but there are some that are not only for forcing strong meat, but bones too, down the throat of the child. We must have patience with a single step in the case of an infant; and there are one-step books and sermons which are good in their place. Christ taught his disciples, as they were able to bear; and it was upon the same principle that the Apostle accommodated himself to prejudice. Now," continued he, "what I wish to remark on these considerations, is, that this apostolical principle, steadily pursued, will render a minister apparently inconsistent; superficial hearers will think him a trimmer. On the other hand, a minister, destitute of the apostolic principle and intention, and directing his whole force to preserve the appearance of consistency, may thus seem to preserve it; but let me tell you, here is only the form of faithfulness, without the spirit.” He has been heard to say, when speaking of his continual interruptions, "I see in this world two heaps, one of happiness, the other of misery; now, if I can take but the smallest bit from the heap of misery, and add to that of happiness, I carry a point. If, as I go home, a child has dropped a halfpenny, and if, by picking it up and giving to it another, I can wipe away its tears, I feel I have done something. I should be glad indeed to do greater things, but I will not neglect this."

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Soon after he came to London, he experienced a severe shock in the death of Miss Eliza Cunningham. On this occasion, he published some brief memoirs of her character and death. He had brought her up, and observed with delight, her sincere piety, and the amiable qualities of her mind. She was indeed truly lovely, and he loved her, as he often said, with the affection of a parent.

He was now, however, to be put to a trial much

more severe.

Mrs. N. for whom he entertained an almost romantic attachment, about the end of the year 1788, was threatened with a cancer in her breast, which grew gradually worse, till she expired, Dec. 15, 1790. "Just before Mrs. N.'s disease became so formidable," says he, "I was preaching on the waters of Egypt being turned into blood. The Egyptians had idolized their river, and God made them loathe it. I was apprehensive it would soon be a similar case with me.' During the very affecting season of Mrs. N.'s dissolution, Mr. N. like David, wept and prayed; but the desire of his eyes being taken away by the stroke, he " arose from the earth, and came into the temple of the Lord, and worshipped."

In the year 1799, Mr. N. had the honorary degree of D.D. conferred upon him by the University of New Jersey in America, and the diploma sent him. He also received a work in two volumes, dedicated to him, with the above title annexed to his name. He wrote the author a grateful acknowledgment for the work, but begged to decline an honour he never intended to accept. "I am," said he, as one born out of due time. I have neither the pretension, nor wish, to honours of this kind. However, therefore, the University may over-rate my attainments, and thus show their respect, I must not forget myself; it would be both vain and improper, were I to concur in it."

After Miss Cunningham and Mrs. N. were taken away, his niece, Miss Elizabeth Catlett, was his constant companion, and owing to the infirmities of his great age, was become quite necessary to him. She watched him, walked with him, read to him, and performed all the duties of an affectionate daughter. But in the year 1801, even this prop

was taken from him.

She was seized with a ner

vous disorder, and was obliged to leave her aged relative. During the twelvemonth that this separation lasted, the weight of the affliction, added to his weight of years, seemed almost to overwhelm him.

It was wonderful and pleasant to observe the fruit which this eminent servant of God still brought forth in his old age. Though labouring under the burden of years, his sight nearly gone, through deafness rendered incapable of joining in conversation, and his memory much failed, his judgment still remained clear, and his zeal for the truth he had long received and taught was unabated. Although advanced beyond the period of fourscore years, he still continued his ministerial labours; and when some of his friends hinted at the propriety of his desisting from public preaching,-"I cannot stop," said he, raising his voice, "What! shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?"

Nature seemed decaying apace, Mr. N. gradually declined, and death appeared at no great distance. Such was the decayed state of his faculties, that it was painful to ask him a question; consequently, little can be said of his expressions at this period.

Dec. 14.-Being visited by a friend, and asked how he slept, he replied, "Pretty well." There will be no sleeping in heaven, Mr. Newton. "We shall not need it there." In a little after, he added, "We need it here." A person present mentioned, that the last time he had called on Mr. N. he remarked to him how useful he had been by his writings; Mr. N. replied, "I need none of these sweetmeats."

A short time before his death, he said, "It is a great thing to die; and when flesh and heart fail, to have God for the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. I know whom I have believed,

and he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

The Wednesday before he died, being asked by Mrs. Gif his mind was comfortable, he replied, "I am satisfied with the Lord's will." But however natural it is to inquire what was the state of his mind as he approached the end of his race, we may here quote an observation of his own, when particular inquiry was made about the last expressions of an eminent believer, “Tell me not how the man died, but how he lived."

Mr. N. finished his course, and entered into rest, on Monday evening, the 21st of Dec. 1807, aged 82. He left the following injunction in a letter for the direction of his executors: "I propose writing an epitaph for myself, if it may be put up, on a plain marble tablet, near the vestry door, to the following purport:

JOHN NEWTON, Clerk,

Once an Infidel and Libertine,
A servant of slaves in Africa,

Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour,
JESUS CHRIST,

Preserved, restored, pardoned,
And appointed to preach the faith
He had long laboured to destroy,
Near 16 years at Olney in Bucks,
years in this church.

And

On Feb. 1, 1750, he married

MARY,

Daughter of the late George Catlett,
Of Chatham, Kent.

He resigned her to the Lord who gave her,

On 15th Dec. 1790.

And I earnestly desire, that no other monument, and no inscription but to this import, may be attempted for me."

The following is a copy of the exordium of Mr. Newton's will, dated June 13, 1803.

"In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN NEWTON, of Colman-Street Buildings, in the parish of St. Stephen, Colman-Street, in the City of London, Clerk, being, through mercy, in good health, and of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, although in the seventy-eighth year of my age, do, for the settling of my temporal concerns, and for the disposal of all the worldly estate which it hath pleased the Lord in his good providence to give me, make this my last will and testament as follows:-I commit my soul to my gracious God and Saviour, who mercifully spared and preserved me when I was an infidel, an apostate, and a blasphemer, and delivered me from that state of misery on the coast of Africa, into which my obstinate wickedness had plunged me; and who has been pleased to admit me (though most unworthy) to preach his glorious gospel: I rely with humble confidence upon the atonement and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, which I have often proposed to others as the only foundation whereon a sinner can build his hope; trusting that he will guard and guide me through the uncertain remainder of my life; and that he will then admit me into his presence in his heavenly kingdom. would have my body deposited in the vault under the parish church of St. Mary, Woolnoth, close to the coffins of my late dear wife, and my dear niece, Elizabeth Cunningham; and it is my desire that my funeral may be performed with as little expense as possible, consistent with decency."

I