principle is more excellent than fitful emotions. In his theological opinions he was about equally removed from the extreme left and the extreme right of the Unitarian party. As to the modes and habits of clerical activity, he was eminently conservative. He loved the old ways of conducting sacred offices and maintaining religious influence; the ways of our New England fathers, so far as these seemed to him consistent with liberal ideas and the freedom that belongs to an emancipated age. He inherited their aversion to hierarchies of every sort, and even the usages of the Episcopal Church in our own country came in for their share of his jealous dislike. He loved simplicity in everything; nobleness and beauty of all kinds, but still simple. The paths that had been trodden by so many revered and precious feet within his own remembrance were enough for him. From these he did not care to deviate in any considerable degree. Through the points of character now touched, one may easily draw, we think, the full description of what a cultivated mind and a Christian heart, such as his were, would be likely to accomplish in his ministerial labor and conversation. But apart from the duties of his professional station, he was ready to admit other claims upon his mind and time. Towards the neighboring University he always owned allegiance and felt a filial affection. He was fitted to serve it, and he did serve it devotedly. Only a little more than a year ago, he retired with evident reluctance from the Secretaryship of its Board of Overseers, giving way before the new measures which have for some time been throwing the College into the whirlpool of politics, and which cannot be supposed to have reached anything like their end yet, when so much is left to be compassed by theological manœuvring, sectional antipathies, and partisan ambition. He found leisure also for the gratification of his tastes in his chosen studies. The classic writers of Rome and of the elder England were a continual solace to him; and he was deeply versed in the history of our forefathers, during their early, struggling fortunes. The last of these interests has been signalized by his "Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers of the Colony of Plymouth," and "Chronicles of the First Planters of the Massachusetts Bay.' The second of them has been attested by his "Selections from the Old English Prose-Writers." His fondness for the Latin literature might have been seen in the readiness with which his less practised friends were accustomed to resort to him on points of minute or doubtful criticism. Thus all his habits were those of a scholar and a divine. He was little seen in the great, gay world. The narrower one of parochial intimacy and domestic attachments, of his associates in the ministry and the silent acquaintances upon the shelves of his library, kept him well occupied. In all but the most private and familiar intercourse, though he could speak well, and never failed to do so when he spoke at all, he was not eager to display this talent; but chose rather to give that watchful, encouraging attention which was almost as good as speech. His companions, whether in a wider or narrower circle, will painfully miss his pleasant gravity, with the keen smile that beamed through it, his intelligent and friendly spirit, and his useful coöperation. While he was with them, perhaps some of them were not aware that they should miss and lament him so much as they do. The life of this exemplary clergyman and courteous gentleman was marked by no unusual incidents. Men of his pursuits and his tempera ment are not apt to encounter such. It was a prosperous and a happy life. He provoked no strifes; he grasped at nothing beyond his reach; he allowed himself to be tormented as little as possible with what he could not help; and was contented with the tranquil blessings of his lot. He enjoyed his reasonable share of public favor; and enjoyed also the consciousness that it was not more than he had fairly entitled himself to receive. It pleased God to make him happy in his private home, — that compensating spot, to which the weary heart retreats from the agitations that are abroad and within, and from all disappointments of the world. The incessant cares of his pulpit did not overstrain him, nor make him unduly anxious; and his literary pursuits were a refreshment to him. He felt, too, that he was surrounded by a great multitude of respectful and kindly regards; more than fall to the ordinary portion even of good men. He had his mortifications and trials, like the rest of us. But he studied to bear them in silence, and they were never permitted to gnaw deeper than they ought into his spirit. So graciously did the Divine Providence deal with him in the circumstances of his busy days. It was equally gracious when the last of his days drew nigh. He was separated but by a few weeks from the full discharge of the duties of his holy office. He was surrounded with the attentions of those who were dearest to him. His illness was not only short, but, considering its fatal character, remarkably free from great bodily suffering. He had not a moment's distress of mind, nor the least wandering of the mind. He was probably at no time aware that he was mortally stricken. His last word was one of kind urgency to his wife, that she would "now sleep"; and then he himself fell asleep, like a tired and and satisfied child. There are many beautiful ways of vanishing out of life. One person will give inspiring lessons such as will never be forgotten, more impressive from the pillow of patient sickness than from any pulpit cushion, and go through with a scene of tender parting from those whom he shall see no more in the flesh. And this is a noble thing. But the scene will be one of severe trial on all sides, and the words of wisdom and love will be spoken in pain. Another will depart amidst the glad but deceptive visions of a fevered brain; and this will be called, and sometimes rightly, a great mercy. Another will rise upon the wing of a real, self-conscious triumph, towards a higher state of being; and this will generally be accounted a greater mercy still. But to our thinking, when nature is exhausted and nothing further is left to be performed, where the life has been an instruction, and the whole conduct has shown sufficiently well all that any last words could express, the most aspiring soul might be willing to declare that such a close as we have just related was abundantly blest. No struggle, no pang, no thought of harm. Into peace, — peace. We can salute his spirit, as it passes from among our number, with no more suitable language than we find written upon a tomb in the Roman catacombs. The brief monumental terms are full both of affectionate regard and Christian hope:-VALE IN MELIVS. INDEX. -- A. Aged, Literary Feats of the, 221. - B. Bailey, Rev. J., a Frontier Mission- - Pre- - Cerro Pasco, in Peru, visited, 357. Doctrine of Prayer, noticed, 449. E. Eclipse of Faith, A Defence of the, Emerson, Madam Ruth, Obituary of, Endless Punishment, Remarks on the Bible, The, Inspired and Inspiring,! - -- Ewald, Heinrich, Article on his He- G. Biblical Criticism, 337- Exagger- Gold Regions of Australia and Cali- from Perplexities, 341-Egyptian Gomorrah, The Site of, De Sauley's VOL. LVI. 4TH S. VOL. XXI. NO. III. 42 - -- - Gospels, Article on the Genuineness [ - - Guizot, M., his History of Cromwell, Gurowski, Count De, his Russia as it H. Hawks, Rev. Dr. F. L., his Peruvian Hebrews, Religious Genius of the, 375. Herndon, Lieut. W. L., his Explora- tion of the Valley of the Amazon, Hippolytus and his Age, by Bunsen, Hoffmann, Dr. D., his Chronicles of the Wandering Jew, noticed, 314. I. Views of, 171 Above Intellect- 183-Professor Maurice's View of, 275. Intelligence, Literary, 160, 315, 467. Ives, Dr. L. S., his Trials of a Mind, J. John, Authenticity of the Gospel of, 77. - Judd, Rev. Sylvester, his Discourses - - K. Kane, Dr., his Grinnell Arctic Ex- Knobel, A, on Prophecy among the L. Long, Dr. J. D., his Account of New South Wales, 189 of the Gold Lee, Mrs. George, her Memoir of Lodge, G. Henry, his Translation of M. Mackintosh, Sir James, Memoirs of, Mahon, Lord, his History of Eng- Martyr, Justin, his Testimony to the Masada, The Ancient Site of, 247. Maurice, Prof. F. D., his Theologi- 219. - -- Middleton, on the Worship of Ro- Miller, Hugh, his Autobiography, or Mines, Rev. Flavel S., on American Mitchell, Major T. L., his Australian Sea, the Dead, Account of, 249. |