weep if there were no more worlds to be enjoyed.

Not merely, however, of imaginary good, is man destitute: oft times he is destitute of real good. Thus we find some of our race robbed by disease of their strength; others by misfortune of their property; not a few left literally orphans, without father and without mother. The varieties of human want are numerous indeed; almost as numerous as the varieties of human character. Who is there that does not seek after some good? Who does not hope for better days, or for higher enjoyments?

Some feel more deeply than others that they are "fatherless." To them the heavens are covered with sackcloth; the verdure of the earth scorched, so as to look sickly and disgusting; the scenes of life tasteless and loathsome. The most insensible feel a want of something amidst temporal blessings.

How many are there who meet with nothing but temporal sufferings! In the midst of health they are brought low; in the midst of affluence they are made to eat the bread of indigence; in the midst of tempo

ral happiness, they suddenly drink the cup of affliction to its dregs. Both young and old are called to meet these reverses of providence. They both, under the government of God, become in a temporal sense "father"less."

Especially is this the case with children deprived of one or both of their parents. Though they may not be conscious of their loss, and therefore not feel it, yet they are not the less destitute. Their situation is peculiarly distressing to every humane mind. To be removed from a father's house, for a short season, is painful to the child. His imagination is continually dwelling on the charms of the paternal abode, and on the delights of paternal smiles.

Never shall I forget the emotions which filled this bosom, when I first left the fireside where, day by day, the salutations of a father and mother greeted mine ears; and became a sojourner in this place, where my lot now is cast. Never shall I forget the pangs which this bosom felt, when I found myself" fatherless." With the prophet of Israel, I exclaimed, "My father, my father! "the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen

"thereof." My counsellor, my friend, my guardian, was no more! I felt "fatherless."

Forgive the introduction of my own feelings to your notice. The tribute of respect which they thus pay to departed worth, is feeble, but abundantly merited"! I add no

more.

If under circumstances of comparative comfort to be literally fatherless, be thus

m 2 Kings ii. 12.

n The author hopes that he will be forgiven for introducing the following sketch of his father's character as a man, and as a minister of the gospel, extracted from the funeral sermon preached on the occasion of his death, by his colleague and successor, the late Rev. John H. Meier.

"The reverend Dr. Romeyn possessed a mind strong and energetic, and more than ordinarily comprehensive, capable of viewing things in their natures, their connexions, their dependencies, and ends. His apprehension was quick, his understanding clear and informed. His judgment was sound and mature, and his memory remarkably retentive. In the application of these powers of mind he was chiefly bent upon his professional studies. In these he most delighted,

and laboured most of all to'excel. He was versed in the circles of general science, well read in history, and had made no mean attainments in the philosophy of the human mind.

"In the discharge of his ministerial functions, he proved himself an able minister of the New Testament, a watchman that needed not to be ashamed. As he had loved the doctrines of grace, and had experienced their power and influence on his own heart, so also he insisted upon them in his public ministrations. His theme uniformly was Christ and him crucified. His manner was bold, intrepid, and daring.

painful, how much more so where these cir

cumstances are wanting! father of epic poetry sung,

Well has the

The day, that to the shades the father sends,
Robs the sad orphan of his father's friends;
He, wretched outcast of mankind! appears
For ever sad, for ever bath'd in tears!
Amongst the happy, unregarded, he
Hangs on the robe, or trembles at the knee,
While those his father's former bounty fed,
Nor reach the goblet, nor divide the bread;
The kindest, but his present wants allay,

To leave him wretched the succeeding day.

In the execution of his duties he was neither daunted nor moved. He was the Boanerges of the day. When he reproved, the sinner trembled. When he pronounced Ebal's curses against the wicked, it was like the thunders of Sinai. He, however, was not incapable of the pathetic. He could, at times, move the heart and melt the audience into tears. His discourses were solid and interesting, oft-times enlivened by historical anecdotes. In the introduction of these he was peculiarly happy. He always entered deep into his subject. His delivery was animated and unaffected, without ostentation, and becoming his subject. He aimed at nothing but what was perfectly natural.

"In his intercourse with the world he supported a becoming dignity. Independence of sentiment marked his path through its busy rounds. He knew not how to dissemble. He was polite to all, familiar with few. This rendered the circle of his intimates contracted, and the number of his confidential friends small. In his conversation he was interesting, always instructing. His family in him have lost an affectionate relative, a watchful guardian, and a great example; the church a pillar, and society an ornament."

Frugal compassion! Heedless, they who boast
Both parents still, nor feel what he has lost,

Shall cry, "Begone! thy father feasts not here :"
The wretch obeys, retiring with a tear",

Few characters are more wretched than orphans, particularly they who are deprived of father and mother. The tender accents of parental affection never greet their ears, nor can they cherish the satisfaction which arises from the contemplation of home. They are cast upon the charity of the world, and find their home in a stranger's house! Let us now proceed,

II. To unfold the divine benignity which is exercised towards the fatherless; “in God they find mercy." mercy." This This mercy is twofold, suited to the two classes of those persons who are designated by the term fatherless.

1. In God they who are spiritually destitute, find mercy.

Of this blessed truth, intimation was given in the first promise. Our parents having become "fatherless," were informed, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head'. Afterwards, the father of

n Homer's Iliad, by Pope, book xxii. 628-642.

o Gen. iii. 15.