ful curiosity held a parley with that pure principle in his tender mind, which, as a fountain of life, preserves from the snares of death-his resolution was taken, and he entered into covenant not to contaminate his mind with the impure details : this conclusion he ratified by a written engagement in the French language, which has been found amongst his papers, to the following import: "I, Frederic, affirm that I will abstain from reading some passages of certain works, especially No. 49 of Cabinet Cyclopædia,' from page to *

***. Resolved, 1st mo. 1, 1835."

His persevering industry in pursuing his studies was often very remarkable: sometimes, when interrupted by the approach of evening, he would express much anxiety to have the shutters closed and candles brought in, that he might proceed with his engagements. On one of these occasions, his mother proposed employing

the interval of twilight in conversation; to which he replied, "Oh, mother! TIMEprecious time! I have no time to spare!"

The youthful subject of this Memoir was well acquainted with the principles of Christianity, as professed by the Society of Friends, and felt much interested in attending their meetings for worship and discipline, particularly the sittings of the yearly meeting: he had read many of the writings of the early friends, and would often speak in terms of admiration of the power of the Gospel, as exemplified in the religious labours of George Fox, Robert Barclay, William Penn, and others, lamenting that similar effects were not more obvious in the present day.

A little work of recent date, entitled, "On the Habitual Exercise of Love to God, considered as a Preparation for Heaven," was one, amongst others, which he had read through more than once, and,

as he said, with satisfaction to his own mind. Not so of all the religious works he had perused; for he was much in the practice of weighing points of doctrine for himself, and testing their accuracy by the Scriptures; thence forming his own views, which he would sometimes support with considerable weight of argument.

He read whatever regarded biblical literature with great interest, and felt a veneration for pious and learned authors, with whose characters he had become acquainted from reading their works. He frequently consulted the various versions of the New Testament which he had in his library, in order that he might, from the knowledge he had acquired of the original language, determine for himself wherever translators appeared to differ.

The interest which he took in these investigations, not only proved a source of great gratification to him, but, tended

3

to instruct and confirm his susceptible mind in a belief in the glorious truths of the Gospel, as revealed in the sacred writings. His views on these subjects well accorded with those of a pious clergyman and admired author, who, in a letter addressed to a newly a newly acquired friend, has this admirable sentiment: "I am desirous of being taught by the labours of learned men ; more desirous of being taught by the written word of revelation; but, amidst all, and above all, to be taught of God, or, as our Liturgy explains it, taught by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit."

His retentive memory enabled him to furnish his conversation-at such times as he was drawn out with remarks and observations, which he brought to bear upon the topics under discussion, with a maturity of judgment not usually found or

3 James Hervey.

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and

looked for in so young a boy. It was, however, but seldom that he was surprised, as it were, into a developement of his talents; his disposition being remarkably retiring and diffident before company. Notwithstanding this sensitive state of mind, he always felt pleased and gratified with the visits of such young friends as kindly called to see him but although he treated all courteously, there was one, and only one, whom he regarded as his intimate their love was mutual. This intelligent and amiable young friend was about his own age; and the bent and character of their minds were so congenial, that, had his life been spared, their affection for each other would, in all probability, have deepened with their years, and their friendship been as lovely and as strong as that which formerly existed between David and Jonathan. This dear youth, whom he esteemed as his bosom friend, had access to the