In the service of mankind, to be

A guardian god below; still to employ
The mind's brave ardor in heroic aims,
Such as raay raise us o'er the grovelling herd,
And make us shine for ever-that is life!
THOMPSON.

WE have just read, for the second time, the life of Wilberforce by his sons, and under an impulse received by this reperusal of the volume, take occasion to say something of that illustrious person to whom its pages are devoted. Wilberforce is one of those men whom the world have agreed to respect, and whom Christians fondly love. And very properly; for, though there have existed as pure patriots as he, as finished statesmen as he, as commanding orators as he, and as devoted friends of the Redeemer as he, few, if any, have combined these qualities in greater measure than himself, and presented so symmetrical and perfect a character. Hence all classes find something in him to admire, and there is attached to the name of WILBERFORCE a moral dignity and excellence with which few names can compare. The moment it is uttered, there arises before the mind an individual who, by the grace of God, fulfilled, it is admitted, the great end of his being, blessed his generation, and illustrated those virtues which adorn and exalt humanity. The biography of this distinguished man, by his sons, is well executed, and, though traced by the hand of affection, bears no marks of fulsome adulation or extra

vagant eulogy. Of course but a brief sketch of his character can be given in the short space allotted to us.

William Wilberforce, only son of Robert Wilberforce and his wife Elizabeth, was born at Hull, in Yorkshire, of which place his grandfather had been twice mayor, on the 24th of August, 1759. He lost his father when he was quite young, from whom he inherited a large estate, which became still larger from a bequest left him by a fraternal uncle. He was of small stature, his figure delicate, and his constitution frail; but these physical disadvantages were overbalanced by an affectionate disposition, and superior intellectual endowments. His first studies were pursued at the grammar school of Hull, from which place he was transferred to a private school at Wimbleton, kept by a Scotchman of the name of Chalmers, who appears to have been distinguished rather for a red unshaven beard, than for any of the qualifications of a teacher. While here, though he learned but little, he was under the influence of a pious aunt, who treated him as a son, and whose good instruction and example made upon him a favorable impression. She was a warm admirer of Whitfield, "heard him gladly," and while endeavoring herself to imbibe the spirit of that holy man, endeavored likewise to infuse it into the breast of her nephew. His stay here, however, was too short to secure any permanent moral results; and his next loca

tion, at Pocklington, while it was somewhat more favorable to the cultivation of his mind, was most unfavorable as regarded his religious impressions. Indeed, no pains were spared by his mother and kindred to obliterate all sentiments of piety from his soul. To this end the theatre, balls, dining parties and card parties were resorted to, and, as is usual when such efforts are diligently made, with too much effect. He temporarily, at least, lost his views of divine things, and ceased to feel their power. He became the companion of those who passed their time in scenes of gaiety and amusement, and his sprightly qualities and rare powers of entertainment-for he was a joker, singer, and mimic-made him quite a favorite with them. In 1774, at the age of seventeen, he was sent to St. John's College, Cambridge, where also he was beset with temptations to idleness and prodigality. He was often told, not only by his fellow students but others, that "it was beneath a young man of his genius and fortune to apply himself to study;" and he too far yielded to their pernicious counsel. His neglect of studiousness at this interesting and important period of his life, was ever afterwards the occasion to him of deep regret. He confessed that he had lost what he could not recover. He excelled, however, in the languages, and during his college course made the acquaintance of Clarendon and Pitt, whose good opinions he secured, and which he continued for years, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of politics, to retain. He graduated with the intention of entering upon public life; and in 1780, through the favor of his family friends in Hull, and an expenditure of between £8,000 and £9,000, was elected member of Parliament. During this parliament he did little in the matter of politics, and yet was more attentive to his duties than under the circumstances might perhaps have been expected. In 1784 he was chosen for the county of York, which triumphant event-for, considering the eminence of his opponent, and the influences arrayed against him, it was a triumph most honorable and gratifying-closed his twenty-fifth year. His address to the populace from the hustings was exceedingly happy and effective, giving token of his future power. Boswell, describing his frail form and eloquence, says, “I saw what seemed a mere shrimp mount upon the table, but as I listened, he grew and grew, until the shrimp became a whale." His speech was received with the loudest acclama

tions of applause, and spoken of as a very superior effort.

Up to this period we have seen Wilberforce only as a gay, ambitious young man of brilliant talents and ample pecuniary resources, borne on the tide of popular favor into a civil and commanding position. We are now to look at him as the subject of a spiritual, radical change, which revolutionized the person, and gave a new complexion to his whole future career.

Soon after taking his place in the House of Commons as member for the county of York, he proposed to one of his friends, W. Burgh, to take a tour with him upon the continent; and Burgh declining, he extended the invitation to Isaac Milner, late Dean of Carlisle. He accepting it, they set out together, accompanied by his mother, sister, and two female relations, and crossing France to Lyons, embarked upon the Rhine. Though Milner was not at that period as spiritually-minded and exemplary as he was subsequently, or as a minister preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified should have been, yet he was not one of those (too many of whom are found in the established church) who subscribe and teach articles they do not believe, and falsify the professions made at their ordination by the whole tenor of their after behavior. Milner believed the Bible, cordially espoused the system of truth there revealed, and though not particularly devoted, was so far under the influence of religious principle as gently to reprove Wilberforce whenever he uttered any sentiment hostile to piety. The natural consequence was, that Milner and his lively companion were drawn into frequent discussions touching the reality and claims of genuine religion. These discussions revived those impressions years before made upon his young mind by his pious aunt, which were further deepened by a little volume ("Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion ") which one of their fellow travellers had with them. The effect was seriousness, an inquiring state of mind, and a resolution to attend to the imperishable interests of his soul. During the remainder of the tour, which he and Milner took alone, they read the New Testament together, fervently sought the illumination of the Holy One, and when they parted, the truth of God had found such lodgment in his heart, as to make him quite a different being from what he was before. He took an early opportunity to converse with the Rev. John