BIOGRAPHY. ABAN, THOMAS, was born at Turvey, Bedford. shire, in 1734. He was the youngest son of parents in middling circumstances; whose character and dying experience seemed to testify they were no strangers to the gospel. His grandfather was a French Protestant refugee, and left France through revocation of the Edict of Nantz. Mr. Raban ever expressed the warmest gratitude to his parents, particularly towards his mother, for having early taught him to read and reverence the Scriptures. To this circumstance is attributed the singular aptitude he possessed of quoting Scripture, in the most pertinent manner, in private and public discourse. Under the instruction of a clergyman, he became a ready accountant; and, at a suitable time, was put apprentice to a carpenter and builder at Olney. At this period, 1748, the gospel began to be preached in. Olney church, Mr. Moses Browne, author of Sunday Thoughts, being inducted to the living: and, through an indulgent Providence, it has continued there ever since. Mr. Raban attended Mr. Browne's ministry, as well as that of other ministers; and often became the subject of serious impressions. Thus was he restrained from many youthful propensities; yet he had attained his nineteenth year before the Lord effectually convinced him of the evil of sin, and the way of deliver ance therefrom. His sorrow for his transgressions was now very great; sometimes he was nearly driven to despair; yet the Lord graciously preserved him in the dark and cloudy day," and brought him into "the marvellous light" of the gospel. He felt, and joyfully acknowledged, the power of converting grace. Vol. IV.-No. 76. B Before Before this, he had occasionally heard Mr. Whitefield, with deep conviction of soul; but now he could enjoy much pleasure in hearing him as often as it lay in his power. Speaking of Mr. Whitefield, he would say, "I once had the honour of having him hang on my arm; and to be surs I thought myself the happiest of men! and, at another time, I attended him as a guide to a village, where he was going to preach, to my unspeakable gratification!" He sometimes, also, attended Mr. Hervey's ministry; and he would speak of the sermons with satisfaction and delight till the end of his life. However, he became the stated hearer and affectionate friend of Mr. Browne, and joined in communion with the church. Commencing business for himself, Mr. Raban contracted an acquaintance with an agreeable and pious young woman of Olney, to whom he was married in 1760. By her he had ten children; eight of whom, with his widow, survived him. In domestic life, there was much to admire, and but little to censure, in his conduct. He was an affectionate husband, an indulgent parent, a good master. His temper, however, was naturally warm, and sometimes impetuous. But the rectitude of his principles, the general mildness of his spirit, his willingness to be convinced, his readiness to forgive, or to ask forgiveness, more than compensated the occasional irregularity of his temper. In discharging the duties that devolved upon him, he uniformly acted on the maxims of the gospel. He had a quick perception of what was proper to be done; and then he tenaciously persevered in his principles and conduct. He was ever desirous of preserving family order and decorum in the worship of God, and mourned over any casual interruptions in these exercises. His private devotions were often very sweet to his soul; though, perhaps, in general, he enjoyed most communion with God in spiritual ejaculations. On this point he gratefully acknowledged, that when, through the pressing calls of family or worldly concerns, he could not command the time he wished, he felt great nearness to God, and a sweet sense of his presence. Though his head and hands were employed in the things of Earth, his heart was in Heaven, his treasure being there also. Mr. Raban's knowledge of Scripture, and acquaintance with the works of udicious Divines, made him in early life a solid Chris fian; and though he called no man father upon earth, having learned his creed from an infallible guide: he was a Calvinist in youth; and such he continued to be to the end of his life. About 1778, a new scene opened before him: through the solicitation of others, and in conjunction with an intimate friend, he began to exhort at a prayer-meeting, attended by members of the establishment. They persevered in the practice some time, solely with a view of being serviceable to their fellow Christians in that neighbourhood; though the Lord, by this step, was preparing them for spheres of usefulness in another direction; and the great Bishop of Souls soon found employment for both of them. The gifts of Mr. Raban for prayer and public exhortation, were acknowledged to be profitable, and were gratefully remembered by many. The congregation at Yardley, being destitute of a minister, requested his assistance. According to their wishes, he occasionally preached to them; and his labours proving acceptable, The received a call; and was ordained in 1783. From this time he was much devoted to the spiritual interests of his congregation. He was disinterested, laborious, and faithful in serving them. Having a numerous family, he continued at Olney, following his occupation. This enabled him to serve his flock with scarcely any reward but their affections and prayers. He used to say, "I must look for my reward in another world." Yet his affections for them did not diminish to the last; and if, in any instance, he saw a want of mutual regard, with the most singular propriety and feeling, he would quote Paul's language, "I will gladly spend, and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love, the less I be loved." But his labours were not confined to one spot; for he delighted occasionally to itinerate. He maintained lectures in different places with unwearied perseverance; and, here it is worthy of remark, he was the first Dissenting Minister who established a lecture at Wobourn, Bedfordshire; where there is now a settled congregation, and a respectable minister. He and Mr. Bull continued a regular course of lectures there for some years, till the cause assumed a pleasing and pernianant aspect. Mr. Raban was careful what he taught his people. His knowledge of the doctrines of grace was clear. He was |