sidered him a preacher of first-rate excellence, and he soon acquired by his public ministrations, by the habitual suavity of his manners in private intercourse, and by his unwearied exer tions to do good at all times and in all places, an influence which is rarely possessed by one so young in the service of his Master. This high standing in the Church, contributed greatly to the ultimate success of his endeavours to carry the plan that had been devised for promoting the general welfare of the Church-Soon after his settlement in New-York, he sought with his characteristical prudence and zeal, to bring about a reconciliation between the Cœtus and Couferentie parties;-an object which, as the reader has seen, lay, for years before, very near his heart, and which he had attempted, but in vain, to accomplish when he was in Holland. The circumstance of his having been educated abroad,—his present connexion with the Church of New-York, which had happily, at no time, taken a part in the great controversy,-and his distinguished reputation, gained him, in a little while, an extensive acquaintance among the ministers of both parties, and consequently many opportunities of calling their attention to the subject. These opportunities, whenever presented, he failed not to improve. As an evidence of his assiduity, a paragraph from a letter which he wrote the following June, while he was paying a short visit to his friends at Poughkeepie, to Dr. Laidlie, * is here inserted. "What conver *The love he bore his respected colleague is strongly expres sed in the letter; and, as a memorial of their pious friendship, a few additional extracts are subjoined. "My dearest Colleague and Brother in Christ, "With pleasure I converse with you, though at such a distance: past times seem to recur to my mind, when, at a greater distance, I expressed my love to you in this way. The Lord has been with me since I left you. On the water it was tedious, on account of the number of passengers. I arrived home on Friday, P.M. being 48 hours on the water. A kind providence to my whole family gives me fresh opportunity to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. Last Sunday, A. M. I preached here, and was much assisted to speak of Jesus and salvation through his merits. I thought much of our Church in New-York the whole day, (as indeed every day that is much on my heart,) and especially sympathized with my dear Laidlie; my prayers were for you, that God would support and bless you. The country air, the new amusements, and caresses of near relations, have refreshed both soul and body. I feel cheerful and hearty, and am convinced that it is necessary sedentary persons should now and then take tours of this kind. When I am walking among the trees, and ascend a hill, or gain from any little eminence a fine extended prospect, I draw in the wholesome air, and am apt to say-Man was made to live in the country, to trace the footsteps of his Maker's power and wisdom in the vegetable world.' Nothing certainly but sation I have already had with some of the partizans in the Dutch Churches, I will communicate to you when I return to town. That bitter spirit, which has so much prevailed, begins to subside, and it is the general sentiment that something must be done in order to open the way for that regular establishment so necessary for the education of youths for the ministry. As I have scarce time to write this letter in haste, I shall refer this to a conversation. You know the love I have for yourself will make your sentiments always weighty with me." It was stated in the last chapter, that articles of union had been referred to the parties respectively, by the Classis of Amsterdam; and that in conse the pleasures and superior advantages of society, can compensate for the loss of those pleasures which the country affords superior to the town. The more I am refreshed in my present situation, the more I wish to have you with me, a partaker in these rural delights. This, however, I know to be impossible; but shall insist, on my return, that you take the same tour, as soon as your family and circumstances will permit your leaving home, whilst your health and cheerfulness add to my own. * * "I never feel how much I love you, as when I am absent from you. The Lord be with you, and give you what, as a father, he knows to be best. "Your most affectionate Friend and Brother, "June 11, 1771. quence of its being proposed in them to form a connexion with Princeton College, and of the neglect of the Classis to order a convention of the Churches, to deliberate upon the plan, the reference had proved abortive. Subsequently, and but a short time before the Doctor came back to his native country, the Classis was appointed by the Synod of North Holland, through his influence with this rev. body, a committee, with plenary power to do whatever they might judge would be conducive to the interests of the American Church, and between the clerical members of the Classis and the Doctor, there existed a perfect understanding in relation to the plan which, after his return, should be offered to the consideration of his brethren. This plan, thus privately approved, it is probable was the old one new-shaped, the obnoxious article mentioned above being omitted; or it embraced the same cardinal principles, which there was reason to believe would, when understood, be generally viewed as unexceptionable, and as constituting a suitable basis for a union of parties. The Doctor now found, upon conferring with pious and influential men of both parties, as he observes in the paragraph of his letter just quoted, that the bitter spirit, which had so much prevailed, begun to subside, or that the severity of temper and violence, which had heretofore marked the controversy, were no longer to be seen, and a desire for the adoption of some project that would give satisfaction to all concerned, appeared to be cherished; he, therefore, ventured to hint at one. He did not at once exhibit that which he had provided, but in a modest and discreet manner, endeavoured first to learn the sentiments of those with whom he conversed, with respect to the great objects it contemplated, and then to remove objections, if any were made, in order to prepare the way for its acceptance. By this prudent procedure, he soon became convinced that the articles in his possession would be favourably received by the Church, and that it was expedient to adopt some measure, without delay, for the purpose of laying them formally before it. He accordingly suggested to his Consistory, that as they had not engaged on either side of the unhappy dispute, their influence, if used, could probably procure a general convention, and proposed that letters, stating the object in view—requesting the attendance of every minister belonging to the Church, and of one elder from every congregation, and fixing the time and place of meeting, should be |