time, it is hoped that the notices inserted are not without some interest in themselves, and will not be unprofitable to those who read them.

The second Memoir in the volume is that of the first Provincial Governor, Sir William Phipps. He was cotemporary with Increase Mather, though a little younger; and the two were associated in some of the more important transactions of their lives. It is fitting, therefore, that their Memoirs should stand together.

Sir William Phipps was in the strictest sense, what is sometimes called a self-made man. He commenced life under the most forbidding circumstances, and rose by his own exertions to the possession, not only of a large estate, but of the highest honors to which, in this country, he could at that time aspire. And yet he died at the early age of forty-four. The study of such a life and example cannot but be useful, more especially to the young. It will not be without interest, I hope to all.

In conclusion, I would humbly commit the volume to God, and under him to the Sabbath School Libraries, earnestly hoping that it may contribute to make known the deeds of our worthy ancestors, and to extend and perpetuate the benefits of their example. ENOCH POND.

Bangor, April, 1847.

LIFE OF INCREASE MATHER.

CHAPTER I.

His Lineage and Family. Brief sketches of the lives of his father, Rev. Richard Mather, and of his brothers, the Rev. Messrs. Samuel, Nathaniel, and Eleazer Mather.

It was a star which guided the wise men of the East to the birthplace of the infant Saviour. In all ages there have been stars, to lead men to Christ. Such, preeminently, are learned, pious, devoted, evangelical ministers. They are burning and shining lights while here below, and having accomplished their work, and turned many to righteousness, they go to shine as stars in the firmament of heaven forever.

Among the stars in the right hand of the great Head of the Church, which glittered upon the golden candlesticks, of primitive New England, none shone with a brighter and more attractive lustre, than Increase Mather. I propose, in what follows, to make my readers ac

quainted with this venerable man ;—but in order to do it to the best advantage, it will be necessary to premise a brief account of his lineage, and family.

He was the son of Rev. Richard Mather, long the faithful and successful minister of Dorchester, Mass. Richard Mather was born in the small town of Lowton, Lancashire, England, A. D. 1596. He was early sent to a public school at Winwick, where he was boarded in the winter; but in the summer, (so great was his desire for learning,) he walked daily four miles to school, from his father's house. He suffered much, while at school, from the unreasonable strictness and severity of his teacher,so much that he often entreated his father to take him away, and permit him to relinquish his studies altogether. But to this his father would not consent, but encouraged him to persevere; and for his firmness in this instance, the world is under lasting obligations to the good man ; and Mr. Mather himself did not cease to remember him with gratitude and honor, as long as he lived. "God intended better for me," he said, "than I would have chosen for myself; and therefore my father, though in other things indulgent enough, yet in this would never condescend to my request, but by putting me in

hope that, by his speaking to the master, things would be amended, would still over-rule me to go on in my studies. And good it was to me to be overruled by him and his discretion, rather than to be left to my own affections and desires."

Let children learn, from this example, to confide in their parents' judgment, rather than in their own. Many an individual besides Richard Mather, has found and acknowledged in after life, the benefit of having been crossed in his childish wishes, and of having been compelled to pursue a course of life very different from that which he would himself have chosen.

It is evidence of the proficiency of young Mather, and of the confidence which his too rigid master reposed in him, that he recommended him as teacher of a public school at Torteth Park, near Liverpool, when he was only fifteen years of age. He continued in this school several years, discharging the duties of preceptor, with distinguished success, and perfecting himself, meanwhile, in those branches of study which he had occasion to teach. It was while he was here, that he became a subject of renewing grace. The principal means of his awakening was that best of all preaching-the strict and holy example of the Christian with