be found. They embrace some of the most important practical points at issue between the three several classes of Churchmen, Dissenters, and Methodists. Finding ourselves now in Part II. of this interesting memoir, that part which details, as we have seen, the moral and social life of Mr. Hey, we cannot perhaps do better than pass back a few pages, to make our readers still more intimately acquainted with the character of Mr. Hey under circumstances not unknown to them; we mean, under affliction from repeated domestic losses. We think the following extract, exhibiting Mr. Hey just after the loss of his eighth child, and on the morning of the funeral, will be read with deep interest, by every one who has a heart to feel and to respond to the purest and most sublime sentiments. If Christianity be such as it here appears, can we have a better illustration of the assertion, that "The Christian is the highest style of man?" "These afflicting dispensations of the Divine Providence were sharp and severe exercises of the faith and patience of Mr. Hey. He experienced all that a parent could naturally feel under these successive disappointments of his hopes and expectations, on being thus bereaved of his children at the time when they were just entering upon the active duties of life, with the fair promise of becoming eminently useful in their stations, and adding to the comfort of all their connexions. But the mind of Mr. Hey did not sink into dejection under these mournful visitations He endeavoured to improve the inroads which death made in his family, by contemplating more deeply the vanity of earthly things, the fugitive nature of all human enjoyments, and the narrow interval which separates time from eternity. Unlike those who are in haste to abandon the mortal remains of their relatives, he saw nothing frightful, or revolting, in the dead bodies of his children; he contemplated each of them, when placed in its coffin, as consigned to sleep peacefully till the morning of the resurrection, while his soul was cheered and refreshed by the perBuasion, that to them might be ap plied those consoling words heard from heaven by the writer of the Apocalypse; 'Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.' "On the morning of the funeral he was accustomed to withdraw into the room where the corpse of his beloved child was placed; there, in holy acts of devotion he solemnly resigned to God the gift which had been recalled; and expressed unfeigned gratitude to his heavenly Father for the comfort he had so long enjoyed whilst exercising the trust reposed in him. Above all, he gave thanks that the child was delivered from the vanities and miseries of this evil world, and, through the mercy and grace of the Redeemer, was admitted to partake of the heavenly glory and blesseduess. Mr. Hey was wont to say on the death of his children, that his ultimate end respecting them was answered, inasmuch as he had trained them up to become inhabitants of that kingdom into which he trusted they had been mercifully received.' inscribed these words; 'O death! where "On the grave stone of John, are is thy sting?' On that of Robert, O grave! where is thy victory?' "The following Memorial, composed in the morning of the day on which the remains of his son, Robert Hey, were committed to the tomb, presents a striking and affecting view of the state of Mr. Hey's mind under that affliction, and is a fine exhibition of his character as a parent and a Christian. "MEMORIAL. "Leeds, Monday, May 17, 1802. "O most holy and glorious Lord God, who hast declared thyself gracious. and merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, permit thy guilty creature to approach thee, through the mediation of thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ! ་ "When I consider myself, I can draw near unto thee with no other language than that of the Publican, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' and with no other plea, than that Jesus hath died for my sins, and is riseu again for my justification. "Yet thou hast graciously encouraged and commanded me to draw near to the throne of grace with humble boldness, that I may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Thou hast permitted me to enter into covenant with thee by the endearing name of Father. I thank Thee, O Lord, for . thy rich grace; and bless thy name for thine unspeakable condescension. I desire to renew again my baptismal covenant with Thee, which I have so often renewed in private, and at the holy table. I humbly pray that Thou wouldest seal me for thine own, and give me to rejoice in the well-founded hope, that I am thy child, ransomed by the blood of my Redeemer, and renewed by the gracious influences of thy Holy Spirit. "Suffer me not to deceive myself; but shew me if there be any allowed wickedness in me, and deliver me from the power of every evil. "I look back with astonishment and gratitude at the abundant mercies which Thou hast shewn towards me. Thou didst call me in my youth to the knowledge of Thyself, and hast delivered me from numberless snares into which I might have fallen. Thou hast given me a help meet for me, and hast favoured me with a numerous offspring. Blessings, more than I can reckon up, have crowded upon me in quick suc cession. I desire to praise Thee for them all. "But, at this time, I would offer my most hearty and solemn thanksgiving for the mercies shewn to my dear children. Four of them thou wast pleased to call out of this dangerous and sinful world during the state of infancy. I surrendered them unto thee in thy holy ordinance of baptism, and committed them to thy disposal. Thou didst remove them ere the pollutions of this world had led their corrupt hearts astray; and, I humbly hope, thou didst receive them to thy glory. "Concerning other four whom Thou hast called hence in adult age, Thon hast graciously given me the most solid hopes. Thongh by nature children of wrath, even as others, Thou wast pleased to awaken them to a sense of the odious nature of sin, and to grant them true repentance. They were early taught by thy grace to flee for refuge to the Friend of sinners; and Thou didst prolong their lives till they had given clear proofs of a sound conversion. Though prepared, as I hoped, to glorify Thee on earth, thou didst dispense with their services, and didst remove them hence in the beginning of their usefulness. But thy grace was with them. In their sickness, and at the approach of death, they were enabled to rejoice in thy salvation. The last of them I am this day about to commit to the silent grave, but in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life. What shall I render to Thee for all thy mercies! O that my future life might more abundantly shew forth thy praise! "I commit those of my children who yet remain, to thy fatherly care. O Lord, watch over them, and preserve them from the evil that is in the world ! Enable them to glorify Thee in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. And whenever they shall be called hence, may they join their deceased brothers and sisters in the world of holiness and bliss, there to magnify the wonders of redeeming love for ever! "O Lord, accept graciously the renewed offering of myself to Thee! Protect me in all the trials and temptations that are yet before me! Increase my love to Thee and all mankind. Quicken my zeal; and enable me to look forwards with holy and earnest expectation of that bliss which Thou hast prepared for thine elect! And, whenever I am called to pass through the valley of the shadow of death, look then with pity on thy languishing and dying child; support me with the consolations of thy Holy Spirit, and receive me to thine eternal glory, through the merit and mediation of Jesus Christ my Redeemer! Amen. "WILLIAM HEY." Moral and Social Life, pp. 45—51. After the solemn impressions necessarily excited by the perusal of such sentiments, it would seem almost a profanation to return to the ordinary circle of this diurnal sphere, and to delineate this excellent man in the exercise of his secular functions. We must, however, just state, that his conduct in an office to which he had been called as early as 1786, when he was elected an alderman of the borough of Leeds, forms a very interesting chapter in his Moral and Social Life. In his conduct as a magistrate and a patriot, his motto, as in all things else, seems to have been, Through evil report and good report." cleansing of the Augean stables of an immense population, closely condensed in a large manufacturing borough, may be easily conceived The to have been an undertaking worthy of Mr. Hey, and demanding an Herculean strength of principle and perseverance. That he should in one instance have been discouraged in his efforts by the highest judicial authority, to which he was more than once compelled to ap. peal, forms, we are happy to say, a rare exception to the usual conduct of a Bench, the purest, perhaps, which has ever been called to preside over national justice and morality; and is indeed too rare an occurrence, though happening to be combined in the present case with singular ignorance and levity on the part of the Judge, to invalidate the statement of Mr. Christian, in a letter to Mr. Hey, in which he says, "Your intention of putting in execution the laws against immorality is very laudable, though it will necessarily create you enemies. But while you shew an anxiety to proceed strictly according to law, YOU ARE SURE TO MEET WITH THE PROTECTION OF COURTS OF JUSTICE "" (p. 114). We are happy in setting our seal to this important declara tion, as far as we have observed the course of proceedings in a great variety of successful prosecutions by the Society for the Suppression of Vice. And whoever needs encouragement to proceed in all just and legal exertions for the main tenance of public decorum and sound morals, may turn over, which he cannot fail to do with deep interest, the details given in this volume by Mr. Pearson, from the pen of Mr. Hardy, of Mr. Hey's operations at Leeds; the ultimate result of which, be it observed, proved no less beneficial to the public than honourable to their author. The following observation speaks volumes, as to the principles which guided him in this as well as every other department of duty, and will correspond to the experience perhaps of every man who is truly conscientious in the discharge of his public functions. CHRIST, OBSERV. No. 248. "The faithful execution of his office was frequently not less painful to himself than to others, and he was wont to remark, that he had often incurred the greatest obloquy from those actions fice of feeling to perform, and to which which had required the greatest sacrihe was conscious nothing could have impelled him but a deep sense of his duty."" Moral and Social Life, p. 147. respecting a young man brought The following chapter, the fourth, say, to think that all must admire and zealously support a society which seems to be so evidently designed, by a gracious Providence, for ushering in the long-expected period of Zion's glory. But I was deceived.'-He lamented the absence of that open, enlarged, and generous spirit, which, on great occasions and those of general concern, will cheerfully overstep the narrow boundaries prescribed too often by prejudice by political caution, as the rule and and misconception, and hastily adopted measure of ecclesiastical security. That the good purposes of the Bible Society may be abused, is too true; but it is equally true of every institution, sacred 3 Y "I was simple enough,' he would or civil. What has not the perverseness, the hypocrisy, the selfishuess, the depravity of the evil heart of man abused? And are we to withhold our co-operation, and stand aloof when our fellow-Christians are labouring for the benefit of mankind, until we have ascertained that no possible inconvenience can result from their undertakings? The state of imperfection in which we are placed, the whole constitution of the natural and moral world, will seldom permit the light of demonstration to shine and serve as the guide of our decisions and the regulation of our practice; while the corruption and malignity of human nature exert too con. stant and powerful an influence on the thoughts and determinations of free agents, to leave them secure against the perversion of good into evil. Some persons have apprehended, that the free diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures, without note or comment, may prove detrimental to the interests of the Church of England? Let this be conceded for the sake of argument, and what then? Can they prove injurious to the Established Church only? May not every other church, sect, or denomination of Christians, adopt the same objection with equal force; unless it be supposed by the authors of the objection, that the knowledge of the Bible would mili tate more powerfully against the National Establishment, than against any other confession of faith, or form of ecclesiastical regimen? But a conclusion so harsh and unfounded would be intolerable, and could only find supporters and abettors among the most uncha ritable enemies of the English Church. Those who have studied most largely and profoundly the grounds and foundation of the Established Church, will be the least fearful of bringing her doc. trines and discipline to the test of the Holy Scriptures; those who are the best satisfied, on due examination, that she is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone,' cannot consistently oppose the circulation of the inspired writings, or concur in withholding from her members the pure uncoloured light of Divine truth. The Churchman, as a Protestant, must regard the extensive diffusion of the words of eternal life' as an imperious duty; he will address to each denomination of the Christian church, the admonition given by Moses to the con tending Israelites, Ye are brethren, why strive ye?' he will urge them to combine their efforts with his against the antichrists of the day, and treat their profane and infidel productions as Moses did the Egyptian, Slay them, and bury them in the sand.' Whatever supposed inconveniences may have induced some well-intentioned persons to engage in a conscientious hostility against the Bible Society, they must allow, that the arguments they employ are merely probable; nay, that they rest upon a very low and slender foundation of probability; while the duty of spreading abroad the sacred oracles, which are able to make us wise unto salvation,' is taught without obscurity, or qualification, by the same authority as that on which all our religious hopes and expectations are grounded. "There are many considerations connected with this subject which might induce a man of a candid, modest, and charitable spirit, to suspend his positive condemnation of such a Society; to hesitate, before he break forth into acts of open and violent hostility against it; to exercise a holy fear, lest, in a case which admits at least of some doubt on his part, he should be directing his opposition against the best interests of mankind, and be found,' eventually, fighting against God."" Moral and Social Life, pp. 168-171. Not having the same ambition for our corporate selves as Christian Observers, which Mr. Foster recommends to all individuals, of writing their own memoirs; nor, on the other hand, having the still more magnificent ambition of concealing our origin—honoris causá— as the Nile is said to derive its chief dignity from the concealment of its source; we may perhaps be permitted, with no sacrifice either to or of our personal vanity, to add the concluding work of piety attributed to Mr. Hey in this chapter. "In the years 1800 and 1801, Mr. Hey reflected frequently on the probable advantages that might result from a monthly publication so conducted, that it should oppose the inroads of infidelity and heresy, support the doctrines and discipline of the Church of England, and tend to promote serious piety and godliness throughout the va rious ranks and orders of society. He commenced a correspondence on this subject with several persons in different parts of the kingdom; he promised his own assistance, and engaged to use his best exertions in procuring the aid of learned and pious men, wherever his influence might extend; and it is to be ascribed, in a great measure, to his zeal and activity, that the CHRISTIAN OB SERVER was introduced to the world. "This periodical work has now been so many years in circulation, that its merits may be safely left to speak for themselves; and, although it has participated in the lot of many other useful productions-that of being misunderstood by some, misrepresented by others, and opposed by the enemies of the faith and hope of the Gospel; yet it has surmounted all opposition, and, through the Divine assistance, has been eminent ly and extensively beneficial both to the clergy and laity of this kingdom. The Christian Observer has displayed good temper, and a spirit of moderation and candour towards the various denominations of Christians; it has demonstrated that genuine and fervent piety may exist without ignorance or fanaticism; that polemical discussions may be conducted without railing, bitterness, or asperity; and that sobriety of mind and cautious investigation, are not hostile to purity of faith or soundness of doc trine. Above all, the Christian Observer has been the unwearied and zea lous advocate of scriptural morality; it has enlarged on the extent and holi ness of the Divine law; rescued the preceptive parts of the Gospel from the cold, heartless, insipid commentaries of those who would reduce Christianity to a round of formal observances, and a decent conformity to social duties; and by inculcating the necessity of combining gracious and spiritual affections with an orderly and correct practice, it has laboured to convey and excite the most enlarged, noble, generous, and animated conceptions of the nature and genius of true religion. What has the world to exhibit in its greatest and most illustrious votaries, that can bear a comparison with the dignity and elevation of the Christian character? With him, whose ruling principle and intention it is to please God in all things; whose heart dilates with the love of God and man; in whose mind peace, gentleness, and goodness, hold their habitual residence; whose spirit is sustained by faith, and hope, and holy joy; who, having the temper of heaven implanted in his soul, anticipates with lively expectation the revelation of that glorious day, when he shall enter into the promised possession of moral perfection and never-ending blessedness. To disseminate and inculcate such views and representations of the power and efficacy of our holy religion, have the efforts of this work been directed; and it has pleased God to bless its endea vours with an abundant success. Let their works praise them."" Moral and Social Life, pp. 204-206. If Mr. Pearson had spoken of our wishes rather than of our works, in the above paragraph, we can only say he would have most accurately As it is, he expressed the truth. has our most unfeigned acknowledgements for that friendly and cordial regard which has so much outstepped the sense we have of our inadequate performance of what, we trust, are our most earpraise for the past may quicken nest purposes. We only hope that our diligence for the future; and that commendations of such weight, so enforced, may act as a guide, no less than a stimulus, to those duties by which we may best adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and benefit our fellow-candidates for an eternal crown. Then, indeed, we shall feel that the volumes of the Christian Observer, whatever their imperfections, have not been written in vain. With the above remarks Mr. Pearson, honourably to us, but we fear not very appropriately to his own subject, concludes the body of his work. From one of the subsequent "Miscellanea" we extract the following short and imperfect notices, being all that were afforded by the late and languishing, but triumphant, death-bed of Mr. Hey. They seem to us, by some mistake of the printer, to have crept out of their proper place at the conclusion of the Moral and Social Life, into the appended documents. "It only now remains to record some short notices of what occurred during |