CHAP. XI.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

IN bringing this Memoir to a close, it may be useful and interesting to take a review: 1st, Of MRS. HAWKES'S Character, NATURAL, MORAL, and RELIGIOUS. 2dly, Of Her AFFLICTIONS: and 3dly, To endeavour to derive INSTRUCTION from the whole.

I. In considering MRS. HAWKES'S NATURAL CHARACTER, no attempt will be made to exalt the creature, but simply to bring forward those distinguishing qualities with which it had pleased God to endow her. In doing this, some difficulty will arise: because, as in natural beauty, though the first glance makes us sensible of its presence, it is more easy to apprehend than to describe that symmetry: so in the endowments and qualities of the mind, there may be a certain beautiful combination and proportion, which though obviously marked, cannot easily be delineated. In MRS. HAWKES's natural character there was manifested a singular comprehensiveness of mind-a judgment and practical wisdom which were of the highest order-a remarkable quickness and delicacy of feeling-a cordial and affectionate sympathy an interesting vivacity-a tender and contemplative seriousness-united in a harmonious proportion, which it is less easy to conceive of abstractedly, than to apprehend when seen. She

was like a well-tuned instrument, answering immediately to the touch, whatever might be the strain desired. Her sweet social temper was formed for friendship and in the exercise of benevolent and affectionate feelings, she seemed to move as in her native element. Though extremely susceptible of grief, she was a most cheerful and interesting companion, both to the old and to the young :-to the latter she was singularly attached. The cast of her mind was contemplative; and after her conversion, this faculty found the highest and noblest exercise in exploring the riches of Divine Revelation. In conversation she was peculiarly gifted; but, from delicacy of feeling, and a natural fear of obtrusiveness, she was the reverse of a great talker: and when in company with persons of eminence, her remarks were chiefly in the form of questions, by which she had a happy facility of drawing forth the knowledge and experience of others:-it will not, therefore, appear surprising, that her society was much desired by all who knew her. Her manners, though simple, were a little under restraint with those towards whom she felt deference; which arose, not from any degree of mean servility, but from great sensitiveness, and correctness of feeling. To her inferiors she was always benevolent and condescending. Nor must the great generosity of her disposition be overlooked. Largeness of heart was manifested by the manner of doing "what she could," after her circumstances became reduced. The shades of her natural character were, a high and independent spirit, inclined to resistance, a keen sense of injuries, as well as a lively perception of kindness,a sensibility which was too easily wounded: hence, in early life, her peace was often broken through excess of feeling. Flavel remarks, "A strong affection makes a strong affliction." She was timid, in an extraordinary degree; and, from a kind of

nervous apprehensiveness, she was led sometimes to magnify evils in advance; though there was a natural fortitude, which sustained them with magnanimity, when in actual encounter. In person, she was of a pleasing figure, and good stature; and, before her disease, inclined to be slender. Her complexion was brown, with a fixed colour in her cheeks. Her eyes were a fine dark hazel, expressive of tenderness, intellect, and sweetness. Her whole countenance beamed with benevolence and sympathy.

In reference to MRS. HAWKES's character, in a MORAL point of view, we may remark, that it was of an elevated stamp. Even before her conversion, she manifested, in her intercourse with others, a strong sense of propriety-great integrity-sincerity-ingenuousness. Her high moral sense was a special preservative during her career of worldliness and vanity;-of which various proofs might be advanced. There was a certain harmony between her natural and moral character, which gave a lustre to both; and when each was improved by divine grace, her natural, moral, and religious character blended like the fine colours of a prism. In thus setting forth the elevated stamp of her character in a moral point of view, there is no danger of conveying a false impression; as though it could not consist with that natural depravity, of which she was so deeply sensible after her conversion, and which she so constantly deplored in all her writings, whether epistolary or private. The high moral character of St. Paul is made to stand out on the canvass, in order the more to call our attention to the truth, that all this is consistent with the existence of pride of heart, and enmity to God; with self-will, and an unrenewed mind; nay, even with the very spirit of persecution. If there has been no change of heart, no work of the Holy Spirit, moral virtues do but resemble the green moss, sparkling with early dew-adorning

a dead trunk, which will soon become fuel for the fire.

While, however, guarding the moral virtues from assuming a place which they cannot occupy, let it not be once imagined that it is intended to advance any thing subversive of their real importance. Mr. Cecil has remarked, "Morality should never be undervalued, or spoken lightly of, by any one: for what is man without it? It is essential to Christianity. But if it is put in the place of Christ-if it set aside the blood and spirit of Jesus-it then becomes an opposer. Let Plato, Socrates, Confucius, and others, be honoured, because they were diligent men, doing their best by the light of a dim taper. But who is he, that, when the Sun of Righteousness has arisen, will still prefer the dim taper-the glimmering rushlight-and say, it is better than the light of the Sun?" Indeed, such is the connexion between one part of Divine Truth and another, that those who have the justest and largest views of Gospel grace, are able to form the most exact and extensive estimate of moral duty, and are actuated by the highest motives to an exemplary life and conversation. Whatever might be the elevation of MRS. HAWKES'S moral character before her conversion, the doctrines she embraced had a tendency to raise it far higher; because extending to the motives and inmost thoughts of the heart. The Christian is "called with a holy calling": he is bid to seek morality of the highest order, in the command, "Be ye holy, for I am holy": and he who, from a constant study of the divine perfections, especially as they shine in the Person of Jesus Christ-together with diligent prayer for the influences of the Holy Spirit-seeks the renewal of God's image on his soul, shall be made a "partaker of the divine nature," and at length obtain a place in the "general assembly," among "the spirits of just men made perfect."

. With regard more particularly to MRS. HAWKES'S RELIGIOUS CHARACTER, we may remark, First, That her religion was the religion of a sinner." I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear," said Job, the perfect and upright man; "but now mine eye seeth Thee." He does not say, "Therefore I am all exultation"; but, "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." The holy angels veil their faces before the Divine Majesty, and cast their crowns before Him, as creatures. But how much lower should man, who is a sinner, fall before Him! And as it is of the nature of genuine holiness to give a deepening and increasing knowledge of sin, so we need not wonder that the nearer MRS. HAWKES drew towards her end, and the closer her communion with God, the more did she multiply expressions of her deep self-abasement and unworthiness. Throughout the whole of her religious experience there may be marked that humble and contrite spirit, with which it has pleased God to say He would "dwell." This gracious temper of soul she sought, and cherished, even to her dying hour. We have seen the humility, love, and adoration, with which her soul was filled, as she drew near the end of her course-inferior only, in degree, to that of the saints above.

We may observe, 2dly, That her religion was one which led her to embrace thankfully all the proposals and promises made to sinners, in the Gospel of Christ. She did not stand at a distance, saying, "I knew Thee, that Thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed;" but her acceptance of the Gospel, in all its fulness and freeness, put honour upon the truth and faithfulness of God, while the obedience of her faith, gave Him glory and He, whose word cannot fail though heaven and earth should pass away, fulfilled in her " all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power." In