RICHARD REYNOLDS was, for many years, extensively engaged in the Iron trade, by which he very considerably increased his wealth. Under the influence of religious principle, he was sensible of his responsibility to Him, to whom belongeth "the earth, and the fulness thereof;" and his heart being enlarged in love to God, and good-will to men, it is believed that, after taking from his large income sufficient only for his own moderate establishment, he devoted the whole of the remainder to charitable purposes. His beneficence was guided by great wisdom, which rendered the benefit still more extensive. His benevolence raised the admiration of all who knew him; yet he was far from being elated by this circumstance, or by the possession of wealth; and in the distribution of his bounty, he frequently concealed the hand which sent the relief. He was a truly humble-minded Christian, and was often tried with a deep sense of spiritual poverty. He had also a very low view of the stewardship committed to him, which he, on one occasion, described to a friend in the following terms; "My talent is the meanest of all talents, a little sordid dust; but the man in the parable who had but one talent, was accountable, and for the talent that I possess, humble as it is, I also am accountable to the great Lord of all." This good steward was favoured to experience an increasing and well-grounded confidence in the mercy of God, through the ever-blessed Redeemer, which he thus expressed in a letter, written only a few days before his decease: "I have done with this world, and all my happiness in it is from the hope that I shall soon have it where there is neither sin nor sorrow; and that hope rests entirely on the mercy of God, and the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ." The end of this man was peace. John Thorp survived the death of his friend Richard Reynolds about twelve months, during which period he frequently mentioned the prospect of his own dissolution. About a week before his decease, he was seized with a severe spasmodic affec tion. At this time, he manifested great composure of mind, saying that, whichever way it might terminate, all would be well. The evening preceding his decease, he related to his family the following circumstance, which occurred in his youth, and which it is not known that he had ever before communicated; indeed, he very rarely, even in his own family, or with his most intimate friends, made himself the subject of conversation: "When a boy, about fourteen (6 years of age, my attachment to music and "singing was such, that when walking alone "in the lanes and fields on an evening, I "frequently gratified myself by singing a"loud; and indulged therein, even after 66 my mind became uneasy with the prac"tice, until, in one of my solitary evening "walks, and when in the act of singing, I heard, as it were, a voice distinctly say, "If thou wilt discontinue that gratification, "thou shalt be made partaker of a much "more perfect harmony.'". Such was the powerful and convincing effect of this solemn and awful communication, that, he added, he never afterwards indulged in the practice. In relating this short and, to those about him, interesting anecdote of his early youth, he was, towards the latter part of it, considerably affected, and could not suppress his tears, which appeared as the tears of gratitude to God, at this remembrance of his very early merciful visitation. After a short suspense of conversation, he related the circumstance of Luke Cock having been a great singer, prior to joining the Society of Friends; and that John Richardson said of him, "he was the greatest sing"er in that part of the country where he re"sided, and that he sung then the songs of 66 Babylon, by the muddy waters thereof; "but having drunk deep of the brooks of "Shiloh, which run softly into the newly "converted soul, he could sing and rejoice "in the Lord Jesus Christ." Whilst communicating this anecdote, he continued much affected, and in tears, and his manner of relating it was most impressive and solemn. He conversed cheerfully with his family during the remainder of the evening. The following day, being the 30th of the 9th |