would, perhaps, be extravagant praise to say, that Dr. Rodgers, amidst the contagion of the times, was, in this respect, wholly free from fault. But he was certainly much more free from the fault in question, than most of those active clergymen of the day, who took the same side, and possessed as much ardour of mind, as himself. Wherever he went, he set a noble example of devotedness to the ministry of reconciliation. Whether he addressed Conventions, or Legislatures, brigades of soldiers, or christian churches, the peculiar and precious doctrines of the Gospel were not only the constant, but the leading subjects of dis

the same language, against America, and in favour of British oppressions. Is it possible to suppose that such opposite petitions, on the same subject, were equally acceptable to Him who hears prayer? It is not possible. But it may be asked, where is the remedy for such occurrences? The remedy lies in ministers and others, when they address the throne of grace, being less of politicians, and more of christians. It is plain that, if men were less prone to prescribe to the Most High in prayer, and more ready to adopt those humble, submissive, and filial forms of petition, of which the Sacred Volume gives so many noble examples, real christians, in different countries, even in the midst of war, might meet at the throne of grace, as on common territory, and unite in precisely the same requests. Some have been inconsiderate enough to allege,

course. And the tendency of all his preaching, was to lead the minds of his hearers from this scene of conflict and change, of sin and sorrow, to a more holy and happy world.

Finally; Dr. Rodgers, amidst all the decision with which he thought, and the firmness with which he acted, during the struggle for American Independence, was distinguished for his liberality toward those, who adopted different opinions, and took a different course. He was remarkably free from the bitterness of party ani

that a remedy for all this difficulty may be found, so far as prayers are concerned, in the adoption of stated forms of prayer. But if such persons had an opportunity of perusing a few of the "forms" and " offices," prepared “by au"thority," to be used on Fast and Thanksgiving days, and in "times of war," in countries where liturgies are established, they would frequently find much of their contents quite as exceptionable, both in spirit and expression, as what sometimes falls from the lips in extemporaneous fervour. With this difference, that in the one case, the evil is confined to its immediate authors; while in the other, it is imposed on thousands, and forced into every reading-desk into which the form is introduced. There is no remedy to be hoped for from this quarter. It is to be found in the prevalence among ministers of the Gospel, of piety, good sense, sound judgment, and minds deeply imbued with the language and the spirit of the Holy Scriptures.

mosity, and ever ready to make allowance for the diversity of views and of conduct, which he had occasion to observe in others. Those who are acquainted with the history of his private friendships, and of his affectionate correspondence, after the melancholy disruption of social bonds which the revolution, in so many cases, produced, cannot doubt that "the law of kind"ness" was in his heart, as well as upon his lips. The same gentleman who was last adduced as a witness of the Doctor's patriotism*, thus speaks, in the same communication, on this part of his character: "In his opinion of others, he showed "the liberality of a gentleman. Not soured by "that intolerant spirit which assails, and some"times subdues, clerical men of great talents and "worth, he had not only the faith, and the hope, "but also the charity of a christian."

Mr. Morris.

CHAP. VII.

ועלהו לא יבול וכל אשר יעשה יצליח

Psalm i. 3.

From the Revolutionary War, till his last

Illness.

THE situation in which the subject of these memoirs, and the remains of his flock, found themselves, on returning from their exile, may be more easily imagined than described. Their numbers greatly reduced by death, and by permanent removals to the country; the pecuniary resources of all of them impaired, and of many of them exhausted; both their houses of worship in a state little short of complete ruin; their parsonage burnt; and a considerable debt accumulated in consequence of their long exclusion from the city, it may be supposed that nothing but christian faith could have preserved them from total discouragement. This faith they were enabled, in some degree, to exercise. They trusted in the faithfulness of the great Head of the church; in his name they lift

ed up their banner; and He did not either forsake them, or disappoint their hopes.

The first and most serious difficulty which presented itself, was the want of a place of worship. A number of months, it was perceived, must necessarily intervene, before either of their churches could be prepared for the reception of a worshipping assembly. In this extremity, the vestry of Trinity church, unsolicited, and with a politeness which did them honour, made an offer of St. George's and St. Paul's churches, to be used by the congregation alternately, until one of their own churches could be repaired. This offer was gratefully accepted; and from November 1783, until the following June, the remains of the congregation alternately worshipped, in conformity with a settled arrangement, in the spacious edifices just mentioned.

In a few days after Doctor Rodgers re-commenced his ministration in New-York, the day which had been recommended by Congress to be observed throughout the United States, as a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, arrived. On this occasion he delivered a sermon on Psalm 126. 3. which was afterwards published, under the fol