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absence from his congregation for a few months, in the hope of being able to return to them with invigorated health. His request was readily granted, and he went immediately to Philadelphia, and stopped with a much loved friend there for about six weeks. Thence he went to Richmond, Va., and afterwards to Brooklyn, N.Y.; and then to Clifton Springs. Being fully impressed with the conviction that his malady must soon prove fatal, he requested that he might be carried back to Washington to die; and, accordingly, he reached his earthly home a little less than a week before he took possession of the building of God. His departure was eminently peaceful, and even glorious. He died on the 30th of September, 1868.

In October, 1840, he was married to Emma, youngest daughter of Horace Brooks, M.D., of Parishville, where he spent his early years. Mrs. Gurley and five children three sons and two daughters — survived him.

Dr. Gurley had a well formed and robust frame, that seemed fittingly to represent his intellectual and moral character. He had great power of endurance, and could perform more labor than almost any of his contemporaries. He was earnest and firm, yet condescending and conciliatory. His preaching was not highly impassioned, but it was eminently clear, evangelical, and spirited, and fitted to find its way to both the understanding and the heart. As a Pastor, he united great discretion with great fidelity, and no one knew better than he how to mingle in scenes of sorrow. As a Presbyter, the various ecclesiastical bodies with which he

was connected have testified their respect for him and their confidence in him, by placing him in their highest positions of influence and responsibility. As a Christian, he was humble, zealous, consistent; and his grand inquiry always was, what his Lord and Master would have him to do.

CHAPTER FOURTH.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES (NEW SCHOOL BRANCH).

BY THE REV. Z. M. HUMPHREY, D.D.

Each branch of the Church has its own individual life. First Officers of the New School.-Samuel Fisher, D.D.-The Rev. E. W. Gilbert. Erskine Mason, D.D.-Edward D. Griffin, D.D.-James Patterson, D.D.- Gideon Blackburn, D.D.-James Richards, D.D.— Henry Mills, D.D.- Henry White, D.D. — Edward Robinson, D.D. —Lyman Beecher, D.D. Thomas Brainerd, D.D. George Duffield, D.D. Artemas Bullard, D.D. The Rev. Frederick Starr, Jr. Thornton A. Mills, D.D. Frederick Starr, Esq.-Hon. William Jessup.

EVERY vigorous association has an organic life, which is marked more or less clearly by individual characteristics. This is especially true of the Church of Christ. In a subordinate sense, it is true of each of the divisions of the Church. The Greek, the Roman, the Protestant Church each is individual. The same is true of denominations, and of the minor divisions into which denominations are separated. The history of a Church, therefore, must be treated somewhat as we treat that of a man,—presenting it in its personal character, as well as in its relations. In writing even single chapters of such a history, some analysis must be made of the elements and forces which give the history its tone.

The Presbyterian Church of America, for example, may be compared to the Mediterranean, if not to the Atlantic. It has a direct connection with the Church

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