his own house, the whole of the lower part of which was thrown open and arranged with seats for the reception of any who might choose to avail themselves of it, and there was usually a goodly company of hearers. It was a regular service, commencing with singing and prayer, then a sermon, followed by a hymn and prayer, and greatly was it appreciated by many.

An interesting and social meeting was formed among the little knot of his Christian friends at Hampstead, familiarly termed a "conversation party." It consisted of a few families, who met by turns at each other's houses to converse on a given subject. Their plan was, after tea to commence the engagements of the evening by prayer, after which the subject, which had been agreed upon at a previous meeting, was investigated and discussed by the elders of the party, the young people listening, and being encouraged to make any inquiry for the information or satisfaction of their minds. At one period, after an hour's conversation on the proposed topic, a few verses of Scripture were read, each person present taking his turn, and the meaning was familiarly discussed. At nine the servants were admitted, and the evening closed with singing a hymn, exposition, and prayer.

These social and unrestrained conversations upon Divine truth were found deeply interesting and useful. Points both of doctrine and of practice came, in the course of years, under review, tending greatly to the establishing of the mind and judgment, and the young people especially derived much profit and instruction from them.

Mr. Evans was a member of a Clerical Association, which met once a month at each other's houses for con

ference and prayer. Himself and Dr. Cumming were the only members of it who did not belong to the Church of England. The late Rev. John Wilcox and Francis Ellaby were members of this meeting, and were much attached to him, as also several other clergymen now living in London. With these he was on the most brotherly and affectionate terms; differences of opinion on minor points were merged in the great subjects on which they felt in common; each was free to speak his mind, while there was no compromise of principle in

any.

During the many years he laboured in London, he made a decided stand against the prevailing errors of the day, as they successively manifested themselves. By Irvingism he was sorely tried, and some of his oldest, and as it had appeared, most faithful friends, were lost to him by this heresy; yet he was faithful to his God and to the light of Scripture, and in public and in private solemnly testified against it. He felt also bound, at a later period, to warn against what he saw contrary to the spirit of Christ in those called "the Brethren;" and while he loved very many among them as indeed brethren in Christ; he felt, and he asserted, that they in truth separated, not united, the family of God; and as union among God's people was always his avowed and cherished object, he could not agree with them either in their principles or line of conduct.

His lively mind, warm affections, and talent in promoting useful conversation, caused his society to be much cultivated in private life. His cheerfulness and vivacity were as animating as his desire to do good and his aim to serve his Master wherever he might be, were worthy of the closest imitation. He warmly entered

into the cases of such as needed assistance or advice, seeking to promote the object they might have in view by every means in his power. He seldom trusted himself to carry money abroad with him; if he did so, such was his liberality that he invariably parted with it before he returned home. To the young he was peculiarly acceptable, and while he won their affections by the interest he manifested in their welfare, he never lost sight of his great object, to win souls to Christ, whether in the drawing-room, or study, or distributing tracts in his walks, or speaking a word, as he found opportunity; and the pointed remark or searching question from his lips was not unfrequently blessed of God to the good of the individual so addressed. On a young person being introduced to him as the niece of the Christian friend upon whom he called, the inquiry, "Does your niece know Christ?" was carried home to her heart by the Spirit of God, and she rested not till she did indeed know Him as her Saviour. It has been remarked concerning him since his departure, that each person with whom he came into contact, though it might be for only a very short time, can call to mind the being addressed by him, with an especial bearing upon what he considered to be the wants, or spiritual state, of the individual so spoken to, either in a word of warning, encouragement, or instruction, as he judged needful. A young man who had just entered the ministry, has said that he never received so much instruction in the composition of sermons, as he obtained in a short conversation with him. Another individual has testified that his remarks on spiritual joy in an interview many years since have never been forgotten by her.

His opinion was much sought as a counsellor and

friend, and he felt the necessity that exists for the minister to enter into the temporal perplexities and anxieties of his people, as these usually become spiritual trials and temptations; and as he was the subject himself of much inward conflict, he could enter into the cases of those who were similarly exercised.

To the servants of his family he evinced a paternal regard, both for their temporal and spiritual welfare; and even with respect to any who were providentially brought for a short season only beneath his roof, he sought their eternal good with intense anxiety. The servants of his friends came in for their share of his interest, and while visiting at their houses, he took opportunity of giving many a warning and exhortation in private, besides often addressing them pointedly at family exposition, as a stranger who felt a longing desire for their salvation. He regularly and systematically expounded the Word of God in his own family, entering deeply and largely into Divine truth, and led the devotions of those around him with singular warmth, animation, and holy wrestling with God. His soul delighted in these daily services, and manifestly felt the presence of God with him: and his ordinary walk confirmed the truth of what his lips uttered. It was evident, from the watchfulness and self-denial of his whole conduct, that the grace of God had taught him "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

He had a particular objection to that unmeaning or trifling conversation which prevails in society, even amongst religious persons. He thought social intercourse, as it is too frequently conducted, a mere waste of time, and that Christians ought to feel after a morning visit, or a friendly evening, that they had derived or

communicated some intellectual and spiritual profit. He much encouraged, in domestic or social life, some book of useful information being read aloud, and made the subject of conversation, as a means of avoiding that which is merely frivolous. With respect to the cultivation of the mind, he always maintained that, for a believer not to make use of the talents intrusted to him, was neglecting a great means of doing good, and lessening his influence, both in the Church and in the world. Books of general and varied information, the reviews of the day, and the public papers, he therefore read with much interest, as far as his other more important avocations would permit, and this, while it was an intellectual gratification to him, he did with a direct view to the glory of God. There is one class of books however, a class which has increased much of late years, against which he resolutely set his face. We refer to those publications of a lighter and attractive order, which have recently brought fiction under the garb of religion into the drawing-rooms of those who would formerly have dreaded such an introduction; and he equally reprehended the time which is spent by young women in ornamental needlework, and in the acquirement of those accomplishments for which they have no natural taste; when, he contended, the precious hours should be employed in storing their minds with useful knowledge. Where, however, a natural talent for music, singing, or drawing was discernible, he was decidedly of opinion that it should be cultivated, as it was bestowed by God, and to His glory it should be used.

He had a good taste in poetry, and composed many short pieces and hymns, some of which are before the public. Love of music was almost a passion with him.