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Peace. He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course and now he enjoys the crown.

REFLECTIONS.

I am unwilling further to detain the attention of the reader to a volume, which, but for its interesting subject, would have wearied his patience long ago, and which has imperceptibly swollen to a bulk, far greater than that which the writer, originally, intended it to obtain, by any additional reflections, especially as the preceding pages abound with observations of a practical nature, as the narrative suggested themand as almost every topic of improvement which might now be introduced has been fully anticipated and forcibly expressed by the interesting publications which appeared upon the death of Spencer. And yet, were I to dismiss the volume, without any effort at a final improvement of the subject, I might be charged with neglecting the great object of biography-utility; and the book might be considered as deficient in the most important point.

In Spencer we see,-

First, That obscurity of birth or station presents no insurmountable barrier to the progress of real excel

lence.

The history of past and present times furnishes unnumbered illustrations of this remark. Many who have lived to enlighten and to bless the world-who have obtained rank, and fortune, and renown, were born in obscurity, and passed their earliest years in the oblivion of humble life. Let such as feel at present the pressure of circumstances, yet pant for scenes of honorable exertion, and extensive useful-1 ness, ponder the life of Spencer and be encouraged. If God designs to use them for the public good, he

will, by an unexpected train of events, in his providence call them forth; if not, let them neither rushi unbidden from their sphere, nor occupy their station in sullen discontent; if a wider field be not allowed them, let them cultivate with cheerfulness the littl spot to which they are confined. The most retired hamlet affords abundant opportunities of doing good; and many a man to whom it is denied to enlighten crowded cities and populous towns, may be a star of the first magnitude in the village where he dwells.

Secondly, We see in Spencer the commanding influence of genuine and fervent piety. This was the secret spring of all his energy-the fuel of his animation the source of his popularity. That his mind was well furnished with solid truths-that his manner was engaging-that his form was graceful -that his countenance was lovely-that his language was elegant--that his voice was fine-is admitted; but it was his ardent piety which gave to each of these a charm, and awoke in the breasts of his auditors a feeling of reverence and solemnity, which the simple exhibition of them could never have produced. The graces of genuine eloquence, and the stores of a cultivated mind, are precious; but without piety, they are as 'sounding brass and tinkling cymbals: they may delight the ear, but never will impress the heart; and it is not, usually, the labors of the most polished and enlightened of his ministers, that Jehovah deigns especially to bless; but rather the unwearied exertions of those, whom the love of Christ and of immortal souls has rendered zealous in the sacred cause.

Thirdly, We see in the labors of Spencer, an admirable example of diligence, and in the success that crowned them, a strong encouragement to exertion.

So short was the period of his stated ministry, that we can only measure it by months: it had not reached to years. But few, perhaps, whose term of labor was so short as his, were ever honored with more success; whilst many who have seen the number of his months often repeated in years of anxious labor, have not been favored with so much. If all prove faithful unto death, whom he enlisted, whilst on earth, beneath the banners of the cross, he will head a goodly company, when the hosts of the redeemed shall be assembled at the judgment day. Who that knew and loved him, but must anticipate the joy with which he then shall say, 'here am I, Father, and the children whom thou hast given me.'

Let the example of his exertions and success stimulate, quicken, and encourage ours. We work for the same Master, and are engaged in the same cause.

And, to the student or the youthful preacher who may honor these pages with his regard, I will add, your terin may be as short-if it be not as successful, let it be as diligent. The diligence is ours,-the success is God's: He will not demand at our hands what is not ours to secure--He will give His rewards of grace to the faithful servant, whether his success be proportioned to his exertions or not; and we are 'a sweet savor unto Him in them that are saved, and in them that perish.'

Fourthly, From the early any sudden removal of Spencer, let churches learn to prize the labors of holy and devoted men, while they enjoy them. Alas! too many only learn the value of their privileges by their removal. They neglected or lightly esteemed, whilst living, the minister, upon whose memory they heap eulogies and honors when departed; and I believe, that some have even bedewed the ashes of their

pastors with affected tears, who accelerated and embittered their passage to the grave, by unkindness and neglect! Not so the people whom the death of Spencer suddenly bereaved. The tears with which they embalmed his memory, were suitable to the respect they bore his person-the love they cherished for his friendship and the sense they entertain of his transcendant worth.* O that every minister living were as much beloved!-dying were as unaffectedly deplored!

Fifthly, In Spencer we see the excellence of real religion-how it sweetens labor-sooths in affliction -supports in trial-and animates the soul in scenes of disappointment, and hours of care. To few are allotted severer labors-to few, so young, are measured heavier trials than those which he endured. But few, upon the whole, have possessed a greater share of happiness: there were intervals of sorrow; and clouds would sometimes obscure the brightness of his sun; but for the most part his hope was lively, and his prospects fair. He enjoyed religion upon earth-he anticipated the consummation of its bliss in heaven: and now he has entered into the joy of his Lord. His life was piety, and his end was peace.

*

By some liberal expositors of God's providence, the death of Spencer has been pronounced a judgment on the people, for what they have termed, "their idolatrous attachment" to him. Alas! the idolizing of its ministers is, surely, not the crying sin of the church at the present day! But was there any thing in the conduct of the people over whom Spencer presided, so contrary to the mind of God as to excite thus strongly his displeasure, in loving a man who was beloved wherever he was known-and revering an office which Christ himself has invested with so much dignity? Let such bold infringers of the prerogative of God, who presume to assign reasons for his conduct, when he has not deigned to give any, read.-"Know them that labor amongst you, and over you in the Lord, and admonish; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves." Let them take the solemn admonition this passage gives; and perhaps their own ministers will have no occasion to regret that they have done so.

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Sixthly, In the sudden removal of Spencer, we mark the mysterious conduct of Jehovah's providence. At first sight the event might stagger the strongest faith, for he was snatched away at a period when his life seemed of the utmost moment to the people over whom he presided, and the circle in which he moved. Scarcely had his talents reached their ma turity; his character was even then unfolding; from the promise of his youth, his friends dwelt with rapture on the anticipations of his manhood, and every day added some strokes of reality to the picture they drew, when suddenly, in the bloom of his youthat the commencement of his course,-just entered on his labors he is arrested by the arm of death, and conducted to the silent grave. Was his death untimely? No, he had seen a good old age in usefulness, though not in years: "that life is long that answers life's great end." His end was fully answer. ed, and he was gathered to the grave in peace. Was his death severe? No,-to him it was tranquil, and serene; he crossed the river of Jordan, singing as he went, and in an unexpected moment, found himself safely landed on the shores of immortality. No raging billows awoke his fears-no agonies disturbed his countenance-death respected his loveliness, and preserved the beauty of the form, when the spirit that animated it was gone. But whilst for him his death was peaceful, was their ought of mercy in it to his friends? Yes-if they review and act upon the lessons it conveys, there is; to survivers it declares, that excellence and beauty must fade and die-let them seek an interest in HIM, in whom whosoever liveth and believeth shall not die eternally-to the church it will endear the assurance of His care, who is independent of instruments and the conqueror cf

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