Born to the possession of wealth, and educated for the legal profession, our departed brother early renounced the honors of the world which lay before him, that he might preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he had chosen as his guide, and had found a consolation to his heart. Though his name never travelled far beyond the bounds of his native State, he deserved to be extensively known; for wherever the qualities of his mind and heart were appreciated, they gained for him respect and strong attachment.

For a narrative of his life, the reader is referred to the Sermon at the close of this volume.

Mr. Means died on the 17th of January, 1836, at the early age of thirty-nine years, after a confinement to his chamber of only a few days. That religion which he had early chosen as his portion, and which he had spent his life in recommending to others, sustained him in view of approaching dissolution, and the expressions of resignation and trust in God, which he uttered as his end approached, will be remembered long by the several branches of the numerous and affectionate family who crowded around his dying bed, and, while he remained on earth, looked to him as their counsellor and example.

The author of the Sermons and Essay which are now presented to the reader, was tall and commanding in person, dignified and polished in manners, an object of attraction to the stranger, and of admiration to those who stood to him in the relation of kindred, or were included in the circle of friends. His voice was melodious, the expression of his countenance in conversation animated, his manner kind and amiable, his knowledge in the walks of literature extensive, his interest in the topics which have agitated the public mind.

deep, his love of his native State pure and fervent. The writer of these lines is not alone in the estimation he has formed of the character of Mr. Means.

The following letter, written by the Hon. Mr. Preston to Dr. David Means on hearing of his brother's death, shows the manner in which he was esteemed by that distinguished

senator.

"I am sure I need not tell you how deeply I sympathize, or rather, participate with you in this heavy affliction with which it has pleased Providence to visit us. As no one possessed more qualities to attract esteem and affection, so no one was the centre of a more devoted circle than that which now deplores the loss of our friend and brother. With so cultivated an understanding, with so pure a heart, with such exalted piety, and such generous devotion to wise and benevolent purposes, there is something that strikes the mind as mysterious in the fact as well as in the manner of his death. It adds at once to our grief and to our consolation that he met his death with more composure than we can contemplate it. His perfect fitness for life made him ready for death. That which makes us mourn the more, made him the more resigned; and I hear that he approached his end with that quiet and confiding acquiescence in the decrees of Providence, which his precepts and example through life had taught to others. I have not known a man who united in so eminent a degree, the highest qualities of a gentleman and a Christian; in whose life and conversation there was such a uniform beauty, or whose amiable character resulted so much more from the presence of virtues, than the absence of faults. The generous impulses of his heart had prompted him to cultivate his mind as a duty, and his cul

tivated mind had regulated, refined, and exalted the impulses of his heart, and this blending of his moral and intellectual being, made him a man to be loved and venerated. I hope that my long and tender friendship for him, entitle me to mingle my griefs with those of his family."

Mr. Means's mind was not characterized by brilliancy so much as by strength and independence. His favorite studies are said, by those best acquainted with his pursuits, to have been mathematics and metaphysics. His taste was correct and chastened. The Sermons which occupy this volume will show to the reader the marks of correct sense, expressed in an easy and harmonious style. As specimens of composition, those of them which were the most carefully written, are entitled to praise for purity, clearness and succinctness, as well as for their moral excellence. The Essay on the Pentateuch, as the prefatory article prefixed to it informs us, was written in answer to the pamphlet of Dr. Cooper on the same subject. The Geological theory adopted by this gentleman, then the president of South Carolina college, is irreconcilable with the commonly received interpretation of the Mosaic Cosmogony. Dr. Cooper proceeded, therefore, as many others who did not believe in the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures have done before him, to disprove the genuineness of the Pentateuch as a writing of Moses.

Mr. Means, by his Essay in answer to Dr. Cooper, performed a service acceptable to the Christian public: and he received from several individuals entitled to great respect, their thanks for the service thus rendered to the cause of revelation.* The Essay is commended to the perusal of all

Among others, from bishop Bowen of Charleston, who, in a letter to Mr. Means, acknowledged his obligations for the satisfaction the Essay in question had afforded him.

interested in such inquiries, and of all who would be prepared to meet the objections of infidels. It will be found preceded in the present volume by an historical account of the controversy on the Pentateuch, from its commencement to the present time, which has been drawn up by the editor.

Some of the Sermons in this volume were selected more for the subjects of which they treat, than for any unusual marks of care apparent in their composition. The whole are believed to afford a fair specimen of the author's ordinary style of preaching. That they may tend to perpetuate his memory in the recollections of the wise and good, and may afford instruction and consolation by the truths they teach, now that the voice which gave them utterance is silent in death, is the desire and prayer of the editor. Their amiable author passed away from his earthly labors in the midst of his days, when apparently the field of effort and the sphere of usefulness were widening around him. His entrance upon the stage of life was early, his part was soon performed, and early and mournful was his exit. He has passed, we believe, to the realms of peace, and a re-union with those pious friends who went before him has already taken place. Let us all work while it is called to-day. Let us show by our deeds that we regard heaven as the only place of rest. Soon, we too, if found faithful, shall hear a voice saying, "Come up hither." May we then 'ascend up to heaven in a cloud, and our enemies behold' our escape from sin and death with unavailing regret.

THEOL SRM, COLUMBIA,}

September, 1836.