returning to Newburyport, he asked a dismission from the church, and with reluctance it was granted. On the 30th of June, he preached his farewell sermon from 2 Thes. iii. 16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means The Lord be with you all." It was a solemn season. Every eye in the large assembly seemed fixed upon him. The parting and solemn scene, can never be erased from the memory of the church. On pronouncing the solemn farewell, he appeared almost overwhelmed with grief. perhaps his equal was seldom found. | while out of Christ. Many who are He was forward in every duty, to still engaged in the amusemements encourage the strong, and to bear of this world, can yet witness that the infirmities of the weak. When- he has warned them most affectionever he had occasion to administer ately to flee from the wrath to come. reproof, it was offered in that hum- In May, 1822, Mr. Wheeler visble, affectionate manner, that en-ited Eastport, and received an indeared him still more to the offen-vitation to be their pastor. On der. In the ordinance of baptism, his soul appeared frequently filled with holy delight; and when conversing upon that subject, his mind often seemed peculiarly elevated. In 1819, he was suddenly seized with an indisposition, which rendered him unable to preach on the Sabbath, and his life was despaired of by his physician. He viewed from his window, people going in different directions to the meetinghouse which was closed; the tears flowed gently down his cheeks, and while his countenance bespoke a sweet composure, he said to a friend, I have sometimes doubtJuly 4, 1822, Mr. W. with his ed of my call to the ministry, but family, bid adieu to their friends in I have this day had such clear man- Newburyport, and sailed for Eastifestations of the love of Christ, and port, where they safely arrived on have felt the worth of immortal the 10th of July. Mr. W. continsouls to lie so near my heart, I ued to labour among them in the think I shall never, no, never more, doctrines, and to administer to them doubt but the Lord has called me the sacraments of the New Testato preach his blessed gospel. And ment, until his death. After his if I am ever again permitted to as- removal to Eastport, by his letters cend that sacred desk (pointing to to his friends, and his daily obserthe meeting-house) with the assist-vations, he appeared deeply impresance of that God in whom I trust, I will be more faithful to my fellow sinners." The Lord was pleased in a short time, to restore him to perfect health, to finish his work. Before this illness, and after his recovery, he seldom met with any person with whom he was acquainted, without inquiring, if an opportunity presented, the state of their religious feelings. From the Christian he would ask the reason of his hope; and to the sinner he would recommend religion in the most affectionate manner. He frequently spent whole days in visiting from house to house, conversing with the lively, the thoughtless, and the gay, and warning them of their danger sed with the sentiment, that the time of his departure was at hand. The state of his mind at this time, may be seen by the following extracts from letters written to his friends in Newburyport. Eastport, July 13, 1822. It was with reluctance that I pronounced the sad farewell, and turned my back on a place so full of endearments. If I ever forget that dear church, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember my absent brethren and sisters, and pray for the salvation of their souls, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. Nothing could be more acceptable to me, than the glad tidings of your pros I own my heart was too full, and I yielded to the tender,overwhelming emotions. Nor were these feelings transient. Not a day, not a night has since passed, without renewing the scene. I still seem to behold a weeping group of dear friends, extending the parting hand, and exchanging the mournful farewell! But why should we indulge in gloom, and be so loth to part? Are we not soon to meet again? If we see each other's faces no more on earth, God grant that we may meet in a world of bliss, where parting sighs and tears are never known. Let us then be patient; the time is at hand. God knows that it is good for us to be afflicted, and therefore conducts us through much tribulation. Yet he never leaves, he never forsakes his people. I have ever considered the 'few years spent among you, on many accounts, the most pleasant and interesting of my past life. Relative to the future, I am not particularly anxious. Disappointments and sorrows have taught me the vanity of human expectations, quieted the exultings of youthful hope, and cooled the ardour of anxious desire. If in any instance my feeble endeavours have been successful, to God the Saviour is due all the glory and the praise." perity as a church and religious só- As In another letter, speaking of Christians being too much conformto the world, he writes thus: "What if the sinful children of men do not approve of us, nor of our sentiments and practice? Let it suffice us that Jesus sees and approves. John said unto Christians, Marvel not that the world hate you ;" and Paul declared, that if any would live godly in Christ JeIn another letter he writes as fol- sus, they should suffer persecution. lows: "I have most ardently and Why then do the professed followuniformly loved the dear people of ers of the Saviour, pass on so smoothmy charge, with whom I expectedly? Is it because they are inclined to live and die. Judge then, what to make the offence of the cross to were my feelings, on being con- cease? God forbid that I should strained to give them the final adieu! glory, save in him who was cruciIt may be weakness and folly, but fied for a fallen world," From the time of Mr. Wheeler's | ed if he had any doubts respecting removal to Eastport, he did not en-his future state, he replied, "not joy his usual degree of health. He the least. I have tried to preach found the climate to be very differ- Jesus Christ to the world, and in ent from that where he had former- his hands can trust my all." A few ly lived. He was often called up- days before his death, after settling on to visit and to attend meetings, his temporal concerns, he said to and consequently was much expos- his wife, There is nothing left for ed to fogs, and to the inclemency you. My heart was pierced through of the weather. He was much en- with many sorrows, before I could gaged in the service of his God, and give you and the dear children up, felt the worth of immortal souls to but the Lord's will be done. He lie near his heart. The 25th of will provide for you, if you trust December, he was much indisposed, in him. He will be the widow's in consequence of taking cold, and God, and a father to the fatherless his cough which had been trouble- || children. And now I have done some for some length of time, was with this world." After this, he considerably increased. The next was unable to converse but very day he was worse, and evidently little. threatened with a fever. On the evening, however, he attended his stated lecture at the meeting-house, and preached from Prov. xvi. 4. This was the last time he was permitted to preach to a dying assembly. The next Sabbath morning, he arose and attended family worship, but seemed like a fainting and a dying man. He found it a great self denial to spend the Sabbath at home; but I feel (said he) a desire to say, "not my will but thine, O Lord, be done." For two weeks after his confinement, he expressed a great desire to get well, to do something more for the honour and glory of God. It often melted him into tears, when he realized that he never more should preach Jesus Christ to a dying world. At six o'clock on the morning of January 27, he wished his wife to assist him in getting into his chair. He sat down, and instantly expired without a groan. He was then, we trust, introduced into that world, where he received from the glorious Jesus, the welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." On Thursday, his remains were conducted to the meeting-house, attended by a large assembly. Rev. Mr. Buck preached a very solemn and affecting discourse from Hebrews iv. 9. "There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God." FROM CECIL'S REMAINS. About the tenth of January, he How blessed is the Christian, in was attacked with a fit of violent the midst of his greatest troubles! coughing, and spitting of blood. It is true, we cannot say he is perSpeaking to a friend, he said, "Ifect in holiness; that he has never have had a foretaste of heaven, and any doubts; that his peace of mind of the glories of the redeemed. God is never interrupted; that he never has prepared me for all this: his mistakes Providence: but, after all, will be done, and not mine." From his is a blessed condition; for he is that time he felt that his hour was supported under his trials, and inat hand, and in this, his soul tri-structed by the discipline: and, as umphed in the hope of a glorious to his fears, the evil under the apimmortality. The next morning prehension of which he is ready to he had another attack of bleeding sink, frequently does not come, or at the lungs, which continued more it does not continue, or it is turned or less while he lived. Being ask- into a blessing. RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. THE CAUSES OF DECLENSION IN RELIGION. || very common, but wherever it exists and is indulged, it proceeds from self complacency, is sinful, and is entirely inconsistent with spiritual mindedness and every Christian grace. It is a truth that ought deeply to affect every friend of religion, that real Christians are prone to wander from the straight path and narrow way of the gospel, and thereby injure their usefulness, bring distress upon themselves, and grieve 2. A superstitious attachment to their brethren in the Lord. And the doctrine of justification by faith amongst those who are in a meas-without works, connected with too ure regular in their outward con- great indifference to godly obediduct, there are some, who appearence, cannot fail to produce a measvery destitute of that spiritual life ure of heedlessness and want of and activity, which ought to dis-odly zeal, in the person who chertinguish every follower of Christ. Many causes operate to produce this effect; but there are some of a secret and hidden nature, whose operation is slow and out of sight, but certain as to the consequence. Of these, it is my object at this time to take some notice. ishes these evils. Justification by faith is a precious truth, but it may be held with a mixture of error. A person may be fixed in the theory of this doctrine, but may, though a real Christian, be perverted from its simplicity, may be led astray by vain glory, and boast of the stability of the truth, but lose sight of the purity of saving faith, and its inseparable connexion with watchfulness and a holy life. Such an one cannot enjoy the life and spirit of religion. He may have a zeal for his principles, but not of a godly sort. 1. When the professor thinks too lightly of sinners, and of the state in which they are. We are not likely to conceive of the characters of the ungodly, as being more odious in the sight of God than they really are; but we have no reason to despise their persons on that account, nor feel indifferent 3. To dwell in an improper manwith respect to their deplorable ner on the safety and the certainty condition. We ought to detest of our own salvation, while seemtheir sinfulness and our own; but ingly forgetful of the importance of this may be done while we love holiness, will assuredly produce in their persons. Are we better than a measure, the same disagreeable they and does not their state re effect. Christians are very fond of quire our commiseration, and our listening to the happy state of all tenderest feelings towards them? who are in Christ; and indeed it is The compassionate Redeemer lov-a heart cheering theme; but when ed the young man, who preferred we dwell upon it, to the neglect of his riches to the enjoyments of re- the nature of the believer's seculigion, and a treasure in heaven.rity, and of a good hope, and the And he represented it as sinful in indispensable obligation to holiness the pharisee to despise the publican, of heart and life, our zeal and ferwho accompanied him to the tem- vency in spiritual life will be greatple. Paul warns the Roman Chris-ly impaired. If my nind be daztians, not to boast against the un- zled with the happy state I view believing and rejected Jews. It is myself to be in, so as to forget my to be hoped that this evil is not obligations to glorify God in my If such be the state of our minds, it will be like a leaden weight to every Christian grace, and to our activity for the glory of God and the good of souls. body, and in my spirit, I shall cer- || salvation. liness. Such a view of things as here represented, is decidedly reprobated by Paul, that great advocate for sovereign grace. This apostle had occasion to say, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound ;" but lest it should lessen in the apprehensions of some, the malignity of sin, he adds, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? He answers with detestation, "God forbid! How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Again, "Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!" The application of the foregoing passages is easy: Rom. v. 20, and vi. 1—15. 4. By dogmatically insisting that religion is all of God, to the neglect of our obligation to exertion and perseverance in the way of hoSometimes the writer of this has heard the helplessness of the creature, and that God must do all for us, urged in such a manner, as greatly to lessen the force of every exhortation to fervency in the way of righteousness, in a manner too much favouring fatalism, and almost inclining us to imagine, that the soul of man and his religion are but one piece of complicated machinery. Such a view of things, not only tends to slothfulness in religion, but actually produces it. Indeed the subject may be zealous in maintaining the forms of his profession, and his own tenets, and to overpower his antago-portant, and ought to be maintainnists with argument; but humility ed at great hazard; but merely to and spirituality are apparently too speculate or philosophize on them, much wanting. The apostle Paul is far from giving them their due: was as sensible of his dependence they ought to be regarded in an exon God, probably, as any one; yet perimental and practical light. Dihe said, "I press toward the mark, vine truth is directed not only at for the prize of the high calling of the head, but at the heart and life. God in Christ Jesus." And he Merely to enlighten the understandurged the Philippian brethren, to ing, will not constitute the Chriswork out their own salvation upon tian, but the temper of the mind is this very consideration, that "it is essentially to be regarded in formGod that worketh in you both to willing that sacred character. "Knowland to do of his good pleasure." edge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." 5. When our ideas of grace lessen our views of the malignity of sin, and our obligations to inward holiness and outward obedience. It is thought by some, that to urge upon the sinner his obligation to faith and repentance, and earnestly to exhort the Christian to watchfulness, prayer, and zeal in the cause of God, are inconsistent with the idea of sovereign grace, and the creature's helplessness and dependence on God for spiritual life and 6. When we dwell too much on doctrine, to the neglect of the heart and practical religion. All the great truths of the gospel are vastly im There is a perfect consistency between the truths of the gospel, experimental religion, and practical holiness. Indeed, neither of the three can truly exist in us, without the other two; for we must believe the truth, love the truth, and practise the truth, in order to be real Christians. However well informed we may be in the theory of the gospel, if we are not constant in applying the truth to the state of |