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YALE
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

OCCASIONAL SERMON,

PReACHE'U AT PLYMOUTH THE
^atoatj after the Jtttetment
OF
Deacon Ephraim Spooh^r,
WHO DIED MARCH 22d, 1818,
IN THE EIGHTY JHIRD YEAR OF HIS AGE.

BY JAMES KENDALL, A. M.
Minister of the First Religious Society.

Thou shalt go to thy fathers In peace ! thou shalt be buried in a
good old age. .,,,,,,,,..., Gbn. xv. X5.

BOSTON;
PRINTED BY tINCOLN &i EOMANDS, NO. 53 CORNHILL.
For sale by Joseph Avery, st hia Boofestore, Plymouth, Ma?s,

SERMON;

PROVERBS XVI. 31.
THE HOAKY HEAD IS A CROWN OP GLORY, IF IT BE FOUND IN I'HE
WAY OF KIGHTEOUSKESS.
THERE is something in old age that commands ven
eration and respect independently of any other consid
eration ; and mankind have agreed in nothing more
generally, than in paying homage and reverence to the
aged. This sentiment is not confined to Civilized life.
Heathen and even savage nations, where almost every
other virtue seems tb be obscured and lost through igno
rance and superstition, have nevertheless been distinguish
ed by their respect for the aged. The hoary head is seen
in their councils, and is honoured with the highest place
in their assemblies.
What appears to have been the dictate of nature is rec
ommended and Sanctioned by revelation. The sacred
scriptures contain many precepts and examples designed
to inciilcate due res'fject and honour for the aged. Among
the laws that were given to God's ancient covenant peo
ple, there is this remarkable precept ; " Thou shalt rise
up before the hoary head, and honour the face ofthe old
man." And the prophet makes it a subject of lamenta
tion in their most corrupt and degenerate state, that " the
faces of the elders were not honoured."
Nothing can be more tender and respectful than Ho-
seph's inquiry of his brethren after his and their aged

4
father. " Is your father well ? The old man, of whom
ye spake, is he yet alive V And the most affecting part
of Judah's intercession for his younger brother is, where
he mentions the effect, which his detention in Egypt
would have upon his aged father. " It shall come to
pass, when he seeth the lad is not with us, that he will
die ; and thy servant shall bring down the gray hairs of
thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave." When
old age is accompanied with wisdom and piety, when
it is found walking in the ways of truth and righteous
ness, it is peculiarly venerable. There is a bright and
glorious lustre that encircles the brow of age, as it moves
along the path of virtue and piety. It commands respect,
and excites veneration and love.
Solomon has given in few words a beautiful descrip
tion of virtuous old age. The hoary head is a crown of
glofy., if it be found in the way of righteousness. It is
a glorious crown, the beauty and ornament of old age ;
and we delight to honour the faces of the elders, that wear
it, when found walking in the ways of religious wisdom,
and spending their long life in the service of God and
their fellow men.
By considering what is implied in being found in the
way of righteousness, we shall see the justness of the de
scription in the text, and the propriety of the respect
and honour, which are so generally shewn to aged virtue
and piety.
Righteousness, in its primary signification, is that up.
rightness, equity, and justice in dealing, which ought
ever to influence our conduct, and mark our intercourse
, with mankind. Although righteousness, in this sense of
it, be not the meritorious ground of our justification be
fore God ; yet it is a righteousness, the practice of which

is expressly enjoined by the Holy Scriptures, and with.
out it our faith even in the righteousness of God is dead,
and cannot save us. How essential this virtue is to the
character of a good man may be learnt from the solemn
manner, in which the practice of it is enjoined by the
word of God. " That which is altogether just shalt thou
follow," was the charge ofthe Most High to the judges
and people of Israel. And to do justice and judgment
is declared by the same authority to be more acceptable
to the Lord than sacrifice. It is required, as a qualifica
tion for the heavenly Zion, that a man shall walk upright
ly, and work righteousness, and speak the truth in his
heart. When the apostle gives a summary of the
christian virtues, he includes in the catalogue " whatso
ever things are honest, and whatsoever things are just."
After reproving the Corinthians for defrauding their breth
ren, he immediately adds ; " Know ye not that the un
righteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The excellent characters, which are held up in the
word of God for our imitation, are represented as possess
ing and being ornamented with this virtue. " I put on
righteousness," said Job, " and it clothed me ; and my
judgment was a robe and a diadem." Amidst allthe
afflictions and calamities, with which he was visited, he
still resolved to hold fast his righteousness ; never lo re
move his integrity from him ; that his heart might not
reproach him so long as he lived. And when Samuel
was old and gray headed, and about to resign the govern
ment of Israel into the hands of his successor, with what
conscious innocence and uprightagss does he challenge
them to name a single instance oif injustice, of which he
had been guilty. — " Behold, here I am," said the venera-
ble Judge, " witness against me before the Lord and be-

fore his anointed ; whose ox have I taken ? or whose ass
have I taken ? or whom have I defrauded ? whom have
I oppressed ? or at whose hand have I received any bribe
to blind mine eyes therewith ? And I will restore it."
And all Israel in reply gave this testimony to his right
eousness : " Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed
us; neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand."
Samuel had travelled from his youth in the way of right
eousness. Even when he was a child, he was in favour
both with the Lord and also with men. The venerable
Simeon, who was honoured in his old age with a sight of
the infant Saviour, and who, as an expression of his faith
in him, took him into his arms and blessed him, is
mentioned by the Evangelist as bemg a just man as well
as devout. He was, no doubt, found in the way of right
eousness ; and his hoary head shone with increasing lus
tre, while his withered arms were embracing the Hope
of Glory.
Besides justice and equity in our intercourse with man
kind, righteousness, in a more extensive sense, implies
the exercise of those benevolent affections and the practice
of those social virtues, which are enjoined by our holy re
ligion. These are an ornament to any age, and they are so
many gems in that crown of glory, which encircles the
hoary head. No man can be denominated righteous, in a
religious sense, who is not given to hospitality ; whose
heart is not warmed with beneVolence and charity ; who is
a stranger to the feelings of sympathy and philanthropy ;
who cannot forgive an injury ; and who, instead of resist
ing evil, does not overcome it \vith good. These are
christian virtues, and they mark the path ofthe righteous.
How amiable and how venerable does that man appear
who has lived a long life in the practice of these virtues !

What a lustre do they shed around him ! How bright do
they make the path of his pilgrimage ! What glory beams
from his silver locks, irradiated with such a constellation
of virtues ! And what a claim to respect and veneration do
these virtues give to the aged ! With all this excellence,
who would not cheerfully obey the divine precept, and
rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the
old man ?
But in order that these virtues may reflect the greatest
glory, and encircle the brow of age with the brightest
crown, they must flow from a devout heart, and be accom
panied with the constant exercise of piety. No man can
be uniformly virtuous on earth, who has no intercourse,
no communion with Heaven. His virtues, in order to
grow and flourish, must draw their support and nourish
ment from the fountain of divine grace. Piety to God is
the root and life of every other virtue. It is the medium,
through which our other virtues ascend as a memorial to
heaven ; and through the same medium we receive its
blessings as their reward. Tq be found, therefore, in the
way of righteousness, the hoary head must be seen walk
ing with God. His course must be heavenward. His
heart with his eyes must look upward. His trembling
limbs, crippled with the weight of years, must lean for
support upon the rod and staff of God. If at any time he
grow weary, and be ready to faint in his pilgrirnage, he
must rest at the altar, and take refreshment there. " They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run, and
pot be weary ; and they shall walk, and not faint."
I would add, in this connection, that righteousness, in
the highest sense, implies and supposes belief in the gospel,
which declares, "even the righteousness of God by faith
of Jesus Christ," as the only meritorious ground of pardon

and justification in the sight of Heaven, This righteous
ness, which is through the faith of Christ, is indispensable
in order to ensure to the hoary head a crown of glory, that
will never fade away. "For Christ is the end of the law
for righteousness to every one that believeth." "By him
all that believe are justified from all things, fi-om which
they could not be justified by the law of Moses." To be
found, therefore, in the way of righteousness, is to be
found walking by faith and not by sight. It is to be a fol
lower of Christ. It is to make his gospel, wherever it is
revealed, the standard of our faith and the rule of our obe
dience. It is to trust in the merits and efficacy of his
death and mediation for pardon and eternal life. It is to
be clothed with his righteousness ; to adorn his doctrine
in all things ; and to walk as children of light. The chris
tian character is ornamental at any age ; but it is peculiar
ly so to gray hairs. Its lustre increases as the christian ad=
vances in the divine life, until the period of his departure ;
when, like the setting sun, his full- orbed virtues, 'bright
ening as tliey take their flight,' are seen in all their glory.
Then the shadow of death hides from our view the hoary
head, that he raay shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
his Father. But as the natui-al sun is sometimes sliorn of
his beams, and half concealed from our view by the clouds
that hang upon the horizon, so the lustre of the christian's
virtues, at the moment of taking his flight, is sometimes
obscured through the infirmities of age or disease ; but in
the morning of the resurrection, when disencumbered of
these mortal bodies, when this corruption shall have put on
incorruption, and all these mists and clouds shall have
been dispersed by the glory hereafter to be revealed, they
will shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the
stars for ever and ever.

II. We may hence see, in the second place, the just-
ness and beauty of Solomon's description of old age in the
text, and the reasonableness and propriety of that respect
and honour, which are so generally felt and expressed for
aged virtue and piety.
Some respect is due to old age for its own sake* The
consideration, that God hath honoured a few of his off^
spring with long life, ought to induce us to respect and
honour those who have thus obtained honour from on
high. But when length of days is found in the way of
righteousness ; when it is ornamented with virtue and
piety ; when the hoary head is adorned with the christian
character, it is entitled to increased respect and veneration*
Because it shews great wisdom in choosing, and great res
olution in pursuing the greatest good. It is a proof of the
correctness of a man's judgment, as well as of the purity
of his heart, for him to prefer wisdom's ways to the way of
transgressors ; the favour of God to the praise that cometh
from men ; treasures in heaven to an earthly, perishable
substance ; a crown of righteousness that can never fade,
to the short lived, fading honours of the world. If a man
have manifested this preference, and by a long life of virtue
and piety proved the wisdom of his choice, he has a claim
to our respect ; and, by honouring him, we honour that
religion, which has produced so much excellence.
Aged piety is to be venerated, because by long expe
rience it is shewn to be true and genuine. When a man
has but recently become religious, it is not certain, that
his reUgion is sincere. He may be a hypocrite. His pro
fessions alone are not enough to prove his sincerity. He
may be induced to put on a cloak of religion, in order to
cover some corrupt and base design, that with less suspic
ion he may follow, like the avaricious prophet, the wages
of unrighteousness. But when a man has long been found

10
in the way of righteousness ; when he has grown old in
the service of God ; when his silver locks have uniformly
been directed in the path to heaven, we have no ground to
suspect his sincerity. He is known by the fruits he has
produced ; and, by abounding in works of righteousness,
it is manifest, that he has been long under divine cultiva
tion ; that he hath sown to the spirit, and will soon reap
life everlasting.
Again ; aged saints are to be respected and honoured on
account of their usefulness in the world. Their counsel
and example are a great benefit to society. They awe
the vicious, and encourage and confirm the virtuous. Their
long experience enables them to give the best advice ; to
point out to the rising generation the danger of an evil
course, and the safety and happiness of a virtuous one ; to
warn them against the way of transgressors, and to allure
and guide them both by precept and example in wisdom's
ways, and in the paths that lead to peace. Like an old
experienced pilot, they are acquainted with the shoals and
quicksands, and can conduct the youthful mariner on the
sea of life into safer waters, or point him to a secure and
peaceful haven. Their example has influence in propor
tion to the length of time they have travelled in the way of
righteousness. They shine as lights in the world ; and,
by beholding the lustre of their virtuous deeds, others are
led to practise them, and thus to glorify our Father, who is
in heaven. And who can tell the benefit which the world
has derived from the prayers of aged saints ? How often
have the judgments of Heaven been averted by their inter
cessions, and the arm ofan avenging God stayed ! And in
how many instances have his blessings been showered
down in answer to the prayers, that have ascended from
the trembling lips of age \ And shall we not honour these
Elijahs ? When they take their flight, and we see the

11
glory, that encircles them, departing, are we not sometimes
ready to adopt the lamentation of the mourning prophet ?
" O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the
horsemen thereof !" To honour them is to gather up their
mantles, and ask for, and display, a double portion of their
spirit. Aged christians appear more honourable, and the more
deserving of respect and veneration, from the consideration,
that they are ripe for glory, and are soon to be intro
duced to the society of angels and the spirits of just men
made perfect. The race, avhich they have run with so
much patience, and with long and unwearied perseverance,
is almost ended, and they are going to receive the prize.
Their warfare is well nigh accomplished, and the reward
of victory, an unfading crown of glory, already begins to
brighten in their view. The hoary head never appears
more venerable, than at the close of its pilgrimage, when,
leaning upon the rod and staff of God, it is about to enter
with bright hopes and strong consolation, the valley of the
shadow of death. The pious pilgrim looks back over the
long path he has travelled, and finds it for the most part to
have been in the way of righteousness ; but discovers
errings and wanderings sufficient to make him humble,
and induce him to trust only in the mercy of God through
Jesus Christ, for pardon and eternal life. Supported by
this anchor ofthe soul, he stretches forward with an eye of
faith into the unseen world, and beholds the perfected spir
it, made meet for glory, and disencumbered of this load of
infirmities, admitted to the immediate presence of God
and the Lamb, and enjoying immortal health and immortal
youth, among the saints in light. Well may the language
of victory and triumph hang on the quivering lips ; "I
have fought a good fight ; I have finished my course ; I
have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a

12
crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous
Judge shall give me at that day."
How honourable does old age appear in this view of
it ! What a glorious crown encircles the hoary head !
How ornamental is the bloom of the almond tree, seen
in the path that leads to glory and immortality ! It was,
no doubt, in connection with these virtues, and while con
templating them in the way of righteousness, that Solo
mon remarked, that the beauty of old men is their gray
head. Or, in the descriptive language ofthe text; The
HOARY HEAD IS A CROWN OF GLORY, IF IT BE
FOUND IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
If aged virtue and piety be so deserving of respect
and honour, the members of this church and society wiU
reflect with satisfaction and melancholy pleasure on the
tribute of respect paid, with such unanimous consent,
and with manifest expressions of sincere attachment and
fiffectionate regard, to the memory of our late venerable
and highly respected friend, the senior Deacon in this
church.'* Where is there a man, who, during an eighty
years' pilgrimage, has more uniformly been found in the
way of righteousness, and in whose whole course fewer
deviations and wanderings have been noticed? I need
not appeal to this assembly, so many of whom have
been his companions and associates in the journey of life
for proof of his integrity, honesty, and humanity in his
daily intercourse with his fellow men ; nor of the uni
formly pacific, conciliatory and obliging disposition and
temper of his mind and heart. His uninterrupted elec
tion for more than half a century to one of the first and
most respectable oflices in the town, notwithstanding the
collisions of interest and diversity of opinion, through
* IJeacon Spooner, at the request ofthe Parish Committee, and as a
niart of respect for the deceased, 'Wi»s buried publicfcly from the Meet
ing House.

13
which during such a length of time he must have passed,
is the best testimony that could be given of the purity
of his intentions, and the uprightness of his conduct, in
the discharge of the duties assigned him ; and ofthe un-
relaxing confidence which his fellow townsmen reposed
in his integrity and faithfulness. But, if other testimo
ny were necessary, it might be found in the circum
stance of his appointment to various other offices of
equal honour and trust, all of which he filled with reputa
tion to himself, and with acceptableness and utility to
his fellow citizens.* No man, perhaps, since the days
of Samuel, with more sincerity and truth could have
made a publick appeal for his integrity, impartiality, and
mildness as a civil magistrate, and received from the peo
ple, whom he served, a more unequivocal testimony of his
incorruptness and fidelity. The resolution of a perfect
and upright man appears to have been the motto of his
publick life ; " Till I die I will not remove my integrity
from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not
let it go. My heart shall not reproach me so long as I
live." Avarice had no place in his heart. No man ever per
formed more services for others, and, with less respect
to the recompense of reward in this world. The honour
and welfare of his native town lay near his heart ; and,
in his view, no sacrifices were to dear to preserve its
peace, and promote its prosperity and happiness.
Benevolence and compassion were leading features in
his character; and he could never resist the claims of
the poor and afflicted to his sympathy and charity. He
remembered the words of his Lord, and learnt from ex
perience the truth of them, how he said. It is more bless
ed to give than to receive. He often cast from his little
• See the Biographical Sketch of the character of Deacon Spooner
«nnezed to tlus Siscourse.

14
stock his bread upon the waters, regardless in a measure
of his own wants, relying on the divine promise to re
store it again, if not in this world, yet in more durable
riches, by treasures in heaven, an inheritance incorrupti
ble, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. So long were
his benevolence and sympathy experienced, and so faith
ful and unwearied was he in distributing not only his own,
but the charity of others, that " when the ear heard
him, then it blessed him ; and when the eye saw him, it
gave witness to him ; because he delivered the poor that
cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help
him. The blessing of them that were ready to perish
came upon him ; and he caused the widow's heart to
sing for joy."
Many who hear me can testify to his invincible attach
ment to his country, his ardent love of her institutions,
and his disinterestedness, zeal, and constancy, in seeking
and promoting her welfare and glory. In the darkest
periods of her history he never himself indulged, nor suf
fered others to suggest a despairing thought. When
other countenances were overcast with gloom and des
pondency, his alone seemed to be lighted up with cheer
fulness and hope. He believed the arm that was for her
was stronger than that which was against her ; and, there
fore, trusted in the Lord to deliver her out ofall her dis
tresses. Even upon the crown, that encircled the brow
of age, might be seen as a label, this inspired, this patri
otic resolution ; If i forget thee, o my country,
LET MY eight HAND FORGET HER CUNNING : If
1 DO NOT REMEMBER THEE, LET MY TONGUE
CLEAVE TO THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH.
But all his other virtues were the fruit and ofispring
of religious principle, and were sanctified by piety.
His intercourse with Heaven was sincere and constant,
and nothing for any length of time was permitted to inter-

15
nipt his communion with his God and Redeemer. How
often with the patriarch has he said to the world with
all its cares, its perplexities, and concerns, Tarry thou
here, while I go yonder and worship ! They, who have
witnessed, or joined in his devotional addresses, must
have remarked from the correctness of his thoughts,
the propriety of his language, and the solemnity and fer
vency ofhis manner, how well qualified he was to lead
not merely in the devotions of his family, but occasion
ally at the publick altar ofthe Most High. It is to the pre
dominance of religious principle, and the sincerity and
constancy of his piety, that we are to attribute chieflj''
the almost entire control he had gained over his pas
sions. No man, perhaps, had acquired more complete
rule over his own spirit. Seldom under any provocation
was he seen in anger ; and never did he allow the sun
to go down upon his wrath. He had imbibed much of
the mild and pacific spirit ofhis divine Master, and in
his life displayed the temper of the disciple, whom Jesus
loved, and with him, we may hope, now leans upon
his bosom. Like his pious ancestors, he was a protestant
christian ; and believed the gospel to be. a sufficient and
the only infallible rule of faith and practice. As he
claimed hiraself, so he was willing to grant to others,
the right of searching and judging for themselves what
is truth. With the venerable Robinson, a portion of
whose amiable and catholic spirit seems to have reached
his own heart, he could not believe, that all the light
contained in the Holy Scriptures, was imparted even to
the Reformers, as much as he venerated these illustrious
christian heroes — But considered it one of the excellent
cies of Christianity, that it had treasures of light and
truth laid up, and still to be unfolded to the humble and
diligent inquirer down to the- latest generations. It was,

16
therefore, in his view, the duty of every christian, who
wished his path to shine brighter and brighter, to keep
his mind open to the light, whatever might be the period,
or whoever the instrument, of eliciting it from the ora
cles of God. In him there was an example, and I hope
not the only one, of harmony of affection, of the purest
attachment, and sincerest friendship existing, where there
was a difference of opinion in matters of mere specula
tion. He did not exclude from his christian charity a
a man, because he had more or less light than himself;
but embraced as a brother whomsoever possessed and
displayed the temper and spirit ofhis Lord; and hoped
to meet in heaven thousands whose narrower views
would fain shut up the kingdom of God against all, whose
religious opinions, or modes and forms of worship, do not
correspond with their own. This liberal and candid spirit,
however, implied in him no sacrifice of principle or
opinion. He still had his faith, though he had it to
himself ; and was not to be moved away from the hope
of the Gospel. The Bible was his standard ; but he
admired and loved those human productions, which
breathed forth most of its heavenly temper and spirit.
It was to be expected, that a man with his temper of
mind, and under the united influence of religion and piety,
would meet the adverse scenes of life with pious calmness
and christian resignation. Accordingly, when recently
called by the righteous providence of God to resign the
companion of a long life, the wife of his fond affection, to
the tomb, although bowed down with age, and crippled
with infirmity, he received the chastisement with unrepin-
ing submission.* He wept indeed ; but was calm and
tranquil in the midst of his tears. His grief gradually sub
sided, and his accustomed cheerfulness returned no
* Mrs Spooner died the 19th of February in the 82nd year of her ape.

17
doubt, with the hope of soon being released from this load
of mortality, and permitted to join his kindred spirit in a
purer, a brighter, and better world-^^where there is no more
pain, neither sorrow nor crying,-^and where the friendship^
which had been nurtured and strengthened by piety, and a
mutual interchange of kind offices, would again be renew
ed, and become indissoluble and immortal.
The loss of such a parent, even in old age, must be
keenly felt and deeply lamented by his children^ They
can no longer receive his affectionate salutations ; nor lis.i
ten to his pious counsel ; nor be warmed and guided
heavenward by the ardour of his devotion. But they can
cherish the remembrance of his virtues. They can con
template without reproach his character. They may fo^
low his pious example. It is for them to maintain the fair
reputation, which he has left in charge to them, and to
transmit, unsullied, the sacred legacy to succeeding genera
tions. They certainly must have learnt more highly to
value, and feel increasing resolution to embrace and prac
tise that Gospel, which is capable of forming and maintain
ing such exalted virtue, of inspiring such strong hopes, of
ministering such sweet consolation under all the trials and
adversities of life ; of fortifying its possessor so effectually
against the last enemy, dispelling the darkness of the grave,
and making liim meet to be a partaker ofthe saints' inherit
ance in fight.
The Church, of which the deceased was for many years
a member, and where he had long officiated with so much
dignity and propriety, both at the altar and the table, will
long retain a grateful and affectionate remembrance of his
person and services. He possessed in an eminent degree,
the Apostolick qualifications for the office, which he filled
in the Church. He was grave, not double-tongued, not
given to much wine, not greedy of fiUhly lucre. Holdbg

18
tke mastery of the faith in a pure conscience, he used the
office of a Deacon blameless* In his old age the gems in
his crown of glory were sobriety, gravity, temperance^
soundness in faith, in charity, in patience. But the face of
an Elder whom we long delighted to honour, is ijow chang
ed ; and the venerable form, which greeted us by the way,
and flourished even in Old age in the courts of our God,
now sleeps and moulders in the tomb« But, glory be to
the Highest, the time is doming, when this corruptible
must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on im-
mortality !— Then shall be brought to pass the saying,
that is written ; Death is swallowed up in victory !
This, my friends, is the fourth death, that has occurred
in the Church since the commencement of the present
year. Let these frowns of Providence remind us of our
own frailty, and admonish us ofthe importance of keeping
our lamps trimmed and burning, as those who wait for the
coming of their Lord. Let us follow the example of them,
who through faith and patience inherit the promises. And
let our prayers ascend to God, Avith whom is the residue
ofthe spirit, that he would repair the chasms he hath made,
and impart to others his grace, and bring them to a knowl
edge and acknowledgment of the truth as it is in Jesus.
Then will Zion no longer mourn, because so few come to
her solemn feasts ; but laying aside her sackcloth and put
ting on her beautiful garments, will break forth into joy,
and even her waste places sing ; because the Lord hath
comforted his people.
The removal ofthe pious and godly by death is an ad
monition to all, of whatever age or rank in life, to seek, in
order to be found in the way of righteousness. While we
respect and honour aged virtue and piety, let us love, and
venerate, and embrace that gospel, which has reflected this
glory around their hoary heads, and rendered them so de-

19
serving our respect and veneration. Let us mark the,
steps which they trod, and follow them, so far as they fol
lowed our great Exemplar, Jesus Christ. Soon, if life
hold on, will our heads be whitened with age. Already,
with respect to many of us, are gray hairs scattered here
and there upon us. Soon shall we be bowed down under
the weight of years and of infirmity ; the keepers ofthe
house will tremble, and the grasshopper become a burden.
Soon will our feeble limbs totter along the path of life, and
we shall need some one to lead and help us. Let it not be
old age merely, that shall give us a claim to the notice and '^
sympathy of our friends. Let it not be our silver locks
alone, that shall command their respect and veneration.
But old age adorned with virtue and piety : The hoary
head found in the way of righteousness — travelling on in
the path of the just, and shining brighter and brighter with
christian graces, as with gray hairs, unto the perfect day.
Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to
present us faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
AMEN.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

The following biographical Sketch ofthe character of Deacon
Spooner, written by an intimate and venerable companion and
friend of the deceased, was published in the Centinel of the
28th of March.
Died, at Plymouth, on Lord's d^y morning, the Hon.
EPHRAIM SPOONER, in the 83d year ofhis age.
It would not merelj'^ be injustice to the deceased, but
^njury to the living, to suffer the life of a man, distinguish
ed by such pre-eminent usefuhiess and active benevolence,
as was that of Dea.' Spooner, to pass unnoticed.
Dea. Spooner, by his native beneficent disposition,
suavity of manners, and constant readiness to oblige, early
recommended himself to general notice. In the inter
course of social life, the expressions of his civility and
kindness were uncominonly ardent, and to strangers might
appear to be somewhat overstrained ; but they who inti
mately knew him, can vouch with great confidence that
he never made a tender of service in which he was not sin
cere, nor dispensed a favour that did not flow spontaneous
ly from the heart : — and it may be safely added, that he
never intentionally did a wrong thing, nor thought a mean
one. His fellow-townsmen, impressed with his worth and
assiduity, introduced him into the various respectable offi
ces ofthe town, and his election as town-clerk for fifty-two
years in succession, and which he retained until his death,
amidst the struggles and conflicts of party, satisfactorily
evinces the upright and faithful manner with which he dis
charged the respective offices he sustained.
In opposition to the iniquitous system of policy adopted
by Great Britain to enthral her colonies, his whole spul

22
was engaged. As his industry was continual, nothing in
his power was left unassayed to promote, in his language,
the glorious causey and the writer of this article could men
tion instances of sacrifices he offered at the shrine of his
country, and of wonderful exertions he made to procure
subsistence for the indigent during the distressing period
ofthe war ofthe revolution, that would excite the admira
tion of all men, acquainted with the common principles of
human actions. But his patriotism, though in a high de
gree zealous, had not the least tinctiu"e of bitterness, and in
the distribution of his charities, party-feeling had no par
ticipation — a pure philanthrophy seemed to have marked
him for her own.
Universal good- will being so conspiquous a feature in
the character of Deacon Spooner, it is unnecessary to state
the warmth of his affection in the relation of husband and
parent, or the ardour of his attactiment as a friend.
In the year 1790, he was appointed by the executive an
Associate Justice of what is called the old Court of Com
mon Pleas, and held this office till that Court was abolish
ed. Being educated a merchant, his friends cannot claim
for him great information in legal science ; but a quick,
natural discernment, and inflexible rectitude of intention
generally guided him to correct decisions. If any mistak
en bias was ever discovered in his opinions, it was insensi
bly produced by his strong sympathies Avith the unfortu
nate. He represented the town of Plymouth in the Legis
lature several years with his usual activity and persever
ance, and finished his political career as a member of the
Executive Council.
But the brightest point in the character of Dea. Spooner
is yet to be named. He was from full conviction a chris
tian, and for more than fifty years, made public pro
fession of his religion, and for thirty-four years, offi
ciated in the office of Deacon at the altar of the first
Church of Christ in Plymouth, and the first in New-
England, without blemish. Imbibing the heavenly tem
per of his master, like Him he went about doing good
whenever opportunity presented, without cold calculations
on the measure of his ability ; "and in the meekness of

23
his opposition and mildness of censure," resembled the
beloved disciple.
His piety was without bigotry, and his devotion without
enthusiasm. No abstruse polemic divinity, no metaphys
ical disquisitions on the nature of faith perplexed the sym-
plicity ofhis creed, or alienated him from his fellow-chris
tians ; piety to God and benevolence to man being with
him the sole test of orthodoxy and discipleship.
But about four weeks before his own death. Deacon
Spooner buried his wife ; with whora he had lived fifty-
five years in the most entire harmony, walking cheerfully
together in th^ christian course, and in the ordinance^ of
the Gospel ; and the pious fortitude and calm resignation
he exhibited on that occasion, will not admit of doubt that
they are again unWi in shouting the divine praises.
Accept, venerable departed shade, this small tribute of
respect to the memory of thy friendship, greatly beloved in
life, deeply lamented in death.

24

OBITUARY NOTICE.

The following obituary notice of Mrs. Spooner, written by the
same hand, appeared in the Palladium of the 24th of February.
Died, at Plymouth, on the morning oLthe 19th inst.
Mrs. Elizabeth Spooner, wife of the Hon. Ephraim
Spooner, aged 81. " The hoary head is a crown of glory-
when found in the way of righteousne^^' Mrs. Spooner
lived with her venerable consort more 'than half a century,
without any abatement or interruption of that conjugal af
fection and domestic harmony, the great solace of that en
dearing relation — and in all the intercourse of social life,
as a mother, neighbour and friend, her deportment was in
variably affectionate and exemplary." ^n early years hav
ing professed her faith in the glorious Gospel ofthe blessed
God, her life was a comment on her profession, displaying
the virtues of industry, charity ancf^discretion, and the
graces of piety, humility and resignation to the divine will,
the sum ofall genuine religion. As the mtural result t)f a
life, habituated to the exercises of beneTOlcnce and devo-'
tion, when the last solemn scene approached, she quietly
resigned her soul into the hands of its merciful Creator, in
humble hope of that eternal rest, promised by the great
Saviour of Men to his faithful disciples.
" She who does the best her circumstance allows.
Does well, acts nobly — Angels could no more."