The Bishop's arrival at Trichinopoly-State of the mission there-His Lordship's last sermon-Mr. Robinson's indisposition-Intense anxiety and great exertions of his Lordship-His melancholy and sudden death-Observations upon-Sensa- tions produced by-Interment-Monument-Mr. Robinson's funeral sermon for his Lordship-Results of his Lordship's death in India, in England, in America -Character of the Bishop as a Christian, a minister, a prelate, a missionary. Heber's scholastic attainments-Character as a writer-Remarks on his style-On his poetic productions-On his theological sentiments-On his missionary spirit— Reflections on his death-Mysterious character of providential dispensation- Ends frequently to be answered by the sudden removal of eminently useful and pious men-Should lead us to consideration, and prompt us to activity- Claims of India upon the sympathy of British Christians-The great responsi- bility committed to us-Importance of missions-Cultivation of a missionary MEMOIRS, &c. CHAPTER I. Heber's birth, parentage, ancestry, early knowledge of the Scriptures-Youthful timidity, and ardent thirst after informatiou—Entrance upon School; conduct there-Aversion to profaneness-Love of retirement and devotion--Entrance upon College-Diligent attention to study—Prize Latin poem, Carmen Seculare"-Recitation of his "Palestine"-Lines upon -Effects it had on his own mind-Illness and death of his father. 66 REGINALD HEBER was born April 21, 1783, at Malpas, in the county of Chester. His father, whose Christian name he inherited, was the second son of Thomas Heber, and Elizabeth Atherton, his wife; who, on the decease of his elder brother, without male heirs, became lord of the manor, and patron of the rectories of Marton, in Yorkshire, and of Hodnet, in the county of Salop. The Heber family appears to have been of considerable antiquity in the county of York; for, in Elizabeth's reign, an official certificate was granted from the Herald's B TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL GREY, DE HOWICK, K. G. THE ENLIGHTENED, FIRM, AND CONSISTENT FRIEND OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH, THIS LIFE OF REGINALD HEBER, D. D. THE LATE TALENTED, INDEFATIGABLE, AND PIOUS LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA, UNQUESTIONABLY ONE OF ITS BRIGHTEST LUMINARIES, WHO NOBLY FELL IN THE CAUSE OF MISSIONS IN THE EAST, IS, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S KIND PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY, AND WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF VENERATION AND ESTEEM, INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. |