world by the Great Moral Governor, and bound by the strongest obligations and motives to be faithful, active, and persevering in the duties of this station. In few instances have time and talents been so diligently, conscientiously, and usefully employed. A genius active and original, a judgment distinguished and correct, and a retentive memory, improved by a learned education and habitual and close industry, and united to Christian faith and temper, could not fail to make a character of eminent usefulness and honour. We have reason to bless the great Head of the Church that he devoted himself to the Christian ministry, and entered into the spirit of his office. With what diligence and zeal he strove to acquire and communicate a Christian knowledge, none present can be ignorant. Seizing the early hour of the day, superior to the enticements of indolence, abhorring idleness, finishing whatever study or inquiry he had begun, and using recreations and visits as preparations for serious pursuits, his mind became enriched with a large store of theological and evangelical learning. But his ardent curiosity did not confine itself to the mere studies of his profession. Not by slighting any of the public or private duties of his office, but by superior economy of time and industry, he redeemed leisure to carry his researches into other fields of literature, suited to gratify his taste and increase his usefulness. How well he join

ed to theology and general literature the knowl

men,

edge of human nature and the character of was evinced by his discourses, adapted to real life, and unfolding the secret springs of action; and by his conversation and behaviour, suited to persons, times, and places.

"Such intellectual and moral attainments could not but render him an important character to the world, to his country, and to the religious, literary, and domestic societies with which he was connected. The world has reaped the fruits of his labours and researches, not only in his professional studies, but in other departments of literature; in writings which will maintain their reputation so long as readers of piety and taste and lovers of historical truth remain. It is a painful circumstance attending his death, that it stops the progress of a useful and interesting work, for which the public voice pronounces him peculiarly qualified, and which the world of letters hoped he might extend through the successive periods of his country's history.*

"How he magnified the office of the Christian ministry, you and others who enjoyed his ministrations, who joined in his prayers, who sat under his preaching, and who saw him in the private duties of his station, can better conceive than I describe. If a judicious and seasonable choice of subjects, pertinacity in thought, clearness in method, and warmth in application; if *The American Biography.

tor.

language plain and perspicuous, polished and nervous; if striking illustration; if evangelical doctrines and motives; if a seriousness and fervour, evincing that the preacher's own mind was affected; if a pronunciation free and natural, distinct and emphatical, are excellences in public teaching, you, my brethren of this society, have possessed them in your deceased pasYour attention was never drawn from the great practical views of the Gospel by the needless introduction of controversial subjects, nor your minds perplexed, nor your devotional feelings damped by the cold subtleties of metaphysics. His preaching was designed to make you good and happy, and not to gain your applause. While the manner, as well as the matter, was suited to affect the heart, no attempt was made to overbear your imaginations and excite your passions by clamorous and affected tones.

"While the Church is deprived of a distinguished minister, the republic of letters of an accomplished scholar and writer, the country mourns a patriot. Ever a strenuous asserter of the rights of the colonies in speech and writing, and a warm friend of the Revolution which accomplished the independence of the United States, he was also a decided advocate and supporter of the government of our own choice which succeeded, and of the Constitution of the states in union, which he considered the bulwark His love of our national security and welfare.

of true liberty was equal to his hatred of licentiousness; his zeal for the equal rights of man to his zeal for the defeat of faction and anarchy.' Actuated by public spirit, and viewing it the duty of every citizen to throw his whole weight into the scale on the side of law and order, he was earnest in his wishes and prayers for the government of his country, and in critical periods took an open and unequivocal, and, as far as professional private duties allowed, an active part.

"The academies and societies instituted for arts and sciences, for promoting historical knowledge and humanity, as well as the University, are deprived of all that assistance and support which, as far as health permitted, they derived from one whose preponderating desire was to do good, whose solid mind was superior to the vanity of applause, and valued everything in proportion to its utility.

"As a son, a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and neighbour, what he was their bleeding hearts can tell who were connected with him in these interesting relations; who knew his kind and cheerful temper, his sincere and guileless disposition, his disinterested benevo lence, and his activity in every good work."