Mr.

of Rhinebeck, N. Y., as private tutor to his sons. Garrettson says of him, at this time, "his urbane manners, his gentle and Christian dispositions, and his intelligence for so young a man, gained alike the esteem and respect of us all." He left that family for the university, under the pledge that when he should have completed his collegiate course, he would return to superintend the education of Mr. Garrettson's sons, and a few other select youths. He graduated in 1842, with credit to himself and his Alma Mater, and returned to the family of F. Garrettson, Esq., where he was welcomed and remained as tutor, between three and four years. He enjoyed the cordial friendship of that family until the day of his death, being regarded by them "rather as a near relative than as a friend."

In 1845, he united with the New York Conference, and was appointed to Rhinebeck, and subsequently to Hyde Park, and Lenox, Mass. In each of these appointments he is spoken of in the highest terms.

In the spring of 1848, his health being insufficient for the duties of the pastorate, he took charge of the Lansingburgh academy, where he continued until the spring of 1851. In 1849, while at Lansinburgh, he was transferred from the New York to the Troy Conference. In the latter conference, however, he never held the pastoral relation. As a teacher he was indefatigable and successful. The academy, in Lansingburgh, prospered greatly under his supervision. On leaving the above named institution, he became connected with the Jonesville Academy, where he remained until the fall of 1851, when, in the hope of improving his health by a southern climate, he went to New Orleans. He there entered the family of Hon. H. W. R. Hill, as tutor, where he became a great favorite, and remained until his death. He died, February 17, 1853, aged

thirty-five years, of typhoid fever, after an illness of about six weeks, the last twelve days of which he was confined to his bed. Nothing that wealth, medical skill, or sympathy could do for him, in his last sickness was left undone. He expressed a desire to live, but often said, "God's will, not mine, be done." Those who were with him in his last sickness say, that though "his sufferings were great, his last moments were his happiest." Mrs. Hill, who watched over him with a mother's care, said to him, when near his end, Mr. Bolster, you are almost gone." He replied, "My dear madam, I know it." She then asked him if he felt perfectly resigned to die, to which he replied, "Certainly I am." These were his last words. A college class mate who was with him, says, "After he was unable to articulate; and but a few moments before his death, to my question if all was well, and he was happy in the love of the Savior, he made an effort to respond, but not being able to speak, he pressed my hand firmly in affirmation." His remains were returned to his paternal home, and with appropriate religious services, in the church where sixteen years before, he had been brought to Christ, committed to the tomb, in his native town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y.

The following sketch of his character, is from the pen of his intimate friend, Rev. Zebulon Phillips.

"As the space which I am to occupy is necessarily limited, I can only refer to some of the most prominent traits in the character of my dear friend, and in describing them great brevity must be observed.

"I will state, then, in the first place, that the physical constitution of Mr. Bolster, was always rather delicate, but his intellectual powers were sound and vigorous. He had a penetrating and comprehensive mind, a fine perception, and elegant taste. These important talents

were blended with a sound judgment, and a sense of the truly beautiful and sublime, peculiar to himself; and still farther heightened by an imagination and invention equally lively, and a memory uncommonly capacious and retentive. To cultivate these admirable natural endowments, he employed the most assiduous care, and unwearied industry. By his diligent study of the Roman and Greek classics, of logic and philosophy, and of the best poets and historians, and especially the scriptures, he collected a large stock of the best ideas, and enriched his mind with a variety of select and useful knowledge. But while he assiduously applied himself to acquire wisdom from the ancients, he was not unmindful of current events, or of the advantages to be derived from intercourse with intelligent and refined society. He studied men and things intensely, and formed his judgment cautiously. Indeed, he possessed rare social gifts, and accomplishments, hence his company was always desired where he was known. His accomplishments as a gentleman were unsurpassed. Humility and self-respect were never more happily blended. He was always ready to perform any service which might contribute to the pleasure of others, while he scrupulously kept himself from contact with anything objectionable.

"Ofhis character as a friend, volumes might be written. It was so pure, and generous, and enduring, that no ordinary adversity could impair it. It is as true, as it was proper, that he formed his friendships with great caution, but when they were thus formed "many waters could not quench" them. He unbosomed himself without restraint, or mental reservation, in a manner perfectly inimitable and indescribable, and yet so cautiously, that he could not be betrayed to his injury, if perfidiousness should ever occur. It has been my privilege to

cultivate intimate friendship with many excellent persons, but, without disparagement to them, candor compels me to say, that it never fell to my lot, to cultivate a stronger, or a more confiding friendship, than with the subject of this sketch. His piety, was sincere without ostentation. From the hour of his conversion, until his course was finished upon the earth, he never faltered. No unauspicious circumstances could discourage him, or flattering prospects seduce him from the pursuit of religion. I will not say, that other friends were not as familiar with his religious experience as myself, though I have often been assured by him, that there was no person on earth to whom he opened his heart so freely, and so fully, and I am sure that it has never been my privilege to know a more honest, conscientious, God-fearing man than Cyrus Bolster. It was his delight to contemplate the stupendous riches of that grace which is displayed in the salvation of the chief of sinners. And oh, with what pathos would he describe the work of the Spirit on his own heart, and the full wealth of that love which had been imparted to him through the manifold riches of divine grace. Precious through all my remaining life, will be the recollection of many facts connected with the experience of my departed friend. I am fully aware that a judgment so partial as this, may be distrusted by some who think they knew Mr. B. I do not mean to say that he had no faults, but I will venture to say, that the facts to which a certain class of excellent people sometimes took exception, are as susceptible of justification, as certain. other facts in their own character. Mr. Bolster was excessively modest, and as he had an unconquerable aversion to mere pretension, he was consequently liable to be misjudged. A man of more humble spirit, of more sincere and earnest piety, it has not been my privilege to know.

I shall close this very brief and imperfect sketch with a few words respecting his ministerial gifts and usefulness, and although I may expose myself to the charge of partiality, or of ignorance respecting ministerial talents and success, I shall nevertheless speak out honestly and fearlessly. As a minister, Mr. Bolster possessed some very rare and peculiar qualifications. As I have remarked above, he enjoyed the advantages of a liberal and an accomplished education, with which was blended a strong desire to do good. He was, therefore, always prepared to communicate something important to be known. During the short period of his actual and and regular ministry, the point he chiefly labored to accomplish, was, to beget in his people's minds an abiding sense that God was their chief good; their only sufficient happiness and portion; that the blessed Jesus was the foundation of their pardon and acceptance, and salvation; that all their dependence for acquiring the beauties of holiness, and the consolation and pleasures of a religious life, was to be placed in the Holy Ghost, the Comforter; whose office is to "take the things of Christ, and to show them unto " men, and to give them to "know the things that are freely given to " them "of God." Mr. Bolster's manner of preaching was much admired. The propositions he insisted on were few, but always of very weighty and edifying import, and legitimately drawn from the text under consideration. His explanations were clear and accurate, his proofs plain and decisive; his illustrations beautiful and entertaining, and his application close and searching. Indeed, such was the depth of his thoughts; such the propriety of his words; and such the variety, force and fire of his style; so remarkable was the justness of his reasoning, and so judicious the change of his method, that, notwithstanding he invariably pursued the same end; yet