ological subjects, he candidly endured the opinions of others, and meekly instructed those who opposed themselves to his ideas of revealed truth.

He

No man had less of the spirit of bigotry or sectarianism. He dealt out censures upon none of his christian brethren of other denominations. Religious truth was the great object of his regard and pursuit. If he saw his fellow-men wandering in ignorance or bewildered by superstition, he was solicitous to have their errors corrected, their fears and doubts removed. was anxious to establish both the sceptical and superstitious in those great truths of the gospel, whose tendency is alike purifying to the conduct and consoling to the mind. If he attacked the prejudices of those whose opinions were founded merely on education, he was careful at the same time to lead them to consider the essential doctrines of christianity, which have been admitted in all ages of the church, and which afford firm support to our faith and hope. And he never spared the careless unbeliever, who rejected the gospel through inattention or per

verseness.

Like Apollos, he was mighty in the sacred scriptures. In biblical criticism, he was unrivalled. No man of his age was so able to explain scripture phraseology, or to elucidate those

difficult passages, which had reference to opinions and customs prevalent among the Jews of ancient times.

To some it might seem, that he indulged in great freedom, in his investigation and constructions of the sacred writings. But his conduct, we think, fully justified by the spirit of protestantism. For he always brought to the investigation a spirit of humility and piety, a chastened love of divine truth-and his studies and enquries on theological subjects were regulated by an anxious desire to ascertain 'the real import of the words of his Divine Master. He seemed to possess a most comprehensive view of the connexion and harmony of the several dispensations with which God has at different periods favoured the world. He perceived that the great object of all those, however differing in ceremonies or varying in degrees of revelation, was the same the moral improvement and happiness of man. And never, perhaps, did any one distinguish more justly between the adventitious appendages, or the local and temporary rites, and the essential truths of religion-Whilst with a bold and daring hand he put aside the systems of fallible men, and swept away the rubbish of superstition, he earnestly contended for the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, which give life to the hopes and support to the

virtues of mankind. In his faith and preaching, he built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets; and he used not the hay and stubble which some have added to the superstructure, but the materials furnished by his Divine Lord. Under his ministrations, the ignorant were informed, the superstitious corrected in their views, the doubting were confirmed, the afflicted consoled, and all were edified and improved. His hearers were always delighted with the ability, the variety, the originality and the eloquence of his publick discourses. Nor will they soon forget the zeal and earnestness with which he exhorted them to the practice of every thing just, true, pure, honest, lovely, and of good report ; and to add to their faith and knowledge, the various moral virtues of the christian character.

In philology and in other branches of elegant literature, he was also first among the many excellent scholars of our age and country. At an early period of his life, he became a great proficient in the ancient and learned languages.And his knowledge on these subjects increased with his increasing years. With the true spirit of his sacred office, he made his various and critical learning subservient to his usefulness as a minister of Jesus Christ. The peculiar duties of the ministerial profession were his constant employment and the discovery and confirma

tion of religious truth afforded him the highest satisfaction. His acquisitions in sacred literature were duly appreciated by his brethren in the christian ministry, and made him the delight of their society. In his death they mourn the loss of a learned and able defender of the faith, as well as of a friend in whom they could place the most perfect confidence. If he differed from any of them in opinion on speculative subjects, he was still just to their talents and virtues, and returned their proofs of friendship with a sincerity and warmth of affection honourable alike to himself and to them.

Mr. Buckminster was an active and useful member of several literary and religious societies. The society for the promoting of Christian knowledge, piety and charity, and the Bible Society of Massachusetts ranked him among their most zealous members. And the Society lately formed for improving the moral condition of seamen was established through his influence in connection with the efforts of some other gentlemen in this place and vicinity.

He was a member of the Mass, Historical Society, and of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in this State. Of the respectable University at Cambridge, he was justly considered as one of the most distinguished sons. His literary character reflected honour upon that Institution

and its governours had given publick testimonies of their high estimation of his erudite accomplishments, by selecting him to deliver a course of Lectures on subjects connected with biblical literature-The expectations of the friends of sacred criticism are now disappointed; and they lament that this luminary in our hemisphere of theology is extinguished forever.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE first volume of the New Edinburgh En. cyclopedia, (republishing in Philadelphia,) is ready for sale by C. Williams, Boston. The typographical execution is neat, and the plates are superiour to those of any other work published in America. Many interesting articles are added by the American editors. Among the additional plates is a portrait of the late Fisher Ames, engraved in the first style of excellence.

The Emporium of Arts and Sciences, a new monthly magazine, whose objects and contents are perhaps sufficiently explained by its title, is now publishing in Philadelphia. The two first numbers are received by C. Williams, Boston. It is edited by John Redman Coxe, M. D. and will undoubtedly be a valuable assistant to the arts and sciences of our country.