Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/234

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BROWNE. sacred writings to great advantage : and as he had formed himself upon the best models of antiquity, he quickly in- troduced a true taste of eloquence into that society, of which he was a member and headg and utterly banished that false glitter of shining thoughts, aund idle affectation of points, and tarns, which reigned before in the sermons of their most eminent preachers; by shewing how don- temptible they were, compared with the solidity and dignity which discovered themselves in his plainer, but more correct and nervous periods. Yet after all, his most distinguished talent was that of inspiring true piety into the hearts of all that heard him preach or pray; his heart was full of it; and his whole air, manner, and tone of voice (whether in the pulpit, or at the altar) breathed and inspired it pure and fervent. The liturgy of the church of Ireland was seen in a new light of beauty and excelleney, when he officiated: and more particularly the communion service was felt and confessed, by every man that heard it from his mouth, to be an heavenly composition. " His whole life was one uniformten or of piety and true religion. He expended vast sums in charitable uses; but took particular pains to keep the knowledge of them private; even those who were relieved, knew not the hand from whence their assistance came. He made it a rule, never to trust any person to convey his charity a second time, who had once divulged what he desired should be kept secret from all the world. " By his generous encouragement several churches were rebuilt and repaired, and a handsome pablie library, with a large room for a charity school, erected neat his cathe- dral. Although those good works were not entirely done at his own expense; yet he was the most considerable contributor to them. And in such cases, his most inti- mate friends could seldom discover the amount of his dis- bursements. He expended upward of 2000l, on a country house and improvements at Ballinaspack, or Bishopstown, near Cork; which he built for a summer retreat, and left