cious One who loved me and gave Himself for me." Passing through the usual course of school studies he was taken up by the Session of the Second Associate Reformed (now United Presbyterian) Church in Philadelphia, and enabled to enter upon the work of preparation for the ministry, to which he felt he had been consecrated. Uniting with the above church he gave pleasing evidence of interest in the Saviour, and made rapid advances in literary studies. Entering the University of Pennsylvania he at once took a high stand and gave unusual promise.

But as Saul of Tarsus was for three years even after his great change made to pass through various experiences before he could come forth Paul the Apostle, and as Luther was turned aside from his great work probably that he might learn lessons which he could never have learned in any other way, so most unexpectedly Mr. Taylor was led to leave the University in the Junior year of his course; and thence he pursued business for a time, married, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and afterwards settled down with prospects of eminent success in his profession, in Mercer, Pennsylvania. During most of this time however he had sadly declined in religion. The world had held out to him its gilded cups, and for a time he eagerly grasped and drank their poisonous draughts, but finding the dregs were terribly bitter and led by ways he knew not and in which he afterwards traced with an overflowing heart the influence of a mother's prayers and the rich grace of a covenant God, he made an entire change of his course, re-united with the church-the Presbyterian Church of Mercer-relinquished the law profession, entered the Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, Pa., carefully pursued for a time the allotted course of study, and graduating there, April 16, 1861, was licensed the following May by the Presbytery of Erie to preach the everlasting gospel.

Anxious then to labor where, as he said, to a beloved friend he might have his one short life, do the most it could, for good to men and for glory to God, he went to a then new and opening field in Warren, Pa., preaching his first sermon to that people from the text, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good-will towards men.' Here he was earnest, zealous, and happily successful, and on the 13th of the following November was ordained to the office of the holy ministry. But attached as he was to the young church that he had tenderly and laboriously gathered, efforts early began to be made to secure his services for other and larger spheres of labor. These, however, he resisted, until at length after much prayerful deliberation he was led to accept a call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Germantown, Pa., where with great acceptance to the public and unusual earnest devotion of spirit he labored to make the gospel known, loving the people and the place, and grieving only that souls were not more numerously converted to the Lord.

But he was not to continue long in that field. With singular unanimity and under all the circumstances of the case, with what were deemed most gratifying prospects of good, the North Presbyterian Church of this city (Philadelphia) sought him for their pastor. He loved his present charge. He was not fond of changes, especially in pastoral relations. But after much thought and prayer he was made to feel that this call was from the Master he served, and accepting it he prepared to enter upon the work in the new and inviting field. Accordingly arrangements were made for him to preach on the following Sabbath his farewell sermon in the one congregation in the morning and his Introductory to the other in the evening. Many a person looked forward with deep interest to both occasions, and much was his own heart engaged.

But "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways, saith the Lord." On the Saturday before that expected eventful Sabbath he sickened and gradually declined until after a brief illness, in which he manifested eminent composure of mind and a calm and loving confidence in the Saviour whom he had preached and in whom he gloried as THE LORD HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, he gently entered into rest, April 15th, 1864, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. His end was peace. His

works do follow him.

THOMPSON, D.D,. GEORGE WASHINGTON-The son of Elias J. and was born in New Providence, Essex County, New Jersey, on the 10th day of October, 1819. Two or three years later, his family removed to New Brunswick, and there the greater part of his early life was passed.

Rev. O. O. MCCLEAN, of Lewistown, Pa., writes as follows :—“ "In 1835, in his sixteenth year, he made a profession of religion, in the church then under the care of Joseph H. Jones, D.D., now of Philadelphia, Pa. After graduating at Rutgers' College, New Brunswick, N. J., he entered the Theological Seminary, at Princeton, and completed the regular course of study. While connected with this Institution he labored for six months, in Cazenovia, New York, under the direction of a pastor there. Before leaving the Seminary he was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and was invited immediately to aid the minister of our church, in Danville, Pa. After remaining there a short time, he accepted a call to the churches of Mifflinburg, and New Berlin. At the latter place he was married to Miss Mary Ann Stillwell. His ordination and installation over these churches took place in 1841, or 1842. During the time of this pastorate he preached also at Hartleton, where a church was soon formed.

"In 1847 he was called to the church of Lower Tuscarora, which he served during seventeen years. Toward the close of his ministry there, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Trustees of Jefferson College.

"He died at his home, in Academia, Juniata County, Pa., on the 28th day of January, 1864, in the fourth month of the forty-fifth year of his age, leaving a wife and two children-a son and daughter. His disease was congestion of the liver, contracted, it is thought, while he was laboring under the direction of the Christian Commission in the hospitals at Gettysburg.

"Dr. Thompson was a man of pleasing person and winning address. He had a sprightly and most genial spirit. Its innocent and peaceful. overflowings helped to endear him to his friends, and to enliven and cheer every circle in which he moved. He had an acute, ready practical mind. When he applied it to a subject his thoughts were clear and discriminating, often exceedingly vigorous and impressive. His great command of language, his plain Saxon English diction, his minute and familiar treatment of his theme, his power of illustration, and his easy and graceful manners, together with the unusual sweetness of his voice, made him one of the most popular extemporaneous speakers of his day.

"The leading characteristics of his preaching were plainness, pointedness, persuasiveness, and adaptedness, especially this last. He labored to know and present to the people the particular truths he thought most suited to the occasion. He seemed peculiarly qualified to aid in services connected with revivals of religion. In such seasons his labors were often remarkably blessed to his own and others' churches. The recovery of many a backslidden professor and the awakening and conversion of many sinners throughout his own and other Presbyteries, attest how he was a

chosen instrument of salvation to souls. While in this and other lands many now in the ministry remember him affectionately as their spiritual father and helper.

66

To the Boards of our churches he was a prompt and useful friend. While all the causes a good man is bound to support, especially in his own community, received his constant attention. A large and flourishing Academy and a Seminary for young ladies, both hard-by his late home, owe much of their prosperity and Christian influence to his efforts. In Presbytery his animation, earnestness, diligent attention to business and readiness of counsel, cause his loss to be deeply felt by his brethren. "His pastoral labors during the long settlement over the people of his late charge, were eminently successful. A church, comparatively feeble when he came to it, now numbers over seven hundred communicants with several flourishing Sabbath-schools and prayer-meetings, and has a circle of sixteen elders-men of prayer and work. His influence over his flock was marked, and will be long remembered and felt. It was owing, in great part, to the constant interest he manifested in the persons and homes of his people, his knowledge of human nature and the way he could pleasantly adapt himself to any position or association in life. Those, and especially the young with whom he conversed on the subject of religion, and whom in the hour of conviction and distress he sought to lead to the great Consoler, felt that he was their fellow-a sinner like themselves to be 'saved by grace,' and one who knew the workings of their hearts. They saw when he talked to them that he was not assuming lordship over their consciences.'

"He was a man of faith and prayer and child-like dependence on Christ. Salvation through his blood was the great theme of his preaching, and as he said when dying, ‘he rested on Jesus with a poor sinner's hope.' Those who knew him best remember him as an unsuspecting, kind-hearted, patient, forbearing, and forgiving and most useful Christian man and minister, loving the brethren and beloved by them all. him

"The pains of death are passed,

Labor and sorrow cease,

And life's stern warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.

Soldier of Christ, well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in the Saviour's joy.""

With

J. H. SHUMAKER, Principal of Tuscarora Academy, Pa., says :Whether a biography of the late Rev. G. W. Thompson, D.D., shall be published, as has been contemplated,* depends upon future indications of Providence in the matter. Regard for him as a friend, respect for him as an honored and successful minister of Jesus Christ, and the hope that good may be done, impel me to attempt this passing tribute to his memory.

66

In the year 1852 it was my privilege to unite with the church under his care. From that time till the close of his life I sat under his ministry, lived as his nearest neighbor, saw him almost daily, accompanied him frequently in his travels, and in his visits to the sick and to the house of mourning, became the confidant of many of his plans and hopes, and at last witnessed his departure to the better land.' This intercourse

*It was contemplated to publish a volume containing a Memoir of Dr. Thompson, with selections from his sermons and correspondence.