“So Jesus slept. God’s dying Son Passed through the grave, and blessed the bed. Rest here, blest saint, till from his throne The morning break, and pierce the shade. Break form his throne, illustrious morn; Attend, O earth, his sovereign word; Restore thy trust a glorious form, Called to ascend and meet the Lord.” These remarkable men of whom we speak, though slumbering in death, as we have said, are nevertheless invested with all the elements of a breathing, living, speaking power. Their souls, regenerated, justified, sanctified, glorified, live in heaven, and celebrate together the anthems of redeeming love. And they live also in the influence of their ministry, example, labours, successes, conflicts, and triumphs, in the ministers they ordained, in the churches they planted, and in the souls they were instrumental in saving from eternal burnings. In this respect they will never, never die. But it may be expected in this connection, that I should make a special reference to the revered father that has so recently taken his departure to the spirit world. Joseph Crandal was the son of Webber and Mary Crandal (originally Mary Vaughn) of Friertown, Rhode Island. His parents emigrated to Nova Scotia the year before the American revolution, and settled in Chester. He was then in his infancy. His mother died when he was thirteen years of age; and not many years after his father died also, leaving him a lonely orphan in a cold-hearted world. But God was merciful to him, and in his providence made all needful provision for his support. It would appear that his mother was a pious woman; for when she was about to depart this life, she summoned her son to her bedside, took him by the hand, and said, “Joseph, the Lord has a great work for you to do when I am dead and gone.” Had she spoken by the spirit of prophecy, she could not have spoken more truthfully. These words, uttered with all the pathos of a dying mother’s love, made an impression that never left him. His convictions of sin and of the need of salvation, were greatly strengthened by the ministrations of Handley Chipman, and Joseph Dimock, who visited Chester to proclaim the gospel message. Years, however, passed before he obtained peace in believing. These were long years of anxious concern about his soul. While thus troubled in spirit, business called him to Onslow, and on the Sabbath he attended a meeting conducted by Harris Harding and Joseph Dimock. In that meeting the power of God was signally manifest: and suddenly this young man had such a discovery of the glorious majesty of Jehovah as to fill him with the utmost dismay. His sins rose up before him steeped in crimson guilt, and he saw himself justly condemned to endless misery, and could behold no way of escape. Anguish and horror inexpressible filled his soul, and he expected soon to sink in eternal woe. But unexpectedly to himself, the way of salvation by the cross was opened to his view.