If these things were not so, what sort of a death-bed should we have seen in the departure of Mrs. Hoffman? Amidst the numerous expressions of her benevolence, if there be no resurrection, nor future state of happiness, her professed motive of love to her Saviour must have misguided her steps, eventually proved deceptive, and left her spirit enveloped in darkness, when she was on the very verge of the grave. But no such gloomy ideas attended her departure; her hope was firm, and her prospects charming! She knew in whom she believed, and whom she had so cheerfully served. These most important points were not left to be determined at her last hour; for she had proved their reality, step by step, through the journey of life; and, therefore, with composure, she resigned her body to the grave to rest in hope, and her soul into the hand of her faithful Creator, in sure and certain confidence, that in the bright morning of the resurrection, she should awake from the bed of death, in the likeness of her Lord; behold his face in righteousness, in whose presence there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand, there are pleasures for evermore.

I must now express my sincere wish, that the subject which has been discussed, may more sensibly impress your minds in prospect of mortality. It is, of all other views, the most certain and solemn.

You cannot but

contemplate death as a natural evil, not only separating the soul and the body, but tearing us away from all the charms of life and earthly society, to take our residence in the cold grave. As a moral evil, death arrests us as God's messenger of justice, to appear before his august tribunal. As sinners, look at death,

and it cannot but fill you with trembling awe! Look at death through the cross and the conquest of Christ, as penitent sinners, and the object will change, and open the path to endless joy! Introduced to the communion of God your Father; constant in your exertions to preserve the rectitude of conscience; assiduous to serve your generation by the will of God; and firmly believing and anticipating the bright morning of the resurrection; you cheerfully pass your days on earth, and with the most charming serenity of mind, await the moment of your call to pass away to that sacred rest which remaineth in heaven for all the people of God.

Permit me to close this discourse with a few addresses. THE ORPHAN CHILDREN of this Institution, have lost another mother who tenderly loved them, and most earnestly cared for their interest and happiness, even when her public exertions failed. Yes, children, though her hand, by age and infirmity, was clenched, her heart was warm with christian kindness to you, until death's cold hand put a stop to its generous emotions. Let me impress on your tender minds, your obligation to revere the memory, and the kindness of your departed friend; and let your future conduct evince the sincerity of your gratitude for the favors which you have received. You have now, children, another occasion to adopt the pious language of David, When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. And, it is our sincere desire, that out of this Institution, God, through the riches of his goodness, may produce many youths who shall become useful members of society, and evince by their virtues, that he hath indeed blessed the efforts of your gene

rous friends.-THE SUPERINTENDENTS AND TEACHERS need not to be reminded that they have lost an affectionate and faithful friend. I have no doubt but that the advices which you have so repeatedly received from her lips, will still aid you in the performance of your duties. Nor is it to be doubted but that her memory will continue engraven upon your breasts, and a sense of the many expressions of her friendship will be coeval with your days.-The surviving DIRECTRESSES AND MANAGERS of this Orphan Asylum, though long expecting the death of their beloved sister, Mrs. Hoffman, cannot but sensibly feel the severity of the stroke. That mother in Israel, and associate with our late departed friend, Mrs. Isabella Graham, has long since taken her flight to the mansions of endless felicity. The amiable and useful Miss Isabella Ogden, Secretary to this establishment, has likewise bowed in death, and passed away forever to rest in the bosom of her Saviour. On the recollection of those visits of death to the Guardians of our orphans; and while we this morning bow before the Lord and say, even so Father, for thus it seemeth good in thy sight: let every surviving Directress and Manager of this benevolent Asylum, receive those instances of mortality as mementos of their own expected departure. Your station is important, and your duties are of the most tender and benevolent kind. The inroads of death among you, cannot but dictate a yet stronger and more animated zeal in favor of the helpless orphans which Providence has committed to your fostering care. And it

is

my fervent prayer that your lives may long be preserved a blessing to your families, and to the general interests of benevolence. When your work and labor

of love shall cease, may you come to your graves in peace; and, in full confidence of the tender mercy of your Saviour, follow your departed companions to the boundless scenes of immortality and glory.—From the subject of my discourse, every PARENT may receive a serious conviction, that a pious and gracious testimony in the hour of death, is a far more valuable legacy to children and survivors, than thousands of gold and silver. I cannot therefore but sincerely wish that the CHILDREN and the GRAND-CHILDREN of my departed friend, may possess the bright jewels of her christian character; that the mantle of her benevolence may fall upon them, and that their latter end may be like her's! Let me take one more glance at the scenery of Jacob's death. What must have been the feelings of Joseph and his family, while surrounding the bed of their dying father? His last words must have penetrated their souls, and left an indelible impression of the virtue of religion, which time nor death could possibly erase. From this scene may I not pass to the chamber of Mrs. Hoffman, and realize to myself the witnesses of her last moments? Methinks I see these orphan children placed around the room; the Directresses waiting with solemnity to see their composed sister close her eyes in death. Her children and her grand-children around her bed, watching the stroke of death. And, were I standing in the midst, I realize to myself, that I hear the last expressions of her faith, her composure, and her affection for us all, in the words of my text-BEHOLD, I DIE: BUT GOD SHALL BE WITH YOU. AMEN.