Richard Baxter, Man Catcher.
RICHARD BAXTER was to deliver a lecture at a private house on a neighboring common. The time of worship was generally at an early hour. Mr. Baxter left Coventry in the evening, intending to deliver the lecture on the following morning. The night being dark, he lost his way, and after wandering about a considerable time, he came to a gentleman's house where he asked for direction. The servant who came to the door informed his master that a person of very respectable appearance had lost his way. The gentleman, thinking it would be unsafe for such a person to be wandering on the common at so late an hour, requested the servant to invite him in. Mr. Baxter readily accepted the kind proposal and met with a very hospitable reception. His conversation was such as to give his host a very exalted idea of his good sense and extensive information. The gentleman wishing to know the quality of his guest, said after supper: "As most persons have some employment or profession in life, I have no doubt, sir, that you have yours?" Mr. Baxter replied with a smile: "Yes, sir, I am a man catcher." "A man catcher!" said the gentleman, "are you? I am very glad to hear you say so, for you are the very person I want. I am a justice of the peace in this district, and am commissioned to secure the person of Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a conventicle in this neighborhood early to-morrow morning. You shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue." Mr. Baxter very prudently consented to accompany him. Accordingly the gentleman on the following morning took Mr. Baxter in his carriage to the place where the meeting was to be held. When they arrived at the spot, they saw a considerable number of people hovering about; for seeing the carriage of the justice, and suspecting his intentions, they were afraid to enter the house. The justice, observing this, said to Mr. Baxter: "I am afraid they have obtained some information of my design. Mr. Baxter has probably been apprised of it, and, therefore, will not fulfill his engagement, for you see the people will not go into the house. I think if we extend our ride a little farther, our departure may encourage them to assemble, and on our return we may fulfill our commission." When they returned, they found their efforts useless, for the people still appeared unwilling to assemble. The magistrate observed to his companion that as the people were very much disaffected to the government he wished he would address them on the subject of loyalty and good behavior. Mr. Baxter replied that perhaps this would not be deemed sufficient, for, as a religious service was the object for which they were met together, they would not be satisfied with advice of that nature; but if the magistrate would begin with prayer, he would then endeavor to say something to them. The gentleman replied, putting his hand to his pocket, "Indeed, sir, I have not my prayer book with me, or I would readily comply with your proposal. However, I am persuaded that a person of your appearance and respectability would be able to pray with them as well as to talk with them. I beg, therefore, you will be so good as to begin with prayer. This being agreed to, they alighted from the carriage and entered the house; and the people, hesitating no longer, followed them. Mr. Baxter then commenced the service and prayed with that seriousness and fervor for which he was so eminent. The magistrate standing by was soon melted into tears. The good divine then preached in his accustomed lively and zealous manner. When he had concluded, he turned to the justice and said: "Sir, I am the very Dick Baxter of whom you are in pursuit. I am entirely at your disposal." The magistrate, however, had felt so much during the service and saw things in so different a light that he laid aside all his enmity to the Non-conformists and ever afterwards became their sincere friend, and it is believed also a decided Christian.—Christian Statesman.