"There was a general impression that he was a proud man, among those who knew him but slightly. But never was there a charge more unfounded. A certain loftiness of deportment, perhaps a little stiffness of manners, and the occasional neglect of returning those salutations in the street, which the courtesies of life seem to require, might have given rise to this supposition, and can alone serve for its apology. For never did I know a human being, who entertained a more humble opinion of himself, was more diffident of his own talents, or less inclined to give pain or offence to any living creature. What I here affirm, I affirm on my own personal knowledge and observation, and should consider flattery of any kind, on this solemn occasion, the worst species of hypocrisy.

"Bishop Parker was a man of distinguished prudence, and this virtue in him was pure and unalloyed. It was entirely unmixed with cunning, the despicable vice of little minds, and mean capacities. He scorned to gain a moment's popularity by a trick, and simulation and dissimulation he utterly disdained. His prudence was of the most manly kind, the result of naturally good feelings and intuitive good sense, which led him to think, and speak, and act the very thing he ought, and to support a character of dignity and propriety at all times, and in every situation.

"As a citizen, he was in the highest degree useful, and in this view of his character, there is not, perhaps, an individual in Boston, whose loss will be more extensively felt. There is not a society in town, established for the promotion of public good, or private benevolence, of which he was not a distinguished member, and, in most of them, an active officer. Whatever tended to improve or ameliorate the condition of his fellow-citizens, was the constant object of his care and attention, and he zealously co-operated in every plan devised for that purpose. Such was his acknowledged integrity, and so great the opinion of his judgment, that he was often chosen as umpire, or

arbitrator, to decide the disputes of individuals, and if his decisions were sometimes unsatisfactory, they were always just and impartial. To the widow and orphan, he was the comforter, adviser, and friend. Whatever property they inherited, he laid out to the utmost advantage; and if it proved insufficient for their support, he was zealous in promoting subscriptions for their relief.” He was consecrated Bishop of the "Eastern Diocese" in 1804, but ere he had discharged a single duty of his new dignity, he died.

I have extended these extracts, because they are almost as applicable to Bishop Dehon as to Bishop Parker-to the pupil as to the preceptor. May not these points of character, as they must have been admired, have been almost unconsciously imitated?

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It needs scarcely to be observed, that the same diligence which he had employed at the academy, was now consecrated to the noblest of sciences, even to that which is unto salvation.' And his friends had the great satisfaction to perceive that he grew daily, not in knowledge only, but in virtue also; in favour with men, and, as they had good reason to hope, with his God. The temptations to which his youth, beauty, and reputation exposed him, would have injured any heart in which religious principle was not deeply rooted. But he passed uncontaminated through the gay season of life. He bore his honors meekly. Few, very few, have been able so to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Let the glory be ascribed to that divine grace on which he habitually placed his whole reliance, and which he often invoked with strong cries and many tears. This may seem a proper place to introduce his sentiments on "Early Piety," although they are extracted from a sermon dated in the year following to that of which we are now treating. He intended the discourse to be admonitory to himself, as well as to others, for he uses the expression, "at our period of life": "Other barriers are erected in this world than that of religion,

which promise instant emolument; and under them the young eagerly enlist directed by blind impulse, or thoughts which are the offspring of the moment. Solomon gave

no unnecessary advice, when he said 'Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth.' It is a mistaken idea, that religion is best accommodated to the sedateness of age; and is incompatible with the pursuits of youth.— Never does it appear more lively, or dispense a more salutary influence than when it glows in the youthful breast it does not convert the cheerfulness of this season into gloom; it imposes no restraint upon the innocent hilarity of the morning of life. But it gives a cast of rationality to our pleasures, and so regulates them that they may not leave stings in the bosom; nor vanish with the heat of youthful blood. It is true, it checks the wild eccentricities of passion, and the illusive vagaries of folly. They are like the sudden flashes of inflammable air, which are momentary, in their duration and render the atmosphere smoky, and corrupt. Instead of these, religion substitutes the purer real pleasures of benevolence, contentment, complacency, self-government and piety. She refines the feelings which yield rational delight, and moderates the transports whose excess brings misery. The tendency of the one is to ennoble a man, and render him satisfied with himself; the tendency of the other is to degenerate a man, and render him debased in his own eyes." "If it

be necessary ever to be religious, it is to be always so. Religion is not a dress accommodated to a certain age. It is a garment in which we are to be always attired to meet our Lord when he comes. Every moment of life is more precious than all the glittering joys which pleasure can display. Age, unable with pleasure to review the past, destitute of principles to illumine the present, and without religion to satisfy it with a prospect of eternity, must, methinks, be an unenviable lot. On the contrary, that evening of that life cannot but be pleasant, which has been spent in a manner conformable with the will of the

Most High, and as becometh rational and moral beings. Review of the past is then satisfaction, and anticipation is bliss. The Lord has a claim to the first fruits of our being. To offer to Deity the remains of a life which has been devoted to vice and folly, is not accomplishing the end for which he gave us existence. The man who dedicates the morning of his days to the author of his being, will have a rich harvest of joy. I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me.""

CHAPTER II.

His Ministry at Newport.

MR. DEHON was ordained a deacon by Bishop Baas, at Newburyport, Massachusetts, on the 24th December, 1797, and was immediately elected rector of Trinity Church, Newport, Rhode-Island. The following was his letter of

acceptance:

To the Congregation of Trinity Church at Newport.

"Gentlemen,-The convincing proof of your anxiety for my settlement among you as your rector, exhibited in your renewed application, flatters and affects me. When I answered your former proposals, the predominant objection against a compliance with your wishes was the want of a stipend adequate to the situation. But for this, I should have been influenced by your unanimity, and felt it my duty to comply with your request. This objection being silenced by your second resolve, and the same unanimity of proceeding having continued, I feel it an obligation to accept, with cheerfulness, the rectorship of your Church. Relying for assistance upon that Being, who alone is capable of blessing men with endowments equal to the offices which they are called to sustain, I promise, on my part, to discharge the several duties of that office, which I now accept, so far as I am able, and so long as the providence of God shall see fit to continue me in the same. It will, doubtless, gentlemen, be most agreeable to you, and it will be most convenient for me, that I receive holy orders before I meet you at Newport. As a presentation from you will be expected by the bishop, it is necessary that it should