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excellence, that their joyful parents may seem to live their lives over again in their virtuous children. And when they are descending into the vale of age, or languishing with infirmities and disease, it comforts them to lean on filial supporters, and to have their eyes closed by filial hands. To such husbands and such wives, to such parents and such children, may be justly applied the charming character of the text. The world looks on an amiable domestic character with reverence and esteem, and regards him as a blessing to the community. His private virtues have an influence beyond the sanctuary at home. The lovely example is perceived and felt by many. If we would be greatly loved of God and men, then, we must be faithful and tender in the domestic relations.

And not in these only. We must maintain a course of undeviating rectitude in all our intercourse with the world. In the ordinary commerce of life, a sacred regard must be rendered to justice and equity. "Whatsoever we would that others should do unto us, doing so unto them, and looking not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,” regarding their interest with a generous impartiality, as well as our own. If it be apparent in a long course of conduct, and in multiplied and extensive operations, that there is this rising above selfishness, this consulting for the good of others in those very measures, which are designed to promote our own, it inevitably secures the esteem and love of men.

Yet still, there are duties more particularly denomi

nated benevolent, in which the man, who is greatly beloved, eminently takes delight, and which peculiarly endear him to the community in which he lives. What those duties are, and what influence the performance of them has on the minds of men, may be learned from the words of Job :-" When the ear heard me, then it

to me.

blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not, I searched out."

Not to enlarge on this fruitful head—an upright and benevolent man, especially when his means and talents are distinguished, renders services of high importance to the civil and religious community in which he lives; sometimes by sustaining important offices, and conferring gratuitous care and labor in securing and promoting the common interests; at others, by a liberal bestowment of wealth to advance the interests of science, of peace and good morals, to promote the cause of religion, to diffuse the blessing of the holy scriptures, to furnish missionary labors in those parts of the land which are in danger of becoming pagan; in these, and other disinterested labors and charities, much may an individual do, that shall have an incalculable influence on the prosperity of the community, and the present and future happiness of men. Indeed, the blessings confer

red by the Fountain of all good, through the instrumentality of one enlightened, reflecting, liberal individual, may exceed our computation, till eternity itself shall throw light upon the subject.

It is needless to say to my beloved hearers, that my mind has been led into this train of reflection, by the death of that distinguished citizen* of the community, and invaluable member of this christian society, in regard to whom we are all ready to say, as well as his afflicted family" O man, greatly beloved."

It has not been my custom to indulge in eulogy in the sacred desk. And to you it is not necessary on this lamented occasion, who have long known his invariable manner of life, his unbending integrity, and his unsparing benevolence. His country he has served in the high places of the field, and the state in its public councils, and the town in its most important offices, and this society in its interests by his clear and solid judgment, his liberality, and pure and amiable manners.The poor have found in him, at all times, a merciful friend, and peculiarly liberal in those years of deep distress, which deranged their employments, and choked the channels of their subsistence. To those organized charities, which have contributed a relief to our local poor, which have aimed to promote just notions of peace and war, to suppress the tremendous evils of intemperance, to circulate the sacred scriptures, to furnish missionaries to those destitute of the preached word, he has been a generous contributor, and in several of them

* Moses Brown, Esq.

a most judicious and active officer. But the heart, which was warmed by benevolence, is chilled by death, and the hand, which was prompt to every good work, lies cold in the grave. O man, greatly beloved! may thine example prompt us to undeviating rectitude, and to ceaseless acts of benevolence.

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When we lie on the bed of languishing, may the Lord strengthen us, as he does those who have considered the poor. And may survivors have occasion to remark of us—“ Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

SERMON XIV.

PETER.

JOHN I. 42.

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a stone.

These simple words describe the first interview between Jesus and his eminent disciple, Peter. His brother Andrew, who, it seems, was a disciple of John the Baptist, having heard his master indicating Jesus to those around him, as "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world," and bearing record to him "as the Son of God," hastened to communicate the important discovery to Peter, which he did in the following words "We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus."

Although Peter was an entire stranger to Jesus, he at once knew the man, his parentage, and his character.

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