warmth of friendship, and ardor of feelings. Traits of character were then exhibited, which have since marked his conduct in critical and important periods of his life. In 1776, he engaged with cordiality and zeal in defence of the liberties of his country. He was actuated by no interested or ambitious views. Nor did he support the cause of the colonies merely because it was a popular one. He acted upon principle. We must not rank him among mere reformers and innovators, who oppose the government under which they live from restlessness of disposition or lust of personal aggrandizement. He was discriminating in his opposition to the measures of the British cabinet, adopted at the period of which we speak. It was not so much the legitimate authority of the British government supported by principles of the memorable revolution of 1680, which he condemned, as the arbitrary policy of the administration of lord North and his deluded associates.

Previously to the war of 1775, Mr. Cobb had devoted his attention to medical pursuits; and had a fair prospect of acquiring both fame and property by the profession. But this prospect he readily relinquished; and early engaged in the dangers and hardships of a military life. This however was a war for self-defence, in support of the freedom of his country; and no sacrifices were considered too great to be endured. Such was his activity in the cause of liberty, such the public confidence in his talents and bravery, that he was soon placed in a high and responsible station in the army. He was made lieutenant colonel of the regiment commanded by the late General Henry Jackson. Though a man of science and theory, he was not satisfied with forming plans for others to carry into execution. He was as prompt and efficient in action, as he was ingenious in calculation. No difficulties could divert him from his purposes: He was distinguished for his heroism and bravery through the whole of the revolutionary contest, and was honored with the peculiar esteem and confidence of the commander in chief. Soon after he entered the army, he was selected for one of the aids of General Washington, and in that situation continued till the close of the war.

Since the peace of 1783, he has sustained important and honorable offices, and often received the suffrages of his fellow citizens for some of the highest stations in the government. For several years, he was major-general of the militia of this state; first justice of the court of common pleas for the county of Bristol and afterwards in the county of Hancock, the place of his present residence; a member of congress ; speaker of the house of representatives of this commonwealth; president of the senate; lieutenant governor in 1809 and 1810; and at present the senior member of the honorable council.

In none of these stations has he ever been suspected of dishonorable conduct. He never exercised power to oppress his fellow citizens: he has not accumulated property at the expence of the public. With generous and lofty feelings, which fear no scrutiny and aim at no mercenary or selfish objects, he disdains all temporizing and equivocal conduct, and in his manners is frank and undisguised. By some men, it may seem, that he is destitute of that caution and prudence, which are requisite in an intercourse with the world, a great part of which judge only from appearances. We mean not to say, that in some stations discretion is not necessary both in justice to ourselves and to render us more useful to others. Yet are frankness and decision of character of such intrinsic worth, that they always receive the homage of ingenuous and high-minded men. To the weaknesses and prejudices of mankind, however, something is justly due; and while sincerity claims our highest praise, much commendation may be bestowed upon that prudent regard to the feelings and opinions of others, which leads us to suppress, at times, the full declaration of our wishes, and induces us to be less positive and obtrusive in maintaining our own sentiments.

There is generally a curiosity to learn the religious opinons of public men. General COBB, we believe, has nothing of the sectarian in his character; nor can we say to which particular denomination of christians he is most attached. But by his intimate friends, he is considered a decided be,

liever in the christian revelation. The prophecies contained in the holy scriptures, he has studied with great attention, and expresses full faith in their accomplishment. In his po litical views and calculations, he is ever ready to admit the doctrine of an all-wise, all-controling providence, by which the destinies of nations and of men are determined; and by which the passions and plans of tyrants will be made finally to issue in the improvement and tranquillity of the world.

MEMOIRS OF THE LATE

REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

(Concluded from page 192.)

WE extract a curious account of a sort of pitched-battle about this period between Mr. Whitefield and the Mountebanks at Bartholomew fair.

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'It has been the custom, for many years past, in the holiday seasons, to erect booths in Moorfields, for mountebanks, players, puppet-shows, &c. which were attended, from morning till night, by innumerable multitudes of the lowest sort of people. He formed a resolution to preach the gospel among them; and executed it. On Whit Monday, at six o'clock in the morning, attended by a large congregation of praying people, he began. Thousands, who were waiting there, gaping for their usual diversions, all flocked round him. His text was, John iii. 14. They gazed, they listened, they wept; and many seemed to be stung with deep conviction for their past sins.' All was hushed and solemn. • Being thus encouraged,' says he, I ventured out again at noon, when the fields were quite full; and could scarce help smiling, to see thousands, when a merry-andrew was trumpeting to them, upon observing me mount a stand on the other side of the field, deserting him, till not so much as one was left behind, but all flocked to hear the gospel. But this, together with a complaint that they had taken near twenty or thirty pounds less that day than usual, so enraged the owners of the

booths, that when I came to preach a third time, in the evening, in the midst of the sermon, a merry-andrew got up upon a man's shoulders, and, advancing near the pulpit, attempted to slash me, with a long heavy whip, several times. Soon afterwards they got a recruiting sergeant, with his drum, &c. to pass through the congregation. But I desired the people to make way for the king's officer, which was quietly done. Finding these efforts to fail, a large body, quite on the opposite side, assembled together, and, having got a great pole for their standard, advanced with sound of drum, in a very threatening manner, till they came near the skirts of the congregation. Uncommon courage was given both to preacher and hearers. I prayed for support and deliverance, and was heard. For just as they approached us with looks full of resentment, I know not by what accident, they quarrelled among themselves, threw down their staff, and went their way, leaving, however, many of their company behind, who, before we had done, I trust, were brought over to join the besieged party. I think I continued in praying, preaching, and singing (for the noise was too great, at times, to preach) about three hours. We then retired to the Tabernacle, where thousands flocked -we were determined to pray down the booths; but blessed be God, more substantial work was done. At a moderate computation, I received (I believe) a thousand notes from persons under conviction; and soon after, upwards of three hundred were received into the society in one day. Some I married, that had lived together without marriage; one man had exchanged his wife for another, and given fourteen shillings in exchange. Numbers, that seemed, as it were, to have been bred up for Tyburn, were, at that time, plucked as firebrands out of the burning.

I cannot help adding, that several little boys and girls, who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit, while I preached, and handing to me people's notes, though they were often pelted with eggs, dirt, &c. thrown at me, never once gave way; but, on the contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their little weeping eyes, and seemed to wish they

could receive the blows for me. God make them, in their growing years, great and living martyrs for him who, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, perfects praise.'

The fact of the thousand notes received on this occasion from persons affected by his preaching, gives no bad concep. tion of the impression produced by the attempt.

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In the year 1742 we find him in Scotland, where he describes the people as sitting unwearied till two in the morning to hear sermons, disregarding the weather. You could scarce walk a yard without treading on some of them, either rejoicing in God for mercies received, or crying out for more.' From St. Gennis in Cornwall, we find him also about this period writing thus :- Arrows of conviction flew so thick, and so fast, and such an universal weeping prevailed from one end of the congregation to the other, that their minister could not help going from seat to seat to encourage the wounded souls.' From Birmingham he writes thus :—' It is near eleven at night. I have preached five times, and weak as I am, through Christ strengthening me, I could preach five times more.'

In 1744 we find him once more in America, preaching with his accustomed eagerness, and prosecuting his plan for the orphan school. Among the expedients for promoting its interests we are surprized to hear him notice the purchase of a few negroes.' How is it that the eyes of religion did not sooner open upon the profligacy of this traffic in blood ?-His solicitude for the souls of men at the same period is of a less questionable nature. He writes from America- I have omitted preaching one night to oblige my friends, that they may not charge me with murdering myself; but I hope yet to die in the pulpit, or soon after I come out of it. Weak as I was, and have been, I was enabled to travel eleven hundred miles, and preach daily.'

Upon his return to England, in 1748, his first acquaintance with lady Huntingdon was formed. An anecdote is recorded at this period of his life of another notable individual, so characteristic of the man, that we cannot help extracting it. The