lowing brief memorial of departed worth, the one half has not been told them.

It is true, that the writer has been obliged in many cases; and indeed more or less throughout, to employ his own phraseology; his memory not being sufficiently retentive, to preserve that of his venerable friend. This necessity, however, has occasioned, not an excess, but a deficiency, of what the rational, and the phlegmatick, may be ready to condemn.

As the writer has not the presumption to expect that this little work will be deemed worthy the attention of the critic; he might, perhaps, be spared the trouble, of apologizing for the manner of its execution. Justice to himself, however, as well as respect for his readers, requires him to say; that the pressure of parochial duties-duties, which he considers of primary obligation upon every minister of the Gospel; has left him but little time; and often, less strength, for any additional exertion,

Perhaps, it would have been well, if this excuse for the imperfections of the work, had operated so far, as to have

suppressed it entirely. So it certainly would have done, had the subject been any other than it is. But it is well known, that by a certain class of readers; and a pretty large class too, short Biographical Sketches ;-especially of those with whom they had been conversant, are pe rused with greater avidity, interest, and profit, than any other species of writing whatever-and, that there are many, who may be induced, and even disposed, to devote a leisure hour to such a subject; who have neither patience to read, nor capacity to comprehend, a didactic discourse. It is principally with a view to the benefit of such, that this Memoir has been undertaken. And should she, whose "speech," while living, “dropped as the rain, and distilled as the dew," speak by it, "being dead," to the awakening, reproof, animation, or comfort, of any; the writer will be richly compensated, for the little time, and labor it has cost him.

Boston, Jan. 28th, 1817.

SERMON,

REVELATIONS, XIV. 13.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

DEATH, in whatever light it may be viewed, is calculated to inspire a reflecting mind with solemnity and awe. It cuts the tie which unites the body with the soul; consigning the latter to the dust; to become first the companion, and then the repast of worms; and ushering the former before the tribunal of Him, whose decision is just and irrevocable. It removes its victim from all that is known, and loved; all that is enjoyed, and anticipated on earth, to

"The undiscovered country, from whose bourn,

No traveller returns."

A

It is the wages of sin; the curse of God.

Death then is a serious event. So serious, that most persons endeavour to exclude it from their thoughts, as an unwelcome disturber of their peace: so serious, that many through fear of its approach, "are all their life time subject to bondage."

But death, serious as it is, may be contemplated with pleasure; anticipated with joy; embraced with triumph. So it has been by thousands, and so it will be by thousands more. "I heard a voice from heaven," says the Apocalyptić Prophet, "saying unto me, Write,

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their la bors; and their works do follow them."

An answer to two enquiries, will comprise all that is designed in the ensuing discourse. I. Who may be said to die in the Lord?-II. Wherein consists the blessedness thus solemnly pronounced upon them.

I. Who may be said, to die in the Lord? An important enquiry; deserv

ing the solicitous, impartial attention of all, who would partake of the blessedness reserved in heaven for those, who shall be found worthy to receive, and capacitated to enjoy it. That there may be no misunderstanding, or self-deception, on a subject so interesting and momentous; I would endeavour to premise in a few particulars, what to die in the Lord is not. And

First. To leave behind an irreproachable, character, in the estimation of the world, is not to die in the Lord. "Man looketh on the outward appearance. He judges, and must judge by the exterior deportment. But that, though to us the only, is by no means an infallible, criterion. "The form of godliness" may be assumed for selfish and sinister purposes; as it was by the Scribes and Pharisees, who fasted often and prayed long, "that they might appear righteous unto men:" or it may be observed, as it was by the young ruler in the Gospel ; under the mistaken notion, that nothing more is requisite to ensure the favor and

*The following head was omitted in delivering the discourse, on account of the shortness of the afternoon.