His care for the theological school, from which he was removed about seventy miles, is expressed in the close of this letter, which was written but six weeks before his death, and was his last communication on the subject. "My brother, your employment at Hamilton is closely connected with the interest of Zion. You are sensible that the instruction you give to the young men under your care will have effect, after we rest from our labors. Were our churches favored with pastors, whose understandings are fruitful in the mysteries of the kingdom, and who are well versed in the laws of our God, and men who imitate the ancient apostles in self-denial, faithfulness, and perseverance, there would be much less difficulties in the churches, and the mouths of a multitude of gain-sayers would be stopped. My brother, I pray God you may have wisdom to perform your duty to the young brethren; and you will be pleased to have me exhort you to teach and warn every one of them continually, while under your direction. Do write, and let me know how the

school prospers."

About three weeks before this letter was written, he wrote to Eld. John Peck, informing him that his brother-in-law, Eld. Jonathan Ferris, of Milo, was instantly struck dead by a flash of lightning. He also mentions the chastening of his Father's rod, which he had just experienced upon himself, as another pledge of his love. "Last Sunday," says he, "I had a severe turn of cholic-endured more pain than I have in any one day for several years. I have not regained my usual health; yet, through the tender mercies of God, was able to preach three sermons last Sabbath-experienced much satisfaction while preaching, and believing, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' You know, my brother, that I experience less pain and sickness than is usual for one so far advanced in age. Our heavenly Father knew it was for my good to have a few hours of severe pain. Since that, I have much comfort in viewing Him who endured pain, and hath died for us, and hath conquered death and the grave. Almighty Savior! help me to cry by faith, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? O that all the saints were more fervent in their desires that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers! O that all the laborers might work daily as though

they were doing their last work! How seldom do we, my brother, when we preach, or converse with one another, speak as though we realized there is but a single step between us and the eternal world! O for more fervency in prayingmore energy and spirituality in preaching, exhorting, and warning sinners to flee from the wrath to come! Do, my brother, pray for me, and may we unite in praying for each other, and for all our brethren in the ministry, that we may have the empty things of this world beneath our feet-that our souls may be blessed, and our tongues anointed with the spirit of the gospel-that we may come to our assemblies, every Sabbath, and at all times, in the fullness of the blessing of Christ-that the flock under our charge may be fed with the sincere milk of the word, and our garments be pure from the blood of our impenitent hearers. Should we thus live

and preach, and walk in the law of the Lord, the light of the Lord, the love of the Lord, it would be no matter whether we were summoned by chain-lightning, a fit of apoplexy, or fever, or consumption, to meet our God and Redeemer; for dying would only be going home."

It was not, however, till he felt the pangs of death that he relinquished the sanguine expectation of having his life prolonged. When taken from the sanctuary, about three weeks before his death, he knew not his Father's design, but supposed he should soon be returned to his labors, and see more of the salvation of God among his people. During his illness he had strong expectations of recovery, and even when death was changing his countenance, one of his daughters asked him if he did not think he was dying. He answered, "No; I shall live and preach the gospel." A member of his church, standing by, said to him, "Br. Warren, you are dying.' He replied, without the least alarm, "Well, farewell; I am pure from the blood of men." He spoke but once more, and fell asleep in Jesus, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and forty-third year of his ministry.

He was favored through life with a firm constitution, never impaired by sickness, or age, nor by the most arduous labors. He had a strong mind, but little cultivated in early life, and never much improved in classical literature; but richly stored with good sense-a well-regulated judgment, correct views of national interests, and of the doctrine of the word of God,

His decision of character and firm attachment to truth would never allow him to countenance error, even to save the feelings of a friend. He had an untiring spirit in controversy, when he believed the cause of God was concerned, and feared not to encounter a host. He had elevated views of the Christian ministry, and spared no pains to expose and remove from the churches those who degraded the office. He was an able counselor and faithful leader in the church of God. He was solemn and devout in prayer, and appeared usually to enjoy much of the spirit and presence of the Savior. His preaching was plain, practical, and impressive, calculated to awaken sinners and edify saints. In fine, his whole character and deportment, as a man, a Christian, and a minister, united many excellencies which are worthy of imitation. Kendrick's Sermon.

JOHN UP FOLD.

Eld. UPFOLD, the youngest of four sons of Mr. George Upfold, a respectable farmer in Cranley, county of Surrey, England, was born Nov. 29, 1766. We find no account of

his juvenile years. The first authentic account is as follows: Having been unsuccessful in business, he obtained a commission as an officer in the excise. In this situation he was soon made to realize the wickedness of his heart and life. He was passing by a Dissenting place of worship in Midhurst,* in the county of Sussex, to attend the king's business, at a time when some person was preaching, from whose lips he heard the following words: Brethren, you have a God to go to." These words, which were intended by the preacher to comfort the saints in a time of persecution, pierced Mr. Upföld's heart. He was fully convinced that he was an undone creature, as he was living without hope and without God in the world. His conduct, for weeks and months, appeared to him unpardonable, as he could not real

66

* About this time the spirit of persecution raged in Midhurst to an alarming degree; and a banditti had actually assembled to break up the meeting, when Mr. Upfold passed by, and soon succeeded in driving the minister from the pulpit..

ize the justice of God in extending mercy to such a sinful creature. However, in an hour of temptation and distress, God, of his infinite goodness, was graciously pleased to hush his troubled mind into peace. He was enabled to realize how life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel, and the words of the apostle John suggested themselves with power to his mind: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." This gave him great reason to hope that God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven him for all his transgressions.

When Mr. Upfold had obtained a satisfactory evidence of his adoption into the family of God, he was greatly concerned for the souls of others. He soon left the service of his Britannic Majesty, to devote himself to the service of the King of Zion. And although he was conscious of his inability to preach among the heathen the gospel of Christ, yet he ventured to offer his service to the London Missionary Society. He was examined by a committee, who returned his name as a candidate for missionary labors. About this time the ship Duff was taken by the French, with sixty missionaries on board. This damped the missionary spirit for a time, during which he turned his eyes to America; and soon after left his native country. This took place in the spring of 1801. Soon after his arrival he had an opportunity of seeing Dr. Baldwin administer baptism. This led him to an investigation of the subject. He carefully examined the scripture, and soon became convinced, that believers were the only subjects of baptism, and that immersion was the only mode. He was baptized by Eld. B. Titcomb, of Portland. Me. Soon after this he became associated with the Baptist ministers. In the autumn of 1801 he removed from Boston to Portland, in Maine, and united with the Baptist church, and soon became a licentiate to preach the gospel. In the spring of 1805 he removed to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and on the 4th of Jan. 1807, he was ordained to the work of the ministry by a council of delegates from the churches in Hamilton, Herkimer, 2d Salisbury, Whitestown, Norway, and Deerfield. Among the ministers attending were those early veterans of the cross, Elds. Hosmer, Eddy, Douglass, and Card. He immediately associated with them in proclaiming the word of truth in the new settlements.

20*

His first labors after leaving Fairfield, in 1809, were performed in the towns of Remsen, Boonville, Leyden, and Western. And in some of these towns a reformation was produced, and churches formed in the first three towns, under his administration. Up to 1816 his labors were continued in the churches of Fabius and Sangersfield, and in sev eral missionary towns, the last of which was performed in Upper Canada. This circumstance opened a way for his removal into that province in the autumn of the same year. The labors required in this extensive field were severe, and the toils of nine years' exertions to answer the numerous calls in this then so destitute region reduced his physical energies, and greatly impaired his health. Thus enfeebled, he returned to this State, and took up his residence in Montezuma, and preached to the acceptance of the people in that village two years; and in Hannibal, and other parts of the county of Oswego, he passed the closing year of his life.

On the 5th day of September, 1828, while sitting at the table of his morning meal, he was instantly seized with a cutting pain, as from the thrust of a dagger, in the region of the kidneys, where he had long endured a local affection. It was immediately followed with all the alarming indications of a malignant fever. Eld. Upfold departed this life the 12th of the same month, at Hannibal, Oswego Co.

His preaching was with plainness of speech and uncorruptness of doctrine. Salvation through the grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ was the substance of his theme, and he dwelt with peculiar delight on the sovereignty of its dispensation. His integrity as a man, and his faithfulness as a minister, have secured him the friendship and Christian affection of many, who will sorrow most of all that they shall see his face no more. The glowing sentiment of the Psalmist, expressed in the text he selected for his funeral, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth," was beautifully illustra ted in his life and in his death. The peculiar distresses of his last moments did not obscure his views of the crown laid up for him, nor divert his attention from the delights of singing and prayer. Around the same bed where his freed soul was disencumbered of its clay, he gathered the weeping remnant of his family, and sounded his approach to the por