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His "Commentary" shows what he was as a student and as a Divine; and Mr. Treffry will tell them not only what were his labours, but how great was their success. We have no intention of representing Mr. Benson as even approaching to the beau idéal of the pulpit orator; but we place him in a much higher rank. In matter and in manner he was altogether a Gospel Preacher. He preached Christ crucified; he preached Christ as a present and almighty Saviour; he preached Christ under the influence of an intense desire that his preaching might be then and there successful. He dealt with his congregation as one who had just come down from the holy mount. He felt himself an ambassador for Christ; not honoured with an empty title, with which human vanity might seek still further to inflate itself, but intrusted with a message to living beings, that by argument and persuasion he might, as far as possible, pel them to come in, that the house of God might be filled." And thus it was that his preaching was eminently fruitful. In the language of one, to whose description of his character we shall again have to refer, "The unction of the Holy One, which rested on him and on his auditories, was often overwhelmingly glorious; and the word of God, dispensed by him, was as a fire, and as a hammer which breaketh the rock in pieces.' His preaching was eminently fruitful, both in bringing his hearers to a proper sight and sense of sin, and in directing them to Christ for present salvation and comfort. repeat, therefore, our earnest wishes, that the junior Wesleyan Ministers would make themselves acquainted with the life and writings of the truly venerable Joseph Benson. They may not find in his " Sermons"-we hope they will not seek for-" the miserable trappings of an empty and artificial oratory; ' and they must not expect to find all that made his preaching so mighty, for there is that in the living voice which cannot be transferred to paper; but it is their own fault if they do not discover the evident marks

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of" that genuine eloquence which is inspired by pious feeling, and zeal for the salvation of perishing souls."* We confess, therefore, that we pity the taste that perceives "nothing particular" in Mr. Benson's Sermons. Even as written sermons, they show what were the subjects on which the Preacher delighted to dwell. And we are very much mistaken if they do not likewise show both how sound morality may be preached on Christian principles; and how, without any reference to morality at all, and yet without the slightest tinge of Antinomianism, the Preacher may point the penitent sinner, perceiving and acknowledging his own ungodliness, and earnestly seeking deliverance from it, to the all-sufficiency of merit and grace in Christ, and exhort and urge him at once to believe on the "Justifier of the ungodly," that so his " faith may be counted to him for righteousness."

And thus was Mr. Benson a very popular Preacher. In Hull, in Manchester, in London, wheresoever he laboured, and so long as he laboured, his ministry was attractive. Let it be known, beforehand, that Mr. Benson was expected to be the Preacher, and the chapel presented no appearance of desertion. And "what went they out for to see?" A man who spoke to them in the name of the Lord; who with all fidelity rebuked them, and addressed them in the spirit and power of Elias." But he was a "son of consolation," as well as a "son of thunder; " and listening crowds thronged to hear him, because he delivered the message which always awakes a responsive feeling in the human bosoin; a message, which often compels the most obdurate to acknowledge the truth, and to say, "This is just what we want;" the message, in relation to which philosophy had not one single word to utter, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

Dr. Bunting's Sketch of the Character of the Rev. Joseph Benson. See Wesleyan Magazine, Third Series, vol. i., (1822,) p. 76.

But we will not enlarge on this subject. We have said enough to justify ourselves in taking up, as the subject of separate notice, the biography of an individual who took no degree in this world's scale of honour, but who had very much of the honour that cometh of God. The volume itself we cannot better introduce to the reader, than by quoting the brief but characteristic preface of the author :

"Soon after Mr. Benson's death, memoirs of him were published by the Rev. James Macdonald; with whom, during the space of six years, he had lived in the closest intimacy. But whether from the size of the volume, or the price at which it was sold, or from any other cause, it is a fact, that, though it has been on sale for eighteen years, a part of the edition yet remains unsold; and, consequently, by far the greater number of the present race of Methodists are utterly unacquainted with the character, virtues, and successes of that extraordi nary man; who was, in his day, one of the brightest ornaments of Methodism; and to whom it is more deeply indebted than to almost any other man who has ever graced its triumphs since its revered Founder finished his course, and passed into the skies. It was therefore thought that a moderate-sized duodecimo volume, descriptive of Mr. Benson's character, and illustrative of the labours of his life, would be generally acceptable, and greatly tend to promote the spiritual profit of many. The author was requested to prepare such a volume with as little delay as possible. Such a volume is now presented to the public; and if the reader be benefited by perusing its contents, the end of its publication will be answered, and the glory be ascribed to God." (Page iv.)

As we intend to give an outline of Mr. Benson's Life, it will be only fair to his biographer that we extract, at the outset, a passage or two as specimens of the manner in which the work is executed. We have given the preface, in which he states his reasons for undertaking the work. We now quote the opening sentences of the first chapter, in which the usual statement as to the value of biographical composi. tions is made. These are so important, we mean so generally im

portant,-that they ought to be remembered by all readers of religious biography, whenever they engage in their favourite occupation. The principles on which such narrations are so interesting, and may be so useful, are briefly stated by Mr. Treffry in the sentences we are going to quote; and whoever recollects and applies them when occasion requires, will discover their truth and value, in the practical benefit which he will derive from them :

"The instruction which God has been pleased to communicate to men in the holy Scriptures for the formation of their moral characters, is given in the way both of precept and of example. The former describes the duty which they are imperatively required to perform; and the latter furnishes the encouragement which they have for doing it. Were the oracles of God composed solely of precepts, we might be induced to think that they exhibited a test for human frailty too severe;' but when we contemplate men of like passions with ourselves, who have embodied and exemplified the whole of Christianity in their character and conduct, we not only see the practicability of the divine precepts, but we are encouraged and excited to become followers of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. If we abstract from revelation the names and actions of those illustrious men who grace the pages of the divinely-inspired volume, the loss we should sustain would be incalculable. What a constellation of rare and brilliant lights would be extinguished! Actions the most renowned, deeds the most disinterested, incidents the most marvellous, providences the most singular, and enterprises the most perilous, would be consigned to oblivion; and all that laudable and holy emulation which the study of such records is calculated to inspire, would cease to exist. When we behold faith operating in Abraham, meekness in Moses, patience in Job, courage in Daniel, and benevolence in Paul, we are more powerfully virtues, as exhibited in living characters, affected by the exemplification of these than we could possibly be, by any abstract disquisitions on their nature or influence. Examples cannot fail to be influential. Minds possess the mysterious power of assimilation and imitability. And morals are not unfrequently

the transcripts of what we see in others. Hence, behoves the living to remember the dead: for us they sicken, and for us they die;' and, though dead, they yet speak to us; and thus the Apostle

exhorts the Hebrews, Remember them which have the rule,' or have had the rule, 'over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.' This remembrance of the dead saints, with admiration of their virtues, and a desire to imitate them, is,' says Dr. Macknight, the only worship which is due to them from the living.' There is no section of the Christian

church in modern times, which has given birth to more illustrious examples of distinguished excellence than that of Wesleyan Methodism. These, favoured with comparatively few advantages derived from education, and placed amidst many discouragements, have become burning and shining lights in their generation. Many of these luminaries have been quenched in death; the recollection of them is all that remains; but it is the province of biography to transmit to posterity the record of their names and their virtues, which will be had in everlasting remembrance before God."

Mr. Benson was born at Kirk Oswald, in the county of Cumberland, on the 25th of January, 1748, and was baptized on the 21st of the following month. He belonged to a family connected with the yeomanry of the north country, not very elevated in worldly circumstances, but of respectable character, and good report among their neighbours. Mr. Benson, the senior, was sincere and exact in what relates to the form of godliness; but he did not see the way of God more perfectly till late in life. He died in peace " in 1769. His partner in life was a good woman, serving God according to the light she possessed, and desiring both to save her own soul, and to order her family aright, training up her children in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord." She observed what, indeed, in those days, was not an unusual practice, in those families that wished to maintain their religious profession. "Her attendance on public worship in the Establishment was serious and regular;

and she was accustomed to call her family together after their return from church, that they might be instructed in the way of salvation, by reading the holy Scriptures.' She often suffered much, passing, for nearly thirty years, through severe bodily pain, as well as other trials; "but she bore all with the greatest "" and patience and resignation; thus did she present to her children an example of great power in domestic life, and preparing them, by its truly hallowing influence, for the subsequent reception of the more clearly-manifested truths of the Gospel.

Joseph was noted, even while very young, for a serious disposition, and a gravity of demeanour not usual in childhood; and when, at the proper time, he evinced considerable aptitude for learning, and was seen to be diligent and persevering in his studies, his father conceived the design of training him for the Christian ministry in the established Church. After, therefore, having acquired the rudiments of learning at the village school, he was subsequently placed under the care of Mr. Dean, a Presbyterian Minister, who resided in the parish. Of Mr. Dean, he was accustomed in after-life to speak in very high terms; and while under his care, he brought no discredit on his talents for communicating instruction. He not only, however, pursued his classical studies, but engaged, as far as he could, in a course of theological reading. His father's library, indeed, was extremely scant. Besides the Bible, there was only "The Whole Duty of Man," and an odd volume of inferior sermons; but Mr. Dean kindly allowed him access to shelves by no means illstored. Thus he was enabled to read, at his leisure, some standard works on Christian divinity. So intent was he on acquiring knowledge, that he scarcely suffered a moment to pass unimproved. At the same time, as he often prepared his lessons, even in the depth of winter, away from the circle that closed round the cheerful fire, and sometimes accompanied the men

servants, when they went with long poles in search of sheep buried in the snow, he accustomed himself to the early endurance both of cold and fatigue. "And to this may be attributed, under God, that vigour of constitution, and generally good health, which, with little intermission, he enjoyed, until nearly the close of a long and laborious life."

Nor was he unmindful of yet higher concerns. Though he had as yet no clear views of the evangelical method of justification; yet, by the blessing of God on the instructions which he had received, he was not only preserved from all profigate wanderings, but was seriously impressed with considerations respecting the invisible realities of eternity. "Even when under ten years of age, he frequently retired into his closet, and sometimes into the fields, where, on his bended knees, he importuned Heaven with prayers, and sought that grace which would enable him to serve the Lord acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Once, especially, his mind was unusually affected; and with many tears, and much importunity, he pleaded the words of Jacob, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, then shall the Lord be my God." When at a proper age, he was confirmed by the Bishop of the diocess; and having taken the "vows of God upon him," he deemed himself bound to be more strict and conscientious in the discharge of his religious duties than he had hitherto been. He was evidently not only sincere, but graciously so. By the help of God, he purposed to be right; and what he then saw not, God was pleased to show to him. When he was about sixteen years of age, a cousin of his, of the name of Joseph Watson, attending on the preaching of the Methodists, had been deeply convinced of sin, and led earnestly to seek for redemption in the blood of Christ, even his own personal forgiveness. While he was in this state, Joseph Benson happened to visit him. Young Watson could

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not, as he then was, relish even the ordinary topics of conversation. One subject filled his mind. his cousin he could only speak on that same subject, and inviting him up stairs to his own room, said, "Now kneel down; "" and having prayed earnestly himself, added, Now, Joseph, you must pray.' He did so, and the two cousins continued for some time imploring mercy at the throne of grace. On his reflecting mind, which already acknowledged that religion was necessary, this circumstance produced a deep and lasting impression. He now began to see more distinctly not only in what personal religion consisted, but by what means an individual is brought to its possession and enjoyment. On another occasion, calling to see his cousin, he found him reading the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. Joseph Watson read aloud to him the first verse, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus;' and asked, "Joseph, do you feel this? Do you know there is no condemnation to you ? Questions like these excited his attention, and from this time the method of salvation by Jesus Christ gradually but clearly opened to his view. He saw what he had to seek, and he sought with all his heart. He began, likewise, to attend with his cousin the ministry of the Methodists; and, under the influence of the feelings which had been awakened in him, he united himself to their society.

In this state of mind he continued for about ten months. He thus speaks himself on the subject: "I was in great disquietude and distress almost continually for about ten months, till the Lord gave me to believe in his Son, and shed his love abroad in my heart. I may observe, I was not without some gracious drawings from God, and transient tastes of his goodness, during that distress; but for about seven or eight weeks before it was given me to believe, I was powerfully tempted to despair of ever obtaining mercy. Satan thrust sore at me, and I was in horrid agony:

when I kneeled down to pray, I could not pray; it seemed as though the heavens were as brass, and could not be pierced. My tears, I saw, availed nothing. I was sorely impatient, and ready to give up all for lost. But glory be to God, he turned my heaviness into joy, and made light to spring up in my heart." It is not unlikely but that one reason why he was so long before he was brought to the enjoyment of spiritual peace, would be found, could the case be now fully examined, in his peculiarly intellectual constitution. He would want to argue and reason at every point. There is an intellectual obstinacy which may hinder the exercise of that simple faith which looks for, and accepts salvation on this only ground,-It is the gift of God's infinite love, conferred through the atonement and intercession of his Son, not given to the penitent sinner the sooner for any human virtues which he may have possessed, not withheld from him,

BEING PENITENT," because of the sins he may most unhappily have committed. Faith acknowledges. that God only sees in us our entire want of salvation, and that he actually bestows it according to the provisions of that wonderful constitution of mercy revealed to us in Jesus Christ. There is an intellectual as well as a Pharisaic obstinacy; and thus it appears to have been months before Joseph Benson was brought to look at the promise, and at that alone. Mr. Treffry rightly, and very judiciously, remarks on this subject, and the subject is so important, and the remarks on it so correct and valuable, that we are sure the reader will not only pardon the digression, but be thankful for it :

"Penitent sinners, who are earnestly seeking the pardon of their sins, are too frequently accustomed to think that

some considerable time must elapse before they are entitled to expect the blessing which they so ardently desire. But where there is a consciousness of guilt, attended with a dread of future punishment; where the soul is brought

to groan under the burden of sin; where there is an intense fervency of spirit awakened after God, combined with a full belief in the infinite efficacy of the blood of atonement; there the mind is fully fitted for the salvation of the Gospel. Nor can any delay in our expectations, any mortifications of our corruptions, any austerities practised upon our bodies, make us more worthy of the promise of that Spirit, which they that believe on Him shall receive. Salvation is of the Lord; but though it is by grace, yet it is through faith; and faith is an act of recumbency on the part of man; a resting on the divine promise, and a full confidence that what God hath promised He is able and willing this moment to perform. He, therefore, that looks at the promise, clings to it, claims it as his own, and depends implicitly on Him who is mighty to save; he takes hold of his strength, and receives the full benefit of his meritorious sacrifice.

'Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,
And looks to that alone;

Laughs at impossibilities,

And cries, It shall be done.""