CHAPTER XVII.

The Author's first particular acquaintance with Dr. CokeCompact between them-Character of Dr. Coke's Commentary-Account of his Recent Occurrences of Europe-History of the West Indies-History of the Bible-Cottager's Bible— Life of Christ-Letters in reply to the Rev. Mr. HorneDuties of a Minister-Sermon on the Death of Mr. Wesley— Life of Mr. Wesley-Person of Dr. Coke-Natural temper— Understanding-Learning-Talents as a Preacher-Ease in company-Domestic habits-Rank among his brethrenInfluence in Conference-Defects, zeal, activity, piety, usefulness, liberality-Anecdotes of his attachment to the welfare of the Missions-Farewell Sermon--Conclusion.

IF the organs of articulation were the only medium of

communicating thought, the death of all public characters would soon deprive the world of their instructions. We might indeed for a short season bear in mind the excellency of their example; and on some occasions consult our memories on what they had delivered, and thus derive advantage both from imitation and recollection. But these means would fade with the progress of time; and, when the first generation should be swept aside, little besides their names would be suffered to remain. It is not, however, in this manner, that the benefactors of the human race are destined to perish. Hence Dr. Coke still lives in his writings, and in the effects of his ministry; and from these his name would have descended to posterity, associated with an assemblage of virtues, if his biographer had been unborn.

Very early in the year 1805, the author of these pages -became more particularly acquainted with Dr. Coke, than

he had been before. At this time his Commentary on the Bible was verging towards a close, and his History of the West Indies had acquired an embodied form. Being constantly engaged in soliciting support for the missions, and finding their claims upon his exertions to increase daily, he lodged some papers in the author's hands, requesting him to examine them with attention, to notice defects, to expunge redundancies, and to give on some occasions a new feature to expression. All this was accordingly done; and in many instances his recommendations were fully adopted. This intercourse subsisted for several years, and he received from Dr. Coke a pecuniary remuneration, in proportion to the time that was expended in his service.

To what extent this assistance grew, the world is not interested in knowing. The death of Dr. Coke has made the author "the sole depository of the secret," and it is his full intention at present, that "it shall perish with him." Though one is a resident of time, and the other an inhabitant of eternity;-though the body of one still breathes in Cornwall, and that of the other consumes in some solitary cavern beneath the Indian ocean, the compact still remains undissolved, and will probably so remain, until their spirits meet in an eternal world.

From motives to which the author will not give a name, many questions have been asked, in consequence of the preceding compact, which, in the eye of ignorance, would seem to terminate to Dr. Coke's disadvantage. In a letter which is now before the writer, this sentiment is expressed in the following words: "What effrontery must any person be possessed of, who imposes upon the public, by publishing books or tracts in his own name, though written by another, or not ingenuously giving the honour to whom honour is due." To this family of questions, propositions, and apostrophes, Dr. Coke, in a letter now in the author's possession, has furnished a satisfactory reply. In the year 1811, when this letter was written, he proposed to incorporate the author's name with his 'own; but in the title-pages of works that had

already appeared, this could not be done. In such, however, as were then designed to be published, it is probable that this incorporation would have taken place, if a change in the mode of his proceedings had not rendered it impracticable, by the disposal of his works to the Conference; and consequently by suspending the plans which he had in contemplation. Let such as charge him with "effrontery" say, what, under existing circumstances, they would have expected him to do more.

But these considerations will neither give intrinsic merit to his works or deprive them of it. They must stand or fall by their independent excellencies or defects. To perfect originality he makes but few pretensions in any of his publications; and "none can compass more than they intend." His Commentary on the Bible, which is by far the most voluminous of all his works, is confessedly a compilation, and as such he sent it into the world, announcing on the wrapper of almost every number, that "he had only been like the bee, culling honey from every flower." Of its genuine excellence no doubt has hardly ever been expressed. It is acknowledged by a distinguished commentator of the present day, to have been primarily drawn from "the best Commentary on the Sacred Writings that was ever published by either Catholic or Protestant." The esteem in which it was held by the Methodist Conference, may be gathered from the vote of thanks which Dr. Coke twice received from that body of divines.

It may perhaps be considered among the deficiencies of this work, that the marginal readings are omitted; and among its redundancies, that it is carried to an immoderate length. It extends through six large quarto volumes, which, by increasing its expense, places it above the reach of many purchasers. The liberal terms, however, on which Dr. Coke sold his works to the Conference, have enabled them to offer this Commentary as much below its genuine value, as it is beneath its original price. It is correctly printed, and all the matter is judiciously arranged. Throughout the whole, the consis

tency of its character is carefully preserved; and even the exposition, inferences, and reflections, partake of more variety than might have been expected. Through all its pages, there is a vigorous pulse of animated piety to be always perceived. And while it elucidates difficulties with critical annotations, it never fails to inculcate in terms of nervous perspicuity, the necessity of experimental and practical godliness.

For the Divinity of the Saviour, and the supernatural agency of the Holy Spirit, the whole work is a decided advocate. Its dissertations are both numerous and various; embracing, in some part or other, almost every doctrine and every precept, in which piety can claim an interest, without being perplexed with unintelligible criticisms, or bewildered in the labyrinths of metaphysics. It contains "a little library of divinity, worthy of being transmitted to posterity.”

At the conclusion of this voluminous work, he published an appendix, confining his views chiefly to such prophecies as appeared to be then fulfilling on the agitated theatre of the world, or as yet remained to receive their accomplishment. This was afterward detached from the Commentary, and printed in a separate volume; and as such it still remains, under the title of "The Recent Occurrences of Europe, considered in relation to such prophecies as are now fulfilling, or remain yet to be fulfilled." In this little volume a comprehensive survey is taken of passing events. It retrospects the past, it anticipates the future, and gathers from the most judicious authors such observations, as serve to throw light on incidents that are involved in obscurity. To readers who are pleased to anticipate the wonderful events which may probably be expected to visit the world, before the final consummation of its history, this work must be peculiarly interesting.

In his History of the West Indies, which is now complete in three octavo volumes, it was originally Dr. Coke's design to be chiefly indebted to Bryan Edwards, Esq. and his arrangements were made accordingly. But that gentleman, being a strenuous advocate for Negro slavery, while Dr. Coke

was its avowed enemy, placed them on ground, where the liberty which the latter intended to take, might induce the former to demand something more than the acknowledgment of an obligation.

But these considerations did not operate in all their force, until the preface and some part of the first volume were printed, in which Dr. Coke has acknowledged liberties which he afterward refused to take. The persecution, to which the Methodist missionaries were exposed in Jamaica from the planters, whose interests Mr. Edwards was always ready to espouse, he having large possessions in the island, compelled Dr. Coke to appeal to his Majesty in Council, to prevent the Colonial persecuting Edicts from receiving the Royal sanction. Being therefore apprehensive lest those, who opposed the introduction of the gospel among the slaves, might avail themselves of the liberties he had taken with Mr. Edwards's work, and seek revenge in a prosecution, he determined to expunge from his manuscript almost every quotation that had been previously inserted from his volumes. This was done, and the deficiencies were supplied from other sources.

In common with other histories, these volumes contain a general description of this vast archipelago, in its climate, soil, productions, fertility, and geographical relations. They give the character and prevailing customs which distinguished the ancient inhabitants, when Columbus landed on their shores. They trace the most memorable historical events which these islands have witnessed, either from the earthquakes, tornadoes, or volcanoes of nature, or the calamities, perhaps not less terrible and destructive in their effects and consequences, which have resulted from the horrors of war. These details are interspersed with pious and moral reflections; which, though disgusting to the carnal mind, will heighten to a serious reader the entertainment they afford.

In these volumes, Dr. Coke has recorded the first dawnings of the Sun of Righteousness in these insulated regions. In each island, in which any missionaries have been established, the progress of the gospel is distinctly traced; and the happy