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ever simple its construction, with the blessing of the Lord, produced a happy effect. Some days after this, he frankly confessed to me his delusion; which, he said, had been produced by the false principles of others; they had shrouded his judgment, and calloused his heart. His great anxiety now was, to know the Redeemer, and enjoy pardon and peace with his offended God. The Bible, which he had neglected, became his treasure. At every interval of relief from pain, he was engaged in prayer for the light and salvation of the Lord Jesus to be conveyed to his heart. The conversation and prayers of his pious visitors were refreshing cordials. At length the divine smiles were granted; Christ was his only hope, and he gently breathed his last in the bosom of his Lord, on the 9th day of May, 1811, aged 22 years.

The state of Mr. Hunter's mind, under the loss of his daughter and sons, may easily be imagined. He felt as a parent, and as a christian he bowed

there is no book but the Bible which reveals this adequate remedy; and the greatest care ought to be taken to explain its nature, because the life of the patient absolutely depends upon it. And especially, that however valuable and efficacious the remedy, the patient has the most inveterate disgust against it, until he be positively convinced that he must die. Indeed, my reason tells me, that I must bear the punishment due to my own offences; or, I must absolutely be indebted to an intervening Saviour. I think, if there were no Bible, it would teach me this lesson.-The next ingredient is, a cheerful resignation to the divine will. This will most charmingly incorporate with the former drug, if I may so say; for without it no effect can possibly be produced. You must have some hope that God forgives your sins: this is essential to your resignation to his most holy pleaThen you will know and enjoy him as your heavenly Father in Christ, and with cheerfulness say, Father, not my will, but thine be done. In prosperity and adversity, health or sickness, life or death, you will find your temper sweetened, and your whole person devoted to the honour of your God.-Now we take the last item in the compound, which admirably sweetens the other two. This is love. God designs my present and future felicity. This the scriptures abundantly assert. All things work together for good to them that love God. (Romans, viii. 28.) Observe, not singly, or alone, but mixed and worked, as you do the different items in a mortar, to produce the medicine. All these for good-to save the soul-restore its health-console and animate under every affliction, in prospect of endless felicity! Such virtues the gospel reveals; and who would not wish to enjoy them?

sure.

Well, you perceive that I have got to the end of my paper; and yet something more is necessary to be written. Physicians, you know, always put a label on the phial, to direct the patient how and when to take its contents. But, as I am only the servant of the heavenly Physician, I shall pray my Divine Master to make you a visit, and administer to you the cordial of his salvation; and subscribe myself

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to the will of his Lord. The rest of his days were chiefly employed in at◄ tending public worship, which was his highest delight; and also in making and receiving visits from his christian friends, by which, for many years, he enjoyed great satifaction. By the infirmities of age, he was confined for weeks to his chamber. Nature at last yielded; he finished his course, and entered into the joy of his Lord, December 22, 1815, in the 67th year of his age. He had four sons, one daughter, and sixteen grand children. His remains were interred in the family vault at Mount Pleasant.

A short sketch of Mr. Hunter's general character, the result of my many years intimacy with him and his family, may not be unacceptable. In his person, he was of the taller size; and when in health, proportionably corpulent. In his family, he evinced the affection of a faithful husband and a tender father. The surviving relatives who are present upon this occasion, bear in their remembrance the acts of his domestic devotions in prayer and praise on the morning and evening of the day; and I hope that his precepts and his example, will have a due influence upon your future conduct in life. We cannot forget his hospitality at home. His house, especially when living in the country, might be called the christian pilgrim's bower; for ministers and others on their travels would readily find their way to his mansion, and were as cordially entertained. Mr. Hunter was a generous and attached friend. Some present in this assembly need not my aid to remind them, that to you he has been a friend indeed! Such expressions of his kindness, it is presumed, will not easily be forgotten.

In more public life, his heart, hand, and purse were freely open to acts of benevolence and religion. To the church at Mount Pleasant, of which for many years he was a faithful deacon, he was a constant benefactor. Besides which, other churches, ministers, families, and public institutions of various descriptions, received of his bounty. Nor did he confine these to the mere personal acts of his life; for in his last will and testament, he left a handsome property to the church at Mount Pleasant to support the worship of God. Many years his mind had been impressed with the importance of education to young ministers; and, as a testimony of this, he bequeathed ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to the Baptist Education Society of this City and State, to create a fund for that laudable purpose. That generous act in favour of this institution and the cause of religion, is an example which it is hoped will be followed by many, according as God may prosper them in the bounties of his providence.-Mr. Hunter, in his religious character, sought to know and practise the truth as it is in Jesus. None but evangelical, spiritual preaching and writings, could he approve ; and no man relished a gospel sermon better than himself. He was a lover of good men and ministers of all denominations; yet inviolably attached to the cause of Christ among the Baptists, and held fast the profession of his faith without wavering. After all, perhaps some of you may say, that our deceased friend had his imperfections. So have you. No human character is perfect. Whatever, therefore, incorrectness you may suppose to have been attached to him, take care to amend in yourselves; for you are not required to follow after any man, further than he follows after Christ. We

have no hesitation in closing this sketch of Mr. Hunter's character by saying, that we believe he was a man of grace. It was his wish to do

justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God. As a christian, he carried an inward and an outward cross, which sometimes were extremely heavy. This led him to more frequent and fervent prayer to his Saviour for renewed strength, according to his day. The further he advanced in years, the sweeter was grace and truth to his heart; and he often wished that his lamp might burn the brighter, as the coming of his Lord approached. Now he resteth from his labours; and, according to the sentiments of Paul, expressed in the connexion of our text, we anticipate the holy pleasure of his being amongst the number of those who loved the appearance of the Lord, and who in the great day shall receive a crown of righteousness and glory that fadeth not away!

From the subject of this discourse, you may learn something of the nature and importance of divine grace, in order to commence, to pursue, and to finish the christian course. Bear in remembrance that there are but two ways for you to enter into eternity. These are, the narrow way of grace, truth and holiness, through Christ, by his Spirit and word; and the broad way of unbelief and sin, in which many walk, that leadeth to destruction. (Matt. vii. 13, 14.) Let me exhort you seriously to reflect on the safety of the one, and the danger of the other. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Seriously reflect on the path you now tread, and make an estimate of its end. Time is short at the best; and the period of your course may be much nearer than you imagine. From the two deceased young persons I have mentioned in the foregoing Narrative, the younger part of this assembly may learn the great importance of possessing the salvation of Jesus, before death shall receive commission to bear you to the silent grave. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet: his breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. (Job xxi. 23-26.) Contrast this affecting case with the pleasures and the safety of walking in the paths of the Lord. You never can be happy but in the embraces of the Saviour. His smiles shall create your day of joy; his power will preserve you under the pressure of affliction; he will make your journey through life honourable to society; and, at last, admit you to his presence, where there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore.―The narrative which I have recited of Mr. Hunter, may possibly produce some favourable impressions upon the christian and the pious parent. Whatever earthly comforts you may enjoy, remember that they are only the loan of your God; and that he has a right to demand them at his pleasure. This persuasion produced charming submission in Job, when the Lord deprived him of his children, his health, and his property. These afflicting providences are designed to wean you from earth, to increase your desires for a

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heavenly rest, and that God may make up the deficiency of your losses in the greater enjoyment of his love.

"One look of mercy from his face,
Will set your heart at ease;
One all-commanding word of grace

Will make the tempest cease."

Let me exhort you to pursue the christian course with ardour. The fulness of Christ, communicated to you by his Spirit and his promises, will afford you an adequate support under all the afflictions you may endure. In the hour of your death, you will behold unfolding the doors of immortality and glory; the days of your mourning will be ended; and, in an inconceivable state of bliss, you will be employed amidst the throng of the redeemed in sounding triumphant hallelujahs to God and the Lamb for ever and ever! AMEN.

HYMN.

In Jesu's strength, seek, O my soul,
Thy glorious warfare to pursue;

He only can thy sins control,

And give thee vict'ries ever new.

The land of triumph lies on high,
There are no fields of battle there;
Lord make me conquer 'till I die,

And finish well the glorious war.

Assist me with supplies of grace,

To bring thy gospel good renown;
And let me when my labours cease,

Receive through Christ the promis'd crown,

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