God himself "hath set his seal," in the miracles, the resurrection, the ascension of Christ; and in the preaching of his apostles, with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; that death is not the end of man?-Is there no pleasure, no solid consolation, in thus obtaining a glimpse, as it were, of that happy land,

"Of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign,

Where endless day excludes the night,

And pleasures banish pain ?"

Then, if these things are of no value, if they are privileges not worth obtaining, if they have no tendency to make the genuine disciple of Christ, happy in himself, and a blessing to all around him; then is the British, and Foreign Bible Society, an Institution it were vain to establish; and its grand object, the promotion of gospel truth, a blessing of no importance!

For my own part, I can truly say, that in the course of a long life, not wholly spent without observation, I have never yet seen an instance, where the Bible has been habitually read, though the understanding respecting the genuine import of many passages, may not always have been much informed, that the heart has not been made wiser and better; that many evil passions have not been corrected, although perhaps not wholly subdued; and the pious and benevolent affections further cultivated, improved and enlarged. Say then, if it be not true, that the gospel is indeed the "pearl of great price," for which the enlight

ened "merchant man," would cheerfully "sell all that he hath," to make the purchase?

Nor does the importance of the British and Foreign Bible Society appear diminished, or its value inferior, when we witness the subordinate happy effects resulting from it; softening the animosities of discordant, contending sects and parties, by demonstrating, that there is one object at least, and that a most important one, in which all may most cordially unite. With what delight, upon this occasion, have I seen the friends with whom I am in more immediate religious communion, join heart and hand with some other excellent persons, who are our friends also, but whose speculative opinions, on some points, differ widely from ours: giving thus a sort of happy foretaste of that delightful harmony which shall hereafter obtain, when all that is imperfect shall be done away; when we shall no longer "see as through a glass darkly, but shall know even as we are known!"

On the 20th of last January, (1812) I received the afflicting account of the death of my highly honoured friend, Mrs. Lindsey. I have said afflicting, but I half recal that expression, for it was an event to which she herself had long looked forward with far other sentiments than those of apprehension or regret; and such was the state of her health and spirits, that her dearest relatives could not consistently wish that her life should be very long protracted. Yet she was the friend with whom I had gone through life, in the constant habit of confidential intercourse; not a

thought on either side having been concealed, or a project or sentiment unimparted. To her and to her excellent husband; to their conversation, their example, and to the great principles of strict integrity in the sight of God, and of entire submission to his will, whether to do or to suffer, which had habitually regulated their conduct, I had owed more than I can possibly express: how then could I look forward to an entire cessation of all further intercourse in this world, without feelings of very tender regret? I was desired to draw up a Memoir for the Monthly Repository, which was inserted in the number for February of that year; and I also struck off a few copies for the gratification of particular friends, who might not see that publication.

I have endeavoured in that Memoir, as well as in the preceding narrative, to give a faithful delineation of her character; and have inserted in both, various extracts from the few of her letters, still remaining in my possession, to enable my readers more accurately to form their own judg ment respecting the discriminating powers of her acute, comprehensive mind; of the extraordinary energy and fortitude, and the deep sense of humble piety, with which it was habitually imbued. "I wonder," said an amiable friend of hers, (the widow of the late Gen. Deane) "what will be your high destination in the future, everlasting world; for my part, I shall esteem it a privilege to be seated at your footstool; and when I observe you swiftly passing by, enthroned on a ray of light, I shall say to my compeers," Surely

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there is some great event on the eve of taking place, for see, the Lindsey commission is out!"

I shall transcribe that paragraph from the Memoir in the Monthly Repository, in which I have spoken of her death, correcting an error into which I had fallen, in consequence of my having misunderstood some of the circumstances attending her last illness, transmitted to me by Dr. Blackburne and Mr. Frend.

"On Monday, January 13th, a party of Mrs. Lindsey's particular friends drank tea with her, and she appeared much as usual; they were struck however, on taking leave, with the fervent manner in which she prayed that God would bless them; 'as if,' says Mr. Frend, she had a kind of presage of her approaching dissolution.' On the Tuesday evening she had a slight paralytic seizure, but although the pressure on the brain gradually increased, she retained her speech and faculties, till Friday afternoon; inquiring particularly and by name, on Friday morning, after the sick and poor in her neighbourhood, whom she was accustomed to relieve. About one in the afternoon she was seized with a fit, and sunk gradually into a state of insensibility, without pain or suffering of any kind, until Saturday morning, when she calmly and tranquilly expired. It was her daily prayer that her last sickness might not be long, so as to be a burden to her friends; and her prayer was heard.”

CHAPTER 47.

Proposal of removing the Dissenting College from Manchester, in 1802....Difficulties and discouragements....On the part of Mr. Wellbeloved's friends....On his own.... Apathy of the dissenters....In some degree overcome..... ...Labours of Mr. Wellbeloved.... His health injured....Two additional tulors engaged....Principles of the Institution....Their value and importance.

I OUGHT perhaps, to have mentioned in its place, as being a subject in itself extremely important, and in which I have felt a very lively interest, that in the year 1802, a proposition was made to my friend Mr. Wellbeloved, by the Trustees of the College, for the education of Dissenting Ministers at Manchester, which after the resignation of Dr. Barnes, had been principally conducted by the late Rev. George Walker, to remove the Institution to this city, and to place it wholly under his direction. My late friend, Mr. Wood of Leeds, was the principal agent in this business: He had the interests of the Institution exceedingly at heart, and well knew, although Mr. Wellbeloved himself did not so appreciate his own talents, how amply he was qualified to conduct it with ability. The difficulties to be encountered, were of such magnitude, and the discouragements so many and various, that for some time Mr. Wellbeloved hesitated about accepting the proposal. I shall enumerate a few of these, whether as they re