visit, as often as circumstances would permit, his mother, then residing in Boston, whom he loved, honoured, and succoured all the days of her life. "He would gladly have had her reside with him, could he have obtained ber consent. Two of his sisters were prevailed upon to remove to Newport, and accept the situation which he had at first designed for his mother."

In such a manner, in the discharge of functions the most important which can be entrusted to a mortal, and in relaxations pure and elevated, and indeed useful, to his fellow-creatures, his time was passed in Newport. Abroad, he was welcomed in that character which he was most ambitious to attain-the character of a faithful minister of Christ. And his home was the abode of as high domestic felicity as probably was ever experienced in this world, since the fall. In reading his sermon, on Ps. cxxxiii. 1. the mind of his friend naturally turns to the domestic scene at Newport: "Look into the family where fraternal affection is ever awake, where no discordant note interrupts the harmony of daily occurrences, and behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' The wants and afflictions of the whole are alleviated, by mutual participation, and the success and happiness of each individual are increased, by reciprocal communication. Such a family cannot but obtain respectability with the wise and good, and is most likely to secure prosperity in the affairs of the world."

A scene of Eden-a heavenly scene like this, could only have been produced by the influence of "that wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and of good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The following extract of a letter by a lady of Virginia, written at Newport about this time, will be regarded as an appropriate conclusion of this chapter: "Mr. Dehon, the minister who has lately taken possession of Trinity Church, of French extract, the only flaw in him, is just

twenty-one years old, handsome as Adonis, with the most saint-like appearance I ever beheld, has talents, which, if heaven lends him to earth long enough to bring them to maturity, will surpass all those who have gone before him in the clerical line; his sermons of his own composing are finished pieces of rhetoric, and delivered with an elegance, fluency, and grace, that cannot fail to charm every hearer. His youthful, innocent, devout figure, would inspire a heathen with piety, what wonder, then, that your sister should listen to him with delight."

An elderly Quaker lady, who had been induced to go and hear him on some public occasion, observed to the person whom she accompanied-" Well, friend, it appears to me you have chosen your minister, as the children of Israel did their Paschal lamb, without blemish."

CHAPTER III.

His Visit to South-Carolina, and occurrences between the years. 1802 and 1810.

WE have now arrived at a period, in the life before us, particularly interesting to the Church of South-Carolina. It is both pleasant and profitable to examine the chain of divine providence. The first link, often small, is succeeded by a greater and a greater, until we come to the last, which is almost too great to be perceived by a mortal mind. What mighty consequences, even those of an immortal nature, are seen to have for their cause, a circumstance which would otherwise be considered trivial! His visit to Charleston in the winter of 1802-3, was occasioned by his ill-health. In reference to this, his congregation passed the following: "Whereas the Rev. Mr. Dehon, our rector, who has been long indisposed, hath signified to the congregation, now assembled for the purpose, by his note of yesterday's date, that his progress towards a confirmed state of health is so slow and unsteady, as to afford but little hope of his performing public service during the cold weather, and being advised by the medical gentlemen, whom he has consulted, to try the efficacy of a warmer climate, and is therefore induced, with great reluctance, and after much hesitation, to ask leave of absence during the winter season: It is voted and resolved, that the so reasonable request of our rector be granted in its fullest extent, and that his salary be continued and paid as though he was present, during his absence, most earnestly praying Almighty God to preserve his life, and restore him again, in his own good time, in

perfect health, to his anxious flock." He soon experienced benefit from our climate, and was enabled to officiate occasionally. At that time, the celebrated President Smith, of Princeton, was in Charleston, and his pulpit eloquence would have cast into the shade a merit not above mediocrity. But the young minister was very generally admired, and there were persons who retained, for many years, the impression of the discourses which he then delivered. At the Orphan Asylum, it is recollected, that he chose for his text, and none could be more appropriate, the remark applied to the infant Moses, when his ark of bulrushes was opened by the charitable princess: "Behold, the babe wept." As it is an object with us always to let him speak for himself, we are happy to have it in our power to present our readers with this ingenious, elegant, most affecting discourse.* It was natural that the author of such a discourse, not less interesting in his chaste, feeling delivery, than in his matter, should have attracted and fixed the public attention. But he was not less admired by those who were favoured with his visits and conversation. Most of the persons, who became acquainted with him, conceived a more than common regard for him; and in the observation of his high endowments, both of mind and heart, the clergyman in whose house he was hospitably accommodated,† then said, that he should be happy to see that young man bishop of this diocese. The attentions, which were chiefly induced by his reputation, and by the satisfaction which his company afforded, he attributed altogether to the benevolence of individuals, and, under the influence of gratitude, was always anxious to find opportunities to return their kindness, to themselves, their children, and their friends. In a letter, after his return to Newport, he thus writes: "I should do violence to my feelings not to mention, particularly, your worthy friends. To hear of their welfare will give me the greatest pleasure.

* See Appendix, No. III.

The Rev. Thomas Frost.

There are many questions which I have to ask you, about my esteemed friends. The recollection of — -'s humane visits and attentions sometimes cheers me, at this distance, in a gloomy day. and my worthy

friend Mr.

Mrs.

-, and many others, who, you know, are dear to me is it well with them all?-whose kind attentions do now give a peculiar pulse to my heart." — " To a sick stranger (it is his own observation) the rites of hospitality are doubly valuable ;" and he was remarkable for fulfilling them in such a case to their utmost extent. In his journeys, this winter, he had taken, for a companion, an agreeable foreigner, whom he accidentally met with, and who, it appeared, had left his own country in consequence of a fraud. His conduct, on the discovery of this afflicting circumstance, may be traced in the following extract of a letter:

66

My dear sir,-The pain and perplexity which I have felt, have been too much for me. The scene, consequent to the perusal of your letter, has made me almost sick. During the ride from

nance.

-'s behaviour.

-, I perceived a change in Uneasiness was upon his counteHeaviness was upon his heart. I inquired the cause of his apparent distress. He replied that he had received unpleasant intelligence before he started, and would communicate it to me in I concluded he

had received tidings of the loss of some friend, or property; and resolved to draw from him, in the course of the day, the nature of his grief, that, if it were possible, I might administer comfort. But your letter was handed me just before breakfast, and, while it surprised my curiosity, overwhelmed me with anguish and embarrassment. Conscience, I perceived, had been exercising his scourge upon the unhappy youth, with inexorable severity; and some expressions he had dropt, of the perplexities of life, of the little importance of health to him, the emptiness of the world, &c., excited my most anxious apprehensions for his safety and future conduct. How to act with ten