It was remarked of him,* with the fond partiality of friendship, from which there must always be a degree of abatement, "that no clergyman ever commenced his pulpit exertions under better auspices, and with more distinguished success. He was universally admired both as a preacher and a man, and every vacant church was at his choice. His melodious, full, and powerful voice, just and eloquent conceptions, and impassioned manner of delivery, gave a charm to his appearances in the pulpit that gratified all hearers, and afforded the prognostics of that eminence to which he afterwards attained as a sacred orator."

Upon his settlement in this parish, the friend who was his associate during his preparation for a mercantile life, had here an opportunity of renewing that intimacy with him, which, amidst dissimilar occupations and pursuits, and the different circumstances in which they were placed, was found to be in no degree impaired; and the recollection of which, amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life, is still most fondly cherished by the survivor. They were for some time, at Frankfort, inmates of the same family, and occupied the same room. This friend saw him constantly, also, in the exercise of his ministry, and had abundant opportunities of learning in what high estimation he was held by his parishioners. The result of these personal observations agrees with the accounts which have been given by others. During the time that he officiated in these churches, he discharged all his duties with

By the Rev. Dr. Beasley.

the greatest fidelity and zeal, and acted under the influence of the same high motives by which he was uniformly governed in after-life. The people were entirely satisfied with his labours, attentive to his instructions, and returned his pastoral kindness with the warmest affection; but as they were scattered over a considerable extent of country, so much time was consumed in travelling through his parish to perform the important duty of visiting the different members of his congregations, that he found but little was left for study. He soon perceived the utter impossibility of reconciling the disadvantages of his situation with that high standard in the knowledge of his profession to which his ardent and ambitious mind aspired: under the influence of this consideration, therefore, he determined to leave it.

The congregation of St. Paul's Church, in Philadelphia, were anxious to appoint him an Assistant Minister to their Rector, Dr. Magaw; but adhering to his original plan of a more retired life, he accepted, in 1799, an invitation to Christ Church, New-Brunswick.

This new arrangement, where the parish was confined within narrow bounds, and consequently required less of his time for parochial duties, enabled him to prosecute his studies with greater diligence and effect. It also gave him an opportunity of making frequent visits to his friends at Princeton, and of enjoying the advantages of the College library. Here, among the Professors and his former companions in study, he both indulged those social feelings in which his heart delighted, and engaged in those literary and scientific discus

sions by which his mind was strengthened and improved. He was one of a little knot-Kollock, How, Beasley, and Mercer-who at that time gave flattering presages of their future fame, and who afterwards, with some difference in the measure, justified the expectations of them which were then entertained.

The situation at New-Brunswick, however, did not correspond with his wishes: the town, though small, had much of the noise and bustle of a city, and even the environs were without any degree of rural beauty. His attention was then turned towards Hempstead, on Long-Island; but, from a letter which he wrote to Mr. Mercer, it does not appear that he looked forward to this change with any expectation of realizing his imaginary picture of contentment and bliss. The congregation was large, wealthy, and respectable, zealous in their attachment to the Church, kind and attentive to their minister, hospitable, affectionate, and generous, but, for the most part, plain and rustic in their manners, and with fewer persons in it of education and refinement than are usually found in country towns so near to a populous city. This was particularly the case in that part of the parish where the church and parsonage were situated. He had just declined an opportunity of settling in St. Mark's Church, which had been recently built in the suburbs of NewYork, from his desire for greater retirement; but here he dreaded a solitude. There would be but little of that intellectual pleasure in his intercourse with the people, which he had always been accustomed to enjoy in the society of his friends; and

his only resource would be in occupying his mind wholly with study and the duties of his profession. The village of Hempstead, also, lying on the border of an uncultivated plain, possessed but few of those rural charms which were the chief ground of his attachment to a country life. Notwithstanding, however, its want of attractions, he accepted the invitation to the parish, and passed in it some of his calmest and happiest days.

In the spring of 1800 he married Mary Goodin Chandler, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chandler,* for

The incidental connexion of Dr. Chandler with the subject of this biography, it is thought, will be a sufficient reason for introducing a few brief notices of his life and character into a work to which they do not strictly belong.

He was born at Woodstock, Massachusetts, on the 26th of April, 1726, and was educated at Yale College, New-Haven. In 175t, he went to England for holy orders, and, as his family think, received them from the Bishop of London.

On his return he was made Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey. In that humble and quiet retreat he was enabled to indulge his passionate fondness for study, and to make such large acquisitions both to his professional and general knowledge, as to give him a very high rank among his clerical brethren. A question of deep interest to the Episcopal Church in America had been much discussed among her friends, and it was at length thought expedient that it should be presented to the consideration of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities in England. The want of Bishops in the colonies was found, on many accounts, to be a serious evil. The rite of confirmation, established by primitive usage, and regarded as a matter of Christian duty, could never be administered. The Clergy, independent of each other, had no ecclesiastical superiors to unite or control them. Discipline could not be exercised without so many difficulties as would often afford an opportunity to the unworthy to escape from the punishment which they deserved. The expense and dangers of a voyage to England, for the purpose of obtaining orders, deterred many from entering into the ministry,

merly Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey. Never have I known a choice that

who would have adorned it; and the impossibility that a Bishop, residing at that distance, should procure accurate information, in all cases, of the characters of the candidates for orders, was the cause of many being admitted into it, by whom the Church was dishonoured. All these things tended to alienate from her the affections of her members, and to retard her growth.

At the request, therefore, of his brethren, Dr. Chandler wrote a work on the subject of American Episcopacy, in which he showed, with great force of reasoning, the expediency and advantage of having Bishops consecrated for the colonies. From his decided attachment to the Church and State, and from his strong desire to promote the welfare of both, he treated the subject with that judgment and temper which entitled it to consideration at home, but which, it appears, however, from the neglect of his counsel, it did not receive.

He also wrote another interesting work, the Life of Dr. Johnson, first President of King's College, New-York, which, though merely intended as a biographical sketch, is, nevertheless, a history of the early state of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and of the dif ficulties which she encountered, from prejudice and ignorance, in her establishment and progress.

The salary of Dr. Chandler as a Missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, was £50 sterling a year; on which, with some slight contributions from the congregation, a parsonage, and small glebe, he lived with such a degree of ease and comfort, and with such a free and unlimited hospitality, as are remembered by many who are still living, both with wonder and pleasure. I have scarcely ever met with any aged person belonging to our Church who had visited Elizabeth-Town, that did not delight in recalling the many happy hours which he had spent in that agreeable family, and at that hospitable board.

Extensively as Dr. Chandler was known and respected by strangers, he was still more beloved by his parishioners and friends. Cheerful in his temper, easy and accessible in his intercourse with others-fond of study, of retirement, and all rural pursuits, but yet of blending and sweetening them with social enjoyment, remaining much at home, and, from an aversion to preaching elsewhere, never out of his own pulpit, it was natural that his affability, his kindness,