no rest to the misbeliever, nor to the unbeliever. How, we ask, can the truth make the mind free unless the truth be known and felt? or how can the mind enter into the rest of the gospel unless the gospel is believed? and how can a person believe in the gospel unless he knows what it is?"

SECTION VII.

BOSTON ASSOCIATION OF 1850.

In the month of November, father Ballou attended the meeting of the Boston Association, at South Reading, took part in all its deliberations, and preached a sermon, in the afternoon of the last day, from the words of the apostle, 1 John 4: 10, 11. This was one of the most interesting meetings of this association ever holden.

SECTION VIII.

PREACHES A VALEDICTORY.

Realizing that he was drawing near the completion of his eightieth year, he delivered, on Sunday, 10th November, at his old church, his valedictory to the world. He gave notice to the people, at the close of the morning service, that he should preach again in the afternoon, and that he should preach a sermon which he had prepared as his valedictory, and which he should desire to preach, if he knew it was the last time he would ever enjoy the privilege of addressing a congregation. So far as he could see, this sermon might have been longer delayed; but death came sometimes without great warning. Father Ballou preferred to deliver it, therefore, as his last sermon; and if he lived longer than he had reason to expect, he would continue to preach what his Bible, his reason, his heart, and his conscience taught him was the truth.

When he should rise to preach for the last time, could he be permitted to know the solemn fact that it was the last, the subject of this discourse would be his theme. He spoke, in reference to the sermon, in the following terms:

"There are many considerations which seemed to call on the author of the following discourse to attempt to compose it, and also to present it to the public, and especially to the numerous fraternity of believers in the blessed doctrine of the divine paternity, and the universal brotherhood and final salvation of all men, through the mediation of Christ Jesus, as taught in the Scriptures of divine truth.

"It having pleased our heavenly Father so long to continue the life and ministry of such an unprofitable servant, and to bestow on him so many and great, as well as unmerited, blessings, notwithstanding his numerous imperfections, he is not entirely ungrateful; but feels it not only a duty, but a blessed privilege, in this way to leave a testimonial of his gratitude to the Giver of all mercies.

"The favorable regard, and even respect, shown by the whole circle of our ministerial fraternity to one who not only knows, but feels, his unworthiness, lays him under great obligation to express his sense of their kindness, and to pray most devoutly that Heaven may bestow on them a rich and ample recompense. They will not only regard the wish of their brother, to have the things in remembrance, of which he has written, after his decease, but will impute whatever of error they may discover in them to no want of sincerity. There is no one thing which the author of the following discourse more desires of his brethren, than that they may continue satisfied that the Holy Scriptures contain a revelation concerning gospel doctrine, and man's duty and final destination, sufficient to make us wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. Speculations concerning man's future state, and opinions founded on his free agency, not taught in the Scriptures, must endanger the brotherhood to divisions as pernicious as formerly arose in the ancient councils of the church. If all would duly consider that we have as much reason to be thankful to God for

the right use of all the faculties of the soul, as for those faculties themselves, it would, doubtless, keep us in that humble condition of mind which would preserve us from all vain-glory, out of which grow strife and contention.

“In particular, and in a special manner, is this valedictory discourse presented to the author's Christian friends composing the church and congregation in this city, with whom he has enjoyed pastoral connection for thirty-three years. Although the society has met with some painful trials, no difficulty has ever, for a day, disturbed the union which subsisted between the minister and his people. And, notwithstanding the minister felt deeply the afflictions through which the society had to struggle, he enjoyed a firm confidence that an all-wise Providence would overrule all for good; and it yields him unspeakable comfort and repose to see what he is permitted to see, - the church, the congregation, and the Sabbath school, all flourishing, like a well watered garden, under the care and supervision of a pastor according to God's own heart, who is able to feed the sheep and lambs of his flock with knowledge and understanding.

"For all the favors the writer has ever received of his friends in Boston, and the ample support granted him and his family, by the society, he wishes to leave this testimony of sincere gratitude.

"For all the writer knows, this valedictory might have been longer delayed; for he has no special presentiment of mind that his decease is to be immediately. Yet one in the eightieth year of his age ought to be ready for an event which must effectually prevent further opportunities here on earth. Add to this the consideration that strength of mind has already sufficiently declined, to suggest that it may very soon be gone. ADIEU."

And what text did the venerable preacher choose for such a discourse? It was this: "I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance." 2 Peter 1: 15.

"To appreciate fully the important subject to which our text calls our attention, we must duly consider, who was its author; the ministry to which he was appointed; his important and eventful labors in that ministry; and the interest which he must have felt in the benefits which should in future result from them. Peter was the first disciple whom Jesus called; and it may not be improper to regard him as what he has sometimes been called, the chief of the apostles.' At the time of his writing the epistle in which our text is found, he was sensible that his labors in the service of his divine Master were near their end, as we learn from what he says immediately preceding the words we have chosen: Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.' It is believed that it was in the same year that this epistle was written that the author was crucified by the order of Nero."

PETER'S MINISTRY.*

"The ministry to which Peter, as well as the rest of the apostles, was appointed, involved the testifying of all which Jesus did, taught, and suffered, and the teaching of the same to all nations; to which we may add, all those labors which were required to infuse into the minds and hearts of all who received the gospel, the spirit of Christ, and all the virtues inculcated by the precepts of Jesus.

“The important station occupied by this apostle in the church of Christ, his signal services, and his faithful labors, we may learn from what we read of him in the Acts of the Apostles, and by his epistles. This disciple, having been constantly with the divine Master during his ministry on earth, had an ample opportunity of knowing the wonderful works which God did by him; of learning the spiritual nature of the religion taught in all his dis

* We have affixed titles to several parts of this sermon, in order to bring the different subjects embraced in it more distinctly before the reader,

courses, and what was indispensably required of all his disciples. He also learned his own imperfections and dependence. After the ascension of the Lord Jesus, we find Peter taking the lead in appointing one as a substitute in the place of Judas. It was he that answered the revilers, who, on the day of Pentecost, said the apostles were drunk with new wine; and he delivered that admirable discourse, in defence of Christ, which pierced the hard and stony hearts of the people, and caused them to cry out, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' It was Peter who said to the impotent man, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, , rise up and walk.'

"But it is not consistent with the design of this discourse to dwell at large on the acts and writings of this apostle. We all have the New Testament, and can, at our convenience, make ourselves acquainted with them, and avail ourselves of the profitable instructions they afford.”

THE PREACHER'S ADVANCED LIFE.

"The author of this discourse has, for some time, been very deeply impressed with the important and solemn fact that his labors in the ministry, in which he has for many years been engaged, must, according to the course of nature, soon be brought to a close. These contemplations have often led to a general review of the somewhat peculiar character of the services which divine wisdom saw fit to allot him. In reference to this subject, it was natural for him to meditate much, not only on what he has endeavored to do, but also on what may, in future, when his frail body shall have returned to its mother earth, his pen and lips shall have ceased to utter his thoughts, result from what he has done. It was natural for such meditations to lead the mind to seek for something resembling the subject in which it was so deeply interested. The words of Peter, which head this discourse, and the burden of his subject, seemed appropriate. The apostle, by divine assistance, had done much to establish the kingdom of his divine Master in the world; and he had labored much and long to water the many gardens which he had sowed with the

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