ceptible of tender affections, he was, especially when in the prime of life, an impressive, acceptable, and excellent preacher."

"As to anecdotes, of which, in a series of mutual intercourse for nearly half a century, there must have occurred many that would be worth preserving, I cannot at present call any correctly to remembrance, or at least sufficiently recollect them, in their striking points, to attempt a detail."

In compliance with request, the reverend Mr. Forrest, a respectable minister of the Associate Reformed Church, made the following communication, which is inserted with pleasure, as another valuable attestation, in concurrence with the preceding.

"A few years ago, I related to Dr. Rodgers an anecdote of a Scots clergyman, who, while preaching from these words, Heb. xi. 32. And what shall 1 more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, &c. observed, “ My brethren, here are some very rough-spun saints: really, if the Spirit of God had not decided this matter, it would have been hard work to have admitted

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them among the number. But, my brethren, this teaches us that, if we get to heaven, we will see many folks there that we did not expect." Dr. Rodgers observed, "Yes, my friend, I expect to "see in heaven among other wonders, three very great ones: some there whom I did not expect to have seen there; others not there, "whom I had great expectations of seeing there; "but the greatest wonder of all, will be, to see "myself there, the chief of sinners, pardoned and "sanctified through the grace of God!"

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"I have often admired the talents displayed by Dr. Rodgers, while he presided in the board of Directors of the Missionary Society. Having, in my younger days, been often led, by curiosity, to attend the meetings of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the Synods of both branches of the Secession, I may be allowed to express an opinion concerning this subject. Never have I, in any of these courts, seen a Moderator who could preserve decorum, interest the members of court in the business before them, and command the respect and affection of members, equal in any degree to Dr. Rodgers."

"I am not in communion with that church

to which Dr. R. belonged, and never had an opportunity of hearing him preach more than once. My acquaintance with him commenced in 1802, when he was in the decline of life; but it was my happiness to enjoy his private conversation for a few years; and I always considered him as a singular blessing to the American church."

Having presented these testimonies, from different and impartial witnesses, an attempt will now be made, to pourtray those remarkable features in the character of this eminent servant of Jesus Christ, which so highly distinguished him, and which contributed so largely, under God, both to the acceptance and the utility of his labours. For it is a fact not to be disguised, that the reputation, the influence, and the usefulness of Doctor Rodgers, considered jointly, were greater than usually fall to the lot of one, who had no higher claims than he, to strong and original powers of mind, and to profound learning. Shall we say, then, that his reputation was undeserved; or that it rested upon an unsubstantial basis? By no means. It was merited. It had a solid foundation. And it may not be altogether without benefit to inquire, why it was, that this venerable

minister of the gospel, was more known, more honoured, more influential, both in the church and in civil society, and more extensively useful, than many other clergymen, who ranked higher on the scale of native genius, and were more conspicuous for their literary acquirements? This question will be answered, by exhibiting and illustrating the most remarkable features of his character, under a series of heads.

I. And here, the first place shall be assigned to his ARDENT AND UNIFORM PIETY. This was the grand ornament, which appeared in all that he said or did; and which shed a lustre on his character, in whatever point of light it was contemplated. Common sense dictates to every man, that the minister of religion ought to be truly religious; that he who makes it the business of his life to explain the doctrines, enforce the precepts, and recommend the spirit, of Christ, ought himself, in some good measure, to exemplify what he preaches, in his own temper and conduct. Accordingly, as the evident want of piety is one of the last deficiencies, that can or ought to be pardoned in a clergyman; so the habitual display of warm, practical, consistent piety, in the sacred profession, is of more importance in every

point of view to ministerial reputation and usefulness, than is generally imagined. The pious love it; formal professors approve it; and even the most determined votaries of profligacy, or of infidelity, secretly revere it, and, like Herod, pay it a trembling homage.

Such piety, even in clergymen, is much more rare than is commonly believed. It will be observed, the assertion is, that such piety is more rare. None will suppose that a general reflection is intended on the profession of which the writer is a member; and still less that he imagines himself entitled to take the place of censor among his brethren. But fidelity to the Master's cause is paramount to all other obligations. "The "piety of some," as a late excellent biographer remarks, "is official rather than personal. It "consists in certain exercises and appearances, "which are resigned with the occasions that require them and in company they are the merry

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companions, the temporizing associates; in the "house, the cruel husbands, the negligent fa"thers, the tyrannical masters*." The piety of a much larger class of ministers, though real,

*Jay's Life of Winter, p. 230. N. York edition.