he would either never have entered into them, or soon have renounced them. And it was that godlike spirit which conducted and supported him through his useful progress, to the honour and interest of his family and friends; and to the benefit of every creature that could possibly be comprehended within the extensive circle of his beneficence.

I well know, my dear, the high regard you pay to every character of merit in general, and the esteem in which you held this most valuable man in particular. I am sure, therefore, you would not forgive me were I to make an apology for leaving with you this private monument of my veneration for a parent, whose least and lowest claim to my gratitude and esteem, is, that I am indebted to him for my birth.

Adieu! I am &c.

William Melmoth.

LETTER II.

Rev. James Hervey to his godson, Paul Orchard, esq. of Stoke Abbey, in Devonshire.

Dear sir,

Weston Favel, near Northampton,
July 14, 1747.

As your honoured father was pleased to make choice of me, to answer in your name at the font, and to exercise a sort of guardianship over your spiritual interests, permit me, by putting these little treatises* into your hand, to fulfil some part of that solemn obligation.

Gratitude for many signal favours, and a conscientious regard to my sacred engagement, have long inspired my breast with the warmest wishes, both for your true dig

Contemplations on the Night, &c.

nity, and for your real happiness. Nor can I think of a more endearing, or a more effectual way, of advancing either the one or the other, than to set before you a sketch of your excellent father's character.-Illustrious examples are the most winning incitements to virtue. And none can come attended with so particular a recommendation to you, sir, as the pattern of that worthy person, from whom you derive your very being.

A cordial and reverential esteem for the Divine Word, was one of his most remarkable qualities. Those oracles of Heaven were his principal delight, and his inseparable companions. With unwearied assiduity, he exercised himself in the law of the Lord. Thence he derived his maxims of wisdom, and formed his judgment of things. The precepts of the Gospel, were the model of his temper, and the guide of his life; and its precious promises, were the joy of his heart, and his portion for

ever.

Few gentlemen were better furnished, either with richness of fancy, or copiousness of expression, to bear a shining part in conversation. With these talents, he always endeavoured to give some useful, generally some religious, turn to the discourse. Nor did he ever reflect, with greater complacency, on his social hours, than when they tended to glorify the Eternal Majesty; and to awaken in himself and others, a more lively spirit of devotion.

To form projects for the good of others, and to carry those benevolent plans into execution, was his favourite employment. When visited by the young persons of his neighbourhood, far from initiating them in debauchery, or confirming them in a riotous habit; it was his incessant aim, by finely adapted persuasives, to encourage them in industry, and to establish them in a course of

sobriety; to guard them against the allurements of vice, and to animate them with the principles of piety. A noble hospitality! which will probably transmit its beneficial influence, to their earthly possessions; to their future families; and even to their everlasting state.

A conviction of human weakness, and a thorough persuasion of the Divine all-sufficiency, induced him to be frequent in prayer; to prostrate himself, in profound adoration, before that infinitely exalted Being, who dwells in light inaccessible; and to implore the continuance of the Almighty favour, and the increase of all Christian graces. In those moments, no doubt, he remembered you, sir, with particular earnestness; and lodged many an ardent petition in the court of Heaven, for his infant son. Cease not to second them with your own devout supplications, that they may descend upon your head, in the blessings of the Gospel of peace.

To give their genuine lustre to all his other endowments, he was careful to maintain a humble mind. Though his friends might admire his superior abilities, or his acquaintance applaud his exemplary behaviour, he saw how far he fell short of the mark of his high calling; saw, and lamented, his defects; knew and renounced himself: relying, for final acceptance, and endless felicity, on a better righteousness than his own; even on the transcendently perfect righteousness, and inconceivably precious death, of Jesus the Redeemer. This was the rock of his hope, and the crown of his

rejoicing.

These, sir, are some of the distinguishing characteristics of your deceased parent. As you had the misfortune to lose so valuable a relative, before you were capable of forming any acquaintance with his person, I flatter myself, you will the more attentively observe his picture:

his moral picture; designed, not to be set in gold, or sparkle in enamel, but to breathe in your heart, and to live in all your conduct. Though it is entirely your own, calculated purely for yourself, it may possibly, like the family pieces in your parlour, make some pleasing and useful impression on every beholder. But you, sir, are peculiarly concerned to copy the amiable original. As the order of an indulgent Providence has made you heir of his affluent circumstances, let not a gay inadvertence cut you off from the richer inheritance of his noble qualifications. They will be your security, amidst all the glittering dangers which are inseparable from blooming years, and an elevated situation in life. They will lead you to true greatness, and solid happiness.

Tread in your father's steps, and you will give inexpressible joy to one of the best of mothers; you will become an extensive blessing to your fellow creatures; and you will be the delight, the honour, and the boast of, dear sir,

Your very affectionate godfather,

James Hervey.

LETTER III.

Mr. Samuel Boyse to the rev. James Hervey. Reverend and dear sir,

For your tender admonitions and excellent advice, I am truly indebted to you; as they discover a generous and compassionate concern for my better part.—I bless God I have reason to hope, that the great work is not now to do; for of all the marks of infatuation I know amongst men, there can be none equal to that of trusting to a deathbed repentance.

I do not pretend to vindicate my own conduct;—nor can I ever forget the very Christian sense of my condi

tion and misfortunes, which, notwithstanding all my misbehaviour, you have so pathetically expressed.-The follies of my youth have furnished a plentiful harvest of reflection for my latter years. I have been now for a long time, in a manner, buried from the world; and it has been my endeavour to spend that time in lamenting my past errors, and in pursuing a course of life void of offence towards God and man.

I have learned to trust in God as my only portion, and to bless him for his fatherly corrections. They have been much gentler than my demerit. By them I have been taught to know HIM and myself; his infinite mercy and goodness, and my own ingratitude and unworthiness: so that I may truly say with the returning prodigal; "Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and against thee; and I am not worthy to be called thy son."

My health is in a very precarious state; and the greatest hopes of recovery I have, (which are very small,) arise from warm weather and the country air.I thank God I am absolutely resigned to his holy and blessed will, I have seen enough of the vanity and folly of earthly things, and how insufficient they are to satisfy the desires of an immortal soul. I am sensible of my own wretchedness and nothingness; and that my only hope of salvation is through that blessed Redeemer, who lied to save lost sinners.-This is my rock of hope against an approaching eternity.

May you, sir, long taste those true and unfading pleasures, which attend the practice of religion and vir tue; and may you, by your shining example, be a means of turning many to righteousness! This is the sincere and ever-grateful wish of

Your most obliged, and faithful servant,

Samuel Boyse.