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highest pitch of resentment against the monarch, whom they conceived the chief author of their injuries, yet abstained from all violence against the person who publicly prayed for him. However they might differ from him in political opinion, they could not but respect his firmness, and the unspotted integrity of his character.

To the noble conduct of our deceased friend must doubtless be attributed the preservation of the Episcopal Church in this town. Nor was the spirit he displayed less disinterested than firm. Repeatedly did he refuse the rectorship of this Church; anxiously desirous of leaving open a door for the return of his senior colleague; and it was with difficulty, and after a considerable space of time, that he was prevailed on to accept it. From that moment he gave himself up to the promotion of its interests, and such were the efficacy of his preaching and the respectability of his character, that the pews of this Church have never been sufficient to answer the numerous demands for them. His reputation extended throughout the Union, and was rewarded with a Doctorate from a respectable University. He was looked up to as the head of the Episcopal Church in New-England, and inferior to no clergyman on the continent in the essential accomplishments of that sacred character. In whatever point of view we consider Bishop Parker, his loss will be long and severely felt, whether we regard him as a man, as a citizen, as a clergyman, as a husband, as a father.

As a man, he was endowed with great and distinguished virtues. With a sound understanding, he united a most humane and feeling heart. No child of misfortune was ever turned from his door without relief, and often have I seen him turn aside to conceal the tear of sensibility that had started in his eye at the appearance, or recital of distress, in which he had no reason to be peculiarly interested. To avarice he was an entire stranger: he despised money for its own sake, and valued it only as necessary to procure the conveniences of life, and relieve the wants of the poor and unfortunate. No clergyman in this country ever exercised more extensively the rites of hospitality. His doors were always open to his numerous friends and acquaintance, and his table spread for entertainment. He appeared to the greatest advantage under his own roof, where, in the presence of his numerous family, amidst the pleasures of social intercourse, he relieved the cares and fatigues of the day with cheerful and agreeable conversation. Those who were most interested in his welfare, would often hint to him the propriety of saving a portion of his income for the future support of his numerous family. But the generosity of his nature forever struggled with his conjugal affection and parental tenderness, and too frequently proved victorious in the contest. His rank in society and the profession of a gentleman, he considered, required a style of living rather beyond what is merely decent and necessary, and though his people were liberal, yet his income was not more than sufficient to satisfy the demands of a very large family, and his own sense of propriety. There was a general impression that he was a proud man, among those who knew him but slightly; but never was there a charge more unfounded. A certain loftiness of deportment, perhaps a little stiff

ness of manners, and the occasional neglect of returning those salutations in the street, which the courtesies of life seem to require, might have given rise to this supposition, and can alone serve for its apology. For never did I know a human being who entertained a more humble opinion of himself, was more diffident of his own talents, or less inclined to give pain and offence to any living creature. What I here affirm, I affirm on my own personal knowledge and observation, and should consider flattery of any kind on this solemn occasion, the worst species of hypocrisy. Bishop Parker was a man of distinguished prudence, and this virtue in him was pure and unalloyed. It was entirely unmixed with cunning, the despicable vice of little minds and mean capacities. He scorned to gain a moment's popularity by a trick, and simulation and dissimulation he utterly disdained. His prudence was of the most approved kind, the result of naturally good feelings and intuitive good sense, which led him to think, and speak, and act the very thing he ought, and to support a character of dignity and propriety at all times, and in every situation.

As a citizen, he was in the highest degree useful; and in this view of his character, there is not, perhaps, an individual in Boston, whose loss will be more extensively felt. There is not a society in town, established for the promotion of public good or private benevolence, of which he was not a distinguished member, and in most of them an active officer. Whatever tended to improve or ameliorate the condition of his fellow-citizens was the constant object of his care and attention, and he zealously co-operated in every plan devised for that purpose. Such was his acknowledged integrity, and so great the opinion of his judgment, that he was often chosen umpire, or arbitrator, to decide the disputes of individuals, and if his decisions were sometimes unsatisfactory, they were always just and impartial. To the widow and orphan, he was the comforter, adviser, and friend. Whatever property they inherited he laid out to the utmost advantage; and if it proved insufficient for their support, he was zealous in promoting subscriptions for their relief. As an executor, or administrator, he was able, punctual, and upright. He always closed the accounts of the estate within the shortest possible time, and to the general satisfaction of all parties; and in every transaction of this nature, displayed the most disinterested integrity. In a word, usefulness appeared the object of his life, and like that divine master, whose doctrine he enforced, and whose example he followed, he went about doing good. He "was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the fatherless, and he made the widow's heart to sing for joy." You who have known his goodness and experienced his bounty, to you I appeal, if this picture be overcharged. Your sighs and tears assure me that it is not. But sorrow not, my friends, as those who have no hope, but confide in your Heavenly Father, and he will give you another comforter, who will abide with you forever.

As a Clergyman of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Parker was equalled by few: he read with propriety and impressive solemnity, our excellent liturgy, and performed all the ordinances of religion,

in a manner best calculated to impress the heart with their importance. In the pulpit his voice was clear and sonorous, and his delivery energetic; nor, when occasion required, was he ignorant of that touching pathos which moves the springs of sensibility. His discourses were serious and solid, explaining some important doctrine, or enforcing some moral virtue. He was deeply impressed with the necessity of inculcating the essential doctrines of Christianity, which peculiarly distinguish it from other religions, and from a mere system of ethics. The divinity of the Saviour, faith in the Holy Trinity, were, he conceived, essential parts of the Christian system. But, though zealously attached to these important doctrines, he never for a moment lost sight of reason and good sense; and would as vigorously oppose the doctrines of blind faith and absolute predestination, as the defenders of loose and latitudinarian sentiments in religion. But when not engaged in the duties of his profession, he carefully avoided religious controversy, fully sensible that disputes on theoretical points rather engender strife than promote the cause of Christianity, and that combatants, in contests of this nature, frequently depart alienated, but not convinced. He lived on the most friendly terms with the respectable clergy of all denominations, whatever might be their secret sentiments, or acknowledged opinions. Though strongly attached to his own Church, he had no portion of superstition or bigotry in his composition. He attended the public performances of his congregational brethren on all important occasions, and seldom failed to contribute his offering at their charitable lectures. Of his clerical brethren of all persuasions, he always spoke with candour and affection, throwing a veil over their failings, and dwelling with pleasure on their vir

tues.

To his professional duties he was scrupulously attentive, never failed to preach in his turn, even when prudence might have prompted him to forbear, and observed all the fasts and festivals of the Church with conscientious exactness.

His attention to the poor and to the sick was always unremitting. He administered every spiritual and temporal consolation, which their situation demanded, and cheerfully sacrificed all engagements to the calls of duty. [To be concluded in our next.]

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He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.

HAVING shewn how we are to expect this special manifestation of God and his Son, I proceed to consider in what it consists; or, in other words, to answer the Disciple's question-Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world.

And here a great many things might be mentioned in which the knowledge of those who love and serve God, is clearer than their's who do not. They see God and his goodness in the works of crea tion and providence; they behold his hand in all events; they con

template his providence carrying on all the affairs of the world, making all things work together for good to them who love him. From this they draw perpetual comfort, joy, and consolation, for they know the truth, and the truth maketh them free. But, on the other hand, they who give not themselves to serve God, see not his hand in any thing. To them, the affairs of the world are subject only to blind chance, or at most under the controul of men who know not how, and are less disposed to do them any good. All is therefore, gloomy and dark before them; doubt and despondency is their portion, especially when labouring under calamities. If they ever think of God, it is but transiently, and as though he were at a great distance, not surrounding their beds in their slumbers, not - about their paths, and spying out all their ways. This makes a wide difference between the real disciples of Christ, and the mere men of the world.

Again, in God's word he is more manifest to them who love him than to others. It is a light to their feet and a lanthorn unto their paths; they read it as though God were speaking to them in an audible voice, as though God held converse with them in human language, and that on subjects the most, interesting and important. In a great many respects they understand the meaning of his word where others do not. Having a real desire to come to the knowledge of the truth, by seeking, they find; loving light rather than darkness, because their deeds are right in the sight of God, they obtain light and knowledge in his will, through the oracles of his word; while to the rest of the world it shines but feebly, and they see it at a great distance, glimmering through clouds and darkness, by no means enough to direct their way, or to keep them from stumbling at every temptation. It is no arrogant claim of the pious Christian to say he understands God's word better than others, for he has less temptation to pervert and misunderstand its meaning: He is prejudiced in favour of the truth, and God's word is truth and light.

But in another respect, and more especially, Jesus Christ is manifest to him who loves and serves God faithfully more than to others, inasmuch as he sees him fully in the character of a Saviour, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world; him by whom we have remission of sins and a right to God's favour; he who really loves God for his infinite perfections must have so humble an opinion of himself, his own misdeeds and unworthiness, as to feel the need of a Saviour to atone for his guilt, and he finds Jesus Christ just such an one as he needs, mighty to save all who come unto him. He finds that help has been laid on one who is both able and willing to save. He therefore flies directly to him, recognizes him as his Saviour, beholds and contemplates his character, life, sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, where he ever liveth to make intercession for us with his Father. These things dwell much on the mind of him who loves and serves God. Thus are the words of our Lord true in a more especial manner, that he will manifest himself unto us. But those who have no relish for, nor delight in the service of God, not seeing his infinite purity

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and holiness, and being too proud to own their great need of a Saviour, they look not after him who is offered. And although they have heard of him, yet they have heard of him as of a person who lived long ago, and to whom they are under no obligations of gratitude or love. Here then is a wide difference indeed. Our Lord may be herein manifest to his true disciples and not unto the world. To the one sort he shines in full splendour, as the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings; while to the other he is eclipsed in total darkness. To the one sort he is all beauty, to the other he has no form nor comeliness, that they should desire him. To the one, he is mighty in power and goodness, doing wonders; but to the other, he is the poor despised Gallilean, who is not going to establish the kingdoms of this world, who promises them neither riches nor glory, and therefore they will not follow him.

But lastly, and above all, Jesus Christ is manifest in a peculiar way to all who love and serve God, by his Holy Spirit the Comforter, from whom cometh all truth. This is the chief and most glorious manifestation of the Saviour to such as saw him not working his miracles in person. This is a standing and constant miracle, always performing in the hearts of true believers. By the suggestions of this Holy Spirit, the truly pious soul sees as it were the heavens open, and Jesus Christ transfigured into the Lord of glory; no more to appear in humility, as when the beloved disciples saw him transfigured on the mount; no more in company only of Moses and Elias; but also with angels and archangels, and all the blessed company of heaven. By this Holy Spirit the real Christian is enabled to resist temptations, and stand fast by God; to run with patience the Christian race; to fight, the good fight, and come off conqueror. It is by this Holy Spirit, that we see and know the truth as it is in Jesus, that we are purified in heart and soul, and made fit for the presence of God. It is this, through the instrumentality of the gospel ordinances, which restores the lost image of God in which man was at first created; so that he may hold converse with his Maker, as once in paradise. And it is this which enables us to look forward to a future world of glory, which lifts up the veil of darkness cast over all flesh, opens the door into heaven, and invites us to enter, saying this is the way, walk ye in it. But does God vouchsafe these aids to those who seek not him. Certainly not. They are left to grope their way in darkness. Since they quench and grieve the Holy Spirit, it must be expected it will depart from them. Here then we see another mighty difference between the true Christian and the sinner; the true servant of God, and the servant of the world. God is thus manifest to the one sort, and not unto the other. Jesus Christ appears to the one sort in glory, but by the other is altogether unseen.

Let us then love God sincerely; let us honour him in our hearts, and with our lips, and not doubt but when we seek him aright, he will be found of us; that we shall not seek in vain, but he will love us and come unto us, by his Holy Spirit, doing us good, filling our hearts with joy and gladness, aiding and assisting us to purify ourselves from sin, and finally bringing us to appear in his presence above.

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