O beatum incendium Mel, nectar, melos, suævium *: Jesu corona martyrum, Mel, nectar, melos, suævinm,' are figures expressive of the happiness which the presence of Jesus affords. O holy flame, celestial fire! Thy presence fills all Heav'n with` mirth, Raises my dancing heart from earth; J. K. Consolatory Lines to a Friend. YES, child of Sorrow, hard's thy lot, That Poverty invades thy cot; But He who wills it, hope has giv'n,— A hope no mortal can destroy, No fleeting transitory joy, A rich inheritance in Heav'n! Confiding in the great Supreme, To Him thy morn and evening theme Still dedicate, and humbly bow. Whate'er his wisdom may design, Receive submissive, nor repine, Though many are thy sufferings now. Soon shall transplendent scenes arise, And clouds receding, brighter skies Disclose, thy soul oppress'd to cheer; His sacred word to thee shall prove His chast'nings tokens are of love, Nor less evince his guardian care! Tho' years revolving on their wing, Bring not to thee one genial spring, In Nature's fairer form array'd, Yet shall thy summer's sun arise, Sublimer prospects greet thine eyes, And welcome be life's ev'ning shade. W. WETHERILL. G. AULD, Printer, Greville Street, London, EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. DECEMBER, 1810. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. WILLIAM COOPER, OF BOSTON, IN NEW ENGLAND. THE early years of Mr. Cooper were distinguished by presages of that eminence which, in future life, he actually attained. A vigorous mind, intense application, and an ardent thirst for knowledge, marked his childhood. Blessed with a religious education, he exhibited, even at this period, hopeful evidences of piety, evidences which brightened with his years, till all who knew him were convinced that the grace of God had taken possession of his heart. At his father's death, his lovely and afflicted mother found in him a son of consolation' indeed. His tender and sympathetic attentions in this trying scene, were mingled with a seriousness which gave them a double value. His progress in the branches of knowledge usually taught at schools, was rapid: but the Bible was his chosen companion; and with the greatest assiduity, he stored his mind with its sacred truths. He had early set his heart on being a minister of Jesus Christ; and from this choice he never swerved. At seven years old, while hearing a sermon of Mr. Colman, with whom he afterward was colleague, he was so attracted by the eloquence of his manner, that he went home with a determination to read like him: a circumstance which drew from that venerable man (who survived him, and preached on his death) the following affectionate and humble remark : — ' I ought to thank God,' says he, if I have served any way to form him for his since eminent pulpit services; and in particular, his method of preaching Christ and Scripture. So a torch may be lit at a farthing candle.' Mr. Cooper's youth, though passed in the midst of temptation, was exemplarily pure. He was grave, but not gloomy, nor austere; discreet, but not precise; and cheerful, with innocence. Study was his recreation. He accurately discri minated, and ardently cultivated those branches of science which were most useful and important. Every literary pur XVIII. 3 P suit was sanctified by prayer, and every human acquisition rendered subservient to the knowledge of God and religion. Though he entered the desk young, it was not without the advice of the most eminent ministers in Boston. Their expectations were high; but they were exceeded. In the opinion of the ablest judges, his first exhibitions stamped him with the character of an accomplished and eminent preacher. The church in Brattle Street, of which he was a member, soon chose him, with great unanimity, as co-pastor with the Rev. Mr. Colman, afterward D. D. The ordination, which, at Mr. Cooper's request, was deferred for a year, was solemnized May 23, 1716. From this period to that of his death, his ministerial gifts, graces, and usefulness, seemed regularly and unintermittingly to increase; and the more he was known, the more he was esteemed, loved, and honoured, as one who eminently fulfilled the ministry which he had received from the Lord Jesus. As a preacher, he was mighty in the Scriptures; and contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.'He was an able and zealous advocate for the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel. Christ, the alpha and omega of the Bible, was ever the prominent object in his discourses. On the doctrines of Grace, he insisted much; considering them as not only constituting the sole foundation of a sinner's hope, but as exhibiting the capital aids and incentives to holiness of heart and life. Hence his preaching was practical as well as evangelic. It inculcated obedience upon Christian principles, and by Christian arguments. His sermons were composed with care; easy and natural in method; rich in important truth; plain, but not grovelling in style; solid and argumentative, yet animated with the spirit of devotion. They were calculated at once to enlighten the mind, impress the conscience, and warm the heart. In explaining the profound and sublime truths of the gospel, he had the singular felicity to be intelligible to the ignorant, instructive to the well-informed, and edifying to the serious. In prayer he remarkably excelled. Always ready, always serious and animated, with a mind stored with scriptural ideas and expressions, and a heart fired with devotion, he seemcd to converse with his God, and bear along his fellow-worshippers to the very gate of Heaven. He had a voice at once powerful and agrecable, an elocution grave and dignified; while a deep impression of the Majesty of that Being, whose mercy he implored, and whose messages he delivered, was visible in his countenance and demeanour, and added an indescribable solemnity to all his performances. In his discharge of his pastoral duties, he was exemplarily diligent, faithful, and affectionate. His preaching being very ceptable to other congregations beside his own, scarce a |