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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre film6s d des taux de r6duction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un seul clichd. il est film6 d partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^J /• F SERMONS PREACHED IN TRINITY CHURCH, MONTREAL, ON THK OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF THE HEV. MARK WILL0UGH13Y, IMUUMHEMT. MY THE REV. Wii.LIAx\I BOND, I. A CHINK, AMD THE REV. CHARLES BANCROFT, A. M. iNcaMBKNT or ir. xuo.aa.sb ;hukgh. i 3pu{>M0iS€i; %s t^c Ve»ix'£ bl Siiniilj! mjwsl;. MONTREAL : J'ltlNTED J5Y I.OVKLL & GIBSON, ST. NICHOLAS STREET. 1847. i ; The i)rohH,, it any, aiisinft from the Sale of tliis Pamplilet, will bo nppiojiriated towai di, llie erection of the " Wili.oi'oiidv Sindav Stiiooi,," A SERMON, ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MARK WILLOUGHBY, I'UE ACHED IN Cn'm'ti? COurcI), iBoutieal, Ox\ SUNDAY, THE 18th JULY, 1847, nv THK H REVEREND WILLIAM BOND, LACUINK. PUBLISHED BY THE VtSTRY OF TRINITY CHURCH, I) MONTREAL : PRINTED BY LOVELL & GIBSON, ST. NICHOLAS STREET. 1847. SERMON. " I heard a voice from Heaven saying nnto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in tlie Lord from lionceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, tliat they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them."— /iVw., xiv. 1.3. There must have been something very remark- able in the fortitude and constancy with which the first Christians met various and dreadful deaths : their conduct often exacted from theu* bitterest enemies, — their most cruel persecu- tors, — both admiration and respect. In the Heathen world death was no strange siffht, splendid self-devotion no uncommon thing; yet such was the lofty and noble bearing of the Christian martyrs, that men maddened with the thirst for blood looked on with won- der. Apparently there was nothing to inspirit or support the sufferers ; nothing to work up the passions to stern endurance; no proud feeling of defiance ; no fierce spirit of rage and hatred ; no crowds of admiring and encourag- ing friends; no superstitious belief that the A mere act of enduring would secure endless glory: they were a meek and an inoffensive people,— desi)ised by the great,— eontennied and scorned by the basest and the vilest,— jeered and ridiculed even at the stake or on the bloody arena,— by the congregated nuiltitude: but they were not moved. With noble gran- deur, they braved suffering, and calmly and firmly sustained every pang. AVe know the secret of this ; we know the source of this more than human fortitude and courage. We can account without hesitation for that which astonished and confounded the heathen persecutors. AVe know that they were Divinely su])ported, that,— as they were " baptised for the dead,"— as they contemplated the jeopardy in which they stood, as they pic- tured the savage beast ready to devour them, —they turned to the promises which they knew were written and were sure ; and as they read, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," and " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord," they went fearlessly on with the work of their master and welcomed,— when he came,— Death in his most terrible and appalhng aspects. The season for which St. John wrote was fruitful in such scenes: often was the ground wet with the blood of the Suints : often were the famished beasts of Ephcsus and other cities gorged with the flesh of God's people ; but the faithful were not daunted ; they pressed on in the work ; tliey joined " the noble army of martyrs," and won for themselves the crown of glory. We do not say that this self-devotion was easy then ; we do not maintain that to foUow ni their steps is easy now; we cannot deny that there is something terrible in death ; that naturally we shrink back from the grave, and cling to life. Death has modes of ai3proaching man,— of seizing upon his victim,— the very thought of which sickens the soul and causes the whole frame to shudder. And this is true, not only of the time when the mind pictured the wreathing rm\ the scorching flame,— the rending teeth c t the furious beast; it is often true of common hfe and of the present day. No small portion of the martyrs spirit is required to face infectious and malig- nant disease ; to look upon the agonies of the dying; to behold their fearful struggles and contortions, and listen to their delmous rav- ings : no small portion of the martp-'s spirit is required to witness these proofs of intense and sudden sutfering; to feel around the breath of death ; to know that you are braving- iiini as it were in the midst of Iiis kingdom ; and that in a moment you may be one amongst tlie layuio- and the dyino-; no small portion of this spirit is recjuired to witness, and to know all this, and yet ealnily and iearlessly to go on with duty; resolutely and perseveringly to enter the abodes of the infeetion, and minister to the wants of the dying; to see it fastening upon and pulling down one affer another of those who, in their career of benevolence and duty, dare its poAver— and yet to persist in lift- ing the cup of water to the parched lip,— in alleviating the suflbrings of the wretched,— in kneeling by their side and telling them of the mercy of God and the all-sufhciency of Jesus. It is not an easy matter thus to act ili the midst of all this danger and death, and without any earthly motives to prompt to the self-devotion and the sacrifice. We can see sufficient mov- ing power, only in the Spirit of the Gospel and the love of God. An attempt may l)e made to controvert this conclusion l)y meeting us with proofs of a mercenary spirit. We do not dispute their existence; but arguments manifesting their weakness Avill occur to every mind, and we shall content ourselves with simply replving— Death is faced; his stin^r^ as it is eiiterin^r the soul of tile penshino', is often pUieived away; many, in ^rapj)liiio- ^vith liini around the hcds of those already struel<, fhll l)eneath his Iiaud ; and we heheve tliat tin's courage, aud pliilan- tln-opy, and eliarity, mainly spring from trust in God and hope in Ciiimst. And as persecution rao-ed around, as blood flowed in rivers from the Church, and the Christian knew not how soon his ini<-ht swell the stream, doubtless encouragement was often drawn fi-oni tlie tliouoht, "JMessed arc the dead Avhich die in tlie Lord:" and doubtless often since,— as Christians have st(K)d annmd the p-avc of friends— martyrs to their duty, and listened to the words, *" I iicard a voice from Heaven saying- unto me, AVrite, Blessed are the dead wliich die in the Lord,"— doubt- less they have been encouraged and streno<th- ened, and gone back to their work with a fresh and firm resolution to be faithful unto death. Nor does this blessedness come only upon those, who, from love to Christ, die in the cause of Christ: it belongs to all who faithfully serve Him, — to all who cling to Jesus for salvation ; indeed, the passage may be considered remark- able for this,— that it is said, those who die in the Lord are blessed ; in other Mords, those j) 6 TV ho are united by faith to Christ, are members of His spiritual body, are pervaded by His Spu'it, are made partakers of His Hfe : these when they depart from this world are pro- nounced emphatically "Blessed." In connection with the blessedness their works are not so much as named. It is dying in CImst— though surrounded by infirmities and temptations, though constantly struggling with corrup- tions, though cast down and almost ovar- whelmed, though sorely tried and atHicted, yet still, amidst all, looking to Jesus, trusting to Jesus, drawing strength from Him,— it is this which secures to us our blessedness; this interest in Christ, this union with him,— this support which makes us more than conquerors, and enables us to claim the i)romise, " He that overcometh shaU inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son :" our works are not forgotten, our works do follow us, and through the goodness of God, are met by a glorious reward ; but the writing is, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' Now, simply by examining the assertion in one general view, we must pronounce those who die m the Lord as indeed "Blessed." liiey stand in the presence of their Lord and serve Him in glory! This in itself is enougl, to insure for the tombstone of such, the m- scnption "Blessed." It is a glorious and a blessed tlnng to serve the Lord here below • to go forth as His messenger, declaring around the glad tidmgs of salvation,-proclaiminff mercy to a perishing worid : let us ask those who, from love to Jesus, have entered heartily upon His work: they speak; and " ten to their testimony : « There is more real pleasure, more ^^ substantial happiness, in the giving a cup of ^^ cold .^^ter in the cause of Christ, than in all ^^ the rich banqueting of the wealthy. As we ^^ went aboutfeedingthehungry andclothingthe ^^ naked, speaking to the thoughtless the word of warning ; to the weak the promises of encouragement; to the dying the sweet Ian- guage of mercy and of hope: we gathered ^^ more hours of delight, than in all the service ^^ of sm. Blessedness flows in no scanty stream to those who, in any station, devote their energies to the work of their Lord." And ]f it be so with private Christians, O it is doubly so with those who go forth with cre- dentials as Ambassadors of God. We know well the blessedness of a faithfulness to our trust,— we know well the blessedness of givinc above receiving. Amidst all our trials nnd discouragemente, (and they are neither few 8 nor light,) we know well the delight and gratis hcation of conveying the word of pardon to the perishing ; of pledging to hini,-as he doubts and fbars, and casts npon us his dvino- iHS imploring gaze -of pledging to hini th'e word, the truth of Jehovali,-that He wills not the sinner to die. We know the blessed- ness of watching him as gradually he turns to his Saviour; as tremblingly but firmly he cleaves to Jesus ; and as with bright andi)lacid liope, at last, he sinks hito his rest We Ivnow this and much more of the blessedness of serving God in time. He gives us now many pleasing tokens of His love ; and He gives us besides many glorious views of tlie future, of which we cannot now tell. But with all this blessedness in time, there IS not one of us but heartily subscribes to the writing, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." We know that, however favorable may be our position here ; however smiled upon by our Master while in this world • it IS far, far better ro depart and be with Christ • It is unspeakably more glorious and happy to serve Him above; it is infinitely more to be desired and longed for to stand in His presence, to behold His flice, to do His will in the realms of glory— girded with immortality and moved 9 by celestial eneroy. Q, how far more blessed to see tlie broad picture of His dcalinrrs and the bringiiio. good out of tlie great mass of evil ; to ^vatch the chain of His Providences and mark the love which binds tlie links ; to meditate upon the developing and fulfilling of Prophesy, and wonder over the closing and finishing of the mighty scheme of Kedemption. And while Ave thus gaze and adore, how still more blessed to be employed as fellow-Avorkers with Jehovah, in executing many of His works; in gathering home His Church; and finally, in sitting with Him on the Thrones of Judgment ! Again, how far more blessed to have escaped the tribulations that are coming upon the earth • to have been called from a scene of labor and sorrow—where all is dimly seen—where much is wrapped in clouds of darkness; to the bright- ness and knowledge of Heaven, to the certahity and reality of endless joy, to the rest that remameth for the people of God. We know little yet of what we shall be, but we know enough,— when we mourn the "dead which die in the Lord,"--to take from sonw Its bitterness, from death its sting, from the hidden future, the mysterious Eternity, much of its darkness and much of its terribleness. B I 10 We know tlmt even our sei-vinR t)ie Lord liere, is labor to our Hciik and frail l)o(lies ; but H-hen wc servo HIn, in Heaven dav and nio-ht wc shall rest from our labors. AVi Knon- that here our very best works are defiled with impunty and sin, and merit condemnation • but there, separated f,om their imperfeetions! even our works follow i.s and heap upon us the rewards of graeeand merev: and then, with wills and powers sanetiiied, wc shall join with the countless multitu.lc in doiuR the services ot Heaven, and swellinj.. the rush of melody • as IS sung, " Great and marvellous are thy works. Lord God Ahnighty; just and true are thy ways thou Km- of Saints." And as this appears when we con.sider the future prospects of the Christian j..enerally, it IS equally manifest with reference to indiVi- dup s : for instance, we thanked God,-on last ^riday as we stood beside the grave of our dearly loved fiiend and brother,_that He had delivered him out of the miseries of this sinful world. We felt our loss; we keenly mourned. Vet with trustfulness, with thankfulness, did we stand there. We had firm faith that it w^as a happy change, a glorious deliverance for the departed. n The Cliristiau (and it is doubly true of the faithful Christian Ministe,-,) has man. diUr! age.nouts, man)- son-o,vs, nnieh i^eariness and to, to eontoud with; he sorrows as he beholds tho e who dul run well, stopping i„ their course or turinng aside fro.n the path of life; he sor- rows as he contemplates the wretchedness and woe, and death, with which he is surrounded • he sorrows as he meditates upon the cor- ruption and guilt with which the world is defiled, and man destroyed ; he son-ows as he encounters fighting-s ,vithout, and fears and misgivn.gs within, and as he anticipates still a long and weary pilgrimage ; and thus this sinful woicl, though having n,any a bright and lovely It IS that " IJlessed are the dead which die in tiie Lord. huch a death puts an end to all these sorrows; the soul takes immediate and final flight fi-om the abodes of woe • the dark mass of human misery and wretch- edness, as beheld from the "eternal ,vorld will be but as a speck; and only scn-e to' prove the assertion, "I reckon that the suf- ferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shaU be revealed in us ;" the departed will meet the glad welcome of Saints and Angels, a Fathers ,;' 12 gracious hand >vill ^ipe away every tear, the Kingdom ^vill be entered upon, ])repared for him from the loimdation of the world, and eternal and infinite blessedness shall be his ; corruption shall have put on incorruption ; mortality shall have ])ut on inmiortality ; the deformity of man shall be clothed in the Iviiihtcousness of God : faith shall be absorbed in sight ; lia})piness shall be found in every object ; and on all inscribed, " Eternity." Brethren, need we say any more to prove to vou that those Avho die in the Lord are blessed? AVe have told you of their glorious service in the presence of God, — we have told you of their escape from the miseries of this sinful world, of their entrance upon the joy and felicity of the world of holiness, — we have given you hints by which you may picture further the bliss of those who have gone to Jesus. If you would knoAv more we leave you to contemplate the }:)romise, " He shall inherit all thinG;s, and I will be his God and he shall be my son." Brethren, this blessedness is his w^hose loss to-day we mourn. He has ceased from his labors, he has gone to receive his reward, he has entered into his rest. Instead of darkly, famtly, seeing his Lord, instead of serving Him I 13 in the midst ol" infirmities and weaknesses, instead of mcetin<]i; in our Fathers liouse, as Ave do, to ^o away a,i!;ain to the workl and sin; to-dav he is present witli his Lord, and sees Him as lie is ; lie is tliere girded with immortal Btreniith : tliere for ever and ever. He has no more anxious fears and careful prayers ; no more watc'liin<^s and fastinos, and weepin<^s ; all is j)erfeet in enjoyment and bliss, and blessedness. He has entered into the Heavenly mansions. He has reeeived the crown of iilory, and brio-htly does he shine in the lirmameiit of Heaven as one who won many to righteousness. But bright as is his croAvn, and happy, as avc are sure he is, yet brighter still and happier still will be his lot ; many of his Avorks are yet to folloAV him : he labored hard to fit you for He[iven: he has been already Avelcomed by many Avho have been gathered from amongst you : and as one after another of you drop from your places here and i-o awa^^ to Jesus, the lustre of his croAvn Avill be added to, till his joy and croAvn of rejoicing are perfected and completed. 0, brethren! Avould to God that none of his labor miiiht be in vain amongst a'ouI Avould to God that not one of you might deprive him of any of his rcAvard! that not one of you might be '' *l * : !; IV 14 missing from that glorious multitLiile around the throne of Gud ! but 0, we know that his labor shall not be useless ; we knoAv tliat Sermons die not ; that ordinances are not ministered in vain. That hand that poured upon some of you the waters of baptism is powerless in death ; that voice that ^'ou once heard invitino- be- seeching, warning, encouraging, is silent in the grave ; that tongue thai blessed you as you pledged your troth of love before God's holy altar, is paralized and nerveless ; that fatherly affection that led vou for\vard to confirm your VOAVS and receive the blessing of your Bishop, can now no more be manifested; he no longer holds visible connnunion with you at the table of the Lord ; no longer kneels by the bed side of your sick and djing friends ; no longer ministers to you in holy things : but O, think not that any of this is forgotten in the past ; think not that all is buried in his tomb. No ! the word of God cannot return unto Him void ; the work of Ministers if not a saAour of life unto life, must be a savour of death unto death. If any of you are lost, his very faith- fulness will add to your condemnation ; his hand, his tongue, his voice, his life, his death, will rise up in judgment against you ; his labor 15 of love and vour obstinate resistance, will with scathino' power strilve upon your niemorv in the bottomless pit. But let us turn from this, and pray that we may follow his teachini;-, and his example, in all holiness and godliness of living. And now you ask, perhaps, how we can speak so confidently of his blessedness, and offer so mncli of his conduct as an example. Our answer is, brethren, not only because he died in the Lord, but because too, he lived in the Lord. Amidst infirmities and frailties, he yet kept his eye n})on the glory of God and the salvation of souls ; amidst trials and tempta- tions, he still kept Heaven in view as his portion, and clung to Jesus as his only hope : often and of^^en has he said, " I am a poor miserable sinner, but Jesus is my joy, and Heaven will be my exceeding great reward." Ye know his doctrine and his trust ; it was all " grace, grace," from the foundation to the head stone thereof. Christ was all, man was nothing. But it was chiefly in prayer that he mani- fested his being in Jesus ; he was eminently a man of prayer ; he took not a step, scarcely chose a hymn for public service ^^ itliout apply- in"" to the throne of arace. His heart naturallv, (for it was renewed,) instinctively ascended to liis Heavenly Father, whenever dirtieiilty or even eare presented themselves to him. He was noted for his connnuiiion witli (Jod as a private Christian iitleen years a^'o, and often soui>lit nnto as a man possessing;- spiritual wisdom and experienee ; his praying- hal^ts g-ave him great inHuence, and great success in his Master's cause. Loni>- before he himself had entered n})on the ^Ministry, he had been instrumental in sendinii- others to the work, and in instructing some more perfectly who had already begun ; he has left many l)ehind him preaching the word of truth, who owe all they have and all they are to him as the means ; some g'oing back to sixteen years ago ; others even to his Sunday School Class, when he was merely a Sunday School Teacher. His pro- gress in grace was gradual — but from his earliest youth he prayed, and spiritnal life went on strengthening with his strength and ripening with his years, until at last he seemed only to long for Heaven, and to wait his Lords aaIU for removing him from this weary wilderness. As for yon, his congregation, little do yon know how he loved you ; little do you know with what care he watched over you, with what earnestness he prayed for you ; little do you know how willing he was to spend and be 17 fipent, that you might be saved. 0, how his heart was pained and his spirit moved as he saw you wanderinn-, even for a day, from the ri<rht path! and how he rejoiced when you walked in love, or when, as a shock of ripe corn, any from amonn; you were gathered into his Heavenly Fathers garner. I verily believe that at one time or another every individual amongst you was personally pleaded for before the throne of grace. AVe, his bretln-en, well know how he exhorted us to pray for our tlocks, and to ask God's blessing as wo prepared to ascend the Pulpit; and you know the fervency with which he sought the Holy Si)irit's pre- sence and inlluence in the many and various meetings Avhich he was accustomed to hold. But he has gone! Ave shall no more take sweet counsel together; no more have visible conununiou here on earth. His voice will not again be heard within these walls. You have lost a l^istor who loved you unto death; many of us ha\e lost a Spiritual Father whose all'cc- tion exceeded that of nature. He iias i-oiie ! but it is only a little bct()re us. He has gone! but his path is the i)ath of the just; glory is before and around him, and it will shine more and more unto the perfect day. He is gone ! but he beckons us on. He tells 18 us tx> jtrencl^ as it were, in his fo'itsteps. We thinlv ol Mb Wessediicss and long to be with him. Ho stands, as it were, and says, a few years longer, — some mure or some less, — then a cold or a fever, a few days (it may be hours) of sickness, then a struggle, a prayer, a com- mending of the spirit into the hands of our God, and the soul is emancipated, and Avings its way to the dwellings of the just. Come, brethren, let us form the prayerful resolution, " We Avill, we ^vill love and serve " thee, O Lord Jesus. AVe will strive and " struggle with sin. We will be faithful unto " death. AV'e will remember the m ay of our " departed Pastor and Brother, and give heed " to his mvitation. Come away to glory." A S E II M O N, occasio\i:d by the death OP 11IE REV. MARK WILLOUGHBY, DELI\KliEI) IN Crmiti> CljurcO, iHontital, or WHICH XnB DSOEASBD was XHi ItlOOtlSBST, ON SUNDAY, THE 25tii JULY, 1847, iiv Tin; REV. CHARLES BANCROFT, A. M. IHCCiinKNT Of sr. Tno-i\3's CnuHCH. i,3y5>Ujs|)ft) b2 tfjc Vm:^ cf ^linii^ ^Inxt^, MONTREAL : PRINTED BY LOVELL & GIBSON, ST, NICHOLAS STREET. 1847. f f SERMON. 2 TIMOTHY, IV. G, 7, 8. " For I am now vemhj to he offered^ and tlio time of ■ ;' departure (S at hand. I have fo>o/ht a good fi'jht^ [ have finished, nnj conrse, 1 have kept the fanli: Jlenciforth there is laid up for me a croum of rajldeou.sness, whic/t the Lord, the rijUteous jmhje^ shall give me at that dag : and not to me ordg, hut unto all thcin aUo that love his appearing^ ,1 I 1 The clcatli of a Christian Pastor is, at all times, an event of solemn and profound interest. It is the severance of one of the dearestof earthly ties. It is the closing up o^ ,i connexion, the influence of which, whether lor good or for evil, is to be felt throughout eternity. He is gone to render up an account of his labors, his people will soon be summoned to meet him ; both will be righteously judged, according to the improve- ment made of the talents committed to their trust. " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints," especially of those who have been the instruments of turning many to 22 righteousness. Precious in the sight of a Christian people is the death of their earthly Shepherd, who has long been their guide in treading the heavenly road. In such an event the consolation is, that " Th' Eternal Shepherd still survives, New comfort to impart ; His eye still guides us, and his voice Still animates our heart." Under this tiying dispensation, my afflicted brethren, we feel that you stand in need of strong support. Oh ! then, let us find it in the conviction that our lamented friend was well prepared for his change, that he died on the field of battle, equipped in the armour which divine grace had provided; and that he has now entered into that blessed rest which re- maineth for the people of God. That w^e may be able to direct your meditations into a pra- fitable channel,^ we have selected the words of the text, as expressive at once of the dying hope of the Apostle Paul and of our departed friend : " For I ain now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at 23 that day; and not to me only, but unto all theia also that love his appearing." I. " For I am now ready to he offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" The Apostle is supposed at this time to have reached the age of at least three score jears. His Christian life had been one of continued hard- ship, which may have added to his natural mfirmities. He had, in all probability, received the divine intimation of the approach of death. Indeed he was even now the prisoner of a capri- cious and cruel tyrant, who might at any moment dcpriA-e him of life. But with perfect resigna- tion he could bow to the will of God : " / a?n now ready to he offered^' or, as it is in the margin, " poured out," an allusion to the JeA\ ish offerings, on Avhich ^^ ine and oil Avere poured, " in the service of Christ. I am now willing " and happy to shed my blood in the support of " the Gospel testimony which I have delivered, " and for the promotion of the Divine gloiy. "It matters not when the call comes, I am " ready, — and I believe it to be XQvy near ; I " am standing on the verge of the grave ; yet I " can look into it with entire composm-e, for my " peace is made with God." AVhat a desirable state of mind ! Who of us can lay claim to it? Wlio of ns that gazes on that wreck of mor- 1 1 I ' 1 1 24 tality, upon that closing grave, upon the tomb in which the tleacl are buried out of our siiiht, can say, " / am now reathj to he offered : I " Iiave a desire to depart and be with Christ " which is far better?* I can cry out to corrup- " tion, thou art my father : to the worm, thou " art mymot]ier,and niysister;+ because I know " that my licdeemer li\etl], and that He shall " stand at the latter day upon the eartli: and " thouii-h after niv skin Avornis destroy this body, " yet in my Hesh shall I see God: whom 1 shall " see for myself, and n^ine eyes shall behold, and " not anotlier.":]: Do we ask who of us can with sincerity employ such kmguage? I ansyer: lie who can continue the strain of the Apostle, and say, " I have fouirht a irood iiirht. 1 have finished my coiu'se, 1 have ke})t the faith." That our beloved friend, wliose departure we mourn, could adopt the first clause of this expression, no one at all familiar with his holy walk and conversation can reasonably doubt. ^Ve are not aware that until shortly before his death he had even a presentiment of his coming end; but Avlien the reality burst upon him, it found him prepared. Only a few Avords of direction were necessary respecting his tem- poral affairs, for they were already arranged, — * Philip, i. 23. f Job. .wii. 14. J Jol), xix. 2T 25 an example Avhich we would do well to imitate, since a sick bed, which may find us totally incapacitated for mental exertion, is not the time or place in which to " set our house in order." Nor was the case far different with regard to the concerns of his soul. When one of the medical attendants asked him (would that all physicians might think sometimes of the souls of their patients,) "Whether his faith Avas firm? Could he rely on Jesus?" He replied : " / have no doubt, I have no doubt, I have no doubt, I have no doubt'' II. But the Apostle continues: "/ have fought a good fight, I have finished my course:' We have here a favourite allusion to the Grecian games. The Christian life is a ivar- fare. Upon it St. Paul had entered. He sought the salvation of his soul, he embraced the cause of Christ, he was clothed in the spiritual armour provided by God, and met the attacks of the foe in the strength of God. Hear him cry out in his strugglings with indwelling sin and corruption : " 0, ^vretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ?"* Again, listen to his tes- timony concerning the number and poAver of his enemies : " We wrestle not against flesh ■H om. vii. 24. D 2() and blood, but against principalities, ai^jiinst powers, against the rulers of the darkness^ of this Avorld, against spiritual >yickedncss in high places."* The victory over them, however, was in his case achieved. "I thank God," he exclaims, "through Jesus Christ our Lord."t "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death:" But St. Taul could with his dying breath, shout, "0 death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory ?"$ Have you entered upon this warfare, beloved brethren ? Have you put on the Christian armour? Have you fought the good fight of fliith ? Have you obtained victories over sin, the world, and the devil ? But the Christian life is also a race, and upon that race St. Paul had entered. " Know ye not," he writes to the Corinthians, " that they v/hich run in a race run all, but one rcceivcth the prize ? So run, that ye may obtain, but every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown ; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that bcateth the air ; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, *Eplios. vi. 1-'. t Roiu. vii. 25. t 1 Cor. XV. 55. 27 when T have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away."* With what spirit lie maintained tlie conflict, we have also exhibited in his Ei)istle to the Philippians, in which he says : " Brethren, I count not myself t(j have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forget- ting those things which are behind, and rcachiug forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."t I need hardly remind you witli what devo- tion our dear friend Avas engaged in this wai-fiu-e. Connnenced early in life, it was vigorously maintained until the hour of death. A descen- dant of fallen Adam, he inherited a sinful and corrupt nature. The struggle Avith Ins spiritual foes was unceasing, but always carried on in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace he found sufficient for every em.ergency. He had finished too his course, the race ap- pointed him by God ! not that he had carried out all his plans for the Divine Glory; his life was not sufficiently prolonged for this; yet he had done enough, he had accomplished his work. He had made his own peace with God; he had been instrumental in turning many to righteousness ; he had built up this * 1 Cor. X. '2A--27. triuCr. iii. 13, 14. 28 large and flonrishing congregation; he Iiad collected the noble Snnday School, its chief ornament ; he had been the means of estab- lishing Schools over a large portion of British America ;* he had introduced into the ministry many of our most useful Clergy f ; he had taken Sn!;'^!'"' '^^'j"""S^^l>3'^^^f t'i« S"P«-intcndontof the Newfoundland School bociety, and as such had the char-o oF their Scliools in Canada. The hi.'li estimation m which ho was held by that venerable Association, the tbllowinK ?f w£r;.PT''''f ''^'''•" I xecutive Committee since his'death, a copf aL^nliantly prc!;::-"^ "'"^ ''"°"^' '" ''''''"' '° '"'''■ WiHoughby, S Ml'rUwSr'^'K "''' '" '■'l^r^'"?: "" tficir minutes tho decease of the Rev. Mark Willoushby, cannot do so without expressing tho great loss they fee they have sustained by this sudden and s'evcre bereavemen . Thov aro prompted o pay this tribute to Mr. Wilioughby's memory, not only from tho consideration of the great respect which tliey have ever emer ainS tSds h m as a faithful minister of the Gospel of Christ, but also from tier sense ot the value of those serv cos. wh eh ho has so lonrr onrl «,. nfli,.;„ Vi u pc-rmitted. under God, to render this Socitt/ ^ '" onrJl'*',^°"'"]-"!r-'"''o*'"!'^ '"'■'''■^ '''^f' J'o^vever well founded may be tho constitution of their Society, and that .vhalever care they therasd^s S"' '? -r'^^if^ '"'^'f""^ '^' "ature of its operations, almosreverv thing must alter a 1 depend upon the qualifications of the Soc\et/s Superln^ tenden s in the Colonies. In the late Air. Willoughby, the Comm tSf vv"ro ter oSe S 'f "''^^'i' "f ''"'■ """J'^ "°' ""'>' "P^old the evangelical charac- ter of the Society m all Its purity, but who would also, by his Christian kind- ness and judicious management, both conciliate those who wereW^^^^^ proceedings, and lead those who approved of it to a yet stronger atSment "The encouraging statements which have from time to time ben .' received, both directly and indirectly, respecting the S^cie v's successfu abors in Canada are, the Committee conceive: mainly to be aUributed to Mr. Willoughby s indefatigable exertions in promcrting, under Godt '''<^f''}r;/K^o"cty's interests in that important Colony. " Whdst, however, the Committee deeply lament the blow the Society has received in the removal of Mr. Willoughby to a better world, the? luld most affectionately tender their sincere condolence to his moun ing relat ves for whom they pray Aim ghty God to vouchsafe them every cSation and support, and o enable them to look forward with joy^o a b e ed reunion with their departed friend in the Saviour's presence.'' »,r!„^^'fT''?^ as twelve young men were, by Mr. Willoughby's exertions brought before the notice of our venerable Diocesan, and afkr due prepara: tion, ordained to the sacred office and work of the ministry. N<Tu^ 1 these and many others of tho dergy, soon foi-n-ot tho help ^vh ch hey e ve.l from their lamented friend, and which was always so cheerfully^given in tho prosecution of their varinus labours of love. '•lmuiij given in 29 part in tlie formation of some of the great religious Societies of our Mother-land. A devo- tedly attached member of his own branch of the Clnirch Universal, he was yet ready, as opportunity offered, to engage in works of mercy with all those who loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity ; often looking forward to that blessed time, when divisions in the reli- gious world would cease to exist, and all, of every kingdom and tribe, would, with one heart and voice, worship the Lamb. His Hfe has been one of extraordinary usefulness. We have lost a beneflictor and a friend. The note of lamentation is sounded in our community. " I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me. Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Even so saith the Spirit ; for they rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them."* in. The Apostle, however, adds a third particular : " / have kept the faith: He was appointed to preach to a lost and perishing world, that Gospel which is "the power of God and the wisdom of God." And upon the truths which he taught his own soul rested for comfort and acceptance. When he determined "to know nothing among mQw save Jesus * Rev, xiv. l.'l. Prayor Book translation. 30 Christ, and him (Tueifit'd,"' it was because ot the solemn conviction that such preaching alone could profit to the salvation of his hearers. " Christ crucitied" was his only hope ; hence it was his theme, the vital doctrines of the Bible all clusterin<]^ around the atonement of Christ: — the lost condition of man, his helplessness, his all-sufficient Saviour, the blessings of whose redemption were to be apprehended by faith as the instrument, the converting and sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost, applying the blood of Christ, changing the heart, enabling the believer to bring forth the fruits of righteous- ness, and fitting him for happiness. These truths he published everywhere, maintaining them through evil report and good report. They were dearer to him than life, and ah! with what comfort could he look back upon a lengthened pilgrimage, and feel sensible that in the strength of God he had been able to continue faithful, true to himself, true to his master, true to his work. Well might he exclaim, " I am now ready to be offered : I " have accomplished my task." Yes! in the face of martvrdom, for he had said it before: " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto mvself, so that I miii'ht finish my com'se with joy, and the ministry, which I 1' 31 t have received of the Lurd Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the i!;race of God." '^" And, my brethren, we beheve that our lamented friend, on his death-bed mioht, with oreat sincerity, have employed similar language. KevieAving his ])ast life, he could with truth have declared, "/ h(/>'e kept the faitiL Christ crucified was indeed iiis theme. His own soul rested on Christ for salvation ; he preached him only : he never felt that his duty had been performed, unless his discourse had conducted the sinner to the feet of Jesus, as a Divine and all-suthcient Saviour. He was always in earnest. He preached as a dying man to dying men. He seemed to enter the pulpit inspired with the sentiment so forcibly expressed by Richard Cecil : " Hell is before me, and thousands of souls shut up there in everlasting agonies— Jesus Christ stands forth to save men from rushing into the bottomless abyss. He sends me to proclaim his ability and his love : I want no fourth idea ! Every fourth idea is contemptible! Every fourth idea is a grand impertinence."! Being empha- tically a man of prayer, following out in his whole life the apostolic injimction, to "pray -prayer preceded, accom- AVl thout cciasmg, Aots, sx. ii-i. t Cecil's IvLiiuains, p. 120. 32 panicd, and followed every discourse. Can we wonder that his sermons Avere blessed of God, that the arrow of conviction reached the heart of many an imi)enitent sinner, who left this house with new light and new strength, and new determination? And he '■^ kept the faith," shunning all error, adhering strictly to the doctrines of the Bible, in consistency with the teaching of the Church of England, to ^yhicll it was his happiness and his glory to be attached. Brethren, as you review the past and con- template the future, when you remember that there is but a step between you and death, as you stand on the verge of tlie grave, can you say, " I am now ready to be offered, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the fixith ?" If so, then may you appropriate to yourselves the blessed assurance of the Apostle, which, in the IV. Fourth and last place, we briefly notice. You will see by the very terms in which it is expressed, that it is the portion of every true beHever. " Henceforth;' he writes, " there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, ivhich the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, hut unto all them also that love his appearijig" In the way of m:j ' I merit St. Paul hvlicved Iiiniself to be deser- viiiii; of nothini;' but everl{istuii>- death. Yet his trust was in Christ, who h.ad in his own person fulfilled the utmost re([uirenients of the law, and provided a righteousness for him. 'rhrouui;li faitli in the Redeemer he was esteemed just or upri«i;ht, and became an inlicritor of all the blessings of redemption. " For he hath tnadc him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we mio'ht be made the righteousness of God in him."* This he terms a " croivn of rujlUeousnesSj' bestowed by Christ, the rightc^ ous judge, upon all his followers, as the reward of their faithfulness; a reward not of merits but of grace, purchased meritoriously for them by himself, bestowed on them as the recom- pense of faith and devotion to his will. In this " crown of righteousness," we see opened* to the apprehension of the Apostle all the glories of Eternity. Once caught u]) by the spirit into the third heavens, he had A\itnessed things unutterable. To that blessed abode of his Saviour, and the faithful of past ages, his hopes were turned. It was the rest that remained for the people of God ; a rest from the strugglings of indwelling sin and corru[)- tion ; a rest from the attacks of spiritual enemies; *2 Cor. V. Ql. £ 34 a rest from bodily pain and anguish; a rest from mental suffering; a rest from toil and weariness ; a rest from ealamities of every kind; a rest frozn every care ,; rest in the positive enjoyment of tlie favour, and smile of a risen and ascended Saviour; rest in siniiino; the eternal praises of Him avIio died to redeem us ; in tuning our harps with the angelic choir, singing in louder strains than they the mercies of redemption. What a crown, my brethren ! To know that our earthly con diet is over, our race ended, the last enemy conquered, the gates of the New Jerusalem opened for our admittance, and closed against every enemy of our peace ; to feel safe in the arms of omnipo- tence, and to know that we have entered upon an Eternity of happiness, united with those relatives and friends who have departed in the fear of the Lord, nay, with the saints of all ages ; permitted forever and ever to tread the courts of the heavenly city, and to reign with Christ ! " Who, who would live alway, away from his God ; Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er tJio bright plains, And the noontide of glory eternally reigns: " Where the Saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren, trans[!orted to greet ; Vflnle the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul !"' '^ Into this rest your beloved pastor has now entered. " As regards my sjjiritaal condition^^ he said to a friend, " / feel that Heaven is my portion^ for God icill he glorified in the redemp- tion of such a miserable sinner as I am!' How many of us will join him there? Until the day before his death, I had dared to hope in common with many others, that we should have been spared the separation. After having already committed to their parent earth, the remains of two dear friends, mem- bers of this congregation, devoted servants of Christ,* I did hope that the Shepherd of the flock would have been left to comfort the mourners : it was our prayer, that we might have heard God saying to the des- troying angel, " It is enough, stay now thine hand." But, alas ! the fatal shaft has winged its flight, has accomplished its end, and we are bereaved. Never again in this world shall we behold the venerable countenance of your shepherd, of our brother, counsellor and friend, the guardian of the suffering poor, whose life has seemingly been the sacrifice of his devotion to their interests, the valiant champion of the cross. How shall we give expression to our feelinos ? That voice ^vllich has now for seven * Mr. John Crispo, son of Lieut. Crispu, K. N., and Lieut. Lloj'd, R. N. 3(3 years, proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation from this pulpit, will not again be heard ; that hand which has so oft and so affectionately mmistered to you the memorials of the broken body, and shed blood of the Redeemer, will not again peifomi its holy office ; no anxious solicitude will again be manifested for your temporal and eternal interests ; the prayer of foith will not again ascend in your behalf from those now closed lips. The lambs of the flock will miss the land look and encouraging word of their shepherd • the poor will search in vain for the cheerful welcome, the open hearted response of their beloved Pastor ; the com- munity, the Church wUl moura, for who mav fill the blank ? ^ Alas, my brother! and is it even so? Cannot the march of death be stayed? Cannot the grisly monarch be robbed of his victim ? Why IS not the word of omnipotence agam heard • Lazams come forth !" Why, at this crisis in the history of our Church and country are we thus afflicted? Wliy, within :he compass of a week are three swept away, and by such a disease? Brethren T we cannot answer these questions. We have well pondered the tryino- dispensation; we have endeavored to fathoiu the mystery. One only voice conies to us ibm 37 4 Heaven, and the language is : " Be still, and know that I am GodT Precautions and reme- dies, these have been our dependence ; God is teaching us to acknowledge His sovereignty. *' See now," He is saying, " that I, even I am he, and there is no God with me ; I kill, and I keep alive; I w^ound, and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."* He is impressing upon our minds, too, the truth, that, although he condescends to employ human instrumentalities in carrying forward his work, he is yet wholly independent of them. Omnipotence needs not the help of man; omniscience can decide without our counsel. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord/'f Hence, not unfre- quently the most promising, the most useful, nay, those whose presence is deemed indispen- sable, are cut down in the midst of their days. A similar view I find expressed in a letter received since wi-iting the above, from a dis- tinguished clergyman of our sister Church in the United States. In allusion to the event which has filled our hearts with sadness, he says, " Dear and devoted Mr. Willoughby has lost his life on the battle field ! 0, how those words have been ringing in my cars since I * Deut, xxxii. O'J. t Zech. iv. fi. 38 heard of liis death: 'Help, Lord, for lhe£,a)dly man ceasetli ; for the faithful fail from amoiio. the elnldren of men.'* AVhat can be in store tor the Church when such men as Willoughby Mihior, and Du^^, are removed in the midst of then- labours ! On the other hand, our Schools are sendmg forth annually, large numbers of men who decry some of the greatest and most Fecious doctrines of the Gospel ; and, instead ot makmg then- peoj^le hunger and thirst after righteousness, le^d them to hunger and thirst after Rome ! But this I knoAV, that ' the Lord rcigneth.' and his cause shall finally triumph " Tlie fr;(> >d whose departure we mourn, was fuily ahve to this reality: " (7^" he would Observe, m witnessing similar dispensations of 1 rovidcnce, " needs not any of 7isr ^ True it is, my beloved friends, that the righteous are sometimes taken away as a jud'- ment upon those who remain. They are not appreciated by us, the talent is not improved and, bemg pi-epared for their change, they arj removed from the evil. Such a Visitation as lias lately beflxllen us ought to lead to " o-rcat searchings of heart." The former world could not be overflowed until the believing patriarch ^^^^ily had first been rescued. The *l'siUm xii. 1. ;^9 J Cities of the Plain could not ha destroyed 1)}^ fire from Heaven until pious Lot had been forced a^vay from them ! Can it be that the Lord is now siftino- his Church, with tlie view of leaving- it for a time to the desolations of the Evil one? AVe hear complaints in the Mother Country of the prevalence of a spiritual famine ; it is echoed on our side of the Atlantic, it is the case here in this City, in our congre- gations. God has threatened us with scarcity: He has sent the raging epidemic, and multi- tudes have fallen, and are still foiling around us. When His j'udgtnents are upon the earth He would have his people '' to consider ;'' yet how many are vie^N'ing these things with indif- ference, or else striving to drown the remem- brance of them Avith the intoxicating draught of pleasure or of licentious indulgence. Brethren, a voice comes to you from the grave! 0, Avill you not give it heed? It speaks to those of you in particular, who are without a saving interest in Christ. It asks whether your prospect of life is fairer t..m was his who but a few days ago ministered to you in this Sanctuary? Are you sure that you will not be among the next victims of ''the pestilence ? Where will you flee from it ? It is on every highway, it is traversino; the countrv. 40 it is in our lanes and by-ways. Are you pre- pared to meet it? Have you the Christian hope and confidence of our dying friend ? It is pleasing to remember, that up to the last moment of consciousness he was not oppressed with one anxious care respecting his everlasting salvation. " All is peace ivithin^ all is comfmij^ were among his closing words : and when he could no longer speak, he pointed significantly to Heaven. There he has entered the " gates of pearl," and we delight in imagination to trace him moving along the celestial courts with the seals of his earthly ministry, but espe^ cially with those beloved friends who rallied around him in his work of love at the Emigrant Sheds, the seat of the pestilence, sacrificing their lives that they might minister comfort to the dying stranger. We know the spirit in which they laboured, and we remember him who said, " Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."* But a few weeks since we sat together in the School-room of St. Thomas's Church, having assembled for the purpose of forming a Paro* chial Association in connection with the Churcli ♦Matt. X. 42. 41 Society of the Diocese. Mr. Yarwood, R. N., was in the chair ; our dear friend was on his left hand, and never have I seen hira more animated and happy than he was in his address upon that occasion. Lieut. Lloyd, R. N., As- sistant Secretary of the Church Society, was on the right ; and immediately in front, Mr. John Crispo, who had also consented to take a part in the services. Now, where are they ? Yarwood is gone! Crispo is gone! Lloyd is gone! Your revered Pastor is gone!* They have gone to form a happy circle in Heaven ; they are taken from us. Yet while we grieve for ourselves, and chiefly for the interests of the Church of our affections, we would not recall them ; no, not to this world of sin and misery. Concerning each one of them we would say, " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace." f " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." J O, ye who are without such a confidence in Christ as these possessed, listen to the admonition of your now sainted Pastor, who loved you and laboured for your salvation : * Tlie death of Mr. Willoughby has been followed by that of four other Clftrfryiuun of our Diooese, — the Ilev. Win. Chadcrtun, Minister of St. Peter's Cliapel, Quebe<!, the Rev. Win. Dawes, Hector of St. Johns, C. E., the Uev. C. J. Morris, M. A., Port Neuf, the Kev. 11. Anderson, B. A., llfipur Iivland. All died of Typhus Fever, contracted iu attendance at the Eiuij^runt Hiit^ds. t Psal. xxxvii. 37, J Num. xxiii. 10. F 42 " Seek tlic Fini-d whilt^. He may be found, enll ye upon liini Avliile lie is near; let the wicked forsake iiis way, and tlie uni'igliteous mtin lu's tlioughts, and let him return unto the Lord and He Avill have mercy upon him, and to our God for He will abundantly pardon."* Christian believers ! there is a messaxre for you : " Be ye also ready: for in such an hom* as ye think not the Son of IMan cometh."t To us, who as ministers, are placed on the watch towers of Zion, he " being dead yet spcaketh :" "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy mighCX " Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine ; continue in them : for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."|| Sunday School Teachers! "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."§ And you, lambs of the flock, turn to Him who said, "Suffer little childi-en, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."1[ It was the oft expressed wish of our dear friend that the poor should be invited to attend his funeral. To you, beloved, we say, cherish the remembrance of one who so faitlifully * Is. Iv. 7. t Matt. xxiv. 44. § Gal. vi. 9. X Ecc. ix. 10. ^ Matt. xix. 14. 1 Tim. iv. 16. 43 liiboured for your welfare. Let him still warn, encourage, and console you. Pray for liis afflicted Avidow that she may be sustained under the heavy trial with wliicli it has pleased the Lord to visit her, and that she may be enriched with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Pray that the mantle of your late Pastor may descend upon some worthy minister of Christ's Church, who may go in and out among you, seeking " not yours but you." And now, brethren, " the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead Our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever."* Amen. Hebrews, xiii. 20, 21. ynwn^ ^ ^ ,- HI Note.— How mucli gootl may be accomplished ])y a private individual, wliose heart the Lord lias opened to bestow of his abundance towards the advancement of the interests of the Church, will appear from a slight glance at the history of Trinity. The building was erected in 1838, by the late Major Christie, an eminently pious and excellent layman, at his sole expense ; and having been first m.idc over to the Church, was consecrated by his Lordship the Bishop of Montreal. Mr. Willoughby was nominated to the Incumbency in 1839, and thus had at his death accom- plished eight years. During that period not less than 1000 have been admitted as Communicants, 181 have been con- firmed by the Bishop of the Diocese, 1600 Scholars have deceived Sunday School instruction. No less a sum than JE8000 has been expended for the promotion of the interests of religion. And at the death of our lamented friend, arrangements had been entered into for the entire support of a TraveUing Missionary, and funds subscribed sufficient to carry forward the enterprize for at least two years. To the zeal and piety, and liberality, of that munificent church- man, Major Christie, is the Church therefore, under God, indebted for the accomplishment of this great work. Nor only this. A Church and Parsonage have been built in Christieville, (C. E.,) and endowed by the same liberal donor, where, we rejoice to say, under the faithful ministrations of the Incumbent, the Rev. Wm. Thompson, the Church is being successfully and permanently built up. May it please the Lord, in this time of our need, to incline the hearts of other pious laymen to *^ go ayul do likeivwe.^^ 6n^s as mi e.p ^^^tK^