as I never saw it in my life.' These were the last words he could

be heard to speak.

Life, take thy chance; but O for such an end." "

Mr. Daniel Sutcliff adds the following lines, as having been frequently repeated in his illness:

We walk a narrow path, and rough,
And we are tired and weak;
But soon we shall have rest enough,
In those blest courts we seek.
Soon in the chariot of a cloud,
By flaming angels borne,
I shall mount up the milky way,
And back to God return.

I once have tasted Canaan's grapes,

And now I long to go

To where my Lord his vineyard keeps,

And where the clusters grow!

In saying a few things relative to his character, talents, temper, &c. I would not knowingly deviate in the smallest degree from truth. He possessed the three cardinal virtues, integrity, benevo lence, and prudence, in no ordinary degree. To state this is proof sufficient, to every one who knew him. He was economical, for the sake of enabling himself to give to them that needed. The cause of God lay near his heart: he denied himself of many things, that he might contribute toward promoting it. It was from a willingness to instruct his younger brethren whose minds were toward the mission, that, at the request of the Society, he took several of them under his care: and in all that he has done for them and others, I am persuaded he saved nothing; but gave his time and talents for the public good.

I have heard him sigh under troubles; but never remember to have seen him weep but from joy, or from sympathy. On his reading on,hearing the communications from the East, containing accounts of the success of the gospel, the tears would flow freely from his eyes.

His talents were less splendid than useful. He had not much brilliancy of imagination, but considerable strength of mind, with a judgment greatly improved by application. It was once remarked of him, in my hearing, by a person who had known him from his youth, to this effect-' That man is an example of what may be accomplished by diligence and perseverance. When young he was no more than the rest of us; but by reading and thinking he has accumulated a stock of mental riches which few of us possess." He would not very frequently surprise us with new or original thoughts; but neither would he shock us with any thing devious from truth or good sense. Good Mr. Hall of Arnsby, having heard him soon after his coming to Olney, said familiarly to me, "Brother Sutcliff is a safe man: you never need fear that he will say or do an improper thing."

He particularly excelled in practical judgment. When a question of this nature came before him, he would take a comprehensive view of its bearings, and form his opinion with so much precision as seldom to have occasion to change it. His thoughts on these occasions were prompt, but he was slow in uttering them. He generally took time to turn the subject over, and to digest bis answer, If he saw others too hasty for coming to a decision, be would pleasantly say, "Let us consult the town-clerk of Ephesus, and do nothing rashly." I have thought, for many years, that, among our ministers, Abraham Booth was the first counsellor, and John Sutcliff the second. His advice in conducting the mission was of great importance, and the loss of it must be seriously felt.

It has been said that his temper was naturally irritable, and that he with difficulty bore opposition; yet that such was the overbearing influence of religion in his heart that few were aware of it. If it were so, he must have furnished a rare example of the truth of the wise man's remark, Better is he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taheth a city. Whatever might have been his natural temper, it is certain that mildness and patience and gentleness were prominent features in his character. One of the students who was with him, said he never saw him lose his temper but once, and then he immediately retired into his study. It was observed by one of his brethren in the ministry, at an Association, that the

promise of Christ, that they who learned of him who was meek and lowly in heart should find rest unto their souls, was more extensively fulfilled in Mr. Sutcliff than in most Christians. He was swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Thus it was that he exemplified the exhortation of the Apostle, Giving no offence, that the ministry be not blamed.

There was a gentleness in his reproofs, that distinguished them. He would rather put the question for consideration, than make a direct attack upon a principle or practice. I have heard him repeat Mr. Henry's note, on Prov. xxv. 15. with approbation : “We say, Hard words break no bones; but it seems that soft ones do." A flint may be broken on a cushion, when no impression could be made on it upon an unyielding substance. A young man, who came to be under his care, discovering a considerable portion of self-sufficiency, he gave him a book to read on Self-knowledge.

He is said never to have hastily formed his friendships and acquaintances, and, therefore, rarely had reason to repent of his connexions, while every year's continued intimacy drew them nearer to him; so that he seldom lost his friends: but his friends have lost him!

He had a great thirst for reading, which not only led him to accumulate one of the best libraries in this part of the country,* but to endeavour to draw his people into a habit of reading.

Allowing for a partiality common to men, his judgment of characters was generally correct. Nor was it less candid than correct he appreciated the good, and if required to speak of the evil, it was with reluctance. His eye was a faithful index to his mind penetrating, but benignant. His character had much of the decisive, without any thing conceited or over-bearing.

In his person he was above the ordinary stature, being nearly six feet high. In the earlier stages of life he was thin; but during the last twenty years he gathered flesh, though never so much as to feel it any inconvenience to him. His countenance was grave, but cheerful; and his company always interesting.

*This library is left, by his will, to the Bradford Baptist Academy, only on condition of the trustees paying one hundred pounds to his relations; a sum far short of its value.

I shall conclude with a few extracts of letters concerning him, which I have received since his decease, from those who knew him intimately.

"His zeal, for the cause of Christ," says one of his congregation, "was uniform and increasingly ardent to the end of his life. One of the last conversations that he had with me, he concluded in these words: · Farewell! Do your utmost for the cause of Christ. I have done a little, and am ashamed that I have done no more. I have such views of its importance, that, had I ability, I would spread the gospel through the world.' His knowledge of books was very extensive; he appeared to have a facility in extracting the substance of them in a short time, as a bee extracts the honey from the expanded flower. He possessed an equal facility in knowing men, more especially ministers, and that not confined to his own denomination: so that in a few minutes he could give you an account who they were, what places they had occupied, and what was their general reputation. From this he was, many times, able to give seasonable advice."

"I believe," says a minister who had been one of his pupils, "I was the first young man placed uuder the care of our dear deceased father Sutcliff. From my first acquaintance with divine. things, on seeing and hearing him occasionally in my native village, I formed a very high opinion of the general excellence of his character; and the intimate knowledge I had of him, from residing in his family, so far from diminishing my esteem and veneration for him, greatly increased them. His piety was not merely official and public, but personal and habitual. The spirit of devotion rested on him. He was the man of God in all his intercourse. He conducted the worship of his family with singular seriousness, ardour and constancy; never allowing any thing to interfere with it, except great indisposition. He manifested a parental tenderness and solicitude for the welfare of his pupils, and took a lively interest in their joys or sorrows. I have seen him shed the sympathizing tear over them in the hour of affliction. Such was the kindness and gentleness of his deportment, that they could freely impart their minds to him; but, while his affectionate spirit invited their confidence, the gravity of his manner, and

the commanding influence of his general character, effectually prevented any improper freedom's being taken with him. Such, too," were the sentiments with which he was regarded among his people: they loved and venerated him, He heard the sermons of his younger brethren with great candour, and, if he saw them timid and embarrassed on public occasions, would take an opportunity of speaking a kind and encouraging word to them, and aim to inspire them with a proper degree of confidence. He was singularly regular and punctual in fulfilling his engagements, whether in preaching or visiting, not only in attending, but in being there at the time; and earnestly inculcated it on his pupils, if they wished to command respect. He endeavoured to preserve and promote the order and regularity of Christian families where he visited. I never saw him out of temper but once, and that was produced by want of punctuality in another person. I often regret that I did not profit more by his instructions and example. He has many times, by his judicious counsel, 'been the guide of my youth.' His name and his memory will ever be dear to me. My father, my father!" "

"I have just heard," says another, who had some years since been his pupil," of the death of Mr. Sutcliff. It has returned upon me, whether alone or in company. Such an event may well do so. In him, I saw bright lines of resemblance to our Lord and Master, such as are seldom, very sel dom to be met with in poor mortals. Such amiableness of manners, so much of the meekness and gentleness of Christ, of sound judgment, and of warm affection, we seldom see united. While memory holds her place, his name and manner will be cherished by me with pleasing melancholy, not without anticipations of meeting him in another and better world.'

"The memory of Mr. Sutcliff," says another, who had been his pupil, and who was present at his death, "will live in my warmest affections while I possess the powers of recollection. It seems impossible that I should ever forget such a friend, or speak of him without blessing God that I ever knew him. I am grieved that he is gone, yet grateful that he was continued with us long enough for me to receive his instructions, and witness his example.