holy Church; and how successfully he pursued, in her behalf, what his well-informed and wellregulated judgment satisfied him was the policy the most accordant with her interests, and with the interests of the ever-blessed gospel, on whose account he loved her so much, cherished her so faithfully, defended her so valiantly, and laboured so industriously in her cause. Oh! we have had privileges and blessings in our connexion with our spiritual father, of the choicest and most elevated character. Forget we not, therefore, that we have correspondent weighty obligations resting upon us. Be not our's the guilt of godly counsels neglected, and a godly example unfollowed. Under the softening and chastening influence of the affliction which now fills our hearts, it will be well to renew our vows of ministerial duty, and to devote ourselves, with fresh vigour, to the work whereunto we have been called. Melancholy is the reflection, that, besides our venerated father, six of our brethren of this diocese* have been *The Rev. William Harris, D. D., President of Columbia College, New-York; the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, D. D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester; the Rev. Daniel M'Donald, D. D., Professor in Geneva College; the Rev. John Sellon; the Rev. William Thompson, Rector of Christ Church, Rye; and the Rev. Edmund D. Griffin, Deacon, supplying the place of the absent Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres in Columbia College. called away since, less than a year ago, we assembled in our ecclesiastical convention. The hoary head, the mature in years, and the almost youthful fellow servant at the altar, have been taken from us. We are spared; but God only knows how long we shall be. What shall I say of this our bereft diocese? Brethren, it is impossible for words to express what we of the diocese most acutely feel. The praise of our late head is in every church; and churchmen of other dioceses, and the religious of every name, give us their tenderest condolence, because they feel and know that a greater loss could hardly have been sustained by a religious body. I might speak of an activity and of labours, almost beyond the ordinary strength of man. I might speak of an energy, a quickness, a devotion, of mental powers, perhaps without a parallel. I might refer to the promptness with which the calls of duty were ever answered, at the most disinterested sacrifice of comfort, of feeling, and of the ten thousand considerations which would have stood in the way of ordinary men. I might tell of the nearly threefold increase of the diocese which has blessed the labours of him who there sleeps in silence. I might call on the zealous missionary, or the faithful parish priest, to bear testimony how his spiritual father has encouraged, aided, and co-operated with him in his labours; how he has cheered him, when ready to despond; what excellent counsel he has given him in difficulties; and how he has strengthened his hands, when he began to yield to the many discouragements which lie in, the way of the minister of the gospel. But, brethren, why should I do this? Your hearts anticipate all I have to say, and your memories crowd proof after proof on your minds. Oh! let us be duly thankful for the rich blessing we have enjoyed, and humbly pray, and faithfully strive, that it may not be lost; but that the influence of principles so correct, a policy so sound, and labours so abundant, may be maintained and strengthened, as a permanent blessing to our diocese. But this diocese is far from being alone concerned in our bereavement. A voice is hushed which was never raised in the general councils of our Church, without commanding the respect and influence to which it was every way entitled. The cause of pure religion has been deprived of one of its most able and enlightened advocates and supporters. Virtue and morality lament that diligent teaching and a uniform example, of inestimable value to their interests, are no more. Literature and science have bid a long adieu to one of their most faithful and judicious friends. And every interest connected with human welfare, and the elevation of the human character, droops, in melancholy and in mourning, over the ashes of one who well knew how they might best be promoted, and faithfully and indefatigably laboured to promote them. Over those venerated ashes let devout Christians kneel, and meekly and resignedly exclaiming "God's will be done," pray devoutly that his grace may cause the affliction of this day of sadness to work for us spiritual good here, and a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, in those happy regions where all tears will be wiped from all eyes, where there will be no more sorrow, sickness, or death, and where the righteous will enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. |