86 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



have not been evil. Afflictions have indeed been scattered 

 along my path of life, but they have not been more than 

 were good for me, and my sources of happiness have been 

 numerous and rich. I bless God for the large measure of 

 happiness which I have enjoyed, as much as is best in a 

 state which is mutable and transient. What I sigh for is 

 not riches, honors, or pleasures. Riches I have never sought, 

 they have not entered into my views of life, but such in- 

 come and emoluments have followed my professional efforts 

 as have afforded all needed supplies ; honors I have not 

 coveted, but a fair reputation from honest efforts to perform 

 my duty, however imperfectly done ; and as to pleasures, 

 the moral and intellectual have surpassed the physical. A 

 cheerful temper and active temperament have made life 

 grateful to me ; and I have ten thousand blessings for which 

 to thank the Father of mercies, while I feel that I cannot 

 be justified before Him by any works of righteousness which 

 I have done, but infinitely need the shield of His mercy 

 through Christ the Redeemer of men. What, therefore, I 

 most earnestly desire is a holy heart and a holy life exempt 

 from temptations and sins. I have still firm health and 

 cheerful courage and energy in the performance of duty. 

 A large, happy family clusters around me, and my dear 

 wife is still spared to them and me, although she has been 

 frequently threatened, and many dear friends have been 

 called away from us. 



His circle of friends was so large, that a death 

 among them was now no unfrequent occurrence. 

 Of one of them, Hon. Jeremiah Mason, he thus 

 speaks : 



My friends are fast assembling in the other world. Mr. 

 Mason was a native of Lebanon, Conn., and a graduate of 

 Yale College, in 1788, in the same class with Rev. Dr. 

 Chapin. He (Mr. Mason) with Hon. Jeremiah Smith of 



