ers often spoke of that day, as one in which the tenderest regrets for the people he had recently left, and the most grateful affection for the marked kindness and attachment of those to whose service he then devoted himself, produced a singular conflict in his mind.

Formed for activity, and prompted to diligence in his appropriate functions, as well by temperament and habit, as by a strong sense of duty; Mr. Rodgers immediately transferred to the new sphere of action in which it had pleased God to place him, the ardent zeal, and the tender pastoral anxieties and assiduities, which he had long displayed toward another flock. The disadvantage arising from the material difference, in several respects, between a country and city charge, was soon surmounted by him: or rather, hap

py in a style of manners peculiarly adapted to a polished and populous city, he at once found himself at home as pastor of the church in NewYork.

He had not been many weeks in this new station, before he began to direct to the catechetical instruction of the children and young people under his care, the same particular and unwearied

attention, which he had found so beneficial in St. George's. Besides collecting the younger children, once a week, and hearing them recite the Assembly's shorter catechism, accompanied with prayer, and an extemporaneous exhortation, as before, he instituted a more public lecture on the same catechism, which was held on Thursday evening in each week, designed for the instruction of the elder classes of children; but which was generally attended by as many, of all ages, as could be accommodated in the building in which it was held. These two services he continued, with persevering diligence, until within a few years of his decease; when his growing infirmities compelled him to yield them to his colleagues. He had a deep impression of the importance of catechetical instruction; which he embraced every opportunity of endeavouring to urge, especially on his younger brethren in the ministry. And he often declared that, as far as he was able to judge, the familiar, but systematic, doctrinal instruction, accompanied with a warm practical application, which he always aimed to give in his Thursday evening lectures, had been more signally blessed to the spiritual benefit of his people, than any other part of his ministrations.

Mr. Rodgers also encouraged the establishment of private associations for prayer, in different parts of the congregation, which accordingly, soon after his arrival in New-York, were considerably multiplied, and which he countenanced by his presence, as often as his numerous engagements permitted. A short time previous to the decease of Mr. Bostwick, the means of grace had been attended with a more than common blessing in the congregation; and although this partial revival had, in some measure, declined, previous to Mr. Rodgers' arrival, still a portion of its happy influence remained; so that the minds of the people were, in a considerable degree, prepared to give a favourable reception to any proposals which had for their object the promotion of christian knowledge and piety. This circumstance both facilitated the introduction, and was, no doubt, a means of contributing to the efficacy, of those new plans and labours for the advancement of religion, to which Mr. Rodgers' settlement in New-York gave rise.

These plans and labours were crowned with success. By the divine blessing upon them a considerable revival of religion almost immediately ensued. The congregation rapidly increas

ed. The assemblies for the worship of God were crouded. Many were awakened to serious thoughtfulness; and a large number were brought, as was hoped, to a saving knowledge of the truth.

In the course of the family visitations which Mr. Rodgers early commenced, and for many years faithfully maintained, he discovered a number of poor children, belonging to the congregation, who were growing up without any suitable education, and without the means of obtaining it. He immediately reported their cases to the officers of the church, and inquired whether there were no practicable means of putting such children to school, and preparing them for usefulness in life. The church-officers informed him of Captain Owen's legacy *; of the exertions which had been made to obtain and apply it, according to the will of the testator; and of the circumstances in which it was then placed. Mr. Rodgers, with that ardour and promptness for which he was remarkable, went immediately to Mr. Ludlow, and made a new and urgent application for the payment of the legacy. Mr. Ludlow, in the same spirit which he had always

* See the preceding chapter, page 167.

manifested, assured him, that he had long been desirous to be able to put the money in question lawfully and safely out of his hands; that he was still so; and that if any method could be devised of applying it to the object which Capt. Owen had in view, and of indemnifying him, he should most cordially consent to its adoption. After repeated conferences on the subject, Mr. Ludlow at length agreed to pay the legacy to the treasurer of the church, provided six of the principal members of the congregation would give him a bond of indemnity against all future claimants. This method of accommodation was adopted; the bond was given, and the money paid, in the year 1766. The gentlemen who had given the bond*, immediately invested, and began to apply the legacy, in such manner as they judged most conformable to its benevolent design.

When Mr. Rodgers entered on his pastoral charge in New-York, he found several customs established in the church, which by no means met his approbation. Among these, was the practice of making the introductory prayer in public

*These gentlemen were selected by Mr. Ludlow himself, and were the following, Peter Van Brugh Livingston, William Livingston, William Smith, John Morin Scott, Peter Mc Dougall, and Joseph Hallett.