That prelate acted upon the wishes of his son, and gave them preferment in his diocese. Their conduct justified the favour shown them,—they conciliated general esteem, they rose to distinction, they exhibited a worthy example to their episcopal brethren, they were "as lights set on a hill;" but, at length, the brightest light became dim, and the lesser light was extinguished, and Secker was left alone to mourn over each, and to say, "Alas, my brother*!"

But, while the piety and engaging qualities of Benson were justly appreciated by Butler and Secker, and greatly endeared him to all his friends; the mutual affection of the two latter was of a closer, and more decided, cast. No one can have attentively perused the foregoing Memoir, without being struck by the proofs which it affords, of the cordial attachment which uniformly subsisted between the bishops of Durham and Oxford. From the commencement of their acquaintance, at the dissenting academy at Tewkesbury, until the termination of Butler's career at Bath, they were ever desirous to promote each other's welfare. They shared each other's joys, they sympathized in each other's sorrows, and that which concerned the one was never a matter of indifference to the other. Secker displayed the interest he felt in the embryo powers of Butler's mind, by the part he undertook in the manage. 1 Kings, xiii. 30.

*

ment of the correspondence with Dr. Clarke. Butler showed an equal interest in Secker, by the terms in which he spoke of him to his college friend Edward Talbot, and by bringing the subject of conformity before him when he was at Paris; which led to his change of profession, and to his ultimate advancement in the Church of England. Secker extricated Butler from the difficulties into which he was about to plunge, by building without capital at Haughton,-procured his removal to Stanhope-and, when his celebrated writings were under preparation for the press, evinced his friendly feelings by endeavouring to array them in a more transparent garb. Butler returned these kind offices, by supplying Secker, in the invaluable matter to which his great mind gave birth, with inexhaustible topics upon which to descant, in his less deep, but more popular discourses.

Secker, again, alarmed at the impaired health and sinking spirits of Butler, while buried in the seclusion of Stanhope, effected his disinterment, and brought him back to the "busy haunts of men." Butler repaid him by tokens of the truest regard-considering his own residence at the deanery of St. Paul's, and at Hampstead, as the common home of both-and scarcely seeming to exist, when released from the calls of public duty or study, unless Secker was with him. In the closing scene of Butler's career, Secker showed

his anxious solicitude for the friend of his early years, by urging Benson to visit him, and by intreating his chaplain, Forster, to transmit to him daily intelligence of the progress of his illness. Butler, sinking under the pressure of disease, when his faculties were failing, betrayed the ardour of his affection for Secker, by mingling his image with his wandering thoughts, and by "perpetually talking about writing" to him, although he had nothing of a definite character to say* Nor must it be forgotten, that the attachment of Secker did not expire with the death of his friend; but was proved, many years after his decease, when, at the advanced age of seventy-four, and in the last year of his own life, he stooped from the metropolitan chair, to write anonymously in the public journals of the day; that he might vindicate the revered name of Butler from the malevolent attacks of slander.

Of the affection of David and Jonathan, it is said, "The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soult." And, when death had divided them, the survivor is represented as exclaiming, "I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant has thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women."

* See Forster's Letter of June 17.

+ 1 Sam. xviii. 1.

2 Sam. i. 26.

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CHAPTER XII.

Character and habits of Secker.-Promoted deserving clergymen. Opposed the errors of popery.-Cultivated a friendly understanding with Dissenters. - Supported Protestant cause abroad.-His political conduct.-Personal appearance.-Mental qualities.-Studies and works. His piety. -The peculiar circumstances attending his death.-His liberality.-Letters to Dr. Doddridge.

It would be ungrateful to the memory of one who was, in so especial a manner, THE FRIEND OF BUTLER, not to introduce in this place, a brief sketch of the character of the upright and distinguished primate, Archbishop Secker; and this cannot, perhaps, be done better than by bringing together, in a connected form, some of the notices of him which will be found scattered throughout his Memoir, by his former chaplain, the excellent Bishop Porteus.

"Men of worth and eminence in the church," remarks his biographer, "he cherished and befriended, and endeavoured to bring them forward into stations where they might be singularly useful. Above all, he distinguished, with peculiar marks of his favour, the conscientious and diligent parish priest. He was of opinion, that the main support of piety and morals consisted in the parochial labours of the clergy; and that, if this country could be preserved from utter profligate

He

ness and ruin, it must be by their means*.' took all fit opportunities of combating the errors of the Church of Rome, in his own writings: and the best answers, which were published to some of the late bold apologies for popery, were written at his instance, and under his direction. With the Dissenters, his grace was sincerely desirous of cultivating a good understanding. Though firmly attached to the Church of England, and ready on all proper occasions to defend its discipline and doctrines with becoming spirit; yet, it never inspired him with any desire to oppress or aggrieve those of a different way of thinking, or to depart from the principles of religious liberty, by which he constantly regulated his own conduct, and wished that all others would regulate theirs. Nor was his concern for the Protestant cause confined to his own country. He was well known as the great patron and protector of it in various parts of Europe; from whence he had frequent applications for assistance, which never failed of being favourably received. To several foreign Protestants he allowed pensions; to others he gave occasional relief; and to some of their Universities was an annual benefactor.

"He kept equally clear from the two extremes of factious petulance and servile dependence; never wantonly thwarting administration, from motives of party zeal, or private pique, or personal

* Vide First Charge to the Diocese of Canterbury.-P. 226.

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