people fixed with a successor before he died. Arrangements to that effect were made, and a co-pastor was obtained. When this had been done, he seemed to turn his thoughts more than ever towards his Father's home, and the language of his heart was- "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." He saw a prosperous church and a united people; and was permitted to witness the accomplishment of an object which of late had much engaged his thoughts the choice of three additional deacons to assist the venerable and esteemed brethren who had grown grey in their Master's service. Arrangements had also been made for the erection of new galleries, concerning which he manifested the greatest interest to the last.

It now remains for me to give you a very brief account of the last few days of his life.

For six months past he had been visibly declining, and his whole deportment evinced increasing spirituality of mind in an eminent degree. During that time he had been much engaged in writing the memorials of the chief events of his life, and the exercise often cheered him, as it carried him back in memory to the scenes of his childhood and the friends of his youth and riper years.*

*

The declining state of his health to which I have alluded as visible during the last six months, did not assume any alarming appearance until the second week in March. He was present at the united sacrament of the three churches, when he presided. This was his last public service. There was an unction about his address which struck most of his people, as had the last discourse he delivered on the first Sabbath evening in the month; but there were also indications of extreme debility, which were remarked by many,

* These will form the groundwork of a forthcoming Memoir.

and a fear expressed that they should see his face no

more.

,

On Thursday, March 12th, he felt very ill, and wrote for advice to his medical friend, Dr. C who kindly and promptly attended to his request. He rallied a little before Sunday, and, although much pressed to remain at home, he attended public worship in the morning, fearing, he said, "lest his flock should be alarmed about him." That service was the last at which he was present.

The following week his debility again returned, and gradually increased; and I believe he had then a kind of presentiment that he would not recover. I enjoyed many conversations with him during his illness, and noted down some of his expressions as he gave them utterance. They were indicative of extreme self-abasement, and humble reliance on the Saviour of sinners.

I told him his people prayed very earnestly and affectionately for him. The tears came into his eyes, and he said, “Oh, sir! I need it; I need it! I'm a poor creature." He said his mind was much harassed by Satan, who told him he had not done half what he ought for his Master; and when I said, "Depend upon it, sir, he would have been very glad if you had not done half what you have," he replies, "Ah! but I have not done what I could." Such were the low views he entertained of his labours in the service of Christ. This harassment, however, which in a great measure was attributable to his infirm state of body, speedily ceased.

On one occasion, speaking of the preciousness of the Saviour, he said, "Oh! I love to be near the blood of sprinkling ;" and talked in an animated manner of the happiness drawn from the consideration of the unchangeableness of Christ. "All I want," said he, after we had been speaking of the Saviour's atonement, " is, to feel my arm

round the cross." I told him I doubted not it was, and asked him if his heart was not there. He smiled, and said, "Yes." I told him then, that I believed his arm was too, although a little benumbed with grasping hard. He smiled again, and then spoke of the wonderful love of God in saving sinners by such a sacrifice as that of his Son.

On Wednesday, April 1st, he took to his bed; and on my saying to him, when I visited him, that I hoped he was happy, he turned to me, and said, "The debt is all paid; the sufferings of Christ have discharged it, and therefore I am free, and have peace with God." From this time not a cloud obscured his mind. He steadily declined towards the grave, but nothing hung around his setting sun, or cast a shadow upon his hopes for the future.

On his death-bed he was not forgetful of his ministerial character; for, addressing a beloved friend who stood by his side, he said, calling her by name, "Oh! mind your soul."

He felt a great desire to hear of the success of God's cause in a neighbouring place, and wished information relative to it to be given him. He also evinced great interest in the proceedings of his own people, and was gratified when he heard of the progress of the undertaking lately commenced with reference to the enlargement of the place.

When asked if he believed he should go to heaven, he said, "I have no doubt of it." Broken sentences repeatedly fell from his lips, such as "A full and free salvation;" "How softly the waters flow;" most probably referring to his departure from earth, of which he was at intervals, during the last two days, quite conscious. When his mind a little wandered, he talked of Africa, and missionary meetings, and friends with whom he had been associated in them.

April 3rd.

When I stood by his bed, he recognised me,

and said affectionately, alluding to our association in the ministry, "We have served as a father and a son in the gospel. Now God will be a father to you."

The following day, on which he died, I saw him in the morning, and leaning over him, I heard him whisper, "You see me in peace." These were the last words I heard from his lips. During the day, while his beloved wife was standing by his side, for a short time consciousness returned, and recognising her, he said, "Don't grieve; there's nothing melancholy in dying and going to glory."

In the course of the day he was heard exclaiming, "Let it fly! let the gospel fly!" the spirit of the minister and the missionary of Christ remaining to the last. Among his last coherent sentences was a prayer for his people and their junior pastor. Lord, bless the church," he exclaimed, "and poor Mr. A-."

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At a quarter past six in the evening of Saturday, it was evident that life was ebbing fast, and his friends were summoned to his bed-side to witness his departure. It was a sacred scene; the spirit of a good and truly great man was about to bid farewell to its earthly abode, and return to the God who gave it. To all, such an hour must be one of deep solemnity and momentous interest: to him it was the hour of triumphant joy. The sun had just set, and the last gleams of light, struggling through the window, fell upon his bed. There was a sweet smile passing over his countenance as the curtain was removed; and as the attendant bent down over him, he drew two or three short and rapid breaths, and then lay motionless and silent. Again he breathed quickly and smiled; then heaved a gentle sigh, and all was still once more. It was the stillness of death. In the hush of evening his happy spirit had passed away. "Precious in

the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

And now, briefly summing up his character, I may observe, as a citizen of the world, he was a benefactor to his race; and if only his efforts for alleviating the temporal wants and distresses of his fellow-creatures were to be mentioned, he would be found to occupy no mean place in the list of philanthropists. He was remarkable for his kind and conciliatory spirit, as every one who knew him can testify. His prudence in all matters was very great. This appeared one of the most distinguishing features in his character. He had observed men narrowly, and his course of conduct was directed by an intimate acquaintance with human nature, and with the workings of men's minds. No doubt this, in a great measure, led the directors of the Missionary Society to select him to visit their stations in South Africa, for which embassy qualities of mind of no common order were absolutely required, and among these not the least in importance was prudence.

As a Christian, his piety was strongly marked, and his humility pre-eminent. A rejection of the dogma of human merits, and a humble reliance on the righteousness of the Son of God for salvation, were always avowed by him as his belief, and as having resulted from the firm persuasion of an enlightened conscience, guided by the word of truth. He sought daily the God of his life, and implored continually the cleansing influences of the Holy Spirit. He was much in prayer at all times, and until almost the very last day of his life, conducted the devotions of the family. He loved all good men, and was intimately acquainted with such of all denominations. His truly catholic spirit led him to associate with them in every good work, and the evidence of a changed state, as described by the apostle who leaned on the bosom of Christ, was in his case very clear. He could exclaim, "We know that we have passed from death