perhaps the young among us may inquire, Who was this man, and whence arose those traits of character which caused him to be so universally beloved and lamented? I answer, that he came to this city, many years since, a poor young man. It so happened that he remained longer than he at first purposed; for he designed only a visit, intending to return again to his home. He attended yon venerable church soon after he came hither, and heard the eloquent and gifted Buckminster. At once he selected him as his minister, and that as his church, and ever after was present, morning and afternoon, when his health permitted. He listened, and welcomed to his heart the blessed teachings of Jesus Christ, and made it his aim to be his follower, and to "do good as he had opportunity." As this was his great endeavor, his delight was in the law of the Lord, and daily at his fireside the morning and evening incense of prayer rose to heaven.

Mr. Lawrence was a religious man in every sense of the word, dedicating his time and wealth to the service of God, and the good of his fellow-men: hence he was "not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." He loved the sanctuary, and its very dust was sacred to him. He visited the distressed, and it was his delight to distribute the gifts laid upon the altar for the poor, personally, to the members of the household of faith.

If you would know the origin of all that he did, which blessed so many hearts, which made him the friend of the widow and the orphan, and a father to those who had none to help,—why it is that all around us the tears of sorrow are shed,—that every one feels that the community has sustained a severe loss, and that the poor and suffering are bereft of a benefactor and friend,—you must trace it to its true source, and say that he was a religious man and true Christian, and that he simply carried out and exemplified the holy principles of the gospel. This was its source. In this his benevolence and world-wide charity had their origin. It was this, young men, which makes his memory so precious, his name so dear, and will long embalm him sacredly in the grateful hearts of hundreds of the sorrowing children of men, who will bedew his grave with tears, and rise up hereafter and call him blessed. What power did religion impart to this benefactor of his race! What influence did it enable him to exert with the talent entrusted to his care!

Bring now before your minds this poor young man going to that house of God, more than forty years ago. He was unknown, a stranger among strangers, seeing around him there the most distinguished men in the Commonwealth assembled in worship. He hears the word, and is impressed. He resolves to follow out the instruction received, and, in imitation of his Master, to devote himself to doing good to his fellow-men. Forty years and over found him faithfully going up to that temple, enjoying its privileges, and gratefully improving its services and rites; till at last, when the summons came, his spirit, all ready and prepared, gently passed to its heavenly home! And who would wish to call him back, that saw the smile on his countenance when within a day's journey of the tomb, which seemed to have received new radiance from the spirit-world, upon which he was so soon to enter? Oh, well might we then have said,—

How little did this poor young man think, when he first entered that church, that by fidelity to the truths of Jesus Christ there proclaimed, when he should pass from earth, grateful hearts, true and sincere mourners, would go up thither, and throng its very aisles, that they might mingle their tears, and pay