paid a final visit to his friends at Northampton, and preached in several of the neigbouring villages, the scenes of his early labours. Though absent from home only three weeks, he preached not fewer than seventeen times. In fact, the exertion of the voice in public speaking, was far from producing exhaustion to the degree which is commonly felt on such occasions; on the whole, he considered it as beneficial, and as counteractive in some measure, of the injurious tendency of a sedentary life: owing to a tenderness of the feet, he suffered much more from walking a short distance or from the effort of standing in the pulpit; and during the latter years of his life used to sit in addressing his own congregation. Still, however, the bodily infirmities of age continued to make their silent advance. Among other indications, his hand-writing began to lose its bold. and regular character, a circumstance to which he adverted in addressing an old correspondent, remarking, at the same time, that he viewed it as a delightful intimation of his approaching entrance on a state from which debility, under every form, would be excluded. The following year, the state of his own health and that of some members of his family, induced him to form the intention of resigning his situation as resident Tutor in the Academy, and he

made a proposal to that effect to the Committee. Subsequently however, it appeared, that circumstances not at first anticipated would render such a measure undesirable both for his own comfort and the welfare of the Institution; he accordingly yielded to the wishes of his friends, who were anxious that one whom they so venerated and loved, should end his days in the station which he had long occupied with so much honour and success. The autumn of 1824 passed with fewer unfavourable symptoms than the preceding. In December, however, he took a severe cold, which marked the commencement of his last illness.* This did not prevent his addressing a sermon to young people, with his usual earnestness and affection, on the first Lord's day in the new year, from Eccles. xi. 9. which will be found in the first volume of these Remains. Through the month he continued to decline; and on the 30th, the day

* From the first appearance of indisposition, his esteemed friend, Dr. Stock, attended him with the greatest assiduity. About Easter, in compliance with the wishes of his friends, who were anxious that nothing which professional skill could effect should be neglected, the services of another eminent physician, Dr. Prichard, were added. Though the decay of nature allowed only of expedients for rendering the approach to its fatal termination less rapid and painful, it will ever be remembered with gratitude and satisfaction, by Dr. R.'s family and connexions, that, at every step, whatever palliatives the circumstances allowed, were devised and administered with the utmost ability and kindness,

after he had completed his 72d year, closed his

public services of above half a

course from Psalm lxxxvi. 5.

good, and ready to forgive, and

century, by a dis

"Thou Lord, art plenteous in mercy

to all them that call upon thee." He spoke with great earnestness, but his evident exhaustion produced in the minds of his hearers the most painful apprehension that they should hear the voice of their pastor no more. During the ensuing week, he prepared a funeral discourse for the wife of a young minister who had studied under him, (Mr. David Souter of Aberdeen,) on Ps. lxxiii. 24. "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory," hoping to deliver it on the following Sabbath; but his friends perceived that he was wholly inadequate to the exertion, and prevailed on him to give up the design. Though unable to go out, he continued to meet the Students as usual till the end of March. In April, he received a letter from his much esteemed friend and correspondent, Dr. Charles Stuart of Edinburgh, accompanied with a copy of Mr. Douglas's work, on "The Advancement of Society in Knowledge and Religion," which he read with much interest. He chiefly employed his time, as his debility would allow, in reading, besides the Scriptures, the Life and Remains of

the Rev. Thomas Scott, thus refreshing his mind with the memorials of a friendship, which he expected, at no distant interval to renew, and to enjoy for ever.*

In the early part of his illness, he was affected with great difficulty of breathing, approaching sometimes to a sense of suffocation. This was succeeded by a violent cough and loss of appetite. Still, some hopes were indulged that a change of air might be beneficial; Bath† and Weston-super-Mare were tried for this purpose, but without avail. His journey to the latter place, on the 11th of May, was excessively fatiguing, and as no salutary result ensued, he was conveyed back to his own house on Thursday, in the following week, being then reduced so low, that it seemed very doubtful whether, with all the precautions that tender and sympathising friendship could devise, he would be able to sustain the fatigue

"My acquaintance with Mr. Scott, began Oct. 12, 1779, when he came over to Northampton, to visit my father and Mr. Hall of Arnsby."-Dr. R.'s MS. Diary.

At Bath Dr. and Mrs. R. were very kindly received by Opie Smith, Esq. and met with the most friendly attention from himself and every member of his family. At Weston-super-Mare, he was visited by his friend, Dr. Rippon, with whom he had been intimately acquainted ever since the year 1771, and who gave one proof, in addition to many others, of his affectionate regard, by taking a journey for the purpose.

of a removal. From the time of his return, he appeared to have given up all expectation of recovery, and on the following Sunday, having enquired what day it was, briefly but emphatically expressed his desire for the last hour. But on no occasion was there the least symptom of impatience; nothing appeared but a child-like and tranquil resignation to the Divine will. Had he been disposed to communicate much of his feelings, his great debility would have rendered it impracticable. The few expressions which fell from his lips were strongly marked by his habitual modesty and humility; but he was chiefly occupied in offering up brief petitions or devout ejaculations. One passage of scripture,

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My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever," was often repeated by him, in the original Hebrew.

While at Weston, he said to a friend, "I am a dull, cold, formal, poor creature; I hope I have known the truth, and have endeavoured to maintain it unmixed and in its purity, and to spread it extensively, but I have not felt its influence sufficiently in my own heart." He was reminded that he had not only known the truth, but loved it, and gloried in it. He replied with great earnestness, "I hope I have; yes-I hope I have." On the day after his return,