In pursuance of the last resolution, a beautiful monument was erected within the space of a few months, of the sarcophagus form, and containing the following inscription:

IN MEMOR Y

OF

THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, D.D.

BORN IN NEW CANAAN, CONN., OCT. 29TH, 1767.

ORDAINED AND INSTALLED PASTOR OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MORRISTOWN, N. J., 1794.

INSTALLED PASTOR OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN NEWARK, N. J., 1809.

INAUGURATED PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AUBURN, N. Y., 1823.

DIED AUGUST 2, 1843.

His Record is on High.

The Alumni of the Seminary join with the Family of the Deceased in erecting this Monument to Departed Worth.

CHAPTER VI.

NOTICES OF HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE IN VARIOUS RELATIONS.

THE person of Dr. Richards was well suited to introduce him to the respect of others. His frame was tall and commanding. The features and expression of his countenance constituted no uncertain index either of his strength of intellect or kindness of heart. Many have remarked, that "Dr. Richards was one of nature's noblemen." His manly form, his dignified movement, his intelligent and benignant countenance, and his gentle and affectionate address, could not fail to secure the admiration of those who are willing to "give honor to whom honor is due." "When he went out to the gate through the city, the young men hid themselves, and the aged arose and stood up. * When the ear heard him, then it blessed him, and when the eye saw him it gave witness to him."

The social character of Dr. Richards was marked by much simplicity, frankness, patience, kindness and integrity. He was a friend in whom "the heart doth safely trust;" a husband affectionate and devoted; a father that "provoked not his children to wrath, but brought them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In his business relations, he "owed no man anything ;" in his relations to the State, he claimed his rights as a citizen, and led "a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty;" as a pastor and teacher, he was "kind, and easy to be entreated."

The uprightness of Dr. Richards was well nigh proverbial. In matters of worldly business, he both avoided

and despised a mean and dishonest transaction. Next to vital godliness, did the exhibition of practical honesty give him pleasure. I may here relate an incident, in connection with his history, the remembrance of which he cherished with much interest, as a happy illustration of sterling integrity.

While at Newark, his brother, Silas Richards, then a successful merchant in Liverpool, England, proposed to furnish him a valuable accession to his library. To secure, however, a selection of books suited to the wants of a clergyman, he placed a sum of money at the disposal of his pastor, Dr. Raffles, a name which has been long and favorably known in this country, and desired him to procure the books. In compliance with the request, Dr. Raffles procured and forwarded a large number of choice literary, as well as standard theological works, of his own country. After the lapse of nearly a quarter of a century, he found, accidentally, that a small balance was still standing to the credit of his friend. He immediately put principal and interest together, and sent the value in books to Dr. Richards, thus accomplishing the liberal intention of the donor, and gratifying the object of the benefactions, both in their reception and in the beautiful exemplification of a rigid integrity on the part of his brother in the ministry. Upon a mind formed like that of the subject of this sketch, such incidents make impressions never to be forgotten. He lamented deeply the prevalence of principles in the commercial world, with which the honesty taught in the Bible has no sympathy; and no man could forfeit his confidence sooner, than by even a slight deviation from the path of practical uprightness.

While a lover and an exemplar of justice, he also loved and practiced the virtues of benignity and kindness. In nothing was this manifest, more than in those relations in which he was regarded as the superior. If

invested with the authority of the teacher, the dignity of his position became the occasion for condescension and kindness-never for coldness and reserve. He regarded a high position chiefly for the opportunities it furnished for doing good. Says a former pupil, "He was the humble, tender-hearted, sympathizing friend, rather than the cold, assured, self-sufficient professor." Says another:

"There is one peculiarity in the character of Dr. Richards, which I think deserves special notice. I refer to his tender and affectionate sympathy for the young men placed under his instruction. In all his intercourse with them, whether in the lecture-room, or elsewhere, while he ever maintained the dignity becoming his station, he at the same time made them feel at ease, and allowed them that unembarrassed freedom of discussion and inquiry, which greatly tended to elicit and impress truth, remove ignorance and prejudice, and render his instructions at once acceptable and profitable.

"And when the poor and friendless student needed counsel, he found easy and welcome access to the heart of his beloved teacher; and when any of his pupils were afflicted with spiritual trials, and troubled with doubts and solicitudes, they had no difficulty in approaching Dr. Richards, and found him ever ready to sympathize with them, and prompt to minister such consolation and advice as the circumstances of the case seemed to require."

Dr. Richards also loved to bend himself to all the familiarities and charities of domestic life; and while he maintained the dignity of the Christian, and the Christian Minister, yet no man found higher enjoyment in the appropriate and affectionate reciprocities of the family relations. He was the companion, as well as the husband and the father, in the domestic circle. For nearly half a century he and his wife traveled life's journey together, in obedience to the vows, and in the enjoyment of the rich and appropriate blessings, of the marriage covenant, as well as "heirs together of the grace of life."

But we shall take occasion to dwell particularly upon the character of Dr. Richards in the parental relation. The writer is led to this the more, from the peculiar admiration created in his own mind of this character, as developed in his written correspondence with his children.

It may be proper to furnish the reader with some extracts from a few of the many letters which Dr. Richards addressed to his children. It may also aid the reader if we announce the subject to which each extract particularly relates.

TO HIS SECOND DAUGHTER.

Theatre going." You correctly judged that I should be pleased to learn that one visit to the theatre was sufficient to satisfy you, and more than to satisfy. Whatever may be said of that species of amusement, it is an undoubted truth, that it will always adapt itself to the corruptions of mankind, either more covertly or more openly, and ultimately tend to make a depraved world more depraved."

TO HIS ELDEST SON.

Entering College." You have now left your father's house, perhaps never to return to it as a permanent residence. It is impossible for me to express the solicitude which I feel for your welfare. * Having mingled but little with men, you are not yet aware of the force of corrupt example, nor into how many snares you may be led by the strength of your own passions, and by the enticements of those who are willing to see others as abandoned as themselves. With all the tenderness of parental affection, let me entreat you to have but few acquaintances; and let those few be select, such as you are assured will be of no disservice to you, either in the pursuit of your studies or in your moral deportment. Be attentive to the order and regulations of college. Never absent yourself from recitations or prayers. Much will depend upon your beginning well, and forming habits at the outset which will be creditable to you among the students, and secure the confidence of the Faculty. And having made a good beginning, persevere. Your collegiate course will be likely to stamp your character through life. I would earnestly recommend it to you to

husband your time.

As to your moral deportment, let it