Obituary.

delicacy and perfection of their structures ( such as in most details the art of man is incapable of approaching to ) , but also of the most direct utility . Thus , by the regular succession of the seasons , God prepares that ample and varied feast of which his offspring are invited to partake , suiting them , moreover , to the variations of temperature and climate . The most necessary comforts almost everywhere abound—the provision made for human sustenanceiu particular , being astonishingly liberal .

, Yet , while these tilings are made for man—the fallen monarch of a revolted territory—not for man only does the bright sunshine beam— -not for man only do the fields take on their green or golden garniture , or the breezes hear health and blessing on their wings . By many contrivances vegetation is kept up and increased ; while the tiniest insect that sports its little day by the margin of the pool , not less than other creatures , give their

unequivocal tokens of delight—invite us to inquire into the wisdom and goodness of Him whom angels worship and seraphim adore—the Mighty One whoso agency is made known alike in the reverberation of the thunder , the song of birds , or the gentle music of the stream ; at whose will the " great calm " succeeds to the salutary perturbation of the elementsthe Being whose nature finite conception cannot grasp , for He

is a Spirit . We go forward , but He is not there ; and backward , but we cannot behold Him , " while yet wo know that He is not very far from any of us . " Surely , then , it becomes us to exclaim , " Great and marvellous are thy works , oh Lord God Almighty ; just and true are all thy works , thou King of Saints . " " Fear before Him , all ye nations ; give unto the Lord the honour that is due to him ; honour and majesty are

before Him ; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary ; the same on whom the eyes of all wait—who giveth them their meat in due season ; " who " openeth His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing ; " who is continually about the bed and path of each , caring with unwearied assiduity for their welfare , seeking the highest and lasting good of His intelligent and responsible offspring ; represented to us most truly

under the endearing attitude of a Father . " The Father of lights , without variableness or shadow of turning ; " "the Author and source of every good and perfect gift . " But ( said the reverend gentleman ) , in the second placo . God has

shown regard for man in the provision made for his enlightenment and recovery . So helpless was the condition of our ruined race that , whatever the approach to some elementary truths of religion attained hy a few superior minds , the world lay enveloped in the shade of spiritual death with tho exception of that one nation , Abraham ' s descendants , whom God had separated and singled out , and had made recipients of so much of His truth"leading them hy a mihthand and

out-, gy stretched arm " from the country wherein they had groaned in slavery ; finally , after many vicissitudes , establishing them in the land which he had promised to Abraham , their father , who had been called from among his idolatrous kindred in Ur of the Chaldees that he might be the head of a mighty nation " yet unborn . " It was the doing of the Lord , and it may well bo wondrous in our eyes . Presumptuous it is to askWhthis

, y light shone but in one region of oui- world ? God renders no account of His doings . He lay not under obligations to act otherwise , while we know that the " Judge of all the earth will assuredly do right . " Yet as we consider this portion of the sacred history and think of the small beginnings from which such mighty consequences resulted , we seem as if standing at the fountain-head of a noble river—the water just

trickling from the rock that is to find its way onward to the ocean , gaining volume , receiving tributaries , until , Hearing its destination , its freshness is mingled with the salt of the ocean , and the noise of the waves is soon to be heard . Let us seek to improve what knowledge we possess respecting the Divine character . His glory is made known that we may be led to oder that tribute to which He is entitled—be brought to admire , love , ancl serve Him who framed the heavens , and

who has also imparted so much of comfort and happiness . Musing on His power , let us " be still and know that he is God ; " that every one of His promises are true , and also that " not one jot or tittle" that He has uttered can fail to be accomplished . Reflecting on the wonders of His providence , let us take courage from the thought that nothing is too minute for the inspection and care of Him who " clothes the lilies of the field , " makes even the wilderness to blossom , provides for the wants of the creatures of a day , and much more for man , on whose behalf the most astonishing

proof of bounty has been afforded—who hears within him , though encased in flesh , that spirit which shall never die , to ransom which Christ Jesus condescended to take our nature on Him , illustrating in His life that pattern of filial obedience which His people aro called on , as closely as tbey may , to follow , submitting to death , oven the death of the Cross , that He might destroy him that had its power , and deliver those who otherwise must have been all their lifetime " subject to

bondage . " If God has thus been so mindful of man , what emotions of gratitude and what purposes of holy obedience should man cherish towards God ! By what is around and by what is within us , if the Spirit's torch light up the gloom , we may bo taught the grandest , the most important of all knowledge , to know our Maker , to know the blessed Son , and in-Ilim truly to know ourselves . Each holy deed , each spiritual

aspiration , each sacrifice of inclination to duty , of passion to principle , renders the believer ' s spiritual instincts more refined , his spiritual perception more acute . Each fervent prayer , each act of earnest thoughtful intercourse with God in holy ordinances , may be spoken of as strengthening the wing of aspiration , and purifying the eye of faith , training the spirit to rise nearer to the region of eternal light , and to bear the Divine effulgence

with a steadier gaze till the great process completed when earth is exchanged for heaver ., tho glorious light ot the resurrection morning shall fill with radiance the countenance of a myriad none can number . Brethren , sisters , this motive should appeal to you ; some are mourners ; you cannot but think often of thesilenced voice , the unfilled seat , the empty place of the kind , lovedrespected . Have they gone from earth to heaven ? Have

, they exchanged dross and defilement for excellence and splendour ? Do they sit under the shadow of the tree of life ? ordo they watch the glad sparkle of its unfailing river ? Would you not desire that you should meet them ? that they should : hail you on the peopled shore of that not silent land ? Then seek , strive , pray , God is merciful if man be weak . Christ is compassionate , if man be erring , no breaker of the bruised reed

nor quencher of the smoking flax . Yes , by the memories of Bethlehem , of wilderness temptation , by matchless patience , conquering love , triumphant resurrection ; take new courage He will help thee in conflict , He notes thy sighs , He hears

thy prayers , He will bo spiritually at thy side , acknowledge thee as his servant and invest thee with a crown of righteousness that shall not fade away . Amen . On Sunday last , being the first Sunday after the death of Bro . Bonar , funeralsermons were delivered by the Rev . J . Cochrane , of Cupar , and the Rev . Daniel Macfie , of the Canongate parish . The pulpit and precentor ' s desk were draped with black cloth ; and the church at both diets was well filled . Tho Rev . Mr . Cochrane

preached in the forenoon , and at the close of the sermon said—Hut a few days ago many of you in this place were listening to thc familiar voice of the beloved pastor over whom the grave has now closed . Iu the prime of life , in the very midst of his professional career , arid when friends and the world at largemight have been anticipating for him many years of usefulness , he 1 ms been called away from this earthly scene . The event awakens in my mind many tender memories . Knowing him

from his very boyhood , having introduced him to his first ministerial charge in the small country parish where for a short time he laboured , assisting him regularly for the long period of 21 years at his communions in this church , and often receiving similar help from him in return , I had necessarily much and familiar acquaintance with him . I need not say that that entitles me to speak with confidence

both of his character and attainments . Rarely have I met with a more cultivated mind , or a person of morekindly and genial disposition . Much move a student than a man of the world , and far more taken up with books than with men or tilings , I do not think that he relished or felt himself at home in what the world calls business . But , at the same time , I am sure that in all the transactions of ordinary life , every one who had dealings with him must have felt and

admired his straightforward integrity , his cordiality , his openness , his simplicity of character , and his goodness of heart . His piety was sincere , not the less so that it was totally devoid of ostentation and repulsive austerity . At school and college he greatly distinguished himself ; and in the fine points of intellectual ability he proved himself to be surpassed by few . Possessed of a singular facility in English composition , he very early betook himself to literary work , and before he had got beyond the years of mere boyhood , he was already known as