He was blessed in being permitted to see that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. Whilst we would by no means lay down ministerial success as the certain token of God’s favour, or the want of it a mark of his displeasure—for sometimes the most faithful devoted ministers are only permitted to sow the seed, while others reap the harvest, in order practically to prove to us that it is not by human might or power, but by the Spirit of God alone, that souls can be converted to Him; that a Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God alone who giveth the increase—yet it is a blessing, and a great and precious one, to be permitted to see the work of the Lord prospering in our hands. Little, perhaps, do some present think of the anxious hopes and fears which fill the minister’s heart while preparing for his public ministrations, or striving to bring before his people the whole counsel of God. How often in the bitterness of disappointed hope he is ready to exclaim, “Who hath believed our report?” But when he marks the earnest attention paid to his ministrations, the vanities of the world forsaken by some, who boldly, and yet with humility declare, Whatever be the conduct of others, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord;” great is his encouragement, and he goeth on his way rejoicing. This blessing was vouchsafed to our dear departed friend, and he was also permitted to see that his ministrations were so highly valued that the church in which we are now assembled required twice to be enlarged to accommodate the increasing congregation. There is something painful in the thought that so good a man should be thus suddenly, and in such a manner, taken from the midst of us. We should have chosen for him a long and peaceful old age, and when, at length, he must depart this life, like corn fully ripe, the Master whom he loved and served would come and gently receive him to himself. But his death and the manner of it was appointed by One wiser than man, and who loved him better than his dearest earthly friends. Even in his sudden death, there was a blessing and an answer to many prayers. From the state of his bodily health, and what he had previously suffered, he used to dread the pains of dying, and earnestly prayed that he might either be spared these pains, or be strengthened under them. And God gave him more than he asked; for nearly two years past this dread was taken away, and the bodily pain he suffered after the accident, was, I have been informed, not equal to the uneasy sensations experienced at fainting. At first, he did not consider that he had received a fatal injury, and on being taken up, exclaimed, “He keepeth all my bones, not one of them is broken.”