In the temporal property which God had given him, we find the same earnest care that God might be glorified thereby. His liberality is well known, and the principle on which he acted, he believed to be in accordance to God’s revealed word. At first, a tenth of his property was set apart, and after a little while, not feeling satisfied with that portion, one seventh of his income, as he received it, was regularly set apart, and most carefully used, as might best promote the glory of God, and the good of his fellow-creatures. All he possessed he considered as a talent given by God with the injunction, “Occupy till I come,” and as a good steward he laboured faithfully to improve the talent committed to his trust. But the fulfilment of his ministerial duties was that which engaged his most earnest attention. He would not offer to the Lord that which cost him nothing, and whether his sermons were what is commonly termed extempore, or written, they were composed with much care, and after much prayer. His anxiety was to win souls to Christ, and to give to each his portion of meat in due season; he was careful, almost to a fault, that the subject on which he was treating should be rightly divided. But his greatest delight {298} appeared to be in visiting his people from house to house, warning the wicked of the danger of his ways, encouraging the weak, comforting the feeble minded, but more especially delighting to dwell upon that theme so dear to his own soul, the love of Christ. As a father with his children, they were all upon his heart, and few days were suffered to elapse in which he did not visit some families, and his visits were literally ministerial ones, as many present can testify, and who will do well to treasure carefully the instructions they have received, and pray earnestly that they may be profitable to their souls. Judging by the test which Christ himself hath given us, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” will it not be the testimony of all who knew our dear departed brother, that he was in the highest sense of the term a faithful minister of God? and doubtless he has heard from that Master whom he loved and served, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” And he was not only faithful but diligent. It is well known that the strength of our friend was small, and that he was afflicted with a nervous affection, the natural tendency of which is to prostrate the energies both of mind and body. He felt this and struggled against it, and frequently would return to his house completely exhausted. With him there was no “spare thyself;” whatsoever his hand found to do, he did it with all his might, and as a good servant, his aim and endeavour were to make the most of that strength which was given him.