were defrayed by our Clifton friend; nor did this friend leave Mr. C. here, but continued his kindness throughout all the future stages of his remaining life.

On Mr. Cecil's arrival at his house in Little James Street, in the spring of 1809, with his nerves shattered and his state of health broken, the sudden heat of the weather, together with the closeness and noise of the town greatly increased his sufferings, and he became extremely anxious to remove from its tumult and distraction. He was, at this time, in a state which can be little apprehended, even by invalids themselves; much less by those in health and vigour. It was, however, a state to him, and a season to me, replete with difficulties, which seemed increasing on all sides. His anxiety to leave town became stronger daily : but, no possible way seemed open; and I could only, like Hagar, bewail miseries I could neither remove nor mitigate: nor, like her, could I apprehend the relief that was so near at hand. These difficulties were removed by our friend, Charles Offley, Esq. then of Great Ormond Street. Mrs. O. on seeing Mr. C. and observing the distressing state of his nerves, was indefatigable in seeking for a suitable retreat for him; but, not meeting with a situation near town, after many researches, she determined to go to Tunbridge Wells, conceiving that both the air and waters might be advantageous to Mr. C. She took a house there for the season, on a very open spot, at Mr. O's expense; and Mr. C. went to it, accordingly, in May, 1809: but, as we fatally know, did not derive the hopedfor benefit from these very favourable circumstances.

In the month of Oct. 1809, he came back to town for the winter: but, on the return of the spring, he found all his sufferings return with it; and again he anxiously desired to remove into

the country. This brings my history back to his Clifton friend, of whom I observed, that after conveying Mr. C. to town, he did not resign him there. At Tunbridge his favours followed him; and after Mr. Cecil's return from thence to town in Oct. 1809, and when the lease of his Chapel was disposed of and his income necessarily straitened, this friend engaged to supply him with an annual remittance during his life; which was devoted to his benefit, as the means of procuring a house for him through the summer months; and by which, together with a sum collected by Mr. C's nephew in his family circle for the same purpose, these expenses were supplied.

With this provision, we proceeded to take a house at Belle-Vue, Hampstead, in a quiet and airy situation. Thither we removed in April, 1810; and here Mr. Cecil's general health and spirits were much benefited. But it pleased God to remove him from thence to a house more congenial to the desires of his soul, eternal in the heavens! By a fit of apoplexy his spirit was released from the body of death, Aug. 15th, 1810-a bereavement to his family-to the Church-and to the world, irreparable-an affliction, calling for silent submission to Divine Wisdom; and only mitigated by the assurance of his being from thenceforth for ever with the Lord.

On this mournful occasion, the attentions of William Blair, Esq. of Great Russel Street, were exemplary and unremitted. His prompt attendance, tender sympathy, and kind watchfulness to the last moment, I shall ever bear in grateful remembrance.

I should be more strictly fulfilling the desire of the deceased, on the subject of Mr. Cooke's kindness to him, were I to enter more into the detailand in tracing this instance of divine care, I wished

to have had the liberty of inserting a few extracts from his friendly letters, which bear the best evidence on this subject. But, in requesting permission to do this, I received a positive refusal, with a prohibition to mention, either his name or any of the favours which he had rendered. I am, however, compelled, either to do violence to his desire and determination to remain concealed, or to violate an injunction repeatedly enforced by Mr. C. to bear a testimony for him, when he was no longer able to express it himself, to the kindness of that brother who was thus raised up to meet this day of his adversity-one, whose administrations resembled those of an affectionate son to a beloved father. Expressions of regard and concern like these, so uncommon, so unexpected, could not fail of fixing a deep, lasting, and grateful impression on Mr. Cecil's mind-nor of aiding my imagination in the vivid conception, that I still hear him-in words similar to these of the Apostle -"The Lord give mercy unto his household for he oft refreshed me-sought me out-and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find grace in that day-In how many things he ministered to me, thou knowest very well." I feel bound, however, to avoid entering into particulars-knowing the pain that even this slight glance will occasion to one, whom gratitude would ever lead me to regard with the strictest delicacy. But, not to speak on the subject AT ALL, would be to violate Mr. Cecil's dying command; and to hide from the eye of the world another special instance of God's gracious care, in supplying the wants of his servants IN ALL AGES-at one period, by the wing of a raven-at another, by a widow woman-and at another, by the extraordinary kindness of a friend.

It was not, however, from this friend and all his

family, ONLY, that Mr. C. met with marked kindness. Various other friends, in and about the neighbourhood of Bristol, affectionately and liberally ministered to him of their substance: and it must ever remain, both to myself when contemplating the sorrowful path so lately trodden, and to Mr. Cecil's benevolent friends, a continual source of consolation, to reflect, that nothing by them was left undone, which could afford a hope of prolonging a life so valuable, or of mitigating affliction so

acute.

Amidst the general concern and anxiety which the affliction of a Father in Israel excited in the minds of his friends, the particular instance of that of his highly valued friend, Dr. Fearon, was manifest. Various and unabating were his efforts to administer relief and comfort. Difficulty, or distance of place, was no impediment in the way of his ardent endeavours. He travelled many hundred miles to visit him-when he was at Bath --at Clifton-and at Tunbridge-as well as when he was at his house in town; and though damped in his hopes, on perceiving the inveterate progress of Mr. C's disease, yet his kindness and watchfulness abated not, from the period of his first attack in the year 1807, till he ceased longer to remain a recipient of human affection and care.

Verily, there is a reward for the righteous!-If we are taught that every man will have to give an account of his works-and if we are taught to believe that every hour bears a report to heaven of the deeds done in the body-and if every man will receive a just recompense of reward at the final judgment we may faintly conceive the joy of the righteous, on hearing the declaration-Inasmuch as ye did it to ONE OF THESE-ye did it unto ME! -May not the providential assistances alluded to, be numbered among the answers to the prayer of

faith, simple dependence, and firm reliance on divine help?--and a fulfilment of that promise of our Lord's, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL'S, but he shall receive an hundred fold NOW IN THIS TIME, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, (with persecution,) and in the world to come, eternal life.

But, the time drew nigh when Israel must die-Death was a subject familiar to the beloved character of whom I write. He had fought the good fight, kept the faith, and was ready to be offered up. He gradually declined, protesting his unshaken confidence in the truths which he had so long preached, and endeavoured to impress on his family and others. At length, he became so weak and nervous, that he spoke but little; and was frequently, through the prevalence of disease, a painful subject of depression.

Neither the power of medicine, nor the affectionate solicitude of friends, nor the advantage of the finest situations, can effectually relieve, contrary to the divine appointment. Mr. C. still found his weakness continue; or, as he termed it, he "was quite worn out." His exertions for many years, particularly at St. John's, were such, as nature sunk under.

In the early part of his ministry, he had been used to preach four times on the Sunday in different Churches, as has been before stated, beside frequently reading the prayers; and, the last summer he spent in town before his paralytic seizure, he frequently preached three times on the Sunday at St. John's. Such exertions were painfully observed, by myself and his friends, as likely to produce fatal consequences. He was indefatigable in his labours,