period of nineteen years, full of hope and promise, the seeds of pulmonary disease sprang forth within him.  In the fall of 1850, he began to cough, and since then, with variations as to its severity, it continued with him, and his friends marked that it became deeply seated, and apprehended its probable termination.  He, however, retained his active habits and course of study till last fall.  His earnest attention to sermons, his occasional remarks on their evangelical and practical character as profitable, and his prayerful reading of the Bible, showed the influence divine truth was exerting upon him.  The sickness and rapid decline of his brother Joseph was to him most affecting, as they had grown up from childhood together in uninterrupted intercourse and love.  In his feeble state of health, he saw his beloved brother hastening to death and the grave, while their dear mother was yearning over both in view of their spiritual welfare.  While everything indicated a deep interest in the matter of the soul’s salvation, doubts and difficulties prevented him from finding joy and peace in believing.  About ten days before his death, and just before the death of Joseph, he received the remarkable letter from his Uncle Scudder which wrought powerfully on his mind, and followed by Joseph’s death, was doubtless instrumental, under the divine blessing, in leading him to the decision of giving himself to the Savior by the profession of his faith.  The Sabbath, January 11, on the morning of which Joseph died, was indeed a memorable and impressive one in many of its associations.  De Witt had just made profession of his faith, and was admitted into the communion of the Presbyterian Church in Canal street, of which the Rev. Mr. Carpenter is pastor, and was carried into the church to unite with God’s people in celebrating the Lord’s supper, and it was just at the expiration of the two months of special prayer by his uncle in India.  When his mother, this morning, announced to him the death of his brother, he just exclaimed, with much emotion, “Is Joseph dead?  Then I have no brother.”  He left the room for a moment and returned, saying, “Mother, we have no cause to mourn.  Joseph is only gone to the new Jerusalem, where dear father was waiting to receive him,” and then calmly prepared himself for the sacramental service in the church before him.  The writer of this had an interview with him the following morning (Monday).  Everything conspired to render the scene impressive.  As I saw the remains of Joseph, I observed in the appearance of De Witt the indications of approaching death, and heard the account of his attendance at the Lord’s table on the preceding day.  After conversation, he asked me to pray that it would please God to spare his life that he might be a support and comfort to his mother, and be permitted to labor for Christ.  I replied that such desires were in themselves worthy, but that I strongly felt it would be with him as with David in whose heart was the desire to build the house of