to sever such ties; and we consequently find among his papers traces of an ample correspondence, by degrees, however, narrowing down to those nearest to him in affection or pursuits in life.

In the latter class we find several who had entered the ministry of other denominations, seeking from him advice, or thanking him for past kindness. As usual, we have but few of his own, and must gather our knowledge of their contents, as it were, by reflected light.

FROM THE REV. H. KOLLOCK.

'Nassau Hall, June 11th, 1798.

I have too long neglected to answer your agreeable letter, but you know that our resolutions on this subject are often unavoidably broken within the walls of a college, though our affection may remain undiminished.

I have at length finished Patrick and begun Lowth. The former is like a desolate field, where the soil may produce some valuable plants, but all the surrounding scenery appears unengaging; whilst the latter resembles those fields of Arabia which he describes, where the lofty cedar, the medicinal balm, and the fragrant flower bloom beside each other. I think, however, that he is too lavish of his corrections of the sacred text; for though some of them are absolutely necessary, yet I do not think that any should be introduced merely to cause a parallelism of the lines, or to add to the beauty of an expression. It is of too much consequence to establish the belief of Christians, concerning the general authenticity of the Scriptures, to permit such freedom.

I suppose that by this time, my dear friend, you have become a minister of CHRIST. I pray GoD that you may be happy, zealous, and successful; that the blessed spirit of grace may rest upon you, and make your preaching efficacious for arresting the presumptuous and deluded sinner; for pouring consolation into the wounded conscience, and for building up the saints in holiness and faith. May you pass through this life supported by your Saviour; and when you stand before his tribunal to render your final account, may you see many souls who have been converted by your ministry, and who shall be crowns of your everlasting rejoicing. Oh! my friend, may we both meet there, and, though bearing different names here below, may we both be interested in the salvation of the common Redeemer. HENRY KOLLOCK.'

FROM MR. D. COMFORT.

Dear Sir,

'Mapleton, June 20th, 1798.

The period is not far distant, when it is expected I will appear in a more public capacity than at present. In September the Presbytery expect to license me to preach the Gospel. They may, perhaps, be willing to do it, but to me it is frequently a doubt whether in duty I ought to apply for it. The nearer it approaches, the more important it appears, and the more diffident do I feel to undertake the sacred office. I can perceive so much corruption and depravity still existing within, and so little holiness and real religion, that I am frequently almost discouraged. I still, however, hope these doubts and difficulties will be so removed that I may with cheerfulness, and humble boldness, enter into

the service of the blessed Redeemer, and find, by experience, "his yoke to be easy and his burthen light.”

I have merely heard that you are ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, as you expected, without hearing any particulars. I hope you may have the pleasure of seeing the work of the LORD prosper under your labors, by the addition of many members to his Church.

The melancholy news of my father's death has borne heavy upon my mind. Although from his age, being more than seventy, I could not but soon expect it, yet there seemed no doubt on my mind but I should see him once more. I anticipated the joyful meeting after an absence of nearly two years; and when I recollected my own feelings, and his own expressions of joy, after an absence of a few months, the idea of that which I trusted was not far distant was greatly heightened. And how frequently did I dwell with pleasure on the thought of having it in my power, in a short time, of contributing to the support of his old age, and the comfort of his declining years. But these expectations are all blighted, and I am left without a parent. But "mercy is always mixed with judgment."

Yours affectionately,

DAVID COMFORT.'

During this summer the yellow fever again prevailed in Philadelphia, and extended to the neighboring villages; this summoned him, during his short residence, to many painful calls of duty, to some of which allusion is made in his correspondence.

A letter to his friend Mercer touches upon one instance which appears to have long rested on his memory. The fever,' says he, in a letter of the date of 18th September, 'rages with the greatest violence in the city; more than threefourths, it is thought, of the inhabitants have removed to the country, or to camps on the

commons.

Nor does death confine his ravages

to the city-several in the country have died, supposed to have taken the fever in the city. Among these, the death of Miss Breck, and of Miss Westcott, who was on a visit to her, excites peculiar interest. They died, after a few days' illness, on the same day. I was at the house the day Miss W. died-went with the corpse to the grave between eight and nine in the evening -while absent there, Miss Breck also died, and was buried before morning. Yet these affecting instances of mortality seem to produce very little effect upon any but those who immediately suffer by them in their friends or property.'

That he himself deeply felt this sudden visitation, and was unwilling to lose the impression of it, would appear from the careful preservation among his papers, of the following little note and enclosure from the surviving sister, dated the following day.

'Miss Breck, at the request of her parents, encloses a note of supplication and thanks to Heaven, to be read

or omitted, as the judgment of Mr. Hobart shall direct, at the Morning Service. When Mr. Hobart can with safety visit them, Miss B. will derive much consolation from conversing with him on the important subject of that future state, whither are now consigned the beloved sister and friend of her heart.

Sunday Morning.

The enclosure is as follows:

‘A family of this church desire to return thanks to ALMIGHTY GOD for his divine mercy in restoring to the hopes of safety a young woman, who has been for many days dangerously ill. They also implore his divine assistance to enable them so to bear their late heavy calamities, as shall render them worthy of that Christian faith in which they profess to believe.'

Of this afflicted family no further records remain, but they who knew the ardor and devotedness of their young pastor's feelings in after-life, will readily conceive that no prudential scruples kept him back from the house of mourning.

In answer to a letter communicating this, or some similar dispensation, one of his correspondents observes:

'I condole with you. May we look from secondary to primary causes, and may the judgments of GOD which are in the earth lead us to amend our lives, and teach us righteousness. He alone can dissipate the