A SERMON

PREACHED AT THE FUNERAL OF THE RIGHT REV. JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D.

ST. JOHN. v. 35.

"He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing, for a season, to rejoice in his light."

SUCH was the Saviour's declaration of St. John the Baptist. It alluded to a figure common and well understood by the Jews, whereby a teacher of religion was called a light, or, more properly, a lamp, a dispenser of light. The expression, " for a season," during which the Jews are declared to have been willing to rejoice in his light, may be considered either as implying reproach, on account of their not having continued steadfast in their regard for St. John's preaching, or as referring to the short continuance of his ministry. With its particular bearing, however, the present design in selecting the text, has no connexion. The verse refers to "a burning and a shining light," whose bright irradiations were a source of joy-and joy, alas! but "for a season."

Christian brethren, it were doing violence to the best feelings of your hearts, those which, in the order of Providence, are now the most absorbing, and at the same time the most approved by a sound and well ordered understanding, were I longer to delay that application of the subject which your affectionate sorrows loudly claim. You wish to call home every errant thought, and fix your minds wholly and undividedly on the melancholy event which has brought you to the house of GOD. When the words of my text first met your ears, your minds reverted, at once, to a burning and a shining light, which has been-not extinguished -but taken from us, and called to mingle with the pure splendour of perfect day. And why should we weep because another ardent spirit has been summoned to join the ranks of those who cease not, day nor night, in rendering homage to Him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb? Why should we weep because another blessed trophy of God's grace has been added to the number of the saved? Why should we weep because another soul, purified and made white in the blood of the Lamb, has been called to adorn itself in the robes of celestial righteousness? For these things we weep not. We weep not for the father and the friend who has rested from his

toils, his anxieties, and his sorrows. We weep not that a good and faithful servant has been called to the joy of his LORD. We weep not at heaven's gain: but Oh! we do weep at our loss. We weep, because a burning and a shining light, in which we had so long been wont to rejoice, has been taken from us. Sorrow fills the hearts of many who remember how that light shone upon their path, to direct in the way they should go, the steps of their childhood and their youth. Many a penitent weeps when he remembers how, from the ministrations of the beloved and venerated one who lies before us, light has flashed conviction of sin upon his mind, laid open the recesses of his corrupt and guilty heart, and led him for refuge to the grace of an all-sufficient Saviour, where he has found mercy, whence peace and comfort have been derived, and in the guidance and strength of which, he now goes on his way rejoicing. The bitter tear of bereavement is shed over those dear remains by many, who, in the trials and afflictions of life, have been soothed and cheered by the light of heavenly consolation, emanating from the friendly and pastoral offices so congenial with the kind and benevolent nature of the good man whose loss we now deplore. The confirmed Christian laments that he is never more to be blessed with his instructions,

who so well conducted him in the ways of truth and holiness. The anxious inquirer respecting the things that belong to his everlasting peace, weeps sorely that that voice is hushed, whence he has derived so much clear light of satisfaction and of comfort. The lover of truth laments that the fearless champion has sunk in death, who was ever its ready, enlightened, and valiant advocate and defender, who set his eye and his mind immovably on what his conscience told him was the right and the truth, and thither directed all the powers of an extraordinarily clear and vigorous intellect, unbiassed by minor and collateral considerations, undaunted by what, to the self-interested, would be appalling difficulties, rising above all motives unconnected with principle and moral obligation, and going right onward, generally to a successful issue, always to the firm establishment of a claim to the testimony of a good conscience, that he had well and faithfully performed what he was honestly convinced was his bounden duty. The good member of society, devoted to its best interests, and justly appreciating whatever can tend to render social intercourse happy and delightful, laments the removal of one of its brightest ornaments, and of a most interesting exhibition of the highest virtues, of the kindest and most conciliating deportment, of frankness which pass

ed by with contempt all guile, artifice, and deception, of cheerfulness which diffused joy all around it, of powers of conversation which ever delighted and instructed, and in short, of a combination of the best social properties, which has rarely, indeed, been met with in others. The scholar and friend of science weeps over the remains of one, in whom a liberal education produced its most interesting and valuable fruits, and one of the most conspicuous of the talented band, who put to shame the unnatural and truly unphilosophical perversion of learning, which brings it into disgraceful union with infidelity and impiety.

And if thus ordinary friends, and those who enjoyed ordinary intercourse with our beloved father, have reason to weep over the sad providence that has removed him from their society, how much more reason they whose intercourse with him was of the holy and elevated character which drew forth the affections and powers of his mind, as controlled and sanctified by piety of the highest order, the most genuine in its principles, and the most efficacious in its influence on the character and life. Oh! to them, indeed, he appeared in all the lustre of "a burning and a shining light;" burning with a zeal, tempered, indeed, by the most extensive and correct know