him, to the utter exclusion, for the time being, of every thing else,-a capacity which sometimes, under the name of "absence of mind," affords matter for amusement to the frivolous, but which is, in reality, the mind gathering itself up for the full exercise of its powers, and has more to do with mental greatness than those who make merry at it are aware.

Along with this mental superiority, Dr. Russell carried with him. into public life a large mass of valuable, well assorted, and well digested information. He was not one who trusted for reputation and success to mental endowment alone. Proceeding upon the belief that in the present day it is impossible for a public teacher to know too much, (provided he really does know it, and not merely fancy he knows it,) he set himself from an early period in his career as a minister to compensate, by diligent study, for the deficiencies of that too hasty course of preparatory training through which it had been his fate to be carried. Imbued with a strong and ardent desire for knowledge, "he separated himself to seek and intermeddle with all wisdom." Whatever was really worth the knowing, he deemed worth the toil requisite in order to acquire the knowledge of it. He knew and felt the deep joy of books. Study was to him no task, though it was ever more than a mere pastime. Whatever could enlarge the mind, quicken the judgment, improve the heart, regulate the life, or benefit the race, he eagerly sought to know. Nor was his zeal without its reward. Without pretending, or being entitled, to the reputation of great scholarship, or extensive acquaintance with science, there were few departments of knowledge in which his attainments were not considerable; and some there were in which he knew more than most men of his age. In history, mental philosophy, and ethics, he had made respectable acquirements; in theology, he had few who could surpass him in the extent and variety of his attainments; and in knowledge of the contents, and all that is helpful to the understanding of Scripture, he was surpassed, I venture to say, by none. Thus, largely supplied with that knowledge which a great thinker has emphatically declared to be Power, it is not surprising that he should have acquired extensive influence over those amongst whom he had intercourse.

Another element of Dr. Russell's intellectual strength lay in the fund of strong good sense, and the large acquaintance with men and things which he possessed. Student and thinker though he was, he had none of the ignorance and unworldly simplicity of the recluse.

B

There was a practical side to his mind as well as a speculative. He had a decided capacity for action as well as for meditation. He delighted to study men no less than books, and to watch the current of events and the phenomena of life, as well as to compare principles and ponder truths. Hence he could speak to "the business" as well as to "the bosoms of men ;" and in the midst of a mercantile community, could vindicate for himself and his cause, that respect which even the least spiritual know not how to withhold from one who shows himself as shrewd and discerning in the things belonging to sense, as he is earnest and elevated in reference to those that are divine.

Endowed with these intellectual qualifications and furniture, Dr. Russell could hardly have failed, on the strength of these alone, to have forced his way as a public teacher, to a large measure of public respect. But there were other features of his character besides these, to which he stood indebted for not a little of that influence which he acquired. If he owed much to his greatness, he owed not less to his goodness; or rather, I should say, it was the union of the two which made him at once so venerated and beloved. There was the same breadth and vigour about his moral, as there was about his intellectual development. Though any thing but stern or churlish,-though, on the contrary, kind, courteous, and susceptible of deep emotions of sympathy and affection, his most prominent virtues were of the robust and manly order. There was nothing merely soft,-nothing sentimental,— nothing effeminate about his moral tastes and tendencies. Forming, through the vigour of his judgment, firm and decided estimates of the moral worth of things, he manifested in his conduct no less firmness and decision in acting upon the estimates he had formed. At the same time, there was nothing of that rashness and impetuosity, which often characterise the movements of men of strong and decided minds. He was eminently prudent and sagacious in all his conduct. Satisfied that the course he had adopted was correct, he neither was impatient of that delay which prudence demanded, nor fretted by those obstacles which prejudice or ignorance raised in his path. For one so determined in his purposes, and so energetic in his movements, he was singularly cautious and patient. Nor was there any thing in this that bore the guise of interested scheming. There was an openness, an honesty, a straightforwardness, in his whole deportment that indicated at once the strength of his will, and the sincerity of his motives. He was no truckler or time-server. He had no love for the

little arts of management, or the doubtful expedients of policy. He liked what was substantial and distinct in action, as well as in speculation. His was not the seamanship that sails ever in the eye of the wind; he loved to career over the broad open sea; and whether he sped before the favouring breeze, or bore up against an opposing blast, he would have all to see distinctly whither he was tending, and for what purpose he had spread his sails. A devoted lover of truth for its own sake; penetrated with a profound admiration of all that is just, and pure, and upright; detesting duplicity and insincerity in every shape; and preserved by natural temperament from that timidity which often mars the best resolutions,-he aimed at pursuing a steady and unmistakeable course, and to preserve to himself a "conscience void of offence before God and before man." Hence the long-tried consistency of his career in this place, and the homage which public opinion has been prompt to render, not only to his abilities as a teacher, but to his virtues as a man. "His rejoicing was this, the testimony of his conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, he had his conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

You

On this part of my subject it is needless for me to dwell. among whom he spent his days, and to whom "his manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, and patience," must be fully known, are far more qualified than I am to give testimony to his moral worth. Let me not, however, pass on, without reminding you of that which was the main source and support of all his good living and honourable acting. Could he himself now address you on this head, it would be to reiterate, with the apostle in the passage above quoted, "not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God." Like all who are, or have been greatly good, he rejoiced to feel and to avow himself a "debtor to grace." As a guilty helpless sinner, he had cast himself upon the mercy of God in Christ for salvation, and as one "in whose flesh there was no good thing," whose nature was corrupt, and whose strength was weakness, "his sufficiency was of God," and to the grace of God he looked for that purity, knowledge, and support, of which he felt his need. His piety was enlightened, fervent, and sincere. Called at an early period of his life to the knowledge of God, he "held fast the beginning of the confidence even unto the end." This was the great fountain-spring of all his excellence and all his success. He "walked with God." His spirit had fellow

ship with "the Father of spirits." He drew his life's life from above. He carried with him into the duties and the society of earth, the might of one who had wrestled with God. His religion, thus fed by devotion, was genuine and operative. It showed itself not so much in word and profession, as in the fruits of godliness, which through it adorned his life. His "profiting" was made to "appear unto all."

Of these things ye are witnesses, among whom he went preaching the kingdom of God." For nearly forty years he went in and out amongst you, as your pastor and friend. You have seen him in the different circumstances of his not monotonous career. You bave known him in the season of difficulty and discouragement; you have known him in the season of success and reputation. He has been amongst you in his sorrows; he has made you partakers of his joys. You have marked him in the shade; you have seen him in the sunshine. Your opportunities have been many; your judgment must be decided; your testimony will be heeded. Do I err in assuming that that testimony will be firmly and unhesitatingly given in favour of the consistency, sincerity, and fruitfulness of your departed pastor's piety? Are you not ready to say, "Though a man of like passions with ourselves; though not frée from those infirmities which are incident to fallen humanity; though far short of perfection, and destitute of any pretence to be regarded as perfect, he lived amongst us in all things showing himself a pattern of good works. We have seen his faith and his patience, and are ready to glorify God on his behalf. We are witnesses how holily, and justly, and unblameably, he behaved himself amongst us. We remember his work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God even our Father. His memory is dear to us, not less for what he was, than for what he did."

It is gratifying and encouraging to know that that godly consistency which marked his life, did not desert him when stretched on the bed of death. In naming me as the individual who was to address his sorrowing flock on this occasion, he charged me to tell you that he died resting on the truth. Though, from the nature of his illness, not able to speak much, or distinctly, he uttered enough to show that all was peace within. When asked on what his mind was dwelling whilst awaiting the approach of death, he replied, emphatically, "The truth;" and added, "All is well." Desirous of yielding him pleasure,

a friend commenced repeating what was well known to be one of his favourite hymns; at the words,

"Had I ten thousand gifts beside"-

he immediately took it up, and, with an emphasis beyond his apparent strength, and a countenance beaming with joy, he continued,

"I'd cleave to Jesus crucified,

And build on him alone;

For no foundation is there given,

On which I'd place my hopes for heaven,
But Christ, the corner-stone.

'Possessing Christ, I all possess,

Wisdom, and strength, and righteousness,
And sanctity complete.

Bold in his name, I dare draw nigh,

Before the Ruler of the sky,

And all his justice meet."

After this, he said much which, through the indistinctness of his speech, those around him could not catch; but one memorable utterance fell from his lips, which has been preserved. Recovering for the moment somewhat of his wonted energy, he exclaimed, "I want away!" Some one standing by asked, "Where?" His reply was, "Home." "Your heavenly home?" "Yes." The words were simple; the scene is sublime. It was the great and strong man entering the kingdom of heaven like a little child.

Death came upon him gently. Without a struggle he calmly yielded up his spirit, and "fell asleep in Jesus." "Mark the perfect

man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

I must now turn from this survey of Dr. Russell's personal character and worth, to contemplate him for a little in his public and official capacity. Here he claims our notice principally as a Public Man, as an Author, and as a Pastor.

As a Public Man, Dr. Russell was distinguished by the interest he took in the events which were passing around him, both in the church and in the world; by the prudent and watchful use he made of his influence in reference to any great movement in either of these departments; and by the earnest, persevering, and unflinching advocacy which he lent to every cause which commended itself to his judgment as wise and good. Regarding all things as under the