In this disastrous state of things, few individuals, sustaining the ministerial character, can hope to escape either the plaudits, or the anathemas, which fly thick and fast around them. They may receive encouragement from the approbation of their own party; but this will be counterbalanced by the cries of heresy which their opponents endeavour to raise; and who shall decide the doubtful questions which have created the elemental war? To parties so diame. trically opposite it would be in vain to

Here, as in many other departments, the interests of individuals, of sects and parties, as well as of communities, begin to jar; and censure or applause is awarded to the candidate for fame, according to the prejudice, the candour, the bigotry, or the liberality, of those to whom the literary adventurer happens to make his appeal.

In the empire of theology, the views of mankind are unhappily still more contracted. All are ready to allow, that the magnificent and glorious subject is admirably calculated to enlarge their mental powers and perceptions; but unfortunately, in their conduct towards each other, and their opinions of each other's sentiments, sect mounts guard on sect, sentinels are always marching on their respective frontiers; and even in seasons of acknowledged peace, an armed neutrality is every where to be seen.

Uniformly disclaiming bigotry, yet too frequently acting under its influence, the party zealots watch every opportunity secretly to hurl their javelins at each other, and then engage in open polemic warfare, to determine who gave the first offence. We censure his Italian holiness for arro

to expect justice, and from the former it is useless to hope for impartiality. Under circumstances so peculiar, the smiles of friendship, and the frowns of hostility, strangely conspire to block up the avenues of light. The former flatters, without intending to deceive; while the latter opposes, from a propensity that is instinctive; and the negative honour of escaping without reproach, has hitherto been the privilege of very few.

Among these highly-favoured individuals, the subject of this memoir occupies a conspicuous place. Engaged in the conscientious discharge of his duties as a minister, he derives his solace from a source which neither the smiles nor frowns of mortals can disturb; and keeping his eye on the commands and promises of God, rejoices to see his church in prosperity, and its numerous members urging their way to heaven.

The REV. WILLIAM ROBY was born near the borough of Wigan, in the county of Lancaster, on the 23d of March, 1766. His father, being in circumstances of comparative affluence, at an early period intended this son for the ministry of the established church, and with this view

but were we to look nearer home, we should find it more or less incorporated in the essence of every sect, into which even the Protestant world is divided. Not contented with forming creeds for ourselves, we become restless to dictate to others, who view the same points through different mediums, and then piously consign to perdition all who dare dispute our tenets, or resist our authority. 109.-VOL. X.

where he enjoyed the advantages of a classical education. This, however, was but a preliminary step to his going to the university, to obtain the requisite qualifications for episcopal ordination.

But while mortals in their wisdom and

sagacity contrive and calculate for futurity, there is a power unseen that frequently defeats their purposes, and conducts their movements to issues the most unexpected.

B

11

12

about nineteen, his mind became seriously affected with the realities of an eternal world; and so concerned was he for the salvation of his soul, that nothing could induce him to take upon himself the awful responsibility attached to the clerical character. This led him to abandon all thoughts of the university, and also to give up every idea of the Christian ministry

nexion of the late Countess of Huntingdon, and here commenced his ministerial labours. For some time he had no stated appointment, but preached in such places as stood most in need of his services. This demi-itinerant mode of life brought him more immediately into the vicinity of Wigan, the place of his early days days education, and here he became a stated

and

tary impulse. His feelings on this occasion gave birth to resolutions, which, followed by correspondent actions, gave new arrangements to his calculations for life, and finally conducted him to a path, in which he has continued to travel, while pursuing his mortal journey.

About this time, a vacancy occurring in the classical department of a liberally endowed school at Bretherton, Mr. Roby was invited to accept it; which, under existing circumstances, appearing providential, he readily embraced. On reaching his new situation, his views were directed to the moral condition of the inhabitants, which he soon perceived to be deplorable and wretched in the highest degree. With them, vice and ignorance walked hand in hand; and, from the anguish which he had endured in his own mind respecting the salvation of his soul, these were subjects on which he could not look with indifference.

On examining the trust-deeds of the school, Mr. Roby soon found that the master was required, by one of the clauses, to dedicate a portion of every week to the spiritual instruction of his pupils. This duty being imperative, he determined to assemble the children, for this purpose, in the school-room every Sunday evening. On these occasions, he confined his observations chiefly to familiar and expository remarks on the catechism and articles of the church of England. These endeavours to serve the children becoming public, many of their parents, and other inhabitants, on soliciting, were permitted to attend; when, finding that God was daily owning and blessing his labours, his former scruples in a great measure subsided, and he now became seriously disposed to consecrate himself entirely to the service of the sanctuary.

Being from principle attached to the church of England, which his education had matured almost to superstitious veneration, he now once more turned his attention to her articles, ritual, and constitution. But finding, on impartial deliberation, that he could not conscientiously adopt her baptismal and burial forms, as the canons

period of seven years, with reputation to himself, and benefit to the congregation that attended on his ministry.

During his continuance at Wigan, the nature, constitution, and discipline of a Christian church, as delineated in the New Testament, engrossed much of his attention, which, in the result, so essentially altered his views in favour of the Independent, or Congregational system, that he resigned his charge, and accepted an invitation to the pastoral office in a church at Manchester, where the modes of discipline and government were congenial with his altered view, and of which he still continues the very useful and highly respected minister.

Arriving at Manchester, Mr. Roby soon had the pleasure to witness a considerable revival of religion both in his own congregation, to which he was rendered greatly instrumental, and also in many other parts of this vast and populous town. Here the sacred flame has continued to emit its steady lustre, through a succession of years; and through the simultaneous exertion of its ministers, though of various denominations, Manchester has been remarkably distinguished for the zeal and vigour of its mis. sionary spirit. Among these, the praise of that congregation of which Mr. Roby is the minister, is in all the churches. Many of his members are blessed with affluence; and what is still more worthy of being recorded, with a noble spirit of liberality, that is every way commensurate to their wealth. In the cause of missions their ardour furnishes an example worthy of universal imitation, and their contributions towards the spread of the gospel stand unrivalled among all the dissenting churches throughout the British empire.

Some time after Mr. Roby had settled in Manchester, Robert Spear, Esq. an eminently liberal individual, whose soul glowed with affection to the Saviour, became the patron and supporter of an academy, in which both single and married men were trained for the work of the Christian ministry. Over this institution the subject of this memoir was appointed to preside; and Mosely-street chapel vestry was imme

diately selected for the library and the lecture room.

The design being made known to the churches, two married and two single individuals were soon found willing to place themselves under Mr. Roby's care; and these were afterwards joined by several others. The term for continuance in the Institution being only two years, the line of study which their tutor selected, was, perhaps, the wisest which could have been chosen. They were made intimately acquainted with the grammatical construction of their own language, and particularly instructed in the formation and arrangement of its sentences. Every week they received a lecture on the composition of sermons, and were expected to produce specimens of their own abilities. Logic formed an eminent part in their studies, and they were required, not only to read and understand Watts, but to form an abstract of the whole work for themselves. Ecclesiastical History, Geography, the use of the Globes, and the first principles of natural and moral Philosophy, also claimed a due portion of their time and attention. A knowledge likewise of the Greek and the Hebrew, made a peculiar part of every day's acquirement.

Such was the general course of studies which the pupils under Mr. Roby's care, were directed to prosecute. But, perhaps, their greatest advantages were derived from a course of theological lectures; in which, both the leading features and the minor points of divinity were clearly and distinctly arranged. These lectures, each student was allowed to copy for himself.

This Institution continued under the care of the Rev. Mr. Roby for the space of five years; when it was removed to Leaf-square; and subsequently to Blackburn, where it has flourished under the tuition of the Rev. J. Fletcher, and is now prospering under that of the Rev. George Paine.

As an author, Mr. Roby is more distinguished by the number, than by the magnitude, of his publications. The frequency of his preaching, and other concerns immediately connected with his pastoral office, having left but a small portion of time for the employment of his pen, he has hesitated to engage in any voluminous work. The following list will, however, prove that his leisure hours have not been permitted to pass away in unproductive indolence.

1. A Short Treatise on the Necessity of the Satisfaction of Christ; or, the Dangerous Tendency of Socinianism. 1791.

"

2. The First Principles of Christianity; or, a Catechism for Children. 1798.

3. Civil Magistracy Defended; and the Comparative Consequences of Sins against God, and against Society, considered; in a sermon occasioned by the execution of George Russell, who suffered for croftbreaking, near Manchester, on September 15th, 1798.

4. An Apology for Christian Missions to the Heathen; a sermon preached before the Missionary Society, in London, May 13th, 1801.

5. The Ministerial Example of Christ, the Christian Preacher's Model; a Charge delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Joseph Johnson, Warrington. 1803.

6. A Sermon preached to the congrega. tion in St. George's church, Manchester, on the Death of their much respected minister, the Rev. John Johnson; including a brief Memoir of his Life. 1804.

7. The Thoughtful Christian, exemplified in extracts from the manuscripts ef Mrs. J. Crichton; including a Narrative of her first serious impressions, her subsequent religious experience, and the general heads of several sermons, with reflections; to which is added, a brief account of her happy death. 1809.

8. Scripture Instructions; or, the Sunday School Catechism; containing questions relating to the principal doctrines and duties of revealed religion, adapted to the capacities of children, and answered in the pure words of scripture. 1809.

9. A Defence of Calvinism; or, Stric tures on a recent publication, entitled "St. Paul against Calvin." 1810.

10. A Funeral Discourse, occasioned by the death of the Rev. Thomas Spencer; and preached to his afflicted congregation, in Newington chapel, Liverpool, on Sunday, Aug. 18th, 1811.

11. The Orphan's Friend; a discourse delivered in the chapel belonging to the Orphan Working School, City Road, London, at the anniversary meeting, held May 7th, 1813. To which is annexed, the Design and Plan of the Charity.

12. The Glory of the Latter Days; being one of the associated monthly lectures, delivered in Manchester; with an Appendix containing illustrative notes, extracted from various authors. 1814.

13. A Selection of Hymns, for the use of young persons, and especially of Sunday Schools. 1815.

14. The Christian Duty of assembling together; a sermon delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Edward Parsons, jun. Halifax. 1818.