Having gone through a regular course of study preparatory to the practice of physick, he removed to Braintree, now Randolph, Mass. in the year 1781, where he commenced the duties of his profession. These he discharged with reputation to himself and with great usefulness to his employers. His circle of business, though small at first, gradually increased until it became very extensive. As a physician, he was remarkably attentive, prudent and successful. During the latter part of his life, his advice was sought and much respected by his brethren of the faculty in his vicinity. No physician, in this part of the country, possessed the love and conûdence of his patients to a higher de gree. This was evident from the universal sorrow occasioned among them by his death. They felt as though they had lost not only their able and beloved physician, but a most important friend, and useful member of society. Such indeed was the subject of this biographical sketch. His friendship was not confined to the circle of his particular patrons. He rose above those sordid views, by which too many are actuated. While he was ready to afford relief to the indigent and afflicted, he rejoiced in the lawful prosperity of all around him, whether his particular friends or not. Though a decided enemy to deception, duplicity, and vice, in all its forms, yet he possessed that charity, which covers a multitude of sins, which disposed him to treat the characters of all with as much tenderness, as truth and justice would permit. Amidst all the rage of political par

ty spirit, he never betrayed the interests of his country. He was a disciple of Washington, whose principles he revered and uniformly supported. In the year, 1787, he was married to miss Sarah Bass, one of the most respectable ladies in the town, in which he resided. By her, he had three children; one of whom is now in the practice of physick, in the circle formerly occupied by his father, and promises to do honour to his memory by being extensively useful in his profession. As a husband, doctor Alden was kind and affectionate, as a parent, tender and faithful. He was a firm, unshaken believer in the truth of divine revelation, and, for about twenty years, previous to his death, a member of the church of Christ. He was never absent from publick worship, on the Lord's day, unless imperious necessity required it. His religious sentiments were Calvinistick. Of course, he believed in the necessity of regeneration by the special influences of the Holy Spirit, in order to future happiness. A hope that he had experienced such an internal change, and was interested in the merits of the Redeemer, supported him during his last sickness, and enabled him to meet death with coolness and fortitude. He was not only a christian in theory, but in practice. Whenever he conversed about himself, he did it with the greatest modesty and self-abasement. Instead of resembling the bold, confident professor, who generally outlives his religion, and deeply wounds the cause of Christ, he resembled the little trembling tree, which often takes

the deepest root in the garden of the Lord, and bears the most and the best ripe fruit.

"The writer of these memoirs, who was intimately acquainted with the subject of them for many years, has seldom known a person who appeared to act more conscientiously in the various concerns of life, and whose daily conduct would better bear the test of examination. He proved the sincerity of his faith by his works. In his dying address to his children, The earnestly exhorted them to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, assuring them, that if they did thus, all other needful things would be added. In truth it may be said, he has left behind him that good name, which is better than precious ointment. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."

ABINGTON, MASS.

Note. The rev. SAMUEL NILES was a son of the hon. Samuel Niles, of Braintree, and grandson of the rev. Samuel Niles, who, for many years, was the pastor of the church in that town. He was educated at New Jersey college, in Princeton, where he was graduated in the year, 1769. He departed this life, on the 16 of January, 1814, in the 70 year of his age, leaving a widow, a son, and five daughters to mourn the loss of one of the truly excellent of the earth.

The rev. Jonathan Strong, of Randolph, delivered a sermon from 2 Tim. 4, 7, 8, at the interment of mr. Niles, from the manuscript copy of which the following characteristick part, with a few al

terations, has been kindly furnished for a place in this Collection.

"In the early part of life he discovered no particular sobriety, but was unusually thoughtless and trifling. It was while a member of college, that he became a subject of those religious impressions, which issued in his hopeful reconciliation to divine truth. He was consecrated to the pastoral office in Abington, July, 1771, where he continued to discharge the duties of his office until prevented by a paralytick shock, which took place a little more than two years before his death. From that shock he so far recovered, that he was able to ride, and several times attended publick worship; but he was a silent hearer in the midst of that numerous assembly, which he had so often and with such deep solemnity addressed, on the momentous concerns of eternity. He perfectly recollected all his acquaintance, who visited him during his last sickness, rejoiced to see them, evidently understood and took a deep interest in their conversation, especially on religious subjects, but was unable to articulate more, than a few words himself. When his particular friends in the ministry inquired of him respecting the state of his mind, during his last illness, he gave them to understand that he was happily resigned to the dispensations of divine Providence, and enjoyed the consolation of that religion, which he had so many years preached to others. Being asked, a short time before his dissolution, whether he should preach the same religious sentiments be

had done, should he return to active life again, he answered, with peculiar emphasis, in the affirmative. Though frequently exercised with great bodily pain, he was remarkably patient, meek, and humble, and sensible that he was treated with unmerited kindness by his heavenly Father. The following sentences, with reference to his own situation, he often repeated. All is done, all done. All is right, all right. This was evidently the language of his heart. With such a submissive quiet spirit he closed his sufferings on earth.

"The passage of scripture, which was chosen as the foundation of the sermon preached at his funeral, and which was thought to be peculiarly pertinent on that occasion, was these words of the apostle Paul to Timothy; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also, that love his appearing. The object of the discourse was to exhibit the trials, duties, and rewards of a faithful minister of Christ. From such trials, our deceased friend was not exempted; for he preached those doctrines, which are calculated to awaken the resentment of the human heart, and set in motion the tongue of slander. But none of these things moved him, neither counted he his life dear unto himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry, which he had received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. The various