And he further

gave a

similar sum, for a

like Sermon to be preached on the same day at Stroud.R

In the year 1800, EZEKIEL Nash bequeathed to the Minister of St. James's, in Bristol, for preaching a Sermon on the 8th of March yearly, for ever, one guinea, being a memorial of his thankfulness to Almighty God, for his wonderful preservation in an Engagement with a French Frigate, on the 8th of March, 1762.9 And Mr. JOHN BLANCH, of the Parish of St. Michael, also directed a Sermon to be preached in that church on the 29th of October yearly," in commemoration of a happy and wonderful deliverance, which he that day experienced from fire."10

A singular accident which happened to GUSTAVUS BRANDER, ESQ., in 1768, had so strong an effect upon his mind, that it infused into his character an ardent sense of Piety, and a peculiar reliance upon the Superintendence of Providence, both of

which he preserved to the last moments of his life. As his carriage was passing down Temple-Lane, the horses suddenly took fright, and ran with the most violent rapidity down three flights of steps into the Thames, and would have proceeded into the middle of it, if the wheels had not been so clogged by the mud, that the horses could not drag them any further. The servant behind was so absorbed in terror, that he was unable to throw himself from the carriage,—but as soon as it stopped, he jumped off, and procured the assistance of some persons from a neighbouring Public-house, who, after disengaging the horses, pulled the carriage on shore. In consequence of that circumstance, the present Gateway at the Temple-Stairs was erected, to prevent any future accident of the same kind. a sense of this remarkable preservation, Mr. BRANDER made the following bequest,

From

"Two guineas to the Vicar, 10s. to "the Clerk, and 5s. to the Sexton of the

"Parish of Christ Church, in the County "of Southampton, for a Commemoration "Sermon on the third of August, as an "everlasting Memorial, and as expressive "of my gratitude to the Supreme Being "for my signal preservation in 1768, "when my horses ran violently down the Temple-Lane, in London, and down "three flights of steps into the Thames in "a dark night, and yet neither horses nor carriage, myself, or servants, re"ceived the least injury,—it was fortunately low water.” 11

66

66

The wretched appear also not to have been forgotten in these pious Benefactions, for it is stated in the Accounts of The Corporation of London, as far back as the year 1633, that 1007. was paid into The Chamber, by the Lady CATHERINE BARNARDISTONE, for preaching three Sermons to the Condemned Prisoners in Newgate. As it is the duty of the Ordinary of Newgate to perform such

"Rep. xiv. p. 430.-Chalmers's Biograph. Dict. vol. 6. p. 450.

service, 61. per annum is paid by The Court of Aldermen, in relation to this particular bequest, in addition to his ordinary Salary.12

19 Rep. x. p. 183.

PSALMODY.

It was a maxim of ST. AUGUSTINE, that Music should never be encouraged in places of Public Worship to an extent that might endanger a due and proper attention to Divine Service. "I always," said he, "think myself blameable, when "I am drawn more to the Singer than to "what is sung,"-and Queen ELIZABETH, although she strongly enjoined the practice of singing in Churches, endeavoured to guard against the probability of too great a display of skill in Music, rendering the Service less significant and impressive, she, therefore, ordered that the Common Prayer should be sung in so plain and distinct a manner, that the Pronunciation might be equally well heard as though it were read,—but allowed an Anthem to be sung at the beginning and ending of the Service, for the gratification of such as were particularly