his Saviour, and reflected with lustre, increa-sing with its progress, the image of his maker. impressed upon his soul.

In the judicatories of the church, he stood forth to defend the bulwarks of our Zion. His intimate knowledge of our ecclesiastical: constitution, and the energy and intrepid boldness with which he supported it, have. long been recognised and acknowledgedi even by those whom he opposed; and, when his deciparty spirit stood not in the sions were received with gratitude and defer

ence.

way,

Nor did the multiplicity of his active engagements interrupt his private researches, or prevent him from composing works by which, though dead, he shall continue to speak to generations unborn.

Suited to such a life, devoted to God and to man, was the death which hath removed: him to his rest. It is not a vague and uncertain report I bring to your ears: For I was favoured to be an eye and an ear witness of the solemn, the affecting, the edifying

scene. Though his constitution had been worn out by his great exertions in his divine master's cause, the Lord was pleased that the powers of his mind should remain unbroken, and that he should not be detained long under the rod. But his affliction was sanctified, and brought him near to God.-In a season which admits not of dissimulation, in the silent watches of the night, when a few hours only were to elapse before he was numbered with the dead, he was strengthened to give the most decided testimony to the truth and excellence of that gospel he had preached; to declare his long experience of its sanctifying and its saving power, and to state the grounds on which he departed in joy to meet his Judge. Long, (said he), "have I felt the power of real religion on

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my heart and conduct, but never more "than since I was visited with this sickness, " which may prove unto death. For more "than thirty years, I have preached among

my people the doctrine of salvation; not a "nominal salvation, but that which is

"through faith in the imputed righteousness "of Christ, and wrought out by the agency "of the Spirit of God. This doctrine, I "trust, has been blessed to many; and this " is my ground of hope and joy, that I shall "be found, not having mine own righteous66 ness, but the righteousness which is of God "by faith. I know, that I shall attain the full

stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus: "I have been hungering and thirsting after ❝righteousness, and now I shall be filled. "In the prospect of an eternal world, I can say,-As to me to live hath been Christ, so to die will be gain."

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." And now I have spoken to you with simplicity, and, God is my witness, I have spoken from the heart: But I trust my words. will be regarded as more than the tribute of affection and gratitude. True it is, I was nearly related to your departed pastor by the ties of blood; and of all the numerous objects of his attention and beneficence, there

never existed one whom he laid under greater obligations than myself. He was the protector of my father's orphan house, and a willing instrument of our deliverance from penury and want. He was the faithful guardian of my helpless years, the director of my studies,---and active in promoting my successful introduction into public life. His counsels in conversation and correspondence, his example, and his prayers, were directed to excite me to act with credit to myself, and usefulness to others. To me, he ever was an instructive and agreeable companion, a faithful, though gentle reprover; a rejoicer with me in my happier hours; and the sympathetic soother of my sorrows. In his last moments, he had on his spirit the welfare of my soul, of my family, of my flock and, with those lips which were soon to be sealed by death, he expressed his heart's desire that we might be saved.

On these accounts, and on more than these, an apology would be found for me in every candid mind, though I had overlooked or

concealed some palpable blemishes in his character, and pronounced a panegyric which a more dispassionate observer would have been compelled to disclaim. But his character has stood the test of severer examination than mine, and is above my praise: Your attention and your tears are witnesses for me, that I may have come short, but have not exceeded, the dictates of truth and justice. His praise is in the churches. Many of you, I trust, are his epistle; the epistle of Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; and God, the Judge of all, hath fixed his eternal condition.

I might, therefore, leave the sacred place, where I now stand; but I beg your patience for a moment while I advert to the circumstances which render it painful for me to bid you adieu. Many peaceful, and profitable, and happy days, have I spent among you. In this pulpit I began my labours as a preacher of the gospel. To I have spo

you

ken more frequently than to any other con