er in the Church, in the family, in the mourning circle, or by the bed of sickness and of death, were various, appropriate, solemn, fervent, and pathetic. They appeared to flow from a heart accustomed to find delight in devotion; a heart deeply acquainted with its own wants, and tenderly feeling the wants and distresses of others.

As a pastor, Dr. Buckminster was a bright example to his brethren. His labors were abun dant, and greatly diversified. To spend and be spent for his Master, and his Master's flock, he accounted not his toil, but his honor and delight. Nothing could gratify him more than to observe, among any of his peo ple, the spirit of serious attention and inquiry. With sedulous and unremitted care, he cherished every such appearance. Mectings for social prayer he promoted, not only by his approbation, but his presence; nor did any worshipper appear to appear to derive more refreshment and quickening from these pious associations, than himself He was frequently devising new plans and means, by which to gain access to the hearts of his beloved people, and promote their salvation. He was far indeed from being content with discharging the ordinary duties of the Sabbath, and going the expected round of visits on Monday:

"But in his duty prompt at every call, He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.

And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt her new-fledg'd offspring to the skies;

He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay,

Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way."

In all the domestic relations, Dr. Buckminster was exemplarily tender, kind, and faithful. He labored much to promote the spiritual welfare of those peculiarly endeared to him. His first wish was, so to live with them on earth, as to meet them in heaven.

He was one of the most affectionate of friends, one of the most interesting of companions. In the social circle, his conversation was frequently enlivened by sallies of genuine wit and humor. These were his occasional relaxation. To an attentive observer, it was easy to perceive, however, that his mind and heart were habitually employed on objects of the highest interest.

To his brethren in the ministry, he was most tenderly attached; and this attachment was warmly reciprocated. From one of them, who delivered a discourse on his death to his be reaved flock, he received the following affectionate and respectful tribute: "The venerable servant of Christ, who statedly ministered in this place, was an active, pious, and zealous member of our Association. He was ever ready to strengthen our hands, and encourage our hearts. With tenderness he reminded us of our fauits, and counselled us in our difficulties. He gave spirit and animation to our meetings, and invigorated our exertions. To our Churches he was a welcome messenger of Jesus, and he never refused to labor in the service of his Master."

In a note to the same discourse, it is added; "On the first day of the present year, Dr. Buckmin

ster preached a sermon at Hampton falls, particularly addressed to the members of the Association. He unfolded the danger, to which ministers are exposed, of neglecting their own hearts, while they preach to others; the necessity of their possessing personal holiness, and of their aiding each other in the duties of their responsible office, by the exercise of candor, charity, and love."

Never was this servant of Christ more evidently devoted to his work, than in the last months of his life. It seemed as though he had a presentiment that his dismission was near, and under this impression, was anxious that every day and every hour should be filled up with duty. These extraordinary exertions contributed to break down his constitution. The mental depressions, with which he had been formerly visited, returned; and his health gradually failed. After a time, he was attacked with violent nervous spasms, which induced a temporary suspension of reason. To obtain relief from these complicated and distressing complaints, he undertook, in company with his wife, and two other friends, a journey to the springs in the state of New York. The Sabbath previous to his departure, he was able to preach, and to administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Having reached Putney, in Vermont, he was attacked with a new complaint, which, though it did not prevent his pursuing his journey, proved speedily fatal. As his bodily strength declined, his

mind became more calm and composed. For more than two days previous to his death, he was free from distressing spasms, and from the derangement of faculties which had attended them. Much of this time he employed in devotion As his dissolution approached, he expressed his humble confidence in God, and entire submission to his will. He was favored with a clear testimony of conscience that he had devoted himself in sincerity to the divine service; and he was consoled by the reflection, that he had faithfully preached the truth to his people.

He died at Readsborough, (Vermont) on the 10th of June;t and the day following his remains were interred at Bennington, with every expression of respect for his character, and of sympathy with his afflicted relict. An appropriate sermon was preached on the occasion, by the Rev. Mr. Marsh, from John xiv, 18.

Dr. Buckminster's death is tenderly and justly lamented, as no common loss to his church and people, to the town of Portsmouth, to the vicinity, to the state, to the Church at large, and to the world. But his friends, and the friends of truth, have reason to be comforted with the reflection, that his life, though not protracted to the longest date, was eminently useful; that his death was serene and happy; and that he has received the plaudit, Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

It is a remarkable fact, that, on the day preceding, his eldest son, the Rev. JOSEPH S. BUCKMINSTER, pastor of the Church in Brattle-street, Boston, died, after a distressing sickness of less than a week.

PERHAPS no class of men, except the ministers of the Gospel, can do more in the service of religion, than persons of the medical profession. Their duties give them access to all descriptions of people, and under all circumstances. If respectable, they will, of course, be influential; and it is highly desirable, that this influence should be exerted in favor of religion.

In few instances, have these truths been more satisfactorily exemplified, than in the life of Dr. Oliver Brewster; a life comprising, indeed, few remarkable incidents; but uniformly under the direction of piety, and, in a high degree, exemplary and useful.

The subject of this notice was born at Lebanon, (Con.) A. D. 1760, where his venerable parents were living, at his decease. His father had been many years a deacon of the church, in which office he died, a few days after his son. Nothing interesting is known concerning the former part of the life of Dr. Brewster, except that he has often mentioned his religious education, and the strong impressions early made upon his mind, by the counsels and prayers of his par

ents.

At a very early age, he had obtained his profession, and was employed as a surgeon, in the American army, where the passing scenes had an effect upon him, different from what is common; they greatly solemnized

his mind. As an instance, the following occurrence is particu larly recollected from his own narration.

On the morning before the ac tion at Herkimer, he was break. fasting with some officers of the regiment to which he belonged. The colonel, a profane man, observing the company to eat but little, began, in his rough way, to reproach them with cowardice. "These fellows, Brewster," said he to the Dr. "have got lead in their stomachs. Why the battle will not last more than five minutes, and you can all of you live in hell so long." They went immediately into the action; when, in less than five minutes, the colonel fell, and Dr. Brewster was called just in time to see him expire.

The effect of this and similar scenes there witnessed, remained upon him while he lived.

Having left the army, he commenced the practice of physic in the town of Becket, in the county of Berkshire; being, at this time blameless, in the view of man, but destitute of religion.

Soon after this he became not only serious, but strongly convicted of possessing a heart unsanctified and dreadfully deprav ed. How soon he obtained relief in Christ is not known; but his conversion was clear, and clearly manifested by a thirty years' trial of his faith.

The church to which he became united knew his worth, and, in the year 1802, called him to the office of deacon, in which station he continued to serve them with the greatest fidelity, till the 15th of February last, when he was taken hence by an apoplectic fit, and removed, as it

is confidently believed, to the mansions of his Father's house. But the design of this communication, is to furnish, not so much a biography, as a sketch of character.

In this view, the following remarks may, perhaps, be consolatory and animating, and therefore useful.

It has often been a ground of just complaint, that the professors of religion do not manifest their faith by their works; but, in the subject of this memoir, all his acquaintance beheld religion, in practice. Beneficence was a well known trait in his character. This was particularly experienced by his patients, to whom, when poor, he was not only a physician, but a father. Their wants he relieved to the extent of his ability, demanding neither compensation, nor any other expressions of gratitude than their total silence upon the subject.

His professional charges were remarkably moderate; and his collection of them, from persons in humble circumstances, (if they were collected at all,) was in the most favorable way possible. Destitute of property, when he commenced practice, with an increasing family, and the company which his hospitality drew around him; it was surprising to his friends to see his worldly prosperity. It was obtained by his industry and economy of time. His labors, in his profession, were indefatigable, faithful, and successful.

In most instances, particularly in acute diseases, his exertions were greatly blessed, and extensively sought.

In his family, his fidelity was remarkable and exemplary. In VOL. V. New Series.

family instruction, reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer, he was scrupulously punctual; nor would he permit any pressure of morning business, nor any evening fatigue, to interfere with these duties, especially that of family prayer.

He was ardent in his attachments. It was his character to be warm and interested; and, în no object of importance, could he remain long neuter. Whatsoever his hand found to do, he did it with his might, and in its proper season. In favor of religion, this disposition proved eminently serviceable; for his attachment to the cause of the Redeemer seemed interwoven with every desire and every principle of action. In him we saw an illustration of that which is writ ten, Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Labors, and abstinence, and afflictions he would endure beyond most men;-but he could not endure, without strong crying and tears, to see Zion mourn, and few come to her solemn feasts.

Firm in the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, he was zealous for their propagation; and was distressed beyond measure to hear them opposed, by any one, or even neglected by the professed ministers of the Gospel of Christ.

Against vice and error, of whatever kind, he took a decided part; his face was set like a flint, and he feared not what man could do unto him, while he secured the approbation of his conscience and his God. Decision and determination were indeed the characteristics of the man. In general they were highly useful; 175

in some instances, however, as he was frank to acknowledge, he had much use for the power of religion, to qualify this disposition with adequate calmness and moderation.

He was earnest and faithful, to observe the discipline of the church of God. His plainness and fidelity with offenders, his anxiety for their restoration, and his general exertions for the peace and prosperity of Zion, though they may have created enemies among the unsanctified, will be long and gratefully remembered by his brethren in Christ.

Seldom is a man found, to whom it is more emphatically his meat and drink to do the will of his Father in Heaven, than it was to Dr. Brewster. Religion was his delight;-not a burden which he must bear, but a pillar to support him, a treasure to enrich him. If it is from the abun dance of the heart that the mouth speaketh, religion must have abounded in him; for though reserved, upon common topics, especially in mixed companies, yet his conversation upon religion possessed that readiness and force, which manifested his intimate acquaintance, both with its theory and spirit.

He was happy in a talent to introduce this favorite subject, without creating disgust or incurring ridicule. This trait in his character, remarkably fitted him for the situation in which he

was called to act; for, during the greater part of his membership in the church, they were destitute of a pastor.

During this period, his solemn counsels to his patients, his fervent prayers with them and for them, will never be forgotten, by those who survive; and, in many who have died, it is believed that a favorable record of them has ascended to God the Judge of all.

An instance of this, his disposition and habit, marked the closing scene of his life. He was attending a patient, in great distress and in imminent danger. Walking the room, in deep anxiety, "I know not," said he, "what more we can do but we must all pray for her, and pray for ourselves." These were his last words. The messenger of the Lord was at hand. Dr. Brewster was immediately seized with a fit which appeared to deprive him of all reflection. In this state he lay about six hours, when his spirit returned to God who gave it.

Reader! pause, reflect, and imitate the character of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.

Surely such a life, and, after such a life, such a death, also, are desirable.

Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. May 22, 1812.