ing confidence in his own piety. He was remarkably free from spiritual pride in his most zealous days. But now he was willing to rest as a little child in the arms of his heavenly Father. He said to me one day, in his peculiar style of terseness and brevity, "How strange it is that people should be proud of their religion!—yet they sometimes are; perhaps I have been so,-but it is altogether wrong. We have nothing to be proud of. We can do nothing to commend ourselves to God."

Did time permit, I might specify other traits in the character of our departed friend, equally worthy of our imitation. Enough has been said, however, to establish his claim to the title of a "good man." He was likewise "full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." He was a firm believer in the necessity of divine influence in the regeneration and sanctification of the soul, and was therefore a man of prayer. He was a man of faith. I never knew a Christian who had stronger confidence in God, or a more practical belief in the efficacy of prayer. This faith was unwavering to the close of life. I was much affected with the reply which he made to me a few days before his death, when I asked him if he had entire confidence in God. "I have trusted in the Lord," he said, "and he has taken care of me for almost seventy years, and it cannot be that he will forsake me now." It reminded me of the words of David: “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have

I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed thy strength to this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."

Propriety forbids me to expose to public view the scenes of his chamber of sickness and death. They will be sacred in the memory of those who witnessed them. Yet it is right that you should be informed how he regarded the approach of death, and what was his last testimony to the Christian faith. Let me say then, that he was altogether free from agitation or fear; at times, perhaps, distrustful of himself, and cautious in the expression of his hopes, as was his habit through life;—yet never under a cloud, always strong in his Redeemer, and feeling safe in the hands of God. The composure with which he received the announcement of his danger, strikingly verified the divine promise-" he shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." He had indeed no enrapturing visions of future blessedness; his temperament was hardly excitable enough for these; but he had that which is more to be relied upon,-a calm, unwavering confidence in God. The holy serenity which marked his countenance, even in death, bespoke a mind at peace with itself, at peace with the world, at peace with God. So fades a summer cloud away;

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ;
So gently shuts the eye of day ;—

So dies a wave along the shore.

He is gone! His place in the sanctuary is vacant; and in our social meetings, we shall no longer look upon his benignant countenance, nor hear his voice in prayer and exhortation. To us, as a church, the loss is great; it is incalculable. We have lost the example, the counsel, the aid, the prayers of a man of God. But no; they are not lost; they will live in memory, they are registered on high. This church was more dear to him than any with which he was connected in the whole course of his life. He loved to lend his aid to a feeble church. He was one of the founders of this church, as well as the largest proprietor in this building. And how greatly have we been indebted to him, under God, for our prosperity! That prosperity continually filled his soul with gratitude and joy.

When I found that he must be taken from us, I knew not at first how to be reconciled to the will of God. I exclaimed with David, "if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" But I seemed to hear an answer from on high, "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven!" God, the Redeemer, reigns. He fails not. He still loves his cause and will carry it forward. Could our departed brother now address us, he would say, as he has often said "Have confidence in God, for vain is the help of man."

It is a pleasing thought that the church at large has lost nothing by this removal. One of her mem

bers has only left his seat below and gone up higher. He has not left the service of Christ. He is in the same kingdom, though in a more elevated station of honor and usefulness. His powers, now unfettered by sin, will expand in the same glorious service in which we in our weakness and imperfection here engage. We are yet one-members of the same body. Why then should we mourn? Let us rejoice rather

that we, in the person of our brother, have gained a new victory over sin and death, have brought new honor to Christ our king, and have obtained a new interest at the court of heaven.

But who will come forward to occupy his place on earth? Where are the young men who will step into the ranks when the fathers are cut down? I beseech you, brethren, consecrate yourselves wholly to Christ; identify yourselves completely with him and his cause; so that it shall be seen that the arm of the Redeemer is yet strong in the midst of us.

To me personally, the loss of our departed friend, is great indeed. He ever treated me with kindness and with confidence. Notwithstanding his years and intelligence, he was willing to acknowledge me, while yet a youth, as his spiritual counsellor and guide. More than all, he was ever ready to co-operate with me in the great work to which I have been called, and to cheer and sustain me by his counsels and prayers. It is a severe stroke to a pastor when such a member of his flock falls at his side. But I

dare not trust myself to speak-what my heart can scarce contain.

And why should I tell of my sorrow, or of yours, my brethren, in the presence of those who are plunged into a sorrow that we cannot fathom?-Let us not invade the sanctuary of their grief! Let us commend them to the God of grace and consolation. May He who is nearer than husband, father, son,* brother, friend, be with them in all the fullness of his love! May he remember his covenant, and be gracious to their souls! May they realize that another link in the chain of their affections has been drawn up into heaven, only to shorten the distance between their souls and God. May their sorrow be turned into thanksgiving, that he who was their head, their counsellor, their guide and their support, was spared to them so long; may it be turned into joy, that there remains to them so rich an inheritance in his example, instructions and prayers! The God of Israel has said-"leave thy fatherless children; I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me."

In conclusion, let me ask, who does not wish to lead the life of a good man? You have seen what that life is, both as portrayed by the pen of inspiration, and as exhibited by our departed friend. Does

* The venerable mother of Mr. Dwight was present on this occasion-being reserved in the inscrutable providence of God, to share with her numerous descendants this cup of affliction.