PORTRAITURE ОР THE RE V. W. JA Y. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. FEW names in connexion with the Christian world, and especially in connexion with the ministers of the Gospel, have uniformly been mentioned with more respect-more profound regard, or, indeed, admiration-than that of the late revered and honoured William Jay. His character and important services, both as a preacher and writer of unusual excellence, and long-continued usefulness, have been, considerably beyond half a century, highly appreciated by the varied sections of the Christian Church; for, though he was a Nonconformist from principle and though his love of noncofonrmity was, intelligent and decisive, steady and unceasing, B his spirit was eminently liberal and catholicpeculiarly marked by its largeness. There was nothing that was narrow or exclusive in his views; nothing that was ungenerous, bigoted, much less waspish, in his temper. He was no mere sectarian. He valued and loved all good men. He appreciated learning, excellence, and ability, wherever he found them; he honoured individuals of superior and consecrated endowments, in association with every religious body; and hence, while he lived, Christians and ministers of all denominations revered him, regarding him not only as one of the most distinguished ornaments of congregationalism, but as the property of the common Church of Christ; and, when he died, and "entered into rest," the enlightened and devout members of all communions were ready to do him honour,— "Strewing flowers on his grave,”— viewing him as a servant of God who had been raised up, and eminently qualified, to accomplish a great work, and who had been signally blest, through the medium of the pulpit and the press, in every part of the British empire, and throughout America, indeed in almost every district of the civilized globe; so that, wherever the intelligent Christian might travel, however wide the range of his course, in glancing at any well selected library of a religious kind, he would be almost sure to see "Jay's Sermons," "Jay's Exercises," or "Jay's Prayers," among the volumes arranged. Thus, like Henry and Newton, Watts and Doddridge, his reputation and usefulness have not only been great and extended, but universal. The unusually long period to which the ministry of Mr. Jay was protracted, advancing even towards seventy years; (for he began to preach the Gospel when a comparative youth;) the unblemished reputation which he was enabled to maintain; the number, variety, and uniformly excellent and profitable character of his publications; their adaptation to all classes, and to all countries where the English language is spoken or read, or where sound, evangelical, practical religion is valued,—are circumstances which have combined to render the name of William Jay, in the judgment and to the hearts of multitudes, peculiarly dear; and that name will be handed down, by the best men in all departments of the Christian Church, for generations, for centuries yet to come. This distinguished minister of the Gospel was the last of a noble and venerable band of Chris |