146 MINISTRY AT WARRINGTON. [Chap. IV. 



a few of the materials, ready for the great architects of science 

 to erect the beautiful edifice of harmonious knowledge " (pp. 

 367, 368). 



His investigations revealed to him unexpected mistakes in 

 some works of reputation. Although careful observation is 

 regarded as an attribute of naturalists, there are too few who 

 have such a supreme love of truth that they will spare no pains 

 to ascertain it, and cherish no theories which might obscure it. 



While engaged in these works, events occurred which tried 

 him deeply. One of these was the long illness and death of 

 his mother (June 19, 1856), in her 75th year. Though she 

 was' usually an invalid, and had often been close to the gates of 

 death, yet the firmness of her purpose and the energy of her 

 spirit had enabled her to complete a course of onerous and 

 important duties. In old age her former pupils and many 

 friends found her ready to cheer and help in every trouble and 

 difficulty, to sympathize in every joy, and to give (when re- 

 quired) that judicious advice which she afforded from the expe- 

 rience of a varied life faithfully noted and improved, and from 

 a deep and influencing desire to learn and do the will of God. 

 Her rule over her children (as over herself) had been strict ; 

 but the remembrance of it only deepened their love when, in 

 later life, the tenderness of her heart, as well as the wisdom and 

 beauty of her spirit, was still more revealed to them. The long 

 illness and depression of her husband had caused her intense 

 anxiety ; and when he had entered into rest, her eldest daughter 

 and youngest son, who inherited so much of his temperament, 

 became her special objects of solicitude. All her children met 

 (as it proved, for the last time) at her funeral, on Sunday, June 

 22. Those days at Bristol seemed as sabbaths, bringing a 

 hallowed change from common life, and sanctifying family affec- 

 tion. But though " to depart " was, for her, " far better," her 

 departure made a sad blank. There was no more a parental 

 home, blessed by a mother's love. Her daughter Mary, who 

 had always lived with her, felt the loneliness acutely, though 

 her brother and sister (Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Thomas) had 



