204 A DESCANT UPON CREATION. least whisper these glad transporting tidings; whisper them from my own heart, that they may surely reach, and sweetly penetrate theirs. But when men and angels raise the grand hymn, when all worlds, and all beings add their collective acclamations; this full, fervent, and universal chorus will be so inferior to the riches of the REDEEMER's grace, so disproportionate to the magnificence of his glory, that it will seem but to debase the unutterable subject it attempts to exalt; the loud Hallelujah will die away in the solemn mental eloquence of prostrate, rapturous, silent adoration. O Goodness infinite! goodness immense! And love that passeth knowledge!--Words are vain ; Come then, expressive SILENCE, muse his praise," то PAUL ORCHARD, OP Stoke-Abbey, in Devonshire, Esq. DEAR SIR, AS your honored father was pleased to make choice of me to answer in your name at the font, and to exercise a sort of guardianship over your spiritual interests: permit me, by putting these little treatises into your hand, to fulfil some part of that solemn obligation. Gratitude for many signal favors, and a conscientious regard to my sacred engagement, have long ago inspired my breast with the warmest wishes, both for your true dignity, and real happiness. Nor can I think of a more endearing, or a more effectual way of advancing either the one or the other, than to set before you a sketch of your excellent father's character.-Illustrious examples are the most winning incitements to virtue; and none can come attended with such particular recommendations to you, sir, as the pattern of that worthy person, from whom you derive your very being. A most cordial and reverential esteem for the divine word, was one of his remarkable qualities. Those oracles of Heaven. were his principal delight, and his inseparable companions. Your gardens, your solitary walks, and the hedges of your. fields, can witness,* with what an unwearied assiduity he exercised himself in the law of the LORD. From hence he fetched his maxims of wisdom, and formed his judgment of * John xxiv. 27. things; the sacred precepts were the model of his temper, and the guide of his life; while the precious promises were the joy of his heart, and his portion for ever. Improving company, was another of his most relishing pleasures. Few gentlemen were better furnished, either with riches of fancy, or copiousness of expression, to bear a shining part in conversation. With these talents, he always endeavored to give some useful, generally some religious turn, to the discourse. Nor did he ever reflect, with greater complacency, on his social hours, than when they tended to glorify the eternal majesty; and to awaken, in himself and ethers, a more lively spirit of devotion. To project for the good of others, was his frequent study; and to carry those benevolent contrivances into execution, his favorite employ. When visited by the young persons of the neighbourhood, far from taking an ungraceful pride to initiate them in debauchery, or confirm them in a riotous habit; it was his incessant aim, by finely adapted persuasives to encourage them in industry, and establish them in a course of sobriety; to guard them against the allurements of vice, and animate them with the principles of piety. A noble kind of hospitality this! which will probably transmit its beneficial influence to their earthly possessions, to their future families, and even to their everlasting state. A conviction of human indigence, and a thorough persuasien of the divine all-sufficiency, inducing him to be frequent in prayer. To prostrate himself in profound adoration, before that infinitely exalted Being, who dwells in light inaccessible, was his glory; to implore the continuance of the Almighty favor, and the increase of all Christian graces, was his gain. In those moments, no doubt, he remembered you, sir, with a particular earnestness; and lodged many an ardent petition in the court of Heaven for his infant son. Cease not to second them with your own devout supplications, that |