act, and to be known and performed in silence. Devotion, considered in itself, is an intercourse between God and us, between the supreme, selfexistent, inconceivable Spirit, which formed and preserves the universe, and that particular Spirit, with which for awful reasons, he has animated a portion of matter on earth, that we call man. It is a silent act, in which the soul divests itself of outward things, flies into heaven, and pours forth all its wants, wishes, hopes, fears, guilt, or pleasure, into the bosom of an Almighty Friend."*

"Many are the advantages which result from silent worship. It enables a number of Christians to meet together for the performance of this important duty, without depending on any man to assist them therein; a dependance, which deprives numbers of publicly discharging this duty, even once in the week. It also preserves from the dangerous situation of drawing nigh unto God with the mouth, and honouring him with the lips, whilst the heart is far from him; and it is peculiarly adapted to the performance of that worship in spirit and in truth, concerning which our blessed Redeemer has given this memorable testimony: The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father, in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.'"+

About the time that he wrote the foregoing letter, his sister, who for the same reasons as

See a quotation in Kersey's Treatise on the Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Religion.

See Tuke's Principles of Religion.

himself had also withdrawn from the meetings of the Methodists, went to the meeting of the society of Friends, at Warrington; and having expressed to her brother the satisfaction she had found in so doing, he was induced to accompany her the following week. In that small and quiet assembly, he found such peace and satisfaction, that he became from that time forward, first an occasional, and afterwards a regular attender of the meetings of Friends, and was ultimately admitted a member of their Society. It has been stated, that of the propriety of silent worship, one of its leading doctrines, he was already convinced; not by any outward ministration, but by the power of truth upon his mind.

His place of abode being nearly equidistant from the meetings of Ashton, West Houghton, and Warrington, he, at times, frequented them all, but chiefly the last mentioned place, and that being six miles from his residence, it was often under considerable outward difficulties that his attendance was accomplished; nor can it be supposed, that any thing but a sense of duty and an anxious desire for peace of mind, could stimulate him to it, fatigued as he must often have found himself with the confining labours of the preceding week.

He still continued to work in the cotton manufactory, attending school in the evenings, as opportunities occurred; and, at those times, he was frequently employed in writing letters to his acquaintances, on moral and religious subjects. In this exercise of his faculties and imagination, may be traced the commencement of those powers of epistolary composition, which in after life he displayed in no common degree. His taste for reading also continued; and as his

B

means of obtaining books were few, the indul gence of that taste compelled him to the perusal of almost every book he could procure. At the beginning of the year 1810, having met with a French grammar and dictionary, he commenced, without any other aid, the study of that language; and it appears by the last paragraph of the following letter, that at the end of eighteen months, he had made a satisfactory progress.

To J. R.

"Lowton, Sept. 30, 1811.

"I have ventured to express my earnest solicitude for thy health and happiness. For my own part, through the mercy of Providence, I continue in perfect enjoyment of the former. But for the latter, O my friend, what shall I say? I almost think sometimes that the more we seek this inestimable treasure, and the less we find of it: and why? it might be asked. I think the answer will be, because we do not seek aright-Shall we place the enjoyment of it in the things of time and sense? No; even the slightest deviation from moral rectitude, convinces us, in our serious moments, that an inordinate use of corporeal shadows, is productive of nothing in the end, but that inexpressible sorrow which no words can pourtray. Shall we place it in literary attainments? These, though in some sort necessary and agreeable, yet by no means afford that permanent, heart-felt happiness so generally sought for. No, the human soul is created with vast powers of perception-with infinite desires. The mind of the greatest philosopher, or most profound reasoner in the sciences, abstracted from these things, must remain as a vast abyss, as a

vacuum. What is it then remains? still the important question. I would answer in the words of a judicious author: "It is the highest, moral RECTITUDE OF CONDUCT-or, in another and more comprehensive word, TRUE Religion.' 1 might expatiate largely upon the benign influence of this glorious science over the human soul; but I would hope thou art not unacquainted with it, though perhaps, with myself, thou knowest only sufficient to see thyself in need of it. Excuse

me, dear friend, this I can truly affirm to be the case with me. It is not the religion of knowledge that we want, for this will stand us in no stead at the day of account. Oh! no, it is the religion of obedience and of love. This alone can confer true and never ending happiness. May we begin to seek it while it is yet day, in the morning and prosperity of youth, is my earnest and fervent desire.

"I continue to pursue my studies with unremitting ardour, as far as my necessary employment admits. I have been at considerable pains within this year and half, to acquire a knowledge of the French language, and with the help of a very good pronouncing grammar, I think I have made some progress.

"W. T."

In a letter to the same person, dated Oct. 25, 1811, he says: "I have commenced learning Latin, which I believe will be much facilitated by what knowledge I have of French, through the similarity that exists between the languages.

Thus it is, that by a mind ardently engaged in the pursuit of knowledge, the most unfavourable circumstances are overcome; the greatest difficulties are surmounted; the strongest obstacles

are removed: for the subject of this memoir, though possessed of little leisure for reading, obliged to labour constantly for bread, placed in a situation peculiarly unfavourable to the expansion or cultivation of the mind, and surrounded by many depressing eircumstances, still continued his studies and the acquisition of knowledge; and so improved his mind, as to become, in a short time, a well qualified instructor of others.

It was towards the close of the year 1811, that the writer of this sketch first became acquainted with WILLIAM THOMPSON. A letter from him written in French, requesting the loan of a few books in that language, led to a personal interview, wherein the editor was as much pleased with the native modesty of his demeanour, and his genuine humility, as he was surprised at the powers of his mind, and his talents for conversation. Subsequent intercourse confirmed the first -impression, and led to a correspondence and a friendship which terminated only with William's life. To him this connexion was of importance; and it is hoped that it was mutually advantageous; for whilst he who now writes was made instrumental in promoting the comfort of his friend, and in enlarging the sphere of his acquaintance with men and books, he desires thankfully to acknowledge that he has often derived instruction from the letters of his correspondent, and has frequently been edified by his conversation.

1. The first, and almost immediate, result of the acquaintance thus commenced, was his introduction to a more extended circle of society: whilst the frequent personal interviews afforded by his attendance at Warrington meeting, produced a more intimate knowledge of his character and worth.