EXTRACTS

FROM DIARIES, MANUALS, &c.

Ar the commencement of the Memoir,* the Editor was apprehensive that he should have had little space for the insertion of the following devotional Exercises and Reflections; which, he trusts, cannot fail to interest many of his readers. By placing them, as a separate Appendix, at the end of the second volume, he has however been enabled to command the necessary room. The difficulty has been, amidst a collection so voluminous (many of the subjects extending several pages) to select such interesting Articles as could best be introduced within the limits of so confined a space. All those prayers, &c. which are connected with Archdeacon D.'s ministerial office, and designed for the sick, the penitent, or the sorrowful in heart, are omitted, being numerous, and often adapted to particular cases-as well as those more immediately connected with family circumstances, as the marriage or absence of his children, &c. &c. The dates of many of the Articles here introduced, * Memoir, page 15.

are unavoidably omitted, being uncertain. Indeed the Diary itself is far from complete, and appears to have been discontinued at intervals. It seems scarcely necessary to observe that these manuscripts are quite in a rough state, the Author being in the habit of committing his thoughts and devotional feelings to his diary, without previous deliberation, or subsequent revision. In 1784, we find Bishop Andrews's fine Morning Prayer transcribed in the Archdeacon's hand writing, for his daily use. Some years afterwards he possessed a choice edition of this pious Bishop's manual of daily devotions, "translated out of a fair Greek MS. of his amanuensis," bearing date 1692. This little book was never absent from his table to the day of his death. Bishop Taylor's " Holy Living and Dying:" Dean Stanhope's " Thomas a Kempis:" Bishop Wilson's "Sacra Privata:" Mr. Norris's "Tract on humility:" Bishop Kenn's little manual

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for Winchester Scholars:" and a manual of devotions arranged according to the services of the ancient Church, into "Matins, Lauds, Vespers, and Compline," "reformed by a person of quality, and edited by the Rev. Dr. Geo. Hickes"-were the other helps to his daily devotions.

His favourite studies in divinity were from the works of Bishops Andrews, Bull, Hall, Horne, and Dr. Johnson; these he used to call his CHIEF FRIENDS while, from the more abstruse and lively writings of Leslie, Hooker, Jones, and some others, he derived both entertainment and instruction.

The Archdeacon likewise possessed a valuable

collection from the writings of some of the old Fathers, with whom (he was wont to say) he never was tired of walking.

EXTRACTS, &c.

"Whoever would be prepared to render an account unto God, should live in the habit of rendering account from time to time, to himself. To this end, a Diary, if faithfully kept, may be eminently useful. God grant that it may prove so in my case- That after the example of the many pious persons who have gone before me, I may, by numbering my days, apply my heart unto wisdom -to the promotion of God's glory, and my own salvation. Amen, for Jesus' sake, Ámen.”

.

No. I.

८८

I had just delivered a letter for the post to my friend and brother fellow, Mr. Lucas, when, upon taking up a newspaper, the first paragraph which met my eyes, was Mr. Lucas's death, as if to remind me of the uncertainty of life-he died suddenly in the night, being in perfect health when he went to bed.

"In the midst of life, we are in death.-0 Lord, suffer me not so to fix my thoughts upon this world, that I may at any time forget the uncertain tenure by which I hold it. When death

VOL. II,

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knocks at our neighbour's door, it is high time that we look about, and examine how much of our Master's work remains unfinished, lest the night come upon us, before we are prepared to give up our account."

No. II.

On the dangerous illness of his children.. "A week of great anxiety, such as parents only know.

“O Lord! look down upon my family, I beseech Thee-Thou knowest our distress-O merciful God, in thy wrath think upon mercy-visit not the sins of the parents upon their children—but grant that they may live to be chosen servants unto Thee, and that we may become the glorious instruments in Thy hands, of bringing them up in the true knowledge and fear of Thee, their God—that both parents and children may together be made partakers of a blessed resurrection-even so grant, most merciful God, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."

Again on the Physician visiting his children.

May God of his mercy bless his endeavours. If it be Thy will, O Lord, visit my dear family with the choice blessing of health-unto Thy servant also grant health of body and strength of mind, to enable him to discharge the great duties of his

calling, with that zeal and earnestness which ought to mark the character of a Christian Minister. Unto my dear wife and children grant, O Lord, I most earnestly beseech Thee, healthy bodies, sound minds, and religious hearts, that they may live to be a credit to the religion they profess, and a comfort to each other-that, this life ended, we may all meet together in a better world. Amen blessed Lord God-for Jesus' sake, Amen."

Thanksgiving for his children's recovery.

"O Lord God! Thou Sovereign disposer of all events, make me truly thankful for this and all Thy other mercies vouchsafed unto me, and my dear family, from time to time—and grant that we may all express our thankfulness, by a hearty love for thy service, and an earnest desire and constant endeavour to promote it upon all occasions;--that all men may know that Thou art the God whom we serve, and that Thy service is our truest delight. Grant this, I most humbly pray Thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy blessed Son, our compassionate Redeemer. Amen."

No. III.

On distributing monies for charitable uses in his parish-1788.

“Thank God for giving me a heart to lay out