mind of the strong man, tossed by the tempests of life in after years, and almost led by unholy solicitations to regard faith as foolishness, and religion as superstition, often strives and wrestles in vain against the influence of such impressions, keeping it directed still towards the right and true, like the needle towards the pole, in spite of occasional vibrations. The creed of Mr. Adams was the creed of his father. It was the creed to which the associations of his childhood and youth were grappled. His manhood rejected not the pleasing spell, and the faith in which he was nurtured, became the faith in which he died.

Now, though we reject at once, and decidedly and under all circumstances, the faith that denies divinity to the Saviour of men, while we regard the proper Godhead of the Christ as amongst the clearest propositions, and most susceptible too of demonstration, that the Scripture offers to the human mind, we are not forbidden to look with an eye that beams mildness and forbearance, upon those who illustrate the Christian religion in their lives, but conscientiously differ from us on certain points of speculative opinion and belief. We will not entrench ourselves behind the narrow bigotry which denies Paradise to all who view the Christian scheme with mind as

candid as our own, though with other optics, and from a somewhat different stand-point. But with that large charity which "suffereth long and is kind," we may at least hope the best in respect to such as receive the word of God as a divine rule of faith and practice, profoundly venerate its authority and teachings, love it, and strive with God's aid to walk in its light, and rest for salvation on the published gospel, sublime merits, and finished work of the Crucified.

That Mr. Adams did this, there is abundant testimony. It was only a few years ago that his voice was uplifted before a Bible Society in New York, advocating the divine authorship, the grand claims, the pure principles, the majestic character of the Book of Life, and urging upon men, if they would secure peace and happiness, here and hereafter, the necessity of following its celestial guidance. The Scriptures were to him the oracles of Infinite Wisdom and Infallible Truth; and, as such, the unfailing source of refreshment, light, and joy. It was his daily practice, continued through years of life, to resort to these "wells of salvation," and draw from them strengthening draughts. Writing to his son from St. Petersburgh, he recounts this striking experience: "It is my custom to read four or five chapters from the Bible every morning, immediately after rising

from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time, and seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day."

Such a personal experience might well qualify him for writing the interesting series of letters-since published in a volume-to his son, on the truth, worth, and claims of the Holy Book; and setting forth the importance of daily reading and exploring it, in order to form, strengthen, and adorn individual character.

In reply to an invitation to attend the anniversary of the American Bible Society, in 1830, he gives utterance, among other things, to such evangelical sentiments as these :

"The distribution of Bibles, if the simplest, is not the least efficacious of the means of extending the blessings of the Gospel to the remotest corners of the earth; for the Comforter is in the sacred volume; and among the receivers of that million of copies, distributed by the society, who shall number the multitudes awakened thereby, with good will to man in their hearts, and with the song of the Lamb upon their lips?

"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never, since the foundation of the world, have the prospects

of mankind been more encouraging to that hope, than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper, till the Lord shall have made 'bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.""

He was the oldest Vice-President of the American Bible Society. And called to preside at one of its meetings held at the Capitol at Washington, in 1844, bore this decisive testimony in favor of the Bible:"I deem myself fortunate in having the opportunity at this stage of a long life, drawing to a close, to bear at this place, the Capitol of our National Union, in the Hall of Representatives of the North American people, in the chair of the presiding officer of the Assembly representing the whole people, the personification of the great and mighty nation, to bear my solemn testimonial of reverence and gratitude to that Book of Books, the Holy Bible."

From his lofty position he thus rebuked the infidelity of the day, and proclaimed that his own intellect, with all his powers and influence, bowed before the simple grandeur of revealed truth, and that the Christian Scriptures are the only foundation of the order, prosperity, and happiness of states and individuals. Like John Hampden, he found honor and

profit in sitting as a learner at the Great Teacher's feet, and the lessons acquired there made him upright, wise, and true, imparted just proportions to his character, shaping out for him a good name to the coming generations. Nor did he content himself with a cold assent to the truth of revelation as a fair and wise theory, nor with a bare formal advocacy of its claims. He did more. He united himself to the church he preferred; and according to his understanding of duty, labored by example and word to promote the spread of Christian principles and the practice of the Christian charities. We may therefore leave him, where we must ourselves be left, when our mortal hour shall have passed, in the hands of Him who hath pronounced "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"-adopting in his case, as others may adopt in ours, the sweet and impressive words of the noblest elegy in our language

"No further seek his merits to disclose,

Nor draw his frailties from their dread abode; (There they alike in trembling hope repose)

The bosom of his Father and his God."

In the view of such a career completed, and such a name and fame won, what remains to be spoken? What is the highest genius and skill? what the most