the mind, it always finds its object readily; and without departing from its proper sphere, will always lead to the means of glorifying God. It extends to those who need advice or countenance, as well as to those who are destitute of food and raiment; to those who require the aid of superiour influence or superiour talents, as well as to those who are pressed down with sorrow; to the hidden retreats of ignorance and misery, as well as to the opportunities of known and publick utility. The usefulness of men who live under the influence of benevolent and generous affections, and who follow them steadily and earnestly through life, extends far beyond their natural or immediate sphere, by means of those whom they relieve or assist; and even beyond the limits of their own lives. every thing which depends on the breath of man has its destined period. The most useful life is spent, before we are aware of its progress; and all the kindness which animated its spirit perishes in the dust.

But

The selfish man dies, and we lament not; or we think of him with more compassion than regret, or we remember the artful guise which his selfishness could put on, and have

nothing better to remember; or we think of those who fill his place, and who cannot be less useful in the world than he has been.

But the righteous do not perish as the fool dieth: they leave an impressive and a permanent memorial. When such men depart, we feel as if a dark cloud had risen around us, and we fear as we enter into the cloud. We think with emotion of the short-lived labours of the most faithful men, and of the pressure of calamities on the world when they are gathered to the dust of their fathers; they who had so great a share in all that was worthy and respectable around them; they whose hand was found in every thing useful or pleasing to their fellow creatures. When the righteous is taken away, the living will lay it to heart. The report of his disease excites universal sympathy and regret. The poor whom his bounty relieved, as they pass the mansion where he once resided, will strike their pen. sive bosoms and say, "this was the abode of "him whose heart was ever anxious to devise " and whose hand was ever ready to execute "liberal things." The religious society of which he was so worthy a member will often turn with tears in their eyes to the place which

he once occupied in their assembly, but which is now left vacant. The orphan will pay many a grateful visit to his grave, and water with his tears the spot where the ashes of his father

repose.

II. As we cannot propose any thing but the most cursory view of the subject on which I have proposed to treat, I now hasten to inquire why we ought to cherish the remembrance of good men.

Can

1. And we ought to honour the memory of the just from respect to their worth. we refuse to esteem the tender husband, the affectionate parent, the generous master, the faithful friend, the good member of society, the friend of religion? Who so odd as not to revere the man who considers the case of the poor, and promotes and diffuses happiness around him? He who has eminently and perseveringly sustained these characters can not be forgotten by the wise and discerning.

It is our duty to venerate the image of God: we must therefore respect and honour those who are his workmanship, who are renewed after his likeness in righteousness and true holiness; who are his children, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. The charms

and attractions of the most perfect form what are they compared to the beauties of holiness? Where are proportion, grace, and dignity equal to their's, who are the children of the most high? The righteous resemble God; they strive to be perfect as he is perfect; to be holy as he is holy; and to have the same mind in them which was also in Christ. And can we think of the perfections of deity; can we contemplate the amiable and perfect character of the son of man without sentiments of veneration, honour, and love? And in regarding the righteous as imitators of God, as resembling our blessed Redeemer, shall we not be filled with pleasure and admiration? Shall we not be constrained and determined to prememory with honour?

serve their

2. We ought to remember the righteous with respect and honour out of gratitude for the advantages which we have received from them. When we shew kindness and confer favours we well know and naturally expect that they should make an impression on the minds of those who receive them. We feel their insensibility and ingratitude when no return is made. What we resent and condemn in others, shall we be capable of committing

towards our worthy benefactors? We must not forget what profit we have derived from them. We must affectionately remember what we owe to their cares, their counsels, their exertions, their assistance, their friendship and their example. By beholding their good works and worthy character, we have been imperceptibly and sweetly drawn to the approbation and imitation of real excellence. We are in the way of receiving much advantage also, after they are removed from us, by revolving the years that are past, by reviewing the worthy deeds and high attainments of the saints who have left us. Thus we learn what was avoided, what was resisted, and what was overcome: we learn how amiable, how comfortable, how respectable, is the life of the righteous. They shew us, and shall it be without effect, how to conduct ourselves with propriety, by what means to attain their distinction and enjoyments, how to secure the approbation of the wise and good, and especially of the Judge of all.

3. We ought to remember the righteous with honour, and, from a sense of justice, to vindicate their character and counteract the influence of misrepresentation and detraction.