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    and sins of the past year , I acknowledged , confessed , and gave thanks upon my knees . I then considered the present state of tny mind , my hopes and fears , resolutions and prospects . I spread my case before God , implored hi 3 mercy , and with fear , though at the same time , I hope , with sincerity and cheerfulness , was enabled to renew my covenant engagement with God in a more serious and

    soJenin _ n 3 axiaen . than ,-IJia . ve ~ done ~~ for ^ -some—years-past ^ thotighTiotinf the usual form . I concluded with the 116 th psalm , and found my mind in an easy , cheerful frame , thankful to God , who had disposed and enabled me to go through this religious exercise ; the savour of which will , I hope , long abide upon my mind ; and I almost begin to think that I shall be able to call him my God ; and Father , in a Redeemer '

    In August , 1781 , at the invitation of Mr . Coward ' s Trustees , Mr . Belsham removed to Daventry , as Tutor of the academy ; and at the unanimous invitation of the congregation in that place became its Pastor .

    ' Review of the year 1781 . 1 respect to its events it has been one of the most important of my life . It has removed me from a situation , perhaps the most desirable among the dissenters , to that which I at present occupy ; and I cannot but consider it as one of " the greatest trials to which I have ever been exposed . I have quitted a scene , in which I enjoyed the friendship of a most serious and affectionate people . I have removed to a situation , the duties of which I cannot discharge , the temptations of which I cannot resist , and the trials of which I know

    not how to bear . My only consolation is , that I can truly say I did not take the step without serious deliberation , advice , and prayer ; and that my acceptance of this arduous and unhappy post was an error of judgment rather than of the heart . ' 1 present every prospect before me looks dark and gloomy . I know not which way to turn , nor how to conduct myself . Yet , I would not be ^ forgetful of the mercies of the past year . Among these I include uninterrupted health , the continuance of all the comforts

    and conveniences of life , uncommon and unexpected kindness from my friends , preservation from danger , especially from falls from my horse . The posture of my temporal affairs would be considered by the world as upon the whole agreeable , and I am sure I have abundant reason to be thankful that I , who deserve no comforts , should be surrounded with so many at present , and should have prospects before me that , upon the whole , are so pleasing , that is , if I could but satisfy myself in respect to the propriety of . " continuing in this situation .

    'My religious privileges have been continued . I have not been detained one Sabbath from the house of God ; and I have sometimes enjoyed what I could almost venture to call delightful intercourse with G , od . Some of my sacramental seasons have been exceedingly pleasant and delightful ; and when my heart has been almost rent asunder by agony and distress , I have waited upon God , and found comfort and peace .

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    0 IARY OF THE REV , T . BELSHAM . 131

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• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 1, 1833, page 131, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2613/page/3/