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to the mind of Newton a train of thought which has astonished the world, why should not the friends of religion thankfully acknowledge the same hand which, from suggestions so simple, has educed results affecting the eternal welfare of the entire family of man-to name no more than the circulation of eight millions of copies of Holy Scripture?

Not less observable, the Committee believe, are the goodness and power of God in eminently qualifying their late Associate for maturing the plan which he had been so instrumental in originating. By his pen, as well as in conversation, he developed that plan with such singular felicity, that many who regarded it, in the outset, as altogether chimerical (and among such, the Rev. John Owen was at first numbered), became afterwards its warmest admirers and firmest supporters. Much, too, in after-times, did Mr. Hughes contribute, by his intelligence and piety, combined with no ordinary degree of suavity and mildness, to preserve in the councils of the Committee, a large measure of kindly and harmonious feeling.

When it became necessary, in consequence of the extension of the Society's plan, by the formation of Auxiliaries, Branch Societies, and Associations, that Representatives from London should visit the Committees, and assist at Public Meetings held in the Country, the presence of their late friend was always most acceptable; and his appeals, frequently distinguished by eloquence at once chaste and fervid, were listened to with delight; and often won the opponent, decided the waverer, and confirmed the friend. Called, in the course of these visits, to mingle in the private circles of the Society's friends, it is not too much to affirm, that when he was once known he could not easily, if ever, be forgotten. While adverting to this point, the Committee may truly add, that he was in journeyings oft-that by night and by day, to the very last, he was ready to serve the Society, which he loved with intense and unabated affection.

In the recent question regarding the Constitution of the Society, his sympathies and exortions were largely called forth. In common with many others, he apprehended danger from the changes proposed; while in the past history of the Society he

had seen nothing to demand their adoption, but much that appeared to claim for the original simplicity of the plan a continuance of that approbation bestowed upon it by its early friends. In all his conduct connected with this discussion, the same mildness, the same freedom from asperity, shone conspicuous; and safely may their late friend be held up as a pattern worthy of imitation, whenever controversy shall have become unavoidable.

While he rejoiced in the prospects opening before the Church of Christ, of the dawn of that day when all nations whom God hath made shall come and worship before Him—while he rejoiced no less in that laborious part which he was himself called upon to sustain, in operations all tending to so glorious a consummation-the Committee gratefully testify their belief, that Mr. Hughes's mind was never diverted from the habits of personal religion, by the glowing anticipations in which he indulged, nor yet by the multiplicity of his labours; but that he caught the spirit of the prophetic Psalmist just quoted, who unites with his glowing visions of the future earnest supplications and resolves on his own immediate behalf. "Teach me thy way, O Lord! I will walk in thy truth. Unite my heart to fear thy name!"* was the language of their friend's heart: it was the language also of his life.

While the Committee deeply deplore the loss sustained, not only by themselves, but by the Society at large, and, they may add, by the whole Christian community, they cannot but take comfort, from the assurance they have received, that the consolations revealed in the Sacred Volume, the knowledge of which Mr. Hughes had so widely assisted in spreading, were graciously vouchsafed to himself in the hour of trial; enabling him to glorify God by the exercise of patience and resignation in the midst of intense sufferings, and to rejoice in a good hope through grace-a hope full of immortality.

The Committee conclude their memorial by transcribing a passage from a beautiful letter recently addressed to them by

* Psalm lxxxvi. 9, 11.

on

their late Secretary, tendering the resignation of his office, finding himself no longer able to fulfil its duties. They would accompany the transcript, with the expression of an earnest hope that all the friends of the Society, while engaged in helping forward its glorious work, may so receive the truth as it is in Jesus, and so love the truth, that, when placed in similar circumstances, they may be enabled to bear a similar testimony

"The office has, I believe, greatly helped me in the way to heaven. But now my great Lord seems to say, I have dissolved the commission-thy work in this department is doneyield cheerfully to my purpose, and prepare to enter those blessed abodes, where the labours of the Bible Society shall reveal a more glorious consummation, than the fondest hope had anticipated."

MEMOIR OF THE REV. ANDREW BRANDRAM, M.A. THE Rev. Andrew Brandram, was born November 30, 1790, in London. At a suitable age he was sent for education to the College, at Winchester; where, on the day of his entrance, there occurred a memorable incident, which became the turning point in his mental and religious history, and that which led to his preparation for the important service that he was appointed to render to the Bible Society.

On taking possession of his apartment for study, he found in his locker, an old, disregarded book, left by his predecessor-that book was a BIBLE; the discovery of which excited in his mind unaccustomed feelings and serious reflections. Shall we not attribute these emotions to the blessed Spirit of God? He at once determined on reading this Bible; and fulfilled his purpose; so that he became inte

rested in its sacred contents, as the inestimable testimony of eternal truth. His reading thus the Divine oracles, produced in his mind heavenly light; and, with the conviction of sin, by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit, the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. It cannot, therefore, be a subject of wonder, that this old Bible should have been preserved by him, as the precious instrument of his spiritual conversion to God.

Mr. Brandram, now decided for service in the Christian ministry, proceeded to the University, and he entered Oriel College, Oxford. He was a diligent student; and his attainments were very considerable so that when he was examined for his degree, in 1812, he obtained the highest honours, being placed in the first class, both in Classics and Mathematics.

Mr. Brandram was highly esteemed as a faithful minister of Christ: he was Curate of Beckenham, Kent, when invited to become the Clerical Secretary to the Bible Society. For some time he officiciated as Minister of St. Mary-le-Savoy Church, Westminster, and in 1838, he was appointed to the Incumbency of Beckenham.

The Rev. Mr. Vine, for some time his Curate at Beckenham, now Rector of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, London, says of his departed friend, Mr. Brandram, that he possessed "the warmest and most tender heart; the most self-denying and earnest devotedness to God's cause; the most profound veneration for the Scriptures; and a resolution that in the pulpit they should speak the clearest views of

God's truth. As a preacher, though sometimes more laboured than others, oftentimes strikingly eloquent and beautiful, and at all times profitable and clear, I never heard his equal on the subject of justification."

What Mr. Brandram was as labourer in the Bible Society, and how he was esteemed by his friends on the Committee, will be seen to most advantage from their "Memorial" on his removal to his reward in heaven.

Memorial adopted by the Committee, on occasion of the death of the Rev. ANDREW BRANDRAM, M.A., one of the Secretaries

The Committee have received, with deep and mournful feelings, intelligence of the death of their invaluable Secretary, the Rev. Andrew Brandram, which took place at Brighton, on Thursday, December 26th, 1850.

While they bow in silent submission to the will of the Most High, they desire to record their profound sense of the loss which the Society has experienced by this painful event.

Twenty-seven years ago, on the decease of the late Rev. John Owen, the first Clerical Secretary of the Society, Mr. Brandram, after some hesitation, accepted an appointment to the vacant office. Though not distinguished by the same power of eloquence as his highly-gifted predecessor had been, he brought into the service of the Society a mind equally vigorous and well-cultivated, an aptitude for business not less remarkable, and an attachment to the principles of the Society quite as sincere; while the high reputation which, as a double FirstClass man, he had obtained at the University; his manly, straightforward, and uncompromising spirit; blended with genuine and unostentatious piety, soon gained him a standing in public estimation and confidence, which he never lost.

Having once made up his mind to undertake the office, he

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