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"I fully believe that the doctrines taught by Mr. John Wesley are scriptural, and will stand the test; but what his people will be a hundred years hence we cannot say. They may be a numerous and a learned people; but it is possible, that by slow degrees they may retrograde, until they have very little of the spirit of old Methodism; and this certainly will be the case, without a steady and conscientious perseverance in the good old paths. The letter is good in its place; but we shall be, comparatively, nothing without the life and power of godliness. We must look well to our doctrines and discipline, and guard the sacred ministry. Lay hands suddenly on no man :'-look more to genuine piety, and to a real call from God, than to any literary qualification without it. Keep a pure ministry, and you will have a pure membership. The fall of the primitive church began with the clergy; and should we fall, our declension will begin here. It is better to have a pious, laborious, successful ministry, than to have wealth and ease without such a ministry.

"My dear brethren, I hope better things, though I thus speak. As a people, I hope we shall have a standing among the pious through a succession of ages. Unworthy as I am, I can look back with pleasure; and when faith gives me a glimpse of that sweet world above, I think all the little toil and sufferings that I have passed through are nothing. Eternity! O an eternity of felicity! Who would not bear the cross, and follow Jesus for a lot in that sweet world, where we shall dwell with the blessed Trinity, holy angels, and the spirits of all the just made perfect through the blood of the Lamb.

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"I bless God for what I have seen and felt; but I have often wept whilst looking back on my unprofitable life, and on my many defects; and I think, had I my time to live over again, I would strive more ardently to do good, and to live nearer to God. And soon, my dear brethren, I must leave you, and go the way of all flesh. I have lived

long with you, and have seen a happy and prosperous half century. I love the Methodists, and hope they will prosper. I love Christians of every sect; and I pray that the world may be filled with the glory of God;-that false doctrines may be banished from the earth, and that the pure doctrines of the gospel may run and be glorified.

"Before I leave you, I wanted for a moment to look into the invisible world; but I am lost! Could we see the angelic host, and listen to the songs of the redeemed! Could we join that blood-bought company, and converse with the patriarchs and prophets, and sages of the past, what rapture!-But one glimpse of our Lord Jesus Christ would outshine them all; for he only is worthy of all honour, and glory, and praise. We shall cast our crowns at his feet, and say, 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.'

'My dear brethren, let us labour faithfully in scattering the good seed; let us do every thing in our power for the prosperity of Zion, and wait patiently for the great harvest day, when we shall all be gathered home, to be happy, with the ever blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and holy Spirit to whom be glory, now, henceforth, and for Amen."

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At the close of this conference, Mr. Garrettson remarks, "Our dear brethren seem much engaged in the work, and I can truly say that I have sweet fellowship with them, and they treat me as a father.

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Monday 22. Bishops M'Kendree and Hedding accompanied me to Rhinebeck, and after spending several days pleasantly together, they took their departure on their way to the Genesee conference."

The following is the last entry I find in his journal. After remarking that he had preached in the mission chapel at Rhinebeck, he says,

"Monday 6. As I was appointed by the conference on a committee for the purpose of trying an unfortunate

and as my daughter wished to visit Union college, we prepared for the excursion, and on Tuesday evening we arrived safely at Dr. Nott's, where we were kindly received. "Wednesday 8. I am pleasantly situated, feeling a pleasure in retirement. God is good to me."

For the purpose of exhibiting to the reader the prevailing disposition of his heart in his concluding days, I have thus minutely followed Mr. Garrettson through the last two years of his valuable life, giving his sentiments as recorded in his most retired moments, chiefly in his words. In the next chapter we shall follow him to his grave, and likewise present some general outlines of his character.

CHAPTER XIX.

Continued a Conference missionary-Instance of his affection-His last letter to Mrs. Garrettson-Attends Conference at TroyHis health and activity--Presentiment of his approaching dissolution -Visits New-York-His last sermon-His sickness, and deathHis remains taken to Rhinebeck, and buried- His death a loss to the church-General outlines of his character-Simplicity his distinguishing feature-This gave him success in his ministry-Inspired him with persevering zeal-Induced him to forsake all for Christ's sake-Gave him liberal views-Attached him to his brethren-It shone in domestic life-In the order of his household, his hospitality, his placability, and in the pulpit-His perseverance-Veneration for the sacred Scriptures-Dependence on Divine aid--Variety and usefulness of his preaching Infirmities common to man-His unblemished reputation for nearly fifty-two years-Was the oldest Methodist preacher-Concluding remark.

AT the conference of 1826 Mr. Garrettson was continued a conference missionary, and he employed his time in his usual way, making occasional excursions to NewYork and some other places, preaching as often as his strength would permit him. Wherever he came he was hailed as a messenger of peace, and as a father in the gospel, both by the preachers and people.

It was in the beginning of the winter of this year that I accompanied him to the city of Hudson, on an invitation

from the brethren in that place, for the purpose of opening a new church. Having attended at Poughkeepsie for the purpose of dedicating a church recently built in that place, I went on board the steam boat which came along about 12 o'clock at night. I shall never forget the tender and affectionate manner in which he received me. He was in his birth, but hearing my voice, he addressed me by name, raised himself in his birth, affectionately squeezed my hand, expressing his gladness to see me. Indeed he always seemed revived whenever he came in company with his brethren in the ministry, whom he loved, I believe, “with a pure heart fervently." I have mentioned this circumstance merely to show how sincerely he loved his friends, as well as the readiness with which he obeyed the calls of his brethren to aid them in their work.

It was during one of his visits to the city of New-York, this year, that he sent the letter to Mrs. Garrettson, the last she ever received from him, of which the following is an extract:

"Yesterday I spent mostly in prayer and conversation; to-day in reading, and this evening in writing. To-morrow I expect to be in the book room with the committee.

"I groan for perfect freedom. I have heard people talk of laying up a stock of grace; but, blessed and happy is that person who has a sufficiency from moment to moment, to keep him humble, innocent, and pure. We are every moment dependent upon God. I have no doubt but that retrospection on a long life spent in the service of God, with a continuance in piety, must be very consoling; but I know there is as great a necessity for watchfulness and perseverance as ever. The holy, blessed God knows our various weaknesses, and will in old age put beneath us his everlasting arms. O! to come near to the throne of grace, and touch the hem of his garment by faith, and have every stain washed away. O! to love God supremely."

In 1827 our conference convened at the city of Troy.

He attended its sessions with his usual diligence, and among other things supported a resolution, that there should be preaching at five o'clock in the morning, and cheerfully filled the first appointment himself. At this conference he was elected again as a delegate to the ensuing general conference, which was to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 1, 1828. He did not, however, live to see the conference.

Notwithstanding his age, I believe none acquainted with him, who observed his healthful appearance and activity, thought him so near his end. After the close of the conference he persevered with his accustomed zeal and diligence in the discharge of his various duties, visiting his old friends, and preaching once or twice every sabbath. But though his family and friends flattered themselves that he might yet be spared some years to the church, it appears that he had a presentiment that his departure was at hand, and would often speak of it. Whether this arose from any direct impression upon his mind, or from feeling the natural decays of age, or from an impression which he received some years since, I cannot tell. I, however, often heard him observe,-I think he made the remark to me for the first time in the year 1813,that being unwell a short time previously, he was calling on God, if it might be his will, to prolong his days; when he received for answer, that fifteen years should be added to his life; but he observed, at the same time, that he could not satisfy himself whether it meant fifteen years from that time, or so many years beyond the usual term of human life, "threescore years and ten." From whatever cause the impression proceeded, the sequel proves that his presentiment at this time was correct.

On the 17th of August, 1827, after dining with his family with great cheerfulness, and commending them to God in prayer, Mr. Garrettson left home for the city of New-York. On his arrival in the city he preached his

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