and let my last end be like his'? When the sinner thought of death, did he also think of what was to come after it? It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment.' "Mr. Hull having dwelt for a while on the mercy of being prepared to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and having earnestly spoken of faith in Him who could sustain and comfort them in the valley of the shadow of death, went on to speak of the kindly relations which had so long existed between the pastor and the congregation of that church. What a comfort it was, he said, to them in their bereavement to know that he who had for so many years ministered to them in word and doctrine had finished his course with joy, and had gone to receive the crown of righteousness which was laid up, not for him only, but for all them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. All of them would feel that in the death of Mr. Sears they had lost a friend. He was a man of genial disposition and large heart; full of sympathy for men that loved God and prized Christ; and he was a lover of good men. On that day they all felt the loss they had sustained, and that loss would be felt more fully some time hence. The death of Mr. Sears was as the falling of a standardbearer in the day of battle. God had taken him away from all his labours and all his usefulness, and they would see him no more in the flesh. N They all knew how arduously he worked to promote their welfare, and how diligently and unceasingly he laboured for their souls' profit. Theirs had, so to speak, been a maiden love. Mr. Sears had been their first pastor, and they had grown up together. Minister and people had dwelt together in love, in unity, and in peace. There had been no strife, no division, among them; all had been harmony and love. He had gone to his rest, and left a united people behind him; he had gone to the abode of the blessed, and left his church in peace; he had gone to the Lord, and had left his people abiding in truth and love. While they missed him from the pulpit they would still think of him, and his memory would not soon be effaced. As a congregation they had much to be thankful for, seeing that God had preserved him to them so long, and had now taken him in peace to Himself, while they were at peace among themselves. And however it might be with others, it could not be said of them, neither would their lives be embittered by the painful reflection, that they had broken their loving pastor's heart. "Mr. Hull next spoke of the difficulties the congregation would have to meet in getting a successor to Mr. Sears, and gave them some good advice on this subject, praying that God might send them a suitable pastor, that minister and people might be bound together in love, and that the Lord might abundantly bless them. "Having spoken a few words touching the sorrow of the bereaved widow, Mr. Hull concluded an earnest address by praying that to all of them God might make that dispensation a blessing. "While Mr. Hull was speaking, nearly every person in the chapel was visibly affected, and many wept unrestrainedly. It could indeed be easily seen by the demeanour of the congregation how much Mr. Sears had been beloved by those among whom he had laboured during the best part of his life, and how deeply they felt the great loss that had befallen them in his death. Before the coffin was borne from the chapel, a portion of the hymn, number 728, 'Jesus, while our hearts are bleeding,' was sung, and a short prayer was then offered up by Mr. Hull. The coffin having been carried to a vault in the chapel yard (in which the remains of Mr. Sears' father and mother are deposited), a few verses of the 729th hymn were sung. In consigning the body to the tomb, Mr. Hull said a few words concerning the labours of Mr. Sears in Clifton, as evidencing him to be a most disinterested and faithful friend, and earnestly exhorted his hearers to follow the example set them in the godly life of their late pastor. "The attendance at the funeral was, as before remarked, very large, and many came from a considerable distance to be present at the ceremony. """Twas gain to die, to him whose only hope He saw the goodly land, from Pisgah's top, Kent. A tablet has been fixed in the chapel at Clifton where he so long and successfully laboured in word and doctrine, bearing the following inscription : En Eobing Remembrance of SEPTIMUS SEARS, Who, as the first and highly-esteemed pastor of this church, faithfully and successfully preached the gospel of Christ here for thirtyfive years. He also laboured much for the church of Christ at large, and especially for the young both in this country and in other parts of the world, being the originator of the periodicals known as the Little Gleaner and the Sower, and their Editor until his death. He was the means of erecting four almshouses in this village for aged members of this church or congregation; but it is in the hearts of those who were led to Christ through his instrumentality that a more lasting monument is to be found. By the grace of God he was what he was, as his manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, and patience in afflictions and trials truly testified. He fell asleep in Jesus December 26th, 1877, Aged 58. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them" (Rev. xiv. 13). This tablet is erected by his sorrowing church A LETTERS. TO MISS CROSBY. Clifton, near Shefford, March 16, 1858. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,-It is difficult to say anything fresh to one who is constantly hearing my voice from week to week. I do not say this to lead you to regret writing to me; I am glad you have done so; but I fear you will be disappointed in my reply. I have long thought, from little things I have seen, that you were really seeking the Lord, and all your fears do not shake my hope that God has begun a good work in your soul. Such tests of the reality of soul trouble as you mention are very unwise, because nowhere mentioned in Scripture. You may not have had deep soul trouble, but it is not depth but reality that is everything. Yours, my dear friend, is right soul trouble if it takes you in sincerity of soul to the Lord Jesus, longing to be washed in His blood, saved by His grace, delivered from the power of every sin, and brought to enjoy and serve Him. You know not what you |