in every branch of useful knowledge, especially for their religious education, he was greatly concerned. This favored church and society know what he did for this object, and for their religious interest in other ways. Many years ago he began to give assistance to young men of talents and hopeful piety, in their preparation for the ministry. But none of his plans of doing good satisfied him-none corresponded with the extent of his benevolence, before he entertained the design of founding an institution for the education of theological students. This design he often declared, was first suggested to him by no man on earth; but by the Spirit of God. This he seriously and constantly believed; and this no Christian can doubt. The nature and design of the Seminary exactly agreed with his feelings. Religious beneficence had become his grand object. To this he had consecrated much of the wealth which God had given him. His strict economy and all his exertions to retain and increase his property were directed to the great design of doing good to the church of Christ. It was his own expression, you can't tell how much pleasure I have taken in saving for this object." He did not labor to hoard up riches. He did not live to himself; but labored to be rich in good works. By his pious beneficence, or using his substance for the promotion of religion, he showed that he knew the real value and proper use of riches. The method of doing good which he adopted, was both in its nature, and in the extent of its fruits, superior to all others. He frequently mentioned it, as his end in what he had done for the Seminary, to bring thousands and millions to glory. This Institution was his favorite object; and its prosperity constituted much of his comfort in the concluding years of his life. In this centered his warmest affections. He connected it with his most solemn devotions, his purest pleasures, his best hopes of the church's prosperity. It was his deliberate and full persuasion, that he had done well in contributing to the establishment of such a Seminary; that so great an object called for his utmost exertions. We have no doubt that he thinks so still, and that the judgment day will confirm the persuasion.

I owe to the memory of my patron and friend to declare, that I have considered it one of the most precious privileges of my life, to enjoy his paternal affection, and to be near him in his feeble and languishing state. The observations, therefore, which I have made, and those which I am about to make, are not founded on vague report, but derived from the most intimate personal acquaintance.

There is reason to believe that for several of his last years, his religion, which commenced in early life, became more deep and operative, and his enjoyments more constant and spiritual. He evidently grew in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. He had an increasing conviction of the truth and importance of those evangelical doctrines, for the propagation of which he helped to found this Seminary. But his belief of those doctrines was not produced by reasoning, but was the result of childlike submission to the authority of God in his word. In this way his faith became altogether practical, and was at the same time an act of piety. But it was not on this account less rational or sure. It rested on the proper ground, and partook more of affection than of intellect. His faith in the truths of revelation was fixed and invariable. Whatever doubts he might sometimes have respecting his own piety, he had none respecting the doctrines of the gospel.

His unwavering and cordial belief of those doctrines was the foundation of his religious character, and the source of his enjoyments. I wish you could fully know what tranquillity of mind he possessed during the last six months. Confined to his house -then to his chamber, and with a very feeble and sometimes distressed bodily state, he had the peace of God which passeth all understanding. Self-righteousness he utterly renounced. He had nothing which he looked upon, as in any degree the ground of acceptance with God. All his benevolent and useful deeds he counted loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. With the most lively sensations, and sometimes with weeping, he expressed his entire reliance on the mere mercy of God. He saw no other foundation. He desired no other.

He felt more and more satisfied, that in his religious charities he had been directed by the Spirit of God, and had done what he should rejoice in forever. He frequently expressed a hope, that his beloved Seminary would become far more extensively useful, than he at first conceived; that it would be the means not only of doing good to the churches in this country, but of spreading the gospel among distant heathen nations. Often, when contemplating the Institution in this light, did he turn his thoughts upon himself, and say, with every token of humility and tenderness,"I am astonished, that God should make use of such a poor creature as I am, to do this great work.”

In the chamber of sickness, frequent prayer was his delight and refreshment. He seemed more and more perfectly to resign himself to the will of his Father in heaven. He was tired of sin; though not tired of living in God's world; nor was he tired of laboring and suffering for God. "I desire to live," he often said, "if God has anything more for me to do or to suffer." His cheerful patience, meekness, and resignation, together with the uniform and regular exercise of his reason, rendered his sickness very edifying to his Christian friends.

"whom have I in heaven but earth I desire beside thee;"

When he came near to his home, he showed increasing desires after God, saying repeatedly "there is enough in God; -I want nothing but God." Just before his speech failed, he was asked, whether he could say thee? and there is none on "Yes," he answered very feelingly-" with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind." At times he felt a joy, almost too intense for his feeble body to sustain, at the thought of being forever with the Lord, and seeing him face to face.

With the mourning Widow the hearts of many most tenderly sympathize. In the midst of her grief she will not forget to thank God that, for more than fifty years she was blessed with a consort, who was an example of conjugal love and tenderness. May she be enabled to glorify God by pious resignation; and by continuing to walk in the steps of her inestimable friend, now sleep

ing in death. May her heart be cheered by the hope of meeting him in heaven. While she remains in this world of sorrow may the God of all grace and comfort grant her his pres

ence.

This dispensation of providence imposes a sacred duty on all who are connected with this Seminary- the surviving Founders, Visitors, Trustees, Professors, and Students. We ought to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. We ought to praise the Giver of all good, for raising up such a benefactor, such a distinguished pattern of Christian beneficence. Above all, we ought to consider and fix in our minds, what was his object in his benefactions to this Seminary, and in what manner he has directed us to pursue that object. His death ought to be a new excitement to the faithful discharge of all our duties relative to this Sacred Institution. If we overlook his great object, disregard his directions, misapply his charity; and forget his love of union and peace, we shall be guilty of trampling his honor in the dust. If we do this, how can we meet him at the Judgment seat of Christ?

Beloved hearers, a man of God has been among you, and by divine grace shown you how to use this world, how to live, and how to die. I beseech you by his many exertions, sacrifices, and prayers for your good; by the piety and usefulness of his life; by his meekness and comfort in sickness; and by the rest, which we doubt not he now enjoys in God; - and I beseech you by the meeting you must have with him before the tribunal of Christ -by all these considerations, I earnestly beseech you, to remember the character of that godly man, to make a thankful and pious use of his bounties, and diligently walk in his steps; — and above all, to love and imitate his chosen Saviour, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

SERMON

DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF REV. SAMUEL SPRING, D. D., MARCH 9, 1819, IN NEWBURYPORT.

1 Thess. 5: 13.- AND TO ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE.

THE Apostle Paul showed the highest respect for the ministers of Christ, and inculcated it, as the duty of all Christians, highly to esteem and love them. But he did not demand this peculiar regard for Christian teachers, because they were men of distinguished gifts, nor even because they were good men; but for their work's sake. It was on account of the dignity and usefulness of their office.

I know not, my respected hearers, how I can more effectually excite the reverence and love, which are due to that excellent minister, whose death we deplore, and give a right direction to the sorrow which fills your hearts, than by describing briefly the usefulness of that sacred office which he sustained. This is my particular object. Accordingly, although I am called on this occasion to honor the memory of one of the dearest friends that I ever had on earth, I shall aim to excite no veneration or love for him, except what is due on account of the holy office which he filled, and the manner in which he performed its duties.

Turn your thoughts, then, to the usefulness of a faithful minis