Our Christian brother, now departed, so faithfully served his own generation, that his conduct in this respect may furnish an influential rule and encouragement to ourselves; and though we may not have the means and capacities which he possessed, yet from his extensive service, we may learn how to conduct our own, according to the ability which God hath given us. He, then, served his own generation, _by a public profession of the gospel of Christ_. In early life he was placed in circumstances where he was free to choose whom he would serve; and he had wealth, and talents, and attractive influences, which would have gained him a cordial welcome among the men of the world, who have their portion in this life. But he came out from among them, and was separate. He determined to become a disciple of Christ, not secretly, for fear of the frown or ridicule of the world, but publicly, declaring himself to society and to the church, as a Christian man, bound to act on Christian principles, and to exhibit them publicly and practically in all his religious and his secular affairs. This was a most appropriate act of Christian service; and the moral courage which he manifested in thus following out his convictions, by confessing Christ before men, is a noble example to the men of his own class, and of his own generation. “Vain,” says he, “will be our belief in the glad tidings of salvation through the crucified Immanuel, unless it be followed by a holy decision of mind, in giving up ourselves to God. The want of this _holy decision_, may be regarded as the second grand cause of the imperfections which so often interrupt our conformity to the divine will. When Saul was arrested in his career of violence, by a light and voice from above, he ‘was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;’ he surrendered at discretion to the all-conquering Saviour; forsook, at once, his self righteousness and self will, and became, without reserve, what every Christian ought to be, _a servant of the Lord_. The die was cast, which for ever determined his adherence to the cause of Jesus Christ and him crucified.” {11}