before his people, that in this relation he has been a father unto me. He has manifested, and I am sure he cherished, but one feeling, that of kindness and affection. In this connexion he pursued but one object, that of the prosperity, success and happiness of his colleague as of a son. His sympathies were never withdrawn. His reproofs, oftener deserved than given, were the suggestions of a parental regard; and his counsels were bestowed freely as the breath of friendship. It was a comfort and a joy to him, that the Providence of God had united the hearts of his people in a colleague and successor, and that he had lived to see it. And it was a blessing to this society, which they can hardly appreciate, and a privilege to his successor, precious beyond the ordinary lot, that he has been spared so long. He rejoiced in the prospect and hope that his flock would be saved from the hazard of that disorder and disunion which so often attend the close of a long ministry. And if he is still permitted to regard the things of earth, he

still prays before the mercy seat, for the continuance of our harmony, and our spiritual progress and welfare.

Such is a faint outline of the character of one who, but a few days ago, was seen moving among us in the living and revered exhibition of it. Now the life that could bear so well the scrutiny of man, is finished, and the recording angel has passed the closed book to him who sitteth on the throne.

In his last sickness, he was, in some stages of the disease, at sufferer, but a meek and patient one. He knew the prospect, and regarded it with Christian composure, submission and trust, and he passed away at last gently as an infant to its quiet sleep. And now that Christian example, as spotless as the world exhibits, and the pattern of a Christian life, is consecrated by the most solemn of all events. The body is going to repose in the bosom of its parent earth, and the spirit, we trust, to be crowned with the promises of God to the righteous. He had fought a good fight, he had finished his course, he had kept the faith, he was ready to be glorified.

He died in a good old age, and is gathered to his people. – He is gathered to his people. His earthly resting place will be amid the ashes of a past generation, the friends and companions of his youth.

Earth, take these venerable remains to thy peaceful bosom ! Heaven, receive the ascending spirit to thy bright abode !

Let a mourning family accept the sympathies of many mourners, and seek for consolation in the pleasant remembrance of him who is gone, and in the rich assurances of the Gospel. And let the influence of his character and example remain with us all. "Though dead he yet speaketh,' and let his voice be heard, that he may bless us in death, as he blessed us in life. Let the memory of the wise and good man be cherished as a light and a guide by us who remain a little longer, that when we too shall be called, we may 'die the death of the righteous, and our last end be like his.'

APPENDIX.

THE following paragraphs are taken from the manuscript of a Sermon preached by Dr Porter on the Lord's Day next succeeding the completion of fifty years of his Ministry, October 7, 1832. It is to be regretted that the state of the manuscript, prepared under much bodily pain and infirmity, will not permit me to draw more largely from it. The text was from 2 Peter, i. 13, 14.

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This is one of the most ancient Religious Societies in New England. There were, I believe, but five or six of earlier date. The town was incorporated in the year 1630. But the precise time of gathering the church and first institution of public worship in this place, does not appear. It was not however till 1632, that a stated Christian Ministry was enjoyed In the autumn of that year, now 200 years since, Mr Thomas Welde was ordained as Teacher, and Mr John Eliot as Pastor, of this Church and Society. The former, after having labored in the ministry with his colleague for the space of seven years, returned to England in the capacity of agent for the colonies. He is described as one valiant in the faith, and who defended the truth and the churches in this land, both in the pulpit and with his pen. He was concerned with his colleague and others, in the production of the New England version of the Psalms, which was for many years used in our churches. Mr Eliot performed the duties of the ministerial office alone, till the year 1650, when Mr Samuel Danforth, a member of the church at Cambridge, and one of the early fruits of Harvard College, was ordained as Colleague Pastor. He was distinguished, in his day, as an Astronomer and

publisher of a yearly Calendar, as well as a Divine. He was removed by death in November, 1674, and in the 49th year of his age, and 24th of his Ministry. In consequence of this event, the whole of the ministerial duties again devolved on Mr Eliot, which, as far as appears, he continued to perform, with some assistance, and particularly that of his son, Mr Benjamin Eliot, who was for sometime employed for this purpose, till he received his third colleague in Mr Nehemiah Walter, who was ordained in October, 1688.

The venerable Eliot, now being very far advanced in years, did not long survive. In May, 1690, having almost completed the 58th year of his Ministry, he rested from his abundant labors. There are ample testimonies to the worth and excellence of this man of God. He was distinguished for his learning and abilities, his piety and philanthropy, his zeal for the advancement of religion and the prosperity of his country, and particularly for his unwearied endeavors, and perilous labors, to extend the blessings of civilization and christianity among the native tribes. His cotemporaries and posterity have united in honoring him with the title of the American Apostle.

'Mr Walter, like his immediate predecessor, was one of the most distinguished ministers of his time. His literary accomplishments, exemplary life and conversation, amiable and modest deportment, and excellence as a preacher, rendered him universally respected and beloved. We learn from

his biographers, that he was of a feeble constitution, and about the year 1717, from long and close application to study, and other labors of his charge, his health became so much impaired, as to oblige him for a considerable time to suspend the exercise of his ministry, to intermit his studies and throw aside his books. But by journeying and other means, he happily obtained such a recruit of spirit and strength as enabled him to return to his beloved work.

In October, 1718, his son Thomas Walter, a young man of uncommon genius and acquirments, was ordained his colleague. But seven years had not expired, when (in January, 1725,) his life and services on earth were ended. How dark and mysterious, oftentimes, are the ways of Heaven! While youth and vigor cease, and hope and promise are disappointed, age and infirmity are spared. The son is taken, and the father is left, and on him the whole weight of the pastoral care is again devolved. But his peo

ple, as we are told in his biography, were at the expense of affording him assistance by young candidates, every Sabbath, for one part of the day, in hopes, that through divine goodness they might the longer enjoy his presence and labors.

'Mr Walter, having exceeded even his predecessor, in the length of his life and pastoral relation to his flock, died, as he had lived, with great tranquillity and composure, in September, 1750, wanting but one month of being eighty-seven years of age, and but three of completing the sixty-second of his ministry.

It is worthy of remark that the ministries of Eliot and his successor extended through the long space of one hundred and eighteen years. During that period this Society was not only never destitute of a minister, but during a great part of it enjoyed the services of two. Even while Mr Walter was living, Mr Oliver Peabody, a young gentleman of acknowledged abilities and unimpeachable character, was invited to settle as a Colleague Pastor, but was not ordained till November, 1750, about two months after his venerable predecessor had fallen asleep. Short, however, was his ministry -- short his life. In May, 1752, about a year and a half from the time of his settlement, (such was the will of Heaven) he was removed by death.

The year following, Mr Amos Adams received a call, and on the 12th of September, 1753, was publicly inducted into the Pastoral office. He appears to have possessed a vigorous mind and ministerial gifts which rendered him a very acceptable preacher and much respected minister. It pleased the Supreme Disposer to call him out of the world at the meridian of life and usefulness. He had just entered the twentythird year of his ministerial course. He died at Dorchester, October 5, 1775, his people being then greatly dispersed in consequence of the Revolutionary War, and public worship in this house being suspended. To those of them, however, who were able to assemble in a less exposed situation, as well as to the army then here, he did not cease to preach and minister, so long as life and strength remained.

'The state of the Parish, in consequence of the destruction and distress occasioned by the war, prevented for some time a resettlement. The pastoral office remained vacant for seven years; during which time, however, the pulpit was generally supplied, Christian ordinances administered, and various candidates for the ministry heard on probation.

On the 2d of October, 1782, your present Senior Pastor, having received a unanimous invitation with the exception of one vote, from this Church and Parish, acting separately, as the custom then was, to settle with them in the ministry, was solemnly ordained and inducted into office in this place. The sermon preached on this occasion, came from one whose parental affection and authority entitled it to special regard. The charge was given by the Rev. Dr Cooper of Boston; and the Rev. Mr Abbot, of the second Parish in this town, presented the Right Hand of Fellowship. The solemn transactions of that day were adapted to excite reflections, lead to resolutions, and make impressions on the mind which half a century ought not, and as the speaker trusts, has not wholly effaced from his mind. But he laments that they have not had a more constant, powerful and salutary effect on his life and labors. He laments that he has not better fulfilled the ministry he received of the Lord, and better performed his vows.. A sense of his many neglects and defects in duty, he can truly say, is the greatest burden of his life; and he would this day humble himself before God and