LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CHAPLIN.

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that we would engage to raise at least two hundred dollars in this place. I have since, I think, seen some good reason to believe that a larger sum might be raised, provided I could give assurance that you would come. I attended a meeting of our church a week ago. It was much fuller than usual, and very interesting. The members present appeared deeply impressed with the importance of having a faithful and an able pastor, and nearly all the leading men in the church seemed to be sensible of the necessity of more efficient and systematic efforts for the support of the gospel. No vote was passed in relation to the sum to be raised, but I apprehend that in the event of our receiving encouraging assurances from you, we should be able to raise two hundred dollars in the church alone, and two hundred more from people in Waterville. I have expressed to several of the brethren, confidentially, the hope I had that you might be obtained; and I should have done the same to the members generally, did I not fear we might be disappointed. Considering all things, I thought it best to say no more than this in the church meetings, viz., that matters were in train for procuring a man with whom they would all be satisfied; and I think you may rest assured that there is not a member of our church who would not be rejoiced to hear that you could be obtained.

As it respects myself, and most, if not all, of the officers of the college, we do not want you here merely as the minister of the place. We want you here as a member of the board of trustees, as one of our examining committee, and as a friend whom we may consult in difficult cases, and to whom we may open our minds with freedom and confidence. We want you to visit the pious students, particularly the beneficiaries of our education societies, and to assist us to raise the standard of religious feeling in the college. We want you also to visit our academy frequently, and unite with us in concerting measures for promoting its growth and reputation. I will add, we greatly need your aid in our Association, in our Education Society, and in our State Convention. Should you remove to this place, and be favored with the blessing of God on your efforts, your sphere of action would be extensive, and your usefulness, as it seems to me, very great. I say, should the blessing of God attend your efforts. I am sensible that your talents and acquirements would avail nothing without this; but this, I trust, will not be withheld. For it really seems to me that it is your duty to come; and I need not tell you that the way of duty is the way of blessing.

It seems to me that Waterville is the very place where you are most needed, and where your talents may be employed with the greatest effect. I know there are other places where you may have more hearers. But the character of our hearers is more to be regarded than the number. Our assembly is not large, but a more interesting assembly can hardly be found in any part of New England. Besides a considerable number of educated and professional men residing in the village, nearly all the

students of the college and the academy may be expected to attend our meeting. And how important it is that young men, who, in consequence of their talents and their acquirements, are destined to occupy impor tant stations in the church or in the civil community, and exert a mighty influence on thousands and tens of thousands of their fellowmen, — an influence which must be felt to the end of time and through eternity, how important that they have the advantage of sitting under a ministry which is not only distinguished for orthodoxy and piety, but which shall give them clear and extensive views of divine truth, shall make them feel that there is nothing in pure religion incompatible with intellectual greatness, and that a humble, devoted Christian may be a genius and a scholar! Had you not, my dear sir, rather preach to such an assembly as ours, though comparatively small, than to one much larger, composed of people in the ordinary walks of life? And, I may add, would you not have the prospect of doing much more good? Perhaps, however, I need say nothing of the smallness of our assembly. There is, I apprehend, good reason to expect that our congregation would greatly increase should you consent to become our pastor.

In closing, allow me, my dear sir, to express my earnest desire and my hope that God will graciously assist you in ascertaining your duty, and will give you much of that wisdom which is profitable to direct. If I know my own heart, I do not wish you to remove to Waterville, unless you can do it with his approbation. To his blessing I desire to commend both you and yours, while I subscribe myself

Your friend and brother in the gospel,

JEREMIAH CHAPLIN.

It is not easy to conceive how great the disappointment of Dr. Chaplin must have been when he received from Mr. Stow a negative reply to his letters. Evidently his hopes had been highly raised, and his imagination drew a bright picture of the delightful results which would be sure to follow Mr. Stow's acceptance of the call which would have been extended to him had he given the slightest encouragement to believe he would become the pastor of the Waterville church. He had, however, waded through too many difficulties, and encountered too many trials, to allow himself long to brood over this blighting of his hopes. Meanwhile, the subject of our Memoir, having disposed of a matter which, we doubt not, he most seriously took into consideration, continued to make full proof of his ministry in Portsmouth.

CLOSE OF MINISTRY IN PORTSMOUTH.

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CHAPTER VI.

LAST YEAR IN PORTSMOUTH. - INVITATIONS TO REMOVE TO DIFFER ENT PLACES. JOURNAL. CALL TO BALDWIN PLACE CHURCH, BOSTON. LETTERS FROM REV. J. D. KNOWLES AND DR. SHARP. - DR. LAMSON ON DR. STOW'S MINISTRY IN PORTSMOUTH.

1830-1832.

THE course of events has brought us nearly to the closing year of Mr. Stow's ministry in Portsmouth. He is impressed, at the commencement of the year, that his ministry here is probably drawing to an end. Some special tokens of the divine favor manifested themselves early in the year. A few inquirers came to him to converse with him on matters connected with the salvation of their souls. He had succeeded in awakening much interest in the cause of temperance. He tells us an anecdote which amused him much. "A genuine dram-drinker, being asked if he were going to hear my address on intemperance, replied, 'No, I don't like him. I believe, if he were to look at a hogshead of rum, the head would fall in." He observes, "I notice how carefully the drunkards shun me, and retailers give me little opportunity for conversation." As the weeks pass away, his anxi eties for a revival of religion increase. In the month of April there was held, for several days, a series of meetings. All these efforts, however, failed to accomplish the results which he so much desired to see.

We give a few more extracts from his journal, which, while they represent him as still active in his ministerial labors, also disclose to us the chain of causes, each one of which had some connection with the dissolution of the ties which bound him to Portsmouth.

May 19. Preached at Stratham last evening, from Psalms lxxxv. 6. Had unusual liberty. In times past I have generally enjoyed more free. dom at home than abroad; but during the past five or six weeks this thing has been reversed. I have little freedom at home, and much enlargement abroad. Is this an indication from the Lord touching duty? I now have an urgent call to remove to Lowell. Shall I go? I am almost decided in the opinion that my work is done in Portsmouth. I have, indeed, no desire to leave this place. Everything, with one exception, is quite as agreeable as I could expect in any place on earth my labors are not blessed. In other places, wherever I go, the Lord is pleased to give efficiency to my poor labors. Does this fact speak a language at all definite upon this point or not? I think I am willing to stay if it be the Lord's will. I fear I may be too impatient, too much unreconciled, too much disposed to think my labors deserve the divine blessing. I know I am greatly wrong at heart. I need, I beg forgiveness of my God. Show me the right way, O Lord, and sanctify my unholy dispositions.

May 30. Returned from Boston. Have been to attend the religious anniversaries. On Wednesday delivered two addresses one before the Northern Baptist Education Society, upon "the importance of superior piety in those whom the church may encourage to preach the gospel;" the other before the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, on "the physical and moral ability of the church." Sabbath day preached on exchange for Brother Knowles, in Baldwin Place; in the evening, for Brother Jacobs, Cambridgeport. Weather exceedingly warm, but my heart excessively cold.

June 10. Returned from Newburyport. Preached for Rev. Mr. Proudfit in the house under whose pulpit sleep the ashes of that man of God, Rev. George Whitefield. There was something really inspiring in the thought I was so near the dust of such a man. Would that I had more of his spirit.

September 29. Since the preceding date, I have passed over considcrable territory, and through varied scenes. Visited Concord, New Hampton, New London, Newport, and from there came to Boston; thence to Newton to consult with friends on one or two points: first, Shall I go to Ohio, as has been proposed, to be president of a college? or shall I go to New Hampton, and take charge of the theological department? or shall I stay here? Decided not to go west at present. Could not fully decide between the other two. How good the Lord has been to me! Praised be the Lord for all his mercies; bless him, O my soul!

September 30. Heard of the death of dear Brother George D. Boardman, missionary to Burmah. He died among the Karens, February

11, 1831. He was "a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost." His labors were blessed among the Karens. The day before his death he witnessed the baptism of thirty-four converts. Who will go and take his place? How do the vacancies in our churches multiply! Great Head, send forth more laborers!

October 7. Returned from Exeter - the meeting of our Baptist Association. The Lord was evidently with us. Much seriousness exists in the place. Several seem to be affected in view of their sinfulness. O that the Lord would pour out his Spirit plentifully upon Exeter, and turn that people to himself! And may I not pray again and again for my own church?

October 18. A day of fasting and prayer in the church. Some signs of returning life. The following evils are to be deplored: 1. Languor in prayer; 2. Deficiency of faith; 3. Want of brotherly love; 4. Confidence in means; 5. Want of self-denial; 6. Worldly-mindedness; 7. Ingratitude for past mercies; 8. Indecision; 9. Inconstancy of feeling.

October 19. Feel some quickening in prayer. Can get a little nearer the throne. It seems as if the tempter had permission to vex and worry me to his heart's content. He spares no effort to keep me away from a throne of grace, and when I bow before the Lord, he is around me and within me, disturbing my thoughts, drawing away my mind from God, and thrusting in sceptical suggestions. I experience more of his temptations when on my knees than everywhere else. Lord, grant me grace to resist the devil.

October 29. Preached last evening in the vestry, from John vi. 45. More men than usual at the meeting. All very attentive. For two weeks I have felt great solicitude for the young men in my parish, that they might hear the truth with profit, and, learning of the Father, they might come to the Son, be useful in his church, and glorify him hereafter. For the pupils in the Sabbath school I have been unusually interested. They are light and thoughtless. O God, change their hearts, and bring them to the arms of Jesus, that he may bless them. One of the lambs of my flock has died the past week. Help me, O Lord, to improve this providence for the good of the children.

November 15. Perplexed and disturbed by another invitation to remove. The call now is unanimous and persistent from Portland. Within sixteen months I have refused applications from several places.

December 15. Sent a negative reply to Portland. My trial and perplexity in ascertaining duty have been severe, but a kind Providence has marked out my course with sufficient clearness, and I have concluded to continue with this dear people. They are doing all in their power to sustain the interest, and it appears, should I abandon them, it must seriously suffer.