LINES Addressed to the Rev. Mr. M. and written immediately on his presenting the Author with a Cage of Turtle Doves. ACCEPT, dear Sir, in artless lays, A charge thy fair so late attended,- No fears shall here your peace annoy, I'll make you my instructors too. The Dove scut forth from Noah's sight, And when the months to cold ineline, And in my study safely stay With others of a kindred mind, — And threatening urge, instead of winning; I'll learn from you the softer art, pents, wise,' And now, dear Sir, these musings end; Dismiss the critic, and be still the friend. J. то тав EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE FOR THE YEAR 1811. MEMOIR · THE LATE MR. WILLIAM CLAPHAM, OF LEEDS, YORKSHIRE. - To exhibit the excellence of true religion, to evince its efficacy in the hurry of business, and under the pressure of affliction, to encourage parents to train up their children in the way they should go, and especially to excite the professors of religion to imitate a good example, the following brief Memoir is presented to the readers of the Evangelical Magazine. In It is to be regretted that, in respect of dates and facts, only a few can be collected. The reason, however, is obvious. The subject of this memoir, like many other pious and useful men, moved in a uniform course, and somewhat confined, his sphere his excellencies shone; but that sphere was not calculated to admit various and striking occurrences. He was diligently employed in the service of God, without that ostentation which attracts attention. His piety, benevolence, and zeal, were like deep water, whose stream conveys the richest blessings to its vicinity, while no agitation is perceived, nor so much as a murmur heard. Mr. W. Clapham was born at Leeds, on the 22d of Feb. 1775. The concern of his pious and respectable parents to educate him in the fear of God, produced in him, from earliest youth, a sober and serious disposition. On his mind, it appears, the Holy Spirit wrought almost imperceptibly. We are not able to specify any particular period as to the time of his conversion to God; but it is a pleasing circumstance to learn, that about the age of 16 or 17, he was frequently engaged in prayer at the more private meetings of his Christian friends. His family connexions introduced him to the acquaintance of the congregation at Whitechapel; but he was rendered conspicuous amongst them by his gifts, his piety, and his activity in the cause of God. While his equals in years could allow no restraint to be imposed on their sensual gratifica sons, he was concerned to flee youthful lusts, and to follow XIX 3 S after righteousness, faith, charity, and peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Not content with a partial devotedness to God, he gave himself to the Lord' and to his people, according to the will of God. From the records of the church, it appears that he was received to fellowship in January 1800. As a member of the church, he acted uniformly as one who had the comfort of his brethren and the promotion of the cause of Christ at heart. His affection, his faithfulness, his prudence, his patience, cannot be too much commended; they were frequently put to the test; and the trial was indeed found unto praise and honour.' They de mand this testimony from one who had no ordinary means of observing them; they call upon his surviving brethren to walk in his steps.-Happy would be our churches had they many of his spirit, and of his mind! The immediate object of his attention was the interest of Christ at Whitechapel; but his exertions were unconfined. -Zealously affected in the good cause, he was always ready to assist it; and besides being ready to assist, he was forward to exert himself. Uncommonly devoted to God, he felt that he was not his own, but bought with a price; but bound to glorify God with his body and his spirit, which were God's. His mind was perpetually devising plans of extensive usefulness, and as anxiously exerting itself for their accomplishment, His heart was in the cause; he commiserated the condition of sinners, and he was always anxious to be doing his utmos: for the amelioration of their state. His mind was not dsmayed by difficulties and disappointments: when he hat kindly assisted, by his property and his personal services, and when, in return, his good was evil spoken of, his kindness despised, and his character traduced; unwearied in well-doing, he was always ready to renew his benevolent exertions. 'Cersure is the tax which a man pays to the public for being eminent. The remark is too true in religion, as well as in civi life. On our friend this tax was imposed unmercifully. this respect he has left us an example of suffering patien he heard the reproach, committed his cause to Him that ju eth righteously, and went forward in his Master's w What he did he did unto God: while he expended his perty, and wasted his constitution; while his friends rea strated, and his enemies (the enemies of religion) derided had respect to the recompence of reward; the love of C constrained him to live to him that died for him. Every institution, whose object was 'to diffuse the kn ledge of salvation, met his warmest concurrence. He was active patron of our Sunday Schools, Academies, Tract "cieties, Bible Societies, and Missionary Societies. He 'deeply impressed with the necessity of vigorous exertion |