And now, my friends, though these walls will no more echo to the voice of him whom you delighted to hear-though that voice will no more be raised to quicken your faith and call you to duty-he still lives;-he lives, not only to God, and to the spirits of the just made perfect in heaven, but he lives to you; he lives to you in every good principle, which he nurtured in your souls, in every pious and benevolent impression he has made upon your hearts; though dead, he yet speaketh to you, as it were from the other world, in language more powerful than any he ever addressed to you on earth; the example of his active and benevolent life is fresh in your minds, and you will never forget the brighter example of his faith, humility, and resignation, in sickness and death; in all these he speaks, he exhorts, he encourages you. The thought of him will, no doubt, be associated with many a good resolution, with many a holy wish, with many a pious aspiration. When your faith is tried by ridicule and scorn, you will remember how manfully he defended it against its open and secret enemies, and you will feel safe with the anchor on which he rested. When you are strongly tempted to take the first dangerous step in the path that leads to death, you will hear his warning voice, and perhaps forbear. Yes, the good can never die; the veil of flesh cannot entirely separate them— they form but one great family; their home is with God; thither he has gone before you, and beckons you onward to the same mansions of peace and love and eternal joy.

OBITUARY.

Mr. Whitman possessed, in an eminent degree, all the elements of a great man. He was remarkable for energy and perseverance-a conviction of power-a strong conception of the object of desire, followed by unwearied efforts to attain it-zeal discouraged by no difficulties, but kindled and incited the more by them to vigorous exertion. Where was the man who felt more the power that was in him to accomplish whatever he resolved to undertake? to carry through and complete any work in which he thought it would be useful to engage? In this feeling of internal power and energy, he forgot that he was a man-be forgot that the measure of exertion must finally be limited by the strength of a mortal body. The spirit was gigantic, but its implements were made of flesh and blood. These were tasked to the uttermost, and at last gave out. They gave out, because they were of earth; but the spirit which directed and wielded them can never die. It still lives and acts, unshackled and unimpeded, in a wider and more glorious sphere-where, associated with kindred spirits in the noblest employments, it will continue to reach loftier heights in knowledge and virtue, and shine more and more unto the perfect day.

Mr. Whitman's uncommon independence of mind-a confidence in his own powers, enabled him to pursue truth fearless of consequences. Names, however great and learned-office and station, however high and sacred-had no influence to deter him from doing what he believed truth and duty demanded. He took his opinions from no man or body of men. He rejoiced when others approved and adopted his views, but he was willing to stand alone in defence of the right. The only ques tion he asked was-does duty, truth, religion, demand my aid?

He was remarkable for simplicity of character and fairness of mind.

He proceeded straight forward to his object, and lost self in the contemplation of it. He regarded himself only as the agent or instrument to effect the great end to which he had devoted his powers; he felt the mighty power of truth in his own mind, and reflected it back, clear and without disguise, to the minds of others. There was no disguise about him. He could not conceal what he thought and felt; you saw at once his own soul; you always knew where to find him. None could charge him with unfairness in the discussion or examination of any subject ;he made himself master of both sides of every question that was offered for his consideration. He was always ready and willing to renounce every theory-every opinion-which, upon examination, appeared to rest upon no sound foundation.

Mr. Whitman was truly a good man. All who knew him will bear witness that he was distinguished for a love of truth. His openness of character, his perfect freedom from all disguise, amounted almost to a fault. He could endure anything but artifice, forgive anything but falsehood; but against these his fair and upright mind was determined; he could not rest until he had searched out and exposed them. He loved truth for itself, its beauty, its loveliness.

They who knew him only from his controversial writings may, perhaps, have thought, that in his zeal for his own views of Christianity he overlooked its essence-meekness, benevolence, universal good-will. But all who knew the man will bear ample testimony to his liberal and benevolent spirit. He believed the happiness of man identified with the belief and practice of Christianity, in purity and simplicity. His whole soul was engaged in the cause he had espoused; he did nothing by halves. He abhorred deceit, and he could not but expose it and speak of it with indignation, wherever and whenever he detected it; but far-very far-was he from that narrow spirit which confines all goodness within the pale of his own creed. This was impossible, from his extensive experience, his knowledge of mankind in every gradation of society. He had passed through a great variety of circumstances. He had been intimately acquainted with the feelings, opinions, and conduct of different religious sects, and he had learned that goodness is the same thing in all men—that there are good men under every name and in every sect. He was always ready to acknowledge real religion, however irrational and erroneous he might consider the peculiar doctrines with which it was associated. And to the meek and mild virtues of his private life the deep sorrow of many a friend and relative is the best testimony. The remembrance of what he was, indelibly engraven on their hearts, is his most enduring monument.

The piety of Mr. W. was consistent with his belief. He believed true piety to consist-not in extravagant raptures-not in gloom and moroseness-not in long prayers and many professions; but in being about his heavenly Father's business-and no man was ever devoted to the cause of truth and goodness with more singleness of heart and purpose. He was, in a most remarkable sense, a practical man; and he maintained that religion should be associated with every occupation and every amusement-that there was nothing in common life which might not be done from the highest sense of duty. And we have seen, that the piety which led him to labour so earnestly in the cause of religious faith, temperance, good morals, the universal diffusion of useful know

The

ledge and benevolent institutions, was a rod and a staff to sustain and comfort him, through the dark valley of the shadow of death. spirit of humility and resignation taught by Jesus Christ was complete in him. With him, all was well that God appointed-every thing was right and for the best which a wise and holy Providence directed. He had no will opposed to the will of God.

There is one view which his friends love to take of his characterthat he was favoured in his life and in his death. He had risen by his own exertions to the high rank he sustained in the profession to which he was attached. His progress was constantly ascending. No undertaking seemed too arduous to him, and he always succeeded in whatever he undertook. His labours were not impeded, nor the exercise of his powers cramped, by constitutional weakness or disease; for his bodily energies were equal to those of his mind. His sun went down, too early, indeed, for our wishes, but in unclouded brightness; and it has already risen to shine with fresh and increasing lustre, among celestial glories.

LADY HEWLEY'S CHARITY.

WE have great pleasure in learning that there has been sent from Liverpool the full yearly sum formerly received in each case from the Hewley Charity, to the following places :-Congleton, Whitchurch, Ormskirk, Nantwich, Risley, Hindley, Lancaster, Chorley, Rivington, Bolton, Prescot. We also understand that it is intended to raise a sum of money in Manchester, in order to make up the deficiency created in other congregations in Lancashire and Cheshire, by the pending litigation; indeed we believe an effort would have been made before this, but that the two congregations in Cross-Street and in Mosley-Street have been most laudably engaged in raising a considerable sum-we hear it amounts to nearly £1500-for the purpose of erecting a building for a Day, an Infant and a Sunday School.

It is highly creditable to those who have subscribed that the sum for the current year has been sent to ministers who have suffered for conscience' sake; but for ourselves, we confess we shall not be satisfied if the whole loss they have incurred during the suit is not made up to them; it might be, would other congregations in Lancashire and Cheshire unite their efforts with those of Liverpool and Manchester. Nor can we allow ourselves to doubt that friends in other parts will be found to contribute towards at least abating the losses sustained by ministers in Yorkshire and the more northerly districts of the kingdom.-Subscriptions will be received by T. BOLTON, Esq., Liverpool; and T. POTTER, Esq., Manchester.

T. Forrest, Printer, Manchester

FEMALE EDUCATION.

THE most beautiful statue that ever adorned the gallery of classic Greece, or Italy, was once a shapeless mass. The most

glorious specimen of human nature that ever astounded or delighted the world, was once an uninformed and an undesigning infant. The most hardened miscreant that ever disgraced the name of man, was once a guiltless and ductile one. The natural abilities of the two were probably equal, for it requires great talent to consummate villainy. Education, direct or indirect, made all, or nearly all the difference between them. Would, that a picture of each mind, strong in contrast as tempest and sunlight, could be presented at one view to mankind; and the truth, that Education had made the difference, were inscribed beneath it, by the finger that wrote upon the wall in the festal hall of Belshazzar! Were it so, the great social body would stand erect in speechless awe, appalled less by the miracle than by the conviction brought home to its mute heart, how much evil it had occasioned or permitted, how much good it was capable of effecting. What is Education? Let it be understood to signify simply, that training, which every human being receives at the hands of his fellow-creatures. The youth, whose first lessons were softly whispered while his head rested on the maternal bosom, whose sunny hours of childhood were passed in listening to the affectionate admonitions of a father's voice; the one, whose vagrant mother suffered him, while yet in arms, to witness her gross deceptions, and many of whose early years have been spent in prison, imbibing a lesson of deeper treachery, have both received an education. The intelligent and gentle female, who exercises for the comfort of her father's household the virtues she inhaled from the kindly spirit of her mother, and the wretched outcast of society, whose vain and thoughtless parents instilled into her mind that love of display, which has been its ruin, have both had their training, and they have brought forth the fruits.

Surely an education calculated to excite right feeling, to fix virtuous principles, and to form virtuous habits, is the most valuable gift, which one human being can bestow upon another. If ever society is to arrive at such a degree of perfection as that none of its members should be sunk in worse than brutal degradation; if ever a time shall come, when none shall hurt or destroy in the holy mountain,' when the lion shall lie down with the kid, and a little child shall lead them,' if ever humanity shall be, what it is capable of being, such an education must be the one great agent by which the glorious change will be accomplished. If there be any who do not wish for such a change he

is an object only of compassion. The light that is in him is darkness, and how great must that darkness be!' Let every one who longs for such a state of things, though he may scarcely dare to expect it, fix his eye upon right education, as that 'star in the east,' whose rising foretells 'peace, and good will towards men.' It will shed its beams upon earth, and wherever they fall, Christ will be found in the power and spirit of his religion, shining forth in the lives of those, who have embodied that religion in their actions. A large portion of the ignorant and depraved are, we are almost afraid, beyond the reach of the better part of society to reclaim. Their feelings are crushed or perverted; their minds are degraded, and their habits are confirmed. Even in this class many exceptions might be found well worth the trouble of seeking; and to whatever extent the present generation may be out of the power of the social physician, it is certain that the next is in his hand. He has the clay, and he may mould it into any image; he possesses the sapling, and he can direct the bent of the oak; he holds the child, and he may command the man. May this consideration be deeply impressed upon the mind of every one, who has the training of an infant spirit given into his charge. May he never forget, that the children of this age will be the men and women of the next.' May he always bear in mind, that God and posterity will inquire of him, Where is thy brother?' and that it will be in vain to reply, I am not his keeper.' It is true that the whole responsibility of forming a character does not rest with those, who professedly undertake the task. There is an indirect as well as a direct influence over the young mind. There is the power of remote example, stronger sometimes than the persuasions of immediate precept-the education of circumstances, as well as of tuition. If parents or teachers could always command the situation in which a child should be placed, they might make him almost, if not altogether, such a man as they designed him to be. And though they cannot do this, they may do much by strengthening the mind to resist external influences, and by placing before it such motives as are not likely to be superseded by any, that uncontrolable circumstances can present.

The cause of much of that ill success which has attended the exertions of many may be found in the fact, that they have underrated the power of indirect education, and have not been prepared to meet its effects. They have been surprised at results, which they might have anticipated, had they properly calculated the causes that produce them. They have been too ready to imagine, that when they were not exerting their influence over the child, his mind must be quiescent; that if they were not teaching, he was not learning. But this has been a great mistake. The work of education on the immature mind