body. If it were not," he adds, "for this comprehensive and powerful connection, the communication of mankind with each other would be extremely limited, and their benevolence would necessarily either be confined within the same bounds, or if it were enlarged by the principles of religion would be nothing more than a speculative ineffectual feeling.But by the means of commerce, a field is opened for the actual exercise of universal benevolence, and the doctrines of the gospel are intended to impel it to action, to give it a proper direction, and to arm it against the obstacles which are thrown in its way by selfishness and vice." He proceeds to shew that the disposition of the terraqueous globe is expressly designed to promote a commercial intercourse, and thus to render the various tribes of men, notwithstanding the distance of their habitations, and the diversity of their language and manners, all members one of another. How much is it to be lamented that the practice of mankind should continue to be at variance with the soundest maxims of philosophy and religion, that the wise contrivances of the Author of nature should be perverted to

mutual unhappiness, and the voice of reason and the gospel neglected or despised! Mr. Wood had, at that period, cause to lament the selfishness and infatuation too evident in commercial concerns; but he lived to see those concerns still more degraded and perverted; he lived almost to hear the yell of war raised by an assembly of merchants, in the centre of the metropolis of a country which is indebted to commerce for her envied superiority, and which glories in her profession of the gospel of Christ.

In the following year he was engaged at Pudsey, near Bradford, in the ordination of the Rev. W. Turner, jun. of Newcastle, in conjunction with the Rev. P. Holland, the Rev. J. Dawson, and the Rev. W. Turner, sen. of Wakefield. On that occasion Mr. Wood delivered the usual prayer, which was printed with the rest of the service. The whole of that publication is interesting, and deserves the frequent perusal of all who are engaged in the work of the ministry, but particularly of those who are just entering upon that important work, many of whom, in consequence of the present disuse of this apostolical ceremony, have no opportunity of receiving those salutary counsels

of age and experience, which are so well adapted to shew the serious nature of the ministerial office, and to produce constant circumspection and diligence in the discharge of its various and momentous duties.

It may not be improper here to observe, that, with the truly excellent person who was the subject of this religious ordinance, Mr. Wood maintained, till the time of his death, the most pleasing and friendly intercourse. Fine talents and ainiable dispositions on each side, a cordial union of sentiment upon points of the greatest interest, both religious and civil, and an enlightened zeal in the cause of truth and of virtue, excited and cherished mutual esteem, and gave birth to a friendship which time invigorated, and death alone could interrupt: But Mr. Dawson was his neighbour as well as his friend, and very frequent personal intercourse produced, on the part of each, an affection truly fraternal. Besides a similarity of taste, a common attachment to the study of the works of nature, and unanimity concerning principles of the highest importance to the happiness of man, both as a citizen of this world and

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an expectant of immortality, there prevailed a striking resemblance of temper, each being distinguished by almost unruffled chearfulness, the consequence not of natural temperament merely, but of conscious integrity, and the most pleasing views of the moral government of God.

From the time of his leaving the academy, but especially of his settling at Leeds, Mr. Wood ardently devoted himself to the studies immediately belonging to his profession, or intimately connected with it. Few men were ever better qualified for the investigation of theological truth. With considerable attainments in classical literature, and an accurate knowledge of the Hebrew language and the Greek of the synagogue, were united a sound understanding, a correct judgment, a comprehensive mind, a well formed taste, and unwearied perseverance. From the principal sources of biblical criticism he could draw with ease, and for the minutest and the most patient investigation he was suited as well by habit and disposition as by extensive and accurate learning. But to very minute verbal criticism he was no friend, he thought that it too often lead into useless speculations,

and obscured rather than illustrated the truth; he was fearful that it might induce students in theology to expect in the sacred writers the same precision and accuracy in the use of words, which are to be found only in the most accurate and philosophical authors, and consequently that instead of the real sense in which the sacred writer employed his terms, the ideas affixed to them by the critic would be too frequently substituted. It was therefore not from the general meaning of particular terms in classical or contemporary writers, nor even from the signification which they commonly bear in scriptural use, that he ventured in every instance to interpret passages of doubtful import; he trusted for assistance rather to the general nature and design of revelation, to the scope of the writer's argument, and the habit and disposition, as far as they could be discovered, of the writer's mind. To theological studies conducted upon the most comprehensive and enlightened plan he paid during many years almost unremitted attention, and though he gave not to the world any of the fruits of these private and to him pleasing labours, and has left amongst his papers no