why he esteemed the reasons urged in his letters on the evidences of Christianity, as more convincing than all the arguments of the school-men. It was an every way interesting scene to those who witnessed it, and must have dissipated every sceptical doubt in the mind of any who would draw near and take a close view of it. “He is dead—he is departed." Shall we lament his his death? shall we weep over his urn? Shall not our tears at the same time be mingled with a mournful pleasure, that his warfare is accomplished—that he is free from sin and sorrow- that he is now in the full enjoyment of all the blessings of the everlasting covenant which were in reversion for him? His was a long life of painful disinterested devotedness to the service of his generation. He was without cotemporaries; and remarked, when he heard of the death of the Rev. Mr. Sutton, whom he much respected, that he was now left without a cotemporary, but that it made not much difference, for he should soon fol low, and did.* In his official addresses he was tender, affectionate, and solemn. Having devoted himself to the service of the sanctuary, his was not a life of idleness. He ever considered that his duty as a preacher of the gospel was not confined to the pulpit-it was a maxim with him, that preaching, in ordinary cases, was not likely to be blessed, unless the hearer had been prepared by a previous course of catechetical instructions. To this * At his birth the population of his country was half a million, at his death it was eight million. duty he set himself as often as circumstances and the state of society would permit. It was his custom before, and some years after he removed to Kentucky, to divide his church into two catechetical districts, for the convenience of collecting the children, and to attend each at stated times when not interrupted by other duties. These pious labours were not confined to his own immediate charge, but were frequently extended to vacant churches, as often as he could avail himself of a suitable person to act as catechist under his superintendence; and in such cases he recommended, as the best preservative against disputation with any of the catechumens, to close the exercises of the day with a serious address, suited to the occasion, and by prayer. The happy effects of this course he witnessed in the great improvement in religious knowledge, and an increased attention to public ordinances; and the neglect of it in this country he very much regretted. It was a common remark with him, "The people are starving the ministers, and the ministers are starving the people for it." In dealing with those under distress of soul, the way in which he had himself been brought eminently qualified him-and it was a duty which he always performed with sympathetic delight. In public he was faithful, in private he was exemplary. In his commerce with mankind he was upright— in his domestic circle he moved with majestic evenness: perhaps the oldest of his children never saw him manis fest irritation or passion in a single instance. He was a tender, cordial, kind husband-an affection ate father, a humane master. He knew well how to order his house-in administering religious instruction to his household, his manner was calculated to impress the mind with the idea that the truths taught bore a relation to eternity. He knew how to command obedience without austerity. Never under the influence of a blind partiality, he was quick to discern the foibles of his own, and with steady hand corrected them. In his neighbourhood he was always kind and obliging. His conversation was seasoned with the precepts of wisdom. In all his deportment he displayed the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Much of his time was spent in prayer: he delighted to draw near to his heavenly Father, and hold converse with his God and Redeemer-and in his prayers he always bore the church on his heart. Kentucky! many tears has he shed for you and your children. The following is extracted from a letter of friendship of one of his brethren in the ministry. "It is with pleasure I embrace the opportunity now presented to communicate to you my impressions and reflections on visiting and viewing alone the grave of our reverend and dear father. I was struck with the simplicity and decency of the place, which seemed rather formed to excite serious pleasure than melancholy. The western breeze gave an undulatory motion to the pendent branches of the weeping willow which shaded the memorable spot that gives repose to that heart which has felt more for the distressed-that head which has thought and studied more for the purpose of benefitting his countrymen-those limbs which have been longer and more constantly employed to promote these ends, than probably any other grave in America contains. "The paled enclosure was large enough to contain the happy pair who had become companions again after nine years separation. Here, said I, he has found his long lost Maria at last-here they lie in the same position in which they stood at the altar when they first pledged their vows to each other: they are now joined to be parted no more forever-and together shall they rise triumphant at the general doom, to be joined in more perfect union. "A little gate gave admittance to the solitary visitant, while a willow at each southern corner afforded him a shade. The rich carpeting of blue-grass which covered the surrounding glebe, seemed to add to the tranquil appearance of the place. The peaceful forest at respectful distance on one side, and a row of fruit-trees at equal distance on the other, seemed to secure this venerable repository from the approach of all idle curiosity. O what, like the manifestation of affection to its corresponding object, so calculated to warm the heart and enliven the pleasing sensations of fancy. I need not tell you how the christian doctrine of future glory charmed me, when I viewed it as the place of rest from so many years of labour, and the reward of so many years of suffering. I have seldom been so fully pleased with death. O let us try to emulate those whose graves we view with such delight, and whose memory shall be blessed forever." CHAPTER XVII. LIST OF HIS PUBLICATIONS, WITH CALCU To do good to the souls of men, and to do good by bringing plain practical truth before the mind, was the great object of Mr. Rice's life. This is peculiarly the character of his writings. The state of society in which his lot was cast did not afford him much time or many opportunities for study-yet the opportunities which he had were improved, and when he considered himself called upon by Providence to speak for his Master through the Press, he was ready. His publications were: 1. An Essay on Baptism, 1789.-This was probably the first pamphlet which was written in Kentucky. It was printed at Baltimore. 2. A Lecture on the Divine Decrees, 1791. 3. Slavery inconsistent with Justice and Policy, 1792. 4. A Sermon at the opening of the Synod of Kentucky, 1803. F |
