open to his competition, and ultimately received the gold medal on taking his degree.

The patient and conscientious diligence which had become the fixed habit of his life, and the steadiness with which he won his way, in each and every department of collegiate study, pointed to a fellowship as the fit object of his further efforts to attain.

The variety and depth of reading which this required, even at the period of which we speak, have made the fellowship examination one of the severest tests to which a scholar can be subjected. Our student, however, had not only mastered the necessary studies of his undergraduate course, as he went along, but stored up accumulations of industry, gathered in gratuitous excursions into the advanced regions of fellowship-study, so that at an early period he was enabled to make his first attempt, not indeed in expectation of success (which on a maiden effort is exceptional), but with a view of testing his strength, and then husbanding his energy for the trying occasion, which is generally on the second sitting of the young candidate.

In 1809, he first sate; his answering was very respectable; it secured him one of the premiums which are given in money. In the next year there were two vacancies, which were then filled up by the election of the late Dr. Elrington and himself. His answering on this occasion was not merely successful, but distinguished. Were we asked at this point to say, what were his peculiarities as a scholar or as a man, we would unhesitatingly answer, that he was an accomplished general scholar; perhaps more remarkable for the extensive range of his knowledge, than for exclusive excellence in any single subject of study.

Active industry was the law of his being; his time, his talents, his diligence, were all conscientiously appropriated to purposes of duty and usefulness. He was pious from his early youth. His natural gifts included that courtesy of demeanour which is always attractive; and the grace of religion imparted the glow of a zeal, tempered with moderation thus adding sunshine to daylight, and consecrating each gift to the service of the Giver of them all.

The arrangement as to pupils was then different in the University from what it is at present. The extent of connexion, or amount of popularity arising from character, interest, and other influences, which in so many ways combine, regulated the profits of the tutor, and caused the preference which gave the supply. With his general character and good address, a cheerful courtesy, a classic taste, variety of information, combined with excellent conversational talent, and an extensive acquaintance in the country, it was scarcely possible that Mr. Singer should not have been a most popular tutor. At least there is no doubt

as to the fact, that he was one of the most favoured by the public, as was evidenced by the number of his pupils.

Nor was this confidence misplaced. His care of the young students committed to his charge was parental. How often has one been gently turned aside from idleness or folly - others guided and encouraged in the pursuit of truth, by his timely and affectionate intervention! Without the sternness, but yet with the influence of authority, he could stir the conscience by a judicious appeal to the generosity of youth, and touch sympathies at once powerful and sensitive. The hand that pens this memoir can testify to the excellence and the felicity of suggestions which flowed so naturally from one at once loved and respected. By these, can he well remember, his own early doubts were removed; his hesitations and crudities; the ebbings and flowings of his mind, in the period which just preceded the first settling down of his opinions, all so kindly met; instruction so seasonably communicated; the best authors judiciously recommended; books courteously offered, and each made an occasion and a text for further explanation; these are now remembered with the same gladness of heart in which the friendship of more than thirty years is preserved as yet unabated.

A remarkable period was about this time opening on Ireland, and especially on the Irish Church. An earnest religious feeling manifested itself in an anxious desire for giving to the people a knowledge of the Scriptures; and both in the laity and amongst the clergy this began to work with effect. The habits and pursuits of College life were not calculated to foster what was then supposed rather

to indicate the fervor of the Puritan than the sincerity of sober religion; and, consequently, in the University, it did not at first appear to make much impression. But God has His own ways and His own instruments: Dunne and Matthias, Roe and Daly, Cleaver, Otway, Woodward, and Irwin, with other lights in the Church, were now above the horizon; whilst laymen, intelligent and pious, such as Warren and Pennefather, Jackson, North, and Scott, all spoke fearlessly, and some laboured earnestly for the unrestricted use of a free Bible, as the basis of education. To this they looked as a saving remedy for Ireland. In the University Mr. Singer was pre-eminent, if not then peculiar, in siding with the evangelical movement; he became officially connected both with the Bible Society and the Church Missionary Society; and the records of both testify the ability and the fidelity with which he maintained their cause, as that of evangelical religion, in its purity and in its power. The stirring up of opinion about this time brought out a spirit of political and secular controversy, with its usual accompaniments.

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With the strife of tongues in faction or party he had no sympathy; in truth, he was the sincere supporter of Catholic Emancipation, in which, it may be observed, he had the concurrence of such men as the present Bishop of Ossory, and the late Dr. Chalmers. These truly good men seem to have taken one common view, that truth is best promoted by impartial freedom and direct encouragement; by the energies of its own unrestricted and proper agency, son, Scripture, and prayer;" and that any penalty or coercion for the exercise of the rights of conscience, is calculated rather to provoke and perpetuate the greatest hindrances to the genuine gradual progress of truth and freedom. It is said by the biographer of Chalmers, that in later years he spoke of Emancipation as "an historical blunder," but never intimated a change in his own opinion upon it; and this we might well understand, upon a moment's reflection. So far as results may have falsified expectation, it is only with those who have read history untruly, in anticipating that the policy of Rome would be changed by increasing the political power so much at all times under its command. Such, certainly, have made a great historical blunder. But they who looked forward to the increased energy of Protestantism, not, indeed, to maintain a political ascendancy for a section, but to diffuse religious truth, in the spirit of truth, amongst the people; and who trusted in the peculiar power which belongs to God's Word, under God's blessing; and that the freedom won at the Reformation, enabled us safely to concede what we claim liberty for all, in the great conflict of free discussion they are fortified by the record of history, and the lessons of experience. When Protestantism has exhausted its own energies and proper resources, and in the vigour of free action fails to win its way successfully, then, and then only, may we distrust the policy which "rejoiceth in the truth, and hopeth all things!" Meanwhile let Protestantism be in earnest; it can assuredly defend itself, and more.

The stir in the Church now began to work largely; it threatened schism. A form of sound words, without the power of what they esteemed as saving truth, did not satisfy the yearnings of zealous and earnest men. Episcopal chapels were happily their first refuge; and thus, many who might have rashly separated themselves from our Church, found at once within its pale that it had indeed many mansions. The liberality and prescience of the then Archbishop of Dublin, the late Dr. Magee, were at this time providential. In the true spirit of the Reformed Church, in which he was so distinguished a prelate, he sanctioned, nay, encouraged every such arrangement by which piety or zeal might at least be retained in its communion; and each differing section, whether Arminian or Calvinist, Ecclesiastical or Evangelical, with other sectional titles, might find that in the Scriptural latitude of the Church's Articles, and the equity of its discipline, the breadth of the Gospel was not less honoured than its depth; the many-sidedness of truth, the variety of its apprehension by minds differently constituted, all provided for in that true catholicity of spirit, which meets the wants of man, and is accredited by the Word of God. The great substance of truth may truly be held in a large and liberal variety of individual apprehen

sion.

Mr. Singer was prominent in the ranks of the Evangelical section. By these the great doctrine of justification by faith alone, was now made the theme

of the pulpit. It came out just as if it were a new discovery, and as if all else should be overlooked in preaching. If we might offer a friendly criticism, we would say, that it was made by many (not by him) the exclusive theme, rather than the great principle with which practical truths should ever be inseparably connected. The effect was, to raise the Antinomian spirit, which confounds the teaching of man's duties with the preaching of human merit, and thus tended to narrow Christianity into the dogmas of a single school of a section of the Church. But nature has its storms and its stagnation; its seed-time and its harvest. And so, no doubt, it is in the kingdom of grace. All this was working for good.

Mr. Singer was appointed to be chaplain in one of these chapels, called the Magdalen Asylum, where he officiated most usefully for many years. In the University pulpit the preaching had been, and not improperly, dogmatic and scholastic in general; but it must also be allowed, it was not often very earnest. From his faithful voice, when there heard in the pulpit, the fixed characteristic of his preaching was in harmony with his creed. The good and gentle Lloyd at length became Provost of the College. His selection of University preachers now threw a weight into the side of the scales which had theretofore been lightweighted; and the men were not wanting for the set time. O'Brien, then known to few, and only as the secluded student, retiring and reserved, was summoned forth by one, who, as his tutor and friend, knew his love of truth, his classic taste, and almost fastidious discrimination. The friend and tutor of both (then their Provost) encouraged and provided for the good of the College, the pulpit ministrations of Singer and O'Brien. A spirit of progress began to animate the University. The growth of physical science, and other enlightened advances in the general movement of the age, began to give evident impulse to study, and provoke isolated efforts, by which the way was prepared for general and systematic improvement.

Mr. Singer's influence amongst the students had been for some time manifestly felt. When Junior Dean of the College, his good taste, and correct appreciation of those decencies of life which have a homely but real share in moulding character, led him to require and obtain for the students several privileges which they valued, which have since been followed up by a more exact attention to their comfort and propriety. So special had been this service, that at the end of his year of office, he was presented by the students with a most gratifying address, and the substantial accompaniment of a silver vase, cup and cover, with an appropriate inscription.

Thus, in everything connected with the character of the College, and the happiness of the students, whether as the servant of Him, of whom he was neither ashamed nor ostentatious, or in the administrative duties which secured order and decency amongst the students, he alike commanded their esteem and won their gratitude. Others there were, amiable and worthy men, with colder views, but still most exemplary in their collegiate offices, by whom, also, the preparation was forwarded for the decided impulse and advance which, under the provostship of Dr. Lloyd, was admittedly given to the University in science and religion.

Mr. Singer's mind was always active and employed. His extensive, and (it might be said) indiscriminate reading, stored his memory with every kind of available knowledge. As Secretary to the Royal Irish Academy, general science claimed a share of his attention: whilst the early numbers of the Christian Examiner record excellent specimens of his Biblical criticism.

This periodical was then very ably conducted, though, as might be supposed, not uniform in the excellence of its numbers; but it had the aid of several distinguished writers. Can we forget the learning and the pleasantry of Cæsar Otway, in the graphic sketch of real life-ay, real Irish life; the depth of intense feeling, or the lighter graces of his playful and sportive humour-the tender touch that started the tear. the lively parenthesis that provoked the laugh-the power that probed the conscience, and the pathos that won the heart? Who can forget the racy didactic style of Woodward?—then the vigour of the downright Daly-forcible always, pleasant often, uninstructive never?-the exact pen of Singer, more learned, more accurate, always discreet?-but one and all were in harmony with the heartiness of a generous Christianity. Nor

can we overlook one other rare but special contributor; one who, at this time, was silently growing in that grace which afterwards has made him so great an instrument of usefulness, and so great an ornament to the University, and the Church of which he is now so distinguished a prelate the accurate, the pro. found O'Brien, here lent a helping hand, with his occasional and modest paper. Influences thus without and within the walls of the University, made the season of Dr. Lloyd's provostship in every way auspicious. Science shone more brightly-religion more warmly; and the genuine tendencies of a mind liberal, and enlightened, modestly but sincerely pious, brought the influences of his posi tion, as Provost, at once to bear on the improvement of the system of edu cation, and the encouragement of a healthful and earnest spirit of religion. The course of Mr. Singer was now more free, and his position more influential; his labours extended, not varied in character. O'Brien came out novel and fresh. He reasoned out of the Scriptures with the precision of science, but with classic purity. But more than this; the great central truth of the Reformation, with all its incidents and limitations, was by this able master now propounded and analysed with a completeness and persuasion that laid an arrest on the judgments and the consciences of all who heard him. Logical exactness, metaphysical acuteness, ethical candour, were applied to the record of the written Word; and the doctrine of justification explored and expounded with wisdom and power. This noble effort of pulpit teaching-this key to the Reformation, at least to its chief treasure, is one of the greatest contributions from the Church, since the days of Ussher. So has said Dr. Chalmers. Why is it not published and republished by the University? Mr. Singer, or as we may now rather call him, Dr. Singer, began to find himself in a companionship. He had some years before availed himself of a privilege, which, on the reenforcing of the celibacy statute, had been secured for such as had obtained fellowship, under the supposition that it was to be treated as obsolete. He had married in 1822, Mary, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Henry Crofton, senior chaplain of Kilmainham, and niece of Sir Hugh Crofton, of Mohill, in the county of Leitrim; and thus, perhaps, in the discipline of a domestic life, calculated under God's blessing to sanctify his affections, he may have been the more fitted for guarding with tender interest the sons of other parents, with whom he could sympathise as a father. Year after year was now transferring to the Church one after another of his former pupils. At length he saw Mr. O'Brien appointed to fill the office of Archbishop King's lecturer in Divinity, a day of hope and joy for the Irish Church. Light thus was breaking within and without; the gradual but sure progress which warms and cheers the heart, and fills it with thankfulness of spirit. After a service of thirty-one years in the University as a junior fellow, Dr. Singer took his place at the senior Board, on the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dr. Hodgkinson, the late Vice-Provost.

The excellence of Mr. O'Brien's college career commended him to public notice. His sermons fixed his reputation; his lectures to the Divinity class gave it greater publicity. The straightforward and high-minded Lord De Grey was now appointed to the Viceregal office. The public patronage was regarded by him as a trust for the public good. With him modest merit was not left in seclusion or obscurity. The deanery of Cork became vacant; it was conferred on Dr. O'Brien: the see of Ossory afterwards becoming vacant, he was promoted to the episcopal office. This enriched the Church without, but it spoiled her in the University. The late Dr. Elrington was then Regius Professor; he was both a learned and conscientious man, but he belonged to a school of divinity, more Arminian and Erastian than that which O'Brien would have favoured. The career of Dr. Elrington was cut short in this professorship; and, much respected and much valued by those who were in his intimacy, he died, and thus left a vacancy of great importance in the University to be filled up. Dr. Singer was now a senior fellow, and to him the appointment was offered, together with a small living in the diocese of Raphoe, which he accepted. Thus was his future life allotted between the duties of his parish and the professor's chair in the University. The amiable prelate who presides over this diocese, appointed him to the Archdeaconry of Raphoe, which, without adding to his lument, gave him position with the clergy.