LETTER TO THE LATE

[Sect. v.

Mr. Jefferson," writes another friend,*" were put to a severe test by the decease of his excellent Father."+ This was an event which supplied fresh materials for the exercise of those graces, which most adorn the christianthat holy affection which delights to weep with them that weep and which was beautifully exemplified in the correspondence to which it gave rise."

A deeply interesting letter is the following, addressed to his beloved fellow-student and bosom friend, the late Mr. Stephen Morell; of whose highly promising character and early lamented death, the public have been informed. It will be read with additional solemnity of feeling, when it is remembered that "his friend then was no more.-Mr. M. died early in the morning of that day, at the Midnight' of which the letter is dated! Mr. J. was at the time supplying at the Meeting House of Mr. Morell's congregation-preaching to the people over whom he had recently been ordained Pastor, but who were to see his face no more."

66

My beloved Friend,

address you.

"I really know not in what manner to From the intelligence of the last two days,

"The Rev. Stephen Morell, of Little Baddow. Aug. 7th, 1826."

+ See the citations from a letter to Mr. Bull, already given in Sect. I. pages 7 and 8. Note.

See an "Obituary" of the "Rev. S. Morell, Jun." by J. B. J. in Evang. Mag. for 1824, p. 524: and, "a Memoir of the Rev. Stephen Morell, late of Norwich. By T. Binney," pp. 355. 1826.

1824.]

REV. STEPHEN MORELL.

I am distressed to gather that your illness threatens the most fatal result, and I am compelled to fear that the scenes of this world are fast closing upon you. You will know how to pardon the selfishness of your friends, who cannot but grieve deeply at the apprehension for their own loss; although they are well assured that this, their loss, ought not to be weighed against your eternal gain."

"But it is the thought of your nearness to the invisible world, which embarrasses me in writing. I feel an awe upon my mind, while I write to one who is now almost a spirit of light. It seems to me, that this is an hour of converse with heaven. And as to my attempting to address to you those consolations which are so often needed in the prospect of dissolution, it would be presumption. O my Friend, how richly will you drink those consolations which we must be content to take sparingly in a cup of bitterness! How fully will you know that unseen world, of which we can form so rude conceptions! And how will you see and adore that incarnate Saviour, whom we seeing not, love but so unworthily! This it is, I know, which cheers and animates your mind in your long affliction; and this it is which gives an attraction and a loveliness even to the dark shadow of death. 66 I will fear no evil, because Thou art with me." For ever blessed be his glorious name, I see in your happy mind the fruit of His re

LETTER TO MR. MORELL.

[Sect. v.

demption, the faithfulness of his promises. He has been your hope, and now your hope does not disappoint you.

"I feel deeply on account of your dear family, and the Church over which God has placed you, in such peace and promised happiness. But I hope that those who see your heaven, having its present commencement, will be enabled to give up their own wills, with submission, and say-" Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." I trust that He who is a very present help in trouble, will comfort their minds, and strengthen them to believe and confess that "He doth all things well." And the Church of God shall be fed by the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls. Your case has been constantly and anxiously remembered in prayer by your affectionate people.

"And now, my beloved Friend, the time draws near when we must part. I have to thank you for much of sweet society and friendship. And whatsoever be the troubled destiny of my life, I shall look back with plea

In a letter to Mr. Bull, of Nov. 1, 1824, he says-" Stephen was my nearest friend; and I had ever anticipated a long enjoyment of his most valuable friendship:-and now that he is cut down, I look about as on vacaney, to find the friend on whom I had used to repose. The infliction comes as near to yourself: your's was a friendship, I believe, of an older standing; and I know how keenly you feel its disruption. I am exceedingly concerned to hear of your personal indisposition; the more so as it arises chiefly from mental anguish. My Friend, it ill becomes us to resent the dealings of Almighty Providence, and especially when we have the fullest assurance that our calamity is the unspeakable happiness of our departed friend. He who is the Lord of his Church, has removed his faithful servant to place upon his young brow that crown of recompense, which is given to others only after a long and laborious service."

1825.]

LETTER TO MR. BULL.

sure on the short course of our earthly intercourse, and shall look forwards with joy to the time when we may hope to renew our intercourse in that world of light whose frontier you are now gaining before me. Meanwhile, my Friend, farewell-farewell-but not for ever! May the great God himself be with you, when you pass through the waters. May his Spirit give you joy in death; and if in the Sabbath of the blessed, you should think of a friend who once loved you as his own soul, think on him as one who does hope to be favoured again to worship God in company with you, and with a beloved Parent, now in heaven."

The other Letter,* just referred to, is full of wholesome counsel and spiritual consolation to his afflicted friend. With all the apparent experience and wisdom of age, did this youth minister the word of appropriate comfort.

"But you are too sad; my Friend, you are too sad. I cannot wonder; but I regret it. And I fear you give way too much to that melancholy which unnerves instead of softens only, and enfeebles the energies which were given for action. Says not the holy man well, "the joy of the Lord is your strength?" And the cheerful expectation of future blessedness, is it not a part of the Christian character? "He hath made us kings and

* To Mr. Bull; dated "Sheffield Jan. 31, 1825.”

priests unto God, even his Father." And shall kings wear sack-cloth, and priests make everlasting mourning? The oil of gladness is the proper anointing of the one, and the white robe, and the solemn incense of gratitude, and the unceasing song of praise, are the proper attributes of the other. And all these, in their perfection, are the present ineffable joy of our beloved friends, who have gone before us into the temple of God. Let us follow, as fast as feeble mortality will permit."

With the services of this able young Minister, so "well instructed in the kingdom of heaven," it was the happy lot of the people at Attercliffe and its vicinity, to be ultimately favoured. This was a station in many respects adapted to, and congenial with, his superior talents and character :-interesting as it is in the annals of former Ecclesiastical history*—in the immediate neigh

* Familiar to every reader must be the name and worth of the celebrated Timothy Jollie, and his famous Academy here: nor is it needful to do more than refer, for information, to Calamy, Palmer, &c.; and especially to Hunter's Hallamshire, p. 168 and 247.

The following circumstance may not inconsistently be added, especially as it appears in one of old Mr. Jefferson's MS. books:-"The first stone of a new church has been laid at Attercliffe. The Duke of Norfolk presided at this ceremony, attended by Earls Surrey and Fitzwilliam, Lord Milton, several Lodges of Free Masons, &c. The singularity of a Catholic Duke performing the ceremony of laying the first stone to a Protestant Church elicited the following remarks from his Grace :-That he felt no scruples at what he had done; that in many respects he considered himself as much a Protestant as any of his fellow-subjects: that he had taken the Oath of Allegiance to a Protestant King, and if that King were ever to become a Catholic, he should Consider himself absolved from his oath."-Philanth. Gazette, Nov. 13, 1822.