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But we wish to fix the reader's attention on his unfeigned piety; which, as his life drew nearer to a close, shone forth with increasing and singular lustre. We know not the date of his first serious impressions. A letter which he wrote, in his fourteenth year, on the death of an elder brother,* evinces a mind in some degree affected with eternal concerns. But though nothing deci sive appeared in his character at this time, or for some following years, yet during this period he exhibited many favourable symp toms of a mind well disposed. He discovered a reverence for sacred things; and he not only attended upon the public means of grace and the secret duties of religion, but frequented those social meetings of prayer which the learned and polite, unless renewed by divine grace, generally regard with disgust and contempt. But though it is impossible to say when that change, without which we cannot see the kingdom of God," took place in his character, yet it will evidently appear from the subsequent part of this Memoir, that he had been drawn by divine influence from a love to worldly, to a superior delight in spiritual objects. He who sees no difference in his past and present experience, has reason to call his religion in question. Yet the alteration might be effected, especially in those who have enjoyed a religious edu cation, in a very gradual and imperceptible manner. Such per sons are like a man who, gliding down a stream, removes from the dominions of one prince into those of another. He knows not when he passed the boundaries which divide the two kingdoms; and is only conscious of the change, by contrasting the objects around him with the scenes which he had recently quitted.

He went to London in the year 1807. Previously to his going thither, he expresses, in a letter to a friend, his resolution to avail himself of the advantages for improvement which his new

* This worthy young man, whose name was George, died Oct. 25, 1798, at the age of 19, leaving behind him satisfactory evidence of the reality of his piety and religious enjoyments. He possessed a generous and affectionate temper, which endeared him to all his acquaintance. His conscientious behaviour, and constant and serious regard to the means of grace, had been long regarded by his friends as favourable symptoms; and before he died, he made it appear that he had, for some time, in earnest attended to religion. After his death a diary was found, in which he re-corded his religious experience. It was strongly expressive of his delight in God, his hatred of sin, his watchfulness over his heart, and his superior desire of advancement in holiness. On his death-bed he was peaceful and happy. When he was asked if he had enjoyed pleasure in approaching to God in public and private, he replied, "Yes; particularly in private." He added, that he trusted he had experienced those joys in drawing near to God, which none know but those who have a well-grounded hope. When his father reminded him of Christ's being able to save to the uttermost," he added, and as willing as he is able;' repeating it, ' as willing as he is able.' He said, that he trusted that he had long before given himself up to God, and that he hoped for acceptance through the blessed Eedeemer. The last word which he was heard to utter w was "Hallelujah."

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situation would afford; but, he adds, what is particularly memorable, as descriptive of his own future condition, Thus have I fully unbosomed myself to you on the most important subject, of a temporal nature, which can engage my attention. How far success may smile on my prospects, is only known to the Supreme Disposer of events, who, in the course of his providence, often frustrates the schemes of mortals, to shew more fully his own sovereignty an! their dependence.'

On his arrival in London, he was sensible of the numerous snares to which he was exposed, as appears from a letter which he wrote to his brother on that occasion:

With much pleasure,' says he, I reflect on the solicitude you expressed when we parted, that I could be introduced to such company as would be a check to youthful levity, in a place so ensnaring and dangerous. I say, I was pleased, because it shewed the degree of that, the reality of which I never doubted, your concern for my best interests. If I have since been so fortunate as to find a friend, I owe the favour to that Sovereign Goodness which fixes the bounds of our habitation, and, in proportion to the advantages we are entrusted with, justly expects a commensurate improve

ment.'

In a letter, of the same date, addressed to his father, he writes in a language amiably descriptive of his respect, affection, and gratitude.

“I should do injustice,' he says, 'to my own feelings, were I not to begin with expressing my warmest thanks for the excellent advice and kiad wishes contained in my excellent father's welcome epistle. I regard it as one of the greatest blessings to have had a pious education, and the instructions and prayers of a parent for so long a period; and now that I am, for the first time, separated, I feel more than ever their value. Go on, my dear Sir, to assist your child in this way. He needs it, and will thank you for it; or, at least, should he at any time be disposed to reject it, this circumstance ought to excite him to suspect that he is not what he should be,-what he would be. While, with joy and gratitude, he acknowledges that divine goodness which has hitherto preserved him from vice, he desires to rejoice with trembling, remembering the precept of the apostle, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."

We find that his diligence in his new situation equalled the warmest resolutions which he had expressed before leaving the country.

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'Conceive of me,' says he, in a letter to one of his sisters, from half past nine, or earlier in the morning, till ten at night, so engaged as only to be able to spend an hour at dinner; and, in addition to this, having full employment for sindy (the only time) on my retiring to my lodgings at night, and before breakfast.'

His unwearied diligence and superior talents, soon attracted the notice of men of the first eminence in his profession. He met with the most flattering encouragement from them, and had prospects of wealth and distinction opening before him beyond his highest expectation; but the fervour of his mind exceeded the strength of his constitution. His unremitting application occasioned a hemorrhage; which, though slight at first, was

frequently repeated, and, after some months, terminated fatally*. A letter, which our young friend wrote at this period, indicates the pleasing state of his mind.

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The anxiety of friends on such occasions,' says he, though highly soothing and endearing, is often painful to the sufferer, insomuch as he sees himself the cause of their sorrow, whose pleasures and cares are blended with his own. For my sake, therefore, as well as your own, be not oversolicitous, my dear sister, about what concerns me. God knows what is best for us; and in causing me to drink of the cup of affliction, has wise purposes to answer. May the fruit be to alienate from sin, wean from inordinate attachment to the world, to render the Saviour more precious, and Heaven more desirable.'

As his disorder increased, a medical gentleman, with a paternal kindness, took him under his own roof, for the sake of giving him that particular attention which he needed at this critical period. His views and feelings at this time are thus expressed, in a letter to his father :

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Here then let me pause for a moment, and reflect on the mercies which have accompanied this afflictive dispensation. Far removed from those kind relations, whose tender sympathy and unwearied attention have heretofore been experienced, in the midst of strangers, and not even my friend at hand (Mr. was in the country) my situation appeared really forlorn. Yet have these circumstances heightened the claim of gratitude to that Being, who has excited an interest in the bosom almost of strangers my behalf. Nothing can exceed the kindness I have experienced from Mr. and Mrs. In the former, parental attention is united with such a degree of professional skill, as sets my mind, and should set yours, at perfect ease on that subject. In the latter, I see all the sensibilities of a mother (the character in which, she says, she wishes me to consider her) displayed. Excluded as I am from all society, my situation would be somewhat dull, were not every means, consistent with safety, used to remove the tedium of solitude. In short, nothing could render one more comfortable under the absence of my relations; while the circumstance of being under the samme roof with my doctor, whose assistance in any emergency can be so readily obtained, is particularly favourable. Thus the cup I am called to drink, though bitter, is sweetened with many a pleasant ingredient. Whether the plans I had formed, the accomplishment of which appeared within ny reach, will be entirely frustrated, or only interrupted, is best known to the Supreme Disposer of events. I desire to acquiesce in his will, whatever that may be. Certainly my prospects were fair; the cloud that intercepted my view was dispersed; — my most sanguine expectations were exceeded, and recent circumstances had increased them; but, perhaps, I had made this too much an idol. My heart was too much set on it; and, without doubt, Infinite Wisdom has seeu fit to withdraw it from me, that I may be led to trust more entirely on him. Happy will it be that I have been visited with this affliction, if this end be answered by it ! You will be solicitous to know what were my views in anticipation of that event, which certainly, at one period, I considered as not far distant. Sensible of the treachery of the heart, and the danger of self-deception, it was my prayer to God to give me a right judgment in so important a matter. I trust, my dear Sir, all is well; that I am prepared for any event; that, having cast anchor within the veil, I have a hold which the terrors of

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*It is surely a subject of the deepest regret, that so many have fallen the untimely victims of an unrestrained ardour in literary pursuits. Let others take warning by their lamented examples!

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death cannot shake! Rejoice with me in this hope, and pray that it may be well founded!'

The pleasing state of his mind, expressed in this letter, is also mentioned by the worthy lady with whom he resided.,

'Our dear friend,' says she, has often reminded me of this consoling idea of Cowper's, That those who are best fitted to live in this world, are best prepared for the happiness of another. His mind was calm and composed in the most trying period of his illness; and, though he was prohibited from speaking, I could not refuse to listen while he was expressing a sweet testimony to the reality of religion. He said, that his hopes rested on the truths of the gospel, and that he felt their support, and the most perfect resignation to the divine will, as to the event of his illness. I lament that the low tone in which he spoke, and the interest and agitation of the moment, have prevented me from recalling many of the ideas which be uttered, and which I have no doubt but he intended that I should treasure up for the consolation of his friends; but it is enough to know, That, at that solemn period when the human heart would not be tempted to disguise its real sentiments, death had no terrors for your beloved relative.”

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The gentleman to whom he alluded in one of his letters, as the friend that he met with soon after his arrival in London, gives the same account of his resignation during this period of his illness; while, at the same time, he pays a tribute to the worth and amiableness of his general character.

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The first half hour,' says he, addressing his father, that I spent with your son, after his arrival in town, excited my desire to cultivate his friendship; for I thought that I perceived great intelligence, united with goodness and sweetness of disposition; and what I anticipated I found, affectionate friend, and an excellent companion. We were seldom long separated from each other when business did not prevent our meeting. His ardour in his profession was great. He had marked out the road; and the principal obstacles appeared to have been removed, by his superior talents and perseverance, when he was arrested in his course by the hand of Omnipotence. At this time he exhibited the power of the religion he professed. Not a murmur escaped him. He often mentioned it as a striking proof of the vanity and uncertainty of terrestrial things; but with a spirit of Christian fortitude, and a desire of cheerful resignation to the will of his heavenly Father.'

Who can read, without emotion, these testimonies of his submission to the disposal of infinite wisdom, especially when it is considered what high-raised hopes were blasted by his premature illness!

The remaining part of this Memoir will relate to his views and dispositions after he returned into the country. About three months before his death, he grew considerably worse; but he enjoyed, during this period, with only a short interruption, a most desirable serenity of mind; and, as he drew near to an eternal world, he was favoured with more lively anticipations of glory.

Soon after his return, a meeting of prayer being proposed on his account, he wrote the following letter to his worthy minister, the Rev. John Saltren, of Bridport:

I know not, my dear Sir, whether, in this exercise, the call for prayer er thanksgiving be greater. When I think on my late providential, and,

as it seems to me, almost miraculous escape * from a catastrophe which, had it happened in my debilitated state, would, according to human probabilities, have proved directly, at least ultimately, fatal, I cannot but see cause for gratitude to that God who, in such extremity, appeared for my help. This, and the favourable state of my health at present, which evidently improves under the use of the means, encourage me to hope that there is mercy yet in store, and that the time may not be far distant when I shall again be permitted to acknowledge his goodness, even the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. It is this hope which will furnish matter of supplication to a throne of grace. Life can only be desired, as it affords opportunity of usefulness here, or of preparation for happiness hereafter; and if, in a protracted existence, I have to anticipate a life burdensome to myself and my friends, my prayer would be, Lord, finish thy work, and cut it short in righteousness! Fit me for thy kingdoms, and then take me to it!' Hence appears the propriety of submission to the divine will, even in our prayers, lest their fulfilment prove a curse instead of a blessing. One thing we cannot ask amiss, That the affliction may be sanctified; and I feel its importance too much, not to remind you, my dear Sir, of it. May the spirit of wisdom descend upon and influence those who may be engaged! and may the angel of the covenant mingle his incense with theirs, that their prayers may be accepted before the throne of God!

During this meeting of his friends, or on a similar occasion, he wrote the following memorandum, which was found after his de

cease

'I cannot close the duties of this evening, when my friends have a meeting for prayer on my account, without expressing, in a manner more distinctly than I have yet done, the state of my religious feelings, under the affliction which has so long tried me.

'It has often been a subject of regret that I had not done this sooner, at least only by those cominunications which I have sometimes made to my friends. After the attack, I had for a considerable time no convenient opportunity for this; and since I came down to the country the design has been delayed, from a wish to take a more circumstantial view of the subject, in the different stages of my disorder, than my health in general would prudently admit of; though, with shame I speak it, there have been seasons when at most I should have rún no greater risk from the investigation. than the fatigue of other studies or engagements occasioned. Should life be spared, I hope to devote the earliest opportunity to make this scruting. In the meantime, the following Paper is intended as a memento for the use of myself, and for the satisfaction, in some degree, of my friends who may survive me :

The period when Death stares us in the face, though a season oftrial io the faith, is by no means favourable to an enquiry as to the foundation of our hopes; which can best be effected when the mind is calm and uninfluenced by bodily disease. Hence I have repeatedly sought to ascertain the reality of that comfort which I seemed to feel at this awful period. Not content with my own examination, I have endeavoured to compare my religious affections with those laid down in an inestimable work of President Edwards on the subject, as evidences of a state of salvation. The result is, That though I have greatly to deplore the want of clearer testimony on this head, particularly as to the way in which the Lord first brought me to himself, I dare entertain a hope, that I have been led by the teachings of his Spirit to see my danger and my remedy, to choose the Lord for my portion, and to give myself up to him to be entirely at his disposal! I have at times felt a pleasure I cannot describe, in making this surrender to him, - in pouring out my soul, as it were, in prayer before him, and in telling *Alluding to some alarming symptoms, which induced a full expes, tation of an immediate return of the hemorrhage.

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