of the great phyfician of fos.

the hopes of the humble char unfolded to him the animating

of God, and affured him, that desti best interests; for Jefus hat ther life and immortality to E

the

grave careless concerning t yond it, he felt all the i most sacred friendıhip cɔlk mi nefs, and with affectionat ma tions of falvation, and pri

REPENTANCE TOWARD GA JESUS CHRIST. He dre the good Father of all m rational duty; taught the recommended them to de language and fpirit, in a hope, that he would he and enable them to gues Son, a ut of seas

e confolainiftry, he 3 finners to life dear unto and the miniftry,

the gospel of the chriftian minifter, on, in which he was declared by his being tic occafions, where emd; the manner, in which to him, and to thofe, who of refpect for his character, of Doctor of Divinity from a of our country.

ous were published at the request of those, of them could not be obtained for inMain in the hands of his friends, as a fpeci

votion, as the life of christian goodness, and often lamented the dreadful neglect of the duties of piety, which he had much reafon to fear, was characteristicks of our times.

In preaching the unsearchable riches of Chrift, he came to his people deeply impreffed with the infinite importance of the subjects, to which he called their attention, and earnestly defirous of affecting their hearts, that he might present them with joy at the bar of God. His fermons were not laboured by art; but were calculated to imprefs the mind with the infinite worth of the religion, which they were defigned to support, and inculcate. His mind was not accustomed to the regular management of argumentative difcourfe. It was impatient of the forms of close investigation, and systematick reasoning. It glanced with rapidity from one subject to another; and, when truth was thought to be difcovered, was eager to give to it a practical effect. His difcourses, therefore, were often rather a collection of truths and exhortations, deemed important and useful, than a fyftematick arrangement of thoughts on any particular subject. His fermons were always ferious; his addrefles to the heart and conscience affectionate, impreffive, and often eloquent.

No man was lefs difpofed, than Dr. Buckminster, to enter the field of theological controverfy. His affections were too much mellowed and fweetened by the fpirit of the gospel, to permit him to feel, or exercise that theological hatred, which is often at the bottom of difputes, falfely called christian; and which is always ftrengthened by the manner, in which they are generally managed. What he believed, he believed with his whole heart, and defended with the firmness of full conviction, and the warmth of strong feeling. In the expreffions of his be

lief he was honeft; and toward those, who differed from him, he was willing to extend his charity. To the catholicism of his heart, to his poffeffion of that charity, which hopeth all things, my own experience enables me to bear decided teftimony; and I do it with fentiments of gratitude and refpect.

Were he to confent to be claffed with any particular denomination of chriftians, he would rank himself with the Calvinifts of the old school. He adopted their modes of interpreting the fcriptures, and gave his decided support to the doctrines, which they maintain. His faith remained unchanged from the beginning to the end of his chriftian courfe; and the belief, that he had faithfully preached the truth to his people, was the confolation of his last hours. During the courfe of his ministry, he ever appeared happy, when engaged in befeeching finners to become reconciled to God. He did not count his life dear unto himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry, which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. His accomplishments, as a chriftian minister, attracted public attention. "The estimation, in which he was "held by those, who knew him, is beft declared by his being "called to officiate on those various public occafions, where em"inence and diftinction are defired; the manner, in which

he acquitted himself, did honor to him, and to those, who "felected him.*" As a mark of respect for his character, he was honored with a degree of Doctor of Divinity from a respectable literary institution of our country.

* Many of Dr. B's Sermons were published at the request of those, who heard them. A complete lift of them could not be obtained for insertion in this place. They remain in the hands of his friends, as a specimen of his talents, and pulpit eloquence.

Upon his domestic character may be bestowed unqualified praife. He was a husband, who deferved and received affectionate respect. He was a father, to whom his children looked with confidence, as their friend and guide; whom they venerated and loved.

But nothing on earth is permanent. The good man, whofe lofs we deplore, was conftitutionally exposed to distref. fing nervous affections; and to deep gloom of mind. During the last winter and spring, his friends obferved, that his health was in fome degree impaired; and that he was often extremely depreffed. The gloom gradually thickened, and the distrefs increased. A few days fince, we beheld, with trembling anxiety, that the cloud had completely enveloped him ; and at times, that the traces of rational existence were almost entirely concealed.* It was hoped, that by taking him from the cares of his laborious office, by giving him relaxation, and leading his thoughts to the various and enchanting scenes, which at this season, the face of nature presents, his nerves might be braced, tranquility of mind restored, and he be returned to continue, with his ufual ardour and success, the duties of an ambas fador of Christ. But our hopes are deftroyed. Though much of his journey was passed by him in composure of mind; yet at fome periods of it he was afflicted with a most distressing state of the nervous fyftem. By the fufferings of thefe periods, his strength was fenfibly diminished. As the end of his courfe drew nigh, the tranquility of his mind was restored. He was not per

*The Dr. experienced violent nervous fpafms, during which his mind was very much difordered. These recurred about once or twice a day, and continued from half an hour to an hour.