exigency, his opinion was confulted, and his advice followed, as it was always the dictate of integrity and of a found understanding. It is remarkable that old age had not upon him, the fame effect as upon the generality of men. His mind was the fame

in the decline as in the meridian of life: there was the fame cheerfulnefs, the fame humane fenfibility, the fame devotional fervour, the fame ardour in the cause of liberty, of truth, and of religion. Healthy by temperance and exercife, his life, though long, was unimbittered by fickness; and his death was almost inftantaneous, and without a groan. Gr, worthy man, prepared to enjoy a station in a happier world, suited to the virtues which adorned thy life in this!

The following lines were written by the celebrated Mrs. Barbauld, when upon a visit to Mr. Mort, about fixteen years ago.

Happy old man! who ftretch'd beneath the shade "Of large grown trees, or in the ruftic porch, "With woodbine canopies, (where linger yet "The hofpitable virtues) calm enjoy't "Nature's beft bleffings all, a healthy age, "Ruddy and vigorous, native cheerfulness, Plain-hearted friendship, fimple piety, "The rural manners, and the rural joys, Friendly to life. Tho' rude of speech, yet rich

*

* Alluding to a natural impediment in his fpeech.

In

In genuine worth, not unobferv'd shall pafs
Thy bafhful virtues; for the Muse shall mark,
Detect thy charities, and call to light

Thy fecret deeds of mercy; while the poor
The defolate and friendlefs, at thy gate,
A numerous family, with better praise,
Shall hallow in their hearts, thy fpotlefs name."

A SERMON

A

SER MON

OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF

MR. JOHN MOR T,

AND PREACHED IN THE

NEW CHAPEL AT CHOW BENT,

IN ATHERTON,

JANUARY 20, 1788.

E

THERE was fomething uncommonly awful in thofe appearances in nature, which accompanied the death of Jefus: Such a concurrence of extraordinary events had beer fcarcely ever known before. "Be-"hold the vail of the temple was rent in two from "the top to the bottom: and the earth did quake :

and the rocks rent: and the fun was darkened: " and the graves were opened. and many bodies of "the faints, who flept, arofe." We cannot wonder therefore that the centurion, and thofe who were with him, being witneffes of these things, feared greatly, and glorified God, faying, "Certainly this was a righteous man." Had the fame centurian been acquainted with the life and conduct, as well as the death of Jefus, it would have abundantly confirmed this favourable opinion of our mafter. Had

he

he been with him, whilst he went about doing good; had he witnessed the affection towards his affociates, his tenderness to the afflicted, his compaffion for the multitude, his love for his country, and his piety to God; he would undoubtedly have faid, "Certainly this is a righteous man." These were the fureft indications of his character: and these are indications of character, by which we may judge of men in every age and in every fituation, Miraculous attef tations to the moral excellence of any one, are no longer to be found: nor have we any reafon greatly to regret it, when the natural and more direct proofs of the best of hearts, are fo clear and decifive in favour of a man, as they were in favour of our late venerable friend Mr. Mort.

No one who was acquainted with this true dif ciple of the amiable Jesus, will be backward to apply to him, the declaration of the centurion concerning our lord, "Certainly this was a righteous man.” Were I difpofed, my friends, to make the virtues of the deceased, the theme of a whole difcourfe, contrary as fuch a practice is to the reigning fashion, L should entertain no apprehenfion of your censure ; could I, by fo doing, render justice to his character. Such, I am perfuaded, is your veneration for his memory, that you would gladly fee me breaking through a general rule, and would cordially accompany ine in every expreffion of affection and refpect.