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fluctuating principle in his mind, labours. To these labours, someor in his life. It was a deep, solid, times beyond his strength, is proconsistent, tender and well exa- bably to be attributed that disease mined principle; influencing his of the lungs, which in two instances judgment and his affections, more produced hæmoptosis, and still than his imagination; and it was oftener interrupted his publick carried out into all his connexions preaching, and has at length terand intercourse with the world, niinated in death. His preaching directing and animating him in was eminently blessed. Few mievery duty. Hence, as I have nisters of the gospel have had learned from his beloved and be- more seals to their ministry than reaved consort, he had attained, he. At one period, he had a reand for years in succession pre-vival of religion, which continued, served unshaken, what is denominated in Scripture, the full assurance of faith. He could say with the apostle, "I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." In the very near and certain approach of death, the friend of his bosom, as she told me yesterday, asked him, whether his hope of heaven was as firm as it had usually been. His answer was "I have not a doubt." When she inquired of him, not five minutes before he breathed his last, whether he felt perfectly happy-emphasizing the word perfect -he distinctly answered " yes." No wonder that his countenance beamed with joy in death, and left its impress on his clay cold fea

tures.

As a preacher, our deceased brother was in a high degree impressive. He sometimes held his audience in almost breathless silence, and very often melted them into tears. Yet his, in general, was not that showy eloquence, in which many delight, and consider as the charm of pulpit addresses. His manner indeed was always free, and dignified, and solemn, and affectionate. But his preaching was peculiarly doctrinal and instructive; followed, in almost every sermon, with close application, and sometimes with strong appeals to the conscience and the heart. He was abundant in pulpit

* Heb. x. 22. πληροφορία πιστεως.

with very little fluctuation, for more than four years. A most remarkable revival, of which he gave me personally an account, took place among the people of his pastoral charge, not long before he was attacked by the pulmonary complaint, which entirely silenced him for a time; and from which he sought and found relief, in the journey to the South, from which he returned but a few months since.

The preaching and pastoral services of Dr. Fisk falsify completely, the wild notion of those who think that there must be a resort to new measures, and a new mode of preaching, if a minister is to expect a revival of religion among his people. He adopted no new measures-he disapproved of them utterly. He used no new mode of preaching. He preached as I have stated-in the old fashioned way, and in maintenance of old fashioned doctrines-the doctrines taught in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of our churchTo these he steadfastly adhered; these he lucidly explained and powerfully enforced; and these the Lord blessed, to bring into his church-not hastily, but after time to examine and prove them-such anumber of hopeful converts, as are seldom seen to crown the most faithful labours, in the service of Him whose blessing alone gives the success. I have been credibly informed, that when Dr. Fisk settled in the congregation of Goshen, the

communicating members of his church were in number between ninety and a hundred; and that when he left them, they exceeded five hundred; beside more than two hundred, who had been dismissed to join other churches, or had been removed by death.

hope, but you mourn with the full confidence of hope; a confidence that he to whom your heart was knit, has already exchanged his hope for fruition: And you also, I know, cherish for yourself, a hope full of immortality-a hope that as your husband is not lost but gone before-so that you will shortly join him again, in those blessed abodes where the inhabitants "go no more out;" where they no more say, "I am sick;" where God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and an eternity of unutterable bliss, shall be spent in the beatific vision of your redeeming God and Saviour. Look to him to sustain and comfort you

Such a man, my brethren, as he of whose character I have sketched the outline, and given a few of the principal lineaments, was surely qualified, in an eminent degree, to be a theological professor to have the superintendence and instruction of youth, while under training for the gospel ministry: And having received this appointment, as you have heard, how mysterious seems the providential dis--to comfort you with those conpensation, that while going to the field of his destined engagements, full of hope, and cheered with the prospect of future and extensive usefulness, he should fall by the way that his life should be cut off in the midst that an infant seminary should have its raised expectations blasted at once, and be clothed in sackcloth, instead of the habiliments of joy and gladness. O my brethren! the death of such a man, in such an exigent time as the present, such a critical period in the existing state of our church, and such a dearth of men qualified to fill the station which he was about to occupy-O it is a loss indeed! Is it a frown upon our church? Is he taken away from the evil to come? The Lord knoweth; and what his people know not now, they shall know hereafter. We prostrate ourselves before Him, who doth all things well. We say, "thy will be done;" and we ask to be enabled rightly to improve the dispensation that afflicts us.

Bereaved partner of the deceased Yours is the greatest immediate trial. But under it, you have every consolation of which your situation admits. You not only do not mourn as those who have no

solations of his Holy Spirit which are neither few nor small. On your Heavenly Father "cast all your cares, for he careth for you.” He will not leave you comfortless; he will be to you the widow's God and husband; his providence will provide for and protect you; and his grace will be sufficient for you; and will conduct you to those mansions, into which the beloved of your soul has already entered; and from which, if a wish could do it, you would not draw him, to another conflict with this world of sin and sorrow. You have all our sympathies and our prayers-May the Almighty God be your refuge, and have underneath and around you continually, his almighty arms of protection, love and guidance.

Brethren in the gospel ministry -The death of our brother is loudly and affectingly monitory to us. Its language is, "work while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work." With our best exertions, we render but a scanty tribute of gratitude-and gratitude is all we have to render

to that Saviour, who, we trust, has not only called us out of darkness into his marvellous light, but has "counted us faithful, putting us into the ministry." Our Mas

ter has indeed honoured us; but it is with an honour which is accompanied with a fearful responsibility. The charge of souls, is the most weighty charge with which a mortal can be entrusted. It is, (said one of the fathers of the church)" it is a burden which angels might tremble to take upon them." "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." Yet never, never should our feebleness be made an excuse for the lack of fidelity. We are to be as active, as diligent, and as earnest, as if success depended on ourselves alone-while yet, we are constantly to recollect, that "neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." The unexpected departure of our lamented brother, teaches us that we may be preaching our last sermon when we least expect it; and when our prospects of usefulness seem most bright and flattering. Let us then live every day, and perform every service, as though it were our last. Let the desire of winning souls to Christ absorb our minds-Let us, in our preaching, "know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified;" and count it our best honour, and highest happiness to spend and be spent in his service-ever endeavouring to hide our worthless selves behind our blessed Lord. And whether it be little or much, that we are doing, or can do, let us seek to be sincerely and unreservedly devoted to him, and to the advancement of his precious cause, in the salvation of our perishing fellow sinners. While God is calling one and another of his faithful ministers away from the field of labour, he is, let us remember, leaving the more to be done by those who remain. Whatsoever, therefore, our hand findeth to do in the vineyard of the Lord, let us do it with our Ch. Adv.-VOL. XI.

might, knowing that "there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave," to which we are fast hastening. May God of his mercy grant, that we may so acquit ourselves-so fulfil our ministrythat when we come to die, whether it be by a sudden arrest, or by lingering decay, we may-like him for whom we mourn-have no fear of death; have nothing to do but to die; to fall asleep in Jesus and be for ever with the Lord.

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Hearers of every class and character present-Be admonished, on this occasion, of your responsibility, as hearers of the gospel. When its messages are delivered to you with fidelity, they become a savour either of death unto death, or of life unto life," to your souls. Be reminded that those who perish from under a faithful gospel ministry, perish with no ordinary condemnation. You and your ministers are to have another meeting at the final judgment. If they have been instrumental in bringing you to glory, you will hear them say, with unutterable joy, "here are we, and the children thou hast given us." But if their ministrations have been neglected to the loss of your souls, they will appear as swift witnesses against you; and all their misimproved warnings, admonitions, and entreaties, will only serve to sink you into deeper perdition. Listen then to the gospel call, as to that which calls you from sin and hell, to holiness and heaven. Avoid delay in attending to your immortal interests. Delay has peopled the mansions of the damned. Let not the present solemnity pass unimproved. Lay your own mortality to heart. Make now an honest estimate of your character, state and prospects. Are you, in your own account, prepared for death? If not, be assured of one thing-it is, that you are likely to die such as you now are, unless it be your purpose, in the strength 4 A

over which he presided in this place, held a meeting, at which we were appointed a committee to express to you their sympathy and condolence, in the severe loss you have sustained, and the heavy affliction you have been called on to bear.

We are directed by the congregation to ask your permission, to have the remains of their late friend brought to this place for interment; supposing that no spot could be so appropriate as that where so many of his years were passed in the able and faithful discharge of the functions of his high calling. Sure are we, that in no other place can the last offices of friendship be more feelingly performed; and no where could his remains be more piously guarded.

of God, immediately to give all diligence to make your salvation sure. Beware of satisfying yourselves lightly, in this most important of all concerns. Be assured, that nothing short of the regeneration of the heart, will qualify you for the heavenly joys. Such, remember, is the declaration of the Saviour himself" Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The graces of repentance and faith, are found only in those who are born of the Spirit. Supplicate his almighty aid, in every purpose you form, and in every effort you make, in returning unto God. To him, without any farther procrastination, devote yourselves your hearts, your life, your all. Be of the number of those who resolve, that let others do as they may, as We are also charged by the confor you, you will serve the Lord. gregation, to invite you to reside Never will you regret such a de- with them, as their guest, during termination, if you form it sin- the winter; that they may be enacerely and keep it faithfully-bled to administer to your comfort May God dispose and enable you to do it-" And to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy-To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever-Amen."

and happiness, under the severe bereavement which, in the dispensation of Providence, you have so recently sustained.

This letter will be handed to you by Messrs. Wilson and Harris, appointed by the congregation to visit you on this melancholy occasion, to superintend the removal of the remains, should their request be complied with; and to wait on you to this place.

We readily comply with a reWith our best wishes for your quest, to give publicity in the happiness, and our kindest sympaChristian Advocate to the follow-thies in your distress, we are, maing interesting letter. dam, very respectfully, yours, SAML. J. WILKIN, WM. HORTON.

A Letter from the First Presbyterian Congregation in Goshen to Mrs. Esther Fisk, Widow of the late lamented Ezra Fisk, D. D.

Goshen, Dec. 9, 1833.

Mrs. Esther Fisk,

Madam,

On hearing of the lamented death of your husband, their late respected pastor, the congregation

The strokes of death seem to be falling in rapid succession on the ministers of the Presbyterian church-on men of promise and of eminence-and of every age; as if to impress us with the truth, that at any period of our ministe

rial labours our opportunity to do further service in the vineyard of the Lord may be finally, perhaps suddenly, terminated, and we be called to give an account of our stewardship. Two months since, we inserted a short account of the death of the lamented FULLERTON, in the 32d year of his age; in the foregoing article, we give the obituary of the distinguished brother who died in his 48th year; and to this we are here to add a short notice of the decease of the Rev. Dr. John M'Millan, in his 81st or 82d year-a venerable father, in character as well as in age, of the Presbyterian church. We trust that his funeral sermon will be published, and that with it some further account of his life and labours, will be added to the autobiography, contained in his already published letter to the President of New Jersey College. Our notice must be confined to the following extracts of a letter, for which we are indebted to the kind attention of the post-master of Canonsburg-The letter is of the date of 19th of November ult.

"The Rev. John M'Millan departed this life on Saturday last, the 16th inst., in the 81st or 82d year of his age, and the 56th of his ministry. He attended Synod in October last in Pittsburg. After the Synod adjourned, he, in

company with Dr. Herron, went in a steam boat to Wheeling, to settle a difference in the church there. He returned on the Tuesday before his death to this town; came to my house, sat about three hours in my office, conversed with Dr. Brown and others, and said he was in his usual health, but somewhat tired with his ride. When he parted from me he said, if my carriage does not come in for me, I will call with you to-morrow. In bed that night, at the widow Ritchey's, he was taken extremely ill, got up and came down stairs, but gave no notice to the family. When day appeared, by the help of his crutch, he proceeded to Dr. Leatherman's house, about sixteen rods from Mrs. Ritchey's-and so remained there, till his soul winged its way to its eternal rest-that rest which is provided for the people of God. He was buried on the Sabbath [the day after his death] and a large funeral [assembly] attended. I hear that Dr. Ralston is shortly to preach a funeral sermon on the death of the old doctor. No doubt there will be [published] an obituary [article]. If ever disinterested benevolence beamed forth in a clergyman, no small part of this belonged to Dr. M'Millan-I have made free to communicate the above to you."

Keview.

LETTERS TO PRESBYTERIANS, on the Present Crisis of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. By Samuel Miller, D.D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Government in the Theological Seminary at Princeton.

(Continued from page 507.) Professor Miller asks, (page 12) "Do the great mass of the ministers and members of our church

differ more among themselves at this hour, than did those who directed her affairs ninety years ago, at the date of the unhappy rupture which has been described?" We answer, yes-ten times as much— unless this question be understood equivocally. A difference, it is well known, may be as real and as great, when only a trifle is the matter in controversy, as when the most important concern is the

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