Holy aspirations-gratitude to the Saviour-multiplied labours-Novel family scene-Danger averted— Cu- rious frame'-flattery deprecated-His marriage— The Pastor in action—Methods of exciting, sustaining, and extending a due interest in religious concerns— The same subject-Bible class-pastoral visits-social parties-special, and casual interviews—charm of his His exertions without the bounds of his parish—In- fluence on his ministerial associates—in resuscitating and edifying other churches-Visits The Springs'— effects of his example, conversation, and prayers on other visitors-Excursions in behalf of Charitable His private character. His affections and demeanour, as a husband, father, master, friend. His gratitude, Farther particulars relating to his personal history, His last labours-His spiritual joys, heavenly counsels, A MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. Uses of religious biography.-Birth of Edward Payson -His early impressions; intellectual qualities; filial and fraternal conduct; moral character-His literary education; enters Harvard College; his reputation there. IF, as it has been well observed, the memorials of the good constitute one of the most sacred possessions of the Church of Christ,'-there is an obligation, resting on each successive generation of her children, to perpetuate those living evidences of Christianity, which have been exhibited by their most distinguished cotemporaries. It is not submitted to our choice, whether or not we will preserve and hand down the characters of such as have been eminent in their day for the savor and strength of their piety, the ardor and steadfastness of their devotion, the consistency and power of their example, and the abundance and success of their labours in the cause of their crucified King; the duty is imperative. Nor does the value of a mere human example depend upon its freedom from imperfection, so much as upon the degree of resistance, which its original has overcome in his progress towards "the mark of our high calling." To secure the object contemplated by such a memorial, it is not necessary to hold up the character as faultless, B -nor even to magnify its excellencies, or extenuate its defects. A strict adherence to truth, and a just representation of facts, will not only be safest for man, but most effectually exalt the grace of God. That apostle, who laboured more abundantly than his fellows, recognises it as among the causes, why he had obtained mercy, who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious,—that he “might be a pattern to them who should hereafter believe." The heart alive to its guilt and wretchedness, would sink in everlasting despondency, if it might not revert to the "chief of sinners,” as among the number whom Christ came to save, and who have actually obtained salvation. The discouragements arising from inbred sin, in all its countless varieties of operation, would depress the christian almost beyond recovery, but for the recorded experience of others, weighed down by the pressure of similar burdens, who finally came off conquerors, through Him who loved them." From the "great fight of afflictions," which his elder brethren, who have preceded him in the weary pilgrimage, have "endured," and the terrible conflicts with passion and temptation, which they have survived, he may learn that his case is not singular; that, however fiery the trial to which he is subjected, still, no strange thing hath happened unto him." There is no unholy bias of the heart, no easily besetting sin, no violence of passion, no force of temptation, which has not been vanquished by faith in things unseen; and that too, in circumstances as unfavourable to victory, as any in which men now are, or, probably, ever will be placed. Enemies as virulent and formidable as any that lie in wait for their souls, have been successfully resisted,-trials as disheartening and struggles as desperate as any that await our faith, have been. met, sustained, surmounted, by men "of like passions with ourselves." "Out of the depths they cried unto 66 the Lord, and were heard; they overcame through the blood of the Lamb." 66 Nor will the benefit be limited to the fervent believer, in his spiritual conflicts. These monumental records will meet the eye of him, who has a name to live while he is dead;" and they are adopted, beyond most other means, to break his fatal slumber, to excite salutary apprehensions in his mind, and fasten there to the unwelcome, but needful conviction, that he has "neither part nor lot" in the Christian's inheritance. The marked contrast which he cannot fail to observe, between the operations of a mind animated by the Spirit, and glowing with the love of God, and those of which he is himself conscious;-between the moral achievements of a man, carried forward by the steady energies of a purifying faith, and the few and sluggish efforts, which fill up his own history,—can hardly fail to reveal him to himself, as one I weighed in the balance and found wanting." He reads of exertions, which he never put forth; of humiliation and self-denial which he never practised; of confessions, which his heart never dictated; of exercises, which he never experienced; of hopes and prospects, by which his own bosom was never gladdened. In the character of the determined christian, he discerns a renunciation of self, and a godly jealousy over the workings of the heart naturally deceitful above all things, which are totally at war with his own self-confidence. He learns, that, under all varieties of outward condition, self-mortification is still an eminent characteristic of the follower of Christ; that no man who warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this world; that the expectant of the crown of righteousness is no more exempted from the agonizing strife to obtain it, than he was in the days of primitive Christianity. In the modern believer, if his faith be not "dead," you identify the grand features of that religion, which |