JOHN CLAYTON, JUN.

SOMETHING like the levitical cast distinguishes the family of this preacher. Treading in his steps, Mr. Clayton, Senior, has three sons, who, like himself, are in the pulpit.

The father of the present preacher, just adverted to, was educated at the College at Trevecka, belonging to the late Countess of Huntingdon ; and has since been, for upwards of twenty years, Pastor of the Weigh-House Independent Meeting, in East Cheap. His views are deep, yet clear; his style is free, yet chaste. Felicity of selection, perspicuity of distribution, conclusive reasoning, readiness and aptness of illustration, eminently distinguish his discourses. He has an equability of eloquence which seems specifically His is that order of eloquence, which, if it does not often surprise, always delights,which is the same, unchanged yet untiring, yesterday and to-day. But he likewise ranks with those divines who compass the topics of which they propose to treat. Nothing left us to question

his own.

and desire, his sermons are finished as well as closed. He nevertheless has his characteristic faults. Perhaps there is preciseness in his delivery, together with a conciseness in his preaching.

John Clayton, Junior, eldest son of the preacher whose talents have just been sketched, received his ministerial education at Hoxton Academy; and afterwards succeeded the Rev. Mr. Lake, since ordained into the established church, at Kensington Meeting, where his conduct obtained him universal esteem; and where his preaching soon augmented the numbers, and confirmed the strength, of the society committed to his charge.. Being some time after invited, upon the death of the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, to take the pastoral superintendance of the Meeting in Camomile Street, the Rev. John Clayton, Junior, removed to London; where he also preaches, every quarter, at Fetter Lane Meeting.

Educated under the auspices of one so thoroughly qualified to train up his sons in the way in which they were designed to go, and not less instructed by example than by care, it ought not to be wondered at if the present preacher is found to emulate those abilities which must primarily have caught his observation, and thus, at length, fixed his character. So in fact it is. The same liberality of sentiment, the same gentlemanly deport

ment, the same correctness of conception, the same easiness of distribution and perspicuity of connection, the same style of reasoning, the same appositeness of illustration and propriety of application, the same manner of preaching, which particularise Mr. Clayton, senior, likewise distinguish his eldest son. Yet here the parallel must stop short. His religious views do not appear to be, like those of his father, substantially deep. Whilst his deportment is so becoming the awful station which he fills, whilst his mind seems truly imbued with spirituality, and though he seems to feel the truths which he preaches, still there is something as it were deficient in him. Why are preachers so cautious in speaking the truth? Preachers are commanded to declare the whole counsel of God,'-as they shall answer for their doctrine at his bar,-whether mankind will consider or resist. Wishing not to dwell, however, on so painful a subject, especially on this occasion, the present writer will only add, adopting a line from Cowper, that, since

He is no preacher, let this hint suffice.

The Rev. John Clayton would become the pul. pits of the church. His appearance commands respect, and his manner is even clerically dignified, whilst his countenance is both conciliating

and impressive: his voice is full, yet clear; and his action correctly chaste. It is not unpleasing to observe, indeed, that preachers so qualified are fast increasing amongst those whom the present Bishop of Norwich speaks of as our 'dissenting brethren; and that ignorance and illiberality--ignorance still being the parent of illiberalityare gradually forcing from their strong holds. Ignorance is auxiliary to proselytism,

The prayers of this preacher should be noticed here. They have an unusual excellence, conciseness and efficacy; whilst in such devotional exercises he also discovers that benevolence of sentiment, springing from right feelings and pure motives, which is, at all times, above all praise.

Clearly entitled as the Rev. John Clayton, jun. is to the distinction of being an able preacher, still he cannot fairly be placed in the first class of clerical characters. His style, although elegantly classical, is not free from the charge of an affectation incompatible with christian soundness of speech; and although his conceptions of truth are by no means unscriptural, according to the now customary acceptation of the word orthodxy, yet, though generally sound, they seem not to be groundedly deep. But time may yet correct his style; and must improve his views of truth.

The Rev. John Clayton has published one or

two Sermons; of which one was preached by him before the Missionary Society in 1809. It has pained the writer of these pages to hear, considering this preacher's usefulness and acceptability, that a kind of periodical indisposition frequently incapacitates him for the ministerial work, so that he is sometimes quite unable to preach.

ELIAS CARPENTER.

How shall they preach,' demands St. Paul, writing to the Romans, except they be sent?' Many shall come in my name,' affirms Christ himself, saying I am Christ; go ye not, therefore, after them.'

Novelty is alluring. Established theology has, however, no fanciful excitements. Men of thinking here discern and soon own, what Solomon found, that there is nothing new under the sun. Itching ears' long, notwithstanding, for strange tidings. Hence some few in our days, who have been supposed the propounders of new creeds, gain the ears of the crowd. Whilst old things