IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 4^\ 
 
 4 <^ V 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 Z tZ 12.0 
 
 IL25 i 1.4 
 
 m 
 
 1.6 
 
 
 -^r^*' 
 
 c?^ 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y, M580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 \ 
 
 iV 
 
 ^ 
 
 o 
 
 "^ 
 
 V 
 
 
 
 
 o'^ 
 
If* 
 
 I 
 
 ,<if 
 
 .■^4 
 
 ^4^ 
 
 ^s 
 
 
 \> 
 
 CIHM 
 Microfiche 
 Series 
 (l\/lonographs) 
 
 ICI\/iH 
 
 Collection de 
 microfiches 
 (monographles) 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
 CkCk 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original 
 copy available for filming. Features of this copy which 
 may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any 
 of the images in the reproduction, or which may 
 significantly change the usual method of filming, are 
 checked below. 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 I I Covers damaged/ 
 
 D 
 
 Couverture endommag^ 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaur^ et/ou pelliculie 
 
 □ Cover title missing/ 
 Le 
 
 n: 
 
 titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes giographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Relie avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 long interior margin/ 
 La reliure serr^ peut causer de I'Dmbre ou de la 
 distorsion le long de la marge interieure 
 
 □ Blank leaves added during restoration may appear 
 within the text. Whenever possible, ttiese have 
 been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela itait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas iti filmtes. 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il 
 lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet 
 exemplaire qui sont peut-Ctre uniques du point de vue 
 bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image 
 reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification 
 dans la mithode normale de f ilmage sont indiques 
 ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommag^es 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurees et/ou pelliculies 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages decolor^es, tachetees ou piquees 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages detaches 
 
 HShowthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualite inigale de I'impressio.'' 
 
 □ Continuous pagination/ 
 Pagination continue 
 
 D 
 
 Includes index(es)/ 
 Comprend un (des) index 
 
 Title on header taken from:/ 
 Le titre de I'en-tCte provient: 
 
 I ^j Title page of issue/ 
 
 Page de titre de la livraison 
 
 □ Caption of istue/ 
 Titre de depart de la livraison 
 
 I . I Additional comments:/ 
 
 I ^ I Commentaires supplementaires: 
 
 D 
 
 Copy has manuscript annotations. 
 
 Masthead/ 
 
 Generique (periodiques) de la livraison 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est f ilme au taux de rMuction indiqu^ ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 14X 18X 
 
 '^A 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 2bx 
 
 26 X 
 
 T 
 
 24 X 
 
 30X 
 
 28X 
 
 22 X 
 
vue 
 
 n 
 
 The copy filmed here has b g \ reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 National Library of Canada 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 L'exemplaire U\m6 fut reproduit grdce d la 
 g^n^rorit^ de: 
 
 Bibliothdque nationale du Canada 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettet^ de l'exemplaire film6, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprim6e sont filmds en commonpant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iiiustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la 
 premidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iiiustration et en terminant par 
 la dernidre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbole V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre 
 filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour §tre 
 reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir 
 de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la m^thode. 
 
 J 
 
 2X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
\ 
 
 
 d^l^ 
 
 ^^i^y'^i^y?^ 
 
 ^>3^.«%5C^- 
 
 y^^ ^^^ a^^^^i^Tf^^^ ^^^ 
 
 ^Vi-:*- 
 
 y^^di:^///^^ 
 
 ^;^>c.^^^ 
 
 <> 
 
 
 .•^^ 
 
I. 
 
 
 CONFIDENCE IN DEATH: 
 
 ' A SERMON 
 
 PREACHED IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, 
 
 KINGSTON, CANADA WEST, 
 
 ®n Qnnhau, laiiuore 26tl;, 1845, 
 
 ON THE OCCASION OF the DEATH 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN SOLOMON CARTWRIGHT, ESQUIRE, 
 
 .tTBOE OK THE B.SXHrcX CO.KT. . q^.^k's CO.Ksk., ANB .ATK ' 
 MEMBER FOR LENOX AND ADD.NGXON. 
 
 BY THE REV. R. v. ROGERS, 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 
 
 KINGSTON :-PRlNTED AT T^F ^E"- O 
 
") 
 
 II ' 
 
 TO THE CHURCHWARDENS AND ©'"HERS, MEM- 
 BERS OF ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, KINGSTON. 
 
 In some desree alive to the importance of those great 
 truths involved in the doctrine of Salvation by Grace, few 
 events in mv life have afforded me more real pleasure than 
 acceding to'vour request for the publication of the tollow- 
 ing discourse ; since no brighter example of it has occurred 
 during a ministry of eighteen years. 
 
 A^a faithful, though imperfect, Record of the last days 
 of the beloved J. S. Caktavhmjht, Esquue, it is offered 
 for your most serious meditation. 
 
 To the voung it mav prove a guide : to those of his own 
 age a stimulus to redoubled diligence in the discharge ol 
 every duty : to all, a touchstone of character. 
 
 With prayer for the salvation of you all, 
 1 subscribe myself 
 
 Your servant, 
 
 RoBiiRT Vashon Rooebs. 
 KingsioKf C. W., Feb. 11, 1845. 
 
 V 
 

 i 
 
 L » !:.'',:i' 
 
X 
 
 |)salm 3l0t, 5t() beree. 
 
 " Into thy hands I commit my spirit : thou hast redeemed me, 
 O Lord God op Truth." 
 
 A VOICE of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, 
 a voice of the Lord [Isaiah Ixvi. 6,] warning, reproving, 
 rebuking ; and yet, how few believe the report ! God's 
 judgments are abroad in the earth, still the inhabitants of 
 the world do not learn righteousness. Judgments and 
 mercies, threats and entreaties, fall alike unheeded ! 
 And why ? Mankind look to second causes, and ascribe 
 to these, the ways of Ood with men. Some unforeseen 
 occurrence ; a sudden death ; a great afHiction, is called 
 an Accident, as if it came of chance, and the most High 
 had ceased to rule in the kingdom of men [Dan. iv. 17]. 
 Some direct interposition of love and power is traced to 
 human sagacity and skill. A man sustaining his infirmity, 
 standing unharmed amidst surrounding ill , or courageously 
 ccmtending with death ; all the glory of this is given to 
 strength df mind. ■ Thus God is robbed of the honor due 
 unto His name ; and we deprived of the benefit of 
 praising the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful 
 works to the children of men." [Psalms, cvii. 15.] 
 
 This is no new thing ! Drowned in pleasure or care 
 men say unto God : " Depart from us, for we desire 
 not the knowledge of thy ways^^ [Job xxi. 13, 16]. At 
 times, however, even the llioughtless think, and are 
 compelled to admit, " Verily, there is a reward for the 
 
" 
 
 rigliteous: doubtless there is a G(k1 that judgelli (he 
 earth" [P. B. vers. Ps. Iviii, 10]. 
 
 Such a moment has occurredy brethren. 
 
 It was no common scene witnesssed within these sacred 
 walls on Monday last ; not that every-day sorrow which 
 beclouded all faces ! It was a grievous mourning ! A 
 great man has fallen ! — great in all that constitutes true 
 greatness. A lesson has been (aught practically —how 
 to die. Shall we lose the benefit, either by neglect^ or 
 not tracing back the effects to their true cause 9 In 
 either case we shall fail. May the Holy Spirit's teaching 
 remove all prejudice and error, and guide us into all 
 truth ; so that since God's vrtice is crying unto our city, 
 as men of wisdom, we may hear the rod, and who hath 
 appointed it [Mic. vi. 9]. 
 
 The words of our text were (he language of our dear 
 departed ; giving back those talents, with which he had 
 traded so well, and brought sucli rich returns of glory to 
 God, and good will to man : and on this account they have 
 been selected for our meditation, teaching, as they do, 
 The Believbr's Confidence in Death. 
 
 The subject, then, is — Confidence in Death ; its nature, 
 desirableness, and cause. 
 
 First.— Its nature. Those properties, which distinguish 
 it from every other condition of mind, consist in a "firm 
 belief," " honest boldness," " confidence in God. " 
 [Johnson's Diet]. 
 
 1. Hence it is more than belief; it isj^rm belief; as 
 distinct from wavering. 
 
 No question as to future happiness arises : no doubt as 
 to his share in it. It is more than sight : it is all-hut 
 experience: the believer standing, not with Moses on 
 Nebo, viewing the good land ; but with Joshua, on the 
 
 
 "» - y 
 
' 
 
 ,' 
 
 f ^ 
 
 banks of the Jordan, with " tlic ark of the covenant"— 
 th€ assurance of his immedwie entrance. 
 
 2. It is boldness as opposed to timidity. 
 
 Fear is cast out ; because every ill consequence of death 
 is taken away : it fears not. More than tiiis : it is honesty 
 sincere boldness ; not in appearance merely ; not that 
 putting on of courage which betrays suspicion by over- 
 acting its part. It is the oft-tried courage of the veteran 
 of a thousand battles entering on some deadly conflict : or 
 rather, it is the free access of a chiUl into a parent's 
 presence, resting on a child's privileges. 
 
 3. It is confident trust in God. 
 
 Self is not the ground of support. Not the powers of 
 the body. They are fast dissolving; ail-but worn out ; 
 they refuse any further aid. 
 
 Not of the mind, the mere intellect, that sympathises 
 with its partner in suffering too much to arouse its former 
 energies. Its faculties are themselves unstrung. How, 
 then, can it bind up the drooping powers of the other ? 
 
 Nor is it on friends, however full of love and sym- 
 pathy, that the spirit rests. Friends, from their very 
 nature, cannot help. They are flesh, and can extend the 
 arm of flesh only. This is n hat which is needed at 
 such a moment. The Body is ixt the object of care : it is 
 the Spirit; and this must have spiritual aid for its 
 support, if supported at all. Man is flesh, and not spirit ; 
 and therefore his very anxiety to help doc. but prove his 
 inability. He sees the object of his love every moment 
 going further and further from his reach, sinking in death, 
 whilst the conviction of the impossibility paralyzes the 
 thought of an attempt at rescue. It is a Spirit which 
 the soul needs at the hour of failing flesh and heart ; and 
 Gk>d is that Spirit ! 
 
Confidence in death^ then, is hut another expression 
 for confidence in God, as the God of the Spirits of alt 
 flesh [ N umb. xvi. 22] »n the hour of death. It is nought 
 else than that boldness of access which the confidence of 
 faith alone can supply [Eph. iii. 12]. David proves 
 this ; for it is Jehovah^s hand into which he commits the 
 keeping of his spirit. The Saviour teaches the same 
 when, as his dying bequest, he says, " Father, into thy 
 hands I commit my spirit " : and when St. Paul expresses 
 the assurance of his faiih, " I know whom I have believed 
 and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I 
 have committed unto him against that day" [2 Tim. i. 12], 
 he seems to declare even mor6 than this ; even the antici- 
 pated '* absent from the body, present with the Lord^ 
 
 Such a state of mind disarms death ; robbing him of hrs 
 sting. Nay ; it changes his very nature : no longer the 
 Executioner of the liiw's last sentence, but the Deliverer, 
 openmg the prison door and bidding the captive spirit go 
 free. The Angel of Death becomes the Messenger of 
 Life ; and the summons, " This night thy soul shall be 
 required of thee,'*'' is the invitation : ^^Come, thou blessed 
 child of my Father, inherit the kingdo'm prepared for 
 you from the foundation of the tvorld." 
 
 Such confidence in death it has been my privilege to 
 i^itness; and on this account have I been selected to 
 address you on this mournful occasion, that I may bear 
 testimony to the power of God's grace in the objects of 
 his love, and lead you to glorify Him. The belief of 
 Mr Cabtwbioht was firm ; for the most part, unwa- 
 vering. There were times when, from weakness of 
 body and native depravity, unbelief obtained an advantage 
 over him ; yet, soon, prayer brought down increased faith, 
 
raising him from dejection, replacing Lira on " the rock '* 
 of his trust. 
 
 As the disease advanced, his conduct was marked by 
 manly courage, cqualU distant from boasting or fear. 
 Like one conscious of weakness and strength ; aware that 
 the former was liis own, inducing great caution with his 
 foes ; and that the latter was another's, driving him to tlie 
 strong for strength ; he was kept from rashness and 
 cowardice. Tliis could not have been mere animal 
 courage, since the body was wasted. Nor the effects of his 
 hitherto strong mind, as he frecjuently mentioned its great 
 weakness ; nor the ceaseless sympathy of untiring friend- 
 ship, however refreshing, could have caused this. It was 
 no arm of flesh which sustained poor drooping nature, but 
 confidence in God. The language of his daily life was : 
 " Th thee, O Lord, have f put my trust.^'^ On the last 
 Sunday, three days before his death, when contemplating 
 his emaciated frame, commencing with verso 42 of 1 Cor. 
 XV,, " It is sown in corruption ; it is raised in incorrup- 
 tion," etc., he repeated the whole passage with great 
 energy ; and when coming to verse 55, " O death, where 
 is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy victory ? " his faith 
 entered into the spirit of the language of St. Paul ; and, 
 like his divine Saviour, triumphed, in death, over him 
 that had the power of death. The day before his death, 
 referring to his' state, he said: ^^ patient in tribulation, 
 REJOICING IN HOPE." When sensible that but few hours 
 of life remained, no confusion appeared, no making haste, 
 but, with the calmness of a traveller going on a long 
 journey, he addressed a friend : "/ am going. All is 
 peace. I have no fears. ^^ To the last he retained great 
 comparative vigor of intellect, and cheerfulness of mind, 
 "comforting all around. Thus the great desire of his heart 
 
10 
 
 was granted, that he might not pass away from life in 
 insensibility, but might know of his approaching end, and 
 glorify his God in death. Now, brethren, who can question, 
 Second — The Desirableness of such a state of 
 Mind ? Do not all covet it when thinking on death ? It 
 is admitted by universal consent ! He who stands as the 
 descriptive head of a vast portion of mankind ; " the man 
 whose eyes the Lord hath opened " to see the security and 
 happiness of the people of Go«.I [Numb. xxiv. 2], but 
 which a covetous love of this world had so closed that he 
 did not cast in his lot among them ; he who heard the 
 w^ords of the Almighty, telling the future glories of the 
 redeemed ; who saw the stair, but followed not its leading ; 
 could speak of the sceptre of Christ, but submitted not to 
 its rule ; who vainly attempted to join in his own practice 
 the service of God and Mammon ; he gave forth, as his 
 heart's desire^ " Let me die the death of the righteous ; 
 and let my last end be like his ! " [xxiii. 10]. Yes! at 
 such a crisis, " more precious than rubies " is true wisdom 
 [Prov. iii. 15], " knowing him whom truly to know is life 
 eternal." "All the things that thou canst desire " are not 
 to be compared with " precious faith," bringing " peace 
 with God through our Lord Jesus" [Comp. Rom. iv. 25, 
 v. 1]; dispelling doubt and fear; and keeping, as In a 
 garrison, the heart and mind, in " perfect peace," stayed 
 on God ! [Is. xxvi. 3]. 
 
 Who could witness the joy and peace of our departing 
 brother without prayer that, when called to pass through 
 " the dark valley of the shadow of death," he may find 
 rod and staff" equally able to sustain and comfort ! 
 
 a 
 
 [Ps. xxiii]. During the last month, indeed, he was little 
 disturbed in mind, though applying to a mass of business 
 
' 
 
 u 
 
 almost daily ; but continued to enjoy an increasing confi- 
 dence in the divine mercy, and a more joyful hope of 
 eternal life. 
 
 Few can think, without alarm, of that separation, at 
 death, of all earthly ties : and when compelled to leave 
 the dearest object of affection, who does not earnestly 
 desire that which can not only ease the pain, but tell, so 
 persuasively, of a father's love and care, and of a speedy 
 re-union, as to change its very nature ? When the first 
 announcement had been made to Mr Cartwright of the 
 sentence of impending death, h^ lad bitterly felt for his 
 children, leaving them in helpless infancy. But he was 
 enabled to overcome these distressing thoughts, and to 
 leave them, with the calmness of a Christian's faith, in 
 the hands of a God of covenant mercy. [See Jer. xlix.ll]. 
 Several times he expressed the perfect peace he enjoyed 
 in being enabled to roll himself, as it were, upon his God ; 
 casting himself into his arms. Mr Cartwright 
 continimlly dwelt with grateful emotion on the mercy of 
 God in restoring him to his family and all the comforts fo 
 home, instead of cutting him off in a land of strangers ; in 
 hearing and answering prayer, bringing him back from the 
 verge of the grave, and adding sixteen weeks to life, so 
 important to his family in the settlement of his affairs, as 
 well as alleviating their sorrow ; in the grateful sense of 
 the great njercy vouchsafed to them in thus prolonging it. 
 
 Viewing the preciousness of such a death [Ps. cxvi. 
 16], how deeply interested are we all in examining as to 
 
 Thirdly—THE Cause. 
 
 Professing Christianity, few, if any, would ascribe this 
 blessedness [See Ps. Ixv. 4] to any other than God. 
 It is Relioiok, then ; the adoption of that system of 
 
12 
 
 faith and worship which Christianity teaches^ which 
 thus acts. 
 
 Here it will be asked — Can those general notions of 
 religion already mentioned, educational in part, in part 
 conventional^ can they still the troubled mind^ produ- 
 cing so great a calm at the hour of nature^s conflict 9 
 
 This is worthy our most serious consideration ; because, 
 dying daily, as we all do, so that in the midst of life we 
 are in death, it is well to know if these ivilt deliver us 
 from its bitter pains. 
 
 1. Will it not be admitted that general ideas, such as 
 are not directed to any single object in the plan of Re- 
 demption ; views vague arid unfixed upon some one point, 
 must have an effect equally lax and indefinite ? Does 
 not this arise from the nature of mere general ideas 9 
 
 2. Are not me.i's notions of religion usually of this 
 character; and hence ihe little influence derived from 
 them by their practice in health, and the small measure of 
 comf )rt which they yield in the hour of distress — little 
 influence on individual life and action ; slight comfort 
 drawn directly from them ? 
 
 3. That this is so, the mass of uncured evil amontr us * 
 that search after happiness, amidst creature comforts ; that 
 daily falsification of christian privileges by the votaries of 
 pleasure, abundantly testify. 
 
 4. It follows, therefore, that for the full flow of gospel 
 blessings, such rs can overcome every obstacle, and reach 
 the furthest point to which human misery can be driven, 
 our ideas of Religion must be specific, clear' j discerning 
 its precise nature, as well as several uses. Our views 
 must be brought within one focus. All the several rays 
 of thought must meet there ! 
 
 We learn this from "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw 
 
 , 
 
 ' 
 
J/ 
 
 : 
 
 i 
 
 13 
 
 all men unto me " : " They shall look on me whom (hey 
 have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourn, 
 eth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as 
 one that is in bitterness for his first-born." [St. John, 
 xii. 32, Zech. xii. 10.] 
 
 Here we are taught the effect of specific ideas. 
 
 The Atonement, when so seen as to be prized, power, 
 fully attracts. The mind's eye, brought to contemplate 
 the sad effects of man's sin on Christ's sufferings, deeply 
 repents and bitterly mourns. Nor can it be otherwise 
 whilst the nature of cause and effect remain ! 
 
 It is not, then, a general persuasion of ihe truth of 
 Christianity ; nor that, somehow or other, Christ's death 
 is to benefit man's salvation ; but faith, realizing the 
 Substance of the faithful and true saying that Jesus Christ 
 has come into the world to save sinners [1 Tim. i. 15]; 
 evidencing to the mind its truth, so as to lead to an 
 cppiication for it, and when obtained, to rest on it. 
 
 Look to the text. Why did David, in danger, commit 
 the keeping of his life to God — " Into thy hvnd I commit 
 my spirit ? " Did this confidence flow from general or 
 specific ideas of God's goodness and power ? Can we 
 construe David's words into some such language as this : 
 " Thou^ O Godj art merciful. I have been a great 
 sinner. Graciously pardon me, and take me to thy' 
 self" ? I think not ! It was not the naked idea of God's 
 mercy; but that mercy contemplated in a particular 
 manner, and extended to a particular person, which 
 induced David's confidence. " Into thy hands I commit 
 my spirit." Why ? " Thou hast redeemed me !" Every 
 word is emphatic. Thou hast redeemed me ; ascribing 
 the fact of his own personal redemption to God ; and 
 assigning that fact to be the basis of hi^ confidence. 
 
14 
 
 For, he knew the God with whom he had to do too well 
 to suppose him able ever to forsake the work of his own 
 hands ; that which his own Spirit had made. He had 
 redeemed him from the power of Satan : could he suffer 
 him again to fall into his hands ? David knew this to be 
 impossible ! It was "Jehovah, God of truth," with whom 
 he had left that invaluable deposit, his spirit. "A God 
 of truth and iniquity " : this satisfied him that all his ways 
 are judgments. That that God of truth was Jehovah, the 
 self-existent, secured the perfection and durability of the 
 work which he had wrought in him. [Deut. xxxii. 4]. 
 " God, that cannot lie," was the sign-manual, confirming 
 David's title to all the promises. He could not deny 
 htmself [2 Tim. ii. 13]; and, therefore, /)a«< experience 
 was assurance for the future. " Into thy hands I commit 
 my spirit ; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth ,'" 
 We may now conclude that it is redemption, not of 
 mankind in general, but of each individual in particular, 
 which produces the sweet confiding spirit of the text. 
 Each one must know God as David knew him, ere, with 
 David's meaning, he can dismiss all fears for his soul's 
 eternal interest with " Into thy hands I commit," etc. 
 
 In bringing you again to consider the subject before us 
 |n connection with our departed friend, we proceed to 
 inquire — 
 
 Were his views of religion of the general nature spoken 
 of? and did these produce that quietness and assurance 
 already mentioned ? 
 
 1st. Mr Cahtwkight's convictions o{ sin were deep 
 and sincere. 
 
 His was not that vague notion which satisfies itself with 
 the fact of all men being sinners ; but ijtdifiduai. 
 
 J 
 

 15 
 
 PERSONAL sin was felt by him. Tlie language of his 
 heart was : "/ have sinned against lieaven." Those 
 words of our liturgy, so oft repeated, so little understood^ 
 and less felt : " We have left undone those things which 
 we ought to have done, and done tliose things which we 
 ought not to have done ; and there is no health in us " 
 [Confession] ; were an exact copy of the state of mind 
 which an immediate entrance into the presence of a pure 
 and holy God impressed. Spotless and irreproachable as 
 his life was in the eye of man ; conscious as he was of 
 uprightness and integrity in all his dealings ; firm and 
 unflinching in the path of public duty ; kind and generous, 
 as all who knew him will acknowledge ever to have found 
 him ; yet, when summoned to plead with God, face to face, 
 all that man might glory in as " a robe of righteousness" 
 appeared truly '^filthy rags." He looked back on his 
 past life with bitterness, and asked : " what have I done 
 lor God^s glory ? " In the following we find him sitting 
 in judgment on the motives of his actions, sensible that 
 thesCj to be acceptable to Ood^ must flow from love to 
 God. 
 
 Consistent and upright as his character ever was, both in 
 public and private, he felt, in the deep searchings of his 
 own heart, on the bed of death, that though not uninflu- 
 enced by the love and fear of God ; yet, that the strong de- 
 sire never to dishonor a father's memory ; never to grieve 
 the brother he so tenderly loved, were too often his con- 
 straining motives ; rather than the simple desire of the 
 Christianas heart, in all things to glorify his God and 
 Saviour. 
 
 Pure and noble as these secondary motives were, they 
 were not such as satisfied him on the bed of Death ! 
 Then did the Spirit of Goil withdraw the veil, and 
 
 i 
 
16^ 
 
 diaclo6e to himself all the workings of his inmost soul ! 
 
 These are best described, substantially, in his own 
 words : 
 
 " I have been the slave of ambition ; the slave of 
 covetuusness ! In the pride and presumption of my heart 
 I have sought to surround myself and family with every 
 comfort, vainly looking forward to years of earthly happi- 
 ness in the bosom of my family ; in the society of my 
 much-loved brother ; in the enjoyment of professional 
 honor, and an increasing income : but God said unto me, 
 " Thou fool ! " In the midst of such dreams I was smitten 
 . . . . and then, by the still more stunning blow of 
 my beloved brother's death ; fallowed by the failure of my 
 own health. Thus have I been humbled, and brought 
 low ! " 
 
 Such were the strokes of Divine Providence, by which, 
 all proud thoughts were subdued in his heart, at a time 
 when the whole Province was resounding his praise for 
 the noble consistency with which he resisted alike the 
 temptations of oflfice and the allurements and blandishments 
 of power. 
 
 Whilst abundant evidence has been aflforded to the 
 deep conviction of sin wrought in the heart of him whose 
 religious views we are now contemplating ; an equal 
 amount of testimony witnesses to the only source of his 
 comfort, looking unto Jesus ! 
 
 " Bear mo witness," said he to a friend, when at an 
 errly stage of the disease an alarming attack induced him 
 to suppose he was near death; "bear me witness," 
 extending his right hand, " I have no other ground of hope 
 but the finished work of the Lord Jesus ! I have been 
 looking over my past life, and considering my best actions, 
 if 1 dare use such an expression ; and they afford no 
 
17 
 
 ground of confidence. * All my righteousness is as filthy 
 
 » » 
 
 rags 
 
 Such passages of the Bible, as "The blood of Jesus 
 Christ. . . cleanseth us from all sin" [John xv. 7]; 
 " Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, 
 and I will give you rest " [Matt. xi. 28], were indeed 
 precious ; and often were such verses repeated by him, 
 when apparently in a dozing state, showing how his soul 
 was occupied in silent communings with God. The 
 Hymn, 
 
 " Rock of Ages ! cleft for tne, 
 ■ Let me hide myself in thee," 
 
 struck him much. And that one, 
 
 " Approach, my soul, the mercy seat, 
 Where Jesus answers prayer : 
 There humbly fall belbre his leet, 
 
 For none can perish there ! " ■ 
 
 was asked for again, and again, as peculiarly suiting his 
 case, and affording consolation. On one occasion he 
 exclaimed, as if ail-but overwhelmed with the question : 
 " What could I do towards my salvation ? I can but trust 
 only in God's mercy through Christ." 
 
 It was with deep feelitigs he perused the work " Christ 
 on the Cross," which so powerfully depicts the sufferings 
 of the Redeemer ; and specially the hidings of his Father's 
 countenance ; and had recommenced the book during the 
 last week of life. It teas the only hook of man's writing 
 he asked for during the last two days. > 
 
 When but a few hours of life remained, he declared 
 his simple dependance on a Saviour^ s blood ; and prayed 
 for forgiveness of all his sins [as he forgave all — having 
 no enmity towards any], /or his Saviour^ a sakCy as his 
 dying testimony to surrounding friends. 
 
.16 
 
 The answer has now been given to the question—woFe 
 those religious views, which gave such support to our 
 dying friend, of that vague and general nature already 
 described, and so prevalent among us ? or, were they the 
 eye of faith, simply, firmly, fixed on God, in Christ 
 reconciling the world of sinners, and him too unto himself ? 
 
 The answer is before you. it was God's grace, 
 gmng be/ore, and so disposing ; God's grace accom- 
 panymg, and so working together with him [Actsx 1- 
 preventing, with his favor, and furthering tvith his 
 continual help [Coll. after Com. Serv.] Rr the grace 
 OF God, he was what he was ! « God's workman- 
 ship ! CREATED IN Chri^t Jesus" ! Oive, then, God 
 the glory ; as for this man, he knew himself a sinner ! 
 
 Whence did our friend obtain such vieivs 9 
 
 From God, the holy Spirit, in answer to prayer 
 through the diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and 
 the use of every available means of Grace. 
 
 When Mr Cartwright became aware of his pre- 
 carious situation, he requested a neighboring Clergyman 
 to visit him once a Week, for the purpose of searching 
 the Scriptures and prayer ; so soon did he begin to 
 set his house in order ! 
 
 Throughout his illness he read much of Scripture, ft 
 was his chief solace and source of comfort ; and many a 
 sleepless night was cheered by the light of Divine Truth. 
 His value for this blessed book was witnessed, when, in 
 order to comfort his mourning family, he requested an 
 attendant to read the story of Lazarus, as applicable to 
 their then condition. 
 
 Often did the fervent "Amen," after prayer for divine 
 teaching, prove his feeling need of it. His last Teque^ 
 Mja«— "Pray!" 
 
 ' 
 
 ■,i ■ 
 
 k . y 
 

 ' 
 
 / \ 
 
 10 
 
 During his illness the Lord^s Supper was tlirice admin- 
 istered, proving seasons of great spiritual refreshment. 
 
 The Christian character of John Solomon Cart- 
 WRiOHT, as developed during the last four months of his 
 life, is now before you. 
 
 The lustre of that character was not borrowed from 
 earth ; but was a direct emanation from the Saviour. 
 If he shone, it was with the reflected glory of his Lord : 
 by the powerful operation of the Lord, the Spirit, through 
 his belief of the Word. He was a vessel of mercy, 
 prepared by the Master for the Master's use [2d Cor. iii. 
 18; 1st Thess. ii. 13, Comp.]. That service is ended. 
 And whilst all who knew him mourn his loss— a loss 
 not soon to he repaired — he is gone yonder ; and is now 
 one of that wbite-robed multitude before the tlirone, serving 
 God, day and night, with their ceaseless ascription of 
 " Salvation to Him thatsitteth on the Throne, and to the 
 Lamb" ! 
 
 May our Heavenly Father heal the wounds caused by 
 his death, by making it the instrument of a " Life from 
 the Dead " to us all, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen, and 
 Amen. 
 
 Let us pray ! [The Collect.] 
 
 " O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ," etc., etc. [See Burial Service.] 
 
 V ■ 
 
 - y 
 

 
 -:;.»!, 
 
 i 
 
p. Society" 
 he young it 
 
 }>{{ ■ 
 
 ,., u \ 
 
 K 
 
 ■ iJL National Library Bibliotheque nationale 
 
 ■ "r of Canada du Canada 
 
 /^i/^yyS^'^/:;^v^/L^,,,-