road-side, living and yet fatally deadened, afforded him a terrible illustration of the sinner who has passed

'The unseen boundary between God's patience and his wrath.'

One of his best Temperance Lectures was based upon a 'yellow-jackets' nest' near where he stood. He used to say if you can attach a Bible truth to any part of a man's daily life, you make him a better man. (On the same principle he abhorred that kind of wit which consists in a ludicrous use of God's word.) His illustrations brought him into immediate sympathy with his audience, and having gained their attention he held it. He was not eloquent in the sense of high sounding words and glittering generalities. He had the eloquence of nature-the eloquence of a man who is terribly in earnest. As he spoke men felt that he had a large, warm heart, beating in living sympathy with his sinning, suffering fellow-men, and when he spoke of the remedy which God had graciously provided for all their woes, they felt that he sincerely desired them to taste and see that the Lord is good.'

"If there was a trifler in God's house, that trifler did not long escape rebuke. If there was a penitent, stricken soul, that soul was not allowed to depart without words of consolation and comfort. If he saw that any truth was making an impression, he took that as an indication of the leading of the Holy Spirit, and he would follow up that truth with all the force and earnestness he could give it, even though he must dispense with part of the prepared sermon. Some of the best things he ever said came like a flash, in connection with what he noticed among his audience.

"Dr. Thompson was abundant in labors. He commenced to preach before he was twenty-one years of age. During all the rest of his life he labored faithfully, perseveringly. Of his labors in his first charge I am not prepared to speak, further than to say that many souls were brought into the kingdom. His last charge covered an area of nearly one hundred square miles. In every portion of this field he established Sabbath-schools and prayer-meetings. Whenever it was practicable he encouraged them by his presence. He held that the church ought to be aggressive-not upon other churches-but upon the kingdom of darkness. In this warfare every member ought to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ,' giving his time, his money, his labors, and his influence, as well as his prayers, to the cause. That he succeeded in bringing all his members up to his own high views of duty and responsibility is not claimed for him. That many of them became active co-workers, rejoiced his heart and strengthened his hands.

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He preached twice every Sabbath, and lectured on Sabbath evening. His two churches were seven miles apart. This distance he rode once, generally twice, every Sabbath. He preached in school-rooms frequently during the week. Often he preached six times a week, and on one occasion seventeen times, from Sabbath morning till the next Sabbath night! When asked, 'How could you do it?' he replied, 'The Lord was pouring out his Spirit so copiously, and strengthened me so wonderfully, that I felt no weariness.' He preached in nearly all the churches of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and in many churches of adjoining Presbyteries, during seasons of religious interest. When a brother called for help he would leave his own people on Monday, preach all week, return on Saturday evening, preach at home on the Sabbath, and probably return on Monday to labor for another week. Sometimes he would send a brother to fill his pulpit, with a message like this, 'The Lord is doing a great work here. I must stay. Pray for us all.' Often he would return from these revival scenes laden with the blessings of the gospel. Near

the close of his life I asked him, 'In how many revivals have you labored?' He answered, I do not know, probably one hundred.' Rev. J. J. Hamilton alone was with him in more than twenty. Thirteen revi

vals were enjoyed by his own church during the seventeen years of his pastorate. Nine of these the writer witnessed. For weeks, during these seasons, he would labor incessantly, scarcely eating or sleeping, agonizing for souls and at the same time rejoicing over every new trophy of redeeming grace. The LEADING MOTIVE of his life was TO SEE SINNERS CONVERTED. For this he prayed, for this he labored with all his powers. Men sometimes called him an enthusiast. His was the enthusiasm of FAITH IN GOD, AND IN THE FINAL SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL. St. Paul, I believe, was enthusiastic in the same way occasionally.

It may be added that Dr. Thompson never would begin a series of meetings unless there were decided evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit. He had no faith in 'getting up' a revival.

"Beside these labors he attended regularly the meetings of Presbytery and Synod, filled the appointments of Presbytery-assisted at ordinations, installations, and dedications of churches-addressed Sabbath-schools at their anniversaries-preached before the Faculty and students of the colleges at Canonsburg, Easton, and Princeton-preached in nearly all our large cities, and in many of the towns and villages in Pennsylvania. And yet his pulpit was very seldom vacant on the Sabbath. If he could not be present himself he was sure to have a supply. His connection with the Seminary at Princeton and with the Board of Education; and, especially the care of a number of candidates for the ministry, whose wants he had pledged himself to supply, obliged him to travel much. He generally traveled by railroad at night, so as to have the full day for business or labor. If there was a detention he would say, 'There is some Providence in this,' and then shape his course accordingly. If there was time, and people were willing to hear, he would preach. In the cars, in railroad depots, on boats, under the trees, in tents, in hospitals, in camps, and in prisons did he proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the importance of an immediate interest in his salvation. And this he did not from vain-glory, but because the love of Christ constrained him.

"At the Convention of Ministers and Elders held several years ago in Pittsburgh, Pa., a gentleman met him with the question, 'Do you remember preaching on a canal-boat me fifteen years ago to several hundreds of boatmen detained by a break in the canal?' Oh, yes, sir.' 'Well I was among them. The truth entered my heart that day, and I have been for some years preaching that same gospel to dying men.' Many who heard Dr. Thompson's address to that Convention went home inspired by it to new zeal and activity.

"Of the RESULTS of Dr. Thompson's labors it is difficult to speak. Eternity alone can disclose them fully. Frequently men would meet him, like the minister spoken of above, and tell him how a sermon had been blessed to them. During his last pastorate the membership of his church increased from one hundred to nearly seven hundred membersfrom thirty families to three hundred and twenty. When the old church was found too small, a new one was erected. As the membership increased another church of the same size and style was erected in Perrysville. He lived to see both churches well filled. The number of persons hopefully converted under his ministry and preaching cannot, according to data in our possession, fall far short of two thousand. Of the Academy students converted whilst at school nearly one hundred have entered the ministry, or are pursuing their studies with that end in view.

Some of them have already gone to glory. Many of them caught his spirit, and are now laboring for God, as living representatives of Dr. Thompson's influence. No warm-hearted Christian could long be about him without obtaining higher views of the great end for which men ought to live and labor. The Colleges, Seminaries, and Boards of the Church all felt his influence, and were enriched by the contributions he secured for them. Ministers and churches not a few thankfully acknowledge that he came to them as a heaven-sent blessing.

"Dr. Thompson was in many respects peculiar and original. In nothing were his peculiarities shown forth more fully than in raising money, It would carry us far beyond the limits of the present article to record the curious, original plans he devised and executed. Collections for all the Boards of the Church were regularly taken in his own congregation. He never hesitated to present the claims of any other worthy object. His general views on the subject of benevolence may be stated in one proposition, The Christian who gives LESS THAN ONE-TENTH of his income gives TOO LITTLE.' 'Give as much more,' he would say, as the Lord gives you ability.' His own example enforced his teaching on this subject. When called upon to raise money by an extra effort, as he often was at home and abroad, his knowledge of human nature, his ready wit, his anecdotes, his earnestness, his eloquence, his knowledge of the Bible, his devotion to Christ and his cause, were all brought into full play. Men smiled and wept by turns, but when he was done with them, the treasury of the Lord was replenished. When the 'last dollar' had been already given, he could raise hundreds more.

"Dr. Thompson's death was a fit sequel to such a life as his. He performed his last earthly labors in a revival in his own church. It is sweet to think that he entered heaven when there was joy among the angels over sinners returning to God. During all that revival unconverted church members were the burden of his soul. Day and night he ceased not, even with tears, to warn them of their danger. He sank under his labors, in the forty-fifth year of his age. Humanly speaking, he died in the midst of his usefulness. In the Divine economy he died at the right time, because it was God's time. When the physician announced to him that his end was approaching, he replied calmly and submissively, The Lord's will be done.' Turning affectionately to his wife, he asked, 'Mother, can you say THAT? Having arranged his worldly affairs, he took a tender leave of his wife, son, and daughters, commending them to a faithful, covenant-keeping God. Being asked about his hope, he replied, ‘It is only the hope of a poor sinner. To his people he sent as a message, Remember the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you.' He loved them-oh, how tenderly!

"Shortly afterwards he said, 'Sing-sing the 90th hymn'

"There is a fountain filled with blood,' &c.

During the singing a radiant smile illumined his features.

At the close

of the hymn we bowed in prayer for him, for his family and for his flock. As he was sinking rapidly his wife asked him, 'Is Jesus precious?' He replied Oh, yes, he is.' And thus calmly, peacefully he fell asleep in Jesus.

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'On the day of the funeral the church could not contain the people assembled. After a touching and tender discourse by the Rev. Matthew Allison, from the words, Be ye also ready,' the vast assemblage passed in procession in front of the pulpit to look upon their pastor's face for the last time. Strong men wept like children. Their spiritual father was

taken away. His elders carried him to his resting-place, and laid him down among his people. Never did the 627th hymn

'I would not live alway,'

appear to me so touchingly beautiful as it did that day, sang by the choir at the open grave. It was a hymn of faith and hope. We looked forward and upward to the

'Bright plains

Where the noontide of glory eternally reigns,'

full of joyous hope that there we shall see him again. The benediction, a silent pressure of the hand, or a few broken words between friends, and the obsequies were ended. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.'

The late Rev. JOSEPH A. PATTERSON,* of Walker, Pa., wrote as follows:-"How great a vacancy there will be in that congregation. His place no one can fill. Indeed no one will be called to fill his place. I take it for granted that the congregation will be divided and form two charges. But even then no two persons that I bave ever known can fill his place fully.

"I believe the great secret of Dr. Thompson's usefulness was his faith. He had the most unwavering confidence in the promises of God's word. I believe his trust in the Divine faithfulness was implicit. Take this, together with his enthusiasm in any one thing that might be on his mind, and I suppose we have as much insight to his eminently useful life as we can have. After all our speculation concerning him, the most satisfactory of all is, he was God's instrument. He felt this. He acted on it. Where he thought God called, there he would go and nowhere else. What he thought God wanted him to do that he did without fear for the consequences. He never hesitated to declare the whole counsel of God. Like myself he had once dedicated himself to the work of a Missionary. I learned that fact while in the Seminary by having access as Secretary to the archives of the Missionary Society. I found there a letter from him, telling his reasons for not going away. I cannot now recall the specific reasons given. But the substance of them was that clear providential circumstances led him to another field. I talked to him about the matter at one time, and he told me he had cherished that scheme as one of the dearest that ever entered his heart. That he had never given it up, and that if God should so direct he would gladly take family and all and go to any heathen land. It was not so ordered. But in his home field he was a true missionary. If all our ministers had but the same spirit, the treasuries of the different Boards of the church would be full and the whole church would be far more aggressive, far more earnest, far more efficient. After I have seen the notices of his death, and sketches of his life given by others, I may gather some crumbs that they have neglected and give them to the public. Give Mrs. Thompson the assurance of our deepest sympathy in her affliction."

VAN DOREN, ISAAC-The son of Abram and Ann Van Doren, was born at Griggstown, N. J., in 1772. He was educated in the college of New Jersey, and studied Theology with Rev. Dr. Romaine, of Schenectady, finishing with Rev. Dr. Livingston, both eminent in the Reformed Dutch Church. He was licensed by the classis of New York,

*A Memoir of Rev. JOSEPH A. PATTERSON will be published in The Presbyterian Historical Almanac for 1866.

and ordained about the year 1798. In 1800 he settled in Hopewell, Orange County, N. Y., where during his pastorate of twenty-three years he was blessed with eminent success. At one time one hundred and fifty were added to the church. He removed to Newark, N. J., and for four years was Principal of the Academy. He then, with his eldest son, established the Collegiate Institute on Brooklyn Heights. From there he removed to Lexington, Ky. After spending several years as a teacher in the West, and while so engaged he had some fifteen hundred under his tuition, he was eminently blessed with special blessings upon his pupils; on one occasion thirty were added to the church of the late Dr. Carroll of the First Presbyterian and the Episcopal Church of which the present Bishop McIlvaine was pastor.

He was author of a Tract, entitled, "A Summary of Christian Duty," compiled from the Douay Bible.

His latter years were passed happily and usefully residing with his children. He was eminently social, given to hospitality, the gifted counselor of young clergymen, and all who sought his advice. He died of paralysis, August 12, 1864, at Perth Amboy, N. J. He married, in the year 1800, Miss Abbey Halsey, daughter of Col. Luther Halsey, of Schenectady, N. Y., and sister to Rev. Drs. Luther, Abram and Job F. Halsey. His widow, with nine children, survive him, and it is mentioned as a noticeable fact that at his death he left fifty-two living descendants. One who knew him well adds, "That he was not brilliant, but remarkable for sound common sense, of a cheerful disposition unspotted integrity, and unostentatious piety."

WEST, D.D., NATHANIEL-Was born in Ulster, Ireland, in 1794, and entered the ministry in the Independent Connection, in Hull, England, in 1821. He came to the United States in 1834, and preached his first sermon to the Eleventh (now West Arch Street) Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. It so happened, in the orderings of Providence, that his last sermon on earth was preached (only ten days before his death) to the same people whose pulpit he was kindly supplying in the absence of their pastor. He labored successively at Meadville, Monroe, North East, Pitts burg, McKeesport, Belmont, and Hestonville, (United,) besides being engaged in various benevolent agencies. He published the Analysis of the Holy Bible, besides quite a number of smaller works. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, and senior Chaplain in the Satterlee United States Military Hospital, West Philadelphia.

The following is an extract from the Minute adopted by Philadelphia Central Presbytery:" Dr. West was a man of marked peculiarities, aud abundant labors. His frame was large and robust, his health vigorous, and his spirits exuberant; of great energy of character and memory unusually retentive; of varied observation and extensive reading, his ministrations were characterized by quaintness, clearness, and strength.

"This Presbytery make record of his decease from among them with humble recognition of the sovereignty of that God who appoints to his servants their gifts, their time and place of service, and the time and circumstances when their earthly labors shall cease. They receive it as a renewed admonition to be diligent in their labors for Christ, since the night cometh in which no man can work.' They extend to the family of Dr. West their deep sympathy in the affliction which in the providence of God has befallen them."