suited to their age and the state of their mind, with which the family library was pretty well stored; such as the works of the Erskines, of Boston, Guthrie, Halyburton, Rutherford, Wilison, Trail, Flavel, Durham, several of Owen, &c. Between nine and ten o'clock all again assembled for family worship, and then prepared for rest; each again in secret commending him or herself, and all the members of the family, to the care of the Shepherd of Israel. Such was the Sabbath in my father's house. It was literally a day spent in religious exercises, or in gaining religious knowledge, or in seeking the grace, or in cultivating the dispositions which were to fit us for the Sabbath of heaven. In thinking of these delightful days, the only painful feeling in connexion with them is that they are all past, and can never be renewed in this world; for the parents have long since entered on their heavenly rest. When I look around me, and see how the Sabbath is generally observed now, even in families professedly the followers of Christ, I cannot help exclaiming-It was not so in my father's house! The religious arrangements of the age seem to me more calculated for the outward show of religion than for the cultivation of that piety which has its seat deep in the heart, and which pervades, and purifies, and blesses the most interesting of all earth's associations-the domestic circle. And with regard to the almost universal desecration of the Sabbath-a subject which is justly exciting so much alarm in the mind of every true friend of Zion-I cannot help fearing that no inconsiderable portion of it has taken its rise in the trifling manner in which the day is observed in many families professedly Christian. And until a remedy is applied here, and the Sabbath in the family at home becomes more like what it should be, no great change in the public observance of the day can reasonably, in my humble opinion, be expected to take place; for it is in the domestic circle, generally more than any where else, that the elements of the character of manhood are formed.

M. T. A.

THREE MILLIONS OF MOTHERS.

THERE are at least three millions of mothers in the United States. These mothers, aside from older children, have, it is supposed, between two and three hundred thousand infants in their charge. No influence, at present, can reach these infant minds but that of a mother. These minds may be moulded at the will or direction of these mothers. If this army of mothers should combine to accomplish any given object, what might they not do? If every mother should imitate the example of Hannah of old, and consecrate her infant to the service of the Lord, what could withstand such a moral influence? And yet from these infants are to come our rulers, our judges, our ministers, and all the influence, either good or evil, which is to sway the destinies of the nation.-Selected.

Bistory and Biography.

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE first meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, took place on the 21st day of May, 1789. The Assembly met in the Second Presbyterian Church in the city of Philadelphia, and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, from 1 Cor. iii. 7: "So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.'

The following delegates appeared and took their seats:

Presbytery of Suffolk-Minister-Mr. Joshua Hart.

Presbytery of Dutchess County-Minister-Mr. Benjamin Judd.

Presbytery of New York-Ministers-Dr. John Rodgers, Dr. Alexander McWhorter, Mr. Azel Roe, and Mr. John Close.

Presbytery of New Brunswick-Ministers-Dr. John Witherspoon, Dr. Samuel S. Smith, and Mr. James F. Armstrong. Elders—Mr. Nehemiah Dunham, and Col. Bayard.

Presbytery of Philadelphia-Ministers-Mr. James Sproat, Dr. George Duffield, and Dr. John Ewing. Elders-Mr. Isaac Snowden, Mr. Ferguson Mcllvaine, and Mr. Elijah Clark.

Presbytery of New Castle-Ministers-Dr. Robert Smith, Mr. James Latta, and Mr. Thomas Read. Elders-Mr. Moses Irwin, Mr. Amos Slaymaker, and Mr. John Crawford.

Presbytery of Lewes-Minister-Dr. Mathew Wilson.

Presbytery of Baltimore-Minister-Dr. Patrick Alison.

Presbytery of Carlisle-Ministers-Mr. Robert Cooper, Mr. Thos. McPherrin, and Mr. James Snodgrass. Elders-Mr. Samuel Edie, Mr. James Dixon. Presbytery of Redstone-Elder-Hon. John Baird.

Presbytery of Lexington-Minister-Mr. Moses Hoge.

Presbytery of South Carolina-Minister-Mr. Templeton.

It will be seen that there were 22 ministers and 10 elders. The Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of New York, was chosen Moderator. The minutes of the proceedings of the Assembly will be found in a volume published by the Board of Publication, entitled "MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, &c. from 1789 to 1820." We may remark here that the Board have also published the "Records of the Presbyterian Church from 1706 to 1789." These two volumes contain historical materials of great interest and value.

In addition to various acts connected with the internal policy of the Church, the first General Assembly signalized itself by two important measures. These were, 1. The commencement of the missionary work, by requiring collections to be taken up to assist in sending ministers to the frontiers and destitute settlements; and, 2. Measures to promote the printing and circulation of the Bible.

The following table has been compiled, by Synods, for the pur

pose of exhibiting the statistics of the Presbyterian Church at the organization of the first General Assembly:

It

The number of communicants is not given in the tables. The first statistics within our knowledge, which take notice of communicants, are those for the year 1807. At that time the number of ministers was about 350, and the number of communicants about 20,000. is probable that the number of communicants at the organization of the General Assembly in 1789, was between 8000 and 10,000. Whilst the population of the country has increased from 3,000,000 to 23,000,000 or nearly eight times, during this period, our communicants have increased from about 10,000 to 215,000, or about 21 times, during the same period.

THE REV. ASHBEL GREEN, D. D., LL.D.

His

ASHBEL GREEN was born at Hanover, N. J., on July 6th, 1762. parents were descendants of the Puritans. His father, the Rev. Jacob Green was a native of Massachusetts and a graduate of Cambridge College, and was pastor of the Hanover Church for forty-five years. Thorough religious instruction in the Bible and Shorter Catechism was among the blessings inherited by Ashbel Green from godly parents. He was in the habit of attending his father's school, but was not expected to receive a collegiate education. His early fondness for books, however, was soon noticed by both father and mother, and he was encouraged to prosecute his studies as far as their circumstances would admit.

At the age of sixteen, he responded to the call of his country and took up arms in its defence. On one occasion, after a rencontre with a party of British troops, his captain said to his company, "I think you might get a shot at those men in the boats! Who of you will try ?" "I will," was Green's immediate answer; and although only one other man would accompany him, he was as good as his word. The young soldier was also present with the American troops who pursued the British after they had burned the village of Connecticut Farms, including the Presbyterian church, and murdered the wife of the Rev. James Caldwell. At this time young Green was the teacher of a classical school; and on both the above occasions he dismissed his school to rally with others around the standard of his country. After teaching school for parts of three years, he entered the Junior Class of Princeton College. He united with the Church while a student of college, having, as he hoped, experienced a saving knowledge of Christ just before going to Princeton. It is a remarkable fact, showing also his own decision in coming out on the Lord's side, that for a time he was the only pious student in the institution. He was the first scholar in his class, and was graduated in 1783 with the honours of the valedictory oration.* The oration was delivered in the presence of General Washington and of Congress; and the orator gained great credit by adroitly addressing General Washington, and congratulating him on his success in conducting the war to a close. Immediately after graduation he was appointed tutor in the College; and, as Dr. Witherspoon was on a mission to Britain to secure benefactions, the whole instruction of the College devolved upon Dr. Smith and himself. After two years, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, which office he held about the same length of time. Whilst connected with the College, he resolved to devote his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His theological studies were directed by Dr. Witherspoon, whose friendship and confidence he possessed in a high degree. He says, "To Dr. Witherspoon, more than to any other human being, I am indebted for whatever of influence or success has attended me in life." His first public service was in the church at Princeton in 1785. He next preached twice in Philadelphia; and the Second Presbyterian Church forthwith sent him a call as colleague to the Rev. Dr. Sproat, then nearly seventy years of age. Before moving permanently to Philadelphia, he supplied for a time the

Young Green was instrumental in reviving the College Literary Societies, the Whig being the one to which he himself belonged. He says in his Autobiography, "I used to think and say that I derived as much benefit from the exercises of the Whig Society as from the instructions of my teachers." p. 141.

church at Lawrenceville, N.J. The Independent Congregation in Charleston, S. C., also wished him to become their pastor, but he declined. He was called to Philadelphia in 1786, and would have refused to accept the call but for the earnest and decided advice of Dr. Witherspoon. His ordination occurred in May, 1787; and he entered upon a ministry destined to be highly successful and of long continuance.

His reputation as a preacher has come down to the present generation in honourable and undisputed tradition. When he first commenced his ministry, Dr. Miller, who was a young man in Philadelphia and an attendant on his church, bears the following testimony:

"He was eminently popular. No minister in the city approached him in this respect. Crowds flocked to hear him, more than the place of worship could contain. His evening services especially were attended by all denominations, and that not once or a few times only, but from one year's end to another, and for a course of years with unabating interest. And truly his discourses were so rich in weighty thought, so beautiful in their language, and so powerful in delivery, that they were well adapted to attract and gratify all hearers of intelligence and pious taste."*

Dr. Janeway, who was Dr. Green's colleague from 1798 to 1812, gives equally emphatic testimony:

"When he was in the enjoyment of a measure of health, and in good spirits, his discourses were so well prepared, and delivered with such eloquence, that I regarded him as the first preacher in the Presbyterian Church." The delivery

of my colleague was excellent and commanding. Favoured with a good voice, he modulated it so as to impart force to the thoughts he uttered; his gesticulation was graceful and appropriate." In regard to pastoral duties, his colleague also says that "he duly appreciated and endeavoured to perform them. The youth of the church were at stated and frequent times carefully instructed in the Shorter Catechism. He sought out those who appeared impressed with a sense of religion, with a view to encourage them and lead them to the Saviour. And at times, when it appeared proper, he gave notice that he would be happy to see and converse with any of his people, at his house, who wished for counsel and advice. He visited, conversed and prayed with the sick, and embraced opportunities that offered of saying something for the benefit of others in the sick chamber. As far as he felt able he endeavoured to see his people at their houses."

During his ministry a large number were added to the church. At one communion season about fifty were received. In short, there can be no doubt that the basis of all Dr. Green's usefulness in the Church was his commanding character as a minister of the Gospel.

The reference to his public services in the Presbyterian Church while pastor in Philadelphia, will show his influence, wisdom, perseverance and energy. The subject of forming a "General Assembly" was engaging the attention of the Church at the period of Dr. Green's settlement in Philadelphia. The Synod of 1787, after considering the draft of a constitution for the Church, issued a pamphlet forming the basis for the deliberations of

In 1789 the First Presbyterian Church in New York desired to obtain the services of the distinguished young minister of Philadelphia, as colleague with Dr. Rodgers. Dr. Green says, "I immediately wrote in answer that no consideration could take me from the people whom I served, and that any attempt to do it would most certainly prove abortive. Ministerial coquetry I have always abhorred."

In 1792 the title of D. D. is added to the name of Ashbel Green in the Minutes of the General Assembly. This title was conferred upon him by the University of Pennsylvania, probably at the preceding commencement, when he was only twenty-nine years old. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him in 1812 by the University of North Carolina. VOL. I.-No. 5. 30