his thoughts original, his boldness in stating truth imposing and attractive, and his figures and illustrations very appropriate. He is evidently a deep thinker, and when he speaks in the pulpit he at once arrests attention. His ministry has been greatly blessed, and is attended by some of the most intellectual people in London. In private I met him at Mr. -'s, but he did not shine there. Every man has his own proper gift."

Preaches for Mr. Blunt.-"When he was in London, in 1831, (writes a lady) he was anxious to see Mr. Blunt, who was out of town. On entering the church on Sunday, I was astonished at seeing Mr. Blunt. I went into the vestry and told him Mr. Roe was in London. He turned round quickly, saying, 'I shan't see him, I leave town to-morrow at seven o'clock. What can I do? Can't you get him to preach to-day for me?' I said no, he is not strong enough, and lives at a great distance; 'but I must see him,' said Mr. B. 'I have wanted to know him for years.' Well, I promised to go after Morning Service, and see if he was strong enough to come to Chelsea; I did so, and he most kindly came with me instantly. We found Mr. B. lying down exhausted on the sofa, not even a servant in the house, all gone to Afternoon Service. It was amusing to hear each lecture the other on his want of care of himself, and forgetfulness of his usefulness being abridged by too much labour. Mr. B. asked Mr. Roe if he could not preach in the afternoon, (the bells were then ringing) but he said he was not strong enough. Well, we went to church; immediately after service dear Mr. R. said, “I think I could preach, I feel stronger now.' He did preach from Eph. iii. 8, the Lesson of the day. An old gentleman was sitting in the same pew with me and after the sermon he asked me if that was Mr. Blunt; I said no, and named him, upon which he said,

I am likewise a minister. Oh! no, not likewise; but may God in his mercy grant that I may never forget what I have this day heard-eight days since I could not have heard a single word-I was perfectly deaf. I came to town to have an operation performed on my ears, and now by God's blessing I have not lost a syllable.' I asked him to wait till Mr. Roe came for me, when I introduced him, and I don't think any one could ever witness such another scene : the tears pouring from both of them with gratitude and love. I have never heard of, or seen that person since.'

"About 1826 the Romish controversy

was much before the public mind, and, in the hope of doing good-the hope which ever animated him and urged him on-Mr. Roe determined to have a course of sermons on the different leading points of the controversy preached in Saint Mary's Church. These sermons were preached on Sunday evenings, in the early part of the year 1827, by various clergymen of the City and its neighbourhood-the last only having been preached by Mr. Roe himself. But he was not idle, though he took so little share in the pulpit duties."

The anti-tithe conspiracy.—“ The so-called 'passive resistance' of the people to the payment of the tithes (a debt truly and legally due) commenced in the autumn of 1831, in a parish on the confines of the counties of Kilkenny and Wexford. Had this outbreak been met with decision on the part of the government and its functionaries, there is every reason to believe that it might have been crushed; but the policy of the day was that called liberal, (a woeful misapplication of a good word,) and the peasantry and their incendiary leaders were neither boldly met nor stoutly opposed by those who were bound to protect the clergy in their property.

"In common with many others of the clergy of Ireland, Mr. Roe was a sufferer, and a severe one, from these proceedings. Up to the time when the 'passive resistance' to tithes commenced, he had derived very little more from his living of Odogh, than what went to pay the salary of his Curate. In St. Mary's too, matters were no better. To be sure, the law was open, and he could have used its force for the recovery of his legal rights but his conscience would not allow him to endanger human life, even in the recovery of his just debts; and as he was persuaded that life would have been endangered, if the law was enforced either in St. Mary's or at Odogh, he determined to forego his demand. On coming to this determination, he had no trifling struggle to endure. While in this state of uncertainty as to the future, and with only a few pounds remaining, he was deliberating as to the necessity of dismissing his Curate at St. Mary's, as he saw no possible means of continuing to pay his salary, and this was forced upon his mind as the day for paying a quarter's salary approached. One morning, a letter was brought to him from the post, which, being marked with double postage, he was unwilling to open, as he did not know the hand. However, it came into his mind, that it might be an inquiry re

specting the registration of a birth, or a marriage, and as he could not bear to disappoint the applicant, he opened the letter. What was his surprise to find that it contained a Twenty Pound Bank Note, with the following words written on the cover The LORD is thy Shepherd: thou shalt not want.' He was quite overpowered at this fresh instance of the watchful providence of his God, and said he felt as if the supply came straight from heaven. He never after felt any doubt as to his being provided with what was needful; and it is remarkable, that until the payment of the money by Government, he was supplied, partly from sources which he was unable to trace, and partly by kind friends, with very nearly the same income with that he had relinquished. He never could ascertain to whom it was he was indebted for the first and most comforting letter."*

"In the beginning of the melancholy occurrences which have taken place, I talked over the business with Mrs. Roe and my daughter, and when they at once and emphatically said, 'We are willing to submit to any privation, even to beggary, rather than use force in the recovery of tithes,' I no longer hesitated; and I believe, the very next day some Christian friend sent me what was sufficient to pay a quarter's salary then due to my Curate. My wants now are fewer than ever, for I have no horse, and I have parted with my old and faithful

* We believe we shall commit no mistake in saying that this seasonable gift passed through the hands of our highly-gifted and warm-hearted friend, best known by her baptismal name of Charlotte-Elizabeth. This excellent and zealous lady was made, by confiding friends, the almoner of much aid to faithful suffering ministers of Christ in Ireland at that afflicting period. We do not see our way to all the opinions advocated in the publications of this prolific writer, but we venerate her devoted piety, her affectionate ardour, and her unwearied energies in the cause of her Saviour, and for the salvation of souls. Among her recent publications we are reading-for we cannot keep up with her rapid pen-her "Judah's Lion" and her "Principalities and Powers ;" both which display the piety and ability which pervade her writings; and exhibit also her usual powers of imagination, and touch upon some matters of discussion, in which, as we have said, we do not see our way to all her fervid conclusions. Her "Second Causes, or Up and be doing," is published in Ireland, and we have not read it.

man servant; and I feel very thankful that at no period was I ever led to gratify the pride of life, so that I am quite a stranger to the mortification which too many feel.""

The Irish Education Board.-" Firm to his long cherished principles, Mr. Roe was from the beginning opposed to this system. He has not, indeed, left behind him many records of his opposition; but those who knew him are well aware, that he looked upon the Board as bad in principle, and bad in practice.

"It is almost needless to add, that when the Church Education Society was formed some years ago, it found in Mr. Roe a sincere and active friend. His principles were ever those upon which that valuable Society is based. He ever contended for the free use of the Holy Scriptures in the education of youth, and he rejoiced to see that this Society aimed also to bring before the minds of all committed to its care scriptural truth as expressed in the sober and comely language of that best of uninspired books, the Common Prayerbook of the Church."

Mr. Roe in journeying." While recording Mr. Roe's unabated zeal and continual labours both at home among his own flock, and abroad in the various places in which his lot was cast for a season, we must not omit to mention that his exertions when from home were by no means confined to the pulpit. It was his invariable custom when travelling to invite to family worship and the exposition of the Scriptures, all the inmates of the hotels or lodging houses at which he stopped, who might be willing to attend. Frequent notices of this kind occur in his Journals, and doubtless many who were at these seasons brought to hear, found that the Lord gave a blessing to the exertions of his faithful servant."

"His latter days, illness, and death.For some years before his death, Mr. Roe was at times a severe sufferer. In the month of December, 1837, symptoms of illness appeared, which gradually assumed a very alarming aspect; and early in the following February his breathing was so violently affected, that he was confined to the house, suffering much from weakness and oppression till the middle of March. Easter Sunday (April 15th, 1838,) he preached at St. Mary's Church; and, though greatly exhausted by the exertion, he nevertheless lectured the next day, and again on the ensuing Friday. This was the last time he was permitted to address his beloved flock in St. Mary's Church. These exertions were

On

speedily followed by another severe attack, by which he was completely laid aside. In May he went to Dublin, and having placed himself under the care of Mr. Colles, he improved much in health. But the amendment was only temporary; for although he had no attack of any length till the middle of the winter, yet he had many slight attacks, which kept him very low. It was a severe trial to him that he could not remain in Kilkenny; but the nature of his malady, disease of the heart, rendered it necessary that all excitement should be avoided as much as possible; and as he could not have so much rest and quiet in Kilkenny as where he had fewer friends and acquaintances, and no official duties to distract him, it was thought advisable for him not to return home. Still he did return to Kilkenny in December, and remained there till March 1839."

"Though of necessity almost totally shut out from intercourse with those whom, under other circumstances, he would have rejoiced to see, one best fitted for the work, and who saw with humble joy, even in the midst of her deep grief, how faith in the adorable Redeemer upheld her beloved parent in the trying hour, permits us to lay before our readers an interesting and affecting letter, from which the following are extracts:

"We set out from Kilkenny toward the close of March, 1839, in the hope and expectation that a few months' absence would be the means of restoring dear Papa to health, or at least of renewing his strength so far as to enable him, without injury, to remain at home. He appeared at this time uncommonly well; and I remember thinking, with gratitude to God, under what different circumstances we were leaving Kilkenny then, and in the two former years. Thus mercifully was the future hidden, and the sad truth that we were to enter our happy home no more, quite unsuspected. He had intervals of comparative ease during our stay at Hollymount, he never for an hour felt well. It was a great trial to him not to be able to address the servants at family worship. He was so weak that he did not even attempt to read the portion of Scripture and prayer, but attended as a listener. At the end of October he had another severe attack of illness. From this period the attacks increased in frequency. Still, while his strength kept up in some measure, his natural kindness sometimes overcame his sense of prudence as well as inability, and he occasionally admitted a friend, though

an accession of illness was the invariable consequence. After a little time, however, he became quite unequal to this exertion. He used often to sit for nearly an hour with his Bible or Psalter upon his knes, appearing to be meditating deeply upon the words before him. He frequently spoke to Mamma in general terms of the Christian's support in the prospect of death; and expressed in the strongest manner his conviction, that in that hour consolation could be derived from nothing but the finished work of Christ. He would say, 'What an anchor for the soul is the belief of that precious truth-that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." I have known it long, and often told it to others, but now I feel more than ever the comfort it affords.' Alluding to a remark that there is not much revealed in the Scriptures concerning a future state to gratify curiosity, he has said, No, not to gratify curiosity; but abundantly sufficient to satisfy the most enlarged desires of the renewed mind. We know that "when He shall appear, we shall be like him "-that "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away"-"an exceeding and eternal weight of glory" is laid up for us.' Just before his last illness, he said one evening, while sitting with Mamma and me I think the lesson the Lord seems to be now teaching me is, "be still," it is so contrary to every thing in my natural disposition; but, blessed be his name, he enables me to acquiesce.' He often said, 'This seems the shortest winter I ever passed; the time glides away imperceptibly, and I never feel a desire so much as to take a

drive.' He would add sometimes, as if to account for this, 'The presence of the Lord can cheer the heart under all circumstances.' When suffering more than usual from any particular symptom, and unable to conceal what he endured, he would say 'What a mercy it is that when one symptom increases in oppressiveness, another becomes less distressing; when my breathing is bad, I do not suffer so much from my heart; and then again, when my heart is engaged, my breathing becomes easier.' Again-How thankful I ought to be, that in all my illness I am not feverish; that would add greatly to my suffering.' Indeed the whole tenor of his conduct and conversation impressed deeply upon our minds the truth of the promises made to the children of God-Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:''Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sus

tain thee:''The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he know eth them that trust in him.'

"About ten days before his death, while suffering dreadfully from violent retching and excessive weakness and oppression, he seemed almost overpowered, and used an expression indicative of his fear lest he should manifest impatience; but instantly checking himself, he began to repeat texts of Scripture. Not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done: The servant is not above his master, nor the disciple above his Lord: My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Grant, Lord, that it may be so.' Mamma said to him, 'You are more than patient.' He replied, 'I desire not merely to feel patience, but submission and cheerful acquiescence in my heavenly Father's will.' Soon after, an interval of ease was granted him. About this time, after a night of suffering, having continued silent for a while, and being evidently engaged in deep thought, he said, I know not how this will end, but the Lord knoweth, and that is enough; it will be as he pleases, and I am resigned.' Throughout his illness he never used either food or medieine without asking the Lord's blessing upon it.

"There was but one subject connected with earth on which he ever expressed an anxious thought, and that was the possibility of Mamma's strength giving way, so as to prevent her being with him, and attending him constantly; she had never left him day or night in any of his attacks of illness. It pleased the Lord to spare him and her this trial, until nearly the last; but as if to put his patience and submission to the strongest possible test, she was then for two days completely prostrated by fever, brought on by her intense mental suffering when hope was extinguished. It was in the night of Monday, the 19th of April, that her illness altogether disabled her; and she lay from that time till the morning of the 22nd perfectly powerless, having lost all recollection, except of the one subject. During this interval my beloved father gratefully accepted the kind attentions of my aunts; and was still cheerful, and thankful for every thing that was done for him. On the morning of Tuesday, the 20th, when Aunt Ryder (who had arrived from Kilkenny the evening before) approached his bed-side, he said to her, 'I am glad to see you, Eliza; I never expected to see you again in this world; since you were here I have been a sufferer-a great one. I have had the

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 63.

At

whole closing scene laid open before me.' Then turning his head and looking up at her, he added, with great energy and animation, 'But it was not a gloomy one.' She said, 'Oh no, and glory at the end.' He caught the word, and said, 'Glory! yes, glory, the end glory! In the course of that day, Aunt Bess said to him, I wish you could get a little rest.' Ah!' he said, 'I never expect any rest here.' She replied, Well, there is a rest remaining for you that will meet no interruption.' 'Yes,' he said, that there is." another time she said, 'What a mercy that your mind is kept in perfect peace.' He said, 'Yes, perfect peace. Many perhaps are now thinking that I am mounting up on wings as eagles; but this is not the case: I never looked to ecstacies. I will tell you what I am : a poor, broken-hearted sinner, resting upon the Rock CHRIST-that is my hope.' On the morning of Wednesday, between four and five o'clock, he asked Aunt Bess was it light; she said, 'Yes; break of day.' 'Break of day,' he said twice over; and then said, I believe this is the Bible-meeting day.' She replied, No, this is Wednesday.' 'Ah, then,' he said, it is the meeting of the Sunday-School Society.' He then lifted up his hands and eyes, and prayed that the Lord's blessing might rest upon the meeting, and that He would enable the speakers to testify of Jesus in simplicity and faithfulness to the people. On another occasion Aunt Bess opened the Testament to read for herself, thinking he was dozing, when he said, 'I am glad you are taking up that book-that is the book that makes time glide swiftly on.' When repeating for him that hymn, 'Wait, my soul, thy Maker's will,' when she came to the line,-Trust in a wise and gracious God,' he said,

There is much contained in that little word trust. On the morning of Thursday the 22nd, Mamma feeling herself able to move in bed, instantly entreated to be allowed to return to him; and after much persuasion, Dr. Swan permitted her to do so. Papa felt this to be an unspeakable comfort: to her it was the only possible alleviation of her sorrow, and for it she felt deep gratitude to the Lord. This was a day of less bodily suffering than the two previous ones he spoke a little to Mamma, and, as his custom was, uttered words of comfort. When night came he was very anxious that she should retire to rest, dreading that her strength would fail if she remained longer, and promising to send for her if he wanted her. She entreated to be allowed to stay;

Ꮓ

but between eleven and twelve o'clock, which was the hour at which he always wished to be settled for the night, he manifested so much uneasiness at seeing her still out of bed, that she could not bear to distress him, and retired to the

next room.

"Soon after Mamma had left the room, Aunt Ryder began to read for him the 5th of 2nd Corinthians. She stopped at the end of the 4th verse, thinking him unable to bear more, but he begged of her to go on. She did so, to the end of the 15th. Again he said, 'Go on;' when she finished the last verse he

immediately perceived it and said,

There now, that will do.' After this he spoke with much difficulty, and said only what was absolutely necessary; but his mind continued perfectly clear, and his countenance bore the same happy expression to the last. A sudden change for the worse took place after one o'clock. Aunt Ryder perceived it, and told Mamma, who went to him instantly, and in a few minutes his spirit was released from its earthly tabernacle, in the most peaceful manner, to be for ever with the Lord."

LORD John Manners (Mr. Gladstone's colleague for Newark) is a young senator and a young man, having been born, if a peerage manual to which we have turned be correct, in the year 1818; but “A Plea for National Holidays," dated "Belvoir Castle; The Feast of St. Andrews," by the second son of the owner of that splendid ducal mansion, and a sort of hereditary member of Parliament in virtue of the powerful interest of the house of Rutland, is a sign of the times not to be overlooked merely on the ground that the author cannot bring to his task the fruits of deep research and long experience. We make no doubt that he writes with benevolent, patriotic, and conscientious intentions; but we lament that beneath the surface of his work there lurks, whether he knows it or not, much serious mischief.

The Anglican Church has wisely retained a moderate number of "feasts to be observed throughout the year," in addition (though in a far subordinate character) to that divinely appointed weekly festival, the Christian Sabbath. Our Church has gone as far in this matter as was meet, and for edification; setting apart days con

nected with certain events in the life of our blessed Lord, and days for commemorating some of those "blessed saints" mentioned in the New Testament, in order that we may strive and pray to follow them, as they followed Christ,— no farther in all virtuous and godly living." To have gone farther would have opened a door for the many evils which were generated in the Church of Rome.

It would minister to spiritual benefit, if more general advantage were taken of these festivals for public worship; but much of the zeal which has lately sprung up respecting "national holidays," has ulterior objects. History is not an obsolete almanack; and history informs us that in the days of Charles the First the abettors of what has now taken the name of Tractarianism, in their subtle efforts to stifle what scoffers call "Puritanism" or "Evangelicalism," set up man's days against God's day; declaring that the Lord's Day and Saints' Days rest on the same authority-not Divine authority, but the authority of the Church. Hence, as the Church did not forbid lawful sports on Saints' Days, Archbishop Laud induced his royal master to issue his Proclamation