part." (Mark ix. 38-40.) The figment, too, of apostolical succession, so strongly contended for in the present day,-the being able to trace descent along this line, as requisite in order to entitle an individual to the sacred office of the Christian ministry,-had never found a lodgment in the breast of Crosse : hence, wherever he discovered the “fruit of righteousness," sown in peace of them that make peace," and evidenced in the blameless conversation of its possessor, there he recognised the work of the Spirit, and glorified God. 99.66 Mr. Crosse was no High-Churchman, as the phrase is generally interpreted; yet was he, on this very ground, a more successful advocate of the principles and claims of the established Church. In a small publication, entitled, “A Reply to Objections brought against the Church of England,”—which, although controversial, is written in a spirit truly candid, and calculated to disarm the prejudices of his opponent, Mr. Crosse has given expression to certain views which may, perhaps, be regarded as a key to the whole of his procedure; and which, in the present excited state of public opinion, are at least deserving serious and unprejudiced perusal. "No man," he observes, "ought to be despised, or even blamed, for his dissenting from the established religion of his country, provided he acts from principle; but he is certainly to be blamed for endeavouring to prejudice the minds of others against that religion, by misrepresentations and false conclusions, and by calling in the aid of ridicule and satire. If he cannot embrace the doctrines, or conform to the rites and ceremonies, of the established Church, let him depart in peace, and quietly enjoy that religious liberty which the laws of his country secure to him. The civil Magistrate does no more than what is allowed to every master of a family; namely, to choose his servants out of what denomination he pleases. The Government of this country has thought proper to take the Episcopal Church under its patronage, and hence it is called the Church of England. The Church of England is as remote from Popery, as candour from bigotry. She refers all her decisions to the word of God; and allows to every other Church, particular or national, the very same privilege which she claims for herself." After expressing his decided opinion, that the English Church, as to its constitution, is "founded upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone," he proceeds: "The grand inquiry, then, of all parties, should be, Am I built upon this foundation? Am I a living member of Christ's mystical body? Do I know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death? If so, let no man trouble me about questions and strifes of words.' Let us of the Establishment be not high-minded. Let us not pride ourselves upon our superiority over the Dissenters; but fear lest the great Head of the church, observing how we abuse his favours, should remove our candlestick out of its place. The signs of the times (1798) are truly alarming: when or where the storm will fall, Providence alone must direct. It is of little consequence what we are, or what we believe, or to what party we belong, unless we are thoroughly in earnest about salvation. It is not the curious, but the pious, path that leads us to the skies. Knowledge may be acquired by hearing and reading; but repentance, faith, and holiness cannot be acquired, or retained and exercised, without frequent and fervent prayer. There can be no religion without prayer! It is the very breath of faith, and the first evidence of life in the new man. When the heart is touched by grace, it must and will pray; and if it cannot find words to carry up its requests to heaven, it will send them forth in earnest groans. The Spirit,' said one who understood this matter well, 'helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.' As the cries of a drowning man are above the formality of words, so the deep-felt anguish of a convinced sinner is inexpressibly eager for mercy; and such will find their hearts in perfect unison with the Liturgy: they will feel that they are miserable sinners; they will feel that they are tied and bound with the chain of their sins ;' they will feel the need they have of the blood of the Lamb of God to take away their sins, and of the Holy Ghost to sanctify their nature. And thus, though they use a form, they will not be formal.......... But, alas! how many attend the public services of the Church, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm! They repeat with their mouths sentences worthy to be written in letters of gold, but remain ignorant or insensible of their beauty. They go to their prayers as school-boys to their tasks, secretly glad when the drudgery is over, that they may return again to their studies and their pastimes. They have ‘a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.' They are frequently the most forward in vociferating, The Church! the Church!' while, in fact, they are her greatest enemies." The sentiments cherished by this good man, as to the relative position which the established Church holds, in reference to other communities in Christendom, will doubtless approve themselves to the judgment of every candid and unprejudiced person. The scheme thus unfolded is, indeed, the only mode in which state-countenance, given to any particular branch of the church of Christ, can be held consistent with religious toleration. Whilst, regarding all ecclesiastical arrangements as subservient to the great end of the salvation of the souls of men, wherever this was secured, he was but little disposed to carp at, or to condemn, the agency employed. 4. Other traits in the personal and ministerial character of Mr. Crosse can only be summarily referred to. He was eminently a man of prayer. In conducting the liturgical services of the Church, there was, on his part, no formal, no careless, presentation of its petitions : that incomparable formulary of devotion, from his lips, glowed with heavenly fervour. Previous to his engaging in any public religious service, he invariably spent some time in secret intercourse with God; suffering neither company, nor the pressure of other duties, to set aside this holy exercise. To a gentleman who asked, "What, Sir, do you consider the most satisfactory and decisive evidence of conversion ?" he answered, "Secret prayer, habitually, Sir, is the best evidence." In conversation, Mr. Crosse was highly interesting and instructive. His stores of information, derived from extensive reading, as well as personal observation whilst resident abroad, were always at command, and often threw a peculiar charm over his intercourse with others. The courtesy of the gentleman was so thoroughly blended with the humility of the Christian, that, whilst in mingling with the highest classes of society he was perfectly at home, the poor and illiterate found themselves at home with him. Mr. Crosse possessed and cultivated a disposition truly benevolent. The appeal of suppliant distress was never made to him in vain. In addition to the liberal support of various public institutions, he distributed largely of his substance to his poor parishioners; often visiting and relieving even those who were dissenters from his own communion. The Rev. William Leach, who was intimately acquainted with him, observes, in a communication to the writer: "His great charity was well known. I have been at his house when he has come home, and said to Mrs. Crosse, 'I have had to borrow sixteen shillings more than you gave me: I have met with so many distressed objects.' I remember, when dining with him one day, a poor person came to the door, requesting relief: on sending an ample supply from his own table, he observed, 'I do not serve those who come to my door because I think them the most needy,-those are generally at their own poor homes, unable to get out; but I do not like it to be said, Here is a Christian without charity! a Minister without charity!' One Sunday morning, during the time of service in the church, his house was broken into, and money to the amount of from twenty to thirty pounds taken away. When informed, on his return from church, of the robbery which had been committed, he simply remarked, 'I am rightly served: I ought to have given it away.' Benevolent himself, he laboured to excite in others, also, a similar spirit. "When soliciting," observes Mr. Morgan, "a contribution for a charitable purpose from a rich parishioner, he respectfully urged, Sir, you must do good with your riches when you have them; for they often make themselves wings, and fly away. Archbishop Leighton says, Clip their wings, so that they may not be able to fly; that is, give liberally, and in the fear of God, to benevolent purposes.' The gentleman answered, Really, Sir, you beg so kindly, I cannot resist you: here, take my purse, and all that is in it. Clip the wings for me; for your shears are very sharp.'"* On another occasion, when making a similar appeal to one "Parish Priest portrayed," p. 159. who had been very successful in business, and the person pleading, in refusal, the various calls which were made upon him, Mr. Crosse, with considerable promptitude and aptness, quoted the lines, "His liberal favour he extends, To some he gives, to others lends; And thus is just to all mankind;" and, gaining his object, imparted, at the same time, a lesson of practical instruction. It is, perhaps, superfluous to add, that Mr. Crosse was, from principle, truly loyal: religion and loyalty are, indeed, inseparable. He who truly fears God, will faithfully serve and honour his King. Yet, in more than one instance, the inculcation of loyal and patriotic principle exposed this faithful Minister to personal risk. The path of duty was to him, however, the path of safety. The general character of the deceased, as given above, the writer is happy in being able to confirm by living testimony. From the Rev. Robert Newton, D.D., he has been honoured with the following:-"It was my privilege to be acquainted with the venerable Vicar of Bradford, the Rev. John Crosse. Frequently have I met him at the house of a mutual friend of both; and, I think, can truly say, I never enjoyed his society without being the better for it. You could not be many minutes in his company without observing a fine exemplification of the words of St. Paul: To be spiritually-minded is life and peace.' His conversational powers were of no common order; and he knew how to employ them to the best advantage. Often have I observed young people, when in company with him, listen with intense interest to his instructive and edifying remarks. Well do I remember sitting the next to him in a large party one day; when, taking me by the hand in the most affectionate manner, he said, 'My brother, you are a young man let me give you a word of advice. Whatever you do, preach the capital doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,—the total depravity of man's fallen nature, the divinity and atonement of Christ, justification by faith alone, the Spirit's witness and work in the heart producing holiness of life;' adding, 'Depend upon it, that is the kind of preaching God will bless.' I have been told, that, on meeting a brother Minister, of another denomination, one Sabbath morning, he said, 'We are going to our work: you must try to get all you can, and I must do the same; but I fear, after all, the devil will get more than both of us.' Would that the pulpits of the established Church, through the length and breadth of the land, were occupied by men like-minded with the late Vicar of Bradford! It would be a happy day for England." The Rev. Samuel Sugden, a native of Bradford, who, when but a child, was favoured with the catechetical and pastoral attentions of the "good old Vicar," after referring to the state of controversial agitation on religious matters which for years had characterized his native town, observes, "The holy life and ministry of Mr. Crosse contributed greatly to quench the fire of discord, and to kindle a purer flame. His faithful, solemn, and affectionate addresses drew a multitude of people regularly to attend the church. Often, when very young, it was my privilege to attend his ministry; and, at the close of the afternoon service, to meet him, with a crowd of children, to repeat portions of holy Scripture, and receive his counsel and benediction. On leaving the octagon chapel, after the one o'clock preaching, I have often seen Preacher and people walking seriously to the church, to receive, under his ministration, the word of the Lord. Once every month, also, the members of our society were then accustomed to receive the sacramental bread and 'cup of blessing' at his hand..........I shall not forget meeting Mr. Crosse in the street, two or three days after I had determined upon joining the Methodist society. On naming my intention to him, he stood for some moments, imploring the divine blessing on my behalf; nor did he pray in vain. Mr. Crosse was unwearied in his attentions to the sick and poor; and, like his Lord and Master, 'went about doing good.' His entire devotedness to God, his mild and affable deportment, secured for him the reverence and love of good men of all persuasions. He was the friend of Wesley and Fletcher; and he was worthy.......The day on which I left home, to enter upon the duties of the Wesleyan ministry, he invited me to breakfast with him, conversed affectionately with me, and administered much wholesome counsel. On parting, he presented me with a small book; in which, after inserting my name, he wrote, as a motto for my future guidance, 'Pray, watch, labour!' What would have been his feelings, had he lived to see these days? He was taken from the evil to come; and, with others who have turned many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever."" The Rev. William Leach, from whose communication we have already quoted, further states: "I used to think, from what I had heard of Mr. Fletcher, that Mr. Crosse was the most like him of any person then living. I have never known his equal. His deep humility, his Christian meekness, his love to God and to his fellow-men, his spiritual-mindedness, his great simplicity, the heavenly sweetness of his spirit, combined with ease and gentleness of manners, were such, that one could not be long with him, without becoming more hallowed in one's own spirit and temper. And connected with this was burning zeal for God, great self-denial, and constant toil in visiting all classes of people, but especially the poor, the sick, and the dying. Although he was highly esteemed by good people of every name for |