differed from his own. Seldom has the loss of one individual been so deeply and affectionately felt as his will be, on this account. An earne desire to be useful to those about him, strongly marked all his actions, whether it respected their temporal or their spiritual concerns. It is no wonder, therefore, that he took particular delight in preaching that free grace which he himself had tasted and enjoyed. To this, his congregation can bear a decided testimony; and, I hope, my dear friends, you will prove your love to the gospel, which so long has been freely preached to you, by your exertions for its continuance, now your worthy Pastor is no more. "Remember him who has had the rule over you, whose faith follow, considering the end of his conversation." He is gone to give an account of his ministry and very soon you must follow him, to give your account of the use and abuse you have made of his labours of love. How happy are those who went before him to glory! and how happy will it be for you if you follow after! : As to his family, prudence, tenderness, and love, say, "Be sparing!" I commit them all to the support of his Lord and their Lord, to his God and their God. His dying prayer for his son in the ministry was, that he might be kept in a humble and faithful attachment to the truths of the gospel; and to this I add my hearty Amen! "Upon the whole, there might be some things in his example for us to avoid; but I am sure, there were many for us to imitate. His happy spirit is now, doubtless, before the throne, enjoying the friendship of his companion and fellow-labourer Mr. Perry. Now their labours are ended in the enjoyment of that" rest which remains for the people of God!" "There on a green and flow'ry mount, And, with transporting joy, recount RADFORD, JOSEPH, was born in Stepney parish, July 21, 1752. His father, a reputable tradesman, died when he was but two years old; and the business continued to be carried on by his mother; but, alas! with so little success, that when the Lord removed her by a fever, during his apprenticeship, it appears, that not only VOL. IV. No. 76. C all all her own property was consumed, but also an estate of seventeen houses, which his father had left him by will; so that all his earthly hopes were dashed at once. He was, however, an eminent instance of the divine goodness; for that God, whose name is "the Father of the fatherless," now began to shine into his heart, to give him the light of the knowledge of his glory, in the face of Jesus Christ. It appears from some papers found since his decease, that he had prevailed on a young man of his acquaintance, in whom the Lord had begun a good work, to accompany him on the Sabbath day to Hackney church; and afterwards persuaded him to stroll about the fields. The conscience of his young companion smote him; and The expressed great concern at having left the minister under whom he had lately sat; and he spoke so highly of him, that young Radford was anxious to hear what there was in his preaching that could so interest his friend. This desire continued strong upon his mind; and on the following Sabbath evening, about the middle of 1768, he first heard the Rev. Mr. Bazeley, who then preached in White's Alley, Moorfields. He had not listened many minutes, before the Lord was pleased to bring the word home to his conscience with divine power. He looked round about, and beheld many in tears as well as himself; and immediately concluded that something must be done in him, more than he had ever thought of. These were his own words; "and," continues he, "from this time I found the Lord drawing me with cords of love." But little time had elapsed before his master discovered a great change in him, and began to think religion would so affect his mind, as to incapacitate him for business, and therefore forbade his hearing the Methodists; restraining him also from going out at all on the Lord's Day. This opposition did not, however, quench his desire for spiritual things; and his master observing, that sinee he had been serious, he was a better servant than before, soon gave him leave to attend worship whenever he could make it convenient. It seems, that during the three following years, he experienced much consolation, but had com paratively very little insight of his own corrupt heart; and was often at a loss to comprehend what his minister meant by speaking so much of the "plague of a man's ewn heart." But now the Lord began to deepen the work work in his soul, and to prepare him for future usefulness, by shewing him the unbelief of his heart, that it was such as God described it, "deceitful above all things, and des perately wicked." In short, he went through fire and through water; but at last God brought him out into the wealthy place. The secret of the Lord was with him; and God shewed him his covenant. He had learned to distinguish between the law and the gospel; and that good Spirit, who alone can teach to profit, had taught him how to give saint and sinner their respective portions. His religious friends discerning his qualifications for the ministry, and knowing the exercises of his own mindon the subject, anxiously wished him to apply for admission to the college at Trevecca; but this he steadily refused; constantly replying, That, if the Lord had indeed cailed him to the work, he would make the way plain, in his own good time: "He that believeth, shall not make haste." When Mr. Bazeley removed to Cumberland Street Chapel, Mr. Radford followed him; and at his minister's request superintended the Prayer Meeting, and met a class. In these engagements the Lord made him a blessing to many souls; and, while thus employed, his mind was doubtless increasing its ability for public labour. In 1773, he experienced a heavy trial, in the death of his much-loved spiritual father and pastor, for whose memory. he retained the highest esteem till his dying day. About 1776, he engaged himself to officiate as clerk to the Rev. Mr. Aldridge, at Jewry Street Chapel; where he also met the society, conducted the prayer-meetings, and occasionally expounded the Scriptures. After a long season, the anxiety of his mind respecting preaching being much increased, he tremblingly ventured to open his mind to Mr. Aldridge, who kindly encouraged him to go forward, and undertook to recommend him to a friend, connected with many village chapels, which he thought would afford an opportunity of trying his gifts; but this was forgotten or neglected. Twelve years bad now elapsed since his views were first turned to the ministry: and frequently he had endeavoured to stifle every rising thought respecting it; earnestly beseeching the Lord to deliver him from that uncertainty and depression of mind which had so long distressed him. He was now pressingly solicited by a friend to preach to a small congregation in his stead, he being prevented from attending, by an unforeseen circumstance. With this call in Providence, he thought it his duty to comply; and being graciously supported in the exercise, he was the more willing to accede to the frequent invitations he received from various congregations, still labouring with increasing acceptance and usefulness among them. At length, having collected a few persons who were desirous of uniting in church fellowship, he opened the Meeting House in Hermitage Street, Wapping, January 1, 1785; where he continued but a few months before the premises were taken down, to form a new street. He then removed to Well Street, when he was again disturbed, the ground being purchased, and the meeting pulled down, to make room for the Royalty Theatre. These were very discourag ing circumstances to the pastor of an infant society, which, notwithstanding, was increasing in numbers and attachment. As they were greatly at a loss for a place to meet in, they accepted with great thankfulness, Mr. Towers's meeting for part of the Sabbath. There they continued five months; and June 4, 1786, the meeting-house in Virginia Street having been repaired, and conveniently fitted up, was re-opened, after a disuse of near forty years, by Mr. Radford, for the reception of his flock: his labours among the people of his charge were abundant. While his health permitted he preached thrice every Sabbath, and met his people three evenings in the week, besides many occasional services in other pulpits. In visiting the sick he was indefatigable; and in the various branches of his pastoral office, he watched over their souls as one that must give account unto God. Nor did he spend his strength for nought, the Lord giving him many seals to his ministry, both in his own and other churches. Toward the close of his life, his constitution was much impaired, his whole frame was shattered, and he frequently brought up considerable quantities of blood; but his soul prospered, his church was loving and affectionate; and God had greatly blessed him in a kind and sympathizing partner, who tenderly loved him. It is true, the cares of a numerous family, with but a very slender provision indeed, sometimes oppressed his mind; yet, he was enabled to trust them to Jacob's God. He grew weaker every month, he was evidently drawing near his end; and now it was that he felt the heaviest stroke he ever knew: the peace of the church was disturbed by a few individuals, concerning the proprietorship of the meeting-house, He baving taken it at first, regularly paid the rent; and having been answerable for the enlargements, paid the whole of the workmen's claims without asking the contributions. of the public, thought it his own property: the minister and other friends, to whom this was submitted, were of the same opinion and so were nearly all his people: yet, being a man of an uncommonly peaceable disposition, and having walked in harmony with every individual, this temporary interruption of it, overwhelmed his spirit for a time, and certainly accelerated his end. The last time he ever addressed his people, he chose for his text Rev. v. 5. His great apparent weakness much distressed his friends, who felt a strong presentiment that it was the close of his ministerial labours. He spoke but a short time, and concluded bis discourse by repeating the following verse: A few more rolling suns at most, Will land me on fair Canaan's coast; Where I shall sing the song of grace, And ce my glorious hiding-place." After this day, he was unable to go out any more, ersept once or twice in a coach. His complaints were rapidly increasing; but while the outer man decayed, his inner man was strengthened daily. Many precious promises were set home upon his heart by the Spirit of God, with divine power, in this trying season. Amidst weakness of body and trials in the church. he found the strength of the Lord to be his stay; and Jesus's presence made the prospect of death delightful. Walking in his room one day, deeply affected by the occurrence which had taken place in the church, he thus expressed his feelings: << Though it be a time of Jacob's trouble, he shall be saved out of it. The Lord knoweth the way that I take; and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Not one affliction too many; all things work together for good, then surely this must; though we cannot tell now, but we shall know hereafter. Heaven will make amends for all our trials here." Confidently he committed himself and his family to the care of a covenant God, well knowing that he would undertake their cause. When visited by many friends during his last illness, |