not pleased to comfort the afflicted, by explaining to them the special reasons of his conduct, but by presenting motives, and affording his grace, to render them patient in tribulation, and joyful, in hope of his glory. He is infinitely great, and wise, and good a God full of compassion, and ready to make all his grace abound towards those, who put their trust in him. "Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." Hence he chasteneth them only for their profit, that they may be partakers of his holiness, and be prepared to dwell for ever, in the presence of his glory.

It may be no small consolation to you, Madam, to consider the abiding interest, which you will have in the friendship, and in the prayers of many, by whom your excellent husband was greatly beloved in life, and as deeply lamented in death. Be assured, that a numerous and affectionate people, to whom his memory must remain endeared, while they live, will not. be unmindful of you, nor neglect any fit occasion, for showing kindness to you, and to your beloved children, for their father's sake.—And now, Madam, we commend you also, together with your little flock. unto God, and to the word of his grace, in a humble trust, that your present afflictions, which are but for a moment, shall work for you a far more exceeding, even an eternal weight of glory.

4. The death of a faithful minister must be an afflictive and solemn admonition to his surviving brethren. To us, my Reverend Fathers and Brethren, the present is such an admonition. Though it be hardly realized, it is awfully certain, that we cannot continue long, by reason of death. God only knoweth how soon our wives shall be left widows,

our children fatherless, and our people as sheep, having none to watch over them. The scene of parting is before us, in which we must bid adieu to our families, and our flocks, to see their faces no more, till we meet them again, amidst the awful realities of the world to come. To all of us, an event so interesting in its consequences, is swiftly approaching, and to some of us is probably near, at the doors. How then should we be with those, at all seasons, to whose souls God hath made us watchmen. How diligent should we be, to instruct them publicly, and from house to house; how faithful to preach unto them the unsearchable riches of Christ; to pray for them, without ceasing; to declare unto them the counsel of God; and to make ourselves examples to them of whatsoever things are pure, lovely, and of good report. How" little, little," should all the glory of this world appear to us, when we consider the high vocation with which we are called, and the vast importance of the work assigned us, in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. How immensely interesting to ourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers, that we be instant in season, and out of season, and that we watch, and pray, and live, and preach, as becometh dying men-as becometh dying ministers; and that we spare no pains, to rescue and save the souls, for which Christ died! If unfaithful, alas! my brethren, we shall have prepared a pillow of thorns, for the bed of death, and a fearful reckoning, for a judgment day. Would to God, that the present afflictive and solemn admonition of his providence might be richly sanctified, for quickening us, to a zeal and faithfulness, becoming the amazing importance of our work. And when this work is finished, and they all, among whom we have gone, preaching the kingdom of God, shall see our faces no more, may we cheerfully bid them farewell, in the joyful hope of meeting them

again, with the general assembly and church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven.

Brethren and Friends, of this numerous assembly. We beseech you to pray for us; for us your dying minister; for us, who watch for your souls, and must give account, that we may be faithful to God, and to you, and be prepared to give up our accounts with joy, and not with grief. Pray for this bereaved church and congregation, that the shepherd of Israel, who dwelleth between the Cherubims, and never slumbereth, nor sleepeth, would graciously keep them, as the apple of his eye, and presently give them another Pastor, after his own heart. Pray for the bereaved consort, and the fatherless children of their late Pastor. Pray also for youselves, and for your children, that you may receive the truth, as it is in Jesus, and be faithful to instruct them, in the way of righteousness and peace, and train them up for the world of glory. Remember, that you, and your ministers must surely die, and that you and they must shortly meet, at the tribunal of heaven, to receive an irreversible doom. And now may God Almighty bless you, and grant you grace to obey the gospel of his Son, that when he shall come in his glory, you may be our rejoicing, as we would humbly hope to be yours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.