happened to be present, in the freshness of his youth, listening with intense delight to the interesting colloquy of men. so famous in Israel, and he was wont to relate, in advanced life, when talking of the days of "auld lang syne," the story of this parting scene. They supped at Mrs. Abney's house, at Stoke Newington, in company with Dr. Gibbons. Much cheerful conversation passed between them; and the poet pleasantly related to the company how he had been imposed upon by certain persons who had tasted of his bounty, and how, after the death of some of his pensioners, the relatives actually continued, in the name of the deceased, as if they had been living, to claim and receive his accustomed gratuities. The narrative, one would imagine, did not fail to divert the amiable Doddridge, who had himself so often, in various ways, been victimised by designing knaves; and if he did not, on the occasion, crown the stories of his friend with similar ones relating to himself, we could almost answer for it, that this was not because he was unable. Supper over, the venerable bard, oppressed by his infirmities, rose from his chair to retire to his chamber, when Dod

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dridge rose and followed him to the door, in an attitude expressive of ardent attachment and veneration, stretching out his arms as if, (to use Mr. Lavington's language—who, when he told the story, suited the action to the words) Elisha was endeavouring to catch the mantle of the ascending prophet.* The elder saint soon after that went up to heaven, and the younger followed after a very little while: Watts died in 1748; Doddridge in 1751.

From the varied society of all these London friends, Doddridge carried home many a balmy reminiscence to refresh him in many winter hours, till the summer pilgrimage of friendship came round again.

Extending his journey into the eastern counties, he delighted in visiting, among others, the worthy Mr. Scott, pastor of the Old Meeting at Norwich, in whose house he

*This interesting fact was communicated to me by my friend the Rev. Mr. Rooker, late of Tavistock, now of Plymouth. He also mentions, that it was related by a friend who knew the Abney family, that Dr. Watts was so beloved by the domestics, that they would put themselves in the way to receive from him signs of kindness, or marks of approbation. In the family of Mr. J. Rooker, of Bideford, is a MS. volume of seventy hymns by Doddridge. All are included in Orton's edition, with the exception of six or eight, of which three or four appeared, some years since, in the Congregational Magazine.

describes himself as attaining "the zenith of happiness, the high noon of joy."

In one of these visits, when Mr. Scott had grown old and infirm, Doddridge took the pastor's place, in the pastor's presence, at the Lord's table, and administered, in his own solemn and touching manner, that blessed sacrament of love which makes all Christian hearts feel their everlasting oneness in Christ. And very beautiful is it, as we picture the scene in that venerable and antiquated house of prayer, with its huge pillars,-dark oaken pulpit and pews,—and mural tablets and hatchments, to meet with the little incident recorded by Harmer; that the learned pastor pleaded as a precedent in favour of his devolving such a duty upon another, the case of Polycarp, who did the like at Rome, at the request of the Bishop Anicetus-" a graceful management of antiquity," as Harmer says,an agreeable correspondence in modern practice.* How Doddridge's love for Mr. Scott and his family was reciprocated by them, is seen from the following extract of an unpublished letter, written by Miss Scott, in 1746:

Harmer's Miscellaneous Works, p. 183.

"We regard you, we will not say as the chief ornament and support of the Dissenting interest, but of vital, powerful Christianity in a degenerate land. How indulgent has Providence been to spare you! I and my dear father have been joining in our most affectionate thanks to Heaven, and we now join in our most earnest entreaties to yourself, to do all that in you lies for the preservation of so important (oh! how important!) a life of future years of usefulness." *

Taking a summer tour through the midland counties, down into Somersetshire, his letters disclose many a touching incident; and to take one out of several, we find a notice of his welcome from Fawcett and Darracott, cordial in both cases,-rapturous in the latter; the seraphic-hearted apostle of the west bursting into tears," as if about to lose his father," when Doddridge seemed as if he would accept the invitation of old Mr. Marshall, who struggled to be first to say, "Dear Doctor, make my house your home." And then, to the Northamptonshire brethren, how strong and tender

* There are in the published Correspondence some beautiful letters to Miss Scott, when she was in deep spiritual depression.

was his attachment! "Long," said he to them, "have we beheld, and, blessed be God, long have we felt, how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Long has the odour of this precious ointment filled our little tabernacles with its perfume." Some of Harborough, and Norris of Welford, were cherished names in the long list of his endeared companions and fellowlabourers in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.

To

With affection most intense did he love his own domestic circle. With a fondness almost excessive did he dote on his dear wife, Mercy, -writing to her when from home, after long years had matured their union, with all the flush and fervour of a first attachment. his daughter, during a visit at Walthamstow, he says, "Indeed you are so dear to me, that everything which looks like danger to you, afflicts me sensibly in its most distant approach. It has pleased God so to form my heart, that I question whether any man living feels more exquisitely on such occasions. The life of either of my children, and of such a child, is more to me than the treasures of a