Innocency was a most prominent trait in the character of the deceased. Hence it was one day wisely and significantly said, by his es teemed friend Mr. Matthew Wilks, "I am never with this man without being reminded of paradisiacal innocence." The reflection was as full of truth, as it was of taste: num, bers when they read it will remember, and weep. Hence too his dear. and honored friend Mr. Hill, with his usual force and humour said "Mr. Winter would make the worst devil of any man in the world." It is awful to think how many beings there are, human in name and shape, but infernal in disposition and action: and who require only a little change of place to make them completely diabolical. But what a transformation must Cornelius Winter have undergone, before he could have borne the most distant resemblance to one of these unhappy spirits! So full of the meekness and gentleness of the Prince of Peace was he, that a friend very remote from adulation, and of very discriminating judgment, in this city, more than once said, after he had been the subject of conversation, "I have long thought he is more like Jesus Christ, than any man on earth." I hope I shall be excused for these insertions; the gratification they afford

while writing them, is beyond expression. And much of the pleasure arises not only from my regard to a character, the like of which I despair to see again, but from a conviction that the praises here bestowed upon him, do not savor of the falshood, or lavishness of common eulogy.

I wish also this part of his character to be rendered exemplary. Innocency may be deemed a kind of negative quality, but it is an enjoined one, "Be harmless and holy;"" Give none offence, neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God." David was so alive to this, that he was checked from repining and murmuring by the thought of it: " If I say I will speak thus; behold I should offend against the generation of thy children." It is surely an evidence of the degeneracy of the age, that an inoffensive man is an expression used generally to insinuate some imagined intellectual deficiency; as if there could be no good sense without cunning and villainy: but as one has justly observed, "The craftiest villain is the greatest fool, and the harmless christian the wisest man." It is true, inoffensiveness and talent, do not always go together, but neither do wickedness and wit: and a man of inferior endowments with an honest and good heart, is a

far more valuable character, than one of greater capacities, who while he has the wisdom of the serpent has the poison too. Call this quality if you please, even an infantile property, provided you remember a piece of history: "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." So much more valuable in his followers, and in his judgment, are the simplicity and innocency of a child, than the coruscations of intellect, the speculations of philosophy, the intrigues of politicians and the exploits of heroes.

But it must be confessed that this inoffensiveness is peculiarly attractive where it is combined with qualities that would render a man dangerous without it: where the sublime is softened by the beautiful; where the simplicity of the babe tempers the wisdom of the sage. "In malice be ye children, but in understanding be ye full grown men: I would have

you wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil." And who did not perceive this in Cornelius Winter? How fearful was he of injuring the honor of religion, and causing the way of truth to be evil spoken of? How tender was he of the purity of another's mind, and the peace of another's conscience? With what truth could he have adopted the language of the apostle, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while, the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. He made straight paths for his feet for the sake of those that were walking after him, lest that which was lame should be turned out of the way. His concern was to heal not to stumble. If a brother was overtaken in a fault, he restored such an one in the spirit of meekness considering himself, lest he also should be tempted. No one was ever injured by his example, or his speech. He made no one an. gry, no one sad. His whole life was an exemplification of the admonition which Paul gave to his son Timothy, and which he often gave to his sons," Speak evil of no man." And we know who hath said “ If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and also to bridle the whole body."

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As the thoughts we entertain of ourselves influence us in judging of others, the man who designs no evil often fears none; hence he is off his guard, and finds himself sometimes involved in difficulties which are escaped by those who from the reflection of their own sentiments keep a sharp look out upon others. This was not uncommonly the case with our departed friend. But I am persuaded that notwithstanding these occasional disadvantages, he found his innocent and unsuspicious temper its own reward. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good. Sufferings that befal us in this way will assuredly be overruled for our benefit. Yea, our own feelings will more than indemnify us for our losses. Nothing is so much to be deprecated as an habitual wretched state of suspicion and dread; having no confidence in those with whom we have to do; if we sit still-to be listening for the intrusion of thieves, or if we walk out-to be thinking of nothing but treading upon toads and snakes.

The Candor of Mr. Winter was remarkable. His natural temper was unusually sweet, and religion improved it. He held his sentiments with firmness, but distinguished not only between the true and the false, but between the