Michael's Church, Charleston, S. C. by the much regretted removal of the Rev. N. Bowen to the diocese of New-York, it was, by an unanimous vote, tendered to Mr. Dehon.

In their proceedings on the subject of filling the vacancy, it is said, "The vestry being studious to act without any impropriety towards him, or his congregation, resolved to postpone any invitation, until they can be certified whether it can be made with a probability of being acceded to by hin, and without affording any reasonable cause of displeasure to his congregation."

In his reply, dated Newport, June 27, 1809, he says: "I received your note, inclosing a resolve, by which I pray you to be assured, I feel myself very highly honoured, whether I consider its purpose, or the manner in which it has been conveyed to me. A removal to South-Carolina has, in consequence of the repeated overtures I have received from that quarter, become a subject which claims my serious consideration. But, I have many fears, that I have not strength, either of body or voice, adequate to the performance of the public duties of the ministry in that Church, especially in very warm seasons; during which, great exertions have always proved injurious to

me.

On this account it is, that if my mind was made up in favour of a removal to your city, I should prefer to accept an appointment in St. Philip's Church, where I found much less exertion necessary in performing divine service, and I am led to suppose there is more stated assistance. This preference, you will pereeive, I must naturally feel myself obliged to indulge, when I add, that the vestry of that Church have twice done me the honour of inviting me, in the most gratifying terms, to become their minister."

He thus writes to a brother clergyman:

66

'Newport, October 24, 1809. "At length, my dear sir, influenced by your persuasion, and by the impression which I have received, that the call to St. Michael's Church deserves my serious attention, I

have determined to visit Charleston on this business.With this determination I have made the vestry acquainted. There was no other way in which, with satisfaction to myself and my friends, I could bring the matter to a couclusion, And now, my dear friend, has the conflict I have dreaded, commenced. The expressions of affection, of anxiety and regret, which fall from the lips of my parishioners, and the tears of those who have been accustomed to resort to me with their cares and their wants, move my very soul. You have passed through this conflict, and know what it is. Strengthen me with your encouragement, and your prayers. I hope the divine providence is conducting my steps; and that when I get to Charleston, I shall find it good for me to be there." After his arrival in Charleston, he deliberated during several months on the course which duty called him to pursue. He made it a subject of frequent and anxious prayer, and asked the counsel and the prayers of pious persons; always having great confidence in social prayer, founded on that promise, which he would quote to his friends, "If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father, who is in heaven." The community became more and more desirous that he should settle among them, and the clergy, in particular, expressed, on this subject, much solicitude. His health, affected by the shocks it had received in Newport, though ameliorated by our climate, was yet feeble, and interrupted. But still he hesitated, lingering in heart with his beloved flock in Newport. His decision was postponed as long as possible, and was at length the triumph of his judgment over his feelings. The importance of this decision to the Church in South-Carolina, and, eventually, to the Church in general in these United States, must be felt by her members, and will be acknowledged by all who have become acquainted with his character and conduct.

In his letter to the vestry of St. Michael's Church, dated Charleston, February 16, 1810, he says: "Having received, during my short residence among you, a very agreeable impression of the state of the congregation you represent, and having made some experiment of the competency of my strength to the performance of the public duties in your Church, I shall no longer hesitate to accept the invitation to the rectorship of the same, with which you have been pleased to honour me, if I may be permitted to reserve to myself the privilege of deputing some person to perform my duties during the dangerous months of the summer. I do not wish to be understood, that I suppose it will be necessary always to avail myself of this privilege. This, you will at once perceive, would militate with the desire, which every clergyman must feel, to be as much as possible present with the flock, of which he is charged with the oversight and care. In making this reservation, I have an eye also to the feelings of my friends at the northward; with whom, the knowledge that I have made it, will have much weight, in reconciling them to my removal to this place."

The vestry unanimously resolved to accede to the terms proposed by him in the above letter, and that the salary should commence from the first day of January preceding. In his letter, dated February 19, he says: "Having received from your chairman, a copy of your resolution, acceding to the terms on which I was willing to accept the charge of your Church, I consider myself engaged to become your rector. Connected as I yet am with the Church in Newport, I must decline the acceptance of any salary from your Society, previous to the date, which shall be given to the dissolution of my connexion with the former Church." The journal of July 9, 1811, says: "The vestry having, with great concern, observed the effect which the present inclement season has unfortunately had upon the health of the Rev. Dr. Dehon, our worthy rector, and from the affectionate regard they en

tertain for him, advise, that he do, as soon as his convenience will allow, leave the State for the remainder of the summer months, although he may not be able to procure a gentleman to perform divine service in St. Michael's Church in his stead." In his reply, he says: "I have received this communication with the liveliest sense of their kindness, and beg leave to return them my very sincere thanks. Having at length succeeded in making an arrangement, by which the Church, with the blessing of God, will be kept open throughout the summer, I can now think of retiring, during the inclemency of the season, with greater satisfaction."

CHAPTER IV.

His Ministry-Charleston.

DURING the winter of 1810-11, the health of Dr. Dehon continued feeble. On Monday he always appeared to suffer in consequence of the duties of the preceding day. But he had undertaken the sole charge of the Church, and resolved not to spare himself. He often appeared in the desk, when he was scarcely well enough to be a silent worshipper, and his spirit, animated by his devotion, seemed to refresh and sustain his sinking body. His place in the pulpit was frequently supplied by his brethren, but they were invited by him in the indulgence of that humility, which loved to prefer others to himself, and of that benevolence which desired to gratify them and their friends, and not because he sought his own ease. He seldom asked assistance in the other duties of the Church. He loved to present for his people the offering of their prayer to God, and when his friends would sympathize with him, under his great labours, he would express a satisfaction, that he was permitted to labour although to exhaustion in the service of God. It is remarkable that his industry continued in a climate, of which it may almost be said, as of India by Dr. Buchanan-" This is a climate which tries the mind like a furnace. Were God to grant me a peculiar blessing, it would be the habit of industry while I remain in this country." He cultivated the idea, that, in the Church the minister, was to pray not so much for himself as for the assembled congregation. He seemed always to remember, that he was standing between