A sermon occasioned by the decease of John Howard, Esq. : preached in Little Wild-Street, near Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, March 21, 1790

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COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND
ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE

I

LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

■■■Ill

A

SERMON,

ON THE DEATH OF

r

J*t9 H N II O W A R D, Esq^.

[PRICE ONE SHILLING.]

SERMON,

OCCASIONED BY THE DECEASE OF

JOHN HOWARD, Esq^

PRE A CHIP IN

LITTLE WILD-STREET.

K E A R

LINCOLN' S-INN-FIELDS,
March 21, 1790.

By SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, STRAND 5 C. DILLY, POULTRY i

R. BISHOP, NEWPORT-STREET, LEICESTER-FIELDS j

AND T. KNOTT, LOMBARD-STREET.

M.DCC.XC.

TO THE

CHURCH and CONGREGATION

ASSEMBLING IN LITTLE WILD-STREET,
NEAR LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS,

THE FOLLOWING SERMON,

PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

IS,

WITH GREAT RESPECT,

INSCRIBED,

BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE

AND OBLIGED

HUMBLE SERVANT,

The AUTHOR.

Muswell-Hjll,
April 5, 1790.

SERMON, &>c.

kk9

Acts x. 38.
■—who went about doing good — -

IT is a fad providence that directs my at-
tention to thefe words — words fodefcriptive
of the character to which I mean to accom-
modate them, that the name of Howard
fcarce need be mentioned to inform you whom
I intend. To raife a monument to his me-
mory is not my objeft. It does not require
it, nor am I equal to the fervice. The obli-
gations however I owe to his friendship and
your edification, will not allow me to be filent.
His benevolent regards to this Chriftian So-
ciety; his regular attendance with us for

B manv

[ 2 ]

many years paft, as opportunity permitted ;
the fatisfadlion he expreffed in the word here
preached -, and the particular mare I had in
his affectionate efteem, are all considerations
which will I hope fecure me from the im-
putation of vanity, in thus taking notice of
fo public a character.

The words of our text were fpoken by the
Apoftle Peter to Cornelius, of our Lord
Jesus Christ. " God anointed him with
" the Holy Ghoft, and with power, fo that
" he went about doing good, and healing all
" that were opprefled of the Devil : for God
" was with him/' The two particulars I
mean to illuftrate and improve, are,

I. His Bufinefs, which was " doing good;"
and

II. The Diligence with which he purfued
it — " He went about'' doing good.

I. His Bufinefs. It was " doing good.

ft

He was a " Benefactor'7 to mankind. A title
affumed by one of the Egyptian Kings, how
juftly I will not enquire. But whatever good

offices

[ 3 1

offices a Ptolemy Euergetes might perform, his
character is not to be mentioned at the fame
time with that of our Lord Jefus Chrift. He
is indeed Jesus the Benefactor. Not to
(beak here of the grand object of his appearance
in oar world, the offering his life a facrifice of
fin : how benevolently was he employed
during his pilgrimage on earth ! u He went
about doing good" — good, both to the Souls and
the Bodies of men. To the latter indeed our
text principally refers. And though it in-
stances only one fpecies of good he did, that of
" healing them who were oppreffed of the
Devil ;" yet the phrafe itielf comprehends all
pollible ways of being beneficial to mankind.
And the inftance here mentioned plainly inti-
mates, as feme have obferved, that he who took
fuch pains to refcue the bodies of men from
the power and pofTeflion of the devil, would
not fuffer their fouls to remain under his
dominion. He <c did good" then both to their
Souls and their Bodies,

First, To their Souls.

This he did by his public preaching, and
his private inftrudtions. He fet himfelf to
oppofe the paffions of depraved nature, and

B 2. the

r 4 j

the prejudices arifing from the ignorance and
fuperftition of the times. He laid the axe
to the root of the tree, and refolutely com-
bated the abfurd and dangerous principles of
the Scribes and Pharifees, who fat in Mofes's
feat, and lorded it over the confciences of
men. He (hewed the fallacy of their reafon-
ings, and the evil tendency of their doctrines.
And knowing the fecrets of their hearts, he
warned men to beware of their hypocrify,
affirming that they -were " blind leaders of
the blind *." And while he thus attacked
the prevailing errors of the times, which had
confirmed men in ignorance and fin, he failed
not to give them juft apprehenfions of God,
his Law, the Sou/, the Way of life and fa/-
vation, Religion, and a Future fate.

The character of the bleffed God he placed
in its true light, by afcribing to him the
perfections of wifdom, juftice, holinefs, good-
nefs, and truth ; and by drawing out the
lively expreffions thereof in his own pure and
perfect example. •

The divine Law he refcued from thofe falfe
glories and abfurd interpretations, which had
been impofed upon it by wicked and defigning

* Matt. x\'. 14.

men;

[ 5 ]

men ; giving its true and genuine fenfe, and
explaining its fpirituality, extent, andauthority.

The Soul he affirmed to be immortal : and
whilft he afferted its dignity, importance, and
amenablenefs at the divine tribunal, gave a
ftriking picture of the fad ftate to which it is
reduced by fin ; laying open the ignorance,
pride, paffion, and iniquity of the human heart,
and infifting on the neceliityof a moral change,
or of the " New-birth *f"

All haughty pretences to merit he treated
with fovereign contempt, teaching men that
he alone was " the Mediator between God
and them -j-," that " none could come to God
with acceptance but by him J," and that " they
only who believed on him, the Saviour of the
World, fliould have life through him §."

Thenatureof Perfonnl Religion he explained,
and the obligations of Chriftians to it he en-
forced by the nobleft motives. The bleffings of
a peaceful confcience, and the pleafures remit-
ing from a hope of the divine favour, he let in
the moft engaging light. And while he recom-
mended the virtues of humility, faith, and
benevolence, with their genuine fruits, he

* Johniii.'3. t i Tim. ii.5. + John xiv, 6. § John ill - 36.

B 3 pointed

[ 6 ]

pointed to the Bleffed Spirit as the Author of
thefe heavenly gifts, and directed his followers
to look for them as the effect of his influence.

To qrown all, he gave the mofl plealing
and animated defcriptions of the felicity and
glory of heaven, and the ftrongeft affurances
of its certainty and everlafting duration. —
Such was the doctrine our Saviour taught,
ever accompanied with the cleareft reafoning,
the moit forcible arguments, and the warmeft
per fua lions.

Itisalfo ohfervable of his inftructions, that
they were fo conducted as to the feafpn, man-
ner, and other circumftances of them, as
beft to attain the end he had always in view
of " doing good." He taught both publicly
and privately, at home and abroad, in the
temple and the iynagogues, in the city and
the defart. He took occaiionfrom the com-
mon occurrences of life to engage die atten-
tion of men to the great truths of religion, and
to fix a deep impreffion of their importance
upon their hearts. He addrelfed himfelf to
the different characters, paflions, and con-
ditions of his hearers. The ignorant he
taught with gentlenefs and forbearance, pity-
ing

{ 7 J

ing their prejudices, and condescending to
their weakneiTes. The diftreffed he comforted,
like a companionate phylician, healing the
brokenhearted, and pouring oil and wine into
the wounds of the bleeding confcience, The
proud and felf-confident oppofer he reproved
with feafonable freedom, and juft fe verity.
Nor would the peculiar affection he bare to
his own difciples, fuffer him to foothe their
irregular paflions, or palliate their criminal
miftakes. As occaiion was, he reprehended
or he pitied them, he exhorted or he com-
forted them, he cenfured or he applauded
them. And his inftrudcions he cloathed with
fuch language, figures, and parables ; and
uttered them with fuch a voice and gefture,
as were beft adapted to convey them with
clearnefs and energy to the mind and con-
fcience.— Thus did our divine Saviour, in
every poffible v/ay, ferve the interefts of the
immortal fouls of men* Which leads me to
fpeak,

Q

econdly, Of his " doing good" to their

Bodies.

Their temporal .in terefts, every fpecies of
which I include in this phrafe, were an obje£t

B 4 he

[ 8 ]

he did not deem unworthy of his attention.
As he was not himfelf a ftranger to poverty
and affiiftion, fo neither was he inieniible of
the miferies of others. So far from it, that
he is faid to have " borne their griefs and
carried their forrows * :'; and " he came not
to be miniftered to, but to minifter -j»/J

How much he was concerned for the civil
interefts of his native country, appears from
the tears he fried over jerufalem, while he
looked forward to the dreadful calamities that
were coming upon it. The offices too of
private friendfLip he performed with the
greateft chearfulnefs, as is evident from the
provident care he took of his difciples, whom
he confidered as his family, and the affectionate
farewel he gave them at iaft. And of the
good he did to individuals of every rank and
condition where he came, the inftances are
innumerable.

He was himfelf poor, and fo had little of
this world's good to diftribute to the needy.
Yet what he had he freely communicated to

* Ifa. liii. 4. t Matt. xx. 28,

them 4

[ 9 ]

them; and the widow, the orphan, and the
ftranger all fhared of his bounty. Having
no other way to provide for a large multitude
that followed him into the wildernefs, and
were almoft fpent with hunger, he miracu-
lously multiplied a few fmall loaves and fifhes,
and fo kindly fupplied the cravings of animal
nature #, The fick he healed, The cries of
tender parents for their children, of mailers
for their fervants, of the humane ior their
afflicted friends and neighbours, he heard and
anfwered. He gave eyes to the blind, ears to
the deaf, and feet to the lame. The hungry
he fed, and the naked he cloathcd. Little
children received his benediction, and " the
bleffing of thoufands that were ready to perifh
came upon him *f%,: By his prefence, houfes
hung round with forrow and mourning, were
rnade chearful and happy. The widow of
Nain, through his tender compafnon, had her
only fon reftored to life, and given back to her
embraces J; and Martha and Mary their be-
loved brother Lazarus §,

* John vi. 5 — 14, f Job xxix. 13. t Lukevii. 11 — 17.
(j John xi. 1 — 46.

In

±n fhort, every place he vifited had fome
monument of gratitude to raife to his libe-
rality. And his difciples long after, well
remembered what he was ufed to fay,
with heart-felt pleafure and delight, " It
is better to give than receive *." The
favorite maxim this by which he governed
his life, and which he found means to prac-
tife amidft all the poverty and mifery he en-
dured.— Thus have we taken a general view
of " the good he did both to the Bodies and
Souls of men." — And now let us fee,

II. With what attention and diligence he
pet formed this the great bufinefs of his life.
— " He went about" doing good.

Such was his conftant, unwearied, and moil
delightful employment. He coniidered it as
his proper work, juft as men do the follow-
ing their feveral trades and occupations of life.
— So he calls it " his Father's bufinefs."
" Wot ye not that I was about my Father's
bufinefs -fr" — And " the work which was
given him to dot." To do the will of God
was " his meat and drink § ;" as natural to him,

* Ads xx. 3 r . + Luke ii. 49. J John xvii. 4.

5 John iv. 34»

as

[ « ]

as it is to men in common to gratify their
fenfes. And that it was thus his object will
appear, if you confider thefe three things,
manifeftly included in the expreilion of "going
about" to do good,— the Wide Extent of his
labors — the Pains which of neceflity mult
attend his work— and his Perfeverance
therein.

First, As to the Wide Extent of his la-
bors.

He did not move in a narrow fphere. His
aim of doing good was not confined to his
own proper family, to his neighbourhood, to
the town where he lived, or to the villages
round about it, no nor to Judaea itfelf. It
was not confined to his immediate difciples,
or to his own party, as they were perhaps
called ; no nor to the Jews themfelves. He
did good to all forts of men, high and lew,
rich and poor, young and old, perfons of every
defcription. "He went about" doing good. He
did not flay at home, and receive all that came
to him, as Paul was obliged to do at Rome,
in his own hired houfe. But he went abroad,
went wherefoever he wras fent for, or where

there

[ « ]

there was any proipect of doing good. Some-
times he is feen in the city, and fometimes in
the wildernefs ; fometimes in the towns and
villages, and fometimes in the fields and by
the way-fide : now in Galilee, then in Judaea.

Secondly. The Pains and Fatigues too
attending his work were very great.

His conftitution was probably as tender, and
as fufceptible of languor and wearinefs as that
of the moft delicate. This however was no
temptation to him to floth and indulgence.
Urged by a vehement defire of doing good,
he is forgetful of himfelf, and indifferent to
thofe precautions which would be generally
thought prudent. Hunger, thirft, and cold,
he willingly fuffers to accomplifh his defigns.
Hazardous and fatiguing journeys he takes to
compafs the ends of his miniftry. Some-
times we fee him fitting on the fide of a well,
and afking a little water to quench his thirft*.
And again, entering a village where the in-
hofpitable inhabitants refufe him any enter-
tainment. " The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air nefts : but the Son of man

* John iv. 6, 7.

hath

[ *3 I

hath not where to lay his head *," yet none
of thefe things difcourage him.

Nor does his love of folitude, which muft
have been peculiarly grateful to him who had
in himfelf fuch fources of divine entertain-
ment, divert him from his grand object. If
he may but do good he is content to live in a
croud. Nor is he difcouraged by the oppo-
sition he meets with. Nothing is fo great a
trial to a good man, as to be traduced for a
defigning hypocrite, and reprefented as aiming
at popularity, or fomething worfe. So our
Lord was treated. Yet this cruel treatment
does not provoke him to defift from his at-
tempts to do good; no nor the bafe ingra-
titude of many who received favours at his
indulgent hands. — Once more,

Thirdly. The phrafe intimates his Con-
jlancy and Perfevera?zce in this his delightful
employment.

He did not in one or two inftances only do
good. He did not upon a few occafions only
exert himfelf for the good of his family, his

* Matt. viii. 20.

neigh-

[ *4 ]

neighbourhood, his friends, or his country.
It was not in his early days only that he was
thus employed, or when incited to duty by
fome fair opportunity that offered. To
do eood was the buiinefs of his whole life.
At twelve years of age he was doing good in
the temple *, and the very la ft- day of his life
he was employed in the fame work. His
zeal never abated, nor did his buiinefs fuffer
any the leaft intermiffion. " I have finifhed
the work/3 fays he when he came to die,
" which thou ggtveft me to do -f."

Thus have you the out-lines of our Saviour's
moftperfed and amiable character — a character
which never was or can be equalled. " He
went about doing good/' and acquitted himfelf
with entire fatisfadion to his divine Father,
and the requifitions of his holy law.

Let us now coniider the Inftrudion which
this pleafing fubjed affords.

First. This view of our Saviour's cha-
rader lhoukt excite in our breafts the warmeft

* Luke ii. 96. t John xvii. 4.

love

[ *S I

love to him, and the firmefl confidence in
him.

Can we have fo fair a pattern before our
eves without beins; enamoured with it?
efpecially when we reflect that to this zeal
and diligence of his we owe our hope of ever-
lafHng life. It was not only in obedience to
his Father's commands, but to gratify his own
ardent defires for our welfare, as well as that of
his immediate difciples, that he thus wxnt
about doing good. From his toils and la-
bours we derive bleffings of infinite value.
He has by thefe means laid open to our view
the immeafurable grace and compaffion of his
heart; given us the moll ftriking idea of the
divine character ; provided effectually for our
forgivenefs, acceptance, and falvation • and fet
us an example the moft engaging — the moil
animating. Behold the Son of God thus
<c going about doing good," thus providing for
the happinefs of myriads of rational creatures,
and fecuring to them joys the moft refined and
that know no end. And then fay, Whether
he is not worthy of our highefl love and moil
chearful obedience. — Nor can there remain

the

C 16 ]

the leaft ground to fufpeft either his €< dbi*
lity9 or his willingnefs > to fave them to the ut-
termoft that come unto God by him*/' after
his having given fuch proofs of the perfection
of his character, and the benevolence of his
heart.

Secondly. In this mirrotir of our Savi-
our's example we have a clear and humbling
view of our own defects. His pattern juftly
upbraids the fin and folly of all. " He went
about doing good."

•

But ah ! how many are there, on the con-
trary, who go about doing evil ? like their
father the devil, " who, as a roaring lion,
walketh about feeking whom he may de-
vour f." — Doing evil to God, trampling
under foot his righteous law, and cafting
contempt upon the gracious propofals of his
gofpel. Doing evil to their fellow-crea-
tures, to their reputation, fubftance, and per-
fons. And doing evil to themfelves, laying
violent hands on their immortal fouls, " mak-
ing a mock at fin %" and " cafting about

* Heb. vii. 25. t 1 Pet. v. 8. J Prov. xiv. 9.

1 fire-

C *7 1

fire-brands, arrows, and death, faying they are
in fport*." — And not only do evil, but " go
about" to do evil; confider it their bufinefs,
" make pravifion for the flefh to fulfil the
lufts thereof "j-j" and " not only do thefe
things," but, as the apoftle expreffes it, " have
pleafure in thofe that do them J." How
deplorable thefe characters !

Others there are who think it enough if
they abftain from grofs fins, and doing no
one any harm, take it for granted they may
be excufed doing any good. But fuch men,
while fheltering themfelves under the fond
notion of innocence, aft in diredl oppofition
to their own reafon ; fince the fame law that
requires them to abftain from vice, requires
them alfo to do good. To men of this
character I would fay, — Behold, I befeech
you, in the mirrour of the Saviour's life, your
own lamentable defects; and fo be convinced
of the neceffity, on the one hand, of that
provifion he has made for the pardon and
acceptance of the penitent finner; and on
the other, of new views, difpofitions, and

* Prov. xxvi. j 8, 19. f Rom. xiii. 14.. % Rom. i. 32.

C affwdtions

[ i8 ]

affections to conftitute you his difciples, and
engage you to the imitation of his example.

Others indeed are fenfible, in a degree at
leaft, of their obligations not only to preferve
fober characters, but alfo td^do good : yet,
alas ! while faintly attempting it, they con-
fidently build their hopes on their fuppofed
merit. They go about, or rather feem to go
about, doing good, and therefore think they
have a claim to the rewards of heaven, on the
ground of ftrict equity. But let fuch men
compare their works with thofe of Chrift,
and they will fee fuch deficiencies in them, as
muft, unlefs extravagant ftupidity prevent,
ftrike them dumb in the prefence of a Being
who is omnifcient and all-perfect. — Again,

Another deception, no lefs fatal, is that of
thofe who, wholly taken up with fpeculations
in religion, and furioufly zealous in their con-
tention for the faith; are perfectly indifferent
to the great bufinefs of imitating the example
of Chrift. But what evidence does that man
give of the genuinenefs of his faith, who acts as
if he thought his zeal was to excufe him from
offices of love and obedience; and as if, becaufe
2 he

[ *9 ]

he ferved the king in his wars, as fome one
exprefles it, he is to be exempted from taxes ?
A due consideration of the life of Chrift,
every where propofed for our imitation, would
-make fuch pe-rfons aftumed of their preten-
fions to religion. — Once more,

While we thus behold our divine Matter
ever employed in doing good, the very beft
of us ft and reproved for our many failures in
duty. Alas ! how little good have we
done ! how little for the glory of God !
the honour of Chrift! and the real welfare of
our fellow-creatures ! Let lis therefore be
deeply humbled at the feet of divine Mercy,
look by faith to the crofs of Chrift, and fhed
penitential tears there for our ingratitude and
diiingenuity. And let us,

Thirdly. Be perfuaded to the imitation
of his moft excellent example.

To do good is thenobleft employment we can
be engaged in : nor is there a Chriftian living
who has it not in his power to do good. If then
we have abilities, though but in the fmalleft de-
gree, for inftrucling others, let us chearfully
ufe them to that end. " Let him that hath

C 2 the

[ 20 j

the gift of teaching, wait on teaching ; or of
exhorting, on exhortation *." Be our ftations
in life what they may, whether public or
private, let us cherifh in our bofoms the
amiable graces of humility, meeknefs, con-
tentment, and benevolence; and by the
genuine expreffions of thofe graces in our
lives, allure others to the imitation of our
example, and fo do them good. Particular! y
by ads of charity, if bleffed with wealth, let
us diffufe happinefs among the poor, and
animate thofe of the fame rank with ourfelves
to the like kind offices. Let us feed the hungry,
cloath the naked, vifit the lick, and take under
our patronage the oppreffed and the friendlefs,
the widow and the orphan. And to our en-
deavours for the good of others, let us add our
fervent prayers to God for his blemng. Thus
let us become the friends and benefactors of
mankind.

To animate us to our duty, let it be re-
membered, that while we are doing good, we
are imitating the example of the bleflcd God.
" He is good to all, and his tender mercies
are over all his works -j-." O how various,

* Rona. xii. 7, 8. t Pfal. cxlv. 9.

how

[ 21 ]

how numerous, how prodigious are the ex-
preffions of his bounty ! And how great
muft the honour be to refemble him, the beft
of all Beings ! " Be ye therefore followers of
God, brethren, as dear children *."

By doing good we imitate the example of
Chrift, And when to the dignity of his
character, we add the obligations we owe to
his friendihip in dying for us, how powerful,
how irrefiftible is the motive to do as he did !
O think, Chriftian, on the one hand, of the
immenfe value of your foul, the miferies to
which your guilt had expofed you, and the
glory to which you ftand entitled in heaven;
and think, on the other, of the painful fer-
vices your divine Saviour performed, and the
bitter furferings he endured, to redeem you
from death and hell, and to make you the heir
of immortal blifs : think of all this, and then
fay, Whether you are not bound by every pof-
fible obligation to imitate the example of fuch
a Friend ?

There is alfo the higheft pleafure, to a
renewed mind, in this God-like employ-

* Ephef. v. r.

C 3 ment

I 22 ]

ment of doing good. Is he a happy man
whole only object is, to guard again ft tem-
poral evils and to gratify his animal appe-
tites ? O ! no. Rightly inftrufted in our
relation to God and one another, the noble ft
fenfations we can poilibly feel, are thofe
which arife from a perfuaiion of his favour,
and the recollection of having; contributed to
the happinefs of our fellow-creatures. How
earneftly did the apoftle exhort the Ephefians
to remember the words of Chrift ! " how he
faid, it is more blcffed to give than to re-

ceive *.

Let me add the animating confideration of
the infinitely glorious rewards of a future ftate.
Yes, Chriftian, the blefied Jefus, who him-
felf went about doing good, will not fail, on
the great day of account, to acknowledge your
fervices performed in obedience to his com-
mands, and from a grateful fenfe of your ob-
ligations to his grace. With what ufrUtter*-
able joy will you hear him fay, in the prefence
of angels and men ! " I was an hungred, and
ye gave me meat : I was thirfty, and ye gave
me drink : I was a ftranger, and ye took me in :

* Ads xx. 35.

naked,

E 23 3

naked, and ye clothed me : I was lick, and ye
vifited me : I was in prifon, and ye came unto
me *." " Well done, good and faithful fer-
vant ! enter thou into the joy of the Lord -j-;"

But there is one further confideration
to animate us to our duty, and that is, the
example of men eminent for their benevo-
lence and piety. Such an example I have
now to hold up to your view. A pattern
which is not, indeed, to be copied, in many
particulars of it, as few have ability and op-
portunity for the exertions of fo diftinguifhed
a character. The confideration of it may,
however, have a happy effect to engage us,
in our little circles, to put out all our
ftrength in the fervice of God and our fellow-
creatures.

Permit me then to give youfome general ac-
count of this extraordinary man, and then relate
a few hiftorical facts concerning him, which
wrill eflablifh what has been faid of his cha-
racter, and make impreiTions on our minds
fuited to the prefent occafion.

* Matth. xxv. 35 — 39. + Matth. xxv. 21.

' C 4 I (hall

[ 24 ]
I fhall not take up your time with the
particulars of his birth, education, and for-
tune. The advantages of this kind with
which Providence indulged him, and of which
he was truly fenfible, were, of trifling con-
fideration, when brought into view with thofe
perfonal endowments, natural and religious, by
which he was diftinguifhed from moft other
characters.

He poffefled a clear underftanding and a
found judgment, which were enriched and
improved by a variety of ufeful knowledge.
And as he had a tafle for polite literature, fo
he was well verfed in moft of the modern
languages, which he took no fmall pains to
acquire, that he might be the better enabled
to carry his benevolent purpofes into effect.
He had a juft idea of the civil and religious
rights of mankind, accompanied with a true
fenfe of the worth, importance, and dignity of
man as a reafonable, focial, and immortal crea-
ture. And as no man had a more extenfive
knowledge of the world than he, having con-
verfed with perfonages of the firft rank in life,
and with thofe in the meaneft ftationsj with
characters eminent for virtue and piety, and

the

[ *5 ]

the mofl abandoned and wretched ; fo no man
was more fully perfuaded than he of the
univerfal depravity of human nature. With
the difcernment both of a Philofopher and a
Chriftian he entered into the principles,
maxims, and views of men of all ranks and
conditions of life ; and knew how to apply
the knowledge he thus acquired to the moft
important purpofes.

His moral endowments wrere perhaps more
extraordinary than thofe juft mentioned. Here
he ihone with diftinguifhed luftre. The two
virtues of Fortitude and Humanity were the
prominent features in his countenance. Nor
could his modefty conceal them from the
public eye, no not from the view of all Europe.
They were interwoven with his nature, and
always acted in unifon with each other.

Such was the Firmnefs of bis Mind that no
danger could deter him from his duty — not
the painful fatigues of long and hazardous
journies — not the perils of feas infefted with
mercilefs barbarians — not the loathfome in-
fection of dungeons — not the dread of affaffi-
nation bv the hands of mifcreants, who draw

their

[ 26 ]

their gains from the vitals of thofe committed
to their cuftody — nor the apprehenfion of the
plague in a fhip with a foul bill, and in the
confinement of a Lazaretto — no danger how-
ever formidable could (hake his refolution.
'{ Having made up his mind to his duty/' as
he told me when expreffing my apprehen lions
for his fafety, " he thrufted all confequences
" from his view, and was refolved to follow
" wherever Providence led.'1 And in a letter
I received from him, when juft embarking
on a dangerous ocean, with the profpect before
him of performing a forty-two days quaran-
taine, he thus expreffes himfelf, " I blefs God,
€* my calm fpirits and jleady refolution have not
" yet forfaken me"

He was fuperior too to the frowns and the
contempt of the envious and the avaricious,
who reprefented hirn as petulantly officious,
or extravagantly infane. Difappointments he
did meet with, and obftrudtions were thrown
in the way of fome of his benevolent plans.
But none of thefe things moved him. And
more than one inftance I might mention of his
afferting the caufe of the oppreffed, in the face
of a kind of oppofition which would makemoft
men tremble. — Nor on the other hand, could

the

[ 27 ]

the Sir en -long of eafe, indulgence, and plea-
fure, prevail on him when on the career of
duty and danger, in the leaft to relax his
painful exertions.

u Firm to the mall with chains himfelf he bound,
" Nor trufted virtue to th' enchanting found."

With this Roman fortitude was united un-
common Humanity. He felt for the miferies
of mankind in general. He felt for the miferies
of the opprelTed. Yea, he felt for the miferies
of the guilty, for he well remembered that we
are all guilty before God. Their diftrefies
exifted not in his imagination only, they were
realized to his eye, his ear, his touch. As
the Poet exprefles it, when fpeaking of him,

<; He quitted biifs that rural fcenes beftow,

iC To feek a nobler amidlt fcenes of woe,

u To traverfe feas, range kingdoms, and bring home

" Not the proud monuments of Greece cr Rome,

" But knowledge fuch as only dungeons teach,

" And only lympathy like his cou'd reach."

The number of prifons he viiited, at the
hazard of his health and life, it would be
difficult to collect. Nor did he flop at the
iron-gate of the moil: gloomy dungeon. He
entered thofe dreary man lions of filence and
darknefs, and, in fome inftances, of cruel

oppreffion ;

[ 28 J

oppreflion ; poured tears of commiferation on
the wretched inhabitant ; and with his own
hand miniftered affiftance, while his heart was
meditating plans of more general and effectual
relief. " 'The impreffions* lays he, which thefe
" fcenes of mifery made on my mind y no length of
" time can efface." It may therefore eafiiy
be imagined that, with a fenfibility peculiar to
himfelf, he affixed that expreffive motto to
his Book,

" Ah ! little think the gay

" Whom pleafurc, power, and affluence furround,
** How many pine in want and dungeon-glooms ;
u Shut from the common air." Thomson.

Here I might paint, but I mail rather leave
it to you to imagine, the extatic joy which
many groaning under oppreffion felt, at ftarting
into life and happinefs, through the interpo-
lation of this tlieir generous Patron ; and the
gratitude too, which even thole who juftly
fuffered imprifonment felt, for the alleviation
of their miferies by his kind offices.

His Di/interejtednefs alfo in thefe exertions
for the good of mankind, is deferving of our
particular notice. For befides the conlidera-
tion of the fatigues he endured, the dangers
to which he expofed his perfon, and the ex-
pence

t 29 ]

pence of various kinds he incurred, he well
knew the reports he made to the public would
afford difguft rather than entertainment, and
fo be read and regarded by few. He writ
therefore not for the amufement of the curious,
and could expert no applaufe from the un-
feeling. Indeed his objed; was the informa-
tion of Legiflature, of whom he fought, and
from whom, to his great fatisfaftion, he ob-
tained the redrefs of many evils he complained
of. €t As nothing , fays he, but a confcionfnefs
" of duty could have enabled me to go through
" all the dif agreeable fcenes which lay in my
" way, fo I had the happinefs of being placed
** out of the reach of other incitements J'

There is one more trait in his character
which muft not be overlooked, and that is
his Temperance, Such a maflery he obtained
over himfelf that a little food, and that chiefly
of the vegetable kind, fatisfied the demands
of nature -y and with one night's reft out of
three he could, for a long courfe of time,
purfue his journies. No conlideration could
prevail on him to partake of the luxuries of
the moft elegant table, or to allow himfelf
more reft than was abfolutely neceffary. Nor
yet was he influenced, in this kind of difcipline

he

[ 3° J
he obftrved, by cynical aufterity. Pie found
this mode of living moll: agreeable to his con-
ftitution,and bell qualified him for thofe active
exertions which were the pleafure of his life.

Such were the moral endowments of this
extraordinarv man — fuch his Fortitude, his Hu-
?nanity> his T)ijinterejle chiefs y and temperance. —
I go on now to fpeak of his religious character.

He was a firm believer of divine Revela-
tion. Nor was he alhamed of thofe truths
he heard Hated, explained, and enforced in
this place. He had made up his mind, as he
faid, upon his religious fentiments, and was
not to be moved from his ftedfaftnefs by
novel opinions obtruded on the world. Nor
did he content himfelf with a bare profeffion
of thefe divine truths. He entered into the
fpirit of the gofpel, felt its power, and tailed
its fweetnefs. You know, my friends, with
what ferioufnefs and devotion he attended, for
a long courfe of years, on the worlhip of God
among us. It would be fcarce decent for
me to repeat the affectionate things he
fays, in a letter writ me from a remote part
of the world, reflecting the iatislaction and
pleafure he had felt in the religious exercifes

of

t> 3

of this place. I fhall however be excufed,
if I juft obferve, that his hours of religious
retirement, whether on land or at fea, were
employed in reviewing the notes he had taken
of fermons delivered here. And " tbefe, adds
" he, are my Jongs in the htinfe of my pilgrimage \
" Ohy Sir, bow many fab baths have I ardently
' ' longed to fpend in Wild-free t ! — God in Cbriji
u is my Rock, the portion of my Soul J1

His Candour, as might naturally be ex-
pected in a man of his exemplary piety, was
great. As he fteadily adhered to his religious
principles, fo he abhorred bigotry. Having
met with difficulties in his enquiries after
truth, he knew how to make allowance for
thofe who met with the fame.

His a£ts of Charity to the poor were nu-
merous. "For though he was not oflentatious,
yet many of them could not be concealed.
Providence bleffed him with affluence ; but
all who knew him, know that nothing was
more oppofite to his difpoiition than the
heaping up wealth. His treafure was laid up
in heaven. His neighbourhood in Bedford-
fhire will bear witnefs to his gene'cfity ; and
many a poor family there will, I doubt not,

feci

feel deeply for the lofs of fo kind a Friend,
Nor were his charities confined to the circle
of his own manfion. " He went about," like
his divine Matter, " doing good/' Companion
excited, prudence guided, and obligingnefs
accompanied his benefactions. He well re-
membered what the benevolent Jefus was
ufed to fay when on earth, " It is more
bleffed to give than to receive." Few who
fought his affiftance were refufed, and many
obtained it without feeking it. The advance-
ment of the interefts of truth and religion,
was an object in his view mod important.
To the erecting of many a place of worfhip
did he liberally contribute. And with what
chearfulnefs he affifted in the building this
Houfe you need not be told. " He accounted
" it an honour, he faid, to join his name with
" yours "

Good men of every denomination he affec-
tionately loved. And while with a manly
firmnefs he afferted and maintained his own
religious fentiments, agreeably to the fenfe he
felt of their importance ; he was a good deal
hurt at every approach, in his apprehenfion,
towards a little, narrow, contracted ipirit in
matters of religion. Yet he was a Dijfenter
9 from

[ 33 ]
from the Eftablifhed Church on principle.
Nor was he aihamed to have it known to all
the world that this was his proferhon. He
well underflood the grounds of his Diffent,
nor could he on any confideration think it his
duty to take the facramental teft as a quali-
fication, either for enjoying any place of
honour and emolument, or ferving any burden-
fome office in the ftate. Called upon, how-
ever, to the latter, he did not avail himfelf
of this juft excufe for declining the fervice^
but refolutely undertook it, at the hazard of
incurring enormous pains and penalties, from
which nothing but a bill of indemnity could
fecure him.

Such was the Character of this excellent
man. " He went about doing good.'3 The
life of Chrift was the original, his the copy.
How nearly the latter refembled the former
you will judge from what has been faid. Nor
am I afraid you will charge the account given
of him with exaggeration. His character
was a very extraordinary one. It was how-
ever, not without its imperfections : nor
fhould I do him juftice were I to omit adding
that he was himfelf deeply fenfible of thofe
imperfections.

D X It

[ 34 ]

It remains that I mention a few hiftorical
facts, which will ferve to throw a further
light upon the character we have drawn, and
confirm the truth of what hath been faid.

In the year 1773 he was called upon to
ferve the office of Sheriff for the county of
Bedford. The prifons, of courfe, failing
under his infpection and management, he
became acquainted with fuch dlforders and
abufes, as failed not to excite his companionate
concern. He confidered that prifons, houfes
of correction excepted, were not meant for
punifhment but confinement. No man is in
the eye of the law guilty, till legally tried
and convicted. He therefore rightly con-
cluded that to fubject a perfon in this ftate to
any inconvenience, more than the neceffary
one of confinement, is unjuft; and to fuffer
him, when acquitted, to be loaded with ex-
orbitant fees, is cruel oppremon.

The utmoft pains therefore he immediately
took to effect a reform in the goals under his
own cuftody. This naturally led to the idea,
that what had happened in his own County,
might have happened alfo in other Counties.

He

[ 35 3

He therefore refolved to vifit the prifons of
neighbouring Shires. This he did, and his
fears being realized by the miferable fcenes
his eyes beheld, he extended his progrefs
further, and vifited the whole kingdom. The
information thus obtained, and which was
committed accurately to writing, he imme-
diately applied to the object he had in view.

In the year 1774 he was examined upon
this fubject before the Houfe of Commons,
when he had the honour of their thanks.
And foon after a Eill was brought in te for
the Relief of prifoners who mould be acquitted
— refpecting their fees ;" and another Bill
" for preferving the health of Prifoners, and
preventing the Goal-diftemper/' Thefe two
Acts which paffed that Seffion, he had printed
in a different character, and fent them to the
keeper of every County-Goal in England.
By thofe ABs, as he obferves, the tear was
wiped from many an eye ; and the Legiflature
had for them " the blefjings of many that were
ready to perifo" Thus had a Howard the
honour of pouring confolation into the afflicted
breaft ; and through him it might be faid,
i( God looked down from the height of his

D 2 fanctuary

[ 36 ]

ianctuary, to hear the groaning of the prifoner,
to loofe thofe that were appointed to death *.."

His views, upon this fuccefs, wrere quicklv
enlarged. He refolved to vifit the prifons in
foreign countries, not only to obtain relief
for the oppreffed, and a mitigation of miferies
to the diftreffed wherever he found them ;
but to procure fuch new information, as might
be necefiary to forward the reforms he had in
contemplation at home. His vifits were re-
peated, and fcarce a kingdom was there in
Europe which he did not traverfe.

He then extended his views ftill further,
and refolved to collecl: the rules, orders, and
drafts of the principal Lazarettos in Europe,
with the medical treatment of patients in the
plague ; in hopes by thefe means to fet on
foot fuch regulations, and bring forward fuch
meafures as, with the bleffing of God, might
prevent the future return of that calamity to
this country. So he travelled into Turkey,
and vifited himfelf one, if not more, who
was actually in that dreadful diforder, the

* Pf. cii. 1 8, 19.

diftant

[ 37 3

diftant apprehenfion of which has made many
a countenance turn pale.

To give you only a general account of his
well-laid plans, for alleviating the miferies of
the poor, for flopping the progrefs of vice,
for promoting induftry and virtue, and for
preventing the importation and fpread of in-
fectious difeafes, would carry me too far. I
muft therefore only add, that fuccefs has al-
ready, in a degree, attended his endeavours.
And it is to be hoped, that fuch a fuperftruc-
ture will, in time, be raifed on the foundation
he has laid, as will be of the greatcft utility to
this country ; and which, fhould he have ac-
cefs to the knowledge of it in the world above,
would, I am perfwaded, add to the joy his
benevolent heart there feels.

We have hinted before at the painful fa-
tigues he endured, the great expence he in-
curred, and the imminent dangers to which
he expofed himfelf in thus going about to do
good; and on this fubjedt I meant further to
enlarge, but muft deny myfelf this fatisfadion,
left I fhould trefpafs on your patience.

The

[ 38 ]

The attention which was paid to him by
the principal Perfonages in Europe, and which
he was fo far from courting, that, in fome
inftances, he abfolutely declined it; I fay,
this extraordinary attention of theirs, with the
peculiar circumftances that accompanied it,
fhews in what high eflimation his character
flood with the Public. Indeed, his modefly
muft not be paffed over without particular
•notice. His reply to one of the principal
officers of ftate in a great kingdom, upon
being told that, however he would not fuf-
fer a ftatue to be erected to him in his own
country, a ftatue would in the prifons of
that; I fay, his reply was memorable, and
marks the character of the man. " / have
" no objection, faid he, to its being erected where
it flail be invijible" And in a letter he fent
me from Turkey, fpeaking of this hajly mea-
fure, as he calls it, and his wijh that it might be
flopped, he adds, " Alas! our bejl performances
" have fuch a mixture of folly and Jin, that
" praife is vanity and prefumption, and pain to
" a thinking mind"

He fat out on his laft journey the begin-
ning of July, 1789. It was to have been
of great extent, and to have taken up the

com-

t 39 ]

compafs of about three years. I expoftulated
largely with him at parting, on the miftake of
fuffering himfelf, through an earneft defire of
doing good, to be precipitated beyond the
clear line of duty, which might poffibly be
fome times the cafe. He feemed to appre-
hend he mould fcarce fee this country again,
and when laft in this place, faid to a friend
near him, " Well! we fhall not perhaps meet
one another again till we meet in heaven"

What we feared Providence has permitted.
Howard is no more ! He died at Cher Jon *,
January the 20th, of a malignant fever, which
he caught by humanely vifiting a perfon in
that diforder ; to whom he adminiftered the
ufual medicine, but without effedl. The fame
medicine he took himfelf, which proving too
powerful for his conftitution, the fever carried
him off in ten days. He had the affiftance of
feveral Phyficians ; and great attention was
paid him by Prince Potemkin, who not only
fent him his own Phyfician, but vifited him
himfelf.

* A fettlement of the Emprefs of Rujfia, toward the
northern extremity of the Euxine or Black Sea, not far from
Oczakc-iv*

Thus

[ 4° ']
Thus fell this great and good man a
facrifice to humanity. The fad news
has touched the hearts of thoufands. His
country weeps. Who feels not on this
mournful occafion ? It is no weaknefs to feel
— to feel, when friendship and benevolence
receive fo great a ihock from the mercilefs
hand of death.

Submiffion, however, is our duty. May
furviving relatives patiently acquiefce in
fo very trying a providence ! And let us
all endeavour to compofe our minds to
this temper, by turning our attention from
the lofs we fuftain to the immenfe gain be has
acquired. w Blefled are the dead that die in
the Lord : they reft from their labours, and
their works follow them*. ': Yes, he hath
ceafed from his labours, and is now m the
perfect enjoyment of that freedom, health,
and happinefs he fo benevolently wifhed all
mankind to pofTefs :

— his weary foul he bathes

Jn feas of heavenly reft,
And not a wave of trouble roils
Acrofs his peaceful breaft.

* Rev. xiv. 13.

Glory

[ 4i ]

Glory too is his reward. While the angel
of mercy wiped the falling tear from his eye,
God, the Judge of all, placed a crown of
righteoufnefs on his head. So, with a fatis-
faclion unhurt by the pain he had often felt
from the applaufe of men, he received the
plaudit of his divine Mafter. " Well done,
good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord */' The fentence was heard
by the heavenly choir, who inftantly, with
one voice, echoed back their loud Amen.

* Matth. xxv. 23.

THE END.

Inthe Prefs, and fpeedily will be publijhed,

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