conscience, to withdraw himself. To all, it will afford a beautiful illustration of the power of our religion to give consistency to all the pursuits and relations of life, serenity and cheerfulness to old age, and peace and joy in death. The Sermons have been selected from many hundreds of equal excellence and interest. The number was limited by the limits prescribed to the volumes. Two pieces were selected from the theological and literary papers of the deceased, as illustrative of the extent of his research, the vigour and variety of his mind, and the felicity of his pen. It is to the second volume, however, that the greatest importance will be attached. The pieces there contained have taken rank among the acknowledged authorities in that momentous controversy. The hope cannot but be expressed, that those who may follow Dr. Wharton in the same behalf, may emulate his diligence and accuracy in the acquisition of those stores of learning which it requires; his steadiness and skill in the conduct of the argument; his candour, calmness, and charity towards all who are of the contrary part. It is thus alone that they can secure, as he did, the respect and esteem even of those from whom they are compelled to differ. It is thus alone that their writings can survive the occasion which has produced them, and attain the dignity and permanence of standard theology. It is thus alone that they can defend, by valour and firmness, the citadel of Christianity, without the risk of injury to the high interests of peace and charity. The secret of their success they will find, as he found it, in the Apostle's rule," speaking the TRUTH in LOVE.” MEMOIR. THE subject of this Memoir had outlived nearly all his contemporaries. His characteristic humility was unfortunately suffered to prevent the record of those events, and of that long experience, which must have teemed with instruction for those who came after. Accident, or the want of proper care, had led to the loss or destruction of papers, which might have thrown light upon periods to which the memory of no survivor reaches. Upon a single point, at least, the change of religious opinion, this deficiency is to be regretted. Had the opportunity been afforded, the writer of this notice was to have received from the hand of his venerated brother, a detailed narrative of this interesting passage in his life. The failure of this intention is the less to be lamented, as the first of the Tracts which compose the second volume, so happily pourtrays the feelings and convictions by which it was preceded, and accompanied. A more calm, temperate, dignified, and Christian paper, is not to be found in the annals of religious controversy. And if there were no other evidence, this might be appealed to, and relied, on, as demonstrative, at once, of the philosophic spirit and evangelic temper, in which an inquiry, involving consideraVOL. I. A tions so momentous, was prosecuted to its final issue. The fragment, quite too brief, which follows, is the only record which has been discovered of a life extended far beyond the ordinary span; and can be read by no one without regret that the same exquisite pen had not brought down the record to its close. It is in the handwriting of the deceased, was evidently of recent composition, and terminates, as will be seen, abruptly. "In compliance with the earnest and repeated wishes of one* whom, for a quarter of a century past, it has been my constant desire, as well as duty, to-gratify, I sit down to write a short sketch of a pretty long life, which will probably be little interesting to any person but herself. To the writer, however, many recollections of the years that are past, and of the situations in which he has been, may be of essential service in creating in his own heart, a more lively and grateful sense of the many providential incidents which have marked his little history, from his birth to the present day. "I was born in St. Mary's county, in the province, now the state, of Maryland, on the 25th day of May, O. S.† in the year 1748. The family plantation is called Notley Hall. It had been the residence of a Governor of that name; and was presented to my grandfather by Lord Baltimore, towards the close of the 17th century. From him, it descended to my father, Jesse * His wife, who still survives him. |