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ted his poor neighbours to dinner, | provision made its contrivance raand made them sit at table with him-ther difficult to him. Even when he self. If any of them were sick, so was absent, no alteration was made that they could not come, he would send provisions to them, warm from his own table: and he did not confine his bounties to the poor of his own parish, but diffused supplies to the neighbouring parishes as occasion required. He always treated the old, the needy, and the sick, with the tenderness and familiarity that became one who considered they were of the same nature with himself, and were reduced to no other necessities but

to.

in his family expenses; the poor were fed, and his neighbours entertained as usual. Strangers and travellers found a cheerful reception; all were welcome that came; and even their beasts had so much care taken of them that it was humorously said, "if a horse was turned loose in any part of the country, it would immediately make its way to the recto-L Houghton."

Whatever plans of fiberality we may have before us, it is well not to procrastinate, but to embrace the first opportunity of executing them.

such as he himself might be brought Common beggars he considered in another view: if any of these met When Mr. Baxter lost a thousand him on his walks, or came to his door, he would ask such as were capable of pounds, which he had laid up for the working, why they went about so erection of a school, he used frequentidle? If they answered, it was be-ly to mention the misfortune as an cause they could not get employ, he excitement to be charitable while would send them to some field, to God gives the power of bestowing, gather all the stones in it, and lay and considered himself as culpable in them in a heap; and then paid them some degree for having so long delayliberally for their pains. This being ed the performance of a good action, done, he used to send his carts, and and suffered his benevolence to be decause them to be carried to such pla-feated for want of quickness and dilices of the highway as needed mend-gence. ing.

Dr. Tillotson (afterwards Archbishop) gave the most exemplary proof of his charity. The revocation of the Edict of Nantz having driven thousands of the Huguenots to this country, many of them settled at Canterbury, where their posterity still continue. The King having granted briefs to collect alms for their re lief, Dr. T. was peculiarly active in promoting their success; and when Dr. Beveridge, one of the Prebendaries of Canterbury, refused to read the briefs, as being contrary to the rubric, he was silenced by Dr. T. with this energetic reply, "Doctor, Doctor, charity is above rubrics."

Mr. Gilpin, who was called the Apostle of the North, was such an hospitable man, that every Thursday throughout the year he had a very large quantity of meat dressed wholly for the poor; and every day they had what quantity of broth they wanted. Twenty-four of the poorest were his constant pensioners. Four times in the year a dinner was provided for them, when they received from the steward a certain quantity of corn, and a sum of money; and at Christmas they had always an ox divided among them. During some part of the year, from Michaelmas to Easter, he expected to see all his parishioners and their families. For their reception he had three tables well covered; the first was for gentlemen, the second for husbandmen and farmers, and the third for day labourers. This piece of hospitality he never omitted, even when losses or a scarcity of before it was gone..

A wealthy merchant having lost by one shipwreck to the value of 1,500l. ordered his clerk to distribute 100l., among poor ministers and people; adding, that if his fortune was going by 1,500l. at a lump, it was high time to make sure of some part

part."

Of Dr. Samuel Wright it is said, I might not be perceived what she put that his charity was conducted upon down, she covered the guinea with a rule; for which purpose he kept a halfpenny.-One little boy had with purse, in which was found this me- much trouble reared a brood of chickmorandum: "Something from all the ens: when the collection came to be money I receive to be put into this made, he sold them all, and gave purse for charitable uses. From my every farthing he got for them tosalary as minister, which is uncer- wards it, and this was his whole stock, tain, a tenth part-from occasional and all the living that he had. and extraordinary gifts, which are The following anecdote of Bishop more uncertain, a twentieth part-Barrington does high honour to his from copy money of things I print, liberality and piety. A relation of and interest of my estate, a seventh Mrs. Barrington having experienced When a gentleman who had been ments in life, wished to amend his sisome embarrassments and disappointaccustomed to give away some thou-tuation (being a military officer) by sands was supposed to be at the point entering into the church, thinking of death, his presumptive heir inquir-that the Bishop would provide handed where his fortune was to be found? somely for him. To whom he answered, "that it was necessary application to his kinsman, On making the in the pockets of the indigent." When some bedding was to be satisfy him? he was asked what preferment would given away to the poor at OTo this home question he readily answered, that about 5007. a poor woman carried home two pair a year would make him a happy of blankets, a pair for herself and man. "You shall have it," said his husband, and a pair for six children. lordship, "but not out of the patriAs soon as the children saw them, mony of the church. I will not dethey jumped out of their straw, caught prive a worthy and regular divine to them in their arms, kissed and blessed provide for a necessitous relation. them, and danced for joy. A very You shall have the sum you mention old woman, the first night she found out of my own pocket." herself so comfortably covered, could not sleep a wink; being kept awake by the contrary emotions of transport on the one hand, and fear of not being thankful enough on the other.

While Lord Thurlow was at College, he was often too licentious with his tongue, and, entering once into a dispute with an elective and temporary officer, he was asked "whether A poor cottager within a few miles he knew that he was talking to the of London, who had a wife and six Dean?" "Yes, Mr. Dean," replied children, was seized on for his rent; Mr. Thurlow, and never afterwards and whilst the poor woman was im- saw him without reiterating, "Mr. ploring the mercy of the officers, a Dean, Mr. Dean," which set them person came by, and inquiring into at variance. When he became Atthe cause of her distress, immediate-torney General, they met by accident; ly discharged the debt, amounting to and he addressed his old friend uneleven pounds, and walked away. wittingly, "How do you do, Mr. For this timely and truly generous Dean?" which so hurt the old canaction, the distressed family were in- tab, that he left the room without debted to a tradesman on Ludgate making him any reply. On his obHill. The name is concealed, but taining the office of Lord Chancelthe action shall not be forgotten. lor, he took an opportunity of meeting once more with his quondam acquaintance, and again addressed him with, "How do you do, Mr. Dean?"-"My Lord," replied the other sullenly, "I am not now a dean,

When a collection was made in Wales for the Bible Society, we are told that a poor servant maid put down one guinea on the plate, being one third of her wages. That it

and therefore do not deserve the ti-
tle."
"But you are a Dean," said
his Lordship:-" and, to satisfy you
that it is so, read this paper, by which
you will find that you are Dean
of and I am so convinced that
you will do honour to the appoint-
ment, that I am sorry any part of my
conduct should have given offence to
so good a man."

It would be injustice here to omit the name of that great philanthropist, Mr. John Howard, who, after inspecting the receptacles of crime, of poverty, and misery, throughout Great Britain and Ireland, left his native country, relinquished his own ease, to visit the wretched abodes of those who were in want, and bound in fetters of iron, in other parts of the world. He travelled three times through France, four through Germany, five through Holland, twice through Italy, once through Spain and Portugal, and also through Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland, and part of Turkey. These excursions occupied (with some short intervals of rest at home) the period of twelve years.

the sum of 1,5331. 13s. 6d. was actually subscribed. But the principles of Howard were abhorrent from ostentation, and when he heard of it, "Have not I," said he, "one friend in England who would put a stop to such a proceeding?" The business was accordingly dropped.-Another circumstance was, that his death was announced in the London Gazette, a compliment which no private subject ever received before. And a third circumstance deserves to be noticed, that, though a Dissenter, a monument was erected to his memory in St. Paul's Cathedral. The inscription tells us with truth, "That he trod an open but unfrequented path to immortality, in the ardent and unremitted exercise of Christian charity." And concludes, "May this tribute to his fame excite an emulation of his truly honourable actions."

Mr. Burke justly observed of this great man, "that he visited all Europe (and the East) not to survey the sumptuousness of palaces or the stateliness of temples; not to make accurate measurements of the remains of ancient grandeur, nor to form a scale Never before was such a consider- of the curiosity of modern art; not to able portion of the life of man appli- collect medals, or to collate manued to a more benevolent and lauda-scripts: but to dive into the depth of ble purpose. He gave up his own dungeons; to plunge into the infeccomfort that he might bestow it upon tion of hospitals; to survey the manothers. He was often immured in sions of sorrow and of pain; to take prison, that others might be set at the gauge and dimensions of misery, liberty. He exposed himself to dan- depression and contempt; to rememger, that he might free others from it. ber the forgotten; to attend to the He visited the gloomy cell, that he neglected; to visit the forsaken; and might inspire a ray of hope and joy to compare and to collate the distressin the breasts of the wretched. Yea, es of all men and in all countries. he not only lived but died in the no- His plan is original, and it is as full ble cause of benevolence; for, in of genius as it is of humanity. It is visiting a young lady who lay dan- a voyage of discovery, a circumnavigerously ill of an epidemic fever, in gation of charity; and already the order to administer relief, he caught benefit of his labour is felt more or less the distemper, and fell a victim to in every country." his humanity, on January 20, 1790.

The late John Thornton, Esq. of Mr. Howard's worth seems to be Clapham, was distinguished by great appreciated by two or three singular liberality; he disposed of large sums circumstances. The first was, that a in various charitable designs, with unliberal subscription was opened to de-remitting constancy, during a long fray the expenses of erecting a statue course of years. His charities were to his honour, while yet alive, and much larger than is common with

wealthy persons of good reputation | his testament hanging at one end of his leathern girdle, and his spectacles at the other, and, without ceremony, instructed the people in rustic style from a hollow tree; while the courtly Ridley, in satin and fur, taught the same principles in the cathedral of the metropolis."

for beneficence, insomuch that he was almost regarded as a prodigy. He was the patron of all pious, exemplary, and laborious Ministers of the Gospel; frequently educating young men whom he found to be religiously disposed, and purchasing many livings, which he gave to Ministers, in order that the Gospel might be preached in those places where he supposed the people were perishing for lack of knowledge. He also dispersed a very great number of Bibles in different languages, in distant countries, perhaps in all the four quarters of the globe, and with them vast quantities of religious books, calculated to alarm the conscience and affect the heart with the importance of eternal things. He also patronised every undertaking which was suited to supply the wants, to relieve the distresses, or to increase the comforts of the human species, in whatever climate, or of whatever description, provided they properly fell within his sphere of action. Perhaps it would even be difficult to name one public or private charity of evident utility to which he was not a benefactor. May such noble and benevolent characters be found in every age!

BISHOPS.

THE office of a Bishop is certainly honourable: but it should be recollected, at the same time, that it is very important. He, therefore, who undertakes it for the sake of emolument, and not from a love to souls, may suspect himself of having run before he

was sent.

Bishops have it greatly in their power to do good, and it is well when they are convinced of the duties of the situation they sustain, and act with proportionate zeal and activity Out of the vast number who have arrived to this honour, we have had some instances of men who have made use of their authority to promote the best ends, and "who did not count their lives dear unto themselves."

"Old Bishop Latimer, it is said, in a coarse frieze gown, trudged afoot,

Archbishop Williams once said to a friend of his, "I have passed through many places of honour and trust, both in church and state, more than any of my order in England these seventy years before; yet were I but assured that by my preaching I had converted but one soul to God, I should take therein more spiritual joy and comfort than in all the honours and offices which have been bestowed upon me."

Of Archbishop Matthews it is said that he had an admirable talent for preaching, which he never suffered from one to be idle; but used to go town to another, to preach to crowded audiences. He kept an exact account of the sermons which he preached after he was preferred; by which it appears, that he preached, when Dean of Durham, 721; when Bishop of that diocese, 550; and when Archbishop of York, 721; in all 1992. Preferment, it seems, did not injure

him.

Archbishop Sheldon expended in public and private benefactions, and acts of charity, no less than 66,000. as appeared from his accounts; much of this money was appropriated to the relief of the necessitous in the time of the plague, and to the redemption of Christian slaves.

Archbishop Leighton was a most exemplary character: Bishop Burnet says, "he had the greatest elevation of soul, the largest compass of knowledge, the most mortified and heavenly disposition, that I ever yet saw in mortal. He had the greatest parts as well as virtue, with the most perfect humility, that I ever saw in man; and had a sublime strain in preaching, with so grave a gesture, and such a majesty both of thought, of language, and pronunciation, that I never once saw a wandering eye where he

preached, and I have seen whole as-yet the wretched authors themselves semblies often melt in tears before he was so far from wishing to treat him; and of whom I can say, with with any undue rigour, that he more great truth, that in a free and fre- than once extended his bounty to quent conversation with him for them in distress. And when their above two and twenty years, I never writings could not properly be supknew him say an idle word, or a pressed by lawful authority, he word that had not a direct tendency engaged men of ability to answer to edification; and I never once, saw them, and rewarded them for their him in any other temper but that I trouble. Even the falsehoods and wished to be in, the last moment misrepresentations of writers in the of my life."

It is said of Bishop Burnet that he was extremely laborious in his episcopal office. Every summer he made a tour, for six weeks or two months, through some district of his diocese, daily preaching, and confirming from church to church; so as in the compass of three years, besides his triennial visitation, to go through all the principal livings in his diocese.

newspapers on religious or ecclesiastical subjects he generally took care to have contradicted. What was also greatly to his praise, he was no bigot. With the Dissenters, it is said, he was sincerely desirous of cultivating a good understanding; he considered them, in general, as a conscientious and valuable class of men: with some of the most eminent of them, Watts, Doddridge, Leland, Chandler, Lardner, he maintained an intercourse of friendship or civility. Such liberality is worthy to be imitated.

It is a favourable circumstance when bishops are disposed to countenance those clergymen who are determined to be active and diligent in Dr. Thomas Wilson, Bishop of promoting the welfare of their pa- Soder and Man, is reported to have rishioners. Not long since, at a vis-expended more than ten thousand itation in Ireland, the name of Mr. pounds in acts of charity and benefiShaw, a pious and useful clergyman cence. He preached every Lord'swas mentioned. "What!" said a day at eighty-three years of age. clergyman, "what mad Shaw!" The bishop answered, "Sir, if Mr. Shaw is mad, I wish he may bite all the clergy in my diocese."

As Queen Caroline was once in conversation with several of our English bishops, his Lordship of Man came in to pay his respects. She no Of Archbishop Secker we are in- sooner glimpsed him at a distance, formed that he kept two paper books, than she said to the prelates who one called the black, the other the were present, "My Lords, here comes white book; in which he entered a Bishop, whose errand is not to apply down such notices as he received for a translation; he would not part concerning the different character of with his spouse (his diocese) because each of his clergymen, as they hap- she is poor." With regard to the pened to suit the design of either rights of conscience in others, he exbook: those whose character he found ercised the most candid and benevoto be bad, he resolved never to pro-lent moderation. He admitted Dismote, nor did, paying no regard to senters to the holy communion, and any solicitation made in their behalf; administered it to them, either sitting and those of good character he always or standing, as they themselves apencouraged. Whenever any pub-proved. Such amiable and uniform lications came to his knowledge that moderation had so favourable an efwere manifestly calculated to corrupt fect that, a few years after his settlegood morals, or subvert the founda- ment in the island, not a single distion of Christianity, he did his ut-senting congregation of any kind was most to stop the circulation of them; to be found in it.

B

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