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witnessing more and more brilliant consequences. these were not the cares the nearest to his heart. followed by an admiration too enthusiastick for a man of less singleness of mind to bear without being led astray from his appropriate work, here was the scene of his favourite labours, and here he reaped their most desired reward. Every thing here reminds us of him. The thought of this place of our solemnities never recurs, without bringing with it the revered and beloved idea of him, in whose light for so happy, though so brief a season, it rejoiced. At the table of Christian fellowship, I meet the disciples, whom he led to that feast, and his presence almost seems to be with us there. Already I find encouragement and friendship in those, whose earliest remembered impressions of religion are associated with the pathos of his melting tones, and the glory of his speaking eye. I stand by death-beds cheered by happy hopes of immortality, which he taught to glow, and witness the Christian patience of mourners, to whom he was the minister of that lasting peace, which the world can neither give nor take away. Happy servant of his God! who can leave such enduring memorials of so short a life; who, long after the first burst of general distress at his early departure has been hushed, survives in the virtuous purposes of manhood, and the calm meditations of age. py, whose epitaph is recorded in the religious dedication of so many grateful hearts! There is no other distinction but is mean compared with such a glory. There is no work, no praise, to be coveted like his, who has been thus instrumental in turning many to righteousness. They pay him, while they live, that most honourable tribute of giving him a place among their most spiritual thoughts, their holiest affections. They transmit his influence in the events, which they control, and the minds, which they form. And when, at last, he meets them above, can any thing be wanting to the worth of his crown of rejoicing, when they remember together, that it was by his agency, that God made them associates for angels?

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It would lead me into unbecoming panegyrick of the living, if I should attempt to say how splendid was the promise of the short ministry which succeeded, and with what disappointment you saw it terminated. Mr. Everett,

who was ordained over this Church February 9, 1814, having been dismissed, at his request, March 5, 1815, in consequence of his appointment to a professorship at the College, (32.) the vacant office was again filled June 17, 1818. Since that period the Society has enjoyed its characteristick harmony, and, it is hoped, has not been remarkably deficient in attendance upon the word and ordinances, or shown other discouraging symptoms of decline. (33.)

In the retrospect, which has engaged us, we have seen, my friends, how graciously God has been, in time past, with our fathers. We perceive what signal tokens of his favour we are imploring, when we entreat him to be equally with us. His presence was with our fathers, because they were true to themselves and to him; and it is well for us to think, that this is the condition, on which we may hope and pray for his continued presence. I trust that the recollections. of this day have not been without effect in making the weight of our responsibleness felt by each of us. They were, in their day and generation, no unprofitable servants, into whose places we have succeeded. It is no mean character, which the duty is devolved on us to sustain.-As long as this Church has existed, it has been a Church faithful to the principles of Christian liberty. Its founders were not men studious of novelties; but, on the other hand, they did not suppose that dissent must needs be errour. They were the hereticks of their time, whom all felt entitled to pity or revile; but, content to stand or fall to their own Master, they scrupled not to follow their light in renouncing what it showed them to be delusion. Amidst much to embarrass and much to deter, they stood fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free; and while, in their calm confidence in the final triumph of a good cause, they ceased not

to follow the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another,-to the invasions of the violent, or the jealousies of the apprehensive, they gave place for subjection, no, not for an hour. And now, look to the churches which opposed them, to see the event of their stedfastness, and judge what the event of Christian stedfastness will, sooner or later, always be. The three obnoxious peculiarities of their practice have been almost universally admitted; and, if the one peculiarity of their plan of church order has in theory not been extensively allowed, the ancient rule infringed by it is now little more than a dead letter, or an immaterial form.-Having its origin in so resolute an assertion of Protestant principles, it is no wonder that this has been an enlightened Church. It is restraints, legal or conventional, on the right of private judgment, that have kept Christians in darkness; and, where the avenues of religious truth to the mind have not been suffered to be closed by human barriers, truth has not been slow to profit by its opportunity, and hold on its way. Of the four first pastors of this Church,-not to speak of what is more recent,-three were among the liberal Christians of their respective times; and, if an exception needs to be made for the other, there is evidence that his elder associate had little sympathy with him in this particular, and that a large and respectable portion of his Church, though they esteemed him personally, and were unwilling to sacrifice the unity of the spirit, were little satisfied with the part, which he took in the religious controversies and transactions of those days. (34.)-It has been a Church distinguished in the observance of Christian ordinances. It was the boast of one of my predecessors,* that he did not know an unbaptized child among the families of his charge; and the table of Christian fellowship has never witnessed any other than a full attendance. (35.)-It is a Church always accessible to the claims of charity, whose character it belongs to us not to

Dr. Thacher. Emerson's Funeral Sermon.

forfeit. Not only have principles established here given many eminent benefactors to the publick, and the needy among ourselves always had their relation promptly allowed, and their claims carefully remembered and liberally met, but it would be a yet unprecedented event in your annals, if a worthy occasion for beneficence should be presented here, and find a parsimonious acknowledgment. (36.) -It has been a singularly united community. The multitude of them that have here believed, have been, with remarkable constancy, of one heart and of one soul. The single instance of disunion, which the history of this Church records, occurred more than a century ago, and was not sufficient to obstruct its prosperity, or permanently disturb its quiet. In the revolution of succeeding years, there have not been wanting occasions of difference of opinion; but it has always been wisely considered the due and becoming course, even to the mutual sacrifice of minor interests, to secure the great interest of letting brotherly love continue.It is with such graces, that God has enriched, in former times, this Church of our fathers. It is by such characteristicks, that it is given us in charge, to see that it continue to be known. And if we should begin a new period in its history; if we should receive for doctrine the commandments of men, and in our fear of them forget our accountableness to God; if we should be the first here to darken counsel by words without knowledge; if God's word and ordinances, so long devoutly reverenced and prized here, should first experience a neglect from us, and the house of prayer witness desertion or unconcern; if the obligations of Christian benevolence, long and liberally allowed, should first be disowned by our sordidness, and the bonds of Christian fraternity, so closely knit and honourably worn, be severed by our divisions; what an array of venerable men must we look to see rise up in judgment with the men of this degenerate generation, and condemn them!

While we pray then, that God will be with us, even as he was with our fathers; that he will never leave nor forsake

us; we should think, my hearers, how it is, that we must invite his presence. We should feel, that we have a great concern in charge. A religious society is not an association for providing a place, where, two or three hours in every week, we may be furnished with unexciting occupation. It is a combination, which creates a vast influence, whether for good or evil. It may be made an instrument for impairing, it may, alas! be converted into an agent for removing from the mind, the mighty force of religious sanctions. It may be the birthplace of idle extravagancies, estranging follies, or pernicious doubts. It is bad enough, when the vital spirit of piety is lulled to sleep within its walls. When heartless profession and worldly policy take hold upon the skirts of Religion, Religion is exhibited to the publick view in company where she ought never to be found, and the association discredits and wrongs her. But a religious society, which deserves the name, is an institution, which does no less than combine many earnest minds and devoted hearts for the furtherance of the highest interests of men ;-their only interests, which are of permanent account; interests, which angels estimate, and God estimates more highly than themselves, because they understand their importance better. The Christian sanctuary is a full fountain of life-giving waters, accessible to every passenger ; salutary for every sick, and refreshing to every weary soul. If the pulse of the community beats with a healthy flow, it is here that it finds its nourishment. If the mind is in vigour, if the spirit is self-collected to do or to bear, it is here that they have nerved themselves for conflict and toil. It is here that the young form themselves for action, and the aged dispose themselves for death. The house of social worship is the appropriate dwelling of Religion. We may drive her from our homes; we may banish her from our hearts; but we must have estranged her indeed, if she never meets us for a moment there. Can we do too much, my friends, to secure the continued presence of such a

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