SAMUEL CROWTHER, M. A.

ADVERSE as some respectable individuals appear to what is now called popular preaching, my sentiments, formerly favourable to it, become daily more confirmed as to its eligibility and importance. Charm he ever so wisely, since human nature still turns her deafened ear to the voice of the spiritual charmer; since, though he speak as it were with the tongue of an angel, the preacher is frequently unheeded, -is it difficult to conjecture the injury resulting to our religion from the incompetency of those who undertake to explain and enforce its most holy doctrines and precepts? Unfortunately, indeed, the consequences produced by the inability of some clerical instructors, and the indifference of others, are no longer chimerical. Schism has every where erected her decoying and destructive standard. The brazen serpent is again lifted up, without the camp; not to

heal, but to afflict the people! I behold with pain, therefore, a disposition to resist the only measures likely to counteract the progressive influence of such calamities. Samson has disclosed to us the secret of his strength; and let it not be proved that, from any feeling of false dignity, infatuated with superiority, we disdain to profit even by our enemies.

It is to the essential business of out-preaching their evangelizing antagonists, who are no mean ones, that I would particularly direct the energies of the national priesthood. Let them earnestly endeavour at preaching back the souls who have been preached from the bosom of the church. While the disposition of the people is turning strongly in favor of this plan, the circumstances of the times are not less auspicious to it. Even evangelical hearers are beginning to prefer, as clerical instructors, those who have been trained in the universities of their country; partly supposing such men to be more respectable as gentlemen, and partly be cause the diffused intelligence of the age, ema

nating from the liberalized systems of education now predominant, inspires the rising generation with disgust at the ignorance and effrontery of many self-made divines.

Some sentences from the present preacher, when last I heard him, suggested to me the necessity of pointedly adverting, in every way, to the question respecting popular preaching. Never can I bring myself to think, with him, that the thinness of certain congregations, attending the churches and chapels in our metropolis, is to be traced to the religious indifference of the people. The fact is not so. Balancing the matter equitably, let us, while we ascertain the truth, put at least as much to the inability of preachers as to the indifference of hearers. Mr. Crowther's long experience contradicts his › conclusion. Being himself an able preacher, he finds, it is seen, little reason to complain either of empty pews or listless hearers.

Samuel Crowther accomplished his preparatory education at Winchester, whence he was sent, on one of the foundation presentations

of that distinguished seminary, to New College, Oxford. After quitting college, and long before he became known in town, he was, for some years, Curate of Barking, in Essex. Eventually induced to start as a candidate for the vicarage he now holds, so decisive were the spontaneous testimonials of the parishioners among whom he officiated, in the behalf of him, that, notwithstanding no mean competition, Mr. Crowther was preferred, by vote, to Christ's Church, in Newgate Street. He has since printed one or two single Sermons; and is, besides the discharge of his duties as vicar, the Afternoon Lecturer of Bishopsgate,

Religiously impressive in his appearance, his voice deep and loud, he delivers his text with boldness. Marked, but not forced, his emphasis is distinct and striking. His chief fault, as to voice, is the unbending majesty of his tones. Equally energetic, invariably eloquent, every thing, in his mouth, is either noble or lofty. His style of composition, however, is entitled to literary commendation.

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Admirers of extemporary preaching might undervalue Mr. Crowther. His discourses are written, and he eyes them so carefully as to prevent him from always looking his auditors in the face; nor can he be said to possess an unfettered delivery. Here he fails.

Otherwise he is excellent. Earnest, informed, animated, his appeals to the heart and conscience are delivered feelingly and efficaciously. Sound in his positions, clear in his illustrations, his reasoning, admirably conducted, is gradually convincing, and finally conclusive. Sincerely though I am induced to approve the conduct, and respect the abilities, of Mr. Crowther, I must, nevertheless, be permitted to object to the manner in which he is accustomed to close the public solemnities of devotion. Instead of continuing kneeling, at the termination of the prayer after sermon, he should, as I conceive, then rise, and stand up, conspicuously to his congregation, and so pronounce, with dignity no less than affection, the sacerdotal benediction! He is