PHILADELPHIA MINISTERS' TRIBUTE TO

DR. HOWARD CROSBY.

The news of Dr. Crosby's illness awakened sympathetic illness in many hearts, both of ministers and people in this city. The daily bulletins regarding his condition were watched with sad feeling, and when the papers on Monday morning announced that the great man was gone, there was deep sorrow. It happened that on that morning there was no separate meeting of the Presbyterian ministers.

At the regular Quarterly Meeting of the Ministerial Union of Philadelphia, comprising the different Associations, the Rev. Dr. Wayland, Editor of The National Baptist, presented a tender and and affectionate resolution on the death of Dr. Crosby. The resolution was very heartily seconded by the Rev. Dr. Fernley, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and unanimously adopted by the Union.

Immediately after the adjournment of the Union, a special meeting of the Presbyterian Ministerial Association was held, and a Committee consisting of the Revs. C. A. Dickey, D.D., H. A. Nelson, D.D., W. W. McKinney, D.D., and William Hutton, D.D. was appointed to prepare a minute on the death of Dr. Crosby. Rev. Dr. Cattell was appointed chairman of a delegation to attend the funeral on Tuesday, in New York. The following Minute prepared by the Committee, was presented to the Presbyterian Association by Dr. Dickey, at its regular Monday meeting, April 6th, and unanimously adopted by the Association:

"The Presbyterian Ministers' Association of Philadelphia, records its appreciation of the large and faithful service of Dr. Howard Crosby, and expresses its great sorrow over the sudden loss of his valuble earthly life. Howard Crosby, born in New York, and giving to the place of his birth his most conspicuous service, attained a position of wide influence, by rare fidelity in the exercise of great consecrated gifts. He so profoundly impressed all who felt his influence with the completeness and sincerity of his character, that his valuable life became the property of the kingdom of God, his service is acknowledged by the world, and his loss is lamented by every friend of Christ and by every advocate of righteousness.

"Howard Crosby, living and dying, honored the religion of Christ and the truth of revelation with a simplicity of faith and with a courage only equalled by a tenderness that ever showed how much he loved, and how closely he tried to Jimitate the Master.

"Howard Crosby sought out sin with the fierceness of a lion, and pursued it with a courage that risked peril and life; but for sinners he had the compassion of Christ, and was ever ready to heal the wounds inflicted by the sin he hated.

"He was positive and earnest, but never pursued with malice those whom his conscience

compelled him to oppose. Fidelity and forgiveness, courage and meekness, truth and mercy met in his great soul, and his gentleness was his greatness. He was a leader by the vote of confidence, and a ruler by the power of his transparent life. Others honestly differed with him, and could not always agree with his judgment, but none ever doubted the sincerity of his convictions.

"The impression of his life and character has Tonly revealed its depth when he is suddenly removed, and the influence will abide. Howard Crosby seemed essential, and never more than in the dark hour of the Master's decision to recall him. But the grace that gave the Church such a gift, was not withdrawn with the gift, and the prayer of those who miss his helpful life should be, that the Master would make us all nobler and gentler by the memories of his courage, fidelity and love." J. R. MILLER.

IN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE LATE DR. HOWARD CROSBY.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." We often say it, we believe it is true, but we do not always remember that these blessed ones also lived in the Lord; and truly if they "lived in the Lord" in this poor world, where we "see darkly", what must their life be now, when they see face to face, and know as they are known. Even while our tears flow for the beloved dead, and Jesus has sanctified by His own tears all holy weeping, we may hear with the ears of faith the bursts of triumph with which they are welcomed when they "come again," bringing

their sheaves with them."

a

Not many days before the commencement of the illness, which has deprived his people of a devoted pastor, and the city of New York of one of its noblest sons, I heard an anecdote of Dr. Howard Crosby's life, from member of his family; as I thought it was one which would give general satisfaction, and as it pointed a moral on a subject in which I am interested and anxious to interest others, I wrote to Dr. Crosby, and asked him for permission to make the incident public, either with or without giving his name. I received a prompt reply, giving me a willing authorization to publish the incident and also to use his name. Truly he being dead yet speaketh.

I observed that in some of the biographical sketches which appeared after his death, in the papers, mention was made of his having lived on a farm near New York while quita boy. It was at this time that he began his blessed work for God. As I was told, he was in delicate health when a lad of nineteen and was sent with his brother to recuperate on this farm. Their good mother put the boys in charge of a faithful old Irish servant. That she was a devout Roman Catholic "goes without saying."

The young lads accustomed to family prayers at home, decided that they would at least read the word of God together every morning.