in India, the Lord had most probably been gradually influencing his heart long before; calling him, as He called Samuel, though he knew it not. When he left England he had certainly the fear of God before his eyes; for in parting with the lady, whom nine years afterwards he married, and who then possessed his affections, he said to her; There are only two promises which I have to ask of you; that you will not read novels,' (which indeed was not her habit) and that you will never laugh at religion or religious people. And she recollects that, as she suddenly met him one Sunday in the garden of her father's house, as she was gaily singing a favourite air, he said, 'Eliza, I think we forget whose day it is.' Now this is the more remarkable, because never was there a man who more promoted or enjoyed every kind of innocent festivity. He was the soul of a day of pleasure; and the promise of his presence was received by all young people who knew him with a burst of joy.

Mr. Mortlock, whenever and however he received the grace of God, “received it not in vain.” His profession of religion at Madras was open and decided, and his life adorned his profession. The benighted heathen amongst whom he lived, had his prayers and his purse, in every effort made to enlighten them. Of the Church Missionary Society he was Secretary; and with him the office was not nominal: but the same spirit which in England taught the Missionaries, in India carried him down to the surf on every fresh arrival to look out for them, and to welcome them to his house and his heart. He had once thirteen of their party (wives and children included) in his house at one time. And I doubt not that these Missionaries, when they saw him, and received a greeting not less cordial than that which met their great

predecessor at Appii Forum-I doubt not that they too thanked God and took courage.

But his views of religion at this period will best be given by an extract from one of his private papers, written in 1811, and found sealed up at his death. It is a paper on the third of St. John. After a prayer for the great change of heart described in that chapter, he writes, Let me remember that this is

not an indifferent, but an important change.

not merely an outward, but an inward change.

not a natural, but a spiritual change.

not a partial, but an entire change.

not a secret, but a visible change. not a transient but an abiding change.

lastly, not a mournful, but a happy change.'

To this he subjoins:

"A rule and help for myself in daily seeking this change of heart. I. Begin the day with God.

1. By devotional thoughts when rising:

2. By private prayer, offered up in sincerity, love, and well directed faith:

3. By embracing the first opportunity of studying the Scriptures, under the Holy Spirit's influence.

II. Continue the day with God.

1. By keeping Christ incessantly in view, and making his glory the principle of every action.

2. By doing unto others as I would they should do unto me.

3. By guarding the tongue from vain and sinful conversation.

4. By suffering Scripture alone to be the rule of my conduct.

5. By improving every opportunity for actual intercourse with God.

III. End the day with God.

1. By a review of the events of the day and the state of my soul during it.

2. By commending myself to Him who is able to keep me from all evil, with confession, repentance, faith, and hope, humility, and gratitude."

It is an easy thing to write a paper in this deep tone of piety; but the difficulty is to confront the life with such a paper; and to leave a testimony in the consciences of those who know us best that we have lived according to our profession. Mr. Mortlock's life, in the honest and deep conviction of those who knew him best, exhibited a sincere and earnest effort to walk by this "rule and help.”

At Madras, after a few years, his health began to suffer from the climate. After recruiting it twice by voyages to St. Helena and the Cape, he returned to England, and was married in September, 1817, to Miss Eliza Thomas. In 1818 he returned with Mrs. Mortlock to Madras, and resumed his official duties till 1822. It was then that the will of his heavenly Father was made manifest to remove him from that sphere of usefulness under very remarkable circumstances, and to open a way for his taking holy orders. During the season of the hot land winds that year, the thermometer stood at 120 for three weeks. His strength fell under the parched atmosphere. Monday morning Mrs. Mortlock, alarmed at his looks, entreated him not to go down to his office; but his sense of public duty would not permit him to subject himself to any suspicion of self-indulgence. He ordered his palankeen to be got ready, and walked into another room for a bath before he set out. Suddenly Mrs. M. heard him fall; and, rushing into the room, saw her husband lying insensible on the floor. Is it the cholera?' she exclaimed, as she raised him up in her arms-for the cholera was raging around them; - Speak, Henry. Are you happy?' He gasped convulsively for breath, and

One

uttered one sentence and no more. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord." Not another articulate sentence did he utter for ten days. The physicians met: the major part pronounced the case hopeless: one advised that he should be put on board the only vessel then in the roads and about to sail. This was on the Wednesday; on the Monday all their goods had been sold by auction; every preparation was completed; and he was put on board speechless and insensible; his face drawn aside, as it was thought, by a stroke of palsy. The ship sailed to Macao, where, in five weeks, the thermometer was down to 60.

During the voyage he began slowly to give indications of returning health. First he regained the use of his hands; then of his speech; and then his strength. When he reached Macao he was able to walk about on shore. I mention these circumstances at large to show what was his rock and defence in this crisis. The onset seemed to be the onset of death it was sudden as the whirlwind and as violent. These are the assaults which reveal the real state of the soul. The mind has no time to look abroad for new allies, or to intrench itself in new principles. It must stand by its previous strong-holds, and have recourse to its familiar hopes. The terrified child runs into his mother's arms. So when sudden affliction comes, "the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe." "Be not a terror unto me," he says to his God, "thou art my hope in the day of evil.”

In his last illness, when for an instant the evidence of divine grace in his soul was darkened, this decisive testimony was mentioned to him, and gave him comfort. It was just when he had said, with some anxious searchings of heart, 'It is an awful thing to

die; at such a moment we had need to have the work of God within us very clear.'

In the voyage home the ship touched at St. Helena; and there Mr. Mortlock's thoughts took a more decided turn towards the ministry. He was cut off from India and his former occupations; and during the voyage, and in the absence of any chaplain or regular clergyman, he instructed the poor ignorant sailors in the salvation offered to perishing sinners in the gospel. The Rev. Mr. Vernon, perceiving what manner of spirit he was of, proposed to him his own curacy of St. Helena, if he should take orders--an offer which had this recommendation to his delicate mind, that he thought no imputation could lie against his motives in entering the church, if he took a duty so far removed from the diocese of his brother-in-law, Dr. Kaye, then Bishop of Bristol, and now of Lincoln. It could not be said, in that remote island, that he was influenced by any expectation of preferment in the church. So far did this negotiation proceed, that he took steps to take a lease of Longwood, the celebrated residence of Napoleon; as proved by a letter found the other day among his papers.

Circumstances however occurred to break off this intention, and he returned to England in January, 1824. The offer of a title from the Rev. H. Phillips, his brotherin-law, then resident at Mildenhall, in the diocese of Norwich, seemed to open the readiest door into the ministry. To wait three for an academical degree, years would involve the loss of much precious time, and he could not but be conscious that he was much more highly educated than the generality of University candidates. He therefore wrote a letter to the Bishop, a large extract from which will present the reader with some account of his religious views

'Your Lordship will receive herewith two letters-the one from the Rev. Mr. Vernon of St. Helena, the other from the Rev. Mr. Marsh of Colchester: in whose names I intreat your Lordship's attention, and the indulgent consideration of my case.

'I am the sixth son of the late Mr. Mortlock of Cambridge, and had been for some time entered at that University, when the offer of a writership on the Madras establishment induced my father to alter my plan of life: but not until I had completed my education under the late Rev. Dr. Raine, and the present head master of the Charter-House School, the Rev. Dr. Russel. At this school I obtained the highest rank; and if necessary, I could produce such testimonials as would justify the present application in point of classical learning.

I was then nineteen years of age, and, on being examined by the late principal of Hertford College, I was found so far proficient in my Greek and Latin studies, as to be allowed to proceed at once to India, without passing through that institution-an exception which has, I believe, been made in but one other case besides my own.

'On my arrival in India, I voluntarily entered the College of Fort William in Calcutta, for the purpose of qualifying myself for a better discharge of my official duties, by the study of the oriental languages; and, within fifteen months, I left the Institution holding the highest rank in the Persian

and Hindostanee classes, with two gold medals, and a degree of honour; and on proceeding to Madras and undergoing a further examination, I obtained two premiums for proficiency in the above languages, amounting to £800-and within a year or two I passed a successful examination in another of the oriental languages, and obtained a third premium of £400-being the only Company's servant who has ever gained the like distinctions to this extent.

I am aware that such knowledge forms but a small part of the necessary qualifications of a minister of the gospel; and my sole object in bringing these things to your Lordship's notice is, to satisfy you that the person now addressing you is not destitute of literary

attainments.

"There is another point, however, of much importance, to which I beg to bespeak your Lordship's attention. My desire of entering the ministry has not arisen subsequent to my leaving India; neither from want of employment in any other mode of life. After repeated attacks of illuess, from the disagreement of a hot climate with my constitution, I have lately returned from India ; having on three successive occasions made voyages, twice to St. Helena, and once to England and back, without deriving any material benefit. My quitting therefore my former mode of life will not seem, I trust, uncalled for enforced as it is, by the certificate of a medical man on oath, as to its apparent necessity.

;

But I can truly affirm that for many years, prior to the abandonment of my Indian prospects, it has been my heart's desire to become a labourer in the Lord's vineyard and that, when placed among the aged, sick, and ignorant, as has repeatedly been the case, I have from time to time, depending upon the Lord for his blessing, endeavoured to supply

the place of better qualified and duly ordained instructors.

I must intreat your Lordship's kind forbearance for what I have thus unavoidably stated concerning my former life and attainments; not, I trust, from any feeling of self display, but simply to make your Lordship in some degree acquainted with the character of your applicant.

The favour I beg to request at your Lordship's hands is that I may be allowed to offer myself as a candidate for holy orders at your Lordship's next examination, on my furnishing the requisite testimonials and title within your Lordship's diocese.'

With this application his Lordship complied, and on June 24, 1824, Mr. Mortlock was ordained Deacon, and licenced to the curacy of Mildenhall, being then in the thirty-fifth year of his age.

And here we cannot but express our deep sense of the obligations conferred on the cause of religion in general, and the interests of our own church in particular, by the wise and considerate conduct of the late Bishop of Norwich on this and many similar occasions. Instead of assuming by an arbitrary act of authority to exclude persons from the ministry who had arrived at a certain age, or been engaged in any other occupation,-an exclusion which is sanctioned by no canon or constitution of any Christian church, and is diametrically opposed to scriptural precedent; his Lordship only took care to subject such candidates to a more minute examination, with especial reference to the grand doctrines and duties of Christianity; and the result was that after many years experience his Lordship declared concerning this class of clergymen. They are the best, the most exemplary, and regular clergy in my diocese.'

Mr. Mortlock preached his first sermon at Bidborough church, near

Tunbridge Wells, and on entering on his curacy at Mildenhall engaged with the utmost diligence and assiduity on the work to which he was called. His labours among the poor, and more especially in West Row, a large and neglected hamlet of Mildenhall were eminently successful. He truly went about doing good.

In the Autumn of 1825 he visit ed Yaxham in Norfolk, the living of Dr. Johnson - Cowper's Johnson. His visit was only for one day; in the course of which, however, he contrived to see several poor persons, and to speak to them of the things of the kingdom of God. I have never seen any thing like him before,' said Dr. Johnson to my informant, how Cowper would have loved him! He is the man to win souls.' I mention the impression which he left on Dr. Johnson's mind, because it was not a solitary instance; I know that other accidental meetings produced a similar effect, for he had a singular power (the result, I think, of great simplicity and humility, combined with an open and obliging disposition,) of winning confidence, and of leaving with others the stamp of his character in very brief intercourse. What others equally devoted would take months to achieve was done by him in a single conversation. He had also a happy art of introducing religion and religious conversation without exciting any aversion. The introduction was quick, and without loss of time, yet it was not forced or indiscreet. With the poor especially he had an ease and sweetness of manner peculiarly persuasive, so that a door of utterance was ever open to him. The truth was spoken, and the hearer was not offended; but by manifestation of the truth he commended himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

In 1825 Mr. M. removed from the curacy of Mildenhall to the

curacy of Morcott, in Rutlandshire. This was his chief sphere of ministerial duty, and he applied to it his best energies, as one who knew in whose services he laboured. On the Sunday it was his custom to rise earlier than on other days. Immediately after breakfast he went to the Sunday-School, and remained with the children, hearing and teaching them till just before divine service. In the afternoon he returned to them for about two hours more. He had two full services in the church; morning and evening in the summer, and morning and afternoon in the winter; and the winter evenings, thus set at liberty, he devoted to visiting the sick. The Sabbath therefore was to him, not a day of rest, but of hard labour, to which few bodies and few minds are equal. But he accounted it a delight and honourable. Every hour of it had its allotted office and to redeem a little time for his own privacy, he was often obliged to have his dinner sent him from the family table into his study.

Eye-witnesses tell me, that seldom have they seen a more interesting sight than Morcott church on a Sunday, while Mr. Mortlock was its minister-the church fullmany worshippers from a considerable distance-all silent and all intent. It was a picture of devout village worship.

In addition to his Sunday duties he had once a week full service in the church, and once a week a missionary meeting. He established a clothing club and lending library; and two week-day schools, one for boys, the other for girls, with a regular master and mistress. Both these, as well as the Sunday school, he carefully superintended himself; looking to the next generation as his great hope.

The question may be asked,with so much effort to do good with all these various means zealously put into action, what was