unto life, because we love the brethren." word, an eminently good and holy man. He was, in one As a Friend he was much beloved; ever faithful, ever ready to perform the offices of friendship. He was of an unobtrusive disposition, and never pressed his opinions upon others; but when asked to give them, he did so frankly and openly; and those who have enjoyed intercourse with him know how valuable and wise were his counsels, and how safely they might rely upon his prudence and judgment. In the bosom of his own family peace and happiness reigned, amid the mild radiance of Christian virtues. Those most dear to him know how great is their loss, how irreparable their bereavement. His domestics entertained the highest veneration for their master, and his unwillingness to add one burden to their duties, convinced them of the genuine kindness of his heart. Hundreds, I As a Writer he was remarkably useful. doubt not, are blessing God on his behalf. His productions are characterized by great simplicity and clearness of expression. His style was invariably simple. His earliest works having been written for the young, he had contracted a habit of writing suitable to that class, which he never laid aside, even in his larger works. He never sought after literary fame. His grand object was to do good, and in the attainment of this object he was eminently successful. As a Minister he was greatly honoured by God in the conversion of many; of some remarkable for their former rejection of the gospel. His unblemished character, and unswerving consistency of conduct, together with the simplicity and fidelity of his preaching, made him to be greatly beloved by his people. Not his absence from them for more than four years could alienate their hearts from him. The tie that bound them together was sacred and strong, and a temporary separation only made their reunion the more joyful. You can testify to his fidelity, and that he ever sought not yours, but you. Remember him, then, and let the recollection of a faithful and affectionate minister of Christ be embalmed in your hearts. As a Pastor he was ever diligent in his attention to the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer. The bed-side of the sick and the dying was his resort, as soon as he heard of the illness of any of his people. The young received much of his notice, and with that interesting portion of society he was an especial favourite. As his colleague in the ministry, I may be forgiven if I give utterance to the genuine feeling of my heart. Ever since my association with him in pastoral duties, I have found in him a friend and a father. The very first letter I received from him when it was decided that I should be his fellow-labourer, breathed the spirit of paternal affection. At the outset, he took me by the hand, and his kindness won upon my heart. I cannot but adore that God by whose gracious ordination I was associated with one whose character, experience, and prayers proved of incalculable advantage to a young minister of Christ; and who was so admirably adapted to cheer, and encourage, and strengthen, one who was just setting out in an arduous career. I am per suaded that no union like that which has subsisted between us was ever formed, that was more auspicious and beneficial to the youthful pastor; and no separation which could make the loss greater than that I feel. I look back upon the last two years of my life with a melancholy pleasure, and now that the spirit of my venerated colleague has gone, like the bereft Elisha, my aching heart exclaims, "My father! my father! the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. May a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." And now the grave has hidden from our view all that is mortal of our beloved friend. The seal of death is on the tomb, and silence enshrouds his lifeless form; his face will be seen, his voice will be heard, here, no more. But you will meet him yet once again. When earth shakes with the trumpet's sound, and the fires of the last day reveal the throne of the Judge of men, wearing the robes of solemn majesty, you will see him. I tremble for some who have heard, and heard often, from his lips, the message of salvation, but have rejected it. Now, mark! his account has closed, and he must testify what he has done with reference to you, whether for or against you. And while I truly believe he will be free from the blood of you all, is it not to be feared your own blood will be on the heads of some of you? Is not the bare thought that he may witness against you withering? Does not your heart tremble when you think of the bare possibility of this? Would you avoid it? Adopt the language of the text. Let Christ be the object of your love, your faith, and your obedience; let his glory be dear to your heart; let his enemies be no longer your cherished friends; leave the world, and love it not; then to live will be Christ, and to die gain. Finally. Let the church, and the friends, and family of the departed, amid the gloom of sorrow, behold the rainbow of hope, and rejoice. It is true he has fallen in the midst of us, but honoured, beloved, and full of years. It is true he is absent from us, but he is present with the Lord; he has entered upon the felicities of that high world to which he often longed to soar, and forgetting the cares and evils of this fallen state, amid the full blaze of living light, stands a beatified and perfect spirit. On earth he sought not his own, but the glory of Christ; and now that blessed Master has rewarded his servant by making him a sharer as well as a beholder of his glory. Oh! what an enrapturing scene has burst upon his view! The hands of angels who bore him from earth drew aside the veil of the eternal world, and he stood at once in the midst of that glorious company that gathers round the throne, from whom, as he entered, a joyful shout of welcome arose. And now his hand waves high the palm of victory, or sweeps the strings of his bloodbought harp, as he joins in the song of exulting triumph to the praise of the mighty Conqueror of death; and with the myriads of the redeemed exclaims, "Thanks be unto God, who hath given us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." T. C. Savill, Printer, 107, St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross. |