Page images
PDF
EPUB

reign of Solomon? What would have been the deplorable stiuation of the Jews in Babylon, had not Daniel lived in the days of Cyrus, whom he persuaded to grant them deliverance? And how great a loss would the whole christian world have sustained, if the apostle John had not outlived all the other apostles, and written the book of Revelation! The wisdom which useful men obtain by long observation and experience often enables them to perform more essential services in the decline, than in the morning, or even meridian of life. The goodness of God, therefore, is to be seen in the preservation of their lives, which is both a public and private blessing, which calls for both public and private gratitude.

These observations naturally lead us to reflect upon the divine goodness, in so long protracting the life and usefulness of the late Honorable JABEZ FISHER. Though he experienced some of those bodily infirmities which are incident to old age, yet he retained so much of the native vigor of his mind, as to be capable both of enjoying and doing good, to the very close of life. He was unquestionably the most useful man among us. He became, as he supposed, a subject of special grace, at the commencement of the great and general revival of religion, above sixty years ago. Not long after he made a profession of his faith, he was chosen to the office of deacon, which he sustained for more than fifty years, to the honor of religion, and the prosperity of the church. His superior abilities and integrity soon raised him to public notice, and he was, with great unanimity, elected to represent the town in the Legislature of the State, where he continued about twenty years successively, either as a member of the House, or of the Senate, or of the Governor's Council. Though he held these high stations in the most trying times that America ever saw, yet he never lost the love and confidence of the public, who continued to esteem and employ him, until he resigned his seat at the Council board for want of health. He was not only a member of the several bodies which have been mentioned, but a very active, influential, and useful member. His speeches were heard with attention, and his measures frequently approved and adopted. He was, indeed, through the whole of his public life, greatly instrumental in promoting the safety, interest, and happiness of the people. He rose from station to station, not by the aid of wealth, nor powerful connections, but by the mere dint of merit. He possessed such virtues and talents as justly attracted the public attention and esteem. He manifested peculiar mildness and moderation in all his eonduct. These amiable qualities, for which he was undoubtedly indebted to the combined influence of nature and grace,

rendered him highly acceptable to the multitude of his brethren. It was extremely difficult for any to become his personal enemies, because his calm and placid behavior prevented both prejudice and resentment. And though in times of great irritation and animosity, he could not fail to meet with injurious treatment, yet he kept such a constant command over his spirits, as rarely to discover the least appearance of anger, and never, perhaps, to speak unadvisedly with his lips. He possessed a large portion of the spirit of Moses, who was the meekest man upon the face of the earth.

His candor was equal to his moderation and mildness. He was as ready to hear, as to speak; as ready to learn, as to teach; and whenever he saw reason for it, as ready to follow as to lead. He neither leaned to his own understanding, nor placed an implicit faith in the understanding of others. He was always open to conviction, and disposed to receive information from any who were able to impart it. He availed himself of every source of knowledge and improvement, and made rapid advances in practical wisdom, while engaged in public business with men of eminence. He exemplified Solomon's observation, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

He was no less judicious than candid. He had a clear and quick discernment to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, wisdom from cunning, and artifice from sincerity. He seldom formed a false opinion of either men or things. He was a self-taught politician, who could foresee what laws and measures would have a salutary operation; and no artful or intriguing men could lead him to aid or approve measures which were detrimental to the public weal. Though he never saw reason to change sides in respect to the first principles of government, yet he would not allow himself to prefer the interest of a party to the general interest, which he uniformly sought, and endeavored to promote.

His public spirit, therefore, formed another amiable trait in his character. Few men possessed a larger share of true patriotism. He kept his eye and heart steadily fixed upon the good of the nation, and left no means in his power unemployed, to preserve the safety, and increase the prosperity of his country. While many were seeking their own emolument, under the pretext of promoting the public good, he sacrificed his time, his interest, and his health, for the attainment of this noble object.

Governed by this patriotic motive, he discovered singular integrity in discharging the duties devolved upon him, and

fulfilling the trusts reposed in him. And for this reason he was much employed by the Legislature in devising ways and means of promoting the public safety and interest, and in transacting business which required the most unlimited confidence.

This and all his other virtues were rendered more eminent and valuable by being united with uncommon firmness and perseverance. Nothing could shake him from his well-founded opinions, nor deter him from prosecuting his well-concerted measures. He was never afraid nor ashamed to do right, and promote a cause of justice and general utility. His patriotism was the fruit of benevolence, his zeal the effect of knowledge, and his resolutions the result of cool deliberation; and of consequence, whenever he undertook any matter of importance, he surmounted every obstacle, and steadily persevered in his course, until he obtained his ultimate object. By a long and faithful improvement of these peculiar virtues and talents, he eminently served his own generation by the will of God, and became not only an ornament to religion and virtue, but a rich blessing to his town and country.

But he has finished his course, and, as we hope, fallen asleep in Christ. We shall no longer enjoy the benefit of his living example and guiding influence. We have abundant reason to cry, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, and the faithful fail from among the children of men." The death of the faithful servants of God is full of instruction at all times, and especially in this day of darkness and doubtful expectation. The late instance of mortality teaches those who are in places of power, to employ their best exertions in favor of the sinking cause of religion and government; and by a faithful discharge of every duty, prepare for the day of their decease and solemn appearance before the supreme tribunal. It teaches christians, whose hands are weakened and whose burdens are increased, to redouble their diligence and fidelity in promoting the kingdom and interest of their divine Redeemer. It teaches the aged, to give up all their worldly hopes and prospects, and prepare, as fast as possible, for a peaceful death, and a blessed immortality beyond the grave. But the surviving children are bound, by the strongest ties of nature and gratitude, to lay the death of their venerable father to heart, and learn their indispensable duty from it. They have seen his long and useful life close in a calm and peaceful death. They have been taught, by example which speaks louder than words, how to live and how to die. They are under peculiar obligations to devote their time and talents to the glory of God, and to live a

holy and useful life. May they know, therefore, the God of their father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If they seek him, he will be found of them; but if they forsake him, he will cast them off for ever.

SERMON XVIII.

RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING, NOVEMBER 25, 1813.

AND the people said unto Saul, shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid; as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. -1 SAM. xiv. 45.

SOON after Saul was anointed king over Israel, his country was invaded by the Ammonites; and on that occasion he acted with spirit and energy. He raised a large army, put himself at the head of it, and gained a signal victory; which excited the admiration and applause of the people. Upon this, he dismissed and sent home all soldiers, except three thousand, whom he chose to stand around his person, and to guard the most exposed parts of his kingdom. But it was not long before "the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude." This formidable host struck a panic into the whole nation, who resorted to different ways of safety. Some fled over Jordan, while others hid themselves in caves and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. Nor did the general consternation stop here, but spread into Saul's little army, who were afraid to move a step towards the enemy, until Samuel should come and offer sacrifice. But he did not come as soon as Saul and his men expected; and all of them but about six hundred deserted him. In this extreme case Saul himself ventured to offer sacrifice; but he had no sooner done this unauthorized act, than Samuel came, and reproved him for his impatience and presumption. He was now in Gibeah, where there was

« EelmineJätka »