To one of her daughters, who felt a strong inclination to profess
her faith in Christ by joining the communion of his church, but yet
was afraid that her heart was not sufficiently engaged for the service
of God, Dr. Mason proposed the following question: "If," said he, "the
world, with all its wealth, pleasures, and power, were placed in one
scale, and Christ alone in the other, which would your heart freely
choose as a portion?" On her replying there would be no hesitation as
to her choice of Christ, he gave her encouragement to profess her
faith, although it might not at present amount to the full assurance
of hope.

He was indeed a faithful shepherd of his flock, and his people
mourned for him as for an affectionate father. It is much to be
desired that his example were more followed by Christian pastors. To
preach with eloquence and acceptance is a talent of great value in a
minister of the gospel; this makes him respected, and his congregation
admire him, because, for one reason, they are proud of him; but to
gain their affections, to make a congregation the children of an aged
pastor, or the friends and brethren of a younger one, let the minister
visit the families of his people; this will seal on their hearts the
regard which their understandings had already dictated.

Very few ministers have been more remarkable for a strict
attention to this duty, than the late Dr. John Mason and his venerable
and attached friend Dr. Rodgers. When the former died, the latter
exclaimed, "I feel as if I had lost a right arm."

The congregation, bereaved of their pastor, wrote immediately to
his son, the late Rev. Dr. John Mitchell Mason, to hasten his return
from Edinburgh to New York; and after preaching to them with great