“APRIL 23, MONDAY.  It is finished.  My dear minister’s bitter draught is over.  On Thursday, the 19th of this month, a quarter before ten o’clock, A.M., the Lord received his spirit and laid his weary flesh to rest.  He had a sore conflict with the king of terrors, who seemed allowed to revel through every part of his mortal frame:  his legs were mortified to his knees; he had not been able to lie down for four weeks, and died in his chair.  Like his Master, he groaned, but never complained:  he had a draught of his Master’s cup, but the bitter ingredient desertion made no part of it.  I had the honor to close his dear eyes, and to shut those dear lips from whence so many precious truths have proceeded, and to mix with the ministering spirits who attended to hail the released.  This honor I had desired, but did not reckon myself worthy, and hardly hoped for it; but the Lord saw the wish, though never formed into a petition, and indulged me.  I bless him for it.  And now, farewell human friendships; let me gird up the loins of my mind, and run with patience the little further, looking unto Jesus, and following also him my pastor, ’who, through faith and patience, now inherits the promises.’

“This is a great work finished.  Dr. Mason was ’a city set on a hill.’  He was with the army during all the war after the evacuation of New York; had great influence over the soldiers; preached the gospel of peace uniformly, but never meddled with politics, though he was fully capable.  In every situation the Lord supported him in uniformity and consistency of character, and carried him through without a single spot or stain.  Glory to God in the highest for this repeated proof of his faithfulness.  ’Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.’

“I.  GRAHAM.”

Great was the grief of Dr. Mason’s congregation on his removal.  In him, to great learning were united meekness, prudence, diligence, and knowledge of the world, and an affectionate superintendence of the interests, spiritual and temporal, of his flock.  He so arranged his avocations and studies in regard to time, that he had always a few hours in the afternoon to devote to visiting the families of his congregation.  So regular was the order he observed, that Mrs. Graham and her family knew when to calculate on seeing him, and always expected him with the anticipation of profit and pleasure.  Once every week they were sure of seeing him, if in health.  His visits were short, his conversation serious, awakening, instructive, and affectionate.  He inquired about their temporal affairs, and in cases of difficulty gave them his best advice.  His counsels were salutary; his knowledge of the world and his discrimination of character rendered him well qualified to advise.  In one of his visits to Mrs. Graham she mentioned to him the want of good servants as one of her trials.  “Mrs. Graham,” said he, “have you ever prayed to the Lord to provide good servants for you?  Nothing which interests our comfort is too minute for the care of our heavenly Father.”