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were not without evidence of the Divine blessing resting upon them. A copy of one of them entitled, "The Cloud; or, Look beyond It," came into the hands of a worthy clergyman in Yorkshire, on Christmas day. He was at the time in a depressed state of mind, fearing that the labours of years had been in vain. He took up this small book, and was pleased with the recommendation contained in its title "Look beyond the cloud." He read it, and its simple and pleasing advice cheered his mind, prepared him for the happy discharge of the duties of the day, and produced much subsequent comfort.

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A gentleman in London experienced a great disappointment, the effect of which was to throw him into such desponding views as to threaten the most fearful consequences. A friend inclosed in an envelope the same book, Cloud;" but without knowing the state of the gentleman's mind, and requested him to give it to his little boy. On going home, he opened the envelope to see the book it contained. He read it, and experienced such relief in his distress of mind, that he wrote a letter to the gentleman who sent it, expressing his thankfulness for the benefit which he had received.

As the versatile pen of Old Humphrey necessitated that he should assume different charac

ters, he wrote various volumes and children's books, for the Religious Tract Society, under other names. Hence he apeared as "Grandfather Gregory," "Amos Armfield," "Uncle Adam," "Old Anthony," "Godfrey Gilbert," "The Traveller," "The Encourager," and other aliases too numerous to particularize. When more suited to his purpose, he changed the masculine gender into the feminine, and appeared as "Grandmamma Gilbert," and "Aunt Upton."

Several other books were prepared for the Society of an entertaining and instructive kind; as, "The Boy's Week-day Book," "Wanderings in the Isle of Wight," "Loiterings among the Lakes," "Calls of Usefulness," "The North American Indians," "The Old Sea Captain," "Footprints of Popery," "The Country," "Play Hours," and a few more of a similar character. Nor must "Learning to Think," "Learning to Feel," "Learning to Act," and "Learning to Converse," be omitted, as works alike useful and pleasing in their contents. The whole number of tracts and books added by Mr. Mogridge to the Society's catalogue, amounts to one hundred and forty-six. A noble contribution to the cause of truth and piety from one pen!

While engaged in promoting the objects of the Society, application was made by several

respectable publishers to "Old Humphrey," for literary assistance, which he rendered without breaking his connexion with a Society that had become endeared to his heart. It was to him a great relief, and a source of much gratification, to be employed at the same time, on works of different kinds, grave and gay, limited and of greater length, prose and poetry; versatility in composition being one of his qualifications. Seven volumes of the "Peter Parley" series,* "Paul Preston," Quintin Harewood," 66 The Boy's Friend," "Alfred Moreland," "Christmas Tales," "Twelve Moral Maxims," "Alan Gilbert's Last Birth-day," "Uncle Newbery's Moral Budget," and many other works, were added by him to the "trade catalogue" for the young.

The periodicals of the Sunday-school Union were also enlivened by his racy, wise, and pious counsels; and for that Institution he wrote "Ephraim Holding's Hints to Sunday-school Teachers." He likewise contributed occasional papers to the "Ragged School Magazine," "The Family Economist," and other serials.

"Truly," he observed towards the close of life,

The Rev. Mr. Goodrich, of America, was the original Peter Parley: some of the volumes written by him under this title were reprinted by a London bookseller, and, obtaining a popularity, Mr. Mogridge was engaged to continue the series,

"mine has been a prolific pen; and though too often, and too legibly, haste, immaturity of thought, and other errors, have marked my productions, yet it is a source of consolation and thankfulness, in the prospect of leaving behind me the many works I have written, to know that I have so little cause for serious regret. Though not unmixed with meaner motives, glory to God and goodwill to mankind, have ever been my prevailing object and desire. My connexion with the Religious Tract Society has been to me an important one in many respects, for it has supplied me with occupation, ministered to my comforts, withheld me from light and trifling pursuits, and constrained me to the consideration of eternal things. The Committee of the Institution have ever treated me with respect and liberality, and its various officers with undeviating attention."

A few instances of the usefulness of his writings have been given: how many immortal souls have been warned, instructed, encouraged, and established in the faith, by the perusal of the tens of thousands of copies of his fugitive pieces, or little volumes, which have been scattered through the world, can never be known till that day when every man's work shall be tried, and seen in all its results, whether for good or

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evil. If we know of a single case in which, by such means, a sinner has been turned from the error of his way, or a fainting believer has been strengthened in his course, we may cherish the hope that there are many more which have never been brought to light. Only the first fruits are gathered now; the full harvest is reserved to the end of the world.

"A good book," says Milton, "is the precious life-blood of a master-spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.” It may teach for ages: succeeding generations of a family may gather from it knowledge, and find in it recreation. One of Luther's tracts, printed at Wittemberg in 1545, was found a few years since in a German household in the back settlements of America. It had been teaching for more than three hundred years: who can estimate the effects of those few pages? And it may yet do good for ages to come. Books of piety have much influence on the history of families. Without over-estimating the value of Old Humphrey's volumes and tracts, or assigning to them a vitality they do not possess, may it not be anticipated that they will comfort in declining age those who are now young, and that their children's children may read them with pleasure and profit?

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