The Spirit, Employment, and Design, of the Chris- Ephesians iii. 8, 9, 10. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent, that now, unto the principalities, in heavenly places, might be known by the church Hebrews xii. 9, 10. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he, for our profit, that we might be partakers MEMOIRS OF THE Life, Character, and Writings OF THE REV. DAVID TAPPAN, D. D. To record the principal events in the lives of emi nent men, and to delineate their characters, has always been considered a useful undertaking. "We naturally wish to be acquainted with those, who delight and instruct us, and to whose labours we feel ourselves indebted. Biographical memoirs, if faithfully executed, gratify this wish." We are peculiarly interested, when we behold a remarkable genius early displaying its powers, growing up to quick maturity, devoted to the most useful and sacred purposes, and cut off by death in the midst of its activity. Examples of this kind proclaim to us the uncertain tenure of human life, and yet teach us, that those, who have only a short passage through this world, may confer permanent benefits on mankind, and obtain a place in their esteem more lasting, and more honourable, than monuments of stone. The Creator, designing the subject of these memoirs for a very important station, imparted to him corresponding advantages. By the talents which he inherited from nature, together with his moral and literary improvements, he was qualified for extensive usefulness. He was born April 21, 1752. His father, the Rev. Benjamin Tappan, of Manchester, had the principal В care of his first years, and taught him the elen knowledge. Early in life he discovered marks of a ingenious, active mind. Before his admission into t university, he was placed, for a time, under the tuition of Mr. SAMUEL MOODY, Preceptor of Dummer Academy. At the age of fourteen years he was admitted into Harvard University. There, rising above juvenile follies and vices, and maintaining the character of a soberminded and virtuous youth, he diligently and successfully sought useful knowledge. Extending his views into future life, he preferred those attainments, which are solid and durable, before those which are showy or splendid. He was distinguished for ardent love of knowledge, for his blameless and serious conduct, and for his dutiful regard to the laws and guides of the institution.* After leaving the university, he assiduously devoted his mind, more than two years, to the study of divinity, though occasionally employed in teaching a school. Indeed he had bestowed an uncommon share of attention on moral and religious subjects while at college, and from his earliest youth. Beside which, it is to be remembered, that early maturity was a remarkable trait in the character of his mind. Accordingly, his first performances in the desk displayed a fund of theological information, procured him a high place in the public es The following notes are extracted from a manuscript sermon delivered shortly after the death of Dr. Tappan, by a very intimate and discerning friend, and brother in the ministry, who for many years was united with him in the same Association. *During the third year of his collegiate life, "a sickness, which brought him to a near view of death, was the means of such awakening and convictions, as he had not known before, and was followed, some months after, with such views of mind and actings of heart in divine things, as gave a new direction even to his unblamed and comparatively innocent life." 1 teem, and indicated the eminence, which he afterward attained. His hearers were surprised with the extent and pertinence of his thoughts, with his accurate and copious style, with the animation and solemnity of his utterance, and the fervour of his devotions. A very harmonious church and soon invited his ministerial labours. society in Newbury At the age of twenty-one, he was ordained the pastor of that flock, in which office he continued about eighteen years. He chose the sacred office from principle. It was his deliberate judgment, that the gospel ministry is, of all professions, the most important to mankind. That work, involving the best interests of intelligent creatures, accorded with his benevolence and piety. He made it the delightful business of his life to recommend to others that Saviour, whose glory had captivated his heart. He had the peculiar advantage, which belongs to all ministers, who are called of God, that when he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ," he spake what he knew, and testified what he had seen," To this un doubtedly must be ascribed, in a great measure, his impressive manner of preaching. He spake from the fulness of his heart. No hearer could doubt, that he felt the reality and eternal importance of the truths he delivered. As a preacher, he was evangelical. The peculiar contents of the gospel were the principal subjects of his discourses, "He determined to know nothing, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." The gospel, as a revelation of grace to sinners, was the great subject, which he studied and explained. "Sensible that the revelation of mediatorial mercy is the chosen instrument of saving a ruined world; that he was divinely commissioned to publish and enforce it for this end; and that its final completion will embrace the order, perfection, and happiness of the moral world, and the highest glory of its Author; he dwelt upon the sublime subject with eager and profound attention."* Those doctrines, which are the groundwork of revelation, were the groundwork of his preaching. Scarcely a sermon came from his lips, in which some of the peculiarities of evangelical truth were not found. He was a very practical preacher. Every gospel doctrine, he insisted, has its corresponding precept and duty. Speaking of the doctrines of human depravity, and salvation by the mercy of God, the atonement of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, he says; "from these doctrines immediately esult the duties of evangelical repentance and humility, faith and hope, gratitude and love, obedience and joy." He gave it as his opinion, "that Christian piety and morality must rise or fall, as the doctrines of grace, which support and exalt them, are regarded or neglected." By these sentiments he regulated his preaching. Whenever he inculcated the duties of Christianity, he did it chiefly by evangelical motives. Whenever he described a good man, he described him, as a character formed upon gospel principles; as a redeemed penitent sinner, pardoned through Christ, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. He represented the believer's inward exercises and whole practice, as having a constant respect to the great scheme of mediatorial grace. In his painting of virtue and religion you would not see the image of Seneca or Plato, but that of David or Paul. You would hear the Christian, of his describing, humbly proclaiming the abundant grace of Christ, and, from a heart enraptured with his divine beauty, crying out, "Unto him, who hath loved us, * Dr. Tappan's own words in describing a Christian minister. |