fest?""On this,-Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Thee! [with emphasis]: there you have it allthe promise and the condition."With what subject are your thoughts now employed?" "That I would be a more perfect being." "But do you depend on your merits for salvation?" "Oh no!" exclaimed he with animation: "I rest on the Saviour."-Such was this holy man's living and dying testimony; but still it seemed requisite to notice the deficiency of statement above mentioned, especially as there are passages in the Bishop's own writings, which it might be difficult wholly to reconcile with that perfect knowledge of the New Testament economy which he doubtless possessed. It not unfrequently happens, that persons of serene and amiable tempers, who have grown up from their very infancy in habits of devotion, and whose faith and exemplary deeds are grounded substantially on the true and only foundation, are not sufficiently explicit in their statements respecting several Christian doctrines, especially those of the radical corruption of human nature, the universal necessity of conversion to God, and justification exclusively by faith in Christ Jesus. In their own case, they are truly, however early or gradually, "converted;" their heart, naturally averse to heavenly things, has been changed by Divine grace; and they sincerely disclaim all dependence upon their own imperfect obedience, trusting wholly to the merits of their Saviour for pardon and acceptance with God. Yet having imbibed, before they were aware of it, the phraseology, and some perhaps of the prejudices, of a defective system; having also grown up themselves so gradually in the ways of religion, that they scarcely know when the germ was first implanted in their hearts, they are not always aware of the necessity of inculcating in the most earnest manner those initial principles which constitute the very essence of the Christian system, and lie at the root of all practical religion. They are too apt to "take for granted" that the great body of the decent and respectable classes of persons around them are true believers, though needing, they allow, most urgently to be reminded of their duties, and to have pressed upon them, in the most zealous terms, the obligations of their baptismal vow. Thus they build up where they should be laying the foundation: they speak of the fruits before there is any reason to believe that the branch, naturally barren, is engrafted, otherwise than externally and sacramentally by baptism, into that heavenly Vine from which alone it can derive vigour or fertility to bring forth fruit to the glory of God. This want of discrimination of character in ministers, is deeply injurious to their people, especially to those who are inclined to substitute the form for the power of religion, or to suppose that a certain superficial devotion and a life of general good conduct will conduct them, as if almost of right, to the kingdom of heaven; at least when added to what Christ has done for them, by placing them, as they imagine, under a sort of modified law, which is satisfied with good intentions and a well-meaning life, instead of that perfect obedience which was due by the strict requisitions of the original code of moral duty. The system of which these are features, does not indeed always proceed so far as explicitly to deny the doctrine of the corruption of the human heart, or the need of conversion, or the necessity of the Holy Spirit's influences to renew the soul, and to inspire every holy motive, and every Christian act; but it so far keeps out of sight these fundamental points, or reduces the occasions for recurring to them, that its advocates are usually very deficient in all their views of sacred truth, and too often render Divine revelation little more than a convenient improvement upon mere natural religion. It is not meant to charge these systematic defects upon the excellent Bishop Dehon; very far from it; yet it seemed desirable that the reader should have a clue to those occasional deficiencies which are to be found in the sermons even of this eminently devout and affecting writer; and which are not probably so much chargeable to any positive defect in his doctrinal views, as to the absence of that strictness of thought and phraseology which the distinctions of religious controversy have often given to writers who are very far behind him in all the essentials of scriptural repentance, faith, and holiness. It is very certain that Bishop Dehon entertained the most humble views of himself as a transgressor before God; that he laid no claim to merit; that he habitually repaired to that "fountain which is opened for sin and for uncleanness;" that he bad no other confidence than in the sacrifice of his Saviour; that he lived a life of faith and holiness; and that he constantly felt his need of, and implored, the influences of the Holy Spirit both to give him a good will to what was right, and to work with him when that will was given. It was in the year 1803 that Mr, Dehon first visited the State of South Carolina, of the diocese of which he was afterwards the revered and beloved bishop. His health being feeble, his affectionate flock had urged him to repair in the summer to the Springs, and in the winter to a southern climate. His weakness permitted him to officiate only a few times during this visit to South Carolina: but the impression left by even so short and slight an acquaintance with him, was so favourable, that he was solicited to accept the office of Assistant Minister of St. Philip's Church in Charleston; and one of the clergy of the place is recollected to have remarked, that "he should be happy to have that young man bishop of the diocese." He had many inducements to accept this appointment to St. Philip's. The climate was more congenial to his constitution than that of Newport; the society was more diversified; the opportunities for his own improvement were greater: and, what to a young man of his talents and rising merit would, but for his deep humility, have been an almost irresistible argument, the congregation was larger, and the sphere of his popularity, and it might have been urged, of his probable usefulness also, was much more extensive. He however steadily resisted these temptations; and remained with his attached people at New, port. His chief relaxation from his pastoral cares and studies was the culture of a small garden; an occupation in which he took great delight, but which, with the tenderness of conscience which always distinguished him, he afterwards relinquished on account of his increased duties in the church. It might perhaps have been well for his flock and diocese, had he continued to indulge himself in this innocent and healthy recreation: the bow must be sometimes unbent; and many a parish, like the be reaved congregation of St. Michael's, Charleston, has had to bewail the early loss of a faithful minister, in consequence chiefly of an overstrained application, which allowed no change of scene, no intervals of repose, to recruit the exhausted powers of mind and body, and to brace the nerves to encounter those zealous" labours of love" in which "the spirit was willing, but the flesh weak." Mr. Dehon had, however, another recreation, eminently pure and delightful, in forming the mind and character of a beloved sister who had been left from her childhood to his fraternal superintendance, and for whom he performed the part of a parent. But neither his private studies and devotions, nor the attractive duties and pleasures of his little home, could keep him from his people, for whom, and among whom, he lived; and who, however they might wish for more of his delightful society as a friend and companion in their days of health and prosperity, were always sure he would not be far distant in their hour of sickness, calamity, or death. In the year 1804, the vestry of St. Philip's, Charleston, again endeavoured to procure his services, and tendered to him the rectorship of that church, then vacant by the death of the incumbent. But though his health was still suffering from the effects of the climate of Rhode Island, he declined this appointment, as well, it is believed, as similar oues from Baltimore and New York; having formed a resolution to remain, so long as a proper regard for life would permit, with his first charge at Newport, for whom he entertained an indissoluble affection, remembering them to the end of his life in his prayers, and visiting them as often as it was in his power. In his last rapid excursion to the Northern States, shortly before his death, he expressed much gratification in seeing them once more, and administering to them the symbols of the body and blood of that crucified Saviour in whom all true Christians, however separated in the flesh, are united by the common bond of a holy communion, all dwelling in Christ, and Christ in them, and every one members one of another. In the year 1809, the rectorship of St. Michael's Church, Charleston, was tendered to him. His ill state of health had by this time so greatly increased, that he was very frequently prevented officiating, and it had become evident that if he remained at Newport his life must fall a sacrifice, Under these circumstances, he determined to visit South Carolina; and in the course of the winter to form his decision. With great delicacy aud candour, he stated to the vestry of St. Michael's, that he felt himself much indebted to the church of St. Philip, for their esteem, evinced in their having twice invited him to be their minister; and that on this account he should prefer that church, should it be vacant, and should be conclude to remove. During several months he deliberated seriously on the course which duty called him to pursue. He made it a subject of constant and auxious prayer, and entreated the counsel and the prayers of pious friends. He had always great confidence in the efficacy of prayer; and would often quote that promise, If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Before almost every undertaking, writing a sermon, commencing a journey, attending the meeting of a society, or a visit of business, he was accustomed to have recourse to prayer for the Divine blessing and direction; and to this, with his constant spirit of watchfulness, may be justly attributed much of the success with which God was pleased to prosper his exertions. He at length determined to accept the rectorship of St. Michael's, to which he was elected July 19th, 1809, and in which he remained till his death. He wished the funds of the church to accumulate, in order that his successor might have an assistant; but he was unwilling that they should be impaired for his own accommodation. His labours at St. Michael's were very considerable. On theSunday he was sometimes engaged in bis duties, with little intermission, for ten hours. He would perform the morning service; administer the communion; thence proceed to a sick chamber; come again to the afternoon service; and, returning after it was over to the sick person, remain with him till nine o'clock at night. "How often," says Mr. Gadsden, "was he seen at the altar with a body ready to sink, support ed by the vigour of an intense de votion !" In his sermons he constantly presented to his hearers "Jesus Christ, and him crucified." His first discourse was from Rom. i. 16: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" and his last from Col. ii. 10: "Ye are complete in him." He delighted to dwell on the nature of the Christian ordinances; on the characters of the saints commemorated by the church; and on the excellence of the liturgy, in order to induce his people to value prayer, and the reading of the Scriptures more, and sermons comparatively less. He thought that the best preaching was that of inspired men, and of our Lord himself, contained in the lessons read in the daily service. He considered the Lord's supper as a great means of increasing the numbers of the faithful, and would have been glad to have had it administered every Sunday: and when he became a bishop, he advised the clergy, in their visits to vacant parishes, every time "to set up the altar." Though so highly qualified a preacher himself, he was of opinion that in general more good was to be expected from public prayer, the administration of the sacraments, catechising, and the visits of the clergy, than from preaching; and that too many came to church to hear, not to pray,-to gratify taste and curiosity, rather than to humble themselves before God. Stil he thought that many who attended at first from incorrect motives, might be induced in time to come from right ones; and, in order to allure such persons, he would occasionally open before them the attractive stores of his powerful imagination: choosing for this purpose some striking, though perhaps somewhat far-fetched, passage of Scripture; as in his discourse on the Miseries of Human Life, from "There was a garden, and in the garden a sepulchre." In the style of his sermons he preferred the persuasive to the vehement manner, and resembled Bishop Horne or his own favourite Apostle, St. John, rather than Horsley or the Apostles Peter and Paul. His delivery was slow, and that partly from choice, for he remembered the precept, Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God." In prayer he was engaged heart and mind, and succeeded to a very great degree in losing sight of the objects around him. In the offices of baptism and the Lord's supper, his whole deportment was most solemn and affecting. He had particular pleasure in catechising little children; and his remarks and manner were so interesting that their parents esteemed it a privilege to be present. In the chamber of sickness and affliction he was often seen, and was always a most welcome visitor. It had been a custom among religi ous persons in Charleston, as in most other places, to seclude themselves on the death of a friend, from the public services of the church; but he succeeded to a great extent in recommending the better example of King David, who, under the loss of his child, went to the temple for consolation. In affliction, strangers and the members of other congregations sought with avidity his counsel and consolation. He visited the people of his charge, as before remarked of his conduct while at Newport, not indeed so often as both himself and they wished, but as often as his other duties would permit. · If in this matter he made any distinction, it was in favour of families in humble life. He was a most patient instructor of the illiterate Africans. He had them at his house frequently, while they were preparing for baptism; and his success in this office, so entirely new to him, was truly surprising. With his brethren the clergy, he soon attained great influence; and if there ever existed any difference of opinion between him and any of them in ecclesiastical affairs, the parties were usually induced, after serious deliberation, to acknowledge that Dr. Dehon was right, and they were wrong. Under his influence, that excellent institution, "the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South Carolina," was formed, and attained a high degree of prosperity. "The harmony," says Mr. Gadsden, "of our State Convention, too long in terrupted, was now happily restored; and a general disposition produced in the minds of both the clergy and the laity, to adhere strictly to the rules of our excellent church, particularly in relation to baptism, and to the observance of the festivals." Dr. Dehon exhibited a useful example in these respects, in obedience to his solemn ordination vows: he was strict in his compliance with the rubrics and canons of the church; and he thought, that these regulations contained in general the collected wisdom of pious and judicious men in many ages; and that the unity and peace of the church were endangered by a departure from them. The above important measures were effected by the influence of his kind and sensible expostulations, before he was appointed to the episcopal office. His discharge of the duties of that office, and the principal remaining passages of his life, will be narrated in a future paper. (To be continued.) FAMILY SERMONS.-No.CLXVII. Rev. vii. 14-17.-And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them: they shall hunger no more, · neither thirst any more; neither. shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne. shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. OUR church, among her festivals, has devoted one to the contemplation of the holy angels, and another to the commemoration of the spirits of the just made perfect. Nor are these festivals, when improved as the church intended, vain or useless. The contemplation of the blessed society of angels may lead us to adore the wisdom, the power, and the love of their, and our, Creator; to bless him for rendering them "ministering spirits," sent forth by him "to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation;" and also to imitate their example, endeavouring to love him, to worship him, and to do his will upon earth, as by. those holy and happy beings it is done in heaven. The commemoration likewise of the saints in glory, may profitably lead us, in the language of the collect for All-saint'sday, to call to mind that "one communion and fellowship in which God has knit together his elect in the mystical body of his Son Jesus Christ;" to follow the example of those now pure and glorified spirits, as they, when on earth, followed Christ, in order that, with them, "we may come to those unspeakable joys which God hath prepared for them that love him, through Jesus Christ our Lord." And who are these blessed spirits? Whence come they? And what is their occupation? Could the veil be removed between us and the unseen world, that veil which though thin and ready every moment to burst, death only can draw aside, we should behold, in the heavenly temple, as described in the sublime language of the chapter before us, "a great multitude, |