The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-09
Isyis ss;s yT;it.-;ssss,

Robert Boyle and William Wilberiorce
had much in common, although q ffst
glance might lead to a very different con-
clusion. Ii will be we'll at once to dispose
OF the differences between their characters
that the essential likeness in their DISPOSE
tons and aims, as well as in the events OF
their history, may distinctly appear.
WilberEorce was man OF slngularly
sunny and genial temperament, with
temper 80 sweet that no provocation could
ruf1e it, and fancy and eloquence so las
cinating, that alike in the drawingIoom
and in the House OF Commons. he was
listened to with delight by all. Boyle was
grave, melancholic, formal man, whom
Cowley and Davenant indeed praise Tor his
wit. but whom Burnet speaks OF as having
had certain too precise stiffness OF man.
ner even TO his friends. He had no gilt oil
speech, but on the other hand was afflicted
with a stammer. and by nature he was
choleric, and subject. as we have seen. to
great fits Of depression.
Such differences, however, are but skin
deep. The points Of resemblance are
much more striking than those of differ.
ence. Boyle and Wilberforce were alike
as the children Of wealthy men, not high in
rank by hereditary nobility, but meeting on
terms Of equality with those who boosted
most Of ancestral honors. Both were
spoiled children, allowed in early life an
unwise amount Of freedom, and permitted
to play with study in way which they Ia
mented in after life, and the evil effects OF
which they sought in maturer years 10 rem.
edy. Both set out on foreign travel, actu-
ated chiefly by the wishes Of relatives, and
the ardor Of youthful curiosity. Both un-
derwent. whilst abroad, a great spiritual
Transformation, which made call things
new" for them, and returned to their own
country still very young men, to devote
every energy to the extension OF Christ S
kingdom upon earth. They mingled freely
in society. were welcome in every circle,
were admired for their gifts and accom-
lplishments, and early in life were famous
over Europe-the one as a philosopher,
the other as a statesman. Neither Of them
was what would be called business man,
and both constantly lamented that they had
not been trained to habits Of closer appli
cation; but each conlrived, from strong
sense Of the value of time, and deep con,
viction Of duty, to go through, in his own
inmethodical way, a greater amount o.
work than many of the most formal disci
pies of the red-tspe school succeed in &C
complishing. Both were Indifferent schol
airs, and had no taste for verbal or philolo.
gicaI inquiries, but the belief that the study
OF the Bible in the original was the duty Of
every Christian who could acquire the Ian
guages in which il was written, and per
suason that such study would repay the
student, induced each Of them to become q
proficient in Greek and Hebrew. In re
cognition Of the importance Of having the
Scriptures translated into every Twins
tongue, and in earnest advocacy of the
claim upon the Church of Christ to senC
missions to the heather, both were alike
and before their age. Their tongues, thei
pens, their influence with the great. thei
fortunes, and their sympathies, were al
flung into the balance, to make the seal,
preponderate in favor of the claims of tn,
destitute and benighted OF mankind upor
their brethren. They were alike also
Boyle, however. more than WilbeIlorce-
in the catholicity Of their religious opin
ions. Both were attached, but unsectariar
members Of the Church of England, count
ing it good, but not perfect. Many 0
their dearest friends, whose christianity wa
most exemplary, were dissenters, and they
J did not confound dissent with schis:n. TIL,
one was the friend Of Baxter and Penn
the other Of Jay and Clarkson. May sucE
men abound, and break down 'the middl,
wall of partition" which needlessly sepa
rates the true christian of one denomination
from another
Our sketch is completed. In labor
manifold, in the founding Of lecture
WHICH should vindicate the claims Of chris
tianity upon mankind, in liberal gifts tC
every benevolent undertaking, in large Sc
cret charities to poor scholars, and the des
titute Of every class. Boyle spent his for
tune and his time. He looked forward tC
death with christian composure and fortl
tude, but he trembled as man. He had 9
very sensitive body. and was the victim o.
a cruel disorder, which he feared might rise
10 such an intensity in his last moments a,
to overwhelm his courage and his faith.-
But it pleased God. as j! has often pleased
Him. to disappoint the fears Of his doubt
ing, yet faithful servant. He had scarcely
taken to bis bed before the curtain fell.
The sgonies which should prove unendura
ble were never felt. The bitterness OIL
death ives not tasted. The awful tempter
who had poisoned the happiness OF long
life. quailed before the benignant presence
OF Hin, who is with His people even unto
the end. Life ebbed away, and its dying
murmur uttered only the peaceful sound
"He givsth his beloved sleep."-British
Quarterly Revieac.
| Brave Girl.
While on the Colorado, was told BY
"mine host OF an incident illustrative o.
J L r