“I can add no more than a heart full of good wishes, and my constant prayers. You are interested in these, because I am, my ever dear Isaac, Yours very affectionately, in our dear Lord Jesus, CORNELIUS WINTER.” “PAINSWICK, _Jan._ 21, 1797.” Again in the month of April of the same year: “What a mercy we have a God, such a God, to whom we can commit ourselves. My dearest Isaac, let him be your God for ever and ever. Serve him as a real Christian while you live, though you should never serve him as a minister in his church. Watch the footsteps of his providence, and let him have the disposal of you. He can do nothing wrong. He has all his plans before him, and he is very wise and exact in the execution of them.” * * * * * It was at length determined that Mr. Sloper should apply for admittance into the academy at Homerton; and in October, 1797, he was received into that institution. There were then fourteen students, and the tutors were Dr. Fisher and the Rev. John Berry. Early in the summer of 1798, Mr. Sloper was admitted a member of the church at Stepney, under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Ford, whose ministry proved truly beneficial to him. Towards the close of the year 1799, Mr. Berry resigned his office as resident tutor, and was succeeded by Mr. (now Dr.) John Pye Smith, to whose invaluable instructions and uniform friendship Mr. Sloper felt himself under the greatest obligations. His conduct as a student was truly exemplary, and, as may generally be observed, laid a foundation for that high respectability of character which he manifested in his future life. At the close of his preparatory studies, he was requested, through the Rev. Samuel Newton of Norwich, to spend a few probationary weeks at Beccles. Accordingly, Nov. 5th, 1802, he left London for that purpose, and delivered his first sermon at Beccles on Sunday, Nov. 7th. After preaching to the people six sabbath days, he was requested to return to them for a longer season, with a view to becoming their stated minister. In the month of February, 1803, he consequently came again to Beccles, and in the following April an invitation from the church was presented to him to become their pastor, which was accepted by Mr. Sloper, on Sunday, 8th May, and was followed on the 7th July by his public and solemn ordination.