After he came to be in so low a state, that he ceased to have the least expectation of recovery, his mind was peculiarly carried forth with earnest concern for the prosperity of the church of God on earth: This seemed very manifestly to arise from a pure disinterested love to Christ, and a desire of his glory. The prosperity of Zion, was a theme on which he dwelt much, and of which he spake much; and more and more, the nearer death approached. He told me when near his end, that "he never, in all his life, had his mind so led forth in desires and earnest prayers for the flourishing of Christ's kingdom on the earth, as since he was brought so exceedingly low at Boston." He seemed much to wonder, that there appeared no more of a disposition in ministers and people, to pray for the flourishing of religion through the world. Particularly, he several times expressed his wonder that there appeared no more forwardness to comply with the proposal lately made from Scotland, for united extraordinary prayer among God's people, and for the coming of Christ's kingdom; and sent it as his dying advice to his own congregation, that they should practice agreeably to that proposal. But a little before his death, he said to me, as I came into the room, "My thoughts have been employed on the old dear theme, the prosperity of God's church on earth. As I waked out of sleep, I was led to cry for the pouring out of God's Spirit, and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, for which the dear Redeemer did and suffered so much. It is that, especially, which makes me long for it." But a few days before his death, he desired us to sing a psalm, which related to the prosperity of Zion; which he signified engaged his thoughts and desires above all things. At his desire we sung part of the 102d psalm. When we had done, though he was then so low that he could scarcely speak; he so exerted himself, that he made a prayer, very audibly, in which, beside praying for those present, and for his own congregation, he earnestly prayed for the reviving and flourishing of religion in the world. His own congregation especially, lay much on his heart. He often spoke of them; and commonly when he did so, it was with peculiar tenderness; so that his speech was interrupted and drowned with weeping. Thus I have endeavoured to represent something of the character and behaviour of that excellent servant of Christ, whose funeral is now to be attended.--Though I have done it very imper fectly; yet I have endeavoured to do it faithfully, and as in the presence and fear of God, without flattery; which surely is to be abhorred in ministers of the gospel, when speaking "as messen gers of the Lord of hosts." Such reason have we to be satisfied that the person, of whom I have been speaking,now he is "absent from the,body," is "present with the Lord;" not only so, but also, with him, now wears a crown of glory, of distinguished brightness. How much is there in the consideration of such an example, and so blessed an end, to excite us, who are yet alive, with the greatest diligence and earnestness, to improve the time of life, that we also may go to be with Christ, when we forsake the body? The time is coming, and will soon come, we know not how soon, when we must eternally take leave of all things here below, to enter on a fixed unalterable state in the eternal world. O, how well it is worth the while to labour and suffer, and deny ourselves, to lay up in store a good foundation of support and supply, against that time! How much is such a peace as we have heard of, worth at such a time? How dismal would it be, to be in suck circumstances, under the outward distresses of a consuming, dissolving frame, and looking death in the face from day to day, with hearts uncleansed, and sin unpardoned, under a dreadful load of guilt and divine wrath, having much sorrow and wrath in our sickness, and nothing to comfort and support our minds, nothing before us but a speedy appearance before the judgment-seat of an almighty, infinitely holy, and angry God, and an endless eternity in suffering his wrath without pity or mercy! The person of whom we have been speaking, had a great sense of this. He said, not long before his death, "It is sweet to me to think of eternity: The endlessness of it makes it sweet. But, Oh, what shall I say to the eternity of the wicked!-I cannot mention it, nor think of it!-The thought is too dreadful!" At another time, speaking of an heart devoted to God and his glory, he said, "O, of what importance is it, to have such a frame of mind, such an heart as this, when we come to die! It is this now that gives me peace.' 66 How much is there, in particular, in the things which have been observed of this eminent minister of Christ, to excite us, who are called to the same great work of the gospel-ministry, to earnest care and endeavours, that we may be in like manner faithful in our work; that we may be filled with the same spirit, animated with the same pure and fervent flame of love to God, and the same earnest concern to advance the kingdom and glory of our Lord and Master, and the prosperity of Zion? How lovely did these principles render him in his life; and how blessed in his end? The time will soon come, when we also, must leave our earthly tabernacles, and go to our Lord, who sent us to labour in his harvest, to render an account of ourselves to him. O how does it concern us so to run as not uncertainly; so to fight, not as those that beat the air? Should not what we have heard excite us to a careful dependence on God for his help and assistance in our great work, and to be much in seeking the influences of his Spirit, and success in our labours, by fasting and prayer; in which the person of whom I have been speaking abounded? This practice he earnestly recommended on his deathbed, from his own experience of its great benefits to some candidates for the ministry who stood by his bedside. He was often speaking of the great need which ministers have of much of the Spirit of Christ in their work, and how little good they are like to do without it; and how "when ministers were under the special influences of the Spirit of God, it assisted them to come at the consciences of meq, and, as he expressed it, to handle them with hands: whereas, without the Spirit of God, said he, whatever reason and oratory we employ, we do but make use of stumps, instead of hands." Oh that the things which were seen and heard in this extraordinary person; his holiness, heavenliness, labour and self-denial in life; his so remarkably devoting himself and his all, in heart and practice, to the glory of God; and the wonderful frame of mind manifested, in so stedfast a manner, under the expectation of death, and under the pains and agonies, which brought it on; may excite in us all, both ministers and people, a due sense of the greatness of the work which we have to do in the world, of the excellency and amiableness of thorough religion in experience and practice, of the blessedness of the end of those whose death finishes such a life, and of the infinite value of their eternal reward, when "absent from the body and present with the Lord;" and effectually stir us up to constant and effectual endeavours that, in the way of such an holy life, we may at last come to so blessed an end! Amen. CONTENTS. Advertisement by the Editor Pemberton's Sermon Preface CHAPTER I. From his birth to the time when he began to study for the min- CHAPTER II. From about the time when he began the study of Theology to his CHAPTER III, From his Licensure, till his examination and Commission as a Mis- CHAPTER IV. From the time of his examination and Commission as a Missiona- meek Page. 3 13 29 35 54 70 83 CHAPTER V. Page From the commencement of his labours at Kaunaumeek to his or- CHAPTER VI. From his Ordination to the commencement of his labours at Cross- CHAPTER VII. From the commencement of his residence at Crossweeksung, to 203 CHAPTER VIII. From the close of the first part of his "JOURNAL," Nov. 5, 1745, 254 CHAPTER IX. General Remarks on the preceding Narrative of a work of grace 321 |