circumstances;

and a covert from the tempest.'

It is not surprising that Mr. C., to whom Christ was so precious, should ardently desire to

"Tell to sinners round,

What a dear Saviour he had found,"

and wishing to be engaged in the work of the ministry, he entered the Western Academy, Axminster, under the care of the Rev. James Small. He pursued and closed his academic career with great credit to himself, and to the entire satis

faction of his esteemed tutor.

In the summer of 1812 he was requested by the destitute church at Wellington to supply the pulpit for a few sabbaths. His services were so acceptable to the church and congregation, that they presented to him an unanimous call to become their settled pastor. To this request he eventually acceded; and in the acceptance of their call, he says: "I received your unanimous invitation to the pastoral and ministerial office with feelings I cannot describe. The awful responsibility of a stated ministry has made such an impression on my mind that until lately I had not entertained an idea of uniting myself to any Christian society. I have sought direction at a throne of grace, and have attentively surveyed the leadings of Providence. It is my desire to obey the voice of the Lord in all things, and to follow the Saviour wheresoever he may lead me. I hope the ministration of the word of life since I have been at Wellington has been profitable to my own soul and beneficial to others. I have felt an unusual attachment to this part of Christ's vineyard, believing that Providence has directed me here to exercise my labours." Thus was cemented a connection which continued and strengthened for the long term of more than three and thirty years.

In 1817, Mr. C. was united in marriage to Miss Parminter, the daughter of a former pastor of the church at Wellington. This connection conduced in every respect to his happiness and usefulness. By this lady he had a numerous

During the long period of Mr. Cuff's ministry the greatest unanimity prevailed between himself and the people of his charge; indeed, he was highly esteemed and respected by men of every class and denomination. His heart, his hand, and his purse were always ready for every work of charity and benevolence. With the exception of some slight attacks of gout, he enjoyed almost uninterrupted good health; so that it is believed only one sabbath occurred during the whole of his pastorate in which he was prevented by illness from performing the functions of his office. He had the pleasure of seeing, though not to the extent he both ardently wished and prayed for, the church grow beneath his care; and very recently he expressed his earnest hope and belief that still better days and brighter prospects were before him.

On the Saturday previous to his decease he called upon his medical friend, and intimated that he had taken a slight cold, and felt some little difficulty in breathing, remarking at the same time, that he had no pain whatever. It was suggested to him that as he must take medicine, he would not be able to preach on the morrow. He then said he would go and ask an old and valued ministerial friend in the town to officiate for him. On the Monday he observed that he was quite well; that nothing ailed him except a little difficulty of breathing; that he was perfectly free from pain. It was proposed to apply a blister over the chest, and he at length consented, saying, that at no period of his life had he had a blister applied. He was advised to remain in bed on Tuesday; but when visited by his medical attendant, he asked, with a smile,—his own engaging, lovely smile,

"What am I to be kept in bed for? I have no pain, and could get up very well." In the course of the evening, symptoms of an alarming nature developed themselves; and a little after midnight, the happy spirit quitted its earthly

tenement without a struggle or a groan, and, absent from the body was present with the Lord. It seemed a translation.

About two hours prior to his death, he said to one of his attendants whom he had admitted into his church, "I am happy we have communed together on earth, and I hope we shall meet in heaven." The intelligence of his death seemed to give a shock to the whole of the town and neighbourhood, and excited a feeling of evident regret that has seldom been equalled, and certainly never surpassed. The interment took place on Friday the 7th of November, with every demonstration of respect. The shops in the town were almost universally closed, and crowds of individuals of every class and denomination, regardless of the heavily descending rain, accompanied the procession, or repaired to the chapel and burying-ground to testify their regard for one whom they should see and hear no more. Six ministers of the County Association, with which the departed had been so long connected, and of which he had become the father, attended to support the pall. The difficult and painful task of conducting the solemn and affecting service was devolved on the Rev. John Allen, of Chudleigh, whom Mr. C. had formerly admitted a member of the church at Wellington, and subsequently introduced to the work of the ministry. The funeral sermon was preached on the following sabbath by the Rev. Dr. Payne, from Psa. xxxvii. 37, "Mark the perfect man," &c. The chapel was thronged to an excess never before witnessed, so that many were obliged to quit for want even of standing-room. It is hoped that the

mysterious event, thus improved, will leave a deep and abiding impression upon the minds and hearts of the many hearers.

To enter upon any lengthened detail of the pre-eminent excellence in the character of the highly-esteemed and greatlybeloved Rev. J. H. Cuff is not at the present time intended. It must, however, in conclusion, be added, that through grace he was enabled "to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour," in the family, in the church, and in the world.

As a man, he possessed strong natural powers of mind; he was singularly prudent; and he was truly sincere in his friendship and attachments.

As a Christian, he was distinguished for the devotional and for the candid spirit which he habitually cherished. All who knew him bore testimony to the fact, that he was "a man of God," "an Israelite, indeed, in whom was no guile."

As a minister of Jesus Christ, his sermons were replete with evangelical doctrine; he declared "the truth as it is in Jesus;" and to many his preaching was the "savour of life unto life;" and of such it may be said, they were "his joy here," and it is hoped they will be the " crown of his rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming."

As a pastor, he was assiduous, unremitting, and faithful in the discharge of his sacred functions. He was not "weary in well-doing," and he ended his work and his life together. "Blessed are the

Idead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."