was intimately associated with Dr. Worcester, the Corresponding Secretary, in conducting the correspondence, and in all the concerns of our growing missions. By this course of labor for about ten years, he became well qualified for the office of Secretary, when it was vacated by the death of Dr. Worcester, and when the burden of its responsibilities and cares had been so much increased by the increase of missionary interest in our country. This was the station for which divine providence raised him up. In this station all his intellectual powers and moral principles were brought into constant and vigorous action, and his whole character experienced a sensible and rapid growth. It was by his labors in this station, that he arrived at his proper degree of usefulness.

When Mr. Evarts entered on the station assigned him, he consecrated his time and influence to the cause of missions among the heathen. Towards this object his thoughts, his studies, his exertions were all directed. To this chosen object he devoted his life, not that he disregarded any private obligations; - not that he undervalued any other object of benevolence, or lost his love for literature and science, or for anything which could adorn the mind, or promote the comfort of society. He showed, that a man in the most important station has no occasion to neglect his less important duties. He showed, that a great man has no need to have either great faults, or little faults. But to whatever other objects he occasionally turned his attention, he never lost sight of the cause of missions. He acted on the principle that if a man would accomplish the highest degree of good, he must have only one great object.

The object to which he thus devoted himself, and the efforts which he made, were of such a nature as to be followed by durable effects-by a continuity of good. It is not according to sound wisdom, that we should fill up the little space of time, and use the little power we have, in pursuit of a good which has no solid worth, and will last but a moment. If there is a good which choose that. It was the

is really excellent and durable, let us appointment of Christ, that his apostles should bear much fruit, and that their fruit should remain. What they did, produced

.

permanent effects;-it conduced to a good which was everlasting. Our beloved Secretary labored for the same object. He was of one heart with the apostles, who labored to save those that were lost. His efforts like theirs, were upon a large scale. Had he promoted the salvation of a single individual, he would have done a great and good work. But his efforts were directed to the welfare of communities and nations; to the salvation of the world. And if respect is had to the wisdom of the measures which were adopted, to the extensive and systematic operations, which have already been attended with animating success, and which are to lead on to other measures, far more extensive, and far more successful if it is remembered that the missionary zeal, which he helped to kindle in the church, is to burn with a still purer and brighter flame, and that his labors were, by the appointment of heaven, closely connected with the ultimate overthrow of idolatry, and the establishment of Christ's kingdom in pagan lands; the good resulting from his agency will appear too great for human language to describe, or the human mind to comprehend.

In pursuing the object which was so dear to his heart, he was particularly aware, that he depended on the cordial assistance of the Christian community. The influence of a man in any station, especially in one that is public, and very difficult, may be increas ed in a degree above computation by being skilfully united with the influence of others. We are social beings, and are mutually dependent. Let human agency in any case be completely insulated, and it can have no efficiency. We must act together. What is deficient in one man, is to be supplied by others, who, though not superior to him in the general attributes of character, may be able to afford him the counsel and aid which he needs. Mr. Evarts successfully availed himself of this principle. Who was ever more unassuming; or more free from that self-sufficiency, which makes a man reluctant to acknowledge himself indebted to the judgment or foresight of others? Who ever came nearer to a full compliance with the direction of the Apostle, that, in lowliness of mind, each should esteem others better than himself? His truly modest and humble disposition, joined with his deep solicitude that every

thing should be done in the best manner, rendered him very desirous of counsel and assistance from his brethren, and heartily willing to own himself under obligation to them, even where it was evident that he himself possessed the highest degree of wisdom.

But while he looked to his fellow Christians for counsel and assistance, it conduced still more to his success, that he sought help of God. In a manner far removed from all extravagance, he believed in the efficacy of prayer. And his belief was grounded on the best possible reasons-the immutable promise of God, and the actual course of his providence. The devout supplications which he and his associates in office presented to God in all their meetings for business, together with the monthly, and weekly, and daily prayers of the great body of Christians in this land, and in other lands, have undoubtedly exerted a higher and more efficacious influence, than any other means, in promoting the spread of the gospel. Without the spirit of prayer, and the blessing of God which it secures, other efforts would have proved abortive. Suppose prayer had been omitted, and the time spent in this duty by the officers and members of the Board, by ministers, and all the friends of missions, had been spent in any other way; what would have been the consequence, but a total failure of the missionary enterprise? All our exertions would have effected nothing; or I might say, no proper exertions would have been made. Judging by the word of God, we cannot doubt, that sincere, fervent prayer, really does more, though by an unseen influence, towards accomplishing the great objects of benevolence, than all human endeavors beside. For what can human endeavors do, without the help of God? And how can that help be obtained, except by prayer?

Thus I have noticed those attributes of character and other circumstances, which contributed to the usefulness of the beloved and honored man, who has closed his earthly labors.

Among the many useful lessons which this subject is suited to teach, I can suggest only the following.

1. We see how Christians may grow in grace and become eminently holy.

Here I shall address myself particularly to those young men who are coming forward to labor in the cause of Christ. Our departed friend attained to eminent holiness; and why may not you? What advantages had he to grow in grace, which are not within your reach? What motives urged him to diligence in the service of God, which does not urge you? What divine assistance did he obtain, which you may not obtain in the same way, and in the same measure? As God has provided for you the same inspired volume, the same Sabbath, the same throne of grace, the same salutary discipline of his providence, and the same influences of his Spirit; why may you not attain to the same degree of holiness?

And

The employment of Mr. Evarts was unquestionably among the most powerful causes of his growth in piety. He was active in doing good was continually consulting and laboring for the salvation of men. This brought into lively exercise all the pious affections of his heart, and so contributed to increase them. if he was occasionally so engrossed with his great object as to forget himself; his sanctification, instead of being impeded on that account, was so much the more advanced. If a Christian wishes to grow in grace, let him engage, with all his heart, in some benevolent and pious work. As far as may be, let him choose his calling with a view to this important end. At the present day,

there is a great variety of ways in which There can be no lack of opportunity to any. then, be devoted to some work of benevolence.

good may be done. Let every Christian And if he aspires let him be active

to improve his character in the highest degree; in such a way, as will require him to exercise zeal and fortitude, to practise self-denial and endure sufferings. This is the way, and the only way, to rise high in spiritual attainments. If then we covet the best gifts of heaven, let us use the right means to obtain them. If it is our desire to mortify sin, and to cultivate a spirit of elevated piety; let us engage with ardor in works of piety. And let us take care to pursue a course, which will not only be favorable to the good dispositions which we wish to cherish, but directly opposed to the sinful propensities and habits which we

wish to overcome. Are we conscious of culpable indolence? Then let us do good in a way which will require diligent personal effort. Have we an inordinate love of money? Then let us be frequent and liberal in our contributions, and so diminish those treasures which are the idols of our hearts. And if any are exposed to feelings of vanity in consequence of their making donations, which are public and honorable; let them abound also in private charities, not letting their left hand know what their right hand doeth. If it has been our habit to treat ourselves softly and delicately, and to make our own gratification a special object of pursuit, and if in consequence of this, we are deficient in the more manly, noble virtues; then let us prefer services which are somewhat severe, and never start back from any hardship or danger which may meet us in the path of duty. If our hearts are prone to indulge feelings of distrust in regard to the perfections or the providence of God; it will be of particular importance to us to pursue a course, which will often compel us to give up every ground of confidence but the promise and faithfulness of God, and to rely on him alone for the supply of our wants, the relief of our distresses, and the success of our undertakings. Now it is obvious that such a work as that in which our departed friend was enlisted, is eminently fitted to promote the divine life. Any one who, from pure motives, makes a full surrender of himself to the cause of missions, and, either at home or abroad, devotes his talents and his life to the salvation of the heathen, will be under the best advantages to grow in the spirit of piety. And it will doubtless appear in the great day, when all characters, and all which has helped to form them, shall be revealed, that the holiness which eminent saints in all periods of the church have attained, was owing in no small degree, under God, to the exertions they made and the sufferings they endured for the welfare of their fellow men.

2. We here learn that sincere devotion to God and diligence in doing good, are followed by the most happy results. Great peace have they who love God's law. They who forsake all for Christ shall receive an hundred fold even in the present time. Our