y, to
love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God." He was of a very diffident
disposition, and cautious in giving expression to his religious feelings,
lest he should thereby make a profession beyond what he thought his
attainments warranted.
For many years he laboured under a disease, which was attended with much
suffering; but this proved a means of weaning him from the world and its
pursuits, and of inducing him more earnestly to "seek first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness," with the unshaken belief that all things
necessary would be added.
He manifested a deep interest in the prosperity of our religious Society,
and according to his measure, especially in the latter part of his life,
willingly devoted himself to its service. He likewise took great delight
in promoting the best interests of the juvenile portion of the population
in the neighbourhood in which he resided; and the counsel he gave to
those of this class, often gained their good will and respectful
attention. He also exhibited a very humane disposition toward the animal
creation, and rarely allowed a case of ill-treatment or oppression to
pass without attempting to redress the wrongs inflicted. For some years,
he took great interest in supplying the crews of foreign vessels,
resorting to the port of Dover, with copies of the holy Scriptures and
religious tracts; and from his kind and unassuming manners, his efforts
were almost universally well received.
His last illness, of four months' duration, was attended with extreme
bodily suffering; but the nature of his complaint being very obscure, he
entertained a hope that he might be restored to his former state of
health, and expressed some anxiety for length of days, in order that he
might be more useful to his fellow-creatures. But as his strength
declined, this desire gave way to quiet submission to the will of his
God; and it was evident, that his soul was anchored upon that Rock, which
alone can support in the hour of trial.
Soon after he was taken ill, he remarked in allusion to his business,
that he had thought it right in one instance, to decline the execution of
an order, where more display of taste was required, than he could feel
satisfied with; and this sacrifice, with some others of a similar kind,
had afforded him peace: adding, "I do want to come clean out of Babylon."
He said, the language had been much upon his mind: "Purge me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean; wash me,
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