Endowed with natural abilities well adapted for the acquisition of
knowledge, and possessing a taste for various branches of literature and
science,--gifted, too, with engaging manners and affability of
disposition, he became, as he grew up, a general favourite amongst those
with whom he associated, and his immediate relatives indulged in fond
hopes of his becoming an honourable and useful charter. His best
friends, however, were sometimes anxious on his account, lest the
caresses of the world should turn aside his feet from the path of safety,
and prevent that entire surrender of heart and life to the requirements
of the gospel, which alone consists with true Christian discipleship, and
affords a well-grounded expectation of real usefulness and permanent well-
being. But he was open to receive the admonitions of his friends, and
there is reason to believe that the voice of Christian counsel was
instrumental to his good.
He was never very robust; and his application to study, in addition to
his stated duties, was, perhaps, not favourable to bodily vigour. Before
the expiration of his apprenticeship, he became so enfeebled, as to cause
his relations much anxiety; and as his uncle and aunt had withdrawn from
the Institution, the Committee of the School kindly acceded to their
proposal to remove him to their own house.
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