aveek, . though sin attempts
again to. reign. Lord help me to crucify it !
'Feb. 27- "Be clothed Avith humility:" considering
the barren state of my heart, I ought to be so.
^' Feb, 28. Reason to be thankful for some little revi
vals. O Lord prevent coldness of heart from returning !
' March 14. This has been, I hope, a week of some
spiritual improvement : God grant that it may be the
earnest of still greater measures of it 1

j:hap, i|.] .. RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 87
'April 17. Some attacks of infidelity; may God re-
TOOA'e them by the light of his countenance. I fear not
to examine the. truths of religiouj but God alone can give
me that evidence which arises from the power of them
pn the heart. , ¦
: 'April 18. A happy week, though with some sad
exceptions from worldly-mindedness and distracting
thoughts. My great hinderance in the divine life is an
anxiety about worldly things, with a backwardness to
secret prayer, and a want of spirituality in my mind ;
yet I hope I may bless God for some times of refreshingj
and some successful struggles againgt these, alas ! toq
.common evils.
. ' June 13. Having this day an opportunity 1 seldom
enjoy, I haA^e been in the presence, of God> reviewing
my past life for seven or eight Aveeks. I find that I have
r—through a great pressure of family cares, and constant
engagement in the school, in visiting and in public la-;
hours, and aboAje all, through a culpable negligence
which has its source in aversion to God and devotion — •
biit too much reason to use the , language of Solomon,
" They made me keeper of the vineyards, but mine own
vineyard have I not kept." I do indeed struggle against
this carelessness and confusion of mind, and pray God
to giA^e me strength to walk more closely with him. I
hope I can from my heart say 1 love to be employed
in his work, and regret a want of time for retirement.
I haA-e endeavoured to obtain it early in the morning,
but find the practice injures my health. I have not suf
ficient resolution to snatch half an hour from reading or
company, and heart-examination is neglected. I pity
and pray for the people of God who are OA'erwhelmed
Avith cares. I desire sincerely to repent, and to com-
Bieiice again' from this day a more close walk with

28 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HII^TON. [part i.
God : 1 trust in his pardoning mercy to cancel my past
guilt, and to give me strength for the future ; and I present
these resolutions and petitions to him in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
'Aug, 8. I hope I may say, as in the sight of God, I
desire — may I not Avithout presumption say, I believe
God has" given me — some increase of piety, spirituality,
and calmness. Yet, Lord, how low are the graces of
the Spirit, and what crowds of cares, as well as dulness
of mind, prevent my communion with thee ! Circum
stances in the nation, in my family, and all around me,
teach me a lesson which 1 have need to learn — " Seek not
high things for thyself." God is merciful to check a heart
too fond of forming schemes for being happy in a state
that is not my rest.'
' Nov. 7. The past week or two, dull in my mind ; the
Lord hides his face. On examination, 1 find I have
been worldly, languid in secret prayer, and too negligent :
let me humble myself, and return to the Lord. O what
a heart have I ! I feel that I am not able to think
a good thought. Yet I have some comfort left:
blessed be God, the throne of grace is open, and I feel,
amidst many engagements, a desire to redeem more
time for the Lord ; O may he strengthen my weak re-
solutioHj and give me to live more near to him.
' Nov. 28. I condemn myself before God for an earthly
mind, and a heart too much perplexed. I thank God
for support, but do not find the increase in the divine
life that I wish. I do not enough keep under corrupt
passions : I do not bring them into subjection, but they
bring me into temptation. Yet I dare not think of re
signing the conflict ; on the contrary, 1 would in divine
strength put on afresh the armour of the gospel.'
This year was closed by a very careful and minute

CHAP. ii.J RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. ^9
review, which is arranged almost in a tabular form, and
is thus concluded : ' For ever blessed be the God of my
life, the Father of my spirit, for his patience with, and
his kindness to, an unworthy worm through the paSt
year. I am surprised at his kindness and my ingrati
tude. If 1 measure improvement by real sanctification
rather than by comfort, I fear the account is worse than
it here stands ; but the blood of Christ cleanseth from
all sin. I hope I am not gone back. I hope I can
discover some growth in grace. My chief fears are
grounded on the existence, and too often something like
an indulgence, of easy besetting sins. My chief eA'idences
are a delight in communion with God in private as well
as public, a willingness to resign my own will and a'U
my interests to his control, and a hope that my be
setting sins haA'e on the whole been more crucified, and
the path of duty more delightful. But how little the
progress, how many the imperfections and sins of the
past year! What could comfort, were it, not that the
Lord delighteth in mercy, and waiteth to be gracious !
Lord, 1 would solemnly this day set out afresh for
heaven, and once more resign myself and all I have to
thee, through Jesus Christ : accept me through him.
Amen. '1796. May 21. HaA'e enjoyed some very pleasant
seasons, especially on Sabbath evenings. My faith has
been somewhat shaken, or the vigour of it lessened, by
doubts lest the foundation should fail. 1 have passed some
strong conflicts with an easy besetting sin, and 1 trust
God has given me to overcome by the blood of the
Lamb : 1 record this to his praise. I beseech thee, O
Lord, ncAcr leave me nor forsake me ! I condemn my
self for negligence, and lament my weakness, in the
closet. I desire to approach the cleansing fountain, to

30 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. ' [part u
renew a sense of pardon, and receive an increase of
strength. But, Lord help me, or I shall lose the race.
' Aug, 20. On a review of a few weeks past, my expe
rience has been various — some very very happy, and
some very dull days. Saturday evenings and Sabbath
mornings generally happy. The world has too much
influence on my heart, yet 1 thank God it does not pro
duce an entire forgetfulness of religion. Faith is ofteri
shaken, but does not let go its hold. Sometimes my
evening walks in the fields are truly delightful, and I
hope I am indulged with real communion with God j
but ah ! how short the pleasing scene !
' Sept. 3. I this day enter on my thirty-sixth year.
Half the three score and ten I have liA'ed : how unlikely I
shall live the other half! I fear I am but little fitted to
die ; yet I think I believe in and love the Saviour, ap
prove his gospel, and long to be like him — and were it
not for indwelling sin, I should be a A'ery happy man.
I hope sin does not reign ; and I hope, through grace, to
arrive at the place where it does not exist.
'Nov. 27. My soul is not very prosperous: I hope
to make it a matter of humiliation and prayer to God,
that if I have piety it may be revived, and if not, that I
may yet be converted. Lord hear me, for the Redeemer's
teake. Amen.
' Self Examination, Have 1 ever experienced a total
change of views, desires, affections, pursuits, and expec
tations ? O Lord, thou knowest (I trust) that I have. In
most things it appears clear, but in some still doubtful.
Why not more clear ? Some neglect occasions it — and
my conflict with easy besetting sins, when it seems
likely to be crowned Avith victory, is impeded, 1. by
darkness of soul bordering on total unbelief; or, 2.
by such hesitation as takes aAvay the power of spiritual

chap. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 31
delight and improvement; or, 3. by a sudden return
of the sin in its. power, though I hope its returns are less
strong. — Am I truly humble for my neglect of secret
duty and my carnal-mindedness ? 1 trust I am in a mea
sure : Lord htimble me more, and give me more de
cided victory ! Look down O Lord ! my hope is in thee^
and with all the faith I have, I hang on thine arm.
'Dec. 3. Examination for the Lord's Supper, Have I
knowledge to discern the Lord's body ? 1 hope God has
given it to me, so far as relates to the understanding; but
oh, how inefficacious! — Have I repentance ? I hope that
I hate sin, and that I do by no means habitually indulge
it : I hope I more and more hate that which most eaisily
besets me, but I want a contrite and a broken heart ;
Lord give it me ! — Have I love ? I hope I have ; but oh,
how weak ! — Have I faith to feed upon Christ ? This too
is weak, though he is my only dependance, and 1 dare
trust no other. — Have I new obedience ? Ah ! here I am
ashamed; yet "seek thy servant O Lord, for I do not
forget thy testimonies." " To me belong shame and con
fusion of face, but to thee belong tender mercy and for
giveness." Amen.
' 1797. Oct, 7- Not so spiritual in mind as I ought tp
be, owing I fear to neglect of private prayer and medi
tation. Too much prone to anger, which is my beset
ting sin ; Lord help me to lay it aside ! I suffer myself
to be diverted from the closet: Lord, I here make my
humble confession that I do notredeem time as I ought,
that I give it too easily to trifles. I do not in the course
of the day think on God as \ ought, nor exercise ejacu-
latory prayer. 1 pray for the application of the blood of
Christ, and a thorough reform in the spirit of my mind,
and in the temper and conduct of my life. O Lord,
aid . by thy grace a poor feeble worm !

39 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. l^J^^'r »-
' After prayer. I bless God that he has given me some
liberty to plead with him, and I go from his presence re
freshed. O God, let me be watchful against the return
of sin, and be thou my guard.
' 1798. Jug. 22. Enabled to redeem some time for the
closet, but not so happy in prayer as I could wish. Calm
in my temper — I hope some improvement. Did not re
deem so much time for evening prayer as I ought ; and
yet, being at a meeting for Sunday-schools, it is very
difficult to know what is really my duty.
' Aug. 24. Comfortable in morning devotion, and di
ligent in business through the day. Found my mind hurt,
that is, unfitted for devotion, by reading Shakespear's
'All's well that ends well.' Could not recover a good
frame for prayer meeting, was obliged to fly to the well
known blessed fountain that is open for guilt : blessed
be God it is still open !
' Sept. 3. This day I enter into my 38th year. How
important the day of my birth ! — much more important
will be the day of my death. The greater part of my
life is in all probability gone, and when I look back on
the year I have spent, I am covered with shame and con
fusion to think how little I have done for God, and how
little my own character has been improved. Twenty-six
years I have been ranked among the professors of expe*
rimental religion, and about twenty years in the constant
habit of communing with the people of the Lord at his
table. Ah, how little have I crucified the flesh with its
affections and lusts ! How little have I adorned the doc
trine of God my Saviour 1 I hope J have some evidences
that I am a child of God, but too many dark signs ap
pear : grovelling affections, too great a regard to human
applause, a deadness in secret devotion, a want of spi
rituality in my converse, a want of love for souls, a A^ant

chap. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. S3
of due care to improve precious time — these are among
my chief enemies, to oppose whom I desire again to put
on the gospel armoui", and begin this day with a renewed
dedication of my soul to a covenant God iri Christ. I
trust it will be accepted with him. Amen.
' Oct. 4. Not sufficiently aliA'e to God ; yet I hope careful
not to offend him. Hope I have some better government
of the passions.
' Oct. 5. Inclined to anger this morning : had a con
flict, and hope I have overcome. Alas ! I fear many
things are not as they ought to be in my soul : but
there is balm in Gilead, and a physician there.
' Oct, 6. Have been studying the proper method of
governing the passions ; O may divine grace aid me in
the difficult work ! On examination I find, 1. That
the frame of my mind has not been very spiritual ;
2. That the evils recorded on my bh'th day do many of
them still exist in great power : yet I hope I have been
more dead to human applause, more careful to guard
against an angry temper, and more spiritual in conver
sation, for which I praise the God of my mercies.
Still I am not alive in the closet as I ought to be, haAC
not sufficient loA-e for souls, do not improve my time,
am grovelling in my affections, and too prone to anger :
for these things I call my soul to deep humility and pe
nitence, and apply afresh to the blood of sprinkling. This
evening I give myself afresh to God and his service : my
God, accept the surrender in my Saviour's name !
' Ckt. 10. To day I found evil temper stirring again,
and thougb not suffered to break out, yet a kind of
commanding ill-humour (part gloominess of spirits, part
moral depravity) troubled me : Lord, help me to over
come it through the blood of the Lamb^ and to assume
a happily cheerful and contented spirit— having so many
things to be grateful for., ,

3^ LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
'Oct. 13 This week has been chequered ; yet most
cause to be grateful and encouraged. Hope devotion is
on the increase, but still A-ery deficient. Desire to be
thankful for some liberty in secret deA'Otion in prayer
for my own soul, in my family, and among my flock :
O may my great Intercessor present these poor prayers
with acceptance to God, and may the Holy Spirit help
me to watch for gracious answers !
' Oc^ 19. Too apt to suffer the world to occupy my
first morning thoughts, and to banish spirituality from
all the day. May a gracious God forgive this fault, and
help me to avoid it.
'Oct. 25. Hope my soul is not entirely barren, but
it is not as fruitful as 1 wish : Lord, revive thy work !
Spent some time in reading Flavel's Touchstone of Sin
cerity. My greatest danger of being deceived is in the
following instances : 1. Lest under a profession of re
ligion, the carnal mind should remain : 2. Lest I should
be satisfied with having the passions occasionally im
pressed, without having habitually a sense of God's
presence on my mind : 3. Lest I should delight in re
ligion for its appendages, such as respect, present com
fort, and deliverance from future misery, instead of pos
sessing a hearty delight in the purity of God's nature,
and the perfections of his delightful goA'ernment : 4. Lest
my constitutional sins be not truly embittered and sub
dued : 5 . Lest I be better pleased with the religion that man
observes, than that Avhich God observes. In all there is
danger: O may God make my evidences more clear.
' Nov. 2. Much reason to complain of myself the past
month, and especially in the last two weeks : a strange
leanness and barrenness of soul, that is both afflicting
and alarming ; and I earnestly pray God to remove the
influence of an evil heart of unbelief.
' Nov. 10. Strange deadness. Oh what a conflict is

chap. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, 35
human life ! It is hard sometimes for me to think that
mine is the conflict of a believer; yet, though I am faint,
I desire to pursue — it is the only path of safety and of
happiness. 'Dec. 1. The past month has been a very mingled
scene : the former part of it much injured by a kind
of latent half infidelity, not arising to absolute unbelief,
but so weakening faith as to leave me very faint ; the
last fortnight, blessed be God, I have been somewhat
more at liberty. Have been enabled to redeem more
time for the study, and hope I haA^e some answers to
prayer ; but am still ashamed of my sluggishness. I do not
seem to live as I ought. My rcAivals are of short dura
tion. A great pressure of various concerns occupies too
much of my thoughts and my time. Yet life is rapidly ad
vancing, and to-morrow is the last Lord's supper day of
another year : I hope I desire to be awakened to look
well to my feet, to work the work of him that hath sent
me while it is called to-day. I trust I this evening sur
render myself afresh to the service of a covenant God
in Christ, with all I haA'e ; and fall, a weak and helpless
and guilty worm, on Him who, I trust, will be made of
God unto me wisdom and righteousness, and sanctifica
tion and redemption.
' Dec. 6. Have begun to feel my spiritual decline : O
may the prayer of faith lay hold afresh on God !
' Dec, 8. Thank God, much time redeemed for study
this week, and I hope a profitable week : yet I find,
time without a heart for God is not sufficient. God
give me more of both; and especially of a spirit of
prayer, my great want.
' 1799. June 12. Like too many days past, dull, heavy,
forgetful of God, and harassed by a fretful and angi-y
spirit ; but, though cast down, I am not in despair, for

36 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
Jesus lives, and therefore his people shall live also.
There is a gracious promise, " sin shall not have domi
nion over you :" Lord help me to believe it, and give
me to experience its fulfilment for Christ's sake !
'July 1. How fast do the months revolve ! Each as it
returns says, " Be not slothful :" ' Dum vivimus viva-
mus.' Let me hear the voice, and not forget that it
is more difficult to live Christ than to preach Christ ;
natural abilities have often sufficed for the latter, the
former is the work of all-powerful grace. O Lord, en
grave it on my heart to-day, that thou art with me !
'Evening. This day has, I trust, been a day spent with
God, and for God.
' July 10. I feel a strange darkness, a listlessness to
divine things-^which troubles me, but does not shake
my hope in Christ : I trust I am seeking the cause, as
far as it is moral, to implore its pardon ; if it is natural,
I am certain of the compassion of the Almighty.
' July 27. Have reason to complain that my soul is
not lively ; I hardly know the cause — 1 pray to discover
it. I have a cheerful hope of my acceptance in the
Beloved, but not a lively sense of my privilege in being
so. I hope I am on the foundation ; but I Avish to
have the building grow up into Christ, its founder and
its head.
' Sept. 27. On examining the past month, I hope I
have somewhat grown in grace ; but alas ! very slowly.
The former part of the month was dull and unfruitful.
I still find myself too prone to earthly enjoyments, too
little alive in the frame of my mind, too apt to speak hasty
words, and above all harassed with a latent infidelity, an
evil heart of unbelief. Yet on the whole I make a record
of gratitude : an Ebenezer I again raise, though with
mingled joy and sorrow, mourning and gratitude. Sonic

CHAP 11.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 37
seasons of private prayer (the best test of sincerity) have,
1 trust, been solemn and sincere, and indulged with the
divine presence.
' Oct. 22. " The slothful man roasteth not that which
he took in hunting." Such in spiritual things am I : I
pray and strive earnestly for comfort, and then carelessly
let it go again, as though it were not worth the keeping.
' Nov. 16. Overdone with constant cares— and a sad de
pravity of heart, not improving what strength I have : I
never had more reason .cor humility and penitence, nor
more need of mercy and grace to help. 1 hope on the
whole my heart is right with God, and the tendency of
my constant and best affections tovi'ards heaA'en ; but my
soul is not in health, it does not prosper as I could wish.
" Save now, O Lord ! O Lord, I beseech thee send now
prosperity !"
' 1800. March 7- Not so happy to day, but the fault
is my own : I have not been diligent, nor self-denying,
nor watchful in my temper and conduct.
' March 9. At the Lord's table very . comfortable.
Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, take me under thy
care ! Lead me and guide me for thy name's sake, O Lord !
I trust in thee to fulfil the promise, " He shall subdue
our iniquities."
'March 10. 1 desire to record with gratitude that I
have not pleaded the above promise in vain. Though I
have not preserved a perfect equanimity this day (and I
desire to be humble for my sin. on this account) yet I
have received answers to prayer, and bless God that my
constitutional sin has not reigned. O may grace reign
more and more in me, unto life eternal 1
' March 12. My mind seems in a great measure lifeless
as to divine things : I desire to search out the cause, and
hope to have it removed at a throne of grace.

38 LIFE OF THE. REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
'March 13. Still mourning a cold and carnal heart;
still longing for a more spiritual frame, and hoping that
I observe some signs of dawning day.
' March 14. I hope this has been a day of some care
fulness in my conduct ; and certainly of too much of that
carefulness of which the apostle says, "1 would have you
without" it. I am also much injured by secret sugges
tions of unbelief : I have not the confidence in gospel
promises I ought to have, considering how often they have
been fulfilled to others, and to myself. I mourn also a
want of spirituality in my affections : my Soul cleaveth
unto the dust, and the enemy is very busy in endeavour
ing to keep me from thee ; but " quicken thou me ac
cording to thy word ! "
' March 22. This has been a happy day. The week
has been much chequered by many secret siiggestions of
unbelief from a cruel foe. O God, do thou bruise Satan
under the feet of thy unworthy servant. I trust I am
thine ; O save me !
'March 27. Still considerably dark and cold in my
mind ; but greatly refreshed in secret devotion in the
evening, and helped to wrestle with God for myself, my
family, and my flock, and the success of the Redeemer's
cause. The Lord will, 1 trust, fulfil these petitions, for
the sake of my great High Priest and Intercessor on high.
'April 1. On reviewing the past month I find it full
of vicissitude ; much reason for gratitude, much for hu
mility and pious sorrow. I hope sin hath not reigned,
and I have had some lively and spiritual days ;— O that
every day might be a day of communion with God ! I fly
to the blood of sprinkling for pardon, and I hope for the
sealing influences of the blessed Spirit on the coming
day, and especially at the Lord's table. Life must.be
chequered ; but O that the spiritual life had fewer dark

chap. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 39
days ! Lift thou up, O Lord, the light of thy coiinte-
nance upon me ! 1 am on the whole much encou
raged. 'April 17, 19. Considerably harassed by the enemy
of souls leading to doubt the foundations of religion : O
may the darkened cloud withdraw ! 1 humbly hope I am
willing to be tried, so that 1 may but come forth as gold.
Lord, strengthen thou my faith ! Blessed Redeemer, thou
hast prayed that it may not fail.
' May 3. Still attacked by the enemy with his fieiy
darts, and subject to an awful darkness of mind which,
though it does not destroy my hope, prevents the com
fort of it. I have found some relief in prayer, and some
hope in reflecting that the adorable Redeemer once said,
" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" I indeed
suffer justly, but my blessed Lord had done nothing
amiss : let me then patiently wait for the salvation of
my God.
' July 6. Sunday Evening. I have been looking back
in this diary : Oh, what chequered scenes does it present
to my view! But, great God, what shall be its close?
Its termination will soon come ; alas ! that my evidences
should still be so dull ! I seem to make no progress in
the way to heaAcn, no advance of character : and this
grieves my soul, which is weak and discouraged by the
attacks of unbelief. Still my whole reliance is on the
gospel J I not only believe it to be true, but venture my
everlasting all upon its promises. But O that my faith
were more strong ! Yet if it be best, I hope i am Avilling
to be thus tried, that my faith, though it be tried with
fire, may be found unto praise and honour and glory,
at the appearing of the great God and my SaA'iour,
Jesus Christ. To him, to him be gloiy for ever !
Amen.

40 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
' Aug. 23. I trust some revival in my soul this day ; yet
considerable darkness and unbelief.
Oh ! what a wretched land is this.
That yields me no supply :
but how gracious is He who maketh springs to flow in
the desert.
'Sejit.S. On reviewing the past year, I hardly knoA^f
which disposition should most prevail — sorrow for my
wretched returns to divine mercy, or gratitude for the
continuance of so many undeserved and abused favours.
Oh my wretched, wretched heart of unbelief! here,
here the mischief lies.
And shall I ever live
At this poor dying rate ?
Yet hope springs up. Blessed Jesus ! on thee I cast
my weary sbul ; still I hope, still I trust in thee. — Shall
I live to see Sept. 3, 1801 ? O sovereign Disposer of
all things, thou alone knowest : but if thou so determine,
O grant, for the sake of my adorable Redeemer, for the
happiness of thy people, and the gloi-y of thy name, that
fewer dark, gloomy, worldly days, may be found in this
year. O God! help, help me from thy throne! Save
thy servant that putteth his trust in thee !
' Sept. 4, Alas ! still dull and heavy ; perhaps chiefly
through weariness, fatigue, and ill health, little able to
withstand the temptations of the enemy, and the risings
of corruption.
' Oct. 3. I desire to be humbled that this has been a
dull unfruitful month. I have been very poorly and low
in my spirits, of which the enemy takes advantage.
' Oct, 4. Somewhat revived, and desirous to search and
try my ways, and turn again unto the Lord. What have

CHAP. 11,] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, 4l
been the causes of my unfruitfulness during the past
month ? 1. Corrupt nature, indwelling sin. 2. Want
of watchfulness against it. 3. The secret temptations
of Satan to unbelief. 4. Neglect of secret prayer,
both stated and ejaculatory. 6. Pride and self-com
placency attending, and especially following, com
fort in duty. Oh, what a host of foes within and
without, but chiefly within ! How necessary to humble
myself before God, and to gird on afresh the armour of
the gospel, that I may stand in the evil day, and hav
ing done all may stand. Blessed be God, there is yet
hope. " It is of his mercy that I am not consumed, and
because his tender compassions fail not : this I call to
mind, therefore haA'e I hope." Here, Lord, 1 consecrate
myself to thee afresh ; receive the surrender, and ratify
it ih heaven that my Beloved is mine and I am his for
ever. ' Oct. 28, 30. Too eager in the midst of worldly cares,
but decidedly proposing the gloiy of my divine Master.
'1801. Ja7i. 1. This morning rose early; was particu
lar, and 1 hope earnest in prayer to God. I have reason
to look back on the past year with most lively gratitude
to God, my great preserver and benefactor. In spiritual
concerns, I find that most of my Sabbaths have been
comfortable ones, though many have been dull. More of
darkness and unbelief than has been usual for some
years past ; yet 1 think these trials have been productive
of good : I think they have induced greater degrees of
self-abasement, and of spirituality of mind. " Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his
holy name."
* March 31. A happy month, though attended oft with
languor of spirit, and want of ardour in devotion, as well
as too great anxiety on account of the pressure of

42 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. • [part i.
the times. More sensible than ever, I hope, of- the evil
of a fretful spirit ; I trust not more indulgent towards it,
but the contrary.
Sept. 3. Forty years long, O Lord, hast thou led me
in the wilderness, and surely I have too much of that un
believing and perverse spirit with which thouAvast grieved
in the children of Israel. The past year does not afford
that regular improvement I could wish. I hope my cha
racter is improved ; but, alas, how little is the fruit 1 bring
forth unto God ! How great the mercy that still spares
an unfruitful plant ! My great complaint still is unbelief,
irregular piety, backwardness to come to the throne of
grace, and inability to appear in the school, in the par
lour, and in conversation, what I am in the pulpit : O
Lord, help me ! that I may by a pious and spiritual con
versation, more eminently adorn the doctrine of God my
Saviour. I hope I do with much solemnity and Sincerity
again consecrate myself to thee.
, ' 1802. March 6. Review of the month. Some very
comfortable seasons in the closet. Not so great reason
as at sometimes to lament the prevalence of indwelling
corruption : blessed be he that teacheth my hands to
war and my fingers to fight. 1 OA'ercome through
the blood of the Lamb. But much cause to lament
frequent backwardness to closet exercises, and cold
ness in them. If a saint, 1 am one of very low attain
ments ; I hope it is a matter of deep humility.
' June 16. Comfortable in some religious exercises,
but the impression soon wears away : yet 1 trust 1 do
not presume in still cleaving to the great confidence of
my soul, Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, to day and
for ever.
' Sept. 3, Another year of my short life is past, and
still a chequered scene lies in the retrospect, a mixture

CHAP, n.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 43
of good and evil, both natural and moral : in the former
instance, good certainly prevails ; in the latter it is, I
fear, but doubtful. Pardon for the past and strength
for the future, O Lord, is my desire. I hope I grow in
grace. It is my preponderating opinion iu the sight of
God, that my character, blessed be his name, is improv
ing : but ah ! AA'hat sad imperfection still remains.
Awake my soulj stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on :
A heavenly race demands thy zeal.
And an immortal crown.
' Oct. 21. The last four days have not been remarkable
for elcA'ation or depression ; rather inclining to dulness,
but not without refreshment of spirit, and a general con
scious regard to the will of God, as under his eye : yet
I lament that I have not more life and vigour in divine
things. 1 carry about a body with a strong propensity to
sin, and tending both to natural and spiritual jleath ;
but I trust in the gracious Redeemer that I shall at length,
having sustained the conflict, obtain also the victory.
' 1803. March 13. Lately, more dull and heavy days
than I recollect for some years past ; doubtless there are
due reasons for it, though I cannot with precision
specify them. Of the duties such a frame demands, I
am more certain I ought to examines to humble my
self before God, to search out the idols of my heart,
and turn again unto the Lord with weeping and sup
plication. ' April 2. My life, alAA'ays crowded with cares, has
for some weeks past been over-crowded : yet I dare
not excuse myself wholly, that I have not taken the
active pleasure and delight in the ways of God which I
desire and ought to feel. My Sabbaths have been plea
sant, and some seasons of private devotion, but there is

44 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [past i.
a considerable degree of dulness in my habitual frame :
for this 1 hope I have been deeply humbled, and desire
still to be so, before God. Within these two weeks
past, 1 think 1 see and feel the rising of the blessed Sun
of righteousness, with healing in his wings.
Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell
By faith and love within my breast.
' 1805. Aug. 17. It has been a comfortable week,
only harassed occasionally by unbelieving thoughts, and
a sceptical disposition; — rather, howcA'er, subtracting
from the influence of faith, than directly opposing it.
' 1810. May .5. On examination I think fear prevails.
I have of late been very dull.
How low my hope of joys above.
How few affections there.
Much discouraged by reflecting on the hardness, cold
ness, aud unbelief of my own heart. My views of its
dreadful sinfulness, have of late been almost overwhelm
ing ; yet I hope there is mercy for the chief of sinners.
I look again to the rock and refuge of my soul, and
'other refuge have I none.' Lord, 1 turn unto thee with
mourning and supplication ; take away all thy wrath,
and yet receive ine graciously, and love me freely.
' June 3. I am in my forty-ninth year. 1 have seen
many changes, and the worid is still full of them : O
for faith to survey a better worid, and grace to prepare
me to enter thereon. I have not the solemnity I could
wish for the Sabbath; but I trust God will increase it.
A poor guilty condemned sinner I feel myself, but there
is One in whom I hope I may say, I have righteousness
AND STRENGTH. In this grace consists, and then glory
shall follow. Oh what a miracle of mercy shall I be, if

CHAP. II.J RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 45
I reach the heavenly world ! But with God nothing is
impossible.' From this period Mr. Hinton's diary is discontinued :
it had indeed been frequently suspended, and the notice
taken of these interruptions will exhibit the causes of its
final cessation.
' 1804. Sep. 8. For a considerable time past this diary
has been neglected ; 1 fear, not without incurring some
guilt. I have been exceedingly thronged with business,
and distressed for a time beyond all former example ; my
health also has been such that the weariness of the even
ing has left me hardly time or strength for devotion, and
my mind oftentimes so discouraged that I had no spirit
to write : yet I cannot excuse myself that something
has not been done. Of late, blessed be God, my health
and spirits have become more vigorous, and 1 hope in
his strength to renew this soul-profiting exercise.
' 1805. April 23. My diary of late has been sadly
neglected, and I think of this circumstance with deep
regret ; yet such has been my weakness and ill state of
health, that I have often thought it my duty not to at
tempt even the least addition to my absolutely necessary
work. ' 1806. Sep. 6. My health and spirits have been lately
very low. 1 hope I have not sinned by neglecting my
diary ; God knoweth my frame : if I endeavour to gain
more time, my strength sinks under the attempt.'
Although the diary was relinquished, there is reason
to believe that Mr. Hinton walked no less closely with
God. Amidst the engagements of his domestic and
public life, which after this period became even more
numerous and oppressive, evidence was not wanting that
he vigorously cultivated experimental piety. When his

46 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
study was occupied by pupils (as it frequently was, even
at an early hour) he sought retirement in other apart
ments of the house, a practice so well understood
that, at certain hours, no person thought of approaching
them. Finding that the fatigues of the day unfitted him
for evening devotion, he enlarged the serious exercises of
the morning. During the latter years of his life he
placed the New Testament constantly under his pillow,
that it might be the first companion of his waking thoughts ;
and that he did read much, and devoutly, was manifest
by his preaching, which generally took the course of his
reading, and often unequivocally discovered the rich de
lights of his private hours.
In the value he attached to a diary, it will scarcely be
thought by the lovers of experimental piety that Mr.
Hinton was in an error ; such persons well knoAV how
much it contributes to secure a true knowledge of our
spiritual state, to maintain a check on the perpetual
backslidings of the heart, and to give explicitness and
solemnity to the utterance of devotional feeling. By
his own experience of its influence he was led to call
it 'a soul profiting exercise,' and he most sincerely
regretted its termination ; but, in his peculiar circum
stances, he probably was not wrong in relinquishing it.
The keepingof a diaryis by no means among the principal
exercises of devotion ; it is but a remote auxiliary, of
no use. in fact by itself, but only as more clearly pre
senting topics for meditation and prayer. It is more
over not of divine institution, but the offspring of human
wisdom, an effort of expediency. Reading the Scrip
tures, meditation and prayer, are exercises of divine ap
pointment, and not even the busiest man is at liberty to
neglect them : if, therefore, the calls of duty in active
life, or the influence of sickness on the animal frame, be

CHAP. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 4;
such as to yield no more time or strength than these
employments require, it does not appear that any of
them should be less fully regarded, in order to keep a
diary. If the divine promises are faithful, the former
will keep the soul alive, and secure its prosperity, with
out the latter ; while the latter Avithout the former, or
with a defective proportion of them, will tend to sub
stitute our frames for Christ, and self-complacency for
the love of God. It is comparatively easy to write as
though Ave felt, and when we have written to giA'e
ourselves credit for feelings, both the power and exist
ence of which, if we should endeavour to express them
in prayer, we should have much cause to suspect: but
prayer itself admits of far less delusion ; it is the attitude
in which the evils of the heart are most surely discerned,
aud all that is holy most effectually cherished.
The reader has probably observed, that Mr. Hinton's
diary is to a great degree a record of facts — the facts oc
curring in his heart and life, connected with experimen
tal piety : and allowing for incidental exceptions, it is in
this respect just what a diary should be ; — certainly much
better adapted to promote a close walk with God (its
principal use) than a more enlarged utterance of the
feelings. And yet more valuable than the daily record,
is the review of periods, of smaller or greater length, by
which these papers are strikingly characterized. In
spiritual as in natural things, the progress of each day,
though real, is for the most part small and impercepti
ble: and it is by the obserAation of considerable periods
only that large results can be discoA'ered, or the real ten
dency be satisfactorily ascertained. It is desirable, how
ever, that these periods should not be too long ; and the
review of each month, of which this diary furnishes
many examples, appears the best calculated to mark

48 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
the evidences, either of the growth or declension of
piety. It is worthy of notice, too, that the principal entries of
this record were made on the Saturday evening, a season
when christians generally, and especially ministers,
are liable to be more particularly engaged ; it needs not
be told, howcA'er, how much we should find our ac
count, especially as a preparation for the Sabbath, in
redeeming this precious time for devotion.
Mr. Hinton was exceedingly careful in his preparation
for the Lord's supper. It was habitually to him' a sea
son, not of official, but of personal religion, and its influ
ence upon him was remarkable. Nothing could be more
heavenly than the Avhole tone of the succeeding CA'ening.
His countenance was strikingly placid and cheerful, in
dicating the peace within ; his conversation was alto
gether spiritual ; his domestic religious engagements
were eminently solemn and affectionate ; and whatever
might occur, nothing ruffled his temper, even for a mo
ment. These observations refer more particularly to
a period when, on the evening of the Lord's-supper day,
there was no public service : and, for his personal com
fort, he often regretted that a change had taken place.
Of the general aspect of his religious experience, it is
not necessary to say much; it will perhaps be the
more useful because it is not extraordinary. It is an
example of the christian walk steadily pursued, the con
flict resolutely maintained, amidst difficulties and discou
ragements, numerous but not uncommon. It is the
better that its distinguishing quality is one so easily
copied, and so worthy of imitation. His abiding hope,
his frequent joys, his growing excellence, his prepared
ness for duty, his support in trials, his meetness for
heaven, combine to assure all who Avill imitate his stead-

CHAP. II.] RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 49
fastness, that they shall share his felicity. He utters
much, indeed, of the language of complaint ; and the
heart which does not is a carnal or a backsliding one :
it is always the language of a spirit which aims high, aud
is at once eminently observant and keenly sensible of
its defects. The evidence of his sincerity appears in no
point of view more striking, than in the conflict habitu
ally maintained with an irritable disposition, which was,
in truth, a constitutional and easy besetting sin : on
this account an unrenewed heart would have extenu
ated or excused it ; but Mr. Hinton made his victory
over it the special test of his character. Had he him
self not recorded it, this infirmity, aggraA'ated as it was
in his latter years by the influence of hepatic disease,
would have found no place in these pages : nor can a
reproving thought rest on the memory of one, so severely
self-condemned, and so nobly struggling to overcome.
In times of sickness his experience was much diversi
fied. The langour of his frame sometimes affected the
vigour, and more frequently the pleasure, of his mental
exercises, so that his consolations were small, and the
assaults of the enemy more harassing : but when he was
laid aside by severe illness, while the devoutness of his
habitual state was unequivocally indicated by an ardent
thirst for spiritual refreshment, his mind was uniformly
tranquil and happy^-a striking illustration of the remark
that christians often endure heavy afflictions better than
light ones. Towards the close of his life, it was appa
rent that his thoughts were much engaged by a better
world : bis heart dwelt upon it as his wished for home,
and he seemed to enjoy an unclouded prospect of " the
inheritance of the saints in light."

CHAP. in.
Marriage and Parental Relation.
MR. HINTON had early fixed his thoughts on a do
mestic settlement; and his affections were engaged
by Miss Ann Taylor, the youngest daughter of a respect
able family at Deptford, to whom, after having added to
his pecuniary means by the establishment of a school,
he was married April 23, 1790.
He now terminated his residence in the family of
Mr. Bartlett, in which he had enjoyed much happi
ness. He always referred to their kindness Avith feelings
of grateful and affectionate pleasure; and on their part
abundant testimony has been borne to the amiable man
ner in which he conducted himself. Another inmate of
their dwelling, a near relatiAC, and an eminently pious
and excellent woman, mentions his removal in the
following terms. ' Last night our good friend Mr. Hinton
left us. He has lived almost three years with us, and
has bound himself to us in friendship and christian af
fection, by his kind and cheerful behaviour. I Avas ex
ceedingly Sony when he went, and shall often miss his
company and enliA'ening conversation : but, as his habi
tation is not far distant, and he goes Avith the prospect
of entering on a new and agreeable connexion in life, I
rejoice ; earnestly desiring the richest and choicest bless
ings of the Almighty to attend him in all bis undertak
ings, public and private, in his basket and in his store.*
Several passages in the diary have reference to his
marriage, and almost without exception, on the return

CHAP. III.] MARRIAGE. .51
of its anniversary he expresses his high sense of the
happiness and benefits resulting from it : we venture on
an extract or two, which will intimate a little, and but
a little, of what he felt. — ' 1794. Fourth wedding day.
Committed myself in company with my dear wife to
Him, who has hitherto made this union truly happy.'
— ' 1801 . April 23. This is the anniversary of my mar
riage to a pious, prudent, and truly excellent compa
nion ; concerning whom, 1 bless God, I have no doubt
but she is an heir, and I hope I am a fellow-heir, of the
grace of life. The past year seems to have been one of
increasing happiness and spirituality, and comfort of
every kind to us.' — ' 1804. April 23. Fourteen years ago
this day, I led to the altar my beloved Ann : blessed be
God, whose direction I then sought, and whose blessing
I have ever since experienced. Our affection is sanc
tified and confirmed by religious principle : it increases
with advancing life, and is the source of daily and in^
numerable benefits to ourselves and our family. Blessed,
for ever blessed, be the name of our great benefactor and
preserver ! Amen !'
Mr. Hinton's first child was born on the 24th of March
179!, and was named John Howard. The high admira
tion in which the character of this great man was held,
might have been a sufficient reason for this appellation
of their son ; but there was another. Mr. Taylor was
employed as Mr. Howard's engraver ; and, when the
-intercourse which ensued became familiar, the philan
thropist often lamented the affliction which had befallen
his only child, and threatened to cut off his name from
the earth. It was on one occasion his request to Miss
Ann Taylor (afterwards Mrs. Hinton) ' If ever you have
a son, name him after me.' It was said, perhaps, half
seriously, half playfully; but when the opportunity ar-

69 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. Oaht i.
rived, the request Avas fulfilled. Mr. Howard was theii
absent on the journey to Russia, fi-om which he nevei*
returned ; so that the child who bore his name had not
the honour of resting in his arms, or the happiness of
receiving one of those smiles of benevolence which
spread joy through so many habitations of woe.
A second son, who lived only twelve months, was
born April 14, 1792. The 9th of July in the following
year added another son, and the 9th of January, 1/95, a
daughter : a second daughter was born October 10, 1796 ;
a child which did not live, in 1797 ; and on the 4th of
July, 1799, another son. On these occasions Mr. Hinton
felt warmly as a man, but he felt also as a christian.
Recording in his diaiy the birth of his eldest daughter,
he adds ; * The Searcher of hearts knows, 1 trust, that I
have given her sincerely to him. A very merciful day ;
may it not be soon forgotten.' In reference to the birth
of Sarah he writes, ' Blessed be God for this mercy !
I mourn that my heart is not more affected with it :
but my passions are strange things, hardly ever what
they ought to be — too much moved, or too much un
moved. I hope I have sincerely given her to God.'
The birth of his youngest son he thus notices ; ' Not
aliA-e to God in the frame of my mind, though this is a very
important day, and I hope I sincerely bless God for the
deliverance of my dear wife, and the birth of my son
Isaac J yet I have not a heart to enjoy my mercies so
spiritually as I wish. Natural spirits are low, and fa
tigue considerable.'
The glowing feelings which these domestic pleasures —
the pleasures of the heart — excited, found utterance also
in several poetical effusions : the earliest of them which
is preserved, and the only one we obtrude on the readerj
is dated March 6, 1797-

CHAP, ill.] P.iRKNTAL REL.\TION. M
TO S.4IL\H,
SLKKPrSG IX THB CRASLS AT FrTE MOVTHS OLD.
' LoTELT girl I how sweet thy slumbers !
Providence, though now unknoAvn,
Sheds on thee, in countless nmnberSj
Hourly blessings from his throne.
' He gives those strong attractive charms^
He fenns thy all engaging smfles ;
A mother's heart Avith love he warms,
And thus her every pain beguiles.
' Waking, ask thy sweet refreshment,
BUss to princes stiU denied !
From that heart which beats with fondness,
AH thy Avants shall be supplied.
* SAveet^t age of fearless pleasures!
Infant bosoms fied no sting;
Covet naught of earthly treasures,
Feel no sorrows that they bring.
' Growing days to thee allotted.
Growing troubles must thou find ?
Is early death for thee detemiined?
May thy parents be resigned !
* Oft have they with srrong devotion.
Borne thee to thy Maker s throne;
Oft redeeming love imploring :
' Savioor, mark her fiw thy owa I"

54 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
When the reader peruses the remainder of this child's
history, these will appear to him to have been notes of
an almost prophetic lyre.
While his children were young, Mr. Hinton discovered
a high degree of paternal affection and delight. It were
unsuitable to refer particularly to the manner in which
he entered into their amusements : it will be sufficient
to state generally, what has often fallen from his own
lips, that the domestic enjoyment of these years placed
them amongst the happiest of his life. He felt intensely,
also, about the education of his children : and in this
view, he esteemed it an advantage that he was engaged
in the instruction of others, since it enabled him to do
more for his own family than would otherwise have been
in his power. He led them through the whole course
of general knowledge, and classical learning : it was all
he expected he could ever do to prepare their way in
the world. His anxiety deepened with his children's
growing years, and he was especially careful in the selec
tion of situations for them. As he had often warned others
against sacrificing religious to secular advantages, it was
his own first object to practise the principle he taught :
and so effectually did he do this, so shielded were his
sons in the families in which they were placed, that it is
from distant rumour alone they have learned with what
evils and snares the world abounds, and besets more
especially the steps of the young.
It has been frequently observed that ministers are,
by their public engagements, peculiarly withdrawn from
the religious training of their children ; and it has been
ascribed in part to this cause, that so large a proportion
of ministers' sons have been irreligious men. It was Mr.
Hinton's happiness that the mother of his children was
well qualified for this department of domestic duty, and

CHAP. Ill] PARENTAL RELATION. 55
that she sedulously applied herself to its fulfilment;
how it was fulfilled, can be told at present only by its
results. Serious impressions were produced on the
minds of all while Aery young, and it is hoped that all
have given proof of eariy and decided piety. Four of his
children Mr. Hinton had the happiness of receiving into
christian fellowship; and in the instance of his youngest
daughter, the only one in which this pleasure was with
held, he had to rejoice in her admission to the fellow
ship of the saints in light. He entertained a high sense
of the value of the maternal exertions of which, under
the divine blessing, these were the results ; but he was
himself by no means indifferent or inattentiAe to the
spiritual welfare of his family. It was a point on which
he closely watched his own heart ; and in his diary he
condemns himself for ' not being suitably desirous of
the salvation of his children :' he Avas open to reproof,
however, from no other quarter. His paternal admoni
tions were numerous and solemn. Watching for indi
cations of piety, he encouraged free communication on
religious subjects by letter; how affectionate and judi
cious were his replies, the following specimens will shew.
' Why is it, my dear child, that you, who doubt not a
moment of your earthly father's love, should hesitate to
believe the precious promises which assure you of that
of your heavenly Father ? But you say, you ' haAC
never offended the former as you have the latter.' . . .
I allow there is no comparison in the degree of offence ;
but neither is there any, as you well knoAV, in the degree
of benevolence and love. His love is without degree :
it cannot be equalled even by human guilt ; and this, if
any thing could, must have accomplished the task. The
sea of mercy 'hath neither shore nor bound.' Behold

66 LIFE OF THE RKV. .1. HINTON. Imht i.
that dtw, that oxiiUod, ihot comloNCoiuliug Frlinul of
sinners, whom yon cnn ixnnM- please s<» woll ns by giving
the fuUost crotlit to hi.s ii.ssuninco that he is your l''riiMid,
your UotlrtMucr, j-iiur guhlo lhnuii?h earth, your por
tion for over. Wlmt a iiuMvy that you luuo riV(>d to
know that .such a glorious pcrstm oxists, is CAor pro.soiit
witlv you, .sc»\s ov<>ry th(>nii:ht of your lioiirt, luul li.slons
with infiiiilo dcliglit to ovoi'y sigh whioh .siiyH, ' O that
he AVoro inino !' What n bh'ssiug lluit ytui Inivo livod to
.st>o and fool your iuxhI of suoli n frit'Uii ! Do not t^Vond
him by distrusting him. 1 know wliiif your views of the
hninivn ln>ar( uro. I hiul th<' sumo at yonr ago, and Avas
o\Tr\vlu>'.inod by thoui : but boli(>\-A' mo, my dour girl, to
iiooopt frooly the pardoning luoroy of God, to listen to
tlio voioo, " I)aHghl(>r, be of good olu>or, thy sins uro
forgivoii tlioo" — Ibis is the only way (o Imvo li\o luMirt
inoltod, (bo (oniptor dofoiitod, mid tho soul at onoo com
forted 1111(1 saiiolifiod, Appioaoli, doar riiild, and (oiioh the
soi'ptro. You cannot rondor (o Ood a .siMvioo so ploiisiug,
HO lU'ooptablo, so hoiiouriiblo to his niiturn and worti, as (o
put away all your obji'otions ou aooonntorsiiifnl naturoy
hanliioss of iioint, proiioncss to forgot (hid, and all otiior
complaints, and ,siiy, ' Nolwithstiuuiiiig all llioso — imy,
iiitiuood by thom all — I lloo for rofngo (o liio porfoot
alononioiit ami riglilcouanoss of tlio Lord Josii«. By
him, liloHHod Modinlorl 1 am awsurod tiiat God Avill put
awny all my Kiiilt, (imt 1 bIiuU bo ndmiliod, with a full
M'oloomo, to all tho priviiogos of tlio oliildion of (iod»
and lioirs of glory.' * Wliiil, thougb I am mioii a winful
oroudiro T' Yos, my oliild, though you wore a tliouHand
UiMON woiHO, it would not pcovoiit your aoooptanco ii<ir
your aalviitioii. You do not lliink thiil a I'athor would
doooivo. On tlii.s liopo I ivM. my otoriiul all. (lonio,
iHliarc Avltli mc tho blcs.sing, niid yon shall bo happy. I

CSAP. Ill] P.yiEXT.\L RELATION. .=•:
do not say, wn Avill be always in a h*ppy frame ; bttt
n^siiiis: on divine trnth, you will be .il«"a\-s safe. Joj'ful
when in tho light, (tatient and humble \> hen in the dark ;
but alvrays in the way to Zion, and sure to arrive there
at last."
The following to one trf his sons is of a different aspect.
"You seem anxiously desirous to know Avhcther yonr
religion is upright and sincere, whether avu are indeed a
chikl of God. You ought to be anxioof: on this account,
because your eternal happiness de{)ends on the decision.
But how can a tree be knoMra. but by its fruits ? How
Avas assuranee ever attained but in the xray of obedience >
'* Jf any man love me,'" says our Lord, " be Avill keep
my Avonis. and 1 will love him. and xriU manifest mysielf
to him.' ' \iOok up then, ray dear boy. look up to God, not
so much for assurance that you are his child, as for grace
to make yoa more constant, sjuritoal and serious in those
duties in which he has promised to make himself known.
Give diliconcc to make your calling and eiecticai sure.
A xrilful negleev of prayer must come firom a wicked
heart: backwardness to this duty many lament but
Arilful and repeated neglect of it is not consistent with
any evidence of a state of giace. Some flashes of com
fort in the dutA' noAv and then may arise from circum
stances and occasions, and firom the state of the natural
aflScHctions : but a steady rKrani to it as Gods ordinance,
and a consciousness that we prise it as our j^rc^tost lArivi-
lesre, is the experience of exny saint. If in the Avay of
dujy wu Averc disoonraced and csst doAvn. I Avould
then say again, think of all the comfortable thiiiirs you
can : nor would tou, 1 am pnsnaded, loni: say. • They
are not mine.' ftat who can WiAuder, aft or AAbat yon
haAAc so honestly said t»f your own ne^tect, that yoAt are
in daikness j i n^jojcc Jo hear that you hsA-c rcncxrtd

6S LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [paht i.
your visits to the throne of grace, and I beseech you to
continue them with purpose of heart : then shall you
seek the Lord, and find him, when you search for
him with all your heart. Your backwardness to the
closet must be overcome, or you will be lost. Religion
cannot flourish, nay, it cannot exist without com
munion with God. You must not indulge in a slothful
habit in the morning; you must get more time for prayer.
Fix your attention on the necessity of it, and cry to God
for his Spirit, as a Spirit of grace and supplication. Ex
perimental religion is indeed 'a mystery' to all but ex
perimental christians; but, "blessed are their eyes, for
they see." In the way of duty ask, and you will see all
things necessary to your present and eternal happiness.
Do not think me severe : my heart glows towards you
Avith all the kindness of a father ; but this very kindness
will not suffer me to deceive you. I rejoice to see you
a respectable youth ; but what will this avail, if after all
you lack one thing — if you do not sincerely love the
Lord Jesus Christ ? And what do I ask you, my dear
boy, but to go daily and willingly into the presence of
your heavenly Father, that he may bless you with all spi
ritual blessings in Christ Jesus ? I earnestly pray that
your present fluctuations may terminate in a hearty
choice of Christ as your portion, a decided surrender of
your soul, your life, your all, into his hands. I beseech
you, make haste, and delay not ; for delays, which are
always dangerous, are here infinitely more dangerous
than in any other concern.'
The following passages were occasioned by the re
quest of one of his sons to become a professor of
religion. ' You know, my dear son, that the holy and di
vine ordinance of baptism is a most solemn profession
that you believe yourself regenerated in heart by the

CHAP, ill] PARENTAL RELATION. 59
Holy Spirit of God, the subject of that washing of regene
ration which consists in the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Now, can you make this profession before him to whom
all hearts are open, and all thoughts are known ? Are
the evils that once were indulged, become A'ery hateful
to you ? Do you see the beauty and loveliness of that
purity of character which God requires? "They that
are Christ's haAC crucified the flesh with its affections
and lusts."
'I do not wish to hinder you a single day from doing
what is the will of God ; and it is a very exalted pleasure
that I feel, arising from the serious and faithful account
you give me. You appear to have examined your heart
with great circumspection. I do most cheerfully hope
that you have heard and assented to the call of mercy,
" My son, give me thine heart." This, dear youth, is a
surrender of which you will ncA'cr repent, to a friend by
whom you will never be deceived. It delights me to
hear you say, * of all my pangs, the recollection of my
past fickle-mindedness is the most bitter.' A heart
steadfast with God is the first of blessings 
Reading your letters with these hopes, I am more grati
fied than if the world had poured on you its richest fa
vours, its highest honours : I trust you are adopted into
the family of heaven, and shall for ever wear the ho
nours of a follower of the Lamb. The Lord lead you
on, dear boy, and confirm you in his good Avays I'
Mr. Hinton had the additional pleasure of seeing two
of his sons called, as he hoped by the Head of the
church, to the ministry of the gospel : but he was by
no means forward to encourage their views. Anxious
above all to ascertain the existence and the strength of
their piety, and next to form an impartial estimate of

60 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
their talents, he proceeded with great watchfulness, de
liberation and prayer. The decision being made, he felt
it a matter of great importance to carry their education
as far as possible, well assured that, though learning
alone was worthless, it was of unspeakable value in
association with piety : AvhatcA'er advantages could be
derived, therefore, either from residence at Oxford, the
dissenting academies, or the Scottish universities, he
eagerly sought. Whether they were at home or ,at a
distance, he poured forth his heart to his sons, in strains
of parental love and experimental wisdom for which
they can ncA'er be sufficiently thankful, and of which the
reader will accept a few specimens, selected from a cor
respondence of several years.
' MY DEAR SON,
' I have been waiting a fortnight in expectation of a
letter from you, stating to me your present views and
feelings, and helping me, under diAdne direction, to de
cide what is my duty respecting you. 1 am indeed Aery
¦anxious lest I should take any wrong step ; and if any
thing on earth can justify anxiety, it is surely the good
or evil that will follow the appointment of a youth to
the ministerial office, accordingly as he shall, or shall
not, be the wise, the faithful, the holy, the good minister
of Jesus Christ. Do write me a few lines. Tell me,
does the Spirit of grace rest upon you ? Are you walking
closely with God, and making some advance in his good
ways ? Is the state of your mind, and the conduct of
your life, such as may be held up for a pattern of fidelity
and good works ? Does your heart glow with love to
Christ and to immortal souls ? The devoted spirit, the
heavenly mindedness, the victory over sin, the hold
ing the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, the

CHAP. HI.] PARENTAL RELATION, 61
delight in our Master's work, which must characterize
the minister whom God will approve — these are things
not to be learned in human schools ; and these mark
the call of the Holy Spirit.'
To some remarks on an academical exercise at Bristol
he adds : ' But I rejoice far more in the hope and belief
that you feel these sentiments powerfully impressed on
your own mind, and that you are, and will be more and
more, the character you recommend : else, my dear son,
we had better be any thing in the world than ministers
of Christ. Always tell me, when you write, what is the
state of personal piety. I lost much of mine while in
the situation you now occupy; I pray God you may
escape the evil !'
' I have often lamented, and still deeply lament, that
we are liable to be far more earnest in the pulpit than we
are in the closet; and to urge our exhortations on our
hearers more fervently, than we present our petitions to
Him that delighteth in prayer. I sincerely pray God that
we may be on our guard against this evil, and turn every
exhortation we deliver to others into ardent suppli
cation for ourseh'es. There is a pulpit inspiration which,
though it is very desirable, is also very deceptive. 1
have often detected self-complacency in the warmth of
my pulpit addresses, and. in the acceptance of ideas
which I had borrowed of others, and substituted for
what I ought certainly to have produced from my own
meditations. I write thus in confidence to you, for the
sake of guarding you against those worst of enemies,
spiritual pride, unbelief, and indolence of thought and
study. " Bene orasse est bene studuisse.' I hope I
have had, and shall, if I live, still have many sermons
sent down from heaven, and for these I am most thank-

69 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part t.
ful : my gratitude will be more abundant, if I find that
you also are thus faA'oured.'
The following extracts are taken from letters ad
dressed to his sons while at the university of Edinburgh.
* I feel all things else respecting you to be absorbed
in the great question. Will my son be an able, godly
minister ? The highest literary honours are A'anity com
pared with this. . . . Never for an hour lose sight of these
two things — eminent piety, and ministerial ability.
Learn well, and you will teach well. Make preaching
your great delight. Lay in a good store. Glean in
CA'ery field. Be for CAcr making sermons in your ima
gination. Stir up the gift that is in you, and lean on an
almighty helper for success. I had rather see you a
preacher than an emperor: I am ready to say, 0
God, grant me this one thing before I die. . . Set be
fore yourself the highest models of excellence. Think
what Spencer, Pearce, and Doddridge were at twenty-
three — neither of them men of genius, but of great
goodness and diligence.'
' Above all things, do not suffer a day to pass without
seeking the Spirit of God to witness with your spirit that
you are born of him. Get your heart full of all that can
interest your hearers when it is' brought forth. I had
rather, if it must be so, that you should sacrifice litera
ture than piety.'
' Let me entreat you, my dear son, never to lose sight
for a single day of the work of an evangelist. Give the
Lord no rest, till you find the message you have re
ceived from him as a fire shut up in the bones, which
must have vent; till you equally dread and long to
preach— the first from a deep sense of your own unwor-
thiness, the last from an ardent desire for the salvation

CHAP III.] PARENTAL RELATION. 63
of souls ; till you feel as Isaiah did when he said, " I
am a man of unclean lips, send by whom thou wilt
send" — and a live coal from the altar purify and quicken
your lips, so that you exclaim, " Here am I, send me."
Nothing A\ill grieve me so much as to have you habitually
rejoice in proportion to the fewness of sermons you
shall have to make: of all work on earth, ours will be
drudgery or delight in the extreme.'
' An irksomeness in commencing the study of sermons
should be exchanged for a zest, a perpetual activity of
meditation, securing every thought that may turn to
good account. Every morning's lesson might suggest a
text, Avarmed by the devotion of a heart breathing forth
benevolent wishes for our felloAv-sinners. To this point
also some reading — and all hearing — of sermons should
tend. Lay hold particularly on every mode of illustration.
Enrich your imagination. Store your memory. Give
force and variety to your diction ; manly cheerfulness to
your address ; and a freedom, approaching by degrees to
an entire deliverance from the memoriter system, to
your manner.'
' In your habitual converse with men of Avisdom and
learning remember the fine adage. Keep within com
pass. Assert nothing of which you are not master.
Be the modest inquirer, and giun something from every
one you meet Avith. Qualify yourself for conversation
on all points of literature, history, philosophy, and theo
logy, and habituate yourself in common conversation to
a chaste diction, Avith nothing of the pedant.'
' It is easier to procure invitations for a young minis
ter, than it is for him to gain such a character in the
congregation inviting him, as Avill secure his stay and
usefulness among them. We are apt to boast when we
gird on the harness, as though we were putting it off".

64 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
The popularity of many young ministers is very short
lived, because they do not go on to add to their stock
of knowledge and talent, and then the people cease
to respect the understanding of their teacher.'
' The spirit of his office leads a minister to be al
ways making sermons, whether he wants them or not.
The labour of choosing out acceptable words, words of
truth well arranged, becoming a master in Israel, will
tell more indirectly than it does directly; and your
great danger is that of giving way to a reluctance to
compose. 1 do not wish you to read your sermons, but
it is impossible you can write too many. Much of your
usefulness must depend on your not having to preach
over again sermons now so well known. I hope you
will have several, yea many, written, that you would not
be ashamed to print ; and a stock that will render un
necessary the starving work to your own soul, and the
disreputable work to others, of serA'ing up nothing but
hashed meat.'
One observation will complete the view, thus far given
in his own words, of Mr. Hinton's method of training
his sons for the ministry. He strongly urged the careful
composition of sermons, in connection with the utmost
latitude in preaching them. When the labour was
finished he would often say, ' Now forget that you have
composed a line : pray for your heart to be full of your
subject and of love to souls, and pour it out to lis as
though you had not written a word.' It was his object
thus to cultivate both the accuracy of written discourses,
and the freedom of extemporaneous address. Neither
of these was he willing to sacrifice to the other : he
endeavoured to promote, therefore, not so much the
eminent acquisition of either, as, what is far more

CHAP. III.] PARENTAL RELATION. 65
difficult and more valuable, the happy combination of
both. In their subsequent engagements he gave abundant
proof of the most prompt and affectionate regard. On
the acceptance of a call to the pastoral office, he writes —
* As the Lord has blessed your labours, I think it will
not be pleasing in his sight that you should resign this
station, merely because the salai-y is less than was ex
pected ; unless more than they offer is actually necessary
to your support. We confer not " Avith flesh and blood.''
The Lord is able to supply your wants, and were I in
your place I should think it my duty to accept the call,
(as I did at Oxford) though on a salary at first not suffi
cient for a family. May the Lord direct us all to make
his glory our single aim, and Ave shall doubtless find his
promise fulfilled.'
The following passage refers to the relinquishment of
the same charge. ' I sympathize with you in the anxieties
you now feel, and for some time are likely to feel, respect
ing your people, whether you remain or remove. I am
well pleased with the manner in which you view the in
teresting affair, and I pray God that this humble, teach
able and prayerful spirit may be both preserved and in
creased in you ; and in this course, I haAC not the
smallest doubt but your present trials will end well ....
Send many a message to heaven for counsel. Our wit
ness is in heaven, our record and reward are on high.
To endure all things, to make full proof of our ministry,
to do the work of an evangelist, to labour and suffer re
proach, yea, if the more abundantly we love the less we
be loved — all this forms a most glorious character.'
The distance prevented him from taking part in the
settlement of his eldest son, at HaA'Crfordwest : at the
ordination of his second son at Faringdon, howcAcr,
F

66 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
he was present; and both in the ordination prayer and
in the charge, poured out the fulness of his heart in a
most affectionate and impressiA'e manner. The follow
ing may be taken as a specimen of the judicious counsel
he was ever ready to administer.
' 1 wish I had time to say something to purpose, res
pecting ' the only circumstance which makes you un
happy at  ;' namely, the spirit of tattling among
your people. That this spirit is exceedingly injurious,
both to individual reputation ahd the general interests
of religion, there can be no doubt. That the circum
stances in which your congregation is at present placed
may excite such a spirit is highly probable; and I do not
think the most pious, prudent, cautious, and consi
derate young minister, in your situation, could wholly
escape the officiousness, or perhaps the malignity, of idle
prattlers : but I do think a great deal of the evil may be
avoided, when a young minister closely and humbly stu
dies and prays over that charge of the apostle to Timo
thy, " Let no man despise thee." Tattle almost always
respects some temporal concerns, or some unguarded
expressions in conversation, or some supposed attention
to the female sex, or some remark made by a young mi
nister on other ministers, or something said by him at
public meetings, or some free expression in his sermons
— in a Avord, it usually turns on some point of prudence
or imprudence ; so that in exact proportion as we pos
sess the former A'ery important christian grace, we may
hope to lessen the degree of tattling as it respects our
selves. Abraham Booth says something to this effect :
In christian morals, the first is integrity ; the second,
benevolence; the third, prudence : without the first the
second cannot exist, and without the last the two for
mer are generally useless.'

CHAP. Iff.] PARENTAL RELATION. 67
When his children entered into the relations of domes
tic life, they each receiA'ed most gratifying tokens of pa
ternal loA'e : but his feelings were more especially excited
by the marriage of his daughter, to whom he addressed
a letter on the occasion, some passages of which we in
troduce as illustratiA'e of this aspect of his character.
' God grant, my dear child, that your days may run
prosperously along, till all the felicities you haAC seen
and shared in the society of .your parents, shall have
been enjoyed, and sanctified — improved to the highest
and noblest purpose, of character matured for a dwell
ing in the skies. And why may I not be permitted to
hope for you, my child, those smiles which all-gracious
HeaA'en has vouchsafed to your parents ? You are enter
ing on this important connexion, as they did, with a
heart consecrated to God, their God and your God. His
counsel you have chosen for your guide, his favour for
your portion, his promise for the stay of your soul, his
glory as the great end of your existence, his eternal
smiles as the consummation of all your hopes : rely
then on his word, " My presence shall go with thee,
and I will surely do thee good."
'Do I judge your heart rightly, when I fancy I hear
you say, 'But who can pass through life without meet
ing with clouds and sorrows which oft obscure the Ioac-
liest mornings without witnessing the blights which cut
off the fairest hopes of spring ? Why this frequent sound
ing knell ? Why these children AA'ithout a parent ? Why
these mourners that walk about the streets? Why all
these dangers in the path to heaven ?'. . .It is that heaven
may not be forgotten. It is that far worse dangers than
these may be removed ; the danger of fixing on earth our
highest loA'e, of fancying this world our home, of ne
glecting to cherish communion with Him Avhose friend-
F 2

I
es LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
ship must be to us higher than the highest earthly joys.
It is that amidst the solemn gloom of deep affliction, we
may listen to the voice which saith, " The time is short ;
rejoice as though ye rejoiced not, Aveep as though ye
wept not." Let those who haA'e dear connections retire
and meditate as though they had none ; let them not
forget their first love, nor fail to make CAcry other subordi
nate to it, lest God see it and be offended, and say, ' Let
them alone, they are turned away from me.' And then,
my child, O AA'hat is earth with all it joys ? What
years of woe will a backsliding heart create I O my
daughter. Lean not on earth j 'twill pierce thee to the heart.
A broken reed at best, hut oft a spear !
Yet thankfully acknowledge the bounty of Him who be-
stoAvs your blessings  Having committed your mortal
and immortal interests to the care of the blessed God,
whose promises will not deceive you, repeat this sur
render every day ; and then, without anticipating evil
enjoy the blessings he bestows, only Avith the holy cau
tion of recollecting that they are neither immutable
nor immortal, but sent to lead to those that are so.
' Circumstances vary, but the general principle of
obedience will adapt itself to a thousand A'ariations, and
to this you will resort, and to its Author. Y'ou will study
that every wish may be anticipated ; yet, after all, man
is not perfect, nor is more lovely woman entirely so.
It is possible that your companion, harassed in business,
disappointed and crossed by the concerns of the world,
may (some seven years hence) come home without his
usual smile upon his brow, or the accents of love upon
his tongue : but do not listen to the suggestion that his
love has grown cold. Such a thought, I trust, will never

CHAP, in.] PARENTAL RELATION. 69
enter your breast; or, if an evil spirit suggest it, the
generosity of your own mind Avill instantly spurn the
accuser, while you hasten to sooth the spirit that is
wounded, and to pour in the balm that will soon restore
its wonted tone of tenderness and love. It is possible,
tpo, that my child herself may in some unfortunate mo
ment kindle at a spark, when it falls on a heart con
scious, not only of integrity, but of tenderness, and
wounded to the quick by a word, though uttered without
a design to grieve. Trust not to nature, my love, where
nothing but grace is sufficient. For want of this caution,
I have seen many a temper, apparently calm and sweet,
become turbulent or bitter : but this is never the case
with one who studies closely the fair copy of his charac
ter who said, " Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly
of heart." If we are lowly we shall always be meek.
It is hard to feel a consciousness of amiable and generous
designs, without thinking too highly of ourselves on that
account : and, though I wish you all true excellence of
character, I must caution you against what is called pride
of character, and is often justified under that name, when
it ought to be condemned.
' Will you allow me to suggest to you one Avord on
temporals ? You will, I trust, bend your mind from the
first to all such economy as is consistent with real and
well regulated generosity. You will inform yourself ac
curately of the amount of supplies : reckon these weekly ;
and then, reserving a portion for extraordinary occasions
and times of affliction, firmly resolve that the remainder
shall not be exceeded in your ordinary expense. The
consolation of your own mind, the peace of your hus
band's mind, the prosperity of your concerns, and I will
add, the glory of God, are all much more implicated in

70 LIFE OF THE. REV. J. HINTON. [paht i-
following this advice than it is usual for even good peo
ple to apprehend.
' You will doubtless pay great attention to the rela-
tiA-es, particularly the sisters, of your husband, and treat
them in every respect as your own. From the moment
you are married you must scarcely suppose that they
have any faults, and to their actual imperfections you
must be blind, and deaf, and dumb : you must be all
attention to their A'irtues, and uniformly speak of them
Avith pleasure, though not with adulation. Your husband
will, in return, take very kind notice of your relations,
and not a word that can be construed into a slight will,
1 trust, be heard on either side : this will greatly endear
you to each other. . . .Your acquaintance will be, as they
have been, very select : you have learned that there are
but fcAV to whom you may commit all your heart. When
married, your husband •wiW, of course, possess your most
entire confidence, and, besides your dear mother, you
Avill scarcely need another intimate friend — of your do
mestic concerns it will be better not to speak to any be
sides : your conversation with your other female friends
Avill be A'ery kind, but very general. Female curiosity is
very strong, particularly respecting a family so recently
settled ; and an open countenance and a moderately
close heart, will greatly befriend your peace. A tattling
spirit, if it beg around your door or watch your lips,
should be starved for want of food, and it will cease to
beset you. ... I would recommend that, when you
pay a A'isit, or receive one, the company should separate
at an early hour, in order that the season of devotion
may not be lost. . . . You will not, I trust, cease to be a
friend to the poor Avhenever you can find opportunity ;
and you Avill not only relieve their temporal wants with

CHAP. III.] PARENTAL RELATION. 71
such means as God may afford you, but speak to them
on behalf of their best interests. Your husband will
haA'e his hands closely engaged : you may therefore sug
gest liberal things, so that both you and he may avoid
the extremes you have often observed — on the one hand,
of so serving the public as to neglect domestic duties ;
on the other, of so attending to domestic concerns as to
do nothing for the cause of Christ and the spread of re
ligion.'

CHAP. IV.
Family Details.
IN April, 1793, Mr. Hinton lost his second child, a
fine boy somewhat more than twelve months old and
bearing his father's name, in the measles : this was his
first domestic trial, and to his ardent and affectionate
spirit it was a very severe one. Writing afterwards to
an intimate friend in similar circumstances, he says,
' Your letter led me back in reflection fifteen years, when
I lost a lovely son who could just say, ' Papa, Mamma !'
1 did not know till then how much the sight of a corpse,
and I had seen many, could open in my soul the flood
gates of grief, and to this day I cannot tell why the ten
der affections should descend so much more powerfully
than they ascend ; but so it is, and it must be right, be
cause to God it seemeth good.' In the year following
the next child, born a few months after the death of his
brother, and renewing his name as well as his image,
was exceedingly ill ; but from this second bereavement,
which had been fully anticipated, and would have been
doubly afflictive, deliverance was mercifully granted.
Among the trials of this period was the destitute state
of two orphans, children of his brother Mr. Thomas
Hinton, who died in 1789. He mentions, as a particular
providence, that a situation was obtained for one in the
Orphan School in London ; the other, though little able
to bear an addition to his expenditure, he took into his
own house : and upon this occasion he writes, ' I bless

CHAP. IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. 7S
God for a heart to pity the fatherless and receive the
orphan.' During the year 1795 the health of Mrs. Hinton Avas
very seriously affected, and the following brief notices
occur in the diary. ' Mrs. H. very ill this week : it
makes me very gloomy, but let me hope, in the Lord,
he is yet gracious.' ' Over anxious to day ; yet enabled
to carry all, with my dear partner, to the throne of a
faithful God.' ' 1 thank God for resignation during the
illness of my wife, and I trust the affliction has been
sanctified to us both. O God, if it please thee, remove
it ; but prepare me for thy will 1' Mrs. Hinton's con
finement in 1797 was to the last degree perilous and
alarming : it was scA'eral months before she could
quit her chamber, and her first visit to the parlour
Avas greeted by her husband with a lyrical effusion,
which, without possessing any great poetical merit, was
strongly expressive of domestic affection and piety.
On the anniversary of his marriage in 1799, he thus
writes. " I bless God that this year has been one of less
anxiety to our minds than any one for several years past.
My dear wife's health has been in a most comfortable
state, and our family concerns have been conducted by
a kind providence in a course of moderate prosperity^
On rising this morning, I united Avith my dear wife in
surrendering ourselves afresh to our covenant God, in
committing to his kind providence and richer grace the
children he. hath given us, as well as the dear orphans ;
in imploring delivering goodness in an approaching
trial; and in praying for grace to improve our abundant
mercies to the glory of the Giver. O may 'high Heaven,'
which heard, record these solemn aows, and assure to
us an answer of peace!'

74 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
The next event to be noticed was to the subject of
our narrative a highly pleasing one, and the reader shall
have it in his own words. — ' Api'il 27, 1800. Bap
tized eleven persons at Abingdon, among whom is my
dear wife, hitherto a paedobaptist. Her attendance on
this ordinance, I rejoice to say, is a voluntary tribute to
the dictates of conscience and the honour of Qhrist;
and in this view I think highly indeed of her conduct.
She had no motive of a domestic kind, for the affection
of her husband was entirely hers ; and his approbation
too, so long as she saw not the command of Christ full
and clear to direct her personal obedience. I bless God
that not the least disaffection — 1 think I may add, not
the possibility of it — existed on account of this difference
of opinion : and I am particularly thankful, that I have
ncAcr spoken one word that could induce her to think I
should be more happy if she were a baptist. The Lord
has been her only teacher, and the throne of grace her
only place of converse on this subject : but her cheerful
willingness to follow the blessed Redeemer, and to do
whatsoever he has commanded, has certainly given an
additional CA'idence of uprightness of heart, and a desire
to glorify Him who gave himself for her. May the bless
ing of our covenant God rest on this transaction, and
render it an additional cement to our affection and a
blessing to our children I' It may be added that Mr.
Hinton had preached on the subject of baptism a few
months previously, from Acts ix. 6. " Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do ?"— strongly representing baptism as
a duty, not of relative, but of personal religion ; and it
Avas by this view of the subject that the change here re
ferred to was produced.
Although his own health was not originally strong, it

CHAP. IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. 75
had hitherto suffered no material interruption : in the
summer of 1799, however, it was not only impaired, but
entirely broken up, by the apparently small imprudence
of drinking cold water when heated by walking. An
attack of spasms in the stomach was thus induced, after
which many months elapsed before he regained even
tolerable health ; and it proAcd to be the commencement
of a diseased state, against which his constitution strug
gled three and twenty years, repelling many a fierce assault,
but at length yielding to its poAA'er. This was inevitably
a source of great affliction to a family containing five
children,ofwhom, at the commencement of his illness, the
eldest was but eight years of age, and the youngest only a
fcAV Aveeks : notice will not be taken of the several spas
modic attacks as they arose, but the reader may carry
Avith him through the remainder of the domestic narra-
tiA'e, a general recollection of their frequent occurrence
and alarming character.
Mr. Hinton thought it possible that instruction might
still be communicated in "a vision of the night," and he
has recorded a dream of his own at this period, which
evidently left a strong impression on his mind, but of
which it is not necessary to insert the particulars. It ap
peared to intimate the approaching removal of one of
the children ; but no CAcnt occurred by which it could
be considered as fulfilled, nor is any subsequent reference
made to the subject : he doubtless would have ascribed
it ultimately (o a mere excitement of the imagination,
a source to which the vast majority of apparently signifi
cant dreams \A'ould be finally referred, A\'ere it not that
the endless variety of CAcnts affords so wide a scope
for the exefcise of a prurient fancy. It was his decided
opinion that, while no man is accountable for the exist-

76 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
ence of impressions of tliis class, they ai-e always better
discarded than cherished ; and tliat avIioii they cannot be
so, they should ncAer be alloAved to interfere with the rever
ence due to the oracles of truth, or the sober discharge of
manifest duty. That his oAvn spirit on this occasion Avas a
pattern of that which he would have recommended, Avill
appear from the following passage with Avhich he con
cludes his narrative. ' If nothing remarkable in providence
succeeds to this dream, I shall be surprised : yet 1 have no
considerable dependence on it, but only Avisli that, by
whatever means my tlioughts are turned to this solemn
subject, I may be induced more than ever to regard tho
sure word of prophecy, " and so to number my days as to
apply my heart unto Avisdom." '
An alarming and protracted illness of his eldest child,
then twelve years of age, occurred in the autumn of
1802, and is thus noticed in the diary, early iu the fol
lowing year :— ' My eldest son is afflicted, and I fear the
commencement of a consumption : my feelings have
been much interested, and ' all the father rises in my
heart.' I bless God, my chief desire is for his dear, his
immortal soul : O God, do thou incline him to give it
into the Saviour's hands, and then I can ohocrfiilly re
sign him to thy Avill. I ought to bear cheerfully the
share of affliction Avhich thy infinite Avisdoni and good
ness appoint ; but, O ! if it be consistent with thy Avill,
if it be possible, let the bitter cup pass ! Let the dear
child live in this worid ; or if not, O let the prayers and
tears of his parents, and above all the intcrcossion of the
dear Redeemer, prevail on his behalf, that his soul may
live in thy sight 1 Let me be quiikoncd to a moro faith
ful discharge of my parental duties to him arid to all my
dear children ; then welcome that affliction which brings

chap. IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. 77
us nearer to thee I Earthly physicians are A'ery kind, but
thou only canst bid the child live, either naturally or spi
ritually, and to thee, O God, I resign him : pardon my
neglect, quicken my attention, and work in me the work
of faith Avith power.' After an illness of several years
the health of this child gradually improA'ed, and he is
spared to AA'itness the death, and to write the life of his
father : O may it also be to experience the fulfilment of
a father's prayers !
About the middle of November, 1803, Mr. Hinton's
premises were in imminent danger from fire, the deli
verance from which he most gratefully records. It
was a few minutes past nine in the evening, just as he
had returned from the singing meeting, that a pupil in
his night gown, opened the parlour door : he Avas pale
and speechless with fright, but to the repeated inquiry,
'What is the matter?' he at length replied, ' Fire, sir, fire !'
'Where ? " In the school.' Instantly Mr. Hinton Avas there,
but all was safe; nor could it then have been discovered
where the fire was raging, had it not been in a chamber
the window of which Avas visible from the school room.
Ou seeing the light, Mr. H. flew to that apartment, and
found one of three beds entirely in a blaze. He called
for water, and in the same instant took a blanket from
another bed, and threw it over that which Avas on fire :
at this moment the tester, Avliich was also in flames, fell
from its position, very narroAvly missing his head, and
fearfully rencAving the fury of thedcA'ouring element ; by
casting another blanket over the burning mass, howcA'cr,
the fire was a second time damped, and by means of the
water Avhich had now arriA'ed, it was soon extinguished.
He was particularly sensible of the kindness of di\'ine
providence in this event. Had he not been on the pre
mises, there would haA^e been no person Avho could have

78 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
rendered effectual aid ; had he been one minute later in
returning, he would haA-e been too late to receive the
alarm, which would then have fallen on women and
children, helpless and alone; and had the flames made
but a little greater progress, all attempts to extinguish
them must have been hopeless. Upon this occasion his
peculiar qualities — a quick apprehension, a prompt de
cision, persevering actlA'ity, and energy increased by dan
ger — were ofthe utmost value; and theresult of his efforts
may encourage persons in similar situations not hastily
to abandon premises to the flames. The fire was found
to have raged so intensely in the clothes of one of the
pupils as to carbonize and destroy knives and other hard
substances in the pockets ; it Avas concluded therefore
that it began there : and it was ultimately ascribed with
probable correctness (since no other cause could be
assigned) to the known circumstance that this child had
been toasting chesnuts on the preceding evening, and
screening himself from the heat by his pocket handker
chief, Avhich thus became a deposit for the consuming
element. After this occurrence Mr. Hinton was ex
ceedingly careful in ascertaining the state of the premises
every night ; which is mentioned, however, only for the
purpose of saying that, with this view, he placed his reli
ance not upon the eye, but on the sense of smelling : he
frequently spoke of it as by far the surest indication of dan
ger, and one that should never be neglected. One even
ing, in the next room to that in which the fire had broken
out, he perceived a suspicious smell : after a long search
he found some touchwood, with which the children had
been playing, burning in one of the pockets ; and thus,
by a kind providence, and a prompt and persevering dis
position, a second fire was prevented.
On the 6ih of March 1805, Mr. Hinton was thrown

chap. IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. 79
from his horse, about a mile from Oxford, and although
not permanently injured, he was very dangerously bruised.
This occurrence threw his family into great agitation, and
required an anxious attendance during a long and pain
ful confinement; his spirit, however, was exceedingly
cheerful, and the state of his mind eminently happy,
expressing itself, among other methods, by the composi
tion of the following LINES.
' The trembling beam of shortest wintry days.
To me has charms peculiar j for it cries,
'Despond not! weak and transient as these rays.
They pledges are that brighter scenes shall rise.'
' Stern winter, with his blasts prophetic, tells
Of coming spring, with all his joyous train ;
Secure behind yon eastern cliffs he dwells.
And issues thence the heralds of his reign.
'Each' dancing ray more early shall appear.
Each sun shall rise more powerful ; — swift to free
The imprison'd hours, to unchain the rising year,^
And publish nature's welcome jubilee.
' But there are bands which to thy power, O spring !
Yield no obedience : death's awful reign
Thou never dost invade. He, gloomy king,
Enwraps his vassals with relentless chain.
* One power can his restrain, and one alone.
And but for this, I late had been his prey ;
In moment least suspected fiercely thrown.
Half breathless, rack'd with torturing pain, I lay.

so LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i,
' The God of life with watchful eye survey' d.
And o'er my head he spread his heavenly shield ;
The uplifted stroke his arm thus timely staid.
Or death had borne the victim from the field.
' But though repulsed, the foe shall yet repeat
His dread attack ; nor distant is the hour
When I must bow at the pale conqueror's feet.
Whilst o'er me wave the ensigns of his power.
'But say, shall some kind warnings then be given.
To fit the soul for her eternal flight ?
To bid adieu to earth, while opening heaven
Shall gently steal upon the mental sight ?
? Or shall some danger, sudden, unrevealed,
(Like that to which these verses owe their birth)
By heaven directed, with commission sealed,"
Snatch, quick as thought, my soul from kindred earth ?
' Hard problems these ! nor can they solved be.
Where all uncertain is, and unforeseen ;
Close hidden in his wise and kind decree.
Who only sees without a veil between.
' To me dark clouds, tho' girt with beauties, rise;
I read their errand with no doubtful eye :
They soon wjth gloom shall overspread my joys.
But, circled still with hope, I see them fly.
' To thee, my God, I lift this humble prayer :
Tho' mingljng light and shade my days divide.
Assure my soul, for that will soothe my care.
That one bright ray shall bless life's even-tide!'

CHAP. IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. ^ M
' Ye heav€n-born rays ! ye Iheaven-directed shades !
Move on your mystic, your appointed way :
I haste to realms which no distress invades.
Where all is cloudless, everlasting day.'

In December 1812, Mr. Hinton thus writes in refer
ence to a different class of trials, and the extract is the
only memorial on VA'hich we can venture of his amiable and
affectionate character as a brother and a son. ' For the
last two or tbrep weeks I have been exercised with con
siderable anxiety on account of the dangerous illness of
my mother and my sister Hatton, both of whom I have
visited with a lively interest, and I hope I shall not soon
foi^et the calm resignation and holy joy to which I have
been a witness. Your grandmother is on the whole the
¦most dignified character I remember CA'er to have seen :
Jacob on his dying bed scarcely bid adieu to the world
with stronger faith or more lively benevolence, i had
almost said with larger intelliect, than my venerable pa
rent now possesses. She lingers on the shores of mor-
lality contrary to all expectation, and is still anxiously
waiting the signal for her departure to be with Christ,
which neither herself, nor those around, can :bave any
doubt will soon be her felicity. This Acnerable saint was
at your age, my dear boy, a warrior and a conqueror:
you are the former, O be the latter too; and death itself
shall hear you sing, as she does.
Then in the history of my age,
"When men review my days,
They'll read thy love in every page.
In every line thy praise.
' Your dear aunt is about to leave a large and interest
ing family, one of whom is iioav with us, to thekiiid care
G

89 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
of a gracious providence. She too is an excellent saint,
though not matured by age, like her mother ; and is
passing to a more kindly clime, to enjoy the beams of an
unclouded sun.' His sister soon entered into rest; but
his mother had yet to wait the coming of her Lord,
till the 24th of March, 1814, when she also fell asleep in
Jesus. The year 1813 is marked by a domestic trial of the
heaA'iest kind— the death of his youngest daughter, at
seventeen years of age, after nearly six years of lan
guishing and pain. It was inevitable that this event
should occasion deep affliction : when Sarah's illness,
however, assumed an alarming aspect, his principal
anxiety was excited by her spiritual state. He passed
some restless nights, accusing himself of. defective atten
tion to this object ; for he knew not, nor did any one know
until her illness discoA'ered it, how great mercy the Lord
had already shewn her: when this was ascertained, his
sorrow, if not turned into joy, was largely mingled with
it. During the whole of her sickness, the beloved suf
ferer was favoured with most abundant support and con-
.solation ; and nothing could be more calm, more joyful,
or more nearly heaA-enly, than the closing scene. On the
evening of her death, her father thus wrote to the Rev.
T. Coles : ' It has pleased the blessed God to remove
my lovely Sarah to bis heavenly kingdom : she died this
evening. Our hearts of course are full of grief; but,
glory to God ! they are also full of joy, for out of the
lips of a child has he " perfected praise." For ever blessed
be his name that he gave me such a child, and that he
took to himself what he gave.' The same evening also
he wrote tp his eldest son, as follows : ' The lovely
spirit is at last set free ; it fled amidst the prayers of
parents and the praises of angels. I was with Mamma- at

9HAP. IV,] FAMILY DETAILS. , «3
the bedside the moment the victory was won — ^that vic<-
tory, my dear boy, which eternal anthems shall cele
brate. O let my arm be nerved, and my heart be fired
anew; then I too shall obtain the victory, 'through the
adorable Immanuel.' — This victory also is won : O may
the same felicity at length attend those who are yet
amidst the war !
James Hinton was now of considerable importance
to his father in the management of the school ; a severe
illness, therefore, occurring to him in 1814, was on many
accounts a great trial t the following extract, however,
will shew that if Mr. Hinton's mind was depressed, it
was also i-esigned. ' Your dear brother is still exceedingly
ill; hope of speedy recovery we can have none, and
hope of recovery at all is Aery low ; it is the most ha
rassing month I have knoAvn since that of dear Sarah's
death. God in mercy spare my son, if it be his will I
: My heart is sad, but I hope I am not unsubmissiA'e.' His
surviving daughter was visited, the following year, with a
serious illness, respecting Avhich he thus writes ; ' My
dear, my only daughter is ill. God all- wise has struck me
in a tender part. I was— I am— too fond. I feel, I hope
I kiss, the rod ; yet pray Avith all your hearts that, if jt
be God's will, the bitter cup may pass. May God sanc
tify and remove the stroke.' These strokes were both
: removed, aud the mercy called forth lively gratitude.
' God has been A'ery gracious to us,' he says, ' and yoii
must help us to praise his holy name. Dear James was
brought very low; but God has had mercy on him, and
on me also, lest I should have breach upon breach ; he
is still a prisoner, and will long be so, but he is a pri
soner of hope ; and the agony I felt at the prospect of
losing him has left behind it, what is for me an unusual
e2

84 LIFE OP THE REV, J. HINTON. [part i.
stock of patience, to bear the heaA^y pressure Avhich his
absence from school occasions me,'
In February 1818, Mi-s. Hinton experienced an illness
Avhich brought her life into imminent danger, and ulti
mately induced a degree of nervous debility which for a
long period rendered her incapable, not merely of the du
ties, but of the pleasures of the family. This was a great
trial, and the more so because it Avas permanent ; for
though mitigated by a partial recoA-ery, it Avas severely
felt through the whole of his subsequent life. 'If it
should please God,' says he, ' to restore to me my dear
friend, the comfort and solace of my life, I shohld be
truly thankful ; but Avhatever be the result, " It is the
Lord." '
The spasmodic seizures to AA'hicli he had been subject
eA'er since the year 1800, had occurred at irregular but
frequent intervals. The spring of 1810 Avas especially
marked by them. On the 8th of May he communicates
the following particulars : ' Last Monday at midnight
it pleased God to inflict, by means of a calculus pass
ing the biliary duct, tweh'e hours of excruciating toi^
ture. A total obstruction of the functions of the sto
mach accompanied and increased the pain, and refused
the strongest remedies : at length a warm bath (under
a divine blessing) gave relief; but, together Avith the
other applications, left me iu a A'ery reduced and languid
state. At intervals of case I had many solemn, interest
ing and, I trust, consolatory vicAvs of that state to Avhich
this renewed A^-arning directs my attention. O may my
divine Master but grant, that his name may be magni
fied in me, AAfhether by my life or by my death !' In
1813, also, illnesses of this kind were particularly se
vere ; but one of the most terrific attacks he CA-er suffered

CHAP, IV.] FAMILY DETAILS. 85
was at Norwi<jh in the year 1816, respecting which ,he
thus writes : ' An hepatic inflammation of a very decided
cast came on, accompanied with torture for many hours,
and very great difficulty of respiration : twenty ounces
of blood taken from my arm, the hot bath, a prodigious
blister, calomel, &.c. brought on the weakness of in
fancy, which was, however, a welcome successor to the
agony of spasm. I think 1 never felt such agony before j
and I thought, O what must eternal agony be ! 1 hope my
life is spared for good. Your mother's fears and those of
the friends around were very high, and dear James was
a lovely praying companion Avhen I was not able to pray
for myself.' It may here be added, as illustratiA'e of his
sufferings in similar attacks, that when requested to de
scribe the pain he felt, he used to say it was ' as though
fiends, with burning hands, AA^ere Avringing his stomach
Avith indescribable violence.' In 1820 the complaint re
turned with equal scA'crity and longer duration, and his
dissolution was thought almost inevitable ; but fervent
supplication was made to God on his behalf, and his life
Avas again spared. He felt a peculiar pleasure in this
mercy as an ansAA'er to prayer, and expressed an ardent
hope that it Avas a pledge of gracious designs : but we
cannot better close this account, than by the following
extract of a letter to one of his sons, after the illness of
1816. ' I am obliged by the general, I may say the uniAcr-
sal, concern that is discovered for my health. You think
you can ill spare me : but our heavenly Father, all-Avise
and gracious, understands this matter far better than
either you or I do ; and I have the most perfect confi
dence that he will not, that he cannot, permit any event,
that shall not be more calculated to produce your happi
ness and mine, and that of all his children, than any
other could possibly be. HoAvever, 1 thankfully receive

S6 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. > [part i.'
^lermission to continue with you all, for the furtherance
of your joy ; and I shall endeaA'our to pursue whatever
work he may commit to my trust, with a full conA'iction
that the shades of the evening must ere long approach,'
and with a groAVing desire that I may meet (as so man/
of my dear fellow-labourers have done) a calmly setting
sun — a close of life soothed, amidst every pain, by the
forgiving love and gracious approbation of my conde
scending Lord.'

CHAP. V.
The Tutor and the Friend.
THE school, which Mr. Hinton very soon found it
necessary to establish, was from the first very kindly
patronized : it increased by the solicitations of others
rather than by his own, and finally rose to a considerable^
eminence among the most respectable private seminaries,
in the kingdom. Although he had not been trained to
this employ, and his early education had not been of the
highest order, his qualifications as a tutor wei-e by no
means small : on the one hand, he possessed in an emi
nent degree all the requisite natural endowments ; and,
on the other, he had taken great and successful pains in
the improvement of his mind, both at Chesham and at;
Bristol. He entered on his duty with his character
istic energy, stimulated by the most conscientious feel-.
ings ; and by his actiA'ity, perseverance, aptness to teach,.
and determination never to be satisfied till his ,pupils
had mastered the subject of instruction, his school soon
acquired reputation. At the same time he diligently
exerted himself to augment his own acquiirements ; and
how considerable these became, may be inferred from
the fact, that, excepting only the ornamental parts of
education, he never had assistance but in the depart
ment of languages. Of these he made himself master
to a degree which enabled him to ascertain that the
children made satisfactory progress ; and for many years
be Avas fully competent to the classical forms, though

88 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON- [pabt «•
his other engagements did not allow of constant personal
instruction. He did not at first intend to receive young gentlemen
into his house, but he accepted one in 1791, at the ear
nest request of a friend, and the number continually in
creased : scA'cral times was bis establishment enlarged,
and, for many years, pupils were waiting for the occur
rence of a vacancy. As conductor of a boarding school
his character was deservedly high : more paternal regard
could not be paid to the comfort of his pupils, or more
liberal provision be made for their supply. He was re
markable for the degree of personal attention be devoted
to them. He felt the responsibility of his charge too
seriously to transfer it to other hands ; and nothing
could be more keen than his watchfulness over their
health, or his continual inspection of the premises allot
ted to their recreation. In walking, he was for many
years almost their constant companion, and invariably
so in the practice of bathing ; and when the state of his
health forbade him this indulgence, he continued to at
tend them, prepared with means of rescue from danger,
and using the utmost watchfulness till every child had
come out of the water. In the conduct of the school, the
cheerfulness of his disposition was peculiarly valuable.
In proper seasons he delighted to see them in the highest
glee of playfulness, and while he was capable of it, he
often joined in their sports.. It was the custom for many
years, at the commencement of the midsummer vacation,
to take the whole family a few miles on the river for a
day's amusement, upon which occasions. he took part in
the game of cricket with his usual energy, and other-
Avise contributed largely to the pleasure of the excursion.
Iu a word, he loved his pupils, and delighted in their
happiness ; and if their jierverseuess or disobedience Avas

CHAP, v.] THE TUTOR. 89
a trial to his spirit, not always successfully resisted, (of
which no person, was more sensible than himself,) his,
prevailingly affectionate and generous disposition seldom
failed to gain their warm attachment, as well as respect.
Hvs attention Avas always directed to their spiritual wel
fare. The morning and evening worship was rendered
a very solemn and instructive exercise, by familiar ex
position of the sacred Scriptures : and particularly on
the Sabbath evenings (which in the earlier part of his
ministry, were not wholly occupied by public engage
ments) most affectionate and impressive addresses were
delivered to the assembled family. Many of his pupils
can bear witness also to serious priA'ate admonitions; and
especially to the delight and anxiety with which he che
rished and defended the early buds of piety. Several—?
it may be said many — instances are well known, in
which these instructions were effectual, under the divine
blessing, to early conversion, and the result is already
spreading into another generation ; while others, whom
divine grace has called in after life, have united with the
former class in grateful acknowledgment of the influence
of their tutor's counsels.
A few extracts from his private papers will ejchibit the
holy principles which Mr. Hinton associated with this de
partment of his life.
* 1795. Jan. 21. Began school, I hope under the smiles
of heaven; but too much business robs me of my .¦spi
ritual comfort.
' July 24. I hope I am recovering from the effects of
over anxious caresl 1 trust some disappointments have
been sanctified ; God grant they may be more so ! The
anxiety of settling the half-year's account, and the fear
jest my temporal concerns should n,ot prosper and my

90 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
family be supported, has been too much on my mind ;
and I have not committed it to God as I ought : I desire
to be humble on this account ; it has brought leanness
into my soul. Lord, forgive the sin, and remove both
cause and effect! I feel happy in returning to my
rest, and find something of the sweetness of that text,
" Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for
you." ' 1796. Sept. 12. To day I feel the burden too heavy :
my soul is dark, and family cares are too much multi-^
plied. Yet I hope I am in the path of duty, and in the
exercise of cheerful gratitude; but ashamed I am so
fretful. '1800. Oct. 8. Still my spiritual enemies are strong
and lively, and the perA'crseness of the youth in school is
a>severe trial to my patience, Avhich, alas, is very weak. I
have not attained to the happy art of uniting activity
and fortitude, with gentleness and sweetness of temper;
yet I follow after that I may attain : may God help me.'
He deeply regretted the influence of the school upon
his personal improvement and pastoral labours, and made
his release from the burden a matter of special prayer.
Aprii 18, 1796, he writes, ' I have been earnest with
God to open a way for the suppm-t of my family, Avith
less concern in the world : I hope he will hear and grant
my request.' This request, however, was not granted :
and he felt disposed at length to hope that an all-wise
Providence had selected the instruction of youth as a
duty for which he was peculiarly fitted, and a method of
adding materially to the important results of his life;
As affording opportunities of religious usefulness, in
deed, he was ultimately well reconciled to the necessity
of his circumstances : thus in 1815 he says, .' The school

CHAP, v.] THE TUTOR. &l
is often the sepulchre of devotion ; but it enables me in
many ways to serve the cause which 1 love, and live (I
trust) to promote.'
To conduct the establishment which was now under
his care, it was of course necessary that he should take
considerable journies ; and these, as connected with the
periodical assembling and departure of his pupils, were
not unnaturally seasons of hurry and anxiety : it will be
seen, however, by a few extracts from his diary, that;
they were also seasons of ardent personal and domestic
piety. 'I794. Jan. 17. On the whole a comfortable journey;
and, considering the hurry Of the world, I have enjoyed
miich communion with Go^.
' 1798. Dec. 17. If I do not live to return, let this be
my last record : that I commit my soul into the hands of
my covenant God in Christj not unAvilling to die, if that
CA'ent be most for his glory; and not without a hope that
my poor guilty and helpless soul has found an almighty
and unchanging friend ih the blessed Redeemer, who hath
not, in the midst of all my backslidings, cast me off, and
who will never utterly forsake me. I leave my dear
partner, who has been to me a truly faithful, pious, and
every way excellent companion, to the care of Almighty
Ood, and with her the dear children, humbly hoping
that he will be their Father, the guide of their youth, and
their unfailing friend.
' 1800. July 4. Thanks to our great Preserver, I re
turned home and found all safe. The health of my body
is benefited, the health of my soul (I fear) somewhat in
jured : for such are my weakness and negligence, that I
do not seem to have walked closely with God during the
journey. Oh what an ungrateful and treacherous heart 1
- ' 1802. 'Z?eci 1-9. -I am about logo to London to-morj-

n LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON. [parti.
row, with eight or nine pupils. Have experiencied a very
pleasant evening in taking a review of the past year, and
an affectionate leaAC of my dear family) we have mutually
commended ourselves to God in that delightful hymn of
Dr. Doddridge, which closes —
And if that joy no more be known.
Give us to meet around thy throne !
The Lord hear our prayers, and fulfil the petitions of
his sei'A'ants. "Blessed be God, even the God of our
salvation, who daily loadeth us with benefits." It is fit
a year of mercies should be closed with thes,e thankful
songs. Blessed fountain, that cleanses from all iniquity !
Blessed Mediator and Intercessor, who encourages ouf
hearts! To the triune God be immortal praise. Amen.
' 1803. Jan. 13. God willing, I set off to-morrow fo^
London : O may my journey be accompanied with his
blessing ! The Lord preserve me from all evil : the Lord
preserve my soul ! To him I leave my dear partner and
children, not knowing what a day may bring fortl\; but
fully believing that my Redeemer is the "same yesterday,
to day, and for ever," My mind is calm and comfort
able. — After prayer. Blessed be God for some holy freer
dom and humble confidence in prayer. It is good for me
to draw near to God. I now leave my dear family with
pleasure, believing that the Lord will be their God, th^at
he will give grace and glory, and vvithhold no good thing
from them that walk uprightly. " O Lord God of hosts,
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee."
' 1804. Jan. 11. I am leaving home again for a fort
night. O what a crowded world ! How full of cares !
Lord, I cast them all on thee. O that I could think more
of my heavenly inheritance : yet I hope, tl^rough rich
grace, I do not lose sight of it. Lore} I commit to thee

CHAP, v.] THE FRIEND. 93
my family. If I return not, be thou the husband of the
widow, and father of the fatherless ! Let these lines
stand as an assurance of the unaltered and hearty at
tachment of a husband and a father. If I return, O let
it be Avith a blessing ! For this I Avish to live, that I may
receiA'e more from thee, do more for thee, be more happy
in thee, and grow dally more like thee, O my God !
. . . Amiable partner I if thou sui-vivest me, let the
pledges of our love never forget they had a father who
Svished, above all things, that they might far exceed his
piety and usefulness on earth, and then be reunited to
him in heaven. Dear children ! regard, next to the
counsels of God, those of the best of mothers.'
In these passages there is discoverable, perhaps, an
extraordinary degree of apprehension, on taking a jour
ney, lest he should not return; and, if it be more than
can justly be ascribed to his vivid sensibility to eternal
things, it may probably be referred to the peculiar state
of his health. The spasmodic disease to which be was
subject attacked him generally without warnihg, and
A'ery frequently when he was from homei his appre
hensions, therefore, were but justly proportioned to the
existing perils of his life ; and these extracts certainly
acquire a special interest from the actual circumstances
of his death. To the last he was the same in this re
spect ; he always parted with his family as though the
next meeting were to be in heaA'en.
In social life his connexions were large and respect
able ; and the value attached to his society sufficiently
indicated that, in this department, he possessed no ordi
nary excellence. As a companion he was remarkable
for cheerfulness. Yet his cheerfulness was not IcA'ity,
nor was it associated, either as cause or effect, with for-

91 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
getfuluess of God : he was, on the contrary, eminently
devout. But his piety was cheerful : it at once made
him happy, and taught him that, by appearing to be so,
he should bring honour to religion and glory to his Lord.
His conversation Avas particularly marked by point and
vivacity: he would ncA'er suffer the intercourse to lan
guish, nor the company to slumber. His mind AvaS
strongly excited by society, and the warmth of his feel
ings quickened his words ; he Avas, in truth, the life of
every party, and of the whole circle in which he moA'cd.
His discourse Avas not less instructive than lively : and
he felt it important that it should be so, lest opportuni
ties of usefulness, which in his sphere a minister posr
sesses beyond all other men, should be lost or inisim-
jn'oved. His general information was large, and always
at command ; besides which, he was peculiarly happy in
deriving general observations from particular occur
rences. He loved most of all to be communicative to the
young, and especially in connexion with their improve
ment, he . regretted that so many social hours are
spent in ill-regulated cotiA'erse : in his own circle he
Was always ready to take the lead, and in others he
oontributed with pleasure to the success of similar
efforts. His general excellence in devotional engage
ments has been already noticed ; but in no department
of them did he more excel, than in social prayer. Affec
tion ever warm, and, piety ever glowing, admirably pre
pared him for this exercise; nor can his friends easily
forget the simplicity and fervour of its general spirit, or
the copiousness, the delicacy, and the propriety of its
peculiar allusions.
The subject of this memoir AA^as formed both to in-
spire and to return affection. Among his personal friends
were several of the companions of his childhood at Buck-

CHAP, v.] THE FRIEND. ' 95
ingham, and at Chesham he formed an intimate friend
ship with Mr. Austin, and Mr. Williams, whose house
was to him as his own. In 1816, the period of his last
visit to this place, the former of these friends (whose
name cannot be recorded without a tribute of affectionate
reverence and gratitude from the whole of Mr. Hinton's
family) had been remoA-ed to a better world, and the
latter, in very advanced age, had recently been bereaved
of his partner in life. The better to govern his feelings,
which Avere strongly excited, he requested to see Mr.
Williams alone at the inn, before he went to his house :
there, accordingly, these two friends met, and they in
stantly embraced ; but it was several moments before
the mutual recollection of early days would allow them
to do any thing but struggle with emotions, not on the
whole unpleasant or unwelcome, but too strong for im
mediate utterance.
The principal attachments he formed during his resi
dence at Bristol were with Mr. Kinghorn of Norwich,
«nd Mr. Hughes of Battersea. Within a few years after
bis settlement at Oxford, he was introduced to an ac
quaintance with Mr. Staughton (since of Philadel
phia, D. D.) and the late Samuel Pearce of Birming
ham, with both of whom his friendship was intimate
and ardent. We introduce a short specimen of the
correspondence with Mr. Pearce. In a letter dated
Oct. 15, 1796, after mentioning a kind providence in his
domestic circle, Mr. Hinton says, 'Oil wish you could
come and mingle your praises with ours. Why should
sixty miles intervene ? But if all good people lived to
gether, I hope they would be too many even to speak to
each other once in their lives. We must have greater
powiers, or these let loose, ere we can be happy. Yet
do not be impatient, brother: I find 'the hill of Zion

96 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
yields a thousand sacred sweets.' Our lives belong to
our families and the family of God : and life as well as
death is ours. If I knew your heart, I am sure 1 should
not ' hate' you, because I should see your hidden graces
as well as corruptions. A good character would bear
exposing— although I should almost dread that mine
¦should make the experiment ; yet it must be made.' In
a letter without date, but written probably about the
same period, Mr. Pearce says; ' I embrace this oppor
tunity to assure you of the sincere and heartfelt joy
which the kind expressions of your friendship afford me,
and of the reciprocal affection which my heart bears to
wards you. I am thankful for the providence which
led me to an acquaintance with you : there are few with
whom I feel sucji a congeniality of soul. O! it is the
hope of heaven and its blest society, that best reconciles
me to the distance at which we are now placed, and the
consequent impossibility of frequent interviews.' Mr.
Hinton deeply felt Mr. Pearce's death, and cherished his
memory with the warmest. regard : he was also very ac
tive in promoting the contribution afterwards made for
the widow and children, the latter of whom he regarded
and treated, as far as opportunity offered, with parentail
affection. Some ministerial labours Avhich he undertook at Wat-
lington, in 1792, led to a very intimate friendship with
the family of Mr. Stringer, and more especially with Miss
Stringer, his only child. She was a woman of a sorrow
ful spirit ; partly through afflictions which were certainly
severe, but partly through the influence of a nervous tem
perament, which aggravated, if it did not multiply her
sorrows, and at the same time impeded her reception of
divine consolations. For many years the subject of this
narrative devoted himself to the support of her sinking

CHAP, v.] THE FRIEND. 97
spirit, and the correspondence contains much A'aluable
matter; but our limits will permit only the brief ex
tracts which follow.
' Patient waiting through a dark day will appear to
have been a disposition highly pleasing to God, when the
secrets of all hearts shall be unfolded. "Rest in the Lord,
and wait patiently for him ; he is thy help and thy
shield." Other happiness I do not expect for you ; but
the felicity of sweet and calm resignation to your hea-
Acnly father's will, I do hope for : since I am sure you
are a disciple of Him, who was a perfect pattern of this
grace, and was himself " made perfect through sufferings."
On the death of her mother, he wrote as follows.
' A few more waves, afflicted Mary, will waft you o'er
' this life's tempestuous sea.' You have been greatly
a/ilicted — peculiarly so : your case admitted not of hu
man consolation, and on this account I have a thousand
times longed to see you admit that which is divine.
Now your last dear relative has taken her flight to hea
ven, I anxiously hope that there your thoughts and desires
Avill find a delightful rest. Yet a little while, my dear
friend, remains for us to cherish faith in God, who is most
honoured when we most cheerfully confide in him as
an almighty and unchanging friend. Do, my afflicted
fellow-traveller, try and lean on the arm of One who
never forsakes those that look to him for consolation :
whom he loves he loves to the end. I hope you find
your mind sufficiently tranquil to enjoy retirement, and
converse with God. To him pour out your sorrows,
and he will aid you in the trying hour. Be cheerful and
hope to the end. Conscious of a desire to form every
purpose and to regulate every hour Avith a view to his
glory, resting fqr a full pardon on the finished work of
Christ, and for strength on the sanctifying aids of the

98 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [parti.
Holy Spirit, you will yet enjoy an evening's calm in a
stormy world. God grant the evening may be long,
serene and peaceful !'
' This excellent family at all times were very kind
and generous friends to Mr. Hinton, and on the death
,of Miss Stringer, in 1808, he became one of her exe
cutors and a residuary legatee ; thus acquiring the
whole of the little property of which he was ever pos
sessed. The executorship added much to the already
crowded business of his life : only one circumstance,
however, shall be obtruded on the reader, and that as
illustrative of a special trait of his character. Some
property designed for other relatives was successfully
claimed by the heir at law ; and, after an ineffectual at
tempt to maintain legal proceedings, the disappointed
expectants made an appeal to the generosity of the
executors. In this view, the decision plainly rested
in his own bosom ; but so anxious was he to come
to a determination AvhoUy unbiassed by personal in
terest, that he submitted the affair to a definitiA'e arbi
tration. His statement of the case affords the follow
ing characteristic passages. 'You well know that, in
the temporal concerns of our late friend, I never took
the smallest share. Of the will which I have now to
execute I knew nothing — I refused to know any thing,
even my own legacy ; and of my appointment to the
office 1 now hold, not the most distant hint was given
me till all was settled, and the will had taken the form
it now retains. You know, and have done me the ho
nour to say, that, satisfied with my spiritual office, I
held an independence of mind as to temporals, and fre
quently hazarded the friendship of the deceased by
christian advice.' Having gone through the detail, and
expressed his willingness to make a handsome presentj

CHAP, v.] THE FRIEND, 99
to be proportionate to the then contingent residue, he
thus closes : ' I desire to have my Avhole soul imbued
with the spirit of the gospel maxim, "WhatsoeAcr ye
would that men should do unto you, do ye CA'en so to
them." You will recollect, however, my temporal cir
cumstances — literally labouring hard, at nearly fifty
years of age, for my daily bread ; a constitution shat
tered by exertions too great for its strength ; relaxation,
at my age, necessary to life; five children and two
orphans totally dependent upon me ; and without a hun
dred pounds at my command to introduce them into
the world ; on the brittle thread of my life their daily
meal, under God, depending : — in these circumstances
what Providence gives me is not my own. You will
consider that my family has claims upon me that are
irresistible ; and that mere generosity, Avithout a call of
duty, can never justify me in parting with their only
property and cutting off their hope. It is for you to say
whether, considering calmly all these circumstances, my
offer is not as generous as the duty of a christian parent
will possibly admit. Aid me, my dear sir, to adjust all
the calls which reach and prompt my heart ; those of
the christian friend, the orphan's friend, the husband,
the father, the man of integrity, the expectant — not of
money, the love of it (I trust) never never dwelt in my
heart — but of his approbation who sees the secret mo
tives of my soul, who knows that, if every thought and
purpose of it in this business Avere laid open, it would
gain by the exposure, and that I Avish but to be and to do,
living and dying, what is his will concerning me. I re
joice in the prospect of being helped by your decision,
and in making it, I pray you may be guided by a A^ds-
dom superior to that of all men.' Mr. Hinton finally
made to these persons the generous present of one thou-
h2

100 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part i.
sand pounds. Men of the world regarded this conduct
with astonishment ; professional men were ready to sup
pose him mad ; and many wise, good and generous men
were far from being convinced that it was not a violation of
his duty. The principles on which he acted, however, were
unquestionably of the noblest kind, and he had the high
admiration of all who could understand his motiA'cs : he
had also the testimony of a good conscience, and above
all the blissful approbation of his God. He often ex
pressed his joy that, through the whole of this affair, he
never had a feeling or a wish that checked the pleasure
of his secret devotions : and, doubtless, the eminent in
fluence of holy principles was rewarded by the abundant
participation of holy joys.

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE

OF THE tATE

REV. JAMES HINTON, M. A.

PART II.
MINISTERIAL CHARACTER.

A
BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE.
PART II.
MINISTERIAL CHARACTER.

CHAP. I.
Settlement at Oxford.
A CONGREGATION of protestant dissenters of the
baptist denomination existed in Oxford in the reign of
Charles the Second, and probably a presbyterian church
at the same period : it is certain that, in the riots of 1715,
a meeting-house of each description was tumultuously
assailed, and that a liberal compensation for the injury
was awarded by the commissioners of George the First.
After this period the two denominations appear to have
been formed into one congregation, on the plan of mixed
communion ; but their united strength was very small,
and the influence of depressing causes was so powerful
that, subsequently to the year 1730, they were unable tO;
maintain public worship : a small prayer meeting, how
cA'er, was still held by the few that loved the ways of
Zion, though generally deserted; and, when the spirit-
stirring discourses of Messrs. Wesley and Whitfield
aroused the slumbering inhabitants of that splendid city.

104 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
this little company received a considerable accession
both of numbers and of zeal. With the aid of neigh
bouring ministers the public service of God was now
restored : and in 1780, under the especial encouragement
of the late Rev. Daniel Turner, M. A. of Abingdon (of
the church under whose care scA'eral of the professors of
religion at Oxford had become members) fourteen per
sons, a small majority of whom were baptists, united
themselves in christian fellowship. If any hesitation
was felt upon the question of mixed communion, it was
not upon conscientious grounds ; and all other conside
rations speedily gave way to a decision, which the glory
of God and the promotion of his cause plainly required,
and upon which, assuredly, no mark of his displeasure
has rested. It AA'as not long before the number of bap
tists in this little society increased. Two of its members
A^'ere led to adopt the distinguishing tenet of that body;
another aA'Owed that he had long been convinced of its
truth ; and the proportion was further augmented by the
addition of several persons of the same persuasion.
Their pastor was the Rev. Edward Prowitt, whose labours
were considerably useful : and it deserves to be particu
larly recorded, that a Sunday school was formed during
his ministry, immediately after the public attention
was directed to the subject by Mr. Raikes, and it is be
lieved to have been the first instance in which his exam
ple was followed. After Mr. Prowitt's removal, which
took place at the commencement of the year 1787,
and w^as occasioned by his adoption of heterodox views,
the pulpit was supplied so unacceptably, that all the
pious persons who were able, were in the constant prac
tice of spending their Sabbaths at Abingdon, and the
total dispersion of the congregation was seriously
apprehended.

CHAP, i] SETTLEMENT AT OXFORD, l05
It Avas in these circumstances that application was
made for assistance from the academy at Bristol.
The first letter of the church requested Mr. Hinton's
services for six months, with a view to his settlement
among them ; and when half this term Avas expired, the
invitation was renewed, Avith an assurance that ' his la
bours had been very acceptable, and his conduct very
becoming a minister of Christ.' On the 20th of January
1788, a final call was given, couched in terms of high
and affectionate esteem, and closing with the following
passage : ' With respect to your support, we agree, at
present, to raise you forty guineas per annum, exclusiA'e
of Mr. Atkins's bounty and the assistance from Bristol :
but as we mean not to confine ourselves to the above
sum, if it should please the Lord to add to our number
of subscribers, we hope you Avill also acquiesce, if death
or removals should occasion any deficiency.' Such a
proposal manifestly required consideration. Mr. Atkins's
bounty at that time yielded fourteen pounds per annum,
only half of which was applicable to the object in view.
The assistance from Bristol consisted of two donations ;
one of two guineas from an annual collection at Broad-
mead, for the help of weaker churches ; and another of
fiA'C guineas, voted at the annual meeting of the educa
tion society : and these benevolent exertions cannot be
mentioned without high commendation of the zeal by
which they were suggested, and a grateful record of the
extensive and important results to which, in the case
before us, they were so materially conducive. Including
these auxiliary contributions the whole income to be
expected by Mr. Hinton, and this not to be depended
upon, Avas less than sixty pounds a year. This presented,
at least, no very flattering prospect ; nor did it, on the

lOS LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [i-aht ii.
other hand, suggest any discouragement, in comparison
Avith the joy of his Master's work, and the hope of his
Master's blessing. In communicating his final decision,
he made no allusion to pecuniary affairs ; but, with a
disregard of money which was characteristic of him, he
fixed himself in his station : and hc often said that, if
the income had been much less, he should as readily
have done so.
Arrangements Avere noAV made for the ordination,
Avhich took place on the 11th of June, 1788, a large
number of ministers and other friends being present;
Dr. Caleb Evans delivered the charge, and offered the
ordination prayer Avith imposition of hands ; and Dr. Sa
muel Stennett, of Wild Street, London, preached to the
people. It is remembered as an interesting and happy
day, full of life and piety. The manners of the young
minister, in particular, so won upon all hearts, that none
of the pastors present could be content without partici
pating in the symbolical action expressive of their fervent
benedictions and their prayers. It is not necessary to
give in detail his replies to the customary inquiries of
that day: suffice it to say, that they were pleasingly
¦characterized by humility, modesty, and piety. In his
confession of faith he carefully reserves to himself ' the
right of private judgment,' and of unrestrained address;
expressing at the same time a desire, in which his whole
life proved him to be sincere, ' to live in unity and peace
with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ.' He fully
maintained the doctrines of grace; but his language
plainly indicates that the tone of his theological opinions
was by no means high : its moderation is probably to
be ascribed to the internal conflict amidst which his re^
ligious sentiments were formed ; and it is an additional

CHAP, I,] SETTLEMENT AT OXFORD. 107
proof of careful and A'igorous effort, that bis doctrinal
views underwent no considerable modification to the
end of his life.
For a dissenting minister, the city of Oxford was a sta
tion unusually important and arduous. The persons
whose interest was more immediately to be promoted
Avere few and feeble ; just emerging from a state of al
most nonexistence as a body, while all things conspired
to impede and depress them. The commanding influ
ence of the university was, of course, hostile to the
progress of dissent ; the current of popular feeling also
Avas running forcibly in the same direction : and thus, by
the operation of hatred on the one hand, and of fear on
the other, the scope of the ministry Avas contracted, and
its influence neutralized. To assist in breaking through-
the barrier, the people possessed neither wealth, nor in
fluence, nor any earthly facilities. They maintained the
struggle against " the poAV'ers that be," in perfect weak
ness ; but it was in the name of Him who " hath chosen
the foolish things of the Avorld to confound the wise ; and
the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty; andbase things of the world, and things which
are despised, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought the things that are : that no flesh should glory in
his presence." It is important, hoAA'ever, to mark the
different aspect of the opposition arising from the two
sources which haA'e been mentioned. The Oxford dis
senters of that day had to endure no small portion of
violent, A'ulgar, and indiscriminate reproach; but this
Avas wholly from an unbridled populace : the university
never thus degraded itself ; but, with more effect, used
its influence in indirect methods, affecting the avenues
of successful employment and advancement in the world.
It should be observed, also, that the hostility of this body

103 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
contemplated, not so much persons who Avcre already
dissenters, as those Avho seemed likely to become such ;
not so much the existence of dissent, as its propagation.
It Avas allowable that an established system should be
maintained, provided it were not extended ; and its pre
sent supporters might, Avithout complaint, bequeath to
the folloAving generation Avhat they had received from
the preceding one : but any attempt to enlarge their
numbers Avas severely stigmatized, as indicating a 'spirit
of proselytism.' It is thus to be accounted for that, of
the two deacons of the church at the period now under
review, both Avere much respected by the university,
and one was actually in the service of a college : to the
same cause, also, may probably be referred the stationary
character of their administration, and the difficulty (of
Avhich the reader will learn something hereafter) of ex
citing them to measures of vigorous actiA'ity. Some
principal members of the church, it may be added,
Avere still psedobaptists, to whom it could scarcely be
expected that the exhibition of views contrary to their
own should be agreeable, especially recollecting at how
recent a period theirs had been the prevailing sentiment.
There was also in the body a portion of the leaven of
antinomianism. To this station Mr. Hinton brought well adapted
powers. Although his constitution Avas not strong, his
health was then good, and he entered cheerfully upon
numerous and laborious services. His mind was fervid
and vigorous, and he did not fail in the preparation ne
cessary for multiplied engagements. His activity and
perseverance were so conspicuous, that they are men
tioned by those Avho then kncAv him as the most re
markable features of his character : fertile in forming
plans of usefulness, and prompt in adopting them, he

CHAP. I.] SETTLEMENT AT OXFORD. 109
left no method untried for their accomplishment. His
temper, though quick, was eminently kind, and his man
ners winning. He was especially free from bigotry :
prompt in discerning and in honouring what was excel
lent in all men, and prepared to maintain his own prin
ciples with steadfastness, without attacking those of
others. AboAC all, he possessed genuine and fervent
piety, which made him tenderly feel the condition of his
fellow mortals, and stimulated him to the most devoted
actiA'ity for their good.
Those with whom he was to act were also, in many
respects, well adapted to the station, and to him. Mr.
Newman and Mr. Pasco were the deacons of the church ;
and Mr. Bartlett may be associated with them, as a per
son of considerable prominence and usefulness. Mr.
Newman was then an elderly man, and in that respect fit
for a counsellor of the young ; but he was far more so, as
possessing a solid judgment, profound piety, and an ad
mirable mildness of spirit. Mr. Pasco had acquired
universal regard by his amiable character and most
gentle manners; and, although constitutionally timid
to so great a degree that he used to say he could rather
be shot than fire a musket, and therefore of little value
in action, he contributed largely to the fund of delibera
tive wisdom, and opened an avenue by which his minis
ter could, in some A'aluable measure, extend his connec
tion Avith general society. Mr. Bartlett AA^ho Avas then
young, possessed remarkable vigour both of body and
mind : he was prompt in decision, resolute in action ;
and he consecrated all his powers to the most laborious
service of his Lord. Mr. Hinton knew the peculiarities
and the value of all his coadjutors. Mr, NeAvman he
made, as far as man might be, the guide of his youth,
soliciting his remarks on his preaching (it is believed he

110 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON. [part m
was the only layman whose remarks on this subject he
ever did solicit) and on all matters seeking his advice,
in a spirit of entire confidence and rcA'erential regard :
and to Mr. Newman's honour it must be recorded, that
the confidence so placed was never regretted or abused.
By the tact of Mr, Pasco, he regulated the manner in
which things should be done, so as to give them an as
pect as little as possible open to the objections of an
enemy. Mr. Bartlett was his companion in labour;
strengthening his hands in every difficulty, contending
with him against all opposition, and close by his side in
every danger.
Thus supported, Mr. Hinton entered on his work. He
preached three times on the Sabbath, and frequently in the
Aveek, undertaking also labours in the villages, of Avhich
an account will hereafter be given. His preaching was
sensible and instructiA'e, but it was also free and ani
mated. He ncA'er entered the pulpit without serious
preparation, and he was in the almost constant habit of
using notes ; yet he gave full utterance to the thoughts
and feelings of the moment. His delivery was without
effort, and eminently free from any unnatural intona
tion. His address was full of vivacity, but it was also
serious. His style was unwrought, but clear and forci
ble. His language was plain, but of eminent propriety,
and especially remote from vulgarity. His manner As^as
singularly pointed and impressive. He studiously avoided
the tediousness of didactic harangue, by the introduc
tion of quick turns of thought and piercing appeals to the
conscience : and, if sometimes, in consequence, the
treatment of his subject appeared less regular, he Avas
nevertheless happy in thus gaining more important ad
vantages, by arresting the attention of the careless, and
penetrating the heart of the sensual. His discourses

CHAP. 1,] SETTLEMENT AT OXFORD. IU
were characterized also by an ardent glow of affectionate
piety. He was no enthusiast, but he was eminently
earnest: and his hearers will bear witness with how
much propriety he might say, " Being affectionately de
sirous of you, Ave were willing to haA'e imparted unto you,
not the gospel of God only, but our own souls also, be
cause ye were dear unto us." Both his preaching and
his prayers Avere spiritual and experimental, but without
any appearance of presumption or hypocrisy. Not pos
sessing the advantages arising from length of days, or
diversified circumstances, he made himself acquainted
with the pious exercises of others, and especially with
those of aged saints ; so that he at once adopted with ef
fect an experimental style, and was continually increasing
his treasures of spiritual knowledge. In devotional ex
ercises, it has been already observed, he was highly
•gifted : he felt so seriously, however, the importance of
rightly conducting this part of divine worship, that he
sometimes, perhaps frequently, made notes of the topics
his prayer should embrace, and the order in which they
should be introduced; a practice to which it is doubtless
to be ascribed, that he so entirely avoided the indefinite-
ness and tautology by which public prayer is too fre
quently rendered less edifying, and one great advantage
of extempore prayer is lost.
Such was the subject of this memoir, when he entered
upon the station which he so long and so honourably
filled : how his labours were received of men, and owned
of God, the following pages will discover. But before
we advert to the particulars of his ministerial history, it
will he better to notice the religious exercises connected
Avith his pulpit engagements.

CHAP. II.
Pulpit Experience.
IT was not often possible to hear Mr. Hinton preach
without being convinced that he was happy in the pul
pit ; and this impression, which the glowing utterance
of his heart excited, is amply confirmed by a reference
to the secret record of his piety. His feelings were in
deed subject to Aariations, Avhich shall be presented to
the reader in his own AA'ords ; but in all he appears the
" good minister of Jesus Christ." The principal pas
sages of the diary Avhich refer to this subject are as fol
lows. 'I794. Feb, 7. Assisted much in study: blessed be
God, who considers my many hinderances, and makes
my strength equal to my day.
' Feb, 8. Encouraged to bring new sermons into the
pulpit, though I haA'e but a short time to study them.
A A'ery happy day. In the evening my spirit filled with
serious awe of eternal things : text, " Behold he cometh
Avith clouds."
' Dec, 13. Very comfortable in thinking on " the un
searchable riches of Christ:" great liberty of thought;
blessed be God for affording it.
' 1795. Oct, 25. Have been encouraged to labour
more in preparing my evening sermons : O may God
render them abundantly useful to the multitudes who
attend !

CBAP, if.] PULPIT EXPERIENCE, llS
' 1796. June 7. To the young ; — " I thy servant ffear
the Lord from my youth." 1 desire humbly to thank
God for a considerable portion of his presence. Lord,
keep nie humble ; let my comforts sanctify me, and do
thou increase them a thousand fold.
' June 9. This has been a truly pleasant day ; blessed,
blessed, blessed be God : O may its divine influence be
permanent I A large "congregation in the morning, and I
was much affected in addressing them : Lord, affect
their hearts, and turn them from the error of their
ways unto thyself. " We long to see thy churches
full.' ' 1798. Aug, 25. Saturday. I hope I am sincerely and
earnestly desirous of the divine presence to day.
Evening. My desire has been granted . I have had con-^
siderable pleasure in studying the subjects for to-mor
row ; yet 1 lament the poverty of my mind in devotion, and
its feebleness and contractedness in regard to the fulness
of divine truth. If a child of God, what a babe am I iri
knowledge and experience !
' Aug. 26. Preached to day from Eph. iii. 19. " That
ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." A great
subject: my mind much interested, and very happy in
my discourse. Afternoon, from Heb. iv. 2. " The wOrd
preached did not profit :" I hope feeling its import
ance, and delivering the word with much freedom. At
Wheatley, from Rom. ii. 4. " The goodness of God
leadeth thee to repentance," Here also I felt my mind
very earnest : the congregation Avas large, and the people
attentive. O may God fix his word upon their hearts,
and honour his name by their conversion ! The day
truly pleasant : blessed be God. O may I live so as to
prove my own.sincerity, and exemplify the poAver of the
doctrine I have taught !

114 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON. [part ii.
' Aug. 31. HaA'e greatly to complain of a want of the
presence of God in secret devotion, though much enlai-ged
at prayer meeting.
' Sept. 4. Have thought this morning on David's
prayer, " O foi-sake me not utterly." It seems a suitable
text : may I first feed on it myself, and then be directed
of God to present its blessings to my people.
' Sept. 8. I hope I have some assistance in study, but
am rather low as to personal piety : O Lord, revive thy
work !. . . HaA'e now, blessed be God, enjoyed some liberty
in private prayer: O may it be attended Avith watchful
ness, and followed by the expected blessing ! May to
morrow be a SAveet and profitable day.
' Oct. 7. This has been a happy day : preached from,
" He that hath no rule over his own spirit," &c. I hope
it has been, and will be, a A'eiy useful sermon, and espe
cially to my own unruly passions.
• Oct. 20. Happy in study, and expect a happy day
to-morrow, because the Lord keeps me sensibly depend
ent on himself.
' Oct. 21 . Not disappointed : it has been a truly plea
sant day, blessed be God.
' Oct. 22. Happy in the recollection of yesterday;
the Sabbath has done me good : pleasant prayer meet
ing. ' Nov. 10. Some answers to prayer I desire thankfully
to record, and to present rencAved petitions that the
poor preparation for to-morrow may be abundantly in
creased, by an enlargement of thought and a temper
of heart, which the Holy Spirit alone can give.
* Dec. 2. Morning was a very comfortable opportu
nity; afternoon not equally comfortable, but chiefly
oAving to bodily weakness : at the Lord's table I was
much at liberty, and I trust truly and earnestly desirous

CHAP, n;] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. 115
of groAving sanctification. On the whole it has beeh a
very happy day; I have enjoyed life, and some liberty, iri
private as well as public. May the savour of this day
long remain !
' 1799. Feb. 2. Thank God, A'ery comfortable in study
this morning : some liberty in prayer, and great hopes
of his presence to-morrow.
' April 7. The morning Avas a very acceptable, I hope
a useful, sermoh. The hurry of the afternoon rather
discomposed my spirits at the Lord's table : [ was obliged
to be short, in order to save time and strength for the
evening ; yet 1 hope it was a profitable day.
' April 14. The first part of Naaman's case ; a very
acceptable sermon, and I hope useful. Heard my bro
ther West in the aftiernoon, and enjoyed the sermon very
much : preached in the evening.
' June 20. Blessed be God, I have enjoyed a degree
of life and pleasure ip my work to-day, to which I have,
alas, too long been a stranger. In both disc^ourses, es
pecially in the former, my heart was much enlarged, as
also in the work of prayer, and in the solemn engage
ments of the Lord's table. *
' Sej)t. 25. Preached at Abingdon : not very comfort
able — too much regard to men, and an over anxiety to
do well ; yet on the whole, I believe my views good, and
I thank God for his assistance.
' Oct. 20. Rather dull in the morning ; crowded with
worldly thoughts : grew better as the day advanced.
' Nov. 10. Comfortable afternoon. In the evening
the Sunday-school sermon, and A'ery comfortable for such
a service, but wish it were more spiritual : yet thank God
for a large congregation, and a very good collection,
Comfort should not be all my care ; usefulness should
be studied, and; be itself my comfort.
1 2

116 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
' 1800. Feb. 9. Preached only in the afternoon. " It
is the Lord, let him do Avhat seemeth him good," a
funeral sermon for Mr.  's child. A pleasant season ;
the subject applied Avell to my OAvn indisposition, and
is, Ihope, the sentiment of my heart.
'March 9. At the Lord's supper A'ery. comfortable :
O may it be more lasting than on the last ordinance
day! ' March 17. Have to obserA'e in my mind a sinful
anxiety to preach avcU, rather than a holy anxiety to
preach usefully: 1 fear I rather seek my OAvn honour
than God's. 1 confess this sin ; I trust I repent of it
from my heart. 1 hope for its forgiveness, and its re
moval from my breast. Oh how deceitful is this heart
of mine, and what a gracious God to hold any commu-
cation \A'ith me.
For pride, that busy sin.
Spoils all that I perform :
Cursed pride, that unawares creeps in.
And SAvells a feeble worm.
' March 18. Having confessed this sin, I hope I haA'e
obtained pardon and the renewed help of God, for he
giA'cth grace to the humble. " He speakcth peace to
his people ; but let them not turn again to folly."
' May 25. A very good day : but the evening spoiled
Avith wretched pride and self-complacency ; a mischiev
ous weed, deep rooted, which all my winter seasons
have not yet killed. O may it be at length rooted
out! 'July 14. Lively in frame, but fear much of self
creeps in : God accept and forgive me through Christ !
Spent the CAcning at home in conA'crse with my family,
and other acts of domestic devotion. A day for much

CHAP. II.] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. 117
thanksgiving; may its effect be groAving sanctification
and nearness to God.
' Nov, 16. Confined by pain in my head and face :
preached only in the evening for the Sunday-school.
A large congregation — respectable in the eyes of the
world : God grant this may not be all ! How apt is
human favour to puff up a vain and empty mind : may
God forgive and subdue this disposition !
' 1801. April 2. This has been a very solemn and
impressive day, both in preaching and at the Lord's
table: O may its influence be abundant and abiding !
' Sept. 6. I thank my God that this has been a plea
sant day, and especially at the Lord's table: O may
the saAour of it long remain ! I hope I could say at the
close of it, " Mine eyes have seen thy salvation."
' Sept. 7- Spent iu some good degree, I hope, under
the influence of the truth contemplated on the past Sab
bath. Blessed be God for ordinances, and more for his
Spirit in them.
' Sept. 10. Rather too anxious in considering a sub
ject for a missionary sermon. O that I had more faith !
' Sept. 12. Very comfortable in the study in the
evening ; hope I have receiA'ed help of God. " Not
unto me, not unto me, but unto thy name be the
glory." 1802. Jan. IL Yesterday was a A'ery cold uncom
fortable opportunity at the table of the Lord : I fear that
he AA-ithholds his presence.
'Aug. 6. My mind is studious, and I hope devout:
but the exertions of yesterday haAC lowered too much
the tone of its active powers. What a mercy, that the
consolations of religion are founded on a basis far more
stable than that of frames and feelings ; on Jesus, " the

IIS LIFE OF THE REV. J. inNTOX. [part ii.
same yesterday, to day, and for ever." I thank God,
hoAvever, that I feel A'cry cautious to day, lest my head
or heart, or bands, should offend against him.
' Sep. 3. The Lords table not quite so comfortable:
sad to say, checked by the presence of a brother from
giving free utterance to my heart.
' Oct. 9. A day iu AA'hich I haA'e discoA'ered in a very
large dcgi-ee my own insufficiency for the ai'duous AA'ork
of the ministry: I hope I am humbled, and I need
liumbling more. I am led to a throne of grace, and I
trust my cries in some measure haA'e been beard : O
may my soul still Avait on the Lord !
? Nov, 13. I desire to be effectually humbled fi>r my
great barrenness, avIicii retiring to study for my public
Avork. I trust it has checked (Avhat one day shall be
killed, and 1 long for the death of it) the A'anity and
loA'c of applause Avhich dwell, but I bless God do not
reign, Avithin my heart.
' 1803. Jan. 2. A most truly happy day, blessed be
God. I the moi-e desire to praise him, because ycstcnlay,
through the absolute necessity of proA'iding sermons for
the Sabbath, I had not my usual opportunity for secret
aud solemn devotion : and I fear I haA'c not sufficient
care and fortitude to redeem time for that purpose.
' Aug. 3. Often unable to find subjects for tho pulpit ;
and distressed ou this account. Dull— looking to cis
terns rather than the fountain; yet hitherto the Lord
hath helped me. This CA'ening is pleasant, and pleasant
my work ; pleasant too, I hope, Avill be the day of God :
grant it, O Lord, for thy mercy's sake ! Let to mori-ow bo
the beginning of months unto me aud mine ; for the Re
deemer's sake ! Amen,
* 1804. Jan. 1. This has been a happy commencement

CHAP, 11,] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. U!>
of the new year; but nty spirit is boAved down Avith
the fear that neither my own soul nor the souls of my
people are as lively as they have been wont to be.
* 1805. JuH. 1. Began the day Avith solemn prayer.
Met my dear people in the CAeniiig ; Avas solemn and
spiritual, and set out afresh for the happy land, in di
vine strength. Spoke comfortably from the words, " I
Avill be with thee."
' 1810. June 3. My subject is, " Peace I leave with
you, my peace I giA'e unto you :" but oh ! what poor and
unworthy ideas are mine on such a theme ! O thou
blessed Spirit, take of the things of Christ, and shew
them unto my poor blind soul ! And O grant that thy
word, in my lips, may be like the five barley loaves, that
multiplied in the hands of the disciples, and fed the peo
ple with enough aud to spare !'
There is, perhaps, nothing extraordinarj' in the mental
exercises here recorded : they indicate, hoAvever, not
merely the pious man, but the devout preacher; and a
few of the excellent points may be exhibited to the
reader somewhat more prominently.
It may be observed, then, that Mr. Hinton's first ob
ject was his own spiritual improvement. The religion of
the study and of the pulpit Avas not merely official, but
deeply personal. Hc knew how much danger there is,.
lest a minister should regard divine truth as a science,
and preaching as an art, in the pursuit and practice of
which his own piety may be sadly neglected. He en-
deaAOured to guard against this evil by two methods.
First, by seeking that his own mind should feed on
every passage before he made it the subject of medita
tion for the pulpit. This Avas naturally the case with
those Avhi.ch AA^ere chosen from his devotional readings

1<20 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
as many of his subjects were ; and those which other
wise occurred to him were carefully associated with his
sacred retirements. Secondly, by making his discourses,
before they were preached, matter of personal applica
tion. The reader will have observed that Saturday
evening was his regular season for special devotion,
applied first to a solemn review of the week, and
next to a fervent preparation for the Sabbath : it was
thus that he divested himself of whatever professional
feelings the composition of his sermon might have pro
duced ; and that the truth Avith which his thoughts were
occupied became food for his own mind. By these me
thods, he eminently succeeded in the very difficult point
of being a profitable, preacher to himself. He was much
concerned whenever his happiness in his public work
was dissociated from the pleasures of secret piety : thus
on one occasion, after referring to the success of his mi-
nisti-y, he says, ' My mind is low as to my spiritual
concerns. Pray for me ; for it would be awful to save
those that hear me, and not to be saved myself.' It was
a further, evidence of his being a devout student, tha^ he
was an excellent hearer. Few men were better qualified
to know whether a sermon was a good one, but he did
not listen with a view to ascertain it : he waited for spi
ritual instruction and benefit, and heard with satisfac
tion every serious, affectionate, and faithful minister.
From this prime excellence many advantages arose. For
the most part, when he entered more immediately upon
study, he knew little of that listlessness and unaptness
to exertion, by Avhich probably many an hour is lost, or
ineffectually employed. Having felt the savour of his sub
ject, he found pleasure in pursuing it ; and his Saturdays,
accordingly, are stated to have been generally very happy
days. He mentioned to his sous in the ministry, that his

CHAP. II.] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. 121
mind was often, for several days, or sometimes weeks,
occupied with an interesting passage, and almost op
pressed with its grandeur : it was upon such occasions,
probably, that in his diary he complained of the 'poverty
of his ideas,' while his people were delighted with their
fulness. He appears to have been deeply sensible of his
need of divine aid in preparation for the pulpit. When
happy, he always mentioned that he had been ' much as
sisted in study:' and he repeatedly quotes a maxim—
',Bene orasse est bene studuisse' — which he earnestly im
pressed upon his children and, doubtless, diligently re
garded himself. The season of labour was in general
yet more happy than that of preparation. On the Lord's
day morning he was not nervous and agitated : his co
pious notes, indeed, preserved him from one class of
anxieties, but upon other grounds also he was, for the
most part, unusually tranquil and cheerful ; and when
the weather permitted, he commonly spent his time after
breakfast in some retired part of the college walks, and
generally in great liberty of meditation. In the pulpit
he had his dark seasons; but they were comparatively
few. Though he wrote an entire sermon, he said much
that he had not written, and there is reason to believe
that the extemporaneous parts of his discourse were in
general the most striking and impressive ; a peculiarity
to which, doubtless,. the fervour of his private devotion
mainly contributed, as well as to the heart-searching pun
gency, and closeness of application, by which his preaching
was distinguished. He was indeed ardently desirous of
usefulness. It could not satisfy him to be to his hearers
as " one that had a pleasant voice." He travailed in
birth with souls until Christ was formed in them. No
thing, perhaps, can be a more striking indication of this,
than the very strong expressions of discouragement and

Ifi LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
delight he used at the same time— for it is nearly under
the same date that he writes, in one place, ' My mind is
much discouraged in my public work ; 1 fear my useful
ness declines :' and in another, ' I am surprised and
thankful at the instances of success which God gives to
my unworthy ministry.' And the passages are not in
consistent, as the language of one grateful for more
than he deserved, yet panting after more than he en
joyed. • It is perhaps a singular memorandum, which expresses
his encouragement to ' bring new sermons into the pulpit,
though he had but a short time to study them.' His
time was indeed so much occupied by the school, as very,
undesirably and uncomfortably to diminish his opportu
nities for study; but he probably refers to a more pecu
liar circumstance. In his zeal for doing good, he had
undertaken to preach on a Saturday to a small body of
Sabbatarian baptists at Watlington, from whence he fre
quently returned on the Lord's day morning, and some
times had little othei* opportunity of preparing for his own
first service at home, than that afforded by his ride. That
he should haA'e been almost afraid to preach sermons with
so little study, is not wonderful: it was very rarely,
however, that he resorted to other helps, and whenever
he did so, it was his invariable rule to put such papers
in the fire immediately aftei'wards. He was at length
relieved from this timidity, by discoA'cring that it was not
always his most studied sermons that were the most
acceptable ; that very often, in fact, the least laboured
were the most pleasing and the most useful : and it must
be ascribed, under God, partly to the A'igour of his intel
lectual powers, but more to the fervour of his piety, that
this portion of his ministerial labours was eminently
successful. He often mentioned, Avitb gratitude to Gody

«HAP. iii] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. 123
that * sermons sometimes came down from heaA'en in a
moment;' lucid and interesting views of truth instan
taneously presenting themselves, or passages of Scripture
being delightfully impressed on his mind. On these oct
casions he was greatly encouraged to preach, even with
less study than he could have desired : he considered
such circumstances, indeed, as probable intimations of
dii'ine direction, which he would haA'e thought himself
scarcely justified in resisting.
He mentions once being prevented from the utterance
of his heart at the Lord's table by the presence of an
other minister, but he seldom felt this embarrassment :
it was one, in truth, from Avliich he was eminently free.
His own heart was earnestly fixed on God as the ob
ject of his fear, and on the good of souls as that of
his hope ; and, giA'ing preachers all credit for a similar
spirit, he confided himself to their affectionate sym
pathy and prayers. On one occasion, at Readings in
the course of his sermon he saw one of the resident
ministers enter ; and when, at the close of the service, he
came into the vestry, Mr. H. said to him, 'Brother  ,
I was very glad to see you come in.' 'Why?' 'Because
I thought. There is a brother who will pray for me.'
It remains to notice his jealousy respecting the plea
sures he enjoyed in the pulpit. He was probably far
from solitary in the complaint, that he was often more at
liberty in public than in private. He knew Avell, also,
how much the pouring out of the heart to others tends
to the exhaustion of its own stores, and renders neces
sary a more abundant replenishing from aboAC. And
these were points on which he exercised both a godly
jealousy arid a AA'ise discrimination. He sought ear
nestly to retain and increase the joys of secret piety,
but he did not expect them to abound amidst the fatigue

124 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
and langour of a Monday morning : he was nevertheless
careful to maintain the power of godliness, and ar
dently desirous that his ' pulpit comforts' might both
humble and sanctify his spirit.
His frequent afflictions produced a powerful effect on
his ministerial feelings ; and, : although- no records of
this nature remain, the fact unequivocally appeared in
the renewed fervour with which he returned to his
work. In relating to a friend the exei-cises of his mind
in the illness of 1820, he said that he had been occupied
with very solemn reflections on his official fidelity ; and
that he had been constrained to ask, ' Have I been faith
ful to my trust ? Have I not lost opportunities of saying
a word for Christ ? Have I not neglected to notice in
quirers ?' &c. He added, that he had been distressed
by numerous deficiencies, and had not been without
fear lest some of his flock should hereafter upbraid him
with unfaithfulness to their souls. His whole minis
try, however, he conducted in solemn anticipation of
death : and from the letters to the association, which
contain many passages referring to this subject, we se
lect a few sentences, indicative of the spirit in which
he awaited its close. In 1822 he thus writes : ' Not a
few of us dwell on the banks of the river, and must, in
the coui-se of nature, soon be called to sound its depths
and to stem its current. The passage of each fellow saint
opens to us an interesting view. To some of us this
must, Ave believe, be our farewell letter. Accept, bre-
then, for yourselves and churches, these renewed assur
ances of our love, and our fervent wishes for your
prosperity. If next year you should learn that any of
our names are engraven on the tomb, we indulge the
hope that they shall also be found, together with your
OAvn, in the book of life which is before the throne.' His

chap, n.] PULPIT EXPERIENCE. 12.5
last letter he thus closes : ' For another year, brethren,
Ave bid you farewell. The returning season, it is proba
ble, Avill not meet all of us on earth ; but, if absent from
the body, we hope to be present with the Lord. Here
one generation to another shall call him blessed, there
all shall meet around his throne ; while the Redeemer
pronounces the glorious truth, " O Father, here am I,
and the children thou hast given me : of those whom
thou gavest me I have lost none." '

CHAP. III.
Congregational History.
AS a preacher Mr. Hinton produced an immediate
and powerful impression in Oxford. His discourses
were highly attractive and acceptable to all classes ; by
their seriousness to the more spiritual, by their instruc-
tiveness to the more intelligent, and by their vivacity
to the more careleSs : while his eminent propriety of
language and method, preserved him from giving offence
to men of taste, or an occasion of censure to the unkind.
The congregation, which had previously been reduced
to a very small number, now rapidly increased ; and the
augmentation was not only permanent, but progressive,
through the whole of his ministry.
The evening service, which was then held only during
the winter months, was attended by a crowded auditory,
and one of a very peculiar cast. It included compara
tively few of the members of the church ; pious persons,
and heads of families in particular, being recommended
to employ the Sabbath evening in domestic religious
exercises. It comprehended, on the other hand, many
members of the uniA'crsity, whose attendance was then
in a great measure unrestrained, aud many respectable
inhabitants of the city, who, in that particular service
only, ventured on the indulgence of their inclination or
curiosity ; together with a number of profane and aban
doned persons, who came chiefly because the meeting
house afforded amusement, when their evening walks

chap, in] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. lij
could not be contioned. It is manifest that a peculiar
field of ministerial labour Avas thus opened : aud it Avas
one by which the well adapted poAvers of the preacher
were strongly excited. Where so many Avere ready, not
merely to cavil, but to ridicule, he felt it necessary that
his language should be eminently correct and appropri
ate ; that his dicourses should be formed of solid thought
and sound argumentation ; and that his manner should
be grave and dignified. His constant hearers alone can
tell how admirably he succeeded in all these respects,
or how eminently he combined these excellencies Avith
his natural fineedom of delivery, simplicity of style, and
pungency of address ; while a A'isible sacredness was
diffused OA'er all, by the glowing ardour of a spirit realiz
ing eternal things, and longing for the salvation of souls.
An observation made with reference to these services, by
one then deeply imbued AAith the spirit of the univer
sity, and subsequently with that of unfeigned piety, is
preserved in the diary of a firiend already mentioned, and
is too characteristic to be omitted. ' Mr.  remarks
of Mr. Hinton, that ' few preachers can come so far
home, so faithful, so close to men's hearts, Avithout af
fronting their feelings, and by that means hindering, or
spoiling, the good effect they would otherwise produce.'
I think this,' adds the Avriter, ' a very just remark ; for
he certainly has a peculiar manner. At the same time
that he alarms the conscience, he does not wound the
ear, but Avith language the most firee and natural per
suades you. to attend to him.' \^Tiat impression his dis
courses made on the minds of men who cared for none
of these things, may be gathered from the folloAviug
incident. Some of the felloAvs of a college, who were at
one period in the habit of almost constant attendance,
suddenly, and, without any apparent cause, were ob-

123 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
served to absent themselves : and it was after Avards
learned that the gentlemen had agreed to relinquish the
practice, because it so materially impaired the gaiety of
the evening. In a word, under the force of truth, many
trembled, and no inconsiderable number were effec
tually turned from the power of Satan unto God ; while
two young men who came purposely to ridicule, were
afterwards introduced into the ministry, and are now
occupying useful and important stations.
The subject of our narrative devoted especial atten
tion to the young. His sermons to youth, at first
preached occasionally, but afterwards on the first Sabbath
of every year, AA'^ere among the most interesting and
useful of the evening lectures. On these occasions the
congregation was unusually large, and the preacher pe
culiarly animated : his discourses were full of instruc
tion for the youthful mind, and were calculated, espe
cially, to counteract the peculiar prejudices and detect
the fascinating snares of the ' Corinthian city.' The
opportunities which the summer evenings also afford
ed, he improved for their benefit, and about the year
1790, be commenced the practice of publicly catechizing
them. His mind had, from the first, been alive to the
importance of catechetical instruction, and he severely
condemned himself for delaying so long what he had
felt it right to do : in the introductory prayer, indeed,
he poured out his penitential sorroAV before all the peo
ple, in a manner exceedingly moving. These exercises
were of the most useful and interesting kind. He soli^
cited and obtained the attendance of all the children of
the congregation, with a select number from the Sunday-
school, and divided them into three classes, accordingly
as Dr. Watts's First or Second Catechism, or that of
the Assembly of Divines, might be suited to their age

CHAP. III.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 129
and knowledge : the only other persons he requested to
attend were such as the proper care of the children re
quired, but all were permitted to be present who wished
it, and in fact the vestry was generally oA'erflowing. His
manner with children was most happy. He could con
descend nto the youngest capacity, and speak AA'ith the
utmost simplicity and familiarity, without suffering any
one to think it either ludicrous or childish. While
babes were fed with milk, young men found stronger
food ; nor did the wisest and most experienced among
the fathers in Israel depart without sharing the improve
ment and delight.
Ultimately his labours were much blessed to the en
largement of the church ; although, as the fruit of his
own exertions, this effect was not immediate. He fre
quently stated, as a source of early discouragement to
himself, and one against the influence of which he was
anxious to guard others, that it was three years before
he found evidence of his ministry having been made use
ful to the conversion of sinners : subsequently, hoAvcA'er,
he received many delightful testimonies to this effect,
some of them referring to this very period of seeming
disappointment. He was greatly encouraged also by
the promising usefulness of Mr. Franklin, now of Co
ventry, who was called to the ministry in 1794 ; and by
that of Mr. Draper, now of Southampton, whom not
long afterAvards he had the happiness of introducing to
the same employ.
It was in connexion with the evening lecture that
the first troubles of Mr. Hinton's ministry arose. An
audience so constituted as we haA-e seen this to be, was
likely to be a disorderly one ; but the principal dis
turbances Avere occasioned by the behaviour of some

130 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ir;
members of the universitJ^ It is with sincere regret
that this reference is made. Cherishing (as the subject
of this memoir always did, and taught both his family
and flock to do) the highest respect for the university of
Oxford as a body, it would be gratifying to bury in obli-.
vion every thing which may cast a shade on its -name, or
on any of its members ; more especially considering the
effectual manner in which the grievances of the dissen
ters were at length redressed, the great improvement, both
in spirit and in discipline, Avhich thirty years have wit
nessed, and the esteem in Avhich the subject of this me
moir AA'as subsequently held. If, hoAA'ever, the facts of his.
life are to be recorded, as a matter of historical truth it
must be stated that, among the members of the univer-.
sity Avbo attended his ministry, were some who did, in
the most A'iolent manner, disturb and interrupt it. It
would be in order that no more might be stated on this
subject than is strictly t'rue, and that no suspicion of un
worthy feeling might arise — that, in truth, as little as
possible might be said, and that a A'eil might be drawn
OA'er the most flagrant details — if we presented to the
reader a copy of one ofthe informations, laid upon oath
before the first acting magistrate of the university. But
even this shall not be done, nor shall any thing be told
but the fact, that it was. frequently A'ery difficult for the
preacher to continue the service, and sometimes impossi
ble ; on some occasions the Avorship being suspended for
a time, until tranquillity was restored, and pn others the
congregation being prematurely dispersed, as the sup
pression of the tumult was impracticable. In these dif
ficult circumstances, he conducted himself with uniform
coolness, propriety, and dignity. There was, indeed,
something in his quick eye and penetrating manner,
AA'hich enabled him to maintain a A'ery effective general

gUap. m:] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. ' 131
control over his congregation : and when he could hot do
this, he ncA'er lost the command of himself. He well knew
the strength of his appeal to the laws of his country, and
calmly had recourse to them. The persons employed in
attempting to preserve order (of whom Mr. Bartlett, AA'hose
conduct was most admirable, Avas the principal) sim
ply requested of a disturber his ' name and college,' Avhich
no gentleman could refuse : it was afterwards intimated
that, unless an apology was made, a prosecution would
be instituted. By the adoption of these measures the
most stubborn AA'ere ultimately subdued; and acknoAvledg-
ments were generally made, in order to prcA'ent the ulterior
proceedings. One of these documents, which is alto
gether official, having been signed in the Vice Chancel
lor's court, we may be allowed to insert.
' Oxford, Ath Dec, 1789.
^Whereas the congregation of protestant dissenters
assembled for divine worship in their chapel, in St. Pe-
ter-le-Bailey, in the city of Oxford, was on Sunday
evening last, the 29th Nov. 1789, A'ery much disturbed
and disquieted by several gentlemen of the university of
Oxford, and particulary by Mr.  of  college in
the said university ; and whereas I,  of  college
in the said university, being present at the time and
place above mentioned, did by my presence, and some
parts of my conduct encourage and support the afore
said  in his ill behaviour towards the said con
gregation, and particularly the Rev. James Hinton their
minister, for which conduct of mine the said congrega
tion was about to commence an action at laAV against
me : — I do hereby acknowledge my conduct above men
tioned to have been deserving censure, and contrary to
the laws of this realm ; and I do hereby heartily thank
the aforesaid congregation of protestant dissenters for
k2

132 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
their lenity in laying aside their intended prosecution
against me ; and I do hereby faithfully promise never to
giA'e them cause for the like complaint in future.
'Witness my hand, this 4th day of Dec. 1789.
(Signed)  .'
' Done in the presence of us, (Signed) James Hinton,
John Bartlett.'
There was, hoAA'CA'er, notwithstanding these measures,
so much ill behaA'iour of a less flagrant but very annoying
kind, that it was at length found necessary for the uni
versity to enforce the statute entirely prohibiting the at
tendance of its members : tranquillity then became the
general characteristic of the congregation, the occasional
disturbances being excited merely by the freshmen of
the season, and being speedily quelled. Of late years
unpleasant circumstances of this nature have A'ery rarely,
if ever, occurred ; and it surely is not too much to hope
that they will never be repeated. The effective remedy of
these evils Avas greatly promoted by the excellence of
Mr. Hinton's character, which eveiy year of his residence
in Oxford brought more into view; by degrees preju
dice was diminished, and for a long period before his life
closed, he enjoyed the universal approbation which be
so justly earned. Many respected him, who did not re
spect his religion ; Avhich was, nevertheless, for his sake,
treated Avith milder hostility.
It may be supposed that the meetings held in the
week AA'ere liable to interruptions similar to those already
noticed; but this was never the case to any great degree.
The statement that ' in Oxford prayer meetings could not
be held in public,*' arose only from the circumstance that,
• See Ivitney's Sermon on the death of Mr. Hinton, p. 28.

CHAP, til.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 133
when worship was conducted in the meeting-house, some
persons might probably attend, unqualified or indis
posed to estimate aright the social exercises of religion :
it Avas to relieve plain praying men, therefore, from this
embarrassment, and to shelter simple hearted piety from
possible ridicule, that these services were withdrawn into
the vestry, into AA'hich such hearers Avere very seldom
found to intrude.
The reader is already apprised that the church at Ox
ford was composed of persons holding different senti
ments on the subject of baptism : at its formation in
1780, the numbers on each side were nearly equal; and
in 1787, although the proportion of baptists had consi
derably increased, several members of great respectabi
lity and influence were of the contrary persuasion. Mr,
Hinton's situation, therefore, was evidently one of much
delicacy and difficulty. If, howcAcr, on the one hand,
he had too much integrity and courage to be impeded
in declaring his own sentiments ; he possessed, on the
other, an eminent degree of christian candour and libe
rality, towards those who conscientiously differed from
him. And scA'eral circumstances tended to prevent the
feelings ofthe paedobaptist brethren from being wounded.
Most of the baptists, if not all, Avho were included in the
union of 1780, had been members of the church of that
denomination at Abingdon ; and, as there Avere no faci
lities in the meeting-house at Oxford, persons who
wished to be baptized uniformly Avent for the purpose to
that place : there the subject could be freely discussed
in the pulpit, and to those occasions the introduction of
it was principally confined. Notwithstanding these fa
vourable circumstances, howcAer, uneasiness entered by
this avenue : yet, to the honour of the paedobaptist mem*
bers of the church we must add, that it was neither ex-

134 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ih
cited nor fostered by them generally, but arose princi
pally, if not entirely, from the discontent of a single indi
vidual. The person referred to is long since gone to a
better world : and it is especially gratifying, in connexion
with this one infirmity, to record, that he was a man of
sterling worth and piety, in all other respects a very
^valuable member of the church, and one for whom his
pastor always cherished a high personal regard.
Early in 1790 he made complaint, that Mr. Hinton
had 'catechized,' or improperly questioned, a gentleman
of paedobaptist connexions, who wished to join, the
church. That he might haA'e committed such a fault,
is plainly A'ery possible ; Avhether he did so, shall appear
from the memorandums which remain, and which Avill,
it is conceived, fully shew that his conduct afforded no
just ground of dissatisfaction, but that it was, on the
contrary, a happy combination of liberality and faithful
ness. ' The business relative to Mr. S. was as follows :
Mr. — ¦ mentioned to me that Mr. S. had thoughts
of joining the church; I thanked him, and assured him
that I would take the first opportunity of conversing
with Mr. S. which I did. Meantime Mr. P. who had seen
Mr. S. informed me that, in a very slight conversation,
Mr. S. had said, that though he Avas inclined to faA'Our
the psedobaptists, he designed to examine the subject,
and to make up his' mind more fully; adding, that he
had read some books which Mr. — had lent him, in favour
of infant baptism, but none. on the other side. After
this information, one or two conversations passed be
tween myself and Mr. S.on experimental subjects only; it
being my constant practice never to mention baptism,
till I am quite satisfied, as to a work of grace on the
lieart. At length, in a conversation at my house to
which Mr. S. was invited, I thought it my duty to in-
-quire Avhether he had made up his mind on the subject;

CHAP, ni.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 135
assuring him at the same time, as I had repeatedly
done, that a determination on the one side, or on the
other, would make no difference in my affection for him
as a christian. The plain question I projiosed was. Do
you conscientiously embrace infant baptism as agreeable
to the commandment of Jesus Christ; and are you, so
far as you know, determined by the authority of the
word of God, and that alone ? To this question, which
I never fail to put to every candidate for church mem
bership, whether baptist or paedobaptist, Mr. S. did not
immediately reply ; but at length said, that if he had
ncA'cr come among baptists, he should probably have re
mained fully satisfied on the subject of infant baptism,
because all his connexions were of that persuasion. To
this I was obliged to reply, that the reason was insuffi
cient. Mr. S. then said he thought infant baptism to be
consistent with the word of God; but repeatedly inti
mated, that many good and worthy men being of this
persuasion had considerably influenced his mind : I
thought it was his duty therefore to give the matter a
little further consideration, and finding that he had read
a book or tAvo of Mr, — 's on tlie part of the psedobap
tists, I asked him if he had any objection to read one or
two on the other side. To this Mr. S. replied, he had
none ; and would as cheerfully embrace one view as the
other, could he but know his real duty. In recommend
ing books, 1 only meant to set the matter on a fair ba
lance with Mr. S. that as he had read one side, he should
read the other : since I ncA'er recommend a book at all
to an inquiring mind, but direct simply to the word of
God and prayer. My parting advice to Mr. S. was, that
he would take another month seriously to consider the
subject on Avhich he now seemed undetermined; add
ing, hoAA'ever, that 1 would propose him iiov^ if he in-

13C LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
sisted on it, but that I thought he would not, till he had
fixed his mind, be unanimously received.'
Although the baptismal argument was chiefly entered
upon at Abingdon, Mr. Hinton could not feel satisfied
to exclude it entirely from his own pulpit ; and on the
29th of May 1790, after having baptized several persons
and preached on the subject at the former place in the
morning, he addressed the same sermon to his own
congi-egation in the afternoon. This also was a source
of dissatisfaction : how far the complaint was just, the
reader shall judge by some extracts containing all
the material parts of the sermon itself, premising only,
that the step was manifestly taken witji deliberation and
care, since the discourse is written at unusual length, and
in all the delicate passages is declared, in the memoran
dums of the dispute, to have been delivered verbatim from
the manuscript. The text is Gal. iii. 27. " As many of you
as haA'e been baptized into Christ, liaA'e put on Christ."
Having introduced the subject in its experimental aspect,
the preacher proceeds : ' I mean, as I have said, chiefly
a practical improA'ement of the ordinance of baptism ;
but there are circumstances which absolutely demand
that I should, on such an occasion as this, state to my
audience the reasons by Avhich 1, as a teacher of the gos
pel, and my friends as private christians, have been in
duced to attend to the ordinance in a way different
from the practice of many of our brethren. Were I not
to do this, it might be inferred, cither that our conduct
is not consistent with the word of God, and therefore
cannot be justified; or that we are afraid or ashamed,
at least among our oAvn neighbours, publicly to avow it ;
or that some of this audience have not justice or candour
sufficient to hear what the Scriptures say on the subject.
Now I am very unwilling it should be thought that either

CHAP. HI,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 137
of these suppositions is true. We have the most clear
proof that our conduct is agreeable to the word of God,
and therefore that it can be fully justified; nor do we
think that we ought to be in the least degree influenced
by fear or shame arising from temporal views ; and it
Avould ill become me to cast any reflection on the in-*
tegrity or candour of my hearers, or to imagine they can
possibly be offended at my stating the scripture account
of the sentiments that I belicAe. One objection more
allow me to obviate ; it is this, that we make the ordinance
of baptism of far too much importance, and that it is quite
unnecessary to trouble the christian world Avith our sen
timents upon it. I beg leaA'e to remind my esteemed
brethren, that there is no denomination of christians
but appears to attribute much more to the ordinance than
Ave do. The national church, you well know, attributes
salvation to it, its members being taught that in their
baptism they are made children of God, members of
Christ, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaA'en ; but
far be it from us to countenance among our hearers so
dangerous an error. Our much Aalued brethren among
the psedobaptist dissenters, though they do not imbibe
the error we have mentioned, yet have many of them
talked of baptism 'bringing children into the cove
nant,' 'making them the peculiar subjects of the di
vine promises,' &c. ; and they have said that ' unbap-
tized children are left to the uncovenanted mercies of
God,' implying that there was no certainty of infants
being saved without it. This is making a great deal
more of baptism than we do, or than we think the Scrip
ture does : did we attribute half so much saving efficacy
to it, Ave should feel it our duty to treat on it much oftener
than we do. In justice, however, to our dissenting
brethren, we must acknowledge that their latest publi-^

138 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
cations have done away by far the most exceptionable
parts of their system. The idea of baptism being neces
sary to the salvation of infants, or to procure them
spiritual blessings, appears to be given up by their best
writers, and it is with them little, if any, more than a de
dication of their children to God : all christians agree
that this is the duty of every believing parent, but to
do it by baptism is, in our judgment, to act altogether
without divine authority, that ordinance being designed
for a personal profession of faith in, and obedience to
the Lord Jesus Christ. As our brethren appear to
think (and I use the Avords in which two of their most
I'espectable authors agree) that baptism is ' the setting
apart of a person, apparently a proper subject of the vi
sible church of Christ, by the use of water in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,' the ques
tion for them candidly to consider appears to be this :
Whether any but apparently couA'erted persons are pro
per subjects of the visible church ; and Avhether it be
proper to set apart any as members of it, till we have
reason to believe they are converted ? In a word, whe
ther a profession of religion is to be put upon infants by
others, before it can be told whether they will eA'er pos
sess any ? Or whether it be not more agreeable to Scrip
ture to wait till proof be given that the heart is renewed,
and the person can, by his own voluntary act (as the
apostle expresses it in our text) " put on Christ."
' As a commandment of Christ to be obeyed out of
love to him, we modestly plead for believers' baptism ;
and our brethren justify our conduct in stating our sen
timents, by advocating their own. Nor have we the
least objection to their doing so. Who that loves the
truth can object to have it candidly investigated ? Al
lowing that the baptism of infants is (what we believe

CHAP. lu] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 1S9
it to be) a great mistake crept into the churchj and
that the restoration of the ordinance to its primitive pu
rity would be a great blessing, it becomes our duty to
point out to our brethren what aa'c believe to be an error,
and to recommend to them what plainly appears to us to
be their duty and privilege. Our brethren will allow that
the prejudices of education, together Avith the fear of
being singular and of incurring ridicule, operate very
strongly against our sentiments ; and that, supposing
them to be true, we have great need to state them clearly,
and to point out the authority of Christ, the great law
giver, in the plainest terms. I must say that I have felt
this very necessary, for I have found not a few who
have acknowledged themselves afraid to pursue the sub
ject of believers' baptism, lest they should be convinced
of its obligation ; and some who have even allowed that
Scripture is Acry much in our favour, but AA'^ho, having
formed their connexions, and not liking a public dis
avowal of their former sentiments, have neglected what
they at least suspected to be their duty. This, I
speak seriously and without the least exaggeration, I
have found to be the case with many of my acquaint
ance. They retire behind the idea that baptism is a non
essential. It is so ; and the Lord's supper is quite as
much so : but the question is. Is it a command of Jesus
Christ ? If it be, let it be fairly and impartially examined,
and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that
alone, be regarded.' if our readers should differ as to
the prudence or candour of this address, the preacher
is freely left to whatCAcr censure the opinion of each
may aAvard ; none, we are persuaded, Avill impugn the
rectitude of his motiA'cs.
The manner in which he personally treated the com
plainant on this occasion, is pleasingly exhibited in the

140 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part u.
tAA'o folloAving notes, Avritten in the week immediately
succeeding this discourse.
' Dear Sir,
' I have been informed by some of our friends that
you have been very uneasy in your mind this week, and
I think it my duty, as your friend and pastor, to endea
vour to make you happy. The best advice I can at pre
sent think of is, that, before you say much moce of me,
you come and say something to me. Good effects gene^
rally follow this conduct, which, you know, I both re-
cominend and practise: and as you well knoAV what
belongs to the gentleman, the friend, and the christian,
I wonder you have not pursued it. It is not, however,
too late now; and whatever you may think of my ad
vice, you know the language of the Lord Jesus Christ,
" If thy brother offend thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone." This no doubt will have
its due weight with you. With every kind wish to cul
tivate your friendship, ' I am, dear Sir,
' Sincerely yours.'
This being unkindly received, he wrote as follows :
' Dear Sir,
' As I have neither inclination nor leisure to carry on
an altercation with you, I shall only say, that I am sorry
you are angry with me : but, as it appears to me to be
A^athout a cause, I hope I shall have fortitude and pa-'
tience to bear this, and every other trial, as becomes a
christian ; keeping on, with undiA'erted steps, the path
which I sincerely believe the great God, to whom I must
soon give an account, has marked out for me. The in
formation that ' your house stands just where it did,'
might have been conveyed in a kinder manner; but
this, with whatever else you may have said disrespect-'

CHAP. Ill,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 141
fully in this business, I freely forgive, and shall be very
happy to see you as a friend and a brother, either in
your house or my own. ' I am, dear Sir,
' Your affectionate pastor.'
Nothing could pacify Mr. — but compliance with two
requisitions : first, that persons professing themselves pse
dobaptists should not be asked whether they were consci
entiously so; and secondly, that the subject of baptism
should never be introduced into the pulpit at Oxford.
Mr. Hinton could not yield to either; and at lepgth,
from the restless anger of an individual, he made an ap
peal to the church, by whom, without a single other
exception, he Avas cordially supported. The following
extract from a communication of the deacons to Mr. — ,
in reply to a threatening letter received from him, illus
trates the stand made by them and the church on the
occasion. ' You desire an explicit answer to tAVO ques
tions ; and we are always ready to be explicit, as men of
integrity ought to be. To your question respecting the
future admission of psedobaptists, we reply. They never
have been refused, nor have we any design to refuse
them. The questions asked them, which you term ' ca
techizing,' are only such as are asked cA'ery member of
whicheA'er persuasion he be, and such as were asked
you : and till we are convinced they are wrong, we must
continue the practice ; always, however, disavoAving any
partiality to either side, or the least inconsistency with
the principles on which this church is founded. As for
the matter being brought into the pulpit, Mr. H. for
himself declares that he cannot, consistently with his
duty to his Master in heaven, submit to the smallest
shackle on his conscience : he will (as he has done) make
it his study to avoid giving offence to any, and to pro-

142 LIFE OP THE REV, J. HINTON. Ivart ii.
mote the happiness of all committed to his charge ; aild
he Avill feel himself at any time obliged by the personal
and candid advice of his friends. On this point the
church haA'e unanimously declared, that they fully approA'e
his resolution ; and that, if he would submit to have any
rule imposed upon him, they could not in conscierice
agree to it. The church, not only in this last article,
but in the whole of Avhat has passed, have expressed their
approbation of their pastor without a dissentient A'oice.
The whole church, and particularly the minister and
deacons, declare that they hold themselves in readiness
to be reconciled to Mr. — , on any terms that conscience
and a love for the interest of Christ will permit : and if,
after all, he refuses every proposal of reconciliation,
the consequences must lie at his own door.' <
Peace was thus achicA'cd, nor upon this point was it
ever afterwards disturbed. For the most part, when be
had occasion to administer the ordinance, he felt it his
duty to advert to the subject at home ; and though it was
always a delicate task, and some years afterwards he com
plains that he could not escape censure, cither from
baptists or psedobaptists, it is a great pleasure to state,
that the uneasy feeling (whatever be its name) gradually
declined, and that, at the close of his life, it was nearly
or wholly extinct— a happy result, favoured, without
doubt, not only by a cordial union in the promotion of a
common cause, but by a growing acquaintance with
mutual excellencies, and an assured possession of mutual,
esteem. And the spirit he cherished Avas certainly adapted
to conciliate the affection of those from whom he dif
fered. The diversity of opinion occasioned not the
smallest variation in the expression of his christian regard.
When psedobaptist members were added to the church,
they AA'ere received with no defective cordiality : and when

CHAP 111,^ CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 143
consulted (as he frequently was) by inquirers on the sub
ject of baptism, he took no advantage of the influence
he might possess, but gave advice, of which the follow
ing sentences forming a conclusion of a letter to a young
friend of this class, may be taken as a fair example.
' Blessed be God, his word is plain : there learn his Avill,
and act according to its dictates. I seriously entreat
that, though according to your request I haA'e dropped
these lines, they may not weigh one straw with your
mind. Approve yourself only to God.'
Ofthe small number who were added to the church as
psedobaptists, several AA'ere afterwards baptized on the
the profession of their faith ; a step for which no rea
son can be assigned but the conviction of their own
minds. In full and most cordial fellowship with the
church, subject to neither word nor look that could dis
turb their peace, believers' baptism could make no ap
peal to them on any ground but the authority of the
Lord Jesus Christ. But, on the other hand, their change
of sentiment was unimpeded. They had no strong and
endearing ties to break, no influence to resist, no con
nexions to dissoh'e : they had only to discoA'er and to
obey the will of their Lord. Does not the case shew how
well the truth may be left to find its own way ; and
how fearlessly we may confide to the love of Christ all
that he designed to effect, without superadding motives
of a very different kind ? Does it not shew, in fact, that
the exclusive system, by placing obstacles in the way
of an actual change, retards the progress of truth, and
impedes the operation of principle ?
The church at Oxford was formed on the plan of
mixed communion, a system to which its pastor acceded-
npon conA'iction: aud if his decision iuA'olved 'a choice
of difficulties,' it is no more than many theological

144 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. Ipartii.
questions (and many not theological) do to a greater
degree. He had no hesitation, no scruple of conscience,
upon the subject. Among the numerous baptists added
to the church, it might have been supposed that some
would be desirous of a change in this respect; and one,
but only one, was found of this class. He was told
that neither pastor nor deacons were at all inclined to
bring such a measure forAvard, and that, if he Tvished it,
he must propose it to the church himself: he did so,
and finding none to countenance him, he departed, not
in a lovely spirit indeed, but one which, however cha
racteristic of the man, is not necessarily so of the cause
he had undertaken to plead.
For nearly ten years the general acceptableness of Mr.
Hinton's ministry was not marred by any material dis
satisfaction ; and if occasionally a complaint Avas heard,
it came from persons whose judgment was little re
spected, and whose influence was scarcely perceptible.
In July 1794 he Avrites thus : ' Very calm and happy.
Enabled to leave the church (which some attempt to
disturb) and my ministiy (which some much despise)
in the hands of a merciful and covenant keeping God.
He is ncAcr cruel but ever kind. Accept my poor
services, and pardon all my faults 1 On the 8th of Au
gust, the following occurs among ' subjects for thank
fulness :' ' The little impression made on the harmony
of the church by some attempts to disturb it. Yet there
is danger, and I commit my dear people to Israel's
keeper ; determining, by grace, not to be surprised or
cast down, though some of them should deal unkindly.'
At length the opposition to his ministry began to wear
a more serious aspect; and an cA-ent Avhich brought
matters to a crisis, made it apparent that his mind had

CHAP, in] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 145
been considerably wrought upon by various causes of
uneasiness. Dr. Samuel Stennett, pastor of the bap
tist church in Little Wild Street, London, died in the
autuirin of 1795; and communications were made to
Mr. Hinton respecting the occupation of the vacant
pulpit. He was thus led, of course, to take an enlarged
view of his actual situation, and the sketch he drew for
his own satisfaction remains among his papers. It is as
follows ; presenting first the reasons Avhich enforced his
removal. ' 1. I cannot be free in my ministry without giving of-'
fence : the congregation is of so mingled a nature that
I find it impossible to escape censure, either from bap
tists or psedobaptists, from dissenters or friends of the
establishment. There is also a great dislike of solid or
practical preaching. 2. 1 am not duly assisted in my work
by the officers of the church, especially in visiting the
members, &c. ; nor by any of my friends in attempting
to spread the gospel. 3. There is universal discontent
and complaint at my not visiting my flock, when (being
obliged to labour for my bread) I am not able do it. 4. I
am spending the prime of my life without being able to
add at all to the furniture of my mind, or even almost to
write a letter to a friend ; so that all my purposes are
broken off before they are well formed. My occupation
exhausts my spirits, hurts my temper, and injures my
soul : and there is no reasonable prospect of its being
otherAvise, since, in nine years, no addition has been
made to my salary, or what has been made has been en
tirely lost by the remoA-al of the funds. 5. With all my
exertions I am not able, through Mrs. Hinton's illness,
to support my family comfortably ; and a family so large
as mine will not — cannot — be happy or prosperous with
out her superintendance. It is absolutely necessary, if I
L

146 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON, [part ii.
hope for her health or even her life, to find some means
of relieving her from the fatigue Avhich such a numerous
family daily brings upon her. 6. 1 have observed with
pain, a strange readiness among many of my people to
embrace every appearance of opposition to my ministry :
and though, by the kindness of providence all have (till
now) been ineffectual to distract the church, this dispo
sition has shewn itself on the most trifling occasions,
and not only to myself, but to my brethren. Besides the
opposition Avhich now exists, my mind has been wound
ed, and my ministerial character calumniated to a very
great degree : and not less than eight or ten of the mem
bers, and many of the hearers, countenance publicly the
unchristian treatmenf 1 have receiAcd. Several of my dear
est young friends have latterly left my ministry wholly,
and others have done so in part, so that my peace is
broken and my mind discouraged. 7- I cannot con
ceive it my duty (as a christian minister) to countenance,
or unite with, those Avho publicly declare me to be no
minister of Christ, and to be entirely destitute of Chris
tianity ; and, as it seems the wish of many of my people
to do so, I am unwilling to counteract their desire, or to
be an obstacle to such a union. I therefore think it
may be better for some other person to succeed me,
against whom no prejudice has been taken, and who
perhaps may have abilities and views more calculated to
give satisfaction, and to promote the interest of Christ ;
while the great Head of the church may have appointed
me a situation more suited, in every respect, to my hap
piness, and to the promotion of his glory.'
Against these particulars he then arrays the considera
tions which forbade the contemplated change. He says,
' 1. 1 have been useful, and am still so. 2. I possess
the affections of the youth of the congregation. 3. I

chap, in.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY, 147
possess also the real esteem of the majority of the
church and of the hearers. 4. Some of my friends
would be much grieved, and placed in considerable dis
tress by my removal. 5. I fear that (all things consi
dered) the congregation would not soon be settled with
a successor. 6. The country around Oxford, is almost
barren of the gospel, and many plans just begun must
fall to the ground. 7- Though 1 hope I am conscious of
disinterested views, it may be difficult to convince the
world or the church that I am actuated by them. 8. I
much fear the gaiety of London professors would not
suit my disposition.'
In noticing the materials which this paper contains
for the history of the preceding years, it will not be ne
cessary to recur to the embarrassments arising from dif
ference of opinion on the subject of baptism : we ad
vert, therefore, to the collision between dissenters and
friends of the establishment. In the early period of hi.s
ministry, Oxford (less favoured than it has since been)
had no episcopal pulpit in which evangelical sentiments
were constantly delivered ; and it is not surprising that,
among those to whom this feature of his preaching Avas
attractive, there should have been some persons warmly
attached to the church. These hearers it was on all
accounts his desire to conciliate, so far as it was not
sinful becoming "all things to all men," that he might
evade the prejudices by Avhich the avenues to the heart
were obstructed : and with this view particularly he
modified the devotional part of the evening service,
throwing it very much into the style of the liturgy, fre
quently introducing passages from it, and uniformly
concluding Avith the Lord's prayer. Nothing Avas farther
from his wish, or from that of his friends, than to say
any thing disrespectful of the English hierarchy. Had

14S LII^ OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part ii.
he been wholly unfettered, he would never have ex
ceeded a calm statement of the plain truths upon which
dissent is founded. That he should have wished— that
he should have been urged— to do this, was surely not
unnatural ; but the temper of the congregation would
never bear it. The church-people knew nothing of the
principles of dissent ; it was, in their judgment, identi
cally ' the sin of schism,' which they did just practically
overlook, but of Avhich they could hear no vindication.
Their attachment to the establishment was the result
of early impulse and rooted habit, rather than of en
lightened inquiry and conscientious preference : and of
all kinds of affection this is the most sensitive. The
calmest statement, almost the remotest allusion, was
considered as a demonstration of hostility, and, as such,
was tin unpardonable offence. In these circumstances,
it was perhaps impossible that he should escape censure,
' either from dissenters or friends of the establishment :'
^ut be was by no means over anxious to do so ; he con
sulted the interests of the kingdom of Christ and the
good of souls, and determined to avoid every thing
(though it involved the sacrifice of some desirable ends)
by which this paramount object might be injured. That
he acted wisely the course of his life has already shewn ;
it will doubtless appear more fully at the great revealing
day. The reader will not fail to remark the mischicA'Ous in
fluence which the schoolhad on his ministerial comfort.
There are certainly aspects in which, if a minister must
labour for his bread, tuition is an eligible employments
let no churches, however, cherish the very serious mis
take that it is in itself desirable, or think that it can be
adopted Avithout material evils. To bis last day the sub
ject of these pages most deeply regretted its necessity,

chap, iii.J CONGRJEGATIONAL HISTORY. 149
•as a lamentable obstruction to pastoral engagements,
and mo inconsiderable injury to pulpit preparation. The
people were gradually reconciled to these things : but
the mischief they are adapted to produce may be truly
estimated from the fact, that for so long period they ex
cited ' uniA'ei^sal discontent and complaint.'
The opposition to his ministry, Avhich Avas at this
time very considerable, Avas excited chiefly by hostility to
tiis doctrinal views. No man could be more thoroughly
evangelical, or more soundly calvinistic ; but false Cal
vinism, or rather antinomianism, Avas required by the
discontents. They could not endure invitations ad
dressed generally to the lost, or exhortations to those
who were " dead in trespasses and sins ;" nor had
they any comfort in dwelling on the obligation of the
moral laAV on believers, or in tracing the connexion be
tween duty and privilege in christian experience. There
was, howcA'cr, one point of a different description — Aiz.
a precise plainness of dress — on which great stress was
laid by the dissatisfied persons, and very little by their
jpastor ; and the reader who knows much of human na
ture will not be surprised that, on this ground, the hos
tility was the most violent. But there was nothing at
all unusual in the manner in which they treated him.
If they arrogantly sat in judgment, and pronounced him
to be neither a minister nor a disciple of Christ ; if, by
malicious insinuations and unmeasured scurrility, they
endeavoured to draw away hearers and members, and
especially the young and unwary — it is only what such
principles have always produced : and when it is other
wise, men may "gather grapes of thorns and figs of
thistles." He sometimes met v^'ith personal abuse, by
which he was much tried ; but his, public conduct to
wards his enemies Avas eminently riiild and dignified. It

150 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iii
was his rule to preach as though no such men existed,
and in all respects to " let them alone," unless, indeed,
they were in distress, when no man was more forward
to administer relief. The discontents were not all mem
bers of the church under his care, nor even residents in
the city. Some lived at a village several miles distant,
and, together with one living in Oxford, were mem
bers of the baptist church in  , from which quarter
the most formidable opposition arose. The pastor of
that society entered warmly into the consideration of the
supposed doctrinal and practical heresies prevailing in
his neighbourhood, and sent a person under his imme
diate countenance, to establish a separate congregation,
and to effect the removal of so pernicious an instructor.
This was the opposition existing at the close of 1795:
it had more appearance of stability than any previous
attempt ; and was the more discouraging because many
of the people, it appears, wished to regard it as a sister
church. That, in the state of things described, he should be
disposed to entertain a distant call, Avas by no means
wonderful : his views, however, were far from being
principally directed to an increase of personal or domes
tic comfort. Jan. 23, 1796, he thus writes ; ' Favoured,
1 trust, with much communion Avith God : and, after
much anxiety and fear lest I should think or act wrong,
especially with regard to the great question of removing
from Oxford, which lies very heaA'y on my mind, I have
(blessed be God) found great liberty and sweetness in
committing this concern to his hands, with what may
be (as far as human creatures can do any thing perfect)
a perfect resignation to his \^'ill, and making his glory
my great and sole aim.'
It has been stated that a removal to Vv'ild Street was

CHAB, HI.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 151
brought under Mr. Hinton's consideration : but it is
not intended to say that a call Avas given by the church,
nor is there evidence of any communication having been
officially made on the subject. The business Avas con
ducted confidentially. ' Seventeen principal gentlemeji'
of the congregation sent messages, and circulated reports,
to ascertain all that they desired to know. They were
doubtless honourable men : but their mode of proceeding
added greatly to the difficulty of the case. In Januai-y
1796 he supplied the pulpit for two Sabbaths, and in
February he felt it necessary to Avrite to a friend who had
encouraged his intimacy, as follows.
' Dear Madam,
' Since my return from London, and especially with
in the past week, a report has been industriously cir
culated among all my people that I am speedily about
to leave them. It is easy to account for the rise of such
a report, and no wonder that conjecture should abun
dantly supply the Avant of real information. However
slight its foundation may be (and very slight indeed it
is) the report has become very interesting to me, both
as a minister and a tutor, and I have reason to believe
it will do me very considerable injury in both capacities ;
in the former, by lessening the respect and affection of my
people, and in the latter, by preventing my friends from
sending their boys to one who is thought to be an unsettled
man. On both these accounts it is my duty to guard against
its influence ; and yet it is difficult so to speak as to avoid
the charge of inconsistency. Your friendship, madam, de
manded my confidence, and when in town I disclosed
to you the whole of my mind. It has not since that
time materially altered : but, as I have heard nothing
from the people of Wild Street, 1 think it probable, ei
ther that they have no design to give me an invitation.

152 LIFE OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part ii.
or that they are not likely to come to such a decision as
would at all justify me in thinking any further on the
business. In this case I shall certainly commend them,
since I am sincerely sensible how inadequate I am to
such a charge ; I shall also" assure my people and my
distant friends that I have not any view of a removal :
and the sooner this is done, on all accounts the better.
You will easily perceive that I wish for some informa
tion (though. not from the church as a body) on this
subject: and I Avill thank you to communicate as a
friend what you know.'
Private messages Avere afterwards sent, an answer to
one of which remains, very cautiously framed, and bear
ing date March 15. It appears probable that the ne-
gociations (if such existed) were terminated by Mr.
Hinton's resolution to remain at Oxford, which was
communicated to his people on the 27th of the same
month : but we cannot pass over these proceedings
Avithout obsei'A'ing their tendency — assuredly not their
design — to embarrass his situation. To circulate re
ports that a minister is about to remove, before he has
CA'en been invited, may be policy ; it may be policy too,
to lead him to commit himself by official answers (for
he cannot assume a private character) to unofficial mes
sages, which do not commit the church ; but it is not
kindness, it is not justice : nor is it easy to conceive
why any church, desirous to maintain a character for
either, should be unwilling to adopt the only plan by
Avhich a minister can aA'oid destroying the comfort of
one situation, while he contemplates the remote possi
bility of another. i
During the period which he took for the consideration
of this subject, a most powerful and gratifying effect was
produced on the minds of his people. Their affection for

CHAP, in,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 163
their minister, which had perhaps in some measure been
latent, Avas strongly excited, and it was expressed, not
only in word, but in deed ; for additional subscriptions to
the amount of thirty pounds per annum Avere immedi
ately obtained. Thus was his income augmented for the
first time, and raised from sixty to ninety pounds ; even
now no large sum for a man with a rising family. He
was most powerfully moved, however, by the attach
ment of his flock, and the prospect of usefulness ; and
after morning service on the 27th of March, his reso
lution Avas announced. It is thus noticed in his diary :
' At the end of this sermon I delivered to my people my
determination to continue my labours among them, Avhich
was received with much pleasure. This important af
fair has much occupied my mind for three months. I
remark respecting it : — I. That the idea of a removal
Avas by no means my own seeking, not even in the most
indirect manner. 2. That God enabled me from the
first to hold my mind open to every intimation of his
will, and made me sincerely, and above all things, de
sirous to know how and where I might most effectually
promote his gloi'y. 3. That he has graciously answered
ray prayer, by making it plainly appear to be my duty
to remain at Oxford, and by uniting me to my people,
and them to me, in closer bonds of affection than ever.'
Although the opposition to his ministry had drawn
away several hearers and members, it appears never to
have sensibly diminished his audience. The ' new in
terest' is described as ' rising, not out of the ruins, but
out of the overflowings of the old :' it was therefore the
less occasion of discouragement. His usefulness had, in
fact, ' exceeded the most sanguine expectations of all
parties :' to which it is to be added, that the appearances
of stability about the separate congregation were not of

154 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
long continuance, so that this cause of uneasiness was
soon entirely removed. The failure of this ' unchristian
opposition' was attended with circumstances highly cha
racteristic. The leader who had been selected did not
long give satisfaction to the discontented party ; not that
he was at all deficient in announcing bis own pretensions
as the only preacher of the gospel, or in reviling others;
but there was about him, notwithstanding, too mUch of
serious godliness. In a few Avecks they began to use
him A'ery unkindly, and, instead of remunerating him for
his labours, the brother with whom be had lodged de
tained him for payment. In his distress, he was reduced
to the necessity of petitioning the charity of the veiy
persons he had been reviling; and Mr. Hinton immedi
ately raised a subscription for his relief. After this dis
appointment, the minister at  continued to
exercise an uncomfortable, though a fruitless interfe
rence, until a letter was officially sent- from the church
at Oxford, expressing their cordial approbation and deter
mined support of their pastor. In referring to this cir
cumstance he says, " The day has been considerably dis
turbed by haA'ing a meeting to confirm the letter sent to
 : yet many instructive lessons 1 hope I have learned
by this unpleasant business, and I bless God that it is
settled so much to the honour of my people and my mi
nistry.' It is delightful to be able to conclude this ac
count by stating, not merely that hostility ceased, but that
misconception and estrangement of heart Avere removed :
the excellent Mr. — subsequently cherished for the sub
ject of this memoir, a most cordial esteem, and an un
interrupted intercourse of kindness was maintained till
his death.
. The manner in which he personally treated the com
plainants may appear by a few passages from a letter,

CHAP, ni,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 155
by which (it is believed) a long correspondence on the
subjects at issue was terminated. ' I have been grieved
because the minds of some haA'e been wounded by your
speaking ill of preaching and preachers, a practice which,
in your letter, you avow in strong and (it appears to me)
very improper language. It breathes a spirit Avhich you
never learned at the feet of Christ : I hope you will lose
it there. If you attend Avithout prejudice, you will
find, I believe, that Christ is preached in all the glory of
his person, righteousness. Spirit, commands, and exam
ple : and, as you say you find many things to approA'e,
I hope you will not be hasty to censure what may not
be quite agreeable to your taste ; for you are but young,
and may in time see more of the glory of " the whole
counsel of God," of which you know as yet but a small
part. It is my desire, not to please irien, but God,
" who trieth the heart;" and I earnestly pray that,
whenever you attend my ministry, you may be free from
every thing but a wish to know and feel the power of
divine truth, and to follow its holy precepts. ... In the ar
ticle of dress, I wish to learn what is really the will of
my Lord, . . . and I charge you never to say again, nor to
allow it to be said without contradicting it, that I suffer
my people to dress as they please, without directing
them to the commands of Christ. If you say, or encou
rage this to be said again, you will be found a false ac
cuser. . . .It is very unbecoming a babe in Christ to assume
the office of judging gospel professors. " Judge not,
that ye be not judged," is our Lord's command. I had
much rather hear that you suspect yourself. I intreat
you, in the fear of God, not to be quite sure that you are
one of a very few ' highly favoured ones,' with whom
alone Avisdom and piety dwell. " A haughty spirit com
eth before a fall." Christ is our Lord and our judge.

156 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [pabt,ii,
not you : and we rejoice that we, have a wise, a kind,
and a gracious Master, who AA'ill not trust Avith you the
keys of heaven and of hell. O what a mercy to thou
sands 1 . . . Let there be no strife. Let us remember there
is opposition enough in the world. I can pledge myself
there will be none on our part, if there be none on yours.
When we differ in little things (for such must be the
mere shape- of a hat or a coat) let us pass by these, and
rejoice in a common likeness to Christ. And Avhen you
find any profited by hearing, help them, do not hinder
and gricA'C them. I will tiy to say every thing kind of
you and of  people. Without Ioa'c (Paul says) zeal is
as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. O how much
good might we do with hearts united 1 And we may be of
one heart, as we are in all great things of one opinion. . . .
As far as I can give satisfaction to my hearers, and also
satisfy my conscience towards God, I sincerely wish to
do it : but never, never, never must I, however you may
Avish it — never will I, God helping me — alter one word
of my message, to gratify the corrupt taste of man. I
must preach, whether you will hear or not, the duties as
well as the doctrines taught by the Son of God. . . .While
you attempt to " cause divisions contrary to the doc
trines we haA-e learned," I am determined to " avoid "
you : but now you say you wish the breach to be healed,
I rejoice, and I hope all discord will cease. I trust you
are really in earnest and hearty in your professions, be
cause it would gricA'c me to be deceived. You shall
dress just as your conscience directs you, and so Avill I and
my people. We impose nothing, on you, nor must you
impose any thing on us : but we must love and help
one another, and hope to go peaceably to heaven toge
ther. On these terms, and on these alone, I wish to be an
acquaintance and companion. I propose to bui-y all

CHAP. Ill,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY, 157
that is past, and never to revive it. If you refuse my
proposal, and any more strife occurs, heaven and earth
shall witness that you are the cause of it, and will be
answerable for it at the great day. . . .You say you are de
termined to bear your testimony against my conduct.
If God be for me, this can do me no harm. You vi'ill
groAv wiser as you groAV older : only I should like to see
you willing to be taught, before you teach others. " Be
fore honour is humility." If, after all, you should go on
wilfully to misrepresent the conduct of ministers and
people with whom you have no connexion, I shall still
fear you are influenced by a very unchristian spirit, and
shall only say, " The Lord rebuke thee." '
A period of great comfort and prosperity now ensued.
The more active co-operation of the officers of the
church in endeavours for its good is marked by scAcral
notices in the diary; and the increase of the congrega
tion was so considerable, as to suggest the necessity of
enlarging the place of worship. This measure was contem
plated about the middle of 1797- On the 8th of October
he preached from the Avords, " We will rise and build ;"
and on the following day a pubfic meeting was held for
the consideration of the design, when it was unani
mously and cordially determined on. The case submitted
to the public states that, ' for nearly two years previously,
many had stood during the whole service, and not a few
had been unable to gain admittance at all.' The old
place seated not more than two hundred and fifty persons :
the new one was adapted for five hundred. The building
AA'as commenced at the beginning of the year 1798, and was
opened on the 16th of August. It is thus noticed in the
diary. 'The new meeting-house opened. A prayer meet
ing in the vestry from seven till nine in the morning :

158 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
a very happy season, and an anticipation, I trust, of
many more. Public service at eleven : preachers Mr.
Hughes—" Will God in very deed dwell with man on
the earth ?"— and Dr. Ryland— i" I will glorify the house
of my glory." Public service again at six in the even
ing; preacher Mr. Cooke — "I never said to the seed of
Jacob, Seek ye me in vain." All very excellent sermons,
and uncommon life and cheerfulness of spirit seemed
to pervade the assembly. I do indeed hope the Lord
was with us of a truth.' Upon this occasion (as gene-'
rally upon similar ones) the ministers and friends dined
together ; and a very successful effort was made to avoid
the unrestrained private converse, which too often ren
ders a public dinner as disagreeable as an hour or two
of noise and confusion can well be. A question of prac
tical utility was proposed ; and the memorandums whicli
are preserved contain so much of excellent and import
ant remark, as fully to evince the devotional spirit which
prevailed, and the readiness with Avhich it was expressed.
The question was, ' What are the best cA'idences of spi
ritual prosperity in a christian society ?'
The place of worship now built was neat and conve
nient, but by no means handsome : as much use as pos
sible was made of the old materials, and the pulpit was
retained exactly in its original state, only the entrance
from behind being new. Even in its external appearance,
however, great improvement was effected, especially by
throwing it open to the public road : for the space in
front, now used as a burying ground, had been , pre
viously occupied by a line of very old and irregular
houses, a narrow passage only being left on the western
side for access to the meeting-house. At this period
these buildings were removed, and the present avenue
was formed.

CHAP. III.] CONGREGAflONAL HISTORY. 159
The expense of the new place of Avorship was nearly
seven hundred pounds, towards which the people raised
about three hundred, and to assist in liquidating the re
maining debt, their pastor was obliged to appeal ' to the
religious public' His first journey for this purpose was
undertaken in September the same year, and is noticed
in his diary in a manner with which the reader is already
familiar ; as if, in the anticipation that he should neA'er
return, he was contemplating a final separation. ' I am
now setting off for Birmingham, under a conviction that it
is my duty, though it is unpleasant to leave my family.
O may the presence and protection of the most high
God be with me, and give me success ! My dear flock
I commit to the care of the great Head of the church. But
ah! wherewill they find, in this scarcity of ministers, a pas
tor, Avise, faithful, judicious, and zealous: firm and yet
candid ; ardent and yet meek ; neither despising nor
relying on human learning: one who can unite various
tempers, tastes and opinions ; be respectable in the
world, humble and simple in the church, and in all faith
ful to God ! And yet their present pastor is deficient in
all. God can send them one, every way better qualified
to carry on his work. His holy will be done, and his
name be glorified for ever and ever ! Amen.' For the
flock whose welfare was thus dear to his heart, he was dili
gent and importunate in his solicitations. His return after
a week's absence he thus records. ' Arrived safely at
home after a fatiguing, but, I thank God, a pleasant and
prosperous journey ; especially so to the temporal in
terests of my flock, for the Lord has given me favour
in the eyes of the people, Avho have largely contributed
to defray the expense attendant on our building.' The
last Aveek in December he visited Fairford, Cirencester
and Bourton on the Water. He set out again imme-

160 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
diately for Coventry, Leicester, Buckingham, and Ban
bury, during which journey he notices the intensity of
the cold, Avhich Avas Acry remarkable that year, and a
merciful deliA'crance Avhen the coach was OA'erturned.
He spent afterwards a week in London : and, at the
conclusion of his toils he Avrites, 'Returned home safe,
after an absence of nearly fiA'e Aveeks almost Avithout
intermission. Blessed be God Avho has kept my life in
the midst of death, and given mc uncommon success in
my several visits, inclining the hearts of his people
to be kind to me and to my flock.' In the summer of
1799, his health Avas so much impaired that he Avns
unfit for journeying : but, in the depth of winter, ho
returned to his labour, and visited Nottingham, Sheeps-
head, Leicester, Kettering, and Olney, afterwards taking
Reading in his Avay to Loudon.
When in health, he possessed a high flow of spirits ;
and this circumstance greatly contributed to the facility
Avith which he acquitted himself of this disagreeable
duty: it bore him through all fatigues with unfailing
cheerfulness. But on his return, he felt the effects of
his toils like other men. Having come home from his
five weeks journey on Friday night, he complained very
naturally on the Saturday — ' My mind is very much dissi
pated, and unfit for study :' and with a VA'atchful jealousy,
if not a pious scrupulosity, he added, ' Obliged to take
old sermons. God forgive the leanness and poverty of
my soul !' He was, hoAA'cver, far from imbibing a wan
dering spirit, or cherishing the dissipated state of mind
which travelling tends to produce. He returned with
pleasure to his Avork, and discovered unabated interest
in the spiritual welfare of his charge. ' I am very glad,*
he writes, ' to be \\'ith my own flock, aud bless God

CHAP. III.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 161
they are not scattered. I find the labours of my young
brother, Mr. Trotman' (then a student at Bristol, and
since of Tewkesbury, Avho had supplied his pulpit during
his absence) 'have been generally acceptable, and I ear
nestly pray God they may be found useful.'

M

CHAP. IV.
Congregational History continued.
DURING the period immediately succeeding the en
largement of the meeting-house, the state of Mr.
Hinton's mind was exceedingly fervent. To such a de
gree, indeed, was this the case that (as he himself said) his
heart was continually preaching ; and, Avhenever he could
escape from the school to spend a few minutes in the
walks, his feelings approached even to rapture, thoughts
flowing in upon him faster than he could give them utter
ance. The following extract from the diai-y of a fiiend
already referred to, gives a pleasing view of his pulpit
exercises at this period. ' 1800. July 14. To day Mr.
Hinton finished a set of sermons on the messages to the
seven churches of Asia. They have been close, faithful,
and affectionate addresses, as from a AA'atchful pastor to
the people of his charge. They contained much histori
cal information, and a few critical remarks ; many awful
warnings and animating addresses, lively representations
of what christian churches ought to be, and close appli
cations to the consciences of men in all stations.' In a
letter to Mr. Pearce of this date he says, ' I hope you
hear the promise and experience its fulfilment, " Lo, I
am with you alway." I have been favoured in public
exertions since I saw you : but O that I had more pri
vate devotion— <rMe devotion ; and that I could in pub
lic forget self for ever, and think only of Him whom I
serve, and who alone deserves the admiration of those I

CHAP, iv] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 163
address !' Nor was it well with himself alone. Noticing
in his diary an evening spent with the deacons, he adds,
' I thank God, we found the state of the church matter
for praise.' Frequent mention occurs, also, of conver
sations held with candidates and inquirers ; and on one
occasion he says, ' May God send me many such visi
tors. It is pleasant and, I hope, useful employ.'
It has already been stated that his health was seriously
affected in the summer of 1799, and in the spring of the
following year it was still so much impaired as materially
to impede his ministerial labours : there was, indeed, so
little prospect of his being able fully to resume them, that
it was judged necessary to provide an assistant, and mea
sures were accordingly taken for this purpose. How near
these circumstances lay to his heart will appear by a refer
ence to his diaiy. ' 1800. Feb. 18. This CA'cning there was
a meeting of friends at the vesti-y, who subscribed liberally
to procure an assistant preacher : blessed be God. I trust
it is in answer to many prayers that he would send me aid
in my ministerial work, and afford me heart and time
for private communion with himself. 23. A second
Sabbath I am prevented from speaking in the name of
the Lord, or nearly so, having only addressed my dear
people a few moments a,t the end of a sermon delivered by
Mr. Raban : yet I have cheerful hope that this suspen
sion of my labours will be but temporary, and that I
shall not die, but Yive, and declare the works of the
Lord. My mind is dull in a considerable degi-ee : it has
calmness and resignation, but it much needs life and ac
tivity. March 2. Favoured to day with liberty to preach
once more to my beloved flock, and was much affected
in addressing them from Titus i. 1—3. I pray God it
may not be without effect. I have ardently desired, and
hoped, that it may prove the conversion of some soul. I
m2

164 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part. ii.
thank God. I have been very comfortable, both in private
and public.'^ About the end of April the pulpit was
supplied by Mr. Morgan, previously a student at Bristol
and noAA' of Birmingham, who continued his aid till his
acceptance of a distant call in the spring of 1801, when
the subject of our narrative, whose health was consider-.
ably impjoved, was again alone. On the commence
ment of a journey in June 1802, contemplating (as usual)
the possibility of his death, he expresses his ardent af-*
fection for his people in the following manner, suggested
pyobably by existing circumstances. 'May God send to
my dear flock a pastor after his own heart ! I entreat
them to follow that spirit of meekness, forbearance, and
constant regard to the Redeemer's interest in preference
to their own vicAvs, of which I have for fifteen years past
endeavoured to set them an example. I trust to meet
them, vei-y many of them, as my joy and crown in the
day of the Lord Jesus.'
From the year 1803, a more complete record of Mb,
Hinton's ministerial life, is afforded by the letter annually
sent to the Association of baptist churches in Oxford
shire and the adjacent counties, of which an account will
hereafter be given : we shall here present to the reader
the principal passages relating to this department of thie
work, adding such information as other sources may af
ford. The following sketch of the general state of the
church is taken from the first lettei', in June 1804, and
may be considered as rather below than above the ave
rage prosperity of the period. 'Our congregation lias
generally been very good. The labours of our pastor
have been uninten-upted, and the aid of neighbouring
ministers has enabled us to maintain services too nume
rous for one to discharge, and too important to be laid
aside. These labours in the gospel have not been withi

CHAP. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 165
out some gratifying proofs of a divine power attending
them, both to saints and sinners  We have received
into our communion seven new members, and we have a
pleasing prospect of further additions ; yet our number
of resident members is considerably diminished by the re
moval of many who Avill probably request their dismis
sion. The difficulties peculiar to this place have not
lessened, but were they to increase, we know who hath
Said, " Zion shall not be forgotten of me." We therefore
" thank God, and take courage." '
The assistance of neighbouring ministers referred to
in this extract, Avas connected with peculiar circum
stances, of which it will be proper to give some account.
Among the pious pei-sons i-esident in Oxford was Mr.
Charles Hughes, who, having no family nor any necessitous
relatives, wished to apply his property (which was con
siderable) to the support of the gospel ministiy. In his
last illness, which occurred in 1802, he was conversing
with Mr. Pasco on the subject, and giving him directions
for the preparation of his will, ' ten pounds a year to
 , and ten pounds a year to — ' when he became
suddenly exhausted, and having just added, ' I can't say
any more, you know what I mean,' he expired. No will
having been executed, Mr. Hughes's Avhole property, of
course, belonged to the heir at law; this gentleman,
however, to his great honour, not only consented, but re -
quested that Mr. Pasco would apply it according to the
known intentions of his deceased relative. The sum
thus thrown into his hands Avas ultimately disposed
of in the following manner : ten pounds a year were al
lotted to each of twelve churches near Oxford (including,
however, the Wesleyan congregation in that city) upon
condition that their ministers should supply Mr. Hinton's
pulpit one Sabbath in every year, vvhenever it might be

166 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part h.
required. The relief thus afforded under the infirm
state of his health was very great, and for a while it
rendered the services of a settled assistant unneces-
saiy. The same letter contains also the following passage,
' The duties which our menaced country has demanded
have, we thank God, never interrupted our Sabbaths ;
but they have deprived us of other opportunities of
worship, and we feel great need to be often reminded
that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.' The
reader will have no difficulty in perceiving the reference
which is here made to the volunteer corps, which at this
period were formed in all parts of the kingdom. In this
military sei-vice the Oxford dissenters were extensively en
gaged ; and, although it never encroached on their Sab-.
baths, it materially diminished their attendance on the
intermediate semces, and appears to have considerably
impaired their devotional spirit.
In -the month of September, this year, Mr. Hinton re-*
ceived an invitation, certainly not unattractive, to a dis
tant post; and the manner in which he regarded it
furnishes a new proof of his entire devotedness to the
service of God, and his ardent affection for the people of
his charge. He thus writes in his diary : ' Tliis week I
have received a pressing invitation from the Rev. Mr*
Fawcett of Hebden Bridge, in Yorkshire, to undertake
the care of an infant seminai-y for the purpose of train
ing young men to the ministry. I cannot bear to think
of leaving my people; yet if the will of God were that
1 should, I hope I should submit. But at present it does
not appear to be my duty. Nothing could be a greater
affliction to me than my removal ; except it Avere the de-r
cline of the interest under my care-^that would be much
greater : but I pray God to prevent both  I have

.CHAP, IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 167
requested a meeting of my friends, the deacons of the
church here, to consult what ansAVer I should return ;
and. as I desire to haA'e no will of my own, but to ask of
God, with simplicity and godly sincerity, to giA'e me wis
dom, 1 trust I shall obtain it.' It is scarcely needful to
say that this honourable application was respectfully de
clined. From the letter of 1805, we extract only the follow
ing : ' We cannot help hearing around us a thousand ad
monitions against enthusiasm, and undue ardour of
devotion. We feel, however, that we have no need of
such cautions : and, though we wish for no devotion but
that which truth inspires and knowledge guides, we ear
nestly hope that God will grant us an ardour of mind
more proportionate to the importance of those things
which are most surely believed among us.' For experi
mental piety to be stigmatized as enthusiasm is nothing
uncommon, but in no place, probably, is the stigma so
effective as in Oxford : nor, perhaps, were religious emo
tions of a character so ardent, ever more duly regulated
by a sound and enlightened judgment, than in the sub
ject of these pages.
The letter of 1806 affords the following passage :
' Providence has removed from us, to distant situations,
a considerable number of active and useful members ;
and though we rejoice in their welfare and hope to meet
them in the church above, yet we contemplate with pain
the circumstances in which we are placed, and which
render it necessai-y that the steadfast friends of evange
lical truth should often remove to other situations, in
order to obtain suitable employ. You will make it a
matter of prayer for us, brethren, that the Avord of the
Lord may have a more free course among us, and run and
be glorified. In England, as well as in India, prejudices

168 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
against truth exist, which none but the mighty hand of
God can conquer.' Happily circumstances have changed
since this was written ; there was then, however, but too
much cause for the strong tone here adopted, in re
ference to the difficulties which, in the case of a dis
senter, attended the commencement of business in
Oxford. Their influence was painfully felt in impeding
the settlement of strangers within his circle ; but far more
so in dispersing the children of his own flock. These
are the persons who constitute, in some respects, a mi-"
Ulster's principal and most delightful hope ; whose con
version is longed for with more especial ardour, and
hailed with peculiar joy ; whose early piety and promise
of usefulness cheer his heart when contemplating the
certain, and perhaps not remote, desolations of death ;
who rise into life with all the local and personal attach
ments, the comprehensive knowledge and well formed
habits, to which the future interests of the church may
be most tranquilly confided. Such persons the subject
of this memoir had the happiness of seeing arise under
his ministry, and frequently, but more particularly about
this period, was he grieved to find his hands weakened
by their removal.
In this year his attachment to his people was again
put to the test, by an intimation from some friends con
nected with the baptist church at Cambridge (then des
titute by the resignation of the Rev. Robert Hall, M. A.)
of their wish to propose his acceptance of that situation.
He had already, at their earnest request, spent a consi
derable portion of his Christmas vacation among them.
This was a visit which he felt constrained to pay as ' a
tribute of respect to a friend and tutor, then severely
afflicted ; but it was one which he also greatly dreaded,
through a recollection of the elevated powers by which

CHAP. IV,] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 169
the pulpit had been filled. He found great pleasure in
it, however, notwithstanding his fears; and from the
measure subsequently adopted, it appears that the grati
fication was mutual. His reply to the letter he received,
from which we give an extract, shews at once how pow
erfully he felt the invitation, and on what honourable
grounds he refused it.
' Cambridge has, I confess, many attractions. It is a
seat which literature, liberality and piety jointly occupy.
In the first of these only, is this university equal to yours.
 Yet, after all, this is a post for which divine
providence has in some measure fitted me, and one in
which divine grace has not permitted me to be wholly
unsuccessful. In it I have spent the greater part of my
actiA'e life, with as much happiness as usually falls to the
lot of man. And two reasons induce me decidedly to
prefer it to any other. The first is, that I have many
friends here whom I can never cease to love ; and I can
not tear myself from them without sustaining a shock,
froiri which, however prosperous my future situation
might be, I fear I should hardly recover during the re
mainder of my life. The next, and the conclusive reason,
against which no argument can have any weight, is that
I should not stand justified at the bar of my own con
science in quitting a post, which, if not quite equal
to Cambridge, considering that ours is the only congre
gation of dissenters here, is not far behind it in import
ance. The comparative weakness of the evangelical
interest in and around this city serve only to height
en my attachment, and to prevent me from deserting
it.' The letter to the association the following year refers
with pleasure to the entrance of another of the youth of
bis charge, Mr. Yarnold, noAv of Romsey, Hants, into the

170 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
AA'ork of the ministry. We extract the following : ' The
leading character in the divine dispensations- towards us,
has been of a vei-y solemn and striking nature. Death
has visited many of our families  The greatest loss
which the interest of Christ among us has sustained, is
that of an highly esteemed brother who had been for
twenty-six years a deacon of this church, and had zea
lously laboured for its peace and prosperity. In the
midst of growing usefulness, and surrounded by the
prayers and tears of the Avhole society, he was called to
his etei-nal rest. His dying advice, his generous. care to
promote the gospel, and the high consolations of his de
parting hour, we hope to remember to our spiritual and
everlasting profit.' The deacon whose death is here so af
fectionately recorded, Avas Mr. Pasco, who died on the
first of September 1806, in his fifty-fourth year ; an age
at which a long period of activity might have been an
ticipated. How deeply his pastor felt the bereaA'cment
appears from the following enti-y in his diary : * This has
been a solemn week. On Monday died my dear friend
and brother Mr. Thomas Pasco, aged only fifty-three,
after a very short but triumphant illness. I have felt
much, and have almost sunk beneath the depression of
spirits which this event, and its attendant duties, have oc
casioned : I hope and pray that the succeeding advan
tages to my spiritual interests, and to those of my dear
people, may be great indeed. His death was most tri
umphantly animating." This stroke was the more afflic
tive, because another of the deacons, Mr. Newman, was
now in advanced life, and veiy infirm health ; and the
forebodings of a second bereavement were painfully rea
lized in the following year. The event is thus noticed
in the annual letter. ' Our prosperity has not been un-
riiingled Avith affliction. Death has removed three of our

cBAP.w,] CONGREGATION.\L HISTORY. 171
members : one of whom, the late Mr. Newman, had for
twenty-seven years filled the office of a deacon amongst us.
He served that office well, and procured to himself " a good
degree" of sincere esteem fi'om his fellow chi'istians, to
Avhom he Avas a pattern "in AAord,in conversation, in cha
rity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." We greatly fear the
church Avill long feel the severe loss aa'c have sustained
by his remoA'al." Two additional deacons (Mr. Bartlett
and Mr. Archer) had been chosen several years before ;
but the loss of these excellent men was long and heavily
felt. It is one of the most consolatci-y circumstances
under such bereaA'cments, to find younger men qualified
to fill the vacant station ; and it was as tending to cut
off this hope, that Mr. Hinton more especially regretted
the difficulty of retaining in the bosom of the flock, the
youth whom he had endeavom'ed to train up for useful
ness. Several indications of his anxiety respecting the
filling up of the deacon's office occur in the letters of
following years, and yet more powerful ones in his pri
vate correspondence. He calls it a ' day of trouble ;'
and says, ' I wish I could but find one deacon to supply
the place of the two excellent ones we haAC lost.' And
again, 'Pray God to send me some deacons. We are at a
loss to choose any, yet we greatly need such assistance.'
It Avas not till several years afterwards that this want
was supplied.
Having conducted the narration to this point, it be
comes necessary to bring forward some priA'ate papers
iieferring to the last three or four years, and more fully
discovering the pastor's heart: they are, in fact, ex
pressions of serious dejection, which shall be presented
in Mr. Hinton's own woi-ds, aud be folloAved by a few
observations.

\7i LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. Epartii,
In September, 1804, he records iu his diary that he
was ' much discouraged' in his public AVork, and adds, ' 1
sometimes fear that my usefulness in this city declines.'
At this period, also, he wrote a letter to the deacons,
stating some topics of dissatisfaction, and making spe
cial complaint of an unprofitable ministry on his OAvn
part, and of declining spirituality on the part of the
people. This impression appears not only to have re
mained, but to have gained strength every year, until in
1807, as a last resort, he endeavoured to rouse his most
active deacon aild intimate friend, Mr. Bartlett, by the
following appeal.
' MY DEAR friend,
* To you the import of this communication is nothing
new. You have been familiar Avith trials, and from them
you have learnt sympathy. Our respective concerns,
personal and domestic, in sorrows and in joys, have long
been as one. To this friendship we owe many impor
tant blessings of our lives, and when Ave survey its ef
fects on the tAVO families, each of us may say, ' 1 have
hot lived in vain.* But a higher interest has united us.
Our friendship has been consecrated to the first of all
pursuits, the promotion of religion. As fellow soldiers
in the cause, aa'c have filled a post of difficulty, of ho
nour and of victory. Placed in a city, of Avhich every
street is shaded by a college, and every interest mono
polized by an exalted and powerful hierarchy, we have
contended with the strongest passions and prejudices of
the human mind ; with religious bigotry, with Avoridly
interest, and often with political rancour. God almighty
has adjudged the goodness of our cause ; I trust too,
the purity of our motives. His arm has been our aid;
and help from heaven has made the feeble strong, and
the small one a thousand. The dear interest of my

CHAP, IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 173
pastoral charge has arisen, the joy and AA'onder of many
Avho are themselves honourable in the eye of heaven.
Not to make this surA'ey, or, making it, not to offer a
tribute of praise to Him Avhose gentleness has made us
great — were to incur the charge of ungrateful neglect.
Gloiy to Him in all the church, on whom each part de
pends ! But to sing his praise and then forget his Avorks
has too often indicated a feeble and inconstant piety.
By anxious watchfulness and unremitting care, a church
rises to eminence : immediately it is forgotten that
Avatchfulness more anxious, and care more unremitting,
are necessaiy to sustain a prosperous, than to surmount
an adA'cree day. Hence Capernaum high in privileges,
and Laodicea rich in fancied goodness, grow supine ;
and by that supineness incur the displeasure of heaven,
and rapidly suffer all the evils attendant on self-exalta
tion and declining piety. A building that is raised by
the labour of many years, is rendered useless by the di
lapidations of a few. 1 heartily pray God that the next
tAVO or three years may not see thrown down with us,
what the arduous efforts of twenty years, haAC been em
ployed to raise. Now, my friend, the subject of my
trouble is stated. I think it is far, very far, greater than
a personal or domestic trial. Nor is it without cause
that I ask you, by sharing, to alleviate a burden Avhich,
I confess, is grown too heavy for me to bear, Avithout
feeling a chillness of hope, and a consequent depression
of spirit, in my pastoral labours, which, if some remedy
present not, presages future events of the most un
pleasant nature. The fact is in my owu mind fully de
monstrated, that the church and congregation are far
ther removed from lively and practical piety than
they have ever been since I kncAV them : and after many
serious, solemn, and I may add, vigorous exertions in

174 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
CA'ery direction that the Avisdom afforded me points out,
the evil still continues — nay, it rapidly increases. I con
fess that I sigh, Give me back again my little dwelling
concealed by cottages ; my A'estry-mecting, with twenty
hearty praying members, and thirty more to add the
powerful Amen. These gates of the heart admit the
King of heaven far better than the .splendid gates of
painted iron. Seriously, I mean that an advance in
show is attended Avith a decline in tlie substantial bless..
ings of religion. Say not that I am mistaken, till
you haAre perused the following proofs.' The evils on the
alleged existence of AA'hich this complaint is founded, are
late attendance on divine Avorship, ill conducted singing,
absence of gifted members from prayer meetings, irre
gularity of some at the Lord's table, and irreligious con
nections formed by others, together with a general want
of co-operation in his plans of christian intercourse
and public usefulness. ' Pastoral conversation,' he adds,
* so far as I can carry it, convinces me that tlie state of
religion is A'ery Ioav in their oaa'ii souls.'
It will strike CA'ciy one, that the tone of depression
thus indicated is very strong ; and it will be admitted,
Avithout hesitation, to be in some degree excessive. In
the reply of the deacons to the complaint of ' unprofitable
ministry' in 1804, they say, 'We are of opinion that the
ministry of Mr. Hinton is not only acceptable, but pre
ferred to all others as a stated ministiy ; and Ave humbly
believe that God does not leaA'e us without the tokens of
his presence, both in feeding the members of the church
and in the conversion of sinners.' And the statements al
ready given would justify the application of the same
language to the whole of the period under review. Nor
is it difficult to point out causes from Avhieh undue de
pression may have arisen. Some of them Avere phy-

CHAP. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 175
sical. He Avas constitutionally quick in apprehension
of evil ; a disposition in many respects of the utmost
value, but plainly contributing more to the substan
tial happiness of life, than to its cheerfulness. During
this period, also, his health was much affected, and
his spirits consequently broken : and it is known to be
the tendency of hepatic disease to present the dark side
of things, and even to shed over them occasionally an
unreal gloom ; an effect Avhich, in the case before us,
was aggraA'ated by the crowded cares and harrassing oc
cupations of his life. By these circumstances the com
fort, though not the steadfastness, of his personal reli
gion Avas considerably affected, and the cloud, hoAvcAcr
generated, rested alike on every object. Thus he Avrites
in 1807 : ' My mind is low as to my spiritual concerns. I
am much worn down with constant fatigue in the school,
visiting the sick and dying, &c. beyond my strength,
which accounts for my lovvness in some degree ; and
the enemy always attacks the AA'eak, and often iu a
storm.' If, however, it is admitted, on the one hand, that
the dark side of things receiA'ed some deeper .shades
from the operation of these causes ; it must surely, on
the other hand, be conceded that his discouragement
was not wholly without cause. His complaints are not
indiscriminate, but very much the reverse. They have no
reference to the number of hearers, or to the external
condition of the church ; but, on the contrary, he freely
and gratefully acknowledges its prosperity in this aspect,
while his regret is excited by a vIcav of its internal state,
The evils particularized are not, indeed, among the
greatest which may exist in a christian society, and few
perhaps are altogether free from them. It must never
theless be admitted, that a constant and early attendance

176 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON, [part ii.
on all means of grace, especially on prayer meetings,
and a prompt endeaA'our to conduct with propriety the
praises of the sanctuary,* together with a Avilling sepa
ration from the worid, and a cheerful co-operation in all
efforts of usefulness, are among the most pleasing indi
cations of a lively people. This letter stands as a me
morial of Mr. Hinton's elevated views of Avhat a church
of Christ ought to be, and of bis ardent desire that his
beloved flock should realize them. He was thankful for
their external prosperity, but not contented with it : his
prayer to God was for their spiritual welfare. And
while the heart of an affectionate pastor is thus opened,
it will be well if professors in general should learn how
many anxieties, of which they know nothing, are felt by
those who watch over their souls, and how great dis
couragements arise from the existence of evils lightly
thought of, and, alas ! though easily remedied, heedlessly
and tenaciously perpetuated.
The, letters to the association, although by no means
affording an opportunity for the full utterance of his
* Mr. Hinton was not fond of ornamental singing in divine worship;
he desired only that it should be so conducted as not to impede the devo
tion of the pious, nor to provoke the ridicule of the profane. He loved
grave and simple music, in which the people generally could unite : but
no congregation can sing well without a guide, and the want of a leader
was his complaint. This defect was soon afterwards supplied by the late
lamented Mr. John Bartlett, jun. ; a young man, whose name cannot be.
mentioned without adding a most affectionate testimony to his estimable
character, aud his early, but, alas ! shortlived usefulness. He was
snatched away from an affectionate family and the opening prospects of
life, by a catastrophe unusually solemn and afflictive. With a party of
friends, among whom was the object of his affections, he was exploii.9g
the keep of Oxford castle, when, in a dark subterraneous chamber, he fell
into an excavation about five and twenty feet in depth : the bones of the
ancle were both dislocated and broken by the fall, and, after lingering a
few days, he expired.

CHAP. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 177
feelings, had contained many passages of dcA'out humi
liation and regret, Avhich AA'ere put into the lips of his
people, doubtless with a view to cherish the sentiments
expressed in their name; and those immediately follow
ing this period partake of a similar character. Thus, in
1809: ' In presenting to our brethren a brief account of
the last tweh'e months, we feel our spirits considerably
depressed, and what we have to communicate will ex
cite sympathy rather than congratulation. , . r. . To haAC
our numbers lessened every year by death is painful,
but it is infinitely more so to review the ravages which
gin has made amongst us. This enemy has broken
down the fences of Zion, and defaced the beauty of
some that once appeared as pleasant plants in the vine
yard of God. Long A\'e admonished (perhaps too long)
and waited, in hope of seeing these declining professors
restored to their former fruitfulness : but at length we
were compelled to the painful task of separatiftg them
from our fellowship  Some of our members are not
so steady in their attendance on divine ordinances as a
regard to the authority of Christ and their own spiritual
Welfare demand : and we have reason to fear lest by some
means their minds should be beguiled from the simpli
city of the truth as it is in Jesus ; lest they should fail
to combine with just ideas of the freedom and sove
reignty of divine grace a due regard to the preceptive au
thority of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the sanctifying ope
rations of his Spirit on their hearts and lives. ;  We
haA'e reason to tremble also for our younger friends, who
live in a place as corrupt as Corinth wa^, and as strongly
beset by the temptations with which that city abounded.'
And in 1810 : ' It will probably occur to your recollec-
tion^t is deeply impressed on ours — that the last an
nual letter from this church contained more intelligence

178 LIFE OF THE REV. J- HINTON. [part in
of a painful nature, than any one which we haA'e ad
dressed to you. It would afford us the sincerest pleasure
could we assure you that the causes of the trouble we
then felt had been removed ; but we were not without
fears, which we then intimated and the past year has
realized, that our sorrows would be increased rather
than diminished. We haA'e been under the very painful
necessity of excluding some of our members, and sus
pending others from communion with us at the table of
the Lord : and these occurrences we hope we can
truly say, have filled us with deep regret. ...... But we
rejoice, brethren, to communicate more pleasant tidings.
. . . We acknowledge with gratitude, that a spirit of
prayer, and a love of assembling together for that pur-i
pose, have much increased. We have been led by our
afflictive circumstances, to establish an additional
monthly prayer meeting of the church members, with
the particular design of supplicating the influences of
the Holy Spirit, to heal the breaches which sin has
made, to reviAe our languid graces, and to multiply in-*
stances of saving conversion.' After mentionirig some
increase of the church, the letter proceeds : ' Had not
the painful events to which we have referred ren
dered us timid, and greatly weakened our hands, we
have reason to think that other additions would have
succeeded. Our hope respecting these, however, is only
delayed (as we trust) to render it more steadfast; and
we believe the day is not distant, when Zion's breaches
shall be healed, when God shall revive his work, and
when the prayers we have offered in the day of our trou
ble shall be succeeded by the voice of thanksgiving and
praise.' That the circumstances narrated should have produced
discouragement, is not at all surprising ; but another*

CHAP, iv] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 179
extract will shew that the vieAV taken of them was calm
and judicious. ' In a church of nearly two hundred
members recently collected from the world, it is much
more to be lamented than Avondered at, that some insta
bility of character should be manifest. The instructions
of our divine Lord, and the history of the primitive
churches, prepare us for such cA'ents. We knoAv that
" the foundation of God standeth sure," and that " the
Lord knoweth them that are his." But we know also,
that " every one that nameth the name of Christ" should
"depart from all iniquity:" and we should be greatly
in fault if we did not bear the warning voice, " Repent,
and do your first Avorks. Strengthen those things Avhich
remain and are ready to die." ' And it is gratifying to
place in immediate connexion Avith these details, a
cheerful passage from the letter of 1812. ' Our public
congregations have never been better than during the
past year : and we hope we have had many tokens of
the divine presence, full proof that God has not forgot^
ten the gracious declaration, " Wheresoever I record
my name, I will come unto thee and will bless thee." '
This letter announces the call to the ministry of Mr,
Hinton's eldest son; and affords also the following extract.
' Among the chastisements of providence we must
reckon the frequent indisposition of our pastor, and the
consequent necessity of his giving up a part of his mi
nisterial labours : yet this affliction has been greatly al
leviated, if not removed, by the assistant labours of our
respected friend and brother, Mr. Price.' Mr. Hinton's
health was very seriously affected in the spring of 1811,
and his labours in the pulpit were much interrupted.
With a view to his recovery, he spent the midsummer
vacation at Lymington, making frequent excursions to
the Isle of Wight. A letter written in September coUr
n2

180 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
tains the following references. ' Five weeks at Lyming
ton apparently restored me to health; after one week
at home, I was plunged into sickness : but again 1 have
gradually gained strength, and am rather an invalid
than a sick man. The church met on Lord's day, and
resolved, with some aid that I offered, to raise a hundred
pounds a year for an assistant minister, and to invite Mr.
Price from Bristol. The measure is unanimous ; it has
my full approbation, and I hope it willbe attended with
the blessing of God. Neighbouring congregations can
lend us little assistance.' The last sentence Avill put
the reader in possession of the reason why the church at
Oxford did not derive sufficient aid from so copious a
provision as Mr. Hughes's bounty ; of the twelve con
gregations included in that arrangement, the greater
number were at this time unprovided for themselves.
It was found, besides, that the spasmodic attacks by
which Mr. Hinton was afflicted, by their suddenness
and peculiar incidence after a few hours study, rendered
his occupation of the pulpit a matter of such extreme
uncertainty, that an effective provision could not be
made without a resident supply. If this brought an ad
ditional burden on the people, it elicited also veiy
liberal and honourable effort, and it excited no less
the generous co-operation of their pastor. For some
years his salary had considerably increased, and at this
time it amounted to one hundred and sixty pounds per
annum, of which sum he resigned a considerable portion
towards the support of an assistant minister. ,
. The letter of 1813 thus records the filling up of a va
cancy already noticed as long and painfully felt. 'We
have to state, with great pleasure, the unanimous choice
which the church has made of three of our brethren to
the deacon's office. They were set- apart in a solemn^

chap IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 181
and Ave trust in a holy manner, at our Easter meeting,
when our brother Coles delivered a charge to them and to
the church, which was highly acceptable, and Avhich
AA'C yet hope he Avill, in answer to our request, suffer to
be printed for more extensive usefulness.' Among the
new office-bearers Avas a very valuable friend, Ai\'hom
Mr. Hinton had long desired to see in that station, but
whose appointment had been prevented by his holding
the principles of strict communion, Avhich indeed pre
cluded altogether his fellowship with the church. Se
veral years Avas this subject under his consideration : iand
Avhile he can bear Avitness to the impartiality and candour
with which his inquiries were aided, no person avIio
knows him will question for a moment, whether the
change of his views was actuated by a simple regard to
the Avill of his Lord. The ucav deacons were set apart
by imposition of hands, and Mr. Coles's addi'ess AA'as af
terwards printed in the Baptist Magazine.
Mr. Price had now accepted an invitation to Alcester,
but Mr. Hinton's ill health still rendered him incapable
of occupying the station alone. In a letter dated Feb.
23, 1813, he says, ' I am Avithout an assistant, aud my
spring complaints often prevent me from preaching.
Our friends have Avritten to GlasgoAV, to Mr. Kershaw,
as a supply in May and June.' This invitation was
accepted, and Mr. Kershaw continued his aid Until his
removal to Abingdon in the spring of the following
year. From the letter of 1815 we give the following general
sketch. ' We have often had occasion to suggest to the
associate churches, that the situation in which providence
has fixed our residence exposes professors of religion to
dangers and difficulties of some kinds, in a greater de
gree than those experience them, Avho live remote from

182 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part li.
the presence of splendid A'ice,and the ensnaring influence
of wealth and power leagued in opposition to moral pu
rity and evangelical truth. It is difficult (though honour
able) to walk in Sardis with unpolluted garments, and
to preserve in Ephesus the fervour of the first Ioa'C. As
a church we hope the Redeemer may say of us, " Thou
hast a little strength, and hast not denied-my name :"
but of all of us, alas I this cannot be said. It is with
heartfelt pain we have this year to record a decrease of
our numbers. Two members Ave have been obliged to
exclude ; five have been removed by death, and two we
haA'e dismissed to other churches : while, on the other
hand, six only have been added to us on a profession of
their faith in Christ, so that our number is less by three
members than it was last year. This statement power
fully suggests to us the necessity of renewed watchful
ness and prayer, lest the tempter and his wiles should
succeed in drawing any more of us aside from the good
ways of God, and lest the awful summons, which has
arrested so many of our fellow christians, should find us
either unwilling or uuprepared to give an account of our
stewardship. We see also how necessary is the influence
of the Divine Spirit in the conversion of souls, to the
very existence of our churches.
' Our young people (it is added) are very diligent in
the useful task of instracting poor children, in Sunday
and charity schools, and they haA'e also some adult
schools, in all which we believe great good is done. In tract
Societies, bible associations, and missionary collections,
an increasing zeal is manifest ; and we have only to Avish,
as indlA'lduals, as families, and as a church, that our own
vineyards may be well kept, to ensure the fruitfulness
of future years.' This subject is again referred to in the
folloAving letter. ' We have to record Avith gratitude

CHAP. ly.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 183
some circumstances indicative ^as we hope) of a consi
derable degree of holy influence, resting both on the
church and congregation, and exciting both members
and hearers to labour in the cause of God. The work
of educating the children of the poor, not only for use
fulness in the world, but also in the knowledge of divine
things, has been carried on with large increase ; while
the delight that our young people take in the employ,
the constancy of their exertions in it, the impressions
evident on the minds of some of the children, and a great
change for the better in the manners of them all, induce
a lively hope that, out of multitudes thus taught, the
Lord will raise up not a few as monuments to the praise
of his grace.*
The reader will observe the prominence thus given to
the increased zeal AA'hich had noAv discovered itself, in the
institution and management of Sunday-schools; and
the circumstances ai-e such as to require some further
notice. It was among the young men, not exclusively
members of the church, that this ncAV activity arose.
Their meetings for consultation acquired somewhat of a
regular form, and they assumed the name of ' the Ox
ford Sunday-school society.' Their plans were bold,
their measures prompt, and their efforts A'igorous. Mr.
Hinton reckoned their exertions among the most
pleasing and encouraging features of the period ; but he
regarded them also with some carefulness. He was
desirous that they should combine wisdom with ardour,
and be carried on in a manner agreeable to the general
conduct of the church, without impairing its unity,
either of spirit or of action ; objects to which it is
by no means intimated that any disregard Avas dis
covered or designed, yet it was to elder men that
they were likely to occur most promptly, and as of

184 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
most importance. At the request of his young friends,
he became president of the society : and, while it can be
nothing to their dishonour that he felt it desirable, on
some occasions, to recommend a modification of their
plans, it is greatly to their praise that his suggestions were
ahvays most respectfully regarded, and that he frequently
bore a public testimony to the satisfaction with AA'hich
he contemplated their ultimate proceedings. If we go
on to say that he felt anxious, also, on some other points^
and to develope his views of them, it is because we con
ceive them to be of some general interest and import
ance ; but we beg it may be most distinctly understood,
that we are exhibiting his reflections, and not his expe
rience, his observation of tendencies, and not of results.
Through his faithful and affectionate care, indeed, the
occurrence of the evils alluded to within his own circle
was, in a very happy measure, prevented ; we feel the less
embarrassment, therefore, in stating the opinions which his
knowledge of human nature led him to entertain, and by
Avhich this branch of his intercourse was directed. He
feared, then, lest, in the ardent pursuit of one object, others
of equal or greater importance should be neglected;
and, through defective watchfulness, serious evils be
incurred. He was doubtful whether young men might
not relinquish to the management of Sunday-school
business too large a portion of their opportunities for
personal improAenient, and thus impoverish their
minds, at a period most of all inviting and requiring
an augmentation of their intellectual treasures. He
thought it possible, too, that well educated young per-i
sons might so eagerly devote themselves to the instruction
of the poor, as to assimilate their manners and language,
in a degree very undesirable, to those of the uneducated
classes. He was yet more concerned lest divine ordir

CHAP. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 1S5
nances and early piety should suffer. He was well aware
that the spirit of self-sacrifice is a noble one, and that
without it very little is to be done for the good of
others ; but he was of opinion, also, that, like all other
excellent dispositions, it needs regulation. It was not
indeed, in his judgment, quite certain that young men
who had given no decided indications of piety, would
always feel it a sacrifice to walk a few miles into the
country, and occupy the time of divine service in
attending a Sunday-school: and he was apprehensive
lest the solemn and paramount obligation of public wor
ship, and hearing the word of God, should fade from
their recollection, or be diminished in its power. Nor
did he think it impossible, that persons of real, but lan
guid piety, might find it fully as pleasing to be em
ployed in labours which administer an external excite
ment, as in services which depend for their interest on
the fervour of our own spirit, and lead immediately to the
difficult (perhaps unwelcome) exercises of heart-exami
nation and converse with God. To those Avho felt every
religious service lost to be a sacrifice, and who wished
to know their duty in this respect, he would unhesi
tatingly say, that one part of the Lord's day is quite as
much as ought, in ordinary circumstances, to be relin
quished to Sunday-schools. All stated ministers of the
gospel will assuredly concur in this sentiment : nor less
surely aviU the result convince those who now doubt it,
that a different course will very injuriously affect the
the growth, the stability, and the maturity of experi
mental piety. It was his further opinion that the en
gagements of domestic life are incompatible with any
considerable attention to this object. He conceived
that the parent or master of a family has to perform
duties of domestic instruction, in themselves highly im-

186 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
portant, and upon him more imperative than any others,
excepting those only AA'hich relate to ihe salvation of his
own soul. He was accustomed to urge the laborious
discharge of these obligations before more remote efforts
were undertaken ; and he Avas far from thinking, either
that persons acting on this principle would find much op
portunity for distant labour, or that the extraordinary
zeal with which they might engage in it Avonld afford
any excuse for domestic neglect. Such were his a'Icavs :
nor can he justly be regarded as less friendly to the Sud-
day-school system, because he would tlius have directed
its activity to the pi-oduction of unminglcd good.
The letter of 1817 refers to Mr. Hinton's verj- alarm
ing illness of the preceding year, and thus proceeds :
' As a church and congregation aa'c are thankful that
mercy prevails over judgment. The serious affliction of
our pastor has been in a great measure removed ; and the
highly esteemed ministry of Mr. Thomas, whom (\rith
his recommendation) we haA'e unanimously invited
to the copastorate among us, appears to haA'e been the
means, not only of a considerable increase in the number
of hearers, but of such serious impressions also on those
who hear, as afford a pleasing hope that his labours
shall be attended with most happy and permanent ef
fects.' The increase of the congregation under the
very popular ministry of Mr. Thomas, at length required
an enlargement of the place of Avorship, and in the year
1819 the present commodious and handsome building,
adapted to seat eight hundred persons, Avas opened for
divine serA'ice. The expence of this improvement
amounted to one thousand six hundred pounds, the Avhole
of which AA'as sustained, Avith admirable liberality and
perseverauce, by the people themselves ; and Avithout ma
terially interfering, too, with their e.\ertions on behalf of

chap. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY, 187
the numerous public objects perpetually soliciting their
aid. An early period in the spring of 1818 had been ori
ginally fixed for Mr. Thomas's ordination, but by a very se
rious illness, occurring at that period, it was delayed till the
7th of October. ' Our brethren are aware,' says Mr. H. in
the letter of 1818, 'that our respected minister, Mr. Tho
mas, was arrested by a dangerous sickness at the very
time which was appointed for his public ordination to
the pastoral office. Prayer without ceasing was made to
God on his behalf; and we desire to be grateful for the
prospect we now have that in a few weeks he will be en
abled to resume his labours among us.' And in 1819 :
* We record with gratitude to God the recovery of our
highly esteemed ministering brother, Mr. Thoma.s, from
a long and dangerous illness, and his consequent settle
ment among us, as copastor with one whose labours we
have now enjoyed during thirty-two years.'
On the enlargement of the meeting-house it was the
wish of many by the construction of a baptistry at Oxford
to facilitate the administration of the ordinance of bap
tism without the undesirable appendage of a journey to
Abingdon : and this design was ultimately carried into ef
fect. To some persons it may have appeared probable, that
among the reasons Avhy this was not accomplished at
an earlier period was the fear of disturbance, to which
on some occasions divine worship was certainly liable :
but such an apprehension formed no part of the
grounds on which baptism had not been administered
in Oxford. Previously to the formation of the church
in 1780 psedobaptism had been the prevailing system,
and the baptists who were included in that act were
members of the church of that denomination at Abing
don : it was therefore an obvious pacific arrangement,
that Avhen any persons wished to be baptized, they

188 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part n.
should go to Abingdon for that purpose. During many
years this practice contributed largely to the comfort of
the church; an unAvillingncss to disturb the harmony
Avas the principal, if not the only cause, of its long con
tinuance, and on this point certainly the chief ajipre-
hension rested when the alteration Avas seriously contem
plated. What might have been the case, had baptism
been administered in Oxford thirty years ago, cannot be
told; but this can be said of its administration now—
that no act of divine Avorship has e\cr been conducted
with greater order, tranquillity, or reverence.
The more hnjipy and permanent effects of a spiritual
nature Avith Avhich it was hoped this external revival
would have been attended, did not immediately appear,
From the letters of 1817. 1818, and 1820, Ave select the
following passages referring to this subject. ' After all,
where many hundreds attend, the number converted is
comparatively small ; and though we are thankful, wc
ought not to be satisfied, till we see (what avc hope we
pray for) a more abundant outpouring of divine influ
ence.' . . . ' We state with much regret that, since our lust
letter, this church has not increased. Although wc have
on many other grounds cause for gratitude aud praise,
Ave think it highly becomes us to cherish a spirit of deep
humility on this account, that those divine influences by
Avhich alone the work of conversion to (iod can be car
ried on should seem to be in any degree suspended.
For this there must be a cause ; and we desire seriously
to examine whether it exists in ourselves, in any decliue
of spirituality or holy Avalk with God, or in a want of ar
dour in private, social, or public prayer. Whatever it
may be, wc pray God to discover it to us, and to bring
us to the rencAved eryoyment of that prosperity Avith
Avhich, as a church, avc have been in some degree favour-

CHAP. IV.] CONGREG.'VTIONAL HISTORY. 189
cd." . . . 'The chief discouragement Avhich aa'c haA'e felt
among oui-selves has arisen from the consideration, that
comparatively few haA'e been the subjects of that de
cided work of grace, Avhieh marks the presenee of the
eternal Spirit, aud his energy resting on the gospel mi
nistry. We cannot regard the incretvsed number of
hearers with unmiiigleil satisfaction, unless instances of
sacred impressions on the heart should bear some pro-
jwrtiou to it, Avliieh we fear has scarcely been the case.
Arouud us, a considerable number of hopeful ehai-ae-
tcrs present theiiisel\'es ; but avc are an.\ious to see
them become decided for God, plainly a>owing that
they account all things but loss for tlie excellency of the
kuowledije of Christ."
And this pleasure AA'as not denied. The additions
to the church Avere afterwards lai-ge, and hii;hly gratify
ing; and the general state of it is thus cheerfully
sketched in the letter of 1821. 'We ascribe glory to
God only, that the dispositions which ought to prcAail
iu closing this letter, are those of gratitude, joy, and
hope. The number united to us this ycnr is nearly
cipial to that of the whole church, when our elder pas
tor took charge of .us iu the Lord. The Avork of con
version we trust is progressiA'C. Considerable num
bers of the congregation appear to delight in prayer. A
deep conviction of the necessity of the Holy Spirit's aid
seems to preA'ail. The varied services of elder and
younger, at home aud abroad, iwe carried on in happy
union. Contributions to every good work are not Aiith-
held. The aged see all their former hopes exceeded ;
the middle aged and busy do not, Ave trust, drink into
the spirit of the AA'orld ; and the young exalt themselves
Avhilo, like Ephraim, they speak trembling in Israel. The
healthy and the strong labour for God ; and the afflicted

190 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii,
find that, while the outward man perisheth, the inward
man is renewed day by day. Not unto us, but unto
God be all the praise !'
Mr. Hinton records also among his pleasures, the en-»
trance into the Avork of the ministry of two young men,
one of Avhom was his second son, who pursued his stu
dies at the university of Edinburgh (with a principal view
to the tuition of youth) and was subsequently settled over
the baptist church at Faringdon : the other was Mr. Ed
ward Steane (now of Camberwell) who had been one ofthe
most active ofthe Sunday-school teachers, and in these la-;
bourS had discovered talents well adapted to ministerial
usefulness. We give the following passage on a kindred
subject, connected also with this period. ' Several of
our brethren, besides our pastors, exercise their minis
terial gifts (under the sanction of the church) in neigh
bouring towns and villages, with frequency and accept-.
ance ; Ave trust we may add, with success.' The help
thus arising from the suitable preaching talents of
members of the church, he had never enjoyed till about
this period. He felt exceedingly happy in these auxili-r
ary labourers ; and rejoiced in the change of external
circumstances also, which afforded far greater facilities
to their exertions than could have been found in the early
years of his ministry.
The letter of 1821 he commences and closes with the
following solemn references to death and an eternal
world. ' No inconsiderable number of those who joined
in our last communication have passed the boundary of
time, and entered on that ever-during state, in which the
soul can by no possibility experience a change either in its
character, or its destination, whether it be to felicity or
woe: and judging from the usual dispensations of Provi*
dence, the sentence must be recorded of many survivors^

CHAP, IT.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 191
" This year thou shalt die." .... Other changes must
soon come. One of our pastors has been nearly forty
years in his work ; and two or three only, who have been
always at his side, are still with him. But Jesus Christ
is CA'er the same. Other pastors, deacons, and churches,
shall tread the same steps ; and of Zion it shall ever be
said, "The Lord himself shall establish her !" ' It was
not without reason that he thus Avrote. Besides re
movals in the congregation, he himself, in the autumn of
the preceding year, had been brought to the verge of the
grave. The spasmodic seizures were not only very vio
lent, but very frequently repeated ; so that hopes of reco
very often excited, were as often disappointed. Upon one
of these occasions, /ifter having expressed to his deacon
and friend Mr. Steane, his hope of engaging in public
labours on the ensuing Sabbath, he addressed to him a
note, inclosing the following communication to the
church. ' To the church and congregation of my care,
'my dear FElENDS,
' It was my earnest desire, if agreeable to the divine
will, to resume my pastoral labours among you next
Lord's day, but that hope it has pleased God to disap
point, by the return of very painful illness yesterday : I
must therefore resign myself to my heavenly Father's
will. You will be fed with the bread of life, broken to
you by pious and faithful hands, and accompanied, I
trust, by tokens of the diA'ine regard. I request the con
tinuance of your prayers, that I may soon be restored to
a share in that work in which I most delight, if such be
the will of God, as 1 trust it is : and meanwhile, that my
confinement from the means of grace (of which I
greatly lament the loss) may be compensated by greater
light and liberty of soul. I am present Avith you in

192 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON. [part ii.
spirit; I sympathize in your afflictions, and I hope
for ever to be a partaker of your joys. Permit me, to
hope that you will not forget the assembling of your
selves together in this time of affliction, nor to watch
over and admonish each other in the Lord : so shall you
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. I
would write more, but 1 am weary,
' Believe me, my dear friends, to be
' Your affectionate minister and pastor,'
It was highly grateful to him that the people cherished
for their pastor a corresponding affection. In reference
to this affliction, a remarkable spirit of prayer seems to
have been poured out upon them in their social meet
ings, ' I shall never forget,' says a friend who was
deeply interested, ' the prayer-meetings at that time.
Every member Avho prayed seemed to haA'e taken several
degrees in excellency above himself ; and, together with
the earnestness manifested for your father's recovery^
there was so much spirituality, submission, and supreme
concern for the glory of God, as quite distinguished it
from the mere importunity of natural attachment.'
It is remarkable that, almost within the last year of
his own life, Mr. Hinton should have witnessed the
death of Mr. Bartlett. They entered on the station
nearly together; they were closely united in their la
bours, and not far divided in their entrance into rest.
This event is thus recorded in the letter of 1823. ' It
has pleased God to call to his heavenly rest our highly
esteemed friend, Mr. John Bartlett, who had been fortyj
two years a member, and more than half that time a
deacon, of this christian church. The energies of his
mind, which were very considerable, he had long em
ployed for the welfare of our society, both in its external
and internal concerns. His attendance on the word

CHAP. iv.J CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 193
and public ordinances was invariable, and he was onC of
the most constant at our prayer meetings, the devotions
of which he frequently guided. Few christians have
struggled with heavier afflictions, or borne them Avith
greater fortitude. He was happy in training up a nu
merous family for God, Seven of them became mem
bers of this church, and the gi'eater number of them
preceded him to glory. Our loss by his death is great,
but we are well persuaded his gain is far greater, and
we know that Jesus, who ever lives, can supply every
bereavement.' We close our extracts with the following : ' Another
trial has come to us in the remoA'al of our brother and
co-pastor, the Rev. Jenkin Thomas, to another situation.
It was impossible that such a separation could take
place without exciting much regret: but this is les
sened by the assurance that his present labours wear
great promise of usefulness ; and it will be a great happi
ness to us to know, that it shall please God to continue
and increase, both his comfort and his success, in that
important station  The blessed truths of the
gospel which this church, in common with the great
body of evangelical churches from apostolic days, has
always held, and still holds, are attacked and censured
in very opposite directions ; a circumstance which leads
us, we trust, the more seriously to examine whether Ave
hold the truth as it is in Jesus. Fully convinced that
this is the case, we hope steadfastly to cleave to it to
the end ; still earnestly seeking divine aid, that we may
hold the truth in love, and adorn it by a suitable spirit
and conversation.' The only circumstance desemng
notice which occurred subsequently to this letter, was
the call to the ministry of another young person, Mr.
Thomas Newman, the grandson of Mr. Hinton's vene-

194 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
rable friend and deacon, whose name he bore. This
transaction, which afforded him peculiar pleasure, took
place but a few days before his death, and AA'as the last
church business in which he was engaged.
What the subject of this memoir was as a preacher
at the commencement of his labours, has already been
seen; and the same general features characterized him
at their close. The early years of his ministry exer
cised him with a discipline adapted to make his dis
courses very guarded on doctrinal points. Perceiving
persons on all hands ready to peirert the truth, he never
gave any broad or naked doctrinal statements ; endea
vouring (it was an excellent object, and AA'as achieved
with great felicity) to exhibit, not the solitary fea
tures of one truth, but the connexion and the harmo
ny of all. As a divine, he was judicious rather than
profound. He was always both Avarmly evangelical
and strongly practical; for nothing, perhaps, more
remarkable than the evangelical manner in which he in
culcated duty, and the practical manner in which be
exhibited doctrine. At first he found such preaching
little relished by many ; and in the hope of communi
cating sound and comprehensive scriptural knowledge,
and of thus removing, or preventing, the partial views
which caused him so much regret, he endeavoured to
introduce expository discourses into the pulpit. These
attempts were not so well received as to encourage Ms
perseverance; and he lamented this circumstance, as
indicating neither a deep knowledge of divine truth, nor
an ardent thirst for it: but, that he might not wholly
neglect so profitable an exercise, he commonly inter
spersed a few remarks while reading the chapter, and
frequently took portions of Scripture in regular course.

chap, iv.j CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 195
Hc had, at length, the satisfaction of observing a Acry
considerable improvement in the general taste, and the
additional happiness (which he used frequently to men
tion Avith peculiar pleasure) of training up a ncAv gene
ration to love " words of sound doctrine." Often emi
nent for clear statement and convincing argument, his
forte was the appeal to the heart. He greatly ex
celled in the pathetic, and few men haA-e had more
command over the feelings of an audience. For the
success of such a mode of address he was eminently
fitted by the habitual dcA'otion of his own mind; and to
this cause it is to be ascribed, botli that his extempora
neous effusions on a week evening Averc often among the
most admirable of his discourses, and that, amidst the
crowded engagements of his later life, his pulpit exercises
lacked nothing of their fulness and freshness of piety.
He well knew the character of his own preaching; and
hc often attributed his success in part to this circum
stance, since it always prevented him from attempting
any thing to which his powers were unequal.
The forcibleness of his manner was equally unimpaired
by ill health and by groAving years. To the last he abated
nothing of his early energy and vivacity ; and it Avas from
a conviction of their importance that he cherished them.
' Our churches,' he said in a letter to Mr. Fuller, ' will
forgive almost any fault in a minister rather than dull
ness :' this at least he never had to be forgiven.
What he would have been as a preacher, had the en
gagements of the school not interfered so much AA'ith his
application to study, cannot be told : but there can be
no doubt that, able as he AA'as in the pulpit, he would, in
this case, haA'e treated the various subjects of public in
struction with much greater ability. There was probably
much truth in his own observation, that ' the best period

196 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
of his ministry' was included within the j'cars 1795 and
1805, or the tliirty-fiftb mid the forty fiflth years of his
age. The result of his labours has already appeared in
part. On the whole, and in connexion Avith the various
causes in adverse operation, his ministry must be re
garded as an eminently successful one. He had, indeed,
his difficulties, and these haA'c afforded the prineijial ma
terials of our narrative : they have done so, however, not
as the substance of which his life was composed, but
as the accidents by which it was diversified. A course
of uninterrupted prosperity .affords the fewest ])ossible
materials for history. The general idea Avliich the rea
der should retain cannot be better exhibited, than by
presenting to him tlie retrospect Avhich Mr, Hinton him
self took on the 31st of May, 1823.
'This day closes the thirty-sixth year of my ministry
in Oxford ; all years of abundant goodness and mercy. I
review them, I trust, Avith lively emotions of gratitude to
my divine Master aud Lord, who brought me hither, and
has sustained mc by his providence and his grace, through
so long a series of arduous but delightful duties. I en
tered this city, in compliance Avith the invitation of a
small but spiritually minded church, June 1, 1787, an
obscure individual, knoAvn to fe\A', but directed by infinite
Avisdom. The call of this church \A'as the first I ever
received, and I never wished for another. Many others
I have since received, but they had no attractions for
me : with this church I began, and Avith it I hope to
close, the ministry 1 have received from the Lord. Di
vine Redeemer, help me to fulfil it to the end ! My first
three years I AA'aited and hoped for success: the next
seven the prayer of my heart was granted, and the church
increased Avith the increase of God. In the tenth ycft*

CHAP. IV.] CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. 197
of my ministry, antinomianism erected its standard, and
collected some disciples, who disturbed my peace and
threatened my removal : but this danger Avas mercifully
dispelled, as it has been many times since, and I trust it
always Avill be, for the sake of the church of my care,
and of the general interests of divine truth in this vici
nity. In my twelfth year, the increased congregation
demanded, and God provided for them, a larger place of
worship. The succeeding eight years were years of
prosperity. My health and strength then declined for
several years, beneath the weight of my labours: but
kind assistance was granted, through the ministry of my
brethren Morgan, Price, Kershaw, and others ; and the
interest was kept fi'om declining, though the uncertainty
of pulpit supplies was sometimes injurious. In 1816, Mr.
Thomas was sent to my aid ; eloquent, ardent, and popu
lar. God knoweth, my whole soul rejoiced iri that popu
larity  ." With my staff I passed over Jordan," and
now 1 have many bands  A church increased from
twenty-nine to nearly tAVo hundred members, with seve
ral branches from it ; the meeting-house twice enlarged ;'
and seven young men (he would have added with pe
culiar pleasure) sent forth into the ministry. ' And still
" the foundation standeth sure." ' Nil desperandum,
Christo duce.' '

CHAP. V.
Pastoral Character.
MR. HINTON was fully aware of the importance of
duties strictly pastoral, and he entered on his situation
with an earnest desire to fulfil them. For this part of
his labours his affectionate disposition and his habitual
piety eminently fitted him. Most truly did he rejoice
with them that rejoiced, and weep with them that wept;
and in all his visits he endeavoured to cherish a devotional
spirit, both in himself and in his people. It was on this
account the more to be lamented, that the necessary
cares of the school should have so soon and so greatly
obstructed these walks of usefulness. He by no means,
however, used this impediment as an excuse for neglect ;
he sincerely regretted its influence, and exerted himself
to the utmost to maintain, both an effectiA'e superin
tendence of the church, and a general intercourse with
the congregation. The afflicted he was always ready to
console, even if he made great sacrifices to do so ; and
many can bear witness to the tenderness of his sympa
thy, the Avisdom of his counsels, and, when necessary,
the promptness of his aid. To compensate for the ac
knowledged deficiency of his general visiting, he set
apart every Wednesday evening for receiving his
friends, so that no person desirous of seeing him, or
having any valuable object to answer by an interview,

chap, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 199
needed to lose either the pleasure or the benefit. The
early years of his diary contain frequent records of pas-'
toral visits, and a fcAV extracts will shew the spirit in
which they were conducted.
' 1797. Feb. 16. Spent this evening pleasantly in
visiting the poor of the flock.
' 1798. Aug. 30. Visited ,  — at Hinksey ; and see
the necessity that the flock were oftener visited, to ad-^^
monish and stir them up to duty.
' Oct. 26. Visited  . Much pleased with the
simplicity of her piety. I am grieved at her afflic
tion, yet I rejoice that the High and Holy One who in-
habiteth eternity, does evidently, according to his gra
cious promise, dwell in that poor cottage with " her that
is of an humble and contrite spirit, and that trembleth at
his word." 1 make these remarks on my visit : That poor
people are the more happy, because they have never
been troubled Avith the unbelief that arises from con
verse with infidels or their writings : That the impress
which religion makes on them is a great and striking
evidence that it is of God : And that the happiness I
have felt to day is a proof that the Avork of Christ is its
own reward. I think I hear him saying, " I Avas sick,
and ye visited me." '
These engagements he found very profitable to him
self. He maintained in them a constant reference to his
preaching : not only tracing the effect of the past, but
collecting materials for the future, which were carried
into the pulpit with peculiar felicity, and contributed
essentially to the nature and truth, the individuality and
variety, of his delineations and addresses. On one oc
casion, after noticing the barrenness of bis own soul
and appearances of returning joy, he adds, ' My own
feelings appear to be also those of my flock; many of

200 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [paux ii.
them say that they have felt dulness, and hope for a re-
viA'al. Lord, revive us again, that thy people may re
joice in thee !'
As it was his general object to render his pastoral
interviews experimentally and practically pious, so he
endeavoured in particular to make them conducive to
the peace and harmony of the flock. The intercourse
of ordinary life presents but too many facilities for the
excitement of discord, not only by the malice, but by
the mere thoughtlessness of the tongue. In a religious
society the probability of such a result is increased by the
greater familiarity existing, and the more intimate
knowledge acquired of the circumstances and opinions
of Its members : but the danger most of all besets a
pastor, to whom every one speaks freely, and who must
speak freely to every one; who cannot help knowing
more than any individual in his circle, and who cannot
utter an inexpedient word without doing more mischief
than any. This was a danger which Mr. Hinton saw,
and endeavoured to shun ; and if his success was not
perfect, it Avas very considerable. He would not will
ingly listen to any unnecessary recital of evil, real or
supposed ; and what he could not avoid hearing, it was
his desire not needlessly to repeat. He was, it is true,
rerriarkably unreserved in the general expression of his
thoughts ; but he had too much kindness of heart to be
a retailer of scandal, and too much good sense to carry
to any persons what others had said of them. He Avas
never more happy than when he could quench a spark
of mischief, or heal a breach between brethren ; and he
gratefully records in his diary, ' a blessing on his endea
vours to be a peace-maker.' Of one of these efforts a
memorandum remains, which may serve as a specimen of
the rest.

chap, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 20l
' MY DEAR FRIEND,
* I had no design whatcA'er, when I left home yester
day, to enter at all into the unpleasant affair respecting
which we conversed ; but having heard a statement of it
at your house, 1 thought it my duty to call also on Mrs.
 that I might avoid all suspicion of partiality. I
exceedingly respect both you and Mrs.  ; and,
though, as a minister, I have not personally to inter
fere, or to censure, yet I have no objection, if it be
mutually desired, to be a mediator — for " blessed are
the peace-makers." I present to you below Mrs.  's
statement, on these two conditions ; first, that you will
remember it is hers, and not mine; and next, that no
use whatever be made of it beyond your own family.
This, my dear friend, is her general statement, and I
think it presents a ground on which you may exercise
that love of meekness, quietness, and christian peace,
which 1 am confident you possess. In the forgiveness
of injuries, we cannot go beyond the " seventy times
seven" recommended by our Lord, and we ought not to
stop short of it.'
In the early part of his ministry, the subject of this
memoir was frequently engaged in exercises of domestic
piety occasioned by the birth of children, and having
particularly in view the right improvement of these fa
mily mercies. Without expressing an opinion on this
practice (to which, as connected with the dedication of
children to God, some objections haA'e been raised) it
may be truly said that, in his hands, it was both inter
esting and useful ; calling into peculiar exercise his af
fectionate sensibility, while he embraced the opportunity
of more fully exhibiting the nature and obligations of
parental duty. In later years these services, from Avhat-

202 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
ever cau.se, were less frequent: it would, howcA'er, be
matter of deep regret, if any circumstances should di
minish the laborious diligence and fervent devotion;
with Avhich the parents of this generation train up
their children " in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord." He was remarkable for taking early notice of religious
impressions, especially on the minds of children. He
often entered into serious couA'crsation Avith them, in-:
deed, before any concern discovered itself, and made
them bearers one to another of solemn but affectionate
communications. The writer conversed very recently
with a person who ascribed his first serious feelings to
such a circumstance : ' Tell your brother,' said Mr. H,
at the close of a conversation with his sister, ' that I
hope he is beginning to seek the Lord.'
He was exceedingly happy in his treatment of reli-'
gious inquirers. Nothing gaA'e him more pleasure than
to see bis people alive to their encouragement ; while he
himself was ever ready, in the most affectionate and
winning methods, to lead them forward. His manner
soon removed the dread by which such persons are fre
quently burdened, and his own early acquaintance with
the deceitfulness of the heart and the wiles of Satan,
enabled him quickly to discern their circumstances, and
Avisely to direct their steps. He Avas strongly disposed
to encourage even the feeblest indications of piety ;
since the grace which turns men " from darkness unto
light" is as the dawn, " which shineth more and more
unto perfect day." It veiy frequently occurs, that per-r
sons under conviction entreat a minister to pray for
them; perhaps too highly estimating the kindness they
seek, but yet referring to an exercise which is assuredly
a part of a minister's duty, and cherishing an expectation

CHAP. v.J PASTORAL CHARACTER. 203'
which (Avere the duty fulfilled) might not be altogether
vain. Such a request, of course, is never refused ; with
Mr. Hinton it was not forgotten, as the following extract
from his diary will shew. ' 1802. March 15. The even
ing spent in prayer on the particular case of a youth dis^
tressed by conviction and despondency.'
In introducing, persons to church fellowship, he was
by no means hasty ; yet he rejoiced to do so when he
was satisfied of its propriety. He deeply felt the im
portance of a well sustained profession, especially in Ox
ford : but he did not, on this account, address with
coldness, or regard ivith suspicion, every one that de
sired to assume it. As the great Head of the church has
mysteriously (yet wisely) permitted the possibility of its
being dishonoured by apostasy, so has he appointed a re
medy for the evil ; not by keeping aloof from those who
seek to be admitted, but by withdrawing from " every
one that walketh disorderly." If on the one hand we
may be precipitate, it is possible on the other to be repul
sive. This Mr. Hinton could not be : his spirit was too
affectionate, his joy too great in the conversion of sin
ners and in the enlargement of the church, and finally,
his fear too solemn lest he should exceed his authority
and refuse those whom Christ had received. At one pe
riod, through the depressing influence of frequent back
slidings, the addition of members was regarded by his
people in a fearful and suspicious manner which he
deeply regretted : and many will recollect the great pains
he took, to awaken the church on earth to a higher sym
pathy with that in heaven, where " there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that rc-
penteth." Candidates were admitted on profession of their faith
by letter. Mr. Hinton himself, Avhen received at Ches-

304 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [vxnr it.
ham, spoke before the church; but he preferred the
practice which he found established at Oxford. It is,
indeed, a choice of evils and advantages : but those who
find pleasure in fully tracing the work of grace in the
detail and diversity of individual experience, one must
suppose would greatly prefer a written account. It
should be observed, however, that none of the incon
veniences of either method are chargeable on any di
vine institution, but on what has been judged ex
pedient by men. What the Lord Jesus Christ has
required previously to association with his people, is
not a relation of their experience, but a profession of
their faith ; and it has been frequently said that, if a
person should solicit fellowship on such a profession
simply, according to the authority of our Lord, he could
not be refused. It would not be difficult to shew that
many evils have arisen, and are continually arising, from
the existing practice, without any equivalent advantage ;
and if the churches were more keenly alive, either to
the laws of the kingdom of heaven, or to their OAvn in
terest, little doubt can be entertained but it would be
speedily modified. After all, it is a question worthy of
consideration, whether the profession of faith ought not
rather to be made before the Avorld, and in connexion with
the ordinance of baptism ?
It was Mr. Hinton's custom to write with his own
hand for those who could not write themselves. For
this purpose he entered into familiar conversation with
them, and wrote in short-hand exactly what they said,
so that every man's history was given in his own lan
guage : and it thus happened that the narration of those
who could not write was often more interesting than
that of those who could, for it was nature and truth
in perfect simplicity. The letters were generally read on

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. " 205
the Lord's day, at a churcb-meeting held after the morn
ing service ; and these were always large and delight
ful meetings. The pastor's heart was full to overflowing.
Nothing could be more interesting than the manner in
which he read, the remarks he interspersed, the ad
dress on receiving the candidates, the singing and the
prayer with which he closed. Gratitude for the success
of his ministry, delight in the salvation of souls and in
the glory of the Redeemer, and ardent affection for the
people of his charge, ever burning, were here kindled to
a higher flame, the diffusion of which was proportionate
to its own intensity. No services could tend more power
fully to make the pastor and the flock " stand fast in one
spirit, striving together for the faith delivered to the
saints." The ordinance of baptism was one of which the sub
ject of this delineation Avas by no means ashamed. He
felt no force in the charge of indecency which has been
so often urged, and of late with so much extravagance.
It is nevertheless true that the ordinance may be admi
nistered with more or less care : and, while he was far
from admitting the existence of any just cause of re
proach, he considered it important to withdraw from
profane men every possible topic of ridicule, and to ex
hibit in its loveliest aspect the wisdom of the great law
giver. With these views he paid very particular atten
tion to the appearance of the candidates, and his owu
deportment was in a high degree solemn and dig
nified. With the same design, when apprehensive of
unusual circumstances, he had recourse, not to private,
but to week-day baptism ; two methods of procedure be
tween which there is a broad and important distinction.
He would never have administered the ordinance in a
manner which should have excluded spectators of any

2oa LIFE. OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part. n.
kind, for he would have considered such a measure as
inconsistent with the design of its institution, and as an
indication, scarcely equivocal, of an unwillingness to bear
its reproach ; and only under the influence of extraor
dinary circumstances, did he withdraw it from the pro
minent station generally assigned to it among the semces
of the Sabbath.
In admitting persons to the Lord's table, he was ex
ceedingly solemn and affectionate. His address was
wholly devotional, and it was directed to the heart. He
endeavoured to make the reception of some conducive
to the revival of all ; and it Avas a season more especially
felt at Oxford, because, through the necessity of baptizing
at Abingdon, it was generally but once a year that an
addition was made to the church. His characteristic
propriety and solemnity pervaded the whole administra
tion of the Lord's supper. On the table there was no
incumbrance, in the arrangement of the elements no
disorder, in the distribution of them no hurry, no noise;
and among the communicants and spectators no restless
ness. He thought the most entire stillness highly neces
saiy to the pleasure and the benefit of the ordinance ;
and when he himself broke the silence, it was for the
most part by dropping now and then a few sentences, to
present matter for meditation and prayer.
It was his wish to maintain a close inspection of the
flock, as well as to guard the moral purity and honour of
religious profession. His watchfulness arid activity on
all points were great; and to accomplish his wishes, he
sought and obtained the assistance of the other officers
of the church. From a very early period, it, was his
practice to meet the deacons at regular intervals, for the
purpose of promoting, by all suitable means, the prospe
rity of his charge. He records in his diary, that he saw

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. ^07
' much good attending these meetings,' and he A'ery often
expressed a similar conviction. His mind was thus un
burdened, correct information of the state of the flock
AVas obtained, beneficial measures were proposed and
adopted, cases of discipline were considered, and affairs
to be brought before the church were arranged. But
there were peculiarities in these interviews, Avhich very
much contributed to their happy influence. They had
reference exclusively to the spiritual concerns of the
congregation. They were strictly meetings, not of the
deacons, but of the officers of the church, being never
held without the pastor, nor, if possihle, without the pre
sence of CA'eiy deacon ; had it been otherwise, the result
must doubtless have been evil rather than good. It was
also an established rule that, while every subject should
be freely discussed, every decision, although not unani
mously made, should (except in cases of conscientious
necessity) be unanimously supported ; and that no officer
of the church should diminish the strength, or break the
public unity of the executive, by expressing any differ
ence of private opinion. It required perhaps some self-
denial to act upon such a plan, but the sacrifice Avas
amply compensated by its happy effect on the proceed
ings of the ecclesiastical body.
Affairs were not hastily and indiscriminately brought
to a church-meeting. Above all things, Mr. Hinton
could not endure the mention of reports on such occa
sions; a practice which, however undesignedly, can
scarcely fail of causing great mischief. He requested
CA'ery member who knew of any thing, in his judgment,
requiring notice, to mention it to one of the officers of
the church : inquiry was then made to ascertain facts ;
an offender was seriously and kindly conversed with;
(and, excepting cases of immorality or public scandal

208 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
(which were immediately brought forward, and the sen
tence of exclusion passed) if contrition was expressed,
and amendment promised, the church heard nothing of
the affair. Among the unpleasant circumstances which
were thus happily treated, may be noticed especially:
personal offences, of which it is very commonly a speedy
result, that the parties will not sit down together at the
Lord's table, and that one of them insists on bringing
the complaint before the society. The following note of
a communication made to the church under these circum
stances, will shew the views entertained on these points
by the subject of this memoir. ' I think it my duty to
say, that I have been successful in removing a misunder
standing from the minds of two members, so as to render
their sitting down together at the Lord's table consistent
with the rule of christian charity. They haA'e declared
that they have not the least ill will towards each other.
My brethren, the deacons, have with great care and impar
tiality examined, as desired, the cause of their misunder
standing ; and we are unanimously of opinion that there
is, at present, no proper ground for us as a church to
censure any one. We are bound to believe that some
mistake has occurred, though we cannot tell how it has
arisen ; and should nothing further be brought to light '
in the business, we think it is the part of christian wis
dom to let the matter entirely die.' He regarded it, in
truth, as one of the greatest of mischiefs to trouble a
public body with private quarrels; and as a practice,
too, resting on no scriptural grounds. It Avas his maxim
also, that just displeasure should cease upon the disavowal
of any unkind design ; while he endeavoured to reconcile
contradictory statements of good people, neither of whom
could be reasonably suspected of falsehood, by supposing
(a very possible circumstance) the occurrence of a mistakej

CHAP. V. PASTORAL CHARACTER. 209
although it could not be told how it arose. And whether
is it more probable, that a person, whose character stands
otherwise unimpeached, should deliberately falsify; or
that, in the multiplied and intricate channels of observa
tion and communication, the eye, or the ear, or the imagi
nation of some person should have been in error ? Yet
eveiy close obsei-A'cr of human life, and especially of church
discipline, well knows that if offences were, or could be,
treated on such principles as these, the peace of indivi
duals and communities Avould be much less frequently
disturbed. Sometimes, of course, it became necessary
to refer to the church ; but this was never done, until
the case had been thoroughly considered, and the whole
executive had agreed on the measures to be proposed.
It was an unspeakable advantage in their proceedings,
never to have a subject thrown before them as a ques
tion merely; and one scarcely less, never to have the
pastor and deacons expressing different opinions. Offi
cers who permit the former, deseiTC to suffer all the
CA'ils of confusion and strife ; and indulging themselves
in the latter, they surely cannot expect to avoid them.
Every question, of course, was open to discussion, yet
this also it was Mr. Hinton's wish4o avoid ; for which
purpose, he took care previously to converse with all
persons likely to have strong feelings on the business
coming forward, and he did not (without urgent necessity)
introduce it till he found he could do so with harmony
and success. If any new topic was started at a church-
meeting, it was requested that, as the officers always
Avished to give a united opinion, they might have time
to confer on it; an advantage which was uniformly
granted, and indeed could scarcely be denied. By
these methods the affairs of the church at Oxford were
for the most part conducted in perfect tranquillity;

210 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part n.
and perhaps few men haA'e attained a larger degree of
pastoral influence, the influence of affection and respect,
than Mr. Hinton long enjoyed.
The exclusion of a member Avas never resorted to
(cases of immorality excepted) but Avith extreme reluct
ance. Admonitions and patience were protracted while
there Avas any hope : and Avhen, at length, this measure
Avas adopted, it was the most solemn of transactions.
Mr. Hinton Avas alAvays greatly affected by it, and pa
thetically dAvelt on its lamented necessity, its divine
sanction, and its aAvful aspect on an eternal Avorld ; he
accompanied it also, Avith affectionate prayei-s for those
that had fallen, and touching exhortations to those who
stood : and such surely should this exercise of discipline
ever be, A few extracts from the letters to the associ
ation (already largely quoted) will illustrate these re
marks, ' Long we admonished, long (perhaps too long)
Ave waited in hope of seeing these declining professors
restored to their former fruitfulness, but at length Ave
were compelled to the painful task of separating them
from us. It would greatly relieve the pain we have felt,
could Ave hope that the discipline Avhich the great Head
of the church has appointed for its benefit, were gene
rally efficacious to warn and render more watchful those
who still enjoy the privileges of the house of God, Aid
us by your prayers, that this may be the case ; that while
the branches that bear not fruit are cut off, those which
remain may bring forth more fruit ; and that we may
not add to the number of those AA'ho Avalk as enemies of the
cross of Christ.' . ,, 'We have been compelled by faithful
ness to our Loi-d, and to the souls of transgressors, to
exclude three of our number from our communion.
The pain we feel on this account is deep, nor do Ave wish
it less so : truly happy shall Ave be if the excluded mem-

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 211
bers should share the pain, and return with heartfelt
penitence to Him from whom they have revolted. We
derive some encouragement to hope this may be the
case, from having had the great pleasure of restoring, at
his OAvn request, and after good evidence of his penitence,
one fallen brother (excluded about five years ago) to his
place in the church aud at the table of the Lord, which
Ave hope he will retain Avith holy fear and trembling
through the coui-se of his future days.' . . .' We feel greatly
for the unhappy subjects of church discipline ; we feel
our OAA'n personal unfitness, imperfect as avc are, to re
prove others ; we feel most of all for the honour of the
Redeemer's kingdom: but we dare not be unmindful
of his solemn command " to warn the unruly," and to
" withdraw" ourselves " from them that Avalk disorderly."
Were this duty neglected, we are confident the cause
of Christ among us must soon sink into contempt, and
the candlestick be removed out of its place.'
In this passage Mr. Hinton seems to refer to a tendency,
sometimes discoverable, to overlook conduct truly calling
for rebuke, because it might interrupt the tranquillity of
the society, or give publicity to what Avas little known.
Nothing Avas further from his wish than to do either of
these things, but the due exercise of discipline he felt a
paramount obligation. To preserve the purity of a church
may impede the swelling of its numbers, and sometimes
break in upon its comfort ; but it is among things most
essential to its real and permanent prosperity. Cases
sometimes arose which required both wisdom and cou
rage in a high degree ; one particularly, in his early fife,
strikingly discovered the undaunted resolution by which
he was characterized. The person alluded to was not a
member, but enjoyed the privileges of christian fellow
ship as connected (according to his own statement) Avith
p2

212 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ir.
a well known church in London. His conduct was found
to be inconsistent ; it was ascertained, also, that he had
been excluded from the community to which he had de
clared himself to belong : it was clearly necessary to
inform him, therefore, that he could no longer be admitted
to the Lord's table. But he was rich, and he was passion
ate; subject indeed to paroxysms of rage, on account of
which every one was afraid to interfere with him. The
measure was, nevertheless, adopted by the church : but
Avhen (according to their usual mode) messengers were to
be appointed to communicate the result, the deacons would
not go : nor would any one go, for all said it was at the
hazard of their lives. ' Then,' replied Mr. Hinton, '1 AviU
go : my life is second to my duty.' But no one would
even accompany him ; and he went alone. The unhappy
man's Avrath was exceedingly high. WTien solemnly
warned that no such person as he was could " enter into
the kingdom of heaven," he seized a large stick, and
threatened his reprover's life : to which he replied,
•Then, sir, I shall meet you next at the bar of judgment;
and you will remember that these Avere the last words I ut
tered.' The enraged man immediately threw down his
weapon, and ran about the room in agony crying, ' 0
no, no, no, you shall not charge me with murder !' Mr.
Hinton was so deeply impressed Avith this circumstance,
which upon proper occasions he minutely related, that
at the end of the year, he records ' the deliverance
from  ,' among his ' special mercies.'
Some of the most difficult cases of discipline are
those which arise from irregular attendance. That it is
the duty of church members to fill up their places with
the strictest constancy at all times of worship, and es
pecially at the Lord's table, cannot be questioned; but
it is not quite so easy to determine the duty of the

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 213
church, or of a pastor, to those who fail in this respect.
The interference of a pastor is emban-assed by personal
considerations, and especially when absence arises from
dislike of his ministry. It is dreadful to a man of any
sensibility to exclude, or even to reprove a member, on
such a ground as this; yet if a pastor does not act,
little is done, and you may find the church-book encum
bered with names of persons who yield no support, who
shew no affection, who give no attendance ; and who,
nevertheless, Avill not withdraw, nor receive a dismis
sion. In this difficulty Mr. Hinton could do no more
ihan check the accumulation of withered branches.
Would it yield any good result to enact, that members,
Avhose attendance is irregular to a specific degree, should
have no vote in any church business, until after a fixed
term of renewed constancy ? Among the sketches of
letters preserA'ed, is one which will shew Mr. Hinton's
personal conduct in such circumstances, and his un
changing anxiety for the spiritual welfare of his charge,
' DEAR SIR,
* My duty as a minister of Christ is important, and
solemn is that charge which enjoins me to watch over
souls, as one that must giAC an account to Him who is
ready to judge the quick and the dead. To my duty to
wards my divine Master, I think I may add my chris
tian affection towards you, as one of the flock over Avhich
I am made overseer, as well as a regard to the general
prosperity of the Redeemer's interest among us : and by
these motives united, I am constrained to address to you
a few words of kind inquiry, with respect to your spi
ritual concerns. In doing this, I act merely as your pas
tor and friend, and I stand entirely alone, I read over
with pleasure the many expressions of regard which
your early letters contam, and feel sorrow that I

214 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
look in vain for their repetition. Permit me to ask,
Have I deserA'ed to be forsaken ? Has not my conduct
uniformly been that of faithful and disinterested friend
ship ? What then can have caused a withdraAvment of
your regard? I see with pain your place, as a hearer
and as a communicant, almost constantly empty. I look
back with mingled pleasure and regret to the interesting
autumn of 1797, when (to use your own expressions)
' all your attention was arrested by the ministry of the
word, and you found it a pleasing task to speak of the
goodness of God to you a guilty sinner, and to declare his
mercy, that your fellow sinners might fear his holy name.'
Now, my brother, where is that blessedness you once
spake of ? Have you not declined from your first love ?
Do you indeed spend your Lord's days in hearing the
precious gospel's joyful sound ? Is your soul alive to
wards God, and in daily enjoyment of communion with
him ? 1 am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. You
did run well, and you were a companion of them that
fear the Lord ; but 1 fear lest by some means the tempter
have beguiled you, for we are not ignorant of his de
vices. As a beloved brother I beseech you to ask, whe
ther you are indeed pursuing a course which will render
honour to our divine Master, and secure consolation and
prosperity in your own soul ? With joy I saw you begin
your christian race : the world and Satan beheld the sight
with grief and displeasure. But oh! are not both the joy
and grief likely to be transferred ? Are you sure that
you are not drinking again into the spirit of the world?
I beseech you to pray earnestly over these inquiries, and
carefully to examine your own heart and conduct. Most
truly glad shall I be to find the result all that you or I
can Avish; but if it be not, there is a voice (0 may it
speak with power !) which says " Return uqto mc, ye

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER, 215
backsliding children; I will heal your backslidings, I
will love you freely," I beg to say one word respecting
your duties as a church member, I put the church
covenant into your hands previously to your union
with us : you said you approved, and you requested to
be admitted. Will you have the goodness to look at
the solemn, the voluntary engagement to which you re
quested your name might be added ? It runs thus : 'We
do conscientiously promise, nothing extraordinary pre
venting, to meet together at all appointed seasons at the
Lord's table, and on all other opportunities,' Surely here
are no unscriptural requirements : less than this can
never hold a christian society together. But have you
observed these duties ? Suppose you could walk moro
happily with any other christian society; sm-ely you
should regard the Lord's commands to walk in his ordi
nances, and to cultivate the unity of the Spirit, and the fel
lowship of the saints. I can say from my heart I have
not a selfish wish : rejoicing in the delightful hope that
God graciously employed me to snatch you as a brand
out of the fire, I shall equally rejoice to see you an or
nament of any church under heaven, and would gladly
lend my aid for this purpose. My christian regai'd would
not flag for a moment. Do not then believe that I have
more than this one Avish respecting you : May you Avalk
with God ! May you adorn his doctrine ! May you have
a conscience truly tender, yet void of offence towards
God and towards man ! Convince me that this is the
case, and my anxiety will be immediately turned into
joy, and my admonitions into congratulation.'
The following Avas addressed to a member Avith-
drawing from the church in resentment of its admoni
tions, ' With sentiments and dispositions which we trust will

216 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [ipart ij.
be approved by Him to "whom all hearts be open," the
christian society of which you lately stood a member,
desires to discharge towards you a painful but incum
bent duty. Our pastor has communicated to us a note
from you, in which you request that your name may no
longer stand among us. As you voluntarily entered,
so you have a full right, as it respects man, freely to
withdraw from us : yet it is with much pain on your ac
count that we erase your name, and we are earnest in
our supplications to the Father of mercies, that your
name, as well as ours, may at last be found in the book
of life, among the followers of the Lamb. It appears to
us that you have not made the New Testament your
rule of judgment, or you would not hastily haA'e deter
mined that a christian church does wrong to admonish
its members, or that any member does right to resent
such admonitions. The church at Ephesus, the church
at Corinth, and many others (which Avere voluntaiy so
cieties, who had looked out frOm among themselves
teachers and elders to administer the Avord and ordi
nances) are commended, or censured, in proportion as
they did, or did not, admonish one another daily ; and
whenever this practice was neglected, the churches were
injured, because many were " hardened through the de
ceitfulness of sin." For this reason many commands
were given, as in Heb. xii. 15.; xiii. I7.; 2TheSs.iii. 16.;
and many more scriptures might be added. Now,
should we peglect these duties because a fellow creature
thinks them of small importance, what account should
Ave have to give to our great Judge at his coming, who
has assigned to every one of us his post, and commanded
the porter to watch ? According to our Master's direc
tion, you have been admonished, first by one, then by
two or three ; now it falls on the whole, nor can your

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 217
withdrawment at all excuse us from the duty which we
owe to you, to each other, and to God. Such, you are
well aware, were our views of the will of Christ in. this
matter when you joined us, and you professed to think
Avith us : and though you have not taken kindly the admo
nitions given you, they will not be less approved of God,
and Ave sincerely hope you will not continue to despise
reproof. You have solemnly declared that it pleased
God, by the ministiy of the word in this place, to con
vince you deeply of sin and of its evil, and of the glory
and excellency of the Saviour, and to teach you heartily
to esteem "the reproach of Christ:" yet that ACiy mi
nistry you have long forsaken, as well as the other ordi
nances to which it led you. O how is it, that the source
Of your greatest delight should so soon have become the
object of your total neglect? Is it not owing to a
sad declension of vital piety ? Can Christ reign in a
heart that feels no regard to those precious truths, which
are the life of CA'ery renewed soul ? But do not mis
take us. We do not utter one word of reproof because
you have left this society : our only fear is lest you
should haA'e departed from the ways of God. We should
most cheerfully encourage a fellow christian to attend
any CA'angelical mihister, whose labours were blessed to
the profit of his soul ; and we should most sincerely re
joice, had this been the reason of your separating fi-om
us. We should reflect Avith pleasure, that one converted
AA'ithin these walls had left them, only to support and
adorn some other part of the saOred'fedifice, the general
church of Christ. But we fear that this is far from the
truth ; and we are confirmed in this fear, by observing
that all the kind questions put to you by our pastor on
these subjects remain unanswered. Permit then this
serious admonition, perhaps the last we can ever give.;

218 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
We have no end in view but your eternal welfare. We
entreat you to examine seriously the following points.
 Happy, most truly happy, should we be, could we
be delivered from our fears on each -of these topics ;
and as you are now no longer a member with us, you
will believe it is pure benevolence that dictates the wish.
If disappointed, we trust this Avill not be without bene
fit ; but should you draw back unto perdition (which
Heaven prevent 1) we hope to say, " Lord, to whom shall
Ave go ? Thou hast the words of eternal life." '
Among the methods at one period adopted to pro
mote the liveliness of experimental piety, was a social
meeting, in which pious persons related to each other
the particulars of their religious state ; but its pleasure
was marred, and its duration shortened, by the conduct
of one or two worthy persons of defective prudence, who
gave to these confidential communications a degree of
publicity, certainly A'eiy unnecessary and very undesir
able. It was Mr. Hinton's ultimate opinion, that exer
cises of this kind are in themselves inexpedient; not
because no advantage is derivable fi-om them, but be
cause the uncertain good is connected with certain and
greater evil. He thought that the indiscrimate relation
of the experience of pious people might do harm, and
that select circumstances alone could be beneficially ex-
bibited. He thought, also, that the narration was little
calculated to do good to the person giving it, and that
it tended to affix an undue degree of importance to the
feelings described, 'producing sometimes needless dis
couragement, but more frequently the greater evil of spi
ritual pride. It must be added that the exercise in
question became a channel for the utterance of unplea
sant personal remarks. It is perhaps among the most
lamentable and unexpected indications of remaining de-

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARAC'TER. 219
pravity, that a kind of intercourse, apparently possess
ing every pledge of delight and advantage, should in prac
tice be so mischievous ; the fact however may teach a
les,son, Avhich eveiy young convert especially needs to
learn, that our most profitable communion is not with
men, but Avith God.
The reader will probably recollect that we have men
tioned the establishment of a monthly church-meeting,
to which we make a second reference, only to guard
against a misconception of its object. For convenience,
Mr. Hinton frequently made communications respecting
the concerns of the society, but it was not intended
for the transaction of business ; it was a meeting for
prayer and pastoral exhortation. This distinction is of
considerable importance. The unnecessary introduc
tion of temporal affairs before a spiritual body, is at
least a misuse of time, if not connected with more
serious evils; and, upon the soundest congregational
principles, there are but two purposes for which atten
tion to such concerns can be required — either for the
constituent body to exercise its control over the execu
tive, or for the executive to take the sense of the com
munity — neither of which can be any way necessary once
in every month.
Mr. Hinton felt an affectionate anxiety for the distant
members of his flock. His interviews with them were
pastoral visits indeed ; and to compensate for absence,
or especially as excited by peculiar trials or dangers, he
wrote no inconsiderable number of letters, some extracts
from which, while aiding the illustration of his character,
will exhibit sentiments not unworthy of preservation.
To a lady, on the death of her child, he wrote a letter
which will be here inserted, and may serve as an addi
tional proof (of what is to some so astonishing and

220 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii,
incredible) that those who see no propriety in infant bap
tism, can entertain a most enlarged and delightful hope
of infant salvation. The letter is as follows.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
To comfort those who are cast down is the work of a
divine hand, but that of a fellow christian is often em
ployed as the means of communication. Ofthe future
happiness of infants I have no doubt. Our Lord, in say-*
ing, " Of such is the kingdom of God," certainly meant
to comfort the parents by this assurance, as well as to
teach them humility and simplicity of character* And
thus David comforted himself when he said of his in
fant child, "I shall go to him, though he shall not re
turn to me." It is, morcoA'er, entirely inconsistent with
all our ideas of divine goodness, to believe that He who
waits with much long suffering on sinners Avho wilfully
spend many years in rebellion, should at once plunge
into endless woe millions of millions of infant beings;
who can never be conscious of having once wilfully of
fended his holy Majesty. To all who die in this morally
unconscious state, I believe that the second Adam res-"
tored the ruins of the first. They die because Adam
sinned ; they live because Jesus diedi So far I have no
fear on this head. At what hour, or in what year, of
life, moral accountability commences, or to what extent
at first it reaches, the blessed God (doubtless for wise
and good ends) has not revealed to us. Had your dear
boy been ten, or twelve, or fourteen years of age, my
anxiety would have been much greater than it is ; but,
I confess, were I in your place, I should have no dis
tressing fear on the dear child's account. The-reasons
I have already stated apply very forcibly to his case;
and, if any doubt remains, it is in a great measure done
away by the very pleasing account which you give, of

CHAP v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 22l
his having conversed feelingly upon death and eternity,
and of his saying eagerly, ' O yes 1' when he Avas asked
'if he should love to go to heaA'en, and dwell with
Christ.' My feelings as a parent Avould be full of hope
that he is " for ever Avith the Lord." With this we must
rest satisfied ; since if the blessed God were to give us
full certainty, it might lead to pernicious complacency
in the state of those who live, and check those strenu
ous exertions which he has appointed as means for
their salvation ; means which he gave you a heart to use,
and on which (as far as the case admits) he gaA'e proofs
of his blessing.'
A young woman, a member of the phurch, having un
advisedly engaged herself in a family going to France,
her pastor was very anxious respecting her spiritual
welfare ; and in order to facilitate as much as possible
her enjoyment of diA'ine ordinances, he gave her the fol
lowing testimonial.
'To the Rev. Mark Wilks, Paris ; or to any other
English or French Protestant Minister.
' The bearer,  , is a very honourable communi
cant with the church under my pastoral care, and I re
quest for her the privilege of christian communion
with any Protestant church, where her lot may be cast,
(Signed) ' James Hinton,
'Protestant Dissenting Minister.'
Two years afterwards, he w^ote a letter containing the
following passages. ' 1 do not wonder that you find the
life of piety in your mind ' sensibly decline.' I was
aware that this would be the case when its customary
supports Avere removed; but I am very glad j'ou are
sensible of the evil, and earnestly desirous to prevent its
increase. 1 know of no way to make up for the loss of

222 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
public worship, or to sustain your sinking piety, but a
very careful and constant practice of thinking — of medi
tating on the ever present, the holy and merciful God,
the Father of your spirit, the guardian of your youth,
the source of purity and delight ; the God to whom you
have solemnly devoted yourself, whose child I hope you
are, and whose favour and smiles you are for ever to
prize and enjoy as the portion of your soul. Let your
mornings and CA'cnings be devout. Let every hour be
watchful, faithful, and humble. I tremble often, when
I think of many young persons who, through levity,
flatteiy, ignorance of the arts of seduction, and forget
fulness of their duty to God, have been plunged into
ruin ; who have made shipwreck, first of faith and heart-
piety, and next of virtue and a good conscience, aud
have finally become abandoned to a life, full of present
misery, and without hope for eternity. I earnestly hope
better things of you. He who loves you, has chastened
you with dangerous sickness, the voice of which is, " Be
zealous, therefore, and repent, and do thy first works 1"
Pray let me hear if your Bible is delightful to you. De
light in God is the great proof of true religion, and the
great preserver of it too  I would advise you by
no means to stay abroad, whatever you may gain, if it
be (as I fear it is) at the danger of losing your precious
and immortal soul : yet faithfully fulfil whatever engage
ment you have already made, and by all good fidelity
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.' All the evils
of which this young person had been forewarned, she
painfully realized ; and for the benefit of those who can
be content to purchase wisdom by the experience of
others rather than by their own, it may be added, that
she found the absence of christian privileges a grief too

CHAP v.] PASTORAL CH.4RACTER. 223
heavy to be borne, and at length gladly relinquished
earthly advantages to return to the bosom of the
flock. The following letter was addressed to a young lady, a
member of the church, resident in London, on the gene
ral subject of amusements and dress.
' MY DEAR FRIEND,
' The last time I saAv you in town, our conversation
turned on a topic Avhich was then very general, the con
duct most proper for professors of religion, with respect
to amusements and dress. You well recollect that on
this subject your ideas and mine were very different;
and this circumstance gave, and continues to give me
considerable pain. Since my return home I have con
sidered the subject with serious attention, and I feel
bound, both as your minister and your friend, to com
municate to you my sentiments, with all faithfulness as
well as affection. When you left the country, there
was about you an amiable simplicity of appearance and
manners, and I was not a little surprised, on my first
interview, to observe so great a change. Within these
two or three years, indeed, many young persons have,
by their dress, rendered their company painful even to
disgust ; but, after all the cautions I had given you, I
was not prepared to expect that you would be of the
number ; for you know how affectionately 1 warned you,
"as a father doth his children, that you Avould walk
worthy of God who hath called you to his kingdom and
glory." You conversed on the subject which a late
controversy has agitated, with an air of triumph that
grieved me. You well remember that I begged you to
leave out every thing personal or local in that discus
sion ; to forget the men, and think only on the subject,
as it pertains to your spiritual interest; to seek deliver^

824 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part it.
ance from the natural bias of the mind ; and to study it
on your knees, with the Bible before you, and earnestly
imploring the aid of the Holy Spirit of God. I hope
you have done this ; and if you have, you arc noAV ready
to examine the excuses you then made. You said,
' Some amusements must be had.' I found you had
very agreeable companions, and a library stored with
well chosen books. You haA'e also some skill in music.
You frequently attend philosophical lectures. You spoke
also of draAving. You said that these Avere plea-i
sant to you ; but added, ' Really, though I do not do a
great deal of AA'ork, my time is so taken up with one
thing or other, that I make but little progress in any of
them 1' After all this, I could not but be greatly surprised
to hear that more amusements must be had. I recom
mended Rollin, Anacharsis, Cowper, Watts, with a long
list of other books; but you replied, ' I can get very lit
tle time for reading.' I asked if you heard Mr,  ,
on week evenings : still your reply was, ' I am so busy
with one thing or other, that I can hardly ever get out
in the AA'cek ; if I did I should have no time for reading
or music' After all this, what becomes ofthe plea, '1
must haA'e more amusements ?' Those who have no lei
sure for those truly innocent ones in Avhich I have seen
you engaged, cannot plead for the necessity of more.
You remarked that ' cards and the tlieatre were among
the most common diversions.' But do you really think
this a recommendation of them ? Can you unblushingly
pass into Drury Lane theatre ? Or can you sit, Avithout
uneasiness, to witness and aid the applauses of Kotzebue?
You know the passages which 1 have pointed out to you
as decidedly irreligious, a'nd have often confessed that
even to read them, with any tendency to approbation,
would destroy devotion, and givp fresh occasion for the

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 225
prayer, " Cleanse thou the thoughts of my heart." I
do not expect such arguments as these to weigh with a
libertine, or with those who, from their infancy, have
been taught to think experimental religion fanaticism ;
but surely, my dear young friend, I may hope that they
have not quite lost their weight Avith you. As to
cards, you have often heard me mention them to your
brother as the most dangerous of all amusements. You
know they are so here ; and they are not less so in Lon
don. Some ladies, it is said, play high; and I may ap
peal to the passions which are thus excited, to shcAV
whether ignorance of cards is not a blessing, and whe
ther they are not most wisely dreaded ? I certainly
connect the necessity of amusements with the years of
children, and 1 love to amuse them ; but 1 dislike games
of chance — ^from the stake of thousands on the fatal dice,
to the tossing up of a halfpenny, I detest them. There
are many others in this inventive age. There are games
of skill as yet unadopted by gamesters, and therefore un
exceptionable. In a word, you know we never are in want
of entertainment, though our family is large ; and yet we
never have one of those for which you plead. Your last
plea was that some good people, and even some minis
ters of whom I think highly, give encouragement to
them. My friend, in your whole converse with me,
from first to last, you will bear me witness that I have
never asked for the direction of your conscience ; I have
ever entreated you Avould no further follow me than I
foUoAv Christ. The same caution I gave you with res
pect to others. Admit this plea, and you may, one by
one, admit as many improprieties as will deluge the
church of Christ. I have known good people among those
you mention, who aftenvards veiy deeply lamented their
mistake, and spent their last days in endeavouring to

226 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii,
remedy its evil effects. Ministers, and especially young
ministers, are too apt to give way to their native bias in
this instance : they have not yet detected half the de
ception of the world on which they are entering. I con
fess their example is injurious to multitudes, but it
ought not to be so to you ; your early education ought
to have guarded you against taking, either your creed or
your example, from any but the inspired records.
' 1 had almost forgotten your observation, ' that dress
is too trifling a thing to be noticed by ministers or
churches, and that it is now become pretty general to pay
no attention to the appearance of members, or to their
amusements.' I am not a judge how far the latter part
of this assertion is true ; but, if it be as you state, I con
fess it is to me matter of the sincerest grief. You know
I have never been severe; but, if present amusements
and present dress obtain an unlimited licence in our
churches, my serious apprehension is that the glory of
religion is departing. I cannot, my dear friend, with
any effort of candour, aided by every excuse, look on a
box of women in the modem dress, and say. These are
the temples of the living God ; the Holy Spirit dwelleth
in them I No, if ever they knew his presence, they have
grieved him, and he is gone. But why is dress too
trifling for our notice ? Did the apostle thus judge ?
Have you ever on your knees studied the meaning of
that passage, (1 Tim. ii. 9, 10.) " 1 will . . . that women
adorn themselves in modest apparel, Avith shamefaced-
ness and sobriety, . . . which becometh women profess
ing godliness ?" What then is godliness ? Is it not gravity,
sobriety, beavenly-mindedness? Is it not to be the ser
vants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and pilgrims and strang
ers upon the earth? What are the dispositions which
an heir of glory should cultivate ? Do the flattering

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 227
vanities which adorn the person become her? What
should be the Spirit of one redeemed by the blood of
Christ ? Does a great care to please the world become
her ? Is it not a most lovely part of a female professor's
conduct, to stand at the utmost distance from indulg
ing or exciting a thought injurious to the purity of the
heart ? I have seen a congregation in London (and it
would give me great joy to see all such) whose appear
ance, while I Was preaching to them, was such as be
cometh godliness. Had I been their intended minister,
this circumstance would have won much on my heart ;
had I been a godly young man, I should have prefen-ed
its communion ; had I been seeking connexions in life,
from among such families I would have chosen my
companion. And, though many a sneer is cast on my
views, though I see sometimes superior talents op
posing them, though I grieve that too many biassed
minds have given a direction in favour of the other
side of the question, I shall not hesitate to bear my
living and dying testimony, nor cease to warn every one
under my charge ; I cannot else be free from their blood.'
To give a fair representation of Mr. Hinton's senti
ments on the subject of dress, we subjoin an extract
from a letter to a person by whom he was accused of
making excessive allowances. " You are quite mistaken
if you think I wish professors to dress as they please. I
wish'them to dress as becometh persons "professing godli
ness ;" and I fully agree with you that there is in this res
pect a great deal too mUch conformity to the world. But I
cannot admit that everything costly or ornamental is sin
ful. Our Lord commanded to anoint, that is, to perfume
the head, (Matt, vi, 17- Luke vii. 46.) which was ten
times more expensive than powder. The prodigal son
a2

228 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
had a rihg put on his finger. (Luke xv. 22.) Godly women
of old wore a veil. (Gen. xxiv. 65.) The king's daughter
had a raiment of needle-work. (Psalm xlv. 14.) The
virtuous woman clothed her household in scarlet.
(Prov. xxxi. 21.) All these are praised; and Christ
and his word never praise what is wrong. Again,
the best robe is compared to Christ's righteousness.
Saints above are said to be arrayed in fine linen,' clean
and white. The adorable Redeemer (I speak with reve
rence) is represented as richly clothed down to the foot,
and girt with a golden girdle. Now though these pas
sages are figurative, yet you cannot believe that our
Lord would represent the blessings of his grace and the
glories of his person by things which are in themselves
sinful. If you consult some good commentator on
Isaiah iii. 16. you will find that not dress merely, but ido
latrous dress is there meant. It is my sincere desire in
all things to stop short of the boundaries of christian
liberty, rather than to exceed them ; to avoid in dress
whatever approaches towards , immodesty, whatever is
expensive beyond our circumstances, whatever costs
much time, whatever is fantastic and vain. 1 inculcate
neatness, simplicity, and sobriety, but not singularity;
not that I fear singularity, but it appears to be no more
necessary, or commanded, in dress than in food. We
may, and must, both eat and wear what others do, if
it be not sinful, or to excess. Nor do 1 believe it is God's
will that all distinction of rank and situation should
cease; that magistrates and subjects, servants and mas
ters, should all appear alike.'
We give also an admonition occasioned by a different
evil, but one of lamentable frequency — the formation of
unsuitable connexions in life.

CHAP. v.]. PASTORAL CHARACTER. 229
' MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,
' I feel it my incumbent duty, as your pastor, to repeat
my late admonitions to you as one of my charge. I
am commanded to watch over you as one that must
give an account, and an awful account I must soon give.
I am much alarmed lest the incautious steps which you
have taken should lead to greater errors, and lest
you should, as too many professors have done, make
shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Already you
have done much harm, and you can remedy it only by
a more prudent and exemplary conduct in future.
Do you ask me what harm you have done ? You have
made me and the church afraid to bring forward other
young people, lest they should give us as much pain as you
have excited. I am surprised that you should attempt
to justify yourself. A young woman who professes god
liness, to give her company without regard to prudence,
and above all to piety ? Indeed you must resolutely and
for CA'er alter this conduct, or it Avill ruin your religious
profession, grieve me and the church to the A'ery soul, and
make me regret the day you were admitted among us.
If you ask me what you should do, I answer in the lan
guage of sacred Scripture : " Walk circumspectly.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and admonish
you. Be not unequally yoked Avith unbelievers. Ab
stain from all appearance of evil." Now is not the
spirit of these scriptures directly opposite to your con
duct ? You neither obey your parents, nor listen to the
advice of your minister. Consider how you declared
before men, angels, and the whole church, that you chose
the testimonies of the Lord for your heritage, and how
solemnly you vowed to take up your cross, to follow his
directions, and to study his glory. You desired us all
to pray for you, and to admonish you.; and you faithfully

S30 LIFE OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part. ii.
promised to listen to our admonitions. If you have
forgotten all this, the church has not; the world has
not; God has not; and you will remember it again
in the day which is approaching, when we must all
stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Do not say
I am scA'ere, You know that as a father I have given
you many tender and kind admonitions, which you have
disregarded, and I am alarmed at your danger. I charge
you solemnly before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,
that you do, for the future, give your company to no
person, without the full knowledge and consent of those
whom nature, and piety, and your own faithful promise
oblige you to consult.'
The following letter will shew that the subject of this
memoir was not insensible to the honour of religion, as
affected by the public and political conduct of his
flock. It is pleasing to add, that, in this instance, his
solicitude was not expressed in A'ain.
* MY DEAR FRIEND,
' I am informed that you do not see the evil of taking
the money which, where you live, is usually given after
an election. Now though I claim no right whateA'er to
decide for you, yet I see it my duty to state to you the
reasons why 1 should think it a great sin to take
any such money, or money's worth, in any form what--
ever. ' First. It appears to me a A'ery iniquitous thing that
seats in parliament should be bought or sold. The great'
interests of our country, and our civil and religious
privileges, are hereby greatly endangered; and a set of
very corrupt, and selfish, and wicked men become sena
tors. Those who will give bribes to get into the house,
will certainly take them when they are there. This is
aji evil which christians cannot, indeed, prevent, nor

CHAP, v.] PASTORAL CHARACTER. 231
can they any other immorality : but they ought not to
encourage it, nor to touch the unclean thing. " He
that walketh uprightly shaketh his hands from taking of
bribes." Isa. xxxiii. 15. The circumstance of its being
done after the election is past, when it is well known
that it is expected before, and is given on that account,
is only taking pains to colour over what it would be
far less dishonourable to avow at once; and as the nio^
ney is left by a person in disguise, this alone is sufficient
to shew that it is not a fair arid honourable transaction.
If «ueb a man were to go about Oxford, I should pray
with David, " Gather not my soul with sinners, whose
right hand is full of bribes :" (Psalm xxvi. ©.) and that
not a single house of my friends might be numbered
amongst the " tabernacles of bribery." Job xv. 34.
'Secondly. There is an express law of our countiy
against this practice ; and in whatever degree we en
courage it, we are disobedient to the magistrates whom
God has appointed (Rom. xiii.) to administer the laws,
and to whom we are commanded to be obedient in all
matters of national concern. , For a christian not to do
this, is to bring on himself and on his profession great
and merited reproach.
' Thirdly. Those persons who now take the money may
hereafter be called to swear, that they have not ' indi
rectly' any expectation of a reward for their vote : and
(though, of course, you would not take any money after
you had taken such an oath) your present conduct may
encourage many people, who, in all probability, will do
it notwithstanding their oaths. It will be difficult to
make the world believe, if you act like them at one
time, that you do not also at another.
",Fourthly. The practice of taking money in any form
at, or after an election, is a most disreputable thing.

232 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
All Avriters, in the church of England and amongst our
selves, unequivocally condemn it. All christian churches
that I know, or ever heard of, condemn it. Now it
would grieve me to the heart to have your profession
dishonoured, and your usefulness and excellent charac
ter injured, by such a practice : it would wound your
christian brethren, raise unhappiness to yourself and your
connexions, and be a trouble to you and to them all your
days. I wish to take the most gentle means to guard
you from danger; but should you persist in your present
intentions, I have not the smallest doubt it will occa
sion great unhappiness here. I am the more concerned,
because 1 cannot conscientiously conceal my opinion,
and it would grieve me exceedingly to utter any censure
upon you. 1 thus plead earnestly with you to make a
sacrifice to the honour of religion, the felicity of the
church and your own house, and the glory of God. He
will never allow you or yours to suffer by a faithful at
tachment to his cause.'
Tlie interest which Mr. Hinton felt in his people dur
ing the progress of their life, was much increased on the
approach of its termination. His deportment by the side
of a death-bed w^ eminently affectionate, and from the
treasures of his fervent piety he brought forth abundant
topics of appropriate consolation. He felt strongly re
specting the final result of his labours. Thus he writes
in his diary : ' This morning my friend, Mr.  , closed
his christian race ; and after a long season of great suf
fering, he has entered, I doubt not, into the kingdom
and joy of his Lord. Blessed be God, who has made my
poor labours the means of his spiritual instruction and
comfort. O may I labour with more zeal for those that
remain !' And again : ' This day I attended the funeral
of Mr.  , one of my oldest hearers. I hope 1 was

chap, v.] Pastoral character. 233
faithful to him ; and I have some hope that he is safe,
though he was certainly a very doubtful character.' In
a AVord, he conducted his whole ministry in the spirit of
the apostle's language (which Avas often on his lips)
" For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ?
Are not even ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus
Christ, at his coming?" and he anxiously contemplated
the closing scene of mortality, as exhibiting the last
indications of the probable joy or grief of that all-im
portant day.

CHAP. VL
City Usefulness.
WHILE dcA'oting his principal attention to the im
mediate interest of the congregation over which he
was placed, Mr. Hinton was very much alive to the spi
ritual necessities of the city in which be resided. There
was, indeed, in this respect, much to excite his compas
sion. Not that he viewed the scene around him Avith
the eye, or the heart of a sectary : irrespectively of his
own religious peculiarities, it would have filled him with
unfeigned joy, if its numerous pulpits had poured forth
what he conceived to be the " glad tidings" of salvation.
But this was not the case : and, without presuming to
sit in judgment upon others, it maybe allowed us to
say, that as he conscientiously believed by far the
greater part of those around him to be liAdng in a state
of awful guilt and unheeded ignorance, so it was impos
sible for him to regard his situation otherwise than as
presenting an irresistible appeal to his compassion, and
an urgent call to activity. It was a call to which, it will
will be seen, he was not disobedient.
The reader will perhaps recollect, that a small Sun
day-school had been commenced previously to his set
tlement at Oxford, and his attention was early directed
to the enlargement of this institution ; an object, in which
he was desirous of engaging the concurrence, not of

chap. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 235
his own congregation merely, but of the inhabitants at
large, and to a considerable degree he succeeded in the
attempt. Four schools were established in different
parts of the city, each containing from thirty to forty
children. One of them was considered as belonging to
the dissenting congregation, and therefore attended on
Mr. Hinton's ministry, and was under his entire su
perintendance : the other three, to the care of which
also his friends largely contributed, were church-schools
in all the modes of instruction, and they attended regu
larly at such places of worship in the establishment as
would receive them. In this mode of proceeding he
perceived no sacrifice of principle, and on many ac
counts he greatly rejoiced in its success. It Avas de
lightful to him to be associated, in efforts of usefulness,
with men of different name ; and it was more especially
gratifying, in any measure to remove the obstacles which
so powerfully impeded the exercise of kindly feelipg and
intercourse between the different classes in Oxford. He
was happy, also, in thus very greatly increasing the
amount of exertion, arid in seeing that more good was
done than he and his friends could have achieved alone.
The expence of these institutions was met by an annual
collection at the meeting-house, about the month of
November, and the general nature of the object induced
the attendance, on this occasion, of many of the principal
inhabitants of the city. The sermon was, for the most
part, preached by Mt. Hinton himself, and always with
great acceptance : and if, when other ministers of emi
nence engaged in thi9*wervice, it was less pleasing
to the congregation, it was partly because they intended
their presence as a mark of personal respect to the
usual preacher, and partly because, through local pecu
liarities, no discourse could be so well adapted to the

236 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
meridian of Oxford as his own. The operations now
described Avere superseded in the year 1813, by the es
tablishment of a large school on the system of Dr. Bell :
up to that period, however, they were effectively main
tained, and they constituted not merely the principal,
but the only public effort made in the city for the edu
cation of the lower classes.
His residence in a county town, presented some op
portunities of benevolent exertion peculiar to such a
situation. The prisons were not ordinarily accessible to
any other religious instructors than the regular chap
lains ; but whenever his attendance was requested by
persons under confinement (as it occasionally was) he
received from those in office and authority the most
respectful and liberal treatment. In such circumstances
he exerted himself much for the temporal relief of the
unhappy criminals ; but more, and not unsuccessfully,
for their spiritual good. The most remarkable case
which occurred to him was that of Thomas Davis, who
was executed March 25, 1805, and of whose behaviour
and death he afterwards published an account, by a
few extracts from which we may, perhaps, be alloAved to
exhibit this interesting section of his life.
' Towards the latter end of December, 1804,' says Mr. H.
' I received a letter from Thomas Davis, a prisoner in Ox
ford castle gaol, requesting that I Avould visit him for the
purpose of communicating religious instruction. 1 imme
diately complied with his request, and found him to be a
man of respectable appearance and agreeable manners,
He told me that he had been committed to prison a feiV
days before he wrote to me, on the charge of uttering a
forged Bank of England note. Upon my inquiring into the
reasons which had induced him to make this application,
he replied to this effect : ' When I was apprehended at

CHAP. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 237
Chipping-norton, I dropped some expressions of dread
respecting the gloominess of a prison, and the evil com
pany that is usually found there ; and added, I fear no
one will be there to pity me. God have mercy upon
me ! These Avords were overheard by a kind-hearted
man who was present, and he told me he was sure Mr. H.
if sent for, would visit me in prison. This assurance
gave me joy, and I now thank you, Sir, that you have
come at my request.' * And what,' said I, ' is your wish,
now I am come?' He answered, ' 1 am committed for a
crime which, if proved, will affect my life ; but, though
this is a serious matter, I am far more concerned about
my general conduct and character. I have lived in a
very bad way. There are many sins which human laws
do not punish, and the crime for whicb 1 am committed
is but a small part of my guilt : my life has been full of
evil ; I wish therefore to think of it all, and to know the
best way of preparing myself to meet my great account.'
This frank address very much interested me. I imme
diately furnished him with a Bible, and some other
books, and exhorted him to faithful examination, repent
ance and prayer. At the next interview, he appeared
to me to possess a full belief in the being and govern
ment of God, and a conviction that he had exposed him
self to his displeasure by a life of sin ; but he seemed to
know nothing of the necessity or design of the death of
Christ, and had not thought at all on the depravity and
treachery of his own heart. He believed he could by his
own repentance make atonement for sin, and by his
own strength cast off its power. ' Were I but once out
of prison,' said he, ' I would never do a wicked thing
again all my life.' When I expressed my apprehension
that, if he could be set at liberty that day, he would in a
month be as bad as he had ever been, he seemed aston-

238 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part u.
ished that I could entertain so ill an opinion of him.
After I had referred, in proof of the Avickedness of the
heart and the folly of trusting it, to several scriptures,
and especially to the self-confidence and subsequent fall
of Peter, he was silenced ; but he was not conA'inced
that it was possible he could ever become Avicked again.
My conversation and prayers, together with the reading
of the Scriptures (to which the prisoner paid great atten
tion) were directed to open to his view the plague of
his own heart ; the essence of his guilt, as contained
in those depraved and sinful dispositions by which he
had been led to the commission of so many crimes ;
and the absolute insufficienpy of his repentance and obe
dience, to make atonement for his sins, or to remove
the sentence of divine condemnation which lay upon
him. Very soon I perceived that my labour was not in
vain. I saw each day increasing light break in upon his
mind. In a few days he said, ' Sir, I perceive you are
right : my bad thoughts and bad designs, my purposes
and contrivances of iniquity, are indeed the greatest part
of my guilt ; and now, what is worst of all is that, though I
would repent, my heart is hard, and I cannot. Evil
thoughts break into my mind, and I cannot drive them
away ; and every night, when I am in my cell, my whole
life comes in review, with a thousand things which I
have not thought of for many years, and all is so black
and dreadful — What shall I do ?' Then clasping his
hands with eagerness, he added, ' O God, be merciful to
me a sinner 1 But hoA\' can 1 expect mercy, who went
on in sin till justice laid hold on me, and who came to
God only because I had no where else to go ! How can
such repentance as mine be sincere ! What will become
of my soul ! I fear not death, if God will but have mercy
on my soul !'

CHAP. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS, 239
' It became necessary now to administer the consola
tions of the gospel : and I endeavoured to unfold to the
trembling penitent, the fulness and freedom of divine
mercy, through the sufferings and death of the Lord Je
sus. For some time he greatly hesitated to receive the
consolation : but on making it a matter of earnest prayer
for several days, that God would enable him to appre
hend the Saviour's willingness, as well as his ability, to
save the chief of sinners, I perceiA'ed the gloom gradually
wearing off his mind. He began to say, ' It is possible
that 1 may be saved, and I have a little hope. Christ
died for the worst of sinners. Christ saved one thief
who repented in his last hours ; surely he can, and he
may, save me. It seems,' added Davis, 'as though God
had thoughts of mercy towards me ; else why did he
bring me here ? Why has he given me three months to
think of my conduct, vihen I might have been appre
hended and tried in three days ? How I came to be at
Chipping-norton, I cannot tell ; 1 had no business there,
but surely it was that I might be brought hither to be
taught the way of salvation. I bless God night and day
that I ever entered the walls of this prison. The little
hope I feel that I shall obtain mercy, gives a happiness
to which none of the pleasures of sin can ever be com
pared. I never knew any thing like happiness till now.
O that I may but be saved at the last I'
' Two or three weeks before his trial, there remained
but little doubt on my mind of his being a partaker of
divine grace. About this time I conceived it proper to
state to him (for I saw that he was able to bear it) that
the nature and circumstances of his offence were such as
to preclude all hope, either of an acquittal or a reprieve ;
and that it was kindness in his friends to request that
he would contemplate death, as an event both certain

240 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
and at hand. He received this communication with
great solemnity ; but replied, ' It does not gi-ieve me,
so that God will shew mercy to my soul.' ' That,' I re
plied, ' he has promised to do, and he will not break his
promise.* ' Then,' added Davis, ' I will hope. Let us
kneel and pray:' — an exercise for which he was always
ready. He passed the fortnight preceding his trial, in
alternate hope and fear respecting the safety of his soul.
His great inquiry was, ' Hoav can I know that my re
pentance is sincere, or that 1 should not, if screened
from present punishment, return to sin again?' At other
times he Avould exclaim, * God, who knows my heart,
knows that I should dread a return to sin, as the worst
of punishment.'
' His trial took place on the 7th of March. He was
convicted on the clearest evidence, and the Judge, in
passing sentence, assured him there was no hope of
mercy for him, but at a higher than an earthly tribunal.
Having already the sentence of death in himself, he met
the decision without any violent agitation ; and both be
fore and after his trial, seemed strongly affected by no
circumstances but those which pertained to his immor*
tal interests. I was prevented from attending the trial
by a fall from my horse on the preceding day, so that it
was nearly a week before I was able to visit the pri
soner, and then it was with great difficulty I reached
the condemned cell. At this interview, I was agreeably
surprised to find that a cheerful hope, blended with
deep contrition, had taken possession of his mind. On
my entering his apartment he said, 'Blessed be God
for permitting you to come again ; 1 feared you would
not be able to visit me any more, but even then God
could have supported me. I have so much hope in his
mercy, that I feel as though I could die willingly to-day.

chap, VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 241
O that it may be thus, when my dying day shall come !'
' That,' I replied, ' will soon come, for you have only
eleven days to live.' ' True,' said he, ' eveiy hour
shortens my life ; but, if God will but receive me, I do
not wish to prolong it. I had a thousand times rather
die this death, than be set at liberty and be left to my
own wicked heart, to run into the temptations of the
world again : God, who knows the secret thoughts of
my heart, knows that this is the truth,' I added, ' He
has given you then repentance unto life, and while men
believe that you are sincere, He knows it.'
' The day appointed for the execution was Monday,
March 25. On the preceding Friday, Davis was told
that the applications for mercy, which had been made
without his knowledge, had all failed ; upon which he re
plied, ' It is all right, and I hope all will be well.' At this
period the visits to the prisoner Avere confined to myself
and one friend (Mr. Steane) whose truly christian atten
tion to the convict and to myself, it is impossible 1 should
ever forget. For the last four days, one of us was almost
constantly with him from morning till about six o'clock,
when he was locked up in his celL My spirits now be
came greatly oppressed with the weight of my charge.
The dying man earnestly entreated that I would go on
the platform with him, and stay by him till the last mo
ment ; and to comfort him, I promised that 1 Avould do
so. His gratitude towards me, his praises (a thousand
times addressed to God) that he had ever seen me, his
growing hope that I had been to him a messenger
of grace, affected me far more deeply than any terror
could have done : I dreaded the parting moment ; and
the prospect of the awful scene that was approaching
occupied every hour and almost every thought.
' On the Lord's day morning before he suffered, I

242 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii
preached to a deeply attentive congregation, from Zeeh.
iii. 2. " Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?" As
soon as I left the pulpit I went to the prison, and repeated
the far greater part of this sermon to the condemned man,
who appeared to derive from it additional consolation.
Observing that his coffin now stood in his apartment, I
went up to it, and Davis followed. 1 read over it the
fifth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians,
" For we know that if this earthly house," &c. while he
mingled prayer and praise with almost eveiy verse.
I then left him for about an hour. On my re
turn, I found that two of his relations had been ad
mitted to take their leave of him ; and as I entered,
they were singing, ' Come, ye sinners, poor and
wretched.' The seats were all occupied except thiat
melancholy one, the coffin. On this I cast a mournful
eye, and took it as my seat : the condemned man ob
served me, and instantly springing towards me, threw
himself into my arms, in a flood of tears, and with a
countenance full of gratitude and hope. His relations
and Mr. S. continued singing, 'He is able. He is willing;'
and we all felt as though heaven gave full sanction to
the delightful sentiments. When the hymn was finished,
Davis said, ' The prison is a palace to-day : this is
surely somewhat like heaA'en — do not let us weep any
more. O 1 blessed be God, for giving such a sabbath
as this for my last.' When his relations were gone, I
spent an hour with the prisoner alone, and put to him the
closest questions I could think of, respecting his faith in
the great truths of the gospel, the sincerity of his re
pentance, and the nature of his hope : to all which
he gave answers collected, rational, and scriptural ; dis
covering a sound understanding, and a heart filled with
faith and devotion. After repeated and earnest prayer

CHAP. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 243
to God, intermingled with praises, he broke out into
these expressions of joy : * Blessed be God, 1 am happy
nowl Death cannot come too soon. God will forgive;
Christ, my surety, has died. Kind Redeemer 1 to take
such a poor lost sheep to his fold ; but he has said he
will, and he cannot deny himself. He will in no wise
cast out.' He now told me all his wishes respecting my
attendance at his execution, and what I should say to
the spectators, if he should find himself able to stand
long enough at the fatal spot ; but added, ' 1 think it
likely 1 shall not wish death to be delayed, and i will
tell you my Avishes when I come there.' I promised him
that they should be exactly complied with.
' I now resigned him to the care of my friend Mr. S.,
and relieved my fatigued attention for an hour. At
seven 1 returned, and staid with him till eleven : still
his spirits and religious consolations were wonderfully
sustained. At eleven, I commended him to the care of
God for the last awful night. As soon as I was gone,
he put on the dress in which he was to suffer; and then,
retiring to his cell, he spent full two hours in reading
the Scriptures, with suitable hymns and prayer. He was
indulged with great freedom and comfort, so that his
heart seemed to overflow with joy; and he felt a most
lively belief that God had taken away his dreadful load
of guilt. He committed his soul affectionately into the
hands of Christ ; and being wearied with the long and
often repeated exercises of the day, he prayed God to
give him some rest, that he might meet, with more pro
priety and solemnity, the awful scene of the ensuing
morning. God heard his prayer ; he fell asleep at one,
and slept comfortably till half past three. At this hour
Mr. S. said to him, ' How do you find yourself?' He re
plied, ' Blessed be God, quite comfortable ; do not dis-
u2

244 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
turb me.' He was heard to continue in the most ani
mated devotion. At half past four Mr. S. again inquired
at the door of his cell, ' Howls your mind ?' His answer
was, ' Still quite happy : God will accept and save me a
poor sinner.' ' You think he will ?' said Mr. S. ' I
know he will,' replied the prisoner, ' for he has promised
to save all that come to him through Christ ; and he can
not lie.'
'At five o'clock the workmen began to erect the platform
on which he was to suffer. Every stroke of the ham
mer reached my heart, but poor Davis heard the noise
close to his cell without dismay. At this hour, after an
anxious and sleepless night, I approached Davis's door,
and heard the pleasing sounds break with ardour from his
lips, ' Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me 1 Take me, 0
kind Shepherd ! take a poor wandering sinner to thy
fold ! — Thou art Lord of all things ; death itself is put
under thy feet ; O Lord, save me 1' In similar strains he
continued (for I was unwilling to disturb him) till the
clock struck six. As he had now only two hours to live,
I thought it proper to let him know that I was in the
prison. As I entered his cell I said, ' The fatal morning
is come.' He instantly grasped my hand, and said,
' Blessed be God, I am ready.' Then, as if correcting
himself, he added, 'Ready the laws of my country
oblige me to be ; but I am willing, and God only could
make me wiUing.' In the conversation which immedi
ately followed, I particularly remarked the stress which
he placed on the death of Christ, as the foundation of
his hope and the source of his comfort. ' God will for
give me,' said he, ' for Christ the surety has died. God
has accepted his sufferings, and I have fled to him for
mercy ; he will not now punish me. He has said he
will pardon the chief of sinners, and I believe him, 0

CHAP. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 24.5
that these comforts may be with me to the last 1 What a
wonder am I to myself, that God should thus sup
port me, and even give me rest, to enable me to sus
tain the trial this morning. O God 1 keep me from all
evil thoughts. Let me not have one, I pray thee, in my
last moments. Strengthen my faith to the last, I be
seech thee, O Lord 1'
About half past six the prisoner, attended by Mr. S.
and myself, walked from the hall to the chapel, which is
at a short distance, and on the flat roof of which the
platform was erected. On leaving his apartment, Mr. S.
said, ' I hope you are leaving a prison for paradise to
day.' He replied, ' I have a paradise already.' He
looked up to the place of execution, and said, ' I thought
that sight would have sunk my heart, but God enables
me to sustain that too.' We now entered the chapel, in
which the convicts always spend the last hour. It
afforded to my mind the most lively consolation, to re
collect that I had publicly requested on the preceding
day, that all the people of God, who might be acquainted
with the circumstances, Avould at this hour be offering
up their earnest supplications for the poor sufferer, and
for bis attendants. I had no doubt of their compliance
with this request, nor ought I to doubt of the full ac
ceptance of their prayers. I think it is not presump
tion to say that they Avere abundantly answered, and
that God was with us of a truth. On entering the
chapel we fell on our knees, and I found my heart more
than usually enlarged in prayer. We continued in this
exercise long, and without weariness. When the clock
struck seven, Mr. S. said to Davis, 'You have now en
tered on the last hour of your earthly existence.' 'I
have,' replied he, ' but who would think that, and look
at me ? See, I am now all calmness and comfort. O Avhat

246 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
happiness do I now feel I O that my relations did but
know the comforts which I now have ! O that they
might all feel the same 1 How good is God to me ! I
haA'e always dreaded the distress of soul that I might feel
at this last hour ; yet this is the best hour which I ever
had in my life. How good is God ! He has kept the best
blessings till the last. He knew that I should want most
comforts now. If he had giA'en them sooner, perhaps I
might have slighted them, or trifled with them, but now
they are just what I Avant. O let me praise him 1' He
then wished us to sing. We set some plaintive notes to
penitential psalms, and even ventured, in more cheerful
strains, to sing, ' Death 'may dissolve my body now.'
Davis Avept much, but repeatedly said, ' They are tears
of joy and gratitude to God ; I believe that Jesus has
paid the dreadful debt.' I reminded him that hundreds
of the people of God were at that moment joining with
us in prayer ; and he said, ' Do tell them what I feel, it
will make them happy to hear it.' He expressed much
astonishment at the greatness of his consolations. ' How
can a dying man,' said he, 'be thus calm ?' Then holding
out his arm, he said, ' Look ; not a nerve of my body trem
bles, and 1 have not a fear in my soul.' 1 reminded him
that I had always encouraged him to hope that God
would hear prayer and support him at the last hour.
He replied, ' God has heard every prayer, since 1 en
tered this prison. He has given me every thing for
which I asked him.'
^ It is impossible to describe the interest which I felt,
as the rapid moments now brought on his last. At very
short intervals, petitions, praises, and blessed promises
were uttered in bis ear, and his soul entered into them
all. He was particularly desirous that he might die as
be now felt, without any evil or unbelieving thoughts.

chap. VI.] CITY USEFULNESS. 247
I said, 'Your eternal safety does not depend on this cir
cumstance. If they come, you will not welcome them.'
He answered, ' No, that I shall not, for I hate them ; but
it will be very comfortable to die undisturbed by them.'
I knew the exact time when the ministers of justice
would appear, and demand the prisoner at our hands ; and
1 kept him in prayer the last ten minutes. On rising
the signal was giA'cn, and I said,' The messenger is come,'
' I am ready,' Avas, his reply. The executioner entered :
he Avas attended by the proper officers, and he held in
his hand the instrument of death, A more terrific appear
ance I think no human form could assume. His keen
eye rolled over the apartment in search of his victim.
My heart sunk Avith horror ; but the poor criminal im
mediately, and with a calm step, crossed the chapel,
gave his hand to the executioner, and said, ' I am ready,
do your duty.' When prepared for execution, the at
tendants, who behaved with the greatest tenderness and
humanity, joined in a short prayer, offered up at Davis's
request, ' Though he was heavily ironed, the prisoner ascended
without any help, the long stair-case which led up to
the scaffold. At the top of the stairs Mr, S. took an
affectionate farcAvell, and added, ' I believe it is not an
eternal one,' The executioner was already on the plat
form, and it was my painful, but indispensable duty, to
ascend it Avith poor Davis, at his dying request, I now
asked him whether I should speak to the people what
he had desired. He replied to this effect, ' I had rather
not stay while you speak much ; only pray, and ask the
people to join with you,' I then said to the people,
'This poor dying man confesses the justice of his sen
tence. He warns all against evil company, sabbath-
breaking, and gaming, by which he was led to the crime

24S LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
for Avhich he suffers. He hopes God has given him true
repentance, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and
begs you will all unite with him in prayer that God will
receive his soul.' The numerous spectators behaved
with great solemnity. Kneeling Avith Davis, I offered our
last united prayers to God ; and on rising I said, ' Are
you comfortable?' He replied, 'lam.' 'Do you die
Avith full faith in Christ?' He answered, ' I do.' ' Then
God receive your soul.' He grasped my hand, and said
'Amen.' I instantly retired, and in about a minute I
heard the platform fall. During that time he had been
heard to use the petitions, Avhich he said should be his
last, " Lord Jesus, receiA'e my spirit !" ' Jesus, take me
to thy fold !' Happily, he expired Avithout a struggle;
providence thus alleviating his bodily sufferings, while 1
humbly hope that grace, rich and abundant grace, had
for ever remoAcd all sorrow from his soul.'
Every one perceived the deep interest Avhich this event
excited in Mr. Hinton's mind, and admired the manner
in which he conducted himself. In his diary we find
only the following notice, in a ' review of mercies' on
the 23rd of April : ' The great aid and comfort Avhich I
had in visiting a poor convict, who Avas executed March
25, at our county prison, with such strong evidences
of conversion and salvation, that I am bound to thank
God on his behalf, and on my oAvn also, that I was
made to him a minister of mercy.' That he should
wish to have a permanent record of such scenes, was
most natural ; but he was not eager to give them to
the world. He Avas keenly allA'c to all the difficulties
attending a late repentance, and the greater difficulty
of so exhibiting its consolations as to produce a bene
ficial result. He fully coincided in the opinion fre
quently expressed, that, in general, it is not desirable

CHAP, v!.] CITY USEFULNESS. 249
to say much of such occurrences ; and he was sensible
that, to the triumphs of dying criminals especially, an
inexpedient publicity had sometimes been given : but
he thought the case of Davis was an exception to the
general rule, and he had the happiness of finding that,
in the public sentiment, his Narrative was ranked with
publications AA'hich it would have been improper to
withhold. He was impelled partly by the urgent solici
tations of judicious friends, but more powerfully by
the hope of doing good : and he never regretted the
step he took, ' Davis's NarratlAc' had more than an
ephemeral interest. During its author's life, it went
through seven large editions ; it Avas very widely cir
culated, and very eagerly read ; and (best of all) it is
known to have been extensively useful.
Some years afterwards, his visits were requested by
John Bennett, a prisoner under sentence of death. The life
of this unhappy man had been full of violence ; he had
several times escaped from confinement, and was, in
truth, one of the most notorious prison-breakers in the
country. Against this propensity Mr. Hinton immedi
ately directed his influence, and told Bennett that he
Avould have nothing to do with him, if he did not lay
aside all thoughts of resisting the course of justice; this
the prisoner declared he would do, aud, as far as was
ever known, he kept his word. A petition was pre
sented to Mr. Justice LaAvrence praying for his life, and
it was happily successful, the punishment of death
being commuted into perpetual transportation. The
prisoner was unable to read ; but, making full alloAvance
for this circumstance, he was incredibly ignorant of the
first principles of religious truth. He had never heard
of the ten commandments at all; and when his in
structor opened the Bible, and read to him, "Thou

250 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
shalt not steal," the man gazed in astonishment. ' Oh !'
said he, ' if they had taught me this when I was young, I
should never have been here,' After some time, this
convict was removed for transportation, Mr, Hinton
saw him (permission being very kindly granted by Sir
George Grey) on board the vessel in Portsmouth har
bour, furnished him with means of religious improve
ment, and left him, not with an assurance of his con
version, but with some pleasing indications of an
awakened mind,

CHAP, VII,
Village Preaching.
THE state of the country was yet more lamentable
than that of the city, and it induced Mr, Hinton to make
vigorous efforts for carrying the gospel into the villages.
He generally preached at some place in the neighbour
hood, on the evening of every alternate Sabbath during
the summer, and frequently on one or more evenings
in the week. Among the places in which he thus
laboured were South Hinksey, Wheatley, Oddington,
Watlington, and Woodstock; in addition to which,
efforts were made in later years on behalf of Littlemore
and Ensham. In these exertions he found nothing
irksome, but on the contrary much pleasure ; the lively
devotion which impelled him to activity, made all de
lightful. He often spoke of peculiar happiness in
these pulpit exercises, in which he could pour forth his
heart to the villagers without restraint. Many of them
are recorded in his diary as ' truly happy,' and he par
ticularly mentions instances of 'delightful meditation'
during his return. For these humble labours he was
not less qualified, than for the higher exertions to which
he was called. ' He greatly excelled,' says one who well
knew, ' as a village preacher. I shall never forget those

252 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
free effusions of his heart, which I often witnessed;
they are. still in no common degree sweet to my recol
lection.' Always simple, he was here unusually so.
Determined to make the most ignorant understand
every thuig he said, he used the plainest words, the most
familiar illustrations, the most pointed manner of
address ; and amidst all, he was remarkably distant from
the ludicrous or the vulgar.
It cannot by any means be supposed that, in these
labours, his friends left him without countenance and
support ; yet there are intimations in his private papers,
that the encouragement he received was not commen
surate with his expectations. It is not perhaps difficult
to account for this. He was constitutionally far more
energetic than either of his official coadjutors at that
period ; and he was, besides, in the full gloAV of youth,
while their ardour had felt the influence of advancing
years. It is probable, too, that their attention had pre
viously been nearly engrossed by the preservation of
the feeble congregation at home, so that the appeal of
their young minister on behalf of the destitute around
was almost new to them ; while it must not be forgotten
that he, as a stranger, knew nothing of the peculiar in
fluence of local difficulties, and was more disposed to
bid defiance to them than could be at once expected of
men of long residence and established connexions. The
assistance required was partly pecuniary ; but he did not
wait till a fund was provided to meet his expences,
before he ventured on incurring any : using prudence
and economy, hc placed much trust in God, and some
in his people ; the latter was seldom disappointed, and the
former, never. For the contributions which his friends
made he was very grateful, but far more so for the di-

CHAP.vii] VILLAGE PREACHING. 263
vine blessing on his personal industry, which enabled him
to do much without adding to their burdens : and in this
respect he felt very materially the advantage resulting
from the school income, of which he devoted no small
share to these disinterested labours. Personal support
was also necessary : for the popular spirit was then very
unquiet, and it would have been impossible, with any
comfort, to have conducted divine worship, without one
or two judicious and intrepid friends to assist in the
preservation of order. The accomplishment of this
object was attended with considerable difficulty. Nei
ther of the two senior deacons was adapted to it ; Mr.
Newman, from age, was too feeble, and Mr. Pasco was
too timid ; and upon one occasion, when complaint had
been made, their answer, promising an increase of exer
tion, is quite characteristic : — 'T, Newman will give
advice; T. Pasco will giA'e money; and J. Bartlett
will give personal attention.' Here, indeed, Mr.
Bartlett was invaluable; admirably fitted for the ser
vice, and willing to engage in it : and with him were as
sociated a small number of plain, but faithful and cou
rageous men, of whose character and worth the reader
will shortly be enabled to judge for himself.
To certain influential persons Mr. Hinton's village
labours were by no means pleasing. The ecclesiastical
superior of the parish seldom failed to consider them
as a reflection on his character, and an invasion of
his rights; and to exercise an open, and by no means
a gentle hostility. In several instances the preacher
could not have escaped a violent expulsion from the
place, had he not used the protection of British laAvs :
and, though he respectfully sought this defence, and
conducted himself in a manner which afforded no pre-

254 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ir.
text for withholding it, the body of magistrates at that
time so deeply partook of the general dissatisfaction,
that (notwithstanding the very narrow limits within
which official discretion is in this case so wisely con
fined) it was not always easy to secure a prompt
legal recognition. It were easy to furnish instances
in which a request for the registry of a house for
divine worship, though it could not be refused, was
repeatedly neglected ; and was granted at last only in
compliance with a determined requisition, which it
was well known that the applicant both could, and
would have followed up, if resisted, with a mandamus
from the court of king's bench.
In the villages, there were generally found some
persons of low habits inclined to disturbance : but
with equal truth and regret it must be stated, that the
turbulent spirit was excited and promoted by the higher,
and too often by the clerical orders, Avho might have
been supposed to disdain the meanness of instigating
what they were ashamed to do. For the most part,
the attention of the friends who accompanied Mr.
Hinton was sufficient to keep the restless spirits within
tolerable bounds, or if not, an appeal to the magistracy
effectually restrained them. He never manifested, how
ever, either an angry or a vindictive temper. The offen
ders found him full of compassion, and ready to forgive;
and he often became an intercessor on their behalf,
pleading for the mitigation of the punishment in the hope
that the evil would be remedied. Glorying, indeed, in
the tenor of British laws, and placing the fullest reliance
on the equity and strength of their administration, he
feared nothing, but defied the utmost opposition, until
he found by experience that his confidence Avas not alto-

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 255
gether justified. It is a great satisfaction to the biogra
pher, and it will doubtless be so to the reader, that
a narrative of the occurrence to which we now refer Avas
drawn up by Mr. Hinton himself, within a short period
after it took place : it is as follows.
* Early in the spring of the year 1/94, 1 was requested
by several of the inhabitants of Woodstock, some of
whom had frequently heard me at Oxford, to preach
to them at the house of Mr. Boulton, which Avas situ
ated opposite the Malborough Arms Inn, in that tOAvn,
and was duly registered for the purpose at the quarter
sessions at Oxford. After many repetitions of this request,
I agreed to give them a sermon as often as my other
engagements would allow. Two or three other neigh
bouring ministei"s did the same ; and the commence
ment of our labours was fixed for Sunday, May 18, on
which day I Avas to preach. On the Monday preceding
1 went to Woodstock, and visited three families, who ap
peared to be worthy people ; and I Avas informed that
several other families were desirous of the worship of
God among them, in the mode in which they had been
used to enjoy it in other places, but of which they had
been deprived since their residence there. Conceiving
it right to forward their pious Avishes, and having
been quite unused to fear in the pursuit of my duty, I
Avas rather surprised to find Mrs. Boulton uneasy at the
clamours of some Aralgar people, who had threatened
to break the AvindoAvs, &c. Having always found the
laws of my countr)' fully adequate to my protection, I
had no doubt but they would be so in this instance. At
once to remove, however, all uneasiness from my friends
and all charge of imprudence from myself, I im
mediately Avaited on Henry Metcalfe, Esq. then Mayor
of Woodstock, whose behaviour Avas such as I naturally

2SC LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part n.
expected from a gentleman and a magistrate : I claimed
his protection for myself and the house, both being
quedified ; and having particularly informed him of the
time and place of our meeting, I received the pledge
that there should be no disturbance. With this assur
ance I came home, A'cry much satisfied; and on the
ensuing Lord's-Day I went to Woodstock, without any
apprehension of danger, accompanied by my kind
friend, Mr. Bartlett, on horseback, Avhile four other
persons whose names are Hugh Barnard, Thomas Brock,
Jeremiah Hooper York, and John King, went on foot.
About a quarter past six in the evening the service com
menced, very peaceably; the congregation consisting of
about thirty persons, besides children, perhaps fifty in
all. After prayer and singing, I endeavoured to begin
the sermon, taking for my text. Matt. xvi. 26. " For
what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and
lose his own soul ?" but at this instant a mob arrived,
to the number of three or four himdred persons, one
fourth of whom were Irish recruits. They were ex
tremely noisy, and many of them began to rush into
the house. With those who first came in I expostulated
with apparent success ; but a second set being more re
fractory, I spoke of the protection of the law, and
the consequences of their breaking it, Avbich last aigu-
ment produced some effect on them also. Another and
a more numerous company, however, still crowded the
passage, armed with a well-pole and a scale-beam, which
they thrust in among the hearers, using at the same
time much abusive language. These implements were
secured by some friends, and a little respite was gamed,
though it Avas of short duration. I attempted to go on
with the discourse, but there were too many speakers
for any one to gain much attention. Some insulting

chap. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 257
language from persons in the room, and much noise and
indecent behaviour on the outside of the window near
which I stood, together with every symptom of in
creasing mischief, obliged me to break off the service
and dismiss the congregation. I conceived that this
step would have satisfied the mob, but they continued
round the house, and their numbers appeared to in
crease : attended by two friends, therefore, I crossed
the way to the Malborough Arms inn, where I had pre
viously taken tea. The moment I appeared the mob
raised a prodigious clamour, by turns hissing, shout
ing, cursing, and vociferating 'Jacobin rascal!' with
almost every possible expression of insult; and the other
friends experienced the same treatment. When all
bad left the house, I still hoped the mob AA'ould dis
perse : but they gathered round the inn, ^nd some of
them even came into the room in which we were. I
began now to be somewhat concerned. A person was
pointed out to me, whom some of my friends knew to
be one of the Woodstock constables. I asked him if
he was so, and he replied in the affirmative. I claimed
his protection, but he positively refused it, because (as
he said) he had 'no order from the mayor.' I there
fore wrote a note, and sent it to the mayor, entreating
him to interfere and suppress the riot: but the mes
senger brought an answer that gave me little hope of
any speedy succour. Meanwhile the landlord and
landlady were urging us to depart at one door, as
the mob was pressing in at the other; and, indeed,
there was no altei-native. The friends on foot set out
at the front door, while Mr. Bartlett and myself
mounted at the back gate, closely followed by a most ill-
looking Irish recruit, who was armed with a short stick
or bludgeon (as were also many others) and who, on our
s

258 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
mounting, set up a terrible noise, Avbich appeared to
be the signal to his companions that we were going.
At this instant we might have escaped by a back road,
as Ave had good horses ; but as our friends were gone
the other way, Ave determined rather to share their fate
than to leave them to the mercy of the mob, though we
were not then apprehensive that they would be allowed,
within a few yards of the mayor's house, and without inter
ruption, to proceed to such dreadful outrages as we pre
sently experienced. Whilst we had been mounting and
coming round the corner of a lane, closely followed by the
above mentioned recruit, who cursed us more bitterly as
we approached his companions, they had been shedding
the blood of our friends. We saw a considerable quantity
of it (and this was the first thing that truly alarmed me)
lying on the stones in the street, and over it stood a
middle aged man, an inhabitant of Woodstock, swear
ing with all the fury of a demon. He first addressed
me. ' D — you,' said he, pointing to the blood on
the ground, ' this is Jacobin blood, and yours shall go
next.' ' 1 hope my friends,' said I, ' they have not shed
any one's blood.' 'I tell you,' said he, again swear
ing, ' it is Jacobin blood, and yours will go next.' He
repeated these words with additional ill language, to
Mr. Bartlett, while multitudes all around him were ut
tering similar imprecations. At this instant a handful
of dirt struck me on the left side of my head ; I saw the
man who threw it, who appeared to be a corporal : and
at the same time the recruit who had followed us from
the inn began most violently to beat the horses on which
we rode. 1 attempted to run back, but in a moment
we were surrounded; every way of escape seemed
closed, and all attempts equally perilous. The mob had
now left pursuing our companions, and stones came thick

chap. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 259
upon us from all quarters. A stroke from a bludgeon
totally disabled my right hand. I could however hold
up my arm, which I did, and thus prevented repeated
and violent blows (it is impossible to say how many)
from reaching my head ; but my arm was miserably
bruised from my shoulder to my wrist. Having no al
ternative but death, we set ourselves to press through
the mob toAvards Oxford. For this purpose we placed
our horses abreast, and spurred them sharply ; when, as
though conscious of their situation, they reared and gal
loped with gi'cat force,but without in the least degree sepa
rating from each other, so that the rioters were compelled
to fall back on each side of the road, and open a way for
our advance. Eveiy one who could come near struck us
with a bludgeon, or a stone, as we passed, and each of us
was violently bruised on the side open to their assault ;
but one side of each being sheltered by the position of
the other, we were enabled to maintain our seats and ef
fect our escape.
' When we had got a little before the mob, I discovered
Mr. Barnard, who had just strength enough to crawl out
of a ditch into which the cruel Avretches had thrown
him, having first so covered him with wounds and blood
that he exhibited one of the most dismal spectacles I
ever saw. Mr. Bartlett rode up to him, the rioters still
pursuing at the distance of about tAvo furlongs. ' Bar
nard,' said he, these ' wretches have almost murdered
you, and they, are coming up again ; but come, we will
take you with us.' The poor man was hardly capable
of reply, for his speech was almost gone, and his senses
seemed to waver ; but he urged us to save ourselves, and
leave him to a death which it seemed now impossible to
avoid. ' I will not leave you,' said Mr. Bartlett : ' if
they kill you they shall kill me too. Come, be cheerful ;
s2

2C0 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
'tis a good cause, and avc will die together.' I rode
up in the instant, and we contrived, though Avith great
difficulty, to fasten his arms across the front of our sad -
dies, and to drag him along between the horses. About
three quarters of a mile from the town, the mob left us;
and at the distance of a mile and a half we stopped, ob
tained some refief for Mr. Barnard, and waited for the
rest of our companions, who had escaped by different
roads, and Avere, all but one, severely wounded. With
much gratitude to heaA'en that no life Avas lost, and with
joy and tranquillity of spirit which I have seldom feU,
I assisted to bring home our friends, whose account on
oath of what passed while we Avere separated, was as
follows. 'Immediately on their quitting the inn, the recruits
aud towns-people surrounded them and obstructed their
way ; and the soldiers endeavoured to enlist them, by
forcing money into their pockets and coat sleeves. Ex
postulation was useless, and in truth did but increase
their violence. Mr. Brock Avas alniost brought to the
ground by a blow between the shoulders ; and per
ceiving one of them putting a shilling into his pocket,
he pushed it away with his hand. This was highly re- ^
sented by the recruits, who immediately laid on him
in a most cruel manner ; and he, perceiving that his
life depended on his using the means of self-defence,
exerted himself with so much energy as, after receiving
many wounds, to effect bis escape. Mr. Barnard was
not so fortunate; being somewhat in years he was not
able to make any resistance. By the force of many
bludgeons striking at once, he was brought to the
ground at least ten or twelve times successiA'cly, the
mob just giving him time to rise, in order to have the
brutal pleasure of knocking him down again. Deaf

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 251
to all his intreaties for mercy, they at last threw him into
a ditch, and while lying there one of them (he believes a
Serjeant) gave him several dreadful kicks on the ribs, and
then called off the men. Mr. York likcAvise took his
blows without resistance, but, being young and active,
he escaped better than Barnard, who probably aa'IU
retain the effects of his ill usage all his days.'
Amidst this tumult, it is intimated in the narrative,
that Mr. Hinton's mind was in a state of delightful se
renity. He was equally favoured during the season of
confinement and suffering Avhich followed ; and fre
quently said, not merely that for devout pleasures that
year Avas the most remarkable of his life, but that to
recall its happiness he would gladly have renewed its
perils too.
The notice of this event which is taken in the diary,
exhibits the truly christian spirit he cherished towards
his persecutors. 'A dreadful riot at Woodstock this
day : myself, and four companions, much wounded
by the mob, with difficulty escaped Avith our lives.
Blessed be God, who did not leave us in the hands of
the enemy ! May the blood of a good man, shed this day
in the streets of that unhappy town, not cry to heaven
for A'engeance ! rather let us pray, " Father forgiA'C
them : lay not this sin to their charge I" May the great
God so ordain, that this persecution may be the com
mencement of much good to the numerous inhabitants
of Woodstock ! My mind is A'cry happy, thinking it an
honour that I am accounted worthy to bear in my body
the marks of the Lord Jesus, and to suffer for his
name.' The text of scripture placed in the pocket
book (in which his diaiy was then" kept) against the
following day, is Ezra ix. 15. "Thou art righteous;"
to which he adds, 'Amen! though the Avicked now

2G2 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
triumph.' And at the close of the week, in which he
had been unavoidably much harassed and fatigued by
necessary consultations and proceedings, be writes ; ' A
happy, though a tiying week. Pleasant meditations.
It is good for me to be thus afflicted; yea, "all things
work together for good." '
For an account of the proceedings adopted in refer
ence to this ferocious assault, we turn again to his nar
rative. ' A warrant was obtained to apprehend some of
the soldiers,* and intelligence having been received that
they were to march through Oxford on the Wednesday
following, I procured several constables to take the de
linquents into custody as soon as they should be iden
tified : but, on sending some persons to gain further in
formation, we found that their number amounted to
two hundred and sixty, and that they AA'ere entering the
city with drawn swords, threatening destruction to all
Avho should oppose them. The constables assured me
that it Avas in vain to expect assistance in executing
the warrant ; that there were no officers who could
exercise any control (there being none of a higher rank
than sergeants) ; that many would join the soldiers ; and
that, in short, it was at the hazard of my life to approach
the ranks to point out the culprits. I scarcely need say
that, with this intelligence, Ave were heartily glad to see
them depart without doing us fresh injury: and I there
fore returned the Avarrant to the magistrate, giving him
the above reason for so doing, and intimating that, as
justice might be obtained in some other method, I chose
* ' It could not be absolutely proved, that any persons but the soldiers
were guilty of actual violence : but many of the inhabitants of Woodstock
abetted the soldiers, and urged them on lo the assault ; and particular
charges of this kind were exhibited on oath against several of them Wy
name.'

CHAP, vii.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 263
rather to bear the injury for the present, than hazard
the quiet of the city.' A few days afterAA'ards application
was made, by the committee for defending the civil
rights of the dissenters, to Mr. Secretaiy Dundas, who
promised speedy and effectual redress, which, however,
was never obtained. E. Willes, Esq. a Westminster ma
gistrate, was sent down to Oxford and Woodstock, where
he took a number of depositions, with which he returned
to London. His death speedily followed ; and shortly
afterwards, his Grace the Duke of Portland succeeded
Mr. Dundas in the secretaryship for the home depart
ment. Amidst these changes public business might,
probably, have been somewhat impeded, and this affair
in particular overlooked, as the prosecution was by no
means warmly urged on the part of the Oxford dis
senters : and when, at length, it was felt necessary to
make an inquiiy whether any proceedings were likely to
be instituted, his Grace's reply was, in substance,
' that the matter was then asleep, and had better con
tinue so.' In ti'uth means had been secretly adopted,
to render the prosecution impossible. The regiment
to which the recruits belonged was immediately sent
over to Holland, where war was then carried on, and
where it Avas shortly afterwards entirely cut to pieces ; so
that the men were placed beyond the reach of any
earthly tribunal. If the sufferer felt this disappoint
ment, it was not seA'erely, for he wanted not punish
ment, but protection : it was far more grievous to him
that, on applying to the magistrates for security against a
similar assault, in order to renew his exertions, they told
him plainly that they could not engage it.
The true character of this transaction is by no means
obscure. There were circumstances which demon
strated that the presence of the soldiers was not in the

264 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
course of a regular march. It was on the Sabbath, when
military movements are not ordinarily made. They
came into the town late in the day ; and their shoes
VA'ere still covered Avith dust, indicating that the clean
ing of their regimentals (invariably the first care after a
march) had not been attended to : in addition to Avhich,
they were not accompanied by a single responsible
officer, a circumstance altogether inexplicable, when it is
considered how serious their responsibility is, but upon
the supposition of its being designed to facilitate the
assault. Even further measures of precaution appeared
to be taken, by the posting of sentinels on the principal
roads, for the purpose of observation; one such, at
least, a sergeant, was seen by Mr. Hinton and Mr. Bart
lett, about half a mile out of the town towards Oxford :
he acknoAvledged that he belonged to the rioters, and
began to utter similar abuse; but, when reminded of his
peril, he lowered his tone, and conducted the mob back
into Woodstock. It is beyond all doubt that the recruits
were designedly brought thither, not, indeed, with the
sanction, or the knowledge, either of his majesty's go
vernment or of any high military officer ; but at the in
stigation of some powerful adversary, who calculated
upon court influence to obtain impunity for the crime.
In this instance the calculation was correct. The civil
power at Oxford either participated in the hostifity, or
was OA'erawed into inaction. The secretary of state
promised immediate redress ; and as no reason was
ever given for Avithholding it but 'that the matter had
better sleep,' it can be no error to conclude that the pro
ceedings would have led to disclosures which, in some
high quarters, were greatly dreaded. The reader will not
fail to observe the character of political virulence by which
the transaction is marked, but if he recollects the period

CHAP, vn.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 265
of its occurrence, he will not be surprised: it was a
time when the influence of the French revolution had in
flamed political feeling almost to fury through the Avhole
kingdom, and the ciy of ^Jacobin' Avas made, at more
places than ^A'oodstock, the pretext for the indulgence of
religious animosity,
Mr, Hinton closes his narrative in tlie foUoAAing man
ner. 'I have never been e^er for prosecution. I Avish
only protection ; and if this be Avithheld I mean not to
murmur, but to commit myself to Him who judgeth
righteously. Conscious of truth and integrity, I should
haA'e been happy to submit this cause to the most
full and complete legal investigation : but though such
an opportunity appears to be for ever lost, I am not on
that account discoui-aged. I shall the more attentively
regard the advice of the sacred Avriter : " If thou seest
the A'iolent perverting of judgment and justice in a pro
vince, marvel not at the matter ; for He that is higher
than the highest regardeth, and there be higher than
they," So public and extraordinary an affair excited a
deep and general interest, and it might have been ex
pected that an account of it would speedily have appeared
from the press : but such a measure was prevented, on
the one hand, by the inflamed state of the pubUc mind,
which would have rendered it useless ; and on the other,
by the expected institution of legal proceedings, which
obviously rendered it improper. The sufferer both re
strained himself, therefore, and exerted himself success
fully to restrain others. About a year afterwards, Avhen
all thoughts of prosecution were dropped, and party
feeling was a little cooled, he drew up the narrative we
have now given with a view to publication, partly that
he might satisfy the urgent call of his distant friends.

266 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
and partly that he might secure a permanent record of
facts, which certainly ought not to be lost, as a section
in the history of persecution for conscierice sake ; but
principally, that he might endeavour, by a manly and ra
tional appeal, to remove the deep and general prejudice
which had been excited and perpetuated against himself
and bis friends. For this purpose he annexed to the
narrative ' a defence of village preaching,' which, al
though possessing no specific application to present cir
cumstances, contains representations too important to a
true estimate of the difficulties of his situation to be in
justice withheld. It is as follows :
'During the first seven years of my residence in this
city, I scarcely kncAv what it vtas to be seriously censured,
by men of any persuasion ; and the only attempt which
was made to throw obloquy on the dissenters, was univer
sally said to have failed of its end, and to have procured
for them an additional degree of respect. Such kind
treatment had perhaps rendered me too happy, or at
least too secure from the apprehension of a change. 1
little thought, indeed, that the same persons who es
teemed it a virtue for me to preach at Oxford in the
morning, would think it a crime for me to preach the
same sermon at Woodstock in the evening. Yet thus
inconsistently have multitudes appeared to judge ; for as
soon as it was known that the lawless mob had suc
ceeded in their wicked purpose, the respect I had expe
rienced was suddenly changed, in a great measure, into
contempt and almost every species of abuse. Within
three days after the riot, I could hardly step a few yards
into the street without being bitterly cursed by the vul
gar, who heartily Avished my murder had been com
pleted, and told me so even at my own doors. Many
persons of respectability, too, with Avhom 1 had been on

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 267
friendly terms, avoided my company; and not a few
plainly said, ' While you continue to preach at Oxford
only, we shall respect you ; but if you will go into
country places, it is so disgraceful a thing that we can
not be connected with you.'
' This way to honour is manifestly a very easy one : but
the price is too high. Desirable as the approbation of
man is, that of God is infinitely more so. Let A'illage
preaching be proved to be disgraceful or unnecessary,
and dissenting ministers would rejoice in the discovery ;
since their labours and persecutions would be greatly
diminished. We think, however, that we cannot, con
sistently with our duty to God and to mankind, omit
any opportunity within our reach of communicating the
knowledge of the blessed gospel, which brings life and
salvation to dying men. We do not recollect any part
of the New Testament, which confines our labours to a
particular spot. The great commission of Christ to his
ministers is still in force ; " Go, preach the gospel tO
every creature." Much of this commission remains to
be carried into effect. Thousands all around us are ig
norant of themselves and of God ; and it is impossible
for a faithful minister to dwell among them, without
feeling an irresistible desire to guide their feet into
the Avay of peace, whatCAer it may cost him. It is of
little avail to say, 'These multitudes might be instructed
if they chose it : they haA'e places of Avorship and stated
ministers.' They have so; but they either will not at
tend, or they are not at all profited thereby. Let us
suppose, for the present, that the fault is entirely with
the hearers, and that their teachers are all very jilain
and spiritual in their discourses ; that they plead with
sinners Avith great affection and freedom, proving that
they long ardently to see " Christ formed in them, the

268 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON, [part ii,
hope of glory:" let us suppose moreover, that the regu^
lar parish clergy are all of them men of exemplary lives,
and of great self denial ; men Avho spare no pains to
study and deliver their own discourses ; men who spend
no day in pleasure while an ignorant man is to be in
structed or a vicious one reclaimed ; men who are not
given to wine, who never stand in the assemblies of
the wicked nor sit in the seat of the scornful ; men of
whose example it will be the happiness of their people
to become followers, as they also are of Christ; and
who, in their daily labours.
Still try each art, reprove each dull delay j
Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way.
If such be the clergy in our villages, how must their souls
be grieved at the wickedness of their people, while
crowds of every age waste the precious hours of the
Lord's day in thoughtless diversions, attended with in
toxication, profaneness, and eveiy vice. Perhaps there
was no service at church, or it is over. The clergyman lives
at a distance ; and though he really wishes to do as the
apostle did, not only to teach in public but from house
to house, yet his curacies, or perhaps his livings, are so
numerous, or his college duties so severe, that he is
obliged, though with great reluctance, to leave his flock
to wander as sheep without a shepherd.
' Such was the state of those whom the Saviour pitied,
when their spiritual guides had left them to wander on
the mountains of Judea, Against him the synagogues
were shut; but the fields were open, A rising ground
was often his pulpit, the heavens his canopy, the com
mon people his hearers, and the everlasting gospel his de
lightful theme. Nor Avere his labours confined to any
spot. He went himself, and he sent the seventy disci-

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 269
pies, into all the toAvns and A'illages, to preach the
kingdom of God. To preach in the fields, or in the
streets, or from the side of a ship ; to preach, in a word,
in any couA'enient place, to any person, and to all who
Avould hear him, was surely no disgrace to our divine
Master. His immediate followers imitated his example.
The glory of their message sufficiently consecrated
CA'ery place where they assembled : and they well knew
that devotion depends not on external grandeur, and that
God, Avho is a spirit, accepts in all places those who
worship him in spirit and in truth. The apostle Paul
preached two whole years at Rome in a hired house,
for exactly the same reason that many ministers among
us have done so — because a more convenient place
could not be obtained. It is too evident to need proof,
that this mode of conducting divine worship cannot
in itself be a crime, since it is sanctioned by the high
est authority. Thus, it should seem, the legislature of
this country judged when, by the act of toleration, the
dissenters of this kingdom Avere put in possession of a
right they now find it so difficult to maintain ; that
of worshipping God in any place they think proper,
provided such place be open to' free access, and be
duly registered. I have known magistrates, indeed,
claim a right to judge for us, whether the place be suit
able for divine worship ; a power which the toleration
act certainly does not confer, and which dissenters
ought never to allow : if they do, farewell liberty ! No
place will long be thought a proper one for our religious
assemblies. 'The manner of preaching for which I plead, haA'ing
been practised by Christ and his disciples, no one will
absolutely condemn it. But it is said, thait circum
stances are now Avidely different ; that Christianity was

270 LIFE OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part ii;
then to be preached to those who Avere entirely ignorant
of it ; but that now it is taught and known every where
in this land, and that this mode of preaching is therefore
unnecessary, and even foolish. To this we reply, that
circumstances are by no means so much altered as many
imagine. If, indeed, all were christians who call them-
.selves such, ours were a land truly happy: but the con
trary is, alas ! too evidently the fact. Profaneness and
irreligion manifest themselves in the conduct of thou
sands, who, if the New Testament be worthy of credit, are
certainly going the road " that leadeth to destruction."
If it were necessary for the first ministers of Christ to
attempt the conversion of the heathen, how much more
so is it that christian ministers should now labour for
the conversion of their own countiymen, who, by wil
fully rejecting the light of the gospel, expose themselves
to a much more awful condemnation. Nor can their
living in another parish be any reason why they should
not be reproved for living in sin. If banished from one
parish because a clergyman is established in it, dissent
ing ministers may be excluded from every parish for the
same reason. But these distinctions appear not to the
eye of heaven.
'The motives which influence them have often: been'
called in question ; though it is hard tp conceive how
any but good ones can be attributed to them. If in
deed they could gain any emolument ; if, by aiding the.
clergy in the insti-uction of their flocks, they could share
their tithes and offerings; if some ecclesiastical prefer
ment were held out to them to animate their hope and
quicken their zeal — then their diligence might be easily
accounted for. From their superiors, howcA'cr, they,
meet with little but contempt ; from their equals many,
reproaches ; and from the vulgar^ instigated apparently

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 271
by those who should teach them better, it seems they
sometimes receive many hard blows, the only arguments
these poor deluded creatures have ever been taught to
use. Now until some other probable motive can be as
signed for their endurance of these things, it may surely
be presumed that they are actuated, as they profess to
be, by a regard to the good of mankind and the spread
of true religion.
' It is readily allowed that enthusiasm has produced
much false and misguided zeal : but it will not, perhaps,
be easily proved that dissenting ministers in general are
very deficient in sobriety of mind ; at least it is incumbent
on their opposers to produce some evidence that this
is the case, before they claim credit for such an assertion.
In the instance which gave rise to this publication, I do
not knoAV that it has been thought proper to hazard such
an accusation. I have, indeed, been charged with an
eager desire to make proselytes. In reply, I have fre
quently asked. To what have I ever endeavoured to
make a proselyte, except to virtue and religion ? I again
repeat the question, and avow myself open to conviction
from the pen of any person who will give me a sober
and calm reply.*
' I have very frequently heard the dissenters at-
* ' 1 do not mean to say that I am indiflferent to the success of the dis
senting interest ; I cannot be so, while I believe the support of it is
auxiliary to the general interest of religion : but I can safely avow that
it is religion itself, rather than any one form of it, that I wish to see
flourish. I most positively deny having ever used the least degree of per
suasion or allurement, to draw my hearers from the establishment. The
advocate of truth should disdain all influence but that of argument. For
the honour of the church of England, I should rejoice could I say that
no other influence is ever used in this neighbourhood to prevent pfersons
from becoming dissenters.'

272 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [partu.
tacked in public with no small degree of acrimony, but
I haA'e not once (however easy it might have been to
do so) retorted on the establishment : and if I have
thought it necessaiy to Introduce the subject at this
time, 1 trust the circumstances under which 1 write will
be considered as a sufficient reason. It is said, that the
practice of A'illage preaching is itself a reflection on the
established clergy, as though they were insufficient to
their office : this, howcA'er, is a consequence which, I
think, does not necessarily follow. No one can be more
averse than I am to indiscriminate censures, and I re
joice most sincerely to give my tribute of praise to many
ministers in the establishment, whom I admire and love:
if, in so large a body, many of a different character are
also found, it is more a matter of lamentation than of
wonder. ' In our village exercises, two cases present themselves :
the first is when the parishioners are ignorant and
wicked for want of a faithful and diligent pastor; the
second, when, though they possess such a one, they
are perverse, and will not listen to his instructions. In
the former instance, whether the evil be occasioned by
the smallness of the stipends or the neglect of the
minister, pious members of the establishment will
surely approve our conduct, if we endeavour to break
up the fallow ground, and turn the desert into a fruitful
field : all will allow that it is better to be pious dis
senters than to have no veligion at all. In the latter
case we have very little difficulty. Our brethren, la
menting that want of success which is more or less
common to all gospel ministers, will gladly accept our
assistance; and will adopt that truly christian spirit,
in which a clergyman once said to the late Matthew

CHAP.vii.J VILLAGE PREACHING. 873
Henry, who had been preaching in his parish, ' Brother,
I thank you ; there is much need of the labours of
both.' ' Another charge brought against village preaching is,
that it creates animosity and disturbs the peace of society.
If a strict conformity to the laws of the country, and a
deportment free from every just cause of offence, cannot
secure us from this charge, we must be content to bear
it ; obsei'A'ing, however, that the peace of that society is
not much to be envied, Avhich is disturbed by reading
and explaining part of our Lord's sermon on the mount.
It is somcAvhat hard to see a number of ruffians sup
plied with liquor for two hours, in order to prepare them
for every outrage ; to sustain all their brutal violence at
the hazard of our lives ; and at last to be charged by the
employers of these men with having broken the peace
of society.
' The very base charge of disaffection to the con
stitution of the country which has, also, been circu
lated against dissenting ministers, hardly deserves a
reply. The cry of ' Jacobin' was evidently put into the
mouths of a misguided rabble at Woodstock, to serve
a wicked purpose. I ought, in justice to my own cha
racter, to say that the very respectable magistrates be
fore whom the depositions were taken, assured me that
they were perfectly satisfied on this head, both as to my
principles and my conduct.* As tliere is a well known
* ' It is with pleasure also that I acknowledge my obligations to
Thomas Walker, Esq. a respectable gentleman in the town and corpora
tion of AVoodstock, who was also chairman of the loyal association in the
city of Oxford. Having, especially in the latter capacity, spoken very
handsomely of the Oxford dissenters, he also with much readiness agreed,
at my request, to inclose the following paragraph in a letter of his own
T

274 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
uniformity in party spirit, so I believe almost all charges
of a similar nature are equally unfounded, and circu
lated with an intention equally malicious. The dissen
ters ever have been, and I trust they ever will be
firm friends to good government, and to the true in
terests of their country. They have known, and they
hope to know again, notwithstanding every misrepresen
tation, the pleasure of enjoying countenance and support,
without forsaking their principles as loA'crs of freedom
and of the British constitution. If, indeed, they had
given any proofs of disaffection, the treatment they have
received would have gone far to justify it; but they
render not evil for evil. They choose rather to sustain
AA'ith patient firmness the evils under which they labour,
in the persuasion that the day is not far distant when
the torrent of prejudice will subside, and when clamour
and invective will giA'e place to reason and candid in
vestigation. A fair, open, and unsuspicious treatment,
from government, from the established clergy, and from
the nation at large, would bring into exercise on behalf
of their country an energy which they have always pos
sessed, but which they will employ in the interests of
their native land, or never exercise at all.
'This is not the time to increase discontents. We
wish to have at home but one interest. Our country is
to the printer of the Oxford Journal, to be inserted in that publi
cation. '¦The dissenting minister of this city, with several of his friends, was,
we understand, very ill treated by a party of recruits at Woodstock, in
this county, on Sunday the 18th of May last, under a mistaki^ opinion of
of his political sentiments. AVe think it therefore our duty to say, that
the conduct of the dissenters in this city and neighbourhood has always
been such as justly to merit that protection which the laws of their coun
try afford them."

chap, vij.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 275
dear to us, because, for more than a century, it has been
free. To enjoy our religious worship unfettered, would
render the wilds of America delightful to us. To preach
the gospel of Christ in any place where mankind will
hear it, none daring to make us afraid ; to be able lo ap
peal to just and wholesome laws, and find neither par
tiality nor delay in their administration ; to stand on a
level with our fellow subjects, alike to support the go
vernment, and alike to receive every benefit it can af
ford ; to unite to the approbation of God that of our
virtuous fellow citizens ; — these are blessings inestimable.
To purchase them our forefathers shed their blood, and
to defend the country where we enjoy them, we will
freely shed ours. With these blessings (the greater
part of which we have long possessed, and we do not
yet despair of seeing the list complete) any country
Avould make us happy ; Avithout them, none can retain
our affections, nor is life itself worth haA'ing. Let then
our rulers and fellow subjects lay aside their jealousies,
and make the trial. Let it not be thought beneath any
party to make overtures of accommodation. Let each
put away rancour and take up reason. It is folly for any
party to think itself faultless : it is an honour to every
one to attempt the removal of whatever obstructs the
union of all that is wise, and good, and upright in the
land. ' Let the ministers of Christ, especially, forward so
good a work. It is theirs to conciliate contending par
ties. Let envying and strife and contention cease. Let
dissenters employ in their writings nothing but calm
and sound argument. Let invectlAC be for ever ab
jured : it may gratify the writer, but it never convinces
the reader. Let the clergy of the establishment remember
that all the faithful serA'ants of Jesus Christ are brethren,
t2

276 LIFE OF THE REV. .1. HINTON. [part ii.
and must soon, at one tribunal, give an account of their
ministry. Let none of us, when our Lord comes, be
found beating our fellow servants, or (which is much
the same) encouraging others to do so,* instead of ac
complishing his work. The solemn cbarge of Paul to
Timothy highly concerns us all; let us not interrupt
each other in the execution of it. " I charge thee before
God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom,
preach the word, be instant in season, out of season ; re
prove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doc
trine." Let us never attempt to be " lords ever God's he
ritage, but be ensamples to the flock;" and "when
the chief Shepherd shall appear, we shall receive a orOwn
of glory that fadeth not away." '
If this appeal was ultimately not published, it was
only because its injured author hoped that the tide of
malignity and prejudice had begun to ebb, and that
it would subside more tranquilly and more rapidly,
undisturbed by a reference to its angry flood. And
he ahvays conceived that his expectations had been
realized ; that the moderation he discovered, when he
might have inflicted on many so deep a wound, had
tended more than any thing else could have done, to in
duce regret for the injury they had committed, and to
remove the prejudices they had entertained. But,
though the account was not published, he found it ne
cessary, in order at once to relieve himself from the
* ' I am very unwilling to believe all that I have heard respecting
the encouragement which the Woodstock mob received from clergy
men of the establishment : yet reports of this nature have been so uni
versal, that it is diflicult to refrain from giving them some credit. If they
be entirely false, I am sorry that the clergy should be so calumniated
by their own people, who certainly have boasted of such support.'

CHAP. vH.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 277
pressure of incessant interrogation, and to dispel the
injurious colouring which the report of the transaction
had received, to allow an abstract of it, containing
the principal facts, to appear in the Protestant Dis
senter's Magazine of the following year. The narrative
itself was not destroyed, but was, on the contrary, care
fully preserved, with the full intention that it should be
given to the world when it could be regarded simply
as a record of facts, a period which, it may be pre
sumed, has now arrived. The circumstance of its being
prepared for publication within one year after the oc
currence, and in the midst of all its avowed and secret
instigators, is a sufficient pledge of its perfect accuracy :
but reference may be made, by any person who wishes
it, to the affadavits, in which all the material facts were
at the time stated on oath, by the actual sufferers. The
writer has certainly taken remarkable care to avoid all
personal references, and he has altogether omitted some
very aggraAating circumstances, which in conversation
he used frequently to mention.* Of the more dignified
parties implicated he has not preserved even a pri
vate memorial, for he cherished no resentment, nor
* It ought, perhaps, to be stated, that when Mr. Hinton and Mr. Bart
lett were on horseback, and furiously assailed by the mob, Mr. Hinton
turned himself towards the mayor's house, to claim his protection.
Some person, under the pretence of guiding him, was about to lead him
a different road, in order (as it was afterwards learned from public ru-
maur, for the rioters hzid no secrets) to decoy him to a pond, from which
it had been determined that he should not return alive. From this dan
ger he was rescued by the ssigacity and promptness of his companion.
<AVhere are you going?' said Mr. Bartlett. 'To the mayor's.' 'Then
you will never come back alive. Place yourself by my side '.' and the at
titude was immediately assumed, in which (as already described) they broke
through this host of assailants.

278 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part «.
do his successors; they desire to love and to honour
all men.*
His persecutors doubtless supposed that he would
wish to enter Woodstock no more, but they were
mistaken : there was nothing on which his heart was
more warmly set, than on proclaiming divine forgive
ness to those who Avould have shed his blood. With
this A'icAV he again required the protection of the cIa'II
power, and it has been intimated that the county ma
gistrates declared themselves unable to guarantee his
safety. The design was of necessity, therefore, relin
quished, and for many years Woodstock was looked
upon with deep regret, as shut up in iron bars. But it
* The writer feels no pleasure in uttering censure : but justice to the
memory of his father obliges him to say, that the notice taken of this oc
currence in the History of Dissenters, by Messrs. Bogue and Bennet, is
both inadequate and injurious. Their only reference to it is in the following
words : ' At Woodstock, too, several persons, who had accompanied their
minister to open a house for worship, were treated with great barbarity by
a mob." Vol. iv. p. 202. The reader will immediately feel that an impres
sion of the Woodstock riot derived from this passage alone, would be
both very inadequate, aud very incorrect : but it is yet more to be com
plained of that it is introduced in connexion with an implied statement
that all the dissenters countenanced the French revolution. No doubt this
was aifirmed by their adversaries, but it was aflirmed unjustly, and
Messrs. Bogue and Bennet ought not to have sanctioned the imputation.
T'hose against whom the popular fury was directed at Birmingham had
avowed themselves friendly to the revolution ; against Mr. Hinton and his
friends the cry of 'Jacobin' was raised solely as -a pretext for religious
persecution. Had the History of Dissenters been an ephemeral publica
tion, this notice would gladly have been spared ; but it is a work of con
siderable pretensions, and was designed to be of standard authority, a
purpose for which this is not the only instance of its unfitness. The
conduct of its authors, in this case, may excite the more surprise, be
cause Mr. Hinton offered to lend them his maj^iuscript, subject to any
use they thought proper.

guap. vii.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 279
was not to be so for ever. In the year 1819, the
introduction of divine worship was again attempted
by some pious people recently settled there, and was
accomplished without opposition. Mr. Hinton's joy
was great in beholding a numerous and peaceful
congregation ; and it was increased by cordially shak
ing hands with a man who, as he bade him welcome,
acknowledged himself to have been actlA'cly engaged
in the ferocious assault by which his former visit
had been repelled. Some of the latest exertions of
his life were in behalf of this town, particularly with
the A'iew of obtaining ground for the erection of a meet
ing-house. After various endeavours, in the course of
which he found that the respect with which he was per
sonally treated (and it could perhaps scarcely be greater,
certainly not more gratefully acknowledged) did not
yet extend to his religion, he hoped he had succeeded ;
and only three days before his death, he presented this
case to a friend in London, from whom he had the liap-
piness of receiving a promise of one hundred pounds to
complete the purchase. He did not live to witne-ss the
disappointment of this expectation ; but he is not, per
haps, even now, beyond the reach of gratification in
the successful issue of a different negociation, and the
certain accompfishment, under the blessing of almighty
God, of this great desire of his heart.
It had scarcely been surprising, if so terrific an oc
currence bad materially checked the vigour with which
village preaching was maintained, but this was not the
case : Avhatever it enforced of caution, it did not di
minish activity or zeal. After this event he commenced
labours at Wheatley and Oddington, to which latter
place he was the more powerfully drawn by its vicinity
to Charlton, the village iu which his grandfather had

290 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
lived, and from which many of his hearers came : and
he continued his exertions until the breaking up of his
health rendered them impracticable. The effect, how
ever, was not such as he desired, nor perhaps such as might
haA'e been expected. In all cases, indeed, some indi
viduals were brought to a knowledge of the truth, and
from several of the stations members were added to the
church at Oxford ; but the number was comparatively
small, and quite inefficient to the production of a per
manent result. The service at South Hinksey necessa
rily ceased on the removal of the only person in whose
house it could be held. Illness put a period to the la
bours at Wheatley, a village, notwithstanding, almost as
deeply sunk in ignorance and wickedness as ever; and at
Oddington, they Avere terminated by the death of the good
man in whose house they were conducted. It is not
our business to say what these facts may indicate; re
specting the moral state of the country ; they are cer
tainly adapted to teach us that the wisest and most vi
gorous exertion, the employment even of the instrumen
tality Avhich God himself has ordained, is not necessarily
successful : " Not by might, nor by power, but my
Spirit, saith the Lord." If to the labourer himself it
was denied to partake so largely as he wished of the
fruits of his labour, it was nevertheless well that it
AA'as in his heart. The services which were rejected
of men, he delightfully felt to be accepted of God ; and
he cannot lose his reward, since of all such it is truly
said, "We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, both
in them that believe and in them that perish." Other
exertions were subsequently made, and with better
success. About the year 1804, an opening was found
in the village of Littlemore, two miles and a half from
Oxford. Preaching was commenced in the house

CHAP, vu.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 281
of a cottager, and it was so well attended that mea
sures were taken for the erection of a small place of
worship ; a step which was encouraged by its being
sufficiently near to Oxford to secure a pretty regular
supply, and the accomplishment of which was greatly
facilitated by the liberality of Mr. Pasco, who left the
sum of one hundred pounds for this specific object.
In I8O7 this place was opened, and it has been, and
promises growingly to be, a blessing to the neigh
bourhood. From the town of Ensham (distant five miles) one
good man and his wife had long been in the habit of at
tending at Oxford, and they were members of the church
at the time of Mr. Hinton's settlement. They were the
only ' meetingers' in all the place, and were much ridi
culed under that name : they persevered, nevertheless,
and had the happiness of seeing several of their family
brought under the power of divine grace. As the pious
company increased, a desire was felt to maintain divine
worship among themselves, and in the year 1808 some
premises were opened for this purpose. If there were
adversaries, there was also encouraging success. In
1814 a church was formed, consisting of fifteen per
sons, chiefly dismissed from the Society at Oxford : and
in 1818, enlargement having been required, they entered
upon the use of a new and very commodious place of
worship. This young interest Mr. Hinton fostered with
the tenderest care, and he made for it the most strenu
ous exertions, particularly in contributing largely, both
of his property and labour, to liquidate the heavy ex-
pence of the building, which was still far from being
accomplished at the time of his death. Of the com
mencement of preaching al this station he gives the fol
lowing account, in a letter dated May 9, 1808. ' I did

282 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
a A'ery venturesome tiling yesterday. You know En
sham ? Witney people, aud ours, and the A'illagera, ha\-e
raised a pretty neat little chapel, aud I had been pub
lished to open it. In my slate, it seemed half madness
to go : but duty seemed to require the adventure. I
Avent ; and had a lovely throng hanging ou the Avord of
life. Not a dog moved his tongue against us, though
 had uttered great sAvelling AA'ords of A'anity and
bitterness. May God forglA-e, and convert him !'
Reference has been made to his labours at Watlington
on the Saturday afternoon, ^^'hcll tlie state of his
health rendered him incapable of this exertion, the ser
vice was transferred to the Friday evening, and was held
as frequently as lay in his poAA'cr. In 1808 his particu-
lai- fiiend, and the only survivor of the family. Miss
Stringer, died. The business of the executorship, how
ever, required that he should be often there ; and in the
course of these visits, he did his utmost to encourage a
few families of congregational principles to maintain a
stated ministry; an effort Avhich had been mu(;h more
successful, if providence had permitted them to continue
their residence in the neighbourhood.
Within the last seven years of his life, more rapid pro
gress was made in the diffusion of divine knoAvledge
than in any former period, and by means vi'hich he had
little contemplated. It will be recollected that about
the year 1815, there Avas a very marked increase in the
activity of the younger members of the congregation
in reference to Sunday-schools. The efforts made for the
education of the poor on the plan of Joseph Lancaster,
had given rise to the national school society, and the es
tablishment of a large institution on this system in Ox
ford, had necessarily broken up the existing method of
Sunday-school instruction already described. It rejoiced

CHAP. VII. J VILLAGE PREACHING. 283
every one to see the AVork of education effectively car
ried on by the uniA'ersity and city of Oxford : it re
sulted, however, that there were now some labourers
comparatively disengaged. At this juncture Mr. Hin
ton's second son, who had been absent for some years
and had become deeply imbued with the Sunday-school
spirit, resumed his residence at home, and, with the co
operation of a few active young friends (among Avhom
was a son of the beloved Pearce, now engaged in similar
exertions at Calcutta) commenced this labour of love at
Littlemore; a small beginning, Avhich led, howcA'cr, to
further efforts, and ultimately to the formation of 'a so-
liety for the promotion of Sunday-schools in Oxford and
the neighbouring villages.' It is not for us to exhibit the
operations of this society : we haA'e to obsei've, only, that
by its instrumentality, religious knowledge has been more
effectually diffused than by any other means. Mr. Hinton
Avatched their proceedings A'ery anxiously, and it will not
be questioned but his knoAvledge and experience contri
buted to the wisdom of their measures : on the other
hand, hoAvever, it is certain that their success far exceeded
his expectations, and greatly disappointed his fears. In
thirty yeai's the general tone of public feeling Avas doubt
less improA'cd ; but it would appear also, that there is
something in the system of Sunday-school instruction
particularly adapted to the propagation of religious
truth. In the neighbourhood of the university, it had
often been found that no person could be heard with
any toleration as a preacher, if it Avas not his regular
profession. Against Mr. Hinton himself, or any other re
gular dissenting minister, this prejudice did not operate
with its full violence, but it Avholly prevented the intro
duction of laymen into the field of labour; and this was
long a matter of deep regret, since it materially dimi-

284 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
nished the agency which could be directed to its cul
tivation. The influence of Sunday-schools, however^
gradually removed this difficulty. By tho,se towards
whom they felt so gratefully as the instructors of their
children, the parents also were willing to be taught; and
young men possessing suitable natural and acquired
endowments, have found comparatively little difficulty
in gaining an attentive ear. In this change of public
feeling Mr. Hinton greatly rejoiced, and the more so,
because labourers were ready to enter as the avenues of
usefulness opened ; some rising up among the Sunday-
school teachers themselves, and others being about
this time brought into connexion with the church.
It is to be supposed that a minister who engages
in village preaching has an ultimate, as well as an im
mediate object ; that he desires, not merely the salvation
of some of the present inhabitants, but the infusion of a
spirit of zealous piety which, like leaven in the meal,
shall make itself felt through the whole mass of igno
rance and sin, and give pledge of perpetuating itself in
future generations. With this hope, it is exceedingly
gratifying when the number and circumstances of reli
gious professors afford encouragement to the formation
of a separate society ; but it has probably been often
felt that this measure, in many respects so desirahle, is
attended Avith considerable hazard. It is like inducing
an infant to go alone. It is calling persons to important
activity, with very defective preparation. Unacquainted
with its difficulties, and with the caution and self denial
required to meet them, their feelings too probably go
vern them ; their proceedings are in danger of being
rash, and their tempers uncontrolled. How short a
period of such conduct suffices to blast the prospect of
usefulness, or perhaps to destroy the existing good, needs

CHAP. VII.] VILLAGE PREACHING. 285
not be told ; and such effects are the more grievous to
those who haA'e previously laboured, when they feel
themseh'es obliged to continue their support, without
power to remedy the mischief. The confidence reposed
in the intentions and dispositions of good people too often
induces the neglect of effectual precaution ; but, partly
through his constitutional apprehensiveness, and partly
through the force of observation, Mr. Hinton's attention
was particularly directed to the prevention of this class
of evils. Wherever he gave his countenance, he required
influence. Delighted to see people active in their own
concerns, and cherishing no spirit of dictation, if in
great points his advice were not followed his support
would have been immediately withdrawn. It was or
dered in providence that his co-operation was too im
portant to be sacrificed — in truth, it was essential : and
with equal truth it may be added, that his AA'isdom and
firmness prevented some very serious mischiefs. When
the meeting house was built at Littlemore, it was (at
his suggestion) inseparably connected with the church at
Oxford : the pastor of the one is the minister of the
other, both pulpits being equally his own. Upon the
formation of the church at Ensham, at his sugges
tion also, they requested him to act as their pastor,
until they should be enabled to provide otherwise for
themselves ; a request with which he complied, not as
actuated by a love of power, but as a helper in their
labours, and a guardian of their purity and their peace.

CHAP. VIII.
Ministerial Intercourse.
THE subject of this memoir felt a lively interest in the
churches and ministers by whom he was surrounded,
and was never more happy than in contributing to their
Avelfare : but before avc enter on the general illustration
of his character in this respect, it aa'HI be proper to con
template him in connexion Avith an assistant minister,
and as a joint-pastor. However desirable it may ap
pear, amidst laborious services, to have an auxiliary,
and however certainly it may be reckoned upon that
persons united in the best of employments, and actuated
by the best of principles, can never be otherwise than
happy in their connexion, it requires little knowledge of
human nature to perceive, that the choice of an assistant
minister involves very serious hazards. If possible evils
were in a happy measure avoided at Oxford, it is doubt
less to be ascribed, under God, to the character of
Mr. Hinton's younger brethren, as well as his own ;
and the writer feels pleasure in expressing his grate
ful sense of the respect and kindness they manifested
towards his revered parent, of whose conduct in
this relation the reader will expect some further ac
count. He was happily free from all feelings of jealousy on the
ground of popularity. Hc endeavoured to obtain the

CHAP VIII.] MINISTERIAL INTERCOURSE. 287
most acceptable preachers, and his pleasure was fully
proportioned to that with which their labours were re
ceived by his people. The very high and deserved po
pularity of Mr. Thomas, which could not fail to try his
character in this respect, proved it noble. It was
thought sometimes that bis mind was thus stimulated to
higher exertions in the pulpit, but never did he betray
an unworthy feeling; on the contrary, he often and
most unequivocally e-xpressed his joy in the impres
sion produced by his coadjutor, and his fervent de
sire that the largest expectations might be realized.
In truth, popularity had never been his idol. His
heart bad always been engrossed by the promotion
of the cause of Christ, and it required no effort, in any
circumstances, to render its prosperity his chief joy.
He cherished for his fellow labourers a high personal
esteem. They deserved that he should do so; but we
mean to say that he cultivated for them a more than or
dinary regard. He endeavoured to become partial
towards them ; to view their character in the best pos
sible light ; never to see their failings, and even to think
that they had none. Granting it to be impossible that
this result could actually follow, it is plain, both that he
would on this plan succeed in maintaining a much
higher regard for them than on any other, and that such
a spirit must greatly contribute to the pleasure of inter
course and co-operation. Whatever infirmities he dis
cerned, or in whatever instances he wished their con
duct to be altered, he spoke only to themselves ; and
never would he let it be known to the people that he
had found any fault, or that he had any to find. It was
his study to introduce the younger minister to their
best esteem, to repress the censorious spirit which nes
tles in the human breast (even in the good too often dcr

288 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
fying aU attempts at extermiualaan) and to remove every
unfavourable sentiment, whether causeless, or having
unhappily some slight foundation. His intercourse with
the assistants vras wholly Avithout disguise. He felt it
important to preserve an entire unitj- of public charac
ter and action, to express the same sentiments, and to
adopt the same plans; to facilitate which, he treated
them Avith the utmost confidence, and earnestly re
quested the same firom them. He would never have it
knoAvn that even a difference of opinion had existed, and
he was fully prepared to render this possible, by making
large sacrifices of his own. It was by an extensive
adoption of this principle, indeed, that he avoided some
of the chief dangers of the case. He nsed frequendy
to say, ' I am determined there shall be no disagree
ment, for if  Avill not give up the point, I will."
Upon this resolution he often acted, to a degree to
which nothing but a sense of its public importance could
have led him ; and he felt himself abundantly recom
pensed by the substantial benefits he thus procured.
To this brief sketch of the system on which he con
ducted himself avc avIU add an example of his aflec-
tionate intercourse, afforded by his correspondence n-ith
Mr. Thomas ; an extract from whose letter to the
Aivriter of these pages may also be given, as a specimen
of the manner in Avhich those who have occupied the
station contemplate that period of their labours.
TO THE RKV. J. H. HINTON, READING.
' MY DEAR FRIEND,
' I am happy to find that you are prepai-ing for publi
cation the histoiy of a life dcAoted to God, and reu-
dered highly interesting to me by circumstances that
Avill long live in my recollection. To have had the hap
piness of calling your late father my friend, and of co-

CHAP. VIII.] MIMSTERUL INTERCOURSE. 289
operating Avith him in the best employ for so long
a period, Avill alAvays be numbered among the most
privileged enjoyments of my life. I tell you freely
(what I declared publicly in my OAvn pulpit) that in his
removal I have lost a friend, by whose caution I Avas
guarded, by whose experience I was encouraged, and
by whose counsels I was instructed. The depressed
state of my micd at the time, and the probability that
I should never be able to resume my labours, Avill ex
plain the tone in which the following letter from him is
Avritten.
'my very dear friend,
* A christian, and a leader of Christ's sacramental
host, must never mention the word ' despondency.'
' Nil desperandum, Christo duce,' is not a vain boast.
Caesai's legions perished with the name of their leader
on their tongues ; but of all his followers our glorious
leader hath lost none ; nor shall one jot of the work he
has given to the meanest to accomplish, be left unfi
nished through lack of aid Avithheld by him. ^V^ly he
confines so long, and places under restraints so heavy,
a mind so active, and so well formed for activity as
yours, is a question the answer of which can be but
very imperfectly made out at present; but time Avill
make it plainer, and eternity will remove every shade
that may now rest upon it. Something, however, I have
learned from the affliction which yon have been called
to endure. I have learned that the counsels even of the
Lord's people are A'ain, unless he sees fit to confirm
them. Quite sure in my OAvn esteem of a beloved helper
in the work of God, I said, I have now a prospect of
spending in comparative calm the evening of my daj-s :
" I must decrease, but he shall increase." But now I
u

290 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
am a supplicant again at the throne of grace for a bless
ing, which the Lord shcAVs me is in his own hand, and
not in mine. It appears that submission to his will
is not a duty to be performed, and then dismissed ; but
he Avill have it to be an habitual temper of the soul,
and therefore he Avill find it new and constant exereise.
I agree AArith you that perfect resignation to the Arill
of God is not easily attained ; but when the strokes
of his paternal rod are felt as you feel them, they be
come tokens for good, an evidence of sonship. How
easily do thousands say, " Tliy will be done I" But
now, my dear friend, under the kind and merciful dis
cipline of Heaven, in a school which teaches the heart,
and the instractions of which are unbroken in their force
by unhallowed criticism, you are learning (what the chris
tian only can learn) to resign most freely at the cross,
what on any other spot you Avould shudder to think
of parting Avith ; you are learning most coi-dially to
make over to Him Avho redeemed us, the sole right
of guiding you (though it be by a path paved with
fragments of the flinty rock) to Canaan's promised rest.
And suppose you should add to the number of the
Savages, the Pearces, the Spencers, whom mysterious
Heaven endowed with holy eloquence, but to silence
the youthful voice in death ? Then, Avhatever mys
tery respecting them remains to be unfolded, Arill be
developed also respecting you. If Christ had not
reaped more glory from their death than he Avould
have done from their continued life, then they had not
died. But my heart is not, I confess, as yet moulded
to contemplate as probable, Avhat all must know is pos
sible. I cheerfully hope, perhaps because I ardendy
Avish, that as long as I can speak for Chrisl, your voice

CHAP. VIII.] MINISTERIAL INTERCOURSE, 291
may be an echo to the sound, and that in both instances
it may be a blessed sound to thousands. Prayer, faith,
hope ; diligent care OAcr your remaining strength ; re
solute rejection of all public engagements, of all in
flammatory food or liquid, of all studious habits ; " cast
ing all your care on Him who careth for you," and does
it infinitely better than you do : — all these things are
necessary to you, and duties which you most certainly
owe to yourself, to your friends, to the church of Christ,
and to the Saviour, whose you are and whom you serve,
Grace be with you, and with
' Your affectionate friend and brother.'
Mr. Hinton Avas by no means communicative of his
religious experience, either to his fellow christians ge
nerally, or to his ministering brethren in particular ;
in the former case he apprehended that too full a dis
closure of his Aveaknesses and discouragements might
injure his usefulness ; but in both he thought it should
arise out of an intimate personal fi'iendship. He was,
at the same time, little capable of suppressing his
feelings : the unrestrained utterance of them, in truth,
was necessary to his peace. He sought, therefore, for
friends in whom his confidence might be reposed, and
among his brethren in the ministry more especially,
for one into whose ear he might pour forth all his
heart. In the early period of his life, Samuel Pearce was
this friend ; and, on his death, confidential intercourse
was maintained Avith a felloAV labourer of similar cha
racter, and scarcely less beloved.
In general intercourse with bis brethren he took
great pleasure ; and, if not indiscriminately commu
nicative, he was always far from reserve. He much
u2

292 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
regretted that his situation afforded him so few ad
vantages for the enjoyment of ministerial society; for
while, as a dissenting minister, he stood alone in the
city of Oxford, as such, also, he was almost wholly ex
cluded from association Avith the university. He felt the
greater joy, therefore, in the A'isits of distant brethren,
and this feeling was never impaired but by the mul
tiplied engagements which imperatively required his
attention. That he truly valued these opportunities is
manifest from the desire he cherished to render them
profitable. It is not perhaps an uncommon evil that
he laments (it were well if the repentance were gene
rally as deep) when he writes under date of March 29,
1800. ' Engaged in rather unprofitable conA'crsation
with a young minister; too much on nice, rather than
on profitable points. I beg forgiveness of God, and
hope for strength for future days. At the same time I
pray God that the conversation of the day may not
have an unfriendly influence on the work of the Sab
bath that is approaching. May its evils be removed by
communion with God in secret, a lively spirit of dcA'O-
tion, a strong regard to the interest of immortal souls,
and an ardent desire to promote the interest of the Re
deemer's kingdom !'
While finding pleasure in the society of his brethren,
he felt a deep interest in their personal and public
happiness. He did not indulge in a critical observation
of their faults, much less did he allow himself un
guardedly to speak of them. He did every thing to
maintain their general respectability, and to promote
their immediate comfort. If he found them in unplea
sant circumstances, it was his anxious endeavour not
to administer oil to the flame, nor in any way to grieve

CHAP. VIII.] MINISTERIAL INTERCOURSE. 293
the spirit of a brother. But his kindness was not
merely negatiAC ; he would become if possible a healer
of the breach : and a letter remains among his papers,
addressed to an aged and highly respectable minister
when he had been but twelve years at Oxford, which
shews with hoAV much courage aud skill, both inspired
by the benevolence of his heart, he acquitted himself in
the delicate undertaking. We subjoin the following ex
tract. 'my dear SIR,
' I devote the first moment in my power to a commu
nication which friendship demands. Whenever I speak
of a friend I wish to do it as if he Avere himself hearing
the conversation : let this letter, then, be to you instead
of ears, since its information will be equally accurate.
You knoAV me too well to imagine that, with respect to
whatever can interest you, I am either hostile or offi
cious ; but, having been drawn by degrees into conver
sation, which indeed it was almost impossible to avoid,
I think it right to state to you the substance of what
passed, begging you to take any or no notice of the
matter just as your own discretion may determine. Se
veral persons expressed a most earnest wish that some con
ciliatory plan should be adopted. It is hardly possible
that, in a multitude of reflections, you should not some
times have contemplated the practicabiUty and the pro
bable consequences of a coalition. It is true, my know
ledge of persons and circumstances at  must be
very contracted ; but, judging by the little light I had,
this appeared to afford the only hope that we should see
 church assume again the primitive graces, and
meet with one accord in one place. The circumstances
favourable to it are the wishes of many, perhaps once

994 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ii.
averse ; together with the moderate sentiriients of Mr.
 , and his capability of improvement under your
direction, whom I think he would regard as a father. I
wish to see my friend unanimously placed in a situation,
where his respectability of every kind would contribute
largely to the public good, and I have the fullest confi
dence that he would adopt any line of conduct which
holds out to him a probable happy issue of these unplea
sant dissensions ; a persuasion which I did not hesitate
to express, whenever the subject was mentioned. The
quo modo is quite another matter, in which I have nei
ther right nor wish to interfere ; I shall only cherish an
ardent desire that the God of peace may direct, to the
honour of true religion, and the happiness of all its
friends. Continuance in present circumstances seems
impossible : dispersion and separation are equally un
pleasant. If union be possible, the very attempt is
noble. I do not forget the shortness of my standing in
the ministry, nor the vCry superior adA'antages of my
friend, with regard to all its qualifications : yet I have
desired to express dispositions which will ensure (bcr
cause they deserve) his approbation, and the continuance
of his friendship to his ' Affectionate brother.'

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE

OF THE LATE

REV. JAMES HINTON, M. A.

PART 111.
PUBLIC CHARACTER.

BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITURE.
PART 111.
PUBLIC CHARACTER.
CHAP. I.
In his own Communion.
1 HE church at Oxford had been for many years in
debted for support to neighbouring stations ; but the
subject of this memoir had no sooner overcome the
early difficulties of his ministi-y, than he became the
prompt and vigoroiis helper of the weaker congrega
tions around him. In the year 1802, an attempt was
made by some ministers in the vicinity to form an as
sociation of the baptist churches in the district ; a design
in which he heartily concurred, and by his counsels,
his influence, and his activity, he greatly contributed
to its accomplishment. At his request the first meet
ing of the association Avas held at Oxford, and he wrote
the first of its letters to the churches. He spared no
pains — he often made great sacrifices, and ran consider
able hazard, especially with respect to his health — in
order to be present at its annual assembly, and he
always devoted himself, sometimes to the loss of indi-

298 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [paht hi.
vidual gratification, and the neglect of private friend
ships, to the careful management of its concerns.
The meetings of the association were to him pro
ductive of great personal enjoyment. Besides the
more intimate friendships he had formed AA'ith a feAv,
he highly esteemed and cordially loA'ed all his brethren
in the ministry, and he warmly entered into the plea
sures which their society afforded ; doubtless the more
warmly, because they formed so great a contrast to the
close occupation and jading cares of his ordinarj' life.
In no cu'cumstances were his conversational powers
more conspicuous or more valuable. Nothing could
exceed the nature and ease, the simplicity and viA'acity,
with which he led public discourse; preA'cnting the
profitiess consumption of time by a public dinner, al
most Avithout the formality of making a speech him
self, or of requiring others to do so. He took hold of
CA'ery thing of local or circumstautial interest; he
seized every opportunity of making an agreeable allu
sion ; and he accompanied all Avith so vivid an expres
sion of social delight and ardent piety, as could not
fail to promote the diffusion of similar feelings. He
found more especial gratification when, on the morn
ing after the public services, the associated brethren
met, for the purpose of commuiucating to each other
AvhateA'er Avas interesting in their religious experience
and ministerial labours. He frequently mentioned the
spiritual benefit he derived from such intercourse ; and
the increase of brotherly love, Avhich arose from a mu
tual acquaintance Avith estimable character, and a
mutual participation of sorrows and of joys. '"-
It was a rule of the association that, on every Wed
nesday morning, each minister in his priA'ate dcAotions
should particularly pray for the rest. To this engage-

CHAP. 1.3 IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 299
ment Mr. Hinton was sacredly attentive, as appears
from the following letter addressed to Mr. Coles in
the confidence of intimate friendship, and therefore
unequivocally illustrative of the real feelings of his
heart. ' MY DEAR BROTHER,
'This is Wednesday, and I have been praying for
the associate brethren one by one. I began at  .
Alas !  is one of our associates no more. Yet I can
not give him up : I prayed eai'nestly and affectionately
that the Lord would yet take him up, and cause him
to stand. I review my whole conduct in this afflictiA'e
concern Avith gratitude to God. Blessed be his name,
who hath (I hope) given me counsel ! His Avill I am
sure I haA'e desired to know and to do. I next visited
 , and there my heart rejoiced. O how great is the
mercy that has presei'ved so beloved a friend to his
family and his flock ! He gave his angels chai^ con
cerning thee, and we all rejoice that a life so dear
to us is the object of divine care : long may it be so,
and the beloved work employ that life, till grey hairs
form a crown of glory to our friend !....! went on to
 ; I found my soul gather zeal at  , and I warmly
commended  and his labours to God. I visited  ;
and thought on  and his internal trials, so like
my own that we are brothers indeed. I said of  ,
' Lord baptize him oftentimes in a spirit of sweet hu
mility, and acquiescence with his brethren, that his
zeal may flow on a tide of love .' I remembered  , and
rejoiced in its present increase :  , and its amiable
and pious pastor, Avho (had he energy somewhat
greater) is not a whit behind the vei'y chiefest of his
brethren. Touching at  , I came home, and prayed
that the " least of all saints" and ministers (this is

300 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [pa«t in;
not affectation, to you I am all openness) may continue
to receiA'e proofs of the diA'ine presence, similar to
those which he and his people received last Lord's
day. We baptized eleven, and I hope God was with
us of a truth. Blessed be his holy name, I seem to
have ncAV pleasure and new strength in my work. O may
this be the case with us all, and may our two des
titute churches be speedily supplied I'
In stating that Mr. Hinton regarded the association as
an insti-ument of great usefulness, it must be added,
that he held in utter aversion the idea of giving to the
associate body an inquisitorial or authoritative aspect,
towards either the ministers or the churches it em
braced. He attached great importance to one of its
fundamental principles, which disclaims all inter
ference in the concerns of any church, further than re
quested ; and does not allow, in any case, of authorita
tive decision, but of counsel and recommendation only.
He was not unacquainted with the evils which are al
leged to arise from the residence within itself of the
sole authority to which a society is amenable: but,
believing that the principle was just, he was con
vinced also that, on the whole, the results were
beneficial; and at all events, having (as a dissenter)
suffered much for refusing the yoke of ecclesiastical
domination in one form, he was little disposed to
countenance it in another, which would probably ere
long have been quite as intolerable. He anticipated ad
vantages very different from the suppression of heresies
and the punishment of offences ; he hoped for the re
vival ahd extension of the Redeemer's interest. That
an association of the churches should augment their ca
pabilities of effective exertion might naturally be ex
pected, inasmuch as the whole body is more powerful

CHAP. I.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 301
than any of the members of which it is composed ; and
it might be presumed also that such a body would be as
willing as it was able. Here, therefore, might each la
bourer seek assistance in efforts surpassing his strength,
or propose plans of usefulness in which he could not
engage alone : Avhile tjie very interchange of views
and feelings would tend to quicken zeal, to awaken
hope, and to inspire courageous resolution. The union
of the churches Avas in fact a pledge that their earnest
attention should be given to the spiritual state of the
whole district, and that they would unitedly cultivate
the moral field, till every part of it (then alas ! so greatly
desert) should become as " the garden of the Lord."
And such were their endeavours. An association fund
Avas formed by contributions from all the churches, not
excepting even those which received its aid : and the
encouragement afforded, and the zeal excited, have been
followed by results Avhich call for the most grateful ac
knowledgments to the Lord ofthe vineyard. The associa
tion at first comprehended nine churches ; it now contains
nineteen ; and h£is increased not so much by the enlarge
ment, as by the successful culture of its field, within
which eight of the additional societies have arisen. To
these exertions Mr. Hinton largely contributed, both by
personal labour and pecuniary aid. The association fund,
in particular, was with him a very favourite object ; and
he felt grateful to his people who, in addition to the
heavy expences of their own neighbourhood, enabled
him to carry about twenty pounds annually to this sa
cred treasui-y.
Such a man, in such a circle, could not but be highly
esteemed. His station, character, and age, rendered
him the centre of it ; nor did he fail to maintain a pow
erful attraction over all its parts, by the skilfulness and

30? LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part m.
vigour with which he conducted its business, and the
fervent piety which breathed in all his deportment. As
a member of the association he took his turn in its pul
pit engagements ; but, when not thus brought forward,
he was almost without exception selected as a preacher,
and he very frequently complied with the request.
Three times he welcomed his brethren to their assem
bly at Oxford, viz. in 1803, 1811, and 1820. He wrote
three of the letters to the churches: the first in 1803,
' On the advantages of religious associations ;' that in
1811, 'On the duty of professing christians to promote
the success ofthe gospel ministry;' and that in 1821, which
was ' An historical sketch of the associate churches,
with suitable reflections.' * May it be permitted to add
to this detail the testimony borne OA'er his, grave,
by a much loved member of the circle we have been
contemplating ? ' While as it regards the general inter
est of religion,' said Mr. Coles, ' we cannot but deplore
his death, it is as a member of the Oxfordshire associa
tion that his loss will be mos'i acutely felt. At CA'ery an
niversary, from its commencement one and twenty
years since, he was enabled to attend, and he often de
clared that nothing but the most imperious necessity
should ever occasion his absence, till death. His domes
tic circle and his immediate charge excepted, he never
felt himself more happy and more at home than when
surrounded by his associate brethren and christian
friends. The loss of his wise counsels, and faithful, en
ergetic appeals, both in the social circle and m the

* This letter was drawn up with much care and research. The infor
mation contained in it was gleaned in small quantities from numerous
and, in some cases, from evanescent sources ; and as an historical docu
ment,, it is highly worthy of preservation. It was afterwards puhlished.

CHAP. I.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. SOS
public assembly, will be deeply felt at every succeeding
anniversary.' Next to the occupants of his immediate neighbourhood,
Mr. Hinton's affectionate interest was engaged by
the body of christians Avhose distinctive appellation
he bore. He did not think it either a misfortune or
a disgrace to be a baptist ; and the class of professors
so termed, although, by no means the largest or the
wealthiest, the most powerful or the most honoured,
of those into which the religious world is divided,
he highly esteemed and Avarmly loved. The writer
is by no means about to utter complaints ; he is rather
disposed to acknowledge vrith pleasure the respectful
estimation in which the denomination is gene
rally held : but it cannot be denied that a tendency to
its depreciation sometimes appears. It is not a thing
unheard of, that the baptists should be charged with
bigotry beyond their brethren of any other name ; or
that they should be held in low repute, not merely for
numbers or wealth, but for respectability of talent and
character. It is more ma4;ter both of surprise and re
gret, that such thoughts should have found an echo in
some members of that very body, and in a manner
which, if it does not betray an enemy, is scarcely intelli
gible in a friend. There is a wide difference between
possessing just views of existing defects, and having a
low esteem, or concurring in the depreciation, of the
object to which they attach themselves. Mr, Hinton
well kncAV the ca'IIs to be lamented in the communion
to which he belonged, and he would have been de
lighted to remedy them ; but he loved it too well to ex
pose them. He always spoke of the good rather than
the evil, and in the presence of an enemy he uniformly
assumed the attitude of protection and defence. He

304 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [paht hi.
Avas far from thinking so meanly of the denomination
as some persons have done ; on the contrary, he Avas
fully satisfied that, in proportion to its extent, it con
tains as large a measure of talent and worth as any
section of the religious world. The accusation of bi
gotry, he warmly and even indignantiy repelled. He
often said, not merely that he had found it in all
societies — this were little more than a truism; — but
that, of all christian communions, his whole observation
led him to believe there Avas the least portion of that un-
amiable disposition in his own. Decided advocate as
he was for the welcome admission of paedobaptists to the
Lord's table, he could by no means concur in the charge
of illiberality against those of his brethren who main
tained an opposite principle. He saw a difference
between an exercise of judgment and a state of feeling;
between conscientiousness and bigotry: and he knew
many whose hearts glowed with the most comprehen
sive christian affection, whose opinion on this point did
not coincide Avith his own. He was more especially
surprised that a large portioq^ of the psedobaptist body
should have cast odium on their brethren, merely on the
ground that baptists are received by them to commu
nion, while they are not admitted in return. Since, in
the judgment of a baptist, sprinkling is not baptism,
before he can meet at the Lord's table any but a person im
mersed, he has to decide whether, consistentiy Avith the will
of Christ, he may commune with persons unbaptized : and
surely there must be a great defect somewhere, if it be
not perceived that baptists refusing psedobaptists, and
psedobaptists refusing the unbaptized, act on precisely
the same principle, and are equally vulnerable, if not
rather equally invulnerable, by the shaft aimed so
pointedly at the former.

CHAP. ,.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 305
Amidst the reflections cast on the denomination as a
whole, he knew that high compliments were paid to
individuals, for he had a share of them. And he was
far from undervaluing any expression of public esti
mation orpersonal regard; but he sometimes thought that,
in interest and affection, it was vrished to separate him
from the body to which he belonged, and he uniformly
repelled the attempt. He would never accept a per
sonal compliment, at the expence of the denomination.
His connexion with it he regarded as conferring an ho
nour upon him, and he held its reputation far dearer
than his own. He cherished and avowed his attach
ment through evil report as well as through good re
port, not less determined to share the former, than
happy to partake of the latter ; a feeling the strength of
which was fully proved by the following circumstance.
For many years, almost through the whole of his public
life, he had been among the contributors to the Evange
lical Magazine, and he felt happy in giving it all the
support in his power. In 1810, a series of papers were
inserted in that work, giving an account of the general
state and progress of the various classes of professing
christians, and containing a statement dishonourable to
the baptist denomination. Mr. Hinton's feelings were
immediately excited,' and he wrote to the editor of the
magazine, in the hope that what he regarded as untrue
and injurious, was also an oversight, and would readily
be corrected. In this howcA'cr he was disappointed.
He received an answer to his letter, intimating that the
obnoxious passage was held to be true in fact, and would
be retained without modification. He could not rest
thus. He felt that such an attack ought to be repelled ;
that silence would appear to stamp the implied calumny
with truth; and that he could not remain associated
X

306 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [paht hi.
with the publication referred to, without seeming to
consent to unmerited ignominy. He might have secured
individual exemption, which indeed was most fully offer
ed, but he would not accept it ; he would stand or fall
with the body of which he was a part, and to which he was
cordially attached. He afterwards entered into corre
spondence with the late Mr. Fuller and Dr. Ryland, who
were then, like himself, connected with the Evangelical
Magazine, and whose sentiments corresponded with his
own ; and hence arose the separation, in a body, of the
baptist ministers contributing to that work, and the
transfer of their influence to one which had been recently
commenced, bearing the name of the denomination.
We shall have abundant proof that Mr. Hinton was not
deficient in kindliness towards christians of different
name : but there was one species of liberality, so called, to
which he made no pretensions. He thought he had
seen men, Avhose talents, character, and influence, ren
dered them capable of great usefulness, more ready to
serve other societies than their own. His rule of action
was the reverse of this. Alive at all times to the call of
the public, he was more especially so when it had refer
ence to the welfare of the baptist community. He took
a deep interest in all its public objects : and though he
knew as much as most men of the defects attaching
to their management, he never so regarded them as to
impede his zeal in promoting all that was good, and
in attempting to cure all that was evil. Such was the
system he adopted in reference to the Baptist Magazine,
which he cordially supported, and strove to make more
worthy of its name ; to the baptist missionary society,
and other public objects of which mention may be made
hereafter ; and, if it be a system which requires some
sacrifice of opinion and temper (a sort of sacrifice which

CHAP. I.J IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 307
one cannot but regret that good men should find it dif
ficult to make) it is assuredly one which will yield the
most beneficial results in its application, and the highest
satisfaction in the review. None who knew him intimately
will doubt the accuracy of the portrait now drawn :
but the writer has been favoured with extracts from his
correspondence which will corroborate the statements
already made, and express his latest thoughts on some
points yet of considerable importance. To a friend who
AATote to him, asking his views ou the best methods of
increasing an evangelical ministry among the baptists,
he Avrote as follows : July 5, 1822,
' Had 1 time, I think I could prove to you (taking
Bristol for my sample) that you greatly undervalue
our academies. That a class of ministers should
exist of few literary pretensions (illiterate, but not ig
norant) and therefore with few artificial wants, is abso
lutely necessary to the existence of two hundred out of
our seven hundred churches ; and, from forty years ac
quaintance with both denominations, I avow my full con
viction, that your admired  are far below us in all
the qualifications to which you allude, though' the mass
of their preachers hide their leanness, by removing to a
distant station ere it is too plainly discovered. Further,
I do not think that preparatory education is by any
means so defective as you imagine. A sufficient number
to supply our higher churches do in fact issue from Bristol
and Edinburgh, men of sound education: unfortunately,
however, a salary, limited perhaps to a hundred and
fifty pounds per annum, often compels them to din
classics into dull boys, in order to increase their income,
and drive want from the door. In this respect, amidst
all our benefactions, the ministry is most injuriously neg-
x2

308 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iii.
lected. A grammar school would merely increase general
literature among us, and afford probabilities that, out
of twenty so educated, one might hereafter possess piety
and talent for the ministry. Mill-hill has not perhaps
furnished one out of forty or fifty; and 'entre nous,' the
increase of piety never yet arose from assembling to
gether a hundred boys, from twelve to eighteen years of
age. 'Excuse egotism: I Avas selected for the ministry at
eighteen, and thirty pounds , would have bought out my
articles; but it could not be raised. For want of this
I serA'cd my apprenticeship, and went to Bristol at
twenty-two. The loss was irreparable, and many such
things are. I know three able baptist ministers, young
men, all graduates, and of sound learning : if, Avith such
a man, I had spent twelve months before I went to
Bristol, the result would have been incalculably benefi
cial to me. If a number of studentships, preparatory
at first, then Bristolian, then Scotch, could be insti
tuted, and well managed, it would perhaps be the very
best method of promoting the object contemplated.
A grammar-school having a direct view to the pulpit,
would endanger our denomination in the worst of all
points, that of an unconverted ministry. A literary
baptist, who is neither a minister nor a man of property,
had better for both worlds have been a grocer: as a
literary man he must starve with us, and therefore he
will most likely go out from us. If the ministry rise
among us (I trust in God it will) it must be from many
causes combining. Your plans of aiding grammar-
schools and university education, are both good : but
the first will take time to operate, the last is immediate
and specific. Some layman should try and shame our
else generous churches out of their impolitic neglect of

CHAP, i.y IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 309
the temporal wants of their ministers. Scarcely one in
twenty is maintained by his salary ; ' hie dolor,' no time,
no courage to build on the foundation which academical
study has laid. On the whole, did I know twenty men
like minded with you (and I do know a few) I should
say, ' Nil desperandum.' I need not point them out to
you, for you Avell know them; persons who will lend
you effective aid in any plans you might form, in which
you have my ardent prayers.'
Again he writes, Ju/ie 24, 1823. ' I should not have
deferred writing so long, if I could have communicated
any further information on the question we haA'e partially
discussed. On the whole, I am confirmed in my opinion
that not much permanent good can be secured to our
churches, collectively or individually, by those means
which are usually and successfully applied to worldly
establishments. Our churches are heaA'en born ; like
the baptism of John, they are " not of men," and their
resources are identified with their origin : all is " of God."
Without a high degree of moral and spiritual worth,
they are worth little or nothing, even though plenteous
endowments and exalted literature should combine to
support and adorn them. \Vorldly endowments, unless
we could secure them always to the disposal of men of
self-denial and holy walk with God (which is beyond
human power) Avould necessarily degenerate into satel
lites of the worst of all tyranny, that which is exercised
by a ' lord-brother ;' or else furnish sinecures for young
gentlemen, by whom neither evangelical sentiments nor
the immortal interests of the poor Avill be accounted
more than very subordinate considerations. Our tem
poral, like our spiritual support, must therefore come
fresh from heaven with each succeeding year ; our souls
must be refreshed with the wind which " bloweth where

310 LIFE OP THE REV. J. HINTON. [paIit hi.
it listeth," and our bodies must be fed by Him "that
feedeth the young eagles when they cry unto him." I
am still quite certain in my own mind, that so much
permanent aid (funded, rather than landed property) as
will never present a strong temptation, either to the
interested or the lazy, and will yet preserve a cause from
expiring, and stimulate a little devoted company of the
good to new exertions, is a most decided blessing. Such
aid has kept our interest alive ; and is now aiding a re-
viA'al in this important station (Cheltenham) and in
many others. I must further observe, that our academies
(of which Bristol is decidedly the superior) hold out the
strongest probabilities that they will not fall into the
hands of ignorant, interested, tyrannical, or heretical
managers. Our denomination is clearly indebted (under
God) more to that academy than to any one source of
benefit besides. If I had now ten thousand pounds to'
fund for the public good, one fourth should certainly
go thither at once, protected, however, from being sold
out, except for better investment; one fourth to the
baptist mission, under the same limitation ; one fourth
to lay the foundation of a good commercial school for
our ministers' children, of both sexes, with liberty for
boys' friends to pay a classical master five guineas per
annum to fit them for a common profession; I think
I should divide the remainder between the baptist and
the widows' fund ; or I should like better to select?
twenty or thirty baptist churches, and endow a school
each, if it Avere possible, by any conditions, to make
men consider the faithful execution of a trusteeship as
an act of common honesty.'
It has already been seen that Mr. Hinton rejoiced
in every opportunity of encouraging young men to
devote themselves to the work of the ministry, but he

chap. 1.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 311
was highly desirous that they should enter upon it with
every possible advantage. He knew that, although
piety is the first of essentials, and native talent may
go far, a long period of ministerial exertion requires
more than either or both of these; a mind copiously
furnished Avith theological knowledge, and well trained
to modes of thought and communication. He was a
strenuous advocate, therefore, of the institutions di
rected to this end. In one of the letters to the associa
tion, when mentioning the entrance of his son at
Bristol, he adds ; ' By thus connecting us afresh with
that useful seminary, this circumstance has increased
our wishes that it may receiAC from our churches the li
beral support which its importance to the general inter
ests of religion demands.' There was no object for which
he more earnestly solicited the contributions of his
people than this, and he was much gratified that they
enabled him to transmit about thirty pounds annually
to the Bristol education society. After repeated in
treaties, the necessity for Avhich arose only from his
peculiar engagements at that period of the year, he
preached the anniversary sermon in 1817 ; and he
would unquestionably haA'e been happy, with his dying
breath, to haA'e contributed to the removal of the pre
judice or apathy with which, amidst new and more
splendid objects, this most important institution has
been too much regarded. While giving the preference
to Bristol, he was a zealous friend to all similar exer
tions ; and, at the request of the managers, he preached
in the same year, before the Stepney academical institu
tion, the usefulness and prosperity of which he ardently
desired, and was always happy to promote.
When the impulse of missionary exertion was given

312 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part in.
to the denomination by Carey and his companions.
Fuller and Sutcliffe, Ryland and Pearce, the subject of
this portraiture was young in the ministry ; and, as
might have been expected of an ardent and pious
mind, he was prompt and vigorous in his co-opera
tion. In 1800, and several successive years, he visited
Reading and its neighbourhood, and met with great
acceptance and success among all denominations. While
others recollect Avith pleasure the fervour of his ad
dresses, he himself, in the brief notices of these jour
nies in his diary, makes the following record : ' Com
fortable in pleading for the brethren in Hindostan, but
my heart not half enough engaged.' With a view to
excite greater interest in the neighbourhood of his
own residence, two missionaries, Messrs. Chater and
Robinson, were set apart to their work at Oxford, on
the 12th of March 1806; a service highly interesting
at the time, and still dwelt upon with delight.
In 1812 the attention of the legislature was oc
cupied by the renewal of the charter of the honour
able East India company ; and while the public mind
was strongly excited by the various bearings of this
measure on commercial interests, the proceedings of
the missionary societies were too deeply and obviously
involved to allow the conductors of them to slumber.
On this topic we give an extract of a letter, which was
addressed by Mr. Fuller to the subject of this memoir,
and will illustrate the part he took in these concerns.
' Kettering, July 16, 1812.
' MY DEAR BROTHER,
' Mr. Burls informs me that the renewal of the com
pany's charter is expected to come on in nine or ten
days, and that many apprehensions are entertained in

chap. I.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 3 13
London for the safety of the mission. Should nothing
be done (it is said) to obtain a legal security for it,
and the right of recruiting it by British ships, those
who have been  on the eve of an old charter, may
be expected to be more so when they have obtained
a new one. He says that deputies from all parts are
in town for the trade, but that they will not only be
careless about religion but careful to avoid it, lest it
should be a clog which might impede their other
designs. He attended two meetings at Mr. B — 's,
where Messrs. W  , S  -, and T— — , (all M. P.)
attended to converse on the business. They were some
hours together yesterday and to-iiay. They seem
hardly to know what is the best mode of proceeding,
but think something should be immediately done by
each denomination separately. . . . Mr. B  (who
is a real friend to the mission, and a man of judgment
in such matters) says, ' Ryland and Hinton, Sutcliffe
and Fuller, should — nay, must be here.' I really think
we should, and must; we can then consult, and act
as occasion requires. I mean, if the Lord will, to go
by the mail as far as Bedford, where I can sleep, and
manage an application being made to Mr. Whitbread to
favour us in parliament, for which I am persuaded he is
well disposed ; and the next day to go to London,
where, at 56 Lothbury, I shall hope to meet Ryland,
Sutcliffe and yourself. .... Not only come up, but
bring Avith you all the matured thought you can
work up between now and then, and I will do the
' Affectionately yours,
'A. FULLER.'
Mr. Hinton Avas not inattentlA'e to this call. He went
to London at the time appointed, and spent several days

314 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iii;
in consultation with Messrs. Fuller and Sutcliffe, Dr. Ry
land being unable to attend. One result of these delibe
rations, Avas a memorial addressed and afterwainls pre
sented to the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, soliciting
the protection of his majesty's government, in the name
of the baptist missionary society. This paper was signed
by the three ministers then assembled; and bears internal
marks of having been definitively drawn up by Mr. Hinton,
whose quickness in the use of his pen, and whose ex
tensive command of language, especially in its politer
forms, eminently fitted him for this kind of service. He
accompanied his brethren, also, in numerous applications
then made to noblemen and gentlemen favourable to the
security and extension of religious, liberty.'*
* To the moral and religious instruction of the British subjects' in the
east, the public attention was at this period considerably excited. A peti
tion for a church establishment in India, with liberty of conscience for
dissenters, originated with Dr. Buchanan, and at his suggestion the cause
was warmly taken up by the church missionary society, through whose
exertions a general feeling in its favour was excited throughout the country.
In Oxford several clergymen introduced it into notice, and between thirteen
and fourteen hundred names were subscribed. In this effort, of course,
Mr. Hinton could take no active part, but he viewed it with great satis
faction ; and it cannot be recorded without pleasure that such sentiments
as those which follow are entertained by so large a proportion of the uni
versity and city of Oxford.
• To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parlia
ment assembled,
' The humble petition of the undersigned members of the estabUshed
church, resident in Oxford and its vicinity, sheweth :
' That your petitioners are deeply impressed with the extreme deficiency
of christian instruction throughout the extensive British empire in the
east, ' That they are fully persuaded that nothing short of an establishment
according to the order of the church of England, adequate to the spiritual
necessities of the christian population, both European and native, toge
ther with a free toleration, can place the religious interests of the British
subjects in India upon the best apd most permanent foundation.

chap. i.J IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 315
He shared deeply in the regret universally felt on the
occasion of Mr. Fuller's death, especially in reference
to the mission, of which he had been almost the sole
conductor. In the letter to the association of 1 815 he
thus writes : ' We need not remind you, brethren, how
deeply afflictive is the event which has deprived the
church of Christ and the world of that eminent man
of God, our late brother Fuller, whose esteem was in all
the churches, and whose labours of love shall be held in
lasting remembrance. O may we shew that we have
not in vain possessed a blessing so great as his life and
ministry 1 Especially we would urge it on ourselves and
on our christian brethren to take up, if possible, some
part of those important missionary labours which must
suffer so affecting a 'loss by- his decease: that, while
he is enjoying the unspeakable felicity of the Redeemer's
approbation and unclouded smiles, we also may be found
faithful unto death. We hope we have not been defi-

' That Divine Providence having subjected to the British dominion
fifty millions of natives, Hindoo and Mahometan, your petitioners, con
templating with feelings of compassion their moreil and religious degra
dation, lament that so little has been done to remove it : and though they
are convinced that the establishment above mentioned will materially
tend to promote that most desirable end, they are persuaded that no
impediment should be thrown in the way of any other just and prudent
measures for that purpose.
' Your petitioners therefore humbly implore your lordships, that such
provisions may be inserted in the new charter about to be granted to the
East India Company, as shall secure to members of the church of Eng
land in India the full blessing of their own establishment, together with
liberty of conscience to other protestants ; and also afford sufficient faci
lities to those benevolent persons who Shall be desirous of going to India,
for the purpose of communicating to its population the blessings of useful
knowledge and moral and religious improvement, so long as they shall
conduct themselves in a peaceable and orderly manner.
' And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.'

316 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
cient in our annual contributions to that sacred cause ;
and if the associated brethren should be of opinion that a
combination of exertions would excite a more general
and lively interest in this good work, we desire to our
ability to co-operate in any plan they may propose.'
This well-timed suggestion immediately gave birth to an
auxiUai-y missionary society for the district of the asso
ciation (its business being transacted at an autumnal
meeting) the operation of which has considerably aug
mented the assistance rendered to the parent society.
After the loss of its secretary, the baptist mission suf
fered considerable embarrassment. It was impossible
that a man should be found who could altogether fill such
a vacancy, and it would have been surprising if any one
had fixed all eyes and engaged all hearts. It Avas, in
deed, by unanimous and most cordial suffrage, that Dr.
Ryland was soficited to occupy the post ; but his multi
plied avocations and growing infirmities rendered it
necessary that a coadjutor, capable of greater exertion,
should be associated with him in its duties, and by this
circumstance perplexity was occasioned. Whether the
idea was ever entertained of requesting Mr. Hinton's aid,
the writer is not aware : it wag probably thought that
his numerous and important engagements would render
any such proposal nugatory, and such assuredly would have
been the fact. At the annual meeting of the mission at
Northampton, in 1816, the difficulty of appointing a joint
secretary was very painfully felt, and serious mischiefs
were apprehended from the divided state of opinion and
feeling among its supporters. In the course of the meet
ing, it was submitted to the subject of this memoir that,
if he would accept the secretaryship, it would unite the
suffrages of all parties ; and his compliance was urged
by stating that there remained scarcely any other hope

CHAP, i] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 317
of accomplishing this desirable end. To such a call,
seconded by the personal entreaties of the beloved and
venerated friend to whom his labours were to be auxili
ary, he felt himself constrained to yield ; and the happy
result which had been anticipated was fully realized, for
he was unanimously chosen to the office proposed to
him, and the assembly broke up amidst the warmest con
gratulations. Missions to the heathen constitute the principal
object undertaken and supported by any class of
protestant dissenters as a body, and the election to
the secretary.ship of its missionary society is perhaps
the greatest honour which any denomination can confer,
Mr. Hinton felt it to be so, and could not but be deeply
sensible of the pubfic esteem implied in the peculiar cir
cumstances and manner of his introduction to office : but
he did not accept it for the sake of honour. He intended
to apply himself to its labours ; and he knew that they
would both add oppressively to his existing duties, and
require many sacrifices of personal interest : but he
loved the cause too well to stand by and see, it sink,
while any thing was possible for him to do, and he now
embodied in action the glowing spirit with which he
had often said ; ' If I forget thee, let my ;right hand for
get his cunning, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my
mouth.' He was most sedulously attentive to the interests
of the society, at home and abroad. He addressed
himself particularly to the existing evils of its internal
state, and laboured most assiduously to cherish unity of
spirit and maintain unity of action, amidst multiplied
diversities of opinion and collisions of interest. With
this view he entered on a very extensive home corres
pondence; in order that, being in possession of the
wishes of all, he might the more effectually devise mea-

318 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part mi,
sures in which all should unite, or soothe the feelings
which could not be indulged. A brief extract or two
from this correspondence will shew the spirit in Avhich
he acted, and the heavy pressure of the society's con
cerns.' ' March 26. 1817.
'At this time 1 will say nothing of the anxious care I
have felt lest .... should produce any thing like schism;
in a society which has hitherto been blessed with, and
still greatly depends upon, union of exertion and a spirit
of ardent devotion ; to lessen which, would be to destroy
its glory and its success. To aid my venerated friend
Dr. Ryland ; to make my heart the depository of the
Afishes and opinions of all the society's friends ; to de
serve the character of a peace-maker ; to dissipate, if
possible, the first clouds of alienation of affection; to
please God, and to serve his cause by serving my
brethren, is my anxious wish : to see all this done by a
far abler hand, is a wish abundantly stronger in the
mind of ' Dear sir, &c.' 'April 5. 1817.
'Still I earnestly hope to see you at Northampton,
and  also. If you cannot come, 1 hope he will,
for friendship and love's sake ; since, after all the pains
I have taken, my spirit will sink into despondency if I
meet not Avith support from my brethren. I shall then
think my task absolutely hopeless. I beg pardon for
this prolixity, but my heart is full. You know, my
dear sir, under whait circumstances I allowed my
name to be connected with that of my venerable col
league. You give me full, and I will add just credit,
for my, motives: but I see little advantage that can
now arise from my holding the ofl^ce. I am not im-

CHAP. I.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. S19
patient ; I am not offended ; but my health fails be^
neath a burden too heavy for me. The society has
had time to look around and choose a successor, a
man Avhom Dr. R. may train to be his successor, which
I cannot be. O that the society may be led to avoid
its dangers ; and that God may plainly shew, by their
unanimity, the man whom he hath chosen !'
During the years 1816 and 1817 Mr. Hinton's la
bours for the mission were abundant. He undertook
long journies on its behalf, several of Avhich were
for the purpose of aiding its funds ; and among these is
particularly to be noticed his visit to Norwich in the
summer of 1817, during which he was seized with a
very alarming attack of the spasmodic disease to which
he was subject. Having retained the secretai-yship for
two years, he withdrew from office, intimating his reso
lution to do so in the following letter.
'to the baptist MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
' DEAR BRETHREN,
' The general state of my health, the necessity of daily
attention to my pupils, and the pastoral duties which I
owe to an affectionate people, compel me to resign into
your hands the office of joint- secretary to your invalu
able society. I feel it my duty to say that none but the
reasons which I have now stated would have induced me
to. recede from a station, to which I account it an honour
to have been invited by your unanimous suffi'age, and
the pleasures of which have far outweighed its labours
and its cares. To my highly esteemed friend and col
league. Dr. Ryland, I am indebted for a series of kind
attentions, AA'hich I have been ill able to repay; and
to very many brethren, both in London and the coun
try, I return cordial thanks for the prompt assistance
which they have at all times afforded me. Sincerely

320 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
praying that the choice of the society may be speedily
directed to some valued brother, Avhose whole time and
talents shall be devoted to the sacred work which I now
reluctantly resign,
' I am with the most cordial respect and esteem,
" Dear brethren, ' Your affectionate brother, &c.'
Though he ceased to hold an office in the society, it
was impossible that he should cease to feel deeply for
its welfare. He considered it his sacred duty to pro
mote its interest in every way that God had placed
in his poAver, and to afford his cordial aid to any and
every person appointed to conduct its important con
cerns. He anxiously watched over the progress of its
internal state towards a complete and well defined
arrangement, and he used his utmost endeavour to
induce the adoption of every measure that could con
tribute to its present tranquillity, or ensure its future
prosperity. As a friend of the mission he was highly esteemed,
and his services were gratefully acknowledged, both by
individuals and by the society. We may be allowed to
present to the reader the minute recorded by the com
mittee, at their first meeting after his death.
' Resolved, That the committee learn with sincere
regret, that it has pleased God to remove by death the
Rev. James Hinton, of Oxford, who had long been
connected with this society, and Avhose valuable la
bours, both as a member of the committee, and at one
period as a secretary, it records with gratitude and re
spect.' It is to be added, only, that in his official station he
exhibited his characteristic liberality towards other de
nominations. In January, 1816, he appears to have

CHAP. I.] IN HIS OWN COMMUNION. 321
made communications expressive of cordial affection
(which Avere doubtless mutual) to the conductors of other
missions. From the answer of the secretary of the
church missionary society, we give the following extract.
C. M. House, Jan, 27, 1816.
' MY DEAR SIR,
' Accept our sincere thanks for your brotherly offer
of co-operation, and our assurances that we desire to
maintain a similar spirit. I may bealloAved to add, that
your society has adopted that line of conduct towards
others — in maintaining its OA\'n distinct character, while
it leaves other bodies to maintain theirs — which is the
most direct means, ahd the surest pledge of mutual con
cord and charity.
... 'I am truly, dear sir,
" Your affectionate servant,
' JOSIAH PRATT.'

CHAP. II.
In the Religious fForld.
IT has been already stated that, at the period of Mr.
Hinton's settlement in Oxford, the attendance of the
members of the university on his ministry was in a
great measure unrestrained ; and it may be added, that
fewer obstructions to social intercourse then existed
than AA'ere afterwards raised. By pious young men
training for holy orders his company was sought, and
even courted. In his diary mention frequently occurs
of pleasant evenings spent with persons of this class ;
and if the eagerness with which such opportunities were
embraced, in the midst of no slight embarrassments,
may partly be accounted for by the very contracted
sphere of kindred society within the university itself, it
may truly be considered as indicating also the high
value and interesting character of his religious conver
sation. The following note, found among his papers, will ex
plain itself. We give it as illustrating the esteem in
which he was held, even when local influences prevented
direct communication ; and at the same time as exhibit
ing conduct highly honourable to the unknown indivi
dual. ' DEAR SIR,
' You will no doubt be not a little surprised to receive
a letter containing a one pound note, from a person of

CHAP. II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 323
whom you know nothing : but I will explain my reasons
for so doing. I am a member of the university, and for
that reason, I am never thrown in the way of distress.
To me all appears abundant : yet I cannot but well
know that there are many of my fellow creatures in
great necessity, and I know no person who is more Ukely
to be acquainted with these objects, and certainly
none who has better judgment to relieve them, than
Mr. Hinton. We are possibly of somewhat different
sects in rebgion; but we are all fellow labourers, all
stretching to one point, which I pray God we may each
attain, though we go not precisely by the same path.'
It Avas matter of deep regret to Mr. Hinton, that at
the period of his entrance on his ministry, there was no
episcopal pulpit in Oxford in Avhich, what he deemed
the essential truths of sacred Scripture, were more than
occasionally delivered ; and he truly rejoiced when, in
the course of years, a change in this respect was pro
duced. For the evangelical clergy he always entertained
and manifested the highest regard : he cordially wished
them success, and Avould have been happy in maintain
ing harmonious intercourse and co-operation. To this,
on his part, nothing was wanting ; and the writer has no
desire to dwell on the causes which impeded it on the
other. A fragment of a letter which remains may suf
ficiently shew the spirit of the correspondence, and the
general nature of the circumstances with which it was
connected. After professing, in the name of the dis
senters at large, a sincere attachment to the evangelical
clergy of the church of England, he proceeds : ' So
much do we value the substance above the form, that,
whenever it appears that gospel truth is forsaken jn any
of our pulpits, the hearers uniformly seek jt wherever it
may be found. I could just as soon advise my people to
y2

3?4 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON, [part iu.
leave off prayer, or any other duty of the christian life,
as to refrain from hearing the gospel at church, Avhen
they cannot hear it in their own place of Avorship. As
much as the wheat is preferable to the husk that con
tains it, or a jewel to the casket in which it is held, is
the gospel itself preferable to all the forms in which it is
displayed. M'^ith the gospel, Christ will save souls ;
without it, they are for ever lost. Forms are all tempo
ral; truth is eternal. Gospel ministers, of CA'ery name,
are but few, and I most heartily wish them all good
speed in the name of the Lord. I wish to allure to
every net, and to see the partners " fill both the ship.s,"
knowing well that at last thousands will elude all their
skill. I have heard a pious clergyman say publicly, 'If
the gospel AA'ere faithfully preached in our churches, the
meeting-houses would be empty.' Alas, my dear sir,
why should he be so eager to empty meeting-houses ?
Why not first empty public-houses, gaming-houses^ and
play-houses ? Why not invade Satan's kingdom ? I have
tried if I could possibly wish to empty a church where
a Cadogan or a Robinson preached ? No : from ray
heart 1 believe God would be offended dreadfully Avith
the wish. I had far rather take one convert from Satan,
than a thousand from a brother. 1 have no wish to make
proselytes of true christians. I wish their love, but 1
wish them also to continue their support to their own
pastors. The world is wide enough for us all. " If thou
take to the right, then I will take to the left ; but let
there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee."
Such has been the tendency of all my conduct. In Ox
ford prudence is especially necessary ; and if it appears
to you that a cordial understanding between us Avould
promote the great objects, the peace and prosperity of the
gospel, you may lay our intercourse under whatever re-

CHAP, II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 335
strictions you think proper. I know my situation and
yours. Had I opportunity for free conversation, I should
propose some method to prevent the misrepresentations
to which Ave are liable, from mutual hearers or acquaint
ance. I know my people think as I do, and study peace :
throw your influence into the same scale, and the work
is done. In a Avord, whatever, consistently with the duty
1 owe to the sacredness of truth, and to that of my mi
nisterial office (which neither of us must for a moment
degrade) can be suggested to render our congregations
harmonious, our labours more useful, and the prospect
of our interview AA'ith our flocks at the day of God more
delightful, will suit the wishes of. Rev. sir,
' Yours most sincerely to serve in Christ.'
Although, as a public character, the subject of these
pages Avas treated by many persons of high respectability
in the university Avith increasing attention and kindness,
his social intercourse with its . members did not, on the
Avhole, increase with his years. The presiding spirit of
that body was unfavourable to it, and it was so powerful
that it prevailed even over those Avho sincerely re
gretted its influence ; an observation, however, admitting
of some exceptions, by which both the parties con
cerned were equally honoured. In his later life, he be
came more reconciled to a state of things which he
found to be unalterable; and he consoled himself with
the prospect of a better world, in which "the spirits of
just men" would be far removed, both from the cir
cumstances and the infirmities which had impeded their
association in this.*
* He sometinies said, that, if he had consciously withheld the expres
sion of christian regard, and there should be any analogy between the
feelings of the present state and those of the future, he should certainly,
on meeting in heaven, be prompted to make an ipology.

326 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [pakt hi.
Out of Oxford, the clergy alloAved of more familiar
intercourse, and he was not unfrequeutly consulted, by
the younger part of them, on interesting religious sub
jects. Two letters are among his papers from the Rev.
A. P  , curate of A  C  , with whom it appears
he met on a-journey, and who had then recently adopted
evangelical sentiments. Their conversation was follovved
by a letter, dated Feb. 1793, in which, after expressing
his gratitude for the spiritual benefit he had derived
from it, he says : ' My parishioners (I am sorry to say it)
have received the gospel with a very resisting, perse
cuting spirit. They have complained to the vicar, and
the vicar to the bishop; and the consequence is that,
without examining into circumstances, I am discharged
from the curacy at the end of 'this quarter. I am so ex
asperated at this mode of procedure, that I have some
thoughts of quitting the church entirely. However, I
Avill do nothing rashly. Your advice may be of singular
service to me on this occasion, and I should be ex
tremely thankful to you for it, as I know of no per
son so well qualified to give counsel in this critical
juncture.' Mr. Hinton gave his advice — let others
say how littie in the spirit of a sectary — that Mr. P.
should by no means leave the church, but procure an
introduction to some of the leading evangelical clergy,
by whose patronage a valuable labourer might be pre
served to the establishment. In another letter he says,
'My name has been mentioned, to Mr. Beale, Mr.
Cooper, and Mr. NcAvton ; and I wait the event.'
The only other denomination of christians existing
in Oxford, is the wesleyan, between whom and the
calvinistic body no close connection is, for the most
part, maintained. The subject of our narrative, never
theless, cherished a cordial regard for them, and gave

CHAP. II.J IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 327
utterance to the interest he felt in their welfare in a
letter to the Rev. S  B  , a leading person in that
connexion, then at Birmingham. We give the follow
ing extract. ' Oxford, April 2, 1799.
' REA'. SIR,
'You may probably haA'e. heard that there is in this
city a congregation of dissenters, of calvinistic senti
ments and of the baptist denomination, admitting of
free communion ; as the minister of which I have
resided here nearly twelve years, and have reason to
be thankful that my labour has not been in vain in the
Lord. But 1 cannot be satisfied with .the partial pros
perity of Zion. It Avould give me pleasure to see our
methodist brethren much more numerous and happy
than they seem to be at present. On this subject I
take the liberty to address you, with the hope that some
steps may be taken to revive their declining interest.
Mr. Wesley's annual visits used to comfort them, but
now they seem forsaken ; and, though Oxford is a tho
roughfare for all other travellers, we never see or hear
a B  , a C  , or a B  , in our neighbourhood.
The interest thus forsaken is in danger of entirely falling ;
and though I very conscientiously differ in some doc
trinal points from my wesleyan brethren, I think the
removal of their services would be a loss to the city and
neighbourhood. I am not willing that ours should be
the only congregation professing experimental religion,
in a city with twelve thousand inhabitants, so near
to a fountain too, whose waters need much of the
salt of the sanctuary. Now I need not say, dear sir,
have compassion on your Oxford brethren, and do all
you can to help them. Here Mr. Wesley's spiritual

328 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
race began; to Oxford he Avas partial; and you can
not better fulfil his will, than by smiling on his favourite
child.' To this letter, Mr. B  replied at some length,
and in a manner highly characteristic ; grateful, of
course, for this attention to the welfare of methodism,
and warmly acknowledging the ' truly christian spirit'
in which it originated.
Mr. Hinton felt no difficulty in preaching in wes
leyan chapels ; and at Watlington, where there was no
other place of worship, he did so regularly, once a
month, for some years, in his visits to Mr. Stringer's
family. Though decidedly calvinistic, he saw no reason
why he should introduce disputed points in all his dis
courses ; he felt, in truth, many reasons why he ought
not. At the same time he made no sacrifice. A con
stant hearer could have found nothing different from his
ordinary method, owing no doubt to the experimental,
rather than the controA'ersial manner, in Avhich he always
treated doctrinal subjects. He used, indeed, frequendy
to say, that he could preach Calvinism so that no pious
arminian should disagree or disapprove.
Although not in immediate contact with the inde
pendents as a body, he had very considerable inter
course with that denomination, for which he always en
tertained, and expressed, high and cordial esteem. The
one, the only topic which gives rise to a line of separa
tion, he felt no bar to the most affectionate friendships,
and the most zealous co-operation. In the efforts he made
for the diffusion of the gospel in his immediate vici
nity, he most gladly united with ministers of any other
denomination, and often regretted that they were so thinly
scattered around him. In the year 1799 a proposal

CHAP. II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS AVORLD. 329
for a county mission, signed by himself and the deacons
of the church, was addressed to every minister within its
limits, and a brief extract will illustrate the zeal, the
prudence, and the Catholicism of his spirit. ' The
friends of experimental and practical godliness have
long wished to see its influence more extended, and
better supported, within the county of Oxford  A
fcAV friends conversing on the subject, one suggested the
practicability of employing a supernumerary minister
or two in the district, and several persons immediately
offered a guinea each, as an annual subscription for
the purpose. Unwilling to check so hopeful a begin
ning, we are induced to submit the proposal to our
fellow christians in the county at large  It is not
wished that any ostentation of printed plans may at
tend the proposed exertions ; the kingdom of heaven,
it is apprehended (at least in Oxfordshire) cometh not
with a great love of observation. It might only oc
casion mistaken notions of our designs, and strong op
position to them. Peaceful without cowardice; ac
tive without ostentation ; pious and spiritual without
the prejudice of party, must they be, who situated as
we are, hope to be successful in the work of the Lord.
.... Above all, may a sense of our dependence on the
aids of the divine Spirit impress our minds, and render us
earnest at the throne of grace, that we may see and feel the
importance of our post, and not suffer so large a district
in the very centre of our native land, to remain with
out exertions which are carrying on in almost every
other, and are even extending their influence to the
ends of the earth.' To many it wil^ be more matter
of regret than surprise, that diversities of opinion and
collisions of interest ultimately prevented any extensive
operations.

330 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
When he was required to take his stand in relation
to the baptismal controversy, if he did it with firmness,
he did it also with " meekness of wisdom." There is
among his papers an unfinished sketch 'on the dangers
of religious controA'ersy,' in the form . of ' an address
from the pastor of a baptist church to the people of his
charge.' It pleasingly exhibits his cherished disposi
tions, and is well worthy of presei-vation, but we can
insert only a small part, which will sufficiently explain
the circumstances by which it was suggested.
'At the present moment our psedobaptist brethren
have thought it right, with a zeal somewhat unusual, to
diffuse, both from the pulpit and in small pamphlets,
their sentiments on christian baptism; and in many
instances, 1 am sorry to say, the language of these
pamphlets is too Avell calculated to irritate the minds of
those who think not with them on the subject. The right
of our brethren to propagate their religious views, in
any way which they think best calculated to ansAver the
end, cannot for a moment be questioned ; nor Will I
arraign the motives from which they act, since these
can be knoAAm to God only. Why the present moment
is chosen for a kind of general attack on our sentiments,
it is not easy to determine. I am not aware that our
ministers have gone out of the usual path of their pas
toral duty, or shewn any undue eagerness to spread
their ideas of this ordinance of Christ.
' Of the issue of this controversy with respect to opi
nion, we have little reason to doubt. Your sentiments,
my brethren, on this (as on every subject) ai-e, I trust,
drawn from the word of truth ; the result of serious
thought, as well as of earnest prayer for divine direction.
They have received little sanction from the opinion of
the Avorid around you, and they certainly gain no flatter-

CHAP II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 331
ing appellation from those whose good opinion the dic
tates of nature lead you to cultivate. Sentiments thus
learned from the word of God, and supported chiefly, if
not entirely, by his approbation, are not likely to be
soon moved : and I have yet to learn that investigation
has ever produced unfavourable effects, with respect to
the numbers who haAC embraced them. But, well satis
fied as 1 am with regard to the issue of this controversy
as it may affect opinion, 1 am not without strong fears
lest we should insensibly suffer a decline in the fervour
of devotion, in the pleasure of communion with our fel
low christians, and in the delight we have been wont
to feel in the increase of Christ's kingdom in all its de
partments. Such a decfine is greatly to be dreaded, as
an evil for which no increase of numbers can compen
sate.' It has been stated that the subject of this memoir re
served his principal strength for the public objects of his
own denomination ; he was, however, by no means indif
ferent to those of a more general nature. Frequent as the
calls were, he was always ready to become the advocate
of every good work. He held himself to be the servant
of the public, and often promoted their interest to the
injuiy of his own ; of which a stronger proof cannot be
given than the cordial manner in which he pleaded the
cause of the ' protestant dissenters' grammar-school' at
Mill-hill, in 1808. This institution was established
amidst considerable, and not causeless jealousies, on the
part of the conductors of private seminaries ; and Mr.
Hinton regarded the application made to him to preach
the anniversary sermon as designed (it was certainly
adapted) to allay the existing uneasiness, by eliciting
friendly sentiments and powerful advocacy from a prin
cipal person of that class. He did not hesitate. The

332 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iit.
patrons of the establishment will bear witness to the
fervour of his plea, and it may now be told how great
was the real sacrifice : Mill-hill school broke up, almost
entirely, an extensive and valuable circle of London con
nexions, an injury which he felt through the remainder
of his life.
The esteem in Avhich he was held appeared strik
ingly in the number of applications made to him to
undertake public engagements, and especially charity
sermons. At every school vacation he visited London ;
and for many years, none of these seasons passed without
several solicitations of this kind, some of which were
always complied with. In this department he was among
the most popular and successful ministers of the day.
Impelled by the interest he felt in every thing which
concerned the dissenting body, he sent up a paper, in
1808, to ' the convention for considering the plan of
collecting for churches by printed letters.' Since the
expences incurred by the building or enlargement of
meeting-houses are so considerable as, for the most part,
to require some foreign aid, it is not surprising that
ministers should have undertaken journies for this pur
pose : nor, on the other hand, is it wonderful that a
practice attended Avith so many evils should haAC excited
anxious inquiry. Mr. Hinton's opinion Avas decidedly
adverse to the general adoption of letters, unless post
paid, and even then he thought the number of applica
tions would he overwhelming. Nor was he friendly to
to the plan of refusing all cases without leave previously
given, adapted as it is to check the excitement of chris
tian feeling, while its efficacy depends so much on uni
versal concurrence, that it is frequently in a great mea
sure abortive. It was, in his judgment, best that the
evil should cure itself. However applications may mul-

CHAP. II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 333
tiply for a time, the degree of success which actually at
tends an appeal to public liberality, may be expected ul
timately to regulate speculations of this class : and, Avhile
the growing weariness of beggars which appears in the
religious world reduces their number, it may be hoped
that the existing zeal for the kingdom of Christ AA'ill yet
be sufficient to meet all the claims which can justly be
made on it. If, in this process, partial evil should arise,
it will be small in comparison with the general good.
Nothing short of it seems sufficient to cheek the ten
dency in some churches to unnecessary, improvident,
or extravagant expenditure ; or to awaken in others the
liberality, foresight, and perseverance, by Avhich large ex
pences may, with comparative ease, be defrayed.
It has been already seen that the subject of these
pages held in utter aversion the antinomian system, and,
in reference to this great and (as he feared) growing evil,
he maintained a general watchfulness and resistance, to
the full extent of his influence. He was particularly
sensible to the snare spread for the unweaiy, by the
warm and interesting manner in which some great truths
of the gospel are dwelt upon by preachers of this
class : and knowing how easily their pernicious princi
ples are insinuated, and more especially how infectious is
the dreadful spirit of their system, he felt it of great mo
ment that professors, as yet uncontaminated, should
not attend on their ministry. He found considerable
difficulty in carrying this point with some of his own
hearers, and with some he entirely failed. ' Why,' said
they, ' may we not hear a man that preaches the gospel
so faithfully ? We have heard nothing amiss.' As he
earnestly deprecated their conduct, he candidly stated
his reasons for doing so ; and if they Avere sometimes
thought to have no force in theory, experience in every

334 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi,
case evinced their validity and importance in practice.
He ultimately found that there was no security against
the ravages of an antinomian spirit, but in prompt sepa
ration from such as avowed their preference of the
preachers referred to ; and upon one occasion, he Avent
so far as to dissolve bis connexion with a minister on
this ground alone, a measure to which (however strong
it may appear) he Avas impelled solely by a regard to the
cause of Christ, directed by the experience of more than
thirty years. Having heard that a christian friend of con
siderable eminence had attended the late Mr. Huntington,
when preaching at Reading, he wi'ote to him a letter
on this subject, which we giA'e entire.
' MY DEAR SIR,
' 1 have received many proofs of christian affection
from you, and I haA'e now an opportunity of making
some return, for which I am confident of your thanks.
Last night I heard your name mentioned as having
lent its highly respectable influence to a man, and to a
cause, which I could not for a moment have suspected
you could favour ; and I still persuade myself that the
statement must be a mistaken one. It was this : 'Mr.
Hunt (such is his real name, and the only one which, by
the laws of his country, he ought to bear) has been at
Reading. Mr.  was one of his hearers, and on leav
ing the place of worship was heard to say, ' This is the
preaching which I like, and by it I wish to Ha'c and die.'
You will form a littie idea of my regret, when 1 say that
my pillow was rendered uneasy ; and I cannot rest till 1
have inquired of you, and of you only, whether it be
true. Placed as you are, by our divine Master, in a
situation highly important to the interests of evangelical
truth and holiness, to this cause 1 earnestly hope you
will ever be firmly attached ; and I cannot persuade my-

CHAP, U.J IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 335
self that you have so far mistaken christian candour, as
to give additional influence to a leaven which, Avherever
it reaches, tends to corrupt that pure and holy doc
trine which our Redeemer left on earth. Hoping,
therefore, that the whole is a mistake or a misrepresen
tation, I console myself with expecting an assurance
that it is so. But writing to one who fully agrees with
me that rich grace, far from making void the law Of
God, establishes and augments all its sanctions as the
rule of life, I shall just add, that I know Mr. Hunt can
sometimes preach well, for I have frequently heard him :
and if he preached one or two of those seducing ser
mons at Reading, I should be more sorry than if he had
at once given scope to the bitterness and error by which
he has so shocked my ears, and outraged the spirit of
Christianity, that I should greatly sin were I in the least
degree to afford him encouragement. You esteem me,
and my brethren Hughes, Griffin, Newton, Simeon, and
a host of others like minded : but what are we all, in the
estimation of Mr. Hunt, but ignorant and blind, de
ceivers and being deceived ? Not a gleam of gospel truth
among us 1 His highest joy would be to overturn all
that the excellent Cadogan was employed of Christ so
many years to build at Reading, and all similar inter
ests. Bitterness and gall are the essence of his doctrine.
Missionary exertions with him are folly and madness.
But enough. You will not, 1 am persuaded, enlist under
such a banner, nor add to the troubles which he has ex
cited, and by which he has sent many a godly minister
sighing to the grave. My writing is known only to my
self ; not a suspicion of it can enter any other breast. I am
truly sorry that such a man has entered Reading : I pray
God to prevent all the dreadful evils which I anticipate,
and to give to the numerous professors there that de-

S36 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
lightful spirit of union and peace, which marks the
doctrine of Christ and the character of the sons of God.'
In the report which Mr. Hinton had heard, there was
some truth and some error. The person referred to,
passing by the meeting-house where Mr. Huntington was
preaching, near the close of his sermon, stood at the
door to listen for a few minutes : what he heard was un
exceptionable, and even fascinating ; and after the con
clusion of the service, walking down the street with a
friend, he made a slight observation, which Avas intended
only for his companion, but which, it seems, was heard
by others, and made the basis of the statement so
rapidly circulated.
Mr. Hinton was a warm supporter of all general
exertions for the diffusion of Christianity, and con
tributed all in his power to the only effort of that
kind made in the place of his OAvn residence, the for
mation of the Oxford and Oxfordshire auxiliary bible
society. It Avas amidst considerable difficulties that
this institution arose ; and local peculiarities prevented
the subject of this memoir from attempting to take any
leading or conspicuous part. The gentleman, George
Frederick Stratton, Esq. with whom the plan originated,
and to whose indefatigable zeal its success is principally
to be ascribed, did him the honour of consulting him
on the proposed method of procedure ; and together
with some suggestions of prudence, the reply contains
the following characteristic passage. ' With respect to
myself and the protestant dissenters in this vicinity, we
are all hearty in the cause. To promote it, we will do
every thing which maybe thought advisable; yet we will,
if you please, seem to do nothing. I hope we are far
more desirous to do good than to speak of it. The
liberality of our fellow christians is increasing ; but here,

CHAP. II.] IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. 337
at least, it labours under difficulties, and the fewer the
names of dissenters at first the better : they will follow,
which will serve the cause far better than if they should
attempt to lead. It is not shame, but a regard for
the cause, that dictates this conduct.' The object
most desirable and most difficult to attain, was the
active concurrence of the university; an object which
Mr. Hinton was happy to facilitate, by so much of re
tirement as might prevent any possible imeasiness from
so unprecedented a conjunction with dissenters. If they
would but act, he wished the honour and the influence
to be entirely theirs : it was joy enough for him to see the
force of such a body applied to so noble a cause, and to
throw silently into the treasury the contributions of
himself and his friends. It is, however, but just to say,
that he received marks of the highest respect from the
conductors of the society, and that, in all its public
proceedings, he was most honourably received. His ad
dresses on the anniversaries were characteristic specimens
of his usual style : but they had two peculiarities. He
felt himself standing as a representative of the general
body of protestant dissenters ; and he took occasion to
express, on their behalf as well as on his own, senti
ments adapted to abate the force of prejudice, and to
soften feelings of jealousy. It was not less observable,
on the other hand, that a highly and, as some might
think, an excessively complimentary spirit pervaded all
his references to the hierarchy. On this point it might
be enough to say that the motive was honourable :
it was assuredly not personal, but public ; not to obtain
a return of applause, but to stimulate to increasing acti
A'ity. Yet it should be observed that he adopted this
strain of address upon principle, and upon a good prin
ciple ; namely, that censure should never be indiserimi-
z

338 LIFE OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part hi.
nate, nor be suffered to blind our eyes to existing good. If,
in the university of Oxford, he saw evils Avhich he de
plored, he saw excellencies too, which he knew how to
value. He loved to commend rather than to censure :
and he was surely not wrong in thinking that a meeting
of the bible society Avas the very moment to banish
every recollection of regret, and to fan into a flame all
feelings of attachment and regard. Nor was his praise
indiscriminate. The topics on which he descanted were
uniformly appropriate, and his commendations true;
subject, at least, to no other exception than that of
charitably ascribing to the dispositions cherished by the
university, benefits which may have arisen merely from
its official character and station.

CHAP. III.
Public Spirit.
MR. HIXTOX was not less observant of external
than of internal foes ; and whether hostility was di
rected against religion itself, or against some particular
body, he was prompt in meeting, and successful in re
pelling the attack. At the period of his settlement at
Oxford, the dissenters (as already stated) laboured under
very considerable difficulties ; and the unkindly feeling
towards them in high quarters appears to have been ag
gravated by the general favour bestowed on their young
minister, and the rapid increase of his congregation.
Although he had done every thing in his power, by
peaceable and unblameable conduct to render strife im
possible, an attack was at length made on the gene
ral body of dissenters from the university pulpit, in
a sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. Tatham, rector
of Lincoln college. To leaA'C no doubt that this
A\as a deUberate aud mature proceeding, intended to
produce a powerful effect, the discourse was defivered
before the corporation and a numerous audience at the
city church on the folloAving Sabbath, and it was after
wards repeated in different parishes. By a great part
of the hearers the sermon was highly censured, as an
unprovoked and unmerited assault; but its pernicious
influence was by no means small, in producing a state of
z2

340 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
angry excitement which it was impossible for the dis
senters not to feel very severely. Mr. Hinton had then
resided but six years in Oxford, and he laboured under
many disadvantages for engaging in combat with this
adversary: but he had truth and justice on his side, and,
thus supported, he was encouraged to attempt the vindi
cation of his friends. After consulting with them on the
measures to be adopted, he wrote to Dr. Tatham the
following letter.
' REVEREND SIR,
' The principal members of the dissenting congrega
tion in this city think " themselves much aggrieved by
some passages in your sermon of last Lord's-day morn
ing; and as their minister, I think myself bound to
espouse their cause, so far as it is consistent with truth
and justice. We do not imagine that a gentleman of
your exalted station could wilfully misrepresent, either
our religious or our political tenets : if, however, the
misrepresentation has arisen from an imperfect know
ledge of them, we are not the less sufferers on that ac
count. We think it necessary to request that we may
be favoured with the sermon in a more permanent form.
If there be no objection to its publication, it will give
us pleasure ; ox if any method can be adopted of com
municating to us that part of it only which relates to
the dissenters in Oxford, we shall be content. It may
be that we have formed mistaken apprehensions of the
discourse, in which case the mistake Avill be candidly ac
knowledged : if, on the other hand, our present opinion
of it be confirmed, we may perhaps judge it worthy of
further notice. Nothing hostile, however, is intended ;
but merely a calm vindication of ourselves. Should you,
reverend sir, be induced to treat us with that respect
which we always think due to members of the establish-

CHAP. IH.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 341
ment, we leave it to you to point out any method in
which this misunderstanding may be amicably removed,
our sentiments and conduct set in a just light, and
peace with our fellow citizens, which we have long en
joyed, be preserved entire. You will pardon the liberty
I have taken in thus addressing you, and believe that,
had 1 known any method of communicating these sen
timents more unexceptionable, I would gladly have em
braced it. ' I am, with due respect,
' Rev. sir,
' Your most humble servant,
JAMES HINTON.'
Queen Street, Nov. 27, 1792.
The next day a gentleman of the college politely wait
ed on him with the following answer.
' Lincoln College, Nov. 28, 1792.
' Dr. Tatham presents his compliments to Mr. Hin
ton, acknoAvledging the receipt of his kind letter, and as
suring him that he had no personal aim in the sermon of
which he speaks, nor intent to injure any class of men ;
his sole object being to stop the spreading of disaffec
tion and irreligion in these licentious times, and to jiro-
mote the fear of God, and the honour of the king. If
Mr. Hinton be one of those religious teachers who are
duly qualified for their high office ; who inculcate love
and joy, and peace and loyalty ; and who teach the ge
nuine doctrines of a holy faith, as a good subject and a
sound christian, he wishes him success in hisA'ocation : —
he is not one of those teachers of whom Dr. T. warned
his hearers. Many others have requested the publica
tion of the sermon, and Mr. Hinton shall have a copy
presented to him*'
Mr. Hinton received this note with pleasure, as it in-

342 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iu.
dicated some disposition to peace ; but as its contents
were not perfectly satisfactory, and as he was desirous
of bringing the business to a speedy and amicable con
clusion, he called at college early on Thursday morning,
and left the following note for the gentleman who had
the care of publishing the sermon.
' Mr. Hinton presents his compliments to Mr. B. and
is sorry that the absence of Dr. Tatham should prevent
his immediately thanking him for his obliging note of
yesterday. He must, however, beg of Mr. B. to com
municate to the doctor the following answer, previously
to the publication of his discourse. Mr. H. would think
it extremely improper to say for himself, that, as a chris
tian and a minister, he possesses all those qualifications
which Dr. T. candidly supposes may fall to his share ;
yet he hesitates not to say, that in doctrinal points he
A'aries little from the church of England, and that in his
public labours he inculcates love, and peace, and loyalty.
As to other qualifications, having resided and statedly
preached in Oxford nearly six years, he believes all rea-
.sonable satisfaction on this head may be deriA'cd from
respectable members of the university, as well as from
the general opinion of the citizens. He therefore sub
mits to the candour of Dr. T. whether he might not, in
a note annexed to his sermon, exculpate the dissenters
in Oxford, as well as many others, from charges of which
they are entirely innocent. This is the rather desired,
as the lower orders of people here have already begun to
make particular application of a general censure ; and
this will still necessarily be the case, if no distinction be
pointed out to them. Their prejudices being raised, and
their knowledge being confined to their own neighbour
hood, it is here they will vent their dislike ; and thus
Dr. T. Avho doubtless wishes equally with us to promote

CHAP. I,,.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 343
' love, peace, and the fear of God,' may be the unde-
signing instrument of*sprcading a spirit of hatred and
contention, which produces every evil work.'
Queen Street, Nov. 29. 1792.
This note received no answer. The sermon was
preached unaltered, in a different part of the city, the
next Sunday, and on the following Wednesday a printed
copy of it was communicated to Mr. Hinton. He found,
therefore, that no method was now left but an appeal to
the inhabitants at large, which he accordingly made, in a
pamphlet soon afterwards published under the following
titie : ' A Vindication of the Dissenters in Oxford, ad
dressed to the Inhabitants ; in reply to Dr. Tatham's
Sermon, lately published, after having been preached in
Oxford many Sundays successively.' We give a few ex
tracts, illustrative of the manner in which he conducted
the defence. ' FELLOW^CITIZENS,
' It is Avith much reluctance I address you on a sub
ject which has the appearance of controversy. Having
long resided here in the peaceable character of a teacher
of Christianity, to discharge the duties of that office has
been my highest ambition. During my connexion with
the congregation of protestant dissenters in this city, their
conduct has merited my gratitude and esteem. But I am
indebted not only to the dissenters; An acquaintance
with some respectable members of the university, and
with many of the citizens who are members of the es
tablishment, has added not a little to the comfort of my
life. In these circumstances, I have ever thought it
my duty and my interest to ' seek the peace of the
city' where I dwell ; nor will I, knowingly, suffer any
consideration to bide so desirable an object from my
view. The unmerited reflections on dissenters in

344 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
general, and on those in Oxford in particular, so lately
addressed to you repeatedly from the pulpit, and at
length from the press, by the rector of Lincoln college,
demand some public notice; but my sincere aim in
this address, is to banish from this city that spirit of
contention to which his sermon has unfortunately given
rise. * As now given to the public, it is an unqualified cen
sure of the Oxford dissenters. It contains an unpro
voked attack on the ability and integrity of their teachers,
and is directly calculated to bring upon their congrega
tion the odium of their neighbours, by representing
them as a people full of error and enthusiasm in religion ;
deficient in the duties of morality; and remarkable for
their disaffection to the government.
' As a divine of the church of England, Dr. T. should
at least have recollected, that that church considers as
absolutely necessarj' to a christian minister One qualifi
cation, which I may be allowed to call experimental piety.
He well knows, that every candidate for the ministry in
the establishment, solemnly declares his trust' that he is
moved by the Holy Ghost to take this office upon him ; a
declaration which, if made by members of any other
community, would probably not have escaped the doc
tor's censure as enthusiastic : I cannot but think, how
ever, that every minister of the gospel ought to be able
to make such a declaration, with the utmost sincerity, in
the sight of God. For a want of personal religion, no
abilities, natural or acquired, can compensate : never
theless, a good natural understanding, improved by suit
able education, must be acknowledged to be not only
desirable, but necessary to the honourable and useful dis
charge of the sacred office. The dissenters, aware that
learning is an excellent assistant in the ministry, always

CHAP. IU.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. S4.'>
promote the education of pious and intelligent young men
for that service; and perhaps they possess, in proportion
to their numbers, as many learned men as any other com
munity. We profess, with Dr. T. that the people ought
to judge for themselves of the qualifications of their
teachers; and dissenting congregations only have the
full enjoyment of this privilege. In this freedom of
choice they glory, and to this their ministers cheerfully
appeal, even in Oxford ; where, as Dr. T. asserts, the in
habitants have the very best opportunities to judge of
their pretensions.
' In pages 10 and 11, after telling us, with much gra
vity, that an academic education is as necessary to the
office of the ministry as an apprenticeship is to the ex
ercise of a trade, he says, ' This rule is of easy and ob
vious application ; and it is with amazement and con
cern that AA'e see it so much neglected and overlooked
by the inhabitants of this place, where, of all others, it
is the most obvious. They enjoy a singular opportunity
of judging for themselves, by being eye-witnesses of the
many years we devote to deep and important studies,
&c. But notwithstanding these opportunities of trying
us by this rule, and notwithstanding there are more than
a dozen parish churches built by the piety of their fore
fathers, in which we are ready to instruct them to the
utmost of our power, we see many of them led away
with the wildest infatuation, and with itching ears ; by ig
norant and itinerant preachers of every denomination ; by
methodists and enthusiasts, by anabaptists and dissenters,
of whose learning and abilities they have not had the
smallest proof; men who are self-taught without the
power, and self-ordained without even the appearance
of learning; men out of the meanest professions and
lowest occupations of life, whom if they had a fair op-

346 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
portunity of trying, they would find more ignorant
and unqualified than themselves — " blind leaders of the
blind !' "
' From the concern and amazement which the doctor
feels, and the grievous lamentations he has uttered re
specting teachers of every denomination, one would
suppose that the number of dissenting and methodist
chapels in this city at least equalled that of the parish
churches ; and that the latter, having lost the greatest
part of their congregations, were likely soon to become
entirely useless. Let not the doctor's representation,
however, excite the least alarm. The plain truth is, that,
excepting a quaker's meeting-house, which is seldom
used, there are in Oxford only two places where the
form of worship differs from that of the establishment;
one of which belongs to a society of protestant dis
senters which has existed more than a century ; the other
to the followers of the late Mr. Wesley. These two
are multiplied by the' doctor into numbers unknown,
of methodists and enthusiasts, anabaptists and dis
senters., No wonder such a crowd of fancied beings pres
sing on the doctor's mind, shoiSld produce confusion,
inaccuracy, and inconsistency. Distinct from the method
ists, I know of no religious professors, at least in
Oxford, who are ever charged with enthusiasm ; and
to them, perhaps, the charge does not of right be
long. ' The baptists are well known to be one of the three
denominations which constitute the body of dissenters in
this kingdom. Their mode of baptism by immersion
the church of England cannot censure, seeing she en
joins it. As to the subject, whether infant or adult,
they freely allow, what they justly claim, the right of fol
lowing the dictates of conscience ; and the people with

CHAP. IH.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 347
whom I am connected give constant proof of their mu
tual candour, by a free communion at the Lord's table
of baptists and paedobaptists. We are occasionally joined
in our worship by some pious methodists, of orthodox
sentiments, who are in the communion of the church of
England ; and when ministers of their acquaintance visit
Oxford, we are happy in receiving their instructions.
These are in general men whose character renders them
highly worthy of esteem. Some of them have been edu
cated in the university, and their sentiments are in
every respect those of the church of England. If in tiie
pulpit they sometimes lay aside the scholar, and assume
plainness of speech, they do it Avith the most upright
views ; and Dr. T. is the last divine that should censure
them for doing it.
' One part of the doctor's censure must have di
rect allusion to the author of this reply, as a bap
tist, and the only dissenting minister in Oxford. As
.the person thus injured is the minister of a reputable
congregation, and is intrusted by many respectable
families in |his city with the education of their sons,
justice to himself and his friends demands some reply.
He appeals to those whose candour has induced them
occasionally to attend his public instructions, or to com
mit to his care the education of their children, whether
he has taken advantage of these circumstances to pro
mote, in any degree, the purposes of party. Accessions
to his congregation from the church of England have
been few and unsolicited ; the result, no doubt, of full
conviction, being in most cases opposed by temporal
interest. Leaving Dr. T. to explain how a man can be
'self-taught without the power of learning,' it may
be necessary just to add, that the dissenting minister in
this city was neither 'self-taught' nor 'self- ordained.'

348 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [fart hi.
His own industry, he hopes, has not been wanting in
acquiring useful learning; but much more ought to
be attributed to the worthy and well known tutors,
under whom be passed through the usual studies prepa
ratory to the ministry in the academy at Bristol. With
respect to learning, he presumes not to boast : he
wishes to dcA'ote whatever of it he possesses to the
cause of religion, and particularly to the interests of
that society with which he is connected. Over this
people he was publicly ordained in the year 1788, in
which service the late Dr. Evans, Dr. Stennett, and
Daniel Turner, A. M. principally assisted. Here what
relates to the writer personally should close; but he
wishes to embrace this opportunity of expressing his
regret on behalf of learning, that by his situation he is
doomed to behold magnificent libraries without the
liberty of access to them. Those of dissenting acade
mies are not thus confined ; and he flatters himself there
are not wanting in this university those who need only
to see the complaint stated, to induce them to remove
it.* ' I request the patience of my readers, while I take the
liberty to assert that the dissenters in Oxford, as well
as most of their brethren, are orthodox in their religious
principles, moral in their lives, and firmly attached to
the king and constitution. They do not indeed, like
Dr. T. confine christian morality to the love of their
counti'y, nor to that joy which plenteousness in houses
and palaces may inspire. The love of our country is a
great virtue, and plenty is a blessing of providence ; but
thousands possess both, who know nothing of love and
* In later years Mr. Hintoii was indulged with the enjoyment of the
IH-ivilege to which he here refers.

CHAP, IH.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 349
joy as fruits of the Spirit, which, the apostle tells us in
the next verse, belong only to those that are Christ's,
and have " crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts."
Is it not much to be lamented, that learned christian
teachers should thus overlook the obvious meaning of
the New Testament? We as dissenters Avish not to
boast of superior sanctity, yet we use our endeavours
to banish immorality from our societies, and to main
tain the spirit and practice of christian obedience in the
whole of our lives. The regularity of our conduct, it is
vvell known, is frequently urged against us as a matter
of reproach.
'Of the loyalty Of dissenters, as a body, this nation has
had many proofs. If a whole community Avere to parti
cipate in the guilt of a disaffected individual, would the
university itself be innocent ? It is as unwise as it is un
just, to affirm that the church and state are so con
nected, that whoever cannot conscientiously enter into
the former, must necessarily be disaffected to the latter.
The dissenters of this city challenge their most watchful
observers to produce one instance of their having either
disobeyed, or spoken disrespectfully of the authority of
parliament, or of the power vested by the constitution in
the hands of the king. The public, however, mnst con
sider Dr. T. as having charged us with disaffection, as his
sermon Avas professedly preached with a A'iew to guard the
inhabitants of Oxford against the dangerous innovations
of dissenters. In page 13 he says, ' In spite of artful
and treacherous impostors, we feel ourselves a happy
nation ; we are united together by the bonds of love,
which some disaffected teachers labour to dissolve ; by
the love of our king, Avhom they labour to despise ; by
the love of our country, which they labour to destroy.'
And in page 18, 'These teachers would dissuade you by

350 LIFE OF THE REV. J, HINTON. [part hi.
artful and enticing words, both from the fear of God
and the honour of the king.' Now thougb I hope,
fi'om Dr. T's note to me, that he did not mean to fix
this charge on the dissenters in Oxford, yet surely he
cannot be justified in refusing to intimate to the public,
in some form or other, that he did not ; and I think we
have a right to expect that he should either prove our
guilt, or acknowledge our innocence.
'In contrast with Dr. T's insinuations against the
dissenters, I beg leave to offer a testimony on their be
half from the late Dr. Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph.
Speaking of dissenting ministers, he says, * ' These are
men who deserve our esteem for their science, their li
terature, their critical study of the Scriptures, and their
excellent writings, either defending or teaching our
common Christianity ; and they have of late stood forth,
almost singly, in defence of the natural, ciA'il, and reli
gious rights of mankind. They have been considered,
in the two former reigns, as loyal subjects and as good
citizens ; nor can Oxford herself boast of having pro
duced more steady friends to the house of Hanover.'
Which of these opinions is most consistent with truth,
let our conduct determine : Avhile this remains irre
proachable, we may surely claim not only the protection,
but the respect due to good citizens.'t
This reply was very well received, and it effectually
answered the purpose for which it was designed. It
is for nothing more remarkable than the temperance
with which it is Avritten. It is not difficult to perceive
* Speech in the House of Lords, 1772.'
t It is among the inexplicable things in Messrs. Bogue and Bennet's
History of Dissenters, that while the publication of Dr. Tatham is noticed,
together with others to which it remotely gave rise, the ' Vindication ofthe
Dissenters in Oxford' is not even mentioned.

CHAP, hi.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 351
that many things might have been said (and the
provocation administered was by no means small)
Avhich vvere nevertheless withheld: but the reader
will probably concur in the remark subsequently
made by its author, that ' what was lost in argument
was probably compensated by the greater respect which
gentleness secured.'
No attack like this was ever afterwards made; but
symptoms of the same spirit occasionally appeared in
the public prints, over which he cherished a constant
watchfulness. A copy of a private letter written to the
editor of one of the Oxford journals, in rebuke of im
proprieties of this class, is among his papers. He was
called forth publicly in 1806, when Mr. William Hayes,
one of his congregation, was elected to the oflfice of
bailiff of the city of Oxford. Mr. Hayes declined serv
ing this office, pleading that, as a protestant dissenter,
he was exempted by the laws of the realm. Consider
able disturbance arose from this refusal, and the occa
sion was taken to cast fresh obloquy on the body to
which he belonged. Mr. Hinton could not be a tame
spectator of this scene. In the warmth of his feelings he
Avrote a long letter, addressed to the editor of the Jour
nal ; and though he ultimately sent a much shorter
communication, we cannot refrain from giving some
interesting passages fi-om the original draft.
' You have styled the congregation,' he says, ' a
' community of baptists.' I have no objection whatever
to that appellation. It is used too honourably in the
New Testament for any christian to consider it a term of
reproach, and it points out a denomination of professors
to which, living and dying, 1 shall count it my honour
to have been united. As it is used to denote my religious

332 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi,
views, and sometimes exposes me to a trial of integrity,
I consider it an honour : you know, Mr. Editor, that
the primitive christians Avere similarly circumstanced,
for the historian of the Acts relates that they were a
sect "every where spoken against." But I owe it to a
number of respectable friends, who form a part of the
congregation, to state that its real description is a con-
gr^ation of protestant dissenters, admitting of fi'ee
communion with those who practise infant b^tism ;
and receiAong communicants from the church of En
gland, or from any other church, if they fear God and
keep his commandments. Such have been the views
and practice of the dissenters iu Oxford firom their first
existence, which vvas occasioned by the act of uniformity
in 1662, when it is well knoAvn, that a great number of
the best and ablest divines in England sacrificed their in
terest to their conscience, by dissenting from the church
and becoming ministers of separate congr^ations.
' The plea which Mr. Hayes used against taking upon
himself the oflSce of bailiff of this city, rests on well
known grounds. It is a provision of the corporation
and test acts, that every person serving certain offices,
shall take the sacrament in the church of England in
order to qualify himself for them. Now Mr. Hayes, Avho
has not the least objection to occasional attendance iu
the church of England, objects, as thousands both in and
out of the estabfishment have done, to take the Lord's
supper as a qualification for a civil oflice. This is the
whole plea. He objects not to any of the civil oaths,
which the dissenters continually take; but merely to qualify
himself for a civil office by a sacred ordinance. Your
readers may see this point argued in Bishop Sherlock's
excellent pamphlet on the subject. I confess I am a

chap. III.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 353
convert to the bishop's reasonings, and think, Avith
him, that it is a wrong application of a religious rite ;
that it obliges thousands to profess what they do
not believe, and to practise that for Avhich they are
entirely unfit. Were I a member of the establishment,
therefore, I should earnestiy Avish that this test might
be repealed, and some other, far less exceptionable, be
substituted in its room.
* I am confident that the protestant dissenters at
large feel no wish to introduce themselves into office ;
they consider it rather as a privilege to be freed from
its fatigues and fi-om its snares. Many of the first states -
men in the United Kingdom have pleaded, Avith strong
force of reasoning, that it would add greatly to the strength
of the state to call forth the unlimited services of its
citizens ; and in whatever way their country shall call
for their aid, the protestant dissenters are ready to afford
it. Conscious of the most faithful attachment to their
sovereign and to the constitution of this happy realm,
and deprecating all animosity Avith their neighbours and
fellow subjects, they hope to shew by all their conduct
that nothing on earth is too dear to be sacrificed to their
country's good. Conscience is sacred to God, and this,
we rejoice to say, British laws have left entirely free.
It is this that endears our native isle, and nerves the
hand which is raised to defend it from every foe. This
liberty the church of England nobly defended, when
the second James wished to Avrest it from her ; this
she justly confided to the character of William, En
gland's deliverer, and to the princes who, on the same
principles, ascended the British throne : and this,
Mr. Editor, we Avish to enjoy in peace, to defend till
death, and to bequeath to our children. In their bosoms
we will endeavour to enkindle the same sacred flame,
Aa

354 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
and rest our cause on the decision of future ages and
the approbation of God. Be assured, sir, that we
shall continue to deserve the approbation and respect
of our fellow-citizens, of our magistrates, and of our
country. Nor has the writer of this a dearer wish, than
to give full proof that he studies the peace of the
city where he dwells; and that he uniformly intreats
those under his care to bury in oblivion, what they
justly think undeserA'cd reproach on their character and
profession.' He Avas induced to come forward again in 1812, by
some remarks inserted in the Oxford Herald by John
Coker, Esq. a magistrate for the county. The proposed
establishment of an auxiliary bible society gave rise to
this attack, which was intended to shew the impro
priety of members of the establishment promoting an
object so favoured by dissenters, a body of persons
whom Mr. C. affirmed to be necessarily and violently
hostile to the church of England. It was to this accu
sation particularly that Mr. Hinton replied, and he did
so in a manner which compelled the respectful notice
of his antagonist, and rendered the assault in a great
measure nugatoi-y. The whole correspondence was
subsequently printed, with more matter of a similar
kind, by Mr. Lefroy, at that time distinguishing himself,
under the signature of Peter the Hermit, by his exer
tions on behalf of the 'crusade of the nineteenth
centui-y.' He was equally watchful over the public interest of
the dissenting body, and the various proceedings of the
legislature respecting them. Upon occasion of Mr.
M. A. Taylor's motion in the year 1800, he felt so
deeply concerned that he wrote to William Smith, Esq.
M. P. a letter, which we give almost entire.

CHAP. iH.J PUBLIC SPIRIT. 355
'sir,
' I learn from the papers that Mr. M. A. Taylor in
tends a motion respecting dissenters, or rather dissent
ing ministers. I cannot judge precisely of his object,
but it seems to be some limitation of the act (19. Geo. III.)
respecting the registry of preachers. I have full confi
dence that you, sir, as one of our public guardians, will
carefully watch evei-y attempt to abridge our religious
privileges : with politics I never meddle, though my
heart cannot be indifferent to the happiness of man.
Very few, if any, of the evils Avhich the proposed enact
ments would cure, actually exist ; while their introduc
tion would create very serious mischiefs. One instance
I will give, and it is similar to a thousand others. I
preach, perhaps once a month, at a village, six miles
from any meeting-house. On a Sunday, in bad weather,
the families who live there, all poor, are happy enough
to find one person able to read intelligibly to the rest ;
or perhaps a young man, taking Dr. Watts's Sermons in
his pocket, Avalks from Oxford, reads to them, prays
with them, and returns. This is a truly christian charity
to the poor and the ignorant, the aged and the infirm ;
but such are the prejudices excited against us, that no
thing can screen such a young man from all the horrid
penalties of the act of uniformity, but a legal register ;
for he acts as the conductor of public worship in a con
gregation exceeding five persons. It is not merely the
insolence of the mob we fear, though that (as you know)
is dreadful enough in Oxfordshire. I knoAV an instance
in this county, in a presbyterian congregation, where the
people were threatened by the clergyman, for meeting
to read and pray while their minister was ill. Our
friends never resort to the privilege of registering them-
Aa2

356 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON, [part hi.
selves without necessity, nor even plead it as a bar to
militia laws, &c. ; and for those who are inimical to us
to know that we could not recur to this protection would
do us much injury. We are often examined very closely
by magistrates, and forced to conform to the laws in
every iota ; nor would the highest respectability of cha
racter or talents, unprotected by positive and express
law, weigh aught against the dreadful charges of disaf
fection and schism. The toleration act, and that above
mentioned, founded on it, are our only bulAvarks ; and I
deeply regret that such a man as Mr. T. should, at
such a time, bring forward a motion, which may serve
as a signal for a fresh attack on a body of respectable
men, whom he knows to have been unworthily treated.
Our ecclesiastical justices of the peace (and we have
almost all such) would very much like to have some
discretionary power in this business (which I trust they
never will have) and it is with reluctance that they ex
ecute the present laws. Even county courts sometimes
refuse to register very respectable ministers and places,
and are obliged to comply by threats of a mandamus.
I value Mr. T. as I trust he is a friend to liberty and to
man ; and if you, sir, are personally acquainted with
him, I hope it will not be difficult to convince him that,
however some hot headed youth of seventeen may have
misbehaved, it would be unjust, on that account, to
subject to galling chains a great number of his fellow citi
zens, heartily attached to the constitution and the real
interests of their country.'
Mr. Hinton entered deeply into the alarm which per
vaded the whole country, on the introduction of Lord
Sidmouth's bill, in 1811, and he strenuously exerted
himself in the constitutional methods resorted to for

chap. III.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. 357
inducing its abandonment. He was, also, among those
who regarded Mr. Brougham's education bill with a
suspicious eye. Delighted as he would have been to wit
ness and to aid the progress of universal education, he
knew too well the character of the hierarchy to be
doubtful whether the system proposed would be made
an instrument of oppression and injury.

CHAP. IV.
Political Sentiments and Conduct.
THE subject of this memoir spoke most truly, when
he said, ' My heart cannot be indifferent to the happi
ness of man.' Nothing relating to his species did he
think foreign from himself, and more especially nothing
relating to the oppressed. Trained among protestant
dissenters, at a time when they suffered considerably
for their religious opinions, and found their only secu
rity in British laws, the protection of which their cir
cumstances obliged them to claim, it was inevitable that
be should imbibe the principles of political liberty;
for it is upon these that those of religious liberty
are founded, and the tenacious defenders of the one,
have always been the most strenuous advocates of the
other. In his youthful days he partook, in some degree,
of the enthusiasm which hailed the emancipation of the
American colonies ; and when his sentiments were more
fully formed, he was a warm friend of constitutional
freedom. He had studied the frame of the British
constitution, and he admired — it might almost be said,
he revered it. The re\'olution of 1688, he regarded as the
most glorious era in our national history, and he ar
dently wished that the constitution then so nearly
perfected, should be maintained and kept inviolate.
No man could be more loyal. To say nothing of the

CHAP. ,v.] POLITICS. 359
respect and affection which may be felt for a monarch
on personal grounds, he was warmly attached to the
regal office, as an essential and very important branch
of the state. He uniformly paid the highest respect to
the person of the king, and, in civil matters, to his autho
rity ; and, whatever had been the private character of
the sovereigns under whom he lived, he would never
have suffered such a consideration to diminish the
honour due to the station they occupied. He was,
however, very accessible to loyal feelings on other
grounds. He was not a captious observer of royalty.
He was not only willing, but delighted, to see, and to
acknowledge, with the warmest respect, all that was
amiable and virtuous in the private and public character
of his sovereign ; a disposition which he the more care
fully cherished, because he was aware of the powerful
tendency there is in human nature, to detract from
excellence of character, wherever we must allow supe
riority of station. To his late majesty, George the
Third, he was strongly attached. He esteemed his
character and admired many parts of his conduct, to
which he bore a public testimony, in a sermon which
he preached, and afterwards published, on occasion of
his death.
Mr. Hinton's love of royalty was not for its own
sake, but on account of its importance to the body
politic. The national welfare was, in his judgment,
the paramount object, from its zeal and success in pro
moting which the crown derived its brightest honours.
If he loved his sovereign much, he loved his country
more. If it would have greatly diminished his admi
ration of our constitution to have excluded the king,^
it would much more have done so to haA'e annihilated the
people. If he valued, on one hand, a powerful execu-

360 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi:
tive, he valued no less, on the other, an effective oi-gan
of the popular will. He attached the utmost impor
tance, therefore, to the two houses of parliament, and
he treated them with the highest respect. By no means
blind to the existence of venality and corruption, he
could never concur in the unmeasured abuse Avith
which those assemblies have often been assailed. He
would have been glad to see existing evils reformed,
but he dreaded to see the legislature itself subverted :
and, had his estimate of its actual virtue been far
lower than it was, he would still have held in the ut
most abhorrence the interference of an infuriated' and
unbridled populace. Upon the sound principle -that
one tyrant is better than a hundred, he reckoned a
hundred better than a million ; and he not unfrequentiy
said that, if any thing could have driven (for nothing
could haA'e allured) him to the renunciation of popu
lar principles, it would have been the terrific and
appalling form which the democracy sometimes as
sumed. The respect in which he held the first member of the
executive, be discovered equally, in their due proportion,
towards all its subordinate members. He regarded him
self as a whig of the 6ld school, and he rejoiced when
persons of similar principles were at the head of affairs ;
but as, when they were so, he did not pledge himself to
the approbation of all their measures, so neither, when
they Avere not, did he consider himself bound to perpe
tual disapprobation and discontent. How far the exist
ence and support of political patties may be advantage
ous to the country, or how far a determined opposition
to men of certain principles may be necessary to the sup
port of a party, it is not for us— it was not for him-— to
inquire. His character was not political, it was re-

CHAP. IV.] POLITICS. 361
ligious : and though he still valued and exercised his
civil and political rights, he felt himself withdrawn from
the sphere of party effervescence and activity. He re
garded measures, and not men : and whatever men Avere
entrusted with the administration of the government, he
not only gave his support to every measure he approved,
but he felt himself bound, while he could approve, to
commend their proceedings and to strengthen their
hands. Without such co-operation, he thought no
ministry could have a fair opportunity of promoting
the country's welfare, or of effectually resisting the as
saults of its foes. In the same spirit he treated the
whole magistracy of the kingdom. He had, indeed,
sufficient proof that local magistrates do not always ex
ecute the laws with equity, or with good will ; nor was
he afraid to make such an appeal to the superior powers,
as should constitutionally compel them to the discharge
of their duty; but he did not, on this account, allow
himself to utter I'eproaches, or even public complaints,
nor to fail in any mark of personal or official respect.
He knew that, notwithstanding all, the maintenance of
an effective magistracy was of the utmost importance to
the community, and to himself; and he did every thing
in his power to uphold its honour and its influence;
with a hope also, in which he was not finally dis
appointed, that he should " overcome evil with good."
He never felt any agreement with those who seem to
find pleasure in depreciating, abusing; and forsaking the
land of their birth. He was very sensible to the power
of local attachments and associations; but he loved
England, because, with all its faults, he knew it to be the
residence of more virtue and piety, of more learning and
science, of more personal and social happiness, and of more

361 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part ni.
civil if not religious liberty, than any country in the
world. Most especially, as a protestant dissenter, did
he feel himself bound in honour and love to a line
of kings, under whose steadfast patronage the privi
leges of that body have been more extended, and their
rights have been more clearly ascertained and more
fully acknowledged, than in any former period of our
history. It might have been supposed, that a man whose con
duct should embody such principles as these, Avould be
universally respected ; and if the case was ever otherwise
with the subject of this memoir, it must doubtless be as
cribed to the influence of local and peculiar causes, la
Oxford, it is well known that such principles have never
been highly faAOured ; to which it must be added that,
at the period of Mr. Hinton's settlement there, the
dissenters, as a body, lay under considerable political
odium, a feeling which was soon dreadfully aggravated
by the circumstances attending the French revolution.
It is not known that Mr. Hinton indulged any of
the hopes, with which many wise and good men con
templated the early proceedings of an aroused people;
it is certain that he neither did nor said any thing by
which umbrage could be given, and that he most deeply
deplored the tragical events which subsequently oc
curred. Many persons will recollect the agitated state
into which the whole kingdom Avas brought, and the
burst of popular fury, undoubtedly excited by the high
church party, which assailed some friends of liberty at
Birmingham in 1792. This was considered as the signal
for general tumult, and an alarm was soon spread at
Oxford, that the mob was coming thither. It was Avell
knoAvn that they had no other design, than to attack

•'HAP- IV.] POLITICS. 363
the meeting and dwelling-houses of the dissenters, and
especially of their minister ; and some reason to believe
that mischief was intended arose from the fact, that, at
the moment, a very peculiar mark was made on the out
side of two houses, one of which was Mr. Hinton's, and
the other the residence of a person of equally obnoxious
principles. The very day for the arrival of the rioters
was announced by the Oxford populace, who, to a great
extent, were ready to co-operate in the work of destruc
tion ; while there was no hope that, against such an as
sault, the civil power would have been a sufficient pro
tection, or that if solicited, it would have been vigour-
ously employed. In a state of fearful apprehension re
sulting from these circumstances, did the subject of these
pages, with a delicate wife and an infant child, sit up
nearly the whole of one night : but through the divine
goodness the destroyers did not come ; and though it
was afterwards found that they had never gone beyond
the suburbs of Birmingham, the mercy was as great
to the feelings of the family as though they had been
at the dooi's.
The spirit of poUtical rancour continued to exist,
and sometimes unequivocally manifested itself. In
the year 1793, when the Rev. William Winterbotham,
then of Plymouth, became its victim, a note, of which
the following is a copy, was sent to Mr. Hinton with the
Oxford post-mark. ' Plymouth, Dec. 19.
' An anabaptist clergyman was yesterday brought
before the mayor for preaching sedition. He gave bail
to the amount of five hundred pounds for his appear
ance. ' Felix quera faciunt aliena pericula cautum.'

364 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
The reader will have perceived that the same leaveri
pervaded the attack of Dr. Tatham, and that it was em
ployed to give bitterness and fury to the riot at Wood
stock. The cry was there raised, ' Down with the
Jacobins ;' and at .Oxford it was long perpetuated. All
this he had to bear, simply because he was a dissenter ;
and he was thus placed in circumstances, certainly
adapted to endear to him the principles he had embraced,
but making it exceedingly difficult to exhibit them.
His temperance as an advocate of liberty, however, to
gether with his sound and rational loyalty, succeeded at
length in removing the unmerited odium, and in gain
ing well merited respect. Nothing contributed more to
this result than the interest he manifested in the state of
the country, when threatened with invasion in 1798. In
this year he published a pamphlet, entitled, ' Brief
Thoughts on the importance of defending our country,
respectfully addressed to the inhabitants of Oxford and
its neigbourhood ;' which was exceedingly well received;
and procured for him a very flattering notice from his
former opponent, the Rev. Dr. Tatham, to whom also
the note sent on the occasion does so much honour
that we insert it with double pleasure. It was as
follows. ' SIR,
' At this momentous crisis, when the heart and hands
of all descriptions of men should unite in the defence of
a great and common cause, I rejoice in reading your
' Brief Thoughts on the importance of defending our
country.' I love you for the patriotic zeal and religious
principle which pervade your short address ' to the in
habitants of Oxford.' I hope and pray that it may
have the desired effect, and I sincerely thank you for so

CHAP. IV.] POLITICS. 365
seasonable an admonition. I have no doubt but every
honest man will join with me in applauding your well
timed exertions, and I remain,
' Your obliged humble servant,
' EDWARD TATHAM.'
' From the rectory of Lincoln College, Ut May, 1793.
This communication could not fail of affording Mr.
Hinton the highest gratification. It was pleasant to
have dispelled prejudice ; it Avas more so to have done
it without any deviation fi-om dignified and independent
conduct ; but most of all to have elicited from such a
quarter so spontaneous and so warm an expression of
esteem. It was yet further to Dr. Tatham's honour,
that, without even intimating his intention, he inserted
his note in the Oxford Journal of the following week,
thus making as public an avowal of his respect, as he
had formerly made of his hostility.
It Avas about this period that the plan of forming
volunteer associations Avas generally adopted. The dissen
ters, as well as the other inhabitants, entered vigour-
ously into this measure ; and upon one occasion, the city
volunteers attended as a corps at the ineeting-house,
when Mr. Hinton delivered to them a highly animated
and acceptable discourse. He had no delight in war.
He considered it as the greatest calamity which can af
flict the world, the prolific parent of crimes and mise
ries. Yet he thought that war might be both just and
necessary ; and as such, especially, he regarded the strug
gle of that period. He felt a lively interest in all the
transactions of that eventful contest, and many brief
notices in his diary shew how truly joy in his country's
triumphs was mingled Avith compassion for human
woes; and bow closely his patriotism was connected
with his piety. We giA'e one extract. On the evening

366 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part iii.
of an illumination (into which he always entered with
great spirit) for a naval victory, in 1798, he writes thus :
' Dissipated with the noise of a rejoicing on account of
the capture of the Brest squadron, off Ireland : — a great
mercy to this kingdom. May God help our governors
to improve this favourable event to the return of
peace ! '
On the attainment of this long wished-for blessing
after the battle of Waterloo, he was induced to visit the
field on which that dear-bought victory was won, and
he derived a very melancholy but a powerful gratifica
tion from his journey, the details of which were inserted
in the Baptist Magazine for September and November,
1815. ' If this should prove to be the spot,' he says,
' on which the hand of heaven has employed British va
lour to arrest the progress of the most ambitious and
successful commander of modern times, 1 shall not re
gret that I have taken some pains to visit it. I was very
unwilling to leave the place. The progress of Bonaparte for
the past twenty years, 1 had watched with an attentive
eye and an anxious heart ; and I now thanked God
afresh, that an admiration of his talents had never in
duced me to frame, or to listen to, an apology for his
crimes.' While thus powerfully affected by greater objects,
he was not insensible to the smaller, but not unimpor
tant concerns of his immediate sphere. The following
passage occurs in the diary, in 1796. 'This has been
election week  I have learnt that the honour of men
is little to be trusted. I have felt that it is hard to be
steadfast against the frowns and the smiles of superiors.
I have above all found that much intercourse with the
world is unfriendly to the health of the soul, and I long
for returning tranquillity.'

CHAP. IV.] POLITICS. 367
When, at a later period, the representation of the city
of Oxford in parliament was warmly contested, and his
character in established respect, he received a letter
from a friend of one of the candidates, containing a high,
and probably a merited eulogy, and |oliciting his influ
ence. His reply contains the following passages : ' In the
congregation which I have the happiness to serve, I
neither have, norwish to have, the least political influence.
My friends, indeed, though I believe that in general
they understand and regard the constitution of their
country, are never busy as politicians. While from prin
ciple, whenever called upon, they giA'e their voice to
men whom they judge best qualified and best disposed
to advance the public good, as protestant dissen
ters they can have no interest separate from that of
their fellow citizens at large; subjects of the same
king, amenable to the same laws, and in all instances
meriting — in most enjoying — the same privileges. We
are endeavouring to deserve, what it is not yet given us
to possess.'
It will be fresh in the reader's memory, that the dis
turbed state of the country in 1819 gave occasion to
many public meetings of a loyal description. One of
this class was held at Oxford, and the subject of this me-
moir was induced by his ovi^ feelings to appear on the
political arena. The pafti'cular object for which the
county had assembled, was to express their approbation
of the coercive measures which his majesty's ministers
had thought necessary for the public tranquillity; a
point on which public opinion had been very much di
vided in addition to which great agitation had been pro
duced by a recent tragical occurrence at Manchester.
On this occasion Mr. Hinton spoke at some length and
with considerable effect; to the displeasure indeed of

368 LIFE OF THE REV, J. HINTON. [part hi.
some distant pei'sons (fi-om Avhom, perhaps, he might dif
fer somewhat in opinion, and probably more in temper)
but to the dissatisfaction of no persons on the spot, where
all the cireunistunces were known, and to the high gratifi
cation of many AA'hose esteem it is most honourable to pos
sess. It may be stated, hoAA'CA'Cr, that he Avas at the utmost
distance from expressing any approbation of the military
proceedings at Manchester, or from becoming mi adA'ocate
of the existing administration. On the other hand, hc re
garded the turbulent spirit then in action as directed
against the very A'itals of the country, and as preparing an
assault Avhich nothing but a vigorous and Avell sustained
executive could be expected to repel ; and whatCA'er
his ideas or his feelings might be respeetiug ministerial
measures or domestic calamities, he felt it his first duty
to give a temperate support to that one power, which,
if inadequate, inA'olved in its failure all that pertained
to the happiness and glory of Britain. With respect to
the dreadful scene, certainly prejudged when, at tiiat
period, it was called 'the Manchester innssacie,' he
frequently said that hc had pi-occcdcd on the conA'iction
that his majesty's ministers would have instituted a
rigorous inquiry ; a point in Avhich hc regretted that his
confidence had by no means been justified. While at
a distance it was supposed that Mr. Hinton's influence
had been surrendered to court polities, it AA'as fully per
ceived by those who attended the meeting that the very
conti'ary was the fact : and nothing Avns more admired
than the delicacy and tact, the combination of suavity
and firmness, Avith which, while concurring in the
general object, the principles of liberty were exhibited
and maintained by him. He Avas universally acknow
ledged to have contributed much to the successful and
united issue of the proceedings : both by moderating

CHAP. IV.J POLITICS, 369
what might have been considered, by some, as the
high tone of tory politics, and expressing all that was
wished for that day in a manner .convincing and
vvinning to persons of opposite principles; and by
withdrawing the attention of the meeting from a * de
claration of rights' which it was proposed by some
genUemen present to attach to the address.

lib

CHAP. V.
Authorship.
Mr. Hinton made no considerable appearance as an
author. He published no Avork of magnitude, nor any
thing, but as excited by the circumstances of the
time. Thus were produced the ' Vindication of the dis
senters in Oxford,' and the ' Brief Thoughts on the im
portance of defending our country.' He printed, also, a
few occasional sermons : one preached at the ordination
of the Rev. T. Coles, M. A. at Bourton ; one on behalf
of the protestant dissenters' grammar school at Mill-
hill, entitled 'The union of piety and literature;' and
another on the death of his late majesty, George III.
Besides these, he published the ' Narrative of the beha
viour and death of Thomas Davis ;' a Memoir of the
late Rev. John Evans of Abingdon, prefixed to a volume
of his Sermons ; and an ' Historical sketch of eighteen
baptist churches, included in the Oxfordshire associa
tion.' The necessary occupation of his time left him
no leisure for composition, and the style of his published
productions affords little matter for critical remark. It
is simple, neat, and correct : but if it has no great faults,
jt has not, perhaps, any great excellencies. It was
much regretted by his friends that he did not Avrite as
he spoke. Nothing would have been more gratifying
than to have had thus embodied, the copiousness, the

CHAP, v.] AUTHORSHIP. 371
boldness, the ardour of his language : but if this image
of the living orator is to be found any where, it Avill be
in some papers which he Avrote vrith gi'eat rapidity,
and never corrected. When he was Avriting for the
press, he was too timid ; and anxiety lest he should be
guilty of a fault, destroyed the ease and vigour by Avhich
alone he could attain excellence. He aimed at perfect
correctness, and he achieved it: it is to be regretted
only, that the process of elaboration so materially
affected the more A'aluable qualities of the original
mass. The diploma of master of arts Avas conferred upon him,
Avithoat solicitation, by the curators and facultj' of A'assau-
hall, in the United States, in the year 1802 : and, although
never pleased with its appearance, and often forbidding it,
he was induced to adopt it for the sake of admission to the
university libi-ary, a privilege Avhich is attached to its pos
session, and which was noAV very handsomely granted
him. In 1813, the college of Rhode Island conferred on
him the degree of doctor in divinitj-, which he reso
lutely decfined. It was Avith much difficulty that he
prevented this also from being forced upon him, but it
was at length effected by the following circular.
Oxford, May, 1816.
' DEAR SIR,
' Three years ago, from what motive I know not, an
American college conferred upon me the diploma of
D.D. In England I concealed the matter, aud by a
letter to America decidedly declined the intended
honour. Last winter, however, the brethren in London
received intelligence fi'om Rhode Island, in consequence
x>f which some of them addressed me as Dr. By en
treaties, as earnest as they were respectful, I obtained
from them a promise never to use this title in their
Bb2

372 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON. [part hi.
correspondence or conversation ; and thus the business
rested (as I Avished) Avith as littie notice as possible,
till No 29 of the Periodical Accounts made its appear
ance, in which (Avithoat my having any reason to expect
it) the diploma is adopted. Disappointed and vexed
as I am, I stiU persist in my determination. I cannot
converse or correspond with any person, Avho will not
entirely desist firom using this title iu addressing me.
It would render me ridiculous, even in the eyes of those
Avho love me. It is not modesty that dictates this reso
lution ; it is merely common sense, avoiding the impu
tation of folly and vanity, which would else jusUy, and
for ever, rest upon me. If you will assure me, that you
and all your connexions Avill combine to shield me
from this charge, and thus preserve to me the respect
which it has been my ambition to deserve^ you will then
have, my dear sir, during the rest of my life, a strong
claim to the gratitude of ' Your friend and brother.'
' P.S. In any public company, such as associations
Sec. pray publish the contents of this ; as I must suc
ceed in my request, or retire from the society of my
brethren.' The tone of feeling which pervades this letter is
certainly very strong, and it may be thought dispropor
tionate to so trifling a circumstance ; but it Avas by no
means unnecessarily strong, for his numerous friends
were highly desirous, it may be said determined, that
the diploma should be used ; and some of them at
length discovered a tenacity which Avas verj- unplea
sant, and must be regarded as unkind, unless, in
deed, they supposed that the title of D. D. was an
honour so great, that no man could be thought sin
cere in rejecting it. Mr. Hinton's refusal was not a

CHAP, v.] AUTHORSHIP. 373
mere ' Nolo episcopari ;' and while his determination
Avould have been fixed as a matter of feeling only,
there were reasons also by Avhich it was confirmed.
Designed and adapted as college diplomas are, to mark
the possession of a literai'y character, he thought
that they ought to be awarded Avith a strict regard to
this object, and not as tokens either of personal friend
ship or of public respect; methods of misusing the
priA'ileges, and ultimately of degrading the honours, of
academic institutions. Entitied to rank AA'ith well in
formed, but not Avith learned men, he would haA'e been
happier Avithout any appendage to his name ; but witii
reference to that of D. D. he felt an unsuitableness
most revolting and insuperable. He felt it perhaps
the more strongly on account of his residence in
Oxford, where the title is invariably connected either
with literary or official distinction, in Avhich he could
have no participation; and is, after all, so far from
being coveted, that its assumption is very often de
layed as long as it can be Avithout injury. Nor was
he in any degree flattered by the inequality Avhich Avas
thus occasioned between himself and his brethren.
He knew, indeed, that, among the number of dissent
ing ministers, men of great talent and learning may
be found, on whom the highest literary honours might
Avell be conferred : but for himself he Avished no title
but such as might designate also the most unlearned of
his brethren. Whenever his name appeared in con
junction Avith that of any minister not possessing a
similar appendage, he prohibited the use even of the ac
cepted diploma of M. A. as an apparent assumption of
superiority from which his mind was abhorrent.

CONCLUSION.
SUCH was the man whose character we have under
taken to portray. That he was truly such, all who
knew him will bear witness, to the extent of their ac
quaintance; those who knew him intimately will feel
that the picture is an inadequate representation of the
original. Of this the writer himself is deeply conscious :
but hoAv can it be hoped to throw life into marble, or
substance upon canvass ? What, after all, is sculpture,
but the image of death ; or painting, but the semblance
of life? Or how can an artist so unpractised as himself,
have succeeded in catching all the now shadowy forms,
even of virtues so dear to his heart ? He trusts, how
ever, that enough has been written to give consistency
aud force to the recollections of those Avho knew and
loved the subject of his pen ; and to exhibit a just, if
not an adequate idea of bis revered parent, to those by
Avhom he was nearly or altogether unknown.
To sum up- the whole : His character, though far from
perfection, was formed by a combination of excellencies
hot often surpassed. He was not great, except in good
ness ; nor brilliant, but in usefulness : but in these he
has rarely been exceeded. His natural endowments,
though not splendid,were excellent, and eminently adapted
for successful exertion ; while his ardent piety elevated
them to their noblest aspect, and directed them to their
worthiest end. In its principles and spirit (subject, in
deed to lamented infirmity) his was the life and the cha
racter of an angel : his whole soul was engaged in " ful-

376 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON.
filling his course" of appointed duty, and he habitually
aimed at doing the will of God " on earth, as it is done in
heaA'en." He was not permitted to exert himself in vain.
He felt himself greatly blessed in his family, and in the
people of his first and only charge ; while to those who
recollect the period of his settlement, and can trace his
progress, the influence of his public life appears emi
nent and remarkable. Connected with these useful re
sults, was a large measure of public estimation ; and
this not merely Avithin his immediate sphere, but disco
vering itself wherever his character was knoAA'n, and even
in quarters where the appreciation of its excellencies
was most powerfully impeded. Seldom has a minister
been more highly esteemed by the congregation of his
care, by the denomination to which he belonged, or by
the religious public at large: and never did a resident
dissenting minister acquire so much respect in the uni
versity and city of Oxford.
His life was terminated, by an all- wise Providence, in
the sixty-second year of his age ; a period at which it
might have been hoped that his labours would be
considerably prolonged. Although for more than
twenty years his health had suffered frequent and severe
interruptions, illness had not impaired either his natul-al
or intellectual vigour. To the last he was characterized
by vivacity and energy. He was cut off in the midst of
his activity, and in circumstances which might have sug
gested that his removal was peculiarly to be regretted.
But this dispensation was eminently a fulfilment of his
own wishes. He had a particular dread of outliving his
usefulness, and had often expressed a very serious de
sire that he might be withdrawn from labour, without
experiencing a decay of the faculties which, in all their
vigour, he had delighted to devote to his Lord. From

CONCLUSION. 377
the event it may be gathered too (however apparently
important to his charge his life might be) that his work
was done. With only two exceptions, he had conducted
the whole flock of which he originally took the over
sight to the close of their pilgrimage ; he had been per-
niitted to see another generation rise up " in the stead
of the fathers," to carry on the work of the Lord ; and
it was doubtiess well that the formation of their charac
ter, and the direction of their zeal, should not be com
mitted to one whose capacity, both for tranquil suffering
and extensive action, must have speedily felt the over-
, coming influence of years.
His death was peculiarly sudden and aflBictive. Being
in London, as usual, at the close of the school vacation,
it was his design to return to Oxford by way of Reading,
that he might have an interview Avith the members of
his family residing at that place. On the Saturday even
ing he arrived, not quite well, yet not seriously indis
posed, and arrangements were made for his preaching
once on the Sabbath : but " at midnight there was a cry
made," though it was then little suspected to be that of
the heavenly Bridegroom. One of his usual spasmodic
attacks supervened. It was not attended, however, with
the most alarming symptoms, and it apparently yielded
in a great measure to the remedies ordinarily employed :
but on Monday morning the danger was evidently very
imminent, and the vital powers sank rapidly until half
past eleven, when, almost without a figure, "he fell
asleep" in Jesus. Gratifying as it unquestionably is,
that he was not permitted to die among strangers, and
that four of his children were permitted to sooth the
pains of his last sickness, it nevertheless could not, in
some respects, but add to the affliction, that the very
hour which had been anticipated as bringing to a wife

378 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON.
the cheerful aspect of a husband, should announce to
her that she was a widow, and should see his face no
more, even in the paleness of death : while many less near,
but veiy affectionate friends, would have found a mournful
pleasure in bidding a fond adieu to the guide of their
youth, or the companion of their age. But it was not
permitted ; time was not given even to pray for his re
covery. Yet, since it was so, who shall say it was not
well? — Well, that hearts which have often so deeply
sympathized with his anguish, should be spared the
more afflictive and imperishable recollection of his dying
groans ; and that prayers which might not be answered
were forbidden to be offered.
It frequently happens that the occurrence of death leads
to the observation of circumstances, which would other
wise be unregarded. It has certainly been recollected with
pleasure that, within a few weeks preceding his decease,
Mr. Hinton had visited the whole circle of his family and
immediate friends. He had spent some AA'eeks at Chel
tenham. On his return he visited his son at Faringdon j
then his relations at Buckingham ; afterwards his friends
at Wallingford, and Watlington : he particularly sought
out all his relatives in London ; and in the house of the
only member of his family he had not previously visited,
he died. It has been universally remarked, also, that his
spirit in these interviews was singularly cheerful and af
fectionate ; that he seemed to feel no content till he had
seen all his relatives or friends ; and that his inquiries
and conversation were as full and solemn as though it
had been a conscious farewell. ,
It is natural that the reader should ask. What were
his dying feelings ? But it is a question which admits
of no direct reply. For a few minutes before his de
parture he did not seem conscious of existence, and

CONCLUSION. 379
nothing transpired during the course of his brief illness
illustrative of the state of his mind. The combined in
fluence of disease and medicine left but very scanty
opportunity for intercourse of any kind, which was
still further impeded by the engagements of the Sabbath,
and the hurry and anxiety of the sick chamber; AVith
regret, however, it is acknowledged that, through feelings
of filial reverence and fondness, together with an almost
entire absence of apprehension until death was at hand
and conversation impracticable, this littie opportunity was
lost. It is not that such a life needed the assistance of
a death-bed to interpret it ; but it is a source of gi:ief to
many, to whom his dying words would have been precious
memorials. It is not known whether he conceived him
self to be near dissolution. Not a word escaped him but
of necessity ; a circumstance^ however, not at all un
usual : it was uniformly the case in similar attacks, and
appears to have been owing to the occupation of his
whole mental strength in s)«staining the torture of dis
ease. It is now some consolation to know how he felt in pre
ceding illnesses ; and through the vivid recollection of an
intimate friend, with whom he conversed very largely when
recovering from his illness in 1819, Ave are enabled to give
some details, which will delightfully associate themselves
with his dying pangs. He stated, that through the whole
of the attack he was quite sensible, but that his bodily
weakness so far affected his mind as to disable hini for any
connected thought. Wlien first he apprehended that his
sickness would be " unto death," he was led to the di
vine declaration, " He that believeth in me shall never
die •" and through the whole of it, his mind was firmly
and delightfully sustained by this promise. 'I ex
pected,' said he, ' that I was going to leave you all, and

380 LIFE OF THE REV. J. HINTON.
thoughts of all kinds crowded upon me in multitudes,
not like a disciplined army, but a confused crowd : biit
in the multitude of my thoughts within me, that word
supported and refreshed my soul.' In the course of
his illness he experienced a numbness in one leg, which
he thought alarming. He said that on waking he found
a cold limb in the bed, which he did not at first believe to
be his Own, and that he considered it as the probable
harbinger of a fatal stroke ; but that his thoughts were
such as these : ' Though my limbs die around me, blessed
be God, my heart does not die within me. No : " He
that believeth in me shall never die." "Lord, I be
lieve: help thou mine unbelief!" "Into thy hands I
commit my spirit."
My withering limbs with thee I trust,
To raise them strong and fair.'
He added, that when, thinking of the terrors of death
and endeavouring to really the entrance into eternity,
he felt his mind unequal to the vastness and awfulness
of the subject, he was relieved again by the same pro
mise, "He that believeth in me shall never die." It
is somewhat singular that the anxieties he felt respect
ing his family and his flock (and he stated them to be
at times almost overAvhelming) were invariably alleviated
by the same scripture, and by that alone : the circum
stance, however, illustrates both the admirable adapt
ation of the divine word to its appointed purposes, and
the gentle dealings of God with his people ; and in
this instance, the sufferer expressed his gratitude that
in a condition so little capable of mental exertion, his
meditations Avere confined to one passage of holy writ.
He repeated with a very animated look, and mingled
smiles and tears, the truth still so consolatory to him.

CONCLUSION. 381
that believers never die; and added, 'You and I, my
dear friend, are never to die. Dear H. (alluding to
one who bad been recently removed) is not dead, only
translated to see God : believest thou this?' Speaking
of the period when he was in most excruciating agony,
and at the same time partly stupified by medicine, he
said, ' If it had been the will of God that I had died
then, I believe I should have known nothing more of
death : it seemed a question respecting the decision of
which I felt no anxiety, whether, from that stupor, I
should be roused to life on earth or in heaA'en. If I
had been carried to heaven in that storm ! It is an awfully
glorious thought. What a surprise! The Searcher of
hearts knows that, for many years, it has been my con
stant prayer, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit!" I trust
he has accepted the surrender; and his faithfulness
would have been manifest in the safety and preservation
of the immortal deposit, even though the soul, pressed
down with the weakness and pains of this poor dying
body, might have been, at the moment, rendered inca
pable of repeating it.' In such a storm was he ulti
mately carried to heaven, but not less securely than if
the passage had been more calm ; and if, because they
might not be heard, his people were not allowed an op
portunity to pray for his recovery, it is ytet left them to
sympathize in his glorious triumph, and to join in his
everlasting songs.
There are indications that, within a short period of
his death, the state of his mind was eminentiy spiritual
and happy. In perusing Dr. Dwight's system of Theo
logy he found that divine expressing his opinion, that
no person could rationally entertain an assurance of his
own salvation ; a sentiment from which he differed, and
lie soon aftei'Avards gave his own ideas in a sermon from

382 LIFE OP THE REV. J. HINTON.
Heb. X. 34. " Know'ing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance." He was
evidentiy much interested with the topic ; he frequently
spoke of it, and several times, during the brief re
mainder of his days, he preached that discourse : it was, in
fact, the principal discourse of the last sabbath he ever
preached, having been delivered at Watlington on the
afternoon of July 20, 1823. These are intimations
which cannot be delusive, of his own enjoyment of
an assured hope. Indications of a similar kind are
presented by the following extract of a letter to the
Rev. B. H. Draper, of Southampton, written June 26,
about a month before his death. ' I am reading
with delight Granville Penn's comparison of the mi
neral and Mosaic geologies. Infinite fields of know
ledge lie yet unexplored : blessed be God for a promised
immortality to continue a pursuit, which here is perpe
tually interrupted and broken off by bodily pain and
mental darkness. Shortly this prison of my clay
Must be dissolved and fall.
I cannot always read my title clear to the liberty, the
glorious inheritance of the children of God ; blessed be
God for a ho]l)e, which shall, I trust, endure to the end.
I am unwilling to think, Avitli Dr. Dwight, that the as
surance of hope is scarcely to be expected by us :
I think the Scripture says, and I hope you feel, other
wise.' A letter to his daughter, dated July 1, contains the
folloAving passage, strongly illustrative of his parental
affection, and of the feeling which prompted the inter
views which, in the recollection of his death, have
been so pleasing to the family. ' I am rich in having

CONCLUSION. 3S3
such children : A'ery rich, and very happy. 1 could
wish a little more time to enjoy their society on earth,
but that pleasure is in the inheritance which is reserved,
and I am content : perfectly so, sometimes.' During his
visit to Faringdon, a fortnight afterwards, his thoughts
were obviously and delightfully fi.xed on another world.
He repeatedly referred to the death of the late Rev. John
Winter, of Newbury, which took place without any
previous suspension of his labours, and expressed a
smiling wish — it might almost be imagined a heaA'en-
suggested hope — that he might receive a similar dis
mission. The same spirit was eminently discovered in
the last evening he ever spent in the domestic circle.
He arrived at Reading about six o'clock; and be
tween eight and nine, his son and daughter Bartlett
also arrived from Southampton, having been mercifully
preserved from any serious injury Avhen the coach was
overthrown. His feelings were touched by this circum
stance, which served to increase the excitement of his
mind : but the whole evening was most delightful ; his
spirit so tranquil and placid, so cheerful and devout ;
it was like the CA'cning of a Lord's supper day ; and,
even if subsequent events had not stamped the allusion
with literal verity, it might have been truly said of that
domestic scene, that it was " none other than the gate
of heaven."
But happy as that season was, it has been exchanged
by the subject of this memoir for circumstances far
more happy. Absent from the body, he is present
with the Lord ; and has doubtless found that to depart
and to be with Jesus, is far better than the most blessed
life on earth. While living, he conducted many of his
flock to the grave : he has now joined them, amidst the
spirits of just rnen made perfect. He has found a

384 CONCLUSION.
company not small, whose affectionate welcome he re
turns with greetings not less affectionate. While they
are bearing witness to the fidelity of his care, his heart
replies, " Ye are my glory and my joy ;" and he bows
together with them, in the presence of their common
Lord, to opy, with adoring gratitude, " Here am I, and
the children whom thou hast given me." One thing
only is wanting to the fulness of his joy : it is that those
who yet remain, and have been equally the objects of
his anxious care and exalted hope, should be "steadfast
and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord ; and giving all diligence that they may be found
of him in peace, without spot and blameless."
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Yea^
saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and
their works do follow them." It is but in part, how
ever, that the results of Mr. Hinton's labours now ap
pear. There are yet generations to come, through
which the influence of his life shall be felt, and in each
successive generation more v/idely. There is a day of
revelation too, that shall unfold many a history now un
known ; contributing much to his happiness, but more
to the glory of that gracious God who counted him
faithful on earth, and will doubtless cause him, as one
that has turned many to righteousness, to " shine as the
sun for ever and ever."

THE END.

liartletl and Hinton, Printers, Oxlind.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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