perspicuous, might present themselves to his mind; and thus he had seldom more than half his sermon committed to paper when the time arrived for its delivery. However, his mind was so fully impregnated with his subject, and his command of language so prompt, that he never was at a loss to complete in the pulpit what he had left unfinished at his desk.*

He had no temptation to a vain display of argumentative skill, or rhetorical accomplishments, or the mere graces of composition, in presence of the congregation he had to address; and indeed he had attained such an elevation of mind and purity of heart, as to stand above the reach of such a snare in any situation. He did not despise such things; he could appreciate their value, and make them tributary to the single object of his ministry. He seemed fully sensible of the advantage and necessity of a chaste embellishment of style, such as is recommended by Augustine, who says, that a sermon is perfect in this respect, when “ nec inornata relinquitur, nec indecenter ornatur." He availed himself also of the powers of a poetic and vivid imagination, not so much to adorn or beautify, as to illustrate and enforce his subject; to gain entrance into the understanding, and take the passions by surprise.

During the year that the typhus fever raged most violently in the north of Ireland, his neighbourhood was much afflicted with the disease; and thus the important duty of visiting the sick (which to him was always a work of most anxious solicitude) was vastly increased; and he accordingly applied himself with indefatigable zeal in every quarter of his extended parish, in administering temporal and spiritual aid to his poor flock. In the discharge of such duties he exposed himself to frequent colds; and his disregard of all precaution, and

*This appearance of extemporaneous preaching brought him into much favour with the good Presbyterians and Methodists, who flocked to hear him. Some of them were indeed so pleased with his manner, as to say, "he would almost do for a meeting minister."

of the ordinary comforts of life to which he had been accustomed, soon, unhappily, confirmed a consumptive tendency in his constitution, of which some symptoms appeared when in college. His frame was robust, and his general health usually strong; but an habitual cough, of which he himself seemed almost unconscious, often excited the apprehensions of his friends; and at length, in the spring of 1821, the complaint, of which it seemed the forerunner, began to make manifest inroads upon his constitution. No arguments, however, could for a long time dissuade him from his usual work. So little did he himself regard the fatal symptoms, that he could not be prevailed upon to relax his parochial labours. At length, however, his altered looks and other unfavourable symptoms appeared so alarming, that some of his most respectable parishioners wrote to his friends in Dublin to urge them to use their influence in persuading him to retire for awhile from his arduous duties, and to have the best medical advice for him without further delay. But such was the anxiety he felt for his parish, and so little conscious did he seem of the declining state of his health, that no entreaties could avail.

The repeated accounts of his sinking health at last impelled the friend who now feebly attempts this humble record of his worth, to set off at once to visit him, and to use all his influence to induce him to submit to what appeared so plainly the will of Providence, and to suspend his labours until his strength should be sufficiently recruited to resume them with renewed vigour. In the mean time (about the middle of May 1821) he had been hurried off to Scotland by the importunate entreaties of a kind and respected brother clergyman in his neighbourhood, in order to consult a physician celebrated for his skill in such cases. On his way to Edinburgh he happened to fall in with a deputation from the Irish tract-society, who were going to that city to hold a meeting for the promotion of their important objects. Notwithstanding the languor of his frame,

and the irritation of a harrassing cough, he was prevailed upon to exert his eloquence in this interesting cause. In some of the speeches made upon that occasion he thought that the dark side of the character of his countrymen had been strongly exhibited, while the brighter part was almost entirely kept out of view. With characteristic feeling he stood up to present the whole image, with all its beauties as well as its defects.

His address was taken down in short-hand, and submitted to him for a hurried correction as he was stepping into his carriage. The following outline which was preserved may appear worth insertion.

SPEECH BEFORE A MEETING OF THE IRISH TRACT SOCIETY, EDINBURGH, MAY, 1821.

SIR,

I have not the vanity to imagine that the words of an obscure individual, who is a total stranger to almost all those whom he addresses, and, except within a few days, a stranger to the country which they inhabit, could produce any considerable effect in exciting you to the performance of your duty, or in recommending the object which you are assembled to promote.

I only rise to express my thanks on the part of that country which I should find it impossible to love and value as I ought, without also regarding with affection that country which has proved itself her benefactor. I confess that I perform this office with shame and mor tification I should wish to have seen my country standing forth in the proud character of a benefactress, and taking her rank amongst those whose privilege it is "to give gifts unto men," instead of appearing in the attitude of a suppliant, with a petition in her hand. Perhaps it is right that these proud feelings should be humbled; perhaps the two countries thus occupy that relative situation which they are best qualified to fill; -perhaps Scotland is formed to yield assistance; but assuredly there is in Ireland all the heart to return it.

The Irish character seems to possess a greater capability either of good or of evil than that of any other nation upon the face of the globe. There is a quickness of intellect, a vivacity of fancy, a restlessness of curi osity, and a warmth of heart, that can be turned either to the very best or the very worst of purposes, and form the elements either of the most exalted or the most degraded of rational beings. They in some degree resemble in their effects the power and versatility of fire, that sometimes bursts from the volcano, and overflows and desolates the whole scene by which it is surrounded; that is sometimes applied by the incendiary to the house where the family are sleeping at midnight, and consumes them in their beds; or can be turned by powerful and complicated machinery to the service of man; that can be made to rise in incense before the throne of God in heaven. And thus also these elements, when either left to themselves, or perverted by designing and wicked men, can form the most atrocious character that ever moved upon the face of the earth but if the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shines in upon them, they compose the most illustrious specimen of an exalted and truly spiritual Christian that perhaps we shall here be permitted to behold. This is not mere theory and fond speculation: we have proofs of both. Alas! for the first we have only to appeal to the melancholy statements of depravity which you have just heard; and for the second, we have only to appeal to the state of religion in Ireland at this instant: for, sir, in Ireland "the winter is past, and the spring is begun ;" and there is, in the religious aspect of the country, an appearance of growth, a promise and anticipation almost more delightful than the fulfilment. There is a spiritual glow throughout the land; and when the power of religious truth acts upon a warm and generous heart, and sends all its energy in one direction, it produces a beautiful specimen of living and devoted Christianity; and we are spared in Ireland, probably more than in any other country, that most tremendous of all moral spectacles,

more tremendous than even the debauchee plunging into sensuality-the spectacle of a man with the light of the Gospel in his head, without its warmth in his heart. From this view of the Irish character, it is obvious that they require both unceasing attention, and the greatest delicacy in the treatment. Such a people must have constant food for the mind, food for the fancy, food for the affections: if it is not given, they will find it for themselves, and therefore both great liberality and great judgment are necessary in supplying it. I can testify, from actual observation, to the insatiable avidity with which tracts are sought, and the deep interest which is excited in those who peruse them. We trust, then, the good work will go on, and that Scotland will rejoice to see the sun of Ireland arise; and, though it may not be given to this generation to behold it, yet our posterity will see the day, when Ireland shall rise from the posture of a suppliant, and take her station by the side of Scotland.

On his return from Scotland, the writer met him at a friend's house within a few miles of his own residence; and, on the following Sunday, accompanied him through the principal part of his parish to the church; and never can he forget the scene he witnessed as they drove together along the road, and through the village. It must give a more lively idea of his character and conduct as a parish clergyman than any laboured delineation, or than a mere detail of particular facts. As he quickly passed by, all the poor people and children ran out to their cabin-doors to welcome him, with looks and expressions of the most ardent affection, and with all that wild devotion of gratitude so characteristic of the Irish peasantry. Many fell upon their knees invoking blessings upon him; and long after they were out of hearing, they remained in the same attitude, shewing by their gestures that they were still offering up prayers for him; and some even followed the carriage a long distance, making the most anx