overthrow of the established faith. We would not here revive the scenes of that long and painful controversy between truth and error. It is sufficient to say, that Mr. Stearns was ever active, in cheering the desponding flock, and in sustaining its injured pastor, from the time that, untried and unimpeached, he was ejected from his pulpit, to make way for another denomination, till both pastor and people were sheltered in a new and commodious temple of their own.

The language which he uniformly used to the brethren of the church and to which they also magnanimously responded was this: "There must be no compromise with error. Under existing circumstances, ask no favors, and, if honor and piety will allow, receive none. Let nothing be done, to reproach the honor of Christ; there must be no tricking, no doubledealing; nothing that is crooked; nothing that looks suspicious. Avoid even the appearance of evil. Take joyfully the spoiling of your goods. Better suffer wrong than do wrong. If money is taken from you, unjustly, to support .... preaching, you suffer, but are not responsible At all events, do nothing to injure your Christian character and growth in grace; that character must not be sullied!"

In the winter of 1833, Mr. Stearns was called to part with his eldest sister, by death. She was the companion of his infancy, the first play-mate of his childhood;-the object of warm and pure and uninterrupted love. She was married to a gentleman who is a merchant in the place, and had become the mother of a beautiful child.

She was always of a delicate constitution, but from this time, she languished, and in a few months went down to an early but not untimely grave.

Mr. Stearns was now preaching, for a few weeks, in the town of When he hears of her increased illness, he

writes:

"A-, it seems, continues to decline. Poor girl, she has been spared so much longer than we feared, that I had began to indulge fond hopes that her disease, though very obstinate, might yet be subdued. It is painful, indeed, to think of parting with her, and sad to think of a breach in our family circle. But, it seems, that God has begun to remove us, and it will not be long before we are all on the other side of the valley of death. Let us not fail to bow in calm submission, and pray that he will lift upon us the light of his countenance, and lift the light of his countenance upon her, and give her bright views of that world where our sainted friends, I trust, are waiting to receive her, and where, I hope, we shall be joined with her in the enjoyment of God. Give my love to her, and tell her not to forget that God is a father,Christ is a brother,—the Holy Ghost is a comforter,—and heaven the home of the believer."

A few days after the above he writes:

"DEAR BROTHer,

"BEDFORD, Jan. 14, 1833.

"I have just returned from a visit to our dear, sick sister. About noon she had an ill turn and was supposed to be dying. She, however, soon revived a little, and is still living and has her reason perfectly. I think, I never saw one in her situation, more calm and tranquil and peaceful. I went to her bedside and asked, if she felt more comfortable; she said, 'No.' Are you peaceful within?' 'Yes.' 'Can you say, I know in whom I have trusted?' 'Yes' 'Do

:

you feel willing to leave your friends in God's care?' 'Yes.' I sat some time in the room, and when I came away I spoke to her again Is all well, yet?' 'Yes, well!' 'Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe in Christ. I must leave you now; we shall meet again when God pleases, -good bye.' 'Bye.' For some time, she has been evidently and constantly approaching, nearer and nearer the grave, nearer and nearer heaven. She hopes she shall not be impatient, but longs to be gone. A few days since, she attempted to sing, and sung in her way that verse of Watts;- Alas, and did my Saviour bleed!' She requested that her graveclothes might be made, and gave some directions about her funeral. When she revived after fainting, at noon, Mr. M— said, 'Do you know me, A-?' 'Yes,' said she, very earnestly ;—and glancing her eye around the room, 'I know you all. Why didn't you let me go? I should have gone easy then?' It is very probable, a messenger may reach you, before this letter, but I have written that you may have some idea of her situation."

It is hardly necessary to add, that this poor girl, who in all her sickness was a model of patience, and of modest and confiding piety, fell sweetly asleep in Jesus, within a few hours after the above was written, and went, as the pioneer of this brother who had done so much many years before

to win her gentle spirit to the Saviour, to glory.

CHAPTER V.

SETTLEMENT IN BOSTON- - FAILURE OF HEALTH-DEATH OF HIS FATHER-EFFORTS TO RECOVER-DISMISSION.

In

MR. STEARNS became now more and more anxious to enter efficiently upon the duties of that office to which he had devoted his life. Since the spring of 1830, he had been gaining in health, and encouraging his heart with the prospect of usefulness. He had made several experiments of his strength, in preaching, without serious inconvenience. some societies of no small responsibility, he had endured hardness as a good soldier. In the autumn and winter of 1832, he supplied for several weeks in succession, the Federal Street church in Newburyport, and in the winter and spring of 1833, the Park Street church in Boston; and though he declined an invitation, at that time presented, to supply for a little season the Old South church, on account of infirm health, he was yet encouraged to believe that the time was not distant, when he should be able to sustain all the duties of the ministerial and pastoral relation.

Much of the following season was spent in journeying and relaxation. Near the close of the year, Mr. Stearns found himself so much invigorated, that urged on by providential circumstances, he was led to consider anew the question of immediate settlement in the ministry. The years of professional life were rapidly passing away. He had acquired a fund of knowledge and experience, which he could not con

scientiously withhold from the church. He had repeatedly tested his strength of late, with the most encouraging results. And, might it not be possible, that he had held back too long already; and might not the pleasing, though laborious employments of the sacred office, united with the cheering consciousness that he was now engaged in the appropriate business of his life, contribute more than continued leisure, with its attending discouragements, to secure the stability of his health? And would it not be less inglorious, and more acceptable to God, that he should expend what strength he had, and finish his course, in the effort to do; than to linger on unemployed, and, without an attempt to accomplish his work on earth, fall a victim, perhaps, to anxiety and discouragement? "He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it." Thus he reasoned, and after much deliberation, came to the determination, to preach as a candidate for settlement, in any place to which God, in his providence, should call him. He selected for himself a retired parish, not far distant from his native town, in which he had preached for a little season, at a former period, among a people of steady habits, who would demand moderate labors, and could offer the prospect of usefulness, as the only inducement to settle among them. He would willingly have become their pastor and servant in the Lord. But in the event, the circumstances which respected a settlement were untoward. "Surely," said he, "man deviseth his way and the Lord directeth his paths."

A short time after this, he preached a single Sabbath to the Old South church and society, in Boston, and for several Sabbaths following to the Tabernacle church in Salem. On