The renewal of intimate communion with my friend has repeatedly prompted me to appropriate the language of our laureate :

"I would the great world grew like thee,
Who grewest not alone in power

And knowledge, but by year and hour
In reverence and in charity."

DONCASTER, MARCH 26TH, 1861.

J. P.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The mental and moral features of Mr. Hessel, and the classes of

persons for whom this memoir is deemed particularly suitable,

specified.

CHAPTER II.

At YORK. Parentage-Apprenticed to be a draper-Attends a

theatre-Abandons it, and becomes a member of the Rev. James

Parsons' church-Is recommended as a candidate for the Christian

Ministry.

CHAPTER III.

At AIREDALE COLLEGE. The spirit in which he enters

College-Driffield-Ravenstonedale-Watson's Life of Wesley-

Rev. Richard Knill-Life of Rev. David Stoner-Edmund Burke

-Northallerton-Letter to Miss * * -Method of studying

the Scriptures-Comparison of Howe and Edwards.

CHAPTER IV.

At AIREDALE COLLEGE. Sedbergh-Kirkby-Lonsdale-Pro-

jects-Letter to Miss * *—Humiliating discovery-Benefit of a

Journal-Means by which his enjoyment of prayer was increased

-Amplitude of means of self-improvement-Practices found to

be injurious-Solicitude for usefulness-Concentration of energy—

Important inquiry-Aphorisms on reading.

CHAPTER V.

*

At HOWDEN. Failure of health-On the method of preparation

for the pulpit-Letter to Miss *-Cause of excessive admira-

tion of the Classics-Baxter-Jonathan Edwards-Distinction

between the productions of men of genius and others-Letter to

Miss * *-Ruptures a blood vessel-Letter to Miss

Impressive observations on the responsibility of the preacher.

CHAPTER VI.

*

At HOWDEN. Character of his reading-The joy derivable from

the Divine Omnipresence-Remarks on affliction-Death prefer-

able to uselessness-A Presence which pervades creation-No

disgrace in industry-Comparison of Howe and Owen-The design

and proper mode of education-Aphorisms on the communication

of thought as a means of improvement.

CHAPTER VII.

At HOWDEN. One characteristic of genius-The influence of a

good thought incalculable-The Elizabethan writers-His distri-

bution of time-Action an important means of moral improve-

ment-Early rising-The sure and only means of avoiding rash

judgments-Aphorisms relative to mental and moral habits.

CHAPTER VIII.

At HOWDEN. Termination of his correspondence with Miss

-Consults a London Physician respecting his health-On the

range of pulpit-topics-His resignation to the Divine will-

Southey's Life of Cowper-Foster's Essays-Bloomfield's Greek

Testament-Difficulty of accurately judging the motives of others

—Prayer an aid to study—Didactic and devotional aphorisms.

CHAPTER IX.

At CATTERTON. His ardent love of nature-Hatred of party-

spirit-On letter-writing-Blackstone's Commentaries-On self-

reliance-Little things indicators of mind and character-On

sermonizing-Ruth the Moabitess-Niebuhr's History of Rome-

Goethe-Aphorisms relative to preaching.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

At NORTHALLERTON.

vii

A time of trial-Todd's Student's

Guide-Rev. Richard Watson-Contemplates Missionary-life in

India-The feeling with which the weaknesses of our fellow-men

should be regarded-The spirit we should evince toward those

hostile to us-Harris's Great Teacher-Mill's History of British

India-John Howe-One chief cause of wonder to the glorified

spirit-An argument with a sceptic-Reflections on select portions

of Holy Writ.

CHAPTER XI.

At KIRKBY-STEPHEN. Church-fellowship-A faithful minister

-The penalty of innovators-Begins to preach at Ravenstone-

dale-The simplicity of faith-Entire sanctification-" Memorials

of Eliza Hessel "-Importance of meditation-Milton's Prose

Works-The order in which truth should be sought-Renounces

Calvinism-Miscellaneous aphorisms.

CHAPTER XII.

At KIRKBY-STEPHEN. The inestimable worth of love-Affect-

ing view of sin-The importance of frankness-John Wesley-

William Carvosso-The power of faith-Condition of Ministerial

success-Hemorrhage-Ambition deplored-Gratitude-Latent

strength possessed by all-The energy of sacred truth-Joins the

Wesleyans-On an ornate-style for the pulpit-Returns home—

Death.

CHAPTER XIII.

Some particulars in which Mr. Hessel is commended as an example

to young men : 1. In his devotedness to self-improvement-The

importance attached to the period of youth-Impressive testimony

of Sir Walter Scott-A word to Parents-2. In his just and com-

prehensive views of what constitutes self-improvement-Sir Walter

Scott on the culture of the heart-Firmness, force, and nobleness,

of character-Sir James Macintosh-Dr. Channing—3. In the

purpose for which self-improvement was sought-4. In the means

he employed to secure it-Self-improvement not to be sought too

anxiously-A word to those who "have no talent "--who "have

no time to read "—who "have had no education "—True great-

ness is accessible to all.