His regular practice, when he arose in the morning, was first to pray, and then read a chapter in the Scriptures, in regular progression; and, during the late vacation, the remainder of his time was occupied in writing, cyphering, reading some history, and his usual play, which chiefly consisted in digging graves, performing funerals, preaching, taking a walk, &c. He was always anxious to see coffins, of corpse any person, funerals, open graves, and the with whom he had been familiar, especially the corpse of a young person. He was very careful to refrain from bad words, and if at any time an expression escaped the lips of a friend, which he thought was irreverent or improper, he would check them for it-such as, O Lord! Lord bless me! &c. When he had been at the house of any friend, where a blessing was not asked at tea, he would express great surprise, and enquire the reason of it, saying, "It was right to ask a blessing at tea the same as at dinner*." The last walk he took was on Friday the 16th of July, to Hackney Church-yard, with one of his school what he himself shall say unto us, considering the minister only as God's instrument, or messenger to us. If we gain advantage, the praise is due to God; but, if otherwise, let us not lay the blame upon the minister, but take the shame to ourselves, that we have not better improved the opportunity. was losing * It appears as though this good old custom ground in the present day, being entirely overlooked in many families of professed Christians. But does not the omission argue the absence both of gratitude for the blessing bestowed, and of a devotional spirit? Surely if God is to be ackuowledged in the enjoyment of one meal, he ought to be equally "In every thing to so in all the rest. An apostle exhorts us, give thanks," and whether we eat or drink, to do it to the glory of God." school-fellows, whom he requested to accompany him. Here he saw an old man, whom he supposed, (as he expressed it) was eighty years old, whom he heard swear, and observed, "What an awful thing for an old man to swear, especially in a churchyard." The following morning, being at his play in the garden, his last illness commenced. At ten o'clock he came into the house and complained of being very poorly; he desired to lie down, which he did for most part of the day. In the evening, he talked much about death, wished to die, and said, "If I should die to-night, then, while they are singing in chapel to-morrow, I shall be singing in heaven; and it is most likely I shall be buried about Thursday, then I should wish Mr. Cavalier to preach my funeral sermon on the Sabbath-day." Being asked, what good a funeral sermon would do him, he replied, "I know it can do me no good, but it may do good to survivors." He said he wished to die rather than live; adding, "I know that the Lord sends this illness because of my sins. I am a great sinner now, and the longer I live the more I shall sin; for I find Satan often tempting me with wicked thoughts, and sometimes to say bad words, and to swear; and I say to him, Get thee behind me Satan.' My sins are innumerable, though not in the sight of men, they are so in the sight of God; but he can pardon them all: and (speaking to the house-keeper) “ I hope he will pardon all my sins, and all your sins, and my father's sins, and the sins of all my friends, and of all my enemies." When he was put to bed he was observed to be looking upward very earnestly, and immediately said, Vol. ix. ла I Diseases are thy servants, Lord, Yet I may plead with humble cries, Crush'd as a moth beneath thy hand, Our feeble powers can ne'er withstand, But if my life be spar'd awhile, Before my last remove, Thy praise shall be my business still, When I had done praying by him, he thanked me. In the afternoon, being evidently much worse, leeches were applied to his neck, and another blister to his throat. Before my return home in the evening, perceiving the housekeeper had been weeping, he said to |