studies as usual, and occasionally walked to see a few poor people. On Saturday night he had two violent attacks of his complaint, which obliged him to sit up till he was a little recovered: but though he felt himself much enfeebled, he accompanied Mr. Holland to Bolton the next morning, where be preached from-" Our light afflictions," &c. 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. It was observed by his hearers, that he was particularly animated, and that his views of glory, in the discussion of his subject, were more than usually bright. He dined at Mr. Rothwell's, where he evidenced spirit of lively gratitude and animated praise. But the effects of his morning exertions soon became so visible in much weakness and bodily pain, that his friends judged it improper for him to undertake the evening service; Mr. Holland, in particular, was very importunate in dissuading him from the attempt. No entreaties, however, could dissuade him from his purpose of setting out for the Old Chapel; in going to which, he was obliged frequently to pause, and once for the space of nearly a quarter of an hour. Having arrived at the chapel, he went into Mr. Grindrod's, where he remained a short space, in order to gain breath; during which time, a local preacher began the service. When he had concluded prayer, he found the veteran saint ready to enter upon his office, which be did, by taking these words for his text, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." He seemed to have forgot all his weakness, and to be unusually led out, whilst explaining the passage. In one part of the discourse he raised himself, and said with great emphasis, "I should like to die like an old soldier, sword in hand." That night he had another attack in his breast, which painfully interrupted his sleeping, and caused considerable exhaustion the following morning; notwithstanding which, he spent two hours in visiting the sick, but the effort was attended with a He again great deal of difficulty. preached with animation in the evening, from 1 Cor. ii. 12. Through the whole of the evening he was particularly cheerful, and often very spiritual. He retired about eleven, and intending to accompany Mr. H. to Manchester the next morning, he shaved before he went to bed. On Tuesday morning Mr. Holland, thinking that he lay longer than usual, as he did not hear him stir, tapped at his door, but no answer being returned, he entered the room, and found him lying by the bed-side at full length, more than half dressed, but perfectly composed, as in a quiet sleep; the chariots of Israel and the horsemen had come, and the prepared saint had ascended with his bright convoy. Grateful to Mrs. Holland for the foregoing account, and for the honourable testimony which she has given in favour of Mr. Taylor's eminent piety and usefulness; we shall briefly mention a few particulars relative to bis character. 1. Throughout the long course of his ministry, so uniform was his Christian walk, that he never brought the slightest reproach upon his sacred profession. The present race of Methodist preachers know, from experi ence, little or nothing of the difficulties with which the first race had to contend. Hunger, cold, weariness, bad lodgings, and persecution, in various forms, were their lot; and of each of these Mr. Taylor had his share. He lived long enough to see Methodism in comparative honour and himself, and brethren, in general, comfortably provided for. But so great a change in his circumstances, had no bad effect upon his spirit, temper, or conduct.-He was the same man of God when in London, Manchester, Liverpool, &c. that he had been when subjected to more than ordinary privations. A great change in outward circumstances, especially from penury and reproach, to plenty and honour, has frequently proved fatal to many; but from such a change Mr. Taylor suffered no physical, mental, or moral injury. 2. The diligence which he used for the purpose of improving his mind, that he might be able to feed the people with knowledge and understanding, is highly creditable to his memory as a Christian minister. He drew his divinity from the sacred volume; and such was the estimate which he set upon that pure source of truth, that, in addition to his perusing particular parts of it, upon numberless occasions, there is sufficient ground to believe, that he read the whole of it regularly through upwards of fifty times.But his extraordinary attention to the Scriptures did not make him inattentive to those works with which a minister of Christ ought, if possible, to be acquainted. Hundreds upon hun dreds of ancient and modern publications, on theology, sacred and profane history, natural and moral philosophy, &c. he read with care and attention. 3. He was a man of strict order, punctually attending to whatever he took in hand; and perhaps few have ever excelled him in the practice of that very important, but much-neglected duty, the redeeming of time. He was too sensible of its value, to waste any part of it in trifling conversation, or mere complimentary visits. His not ordinarily suffering his hours of study to be broken in upon, may possibly have induced some to imagine, that his prevailing disposition was unsocial, if not morose; but those who knew him well were of a different opinion. 4. His devoting two hours every day (Sundays and Conference time excepted) to visiting and relieving poor and afflicted persons, proves that he was a true philanthropist. 5. To the doctrines and discipline of the Methodists he was a steady and firm adherent; and he manifested upon all occasions, a sincere and cordial love to the objects of bis pastoral care. Meantime he was so far from being a bigot, that he esteemed and loved as brethren all, however opposed to him in matters of opinion, who, he had reason to believe, were true followers of the Lord Jesus. 6. By continuing to walk humbly and closely with God, and to be diligent in reading and study, he retained, to the last, the spirit of preaching, as well as the talents, by which he had been enabled so long to feed those of the flock of Christ who sat under his ministry. 7. Mr. Taylor's views of both the law and the gospel were clear and distinct; and hence while he maintained, that evangelical obedience is not only a fruit of faith, but indispensably necessary in order to its being retained, he did not neglect to inculcate, as a truth of vital importance, that the holiest men on earth are every moment indebted to the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, for their continuance in a state of acceptance with God. He did not glory in his works; for he well knew, that however sincerely and conscientiously performed, they could not stand the rigour of divine justice; and therefore he availed himself of the covenant of mercy, not that he might sin with impunity, but that, notwithstanding all his defects, of which he had an exquisite and humbling sense, he might still be able to "worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Some preachers, by not entertaining similar views, have exhibited the gospel in a mutilated state, and preached it in a dry, cold, and unedifying manner. So did not the venerable THOMAS TAYLOR; hence the divine unction which generally accompanied his sermons. We cannot see the heroes of Methodism, however aged, drop, one after another into eternity, without being sensibly affected. We love, nay, we venerate the memory of those men of God, who, with little less than apostolical intrepidity, in breaking up the ground which we now peaceably occupy, endured many a fight of affliction. But they rest from their labours, and we are hastening to the conclusion of greatly worn by age; but like a ma ours. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of bis saints, whether occasioned by the lapse of "slowly rolling years," or an acute or lingering disease. The time, place, and circumstances of the death of each of them, are all under the controul and direction of Him, who for the welfare of his people regulates and over-rules every event. Mr. Taylor's death was so sudden, that he experienced little or nothing of the formality of dying. His strong and well-formed body was chine, well constructed in all its parts, and all those parts so skilfully united as to wear alike, it continued to be a suitable, and, upon the whole, a comfortable habitation for his spirit, till at last «The weary springs of life stood still." Next to Mr. Wesley, he filled the place of an effective man considerably longer than any other Methodist Preacher. POETRY. A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. THOMAS COKE, LL. D. WHO DIED MAY 3, 1814, ON HIS PASSAGE TO THE EAST INDIES. He was a burning and a shining light. ST. JOHN. Mors noluit quotidie imminet. WHEN worth acknowledg'd drops the mantle here, And claims from us the tributary tear, What stoic breast can check the rising sigh, Or blame the gem that trembles in the eye. We feel as men, since Coke, alas! is gone, Sweet sounds of mercy, and the cross display'd, Columbia's churches hail'd thy tuneful voice, Which bade the wilds of Africa rejoice: Her sable sons, in western isles confin'd, Have oft around thee in devotion join'd, His race accomplished, and his efforts Shed the expressive tear, and bent the done. knee, 'Tis right to feel-yes, we his loss de- To thank the Christians' God-for plore, Submissive bow, and silently adore. Great friend of Missions! whose expanded soul hearing thee. Wealth and preferment were in his esteem The pageants only of a splendid dream; Would have embrac'd mankind from Superior to the trifles most pursue He spurn'd them all as fleeting and un true. Hence like a seraph, passing through the world, Charg'd with the precious tidings he unfurl'd, The bow of promise shone where'er he But when, or how, or where, affects trod, And tens of thousands bless'd this man Whose faith and love in Christ alone not those Hence death may frown, and soft connexions rend, Propel the shaft, or call away a friend; The faithful trav'ller pleas'd with the command, Exults in prospects of the promis'd land, Resigns the cares which here oppress'd bis mind, And leaves this weary wayward state behind. How vast the change! there Coke we fondly trace, Who finds the mandate but an act of grace, A sov'reign passport sign'd by love alone To join the elders nearest to the throne. Him Luther, Calvin, and a Wesley there, Whitefield and Fletcher, (names we should revere) With Swartz and Vanderkemp illus-, trious train, Who labour'd to extend the Saviour's reign, Embrace in turn, whilst kindred spirits rise, To hail him welcome, welcome to the skies. Such worth demands far nobler lays than mine, To raise some trophy for his hallow'd shrine. To form the wreath that shall his deeds adorn, And trace the virtues bending o'er his urn: Bid truth, immortal truth, record his fame, And glory guard his apostolic name. THE METHODIST MAGAZINE. FOR MARCH, 1818. DIVINITY. EVIDENCES OF THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. Extracted from the new Edinburgh Encyclopædia. 22. LET us suppose, for the sake of further illustration, that Tacitus had included some more particulars in his testimony, and that, in addition to the execution of our Saviour, he had asserted, in round and unqualified terms, that this said Christus had risen from the dead, and was seen alive by some hundreds of his acquaintances. Even this would not have silenced altogether the cavils of enemies; but it would have reclaimed many an infidel; been exulted in by many a sincere Christian; and made to occupy a foremost place in many a book upon the evidences of our religion. Are we to forget all the while, that we are in actual possession, of much stronger testimony? that we have the concurrence of eight or ten cotemporary authors, most of whom had actually seen Christ after the great event of his resurrection? that the veracity of these authors, and the genuineness of their respective publications, are established on grounds much stronger than have ever been alledged in behalf of Tacitus, or any ancient author? Whence this unaccountable preference of Tacitus? Upon every received principle of criticism, we are bound to annex greater confidence to the testimony of the apostles. It is vain to recur to the imputation of its being an interested testimony. This the apologists for Christianity undertake to disprove, and actually have disproved it, and that VOL. I. 11 |