style, and to adapt his language to the lowest capacity. In this he followed the example of Luther, who, in his Table-talk, says, "If in my preaching I were to pay a regard to Philip Melancthon, and other learned divines, then I should do little good. I preach in the plainest manner to the illiterate, and that gives content to all. Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, I spare till we learned ones come together." Mr Hervey thought perspicuous language and evangelical doctrine of much more importance to his parishioners than elaborate or ornamented discourses; though few men living, perhaps, were more capable of satisfying a polite or learned audience.

His method of catechising children in church, and of speaking to them in private, was very engaging and useful. He would put little questions to them, after they had repeated the words of the catechism; as for instance, "Well, my little maid, let me hear if you understand what you said. If you do understand the meaning of these words, you will then be able to answer the questions I shall put to you." He would at these times ask not only such questions as were suitable to the words of the catechism, but also such as would strike at the capital vices of his parishioners, yet without giving personal offence.

He did not forget that he was a minister in his house; for he worshipped God with his family twice a-day. He supped at eight every night, and at nine he expounded a text of scripture for about a quarter of an hour, and seldom longer, except when some friend was present, to whom he thought his discourse might be useful, or when particularly requested to enlarge. After this he concluded with prayer.

He breakfasted at nine; and about eight he called his family together, and required each of his servants to repeat by heart the text which he had explained the preceding evening, and then he would recapitulate his exposition; by which method both his text and commentary were imprinted on their memories. After this he had prayers.

In the afternoon, when he was called down to tea, he used to bring his Hebrew Bible or Greek Testament with him, and would speak (as he was ever studious how he might promote the glory of God, and improve time) either upon one or more verses, as occasion offered, in the most instructive and entertaining manner imaginable. And in the summer season he would now and then drink tea, when his health would permit him, with some of his most serious parishioners; and then five or six of the neighbours were invited, and Mr Hervey's conversation was remarkably affecting, as he had a happy talent at spiritualizing almost every incident, and was naturally of a most obliging and cheerful disposition.

He was a member of an assembly formed for Christian improvement, which was established in his neighbourhood on the 7th of July 1747, and constantly attended it so long as he was able to ride to the place of meeting. A short account of the rules of this assembly is given at the end of his Tracts, together with two prayers composed by him for the use of the members thereof.

In the exercise of his charity, Mr Hervey chose to clothe the poor, rather than give them money; and he would get some judicious person to buy linen, coarse cloth, stockings, shoes, &c. for them at the best hand; alleging, that the poor could not purchase on such good terms what they wanted, at the little shops, and with small sums of money. "I am," said he, "God's steward for the poor, and I must husband the little pittance I have to bestow upon them, and make it go as far as possible." But when money would be really serviceable to a family, as to a prudent housekeeper distressed by sickness or misfortunes, he would give five or more guineas at a time, taking care that it should not be known whence the money came. Pope's compliment to Mr Allen of Bath might be justly applied to him, who would

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame,

He was particularly desirous of getting the advice of a physician (or at least of some judicious apothecary) for the sick poor; and was very ready to procure them the best medicines-a most beneficial sort of charity to mankind, and in which it were to be wished he had many imitators. He would frequently petition such physicians of his acquaintance in different parts of the kingdom, as he apprehended thus charitably disposed, to give their advice occasionally, when they rode through a town, to such poor creatures as the clergyman of the place, or some substantial inhabitant should recommend as real objects of compassion. Mr Hervey would then, with great pleasure, and with as much gratitude to the physician as if done to himself, defray the expense of what medicines were wanted. He greatly disapproved indeed of the clergy's attempting to give medicines to their parishioners; as he judiciously inferred, that it was impossible for them to do it with the requisite judgment. "Let my brethren," he would say, "give them wine, bread, or beer, and get good spoon-meats made for them; but medicines are of too important a nature to be given indiscriminately." He observed, that by his own method the sick poor had the very best medicines, as the physician saw them himself, and bought them very cheap, because the apothecary, knowing they were for charitable uses, charged the physician for them no more than prime cost, with some little allowance merely for his trouble in compounding them; and as the physician knew what diseases were curable, there was no waste of medicines in fruitless attempts to cure cases which, though actually incurable, persons of less judgment could not pronounce to be so.

He gave away a great number of good books, with suitable instructions for their use, and especially Bibles. In the blank leaf he frequently wrote something capable of making an impression, or else stuck in a printed paper relating to the promises of God

in and through Jesus Christ, or to creation, preservation, and redemption.*

All the future profits of his works he has left to some of the charitable uses above specified, except his Meditations; the copy of which he had sold, after it had passed through several editions: which sale of the copy, and the profits of the former impressions, amounted to about L. 700, all of which he gave away in charity. He said, that it was devoted to God, and that he would on no account apply it to worldly uses; that he wrote not for profit or fame, but to serve the cause of God; and as Providence had blessed his attempt, he thought himself bound to relieve the distresses of his fellow-creatures with it,

In any expenses relating to himself he was extremely frugal, that he might be liberal to others; and it was always his desire to die just even with the world. "I will be my own executor," said he; and as he died on Christmas-day, his fund expired almos with his life. What little remained, he desired might be given in warm clothing to the poor in that sever

season.

To these instances of his charity, we may properly add an incident, which, how trifling soever in itself, yet affords a very strong proof, not only of the benevolence of his heart, but of his regard to practical religion, and to the doing of every good work within his power.

A day or two before his death, when he was reduced to such extreme weakness as to be unable to read, and could with difficulty speak, a little account being settled with him by a friend, on the balance of which he received 18s., looking on the money with great indifference, he expressed himself to this effect: "I would gladly dispose of this small sum in such manner as may do most good. It is the only act which I now am, and probably the last that I shall be, able to perform. Give yourself the trouble of looking amongst these books, and you will find Mr

* See a copy of this printed paper among his Tracts.

Richards' pamphlet; at the latter end of which are, I remember, some Hints concerning the means of promoting religion in ourselves or others, which (even with some additions and improvements which you might easily make) will not fill more than a sheet of paper,* and, if stuck up or framed, might be particularly useful in that formn. Let, then, such a number of them be printed and given away as this money will admit of." His orders were properly executed; and the evidences of such an angelic temper were equally matter of edification and comfort to his friend, as this charitable legacy, if we may so call it, will be to all who receive and rightly use it.

This incident affords a striking evidence of the happy fruits and effects of his favourite doctrine, and strong expressions of the all-sufficient righteousness of Christ as the sole requisite to justification before God and acceptance with him, and shews that indeed his faith wrought by love. No man had ever a greater disregard for money, which he esteemed unworthy of his notice on any other account than as it furnished him with the means of doing good. Surely we may here borrow the sentiment and expression of the celebrated Mr Pope, and justly conclude, that

He felt his ruling passion strong in death.

Mr Hervey was indeed too negligent of his dress, which, though it could not in the least lessen the respect paid to him in his own parish and neighbourhood, where he was so well known, yet he would unquestionably have avoided it if he had lived in a public scene, where the decency and propriety of appearance are of much greater importance.

In learning he was inferior to few. Greek was almost as familiar to him as his native language. He was a great master of the classics; and, in the younger part of his life, had written some copies of verses, which shewed no contemptible genius for

* The Hints, &c. are subjoined to the Tracts.