man whom he most of all admired in his own "line of things," and whom he imagined that designedly or undesignedly he most of all resembled; "My great prototype Mr. Venn." In him he considered the eloquent man, the scholar, and the gentleman as eminently united with the wise, penetrating, warmly affectioned christian. In his best and most favoured moments he had not known his equal, as a christian speaker. He would tell of his family worship-how he could discriminate every character present, and give his word in prayer to each; of his enchanting conversation-by which he carried all away with him; of his courteous address-by which he could win ladies to hear of Christ; of his profound knowledge of the heart, and skill in applying apposite treatment to the most untoward cases-by which he could bring one, who had a devil, to repent. His favourite sentiment in a social circle of christian friends-" the universal flow"-was always coupled with Mr. Venn's name; and I can never read Coloss. ii. 13-15, without being reminded of his last interview with this honoured servant of God; of brother Bean's lean text—' verily it

shall be well with the righteous;' and of that better text-" having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it"—which having pronounced on tip-toe, he sunk into his customary state of stupor and childishness! Above all, let me mention the trait of humility in Mr. Venn's character on which he delighted so much to dwell. Mr. Venn, when removed to the obscurity of Yelling, never appeared to gain acceptance with the rude rustics amongst whom he sojourned; and at length, being incapable of much service, he was assisted by a curate from Wales, who drew the people surprisingly.

Honest Evans," said he, " carries all before him." His family were a little jealous of this unexpected preference; but he rebuked them: 66 Carry me to hear him," said he; "God honours him and I will honour him. Have you ever studied that text, Brother? (John iii. 30.) He must increase, but I must decrease?' A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."

Dr. Conyers was another subject of his most interesting representations:-the truly episcopal gravity, stillness and solemnity of

his life and spirit-how he had preached for some years, without declaring what he at length found he had not known-how he was surprised to read that there are such things. He considered the history of Dr. Conyers as exhibiting an affecting proof that the world will love its own, and will no longer love those who are no longer "of it." Dr. Conyers had been holden up as a pattern of what a minister should be, when, upon studying his Greek Testament one day, as his custom was, he came in the course of his reading to Ephes. iii. 8, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Riches of Christ!' said he within himself: 'unsearchable riches!' What have I preached of these? What do I know of these?"-Such was the beginning of new views, new sentiments, new declarations, with this truly conscientious pastor; who had the honesty to inform his people on the very next sabbath, that he feared he had been a blind leader of the blind, but that he was now determined to begin afresh; he trusted the Lord would lead him aright,

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and, as he should be led, so he would guide them. The broad seal of the Spirit convincing, converting, sanctifying large multitudes through his ministry put it beyond a doubt who had been the author of this revolution in his opinions and feelings, and that "the vision was of the Lord." But he was no longer the world's religious idol.The closing scene of this good man's life— when, after having testified to his congregation in a sermon on Acts xx. 26, 27, that "he was pure from the blood of all men," he felt himself on a sudden to be a dying man, called his servant to take him down from the pulpit, was led amidst his weeping hearers with this pathetic adieu-" I am going to my Master-I am going to my Master"and became a corpse before the afternoon service was finished-will be brought immediately to the recollection of every frequent partaker in Mr. Robinson's convivial conversation, by the very mention of Dr. Conyers's name.

Mr. Cecil was entwined round his heart. Indeed, who could know him as Mr. Robinson did who can ever read a volume of his works without conceiving somewhat of

a romantic veneration for his dignified and refined mind? Perhaps no two minds were more dissimilar than his and Mr. Robinson's: yet they coalesced. I have reason to know that Mr. Cecil cordially clung to Mr. Robinson, and can testify that Mr. Robinson delighted in Mr. Cecil. Eminent in genius, in originality, in solemn devotedness to Godthe man of eternity-the man who knew the world-the man who could expose trick and cheat-who loved his kind-who could devise and execute a bold and enlarged plan of acting-comprehensive, energetic, disinterested-so he would describe Mr. Cecil! He has sometimes doubted, as others have done, whether his plan at St. John's, of advancing gradually to the full developement of the truth, was altogether salutary; though he never doubted his integrity in it: he was sure, if it were a plan for any man, it was for a Cecil only. God however was pleased amply to bless it, and, whilst we can but prognosticate and conjecture what the effect of another course might be, we have experience and fact to assure us that this was at least an excellent, if not "the more excellent way." He had many fine touches