Mr. Buxton began this year—the most important of his life—by publishing a brief address to the members of the Established Church, in which he invited them, together with the principal dissenting bodies, to unite in setting apart the 16th of January as a day of prayer on the subject of slavery. In his own prayers it was never forgotten. Just before the session commenced he thus refers to it in one of his papers.

“Northrepps, Sunday, Feb. 3. 1833.

“I go to London to-morrow. Parliament meets on Tuesday, and I have reason to hope that the King's speech will declare that Government has resolved to effect the total and immediate emancipation of the slaves.

“This then is a season, if ever there was one, for fervent prayer to Thee, Almighty God, that the light of thy countenance may rest on that good cause, and on me, one of its advocates.

“Now that I am about to quit this peaceful haven, and embark on a tumultuous sea, what provision and safeguard of prayer do I desire to carry with me?

“Grant that I and all of us, may be strengthened with might by Thy Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith. […] ”