there never was such another man in this world! you just ask Jesse Anthony! At the conference of 1838, having been only eight years in the traveling connection, he was appointed presiding elder of Albany district, by Bishop Morris. The duties of this office he discharged with singular ability, for the term of four years. These were doubtless the most useful years of his life. That large district gave fine scope for the exercise of his uncommon talents. He passed from appointment to appointment, laboring beyond his power of endurance, inspiring, every where, among preachers and people, the spirit of animated and determined aggressive warfare upon the kingdom of darkness. Revivals of religion spread and prevailed over the district as they probably never had before. During those four years there was an increase, over and above all losses by deaths and otherwise, of seven hundred and forty members. While a presiding elder, an extensive correspondence was one of the means by which he promoted the work of God. The following letter, written to a leading member of the church in Gloversville during the first year of his presiding eldership, indicates the spirit of the man. "SCHENECTADY, Jan. 15, 1839. "DEAR BRO. WARD: After service in Johnstown, I rode to Palatine and preached on sabbath evening. The people there are blessed with a gracious visitation by the good Spirit of all grace; a number have been brought into the kingdom, several of much interest and promise I returned last evening much fatigued and a little ill. The post office, faithful to its functions, brings me additional calls for service. Well, the motto is a good one, 'Labor here and rest in heaven.' The sentiment of the philosopher, though it may appear sage, is in my estimation a very cold one, viz: There is time enough to rest in the grave.' How much more inspiring that of our holy religion, Time enough to rest in heaven.' Blessed be the Redeemer! labor and toil, anxiety and care are sweetened by the presence of God, the luxury of doing good, the interest of Christian friends and friendship, and the hope of the better country, where is the Christian's inheritance. Should we not rejoice in that feature of the gracious economy of God that recognizes the law of human instrumentality, in the enterprise of man's salvation? Is it not a privilege to work in such a department of effort! "But I am reminded that I took my seat to answer Yours, in Christian love, CHARLES SHERMAN,”. The following characteristic letter to his brother Samuel, can not fail to be read with interest: "SCHENECTADY, Feb. 12., A. D. 1840. "DEAR BROTHER: In the midst of multiplied and multiplying cares, I take my seat to address you a few lines. While I do so, my mind turns upon the associations of by-gone years, and affectingly fixes upon some of the changes that have marked the lapse of time. The hand of time has passed over the connectives of my childhood and youth, and scenes of the past live only in the fond interest of grateful recollection. afflictively, yet instructively fleeting is every thing in the wide empire of mutation. Are not the changes that in our retrospection rise to our view, faithful mementoes of the frailty of life, and of the instability of this world? The character of the rhetoric is distinguishing; but the lessons are not weakened, but I think rendered more efficient, by the mode of address. The How book of providence, as well as of scripture, is opened before us, and the hand-writing of our God in varied oratory brings home to our minds and hearts monitions and instructions, numerous and impressive. I survey the spectacle of change in the family of our aged father with deep and strong emotions. Several of the children dead! others scattered! our mother dead! and father, aged and feeble, and at present the only member of the former family that inhabits the paternal residence! How soon does time bring a twilight over the brightest scenes, and enshroud with a kind of gloominess the localities of earth's loveliest associations. Well, we are but strangers and pilgrims in this world. The letter you had the kindness to write me, which brought the inspiring tidings of the divine mercy in your conversion, gave me much joy, and kindled fresh gratitude in my heart to Him from whom all good proceedeth. It tended, happily, to increase my conviction of the availing influence of faithful prayer; and as we were at that time holding a continuous meeting, in my charge at Troy, I felt much blessed in mentioning the circumstance, in connection with some history of our father's family, as an encouragement to Christians to pray for the conversion of their relatives. The season, I remember, as having been one of special interest to the people. Our indebtedness to God, for the blessing of Christian parents, impresses me much more than formerly. Their prayers, with the legacy of their pious example, I prize above all earthly price. When I was last in Woodbury, I visited the grave yard, where lie entombed the remains of a number of our friends. I thought of the observation that I once heard father make, viz: that "he had been to visit that part of the family that was under ground." The reminiscences of our departed mother, her maternal tenderness, her sweetness of disposition, her life of piety, her numerons prayers for us, prayers now on file before the throne, her peaceful and triumphant death, all inspiringly moved my heart; and frequently, when far away from the sepulchral place, when winding my way along the vales, or climbing the hills in quest of souls, the reflections pertaining to our departed mother, have filled my eyes with tears, and inspired my heart with fresh desires to meet her, where separating death will divide no more. My solicitude to see father, once more in the flesh, has been and is very strong. When brother Elijah and his wife were here, in the fall, I had some thought of going to Connecticut before the winter; but the amount of business pressing upon me, together with the fact that I have to leave for Baltimore city, in the latter part of April, rendered it exceedingly difficult for me to be absent long enough to make the desired vist. I have so much feared that an intervening providence might prevent my seeing father, the coming spring, that I have almost regretted that I did not break away, and make the visit in the fall. I hope and pray, that it may please the Arbiter of our life, to favor me with seeing him once more, this side of the house appointed for all living. Brother Elijah promised to write, immediately on any seriously unfavorable change in his health: and not having received any letter, I conclude that he remains about as usual. You may wish to know something of my field of labor. The eastern boundary of the Albany district is the Hudson river. Embraced in my district is the larg est part of Albany county, the whole of Schenectady, and the major part of Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga and Herkimer counties. There are nineteen. charges, and between six and seven thousand church members, and between thirty and forty traveling ner. preachers. There have been, up to this time, this conference year, several hundred conversions; and in seve ral places the work is now progressing in a blessed man. A meeting in our church, in this city, has just closed, during which it is judged that more than one hundred have been converted. The preachers in my charge are at work with great diligence and fidelity, and we are looking for very extended achievements of God's mercy among the people. The care, responsibility and labor, are heavy indeed. I often feel depressed by the weight, but endeavor to trust in Him whose strength is made perfect in weakness. Most of the winter has been severe, and the traveling has been seriously obstructed by the great amount of snow. My exposure has been more than ordinary, and my health somewhat impaired. For a fortnight past, I have been considerably ill, but am, at present, improving. God gives me a love to precious souls, the dear-bought purchase of a Redeemer's blood; and he blesses me in the work assigned, and hence I am fully reconciled to my lot. Is it not a spiritual luxury, to labor with God's blessing in his vineyard? The pecuniary embarrassment, in all this region, is severe and depressing. This bears upon the preachers somewhat closely; for, in the flow of pecuniary pros. perity in the community, Methodist ministers may say with emphasis, as did Whitefield, 'Ours is a poor trade, but a glorious calling.' * * Remember us affectionately. You will please have the goodness to inform father definitely, of our design to come and see him in April. * * Yours, affectionately, CHARLES SHERMAN." The earnest desire, expressed in the above letter, to see his father once more in the flesh, was gratified. That |