1842.] TEA MEETING. 41 



In the Whitsuntide week, he accompanied his schools to 

 the Park (the residence of R. Philips, Esq.). He felt that 

 he could not throw too much on his new teachers \ so, as they 

 went, he "had to run backwards and forwards like a dog, 

 keeping them in their places " (his mother used to say that 

 Philip was not only a shepherd, but a shepherd's dog), and 

 remained to keep them "all good," while the teachers were 

 at tea at the Park ; and then, on his return to the school-room, 

 having got wet in the rain, he warmed himself " with carrying 

 huge gallons of tea about." When the scholars were dismissed, 

 there was a tea-meeting of the congregation, almost the whole 

 burden of which rested on himself. "However, I have got 

 a pair of lungs, that's one comfort. I made them sing Gloria 

 Patri* by way of grace; and then, after the things were 

 removed, I proceeded to business." He read his " First Annual 

 Statement" (he preserved them all). It is short, but carefully 

 written. In answer to some reports, he says, "With regard 

 to my public instructions, I here declare that I never do, and 

 never shall, direct my remarks against individuals ; but wherever 

 I see in my own heart, or think I see in the hearts of others, 

 what is not consistent with the commands of Christ, I should 

 be shamefully prostituting the sacred trust reposed in me, did 

 I not point out to the best of my power the nature and the 

 dreadful consequences of sin. My duty is not to gloss over 

 vices, whether in myself or you ; not to flatter or deceive you ; 

 not even to speak against sinners ; but boldly, without fear 

 of man, to wage war with sin." He stated that during the 

 previous eight months he had made 761 visits, and received 

 140. About a quarter of these were not connected with the 

 congregation; but his rule was to go where he was most 

 wanted. "I entreat you," he adds, "to overlook any errors 

 into which I may inadvertently fall from inexperience, and 

 to receive in the spirit of love such friendly warnings and such 

 advice as, though young, I may feel that my office calls on me 



* He used, and afterwards printed in his Chant-book, what he believed 

 to be the ancient form, "Glory to the Father, through the Son, in the 

 Holy Spirit." 



