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lively, and stored with an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, coupled with a retentive and ready memory, a brilliant imagination, a striking aptness at comparison, and fine colloquial powers, made him a most delightful companion in social life. If these peculiarities of character, strongly marked in him, sometimes made him appear more light and jocose than was befitting the ministerial office, and especially to age and superior standing in it, there were at least redeeming considerations to be found in the artlessness and sincerity of his piety, and the sacred veneration in which he ever held divine things. He was an almost universal favorite among his brethren in the ministry. And few ministers have left behind them, in the congregations where they have ministered, a larger number of strongly attached personal friends.

The cast of his mind, it would be inferred from what has already been said, was not that which grapples with profound truths and evolves mighty thoughts; but rather that which would take the popular and practical view of things. His reasonings generally were of this tone and character; and yet his sermons were well digested, and presented clear and forcible exhibitions of divine truth. His performances were almost exclusively extemporaneous; he rarely committed more than a very brief skeleton to paper. His mind, however, was a

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storehouse of facts and illustrations, and also clear in its perceptions, and tenacious in its retention of truth. His tongue was like the pen of a ready writer;" and he was never at a loss for appropriate language in which o give utterance to his thoughts. He combined, in an unusual degree, close argumentation with apt and striking illustration and an animated and attractive delivery. His personal appearance was such as would naturally make a very good impression; his manner

was self-possessed, the intonations of his voice well managed, and his gesture easy and appropriate. His preaching exhibited none of those overwhelming strokes of eloquence which mark the oratory of some distinguished men; but, when his energies were aroused and called into action, his discourses every where sparkled with the richest gems. Indeed, few could hear him at any time without being pleased, instructed, and even powerfully impressed. But the highest honor placed upon his ministry was the eminent success with which God crowned it, in making him the instrument of turning multitudes from darkness to light, and from the power of sin to the service of God.

Such was the man whose history and character are but inadequately sketched in this paper. He has now ceased from his labors and gone to his reward. Multitudes have been blessed by his ministry; some of whom-dear in his memory-had before him entered into rest. Did they not welcome him to the partnership of their joys on high? He has gone to rejoin them, gone to behold again the loved Martha Ann, "the child of his heart," whose sweet spirit passed away with the summer flowers of 1840. He died as the Christian minister might wish to die, mature in the graces of the spirit, fresh from the battle-fields of the cross. Those who had been blessed by his ministry accompanied him with prayers and tears down to the brink of Jordan; those who had gone before, joyfully welcomed him over. Thus, in the maturity of his strength and in the height of his usefulness, a brother has been called away, a standard-bearer in Israel has fallen.

He was licensed to preach on the 20th day of December, 1817, and died on the 9th of January, 1849; consequently, he sustained the ministerial office a little more than thirty years. During that time he officiated in

eighteen different appointments; preached nearly four thousand sermons; dedicated thirty-eight churches; delivered sixty-five miscellaneous addresses; and, finally, traveled 36,539 miles, and delivered two hundred and seventy-three addresses in behalf of the American Bible Society. But the best of all this was, his life and ministry were crowned with the divine blessings, and his dying moments with the divine glory.

"Servant of God, well done,

Thy glorious warfare's past,

The battle's fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last."*

REV. COLES CARPENTER.

Although nearly twenty years have passed away since this man of God exchanged the conflicts of earth for the bliss of heaven, multitudes, who used to hang upon his lips with gracious pleasure, and spiritual profit, still cherish his memory; to them the name of Coles Carpenter, revives the recollection of scenes and associations the most sacred and lovely. The writer feels assured that such will appreciate this humble effort to rescue from oblivion some reminiscences of their former friend and pastor. The regrets, so often expressed, that many, even of our most distinguished ministers, have left no records of their trials and triumphs, are applicable to him. One of our denominational historians, deploring this fact, says of Mr. Carpenter. "Notwithstanding his extensive travels, and a quarter of a century spent in ministerial labors, scarcely any facts

* An interesting sketch of Dr. Levings, by Bp. Morris, may be found in his Miscellany.

in his history have been recorded, except in that higher registry which is kept in heaven, and to which these self-sacrificing men looked as their reward." (Stevens' Memorials of Methodism, 2d S., p. 448.)

He was blessed with a godly ancestry. His paternal grandmother was one of the first Methodists in this country, and a most exemplary Christian. I am assured that her influence is still felt upon her living descendants of the fourth generation. His father's name was Morris Carpenter, and both of his parents were members of that branch of the church, of which their son was a prominent minister. Mr. Carpenter was born in Westchester county, N. Y., March 17, 1784. In his youthful days, he showed a fondness for the amusements and follies common among the young; but when, at about the age of seventeen, he became the subject of converting grace, he abandoned forever the pleasures, of sin. That an occasion of temptation might be put away, he desired at once to sell a fast horse, of which he had been proud.

He began immediately to exhort his fellow youth to repentance, and his appeals were often exceedingly af fecting, drawing tears from eyes unaccustomed to weep. Decision of character exhibited itself in his early religious history. Soon after his conversion, as he was passing the house of an irreligious neighbor, his piety was made the subject of ridicule. With a firmness that did him and his Master honor, he replied, “Your unbelief shall not make shipwreck of my faith," and passed on his way. His exemplary conduct on that occasion, made a deep impression on a daughter of the man that was ridiculing him, who heard and saw what passed, and who has long since embraced the religion so happily exemplified in this youthful disciple.

At an early period in his Christian life, he was li

censed to preach, and in 1809 he was received on trial in the New York Conference, being then twenty-five years of age. In 1811, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Asbury, and in 1813 to the office of an elder by Bishop McKendree. He continued in connection with. the New York Conference until its division in 1832, when his lot fell in the Troy Conference, at the first session of which, held in August, 1833, he was appointed presiding elder of the Troy district, and took up his residence in Lansingburgh. In this important office, he was permitted to continue but a short time; long enough, however, to evince his adaptation to this new sphere. He passed once around his district, making a favorable impression upon preachers and people. Soon after commencing his second tour, he was confined to his house, some three or four weeks, with inflammation of the liver. When but partially recovered, he attended two quarterly meetings, being able to do little more than preside at the conference.

He went to his next quartely meeting at Cambridge, and on arriving, in company with his wife, at the house of Mr. Darrow, on Friday evening, he expressed the hope that he should be able to preach twice at the approaching quarterly meeting, as he felt better than he had done since his sickness. But how little we know of the future! His last sermon was already preached, his days were numbered, and he was then on the threshold of the eternal world!

That evening as he was seating himself at the tea table, he was suddenly and violently attacked with bilious cholic. The kind family used every exertion in his behalf. Four physicians were called, they were unremitting in their attendance and efforts, but all in vain, and on the following Sabbath evening, February 17, 1834, his sufferings terminated in death.

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