first." I said, "The LORD will not now leave his servant." He answered, "O no!" On my saying, "The LORD will be the strength of your heart," he answered, "I never stood more in need of him than I do now; adding, "Preach CHRIST to sinners. Thousands of times, I think, I have spoken for God; and he has blessed me and, I trust, he will bless me now."

My dear uncle continued to suffer, till within half an hour of his departure; when, without any apparent emotion, he quietly fell asleep in JESUS, Dec 19th, 1822.

I cannot conclude this imperfect sketch of the life of my muchloved relative, without saying a word or two on the subject of his Character-His piety was deep, but always cheerful. He possessed an affectionate and sympathizing heart. Being a man of the strictest integrity, in all his intercourse with mankind he acted on that rule, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." His ministerial abilities, though not of the first order, were respectable, especially in his younger years; and had his manner been more agreeable, he would have been as much esteemed by all, as he invariably was by those whose only object in hearing the Gospel is to get good to their souls. His sermons were generally distinguished by sound and deep experience in the things of Gon,-by great faithfulness in his application to the consciences of his hearers, and by an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls. MR. KING never made his public discourses the topics of private conversation; but having done his best in the pulpit, he followed his hearers with his tears and his prayers, and left the event with God. He rejoiced exceedingly in the success of the Gospel, whether under his own ministry or that of his brethren. In private life, he was accommodating and affable; but in all matters of christian truth and discipline, he was immoveable as a rock. On these subjects he knew no man after the flesh. It is much to the disadvantage of the Ministers of the Wesleyan Connexion, that the short period of their residence at one station does not allow them sufficient time to establish their character beyond the circle of their own immediate charge; but a residence of nearly twelve years at Sevenoaks was favourable to the developement of MR. KING's real excellencies. And the estimation in which he was held by the public there, was manifested by the most kind and constant inquiries after him, during his affliction, and by the tenderest sympathies with him in his extreme sufferings. Though he gave a decided preference to the doctrines and economy of the Wesleyan Methodists, he had a liberal feeling towards other denominations of Christians, and greatly rejoiced in the spread of true religion, by whomsoever the message of God was delivered. He now rests from his labours; and his works follow him.

Bristol, Oct. 10th, 1823.

WILLIAN TOASE.

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS;

A SERMON:

BY THE REV. HENRY MOORE.

[THIS Discourse was delivered some years ago in one of the Chapels of the Metropolis, without any thought of its ever being known beyond the walls of that place of worship, and without any preparation being made for such a purpose. One of the hearers, wholly unknown to the Preacher, took it down in short-hand. It was some time after given to a friend; and it is here presented, with a few verbal corrections only, to the Readers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. It has been thought that as Religion is now evidently going on "from the least unto the greatest," the sentiments contained in this Discourse, although in a plain dress, may be useful. H. M.]

LUKE XVI. 22, 23.

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into ABRAHAM's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth ABRAHAM afar off, and LAZARUS in his bosom.

Tuis is the only place in the Holy Scriptures where Hell is unveiled to mankind. Indeed Hell itself is not often mentioned there; but it is no where unveiled, with reference to any particulars, and especially to any personality connected with it, except in this one place. We should, therefore, consider, Who it is that hath so far laid it open to our view. It is not one who would pry into that which he had not seen, vainly and foolishly meddling with what did not concern him. It is not one who, in order to astonish mankind, or to excite their admiration, or for any other creaturely purpose, would make a revelation of what God hath covered. No, my Brethren, there is nothing of this kind in the awful passage before us; nor can any thing of the kind be imputed to the Divine Revealer. He who hath thus far opened the abyss to our view, and hath exhibited to us a fellow-creature there,-a man !-not devils only, but a man that once lived on earth, that once assembled with his friends and neighbours to worship GoD, and that enjoyed all the advantages of this world,— He who hath showed us this man in hell, is He before whom "hell and destruction are without a covering." It is one who knew what he said, and why he said it. It is THE WORD, who thus declares the mind of JEHOVAH, in order that we may not come into that " of place torment." He who said to some in his day, "How shall ye escape the damnation of hell," hath here told us, that some have not escaped it. He hath opened the pit of destruction to our view :

May He help us this day to lay it to heart, and to profit by the survey!

I would again observe, That neither our LORD, nor his Apostles or Prophets, speak often on this subject. Truth is always consistent. He hath told us, that "judgment is his strange work; and it is, therefore, his strange word. Some of his servants, perhaps, meddle too much with it. They are not to be commended. Our ministry is a "ministry of reconciliation." It is, therefore, the glory of the servants of CHRIST to " pray" sinners, "in CHRIST's stead, to be reconciled to GOD." That is, indeed, their glorious work, in comparison of which the highest employment in the universe is "dung and dross," the highest occupation mean and trifling. But we should remember, that though judgment be his "strange work," yet it is "his work." An awful work! And when he tells us himself, that "wide is the gate, and broad the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; and that "strait is the gate, and narrow the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it; it should make us very solicitous in our inquiries, on which side of the great gulf we shall very soon,—perhaps this day, be fixed! These are awful considerations!

My Brethren, you have heard the whole passage read to you in the ordinary service of the day; but I think it right to go over it again with a few words of Explanation. I shall, then, with the LORD'S assistance, consider his Design in unveiling to us this awful place of torment, and the person consigned to it; and conclude with an Address to people of the two different characters which are here described.

I." There was," says our LORD, "a certain rich man." How is it that any persons have at any time said, in explaining this portion of holy Scripture, "The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus?' Who has told them that it is a Parable? Not our LORD, nor any of the Inspired Writers. Let men beware how they add even this little word to the Book of GOD! It is little in itself; but it may not be so in its consequences. There is no parable here; but plain matter of fact. Our LORD did not choose to give to his hearers the name of the "rich man : "-he spared his relatives. Many of the Jews, who in that day frequented the house of GOD, and cried, "LORD! LORD!" were rich; so that there was no danger of a misapplication. But he has given us the name of the "beggar." There was no danger in that. If he had poor relatives, there could no harm arise to them, but much encouragement, from hearing that this poor creature, worn out with all kinds of pain and affliction, was at length delivered out of every distress, elevated to communion with his great progenitor, and now eternally happy in the presence of his God.

Our LORD goes on.-This "rich man was "clothed in purple and fine linen." The "purple" was a most precious stuff, and worn

saw.

by none but persons of the highest quality. In the Roman Empire, it was the distinguishing badge of Emperors and great Commanders. The Tyrian purple was as dear as what used to be called cloth of gold; so fine was its texture, and so costly its dye. The "fine linen" also was an article of a fineness much beyond what we ever The original name (Booo) does not describe what we call linen, but something of a texture amazingly delicate; so that altogether we have here a superb detail. Yet it does not appear that this dress was considered as unfit for a man of his rank and opulence. No doubt, he was much praised by many for his liberal expenditure, and especially by those who were enriched thereby. This "rich man" also "fared sumptuously every day." There is nothing said about this as being unseemly. Nothing is said of "rioting and drunkenness, of chambering and wantonness," wherein so many of his class have indulged, and have even "gloried in their shame."

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"And there was a certain beggar, named LAZARUS, that was laid at his gate full of sores." We have seen some in our streets, before so merciful a provision, as now exists, was made for the poor, nearly in the condition here described." And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table." Perhaps a word of explanation will be needful here. In that day, towels or napkins were not cominon; and it was a custom at table for the guests to wipe their hands with the crumb, or soft part of the bread, in pretty large lumps for as they did not use knives or forks, they fed themselves with their fingers, so that their hands were frequently in need of such a cleansing. Now, this soft bread, thus used, must have been a very plentiful and desirable commodity on such a large and well-spread table. These crumbs were given to the poor, or thrown to the dogs, which often attended the tables in the Eastern nations; and to this day there is something of the same practice there. You see this differs much from what we call crumbs, which fall down accidentally, and are generally too small for use. LAZARUS desired to have a portion of these crumbs brought to him, and it is very likely that his request was granted. There is nothing said against the supposition; but rather it would seem, from the confidence with which the Rich Man desired that LAZARUS might be sent to his relief, that his prayer had not been refused." And the dogs came and licked his sores." This shows that he did not find that measure of compassion, which he ought to have found. The dogs came, and were, in some degree, his merciful, though unconscious physicians. Whatever notice had been taken of LAZARUS, in bestowing upon him some of the waste bread, this circumstance is mentioned to show the depth of his misery, and that no sufficient compassion was manifested towards him.

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into ABRAHAM's bosom."-Hence, Brethren, we are sure, that one beggar in this world, at least, was a saint; and conse

quently we cannot doubt that there may be saints now in the same abject condition. But, alas! I fear there are very few. The state of fulness, and the opposite state of deep poverty, seldom bear such fruit unto God. Matter of fact proves this: we see, however, that there was one; and we are sure there might be many,-yea, that all who are reduced to this unhappy situation by disease, or unavoidable misfortunes, might be saints. Herein we see that the ways of GoD are more equal than men in general are ready to acknowledge. LAZARUS was certainly a holy man, for "without holiness no man shall see the LORD." Whatever be a man's situation, ability, or profession, holiness is an indispensable pre-requisite in the kingdom of GOD. There all are equal. To avoid the extremes here, is our wisdom. "Give me neither poverty nor riches," says Agar, “lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD ?—or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my Go in vain." How apt are the poor to violate the Third Commandment in arraigning Providence, as well as to fall into flagrant wickedness!" He was carried by the Angels into ABRAHAM'S bosom." This was a common phrase in the Jewish nation; and we find our LORD frequently using such common phrases. He always spoke in the plainest way, so that none of his hearers need be at a loss to understand him. The Jews, in order to put honour on their great progenitor, used to call Paradise, the place of happy spirits, "ABRAHAM's bosom;" and by the person who "lay" in any one's "bosom," was meant, the person that reclined (which was the ordinary posture in the East) next to him at table; for that was the place of honour, and the person so favoured was accounted the most distinguished guest. Hence it is said, that at our LORD's last Supper, JOHN "lay in his bosom." I fear some have mistaken this expression. The meaning is, that JoHN reclined next to our LORD at the table; and therefore the disciples beckoned to JoHN to ask JESUS who should betray him, without its being generally discovered. Thus LAZARUS, we see, had a high place in Paradise, as a gracious recompence for his great sufferings. "The light affliction which was but for a moment, worked out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

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But "the Doubtless change of

"The Rich Man also died, and was buried." The circumstance of interment is not mentioned concerning LAZARUS, though, doubtless, he also was buried. He found some grave, some covering he was disposed of, so as not to pollute the air. Rich Man was buried." The expression is enphatical. he was interred with pomp enough. But, behold the the scene! "In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment." Devils took his soul out of his rich bed, and from his splendid apartment. Some years ago, a pious man was praying by the sick-bed of one who, alas! was but ill prepared for his awful change. There was but little probability that this good man's charitable attendance would prove of any advantage to the unhappy creature. He prayed,