The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-02-28

Jus Of the times. lie wrote good Fast
md Thanksgiving sermons, As he knew
low to present the salient matters Of pre-
sent and public interest that appertain to
The we'll being of the Church or State
He was a stronger man with his manu-
script before him, thanin prolonged eN-
address. lie was slow to
enter upon any public debate, lie may
hOl have possessed the wit OF Haynes or
Drury the oratorical force Of lngraham or
Curtis, the ripe scholarship of Aiken, the
Oft times sweeping and mastery power of
Merrill, the pbilosophic culture aud
rhetorical finish of Wheeler, but he was
with so much of these marked
qualities and attachments as to inspire the
conviction in those that knew and heard
him that Heaven had granted him large
number Of talents, that he had faithfully
put them to usury for the Divine Glory
and the well being of man.
He was not popular or sensational
preacher, but one after Cowpers own
heart
Simple grave, sincere,
In doctrine incorrnpt, IN language plain,
Aud plain in manner, decent solemn, chsst6;
Himself as conscious OF his awful charge
And anxious mainly that the dock he feeds
May feel il too, afiectionRte In look
And tender in address az well becomes
messenger OF grace 70 guilty man.
While if our idea ola sermon be that
ii is didactic, devout, springing from the
meditation ola loving soul on the
Holy Scriptures with redeeming Christ
as the central and burning theme, tender
and full of love, strong and hopeful in
faith. Substantial in reasoning of the
purest style--almost plain and homely so
that the common people hear it gladly,
upbuilding the christian character with
that which every grace supplieth, and
thereby producing the good works Of a
manly and pious life, and make sinful
men meet for Heaven, then his sermons
Appropriated very nearly the ideal. Ills
thoughts rose one after another naturally,
never perhaps flashing, never perhaps
rounding out in brilliant periods, never
seeking to starte by forced expression
on eceontricity Of manner. lie would of
ten, however, in plain and striking fig
IRE, embody an illustration freighted with
meaning, and that was hard TO forget.
Hence his sermons had compass and grasp
His style was like himself, strong, trans
parent, dignifed. As an original think
ed, an accomplished scholar and fine
writer he was not preeminent, but he had a
fund Of good sense, of practical wisdom
that gave his utterances weight and made
bis arguments conclusive. lie read and
studied and prayed over his Bible all his
life time.
But to crown all and to complete this
imperfect portraiture, | must return to
my starting point and finish as ! be-
gan. lie was good man, full OF the
Holy Ghost and of Faith. Naturally he
was amiablc, magnanimous and upright.
But this is not Christian goodness. He
was new creature in Christ Jesus, as
we have every reason to believe, his nat
ural eudowments were sanetihed, and
consecrated to his Sayiour's glory in the
active and holy purpose of his soul, He
seemed sealed by the Holy Spirit nm
TO the day of redemption, even from his
conversational man Of marked and ever
growing spirituality and faith and love
d man Of holy and constant communion
with God, walking with Him, Of great
simplicity and sincerity, Of sweet and
chldlike humility, an Israelite indeed, in
whom there was no guile. A Calvanistic
Congrcgatioualist in sentiment, yet Catho-
lie in spirit, conservative and yet full Of
ardor to save souls. The cultivated and
educated finding in him the manliness and
dignity Of true conference.-the lowly,
the condescension and suayity ola friend
But old age admonishes him that bis
course on earth is nearly finished. Most
gracefully he LAYS aside his arln0r. lie
retircs to the private walks Of a parish
ioner-unites himself with the Church Of
PittstOrd--is a constant attendant upon
meetings wien able, taking his part with
the rest Of the brethren, holding up the
hands of biz youthful pastors-is ready TO
pray or eXh0rt or preaeh--wOrshipping
in the Sanctuary like old aud dying Jacob,
leaning upon the top Of his staii,a Giving
aud every day sermon, a living eNhorta-
ton aud living psalm
lie is fast ripening fof Heaven. His
very cOnnicuance seems TO shine with the
soft aud evening light Of bis setting day.
He Is often on the m0ust He i cheer
full, happy grateful that be has been per-
mitted to labor so long in the vineyard Of
bis dear Lord aud Saviour. and yet watch
irg for sunset. II came in an hour hc
thought not Of, but be il ready. All
within Is peace, for he feels sweetly as
surcd that having finished his course and
kept the Faith, there is laid up f0r him
crown of Righteousness When the hour
Of bis departure came, the angel Of death
walked the room 80 softly that his steps
we're not heard
ails saw & hAaa They could not see
81 heafd 4 yliee they could not hear
"a bcekabca Alm away
Like David ofold, be fell au .leep a. on
pillow aud tie prophecy was fulfilled,
Thou shalt come % my grave in a fall
age, Ike As a shock 0t corn c0meth hi its
season, and the great and loving prayer
ot thc hedeempr was answered, Father,
would that those thon hasl given me, be
witt me when am q behold my glory
while our cry Is, SIS Father. Ny Father
The cli4riOts ~ Israel aud the horsemen
thereof May 4 double portion OF thy
spirit rest upon Us Dear man 0f God.
NC lo-d thee ID life, we would honor
thee ID deaiA--imitate aad follow thee -
far a. thou dillsi ioilgW Christ, tiil we
meet nj heaven.
where the Lamb which i IN the mlds, d
The throne shall feed ia. aud shall lead rs
unto living fountains Of waters, and tod
&C., FaarFt f.afe sassf4