as the most eminent man among the Swedenborgians, and I was requested to deliver a funeral sermon on the day of the interment of his mortal remains. I consented conditionally that the Society should make the subject known to the town; and that the discourse, besides a brief memoir of Mr. Clowes, should give the Swedenborgian doctrine of the 'resurrection' and the life after death.' Accordingly the town was placarded, and on the appointed evening the chapel was, for the first time since my ministry, filled with an attentive audience.

I first took a view of the life and labors of Mr. Clowes as a minister of the gospel, and of the catholicity of spirit in which all his duties were performed. I summed up that part of my discourse, as far as I can remember, in nearly the following words :

'I look upon the late Mr. Clowes as an especial instrument raised up, by the Divine Providence of the Lord, for the guidance and support of his infant church. Inflexibly just, his discourses were levelled at every false doctrine, whether existing in the national church of England, or among the various sects which had separated from it but one distinguishing feature in his writings was the heavenly spirit in which they were expressed. While he never in the slightest degree compromised the truth, Christian love, benevolence, meekness, and humility pervaded everything which passed from his pen. The reader is insensibly brought into communion with the author. He had the art of stating the most unpalatable truths in the most winning language, and the most determined of his opponents could not refrain from expressing their admiration at the christian temper with which he administered his reproofs. I look upon Clowes

in much the same light as Dr. Doddridge viewed Fleetwood, "as the silver-tongued champion of Divine truth," remarkable amidst the light of his subject for ease and propriety of expression.'

Besides translations of many of Swedenborg's Works, Mr. Clowes was a very voluminous author himself. One

[PAGE 236.

of the most interesting of his works was a Treatise on Christian Temper.' He also translated the four gospels, which he illustrated by many original notes, besides a running commentary of extracts from the writings of Swedenborg. The translations were executed with the closest fidelity to the original, and he gave a brief exposition of the spiritual sense throughout.

Like the celebrated Watts, he did not disdain, amidst his more learned avocations, to devote a portion of his time to the guidance and instruction of the young. They have been largely counselled, edified, and amused by his prolific pen. When we behold a man of high literary acquirements and deep erudition, stooping from his eminence to the familiar level of children, we feel assured that he has received the truths of the kingdom of heaven in the spirit of a little child, and we think ourselves justified in affirming that he will assuredly sit down therein.*

*The following tribute to the memory of Mr. Clowes appeared in 'The Times' of June 4, 1831, and the 'Manchester Courier' of the same date.

His

TIMES. Died on the 29th ult., at Warwick, in his eighty-eighth year, the Rev. John Clowes, formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Rector of St. John's Church, Manchester, to which he was appointed on its consecration, and which he continued to hold during the long period of sixty-two years. Having been incapacited during the latter period of his life, by some of the infirmities attendant upon old age, from the public performance of his professional duties, the powers of his mind, which continued clear and vigorous, were almost to the last devoted to the study and elucidation of the Holy Scriptures; and his affectionate and anxious thoughts were still peculiarly excited towards those who had constituted his own flock, to whom he had been an indefatigable and beloved pastor, and whom he hoped to recognise again hereafter. affections, however, were ever alive towards all who came within the sphere of his usefulness; and it would have been difficult for any one to resist the influence of that goodness which showed itself in all he did, or said, or looked; and to have been with him, even for a little while, without being impressed with a sense of the loveliness of Christian principle, as it was exemplified in him. He was a scholar-an elegant and a sound one; but he felt that the highest triumph of human learning or wisdom is, when they are subservient to the establishment of those everlasting truths by which man lives for ever. In simplicity of heart, in unity of purpose, in the abandonment of every selfish consideration, in the unclouded and playful cheerfulness of a pure and benevolent mind, in the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, in the beauty and happiness of

The style of the late Mr. Clowes was not elegant, but it was simple and dignified; without meretricious genuine holiness, he truly adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things; and being tried by long suffering, he found that that in which he trusted was sufficient for him in all circumstances, and unto the end. Those who did not know him may believe this tribute to be the offspring of partial friendship and affection; but the many who did, will feel how inefficient must be the attempt rightly to commemorate his admirable and truly Christian excellencies.'

'MANCHESTER COURIER.'-'Died at Warwick, where he had resided some years on account of his health, May 29th, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, the Rev. John Clowes, Rector of St. John's Church, Manchester, and formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

'In zeal, in tenderness, in piety, in wisdom, in activity, in usefulness-as a friend, a counsellor, a pastor, a spiritual father, and an exemplary pattern of holy life-his superior was not to be found; it would be difficult to name his equal. He was a scholar, a philosopher, a finished gentleman, a luminous writer, an impressive preacher, a practical Christian divine. In him the elements of an original happy nature were sweetly blended, tempered, and richly adorned by an abundant portion of the spirit of divine grace; holiness had attained great heights; first principles had gone on to perfection.

'It is not the object of this brief notice to dwell on the details of a combination rich in varied graces; but in recording the excellence of this venerable man, and truly apostolic minister, it may be allowed to mark, as prominent features of a character in which all was lovely, his child-like simplicity, his singleness of heart, the elevation of his devotion, the cheerfulness of his piety, the beauty of his holiness, the charity of his zeal, his bright imagination, his lively fancy, the ease of his seriousness, the innocence of his mirth, the purity of his exuberant joy. He was admirable in all the faculties of an enlightened mind; but the charm by which he won and ruled the hearts of all, was that grace in man which is the nearest image on earth of a holy and merciful God, the boundless benevolence of a truly catholic spirit. Of Mr. Clowes it may be justly said, "his wisdom was a loving spirit"; of his virtue, "the memorial is immortal, because it is known with God and with men; when it was present, men took example at it, and when it is gone they desire it; it weareth a crown and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards."

This admirable person enjoyed, in a singular degree through life, the respect and affection of all by whom he was known; but in an especial manner the love and veneration of his own flock, over which he was, by God's providence, the shepherd, for the very unusual term of sixty-two years.'

I deem it expedient to add the following brief outline of Mr. Clowes's life, which I extract also from the 'Manchester Courier' of June 11, 1831, and was partly embodied in my sermon.

The late Rev. John Clowes was born in Manchester, October 20, 1743 (Old Style). He was the fourth son of Joseph Clowes, Esq., a barrister (who for many years practised in this town and its neighborhood),