therefore you will not want. 666 Though I walk thro the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” No, I answered. His staff and his rod, they comfort you. "Yes," said he "I hold not them, but they hold me."

"On the same day he said to his companion, "It would be pleasant to preach the Gospel again and try to do a little more good in the world, but it seems to me, I would rather mount," pointing his hand upwards.

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I saw him again on Saturday evening. I inquired of him the state of his religious feelings then, and the character of his prospects. He raised his hands towards heaven, and with a full smile on his countenance, said in a low whisper, "Bright, bright."

"That night he was restless, especially towards morning, and about sunrise, it was apparent that he could not long survive. About eight o'clock he exclaimed, “I am going-hand me my will that I may sign it." He signed it with difficulty—and then said, "I have done every thing I wish to do below." Turning to his companion he bade her "Good-bye," then raising his voice a little, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly." The words "grace, grace," quivered upon his trembling voice-and on saying "I mount," at half past eight o'clock, his happy spirit did mount-it did fly.

"Thus died our beloved Davis. He had observed, a few days before his death—" If I live till the Sabbath it will be pleasant to me, that so much prayer is going up in the sanctuaries for me," but when that hour came, his work was praise.

"His passage was smoothed by the hand of the kindest and tenderest sympathy. Every thing that affection could prompt, or human means procure, was

brought to his relief-but in vain. His time had come. Death had marked him-God had called him, and the son obeyed."

จ

At the house of his brother he died on Lord's-day morning, September 11th, at half past 8 o'clock. At 2 o'clock his ministering brethren assembled at the house, and after prayer by the Rev. Dr. Sharp, expressed their deep sympathy and kind respect. His remains were then conveyed to Hartford, and arrived the next day at 3 o'clock, P. M., and were deposited in front of the pulpit formerly occupied by him. His funeral services were attended by a very numerous assemblage of citizens, without distinction of religious denomination or condition in life, in which, Rev. Messrs. A. Bolles, T. C. Brownell, H. Jackson, J. Cookson, G. Phippen, H. Stanwood, R. H. Neale, and J. H. Linsley, officiated.

The following beatiful Ode, written for the occasion by Mrs. Sigourney, was sung at the conclusion.

"PASTOR! thou from us art taken,

In the glory of thy years,
As the Oak, by tempests shaken,
Falls, ere time its verdure sears.

Here, where oft thy lip hath taught us
Of the Lamb who died to save,
Where thy guiding hand hath brought us
To the deep, baptismal wave,

Pale and cold we see thee lying,
In God's temple once so dear,
And the mourners' bitter sighing
Falls unanswer'd on thine ear.

All thy love, and zeal to lead us
Where immortal fountains shine,
And on living bread to feed us,

In our sorrowing hearts we shrine.

May the conquering faith that cheer'd thee

When thy foot on Jordan prest,

Guide our spirits while we leave thee
In the tomb that JESUS blest.

"The funeral procession was then formed, consisting of the city Clergymen as Pall Bearers-the family of the deceased-visiting Clergymen-Trustees and Faculty of Washington College-members of the two Baptist Churches, and citizens, preceded by the choirwho followed the remains to the grave. When the body had been deposited in the grave, the Rev. Mr. Cookson pronounced one of the apostolic benedictions, and the multitude dispersed.

"This whole scene was deeply impressive. The singing was admirably performed-and the tears of thousands who thronged the streets, manifested the unfeigned respect that was felt for this servant of Christ. • The memory of the just is blessed.""

On the following Lord's-day evening, the two Baptist Churches in Hartford, assembled in the First Baptist Meeting-house, when the funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Jackson, founded on Philippians i. 21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Mr. Davis, during his ministry, preached 2809 sermons-he baptized 388 persons on the profession of their faith-he assisted at 18 ordinations, and at the opening of 13 meeting-houses-he solemnized 217 marriages and officiated at 301 funerals.

The following letter was received by a friend from the Rev. Dr. Sharp of Boston, and is inserted, as a just tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased :

"Boston, March 16th, 1837.

"In preparing a memoir of our departed friend, you have engaged in an arduous and delicate task. I trust, however, that you will be completely successful, in giving a full length portrait of his character, which shall be satisfactory to those who knew and loved him best, and beneficial to all who shall contemplate the faithful resemblance.

Although I became acquainted with our deceased brother at an early period of his ministry, and frequently met with him for a long series of years at our meetings for public business; yet I regret to say, that little time was permitted to us for the unreserved intercourse of personal friendship. I may not, therefore, have known the distinctive traits of his mind so well as some others.

I always esteemed him as possessing respectable talents. These he diligently improved. He was a self-taught man; and was an encouraging instance of the áttainments which may be acquired by industrious study, without the advantages of a liberal education.

Possessing popular talents and fired with the zeal of youth, he entered the ministry without suitable mental qualifications. In this he was also influenced by the opinions of individuals, for whom he cherished a filial regard. But when he became a settled pastor he saw and deplored his error. And instead of wasting his time in unavailing complaints, he laboured hard to supply his deficiencies. He commenced the study of Latin and Greek under the direction of the lamented Winchell, to whom he recited as frequently as the distance of his location and ministerial duties would permit. He also held frequent interviews with another individual on different topics in Theology, and the books by which he might enrich his mind. In this mode he qualified himself to become an able minister of the New Testament.

Although he may not have been so critical a scholar, yet he was an instructive, impressive, and successful preacher. His illustrations of truth, borrowed from the scenes of real life, were probably better understood and more effective than if they had been exclusively from the learning of the schools. His discourses, the result of previous reflection, so far as I have understood, were always ac- ceptable, and commanded the serious attention of his generally gratified hearers. Our departed friend manifested a lively interest in the various charities of the age. He participated in the labours and pleasures of superintending the concerns of theological education, home missions, Sabbath schools, and other kindred institutions. Perhaps he seldom felt happier than at the anniversaries of these societies, when with others he publicly and eloquently advocated the cause of Christian benevolence. His social feelings were active. His religious sympathies were easily excited. Hence, he loved to appear among the gathering throngs on these festive occasions.

I always considered him as largely endued with kind and amiable feelings. I do not recollect ever to have perceived in him asperity of temper. Happy himself, he was desirous of making all around him happy. In a long intercourse with him he never gave-and I do not know that he ever received, offence. There was never a necessity for any mutual explanation.

It has been to me a frequent source of regret that I was not apprised of his last illness until within a few days of his death. It would certainly have increased my happiness to have manifested the sincere interest which I felt in his welfare. Circumstances did not allow this until the evening immediately preceding his decease. It was then my privilege to hear from his dying lips expressions of patient resignation, and elevated hope. When I prayed with him for the last time, he audibly and emphatically uttered Amen to the petitions which were offered to the throne of heavenly grace.

At his request I was with him a few moments alone. I need not state the particulars of our conversation. It raised his character in my estimation. It indicated a tender and delicate anxiety for the comfort of a beloved wife and children-who were soon to be bereaved of their best earthly friend. His sudden de mise and immediate removal to the scene of his latest labours, rendered the commission with which I was charged, unnecessary and impracticable.

I commit this hasty and imperfect sketch of the character of my deceased brother to your disposal. It exhibits the impressions, which an extended intercourse with him have left on my own mind. I need not say that I most sincerely sympathize with the surviving widow and the fatherless children. May the Almighty be their supporter, their guide, and their everlasting portion.

Yours truly,

DANIEL SHARP."

In addition to much individual expression, Resolutions, expressive of the most affectionate regard for the late Dr. Davis, and of the most tender sympathy for his afflicted family, were passed by the Church to whom he ministered; also by the Boards of the Conn. Baptist Convention, Conn. Education Society, Conn. Branch of the American and Foreign Bible Society, and the Association to which he belonged, each of whom united in the following resolution presented by Rev. Mr. Neale of New Haven, viz.

"Resolved, That we wish a memoir of Bro. Davis, prepared as soon as practicable, and as we shall hear him in the pulpit no more, it is our desire that a volume of his sermons be selected and published."

In accordance with these wishes thus privately and publicly expressed, for which she feels herself under great obligations to her many friends, Mrs. Davis now presents this volume to the Christian public. And she avails herself of this opportunity also, to acknowledge