In the year 1813, before Winter Ha- studies. To this he consented with some milton was nineteen years of age, he reluctance. About two years after he delivered an oration at the College was ordained as a minister at Leeds, in Chapel, Hoxton, on the anniversary of Salem Chapel. And now commenced the Institution. Professor Stowell says, that useful public life,-the constituent the discourse was characterized by "rare elements of which were eloquent pulpit and dazzling splendour." In August, in preaching and platform oratory, a tender the same year, one of the earliest of the pastoral care and almost agonizing Bible societies was formed in the Hox- anxiety for the good of his congregaton Academy Chapel. On that occasion tion, practical efforts for the advancethe young orator made his first attempt ment of the general good, co-operation at platform eloquence which was then for the furtherance of plans of philana comparative novelty, and in which he thropy, and above all, an authorship afterwards attained such eminent ce- which rendered him popular while lebrity. Precious as is our space, we living, and celebrated after death. In cannot refrain from giving an extract the course of the ordination service, from the address. Speaking of the value Mr. Hamilton was requested to give of the Bible Society, he says: "Borne on some account of the influence of relithe angels' wings, we might see the exer- gion on his mind, and he gave an elotions of this Society cheering the wilds quent statement. Among many other of Labrador, and while the natural sun things he said: "I awakened to the is absent, enlivening the solitude, and consciousness of spiritual nature under relieving the darkness of its caves; we accents of mercy and under the shadow might see the European, amid the shock of the cross... No persons could of arms and the thunder of the cannon, have been more diligent in the instrucrepose in a hope which this Society tion, or more attentive to the manners has revealed, that the sword shall be of their children, than my venerated beaten into a ploughshare; we might see parents, towards whom I cultivate not the Musselman throwing aside his Koran only the affections of a son, but the for that volume which alone can teach sympathies of an immortal. Our dohim the true Allah and the prophets-mestic economy was not merely a prorelinquishing his pilgrimage to Maho-bation for the stations of life, but a med's tomb, having realized the period . . . No sooner when no longer in that mountain and at Mecca man shall worship the Father; we might see the Bramin laying aside his caste for the high distinction of Christian, the lies of the Shaster for the oracles of truth-the spikes of Vishnu for the atonement of Jesus Christ-the temple of the Juggernaut for the heights of Zion; we might see the Catholic taking the Bible from the cloisters to which it had been chained, and leaving the shrine of the saint for the cross of his Saviour; we might see the Hottentot, once filthy as the ground in which he burrowed, become the temple of the Holy Ghost; we might see the Negro, with dispositions haggard as the rocks over which he vaults and bounds, ferocious as the torrent which he dares and buffets, now altered and subdued, smooth as the ivory he inserts in his countenance, and soft as the skin which floats around him in the chase." Pretty eloquent this, for a young man of ninteen! In the spring of 1814, Mr. Hamilton received an overture from the proprietor of Albion Chapel, Leeds, to supply it on the termination of his preparatory pupilage for heaven. was I capable of the faintest thought and observation, than I aspired to the office as something mysteriously dignified. The predilection was probably strengthened from the celebrity of ancestors, and the reputation of friends who gave attendance to the altar." Less than a month after Mr. Hamilton's ordination, Mr. Joseph Blackburn, an attorney, in Leeds, was executed at York for forgery, and Mr. Hamilton was requested to visit the unhappy man previous to his trial. This he did, not only once, but several times before the execution. It may easily be ima gined from this, that the young minister was regarded with great respect. And in a sermon which he afterwards delivered on the event, it was quite evident he was equal to the painful duty he was called on to discharge. This sermon was published almost as soon as it was delivered. The critics soon cut it to pieces; and, according to Dr. Hamilton's opinion many years after, they were, to a considerable extent, justified in their unsparing criticisms. The result was, that though Albion Chapel was crowded, the congregation is taken from his paper on "Craniology," rapidly declined, and the young minister which he says is a more correct word had to walk through a murky cloud of than "phrenology," for the science of unpopularity. Instead of either sinking the brain. He says, A person feels in despondency or proudly scorning himself in the presence of one who can other men's opinions, he persevered in scan his inward being. He is awed by the enriching his mind with treasures of credulity of a superior power. The knowledge, delighting every social circle cross examination begins, mixed with with his good-natured wit and raillery, most dexterous leading questions, 'You and earnestly consecrating his more se- have pride very large.' "That's a misrious moments to the great business of take; I am very bashful, and oppreshis life-the preaching of the gospel. sively humble.' 'I mean proper pride.' Professor Stowell says that during the O, yes! that is very correct; I hope twenty years of Mr. Hamilton's ministry always to respect myself.' You have in Albion Chapel, he gradually recovered ideality very large.' There you are the popularity he had lost. His preach- out. I am a plain matter of fact man, ing was eminently instructive. His and often admire what the Governor evangelical tone was lofty and decided. says to Filburina, 'The Spanish fleet His faithfulness was searching and pun- thou canst not see, because it is not yet gent. The moral authority of his preach-in sight.' 'But you like poetry.' 'O, ing was felt in its practical bearings, in all the varieties of personal and social life.* In 1816, Mr. Hamilton married a Miss Hackney, of Leeds, a lady possessing considerable personal attractions, by whom he had two daughters and one son. Mrs. Hamilton died in her last confinement. • You yes! I hope so.' You have destructiveness very large.' 'Now I have no opinion of this science at all, for I would not tread on a worm, and conscientiously abstain from lobsters and eels.' Yes, now I perceive it will be so, for your destructiveness is counteracted by a very large benevolence.' 'You have Mr. Hamilton frequently took advan- causality very large.' Further and tage of important public events, or of further from the truth. I never ask a things which more than ordinarily agi- reason, and cannot endure an argument.' tated the public mind, and made them Stop, do not be hasty; let me see; I subjects for pulpit discourses. The per- have it. Your comparison, which is a secuted Protestants in the South of superficial sort of an organ, is so immense France in 1816, and the death of Princess that your causality cannot work.' Charlotte in 1817, afforded him admira- have wit very large.' 'That is not at all ble opportunities for the display of his in my way.' 'But when you speak do eloquence. All efforts for the spread of they not laugh?' They do, and much education found in him a zealous co- more than I like.' That is your wit operator. Accordingly we find him one of which makes them, for wit consists not the first members of the Leeds Philoso- only in being so ourselves, but it is the phical and LiterarySociety. In the second cause that it is in other men.' It may year he became a member of the Coun- be seen from this that Dr. Hamilton was cil of the Society, thrice was elected vice- no disciple of Dr. Spurzheim. Phrepresident; and in the years 1836, 1837, nology was too material for him. He and 1838, he was president. He fre- had too strong a faith in the purely spiquently delivered papers before this ritual element in man, and of its ability Society, which displayed great learning for action independent of organization, and ingenuity. They were chiefly on to believe in the science. Besides, he literary subjects; none were strictly saw, or he fancied he saw, that phrenscientific; several were on philosophical ology was allied to infidelity, and therequestions, others were historical, and fore he discarded it. The above, howsome of them were minutely and elabo-ever, is only given as a specimen of Dr. rately critical: all of them were admired Hamilton's mode of treating a subject for their vigour of thought, variety of when he felt in the humour to be huerudition, and richness of illustration. morous. The following will show how he treated a subject to which he was opposed. It *Memoir of Richard Winter Hamilton, L.L.D., D.D., by Professor Stowell. Dr. Hamilton was not merely a nominal Nonconformist, but one from deep conviction. He did not, as do a great many dissenters, worship at the chapel instead of the church, because his fa In nothing was Dr. Hamilton more zealous than the cause of missions. He rose to the height of the great idea of evangelizing the world; and into the sublime work he threw his best energies. Hence, he frequently preached missionary sermons, delivered speeches on missionary platforms, and sometimes committed to print some of his choicest thoughts on the question. In 1828, he undertook a series of engagements in connection with the Hibernian Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society, and most admirably did he fulfil his mission. thers did so before him, but because he could go nowhere else, and be faithful to the pleadings of conscience. The question with him was not what might be false and objectionable in any specific religious establishment, but what was to him anti-scriptural in all. His love of religious liberty was so strong that he was resolutely opposed to any thing that at all trenched on the rights of the conscience or intervened between the soul and God. He sought in vain for the archetype or intimation of national Christian Churches in Holy Writ, and for their advantages and utility where they existed; and he returned from the The ordination of a minister among investigation, convinced that they are not the Independents is usually an occasion lawful if expedient, and that they are of deep interest. At such times, almost not expedient if lawful. He saw "the exclusively, the peculiar duties of the incompatibility of national religion with minister are set forth and pressed home free inquiry and private judgment." He by some elder minister, or by one who is was not afraid that the church would regarded as endowed with the judgment, not take care of itself if left to win its experience, and weight of character way in the world by virtue of its charms, which are felt to be requisite for the without the cumbrous aid of the state. discharge of a duty at once so serious This principle of perfect religious liberty and delicate. Dr. Hamilton was several and unconditional freedom of opinion, times invited to perform this office. In was so closely interwoven in the texture 1827, he delivered the ordination charge of his religious faith, and his idea of to the Rev. John Barling, of Halifax; ecclesiastical government, that he advo- and, in 1829, he performed a similar cated it with unusual vigour, on all office at the ordination of the Rev. John suitable occasions. It was to him the Kelly, Liverpool. He said to the vitality of Protestantism and the birth- former, "I have generally found that right of humanity; and by its means the most popular ministers are most inwere to be hastened the triumphant different to popularity, and disdain a victories of the cross. In reply to the single act to acquire it. Let all, then, question-"If Christianity can now inquire-What is my heart's desire and stand, without civil sanctions, could it prayer? Is it to divide attention with always?" He boldly answers, 'Yes. the Saviour, or to fix it undivertedly When Athenian wit, Roman stoicism, and upon him? Should I prefer the circle barbarian ferocity were loose upon it, it of philosophical minds, applauding was strengthened by the shock. When my wisdom or supporting my fame, or chronology was computed by persecu- to stand as my Redeemer stood, when tions, it was as uninjured by the tenth all the publicans and sinners 'drew as the first. For centuries it maintained near unto him for to hear him.' Should its ground, and fought single handed; I wish to be quoted after death as a with the world against it, it triumphed scientific authority, and have my splenover the world; and when did it decline? did passages recited by a distant geneAt what date was its primitive purity ration; or my simple stone distinguished sullied, its victorious progress stayed? by the embraces of humble converts -when it mounted the throne of the and washed with the tears of the pious Cæsars; when fame and adulation poor." He who really feels this, must shouted in its path; when its scripless entertain a high conception of the minpurse was exchanged for gold and silver; ister's calling, and possess a heart when the religion of Him, who 'came moved by disinterested and noble feelforth wearing the crown of thorns and ings and resolves. An important pasthe purple robe,' was subject to an equal sage in his own life-history is recorded derision of its character and tendency, in the following. When speaking to and the diadem of royalty glittered the Rev. John Kelly, on the importance around its head, and the purple of of personal faith, he thus alludes to ermine flowed around its mien." himself:-"I know one (and he would hide his face in the dust while he confesses the shameful tale) who feels it, too often, difficult to believe what he preaches; who frequently cannot realize with any vividness the ideas of accountability, condemnation, and retribution. He has heard of hearts bursting with agony, the fierce throbbings of emotion: his heart has envied them, while each drop within it seemed to stagnate, and each feeling to be numbed! Ah! happy ye, who never felt the doubts attendant upon enquiry, or, if ye have, could shroud them in obscurity; happy ye who never suffered the horror of conflicts which many a minister has known, though they were permitted to try and prove him; happy ye who know not the hell of denouncing everlasting punishment with composure! of unfolding the wonders of redemption with apathy! of describing the glories of heaven without a desire to partake of them!" During 1828 and 1829, the great question of Catholic Emancipation was agitating this country, and in no town was the excitement more intense than in Leeds. A meeting of Protestants opposed to the Catholic Claims was held in that town; and from the meeting issued a declaration of firm resistance to the expected measure of the government. The Dissenters of Leeds took no part in the meeting; and the reasons why they absented themselves were expressed in a long letter which appeared in the Leeds Mercury. Professor Stowell says, “As a calm, dignified, lucid and earnest exposition of great principles, it has been seldom equalled; it would be sufficient to gain for the writer a noble reputation. Its effect upon the public mind was great. At one of the largest public meetings ever held in the town, there was a vehement struggle between the opposing parties. The victory was gained by the Liberal party; and their success was ascribed, in no small degree, to Mr. Hamilton's appeal." The spirit of enthusiasm awoke by his letter was not confined to Leeds, but influenced, to a considerable degree, the population of the chief towns of the county; and to some extent facilitated the settlement of the important question in the nation. Having received an invitation from the English and Reformed Church of Hamburg, to preach their anniversary sermon, Mr. Hamilton, in 1829, visited the Continent for the first time. He ful filled his engagement in that city, and in so doing reflected honour on his name and increased the reputation and usefulness of the congregation which invited him. He then visited several of the principal towns and cities of the Continent, and especially those whose names were most closely associated with the struggles of the Reformation. With an eager eye for the rare and the valuable, he gazed with rapture on the cathedrals and other monuments of art which came in his way, and then jotted down, in his journal, his own opinions and criticisms. These jottings bear evidence of a richly stored mind, and an artistic tact and judgment rarely found in an English preacher. It may reasonably be expected that a mind constituted like Mr. Hamilton's, and breathing an atmosphere of religious freedom as his did, would also tend towards the liberal side of politics. But though he studiously avoided mixing himself up with what is usually understood by party politics, he unhesitatingly gave in his adhesion to Henry Brougham, when he was invited by the freeholders of Yorkshire to stand for the county. The Protestant Dissenters' Association for the Abolition of Slavery circulated an eloquent and stirring address throughout the county, in which they bound themselves to give Brougham, as the eminent advocate of negro freedom, their most strenuous support. Though the address had several names appended to it, its peculiar phraseology and emphatic diction, bore the unmistakeable impress of Hamilton. In 1831, the foundation of a new theological college was laid at Undercliffe, Bradford, and Mr. Hamilton delivered an address on the occasion. Such an opportunity would be sure to afford him ample scope for the display of his oratorical ability. Accordingly we find him taking an historical survey of the principles and progress of independency, and especially in the north of England; and giving a condensed narration of the proceedings of the church, from the earliest times, for securing an intelligent and holy ministry. This address, like almost all others of Mr. Hamilton's delivered on such occasions, was printed. To a passage enumerating the colleges of Nonconformists, he subjoined the following note:-" The author has not referred to the self-styled Unitarian academies. He confines himself to Christianity. Such could, therefore, funeral. It never taught man to smile have no more claim to a place in this but with a sneer, nor to weep but in catalogue, than a school of Confucius, bitterness. It is in variance and conin China, or the colleges of the Der- flict with all that is stirring in our vishes, in Japan." Not long after, active, transcendental in our contemserious notice was taken of these pas- plative, and tender in our moral, nature. sages in a sermon, entitled, " Unitarians It makes war upon the heart. It spares entitled to the name of Christians," by nothing worthy of our love, or potent Dr. Hutton. This led to an important over our fear. Its brightest day is but theological controversy between Mr. the congelation of its cold and darkenHamilton and Dr. Hutton. No sooner ing vapour, by the rigour of its killing had the sermon of the latter appeared frost. Its aggression is the sleet, its in print, than the former rushed to the mantle of charity is the hoar and snow. controversy, and drew up a series of It withdraws every support of conletters to Dr. Hutton, entitled "The Re-fidence, each precious hold, around ligionists designating themselves Uni- which our most exquisite feelings, like tarians not entitled to the Christian the little tendrils, have been wont to name." To these letters Dr. Hutton | insinuate and entwine. All, all perishes replied in four letters, which were before its spell, its basilisk gaze-its published with the title, "Unitarian torpedo touch. It subtilizes until Christianity Vindicated." This pam- reason foregoes its last conclusion, and phlet was quickly met by Mr. Hamil- refines until the heart looses its last ton's "Animadversions upon the Rev. warmth.” Dr. Hutton's pamphlets." No doubt, Dr. Burder would have These pamphlets of Mr. Hamilton's called this an "excrescence" of Mr. display a powerful intellect, and great Hamilton's imagination. It reflects as courage, ingenuity and wit. It would little credit on his logic, as on his imanot be easy to find, even within a much gination, and shows that his heart, in larger compass, so much information, this instance, was as narrow, as his discernment, keen dissection, close rea- logic was imperfect. How he could soning, and quick repartee. But their hail his brethren as "friends of hupages are sullied with uncharitableness, manity," and "make no approach if not with the manifestations of an un- towards them but that of kindness," generous nature. When speaking of the and "entertain no emotion but that Unitarians, personally, he says, "For of love," and then describe their rethem we can entertain no emotion but ligion as leaving behind it nothing but of love-love of every variety save that "grisly, ghastly putrefaction" which of religious complacency; towards them "spares nothing worthy of our love," we can make no approach but that of whose "wreath is a cypress, and bridal a kindness-kindness of every service funeral"; whose "tract is known by the save that of religious co-operation. blight of piety,"-how the writer could Men, brethren, citizens, compatriots, reconcile these contradictions both of disciples of science, friends of humanity, we hail, we embrace you!" Immediately after, when speaking of their religious faith, he says, "their system is not a sacred nor sensitive thing. It requires —it merits no courtesy. It excites unmixed loathing and detestation. It is a body of death, a phantom skeleton, threatening, chilling, petrifying, taunting, grisly, ghastly-a king of terrors. Its course is like the sceptre-destroyer in the prophecy, borne recklessly, ruthlessly forward on his pale horse, while Hades follows with him. We can follow it by its blight of piety, simplicity, zeal. It leaves its monuments in dispeopled sancturies, wrecked hopes and ruined souls. . . . Its wreath is a cypress-its robe a pall-its bridal is a the head and the heart, he has not shewn. It can only be explained on the ground of his zeal for the truth overshadowing his usually large heart, and adding at the same time a broken feather to the wing of his imagination. That he possessed this large-heartedness was evident in what we will next relate. In 1833, the Rev. John Ely removed from Rochdale to Leeds. These two good men had been students at the same time in the same college many years before; and from that time there existed between them an enviable fellowfeeling But when they were brought together in the same town, a beautiful fellowship united their hearts. Perhaps there was never a purer and more unbroken friendship between two men |