life of communion with God; and we said, in the words of our favourite poet,

When one that holds communion with the skies
Has filled his urn where those pure waters rise,

And once more mingles with us meaner things,
'Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings!
Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide,

That tells us whence his treasures are supplied.""

From this time to the summer of 1826, with the exception of a month's confinement in January, he was able to perform all his public duties, not even excepting the lecture at Camomile Street, which takes place at seven o'clock in the morning. In August he left town, with his family, for Tunbridge Wells, where he preached once every Sunday. On his return, he found himself, through the kindness of his gracious and faithful Master, able to resume his usual labours. From January 1827, till August, when he went to Brighton, he preached three times every Sabbath, without feeling that extreme fatigue which might have been expected from his shattered constitution, at such an advanced period of life. The truth is, that the ardent delight he ever felt in his ministerial duties kept up his spirits beyond his natural strength; so that, like the faithful labourer, anxious to finish his task, he exerted himself with renovated vigour as the night was approaching, when no man can work.

"Behold him! in the evening-tide of life,-
A life well spent,-whose early care it was
His riper years should not upbraid his green:
By unperceived degrees he wears away;
Yet, like the sun, seems larger at his setting."

LIBERALITY AND KINDNESS OF THE CONGREGATION. 163

It will appear, from the preceding pages, that he cherished a deep-felt gratitude to his congregation for their honourable and considerate kindness in augmenting his stipend from time to time, to meet the expenses of his family, as well as to minister to his own personal comfort under increasing infirmities; exclusive of a considerable sum paid yearly to obtain a respectable annuity to his widow, an instance of affectionate attention particularly soothing to his mind in the decline of life.* This feeling of gratitude, by exciting in his mind a painful unwillingness to impose on a liberal and affectionate people the heavy additional expense of an assistant, led him to make exertions greatly beyond his strength,-exertions which could not but be followed by injurious consequences. His family, as well as his intimate friends in the congregation, were anxious spectators of this, and often urged on his attention,

The mode in which this annuity was secured is worthy of particular notice. The facts were these: Dr. Waugh had, out of his slender income, prudently insured a certain sum on his own life; and also an annuity to his widow, payable on his decease. The managers of the congregation having learnt that he had done this, reimbursed to him all the premiums he had paid, and thereafter defrayed the annual premiums out of the congregational funds. These payments were cheerfully continued for thirty years.

In this transaction the managers displayed at once liberality, delicacy, and prudence; and their considerate conduct, in thus securing the wife of their pastor from any danger of destitution, in the event of her surviving him, and at the same time relieving both his mind and his income from the pressure of such anxious concerns, cannot be too strongly recommended as an example. worthy to be followed by other congregations.

though without effect, the necessity of relieving himself from those services to which his broken constitution was no longer equal. The very arguments drawn from his age and infirmities were converted by himself into a strong reason for increasing activity in his Master's work, so long as he should retain any degree of health and vigour for such labours. This friendly contention was at last terminated by the failure of his voice, to such an extent that he could no longer, without extraordinary efforts, be distinctly heard when discharging his public duties. It became, therefore, indispensably necessary to the interests of the congregation that some one should take part with him in his ministry. The following letter, from his elders and deacons, breathes a spirit of Christian wisdom, sympathy, and liberality, honourable to themselves and to the congregation which they represented :

"TO THE REV. DR. WAUGH.

"DEAR SIR,

"Wells Street Chapel Vestry, May 16, 1827.

"As members of the session of Wells Street chapel, we consider it our imperative duty to lay before you what we judge to be of the highest importance to the prosperity of our beloved charge, whose spiritual interests, we are well convinced, cannot be dearer to us than they are to yourself. Whilst, therefore, it is our desire to address you with every respect, we do so with all confidence, knowing that our duty and interests are not divided.

"When we consider the kindness of the great Head of the Church in sparing you, and making you a blessing to us for so many years, and in giving us such a long con

tinuance of peace and prosperity, we have, indeed, great cause of gratitude and praise. He has not dealt so with every church. Others have had to deplore the loss of faithful and beloved pastors, removed from them in early life, and in the midst of much usefulness. You have been granted not only length of days, but have had the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing the pleasure of the Lord still prospering in your hands.

"Whilst admiration is expressed for your continued labours of love at so advanced a period, blame is imputed to us, that a life so long devoted to the service of Christ should still be burdened with undiminished exertion, and that no provision has been made by us, to secure to you that ease and comfort so desirable and indispensable in the evening of life.

"It is a duty we owe to you, therefore, as well as to the congregation over which we are the appointed overseers, to present (for your consideration and approbation) a plan which we unanimously think the wisest and best to be adopted, in reference both to our present situation and our future prospects. But before doing this, we think it best to state to you the circumstance that has at this moment forced it on our consideration.

"Complaints, you are aware, have been reiteratedthat however desirous the people are of benefiting by the word preached, this benefit is not gained, owing to the impossibility of hearing the truths you are so desirous of conveying. Although this ground of complaint has not been of long date, we regret to state that it is an evil increasing in importance, and threatening painful consequences.

"Duly impressed with the urgency of these considerations, we now bring forward the plan we have above alluded to, viz. that for your assistance, and for the present edification and lasting benefit of that part of Christ's church intrusted to our care, it is desirable that a constant supply should be granted us of young preachers from the North, in connexion with the Associate Synod, possessed of piety, and of those talents which are indis

pensably necessary in a metropolis whose churches are so highly favoured with men of eminent gifts; and that each supply should be for the period of three months. Advantages would arise from adopting this plan that might eventually produce the most happy consequences to the congregation. Should the preacher's talents be so acceptable as to make it desirable to lengthen out his services, he could be continued for a longer time; and further, by our having the advantage of being acquainted with those young men who are coming forward into usefulness, we might at some future period have the power, with greater prospect of success, of determining on that permanent assistance which must sooner or later be required.

"It is our prayer that your valuable life may yet be long preserved; but uncertain as life and health are, it will afford your good mind no small satisfaction to know, that whenever the Almighty may please to call you from us, you will leave your beloved charge with the prospect of their being able to call a successor, with whose character and talents you are not altogether unacquainted.

"To your serious consideration we submit the above statement, and respectfully subscribe ourselves your fellowservants in the Lord.

SIGNED BY THE SESSION."

To this kind and considerate letter he immediately replied in a temper of mind which removed every difficulty.

"TO WILLIAM TASSIE, ESQ. LEICESTER SQUARE.

"Salisbury Place, May 17, 1827.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

I have this morning received the plan (of which I see with pleasure you are the composer and writer) suggested by our elders and deacons; and feel truly grateful for the spirit that breathes in it. The expense is the only