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ter of this worthy and good man is eloquently and justly portrayed, renders it unnecessary here to add more on this topic. The following well written, and just notice of his death and character, which appeared at the time in the public papers, deserves, however, to be here preserved.

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Departed this life, on the 14th of December, 1813, the Rev. ISAAC STOCKTON KEITH, in the 59th year of his age. For upwards of 25 years he officiated as one of the pastors of the Independent church of this city; in which station he zealously promoted the cause of religion, and successfully promulgated the doctrine contained in Holy Writ, to the honor of that religion and himself, and the promotion of the eternal welfare and happiness of those, who were so favoured as to sit under his ministry. In manners he was mild, gentle and conciliating; in his disposition, charitable, humane and hospitable; his hands, his house, his heart, were ever open to suffering humanity; to be known in distress, in want, and worthy of relief, was a sufcient passport to his protection and assistance. While his mind was in a state of activity, which was till within a few hours of his dissolution, his lips were ever employed in the service, and for the promotion of the best happiness of mankind. In life, he was useful in an eminent degree; in death, he may be still so, if we but contemplate his virtues, and endeavour to imitate his goodness, and obey those precepts, which he recommended, and constantly enforced by his practice.”

FUNERAL DISCOURSE,

COMMEMORATIVE OF THE

REV. ISAAC STOCKTON KEITH, D.D.

ONE OF THE MINISTERS OF THE INDEPENDENT OR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, 6. C.

DELIVERED IN THE CIRCULAR CHURCH, JAN. 4, 1814.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE

BOARD OF MANAGERS

OF THE CHARLESTON BIBLE SOCIETY.

BY REV. ANDREW FLINN, D.D.

PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, S. C.

MONDAY, JANUARY, 10, 1814.

At a stated meeting of the Managers of the Bible Society of Charleston, at the house of GEN. C C. PINKNEY, President.

RESOLVED, that the thanks of this Board be presented to the Reverend Dr. Flinn, for his eloquent and appropriate Discourse, preached on the occasion of the death of the late Rev. Dr. Keith, one of the VicePresidents of the Bible Society; and also that the Rev Dr. Flinn, be requested to cause the same to be published.

(Extract from the Minutes)

T. FORD, Recording Secretary.

A FUNERAL DISCOURSE

COMMEMORATIVE OF

THE REV. ISAAC S. KEITH, D.D.

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PSALM XII. 1.

HELP, LORD, FOR THE GODLY MAN CEASETH; FOR THE FAITHFUL FAIL FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF MEN.

THE mysterious dispensation of heaven, which has summoned us, this day, to the house of God, is of the most afflicting nature. It has shed a gloom upon the whole community: it has hung our temples with the emblems of mourning; has covered with sables, an extensive congregation, and filled with sorrow a thousand hearts. The stroke which has prostrated a stately pillar in the Lord's house, has awakened the sensi bilities of our city. A great man has fallen in the Israel of God! An ambassador of Jesus Christ has been called home from among us! One of the Lord's ministers is dead! Our friend and brother is no more! No, it is no illusion;"" the urn which bore" his ashes before us; the streams of anguish which followed; the sombre aspect of this bereaved temple; the "sad and sorrowful weeds" which cover this assembly; the tear of affliction, which has not yet ceased to flow, with united voice, though in mournful accents, which melt the soul, declare the painful truth, that our KEITH has gone down to the land of silence! Evidences of the mournful event, and of the universal feeling which

it has excited, every where present themselves. The tear which stole down the cheek of the venerable man of God, on that day when this bereaving stroke of heaven left him alone, to bear the pressure of this great people, spoke the sorrows of his heart. Here a very aged and venerable minister of grace, though belonging to another branch of the church, with a liberality that does him honor, exclaims, "I am near seventy years old, and I never knew a more excellent minister of Jesus Christ, of any denomination" there, the statesman, and the Soldier, with a saddened countenance, testifies of him, "he was a good man, he deserved every mark of respect which can be showed to his memory." Here, I behold another venerable minister of Christ, stooping beneath the pressure of years; standing on the margin of the tomb, which has received the ashes of our departed brother, while the tear of affection rolls down his cheek, exclaiming, "long will the name of this great and good man be had in remembrance!" There weeps the humble African, who had been wont to sit at the feet of this excellent servant of Jesus Christ, to receive instruction, crying, "My shepherd is gone, my father is dead." Here, a whole congregation of the Lord's people, dumb with grief, and overwhelmed with sorrow, gathers round the altar where he used to minister, while their tears, and their sobs, speak the anguish of their souls. Yonder, disconsolate, and sorrowful, in the chamber of death, sits an afflicted widow, while she tells of the virtues of him, who "was a good husband; a true friend, and a faithful guide." What impressive evidences, these, of the universal affliction, which this bereavement has occasioned! How honorable to the living! How just to the dead!

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