was so peculiarly fitted, had he taken any other

course.

In mixed society, and especially with those with whom he was imperfectly acquainted, he was reserved, and appeared rather distant. But with his intimate friends he was free, cheerful, and pleasant. To that flow of animal spirits, which is the parent of vivacity, he was in a great measure a stranger. His habitual appearance in company was that of the grave, contemplative, heavenly-minded man, gentle, retiring, dignified, and of few words, unless drawn out by inquiries, which opened a door for instruction, of which he was ever ready to avail himself. He never appeared so well as when he had an opportunity of enlightening the ignorant, or counselling inquirers on the most important of all subjects.

There was one striking trait in the character of Mr. Edwards, which, as it rendered him less fond of mixed companies, so it made him more reserved and silent, and often, of course, less interesting, when he happened to be thrown into them. This was his sacred regard to the government of the tongue, and his deep impression of the multiplied and endless evils flowing from vain and unbridled conversation. He had discernment enough from his youth, to perceive, that those who joined freely in conversation in mixed companies, in which the characters of the absent were frequently

discussed, and principles and subjects of great delicacy hastily pronounced upon, must often be involved in circumstances of strong temptation, if not of serious embarrassment. He had the wisdom, too, to feel, as he advanced in life, that men in public stations, especially in the sacred profession, were often most painfully implicated by a single unguarded word uttered in a social circle. Hence, in this respect, he was peculiarly cautious. Perhaps no man ever more sacredly governed his tongue by the laws of Christian prudence and benevolence. His aim was, never to speak evil of another, but upon the most obvious and undoubted call of duty; and never to listen to any thing of the kind from others, if he could possibly avoid it. He was, therefore, "slow to speak"; and, when he did speak, his "words were few and well ordered."

These habits were of incalculable benefit to him in all his social intercourse. He was, of course, seldom involved in litigation; was seldom called to the trouble of defending or explaining what he had spoken; and seldom had the mortification of finding that he had wounded feelings, or injured character, by unguarded conversation. The importance of these things is acknowledged by all; but is seldom felt, and really made a rule of life, but by the eminently wise.

Such is the character left by Jonathan Edwards to the church and the world. Some

distinguished men have been so unhappy as to waste the first years of their lives in folly and profligacy, and to devote only the latter half of their course, and sometimes even less than half, to the cause of truth and righteousness. This was the case, as is well known, with Cyprian, one of the early fathers of the church; with the celebrated Augustine ; and, in later times, with the excellent John Newton, one of the highest modern examples of devoted, active piety, to say nothing of many others who might be mentioned. No such disadvantage marked the life of the subject of this memoir. His course, from his early youth to the day of his death, was exemplary, luminous, and useful. He was never chargeable with wasting his time and talents in the pursuits of sin. If not truly pious at the early age of twelve or thirteen years, he at least had the appearance and the general demeanor of true religion; and, from the close of his collegiate course until the termination of his earthly pilgrimage, his life presented one continued series of faithful labors for "serving his generation by the will of God." It pleased God to bear him on, from the beginning to the end of life, without a spot; and to enable him, while he was engaged in intellectual and moral exercises of the highest importance, to exhibit a purity and wisdom of deportment adapted to adorn and set the stamp of truth on all his labors. Perhaps no uninspired man, since the days of the Apostle Paul, could, with more truth, adopt the language of that eminent minister of Jesus Christ; "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." It may be doubted whether a man of purer character ever lived.

Other men have, no doubt, excelled him in particular qualities or accomplishments. There have been far more learned men; far more eloquent men; far more enterprising and active men, in the out-door work of the sacred office, But, in the assemblage and happy union of those high qualities, intellectual and moral, which constitute finished excellence, as a Man, a Christian, a Divine, and a Philosopher, he was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest and best men that have adorned this, or any other country, since the Apostolic age.

CHAPTER IX.

His Writings. — Remarks on his Style. "Thoughts on the Revival of Religion." "Treatise on Religious Affections." - "Memoirs of Brainerd." - "Essay on the Freedom of the Will." — "On Original Sin." "History of Redemption." - -" Qualifications for Communion." -"Last End of the Creation." "Nature of True Virtue." - SerOther Posthumous Works. - General

mons.

Views.

THE writings of President Edwards are numerous; more voluminous, it is believed, than those of any other American divine. The last and fullest edition of his works is comprised in nine large and closely printed octavo volumes ; * which, if printed in a type worthy of them, and in the best modern style, would make at least twenty full-sized volumes of the same class.

And as his writings are more voluminous than those of any other American divine; † so there