for his amiable and virtuous qualities; but they regret that their thoughts cannot range with delight over his whole character and life. But such was not the fact in regard to our departed friend. The sorrow which the relatives feel for the loss of one so dear to them, is not embittered by the recollection of any noticeable failings in his character, or any palpable errors in his conduct. Theirs is the happiness of knowing, that the beloved partner, parent, and friend, who has been removed from their sight, was not only adorned with a combination of excellences, but was remarkably free from blemishes. They must ever regard it as a precious blessing, that they have been so closely allied to one, whose example was so pure, and so attractive. And they must ever find the events of his private and public life, a subject of delightful and improving reflection. What a rich inheritance to his bereaved family! While they remember the great goodness of God in this respect, their hearts will overflow with gratitude, the bitterness of their grief will pass away.

To the members of the Prudential Committee and other Officers of the Board, this occasion is connected with so many subjects of intense interest, that I know not where to begin or where to end. It must, dear brethren, be a source of the sincerest satisfaction to us, that the chief agency in directing and executing the momentous business of our Foreign Missions, was committed to a man who possessed such qualifications. After twenty years intimate acquaintance with him, and after having been long associated with him in conducting the concerns of the Board, we can give our united testimony to his uprightness and fidelity, and can say of him as truly as of any man, "that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not by fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, he had his conversation in the world."

The death of such a man at such a time, we feel to be a very afflictive and distressing event. But though in itself so afflictive, it naturally suggests subjects, which are fitted to awaken lively gratitude to God, and to encourage us in the work of spreading the gospel. For we cannot but remember, that God in mercy gave what he has now taken away. And is it a small matter

that, at the critical period when our Foreign Mission was commenced, and during the first years of its progress, divine providence raised up such men as Worcester and Evarts, to be the chief agents in the work? The services of such a man, as our late Secretary, must be important to any cause, at any time. But the work which the friends of missions undertook twenty years ago, was a work of vast magnitude and difficulty. A little temporary zeal and a few desultory efforts could accomplish nothing. There was a necessity for a system of operations, wisely planned, and ably and perseveringly executed. The undertaking called for men of large views, sound judgment and devoted piety-men trained to sober deliberation and efficient action, and not likely to fail either in concerting or in executing measures; men of so much fire as to warm the hearts of others, and yet so cool and discreet, as to secure their confidence; men too, who could bring weight of character to the work, instead of depending on the work for character. Now that God in his providence raised up such men as the new and arduous enterprise required, and that he continued one of them ten years, and the other twenty, as principal agents of the Board, and with a success, which has filled the Christian world with admiration and joy; this, brethren, we must record as among the most encouraging tokens of God's special favor. Shall we then faint under the stroke of his hand? Shall we give way to distrust and fear, and abandon the cause of missions? Shall we even pursue that cause with less zeal, or less hope of success? No. It is enough for us that, although good men die, the Lord lives, and is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. The cause to which we are devoted is his cause. And we go forward in our endeavors to promote it, with full reliance on his promised aid. We are confident, that he who has all power in heaven and earth, will be present with us in every emergency; that he will raise up men for every post of usefulness; that he will crown with success whatever is done for the enlargement of his church, and finally cause the gospel to triumph in every place.

To conclude. We have been calling to mind the piety and

298 SERMON ON THE DEATH OF JEREMIAH EVARTS.

usefulness of a fellow mortal, and have been considering him as a suitable pattern for our imitation. The contemplation of so excellent a character will, I hope, conduce to our improvement. But be it remembered, there is a character far more exalted. There is an excellence and glory, infinitely surpassing all that is human. It shines forth in this fair creation. It shines forth especially in the face of Jesus Christ. Now while we look with delight upon human excellence, let us not close our eyes to that which is divine. While we gaze upon a dim taper, let us not be blind to the light of day. Are we filled with admiration at the endowments of man who is of yesterday? What adoring thoughts then should we have of the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity! Before that great and glorious Being, the greatest of men, and the greatest of angels, are as the small dust of the balance. The brightest excellence we behold in creation is only a ray from the inexhaustible fountain of light. Have we confidence in a child of earth, because he evinces a good degree of intelligence and faithfulness? What unwavering trust then should we repose in God, whose understanding is infinite, and whose faithfulness never fails! And finally; do emotions of gratitude rise in our hearts, while we recollect the benevolent actions which a feeble, imperfect man performed during a few, fleeting years? How much warmer, nobler gratitude should glow within us towards that infinite Being, from whom cometh all the goodness and all the usefulness of his creatures, and all the happiness of earth and heaven; whose love has a length and breadth and depth and height passing all understanding; and who is so great in power and so excellent in working, that he can, in a moment, by a single act of his will, accomplish a good, which created beings can never comprehend. "Blessed, then, be the Lord God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things; and blessed be his glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen."

A SERMON

DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF REV. EBENEZER PORTER, D. D., PRESIDENT AND PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ANDOVER, APRIL 11, 1834.

John 17: 4.-I HAVE GLORIFIED THEE ON THE EARTH; I HAVE FINISHED THE

to man.

WORK WHICH THOU GAVEST ME TO DO.

THE work assigned to our Saviour was immeasurably greater and more difficult, than was ever in any other instance assigned But he accomplished it perfectly. From the beginning to the close of his life, he never performed an action, never uttered a word, never had a thought or emotion, which varied from the will of God, the perfect standard of right. He unceasingly loved God with all his heart. He was chargeable with no waste of intellectual or moral faculties. There was nothing in his youth or manhood, nothing in his public or private life, nothing in the most secret movements of his heart, which was not perfectly pleasing to God. In the whole frame of his mind, he was so pure and holy, that the most powerful temptations produced no irregular thought or feeling. "The prince of this world came and found nothing in him"-no pride, no selfishness, no depravity in any form or degree. His object in coming into the world was to save that which was lost. He came to redeem sinners from the curse of the law, by being made a curse for them. And how was he straitened till this work was accomplished!

His feelings recoiled at the prospect of drinking the cup which his Father put into his hand; but his recoiling was that of a pure and holy soul, and was accompanied with an entire readiness to do and suffer what the will of God and the salvation of men required. In the garden his agony was such as to produce prostration and bloody sweat; but his heart was perfectly submissive, and in the midst of his distress he could say, "Not my will, but thine be done." Thus, through labor and suffering, he proceeded to Calvary; and there on the cross, in anguish of body and spirit, under the heavy burden of our sins, he finished his work.

Far be it from me to liken any man, even the most diligent and faithful, to this holy Saviour. Let any Christian on earth compare his life with the life of Jesus, and what can be the result, but shame and self-condemnation? How is it with him who stands highest among the saints on earth, as to attainments in holiness and diligence in the service of God? Has no part of his time been wasted in unlawful pursuits or indulgences? Have there been no years, or days, in which he has forgotten God and disobeyed his commands? Have even his best actions been free from sin? How does every just view of God's perfect law spoil our fancied goodness, and instead of leaving any room for selfcomplacency, lead us to abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes! Of the most eminent Christians it is true, that they have not already attained, and are not already perfect. They fall below not only the demands of God's spiritual law, but their own desires and aims. In many respects, what they would, they do not; and what they would not, that they do. And when from the bed of sickness, and from the judgment seat, they take a review of their life, they will be astonished to see how little of their proper work they accomplished, and will acknowledge that they were always, even in their best estate, monuments of the forbearance and mercy of God.

And yet Christians are in reality followers of Jesus. They have a degree of that holiness, which he had in perfection. They begin to love and obey that law, which he loved and obeyed