time caused him considerable disquietude, but such was the fact. He was under the necessity of purchasing the place that was now undergoing repairs and alterations, to put it in a comfortable state; and, to pay for it, he had depended upon the sale of some property he had in New-York. More than a year elapsed, however, before he could effect a satisfactory sale of this property, and meanwhile, his situation, on account of his debt and prospect of support, was an anxious and very unpleasant one, as will appear by an extract from another letter to the same individual: "I said the sale of my place would be considered as a merciful providence, because I wish much to dispose of that property. I wish it, because I have made a purchase here, for the discharge of which I depended wholly upon the sale of my place there. I was convinced, and I still am, that it was my duty to come here. Events, of the highest magnitude to the prosperity of our churches, appeared to depend upon my coming. It was high time for me to decide and to remove. My refusal or delay might have rendered all abortive.I found there was no habitation for me to be obtained here, excepting that which I purchased. I knew also the public funds for my support, after I was here, were not yet ascertained. Notwithstanding all this, which to the eye of prudence was forbidding, I yet ventured, as I trust, in the obedience.

of faith, and risked all the consequences to promote this work of the Lord. You will easily conceive now, that if by the sale of my place, I might be able to discharge the burthen that has accrued, and especially, if something might remain for a support upon which I could depend, it would indeed be a merciful providence. While I work for the churches, I am willing to maintain myself, if I Zion is welcome to my labours. To Zion and to Zion's Lord, I cheerfully consecrate all I am and have. My other property is not immediately productive * * *. In this situation, while, for the trial of my faith and hope no doubt, it pleases the Lord to disappoint me hitherto in the sale of my place, which is my only present resource, you can readily conceive that, at times, I feel as if I was left alone."*

can.

Queen's College being revived, agreeably to the resolution of the Trustees, which was communicated to the Synod in 1807, under the auspices of the Rev. Dr. Condict, as its vice-president-at the

* In two years, the Doctor did not receive the whole amount of salary due him for one; $1200 being all that the funds in hand had produced during that period; so that his fears in rela tion to a support, as he was situated the first year, were not altogether groundless, or at least it is not to be wondered at, that he felt and expressed some little anxiety on that account.

commencement of the exercises of this institution, in the autumn of this year, the Doctor entered upon the discharge of his official duties, as president of the same, and as professor of theology. But it ought to be observed, that in the capacity of president, it was not expected he would render much active service no more was required of him, in fact, by his call to the office, than that he should " preside at commencements and authenticate diplomatic documents, and take a general superintendence of the institution, as far as his time and health might admit."-Giving instruction in theology was the department to which he was chiefly to devote himself: this belonged exclusively to him, and he engaged in it with all his heart.

At first, he had only five students to attend his lectures; but the next year, the number increased to nine, and in 1812, when he made his first official communication to General Synod, the committee who reported upon the subject of the professorate, made the following statement. "Since the removal of the professor, he has opened the theological school, and the number of students has so increased, as to afford a hopeful prospect that this institution will be of extensive and permanent usefulness to the Church." This statement is introduced by a reflection or two, expressed in these words: "When your

committee reflect on the zeal of the professor, thus to promote the best interests of the Churches,-his leaving a people endeared to him by a useful ministry of forty years-removing from a place, where numerous connexions had been formed, and an ample support was secured; when they reflect on his entering on a new and arduous scene, at such sacrifices, in his advanced period of life; the committee hesitate not to express the high and grateful sense they entertain of the conduct of the professor, and feel confident their sentiments are in unison with those of the Churches generally."

The Doctor, impressed with the propriety of religious exercises at funerals, and wishing to promote their prevalence in the Church, had prepared with some care, and published a work upon the subject, entitled "A Funeral Service; or, Meditations adapted to Funeral Addresses."-This little manual, which the venerable author had compiled altogether from the oracles of God, and judiciously arranged, was now respectfully noticed by the General Synod; and among other things, to regulate the practice of ministers at burials, it was resolved, "That as a funeral service has lately been prepared and published by Professor Livingston, which comprehends all the general subjects proper to be introduced at funerals, and is a treasure of excellent

meditations, and worthy of all acceptation, because entirely selected from the Sacred Scriptures; therefore, the General Synod recommend the same to all the ministers belonging to their jurisdiction, to be used by them agreeably to the mode therein suggested."

When the obsequies of the dead are solemnized, an opportunity is offered to speak a word which, to some precious souls may, under the divine blessing, be a word in season; and the writer, though he is no advocate for a regular sermon upon every such occasion, begs leave to express his own conviction that the opportunity ought not, except for a good reason, to be allowed to pass without some attempt to improve it, for the benefit of mourners and others present. Much good, in the providence of God, may follow a brief address or short prayer, delivered either at the house of mourning, or at the grave; and for such exercises, this work of the Doctor, supposing it be not used in the manner recommended, contains an assemblage of appropriate Scripture sentences, which it will be found profitable to consult.

The Synod, at this session, committed to him the performance of a task of great importance and responsibility. In the opinion of many pious and intelligent persons, the Book of Psalms and Hymns