ness, in which he was inferior to none but the apostles themselves. It is probable, that while they were teaching the child to read, and treasure up in his memory the oracles of God, they little thought what a harvest in future life would spring from the seed thus sown. And yet the scripture warrants high expectations in this respect: and it may fairly be said, that the education of women in useful knowledge and genuine piety, in order that they might be qualified and disposed to instil good principles into the tender minds of children, would have the happiest effects towards reforming mankind, and diffusing the light of the gospel in the world. In the mean while, let those who wish their beloved offspring to be happy and useful, do what they can, diligently and patiently, with faith and prayer; and they will no doubt have to rejoice, in time to come, over the happy effects of their pious labours.

This part of the subject has led us past the earlier years of Mr. Newell's life, without any other notice of them. Indeed no particulars have been transmitted, except that his parents were satisfied of his conversion and decided piety about the sixteenth year of his life; and in his nineteenth, it was determined that he should relinquish his employment in husbandry, and seek admission into the ministry. In order to this, he purposed, without longer delay, to acquire a measure of acquaintance with the learned languages: and, having made some attempts that did not promise much success, and that rather militated against his obtaining ordination in the established church, for which he had an early predilection, he was at length

placed under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Jones, Vicar of Lanavan Fawr, Brecknockshire. In this situation he continued till he had entered on his twenty-fifth year; and, having the advantage of clear instructions, and applying himself diligently to his studies, he made very considerable proficiency; so that, without going to an university, he was approved as a candidate for holy orders, by the Right Rev. Dr. North, Lord Bishop of Worcester, and, receiving from him letters dimissory, was ordained deacon by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Hereford, on a title given him by the Rev. James Stillingfleet, Prebendary of Worcester, on the 21st of May, 1780: and he was ordained priest by the Lord Bishop of Worcester on the 23d of June, 1782. Thus he became curate to Mr. Stillingfleet, in the parishes of Knightwick and Doddenham in Worcestershire, which he served about six years and a half: and about a year and a half after he had received deacon's orders, he obtained, in addition, the curacy of Lulsey, (about a mile distant from Knightwick,) from the Rev. John Cox, brother to Lord Somers. So that during five years, for a considerable part of each year, he performed three services every Lord's day, besideş all the other duties of the three parishes: and there is reason to believe that his labours were not without success, in bringing sinners to "repentance towards God, and faith towards our "Lord Jesus Christ."

At the expiration of this term, Mr. Stillingfleet removed to the parish of St. John, Worcester, and Mr. Newell continued his curate in this new situation. Here at first he had many prejudices and disadvanVOL. III. S

tages to encounter, on various accounts, and was at times not a little discouraged; yet by persevering in his work and labour of love, manifesting an affectionate spirit, and setting an edifying example, he in less than two years obtained the respect and affection of numbers in the neighbourhood, and was exceedingly regretted when he left them.

In what light Mr. Stillingfleet regarded his curate, will best be known from his own voluntary testimony, in a letter to his widow. 'I had formed," says he, 'an expectation of seeing once more, my former amiable ' and most valuable fellow labourer.-Inconceivably, ' and beyond all imagination happy, as I am fully per'suaded poor dear Mr. Newell now is, freed from a bo

dy of sin and death, and tasting largely of those plea'sures which are at God's right hand for evermore: I

cannot but lament his loss to you, to his children, to 'his friends, to the Church of Christ in general, and to his parish of Missenden in particular. A more simple-hearted, devoted, faithful minister there never was; and Mr. Oldham, in my opinion, will be ' at a great loss to find his fellow for his successor.' Let this extract suffice: It redounds honour to both parties, and no further observations on it are at all needful.

While Mr. Newell continued Mr. Stillingfleet's curate at Worcester, he was very unexpectedly, and and without the smallest degree of application on his part, presented to the vicarage of great Missenden, Bucks, by James Oldham Oldham, Esq. on the recommendation of some respectable persons, who were

well acquainted with his character.* This took place in December, 1787,† and in this situation he continued till his death. In the year 1797, the perpetual curacy of Lee, a contiguous village, lapsing to the crown, the Lord Chancellor nominated Mr. Newell to it. But the income of the two parishes, for the short time during which he held both, was very inadequate to the laborious services which he performed.

On this occasion the following remark is made, in a book which Mr. Newell kept for such purposes: When I reflect on the providence of God, and the many unexpected favours he has bestowed on me, I am constrained to say, "Thou preventest me with the blessings of thy goodness." My pre'sentation to the vicarage of Missenden is a signal instance of 'the Lord's conferring unsought mercies upon me.-As the living was given me without solicitation, the comforts it af 'fords me are the sweeter, and the crosses I necessarily meet 'with, are easier born on that account.'

+ December 16, 1787, I preached my first sermon in 'Missenden church. The text was, "Unto you is the word ❝ of this salvation sent." (Acts xiii. 26.)-Some persons betrayed their ignorance,by ridiculing even the words of the text! And in the course of the following week, I was informed, that the boys would run along the street, shouting, "Unto "you is the word of this salvation sent!"-Could one have conceived such ignorance and profaneness to have existed in a land so favoured with the light of truth as this country has long been? Yet it is to be feared, that it is far from being a solitary instance in proof, that even in England, many of the people are "perish❝ing for lack of knowledge." It is remarkable, however, that several instances occurred, in which Mr. Newell, attending the dying beds of pious persons, in his subsequent ministry, was told, that this very sermon first excited in them serious thoughts' about religion, and led them to enquire, "What must we do to be saved?”

The actual receipt from the vicarage of Missenden, was less than 801. per ann. and sometimes fell con siderable short of that sum. And the curacy of Lee, when first he took it, brought in a mere trifle; but its value was gradually improved by Queen Anne's boun ty, and the purchase of land with it: so that the last two years of his life, he seemed to himself advanced to comparative affluence, having received from his parishes about 1201. per ann.

For this stipend, after he obtained Lee, he preached, and performed the whole service three times every Lord's day; twice at Missenden, and once at Lee. In this village the service had before been very seldom and very irregularly performed, in general not much more than once in the month, and the church was consequently little attended: but when it became stated, he had the satisfaction to see a steady, increasing, and attentive congregation, with every indication of considerable usefulness.*

Besides this, he preached a lecture at Missenden on the Wednesday evening, and was unwearied in all other parochial duties, and in endeavours to promote the best interests of his flock. So that it is the opinion of several respectable persons, that his exertions were too much for him, and that his strength was not equal to his burdens.

Mr. N. having obtained Lee, wrote thus:- When the door is opened for preaching the Gospel, we are filled with lively hope, that some good will be done. The Lord having 'sent his word to Lee, some fruit is to be expected.' This was evidently his object, and leading desire; nor was it disappointed, for he lived to witness, and to note down, several remarkable instances of undeniable usefulness.