men so greatly stand in need, while in this vale of misery and tears.

He accordingly thus exercised it. The merciful God, previous to his call to the ministry, had opened his eyes to see the "world lying in the wicked one." He therefore laboured to pluck them "as brands out of the burning," to snatch them from the verge of hell. And as he saw the worth of souls, so he was not satisfied with the usual stated ministrations; but "from house to house, taught, reproved, and exhorted with all longsuffering." Even this did not satisfy his enlarged heart. He undertook a work of mercy, which surprised even the most religious of his friends. "Boasting," in him, "was excluded." But it should not be hid, that he actually preached a sermon in every house, in his very large parish! This work of mercy took him (I think he told me) about two years. But it shall never be forgotten. It"shall be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” But he felt the misery of the body too. in this respect also a merciful man.

He was

He was a

dispenser of the goods, as well as of the faith, of Christ. The sorrowful sighing of the prisoners," who were likewise his charge, 66 came up before him." In this too he showed himself a member of Christ. Indeed his whole life, as it is well known, was one continued act of mercy to the souls and

bodies of men. Like Joseph to the famishing Egyptians, the miserable found in him a ready friend, and an able advocate. He counted not his substance, or his life, dear to himself. The language of his heart was,

Thy mind throughout my life be shown,
While list'ning to the wretch's cry,

The widow's and the orphan's groan,
On mercy's wings I swiftly fly,
The poor and helpless to relieve,
My life, my all, for them to give.

It is well known that he abridged himself in all his necessary expenses; and denied himself many of the lawful comforts of life, that he might relieve the destitute. And when all the worldly goods of which his station in the Church put him in possession, had failed, the merciful Lord, whose Spirit had excited him, stirred up many to assist him in this labour of love. He saw, like Elijah, "the meal continue, and the oil fail not.” And, as the bread, blessed by the Master, grew in the hands of the disciples, who distributed to the famishing multitude; so his mite, given to God in the poor, continually increased, and “the thanksgiving of many redounded to the honour and praise of God." O! could I bring before you the prisoners, and the afflicted of every sort, to whom he was a restorer of life and comfort! -But there is no need. The Lord, whom he

served, will bring them before assembled worlds. Yet a while, and we shall see the " great white throne, and Him that sitteth thereon. And before him shall be gathered all nations. And he shall separate them, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." Then shall this merciful man stand at his right hand. And to him with the other children of mercy, shall the Lord say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father! receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick and in prison, and ye came unto me. "But why," as a Minister of Christ has observed,* "does not our blessed Lord mention works of spiritual mercy? He could not do it with any propriety. It was not for him to say, 'I was in error, and ye convinced me; I was in sin, and ye brought me back to God.' And it needeth not; for in mentioning some, he included all works of mercy."

But this burning and shining light was given to the world only for a short time. His great and continual labours, with too great a neglect of himself, brought on, nearly a year ago, a general weakness. This increased more and more, notwithstanding the best medical assistance; and at

Mr. Wesley, in his Sermon before the Humane Society.

last took him out of this world to his eternal reward, on the twenty-first day of January, 1791, in the fortieth year of his age.

From the month of August last, I visited him constantly; indeed for my own profit, as well as through unfeigned respect for so excellent a character. I found him always the same,-invariably patient, resigned, and thankful. His friends, who, with the poor, longed for his life, were full of hope for his recovery. He himself seemed at

times to think that he should be restored. But his constant language was, "The Lord is wise. The Lord is good. The Lord will do all things well." When his weakness became extreme, he thought much of death. Yet, if ever he seemed recalled to any expectation of life, it seemed, like the great Apostle, (Philippians i. 23, 24,) to be excited by his unspeakable love to his flock at large, and especially the children of his faith and prayer. With what tenderness have I heard him say, "My flock! My flock! I would live for them! But thy will be done! O that the Lord would send them a Pastor after his own heart! To Him I commend them."

He grew at last so very weak, that he could not converse. He could only utter a sentence now and then. His last words to me were, "God does all things well. His will be done. I have no fear; I fear not death: I fear not judgment.”

Then, after a pause, he added these remarkable words: "I delight in the thought of judgment; I know my interest in the Judge; and I know I shall stand before him with joy!"

Thus died, as he lived, full of faith and love, the Reverend Joseph Easterbrook. But, shall it be said of his death also, that "no man layeth it to heart?" Rather, we will hope that his memory will be blessed; that many will be provoked thereby to give themselves to Him who gave himself for them, the just for the unjust, to bring them to God; and that his flock especially will cry mightily to the God of their late honoured Pastor, that He may provide for their spiritual profit, that He may again "give liberally and upbraid not," that He may still guide their feet into the way of peace, and that they may be followers of him who is gone before, as he was of Christ: To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever!