that it was a village-proverb, "If there is a good man, it is Barny." Anecdotes of an amusing nature record his absence of mind in his daily duties. It was soon evident to himself, and to his master, that he had received a higher call. Great pains were taken by Mr. Thompson in improving his mind, and confirming his faith; for which he was most grateful. Nor had his feelings of profound respect and love abated after the lapse of nearly fifty years. At that late date he wrote, with characteristic earnestness: "Mr. Thompson was one of the best Christians I ever knew; one of the kindest men in the universe, and one of the most useful in his local sphere."

One subsequently known as the author of an elaborate and learned "Essay on Apostolic Succession," was also a farmer's servant in the village. Mr. Thompson's eye was soon upon him, and he assisted him in his thirst after knowledge. It was equally evident, in this case, that Thomas Powell was not designed to follow the plough. Constant complaints were made by his master, that gate-posts were knocked down as he drove through with waggon and horses, and a book in his hand. He went first as tutor in a family. His health gave way: Mr. Thompson invited him to become his visiter for twelve months; and by proper regimen and diet he was restored. He spent days of happiness in alternate exercise and study, the library being his chosen resort.-Many other instances might be adduced of those who have since occupied offices of trust, both in the church and in general life, who attribute their advancement to the same esteemed master. Several have become Local Preachers and Class-Leaders.

There was something of severity in the manner of rebuke, of hastiness of temper with the stupid and disobedient, which made Mr. Thompson to be feared by this class. As he passed up and down the village on the Lord's day, groups of loungers would disperse, fearing the manner of address and the kindling of the eye. His spirit was intolerant of wrong, especially in regard to Sabbath-observance. One young man remembers him best by a reproof that such was not the attitude in which to read the word of God, as he passed through the kitchen and observed him leaning on his open Bible. One who lived long in his service, and who by means of his godly monitions was restored into paths of righteousness, mourned for him as a son: when he left the village, this man could no longer settle in it, for "every nail about the old place reminded him of the master."

A village-library was early established: from his own shelves Mr. Thompson furnished books for its commencement. It was for a long period well sustained by presents and subscriptions, and a selection of periodicals gave fresh interest. The kitchen was thus well supplied with books; and reading aloud became a common practice in the evenings, and on Sundays. A smile was often excited by the titles of books selected as favourites. Dick's "Christian Philosopher," for example, opened up a world of wonder, and amusing were the discussions excited. When the master appeared in the evening to issue orders for the ensuing day, it was rarely that some question or other was not proposed for solution, or to elicit further information.

"The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous." Singing was at Armin a favourite recreation; and never would the quiet, thoughtful master allow of a check on the voices that resounded in his ears. "If they sing and pray, they will serve me well," was a reply he gave to any who remarked that his servants must disturb his reading and thinking. The first sounds that fell on the ear, in the very early morning, were those of prayer in the kitchen below; the last voices in the evening were those which issued from the sleeping-room of the men-servants, whose usual practice was to pray aloud. The saying of one who lived twenty years in the family is as true as it is striking: "There is not a corner in this house, not a place in the out-buildings, nor a spot in the garden, that has not been prayed in." These fervent spirits needed no elucidation of the texts, "Pray without ceasing;" "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." It was impossible for those who refused to yield to the reigning influence to be happy in such an atmosphere. young man, arriving in the absence of Mr. Thompson, ran away before his return; and his reply was, on being questioned as to the cause, that he "could not stand it: there was so much praying among the servants when the master was away, that what it would be when he came back he could not tell.”

As one by one left his service, Mr. Thompson exerted his best efforts to obtain for them situations in serious families, and to advance their temporal interests also. They were always advised to put their money into a Savings' Bank, and to exercise care and thought for the future. This counsel was given wherever he had influence with young people. On the days of hiring, he used to be met from all quarters with the inquiry, "Well, Mr. Thompson, have you a servant for us?"-He took an equal interest in his out-door labourers. Like Boaz, he would go forth among his reapers, to give and to receive a blessing. Yet there is ample evidence how far he was from thinking that he did more than his duty in remembering with kindly solicitude those who were, or had been, in his employ. A sentence or two, from letters addressed to servants, will exhibit this feature of his truly venerable character:

"You have been in my remembrance from day to day, and my prayer has been for your temporal and spiritual welfare. I well know the temptations with which you will be assailed, and that there will be great danger of your falling a victim to some of them. I entreat earnestly that you will exercise a spirit of constant self-denial. In every hour labour to set God before you, knowing, 'Thou God seest me.' You must also keep in remembrance that all your words, thoughts, and actions are before Him, and that you will have to give account thereof at the day of judgment. You will, I know, be anxious to promote your temporal well-being: but, be assured, this can be accomplished only by the blessing of Him who maketh rich,' and 'addeth no sorrow.' Seriously and steadily read your Bible; be regular in attendance at your class, and at all the means of grace. Avoid the company of the thoughtless, and choose the people of God

as your friends and companions. Beware of trifling conversation, and be not led away by imitating the silly custom of fashionable dress. You are a child of God, and as such your adorning' ought to be that of 'a meek and quiet spirit.' In every matter act in consistency with your Christian profession; and then, I feel assured, from time to time I shall hear of your true happiness."

"In each day you have my frequent and prayerful remembrance : indeed I should not be a Christian if I were not desirous for the welfare of all men, especially of those of my household. You are now placed in a situation in which you will need constant watchfulness; I mean, particularly, as regards your fellow-servant. You know that she makes no profession of religion, and I fear she is quite ignorant of its nature. She will of course narrowly watch your proceedings, and perhaps would be glad if she could notice anything in you contrary to religious conduct. You are therefore called upon to let your light in all things so shine, that she, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven. I have no doubt that you will act with all diligence, kindness, and integrity in your situation: but I am particularly desirous that you should possess the mind that is in Christ, and exhibit it to your fellow-servant....... How we shall rejoice, on our return home, to know that you have been making progress in true religion!"

Mr. Thompson had a deeply devout and reverential cast of mind. Five times in every day he secluded himself for communion with God. As one of the "royal priesthood," he availed himself of his sublime privilege with the regularity of temple-worship. Thus, no sin was permitted to rest on the soul, no doubt or misgiving to rankle; and hence arose steadfast faith, confidence, and readiness for duty. Hence, also, a remarkable freedom from many inward conflicts. Mr. Thompson found it difficult to enter into the feelings of some who complained of the assaults of the great tempter, considering that in many cases men are tempted rather from their own sins, than from Satanic suggestions. His views on this grave subject were, however, modified in later years.

Those who dwelt within his inner circle have lost the counsels on which they relied, and the prayers which seemed to encircle them with a wall of defence. Have they not lost well-nigh as much in the silent influence that went forth from the servant of Christ? A spirit breathed within that dwelling, such as might better be felt than expressed—a spirit which yet lingers about the rooms where he prayed, the places where he taught, the fields where he meditated; and, above all, in the chamber where he died. There is a voiceless testimony still pleading, a fragrance yet ascending.

The effects resulting from piety so consistent were especially apparent on the minds of young persons who, from time to time, came for the pleasure of a long country visit. Some found in their host "a man named Evangelist," who directed them straight to "the

wicket-gate," whereat they found entrance. Many acknowledge the Armin dwelling to have been the "House of an Interpreter," who showed them "excellent things, such as have been a help to them on their journey." Are there not many eyes which will at once recognise, in the full-length portrait of a master-painter, a speaking likeness of their faithful friend and adviser?" Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it: It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of glory did hang over its head." Mr. Thompson was a very grave person,' one under whose eye levity or folly could not live, under whose shadow indolence or trifling could not repose. But, amid all this seriousness of purpose, there was a rich vein of native humour,— much of

"Heart affluence in discursive talk,

From household fountains never dry,"

-that gave to his conversation a genuine charm. For the female character he had the highest esteem: he always numbered among his friends many whose price he considered "above rubies." When in the society of young women, he sought to impart a taste for reading and reflection, and always found great pleasure in guiding them in the choice of books, and in their endeavours to advance the interests of the church of Christ. Works of mere imagination he regarded with strong aversion: he felt life to be all too short for such indulgence, and the effect on the mind to be enervating, if not decidedly injurious.—It may be said that the history of one year of his Christian life fairly represents, in its main features, the history of fortyfour; so single was his purpose, so unwearied his performance of duty.

In 1845 he had a slight stroke of paralysis, which left a distressing affection in the head, and unfitted him for prolonged mental effort. His hearing also was much impaired; and he was forbidden by medical advisers to preach, or speak in public, as any excitement might induce fatal results. This constituted one of the great trials of his life, to which he was never fully reconciled. He had long cherished an opinion, that a Christian man should, if possible, withdraw from business before old age set in, that the mind might be as much as possible unfettered by the cares of life, to gather up its forces, and give itself wholly to prepare for the hour of death, and the introduction into a nobler state of existence. Accordingly, in the summer of 1845, the step, long meditated, was taken, and he removed from Armin to Scarborough.*

* Compare an exquisite passage from the diary of Dr. Chalmers:-"It is a favourite speculation of mine, that, if spared to sixty, we then enter on the seventh decade of human life; and that this, if possible, should be turned into the Sabbath of our earthly pilgrimage, and spent sabbatically, as if on the shore of an eternal world, or in the outer courts, as it were, of the temple that is above the tabernacle

It will be no cause of surprise that the people of Armin, and many in the neighbourhood, should be unable to acknowledge this step as "ordered of God." The separation was painful indeed to both parties. Whilst he left behind those who regretted a father in Christ, a teacher, and a friend, he had to lament the loss of daily intercourse with those who had been companions of his boyhood, from whom he had never received, and to whom he had never given, "a word unfaithful or unkind,”—friends always ready to aid him in his useful labours. Among these were many of the poor, whom he delighted to own, with Dr. Adam Clarke, as "the best friends of my God." But the cloud of Divine guidance arose, and took no doubtful course. He followed, to pitch his tent, for his few surviving years, in a land of strangers. He had, however, the satisfaction of leaving in the home of his fathers a nephew of like principles with himself.

Although he found many joys in his new abode, especially those arising from meetings and greetings of old friends, he always spoke of Armin as home. He continued to visit it three or four times a year, as long as health permitted; and never without tokens of remembrance for the poor, the aged, and the sick. Books or pamphlets likely to attract were always laid aside for Armin. He forgot the prohibition against public speaking, and on every visit failed not to give his usual Sunday-morning addresses. His first lecture on his last visit, yet spoken of as one in which he "excelled himself," was founded on the text, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." One of his parting lectures is remembered as equally impressive, on the words, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel."

It is not too much to say, that he loved this people as his own soul. Absence but deepened his interest. He had two weekly correspondents, to whom he looked for every particular, bearing both on the temporal and the spiritual welfare of each person. His own letters were after the model of Romans xvi. If through inadvertence his inquiries were not at once answered, he became uneasy. On such an occasion, one in his circle suggested that, as no special mention was made of certain families, all must be well. He replied, in a tone of surprise, "How can I pray for them if I do not know their exact affairs? I should think that day strangely mis-spent, in which every family in that village, and as far as possible every individual, did not come under my prayerful remembrance more than once.' Thus may he be said to have entered every dwelling with a morning

in heaven. What enamours me all the more of this idea, is the retrospect of my mother's widowhood. I long, if God should spare me, for such an old age as she enjoyed, spent as if at the gate of heaven, and with such a fund of inward peace and hope as made her nine years' widowhood a perfect feast and foretaste of the blessedness that awaits the righteous."-Memoirs, vol. iv., p. 65.