the promotion of literature among the Dissenters. He rejoiced at the establishment of an institution for this purpose in the neighbourhood of London: he hoped the example would be followed in different parts of the country; and he did his ar most, though unhappily without effect, to establish such an institution in Yorkshire.

Mr. W. Clapham considered the increase of his property desirable; but to him it was desirable only, that by it he might be more extensively useful, and communicate more abundantly to the necessities of the poor. He afforded relief to the necessitous of his own neighbourhood; he distributed also to the poor whom he visited; and in seasons of scarcity, he has given money to different ministers to distribute amongst the distressed of their congregations. His house was always open to the friends of Christ; and the ministers of the neighbourhood especially, had proof of his hospitality and friendship. The impression made by his kindness on more than one, neither time nor absence will ever erase.

Part of the neighbourhood of Leeds has long been favoured with the privileges of the gospel; but in the other parts, darkness covered the earth, and thick darkness the people.' In the east and north-east there was no place of worship for Evangelical Dissenters within 18 miles. In the year 1801, some degree of interest being excited for this neighbourhood, several minis ters began to itinerate, when our friend, in connection with his brother, came forward as a village preacher. Garforth, about seven miles from Leeds, was the first field of labour; in 1802 an opening presented itself at Fairburn, about 13 miles distant. These places were supplied alternately for several years; besides more occasional services at Oulton, Brotherton, Knottingby, Selby, &c. In 1806, Halton, about three miles from Leeds, claimed attention. This was regularly visited every Sabbath evening. A neat and commodious place of worship was fitted up, and a very respectable village-congregation assembles there. At Garforth and at Selby ne advanced considerable sums for the erection of a place of worship. Good examples stimulated him to these pious and benevolent exertions. May his example stimulate many more to go and do likewise! In order to enjoy the full protection of the law in these disinterested labours, in 1802 he qualified himself as a dissenting teacher, by taking the prescribed oaths; but he was never interrupted. Though busily engaged till late on Satur day evening, he has frequently travelled es mi.es on horseback, and preached twice in private houses. Punctual to his engagements, no inclemency of weather prevented his turfilling them. Wherever he dispensed the word he was highly respected; and his memory will be revered by the excellent of the earth. His zealous, disinterested, and successful efforts, are held forth as

a pattern worthy of imitation to other young men, who ar dently desire the success of the gospel..

Mr. W. Clapham, while assisting others, did not forget his personal concerns, and the experience of religion in his own mind. His immediate connexions and most intimate friends, had the greatest reason to esteem and admire him. He endeavoured to set the Lord always before him. His religious opinions were of that character which are generally termed Calvinistic. But he thought for himself; and party-distinctions had little effect on his mind. One example will illustrate this. He had enquired into the precise nature of the controversy on the Atonement, then existing between two good men. He was answered," Both believe and maintain it; but the one has no patience with the other, because he will not allow his explication. He has no more charity than patience; he scarcely admits that his opponent holds the truth." But what,' said he, 'are the sentiments of this heretic?" "They are these:-As to the term representative, if no more be meant by it than that Christ so personated us as to die in our stead, that we believing in him should not die, I have nothing to object to it. But I do not believe that Christ was so our representative, as that what he did and suffered, we did and suffered, and so became deserv ing of the divinè favour." Well,' said our friend, this is a good confession,- this is enough for me; here I find gospeltruth, peace of mind, and eternal salvation; what more can I wish for?-Experience was with him an important part of religion. Often he lamented that he was not more alive to the concerns of his soul. His failings were neither unknown to himself, nor unacknowledged to his friends; but these were lost in the general excellence of his character. As a friend, a brother, a son, a parent, and a husband,-in personal religion and domestic duties,-in the church and in the world, he adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour,-and set an example worthy of imitation.

The following extracts from his Letters will further develope his character, and be aceeptable to those who are likeminded with himself. When last from home, he writes: 'It is unnecessary for me to say how kind Mr.- is; you know him too well. If I was his own brother he could not shew me greater affection. I do feel thankful, yet I fear not half thankful enough to our heavenly Father, who fixeth the bounds of our habitations, and hath placed us in the centre of so many mercies. Bless the Lord, O our souls! and all that is within us praise his holy name.'-On being informed of the afflicted state of some of his village hearers, he says, 'I sympathize most sincerely with poor's family, and also with my old friend; they are (it is our privilege to know) in the Lord's hands, who can support them in their affliction, and

sanctify them by it. Afflictions are not for the present joyous but grievous; but if they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness, we shall have reason to say, with David, 'It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

In a letter to his brother, then in London, in answer to a letter complaining of the dulness of business, he wrote:"Our stock of is still very large; however, don't be uneasy about them; act cautiously, and be as comfortable as you can there is time enough before you; and what time. you spend in London, surely will not be lost. You have opportunities of seeing and hearing much that may be greatly to our advantage in future life; but while we allow the necessity of being diligent in business, let us not forget that this ought not to be our chief concern.

The circumstances of his last illness, we extract from the sermon, preached and published on occasion of his death. He suffered and died, not like a Christian only, but like an eminent Christian. Three things claim particular notice: -His perfect acquiescence in the will of God. He felt much for his family. To a friend, the last day he was down stairs, he said, On my own account, I have no anxiety; but I have an affectionate wife !-he could proceed no further. Respecting himself, I believe, he had no desire but that God would do all his pleasure. This he expressed emphatically when he said, If the lifting up of my finger would alter the divine determination, I would not do it. When I first saw him after he had taken his bed, I said 'I am sorry, my dear Sir, to see you in this state:' he replied," I am just right, Sif;-pray for patience for me." On the morning of his death he said, O Lord, how long!' and shortly he added, Not my will, but thine be done.'

The sacred confidence he possessed, is the second thing deserv ing of particular attention. He had no raptures: but the peace and equanimity he had enjoyed in life, were his in death. As he could leave this world without regret, so he could look forward to the other without dismay.

Thirdly, His confidence and submission were not the effect of insensibility. His affectious were lively; and he spake of our Lord Jesus Christ as one who was realizing his inestimable worth. Towards the last he was unable to converse; and this made him afraid his friends would think him unhappy. In this, however, his fears were groundless. On the day of his death he was asked if he could still place his confidence in Jesus Christ, and if he still found him precious. His reply was, If it was not for that, I should sink.' These, I believe, were nearly his last words; and shortly after this his spirit was peaceably dismissed; and he fell asleep on the 5th of October, 1810, aged 35 years.

ON THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST.

Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is set down as the right hand of the throne of God.

THE exalted station which Christ now occupies, intimates to us, that his sufferings are ended, that he hath entered into rest, and on the possession of happiness and joy in the heavenly state. Having endured all the punishment of sin, which, as a surety he had engaged to suffer, he sits down, to enjoy everlasting rest, and fulness of joy at the right hand of God. He shall no more be exposed to sufferings from the band of God, nor subjected to any ungrateful treatment from the hand of man. He is beyond the reach of every foe; and no plague shall ever disturb his glorious and peaceful abode. This rest he enjoys is permanent and secure; for, having spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them on his cross; having, through death, destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the Devil,' he has no enemies to fear, he has no warfare to renew, but is now exalted to enjoy everlasting and undisturbed rest in the presence of the Father. For this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sin, for ever sat down on the right hand of the throne of God; from that time, expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.' This rest is attended with unspeakable happiness and joy; for while he is himself addressed in the praises of angels, and of the spirits of just men made perfect, he is filled with unutterable joy, in fellowship with God, and with the hosts of heaven, communicating and receiv ng delights, in the friendship of these celestial tribes, with which no other happiness is worthy to be compared, and to which no succession of time can set limits. In his presence there is fulness of joy; at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore.'

That Christ is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God, intimates to us that the work of redemption, as to purchase, is completed.' He came into the world to lay down his life a ransom for many; and appearing in the world with this gracious design, the Lord laid upon him the iniquities of us all. Since he had appeared in the character of a substitute, it was not possible, in strict justice, that he could escape, till he had fulfilled the demands of the law. Since our guilt de volved on him, by his own choice and the will of the Father, he must submit to that punishment to which the law had con demned those in whose stead he appeared. In no other way - could be extricate himself from the distressing circumstances into which he was brought by his obligation to suffer; and in no other way could he bring redemption to his people, but by enduring the punishment due to their offences; to that, in all its

extent, he submitted, till he said on the cross, It is finished; and he bowed the head and gave up the ghost. He brought to a close his humbled life, in a manner worthy of the grace and power that were displayed in it; thereby finishing transgression, and making an end of sin, bringing in everlasting righte ousness, and making reconciliation for iniquity. Of this we have ample proof in the station which he now occupies at the right hand of the throne of God. He would never have been exalted, had he not fulfilled those engagements into which he voluntarily entered, and by the merit of his work procured for himself a title to that distinguished preferment. As the surety and representative of his people, he is now in such circumstances in the heavenly places, as to give them the most comfortable evidence that he has completely redeemed them, and procured for them a title also to that glorious state to which he, as their Forerunner, is now advanced. By his own blood he entered into the holy place, not into that which is a figure of the true, but into heaven itself, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

That Christ is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God, is a proof that God is well pleased for his righteousness sake. He came into the world, not to do, his own will, but the will of Him that sent him; and he spake of the decease he was to accomplish, as an act of obedience unto God: 'This commandment have I received of my Father.' As the servant of God, whose doctrine he taught, whose will be studied, whose work he performed, and in obedience to whose command he laid down his life, he could receive no higher approbation than to be set down at the right hand of his throne. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, wherefore God also highly exalted him, and set him at his own right hand.'

Christ, in being seated at the right hand of God, 'is exalted to the highest honour.' In scripture-language, and agreeably to the manners of eastern nations, to be placed on the right hand of those in power, is to occupy a place of honour and pre-eminence. Of this there are many examples; but the great distinction that shall be made among men at the last day, is striking and applicable. God shall place some on his right hand, and some upon his left; thereby expressing his delight in the one, and his displeasure with the other. To afford us some ideas of this subject, the Author of revelation adapts the language and sentiments of scripture to our capacity, by making allusion to objects of sense with which we are acquainted. Thus God, the Majesty on high, is represented as seated on his glorious throne in the heavens; and the Mediator as seated on the right hand of the throne, next to Him who sits on it. God hath highly exalted him, and given him glory and hu