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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmi&s d des taux de reduction dif firents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film* A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 , » -f^ » A ' ■ ■ V ^OVASCOTU PROVINCE HOUSE .\d -■.« ^^•m i ? * t ! ■I I t t. U I '■-isSfi '.ilIIIIHIIIIIHIIiIm 'l|i||(|[|i[j^ IIJIMimilff.W''^ iHMliiMiWW ■MHii ^ ? ^ „^s.K.-«««tA,''«>^pM^ I FUNEEAL SEEMON, TREACHEP HT THE REV. I. E, BILL, OP cAINT JOHN, IN THE BAPTIST CHAPEL, I^RTI.A^B, N. B., ON f HB BEATM OF f fl^ BEV. B. », VBIY, UmMSp*. 0? THl CHmOH WOMHPPM IN THAT PLiCE; i •' i4»i thmj that hi tme $Ml shim as the hrigM-^MS of the fitr mammt; and they thai turn many to rightemtSTms m the stars for ever and ewer."— Daniel xil— 3. SAINT JOHN : rmirt'KD bit hekrt chubb ano compakt. . l^O* \ ^t^Wb FUNERAL SERIOI, PREACHED BY THE KEV. I. E. BILL, OF SAINT JOHN, IN THE JSiilP^IIS^ OMiilPiillia IP©3li'2riE3ASriE)a SJo So ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. B. D. VERY, UTE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH WORSHIPPING IN THAT PUCE; JLSD PUBLISHED BY SPSOIAI4 HEQUEST. " Arid they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.'' — Daniel xii. — 3. SAINT JOHN: PRINTED BY HENRY CHUBB AND COMPANY, PRINCE WILLIAM STBEBT. 1852. ..-j.fv-tt'. ; "■'^..■f J o^\%. ^tm' muMiiriiwwMii liiMMii PREFACE. The following discourse, with the exception of the leading propo- sitions, was delivered without the use of notes. The publication of it was not designed by the Author ; but as the friends of the highly- esteemed servant of God, whose sudden removal from our midst we so much deplore, have earnestly requested to have it in its present form, the Preacher deems it his duty to comply with their wishes, in the hope that this humble tribute of respect to one, with whom he had been accustomed to hold delightful fellowship in the Gospel, may be the mfians of stimulating others to follow the example of him who, through faith and patience, is now inheriting the promises. ' The Author feels unfeigned pleasure in making a most valuable addition to the discourse, by inserting a deeply interesting letter, from the pen of*the Rev. Rufas Babcock, D. D., of New- York, received since its delivery, in which the early religious experience ^nd Christian character of our lamented Brother are graphically and touchingly described. wiw ■imiiiii jiiiiniiiiii Itpfwiiiiliiy 't I ■* -■^^■m-ikmevmm^- ^ ^mmsmvm iiimKllii J % ^^•^jlfctBW ■ *•* I ^ 1 Wi 1 11 - 1 A iiiMmiiiiirMlii SERMON. " Tlui last enemy that shall be. destroyed is death."— I Cor. xv.— 25. The chapter from which my text is selected is one of the most deef)ly interesting portions of the sacred volume. It is impossible to read It with an understanding heart without being convinced that its won- drous disclosures are admirably adapted to the necessities of our race. In this inspired reasoning we see put in impressive contrast the frailty and weakness of man, and the might and majesty of the Lord God Omnipotent. It recognizes The universal ruin of man by sin, his consequent subjection to the power of death, and to the dominion of the grave ; and proclaims his deliverance and restoration to the Divine favour, through, the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Heresies had sprung up in the Churches planted by the Apostles, and among others, a denial of the resurrection of the body. This species of scepticism had been introduced into the Church in Corinth and was sowing the seeds of discord and strife. For the purpo ie of meeting these false reasonings of infidelity, the Apostle argues out the whole question, - .id in a strain of unrivalled force and beauty establishes the doctime of the resurrection, as the only foundation of human hope. He boldly asserts, " If the dead rise not, then is Christ not risen ; and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." He proceeds to say, '• By one man came death, by one man came also the resurrection of thj dead." The idea is this : by virtue of our sinful connexion with the first Adam, we fall a prey to the king of terrors ; but by the grace of the second Adam, we E.re resciied from his authority, and raised to immortality. He goes on to assure us, «' The last enemy that shall he destroyed is death." Allow me on this solemn occasion to invite your prayerful attention lo two thoughts suggested by this passage i>«dMai Mi«yH[ 6 FUNKHAL «E HMOH. »^»»<'»>^'> n^ MS> W xvft^vw»»>^» sf^ w. i»^/Vt^^^^ ^ ^^V^*»^ I. 3'A« /f^c/ — J>ertth is nian'^ enemy. II. • The promise. This enemy shall be destroyed. I. I remark death is man's enemy, inasmuch as it is the inflictiorx of punishment in consequence of sin. It is not an original law of man's nature, but is the result of dis- obedience. While our first parents stood in their nrimitive inno- cence, disease and death had no dominion over thern. The tree of life, that stocd in the midst of the lovely Eden> was a perfect safe- guard against both. The fir^t pair, in their purity, had free access to It ; but they sinned, and the consequence was, exclusion from its healing leaves. A cherubim and a flaming sword turned every way to guard the tree, lest man should pljck and live for ever. This separation from the healthful properties of the tree of life, lef^ them and their posterity not only exposed to the ravages of disease, but to iha reign of death. Hence death is the legitimate result of sin Transgression cgainst the righteous law of Heaveu has armed him with his sovereignty, and placed the fatal dart in his hand. So argues the Apostle--" For if by one man's offence, death reigned by one." " Sin hath reignsd unto death." " The wages of sin is death." Man, therefore, in the prospect of de^^th, turns pale, shivers and shrmks back. He meets all other foes ^vith a firm step and un- daunted face, but the approach of his lasi foe fills him with dismay. Why ? Because conscience, true to itself, confirms the testimony that we are consigned to death, as the fruit of our rebellion. Maa labours to ward ofi" the fatal blow, but he finds it impossible. The stern decree of Heaven has gone forth, and it must be met. Other enemies may be conquered, but this adversary pursues his course steadily, through every lane of life. How wiuc-spread and fearful the desolation ! No age, no class, no position in society, is exempt from his tyranny. As we look upon the slaughtered millions we must remember that the curse of God has fallen upon theia, as an expression of His holy hatred to transgression. Again, Death is our enemy, because he dissdvr-. our earthlu connexions. He separates the soul from the body, and places that part of our nature, so essential to the enjoyments of time, in circumstonces in which It is compelled to turn to corruption. Strength departs, beauty xades, and we lie poworiess with the clod-^ of the valley. In ^--•iMii 4MMMM MM FUNERAL S P. R M X. ■> «*V^'V»*%'V**rt»V death man must leave the possessions for which he has so long, and so diligently inbourcd, the heme where he has dwelt in comfort, and independence, and exchange all the resources of worldly advance- ment and bliss for the lonelinew and povert^y of fhe grave. He mrxst say to corruption, " Thou art my mother, and to the worm, thoM art my sister." How humbling the thought that man, who converts ♦he wilderness into a fruitful field, who erects costly mansions, builds ships, tra- verses oceans, gives birth to railroads, multiplies cities, chains the lightning, and guides tlie destiny of empires— that he, after a few fleeiing years, should be doomed to lie down in the grave! What a checK to the pr.'de and ambition of the human soul ! Again, Death is an enemy, inasmuch as he severs the tenderest ties of life, and robs ut of our deafest friends. Our children bloom as *'^e mo'-ning flower, and become the jov and pride of our hearts ; ^"i isease attacks, death follows, and we are wrapped in mourni ,g. What painful separations result from the prog-jss of the destroyer .' The husband sees the \irife of his bosom stricken down by his side, and he hastens to bury her from his sight. The widow weep-s in loneliness, because he upon whom she leaned for happiness ar-d sup- port, as her best earthly ^riend, sleeps in death. What terrible blanks are made in society Ly the fatal dart ! How frequently it happens that men of sterling integrity, literary aitain- ments, of commanding talent, and of influential positions, are, in the prima of life, summoned to eternity ! The Church of God is often invaded by the relentless foe. '« The righteous fail from amongst the children of men." The Louse of God is clad in sackclotli, because of vacancies that have occurred there j and the sacred desk is shrouded in mourning, because he who oft proclaimed there the message of mercy and love divine, has been called suddenly to exchange worlds. Is it not true, my brethren, that the king of terrors has transformed Ihis once beautiful world into a charnel-house, and filled it with dead men's bones? Yes, h- has written upon t -rj^ page of .Ba?-'s expe- rience lamentation ana woe. The cries of widowi. and oiphans are now ascending to Heaven, as a memorial against him. Death throws his barbed arrow from his quiver — the most endearing ties are sundered, the most brilliant stars become extinct, and the pall of sorrow overpreads the Church of God. " wmm itm II S FUNERAL SERMON* Against the ravages of this insidious foe v/hat have we to present ? detlh*^""* '"^*'""' "'' ^^^ '^'^ ^"^™^ ^^''^ '^^" ^ destroyed is II. We proceed to consider the promise. Death shall be destroyed. The idea is, he shpll be overcome. This is the promise of God's revelation to man. He tells us by the Prophet Isaiah, '« He will swallow up death in victory ;» and by the Prophet Hosea he declares, " I will mnsom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death. O, death ! I will be Jy plagues. O, grave ! I will be thy destruction." The New Testament renews this promise, and in language most impressive assures us that death shall be conquered. We believe, therefore. that death shall be destroyed, because He who cannot lie hath pro' mised It, and He will not alter the thir^g that hath gone out of His mouth. But, you enquire, by whom shall the conquest be achieved « I answer, by the brightness of the Father'3 glory, and the express jmage of His person. He became incarnate, and entered the field of conflict against this adversary. "Fomsmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the . tme; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death ; that is. he devil, and deliver them who through fear of death, were all thei^ lifetime subject to bondage." The Son of God assailed the power of death in a variety of forms, and in every instance was found more than a match for him. He frequently arrested the progress of disease in a manner which demonstrated his ability to ward off the uplifted blow. Diseases of all sorts were rebuked by him ; and if the sick and the dying of the wnole world had been brought to him, his power was sufficient to re- store them all. Death stood confounded in his presence. He saw his design defeated, his pointed arrows blunted, and tiio right arm ol his power broken. What an affecting sp-ctacle ! to behold the Son of the Eternal, reading these lower grounds, and surveying on all hands the devas- tations of the mighty foe ! He first fashioned the world, and flooded It with the vital element. All creation was happy in the enjoyment of its Maker, and all pronounced good; but now the scene was changed-all nature was drooping under the power of % »*»: FUNERAL SERMON. 9 disease, and the shadows of death brooding over the brightest hopes of man ; the kne 1 of death sounding its terrible notes'the funll ca. followed by long trains of mourners, and crowds of bereaved fathers ana mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters - lamenting the departure of those whom Death had smitten, and' made his prey. As he gazed upon this mournful panorama, his infinite compassion was moved, and he resolved to save. Hence he disarmed death by saying authoritatively to the sick, " Take up thy bed and Walk." ^ •' But he not only illustrated his power by healing all manner of diseases; he went farther, and restored the dead to life. ^ On one occasion we hear him saying to a young female sleepincr m death, «« Damsel, arise." And she arose, to the astonishment and joy of her friends. At another time, he meets Death conveying his victim to the gmve • he commands the bier to stand still, bids the young man arise, and the prisoner of death obeys the mandate-the vital principle reani- mates his body, and he is restored alive to his widowed mother. Again, we see him standing by the grave of one who had been dead four days ; and on whom decomposition had probably com- mence d Its work. But he cries with a loud voice, - Lazarus, come lorth! ' and the dead man started from his slumber, and stood up as a testimony to all generations of the power of the Redeemer of Man to conquer death. But it was not enough that he should treat with Death simply in relation to others; he must meet him in deadly ^mona/ conflict: He must allow him to fix his poisoned dart in his own vitals, and con- tend with him upon his own territory. This he did when he hung a bleeding victim upon the cross. Amazing condescension! He who had laid the foundations of the universe, and reared the mag- nificent temple; he who had life in himself, as the Father hath life in Himself, and who, by his own fiat, had diffused the mysterious element through all creation; that he should thus throw himself into the arms of death, and in awful agony give up the ghost ! How wondrous the deed ! But he had - power to lay down his life, and he had power to take it again." If he would destroy death in har- mony with the Divine perfections, he must yield his own life, as a sacrifice for human guilt, go down into the gloomy chamber of the sepulchre, and plant in that desolate spot the tree of immortality. 10 PVNERAt "ERMON. "'*|~"HP v*^ ■ ■» »j^, i_^ii^ >»*«m^\A>'^Aa«SA>\AA«m« foe" lalwe; InT '\'.^"' •""'' "" '™«'" -"h^IlrZIy loe .1 answer, in Joseph's new tomb, hewn out of a rock Thi.hl, the Son of God pursued h.-n,. that he might J, him all Jot W ot the Almighty Saviour,-the sceptre was ,vrestod from his hand theeta"?'""',"' ""^""" "°"' ^™«^''"« "^ '" >>- own charl; ^T i,f -7f'""'"^ "'* " '°'"' ™'-' 'hat was heard reverbemt 1 through the dark caverns of the dead " I « „ .k re'eroerating life • H. .!,». 1, 1- .k , ' "'' resurrection and the life . He that behevelh m me, though he were dead, yet shall he live '• But you ask could death he destroyed in no oLr way. TUs was the way which Infinite Wisdom devised, and Boundless Uve and Omnipotent Energy executed. Man, by disobedience hid sub .ctea himself to death, and justice required'that he sh uule con s^ned over eternally to its dominion, unless an ample aionemen could be made m the person of a substitute. The claims of "he Ih rZTrTTT"' "■" '' ''"""""^^- Theymus be i Ihe death of the Incarnate Son of God was the m,™«ii dien. which the Cc.ncils of Heaven decreerho^ld Tn^s:: ThesX mands m the sinner's behalf. The mysterious event has taken pLe God IS reconciled, and a foundation laid for the complete triumph of all be levers, against which " the gates of hell shall not p JaU " But what a period of awful suspense was that when Jesus was in the epulchre! Hell ,vas in triumph, the Disciples in desirLd angels waiting in terrible anxiety, t^ is^ , u\ke EoyalTLn j remained in that position, all hope for man was gone- Z «, 1 on.r fd. Heaven shrouded in m„ur:inra^^^^^^^^ ri y of the Supreme trampled in the dust. But, behold the earth quakes, an angel is despatched from the eternal throne, to oil awlt the stone. Jesus rises from the sepulchre • A„„„i= ^ ^ to announce to his disciples. •■ He I notLe,tt r^,'" o^ tf A lace where the Lord lay." While other celestial mestenZ bear the joyful tidings through all the regions of glory n„T,^ M I'tJNfiRAL SERMON. death, they ZmkLZl^TT-r '"."""^ " ^'^^'"'"' ^f" eternal happiner Z Z'^ *«/™'te »' the.r .oib and victories, in Ihe Sadducees questioned the possibility of the resurrection- hn. the Saviour sa d to them " Ye do Prr v,.f i • 'resurrection, but «or the Dower «f Pol » , , ^''' "°* ^"^^^^^^^ the Scriptures, there can be no impossibility in the case - All fV,- ^^^relore with God " Th. i .1 . " ^^'"^^ ^""^ possible was a period when the Hi^h and Holv On. t^ ""^^^ *^^* ^^^^^ |»u.a,e. M,: „f spa. . a^a :^^'^Z^ .rZf^^^ l.ving (hings, and can we dortt that He who couhl fili wUh such a p..C>.si„„ of ,ife, i. ,„,,, ad^l , 'i TZd^ Nay, every lamp which shines ia the firmament, every i.tot tla jnove, „p,„ the earth, o. that floats in the breex; and ev rTLt «.on of the h«man syste.«, is proof positi« that there is noth '"m :r "r f '™"" *^' " •^"O ^"-'^ -- *"dea . ^ What though the subject be mysterious, and to the ^i„A r .ncomprehensible. yet all is p,ai^ ,„ Him "lo. Lth" ," Iro." after the counsel of His own will." """S^ So thoroughly confirmed was the Apostle in this doctrine that h, b..lds upon .t the entire system of Christianity. > t.i sh A 3 ch.ef cerner-stoue and the faith of the Gospel passes away "sa v ion ' the mght But we rejoice to know that << the trumL -« '- ■ieliverupthedead that are Ltlem"' ' '"" ""' ''^" ^'>"" aecoSirrL';:",:;^*^ -- Slonous, m. n„ch as it is held universal sZ L "^ ""^ "*'='> »^^'h had so long overthrown on .h Tpotlrh^.X^^r "^ °™ '■""'"'^''^' -' power. '^ ' "''" '""' ''^» /'^''°-"' " ■» ^own a natural body, it is raided „ I ",'1 '"* '" P°"'": '' '^ fold that .ur " vile bodV sla Ib %T ' ^°^^-" ^?="»> 've are hody." How inspirShf ughtrt:niL^ '-"l ''' ^'"'^°- ^hi'"r.hrsr,: difrr' ^"" ~- -^^ -« - even this was bm a faint ■ '"'"'" "' ""^ ''^ht." But e»ci.les his persot a^ hrpSTirL" '"HistT *" ™" human guilt; buf?aving ZeT ^^:' '°^f ' 'I ''^ -•'^'""'' f- eame up a glorious form pre^a ed fo ^ ' ^ ^^'' "' '*^''*' " glories of his eternal ki,;" ''™""'°" "'* '^^ »"'''"«»? ^hTL^^hoTarpltal^'^ "^ r ^""^ - -hroned in places .» P"nc,pal,t,es and powers, i„ the heavenly FUNERAL SERMON. 13 ;ss amid the y catacombs be opened, th the voice >n and the ill feel the lumbers in "ne sea hell shall h as it is id so long nions, and desolating i^hat body »ssible for re defiled and that, )n of the 1 in cor- )ur, it is er; it is > we are glorious was in face did ." But lat now as ima- 3 symp- tute for Bath, it ifading " i^A^^/%^*v^«i The glory of cherubim and seraphim is eclipsed in the presence of the glorified body of our blessed Emanuel. How delightful the thought, then, that our vile, deranged, corrupt bodies shall be fashioned like unto his glorious body ! IIcw shall we sufficiently extol and magnify the dignifying power of the Gospel of Christ, thus to elevate degraded humanity ! «• It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him." Transporting promise ! Again, you enquire for whom shall death be destroyed 1 The answer is, for the Christian, and for the Christian only. It is true that the resurrection of the last day will be general. "There shall be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust." " All that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth. They that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation." The righteous only will be raised to life. The wicked will be raised, but in his resur- rection will be doomed to eternal death ; so that death for him is not destroyed. But the redeemed of the Lord shall triumph in that day. Even now they have a pledge of their final victory. Man, as a sinner, dreads Death, and would gladly resist his approach, if he eould ; but as one ransomed by the blood of the Lamb, he gives him a cordial greeting. We have a beautiful illustration of the power of faith to conquer death, in the language ot the Apostle. He says, " I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." " To die is gain." " I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." Many a saint has thus triumphed in the fearful hour. We have stood beside their dying couch, and as we have wiped the cold sweat from the serene brow of the sufferer, we have listened with joy unut- terable to the exclamation cf faith from their dying lips, saying, " O. death ! where is thy sting ? 0, grave ! where is thy victory ?" This song is frequently sung^ when not heard by mortal ear. The servant of God may be far from his home, his wife, and his little ones ; he may find himself sinking, as lead, in the mighty waters ; but even then his faith takes strong hold of the promise, and he glorifies God, "who giveth the victory, -through our Lord Jesus Christ." But the exercise of faith in the Divine testimony is but the earnest or pledge of the final conquest, when " this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on Immortality." 14 FONERAl SSJMOH. 'If dead raised up - Where O' 2 J' I'T^ ^ '='"'"?=''• ""<• '•"> for™, of wL/ ,.Vh. "a." 2t^7Zlt:r''': ""^^ "'*'" Patrmrcl». wh„ were b«riei iTfore Trpt , T'"^ "™'-*« «.e Apostles, wh, L Kea M tL ntl''" ''°"''? '"''"'^ ^ Marlyr., wh. proved the^elves f.ttf , . '^^'rection ; the *he redeemed of every a^eard latf T '""l! ' '°^^"'" -'" amved when a blissful reunion take, pJace ?„d^t ""f ■"" are prepared for that BerfectJ^n „f T ' ''"'^ ''""^"'> >»* has promised t„ all .,':t"2;'Z'' '"' ^""^ "'"'^•' ^"^ f^ ^^^ZlZ:!;^ -e.Kedee„e.of „e„wiU from the degrading c„„seque„ce7otnb.h'" ^'"^ ""•«• clad in unsullied robes. IroTZLTiXT"'"'^'"'''''^^''''' 'hus fully prepared to be Dresl^HK .''""'' "'* ''™"'i ™«' -pot or wrinkle- or any such'™ '^ ''" *" "'^ ^'"''"- -""""t ^"rharbrti'trLra;/ ''- ^"^'^ "^-^ '« *- ^»y •• conflict i, over, and ,11"^"! 7 "'"'' ''''^ ' "■"' *» fi»«l for U.em but o hear frol heT^ - desLoyed ." What re^eins " Con,e, ye blessed of iy Father hh . t"\ ^"''"" "»" ''^'S-- you before the foundation^^ff; M r 't Zt '"^'■."^' ^" tation, they shrink away, conscious „f ,h ^ '™ *■* '""- «he Lord reassures the J„f H w- hi ,7" """°"'>'"»^ ^ but City is thrown open for Aeir 77 .'^ ^°'''™ ^'^ "f ">» Celestial triumph to take »^es"„ fo .h ■' '""' ""^y "^''b '» holy ,«hem by their Z^TZ W ^ rr":' """'^ ''^i^--^ f"' look upon the glories of the CW«L rlTT'"'''^ "» ^^^ the heavenly chorus, sayin. " lCIv T '> J"'" '" ""'^'""K ™/rom our sins in'hJ:5„ Mo"! aTd hi 1 "^ ^ "'''''' pnests unto God and his Father ^^T ^*,'"'"'* » ^••'S' and ever and ever. Amen ; " *"-"' ''"» >» glory and dominion for mkmtmix. --^ Hi rmmamtm FUNERAL SERMON. 15 But while all this is being enjoyed by the redeemed, '« where will the sinner and the ungodly apr^ar ? " As we have heard, they rise at the command of the last trumpet, but they " rise to everlasting shame and contempt." Those bodies so long engaged in the service of sin will be dragged in awful confusion to the judgment seat of Christ. In imagination we see them there shivering as the aspen leaf. Dark despair sits upon every brow, and terrible remorse preys upon every spirit. It is the judgment of the great day ; and there they stand, like men upon the perilous edge of the battle-field, struggling with fearful apprehensions and conflicting emotions, while the Judge, with a frown that annihilates all .lope, pronounces the terrible sen- tence, ''Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting firt !'' Mercy has finished her work, and inflexible Justice has commenced his direful reign with unmingled severity, which is to continue through limitless duration. Myriads unnumbered utter loud groans and shrieks of anguish, and sink under the crushing weight of eternal displeasure, to endure the awful consequences of a life of sin. " These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life ETERNAL." How important, then, beloved hearers, that we should embrace without delay that system of redeeming mercy just adapted to secure for us a glorious resurrection from the dead at the last day I The promise of God is sure. " Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Let us, then, so believe in Christ, and so obey him, that when he comes he may find us as the faithful servant waiting for the return of his absent lord. If I speak to those who have not closed in with the overtures of life, who have not realized the need of a Saviour, let me write upon your conscience the solemn truth, that you must all die ; your bodies must lie low with the dust of the valley, but you shall rise again, God's holy book declares it. You cannot escape, when the terrible blast of the last trump utters the thrilling message, " Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment!" Then will every tomb give up its prey, and every one of us must give an account for the deeds done m the body. Fellow-einner, you will be there. » Be ye, therefore, also ready, for in such an hoar as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." But whiiu we cannot but feel that the doctrine of the resurrection is pregnant with terr(yr to the impeniiera, it opens unfailing sources pf consolation to the Christian. Does he stand upon the brink of the ^ i^. Id FUNKKAL SEHMON. li^$ grave, meditating upon ),i, own mortality ? He rememh.™ ,r, , u- ro-Wer, , ana .,. a„ ,.o ^ rir::^"' 0^.^/- ^ - T ,V ; r, u"™' *'"'' °f "^^"^'^ ™- -I- have died in the there with intense interest anr* «!PMn ♦!,«<• ki r . "''^^^^"ea •he blighting influence of d^i T You h L"^.' Z' f' T' pulse ; you have UneU in .„,e„„ .^y™ T; I'l XZ ftll.njr tear. You have witnessed th- last stru^^l^, „ .7 took its flight to the realm, of glory You have^? ' 1 ^^ V"' ^n.ai„s eonflned in its narrow%ol;!:d a'rylTt o tS:r g^ve, and heard pronounced over that which was once ,„ b ^t s pron..3,ng so lovely, " Dust to dust, ashes to ashes," yo" have wept .n btttemess, and mourned in sadness of spirit. Bu" del brethren, was not the Saviour present ? Did vou not h. t g»..e voice, saying, . The last "enemy tha.^tirrdtt:;^:: " Array 'd in glorious grace, Shall these vile bodies shine.'* Meditate upon this delightful truth, then, dear brethren, and as vou look mto .he graves of those youhave loved see those gmv^siUmd by rays of glory, emanating from the throne of God and of the Lamb and your sarrmc shall be turned into joy. ' But I hear some of you saying, " If I had only had the priviWe of bemg preserjt when my friend struggled in death-could hafe whtspered words of love and grace in his ear, to cheer him in ,ha fatal moment or could I have enj.yed the mournful plea ur o «.^"a„T 'T' '""," '"i! '"' -^''"g-Pl"-. it would a'ssuarmy grief, and calm my disturbed spirit ; but, alas ! alas ' I was Z here My friend was alone in death, and strangers had o p f„r^ he funeral „t.s.'' And who art .hou, my Christian friend th™ thou shouldst reply against God, or repine at the chastening of a Father's hand "Shall n.t .he Judge of all the earth do rth !" ■ Be st,l , and know that I am God." True, you were not ~ "l pt „ honfof" 'T' ''''''"' "' '^''' *" *y ttend,'and h sleeps m hope of a joy.ul reunion with thee in the resurrection morn. FUNERAL SERMON. 17 Let us then, as Christians, stand upon the summit of a lofty faith; and although below us there may be storms and clouds of thick d rk- ness, above us is the pure azure, and the glory of eternal sunshine. May we not, therefore, rejoice «' tliat those light afflictions which are but for a moment are working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 1" So may we feel in relation to your deeply lamented Minister, who rests in a distant grave. A mysterious Providence has suddenly and unexpectedly removed him from you, and we are here for the purpose of improving this melancholy event, and at the same time expressing the full-hearte. sympathy which we feel for you in your present bereavement. It is expected on the present ocuasion that I should make some remarks in reference to the character and labours of our departed Brother. In looking over his papers, we find but little that refers to him- self. The following memorandum, written by his own pen, is taken from his family Bible : — E. D. Verv, bom in Sa'.oiu, Dec. 20, 18in. Entered Watsrville College, Sept. 1, 183-4. Graduated at Dartmouth, July 27, 1837. Entared Bangor Theological Seminary, Oct. 12; 1887. Ordained at Eiist Macbias, Sept. 10, 1838. Settled at Calais, Dec. 1, 1838. Married at East Macbias, Sept. 2, 1839. Commenced preaching in Watertown, the second Sabbath in Sept., 1843. Commenced preaching in Belfast, last Sabbath in Feb., 1845. Commenced preaching in Portland, N. B., laal! Sabbath in Dec, 1846. From this memorandum it appears that our Brother was engaged in the Ministry about fourteen years. Upwards of eight years of this time was spent with different Churches in the New-England States, and the last six with the Church worshipping here. From other sources we have learned that his talents and labours^ were highly appreciated in his own country ; but knowing something of the state of things in the British Provinces, he was deeply impressed with the idea that a great work was to be done here, and he felt a peculiar desire to embark in it. Hence, when this Church presented him with a call to become its Pastor, he unhesitatingly accepted it. Results have demonstrated that his impressions and desires were o/ Qod. He not only exerted himself with untiring assiduity fox ihe 18 P0NERAL SBRMOIf. welfare of the Church in Portland, but ho laboured diligently and successfully for the spiritual health of all our Churches, and for the prosperity of the country at large. The following notice of his ..fforts for the general good appeared in the Ckri3liaH Vmtor, a few weeks after his decease : — •' His heart was strongly set upon the difTusion of useful Icnow- ledge throughout the Provinces generally, and N.w-Brunsw.ck in particular. Although not a native, he was deeply ''"^«f f ^ '" Jt intellectual and religious elevation of the country ; and he brought the energies of his strong mind to bear with g/eat force upon this matter. His whole soul was absorbed in it. He felt that mental ari religious improvement conjoined constitute the basis oi a country's prosperity. Hence his unwearied and self-denying labours to scauer broad-cast all over the country books and periodica, adapted to all classes of the people, and in this way forming a taste for reading, especially in the young, which was telling with amazing power upon the advancement of the country's best good. Uur Slinisters and Churches generally throughout the Province were becoming deeply impressed with the magnitude of the interests he had in charge. The lamentation occasioned by his unexpected removal is heard in every village and neighbourhood throughout the country, and the general inq liry is, " Wh^re is the man to hJl Brother Very's place ?' In writing to an intimate friend, he modestly remarks, in respect to his labours in the Book Department, "I have, in connexion with the Colporteur Establishment and Depository, imported and put in circulation 27,393 volumes, at a cost of between £1400 and £1500. Besides the Visitor, I have kept in circulation 800 copies of the American Messenger, and 500 copies of the P. Gazette:' Who can measure the results of these exertions, until we see them in the light of the judgment of the great day ? Foreign and Domestic Missions, Sabbath Schools, Bible and Tract Societies, and Educational Institutions, &c. &c., shared largely in his affections, his prayers, and his labours. You all know with what earnestness and zeal he w.-3 accustomed to plead for these important objects. In conducting the periodical of the denomination he involved him- self in much anxiety and toil ; but he was greatly cheered by the favourable reception given to the paper wherever it circulated. Its increase from five, to fifteen hundred copies, within ihe last two years, must have been peculiarly gratifying to his feelings. He justly re^rded it as a powerful instrumentality for defending the truth, FUNKRAJL SERMON. 19 >.»^^WVs>^*«^^>^^^^'^ and for diffus'rg it widely amonr,'st the people. His selections, made with much care, were exceedingly judicious, and well adapted to his readers. His editorials were generally marked with sound, sterling sense, and uncompromising integrity. If they occasionally savoured of severity, the error generally leaned to virtue's side. He displayed an honesty of purpose and a frankness uf character, which could hut commend him, even to those who differed from him in opinion, as one worthy of confidence and respect. As a theologian, his views of truth were comprehensive, clear and consistent. He recognized fully the sovereignty of God in the sal- vation of the Church ; but he maintained with equal confidence ihat man is an accountable agent ; that the message of mercy in the Gospel is freely and fuU^ addressed to him, and that it is his solemn duty to embrace it without delay. It is somewhat remark- able that he made an explicit statement of his views upon these subjects, in a sermon which he preached at Wolfville, the Sabbath before his death, founded \ ^on the passage, " Whom he did fore- know, he also uid predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, th ' he might be the firsi>born among many brethren." Com- petent judges present expressed themselves as being highly delighted and edified with his lucid exhibition of Scriptural doctrine on that occasion. That last sermon tvill long he remeinbered. As a preacher, he was not, in the usual acceptation of the term, eloquent, but he was poicerfnl, pungent, and highly practical. His sermons were rich in sound argument, and in Scriptural truth ; fidl of weighty thoughts, and addressed with much point to the under- standing and to the conscience. His strong forte was to edify the Church, to build her up in the truth, and to make her feel the res- ponsibilities of her position, as the light of the world. His sentiments being highly practical, his life partook largely of this element. Ho was emphatically a working man, and, like his Divine Master, he seemed ccnstauuy to realize his obligations to do good. Blessed with a healthy constitution, as well as with a vigorous mind, he was enabled to labour indefatigably in the cause; and his mind being so thoroughly d; sciplined and trained for action, his labour was not only performed with comparative ease to himself, but a large amount of wr k was done in a short time. If his life was not as l-^ng as others, tie has probably accomplished as much as most men do when life is prolonged to three score years and ten. 80 r U N K K A L » K H M I*. ,.^^v<^v^^v^/»^v*'^'*»^^''*'^'^^''*^*''''^*^ w^» y^WV^^^i^^^'W i^W^VW^V»/>^A^^A^A^ A8 a Christian Pastor, I need scarcely remind you how fuithfnlly and affectionately ho fulHUcd the duties of his office. I know that you, the members of his flock, were in his heart tu live and to die. He held communion with you in your sorrow and in your joy. Hia numerous duties, arising from his connexion with the general inte- rests of the denomination, did not admit of his visiting, from house to house, as he otherwise would have c'one ; but when at home, he was always with you in your social meeiinfs, to give yo^i such instructicMS and consolations as were adapted to your spiritual Wftnts. When you remember his instrucfivc and impressive sermons, his earnest and appropriate prayers, his untiring labours in the Sabbath School, and in your social meetings, no wonder that you should fee' that your loss is irreparable. We marvel not at the distress excited in your bosoms by the painful reflection that you will see his face, and hear his voice no more in time. With many of you, young members, bo has sympathised m the season of your distress, under a sense of your exposure to min. He pointed you to the ctoss, as the only way of escape : he rejoiced with you when you uttered your first note ov praise to God for redeeming love : he led you into the baptismal waters, and introduced you into the Christian Church. No wonder, therefore, that you shouk' ex- claim, as did the Prophet, when Elijah went up in the chariot of fire, «' My Father ! My Father I " To all of you he has admmis.ored the sacred emblems of the Redeemer's passion, and over all of you he has watched as a faithful shepherd, desirous, above all things, that he mi-ht present you faultless before the throne. We are not sur- prised, therefore, that all should so deeply regret the sundering of vuose ties, that bound you together as pastor and flock. But, my brethren, if he were permitted to speak to you from his seat in glory, he would say, " Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." WLy should we weep for him? His is the gam : he has completed his warfare, finished his course, and kept the faith, and now he is reaping the laurels of victory and glory above. Yes, my brethren, from those dark and surging billows that engulfed his body, there went forth his spirit, clothed in light, exclaiming, -Vic- tory, Victory, through the blood of the Lamb .'" His body sunk m the watery depths beloio, but his soul rose to the heights of celestial bliss, to oathe in the ocean fulness of heaven's joy. Weep not then for him. True, you will no more see him walk these aisles, or stand ^ i * ! FWNBHAL SBKMON. 9t ^* * * * ^^H<^W^»WWW^»»^MV% » i in th.8 sacred desk.-you will no rnr > hear from his lip, word, (o animate you on your Christian journey-ao more will you .ee him spread., forth hi. han.d«. like Ws. in prayer, that vou lyt, saved from your enem.es. But while you deplore this, see to it tha' you do not forget that God is wi,e in counsel, and faiti.fu) " . his dealmgs witli his children,.-thrt his chastening hand is iaid upon ye are able to l>oar; but will, with every temptation, make a way for your escape. Treasure up in your hearts the instructions which your mmister gar« you, the warnings he addressed to you, and the con:olatu.s wh.ch he administered to your souls, and so live that you may be prepared to join him in that better land Most sincerely do we sympathize with his bereaved and sorrowing widow Her loss ,s inconceivably great. She feels it to be so 'r he hidden depths , f her soul. How can it be otherwise 1 The bus" bund of her youth-the father of her children, so mysteriously and unexpectedly severed from her for ever! How afflictive the visitation ' i3u w. rejo.ce to know, that she is enabled, through Divine aid. to rest upon the promise, " My grace is sufTicient for thee." By faith she seems to hold communion with his enmplured spirit in its glori- fied felicity. It may be soothing to her to know, that thousands of prayers from ministers and people have gone up to heaven, in her be- half, saying, in all the tenderness of religious sympathy, and in all the strength of the Christian's faith, - God bless the weepino- widow of our departed brother, and bear her up in this season of overwhelm- ing sorrow r' These prayers are recorded on high, and will be an- swered in the bestowment of those blessings, which she and her fa- therless children so n.uch need. She, I trust, ^vill learn to aypre- ciate more highly the power of prayer, and the sweetness of the pro- mise, «' All things work together for good to those th..t love God " May the gifts of Irovidence. and the treasures of grace, be bestowed upon her and her little ones, in all needful plenitude, that when the trials of tnis life shall have passed, all may meet where the r..in of separation v unknown, and where the soft hand of our Redeemer sliall wipe all tearis from every eye. As might be expected, this unfathomable providence is peculiariv attecting to the one now addressing- you. Brother Verv and mj .elf left St. John together, on Monday morn- ing, as a deputation from our brethren here, to meet the anniversaries of our denomination in Nova-Scotia, with special reference to the frliliiiM f =U parts of it^:jj''Z r ''''"'" ^'""'^^'''^ - 'eached, all clas.e», all denomL? T T *"" "''""2^ h"™ unaccuslomed .„ fee have felT^"' ' '^=" *^ *°^''- ""««= and soms that never pmved t'f .'^'' """'"' *° '""^ ''"« >'«?'• of .he cross. Wo doubfltr *"',""' '" ""^^ ^' ">^ f™ valued servants of God U be H """^'"^ '""'' "' ^ '-""Y into the hearts of nambej hitfal *', T"' "' '"'"^'"S We UerJl Finally, may I nofap^ea t h "' "^^1^-es and in sin. accustomed to worshlh«eLl' "''"''!" "' *'^ congregation ?his searching calam.^X;n yo r T::." ''h'^^ '^*'" *^ ^«"-' "^ It is the special call of God t„ 2 , j "^ J""* "°* ''''■t «l>at u-oregardit. uL^^tlTj:^^:''::'-^' ^""""'^ earth, and impressed upon us ,^Z7 f ^'^"'""'^ ""'"«' "^ eternity, and made us 17^1(7 y^' f"" '''' ""^ ='*™= °f devoted to a prepan^tion f^r tetl t" n ™ "''"^ ""'^ "^ " « way? Hark! there come. LmT \.^'' 7°" "" '''><'> i" 'hi» Minas a message of awfJuv s„l '" "^ *"*'' '^ *" ^asin of Members of n,y beWed tgrtlVTa d'^'" ""^^ '' ^^^^ well known voice of BrotheTvZ th,T T\ "^"^ ' " '^ *« «conciIed to God, "He 7 j!'' '"^' '^'""^fht you ,o be «E IS BEAD, BOT HE TET SPEAKETH." tf^'r-^lgiiti^^ii^MriiliriRWWlSiliiiru 'ff-^sr^-^l^-.^iS^'.l'^^-^ :.ji APPENDIX. EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF THE REV. RUFUS BABCOCK, D. D., OP NEW-YORK. SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE REV. E. D. VERY. When he was nearly thirteen years old, I entered on my duties as associate pastor of the first Baptist Church in Salem, Massachusetts, his native place. His family and connexions were attached to the congregation which I served, and I knew him as an intelligent, capable boy. Some tour or five years later, he was an apprentice in the adjoining town of Danvers. At just that period it was too fashionable for a large fbss of young men in that vicinity to become or pretend to be UinvtrsaUstn. Many effurtp, and with some appearance of success, were used to draw Edward into this snare. I think it was in the summer of 1S31 that a season of revival was enjoyed by the Baptist Church in Danvers, then under the faithful pastoral cart of the Rev. J.Bariv.iby. I was invited to preach there one week-day evening. Young Very and a ftllow-appren- tice, with whom he was very intimate, sat in the singing gallery opposite mc. God sent the word with pover to the heai is of both of them. They retired to weep and pray, and mutually confess that the fjandy foundation on which they had been liyiiig to build their hope for eternity was insecure. The following day, his fellow-apprentice found .°ome specious Universalist tract, to gloss over the plain and pungent Scriptural instruction which had madf him tremble, and he went back; while Edward, at evening, sought again the house of the Lord, and heard another solemn appeal, from the appro- priate words, " Rememlicr Lot's wife." This decided his case, and very soon after- ward, seeking the Lord with all his heart, he found the " good hopp through grace" which ever after sustained and comforted him. From this time he became a faithful and consistent disciple, honouring the Lord by a prompt obedience to His reciuirements. From that early jici iod, for more than twenty years he has becv^ enabled, by the sustaining grace of Christ, to keep his religious profession untarnished— to bear his lamp undimmed to the end of his course. As soon as he could honourably procure his discharge from his employer, he returned to Salem, and fitted himself for entering College. As I then occupied the Presidency at Waterville, it was not strange that he chose to enter there, and most vigorous and successful were his endeavours to store his mind with useful knowledge. By uncommon diligence and assiduity, he was enabled to accomplish three years' prescribed study in two years, and actually graduated with honour at Dartmouth College (he and I having both removed from Waterville in the meantime,) in two years and tei. months from his entrance into the Freshman Class. If the fervour of his piety was somewhat dcanetied by the too intense absorption of hi.<) mind in his Collegiate studies, it is but the too uniform experience under similar cir- cumstaices; and the honourable consistency of his Christian deportment was conscien- tiously preserved. He spent but one year in tha Theological Seminary, and has since devotv-d him elf, as a laborious, (liithfisl, succcBsful paster, to four Churches, in each of which he has had seals to his ministry, and warm, loving hiends, who \\\\\ now deeply mourn the common loss of Zion in his removal. It was in the autumn of 1845 that I passed a few days with him, during his settle- ment at Belfast, Maine. It gave me a better opportnnity than I had before enjoyed to learn his habits of study, his method of pastoral labour, and daily intercourse among the memuors of liis flock. With honest and uncxaggerated truthfulness, I can testify that rarely have I found in any of our younger Ministers so much .o approve, so little to be amended. The prudence, the fidelity, the laboriousness and the sterling good sense and solid ability which he demonstrated, were adapted to call forth nany thanksgivings 1.. Cin,\ iin,l tn siimrAct thp dpsire — O xi sic otnnta ! fOh, that all were like hir.i!) »» l l ii