which he had to deliver, and he always dwelt upon the most important truths, in the most intelligible, serious, and affectionate manner, and, as was very manifest, in the spirit of humble prayer and faith, it is not surprising that he was uniformly successful. A clergyman writes of him :

"I recollect distinctly hearing a sermon on the subject of Mary, in which I was struck with an unusual boldness to which I had not been accustomed. He told the congregation that false delicacy should never prevent him from presenting any truth which might be edifying to them. On another occasion he had been told, in reference to some of his sermons, that he would preach the Church empty. He took occasion from the hint to tell his people, on the following Sunday, that he would preach the truth, though the walls should tumble about his head. On another occasion, a gentleman of the first respectability accosted him in a place where he was preaching upon a visit, in these words: 'Well, Sir, you are the only man who could bring me out twice a day.' He replied, 'Sir, I am sorry that your respect for me is stronger than your sense of duty to God."

On one New-year's day, a fashionable young man, very giddy and thoughtless, who seldom attended Church at all, was prevailed upon by a near relative, a member of St. Andrew's Church, to accompany her. He reluctantly consented, as a compliment to her. During the sermon, for the first time, he felt the power of divine truth, and saw himself a sinner, lost and perishing. He remained after its close, while the tears of sorrow flowed from his eyes, and he thus gave utterance to his feelings: "I

never felt as I do at this moment; every thing, past and future, appears to me in a totally new light." This light which broke in upon his benighted soul, eventuated in a comfortable hope of forgiveness and acceptance through the blood of Christ. He has since devoted himself to the ministry, and his character gives ground for hope, that he too will be made the instrument of turning many others "from the power of Satan unto God."

The following extract presents some very interesting details of the power which attended the ministry of Dr. Bedell, and the effects which were produced by it, and is well adapted, in connexion with what has preceded, to develope the peculiar style of preaching which he adopted with so much wisdom and success.

"It is well known how successful our dear pastor was in addressing the young, and what crowds attended, when, on Sabbath evenings, he preached to them. Many came merely to have their intellectual faculties gratified, but returned to their homes with hearts deeply affected, and affections turned toward heaven. There was certainly something peculiar in his manner of addressing the young. I have never heard another so deeply interesting as Dr. Bedell on such occasions; his knowledge of human nature, his talent for describing the particular snares which hindered them from becoming Christians, his exhibition of real interest in their welfare, the deep pathos of his exhortations, and the sweet yet solemn persuasiveness of his tones, all combine to render him not only one of the most attractive, but one of the most successful preachers to that class of hearers. How often, after having heard him preach, have I been followed day by day by a few

words of deep and thrilling import, uttered by him in his touching and impressive manner; sometimes one word alone, perhaps 'eternity,' pronounced with solemn accent, and accompanied by his uplifted finger, has rung in my ears for days together; at others, a verse of a hymn, and sometimes a passage of Scripture, has produced the same effect. But it was not his manner alone which arrested attention, it was the substance also of his preaching, the most striking characteristic of which was clearness and simplicity; the impression left on my mind by the whole course of his preaching is this: I can not say that he ever failed in fully explaining the most difficult doctrines of the Bible, entirely to my satisfaction, reconciling differences, and constantly presenting the Scriptures as a beautiful chain of harmony and order. He never overburdened the minds of his hearers by a variety of leading truths in one sermon; but always carefully dissecting passages of Scripture, divided the different heads into distinct sermons, always striving to leave one prominent truth, clearly and simply stated, for the meditation of the people. It was this habit, I think, with the blessing of God, which rendered his ministry so truly instructive. He never left a subject before it was fully and faithfully discussed. I can most generally remember the manner in which he divided his discourses; but in every case, I am still impressed with the recollection of different truths, taught in each discourse; this was his object, and in this he succeeded most remarkably. I became so familiar with his style, that I could generally tell what would be the tenor of his sermon, with but very few exceptions. Although so simple in his manner of preaching that all might understand him, we can all remember the elegance and purity of his style, the refinement and sublimity of his taste, the coolness of his judgment, the warmth of his imagination, and yet his entire freedom from rant or enthusiasm, so generally ending in coarseness and vulgarity. With what boldness he declared the truth, with what sweetness and affection he presented its claims, and with what feelings of sorrow, he often mourned over the coldness and indifference of his people to the love of Jesus Christ.

"An anecdote just now occurs to my mind, which was related to me about three years ago, by a Presbyterian clergyman in N—, where I was then on a visit. I am not certain that I remember all distinctly, but I will endeavour to tell you as nearly as I can. This minister had a brother who once visited Philadelphia, and went to hear Dr. Bedell preach in the evening; his sermon was death, and I think his text was this: This night thy soul shall be required of thee.' He was powerfully awakened, and so much alarmed, that he was afraid to stay at night in his own room. And so fully was he impressed with the certainty of death coming to him that night, that although staying in a public house, he wandered about from place to place in a state of fearful anxiety, but carefully concealing the true reasons from all observers. He lived, however, to drive away these solemn feelings, and about the same time in the following year, went again to hear Dr. B., when he was again solemnly addressed on the same subject. He began to think that there was something peculiar in all this, was again alarmed, and, through the instrumentality of succeeding providences, was led to submit his heart to God, and, at the time his brother related the anecdote to me, was a decided Christian. Probably Dr. Bedell never knew of this, and I doubt not that many other passing strangers will appear in the day of eternity as stars in his crown of rejoicing, whom he never knew on earth, but who, through his instrumentality, were first led to think of their immortal souls.

"Many will remember the sermons preached from the text, 'Run, speak to this young man ;' also these words, 'I have a message from God unto thee;' and again, I have a great work to do, and therefore I cannot come down.' Many will also remember one lecture delivered in the lecture-room soon after a confirmation, from these words, I have no greater joy than that my children walk in the truth.' What blessed words of encouragement fell from his lips on that evening, as he sat, surrounded by so many whom he could, in the endearing relation of the Gospel, call his children, so lately entered on their way to heaven, familiarly

instructing them, cherishing them with the tenderness even of a mother, and with Christian faith and hope, pointing them to that place of meeting, where pastor and people shall part no more for ever. I can never hear the hymn

Far from my thoughts, vain world, begone,'

without recurring to the many Friday evenings when I have joined with the dear people and pastor of St. Andrew's in singing those sacred words. The trembling tones of the voice which used to raise them, are still familiar to my ear, and although it will never again break the silence of those hallowed walls, so powerful is the effect of constant association, that even now it seems as if I really heard the voice joining in our responses, or uttering its well-remembered cough. But could we indeed hear the strains which the departed now warbles in his Father's house, never again could we regret that they will no more be rendered discordant by the air of this lower world."

After the foregoing remarks, it need hardly be added, that his style of preaching rendered him always a favourite with the public, and increasingly popular to the end of his ministry. His Church was the most crowded one in the city of Philadelphia. His reputation was so extensively spread abroad, that few strangers passed the Sunday in this city without seeking an opportunity to attend upon his ministry. The Church was opened for evening worship on the first Sunday of every month. On these occasions it was the subject of regular expectation through the whole course of his ministry, that even the aisles would be crowded with persons