64 LIFE OF 



more than one that reposed in the shade of his vene- 

 rable trunk. His closing year finely illustrated the 

 remark, that the heart of a good man is like a good 

 soil, which is made more fertile by the plowshare, 

 that tears it and lays it open, — or like those plants 

 which give out their best odours when^they are bro- 

 ken and crushed. 



An interesting record which this venerable man has 

 left behind him, acquaints us with many of his most 

 private thoughts, and presents him in a relation which 

 no man can renounce, and which, when duly obser- 

 ved, is the appropriate light wherein to behold an emi- 

 nent Judge, — the relation of man to his Creator. 



His birth day, the 12th of August, was habitually 

 appropriated to the review of the past year, to self- 

 examination, and to pious devotion. 



On the 12th of August 1804, when he completed 

 his forty- eighth year. He says — ^^ my health is good, 

 my constitution unimpaired, but 1 am deeply impres- 

 sed with the uncertainty of life. Let me prepare to 

 follow the numerous friends who have left this world 

 before me." — " The last stage of my residence on 

 earth is approaching. Time is precious. 1 must not 

 sufler it to be wasted in indolence, or thrown away on 

 light amusements. 1 have endeavoured during the 

 course of this day to strengthen my mind with virtu- 

 ous resolutions, and I hope my endeavours have not 

 been useless.^' He then repeats the resolutions he 

 liad formed for the government of his life, among 

 which is that of 'letting no day pass without pros- 



