Farewell Address.

IT has been the laudable practice of many of our pious ancestors, (in imitation of patriarchal example,) when they were about to leave the world, not only to set their house in order, but to call their posterity together, and to leave with them their dying admonition and benediction. Following their example, I shall now attempt to suggest a few ideas which Í most ardently wish, might, by the blessing of God, prove to be of some assistance to you, in the regu→ lation of your life, and also stimulate you to a more faithful discharge of duty.

Long, my dear children, have I been prayerfully waiting for this happy day, when I should once more see you all together in this world; "that my soul might bless you before I die, and go to my long home," and that I might also have opportunity to give you my last parental warnings, counsels and instructions: and as such, I wish you all to receive this.* Your present locations are so far distant from me, and from each other, that it is very uncertain whether I ever see you all again, either collectively or individually, on this side the grave. And if, by the leave of Providence, we should have another meeting here, perhaps I should not be as capable of advising and admonishing you then, as I am now. I have arrived to my seventieth year, which is the scriptural boundary for the life of man-the day is far spent-the shadow is fast lengthening the sun has almost reached the hori

[* He had transcribed a copy of this Address for each child, which he presented to those of them, at this time, who had not previously received it.]

zon---and I have long worn the my head.

grave blossoms on

In speaking of my departure, I would do it with the greatest solemnity; as a thing, that of all others most nearly concerns me: for we cannot die but once; and after death cometh the judgment.

These lines I now leave with you, that when the hand which penned them is hid in the grave, and the spirit that dictated them has entered the invisible world, you may, as in a mirror, behold your father's face, and be assisted in bringing to your recollection the sentiments that he embraced, which have been his support through life, and which he confidently hopes (by the grace of God assisting,) will be his support in death.

It has long been my constant and habitual endeavour, so to familiarize the subject of death, that when the solemn hour shall arrive, it may cause no terror or dismay. This, I am sensible, is not in the power of the creature alone to effect; but, like every other attainment, is the gift of God. Yet, as be is usually pleased to work by means, I have strove to disengage my affections as much as possible from the world; and to keep my lamp trimmed and burning, that I may be ready, at any time, to meet my Lord.

No subject has ever excited such anxiety in my heart, unless it be the salvation of my own soul, as the future happiness of my children, and my children's children. This alone has influenced me to address you at this time, and in this manner; and also led me most earnestly to seek the Divine assistance, that I may be enabled to say something, which, by his blessing, might be a means of stimulating you so to live, as will give you pleasure on a retrospect at death, and prepare you all for a far more happy meeting at last, at Christ's right band. Oh! what a blessed meeting will it be, when parents,

and those who have been united in the tenderest bonds of mutual love and friendship, shall meet in heaven, never more to be separated while God exists, or eternity endures! And how will the happiness of those be enlarged, who shall be able to say to their Judge, Lord, here are we, and the souls - which thou hast put under our care, to nurture and train up for thee!

While you were aronnd me in your minority, I flattered myself that I was enabled, in some good degree, to discharge the parental trust; but it has occasioned me many painful reflections in the evening of my life, that I was not more faithful to you, in your childhood; which error, I hope you will all avoid; and thereby prevent those self-reproaches, which the consciousness of the neglect of any known duty, will occasion in old age. I have, however, abundant occasion to bless God, that he has not suffered any great or fatal evils to result from my neglects; but has given me the happiness of saying, that I have no occasion to reproach any of you, with embracing erroneous sentiments, or indulging in vicious practices. But when I say this, I would have you sensible, that if you are made to differ at all from the vilest of sinners, it is not from any thing in you; but wholly owing to the restraining grace of God. Let him then have all the glory.

When Joshua, just before his departure, had assembled the Elders of Israel, to address them for the last time, his first and principal object appeared to be, to persuade them to choose Israel's God, for their God. This he did, by informing them, how ready and willing God was to be their God, if they would but take him for their portion, and serve him with a willing mind.

Thus, my children, would I exhort and persuade you in this address. To have the eternal God for our portion, comprehends more than our finite capa

cities can fathom. His wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and faithfulness, are all engaged to do us good.* God has said every thing in his word, that language could express, to show his willingness to accept of returning sinners, and to be a Father unto them. And His promises are no less full.1

Now, how incredulous and stupid must they be, who can read these passages, and a multitude of others, to the same import, in God's word, and then doubt of His willingness to accept of the repenting returning sinner, and of being his everlasting friend and portion in Christ Jesus. This abundantly proves the truth of the Prophet's declaration, that “madness is in the heart of man while he lives."

The living example, the last words and death-bed joys of good men, in all ages, have spoken the importance of choosing God for our portion, with a meaning and energy, of which mere language is incapable. And even wicked men, on a dying bed, have often, under deep conviction of their folly and guilt, inimitably spoke the necessity of this choice, by their horrors of conscience, their self-reproaches, and earnest cries for mercy.

As you would wish, my children, to avoid this awful end, be entreated to make this choice in season, that you may be prepared to leave the world, before it leaves you. For leave it you must, either from choice or compulsion.. And is it not better to leave it by the allurements of Grace, than by the violence of death? Oh! leave the world, while it is in your power to prove that you relinquish it, for conscience sake. Oh! leave it, as you will certainly wish you had done when you enter on the eternal state. Now show yourselves to belong to that class, in which you hope to appear at the day of judgment. *See Rom. viii. 28.-First Cor. iii. 22, 23.-Rev. xxi. 7. + See Prov. ix. 1, 6.-Isai. Iv. 1, 3.

See Matth. vii. 7, 8.-John vi. 37.-Deut. xxx. 19.

But I presume, from your profession, that the most or all of you are ready to answer and say, I hope I have already made this choice. I hope so tooand be it so. But have you complied with the requisition of our blessed Lord, and given all diligence to make your calling and election sure? Do you live in the enjoyment of that hope, trust and confidence in God, through the merits of his Son, which can buoy your spirits above the fears of death and a future judgment? Or do you live all your life time subject to bondage through fear of death? It is madness in the extreme, for any one to live in uncertainty about a subject of such infinite importance; or to rest satisfied with a bare probability. It is a plain mark of a hypocrite not to be anxious to obtain more grace than is just sufficient to carry one to heaven. Such would do well to consider Paul's exhortation to the Hebrews, "Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." True it is, that the least degree of Grace will raise a soul to heaven; but that ought by no means to be an excuse for presumptuous confidence; but rather an inducement to us to get that degree of it, that will bring heaven down to us.

My dear children, frequently call to mind, how fast precious time is spending-how uncertain a blessing it is-how much work you have to do to prepare for an endless eternity-and how little time you may have to do it in. Be daily and assiduously engaged in examining your hearts, to know whether the foundation upon which you have built, is the sure Rock of ages; lest, when your time is done, your work should be undone. It can be but a short time, at the longest, before we must all stand before the awful bar of God, to give an account how we have occupied with the talents committed to our trust. I, how I have discharged my parental duty to your precious