say, 'May our God fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power ?' (2 Thess. i. 11.) May we find ourselves growing in grace, that we may hereafter partake of a more abundant measure of glory. We may. For assuredly the nature of God and of Christ is unchangeable, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. And when we consider what a prize is before us, surely it might be expected that our most vigorous efforts would be called forth; but, alas! here we are apt to be lukewarm and remiss-here where our everlasting interests are in question! Quicken us, O Lord, by thy heavenly grace, and let us not sleep as do others, but resolutely set ourselves to run, to fight, (to agonize, as the Greek expresses it,) so as not to run uncertainly. Above all, let us not flatter ourselves that we have attained, until this is established by clear decisive evidence.

"My dear Sir, I am persuaded I need make no apologies for the freedom with which I have written to you. Adieu! and, as you orientalists phrase it, what can I say more?

"Ever sincerely yours,

"W. WILBERFORCE."

It was often my wish to have made the writer of this letter personally acquainted with Mr. Whalley. I well knew, from intimate friendship with both, what pleasure they would have felt in each other's society; but the opportunity never presented itself. It may not, however, be out of place to add, that the first letter in this collection was well known to Mr. Wilberforce, and highly valued by him.

Glory, and that of the highest and purest kind, must ever accompany the name and memory of Wilberforce, as the great instrument in the hands of Providence for effecting the abolition of the slave trade; an act which prepared the way for putting down slavery throughout the British dominions, and it may confidently be hoped, is the precursor of the extinction of slavery itself. But the existing generation can hardly be aware what a storm of obloquy and reproach pursued that great philan

thropist, in the early stages of his noble enterprize. May it be permitted one who had close and intimate opportunities of studying his character, both as it appeared in public, and as it clearly manifested itself in private life, to offer to his memory a brief but sincere tribute of affectionate veneration. Upon his great powers of eloquence, his undaunted moral courage, his unceasing application, his stedfast perseverance, all brought to bear through long years of trial, opposition, and discouragement, upon the final object of his solicitude and hope-Negro Emancipation, it is needless to expatiate, because these are become facts of history. Equally needless is it to refer to the warm and ardent spirit of philanthropy in which he was ever ready to exert his great talents in the cause of public charity, whether directed to the temporal relief of his fellow-creatures, or to their spiritual improvement and instruction, for all this is scarcely less obvious.

But to those qualities which are most revealed to the eye and observation of friendship in domestic life, I may be permitted for a moment to advert. He was one of the least reserved of human beings: his inmost thoughts upon all subjects were reflected to the minds of those who enjoyed his intimacy; and there are none such existing but would declare that his great public virtues were founded on a truly divine, because truly Christian spirit of philanthropy. This spirit pervaded his whole character. It was in the school of Christ, and by obedience to his divine precepts, that he had learnt to crucify the selfish principles of our fallen nature, and to tread, as far as is possible to mortals, the path of disinterested goodness. Amidst all his manifold and pressing engagements, "he walked with God." The devotions of the closet were his daily preparatives for the duties of public life; and therefore, whether on the floor or in the lobby of the House of Commons, or in his study at Kensington Gore, he was precisely the same. His time, fortune, and influence appeared to be almost exclusively devoted to public objects; yet all the while the stream

of his private charities was flowing through innumerable channels, unseen and unknown by the world, but blessing those whom it visited. As a companion, his wit and fancy, and cheerfulness were inexhaustible, and his thoughts, always lively, were expressed, as they rose at the moment, with a rare felicity of language. So salient was his mind, and so fruitful of inward peace were the high principles upon which he acted, that at the age of seventy-three his spirits were light-hearted like a boy's. As a friend, he was all affection and sympathy; and as a Christian, his humility was as profound as his purpose was high and elevated. This is not mere panegyric-it is fact.

The proximity of Chelwood to Clifton and Bath, naturally enlarged the sphere of Mr. Whalley's acquaintance. In proportion as he became known, his advice and opinion were sought on points of conscience or of Christian doctrine; and such was his kindness that he hardly knew how to decline compliance with any such application, coming to him from an attached or enquiring friend, although the consequent labour of thought and pen was often beyond his strength.

Nothing could exceed the affectionate kindness, the simple, yet cordial hospitality with which he entertained, at Chelwood, the friends whom be admitted, when his health allowed it, to his house and board. The house was small, but neat; the appendages of his table were plain, but inviting; and a due attention was paid to the little minor comforts which befit the residence of a gentleman. It always appeared to myself, when I enjoyed the privilege of spending a few days with him, that I had been admitted to converse with a sort of human angel. If there were some points of theology, of secondary moment, which we viewed through a different medium, these slight differences were perfectly consistent with essential accordance of opinion; and such as they were, they gave frequent occasion to friendly, interesting discussion, and to my experience of the candour and kindness with which he met any thing like opposition of sentiment.

Little remains to be added to what

has already been adduced in this biographical notice. Pursuing stedfastly the path of Christian duty from year to year, Mr. Whalley's life for the sixteen years during which he occupied Chelwood, was a life of active charity, self-denial, and devotion. Ill health was his principal trial. A pulmonary disorder, often alluded to in his letters, became more oppressive and frequent in its attacks, as he advanced in life, and not seldom made him an unwilling prisoner, when he would gladly have been pursning his pastoral duties. Occasionally it obliged him to spend the severer months of winter on the mild coast of South Devon, when Sidmouth was his usual place of resort. Yet his life was a most happy one, for he lived, as far as is conceded to man in the present imperfect state of things, in the spirit of that " perfect love which casteth out fear." A greater example of deadness to the world I never beheld. Satisfied to dwell in the seclusion of his humble parsonage, he appeared to be intent on one sole object, that of approving himself in the sight of God, and doing good to his fellow-creatures. The contentions of party, the strife of opposing interests, the bustle and the hum of busy life, approached not his peaceful and retired dwelling. He had no wishes for preferment; he had no feelings of ambition; he sought not distinction or notice. Shunning rather than seeking observation, he calmly pursued the noiseless tenor of his way; but whenever he did come in contact with the world, no one knew better what befitted a Christian and a gentleman. spiritual were his tastes, that I have several times heard him say, "I find far more pleasure in sitting down and conversing with the humblest old person in my parish, provided that person be a real Christian, than I should in associating with the brightest literati of the age, if devoid of genuine piety."

So

When I sometimes spoke to him of new publications, or of choice productions of taste or genius, he would give me to understand that he was

homo unius libri;" that he had renounced, from the moment of his

great change of opinion, secular studies, excepting so far as they could assist him in the interpretation of the Bible, and in the practice of its sacred truths. "I have lost so much time," he would say, "in past days; the earlier years of my youth and manhood were so misspent, that I have not the claim which others possess to indulge in these elegant pursuits. I feel it to be my duty to do all the little I can to redeem lost time, and stedfastly to keep in view the grand and ultimate objects of the Christian vocation."

The

Mr. Whalley was cordially attached to the fundamental institutions of his native country. He was deeply sensible of the inestimable value of a free government and a reformed church, and of the debt of gratitude which this nation owes to that wonderful Providence which guarded its own shores from violation, while the hurricane of war and revolution was desolating every other part of Europe. Though he meddled not with politics, he was a sound Protestant, and jealous of every opinion tending to underrate the importance of those differences which separate the Church of England from that of Rome. doctrine of Papal supremacy he regarded as a monstrous usurpation, forced upon the western church by fraud, force, and ambition, in dark and superstitious times; opposed to the facts of Scripture, to reason, and to primitive precedent. He abhorred from his heart the false miracles and lying wonders with which that Church cajoles the ignorant multitude, and rivets her chains upon their consciences, and considered that she had only escaped total corruption in consequence of the vital and essential truths which are still comprehended in her creed.

The following letter, one of his last, if not the last of any length, for it was written a few weeks only before his death, will beautifully illustrate the state of his mind, and the bright hopes which cheered and sustained it on the very verge of his last illness.

To Mrs.

“MY DEAR FRIEND,-Debts of gratitude should be paid, and mine

to you have been long due, for the fruit you repeatedly sent me. But independently of this motive for writing to you, I wished to hear of your health; and yet my letter has been delayed till now. However, I trust you will, without further apology, accept this present poor offering a free-will offering, I assure you, it is, though late-a real produce of the affections of the heart; and, as God himself does not despise such things, you will not; for I am persuaded you belong to him, and partake of his indulgent loving Spirit, ever ready to pardon, ever ready to make allowances for the weakness of the flesh, if the spirit be willing, and the mind upright. And this, indeed, is everything in his sight; and where sincerity is, there we may be sure he himself is; for it is by his Spirit that we obtain it; otherwise we go on deceiving ourselves and others, offering to God empty, heartless services, and paying to men many fine compliments, that have no meaning. But, when we are brought to the knowledge of his love to us in Christ, we begin to have something of the mind that was in Christ, and then our love is without dissimulation. Such a love, my dear friend, may we ever cultivate while we remain here below, that we may carry it up with us to heaven, and there have it perfected. And should it not be our great endeavour to advance in that science and art of love, which we are to exercise for ever in another state? What is our Christian profession but a training up and previous education for the enjoyment of the great privilege and patrimony of loving God and the children of God, without any further hindrance or drawback? The heirs of great wealth, here upon earth, are still looking, till they come of age, to their estates and titles; and should not we, who have such wealth in heaven, be doing the same thing? And what is the wealth of heaven? Why, still I say LOVE. In this one word is comprehended heaven itself. To love God perfectly by the influence and power of his love in our souls, uniting us all in one circle of love to him and to each other through Christ, will be our one delight and desire

ness in heaven will be love; and the services there appointed for us, will all be made up of that: no more differing from the principle, than the stream from the spring; and as the spring will be eternal, the stream will be eternal. Well, then, my dear friend, let us be attentive to this very thing now. If the good Spirit has indeed shed abroad the love of God in our hearts, and the spring of this divine principle has burst forth in this way within us, then the stream must flow of course, and all our duties must be done in love; and let the stream be large and copious, becoming those who profess to derive it from God, who is love itself. It is true that as to God himseif, he only wants our affections; yet he has commanded FRUITS and PROOFS of them for the sake of his creatures and people, and for our own sakes. It must still be known whose we are, and whom we serve, by our services to the brethren, and streams of beneficence, as well as benevolence, should be flowing out according to our means, in honour of him who is the great Benefactor-the Giver of all good.

“I am much as I have been, and exactly where I have been, in my own cottage. The summer has been adverse to me, so that I have been very little out, even in my own parish. I have been hoping to be able to go and see my children, who cannot, with their family, come to me. I have thoughts of attempting it next week, for a short time, should the weather clear up at all. I seem to want some little change and exercise before the winter sets in, and there I can be quite at home and do as I like;

for, indeed, my infirmities are such that I am constrained to give up visiting, even among my kindest friends. And now, my very dear friend, I bid you farewell. I recommend you to God and his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. When you lift up your heart to God, remember me; and believe me ever,

"Your affectionate servant,

"R. C. WHALLEY."

Shortly after the date of this letter, the malady under which Mr. Whalley had for so many years laboured, assumed a more serious aspect, and he was strongly impressed with the idea that the term of his earthly existence was fast approaching. Happily for his own comfort and for the feelings of his family, he had previously reached his son's parsonage at Yeovilton-a son closely united to him in sentiment, heart, and affection; and from him and his daughter-inlaw, to whom he was greatly attached, he received, in his closing hours, the most affectionate and tender attentions. The state of his mind was all serenity and peace, and his hopes were full of immortality. His conversation was most edifying. He joyfully anticipated the putting off his weak and worn-out body, and entering through the gate of death into the presence of that Saviour, whom his faith hailed as "the strength of his heart and his portion for ever." He rallied so much from this seizure, about a fortnight before his death, that he began to talk of future plans, and even of returning home; but a relapse occurred, which proved too much for his enfeebled strength to sustain; and on Sunday, Nov. 17, 1816, his happy spirit was released from the burden of the flesh, and he entered into the joy of his Lord, aged sixty-eight.

WE have too much reason to fear that, as regards our long-favoured nation, the hour of darkness is at hand; and that as regards our Church, there are fearful symptoms of spiritual decay. There is an universal principle maintained by the Most High, in all his dealings with the children of men, both nationally and individually: "Them that honour me, I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."

It is not my present object to trace the various steps which gradually led to our national declension, but to name some of the many painful indications of the fact, and

1st, The vast increase of those means which, in former times, have been attended with so much blessing, but are now so inadequately accompanied with corresponding results. Churches, chapels, schools, and religious societies abound; but where are the fruits? An undoubted blessing is vouchsafed to the labours of particular individuals, but it is impossible to account for the scanty measure of blessing which is vouchsafed to an unprecedented display of external indications of activity, on any other grounds than this-that God does not give the increase. This is a period of much fleshly energy, but of little spiritual power. But is there not a cause? Yes, God is faithful-but man is unfaithful. God delights in answering prayer, and he is now blessing his people in every place where his work is carried on in simplicity and faith; but, in general, men "have not because they ask not,

I remain your faithful servant,

S.

or because they ask amiss." How diligently should we search the Scriptures in order that we may not only be engaged in the Lord's work, but that we may do it in the way which he approves. The favour of the world is now often sought with anxiety. The form of godliness is unduly valued, and the false maxims of the world have been engrafted into many of our institutions.

There is much that is injuriously exciting in the religious temperament of the day. Much that tends to deceive the professor, and to seduce the child of God from close fellowship with his Saviour. He may be so engaged in controversial discussions, so occupied with the mere externals of religion: with societies, committees, and public meetings, that by almost insensible degrees, he is led away from real secret communion with God, till at length he finds himself, like Samson, shorn of his strength, and destitute of peace. It is to be feared, that many of our popular preachers, and other Christians who are habitually engaged in public discussion, are so harassed by the multiplicity of their engagements, so disturbed by the strife of tongues, and oppressed by the numerous secular duties connected with their situation, that the Word of God is hurried over, private prayer is driven into a corner, and the life of the soul is well-nigh choked.

There are some few of our public Christian men who are very blessed exceptions to the above remarks; whose words are calm and weighty, and