"within you every principle of virtuous exertion, and to inspire "you with strength to overcome. 66 "Our hearts, christians, have been deeply pierced with the "loss of a most valuable connection, of a venerable pastor, who "watched long for our souls, and, with the most unwearied fi"delity, pointed out to us the path of happiness. To you, and "to the general interests of pure religion, he was attached by many powerful obligations. A native of this city, and des"cended from a family, which, in former times, had given seve"ral bright ornaments to the Church of Scotland, he felt the "warmest tendencies of nature co-operating with the principles "of duty, to call forth all his powers in the sacred service to "which he was devoted. And by the blessing of God on his "industry, he rose to an eminence in professional merit, which "has reflected distinguished honour on the city, on the church, "and on the country which produced him. "It was the fortune of Dr. Blair to appear at a period when "the literature of his country was just beginning to receive polish and an useful direction; and when it was emulously "cultivated by a bright constellation of young men who are "destined to carry it to high perfection. In concert with them "he applied himself with diligence and assiduity to all those "branches of study which could contribute to form him for the "eloquence of the pulpit. This was the department in which "he chose to excel; to which all the force of his genius was di"rected; and in which he soon felt that his efforts were to be "successful. For from the very commencement of his theolo"gical studies, he gave presages of his future attainments; "and, in the societies of his youthful companions, laid the "foundations of that splendid reputation, which, through a long "life of meritorious service continued to increase; and which "has procured for him as a religious instructor, access to the "understandings and the hearts of all the most cultivated inha"bitants of the Christian world. 66 "To you, my brethern, who have long enjoyed the inestima"ble blessing of his immediate instruction, it will not be necessary to describe the qualities of that luminous, fascinating "eloquence, with which he was accustomed to warm, and ray"ish, and amend your hearts. You may have heard others "who equalled, or even excelled him in some of the requisites "of pulpit oratory, in occasional profoundness of thought, in "vivid flashes of imagination, or in pathetic addresses to the "heart. But there never was a public teacher in whom all "these requisites were combined in juster proportions, placed "under the direction of a more exquisite sense of propriety, "and employed with more uniform success to convey useful "and practical instruction. Standing on the foundation of the "Apostles and Prophets, he exhibited the doctrines of Christ "in their genuine purity, separated from the dross of supersti"tion, and traced with inimitable elegance, through all their "beneficial influence on the consolation, on the order, and on "the virtue of both public and private life. Hence, his discourses, uniting in the most perfect form the attractions of "utility and beauty, gave a new and better tone to the style of "instruction from the pulpit; and contributed in a remarkable "degree to correct and refine the religious, the moral, and the 66 literary taste of the times in which he lived. 66 66 "The universal admiration which attended his ministerial labours, was some recompense to him for the exertions they had "cost. But his chief recompense arose from the consciousness "of having contributed so eminently to edify the Church of "of Christ, and from the improving influence which his labours "had shed on his own heart. For he was, at home and in him"self, the perfect image of that meekness, simplicity, gentleness, and contentment, which his writings recommend. He "was long happy in his domestic relations; and though doom"ed at last to feel, through their loss in succession, the heavi"est strokes of affliction; yet his mind, fortified by religious habits, and buoyed up by his native tendency to contentment, "sustained itself on God, and enabled him to persevere to the "end in the active and cheerful discharge of the duties of his "station; preparing for the world the blessings of elegant in"struction; tendering to the mourner the lessons of divine con"solation; guiding the young by his counsels; aiding the meri"torious with his influence, and supporting by his voice and by "his conduct, the civil and ecclesiastical institutions of his "Country. "With such dispositions and habits it was natural that he "should enjoy a distinguished portion of felicity. And perhaps "there never was a man who experienced more completely that "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and that all her "paths are peace. His Country was proud of his merits, and "at different times conferred on him, through the hands of the "Sovereign, the most honourable and substantial proofs of her "approbation: foreign lands learned from him the way of sal"vation: he saw marks of deference and respect wherever he "appeared: and he felt within himself the gratulations of a "good conscience, and the hope of immortality. It was pecu"liarly delightful to see him in the latest period of his life, at "the venerable age of eighty-two, looking back on almost three "score years spent in the public service of his God, pleased with the recollections which it gave, possessing a mind still "vigorous and clear, the delight of his friends, sensible to the "attentions which they paid to him, burning with zeal for the "good of the Church, and with all the ardour of youthful am"bition, preparing the materials of a new claim to the grati"tude and admiration of posterity. In this active state of pre"paration, with the lamp of life still clear and bright, he was "found by the great Lord of all when he came to say, 'It is "enough; and, after a single night of pain, to call him gently to "his rest. "He has gone to give an account of his stewardship.-The "Church mourns in him the loss of her brightest ornament. Let "us submit to the stroke with resignation and reverence; and as "the most acceptable proof of respect to his memory, let us learn to practise the lessons which he taught." EDINBURGH, J. FINLAYSON. SERMON I. ON THE UNION OF PIETY AND MORALITY. Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.-ACTS, x. 4. THE High and Lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, dwelleth also with him that is of humble and contrite heart. In the midst of his glory, the Almighty is not inattentive to the meanest of his subjects. Neither obscurity of station, nor imperfection of knowledge, sinks those below his regard who worship and obey him. Every prayer which they send up from their secret retirements is listened to by him; and every work of charity which they perform, how unknown soever to the world, attracts his notice. The text presents a signal instance of this comfortable truth. In the city of Cæsarea, there dwelt a Roman centurion, a military officer of inferior rank, a Gentile, neither by birth nor religion entitled to the privileges of the Jewish nation. But he was a devout and benevolent man; who, according to his measure of religious knowledge, studied to perform his duty, prayed to God always, and gave much alms to the people. Such a character passed not unobserved by God. So highly was it honoured, that to this good centurion an Angel was sent from heaven, in order to direct him to the means of full instruction in the truth. The Angel accosts him with this salutation, Cornelius, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. It is to the conjunction of prayers and alms that I purpose now to direct your thoughts, as describing the respectable and amiable character of a man, as forming the honour and the blessedness of a true Christian; piety, joined with charity, faith with good works, devotion with morality. These are things which God hath connected, and which it is impious in man to separate. It is only when they remain united, that they can come up as a grateful memorial before God. I shall first endeavour to show you, That alms, without prayers, or prayers without alms, morality without devotion, or devotion without morality, are extremely defective; and then shall point out the happy effects of their mutual union, |