MEMOIR OF THE REV. THOMAS WEAVER, LATE BY SIR JOHN BICKERTON WILLIAMS, KNIGHT. gress. That, however, cannot be done. THIS devout and holy man was born | ecclesiastical views, and religious proin London, April 12, 1775, of respectable parents, residing near St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, a place famous, in the annals of literature, as the residence of Edward Cave, the projector and first publisher of the Gentleman's Magazine. Mr. Weaver was trained in the Church of England, of which his father and mother were attached members; and he received the rite of confirmation from the hands of Bishop Porteus, a circumstance he used now and then waggishly to refer to, when he mentioned the name of that accomplished prelate. It was Mr. Weaver's unspeakable mercy to be brought in early life to a deep sense of religion; to "seek first"supremely, constantly," the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." That essential alteration was brought about, through the power of the Holy Ghost, by reading Boston's Fourfold State; a book for which he ever afterwards entertained a strong predilection, and which he gave to others, hoping for a similar result. It would be gratifying to narrate Mr. Weaver's early history, adoption of VOL. XXX. Nor is the want supplied by the com- Y [1 Before his college education terminated, Mr. Weaver's steps were directed to Shrewsbury, where a vacancy in the pulpit at Swan Hill had been occasioned by the retirement of the Rev. Samuel Lucas. The lack of a successor was supplied, for a while, by the late venerated Dr. Pye Smith, and the Rev. Thomas Taylor, yet living at Bradford, | in Yorkshire. The services of those esteemed men were greatly prized, but neither of them was elected to the pastorate. The choice to that fell upon Mr. Weaver, and, in December, 1798, he entered upon its duties, though with | many discouragements and many fears. Some of his difficulties were lessened by the advice of friends. And the excellent Mr. Moody, of Warwick, pressed upon his consideration how surely death would be his helper. At Mr. Weaver's ordination, July 4, 1799, the "charge" was given by his honoured tutor, Dr. Simpson. It was founded upon 1 Tim. iv. 12, and seldom has that part of holy writ been better exemplified. Not only was Mr. Weaver's youth not "despised," but throughout his lengthened pilgrimage, the witness is true, without claiming for him any exemption from human sinfulness and infirmity, that he was a signal example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity." He made it manifest very soon that he was no "novice." His sterling good sense, his aptness to teach, his prudence, and his sedate piety attracted attention. The following year, February 13, 1800, he was married to Miss Roberts, of Kidderminster-a union in all respects happy. They strove together for "the faith of the gospel," and his ministry went on well. Many "believed, and turned unto the Lord." Afflictions too, and they were frequent, and often severe, were sanctified. In addition to the ordinary trials of the Christian warfare, not to say such as pertain to the "office of a bishop," he suffered much from his own delicate health. Besides which, he was oppressed with the anxieties and cares inseparable from long-continued illnesses in the case of Mrs. Weaver. Those things, however, worked together" for good. They led him to the throne of grace. His character ripened. The fruit was visible in the pulpit, and in the parlour; in the world, and among his flock. 66 He had the pleasure, moreover, of seeing the Sunday School prosper. The interest he felt in the noble institutions of the age, for spreading inspired truth at home and abroad, is well known, and their success vastly cheered him. To some of them he became an indefatigable secretary. Those of a more local description had a still closer oversight, and efforts, also, of unwearied assiduity. Indeed, the principal labour of some of them devolved almost entirely upon him. The effect was salutary upon his congregation. The fire kindled by his well-regulated zeal was kept constantly burning in it. In due time, Mr. Weaver's happiness was increased by the birth of a daughter, his only child, and now his mourning survivor. From that period nothing was allowed to interfere with the engagements and comfort of home. His house was what he and Mrs. Weaver desired it should be the abode of quietness and love, of economy, order, and taste. After breakfast there was family worship, at which the Bible was read in course, with remarks from some standard commentator, chiefly Henry, Scott, or Brown. Thanks were offered, and a blessing asked at meals. At nine each evening the bell again rang for prayer. Such as had the privilege of joining in |