ment to a relative which led him to insist upon having an attendant who had proved unacceptable to Paul. There are intimations, however, that the difficulty was subsequently healed, and that these two devoted men again traveled and labored in company. The only other fault mentioned in the demeanor of Barnabas a fault arising, probably, from the warmth and tenderness of his disposition,-is that he was led away with the dissimulation of Peter and others in respect to their intercourse with the Gentiles. But notwithstanding these imperfections, how striking is the evidence that he was a good man!

We are told also, that he was "full of the Holy Ghost;" by which we may understand either, that he possessed the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, inspiration, and the power of working miracles; or, which is more probable, that he was under that constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, which is vouchsafed to every Christian. He was also full of faith; he had strong confidence in God, and relied upon His promises in all that he undertook. As a consequence of this, not only at Antioch, but wherever he went, much people was added to the Lord. His sincerity, fervor and faith, made him an eminently successful preacher of the Gospel. He won the confidence of those to whom he spoke, and demonstrated the power of religion by the exuberant fruits of goodness in his own life. He was a useful and happy man.

In this community, my brethren, we are happily

surrounded with those, who, like Barnabas, may be characterized as " good" men. They are our richest ornaments. But among our numerous excellent citizens, while some combine the most fervent piety with the most eminent attainments, others are pre-eminent for moral worth. Of such was he for whom we mourn. As I have specified the traits of the good man's character, you have doubtless anticipated me in tracing the resemblance between that which I have now described, and that which we have so lately seen. I have chosen to set before you the life of a good man as portrayed by the pen of inspiration, that you might have in mind the proper standard by which to test the character of our departed friend and brother. There are two or three points of resemblance between him and the "good man" spoken of in the text which are so striking, that I cannot forbear adverting to them briefly in this connection. Like Barnabas, he might well be termed a son of exhortation." How often was he the life of our social meetings! How ready was he, on all suitable occasions, to exhort Christians to fidelity and sinners to repentance. And how clear, pungent and faithful-how earnest and affectionate were those exhortations! The little circles which meet weekly for prayer, have lost one of their most valuable members. He was always ready to give counsel and instruction to his brethren, or to lead their devotions. His example in this respect is much to be commended, and I trust that

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it will be generally imitated. It may be said, that he was peculiarly competent to take the lead in social worship. And so he was. But how did he become so? Mainly by taking pains to qualify himself for the duty, and by never shrinking from the performance of it. True, he was endowed with vigorous intellectual faculties; he inherited much of that strong sense and clear discernment which characterized his illustrious father; true, that system of theology which now forms the opinions of so large a portion of the Christian world, was with him familiar as household things. Yet he was not a man of collegiate education. Well informed as he was, he acquired much of his information as he went through life from day to day, by a careful husbandry of time. It was pains-taking rather than genius which made him thus competent to be the guide and counsellor of others. And I may say here, for the encouragement of many who shrink from praying or speaking in public, that Mr. Dwight, not having made a profession of religion till late in life, experienced all that embarrassment in first attempting to lead in social worship, which deters so many from it altogether. Yet how limited, comparatively, would have been his enjoyment and usefulness, if he had abandoned the effort because it was painful! Christians know not what they lose, when they refuse to employ the talent of public speaking which God has given them, for his glory. They should endeavor to develop that

talent fully. They should take time even from their business to discipline and improve their minds, and thus qualify themselves for more extended usefulness, and redeem religion from the reproach of weakness and ignorance. We have no sympathy

with any system which prescribes no duty to the laity but that of servile obedience to ecclesiastical superiors. Congregationalism itself should be made to give a still wider scope to the talents and influence of the brethren of the church. I hope that many who have been edified and excited to their duty by our departed friend, will hereafter be themselves sons of prophecy.

I need hardly remind you, that benevolence was a prominent trait in the character of our departed brother, as it was in that of Barnabas; benevolence in the broad sense of the term. He may not always have agreed with others as to the most feasible mode of doing good, but " to do good and to communicate" he never forgot. No plan of usefulness which commended itself to his judgment, ever failed to enlist the sympathies of his heart. He was ready to further every such enterprise by his counsel, his substance and his prayers. In him the poor, especially those of the household of faith, found ever a friend and benefactor. Among the great benevolent undertakings of the day, none interested him so deeply as the distribution of the word of God, the cause of Home Missions, and that of the education of young

men for the Christian ministry.* always warmly engaged.

In these he was

He resembled Barnabas, also, in the entireness of his consecration to God. With him religion was not confined to the sanctuary and the Sabbath. It was the practical principle of life. No one could be long in his society, without perceiving that the cause of the Redeemer had the chief place in his affections; no one could mark his deportment for a single day, without perceiving that he aimed at entire conformity to the will of God.

He was characterized too, by the same openness and sincerity which marked this New Testament saint. He was an "Israelite indeed," in whom there was "no guile;" "full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." He had an honorable independence of character which put him above suspicion. You always felt that you could trust him. To this the whole community will bear me witness. Those who are prone to carp at Christians, must find some other charge than hypocrisy to bring against him. Never was a man more honored for integrity than he. His standard of honesty, and indeed of morality in general, was not only far above the ordinary standard of men of business,

* On page 117 of the Memoir will be found a detailed account of Mr. Dwight's munificent donation to found a professorship of Didactic Theology in Yale College.