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well claim all his days. It was kindred to his great sincerity, candour, and love of truth. In his most unguarded moments he was never known to exaggerate a statement. He was free from censoriousness of judgment, and scrupulous in speaking evil of any human being. Hence he passed a long life absolutely free from strife with any fellow-creature. If he had enemies, they are unknown to us. In all the circle of his acquaintance he was not more truly reverenced than loved.

"Of nothing did he seem so much in dread as of pride. From numerous indirect statements, we judge it to be what he regarded as his easily besetting sin. Its outward manifestations were, however, as rare in him as in any man. It seems to us that his whole life was an arduous study of humility. While he was burdened with a sense of indwelling sin, he was eminently free from doubts as to his own acceptance with God. Though he never said so, we are persuaded that his habitual state of mind was one of confirmed assurance. His conversation, sermons, and books show that he set the highest value on personal communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, as the very heart of religion and happiness. On this subject his sentiments often arose to a blissful rapture, something of which he was enabled to communicate to others.

"As practice is the great criterion of piety, we may confidently refer to this. His whole life was spent in an endeavour to do as much good as was within his power. Without unduly lifting the domestic veil, it would be impracticable to represent how gentle, how tender, how sympathising, how anticipative of every emergency, how laborious, how delicate and yet how faithful, he was to those who were nearest to him. This kindliness extended itself to a wide circle. He was perpetually teeming with plans for the good of mankind. His inventive faculty, in regard to charitable schemes, was a striking trait in his character. A bare survey of the books and papers which he wrote, and the manner in which he applied his learning, suffices to show the benevolence of his soul.

"There is reason to believe that during most of his life he suffered from inward struggles and temptations. Yet again and again did he come forth from his study radiant with spiritual refreshment. His religion was characteristically composing and tranquil. As he advanced in years he became more and more happy; until at the very close he was happiest of all. In those last hours his lips were unsealed on many points concerning which he had been as silent as the grave; and he revealed some glimpses of that secret of the Lord' which had been his portion for years. All was symmetrical and consistent, and hence one of the chief difficulties of description. Of his entire course there was nothing more true to nature and to grace than its close. The intelligent tranquillity which there reigned was beyond any powers of recital. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."(Pp. 693–696.)

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It would not be easy to find in the compass of Christian biography a finer picture then this memoir presents of a vigorous, useful, honoured, and happy old age, or a more complete and beautiful specimen of Euthanasia,-the candle of the Lord shining on the valley of the shadow of death. We regret

that we have not space to lay any of these interesting materials before our readers.

Dr Alexander was not laid aside from the discharge of his ordinary duties for more than a month, and died on the 22d of October 1851, in the eightieth year of his age. The Synod of New Jersey, of which he was a member, and many of the members of which had been his pupils, happened to be in session at Princeton at the very time of his decease, and they expressed their feelings in regard to this dispensation in the following minute:

"Since the Synod opened its sessions in this place, God in his wise and holy providence has seen fit to take the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D., to himself, in the eightieth year of his age.

"This event has been preceded by an illness of a few weeks, during which the venerable man gradually declined, until about six o'clock this morning he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and was gathered in as a shock of corn fully ripe. His departure was so gentle, and attended by so entire an absence of distress of any sort, that the family were scarcely able to fix upon the precise moment when the spirit was released, and went up to hear the plaudit,-" Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

"This is not the time for a sketch, however brief, of the life and character of one who occupied so elevated a position, and had been so eminently useful in our beloved church. Nothing more can be done than simply to say that the circumstances connected with the death of Dr. Alexander-a death in all respects so befitting his previous life— ought to be regarded by the members of this Synod as highly instructive and impressive. It has occurred during the regular sittings of our body, and while a large number of his brethren and former pupils were assembled to hear the first tidings of its announcement, and make arrangements to attend the honoured dust to its resting-place in the grave. It was a meeting of which the deceased himself spoke with tender interest, and which it is hoped may become memorable for the happy influence produced in many hearts.

Dr. Alexander was the first Professor in the Theological Seminary in this town, and in the bosom of our Synod. This office he was permitted by the favour of the great Head of the church to fill with distinguished credit to himself, and with equal benefit to others, for upwards of thirty-nine years. Placed over the institution in its infancy, he had the satisfaction of seeing it increase in numbers and usefulness, until it has became a blessing to the land and to the world. A large proportion of all the clerical members of this Synod had the privilege of sitting at his feet and drinking in instruction from those lips which are now sealed in death. Whatever of influence many of us have gained, or power of doing good we have exerted, are due very much, under God, to the labours and prayers of this distinguished professor. "A year ago Dr Alexander was with us in the meetings of our Synod, to cheer us by his presence and aid us with his counsels. Never shall we forget the address which he delivered on the evening

of our devotional exercises, and which, as many at the time remarked, was characterised by almost all the vigour and unction of his earlier days. We listened to him with mingled emotions of delight and sorrow-delight that we could once more listen to the well-known voice, and sorrow that we should probably see his face no more. This was evidently his own anticipation, and so the event has proved.

"The death of Dr Alexander will reach the secret place of tears in multitudes of different and distant parts of our land. Missionaries in China, India, Africa, and the islands of the sea, will receive the intelligence and cry, "My father, my father! the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." Good men here and there will call to mind his venerable appearance, and bless God for giving to the church such a minister.

"When such a prince and great one falls in Israel, it is proper for devout men to carry him to his grave, and make great lamentation over him. Grieve for him we cannot-we dare not, but surely we may grieve for ourselves and the rising ministry. When we reflect upon his long and useful life as an ambassador for Christ, begun when he was but nineteen years of age, and extending through a period of more than sixty years, all spent in successful efforts to build up the kingdom of the Redeemer among men, and retaining its mild and genial lustre to the last, and add to this the sweet serenity of the closing scene, we feel constrained to unite in devout thanksgiving to the King of Zion. We bless God for such a life, and with equal warmth would we bless God for such a death.

"In this our departed father was pre-eminent. He followed his pupils when they went forth to their work, and kept himself acquainted with all their trials and successes. He could tell where they were, and how they were.

"Our beloved seminary is bereaved, and though sadness fills our own hearts, we cannot do otherwise than tender our affectionate sympathies to the professors that remain. Within two short years, Dr Miller and Dr Alexander have gone down to the grave. United pleasantly together in a long and honourable life, in death they are not much divided. May the spirit of Elijah rest on Elisha! But all is not lost. We have still brethren beloved to conduct the studies of our Samuels and Timothys; above all we have the mercy and the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God to confide in. It is still permitted us to say, The Lord liveth, and blessed be our Rock, and let the God of our salvation be exalted.

"Attest,

R. K. RODGERS,

"Stated Clerk of the Synod of New Jersey." —(Pp. 627–630.)

The New School Synod was also sitting at the time, and the biographer, with a becoming expression of kind and grateful feeling, introduces into the memoir the following report of their action upon the subject, which is certainly most honourable to all concerned :

"BLOOMFIELD, Thursday, Oct. 23. "At the close of the public services in the Synod last evening, an announcement was made from the pulpit of the death of the venerable

Dr Alexander, and the concluding prayer was offered with special reference to the fact that so great and good a man had fallen in Israel. This morning at the prayer meeting the subject was again renewed. The moderator led in prayer in reference to it, and various touching and interesting statements were made by Dr Cox, the Rev. John N. Lewis, Dr Campbell, &c., as to Dr Alexander's literary and theological history. Afterwards a committee, consisting of the Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D., T. H. Skinner, D.D., A. H. Campbell, D.D., were appointed to draft appropriate resolutions. Among other circumstances that showed the high estimate in which the deceased was held, we noticed his likeness which had been hung up in the Synod's place of meeting, where all could refresh their recollections of one so dear in life, and so lamented in death. A meeting was also called of all the members of the Synod, who had been his pupils in the seminary.'

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"Resolved, That we have heard with profound sorrow, not unmingled with grateful praise, of the peaceful, saint-like death of the venerable Dr Alexander.

"Resolved, That the rare constellation of excellencies which met and blended in the life and character of this eminent servant of God; his childlike simplicity, warm-hearted piety, rich religious experience, fervid Christian eloquence, together with a sound practical judgment, fine natural endowments, accomplished scholarship, and fidelity and perseverance in the discharge of every duty, conspired to make him one of the highest ornaments which have adorned the church of Christ in our country. The cause of theological education, to which his ripest years were devoted, found in him one of its most active and successful promoters; and the Christian ministry, especially of the Presbyterian church, is under an inestimable and lasting obligation to his truly apostolic service and example.

"Resolved, That in this affecting dispensation of divine providence we recognise a call to new fidelity and watchfulness in the service of Christ, and devoutly pray that the great Head of the church would make it a means of spiritual blessings, not only to ourselves, but to the school of the prophets, so highly favoured of God in commencing its existence under the guidance of such a teacher, and to the whole Presbyterian family throughout the land, to whom in common his memory will ever be fragrant.

"Resolved, That we tender our affectionate sympathy to the bereaved family of the deceased, and would crave the privilege to mingle our tears as at the grave of a father.

"JOHN N. LEWIS, Stated Clerk.'" (Pp. 630-632.)

We cordially commend the Life of Dr Alexander, as a most instructive and interesting addition to the biographies of those great and good men who have been signally honoured as instruments in advancing the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ART. VI.-1. The Doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. By RoBERT ISAAC WILBERFORCE, Archdeacon of the East Riding. Third Edition. Mozleys, London. 1854. Pp. 422.

2. The Real Presence. Nos. 1, 2, Sermons preached in the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Wells, in August and November 1853. By GEORGE ANTHONY DENISON, A.M., Archdeacon of Taunton. Second Edition. Masters, London. 1853. Pp. 142.

3. Popery in the English Church. A Letter to his Grace the Archbishop of York, on Archdeacon Wilberforce's "Doctrine of the Holy Eucharist." By the Rev. WILLIAM BROCK, A.M., Rector of Bishop's Waltham, Hants. With an Appendix. Hatchards, London. Seventh Thousand. Pp. 24. 4. An Appeal to the Lord Archbishop of York, on the Uncondemned Heresies of the Venerable Archdeacon Wilberforce's Book, entitled, "The Doctrine of the Holy Eucharist." By the Rev. I. TAYLOR, M.A., Head Master of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Wakefield. London: Wertheim and Macintosh. 1854. Pp. 86.

It might well seem as if the true nature and design of the Lord's supper were a subject on which there was scarcely room for any serious difference of opinion among candid and earnest students of the Word of God. Never was there a question on which it has pleased God to vouchsafe to his church more ample and authentic materials for a sound solution. The unerring records of the original institution and first celebration lie before us. In four several inspired documents, from the hands of apostolic men, and descending from apostolic times, the very image of the upper chamber, and of the whole scene transacted there, has been embalmed and handed down in all the vivid reality of life, for the contemplation and imitation of all succeeding times. Far from the din of controversy, and from all those endless theories and speculations by which the subject, itself so simple, has been bewildered, we are brought back at once, through the interval of eighteen centuries, within hearing of those very words, as they fell from the lips of Incarnate Love itself, which called this ordinance into existence, and gave to it that form and impress which it was designed to retain unchanged to the end of time. Whatever was said, and whatever was done, by the Lord of the feast himself, in that first solemn action which was to be the pattern and the law to all his followers in every after age, stands here minutely and truthfully recorded, so that we have only to stand by, and watch, and listen, in order to know infallibly what he means when he says, "Do this in remembrance of

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