93 A SERMON PREACHED AT THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE STREET, BOSTON, DECEMBER 18th. 1808. THE LORD'S DAY AFTER THE PUBLICK FUNERAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES SULLIVAN, GOVERNOUR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. BY JOSEPH S. BUCKMINSTER, MINISTER OF THE SOCIETY IN BRATTLE STREET. BOSTON, J. BELCHER, PRINTER, STATE STREET. 1809. Sullivan, James, 1744-1855 TO THE WIDOW AND CHILDREN OF THE LATE Governour Sullivan, THE FOLLOWING DISCOURSE, PRINTED AT THEIR REQUEST, IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR HUMBLE SERVANT, J. S. BUCKMINSTER. A SERMON, &c. ROM. xiv. 7. EOR NONE OF US LIVETH TO HIMSELF, AND NO MAN DIETH TO HIMSELF. WHENEVER the providence of God, in what is called the course of nature, removes from the society of mortals one, whom we have long known, the chasm, which is thus left in the compass of our accustomed business, pleasures, or acquaintance, suggests to every mind, near enough to observe it, some of its most serious contemplations. We know, that no creature, from the seraph, that stands forever in the light of God's countenance, down to the insect, that glitters only for an hour, was made without purpose, or has lived without effect. We know, that, throughout creation, there is always some end, beyond the mere enjoyment of animal life, which |