CHAPTER IV.

Developement of his character-Dedication of his time and thoughts to profitable objects-Fondness of the scenes of nature-Spiritual reflections upon themZeal in his ministerial duties-Letters and DiaryRemarks.

In the preceding chapter, we have recorded the remarkable change of which Mr. Richmond was the subject, and explained its nature and character. We shall now proceed to illustrate it by its effects, which form the best evidence of its existence, and one of the strongest arguments for its necessity. With this view, we shall consider its operation and influence on the qualities of his mind and heart,-on his ministerial habits,-his epistolary correspondence, and in the more solemn and impressive exposure of the inward recesses of his soul.

In our intercourse with men, we meet with an almost endless diversity of character; and he who studies human nature is apt to classify those who are the subject of his contemplation, according to

their respective shades and gradations. But how painful is the discovery, when we see persons endowed with the finer qualifications of the mind, and the most interesting sensibilities of the heart, wasting on unprofitable objects the powers which, if rightly directed, might render their possessor the instrument of extensive usefulness and good. We seem to behold a beautiful and imposing structure, but it is not occupied by the rightful owner. The lord of the mansion is absent, and a stranger has usurped his place. We turn with disappointment from the contemplation; nor can we withhold the prayer that ere long the fatal illusion may ccase, and the chain of the captive be broken.

In Mr. Richmond, every qualification became consecrated to religion. His imagination, taste, affections, and endowments received an impulse which directed all their energies to the glory of God, and to useful and profitable purposes.

To illustrate what we have said, we subjoin the following passage from one of his popular tracts, which, while it shews his powers for descriptive scenery, proves at the same time how much his admiration of the scenes of nature was made the occasion of elevating the heart to God.

"It was not unfrequently my custom, when my mind was filled with any interesting subject for meditation, to seek some spot where the beauties of natural prospect might help to form pleasing and useful associations.

"South-eastward, I saw the open ocean, bounded only by the horizon. The sun shone, and gilded the waves with a glittering light, that sparkled in the most brilliant manner. On the

north, the sea appeared like a noble river, varying from three to seven miles in breadth, between the banks of the opposite coast, and those of the island which I inhabited.' Immediately underneath me, was a fine woody district of country, diversified by many pleasing objects. Distant towns were visible on the opposite shore. Numbers of ships occupied the sheltered station which this northern channel afforded them. The eye roamed with delight over an expanse of near and remote beauties, which alternately caught the observation, and which harmonised together, and produced a scene of peculiar interest."

The reflections awakened by these scenes are thus expressed :

"How much of the natural beauties of Paradise still remain in the world, although its spiritual character has been so awfully defaced by sin! But when divine grace renews the heart of the fallen sinner, Paradise is regained, and much of its beauty restored to the soul. As this prospect is compounded of hill and dale, land and sea, woods and plains, all sweetly blended together, and relieving each other in the landscape; so do

1 The Isle of Wight.

the gracious dispositions, wrought in the soul, produce a beauty and harmony of scene, to which it was before a stranger."

We insert one more brief reflection.

"What do they not lose, who are strangers to serious meditation on the wonders and beauties of created nature! How gloriously the God of creation shines in his works! Not a tree, nor leaf, nor flower; not a bird, nor insect, but proclaims in glowing language, God made me.""

In his parochial engagements, we find him fulfilling all the duties of an active and zealous parish priest. The important and essential doctrines of the Gospel were now made the powerful and affecting themes of his public addresses. As we shall have occasion hereafter to enter into a more minute detail of the subject and manner of his preaching, it is sufficient in this place to observe, that man's fallen and ruined state, and his deliverance and redemption by Jesus Christ, formed the grand outline of his discourses; and if the degree in which the truth is preached be best estimated by its effects, he could appeal to unquestionable evidences of his faithfulness; for God blessed his testimony, and numerous converts were the seals of his ministry. In addition to the usual and appointed duties of the Sabbath, he visited his flock, and went from house to house, taking care not to make these opportunities the mere occasion of friendly and condescending

intercourse, but the means of real improvement, and spiritual edification. The children of Brading were also the objects of his tender solicitude. They were in the habit of repairing to him every Saturday for the purpose of religious instruction; and his memoir of Little Jane' records one of the happy results of these youthful meetings.

Within the parish of Brading was situated the hamlet of Bembridge, at the distance of about two miles. To this place Mr. Richmond went once in every week to expound the Scriptures, and to meet those who, through age and infirmity or other causes, were unable to attend the parish church. A chapel of ease has since been erected, and consecrated in the summer of 1827. He had likewise the care of the parish of Yaverland; and as the scenes of his early piety and zeal cannot but be interesting to his numerous friends, and the following description presents them vividly to the imagination, we insert it in his own words:

"I had the spiritual charge of another parish, adjoining to that in which I resided. It was a small district, and had but few inhabitants. The church was pleasantly situated on a rising bank, at the foot of a considerable hill. It was surrounded by trees, and had a rural, retired appearance. Close to the church-yard stood a large old mansion, which had formerly been the residence of an opulent and titled family; but it had long