which we should have brought out, defects which we should have specified, and on which we should have enlarged. We can only state, whatever our deficiencies, that we are not conscious of having set anything down lightly, precipitately, or unfairly. We think moreover, that the representation given in this Volume will be deemed correct and faithful, by Mr. Jay's numerous admirers, and by his surviving friends, and we can simply mention, that we have penned our observations under the influence of the best feelingwith interest and pleasure-con amore, and from a sincere desire to furnish that exhibition of William Jay, in addition to any Biography which may be furnished, which the intelligent members of his late congregation would approve,-which his family, who knew him best, would generally appreciate, and which the enlightened and Christian Public, by its verdict, would sustain.

It has been our wish, for many years, if life should be prolonged, to drop a humble floweret on the grave of one whom we long knew, whom we ever valued and revered; and that wish is now gratified. Our closing petition to the God of infinite wisdom, to the Father of infinite mercy, is-that another William Jay may be raised up,

to preach as he did, to write as he did, and to be the instrument of conveying moral and spiritual benefit to thousands and tens of thousands, as the providence and grace of Heaven enabled him to become. "Such honour have not all the saints" or ministers of the Word,-only a few in a generation are thus selected-thus qualifiedthus dignified-thus blest.

Farewell! farewell! thou man of God,
Till we shall meet above;

And sweetly hymn the Saviour's grace
In the bright world of love.

Then, with the mighty, joyous throng,
We'll circle near the throne,

And cast the golden crowns we wear
Before His feet alone!

LINES

WRITTEN BENEATH A PORTRAIT OF THE REV. W. JAY,

Penned on occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary
of his Ordination.

SERVANT of God, well done! The day's return,
With purest joy we hail, when first you came,
The teacher of our spirits, leading us

Direct to happiness and God. Many years
Have wing'd their flight since first we view'd
Your face expressive, and gazed upon your
Manly form. Long hast thou work'd for God,
In vigorous, yet delightful, service;

And every power was gladly braced for Him!

Thy light has aye beam'd pure, streaming brightness
From the holy Word of truth and love.

The men of God have found in thee an honest,
Genuine, ardent friend, without disguise or pomp.
All, in the sacred desk, have felt thy words,
So plain and pungent, coming down to each,
And piercing every heart. Oft has thy voice,
Clothed with persuasiveness, dissolved the spirit,
And we have pray'd and wept. We gladly bless

That gracious Providence, whose power has nerved Thine arm and warm'd thy heart so long. Since first Thy work commenced, what scenes have swept before

Thine eye observant! How many storms have rag'd! What strokes have fall'n! What friends have fled

what foes

Are crush'd!

Youth and health-forms of Grecian

Loveliness and Roman vigour,-genius

In all its might, and piety in all

Its bloom and usefulness, have pass'd away!

What sermons hast thou plann'd and preach'd! How

oft

Before the mercy-seat to plead for others!

Journeys innumerous; ceaseless toil of mind

And body; till now the head is silver'd
O'er by age, and many things betoken,
With silent, yet effective voice, the final
Lot of man. Dear minister of God!
Allow our fond and grateful hearts to bless,
And, with a gush of tenderness, pour forth
One fervid prayer, ere you spring to God!
May your remaining days be long and blest;
Your setting sun be broad and beautiful,
Streaming chaste splendour round! And, when your
end

Arrives, may all be calm and peaceful round,

Sweet and gentle as the waveless bosom

Of a beauteous lake: then swift transported

To the embraces of your God, may pure

And endless ravishment be yours, absorb'd
In bliss of immortality! Your worth
We'll ne'er forget; your name shall be

As ointment sweet; by your works you'll preach
With ceaseless force, and never, never die!

A THOUGHT

PROMPTED AT THE GRAVE OF THE REV. W. JAY.

HERE lies precious dust! within are urn'd
Ashes of one whose name will ever live!
The spirit is with God,-the soul that burn'd
With quenchless zeal that happiness to give,
Which comes from God and leads to him alone!
Be still, observer, while you gaze around,
This is no ordinary sepulchral ground!

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.