We may weep, not for him, but for ourselves and for the world. The family bereavement you know. The church has lost a shining light, and the patrons of literature a valuable treasure."

He died in Boston, at the house of his respected friend, 'Thomas Patten. In the bosom of that kind family all that could have been done for his restoration and comfort was gladly done, and their kindness will ever be remembered with gratitude. For a part of the last twenty-four hours his mind was wandering; yet even then, when drawn, by those around him, to the interesting truths of religion, it exhibited the clearness and vigour of other days. Before his departure he sank into a state of unconsciousness, appearing like one in a quiet sleep. At four o'clock in the morning, July 15, 1839, he expired, amid weeping friends and afflicted brethren. Could their wishes and prayers have availed, his name would still stand enrolled on the lists of the church militant, and, for years to come, he would remain at his post as a watchman on her walls. But God, in his infinite wisdom, called him hence; and he was called, we trust, to receive the reward reserved for the faithful when admitted to the church triumphant.

His funeral services were attended by a large concourse, on the afternoon of the following day, at the church in Broomfield-street. An address was delivered by the Rev. T. C. Pierce, and it was an occasion of deep and mournful interest. The corpse was thence conveyed to Lynn, where, on the following afternoon, the funeral solemnities were observed at the First Methodist church. The Rev. C. K. True delivered the address. The burial service was read at the grave, and his mortal remains were consigned to their last and peaceful resting-place by the side of nearly all his kindred. "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Yes, thanks be to God, the light of immortality shines upon

the grave! There is One who hath sublimely said, “I am the resurrection and the life."

He rose from the dead.

And he hath given his

He liveth and reigneth for ever. followers the thrilling assurance, "Because I live, ye shall live also."

Having thus followed his beloved brother to the end of his brief career, the writer may here be allowed to introduce the testimony of others, showing the character he sustained, and the estimation in which he was held.

The annexed extracts are from articles which appeared in Zion's Herald. The first is the tribute of a classmate, a gentleman of another religious persuasion; and the second is from the pen of the Rev. R. W. Allen, of the Providence Conference.

"While at college, Brother Downing was distinguished as a scholar and a Christian. He possessed a well-disciplined mind, and a heart thoroughly imbued with divine grace. His attainments in general literature were very respectable, and his acquaintance with the several branches. taught in college was both varied and deep. His powers of mind and uniform good sense were acknowledged wherever they were known. He was open, sincere, and upright; always spoke the undisguised sentiments of his heart, and possessed a quick perception, united to a sound judgment. His conversation was always sober and to the purpose. His spirit and conduct secured to him the high estimation of his teachers and fellow-students. In a word, he was a sound scholar, an affectionate friend, and a devout Christian. By his college friends he will be fondly remembered, and his loss will be deeply deplored.

"His moral character was 'a living epistle, known and read of all men.' He is deservedly lamented by the church and society for whom he faithfully laboured, and by the religious denomination of which he was a useful and distinguished member. But he is gone. And the very

circumstance of his early death will give a new interest to his memory, and thereby new force to his example. Just at that age when the painter would have wished to fix his likeness, and the lover of poetry would delight to contemplate him, in the fair morning of his virtues, the full spring blossom of his hopes,-just at that age hath death set the seal of eternity upon him, and the beautiful hath been made permanent !"

"I have been acquainted with Brother Downing," says Mr. Allen, "since 1834. I always found him a brother, a friend, a Christian, and a worthy and intelligent companion and associate. He seemed always far removed from ostentation and pride, and possessed, apparently, but little confidence in his own abilities. He exhibited a practical comment on the words of the apostle, 'But in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.' He remarked to me while on our way to the conference held at Nantucket, when he was about being examined by the committee, before admission into the New-England Conference, I am about to be examined, as my two years of probation have expired, but I don't know what examination I shall pass. Some, I suppose, think that, because I have been through college, there will be no difficulty; but it seems to me that I could compass all I ever learned in college in a nut-sbell. What I have learned has only laid a foundation for future acquisitions in knowledge. People are mistaken when they think that, because a man has been through college, he knows every thing, and is proud of it. I feel that I have just begun to learn.' . . . .

"Brother Downing took a deep interest in the subject of ministerial qualifications. He laboured hard to promote the interests of the Junior Preachers' Society,' connected with the New-England Conference. Respect, ing the proposed theological institution he felt a lively

interest. Many will recollect the pathos with which he expressed himself at our last annual conference. After urging in an eloquent manner the importance of immediately establishing such an institution, he exclaimed, by way of allusion to an objection often urged, 'I solemnly believe, under God, we can have an institution of this kind, which will cherish and promote the piety of young men, instead of proving detrimental to it."* Little did I think that his labours at this time, in behalf of a noble and much-needed institution, would be his last!.... Zion is truly called to mourn. One of her most promising sons has fallen; one from whom she might reasonably have expected much in future years."

The following is from the memoir prepared by the committee of the New-England Conference for insertion in their Minutes :

"Brother Downing possessed an intellect of a high order, and his preaching was distinguished for sound 'views and just discrimination, perspicuous and elegant diction, and a decided, earnest, and pathetic manner. Ardent zeal for Christ, and for the salvation of souls, appeared in all his public and private ministrations. His piety was an ever-burning flame, and was manifested even more brightly at the domestic altar than under the inspiring associations of the temple."

His decease was thus noticed by the editors of the Christian Advocate and Journal :

“REV. J. W. DOWNING-DEAD.-Zion's Herald of the 17th inst. comes to us with melancholy tidings. The loss we now mourn will be felt deeply and widely. Brother

* There is a division of opinion, as is well known, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in regard to the expediency of establishing theological institutions. The publishers of this work, as agents for the Church, do not hold themselves responsible for the views which were entertained on this question by the subject of this memoir.-ED.

Downing was, with Dr. Fisk, a graduate of Brown University and, like him, exhibited in his life and character the rare union of distinguished literary accomplishments with a rich and heavenly unction. We may well apply to him his own beautiful and touching thought in a eulogy upon Dr. Fisk, 'His Alma Mater will weep as she records his name upon the list of her departed worthies.' We sympathize with our brethren of the New-England Conference. Already, since the birth of 1839, there have fallen at their posts three of her worthies-Fisk, and Stone, and Downing."

Such was my dear and only brother, of whose life an imperfect sketch has now been given. He died youngbut, O! how soothing and animating the reflection, he died in the faith of the Son of God, in the active service of his Redeemer, and in full prospect of a happy immortality. Well may we cherish his memory with fond delight. Well may his bright example, his peaceful departure, and his early grave, incite us to run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

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