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to make his qualification in this respect thus prominent, not because I think it an admirable addition to his other excellences, but because I feel convinced that it lay at the root and foundation of them all. He did thus well, because" he feared the Lord, and thought upon his Name." Doubtless, many sons and daughters of men have done virtuously; many splendid actions have been performed, and many great qualities exhibited, even by worldly men: but where, except in the school of Christ, shall we find that entireness of moral character; that impartial regard to all the rules of right; that assemblage of whatsoever things are true, or honest, or praiseworthy, or virtuous; which we are at this moment contemplating with sad admiration? O, my brethren! such excellence, in a par. taker of our frail and ruined nature, is the fruit of many prayers and meditations. It is only on our bend. ed knees that we can receive the baptism of the Spirit which shall thoroughly furnish us to good works. It is only from the altar of the covenant that man can imbibe that heavenly fire which shall enable him to shine before the world with the light of charity, purity, uprightness, and holiness.

Although our deceased friend had the benefit of a religious education, yet he early betook himself to an earnest, deliberate and dispassionate inquiry upon the subject of religion; an inquiry prosecuted, I have no doubt, with all that accuracy of examination and labour of thought, that distrust of first impressions, and that judicious balancing of opposite probabilities, which formed a dis. tinguishing feature of his mind. Through the blessing of God on this conscientious search after truth, the result was, that he not only acquiesced in the general authority of Revelation, but determined to embrace it with his whole heart, to form his life on its precepts, and found his

hopes on its promises. The doctrines which he adopted were those acknowledged by the Church of England; and to her communion he sincerely and resolvedly attached himself, but without any uncharitable censure of those who might prefer a different creed.

It is to this event, as I have already observed, that the superiority of his character in after-life may be traced. Had he forsaken the principles in which he was educated, and contentedly sunk into a state of irreligion, his vigorous powers might have been known to the world, only in exertions of a pernicious nature. Or, had he trifled with his conscience, and continued to move on in wretched uncertainty between belief and unbelief, between God and mammon, his mind would have been crippled by this indecision, and noth-. ing like clear, strong, and consistent excellence, in any line, could have been produced. But religion gave scope to his elevation. His power ful faculties, casting root as it were into this good soil, expanded themselves with freedom, and, by the grace of God, produced abundant fruits of righteousness.

In entering for one moment more particularly into the nature of his religion, I would beg leave to point out two peculiarities in it, which, when taken in connexion with the character of the individual himself, seem to me extremely striking.

First, His religion was of a devotional nature.-It was a religion which strongly interested his affections. I do not mean, that it was made up of warm sallies or visionary raptures; or even that it habitually indulged in strong and lively emotions of mind. Little do they know of a deep, and cherished, and lasting affection, who imagine that it consists in starts and passions, or lives in a perpetual ardency and violence. But as the subject of these remarks was far from every kind and degree of this false or

His too was a religion of reason, but it was also a religion of the heart. It was a religion of warm attach. ment, and reverence, and gratitude, and trust. It was a religion that commanded him to love God with all his strength, and his neighbour as himself; a religion that enjoined him to rejoice in the Lord always; a religion that told him of consolations in Christ, of the fellowship of the Spirit; a religion that persuaded by fear, that constrained by love, that saved by hope, that provoked by example, that wrought by charity. I mention this as a very observable peculiarity, in a person so eminently distinguished for thought, sedateness, and cool judgment, and who had adopted his religious principles, not from impulse or passion or the mere force of education, but on the soundest reflection and fullest inquiry. And what shall we say, then, to those, who without any such reflection or inquiry, who, with intellects of not half his depth or comprehension or solidity, and perhaps with minds evidently led away by passion after passion, and vanity after vanity, the victims of impulse or the slaves of fancy, yet venture to condemn all warm and earnest piety as irrational and enthusiastic? If any such should be present, let me implore them to re-consider their opinions, or rather their impressions, at the grave of him, whom we are mourning to contrast his character with their own, and at least not to censure the principles which he professed, as wild, or rash, or visionary, until they have given the subject the same cautious, sober, and heedful attention.

The second peculiarity, which I would mention in his religious character, is this: that although he was of a very speculative, or, (if I may use the word) philosophical turn of mind, his religion was

and he always did it with exer caution and humility. He well also, that Christianity has its ries-the deep things of God man in his present state must tent to see darkly: but he v tremely jealous of any thin tended to convert religion mere matter of speculative re or a system of Mysticism. eyes, it was something far hig saw that it is intended to regu heart, the temper, and the p that it is the armour to fo against principalities and against the rulers of the dar this world, against spiritual nesses in high places; that renewal not of our intellec of our moral and spiritual nat it is the conformation of ma image of God, not in knowle in holiness.-Prayer, sub deep humility, strict self-e tion, a diligent use of religio nances, a careful reference action and feeling to the Scripture, a constant relianc influences of the Spirit, a with Christ;-these were in the essentials of religion. H fore so ran, not as uncertai so fought, not as one that be air; but he strove in all t the grace of God, to apply truths of the Gospel to his science and life. Lord, and thought upon his not as an object of cur scientific research, but as name of his Maker, his P his Redeemer, his Interce Sanctifier, and his Judge name he held above ever it was the object of his trus to him a strong tower, in might take refuge, and be

"He fe

But it is time that I f sketch which I have so f tempted. I cannot, howe miss it without observing

endeavouring to hold up this cha. racter to your affectionate esteem, I am far from forgetting the imperfections that must attach to our depraved nature even in its best mortal state. There is none good but one, that is God; and no man could be more sensible of this truth than he who is no longer with us. If, therefore, he attained to uncommon excellence, it was not because he was exempt from the corruption that cleaves to man, but because, with humble dependence on Divine help, he earnestly struggled against it. Many, no doubt, were the secret conflicts that he waged with evil inclinations, with the love of self, and the seductions of the world; and if in all these he was, through grace, more than conqueror, he would still have been content to throw himself on the mercies of his Saviour, as an unprofitable servant. This, however, seems to me only a stronger reason for contemplating his character, in order that we may see to what heights this frail nature, in which we all partake, may be refined by pureness, by knowledge, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God.

These were the helps, these the principles, these the influences which supported our brother, when, after a life expended in the service of his Lord, he approached the dark valley, where the rich and the poor meet together. His end was produced by a long and consuming illness; but an illness so deceitful in its operation, that till his last mortal day, his friends could scarcely persuade themselves to renounce hope. Yet it was a disorder, painful, and peculiarly harassing, especially to one of such diligent habits and so active a cast of mind. But it is impossible to represent adequately, the manner in which it was endured. Incessant restlessness and suffering; days of pain and irritation, and nights of watching and weariness; the perpetual glimpse of amendment as

perpetually proving delusive ;-none of these things moved him. There was not a gesture, or a look of impatience; but his voice, his words, his countenance, his manner, all bespoke unaffected humility and resignation, and even seemed to improve in suavity and amenity, as the malady gained ground.

In the earlier stages of his illness, he had little or no reason to apprehend danger; but the long though painful leisure to which he was reduced, and the formed habit of his mind, threw him much on a contemplation of the important topics connected with an eternal state. It was indeed a ground which he had often explored with care; nor was it surprising to his friends to hear him observe, that his views on these awful subjects remained unchanged.

The malady, however, advanced though slowly, and still the irrita. tion and the weakness, and the weariness increased; and still there appeared no mortal symptom; and still his friends hoped. But there is little doubt, that the patient himself now felt that his complaint had inflicted an incurable wound. Although his understanding was totally unclouded, weakness now disqualified him for continued thought; and this incapacity for his favourite employment of mental exertion pressed on him sorely. But he knew whom he had believed: not a murmur passed his lips; benevolence and submission reigned on his countenance, and his languid eye still sparkled at any intelligence. favourable to the cause of religion.

I purposely abstain from entering into particular anecdote; yet I cannot but think this a fitting occasion to mention one circumstance, which passed in the last conscious interview between this good man and the minister of the church which he usually attended.

After joining with the clergyman in devotion, as far as his enfeebled condition would permit, he took

template scenes like these, shall we not bless God for all his servants departed this life in his faith and fear? And shall we not, with one consent, cast in our lot, for time and for eternity, among those that "fear the Lord, and that think upon his name?" Have we stood together at the tombs of the dead in Christ, and shall we never share their triumphs, never sing with them the new song of victory in the kingdom of God? When we bade them farewell, was it for eternity? Was all over when we watched the painful bed, and mixed in the melancholy train; and must we be driven from their side, when the Lord of Hosts makes up his jewels? To whom should we fly, under the pressure of these awful questions, except to Him who alone has the issues of life and death? And therefore, "O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live though he die, we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin, unto the life of righteousness, that when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Thee

shall then pronounce to all tha and fear thee, saying, Come ye ed of my Father, receive the dom prepared for you from beginning of the world."

MR. RICHARD BARLOW On the 11th March, 1814, died, 86th year of his age, Mr. RICHARD Low, of Princess Street, Manch long known and highly honoured world, as a man of the most unble reputation and exemplary piety. religious sentiments he was strictly dox, and in all his conduct pruder nevolent. He was a friend and a supporter of every charitable and institution, for several of which, populous town of Manchester, be from a knowledge of his great wor ability, chosen a trustee, and for th charge of the duties of which, his mon wisdom, judgment, and natural ty, so admirably qualified him. 7 firmly attached, from principle, Established Church, on whose serv regularly attended, as long as his would permit, he ever exercised the est liberality towards those who d from him in modes of worship, b lover of good men of every denomi

He departed this life in the fai peace of a Christian, renouncing hi righteousness, and relying solely merit of his Saviour, as the only h fallen man.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

SEVERAL Articles which have been transmitted for insertion in our Obituary, and we had fully intended to insert, we must now necessarily omit in consequence o having appeared in other publications. We do not enter into any specification, general notice will be sufficiently intelligible to all whom it concerns.

A paper on Independence of Mind; F.; PHILALETHES; I. D. L.; R. B. P.; H.; will be inserted.

JOHN; I. S. H.; I O Z.; ADOLESCENS; PER MARE ET TERRAM; Oudels; Kgel W.; EUSEBIA; pinorraregwv; Xngos; G. C. G.; VOX; A CONSTANT REA B. H.; FILIUS CHIRISTIANUS; ANNA; A. B; C. W.; have been received. JOHN's Sermon has also been received. We have not had time to peruse it; bu should prove suitable, it will appear. Many of the papers stated in the pred paragraph to have been received, stand in the same predicament.

We have often stated the impossibility of our making any use of Literary Intelli not sent to us before the 20th of the month.

THE

No. 159.]

[FROM THE LONDON EDITION.]

MARCH, 1815. [No. 3. VOL. XIV.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

THE author of the following paper was perfectly unknown to the individual whose death has been one principal cause of his composing it. He alludes to the late H. Thornton, Esq., whose loss was announced in your Number for January. He deems this event a public loss; in which sentiment he feels assured of the full concurrence of many others, whose opinions are far more entitled to consideration than his own. Mr. Thornton was a character who appeared to display the rare union of piety, talents, activity, moderation, and the most expansive benevolence. This observation relates of course to his public character, as a Member of Parliament and a religious man; and the writer doubts not that his private life was equally amiable and useful, though he has not the same means and facilities for appreciating

its excellence.

But this paper is not intended for a panegyric, which, if necessary, would come with far more propriety from other hands. It is only designed to communicate a few cursory observations on the dealings of Providence, in the sudden and premature -removal of individuals distinguished for their useful and excellent qualities =as men and as Christians. This is a

subject not unsuitable, I apprehend, tito the design of the Christian Obed server at any time, and one which appears more especially congenial gewith the feelings of the friends and supporters of that work at the present moment, when the writer believes he may address many of Christ. Obsery. No. 159.

them, with respect to the death of
Mr. Thornton, in the words of the
poet, quoted with a slight alteration :

Multis ille bonis flebilis, occidit:
Nullis flebilior quam vobis.*

Society has also lately had to sustain the premature loss of other valuable men, who have been cut off in the midst of their occupations for promoting the best interests of their fellow-creatures.

There is nothing which appears more calculated to try the faith and resignation of a true Christian, than the consideration of several events of this nature taking place together

within a short interval. When he

beholds the most amiable, excellent,

and useful characters cut off in the

vigour of their age, and in the full flow of their activity, long before the evil days come, and the years wherein, comparatively speaking, they can find no pleasure;-particularly, when he observes the youngadorned with piety and talents, which seem to qualify them for the most important stations in society, and to hold forth the fairest promise of future excellence-snatched away prematurely, and almost suddenly, from their country and the world, he feels disposed for the moment to cherish desponding views concerning the state of human things in general. And when, in addition to this, he reflects the upon great number of vicious, selfish, and useless beings, who are permitted to pass a long life in perfect health, and in the undisturbed enjoyment

T

Hor, lib. i. Ode 24.

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