the scriptures) Such has been the demand there, that it has been found necessary to print three editions of the bible, being more than 20,000, (being 20,000 of each edition as we suppose) and seven editions of the new testament, "amounting to 45,000 copies! It is remarkable, that all these have been printed, and nearly all disposed of, in the short space of four years." -By this account it appears, that 105,000 copies of bibles and testaments had been nearly all distributed in Wales in four years. The first edition of the bible, we know from Mr. Owen's history, contained 20,000 copies. The number of the other two is not mentioned by Mr. O. The only thing he says is, that " Large editions of the Welsh scriptures were put to press. How vast must have been the extension of knowledge in the principality, promoted by preaching and by the schools!

SECT. III. From 1812 to the death of Mr. C. 1814.

We are now drawing to the close of the history of this active, laborious and good man. The most remarkable and benevolent transactions of his life have been mentioned. The effects of them are still to be seen, and probably will continue to appear for ages to come. What a memorial of his love and benevolence do the almost inconceivable benefits of the Bible Society present? What testimony to his worth do the Sunday schools in Wales bear? Are there not records of the benefits of his counsel and recommendation among the poor natives of Ireland? Are there not among the highlanders of Scotland proofs of his solicitude for their welfare? Has there been any individual in mo

dern times, who has been so honoured by heaven, who has been the instrument of originating and of effecting so much good for the eternal interest of man? History records none.

We have not to record now much of a public nature. His ministerial labours, which were very great, continued to engage his attention. The declining health of his partner, which had been progressive for some time past, engrossed indeed much of his time and solicitude: nor was his own health uninterrupted. He had been ill for a short time in the autumn of the year 1808, being afflicted with a soreness in his leg; which probably was owing to over-exertion. But sometime in the year 1812, he met with a serious accident, which eventually, as it was supposed, proved to be the cause of his death. While travelling by himself in some part of Montgomeryshire, by too great an effort to open a gate, he felt a sudden pain in his inside; which turned out to be the commencement of a rupture; at least he could trace it afterwards to nothing else. This of course must have produced a serious effect on the constitution. He was not afterwards able to go through so much work. The following letter to Mrs. A- in 1813 mentions the declining state of his health, together with some pleasing account of the progress of the schools and of the gospel.

"Bala Sep. 16, 1813.-1 have been for these two months past and more, in a state of great bodily debility, supposed by the doctors to be the effect of over-exertion of body and mind. I had frequent pains and was confined to the house; and I was frequently on the bed. I was not able for any thing that required exertions either of body or mind, and was recommended to in

dulge myself in rest and cessation from all work, as the most likely way to restore my strength. Through mercy I am now much better, free from pain, though still languid. I have found great support from the last words of David-the everlasting covenant, "well ordered in all things and sure," containing all my salvation. Though I was feeble, I found strong ground to stand on, and I rejoiced in it. When heart and flesh fail, here is strength for my heart, and a portion-all my salvation forever. I cannot now pen on this paper what I saw in it but I saw enough and that forever. God remembered me and shewed me the best things he hada salvation in a covenant made by himself. This salvation in a covenant is well arranged, well ordered; every thing is provided for-the glory of God, his law and government; and every thing which pertains to the safety and eternal felicity of those in this covenant. It is all sure the covenant itself and all its privileges are all sure. May God the Holy Ghost keep our minds in constant and clear views of this covenant; and we shall be enabled to rejoice in tribulation and in the bright hope of the glory of God.

;

"I am very much obliged to you for the pleasing detail, you have given in your letter, of the success of your Adult School. And I most heartily thank Mr. A- for his assiduous attention to it. The Lord will reward him and he cannot be employed in the service of a better master. I beg also of you the favour to present my most grateful respects to the good ladies for their unwearied and unabated attention to the good work. I am indeed very much obliged to them; and I hope they very often meet with the Lord, whilst employed in teaching others to know Jesus. Idle Christians

(what a solecism!) never thrive. It is a sin, it is a shame to be idle, when so much is to be done, and when so much may be done by every one. I hope you will desire the preacher, whoever he is, to rouse your numerous congregation to work. I wish myself in Spa Field's pulpit this moment, and I would speak on the subject while my feeble strength lasted. I am gratefully sensible of the patient hearing they have given me on former occasions, and of the readiness with which many of them engaged in every good work pointed out to them. And I beg to be kindly remembered to the “ Matron" and "Juvenile Society." I hope they go on cheerfully, diligently and vigorously in the good work pertaining to those useful institutions.

"I am happy to inform you that the work prospers in some parts of our country. The Sunday schools are indeed every-where prosperous. One of our teachers here told me last Sunday, that our chapel, which holds 3000 people, would soon be too small to seat all the adults and the children, which increasingly crowd the school every Sunday. The sight was delightful, and such as I never expected to see. O for a divine afflatus to waft them all to heaven! I have received a letter giving a pleasing account of the progress of religion in some parts of the county of Carnarvon. I will translate here a part of it-"The Lord hath done a wonderful work in our county in less than one year. There have, been added to the church in the two chapels of Clynog, 138; in Llanllyvni, 90; in Penygraig and Tymawr. above 100; and many in other societies in the county The Sunday schools abound with scholars, and the teachers are diligent and faithful."-Let us praise the Lord."

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It appears clear from some parts of this letter that Mr. C. was the founder of the Adult School in Spa Field's chapel. His language is that of a father anxious for the prosperity and success of his offspring. It was through his recommendation and influence that the Sunday school there was also established. An attempt too had been made by him, we know not with what success, to set up among the members of that chapel what is called by the Welsh Methodists, "Private Societies;" which none are allowed to attend but those who belong to the connection. Those societies are viewed by them as extremely important. They are held generally every week, sometimes with and sometimes without a minister but generally some minister is present, and frequently there is a sermon, to which all are admitted, but the private meeting which follows it, is for the members only. Every chapel has a society of this kind. Its design is various. It is the door of entrance into the church, a school of discipline, and a court of conscience. No one is admitted as a member without being examined and approved at this private meeting. If a member be guilty of any thing wrong in his conduct; he is here called to an account, reproved, and if not penitent, cut off from the connection. But most of the time is employed in a plain, familiar conversation, on subjects of personal experience, between the minister or the elders and different members of the society: and cautions, warnings, or encouragements are given according to what the state of the individual may seem to be. These meetings last perhaps about an hour, and are concluded with prayer. The advantages derived from them are said to be very considerable. They are the means of preventing unfit persons to enter into the connection; Ff