dency to counteract the effects of the Knowles, of Boston, from Ps. cxxii. Roman Catholic missionaries, who have Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, &c. been sent from Europe to this delight- Barnaby, of Danvers, Sharp, of Boston,

Rev. Messrs. Adlain, of Marblehead, ful section of our country, and who Babcock, of Salem, Keely, of Haverare endeavoring to rivet on the new hill, Aldrich, of Beverly, and Warne, settlements, the errors of the dark of South Reading, also, officiated on this

interesting occasion. The performanages.

ces breathed a catholic spirit; and we The Baptists in Philadelphia have are pleased to hear that our respected held a public meeting to express their friend has entered on this inviting part

a approbation of the measures of the of his Master's vineyard, under very

auspicious circumstances. May he and Union, and subscribed more than five his people long enjoy uninterrupted seahundred dollars to the funds, which sons of temporal and spiritual blessings. they hope to increase to one thousand Rev. Wilson C. Rider, late graduate dollars.

of Waterville college, was ordained as pastor of the First Baptist church in

Sermon ORDINATIONS, &c.

Mariaville, Maine, Sept. 8.

by Rev. James Gillpatrick. Rev. Cyrus P. Grosvenor was in- At Hebron, N. H. Oct. 6, Mr. Edstalled pastor of the Second Baptist mund Worth was set apart to the work church and society in Salem, on the of an Evangelist. Sermon by Prof. 5th of Oct. Serinon, by Rev. Mr. Farnsworth.

Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention of the

Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, from Sept.

21, to Oct. 15, 1830. Fron Sharon Fem. Bap. Bur. Miss. Soc. From Soc.connected with 1st Bap.church, per Miss Parinelia Sumner, Sec. for

Boston, for the support of a Burman Bur. Miss.

10,00 child named Sarah Wayland, per Miss A female friend in Milton, Bur. Miss. ,50 Lydia C. Jepson, Sec. and Treas. 20,00 Jona. Osborn, Esq. Treas. of the East Jer

Female Pri. Soc. of Medfield, per Miss sey Miss. Soc. 35 dollars of which is

Katharine Morse, by Mr. E. Lincoln, 13,00 from the North Beriah church, N. Y. 80,00 Mr. Daniel Faulkner, Treas. of the eastLevi Farwell, Esq. Treas. of Boston Bap.

crn Maine Association,

7,64 Assoc. it having been paid to him at the

Mr. Janes Gillpatuck, Treas.of HanJate annual meeting, and was contrib

cock Aux. Miss. Soc. .

3,25 uted as follows, viz.

Per Lincoln & Edmands, -10,89 By Bap. Church, Weston, at monthly

Rev. Whitman Metcalf, of Sardinia, Erie concerts, 10,75

Co. N. Y. having been contributed as Do. Littleton, do. 11.33

follows, viz. Mr. Josh. Tucker, Ilarvard, B. M. 10,00 By Individuals of the church, 6,08 Worcester Co. Bap. Char. Soc. per

Fem. Suc. Eden,

6,37 Rev. Otis Converse, Treas. 100,00

Friends to Burman mission, 1,06 Bap. Church and Society, Dedham,

Contributions at the close of the Holmonthly concerts,

30,50

land I'urchase Association, held in Fem. Mite Soc. of do. Bur. miss. 22,08

Sardinia,

17,46 Young Ladies Indus. Soc. of do. for

Contribution at the monthly coucert Indian missions,

3,75

of the church in Sardinia, 7,25 Male and Fem. Juv. Soc. of Wo

Cash to constitute Rev. Whitman burn, for Burman schools,

6,00

Metcalf and Rev. Geo. D. BoardBap. Church and Soc. of Woburn,

man Life Members of the Bap. collected at monthly concerts, for

Gen. Tract Soc.

20,00 Bur. bible, 32,00

58,22 Female friend, Malden,

Mr. David Purrington, Treng. of Leyden Do. do. Cambridge, 2,00

Association, for Bur. mission, 25,00 Bap. Ch. and Soc. of West Cam

Mr. 11. B. Rounds, Treas, of the Utica bridge, monthly concerts, 20,00

Bap. For. Miss. Soc. received Sept. A friend to the Burman mission, of

25, for Burman mission, 50,00 Newton, per L. Farwell, Esq. 5,00

Same, of the U. B. F. M. S. for do. 50,00

-253,91 Do. present to Mrs. Boardman, 1,00 From Lincoln Bap. Miss. Soc. (Me.) Aux.

Do. for Mrs. Wade's school,

1,00 &c. per Mr. Il ezekiah Prince, Treas. 85,41 Do. for Burman bible,

15,50 Lincoln Bap. Fem. Cent Soc. per same, 33,66

Per Mr. E. Lincoln,

117,50 Friend in Cumberland Assoc. Me. 1,00 Wayne, Me. per Rev. E. Thresher, 75

II. LINCOLN, Treas. 1,75

To CORRESPONDENTS. The Review of Bunyan's Works will be inserted in our next Number.

The early and sudden death of this young servant of the Redeemer, has created in the hearts of thousands a pang of sorrow and of disappointed hope. He was so actively toiling for his Master, in that sphere of labor for which he was best fitted, that all who knew him were rejoicing in his light, and anticipating for him a long and brightening course of usefulness. But God has summoned him from the earth, and it becomes us to say, with humble acquiescence, “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy

“ sight."

A notice of his character and of the principal events of his life, was inserted in the Magazine for September last. It is not in my power, were it needful, to add any thing of material importance to that notice; yet I have thought that a few remarks might be useful. I had a long, intimate, and endeared acquaintance with him. His death was to me a most painful bereavement. It struck on my heart as a monition, more solemn and emphatic than any other which I have ever received-Be thou also ready.

After he was baptized, and had received a license to preach the Gospel, he was not content to enter on the duties of the ministry without obtaining additional mental discipline, and replenishing his mind with knowledge. It was desirable, considering his talents, that he should commence a regular course of academical and collegiate study, preparatory to his theological education. But various circumstances prevented this measure at that time. He accordingly entered in November, 1820, the Literary and Theological Institution in Philadelphia, under the care of the late Dr. Staughton and Professor Chase. Here the acquaintance of the writer with him began. In the happy society of the little band there assembled, and since so widely dispersed, friendships were formed, which will not be forgotten in this world, and which eternity, it is hoped, will hallow and perpetuate. Dec. 1830.

45

The impression made by Mr. Davis on his fellow students was rapid, deep, and complete. There was a transparency in his character, which showed at once all its parts and proportions. There was in him no guile. The impression which he made at first was never changed. Respect for his understanding, entire confidence in his piety, and love for the virtues of his heart, were the immediate and permanent feelings of all his fellow students.

His progress in study was rapid. His mind was strong, clear, and energetic. He was more distinguished for soundness of understanding, than for activity of imagination, or delicacy of taste. He possessed more aptitude for mathematics than for languages. He would have penetrated more easily the discriminations of metaphysics, than the beauties of the classics. He would have grasped more eagerly and successfully the massive doctrines of theology, than the refined graces of elegant literature. But the speedy interruption of his studies, before he had fully acquired the habits of a student, has prevented a decided judgment respecting his intellectual character.

While at Philadelphia, his zeal and decision displayed themselves. He supplied for several months a destitute congregation in the neighbourhood of the city. His mind and his hands were always busy in his Master's service.

When the Institution was removed to Washington City, in the autumn of 1821, he removed thither, and continued his studies preparatory to admission to the Freshman Class, it being the decided opinion of his most judicious friends, that it was his duty to aim at a complete education.

Here he manifested the same desire for usefulness, the same single-hearted surrender of himself and of all his powers to the ser. vice of his Saviour. He preached frequently-he visited the poor families in the neighborhood of the College--he was punctual and devout at the prayer-meetings of the students-he was one of the most useful members of the Society for Missionary Inquiry. The writer had the pleasure of being associated with him in sustaining a Sabbath School for blacks, where a considerable number of the poor slaves, of all ages, from childhood to three-score years, were taught to read the Scriptures.

While at College, his heart was strongly moved with a desire to serve his Master as a Missionary among the heathen. Orien have we talked and prayed together on the subject. Burmalı, Abyssinia, South America, and other countries, were the objects of thought and of prayer. Mr. Davis proceeded so far as to make some proposition to the Baptist Board of Missions, the seat of which was then at Washington City. I know not, fully, why his proposal was rejected; but I know that many of the feelings of Samuel Pearce swelled the heart of our departed brother, and that to the day of his death, he scarcely relinquished the hope of toiling for God in some of the dark places of the earth.

Soon after he entered the Freshman Class, he resolved to leave College. His health was not firm, and he feared that he could not prosecute to the end the course of study which he had cominenced. He accordingly left the Institution in the summer of 1823. This measure, I may say with entire affection for his memory, did not meet with the approbation of many of his best friends. My dear brother acted conscientiously, but I thought, and still think, that he mistook, in that instance, the path of duty. I should not now allude to it, were I not fearful that his example might have some influence on other young men, who may be impatient of study and may rush into the field, without his talents, piety and zeal. It is no proof that he judged rightly, because he has been useful. Such a man could not fail to be useful, in almost any circumstances. But how much more useful might he not have been, if his powerful mind had been thoroughly disciplined, and amply furnished with good learning! That he has died young, is no argument. All students are liable to die before they complete their studies. Many have died in College, or

. at the theological seminary, or in a year or two after their seitlement as pastors. Was it, therefore, unwise to spend any time in preparatory study? The plain rule of duty is to aim at the greatest usefulness, and io make the most thorough preparation which God's providence permits. The length of our lives is a point which God decides at his pleasure. It alters not our duty. We may live many years, and we must not disqualify ourselves, for prolonged usefulness, by calculating on a short course, and making a stinted provision. If a man is to die young, there is so much the more need that he increase his power as much as possible, so as to do much in a little tine. Life is not to be measured by years, but by the amount of useful labor done; and if a man can so multiply his talents as to do in one year, more than he could otherwise accomplish in five, the church will be a gainer, though he should die early. And his education, we have reason to suppose, will make him a fitter instrument for his Master's use in the next world.

Soon after Mr. Davis left College, he married a lady, of whom it is sufficient to say, that she was, in every respect, worthy of him. He removed to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he became the pastor of a church, and preached the Gospel with encouraging success. His mind was active in devising liberal things.' A letter from him to the writer contained the first suggestion of the expediency of forming the Baptist General Tract Society. The subject was proposed to the public through the medium of the Columbian Star, then published in Washington. The Society was formed in February, 1824, by a few individuals, at the house of Mr. George Wood, its first Secretary and Agent, who is entitled to the thanks of that Society, and of our churches, for his zealous and disinterested services in assisting to commence and sustain the Society amid many discouragements.

It is worthy of remark here, that, while disappointment and painful regret have been felt by all our churches, in consequence of the disasters which have attended the Columbian College, they have reason to be grateful for the good which it has accomplished, and to take courage at its present prospects. Without looking at other results, of vast value to the students who have been educated there, and to the denomination, it is, I think, undeniable, that if the

Columbian Star and the Baptist General Tract Society have done any thing for the churches, and for the cause of God, this stream of blessings must be traced back to the Columbian College. Neither the Siar nor the Society would, probably, be now in existence, if the College had not been erected. Certainly they would not have been established when they were. Let us feel, then, that the College has done us service, and let us hope that it will be made a fountain of good to us and our children.

Mr. Davis afterwards removed to Norfolk, and was the successful pastor of the church there. But he was not satisfied to pursue the accustomed round of pastoral duties. He preached much to the seamen. He was among the foremosi in forming the “Seamen's Friend Society.” He compiled a hymn book for seamen. He occasionally visited the United States' fortress at Old Point Comfort, and preached to the soldiers. He thus went about doing good.

But the Tract Society was a favorite object of his thoughts and cares. It could not fourish without an Agent. Washington City was, in some respects, a disadvantageous position. It was, by his influence, removed to Philadelphia. He became its Agent, and its progress since has been astonishing. He was admirably fitted for ibis post. His heart was in his work—a qualification, without which, no man ever accomplished much. He possessed unusual talents for business. He was active, affable, and prompt. He spoke with Auency, and when excited, with much power and eloquence. His full, loud, and sonorous voice, his manly person, his simple, direct, and forcible diction, gave him great advantages in preaching, and especially in occasional addresses.

I have not time to say more concerning this Society, and what he did for it. All our churches know something of its success under his guidance. May our brother who has succeeded him in the Agency, be equally zealous, and equally successful.

In conclusion, Í may say, with entire truth, that the death of Mr. Davis is a loss to our denomination, and to the christian world. While his feelings were liberal towards all men, and he cordially prayed that grace, mercy, and peace might be multiplied to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, he felt a special concern for the welfare of our own churches. It was a desire for their benefit, which impelled him to exertion in the cause of tracts. It was because he was convinced that our churches would be more generally interested in tracts, if there were a Society under our own control, that he advocated its cause, while towards that noble institution, the American Tract Society, he felt the utmost cordiality. He collected with great labor the statisticks of the denomination, and his annual table of Associations, published in the Baptist Tract Magazine, was the most accurate and complete account of our churches which has been published. Perhaps no young man among us was contributing more directly and powerfully to advance the interests of the Baptist denomination. His influence is not to be measured by the importance of the office wbich he filled, though