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With the feelings, and principles, and rigid self-discipline, the consciousness of human guilt and weakness, and of the consequent necessity of an atonement, and a divine power to work all our works in us and for us, which are to be recognised in the extracts that have been given, it is not to be presumed that Mr. Payson would show much indulgence to a lax theology, which degrades the Saviour, and flatters man. It was from deep-rooted principle, that he could not hold fellowship with such doctrines, and that he abstained, in his ministerial intercourse, from all official acts, which would be interpreted as a token of such fellowship. Hence he endured no small share of obloquy, for which those of a different faith are not exclusively responsible.

The steadfastness with which he avoided giving the least countenance to what he regarded as "another gospel," must have been greatly confirmed by the exercises at his ordination. The sermon on this occasion, preached by his venerable father, was founded on 1 Tim. v. 22,-Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins,—and well illustrated the apostle's caution against introducing persons suddenly into the ministry, and the reason with which that caution is enforced.' Some portions of it seem to have been almost prophetic; they show, at least, that the author was able to discern the signs of the time.' The paragraphs containing the application of the subject to his son, the pastor elect, will be here inserted. Though the circumstances in which they were uttered were suited to render them peculiarly impressive, they will be found to possess an interest and importance to commend them to general attention, independently of the occasion.

"In fulfilling his purposes of mercy to our apostate race, it has pleased a sovereign God to constitute an order of men to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and thus to co-operate with himself in accomplishing that object, upon which his adorable Son came into our world. That it is permitted me to assist in introducing you, my dear son, into this highly favored number, as a fellow-worker with God in this glorious design, is an act of his grace, for which I hope our hearts are unitedly adoring his sovereign love. How astonishing is the goodness of God to his unworthy creatures! How great the honor of being admitted to share in the glory of that work which is all his own! This, however, is not the hour of triumph. Your feelings, I hope, accord with that maxim of wisdom-" Let not him who girdeth on the harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." Under the wise and holy gov

ernment of God, no station or office confers honor', but in connexion with a faithful discharge of its duties. If we would obtain that honor which cometh from God only, it must be by "patient continuance in well doing." The glories which now crown the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, were won in the field of battle. They are the just reward of invincible virtue and unexampled benevolence. To be admitted into the number of his ministers, is honorable for this reason only, that, we are thus brought into the field, where the highest honor is to be won; where all the virtuous feelings of the heart have full play; and where an opportunity is afforded of bringing into action all the energies of the soul, in a service most intimately connected with the glory of God, and the salvation of mankind. In this distinguished station, we are eminently a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

"Your path of duty is made plain by the light both of precept and example. Every motive which can influence the human mind prompts you to fidelity; and, for your encouragement to go boldly forward in the line of duty, almighty love opens its inexhaustible stores of wisdom, grace, and strength, inviting you to draw near and receive according to your necessities. The object of the observations, which have now been made, is to impress you with a sense of the importance of investigating, so far as human imperfection will admit, the characters and qualifications of candidates for the ministerial office. To me this subject appears of vast, and, from the character of the age in which we live, of increasing importance. It is far from being my wish to see you contending for particular forms of expressing divine truth, or zealously engaged in supporting points, respecting which, through remaining imperfection, wise and good men are divided. This is far beneath the dignified object, which ought to engage the attention of the Christian minister. But, if my most earnest entreaties, if a father's solemn charge, have any influence, never will you be induced to employ the powers of ordination, with which you are now to be invested, in raising the enemies of God and his truth to the pernicious eminence of teachers in the Christian church. In pursuing this leading object, it has been my aim to present to your mind the distinguishing characteristics of the pastor after God's own heart. I hope no earthly attainment appears in your view so desirable as that meekness and faithfulness, that superiority to selfish views, and those fervent, holy, disinterested affections, of which a sketch has now been exhibited. May they ever be the sole objects of your ambition, and be pursued with all that ardor, activity, diligence, and perseve

rance, with which the children of this world pursue its pleasures, its honors, and wealth.

But to

"In laboring to form your mind to ministerial fidelity, may I not hope for some assistance from that active principle of filial affection, which has ever rendered you studious of a father's comfort? I can think with calmness, nay, with a degree of pleasure, of your suffering for righteousness' sake; and, should the world pour upon you its obloquy, its scorn and reproach, for your fidelity to your Master's cause, a father's heart would still embrace you with, if possible, increased fondness. see you losing sight of the great objects which ought to engage your attention, courting the applause of the world, infected with the infidel sentiments of the day, and neglecting the immortal interests of those now about to be committed to your care ;—this, O my son, I could not support. It would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. But is it possible, that in such a cause, with such motives to fidelity, and with prospects, may I not add, so peculiarly pleasing as those which now surround you, you should, notwithstanding, prove unfaithful? It is possible; for there is nothing too base, too ungrateful, or destructive of our own most important interests, for human nature to commit; and, unless the grace of the Lord Jesus preserve you, the glory of God will be forgotten, your Saviour will by you be crucified afresh, and his cause exposed to shame; your sacred character will become your reproach, and, instead of the blessings of many ready to perish, you will accumulate the curses of perishing souls upon your head. May your preservation from this awful fate be the theme of our future eternal praises. "Contemplating the sublimity of the apostolic pattern, do you ask, How shall I attain to such activity, such zeal, such purity, such disinterestedness, and ardor of affection? Remember Paul was nothing. He himself makes the confession. is not I," says he, "that live, but Christ, that liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith on the Son of God." Thus you may live; thus you may come off more than a conqueror, and, though in yourself but a worm, may thresh the mountains of opposition, and beat them small as the dust. Should the blessed Redeemer grant—and grant he will, if you seek them-the influences of his Spirit, your happy soul will mount up as on eagles' wings, and rise to all those heights of holy affection, to which the great apostle soared. But I must set bounds to the effusion of feelings, which have, perhaps, already exhausted the patience of this assembly. Receive, my dear son, in one word, the sum of all a father's fond Be thou faithful unto death."

wishes:

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CHAPTER VIII.

His concern for his flock-reverse in his temporal prospectsis taken from his work by sickness.

THE wisdom of God shines with most amiable lustre in the institutions of religion. The intelligent and devout observer sees in them evident traces of a divine original. They were ordained by him who "knew what was in man," and recognise most advantageously the leading principles of human nature. They have multiplied the relations which subsist among men, as social beings, and given to social qualities an incalculable value. They cement every tie which binds man to his fellow, and sweeten the enjoyments of every connexion. They heighten all the endearments of domestic life, and are designed and adapted to bring all mankind into one harmonious and happy family. Though they do not obliterate the distinctions of rank and office, and especially that of a teacher, they instruct the head not to say to the foot, I have no need of thee.' In the church of Christ, the most closely-compacted and endearing brotherhood which exists on earth, a common, fraternal affection is reciprocated by its members-an affection growing out of, and continually cherished by, their mutual dependence, their common wants, and the sameness of their relation to their Maker and Redeemer. In addition to this, there is, in this blood-bought and sacred society, the relation of pastor and flock, which swells the aggregate of benefit received and of happiness enjoyed, in proportion to the numbers included in it. And when this relation is entered into from evangelical motives, and with a right spirit, a gushing forth of the affections is felt, which was never felt before-a wellspring is opened, which time cannot dry up, and which renders the pastor's labor and toil, for the salvation of his charge, his choice and his felicity.-Mr. Payson had already exhibited an interest in the welfare of souls, and a desire for their salvation, so great as to seem almost incapable of increase; but, as soon as the pastoral relation was consummated, he regarded those committed to his oversight with an appropriating, an endearing love, which identified their interests and happiness with his own.

"Dec. 17. Was favored with freedom and assistance in writing and prayer, and felt a strong love for the people of my charge. In the evening, attended a meeting of those who are under concern, and had some assistance.

"Dec. 18. Felt in a sweet, dependent frame, and had liberty to cast myself and parish upon God.

"Dec. 19. Awoke twice, after a day of excessive fatigue, drenched in a profuse sweat, and concluded that my time was short.

"Dec. 20. Sab. Extremely weak. Felt as if I could not preach. In the afternoon, preached an occasional sermon, and was wonderfully carried through. Blessed be God.

"Dec. 21. Had a sweet season in prayer. My soul felt strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. I longed to spend and be spent in his service, and wondered at his astonishing goodness to such an unworthy wretch. Spent the whole day in visiting, with some profit and pleasure. In the evening, talked to a number of people on the nature of religion. After returning, found myself much exhausted. Feel convinced that I am in a consumption, and may as well die as cease my exertions."

His illness continued severe for several days, so that he was directed by his physician to keep within. He enjoyed, on the whole, much quietness and resignation, but says, "I longed to be abroad among my people." Dec. 26, ten days after his ordination, he expectorated blood, and "viewed it as his deathwarrant, but felt tolerably calm and resigned." Three days later, however, he is found preaching an evening lecture.

The calamities occasioned by the aggressions of foreign belligerents, and by the restrictions imposed on commerce by our own government, fell at this time with peculiar weight upon the inhabitants of Portland. The darkest season through which the United States have passed since their independence, had now commenced. The distresses of the times are the subject of frequent allusion by Mr. Payson in his diary. The stagnation of business, the failures among the principal merchants, the hundreds of citizens and seamen thrown out of employment, and left destitute of the means of subsistence, and the sufferings of the poor, called forth largely his sympathy. To him, the town seemed threatened with universal bankruptcy; and, whether with good reason or not, he considered the means of his own temporal support as cut off. But the tranquillity of his mind was never more uniform than at this calamitous season; and the object of his supreme desire

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