He also divided the day, assigning to each portion of it its proper employment; and thus passing from one subject to another, without loss of time, improved all his waking hours. This plan he pursued up to his last affliction; and, even then, till his strength utterly failed: and when his regular studies were necessarily suspended, he still had his plan of reading. Since his death we have learned, from his brother Charles, who was his affectionate companion during his illness, that, at the time when he was so reduced as only to be able to creep from his chamber to the drawing-room, the following was his plan for spending the day :-Breakfast at eight o'clock; then dress. From nine till ten, read Dr. Clarke's Commentary on Genesis; from ten till one, Herodotus; from one till two, Dr. Clarke's Commentary on Chronicles; dine at two; then recline on the sofa, with Dr. Clarke's Commentary, and Tomline on the Bible, by his side; from six till seven, Dr. Clarke's Commentary on the New Testament; from seven till nine, the New Testament in Greek, with Parkhurst's Lexicon, taking notes; at nine o'clock, review the day. When his medical attendant raised some objections to his reading Herodotus, because it would require study; he replied, that he did it without effort, and signified that it kept his mind employed. He had habituated himself to method in every department of his pursuits.

The variety and extent of his reading, I believe, were known only to himself. There were few subjects within his reach, on which he had not, at some time or other, bestowed a less or greater degree of attention; and, young as he was, it was hardly possible to enter into conversation with him, without being struck with the correctness of his information, and the maturity of his judgment, on almost all ordinary topics of knowledge, as well as on much that was curious, and not of common research. The following are some of the testimonials to his classical and mathematical attainments. The parties from whence they come stamp them with high authority.

The Rev. Benjamin W. Beatson, Fellow and Lecturer of PembrokeCollege, Cambridge, and Examiner of Candidates for the Classical Tripos, in his testimonial now before me, says, "I have repeatedly examined him on classical, historical, and mathematical subjects, and have always found him well prepared. He is conversant with the best authors, both Greek and Latin, far beyond what might be expected from his years. The opportunities which the school afforded him for acquiring knowledge have been extraordinary, and they have been well employed by him."

The Rev. G. Wallace, Head-Master, under whose care he had chiefly been educated, in a letter of condolence addressed to me after my son's death, remarks, “ Although it would be presumption in me to pretend to share a father's sorrow on so mournful an occasion, yet I may be justly allowed to express my grief at the loss of one who promised so fairly to adorn any situation of life to which his heavenly Father might

have appointed him; and thus to afford me the deep pleasure of seeing a pupil of mine, for whom I ever entertained a sincere regard, prospering in the world, and discharging the high office of a sound Christian." In a subsequent communication he adds, "Your departed son was doubtless one of the most promising pupils that I ever had under me; and one to whom I fondly looked for distinction in after days. But God's will be done, my dear Sir, in this stretching forth of his rod. To your dear son assuredly it was in mercy; to you all may it be a source of grace!" And in his farewell address to him were these words: "Nothing can afford a master deeper pain, than to see the efforts of a superior mind blighted by ill health of body. Such, I am sorry to say, has been your case and mine. I return you my special thanks for having opened a new track, and raised the scholarship of the school to a pitch that I had scarcely anticipated." (In the latter clause another pupil, then leaving, was included.) But he farther added to Edward, "I know well, that if it please Providence to grant you health to support the labour, you will win for yourself and school many a wreath in the contests of the University."

I was not myself aware of the extent of his biblical knowledge, nor of his acquaintance with subjects of theology in general, till some of the conversations that he had with his mother and myself during his last illness. On one occasion, conversing with his mother on the doctrine of the atonement, and the necessity of blood-shedding for the remission of sins, he extemporaneously gave her such a history of sacrifice, both ancient and modern, taken from sacred and profane writers, as at once astonished and delighted her. At another time, when she was about to read to him a portion of Scripture, he inquired if Ezekiel i. was a favourite chapter. She answered in the negative; assigning as a reason, that she did not well understand it. He went on to say, that it had long been a favourite of his, and a frequent subject of study. Then repeating from memory the entire vision, he accompanied the repetition with a copious and lucid exposition of all its parts. Whilst I was reading to him one day, (he was then on his death-bed,) he wished me to refer to some passages in the Epistle to the Galatians, one of which he pointed out as peculiarly descriptive of his own experience. He then informed me, that he had read this Epistle through six times, in the original, critically examining the whole; and that he considered it next in importance to the Epistle to the Romans, for establishing the great doctrine of justification by faith. He gratefully remarked, that he could read the New Testament in Greek with as much pleasure as in English. His mother had been reading select portions of Scripture to him; and, on finishing one Epistle, reference was made to me, as to what Epistle should be the next subject of their reading. I mentioned that of St. John; when he replied, "I have read that Epistle through at least a dozen times." In the original?" I inquired. "No," he answered, "in English.

It used to be a favourite subject of my Sunday reading in Canterbury; and I never read the Scriptures in the original on Sundays, because, when I attempted to do so, I always found that I wanted to turn my reading to account in reference to my learning."

It is to his religious experience, as forming a part of his character, that the greatest importance is to be attached; because only this can outlive the ravages of death. When admitted first into the chamber, after his birth, and kneeling, in a solemn act of worship, by the side of the bed where he and his mother lay, I felt an unusual liberty and power in consecrating him to God. The impression then made, and which never after left me, was, that our heavenly Father intended him in some special way for himself. I fondly hoped that it might be for a Minister of the sanctuary. As we resided in a foreign country, it became my province to admit him, by the ordinance of baptism, into the pale of the visible church. When he was thirteen years of age, whilst I was engaged in prayer, he obtained the witness of the Holy Spirit that God had adopted him for his child. I had the farther satisfaction of being the first to recognise him as a spiritual member of the body of Christ, by administering to him the sacrament of the Lord's supper. One earthly wish remained, which was, to be permitted to introduce him into that ministry for which I flattered myself he was intended; but God has decided otherwise. He has cut short his earthly course, and taken him up to the higher services of heaven. Instead, then, of realizing my fond hopes in relation to him in this world, it has been my lot-a lot not altogether unaccompanied by a mournful satisfaction-to wait upon him, under my own roof, during his fatal illness; to minister to his comfort in his last great trial; and, literally, with my own hands, to close his dying eyes. The scene has passed; but the recollection of it can fade away only with my memory.

Instructed at home till he was ten years of age, and not allowed to mix indiscriminately with other children, he remained ignorant of the existence of many evils, too easily learned when the same precautions are either impracticable, or not taken. His mind, too, was evidently impressed with spiritual things. He was attentive to prayer, and orderly in his deportment in the house of God; and I recollect the interest he showed at my weekly meetings of children. He profited much from his mother's catechetical instructions, but especially from her scriptural readings with her children in private. To this latter practice was mainly owing his early knowledge of the Bible. When he grew older, and even to the last, he was always ready to lay aside any of his pursuits, to join the little circle, and hear his mother read the word of God, and comment upon it. On his death-bed, when his weakness was such that he could not bear to hear me speak above a whisper, he still solicited her to read to him. The tones of her voice, to which he had been accustomed from earliest infancy, seemed to

fall like music on his ears, and to soothe his acutely-delicate feelings.

In December, 1834, when he came home to Margate, to spend the Christmas holidays, he appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly seeking salvation; and it was during the concluding prayer of the evening service, on Friday, January 23d, 1835, in Hawleysquare chapel, that the Lord spoke peace to his troubled soul. For six months previous to this he had retired, as he told us, thrice a day to pray for the remission of his sins; that his distress became so great, that, had he not believed in a future state, he could have thrown himself for relief from the cliffs into the sea. In this state of mind he entered the chapel that evening. He was then thirteen years of age. The following more minute account is taken from the memoranda of his mother: "December 17th. My boys returned home. I found, to my great joy, my dear Edward fully alive to the best things. Sunday, 21st. Edward and I went to the love-feast. He felt keenly; and afterwards remarked, 'It is delightful to hear the people speak so.' Monday, 22d. Edward requested to go to class. He had never been present at a class-meeting. I could not object. He came home with weeping eyes. Sunday, January 4th. I had much serious conversation with my dear boy. We prayed fervently together. I believe he is fully in earnest. He accompanied me to the renewal of the covenant; but refused to go to the Lord's table. O that the Lord would reveal himself to him! Monday, 12th. After prayer-meeting and class, I waited for Edward. Mr. R. told me, my boy would soon find peace." (He met in Mr. Thomas Rowe's class, which met on the same evening as that in which his mother met.) "January 24th. This morning Edward came into my room, and said, 'Mamma, I am so happy: God has forgiven me all my sins.' I asked, 'When? and where?' He said, 'Last night, at the chapel. I was afraid to tell you, for fear it should not be true; but I am now quite sure. I prayed last night that I might not be mistaken; and I got up in the night and prayed, and I felt it again; and this morning I am quite sure of it; and if I were to die, I know that I should go to heaven. In the last prayer, after sermon, papa prayed, that whilst Jesus was passing by he would have mercy on some soul; and I felt I was pardoned. How wonderful! yet how simple!"" Of the reality of his conversion, his subsequent conduct gave satisfactory evidence.

Soon after his return to his studies in Canterbury, he addressed the following letter to his mother :

"MY DEAR MAMMA,-The last week has been the best I ever spent. In all my movements I have felt God to be my Father and Friend, guiding my steps. I have been almost without a doubt or a fear, I cannot say, without temptation; but He has brought me through all. I cannot describe my yesterday's feelings truly it might

be said, God was with me. I shall never be able sufficiently to praise him for singling me out of the school, and giving me to know him, and the efficacy of the atoning blood. Why not another boy? It is not for me to say why or how. All I know is, that he has; and all I have or wish to do is, to keep and hourly grow in grace. I have a full assurance, that if I live to him, I shall die to him; and as long as I hold fast, he will never forsake me."

He felt a deep interest in his sister's salvation, and addressed to her an carnest and affectionate letter.

At my advice he joined the class of our aged friend, Mr. Pilcher. Several other youths, perhaps drawn by his example, joined at the same time; but the gravity of the members of which that class is chiefly composed, did not long accord with their views and feelings; and they left their aged Leader. Edward, however, continued; and in reference to his class-mates, after the younger men were gone, he often pleasantly said, "You know I am one of Mr. Pilcher's old men." Mr. Pilcher watched over him with kindness and affection; frequently requested him to pray in the class; and often told his family, with tears in his eyes, "God intends that young man to be a Preacher." His attentions to my son were continued till he finally left Canterbury. The first visit he paid him, after his absence from class through illness, he made this remark, creditable alike to both Leader and member: “I knew you must be ill, because you were not at your class last Sunday."

From the time that he became a pupil at the King's School, as might be expected, he was designated "Methodist,"-a title which he never attempted to disavow; so that, after his conversion to God, he was subjected to no greater annoyance on that head than he had been accustomed to from the beginning of his school career. The influence he acquired by his talents and learning soon silenced any petty persecution which his schoolmates at first might have been disposed to direct against him; and his diligence, progress, and good conduct conciliated the esteem of those who might wish that he had been otherwise connected. Some, who professed to be his friends, advised him to renounce his connexion with Methodism, and come over to the Church, as the sure way to obtain the School Society's exhibition to the University. A temptation thus to barter his spiritual and eternal interests for the prospect of worldly emolument, never, for one moment, shook his purpose. Through every period of his short life, from the time that he could form an opinion, till smitten down by the affliction which laid him in the grave, he expressed it as the leading impression of his mind, that all his talents, whether acquired at his school, or the University, where he hoped to finish his studies, would be devoted to God's service, in the Wesleyan itinerant ministry. He regarded with veneration the character of a Minister, and treated with marked respect all who sustained the sacred office.