PRESIDENT of this august body. In this capacity he had the honour and happiness of putting his signature to the Treaty of Peace, which for ever established his country's independence. On the return of peace he resumed the practice of the law. It was not long, however, before he was called to a more important station. On the adoption of the present constitution of the United States, the confidence of his fellow citizens allotted him a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States. In this honourable place he was continued for six successive years. On quitting it to return once more to the pursuits of private life, he was appointed by that consummate judge of character, the first President of the United States, to fill the office of DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL MINT, vacated by the death of the celebrated RITTENHOUSE. This trust he executed with exemplary fidelity during the administrations of WASHINGTON, of ADAMS, and (in part) of JEFFERSON. Resigning this office, and seeking seclusion from the perplexities of public life, and from the bustle and ceremony of a commercial metropolis, he fixed his residence in the city of Burlington. Here, surrounded by affectionate friends, and visited by strangers of distinction-engaged much in pursuits of biblical literature-practising the most liberal and unceremonious hospitality-filling up life in the exercise of the highest christian duties, and of the loveliest charities that exalt our nature-meekly and quietly communicating and receiving happiness of the purest kind; he sustained, and has left, such a character, as will for ever endear his memory to his friends, and do honour to his country.

Prior to the revolution he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of New-Jersey College. The semi-annual meetings of this respectable body, he always attended with punctuality, unless prevented by severe indisposition. At the time of his decease he was the SENIOR member of this corporation. The liberal donation he made it during his life, and the more ample one in his last will, must be long remembered with gratitude by the friends of science.

But while anxious to promote the interest of literature, he was not un mindful of the superior claims of religion on his remembrance and his bounty. Attached from principle and habit to the religious denomination of which he was so distinguished a member, he has been most liberal in his testamentary donation to the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, and to their THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, established at Princeton.

But as his mind, unshackled by bigotry or sectarian prejudice, was expanded by the noblest principles of Christian benevolence, he has also very liberally endowed various institutions whose object is to diffuse more widely the light of revealed truth-to evangelize the heathen-to instruct the deaf and dumb-to educate youth for the sacred ministryto advance knowledge, and to relieve the wants and miseries of the sick or suffering poor.

To those of his fellow citizens, however who are peculiarly interested in the wide circulation of the sacred scriptures, perhaps the chief excellence in the character of the DECEASED, is the ardent and effective zeal he displayed in the BIBLE CAUSE. The efforts he at first made, notwithstanding the infirmities of age, and much unexpected opposition, to establish THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY-his munificent donation to this institution at its first organization-his subsequent liberality to aid in the erection of a DEPOSITORY-the devise of a large and valuable

tract of land-and the deep and undiminished interest he has taken in all the concerns of the NATIONAL SOCIETY ever since he was chosen to be its PRESIDENT-while they spread his fame through every region of the globe, will consecrate his memory to the hearts of his fellow citizens in America, and his FELLOW CHRISTIANS through the world.

But if his public services, and his private worth, claim the tribute of general esteem and affectionate remembrance, the closing scene of his life is not less calculated to console his friends under the heavy loss they have sustained, than it is to edify and support the departing christian.

In the full possession of his mental faculties, and in the assured persuasion of his approaching dissolution, his faith was firm, his patience unexhausted, and his hopes were bright. While with paternal solicitude he exhorted those around him to rest on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as the only true ground of trust, while with solemnity and tenderness he commended a dutiful and affectionate daughter, his only child, to the care of his surviving friends; with humble resignation he expressed his readiness-his "desire to depart in peace" to the bosom of his Father in Heaven; and the last prayer he was heard to articulate, was— "LORD JESÚS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT."

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, while in common with their fellow citizens they sensibly feel the loss which the christian community has sustained, in the removal, by the death of the Hon. Elias Boudinot, of one of its most valuable members, have reason more especially to lament that which their institution has suffered in being deprived of its venerated President.

When the Managers carry back their recollections to the period which preceded the formation of this society, and review the laborious and persevering efforts of Dr. Boudinot to accomplish the interesting object; when they consider the noble example of beneficence which he soon afterwards presented in the generous donation of ten thousand dollars to its Treasury, and of one thousand dollars since towards the erection of a Depository; the unremitted interest, which, under the pressure of acute bodily suffering, and the infirmities of advanced age, he continued ever afterwards to evince in its concerns; his great exertion, notwithstanding the personal inconvenience and pain to which it subjected him, to attend its stated anniversaries; the dignity and amiableness with which he fulfilled the duties of the chair; and the pious and affectionate counsels supplied by his official communications; they deeply deplore the chasm that has been made in their body by this afflicting bereave

ment.

To the will of an all-wise Providence it becomes them to feel unfeigned submis sion, and to accompany this act of duty with the expression of their grateful acknowledgments to a merciful God for his goodness, in prolonging beyond the ordinary measure of human life, that of their illustrious patron; in permitting him to witness the rapid growth and prosperity of the cherished object of his affections; in conveying to his heart the consolations of that blessed Book, which he had made the standard of his faith and the rule of his conduct; and in enabling him to close a well spent life with the full hope, through the merits of his Saviour, of a blissful immortality beyond the grave. The Board of Managers would not only derive from these cheering recollections consolation for their loss, but incitement to an increased measure of exertion in that work which so engrossed the affections of their lamented President; and while they are diligently employed in diffusing abroad the Word of Life, encouragement in seeking to realize for themselves its inestimable benefits. With the mourning daughter of their deceased friend, for so many years the partaker of his joys and sorrows, the companion of his journeys, and his amiable assistant in well-doing, the members of this Board sincerely sympathize, and respectfully transmit to her this feeble expression of their feelings towards her venerable parent, as evidence of the affection with which they wish to embalm his memory, and the sincerity with which they condole with her under the bereavement she has experienced.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

THE MERCHANT BRIG AT SEA.

(Concluded from page 382.)

AT breakfast he introduced the subject to his mate.

Capt.-Well, James! we shall not have to-day the advantages of being on board the Ark; I seem to miss very much the pleasure which I had by going there on Sundays.

Mate. Yes, Sir! I suppose you do. I have been thinking of it a good deal this morning.

Capt.-It was a pleasant sight to see sailors so willingly assemble for God's worship; to see such large congregations of men who hardly ever thought of such a thing in former days. It appears wonderful to me! That ARK is a nice contrivance for sailors! so handy! so convenient! and one feels there so much at home! I assure you that I thought of it the first thing this morning, and a great deal yesterday.

Mate. So have I, Sir! But we are far away from them now.

Capt.-Yes! we are indeed far away from them, but not any farther off from God. I read this morning the 139th Psalm, where it said "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? and if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." And I could not but feel, that though not now in London River, I am while at sea equally with God, and that his commandments are as binding on me at sea as on shore.

Mate. That is true, Sir! and I feel it and I have recollected that the fourth commandment is, "Remember the Sabbath Day." Have you, Sir, seen a book sold at the ARK by the Society about the worship of God in merchant ships at sea?

Capt.-Yes! I have seen it.

Mate.-I have one which I bought at the Ark, and I think it a very nice book for sailors. The prayers are just what a sailor wants, and the Psalms and Hymns are very good. There is too a direction in the book how to carry on the worship on board on a Sunday, when weather and the ship's duty will permit.

Capt. And do you like that manner, James ?

Mate.-Yes, Sir, I do; and I have been hoping that you would be kind enough to put it in practice in the cabin to-day.

Capt.-I am glad, James, to hear you say so. Do you think that the hands would like it?

Mate.-Most, if not all of them would, I am sure, gladly consent, and if any should not like it at first, they soon would. I never was with such an orderly ship's company. There is no swearing, no bad words, no quarrelling, no drinking, but all are friendly and cheerful, and willing to do their duty night or day. They read the Bible a good deal when they have leisure.

Capt.-I have one of those books which you spoke of; do you think that, there are any more of them in the ship?

Mate.-Yes! William and Richard each have one.

Capt. Well then, go and tell the people that at four bells, (10 A. M.) I

wish as many as are willing and can be spared from ship's duty on deck, to come to me in the cabin; and that I shall expect to see every one dressed clean in honour of the day.

The mate now withdrew, and Captain Newman, finding his mind very greatly encouraged, lifted up his heart secretly and fervently to God in grateful acknowledgment of his goodness, and took his Bible to select the chapters to read when the men should assemble for worship.

The mate went to the forecastle and took William and Richard aside and told them of the purpose of the captain, and expressed his own hope that it would be quite agreeable to them. They both declared that they thanked God for putting it into the heart of the captain to do so. They had indeed been wishing for it. Of their own accord they called Henry to them, and he also declared his consent and his persuasion that it would be agreeable to every one in the ship, as the hands who had bought testaments at Gravesend were well behaved, and had been reading much when they got time. The mate felt so rejoiced in having such tidings to convey to the captain, that he went to him immediately, and greatly pleased him with the intelligence.

As soon as four bells (10 A. M.) struck, the captain sent the boy to tell the mate that he expected the hands in the cabin.

At this time the weather was very fine, the sky clear, and the wind abaft the beam. The captain, therefore, left two hands on deck, viz. the cook, and the man at the helm; the latter was directed to knock if he wanted a hand from below, and twice if he should want two. One man, being unwell, had gone to his hammock.

The assembly in the cabin consisted of the captain and mate, three hands, and the boy. The captain desired them to be seated, and addressed them to the following effect: "I believe, lads, that most of you have been in the habit of attending on board the Ark on Sundays, and have seen that divine service may be performed on board a ship. I cannot therefore doubt your believing that God ought to be worshipped, and that he is as near to his creatures when they are at sea, as when they are on shore, or in harbour ; for in God we all live, and move, and have our being. I hope too that you all wish to have the blessing of God, which is promised to all who humbly seek it." He then read to them from the preface to the Devotional Assistant. "It may be asserted without fear of contradiction, that a ship will be the more safe when the blessing of Him who made the sea, and controls the boisterous deep, is daily sought by the whole of those who are on board. The social worship of God will infallibly lead to an increase of the fear of God, and this will as surely lead to a constant sense of religious and moral obligations." He then asked them whether they were, as he trusted they all were, willing that the worship of God should be regularly carried on in the Hope? He looked to the mate to answer first; and when he declared his desire that it should be so, the others declared themselves like minded. Captain Newman then assured them, that it should always be his study to do his duty by them, and to promote their real happiness.

The cabin Bible lay open upon the table at the 139th Psalm, to which the captain desired the men to turn in their bibles, and after a short pause he read that Psalm with a distinct voice, slowly, and solemnly. He then read the introductory prayer from the Devotional Assistant, and addressing himself to his little assembly, he said, "My dear friends! it is our bounden duty to attend to that word of God, which in so many places encourages and commands us to meet together, to acknowledge and confess to Almighty God our manifold sins and wickedness. If we attempt to dissemble or cloak our sins from the face of the Almighty, we shall only deceive ourselves and mock God. But if, under a feeling sense of our guilt and misery, we do confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart, we are assured that we shall obtain forgiveness of the same, through his infinite goodness and mercy. This is certain, because it is the word of Him who cannot lie,

who hath declared, that if we thus confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Wherefore let us with lowly hearts, and humble voices, bow down before the Lord, who hath promised to hear and answer in mercy all who call upon him, looking for salvation only through, and on account of, what his blessed Son Jesus Christ hath done and suffered for sinners!"

The confession was then made by each while kneeling, after the excellent form in the Prayer Book, beginning thus, "Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep." The 95th Psalm was then read by alternate verses, by the captain and the crew, and at its close, some very interesting selections from the New Testament were read in the same manner.

Capt.-Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. 1 Pet. i. 2.

Crew.-Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and which fadeth not away. 1 Pet. i. 3, 4.

Capt.-This is the record, that God hath given us eternal life: and this life is in his Son. 1 John v. 11.

Crew. In this was manifest the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John iv. 9.

Capt. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John iv. 10.

Capt. and Crew together.-Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John iv. 11.

Capt.-The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John i. 17.

Crew. The Spirit of God, like a dove, lighted upon Jesus: and lo, a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. iii. 16, 17.

Capt. The voice out of the cloud said, "Hear ye him." Matt. xxii. 5. Crew. We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we may be saved. Acts xv. 11.

Capt.-Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts iv. 12.

Crew. Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification. Rom. iv. 25.

Capt.-Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. iii. 11.

Crew. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15.

Capt.-Who, being the brightness of his (the Father's) glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. i. S.

Crew. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins; who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature. Coloss. i. 15.

Capt. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him. Col. i. 16

Crew. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Col. i. 17.

Capt.-And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, VOL. VIII.

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