"I was wearied with my journey, and distracted by the various occurrences of the week: but, as no person was engaged to supply the desk, I was under the necessity of commencing my services here in very unfavorable circumstances; and I feel sure, that, since I began to preach, I have never performed less to my mind. I am out of my soundings; and you must not think it strange if you see me, in a few weeks, afloat in old Massachusetts. I have never preached to such a congregation before. The one in Park Street is inferior in respect to number, character, elegance, and, I believe, in every other respect. I confess, when I rose to address them, I felt not a little disconcerted. Imagine yourself in a large, splendid church, in a desk so high that it makes one dizzy to look around him, having before you judges, governors, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and people in the highest grades of society, and you may have some idea of my situation yesterday..

"So far as I know, the people think favorably of my performance; but they know too much for

me."

Like Jonah, under this burden of responsibility, he had half a mind to flee to some Tarsus. With David, he exclaims, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness."

In his letter, he continues: "I would labor where God places me; but I have not wisdom to take charge of this great people. I feel strongly inclined to break away from this place, and from Newbury

port too, and offer myself for settlement in some small country-town, where I would willingly spend my life in training up a little flock for heaven, far from the splendor, the noise, and the trials of a city congregation."

Thirty-five years later, with reference to this first Sabbath, he says, "I shall never forget the impression made on my mind when I first passed up the broad aisle to enter this pulpit. I seemed to be in the midst of an assembly of Roman senators, so thickly scattered in every part of the house were the grave and venerable men to whom I have referred. Their heads, hoary with age and with honor, and their upturned countenances, so intelligent, so dignified, so devout and thoughtful, filled me with awe as I beheld them; and, for a moment, I shrank at the thought of standing up to preach in such a presence."

After six Sabbaths, the committee wished Mr. Hawes to continue his trial-services six Sabbaths longer. The fashion of the churches in this respect has since greatly changed. People, in those days, had not reached that kind of intuition, by which, in a single Sabbath, they now seem able to discern the good qualities of a minister with sufficient clearness to elect him to the pastoral office, and then, as sometimes happens, by a similar infelicitous sagacity, in less than a single year give him an ignominious dismissal. The Hartford people moved more cautiously and securely.

The principal objection to a compliance with this request lay in Mr. Hawes's feeling of insufficiency

for the place. Yet he says, "Providence seems to have sent me here; and, though many things render me somewhat reluctant to remain, I dare not run away."

Meantime, he made a journey to Newark, N.J., stopping at New Haven.

"Nov. 5. Attended the ordination of Mr. Fitch, and his induction into the office of professor of theology in Yale College. The services were not very interesting: a common fault adhered to them,-they were too long; and this was occasioned, as usual, by a want of pertinency. Each one must go through the whole service, instead of confining himself strictly to the part assigned him."

Fifty-two years later, at the recent anniversary of the Theological Seminary at New Haven, Dr. Fitch, weighed down with the infirmities of age, was led into the meeting of the alumni, to whom he said a few tender and touching words:

"This seminary has been the means of great good. If I see results from it further, it will be in another stage of being; for I must soon go the way of my fathers. . . . In the other world I may be permitted to flit about the scenes of this, and, with the angels, witness the progress of Christ's kingdom. ... I take leave of my brethren; but there is a great kingdom before us, and a great Lord to bear us on his heart of love."

After an absence of five or six weeks, Mr. Hawes returned to Hartford.

"Travelling," he says, " is to me very unpleasant. "is I do not possess those habits which are necessary to

render it profitable; and, among strangers, I seldom enjoy much happiness. I am, on the whole, glad that I took the journey; though I found it much less interesting and improving than I expected.

"Whilst I remain here, it is needful for me to be governed by rule. I must not see company in the forenoon this must be devoted to study. I must rise early, and take suitable exercise. In my intercourse with the people, I must act the minister more than I have. I must be about my Father's business, wherever I am.

"Jan. 11, 1818.-To-day I closed my term of probation in this place. I have preached ten Sabbaths, and have aimed to give them as fair a specimen of my style, manner, and sentiments as I was able. I have preached with all that plainness and pungency which I should wish to use in preaching to those whom I never expect to meet again in this world.

"What the result will be is to me of small importance in comparison with the consciousness I feel of having sincerely attempted to do my duty. I feel an attachment to the people here, and have reason to believe I could be happy in their society.

"I cannot make myself believe that these fine folks and fastidious lawyers will wish to have me every Sabbath showering barbed arrows at them, . especially as they are thrown without any of those embellishments of oratory and manner which such people principally value. But the event will soon show. Sure I am that I have not taken a single

step, more or less, for the sake of pleasing them: and whether they keep me, or send me away, I shall not take off my hat; no, not to one of them."

Mr. Hawes had been before the people nearly three months. They had been hearing other and older, and perhaps more profound men,-Dr. Humphrey, afterwards President of Amherst College; and Prof. Burgess of Vermont University.

After this term of trial, the way was open for the action of the church and society; and it was taken according to the usages and principles of primitive Congregationalism:

"It was voted unanimously, That the church desires to unite with the society in giving Mr. Joel Hawes an invitation to take the pastoral charge of this church and society.

DEACON JOSEPH STEWARD, Moderator.
SETH TERRY, Clerk."

Next came the action of the society, passing a concurrent vote of invitation with three other votes, one to inform the church of the action of the society; the second, to fix the salary; and the third, instructing the committee to act with the committee of the church in such measures as may be proper for the ordination of Mr. Hawes, should he accept the call. The letter of invitation was signed by Isaac Buell, Joseph Steward, Aaron Chapin, Josiah Beckwith, Aaron Colton, committee of the church; John Caldwell, Enoch Perkins, Normand Smith, Jonathan Edwards, committee of the society. Mr. Wadsworth and Mr. Hudson, of the