could be more impressed with the importance of early parental instruction and discipline, or more diligent in the discharge of that duty, than were both Mr. and Mrs. Hey. "Being one day with him in his study," says an intimate friend," when Mrs. Hey had left the room, as she shut the door, Mr. Hey said with great feeling, 'What cause have I to bless God for that dear woman! She is now feeble and incapable of much exertion, but it is to her careful instruction of my dear children when they were young—and I was unable from professional engagements to attend to them as I could have wished that I ascribe, through the blessing of God, their turning out so well.' When we were speaking about a friend who had much anxiety about his sons, he said, 'that nothing would more certainly have shortened his days than the grief of seeing any of his children living in a state of rebellion against God. I can cheerfully part with them by death, when they die in the Lord; but I could not support the sight of their living in open sin.""

Mr. Hey was twice elected to fill the office of mayor of the town of Leeds; first in the year 1787, and again in 1802. The duties of such an office, in the midst of a very large manufacturing population, called forth all that energy of mind in the performance of them, which his hitherto more private pursuits had displayed to all who knew him. He had to encounter obstruction and opposition, obloquy and persecution, secret threats, public insults, and personal

his

dangers. But to all this he had made up mind, and the integrity of his character, the uprightness of his intentions, the disinterestedness and benevolence of his conduct, were at length acknowledged and appreciated, and opened the way to a final triumph, not only over the malice, but the errors of his adversaries. Finding it requisite to obtain a competent share of information in those principles of jurisprudence by which he was to be directed, he gave himself up to the study of them with such assiduity, that he is said to have become 66 a good lawyer," and was often known to correct the errors of counsel, when, with great confidence, they were laying down the law to the magistrates at the sessions.

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that Mr. Hey hailed with great delight the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and was a zealous supporter of the Church Missionary Society. He subscribed likewise to the Moravian, Baptist, and Wesleyan Missions. But it deserves to be noticed, that, upon the first establishment of Sunday schools, he not only promoted the introduction of those useful means of instruction upon a very extensive scale, in the town of Leeds, but himself superintended them, and even until the age of eighty years, continued to be a regular and diligent teacher; and the general intelligence and superior Scripture knowledge of his class, were a striking evidence of the judicious and successful mode of his instructions. On one

occasion, when a gentleman was detailing to a number of teachers the method adopted in another school, about which Mr. Hey felt a lively interest, the narrative was interrupted by his sudden indisposition. The company expressing much uneasiness at the occurrence, he remarked, "My spirits are just as buoyant as they were fifty years ago; but nature reminds me that I am an old man. I exerted my voice too much yesterday, while leading the singing of the scholars, and I am suffering for my imprudence."

With the exception of his lameness, and a serious illness of some weeks in the year 1808, Mr. Hey generally enjoyed good health till within two years of his death, when he sustained a most alarming attack of a very painful and dangerous disease in the bowels, from which it was scarcely expected that he would recover. The following extracts from notes made by one of his intimate friends, give an interesting view of his feelings and prospects during this affliction: "When the violence of the complaint had so much abated that Mr. Hey was able to speak a little, he said, 'I was perfectly sensible of my situation; my mind was as collected as it is now. I was fully persuaded, that, unless it should please God to check the violence of the disorder, I must in a very short time stand in judgment before his throne. I found no support or comfort but in believing views of the atonement made by Jesus. On this foundation alone

rested all my hopes. I had much consolation from regarding the Saviour as interceding for me. Oh! there is no support, no comfort, but in a reliance on the atonement and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ.' He adverted to the corruption of rature; observing that, whatever men may say about the effects of the fall, there is no one truth in the Scripture more evident than this, that a complete and entire change must take place in us, before we can truly relish the holy and pure joys and employments of the heavenly world. This the apostle declares when he says, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature,' or a 6 new creation.' We must be made different from what we were before. God alone can effect this great change in the soul. He then spoke, in most fervent and elevated strains, of the blessedness of the beatific vision. Oh !' said the venerable saint, who can conceive the happiness of seeing God, of beholding him who is infinite beauty, infinite perfection; and not only beholding him with a rectified and refined intellect, but in beholding to be transformed into his glorious image! Surely it is the highest bliss of heaven to see God as he is, and to be made like him! What poor low conceptions we have of that God who is all beauty and love! Who can conceive the blessedness of seeing him face to face!' When

เ

I next called upon him, 'Oh, what a blessed thing,' said he, is it to be looking unto Jesus, and resting upon the promises of God in him!

Where can a poor sinner look but unto Jesus? In him he finds all he wants. My prayer is that of the poor publican, God be merciful to me a sinner.' This prayer ever was, and ever will be, graciously answered. I rest all my hopes on the promises of Christ. If this foundation sink, I am willing to sink with it; but,' added he, with a holy fervour, 'I am sure it cannot sink it is firmer than earth or heaven! What a delightful declaration is that in the third chapter of the first Epistle of St. John! "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!" But observe the connexion between the believer's hope of glory and its purifying effect. "Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.' He then recited this favourite text: These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.' What a free offer is here made to the whole world! If we are not saved it is because we will not come to Christ, that we may have life. The fault lies in ourselves. Then, speaking on the blessedness of seeing God and being made like him, 'This, this,' said he, is heaven! I know no other. Oh, how I long to be like him!'"

It pleased God once more, however, to restore his servant, after a confinement of more