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tirement. The holy flame, which her soul in secret caught from converse with God and celestial objects, shone forth with a mild and heavenly lustre in the narrow circle within which her duties were confined. It was her habitual aim to bring the minds of her children and servants under the practical influence of religion, by serious admonition, by seasonable reproof, and by the improvement of ordinary occurrences to the purposes of edification. In the society of her friends, she displayed the same earnest desire to do good, and the same prevailing sense of the pre-eminent importance of eternal things. She delighted in praising God and speaking good of his name, and in inviting attention to the characters of mercy and wisdom which she saw distinctly impressed on the dispensations of his providence towards herself and others. To the poor she was a constant friend and a liberal benefac tress ; administering, to the utmost of her ability, to the relief of their bodily necessities, and promoting their spiritual interest by providing for their religious instruction and encouraging their attendance on the public ordinances and means of grace. Her own example most powerfully co-operated with these endeavours. Notwithstanding the infirmity under which she laboured, she was, for the last sixteen years of her life, a regular attendant on divine worship, being carried in a sedan chair, in which she sat dur ing the service and her children will never forget the effusions of pious gratitude in which she taught their minds to participate on the first occasion of her revisiting the house of God, after the lengthened absence to which she had been obliged to submit during the earlier part of her confinement. The language of the Psalmist was then peculiarly her own. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of the Lord-my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God!" Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2, But the part of Mrs. Hodson's character which was most distinguishing, and which, in the short enumeration of her Christian graces above given, was omitted as requiring to be distinctly exhibited, was her resigua tion to the Divine will. An unreserved submission to the will of God has justly been considered as the consummation of the Christian character. It is represented as characterizing the angels in heaven, and shines forth with peculiar brightness in the re corded actions and sufferings of Jesus Christ, Mrs H. had attained an eminent degree of it. She had learnt to adore and bless the designs of Providence, even in his severest

chastisements, and to receive, not only with patient submission, but with cheerful acquiescence, the bitter cup of affliction, which she was not unfrequently called upon to taste. She would even rejoice in her trials as necessary to maintain in exercise the spirit of watchfulness and prayer-and as most effectually calculated to confirm her faith and elevate her delight in the word and promises of God. A striking instance of her advancement in the spirit of resignation was afforded a short time before her death.. Her only daughter, and the sole habitual companion of her retirement, was visited with a very severe illness, from which she herself did not expect her to recover. In the midst of the solicitude and suspense which attended this event, she one day told an intimate friend who visited her, that she had been much employed in meditation upon that petition in the Lord's Prayer (which had been the subject of a sermon she had recently heard), Thy will be done,” &c.-and that she had been carefully endea. vouring to ascertain the state of her mind, in reference to it, by an examination of the feelings with which she regarded her daughter's present alarming situation; adding, as the result of her deliberate investigation, that she could say, she was prepared wil lingly to surrender her,

It will reasonably be expected that some account should now be given of the parti cular circumstances which marked the clo sing scene of Mrs. H's. earthly existence; but this expectation cannot be satisfied-it pleased God in infinite wisdom to withold from her the opportunity, sometimes afforded to others, of glorifying in her death the religion which her life had so eminently adorned. Her constitution, enfeebled by so long a confinement, had not strength sufficient to struggle, even for a short time, with the illness which proved fatal to her-and though she lived nearly two days after its first ap pearance, she was throughout that time too weak to hold any conversation. From the few words which she uttered, it was evidenț that she was fully aware of the approach of death and during the intervals of her pain (which appeared not to be of long con tinuance nor great intensity), and after it subsided, she shewed the clearest marks of being wholly occupied in prayer, and in contemplation of the unspeakably blessed change which awaited her. Nor will it be deemed presumptuous to entertain the firm conviction that she was permitted to experience the full measure of that divine support, for which, in the habitual anticipation of her departure hence, she was known fer

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vently to supplicate, in the language of the following beautiful extract, which was found written in her own hand amongst other papers: My last exigence will be the closing part of life; oh! remember me then, my God; thou who hast led me hitherto, forsake me not at last! be my strength when nature fails, and the flame of life is just expiring. Let thy smiles cheer that gloomy hour: oh! then let thy gentle voice whisper peace and ineffable consolation to my soul !" Her last moments were unusually tranquil: not a sigh or struggle intimated her dissolution, nor can there be any doubt to those who knew her life, that the arms of everlasting love were spread beneath her, and that angels were appointed to convey her emancipated spirit from this vale of tears, to the eternal abode of peace and joy.

LADY GORDON.

On Sunday, the 2d of June, 1811, died, after a very short illness, Lady Gordon, wife of the Rev. Sir Adam Gordon, Baronet, Rector of West Tilbury, Essex, &c. A loss most deeply felt, by all who had the plea sure of her acquaintance, and could justly estimate her worth.-Among the many amiable qualities and engaging accomplishments that distinguished this excellent cha. racter, one prominent virtue was, the most rigid respect for truth. In such veneration did she hold this sacred property, that often, in attending even to humorous narrative, her apprehensions were painfully alive, lest casual embellishment should interfere with strict veracity. Towards her social and domestic connexions, her affability, and continual desire to confer pleasure, or convey comfort, became, among her intimates, quite proverbial. In the discharge of kindred duties, she was exemplary, beyond praise. In the display of Christian benevolence, sbe may have been equalled, but could not be excelled. Not even ingratitude could curtail her invariable study to befriend the needy. Forgiveness, that most lovely produce of religion's power, banished all resentments; and nothing but positive, per severing vice could interfere to check, or rather lessen, her unceasing bounty. Her uniform delight was to solace the afflicted, to make up unhappy differences, and prove the most genuine and unshaken friendship for those she thought deserving. No envy, no ostentation of superior talent, ever tar nished her excellencies, but a generous ardour to promote innocent hilarity, and the

most hospitable exertions (with a sweetness of disposition, and demeanour, peculiarly her own,) endeared her instantly, and equally, to the stranger as to the friend. In short, extreme caution not to hazard censure, and not to give offence, formed a line of conduct that could not fail to exact esteem, and to ingratiate her with all who could appreciate merit; and rendered her beloved, in every place, and by every order in society.— Judgment, dispatch, and correct arrangement, even in business of intricate concern marked also her native vigour of mind, and alertness of apprehension. To a happy talent in the epistolary style, she united the valuable attainment of most clear, impressive reading, in every kind of compo sition:-And, to close the list of these attractive acquisitions-no one who ever heard. her voice, as melodious as powerful, will easily forget her exquisite taste in the execution of Handel's sublimest works; the captivating force she gave to those exalted strains, that called forth his transcendent genius, and stamped the general testimony of her own. Such was the choice companion of him, who gratefully attempts this slender sketch of her combined endowments; this bounden tribute to her memory-thankful for the treasure lent him, and dutifully resigning it to the gracious, supreme Proprietor of the blessing.-And should it now be asked,-did no one blemish mingle with this description of a mere mortal being? The reply is brief, and in no degree detracts from the still higher attainments she derived from unaffected piety, and the grace bestowed upon her from above. Compa ratively, her failings were as shades in painting, rendering the shining parts more beautifully conspicuous--they were as specks in snow; the entailed inheritance of a fallen state; of which the very best, while in this life, must partake, or otherwise the creature would exhibit that perfection here which liberated spirits only can attain to in the realms of bliss. It is natural, it is incumbent, to mourn for such a loss—a loss irreparable to him, so long experiencing the value of the possession-who, to the grave, must feel the sore privation, but who, bowing submissively to the correction, humbly receives it, as a symptom of parental love, from the unerring hand that hath appointed it for good, and consoled by the cheering prospect of an endless re-union, through the mercy, merits, and power of the Redeemer.

A. G.

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For the Christian Observer.

AND

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE CHARACTER OF THE REV. GEORGE HERBERT.

HE memory of this

Tdinary mary ought is extraorrished by every member of the Church of England. He was a burning and a shining light, and though dead he yet speaketh. It is the object of this paper to exhibit a brief view of his excellencies both as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, in the hope that the example may prove useful. In doing this, the materials will be derived chiefly from his life by Walton,-those parts being selected from the mass which seem best adapted to the end proposed.

George Herbert was born on the 3d day of April 1593, near to the town of Montgomery, in a castle bearing that name and belonging to his family, a family which had long been distinguished for patriotism and benevolence. His father was Richard Herbert, and his mother Magdalen Newport, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport. His father died in 1597, and left his mother with seven sons, of whom he was the fifth, and three daughters. His eldest brother was the famous Lord Herbert of Cherbury, who may be considered as the first deistical writer who appeared in England. His mother continued for twelve years in a state of widowhood, and then married the brother * This castle was levelled with the ground during the civil wars in the reign of Charles

the First.

CHRIST. OBSERY. No. 116.

and heir of the Earl of Danby, with whom she lived very happily. Dur ing the time of her widowhood, she devoted herself to the care of her family. She even accompanied her to Oxford, that

better superintend their education, and watch their progress in useful learning as well as their moral conduct. She laboured to endear her society to her children, and she suc ceeded. They spent much of their time with their mother, which was to her a source of great satisfaction. She appears to have been esteemed as a person of great piety and worth by Dr. Donne and many other learned and excellent men of that day.

George Herbert spent the first twelve years of his life under the eye of his mother, and under the instruction of a clergyman who was tutor in the family. He afterwards became a king's scholar in Westminster school, at which he continued till he became well acquainted with the learned languages, especially the Greek. During his stay at Westminster, he was no less remarkable for his piety than for the rapidity of his improvement. In 1608, being then fifteen, he was removed to Trinity College, Cambridge, where his mother, anxious for the preservation of the purity of his mind and manners, induced Dr. Nevil, the master of that college, to take him under his particular care. In the first year of his residence at Cambridge, we find him lamenting, in a letter to his mother, that so many poems of that day were consecrated to Venus, while so few looked towards God and heaven; and

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declaring that all his poetry should be for ever devoted to God's glorya resolution to which he steadily adhered. He was made bachelor of arts in 1611, and master of arts, as well as fellow of Trinity College, in 1615; and in 1619 he was chosen orator of the university. During the whole of this time he was a most laborious student. His chief relaxation consisted in the practice of music, in which he greatly delighted, "It relieved," he said, "his drooping spirits, composed his distracted thoughts, and raised his weary soul so far above earth that it gave him an earnest of the joys of heaven." As he grew in learning, he grew also in favour with God and man. "He seemed marked out for virtue, and to be the care of Heaven; for God still kept his soul in a holy frame." The defects observable in him at this time originated in a sort of pride of family, which led him to maintain considerable reserve towards his inferiors, and to affect a higher style of dress than was consistent with the general tone of his mind.

In the situation of public orator, he enjoyed opportunities of displaying his talents and genius, of which he did not fail to avail himself. He had acquired so much promptness, both when writing and speaking Latin, in using these ingenious conceits which deformed the taste of that age, that he attracted the particular notice of King James, who was himself much addicted to their use. He called Mr. Herbert the jewel of the university, and always required his attendance, whenever he went down, as he frequently did, to Royston and Newmarket, to hunt. It was on one of these occasions that Mr. Herbert became acquainted with the great Lord Bacon and Bishop Andrews. The former so highly valued his judgment, that he generally submitted to his revision such works as he intended for publication; and he dedicated also to him his translation of some of the Psalms of David into English

verse. A sinecure place of 1501. a year falling vacant about this time, it was given him by the king. This, with his fellowship, and oratorship, enabled him to indulge in his propensity for dress, and his fondness for the company of great men; and it seems also to have kindled his ambition. He aimed at high offices in the state, and with that view wished to leave the University, and travel into foreign countries. But the dissent of his mother from this plan, and the weakness of his constitution, induced him to hesitate; and in the mean time, the death of King James damped his hopes of advancement at court. We are told that he had now many conflicts with himself, whether he should pursue his projects of worldly greatness, or, turning his back on all these, enter into holy orders. He found it dif ficult to divest himself of those ambitious desires which he had too freely indulged; but at last God inclined him to determine on serving at his altar." It hath been formerly judged," he observed on this occasion, "that the domestic servants of the King of Heaven, should be of the noblest families on earth; and though the iniquity of the times has made the name of clergyman contemptible, yet I will labour to make it honourable. I will consecrate all my learning, and all my poor abilities, to advance the glory of that God that gave them, knowing that I can never do too much for him who hath done so much for me. And I will labour to be like my Saviour, making humility lovely in the eyes of all men, and following the merciful and meek example of the dear Jesus."

It was about the beginning of the year 1626, that Mr. Herbert entered into deacon's orders; and in the month of July, in the same year, he was made prebend of Layton Ecclesia, a village near Spalden, in Huntingdonshire. He found the church in this place so decayed

as to be wholly unfit for the purposes of public worship. He undertook to rebuild it, and by his own contributions, joined to those which he obtained from his friends, he succeeded in the undertaking. He was greatly aided in this work by Mr. Nicholas Farrer, whose extra ordinary piety and devotion are well known, and who lived in the neighbourhood of Layton. They were kindred spirits, and their friendship ended only with life. About the year 1629, Mr. H. was forced by illness to remove to Wood ford, in Essex, where be remained for about a year. He suffered much during this time; but his sanctified, submission to the will of God was remarkable. He was often heard to say, even in the moments of his sharpest sufferings, "Lord, abate my great affliction, or increase my patience; but, Lord, I repine not; I am dumb, Lord, before thee, because thou doest it." Woodford not agreeing with him, and being threatened with a consumptive com. plaint, he went to Dantsey, a seat of the Earl of Danby, in Wiltshire, where his health and strength so much improved, that he resolved on entering into the priesthood. About this time he married Miss Danvers, a lady who was related to the Earl of Danby, and who appears to have been a person of singular excellence, a helpmeet even for Mr. Herbert. "The eternal Lover of mankind," observes the pious Isaac Walton, " made them happy in each other's mutual and equal affections and compliance; indeed so happy that there never was any opposition betwixt them, unless it were a contest which should most incline to a compliance with the other's desires. And though this begot, and continued on them such a mutual love, and joy, and content, as was no way defective; yet this mutual content, and love and joy, did receive a daily aug mentation, by such daily obliging ness to each other, as still added such new affluences to the former

fulness of these divine souls, as was only improveable in heaven, where they now enjoy it." What a beautiful picture of wedded love is this, and how well does it illustrate the resemblance such love * bears to that which subsists be. tween Christ and his church!

About three months after his marriage, he was presented to the rectory of Beinerton, about a mile from Salisbury. He hesitated for some time whether he should act cept it, being fearful of the great account he should have to give for so many souls committed to his care; and he fasted much and prayed often for the Divine direc, tion. He used to say himself, that he endured at this time such spi ritual conflicts as none can conceive but those who have themselves endured them. Being at length, however, convinced that it was his duty to accept the presentation, he was ordained priest, and inducted into the living, on the 26th of April 1630, and there he spent the few remaining years of his life.

When, at his induction, he was shut into Bemerton church, and left there alone to toll the bell, he staid so long that a friend was induced to look in at the church-window, and saw him lie prostrate on the ground before the altar; at which time he vowed to observe certain rules for the future conduct, of his life. These rules he afterwards committed, in a more distinct and extended form, to writing; being the same which, on his death, were given to the world, under the title of the Priest of the Temple, or the Country Parson's Character; a book with which every clergyman ought to be familiarly acquainted. His biographer assures us, that his daily practice was a fair transcript of his own rules.

Mr. Herbert, in the preface to his description of a clergyman, piously remarks; that "being desirous, through the mercy of God, to please him, for whom I am, and live, and who giveth me my desires and per

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