erally regarded as an uncommon young man, and it had been predicted that he would "become a distinguished man." An unusual solicitude was felt that he might become a subject of the work of grace, both on his own account, and in view of the influence which he was known to exert upon the young people of the place. Several spoke to him on the subject, but without any apparent effect. He amused himself and his friends by arguing that females had no souls, and that consequently they need have no anxiety on the subject of religion. The Holy Spirit was however at work upon the mind of that young man; his soul was the arena of a conflict which his sportive arguments were intended to conceal. His professional prospects constituted the great obstacle, in his mind, to becoming a Christian.

One evening he entered the church under a deep sense of the importance of personal religion; but firmly resolved, at all hazards, to resist every means that might be used to influence him in that direction. At the close of the sermon, while the congregation were upon their feet, the penitent were invited to kneel at the altar. Such were his emotions that he could not stand up without betraying them, and he kept his seat. A wellknown, aged disciple of that village, stepped to his side and whispered in his ear, Cyrus, do your duty. His first impulse was a feeling of pride and mortification, and contrary to his usual gentlemanly bearing, he thought, "I will give him a blast;" but as he raised his head to do it he found his friend no longer by his side. A sudden reversion of thought and feeling ensued. He saw himself fighting against God-resisting the kindest ef forts of his people-sinning against his own mercieshis soul sank in penitence-grace triumphed-Cyrus was at the altar of God, seeking mercy.

The next morning found him on his way to his father's

house, about three miles distant. To shorten the distance, he left the road and crossed the fields, in doing which he came to a barn. Into that barn he entered, and, prostrating himself before God, confessed the sins of his youth, and implored forgiveness of him who seeth in secret. Angels rejoiced, God heard his earnest pleadings, and filled his soul with peace and joy. He left that barn a new creature in Christ. His conversion was clear and joyous. The same afternoon, he returned to the village, it being entirely unknown to the people where or how he had spent the day. That evening, when the invitation was given for those who were secking God to come forward for prayers, he rose in his place, turned around to the congregation, and declared with a full heart, what God had wrought in his soul; exhorting his young friends to accompany him in his new life. The effect was overwhelming; a general rush was made to the altar. From that time, Cyrus Bolster's attention was turned from the law to the gospel.

At the time of his conversion he was about twenty years of age. He at once became active in the cause of his new Master. A few days subsequent to his conversion, he visited the village school, of which he had been, a short time previously, the teacher, and there confessed the wrong he had done in the argument he had used relative to female religion, assured them that they had souls and besought them, in the most affecting manner, by the solemnities of the judgment day, to prepare to meet God.

His former plans being abandoned, and having now the Christian ministry in view, he prepared himself for college, and shortly after entered the Wesleyan University. After prosecuting a part of his course at Middletown, he left for a season, in 1839, and spent about one year in the family of the Hon. Freeborn Garrettson,

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

"Mr.

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, 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.

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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