appropriateness and comprehensiveness of the prayers which he offered. He had great reverence for the Sabbath. He observed it with all the strictness with which it was wont to be regarded, in New England's palmiest days. Whether at home or abroad, these sacred hours he devoted to the high purpose for which God gave them.

"All who knew Mr. Huntington, however widely they differed from him on questions of political economy, could unite in testifying that he was an honest man. He would never yield what he believed to be just and right, to win the favor of any man, or set of men. Not hasty in forming an opinion, when, from honest conviction, he had assumed a position, he stood firm, even if he stood alone."

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON.

GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT, 1786-1796.*

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NATHANIEL HUNTINGTON, father of Samuel, resided in Windham, Conn., a plain, but worthy farmer." The mother "was a pious, discreet woman, and endued with more than an ordinary share of mental vigor." They had a large family of children, and three sons devoted themselves to the Gospel ministry.

Samuel Huntington was born in Windham, July 2, 1732; died in Norwich, January 5, 1796.

He did not share in the educational advantages which were afforded to his brothers, but, "being designed for a mechanic, was apprenticed to a cooper and served out his time." His leisure from manual labor he gave to reading and study.

He began the study of law at the age of twenty-two, opened an office in his native town, and in 1760 removed to Norwich.

In the year 1764 he was elected to the General Assembly of the State; in 1765 was appointed King's Attorney; in 1775 was elected a Delegate to the Continental Congress, and was President of that body in 1779; was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation; and was Governor of Connecticut from 1786 to 1796.

Before the Revolutionary War, Mr. Huntington generally had two or three law students in his family, and his house was from time to time open in the evening to the young of the neighborhood. "After the social chat and merry game of the parlor, they would frequently repair to the kitchen for a dance. These pastimes seldom lasted beyond nine o'clock. According to the good

"Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence," by Goodrich ; Lanman; "History of Norwich," by Miss F. M. Caulkins; "Discourse," by Rev. Joseph Strong; "Dwight's Travels."

old custom of Norwich, the ringing of the bell at that hour broke up all meetings, dispersed all parties, and sent all visitors quietly to their homes and their beds."

Mr. Huntington was of medium size, with penetrating eye; dignified in his manners even to formality; reserved in popular intercourse, but in the domestic circle, communicative.

"He was eminently a religious man. Amid feeling declarations. of personal unworthiness, he avowed unwavering trust in God through his Son. He was as ready to officiate at a conference meeting, or to make a prayer and read the Scriptures when called upon in a public assembly, or to breathe counsel and consolation by the bedside of the dying, as to plead before a Judge, or to preside in Congress."

Says Timothy Dwight: "With this gentleman [Mr. Huntington] I was intimately acquainted; and revere his memory, for his candor, moderation, wisdom, integrity, patriotism and piety."

He married, when in his thirtieth year, a daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, of Windham; "a lady without any pretensions to style or fashion, but amiable and discreet. It was long remembered, that in clean muslin apron, and nicely starched cap, she would take her knitting and go out by two o'clock in the afternoon to take tea unceremoniously with a neighbor." They had no children, but adopted two of the children of a brother, Rev. Joseph Huntington; one of whom afterwards became Governor of Ohio, the other, the wife of Rev. Dr. Griffin, President of Williams College. Mrs. Huntington died June 4, 1794, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. Her biographer says: "Among other excellent parts of Christian character, her benefactions to the poor ought not to be forgotten. The number is not small of those, who on such grounds, 'rise up and call her blessed.'"