“Although as deacons of the Church under your charge its interests naturally present themselves prominently before us, we have sought to avoid any selfish or contracted feelings in reference to that Church, and have desired to take an enlarged view of the interests of the Church of Christ as a whole. Our first attention has been given to the suggestion made by you as to the practicability of your retaining a limited connection with Kensington Chapel as minister while undertaking the principalship; and our feeling is that it could not be done with comfort to yourself or advantage to the Church. “In considering the matter generally, the following points have occurred to us as deserving of serious attention:— “1. The special claims of Kensington as a sphere of labour for an intelligent Christian minister. “2. Your peculiar qualifications for representing the interests of Nonconformity in the neighbourhood. “3. The peaceful and prosperous state of the Church under your charge. “4. The claims of a confiding and affectionate people who, within the last two years, have manifested their attachment by erecting our present place of worship at a cost of several thousand pounds, of which a large amount still remains due. “5. Your success as a preacher, and your increasing acceptableness to your own people. “6. The more limited opportunity which would be afforded to you at New College of exercising your talents as a preacher. “7. The difficulty which the Church anticipates in securing an appropriate successor. “8. The fact that it would not be more difficult (if as much so) to supply the vacant office than your vacant pulpit. “Other considerations, which we need not enumerate, have occurred to our minds. The foregoing we venture to submit to your attention. They have led us to the conclusion that, however honourable the invitation may be to you, and however it may be pressed upon your notice, and however usefully you might be employed in it, it does not appear to us to be your duty to relinquish your present position and sphere, where you have been so much blessed, in order to undertake the office in question.” This letter decided the point. Attractive as was the post at New College, the claims of the Church at Kensington, especially so soon after the building of the new chapel, appeared more urgent: and it may be added that the deacons, especially Mr. Watson, turned the incident to account by proposing that £1,000 should be raised as a thank-offering for the continuance of the existing pastorate, the sum to be employed in liquidation of the chapel debt. This amount contributed to its entire extinction.