tihvavy of t:he theological ^eminarjp 
 
 PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 A. G. Cameron. Ph.D. 
 
u 
 
 THIS MINISTRY. 
 
 A SERMON 
 
 PREACHED AT THE OPENING 
 OF THB 
 
 SYNOD OF NEW JEESEY, 
 
 IN THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELIZABBTHTOWN, 
 
 October 15th, 1850. 
 
 y 
 
 BY SYMMES C. HENRY, 
 
 MODERATOR OF THK PRECEDING TEAR. 
 
 ^7t? 
 
 Princeton, ^. 1.: 
 
 PRINTED BY JOHN T. ROBINSON* 
 1850. 
 
REVEREND 
 
 FATHERS AND BRETHREN, 
 
 OF THE SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY, 
 
 PERMIT ME TO INSCRIBE TO YOU, WITH 
 
 SENTIMENTS OF FRATERNAL ESTEEM, 
 
 THIS SERMON, WHICH WAS PREACHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
 
 A STANDING USAGE OF OUR BODY; 
 HUMBLY AND FERVENTLY PRAYING, THAT WE MAY HAVE 
 GRACE FOR THE FULLFILMENT OF OUR MINIS- 
 TRY; AND THAT WE MAY ALWAYS BE 
 FOUND STRIVING TOGETHER WITH 
 ONE MIND FOR THE FAITH 
 AND FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL. 
 
 S. C. HENRY. 
 Cranbury, October 22, 1850. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 2 CoRINTHIAKS iv. 1. 
 
 THEREFORE SEEING WE HAVE THIS MINISTRY, AS WE HAVE 
 RECEIVED MERCY, WE FAINT NOT. 
 
 These words present us with a theme from which 
 we may gather instructions, that I trust will be ap- 
 propriate and profitable for this occasion. The im- 
 portance of the Christian ministry, to the temporal 
 and eternal interests of man, was well understood by 
 him in whom were hid all the treasures of wisdom 
 and knowledge ; and hence in the exercise of a com- 
 passion as boundless as his wisdom, it pleased him 
 while on earth to provide for the future necessities of 
 his church, by setting apart a particular order of men, 
 whose business it should be to negociate between God 
 and their fellow-sinners on the momentous concerns 
 of salvation. Indeed, the wisdom of the appointment 
 is so manifest to reason, that it may well be supposed 
 on this, as well as scriptural grounds, that such a class 
 of men will never be wanting to the Christian Church. 
 Whatever therefore, pertains to the ministry — to an 
 ofiice of perpetual and Divine appointment, must be 
 interesting, not only to those who hold it, but to the 
 far greater class of those whom it was designed to 
 benefit. Nothing that regards the souls of men, can 
 fail to interest alike both ministers and people. 
 
 From these words, I shall take occasion to say a 
 
few things of the General Nature and Validity of this 
 Ministry — its Difficulties- — and its Encouragements. 
 
 1. The General Nature and Validity of this Ministry . 
 
 As the Apostles were specially chosen to testify the 
 resurrection of Christ as eye-witnesses ; to reveal his 
 will infallibly ; and to confirm it by miraculous pow- 
 ers, it seems quite obvious, that their office was an ex- 
 traordinary one, and therefore, that it expired at their 
 death. Whatever then, may be «aid as to the success- 
 orshijx of such an office, we are free to say, that we 
 acknowledge no claims to the distinction, as they have 
 been put forth by a certain class of modern dignitaries. 
 But though the design of the Apostolic commission 
 has been accomplished, and the office from the very 
 nature of the case has expired, the Great Head of the 
 Church among his ascension gifts " gave pastors and 
 tmclwrs for the work of the ministry." Here, then, 
 is the office designated in the text. It is an office in- 
 stituted by the Lord Jesus, as a standing ordinance, 
 and the highest in grade, since the Apostolic age, in 
 the Christian Church. 
 
 The appointment of the Christian ministry is one 
 of the very greatest blessings to mankind. Ever since 
 the first revelation to this lost world, God has had 
 some to make known his will, and to urge its high 
 and holy claims to regard. This is a point of too 
 much consequence, not to command attention. It 
 was so in the Patriarchal ages, both before and after 
 the flood, and perhaps to an extent, and with a clear- 
 ness far beyond what is generally supposed. It was 
 so pre-eminently under the Jewish dispensation, when, 
 besides Prophets, who were raised up to perform 
 
special services, om whole Tribe, composing if not the 
 twelfth, still a very large proportion of the people, 
 was devoted to the work of the sanctuary, which in- 
 cluded the office of religious instruction. AVhen the 
 blessed Redeemer appeared on earth, it was in the 
 character of a preacher of divine truth. Even then, 
 he sent his disciples forth, and clothed them with au- 
 thority to dispense the word of life. And after he 
 arose from the dead he enlarged the ministerial com- 
 mission, and commanded that the gospel should be 
 preached to everj^ creature ; adding, " Lo I am with 
 you always, even unto the end of the world :" a prom- 
 ise which both puts a divine seal and sanction upon 
 the ministry ; and also declares its supreme impor- 
 tance in bringing about the salvation of our ruined 
 race. 
 
 The simple fact therefore, that the ministry is an 
 ordinance of perpehial appointment in the church, is 
 no small proof of its high instrumentality in the work 
 of reclaiming a lost world. But when we read that 
 it was expressly designed " to turn men from dark- 
 ness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ; 
 that it is by the foolishness of preaching that it pleases 
 God to save them that believe, we cannot hesitate to 
 give it the foremost place among the instrumentalities 
 selected and employed by divine wisdom in bringing 
 men to a saving acquaintance with the truth. To 
 expect the gospel to spread and to take effect — to have 
 free course and to be glorified, in becoming the power 
 of God and the wisdom of God upon the souls of men, 
 without the agency of those whom Christ has called 
 to minister in his name, is not only irrational, but a 
 most unhallowed presumption. And while we would 
 
8 
 
 not limit the Holy One of Israel ; while it is not to be 
 denied that it would be easy for him to bring men to 
 repentance and a holy life, apart from the ministry 
 of the word, it is sufficient for us to know, that this 
 is comparatively very infrequent, and therefore, in 
 ordinary cases not to be looked for ; and that it is the 
 institution of his own sovereign wisdom, that he hon- 
 ours for this purpose pre-eminently and almost ex- 
 clusively. 
 
 The great design contemplattfd in the Christian 
 ministry, is what the apostle declared in his own case 
 to be " to testify the gospel of the grace of God." It is 
 a ministry of sovereign love, and boundless compassion 
 on the part of an offended God, in behalf of his offend- 
 ing and rebellious subjects. It regards man as fallen 
 and helpless, and condemned. It supposes his condi- 
 tion wretched, but not hopeless. It looks upon him 
 every where, at all times, and under all circumstances, 
 as a sinner against God, "dead in trespasses and sins." 
 If the minister of Jesus forget or overlook this great 
 Bible truth, he mistakes his errand and all his labour 
 and preaching will be ineffectual. Here then, is the 
 key to all useful and availing effort on the part of the 
 gospel ministry. It comes with the proclamations of 
 pardon and peace — with the offers of a full and a free 
 salvation to guilty and perishing sinners. 
 
 It is quite evident that such a ministry, is not the 
 Ministry of the Law. The law has no voice but that 
 of death and condemnation to the guilty sinner. It 
 knows no mercy, and never speaks of pardon. It 
 demands obedience, but it says, " cursed is every one 
 that continueth not in all things, written in the book 
 of the Law, to do them." It never did, and never 
 
9 
 
 can make the coiner thereunto, perfect — its command- 
 ment is so exceeding broad, that it multiplies and ag- 
 gravates transgression. The consciousness of its vio- 
 lation to a sinner, without the hope of mercy will only 
 terrify him with the fear of punishment, and jDlunge 
 him into a darker and a deeper despair. A principle 
 not known to the law, and unknown to reason, must 
 be applied to meet the exigency of man's condition. 
 A message never thought of by man, must be brought 
 — a message suited to him as a miserable sinner — a 
 message of mercy from his oftended Father in heaven 
 — which can take away the guilt of sin from his con- 
 science and subdue the power of sin in his heart. 
 Such is the message which is the Theme, and the 
 Burden of " this ministry." It proclaims a Saviour — 
 such a Saviour as man wants. It is mercy meeting 
 misery, and announcing pardon and peace. It says, 
 God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, and 
 that " the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all 
 sin." Let this message be effectually delivered by the 
 Holy Spirit to the soul, and however deep the stains 
 of sin upon it, the work of renovation and purity will 
 be achieved. 
 
 We should , not fail to notice that this mimstry, of 
 which the text speaks, is elsewhere very emphatically 
 described as "haviur/ been recekeriy This is indeed a 
 solemn and a weighty consideration. Every true, 
 faithful minister of the gospel, may say with the 
 Apostle that he has " received his ministry of the 
 Lord Jesus." " No man taketh this honour to himself, 
 but he that is called of God as was Aaron." It is the 
 prerogative of God both to call and qualify a man to 
 be a successful preacher of his word. All men are not 
 
10 
 
 fhv^s called. Among the thousands who profess to be 
 the followers of Christ, very few are employed in the 
 work of the ministry. The question, as to what con- 
 stitutes a call to enter the sacred office, may we think, 
 be easily answered on scriptural grounds. It will at 
 once be conceded, that no unconverted man is thus 
 called. There must be the power, as well as the 
 form of godliness, associated with this trust. True 
 piety is essential in all who sustain the character of 
 Christ's ministers. But not onlj-* must a man be a 
 fJIiristian, who aspires to the sacred office — there are 
 several other qualifications, which the Great Head of 
 the Church has required, in those who go forth to 
 minister in his name. These are recorded in detail 
 in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. There we find 
 that aptness to teach — the ability to rightly divide 
 the word of truth ; soundness in the faith, and a good 
 report of them that are without — by which, we may 
 understand- — an unblemished reputation, guarded and 
 graced by Christian prudence — are so many requi- 
 sites, which along with piety, go to make up that 
 standard of qualification for this holy and responsible 
 office, whicli the Lord Jesus Christ, who instituted it. 
 has seen fit to prescribe. The sum of all is, that a 
 minister must not only be a good man, but that he 
 must have a good degree of knowledge and practical 
 wisdom ; that he must be competent to, and faithful 
 in the discharge of the duties of his office^ if he would 
 make full proof of his ministry, and show himself a 
 workman, that needeth not to be ashamed. 
 
 But neither is every good man and every man 
 whose endowments are sufficient, allowed for these 
 reasons to suppose that he has a call or a warrant to 
 
11 
 
 preach the gospel. Before a man can be satisfied 
 that he is so called, his heart must be excited and 
 inclined to this office by holy considerations. He 
 must be willing and desirous to undertake it, not 
 from any selfish, or worldly motive, but from ihe 
 longing and irrepressible desire to glorify God, in flic 
 conversion and salvation of soids. 
 
 In addition to the prerequisites already alluded to, 
 a man before he can be entitled to perform the duties 
 of this ministry, must he didy authorized for the high 
 itnd sacred service, for no man has a right to usurp the 
 functions of this holy office. After passing through 
 the ordeal, which the particular branch of the church 
 with which he is connected has established, to deter- 
 mine the qualifications of its candidates for the holy 
 ministry, he must be inducted into it, in a regular and 
 formal manner. Thus he becomes officially invested, 
 as well as spiritually and scientifically furnished. He 
 must be clothed with the garments of the priesthood, 
 before he can wait at the altar. 
 
 The scriptural mode of doing this, is by the impo-'-i- 
 tion of hands, and in our own beloved church, '' by 
 the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." We 
 think it may fairly be presumed, that Jesus Christ 
 appointed some form of introduction to office in his 
 visible church, and as this was the only mode 
 which obtained in apostolic times, the conclusion is 
 ^^ery natural, that it received the sanction of the 
 Apostles, and was observed by them, because they 
 received it from their Divine Lord and Head, and 
 were themselves thus formally consecrated to their 
 work. It is not pretended that any particular or 
 mysterious endowment is communicated on the one 
 
12 
 
 hand, or received on the other, by the observance 
 of this usage, but it is in accordance with Apostolic 
 direction, and seems highly expedient and proper, 
 inasmuch, as it serves as an impressive sign, to con- 
 vej'' an idea of ministerial authority so conferred. In 
 reply to those who here differ from us, and on this 
 ground make Exclusive Pretensions to the only Apos- 
 tolic and Divinely Constituted Ministry, we would 
 barely remark, that Timothy, the very model of a 
 bishop in their estimation, was so ordained, " ivith the 
 laying on of the hands of the Presbytery J' It is capa- 
 ble of the clearest proof, and has often been proved, 
 over and over again, that these Presbyters were the 
 Pastors of particular churches, exercising a parity of 
 office, and claiming no precedence above their 
 brethren, thai the very same Persons are sometimes 
 called Bi-^hops or Overseers^ as well as Elders, and 
 Pastors and Teachers, names, merely expressive of 
 diversified, duties, while the Office in each case, is 
 identical. Most conscientiously, then, do we repudiate 
 the doctrine of i^relaticcd ordination when it assumes 
 to be the only valid ordination to this ministrj', as an 
 unscriptural and an unwarrantable assumption. No ; 
 we are fully persuaded in our own minds, that we 
 are acting in accordance with the injunction of the 
 Master, in Presbyter icdly setting apart by prayer and 
 the im.positiwi of hands, men baptized with the Holy 
 Ghost, to the office of the ministry. Every minister, 
 thus ordained, may magnify his office, and feel that 
 he receives it in a succession, quite as Apostolic as 
 though conferred by Pope or Diocesan Bishop. Let 
 him exercise it in the name and by the authority of 
 Jesus Christ, from whom he received it, and the 
 
13 
 
 Great Head of the church will in his case, as he has 
 done for ages, affix the signet of his approbation to 
 his labours. 
 
 II. Having spoken of the general nature and 
 validity of tills ministry ; — Let us now, in the Second 
 Place, advert to thdA^ j^f^'^ticular feature of the office, to 
 which the text points in no dubious terms. I mean 
 the Difficulties attending the discharge of its- various 
 functions. " Seeing we have this ministry, as 
 we have received mercy, we faint nof — obviously 
 intimating, that were it not, for the Mercy afforded, 
 those who are called to exercise it, would faint, and 
 feel overcome and overburdened by its duties, its trials 
 and solemn responsibilities. 
 
 It would seem at first sight, quite natural to sup- 
 pose, that no very great difficulties would grow out 
 of the faithful performance of ministerial duties. And 
 such a notion we are aware, is in accordance with the 
 sentiments perhaps, of a majority of the people in our 
 churches. They imagine that the office, when com- 
 pared with other pursuits, is, cm easy one ; and it is 
 undoubtedly true, that it may be divested of much 
 that is calculated to depress and discourage in the 
 case of an unfaithful and time-serving incumbent. 
 But all the representations of scripture in regard to 
 the Christian ministry, lead us to the conclusion, that 
 in the fulfilment of its high and holy aims, there are 
 obstacles to be met and to be overcome. Why on 
 any other ground have we so many directions and 
 encouragements to be faithful? Why so many 
 prayers for those invested with it, that they might 
 be strengthened for the work ? Why did the Chief 
 of the Apostles, in allusion to its important, and soul- 
 
14 
 
 pressing behests, ask in anxious solicitude — " Who is 
 sufficient for these things ?" Nay, why, if this view 
 of the office, be not the correct one, did the blessed 
 Redeemer judge it expedient to cheer his ministers, 
 and to comfort them by the promise of his sustaining 
 presence alway — even to the end of the world ? 
 
 What then, are some of the Difficulties, connected 
 with this ministry, with which we are charged — that 
 weigh at times almost with a fainting impression on 
 our minds? We reply, they are such as concern 
 both, our Public and Private duties. Such as arise, 
 from the very nature of the ivork itself ; the imperfect 
 inanner in which it is performed ; and the solemn re- 
 sponsibility it involves. 
 
 There is the Work itself It consists principally, in 
 pteaching the truth, and in so preaching it, as to 
 realize the great design of the gospel, — " to save them 
 that believe." The gospel, is the great remedy sup- 
 plied by God, to heal the souls of men, diseased with 
 the malady of sin ; and the dispensing of this remedy 
 is intrusted to his ministers. The treasure of its 
 grace and mercy is committed to earthen vessels, and 
 they are required " to declare the whole counsel of 
 God ;" to present all the truths of the Bible in their 
 connection, and their due proportion. This then, is 
 an arduous business. To be a Steward of divine 
 mysteries, a Shepherd of the flock, to feed them with 
 knowledge and spiritual understanding, is indeed no 
 easy task. A minister of the gospel does not fulfil 
 the end of his ministry, unless he endeavours, under 
 divine grace, to bring every individual in his congre- 
 gation to devote himself to the service of the redeem- 
 ing Saviour. But in doing this, he has to address 
 
15 
 
 himself to souls alienated from the life of God, with 
 little sense of the value of his favour, and no delight 
 in communing with him — souls that are indisposed 
 to these enjoyments — that are carnally minded and 
 destitute of that spiritual taste and apprehension, 
 which is requisite for the due appreciation of these 
 blessings ; and like Ezekiel, he has to prophecy to 
 dry bones in the valley of vision, which will never 
 live, but under the visitation of that breath, which 
 bloweth were it listeth. — It is not an easy thing under 
 any circumstances to obtain an influence over the 
 mind of another ; but to obtain such an influence as 
 to persuade it, contrary to its natural bias — is a work 
 of the highest difficulty. Yet such is the work of a 
 minister of the New Testament. He has to arrest 
 the sinner in his course of sin ; to shake down the 
 strong holds of his security, and to carry the convic- 
 tion to his heart, that he must be born again, before 
 he can enter the kingdom of God. Nor does he find 
 it less arduous to bring the formalist and the self- 
 righteous to see and to acknoAvledge the utter 
 deficiency of all that in which they trust. In all 
 these cases the preacher of God's truth has to bring 
 an unpleasant message ; to persuade to what is disa- 
 greeable; and to eflect not only an outward reforma- 
 tion of conduct, but to work a radical change of views 
 and character. Did men naturally love God and 
 holiness, this office would be comparatively easy. But 
 how hard it is, to speak and to reason against the 
 inclinations, — the prejudices, — the very nature of the 
 human mind. Before men are made willing to bow 
 to the claims of the gospel, how many difficulties must 
 be overcome — what tastes implanted and habits 
 
16 
 
 formed — what an entire change of the moral feelings 
 must be effected. It surely can be no easy matter to 
 prevail on them to pluck out a right eye, to cut off a 
 right hand, and to induce them to exchange a world, 
 which is saen and tasted and felt, for a world which 
 is unseen, and all the enjoyments of which, are at 
 variance with their prevailing desires. This indis- 
 position to the things of God, so radical and incura- 
 ble by human power, as it has always been a source 
 of discouragement to the faithful minister, so it would 
 prove an invincible obstacle to success, did that, suc- 
 cess depend on the might and the wisdom of man. 
 
 It has never been found an easy matter in dis- 
 charging the duty of declaring the whole counsel of 
 God, to keep up the continued interest of the great 
 mass of those, who attend the ministrations of the 
 sanctuary. The truths declared from the pulpit are 
 those which they have been accustomed to hear from 
 their childhood, and are divested of that charm of 
 novelty, which attaches to a neiv discoi^eri/ of science. 
 The preacher of the gospel is restricted to the inspired 
 record, and is not allowed to give it the variety of 
 human invention. What is new, must on that very 
 account be fjilse and dangerous. All that can be 
 delivered by the ablest men, has been revealed. Yet 
 many who frequent our churches, seem anxious to 
 hear something which was never heard before, and if 
 this desire of novelty is not gratified, the message of 
 mercy is slighted and undervalued. Such persons 
 fail to remember, that it is the practical application 
 of old and well known truths, which is chiefly wanted, 
 and from which the attention of men should not be 
 
17 
 
 diverted bj speculations and theories, however in- 
 genious or captivating. 
 
 And here we would also observe, that no small 
 difficulty, arising from the discharge of this ministry, 
 is to know how, to apportion divine truth, to the diver- 
 sified circumstances of our hearers. Though as we 
 have said, the truths and doctrines of the Bible are 
 the same, and admit of no abridgment and addition, 
 yet the character, and the situation of those to whom 
 that truth is addressed are very various. The same 
 doctrine, and form of elucidation, and mode of address, 
 will not do for all classes and ages ; for the different de- 
 grees of mental culture among our hearers ; their differ- 
 ent temperaments, and diversified experiences. It is 
 not unfrequently, therefore, the occasion of anxious sus- 
 pense in the mind of a good Steward of the mysteries 
 of God, to know how rightly to divide the word of 
 truth, so as to give to every one his portion in due 
 season. Such was the prerogative of the Blessed 
 Master. To him was given the tongue of the learned. 
 and he knew how to speak a word in season to him 
 who is weary. But his servants often fail here. They 
 often know not what will exactly suit those who wait 
 on their ministry ; nor how at all times to bring forth 
 things, new and old, from the inexhaustible treasury 
 of truth, so as to administer the j)roper degree of sup- 
 port and consolation, and encouragement, and correc- 
 tion, and reproof, and warning, which particular cases 
 require. 
 
 But after all, — the perplexities that embarrass the 
 faithful minister in the prosecution of his more public 
 exercises, are not to be compared to those which assail 
 and oppress his spirit when lie looks within. When he 
 
18 
 
 undertakes an investigation of those motives and 
 principles — those aims and ends, by which he should 
 alone and always be actuated in his high and holy 
 work. When he turns his eye upon the workings of 
 his own heart, — there, alas ! he meets with little that 
 does not liumble and discourage him ; and he is made 
 painfully sensible, of that lack of personal religion, 
 without which, though he might speak with an an- 
 gel's tongue, he would be but " as sounding brass and 
 a tinkling cymbal." If he asks hi^nself, where is the 
 ardent love for Christ — the disinterested zeal for the 
 promotion of his cause — the compassion for perishing 
 sinners — the delight in going about like his divine Mas- 
 ter, in doing good to the bodies and the souls of men ? 
 Where the purity of motive — the meekness, the hu- 
 mility — the heavenly-mindedness — the fervent piety 
 which should characterize the faithful pastor, and the 
 example of the tlock ? — these questions impress his 
 mind with such a sense of his many imperfections and 
 failures, that he is at times almost ready to despond, 
 and he fears, lest after preaching to others, he himself 
 should be " a cast away." It is true, indeed, that in 
 some respects the ministerial office may be conducive 
 to the cultivation of personal piety. It secures a man 
 from those worldly influences arising from the pursuit 
 of gain, that greatly estrange our mind from our high- 
 er and eternal interests. It necessarily occupies the 
 mind with the contemplation of great and good and 
 solemn subjects, and so affords leisure and opportunL 
 ty to attend to the concerns of a future existence, 
 which the cares and the business of time greatly pre- 
 clude. But there is danger that it degenerate into a 
 mere professional pursuit. There is danger lest we come 
 
19 
 
 eventually to pray without feeling, and to preach 
 without emotion — without the earnest desire of saving 
 souls. To be perpetually engaged in going through 
 the forms of religion, uttering its language and mani- 
 festing its spirit, while our hearts are but little im- 
 pressed with the importance and sacredness of our 
 duties — tends directly to formalize and secularize our 
 entire religious character. The very thought, that 
 Avhile we are calling others into the kingdom, we may 
 never enter ourselves — that while we are made the 
 keepers of the vineyard of our mother's children, our 
 own vineyard we have not kept, and that the work 
 of godliness is far from advancing in our own hearts, 
 is of itself a most painful and depressing reflection. 
 And while such considerations as these lay heavy on 
 the mind, it not unfrequently hajDpens, that the 
 difficulties of our position are aggravated by the 
 abridgement of time, and the hurry and press of of- 
 ficial engagements. New undertakings, and new and 
 unexpected calls upon our time and strength, spring 
 up from day to day — and, along with an advanced 
 and improving order of things by which we become 
 surrounded— higher expectations, and higher demands. 
 And while these cases of emergency multiply, it often 
 happens that but little opportunity to prepare for 
 them is enjoyed ; and the sources of weariness, and 
 perplexity increase and dishearten us. 
 
 I cannot pass from the consideration of the various 
 causes, which at times produce impressions of dis- 
 couragement and trembling on our hearts, without 
 adverting to that sense of solemn res^ionsihUity, which 
 every minister should keep alive in his soul ; never 
 forgetting that he watches for souls, as one that must 
 
20 
 
 give account. How gTeat the guilt and how awful 
 the doom of the unfaithful minister. To every min- 
 ister, God says with equal truth and equal emphasis, 
 as he said to the prophet, " Son of man, I have made 
 thee a watchman, unto the House of Israel, therefore 
 hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning 
 from me. When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt 
 surely die ; and thou givest him not warning, nor 
 speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to 
 save his life, the same wicked man* shall die in his in- 
 iquity, but his blood, will I require at tliine hand." 
 And is it so, my Brethren, that when we come to 
 stand at the judgment seat of Christ, we must answer 
 not only for our own souls, but for the souls committed 
 to our charge, if we warn them not ; then, never was 
 there a work undertaken by mortals so solemn, or 
 connected with such amazing consequences. Surely, 
 there are times when we go in and out before the 
 people of our respective charges, that we can enter 
 into the spirit of the Apostle's declaration to the Cor- 
 inthian church, when under a conscious burden of 
 personal short-coming and responsibility, he assured 
 them, that while he was with them, as a minister of 
 Christ, it was, " in weakness, and in fear, and in much 
 trembling." Often when we go forward, in imagina- 
 tion, with our dying congregations to that day, and 
 that tribunal, which will try every man's work — when 
 we think what a hold our preaching and our example 
 take on eternity — what issues are at stake beyond 
 the grave — -we cannot, sui^ely, we cannot, forbear ex.. 
 claiming, — is this work assigned to frail, imperfect, 
 Mnful man ! Are earthen vessels the depositories of 
 
21 
 
 such a treasure ! Blessed Jesus, '' Who is sufficient 
 for these things ?" 
 
 III. Having glanced at some of the difficulties atr 
 tendant upon the faithful discharge of the duties of 
 our high and holy office, let us now turn our minds 
 to a brief survey of those Encouragements and Siij^port^ 
 which are promised, and to a good extent have been 
 experienced by thousands in the exercise of tliis min- 
 istry. 
 
 The implication which our text contains in regard 
 to the arduous duties and discouragements of the 
 ministerial office is too plain to be called in ques- 
 tion, and equally clear is the assumption, which it 
 fwrnishes, that these difficulties and discouragements 
 are overbalanced by the most ample supplies of grace 
 and strength. " We faint not, because, im have re- 
 ceived mercy r And so the Apostle, in another place, 
 declares that he " obtained mercy of the Lord to be 
 faithful." Encouragement and support are needed — 
 and blessed be God, it is in accordance with the re- 
 corded experience of his ministers, in all ages of the 
 church, that they have not been withheld. While 
 men of other pursuits, and other professions are often 
 borne down to entire and hopeless despondency, so 
 that they have been compelled to abandon their most 
 cherished aims — the encouragements affi3rded the 
 christian minister, have been strong enough to sustain 
 him in everj^ struggle, and to bear him above all op- 
 posing and disheartening influences. His encourage- 
 ment comes from above — it comes from God — from 
 his mercy, promised — and because he is faithful, wlio 
 has promised. Numerous and diversified then, as 
 
22 
 
 may be the difficulties of this ministry, we too, may 
 exultingly exclaim, " Our Sufficiency is of God." 
 
 The work of the ministry puts on a cheering aspect 
 to our minds, when we call to our remembrance, that 
 God has Iwnowed it above all other employments. It is 
 by this instrumentality especially, that it pleases him 
 to save those that believe, and to extend the interests 
 of his kingdom in the world. Every faithful minister 
 is associated with the holy angels, in carrying forward 
 the purposes of redeeming grace fowards their final 
 and triumphant accomplishment. He is engaged in 
 promoting a cause that secures the highest glory to 
 God, and the greatest happiness to our wretched race- 
 Nay, he is honoured, by being a co-worker with God. 
 and as an Ambassador of Christ, he is employed in 
 furthering the great designs of his redeeming mercy. 
 No wonder, that an Apostle, in taking this view of 
 his position, magnified his office, and was ready to 
 move on to prison and to death, that he " might finish 
 his course with joy and the ministry- that he had re- 
 ceived of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the 
 grace of God." And surely, when we contemplate 
 the ministerial character and office, as sustaining re- 
 lations so sacred and sublime, we should try and lose 
 sight of all mijior and trivial causes of despondency, 
 and faint-heartedness. 
 
 . Need I remind you also, my Brethren, for our en- 
 couragement, amidst the toils and sacrifices of our 
 profession, that our work has its 'pleasures too — plea- 
 sures that the world can neither know nor appreciate ; 
 I mean the pleasure " of saving a soul from death, 
 and of hiding a multitude of sins." Could we estimate 
 the value of the soul — could we weigh its worth, as it 
 
23 
 
 is weighed by him wlio made it — could we lift the 
 covering which God in mercy has thrown over the 
 dark world of woe, and penetrate the veil which shuts 
 out from our sight the glories of heaven, — then, to be 
 instrumental in saving one such soul, would bring to 
 our hearts, a purer, a holier, and a more transcendant 
 joy, than the greatest achievement of earth and time. 
 It was a joy like this that satisfied the Redeemer for 
 the travail of his soul, and made him willing to endure 
 the cross, and despise the shame. And is it too much 
 to say that every faithful minister, in his measure, 
 participates in these blessed sympathies of the Re- 
 deemer? And are not such joys, an ample indemni- 
 fication for all the difficulties, and self-sacrificing 
 labours, that are endured in Avinning souls to Christ ? 
 To preach then, so that those who hear us may be- 
 lieve, and turn to the Lord ; to preach for the edifi- 
 cation and comfort of " the household of faith ;" to be 
 guides and counsellors and ensamples to our respective 
 Hocks ; to be spiritual fathers in Christ, and to see 
 and hear that our spiritual children are walking in 
 the truth, can there be any employment more ex- 
 alted, more Christ-like, and soul-satisfying ? If there 
 be a delight in the contemplation of doing good — if 
 the thought that we are instrumental in making others 
 wise and holy and happy, can administer the purest 
 pleasure to our minds, then, such is the pleasure of 
 the faithful minister, who, in the spirit of his office, 
 is engaged in making known the unsearchable riches 
 of grace and salvation and glory, to those who are 
 perishing in their ignorance and sin ; and who is 
 spending his life in endeavouring to bring all around 
 
24 
 
 him to seek the good part and to embrace the choicest 
 gifts of heaven. 
 
 We must not fail to remark in this connexion, that 
 the general assurance of success^ as the consequence and 
 the reward of ministerial fidelity^ seems to be plainly 
 implied if not positively asserted ; and is presented as 
 a motive of encouragement to be faithful and un- 
 wearied in the work of the Lord. What precise mea- 
 sure of success a minister shall ha^^e, or how many 
 truly converted souls he shall have, as the seals of his 
 ministry, will never be known until the secrets of all 
 hearts shall be disclosed. But it seems quite in ac- 
 cordance with scripture and experience, to anticipate 
 a measure of success in some degree proportioned to 
 the amount of prayerful effort, and holy diligence and 
 zeal enlisted in this good work. ■•' Our labours shall 
 not be in vain in the Lord." They will be crowned 
 with a blessing, and we will be made instrumental in 
 bringing some poor souls to the Saviour. I do not 
 say that all truly faithful ministers of the gospel will 
 be equally blessed in their preaching, aii}' more than 
 I would say that the same minister is alike successful 
 at all times. But where a minister of Christ dis- 
 charges the duties of his office in the spirit of his high 
 commission, success, in a greater or less degree will 
 be the result. He is, indeed, but an instrument in 
 dispensing the riches of divine grace, " that the excel- 
 lency of the power may be of God ;" and yet the more 
 earnestly and humbly and perseveringly, he applies 
 himself to his appropriate duties, the larger the har- 
 vest of blessing in the conversion and salvation of 
 souls, that will be reaped. God's word will not re- 
 turn void and fail to accomplish the thing, whereto it 
 
25 
 
 is sent — when it comes from glowing lips, with all 
 the spirit-stirring attributes of a holy and enlightened 
 zeal — enforced by the example of an upright and 
 prayerful life. The truth of God cannot be plainly 
 and affectionately and solemnly declared without 
 taking effect and producing fruit to some extent. Sin- 
 ners in Zion will be made afraid, fearfulness will sur- 
 prise the hypocrites, the impenitent will repent and 
 believe, the word ot the Lord will have free course 
 and be glorified, and there will be added to the church 
 many such as shall be saved. 
 
 But not only does the hope and the evidence of 
 being made useful, if it be only in a very limited de- 
 gree, serve as a rich equivalent for the various and 
 arduous labours of " this ministry," — there is also the 
 promise of the Master'' s presence to his servants, — and 
 they may trust in him for grace and strength equal to 
 their day. While they are breaking the bread of life 
 to others, he will not leave their own souls unfed and 
 unnourished by the communications of his spirit. He 
 will comfort them with those consolations wherewith 
 they comfort others. He will be near them in every 
 emergency to soften their fatigues, to sweeten their 
 trials and to make all grace abound on their behalf, so 
 as to carry them cheerfully through scenes, at the 
 prospect of which, they were ready to tremble. In 
 tlieir desponding hours, he whispers to them, " Let 
 not your hearts be troubled" — "my grace shall be 
 sufficient for you" — " my strength shall sustain your 
 weakness ;" and " 1 will never leave thee." Surely it 
 is a matter of encouragement for his ministers to call 
 to mind that while he l)ids them, " Go preach the 
 gospel/' he adds, '• Lo I am with you." What multi- 
 
26 
 
 tudes of witnesses to the truth of this promise could 
 be summoned from among the Kving and the dead. 
 And are we not my brethren, of the number of those 
 who can say that having obtained help from him in 
 all our duties, and our trials, we continue even to this 
 day, and are ready to testify of his power, his good- 
 ness, his faithfulness ? Let us then gird up the loins 
 of our minds for more assiduous and hopeful exertions 
 in our proper and covenanted work, yielding neither 
 to sloth nor despondency, but awning and praying to 
 be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 
 
 And now, not to allude to any other considerations, 
 Av^hich should serve to cheer and sustain the ministers 
 of Christ, that they '• faint not" — we must not forget, 
 the Recommence of Reward — to which they are encour- 
 aged to look forward. Moses, that faithful minister 
 of the typical economy had respect to this. He grasped 
 it with a firm and steady faith, and contemplating it 
 only in reversion, he renounced in exchange for it all 
 the glories and grandeur of earthh^ greatness — an 
 earthly sceptre, and an earthly crown. The scrip- 
 tures establish the principle, and urge the motive of 
 future rewards proportioned to the good we may be 
 instrumental in accomplishing. " Those that are wise 
 shall shine as the brightness of the firmament — and 
 they that turn many to righteousness as the stars, 
 for ever and ever." Here then, is more than enough 
 to outweigh all our sacrifices and sufferings and la- 
 bours. " Be faithful unto death," says our divine 
 Master, '' and I will give thee a crown of life" — a 
 crown resplendent Avith the unfading beauties of im- 
 mortality, when the transitory glories of this Avorld 
 shall have withered like a fading flower, and all the pa- 
 
27 
 
 geantry of human greatness shall have passed away 
 as a dream. This is the crown that awaits all who 
 have faithfully discharged " this ministry" — which 
 the}^ have received of the Lord Jesus. On that great 
 day when he shall appear in his glory, to reward 
 ever}^ one according to his worlvs — he will not be un- 
 unmindful of what his servants, even the weakest of 
 them, have done to promote his cause. As the Chief 
 Shepherd he Avill then acknowledge and applaud 
 them, before an assembled world. He will sa}' to 
 each of them, "Well done, good and faithful servant, 
 enter into the joy of thy Lord — because thou hast 
 been faithful over a few things, I will make thee 
 Ruler over many things." And then with his own 
 hand will be confer upon them the crown of f/Iory — a 
 crown of righteousness — a crown of rejoicing — a crown 
 decked with the souls of their people, whom they have 
 converted or edified, who wall then appear with them 
 as their jojj and their crown, in the presence of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. And ! Avith what 
 exstacy, will they receive that crown, thus conferred, 
 and Avith what high and everlasting exultation will 
 they wear it ! Yes, m}^ Brethren, the smile and the 
 approbation of the blessed Jesus, on that august 
 occasion, will overpay all the labours, and trials 
 of the longest life, and the most protracted and 
 self-denying service. Therefore, " let us be stead- 
 fast — immoveable, and always abounding in the work 
 of the Lord — forasmuch as we know that our labour 
 shall not be in vain in the Lord." 
 
 And now, Fathers and Brethren, in view of the 
 great and sacred importance of the ministry we have 
 received, let us bear in mind the obligations, which 
 
28 
 
 its various and solemn trusts impose upon us to be 
 found diligently and faithfully discharging all its du- 
 ties, to the utmost of our ability. 
 
 Let us take heed to our ministry, that we do not 
 lose sight of its great object. And what is that object? 
 Ts it not, to win souls to the best of masters f It is for 
 this purpose, that every faithful minister should live 
 and labour. And we are under peculiar obligations 
 to do this, not only, as we hope, that we have expe- 
 rienced the forgiving grace of God ourselves, but in 
 virtue of our office. When we were clothed with the 
 ministerial character, and undertook the pastoral 
 charge, we solemnly recorded our vow^s before God, 
 that we w^ould with all fidelity and zeal engage in 
 this good work. These vows of God are upon us. 
 Let us then, beware, that we do not deal deceitfully 
 with God, and bring upon ourselves the charge of 
 unfaithfulness to the souls committed to our trust. 
 However we may regard it, our divine Lord and 
 Master, considers it as the greatest favour and honour, 
 he could confer on us, to commit the interests of his 
 cause to our hands, and consign to our care, those 
 souls he died to save. Can any of us endure the 
 thought of beti^aying that cause ? When he will ask 
 of us an account of our stewardship, which of us will 
 not then wish to be found faithful ? Will any of us 
 then regret, that we have given ourselves wholly and 
 unreservedly to his service, and that we had spent so 
 •little of our time, in the pursuit of secular ends, and 
 the studies of a fashionable and captivating literature 
 or the blandishments of social and polislu d life ? Oh 
 no ; in that da}^, when the destinies of the soul and 
 the glories of redemption, shall have he light of 
 
29 
 
 eternity poured upon them — then, to have been an 
 instrument, however feeble, of helping one poor sinner 
 in fleeing from the Avrath to come, will infinitely out- 
 weigh, in our estimation, every other achievement, 
 however honourable and splendid it may have stood 
 forth to the gaze of mortals, on the theatre of time. 
 The gospel which we preach, is indeed, the power 
 of God — it is mighty to the pulling down of the strong 
 holds of sin, in the hearts of men ; and there are 
 elements of potential influence in our ministr}- to 
 bless and to save the world. Only let it be with us 
 our first object to exercise this ministry for the glory 
 of God, in the salvation of sinners. I need not tell 
 you, how much it would detract from our usefulness, 
 if we should connect other things with this, as fa- 
 vourite objects of pursuit. If for example we cherish 
 an ambition for a name, or a taste for the literature 
 of the world, or' a fondness for wealth. But having 
 chosen our object, to preach Christ ; an object in point 
 of excellence with which, the world has nothing to 
 compare — let us make full proof of it. Let it command 
 our time, and our talents. Let us devote to it our 
 first thoughts, our warmest affections, our best labours. 
 r^t us remember, that it is the command of scripture 
 in reference to the duties of this ministry, " Give thy- 
 self wholly to them." Is it not reasonable then, to 
 believe that a more entire consecration of themselves 
 to the work, and a more thorough imbuing of their 
 souls with the spirit of the Lord Jesus would greatly 
 augment the usefulness and power of the ministers of 
 the Gospel ? A man who enters it with undivided 
 aim — seeking to serve God in the Gospel of His Son, 
 wiU be happy. He will find it, his meat and drink ; 
 
30 
 
 and in proportion as he loves his work, we feel per- 
 suaded that his preaching will be with jyower — " the 
 power of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 
 The powers of this world cannot vie with the effi- 
 ciency of those weapons, which are wielded by the 
 ministers of the gospel of the grace of God. Behold 
 the Monk of Wittemberg shaking the papal authority 
 to its centre. And at a later day, see Wesley soaring 
 above the most dignified religious establishment in 
 any land ; and from such examp*^es, learn the power 
 of the devoted Gospel minister, who, without titles 
 and rank and riches, can, and does put forth an influ- 
 ence to change the face of society, and to renovate the 
 world. 
 
 Do we then desire, my Brethren, as I trust we all 
 do, to be more exclusively devoted to our Great 
 Mission ? Is it our ambition and our hope to be 
 made the honoured instruments of success, in our 
 high vocation ? the way to it is plain. It is, to 
 humhle ourselves before Qod for past neglect ; and to 
 pray more imjwrtunateli/ for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 That we have great reason to deeply abase our- 
 selves, upon every review we take of our ministerial 
 course, I doubt not that you all feel and are ready to 
 acknowledge. Many of us, I do not question, have 
 so laboured and preached, as to commend our message 
 to the consciences of our hearers. We have by all 
 the blessed and touching considerations of divine truth, 
 sought to awaken them from the slumbers and the 
 danger of an impenitent state ; we have set before 
 them life and death, and have urged their return to 
 God. Some of us may not have been wholly wanting 
 in those duties which have led us to converse and to 
 
31 
 
 pray with them in private, and at their own homes. 
 And if in these respects we have approved ourselves 
 in any degree faithful, it must l^e a source of comfort 
 to our minds. But alas ! how unfrcquently and 
 unsteadily have we performed these duties ! Is it not 
 painful to reflect, that some of our people, and with 
 whom too, we conversed almost daily, may have per- 
 ished through our neglect, — our indifierence to their 
 spiritual welfare — our unfaithfulness and backward- 
 ness in not warning them, and praying with them. 
 Surely, we have need, my brethren, to pray that we 
 may be humbled under a review of our official delin- 
 quencies, and instead of suffering ourselves to be 
 elated by any of our performances, to seek that they 
 may be more and more baptized with the " Baptism 
 of repentance," and the blood and righteousness of 
 our living and gracious Redeemer. 
 
 Let us then labour to gird ourselves with new deci- 
 sion and fresh enterprise for the duties of this minis- 
 try. Let us not feel satisfied and happy, unless we 
 have good reason to believe that the work of the Lord 
 is prospering in our hands, and that his vford is glo- 
 rified and has free course among the people of our 
 several congregations. Far be it from us, to lay it as 
 an " unction to our souls," that because God is a 
 sovereign, in the dispensations of his mercy, and that 
 he alone can give the increase to the ministrations of 
 his servants, that, on that account, we should not feel 
 anxious as to the result of our labours, or whether 
 they were accompanied with any remarkable and 
 cheering success. Let us preach and pray, as if the 
 salvation of sinners depended on the fidelity and 
 earnestness, with which we presented the claims of 
 
32 
 
 the gospel message, and besought sinners to be recon- 
 ciled to God. Above all, we should feel it incumbent 
 upon us, especially in times so full of important oc- 
 currences, and so pregnant with great events, as the 
 age of the world in which we live, to abound in prayer. 
 (rod has constituted ministers of the gospel, the official 
 intercessors of his church. The Lord Jesus, has thus 
 clothed them with the similitude of his own character. 
 A-li those ministers of the gospel, who have been dis- 
 tinguished for successful labours, have been men 
 abounding in prayer ; not merely remarkable for the 
 fervour and the efficacy of their public addresses to 
 the throne of grace ; but also, for their regular and 
 habitual private intercessions with God for a blessing 
 on their labours, to further the salvation of men. 
 Such believing and wrestling prayer, while it 
 will in no wise retard us in our studies, but rather 
 contribute to our own enrichment in the mysteries of 
 the gosj^el — will, we are assured, turn out to the 
 advantage of the souls for which we watch. Let us 
 then cultivate the spirit of prayer — and as we are 
 engaged in a work — which God alone can crown 
 with a blessing — let us give him no rest, " until he 
 establish — until he make Jerusalem a praise in the 
 earth.'' Let our daily and fervent prayer be — 
 ^' arise Lord, and plead thy own cause — Lord 
 re\ive thy work — in the midst of the years make 
 known — in wrath remember mercy." 
 
 My beloved Brethren in the Lord, our yearly con- 
 vocations are generally occasions full of interest to us, 
 as they affi)rd us the opportunity of friendly greeting, 
 and furnish us with seasons of Christian intercourse 
 and mutual counsel and united prayer for the pros- 
 
83,^ 
 
 perlty of Zion. And sometimes they are so associated 
 with events of mournful and tender interest, as to 
 bring up a crowd of impressive and not unprofitable 
 recollections before our minds. We can never come 
 together without missing some faces, with which we 
 have long been familiar. If in our inward thought 
 we ask, where are they ? we at once receive the an- 
 swer, in those interrogations, so full of solemn mean- 
 ing — " The Fathers, where are they ? and the Proph- 
 ets, do they live forever ?" Yes ; ministers are dying 
 men. Every year, it is said of this, and that minis- 
 ter, that his course is finished — his pastorate, at an 
 end — and his flock, without a shepherd, or fed by a 
 successor, who enters into his labours. We feel it to 
 be the dictate of brotherly affection, to record with 
 Christian hope and resignation their departure, and 
 to pause that we might hearken to the wholesome 
 admonition, " Be ye ready, also." 
 
 Since we were last convened as a Synod, it has 
 pleased our heavenly Father, to remove from us, one 
 of our number, venerable in age, and distinguished in 
 station, and in usefulness. He was, indeed, a great 
 man in our Israel. The most of us belonging to this 
 Synod, were his pupils, and the very mention of his 
 name awakens in our hearts emotions peculiarly 
 pleasing and tender. When we hear the name of 
 Samuel Miller, we think of him as a venerable 
 Father — a beloved and honoured Instructor — the able 
 and distinguished Advocate of the ecclesiastical polity 
 and order of our church— and the Friend and the 
 Patron of all its benevolent and religious institutions ; 
 a man, who put forth a more than ordinary influence 
 on his generation, by his writings— his position, and 
 
34 
 
 hie various labours, — and has left the impress of his 
 character, his talents, and his long and useful life, 
 on the church and the world. Where is the man in 
 our church, who held a higher place in the affections 
 and esteem of those who knew him, and whose death 
 was more sincerely, and extensively mourned ? 
 
 The Intellectual character of our venerable Father 
 was of a high order. The faculties of his mind were 
 originally vigorous and active, and were highly im- 
 proved by well directed and persevering study. There 
 were few men of his day, whose acquisitions were 
 more extensive or more solid. On all subjects to 
 which he turned his attention, he formed clear and 
 comprehensive views. His writings exhibit the rich- 
 es of his mind in a smooth, flowing, perspicuous and 
 natural diction, and no|: unfrequently rising to the 
 elegant and ornate. On all questions of controversy, 
 no man was more candid in his manner of reasoning. 
 His opinions, after being formed with much scriptural 
 and cautious examination, were maintained with 
 manly decision and cogent argument. His preaching 
 was always instructive, and often, in late years, deeply 
 impressive and serious. In all his productions for 
 the press, especially in his controversial writings, he 
 was remarkable for patience and fairness in his in- 
 vestigations, for clear and foi'cible reasoning, and for 
 correct statement and unusual despatch. 
 
 But when we turn our eyes to his Social and Reli- 
 gious character, we are struck with its completeness 
 and symmetry. He not only had the various quali- 
 ties of excellence, but he had them in just proportion, 
 and beautiful consistency. It is not unfrequently the 
 case, that we often find a character of many virtues, 
 
85 
 
 marred by prominent faults. Some who possess a 
 variety of estimable qualities, are irritable, self-compla- 
 cent and vain. They are wanting m meekness, of a 
 suspicious temper, and subject to rashness, fickleness, 
 or indiscretion. But all who knew Doctor Miller, 
 could not fail to perceive the gentleness and urbanity 
 of his manners, his tenderness of the feelings of others, 
 his Christian simplicity, his composure and self-pos- 
 session in seasons of exciting debate, and his resolu- 
 tion and firmness and principle when duty called him 
 to act. 
 
 These attributes of character made him admired 
 and beloved by all around him, and greatly contri- 
 buted to render him useful and respected in the high 
 and important station he occupied so many years. 
 Now, when we reflect upon it, we cannot but regard 
 it as very important, that a character of such com- 
 pleteness was exemplified before so many hundred 
 young men while they were training for the gospel 
 ministry, and that in so many ways it was brought 
 to bear upon the interests of our Seminary, and the 
 interests of the Church. 
 
 But how our admiration increases as we contem- 
 plate his growing meetness for heaven, under the 
 infirmities of declining age. Such was his spiritual- 
 mindedness, and so entirely did he consider himself 
 as having done with earth, that for months his de- 
 parture was the pleasing topic of his daily conversa- 
 tion. So firm and peaceful was his reliance on the 
 righteousness of the Redeemer, that death was di- 
 vested of all its terror, and he spoke of it as going 
 home to his father's house to be at rest forever. As 
 he verged towards the closing scene, his sky waa 
 
36 
 
 serene and cloudless. With faltering and dying lips, 
 he testified to the supporting presence of the Master, 
 and calmly said, " not a doubt," as he breathed out 
 his life. But I will not dwell here. You all know with 
 what patriarchal faith and dignity he went down to 
 the grave, and with what blessed hope he committed 
 his soul to his covenant and redeeming God and Sa- 
 viour. 
 
 While living, we all accorded to him many distin- 
 guished excellencies ; but since Ms departure, we feel 
 more than ever, that he was no ordinary man ; and 
 that his gifts and graces will long embalm his name, 
 in the sweet and pious recollections of our Church — 
 a Church, to which he devoted the unabated attach- 
 ment and energies of a long life, and with the history 
 of which, his life and labours are so closely identified, 
 that the former cannot be written, without portraying 
 the conspicuous and important part that was borne 
 by the latter. The memory and the usefulness of 
 such a man, will long survive. They cannot be for- 
 gotten and pass away with the transient eulogies of 
 the funeral service, and the weekly journal. They 
 are the legacy of the Church, and the Church will 
 value and record them. 
 
 Reverend Fathers and Brethren, what impressive 
 recollections crowd upon the minds of the older mem- 
 bers of this body, at its returning sessions. Especially 
 does the speaker go back in memory to the time, 
 when he first had a seat on this floor. The lapse of 
 another year will complete the third of a century 
 since his name was enrolled as a member of the Synod 
 of New York and New Jersey, of which this Synod 
 was a constituent part. Comparatively, how few 
 
a? 
 
 before me, were tlien members of this body. The 
 names of only nine of the Synod of eighteen hundred 
 and eighteen, find a place on the roll of eighteen hun- 
 dred and fifty. The worthy and venerable men, who 
 at that time were most active in managing the con- 
 cerns, and sustaining the interests of our Synodical 
 Jurisdiction, have nearly all passed away. A few, 
 only " remain until this present, while the rest have 
 fallen asleep." Many faces, then seen at our annual 
 gatherings, so familiar to a few of us, only, have long 
 since been shrouded in the darkness of the tomb. 
 How aflfecting the changes which two and thirty 
 years have made in our body ! How entirely certain 
 that these changes will be as many, as striking, and 
 to all of us more deeply momentous, in the two and 
 thirty years to come. God grant, my Brethren, in 
 this high and holy ministry, when each of us shall hear 
 the Master sounding the retreat from our several 
 fields of action, it may then appear, that we have not 
 run in vain, nor laboured in vain. 
 
ICI 
 
 s^