Hawker’s Guidebooks to Zion by George Ella

Hawker’s Guidebooks to Zion

Genesis 33:12

Robert Hawker (1753-1827) combined sound Biblical doctrine with intense evangelistic fervour. Wherever he ministered, crowds longing to hear the Word of Life thronged to hear him. Hawker preached with great feeling and compassion because he knew that his labour was not in vain and God’s Word never failed in its purpose. Some years ago, longing for more of Hawker’s works, I approached an international ‘Christian’ bookseller who had a complete set for sale. His price would have rigged me out with a complete computer system so my fond idea was dropped. Then I heard from a friend who had actually been given a set. How envious I was! But the circumstances of the gift made me wonder what the Christian world is coming to. A certain denominational library had once treasured their set of Hawker’s works but now they felt the books were an embarrassment to them; indeed dangerous for their modern-minded readers so they gave the gospel-bearing books away! The library’s action is symptomatic of the present down-grading of sound gospel principles which once led thousands to Christ and were held in honour by 18th and 19th century Trinitarian denominations.

These thoughts led to my New Focus article on Robert Hawker: Zion’s Warrior. When I received issue No. 05, I was overjoyed to see a Gospel Standard advertisement adjacent to my article listing Triangle Press reprints of Hawker at £2. 75 – £3.45 per volume. I immediately sent off my order and the books arrived speedily and what a blessing they proved to be!

This article is more a recommendation than a review as twelve volumes have now been published which hardly allows for a detailed analysis. First I delved into Hawker’s The Divinity of Christ and the Divinity and Operation of the Holy Ghost, bearing in mind modern heretical teaching featuring a Godhead halting between two opinions on salvation and the inane idea that the Spirit breathes contradiction and contention into the Scriptures. 1. In arguing for dissension within the Trinity concerning man’s salvation and a breach in the logical harmony of Scripture in bringing this salvation home to the sinner, such writers as David Gay are tearing the churches apart and actually boasting that such disunity fosters church growth! What has Hawker to say to these modern contenders for forked paths to heaven? His readers will find that his message is a God-given antidote to this modern plague.

Hawker was confronted with the very same heresy in his day. This prompted him to write on the Trinity. His opponents left the field with their tails between their legs, doing the only honest thing they could. They became Unitarians. This is why it is of the utmost importance that Hawker is read once more. As God’s watchman and Zion’s Warrior, he has proved his value in showing how gospel truths prevail. It will be sad to see modern tension and paradox preachers joining the Unitarians, but as their views of Christ and Scriptures are so low, they will feel more at home there and leave true religion to get on with its true work. Read Hawker on the unity of the Godhead as displayed in the salvation of His people. It will not only thrill your heart and soul but equip you for proclaiming the truth and combating error. If you are a child of God, it will certainly make a convinced Trinitarian of you.

Coefficient to the work of the triune Unity is the operation of the Holy Spirit in rendering the work of salvation effectual in the application of what the Father has wrought out in His Son, regenerating corrupt and fallen sinners. Indeed, Hawker argues that it is through the unity of the Spirit-breathed Word that the sinner sees the unity of God’s nature in preparing salvation for him and the unity of the triune action in effectually redeeming him. Hawker argues that if such a work had been referred to in a Bible of irreconcilable, conflicting passages, and had not the unity of action been insisted on in every part of God’s Word, then some apology might be made for the incredibility of mankind respecting it. However, as the Scriptures refer to the work of the Father Son and Holy Ghost in their joint and uniting enterprise of saving sinners and as thousands can testify to being born of God through this work, we see how trustworthy is the entire testimony of the revealed Word and the folly of men striving to find disharmony in the word via a reasoning which is in disharmony with God.

Union and Communion with Christ was written to prepare believers for the communion service and deals with the believer’s standing in Christ. Christ is the Vine and we are its branches, He is the Head and we the body. Together we form a holy Temple and are members of one with another as the Bride of Christ and the family of God. I have rarely experienced the mysterious union we have with our Lord from eternity to eternity so sublimely taught as in this gem of a book. Hawker’s advice on how to be assured of the unity one enjoys in Christ is pastoral care at its very best.

Hawker lays great stress on prayer and in his Prop Against All Despair, the writer coaches the believer lovingly through the most difficult of Christian exercises but perhaps the most rewarding. Hawker shows how prayer in the Spirit opens Heaven’s doors. Few books have blessed their readers as Hawker’s Zion’s Pilgrim, The Sailor Pilgrim and Zion’s Warrior. To believe that one is a stranger and pilgrim on earth but marching onwards to Zion is not just the theme of a revival hymn but the teaching of Scripture and the experience of every believer. Hawker shows in these works how the path upwards is strewn with grace, mercy and love from beginning to end. There is much personal testimony given here and I was left with the assurance that God had strengthened my weak faith by my following Hawker’s advice on how to keep on Zion’s true track. Hawker’s testimony is so strong that, whilst reading, I actually imagined myself going on the way arm in arm with this great saint, feeling all the better for his company. Few books have such an effect on me.

Hawker was not only a parish pastor but a chaplain to the forces stationed at Plymouth and his book Compassion for the Sick and Sorrowing is based on a harrowing experience he had. Ship after ship entered the port full of troops dying of the fever and Hawker and his church did all they could to relieve them, converting barns into hospitals, but a thousand men died during the three months run of the epidemic. Though Hawker had a heavy schedule in his parish, he spent hours each day comforting the dying and burying the dead. Anyone terminally ill without knowing whether they are bound for Zion or anyone wishing to help the dying over the threshold of death should read this book as there is not a theoretical word in it but sheer practical experience and genuine comfort from cover to cover.

The above works show Hawker at his desk and in his pastoral work, his two volumes of Village Sermons and Sermons on Important Subjects reveal his faithfulness in the pulpit. The words contained in Hawker’s memorial tablet sum up Hawker’s prowess as a preacher:

“The elegancy yet simplicity of diction, the liveliness and brilliancy of imagination, the perspicuity and vigour of thought, the depth and compass of Christian knowledge and experience, with which he was talented and blest, are still extant in his sermons.”

Hawker was a didactically gifted man and improved the quality of Christian education greatly. As a school text-book author and curriculum writer, I approached Hawker’s Catechism for Children with what we might call ‘professional interest.’ Though the Heidelberg Catechism is prescribed in our schools (North-Rhine Westphalia), it is little used because of its ancient language. Hawker’s language should be no problem for modern English-speaking children over the age of eleven or so and the book would still make an excellent addition to Scripture lessons and family worship. Some Christians object to ‘putting words into children’s mouths’ in catechetical work but have no objection to their children learning parts in plays and singing songs and hymns learnt off by heart. Hawker’s questions and answers are Scriptural throughout and as Scripture is the language that tunes the heart to God, Christians should surely not cavil at this means of evangelising their children. Furthermore, Hawker’s catechism provides pupils with a thorough knowledge of the history of the Jews as also a detailed knowledge of the two Testaments and the way of salvation. The Great Commission compels us to make this way known to all mankind, especially to children.

I cannot recommend these soul-saving and edifying works enough. The modern equivalent of a widow’s mite is sufficient to purchase a single volume, but the spiritual value of each book is so enormous that it stretches from here to Heaven.

George M. Ella Mülheim, Germany

1. See especially David Gay’s Preaching the Gospel to Sinners: 2, Banner of Truth, Issue 371-372 and his review of Iain Murray’s Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism, ET, August, 1996, p. 19. These articles laid bare the tendency to Socinianism in the British evangelical establishment and pioneered the negative re-evaluation of Spurgeon spreading through the churches which is doing nobody any good.

BRIEF MEMOIR OF ROBERT HAWKER

Source

Robert Hawker was born on the 13th April 1753 in the City of Exeter. His father and grandfather were physicians and surgeons.

His father died at the early age of 36, when Robert his infant son was one year old.

His widowed mother, a godly woman of superior mind and talent lovingly watched over her son and in due time devoted herself to his early education, instilling into his mind a love and reverence for the word of God, to which he happily responded.

In due course he was sent to the Grammar School at Exeter and very early showed extraordinary proficiency, and quickly became versed in the classic languages of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He possessed an ardent and unwearied mind capable of mastering any language or science. His memory was quick, retentive and capacious, and his genius excursive.

As a child Robert manifested pleasure in quoting Scripture, and as he attained age he showed strong bias for a clerical career.

His mother, however, wished him to follow his father’s profession and he was ultimately trained to this end. He went to a London hospital and eventually became a practicing surgeon.

God, however, had other fields of labour for him and sovereignly moved the young doctor’s mind and heart toward Himself so profoundly that,

although now married and even against his beloved mother’s desire, he resigned his medical work and went to Oxford University at the age of 25 to enable him to enter the ministry.

He possessed gifts of great magnitude and in less than a year he was given a curacy in Cornwall at St. Martins near Loos. He held this curacy for the brief space of three months, being moved to Charles Church, Plymouth in December 1778.

He began immediately to preach with power and distinction the unsearchable riches of Christ. He would preach in language chaste, elevated and impressive.

In the year 1784 the vicar of Charles Church died and the young curate, who was a man of great integrity and superior talents, was appointed to the living and he began a ministry of outstanding spiritual power and influence which was to continue for over 40 years, only ending by his death in 1827.

In 1790 he preached a series of remarkable sermons on ‘The Divinity of Christ’, and again in 1794 on ‘The Divinity and operations of the Holy Ghost’.

In the following years he regularly visited London and exercised such power in his ministry as an ambassador for Christ that the churches where he preached were unable to accommodate the numbers who gathered to hear him.

An outstanding feature of his preaching was his insistence on the Personality and Godhead of the Holy Ghost and the glory of the Person of Jesus as in the Godhead.

His church at Plymouth was invariably filled to overflowing, and he continued his powerful and spiritual ministry here, until his relatively sudden death in April 1827.

On Lord’s Day, March 25th, he was stricken with inflammation of the lungs and was unable to preach.

He said to his daughter, ‘My dear child, I cannot go today to the house of the Lord, but this cometh of the Lord of Hosts who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working; wisdom and power are His’.
During his illness and decline in bodily strength, he was strong in the Lord and rejoicing in the prospect of a glorious immortality. To those in attendance he seemed to enjoy holy and uninterrupted communion with God and the Spirit.

After what appeared to be a refreshing sleep he said to his daughter, ‘My soul is overfilled with joy, I am filled with glory’.

He constantly repeated portions of Ephesians 1, and among his last words were, “In whom we have redemption, through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, yes, to the praise of His glory”.

Those surrounding the bed of the dying saint witnessed a holy serenity in his countenance which spake the inward aboundings of joy and peace through his faith in Christ Jesus.

He showed no bodily distress or signs of death and in the presence of his family – he had eight children – he literally fell asleep in Jesus. His physician who was present said he had never witnessed such a death before.

So much was this man of God beloved and revered that the shops of Plymouth were half-closed until the day of his burial.

His mortal remains were consigned to the tomb on the 13th April 1827, many thousands being present to witness to his love to God and to man.

He died as he had lived, ever in communion with his God and in the enjoyment of a holy intimacy with heaven. He was an habitation of God through the Spirit. The power of grace rested upon him.

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF DR. HAWKER

[quoted from "The Gospel magazine, and theological review. Ser. 5. Vol. 3, no. 1-July 1874"]

Source

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF DR. HAWKER.

Never shall I forget the first time I saw and heard that dear man. I had been in a bad state of soul darkness, bondage, and terrors for a long time. Calling one Saturday afternoon upon a friend who knew the state of distress which I was in, she told me that Dr. Hawker was to preach twice the next Lord's day in St. Ann's, Blackfriars. After much entreaty, my friend prevailed upon me to promise that I would go and hear him. But I was not pleased that I had promised, when I was told that unless I went early in the morning I should not be able to get into the church. I thought when I heard this that it would be in vain for me to go and hear the Doctor, because he would not understand my case; and I was led thus to judge of him because I had been to hear many popular men, hoping to have my bonds loosed; but, alas! their preaching only made my fetters the stronger, and sank me lower into gloom. During the Saturday evening, I sometimes thought, Well, I will not go. Then my promise would be presented, and this prevailed. On the following morning, without any hope of profiting, I went to St. Ann's, and stood near the pulpit; but never before nor since have I witnessed anything that will bear a comparison. Pews, aisles, and pulpit steps were thronged: outside and inside of the windows were lined with persons resting upon the ledges like fowls upon their perches. Very many were mounted upon the edges of the pews, and steadying themselves by leaning against the pillars; Lo upon the top of the organ, doused in dust, I saw a few: how they obtained access to that exalted station was a puzzle to me. While the congregation was singing, I saw an aged man scrambling slowly through the almost impenetrable crowd, with a rusty gown thrown over his shoulders. His face was plain and discoloured. When, after great labour, the Doctor came close to where I stood, I looked upon him with scorn, and inwardly said," There is nothing in you; what a fool I have been to come to hear you. If I could get out, I would gladly do so; but it is useless to make the attempt."

Singing being ended, the Doctor began to speak in prayer; but oh, by God the Spirit, what holy freedom! oh, what near and sweet access to God the Father! and oh, what savoury and unctuous power from Jesus rested upon him! Every sentence powerfully carried the soul out and up into the bosom of infinite love. And here I must note by the way that, notwithstanding the crowd was so great, and the position of many, touching bodily ease, was far from comfortable, yet it was as if the silence of death reigned; all my scorn and displeasure vanished like the mist of the morning before the sun's spreading refulgent rays. How was I astonished at what I heard and what I felt; for, as in the days of old the people said of Jesus, so was I constrained to say of the Doctor, that he spoke as one having authority, and not as the letter-taught Scribes.

In prayer, there was no complimenting the Lord; there was no wording it towards the Lord as one at a distance, unto whom he was speaking, and upon whom he was calling. Oh no; he was not speaking to, but with the Lord. It was as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion. Oh, what heavenly unction! what free, close, and endearing communion with the eternal Three in God! Even to this distant day I am constrained to say of him that he was one of those elders unto whom was given the harp, the tongue of the learned, and golden vial full of odours—the new spirit— and the odours are the prayers of saints in that spirit. All with whom I had ever before bowed the knee were like criminals bowing before an austere judge; but the Doctor was a free man; bowing in the presence of, and realizing precious communion with, his Lord, Lover, Saviour, and Friend, Father, Son, and Spirit;

Prayer being ended, he opened his little Bible, and read Deut. xxxii. 9, 10: "For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye." Closing his Bible, the Doctor began his sermon; and his quotations of Scripture in confirmation of all his statements were numerous and very cogent, so that to me he seemed to be a living Concordance.

Well do I remember how he traced up the relation of the Lord's people to the Lord; how God the Father established His right and property in them as His portion (or, as the Doctor said, the Lord's part) by His everlasting choice of them in Christ, to and for Himself, quoting to confirm his statement, "For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure." He then pointed out that the Lord's people were not only His lot or part, but the lot of His inheritance—quoting, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance;" in which he proved that all relations which the Lord's people have to the Lord are founded upon God the Father's purpose in Christ Jesus according to election; so that His portion ever has been, and ever shall remain to be, by His own act made His portion, and the lot of His inheritance.

He then proceeded to show that these same people were made Christ's portion, and the lot of His inheritance, by the grace gift of God the Father. This Jesus had in His heart and eye when speaking in His prayer: "They were Thy portion, and the lot of Thy inheritance; and Thou gavest them to me, to be my lot, and the portion of mine inheritance." And here the Doctor did preciously and conspicuously unfold how Jesus removed all the judgments which stood against this given lot of His inheritance; which judgments prevented Him taking this inheritance into His own possession. But, by the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus became-entitled to the fulfilment of his Father's promise: "Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He hath poured out His soul unto death."

God the Father, by His love choice, established his right in and title to His people, as His own portion, and the lot of His inheritance; then, by a love gift to Jesus, established His root interest, or foundation right and property, in the same people. And Jesus, by love's service, took away all law judgments; as it is written, "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, 0 Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments; He hath cast out thine enemy; the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more."

Then the man of God in glowing terms set forth how God the Holy Ghost demonstrated His love communion interest in these same people as His people and the lot of His inheritance, in common with the Father and the Son, by seeking and finding them in a desert land, and in a waste howling wilderness— taking them into His own charge, and under His own care; leading them about, instructing them, and keeping them as the apple of His eye. Oh, how sweetly did those truths, proclaimed by the Doctor, suit my forlorn condition!

To this hour, in the eye and ear of my mind, I can see and hear him copiously pour out the precious streams of holy truth, which penetrated and sank into my parched soul like the descending rain into the thirsty earth.

Oh, the high and holy verities that were that morning unfolded to my wondering and adoring spirit! I saw, in the clearest visions of faith, the everlasting union of my soul, by the Father's love, unto Jesus; and my oneness with those chosen ones, redeemed out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. I that went into St. Ann's a poor, weary, sin-burdened, law-cursed outcast in my soul's feelings, left it glorying in a knowledge of interest in Eph. i. 3, 4.

While looking upon the Doctor, I saw the perspiration coursing down his face in streams; and to me there appeared around his head a heavenly halo, which led me to muse upon the shining of the face of Moses as he came down from the mount of communion with the Lord of hosts his God.

In his delivery there was singular gravity, and a commanding majesty corresponding with his subjects. There was a musical eloquence in his voice and words, like an instrument tuned and brought into harmonious concord with the living and life-giving truths he preached; and those truths touching the living chords of the regenerate life in the soul, caused them to go forth in the dance of them that are made merry.

I never heard the Doctor preach one single sermon but he would bring before his hearers the distinct acts of love, grace, and mercy of the Three in God, for, towards, and in the redeemed. He was not a nominal Trinitarian, insisting that there were three Persons by merely naming them; but he would point out and describe how in soul's experience their threefold personalities were manifest, demonstrated, and made known. All honour was given to God the Father in those multiplied acts of His everlasting love, taken up and pitched upon them whom He predestinated to the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ unto Himself, over and above that middle region act of His love, in giving His only begotten Son to be faith's object in dying, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. All honour was given to the Son, who completed the mighty task of doing, loving, and suffering; magnifying the law, and making it honourable; and restoring that which He took not away. All honour was given to the Holy Ghost, in His daily quickenings, renewings, and re-renewing; leadings, revealings, and witnessings; and establishing the souls of the household of faith in the truths of the everlasting Gospel, and in an assurance of interest in those everlasting truths.

In his gifts, qualifications, and labours in gathering and building up in the faith, the Doctor was a gift of no mean order to the Church; and one of those precious fruits of Christ by the Father's right hand, ascending to His right hand to give gifts to men for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints, until all come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Jehovah honoured Himself in the ministry of Dr. Hawker to a higher degree than was done in many of his coadjutors; and the more the Lord honoured Himself in him, the more Satan and men who had a name to live, but were dead, raved at him: yes, and belied him—ignorantly, if not wilfully.

The Doctor's station in the Establishment shielded him from his enemies accomplishing their designs and wishes in shutting him from his labours in Plymouth. Well does the writer remember with what warmth of thankfulness he made the following statement, and suiting the action-by stamping with his foot, he said, "The gentlemen who gave me this living, some years gone by, would now, if it was in their power, stamp upon my head as they would upon the head of a scorpion; but it is not in their power to remove me. Here you will see our advantage over all other denominations. If I were a dissenting minister, and did not preach the preaching which pleased the people, some lordly deacon would give me notice to quit my post; and, if I refused to obey, then the wealthy subscribers would withhold their subscriptions, and thus I should be starved out."

Upon one of the Doctor's visits to London, a poor woman had been so blessed under his ministry that she felt anxious for an interview, to make it known to him. Upon inquiry, she found that he was lodging with a gentleman at Clapham; and there she directed her steps. But when the poor creature came, and saw the large mansion, her heart failed, and she inly thought, " I shall not be allowed to see him; nor will such a fine gentleman condescend to speak with a poor woman like me." After passing forward and backward many times in front of the house, she put forth an effort and pulled the bell; but no sooner had this been done than she wished in heart the bell might not ring to be heard. In a few minutes after ringing, a servant in livery opened the gate, and demanded her business. She told him she wanted to be favoured to speak with Dr. Hawker. The poor woman was then ushered into a drawing-room elegantly furnished, there to wait for him. While this poor thing was waiting, she said, "I wish I had not come here; what presumption!" In the midst of her heart-saddening reverie, the Doctor walked into the room. The woman, in visible agitation, rose tremblingly; but he, with the sweetness of one whom the love of Christ constrained, said, " Do take your seat, my dear woman." He himself also sat down very near to her. This tender carriage of the Doctor removed much of the poor woman's timidity, and emboldened her to tell out the heartfelt joy she had been filled with under some of his discourses. After a long interview, in which the dear man of God did not, as is too much the case, deal with her haughtily, and put on the divinity doctor, but to the weak he became weak, the poor woman became emboldened to tell him how she was discouraged when she came and saw the large mansion, and was ushered into that princely drawing room. The Doctor listened to the artless statement, and, looking round upon the costly and elegant furniture, said in reply, "Ah, my dear sister, these things are not my glorious Lord; faith's views of the person and work, blood and righteousness of Jehovah Jesus, make all such things to sink into insignificance: their captivating power is a blank. To me such things are as so many nothings; while He, and He alone—Jesus, is the everything in my esteem."

RUJHAMAH.

WORDS TO THE BEREAVED, BY THE LATE DR. HAWKER

[quoted from "The Gospel magazine, and theological review. Ser. 5. Vol. 3, no. 1-July 1874"]

Plymouth, Feb. 26, 1810.

Dear Sir,—The Lord the Spirit, whose name is very sweetly made known by Christ to His body, the Church, as the Holy Ghost the Comforter, blessedly reveal Himself to your heart, and the heart of your dear daughter, under that endeared character, amidst the bereaving providence with which His wisdom, as well as his love, hath been pleased to visit yon.

Indeed, dear sir, your letter with the sad tidings of Mrs. Bowne's departure, received this morning, came wholly unexpected and unlooked for. I had not before heard of that dear friend's sickness; but I ought not to express myself on any event of death, as a matter either unexpected or unlooked for, in a dying world like ours, where the greater astonishment is, or ought to be, not that we die, but that we live. In relation to her flight into the world of spirits, whose absence hath made so great a breach in your heart and house, however painful the separation to you and dear Mrs. Rivers, on her account becomes a subject of thanksgiving and holy joy. This world is the worst place a child of God will ever dwell in; and had it not been so, the voice John heard from heaven would not have pronounced them " blessed which die in the Lord." It is blessed even here, amidst all the heartaches and headaches of a fallen state, to live in the Lord; and doubly blessed for all such to die in the Lord; and most " precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

I send this by way of saying that I sincerely sympathize with you and your mournful family on the present occasion; and, though absent in body, yet present in spirit, I mingle my grief with yours. But while I say this, I would say also with the Apostle, I pray you "to sorrow not as others which have no hope; for if we helieve that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him." Call to mind, dear sir, that your once-loved partner, though dear to you, is living with God. And the person of every one is where the spirit is, and that is with the Lord. One view of the unspeakable blessedness of that place will tend more, as it relates to her just departed, to dry up all tears than a thousand arguments addressed to nature's feelings. "They are (said one which could not be mistaken) before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light upon them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Dear sir, my prayers will accompany my letter, that He whose province alone it is to comfort His people, will graciously sanctify this event to you and to your dear daughter and your household; and, if God the Holy Ghost, by His blessed influences, glorifies to your and their view, the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and direct your hearts into the love of God, the Lord Himself will more than fill the vacancy made by dear Mrs. B.'s departure, and be your God and your glory, and your portion to live upon for ever.

I commend you to the Lord, and to all the tender bowels of Jesus, and remain, very truly yours in the Lord, Bobert Hawker.

TWO LETTERS, BY DR. HAWKER, RESPECTING The late Henry Fowler

[quoted from "The earthen vessel and Christian record & review, Volume 4"]

" ' Plymouth, Charles Vicarage, Oe. 5,1813. " '

Dear Sir,—Grace, mercy, and peace, be with you, and with the whole Israel of God.

"' In answer to your letter respecting Mr. Fowler, I can only say that I have long known him, and long loved him, because I verily believe he hath loved, and doth love my Lord and Master. And should it please the great Head of his church to employ him, that he may go in and out before you in the. ministry of the word, may the Lord who sends, bless his services, so that Jesus be glorified, the church edified, and his own soul refreshed.

" ' If he be with you give my love to him, and tell him that I hope and trust that he will go on to exalt Christ Jesus. And I beg you to tell him that as a faithful servant should honour a kind master, so 1 hope he will prove himself a faithful servant by honouring the Lord our righteousness: the best, the kindest, the most blessed, the most dear and precious of all masters. It is high treason to the Majesty of heaven, to preach anything but Jesus in his person, offices, character, and relations. And my poor prayers will follow my letter, that my dear Mr. Fowler will above all things honour him, whom Jehovah delighteth to honour: and that he will make the Lord Jesus what Jehovah hath made him, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the author and finisher of salvation.

" ' And if you will allow an old man hastening on the close of his poor ministry, to say a word to the church which is among you on the subject of your minister, I would say as Paul did, ' receive him in the Lord's name (not his own), and esteem him very highly in love for his works sake ;' pray for him, and pray with him. It is a blessed sign of good when the Holy Ghost sets his people to pray for a blessing on the labours of his servants. That blessing and that promise is as good as received which God the Spirit teacheth the faithful to ask in prayer. My poor soul hath found, yea, often found, the Lord's blessings in answer to his people's prayers. And you will find a fulness of blessing from the Lord's blessings on his ministry to your hearts, when the Lord hath enabled you to hold him up to the Lord, in seeking by prayer his grace upon him.
" ' I commend both you, the church, and him, the church's minister, to the Lord for blessing; and pray the glorious Head to bless both together, to his glory and your joy in the Lord.
" 'Thisfromtheunworthiestofhisservants, "'

Your's in the Lord Jesus,
"'robert Hawker.'


" ' Plymouth, Oct. 27, 1813.

" ' Dear Sir,—I beg to make a tenderof my christian love and affection to you, and the church of God which is with you, praying that all grace may abound in the covenant faithfulness of God our Father, through the dear Son of his love, by the blessed influence of God the Holy Ghost.
" ' Indeed, indeed, I thank the church of God with whom you are one, in that you so kindly and affectionately received my poor letter. It was written (if I know anything of my own heart), in the brotherly love of one that desires (at least) to love the precious name of our dear Lord exalted and extolled, and to be very high. And where Christ and his cause are concerned, there would I feel all that Paul felt, when to the church of the Thessalonians he said, he was so affectionately desirous concerning the people that he would have imparted unto them not the gospel of God only, but also (said he) our own souls, because ye were dear to us. And surely all that a faithful servant of such a master as Jesus is, all he hath, and all he is, and by every way, and in every thing, his one, yea, his only object is, and ought to be, how to promote his Lord's glory in hii church's happiness. And though I know not what I wrote to you on the occasion for which you wrote to me, yet certain I am the whole tendency of my letter must have been to this purpose: let the Lord Jesus and his cause be glorified, and it matters not by what instrument, or by what form of words.

" ' I pray you, therefore, my dear brother in the Lord, tell the church which is with you, how very highly I prize their affectionate acceptance of my letter. But having said this, there let it rest. Kindly as you all have read it, it cannot be fit for print. It was written in the moment of your question, and no further. Besides, though I have a very high regard for dear Mr. Fowler, and have said no more of him than I believe, yet it would not be suitable or becoming in me to send forth his character (according to my views) to the world. The Lord grant that he may be found faithful, and may my God, (if it be for his glory), bless you and him together. And if the sweet savour of Jesus, in his person, grace, and favour, be among you, the account of this, from time to time, will be more refreshing to my soul, than though my poor letter was framed in gold. Be assured, my dear friend in the Lord, that my poor "prayers will follow Mr. Fowler to Birmingham, and go up before the mercyseat for you, and him, as oft as I think of you all, that Jesus' love may cement yon, and cause great soul prosperity among you : and like the flock of Christ coming up from the washing, every one may bear twins, and none be found barren among you.—Song iv. 2.

" ' I beg you to give my brotherly love to your pastor; and once more say to him, from me, that as my Lord and his Lord hath advanced him to great honour, he and I ought to seek increasing grace from the Lord, to reflect all that honour back again with great thankfulness to the Lord. It matters not what becomes of such poor worms as we are, provided Jesus is glorified; and the souls of Christ's people are precious to our Lord, yea, very precious ; so ought they (and so will they, I trust,) be very precious to us also. And do tell my brother to be looking out for opposition from without, in proportion as the Lord Jesus makes him useful within. The servants most employed by Jesus will be sure to have most of the devil's grudge; and especially if Jesus employs them in soul comforting and soul-strengthening his people. The more Jesus smiles on them, the more hell will frown. But it is Jesus who must bear up and bear through all opposition ; this is his work, and not our's; and his is the glory to make more than conquerors all his redeemed, while going on as one is described, Psalm lxxi. 13, 14,15, 16; and always on the look out, as another is represented, 2 Timothy iv. 5, 6, 7, 8.
" ' Brethren ! the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

" ' Your's, in the best of all bonds in Jesus,
"' Robert Hawker.' "

A LETTER BY DR. HAWKER TO A CLERGYMAN

[quoted from "The Gospel Standard" Vol. 21 1855]

A LETTER BY DR. HAWKER TO A CLERGYMAN.

My very dear Sir,—If I were to attempt the description of the effect which the perusal of your letter produced on my mind, I should fall miserably short and defective in the account, and leave you still uninformed of what hath been the real state of the case. I do assure you, my dear Sir, that before I had read five lines, in that part of it which speaks of the change wrought in your soul, it occasioned a sensation which thrilled through all my frame; and while I uttered an involuntary exclamation, in which gratitude, holy joy, and, I trust, an humbleness of devout feeling, accompanied with tears, were all blended, I could not but look round the place where I was with an awakened imagination, as if to realize, in a more immediate manner, the presence of that wonder-working God, who doeth all things according to the purposes of his own Divine will. Oh ! my dear Sir, and is it really so, that he who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in your heart, to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ ? What an endless subject of gratitude have we both to pay, and how may we exclaim, in the language of Scripture, " What hath God imovxjhif You know but in part, as yet, the infinite goodness and condescension of God in the appointment and accomplishment of so much mercy. You are looking only, I know, to yourself in the event, and naturally enough are lost in the contemplation of such undeserved favor. But I am compelled to take in another consideration, to me much more astonishing, and sufficient to fill any heart but mine with neverceasing gratitude. That God should call his people to his love, and by instruments of feebleness, to whom he gives strength, is indeed a subject of holy admiration and joy, and only ascribable to the effect of his distinguishing grace. But when he condescends to go lower even than this, and instead of faithful servants in his ministry, to make use of the vilest and most unworthy, and single them out, to accomplish the purposes of his will: what a contemplation opens here, to call up the most animated thanksgiving ! May the bountiful Giver of such blessings still impart this grace, that neither you nor I may ever cease to improve them. I am now doubly interested, more than ever, in your furtherance in the gospel, and cannot but feel an awakened concern for your highest attainments m it. You have afforded me more real happiness in the communication of this gracious event, than though you had the power, and were disposed to exercise it, of conferring upon me an empire. It will, I trust in God, be my encouragement in the darkest hour, and animate me in the glorious service of Jesus, when the season seems to be most unpromising. Let it have the same effect, I pray, on you. Consider who it is that sends; who gives the power; and who hath promised that his strength is perfected in weakness. The difference of human talents is therefore wholly lost in this charming consideration. For it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God, who showeth mercy. You request information what books I would recommend you to use. In answer, I would say that the book of books is the Word of God. And if (as I am persuaded you now will, my dear brother) you look up to him, who is the Spirit of truth, and implore his grace to guide and instruct you, he alone will be sufficient to make you wise unto salvation, and to make you that you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, as collateral helps have been sometimes blessed to the promotion of godliness, I would subjoin all tracts which are perfectly orthodox, and treat of vital experimental piety. I have found the writings of Dr. Watts, Doddridge, and Gill, to be eminently useful. I confess they are all dissenters, but I bless God I have long learned not to be prejudiced against them. Tt has been a maxim with me, which I see no reason to alter, never to refuse instruction wherever I can conscientiously obtain it. A pearl is a pearl still, though found in a iEthiop's ear. I hope frequently to hear from you, my dear Sir, and more frequently to meet in prayer at the throne of grace. We need, I am sure, each other's prayers; and let us see which can be most bountiful in this invaluable friendship. Remember we have both the same Almighty Saviour and Intercessor to look up to, whom the Father heareth alway; and since we need the aid of his grace so constantly, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. My mind will be very frequently with you, particularly on the Lord's day. I already begin to frame to myself seals to your ministry. Oh ! what a joy will it be to my heart (should the Lord once more permit me to see you at Falmouth), to find many souls begotten to God through your instrumentality ! That the Lord may bless you abundantly in the service of his dear Son, is the very earnest prayer of your affectionate, but most unworthy brother in Christ,

Looe, Sept. 9, 1795. ROBERT HAWKER.

A PASTORAL LETTER, Never before Published by Robert Hawker

[quoted from "The Gospel magazine, and theological review. Ser. 5. Vol. 3, no. 1-July 1874, pg. 38"]

A PASTORAL LETTER,

Never before Published, by the Rev. Dr. Hawker.

Plymouth, July 1, 1824.

The pastor, and the elders, with the whole elect church of God which are among you, at Chertsey, I desire to greet in the Lord ! Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from ihe Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father; through the rich anointings, and blessed influences, of God the Holy Ghost!

Brethren beloved of the Lord ! having heard that the glorious Head of his Church and people hath inclined your hearts, first to give your ownselves to the Lord ; and then unto the church, by the will of God, in forming a small community in your chapel of Mount Zion, by way of aid, under the unction of the Holy Spirit; to promote the welfare of the Gospel Tract Society, established in London, my soul is drawn towards you, as the Lord God of Israel is said to have drawn of old the men of the children of Napthali, and of the children of Zebulun, to Mount Tabor, for the deliverance of Israel then ; as the same Almighty Lord God of his Israel is doing by you now. And as the prophetess Deborah said on that occasion; so may I humbly, from the same well-grounded confidence, of help and strength from the wisdom that is wisdom that is from above, say on the present; is not the Lord gone before you ? Indeed, indeed, from the affinity of spirits which distinguish the redeemed and regenerated church of our most glorious Christ: knit together in the mystical fellowship of Christ's body, from their union with Christ, the one Almighty Head. I feel the sweet spiritual influence, and, like musical instruments strung to the same note, my soul vibrates with your's. And if the Lord preserves me in the body, to the evening of your meeting, at the seventh of the 5th instant, I shall be with you in spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. And if the Lord, which strung the harp of Deborah, graciously toucheth mine, the goings forth of my soul will be in language like hers, when she said," my heart is towards the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people : Bless ye the Lord."

And this communion of saints, (which next to communion with the Lord, and which ariseth out of communion from the Lord, is the sweetest of all spiritual enjoyments here below, during a life of faith,) I need not tell you, is the stated privilege of all the Lord's people. And wherefore should it be thought incredible, unless by carnal men, who know not the work of the Lord, nor the operations of his hands? Is it not one and the same Almighty Spirit which indites all prayers that are offered in faith ; which awakens all the praise that is framed in the spirit in love ; which directs the heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ ? And from hence, is it not clearly proved, to the spiritual apprehension of every regenerated child of God, that both in prayer and praise; and in all the numberless nameless enjoyments of the renewings of the Holy Ghost, shed upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. We can, and do testify to the concurring grace of the Holy Three in One, which bear record in heaven ; and set to our seal that God is true ? And is it not on this authority, attested both by sacred scripture, and in the living tablets of our hearts, that when the Spirit helpeth us in our infirmities, and as we know not what we should pray for as we ought, he it is that maketh intercessions for the saints according to the will of God ? Is it not also, on this very account, the church is said to have the mind of Christ; because the same Almighty Spirit which anointed Christ, and dwelleth in Christ—dwelleth in us, and maketh our bodies his temple ? And under all these assurances, which are both scriptural and spiritual, is it not certain, yea is it not one of the plainest, and most palpable truths, that however distant from each other, the Lord's people are in body, though self-elected in different countries or climes, yet from the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, are all united all alike to the one glorious Head ; and being adopted as children in Christ, by the God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in them all: they constitute the one body of Christ, and have spiritual union with each other, as members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

With these impressions from the Lord, I hail your assembly, in your proposed meeting; and having with you, first looked to Him for a blessing, who hath graciously promised that whenever two or three are gathered together in his name, there is He in the midst of them. I would humbly and affectionately address the meeting on the sacred and most interesting occa-sion for which they are congregated. I would say, Brethren ! in the formation of your society, according to the grace of God given unto you, see that as wise master builders, it is founded on the rock of ages—for other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is, Jesus Christ. Make Him, what Jehovah in his Trinity of Persons in covenant love, in the ancient settlements of eternity hath made Him, the Alpha and Omega—the first and the last—the author and finisher of salvation. Take heed, that from divine teaching, you have each for yourselves, a true, clear, scriptural, spiritual apprehension of the Person, of our most glorious Christ; for it can be only from the knowledge of his Person, that ye can have the knowledge of the infinite nature and efficacy of his salvation; that while the clear, scriptural, and spiritual apprehension of his Person becomes the firm, unchangeable, and everlasting object of your faith : the complete and finished salvation which he wrought, and the righteousness which he brought in, will be the steady and unshaken subject of your hope. And while through rich, free, and sovereign grace, the Lord giveth unto you such views of the essential and underived Godhead of his Person, which he hath in common with the Father and the Holy Ghost in his divine nature ; and the immaculate holiness of his human nature; and in the union of both: the infinite fulness and suitability in himself, as the surety of his people: settled and established in these glorious truths yourselves, you will, under the Lord's blessing, be made instruments to communicate the information of them to others also. And from the scriptural and spiritual apprehension of the Person of Ch/ist, which give validity and efficacy to the salvation by Chris^: you will, according to our Lord's own statement of thes>e blessed truths, arrive to the only way by which you can arrive to the personal knowledge of, and communion with, the whole Persons in the Godhead. For, as Jesus said himself; no man cometh unto the Father but by me : so, in the same Scripture, the Lord added ; if ye had known me ye should have known my Father also. And again ; he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. John xiv. 6—9. Hence, therefore, allow me to say once more, and the Lord who is present, stamp the divine truth with his Almighty emphasis on every mind : Brethren see to it, that the basis of your society is our most glorious Christ, the Rock of Ages ! And if the gracious Lord, in infinite love, and in infinite condescension, establish you to be thus formed on him, and cemented in him : in every part of the building, as you go on in your labors ; your hearts xcill.be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and Christ: in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I ihall not think it necessary to trespass further upon your time, and the indulgence you have granted me, in stating the several particulars by which you will find yourselves called upon to act, as an Auxiliary to the Parent Socjery. With these you can be furnished from the Original Institution. And from the publications which have been issued from thence (all which are of a complexion purely Gospel) you will at once conclude how far your exertions, in your own place and neighbourhood will tend in securing a blessing, to be helpful in gathering into Christ's fold, the sheep of the Great Shepherd, which he has scattered abroad. But while I presume not to direct on those points (they come not within my province) 1 venture to observe, how very delightful, as well as honorable, the service to which every member of your Auxiliary Society is called by the critical consequences of this day. My Brother! I would say to every individual among you, the humble employment in ministering to the heirs of Christ's kingdom, is what angels are emulous to be engaged in. We read that a multitude of the heavenly host posted down from heaven on the morning of Christ's birth, so be the first heralds of those good tidings of great joy. And if the Great Head of his Church should mercifully send one of you on his errands of grace, and from a means so apparently slender as a tract in your hand, given to one of his, should make the gift of it minister to the heart, to make some poor, dejected, sorrowful soul, wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus; what a source of consolatiou will arise therefrom to gladden the soul ? You, that in your own instance, know what it is to have ■passed from death to life, will best be able to appreciate the inexpressible mercy in others. What the man of Uz felt when delivering the poor from oppression, in the common providences of life, is but a faint resemblance to those finer feelings of the soul, when the Lord sends his messenger to any of his chosen ones, to be instrumental to their salvation by grace. Because I delivered (said Job) the poor that cried; and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him : the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing with joy. Brethren, the Lord he will bless and prosper you in your undertaking : and then blessed will be the day when, the Lord opened a way for the diffusion of his divine truth in Cherlsey.

Do not expect, that in the great undertaking which the Lord hath inclined you to embark in this day, that you will find a perpetual calm. The surface may appear unruffled, but shortly storms and tempests will arise. The Lord describes the opposers of his truth under the similitude of a troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked I It was the very distinguishing character which our adorable Lord gave as the criterion of the Gospel in his own day. Think not (said the Almighty speaker, who spake as never man spake) that I am come to send peace on earth : I came not to send peace, but a sword. And a Society like yours, whose professed object is, to humble the sinner and exalt Christ, is but little short to proclaim war against all the customs and manners of mankind. Look, therefore, for hostilities in every quarter ; and give a truce to none. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost commands by the Apostle) take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. And, while the colours of your little band have for their motto Christ, and Christ only, you will be as the Church was of old, beautiful as Tirzahf comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners.

One word more, dear brethren, beloved of the Lord ! 1 charge you, be as the Prophet on the watch tower, to see the goings of the Lord before you, and following you. One love token from the Lord; one whisper of divine favor, in blessing your labors to his people, will be more precious to all your society, who love our most glorious Christ in sincerity, than thousands of gold and silver. Farewell! The Lord Jehovah be in the midst to bless you. The blessings of Him from above, and from the deep that lieth beneath ! Blessings of the breasts of consolation in all spiritual blessings in time: and blessing-i from the womb of eternity in the everlasting covenant, ftom Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and for evermore.

Yours, dear Brethren in the Lord,
ROBERT HAWKER.

ABBA HYMN and AMEN HYMN by Robert Hawker

source
ABBA HYMN.
" Abba, Father," Lord, we call Thee,
Hallow'd name ! from day to day;
'Tis Thy children's right to know Thee;

None but children "Abba " say :
This high privilege we inherit,

First Thy gift, and then Christ's blood ;
God the Spirit with our spirit

Witnesseth we're sons of God.
" Abba, Father!" Lord, we call Thee.
Abba sounds through all our host.
All in heaven and earth adore Thee,

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Abba's love first gave us being,
When, in Christ, in that vast plan,
Abba chose the Church in Jesus,

Long before the world began.
Oh, what love the Father bore us !

Oh, how precious in His sight !
When He gave His Church to Jesus,

Jesus, His whole soul's delight !
Though our Adam-fall in nature
Seem'd to make e'en grace at stand

How to put us with the children,
How to give the goodly land:

But the plan Himself had formed,
Ere like sheep we went astray,

" They" said God, " shall call me Father, Nor from me shall turn away."
And the richest stores of pardon
God sets forth in Christ His Son, With the Spirit's grace to guide us—
Safe to bring His children home. "Abba, Father!" makes all certain,
E'en by word and oath and blood : Abba saith, "They are my people,"
And they say, "The Lord our God."

Hence, through all our changing seasons,
Trouble, sickness, sorrow, woe, Nothing changeth God's affection,
Abba's love shall bring us through. Soon shall all Thy blood-bought children
Round the throne their anthems raise, And, in songs of rich salvation,
Shout to Abba endless praise.

AMEN HYMN.
We bless Thee, O Thou great Amen,
Jehovah's pledge to sinful men,

Confirming all His word ;
No promises are doubtful then,
For all are yea and all Amen,

In Jesus Christ our Lord. Secured in this, the Church on high And all below unceasing cry,
Amen, Amen, Amen ! To Thee, O Lord, all praise is given, The loud response of earth and heaven,
All hail, Thou great Amen !
Sweet ordinance of God to bless
By Him, the Lord our Righteousness,
By Him I say again ;

This mighty Him makes all things sure,
Through life, in death, and evermore,
In Him, the great Amen !

Secured in this, the Church, etc.
O faithful Witness of our God,
Who came by water and by blood,

Proving the Holy One !
Thy record must for ever stand
Of life eternal from God's hand,

And all in Thee, His Son.
Secured in this, the Church, etc.
Sweetly Thy verilies we hear,
For God's Amen dispels all fear,

Thy faithfulness it proves ;
And while such grace for God is shown,
To God's Amen we add our own,

Our So be it He loves.
Secured in this, the Church, etc.

Ye saints of God, in age or youth,
Who swear by Him, the God of truth,

By Him I say again ;—
Make Him whom God hath made to you,
Your Alpha and Omega too ;

God's Christ is your Amen.
Secured in this, the Church, etc

Nor less above, ye heavenly host,
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Give praise through Him, with men ;
For of Him, through Him, by Him sure,
The Church shall glory evermore,

In Him, the great Amen.
Secured in this, the Church on high,
And all below unceasing cry,

Amen ! Amen ! Amen !
To Thee, O Lord, all praise is given,
The loud response of earth and heaven,—

All hail, Thou great Amen !

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Robert Hawker

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Robert Hawker, D. D. late Vicar of Charles, Plymouth. By the Rev. John Williams, D.D. of Slroud, with Portrait, 8vo.

This long-anticipated Memoir has at length appeared; and we do not think that the public will be disappointed in the most sanguine expectations they may have formed of it. Dr. Williams has executed his voluntary task fearlessly, faithfully, and well. He has neither concealed nor attempted to palliate the high and bold but true doctrines which his friend advanced; neither has he shunned to declare his own adherence to them. He is sensible that this will bring upon him the frown and the sneer of the multitude; but desirous only that he may possess his Saviour's smile, and that his work may be instrumentally useful in cheering the humble followers of his Lord in their way to Zion, and anxious that the character of his departed friend may be placed in its true light, and vindicated from the calumnies of the nominal and cold-hearted professor—a fear of the world's scorn, or the world's obloquy has not caused him to draw back.

Is the enquiry made—why has Dr. Williams been selected, or why has he come forward to record the life of Dr. Hawker ? On page 2, is an unanswerable reason; and pleasant it is thus to see one to whom the deceased has been the beacon to warn him from the dangerous road he was pursuing, and the way mark to- point him to a brighter and a more enduring inheritance than this world's joy—to see such an one, when his guide hath passed to " the better land," recording the dangers, the sorrows, and the bliss which he experienced in his journey through the present.

Dr. Hawker it appears was born at Exeter, the son of a surgeon in that city, who died at the early age of thirty-six years, leaving this his only surviving child at the age of fourteen months to the care of his widowed mother; and well indeed did this bereaved parent execute the trust committed into her hands. At a suitable age, he was placed under an eminent surgeon, named White, resident at Plymouth, with the intention of bringing him up in the same profession as his father had followed. But the Lord's ways are not our ways; another and an higher employment was marked out for him : and after passing through various scenes which are touchingly recorded in this volume, he was ordained by the Bishop of Exeter, and quickly afterwards, at the age of thirty-five, he was nominated Curate to the parish of Charles; here, as Curate and Vicar, he continued and faithfully laboured, till removed by death. Other and lucrative offers were made to tempt him away from Charles ; but his answer to Mr. Polwhele, when foully attacked by that gentleman, seemed also the language of his reply to every applicant—" As Vicar of Charles, I am determined to live and to die !' And there he did die. There, lamented not only by the people of his charge, but by the inhabitants of other cities and of other lands, to whom his writings or his occasional visits had rendered his name dear, died Robert Hawker. Farewell, thou man of God! thy death is to the church of Christ a great and heavy loss; long will it be, we fear, ere another star of equal radiancy shall illume our path; but, God reigneth!—saints, let this be your consolation ; though one and another pass away, throughout all the bright luminary from whom they derive all their radiance and all their worth still shines, the Saviour still lives, and until every partaker of heaven's joy shall have left this earth, his love, and his smile, and a ray of his brightness will be upon it.

There are several letters scattered throughout this volume. On page 43, there is a delightful one written in his own inimitable style to his eldest daughter, Mrs. Hodson. Dr. Hawker surpassed all we know in the composition of letters. The language evidently came always warm from his own heart, and it passed to the heart of his correspondent with a thrill, and a consolation, and a joy. We say this from personal experience; doubtless there may be some insensible hearts deadened to this feeliug, and they have our pity.

We should have been happy to extract into our Magazine the dying scene of this departed saint. Dr. Williams describes it in glowing language. But it is too long ; we must therefore content ourselves with referring our readers to the volume, which altogether has our warmest approbation. At the end is Mr. Kent's elegy, which we were pleased to find. We had heard of it, but had never seen it; many of our readers may be like us in that particular; they will, we are sure, read it with much gratification.

Memoir of Robert Hawker

DEATH OF THE REV. DR. HAWKER.
(From the Devonport Telegraph of April 7, 1827.)

"On the eve of going to press, last night, we received the melancholy tidings of the decease of this venerable man and excellent divine, at his residence in this town, at ten minutes before eight. In common with, all the Christian world, we deplore his loss, for in him the Gospel had a warm and zealous advocate. He was a clear expounder of its doctrines, a consistent follower of its precepts; and it may be truly said of him, as of the Patriarchs of old, that he " walked before the Lord in the beauty of holiness," for his whole life was devoted to the practice of every Christian virtue. He was the founder of many charities; and in him the poor have lost a father. Benignant and affectionate to all, his death will be universally regretted. Dr. Hawker was in his 74th year, 50 years of which he had been the pastor of the parish. He returned from Totness yesterday, at three o'clock in the afternoon; he was then in a very exhausted state. His journey to that place was undertaken against the advice of his medical friends, but he requested so earnestly to be suffered to visit his daughter (Mrs. Ball), who resides in that town, perhaps with a presentiment that it would be his last, that, with the hope of benefit from change of scene, he was at length removed ; but when there he found his strength rapidly diminishing, and returned but just in time to breathe his last among those to whom he was ardently attached and who may truly say, that " a great man is fallen in Israel."