other. While disease is gradually wearing me down to the grave, and my spirits become languid and depressed, as my strength fails, the enemy of my soul thrusts hard at me. He tempts me to despondency, to distrust God's mercy, and to doubts about my spiritual state; by which my mind is much harassed, and my spiritual comforts sometimes much diminished. Yet, blessed be God, my confidence in Him remains unshaken. I ought not-I cannot doubt his mercy. When I was a stranger to Him, wandering in forbidden paths, and seeking death in the error of my ways, 'He took my feet out of the mire and clay, and placed them on a rock.' I have relinquished all expectation of being long an inhabitant of this world. My days are swiftly passing away; and I feel that this clay tenement will soon be dissolved, But I feel confident that God will not suffer me to die, until these conflicts and temptations, which I believe He permits for the wisest purposes, shall be ended, and He gives me the victory over all my foes, and imparts that 'joy which is unspeakable and full of glory,' that hope which is full of immortality! I earnestly entreat my brethren to pray for me, that my faith fail not; and that when these conflicts are over, I may come forth as gold purified in the fire."

A few days after this, calling to see him, I found him rapidly declining, and confined most of the time to bed. But as he approached the confines of eternity, his spiritual sky became more. clear; he enjoyed more of the comforts of religion, and an increased strength of faith, and confidence in God's mercy through the merits of a Saviour; patiently waiting his "appointed time till his change should come." He heartily justified the providence of God, in calling him away in the morning of life, thereby removing him "from the evil to come." While I repeated to him the whole of that excellent hymn of Dr. Watts', which begins,

"Why should we start and fear to die?"

he seemed fully to realize the sentiments and to enter into the feelings therein described, especially the two last verses; while, in the fulness of his soul, the silent tear flowed down his pallid cheek.

His strength was now so much exhausted, that he could not dress and undress without assistance. And when no longer able to support himself upon his knees in prayer, he would ask his mother or some one else to assist him to his bedside, where falling on his knees, and prostrating his body on the bed, he would continue for a few minutes in silent and fervent prayer.

On Tuesday the 19th of February, his symptoms of dissolu tion rapidly increased. He breathed with difficulty, and his cough and the discharge from his lungs, sometimes nearly suffocated him. At night he rested but little, and his symptoms increasing, and his strength failing fast, his friends perceived that his final hour was at hand.

Early on the morning of Wednesday the 20th, he was thought by his friends to be dying; and while they were assembled round his bed, with anxious looks and throbbing breasts, waiting his departure to a world of spirits, our dying friend looked round upon them, and perceiving them weeping, he asked his mother, "What is the matter-do you think I am going to leave you all?" His father replied, "I think you are." His mother then asked him if his confidence in God remained unshaken. He replied, "O yes! But I want a brighter evidence of my acceptance, the witness of perfect love, that I may leave a living testimony that I have gone to glory." Then clasping his hands together, he prayed a few moments with uncommon energy and earnestness, exerting therein apparently, all the powers of his soul; entreating the Lord to deliver him from all doubt concerning his salvation, that he might see his way clearly and have a bright evidence of his acceptance, and be filled with that love that casteth out fear; appealing to God most devoutly for the sincerity with which he had endeavoured to serve Him, and earnestly besought Him for Jesus' sake to save him now in the hour of his extremity, and prepare him for the mansions of glory. He now addressed himself to his weeping friends who were around him, requesting them all to pray that he "might have a clear witness of perfect love, and a bright prospect of glory, so that he might rejoice in the God of his salvation." Brother Quinn (the stationed preacher) entered the room at this moment. Our dying young brother looked wishfully at him and attempted to speak, but his cough coming on prevented him. His mother informed brother Quinn of the request he had just made that they should all pray for him. Brother Quinn then said to him, "My dear brother, do you not believe and feel that God loves you, and that you love Him?" He replied, "O yes! O yes!"Brother Quinn continued, "are you not resigned to His blessed will ?" He said, "I think I am." Brother Quinn was about to speak again, when our young friend, at this moment experienced an extraordinary manifestation of God's presence and love. When, as if filled with new life and vigour, while joy sparkled in his countenance, he raised his hands. clapped them together, and with a holy triumph and in rapturous strain, cried out, "Oh! Bless the Lord,-He is come!-He is come!-He is come!-Glory!-Glory to my blessed Jesus! The enemy is gone! Glory to God-I am going to see my Blessed Emmanuel!" He continued in this strain, shouting aloud the praises of God for several minutes, with a strength of voice which surprised all who heard him. Several of his friends and neighbours being now present, he addressed most of them individually, but briefly; expressing his glorious prospect of future blessedness, and encouraging them to meet him in heaven.

When he had paused a moment, "now," said he, "I wish you all to join in prayer, that the enemy may not be suffered to as

sault or tempt me any more." On which they all kneeled down and united in prayer, brother Quinn addressing the Throne of Grace on the occasion. And truly God was present to hear. The Divine power was felt by all. The room was filled with His glorious presence, and seemed "none other but the house of God-the gate of heaven;" which was now opening-to let this heir of glory in! Every one present wept; but it was with tears of joy. Sorrow and sighing seemed to have fled away, and joy and gladness obtained in their place. This resembled not so much

"The pains, the groans, the dying strife"

of a death bed scene, as a complete deliverance from them all. We seemed called upon to witness, not so much the death of our friend, as his triumphant entrance into "Eternal life!" And every one present realized that

"The chamber where the good man meets his fate,

Is privileg'd beyond the common walk

Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of Heav'n."

All who entered the room, instantly felt as if they were in the presence chamber of the Most High, and upon the confines of glory!

Our dying brother now took his parents by the hand, and bade them a most affecting farewell; thanking them in a very feeling manner for the tender affection and kind attention which they had shewn him all his life, and especially during his protracted illness; and prayed God to reward them abundantly therefor. He then called to him his brothers and sisters, one by one, and bade them farewell in like manner, recommending them to God's grace, and exhorting them to meet him in heaven. To his brother William (aged about fourteen years) he said, when bidding him farewell:"William, you are old enough to seek religion; oh, put it off no longer, but "remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." To his brother-in-law he said,-"O brother Ferree, I am going to our sweet Emmanuel. We have served God together here; and I hope we shall praise him together in heaven for ever." He spoke in like manner, to several other persons who were present, while joy shone in his countenance, evincing the triumphant feelings of his soul.

After a pause of a few minutes, during which he seemed as if waiting for the welcome messenger, to bear him to the haven of eternal rest; he looked joyfully around upon the company, most of whom were much affected with this solemn, joyful scene, said," now compose yourselves and sing,

'On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,' "' &c.

and

which was done with full hearts and weeping eyes; while our dying brother looked toward heaven, as though he said, "Now

have

Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes seen (and my heart hath felt) thy salvation." After the hymn was sung, he lay calm and composed, appearing somewhat exhausted by speaking so much. He spoke to all who came into the room, giving them his hand, with some short sentence, such as-" My strength is nearly exhausted."-" Bless the Lord, I am going to see Jesus." Sister M'Dowell coming into the room, and supposing him too far gone to be able to speak, said to him, "My dear brother, if Christ is now precious to your soul, raise your hand." He replied, "O I can speak yet;-Bless the Lord-He is precious-very precious!"" Then," said she, "you would rather depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' r." He replied emphatically,-"O YES!-Far better.”

He lay very easy and without any pain, until about 11 o'clock, at which time he wished to be placed in an arm chair, which was done; but becoming very weak and faint, he was soon laid in bed again. Brother G. W, while fixing him in bed, asked him if he wished to be placed in any more easy position, he replied, "I lie very comfortable." These were the last words which he spoke. A few moments afterwards he began to breathe a little hard; and in about five minutes, like one going asleep, without any apparent pain, and without a struggle or a groan, his happy spirit took its flight to the paradise of God, February 20th, 1822, in the twentyfirst year of his age.

So tranquil and easy were the expiring moments of our deceased friend, that his countenance, after the spirit had fled, had lost but little of that expression of triumphant joy which had so strongly marked it during the last few hours of his life. And while with mingled emotions of grief and of solemn delight, I surveyed the pleasing countenance, I could not but reflect with the poet,

"Ah! lovely appearance of death,

What sight upon earth is so fair?
Not all the gay pageants that breathe
Can with this dead body compare."

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be ·like his."

On the following day the mortal remains of our friend were carried to the Methodist meeting-house, where an excellent and appropriate funeral discourse was delivered on the occasion, by the Rev. James Quinn, from 1 Cor. xv. 56, 57, to a large, attentive and weeping assembly; after which the body was conveyed to the silent tomb, followed by a long procession of friends and acquaintances.

It may be proper to add a few remarks concerning some of the most prominent traits in the character of this excellent and holy young man.

His faith was strong and steadfast-that genuine faith of the gospel, "which works by love," and purifies the heart. In him this great spring of Christian action being strong, his whole motion was strong, uniform and vigorous. To this may be attributed that unusual Christian courage and fortitude which he possessed; and which probably saved him from many of those temptations to apostacy, which others, less decided, frequently become a prey to. I remember to have heard him observe once in class-meeting, when other young men had spoken of their discouragements, their temptations, &c. "I thank God, that I have few or none of those discouragements which my brethren speak of. When I embraced religion, I formed (though with much fear and trembling) the unalterable determination, that having put my hand to the plow,' I never would look back.' The devil never thinks worth while to tempt me to backslide." But it was in prayer that his strength of faith was more particularly discernible. Here it was that his humble confidence, his holy boldness, his fervency of spirit, afforded a fine practical comment on these words of our Saviour; "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

His zeal prompted him to take an active part in promoting the work of God by every means in his power. He took all opportu nities of recommending religion to his youthful acquaintances, by the most forcible arguments, drawn from its necessity and excellency. He was especially zealous in stirring up and encouraging his young companions in the heavenly race, to diligence, to faithfulness and perseverance; setting them an example himself worthy of imitation, a "pattern of good works"-" steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

In depth of piety, in personal holiness, and in fervency of devotion, I have never seen his equal at his age. I have had much opportunity of observing and admiring his character in these respects; and have often felt deeply sensible of my own inferiority in his presence. In the winter of 1820-21, I requested him, for the sake of his company (as I was alone) to lodge with me a few weeks, which he did. During this time, as had been his constant practice before, he arose every morning some time before daylight, and spent often near an hour in private devotion, while he supposed that no ear but that of the Almighty heard him. I have often on these occasions been deeply affected in witnessing with what earnestness and fervency, with what holy ardour and importunity, his devotions were performed; while he seemed as if he felt himself in the presence chamber of the Most High, and with his hand upon the mercy-seat, holding converse with his God as with a familiar friend. He was in the constant practice of devoting a part of his time daily, to reading the word of God, to meditation and prayer, and in cultivating a devotional spirit. Hence his rapid growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God.