His early education was strictly religious; and during a season of special seriousness, under the ministry of the Rev. Moses Hallock, the pastor of that church, he became a hopeful subject of divine grace. He was then about thirteen years of age: but he did not unite himself with the visible church until six years after this time. The following paragraphs are extracted from the memoir.

"Being a young man of respectable talents and ardent piety, he was early desirous of obtaining a liberal education, that he might be prepared to preach the Gospel of reconciliation. But his father, having a family of seven children, did not feel himself able to dispense with the services of James, who was then his eldest son, (an elder brother having died in infancy,) and to give him a public education. In these circumstances, his desires to devote his time to the studies preparatory to a collegiate education, could not be gratified, till he was nearly twenty years of age. At the age of twenty-two, he became a member of Williams College. During the whole course of his education, such were his pecuniary circumstances, that he was under the necessity of submitting to many privations. These reflect honour upon his Christian character, as he submitted to them, from a strong desire to promote the best interests of his fellow men.

"While a member of college, his classical acquirements were respectable, and, in the mathematics, he excelled. But it is less on account of his attainments in literary and scientific knowledge, that he is deserving of esteem, than for his love of order, his correct deportment, and the bright example, which he set before his fellow students. During his residence in college, a revival of religion took place. He laboured among the students, with diligence, prudence and zeal, and became the instrument of good to many of them. It was in college, that he became acquainted with the beloved and lamented Samuel J. Mills, who was his classmate. A very intimate and endeared friendship was early formed between these kindred spirits; a friendship, which continued through life, and which, it is believed, has been resumed, and is to be perpetuated, in heaven.

"It is already known to many, that Mr. Richards was among the first in his native land, who sacredly devoted themselves to the cause of missions among the heathen. This he did at a time when the subject of foreign missions had excited little attention in America; and before any, except that little band of brethren, (of whom he was one,) mentioned in the life of the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, had thought of making it a personal concern. It was here, that they examined the subject together. It was here that they so often retired from the sight of the world to some consecrated spot for fasting and prayer, that they might seek divine direction, and find a door of entrance among the heathen. From that time, he steadily pursued his object, amidst many delays and discourage

ments, which would have diverted any less devoted mind from its object.

"In 1809, he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and the same year became a member of the Theological Seminary at Andover. Here he laboured with diligence and success in concert with Mills, and several others of his brethren, in promoting a spirit of missions among the students in the Seminary; and, also, in the Christian public, by the distribution of many books and pamphlets on the subject of missions.

"In June 1810, Mr. Richards was one of that little company, five in number, who presented to the General Association of ministers in Massachusetts, the Memorial on the subject of missions, that led to the formation of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. As Mr. Richard's name, however, does not appear in the Minutes of the General Association, it may be proper to state the reason of its omission. The subject of foreign missions being comparatively new, at that time, in America, it was thought by the members of the Association, that four was a sufficient number to be presented, in the first instance, before the Christian public, as devoted to that cause. Mr. Richards's name was, therefore, erased, because the others, with the exception of Mills, were his seniors in the Theological Seminary, and would be sooner prepared to leave their country on a foreign mission. But although their junior in his collegiate standing, he was second only to Mills in having solemnly devoted himself to this great and glorious object. His heart was much set upon it. As a proof of this, it may be proper to mention, that, for several years after he had formed the resolution of becoming a missionary to the heathen, he had no other prospect of accomplishing his object, than that of working his passage to some part of the gentile world, and of casting his lot among the heathen. This he fully intended to do, in case there was no other mode of accomplishing his object. : "As an evidence of his strong attachment to this cause, the following brief extracts are selected from his journals.-'I feel that I owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay. The heathen have souls as precious as my own. If Jesus was willing to leave the bosom of his Father, and expose himself to such suffering here below, for the sake of them and me, with what cheerfulness should I quit the pleasures of refined society, and forsake father and mother, brothers and sisters, to carry the news of his love to far distant lands; let me never consider any thing too great to suffer, or any thing too dear to part with, when the glory of God and the salvation of men require it.' Again: 'I hope to use nfy feeble efforts in disseminating the word of eternal life in the benighted regions of the east. But I feel a deep conviction of my own weakness and dependence on God, and the importance of being qualified for this great work. May the Lord give me strength and grace! I feel as though I should be greatly disap

pointed, if I should not be permitted to preach Christ to the poor pagans. At another time he writes; There is some prospect, that peace may soon be restored to our country, and I hope ere long to join my missionary brethren in the east. My heart leaps with joy at the thought. I long to preach Christ to the heathen. But the burden of my prayer of late has been, that I may be prepared to act the part assigned me.'

In September 1812, Mr. Richards finished his theological studies at Andover, and became a preacher of the Gospel. In - November following, under the direction of the American Board of Missions, he entered the Medical School at Philadelphia, where, for nearly two years, he prosecuted his studies with commendable diligence and good success. While in that city, he had many opportunities of preaching to destitute congregations, and in parts of the city where the stated means of grace were not enjoyed; and, in conjunction with the lamented Warren, was afterwards employed, for a considerable time, as a missionary in the suburbs of the city. He took the degree of Master of Arts, in 1814; and spent a considerable part of the next year in preaching to a people, who, previously to his going among them, had been much divided; but, in consequence of the blessing of God on his labours, were united again, and enjoyed a pleasing revival of religion. They then urged him to remain and become their pastor; but his previous engagements rendered it improper, in his view, to comply with their request.

"In May, 1815," says his biographer, "he was married to Miss Sarah Bardwell, of Goshen, Ms. and on the 21st of June following, was ordained at Newburyport, in company with Messrs. Mills, Warren, Meigs, Poor and Bardwell, and expected soon to sail for Ceylon. About this time, he made the following entry in his journal, expressive of his attachment to the missionary work. What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies; especially for affording me a near prospect of commencing the work, on which my heart has been so long and so constantly set! For more than seven years, I have had one uniform desire of spending my life among the heathen. If I know my own heart, I do wish to spend and be spent in preaching the glorious Gospel of Christ.' Though he expected to sail in a few weeks after his ordination, several circumstances occurred to prevent the sailing of the vessel until the 23d of October. At that time, in company with eight missionary brethren and sisters, he embarked in the Dryad for Ceylon. When asked, afterwards, how he could refrain from weeping at the time of leaving his native country, and all that was dear to him there; replied, 'Why should I have wept? I had been waiting with anxiety almost eight years for an opportunity to go and preach Christ among the heathen. I had often wept at the long delay. But the day on which I bade farewell to my native land was the happiest day of my life.'

"The Dryad had a favourable voyage of five months to Colombo. Mr. R. a short time after his arrival, was attacked with an inflammation of the eyes. Not being sufficiently aware of the debilitating influence of a tropical climate, he, in order to remove the inflammation, probably reduced his system too low. This, in connexion with much fatigue, in removing from Colombo to Jaffna, doubtless laid the foundation of those pulmonary complaints, which finally terminated in death. He arrived in Jaffnapatam about one year after leaving America, and in a few months removed to Batticotta, where he was associated with Mr. Meigs. Here, although his health was feeble, he laboured with diligence in superintending the repairs of the buildings at that station, and in preaching to the natives through an interpreter. But in September 1817, he was obliged to desist from preaching and from study, in consequence of a cough and weakness of the lungs. A visit to Colombo, having been obviously very beneficial to his health, it was thought expedient for him to repeat the visit, and eventually to accompany Mr. Warren, then at Colombo, to the Cape of Good Hope. In April, 1818, the two brethren set sail from Colombo, and in July, they arrived at Capetown. There the beloved Warren took his departure for a better world, and left his friend and brother to pursue his earthly pilgrimage alone.They had, for a long time, been united in the closest bonds of Christian friendship. From the state of Mr. Richards's health at this time, it was thought that the period of their separation could not be long. He remained at the Cape about four months. During the first three months of this period, his health and strength were much improved, and he entertained raised expectations of final recovery. But during the last month, his symptoms took an unfavourable turn. He raised considerable blood from his lungs. His cough, also, became much worse; his strength failed very fast, and he entirely lost his voice. During the greatest part of these four months, he lived in the family of John Melville, Esq. the kind friend of missionaries, and of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, where he was pleasantly situated, and received every attention, which it was in the power of the family to bestow."

In the latter part of November, he embarked, in company with the Rev. Mr. Traveller and his lady, for Madras, where he arrived about the middle of January. The kind attentions of his fellow passengers contributed to his comfort and health; and in Madras he found many friends. He next proceeded to Colombo; and from thence he went by water to Jaffnapatam. Though the distance from this place to Batticotta is but seven miles, yet, as he was obliged to travel it by land, he performed the journey with difficulty. For a season, he considered himself, and was considered by his brethren, as near death. But in August, 1819, his symptoms were more favourable, and not long after, he recovered

a considerable degree of health and strength. He then commenced visiting the native free-schools connected with the station; and was able, by means of an interpreter, to inspect the studies of the boys, and to communicate to them religious instruction.

Early in April 1820," says the memoir, "he began to recover his voice, so as to be able to speak loud for the first time (except for a few days on his voyage from the Cape to Madras,) for more than seventeen months. During that month, he was able to take considerable exercise on horseback, as well as to use more stimu→ lating food and drink. By these means, his health and strength were visibly improved. From this time until May, 1821, there was but little alteration in the state of his health. During that year, he did much for the benefit of the mission, not only by his counsels and prayers, but by active labour as a physician, both to the souls and bodies of this people. He was remarkable for his diligence in business, as well as fervency in spirit, labouring sometimes beyond his strength."

After the death of Mrs. Poor, he became considerably more unwell, partly in consequence of fatigue during her sickness; and he never again rose to that degree of vigour, which he had enjoyed for the year previous.-But we must hasten to the closing scene, as described in the memoir.

"On the evening of the 29th of June, 1822, he was attacked with severe pain in his right side, which continued several hours. From this time, the commencement of his last illness may be dated. The pain in his side returned, on the three following days, and on Monday the 1st of July, it was excessively severe, and continued nearly six hours. It was to be hoped, that, in view of his protracted illness, he would be permitted quietly to descend to the grave. But, the Lord seeth not as man seeth:' and, in this case, his brethren had a pleasing illustration of the truth that the Lord doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.' The necessity and utility of the severe sufferings, to which he was subjected, were in a good degree apparent even to us. They were evidently the means of relieving him from that state of mental imbecility, of which he had much complained, and of rousing to rigorous exertion all the powers and faculties of his soul. While thus awakened by this powerful stimulus, the Lord was pleased to manifest himself unto him in a special manner, as the God of all consolation, as an infinitely glorious Being, and the object of supreme desiré. He was favoured, at that time, with unusually elevated conceptions of the character of God, and with correspondent affections of heart. He afterwards repeatedly remarked, in reference to these seasons of suffering, that such were his views of the divine character, and so desirable did it appear to him, that God should be glorified by all his creatures, that he felt willing that his sufferings should be continued, and even increased, if it were necessary to promote any glorious designs of VOL. VI.

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