"In one quality your deceased vicar was surpassed by none, and equalled by few of his brethren. He 'rejoiced in the truth' by whomsoever it might be dispensed, and did not seem to understand what it was to envy another's superiority. He was en

tirely exempt from those petty feelings of jealousy, which sometimes try the spirits of very good men. Many a time have I seen him rise from his seat, when a sentence from a brother minister struck his ear which he thought unusually important-his eye glistening, and his countenance lighted up with ardent delight, and he would look round on the congregation as if he would say what think you of that?' But our beloved friend could afford to praise. There are few ministers of religion — I know of none, to whose talents for parochial instruction I can bear a more honourable testimony. He was a scribe well instructed; clear, sound, sober; discursive in Bible truth; a safe and useful and interesting expositor of Holy Scripture; a man, if I might be allowed the expression-four squarearmed on all sides to confute, to confirm, or explain. I seldom heard him without improvement; never without much satisfaction. I should say he excelled in a solid presentment of the truths of the gospel; and this is no small praise, when in the present day almost every man has a psalm, or a doctrine, or some absorbing figment or peculiarity to disturb the peace of the church.

"He was also very successful with young persons. The numbers of children assembled to hear the annual sermon, was a most impressive and animating

sight, and was owned of God in many instances. Perhaps in no part of his ministry, at least in this town, was he more successful.

"In early life he had scruples on some points of doctrine maintained by the church of England; but from the period of my acquaintance with him, no man seemed to me better acquainted with her principles, or better able to give a reason for his decided preference to her articles or her discipline. He might speak sometimes strongly in her favour, but he possessed a catholic spirit towards all those who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth. The temper and circumstances of the times drew him into closer bonds of affection with that part of Christ's family to which he belonged; and he feared with me that political dissensions would tend to widen the breach, and separate those who ought to love and esteem each other. God look with pity on the distractions of the church-heal and forgive our schisms

-our divisions and want of brotherly love; lest while we bite and devour each other, the common enemy-superstition and infidelity-should come in like a flood, and sweep us away in one common ruin. Angry spirits are contagious; and misguided zeal which contends fiercely for peculiarities, is sure to impair the interests of our common christianity. The field of exertion is wide enough for us all. Sin abounds on every side, and the Redeemer's kingdom is still confined within very narrow limits. To lessen the amount of evil, and increase the mass of happiness, should be our chief concern. We must be persuaded in our own minds, and hold to the lesser

points of faith as God enables us to receive them; but that man's piety is very questionable, that man's understanding very circumscribed, which leads him to confine all truth and righteousness to the narrow circle of his own sect. If we must emulate or provoke, let it be to subjects of fundamental excellence, and let us cease from spiritual Quixotism; and not slash and wound each other for the amusement of those who know not the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Another feature was observable in the character of our deceased friend-the equipoise of his piety. He was rarely out of tune-his heart seemed at once to respond to spiritual conversation, and to be most gratified by its introduction. He seemed better pleased to talk of things than of persons--of religion rather than about religion and its unprofitable details.

"As an author, he was valuable. His digest of the mysterious book of the Revelations has been justly esteemed the best work on the subject of prophecy. Its estimation with the British public was shewn by the rapid sale of the volume. The sermons now in the press will, I have no doubt, do honour to his judgment and piety.

"I have often wondered at his extraordinary exertions-exertions continued to the last day of his life. I have calculated that he must have preached above five thousand sermons in this church alone, independent of his many parochial labours-his visits to the healthy and the sick. Few constitutions could have answered these demands on the strength and spirits, and fewer minds could have furnished materials to instruct and edify the same congregation. He might

be called the iron man in respect of his body, and the rich man in the stores of his mind.

"He had often spoken of the dread he felt at the prospect of a long and lingering illness. His sudden departure, and the manner of his death, deserve to be reckoned amongst the merciful condescensions of divine wisdom and love to human infirmity."

Some extracts have been already introduced from a communication from Mr. Westoby: what follows is too honourable a testimony to be omitted.

"It would not be expedient to enter into the details of private friendship and confidential communication, which I enjoyed with Mr. Gauntlett, during a period of more than twenty years. I may however acknowledge, that my mind was generally refreshed by his conversation. His stores of information tended to enlarge my sphere of knowledge; and his accurate acquaintance with ecclesiastical, canon, and statute law, rendered him a very important acquisition to me in this neighbourhood. As years of social intercourse made me better acquainted with the virtues of his heart, my friend grew in my estimation. The most striking and the noblest characteristics of good men, are sometimes discernible in the very circumstances which serve to exhibit their weaknesses and defects. The numerous trials afforded by a large parish, gave frequent occasion for the exhibition of the graces of the christian amid the infirmities of the man.

"I was connected with my friend in various societies. We were, during the time he was vicar of Olney, united in a reading society; and the circum

stance that we perused the same books, led us frequently to converse on the character of the divinity and general literature of the day. To his judicious selection of books for the society, must in part be ascribed the improvement of taste among the present inhabitants of Olney, compared with those who formerly incurred the severe censure of Cowper and Scott.

"I look back with peculiar pleasure to our union in the eclectic society; a monthly meeting held alternately at our houses, for the discussion of religious and moral subjects. They were begun with prayer; after which a question appointed for discussion, was spoken upon alternately by each of the clergymen present. Three or four generally attended, and the seasons were both pleasant and edifying. This clerical society led to the renewal of the monthly lectures at Olney. The share of biblical and theological learning, contributed to them by my friend, was very valuable. He was much esteemed by his brethren, for his knowledge of the details of business, in conducting meetings for religious and benevolent purposes. His aid was important in maturing and consolidating measures to secure the ends proposed by the societies he assisted to form. He shewed a sound judgment in determining the merits of any particular cases of conscience in which his assistance was required.

"He was one of those christian philanthropists who are anxious to promote the eternal welfare of mankind, by securing to them the benefit of a faith