father, indeed, appears to have been an eminently holy and devoted man, who silently and unostentatiously shed around him a religious influence. Robert, the subject of this notice, appears to have been a great favourite with his family, on account of the openness, ingenuousness, and the sterling integrity of his youthful character. He was never detected in any thing mean or artful, though sometimes he had to pay the penalty which awaits entire frankness and honesty in a world like ours. Robert Steven received a classical education, first at the High School of his native city, and afterwards at the University; and, had he followed any of the learned professions, there is reason to believe that he would have risen to eminence among his contemporaries. Having left his studies at a very early age, it is no matter of surprise that he lost a portion of the knowledge he had acquired, though the effect of early training never ceased to be perceptible in his conversations and letters.

On quitting college, he was bred to the occupation of his venerable father, and assisted him for some years in the tanyard; after which, in 1775, he was sent to London for further improvement, and to acquaint himself with some new plans which had there been adopted in the manufacture of leather. So intent was he on the accomplishment of his object, that though he brought with him numerous letters of introduction to influential and highly respectable individuals, he retained them all in his own possession, feeling that a course of visiting which their delivery would necessarily lead to, would frustrate his main design in coming to town. The same laudable determination to advance in life, led him to apply for a situation in a working man's dress, and, when he had obtained it, to appear among his fellow-workmen as one of themselves, though at eventide he gladly left a society so uncongenial, and retired to his lodgings, there to seek mental improvement, and to cast a lingering thought to his happy distant home. His employer soon perceived the superiority of his manners, and was not much surprised when, at the end of six months, a gentleman from Glasgow called to inquire for him, and the truth came out that he was so respectably connected.

At the end of two years, the time Mr. Steven left home for, he returned to Glasgow to assist his father; but, like many of his countrymen, feeling a preference for the metropolis, as a scene of mereantile enterprise, he returned to London in 1780,

and commenced business for himself as a leather-factor in Upper Thames-street.

Though strictly moral in his conduct, and very highly esteemed by all who knew him, for the general integrity of his character, it does not appear that Mr. Steven was truly converted to God in his early years. But the prayers of his pious parents on his behalf were registered on high, and in due time descended in rich blessings on the head and heart of their beloved son. He never at any time neglected public worship, and soon after his arrival in London became a stated attendant on the ministry of the Rev. John Rogers, at the Chapel in Collier's Rents, Long-lane, Borough. The labours of this worthy pastor, with those of his successor, the Rev. James Knight, were greatly blessed to the spiritual edification of Mr. Steven, who became a useful member of the church, and subsequently, for many years, an active and honourable deacon.

On leaving Collier's Rents, Mr. Steven united with the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. G. Clayton, of Walworth, as did most of his family, and remained for many years in this prosperous society, until he removed to Shacklewell, on retiring from business, to consecrate himself to the service of those religious societies to which he had been long and ardently attached. For many years Mr. Steven conducted business for himself as a general merchant, but chiefly in foreign hides and the fancy leather trade. He succeeded Samuel Mills, Esq., now of Russell-square. Subsequently, and until within a few years of his death, he had as his partner Mr. Joseph Cecil, of Thames-street. On commencing business, in 1782, he was united in marriage to Jane, youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Dawson, of Cirencester, a man of high moral and religious worth, whose praise was in all the churches; for, though never an ordained minister, he was a most useful and acceptable preacher, and few were the Sabbaths on which he was not found in one of the pulpits of the numerous towns and villages in the counties of Gloucester and Oxford.

Mr. Steven was the father of ten children, five of whom survived him; Mrs. Butterfield, Mr. Robert Steven, Mrs. Wills, of Bristol, Miss Steven, and Mrs. Conquest. What he was in private life, those who were privileged to enjoy his society can best testify. As a husband, a father, a friend, and a master, he was most exemplary. Several of his servants, on joining a Christian

church, dated their first serious impressions to his expositions at family prayer, or to his personal conversations with them on the subject of their eternal interests.

His house and heart were always open to receive Christian ministers of every denomination. A strict Nonconformist in principle, he much admired the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church, and was a regular attendant, on several of the week-day lectures, connected with the Establishment; while his family circle was often entertained and delighted by the visits of a Newton, a Foster, a Scott, a Cecil, and others of the same evangelical school. Bigotry was a feeling that never blighted the fair blossoms of Christian charity in the bosom of Robert Steven. He felt it to be his highest privilege to enjoy on earth the society of those with whom he hoped in heaven to spend a blissful eternity. Few laymen have rendered more extensive service to the religious societies of this country than Mr. Steven. He had a talent for business, and he willingly devoted it to the glory of God, and the good of souls. The records of the London Missionary Society bear ample testimony to his labours in its service, as one of its original Founders, and as its first Trustee, in conjunction with the late John Wilson, Esq., of the Tabernacle. He and a few others left the society, on account of some circumstances connected with the sailing of the Duff, which gave them pain; but long before his decease, the society regained his confidence, and shared in his vigilant and active support.

He was also associated with the Religious Tract Society from the first; and continued in its committee until he vacated the seat, to which his son-in-law, Dr. Conquest, succeeded and continued to occupy for upwards of twenty years. He greatly valued the fellowship of the committee of the Religious Tract Society, and spent some of the holiest and happiest hours of his life with the good men who were accustomed to resort thither.

Although he was not on the committee of the Tract Society during the year in which the Bible Society emanated from its deliberations, and, consequently, was not, strictly speaking, one of the few who founded it, still, on its assuming the character of a distinct society, he was named on its first committee; and continued, to the close of his life, one of its most laborious and judicious members, constantly travelling to all parts of the kingdom, gratuitously, to advocate its claims.

He was one of the originators of the Hibernian Society, and

a most devoted member of its committee. For many years he consecrated all his leisure time, and a large portion of his comfort, and limited pecuniary resources, to the interests of this society; and literally, it may be said, that in and by the service he rendered to that institution, he fell a victim.

"To the excitement," observes Dr. Conquest, in a letter to the Editor, "of its anniversary in 1827, I attribute his sudden removal to heaven. He dined with me after the meeting; (it was on a Saturday); and was elevated to a degree I never before witnessed, in consequence of the pledges he received from several noble and distinguished persons, to assist him with their influence on his next visit to Ireland. His work on the Chartered Schools in Ireland had opened the eyes of the government, and of the aristocracy, and had secured him many warm friends, and many bitter enemies; but, heedless of smiles or frowns, he steadily worked for the honour of God, and the good of his fellow-men. The excitement, however, of the meeting in question, was too much for him; for, although he was able to commemorate the dying love of Christ on the following morning, the next day, (Monday,) after a restless night, the powers of life gradually failed; until, without the slightest evidence of any disease, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, whilst reclining his head on my bosom, retaining to the last, perfect consciousness; and with a steady eye, and simple reliance on the finished work of his Saviour, he left us, with Christian cheerfulness and unwavering confidence, to receive the testimony and reward of his Lord and Master- Well done, good and faithful servant,' &c. During the whole of my professional career, I never witnessed so impressive a death-bed scene!"

"Few men," observes Mr. Campbell, of Kingsland, "were better known among the Christian population of London than Mr. Steven. He was an active worker on behalf of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Missionary and the Hibernian Societies, especially the latter. After retiring from business, I recollect his travelling twice over the greater part of Ireland, examining into the circumstances of their numerous schools. "He was very suddenly called off from his labours: for on Lord's-day, the 5th of May, 1827, he united with the church at Kingsland, in commemorating the death of our Lord. He had his seat taken in the stage for the next morning, to attend an early meeting of a sub-committee at the Bible Society House, but was taken ill during the night. His son-in-law, Dr. Conquest, was sent for in the morning; who, on arriving, found him, though not aware of it himself, near his dissolution, and faithfully told him he had only a few hours to live. Having had no suspicion of his situation, he was at first startled by the information; but in a minute or two, mustering his spiritual energies, he said, Thank God for it! He then sent for me to come over, as I lived immediately opposite. He said, 'Pray two minutes;' after which he said, 'It signifies little what a man does, the value depends on his motive for doing it. Then he said, 'If God were to offer me either to go to heaven by my own works, or for the sake of the work of Christ, without hesitation I would say, FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST; and my reason would be, because it would glorify God most.' These were the last words I heard him utter, for I left him, that his relatives might be alone with him; but his eyes soon became fixed, when he could no more hold intercourse with the inhabitants of this world, but life was not extinct till two o'clock. Truly the latter end of Robert Steven was peace."

Mr. Steven, on his removal from Walworth, was received into church-fellowship at Kingsland Chapel, from the Church under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Clayton, in the year 1817, and he died May, 7th, 1827.

The Rev. John Campbell, in a letter to Dr. Conquest, observes, "It was no small relief to my mind, when last travelling in Africa, to have such pious and wise men members of the

church at Kingsland, as Robert Steven, Joseph Reyner, David Langton, and some others that I could name."

Robert Steven was a man of profound personal piety, and lived habitually on terms of the strictest intimacy with heaven; consequently, in every relation he bore, and in every character he sustained, he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour. He possessed, and on all occasions displayed, a large share of that most rare of all mental endowments, good common sense. It was this, with his business-like habits, soundness of judgment, and unbending integrity, which made him so valuable a member of the various societies to which he was attached. He had his imperfections, as well as excellencies; and any one accustomed to act with him could perceive that he was somewhat more than disappointed, if his views of a particular measure were not adopted. Still, even in these instances, he evinced a dignified forbearance, which proved, that a nature somewhat prone to obstinancy, was under the control of grace. The Editor would bear his willing and grateful testimony, the result of intimate acquaintance, to the real kindliness of heart which distinguished Robert Steven. In committees and on journies, he always found his intercourses to be those of one who acted on the noblest of all motives-the fear of God.

On occasion of Mr. Steven's death, the Committee of the Hibernian Seciety passed the following just tribute to the memory of their departed friend.

"At a meeting of the Committee of the London Hibernian Society, held on Tuesday, the 15th of May, 1827, the death of Robert Steven, Esq., having been reported, it

was

"Resolved,

"That this Committee contemplate with the deepest concern, the loss they have sustained by the sudden removal of their long tried and faithful friend and fellowlabourer, Robert Steven, Esq.; and deem it their duty to record their deep sense of the obligations under which the London Hibernian Society is placed, to revere his memory as one of its first projectors, one of its most indefatigable supporters, and as having employed a large portion both of time and property in long and wearisome journies through Great Britain and Ireland, in the promotion of its great object-the advancement of Scriptural Education,