member gratefully how they have received, how they did reap of the fruit of his lips, and were allured to holiness by the sanctity of his life.

-

If amidst varied and burdensome duties, in part from the habits of his mind, and yet more from the pressure, - but too frequent, of bodily infirmity, there was sometimes less exactness or fulness in his instructions, than might have been sought, there was still that which is better than all method or the most exact philosophy, the true spirit of wisdom, the best results of learning, even of the wisdom that cometh from above, an unaffected piety and hearty charity, a pure and holy zeal. Such was the confidence he inspired in the integrity of his heart, in the sincerity of his friendship, and in the devotedness of his spirit, that, I believe, no student ever departed from his care, without a sentiment of veneration and even of filial love.

In truth, it was the peculiar felicity of our friend adequately to be appreciated only by those, whose vocation involves continual public efforts, that if, on any single or peculiar occasion, he might seem to fail, as others fail, of his accustomed excellence, or of the high standard, that alone could satisfy himself, he never failed of a respectful, I had almost said, a reverent attention, or, of what to his disinterested view was far more to be valued, an useful impression. Men waited for his words, and knowing the purity of the spirit that breathed them, they suffered no one of them to fall to the ground. The gift of his instructions might not at all times be alike costly, but it was offered from a holy altar; and "the altar sanctified the gift."

In intimate connexion with this, let me speak of the simplicity of his character, rejecting all artifice, impatient of the slightest affectation or pretence, combined with manners plain and unobtrusive; and by those who knew not the inward warmth of his affections, liable to be mistaken for coldness, or for inattention to the courtesies of polished life. He could not be regarded as eminently social. Though his affections were kind and he loved his friends, he could live and act alone. His chosen employments and satisfactions were in his study, or within his domestic circle. But in the singleness of his character and absolute truthfulness, that would never express more than was felt, was the essential element of his power.

In this, as in some other traits, we recognise a near resemblance between him and our other lamented brother, to whom Dr. Ware was allied in intimate friendship, and whom within so brief an interval he followed to the tomb. There was indeed some remarkable correspondence, not less in the trials of their lot, than in the graces of their character. Who, that knew him, could fail to recognise in the lamented Greenwood the same simplicity and godly sincerity; the same dislike even to hatred of all guile; the same integrity of heart and conduct; the same reverence of God and the great things of God's law; the same love of his calling, and quiet and efficient devotion to its duties? And who, too, that knew them both, could but lament, that spirits touched to such issues were lodged in such feeble frames? Brothers they were in faith and in one hope of their calling. Brothers, also, they were in the trial of infirmity. The strength of each it pleased God to weaken in his way. Each was called, even at a youthful age, but amidst threatening disease, to resign the charge of a cherished flock. Each was compelled to seek among strangers, whom they quickly changed to friends, and in distant climes, where God himself made for them an home, the strength that failed them in their native land. To each were months and even years of sickness appointed; and now at their meridian age, and within the interval of a few short weeks, do they both lie down together in the "caverned earth." "Lovely were they and pleasant in their lives and in death they were not divided."

If among the appointments of a perfect Providence there be any that in our imperfect vision we may call mysterious; for which even faith itself and an unshaken trust seek to be resolved, we surely must number those, by which the gifted and the good are taken away; holy purposes are broken off; and they, who could speak and live for God and their fellowmen, are silenced in death. But blessed be God, they do not die. The sickness that wastes the body quenches not the spiritual life. There is a beautiful compensation, too, in such appointments of God, worthy of our grateful contemplation. Through the sympathy that infirmity awakens ; through the peculiar virtues that sickness cherishes; through the added tenderness and spirituality it conveys to the inward spirit; through the touching tones it conveys to the voice, the gifted and submissive sufferer not seldom exerts a power

surpassing far his influence in health. "Are you aware," said one in speaking of the ravages of sickness in a friend whose lips were touched of heaven, "are you aware how consumption tunes the voice, and by its deeper and more touching tones makes it mighty to persuade ? "

And

It was beautiful to perceive, for it revealed to us the unchangeable power of goodness which not pain nor death can impair, - how the influence of our departed friend remained long after his active labors had ceased; how effectually he spoke from the chamber of sickness, or the domestic abode, in the silent influence of example, long after he had ceased from the pulpit of instruction and the house of prayer. And now, united with others that have gone before, is he before the throne of God, serving him in his temple. Now are they priests unto God and to Christ. though eye hath not seen, and heart cannot conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him; and though we would give indulgence to no delusive fancies in regard to the employments and felicity of the spiritual world, yet may we not believe, that for such, a blessed ministry is appointed, a ministry of celestial charity and love, as well as an unspeakable happiness prepared? If they delighted in doing good on earth, they shall not want the opportunity of doing good in heaven. For are they not, asks the Apostle, ministering spirits sent forth to minister," — who knows but in other worlds, "to them who shall be heirs of salvation?" And there being set free from all the infirmities of earth, while they behold God's face in glory, all their desires and all their pure ambition shall be forever satisfied.

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Amidst our deep regrets for the departure of these our cherished and honored friends, we should be faithless indeed to our best convictions and hopes, did we not remember, that it is well with them; that they have exchanged infirmity and pain, and a world out of which we must die, for a world in which there is no death and no change but from glory to glory. Let it please the God, who hath chastened us, to make this Our bereavement the ministry of instruction and peace to our souls. May it be richly blest, not only to them, who shared his domestic affections, and to whom he was inexpressibly dear; not only to the venerable parent, called in his declining years to mourn the loss of such a son, and who will not fail, amidst natural grief, gratefully to

remember the peculiar honor and happiness conferred upon his house, in ministries transferred even to the third generation, and in spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus; but may it be sanctified to the University, who cherished him in his youth as among her favorite sons, and honored him in his manhood as a faithful guide; to the school of the Prophets, which he instructed by his wisdom, and blest by the sanctity of his life; to the successive generations of the sons of the Prophets, who have gone forth from these hallowed scenes laden with the treasures of his experience, and the blessing of his intercession; to that church of Christ that was the peculiar object of his pastoral care, to which with holy hands he did dispense the bread of life; to all the churches of the Lord Jesus partaking of a common faith, who have heard the word from his lips, or were gladdened by his ministrations; to all of us, his friends and brethren, who rejoiced in his light, and shared his fraternal love. And while we cherish the same sustaining faith, which he uttered even with his dying lips, "that the church below is one with the church above," and that death itself cannot divide them; while we treasure up in our memories the sacred legacy he hath bequeathed us of his peace and love,* let us seek, each in our several vocations, to imitate his virtues. May we be quickened, by the monitions of successive bereavements, to "work the work of Him that sent us while it is day," that so we may be numbered with them over whom "the second death hath no power," with them who, having faithfully served their Master upon earth, shall shine as the stars forever and

ever.

F. P.

* To a clerical friend, who visited him at Framingham, a few days before his death, he expressed, though amidst extreme weakness, the sentiment quoted above, and as he bade him farewell, said, "Peace and love to the brethren."

NOTICES OF MR. WHEELER.

It is not the circle of the ministry alone which, during the past year, has sustained great and irreparable losses. Literature also has been called to mourn over the premature departure of several of her most promising sons. Cleveland, Wheeler, and Bartlett, kindred spirits in their devotion to learning, and exemplary in the virtues of the Christian life, the two last preparing themselves for the work of the ministry, have within a few months, by violent and sudden disease, been consigned to the grave. They have been taken away almost in their youth, before they had more than just entered upon the labors that would so certainly have distinguished them, but happily, not before they had given the most satisfying evidence, that religion had found a deep and sure place in their hearts, had wrought there its proper work, and prepared them in their principles, habits, and affections, for the higher life to which, we humbly trust, they have ascended.

Of Mr. Wheeler, we are happy to be able to present a biographical sketch by his instructor and friend, Professor Felton. We have been permitted to transfer it to our pages from the Boston Daily Advertiser, where it appeared immediately after the news was received of the decease of Mr. Wheeler. To this we also add an extract from 66 a Biographical Notice," by a classmate, which has been published in a separate pamphlet.

The death of Mr. Charles Stearns Wheeler is not only a great loss to his family and his personal friends, but to this community. His career, though short, was an unbroken progress in honorable pursuits and not undistinguished labors. His last illness overtook him in a foreign land, in the midst of various and active studies, and large and liberal preparations for a life of letters and professional duties.

Mr. Wheeler belonged to a family of independent New England farmers. The bracing toils and invigorating breezes of country life, in which his early youth was passed, had knit his frame with health and strength. When he entered college,