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Drdinations.

ORDAINED at Sandbornton, N. H. on the 13th November, the Rev. Abraham Bodwell, over the Congregational church and society in that town. The Rev. H. C. Parley of Methuen, Mass. made the introductory prayer; Rev. Asa M'Farland, of Concord, preached from Ephesians iii. 8, 9, and 10. Rev. Ethan Smith, of Hopkinton, made the consecrating prayer; Rev. Isaac Smith, of Gilmanton, gave the charge; Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, gave the fellowship of the churches; and Rev. Mr. Babcock, of Andover, made the concluding prayer.

Respecting this transaction there was great unanimity in the church and society; and the order and propriety which were observed during the solemnities of ordination, reflect honour on the inhabitants of the

town.

On the 4th Sept. the presbytery of Oneida ordained Mr. George Hall, of East-Haddam, Connecticut, to the work of the gospel ministry, and installed him in the pastoral charge of the congregation of Cherry Valley. The Rev. J. Southworth, of Bridgewater, made the introductory prayer, and gave the right hand of fellowship the Rev. Samuel F. Snowden, of NewHartford, delivered the sermon; the Rev. James Carnahan, of Whitesborough, made the ordaining prayer ; the Rev. Joshua Knight, of Sherburne, presided, and gave the charges to the minister and to the people; and the Rev. Andrew Oliver, late of Pelham, in Massachusetts, made the concluding prayer.

This ordination is the fourth which has occurred within the space of four inonths, in the Presbyterian and Congregational churches in this part of

the country. In June, the Rev. Mr. Clark was ordained and installed in the town of Milton; a few months previous to which the Rev. Mr. Shadwick was installed in another congregation in the same town. In July, the Rev. Mr. Rich was ordained and installed at Sangersfield. In August, the Rev. Mr. Adams was ordained and installed in a congregation in Sherburne.

It is a subject of pleasing contem plation, and cause of lively gratitude to God, that congregations are now formed, and supplied with pastors, in places which but a few years since, were a wilderness.

The ordinations above mentioned are confined to churches, which from their agreement in doctrine and conformity in worship, and spirit of discipline, may be considered as forming one denomination. Baptist churches likewise increase in numbers; and an Episcopal church, which has a settled pastor, was consecrated on the 7th inst. at Utica.

On Tuesday the 23d of September last, the presbytery of Oneida ordained Mr. William Neill, a licenciate late of the presbytery of New-Brunswick, to the work of the gospel ministry, and installed him pastor of the congrega tion of Cooperstown. The exercises were performed in the following order, and by the following persons: The Rev. Andrew Oliver made the introductory prayer; the Rev. James Carnahan delivered the sermon, from Luke ii. 34; the Rev. Joshua Knight presided and made the ordaining prayer; the Rev. George Hall gave the right hand of fellowship; and the Rev. Samuel F. Snowden delivered the charges to the minister and people, and made the concluding prayer

Dhituary.

MEMOIRS OF MRS. HANNAH HODGE.

(Concluded from p. 248.)
174., as nearly as can be ascer-
esbject of this narrative

was married to Mr. Hugh Hodge. He too was one to whom the labours of Mr. Whitefield had been remarkably blest; and was chosen one of the first deacons of the church which, as

we have already seen, was formed by an association of the particular friends and adherents of that eminent preacher. Mr. Hodge "used the office of a deacon well;" sustaining it with great fidelity and reputation to the day of his death. On his side, as well as on that of his wife, a regard to religious comfort and improvement had a governing influence in the choice which they made of each other as partners for life; and experience fully demonstrated, that on both sides a wise and happy choice had been formed. Seldom has religion appeared to more advantage in the conjugal relation, than in that which subsisted between Mr. and Mrs. Hodge. For nearly forty years they were emphatically helps-mete" to each other in Christian duty, and in their journey to the heavenly rest. "They walked before the Lord in all his ordinances and commandments," with a blamelessness of which the examples are

rare.

Coming together with a very small portion of worldly property between them, they had to provide for their subsistence by their own efforts. These efforts were mutual, strenuous, aud constant; and by the smiles of Providence, such was their success in business, that they were able not only to live in a comfortable and reputable manner; but to show a most amiable example of hospitality, to perform numerous acts of charity and liberality, to be among the foremost in the support of the gospel, and, after all, to remain possessed of a handsome capital.

This pious couple had two children, a son and a daughter. The daugh. ter died in infancy; but the son lived to grow up, to receive a liberal education, to study physic, and to give promise of future usefulness to the world, and of comfort to his parents. But these expectations were soon blasted. During the revolutionary war, he went to sea, on a voyage of enterprize, with a number of other promising youth of the city of Philadelphia, and no certain information was ever received afterwards, either of them, or the vessel in which they sailed. The probability is, that all were buried together in the bosom of the ocean. The anxiety which Mr. and Mrs. Hodge experienced through

a long period of time, during which there was some hope that their son might be alive, and the grief which they suffered when they were at last obliged to consider it as a melancholy fact that their only child was no niere, can better be supposed than described. It is of more importance to remark, that their distress, great as it was, never sunk them into dejection or despondence, never brought from them any unavailing or unchristian complaints, but was borne with a resignation truly Christian, and a fortitude truly exemplary.

Mrs.

Hodge, who had both hopes and fears, in regard to the real piety of her son, told the writer of these memoirs that she had passed many an hour in musing on what was probably his eternal state. "After all," said she, "it must be left entirely with a sovereign and holy God; but I may, must, and do hope, if I get to heaven, to find him there."

The death of her daughter, who was her first child, she has been heard to affirm, gave her very little disturbance. "I had been married eleven years," said she to an intimate friend, “and had no child. Nor was I very anxious on the subject, till on a certain occasion, I was much interested in seeing an infant devoted to God in baptism, in our church. I was then forcibly struck with the thought, that a Christian parent possesses an unspeakable privilege, who gives birth to an immortal being, and is permitted to give it away to God, in this his instituted ordinance. On the spot I fervently prayed for this privilege, if it should be consistent with Ged's will to grant it; and I solemnly vowed that if it should be granted, I would, by his grace assisting me, unreservedly devote to him the child which he should give me. My prayer was answered, my vow was performed, and my child was taken to God, all within a year."

During the life of deacon Hodge, his house was constantly open for the reception of all evangelical clergy men who visited the city. The cordial welcome which always met them there, and the pleasure which they both gave and received, made them love to resort to this happy dwelling. To many of them it was, for several years, a home, to which they went

with as much freedom as they would have felt in going to a house of their own. Such, indeed, was the deep interest which both Mr. and Mrs. Hodge took in every thing that related to the church, such their eminent piety, and such the influence of their opinion upon others, that their sentiments on many interesting subjects, were asked by their clerical visitors, and are well known to have had weight in several important public concerns.

The house of deacon Hodge was also remarkable as a place in which religious associations, and assemblies of various kinds, were frequently held. Pious conferences, prayer meetings, and the exhortations of the ministers of the gospel to as many as the house and yard could contain, were here always welcome, often witnessed, and in many instances eminently blessed.

A general outline has now been exhibited of the life and habits of this pious couple, for a long series of years. Harmony between themselves, active attention to necessary worldly business, with a singular beneficence, charity, and piety, rendered them shining examples of practical and primitive Christianity.

Deacon Hodge died A. D. 1783. By his will he left the use of nearly his whole estate to his wife during her life, and at her death, made it a fund for the education of poor and pious youth for the gospel ministry, in the college of New Jersey. Mrs. Hodge bore the loss of her husband, not indeed without keen distress, for all her feelings were remarkably acute, but yet with such a becoming

and sweet submission to the divine will, as was extremely amiable and instructive. She cherished a fond remembrance of her husband through the whole remainder of her life, on all occasions she honoured his memory, often spoke of him with tenderness, and vet, after her first sorrows, never with much apparent emotion, but in the same manner in which she would have mentioned a dear absent friend, whom she shortly expected to meet again. Happy spirits! ye are now united, never more to part.

The house of Mrs. Hodge, after the death of her husband, was the same hospitable mansion as before, the

own.

same place for sacred conferences, and meetings for prayer aud religious improvement. One of these meetings was held weekly at her house till a short time before her death, and was, as she acknowledged, a valuable substitute for the privilege of public worship, from which her infirmities at that time often detained her. For many years after the death of her husband she likewise continued the business of shop-keeping, to which she had long been accustomed. He had left her an easy maintenance, independently of any exertions of her But she continued in her former occupation from considerations, which manifested equally her benevolence and piety, and her good sense and knowledge of human nature. The income from her shop, which was considerable, was almost wholly applied to charitable uses, aud sometimes she even added to it from her other resources. Thus, though she did not labour for her own subsistence, she had the satisfaction of providing more extensively than she could otherwise have done for the poor, the friendless, and the pious: and while she performed an important duty, gratified highly the feelings of her heart. But she also well knew the effect of habit on herself. She knew that having long been accustomed to fill up a large portion of the day with active business, she would be likely to feel the want of it, both in body and mind, when it should be discontinued. Accordingly, when her infirmities at last compelled her to relinquish her employment, she declared that she regretted it, principally because she found it unfavourable to her religious state. "You are very fortunate, madam," said a friend to her pleasantly, "very fortunate, indeed, in having no care or anxiety about the world; no business to take up your time or attention; nothing to do from morning till night, but to read, and meditate, and pray, and converse with your friends." "For all that," answered she, "I have not half so much comfort, not even in religion, as when I was bustling half the day behind the counter. I need more variety than I now get. I become moped and stu. pified for the want of something to Beside all this, vain, fool,

rouse me.

ish, wicked, and vexatious thoughts are almost constantly working their way into my mind, because I have so much of that time, which you talk of, for meditation. And, in addition to all, I become lazy and indolent, and do nothing as I ought to do. No, I was a great deal better of when I had some worldly business to which I could attend moderately. It did me good in every way. I must get along as well as I can, now that I am incapable of business, but I find it no advantage, but the contrary, to be without it." It is believed that this was the language of truth, of nature, of experience. Those who have led a busy life, should contract their business as age advances, but they will seldom find it beneficial, even to a life of religion, to be wholly unemployed in worldly concerns.

Mrs. Hodge had three attacks of an apoplectic or paralytic kind, within the last sixteen years of her life. But she wonderfully recovered from them, and possessed all her faculties, in a degree of vigour beyond what is usually seen in persons of her age, till about two years before her death. Then her decay became rapid and visible. On the 16th of Dec. 1805, in going to bed, she was seized with a fit. Medical aid was used to restore her, and she recovered so far as to know and speak to those who were about her, especially to the pas tors of the church to which she belonged. In the course of the evening, they both, at different times, prayed with her, and she appeared capable of joining in the service, at least for a part of the time. But her mind was evidently in a broken, wandering, and enfeebled state. Still, however, it seemed to draw to the centre which had so long attracted it. Help, Lord Jesus! help; come Lord Jesus, come quickly,' were sentences that she often repeated. She had a succession of slight paralytic affec tions during the night, and early in the morning, fell asleep in the Lord, expiring without a sigh, a struggle, or so much as the motion of a single

muscle.

Few persons in the city of Philadelphia had so extensive a religious acquaintance as Mrs. Hodge. To them these memoirs will be interesting, and to others a part of them may

be useful. They will be closed with an attempt to give th. most striking features of her character.

Among the natural powers of her mind, she was most of all distinguished by that faculty which has been denominated common sense, and of which it has been truly said, that "though no science, it is fairly worth the seven." Except on the subject of religion, she had read but little; and in what is usually understood by mental improvement, she had made no great progress. Her powers of judging and distinguishing were naturally strong, and these she had improved by thinking much, and observing accurately. Hence she seldom gave an opinion which did not deserve to be heard with respect, and which was not proved by experience to be just. This was the source of the influence which she possessed, and which was singularly great. Often has the writer of these sketches remarked, that she was a striking example of what solid sense, sterling integrity, and sincere piety will effect, without the advantages of refined education, great wealth, or even of that sex which usually claims the highest respect. It was his belief that for many years, her opinion had more influence in the large religious society to which she belonged, than that of any other individual in it. Yet it may be remarked with truth, and the truth is much to her honour, that she did not appear to know the influence that she possessed. She was truly diffident and unassuming, and never intruded her opinions upon others, nor delivered them as if she supposed they were important.

She possessed great sensibility, and strong passions, which caused her many a sore conflict. Yet the united influence of religion and good sense, had given her as a habit, a remarkable self-command; so that she was capable of managing, with a happy address, the most refractory spirits of others. She could remain self-possessed and silent, till the time for administering reproof was come, and then give it with the most complete effect. Many examples of this were known to her acquaintance.

Kindness and affability were dis tinguishing features of her character. They rendered her company unusual.

ly agreeable and pleasing; so that even the young and the gay sought it, and were often delighted with it. They could not but admire in her a strictness of piety, united with a tenderness, an attention, and a desire to give pleasure, which they seldom found. To the last she was visited by the young as well as by the old.

Her benevolence and liberality have already been mentioned. Many will feel their loss, and, ungrateful as the world is, many will long remember with gratitude the benefits she conferred.

She was remarkable for sincerity. There was nothing that she abhorred more than dissimulation or hypocrisy. She could not endure it in others, and she stood at the greatest distance from it herself. She loved to hear and to speak the truth in all its simplicity. On some occasions, the frankness and explicitness of her manner gave offence. Such instances, however, were not numerous; for though she would never speak what she did not believe, she was often silent, when she differed from the sentiments of others, and when she thought that speaking would do no good. But her silence on many such occasions was eloquent, for it was not easy for her countenance to conceal any sentiment that she strongly felt.

In domestic life she was indeed a bright example. Intent on doing good in this, which is the principal sphere of female usefulness, and hav ing always a small family of her own, she brought up a number of orphan or destitute children, received several female boarders into her house,* and made it a charitable asylum to others who had once seen better days. Many of these, especially the youth, received the most essential benefit from her example, her conversation, her instruction, her admonitions, and her prayers. A domestic incident

on which she loved to dwell was the

*The last of these was the aged and amiable widow of the late Rev. Dr. Finley, whose company and conversation were the principal earthly solace of Mrs. Hodge in the last years of her life: And to whom the writer here begs leave to dedicate these memoirs of her dear departed friend.

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The piety of Mrs. Hodge was indeed eminent, but its peculiar characteristic was humility. Those who had heard much of her did not always find their expectations realized, when they became acquainted with her. They found that she was not one of those who anticipate continu. ally and with confidence the heavenly joys, who are raised by this above all fear of death, and who seem to be rapped into a better world while they remain in this. A person who, from what he had heard of her, was led to believe that she possessed something of this character, after a short acquaintance, offered to present her with a handsome copy of Mrs. Rowe's Devout Exercises of the Heart. Her reply to him was this: "I know something of that book, Sir, and I thank you sincerely for offering it to me. But I must say that it is a book which does not suit me. I wish I was more like Mrs. Rowe than I am. But her exercises were so far superior to mine, and her descriptions of them are so strong, that, to tell you the truth, they rather discourage me than help me. If you please, let the book be given to Mrs. I think it will exactly suit her." In this there was no affectation, to which indeed she was a stranger. She believed that others had made attainments far beyond her own, attainments which she wished to make, and mourned that she wanted; but to which, as she believed she did not possess them, she would make no pretensions, There were some considerable portions of her life, and many short seasons scattered through almost the whole of it, in which she rejoiced and triumphed in God her Saviour. But as a habit she did by no means possess the "full assurance of hope." On the contrary, she had frequent doubts and fears, and great anxiety about her spiritual state; though never, after her first exercises, did she sink into any thing like despon.

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