the ordaining council then convened, that some were apprehensive the ordination could not take place. In these trying circumstances, Mr. I. behaved with the utmost decorum. He was firm, yet conciliating. He treated both parties with a becoming respect; and addressed them with as much coolness and self-possession, as if he had been an indifferent spectator. One of his greatest opposers said on the occasion, he could not but love that man. He was zealous for God. This quality was not seen in him at one time and invisible at another, although like most christians, he was somewhat different in this respect at different times. He seemed to incorporate into his life that apostolical maxim, "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." During the season of religious revival which God granted to Yale College in 1815, Mr. 1. distinguished himself as an ardent and devoted christian. All the students who became anxious for their spiritual interests, resorted to him for counsel; and he was looked up to as a religious guide. In all the distinction however which was voluntarily given him at this time, not a look nor an action manifested the least selfcomplacency or spiritual pride.There was a savour of humility and loveliness in all he did, which greatly endeared him to his companions. Many can testify with what animation and humility he appeared in the private meetings for prayer, which were held by the pious students previous to any special religious attention, and with what discretion he conducted himself towards his brethren in the church as well as those that were without. He took a peculiar interest in the welfare of seamen. As he had formerly been among their associates, he remembered with affection their wants, and endeavoured to supply them. He was the means of instituting a Marine Bible Society in NewHaven, and was himself one of its most active members. On one of the annual meetings of that body, five or six sailors being at his request present dressed in their usual garb, he made a very interesting address, couched in their technical language, which has been given to the public. He thus, and in many other ways, used his knowledge of seamen as a means of reaching their hearts with the subject of religion. His piety was uniformly consistent. He felt that the apostolical injunction to be diligent in business, was of equal authority and force with the one to be fervent in spirit. Accordingly, while he cultivated an ardent attachment to the kingdom of Christ, he pursued his literary studies with diligence; counting and making them subsidiary to his growth in grace, and his completeness in the christian life. He was never censorious. Greatly engaged himself in the cause of his divine Master, he was too much occupied in keeping his own heart, to employ himself in ascertaining whether others were equally faithful or not. He could reprove however when necessary, and do it with a kindness which his countenance told you was sincere. In a word, his religion was that which entered into all the concerns of life. He was a saint at home as well as abroad; and made it his business to walk worthily of his high vocation wherever he was. Such was Mr. Ingersoll. If we have been too prolix in our account of him, it is because our hearts are full; and we cannot gratify them better than by telling this plain tale.His record however is on high; and when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, we doubt not, he will be found at the right hand of his Judge. Being a descendant of fallen Adam, he undoubtedly had faults; but they were so buried up in excellencies, that it is difficult to ascertain what they were. Those who knew him most intimately, appreciated most highly his character; and appear to know the least of his faults. That strict scrutiny to which he was accustomed to bring his own heart, no doubt discovered to himself much that was a miss; but other men could not see it. Such as he was the grace of God made him. May we be followers of him, and of all them, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. In the death of such a man unbelief would fain indulge despondency, and repine at the dispensations of heaven; but faith reposes unlimited confidence in God, and says, "Thy will be done :" and learns the lesson, that how useful soever a man may be, God has no need of him to accomplish the welfare of Zion. O. L. A SERMON. Matthew, x. 38.—He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. The Lord Jesus has manifested, by the most convincing evidence, the love which he bears to his people. The whole series of his humiliations from the helplessness of infancy to the agonies of the cross, testifies that he is willing freely to give his people the kingdom of heaven. There is no reluctance, manifested on his part, to present them the joys of a complete salvation from sin and hell. Were there indeed, we might well ask, who theu could be saved? who could overcome the absolute unwillingness of the Lord of glory? Amidst the most indubitable evidences of his love however, the clearest intimations are given, that he expects his people to be tenderly alive to a cause of such magnitude, as their own eternal salvation; and, by the most efficient exertions in yielding themselves to his commandments, actively to promote the designs of his love towards them, and testify their gratitude towards him for his boundless mercy. He saves freely, indeed; but he saves wisely: and the same wisdom that induced him to take so heavy a cross on himself, in redeeming his followers, has decided on that method of the cross, by which he conducts them to glory. The words of the text were spoken by him, to the twelve apostles, when the sent them forth into the villages of Judea to preach the gospel. His instructions on this occasion were replete with predictions of the malig nant persecutions they would receive from their fellow men in this ministry, and of the disaffection that would ever exist in the hearts of men towards his followers; and his main direction was, that their love to him should rise to such an ardent pitch as to lead them voluntarily to face, and patiently to bear these sufferings. "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh is not worthy of me." not his cross, and followeth after me, The expression of the text is pecul iarly forcible. Looking forward to that period when he should ascend the height of Calvary, bearing the cross to which he was to be nailed, and on which he was to expire, he forewarns all his disciples that they could not display an attachment to him becoming such a leader as he, and such a cause as his, unless they were willing each to take up his cross, and bear it about in the world, with a readiness to be nailed to it, and to die on it, as he did, if love to their Lord should ever require. The plain instruction of the Lord Jesus, given us in this language, is, that they who would be his worthy followers, must expect the cross, and must bear the cross. I. They MUST EXPECT THE CROSS. Various, indeed, are the situations in which the followers of Christ are called to act in the promotion of his cause and glory-various as are their conditions in life, and the diversified gifts bestowed on them by the providence of God. Some are in youth, others are in the vigour of manhood, others are declining under the evening of age. Some may do more for the cause of Christ than others, by their wealth; some more by their instruction; some more by their exam ple; some more by their personal intreaties; and all may do much by their prayers. This variety of aspect under which we see the followers of Christ in the present life, is connected with an equal diversity of circumstances in the trials which constitute, in each, his cross. The christian cottager, who is spending life in the vale of obscurity, who is employed in buffeting the storms of adversity, who is known to scarcely a solitary being in the world, who is cheered by the visits merely of the passing christian stranger, has a cross to bear, chiefly in cultivating the graces of his own heart-in keeping alive the flame of love to God the Saviour, amid the cares and perplexities that overcloud his humble days. The christian scholar, who is pursuing with ardour his inquiries into the wisdom and power and goodness manifest in the works of God; who is qualifying himself to act with increased wisdom and energy and influence, in future years, in the cause of Zion; who is surrounded by companions in the hey-day of youthful passions, and ardent in the same literary pursuits; has a cross to bear, chiefly in resisting surrounding temptations-in keeping alive his love to the Saviour, and acting openly as a champion for his kingdom, against the influence, chilling to piety, that meets him in the warm worldly feelings, that are continually soliciting his sympathies. The christian missionary, who has carried the light of the gospel into heathen lands; who is waving the banner of Jesus, in triumph, before the pagodas of idolatry; who is labouring, with success, to demolish the iron sway of Satan, the god of this world, by aiming his weapons at the very seat of his kingdom, has his cross to bear, chiefly, like the apostolic missionary Paul, in wrestling against principalities and against powers-in keeping alive and active his love to the Saviour, against the opposition that meets him from the grand adversary, animating and guiding the embattled hosts that are" led captive at his will." Though the cross which the worthy follower of Christ must expect to meet, is so different in its circumstances, in different individuals, yet it arises, in all cases, from essentially the same sources. All have been involved in a common apostacy, and are experiencing a common redemption; all have one master, Christ Jesus; all have drunk into one spirit of love; all are labouring to promote one "kingdom of righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The common sources of trial to all christians, and which must lead every one, who would be a worthy follower of Christ, whatever be his situation in life, to expect the cross, are three. He must expect it from himself. His own heart imposes on him the heaviest cross. The best disciples of Christ, are not thoroughly sanctified, in the present life. They carry about with them, bodies of infirmity, that are assailable by temptation, and souls which have many taints upon them of their original corruption.Though sin, in them, has received its mortal wound, and the extremities of the body are dead, yet the action of life still remains at the heart. Never shall they cease therefore to expect crosses from within, from their own pride, or sloth, or worldliness, or lust; never, while engaged in faithfully adhering to the commands of their Lord, until they be clothed upon. with their house from heaven. A worthy attachment to Christ will present them with many crosses in surmounting their sloth, in subduing their pride, in mortifying the deeds of the body, in raising their affections above the world, and to heavenly objects. They who would be the worthy followers of Christ, must expect the cross from their fellow men. 'Man is the greatest foe of man.' "Beware of men," said Christ to his disciples, on the very occasion on which he gave this direction to them to take up the cross. The world will not sympathize with christians, in those affections which they have received from their heavenly birth, nor take any solid satisfaction, or active co-operation in that conduct of theirs, which proceeds from those affections. If they faithfully follow their Lord, in setting before their fellow men the holy and inflexible demands of the gospel, and seriously entreat them to turn from their worldly vanities unto the living God, their counsels are often unheeded; opposition in many instances is their reward. The world is ever ready to hedge up the path of fidelity to the Saviour with thorns. At one time, it brings forward its temptations, and solicits the imperfect christian to indulgences unbecoming his character and prospects, as a follower of Jesus; at another, it arrays all the terrours of its satire, and malice, and frowns against the few testimonies he gives of faithful adherence to his Lord. While living in a world of such beings, who are opposed to the laws of God, and the salvation of the gospel, the worthy followers of Christ must expect to meet a heavy cross. They must expect it again from Satan. The proud philosophy that would vainly deny the existence of such a being, can bring no objection to the simple fact stated in the scriptures, that there are intelligent beings in the universe, far superior in their capacities to man, and that some of these are malicious beings. Such is the plain statement of revelation, concerning Satan and his fellow rebellious angels. He is represented as a real, subtle, and powerful foe to the best interest of man; who remits not his exertions to ruin their souls. He commenced his work of ruin in Eden, and brought a world in captivity to his will and the greatest work of Christ consists in destroying the works of the devil. "Be vigilant," says Peter to his fellow christians, "because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may devour." While such a foe is permitted to make his assaults on the christian in the present world; a foe, so subtle, so malicious, having so many instruments at command; can he ever expect to be freed, during his earthly pilgrimage, from the cross? They who would be followers worthy of Christ, must not only expect. the cross, but II. They MUST BEAR THE CROSS. The following reasons may shew, that if the followers of Christ, would act worthily of the obligations and encouragements which he has set before them, they must bear the cross. 1. They must bear it, because it is appointed by Christ. Christ, who has all power in heaven and on earth, could doubtless sanctify his people wholly, at first, and remove them, at once, beyond the reach of opposition from their own hearts, their fellowmen, or devils. He has, however, seen it best, to order his kingdom of grace otherwise; and to leave his imperfectly sanctified followers to continue in the world, for years after their conversion, struggling with their cross. He then is not worthy of such a leader and of his favour, who is unwilling to submit to his wise appointments. 2. The cross must be borne in the cause of Christ, because it affords the christian opportunity to testify his gratitude to Christ. Have I been redeemed from everlasting miseries, by the blood of Jesus Christ? Have I been called by him to the privilege of surveying an eternal residence in the holy joys of the divine kingdom, as my future inheritance?' Questions like these, come home to the feelings of every sincere follower of Christ, and make a loud appeal to his gratitude. 'Oh then,' he exclaims, my great aim henceforth, shall be to testify my love to him, by keeping his cominandments. I will improve every faculty I have, and seize upon every occasion offered me in his providence, to testify my love. I can bear the cross for his sake; for it will be but a feeble expression of love to him, for his to me. I will sit meekly at his feet, to learn of him my duty; and if he impose upon me some heavy burden, I will look up to the much heavier one he bore for me, and bear it, out of love.' 3. The cross is to be borne by the worthy follower of Christ, because it contributes to the growth of his graces. The holy intention of the Saviour in its appointment, is, that it might yield in his followers, "the peaceable fruits of righteousness." The Apostles give this testimony respecting the design of the cross. "Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." "We glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost." Very easily may the connection be seen, between doing and suffering the will of God, under the burden of the cross, and an inerease of love, fidelity, zeal, and humility in the cause of God. He who shrinks from the cross imposed upon him in the cause of Christ, must find his love wax cold; his zeal abate; his fidelity marred; and all the graces of his heart withering in death. He cannot be a disciple worthy of Christ then who will not take up his cross, and voluntarily promote the growth of those graces which the Saviour has implanted in him by the Holy Spirit. 4. The worthy followers of Christ must bear the cross, because they have encouragement of support under it from his grace. (( My grace is sufficient for thee," is a promise which abundantly provides for the good of every disciple, under all his trials. The fact that Christ beholds each of his followers under every cross they bear, with tender love and pity, and with designs of everlasting good, is enough to reconcile them to a patient endurance of the conflict. To be viewed with gracious approbation by so high and holy and excellent a being as Christ Jesus, is full of sweetest consolation to the soul; and a sense of his grace is most affectingly imparted to his followers, when they are in circumstances most to need it. They can go forward relying securely on that supporting grace in all trials. For he is faithful to his promises, that he will never leave nor forsake his people; that he will be with them when they pass through the flames and the waters of tribulation. All his people who have trod their way triumphantly under the burden of the cross to the world of glory, can testify, that a sweet sense of his grace was imparted to them in the needful hour, and filled their souls with such heavenly delights as made their light afflictions fade into utter insignificance. Martyrs have triumphed so in the flames. The obscurest believers have triumphed so, under the various crosses that have come upon them in mortifying their sins and labouring for the kingdom of Christ. He then who shrinks back from the cross unwilling to bear it, while accompanied with such rich consolations from the grace of Christ, is not a worthy disciple. He is not fit to be reckoned a follower of so gracious a leader. 5. The cross is to be borne by the worthy follower of Christ, because it has a compensation in the greatness of the cause. The object which the worthy disciple of Jesus is aiming to promote in the present life, is essentially the same as that which was pursued by his great leader and pattern. In assuming the character of a follower of Jesus, he has adopted it as the chief purpose of his life and the highest object of his ambition, to promote the glory of God the Saviour, and the immortal welfare of men. Zion, as the kingdom in which the brightest glories of Jehovah are manifest and the highest felicity of |