with them in the kingdom of heaven, and should you arrive at those blissful regions, oh! what a blessed irterview! With what ecstatic joy and congratulation should we present the offering before the throne of God with the humble, grateful, and astonishing exclamation, "Here Lord we are, and the natural and spiritual children thou hast graciously given us."

You will shortly hear of the death of the speaker: whether his grave will be here or elsewhere is to us uncertain. Oh, remember that those icy fingers were once employed in writing sermons for you; those lips that are now chained in gloomy silence were once speaking to you, in accents that were sounding from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from year to year, within the walls of this house; that his soul has taken its flight to yonder tribunal, where a rehearsal of those discourses that you have heard from him will be made in your ears, and before the assembled universe. Ministers who have finished their course may be useful to people after they are dead: this is an idea suggested by a dying apostle, 2 Pet. i., 15: "Moreover, I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." How far, consistent with truth and Christian modesty, I may adopt the language of the holy apostle, ver. 26, will be better known hereafter. "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men: for I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God."

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It was for your sake principally that your fathers called me here: they sat under my ministry but a short time; their memory is still precious, and, though dead, still speak. Oh! for their sake, and for your souls' sake, and above all for the sake of him that created you, hearken to the things that concern your eternal interest. Could you consider your former minister worthy of any respect, I beseech you to manifest it by preparing to meet him, and be a crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. You that are young will be those who

will compose this society in a short time: we who are advanced in life must soon leave you.

Let me warn you against Sabbath-breaking-against neglecting the public worship of God. Willingly and promptly contribute to the support of the gospel ministry, as you would prosper in this world, and meet your judge in peace. Beware of carnal dissipation, a sin which I have often warned you against. Beware of slander and detraction, those banes of society; the influence of which, even among us, you cannot be strangers to. According to Scripture testimony, they have their origin in hell, James iii., 6, and are incorporated with characters not very ornamental to human nature; nor do they stand fair candidates for the kingdom of heaven. 1 Cor. vi., 9, 10: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor REVILERS, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Suffer me to warn you against false doctrines, such as are pleasing to the carnal heart. The inventions of men are skilful in exciting prejudices to the plain truths of the gospel hence it is that faithful ministers are accused with being too pointed and unpolite in their discourses. Beware of false teachers, and of being led astray by the errors of the present day. Remember there are damnable heresies as well as damnable practices. Paul predicted this danger, ver. 29: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." But, beloved, I would hope better things of you things that accompany salvation, though I thus speak. Dear children and lambs of the flock, you have in a sense, for a time, been committed to my care; with the tenderest affection I would, in the arms of faith, bear you to that Divine Saviour who has said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God." May your cheerful hosannas fill

this house when your fathers and mothers shall sleep

in dust.

My friends in general:-Whatever we have seen amiss in each other, it becomes us to exercise forgiveness, as we hope God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven. us, and as we would find mercy in that day. How often have our united prayers ascended up in this house! may we not forget each other for time to come! Live in peace, and may the God of peace be with you. May my family have a share in your affections and intercessions, who have been brought up among you; they will doubtless soon be left without parents. May the wife of my youth, who has been my companion in tribulation-whose health, and strength, and domestic ease have been sacrificed and devoted to your serviceshould she survive me, not be forgotten. As I still continue to reside among you, should you at any time be destitute of a minister on a sick bed, be ready to send for me; it will be the rejoicing of my heart to do all I can to comfort you in the hour of distress, and to alleviate the groans and terrors of a dying moment; I request the same from you, as there is opportunity.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified, AMEN.

REV. LEMUEL HAYNES.

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CHAPTER XV.

MINISTRY OF MR. HAYNES AT MANCHESTER

AFTER preaching his farewell sermon at Rutland, a new field of usefulness was opened, and Mr. Haynes was invited to preach in Manchester, a pleasant town on the west side of the Green Mountains. Manchester was at this time the residence of the self-taught Richard Skinner, who in early life was elected a member of Congress, and afterward sustained the offices of judge of the Supreme Court and governor of Vermont. It was also the residence of Joseph Burr, Esq., the liberal benefactor of several literary and religious institutions. Mr. Haynes's reputation as a distinguished preacher introduced him into this delightful village. There was at this time a deep and solemn. interest among the people respecting religion. The spirit of God was poured out, and "the fields were white already to harvest."

Extracts from his Correspondence.

LETTER I.

TO DEACON ATKINS.

Manchester, 16th April, 1819.

DEAR SIR,

*

*

I am now at Manchester, among a kind and benevolent people. How long I shall continue here is uncertain, probably all summer.

*

It

has been a time of awakening with us, but it is now a time of stupidity. I have not been silent a single Sab

bath since I was dismissed. But I cannot write farther the bearer waits. Should you write to me, I will make a long reply.

DEAR SIR,

*

*

Faithfully yours.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME.

Manchester June 21st, 1819.

I have just received your letter-am thankful for it You give me an account of deaths-the main of them were of my acquaintance. Oh, sir, why is it that we live! I am still at Manchester-find it difficult to eave the people, even for a little time. God has opened a door, in abundance, for me, though unworthy. A young woman was buried yesterday-she died in the triumphs of faith. I preached her funeral sermon from John xvii., 1; and again, on the Sabbath, from Gen. xxii., 12.

I have this moment received the fourteenth report of the British and Foreign Bible Society. May we not rejoice? I rejoice to see you a friend to the institution, as well as your sister. I have noticed donations. Don't forget us. But I must stop writing-I can only give hints.

Faithfully yours.

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

Manchester, 27th April, 1820.

DEAR SIR,

It is a long time since I received a letter from you, though I think you wrote last. I hope you will now think yourself indebted to me, and immediately make me returns for my poor communication. I am still at Manchester, and am likely to continue for the present. We have lately had sudden and alarming deaths among We have of late been a little encouraged that God is about to work among us by his holy spirit.

US.