ly rather have their passions awakened, than their conscience directed or their understanding enlarged.'

now.

As to the Pastoral character of Dr Porter, the cases, I believe, must have been rare exceptions, if he ever neglected the sick or the afflicted when his counsels or sympathies were desired. But he began his ministry at a time when familiar min. isterial visiting was not so customary or so much expected as Ministers then acted more upon the letter of the apostolic injunction, 'Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church.' He seemed to possess but little talent or disposition for free and familiar conversation on ordinary topics and with persons with whom he was not intimately acquainted. Accordingly he never acquired the general character of a frank, social and affable man. Among the great diversity of human gifts under the same spirit, and of which no man can exercise them all, his gifts were of a different class, and he exercised them wisely and well in different spheres. But though he was a man of few words, and of course felt that indiscriminate social intercourse was not his fittest element, yet few men ever spoke with more meaning or to so good purpose,

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of few men can we remember more words fitly spoken.' He did not dazzle, but he enlightened. And the weight of his character, and the remarkable purity and uprightness of his life, gave an interest and an influence to whatever he said, and impressed his sententious remarks deeply upon the mind.

In this age of dogmatism and division, it might be expected that I should speak of the speculative theology of the late Pastor of this church, of his connexion with the sects and the controversies of his time, and of the side he has taken. But I would not say anything that should identify him with any sect or party, for he was not the man of a sect. He had no sensitive dread of being classed with that portion of the Christian community, with which he generally agreed in opinion; and his professional associations were chiefly, as they must and should have been, with those with whom he found he had most sym

pathy. Yet he knew no party but that whose bounds include the whole church of Christ. He never lent a hand in the work of division. He never kindled the fires of ecclesiastical discord. He never bore or followed the banner of religious warfare. He never bandied the bad words of exclusion and uncharitableness. Wherever he appeared, there was a mild and firm champion of Christian toleration, union and love. Though he, and such as he, had not power to prevent the mischiefs of dissension that have prevailed, yet his benignity of manner, his collected temper, his acknowledged wisdom, and his unfailing exhibition of a Christian spirit, have had on many occasions, and on many points, a soothing, directing, and most salutary influence in the affairs of the church.

His speculative opinions on disputed subjects are known. They were never concealed by him, nor ostentatiously and dogmatically set forth. He never bound himself, nor would he have others bound, to any system more specific than the Gospel itself. He believed that Jesus was the Christ and a Savior—a teacher sent from God. He regarded his plainest instructions, his moral doctrines, as foremost and most important. 'Obedience to the faith,' was the point most prominent with him, most urged in his preaching, and eminently illustrated in his life. Fidelity to Christ, the keeping of his commandments, and the keeping of the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, seemed to him the true and infallible indications of a sound and saving faith.

In regard to the general intellectual attainments of Dr Porter, he did not take that course in his studies, which is usually essential to great distinction. He did not devote himself to any one subject or branch. Yet on all those subjects with which a man in his station might be supposed to be conversant, he had read and understood the standard authors. On all such subjects he formed opinions, and that, as we know he could not, not blindly or hastily, but such as he saw and could give a rea

son for. On such subjects he was ready and he was instructive. And a rich source of intellectual light was closed when his spirit ceased to be of the earth.

In those stations of trust to which the wise and good are called, few men in the community have taken a more active part, or been more efficient and useful than Dr Porter. In large institutions for objects of charity, and for the promotion of education and religion, his counsels and services have been much in request for arduous and responsible offices. These, there are many to bear him witness, he has faithfully and honorably discharged. They are services which the public can hardly appreciate, but he was eminently fitted for them, and he was willing thus to labor, quietly and unambitiously, to be useful in his generation. As a Fellow of the Corporation of Harvard University, to which Board he was elected in 1818, he is understood to have occupied his responsible post with great fidelity and wisdom, and with respect and influence among his distinguished colleagues.

Among his brethren in the ministry, with whom your late Pastor was associated, I may say it in their presence, he has been the Patriarch and the Sage. He has been regarded with profound respect and veneration. His counsels have been listened to with unwonted confidence. His memory will be long cherished with sentiments of reverence and affection.

In the latter part of his life, Dr Porter was called, in the Providence of God, to be more concerned in secular affairs and dealings than suited either his habits or his tastes. These affairs were a trial and a trouble to him. But they involved a duty, and he was faithful to that duty. In these things he has ever shown himself the man of firm and unsuspected integrity. He displayed in them the same cautiousness and sagacity, which he displayed in everything else, and which were prominent traits of his character. He was watchful of his rights, and firmly maintained them when he thought them in jeopardy. Yet he was truly and thoroughly a liberal minded man. Some

generous benefactions bear witness to this remark, and other larger ones were in contemplation, whose accomplishment death has prevented. Hospitality reigned in his house. He was frugal without parsimony and generous without profusion.' He was truly liberal to the poor. Many such leaned upon him for succor. He waited but to know that his alms were deserved and would do good, and they were bestowed as freely as upon his own wants. I know not the living man, of whom I have so good means of knowing, and of whom I feel a more assured confidence that avarice is a passion that did not have possession of his bosom, that did not narrow his soul a hair's breadth or chill a drop of his heart's blood.

Indeed, his was a mind that seemed never to have been swayed or misled by any passion. Never was man farther from being the creature of passion; and this great circumstance, in connexion with his clear and farsighted understanding, is that which, while it precluded all brilliancy of mind, stamped him for a man of uncommon prudence and wisdom, and unexceptionable purity and probity of character, and made his life a most uniform and tranquil one. He moved among his people an exemplar of correct deportment and of Christian virtue. Had he a single enemy in the world, that enemy might almost be challenged to adduce one instance of moral or social wrong, or even of imprudence or folly. Never had enemy less power to do harm to a character. He was a friend to the whole family of man, and no degree of sin or folly could place a fellowcreature beyond the bounds of his charity and benevolent regards. He was a willing and faithful counsellor to all who sought his counsel, and to all with whom he felt sufficiently intimate to authorize his offering it. And his was advice which it seemed always safe to follow, and which it was seldom well to disregard. Even men near him in age were fain to receive it and be guided by it. If he stood not high among the praised, he was certainly preeminent among the trusted. He was not of a temperament to conciliate an ardent and general attach

ment, but those who enjoyed a near intimacy with him could not but feel their respect for his worth and goodness heighten into affection. At the same time, his unvaried urbanity, and tender and careful regard to the feelings of all with whom he had to do, secured the favorable opinion of all.

I have already glanced at the characteristics of the Christian faith of our departed friend. Those who are so blind to the original diversities of human nature, as to recognise a Christian spirit only in the vivid emotions of an ardent soul and the corruscations of a fervent imagination, would probably think lightly of his piety. But he was in truth and soberness a sincerely devout man, one who feared God, and loved his moral image manifested in the Saviour, and kept his commandments sacredly as the apple of his eye.

Of his private and domestic character, I could speak that which I do know and testify that which I have seen;' and I should rejoice to set it before his people as a model of an equable temper and of unfailing and affectionate kindness, securing a beautiful domestic harmony and happiness. But I will leave this among the unspoken remembrances of his home; and its only tribute shall be the tears and communings of bereaved affection, and the fond regrets of those who enjoyed there the blessings and endearments even as of a father's love.

There is yet one more point to which I must be indulged in adverting. When the infirmities of age and disease seemed to render the full labors of his office too burdensome, he received and cordially welcomed, in July 1830, a fellow laborer in his work, a colleague in the ministry. It is usually a great trial to a minister when he finds in advancing life, that his accustomed duties and means of usefulness must be in a measure suspended, and his familiar and beloved work pass into other hands before his eyes. It is a trial that makes the relation of colleagues one of considerable delicacy. If it was ever a trial to him, he bore it so that none saw it, and none suffered from it. I must do justice to my own feelings, and bear him witness