Memoir of Rev. John Prince, LL. D. 217 



which he has discovered in his lectures, the last of his works. To 

 have put a finishing hand to these, and sent them forth into the 

 world, previous to his death, must have given him great satisfaction, 

 as he has left behind him the teachings of a philosopher, to instruct 

 men in the noblest pursuits, and enable them to derive from these 

 the most rational pleasures, in the contemplation of God as seen 

 in his works. If this laborious task has been one means of short- 

 ening his days, we have to lament an effect which has produced a 

 loss to us, though a gain to him. And it affords no small degree of 

 satisfaction to me, that though dead, he yet speaketh in those wri- 

 tings in the language of a rsligious philosopher, who I must think, 

 is the noblest of mankind. And in my imagination T conceive him 

 participating in those sublime pleasures of heavenly devotion, to 

 which he looked forward with such pious affection in some parts of his 

 works. It is our part to follow him in death, as we cannot (if our 

 selfishness would wish it) recall him to this imperfect life. Let us 

 derive consolation from the hope of meeting him in a more perfect 

 state — one better adapted to religious and philosophical improve- 

 ment — the happiness of which will more than compensate us for all 

 the troubles and disappointments of this life." 



The christian piety of Dr. Prince was put to the severest test. 

 Life had for him its full share of troubles, and the disease of which 

 he finally died subjected him to the most excruciating sufferings, but 

 no one ever heard a murmur or a complaint pass his lips. Neither 

 the spirit of resignation nor the spirit of faith deserted him for a 

 moment. The gospel shed its sweetest and divinest radiance upon 

 his bed of suffering and death, and we may humbly hope that 

 his spirit has been received to its rest and welcomed to the rewards 

 of benevolence, integrity and truth. 



And now, before I close the delineation, let me present to view 

 the philosopher, the divine, and the christian, as these titles all be- 

 came combined in his character in the evening of his days. 



Old age, to those who reach it, is a sure test of character. To 

 the man whose passions have been his masters, and whose mind has 

 not been furnished to endure its trials, old age is but one protracted 

 season of weariness, wretchedness, and woe. But to the true chris- 

 tian, and the real philosopher, it is, notwithstanding its infirmities, a 

 most precious period. It affords an opportunity of rest and repose ; 

 the labors of life accomplished, the mind can calmly and quietly 

 look back over the past, and if the past has been void of offence 



Vol. XXXI.— No. 2. 28 



