L excellent men; and that he had profited much by the advantage. If there was a formality in their character at which modern flippancy is disposed to smile; there was, also, a solid worth, an apostolic dignity, a primitive piety, and a fervent zeal, which would to God were more frequently to be found, at the present day, in the Church of Christ! Though it appears, from the preceding statement, that the subject of these memoirs did not receive what is commonly styled a College education, he certainly received an education incomparably better than what usually passes under that title. The classical literature, especially, which was possessed by the Tennents, the Allisons, and the Blairs, at that period, was much more deep and accurate than is commonly acquired at the present day, by most American scholars. They received it from the best European sources; and their first pupils, like themselves, were generally well instructed, and bore no mean resemblance to the literary stature of their masters. That young Rodgers had able instructors, at this period, and improved his time, is apparent, from the Latin discourse, found among his papers, which he delivered, as a part of his early trials before the Presbytery; and also from the numerous and apt quotations from the ancient classics, which his memory enabled him to make, on proper occasions, to the end of life. From the discourse just mentioned, it appears, that, to the Latin and Greek languages, he had added some knowledge of the Hebrew, when he left the Academy. Many persons are apt to suppose, that the race of divines who flourished in our country seventy or eighty years ago, though pious and excellent men, had a very scanty supply of books, and in many cases, a still mo re scanty education, compared with the divines of later years, and especially of the present day. This opinion is not only erroneous, but grossly so. Those venerable fathers of the American Church were more deeply learned than most of their sons. They read more, and thought more, than we are ready to imagine. The greater part of the books of ancient learning, and ponderous erudition, which are now to be found on this side of the Atlantic, were imported, and studied by those great and good men. Original works are actually in fewer hands, in our day, compared with the number of readers, than in theirs. They read solidly and deeply: we hurry over compends and indexes. They studied systematically, as well as extensively; our reading is more desultory, as well as more superficial. We have more of the belles lettres polish; but as biblical critics, and as profound theologians, we must undoubtedly yield to them the palm of excellence. Mr. Rodgers, having pursued his theological studies for some time with Mr. Blair, returned to his father's, in the city of Philadelphia, and finished them under the direction of the Reverend Mr. Gilbert Tennent, who had then become the Pastor of the second Presbyterian Church, in that city *. In the month of June, in the year 1747, The Rev. Gilbert Tennent was born in Ireland, Febuary 5, 1703. He was the eldest son of the Rev. William Tennent, who had received Episcopal ordination in that country, and emigrated to America in the year 1718. Soon after his arrival he renounced Episcopacy, and was admitted a member of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He was one of the most eminently pious, useful, and learned ministers, especially in classical literature, that the American Church ever had. He educated his four sons Gilbert, William, John, and Charles, (together with a number of other young men,) at his Log-College, on the Neshaminy ; and had the satisfaction of seeing them all useful ministers. Gilbert, in he appeared before the Presbytery of New-Custle, and entered on the usual trials for licensure to preach the Gospel. Having passed these with more than usual approbation, he was licensed, on the 14th day of October, in the same year; and soon gave, in his public ministrations as well as in his private deportment, those presa→ ges of future excellence and usefulness, which were afterwards so happily realized. the year 1743, established a new Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, chiefly composed of those who were denominated the converts and followers of Mr. Whitefield. He was a bold, ardent, practical, and unusually impressive preacher, He died in 1764 or 1765. CHAPTER II. Vigens juvenilibus annis. Cum juveni tantam dedit experientia lucem, Epigr. in Borell. From his Licensure, till his settlement in St. George's. IMMEDIATELY after his licensure, Mr. Rodgers, by the appointment of his Presbytery, began to supply the numerous vacant Churches under their care; and spent the following winter among those more immediately in the vicinity of his usual residence. In the spring of the year 1748, Mr. Davies, (afterwards President Davies,) received a call from the people of Hanover, Henrico, and three other neighbouring congregations, in Virginia, to settle among them as their pastor. This call, in the month of April, of that year, he accepted; and immediately set out to the scene of his intended pastoral labours. Mr. Davies, however, made it one condition of his accepting this call, that his young friend, Mr. Rodgers, (to whom he was particularly at |