"II. Whence it appears that they think they have sold him for a 'goodly price,' or traded well.

"III. Expose the folly and criminality of their conduct."

IMPROVEMENT.

"1. Were Christ personally here, he would fare no better than he did in the days of his flesh.

"2. No wonder God has controversy with us;-we have sold Christ.

"3. When God converts a sinner, he disannuls the soul-destroying bargain.

"4. When he damns the sinner, he ratifies the bargain which he has made.

"5. "Tis more dangerous selling Christ than formerly. Truth of Christianity is more confirmed.

"6. This conduct of men should be a town-talk. The reason why it is not is, that so many are in the trade.

"7. All should do what they can to break up such bargains.

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8. Examine-Have you sold Christ? Is it not written on your conduct on the doors of your houses -your closets-your pew-doors-CHRIST SOLD HERE?""

4

His preaching was doctrinal and discriminating. "His theological views were systematic. They embraced essentially the New-England orthodoxy of the last age. He knew what he believed, and he was distinguished for an uncompromising exhibition of the doctrines of grace. He preached these doctrines without distinction in revivals of religion. And perhaps no pastor in Vermont enjoyed more abundant fruits of revival, for the size of his parish, than Mr. Haynes. West Rutland was among the first and largest sharers in that copious rain of righteousness in 1803-4. The

church was greatly augmented and edified. Several churches in the neighbourhood sought and obtained his labours when practicable. He was much in revivals, and few pastors, I believe, will have a crown of more gracious seals in heaven than Lemuel Haynes. In the period of his strength and activity he held a high standing with people of almost every class. He was greatly beloved and esteemed by his ministerial brethren for his sprightly gifts, his brotherly, meek, unassuming spirit, and for his consistent, devoted piety. He was truly 'the brother whose praise was in the gospel throughout all the churches.'"*

He discovered an uncommon knowledge of men.

In his early life he was in the living, acting world, associated with men in the field, in the town-meeting, in the camp, and in the daily intercourse of business and friendship. He knew the infidel, the caviller, the hypocrite, the worldling, in their naked character. He was familiarly acquainted with men of all classes, and by hearing the captious reasonings of the wicked against the doctrines and duties of the gospel, he brought with him into the ministry a knowledge which could never have been gained from books alone. A knowledge of the human heart is as truly necessary to the preacher as that of the Holy Scriptures. In this important science Mr. Haynes was exceeded by none of his contemporaries. He had studied his own heart with tears and on his knees. This knowledge of men and things is of inestimable worth to the orator, and especially to the Christian orator, whose most difficult work is to expose the deceitful windings and doublings of the human heart.

* Extract of a letter from Rev. W. Jackson, Dorset, Vt., who has furnished many interesting facts for this memoir.

He compelled the poets to contribute from their choicest treasures an interest and an impressiveness to his sermons.

The best passages in Milton, Young, Cowper, and Watts, were entirely at his command. If the impression on an audience was to be deepened, or a sentiment was to be exhibited more forcibly, they came at his bidding.

He imparted weight to his discourses by appropriate and abundant quotations from the Scriptures.

If there was a text to his purpose, he selected it, and brought it to the place where it was needed. In biblical exegesis he was remarkably ready. The Bible had been his study, and with several commentators he was familiar. His memory seemed to be a kind of synopsis criticorum, so that, on almost every text not perfectly plain, he could give you the views of all the prominent commentators, accompanied generally with pertinent original suggestions. This added not a little to the interest of his conversation and of his public discourses. There was throughout his sermons such an array of Scripture proof, that opposition to the great doctrines which he preached was felt to be opposition to the Bible. His discourses being thus full of Divine truth, and bearing the sanction of a "Thus saith the Lord," awakened great attention-took a deep hold upon the soul-pierced the conscience-roused the affectionsand produced convictions of the truth and importance of religion, which failed not to inspire a congregation with a deep interest in their pastor, and with great respect for his character.

He was remarkable for his simplicity.

His style was neither vulgar on the one hand, nor

florid on the other. It was plain and neat. His words were chosen with special reference to carrying home truth forcibly to persons of every variety of intellect. He often referred to the original Scriptures,-not, however, to make a display of learning, but to present some new and important thought. His discourses, while they interested persons of the most cultivated intellect, were perfectly within the comprehension of the most ordinary capacity; and even children could comprehend every part of the sermon, and remember it distinctly for years.

His illustrations were usually taken from the common occurrences and objects of life, and were managed with such felicity that every one saw and felt their power. What Quinctilian has said of a discourse, prima virtus orationis perspicuitas,* was in the highest sense applicable to his sermons.

He was distinguished for his animated delivery.

He had studied no rules of elocution, and was far from being an accomplished orator. Occasionally he adopted an obsolete expression, and his pronunciation was that of the last age. It was apparent, however, on his entering the pulpit, that he felt conscious of his awful charge. He possessed not only a kind of poetic enthusiasm, and knew how to employ the most lively images as his subject required, but the tones of his voice were natural, familiar, and insinuating. His manner was modest and deeply impressive. Sermons often fail of producing effect from the cold and lifeless manner in which they are delivered. "How happens it," said a bishop to a stage-player, "that you treat of fic

Plainness is the chief excellence of a sermon.

tion, and yet people are attentive and deeply affected; while we preachers treat of realities without effect?” "Because," replied the stage-player, "you treat realities as fictions, but we treat fictions as realities." In the pulpit orator there is a certain quality which animates and inspires his discourses, and never fails to awaken emotion in the assembly. This quality is sensibility. Hence the Latin poet Longinus thought that the orator must himself feel the passion he would describe:-" Si vis me flere, dolendum est primum ipsi tibi!"

It was this quality of mind in Mr. Haynes, in connexion with his holy fervour, that gave him such influence as a public speaker. It was this that rendered his services so desirable and so interesting on funeral occasions. His addresses at the grave were exceedingly impressive. On one occasion he said, "Come, my friends, let us look into our house. Here we must soon be placed. It is ours in a peculiar and appropriate sense. We deserve it, and our sins have ensured it to us. How dreadful the thought to the impenitent sinner, to go down to this region with endless curses on his head.' To such it is a dreary abode. It sometimes makes the good man tremble to think of lying here. How then must it startle the sinner!"

Mr. Haynes was seen to be the man of God in the pulpit and out of it. Such he was in the social circle, in the chamber of sickness, in the house of mourning, and in all the intercourse of life. Such a preacher, bearing about with him the credentials of the Lord, "resembles the angel of the Apocalypse, who was seen standing in the sun." He cannot fail to produce effect on the minds and consciences of men, and to gather