and Comments on the New Testament," the fruit of a diligent and careful study of the original Greek. This was brought out in the years 184950. Dr. Ash, both before and after this period, took great interest in conducting Bible Classes for the religious benefit of the young, which labours were much valued by many.

During his latter years, he found no small happiness in home pursuits and in Christian intercourse with Friends: frequently calling on invalids to their spiritual refreshment. As he took particular delight in social intercourse, the characteristics of his mind were, in no common degree, shown in his conversation, and the moral warmth it indicated was one invaluable influence for good. He gave forth his thoughts in so solid yet lively a shape, with such a sparkle of his own inner brightness about them, that there was always something definite to recall afterwards. In later years growing deafness made it difficult to him to receive the thoughts of others in conversation, but whatever came fully before him either thus or in reading was not carelessly passed over. It was either distinctly accepted as good, or promptly rejected. His feeling towards sin and wrong of all kinds, seemed to be rather repugnance than mere disapproval. And who

can speak of him without recalling his ardent love for nature, and the youthful freshness with which this passion was expressed to the last? There are few to whom a simple walk through ordinary rural scenery afforded so great pleasure. As he said within a week of his death, speaking of the coming spring, of its sweet sights and sounds and scents, “O! how I have enjoyed them all."

But far deeper was his earnestness with regard to unseen and spiritual realities. These truly were his treasures, and his heart was given to them in an emphatic sense. Through the goodness of God he tasted in no common degree the blessedness here and now of a life in Christ. The sense of reconciliation to his Father in Heaven, through the life and death and intercession of his Divine Saviour, was, as it were, a continual feast to him, and in the strength of that heavenly food he was enabled to walk in the ways of God. It was impossible to associate with him without being convinced of this. The young and undecided felt the influence of his singleness of aim and earnestness in the highest of all purposes, long before they could explain it; while more mature Christians recognized the genuine fruit of the spirit of adoption, and were themselves

stimulated to run with more patience the race set before them. In the secular aspects of Dr. Ash's life his consistency was very marked, especially perhaps in the steady maintenance of simple habits, in the midst of the growing luxury of a self-indulgent age. Few of his younger relatives and friends, but have from time to time felt tacitly rebuked by his self-denying ways; few but must have observed his care, that a strict limitation of the "enough" for himself should leave a sufficient margin of the "to spare" for others.

Although originally of a delicate constitution, our beloved friend was blessed through a long life with more than average health. But early in 1873, when he had already entered into his seventysixth year, his strength began seriously to fail. He pursued however many of his usual occupations until within a few weeks of his death. Many visits were paid to dear and tried friends, some of which were marked, even at the time, by the touching character of farewell intercourse, and he regularly attended meeting until within a month of his departure. His address on the occasion of his last attendance will long be remembered by those who heard it. In humble, tender and earnest terms he recalled his own early days, the strivings of the Spirit, the resistance

of the natural heart, the final surrender to his Saviour, and the goodness and mercy by which he had been led and followed all the days of his life; ending with a touching appeal to the consciences of his hearers. This last discourse breathed throughout the calm of one safely resting in his Heavenly Father's love, and longing that all to whom he spoke might acquaint themselves with Him and be at peace.

During this time of gradual physical decay, he often spoke of the great spiritual happiness with which he was blessed; and this remained with him to the end. A few days after his last appearance at meeting, he said to a niece who came to see him from a distance, "One thing more I must add. I have not words to express, nor thoughts to conceive, the goodness and loving kindness of my Heavenly Father during this illness. I can only say it has been as if He had no one else to care for or think of, but just poor little unworthy me." This sweet and happy frame of mind was not only a blessing to himself, but full of instruction and comfort to those about him. Once when thinking his end was near, after repeating a portion of Montgomery's hymn, and ending with "Enter thy Master's joy," he said, "and now Father, into Thy hands I com

T

mend my spirit; receive it, dear Lord Jesus: Farewell, dear earthly friends," mentioning those around him, “now leave me quite quiet; I want to be alone with my God and Saviour." On a letter being read to him which quoted the passage in the Pilgrim's Progress, "Be of good cheer, brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good," he said, "I really have had none of poor Christian's painful experiences in this illness. My Saviour has been near me all through, never absent a moment." On another occasion he remarked, "I consider myself now passing through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. If so, I fear no evil; His rod and His staff comfort me, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord for ever;" adding, "but it may be a good long walk through. The river is broad, but as tranquil as a lake, and there's rock at the bottom, and Jesus is leading me through."

He remarked once that he had seldom asked to have Scripture or hymns read to him, for, besides the difficulty of his deafness, he had committed so much of both to memory, that he was often repeating them to himself, especially passages of Scripture, when awake at night. At another time, after speaking a little on spiritual things, he added: "Now go away; I shall just be