should fear that through carnality of mind there was a mere adherence to the letter, connected with a stumbling at the spirit of things. In short, that there was a bondaging, deadening narrowness of mind, disabling a man from forming a true and just conception of the meaning of a writer or speaker, even when he clothed the purest truth in perfectly correct and suitable expressions. (Isa. xxviii. 20.)

6. To these things we must add one more remark, which may be of importance to the truly seeking coming person. As the Holy Spirit works upon, draws, and leads a man by internal effects produced upon his own heart, moving him by means of his own understanding, will, and affections, yet in a supernatural, life-giving, and gracious manner, he may be really coming to Christ, as under the influence of the Spirit, really acting as led by him, and yet not have a distinct consciousness and perception that such is the case. There are operations of the Spirit in our hearts which we ourselves cannot understand and rightly interpret. Thus he maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Thus the hearts of the disciples burned within them as Jesus spoke; but they knew not the source of that divine ardour. Thus the godly may often fear they are destitute of the Spirit when they are really being led by him. Thus a Heman may cry out that he is abandoned by God, and free amongst the dead. And thus it is that ignorance and notions of divine things combined may do what they can to quench and hinder and impede the Holy Spirit's operations; may not enter the kingdom of God themselves, and those who are coming to Christ and seeking to enter in may sorely hinder. May we, then, remember that, although we cannot possibly pray aright unless the Holy Spirit enables us, we may pray aright and yet not be able to see clearly and say positively that he does so enable; and this may encourage us to seek and pray on in uncertainties. So it is with other actings of the renewed soul under the influence and operations of the Holy Spirit. We cannot possibly act aright, or so much as think a good thought, unless the Holy Spirit gives us the ability. Of every godly motion in the soul, of every godly speech or action in the life, he is the ultimate Author; but it by no means follows that we shall always be conscious of this Authorship. No! as Hart says, we must often "War in weakness; dare in doubt."

Under the divine leading of the Holy Spirit, we shall take many a step aright, and yet not clearly see it to be so; come to Christ, and yet question whether we are properly coming; walk by faith, and yet question whether we have any; and, as halting Jacobs, carry off the prize, when those who run in unbroken natural strength, without a feeling of their need of the Spirit, and those who, Quakerlike, "stand still, and never move," until they are quite certain that they are moved by the Spirit, and have from him some very powerful sensible communications, will find themselves sadly mistaken and woefully wanting.

A FEW PARTICULARS OF THE LAST DAYS OF MR. F. COVELL.

KINDLY FURNISHED BY HIS SON, MR. WILLIAM COVELL.

FOR some time past Mr. Covell appeared to be in failing health. He complained of pains in the stomach, and of being very tired and languid after his usual morning walk. When preaching at Brighton anniversary in September, the friends then noticed a great change in his appearance. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 19th, he read in his chapel the 5th chap. of 2nd Corinthians, and preached a remarkable sermon from 5th verse of Psalm cxx.: "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech," &c.; none of his hearers imagining that it would be the last time they would ever hear his voice or see his face in the pulpit, and that he would so soon cease to be a "dweller in Mesech.' He appeared, however, tolerably well until the morning of the 21st, when, after getting up, and coming downstairs, he felt symptoms of an intestinal displacement, attended with shivering and violent retching. His usual medical attendant and much-attached friend, Mr. Evans, was immediately sent for, who recommended him to return to bed, from whence he never arose again. In the evening, the doctor, feeling alarmed at the symptoms which had developed themselves, called in another medical gentleman (Dr. Lanchester); and, after consultation, they decided that an operation must be performed that night. They at once telegraphed to Guy's Hospital for the chief operating surgeon, requesting him to telegraph back whether he could come at once; but before he could reply the telegraph office was closed. He therefore came down immediately. In the meantime, not having heard from London, and the case being urgent, the operation was performed by Dr. L., assisted by Dr. D. and Mr. E., the sufferer being placed under chloroform.

Before undergoing the operation, Mr. C. spoke very affectionately to his children, and kissed them; and when the doctors came into the room, he put up a short prayer that the Lord would give the doctors skill and wisdom, and himself strength to undergo the operation, if it was his will; but that it might be according to his will in any case. Then he said, "Now, gentlemen, I. am ready!" The operation was successful. The system recovered from the shock, and all the symptoms were favourable, but the pulse continued very feeble.

Mr. C. remained in a state of extreme prostration the whole of the 22nd and 23rd, and no one was allowed to see him excepting his senior deacon for a few moments on Sunday morning.

On Monday morning, for the satisfaction of Mr. C.'s friends, it was thought advisable to have further advice; and Dr. L. was again summoned, who, after seeing him, said to his family, that Mr. C. was evidently sinking, and all that could be done was to try to get more nourishment into the system, providing his

stomach could retain it. Food was then administered every ten minutes for about three hours, but the stomach could not perform its office. Mr. C. passed a very restless night, and was much distressed with retching.

About five o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, Mr. C. appeared to be sinking, and the doctor was sent for, who said when he came that his life was in the balance, and it was then even possible that he might rally.

It was then deemed advisable to let him see his family, two or three old friends, and the other deacon of his church. Although in too weak a state to say very much, Mr. C. spoke very affectionately and suitably to each individual case, but the exertion of talking produced great exhaustion and violent retching. During the day, Mr. C. gave instructions as to his private affairs and funeral, and said what he would like written on his tomb. Mr. C. after this prayed for his church and people, and exhorted those around him to tell them to be kind one to another, to bear with each other's infirmities, and not to look for perfection in the flesh; to "take care that they fell not out by the way;" but to be "kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake had forgive them." "Tell them," he said, "I have the comfort of it now. I never tattled from one to another." He also said, "If any one likes to say anything about me, they might speak from these words (if the Lord should lead them to do so; I have no wish to dictate to any one): 'Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' I love a private religion more than making a show, but if it will encourage any, and honour God's dear Son, and his grace and truth, they might speak a little about me; and may some poor sinners be comforted by it."

A short time afterwards he said, "The Lord is so good. I am so blessed."

"No horrors make me weep.'

"There is a land of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign.'

"Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o'er,

Not Jordan's streams, nor death's cold flood,
Could fright us from the shore.'

"I had a sight of it a fortnight or three weeks ago in the chapel, and I thought my body would have dropped in the pulpit then, and my soul gone to heaven." Some time after, he said, "I am a poor sensible wretch, and have nothing to rest in but the finished work and obedience of the Christ of God; and I fall into his arms, who I believe is taking me to heaven to sing his praise."

During the day, he said, "How is it I have had so many to see me to-day? Did they announce it last evening at chapel ?"

He sent a message to his old friend Mr. Smart, of Cranbrook, by Mr. M., saying, "Give my love to Smart, and tell him I thought he would get to heaven before me; but I have got the start of him."

In the afternoon he was so weak and exhausted that the doctor, who had remained with him, said that no one else must see him; but so anxious were his friends to have his parting blessing, that many forced their way through to his bed-room; and when he saw them, he would speak to them; but said directly they were gone, "I am exhausted; I am exhausted; do not let any more come in." One more friend called to take leave of him early in the evening, to whom he spoke very affectionately, inquiring after his wife and children, and sending a message to them; but after he was gone, Mr. C. said, "I seemed just going into heaven; but these people drag me back again to talk to them."

Some time after this he said, "Take me sweetly, lovingly; don't leave me now, Lord; the waters are ankle deep. It is hard work going up the hill.-Lord Jesus, pull me into heaven.

-O that I were there to see Him as I have longed to see him, and serve and know him better.-Lord, perfect all that concerns me, and crown thy grace with eternal glory.-Don't leave me now, Lord, or I should sink; if thou shouldst withdraw a moment, what misery it would be !—I am a poor sinner, Lord; grace alone is of any use to me now. I have loved to speak of and exalt thy grace; and was never more happy than when encouraging sinners to trust in thee.-I have loved the place where thy honour dwelleth."

Several times during the day Mr. C. asked the time, and was very solicitous about those who were waiting on him. During the evening he asked if there was a fire in the room; and being told it was burning nicely, he said, "I lighted it when I came to bed on Friday, and it has been burning ever since." A friend asked him if he would like to see it, when he said, "I have had a sight of Jesus, and that has tarnished all earthly objects; I do not want to see any earthly object again." A short time afterwards he said, "All my faculties are failing. I cannot see nor speak so well as I did." Once he said to some of the friends that had been downstairs for meals, "You have been feasting, and I have had nothing to eat all day; but I have had the best of it;" meaning he had the Lord's presence.

After a time he became very restless, and wished continually to be shifted in his position on the bed; and every time he was laid down, said, "That's beautiful;" or, "That's nice." He never once murmured or complained; but several times spoke of the goodness of the Lord in taking his afflicted son home before him. Early on Wednesday morning, the 26th, he said, "What a long night it has seemed! I thought I should have gone before this." Mr. E. asked him if he felt any pain. He said, "No." Then he asked him if there was any conflict (as he was so very

restless and seemed troubled); but he answered, "No. I had a little in the night; but the Lord enabled me to stand my ground."

The last word he could articulate plainly was, "Hallelujah." The struggle between soul and body was painful to witness at last, although Mr. E. said he probably felt no pain whatever. About ten o'clock in the morning an evident change took place. In a short time his pulse ceased to beat; and although he kept on trying to speak, nothing could be understood; and at a quarter past eleven he drew his last breath, and his ransomed spirit left the body to be "for ever with the Lord."

In conclusion we give an extract from one of Mr. Covell's own sermons: "Mark the perfect man.' Mark him in his going out with his face towards God, and his back to the world! What opposition he meets with! What trials he meets with! His friends oppose him; his relations are against him, he is likely to lose his business and be brought to beggary; and the devil is against him. Look at the opposition he meets with from all these; but God is his Friend. Mark him in his after day. Through much tribulation he enters the kingdom. Look at the trials that beset him, the things that oppress him, the doubts and fears that gather about him, that make it a thorny and trying path. Mark the perfect man.' Look at his end. The end of a thing is what we must look to. The end of that man is peace,'-peace of conscience, and peace with God. So he dies in peace. Amen."

A pamphlet, containing jottings of other sayings, &c., by Mr. Covell, will be published in a few days by his friends at Croydon.

W. G. C.

THE FUNERAL OF MR. COVELL.

WE announced in our last issue the serious illness and departure out of this world of our dear friend and brother Covell. We now give an account of his funeral, which took place on Tuesday, the 2nd ult.; his decease having taken place on the previous Wednesday.

Our dear friend's mortal remains were interred in the churchyard at Addington, upwards of three miles from Croydon, Mr. Rolleston, of Scraptoft, assisted by the vicar, officiating on the occasion. The greatest respect was shown to the memory of our dear friend, about sixty carriages following the hearse from Croydon to Addington; the funeral procession extending for nearly one mile. At Addington, we may here say, is a family vault, in which have been placed the remains of our departed brother's wife and son, and his ancestors for above two hundred years. This will explain why our brother chose to be interred at Addington rather than in the Croydon Cemetery. We have no wish to express disapproval of our friend's choice under these circumstances, even if our own might have been somewhat different.

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