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in a land of strangers; but he meekly bowed to the will of God. "When we married," he observed to her, "we married as rational creatures and as Christians, and not with the expectation of living together always. It will be hard for you to live without me; but God will support you." His mind was clear and calm. He addressed the friends that came around his bed, with great earnestness, affection, correctness, propriety, and even elegance. With regard to himself, he observed, "that he had endeavoured to serve God from his youth, and he trusted that God would not forsake him now, when his flesh and his heart failed him." He told his wife that it was scarcely worth while to say farewell-they should so soon meet again. Not long after this, he requested a Christian friend to pray with him; he then joined in singing a hymn, and in a short time fell asleep. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

From the above narrative of facts, it appears that Mr. Hull was a good man. He uniformly followed the Lord Jesus Christ from his earliest years; though like most other Christians, with some variation in the completeness of his religious feeling. He remembered his Creator in the days of his youth, and be seemed determined never to forget him. His views of divine truth were highly experimental; and like most persons who become early pious, he knew more of Christian character and Christian experience, and was abler to bring home those subjects to the consciences of others, than the generality of young men. He ripened fast for heaven. In his visit to New-England above mentioned, his intimate friends, to whom he thought proper to unbosom himself, observed how much he had grown in grace and how deeply he had imbibed the spirit of a Christian minister. He regarded no self-denial as too great for the sake of him who died for us all; and he kept his eye steadfastly fixed on the recompense of reward hereafter. He was habitually impressed with the shortness and uncertainty of life, and seemed to make his calculations accordingly. "I have the great debt of nature but once to pay;" said be in a letter to a friend; "and if I am prepared, it is but of little consequence when it comes." His piety, however,

was not of the melancholy kind. When in the company of his friends, he was almost always cheerful. Except when engaged in some solemn duty, or labouring with some train of close thinking, he wore a smile on his countenance. Being naturally of a compan ionable make, he entered with great cordiality into the schemes of innocent pleasure which his friends were forming; and brought them all into subjection to the great end of his being with more than ordinary felicity. No austerity or artificial sanctimony. His was a piety which, though it might be hated, on a near approach, by the worldly and the proud, had no covering of superstition to drive them from its presence.

He was also a man of talents. By a studious habit which he continually cultivated, he made himself master of several languages. He read a great deal of classical literature; and he well understood the great principles of theology, and those minor points which are principally agitated in the church. He showed himself, by his public performances, to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. In his preaching at the south he generally adopted the extemporaneous method, that being the most acceptable there; but he was of opinion that the audiences of New-England were better edified by written discourses. He never relinquished the habit of writing occasionally. style was manly and scholar-like. It was specially marked by chasteness, classical purity and instructiveness, rather approaching to the style of the the essay.

His

His discourses were usual

ly full of important ideas. He wrote as if he had something to say, and not merely because he was obliged to write. There was visible in what he wrote, a distinctness of purpose, and, where the subject admitted it, a piety of feeling. In listening to his preaching, you were not lost amid a garden of flowers, or delighted with beautiful pictures of the fancy, and thus diverted from the main object in view. Nor were you knocked down as in a moment by a terrible blow, which would rouse your indignation and put you on the defensive. The still small voice of the gospel insinuated itself into your ear,and your conscience rose up and condemned you. Such was his style of preaching. His manner of delivery was grave, easy, and solemn. In short, his character as

a minister of the gospel was as nearly like that of Cowper's celebrated description as is often to be found. With such qualifications he stood amid a flood of corruption, and opposed it with discretion and firmness. He appeared to be rising to eminence in the church. He had begun to assist in laying the foundation for a broad and extensive influence of Christianity in one of the

states of our confederacy, where little
but vice and irreligion is visible. But
he is gone. The eye of affection weeps
for him in vain. The heart of friend-
ship, filled with the kindliest emotions,
mourns over his early death; but taught
by his example, we bow in submission
to Him that appointed it, believing
that he doth all things well.
B. G.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A LETTER has been put into our hands from the author of the "Missionary Gazetteer, complaining of our notice of that work. Every pursuit in life has its disagreeabie attendants One of the unpleasant circumstances peculiar to the business of conducting a periodical work, is the frequent necessity of frustrating the well-meant labours of authorship-even when those labours were intended for our own benefit. We have on our shelves piles of manuscripts written for our pages, some of them the result of much hard thinking, which we have been compelled to lay aside during the seven years of our editorial labours, though we were well aware that every instance of our doing so went to increase the number of those who would persuade themselves of our wanting at least discrimination, if not common candour and common delicacy. The rejection of an anonymous paper is, nowever, an offence which may be forgotten. But when a man has written and published a book, it is no light thing to speak of its imperfections, or even to speak with moderation of its merits. An author certainly should be treated with all possible candour and liberality; but there is a higher duty to the public which should not be lost sight of by the reviewer, in his regard for the feelings of an individual. Reviewing, if we are not mistaken, has come to be a different thing from what it was: praising is now in vogue, a it was formerly the fashion to dispraise; and the reviewers have lightened their labour by the change. To cominend is easier than to censure. He who has merely read the title-page or contents of a book may give an outline of its plan, and bestow on it some merited general praise; but he who ventures to speak of the defects as well as excellencies of a work, must show that he has read it, and that he is prepared to substantiate his allegations.

As to our notice of the Missionary Gazetteer, it was professedly founded on a slight examination. We did not pretend to have devoted much attention to the work; nor did we conceive that our opinion, qualified as it was, would carry with it much weight; and we are surprised that Mr. C. should attribute so much consequence to it as to imagine that hundreds" had thereby been prevented from examining or buying his book; or that he should feel it to be his "imperious duty to seek redress for the injury he has sustained from the review" What were our remarks, so injurious to Mr. C.? We stated that the Missionary Gazetteer was intended as a reference-book on the subject of missions; that it had been compiled with great labour, the author having devoted all his leisure to it for more than three years; and the result, we added, was, that a mass of missionary information which could not readily be come at elsewhere was thus brought together in a small compass. Thus far Mr. C. will not complain of injustice. But we ventured to suggest some respects in which it appeared to us our author, without enlarging his work, might have increased its value as a book of reference, and at the same time added something to its literary merit. l'hough we are not prepared to relinquish this opinion entirely, yet we cheerfully confess that our estimation of the work, even in those particuiars to which our strictures had reference, has increased as we have become better acquainted with it; we have in more than one instance had occasion to refer to it for facts, concerning which it was our only means of information. We are glad that others had entertained a higher opinion of its claims than we had done; we are pleased that it has been commended in a work so much respected and so widely circulated as the Missionary Herald. We are also gratified to be informed by Mr. C. that the sale of the work has been so extensive as to relieve him from any apprehension of its becoming a burthen to the "shelves of the booksellers;"-of course he has no longer any thing to apprehend from our review, good or bad. Since the book has become so extensively known, it will we trust sustain itself by its own merits. If it is not thus sustained, no commendation can long make it popular: it is true of a book, as it is of every individual who comes before the public-that it will find its level. CLERICUS E PLURIBUS UNUS has in some things misapprehended us. We regret that our limits will not suffer us to reply to his very candid remarks,

THE

CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR.

No. 11.]

NOVEMBER 1, 1825.

[VOL. VII.

For the Christian Spectator.

BIOGRAPHICAL

RELIGIOUS.

SKETCH OF ROBERT

CHAUNCY ROBBINS.

He was the son of Rev. Robert Robbins, and was born at Colchester, Con. May 16, 1786. In his youth he was favoured with only a moderate share of health; but his intellectual powers, if not unusually strong, were peculiarly brilliant. His father died when he was in his eighteenth year, and had made only small advances in classical literature. Within two years after this painful event be entered the freshmen class at Williams College, where he pursued his studies with avidity and The first summer of his connexion with college he became hopefully pious, and made a public profession of religion. There also he formed an intimacy with Samuel J. Mills, and became his companion in prayers and labours. This intimacy was uninterrupted during seven years of study, and though afterwards diminished by separation and sickness, it was continued by written correspondence, till death closed it for a season.

success.

Having finished the regular course at college, he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. the same year. His views and feelVOL. VII.-11.

1

ings in reference to the ministry may be learned in a measure from a part of his first letter written from that institution to his mother. "My situation has had a tendency to call my mind to some serious reflections. How dreadfully awful the idea, that one should think of attempting to preach a crucified Saviour, and a judgement to come, who has not savingly felt the need of that Saviour himself; who has not traced the justice of God in condemning the sinner, as well as his mercy in saving the righteous! How dreadful the thought of preaching to others and being finally cast away ourselves! Such reflections, together with God's providential dealing with me of late, have taught me the necessity of looking into my own heart, and discovering, if possible, whether I am on the Lord's side. I have had severe wrestlings, but 1 fear that I am not yet a prevailing Israel. How deceitful above all things and desperately wicked is the human heart May God search me, and try me, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. While I express these feelings concerning myself, I hope that I am not altogether selfish. I humbly trust, that I in some measure feel the worth of souls, the vanity of earthly things,

and the incalculable riches laid up in store for those who love God." In another letter he writes, "I find increasing pleasure in contemplating the mystery of godliness. I sometimes review the past with a mixture of pain and pleasure; though I find nothing in my own conduct which is not more or less stained with guilt, yet I have great reason to admire and adore the providence of God which has given me an opportunity of knowing the truth as it is in Jesus. This is the only sure foundation of hoping for a future state of happiness. I more and more realize that there is a depth of iniquity in me, which I can never fathom. The unconvicted sinner knows not the load of guilt which lies upon him. His eyes are closed, his ears stopped, and his mind wrapt in midnight darkness. Nothing but a power divine can renew the hearts of rebellious creatures. In some of his letters he expresses a strong hope of reconciliation to God, and of being an heir to mansions above.

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Few have exhibited stronger attachment to their relatives and acquaintances. This was uniformly combined with ardent desires for their salvation, and the most pressing entreaties, that they would lay hold on eternal life. He often reminds them of his unceasing prayers for them. In one of his letters, after many expressions of anxious desire, and some affecting inquiries, he adds, "but why do I ask these questions? Is not God's name glorified though my brothers and sisters are not saved? Am I an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ to an incorruptible inheritance, and shall I not be willing that God should do all his pleasure? But I must be resigned, I must acquiesce, though I be eternally separated from those whom I love as my own soul. Yet this does not excuse me or my friends from duty. While there is life there is hope; but who shall presume on the mercy of God, when every one of our innumerable

sins deserves God's wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come." He entreats them by the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, to lay down the weapons of their rebellion; nor does he appear to rest, leaving any proper motive untried.

But his benevolence was not confined to himself, his friends, or his acquaintance. Though his soul was moved with the tenderest emotions for his acquaintance and kindred, according to the flesh, his heart glowed with a flame no less ardent for the perishing millions in heathen lands. Even his lamentations respecting his want of ardour, afford decided evidence of this. He says, "I see many millions in pagan lands, bowing down to stocks and stones, who neither know that there is a Saviour nor a Holy Ghost, and yet how little of Brainard's spirit do I possess! Where has the apostolic spirit fled? When shall three thousand be born to Christ in a day? But, why complain? The Lord Jehovah has not forsaken the earth. We hear of his stately goings in many parts of our land, and in far distant climes."

Mr. R. was one of the few who formed in that seminary, the association called " The Society of Inquiry respecting Missions." This association embraced at first, only those, who were professedly inquiring what was their own duty with regard to a foreign mission; but it has since received almost all of succeeding classes, and has poured a flood of light upon those, who entered it as mere spectators. Mr. R. was himself an anxious inquirer respecting the will of God; and the ardour of his feelings led him to hope for a share in bringing the multitude of the heathen to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. He writes to his mother"There are many here who think of devoting their lives to this glorious cause. Our society is denominated A society of inquiry respecting missions.' I belong to it of

course; and may God grant me grace to know and do my duty; and if I am to bid adieu to my native country, and go among the heathen, I humbly pray that I may be armed with the whole panoply of the Christian, and fight successfully the battles of the Lord. What greater honour can be conferred on a worm, than to be a soldier of Prince Emmanuel?" Though he did not, to the knowledge of the writer, make known to his relatives the result of his inquiries, and declare his determination to be a foreign missionary; it is referred to in one of the letters of S. J. Mills, in 1813. He remarks,-"I cannot tell you how much I rejoice at the prospect of your regaining your health. You will not forget that your talents, yea, soul and body, are consecrated to the service of God among the heathen."

He enjoyed a tolerable share of health while at college, and for three years at Andover; yet in some let ters he mentions it as a matter of peculiar thankfulness, that he had been able for months to pursue his studies as closely as others. Adopting a resolution to remain at the seminary a part or the whole of a fourth year, to preach occasionally, he was attacked with a hemorrhage from the lungs, which destroyed all his prospects of labouring among the heathen. This occurred in Jan. 1813. Giving an account of it in a letter to his friends, he remarks,— "I then bid adieu to the world, expecting that I might be in eternity before the revolution of another sun. But it is now more than three weeks since I began to recover, and, though I have not been out of my room, I am able to walk, relish my food, sleep pretty well, and through the whole scene have been calm and happy. Should I recover from my present weakness, it will not be without some fears and pains. I shall take the utmost precaution on my part, and leave the event with the great Physician of soul and

body. If my lungs have not ulcerated, I have much reason to hope that, through the blessing of God, I shall again see my friends, and rejoice with them in the salvation of Jehovah.

But should an all-wise Providence determine otherwise, may I and my friends be sweetly resigned, and disposed to say, "the will of the Lord be done." I feel perfectly contented, if I know myself at all, to be in the hands of God. May this ever be my feeling, and with the prophet may I evermore be disposed to say, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will joy in the God of my salvation." Such were the feelings which he uniformly manifested in those numerous instances when death stared him in the face.

These extended quotations from his familiar letters have been introduced for the simple purpose of allowing Mr. R. to express his own feelings; that though dead, he might be the narrator of his experience while living. Surviving friends, and enemies are each liable to injure the dead by the partiality they indulge in professedly making a record of the principles or the feelings which they cherished. Many of the ornaments, and some of the blemishes, which adhere to the character of the deceased, would have been avoided, had their sentiments and exercises been gathered, not from their friends, or their enemies, nor yet from their studied diaries, but from their artless letters, written to the members of their own families. Mr. R. purposely avoided writing any thing, which should serve to bring him into notice after his decease.

The hemorrhage from the lungs returned several times in 1813, and in four or five of the succeeding

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