those days two eminent men, Drs. Jabez Bunting and Robert Newton, have held the office four times each. But in the present case the distinction was unique, and was no doubt intended as a homage paid to extraordinary virtue and worth.

At this Conference initiatory proceedings were entered upon toward a mission to the Zetland Islands, a work in which, as we shall have to record, Dr. Clarke took a personal and a predominant interest. His official visit to the Irish Conference was made in connection with a tour in Scotland, and in several neighborhoods of his native island. In the course of these peregrinations he found himself once more among the scenes of his childhood. He entered the church where he was baptized. "I went," says he, "within the communion-rail. With silent solemnity and awe, I there, in the presence of Him whose I am, and whom I serve, mentally and in a deep spirit of prayer, took upon myself those vows which had so long before been made in my name and on my behalf."

Standing by the graves of some of the members of his family in the adjoining place of the dead, he made the reflection: "Here lie several of my ancestors; and I go to lie most probably in another land, and shall not, in all likelihood, be gathered to my fathers. But I too shall be found, when all the quick and dead stand before the Lord; and wheresoever my dust may be scattered, the voice of the Lord shall call it together, and I shall stand in my lot at the end of the days. May I then be found of him in peace, without spot and without blame, and have an entrance into the holiest through the blood of Jesus!"

In Ireland he found the societies still in an uneasy condition. At a public meeting, convened in Belfast, 66 one proposing the question to me, 'Is Methodism now what it has mozen?' I answered it in a way very different from what the I. I believe, expected, and intended by it: 'No: it is senting rational, more stable, more consistent, more holy, eful to the community, and a greater blessing to

the world at large.' And all this I found no difficulty in proving."*

It had been published for him to preach at Bandon at twelve o'clock; and he proceeded thither for that purpose. His entrance into the town was greeted as if he had come (as indeed he had) an embassador from a king. The street was lined with a multitude waiting his arrival, many of whom had come from various towns, and some from a distance of thirty miles. On reaching Dublin, he presided at the Conference; in the course of which the Dublin missionary meeting had the long remembered advantage of his counsels and exhortations.

The Irish Conference is preliminary to that in England; and scarcely had the Doctor arrived at home from a journey of two thousand miles, before he was again on the way to the latter, which was held that year in Sheffield. He once more gave up the seal of office to his old friend, the Rev. Henry Moore, and concluded the duties of his presidency with a charge at the ordination of the junior ministers, distinguished by a powerful and solemn unction, while he exhorted them to "take heed to themselves and to the doctrine," and to "continue in these things," so as to save themselves and those who should hear them. The official sermon, which he delivered at the usual time, was on a theme which called out all the powers of his sanctified mind: "God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth."

It was at this Conference that Ebenezer Chapel, a large Gothic structure which the Methodists of Sheffield had lately erected, was dedicated for Divine service; and Dr. Clarke

* On his route to Ireland by the north he found the General Assembly in session at Edinburgh; when he took the opportunity of witnessing the 'manner in which that reverend body conducts its proceedings. Dr. Clarke could not help drawing in his own mind a contrast between the rigid formality with which the business was transacted, and the genial yet well-ordered freedom of the "conversations between the Wesleyan ministers at their Annual Conference;" and expressed it, on leaving the church, by whispering to his companion, "Methodism forever!"

was the morning preacher. Toward the conclusion of the sermon, owing to some false alarm, (created, it was thought, for a wicked purpose,) one of those panics took place which have been too often attended by fatal effects. But, through the good providence of God, no great disaster occurred. This being the third instance of the kind in which a simliar shock had been given him, the Doctor expressed a resolution to preach no more at the opening of a chapel.

An accident which befell him shortly after the Conference had a bad effect on his health, which became so disordered as to lay him aside for a time altogether. On the 14th of September, he takes occasion to lament that he was too weak to repeat even the Lord's Prayer; and on the 17th, that he could not speak five minutes at a time—so soon is the strength of the most vigorous man laid low. An idea, which had been present with him some time, now gained ground in his mind; namely, that a residence in a more southerly part of England would be more conducive to his welfare. This was strengthened by the consideration that his family were then nearly all settled in London. He now observes that he should be glad "if any small place, from three to fifty miles from London, could be obtained;" adding: "But we should rather be thinking of our last change, than of making another removal." An indication was given, however, of his resolve to migrate from the north, by the appearing of his name, on the Minutes of the next Conference, in connection with the London West Circuit. In the course of some few months, an advantageous offer having been made to Dr. Clarke for the Millbrook property, he finally disposed of it; and, after a short and intermediate residence at Canonbury Square, Islington, he took up his last earthly sojourn at Haydon Hall, near Pinner in the county of Middlesex. In this salubrious and beautiful spot, about sixteen miles from London-near enough for ordinary convenience, yet sufficiently secluded for retirement the Doctor soon felt himself at home. His flagging

health recovered much of its wonted energy; and, his soul being replenished with increase of grace, he dedicated life anew to God in humble dependence on that preventing and sustaining power which alone could enable him, in all his works, begun, continued, and ended, to glorify His holy Name.

CHAPTER II.

HONORED BY THE GREAT AND GOOD.

THE fallen heart of man is not so utterly abandoned and debased as to have lost all sensibility to the praiseworthiness of the things that are pure, and honest, and of good report; for, among the heathens themselves, the wreath was given to the patriot, and shrines and statues rose to the fame of the wise and the just. Nor does Christianity discountenance such tributes to social worth. Religion attests her veneration for those who have lived for the public good, by inscribing their names on her temples; and the enlightened of all nations speak with reverence of Westminster Abbey, and like solemn places, as spots sacred to all humanity. The recollections they inspire create a wholesome influence on society at large, as the well-earned honors thus awarded are not only memorials to the dead, but incentives to virtuous effort among the living.

The true Christian has, indeed, a higher reward in view than any of these things can yield him. They are not the recompense to which he aspires, compared with which the most glittering prizes of the world are only meteors in a changing sky. And if, instead of these honorable awards, dishonor and death would be the issue of his efforts, he would labor on, in the promotion of human welfare, to do the will of God. But if, on the other hand, his fellow-men recognise in him a merit which calls forth some tokens of commendation, he delays not to consecrate that tribute "to the greater glory of the Most High," by employing the increasing influence it may confer upon him, as a talent to be improved in his service, and to his praise.

Adam Clarke, as a scholar and author, met with as great