peerage, and soon after returned to England, spending his time in the society of his well-chosen friends, Grant, Wilberforce, Henry Thornton, and others, whose names have long been eminent for piety and philanthropy. In 1804, the Bible Society was formed, and Lord Teignmouth became its first president, a position which he retained till his death. To the duties of this situation he devoted himself with the most ardent zeal and untiring energy, entering into a large correspondence on its behalf, and long preparing its annual reports. During many years of his life he devoted three hours a day to purposes of devotion. His closing scene was beautifully descriptive of the power of those Christian principles under the influence of which he had lived, and in the consolations of which he departed. To his old and faithful servants he said, "It is my duty to be as thankful for my sufferings as for my other mercies." The Rev. Henry Blunt frequently visited him in his last illness, and furnishes some notes of his lordship's conversations:

"I am anxious,' said his lordship, 'to know whether you think I am right. I depend upon nothing in myself. I know I am a poor, helpless sinner, and I trust entirely to my gracious Saviour. I depend only on what he has done for me. My whole life has been a life of mercies; I am surrounded by mercies. Few have spent so happy a life as mine has been; but I am not grateful enough for it. I feel an increasing dulness and coldness in my prayers. I cannot pray as I could wish. But the Lord will not visit this upon me. Do you think he will? God is not a hard task-master; he has always been most merciful to me, and I ought to trust him now. What wonderful preservations I have received from Him, particularly in India!'

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The last time I saw Lord Teignmouth, almost as soon as I had sat down, he said, 'Mr. Blunt, I will tell

you what I was just thinking of. It describes my state at present, for I do not think that I have much longer to remain here. But this is what I am doing; I am looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. I have no hope but in Christ Jesus, in his sacrifice, in his blood, in his righteousness. What could all the world do for me now, so great a sinner as I am, and so helpless? What could save me but my gracious Redeemer ?"

"His end," says the Rev. Robert Anderson, his sonin-law, "was perfect peace. The only embarrassing circumstance of a private nature, which had temporarily molested him, had been happily arranged; and he beheld, with hallowed and untroubled joy, the glorious institution, whose light, during thirty years, had gladdened his heart and illumined his path, emerge from the clouds which had awhile obscured its progress,

'Repair its golden flood,

And cheer the nations with redoubled ray.'

"Lord Teignmouth predicted, as if conscious of the exact amount of his remaining strength, the day of his decease, about a week previous to its occurrence, and gave particular directions respecting his funeral. Apprehensions of death, which had occasionally proved a trial to his faith, had entirely ceased as its approach became obvious. Nor did increasing debility induce remissness in the discharge of any of his duties to himself or his survivors. His affection toward the members of his family and his kindred, present or abroad, was overflowing; while he unceasingly addressed to all, including his servants, the language of a devout, rejoicing, and grateful heart. His end was evidently approaching.

He was full of sweetness, and full of thankfulness to God and all around him. At seven in the morning, he took what might be termed a hearty breakfast. Charles afterward placed him comfortably in his bed; and in that very position he fell asleep in Jesus at half-past nine, (Feb. 14, 1834.)

"It was the observation of one who had lived for some years in his immediate neighbourhood, that Lord Teignmouth always reminded him of one of the ancient patriarchs; and assuredly, when I recall all that I have been privileged to witness since the first hour of my acquaintance with this beloved and venerated nobleman, I feel that I am only endeavouring to describe the impression produced on my mind when I say that he lived a patriarch's life, that he died a patriarch's death."

Lord Teignmouth in life exhibited the pattern of a character admirably chastened by devotion. In his death there were no transports; it was the maturity of a character which had been long ripening. "When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."

7. JOSEPH ADDISON.

"Death is the crown of life!

It wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we reign!
Spring from our fetters, fasten in the skies,
Where blooming Eden withers in our sight.
Death gives us more than was in Eden lost;

This king of terrors is the prince of peace."-YOUNG.

JOSEPH ADDISON, a celebrated English writer, was born at Milston, in Wiltshire, in the year 1672. About the age of fifteen, he was entered at Queen's College, Oxford, where, by his fine parts and great application, he made a surprising proficiency in classical learning.

Before he left the university he was warmly solicited to enter into orders; and he once resolved to do so: but his great modesty, and an uncommonly delicate sense of the importance of the sacred function, made him afterward alter his resolution.

He was highly respected by many of the greatest, and the most learned of his contemporaries. He travelled into Italy, where he made many useful observations, and prepared materials for some of his literary works. On his return to England he was chosen one of the lords' commissioners for trade. In 1709 he was appointed secretary to the lord-lieutenant of Ireland; and in 1717, was advanced to the high office of secretary of state.

The writings of Addison are among the finest specimens of the English classics, and have been of great use to the world. The following portraiture of his character as a writer is from the pen of Dr. Johnson :

"He employed wit on the side of virtue and religion. He not only made the proper use of wit himself, but taught it to others; and, from his time, it has been generally subservient to the cause of reason and truth. He has dissipated the prejudice that had long connected cheerfulness with vice, and easiness of manners with laxity of principles. He has restored virtue to its dignity, and taught innocence not to be ashamed. This is an elevation of literary character, above all Greek, above all Roman, fame. As a teacher of wisdom, he may be confidently followed. His religion has nothing in it enthusiastic or superstitious; he appears neither weakly credulous nor wantonly sceptical; his morality is neither dangerously lax nor impracticably rigid. All the enchantment of fancy, and all the cogency of argument, are employed to recommend to the reader his real interest-the care of pleasing the Author of his being."

In the following lines he expresses the complacency

with which he looked forward towards another life:"The prospect of a future state is the secret comfort and refreshment of my soul. It is that which makes nature look cheerful about me; it doubles all my pleasures, and supports me under all my afflictions. I can look at disappointments and misfortunes, pain and sickness, death itself, with indifference, so long as I keep in view the pleasures of eternity, and the state of being in which there will be no fears nor apprehensions, pains or sorrows."

The virtue of this excellent man shone brightest at the point of death. After a long and manly, but vain struggle with his distempers, he dismissed his physicians, and with them all hopes of life; but, with his hopes of life, he dismissed not his concern for the living. He sent for Lord Warwick, a youth nearly related to him, and finely accomplished, but irregular in conduct and principle, on whom his pious instructions and example had not produced the desired effect.

Lord Warwick came: but life now glimmering in the socket, the dying friend was silent. After a decent and proper pause, the youth said, "Dear sir, you sent for me, I believe, and hope you have some commands: I shall hold them most dear."

May the reader not only feel the reply, but retain its impression ! Forcibly grasping the youth's hand, Addison softly said, "See in what peace a Christian can die!"

He spoke with difficulty, and soon expired. Through Divine grace, how great is man! Through Divine mercy, how stingless death!