this time of life, with all his other engagements and all his infirmities, the formidable difficulties of the Arabic language. The Hebrew, likewise, which was his auxiliary on this occasion, had been entirely resumed, and almost learned, since his fifty-third year.

But the most edifying subject of contemplation will be, the spirit and views with which he carried on this service of instructing the missionaries for some considerable time after he had found reason to complain. "My chief diffi culty is about my missionary pupils: I find the confinement to my chair, &c., in teaching them, almost insupportable: yet I know not how to give it up, till some other plan is formed.”—What his views were, may be learned from a letter addressed to a clergyman, who, understanding that he was about to relinquish the task, had thoughts of proposing to succeed him in it. He writes to him as follows.

"November 18, 1813. I have not given up the tuition of the missionaries, though I have urged the committee to look out for and form a more permanent seminary. Were I able, and external matters convenient for their reception, I should count it the best employment of my latter days. But every thing here is wholly inconvenient, and the sedentary posture for so long a time is very uneasy to me: nor indeed is it likely that I shall long be able to go on with it. But I have a strong reason at present for not giving up the service, if I can help it......If, however, a permanent seminary can be founded for the missionaries, I shall not suffer any personal concern of mine to interfere; and indeed I shall greatly rejoice in it.......As far as I have seen and heard, they give as little trouble as men can do; and do most things for themselves. They have hitherto been much respected and loved in the neighborhood; and have at least done nothing to hinder my usefulness. Several of them, in matters which I am not able to do, have been a good deal helpful to me; and they are, I think, a credit to the cause........I think it probable that, remembering the way in which I, in a very slight manner comparatively, brought you on in Greek and Latin; and receiving further hints on my more matured method of teaching grown men; you would be more likely to adopt what is useful in my plans, than a stranger would be.-But I only teach languages in ordine ad teaching divinity. The missionaries, as they have hitherto come to me, have been pious men, but superficial theologians; and my morning expositions have been their lectures

on divinity, I hope of good use. This part therefore, in whatever form it is put, must be the main object.—In respect of the Hebrew, I have little doubt but with the application of an hour, or half-an-hour a day, regularly, you would soon be competent; and your situation would afford you many helps: but not so, I fear, as to the Arabic.....I am persuaded I could, in six weeks, put you into the way of teaching yourself Arabic, far better than I could teach myself after eighteen months. If you wish to attempt it, get Erpenius's Grammar-not Richardson's. There you will have pointed examples, and short clear rules; in which Richardson is affectedly deficient. You will want no other book for a time but Erpenius. It contains, besides the grammar, Arabic proverbs and fables, and one book of the Koran, all pointed-the history of Joseph, worse murdered than his brothers ever purposed to murder him........As a proportion of our missionaries have been Germans, and perhaps will be, were I as young as you, or not more than twenty years older, and were I about to undertake the service, I would, if possible, learn German. It would be a permanent advantage: and indeed it is almost impracticable to go on, with effect, without it......But let me beg of you, in conclusion, very seriously to consider and pray over the vast importance of the undertaking, and the immense responsibility connected with it. Your example, spirit, views, and instructions, will be almost inseparably connected with the conduct, spirit, and instructions of those, who are to give idolaters and Mohammedans their impression of the Christian religion, in many parts of the world. If they be such as St. Paul would approve, the true honor and usefulness of such a permanent situation will exceed that of any metropolitan in christendom: and, if the contrary, the fatal effects may be incalculable. It is a service to be engaged in with much seriousness and prayer-Who is sufficient for these things?-and in entire dependence on the grace of the Lord Jesus; I had almost said, with fear and trembling. Yet I would not discourage you. If magna reverentia debetur puero, you may add, major evangelista. You should study well what St. Paul says to Timothy on these subjects; especially 2 Tim. iii, 10, 11. My prayers, and any counsel which I can give, shall not be wanting. May God fit you for the service, appoint you to it, and prosper you in it." In this connexion it is natural to mention the lively interest taken by my father in all the institutions, having for

their object the diffusion of Christianity in the world. It was impossible that one, who had prayed so long and so earnestly for the extension of Christ's kingdom among men, should witness the Christian world at length awaking from its slumbers, and beginning to put forth its powers in a manner more becoming the character of the religion which it professes, without heart-felt gratitude and joy; or without exerting himself, by every means in his power, to cherish the rising spirit. We have already seen that he preached and published sermons for several institutions. Immediately on his becoming resident at Aston, he determined to make an annual collection in his congregation for the Church Missionary Society. Though it was thought by some rather visionary to expect any thing worth notice in such a situation, he resolved to make the attempt, and to persevere in it; convinced that, by exciting an interest on behalf of the salvation of others, Christian ministers most materially promote the success of their labors among their own people. His first collection, beyond all expectation, exceeded £17; the third £24; the sixth £31; and the total amount stated in the report for 1820 is £303 18s. 10d. When the obscurity of the parish is considered, I hope this result will encourage other clergymen to "go and do likewise."

The Bible Society also shared his warmest attachment, and its success afforded him the most unfeigned joy. Several of his latest excursions were made to assist at the meetings of its auxiliary societies. The substance of two of his speeches on these occasions, one delivered at High Wycombe in 1812, and the other at the meeting of the Vale of Aylesbury society, held at Haddenham in 1816, was, at the request of the respective committees, reduced to writing, and published with their reports. The last of these societies, since become one of considerable extent, and dignified with high patronage, may be regarded as having originated with his family; and its associations are spread through the neighboring villages all around Aston. The former of the speeches referred to was delivered just at the period of Dr. Marsh's opposition to the society; and exhibits a specimen of terse and pointed argumentation. The closing sentences may be introduced here as illustrative of its author's spirit with regard to these societies.

"I conclude as I began: 'Precious Bible, what a treasure!' the light of our feet, and the lanthorn of our paths: our guide

in youth, our comfort in old age, our antidote against the fear of death. The longer I live, the more I feel for those who have not the word of God. I am growing old, and feel the infirmities of age. I know I must soon die. I am a sinner against God: I must appear before him in judgment: I must exist for ever, in happiness or misery: but I can find no light, no hope, no comfort, except from the Bible. What should I do without the Bible, and that Savior whom the Bible reveals to me?-While, then, the Bible is our own invaluable treasure, the source of all our knowledge, hope, and comfort, let us do what we can to communicate the precious treasure to others also, all over the world. We can do but little individually, it is true; yet great multitudes, cordially uniting, may effect much. Time was, since I can remember, when, if I had possessed the means in other respects, I should hardly have known how to reach out the blessing, beyond my own contracted circle. But this society, and others of a similar nature, so to speak, lengthen my arms; and, by concurring heartily in the designs of those who conduct them, we may stretch out our hands to the inhabitants of the east and of the west-of Africa, of Asia, of America, as well as of Europe; and give to them the light of life. Let us then do what we can, while here; and so wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

Before bringing the present chapter to a close, we may advert to the general effect of my father's residence and labors at Aston. Upon the whole he found it a more encouraging situation than any other in which he had been placed since he quitted the curacy of Ravenstone. In bad weather indeed the state of the roads was such, that a great number of his hearers were unable to reach the church; and, on various accounts, the congregation fluctuated from time to time, especially after the opening of a Baptist meeting in the neighborhood, to which no small pains were taken to draw all persons who manifested any religious seriousness; and which was, in consequence, a source of considerable obstruction and uneasiness to him. Yet, in general, the church was well attended, and much good was done. Many careless and worldly persons, and not a few who had led even profligate lives, were "converted from the error of their ways," and "brought forth fruits meet for repentance:" and a considerable body of evidently pious and well-instructed Christians was formed around him: though he had to lament, and did deeply lament over many even of

his nearest neighbors, who still held out against all his admonitions and his prayers. Nor was this all: by the earnest and active character of his united piety and benevolence, an impression was made on the surrounding neighborhood; an interest was excited in behalf of religious institutions; schools were established, and associations formed for the relief of the sick and needy, where previously no such things had been thought of. To stir up Christians "to improve their talents" was a prominent object of his instructions; and, while he set them so eminent an example of the duty inculcated, "his labor was not," and could not be, "in vain in the Lord."

A case, in which his assistance was solicited soon after he took up his abode at Aston, may also well deserve to be mentioned here, not only as it led to the settlement of his second son in the situation which he still occupies, but especially for the extraordinary display of Christian benevolence and liberality which it furnishes. Mr. John West, a native of the village of Gawcott, (a hamlet of the parish of Buckingham,) born and brought up in very humble life, and living to the end of his days in a style little superior to that of a country laborer, had realized, chiefly by dealing in thread lace, (the manufacture of the country,) a fortune of several thousand pounds. Having himself learned, chiefly from the unassisted study of the scriptures, the value of a Savior, the great importance of Christian truths, and the great privilege of religious worship, he looked with feelings of compassion and deep concern upon the irreligious state of his native village, containing nearly five hundred inhabitants, without any place of worship among them, and situate a mile and a half from their parish church. He, in consequence, formed the generous purpose of supplying, entirely from his own funds, the deficiency which he deplored.

Nor did he content himself, as many have done, with making the requisite provision by will for the posthumous execution of his design: he resolved immediately to give up, during his life-time, £4000 or £5000 for the purpose of building and endowing a chapel at Gawcott. Accordingly the chapel was promptly raised; but, the founder being at decided churchman, and determined to have his chapel regularly connected with the establishment, and, at the same time, to vest the patronage in such a manner as he thought most likely to secure its being served by a succession of truly pious ministers, he had now to encounter difficulties