SERMON 
 
 DELIVERED AT WESTFIELD, Noybmbsu ISth I81f ; 
 
 AT TUB FVNE8AL 07 
 
 iMqf. Gen. WILLIAM SHEFAliD, 
 
 AGED EIGHTY. 
 
 COMTAIXIKC 
 
 BRIEF SKETCHES OF HIS LIFE, 
 By ISAAC KNAPI*, A. M. 
 
 rASTOft OF THB COKCRBOAtlONAI. CKUECS. 
 
 kO'l&Sc 
 
 1PU8LSSHED BY REqUESTa 
 
 SPRINGFIELD, MS. 
 
 VKINTEID BT THOMAS DtCSMAHo 
 
 1818. 
 

A SERMON. 
 
 2 CHRONICLES, xxxv. 24. 
 And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for JosiAi* 
 
 THE history of God's ancient covenant people fur- 
 nishes striking proofs, that the hearts of men arc 
 strongly inclined to depart from the right vyays of the Lord, 
 God gave them statutes which were good ; but they quick- 
 ly corrupted and forsook his ordinances, and worshipped 
 the gods of the heathen. Deaf to warnings and mad 
 upon their idols, they proceeded from evil to eviL The 
 sacred edifice on Mount Zion, where the God of Israel had 
 placed his name, was almost deserted. Their polluted 
 hearts loathed those holy rites which God had instituted. 
 Delighted with the abominations of the heathen, they 
 builded altars for Baalim and worshipped the hosts of hea- 
 ven. All sinful nation^ a people laden with iniquity^ a seed 
 of evil doers, children that are corrupters ! They have for* 
 saken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One oflsrn- 
 el unto anger, they are gone axvay backward. 
 
 But while the mind is pained in contemplating their re- 
 peated apostacies, we admire the patience and long- suffer- 
 ing of God. The measure of their iniquity was not yet 
 full, and before he gave them over to bondage and the 
 sword, he raised up Josiah to sit upon the throne, and in- 
 spired him with holy zeal to attempt the work of reforma- 
 tion. The history of this godly king you may read in the 
 context, and in the parallel records, in the second book of 
 the Kings. He did thmt which was right in the sight of 
 the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father. 
 At the age of 20, he began to remove, from the land of 
 Judah, the monuments of idolatry. Beginning at Jerusa- 
 lem, he proceeded through all the cities, demolishing the 
 high places, and breaking down the graven and moulteni 
 images. Having removed the altars which had been con- 
 secrated to idols, he sat himself to repair the house of the 
 Lord his God. While employed in this pious work, he 
 
[4] 
 
 found a copy of the Law, which had been long n«glccted 
 and generally forgotten ; and having assembled the men 
 of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all the peo- 
 ple, he read, in their cars, the words of that book. Then, 
 standing in his plase, he entered into covenant widi God 
 to keep his commandments and statutes, with his whole 
 heart. Influenced by his example, and perhaps, swayed 
 by his authority, the people generally, renounced their 
 idols, and externally followed the Lord, the God of their 
 fathers. He then assembled the people to celebrate the 
 passover ; and it is written, that There was no passover 
 like thatf kept in Israel^ from the days of Samuel the 
 Prophet, After this he lived 13 years, a zealous worship- 
 per of God, and a faithful friend to his people. But hu- 
 man influence cannot produce a radical and lasting refor- 
 mation. The people, in general, did not turn unto the 
 Lord, with their hearts. By abusing their privileges they 
 were ripening for destruction. They were unworthy of 
 such a prince, and God, in his holy providence, removed 
 him in the meridian of his days. 
 
 But it may appear to some, that a shade is cast over the 
 religious character of Josiah, by the circumstances of his 
 death. If he engaged in an unjust and unnecessary war, 
 his conduct certainly adniits of no apology. Let us not, 
 however, too hastily, condemn one whom God so highly 
 commends. The king of Egypt had marched an army 
 jnto Josiah's own territory, for the professed purpose of 
 subduing a province of the king of Babylon, between 
 whom and Josiah, there was now a treaty of alliance. 
 And what king or emperor would doubt the justice of re- 
 sisting an army marched into his own territory, for the pro- 
 fessed purpose of attacking his ally ? Pharaoh, indeed, sent 
 to Josiah, that he had no hostile designs against him, and 
 with plausible words, desired him to remain in peace. 
 But Josiah was not ignorant of the deceit and treachery of 
 this ambitious king. And do we not all know, that the 
 fair speeches of ambitious invaders are not entitled to con- 
 fidence. In such a crisis, how could Josiah remain neu- 
 tral, without violating his treaty, with the king of Babylon, 
 and exposing his own cowntry to the ravages, of one or 
 the other of thes^ pewerfal monarchs ? Does it not admit, 
 of, at k^stj a iprobable i^upposition, thai in going out 
 
[5] 
 
 9,^ainst the king of Egypt, he was actuated by a sense of 
 duty to i^is country, and his ally ? But, as a judgment on 
 tlic nation, he was permitted to fall by the sword. The 
 inspired penman speaks, of Josiah's character, in terms of 
 the highest commendation. Like unto him there was no 
 king before him that turned unto the Lord with all his 
 hearty neither after him arose any like him. Such is his 
 short but expressive eulogy. While he lived, he was a 
 public blessing ; and when he died, all Judah and Jerusa- 
 lem mourned. 
 
 From the historical fact, now before us, I deduce the 
 two following observations, 
 
 I. Integrity of heart is that, which stamps si value upon 
 man j and 
 
 II. When men of this character are removed by death, 
 there is reason for mourning. 
 
 The phrase, integrity of hearty I do not use, in its vague 
 and popular sense. I mean by it, a heart that is right to- 
 wards God. The man, who possesses it, is in^uenced, 
 by a regard to God's requirements. He believes that 
 there is a God, who reigns above ; that his government is 
 over all, and that obedience, to his will, is the reasonable 
 service of every intelligent creature. He feels his ac- 
 countability to him, who will bring every work into judg- 
 ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. 
 He believes that God's holy law is the only standard and 
 rule of righteousness, makes it the subject of his frequent 
 and devout meditation, and exercises himself to keep a 
 conscience void of offence, towards God and towards man. 
 He loves to draw near to God, in all the ways of his ap- 
 pointment, esteems the sabbath a delight, and reverences 
 the sanctuary. The way of salvation, which the gospel 
 points out, he cordially approves. The mercy of God, 
 through the Redeemer, is his only hope. Feeling that, by- 
 nature and practice he is a sinner, he looks to the Lamb of 
 God which taketh away sin, and earnestly seeks the sanc- 
 tifying influences of the Holy Spirit, to render him more 
 conformed to the will of his Heavenly Father, 
 
C6] 
 
 In spe:ikip.,s^ oC one wlio has integrity of heart, I vvouid 
 not describe him as faultless. Where is the man to whom 
 such a df scrij:>tioa -vould apply ? For, in many things, do 
 we not all off;;nd '? But he who has integrity of heart, 
 nhile he sees and laments hi:> imperfections, has the tes- 
 timony of his conscience, that he delights in the law of the 
 LiOrd. 'Jhe \;jrying opinions of the world are not the 
 rule, by which, his life is regulated. He has higher views 
 than to please men. The approbation of his fellovv mor- 
 t'dls he can cheerfully relinquish, when it comes ic\ compe> 
 tition with duty. Actuated by this noble principle, he is 
 raijrcd above tke frowns and flatteries of men, and is soli- 
 citous ever to be found where duty calls him. Who will 
 deny that such a pririciple, wherever it nuiy be found, 
 stamps a dignity on the human character, and renders it 
 valuible af!d excellent. It is a character which God 
 approves; for iutegiity ct h^ait is the moral image of 
 hiinseif. 
 
 Those, and those only, who are possessed of moral ex- 
 cellence, are deserving of esteem and honor. Do you 
 esteem the man v, jio is distinguished for his military ta- 
 lents, when yon know that aml-ition is his idol, and that 
 lie is destitute of moral principle ? How many such attract 
 our notice, on the bloody pages of history. Their memo- 
 ries are detested by all the good. The Tamerlanes and 
 Charles the Xntr.s, and Napoleons, are to be viewed as 
 the scourges of God, to afflict and distress a guilty world. 
 Destruction and misery are in their tuai/<i. 
 
 But he, u'ho is possessed of integrity of heart, is a pub. 
 lie blessing. He is faithful to God and his fel'ov men, it» 
 whatever station IVovidence may have placed him. Is he 
 called to act in public life, his mental en«rgies are directed 
 to the temporal and eternal welfare of mankind. Is he 
 vested with nviJitary command, he will not betray the 
 righteous canst of his country ; but valiantly maintain her 
 rights. Is he called to t!ie Magistracy, he will protect the 
 injured and not bear the sword in vain. The nobie prin- 
 ciple, by whicii iie is actuated, has a tendency to the pro- 
 motion of universal and permantnt happiness. 
 
 When we see splendid intellectual endowments, com- 
 bined with uprighniess and benevolence, we behold the 
 true dignity and plorv of min. Such were Moses, and 
 
[ 7] 
 
 Nehcmiah, and Daniel, and Paul. Such, we believe, wcr-^ 
 many of those, whom God, in his providence, raibtdup to 
 assert and maintain our national independence, and estab- 
 lish our invaluable constitutions of government, hiuch 
 are deserving of distinguished honor. iMay their meniory 
 long be cherished, and their characters be i;eld in \n^h 
 veneration. Their salutary influence, un mankind, is JJke 
 the light of the mornings when the sunriseth^ even a morn- 
 ing without cleuds. Beloved, like Josiah, and like Wash- 
 ington, by all the good, they are lamented in their death. 
 For, 
 
 II, When men of this character are removed bv deatl), 
 there is reason for mourning. 
 
 1st. We mourn, when such are removed by death, be. 
 cause their example is valuable. Few, indeed, are so ob- 
 scure and inconsiderable as not to have some influence, by 
 their example. But when talents and piety arc clothed 
 with office, and combine their influence, the pouer of ex- 
 ample is proportionably increased. Christian virtue, when 
 in such a station, shines with an attractive lustre and in- 
 vites the imitation of the beholder. Such are luminaries 
 in the moral world, exhibiting the reflected beams of the 
 Sun of Righteousness. Their upright conversation, their 
 conscientious regard to the divine law, as the rule of duty, 
 instructs the ignorant and strengthens the children of God. 
 When tlie church has many such, she is not only fair as 
 the moon, but terrible as an army with banners. 
 
 2nd. When such are removed by death, we mourn their 
 loss, because of their active beneficence. They are the 
 benefactors of the human race. Such are those who arc 
 combining their influence and furnishing the means, to 
 cause the everlasting gospel to be preached to all nations ; 
 to dispel the thick clouds which have so long hidden the 
 Sun of Righteousness, from the view of millions of our 
 fellow men. . Such are those, who are causing the Bible to 
 search its way into the recesses of heathenism ; to diffuse 
 its heavenly light, through the frozen regions of the north, 
 and the torrid climes of the equator. Such are they, who 
 are endeavouring to banish war, and oppression, and sla- 
 
[8] 
 
 tery, from the abodes of men. Such is Wilberfordei 
 With his capacious and undaunted soul, warmed with the 
 love of God, and with good will to men deeply en,sfravert 
 on his heart ; the powers of hi& mind, and the influence 
 derived from his exalted station, are devoted to the cause 
 of rational liberty, and christian piety. For a long time 
 baffled, but never discouraged, his unyielding efforts have^ 
 fit length, broken the chains of slavery, and Africa hails 
 him as her deliverer. 
 
 But those whose talents are less splendid, and whose 
 station is less elevated, if they possess the same spirit, are 
 the benefactors of mankind. They are seeking the tem- 
 poral and eternal good of their fellow men. Their neigh- 
 bor's interest and comfort they make their own. The law 
 of equity is the rule of their life. They will extend aid 
 to the afflicted, and administer consolation to the comfort- 
 less. They are ready to raise up those who have fallen 
 into wretchedness, and in a word, to do good to all, as 
 they have means and opportunity. When such die, have 
 not the friends of humanity reason to mourn ? 
 
 3rd. We mourn, when such are removed by death, be- 
 cause they are men of prayer, and as such have power with 
 God, and prevail. By this, they bring the strength of Je- 
 hovah to their aid, and unlock the infinite treasures of di- 
 vine goodness. The Lord of heaven makes himself known 
 as a prayer hearing God. When Aaron filled his censor 
 and interceded for the people, the plague was stayed. 
 When Moses prayed, the rebellious children of Israel 
 were rescued from immediate destruction. When Heze- 
 kiah spread forth his hands unto the Lord, the powerful 
 army of Senacherib was overthrown. But the time would 
 fail me, to recount the instances which prove, that the ef. 
 fectualyfetvent prayer of the righteous man cvaikth much, 
 
 4th. We mourn the loss of such, because innumerable 
 benefits come upon the world of mankind, through their 
 instrumentality. Is it not for their sakes that the world is 
 upheld, and that impenitent sinners are reprieved, from 
 immediate destruction ? Our Saviour says to them. Ye 
 are the salt of the earth. The meaning of this figure can- 
 not easily be mistaken. The righteous, by continuing ©n 
 
the earth, preserve it from ruin. Wlien the last of them is 
 called awyy, the world will be upheld no longer. The 
 Judge will descend, and all things will be brought to their 
 final consummation. 
 
 The upright in heart are purchased with the precious 
 blood of the Son cf God, and raised from the ruins of the 
 apostacy, by the renewing and sanctifying influences of the 
 Holy Spirit, 'j'hey are formed into the moral image of 
 God, and as sKch are precious in his sight, his jewels and 
 his treasure, vessels of mercy, prepared unto glory. Their 
 worth is generally overlooked, by an unbelieving world. 
 Those, who possess splendid natural talents and aspiring 
 ambition, often have their deeds rehearsed, with general 
 acclamation. But they possess, by no means, that value 
 which they vainly suppose. They are, indeed, iristru- 
 ments which God employs to accomplish his purposes ; 
 but the pillars of society are composed of very different 
 materials. They are the upright in hear^. When such 
 are removed, by death, we mourn not ori their account ; 
 for to them y iG die is gain. Supported by the christian 
 hope, they can meet death with composure and joy. By 
 the light of divine truth, we can behold them, in those, 
 mansions of blessedness, where, God shall wipe a\vay alt 
 tears from their eyes ; And there shall be no more deaths 
 neither sorrow^ nor crying^ neither shall there be any more 
 pain ; for the former things are passed away. Blessed 
 are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea 
 saith the Spirit^ that they may rest from their labors, and 
 their works do follow them. 
 
 But, in such a World as this do We feel that there is any 
 moral goOdncess to spare ? When such arc removed by 
 death, there is a " diminution of the aggregate stock of 
 human worth ;" a loss which cannot be estimated by gold 
 and silver ; and we feel constrained to say, Help, Lord ; 
 for the godly man eeaseth ; for the faithful fail from a- 
 mong the children of men. 
 
 My brethren and ffiends, We are this day called to no 
 ordinary scene of mourning. To eulogise the dead can- 
 not be proper ; but the memory of distinguished charac- 
 ters is entitled to particular respect. It should be engrav- 
 en on the grateful recollection of posterity* that the gen- 
 
[ 10] 
 
 crations to come may rightly estimate their worth, «nd 
 imitate their virtues. 
 
 Most of that ilkistrious band» who, nnder Providence, 
 aided in raising our country, from the dependent state of 
 colonies, to a dignified rank among the nations of the 
 earth, have gone the way whence they shall not return. 
 The memory of many of them is blessed. We are this 
 day to deposit the remains of another of them, in the 
 mansions of the dead. You knew and you esteemed this 
 venerable man ; and you will expect from me, on this 
 occasion, some brief sketches of his character, and of 
 the scenes through which he has passed. 
 
 The Hon. William Shepard was the second son of 
 Deacon John Shepard. He was born December 1st. A. 
 D. 1737. The opportunities for literary acquisitions 
 were then comparatively small, and he was favored with 
 no more than, was then considered a common education. 
 By his christian parents, he was early taught that fear of 
 the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. Respecting 
 his youthful years, we can only say, that he was distin- 
 guished for his sobriety and faithfulness, in whatever 
 employment was assigned him, and that he gave early 
 intimations of firmness and decision of character. 
 
 At the age of 17, he commenced his military career, by 
 enlisting as a private soldier, to defend his country against 
 the incursions of the French and Indians, by whom our 
 frontier settlements were exposed to continual ravages- 
 In many parts of our country, it was then a period of pe- 
 culiar anxiety and distress. At the age of 19, he was ap- 
 pointed to the office of Sergeant, and marched with the 
 provincial troops to Canada. In the year 1758, he held 
 the office of Lieutenant, in the army commanded by Gen. 
 Abercromby ; and in the year following, had the com- 
 mission of Captain, under General Amherst. In this war, 
 he served his country six years, in the course of which, 
 he was called to act in many difficult situations, and expos- 
 ed to iminent dangers. He was in the disastrous engage- 
 ment at Fort William Henry, and in those successful en- 
 gagements when Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Isleau Noix, 
 St. John's and Montreal submitted to our arms. He re* 
 mained in the army, till Canada was subdued, and peace 
 
established. The hardships and dangers of these cam- 
 paigns cannot be understood, without reading the history 
 of that war. He had to pass through extensive tracts of 
 wilderness, many of his companions in arms were over- 
 powered with fatigue, and pined away with sickness ; 
 many of them fell victims to siivage ambuscades, and ma- 
 ny were slain before the fortresses of the enemy. In these 
 trying scenes, he was distinguished by his hardihood, in- 
 trepidity, and perseverance. He never shrunk from the 
 post of danger. But his valuable life was preserved for 
 future usefulness. 
 
 At the close of that war, he returned to this, his native 
 town, and remained, about 13 years, in private life. In 
 1760 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Dewey, 
 who, for 57 years, has been his affectionate companion, 
 and is now his afflicted widow. His morals and religious 
 principles were not corrupted, by his residence in the 
 camp. As a citizen, he was then highly respectable and 
 exemplary, employed in agricultural pursuits, affection- 
 ately attentive to his then growing family, and strongly 
 attached to the domestic circle. 
 
 But he was destined again to appear in defence of his 
 country. His opinion and his feelings were strongly in- 
 listed against the oppressive claims of Great-Britain. He 
 saw that the American Colonics, feeble as they then were, 
 must either defend themselves or sink down in slavery. 
 His military talents were known and his country called 
 him to her aid. His native state had become the seat of 
 war, and its capital was in the hands of the enemy. In tke 
 year 1775, he accepted the office of Lieutenant Colonel, 
 and repaired to the camp at Roxbury, where he continued, 
 under the command, and near to the person of Washing- 
 ton, till the British forces retired from Boston. 
 
 The year following, he went to New-York, having the 
 ofSce of Colonel. He was in the hazardous but successful 
 enterprize of bringing off our troops from Long Island ; 
 and when the British landed at Fell's Point, near New 
 York, Col. Shepard was appointed by Washington, to 
 guard the retreat of the American army. A few hundred, 
 under his command, were to check the progress of the 
 whole British army, till the American forces could retire, 
 10 a place of safety. The event proved that he was wor. 
 
[ 12 ] 
 
 %hy of so important a trust. In executing this perilous, 
 task, he received a wound from a musket ball which pass- 
 ed through his neck. In a few weeks however he so far 
 recovered that he resumed the command of his regiment. 
 
 For a considerable time after this, the diificukies, em- 
 barrassments, and suft'erings of the American army were 
 inconceivably great. But Col. Shepard remained steads 
 fast, at the side of his great commander. He had girded 
 on his sword, from a sense of dut}', and at the call of his 
 country, and would not lay it aside while the cause of A- 
 merican Freedom needed his aid. Dangers and hardships 
 could never drive him from the post of duty. He was one 
 of those who, under Washington, attacked and c^tptured 
 the Hessians at Trenton, and soon after, a detachment of 
 the British at Princeton. 
 
 When Burgoyne invaded us, from the north. Colonel 
 Shepard was detached to join the northern army, under 
 General Ga;es ; and was personally concerned in the im- 
 portant confiict, which led to Burgoyne's capitulation. 
 From this, he immediately rejoined the Commander in 
 Chief, in Pennsylvania. He was near to the person of 
 Washington, in several partial engagements, about this 
 time, and in the battle at Monmouth, where the enemy 
 was defeated. In the retreat from Rhode-Island, he gav^ 
 most ample testimonies of his skill and bravery. 
 
 In the year 1780, he had the command of a Brigade, un- 
 der the Marquis de la Fayette ; and retained the command 
 of a Brigade until he retired from the army. His zeal for 
 the independence of his country was honorably attested, iu 
 many of the bloodiest battles of the war. At the peace ia 
 1783, he had fought in twenty-two battles, and established 
 a high character for bravery, sound judgmeut and hij,- 
 nianity. 
 
 As to his military character, he was ever ready, at the 
 call of duty, to endure hardship and to face danger. He 
 knew how to command, and how to obey. Whatever or- 
 ders he received from his superiors in office, were sure to 
 be executed, with promptness and fidelity ; and he could 
 command the obedience of those under hi,m, without usin^ 
 amj profane language. In all the temptations incident to 
 the camp, he, through the grace of God, kept himself pure. 
 He stood high ia the esteem of his illustrious Commandeif 
 
C 13] 
 
 in Cliief. Few, if any officers of his rank, shared more 
 largrely in the confidence of Washington. When the cause 
 ot ills country no longer required him in the CAuip ; when 
 he saw that our independence was sure to be achieved, 
 '' He returned hke Cinciiinatws to his plough." 
 
 But abilities and intejjrity, like his, could not be con- 
 cealed from his fellow citizens, immediately after the 
 peace, he was appointed to represent this town, in the 
 Legislature of the state. He was soon called to the Se- 
 nate, where he remained four years, and then to the coun- 
 cil chamber, where he continued five years. For many 
 years, he held the office of Major General of the militia. 
 
 The part which he acted on Springfield hill, in the tu- 
 piults which were excited soon after the close of the war, 
 was the most disagreeable service which he ever perform- 
 ed. To those of you, who have arrived at the middle of 
 life, the circumstances are well known. Though many of 
 his fellow citizens then dissented from him in opinion, all, 
 it is presumed, now believe, that he was actuated by up- 
 right motives, and aimed at the good of his country. 
 
 In the year 1797, he was appointed a Representative to 
 the Congress of the United States, in which high office he 
 continued for six years, and was twice one of the Electors 
 of President of the United States. 
 
 In the year 1796, he was appointed by the Governor 
 and Council of this State, to treat with the Penobscot In- 
 dians, in the purchase of lands ; and in the year following, 
 was selected, by the national government, to treat with the 
 Six Nations, at Genessee river. These last appoint- 
 ments, like all the others with Vv'hich he has been honored, 
 were executed to the entire satisfaction of his employers 
 and his countrymen. 
 
 Having arrived at the age of 6S, finding distressing in- 
 firmities to increase upon him, he declined all further pub- 
 lic employments, resolving to spend the remainder of his 
 days in the bosom of his family and the service of his 
 God. The most prominent traits of his character were 
 sound judgment, undaunted courage and unbending in- 
 tegrity. It was integrity of heart which stamped a value 
 on his character. He was a lover of his country ; a friend 
 to the peace and religious order pf society, and we believQ 
 a cordial friend to the Kingdom of he Ikdeemer, 
 
C 14] 
 
 Notwithstanding so large a portion of his life was spent 
 in public service, he never lost his attachment to the pur- 
 suits of agriculture. To these he always betook himself, 
 "vvith the greatest alacrity, whenever his circumstances 
 H'ould permit. Instead of being enriched by the emolu- 
 ments of office, from his farm he derived the principal 
 means of his support. In his intercourse with men, he 
 was easy of access, and, from the fund of general knowl- 
 edge which he possessed, joined with his strong social 
 feelings, his conversation was highly interesting. 
 
 You know his high respect for the institutions of Chris- 
 tianity. He has, for thirty -four years, been a professor of 
 the religion of the gospel, and for twenty. eight years, a 
 Deacon in this church. You have witnessed his constant 
 and devout attendance on the worship of God in his sanc- 
 tuary. Nothing, but the most imperious necessity, could 
 detain him from God's house. He was not one of those, 
 who seek to quiet their consciences, by only an occasional 
 attendance. We knew that there were special and urgent 
 reasons for his absence, if we did not see him in his seat. 
 
 In his religious sentiments, he w?s a decided advocate 
 of those doctrines which ascribe all the glory of the sin- 
 ner's salvation to God. He was not ashamed to acknowl- 
 edge himself to be a creature ruined by sin, and hoping 
 for salvation, only through the atoning merits of an Infi- 
 nite Redeemer. He believed in the necessity of being 
 renewed and sanctified, by the Holy Ghost. The burden 
 of his prayer, as you can bear witness, INiy Brethren, w-as 
 that God would grant the influences of the Holy Spirit, to 
 revive his work and build up the Kingdom of Emanuel. 
 
 It is not pretended that he was free from defects. This 
 would be pretending that he was not human. In his last 
 years, the foibles of a mind, impaired with age, were often 
 visible. But that he was a great and a good man, you will 
 not hesitate to acknowledge. He was an ornament to the 
 town in which he lived, and to the church of which he was 
 i) member. His house was a house of prayer ; and you 
 have often witnessed the apparent fervour of his devotions, 
 in the sanctuary. We have reason to mourn that such a 
 pillar of society is removed from among us. His features, 
 his actions, and his voice, we shall not soon forget ; but we 
 phall sse him no more with the living. That hand, which 
 
CIS] 
 
 has wielded the sword in defence of his country, which has 
 been employed in the honorable pursuits of agriculture, 
 and which has borne the sacred vesselt of the sanctuary, 
 is cold and lifeless. That voice, which has roused his 
 countrymen to deeds of valour, which has been heard in 
 the councils of our nation, and which we have heard in 
 this house, in solemn prayer to the God of mercy, v/e shall 
 hear no more. Those eyes which beamed intelligence 
 and were expressive of firmness, are closed in death. 
 
 For several months previous to his decease, he seerBcd 
 sensible that the decays of age and the gradual progress 
 of his disorder must soon terminate his life. He general- 
 ly had the exercise of his reason, and viewed the ap. 
 proaches of death with composure. Patient, resigned, 
 and cheerful, his hope, we trust, was founded on the 
 rock of ages. His language was, " I am a poor unwor- 
 *' thy sinner ; but Jesus is an Almighty Saviour. To him 
 " I commit my soul. In him alone is my hope." 
 
 . Our respected friend and father has left an afflicted 
 widow, who for 57 years, has been his companion, and 
 six children, thirty-three grand- children, and four of the 
 third generation. 
 
 With the solitary widow, we sincerely sympathize. 
 While you weep over your honorable and devout compan- 
 ion, you will reflect with gratitude, on his eminent worth, 
 and that he has been permitted to live so long. If you 
 trust in God he will cause light to arise out of darkness, 
 and sweeten your afflictions, with the consolations of his 
 spirit. To the Great Comforter of the afflicted we com- 
 mend you. May he cause this affliction to work for your 
 everlasting good. 
 
 Let the children remember the counsels of love and pi- 
 ety which they have received, from a father's lips. Re- 
 member his prayers and his example. Let his uncom- 
 mon integrity be the object of your imitation. Remem- 
 ber that integrity of heart is that which gives value to 
 character. Follow him in all that he followed Christ. Let 
 all the afflicted rely on a gracious God for support. In 
 him, the bereaved may find a friend, who will never leave 
 nor forsake them« 
 
t 16 ] 
 
 Tlie church, in this place, is called to mourn the loss 
 of one, who has long been an important member. My 
 brethren, we arc loudly admonished, by this solemn prov- 
 idence. While we feel our loss, let us earnestly beseech 
 the Lord, to raise up many from among our sons to stand 
 in the place of the fathers. Awakened, by this solemn 
 call, let us give heed to our hearts and ways ; be faithful 
 to God and the interests of his kingdom, that we may 
 have hope in our death, and be found having on the Re- 
 deemer's righteousness. 
 
 My fellow mortals, let us all consider ourselves, as 
 loudly and solemnly addressed, by this warning voice of 
 God. The great and the honorable must be brought low. 
 The grandeur of the world must be levelled with the 
 dust. But real integrity of heart will secure the divine 
 approbation. Happy are they, and they only, who, by 
 a spiritual regeneration, are brought near to God. We 
 must soon be consigned to the grave. But we must a- 
 wake from the slumbers of death ; for the trumpet shall 
 sound and the dead arise. How solemn the thought ! 
 How dreadful if unprepared for heaven ! But, how hap- 
 py and glorious for those who die in the Lord ! 
 
 May we live the life of the righteous, and may our last 
 end be like his. 
 
 AMEN, 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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