These Resolutions were not in- found a spiritual comforter, and tended for the perusal of the pub- a sincere friend. And the con

lick, and would not have been in-versation and sympathy of some serted in this Memoir, were it not other kind and pious individuals, thought that they place the pri- served to diminish the loneliness vate character of the deceased in of his situation, and to smooth its just light, and may be produc- his path to the tomb. tive of good to those who shall read them.

The following letters, the first of which is from a clergyman, reflect so much honour on the good feelings of those who wrote them, and show how much the deceased had gained on the affections of strangers, that no apology will be required for introducing them at the close of this Memoir.

Nice, March 17, 1825.

In 1818 Mr. Freeman became the subject of a pulmonary complaint, which finally terminated in his death. A hope was indulged at times, that his constitution would rise superior to the shock it had sustained in the rupture of a vessel in the lungs. But at last, his friends were compelled to fear that one whose society they loved, and who was so well qual- Dear Madam, ified to be useful in the world, would A very painful duty has been soon be taken from them. Hav-imposed upon me, from which, ing travelled considerably in his however, painful as it is, I must . own country, and passed a winter not shrink, now the time is actuat the South, without deriving that ally arrived for discharging it. benefit to his health which had I am aware, that you are not withbeen fondly anticipated, he was out some apprehensions respecting induced, as a last resort, to visit your husband; and it is now my France and Italy. But while on duty to inform you, that it has his passage the most alarming pleased our Heavenly Father at symptoms appeared. He fre- length to remove him from this quently expectorated blood, and world. He departed from among the profuse perspiration which he us about 8 o'clock this morning, experienced every night, greatly very quietly and tranquilly. His diminished his strength. After decline was very gradual; I saw being detained in Paris by sick-him for a considerable time most ness, he pursued his journey until he arrived at Nice. Here he was persuaded to remain. But he saw the beautiful skies and breathed the soft air of Italy in vain. The powers of nature were exhausted, and he gradually became weaker and weaker, until the hour of his dissolution came.

Although Mr. Freeman died in a land of strangers, and was surrounded by persons previously to his decease who spoke a language with which he was unacquainted, yet he received from them the kindest attentions. Stranger as he was, he excited a deep interest in his favour. In an English clergyman residing at Nice he

days, and he was perfectly aware of the event which was approaching; he looked forward to it with great composure, and with great confidence in our blessed Lord, to take him to himself on his departure hence. On the day before his departure, I read to him part of the first chapter to the Colossians, from the 9th to the middle of the 23d verse-On the day before that, the 4th chapter of the first Epistle to the Thessalonians, from the 13th to the end of the 11th verse of the 5th chapter-in which he appeared to take great pleasure, though very weak in body. And I would earnestly hope, that these same Scriptures

of Mercies, be a mean of administering some consolation to your mind also. I need not remind you of the tenderness of our Great High Priest, who, amidst all the glory that surrounds him, is still capable of being touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and who, if he make your sufferings to abound, can make your consolations to abound much more. Hoping that even this severe affliction may lead you to a deeper acquaintance with the consolations of God, believe me, Dear Madam, with every feeling of sympathy in your distress, your faithful Servant, and Brother in the Lord,

may, thro' the grace of the Father || acquainted, the most constant and friendly attentions. I would name particularly the two Clergymen, who are resident here, the Rev. Mr. Whitby and the Rev. Henry Livius, both of England, and Mr. Rivardi, a native of Philadelphia, who has been living at Nice for some years. From the moment I first became acquainted with Mr. Freeman, independently of his being a fellow countryman, and therefore entitled to every attention and kindness which it might be in my power to show him, I felt the strongest desire to be useful to him on account of the peculiarity of his situation, removed as he was at so great a distance from his family and friends, and labouring under a painful malady, in a country whose language he did not

EDWARD WHITBY.

MRS. FREEMAN,

P. S. It may perhaps be a satisfaction to you to know that there is an English Protestant Chapel at Nice, and that your late husband's remains will be interred in the burying ground belonging to it.

understand; the sweetness moreover of his disposition and manners were calculated to enlist eve

ry body's feelings in his favour, and so grateful was his heart for the slightest attention and kindness, that I have felt myself quite

Nice, 21st March, 1825. oppressed by the expression of his

Freeman & Cobb, Boston.

You will have learned from the last letters of Mr. Freeman the sudden change which took place in his health about the beginning of the month of December, and his subsequent illness which gave no hope of a recovery from the moment it declared itself. The purport of this letter is to convey to you the melancholy intelligence of his death, which took place here on the morning of the 17th of this

month.

I am extremely happy to have it in my power to assure you, that although your friend was in a land of strangers when it pleased the Almighty to terminate his earthly piigrimage, yet that he experienced from several persons at this place with whom he had become NOVEMBER, 1825.

thanks for the few worthless services I had it in my power to render him. The lodging which he occupied was remarkably comfortable, and one of the best situated at Nice; and he had a servant who was one of the most attentive and faithful I have ever seen.

As I was anxious that every respect should be shown to the memory of our friend, I had invitations sent to all the English families here to attend the funeral. And I have the satisfaction of assuring you that they attended generally, and, forming a procession to the English burial ground, witnessed the last solemn rites performed at the grave. The officiat

ing minister was the Rev. Mr. Whitby, a truly good and pious man, who has resided five years at Nice, and is minister of the English Protestant Chapel here.

I had the grave walled in with

42

stone, as is usual among the Eng-limited: we did not suffer him to

lish, in order to support any su-
perstructure that may be raised
over the
grave. Not knowing the
wishes of the family in this res-
pect, I have ordered a simple slab
of white marble, supported by a
stone wall two feet high, stuccoed,
and nearly the size of the grave,
to be placed over the Body, and
bearing the following inscription.

talk because it raised an expectoration which was dangerous: but he wrote down his thoughts, which to us were most profitable and edifying. He constantly pointed out to Mr. S. and myself those chapters which he wished us to read; and those expressions of St. Paul which speak of future glory, always kindled the smile of joy, and raised his drooping spirits. Mr. Whitby, an evangelical minis

To the memory of Gorham L. Freeman of Boston, in the United States of America, who died atter of the Church of England, often Nice the 17th of March, 1825, aged years."

I am Sir, very truly,

visited him. He frequently spoke
of you and his beloved children;
you seemed to be the only idols
which attached him to the world,
but I think I may venture to say,
that much as he loved you, he
loved his Saviour better. His at-
tendant spoke English very well;
she had lived some years in Ireland,
and was of Irish parents; he expe-
rienced considerable kindness and
attention from her and his medical
attendant, Dr. Skirving. Early
in March we left Nice to stay
some time in Italy and Rome.
Before I took my final farewell of
him he laid a solemn injunction
upon me to write you a letter of
consolation, containing his last
blessings and regards, in case I
should hear of his death.
wrote to him from Genoa and
Rome, both of which letters he
received. I also wrote from Bo-

We

It is with a truly melancholy pleasure, that I feel myself imperiously called upon to pay a small tribute to departed excellence. I do so with a firm conviction that the subject of my letter is now far away from all pain, and has long since sat down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of his Saviour. About 12 months ago, I ruptured a blood vessel which rendered it necessary for me to pass my winter upon the Continent. At Nice I had the happiness of becoming acquainted with Mr. Freeman, then in a very deli-logna a few weeks afterwards, but cate state of health. A Christian it was too late. I have heard from friend of mine, the brother of the son of a pious clergyman whom Sir James Smyth, now in Canada, we knew well at Nice several parwas my accompanying friend. ticulars of Mr. Freeman's death. And for a month one or the other chiefly relating to the portions of of us saw, and sat with him every Scripture, Mr. Whitby read to day. It is not necessary for me him a day or two previous to his to add more than that by his departure. I cannot for a motient resignation and holy faith, ment doubt his present glory. he glorified the majesty and grace Dignified, sanctified, triumphant, of his Redeemer, and showed to he is risen far above all worldly all around him the efficacy of that things, and is now safe in Abraredemption, which can give placid-ham's bosom. ity, calmness, and even rapture, when standing upon the verge of eternity. His conversation was

pa

It is hard, indeed, to part with one we love. I have experienced its bitterness; but I must say, that

I should consider it a glory—a joy, || keep the commandments of God, if all who are near and dear unto || and follow the Lamb whitherso

a

ever he goeth.

Since I have heard of Mr. Freeman's happy and triumphant exit, I have often heard the voice from heaven, saying, Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the spirit, for they rest from their labours. I would gladly have pursued this train of reflection, but writing is injurious to my breast: I would merely say in conclusion, May God bless you, and again re-unite you to my dear friend, your happy husband, in his eternal kingdom.

me were to die as your husband died in the Lord." He has now a name that shall be recorded in the Lamb's book of life. When the deeds of the warrior and the splendid atchievements of the he ro shall be passed by as utterly unworthy, O the glories which await the blood bought spirit when it is ushered into the presence of reconciled Father. Eternal peace, eternal praise, the weight, the weight of glory; what should induce us to keep back our husbands, our wives, our children from such an high and sacred destiny? Let us rather pray that all whom we love may be fitted by divine|| grace for so happy a change, and be Believe me to be, though a stranquickly received into the mansions ger, most truly yours in the best of Jesus. There is no possibility of all bonds, of sinning-no fear of transgression-there the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. Oh rejoice that you have a husband not struggling with mortal-gers

If this letter should arrive safely, please to direct to Mr. Samuel Holme.

SAMUEL HOLME.

MRS FREEMAN.

Thus died one whom even stran

We do not know so much of the state of his mind in his last sickness as we probably should, had he died in the midst of his family. Nor is this at all necessary to satisfy us that he was a genuine christian. We trust, however, that the following prayer which he offered in his own sweet poetick lines was fully answered.

respected and loved, and ity, but walking the golden streets whose loss is deeply lamented by of Paradise, and ranging the heav-all who knew him. enly fields. He was by persuasion a Baptist. I am a member of the Church of England, but our views were the same, only his were the brightest; our hopes the same, but his are first realized. His congregation may rejoice in a sheep taken to the fold of their Redeemer. Oh may they follow his faith, and "consider their ways." May all his children, hearing of their father's happy end, be led to see that to die the death of a christian, they must live his life. And if ever they expect or wish to see their father again, they must ||

"May faith and hope be bright;
And thou my guide and light;
Then death's dark vale I'll tread,
Nor pain, nor evil dread,
Sweetly sustain'd and bless'd,
As on thy staff I rest.
Triumphantly I'll glide,
Through Jordan's swelling tide,
And rise to seats above
Encircled by thy love."

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Messrs. Editors, I wish to offer you a few remarks on a subject which appears to me of great importance, and if I have used great plainness, I trust that an insertion of them in your useful Magazine, will not offend your readers. Yours, &c. A. Z.

ON PRAISING MINISTERS.

The Pastor, either vain

By nature, or by flattery made so, taught
To gaze at his own splendour, and to exalt
Absurdly, not his office, but himself;

*

Exposes, and holds up to broad disgrace,
The noblest function, and discredits much
The brightest truths, that man has ever seen.
Cowper.

ence of an evil which every christian should deprecate. They are taken from publications, whose professed object is, to promote a religion, which censures those, who receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only. "All WHEN I was a young man, the services were performed in christians generally, were so afraid a style of unusual elegance." of ministers being lifted up with "The prayers were neat, appride, that they cautiously ab-propriate, comprehensive and stained from expressing a just ap- chaste." "The discourses were probation of their labours. This was probably an error. Instead of being injurious, it may add much to the consolation and encouragement of a minister, to be informed, that he has instructed the ignorant, strengthened the weak, and comforted those that were cast down.

learned, able, fine specimens of eloquence, rich, impressive, uncommonly good, proceeding from the fountain head of inspiration."

be

Now, nothing improper may intended by the use of these and many other epithets of a similar kind, but nothing can be more clear to my mind, than that they ought But the times are altered. never to be used. Surely the Christians are now extravagant ministers of the gospel neither in their praise; and it is to be fear-pray nor preach with a view of ed that, in some instances, minis- gaining the admiration and apters themselves have tacitly agreed to laud each other.

plause of their fellow mortals. They have nobler aims, even the I have, for a long time, noticed conversion of sinners, and "the with dissatisfaction and sorrow, edifying of the body of Christ." the compliments which in the And no encomiums should be Magazines and religious newspa- passed upon them, that are calpers of the day, are paid to the culated to divert them from these talents and acquirements of chris-high and holy objects. tian ministers. This evil is not The moral tendency of such confined to any particular denom- praise is bad. Unless a minister ination, and lately it seems to

have increased.

It would, perhaps, be difficult to find an account of an Association, Ministers' Meeting, or Ordination, in which there is not too much incense offered to the pride and vanity of man,

The following are only a few quotations, but they are sufficiently numerous to prove the exist

possess a considerable share of self-knowledge, he cannot see such a flattering statement of his own performances without some feelings of self-complacence. His modesty and humility will be endangered; and if he do not become wise in his own conceit, and forget, to a degree, his entire dependance upon God, it will be a fortunate circumstance.

If