The full opening of his mind to those great principles of doctrine which marked his later ministry, appears to have been very gradually attained, and yet it may be decidedly traced through the whole of his subsequent preaching. And though he had evidently undergone a radical change in his views of divine truth before he left Hudson, even so late in his life as through his whole ministry in Philadelphia, we have seen the enlargement of his mind still progressing, and his preaching growing every year more simple, apostolical, and evangelical in its character, as he approached the glorious termination of his course.

To gain a proper apprehension of this change in his views, as exhibited in the alteration in his style of preaching, it will not be uninteresting to compare some extracts from this first sermon, as it was preached in Hudson, and as it was again preached as the introduction of his labours at Fayetteville, a little more than three years after. Our first extract is in reference to the opposition of men to Gospel peraching. As the sermon was preached in Hudson, the following passage stands:

"Here then it is that our exertions are apt to be mistaken, and our well-meant endeavours attributed to motives of an uncharitable nature; and he who feels it his duty to preach the terrors of the Lord, is often stigmatized as unfriendly to the comfort and the social happiness of man. Did we, indeed, seek to make men pleased with themselves and with us, our task would be infinitely more easy, and then our continued, reiterated discourse should

be, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." But when we think of our obligations, when we remember that it is ours, through the blessing of God, to prepare the way by which men may attain the happiness of heaven, and that if any are dashed to pieces amidst the rocks and quicksands which it was our duty to point out, we are to be answerable, it is surely not only our duty, but our interest, by motives the most powerful, by exhortations the most urgent, not only to save the souls of those who hear us, but also to shield our own from the sentence of condemnation. Therefore it is, that our duty to God is to be regarded, rather than deference to man or man's judgment, and any imputation is far better than that of an unfaithful servant."

In preaching the same sermon at Fayetteville, beside some important corrections in the preceding passage, the following is introduced immediately to succeed it :

"I am aware, my brethren, that in those doctrines of grace which I shall feel it my duty to preach, there will be many particulars which ever have and ever will meet the opposition of the carnal heart for when we seek to hold up men to themselves as they are by nature, the picture cannot fail to be displeasing; and when we preach that godly sorrow which brings the sinner to the foot of the cross, and works repentance not to be repented of; when we speak and urge that change of heart by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is essential to salvation, every evil principle in the bosom is to be overcome, pride will raise the standard of its opposition, and fight boldly the battle of its master, and it is grace alone which can conquer it. I shall strive to preach the truth without offence in the manner; as it regards the matter, my friends, I have but little hope that it will fare better than it always has. It has never been cordially received till grace has prepared the way."

The following passage forms the conclusion of the sermon as it was preached in Hudson :

"I trust, brethren, that the connexion now commenced will give rise to feelings which shall render my services not the mere discharge of duty, but the exercise of friendship; and it will be my endeavour so to order my conduct and conversation among you, that I may gain, not only the approbation of your lips, but what is dearer, what is infinitely more valuable to the heart endued with the least sensibility, your attachment, and your love.

"I am, at least, to expect your cordial co-operation in any thing which shall tend to advance the interests of the kingdom of our common Master, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the public worship in the sanctuary, I shall expect your attendance; in the ordinances of the Gospel, your devout participation; and above all, let me beseech you, that when your prayers are addressed to the throne of grace, you remember him whose constant occupation it shall be to labour for your good, and to pray to God for your temporal and eternal welfare; so that when the great Judge shall make up his account, and we shall all meet before his throne, you will be able to answer unto God for the strict performance of your Christian duties; and I, in the joy of my heart, to exclaim, 'Father, these are they which thou hast given me.'"

To this, with some alterations in its language, the following was added, when the sermon was preached in Fayetteville :—

"To that period, my beloved friends, to that period of deep and of solemn interest, I would direct your attention; for there the everlasting condition of our souls must be finally determined. It is a matter not more serious to me than it is to you, that this Gospel which I preach is, on the authority of God, established as a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. If you receive

this Gospel from my mouth as but the idle wind which you regard not; if, instead of seeking to profit by its sacred instructions, you continue careless and unconcerned, oh what an awful deficit must there be in your final settlement. I speak it in the fear of my soul, that this Gospel which I preach must appear as a witness against those who, having lived under its sounds, have yet died. without the experience of its saving benefits. Oh, my friends, 'seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.'

"Do but earnestly seek an interest by a living faith in this Jesus Christ whom I have sought, and under the blessing of God will yet seek to preach, and all will be well. The Church shall be edified, and walking in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, be multiplied; and you, redeemed, and sanctified, and saved, by this same Jesus and his grace, shall be numbered among that great multitude, who, having gone to Zion with songs and everlasting joy, shall surround the throne, and the theme begun with you on earth, be perfected in heaven. Blessing, and honour, and glory, be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.'"

In the comparison of these extracts, the enlightened reader will not fail to see how much, during his short ministry at Hudson, his views of truth were enlarged, and his adaptation to the great work of "teaching and preaching Jesus Christ," was improved. For this, we cannot but look up to the Holy Spirit of God as the great source of the inestimable benefit, and ascribe to him the glory of thus teaching and qualifying the chosen instrument of so much ultimate good to men. The progress of this change in his views of truth, during his minis

try at Hudson, we shall be able to mark with some distinctness as we proceed.

When he entered upon the duties of his ministry at Hudson, he seems to have become aware of the importance of his office and duties, and he laid out for himself a scheme of labour which was much in advance of those who were around him. He established Sunday schools in the Church, and opened a Bible class for persons of all ages instructed by himself. These institutions, which have since become so extensive and important, were at that time almost unknown. There were few Sunday schools in the United States in operation so early as 1815, and still fewer Bible classes for persons of adult years. He met with some opposition in his efforts, and their efficacy was much disputed. He persevered, however, in these valuable plans, and was gratified in finding very happy results from his efforts for the congregation committed to him. When his subsequent important instrumentality in these departments of ministerial exertion, which will be exhibited in his succeeding history, is considered, it cannot but be interesting to know how early his attention was called to them; and that as his mind was receiving light in the truth of God, his heart was expanding with the desire to communicate the benefits which he gained to others. His preaching while at Hudson was frequent, generally as often as three times on the Lord's-day, in his own Church, or others in the vicinity. Nor was it altogether