nd influence, coming down and mingling freely and kindly with a
band of humble Sunday-school teachers,--an act inspiring them with new
courage and hope, at a moment when, from the cold indifference and
opposition then existing towards these institutions, both heart and hope
had begun to fail us, and the school itself was well nigh being closed. If
he had done nothing else, this humble Christian act should be a standing
monument to his memory; for it was from this school, thus encouraged and
sustained, that arose one of the noblest charities that has ever blessed
the world,--the Ministry at Large.

The interest this good man took in children was constantly manifested, and
continued to the last. Never was he happier than when surrounded by them.
There are some among you who may remember seeing him here at the
anniversary celebration of our Sunday-school, some three years since.
After he had sat for a little time in this pulpit, and gazed at the
interesting sight of so many children gathered before him, and listened to
their sweet voices, alternately mingling with those of the orphan and the
blind who were on each side of him, he said to me, his eyes filled with
tears, "This is heavenly; but I must leave you; it is more, I fear, than I
can bear, for you know I am a minute man."

This active Christian spirit of love was witnessed by me also last summer,
when that sad disaster occurred by which so many lives were lost on board
the ill-fated steamboat, the "Henry Clay;" which you may remember was
particularly alluded to from this place on the following sabbath. On
reading that sermon, which was afterwards published, our departed friend
immediately called on me and desired its circulation, with the earnest
request that a memorial to Congress might be prepared at once and
forwarded. When others were seeking and enjoying the sea-breeze and a
purer air in the country, this good man, notwithstanding the heat then so
oppressive, was engaged in going round, speaking on the subject to the
most influential, obtaining their approval; and, though all were saying,
"It will avail little, and do no good," still did he persevere, unchanged
in purpose. At the same time he wrote personally to different individuals
at Washington, preparing them for the memorial, which soon after followed;
when the law relating to steamboats, which had cost so much labor in
preparation, but which had been lying on the table for months untouched,
was at once tak