the recollection of it, the hearers wished for a word which might characterise the appearance and manner of the preacher, his venerable and unworldly aspect, as well as the purely moral and devotional force of his persuasion, seemed worthy of no less an epithet than apostolic. Smooth as was the flow of his language, beautiful as often were the illustrations of his subject, and perfect his elocution, it was yet, by no means, the idea of a rhetorician or an orator that was suggested. The mind was not carried to the school of an Isocrates, or to the forum of a Cicero, but rather to the presence of a beloved disciple," breathing the mild spirit of the bosom on which "he had leaned," and inviting to that heaven which in vision had been opened to him.

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Nor were the graces and power of his elocution confined to the recommendation of his discourses. His peculiarly impres

sive and touching manner of reading the Scriptures will be remembered by many, who thus had their attention awakened to every shade of beautiful or important meaning; and who, like the writer of this sketch, account it no small privilege to have heard the precepts and pleadings of christianity first repeated by a voice, in which Religion herself seemed to speak with her own tones, and in her proper character, as the earnest and affectionate friend and instructor of man.

To the high praise of the author it remains to be mentioned, that the moral impression of his discourses and other public services, was not weakened by an acquaintance with his private life and conversation. If he seemed to walk among his fellow men rather with the quiet and contemplative spirit of a spectator, than with the ardour and energy of an actor in the same busy scene, yet it was not with the indifference of one

who owned no kindred with the beings around him. Benevolently rejoicing in the sight of their happiness, warmly returning their friendship, cheerfully contributing to enliven their social hour, and deeply sympathizing with their sorrows, he showed that if he had learned on his own account to "be careful for nothing," it was from the same master who had taught him also to "be kindly affectioned," and "with brotherly love" to consider the situations and interests of others. By those who but slightly knew him, the simplicity of his habits and appearance, and his want of ambition or anxiety about many things upon which men usually set a high value, might perhaps be attributed to ignorance of the world. But it was not so much that he knew not the worth of what the world has to give, as that he prized at a higher rate the freedom and tranquillity of mind which it cannot give. It was not in ignorance, so much as with a good-hu

moured contempt of the proffered rewards, that he let the stream, upon which so many venture with eager competition, pass by him, without unmooring his own little bark from the quiet harbour of his contentment. They who were occupied with the pursuit of riches and greatness, or pleasing themselves with the display of their worldly importance, might account him a child in their ways; but it was he rather who, because he was in understanding a man, could look and smile upon their bustle and their consequence, as upon the amusements and toys of children. Yet if he did smile, it was with all the gentleness and benevolence that can ever accompany the contemplation of children. And if, in his close observation of human nature, (often veiled under an appearance of inattention to what was passing,) he was quick to seize upon topics of innocent pleasantry, as well as upon subjects of graver reflection, yet in his lightest mood, there was

no tendency at variance with that which was felt in his public instructions; there was the same spirit of a pure, kind, and tranquil heart, breathing from him and diffused around him.

It must not, however, be supposed that this was a spirit which rendered him incapable of being the indignant censurer of vice, as well as the admirer and friend of virtue. Though his temper largely partook of that charity which "hopeth all things," yet he did not so entirely live in the dreams of a benevolent imagination, nor so exclusively direct his attention to traces of moral beauty and loveliness, as to have neither belief nor emotion for the deformities of human character. His sensibility was as lively to every thing mean, unjust and unamiable, as to actions and qualities of an opposite nature; his sympathy with the injured and oppressed, as ready and as warm as his admiration of the dis