were not confined to the pulpit, nor to his parish. Without assuming any autho rity, the care of all the neighbouring churches seemed to be upon him. For many years he state, and on the 16th day of December 1722, he was ordained. He married Miss Mary Porter of Hadley, by whom he had a numerous offspring, seven of whom survived him. The cares of a family however did not di-presided as moderator of the convert his attention from his duty sociation of Windham county; as a minister. His temporal although during the former concerns were with him but se- part at least of the time it was condary. He came to do his attended by a number much master's business, and although older than himself. So distin for many years he was subject guished was he for his wisdom, to great bodily infirmity, he pur- that his advice was asked in all sued his studies with unremitted important concerns in the vici attention, and preached in sea- nity-Did any dispute exist beson and out of season to his tween minister and people, did flock. any heresy threaten to divide and distract the churches, Mr. The doctrines upon which he principally insisted were the fal-Williams was the man to whom His judg they looked for aid. len state of man-the corrup- But his ministerial labors For twenty years he was a member of the corporation of Yale College; he was a faithful friend of that institution, and he was beloved as well as respected by the students. About the year 1744 he published seven sermons entitled, Christ the King and Witness of Truth." Many single ser mons of his were also published at the solicitation of individual friends or the Society. He also engaged in a controversy with the Rev. President Edwards res pecting the qualifications of those who desired to be admit He studied ted to the sacrament of the of the rhetorician. Lord's supper. In which, how-not to conceal his meaning by ever, they differed as to the evi- his words, but that every word dence of qualification, rather should assist the mind in receivthan as to the qualification it-ing the idea intended to be com self. In 1746 Mr. Williams published, "A Vindication of the Gospel Doctrine of Justifying Faith. being an answer to Mr. Andrew Croswell's argument against a general, and for a particular Faith." In which answer the "sweet dream" that assurance is the essence of Faith, or the Antimonian doctrine is completely refuted. The concluding remarks in the preface will serve to show the temper of the author, and may be useful as an example to future dispu tants. municated. The good of the audience was the object of his preaching, and not their applause. He preached Christ, and not himself. Hence no affected gestures, no theatrical exclamations, no studied tones; yet "there was an air of gravity and pleasantness, of dignity and modesty, of authority and humility," which becomes him who is the ambassador of Christ when he reflects upon his own imperfections. No one could hear him and not believe him sincere. Few could hear him and not be affected. During the time of his ministry there were several revivals of religion in his parish, and one in particular so general that most of the people were under religious concern. Before his settlement, the people were much divided; and "I have not designedly made any injurious personal reflections or misrepresentations of Mr.Croswell nor designedly treated him with indecent warmth or with hard words beyond the merit of the cause; if any thing of this kind has any where drop-during the time of his ministry, ped from me in this controversy with him, I shall be sorry and readily ask his pardon without pleading his example in excuse. It has been my sincere aim not to expose him, but to vindicate the cause of truth, and the doctrine of the gospel." many of the neighbouring churches and congregations were rent asunder; but his became more united; and his wisdom and prudence under God prevented in a great measure the diffusion of those errors among his people, which at that In the desk Mr. Williams im-time proved so fatal to many perceptibly caught the attention others. of the hearer, without the at- In his private ministrations he traction of a strong sonorous was singularly useful. His voice, and without the trap-knowledge was not derived from pings of a polished style. He seldom spake but from his notes. His sermons were the result of much reading and reflection; they were distinguished by their sound sense, and written in a plain style, free from the arts books only, but he had thoroughly studied the human. heart; and so far as was consistent with the duties of a Christian, he became all things to all men. With those who came to converse with him vain of their fulness of God, and his full assurance of his interest in that salvation which the Redeemer has purchased." talents for disputation he would reason. To those who thought an argument dull and reasoning vain, he could display the most keen wit, and the most delicate humour; yet he never offended by personal satire, nor disgusted by the coarseness of his remarks. Always grave, yet always cheerful, he never displeased the young by his moroseness, nor the old by his levity. His passions seemed to have been subdued by grace, and however rudely attacked, he remembered that "a soft answer turneth away wrath." In his deportment he was meek, modest, affable, and condescending, so that any one could approach him; yet he was grave and dignified, so that none could ap-strained to view it as important proach him without respect. Address, Constitution, and Subscription proposal, of the Connecticut Bible Society, firesented to the well disposed, of every denomination. All the relative duties he discharged with faithfulness. In his family he was an example of conjugal tenderness and parental affection. He took the most unwearied care in the education of his children, and by his œconomy was enabled to give to four of his sons a liberal education. WEtention, brethren, to a E invite your serious at more general, and, as far as possible, to a universal, circulation of the holy scriptures. The object, we are convinced, presents an immense field for useful exertion. We are, of course, con in a high degree; and as haying demands upon our solicit ude which we cannot neglect and be guiltless. We view it as matter of devout adoration and praise, that the care of the pious, in various parts of the world, has lately been turned to this interesting subject. By associations for the distribution of bibles among the indigent and careless, multitudes, with whom the sacred writings were not to be found, and who must, in all rational probability, Though he sustained the severest trials in the loss of his children, particularly his eldest son who died a few weeks after he had graduated, he was an ex-unless assisted by religious chaample of submission and resig-rity, have finished their trials nation. For more than fifty for eternity unacquainted with years he continued in the per- the truths of divine revelation, formance of his ministerial du- have been already furnished with ties and remained able to preach these books of life. until about six weeks before his We bless God, that, to the death, which happened Februa- societies now existing, for this ry 29th 1776. In his last mo- benevolent purpose in different Tents he expressed his perfect and far distant districts of the satisfaction in the way of re- Christian church, he has given demption by Christ, his firm re- success much beyond even the liance on the promises and faith-expectations of those by whom they were instituted. Of these, to the European division of the however, the limits of our ad-old continent. Vast sums are dress permit us to give no more annually expended in translating than a very concise account. the Christian scriptures into the In Great Britain, 1780 a Na-oriental tongues. The way apval and Military Bible Society pears to be thus rapidly prepawas formed. Its only object was ring to diffuse the knowledge of the distribution of the holy salvation, by a Redeemer, among scriptures among the seamen of many and great nations overthe navy, and the soldiers of the whelmed in the fatal superstiarmy. By the aid of annual tions and idolatry of heathenism. 'subscriptions, benefactions, and How animating, brethren, to 'collections at various churches, every true friend of man, must "the society has been enabled to be the hope of incalculable good, 'distribute nearly forty thou- which may be reasonably ex'sand bibles, and a great num-pected from such expanded and 'ber of testaments." Witnesses well directed effusions of Chrisof high rank and consideration tian benevolence! have borne their repeated and very cordial testimony to the happy effects, that have been ex-fairest prospect of great use perienced. By these examples of our brethren in Europe, and by the fulness, the attention of many in A little more than five years the United States has already since, a British and Foreign Bi- been fixed upon the same object. ble Society was also established Careful enquiries have been in that island. Its object was excited into the necessity of sithe publication of the bible, not milar institutions, on this side only in the English, but in va- of the Atlantic. Their result, rious other languages; and the as far as they have been yet purcirculation of it among the poor sued, has presented affecting of many nations. By the re-testimony to the urgent need of port of that Society's committee, Bible Societies in our country. the 4th of May, 1808, it appears, At every step of the examination, that, in the course of the year additional evidence has been prothen next preceding, their ex-duced, and additional hope creapenditures, in printing and cir- ted, that unspeakable good may culating the word of God, a- here be accomplished by such mounted to more than fifty four institutions. thousand dollars. Accordingly, our Christian Recent and authentic accounts brethren of different denominaassure us, that Societies, for the tions,in Philadelphia.have.within same excellent purposes, have a few months, formed a Bible Solately been formed also, in va-ciety, for that city and its vicinirious parts of the British Uni-ty. We feel a strong persuasion, ted Kingdom; and, upon the continent, in Switzerland, in Germany, in Prussia, and in Denmark. Nor are the exertions of the pious, in Great Britain, confined tha the more accurately the present want of bibles, among the poor in every district of our country, is investigated, the clearer will be the evidence supporting a hope, that consequencs, happy beyond our conception, distribution was, in former ages, will follow from multiplying so-so little regarded. so little regarded. Our duty is cieties for circulating, as univer- not with the generations that sally as possible, the written have passed into the world of testimonies of the Most High.. immutable and righteous retributions, but with the living of our own age-and, in a sense, that must affect every considerate mind, with generations to come. To obtain the means, and to perform the work, of putting the bible into the hands of those indigent people who have it not, and who seem not likely, soon, if ever, to feel themselves able to purchase it, is the single object of forming the Society, that here addresses you. For this sole purpose, we'solicit your aid, by the various talents which the Lord has committed to you for use. We believe it, however, to be unquestionable, that the Christian world has never had oppor tunities, of distributing the bible, equally favourable with those which present themselves to the present generation. The increased facility of intercommunication between all the parts and nations of the civilized world is the reason of this fact. Ought we not, therefore, abstaining from every delusive re We dare not, indeed, affirm, that, in every instance, we shall be able to select the most suitable objects of your charity. But we dare, and we do, promise fidelity, as stewards of the Lord's pro-flection on the past, to enquire, perty entrusted to our disposal. as in the presence of our Judge, what can now be done, most effectually to promote the good of the present and following generations? And must not the Will it be objected, that societies, for the sort of charity here proposed, have not, in past ages. been deemed necessary; and that there appears to be no ex-circulation of the scriptures, traordinary need of them, at the bringing salvation, among those present day? We readily con- that do not possess the means of cede the correctness of both the an acquaintance with them, be articles stated in the objection: placed on the list of works, the And it deeply affects us, that most useful in our power? truth demands the concession : But we are, by no means, pre-desirable, that every person pared to allow it to be thence capable of intelligent reading inferred, that indispensible duty should have opportunities of condoes not now require the institu- tinual access to the holy scription and the labors of Bible So-tures? We believe, that none will cieties. To us, the contrary ap-answer, No, but the misguided pears to be the only correct con- papist, and the fool, that "hath clusion. Is it not, in the highest degree said in his heart, there is no God." Such, however, we do not here address. While we are persuaded, that the universal diffusion of the holy Scriptures would have been Are there not many individuals always useful, we do not feel and families capable of intelliourselves concerned to show, ingent reading, who are now desthis address, why their generaltitute of these scriptures? That |