348 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



superintending the preparation for his experiments, and the 

 arrangement and repairs of his apparatus. 



After adverting with just praise to other personal 

 traits of Professor Silliman, especially his kindness 

 to the poor and his patriotism, Professor Porter 

 closes with a reference to his religious character. 



His religious character was in harmony with himself. 

 He received without questioning those views of the truths 

 of the Scriptures which had been received by his ancestors, 

 very much as they were held by his revered friend and 

 companion, Dr. Dwight. The grounds on which he rested 

 his faith in them were rather the fruits which they had 

 produced in the great and good men of New England, than 

 any very profound theological reflection. He had seen much 

 of the Protestant world in his early manhood and was suf- 

 ficiently satisfied with the practical workings of the faith of 

 the original churches of New England, to make their faith 

 and piety his own. His habits of private and domestic 

 devotion were most exemplary. He always witnessed a 

 good confession of his faith in, and reverence for, the 

 Divine Redeemer, whatever might be the society in which 

 he was cast, whether believing or disbelieving, and where- 

 ever he was, whether at home or abroad, whether on the 

 land or on the sea. To do less than this would have offended 

 against the sentiment of loyal courtesy towards the purest 

 and most exalted of his friends, as well as the Divine 

 Ruler, Redeemer, and Judge of men. It was his pleasure 

 and his joy to labor in this way for the diffusion of Chris- 

 tian faith among men. It was in beautiful keeping with 

 the movements of his being and aspirations of his soul, that 

 he breathed out his life in an act of humble thankfulness 

 to God for his goodness to himself, and in a warm and 

 affectionate expression of love to his nearest earthly friend. 



In connection with these remarks from the col- 



