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whole day in the hall, to answer the never-ceasing inquiries as to where he was to preach. Whereever he travelled, he was a constant preacher; so much so, that it was said "You might as well expect to see a snail without its shell as Peter Roe without his pulpit."

In 1805 Mr. Roe visited England. The following are a few of his sketches of men and things in London.

“Though the Gospel has been long and faithfully preached here, it appears that the sun is only rising; and every event, every occurrence seem combined to say that this is the Lord's time to have mercy upon Zion. There is now, among the devoted servants of God, one hearty unanimous desire to disseminate the Scriptures from pole to pole; there is a zeal, an earnestness, and a liberality, which manifest the existence of a genuine spirit of true and undefiled religion. The state of Ireland is also under their consideration; and whatever measure seems calculated, under the Divine blessing, to be of service to our land, will be heartily and speedily adopted. I hope to be at a meeting of the Bible Society on Tuesday morning.

"I have heard several of the Gospel ministers preach, and also have become acquainted with them; more particularly Messrs. Newton, Cecil, and Pratt. This morning I breakfasted with Mr. Newton. He expounded a portion of Scripture, and prayed most feelingly and fervently. His conversation is truly in heaven; and his heart seems to overflow when he dwells upon his favourite theme-the redeeming love of the Lord Jesus Christ. On Wednesday I heard him preach from, The works of the Lord are great; sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.' He can with difficulty be heard; but his very appearance, as a worn-out veteran in the army of the Lord of hosts, must make an impression, perhaps more strong and forcible than the most eloquent discourse.

"Mr. Cecil is very original in his manner. He seems to have well digested his subject, but rests upon the occasional circumstances that may arise to apply and press it upon the minds of his hearers. He uses very bold and strong language-sets forth the Lord Jesus Christ as all in all-sweeps away every other foundation and ground of hope, and applies it so practically that I have scarcely ever heard anything more admirable. He has a most happy art of

connecting faith and practice. He has engaged me, contrary to my wish, to preach for him to-morrow evening, and I am to preach for Mr. Newton at noon. In the course of next week I have some expectation of seeing Mr. Venn of Clapham, and Mr. Wilberforce.

"In Bath I heard the celebrated Mr.

Jay, an Independent Minister. He is

allowed to be a man of great candour and liberality. I heard also a Baptist Minister, a very plain man in his manner and speech, but apparently ardent and faithful in the Redeemer's cause. I have heard other preachers of different descriptions; and I think I speak impartially in saying, that the Ministers of the Establishment whom I have heard are far superior to them in manner, in excellence of matter, and in judicious observation and application.

"Mr. Wilkinson is a faithful and impressive preacher, but appears to be somewhat high in his sentiments. His word, however, is blessed. The people seem much attached to him, and his brethren account him a holy man.

"Mr. Pratt I have not heard preach; but he is a delightful companion-a sensible, clear, well-judging man.

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"Mr. Richmond is an extraordinary good preacher he gets through his sermons with more ease than any man I ever heard; compresses a vast deal of matter into one discourse, and is an excellent reader.

"Saw Mr. Biddulph, of Bristol, and had a great deal of conversation with him. He is a steady friend to the church, and very liberal. Though not eloquent, his word seems to be with power. His congregation is large and attentive. He writes a great deal, and is much looked up to as a religious cha

racter.

"But there was another person, a layman of no small note, both in the religious and political world, one long respected, and with whom he much desired to become acquainted, whom it was his good fortune to meet during his visit to London. He thus refers to it in a letter to his father -My stay in London was particularly delayed by the hope and expectation of seeing Mr. Wilberforce, both of which were gratified on Monday. He is a man truly alive to every thing that concerns the Church of Christ; evidently possesses a very active and intelligent mind; and has the warmth and affection that never fail at once to gain the heart. If I could judge of his public by his private speaking, I should not hesitate to pronounce it most chaste, correct, and elegant.'"

It will have been observed in the

foregoing passages, that Mr. Roe, like some other pious clergymen of his day, allowed himself to wander to dissenting places of worship. We are not unaware of the apologies which have been made for their ecclesiastical irregularities; but, without impeaching their motives, sure we are that they acted unwisely, and in a manner inconsistent with their obligations as members and ministers of the Church of England; and they caused an unjust prejudice to go abroad against the doctrines which they promulgated, as if they had some connexion with dissent-a prejudice which it required many years to obliterate. Mr. Madden remarks as follows upon his friend's proceedings in this matter:

"The announcement of Mr. Roe's attendance at Surrey Chapel and the Tabernacle, will of course produce various effects on various readers. Some, having no fixed principles of ecclesiastical polity, and believing all systems alike good, or equally bad, will hail the liberality which could lead to such free intercourse between Churchmen and Dissenters; and will grieve that, to a vast extent, an alteration has taken place. Others, fixed in their principles, and believing that as antiquity testifies, so Scripture proves, that Episcopacy is of Divine right, and that sound principles of ecclesiastical polity are obligatory on all Christians, will grieve that such conduct was ever pursued by Churchmen, and will rejoice that instances of it are daily becoming more rare. Such intercourse has ofttimes led to anything than good results; and by it, Churchmen (who profess the very soundest principles) have been placed in the unenviable situation of at least appearing to support, not schism alone, but schism and soul-destroying heresy combined. Such an instance was related to the writer by Mr. Roe himself. Passing the Lord's-day in an English town, the name of which is forgotten, being weary, both from his journey and from ill-health, and at some distance from the church, he and his party turned into a dissenting meeting-house, and took their places among the crowd. The preacher gave out his text, and preached plain and unqualified Socinianism. The meeting-house was crowded, egress impossible; and thus a Churchman and

clergyman, with his party, were constrained to sit by, and listen to the damning blasphemy. It is needless to add, that the visit was not repeated; and the circumstance is related, only to shew how awkward are the situations into which a deviation from sound principles line of conduct, may bring one. towards what may seem a more liberal

"It is, however, only right to add, that Mr. Roe by no means selected such places of worship; and that in latter years he gradually lessened his visits to them. The following passage, which is extracted from a tour made in

England some years later, will give his reasons for visiting them at all:-'I and heard Mr.

went to

an Independent minister, preach from Job xxxii. 17, 18, 19. He was plain, faithful, impressive, and comforting. His object evidently is to win souls; and his plan for the accomplishment of it, is just what it ought to be-he preaches Christ and him crucified; and sets him forth as the Alpha and Omega in the salvation of guilty sinners. Oh! what a privilege to hear of him who died, that sinners might live; who has opened the gates of heaven to all believers; who will make good all his gracious promises to his people, and will hereafter confess them before his Father and before his angels. In conscience and from principle a Churchman, it cannot but be a grief to me, to be obliged, in order to hear the truth preached, to go to a dissenting meetinghouse. But really what has been preached at this church by the Vicar and his Curate, is not only so unedifying, but so opposite to the revelation of God, that I have felt it to be quite sufficient, and that merely because I am a clergyman, to attend at the afternoon service. As I was disengaged, I felt it to be my duty to seek my own edification; and I can rejoice that Christ is preached, though by persons without my circle. The deepest wounds the Established Church has ever received, have been from the apathy, the ignorance, the inconsistency, the improper walk, the pride, the worldly-mindedness of her own clergy. If they preached the doctrines of the Church, and lived in the spirit of their Ordination vows, they would be indeed as lights in the world; their word would sound, not as the word of mere men, but as it would be in truth the word of God; they would consecrate their talents to that service which is perfect freedom; they would be recognized as subordinate officers under the great Captain of our salvation, leading on the soldiers of the militant church;

pointing out to them the length and breadth of the promised land; and, at last, launching with them into the Jordan of death that they might enjoy heaven."

Mr. Roe visited London again in the year 1810; and we find the following among his notes of his

tour.

"May 20th.-We went at mid-day service to St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, (formerly Mr. Cecil's) and heard Mr. Robinson, of Leicester, an able and perspicuous speaker, bold and energetic; though apparently near seventy, he has the vigour of youth. He has borne the burden and heat of the day, and suffered much in the cause of Christ; but he is a wonderful instrument in the Lord's hand, who has blessed the word from his lips, and caused it to turn many from the path of disobedience to the way of

holiness.

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May 23rd.-This evening I was at the Parliament House, and heard several remarkable characters speak: Messrs. Perceval, Whitbread, Adam, Wilberforce, Horner, Giddy, Sir Thomas Turton, &c. &c. They were all inferior to what I expected: Mr. Adam spoke very well, but I liked Mr. Wilberforce better than any. He throws light on whatever subject he takes in hand; and his whole deportment, manner, and expression, bespeak the Christian. He was heard with great attention.

"I spent two days with the excellent Mr. Wilberforce, who goes far beyond any idea I had even formed of him. His conversation is, indeed, in heaven ; and I do not think I ever felt myself so humbled in the presence of any man. He is a sun in the religious hemisphere, which eclipses all those little stars which appear so bright, and are so useful while moving in their respective orbits.

"May 27th.-Spent this day with Mr. Wilberforce, a man of whom I am utterly unable to give anything like an adequate character. His mind is truly spiritual, and he loses no opportunity of speaking on the best things. He seems a most affectionate and kind husband and father; he feels a lively interest in whatever concerns the spread of Divine truth; and walks in all respects as one, who, though from his situation, distracted with a multitude of cares, is yet sitting with Christ in heavenly places, and living by

faith in him.

"June 12th.-Dr. Buchanan preached the Missionary sermon this day, at Black

friars Church, from the words, 'Ye are the light of the world.' He gave a clear

and circumstantial account of the state of the heathen abroad; of their bloody rites, &c. &c. It was well calculated to make all who heard it truly grateful for the light and knowledge of Revelation: and also to fill them with ardent zeal, in endeavouring to extend the blessings of the Messiah's kingdom. The words of the Lord are pure words; and when received by faith into the heart, they do, indeed, purify it. We should cry aloud, and say, O Lord, sanctify us by thy truth, thy word is truth.'

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"The Report was afterwards read at the New London Tavern. Having been appointed to move a resolution, I had to address the Society; and I have reason to praise the Lord, that by his help I was enabled to get through this arduous task. Messrs. Robinson, Scott, and Babington (who was chairman) spoke.

"June 13th.-Went to St. Laurence's Church, and heard a great sermon from Mr. Scott, delivered on occasion of the Anniversary Meeting of the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews.

"June 20th, Clifton.-Wherever I go, or turn my eyes, I behold the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom and glory. Great things are doing in the earth; and these are, I trust, but as the drops which precede the coming shower. Oh! that all who name the name of Christ, departed from iniquity; and that all who are called of God, to know and experience the power of Divine truth, might walk in every respect worthy of their high vocation."

In 1805, Mr. Pidgeon, finding his health sinking, and also that of his diocesan, Bishop Hamilton, who was the patron of his benefice, disinterestedly resigned it in favour of his curate, lest, in case of the Bishop's death, it might not be so well disposed of. well disposed of. Mr. Roe thus became minister of St. Mary's, Kilkenny. In 1806, he married Miss Gore of Kilkenny, who survives her beloved husband.

tion of seeing the work of the Lord Mr. Roe had the high satisfacprosper in his hands. He did not sow for another to reap; for as he sowed, he reaped. This was remarkably the case with his Sunday School labours. He was able to reckon up no fewer than eighteen ordained clergymen, all of whom

had been scholars in his Sunday School; together with three persons employed in lay situations, one in the Jewish Mission, one in Africa, and another in the East. Of these eighteen clergymen, five became Curates to Mr. Roe-a case perhaps not paralleled in the history of Sunday Schools.

Mr. Roe was a warm and steady friend to the Bible Society; but it was not, however, till the year 1812 that he was able to form an Auxiliary in Kilkenny, after much difficulty, but with bright prospects. In communicating the result to his father, he says: "This is a new and most important day for Kilkenny; may it be the forerunner of still more glorious times. I feel a great burden removed from my mind; and I look to a good sleep this night, which is a comfort I have not had for a fortnight past, my thoughts have been so engaged." The Society seems to have commended itself at once to the good-will of a large and influential portion of the Kilkenny community; but, like its Parent in Dublin, and the Auxiliaries elsewhere, it had to endure much opposition from various quarters, and from enemies of very opposite characters and capabilities. Its plan, its object, its constitution, all formed grounds of opposition, and points of debate; but it was ably defended; and men came forward in defence of the free and unfettered circulation of the Bible, who proved that something more solid than enthusiasm had impelled them to the course they were pursuing. In after years, when the Scriptures began to find an entrance into the cabins of the misguided Romish peasantry, a violent and combined plan of open opposition to the free circulation of the Word of God was made by the Romish priests. Some of the opponents exhibited tact and ability; but others did not hesitate to meet the Society with arguments drawn from the

pages of the scoffer and the infidel : giving awful evidence that they would gladly join with a Voltaire or a Paine, if, by so doing, they might exclude its truth and light from the eyes and hearts of their deluded followers. From this assault the Bible Society rose triumphant. The priests were silenced; and having learned caution from the victorious resistance which they met with when least expected, they have since wisely abstained from further interference. But the Society seems to have been too comprehensive in its plans to suit our present world, where jarring interests are for ever disturbing and destroying peace; and when Romanist foes ceased from their attacks, they were renewed by some Protestants. Mr. Roe, however, remained firm to his early views on this matter, and continued to act as Secretary to the Kilkenny Auxiliary, till his death. Other Associations, such as the Jewish, the Irish, the Sunday School, and the Church Missionary Society, found in him a warm and steady advocate. In short, whatever means seemed calculated to promote the glory of God and the salvation of sinners, had his good wishes, his sincere prayers, and his strenuous exertions. So multiplied were his labours in this way, that it would be impossible to give them a prominent place in these remarks. But of all these Societies, that which seemed to have taken the strongest hold of his affections was the Church Missionary; it commended itself in the very fullest measure to his mind, and secured for itself, to the very highest degree, his confidence and his love. He made many journeys in its behalf; he aided the establishment of parochial associations and local branches; and laboured to engage all classes of persons in its behalf. He for many years filled the office of Military Chaplain at Kilkenny; and it appears from entries in his

diary, and from communications from officers, sergeants, and privates of many regiments which had been placed under his care, that he was instrumental in establishing among them several vigorous branches of the Church Missionary Society. These Societies were found to be highly useful-both as encouraging the men to practise the habit of self-denial, which is so necessary to the Christian character; and as forming a bond amongst those who loved God, and desired to serve him. We subjoin a few extracts from some of these letters. A sergeant writes thus :—

"Rev. and dear Sir-I was duly favoured with your kind letter of the 12th inst. (Sept. 1820) which I read to a majority of the subscribers, met for that purpose; who all feel greatly moved by your kindness. Many of us feel the loss of you-many deplore your loss. It rejoices me to inform you that the number of those about me who love the appearing of our blessed Saviour, is in creased; not only for their own souls, but also that thereby is increased the number of those who will not cease to pray that the Lord may continue to bless the undertakings of those engaged in his work......As many of us as can, meet together every Saturday evening, and offer up to the Throne of Grace the prayer which is to be found in one of the publications-Almighty and most merciful Father, we give thee thanks for the light of thy Gospel,' &c.; and I trust all of us are confident of our unworthiness before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; but the words of our blessed Redeemer will, I trust, give courage to us all to pray without ceasing.'

A private soldier writes from Colombo in 1821:-'Pardon my boldness in presuming to write to you, for I acknowledge that I am not worthy of your notice. But I am persuaded that you are a man of God, and are no respecter of persons in regard to their situations of life; and also, I know that you are a friend of the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore, under those persuasions, I take the liberty of addressing you......I send these few lines as a token of my love and thankfulness to you for the many good instructions I have received from you, which were the means of bringing me out of darkness into the glorious light of

the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. that, although it was my lot when in Kilkenny to sow in tears, it is now my happy lot, in a measure, to reap with joy; for I have now peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ..... But still, although I now enjoy a degree of happiness, and although I am now some thousand miles from my native country, I perceive that I am not beyond the gun-shot of the devil; and many are the attempts which he had made to draw me from my Shepherd's side. But glory be to God, he has not prevailed; though I must confess, that I daily come short of glorifying God as I ought. There are eighteen belonging to the Society in the regiment......Some who were great drunkards, are now become sober; and many bold blasphemers, who neither feared God nor regarded man,

.But I now have to inform you,

are now to be seen at the Throne of God's grace, with streaming eyes and contrite hearts, calling for mercy.'

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"A sergeant of another regiment quartered in one of the disturbed districts of Ireland, writes:

"With respect to our Missionary Society, we held a committee concerning it on the 25th ult., and the proceedings were nearly as I stated to you in my last letter.... 'Tis now we have reason to regret our change of quarters. We left a terrestrial paradise to come to this We miserable and disturbed place. long to hear from you, as we always receive some paternal admonition.'

"Another writes: You will be pleased to learn that our collection for the Missionary Society has amounted to twenty-eight pounds ten shillings and five pence; more, I confess, than I had any reason to expect.'

"A Captain in the army writes thus'At the hazard of dwelling too much on self, I cannot forbear to say that I shall not ever cease to feel the benefit of your instruction. Through it I became a daily reader of the Holy Scriptures, and their perusal has convinced me of its being my duty to do many things which I never before cared to do; and has made me, if not insensible to, at least proof against, ridicule, levelled against conduct approved of by my conscience as consistent with the word of God......The system you commenced with the soldiers' children is carefully pursued; they learn by heart a portion of the New Testament, and every Tuesday I hear them say it, putting such questions as I think suitable to their age or information, and giving them the meaning of any passage which requires explanation. I prepare myself beforehand....

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