11. A Brief Discourse of Justification. 1686.

12. Heavenly Merchandize: in several Sermons from Prov. xxiii. 23.

13. A Brief Discourse concerning the ceremony of laying the hand on the Bible in Swearing. 1689.

14. The Barren Fig Tree's Doom: in several Sermons from Luke xiii. 6, 7, &c. 1691. 15. The Mourner's Cordial against Excessive Sorrow: in several Sermons from 1 Thess. iv. 13.

16. The Danger of taking God's name in Vain, from Deut. v. 11.

17. Promise Keeping, a Great Duty, from 2 Cor. i. 18.

18. The Sinfulness of worshipping God with Men's Institutions, from Matt. xv. 9. 19. Some Miscellany Observations respecting Witchcraft, in a Dialogue between S. and B. 1692.

20. The Covenant of Redemption. 1693.

21. Rules for Discerning the Times, from Matt. xvi. 3.

22. The Law established by the Gospel, from Rom. iii. 31. 1694.

23. Reformation the Great Duty of an Afflicted People, from Levit. xxvi. 23, 24.

24. The Character of a Good Ruler: an Election Sermon from 2 Sam. xxiii. 3.

25. Impenitent Sinners Warned and Summoned to Judgment: in two Sermons from Ps. v. 5; and Heb. ix. 27. 1698.

26. The Man of War: an Artillery Election Sermon from 1 Kings xix. 22. 1699.

27. Spiritual Desertions Discovered and Remedied: in several Sermons from Ps. Xxx. 7.

28 The Blessed Man: in several Sermons upon the 32d Psalm. 1700.

29. The Perils of the Times Displayed, from 2 Tim. iii. 5.

30. The Fountain Opened, and the National Calling of the Jews: in several Sermons from Zech. xiii. 1. To which is added, Evangelical Perfection, from Matt. v. 48. 31. Love's Pedigree, from 1 John iv. 19.

32. Morality not to be relied on for Life, from Mark x. 21.

33. A Remedy against Despair: two Sermons from Ps. xxv. 11.

34. The Christian's exercise by Satan's temptations: in several Sermons from 1 Chron. xxi. 1. 1701. To which is added, Brotherly Love Described and Directed: two Sermons from Heb. xiii. 1.

35. Walking with God: two Sermons from Gen. v. 24.

36. The Fear of an Oath, from Eccl. ix. 2.

37. The Best Privilege, from Rom. iii. 1, 2.

38. Prognostics of Impending Calamities: a Funeral Sermon upon Lieut. Governor Stoughton from 2 Kings xxii. 20.

39. The Checkered State of the Gospel Church, from Zech. xiv. 6, 7.

40. A Brief Reply to Mr. George Keith. 1703.

41. The Just Man's Prerogative, from Prov. xii. 21. 1706.

42. Israel's True Safety, from Rom. viii. 31. 1704.

Published after his death.

43. A Thanksgiving Sermon upon the return of a Young Gentleman from his Travels, from Ps. Ixvi. 20. 1709.

44. Sacramental Meditations. 1711.

45. A complete Body of Divinity, in two hundred and fifty Lectures on the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. Boston, 1726.

"There are also," say Messrs. Sewall and Prince, "many other excellent treatises prepared by the author for the press, viz:

Directions to the Candidates for the Ministry.

Several Sermons upon the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Expositions upon the whole of the Psalms.

The Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians,

with many others which the world may be also obliged with if due encouragement be given."

The preface to Rev. John Higginson's Legacy of Peace was written. by him.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF DECEASED MINISTERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[By the Rev. HENRY WOOD, Hanover, N. HI.]

NOTE. The years 1836-7, were distinguished for the mortality among the Congre. gational ministers of New Hampshire. In the interval between the meetings of the General Association, not less than ten out of about one hundred and twenty, finished their labors, and gave up to their Master an account of their stewardship, viz: Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D. of Boscawen; Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth; Rev. Asa Piper of Wakefield; Rev. Nathaniel Porter, D. D. of Conway; Rev. Seth Farnsworth of Hillsborough; Rev. O. G. Thatcher of Bradford; Rev. J. P. Fisher of Deering; Rev. Evarts Worcester of Littleton; Rev. Joseph Gibbs of Haverhill; Rev. Josiah Webster of Hampton; besides Rev. Moses Dow of Plaistow, who had never been settled over a congregation in the State. Some of these ministers were full of years, and their lives had been signalized by usefulness; others were young, ardent, able, and full of promise. The impression made at the time, by so mysterious a providence, upon the minds of their surviving brethren, was deep and serious; and it was a natural desire, that in some humble way, a record might be made of names of brethren so much venerated and loved. In obedience to such a desire, the facts were collected which are embodied in the following brief notices. For a while however the design of publishing them was abandoned, by being anticipated by the editors of the American Quarterly Register, in their notices of the lives of Dr. Wood and Rev. Mr. Hidden. At the request of others, the remaining articles are now given. In the mean time the Rev. Moses Bradford deceased; and facts being at hand pertaining to his life, it was thought desirable they should be incorporated with the rest.

Most of the subjects of these notices lived in comparative obscurity; patiently and cheerfully pursuing the humble, yet ennobling work of the ministry; God's "hidden ones," better known in heaven than on earth. Beyond the circle of personal intimacy and friendship, these sketches may fail to interest; it is hoped, however, indulgence will be shown to the claims of private affection and retiring worth.

JOSIAH WEBSTER.

Rev. JOSIAH WEBSTER, the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Webster, was born in Chester, N. H. Jan. 16, 1772. Both of his parents were professors of religion, which they adorned by the consistency of a pious life, and endeavored, by prayer and early instruction, to make the inheritance of their children. His father was a farmer barely in circumstances of comfort, with patient and laborious industry providing for the wants of a large family of eleven children, one of whom died in infancy. It is not strange that with feeble health on their part, the parents were unable to furnish more than a common school education for their numerous issue. Josiah, the eldest of the children, continued with his father, occupied in the common business of a farmer, till his sixteenth year, when he went to reside with an uncle, whose affairs he managed in his many and long absences. At this time, his advantages had been such as barely to qualify him to instruct a district school; and he had formed the purpose, either to engage in trade, or pursue the occupations to which he had been trained. From a brief narrative which he left behind him, we learn that he was the subject of early and abiding religious impressions; and though he had no prospect, nor indulged a thought of a public education, still as far back as his twelfth year, he felt a strong desire to become a minister of the gospel. He writes in his narrative, "I do not remember the time when I was not troubled and distressed. I used, when a boy-a child-to play with the children; but when I went home, and retired to my bed, my conscience distressed me. My mind was often disturbed by the

thought of my follies. But these thoughts I always concealed; for I did not think there was any thing like true religion in them." In this state of mind, and with the acquisition of only sufficient property to defray the expense of preparation for college, upon the condition of a rigid regard to economy; distressed and discouraged by the opposition of his friends to the plan he had conceived; in his nineteenth year he repaired to the Rev. Mr. Remington of Candia, under whose hospitable roof he commenced the studies requisite for admission to college. Afterwards he spent a year under the tuition of Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, and completed his preparation at the academy in Atkinson. It was at Kingston, while he was receiving instruction from that humble Christian and devoted pastor, Dr. Thayer, that he indulged the first hope of reconciliation to God, and the commencement of the Christian life. A deeper consciousness of sin than he had ever felt before, pressed upon his heart; so full of distress and alarm, that for several days he was unable to pursue his studies. After a season of deep conviction, light broke out upon his mind "like a morning of summer, just as the sun rises, when the winds are hushed, and a solemn but delightful stillness prevails every where, and the face of nature smiles with verdure and flowers. He had no raptures, but all was quiet and happy." From Atkinson he took a journey of more than eighty miles to Dartmouth College, for the mere purpose of examination and admission, as the diminished state of his finances left him without the means of remaining a single week to enjoy its advantages. Returning to Atkinson, he pursued his studies under the instruction of the Preceptor, Stephen P. Webster, (now Hon. S. P. Webster of Haverhill,) till the spring of 1795, when with little improvement in the state of his funds, he rejoined his class in college, and with much difficulty completed his first year. Returning to his father's after commencement with the hope of raising money from his friends to remove his crushing embarrassments, and yet disappointed in every application he made, with a heavy heart once more he set his face towards college. By a mysterious providence of God, as he was pursuing his lonely way, he fell in company with a stranger, who learning his condition, without solicitation offered to relieve his necessities by a loan of money to be repaid whenever his circumstances and convenience should permit. The traveller was ascertained to be a merchant of Newburyport.

After graduating in the year 1798, without delay he commenced the study of theology with the Rev. Mr. Peabody, the minister of Atkinson, with whom he continued about a year, when he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Haverhill Association, met at Plaistow. Soon after, he was invited to preach as a candidate for settlement in the parish of Ipswich, Ms., called Chebacco, but now constituting the town of Essex; where, November, 1799, he was ordained. For six years and a half he was the minister of this parish; at the expiration of which time he asked for a dismission on account of the inadequacy of his support. Receiving an invitation to preach to the church at Hampton, N. H., vacant by the removal of the Rev. Dr. Appleton to the presidency of Bowdoin College, he was installed, June, 1808. His salary was principally from the avails of a fund, bequeathed by "the most gracious Timothy Dalton," the second minister of the town, who was ordained 1639, and died 1661. In many respects the state of religion in Hampton was any thing but desirable at the time Mr. Webster entered upon the duties of pastor. Intemperance had obtained a prevalence to which most other towns were strangers; and entrenching itself in the peculiar occupations of a portion of the people, bid defiance to all common means of aggression. Two religious societies had also existed in the town, though of the same denomination. Arminian views of theology were extensively embraced, united with hostility to the doctrines of distinguishing grace, and ignorance of experimental religion. At the same time, some individuals were found, waking up to correct sentiments, and desiring to be fed with the sincere milk of the word. In this divided state at the time of the removal of Dr. Appleton, with little prospect of uniting in selecting a minister themselves, the two parties agreed to settle the individual who should come recommended by Rev. Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth, and Rev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport, with whom personally they were well acquainted, and in whose sound judgment the churches generally reposed a deserved confidence. Dr. Dana had once preached

to them as a candidate, and received an invitation to settle, which he saw reasons for declining. They concurred in recommending Mr. Webster; and the result was his settlement as pastor of the two churches, united.

During his ministry at Hampton, he was permitted to enjoy various seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. In 1809 there were auspicious indications, with some cases of conversion, though not a general revival. In 1819 a general interest pervaded the town, and the revival entered the church as well as the world, convincing many of the reality of divine influence, and the truth of experimental religion, who had before derided and opposed these doctrines. Another season of religious interest was enjoyed in the year 1823; as the fruits of which eleven were added to the church. But the largest success attending his ministry was witnessed in 1827, when fifty were received into the communion of the church. The origin of this work of grace is worthy of notice. "In the spring of 1826," the pastor records, "the state of religious feeling was low. Three of the brethren inquired much upon the subject, solicitous to know what could be done to promote a better state of things. They felt at length that they would humble themselves before God, and carry the church to the throne of grace. They entered into a solemn covenant, that they would spend one hour in each week in united but private prayer, God helping them, until the blessing of the Holy Spirit should be granted. In the autumn of the same year, the Holy Spirit descended with great power; men, stout hearted and proud, who had always opposed the doctrines of grace, were made to bow. Many, besides those who obtained the hope of reconciliation to God, became convinced of the truth. Numbers, as we trust, are yet to be gathered into the church, as the fruits of this revival. Twenty years ago the current of feeling in this place was strongly against experimental religion; now it is decidedly in its favor. The change has been wonderful, much greater than ever I expected to see. I desire to be thankful, humble, and give all the praise to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." In 1832, there was an additional refreshing, which resulted in eighteen cases of hopeful conversion. Besides these seasons of special interest, there were solitary cases of conversion and additions to the church nearly every year of his ministry.

It deserves to be recorded to the lasting honor of Mr. Webster, that he perceived the evil effects of the use of ardent spirits, at a period when the eyes of even good men were generally closed to the subject. Almost from the first of his ministry, he preached against intemperance; and for years before the temperance reformation, observed entire abstinence from all that intoxicates. Even from many ministers of that day, he not only failed of receiving cooperation, but encountered opposition and ridicule. He was also deeply interested in the cause of education. To his influence and agency, the academy in Hampton, one of the most respectable and flourishing institutions in the State, is indebted for much of its character and usefulness. Attached to the faith and institutions of our fathers, the doctrines of grace he understood, and loved, and preached, to the very close of life; and with what effect, we have already seen. There were one hundred and thirty-five members in the church at the time of his installation, and one hundred and seventy were added during his ministry. His last public act, was the preaching of the sermon at the ordination of his son, Rev. John C. Webster, at Newburyport, as seamen's preacher at Cronstadt, Russia, March 15, 1837. Before this he had been afflicted with a severe cold, attended with a slight inflammation of the lungs. Anxious however to perform the service assigned him on that occasion, he made an effort his health was unable to sustain. The day following he returned home, and taking his bed, remarked, that he thought his work on earth was done. "Well," said he, "if it be so, I know not with what act I could close life with more satisfaction." The inflammation upon his lungs rapidly increasing, with no available means of resistance, he gradually declined, till he breathed out his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer, March 27, 1837, aged 65. During his sickness his mind was often alienated; but in lucid intervals he uniformly expressed confidence in the mercy of God, and cast himself upon the blood of atonement. His funeral sermon, preached by the Rev. Dr. Dana, is highly commendatory of his ministerial qualifications devotion to his proper work, and his extensive usefulness.

Mr. Webster was married to Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Maj. Eliphalet Knight of Atkinson, N. H. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters; the daughters died in early life. The sons are still living. Eliphalet, the eldest, is a practising physician in Hill, N. H., and a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society; Josiah, the second, is a farmer in Illinois; John Calvin, the third, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1832, at Andover in 1835, and is now settled in the ministry at Hopkinton, Ms.; Joseph Dana, the fourth, was also graduated at Dartmouth College in 1832, now resides in Washington, D. C., and is a United States' topographical engineer at Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory; Claudius Buchanan, the fifth, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836, and has since been engaged in teaching and surveying in Illinois.

The following is a list of the sermons of Mr. Webster which have been published. The Mystery of Godliness: a Sermon delivered at Thomaston, Me. June 15, 1809, at the Installation of Rev. John Lord to the pastoral office in that place. Text, 1 Tim. iii. 16. A Sermon preached July 10, 1811, at the ordination of the Rev. Joseph W. Dow to the pastoral care of the First Congregational Church and Society in Tyringham, Ms.; to which is added the Charge by Rev. Jacob Catlin of New Marlborough, and the Right-hand of Fellowship by Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D. of Lee. Text, Ezek. xxxvii. 1-4, 10. A Sermon, delivered at Newburyport, Nov. 26, 1812, on the evening of public Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. Text, Ps. ii. 11. Christ on his way to enlarge his Kingdom, and to Judge the World: a Sermon delivered before the General Association of New Hampshire at their Annual Meeting in Haverhill, Sept. 21, 1819. Text, 2 Peter iii. 4. The Church Triumphant: a Sermon delivered at the North Church, Newburyport, at the Ordination of Rev. John Calvin Webster as Seamen's Chaplain at Cronstadt, the Port of St. Petersburg, Russia, March 15, 1837; to which is added the Charge, the Fellowship of the Churches, and the Special Instructions given on the occasion. Text, Daniel vii. 27. Published by the Newburyport Seaman's Friend Society. This sermon was his last, and was delivered only twelve days before his death.

EVARTS WORCESTER.

Rev. EVARTS WORCESTER, the son of Rev. Leonard and Mrs. Elizabeth Worcester, was born at Peacham, Vt., March 24, 1807. Both in the line of his father and mother, he stands connected with families distinguished in the ecclesiastical history of New England, for the number of individuals they have furnished for the Christian ministry, and the character and talent with which they have adorned it. On the paternal side, were four brothers; Rev. Noah Worcester, D. D., first settled at Thornton, N. H., and afterwards resided at Brighton, Ms. Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D., of Salem, Ms., the first Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, N. H., and Leonard, the father of the subject of this notice, who alone survives. A sister also, married a minister, who removed to the west, where both deceased some years ago. On the side of the mother, who was the youngest daughter of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D. D., of Hadley, Ms., there were nine sisters, four of whom, besides herself, were the wives of Ministers. One half-brother also was a minister. Of the grandsons of Dr. Hopkins, eight have entered the ministry: Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D., of New York; Rev. Samuel Spring, East Hartford, Ct.; Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, Glastenbury, Ct.; Rev. Samuel Hopkins, Saco, Me.; Rev. Erastus Hopkins, Troy, N. Y., and three sons of Rev. Leonard Worcester; viz., Rev. Samuel Austin Worcester, a graduate of the University of Vermont, and Missionary to the Cherokees; who for the offence of preaching the gospel to the heathen, was imprisoned in the penitentiary of Georgia; Rev. Evarts Worcester, the subject of this notice, and Rev. Isaac R. Worcester, who studied medicine with reference to a foreign mission, and succeeded his brother as pastor of the church in Littleton, N. H. Another brother, Leonard Worcester, Jr., graduated at Dartmouth College, 1825, with the design of entering the ministry; but feeble health forbidding, he devoted himself to the profession of teaching, first in a High School for young ladies, in Worcester, Ms., and afterwards in a similar school in Newark, N. J., much