horred the idle tales of the day, he was no friend to scandal. He endeavoured always to direct the conversation into a useful and pleasing channel. He was cheerful, without levity, and serious without affectation. There was nothing formal or studied in his manners. In him, every thing was natural, and through all the departments of his character, there was a harmony of feature a unity of principle, which every one observed and admired.

In all the duties of the pastoral office, he was well informed, affectionate, and constant.

He knew what belonged to his office and never failed to practice what he knew. He made full proof of his ministry. He was a scribe well in structed in the mysteries of the kingdom. A workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth-giving a portion to each, in due season-sparing the irregularities or prejudices of uone but seeking with ardent affection the good of all-he commended himself to every man's conseience in the sight of God. Early he girded on the armour-and soon became a the Prince of Peace. He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course-and now he enjoys the

crown.

leader in the armies of

REFLECTIONS.

I am unwilling further to detain the attention of the reader to a volume, which, but for its interesting subjeet, would have wearied his patience long ago, and which has imperceptibly swollen to a bulk, far greater than that which the writer, originally, intended it to obtain, by any additional reflections, es

pecially as the preceding pages abound with observations of a practical nature, as the narrative suggested them-and as almost every topic of improvement which might now be introduced has been fully anticipated and forcibly expressed by the interesting publications which appeared upon the death of Spencer. And yet, were I to dismiss the volume, without any effort at a final improvement of the subject, I might be charged with neglecting the great object of biography-utility; and the book might be considered as deficient in the most important point.

In Spencer we see,→→

First, That obscurity of birth or station presents no insurmountable barrier to the progress of real excellence.

The history of past and present times furnishes unnumbered illustrations of this remark, Many who have lived to enlighten and to bless the world-whe have obtained rank, and fortune, and renown, were born in obscurity, and passed their earliest years in the oblivion of humble life. Let such as feel at present the pressure of circumstances, yet pant for scenes of honourable exertion, and extensive usefulness, ponder the life of Spencer and be encouraged. If God designs to use them for the public good, he will, by an unexpected train of events, in his providence call them forth; if not, let them neither rush unbidden from their sphere, nor occupy their station in sullen discontent; if a wider field be not allowed them, let them cultivate with cheerfulness the little spot to which they are confined. The most retired hamlet affords abundant opportunities of doing good;

and many a man to whom it is denied to enlighten crowded cities and populous towns, may be a star of the first magnitude in the village where he dwells.

Secondly, We see in Spencer the commanding influence of genuine and fervent piety. This was the secret spring of all his energy-the fuel of his animation-the source of his popularity. That his mind was well furnished with solid truths-that his manner was engaging-that his form was graceful-that his countenance was lovely--that his language was elegant--that his voice was fine--is admitted; but it was his ardent piety which gave to each of these a charm, and awoke in the breasts of his auditors a feeling of reverence and solemnity, which the simple exhibition of them could never have produced. The graces of genuine eloquence, and the stores of a cultivated mind, are precious; but without piety, they are as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals:' they may delight the ear, but never will impress the heart; and it is not, usually, the labours of the most polished and enlightened of his ministers, that Jehovah deigns especially to bless ; but rather the unwearied exertions of those, whom the love of Christ and of immortal souls has rendered zealous in the sacred cause.

6

Thirdly, We see in the labours of Spencer, an admirable example of diligence, and in the success that crowned them, a strong encouragement to exertion.

So short was the period of his stated ministry, that we can only measure it by months: it had not reached to years. But few, perhaps, whose term of labour was so short as his, were ever honoured with more success; whilst many who have seen the num

ber of his months often repeated in years of anxious labour, have not been favoured with so much. If all prove faithful unto death, whom he enlisted, whilst on earth, beneath the banners of the cross, he will head a goodly company, when the hosts of the redeemed shall be assembled at the judgment day. Who that knew and loved him, but must anticipate the joy with which he then shall say, 'here am I, Father, and the children whom thou hast given me.'

Let the example of his exertions and success stimulate, quicken, and encourage ours. We work for the same Master, and are engaged in the same cause. And, to the student or the youthful preacher who may honour these pages with his regard, I will add, your term may be as short-if it be not as successful, let it be as diligent, The diligence is ours, -the success is God's: He will not demand at our hands what is not ours to secure-He will give His rewards of grace to the faithful servant, whether his success be proportioned to his exertions or not; and we are a sweet savour unto Him in them that are saved, and in them that perish.'

Fourthly, From the early and sudden removal of Spencer, let churches learn to prize the labours of holy and devoted men, while they enjoy them. Alas! too many only learn the value of their privileges by their removal. They neglected or lightly esteemed, whilst living, the minister, upon whose memory they heap eulogies and honours when departed; and I believe, that some have even bedewed the ashes of their pastors with affected tears, who accelerated and embittered their passage to the grave, by unkindness and neglect! Not so the

people whom the death of Spencer suddenly be. reaved. The tears with which they embalmed his memory, were suitable to the respect they bore his person--the love they cherished for his friendship— and the sense they entertain of his transcendent worth.* O that every minister living were as much beloved!-dying were as unaffectedly deplored!

Fifthly, In Spencer we see the excellence of real religion-how it sweetens labour-sooths in affliction-supports in trial-and animates the soul in scenes of disappointment, and hours of care. Το few are allotted severer labours-to few, so young, are measured heavier trials than those which he endured. But few, upon the whole, have possessed a greater share of happiness: there were intervals of sorrow, and clouds would sometimes obscure the brightness of his sun; but for the most

By some liberal expositors of God's providence, the death of Spencer has been pronounced a judgment on the people, for what they have termed, "their idolatrous attachment" to him. Alas! the idolizing of its ministers is, surely, not the crying sin of the church at the present day! But was there any thing in the conduct of the people over whom Spencer presided, so contrary to the mind of God as to excite thus strongly his displeasure, in loving a man who was beloved wherever he was known-and revering an office which Christ himself has invested with so much dignity? Let such bold infringers of the prerogative of God, who presume to assign reasons for his conduct, when he has not deigned to give any, read," Know them that labour amongst you, and over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves.” Let them take the solemn admonition this passage gives; and perhaps their own ministers will have no occasion to regret that they have done so.