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

proceeding by different paths, and varying his address, according as he meant to alarm, convince or comfort, he was so far from becoming tedious, that he never failed to please, as well as to improve his audience.

The above is intended as a description of Mr. Bolster's actual ministry, and I desire that this fact should be borne in mind, as those who became acquainted with him, after he was compelled to abandon the ministry, on account of infirm health, and who only heard him occasionally will hardly be prepared for such a eulogy. I have only to say that they knew not the man as a minister. Some few persons knew him as a teacher, and were prepared to accord to him extraordinary merit in that department, and never was the meed of approbation more justly bestowed, for he was preeminent in that calling, but, I hestitate not to say, that he was equally eminent as an ambassador of Christ.

I ought to add in closing, that he was one of the most faithful and affectionate of pastors. He loved to search out the poor and sick of his flock, and impart to them consolation and instruction. In this work he took- especial pleasure; indeed, such was his zeal to be a minister of mercy to the infirm and the needy, that he would cheerfully exhaust his strength for the comfort of the one, and his means for the relief of the other. He was a noble man and his end is blessed."

REV. OLIVER EMERSON.

"The furnace of affliction may be fierce, but if it refineth thy soul, The good of one meek thought shall outweigh years of torment.” TUPPER.

The subject of this sketch was introduced to the joys and sorrows of life, on the 30th day of August, 1814, in the town of Danby, Rutland county, Vt. His father was a carpenter by trade, a native of New Hampshire, but soon after his marriage he removed to Danby, where he spent most of his days. Oliver Emerson had five sisters and two brothers, some of whom, with his mother, are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

When about fourteen years of age, he heard the Rev. T. Spicer preach at a quarterly meeting. The sermon made an impression upon his mind that deeply affected him for several weeks. As is too often the case, however, it was not yielded to, and gradually passed away. His conversion was effected chiefly through the instrumentality of his sister Lucinda, now the wife of Rev. Joseph Eames. This pious sister availed herself of every opportunity of pressing the subject of personal religion upon the attention of her young brother. One evening, we went," says Mr. Emerson, "to visit some of our young friends, and returned after the other members of the family had retired to rest. On our arrival at home, she asked me to read a portion of the scriptures; I did so, and after I had finished she wished me to pray. To this I objected, and advocated the sentiments of the Universalists. She remonstrated, and at last knelt down and prayed most fervently for me.

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"Soon after, being about to leave home, she invited her young friends to spend an evening with her before she left. She took this opportunity of conversing with us all on the subject of religion, and her appeals produced a powerful effect on my mind. The next sabbath evening, while sitting in the family circle, I felt so deeply impressed with my lost state, that I could not refrain from weeping, and I besought my mother to pray She did so. The following sabbath evening, at a prayer meeting, I asked the prayers of the congregation. While engaged in social prayer, light broke in upon my mind; joy and peace sprung up in my poor heart. On the 23d of November, 1830, I was received on trial in the Methodist Episcopal church, by Rev. Joshua

for me.

Poor."

Such is Mr. Emerson's own account of his conversion. How instructive the example of that sister! Who will venture to estimate the result of Lucinda's earnest efforts and fervent prayers in behalf of her wayward brother? But for her, Oliver Emerson might have lived and died in impenitence. Through her instrumentality, not only was a brother converted to God, but scores, probably hundreds, have been brought to Christ through his ministry, and what they in their turn may do to advance the Redeemer's kingdom, God only knows. Some of them, as they read this page, may bless God that Lucinda felt, and labored, and prayed, as she did. Little did she think as she kneeled in prayer for that brother, who refused to pray for himself, that she was setting in motion a train of saving influences, that will, in all probability, continue long after she shall have joined her brother in heaven. Fair reader, is thy brother or sister unsaved? Go thou and do likewise."

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A revival took place in Pontoosue, in the town of Pittsfield, Mass., in 1851, where Mr. Emerson then