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just such a man as would be, and often was, selected to fill the pulpits of other denominations, at the sessions of the Conference. He was both an attractive and a useful preacher. Possessing a clear, musical voice, a smooth, ready utterance, a good imagination, a sound judgment, and ardent piety, his sermons could not fail to interest and profit. His own soul, and all around him, melted beneath the power of his appeals. There was a tide of sweet sympathy and affection, flowing out from his heart. that greatly endeared him to those in whose behalf he labored.

In sitting under his preaching, you could not avoid the impression, that he was strongly influenced by a sense of his responsbility to God, and was earnestly seeking to save souls. Sometimes he rose apparently above himself, and poured forth a stream of elevated, chaste, flowing, melting eloquence that astonished and overwhelmed the people. Dr. Luckey says, "He was one of the most truly eloquent men that I ever heard." Rev. T. Benedict, who was at one time his colleague, speaks of him as "an able preacher, and a lovelyspirited man." Rev. E. Osborn describes his preaching thus: "Mr. Carpenter was very pathetic and impressive in exhortation and in hortatory discourses, but seldom took up those controverted topics which were so ably handled by his senior colleague. Neither did he, like him, frequently pour out the terrors of the law in overwhelming torrents upon the unconverted, being rather a son of consolation,' than a son of thunder.' Some of his descriptions of the glories and joys of the heavenly land are still so distinctly remembered by me, that I can almost fancy that I hear his melodious voice yet sounding in my ears,"

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He filled several of our most important stations in the city of New York and elsewhere. His appointments

within the bounds of Troy Conference, were at Chatham, Sandy Hill and Glen's Falls, and Schenectady; and to the presiding eldership of Troy district. Let those who knew, and heard, and loved him on earth, imitate his virtues and heed his counsels, and, erelong, the sacred associations of the past shall be renewed and perpetuated in the Paradise of God.

REV. ANDREW C. MILLS.

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- he waited not for noon; Convinced that mortal never lived too soon,

As if foreboding then his little stay,

He made his morning bear the heat of day."

The subject of this brief memoir was born in Castleton, Vt., February 21st, 1807, and died at the residence of his parents in Chester, Warren county, N. Y., October 18th, 1835, in the 29th year of his age, and the 4th of his Christian ministry.

He was blessed with pious parents, who endeavored to train up their family in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." They were both members of the M. E. Church. Andrew did not, however, embrace religion until in the nineteenth year of his age. During his boyhood, he manifested a decided taste for music; otherwise, he was considered rather a "dull boy." It is a somewhat singular fact that he did not remember ever to have wept, up to the day of his conversion. But the softening, genial influences of divine grace, opened up the fountain of tears, and from that day he wept often and freely. It not unfrequently occurs, that those whose joyous conversion and ardent first-love give promise of great usefulness, disappoint expectation, while those in

whom the early manifestations of spiritual life are feeble and unpropitious, subsequently grow and mature until they become men in Christ Jesus. Andrew C. Mills belonged to the latter of these classes. During the first two years of his Christian life he gave no special promise of usefulness to the church; and yet the good seed was taking root, divine grace was exerting its leavening influence upon his soul. Modesty and other untoward circumstances may for a while restrain the outward manifestation, when the inward workings. of the Spirit may be very active.

About two years after his conversion, young Mills, in company with another young man, commenced holding meetings for exhortation and prayer, and God blessed their efforts to the awakening and saving of many souls. The success of those meetings was a great benefit to the subject of this sketch. It inspired him with new zeal, gave him encouragement and confidence, and indeed formed an era in his life. From that time to the close of his short career, his zeal in the cause of God was ardent and unwavering.

In December, 1829, he was licensed as an exhorter, and, in March, 1832, he received his first license to preach. In June of the same year, he was employed by the presiding elder as an assistant on the Northampton circuit, where his labors are believed to have been owned of God. At the session of the Troy Annual Conference in 1833, he was received on trial and appointed to the Bern circuit. In 1834 he was sent to Westport. At the conference of 1835, he was received into full connection, ordained a deacon, and appointed to Luzerne circuit. He entered upon his work in this new charge full of zeal and hope, little thinking that his course was so nearly completed. After spending one sabbath there, he visited his parents in Chester,

was taken suddenly ill at his father's house, lingered some five weeks, and passed to the home of the pious above.

Mr. Mills' early advantages were not the most propitious, nor were they improved as they might have been. When, however, the grace of life had elevated his soul to the high and holy aspirations and aims peculiar to the Christian faith, he sought to make amends for his early deficiencies. He possessed energy of character, decided piety, and a deep sympathy with the people in their spiritual interests. His uncommon zeal in his Master's work, led him to unceasing efforts to save souls. His Christian cheerfulness rendered him an agreeable companion. He had already become an acceptable and useful preacher, and gave promise of increasing proficiency in the science of saving souls. He was passionately fond of music, was a charming singer, and laid this talent under contribution to the cause to which his heart and life were devoted.

Multitudes, without imagining for a moment that such a thing could take place, have sung these well known lines:

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Mr. Mills' passionate love of music is believed to have caused his death. Those who knew him well, say that "He sung himself sweetly to sleep in death." Thus, in one instance at least, the above lines were in some sense literally realized. His race was short, but victorious. Who can look upon one just girding himself for the conflict, with error and sin, and see him called to lay his armor off so soon, without a kind of melancholy interest bordering upon regret?

The sovereignty of God is, however, exercised in infinite wisdom and goodness. Heaven saw the consecra tion of his life to the self-denying work of the itinerant ministry, the sacrifice was accepted; an early and unexpected release from the toils and prviations incident to his calling was given him, and he passed away to join in the anthems of the upper sanctuary. He died well. In his last sickness his mind was generally tranquil and peaceful until a few days previous to his death, when he became the subject of severe temptation. It was his last conflict with the powers of darkness, Satan's last effort to torment, and, if possible, destroy his soul. In this hour of darkness he desired his attendants to leave the room, that, like his Master, he might contend with the adversary, unseen by human eyes. All left him except his father. He wrestled with God in prayer until deliverance came; the tempter fled, and his last victory was achieved.

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Thus did this young messenger of the cross exchange a world of perils and conflicts, for one of everlasting security and peace. His last words were those triumphant utterances of St. Paul, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

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