over them all with the most paternal and anxious so licitude, rejoicing in their prosperity, or mourning over any declension of which he might hear: and when through increasing infirmities he could no longer visit them or preach to them, he did not cease to offer up in their behalf his fervent supplications to Almighty God, that the gates of hell might never prevail against them! "The memory of Mr. Black is dear to me, and to my family. His pious counsels, his holy example, and the paternal and affectionate interest which he took in every thing that concerned my credit and usefulness, can never be forgotten by me. Equally dear to us is the memory of his precious wife, who was 'an Israelite indeed,' and who peacefully finished her earthly course, entering into the joy of her Lord. The me mory of the just is blessed.' "And now, dear Sir, should you have an unoccupied niche in the monument you are raising to the memory of our venerable friend, this imperfect sketch of his character is submitted to you, to dispose of as you may think proper. Should you judge it worthy of a place in your memoir, I shall consider its insertion as an honour." To this portrait by Mr. Lusher, which I am persuaded none will deem too highly coloured who were acquainted with the original, I merely add a few concluding remarks on two features of Mr. Black's ministerial character that were equally prominent and exemplary. He was remarkably judicious and lenient in the enforcement of the corrective discipline of the church. Never, we believe we may confidently assert, during the long course of his ministry, did he exercise his authority as a" Lord over God's heritage,” or wield the sword of discipline with undue severity or indiscretion. He was zealous for the Lord of hosts, and for the purity of his church; but his zeal was at an equal distance from a timid and temporizing policy on the one hand, and from enthusiasm and temerity on the other. It was always according to knowledge-a knowledge of himself, and of the philosophy of the moral feelings. He deemed it no less essential to a minister under the Gospel, than it was to the high priest under the Law, that he should have compassion on the ignorant and them that are out of the way, inasmuch as he himself is compassed with moral infirmity. And he knew that the expulsion of a delinquent professor from all spiritual association with the people of God, unless imperatively demanded by the nature of the case, would be much more likely to increase his obduration, and to preclude the hope of his perfect restoration, than a course of faithful admonition and commiserating forbearance. This, we believe, was one of the first lessons which he was in the habit of affectionately impressing upon the minds of those youthful ministers who were so happy as to receive his godly and paternal counsels. Our departed Father in Christ was eminently a man of prayer. The preceding pages bear ample testimony to the vigilance and earnestness with which he cultivated a devotional spirit in connection with his public ministrations. It was a common saying of Luther, Bene orasse est bene studuisse; he never found himself. in so happy a frame for the investigation of divine things, as when his thoughts and affections were purified and elevated by prayer. Equally aware was Mr.. Black of the necessity of beginning, continuing, and ending his labours in a prayerful spirit. The result was a holy and beseeching fervour in his preaching, and an internal anointing of the Spirit which shed its efficient influence over the congregation. A learned infidel once remarked of the ministry of the Methodist church, that were they only panoplied in literary armour they would in five years make a conquest of the world. But the divine charm in virtue of which such moral transformations are wrought, is hid from the wise and prudent. They know not that the excellency of the power is of God, and not of manthat unaccompanied with that quickening and plastic energy, the most imposing array of human accomplishments were as useless as Saul's armour on the son of Jesse, and eloquence majestic and harmonious as the music of the spheres but "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal;" they know not that "prayer moves the hand that moves the world." Such, however, is the fact. By a law of the moral universe, as well as by the promised blessing of Him who hath the hearts of all men in his hand, that minister who cultivates the most intimate intercourse with God, will have the freest access to the springs of moral action within the breasts of his hearers, and the greatest cause to rejoice in the day of Christ that he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Among these the subject of the preceding memoir will be adorned with distingushed honours. He honoured God, and was honoured by Him. Though an example to all in his systematic efforts to enlarge the resources of his knowledge to the last, and accustomed thoroughly to digest the materials of his discourses, he deemed it not less essential to his success, to carry with him into the sacred desk, as often as he ascended it, a fresh unction from the Holy One, than a connected train of edifying thought. And many were the seals of his apostleship. Besides the incalculably beneficial effect of his zealous labours and holy example in edifying the people of God, not less, probably, than five hundred instances might even now be traced in which truth from his lips was clothed with salvation to those who heard it. The day draweth nigh when he will be rewarded yet more openly. Few, it is believed, even among the most faithful and successful ministers of the Lord Jesus, will receive from Him a crown studded with more or brighter gems, when "they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER." THE END. |