Mutability of all earthly things.

could not but remember the dead! When I sat down, and thought that the beloved pastor, from whose lips I had received heavenly instruction, and from whose conversation I had derived the highest pleasure and improvement, was no longer the occupant of this dwelling, but was now numbered with the dead, I felt indeed,

""Tis sad to see the wonted seat of friend
Removed by death and sad to visit scenes
When old, where in the smiling morn of life
Lived many who both knew and loved us much,
And they all gone-dead, or dispersed abroad:
And stranger faces seen among their hills."

And now as I gazed around on the altered aspect of things, all the scenes that I had passed with Mr. H— in the room where I sat rose fresh before me, and in spite of all my efforts to prevent it, the tear started from my eye, and I could not but say almost aloud—Thus do we all fade as a leaf, and the place that now knows us, will soon know us no more for ever.

Some of the conversations that I listened to in that room

I will try to repeat to you, though I am sure they will fail to impart the impression that they made on the occasion which called them forth. You know that the moon conveys to us reflected light. How pale and sickly a hue does its beams cast over the scenes of earth compared with the brilliancy of the sun. Still the moon conveys to us some idea of the appearance of light as it emanates from the resplendent orb of day. So my rehearsal of these conversations, though it will reveal merely a glimpse of the glowing thoughts that were then expressed with such clearness and vigour, will nevertheless give you some faint conception of the mind, and character, and piety of ONE

WHOSE RECORD IS ON HIGH.

Previous, however, to making an attempt to rehearse any one of those animated conversations, I will try to give you a cursory view of the history of Mr. H—————. The

Early years of Rev. Mr. H.

most interesting points in his religious experience and ministerial life will be brought to view in those conversations to which I have just referred.

The Rev. Mr. H― was born of pious parents; though their views of divine truth were comparatively dark and obscure, from the influence of the same causes which threw a dense penumbra over his path during the early years of his ministerial labours. They were however sober and exemplary persons, and sought to bring the mind of their child under good and holy influences. Mr. H— was quite a youth when he decided to devote himself to the work of the sacred ministry. He assumed the obligations, and entered upon the duties of that holy office with but little experience, and less knowledge of his own heart. Still he gave such evidence of large literary attainments, and well-disciplined intellect, that his friends were very sanguine in the expectation, that he would one day reach a high point of eminence in the church. But Christ, who seeth not as man seeth, would have said to him at this time, as he did to the young man in the gospel-one thing thou lackest. And with the vast and fearful responsibilities he had assumed, what was lacking was a defect of a most prodigious character. What that defect was will by and by appear.

When I first became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. H-, he had passed the meridian of life, but still possessed all his mental energies, and intellectual powers in full and undecayed vigor. In the pulpit Mr. H― was eloquent and impressive, and had, to an uncommon extent, the power not only of holding his audiences in delighted admiration, but of piercing their hearts with the truth, and leaving impressions deep and durable upon the conscience. It was not a gaudy decoration thrown around his discourses upon which he relied for success, but the clear and pungent exhibition of solid, substantial gospel truth. He believed that alone was the weapon which God would arm with

High ministerial character.

power, and make mighty for the pulling down of the strong holds of sin and Satan.

In the private circle, his manners, alike removed from levity and austerity, partook of the suavity of the gentleman, and of the bland and winning kindliness of the Christian. Gravity and cheerfulness appeared to be sweetly and happily blended in his character. He was never mo

rose, never frivolous—he was always serious, and always pleasant.

Few men possessed a happier address, or were more highly gifted in conversational powers. He had the rare faculty of investing every subject of which he spoke with a charm. Though he possessed a highly cultivated taste that could relish, and a vivid imagination that loved to be regaled, amid the beauties of nature and of art-though he possessed no inconsiderable stock of general information, and his views upon almost every subject that came in his way had been expanded and enlarged by reading and reflection-yet it was instantly observable to all who approached him, that the subject that most interested him was Christ and him crucified. No one could meet and be with him an hour, without seeing that that which was uppermost in his mind-which took the deepest hold of his regard--of which he never lost sight, and to which he made every thing else subordinate, was the glory of God-personal holiness-and the salvation of dying sinners.

You will not be surprised after this statement, to learn that Mr. H. was eminently successful in winning souls to Christ. He was indeed greatly blessed in his untiring labours, and made the honoured instrument of “turning many to righteousness."

At the time I was looking forward to the sacred ministry, and felt desirous to avail myself of all the helps that came in my way to fit me for the proper discharge of the high and holy duties of that responsible office, Mr. H————— was my constant counsellor and adviser. Never did I deem my time better employed, than when in the society of this de

Interruption.

voted servant of God. For very frequently when I was present, and I presume for my improvement, Mr. Hwould give such a turn to the conversation, as would involve the discussion of topics connected with the duties and responsibilities appertaining to the sacred office. The conversations which I shall attempt to rehearse to you related principally to those subjects.

It was on one of those delightful occasions, that the question was incidentally asked, What kind of preaching will be most successful in saving souls?

The glow and animation which at that moment spread an almost unearthly radiance over the manly features of my honoured and now sainted friend, I can never forget. I have not the least expectation of conveying to you scarcely an idea of the fervour of feeling, or of the thrilling eloquence of manner with which the conversation was conducted on the part of Mr. H—; but the thoughts which were then expressed will not pass from my mind, while memory holds her seat in the soul.

While my travelling companion was thus preparing the way for me to listen to what had so much delighted him, we rather unexpectedly came up to a turnpike gate, where we were detained some little time, which to me appeared very long, as I feared that that state of feeling to which he had been rousing himself would pass away, before our conversation could be again renewed. But in this I was mistaken; for no sooner had the gate tender received the toll, and the horse by a free use of the whip been put in lively motion, than my friend, looking up to the clear blue sky, commenced his remarks with the poetic numbers, which stand at the head of the next chapter.

See where he walks on yonder mount, that lifts
Its summit high, on the right hand of bliss,
Sublime in glory, talking with his peers
Of the incarnate Saviour's love.

......See how

His face with heavenly ardour glows, and how
His hand, enraptured, strikes the golden lyre!"

POLLOK.

WE cannot but believe that those who while on earth most delighted to talk of the wonders of redeeming love, and of the preciousness of Christ, will lift up their voices the loudest among the heavenly host, in sounding forth the praises of the Lamb, through whose blood they were redeemed unto God. And standing among that glorious happy throng, on the eternal mount,

"where the river pure,

Flows warbling down before the throne of God;

And, shading on each side, the tree of life

Spreads its unfading bows ;"—

I often figure to myself this man of God, and behold him there clad in vestments of light, drinking in new draughts of holy love, and harping with his golden harp new harmonies, to the eternal praise of the blessed Saviour, who loved him and gave himself for him.

There was a small company of friends present on the occasion to which I referred just before our interruption. Several of these were persons who perhaps needed special instruction in relation to the way of salvation through