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at the family table, in the hall of Science, and within the Sanctuary of 

 God, have alike been vacated by the sad event vrhich has convened us, 

 and which we are endeavoring spiritually to improve ! His agency as 

 father, friend, and instructor, and Christian Minister has ceased ; and no 

 more shall we enjoy his converse, weigh his counsels, or go with him up 

 to the House of God ! Ye reckon it in days since some of you enjoyed his 

 sunny smile and kind hearted converse, and communion ! When last 

 with him, aye when last seen of mortal vision, he was full of life — as 

 buoyant with hope, and had as bright promise of future years and useful- 

 ness, as had any of you^ or your race ! but he is not — his summons was 

 sudden — fearfully sudden ! Yours may be as sudden, and not as safe 1 

 He died emphatically alone ! Neither wife nor brother nor son nor friend 

 nor man was near I Amid mountain fastnesses, under laurel shades, and 

 with unceasing sound of moaning pines and rushing waters, furnishing 

 an appropriate requiem, alone and without human aid or sympathy, he 

 breathed out his life. Except for efforts the most patient and untiring on 

 the part of the community, his death as to its place, and means, and time^ 

 would have remained a mystery ; his grave would have been unknown and 

 his body unsepultured. There is something, at once grand and fearful in 

 such a death ! Far from human habitation — amid the solitude of nature 

 — her works there on the grandest scale — it brings up those mounts of 

 God mentioned in the Scripture, Pisgah and Nebo, and suggests the death 

 scene of the " Ruler of His people " as connected therewith — Angels per- 

 formed the dying offices of the one, nor is it vain speculation to suppose 

 that in needful form and sympathy they were present with the other ; this 

 sure Word of God informs us that they minister to the heirs of salvation 1 

 I have said Dr. Mitchell was alone in his death — I speak of earth and 

 of man — I except angelic influences, and the presence of his covenant God 

 and Saviour ! He who stamped grandeur on those mountains, and marked 

 out a channel for those pure and crystal waters did not in that hour de- 

 sert His servant but was near him and around him ! Do I say too much ? 

 what says the Scripture ? " as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, 

 so Jehovah is round about them that fear Him " — What says God him- 

 self? "Fear not I I am with thee, be not dismayed! I will never leave 

 thee nor forsake thee I" Tell me not of accidents I Speak not to me of 

 second causes ! God's hand was in the startling event, as it is in all 

 events. He designs that we should feel it, and lay it to heart, and wisely 

 improve it. From that mountain side and seething pool where they found 

 him tliere cometli a voice deep, thrilling, and loud, addressing itself to 

 you, and me, to all! Its language is " prepare to meet thy God!" Who 

 can fail to realize, if he will throw around the scene one lingering thought. 



