But still more deep and salutary impressioss were made on his mind by the instructions of the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, under whose faithful and powerful ministry his childhood was spent. That great man was indeed a burning and shining light in the American church. For sound piety, clear and discriminating intellect, and energetic eloquence, he has had few superiors in any age or country. But these strong and cultivated powers of Dr. Bel. lamy, which qualified him for the discussion of the most profound and sublime subjects, were united with a happy familiarity of style and manner, which rendered his instructions easy to be understood by the lowest of his hearers. The fact deserves notice, that the sermons of one, who was among the first preachers of his age, often made a deep impression upon the hearts of children. Nor did he think himself excused from feeding the lambs of his flock in more particular manner, pressed as he was with the labors of the study, the care of the churches, and of students in theology. The intervals betwixt divine service on the Sabbath, he statedly devoted to the catechetical instruction of the children, who were collected from all parts of his parish, and arranged in classes for that purpose. On these occasions, as well as in pastoral visits, his particular attention was attracted by the sprightliness of young Hooker, which he did not fail to encourage by little presents, and other marks of approbation. Though Dr. Bellamy, in his intercouse with men, was often chargeable with austerity of manners, he could,

a

with perfect ease, accommodate himself to the tender capacities of children, and exhibit all that simplicity and kindness which are requisite in their instruction.*

It was the will of Providence that the invaluable religious privileges which had attended Mr. Hooker's childhood, should be.

Let it not be thought foreign to the design of these pages, to say, that so eminent an example is worthy of imitation. the churches of our country, probably there are too few, who suitably blend the labors of the study with the details of pastoral duty. We have deemed it more honorable to speculate than to act. We have sunk the catechist in the metaphysician. Our champions have not learned the Blessed art of building the walls of wield the polemie pen with the other. Jerusalém with one hand, while they Men of the world reverse this proceeding. They rely more upon action, than upon speculation. The latter has its use in the affairs of husbandry, commerce, and war. But it is action that gives men bread; that builds and mans fleets; that establishes and overturns empires. Nothing but systematic and vigorous action, can repair the waste places of the church, and make her comely as Jerusalem, and Christian ministers should unite, for exterrible as an army with banners. ample, in the work of catechising children and youth, and carry it to its highest practicable extent, what an incalculable amount of good would be accomplished! In every place almost, it would attach the hearts of old and young to their pastor. It would assist him in adapting the instructions of the pulpit to the capacities of his hearers, and have a tendency to render his sermons serious, plain and profitable. It would enable him to turn to the best account his pastoral visits, and, in some of those precious moments that are too often wasted, on such occasions, to drop a serious remark that infant mind. would fix an indelible impression on the

Among the excellent ministers that adorn

If

The system of catechising as practised in Scotland, has been productive of the most salutary consequences, and probably it is not too much to say, that in this country more has been done to promote correct religious opinions, by that little manual called the Assembly's Catechism, than by any other mere human compe stion.

suspended, in some measure, though he was soon transferred to the pastoral care of another faithful, evangelical minister. When he was fourteen years of age, his father removed his resi dence from Bethlem to Farmington. Concerning his situation for a number of succeeding years, the writer of this is possessed of only a few general facts. His literary advantages were inconsiderable. His em ployment was daily labor on his father's farm; and he made no ther calculation than that of pursuing husbandry as his busiRess for life.

At the age of twenty, he besame the subject of very deep solicitude respecting his spirital state. Though he had seldom indulged himself in any thing inconsistent with strict decorum; though his blameless deportment had acquired him the character of an "amiable youth" among his acquaintance, yet the Spirit of God was pleas ed to show him, that, under this fair exterior, was concealed a heart desperately wicked. He saw himself to be a perishing sinner. His convictions became more intense and distressing, till he was disqualified for company, amusement or business; and he secluded himself from the world for a season. At length, 'He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shined in his heart, to give him the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'. At least he entertained a humble hope, that he was created anew in Christ Jesus, unto good works; and his subsequent life afforded abundant evidence, that his hope was genuine. The

change of heart, in this case, was of course less apparent,, though not less real, than that which took place in Saul of Tarsus. Do skeptics, and cold nominah Christians, sneer at such pangs of conscience in a lovely youth? Do they stigmatize conviction and conversion as a dream of fanaticism? What does this prove? Not that experimen tal religion is a dream; but that they, who account it so, are strangers to its power in their own souls."

From this period, Mr. Hooker became a decided Christian. His zeal for God was ardent, though tempered with habitual discretion and meekness. Religion was the chief topic of his thoughts in retirement; and of his conversation among his acquaintance.

He was baptised by the Rev. Timothy Pitkin, and admitted to full communion with the church in Farmington. His heart was soon fixed on the Christian Ministry, as his future employment. This was made the subject of much solemn. prayer and deliberation. Many difficulties were to be encountered, which a person of less zeal and fortitude might have deemed insuperable. The pecuniary aid which his father could afford him, was inadequate to meet the expenses of a public education. But trusting in God, he resolved to proceed; and the divine blessing manifestly attended and prospered the resolution. Benevolent individuals encouraged and assisted him. During his preparatory classical studies, he never lost sight of his main purposc. The desire of devoting his life to the blessed work of preaching the Gus.

pel, seemed to be the impulse which excited and sanctified all his efforts in acquiring knowledge. It deserves to be noticed here, that some of the best and most useful men have struggled through many discouragements in early life. To pass by many names, that might be mentioned in confirmation of this remark, Dr. Isaac Milner, now Dean of Carlisle, and Master of Trinity College, was once an apprentice in a woolen factory at Leeds. Buchanan and Jay, who will long be held in honorable remembrance by the Christian world, were rescued from obscurity, and raised to distinguished usefulness, by the hand of charity.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; Full many a flow'r is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'

If the friends of the Redeemer were but properly awake to the duty of searching out indigent young men, of promising piety and genius, to be educat. ed for the ministry, doubtless many would be found, who would be an inestimable acquisition to the Church. The public and systematic attention given to this subject, within the last ten years, will form an era in the ecclesiastical concerns of this country. These noble and auspicious beginnings, it is devoutly to be hoped, will be followed up with efforts correspondent to the magnitude of the object, till every evangelical college in the country shall be furnished with a respectable fund, appropriated to this purpose. Most certain ly, unless the solemn attention of Christians can be drawn to this object, and the united pray.

ers and labors of the Church can be directed to its accomplishment, the number of ministers must continue to be altogether inadequate to the demand for their labors. For the want of pious, orthodox, able preachers, even many of our ancient and once respectable congregations will inevitably fall a prey to sectarian and heretical opinions; or sink into the darkness and licentiousness of heathenism. Still more deplorable is the condition of our new settlements. Amidst the wide spreading population of these extensive regions, churches are rapidly forming; but where can pastors be found to supply them? They look to the churches and seminaries in the older districts of the country and cry, "Send us Christian Pastors: give us the bread of life." Must we close our ears to this call; or, instead of bread, give them a stone or a serpent! Alas, the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. It may properly be added here, that no one perhaps has felt this subject more deeply, than the excellent man, whose circumstances in early life furnished the occasion for these remarks. An occurrence which took place in the autumn of 1809, will illustrate his feelings with reference to the point in question.

on certain conditions, stipulating a repayment at some convenient time. Mr. Hooker, then in fee. ble health, and just about to take his departure for Carolina with no sanguine expectations of meeting his brethren again in this world, opposed the article firmly and earnestly. He appealed to his own painful experience; and begged that the society might not frustrate its own good intentions, by resorting to a measure so inadequate to its object: a charity which might place a deserving man in the ministry, to be weighed down with accumulated embarrassments, which would paralize his efforts or break his heart.

Notwithstanding the late period at which Mr. Hooker commenced his studies, and the many disadvantages under which he prosecuted them, his talents and industry rendered him respectable as a scholar. His sound judgment, his amiable temper, his conscientious and exact regard to propriety, in all his conduct, secured him the esteem of his instructors, and of his associates. But consistent and eminent piety was the most conspicuous trait of his character. The habitual influence of this principle, wrought into the soul, was apparent even amidst the many temptations to stupidity and frivolity, which always at tend the intercourse of young men in college. These remarks might be illustrated by many extracts from his letters, written at that period; but only the following short ones can be admitted.

Addressing two persons whom he loved most tenderly, he said, "O my dear friends, how matters

Another example may show his disposition to make a religious improvement of common occurrences. "We had last night a terrible tempest of thunder and lightning. The President's house was struck, but no person hurt. In a storm of thunder there is something surprising and awful: but O the day when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the world be set on fire! an event how important, how interesting to all the sons of men! Woe to the wicked; it shall be ill with him; for the revard of his hands shall be given him."

Though Mr. Hooker's health was generally good, he was once severely sick of a pleurisy, while in college, which laid the foundation for subsequent attacks of the same disease, and not improbably for that which terminated his life.

He was graduated at Yale College in 1789. His theological studies he pursued under the direction of his friend and benefactor, the Rev. William Rovinson, of Southington. Having been regularly licensed, he preached in several vacant parishes, and received a call to become the pastor of the church in Stonington, (Con.) To this call he gave a negative answer, and was sport

ly after invited to Goshen. The people of that town had been rent into parties, by the dismis. sion of their former minister. A controversy existed in the church, so stubborn as scarcely to admit the hope of an amicable termination. But the mild influence of Mr. Hooker's character and example soon produced a salutary and manifest effect upon the people. The asperity of contention nearly ceased. Two of the neighboring ministers were invited to assist in a couneil; a happy reconciliation of hostile parties was the result; and Mr. Hooker was with great unanimity chosen as their pastor, and ordained in Sept. 1791. In June, 1792, Mr. Hooker was married to Miss Phebe Edwards, daughter of Timothy Edwards, Esq. of Stockbridge, (Mass.) and granddaughter of the first President Edwards. The principles, which influensed him in forming this connexion, were illustrated to all who knew the family, by the uncom. anon share of domestic happiness, which resulted from it.

For a number of years, his ministry was not attended with any circumstances of special importance to distinguish it from the ordinary relations of a faithul pastor to his people. The fire of contention, which had raged so fiercely in the parish before his connexion with it, was not smothered for a moment to burst out again with more destructive fury: it was extinguish ed. The harmony which his in#uence had contributed to restore, was, under God, continued and confirmed by the same influence.

In the autumn of 1794, and again in the winter of 1795, he went as a missionary to the northwestern district of Vermont, where his labors are still remembered with affectionate gratitude by many.

He performed his pastoral duties with an exemplary prudence and fidelity, which secured the growing confidence and affection. of his people. But possessing a deep sense of eternal things, and an ardent love to souls, he was far from being satisfied with the approbation of his hearers, while he saw the greater part of them carelessly rushing on to the inevitable and endless perdition that awaits the ungodly. was deeply distressed with this prevailing insensibility to divine things.

He

In the year 1798, it pleased God to begin, in various parts of Connecticut, a powerful work of grace, which will never be forgotten. The church in Goshen, with their beloved pastor, were much animated. Conferences and prayer-meetings were instituted; Christians were refreshed; but the sleep of death still reigned over the parish. In Feb. 1799, Mr. Hooker went on a preaching tour into several places in the neighborhood, and exchanged pulpits, on the Sabbath, with the Rev. Mr. Hallock, of West Simsbury. On the Monday following, Mr. Hallock returned to meet a circle of ministers at New Hartford, and on entering the room where they were convened, said: "Brother Hooker, there is an awakening at Goshen." At such unexpected tidings, a thousand tender emotions rushed upon the