the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate." Ps. xxxiv. 19, 20, 22.

We now proceed to offer a few observations on the second part of our subject, which states that the removal of the prospects of human life, spreads a dark and insupportable shade over all surrounding objects.

There is no person who is destitute of experience in these things. All have had a greater or less share of disappointments, and have known the bitterness which they have experienced in consequence of them. We may, then, rejoice in the mild and conciliating influence of the merciful Savior. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

In relation to disappointments in the things of this world, and reverses of fortune, it may be proper at this time, to notice a few things. When we find some of our future prospects cut off, our loss affects us in a greater or less degree, according as our minds become fixed in their previous habits, calculations, or attachments. To form erroneous views of the world, is a common failing of human nature. It is a weakness of the human heart, to be deceived with many of its flattering objects. We are creatures of this world, and it is of the things of this world that forms the common and numerous concerns of human life. In the religion of our Lord and Savior, we find an antidote against these numerous and multiplying evils. It teaches us how to use the things of this world as not abusing them, nor ourselves with them. It enables us to interpret our

misfortunes in a way that is calculated for improvement, and draws from the very ills of human life, what is made subservient to benevolent purposes. But it would be looking for great things to expect that a sense of the divine presence would pervade the minds even of the pious and devout, at all times; how much less those who more seldom seek its aid? It is not, therefore, the misfortune of a few, to have an improper attachment to earthly objects, but falls to the lot of many, who, sooner or later, are made to partake of the bitter consequences. Tho in the course of one's life, his prospects of good be few, yet if those few appear to centre in one, and that one embraced with a great degree of certainty, its loss may strike the mind like removing all the blessings of the world. The mind thus disappointed, is not easily prepared to seek a substitute. If in such a situation, some interposition of divine providence does not intervene, it, unaccustomed to trials of such weight, must wander in the darkening and gloomy shade that approaches the borders of despair.

The

Among all the disappointments in future prospects, there is none more afflictive than the treachery of a false and pretended friend, who has been long trusted and esteemed, as ever true, sincere and faithful. enjoyment of life is society; and what is society, when our friends prove treacherous, betray our strongest confidence, and divide the purest attachments and friendship? If our friends deceive us, who will restore to us our lost comforts ? It was sorrow like this that drew from the afflicted king of Israel, the language of the following lamentation: "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: but it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and

walked unto the house of God in company." Ps. lv. 12, 13, 14. In an enumeration of the perils of an ancient apostle, we find that of false brethren; yea, we find them ranked in the black list, where the odious name of robbers have a place. To be fortified against every evil, is indeed a high attatminent, and commendable virtue; but that some should fall beneath the pressure of such treachery, is no more a matter of wonder than many other occurrences which take place in the world. When a poisonous effluvium infects the air, we anticipate, tho with troubled hearts, that some will fall victims to the dire disease.

In enduring the evils of life, there is a perceivable difference in the feeling of sensibility that different persons possess. That keenness of feeling which some are led to exercise, renders them susceptible of abundant sorrow, when those feelings are wounded by the reproaches of an enemy; and still more so, when made to endure the treachery of a pretended friend.

Toward an enemy, we are sensible we must look with a watchful eye. We are ever aware that it is dangerous to fall defenceless into his hands. But the refined feelings of mutual friendship are always calculated to remove every thing of a cautious and scrupulous nature. "Charity thinketh no evil; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." But when the supposed friend throws off his mask of friendship, and charity can no longer hide or excuse, and he is at once and unexpectedly found to be a treacherous enemy, every sensible feeling, so long accustomed to repose in friendship, is suddenly awaked to the keenness of sorrow, and every avenue of sensibility unites to bleed and pour forth at every wound.

Something like this we may well imagine to have been the condition of the young unfortunate man whose remains are now before us. He doubtless felt that his

grief was more than the weakness of his infirmities was able to sustain. The loss of one friend left to him all others veiled in a cloud of thick darkness. Not a soul was left behind, to whom he would unbosom his grief; not a hopeful thought cast abroad, that a commiserating feeling for him would be realized by any individual that breathes. But hopeless, he sank to the valley of the shadow of death; and invited the messenger, called the king of terrors, to relieve him from the burdens of the world, and all that charms the eyes, ears and taste of mortals; that it might land him where the treachery of false society cannot intrude, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest.” But we must pass from these painful reflections. Too long protracted, they will be tedious to our mourning friends, and leave too strong impressions of grief, where the soothing consolations of the divine spirit are specially needed.

In relation to the subject of suicide, it may be expected that I should offer a few words;-a subject which your servant feels much delicacy in approaching, at a time when it must so deeply affect the feelings of afflicted parents and their surviving children. We cannot but confess that we behold in it something revolting from that patience and fortitude which becomes. the humble recipients of our Maker's bounties. It is, undoubtedly, the effect of weakness, disease, or crime. These are circumstances that are calculated to aggravate the feelings of our friends, in addition to the loss of a beloved son, brother, and nephew. But shall we suppose a person's case hopeless, because suicide is the last act of his life? The doctrine of no alteration after death, has fixed the subjects of suicide among those who must certainly endure an endless duration of suffering. But this doctrine we think is inconsistent with the views of its own abettors. It presupposes that the im

perfections every saint possesses at the time of death, would be extended to and during eternity, as well as every evil propensity and disposition of the wicked.

On the subject of suicide, the scriptures give us no direct information. We have some few examples of them, but no moral reflections are given on the subject. That suicide is then an unpardonable crime, is not a doctrine of divine inspiration, and we have reason to believe, is not supported by it. I hope my hearers will not misinterpret my language. I do not say it is approvable, nor do I deny that, in some instances, it may be a crime, or the effect of crime. But what ground have we to suppose that a person who dies in such a situation is beyond the reach of God's mercy? Do we always discern the visible tokens of a reprobate in the lives of such unfortunate persons? Call up, for instance, the sad case that is now before us. Was this brother of human nature a liar, a profane swearer, a drunkard, a thief, or a robber? We owe this testimony to his name, to his friends, and indeed to this numerous auditory, that it has not reached our ears that he was guilty of any of these things. Was he disobedient, or undutiful to his parents? Every countenance bespeaks silence; he has not left a single accuser. He was honest, he was unassuming, he was industrious. has fallen! His sun has set in a cloud. him no further. Within the dark veil we cannot look; yet a few moments, and eternity awaits us, when time, in his flight, shall have thrown us from his wings.

But alas! he We can pursue

Having offered the preceding remarks on the subject of our text, I now proceed to a few addresses.

A few words, I would first attempt to the parents of the deceased. We believe there is seldom an affliction, however severe, in which no gleam of mercy is to be seen, to uphold the mind from despair. Many painful