passed through life without much open sin, and with a steady endeavour to perform his duty, may be exempted from punishment; but how so poor a creature as I am should obtain everlasting happiness, and be admitted into the presence of God, surpasses my comprehension. But the Divine Mercy," he would add, " is infinite; and He that spared not his own Son, but freely gave him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?" The words of the late amiable and excellent Sir W. Forbes, as recorded by Mr. Alison, were continually in his mind: "Tell my friends," said he, "that from my experience death has no terrors; that when it is most needed there is mercy from the Most High, and some change takes place which fits the soul to meet it's God." A great perceptible change-a crisis, such as many devout persons have looked for- Mr. Bowdler never experienced; but his mind was calm, his faith strong, his hopes elevated, his language full of animation; and his going down was like that of the summer sun, when, after a long and busy day, sometimes darkened by clouds and sometimes wet with rain, he breaks forth in glory, lights up every tear-drop that stands upon the leaves, and sheds an exhilarating smile over the whole face of nature.

"When now the fair traveller's come to the west,
His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best,
He paints the sky gay as he sinks to his rest,
And foretells a bright rising again.”

So sank the faithful servant of God, whose principles, sentiments, and conduct through life it has been here attempted to record. The memorial, if the writer's wishes have been in any degree fulfilled, will be found faithful, without undue partiality, or unmerited panegyric. It belongs to the novelist or the politician to draw such portraits as may captivate popular applause, or excite party feeling. The writer of this Memoir cannot propose to himself a better rule, or one more just to the person whose character he has pourtrayed, than that he adhere strictly to the truth, and seek to "do good." Such a design, however imperfectly executed, may, through the Divine Blessing, prove honourable to the memory of the deceased, and to the religion which he professed; useful to the society which he laboured to improve; and grateful to the friends whom he tenderly loved. To those friends is addressed, with feelings of affectionate regard-feelings which, it is hoped, will only cease when the heart which is now warm with them shall cease to beat this humble tribute of pious reverence for a parent's virtues, and grateful recollection of their kindness.

THOMAS BOWDLER.

Ꭲ Ꮞ

C

APPENDIX.

THE following are some forms of prayer al luded to in page 261. They are framed for evening devotion, but may be easily adapted to the morning. They may also be enlarged or curtailed at pleasure.

CONFESSION OF SINS AND PRAYER FOR PARDON.

I.

O Lord, Lord God, merciful and gracious, long- Ex. xxxiv.

suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; we have sinned, and have Dan. ix. committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments. Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth righteousness, but unto us confusion of face, for we have gone astray like sheep that are lost. But deal thou with us, O Lord God, according to thy Ps. cix. name, for sweet is thy mercy. Grant us, we beseech Collect for thee, pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed 21st Sunday after from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; Trinity. through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collects for 4th Sunday in Advent, and 4th Sunday after the Epiphany.

FOR GRACE.

O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us, support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayers at the end of the Bible.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOR PROTECTION.

Honour and praise be given unto thee, O Lord God Almighty, Father of Heaven, for all thy mercies and loving kindness; for creating us after thine own image, redeeming us with the precious blood of thy dear Son, and sanctifying us with thy Holy Spirit in the revelation and knowledge of thy word; for appointing this holy day for the rest of our bodies and refreshment of our souls, and for a pledge of the future and eternal rest; for succouring us in all our necessities, for saving us from all dangers; for comforting us in all our tribulations; for sparing us so long, and giving us so large a time of repentance. O, most merciful Father, as we acknowledge to have received these benefits of thy goodness alone, so we beseech thee, for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, grant us always thy Holy Spirit, that we may continually grow in thankfulness