should be their strife to see how much of comfort and peace they can impart to those who are about leaving these mortal shores, instead of seeking to disarm them of that power which faith in God inspires. Many sincere Christians have greatly erred in this respect They have sought to shake the faith and hope of others who, with death before them, were rejoicing in

'That grace

Which sanctifies and saves OUR RACE.'

They would have such renounce their hopes; for what? for others more limited: as if such change would give additional peace and resignation in the

hour of mortal dissolution: when instances have been known where the very Christian who has expressed his disapprobation of a hope founded on the universal grace of God, has been heard in view of his own death, to abjure all hope on the ground of his personal merit or works, and depend as a sinner for salvation on the unpurchased, free grace of the Eternal! This is fact. Let the Christian reader draw his own inferences and know that of all hope in view of our mortal dissolution, that of the gospel of the grace of God' is best; and that whenever he hears the saying that it will not sustain the soul in the hour of death, he is only listening to a sentiment which had its origin in human weakness, and not in the light and power of everlasting truth. Let it then be understood by Christians that they should not lightly esteem the hopes of others, when these hopes are conscientiously founded on the grace of God; whether they be limited or boundless. Let them learn to aid one another; and if they cannot see eye to eye' in regard to the extent of salvation, to encourage at least every dying mortal who at the mercy seat of his Father, awaits in hope his exit from time to eternity. Let the believer in the greatest hope thankfully stand in its heavenly light; and he who has adopted a lesser one, grudge not the more highly favored brother, nor speak re

proachfully of the sustaining power of that which he himself must acknowledge the most glorious and sublime of all hopes presented to the human mind.

In the preceding pages the term hope has been used in such close connection with Christian faith, that no separate definition of the latter is needed. Faith and hope in God's truth constitute the foundation of our happiness and peace in the present, and in anticipation of the future existence. Thus, 'faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.'

5

THAT the reader may have before him the testimony of facts illustrative of the sustaining influence of gospel faith and hope in the hour of death, a few incidents among the many which might be written, are here presented. Of their genuineness no doubt need be raised; as proof of the same is advanced, such as ought to remove the scruples of every reasonable querist. They are given to the world not as evidences of the truth of the great sentiment so frequently set forth in these pages; but as sure indications that the hope of immortal life for us and all mankind through the grace of God manifested in Christ Jesus, can disarm death of its terrors, and cause the soul as it breaks away from the earthly tenement, to rejoice in its departure with exceeding joy.'

From the multitude of cases before us, we have been somewhat at loss to know where to commence, or where to end the narration. But as prolixity may be feared where a collection of obituaries is announced, and as our limits are defined, we shall study brevity in connection with the reader's interest and instruction. It is proper to say, that for obvious reasons, names, places, and dates are given.

In the enumeration of these accounts we are inclined to adopt some arrangement; and shall notice, 1st, Instances where firmness and resignation are manifested. 2d, Instances where deep joy and exultation are witnessed. 3d, Instances where peculiar trials are encountered. 4th, Death of ministers.

1. Among the instances where Christian firmness and resignation are impressively visible, the following will claim our attention:

MRS. ABIGAIL STOCKING, of Springfield, Ms., died July 10, 1829, aged 25. We are informed of her that she had never been a noisy professor; but her conduct plainly evinced that she possessed not only a form of godliness, but its power also. She might with propriety have said to others, show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." During her last sickness, attempts were made to shake her faith; but it was founded on the Rock of Salvation, and continued firm. A few moments before her death, she called her family and friends around the bed, and cheerfully bade them farewell. She exhorted them not to weep for her; declaring her perfect willingness to trust herself in the hands of her God, fully believing in his infinite goodness. She expressed the utmost assurance of faith that her separation from her friends would be only for a short time, and that she should meet them again in immortal glory. Her physician then observed to her that in his opinion she could live only a few moments, she replied, "I rejoice, for I shall die happy.'

MR. DAVID PORTER, of Dixmont, Me., died July 29, 1829, aged 80. He had been an unwavering believer in the doctrine of universal grace for more than forty years; and his faith was a living one; it worked by love, and purified his heart. Even in the eyes of his scrutinizing religious opposers he was deemed a practical Christian. During the last four years of his life he was deprived of his sight; a misfortune which he bore with singular patience and resignation. 'It was not until his last illness, a consumption,' says a friend, 'that I became acquainted

1 Hartford, Ct., Religious Inquirer.

with him During this short period it was my happy lot to visit him several times. I ever found him anxious to converse on religious subjects. His trials and Christian experience were often spoken of with much feeling. In my last visit but a short time before his death, I inquired particularly of the state of his mind in view of the doctrine he had long believed and maintained; "I am ready and willing" says he "to go, when it shall please God to call me to himself. I have often been told that I could not die in this doctrine; but blessed be God, my confidence is increased in God the Savior of all men, the nearer I approach to him.” Thus the good old man died.' 1

He

JONATHAN LEWIS, Esq., of Lisle, N. Y., died July 1, 1830, aged 62. He was for many years an efficient member of the Baptist church. At length his faith was enlarged, and he became a believer in the infinite goodness of God, and his purpose and promise to save all men through Christ Jesus. joined the Universalist church and society in L., which connection he held for some years previous to his death. He was a humble, benevolent and active Christian. We are told that owing to the complicated nature of his disease, and numerous infirmities of body under which he labored, he was deprived of his reason for several weeks previous to his death. In the mean time a report went abroad that he had given up his faith. Viewing his situation as dangerous, and anticipating a deprivation of his reason, he was anxious to add his testimony to the cloud of witnesses which had gone before him, that the doctrine which he had believed and defended while living, would afford consolation in death as well as in life. Accordingly, some time previous to his decease, he called a young man to him, (a nephew who was with him during his sickness,) and reminded him that probably the time of his departure was at hand; and then pro

1 Christian Intelligencer, Gardiner, Me.