specting his conduct towards me in the other characters, can be known only to myself; it is what I cannot describe, but shall never cease to experience, till my long-wished-for summons arrives to meet him in endless glory: for, blessed be God, I sorrow not as those who have no hope.

We have great cause for gratitude in seeing dear Lady Sanderson so much supported under this heavy affliction. She unites with Miss Sanderson in kind remembrance to Mrs. Bensley and yourself; and believe me, dear Sir, ever to remain,

Yours sincerely,

ELIZA FALKLAND.

To MISS FALKLAND.

Wishing grace, mercy, and peace.

MANY thanks are due to my dear friend for the sweet account she has given us of the last moments of our much respected and faithful friend and pastor in the Lord Jesus Christ; of whom it may be truly said that he was a burning and a shining light, and a zealous, indefatigable minister of the everlasting gospel, doing the work of an evangelist faithfully. "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever."

When, in consequence of his sudden and severe indisposition, I called upon him at Pentonville, after affectionate inquiries respecting the family, he told me very seriously that his work was done, and he should not be much longer with us. Alarmed at the remark, I asked him if he had any serious impressions upon his mind that the Lord was about to remove him. To which he replied, that he heartily prayed God he would, for he had laboured above forty years in the vineyard, and was tired of this miserable sinful world. He then said that he had not walked in craftiness, nor handled the word of God deceitfully, and that he was

now in the enjoyment of those blessed truths he had so long preached to others. Speaking with him upon certain points of experience, he ́said that during former illnesses he had never "been indulged with such sweet and heavenly views as had abode with him of late: that he knew nothing of those ecstatic joys he had heard of in others; but felt and enjoyed a solid, permanent peace-the effect of pardoned sin, and fruit of the holy and blessed Spirit. He then observed that, though formerly he used to take great pleasure in the works of creation, he had now no delight in any thing beneath the sun. After some further conversation about the heavy trials that he had long foreseen hung over the church, he told me it was his intention to go the next morning into the country, being determined to settle his temporal concerns and make his will-all which he had arranged in his mind, but could not execute at home on account of the frequent interruptions he there met with. And this resolution he confirmed when I saw him again, for the last time, at Tunbridge Wells, two days before his death, saying that these things had been the subject of his prayers for the last eight months of his life.

Wishing to obtain what further information I could of all that passed during the few last days of his illness, Lady Sanderson has kindly favoured me with the following particulars :

The conversation that led to the composition of his epitaph I will briefly state; at least as much of it as I can remember. It was as follows: "Notwithstanding the opposition I "have met with throughout the whole of my ministry; the scorn and derision with which "I have been treated; the vile calumnies that "have been imputed to me; the hatred I have "experienced both from professor and profane; yet through all these trials God strengthened me, and gave me such zeal, that I have been "enabled to preach the truth boldly, whether they would hear or whether they would for"bear. They have had the whole counsel of "God from my mouth; for he made me faithful "from the beginning. My constant aim has "been to exalt my dear Lord, and to debase the "creature. I have honoured God, and he has

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"honoured me, even in old age."

my

He then spoke of the judgments that had befallen his enemies, and with much warmth added-" Those that have so cruelly treated "me, and my God, I shall see again, to appear "as a witness against them. And, although it "is not for me to say it, yet it shall be known "and acknowledged, after I am gone, that "there hath been a Prophet among them."He then said, "Take a pen, and write my epitaph as follows

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"HERE LIES THE COALHEAVER. (Re"member, I will have it so.)" And, as though it were but one sentence, he went on-" BELOVED OF HIS GOD, BUT ABHORRED OF MEN. THE "OMNISCIENT JUDGE AT THE GRAND ASSIZE

2

66 CONFUSION OF MANY THOUSANDS, FOR ENGદં LAND AND ITS METROPOLIS SHALL KNOW

THAT THERE HATH BEEN A PROPHET AMONG THEM. W. H. S. S."

'He was often so overpowered with the goodness of God to him, that he would cry as a child, saying, "What condescension it is in the

Almighty God to take notice of such a poor "vile rebel as me! My family was the most ἐσ despicable in the whole parish, yet God has put abundant honour on me in blessing my labours, even in my old age! But my work is "done; I shall not be long here. The way is

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plain before me: no doubts nor fears; all is

clear; and I am as sure of heaven as if I were "in it. God will never leave nor forsake those "who put their trust in him. How great is "his goodness to me, in dealing so gently with and condescending so gradually to unpin tabernacle!".

me,

my

'I never heard one murmuring word from him during his illness; for, though his bodily sufferings were great, he was calm and resigned,