It has been observed, with more beauty of expression than either truth or consistency, that great circumstances make great men. It is certain that extraordinary trials, new situations, and difficult exigencies may and will develope unexpected powers, and give prominence to certain traits of character; nevertheless, the mind, in its essential qualities, generally remains unchanged. Horace, whose knowledge of human nature no one has ever distrusted, very pertinently remarks, that those who cross the ocean pass under a new sky, but do not change their disposition. This was undoubtedly true of Mr. Mumford; and could we trace his early history, we should doubtless find an exhibition of the same principles and conduct which marked his subsequent career. But the actions of Mumford speak loudly in his behalf. He was evidently a lover of the truth, and one neither ashamed nor afraid to advocate unpopular tenets if they agreed with the Word of God. He cannot be accused of bigotry or intolerant feelings towards those who differed from him in sentiments, for he united with, and continued in the communion of the First-day Baptist Church in Newport for a considerable time. Neither does it appear that he attempted to make proselytes by any violent or injudicious methods, but simply showed the way of right by expounding the Scriptures in friendly conversation. It is evident that he had no ambition to be considered as a partisan leader, for he never aspired to become an elder even in the church which he had been instrumental in gathering. While a conclusive testimony of his generally irreproachable character, and the piety of his little band of followers, is evinced by the fact that they were not excluded from the First-day community, but voluntarily withdrew from it, in consequence of the "hard things" which were spoken against them by their brethren. It is probable that Mr. Mumford was one of those amiable and worthy characters, who, possessing an humble and unaspiring disposition, never dream of worldly distinction or popular applause, or that their actions, or the perpetuation of their memories, can be beneficial or grateful to posterity. At this time, too, the founder of a poor and despised sect must have had other subjects of greater moment in mind, and must have been too busy to record his own fortunes, and too pious to feel any pride in recounting his ancestry, his adventures, and his sufferings.