rights, and the same deep interest in the prosperity of their country, with other men. He admitted their premises, but denied their conclusion; and answered, though not in the words, yet in the spirit of Nehemiah of old, 1 am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you* ?

It will not be supposed, indeed, that as a minister of the Gospel, he considered himself as precluded from explaining and inculcating those great principles of social order and duty, which are found in Scripture, and on which every teacher in the house of God is bound to insist, in their proper place and proportion, in his public ministrations. This duty he performed, and it is believed as faithfully as most ministers. But he carefully avoided intermeddling, either in speech or in action, with the party conflicts around him; nor could any one ever learn either from his prayers or his preaching, what were his feelings relative to those questions which filled the gazettes, and agitated the town-meetings of the day. And by avoiding the latter, it is certain that he

* Nehemiah vi. 3.

was enabled with the more freedom, and without suspicion or offence, to accomplish the former.

By rigidly and steadily pursuing this course, he avoided much personal inconvenience and pain. He conciliated friendship, and maintained his influence with all parties. He prevented his time and attention from being absorbed by trivial objects, to the neglect of infinitely greater concerns. He avoided those collisions and alienations of social feeling, for which the zealous politician must always be prepared. He declined putting either his personal or official character in the power of every political ruffian, or news-paper scribbler. And, above all, he avoided what might have proved, and could scarcely have failed of proving, an obstacle both to the acceptance and usefulness of his ministry.

He had a firm persuasion, that it was not only desirable, but highly important, to all clergymen, to take this course of retirement and self-denial, with respect to party politics. He thought that, by adopting a different plan of conduct, their services to their country, whatever they might imagine to the contrary, were really little

or nothing; while their injuries to the church were deep and lasting. He considered it as degrading the dignity of their office, as well as striking a deadly blow at their professional influence, to permit themselves to be, even in opinion, identified with those noisy declaimers, and unprincipled intriguers, who, with the language of patriotism in their mouths, know no other guide than selfishness, no other God than ambition. And it was a matter of unfeigned regret with him, when he perceived that any of his brethren viewed the subject in a different light. But even with regard to those who totally differed from him, both in opinion and practice, on this subject, it never interfered with the most cordial affection and intercourse. Nay, it may with confidence be asserted, that, from the time of his leaving St. George's, until his death, he never, on account of party politics, either lost or soured a friend.

XI. But though Doctor Rodgers was no politician, he did not consider himself by any means as exempted from the duties which belong to a good citizen. On the contrary, he was always prompt in obeying the calls of HUMANITY AND BENEVOLENCE. Besides attending to his duty in several religious societies, of all which he was

President; he found time to be one of the most active and useful members of the " Society for "the relief of distressed Prisoners," and of the "Board of Trustees of the City Dispensary," in both of which, for a number of years, he presided. He was also a member of the "Manumis❝sion Society" of New-York, and manifested a deep interest in the abolition of slavery, that long-patronized disgrace of Christendom, and in the success of plans for meliorating the condition of slaves. Nor did he, as is too often done, content himself with being a mere nominal member of those Associations. He gave his time and labour, as well as pecuniary contributions for their support; and was always ready to go foremost in exertions to lessen the miseries, and promote the welfare of the children of affliction. As long as he retained his vigour of body and mind, few persons in the community took a more active part than he, in promoting and executing plans of enlightened and diffusive benevolence.

XII. Both the reputation and usefulness of Doctor Rodgers were doubtless promoted, and probably in no small degree, by THE PECULIAR

AND UNIFORM DIGNITY OF HIS MANNERS.

This part of his character was not only remarkable, but pre-eminent. If his manners had sometimes a degree of formality in them which excited the smile of the frivolous, they always manifested the polish of a well-bred gentleman, as well as the benevolence of a christian; and never failed to command respect. He was grave without being starched, and dignified without reserve. He was habitually cheerful, and often facetious and sportive; but his sportiveness was always as remarkable for its taste and dignity, as it was for the perfect inoffensiveness of its character. He was probably never known, in a single case, to let himself down in company, by undue familiarity, by levity, by coarse or unseasonable anecdotes, or by any rude invasion of the feelings of others. There was a uniformity, an urbanity, and a vigilance in his dignity, which plainly showed that it was not the result of temporary effort, but the spontaneous product of a polished, benevolent, and elevated mind.

There can be no doubt that this happy style of deportment, was of great service to him in every part of his life. By his dignified manners, he made a favourable impression on perfect strangers, and always inspired respect, wherever he