the departed rector, might afford a model for similar arrangements in other churches.

The following are extracts from a letter, written to his daughter F about this time :

"Fully as I can enter into the beauties of works of fiction, yet I exceedingly dread their tendency. The utmost caution is requisite in meddling with them. The novelist I unequivocally proscribe, and many of the poets and their poems, which are only nets to catch young minds in the maze of Satan. It is a maxim in regard to books, as well as companions, that what does not improve, invariably injures. Few things in this world are merely negative and harmless: they either do us good, when sanctified by the Spirit; or they do us harm, by stealing our hearts from God. Even the beauties and wonders of nature, in an unsanctified mind, excite nothing beyond natural affections-pleasure and surprise. If Christ is not sought for in them, we rise no higher than mere tourists, rhymists, and paint

ers.

Whether we eat, or drink, or travel, or read, or converse, or philosophize-all, all must be done to the glory of God."

The tours of Mr. Richmond which we have already laid before the reader, were undertaken at the solicitation of the Church

Missionary and Jews Societies. He also frequently advocated the cause of the Bible Society, and was a warm admirer of its liberal and catholic spirit, its sublime object, and its tendency to prepare the way, by the universal circulation of the Scriptures, for the final propagation of the Gospel throughout the world. He often made voluntary excursions of a smaller extent, to assist in the formation of branch Bible Societies; and he usually attended the annual meetings of the auxiliaries to the parent institution, within his own neighbourhood, where he was allowed to be one of the most efficient instruments in their establishment and confirmation.

In the year 1822 he was appointed by the committee of the Parent Society in London, to accompany one of their secretaries (Dr. Steinkopff) to Chichester, Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. The recollections of his former residence were too strongly associated with all the early events of his ministry, not to render the proposal highly acceptable to

him.

We venture to make a few extracts from Mr. Richmond's journal at this time, being the last we shall have occasion to no

tice. We trace in them his usual taste for the beauties of nature, with a growing spirituality and devotedness of heart.

JOURNAL.

Aug. 27. Saw views of the Isle of Wight. What associations crowd upon my heart! Arrived at Portsmouth. Joyfully and affectionately received by my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. T., in the dock-yard. Taiked over old times-about the Isle of Wight, Brading, Bembridge, &c.

"I intreat thee, O my God, to sanctify this season to my soul and the souls of others! May this visit be a blessing. Time is going on-eternity is at hand. Strengthen my heart, head, and tongue, and keep me from evil.

Good feeling.
Isle of Wight.

"Aug. 28. Looked with peculiar recollection on the tower in the dock-yard, where I conversed with the emperor of Russia, in June, 1814. Went to the Bible Society. Well supported. I enlarged on my former intercourse with the Dined with Sir George G. Proceeded to Southampton. Profitable conversation with Dr. S. on the necessity of retirement and prayer, in the midst of public and official duties. My affections greatly exercised to-day by the topics of my speech-never more so.

"Lord guide me in this pilgrimage. Keep my heart-give me judgment—direct my tongue-preserve me from sin!

29.

Went to the Bible meeting at Southampton. I told the miner's story.* A poor widow brought an interesting girl, named Mitchell, about eighteen, to acknowledge with tears of grateful affection how much she was indebted to the tract of The Young Cottager,' for a change of heart and hope. She shewed a simplicity of character that affected me greatly. Sailed to Cowes. Proceeded to Newport. I am once more in the Isle of Wight-God bless this visit. My heart this spot. yearns over Lord, sanctify all things to me and to thy children! and daily add to the church such as shall be saved.

"Newport, Aug. 30. Met Robert Wallbridge,† and talked

*The story to which he alludes is very affecting. In one of the Newcastle colleries, 35 men and 41 boys died by suffocation, or were starved to death. One of the boys was found dead, withra Bible by his side, and a tin box, such as the colliers use. Within the lid he had contrived to engrave, with a piece of pointed iron, this last message to his mother:-" Fret not, my dear mother, for we are singing the praises of God while we have time. Mother, follow God more than ever I did. Joseph, be a good iad to God and to mother." Mr. Richmond brought the box from the North, and by shewing it to his friends, awakened in their hearts feelings of the most lively interest,-See Youth's Magazine, vol vii. p. 24.

This was the brother of his Dairyman's daughter.

about his sister and father. Attended the Bible Meeting. Entered at large into Isle of Wight feelings. Much affection manifested. Proceeded with Dr. S. to Ryde. He left me to proceed to Portsmouth, after an affectionate farewell.*

"A number of persons came in the evening, and joined us in family prayer. Dear John W. and his wife full of kindness and holy affections. I expounded and prayed. Mr. Butterworth was there. It was an affecting season. How my heart feels these scenes and interviews! Lord, sanctify all this to my own soul! The Brading pulpit is offered me for Sunday morning.

66

Aug. 31. (Saturday.) Fixed to have a Bible meeting on Thursday next. Set out with my daughter Fanny, and went through Brading, to Mr. L.'s cottage at Sandown. All the way, felt strong associations. Every tree, hedge, gate, house, revived them. Went to Shanklin, to the Chine. Exquisite views. Dined in the Chine. Returned through Brading. Was much affected on reading many grave-stones-so many that I once well knew! Drank tea with the curate. Finally settled that I should preach to-morrow, at Brading. The bells ringing for Found an invitation to preach to-morrow at Ryde also. May my soul be directed into all truth. I felt much while sitting in the Brading vicarage parlour-so many domestic recollections ! Returned to Ryde.

me.

"Sept. 1. (Sunday.) A most affecting day. Went, after breakfast, to Brading. Before church, saw many friends, who most affectionately greeted me. Preached from Ps. viii. 4— 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?' Church most crowded. I was much affected by the whole scene. Mr. T., the curate, acted in a very friendly manner. After many interesting circumstances, went to Ryde, and preached there in the afternoon. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. P. At eight, went to Mrs. Y., at Bank Cottage, where a multitude of people heard me expound and pray. How many gave me the affectionate right-hand of fellowship! Mr. and Lady Harriet W., Mr. Butterworth, &c. there I expounded from John vii. 37-' In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.'

"What scenes are these! How far removed from the pomps and vanities of this world!

Mr. Richmond's Journal contains many expressions of the warmest esteem and Christian regard for Dr. S., which delicacy alone prevents us from insert ing.

"Sept. 2. Went to Brading. Shewed Jane's cottage to Fanny. Called on numbers of people. Much friendly and kind reception at Brading: much religious and devotional feeling in every direction.

66 - 3. Went to Bembridge. Interesting in the extreme. Saw old Mr. G. dying, and happy in death. Called at the G.'s. Found the whole family full of love, affection, and piety. Went to Mr. K.'s, and various others. All respect and affection. Ascended Bembridge Down: the finest prospect in the island. Dined at Mrs. M.'s. Had a delightful religious party in the evening. Exposition and prayer. Settled to have a distribution of tracts at Bembridge, on Thursday, if fine.

"God grant me grace to go through all these affecting scenes profitably to myself and others!

66 - 4. Explored former scenes with much interest. Many associations during this excursion. Lord, sanctify them!

"Sept. 5. A day much to be remembered. After breakfast, went with Mr. Butterworth, &c. to distribute tracts, according to promise, at Bembridge Point; to which I had invited all the population of Bembridge. The most affecting and affectionate scene ever witnessed. Such meetings, welcomes, congratulations, smiles, tears, salutations, from some hundred persons-men, women, and children! It is indelibly impressed upon my mind, and beggars all description.

"Had many proofs of past usefulness. God bless this day to me and many! On returning home, found a delightful letter from my dear wife, about the Isle of Wight: God bless and preserve her. Dined at six, with a Christian party. ExpoundOh! that this day may be remembered for

ed 23d Psalm.

good!

66

6. Visited Robert Wallbridge and Mrs. A. Had much useful conversation about the Dairyman's daughter. She gave me a lock of her hair. We went to Arreton church, and visited her grave.

66 .12. A day much to be remembered. On this day twenty-five years since, I first read Mr. Wilberforce's book on Christianity, in my little study, in the vicarage house at Brading; and thence and then received my first serious, and I hope saving impressions!

"A memorial stone was this day put up over the grave of little Jane, the young cottager--my first convert and seal in Brading. Multitudes attended--old and young, from all the vicinity. Her parents bent, weeping, over the grave. What did I not feel! We then adjourned to the cottage where she lived and died, and

I distributed a number of Young Cottager' tracts to the inhabit-` ants and neighbourhood, who came in throngs to receive them. A truly affecting scene!

"Sept. 18. A stone was this day put up for the Dairyman's `daughter, in Arreton church-yard.

'Post tot naufragia tutus.'

'To God be all the praise.""

After preaching several times to large congregations, he took an affectionate farewell of his numerous friends in the Isle of Wight.

Extract from a pastoral letter from the Isle of Wight.

"Dear Christian Friends,--Although I have been prevented from writing to you before, by daily occupations, I have borne you on my heart, and lifted up my prayers to God for your welfare. I have been received by my old friends in this island with warm affection. Some whom I remembered, have gone to their rest, and are with the Lord; others are growing old, but God blesses them, even to hoar hairs. Some bring their children, and their children's children to me, and bless God for their piety, tracing it to the prayers we formerly offered up together. I have been much affected in visiting the church-yard, and reading the names of so many of my old neighbours inscribed on the grave stones. Time passes away-eternity is at hand. You have also been reminded of this by two sudden deaths among yourselves. May such things be deeply impressed upon your

hearts."

On his return to Turvey, he addressed the following letter to a highly-respected friend, and parishioner in the Isle of Wight.

"Turvey, December, 1822.

"The remembrance of the days and hours which we spent together in the Isle of Wight is very refreshing to me. I hope that the numerous meetings which we enjoyed, have been profitable to not a few of those who assembled together. My daughter and I frequently look back upon the two days passed at Bembridge and Brading, when the tracts were distributed, and the grave stone put up, with such affection and gratitude, I think they will never be forgotten by many. I did feel a lively hope, that so much seed would not be sown in vain, and that the Lord