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prehensible, he was very affectionate in his reconciliation on their 'acknowledgment and submission.

On reviewing the works accomplished by Dr. Wheelock, it is evident he must have been remarkably active and indefatigable in his labors. He had no time for amusements or rest; his whole life was a continued series of exertions. He neglected not the minutiae of his concerns; he had a talent of dispatching business with great facility. His correspondence in Europe and America was extensive; and so at command were his thoughts, that often while composing his letters, he at the same time supported conversation on other subjects. He accomplished much because his whole attention was invariably fixed on his favorite object. He pressed every advantage within his reach to one point, the salvation of the heathen. A sentence expressing the character of an ancient worthy, may be applied to him; "Ad id unum natus esse videreter quod aggredereter;" i. e. he seemed to be born for what he had undertaken. According to his devout request, that he might not outlive his usefulness, he died in the full possession of his intellectual powers and in the midst of his usefulness, apparently too soon for his friends, too soon for the church and the world. Through an active and enterprizing life, religion had been his companion and his guide, and in its solemn, closing scene, the consolations of religion were his support and joy.

SECTION X.

HIS CHARACTER-FAITH-PRAYER DOCTRINES TALENTS AS A PREACHER, &c.

PERHAPS the christian and philosophic reader, pleased with distinct views of character, may wish for a more entire portrait of Doctor Wheelock. The historic sketch, already given, presents some features strongly marked; others may be more clearly drawn. Doctor Wheelock not only believed in a general and particular Providence; but he felt and realized the doctrine. Consequently he viewed with interest, not only the great changes in the world, and those evidently important to himself; but the most incidental circumstance, the most trivial event, he habitually regarded, as a link in the chain of Providence, a unit of an eternal series, a part of an infinite plan. Consequently he was often affected and moved by those things, which did not excite the attention of others. Hence it was yery natural for him to put constructions on Providence very different from many of his connexions. This he often did to their surprise. From those things, which filled them with fear and despondence, he sometimes was animated and roused to new exertions. This might appear to be enthusiasm and rashness, but was really the result of an enlarged mind, of extensive views, and minute and familiar observations on the Providence of God. It has been said by a celebrated writer, "that every genius is a prophet;" with more propriety may it be said, that every careful observer of Providence is a prophet. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." From constant observation on Providence, they better understand its language, and more safely argue

from the past to the future. By constant study they more readily comprehend its real import. The Doctor considered the word, and not the Providence of God, as the law of duty; yet when God gave him success, furnished him with the means, and opened a door for his exertions, he considered this a call to proceed, and often varied his plans, as Providence seemed to invite or oppose his labors.

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Doctor Wheelock was a man of faith. Like Abram he believed God. Hence such phrases as these are frequent in his letters; "God gives me all I ask for; he is a prayer hearing God. If I were not stupid and sluggish and unbelieving, I doubt not I should have much more, and all I need; for he hath said, open thy mouth wide and I will fill it." I find this to be so, and give into it. I think with my whole heart that I am not straightened in him. I can bear witness to that precious word of Christ: "Ye shall ask what ye will in my name and it shall be done." I think my affairs are under the smiles of heaven, and they will be so, if we keep up a good account with God." Such was the faith of this good man. He remembered that God had said, "Command ye me." He gave credit. to this declaration; he availed himself of its immense advantages. Therefore, like Jacob he was ready to say to God, "I will not let thee go unless thou bless me." He persevered in his addresses, till he obtained the object of his desire. He seemed at times to draw upon Providence for his expences in bringing the Indians to the knowledge of the truth. So strong was his faith in God, that he would give success to his useful plans, that sometimes it seemed to others like fanaticism.

Such faith naturally produced a spirit of prayer. Doctor Wheelock was a man of prayer. In social prayer he enjoyed remarkable fervor and freedom in his addresses. Beside his usual and daily devotions, he often set apart particular days and seasons for prayer. When going a journey, whatever was the hour of his departure, he always called his family and students together to supplicate the blessing of God on his undertaking. When two of his missionaries were setting out to preach the gospel to the Indians beyond the Ohio, he with solemnity and affection proposed to them and his pupils to maintain a concert of prayer, "that beside daily remembrance of one another, at the throne of grace, they might spend special seasons, saturday and sabbath evenings, between the hours of six and seven o'clock in prayer to God for his protection, presence and blessing upon them and on all missionaries, gone to proclaim salvation to the heathen." So great was his influence or so seriously disposed were his pupils, that every member of the school and college appeared to unite cordially in this solemn agreement. A vein of pleasantry enlivened his conversation, and so candid, charitable and accommodating was his temper, that he was sometimes accused of flattery; but this is no uncommon tax of politeness.

Though of a cheerful and pleasant disposition, such were the incessant and weighty concerns, which pressed on the mind of Dr. Wheelock, that they frequently extorted an involuntary groan. Much of his time was employed in profound meditation and prayer. In summer evenings, after the family had retired to rest, his custom was to walk one or two hours on the green before his house for serious meditation. Notwithstanding this contemplative turn of

mind, and frequent attacks of hypochondria, he delighted his friends by the sweetness of his temper and the urbanity of his deportment. His conspicuous situation attracted much respectable company, whom he entertained in the most agreeable and hospitable manner. An extensive acquaintance with mankind, had led him to a deep knowledge of human nature. Delicate was his sense of decorum and propriety; he always supported the dignity of his character as a christian and a minister of the gospel. So useful were his labors, so disinterested his motives; so persuasive his address, so winning his manners, that generally when he personally applied to individuals, he obtained all that he asked for the support of his expensive establishments.

Though Dr. Wheelock exerted all his prudence and profound discernment in arranging his plans, he relied entirely on the providence of God to give them success. Few men have been more conscious of their absolute dependance. He was rarely disappointed. He trusted in God and was not confounded. Frequently in his printed narratives of the school, he expresses his pious and. grateful sense of the divine agency in his suc

cess.

Neither did his sense of dependance weaken his exertions, nor obstruct his perseverance. Nothing but the goodness of his heart could exceed his perseverance to obtain his object. Once satisfied concerning his duty, nothing could discourage or obstruct his exertions. He never gave up his design till he found it impracticable; the lukewarmness of friends did not cool his ardor; the desertion of associates could not appal his heart; and to the turbulence of opposition he calmly bid defiance.

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