happiness is worth dying a thousand times to possess.' With such ideas of the blessedness of departed souls, shall I lament-shall I not rejoice over one that has entered into its inheritance? And indeed, my dearest mother, it is both with sorrow and joy that I tell you, a dear friend is now possessing the delights which I have rather injured in thus attempting to describe. Your dear young friend Mrs. K— now sees them for herself. She has been above a week in the presence of her Lord, in complete fruition of the smiles of his love. She has taken her place in the New Jerusalem, and is raising her song of victory to the Lamb of God. I feel for my poor friend Mr. K. May the Lord comfort him. My paper obliges me to conclude. I remain, my dear mother,

Your affectionate Son,

B. WOODD.'

In the month of February, 1782, he was admitted to the degree of B. A. and on the 16th of March in the following year, he was ordained deacon at the Temple church, London, by Dr. Thurlow, bishop of Lincoln, to the curacy of West Cowes, in the Isle of Wight; a charge, however, on which he does not appear to have entered, no record having been found of his ministry there. He preached his first sermon at the church of his late respected preceptor, the Rev. Thomas Clarke, at Chesham Bois, from

Rev. xxii. 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. At this period he was principally engaged in travelling into various parts of the country, preaching at different churches, as opportunity offered; and, when in London, he was in the habit of occasionally assisting those eminent clergymen, the late Rev. Dr. Conyers, of Deptford; the Rev. Richard Cecil, of St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row; the Rev. John Newton, Rector of St. Mary, Woolnoth, and the Rev. William Romaine, of St. Anne's, Blackfriars.

On August 1, 1784, he preached his probationary sermon as a candidate for a vacant lectureship at St. Peter's, Cornhill, from 1 Cor. x. 15. I speak as unto wise men, judge ye what I say. On the 10th of the same month, the appointed day of election, the majority appeared in his favour, and he was accordingly declared Lecturer; though not without incurring some share of that opposition which has been so often evinced towards those who feel it their duty to inculcate the same religious sentiments.

A careful observer of Providence, he has left on record the following notice with reference to this appointment: On looking back to the mysterious events of Divine Providence in the pilgrimage of life, I cannot refrain from mentioning a circumstance which, although it may appear in itself trivial, has in the sequel been intimately connected with some of the most important and prosperous events

a

of my life. So true it is that the most important results often turn on the most trivial incidentspractical lesson on the wise man's counsel-In all thy ways acknowledge God.

'An estate near Cambridge, belonging to our family, owing to some pecuniary difficulties, was obliged to be sold. Two gentlemen went down from London to superintend the sale: and, thinking that it would gratify me to see the sister University, offered me the third place in the post-chaise. I readily consented to accompany them, and it was fixed that we should set off on Thursday; that the sale should take place on Friday; and that we should return to town on Saturday.

'By some error in the arrangement, the sale was delayed till Saturday. The gentlemen proposed returning after the sale as far as Barnet, and that I should set off by a post-chaise early on Sunday morning for Blackheath; having promised the venerable chaplain, the Rev. Moses Brown, that I would take his duty that morning at Morden College. It struck me that this would be an infringement on the sacred duties of the Christian Sabbath, and I accordingly relinquished the excursion.

I left Old Burlington Street on Friday morning to return to Greenwich by the two o'clock stage, but on reaching the inn, I found that the stages were gone, and no more expected for two hours. During this interval, while I was amusing myself at

the print-shops, I met with the friend who informed me of the vacancy which had taken place in the lectureship of St. Peter's, and urged me to offer myself a candidate for the appointment.'

On the 12th of September following, his mother had for the last time the pleasure of hearing him preach; it was at the above church of St. Peter's. His text was, Matt. xi. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give On the 19th of the same month, he was you rest. ordained Priest at Westminster Abbey, by Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Rochester, on which occasion also his mother was present, but it was the last time of her ever attending public worship. On the 12th of November following, she departed this life, rejoicing in the delightful hope of a blissful immortality. A letter dictated in her last moments, when unable to write, and addressed to her beloved pastor, the Rev. Dr. Conyers, evinces what were her feelings at this solemn crisis. I am dying, and not afraid: I trust I am going to my Father's house. I never was so happy in all the days of my life. I wished to write to tell you what my soul feels in this blessed prospect, that I might bear my testimony to his grace; that I might refresh your soul, who have so often refreshed mine; and tell you what joy I feel in this prospect. I do not doubt of meeting you in heaven, and my dear child too.' The remarks of this object of her fond regard

on the occasion, as presented in the memoir already referred to, are:

'Religion shines in every situation and circumstance of life, but as an incontestible evidence of its own purity and power, it is most transcendent on the eve of dissolution. The Christian, then, like the sun, looks largest when he sets. Humanity naturally trembles at the idea of death. To close the eye on the most beloved objects; to become a pale lifeless corpse; to be inclosed within the narrow limits of a coffin; to become offensive to those who almost adored us; and, concealed from mortal view, to become the prey of worms and corruption, are circumstances which we shudder at the thought of inevitably experiencing. But to see a soul with all those views before it, not merely armed with fortitude, not merely made willing by resignation, but smiling with calm delight at their appearance, and rejoicing with unspeakable joy at their sensible approach is not this a fact which speaks for itself? Is not this an argument uncontrovertible, an undeniable proof of the support which true religion can impart to its sincere votary? Is it not an animated comment upon the promise, "I will never leave thee, no; nor ever forsake thee."

'As one whose feelings in a striking manner described the above portrait, I hope, without exaggeration or over colouring the piece, I can present my dearest mother.'