ciation of the pomps and vanities of the world. The fact shews, at least, how much he was impressed with the fear of God and the value of time: and those who have known him best, can testify how this early indication of his regard to religious duties has been cherished and exemplified in his subsequent life.

He entered at Magdalen College, Cambridge, in the year 1792; and his diligence and strict attention to his studies, whilst at the University, are sufficiently attested, both by the high honours which he obtained, and by his being elected Fellow and Tutor of Queen's College. He took the degree of B.A. in the year 1796, and M.A. about three years afterward.

He married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of J. Fawcett, Esq., of Scaleby Castle, Cumberland, in the year 1798. After a lapse of two years, he removed to Shelford, near Cambridge; and there took pupils, many of whom are at this present time distinguished and valuable members of society, and from whom he had the most pleasing demonstrations of regard and attachment during his late visit to England.

During the time of his residing at Shelford, he held the Curacy of Stapleford, and continued Minister of that interesting village for several years. There are many now living who remember his zeal and fidelity in the discharge of his pastoral duties, and especially in the care of the lambs of his flock. The interest excited by his attending a Meeting of the Church Missionary Society in Stapleford, in the year 1827, shewed, in a most remarkable manner, the esteem in which his labours had been held so many years ago.

Appointment to a Chaplaincy at Calcutta. Previously to his marriage, his eye had surveyed the wide dominion of darkness and ignorance and depravity throughout this benighted world; and his affectionate heart had more especially rested upon India. Family ties and considerations, however, for a time, interfered; and it was not till the year 1808 that he saw his path clear, and was able to accept a Chaplaincy to Bengal.

On the 10th of June in that year, with Mrs. Thomason and their two children, he embarked on board the Travers, for Calcutta. Before arriving at this Presidency, they had to experience and record a most signal instance of the Providence of God, who bringeth near to the gates of death, and then sends his word and delivers from destruction. After a voyage hitherto plea

* He was Fifth Wrangler; and obtained the Norrisian Prize Essay three successive times.

sant, on the morning of the 7th of November, the Travers struck upon a rock, off Cape Negrais, and was in a short time a complete wreck. They escaped with the loss of all things but life: "God marvellously interposed," to use Mr. Thomason's own language, "and brought them off in safety." He did not fail to acknowledge, on this occasion, the merciful interference of God:—“Oh," says he in a Letter to his Mother, "that as I have now received my life afresh from His hands, I may consecrate it to Him anew, and be wholly, wholly, wholly His! My dearest mother, unite your prayers with mine, that this may be the case; and thank God, with me, for this dispensation; thank Him, I say, with me, for this dispensation: for though we have lost our all of worldly goods, we have been great gainers in other respects. When I see my dear wife and the dear children in safety, and reflect on the dangers through which we have been preserved, I find it impossible to lament our loss, being wholly absorbed in the greatness of our deliverance. Wonder, love, and praise, predominate so much, that I have neither time nor spirit to regret what has passed.”

He had been appointed by the Court of Directors to the Mission Church, Calcutta ; and, on his arrival, he took immediate charge of it. Though his time was necessarily much occupied with his Ministerial Engagements, yet his thoughts were at the same time turned to the work of Translation: not that he in any wise neglected the more important duties of his Ministry; as all his surviving flock can bear record. But the urgent need of the Scriptures in the Oriental Languages was then so apparent, as to demand the co-operation of all who were capable of rendering assistance. Some knowledge of Hebrew he had acquired when at school, in his play-hours; and this early ground-work had been gradually built upon, until, in later life, his Hebrew Bible was as familiar to him as English: thus was a good foundation laid for the acquisition of Eastern Languages. He also studied Arabic during the voyage, and made no inconsiderable proficiency; and, after his arrival, he prosecuted the study with such ardour, under Sheikh Uhmud and Sabat, as to attain eventually the rank of one of the first Arabic Scholars of his day. In the critical knowledge of this language, he was equalled by few, surpassed by none. His proficiency in this respect was immediately ap

†The account of this shipwreck is given in an af fecting Letter to his Mother; which was printed in the Christian Observer.

plied to the correction of Sabat's Version of the New Testament, printed under the direction of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, and now found to be very acceptable in Arabia and Persia. The benefit he has hereby conferred on those interesting portions of the globe have been incalculable; and his usefulness has been fully appreciated and acknowledged, by those who are best competent to judge of the merits of his Translation.

He next applied himself to the study of Oordoo; into which language he was most anxious to translate the Old Testament. Here also he was eminently successful. He had proceeded regularly in the Tran slation, to the end of the Second Book of Kings. He had also completed the Psalms, Proverbs, and the Prophecy of Isaiah, when he was necessitated to leave India on account of the illness of Mrs. Thomason.

In 1814-15, he accompanied Lord Hastings, as Domestic Chaplain, on a tour through the Western Provinces; and his active spirit devised and forwarded plans of usefulness in every part which his Lordship visited. Early in 1824, he removed to the Cathedral, where he remained till the year 1826.

Illness and Death of Mrs. Thomason.

Since that period, it has been allotted him to suffer, as well as to do the will of God. The amiable and affectionate partner of his joys and sorrows was so afflicted, as to render it needful for them to repair to Europe, in the hope that the change would prove favourable to the restoration of her health. But the Great Disposer of the events of life and death had determined otherwise. On the 25th of March, the day preceding Easter Sunday, after having been one month at sea, it pleased God to take away the desire of his eyes, at a stroke. Few events can befal us so truly affecting, as that of losing a beloved friend at sea, and that friend the wife of one's bosom. Oh! if ever the terrors of death are at one time more solemn and awful than at another, they are so under such circumstances. Of the few friends on board, the dearest to be gone-and the body cast into the wide ocean; and her place, and every thing around, perpetually pressing home upon the mind the mournful truth. Doubtless Mr. Thomason felt this, in all its force Christian as he was: nay, felt it more for being a Christian; for who has a heart so full of tenderness and love as a Believer in Jesus? He wept indeed, and sorrowed

indeed; but not as those who have no hope. His own account of this melancholy event is depicted in so feeling and yet so Christian a manner, in a Letter to a beloved relative, that it is not possible to refrain from giving the following extract.-"It has pleased God to defeat all our sanguine hopes, as to the effect of a sea-voyage on the beloved patient, about whom we have been so long anxious: He has taken to Himself your most beloved relative-my most beloved wife. Assured as I am that this is simply and solidly true that she is really with Christ, yet it is with deep anguish of heart I record our irreparable bereavement. Oh that I might have been spared the pain of this afflicting communication! But it is the will of God; and I desire to submit with resignation to the disposal of Infinite Wisdom. On Saturday Morning, March 25th, about ten minutes before 10 o'clock, her spirit took its flight. Oh the unutterable anguish of this sad, sad scene !—sad to us ; but to her the result, we are assured, is most happy: she has joined the innumerable company of glorified saints and angels, and is blessed; for she died in the Lord, and her works follow her."

After detailing the particulars of her last moments-the consoling and cheering assurances she left of her faith in Christ and her interest in Him--assurances, connected with a life like hers, most satisfactory and convincing-he thus affectingly speaks of the interment :-"On the evening of Saturday, at half past-five, her precious remains were committed to the deep. The evening was still, and all was solemn. The Service was read by dear S--, whose brotherly tenderness and sympathy I cannot adequately convey to you. Being myself an invalid, and overwhelmed by the bereavement, I was unable to perform that last most interesting Service: but I saw, from a distance, the coffin dropped into the sea; and heard the words 'We commit her body to the deep, there to return to corruption, looking for the resurrection of the body (when the sea shall give up her dead) and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who, at His coming, shall change our vile body, and fashion it like to His glorious body,' &c. Oh my beloved! I cannot tell you the consolation afforded by that hope. Believing that it was even so, and that it is far better to be with Christ than in the body, I am greatly supported under this heavy bereavement : and I earnestly hope that the same assurance may be as a healing balm to your own heart."

After this sad and afflictive dispensation, it became a question with him, whether or not he should return to India from St. Helena, and pursue the labours which had been so near, and dear to his heart; or continue his voyage to England. The former course was the chief object of his desires. "As I left India," he says, "solely for the sake of accompanying my dear wife, whose departure appeared indispensable, the plan that most tempted me was, that I should return forthwith from St. Helena by the store-ship, and remain there till the Hindoostanee Old Testament could be completed. This appeared to meet all my difficulties most effectually; but, after much consideration, the idea was finally dismissed before I reached the island."

The reasons by which he was influenced in this decision, were some family arrangements, which required his personal management, and imposed on him an unavoidable necessity for visiting England. He had not, however, given up the idea of returning eventually." Whether," he says, in the same Letter, "I may return or not, it is impossible to say: it is far from being improbable, as my heart is set on finishing a Work which has been so long in hand.” This was the Translation which has been referred to above. It is needful to keep this in mind; as it was the motive which influenced him to return, after he had been comfortably settled in his native country.

On his arrival in England, he was prevailed upon, by the solicitation of his friends, to give up the intention of returning to India. Accordingly, at the end of the year 1826, he accepted the Perpetual Curacy of Trinity Church, Cheltenham; where he remained nearly two years, much beloved by the Congregation committed to his charge. It has fallen to the lot, indeed, of few Ministers to gain the hearts and affections of their people to the extent which he did: nor will any wonder, who have known him; for if ever Pastor came up to that recommendation given by the Apostle to Timothy-The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ;—if ever Minister had the furniture needful for him. who serves the Sanctuary under the Evangelical Dispensation, the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind—it was Mr. Thomason.

Reasons for his Returning to India. Useful, however, as he was, he felt uneasy in consequence of the interruption

of his Translation; which he was unable to prosecute in England, from want of Native Assistance. He, in consequence, determined to return to India; and for that purpose gave up his Cure.

He left England in June 1828; and arrived at Calcutta the November following. His health had been in a declining state from the time he left India in 1826. He had an illness of an alarming nature a short time before he embarked on his return the indisposition was increased during the voyage. His sufferings were greatly mitigated, and soothed, by the affectionate concern and unremitting attention of his then amiable and pious wife, but now afflicted widow, whom he had married a few weeks before he left England. On his arrival in Calcutta, his health was in so declining a state, that he was only able to preach twice. His friends will long remember the deep concern which he manifested in all that regards the interests of Religion in this place. He felt as one whose supreme desire is for the glory of God. There was such profound humility-such entire renunciation of self and selfishnesss- such unreserved faith and implicit confidence in the atoning sacrifice of our Saviour Christ -such meekness and resignation, and peace and hope, and longing for immortality, as shewed how meet he was to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. That inheritance he is now in possession of.

Removal to Barrackpore for the Benefit of his Health.

He removed to Barrackpore, with the hope that the change might prove benefi、 cial.

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How much he felt his own unworthiness and insufficiency, and his desire to refer all the good that is wrought on earth to the merciful interference of God, the following Extract from a Letter to a Friend, whilst he was at Barrackpore, will shew: Greatly do I need the prayers of all who feel interested about me; for indeed I am slow to learn, and to profit by, the dispensations of my Heavenly Father. When in England, my heart longed to be where God has now placed me. Now, that He has brought me here, He has taught me more of my own sinfulness and absolute nothingness than I ever learned before. If a proud heart, lifted up with its own importance, fancies it is something, when it is nothing, and says, 'Now I will go and work for God, and do something for the Saviour, and be useful in a place where much is to be done and Labourers are few,' it is

meet and right that God should lay such a sinful creature upon the shelf, and shew him he is good for nothing. Yet, clearly as I see this, and feel it in my inmost soul, I have no power to profit by it, and my sinful nature starts aside as a deceitful bow. Without Christ, we can do NOTHING. This lesson I desire to learn."

He remained a short time at Barrackpore, under Dr. Corbyn's hospitable roof; and at length was induced, by that gentleman's advice, to apply for leave to go up the river for six weeks, on sick-certificate. His health had then in some degree been restored; and he entertained such sanguine hopes of recovery, that he deeply regretted even this short absence from his post. "It is a trial," he said, which the Lord has laid upon me; and shall I not bear it with submission ?"

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Alas! how futile are human hopes. His labours for God, in the place where his heart and affections chiefly rested, were already at an end. He returned to Calcutta without having derived the benefit he hoped for; and was recommended to try the Isle of France, to which island he proceeded without delay. This was in the beginning of April. The former part of the voyage was remarkably favourable: he continued gradually to recover strength: he was able to read the Psalms and Lessons aloud in his cabin, and to join the party at the cuddy-table. His affectionate wife had the most lively hopes of his favourable state. But, alas! it was but the delusive calm which precedes the tempest. Before they arrived at the Mauritius, his disorder returned with increasing strength; so much so, as to leave it doubtful whether he would survive till they reached the island. Spared however he was, by the Providence of God. They arrived on the 10th of June. The first few days after landing, appearances again became favourable. His complaint decreased; and there was hope that he would still be restored-that all would yet be well. He was so much better, as to bear removal to the house of Dr. Montgomery; where it was thought that his skilful attendance, combined with the delightful climate, would effect a cure.

But it was determined otherwise, by Him who defineth the boundaries, and numbereth the days, appointed for man. A change took place for the worse on Saturday the 19th of June; and the disorder continued to gain upon him until Monday the 22d, when it put a period to his sufferings, and he entered into rest.

The particulars of his last moments are thus given by an intimate and valued friend, whom he providentially met with at the Mauritius:-"On Sunday Evening I got a Note, desiring me to come to Mr. Thomason; for he had become much worse. I found he was evidently drawing near to death: he suffered great agony, but, at every interval of it, gave evidence that his mind was at perfect peace. At one time he called out to me, after a very severe attack-Remember, that groaning is not grumbling: I cannot but groan, but am contented with my Father's will, and desire that patience may have her perfect work.' At another time he would pray for deliverance, and then comfort himself with the thought, that he should soon be where the weary are at rest. About two o'clock in the morning he seemed to get some relief; and continued in a comparatively quiet state till about half past-four; when an ulcer at the lower extremity of the spine, caused by his lying so long in one position, was dressed; and he then expressed his thankfulness, and insisted on Mrs. Thomason and me taking some tea; after which he seemed satisfied, and appeared to compose himself to rest. About ten minutes after, I noticed his countenance suddenly change, and he gave one heavy groan. His wife drew near: and as he seemed to suffer from something in his throat, I raised his head on my own, and in a minute after he quietly breathed his last."

The

This account is brief, but it is satisfactory: it is enough to assure us, after a life such as his was, that to him the change is glorious. Whosoever liveth and believeth in me, saith our blessed Lord, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. departed saint believed this truth, and it is now with him according to his faith. His soul is with those of the pious dead who have died in the faith; and they are in joy and felicity: their very dust resteth in hope-in sure hope. He that said, I am the Resurrection and the Life, will not disappoint their expectation. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Even so says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Concluding Remarks.

Thus has this servant of Christ entered

into the haven of peace. He has put on the conqueror's crown, and is for ever with his triumphant Lord. The Church of Christ, however, may well mourn his

loss: A great man has fallen in Israel. May the Ministers of the Church (and especially of that part of it which is established in this country) pray for the mantle of this Elijah to rest upon them! May they be clothed with a like spirit of courage and of love, and of a sound mind!-May all those who have known him remember

the lessons of wisdom which have so long dropped from his lips, and become obedient to them! May they remember the judicious zeal, the entire devotedness, the purity, the unfeigned meekness and gentleness and humility which he exemplified, and become followers of him, who through faith and patience is now inheriting the promises!

THIS Mission has been greatly strengthened by the accession of the Labourers who left England in October and November. The first arrival was that of the Rev. John Murrell, Mr. John Warburton, and Mr. Henry Graham and his Wife, who landed in the Colony on the 7th of December: the second party, consisting of the Rev. David Morgan, appointed to the Chaplaincy, and the Rev. Messrs. Raban and Metzger, and Mrs. Metzger, with the three, African Youths who had for some time been instructed by Mr. Raban, reached the Colony on the 2d of January.

A Special Meeting of the Memhers of the Mission was held on the 6th and 7th of January, when the following arrangements were made: the Rev. G. W. E. Metzger to take the Ministerial charge of Wellington; the Rev. W. K. Betts, that of Gloucester and Leicester, with the superintendence of the Colonial Schools in Freetown; the Rev. John Murrell to take the spiritual charge of Kissey; the Rev. John Raban to reside at Regent, rendering such services, in the performance of Public Worship and in the superintendence of the Schools at Regent, as he is equal to, Mr. Henry Graham and his Wife residing with him; and Mr. John Warburton to take charge of the Schools at Regent. By this arrangement, the Rev. Thomas Davey will continue in charge of Bathurst, Regent, and Charlotte; to which latter place Mr. and Mrs. Weeks are to remove, for

the purpose of opening a School for the Native Children.

A detailed account of the Mission was given in our January Number (pp. 4-9): from the Despatches, recently received, we extract the following notices of each Station.

FREETOWN.

The Rev. W. K. Betts and the Rev. J. Wilhelm have been enabled to continue their labours without interruption; Mr. Betts preaching at St. George's Church in the morning, and at the Jail in the afternoon; and Mr. Wilhelm conducting the usual Services at Gibraltar Chapel.

Ministry. Mr. Betts thus reports concerning his department of labour:

The attendance at St. George's has not equalled my expectations. I anticipated, that, as the weather improved, and the inconveniences of a leaky Church were seasons, more Europeans and others would done away by the setting-in of the dry attend Public Worship; but these prospects have not been realized. The average attendance of Europeans, this quarter, has been only six. There has been but little alteration in the number of African Adults composing the Congregation of St. George; but more children have attended. The Communicants continue the same, being seven in number.

The Afternoon Service at the Jail has been continued as usual. Having noticed, about the early part of the quarter, that many of the Prisoners did not attend Worship, I spoke with the jailer on the subject, and pointed out the desirableness of all, who could, being present: since which time he has acted on the suggestion, and also been present himself to preserve decorum; so that I have had generally a large Congregation. Many of these poor people have manifested a degree of attention to the word of the Gospel, which has been very gratifying. I am not, indeed, able to say that my mini