distantly related to the family of Lord Kinsale, Mr. De Courcy was justly entitled to that deference and respect due to persons of his rank, and which his superior abilities so eminently claimed for him. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and at the age of twenty-three received deacon's orders in the cathedral church of Clonfert,* as curate to Mr. Shirley. On one occasion, being in Dublin, he was invited to preach in St. Andrew's church, and the fame of his preaching brought a large congregation who filled every part of the edifice. The cry of Methodism had already gone forth, and whilst the prayers were reading the pulpit was seized by order of the metropolitan, Dr. Arthur Smythe, to the exclusion of Mr. De Courcy, who finding himself thus treated, conferred not with flesh and blood, but immediately withdrew, intimating that he should preach in the open air. He was quickly followed by the congregation, and, ascending a tombstone, proclaimed to the surrounding multitude the glad tidings of great joy, that there is a Saviour, even Christ the Lord.

Such zeal and such conduct, but, above all, the doctrines which he preached, so dissimilar to anything around him and in other churches, soon exposed Mr. De Courcy to the malignant attacks of a host of enemies. He had committed the unpardonable sin of daring to preach the everlasting Gospel, and not fearing to offend those who hate the light. On him, therefore, the hand of authority was laid heavily. The bishop became offended—he was refused a licence and priest's orders. But none of these things moved him. Insulted as he had been, and without prospects of any preferment, he had numerous friends who loved and esteemed him. On Mr. Shirley's representation of his case to Lady Huntingdon, her Ladyship immediately ap plied to the Bishop of Lichfield + to ordain him, and wrote him an urgent invitation to come to England and aid her in the great work in which she was engaged.

He accepted the offer, and about the beginning of May

He was

By Dr. Dennis Cumberland, afterwards Bishop of Kilmore. grandson of that learned prelate, Dr. Richard Cumberland, Bishop of Peterborough. Going to Ireland with Lord Halifax, the intimate friend of Lady Huntingdon and Dr. Doddridge, he was made Bishop of Clonfert, from whence, in 1772, he was translated to Kilmore. He died in 1775. This prelate married Joanna, daughter of Dr. Richard Bentley, master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and was father of Richard Cumberland, a dramatic and miscellaneous writer. Of his poetical performances none are likely to be long remembered, except "Calvary;" but his " Observer" holds a distinguished rank among the works of the British essayists. He died in 1811.

+ Dr. John Egerton, who at the age of thirty-five was consecrated Bishop of Bangor. His father was Bishop of Hereford. In 1768 he was translated to the see of Lichfield and Coventry, and in 1771, promoted to be Bishop of Durham. By his marriage with Lady Anne Sophia Grey, daughter of Henry Duke of Kent,

arrived in England. He immediately waited on Mr. Whitefield, who was then in London, at the Tabernacle-house.*

Lady Huntingdon, finding the cloud did not move in the direction of Ireland, gathered around her the able men who served her, and directed them to pour out the tidings of salvation in England. To them was Mr. De Courcy added, and also Mr. Newton, whose talents, habits, and inclinations fitted him for a stated residence, as a parochial minister.†

He, too, knew how to treat with Christian friendship those who, out of regard to conscience, separated from the communion of the Church of England. Probably, the Church does not contain a clergyman of superior liberality towards Methodists and Dissenters. This will, perhaps, be accounted a reproach to his memory by those who represent all Christian affection to the Sectaries as criminal and derogatory to the dignity of the Established Church; but if we form our estimate of the Christian temper from the example of Christ and his immediate followers, and if we look forward to the day in which the love of his disciples to each other will be particularly noticed by our common Lord, we shall rejoice in every proof of ministerial candour such as Mr. Newton so uniformly displayed.

he left a daughter, and two sons, successively Earls of Bridgewater. It does not appear that Lady Huntingdon's application was attended with success, for Mr. De Courcy did not obtain priest's orders for some time after his arrival in England. The bishop died in 1787.

*

By some peculiar accident, his apparel not being brought to town with him, he was obliged for several days to appear in his gown and cassock, which, together with his very juvenile appearance, excited no small attention as he walked along the streets. On being introduced to Mr. Whitefield, the latter took off his cap, and bending towards Mr. De Courcy, placed his hand in a deep scar in his head, saying, "Sir, this wound I got in your country for preaching Christ." [Mr. Whitefield alluded to the circumstance which occurred when he preached at Oxmantown-green.] Mr. De Courcy afterwards observed to a friend, that this circumstance much endeared this noble champion of the Gospel to him. Mr. Cornelius Winter happening to come into the room, Mr. Whitefield committed the stranger to his attention, saying, "Take care of this gentleman." From this period an intimate friendship took place, which lasted till Mr. Whitefield's death. On the next day, which was Sunday, Mr. De Courcy preached at Tottenham-court Chapel, from Zach. xiii. 7, “ Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts." His youthful appearance and pleasing address fixed the attention of the nume rous audience, and laid the foundation of his future popularity.

+ Others, probably, are equally adapted, as well as called, to itinerant labours; but Mr. Newton, in his "Cardiphonia," (vol. ii. p. 291), seems to deprecate too much the endeavours of those who travel about to preach the Gospel. "I wish," says he, "there were more intinerant preachers. If a man has grace and zeal and but little fund, let him go and diffuse the substance of a dozen sermons over as many counties; but you have natural and acquired abilities," &c. And again, (p. 245), "I wish well to irregulars and itinerants who love and preach the Gospel. I am content that they should labour that way, who have not talents nor fund to support the character of a parochial minister; but I think you are qualified for more important service."

CHAPTER XXXV.

Mr. Townsend's visit to Dublin-Lady Saxton-Mr. Alderman Townsend Lord Shelburne-Mr. Phillips-Mrs. Paul-Mrs. Kiernan-Temporary Chapel-Lady Huntingdon sends Ministers to Ireland-Mr. Mead-Mr. Hawkesworth-Letter from Lady Huntingdon-Mr. Pentycross-Mr. Rowland Hill -Meeting in Wales-Independent Churches-Letter from Lady Huntingdon —Mr. Lloyd—Plunket-street Chapel opened – Opposition-Letter from Mrs. Paul-Several of the Nobility go to Lady Huntingdon's Chapel-Letter from Lady Huntingdon - Mr. Hawkesworth visits Waterford - Mrs. Bennis Methodist Preachers Mr. Hawkesworth solicits ordination-Lady Huntingdon's Letter on that subject.

THE Rev. Joseph Townsend, fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, and rector of Pewsey, in Wiltshire, reached Dublin* as Mr. De Courcy quitted it, sent by the Countess of Huntingdon to diffuse the light of righteousness. It was he whom her Ladyship had sent into Scotland, at the request of Lady Glenorchy. He and Dr. Haweis had previously studied together in Edinburgh, under Dr. Cullen; and his sister, Mrs. Wordsworth, afterwards became the wife of his fellow student. His labours in Ireland were successful. It was while he was in Ireland that the family+ of John Phillips, Esq., was converted.

On Mr. Shirley and Mr. Townsend representing to Lady

On board the same packet were the Earl of Shelburne, afterwards Viscount Calne, Earl of Wycombe, and Marquis of Lansdowne, then Foreign Secretary, Edmund Burke, Mrs. Vesey Dawson, the friend of Hannah Moore, and foun dress of the Bluestocking Club, Sir Charles and Lady Saxton, whom Mr. Townsend knew. His father, Alderman Townsend, was representative of Lord Shelburne's borough of Calne, and his supporter in many Parliaments. At Shelburne House there Mr. Townsend was a frequent visitor, and was introduced by Lord Shelburne to most of the nobility of Ireland. His father was averse to his religious connexions, and in presenting him with the living of Pewsey, demanded as a condition that he would never preach in Moorfields on a joint stool, and he gained access to many pulpits.

With this amiable family Mr. Shirley became extremely intimate; and on the 27th of August, 1766, was united to Henrietta Maria, eldest daughter of Mr. Phillips; and left issue one son, the Rev. Walter Shirley, born the 11th October, 1768; and three daughters, viz., Frances Anne, born the 6th of May, 1770, married the Rev. John Going: his eldest son, also a clergyman, married Wilhelmina, daughter of the late Dr. Roe, and sister of the Rev. Peter Roe, rector of St. Mary's, Kilkenny; Henrietta, Eleonara, born 11th August, 1772, married the Rev. Henry Bunbury, and has a numerous family; Anne Augusta, born 29th November, 1775, married Gabriel Maturin, Esq., and has issue. Mrs. Shirley died 15th December, 1792.

A sister of Mrs. Shirley married the late George Kiernan, Esq., and left issue a son and five daughters-Harriet, Augusta, Šelina, Sophia, and Matilda ;

Huntingdon the deplorable state of spiritual destitution prevailing in Dublin, she commissioned them to purchase, build, or hire some sound commodious edifice, for the performance of divine worship, according to the forms of the Established Church. At the suggestion of Mrs. Paul,* the Merchant Tailors' Hall was procured for this purpose, and solemnly dedicated to the God of our salvation. Several ministers from England were sent at the sole expense of Lady Huntingdon, and their preaching was attended with very considerable success.+

In the year 1772 Lady Huntingdon called in all the students who were labouring in England, Wales, and Ireland, to

of whom Sophia married the Rev. George Hamilton, son of the late Dr. Hugh Hamilton, Bishop of Ossory, and nephew of the late Baron Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton was the author of a work on the study of the Hebrew Scriptures, &c. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are both deceased.

Colonel Phillips, the brother of Mrs. Shirley and Mrs. Kiernan, sailed round the world with Captain Cook. He married a daughter of Dr. Burney, the celebrated musician, and sister of Madame D'Arblay, the authoress.

This excellent woman was wife to Dr. Thomas Paul, Dean of Cashel, and sister to Dr. James Hawkins, Bishop of Raphoe, and Sir W. Hawkins, Ulster King of Arms. She was for many years the intimate friend and constant correspondent of Lady Huntingdon. In the Letters of her Ladyship frequent mention is made of Mrs. Paul, Mrs. Shirley, and Miss Phillips, afterwards Mrs. Kiernan. She was the only daughter of John Hawkins, Esq., Ulster King of Arms, by Catherine, daughter of Dr. William Smith, of Dublin. Her grandfather, likewise, held the same situation at the Herald's Office. Dean Paul was the youngest son of Jeffrey Paul, Esq., for many years the representative in Parliament for the county of Carlow; and his mother, the only daughter of Richard Christmas, Esq., of Whitfield, county of Waterford, and member of Parliament for the city of Waterford. The eldest brother of Dean Paul married Miss Carew, daughter of Robert Carew, Esq., of Ballynamona, county of Waterford, and member of Parliament for Dungarvon, and left a son, Joshua Paul, created a Baronet of Ireland in 1794, father of the present Sir Joshua Christmas Paul, of Paulville, county of Carlow. She separated from her husband on account of his dislike to her religious principles, and afterwards lived in Hereford, hearing and doing good.

The Bishop of Raphoe was father of the present Admiral Sir James Hawkins Whitshed, Bart. A granddaughter of the Bishop, a daughter of the Dean of Clonfert, is married to the Rev. Mr. Verschoyle, an evangelical clergyman in Dublin.

The first was the Rev. Henry Mead, afterwards lecturer of St. John's, Wapping, and minister of Ram's Chapel, Hackney. He arrived in the summer of 1771. He asked for assistance, suggesting Mr. Rowley, who was by that time fixed at Warwick. Lady Huntingdon wrote to Mr. Hawkesworth, observing-" Dear Mead is exceedingly blessed, and wishes for another helper; and therefore I shall have Ellis [who was educated at Trevecca] and you shall go to Dublin When you can spare time let me hear from you; as I ever am, dear Hawkesworth, your faithful and affectionate friend, S. HUNTINGDON." Mr. Pentycross was then curate of Hawley, near Ryegate, and had not obtained priests' orders, or he would have gladly gone to Ireland, where, as Mr. Shirley wrote, there was an opening in one of the city churches. Mr. Pentycross was educated at Christ's Hospital, and distinguished himself as a Grecian; whence he went to Pembroke College, Cambridge, and became the friend of the Rev. Rowland Hill. He had before acquired the notice of Horace Walpole by his

the College in Wales, to form a mission to North America, as very pressing and encouraging letters had been received by her Ladyship, requesting her to send faithful and zealous ministers thither. The following letter was addressed to Mr. Mead and Mr. Hawkesworth, desiring them to be in Wales early in the month of October, and accompanied by a circular notice, which was to be read in all the congregations in her Ladyship's Counexion :

"My dear Mead and Hawkesworth,-The enclosed paper so fully explains my request, that I must beg, as the only proof of any regard to me, you will not fail of being present, and lose no time. Depend

all things being ready, that the day after the meeting, either one or more students, as you both think best, shall be ready to set off for Dublin. Assure my Dublin friends the means of settling matters for their advantage will be by sparing you for one fortnight. Read the paper to the society, as directed by me, with the assurance of what I say; and request from me their meeting for prayer and fasting on Friday, the 9th of October. I depend upon this as the one single instance of regard I shall ever either ask or desire. I must repeat the surprising success of our labours everywhere. How many times ten thousand hear each day I dare not say; and the calls are increasing so fast, that my heart is broken not to be able to supply all. And this opening in America is the astonishment of all that love or fear the Lord. I hope to be at the College October the 1st or 2nd. May all blessings attend you; and do not fail to be with us. I must insist, if alive, that you come by Wales directly to the College. The amazing blessings before us engage me to write so many letters, that you must excuse my not being more particular; and believe me, my dear Mead and Hawkesworth, your very affectionate friend,

"Oathall, Sept. 9th, 1772.

S. HUNTINGDON."

Early in the month of October, Mr. Mead and Mr. Hawkesworth arrived at Trevecca, to attend the proposed meeting. They were soon followed by Mr. Shirley and the Rev. Charles Stewart Eccles, a respectable clergyman, son of -Eccles, of Ecclesville, in the county of Tyrone, Esq., a gentleman of highly respectable family and very considerable fortune. As the circular notice which accompanied her ladyship's letter to Mr. Mead and Mr. Hawkesworth, and the particulars of this affair, will be amply detailed in another part of this work, it will be unnecessary to advert to them in this place. As soon as the

poetical talent, and by his skill in reciting from plays, of which he was very fond. He was also the friend of the poet, Gray; but Rowland Hill and Dr. Coetlage taught him his part in the great healer of the world. He was the friend of Mr. Simpson and General Oglethorpe, and the "Dear Penty" of Mr. Whitefield. He being unable to proceed, her ladyship applied to the Rev. Rowland Hill, who was then kept on a very scanty allowance by Sir Rowland, in order to prevent his itinerancy. He agreed to go, and so did Mr. Glascott.

VOL. II.-M