CHAPTER XI.

Bishop Hooper.

Remark of Addison.

"LET me abound in good works," said Melancthon, "and I care not who abounds in riches." Whatever contributed to the advancement or the retardation of the Redeemer's kingdom, either in his own heart or in the hearts of others, could not fail to attract the attention of William C. Walton. Of Hooper it was said, that " he had a sound judgment and a good conscience, was sparing of his diet and his words, but still more so of his time, yet was hospitable and liberal." The description is exact when applied to our beloved brother. Whether he eat or drank, or whatever he did, it seemed to be for the glory of God. He was no jester. He was a serious man. "It must indeed be confessed, that levity of temper takes a man off his guard, and opens a pass to his soul for any temptation that assails it. It favors all the approaches of vice, and weakens all the resistance of virtue. For which reason, a renowned statesman in Queen Elizabeth's days, after having retired from court and public business, in order to give himself up to the duties of religion, when any of his old friends used to visit him, had still this word of advice in his mouth, Be serious.' A man should

Writes Theological Treatises.

Where at home.

not live as if there were no God in the world, nor at the same time, as if there were no men in it."*

The subject of this memoir lived and labored for eternity. Each revolving year was diligently improved, and whether with greater or less apparent success, still he was contriving ways of doing something to promote holiness, destroy sin, and glorify God, and that in the midst of severe, if not peculiar trials.

"March 29, 1829.-Yesterday, (Sabbath,) I was carried through the duties of the sanctuary in a manner quite beyond my expectations. I had much liberty and feeling, and others felt along with me. At night I retired much exhausted, and found that I had not recovered from that nervous affection which almost killed me last fall. I feel it most sensibly when weakened by excitement, and when I hear of any disaster happening to others."

"I have during the last week been employed in preparing one of a series of theological discussions which I design to publish, if I am spared to finish them. Although I have very little time, and that little much interrupted, yet I am determined to go on with this undertaking, and to do as much as I can every week."

"April 13.-Yesterday, (Sabbath,) we administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Brother D- preached. It was a good time. I trust the occasion has been profitable. Last Friday I attended the Anniversary of the Bible Society of this place, and made a speech; and to-night I attended the Anniversary of the Sunday School Union, and read the report. I still feel out of my element when called to act in such meetings, as I always do in Ecclesiastical bodies. I never feel so much at home as when I am in the pulpit, or in a prayer meeting, or in conversation with sinners about the concerns of their souls."

"The number admitted to the communion of this Church since I came here is now 140. Who hath begotten me these?' Verily it is the Lord's doing; and to his name be the glory!"

April 20.-Yesterday I performed the funeral service

Addison.

Death-bed of a Christian.

Work on Divine Sovereignty.

of our aged and beloved brother Capt. W. H. He retained the entire possession of his faculties to the last. I was frequently with him during his illness, and I saw him die. The scene has been a very instructive one to me; and it encourages me in the work in which I am engaged, to see those who have been benefitted by my ministry dying so happily. During the late revival he was deeply interested. His mind was brought more entirely under the influence of the Gospel than ever before. His piety had appeared to be doubtful, and he was once disciplined by the Church. But since the revival commenced, he has evinced much engagedness and much spirituality of mind. He observed to

his children, that since he had received my views of doctrine, the Scriptures appeared more intelligible to him than ever before, and his religious character was greatly improved. During his illness his mind was calm, and apparently never obscured by a cloud. He spoke of death with evident satisfaction-sometimes with a smile. He blessed all his children and grand-children, and sent messages to those that were absent; giving to each admonitions suited to their respective characters. In the evening I preached from these words, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.'

"Hearing of the excitement now existing in England among the Dissenters on the subject of revivals, I wrote a long communication which I have sent to-day to the Editor of the London Evangelical Magazine, together with a number of my pamphlets and some other documents, praying that the blessing of God may accompany them."

This communication was published in the Evangelical Magazine.

"May 10.-I have been enabled to complete my manuscript on the Doctrine of Divine Sovereignty, &c. just in time to take it on with me to the North; and I trust I do feel sincerely thankful for the light which God has given me on that subject, and for the help obtained from Him in preparing that little volume. When I read it over, it appears to be something beyond my strength; and I have strong hope of its being, under the Divine blessing, extensively useful. I have often examined my motives in writing it,

Journey to the North.

Sickness at Hartford.

and I feel satisfied that the great ruling motive is to advance the cause of truth and righteousness. Other motives have at times been suggested as I have passed along, but they have not gained the ascendency; nor do I think they have much influence over my habitual feelings. My great desire is to be, and to conduct myself among my brethren, as an humble, devoted servant of Jesus Christ. I have earnestly implored his presence with me during my absence from home, and prayed that He would not leave me to myself, to indulge those motives and feelings which would offend Him and bring guilt upon my own soul. I have often, and this morning did distinctly, and I hope, unreservedly give up my children, and especially my son William, whom I am about to take to a school in Massachusetts, to His care, and devote them to His glory—desiring nothing for them in comparison of his favor, and that they may know, and love, and serve Him. I have also committed my dear wife and family, and church to the care and mercy of God, imploring upon them all every blessing that Infinite Wisdom may see best for them."

"June 12.-I have lately returned from my journey to the North. It has been a trying time to me. I was taken sick in Hartford, Conn. and confined for a week: had several slight relapses in travelling; expectorated blood several times; often in a state of extreme weakness and nervous agitation, I suffered unspeakably; had little prospect of recovery; my mind was constantly-while the fever lasted -disposed to dwell upon the dark side; to think of cases which I had known, or which I had heard of, that had terminated fatally, and to fancy that mine was likely to terminate in the same way. When such an idea would strike me-and this was very often-it agitated my whole system. My reason was not impaired-but it had not strength to resist these suggestions, and I had many sore conflicts of this nature. Sometimes I could do nothing but pray, or repeat a passage of Scripture, and hang upon that. The one which I repeated most frequently was, 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Such a state of the nervous system gives Satan a great advantage over the mind, and he can, if permitted, torture and worry a Christian most awfully. I know enough of the physical constitution of man, to know that the imagination may sometimes produce the very dis

Visits Old Point Comfort.

eases which are painfully apprehended, and this increased my danger. I was aware of it, and it agitated me still more. I have often felt this at other times; and very little can be done by reasoning against it. Nothing but an Omnipotent arm can support the individual who is thus under the power of nervous excitement. I cried unto the Lord, and I believe he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. In travelling I had frequent returns of great weakness, and sometimes of fever. This would generally affect my nervous system in the same way. I felt as if a very little more would crush me. But the Lord has brought me home, and preserved and blest my family in my absence. And here with humble gratitude I would erect my Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped me."

During this journey, he was rejoiced to hear from different ministers, that his pamphlet on revivals had been blest as a means of three or four revivals within their knowledge. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.'

In the month of July, he visited Old Point Comfort, to , recruit, if possible, his exhausted powers, by means of the sea-air and sea-bathing, With the usual imprudence of zealous and devoted men in matters of bodily health, he preached on both Sabbaths during his absence, and thus counteracted whatever salubrious influences were improving his health. To relieve his health and spirits, he commenced writing a small book, called Dialogues on the Ten Commandments, which he completed and sent to the press after his return.

"I have a hope," says he, "that this little work will, by the blessing of God, be made very useful to the rising generation."

July 25.-I have lately had strong desires to be extensively useful, and under a deep sense of my unworthiness,