than some morbid fancies have represented them; sufficient in itself, it would seem, to attract to the service of the altar the best powers of generous youth and vigorous manhood. But in this privilege others may share. Others may counsel, may watch and pray, may exercise Christian influence over those around them, by word and deed, and thus become fellow-workers with their Saviour and with their God for the salvation of mankind.

But perhaps to none does the call of duty, from the considerations which have passed before us, so powerfully address itself, as to the large class who are friendly to religion, but not decidedly and professedly religious men. If the views I have presented be correct, there is now a contest approaching between Christianity on the one side, and irreligion, immorality, national and individual depravity on the other. Such a contest is in fact always taking place; but now more than ever is there need that the progress of evil should be met; and men are meeting it. It is time then that every one should take his side. It is as when Moses, in a time of general defection, proclaimed through the camp the startling appeal, "Who is on the Lord's side?" But one wide difference exists, characterising the difference between the Jewish and Christian systems. Moses, when the tribe of Levi had gathered to his banner, sent them forth to slay the idolatrous rebels who were worshipping the image that their own hands had made. Not such the commands addressed to us. We arrange ourselves on the Lord's side, not to destroy, but to save,—to save by the influence of mild persuasion and religious example, to save from moral ruin and final condemnation those who are our friends, our associates, the members of our families, the objects of our tenderest affection.

'My friend,' you may reply, I honor religion, I hope to share its blessings. In private I read its records, and employ its language of prayer to Heaven. But I do not see the necessity of acknowledging it before the world. If it has its influence over myself, that is enough.' Friend, religion cannot have its perfect influence over any one, until it is professed. You cannot have, till that step is taken, the sense of responsibleness to God and man which is so powerful an auxiliary. You cannot experience the affecting emotions connected with participation in the Supper of the Lord. You cannot feel that harmony of spirit with the Supreme

Being which would result from the consciousness of having given yourself to his service. And even were it otherwise, your duty to your fellow-men is not performed, while you fail to bear testimony to the great cause of their salvation; your duty to your God is not performed, while you fail to engage in his service, openly, decidedly; your duty to your Saviour is not performed, while one of his express commands is neglected, and his religion left without the aid which it might receive, however slight that aid may be, from your influence as one of its professed adherents.

Brethren, we "wait for the consolation of Israel; we wait for the religious and moral regeneration of our country, for the growth of piety in our own hearts and those of others around us;-let us not wait in idleness, nor in indecision. Whatever others may do, and whether the calls of providence and of grace be heeded by them or not, let us feel that it should be ours, to take distinctly our stand for religion and for virtue, with the words and in the spirit of Joshua," Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Finally, to the impenitent, to those who have entirely neglected their own spiritual interests, the subject we have considered presents a forcible appeal. For your rescue God has arranged the means of providence and of grace; for your conversion Christians are waiting, as the good of former days waited "for the consolation of Israel." That religious faith and hope, which to you seem of so little value, are regarded by others as the most blessed gift of God to man. Strive then, watch, pray, that a share may be yours in the great salvation of our God. If you have found that there needed something more rich than worldly pleasures, fully to satisfy the mind; if the thought has occurred to you, that these things cannot always last, and there must be truth in what religion says on the great themes of duty, responsibility and heaven; if you feel grateful for the mercy of your God, grateful for the love of your Saviour; then pause, repent, forsake the bondage of sin, and choose that heavenly wisdom for your guide, whose "ways are ways of pleasantness, and all whose paths are peace."

NOTICES OF THE LATE REV. PETER WHITNEY.

MUCH has already been said, in our public journals, of this venerated minister, recently deceased among us, which only makes us more desirous of noticing in the Miscellany a character of so much excellence. We have therefore attempted to gather the substance of what has been said by others, and sum up, as it were, the evidence of many different witnesses, competent to testify, each without concert, viewing him from a different position; yet all most remarkably coinciding, not merely in the general outline, but in the detailed particulars of his character.

Mr. Whitney was born at Northboro', Ms., January 19, 1770. He was the son of the revered minister of that town, bearing the same name, whose dignified form many of us yet love to call to mind; the very last to wear that memorable badge of his profession, the large white wig, and who wore it to his sepulchre. He also was the son of a clergyman, Rev. Aaron Whitney, the first minister of Petersham. The united ministries of the three covered more than a century, from the year 1738, when the first was ordained, to the decease of the last in 1843. All of them graduated at Harvard University; the subject of this notice in the class of 1791. He was directly employed as Assistant Preceptor in Derby Academy, at Hingham, where he remained several years, and prepared himself for the ministry. After preaching as a candidate in several places, he was ordained at Quincy, February 5, 1800. Soon after his ordination he married Jane Lincoln, daughter of Mr. Nathan Lincoln, of Hingham, who died November 11, 1832. Four of their children, two sons and two daughters, still survive. The eldest son was Rev. George Whitney, late junior pastor of the church at Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, whose lamented death a year since has been recorded in our pages; being the fourth of the family, in direct succession, who sustained the ministerial office. In June 1835, when his advanced years required some relief, Rev. William P. Lunt was associated with Mr. Whitney as colleague Pastor; yet he uniformly took part in the communion service, occasionally preached, and shared parochial duty with his colleague as long as his gradually increasing infirmities would permit. He at

tended public worship a part of the Sunday immediately preceding his death, which took place very suddenly on the morning of Friday, March 3, 1843. While conversing with his family, apparently in his usual health, he fell from his chair and immediately expired without a struggle or a groan.

As to the character of Mr. Whitney, all that needs to be said of any man is well said in a few lines of the Quincy Patriot of March 4th, the day after his death, probably by the editor of that paper. He speaks of him as "scrupulously just, honorable, and highminded-a man of quiet energy, compassing much, and wisely and well, in little time and without parade; a man of liberal heart, that flowed where most needed,-silent and unobtrusive; a man of generous public spirit, ever aiming at the good of the community, to which he belonged; a man, whose faith was evinced by the habitual practice of all the Christian virtues, and whose affections centered with devoted attachment in the bosom of home." The town of Quincy, at their annual meeting, the week after the decease of Mr. Whitney, passed several resolutions which expressed the "sorrow of the assembled inhabitants, at his sudden death, and sentiments of profound reverence and regard " for his memory; which resolutions they ordered to be entered on the Town Records. They also recognise "the many eminent virtues of the deceased, in all the relations of life, during his residence in Quincy of forty-three years, as a beloved minister of the Gospel, as a worthy and exemplary citizen, an affectionate husband, a kind parent, friend and neighbor." This testimony is peculiarly honorable, as the town now consists of five religious societies, besides that to which Mr. Whitney had ministered, and of different sentiments from his own; so greatly has the population of the place increased. For Mr. Whitney was settled as minister over the whole town, there being then only a small society of Episcopalians, besides his own. He appears also to have left deep impressions of affection and esteem upon his former pupils, and upon those who were brought up under his ministry, but have gone to reside in other places. They agree in representing him as a man of a uniform and quiet temper, and great excellence of life; at once unpretending, pure, kind, circumspect, affable and neighborly; "securing respect, without the least pride or affectation; a man of

great cheerfulness and humor, though it was never allowed to run into unbecoming levity, or unduly to encroach upon the gravity suited to his profession. Especially do they bear strong testimony to this good man, who for years were in his family, and saw him constantly in the midst of his children and domestics, surrounded also by the children of others, from different places and families, and of widely different tempers. To them "he was a living model of good manners, and of strict Christian morals. Most happily gentle, complacent, thoughtful, obliging, impartial, kindly and often playfully familiar, and yet vigilant, decided and energetic in his manner, he governed without force, and without severity; and thus made himself alike beloved and revered, by all who were privileged to be of his household."

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But we must refer to the funeral sermon by his colleague for a full delineation of his character. He speaks of him as one, "who inspired an unusual degree of respect and love by his quiet worth." "His temper was serene and happy. His cordial greeting was a perfect cure for melancholy, and his bright and healthy smile was sufficient to put to flight a legion of morbid fancies. He had in his nature none of the envy and wrath,' which 'shorten life,' and none of that 'carefulness,' which bringeth age before the time.' His views of human life, of Divine providence, of God, were all cheerful. He was remarkable for great uniformity of character. The principles which he had once adopted, remained permanently by him to the close of his life." Thus it is evident, that Mr. Whitney possessed a remarkably well-balanced character. His mind was sound, sagacious and clear; his temper, quiet and amiable; and his judgment, adequate to every exigency.

As a scholar, he ranked among the best in his class at College, whence he afterwards received an appointment as Tutor, and an invitation to give the annual Oration before the Society of the Phi Beta Kappa, "both of which offers, however, he saw fit to decline;" for what reason we know not; but when we consider his unpretending modesty, it is natural to attribute it to "his humble estimate of his own abilities." He appears to have been no way aspiring and ambitious, except well to fill up the measure of his ordinary duties. For this he labored most diligently, and in this he was eminently successful. He always rose very early, even to