we conceive, in those characteristics of his preaching which tended to separate it from the sympathies of ordinary minds. He was formed, in short, to think for the intellectual rather than to speak to the million; and though he labored much to do the latter well, he could not have thoroughly succeeded without ceasing to be the man he was. But the length to which our remarks have extended warns us to close with a few observations of a more general cast on the moral and religious aspects of Dr. M'All's character; in which we shall still keep in view some connexion with the mental characteristics which have been already touched upon. The biographer judiciously commences with the shades of the portrait, and we shall imitate his example. Considerable difference of opinion existed, it is well known, as to the amiableness of Dr. M'All's character-and, of course, it must have worn contrary aspects, otherwise the difference would not have existed. Pride, and an extreme jealousy of his personal honor, are justly said to have been his chief blemishes. That very irritability of temper which made him sometimes unpleasant to others, found in these dispositions its chief excitements; for, separate from them, unkindness in others rather gave him pain than awakened him to resentment. The influence of physical temperament has been referred to by his medical friend, as explanatory of the peculiarity last mentioned, in a manner which must awaken towards him the candid sympathies of many who, perhaps, never knew so much of him during his life as to make the necessary allowances for what offended them. Another consideration may be presented, connected with our foregoing speculations, and that is the unmixed character which all his feelings assumed in consequence of the structure of his mental constitution. He was never abandoned to passion, as one unable to control it; but his mind so vividly centred upon whatever was its object, that he was for the time engrossed with it. Hence the most marked contrarieties, yet still without conscious moral inconsistency—at least without the usual measure of it, for, as Dr. Wardlaw properly observes, it is not good to carry our apologies for infirmity too far. In his mental cup every ingredient of pain or pleasure, benignity or displacence, was a concentrated extract, an essence, whose sensation was intense. Considering such peculiarities as connected with the morale of character, we would neither, on the one hand, press them too far in extenuation, nor add on the other one iota to the admissions of failing made in these volumes by Dr. M'All's friends. But it is, perhaps, better to acknowledge that, as they presented themselves in fact, their influence was sometimes greater than the biographer appears to have been quite aware of, in obscuring the exhibitions of personal worth. We put both things together, because justice will be more readily done by

many to Dr. M'All's high excellencies of character when they know that those by whom they are eulogised were not insensible to the circumstances which prevented their being appreciated by all. These were the sources of more discomfort to himself than they could possibly be to others. His mind was intensely alive to their influence for the time; and the darkest and coldest storm of a wintry night presents not an image too strong to describe the comfortless scene which appeared to an onlooker on such occasions to be passing within. But he strove against the causes of his distress, and the influences of high and heavenly principles were not distant. A friend of his who shall be nameless, at one such season reminded him of considerations of Christian truth and duty by which the feelings he was expressing might be controlled. The form of reproof was not employed in the suggestion, but his penetration without doubt perceived that it was implied yet, far from taking offence, he replied with unaffected submissiveness to the authority appealed to,Ah, I have tried to 'bring my mind under such influences as those you refer to, and surely not always without success;'-and his mind seemed anxious to take the course attempted at the moment to be given to it. It was not to be wondered at if those who saw him chiefly under such aspects, conceived an opinion unfavorable to his amiableness; but those who saw most of him knew best how far and how habitually the lovelier features of his character predominated. The sunshine was brighter than the shade was deep. His benignity shed the kindest and softest warmth of a vernal day. Without affectation he made himself the friend and the servant of his brother Christian or his fellow man. Many were the seasons at which those looking on him not only saw his face as it had been 'the face of an angel,' but felt that they were communing with a soul near to the celestial purity of just men made perfect. His spirit of devotion, at seasons of religious intercouse, was inexpressibly seraphic, reverential, and elevating to those who came under its sympathetic influence.

It is observed in the sketch, that there was an evident advance in matured, experimental piety, made by him during the years of his residence in Manchester. It is possible that some persons may have been placed in such relations towards him as made this less apparent to them than it was to others; but the fact was as unquestionable as to witness it was delightful. The friend above alluded to, has a strong and affecting impression of the marked contrast presented by the circumstances of his first interview with him at Macclesfield, and those of his last at Manchester which took place only a few months previous to his decease. The style of his conversation at the former was more exclusively intellectual than it usually was in after years. The

interview, also, presented one of the painful occasions above referred to, when his mind became ruffled by a reference to unpleasant topics. He paced the room in prolonged disquietment, and could not quit the subject of discourse till some hours after midnight, when he retired to bed, but did not close his eyes. The last was one in which his advice was asked on a particular piece of business. His health was then suffering, and the closing illness of his beloved daughter had commenced: he was evidently very anxious, and his mind occupied. Notwithstanding, he entered with the most patient attention into the subject submitted to him, gave it, as was usual with him, the minutest consideration, and offered his best advice-manifesting throughout a spirit so humble, so fraternal, so free from the least assumption of superiority, so marked by confiding resignation to the divine will under his trials, so calmly and strongly realizing the unseen world, so pervaded by the chastened affections of the experienced Christian-as to awaken in his friend more of reverence for him as a father in Christ than even of affection to him as a brother. His sun was soon to set; and it then appeared in the calm and sobered beauty of the evening hour, which it is delightful to enjoy even after a brilliant day, and grateful also to look back upon.

The interest which had been awakened towards Dr. M'All's person and ministry while he was yet at Macclesfield, continued to extend and deepen as his character matured; and during the later years of his ministry he filled a large space in the view of the denomination to which he belonged, and even of others, in that quarter of the country which was the scene of his labors. He exerted a very important influence, especially upon the character of the ministry, to whom he presented an example of intellectual attainment, in union with a deep and devotional piety that derived its complexion from the most simply evangelical views. We have no hesitation in saying, that he left his section of the general church better than he found it. In an age such as the present, and with such prospects as are opening before us in the progress of events, that elevation of the standard of ministerial qualifications, both as to acquirement and piety, which he contributed to effect, is a circumstance immensely important to the interests of religion. The impulse has not been lost; nor will it be, for there is every thing in the state of society to quicken the progress of intellectual improvement, and a greater than human agency maintains the vital power of piety undecaying in the church. An energy less refined and more practical than his, may be equally conducive to the religious progress of our denominations: but every thing has its place and its time, mysteriously fixed by highest arrangement; and every man hath

his proper gift of God.' Happy that man who, while he knows his peculiar talent, uses it for the best!-happy the faithful steward whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing! And if, as to duty, it be well to learn from the history of fellow servants, a lesson of faithfulness, it is equally desirable for our own happiness to draw the lesson of contentment with our several gifts and spheres. With what drawbacks are the most rare and splendid endowments inseparably linked! How affectingly apparent, that capacities for the most exquisite pleasure are as inevitably the inlets to keener suffering! The very powers which lead us on to an enviable perfection of attainment, enhance the painful perceptions of defect: and that intellectual ambition which conducts its possessor to a proud pre-eminence of knowledge, is accompanied with a sharper sensibility to all the mortifications of defeat. While we admire exalted endowments as the divine workmanship, we may profitably remember that they are not indispensable to that real usefulness which is above all things to be coveted by Christian ministers.

The life and closing scenes of this gifted individual re-impress on our minds the truth that the Christian is the highest style of man. Dr. M'All owed the moral dignity of his character to his religion; without which the intense activity of his faculties, notwithstanding all the impulses of a generous nature, was most likely to have formed a character repellent to mankind. Wanting it, he would have been a man admired, dissatisfied, and perhaps voluntarily insulated in a world in which he would have found so many sources of distress to his ardent and over-sensitive spirit, while yet, without society, he could not have been happy. His splendid powers, after having glittered, like the northern light, with a radiance cold because earthly, would have sunk to be extinguished for ever. But his religion, drawn from the Bible, fixed on a basis of settled faith, saved him from such a destiny, and made his character, notwithstanding some remaining shades, a bright and fascinating one. It made him a lover of his species; it made him holy and heavenly; it made him as happy as, with sensibilities like his, amidst the evils of this disordered world, it was ever possible for him to be. Weak as a man, his feet were placed upon the Rock of Ages, never to be removed. And the humblest Christian partakes with him in his best and brightest anticipations-brighter perhaps in his soaring imagination than in less gifted minds, but consummated in a reality which far transcends them all. This is not the place to preach;-yet would we say to each reader, Be wise for thyself! Admired and renowned we may never be; but happy all may be, and that for ever. The way is one-and it is so plainly marked out by heaven to man that he may run who reads it!

We cannot conclude without expressing a hope, that if other

discourses of Dr. M'All's remain, of similar, we do not say equal merit, to those contained in these volumes,-which we believe to be be the case, they will be given ere long to the public.

Art. II. Episcopacy, Tradition, and the Sacraments, considered in reference to the Oxford Tracts; with a Postscript upon Fundamentals. By Rev. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, B.A.` Dublin: William Curry.

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IT appears strange to many, that the political party which is peculiarly loud in its outcry against Popery, should embrace a section of high Churchmen who teach doctrines closely akin to those of Rome; while the majority of Dissenters, who are most hostile to such views, are ostensibly associated with Roman Catholics against the Establishment. But there is no real inconsistency here. The former party has, doubtless, a violent antipathy to Papists, and to the domination of Rome; but why should they not love the essential principles of Popery, if established at Oxford or Canterbury? The latter party, while they spurn ecclesiastical tyranny, and Popery as embodying such tyranny, for this very reason advocate the civil rights and religious freedom of Roman Catholics. We hate Popery in the church, but fraternize with all men (and therefore with Papists) in the state; they hate Papists in the state, but can at least wink at Popery in the church.

Now it is worth observing, that Ireland is the rock upon which the high Church and Tory party split, both civilly and ecclesiastically. Their effort to seize political power is mainly thwarted by the Irish Roman Catholics, upon whom they so long trampled: their aspirations after a Popish power in the church of England throw them into collision with the Irish Protestant clergy. That clergy is in a very different position from their Anglican brethren. The latter stand really upon the preference felt for an episcopal establishment by the laity at large, and especially by the aristocracy; upon their exclusive occupation of the national universities, and upon the great control of the public mind, which is by these things afforded them. But they do not choose to confess where their strength really lies, and are amusing themselves with claims of apostolic succession, traditionary authority, and sacramental powers. The Irish clergy feel that this may be sport to the English divines, but is death to them. They have not a sympathizing nation to fall back on; they cannot afford to coquet with the characteristic errors of Romanism, or to forswear Protestant weapons in compliment to