mark diligently the character, the principles, and the piety, of your departed parent, which have been so strikingly illustrated in the resignation and confidence which were conspicuous in his last and trying illness. But I cannot refrain from using the language of congratulation. I well know, for I have again and again witnessed, my young friends, the strong expressions of filial regard which you manifested to your honoured father. You soothed and cheered his spirits in the day of his affliction, by your company, by your conversation, and by reading such portions of Scripture as he desired. You alternately watched over him during his sleepless nights, and esteemed yourselves honoured and amply rewarded by his benignant smile of approbation. How happy the parent who thus falls asleep in the bosom of his family, and how happy the children who esteem it their duty to assist in sustaining him in his departure! May the God of your father, my dear young friends, lead you in the ways of righteousness, give you grace to walk in his steps, and at last bring you to join him in the realms of glory! Amen.

APPENDIX.

THE closing part of the Address spoken at the grave, consisting of various interesting expressions which fell from Mr. Hardcastle in the course of his painful and long-protracted illness, and which was communicated to me by the family, I have in general omitted, as its substance was delivered in the sermons of Dr. Bogue and Dr. Collyer, and as it will also appear in the Evangelical Magazine. I therefore, instead, subjoin some of the conversations which I had with him myself, and which of course will not appear in either of the other publications.

The dying sentiments of real Christians are in all cases more or less interesting, because they exemplify the excellency and the energy of the principles of the gospel, and evince the richness and solidity of its consolations. But the happy effects of these principles and consolations shone conspicuously in our departed friend, who was a Christian of the very highest order; and it is not saying too much, if we apply to him the exalted descriptions which delineate some of the most illustrious characters of Holy Writ; for, like Noah, he was a just man:' like Enoch, he walked with God' like Job, he was perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil:' like Nathanael, he was an Israelite indeed.' These blessed qualities, however, were not imparted either by nature or by educa

tion; they flowed from the operations of divine grace; they were the fruits of the Holy Spirit: and he united with all true believers in adopting the language of that beautiful Scripture, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, because of thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.'

The paralytic stroke which ultimately carried this eminent saint to his long home, took place on the evening of the 1st of November, 1817, while he was engaging in family prayer; but as it did not deprive him of his recollection or of his speech, while his sons were raising him from his knees, he uttered, with his usual mildness, this pious sentiment; Well, it is all rightit could not come at a better time: it would be pleasing to remove from a throne of grace to a throne of glory.' On receiving the afflicting intelligence of his situation, 1 embraced the first favourable opportunity of visiting my friend, and of sympathizing with his beloved and distressed family, to whom, I knew, it must be a sore trial. Much do I regret that my distance and my numerous avocations prevented me from seeing him so often as I could have wished. It was indeed my loss; for his conversation was always instructive and edifying, and tended greatly to strengthen my conviction of the excellency and beneficial effects of the religion of Jesus Christ.

I shall never forget the state of my own mind, as I entered and passed along the avenue to the house. Here I had frequently walked with him, and engaged in close and familiar conversation on the things of God in general, on the state of religion in the world, and more especially on the concerns of the Missionary Society, the prosperity of which was always dear to his heart and uppermost in his thoughts. When I recollected how long he had attended upon my ministry and united in

communion with the church over which I preside,* and what sincere and ardent friendship he had shown to me, I felt I was likely to sustain one of those bereavements, which, as we grow older, become more painful to our feelings. The pensive gloom which had taken possession of my mind, gave a sombre appearance to every thing around me, and all seemed changed. The gentle wind which shook the trees and scattered the withered leaves at my feet, seemed to my imagination to utter in melancholy accents the words of the prophet, We do all fade as a leaf.'

Arrived at the house, I would not ring the bell, lest the repose of my afflicted friend should be disturbed. The door being open, 1 entered the hall. Not an individual was to be seen. All was silent as the grave, except the hall clock, the ticking of which seemed more loud and more solemn than I had ever heard it before. After musing for some time on this unusual appearance of the mansion where I had so often enjoyed the animating sounds of friendly conversation and domestic cheerfulness, I perceived a female servant coming toward me, whose eyes were full of tears: shaking her head in a significant manner, she seemed to say that all hopes of recovery were gone; and whispering, (as if afraid of disturbing her revered master,) she told me that he had experienced another stroke in the night, and had been addressing his family in a most serious and affectionate manner, exhorting them to make religion their great concern.

*To the greater number of those who read these pages, it will most probably be known that Mr. H. was a Protestant Dissenter of the Independent denomination; and I refer to the fact, for the sake of exhibiting a pleasing trait in his character: he was, of all the dissenters I ever knew, one of the most free from bigotry and a party spirit, and yet most decided in his principles.

On my arrival being intimated, I was admitted to an interview, and had a short but interesting conversation with him. He grasped my hand in a tender and affectionate manner, and said, 'You are come to see your dying friend: I, however, have not the sentence of death in myself yet; but Jesus holds the key, and when he pleases I shall go home.' He lamented his inability to speak plainly. I reminded him of the blessing of having one to speak for him-an Advocate with the Father; when his countenance immediately assumed a placid smile, and he said, Yes; as the high priest under the law went into the holy of holies, so Jesus Christ hath entered with his own blood into the heavens; and in this there is an efficacy which cannot be resisted.'

On my second visit, I found him somewhat better, and remarkably tranquil and patient: indeed he was happy in his mind, but deeply impressed with a sense of his own unworthiness and sinfulness. Speaking of the power of Jesus Christ, he quoted Rev. 3. 7. He openeth, and no man shutteth;' adding, it is all of grace.' He expressed his desire to experience more of the presence of Jesus Christ, and instantly added, 'He is indeed precious to my soul. The Lord my Saviour reigns above. I thought I should have been with him before now.'

I could not help remarking, in this conversation, the difference he discovered when conversing on general topics and on those of religion. When speaking of the suddenness of the Princess Charlotte's death, and also of that of the late Mr. O*******, he talked softly, and with great calmness: but when he spoke of Christ and of his great salvation, or of the heavenly glory to which he believed he was going, his countenance glowed with animation, his voice was raised, and his tone was more