the Church, and all of its elders were ordained by him." The most, if not all, of those members and elders, if not his spiritual children, acknowledged his aid and guidance in the great work of their personal salvation. It should be added, too, that many of these additions were from the most intelligent and influential portion of the community. These were no ordinary results. Few men can show such a record.

Secondly. When Mr. Donnell commenced his labors in Lebanon, he had not even the nucleus of an organized congregation as a basis. He did not, he could not, build upon another man's foundation, because no foundation had been laid. There was material, but nothing more. Still he went to work upon that material; he soon collected and organized a congregation of seven members, all of them being females. To a man of the world this would have seemed a small beginning. Yet earnestness, perseverance, fidelity, and the grace of God carried him forward, and this unpromising beginning became the nucleus of one of the largest and most respectable congregations in the land. There are scores of young men in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church who are standing all the day idle, because no man hath hired them. Why do they not thus go into the vineyard and seek their own hire? The field is wide; openings are numerous; the Lord of the harvest will employ them, and give them wages if they will enter earnestly into the work. Why do they not make the experiment?

Thirdly. The labors and success of Mr. Donnell

are an illustration of the importance of the pastoral work as a means of doing good. One who is truly a pastor will live with his people; will see them at their homes; will visit their sick; will bury their dead; will be their counselor and friend in all the exigencies of life. Such a pastorate by an earnest and faithful man will not fail of success. It may. be added, too, that such a pastorate is the main reliance of a Christian congregation. It is especially so of a congregation of Presbyterians. Nothing else will serve as a substitute. Mr. Donnell was an earnest and devoted pastor. The impressions which he made still remain. Since his death the congregation have had the services of the best and the ablest men in the Church, and yet after the expiration of near twenty years, when the old members speak of a man after their own heart, they always speak of George Donnell.

Fourthly. I cannot close without an additional remark. The interesting case which we have been considering illustrates another principle. When Mr. Donnell commenced his labors in Lebanon, he had no assurance of a temporal support, or even, I suppose, of the smallest compensation. Yet he entered upon the work; God opened the hearts of the people, and the laborer received even his temporal hire. We have proof enough that in similar circumstances this will always be so. If an earnest and faithful man of respectable ability will give himself up to God and the people, he will receive his reward. The mouth of the ox that treadeth out the

corn will not be muzzled. Let our young men who are doing nothing, and waiting for assurances, make the experiment. "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

REV. FRANCIS JOHNSTON.

1825-1856.

FRANCIS JOHNSTON was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, September 12, 1790. His parents were moral and upright persons, and his mother was, at the time of his birth, a member of Bethany congregation of the Presbyterian Church. The congregation was under the care of Rev. Dr. Hall. Dr. Hall baptized the subject of this sketch.

About the year 1795 Mr. Johnston's parents moved to what was then called West Tennessee, and settled in Sumner county. The county was then a wilderness, in more senses than one. It was very sparsely populated, and almost wholly destitute of the means of grace. Mrs. Johnston, the mother, however, soon united herself with Shiloh congregation, then under the care of Rev. William McGee. Mr. McGee was succeeded by Rev. William Hodge. The first camp-meeting that ever was held in Sumner county, was held at Blythe's place, on Desha's Creek, in the bounds of Shiloh congregation. This meeting occurred in the spring of 1800. Mr. Johnston attended the meeting with his father's family. He was then in his tenth year. He

tells us, in a sketch of his own life, that although so young, "he was old enough to feel that he ought to have religion."

In 1803, in his thirteenth year, he professed religion at home, under the guidance of his mother and a sister younger than himself, who had made a profession a short time before. He joined the Shiloh congregation in connection with his mother and sister. His father, in a year or two, in like manner united himself with the same congregation.

From 1806 to 1810 his mind was variously exercised on the subject of preaching the gospel. He laid his case before Mr. Hodge, but was not much encouraged. Mr. Hodge, however, advised him to travel on the circuit a while, with one of the circuitriders, and make an experiment of his ability to teach. He accordingly spent a month with Rev. David Foster, and also a month with Rev. James Farr on the circuit, but with little satisfaction to himself. His education was indifferent, and

his father was poor. He thought that a minister

ought to be an educated man. In 1808 or 1809 a good school was opened in an adjoining neighborhood. He determined, notwithstanding his poverty, to avail himself of its advantages, entered, and attended a few days; but his father fell sick, and he was obliged to desist. Upon the recovery of his father, having become discouraged in regard to the matter of an education, he resolved to learn the blacksmith's trade, and devote himself to the business for life. He learned the trade in his father's