stigate a man to good intentions, unless he also amply supplied that which the man justly and properly wishes to have,-instigated the king's mind within; as it is written, "I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me. He would avail himself of every opportunity to procure coadjutors in his good designs, to aid him in his strivings after wisdom, that he might attain to what he aimed at; and, like a prudent bird, which rising in. summer with the early morning from her beloved nest, steers her rapid flight through the uncertain tracks of ether, and descends on the manifold and varied flowers of grasses, herbs, and shrubs, essaying that which pleases most, that she may bear it to her home, so did he direct his eyes afar, and seek without, that which he had not within, namely, in his own kingdom.-Asser.

BISHOP WILSON.

THOMAS WILSON, Bishop of Sodor and Man, was born in Cheshire, in 1663, and educated at the University of Dublin, where he intended to practice medicine, but was persuaded by a pious archdeacon to undertake the sacred ministry. In 1686 he was ordained deacon, and appointed to a curacy in Lancashire; and in 1689 he was raised to the priesthood, on which solemn occasion he again dedicated himself to the service of his Lord and Master, and formed the most solemn resolutions of living more than ever to the glory of that Saviour, "who loved him, and gave himself for him." In conformity with these resolutions, he discharged his sacred duties with indefatigable zeal; "holiness to the Lord" was inscribed on every part of his conduct. The lustre of such a character could not long be concealed; and in 1692 he was selected by the Earl of Derby to be his chaplain and the preceptor of his son. After some time, observing with deep regret the embarrassed state of his patron's affairs, caused by habits of profusion and inattention to domestic economy, he felt it his duty to remonstrate with the earl on his conduct; and he so judiciously and wisely managed this delicate affair, that ere long he had the great satisfaction of seeing his noble friend relieved from his embarrassments, and a

train of distressed tradesmen and dependents effectually relieved.

The bishopric of Sodor and Man had been vacant from the year 1693, and Lord Derby, to whom the appointment belonged, as lord of the Isle of Man, offered it to his chaplain. He thankfully acknowledged the honour intended him, but declared himself unworthy of so high an office, and incapable of so arduous an undertaking; and it was only after the see had been vacant for four years, and the motropolitan had complained to the king on the subject, that Wilson was at last "forced into the see." He was consecrated in 1697. Bishop Wilson now devoted himself most zealously to the duties of the episcopate. He felt that he had been called by Divine appointment to this arduous station, and was persuaded that every necessary help would be afforded him. He was frequent in prayer, and thence derived the skill and grace which appeared in his ministry. His life, indeed, was a life of prayer. By his frequent intercourse with heaven, he became heavenly in his temper, his views, and his whole conversation.

The temporal and spiritual state of his diocese called for most vigorous exertions. He was obliged to rebuild the episcopal mansion, which had fallen into decay, and to effect many other expensive repairs. He lamented that this forced him in some degree to intermit his charity to the poor. His attention was directed to whatever could in any degree promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the country. He was seen in every quarter of his diocese, counselling, guiding, and directing. His charity was always most abundant. When he possessed, early in life, only 30%. per annum, he devoted onetenth of this income to the poor. As his income gradually increased, a greater share was distributed in alms. He always laid aside the proportion destined for the poor in a certain place. In this treasury, which he named "the poors' drawer," was deposited at first a tenth, then a fifth, afterwards a third, and at last half his income. Every deposit there was converted into an act both of charity and devotion; prayers and alms were incessantly united. At his house every kind of distress found relief. Whether the hungry or the naked applied, their claims were certain to be duly considered and liberally answered.

In his barn was always a provision of corn and meal for the indigent; and the good bishop gave orders to his steward, when corn was measured to the poor, never to stroke it, as was usual, but to give heaped measure. His demesne contained several manufactories of different sorts, where artisans were engaged in preparing garments for the poor. The bishop attended even to the smallest circumstances which could benefit his people. He would purchase quantities of spectacles, and distribute them amongst the aged poor, that they might be enabled to read their Bibles.

Bishop Wilson was unwearied in his endeavours to improve the parochial schools. He was a constant and earnest preacher; and during the fifty-eight years of his episcopate he never failed every Sunday to preach or celebrate the holy rites of the Church, except when prevented by illness. Nothing could exceed his care and diligence in obtaining an effective and pious clergy. From the moment that any student declared his intention of entering the sacred ministry, the bishop formed a close connexion with him, watched over his conduct, and guided his studies and pursuits. After his entrance on the sacred ministry, the bishop made him reside with him for a whole year, that he might exercise a more minute inspection, and administer daily instruction and advice. He held many synods of the clergy, in which several wise constitutions and canons of discipline were made and enforced. He frequently addressed his clergy in pastoral letters full of piety and wisdom; and so great was the veneration in which they held him, that half a century after his decease, aged clergy have been heard to recount the virtues of Bishop Wilson, with tears of affection trembling in their eyes. Bishop Wilson acquired a knowledge of the Manks language, into which he translated several pious books, and procured the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles to be translated into that language.

Bishop Wilson was a man of prayer. He not only prayed every morning at six o'clock with his family, and also in the evening, but he retired three times every day to his private devotions. Even in the night he might be heard engaged in prayer. Sometimes the words of the Psalmist were indistinctly heard by his attendants. will arise at midnight, and give thanks unto thee. Praise

"I

the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise His holy name." Sometimes part of the Te Deum were recognised. Such were the nightly orisons of this holy man. Words of instruction and consolation were continually flowing from his lips; so that it was scarcely possible to enjoy his society even for a short time without growing wiser and better. His actions, however, spoke more forcibly than language; the beauty of holiness shone forth in all his conversation, irradiated his countenance, and gave a peculiar charm to every thing he said or did.

A

In 1722, the bishop, in the discharge of his duty as the guardian of the sacraments, forbade the governor's wife to approach the holy table, as a punishment for a very scandalous calumny which she had disseminated. clergyman having disobeyed this injunction of the bishop, he was suspended; and the result was, that the bishop was illegally seized and imprisoned, with his two vicarsgeneral. During this affliction, the bishop was occupied in prayer and meditation, and in plans for the advancement of his Master's kingdom. The poor were loud in their lamentations; and being indignant at the injustice practised towards their beloved pastor, they were about to level the governor's house to the ground, when they were restrained by the voice of their bishop, who spoke to them from his prison, and exhorted them to peace and submission. At length he was released on appeal to the king. The day of his release was one of universal rejoicing. The multitudes extended for three miles in length, scattering flowers beneath his feet, to the sound of music and loud rejoicings. Bishop Wilson's strictness in observing ecclesiastical discipline may be collected from the circumstances already alluded to.

At length he was to be called away to his reward in heaven. He beheld the approach of death with peace and calmness, but with the deepest humility. Shortly before his death, a crowd of poor people were assembled in the hall to receive his blessing and alms, when he was overheard saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner, a vile sinner, a miserable sinner!" He fell into delirium some weeks before his decease, but his dreams were filled with visions of angels. He died in 1755, in the ninety-third year of his age.-Palmer.

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WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM, BISHOP.

"IF he who rears the combatants for cities, or trains soldiers for the service of kings, enjoys the chiefest honours, how far higher are the prizes, how many the crowns, which we shall receive, who educate so many great and noble men-nay, more truly should I say, angels-for God." So said St. Chrysostom of old: we may well apply the words to the pious and munificent sole founder of the two St. Mary Winton Colleges.

Upon the outskirts of the pleasant and time-honoured City of Winchester, rises a tall and graceful tower,—an isolated conical hill, called St. Catherine, forms the background-green meads, laced with the silvery windings of the clear and sunny Itchen, stretch behind it far away, up to the calm sequestered Hospital of St. Cross-a belt of noble trees girds it in,-it is "Wykeham's grey tower." Many years ago, William of Wykeham, an almost friendless boy, studied in the humble school which then stood upon that site. The Father of the Fatherless watched over the orphan, and raised him up a protector and a generous patron. Sir Nicholas Uvedale, Lord of the Manor of Wykeham, and sometime Constable of Winchester Castle, and Lord Lieutenant of Southampton, having reared him up in the knowledge of the day, received him into his household as his secretary. The boy never forgot, in his after day of prosperity, the kindly friend of his youth: and upon the gateway of Winchester College still is carved the legend "Uvedale Patron of Wykeham." The Bishop of Winchester at that time, William de Edyngden, was attracted by the humility and learning of Wykeham, now grown up into early manhood, and promoted him to the office of his attorney at law, and clerk. Here it was, no doubt, that he first learned the germs of that noble art, whereby he beautified and adorned "the place of God's Sanctuary," in which he then prayed. The palace of the king of England, Edward the Third, next received him. It was now that his skill in architecture promoted him in the first place in the monarch's esteem. He became, by successive patents, Chief Warden and Surveyor of all the Royal Castles of Windsor, Ledes,