ter of the New Testament, the comparative futility of all preparatory students for the pulpit in case one has neither the natural nor the acquired power of appropriate utterance. A poor delivery may divest the best sermon of all its studied meaning and force. He whose carefully prepared discourse requires a very different elocution from his own to secure from an audience that attention which its essential merits demand, is not the man for the modern pulpit. Even John Foster, with all his power of written thought, was so uninteresting in the pulpit that he could never retain a congregation.

This defect became more apparent as Mr. Marshall advanced in age; but during the latter years of his pastorate, it was difficult to say which was the more to be admired-his quiet, persevering industry, without the prospect of success in his work, or the patient, uncomplaining spirit of the members of his church. It was a curious, if not suggestive spectaclehe preaching without discouragement, and they listening without interest; he in no wise relaxing his studious preparation for the pulpit, and they becoming only more listless and inert. Meanwhile the congregation, as a matter of course, became smaller; even the old church edifice, sympathizing, as it were, with the low state of religion within, betrayed ominous signs of speedy decay. At last, on reference being made of the state of the church to the Second Presbytery, a committee was appointed to visit the church, and to express their judgment after a free conversation with the pastor, and those among his people who might attend the church by appointment. The result was that the pastor consented to resign his charge, and the trustees to pay him all arrears of salary.

Such was the action of Presbytery through the committee, of which the writer of this was the chairman; and ever since we have regarded it as the duty, as well as the right of a Presbytery so to supervise the churches under its care that no church shall suffer through the want of adaptation on the part of any minister whom we have installed; for had Mr. Marshall pertinaciously refused to resign, that church, in all probability, would have become extinct. But no sooner had he retired than another was called, who, under God, was the means not only of re-collecting the scattered members of the congregation, but of building a new church, which of late years has been enlarged, and where there are still the indications of continued growth and influence under the pastoral care of one whose labors have been, at intervals, signally blessed."

Such, we are inclined to think, would be the result in other parallel cases, did our Presbyteries oftener act with reference to the general interests of the cause of Christ, instead of being restrained by motives of false delicacy, or mistaken kindness towards a particular pastor, who either does not know himself, or looks to his present means of support rather than to the improbability of being useful to the church over which he might have been injudiciously placed, or where he may have been too long. The pastor himself, in some other relation, might be at once happier and more useful. Deferring to the judgment of the committee, Mr. Marshall resigned his charge without a murmur, or betraying any unkind feelings towards his people; and no one rejoiced more than he on looking back to the favorable change which had taken place in the field of his former labors. But when he left there with his scanty means, it was to throw himself on the providence of God, and await his will; for he knew not that he should ever be settled again-nor was he. Every door seemed closed; and at this juncture, and at our suggestion, he determined to engage in the business of teaching; but on revising his academic studies he found himself so deficient in algebra that, though then about sixty years of age, he engaged a competent teacher to instruct him in

that branch!-an instance, we apprehend, that has not many parallels, serving to evince his fondness for study, no less than the strength of his purpose.

From that time he continued to teach, first in connection with a school in the city of New York, and afterwards at Port Chester, until the death of his wife, Lydia Knapp, an excellent lady, whom he had married in 1837-to whom, under Providence, he was indebted for his domestic comfort, and much of his personal influence while at Peekskill, and who by education, taste, and a most amiable disposition, was well fitted to aid him, as she did, in the work of instructing youth. Feeling his loss, and becoming somewhat infirm, he removed from Port Chester to Cabin-hill, Delaware County, there to spend his remaining days. But for this retiracy from the duties of public life he was prepared both by his scriptural views of life, and by his habits of solitary thought; so that he became neither a burden to himself nor a tiresome visitor to his friends. Social intercourse he enjoyed at intervals; conversation with some intelligent friend he highly prized; but he was always averse to interrupting any minister who might be engaged in his study; and instead of going about spending his hours in gossipping idleness, availed himself of his own resources, finding company, as well as profit, in his readings and meditations.

Still, his heart was in the ministry of reconciliation, and feeble as he became, he never neglected an opportunity, were one given, of supplying some pulpit, or assisting some neighboring minister; and towards the close of his life continued to wait on God in the ordinances of the sanctury-to take the same interest in God's word and Christ's servants, and an increased interest in meetings for social prayer; thus proving that though he might have succeeded better in some other relation in life, yet that he entered the ministry from right motives; and to the last not only held fast the form of sound words, but maintained a consistent walk with God.

Few might have listened to his pulpit utterances, but by all who knew him he was greatly esteemed. Few will note the sequestered spot of his humble burial, but we doubt not that "his record is on high"-his "testimony in heaven."

MITCHELL, WILLIAM LUTHER-The son of William and Eleanor Mitchell, was born in Maury County, Tenn., July 11, 1828. He was converted at the age of twelve years, under the preaching of Rev. Daniel Baker, D.D.; graduated with honor at Jefferson College, Pa., August, 1854, and at Princeton Seminary, N. J., May, 1857; was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Lafayette, Mo., Sept. 1857; supplied the First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa, a year and a half; was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Hillsboro', Ill., by the Presbytery of Hillsboro', December, 1859. A short but successful ministry, he finished his labors and entered into rest, February 23, 1864.

It was in this field of labor he was eminently useful and successful. He died, February 23, 1864, of measles.

Rev. ALFRED N. DENNY, of Moro, Ill., writes of him as follows:"He was a minister of more than ordinary ability and attainments. He became a Christian at twelve years of age, awakened under the preaching of the late Dr. Daniel Baker. His piety was such as none could cavil at; his life was religion exemplified. His early advantages were limited, but his vigorous mind and energetic will enabled him to take an honorable place among the best trained and most gifted both in College and

Seminary. When he entered the ministry, his mental acquirements, moral worth, and genuine piety gave promise of great usefulness. As a preacher he was always earnest and instructive, and often eloquent and impressive. None could listen to him without feeling that he was in earnest; that the truths which he uttered were to him living realities. The great themes of the gospel were his favorite subjects; and he was remarkably happy in illustrating and enforcing them from the word of God. Toward the close of his life he felt more deeply the importance of the great doctrines, and in his preaching he dwelt more upon them; the Sovereignty of God, the excellency and sufficiency of Christ, the perfect security of believers, the bliss and glory of the saints in heaven. His last unfinished sermon was on Election. Among his last and best sermons was one on the Heavenly Foretastes, in which he spoke like one who felt himself on the verge of the heavenly world. He did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God. He knew how to persuade men both by the mercies and the terrors of the Lord. In revivals he was very successful; in his short ministry he was engaged in several in his own church and in others. His deep convictions of right and duty, his generous impulses, his Christian conduct and character, gained for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and the love and friendship of those who knew him intimately. His social and domestic qualities were of the strongest, purest, most tender kind. His little family circle was his highest earthly delight. How much he was their delight, his widowed wife and two little children know too well by their irreparable loss.

"His death was triumphant. Death to him had no sting. In the most terrible pangs of dissolution, his soul was filled with heavenly raptures. When it was thought that his tongue was forever silent in death, he suddenly broke forth in the loftiest and most eloquent strain for more than half an hour, uttering things almost unutterable, concerning the riches, and grace, and glory of Christ. His ruling passion was strong in death, to preach Christ and him crucified."

He married Miss Mary B. Mutchmore, May 4, 1858, who, with two children, survives him.

MCKINNEY, ISAAC NEWTON-The son of Rev. David and Eliza (Finley) McKinney, was born in Erie, Pa., October 20, 1828. His father was the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that place, having been ordained and installed there April 23, 1825.

Whilst yet a child his father removed to Centre County, Pa., having become pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg, Pa. His boyhood, though promising, exhibited nothing very remarkable, unless it was an unusual fondness for the company of grown persons of intelligence. He was robust, active, possessed of a strong will, observant, quick in judging, strictly moral, a lover of religion, kind, respectful to superiors, eager in his acquisition of knowledge, clear in his comprehension of things, and ready in communicating his ideas. His mental traits were early developed and of a steady growth.

He thus gave indications of a capability of high attainments in scholarship, and of eminent usefulness in the Christian ministry. He was hence put early, quite too early, to hard study; and studying became and always continued to be, his great delight. But he was too highly stimulated. A similar mistake has proved ruinous to the health and longevity, and hence, to the highest comfort and usefulness, of many of the most nobly indued minds. An early training to close mental application will qualify a person for great endurance; but still, there is a possibility, and a danger, too, of carrying application too far, so as to prevent a full de